Audiobook Review – The Demon’s Lexicon (The Demon’s Lexicon, Book 1) by Sarah Rees Brennan, Narrated by James Langton (3/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Length: 9 hours and 49 minutes
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Release Date: May 21, 2009
ASIN: B002AR0EBG
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the Demon’s Lexicon trilogy
Source: Audiobook from Audible.com
Rating: 3/5 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 desperate 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 first book in the Demon’s Lexicon trilogy. This was an okay YA paranormal/UF book. It’s a fairly dark story, and while I didn’t hate it, it was incredibly predictable. I kept hoping for something to happen that I didn’t expect and it never did.

I listened to this on audiobook and the narration was fine; I didn’t really love it or hate it. I would recommend listening to on audiobook if you enjoy audiobooks.

The story is about a couple brothers that are fleeing a cult of evil mages that are after their insane mother. It’s pretty dark for a YA novel, but not awfully so. There is some action, mystery, and of course demonic elements.

I did enjoy the creative take on demons and their interaction with humans and our world; this was a bit different than other YA demon themed urban fantasies I have read. I also liked that this wasn’t really “romance” focused but was focused more on family, friendship, and what it means to be human.

Overall an okay book, but I wasn’t all that engaged in the story and found that whole thing to be too predictable. I don’t plan on continuing with the series.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Goodreads Reading Challenge
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge