Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland

Narrated by Liv Anderson

Meet Kara Gillian. She’s a cop in a small, Louisiana town and she’s also a summoner of demons. An odd combination, to be sure, but when a serial killer with knowledge of the arcane resurfaces after a three year absence, Kara is the only woman for the job, even if she’s the only one who realizes it.

Mark of the Demon is the first in what promises to be a gripping series by Diana Rowland. The book came out in print four years ago, but Audible Frontiers has released it, as well as the other books in the Kara Gillian series this year.

Narrator Liv Anderson was a fantastic choice for this book. She brings Kara to life and, since the book is told from her point of view, this is a definite perk. Anderson allows us to see every nuance Rowland has written into Kara’s character. Whenever I think of Kara Gillian, Anderson’s voice will be the one I hear speaking for her. I was delighted to discover that she is the narrator for the entire series.

Kara isn’t the only character Anderson masters. She has a wonderful knack for changing her voice just enough to make each character sound unique. She even manages to give the demon characters a believable sound.

I definitely plan to continue listening to this series. I’m curious about a couple of things. First off, who is Kara’s love interest? Is it Rhyzkahl, a demonic lord who appears and marks Kara as his own? Maybe it’s Ryan, a handsome FBI agent, who is fascinated by Kara’s knowledge of the arcane. Whichever way Rowland chooses to take the romance angle, it promises to be rewarding.

I also really like the way Rowland chooses to deal with demons. We always read about demons being evil minions of hell. This series presents us with a new perspective that isn’t bound up in any religious dogma. Kara tells people that demons aren’t all good or all bad. They are beings who live by strict codes of honor and hierarchy. It’s truly a refreshing change.

I found myself drawn to quite a few of the supporting characters too. Even though I’m aware that Kara will be the main focus of the series, I am eager to see how things work out for those she comes in contact with. Rarely do I read books that pull me in as Mark of the Demon did. Rarely do I have an interest in so many of the supporting characters, especially when I don’t see things from their point of view, but Rowland has definitely managed to suck me in. I can’t wait to listen to book 2, Blood of the Demon. It’s a good thing it’s already on my iPod.

If you’re looking for a combination of the paranormal, a stellar mystery, and a lot of sensuality, Mark of the Demon is definitely the book for you. However, if you’re bothered by violence, you may want to steer clear. Rowland doesn’t pull any punches when describing scenes of torture or death. This did not prove to be problematic for me, but it is definitely something to be aware of.

Shannon

Narration:  A

Book Content:  A

Steam Factor:  Glad I had my earbuds in

Violence:  Graphic

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Publisher:  Audible Frontiers