Bibliographical information:

Brennan, Sarah Rees. The Demon's Lexicon. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books / Simon & Schuster, 2009.

Brief summary:

Nick and Alan live a difficult life, trying to elude the attacks of magicians and demons sent by magicians, and to take care of their mother. When siblings Mae and Jamie arrive on their doorstep looking for help with the demons who have attacked them, they must address the history that brought them to this point, and confront the magicians directly.

Comments:

I didn't fall for this book right away--its opening chapters were too violent for my tastes, and I wasn't immediately absorbed. But partway through, I stopped being able to put it down, and I didn't see the ending coming at all, even though it made sense. The others in my family who read the book reacted similarly.

Grade/Age level:

NYPL calls it young adult.

Cautions:

The book is violent and scary, though also thoughtful and thought-provoking.

If you like this book, you might also like . . .

--Lisa Gordis

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