Double Book Review: The Demonists by Thomas E. Sniegoski

The Demonists
by Thomas E. Sniegoski
Publisher: Roc
ASN: B011IUSPQQ

ISBN: 9780451473523
April 5, 2018
There is more to our world than meets the eye—darker things, crueler things. Exorcist John Fogg and his wife, psychic medium Theodora Knight, know what lurks in the shadows. But even they’re not prepared for the worst Hell has to offer...

It was supposed to be a simple exorcism, a publicity stunt to firmly establish John and Theodora’s thriving paranormal investigation empire in the public eye. But something went wrong, leading to an on-air massacre that unleashed a malicious host of demons and left Theodora catatonic, possessed by countless spirits.

John sets out on a desperate quest to find a cure for his wife, but his obsession brings him face-to-face with an even more terrifying problem: Theodora’s possession is only one piece of a deadly plot that is threatening the entire world. Because an ancient evil is about to make Earth its battlefield—and without John and Theodora’s intervention, there is no chance for salvation...

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Review by Pamela K. Kinney

5 demonic sheep

The first book in a new series by Thomas E. Sniegoski is a dark fantasy, or horror. John Fogg investigates haunted places and has even written a book or two about it. One day, at a talk and signing at a bookstore, a woman asks him about his treatment of mediums. Then she mentions his ‘Nana,’ his grandmother he had been close to growing up. That Nana says to get his ‘stick out of his ass.’ He knew then the woman spoke the truth. After that meeting, he and Theodora Knight get married and investigate haunted buildings together for a paranormal reality show. At a taping in a supposedly haunted house he was investigating one Halloween night, a jar in the basement is discovered and when one of the investigators opens it, a thousand demons are unleashed. John is hurt, but his cameraman and the other investigators are killed, while the demons possess Theodora’s body. Now John searches for the Demonists and the books they might have on exorcisms, so he can expel the demons from his wife’s body. Worse, the demons escaping the jar bring into play a believer to bring back an ancient demon god and the end of the world. A secret organization made to battle all things demonic come out of the shadows to contact John. All this while the FBI are investigating the kidnapping of children from different states. Many intricate plotlines are woven well together and won't confuse the reader. Many interesting and some even frightening characters besides the Foggs. One of my definite favorites is Nana, John’s dead grandmother. 

The Demonists can be frightening, but it is also a fantastic read. If you cannot stand horror, then this book is not for you. But it is dark fantasy, with demons (which are not nice creatures who do evil things like those in paranormal romance). It hooked me enough that I want to read the next book in this series. So, if you are looking for that scary and suspenseful book for your next read, this will fit the bill. Warning: just read it in the light, and not alone in bed at night.

SharonS Review

DNF

Well...my review couldn't be any different than Pamela's! <G> I am a big fan of Sniegoski's Remy Chandler series and a fan of dark fantasy so I was excited to give this new series a try. The book was too easy to put down and I never felt compelled to keep picking it back up; I got half-way through when I decided to tap out.

I think this is a case of not my cup of tea. The prologue was full of creepy tension and horror, but for me, it didn't carry over into the rest of the story, and I never connected with the characters. 

About the Author:

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THOMAS E. SNIEGOSKI is the author of more than two dozen novels for adults, teens, and children. His teen fantasy YA series Fallen was adapted into a trilogy of monstrously successful TV movies by ABC Family Channel. His other books for teens include Sleeper Code, Sleeper Agenda, Legacy, and Force Majeure, as well as the series The Brimstone Network. The author's first adult novel, A Kiss Before the Apocalypse, developed into a series of novels about the character Remy Chandler.

Sniegoski's work for younger readers includes the Billy Hooten: Owlboy series and the fantasy quartet Magic Zero, which he co-authored with Christopher Golden.Magic Zero is in development as a film at Universal. Sniegoski and Golden have also collaborated on the adult dark fantasy series The Menagerie, and multiple creator-owned comic book series, including The Sisterhood, which is being prepped for a feature film by InterMedia, and Talent, currently in development at Universal after a major bidding war.

As a comic book writer, Sniegoski's work includes Stupid, Stupid Rat Tails, a prequel miniseries to international hit Bone. Sniegoski has also written the Bone: Quest for the Spark novels. Sniegoski collaborated with Bone creator Jeff Smith on the prequel, making him the only writer Smith has ever asked to work on those characters. Sniegoski and Golden also wrote the graphic novel BPRD: Hollow Earth, a spinoff from Hellboy.

Sniegoski was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he still lives with his wife LeeAnne and their dog, Kirby.