“Demon Marked” by Kat Kinney (Everwood Falls series)

It’s been such a sweet, heart-fluttering experience to return to Everwood Falls. The enchanted elk with their antlers glowing in the dark – too much sugar is bad for anybody, but this is the only spoiler you are getting from me! – and carnivorous spruce trees, prone not only to looming ominously over hikers and gawkers but also easily sent into panic by a relatively innocent stirring. Did you know what a carnivorous spruce wants to do when startled? Uproot and stalk away to a quieter place. Okay, I said no spoilers. So, I’m going to stop here. To learn more about the hooved forest giants with sparkling antlers and the peculiarities of carnivorous trees’ phycology, you’d better read the Everwood Falls series by Kat Kinney.

Norah’s character intrigued me from the very first book of the series. A female demon from the Underworld turned detective? Yes, please, I want to know more. My curiosity was satisfied in “Demon Marked.” But it was also sparked anew, this time concerning Norah’s parents and their relationship. I hope that the author will share their story with us someday.

I enjoyed meeting the couples from previous books and seeing how they are faring in their happy ever afters. Sage and Gideon’s magically adapting cottage was surely a blast. But the one character who stole my heart, without any doubt and competition, is Bru. Also goes by monikers of Demon S’mores, Firestarter, and others – almost never by his officially given name. Try to guess which it is for Bru. Or better, read the book and find out for yourself.

Norah and Ember, a demon and a fae. What could they possibly have in common? Well, love is known to have bound together the opposites of all kinds. Thus, it doesn’t surprise anyone when feelings blossom between those two. Anyone, save for Norah and Ember themselves, and the father of one of the sweethearts.

Picturesque and cosy it might be, Everwood Falls cannot escape what being an epicentre of the most bizarre supernatural accidents imaginable inevitably entitles. The small town tucked up in the Colorado Rockies is a home for magically gifted – and cursed! – creatures. Strange occurrences with the consequences that rumble across the whole supernatural community shake it on a regular basis. This time, a curse of undefined origins threatens Everwood Falls’ inhabitants. When Norah notices Ember showing its signs, she lunges into action. It doesn’t stop her that what she has to do can destroy the life she has so carefully built for herself in the Mundane world, having paid a high price for escaping the Underworld.

I’m looking forward to the story of a bestselling thriller and horror writer – and a dragon – and a werewolf – who is a vet, and already pre-ordered the next book. Also, as I mentioned at the beginning, I would love to read the story of Norah’s parents someday.