Review: Forgiven by Jana Oliver

Title: Forgiven
Author: Jana Oliver
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: March 27, 2012
Series: Demon Trappers #3
Links: Amazon | Goodreads
Source: Macmillan (finished copy)

The days are growing darker for 17-year-old demon trapper Riley Blackthorne. With her father’s reanimated body back safely, Beck barely speaking to her because of a certain hunky Fallen angel, and a freshly-made deal with Lucifer, she has enough on her hands to last a normal teenage lifetime. Though she bargained with Heaven to save his life, her ex-boyfriend Simon has told the Vatican’s Demon Hunters that she’s working with Hell. So now she’s in hiding, at the top of everyone’s most-wanted list.

But it’s becoming clear that this is bigger than Riley, and rapidly getting out of control: something sinister is happening in Atlanta… or someone. The demons are working together for the first time ever and refusing to die, putting civilians in harm’s way. Riley thinks she might know who’s behind it all, but who’s going to believe her? Caught between her bargain with Heaven and her promise to Lucifer, Riley fears the final war is coming – and it may be closer than anyone thinks…

I think that I love this series more with each book. It just gets better and better.

Riley and Beck both do a lot of growing in Forgiven, and it's a pleasure to witness. I have sung my praises to both of these characters in my reviews of the first two books, and they're even better in this third installment. They've been through more, both together and individually, and they come to realize some things that help them learn and grow as people.

Riley has been through some sucky stuff by the end of book two, so in book three she is more experienced. She's suffered some pains on a personal and emotional level, and she has learned from them. She goes through some strong emotions over the course of the novel but she does so without being melodramatic, and I can totally appreciate that. Beck continues to struggle to better himself, both personally and professionally. Some of his past issues are bubbling to the surface, and he's having a difficult time dealing with them. The dynamic between Riley and Beck continues to evolve in a way that I find to be oh so satisfying.

The plot escalates in Forgiven. Events that are set in motion in the first and second books come to fruition in the third. Conflict and mayhem run rampant all over the place. It's fast-paced and frustrating (in a good way!) and fun. Even with its quick pace, there is plenty of room for character development. This is particularly true of Riley and Beck, but the secondary characters had some time to grow on me as well, which is nice because that is the sort of thing that helps to suck readers into Riley's world.

If you're looking for a fun YA urban fantasy series with awesome characters and a fun plot line, then you should give the Demon Trappers series a read.