Jacquelyn Frank, The Nightwalkers: Jacob

The Nightwalkers: Jacob

Jacquelyn Frank

Zebra, December 2006, $6.99, 384 pp.

ISBN 08211780654

Demons exist in the world, but they look like humans, though they have their own culture, values and laws. They do no harm to humans, but when the moon madness strikes them, Jacob, the millennia old Enforcer, will punish them. When a demon is summoned by a necromancer he is transformed into a monster, forced to do its master's bidding. Jacob's job also entails finding the transformed demon and killing it. After hundreds of years, a demon has been summoned and Jacob is tracking him.

While performing his job he saves the life of Isabella who accidentally falls out of the window. She smells sulfur, and is on the trail of the demon who was transformed. When they get to the warehouse, Jacob battles the necromancer, while Isabella fights and kills the transformed demon; a feat no mortal should be able to do. He takes her to the demon king's house, and Jacob realizes he wants Isabella as she does him, but it is against the laws he was sworn to protect. As time passes Isabelle manifests more powers, and through research it is learned that when she came in contact with Jacob she started to change into something other than mortal; a being who can help and save the demon race.

Jacquelyn Frank has written a fascinating work of urban fantasy. She does for demons what Laurell K. Hamilton did for vampires. Demons are not hell spawn, but they are an intelligent, beautiful society that wishes no harm to humans. Jacob, alone and feared all his life, is fated to love what Isabelle has become. Demon society will never be the same with the admission of Isabelle into their ranks. This author will quickly become a fan favorite.