Review: Personal Demons by Lisa Desroches

Title: Personal Demons
Series: Pesonal Demons
Author: Lisa Desroches
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: 4 Oct 2010

Source: UK Book Tours



Synopsis: From Amazon
Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She has spent years keeping everyone at a distance even her closest friends and it seems like her senior year is going to be more of the same...until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't stay away from him. What she doesn t know is that Luc is on a mission. He's been sent from hell itself to claim Frannie's soul. It should be easy all he has to do is get her to sin, and Luc is as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn't stand a chance. But Luc has to work fast, because if the infernals are after her, the celestials can't be far behind. And sure enough, it's not long before the angel Gabriel shows up, willing to do anything to keep Luc from getting what he came for. But if Luc fails, there will be hell to pay...for all of them.

Review:
As I have stated many times I love angels, demons and the good old fashioned battle of good against evil. Therefore thsi was a perfect book for me. A hot angel, a hot demon and a completely relatable love triangle (even with the burn-out).

Written in first person narrative with alternating perspectives of Frannie and Luc. Oh boy don't get me started on Luc *super swoon* having spent 500 years perfecting the art of being the spawn of the devil he is bad to the core or is he [ ; D ] An intellectual bad boy OMG Gimme [ ; D ] Luc's dilemma and his internal monologues are both funny and endearing *double swoon*.

Frannie on the other hand retains an air of mystery, pieces of her puzzle are strategically placed and don't actually fit together until near the end adding to the plot. I was really moved by her diary to her dead brother, Matt. A sub-plot in its own right, the discovery of what exactly happened to Matt and why Frannie feels responsible. The description of her visions and the physical effect it has on her raised my sympathy even more for her. She carries so much guilt around with her that it affects her ability to love, so realistically portrayed my heart ached.

I loved the use of putting smells to emotions, I am positive there really is something to that, the effect of pheromones on the subconscious as proof that it really does happen.  The inspired use of hell references within the narrative added a sense of humour to the prose. The weaving of religious history within the plot was very interesting adding substance to the story. There is a lot of information to take in regarding the different divisions of heaven and hell but it added insight into the battle of good against evil, showing that there isn't just black and white but shades in-between. I thought it was funny the way in which Luc and Gabe's appearance paralleled their nature, it did make me giggle.

Although I do think there are a number of cliches with the appearance, nature and especially the decorating in Luc and Gabe's homes, it is humorous and intentionally obvious, so much so that it is like a signpost to their personalities/nature and it did make me snigger.

The music references throughout were amazing and sent me scurrying to YouTube. The reference to the band Incubus paralleling the actual Incubus in the story was hysterical and added a lightness to what could have been a very dark moment.

One 'religious' thing I do honestly believe in is the existence of a soul. The way it was described in this book was truly beautiful.

So if you want a book that will give you sizzling chemistry, fast paced action, loyal and realistic friendship, the giant battle of good versus evil as well as truly awesome music references then this is the book for you. I loved it.