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This is a discussion topic for the July 2024 Book of the Month, "Demonslayer" by Ian P. Eviston


Discuss what you liked least about "Demonslayer" by Ian P. Eviston

I’m not a fan of warfare and slaughter. I’m not a fan of magic and supernatural either. But I recognise that this is a young adult or children’s book and it comes with the territory. Outside of that, I found Spirit lacking in intelligence and without the depth of many of his compatriots.

When there are non-human characters, I like them to be really non-human. In this novel, demons are very human in their everything except their physical features, including "eating" aether. I understand that that makes it easy to understand their motives but I find it too simplistic.

Most things in the book could have been ‘solved’ or ‘fixed’ with aether and magic. I know this is for young people but I found it too much. It seemed the ‘easy way out’. Spirit was given a new ‘magic’ limb at the beginning and I found it was the easy option.

In the world of this novel, the demons exhibit human-like traits, only showing non-human qualities through their physical attributes and their use of "aether." While this approach allows for a deeper understanding of their motivations, it also appears somewhat simplistic. Furthermore, the narrative's constant resolution of conflicts through aether and magic detracts from the element of suspense.

While "Demonslayer" by Ian P. Eviston is generally an engaging fantasy novel, its reliance on familiar genre tropes and predictable plot elements is perhaps its weakest aspect

NetMassimo wrote: ↑17 Jul 2024, 08:09 When there are non-human characters, I like them to be really non-human. In this novel, demons are very human in their everything except their physical features, including "eating" aether. I understand that that makes it easy to understand their motives but I find it too simplistic.

I agree with you. That was a problem for me as well. I found it odd that the demons wore clothes and had spouses like humans. The main difference between them and the humans seemed to be their appearance. After that, it was just the fact that the demons consume aether. Then that begs the question, why do the demons bother to eat meat if it does not actually provide any sustenance?

Josephe-Anne wrote: ↑09 Oct 2024, 08:34 I agree with you. That was a problem for me as well. I found it odd that the demons wore clothes and had spouses like humans. The main difference between them and the humans seemed to be their appearance. After that, it was just the fact that the demons consume aether. Then that begs the question, why do the demons bother to eat meat if it does not actually provide any sustenance?

Without the need to eat meat, I wonder why they enjoyed it. Actually, I wonder why they had a sense of taste developed enough for them to enjoy food.

NetMassimo wrote: ↑09 Oct 2024, 14:45

Josephe-Anne wrote: ↑09 Oct 2024, 08:34 I agree with you. That was a problem for me as well. I found it odd that the demons wore clothes and had spouses like humans. The main difference between them and the humans seemed to be their appearance. After that, it was just the fact that the demons consume aether. Then that begs the question, why do the demons bother to eat meat if it does not actually provide any sustenance?

Without the need to eat meat, I wonder why they enjoyed it. Actually, I wonder why they had a sense of taste developed enough for them to enjoy food.

Exactly! It doesn't make much sense.