The Demon Lover

The Fairwick Trilogy, Book 1

By: Juliet Dark

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Length: 12 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

I gasped, or tried to. My mouth opened, but I couldn’t draw breath. His lips, pearly wet, parted and he blew into my mouth. My lungs expanded beneath his weight. When I exhaled he sucked my breath in and his weight turned from cold marble into warm living flesh.

Since accepting a teaching position at remote Fairwick College in upstate New York, Callie McFay has experienced the same disturbingly erotic dream every night: A mist enters her bedroom then takes the shape of a virile, seductive stranger who proceeds to ravish her in the most toe-curling, wholly satisfying ways possible. Perhaps these dreams are the result of her having written the best-selling book The Sex Lives of Demon Lovers. Callie’s lifelong passion is the intersection of lurid fairy tales and gothic literature - which is why she’s found herself at Fairwick’s renowned folklore department, living in a once-stately Victorian house that, at first sight, seemed to call her name.

But Callie soon realizes that her dreams are alarmingly real. She has a demon lover - an incubus - and he will seduce her, pleasure her, and eventually suck the very life from her. Then Callie makes another startling discovery: Her incubus is not the only mythical creature in Fairwick. As the tenured witches of the college and the resident fairies in the surrounding woods prepare to cast out the demon, Callie must accomplish something infinitely more difficult - banishing this supernatural lover from her heart.

©2013 Juliet Dark (P)2013 Blackstone Audio

At first I was wary...

Any additional comments?

I have been trying to decide whether or not to buy this book for awhile now. One review said it was like A Discovery of Witches or The Historian...and I loved those books very much. BUT...another review said it was nothing of the sort. Luckily I remembered Audible's return policy and so I took the risk and bought the book. At first the book seemed like a bodice ripper so just as I decided to return it, I fell asleep. The part I later woke up to was certainly NOT a bodice ripper, in fact was much like ADoW...so I went back to the beginning and listened again. Honestly, I like it!

Different but Good!

This was my first book by this author and it did take me a little bit to get into this story but once I did I really enjoyed it. It is not your typical paranormal romance because of its Gothic touches and a more classic literature feel but once you get past the first few hours of the book you will be hooked. I am listening to the second in the series now and it is just as good. Give it a chance. Justine Eyre does a great job with the narration.

Unusual topic for me, a Carol Goodman fanatic

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have countless times recommended the Carol Goodman books because of their complete and total ability to immerse yourself in a creatively, descriptively, well detailed storyline and emotional landscape. I was a tad hesitant to start into a different path with this author, NOT being a demon-devil-fairy type book reader. Love mysteries and thrillers, but "Juliet" writes with some serious complexity and strong prose... and it''s hard to put her books down, darn it, regardless of the subject matter. I'm IN!PS: I know the narrator as well, the lovely Justine Eyre so of course, I HAD to try the first Juliet Dark book. It's very very addicting, and I'm on to the sequel and pre-ordered the 3rd of the trilogy.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Demon Lover?

the strong bind between certain characters and I really like how she steadfastly refused to introduce is the the soon to be ex boyfriend, as if he didn't matter much, which he did not.

What about Justine Eyre’s performance did you like?

Her variety of voices, old and young! She is very talented!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Callie's elimination of Liam. That had to be terribly hard for her.

Any additional comments?

Even if you don't like other-world themes in your books, stop and take the time to try this one. Then, go into audible.com and download The Night Villa and anything else Carol Goodman's written. You won't be disappointed!!

Entertainment a joy

Enjoyed this from the very beginning of chapter 1. A must read if you are a kin to witches, demons, fairies and the like. Truly enthralled with the story and the reader.

Creatures, fae, witches

I loved this book, the story was flowing and Miss Eyre did a wonderful job giving the characters life

Returned it!

What disappointed you about The Demon Lover?

The story never went anywhere.....about 1/2 way through nothing of consequence had happened yet...simply a repetition of the same vague scene in which she is unsure of what she see's and feels.

What was most disappointing about Juliet Dark’s story?

I just couldn't care about this shadowy figure....it left me apathetic about the heroines plight.

Would you be willing to try another one of Justine Eyre’s performances?

NO....I've heard her read other things, but this time her voice deep gravely voice really grated on me.

A World that I could love...

Listened for Fun (Audible)
The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark
Overall Rating: 3.75
Character Rating: 3.50
Story Rating: 4.00

Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)

First Thought when Finished: The Demon Lover was a really intriguing story and I am looking forward to continuing the series.

Story Thoughts: The Demon Lover was a story recommended to me by several people who knew I loved the Deborah Harkness series. They weren't wrong. This has the same feel of epic storytelling that you can just fall be engulfed by. I was entranced by the tweaks on the standard fae, witch, vampire, and ghost folklore. The setting had a very gothic type of feel allowing me to get swept up into the story and have a small little shiver while reading. Overall, this is a world that I am intrigued by and will be exploring further.

Character Thoughts: While The Demon Lover had a fantastic world "setup", I admit it took longer for me to care about the characters. There are so many of them and in the end, I felt only connected to a few. Even the lead character, Callie, was hard to warm up to. I enjoyed her journey but it took awhile for me to like her as a person. About 1/2 way through the book though the character/story finally clicked together and the characters were much stronger in the 2nd half. I am now invested in their journey.

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated By Justine Eyre / Length: 12 hrs and 57 mins


Justine is a very good narrator. She has a voice that resonates with you and sticks. She is perfect for the gothic feel of The Demon Lover. I will be continuing this series on audio. As always please listen to a sample before buying an audio book. Not everyone has the same tastes in narrators.

Final Thoughts: The Demon Lover gave me a world and setting that I am excited to learn more about!

Love it!!!

omg i love this book. its my 3rd time to read it. Juliet Dark is an amazing author.

Good Story, bad male voices.

The story was interesting and nice. Sometimes it rambled a little with details that weren't entirely necessary but it did come together enough.
The performance of the male voices was pretty bad. They all sound the same and it's like over kill on how deep they are. It's not bad enough to stop listening though. On to book 2!

Encapturing story

Juliet weaves a detailed descriptive tale nestled in a small college town a kind of sanctuary city for magical beings. There are tests of love, desire and strength all needed for the heroine to find her way. Will she, and if so at what cost?