Personal Demon

Women of the Otherworld, Book 8

By: Kelley Armstrong

Narrated by: Laural Merlington, Todd McLaren

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

In her acclaimed Women of the Otherworld series, Kelley Armstrong has created a scintillating realm where the supernatural and the human coexist on the edge of darkness, romance, and eternity. Personal Demon, the eighth Otherworld book, is another wickedly entertaining tale of a young woman with an insatiable lust for danger. She can't help it; it's in her blood.

Tabloid reporter Hope Adams appears to live the life of an ordinary working girl. But, in addition to possessing the beauty of a Bollywood princess, Hope has other unique traits. For she is a half-demon - a human fathered by a demon. And she has inherited not only a gift for seeing the past but a hunger for chaos - along with a talent for finding it wherever she can. Naturally, when she's chosen by a very dangerous group for a very dangerous mission, she jumps at the chance.

The head of the powerful Cortez Cabal - a family that makes the mob look like amateurs - has a little problem in Miami: a gang of wealthy, bored offspring of supernaturals is getting out of hand, and Hope is needed to infiltrate. As spells, astral projections, and pheromones soar across South Beach, Hope weaves her way through its elite hot spots, posing as upscale eye candy and reading the auras of the clientele - and potential marks.

As it turns out, Hope is a little too good at this job, and soon she's in a little too deep, needing to be bailed out by her jewel-thief werewolf ex-boyfriend and by the Cortez heir himself. And when a killer goes to work, Hope is among many targets at the pinnacle of Cabal rule.

For a woman who didn't know what she was getting into, there's only one way out: it's time for Hope to unleash her most potent primal instincts - and open herself, mind and body, to everything she most fears...and desires.

Sexy and suspenseful, Personal Demon is a thrill ride through a world on the wild side of our own.

©2008 KLA Fricke, Inc. (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Armstrong excels in depicting Hope's transformations." ( Publishers Weekly)

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

I love Hope, she brings a new spin to this series and seeing Carl from a different angle is great too. This is probably my 3rd listen of this series and I love it every time.

The narration for this one is a little different because it was a dual narrated book. He does a good job but like i've already said before, Laurel Merlington doesn't sound like a 20 something female character to me, she sounds more like Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote.

Kelley does it again.

Any Armstrong novel is going to be great. This was no disappointment. The characters have been built for so long they each have personality and they are so much fun. This book has a great story line that enter twines with books before it. It has its usual wit, drama and supernatural ability to wrap the reader in. Great listen.

Laural Merlington is the best!

I see the next book has a new narrator. Why switch from Ms Merlington? She’s the best one I’ve ever experienced. Thank You Ms Merlington!!

Really Enjoyed Hope and Karl's Story!

I think this is one of my favorites of the series, on par with the first few Elena books. Hope was originally a side character, one I didn't give much thought to. However, she had a bigger role to play in the last book, No Humans Involved (also really good) where her character was fleshed out and I really started to sympathize with her problems with her power. I thought Karl was a good match for her and it was nice to see him get some air time as well. I always liked Karl (bad boy with a heart of gold or at least silver!) and seeing him and Elena work their partnership and relationship problems was very satisfying.

This book also had a side story for Lucas and his relationship with his father, the CEO of the Cortez Cabal, which advanced nicely and even made me cry a little. The male narrator is used for Lucas and his chapters. I also enjoyed the banter between Lucas's father and his bodyguard Troy and his worry and grief when he gets injured. It was nice to see the human side of Lucus's father and see him as a man not just a "human chess master."

I loved the undercover story arc. Hope's need for chaos and connection with the "supernatural gang" who were very likable people was very well done. As was the mystery behind the set-up and killings.

As always, I really enjoyed Laural Merlington's narration. The addition of Todd McLaren for Lucas did not interfere with the story and I think actually added to it.

Different kind of supernaturals

I found this really interesting and the characters as well. I'm new to this series of books and enjoyed this one very much.

Riveting

I love the dive into Hope's world! This book definitely brought suspense and drama to the table!

*Meh* It did the job

First things first, this was a good book. It hit all the points a typically good PRN has: a "strong" female character, a protective male lead, suspense, magic, etc. There was even a male antagonist that wanted our girl and made the male protagonist jealous.

The reason I didn't love this book is because it felt too formulated. Its felt as though someone said, "Here. This is the recipe. Add some names, a plot, and write it." I didn't feel the energy, passion, and wasn't captivated like I normally would be other PRNs.

If you want a filler book, something easy to read between other books, this works. I won't be coming back to it, but it did the job.

Love it!!!!

I love this series and I love the people who read it I always get a sense of who the characters are. Thank you and keep going please!!

Good Story, okay narrator

What bugged me most was some mispronounciation. Like with Guy Benoit, they kept saying 'Ben-oit' instead of 'Bun-wah'. The name is French, and I've never heard it pronounced otherwise.

Meh.....

For the first time in my listening to an audiobook, the narrators voice didn't match what the characters voice sounded like, at least to me. I don't think Laural Merlington did a bad job reading the book, I just soul fit have chosen her for Hope, Jaime or Elena, but not Hope.

This also wasn't my favorite book in the series, but it wasn't bad. I did like the steps Lucas made with his father.