The Children’s Book Review | November 26, 2016
The Devil’s Banshee
Written by Donna Hosie
Paperback: 324 pages
Age Range: 14-16
Publisher: Holiday House (2016)
ISBN: 978-0823436507
What to expect: Horror, Supernatural, Adventure, Devils, Magic
Donna Hosie’s latest novel in the TeamDEVIL series, The Devil’s Banshee, has matured far beyond the scope of the first two novels, The Devil’s Intern, and The Devil’s Dreamcatcher. Told from the perspective of the dead Viking Devil Alfarin, this latest offering in the series mixes Viking history and culture with a literary and mythological history of Hell, all rolled up in a gripping adventure story. Danté’s seven circles of Hell form the backdrop for a story told from the bewildered perspective of a Viking who struggles to hold onto his culture and identity even as death itself changes around him.
TeamDEVIL once more has a mission to accomplish. The Devil’s wife has left him, and unfortunately for the rest of Hell, without her to filter and contain his horrific dreams, all realms of the afterlife are unprotected. The Devil abducts Elinor to be his new wife, and only by vowing to descend into the Seven Circles of Hell, where the Skin Walkers rule mercilessly, is Price Alfarin able to get her back. Now Alfarin must lead TeamDEVIL in a desperate and most-likely impossible attempt to bring the Devil’s wife home, and protect themselves and the ones they love from the Devil’s wrath and power. However, back in Hell civil war is brewing. Outraged at the Devil’s humiliation of him over the loss of the dreamcatcher in the first place, Lord Septimus, for whom TeamDEVIL work, is preparing to rebel against the Devil. At the same time, TeamANGEL, composed of the Angels who were banished from heaven for falling victim to the Devil’s virus, have sinister designs of their own. As all Hell literally threatens to break loose, Alfarin questions not only his own identity and worth, but the entire spiritual infrastructure of the universe.
If you enjoyed The Devil’s Intern and The Devil’s Dreamcatcher, then The Devil’s Banshee will not disappoint. Alfarin is both a touchingly human and humorously anachronous narrator, and Hosie’s references to literature, history and mythology add complexity and depth to the story. Highly recommended.
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About Donna Hosie
Donna Hosie is a hybrid YA author (repped by Beth Phelan, The Bent Agency, NY) and full time geek. Part Potterhead, Ringer, Whovian and Sherlockian with sprinkles of Whedonite on top. If it’s fantastical, she’s in. Originally from England, Donna currently resides in Australia with her husband, three children, and a crazy Golden Retriever named Harry (after a certain boy wizard, of course)!
Donna’s first foray into writing came about from her time working on a Harry Potter website. Warner Bros and EA Games asked her to be a fan consultant on the Order of the Phoenix computer game. Her reports and podcasts were relayed around the world as fans of the books patiently awaited the next installment. From writing reports, she turned to fan fiction, eventually writing her own time-traveling novels while studying for an BA(Hons) in Modern Languages.
The Devil’s Banshee, by Donna Hosie, was reviewed by Dr. Jen Harrison. Discover more books likeThe Devil’s Intern, The Devil’s Dreamcatcher and The Devil’s Banshee by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Adventure, Horror, Magic, Supernatural Powers Books, Donna Hosie, and Young Adult Fiction.
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