Review: Demons Are Forever (Love At First Bite, Book 2) by Declan Finn

The darkness doesn’t like it when you hit back….

Marco Catalano and Amanda Colt put down a vampire army in Honor at Stake, and one would think that would entitle them to a little rest. But if there is no respite for the wicked, how much less is there for those who hunt said wicked?

A few hours after fixing the vampire army’s little red wagon, Amanda gets a call from the NYC-VA: the New York City Vampires Association. Given all the property damage that her “pet human” caused, she now must deal with the fallout of helping him scare, anger, and kill numerous vamps.

In the meantime, Marco has an offer from a strange government agent to consider. Having been impressed by both the threat of vampires — who for some reason have been frequenting the United Nations — and Marco’s leadership in fighting said minions of darkness, Merlin “Merle” Kraft is hoping the young man will come to San Francisco to set up a similar group to keep any evil vampires in his home city in line. But just what does he have that Marco may be able to use?

The Story

While Amanda goes to deal with the Vampires Association, Marco handles yet more vamps looking for easy prey. Since no one ever looks up these guys soon learn — permanently — that situational awareness covers the entire area in which one finds oneself. But when one vamp lets slip a familiar phrase Marco is caught by surprise and slightly confused. What kind of vampire would show up saying that?

Above him, something called “Mister Day” watches Marco work. Oh, this angry human is going to be fun to kill. After all, Marco did not look up, either.

But “Mister Day” soon learns that Marco is not so easily taken. He may not look up but that does not mean his own situational awareness is poor. One tiger trap and some dirt later, and it looks like Mister Day is out of commission. Everything is going smoothly…

… until it isn’t. Merle Kraft loses one of his vampire hunters on a night patrol in San Francisco and his desperate need brings Marco to the West Coast.

While Marco is gone, Amanda finishes mopping up the leftover troublemakers in NYC but finds she is not happy without him. Additionally, the local vampires have come to despise and fear her, shrinking her social circle to Marco’s gangs and his family. The gangs are bit annoying, too, as they think that her vampirism means she is ready and willing to spend an evening with them whenever they show an interest in intimacy with her. What, do they think that just because she is dead, she doesn’t have to worry about STDs?

But Amanda’s annoyances are soon superseded by a different problem. Day returns, and he is a creature older and stronger than her. Worse than a vampire, Day sets off a terrorist attack in New York City. Quite apart from the little matter of revenge he has an assignment: kill Marco Catalano. All he needs to do is find him.

Best way to do that? Make him angry.

The Characters

Merle receives more screen time in Demons Are Forever than he did in Honor at Stake, and he proves a welcome addition to the main cast. No more certain than anyone else just how he does what he does, the reader quickly establishes that he is a good counterpoint to Marco’s ferocity and Amanda’s cooler head. His bemused and apparently gentle demeanor hide a hardened fighter bent on seeing justice done. It is not wise to cross Merle, as monsters often discover far too late to save themselves.

Both Marco and Amanda return in full form and fine fettle. For their own reasons the two are convinced that a relationship between them is a bad idea even as they find separation driving them crazy. When each has reason to think the other is in danger, though, not even demons can keep them apart. It is refreshing to see in a “will they/won’t they” romance that despite denying their attraction, neither party seeks to “forget” the other. They simply restrain themselves to avoid — they believe — causing one another harm. If only more such romances did the same!

The World

Now this is a novel that gives a masterclass in “how to expand on your worldbuilding without losing what you already have.” Vampire lore takes a bit of a backseat to the expanding lore, but only a bit, as it still comes in handy for a variety of situations. While it is completely useless for stopping Mister Day, there are hints of how a world where the vampire virus is real could lead to plenty of nightmare fuel — such as how mad scientists on the government payroll might “inadvertently” unleash a horde of vampires while studying the virus.

The care and consideration taken to not only make Day a monster that vampires struggle to fight at the same time he can be beaten is unparalleled. Monsters like him would be portrayed as either all powerful and invincible or needing to be brought down by a nuke (or the equivalent) in any other novel. Instead, Mister Day’s limits and strengths remain something that can be worked around, exploited, and even turned against him. It is an original take on the trope for certain.

If only others in the Urban Fantasy genre would be so considerate of the actual facts of vampire lore, demon lore, and lycanthropy….

Politics

There are some politics linking the evil in the book to politicians and movements in the real world. It is not dwelt upon, but some readers may take offense at it.

Content Warning

Demons Are Forever has lots of stabbing, dismemberment, shooting, some foul language, and lots of violence but it is kept at PG-13 levels. There is some sexual tension but nothing too spicy.

All in all, Demons Are Forever is a book safe for the majority of audiences and will not leave anyone with nightmares.

Who is it for?

Anyone who wants something meatier than Twilight but much less steamy than an Anne Rice novel will love this book.

Fans of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files are likely to enjoy it, too, since it is substantive but also quick.

Those tired of the typical mopey teenage Urban Romances that are high on angst but thin on action and actual thought will definitely enjoy this book.

Someone interested in vampires but hoping for a story with an accurate representation of them from folklore will also like both Demons Are Forever and its predecessor.

This is one series that gets more addictive the longer one reads it, so anyone looking for a comfort read to which they can return at need will like it as well.

Why buy it?

No angst, no abuse of the lore, plenty of action, and sensible characters. These things are all missing from far too many novels but Demons Are Forever is full to bursting with them. If you are hungry for a tale with all of the above, then why not buy it and enjoy the ride?