Official Review: The Demon Heritage of Josh Thorne

[Levi]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Demon Heritage of Josh Thorne" by Joe Fowler.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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The Demon Heritage of Josh Thorne by Joe Fowler is nothing short of devilish goodness!! I'm going to go ahead and get this out right here because I was so impressed by this book that I can't even wait to tell you that I rate it 4 out of 4 stars!! The four stars are not given lightly as there were numerous errors, however, they were oversights of editing a first published novel, and overall the story reigned supreme. Therefore, I still feel that I cannot give it less than four stars, errors notwithstanding. An engrossing tale of demons, vampires, werewolves and another scary thing.......being a teenager! Not only that but being a teenager around said mystical creatures. This story is a whole lot of classic occult and dark fantasy, with a very little bit of Twilight style romance, all mixed together with Joss Whedon style camp and subtle humor. All you fans of this genre, what's not to love? This will go down as one of my favorite books of it's kind!

We begin this fast moving tale with the book's namesake, Josh Thorne, as he begins to have visions that he cannot explain. In his first vision, he sees his mom, and a few other people that he recognizes, summoning what he thinks may be a demon. He is absolutely taken aback and cannot believe what he has seen. Having a vision when all you want to do is be a normal teenager is bad enough, but to watch a male figure with an evil presence walk out of a fire due to your mom and her friends chanting mumbo-jumbo style, well that is just about more than a kid can take. I mean, come on mom, really? Can't you just join a book club or something? Our new friend Josh continues to have these visions and, unfortunately, also begins to see flashes of people's lives whenever he touches them. These flashes contain the secrets that people wish to conceal from the outside world. A little lie here, a little drug use there, and many other things that he begins to wish that he never had to see. (even if he thinks that he can learn to use his gift to be able to see into the girl's locker room--stop it Josh!)

We are then introduced to Josh's friends, and the story continues to amaze. Josh's friend Keith is always there for him, and is one of the only reasons that he has any friends at all. Keith is THE main man at school. He is the football team's quarterback and an all around perfect guy. He seems to have the right thing to say at all times, and always knows what the right thing to do is. He's a little too perfect, but Josh trusts him, and he has taught Josh over the years how to be a good person and has always been there for him even when he has failed to meet Keith's high standards. Keith's girlfriend Sarah is the most popular girl in school, and she tolerates Josh for Keith's sake, or so it would seem. One of our other main characters is Crystal, who is a girl that Josh hooks up with on a regular basis whenever her mom is over for one of Josh's mom's secretive "meetings." These characters lives become interwoven as the story charges on, and they all become as close as family. The characters are all very real and very well done, and you become connected to each one as their story plays out.

With the title of the book being what it is, it would be almost impossible for any summary to contain a spoiler, so we may as well get it out there that the demon that Josh saw being summoned turns out to be his dad. And his dad wishes to be summoned again and to possess his body. Jerk. With the horrors of high school already looming ahead of him every day, let's just say that that revelation is a total bummer and he will need all of his strength and all of the friends that he can get. And that is where the wolf pack comes in. Josh is bitten by a werewolf and therefore becomes part human, part demon and part wolf. The pack takes him in, some more reluctantly than others, and teaches him the ways of the werewolf. It is also at this time that Josh meets and begins to fall for a particularly cute and well built she-wolf. (it's not his fault she gets naked to change into a werewolf, he can't help but notice.) We are drawn along as Josh become very quick and powerful in a short amount of time due to his dual (part demon-part wolf) nature, but will it be enough to stop his deadbeat demon dad? And will any of his friends or his new love interest get hurt in the process?

The underlying theme of this book, as strange as it may sound is love. Whatever it looks like kind of love. No judgement kind of love. And definitely no making love to a demon and then summoning him to possess your only son kind of love. The theme is visited over and over and the author was adept at drawing you in to experience what he was trying to get across.

Alternatively, one of the points that I thought was distracting was when the theme of love (regardless of gender or any other qualifier) was drawn out just a little too much at one point of the book. That being said, it is not a bad message and it did not greatly distract from the overall story. As I said at the beginning of this review, there are errors throughout, but they are minor errors and are not overly glaring, but only because the story is so good. Great characters, great humor and great originality made this a book I could not put down, and now that it is over, I plan to read more from this author. 4 out of 4 stars, and looking forward to a bright and sarcastic future from Mr Fowler!!

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The Demon Heritage of Josh Thorne
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Like Escapeartist's review? Post a comment saying so!

[zeldas_lullaby]

Wow, what a great review! This book sounds awesome. I may have to read it!

I love your plot description--it gave me a lot of information, and I like that. Your passion for the book really comes through!!

[Levi]

Thank you Zelda!!! If you like this genre you will love the book. It reminded me of your book slightly, with the great subtle and sarcastic humor that was displayed throughout.

[Kappy]

Excellent review. I think that humor tremendously improves horror tales.

[Levi]

Excellent review. I think that humor tremendously improves horror tales.

The humor in this book is amazing. Thank you so much Kappy!!

[zeldas_lullaby]

I've always found that humor improves erotica, but that might just be me.

Yeah, this book does remind me of what I'd like, so I can see a connection!! I seriously might read this one!!

[Levi]

I've always found that humor improves erotica, but that might just be me.

Yeah, this book does remind me of what I'd like, so I can see a connection!! I seriously might read this one!!

I would love it if you would read it and give me your opinion. I am actually reading the author's second book now, Vampire Outbreak, and love it as well. He dragged me in and I had to know what happened next. That says a lot.

[zeldas_lullaby]

Well, OK, I'll give it a try!!

[bookowlie]

I enjoyed reading our review. Books with werewolves and vampires are not my cup of tea, although the sarcastic humor sounds great. You made the story sound so interesting. Nice job!

[bluemel4]

Great review! The infusion of humor makes a joy to read. You had me at Joss Whedon. I am a huge fan of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Firefly, Dollhouse, Angel, and Agents Of Shield. I love supernatural books. I am going to have to add this to my to-read list.

[Levi]

I enjoyed reading our review. Books with werewolves and vampires are not my cup of tea, although the sarcastic humor sounds great. You made the story sound so interesting. Nice job!

Thank you so much Owlie, I really enjoyed it so I'm glad that came through in the review. Ya know, this book may appeal to people even if they are not into this genre because the characters are all very real and very human. It is not you're typical gore or horror story. It really is about love and the protection of humanity.

-- 16 Jul 2015, 20:16 --

Great review! The infusion of humor makes a joy to read. You had me at Joss Whedon. I am a huge fan of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Firefly, Dollhouse, Angel, and Agents Of Shield. I love supernatural books. I am going to have to add this to my to-read list.

Thank you bluemel!! I also love well done supernatural books. The author gives a few nods to Joss and Buffy throughout, but really had a unique take of his own for this genre. I think you will love it, and his second book of thIs series, Vampire Outbreak, which I'm almost done reading as well. I couldn't help myself.

[gali]

Great review indeed! I am glad you enjoyed the book.

[bookowlie]

I enjoyed reading our review. Books with werewolves and vampires are not my cup of tea, although the sarcastic humor sounds great. You made the story sound so interesting. Nice job!

Oh my! I meant to type "your review", not "our review." Now that's one of my weirder typos.

[Levi]

Thank you Gali!!! I really appreciate it. Owlie, I didn't want to say anything, but I giggled! Ha ha

[bookowlie]

Ha ha ha "Our" review is so great! Ha ha ha