Format read: ARC provided by author
Series: Book #1 Children of the Undying  series
Release Date: 29th Nov 2011
Number of pages: 87 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Formats available: ebook, paperback
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Author’s Website, Amazon, Samhain Publishing, Barnes & Noble, iTunes

Fifty years after a demon apocalypse devastated the world, summoners still bear the bulk of the blame. Marci lives in secret, hiding the gifts that could cost her a secure spot in one of humanity’s underground cities, and access to their virtual world. After all, her chances of avoiding the genetic-testing lotto are better than her chances of surviving topside.

The bastard son of a terrifying incubus, lust heats Gabe’s blood and sex fuels his magic. Innate charm and charisma help him navigate the cultural gap between the outcast town he calls home and the human settlements he infiltrates for trade. His latest mission nets him an unexpected asset–a summoner strong enough to soothe his darkest needs.

Trust a half demon, especially one who uses a lockdown to trap them together? Not in this lifetime. Yet Marci can’t resist Gabe’s offer to see her safely to a selective outcast settlement where she can live without fear. The journey alone is as dangerous as the way Gabe makes her heart race, but it could be her one hope of a real life.

If only she could be sure Gabe’s telling her the whole truth…

Demon Bait is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans live rotted together in small, mostly underground settlements to escape the wraith  of the demons. Humans are technologically advanced but all their knowledge about virtual reality won’t save them from the threat that awaits them on the planet. There’s not only demons around- magically talented humans live in the midth of the population, too. But the majority seems to be too scared to admit them into their society. So they have to hide what they are and live with an all-present fear of being discovered and evicted from the life as they know it.

One of these magical humans is Marci. She’s a summoner and spends her life hiding who she truly is. She always blends into the background- too scared to make real friends. She is a programmer in one of the outside settlements- trying to keep her head low to avoid attention. Marci is strong and very smart- life taught her to not be too trusting with just anyone. She keeps her distance out of pure self-preservation. But Gabe seems to be different in her eyes. She can’t really pinpoint why but deep inside she knows he’s a good guy. I loved to see her discovering that there is a different option for her- she doesn’t have to hide for the rest of her life. But can she trust a guy she just met? A man who admittedly has a magical influence on her mind even though he swears not use it?

Gabe is half demon and lives in Rochester, a free settlement where everyone lives together in peace- not only plain humans but also magic users and the spawns of the demons. It’s hard to make so this society work but with the iron fist of Dominic Wetzel, the founder and leader of the outcasts, and a necessary set of rules keep everyone under control. It doesn’t sound like freedom but it’s as near as you can get to it in this world. It’s a micro-society of live and let live. Gabe’s  magic calls to Marci and vice versa. He is surprised by his unusual attraction to her. He wasn’t living celebate in the past but this need he feels for her is something completely new.

When Gabe and Marci meet we have this instant attraction but Rogers never keeps it at just that. The romance builds up constantly through the story. I loved to see how both of them felt. Gabe is such a tender and thoughtful character. Don’t get me wrong he still can kick some demon ass real good but he worries about doing everything right. He wants Marci to get the chance she deserves- he needs her to want him because of who he is and not because of the magic that surrounds them both. He does make some mistakes but well we are all just human.

The whole world Rogers created with this first story in their Children of the Undying series is already enthralling. The mix of technology and magic with all the hopelessness of the post apocalyptic time drew me in from page one. It feels like a mix of Matrix and Resident Evil (with demons instead of zombies). The mood is dark but with Rochester as the haven it is gives us something to hope for.

Demon Bait will keep you glued to the pages. I adored the main character and their journey to love.  The setting is refreshingly new and will make you crave more. One of the best book I read by Rogers. Highly recommended- you shouldn’t miss this one.

I give Demon Bait 5 stars!

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

About Susi

Susi is a geeky vegetarian from Gemany. She just finished university and now works as a civil engineer in steel construction. Besides her reading addiction she also knits like a maniac while listening to audiobooks. Susi also blogs at the Secret HEA Society.

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