Rating: 3🌈

Demon Hunter and this series so far has been a semi-winner for me.  The characters that have been carried over from Ghostly Guardians have been a mixed bag as some have shown little development in character, while others have shown significant growth through their respective relationships and roles in the series and arc storylines. 

That continues here with main characters still showing antagonism towards higher demons like Marc, a fascinating higher being who’s has been and continues to be portrayed as being supportive of them and their family.  Marc is not only the reason why this group has successfully taken down their collective enemies but also as a bonded mate to one of their own. But despite this, since the finale, the hostile behavior of several members has not changed towards him, despite the events and ongoing conflicts within the Collective. 

It makes little sense for the group and serves to reinforce a certain stagnation of their personalities. 

Matt and Dylan are in a relationship, one that they are hiding from their friends and family members.  The reasons for, given the situation and circumstances of this group and the Collective will seem not particularly well thought out. Masters has a traumatic event occurring that impacts Matt, then Dylan and their group as an unseen threat to everyone is identified.

The aspect of this book that’s interesting and important for future stories is the thread about the threat/enemy uncovered and how it’s handled . Especially in what it represents in terms of loose ends and the challenges going forward.  I really like the other higher demon as well as my favorite couple of Marc and Ian.  They are heavily involved in this book and plot thread. 

Less engaging for me is the issues I have with Matt and Dylan’s relationship dynamics.  The constant lack of communication between them, the avoidance of major confrontation with each other over intimate matters, and in general, their refusal to acknowledge issues that might impact their own lives as well as endanger others around them.

That would be one thing if the author utilized this aspect of their relationship with regard to the storyline and made it easier for them to understand and move forward, but instead it’s Marc who is the most influential factor here.  It sort of happens, but it takes the entire plot and that’s entirely too long for this reader. 

Marc remaining the most epic and entertaining character of the series and group.  I look forward to seeing more of him, his relationship and dialogue. And more higher demons. 

Ghostly Guardians:

• Spirited Situation #1
• Vortex Conundrum #2
• Conduit Crisis #3
• Gateway Catastrophe #4 -finale 

The Collective, sequel series:

• Higher Demon #1
• Demon Hunter #2

Buy link

        Demon Hunter (The Collective Book 2)

    

Blurb

What happens when the hunter becomes the hunted? 

Before that night, there wasn’t much in my life I could complain about. I hunt rogue demons for a living, which is the coolest thing ever, and my brothers are the best. Sure, there was that thing with our parents betraying humanity, and okay, I wasn’t thrilled when my brother-bestie hooked up with a demon, but everything else was amazing.

Except that Dylan, the person I love more than anything, wanted to keep our relationship secret.

I got it; I really did. He’s lost all his family, and he was afraid if my family adopted him, he might lose them too. It’s not like we’ve got the world’s safest jobs. I was sure he’d change his mind eventually.

That decision was taken from him one awful night. Now, everyone knows, but Dylan’s more worried about the people trying to kill me. Unidentified and vicious; that’s all we know. Oh, and they hacked The Collective’s server.

How does a demon hunter fight a virtual threat? He doesn’t… that’s his kickass techie boyfriend’s job. Dylan will find these people, and then we’ll deal with them.

Even if there is more going on than we know about.

• Publication date: August 29, 2024
• Language: English
• File size: 2748 KB
• Print length: 253 pages