The Demon Librarian

Fing more review like this at The Demon Librarian.Like music to my ears. This is a review of the audiobook version, which is narrated by the amazing Amanda Ronconi. The combination of Ronconi's lively, comedic reading and Harper's witty one-liners, make it an enjoyable, grin-inducing read, one I wished would never end.I'd enjoyed Harper's other series on audiobook, too—her Naked Werewolf series—so I knew I was in for a treat. I've had very little time for "real" reading lately, so audiobooks have been my only option, but they can be hit and miss for me. A bad or poorly selected narrator can ruin and otherwise enjoyable book, and I freely admit to being a bit of a fussy madam when it comes to narrators. I therefore feel it important to state just how good these are on audio.So, about the story. Jane Jameson is a woman after my own heart. A slightly insecure and nerdy librarian with a razor sharp wit and lacking any kind of brain to mouth filter, she is very underappreciated and overlooked as a human. But, as the title would suggest, she doesn't stay human for long. A funnier human to vampire transformation scenario I have never read. I won't spoil it, but it was hilarious. And that was the great thing about this book; it's funny. The things that are usually desperately sad and angsty in other series are handled with slapstick comedy in this and it was so refreshing to see a newly turned vampire enjoying all of the perks rather than mewling about the negatives.The plot was based around a gentle mystery, but with these books, the real enjoyment will be found in the characters rather than in any complex plotting. And a great cast of characters it is. There's an intriguing and perplexing love interest, a lovable rogue new friend, and a hilarious bunch of Jane's family members. The dialogue—especially Jane's—is just so funny. Harper is one of those writers who you could quote endlessly. There are so many snarky comebacks and witty rebuttals, I'm sure I smiled like a lunatic throughout the whole book.Because of the mystery being slightly lacklustre and the love interest being more perplexing and confusing than I was anticipating, I've settled on 3.5 stars, but having listened to the rest of the series already, I can tell you books 2, 3 and 4 improve on both of these points.A highly recommended audiobook experience!3 Stars ★★★1/2