The Demon's Lexicon

The Demon's Lexicon
Age Range
12+
Release Date
June 02, 2009
ISBN
9781416963790
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Sixteen-year-old Nick and his brother, Alan, are always ready to run. Their father is dead, and their mother is crazy—she screams if Nick gets near her. She’s no help in protecting any of them from the deadly magicians who use demons to work their magic. The magicians want a charm that Nick’s mother stole—and they want it badly enough to kill. Alan is Nick’s partner in demon slaying and the only person he trusts in the world. So things get very scary and very complicated when Nick begins to suspect that everything Alan has told him about their father, their mother, their past, and what they are doing is a complete lie.

Sixteen-year-old Nick and his brother, Alan, are always ready to run. Their father is dead, and their mother is crazy—she screams if Nick gets near her. She’s no help in protecting any of them from the deadly magicians who use demons to work their magic. The magicians want a charm that Nick’s mother stole—and they want it badly enough to kill. Alan is Nick’s partner in demon slaying and the only person he trusts in the world. So things get very scary and very complicated when Nick begins to suspect that everything Alan has told him about their father, their mother, their past, and what they are doing is a complete lie.

Editor reviews

2 reviews
Don't Miss This One
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5.0
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I received The Demons Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan nestled in one of my muchly anticipated book-laden shipments from Kimberly, YA Book Goddess. When I opened the box I was immediately captured by the rich cover, which features a fierce young man with a talisman around his neck. As I often do when Im trying to decide what to read first, I opened the book and read the opening sentence.

The pipe under the sink was leaking again. It wouldnt have been so bad, except that Nick kept his favorite sword under the sink.

Really? How do you put a book down after that?

You dont. I didnt.

The opening scene captured me further, featuring a sarcastic exchange between Nick and his older brother, Alan. The witty dialogue is followed immediately by action, when in through the window came an unkindness of ravens. (I love that sentence. What a set up!  I think I read it ten times.) These birds happen to be possessed by demons. And when the demons are defeated, Nick and Alan are left with a dead magician on their kitchen floor.

And so it begins.

Brennans voice is superbly fresh. Whether its due to her wordsmith skills or her Irish heritage, I found the cadence of her words to be extremely pleasing. The Demons Lexicon comes with an array of unforgettable characters, but it was Nick who stole my heart. It only took a few pages to become invested in him, worrying and wondering about what was coming next and how he and his friends would fare.

The Demons Lexicon serves up some most excellent twists, and I definitely dont want to give any of them away. Dont miss this book. I highly anticipate the sequel. Until then, you can discover outtakes and more information at sarahreesbrennan.com. 

Furthermore, I will share that I chased a couple of teenagers down the Young Adult aisle at my local bookstore to convince them that they needed to leave with this book in their hands.

They did.

And Im quite sure they enjoyed it as much as I did.

Highest Recommendations.

 






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Decent Series Start
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3.0
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It took me from May to November to read this book. And not because it was such a long book–it’s one of the shorter books I have on my shelf. And yet, I kept putting it down because I got distracted by bright and shiny books. I even considered marking this as DNF a few times.

But here’s the thing: The Demon’s Lexicon is not a bad book, and it’s not boring. It’s just not compelling, by which I mean while I was reading, I enjoyed the story. But there was nothing driving me to continue on, nothing driving me to stay loyal to this book and see it through to the end. I did, eventually, as evidence by this review, but I think that lack of drive is worth noting.

As stated, I actually did quite enjoy the plot of The Demon’s Lexicon. Two brothers trying to save the older one, who has been marked by a magician for death, as well as trying to save another set of siblings from the same fate. There’s plenty of supernatural creatures, magicians, and weird things happening in this book. There’s quite a bit of mystery too. We get the feeling that Alan is hiding secrets, that the magicians have ulterior motives, and that something’s up with the demons(of course, right?) All things I loved.

It’s interesting that Nick is the central character. The book is in third person, but it’s definitely Nick’s story. We see exclusively inside his head alone, and it’s a weird and dark place there. He’s utterly unlikable, tends to think like a psychopath, and had me shaking my head often. Yet, his story is the one thing I found compelling from the beginning. His interactions with others, especially Alan, show so much that Nick himself seems unaware of, and it was quite a ride to go on the journey through the supernatural world with him.

I also thought the twist and reveal at the end was such a shock. If you’ve been around my blog for awhile, you know that I generally guess twist endings, and if I don’t get the ending right, that’s a rare occurrence and worth celebrating. HOORAY for twists I didn’t see! I really enjoyed the way it wrapped up too–I could see everything pushing forward towards that moment and it made me appreciate the rest of the book more.

One of my biggest issues with The Demon’s Lexicon was the writing. I found it clunky and jarring at times. And it may have been because most of the insights we get is inside Nick’s head, but I didn’t think that was quite a good enough reasons for some pretty chopping sentences that didn’t fit in with the tone of the rest of the book. It sounds like a minor complaint, but it was actually one of the reasons I kept putting this book down, so it drops quite a bit in my overall impression.

Final Impression: At times, I thought The Demon’s Lexicon was boring and clumsy. However, during certain parts it felt like the most exciting book I’ve ever read. I can’t say I loved it, but overall, did I enjoy it? You know, I really think I did, despite everything. Would I recommend it? Not necessarily. But I thought it was an entertaining enough story, despite some clumsy writing. I’ve heard the sequels are much better and I already own one, so I’ll be picking those up.
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Compelling
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4.7
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I was totally captivated by this book from the first scene. Nick and Alan are interesting charcters for so many reasons. They seem to be opposites, they have a strange bond between them, and everything about them screams SECRETS. I can't talk about what I really loved about this book without giving away too many spoilers, but here's the truth. This book has tension, plot, magic, danger, secrets, secrets, secrets, and more secrets. And one of those secrets?? Will blow your mind.
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Really Good
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5.0
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Reader reviewed by The Library Lurker

Wow, what
a book! I'd have to say that it's the best book that I've read lately.
Reading from Nick's point of view was very refreshing. It was like being
inside the head of the ultimate bad boy, the one that all of the girls
swoon over and who you know that you should stay away from. It was nice
to not see the story as the swooning girl. Though sometimes I really
didn't like Nick at all, but that was okay, in those places you're not
supposed to.


All
of the characters in this book are extremely complex and real. I don't
know how she did it, but I felt like I knew all of the characters. The
imagery is really good too. I could see certain scenes, such as the
Goblin Market, like I was there. And the plot...


The
book starts out relatively straight forward: Nick and Alan are running
from magicians with their crazy mother because she has an amulet that
they want and if she takes it off she dies. Jamie and Mae come to them
for help because weird things have been happening to Jamie. Some things
happen and they figure that they have to go hunting for some magicians.
By then I figured that the rest of the book was going to be all about
the problem presented in the first few chapters. I was way off base. So
much more happens. The drama, the mystery surrounding Nick and Alan, the
action. It all adds up to an awesome book full of everything that you
could ever ask for. I devoured it.


G
#1 Reviewer
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Action Packed!
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5.0
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Reader reviewed by Ashley

This book is amazing. There's no other way to describe it! Page after page is full of action, adventure, suspense! I never wanted to put this book down!!!  And it's perfect for any gender because it's got enough action to keep guys interested and some romance for the girls too! You should read this book. It's amazing!!!!!  


G
#1 Reviewer
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The Demon's Lexicon
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4.0
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Reader reviewed by Erica

The Demon's Lexicon
Sarah Rees Brennan
Release Date: June 2, 2009
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 336

Rating: 4 stars

Nick and his brother, Alan, have spent their lives on the run from magic. Their father was murdered, and their mother was driven mad by magicians and the demons who give them power. The magicians are hunting the Ryves family for a charm that Nick's mother stole -- a charm that keeps her alive -- and they want it badly enough to kill again.
Danger draws even closer when a brother and sister come to the Ryves family for help. The boy wears a demon's mark, a sign of death that almost nothing can erase...and when Alan also gets marked by a demon, Nick is des-perate to save him. The only way to do that is to kill one of the magicians they have been hiding from for so long.

Ensnared in a deadly game of cat and mouse, Nick starts to suspect that his brother is telling him lie after lie about their past. As the magicians' Circle closes in on their family, Nick uncovers the secret that could destroy them all.

This is the Demon's Lexicon. Turn the page.


The Demon's Lexicon took a bit to really pick up. For the first 200 pages, there was some action, but I found myself bored at times. It took me awhile to read, because I kept putting it down.

The plot Brennan spins is amazing! It didn't really pick up for a bit, but even in the down time she builds the plot for what comes later. There's so many twists and turns, I never had a clue what would happen next.

So many of the characters in The Demon's Lexicon, you would think you have them figured out, then a few chapters later they'd do something to make you completely flip your opinion. Mae was my favorite character of the book, I don't think she necessarily was the best written character but she just had an air about her. Alan and Nick were strong characters - as times they played off each others weaknesses. Jamie, overall, was just an entertaining character throughout the entire book.

The ending was a total shocker! And the events that lead to it were surprising as well! For the last chunk of the book, I found myself flipping pages and sucked in. The ending set up such a perfect road for an awesome sequel! I'll definately be picking up the sequel to see how the story continues!
G
#1 Reviewer
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The Demon's Lexicon
Overall rating
 
4.0
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Reader reviewed by Erica

The Demon's Lexicon
Sarah Rees Brennan
Release Date: June 2, 2009
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 336

Rating: 4 stars

Nick and his brother, Alan, have spent their lives on the run from magic. Their father was murdered, and their mother was driven mad by magicians and the demons who give them power. The magicians are hunting the Ryves family for a charm that Nick's mother stole -- a charm that keeps her alive -- and they want it badly enough to kill again.
Danger draws even closer when a brother and sister come to the Ryves family for help. The boy wears a demon's mark, a sign of death that almost nothing can erase...and when Alan also gets marked by a demon, Nick is des-perate to save him. The only way to do that is to kill one of the magicians they have been hiding from for so long.

Ensnared in a deadly game of cat and mouse, Nick starts to suspect that his brother is telling him lie after lie about their past. As the magicians' Circle closes in on their family, Nick uncovers the secret that could destroy them all.

This is the Demon's Lexicon. Turn the page.


The Demon's Lexicon took a bit to really pick up. For the first 200 pages, there was some action, but I found myself bored at times. It took me awhile to read, because I kept putting it down.

The plot Brennan spins is amazing! It didn't really pick up for a bit, but even in the down time she builds the plot for what comes later. There's so many twists and turns, I never had a clue what would happen next.

So many of the characters in The Demon's Lexicon, you would think you have them figured out, then a few chapters later they'd do something to make you completely flip your opinion. Mae was my favorite character of the book, I don't think she necessarily was the best written character but she just had an air about her. Alan and Nick were strong characters - as times they played off each others weaknesses. Jamie, overall, was just an entertaining character throughout the entire book.

The ending was a total shocker! And the events that lead to it were surprising as well! For the last chunk of the book, I found myself flipping pages and sucked in. The ending set up such a perfect road for an awesome sequel! I'll definately be picking up the sequel to see how the story continues!
G
#1 Reviewer
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Tension Driven
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4.0
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Reader reviewed by Yan

The Demons Lexicon took quite a while to start. For the first half we were introduced to the characters, the basic groundworkdetails, names, behaviors. While it was nicea hint of action or twoI got slightly bored of it. I feared that The Demons Lexicon would be all hype and no delivery. The second half, however, killed it and sold me to Sarah as a rising author to an amazing series.

It was within the intricate plotline, the evasiveness, the twists and turns that I have come to believe that SRB is a wonderful story teller. I had no idea what she had in mind, when she laid out the small little details, that flew together so smoothly in the end. I am still quite speechless about how well it was executed! Magnificent!

Characters as well were a bit of a surprise. I imagined a certain type of persona from a glimpse and was shocked at how much depth they each had in the later half. They all have their secrets that could not be told and motives for their actions.

Alan for me was spectacular. He was all twist and turns. I thought I had the perfect idea of what he was, what he wanted, and it turned completely 180.

Nick was also different. In some ways he was more stable as it involved the actual plotline that wowed me with Nick. But I do have to say that his affection and loyalty to his brother, Alan was touching.

Again the action lies in the second half. The first half rather dull but you cannot stop once you pass it.

Overall: Sadistic humor, touching, surprising and exhilarating, The Demons Lexicon will astound readers across the world. Bravo to Sarah for an amazing debut.


G
#1 Reviewer
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Yummy demon killers
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5.0
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Reader reviewed by Kristen

Nick and Alan are brothers, but they are nothing alike. Nick is
practically void of emotion, thrives in violence, and doesn't quite
understand compassion. Alan is the more poetic of the two -
understanding their mother's condition and helping the boy and girl who
come to them for help removing a demon mark.

Alan now also has a
demon mark to be rid of and they seek to kill two magicians, whose
blood will remove the marks. But a group of magicians are after them,
their crazed mother carrying something of importance. The boys embark
on a journey to save the young man and Alan from the demon marks before
they become possessed and in turn find out a little more about what is
truly going on.

I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I was mad
that I had to put it down to work last night. I love the relationship
between the two brothers - how very different they are from each other.
Also, the moments of "almost" passion is killer - drives right to your
senses and then backs up, not taking away from the story line at all.

I
loved learning more about this world where magicians use demons to gain
power and how their blood can delete the marks of a demon on a human's
skin. Soooo good.

A must read for lovers of paranormal creatures.

G
#1 Reviewer
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Thrilling
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5.0
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Reader reviewed by Juliann



In The Demons Lexicon,
all of the characters have depth, secrets, and agendas. Nick and Alan are loyal
and affectionate brothers. Their family is constantly on the move as they hunt
and are hunted by evil magicians and demons. Alan, 19, is the slight-built
older brother with a limp who fills in for their emotionally distant mother.
Nick, 16, is the tall, muscular, and brooding protector. Alan is an expert
shot, while Nick prefers swords and knives. Teenage siblings Mae and Jamie
interrupt their secret life when Jamie is marked by a demon. Mae is a strong
sister who will do anything for her bother.



 



The first two-thirds of the book is unsettling in the sense
that something is not right with the Ryves family, beyond hunting demons.
Brennan subtly layers clues throughout the book.  The twists in the last third of book (many truly surprising)
bring clarity. It all makes sense in the end, even the books title.



 



Brennan creates a unique, and, at times, complicated
mythology. She excels at sarcastic, and funny, teen banter.



 



The Demons Lexicon,
the first in a trilogy, is on the high school end of the young adult spectrum.
The story is artfully concluded as a standalone, but leaves enough questions
for the sequel. 








G
#1 Reviewer
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demons and magicians
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3.0
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Reader reviewed by stephanie

The beginning half of the book was all exposition - setting up the plot, the characters, and getting used to Sarah's writing style. Unfortunately though, I thought it was a tad boring so I was happy when by the halfway point, I slowly started to see the whole story clearer and managed to get drawn in.

What I enjoyed reading about The Demon's Lexicon was the characters. Nick and his brother Alan were brothers who, personality-wise, were completely different. Alan was a kind, heartwarming dude who cared about others and put others before himself. And it was obvious how much he cared for Nick. Nick, on the other hand, was a ruthless and cold-blooded killer. He cared only for his brother and no one else. Not even his mother. And the reason he stuck with his mother, protecting her, was because of Alan. Both characters, though, didn't acquire any depth in their personalities until the second half of the plot was executed.

The plot was very intricate. Full of details, twists and turns, it can really leave a reader either breathless or confused. I loved the mystery of the whole thing and loved how I couldn't predict what was happening because I enjoy surprises. The ending was a complete shock to me. I never expected it and just thinking back on it, I never could've seen it coming.

Sarah's writing style was very unique. A master storyteller. She managed to lay out the intricate details, the imperfection of the characters, the mysterious plot into something that had life.

Overall, The Demon's Lexicon was surprising, a tad confusing, breathtaking with a hint of cruel and vicious humor.

G
#1 Reviewer
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