Flora Reviews: The Demon of Vienna (The Demon Series #5) by Ayse Hafiza @AyseHafiza

Evil discovers an old city of darkness

Vienna has a dark history so why doesn’t Jassassah the Demon from the fifth circle of hell feel comfortable. Because she is being tested by Lorcan the Great Overseer of Hell.
Lorcan can make, or break her career and she needs to prove that she’s got what it takes. Can Jassassah conquer her fears? Can she learn the answer to one of life's great unanswered questions? And can she learn how to enslave the human race, because that is what she really wants to know.

Read: 7^th – 9^th October 2018

The Demon of Vienna could be read as a stand-alone title. The necessary facts are weaved into this story without slowing the pace. This ensures that new readers aren’t completely lost. However, I’d worry that they’d miss the relationship that we (the readers) have built with Jassassah over the last five books. Knowing her personality and how she has altered as well as recognising the ripple effects that past plotlines have on this story.

So, what did I like about The Demon of Vienna?

I already like Ms Hafiza’s writing style; I enjoy how her tales make you look at the world with new eyes, re-evaluate your beliefs and entertain you all at the same time – I’ve compared her books to that of Aesop’s Fables in the past and I stand by my comparison. It’s quite a skill for an author to involve a reader in their characters’ tale in so few pages.

The Demon of Vienna certainly keeps you engaged.

The first chapter reminds us who and what Jassassah The Demon is; she’s pragmatic, dedicated and patient with a somewhat dry sense of humour and out to cause mankind as much misfortune as she can in a bid to get promoted through the Circles of Hell. I can’t help liking her.

I haven’t visited Vienna myself but Ms Hafiza’s talent as a writer describes it so well that I once again felt transported; the sights, sounds and smells leaping off the page while it’s the snippets of actual history that are woven into the prose that adds a further layer of detail, of depths, that elevates this novella into something special. I must confess that unlike the previous stories, this one focuses so much on the darker side of Vienna that it will take a while for me to want to visit this historical European city.

I’ve learned with this series, to abandon any preconceived ideas about where the story would take me. To just sit back and enjoy the journey. I love the scattered gems of wisdom, the satire and the twists that Ms Hafiza includes. And loved all the different characters – human, deceased and demon – that Jassassah meets while on assignment in Vienna.

The next novella is The Demon of New York and I can’t wait to find out what mischief Jassassah stirs up there in the city that never sleeps…

So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

I gave this book 5stars because there was nothing that niggled while reading it.

Having said that please be warned that there are many scenes in this book that are unpalatable, some are quite upsetting to read. Ms Hafiza certainly doesn’t shy away from difficult themes in this series; murder, child abuse, racism, sexual abuse, human trafficking, illegal organ harvesting, violence and brutality… however she tackles these subjects well with engaging prose, sympathetic humour while drawing your focus on the social commentary aspect.

So, basically what I’m saying is…

I really enjoyed The Demon of Vienna. It’s another unique read that had everything that I look for in a 5-star book. Intelligent writing style that’s easy to follow, a main character with depth of personality, a great supporting cast and a believable background story and setting (even when there’s magic and the supernatural involved).

There are some violent and harrowing scenes in this story. Therefore, I’d recommend The Demon of Vienna to adults who are OK reading content of this nature. Especially those who enjoy paranormal fiction or urban fantasy adventures with some darker themes. The Demon Series has a unique perspective and is an unexpected find that I can’t recommend enough.

Has as my review of THE DEMON OF VIENNA (THE DEMON SERIES #5) encouraged you to find out more? Click on any of my links to check out the book yourself. Keep reading to find out more about The Demon Series and its author.

About Ayse Hafiza

I’m a Londoner born and raised. There are lots of authors in my family so I feel that becoming a writer was my destiny.

As a child, without fail every night my Dad read us bedtime stories. Generally, Aesop’s, and Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales, but he also told us colourful stories of Sultans, Emirs, and Maharanis. Daytime was for stories of Prophecy, and the mystical world of the Jinn. Whereas, Mum took us to the library and made sure we always had a book in hand during the summer holidays. I realise now that both my parents cultivated a love of reading in us.

After university, I was employed by leading technology brands. My work led me overseas on business trips where I was lucky enough to experience vastly different cultures and countries.

After I fell in love and married, my husband and I moved to Istanbul, where I really had a chance to put pen to paper.

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Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to read my thoughts about THE DEMON OF VIENNA. I really appreciate it. Now go buy it! 😉

Bye for now,

Flora x