mo's Reviews > The Good Demon

Something's just off about this place. It's like the town has a bad heart--cruel, gone wrong somehow.

So this was a pleasant surprise.

I saw this book in a stack of new ones that my library had acquired. The cover intrigued me, as well as the summary, so I started reading, only intending to skim a page or two. I ended up liking the prose-- especially how the author described the sensations the protagonist, Clare, has when demon-possessed--so I kept reading. And reading, and so on, until I'd finished the whole book. Admittedly, it was a quick read (maybe only 3 uninterrupted hours?), but still. I've been swamped with school this summer and unmotivated to read for pretty much this entire year so far, and I found this book engaging enough to finish.

I really liked that the author didn't paint characters in broad brushstrokes of good and bad. A preacher who exorcises the main character is unlikable, yes, but he isn't a cartoonish villain. Likewise, Clare's demon (called "Her" or "My Only") is twisty, but her relationship with Clare shows genuine warmth and love. I think this novel is ultimately about how loneliness and abuse can go hand in hand, as well as how power-hungry groups can harm an entire community.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.