Review: Demon by Laura DeLuca

Title: Demon
Author: Laura DeLuca
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Pagan Writers Press
Publish Date: March 2013
Source: I received a copy from the author; however, this did not affect my review.

Why You're Reading This Book:

• You're a fiction fan.
• You're a YA fan.
• You enjoyed Phantom by Laura DeLuca

What's the Story?:

From Goodreads.com: "When Justyn and Rebecca set off to attend the New York School of Performing Arts, they think their dreams are about to come true. To their dismay, they aren’t in high school anymore, and the competition is steep. Rebecca must compete against accomplished singers for a role in the production of Demon Barber, including a stunning Gothic diva with her sights set on Justyn.

It doesn't help that things keep disappearing from their apartment or that Rebecca's father refuses to accept that Justyn is an essential part of her life. Yet, all this seems minimal in comparison to the serial rapist terrorizing the campus.

Consumed by fear and obsessed with revenge, Rebecca and Justyn start living the story of Sweeney Todd—both on and off the stage."

My Two Cents:

"Demon" is the thrilling sequel to "Phantom" and the second book in the planned Dark Musicals trilogy by Laura DeLuca. It's a modern day take on the musical, "Sweeney Todd." The book picks up a little bit after the first book ends. Rebecca and Justyn are now away at college together. They've taken their relationship to another level and are living together and auditioning for parts in the college drama departments presentation of "Sweeney Todd" under a professor who seems to hate them for no good reason, which makes doing the musical extra difficult.

While readers would probably be able to pick up "Demon" and get the story right off the bat, you really should go back and read "Phantom" as it's another good book in the same dark and thrilling vein as "Demon."

As with "Phantom," I really loved all of the twists and turns in this book. I thought the overall mystery in the book was a little less surprising than the central mystery in "Phantom" (I won't give you any spoilers) but it was still so much fun to watch all of the pieces come together and having my thoughts and ideas confirmed.

I really liked that DeLuca was able to weave in a very real issue and a very important message within this book. One of the main characters, Rebecca narrowly escapes a rape attempt and for very obvious reasons, has a lot of trouble coping with it and figuring out how to deal with the emotions coming out of that situation. I really thought that DeLuca did a good job of covering such a serious topic!

This book is billed as YA fiction but the content is fairly dark and may be best suited for older YA readers as with "Phantom."