The Devil Inside by Jenna Black
Series: Morgan Kingsley #1
Published by Dell
Published on: November 27, 2007
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 338
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
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Posession. Murder. Mayhem.
Let the games begin...Exorcism isn’t a job, it’s a calling—and a curse. Just ask Morgan Kingsley, a woman who has a stronger aura than any Demon. Or so she thought. Now, in a pair of black leather pants and a kick-ass tattoo, Morgan is heading back to Philadelphia after a nasty little exorcism—and her life is about to be turned upside down…by the Demon that’s gotten inside her.
Not just any Demon. Six foot five inches of dark, delicious temptation, this one is to die for—that is, if he doesn’t get Morgan killed first. Because while some humans vilify Demons and others idolize them, Morgan’s Demon is leading a war of succession no human has ever imagined. For a woman trying to live a life, and hold on to the almost-perfect man, being possessed by a gorgeous rebel Demon will mean a wild ride of uninhibited thrills, shocking surprises, and pure, unadulterated terror. . . .
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This was my very first Jenna Black book several years ago (as in 2009). I was trying to decide what book I wanted to try next. I decided that I wanted to go back and revisit this series that I loved so much. I read this before I was reviewing, so I decide that I could review it this time around.
So, this series follows Morgan Kingsley. She’s an exorcist and one of the best. In this world, people willing take demon possessions. It allows humans to be faster, stronger and heal faster. There are people who take on demons to become firefighters and do other dangerous jobs because of these enhancements. The problem is that the human is no longer driving the body. They are pushed to the background so that the demon will be in control. To many, that is something they are willing to sacrifice to be a hero. There is a whole religion around it, called Spirit Society.
There’s a whole group of people who are against the demons, God’s Wrath. They are known for attacking people known to possess a demon.
Not all demons possess a body legally. There are many illegal demons that are roaming the Earth and that is where Morgan comes in. She will exorcise any demon that is found to not be here legally. There are times when she isn’t strong enough to force the demon out. If that happens, then depending on the state you live in, the human is burned alive to kill the demon. Think of it like states that have the death penalty versus ones that don’t. I should also add that not every human mind survives having a demon inhabitant. Some people become a vegetable after the demon is cast out. Others can go back to a normal human existence. People don’t know why this happens.
So The Devil Inside starts with Morgan going to Kansas to try to exorcise a demon that has illegally inhabited a little girl. Morgan fights and does kick the demon out, but he does touch her, which would’ve given the demon the chance to jump to her. She has to stay in confinement until another exorcist can come and check her for a demon. Kansas being a execution state, this has Morgan a little worried. She has her friend fly in to check her out.
It is after this exorcism that things really start to get weird for Morgan. She has for a while been sleep walking. But not she is writing notes to herself in her sleep. These notes seem really weird. Strange things are happening around her. Eventually she starts to dream, which turns out she is hosting a demon.
So, I won’t got into this story anymore, because I don’t want to spoil anything. I will just say that this series is action packed and full of suspense. There is a lot that goes on. Several different groups are after Morgan. She has to start to trust people, which is really hard for her.
I won’t say that there is romance in this book. Morgan is already dating Brian before the start of this book. They do have some relationship issues that you might see in a romance. There is sex in the book and not just between the main characters. There is also some sex between two male secondary characters. Though they don’t have sex on the page, it is part of the story. It is something that Morgan struggles with. She isn’t against gays. Not at all. The problem for her is that it turns her on way more than she is comfortable admitting, even to herself.
I would highly recommend this series for someone looking for an action-packed urban fantasy series. Morgan is a strong heroine, but one who has her faults. The world that Black has built here is really interesting. I love the demons that possess people in this world. There is also demonic politics going on. If you’re looking for an older series to check out, this is a great one to try.
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I’m Melanie and I live in Ohio. I have two horses and a dog. I’m an animal lover, avid book reader and audiobook listener. I like to live vicariously through fictional characters. I enjoy reading and listening to mostly fictional books in the paranormal genre, including Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. My favorite paranormal creatures are shifters, doesn’t matter the flavor.
Heard of this author but not tried her, though this book sounds interesting. 🙂
Stormi Johnson recently posted…The Week In Review #180
I really love this author. She writes some really great UF. I also even read her YA.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Family Bonds by A.C. Donaubauer (@mlsimmons, @AC_Donaubauer)
Ooo this does look really good! I’ll have to add it to the pile. 😉 Wonderful review!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Blog Tour Book Review: As Bright As Heaven by Susan Meissner
I really love the UF that this author writes. She also writes some great YA too.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Family Bonds by A.C. Donaubauer (@mlsimmons, @AC_Donaubauer)
I picked up some of these since she was signing at NOLAStorycon and have been dying to read them. The world seems so original. I’m glad to hear they are as awesome as I was hoping!
Her worlds are very interesting. I’ve read everything she’s written. I love them all.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Family Bonds by A.C. Donaubauer (@mlsimmons, @AC_Donaubauer)
Hmmm, I did like her other series so…
blodeuedd recently posted…Carole’s Sunday Review: The Secret life of Mrs London
I love all of her stuff, even the YA.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Family Bonds by A.C. Donaubauer (@mlsimmons, @AC_Donaubauer)
Oh this sounds really exciting. Ya know, I could see people willing to host a demon in order to get powers or stuff like this book says. That would be really weird.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Apartment Life #14
Agreed. I think I could see it too. It is interesting world.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Family Bonds by A.C. Donaubauer (@mlsimmons, @AC_Donaubauer)
Great review. This sounds like something I might like.
Angela recently posted…Angel’s Weekly Book Releases: 2/12 – 2/17
It was a really good series. I’m glad I decided to revisit.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Family Bonds by A.C. Donaubauer (@mlsimmons, @AC_Donaubauer)
This sounds good, so I am glad you reviewed it this time around. Going to add book one to my list of UF.
Kimberly recently posted…Sunday Post #304 Snow and More Snow
I’m really glad that I decided to revisit this series and review it this time around. I really enjoyed it.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Family Bonds by A.C. Donaubauer (@mlsimmons, @AC_Donaubauer)
Huh… that sounds very complicated. But interesting. Glad you enjoyed it!
Jen Twimom recently posted…Review: Fire on the Ice by Tamsen Parker
It really isn’t that complex. I really love this series though.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Family Bonds by A.C. Donaubauer (@mlsimmons, @AC_Donaubauer)
Haha! I was so excited to see you reviewing this one because I’ve actually read it! Of course, you’d be doing a re-read. I think I read it back in 2009 as well. And I think I got to book 3 or 4 – can’t remember – but I quite enjoyed this series. I’m going to have to go back and do a re-read myself now!
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…#COYER Review ~ Lord Midnight ~ Donna Cummings #ShelfLove
I hope you’re able to do a reread of the series and can make it to the end. I really enjoyed this series as a whole. I’m excited to revisit the entire series (as if I don’t have enough TBR books to tackle LOL).
Melanie recently posted…Review: Family Bonds by A.C. Donaubauer (@mlsimmons, @AC_Donaubauer)
I enjoy her writing so I need to read these. I have seen the later covers but for some reason never picked them up. Yep, will add these to my humongous wishlist! 😀
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Entertainment Post: Netflix Series
This sound super interesting to me. I’ve read one of her Ya books and really liked it. I’m glad you liked it enough to reread-that’s very telling!
I don’t revisit books that I have to read very often (I revisit audiobooks all the time). This is a really great series.
Melanie recently posted…Fresh Meat: February 11 to 17 — 30 Speculative Fiction Releases
Oh I enjoy her UF and I haven’t tried these yet. This one sounds like something I NEED on my shelves! Brilly review!
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Really Late Craft Post: What I Made Over the Holidays
AND for some reason I knew this looked and sounded familiar but didn’t know why until I looked up and saw my other comment. One day I will have brain again. LOL
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Really Late Craft Post: What I Made Over the Holidays