Book Review – On Demon Wings by Karina Halle

On Demon Wings (Experiment in Terror #5) —> slight spoiler alert! (barely but, just in case you haven’t read the books preceding this one, skip this review and check out this reading order guide instead: Karina Halle – Experiment in Terror Series Reading Order)

*sigh* One of my BEST. Series. Ever! Bittersweet goodbye for now, as this is the last, but not least, in my Experiment in Terror reading marathon (for now…). Book #5 (the latest release that I received from the author, in this expected 8 book series) did exactly what all of the others did. Put me in an emotional tailspin! Another un-put-downable, creepy-as-heck read (maybe even creepier then all of them). Plenty to fear in this one, since it might not just be ghosts terrorizing Perry anymore. There is something much more sinister at work. Meaning… if you read this at night, do so with the lights on.

Tiffany: Just read the last book available in the Experiment in Terror series and all I can say is Holy Freakin Wow..They tired me out!!! Im taking a book BREAK!! They are that GOOD!! Love Perry, her sister Ada and DEX!!! Can’t wait until the next book is out in JULY!!!! ))))))

Melissa: Demons scare the hell out of me. Exorcisms too. I’m not really a fan of Paranormal its too touchy. Last night I was kept awake i refused to close my eyes (so I had to keep reading if I couldn’t handle the scenes I had to come on Facebook or the internet looking for other stuff to do) until the daylight shone through the windows. Then I went to sleep. Ya I’m gonna have a break for a day. I’m in need of something therapeutic to get my mind off these books lol.

Kristen: Can someone remind me what sleep is lol!! Since I finished book 5 in the Experiment in Terror series I can’t sleep I want to know what happens with Dex and Perry!!

Maryse’s Book Blog: Sleep? I don’t know what that means… But I can assure you the author is writing more as we speak. So if you find this elusive “sleep” catch up on it while you can…

Haha!!! Yep. This one was extra ominous and just as great as the rest, so who needs sleep when you’re running on adrenaline alone?

It had almost everything I have come to love in this series, except for one thing. One integral part. But that “missing thing” was actually what kept a good part of the angst and agony in the forefront. Even though we were thrown into a paranormal uproar, we could still emotionally connect. Because as terrifying as Perry’s life has just become, as focused as the “scary” part of this book is, her heart, constantly aching in the background, reminds us that there will be so much more to come.

So what’s this one about?

Okay well, you remember how horribly #4 ended right? And you know how realistic the emotional upheaval has been throughout the series, so far? So it’s pretty safe to assume that when Perry says “I QUIT!!” she freakin’ means it. She’s a strong girl, and even though she suffers from relatable insecurities, there’s only so much one heart can take. And Dex pushed her WAY too far this time. And at the start of On Demon Wings, we find Perry exactly as we would expect her. Lost. Heartbroken. Attempting to heal.

To put it mildly, December had been a hell f a month. I was in a very black place one I feared I would never crawl out of. But I did eventually crawl out of that hole, dragging myself out of the depression by my fingernails. My younger sister Ada helped; she was a great shoulder to cry on. And by cry, I mean slobber. I was an ugly, hysterical mess more often than not. I never knew that kind of agony before.

But Perry… well. She’s fierce. I LOVE her strength amidst her pain. Her determined stance.

I got calls from him right after he twisted that pin in my heart, a million voicemails that I deleted (before I smashed my phone in a fit of rage). I got a new number, changed my email and totally withdrew form the little life I had attempted, which meant no contact with Jimmy, Rebecca or anyone at the Shownet office. Nothing against them – personally – but it was just too hard. I needed to move on.

Because book #5 (this one) takes her through an emotional journey, restructuring her life “after Dex”. Trying to get the normal back into her life, and the paranormal OUT! Healing her heart, and going back to “making her parents proud”.

I felt lost and directionless and my mind always wanted to go back to the happier times, the times when I felt everything was possible. But it wasn’t that way and I had to keep my eye on the prize. I needed to move out, move far away, and start finding myself all over again. My life had reverted to the way it was before I met Dex in that lighthouse. Though, perhaps I was a bit wiser.

Thing is… Perry’s always been special, and despite having been able to block out her childhood paranormal experiences, they are back, front row and center. Stronger then ever, and the things she once forgot, are now memories that are making themselves real.

“Perry!” the face on the TV screamed.

I screamed back. I hit the button with my fist but it did nothing.

The TV screamed my name again, the voice coming out of the speakers.

I quickly lunged for the back of the unit, taking the power cord in my hands and yanking it out of the wall.

“Help me!” the TV screamed again, in a voice not unlike my own. It wasn’t plugged in anymore. But it still screamed.

*shudder* Eeeeeeeeeeeeek!!! That is my worst nightmare. Creepy things under my bed, and the TV coming to life when it is unplugged. I just… I would be hightailing it out of there as fast as I could go.

And in Perry’s extra emotional state, she is that much more susceptible to those that have been trying to interfere with her “normal” world. They want to use her. Perry is haunted and in more ways then one. Experiencing blackouts, spine-chilling dreams and waking to find herself in alarming situations. Her parents think she’s losing it. Her co-workers think she’s losing it.

And while she is determined (yet struggling) to go this, alone, Ada (her sister) and Maximus (yes!! Dex’s ex-bestfriend) have her back. Max is IN this one! We are lonely without Dex, but Max is the next best thing, right? I admit it. I woo-hoooo’d and totally thought… “SO THERE DEX!!!” Gorgeous, hulking, gallant and gentlemanly, Max wants to pick up the pieces of Perry’s broken heart, and tell her all about that mean ol’ Dex! And Perry starts coming to “life” again.

… the last thing I needed was to get embroiled with another man, especially this man. As charming and gentleman as Maximus was, he was still so tightly woven into the story of me and Dex that I didn’t see how any f this could be a good idea.

And when I started to think that maybe I did like him, like him (as Ada would say), I wondered how much of that was real. And how much of that was because I was scared. And how much of that was because I was lonely. And how much of that was because there was something deep inside of me that still craved one final stab at my own revenge.

Maximus is not Dex, but there’s just so much about his caring for her that is helping her breathe again.

And when Maximus brought me closer to him, I felt all warm and gooey at the strength of his hands and I couldn’t imagine just walking away from him with nothing happening between us.

And the fact that he believes her (and can “experience” ghosts… in a way) means he can help her, right?

*blink blink*

And what about Dex’s role in this installment? Ah ah ahhhhh – I’ll let you suffer along like I did and find out on your own. With the fear and crazy things that are happening to Perry in the foreground, that touch of “missing him” and longing made it all that much better.

This is the one that provided plenty of reveals. Questions were finally answered, but with these answers, a whole bunch more secrets are coming to light. Do I have questions? Oh YES. I have questions.

4 stars. Maybe 4.5. Either way, I loved it! You’ll understand the stars… once you finished this one.

Check out the entire reading order guide: Karina Halle – Experiment in Terror Series Reading Order

Oh and!! I’ve started an “Experiment in Terror Support Group” in the spoiler forum for those who have a need to discuss. After my reaction to book #4, I DEFINITELY needed some support. However I recommend going there only once you’ve caught up with the series so far, so as to avoid spoilers.

Tagged as: 4 stars, Dex, Experiment in Terror, ghosts, Karina Halle, Perry, urban fantasy