Demon Road by Derek Landy: Review

Title: Demon Road
Author: Derek Landy
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Pre-order this book: Amazon (US) / Amazon (UK) / Book Depository 
Published: 27th August 2015
Amber Lamont is a normal sixteen-year-old high school student. Smart but insecure, she spends most of her time online, where she can avoid her beautiful, aloof parents and their weird friends.But when a shocking encounter reveals a horrifying family secret, Amber is forced to go on the run. Killer cars, vampires, undead serial killers and red-skinned, horned demons - Amber hurtles from one threat to the next, revealing a tapestry of terror woven into the very fabric of her life. As her parents close in behind her, Amber's only chance rests with her fellow travellers, who are not at all what they appear to be...
supernatural animated GIF
My excitement at receiving this book!
Derek Landy is an author that I have heard so many good things about - 90% of those were probably from Amanda - and he's an author whose books I have wanted to try for quite some time. Demon Road instantly appealed to me, not only because it sounded awesome but also because it reminded me quite a bit of Supernatural, which just happens to be one of my favourite TV shows. When I received a signed ARC of this book, I squealed with excitement because this was a book I wanted to jump straight into and devour. And I did, all 500+ pages of it in less than a day. Having now finished the book, I can say that Amanda was right about Derek Landy and that Demon Road is a fantastic supernatural YA read, that had elements that reminded me of Supernatural and made me love it even more.

It must be said that this book starts with one of the greatest opening sentences, one that grabs your attention straight away and makes it rather hard to put the book down:
Twelve hours before Amber Lamont's parents tried to kill her, she was sitting between them in the principal's office, her hands in her lap, stifling all the things she wanted to say.'
reaction animated GIF

That sentence was enough for me to feel confident that this was going to be a book I was going to enjoy. I'd known it was a roadtrip style book, one that would see our character travel across the supernatural US, whilst on the run from demons. I didn't know those demons were her own parents, who were rather eager to end her life. It's not every day you read a book where the main characters parents are out to murder their own child. It definitely added something different to the story.

Amber is a really interesting character who is dealing with quite a lot. It's quite rare that you find out your parents are demons who want to kill you and then eat you. She handles that quite well, probably a lot better than I would handle myself in that situation. I will admit that she has a habit of making some really terrible decisions. I honestly hate characters who fail so epically at making decisions. But Amber can also be quite the badass heroine when she wants to be, so I can forgive her for her poor decision making skills.

Supernatural Castiel animated GIF
This is me about 80% of the times
 Amber makes a decision
This book offers a whole host of weird, wonderful and downright creepy secondary characters that add so much to this story. From Milo, the stranger that Amber finds herself travelling across the US with in his car, both of which aren't what they seem. To Glen, a funny companion that they pick up along the way, who has only 40 days to live. To a whole host of creepy, supernatural characters including an undead serial killer and vampires.

ROADTRIP!!!
The story itself is one that is action-packed from beginning to end. It's a roadtrip book - something I love - that sees the character travel across the USA and running into a whole host of supernatural characters and a whole host of trouble. The deeper into the supernatural world Amber finds herself travelling, the worse her situation seems to get. She needs to track down a man who even a ridiculously powerful Demon has been unable to hunt down, otherwise she will have no power against her parents. I found it impossible to put this book down because I had to know what would happen next. As soon as one situation resolved itself a worse one would pop up and make it so I couldn't close the book until I knew how it turned out.



My one and only grumble with the book would probably be that it felt a little lengthy at 500+ pages. A lot happens in this book, it's what makes it fell so action-packed, but it also works to make it feel like maybe too much is crammed into this one book. Sometimes it could feel like it was dragging in places and maybe could have used with this being a little shorter.... or some of it being put into the next book.


4/5 Butterflies

I really did enjoy this book and how impossible it was to put down, it's also made me desperate to get my hands on book two - I am sure the wait for that may actually kill me! I loved the whole cast of crazy, weird, supernatural characters and how dark this book could be in places. It could get pretty grotesque in places, which could be hard for me to read as I am quite squeamish, but I kinda loved that about it. I became far too invested in the story and gave up much needed sleep to find out how it would all turn out. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a fast-paced, action-packed YA read, especially if you have a love of all things supernatural. 


*I received a copy of this book through LoveReading4Kids.co.uk in exchange for an honest review. 

15 comments:

  1. I am someone who really likes what I have seen of Supernatural so far as well! I have only seen two seasons though... I should really get around to seeing the third one. But this book sounds fab and like a lot of fun to read. I love the idea of it being so addicting because I need more books like that in my life! I can't wait to try it :3 Great review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Supernatural is amazing !!! I ADORE THAT SHOW!!! :) Although I am two seasons behind right now... OOPS!

      Delete
  2. I haven't ever watched Supernatural but I do love the sound of this book
    Caroline@ www.bigbooklittlebook.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! So pleased you liked this, this make me happy happy happy! :D I CANNOT WAIT to read my copy, wahey! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow - What a great opener. That all by itself made me curious about this book. :)
    @dino0726 from 
    FictionZeal - Impartial, Straighforward Fiction Book Reviews

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm really excited about this book Charnell! I just got it in the mail and i LOVE supernatural so I can't wait to find out about what's in store with the demon busting and everything. Although it reminds me a lot of Unbreakable by Kami Garcia which I didn't enjoy that much. Amber's situation definitely sounds a lot like Sam & Dean's! Great review and I LOVE the new blog design!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I HOPE YOU LOVE IT!!!! :) I am really happy people love the new design, I am super proud of it.

      Delete
  6. If it's good supernatural I'll read it, but so much I've tried has been filled with the old tried and tired lately. Maybe this one will be different. Thanks for the review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This was good, one of my new favourites and I can't wait for book two.

      Delete
  7. That is a fantastic opening sentence. Like totally how you draw the reader in from the get go.
    I've added this to my Goodreads. Sounds super fun.
    Can you believe I've yet to watch a single episode of Supernatural. With my upcoming unemployment I feel like I will devote a lot of time to shows and movies I should have watched by now. Lol
    Happy reading!
    Brittany @ This is the Story of My(Reading) Life

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WHAT?!? Get on Supernatural as soon as you can, that show is AMAZING!!! SAM & DEAN <3

      Delete
  8. I'm enjoying this book so far, but my real qualm is what happened to Glen and how quickly it happened. He had to be one of my favourite characters.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, it always makes my day! Because of time restraints, this is now an award free zone but thanks so much for considering me! Feel free to leave a link to your own blog and I will come visit.