Book Review: The Demon Catchers of Milan by Kat Beyer

• Review: The Demon Catchers of Milan
• Series: —
• Author: Kat Beyer
• No of Pages: 288
• Release Date: Published August 28th 2012 by EgmontUSA
• Received From:  Net Galley
• Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis:

Mia’s ordinary life is disrupted in the most horrifying way possible when she is possessed by a hungry and powerful demon–and only saved by the arrival of relatives from Italy, the country her grandfather fled many decades ago. Now her cousins Emilio and Giuliano say the only way to keep her safe is for her to come back with them to Milan, to live, to learn Italian, to fall in and out of love, and to master the family trade: fighting all demons with the lore of bell, book, and candle. Milan is not what Mia expected, but it will change her forever, in this stunningly well-written novel about an American girl who, fleeing an ancient evil, finds her only salvation in her ancestral home.

My thoughts:

I have to confess something… demons scare the ever living crap out of me. Seriously… It’s not that I’m really religious or anything but I think the idea of someone possessing your body just FREAKS ME THE EFF OUT! Yes, it really, really does.

So, when I started reading this and Mia is possessed, images of The Exorcist are flying through my mind. Really?! That is scary! Really!! But what is interesting is even when I was super freaked out for Mia, the demon was actually fascinating. He was made into this crazy being that really has it out for Mia’s entire family and for some reason, Mia herself. I don’t think the reason was ever stated but this is definitely something that made the demon, and the plot, even more enthralling.

Mia is also very intriguing. At first of course she is scared but as the book progresses, she grows. She wants to know more about her family and the Demon Hunting. She doesn’t shy away and you can actually feel the growth in her speech, her demeanor, absolutely everything about her and I loved it.

There was one sentence where the demon quotes the King of Sparta and says, Molon Labe  – Come and get them. I am hoping that this gives us a clue to who the demon is and that Kat Beyer is going to give us more information in book two! All I know is that as the quotes were being said, I had goosebumps. This is when Mia is really starting to show that she is not afraid of the demon and is willing to do what it takes to make him go away, whatever the price may be.

And funnily enough, even with all the growth that you see with Mia, my favorite characters are ghosts! Two that she can hear in her bedroom, Pompous and Gravel. They add a bit of comic relief but not so much that it takes away from the seriousness of the plot. But they are definitely some interesting characters. I want to know more about them!

All in all, this wasn’t scary, it was fascinating! I really want to know more about everyone, and everything in this.

Tags: Demon Catchers of Milan, Kat Beyer