The Demon Assassin Hell’s Underground series Book 2 by Alan Gibbons
Published by Orion
Review by Aliss Langridge
Demons? Assassins? The title alone draws you into the second book in Alan Gibbons’ Hell’s Underground series but – don’t worry – judging from this instalment, you can read each one as a ‘stand alone’ story too. Aimed at young adults, Gibbons effectively combines different genres of detective fiction, action, horror and historical fiction, as well as maintaining suspense and pace throughout. He writes with a sense of immediacy which is effectively established with the use of the present tense for certain scenes.
Teenager Paul Rector is getting used to harbouring special powers which he uses to battle demons who fight for their powerful demon master, King Lud. Lud is a supernatural enemy to mankind – a menacing demonic presence who is incarcerated in a tomb far beneath the earth. The plot line begins with Paul stepping back in time to 1940s war time London, so that he and DI George Temple can stop Lud’s latest disciple Harry Rector from assassinating Churchill, thus gaining control of Aldgate, where Lud’s tomb lies. There are many more aspects to the complex plot which shifts between different character perspectives and time periods.
Gibbons certainly knows how to draw in his target audience. The story kicks off with action then most chapters are short and fast paced, each building towards the final confrontation. Another effective aspect of the narrative involves Paul’s complex character: he has to come to terms with a personal conflict in himself: being part of the Rector family means that Paul has been born into the demon brotherhood. He has the ‘demon seed’ in his blood, like all of the Rectors. The idea of Paul maintaining his strength against his darker side is an interesting aspect which will undoubtfully be developed throughout the rest of the series.
Gibbons pays a lot of attention to historical detail and creates a realistic picture of 1940s bomb-damaged London which is especially impressive. He has certainly done a lot of research and this is evident from his setting descriptions and bomb attack scenes, as well as with his use of detail – he even includes magazine titles, popular songs and films of the time. Furthermore, the language is sophisticated: coupled with a complex plot and shifting narrative perspectives, The Demon Assassin can be a challenging read at times however the genuinely scarily gruesome demons, build up of tension and effective backdrop to the story make this a worthwhile read.