Demon Inside (Megan Chase, Book 2) [Mass Market Paperback]

Demon Inside, the second in what is at this point the Megan Chase trilogy, is a fast and furious race from start to finish and strictly on plot alone, it is a FANTASTIC continuation of the series. Dangerous and filled with a heated intensity, it grabs you by the throat from the first page and doesn't let you go before the last, no matter HOW long ago you SHOULD'VE put the book down and gone to bed. A word of caution, though...it isn't a stand alone book, as there is far too much that isn't explained and it does simply pick up three months after the point where Personal Demons leaves off, so you really should start there.

I loved Personal Demons despite a few issues with the plot and some technical stuff, and consider it a five star read. I thought the plot and writing mechanics in Demon Inside were AWESOME - even better than the first - but I can only rate it three stars, because in this book, I did NOT like the Megan Chase, PhD. character AT ALL. In fact, and very unfortunately, in Demon Inside Megan manages to encapsulate just about every single one of my personal bugaboos for a heroine in an urban fantasy series.

That was SO frustrating, because I totally appreciated what was going on - thought it was awesome to see the development of Megan's life given her relationship to Greyson and the friendships that sprung up in the first book, as well as characters like the brothers Malleus, Maleficarum, and Spud, and the personal demon Roc (not even going to try the rest of that name), who I find oddly adorable. I liked taking a look back into Megan's past and getting some questions answered about how that whole thing with the Accuser really started. And Grey was just as deliciously laconic as he was in the first one. Demon of few words, that one.

But...seriously...what the hell happened to Megan in this book? She was fiesty, sassy, and wordy in Personal Demons. She was totally out of her element with everything going on, but she was obviously a fighter. Sure, I never really bought her psychic therapist profession - she never struck me as particularly cerebral or understanding of the human psyche, but she still had a spine, more than a little sarcastic wit, and a tendency to snipe that was sort of endearing. So who the HELL was the screaming, crying, self absorbed, prone to stupidity, immature damsel in distress POSING as Megan Chase in Demon Inside?? For someone who was so adamant about not being Grey's arm candy, she sure did an excellent imitation of one.

I wish I was kidding. I wish I was exaggerating for effect. I'm not. Whenever something sudden and dangerous popped up, Megan was screaming her head off (or saying to herself more than once "if she started screaming she wouldn't be able to stop"). When the screaming was over, the crying started - or the sobbing. And when faced with worries and questions about the changes going on in her life, she totally internalized them instead of, oh, I don't know - being a mature and healthy adult (therapist, remember??) - and asking those in the know about what was going on with her. I totally resented the tension that created between her and Greyson because of it. She's a human now neck deep in demon politics - do you think she could get over herself long enough to look around and start asking the tough questions? MORE than once I felt like shaking her and telling her to put on her big girl panties and deal with it! And I'm not the PhD.

I understand the need for character development, and I DO understand some of her issues in this book. Some were organic to the story and made sense. Some. Most of them just made Megan seem like a totally self absorbed and petulant child who isn't getting things her way, so she's damaging a whole RACE of creatures because of it, and she's damaging her relationship with the demon who she's obviously in love with - and I don't care HOW reticent and mysterious he is, he loves the batty woman right back. And now that I think of it, it bothers me how little Megan cares about demon culture and history. I would've loved to have learned a little more about the mythos and history of the demons, but because Megan couldn't seem to care less about that, and the book is told from a very narrow third person perspective focusing exclusively on Megan's thoughts and feelings, unless she asks and investigates, the reader isn't ever going to know. That's a shame.

Before I go on another Megan-induced rant, I do want to mention there were a few aspects of Demon Inside - most notably the big conflict at the end - that felt a bit TOO similar to the big conflict at the end of the first book. Almost like SSDD (Same Stuff Different Demon). It wasn't completely, but there were echoes, for sure. One major point that bothered me in both books is actually a pretty prolific issue in the genre as a whole - urban fantasy tends to be riddled with these virtually unstoppable and indestructible baddies who have rained down death, dismemberment, and destruction. Well...they're unstoppable and indestructible until the big showdown with the protagonist. Then, no matter how many times the bad guy's beaten the protagonist to a pulp from cover to cover, the protagonist defeats the bad guy (AND his army) and remains remarkably unscathed, all things considered, at the end. To a degree, that HAS to happen. The better books give solid reasons why it happens. This one just had an appetizer from hell (that'll make sense when you read it). I didn't totally buy it.

I appreciate as a reader there WAS a small resurgence in Megan's character towards the conclusion of the book, but no reason as stated lets her off the hook for how utterly mealy-mouthed she was for the first 80-85%. I give her a single star, because I really did hate her character several times through the book. Every other aspect of the book gets a five star - perhaps a 4.5 in reality, but still. I averaged the two and ended up with a 3 Star overall read for Demon Inside. I can only hope Megan's character is a bit more the Megan we met in Personal Demons when going through Demon Possessed (Megan Chase, Book 3).

The first thing to know about this book is that it is not a stand alone. There are not enough recap and the relationships are complicated enough that reading the first book is a must.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked Personal Demons because based on the description and the cover, I thought it would be more chic-lit. Turns out it wasn't, although the book was on the light-hearted end. Not so with the 2nd book. This book was much darker, something I relished in. Megan got her ass handed to her over and over and her strength, courage and trust in her friends were really put to the test. One of the biggest struggles Megan grappled with is her new situation, which I can't go into since spoilers (from the first book) are no fun. Kane did a bang up job with Megan's internal conflict. She didn't give in too quickly but wasn't so whiny about the whole thing to be annoying. It was intense reading about Megan as she searched for the answer to what it means to be human and if she is a good person or not.

While I enjoyed the darkness, the emotional roller coaster, the action (which there were lots of), and the hot sex with Greyson, Megan's demon lover, the over arching story did not feel like it moved but an inch. Sure we got to know Megan a bit better but that was about it. Part of the problem, I think, is that issues from the past were still unresolved and so it felt like the story was standing still. Also, while Megan and Greyson were enjoying each other sexually, I was looking to see how their relationship had emotionally advanced and it felt like it hadn't. Yet, I feel conflicted about making this last statement because perhaps that's exactly how Kane wanted us to feel. Greyson, being a demon, is suppose to be emotionally distant. This certainly made Megan confused about where their relationship is. But, while he didn't trip over his own feet declaring his love for her, Greyson's actions did speak of deeper emotions so hmmm...yup, I'm definitely conflicted.

My biggest gripe, though, is not with the character development but with the plot itself. Some of the devices Kane used to deliver the major conflict felt similar to what happened in the first book. Enough so that I thought, "Really? Again? Is this the only trick demons know how to use to be evil?" It also seemed to me that the ending came too abruptly. I know that Kane plans to tell Megan's story over 4 books so unresolved issues are to be expected. But it felt like I was a passenger in a fast and exciting car ride and then suddenly the driver slammed on the brakes, opened the door and said, "Out you go, have a great day!".

Overall, though, I enjoyed the darker and grittier direction the book took and am really looking forward to seeing what happens to Megan and her friends.

Three months have passed since Megan Chase found out the world is filled with demons. In fact, Megan is the only human in the world without her own little personal demon sitting on her shoulder. Now Megan is the Gretneg (leader) of House Io Adflicta. It is her responsibility to care for all the demons of her House. Megan refuses to be as cruel as the previous leader, but the demons of her House are not grateful. They actually need for their leader to be cruel to them and administer harsh punishments. Megan is still trying to deal with all that has happened, as well as with the dark cravings within her that are getting stronger.

Recently all the Houses have lost at least one demon. The demons are literally exploding! Megan's demon lover, Greyson Dante, seems to have an inkling as to whom is responsible, but he is being strangely evasive. When Megan travels to Grant Falls, her childhood town, for the reading of her father's will, the powerful demon responsible for causing demons to explode follows her. Megan has been estranged from her family since she was a teenager. Returning temporarily to Grant Falls proves to Megan that, if anything, the members of her human family are even more selfish, stuck-up, and conceited than ever. It is here that Megan will learn the truth about her past. Megan will find out the names of those responsible for her association with demons and the reasons why.

Megan can no longer hide from the responsibilities toward those in her demonic family. Her past is finally going to be revealed. Only by embracing who and what she has become can Megan finally face her future. But first, she must survive the present.

***** FIVE STARS! If you have not read the previous title, Personal Demons, then you may find yourself lost a few times. I highly suggest you purchase and read it before beginning this title. Once you begin, you will find out that the cost of both books were well worth the money. As with Personal Demons, I could not stop reading this story. Luckily I was on vacation from work, so I could stay up all night devouring the words. The story opens with Megan rushing inside of a stranger's home to help one of her demons. What she finds is the results of the demon exploding. This set the tone for the entire book. Danger, unique situations, apathy, and steamy romance abound on every page. Unlike many stories, this one never slowed down in the middle. There is something exciting happening at all times. I ended up reading this book, cover-to-cover, in one night. Stacia Kane has become one of my favorite authors. Outstanding! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.