Demon Road by Derek Landy... On the Highway to HELL

Demon Road Demon Road Book One
Written by Derek Landy
Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Published August 28th 2015
512 Pages
Thank you to Harper Collins Australia
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★★★★★
Full of Landy’s trademark wit, action and razor sharp dialogue, Demon Road kicks off with a shocking opener and never lets up the pace in an epic road trip across the supernatural landscape of America. Killer cars, vampires, undead serial killers. They’re all here. And the demons? Well, that’s where Amber comes in... Sixteen years old, smart and spirited, she’s just a normal American teenager until the lies are torn away and the demons reveal themselves.

Forced to go on the run, she hurtles from one threat to another, revealing a tapestry of terror woven into the very fabric of her life. Her only chance rests with her fellow travellers, who are not at all what they appear to be…
Sixteen year old Amber doesn't have many friends, just her low paying and zero respect waitress position at the local diner and parents who couldn't care less about her well being. She's an average teen, trying to find her own identity and feel comfortable in her own skin. So when she's chased down by two disgruntled diner customers, Amber fights back.

Amber is the offspring of two demons, morphing into a red skinned, horned beauty who's parents have promised as a sacrifice. On the run, Amber is forced into the company of Milo, a gruff protector who for the right price will keep her safe. But Milo isn't without his own issues, namely his muscle car he shares an unnatural attachment to. And then there's Glen, Irish, spirited and a curse placed upon his life with only days to live. The three reluctant and irritable companions are travelling the Demon Road, where the seedy underbelly of America joins with the underworld.

In a deal with the devil, literally, Amber must hunt down a serial killer, a ghost of a man who children still tell fables about and bring him to justice. With Glen on the verge of dying, and loudly at that, her parents trying to kill her and realising the car you're travelling in could in fact, eat you at any moment... Amber's in for one hell of a ride.

Kelly's Thoughts

Demon Road is without a doubt, one of the most entertaining releases in young adult this year. Following the storyline of sixteen year old, average teen Amber, her life previously lacking friends and relied on her online presence to socialise with her peers. Her parents barely acknowledge her existence, but rather are too consumed by their group of hipster friends who are not above mocking Amber purely for their own amusement. But their cruel intentions run much deeper than hurt feelings and along with Amber's parents, feel an entitlement to Amber's life. Sending Amber on the run to survive.

When your parents feel the need to sacrifice you to a demon, chances are that you may need to align yourself with allies who can aid your survival, and the gruff Milo is being paid handsomely for his services. Milo isn't a father figure, in fact he barely communicates without precise intentions, making for a very tedious road trip. He ensures that Amber will not only survive, but thrive as she hunts down the only opportunity she has to escape her parents and their sacrificial contract on her life. But what would an incredible storyline be without at least one bumbling and kindhearted idiot... Enter Glen.

Irish, persistently annoying and desperate to be part of Amber's journey. I adored him. We need the slapstick characters in young adult to break up a storyline and add an element of unpredictability throughout. Glen added a lighthearted, comedic tone which only enamored me more to Amber's plight. But fear not lovers of paranormal and urban fantasy, Glen isn't a love interest, I'm not sure he'd know what to do with the opposite sex when faced with the opportunity. He's likely to fall into a barrel of topless women and still emerge sucking his own thumb.

The Final Verdict

Fantastically written, snarky and utterly charming despite the psychotic demons. Who knew that Derek Landy was not only a brilliant author, but hilariously entertaining! I simply loved it and can't wait to see where he takes this fresh and phenomenal new series.

26 comments

  1. I'm always on the lookout for more UF YA books, so I'm excited to add this to my TBR pile. It sounds like it's funny and sort of a wild ride.
    "He's likely to fall into a barrel of topless women and still emerge sucking his own thumb."
    *SNORT*
    I have to meet this guy!
    Great review, Kelly!

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    1. It's wild and incredibly entertaining Nick, I absolutely loved it! I'm an instant fan of Derek Landy now and looking forward to starting his Skulduggery Pleasant series too. I can't wait for you to pick up a copy Nick.

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  2. Yay! I love Glen already :).
    And with recommendations like yours, this one stays on my TBR list.

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    1. Awesome news Roberta! Glen is one of those idiotic and lovable characters and the banter at his stupidity between Amber and Milo was incredibly funny and added an extra element of fun throughout the storyline. I think Demon Road will appeal to a wide range of young adult readers, it's just that incredible.

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  3. This sounds fantastic! I've been wanting to read something by Landry for FOREVER now. I might need to start here. I love that it has lots of entertainment and humor as well.

    -Lauren

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    1. Me too Lauren. He's definitely one author who really lives up to his hype. I can't wait to start the Skulduggery Pleasant series now, have just bought them online. Would love to see what you think of this, I can almost guarantee you'll really enjoy it.

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  4. GIRLLLL this title makes me want to grab a bible chile! lol.

    Ah Kelly, you make me want to read EVERY freaking thing! This book sounds absolutely fucking ridiculous, but on the other hand I want it lmao. " He's likely to fall into a barrel of topless women and still emerge sucking his own thumb " oh you sassy little devil you! You know that I'm trying to weasel my way into UF, and with this seeming sooo out of my comfort zone, I am surprisingly intrigued to take this down!

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    1. Ohhh, you'll be clutching a bible and blessing yourself ten times over Tika.

      It's so much fun, not at all what I was expecting. The banter and snark are on point and the sass! You'll absolutely eat this up Tika, so incredibly entertaining. I can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  5. YES IT'S AMAZING RIGHT? And Glennnn, oh I loved Glen so much. What a lovable idiot, indeed :)

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    1. He was idiotic, but absolutely adorable. I actually felt sorry for him at times, he just seemed so incredibly lonely and desperate for a friend. I loved this, so, so funny and far exceeded my expectations. Now onto Skulduggery Pleasant.

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  6. To be honest, the cover put me off, but reading your review makes me want to read it, too. I am curious about this boy named "Irish", and Glen! I'm glad you had a fantastic read, Kelly!

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    1. The cover isn't too bad, a bit eighties fantasy though. I actually like it. It was so much fun, one of the best lighthearted reads I've had in a while.

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  7. I have nominated you for a Blogger Recognition Award. Here is the link to the details.

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    1. Thanks Paulina. I'll check it out soon. Thanks for commenting.

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  8. Most entertaining release this year? *happy dance* I like the sound of that VERY much.

    Although... the character is a LITTLE ridiculous... horns? How do you get away with it? Knowing society, we'll probably get thrown in a lab if you have horns and red skin! O_o

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    1. She morphs from a larger boned young lady into a sizzling demon vixen. She tries to keep her good horned self under wraps, but along comes Glen with his innocent stupidity and forms the strangest trio to ever hit young adult. So much fun Sophie, you'll adore this one.

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  9. I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUUUUUCH. *hugs Demon Road fiercely* I love Glen. I love how he was such an idiot and Amber and Milo are there all "omg, can we ditch him yet?" :') SO ADORABLE. <3 This book was total win for me and I want book 2! And 3! And 4! AND FIVE MILLION OF THEM BASICALLY. I don't ask for much.

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    1. I can't wait for book two either, especially with that ending. You know what's coming don't you... After what happened to you know who with that thing and then that thing at the end.

      Bring on book two!

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  10. I did not expect to see you describe this one as "utterly charming" when it's centered around psychotic demons - haha. ;) But definitely going to have to give this a try - it sounds absolutely amazing. And, of course, your five star rating makes it hard to resist. xD Thanks for sharing Kelly and, as always, fabulous review! ♥

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    1. It sounds really strange, but the characters, especially Glen are just incredible and the underlying storyline of acceptance and Glen's determination to befriend Amber and Milo was verging on heartwarming. I haven't been having much luck with books lately, but this certainly picked me out of that slump. It was awesome!

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  11. Demon Road's actually been appearing around my feed a lot (although I did mix it up with Vengeance Road once or twice) and it sounds really cool. And I sort of very desperately need more road trip stories after Fury Road, so yeah, all the road trip stories it is. Awesome review!

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    1. I haven't read Fury Road, but love anything with a road trip, in those type of adventure reads. This one is awesome Alyssa, funny and really entertaining too. I can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  12. This sounds a bit brilliant, yours is the first review I've seen of this one and I've been so curious about it because of that lovely cover! Thank you for sharing, it's absolutely going on my list! I love anything to do with demons :D

    - Wattle @ Whimsical Nature

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    1. Me too Wattle, but this is more of a lighthearted take on the usual demons we see in young adult, and doesn't take itself too seriously. I loved it. So, so entertaining and would love to see what you think of it.

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  13. Oh wow, this sounds like quite a bizarre storyline, although perhaps that's because I'm reading your review without much background info on the plot, but I'm glad it managed to be original, hilarious and captivating of your attention! I'm not sure whether or not I'm going to read it myself, although I have been recommended it, because the synopsis (when I did read it a couple of months ago) didn't really strike me as being a really "me" book, unfortunately, but I'll keep an eye out for more reviews and build up a decision that way.
    Lovely review! xx

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  14. This book sounds like a bucketful of fun and hilarious hijinks. I have, embarassingly, not read any Derek Landy at all, so I hope to read this book this year and cure myself of my ignorance. I love road trips, and demons, and funny characters, so I think I'll love this one. Wonderful review, as always, Kelly!

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