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danjvrobertson's review
5.0
As a reader, I'm happy to be reunited with Rebecca and Justyn. Their chemistry sparks on the page, and the way they connect as a couple is really just... so romantic. I loved watching this unlikely pair get together in Phantom; I love it even more now, when I get to read about their growth as a couple.
It also certainly doesn't hurt that, aside from The Phantom of the Opera, my favorite musical is Sweeney Todd! As I discussed in my initial Phantom post, I was a huge musical nerd in high school (not like that's changed now). I like getting to relive a bit of the "theater days" in these pages.... although, of course, my theater days were much less dramatic!
Demon is much darker than Phantom, in my opinion. DeLuca is masterful when it comes to crafting the kind of suspenseful scenes that make your shoulders tense - the kind of scenes that make you scared to look behind you. I felt like I was journey right beside Rebecca as she walked alone across the deserted campus. Every hushed noise and twig snap had me on high alert. I think it's a job well done when an author can make a reader really feel that sort of fear.
But fear not: Demon isn't all scary! There's still a decent dose of humor, with some great one-liners and a cast of supporting characters that really made me smile. No one in these pages in one-dimensional; all of the characters have desires, and flaws, and intriguing personal characteristics.
The plots twists kept me guessing until the end. As I neared the end of my commute home from work, I rushed to read the last few pages. I wasn't disappointed.
I'm really looking forward to reading the final installment in the Dark Musicals trilogy! Thank you so much to Laura DeLuca for giving me a copy of Demon for review.
It also certainly doesn't hurt that, aside from The Phantom of the Opera, my favorite musical is Sweeney Todd! As I discussed in my initial Phantom post, I was a huge musical nerd in high school (not like that's changed now). I like getting to relive a bit of the "theater days" in these pages.... although, of course, my theater days were much less dramatic!
Demon is much darker than Phantom, in my opinion. DeLuca is masterful when it comes to crafting the kind of suspenseful scenes that make your shoulders tense - the kind of scenes that make you scared to look behind you. I felt like I was journey right beside Rebecca as she walked alone across the deserted campus. Every hushed noise and twig snap had me on high alert. I think it's a job well done when an author can make a reader really feel that sort of fear.
But fear not: Demon isn't all scary! There's still a decent dose of humor, with some great one-liners and a cast of supporting characters that really made me smile. No one in these pages in one-dimensional; all of the characters have desires, and flaws, and intriguing personal characteristics.
The plots twists kept me guessing until the end. As I neared the end of my commute home from work, I rushed to read the last few pages. I wasn't disappointed.
I'm really looking forward to reading the final installment in the Dark Musicals trilogy! Thank you so much to Laura DeLuca for giving me a copy of Demon for review.
nannyf's review
5.0
This is the second in a trilogy of books and continues the story of Rebecca and Justyn, the main characters of the first book, Phantom.
Rebecca and Justyn have now been together for a year and they have both been accepted into the New York School of Performing Arts after being found by a talent scout and receiving full scholarships.
They immediately try out for the play 'Demon Barber' and, as predicted by everyone who hears him, Justyn is given the main role, that of Sweeney Todd. Rebecca gets the part of Lucy, a beggar woman who was once Sweeney Todd's wife before going mad.
Again, as in the first book, Rebecca finds herself in the thick of things when she is attacked by someone, assumed to be a serial rapist, who has attacked several other women in the past. In the aftermath of the attack she struggles with her emotions, pushing Justyn away in the process.
Unfortunately others start being attacked and the reader is left guessing as to the identity of the culprit.
This is another well written story from the author which has you guessing all the way to the end. As in the first book the identity of the person responsible was a huge surprise to me as I didn't see it coming at all. There are even more twists and turns in the end.
I cannot wait to read the last in this series as the author, as in the first book, gives an epilogue at the end of the book with the title of the next!
Rebecca and Justyn have now been together for a year and they have both been accepted into the New York School of Performing Arts after being found by a talent scout and receiving full scholarships.
They immediately try out for the play 'Demon Barber' and, as predicted by everyone who hears him, Justyn is given the main role, that of Sweeney Todd. Rebecca gets the part of Lucy, a beggar woman who was once Sweeney Todd's wife before going mad.
Again, as in the first book, Rebecca finds herself in the thick of things when she is attacked by someone, assumed to be a serial rapist, who has attacked several other women in the past. In the aftermath of the attack she struggles with her emotions, pushing Justyn away in the process.
Unfortunately others start being attacked and the reader is left guessing as to the identity of the culprit.
This is another well written story from the author which has you guessing all the way to the end. As in the first book the identity of the person responsible was a huge surprise to me as I didn't see it coming at all. There are even more twists and turns in the end.
I cannot wait to read the last in this series as the author, as in the first book, gives an epilogue at the end of the book with the title of the next!
condygurl's review
5.0
I have to say first that Phantom of the Opera is one of my all time favorite musicals. So when I was offered the opportunity to read and review Phantom and Demon by the Author I had to jump at the opportunity.
I won't go into details of Phantom here, but suffice it to say it was an excellent book which I gladly gave 4.5 stars to. But this isn't about Phantom this review is about Demon which is book two in the Dark Musical Series.
The relationship between Becca and Justyn continues in this book. This book is full of mystery and quite a bit of suspense, all while the love between Becca and Justyn continues to grow.
We meet some new characters in this book and once again the friendships make an integral part of the story. I immediately hated Livy, Chad and Scott. And the story Sweeney Todd was the perfect tie in for this story.
I have to say I just cannot wait for book 3. I give this book 5 stars and have to say that this book was better than the first book.
Details/Disclaimer: Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
I won't go into details of Phantom here, but suffice it to say it was an excellent book which I gladly gave 4.5 stars to. But this isn't about Phantom this review is about Demon which is book two in the Dark Musical Series.
The relationship between Becca and Justyn continues in this book. This book is full of mystery and quite a bit of suspense, all while the love between Becca and Justyn continues to grow.
We meet some new characters in this book and once again the friendships make an integral part of the story. I immediately hated Livy, Chad and Scott. And the story Sweeney Todd was the perfect tie in for this story.
I have to say I just cannot wait for book 3. I give this book 5 stars and have to say that this book was better than the first book.
Details/Disclaimer: Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
condygurl's review against another edition
5.0
I have to say first that Phantom of the Opera is one of my all time favorite musicals. So when I was offered the opportunity to read and review Phantom and Demon by the Author I had to jump at the opportunity.
I won't go into details of Phantom here, but suffice it to say it was an excellent book which I gladly gave 4.5 stars to. But this isn't about Phantom this review is about Demon which is book two in the Dark Musical Series.
The relationship between Becca and Justyn continues in this book. This book is full of mystery and quite a bit of suspense, all while the love between Becca and Justyn continues to grow.
We meet some new characters in this book and once again the friendships make an integral part of the story. I immediately hated Livy, Chad and Scott. And the story Sweeney Todd was the perfect tie in for this story.
I have to say I just cannot wait for book 3. I give this book 5 stars and have to say that this book was better than the first book.
Details/Disclaimer: Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
I won't go into details of Phantom here, but suffice it to say it was an excellent book which I gladly gave 4.5 stars to. But this isn't about Phantom this review is about Demon which is book two in the Dark Musical Series.
The relationship between Becca and Justyn continues in this book. This book is full of mystery and quite a bit of suspense, all while the love between Becca and Justyn continues to grow.
We meet some new characters in this book and once again the friendships make an integral part of the story. I immediately hated Livy, Chad and Scott. And the story Sweeney Todd was the perfect tie in for this story.
I have to say I just cannot wait for book 3. I give this book 5 stars and have to say that this book was better than the first book.
Details/Disclaimer: Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
abookishaffair's review
4.0
"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."
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."
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