Demon Inside is the second novel in the Personal Demons series by Stacia Kane. I've ventured further into this series, mostly because I've been curious about how the characters would develop as we dive within the ever thickening plot. Megan Chase, a psychologist, psychic and now demonic ruler of a small cluster of emotional draining demons, still rules supreme as the leading character in this novel. She remains somewhat feeble in her role as protagonist, relying heavily on the skills of those around her and constantly challenged by her human conscience. In this novel Megan finds herself torn between the choices of her human life - being a psychologist and helping those in need, and surrendering to her second heart - the demon within and embracing everything being their leader entails. To top off this life changing decision, Megan is faced with the sporadic murders of demons in her coup, her father's death and once again forced to face her past and the choices she was robbed of as a child. Supported by her lover Greyson Dante, now the head of his very own demonic household, she finds herself in good hands, the fire between them burning as brightly as ever. What I liked about this novel was that Megan finally began to embrace the inevitable - her transition into the darker side of her being. What I didn't like was her weak will and almost needy desperation when faced with adverse situations. I wanted to see decisive decision making and acceptance of circumstance. What I saw was a whole lot of whining. Thankfully the ever mysterious Greyson carried the story forward in the supporting role. Sexy, intimidating and decidedly powerful, it was easy to see him take control of all situations, it was even no surprise that his character dominated, steeling the limelight easily from Megan Chase. With that being said, the characters were consistent when compared to the first novel and the writing was descriptive and well structured as always with Stacia Kane - an extremely talented author. Once again this novel will rate three out of five fangs but I hold out high hopes for this series getting better as I suspect it will. Synopsis:
Hanging out with demons can be hell.... It's been three months since psychologist Megan Chase made the stunning discovery that the world is filled with demons, and once more the situation is too hot to handle. Ironically, Megan -- the only person in the world without a little personal demon sitting on her shoulder -- has become the leader of a demon "family," but now some unknown arcane power is offing her demons in a particularly unpleasant fashion. And while her demon lover Greyson Dante is still driving her wild with desire, he's also acting strangely evasive. Then there's the truth about Megan's past -- the truth she's never known. Caught between personal problems and personal demons, Megan is having one hell of a hard time. Will the help of her Cockney guard demons and her witch friend Tera be enough so that Megan can finally resolve the past, survive the present, and face the future?
For me, picking up the first book in this 'demonic' series was a no brainer. It's no secret that I'm a massive Stacia Kane fan, won over by the intricate and confronting stories of Chess Putnum from the Downside Ghosts series. Unfortunately, I didn't love this book as much as I'd hoped. Don't get me wrong, I drew plenty of pleasure from this twisted little tale, but I was left wanting when it came to the writing and almost predictable nature of the story. Personal Demons is the first book in this series, following the story of Dr Megan Chase, a psychiatrist who is partner in a successful practice and recently signed by a local radio station to psychoanalyze and help burdened souls for ratings. A brazen career move, Megan's success blooms from hidden talents, specifically her psychic senses - her ability to read minds and even seek answers from the past. The only problem with such an extraordinary talent and a new radio label known as 'the demon slayer', Megan now attracts negative attention - attention of the DEMON variety. Suddenly finding herself victim of a zombie attack and more specifically, under the spell of a fire demon known as Greyson Dante, Megan suddenly has her hands full. Between understanding this new realm and those that are trying to kill her, leading a career unaffected by the torment of her present, and trying particularly hard not to succumb to the charms of Mr Dante, you have yourself a fun, fiery little story with a few sexually entertaining highlights if you're partial to the paranormal romance genre. As always Stacia Kane is an eloquent writer, a clean mix of descriptive text balanced by on point conversation and clear, consistent characterisation. I never question Stacia Kane's plot deviations or character reveals, knowing that every word planted within her stories eventually unveils the point of its existence. Unfortunately, I had expectations based on her current popular series. I expected the same level of excitement, twisted horror and sexual tension. I was left wanting despite the fact that Personal Demons was entertaining and relatively action packed. Perhaps it was both protagonists Megan and Greyson, the two interwoven into a story screaming repetitive expectation - their interaction so similar to those already starring in a million other paranormal romance novels. Alas, I can only rate Personal Demons three out of five fangs. I liked it but I didn't love it. Synopsis: Megan promises listeners to her new radio call-in show that she'll "slay their personal demons," and they believe her. So do the personal demons... although she doesn't know it, Megan is the only human without a demon on her shoulder Megan and her allies - a demon lover who both protects and seduces her with devilish intensity, a witch with poor social skills, and three cockney guard demons - have to deal not only with the personal demons, but a soul-sucker, ghosts of Megan's past, and a reporter who threatens to destroy Megan's career.
