Henry H. Neff

Well, well, I am tempted to say, where have you been all this time, you little demon?

And the answer would be, I was in my author's head, fool, this book came out only in 2024!

One Henry H. Neff, former history teacher no less, is the culprit here. Meet Laszlo, demon-hero of this unlikely tale. Also meet Maggie Drakeford, heroine. Now at the outset, dashing Laszlo (his human form resembles Paul Newman, for Chrissakes) seems to be the more interesting character. And after that zany first show more chapter in whose first scene Laszlo is wandering around the NY Subway guzzling a (large) milkshake, when we shifted focus to the impoverished Drakeford girl, I drooped a bit.

But what was this? Drakeford turned out to be nothing to sniff at herself. Indeed, even her child brother, endearingly nicknamed Lump, was...gasp! Likeable!

What's more, Laz and Mag are riding on a very, very strong story, told with gem-like clarity. The set up is powerful from the get-go: the Drakefords have been carrying a curse for centuries. Not only are they penniless and powerless, they actually physically transform into unspeakably hideous non-human creatures before dying a slow death. Aargh! Poor Maggie's unfortunate Dad is already well on the way, in fact: the curse passes on through the Drakeford bloodline. Maggie at 19 has begun to show signs too.

Into this wrenching scene wanders Laszlo. He's a lowly official of Hell, a Curse Keeper, relegated to the boondocks of Admin down in the sewers of Midtown Manhattan. He's lazy, frivolous, a real roue, and cunning to boot. Well, he's a demon, isn't he? He isn't exactly supposed to be awash with the milk of human kindness, har har. And so when faced with a terrible ultimatum unless he 'improves his performance' as a worthy demon, he has no choice but to involve himself with his curse-bearers, the Drakefords.

But the other thing about Laszlo is that he is a Very Witty Creature Indeed. So when he clashes frequently with strong-willed Maggie, it gives you that zingy feeling: you're in good authorial hands. The tale won't falter. Each character will act towards a clearly-outlined end. Obstacles will provide horror and humor. Relationships will be born, strengthen, weaken, endure. Side characters will emerge, both kind and cruel, innocent and jaded, all memorable.

Ah, I give up, Henry H. Neff, what sorcery is this, sir? Suffice to say, there is intricate plotting, devious dealings, insane bravery, and above all, that life-giving humor, lifting up the whole into something sparkling. And that Epilogue? I am biting my own hand to prevent spoilers spilling onto the page, but perhaps it won't be too dastardly to say that there MIGHT be a possibility of a sequel.

And with that I shall joyfully add Laszlo and Maggie to my ever-so-slim list of 2024 Favorites. I hope you have already been jotting away furiously, Neff, or I shall be so angry that I might have to set the Signora on you... show less

19-year-old Maggie Drakeford lives in the Catskills and with a generations-old curse that turns members of her family into monsters as they do the job of sin-eater for their small backwoods town. Lazlo is a centuries-old demon (barely) working a desk job as a curse keeper, and he happens to be the keeper of the Drakeford curse. But he’s not very interested in his job and spends his time traveling, drinking, and swindling and/or bedding everything that walks. When his office comes under new show more management, Lazlo finds himself with only 6 days to shape up or he’ll be…terminated. And so the curse keeper and the cursed Maggie meet. And all hell breaks loose.

I loved it. The relationship (purely platonic) between Maggie and Lazlo is adorable and hilarious and wonderful, and Lazlo is one of my very favorite kinds of characters: no-good, lay-about, wise-cracking idiot on the outside, but a trickster genius extraordinaire when it counts. Highly, highly recommended. show less

I mean, c'mon. If you're bored with all the usual thriller/horror/mystery/fantasy that's being churned out on the daily lately, then put them all down and read this. It's witty, funny, action packed and sassy. It also has curses and demons! Ancient monks and sorceresses! Double-crossing family members! A shark-head guy! And a little boy named Lump that is pretty awesome.
Just read it! You are guaranteed to have a great time. The only downside is when you're done, you have nothing like it too show more look forward to, that's a bummer. Maybe we should start a campaign to force the author to make it a series? I could really love a series. show less

Although set in the future, this is a fantasy novel and a 2018 Lone Star book!

The Faeregines have ruled Impyrium for centuries, but their magic has abated, leaving them open to be overthrown. Hazel is part of the triplets who are to be the next rulers. She is different from her sisters in that she was born last and is albino; she also has more power than anyone in the family has had for centuries. Her grandmother wants her to be their weapon to take on those who want to take over Impyrium. show more Hazel, however, is a kind girl who cares nothing for ruling.

Hob is a commoner who is sent to spy on the Faeregines in order to take them down. Hob is really smart, but his situation has kept him from going to school. When he becomes Hazel’s tutor, he has the ability to spy on the inner circle as the rebels request. With all the magic, it’s hard for Hob to know who to trust; after all, magic corrupted Hazel’s foremother and she could become evil like her.

I enjoyed this novel; I found it captivating, fast-moving, and I didn’t want to put it down. There’s room for a sequel or it could just be a stand alone. show less