Gods & Demons (maybe a few monsters)

 This is the blog to go along with (or just give info on) titles suggested in the Alchemy of Genres podcast.

Alchemy of Genres

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Ok, first, I will just mention a few titles that I took a quick look at; and that seemed cool, but didn't grab me for "I am obsessed".....Demon Prince of Momochi House, Devil is a Part-timer, and Demon Slayer; all are manga and worth checking out.

Another title that I tried to read for this but I just am suffering from Covid brain (which leaves me vulnerable and devastated by sad stories) so I couldn't finish....however, it has gotten amazing reviews and now has a series as well; and that's Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff.  I have it back on my "to read" list on GoodReads, but will have to wait until I can handle darker, rougher themes.

No shock to see this series, I'm sure.....but there are Demons AND Gods in this one, Soulbound #5, On the Wings of War by Hailey Turner.  This time they are in London, and then Paris following a lead in the hunt for the Morrigan's staff....and of course things go pear-shaped, because....gods & demons...duh.  I liked seeing how the pack worked when far from home, and it was also great to get some more history on Jono because he is home; and yet not.   

Pretty much this whole series works for this topic, and also, I am obsessed (having read & listened multiple times).  This is an adult title, available only through Amazon.

Neil Gaiman's American Gods & Anansi Boys have been mentioned multiple times, so just a brief mention here because they definitely fit the theme.  Also Sandman, because it has more demons.....seriously, whole episodes/issues take place in Hell.....but regardless, you can't go wrong reading or listening to Gaiman.  Ever.  

Any book in the Iron Druid series works for this topic also, but I am bringing up specifically this short story, The Demon Barker of Wheat Street from the CarniePunk story collection.  This has Atticus and his apprentice stopping at a carnival, where things go horribly wrong.  A fun and quick read (actually the whole collection is pretty awesome, so feel free to read it).

If you haven't read Riordan's Percy Jackson books, you really need to.  Ignore that they are aimed at young teens and just enjoy the adventure & pace of the story.  The Lightning Thief is the first one (and please don't base your opinion from the movie, because that was awful).  Percy Jackson is half god (Poseidon to be specific) and at Camp Half Blood he learns all about the Greek Gods and all their children.  He also gets pulled into a plot and has to save the world, because, reasons.  It's really fun and you should read all of them. 

The Hollows series by Kim Harrison has plenty of demons, and witches and vampire and more....the new book in the series is even called American Demon (which I bought but haven't read yet; but really need to).  Dead Witch Walking is first in the series and you follow Rachel Morgan who is a witch (in this world that means, non-human magical person) as she goes on adventures and finds trouble.

This is an oooold book, and I read it a million years ago; but gave it 4 stars, so it must have been good.  It is a classic play on good vs evil with some original twists and turns.

Walker Papers is another series dealing with many gods; but this specific title (#5 in the series) also deals with demons; a cannabalistic demon to be specific.  Joanne Walker has to figure out who has the demon inside of them and find a way to save the tribe from this magical threat.

Anita Blake fights all kinds of monsters, but this one, (Anita Blake #5) has her up against some kind of demon/monster that she has never seen.  It starts when she is brought in to resolve disputed property rights by animating some of the dead and ascertaining whose family they belong to; but it rapidly gets out of control as everyone is hiding something.  Some of those secrets are deadly and evil.

I know I've talked about this title before, but it bears repeating....this is a steampunk adventure/alternate history where the gods are of African descent and inhabiting several of the main characters as they hope to avoid an apocalypse in New Orleans.  Unfortunately, this title is only available on Amazon, but while it's aimed at adults, it features a young teen; so it really could be read by either group.

Recently found this author and this is a very new series (in fact this is the only title in the series thus far)....but I am hooked.  The premise is that there are administrative offices for gods and demons on earth, and Sam, who is looking for a better job, stumbles upon a job ad and then finds himself working for Lucifer.  Not Lucifer himself; but his office; and he is the Administrative Assistant for a particular group of demons, keeping them in line, making sure reports are filed and expenses explained.  He is very good at this job and ends up working his way up the ladder; and also finding love with a demon....and possibly learning that he isn't completely human himself.  This is an adult title, with a M/M romance; but there is lots of humor, lots of fun and I greatly enjoyed it.  Sadly, it is also an Amazon exclusive.

Born in Fire is #1 of both Fire & Ice Trilogy and the Demon Days & Vampire Nights series (which goes beyond the trilogy).  Reagan is the daughter of a demon, which she is hiding from everyone; but her powers are bound to get her discovered eventually.....and then she gets involved with a vampire and adds even more complications into her life.  Reagan is a very cool character, mercenary with a lot of attitude but a heart of gold....ok, yeah, I have a type....haha.  Anyway, this is a cool series; I have finished the trilogy but not the other books in the series; though I will get to them soon (I hope).  This is an adult series, and an Amazon exclusive.

Daughter of Smoke & Bone is a YA title, but it's quite dense and complex so works really well with adult audiences as well.  Karou is a strange girl with blue hair and Akiva is a demon (called chimera in this world) who falls for her.....it is essentially a star crossed lover story but with so much more depth to the story than that.  It is quite imaginative with lots of action and angst.

Amulet of Samarkand is the first book in the Bartimaeus trilogy; and is the story of Nathaniel who is a boy magician who summons Bartimaeus to spite (and get revenge upon) his cruel magical master.  This is a YA title, but it is very odd, with much of the novel from the demon's point of view (he whines a lot), and lots of seemingly random events; but as you continue with the trilogy it all comes together.  

Happy Ending is #1 in the Demon Magic series (and I hope there is more but thus far only 2 are written).  I have mentioned this series before but it definitely works here, and is a very fun, if adult, series.  The story features Havoc, a demon familiar and Miles, a mage in charge of Havoc.  They both were captured by an evil mage but have since made a life of their own, but a new series of murders has Miles wondering if his old master is really dead.....and it also is the catalyst for taking their friendship to a new, more intimate level.  Winters is queen of fun, witty and profoundly inappropriate humor mixed with adventure and a bit of romance (and some really cool back stories to keep it from becoming completely slapstick and keep the characters well rounded).  This is a fun book, but the type of humor isn't to everyone's taste, so be warned.  Definitely an adult title; and an Amazon exclusive.

This story has it's characters and demons based from Japanese mythology (and according to Amazon, there is a live action movie of both in the titles in the duo).  Balsa is a warrior for hire (and female!) who rescues Prince Chagum from drowning and now agrees to help him finish his task while being hunted by his enemies, one of which is the Prince's father.  This is a fun fairy tale style/manga tale that is written for YA but really, everyone should try it...it's pretty awesome.

If you don't know the story of Death Note, you should go read it now.....really, go.....now!   There is an anime (which is good) and a Netflix movie (which is bad); but I prefer the manga.  This is technically a 16+ manga, so use your best judgement if you are looking into reading it.  The story centers on Light who finds a Death Note dropped by Ryuk who is a Japanese demon, called a Shinigami.  This book allows the owner of the book to write anyone into it, thus causing their death in whatever specific way it is written or a simple heart attack if nothing more than a name is mentioned.  Light is using the book for his own reasons, and L, is the detective on the case who is convinced that Light is connected to these deaths but cannot figure out how.

I am a huge fan of Tamora Pierce, and gods appear often in her Tortall books, but the Immortals series features them most prominently.  The series is the story of Daine, who has wild magic enabling her to communicate with animals, and who may have even more magic beyond that if she works at it.....she needs to figure out her own magic, where it came from and how she can use it to stop evil from spreading across the world.   This series is written for teens, but is fun for anyone.

As you can tell by the title, this is a fun, light read.  Phoebe's mom married and now they have all moved to Greece as that is her stepdad's primary residence.  When she goes to her new school, she finds out that her mom actually married a Greek God (literally) and her school is filled with children of gods with powers, and now she has to not only fit in amongst all their divinity but also find a way to leave her own mark and find her place, even if she is only human.   This is a great teen fluffy, silly book.

Most people think of The Stand when thinking "pandemic books" but it's also a story about good vs evil.  The main antagonist is literally a demon and so after the pandemic is over, the population that is left has to pick a side and see what wins the world.....and only the side of Angels plays fair.

I love this book so much.

This is the third book in the Raine Benares series, and in this book Raine finds that the demon infestation turns out to be a lynchpin in an ongoing battle between dark and light with Raine caught in the middle.  

These are fun books, some romance, lots of adventure; intended for an adult audience but not really restricted to that if you want to branch out.  

River Road is #2 in the Sentinels of New Orleans series by Suzanne Johnson.  In this book, something is killing wizards and DJ must figure it out with what resources she can gather.  I really enjoy this series though I may be the only reader as the books haven't gone out much.  The series was written for adults.

That's it for now, remember to send me suggestions for further podcasts or books to read at sdavidson@sbpl.info.

Support your library and borrow some books (but also maybe get an unlimited Kindle account so you can read some of those books, because they are awesome).

byeee