The Devil at Play by Marcus Damanda Blog Tour & Giveaway PLUS REVIEW!

The Devil at Play

Marcus Damanda

The Devil in Miss Drake's Class, 3

“Everyone loves the devil until they know him. Until they see him for what he really is.” 

Nobody ever did, even as the bodies started to pile up.

But now, too late for it to matter, Audrey understands at last. The devil of Fairview has been courting her for days, and watching her for much longer than that. The murderer is her boyfriend—and he’s been killing on her behalf.

His name is Jack Maddox, but everyone calls him Mad Jack. He’s planning a party, where everyone is invited, especially Audrey’s tormentors—especially the Facebook Fifteen.

Audrey will have her revenge, whether she wants it or not.

Because, in Miss Drake’s class, the devil will have his due.

14+ due to violence and adult situations

Buy Links:    Evernight Teen    Amazon

Excerpt

As he cleaned the knife, she fought her way back to the surface. Eventually, she managed words. “I still don’t know which parts of this were real. Or if I’m completely crazy.”

“You’re not crazy, Audrey,” he reassured her. “You never were. No more than I was. And you’re not crazy now. Just the opposite, in fact.”

When she let the silence stretch again, making it meaningful, he continued.

“Your problem is the same as mine. You see things how they really are, and it makes you sad. Makes you angry. What happened here wasn’t a hallucination. What happened here was justice—for you.”

Polishing the blade, he glanced at her sidelong, expectantly.

He’s holding a knife, she said to herself. And spoke her mind anyway. “I’m nothing like you.”

He smiled. “You’re nicer than me, that’s for sure. No contest.”

“You’re… like the devil, Jack.” Please don’t kill me. You can read my thoughts, I know it now. You’ll know if I lie. I’m being honest with you. I want the truth.

“The devil?” Jack said, chuckling. “Not sure if I believe in ‘the devil.’ Never been to the other side, either way. But I know from pictures he has red skin, pointy tail, horns, carries a pitchfork… usually has pretty big eyebrows.”

Audrey put her hand over his wrists, stopped his polishing. “No, Jack,” she said. “The devil is far too smart to look like that. Everyone loves the devil, until they know him. Until they see him for what he really is.”

They regarded each other.

“Does this mean we can’t be friends?” he joked. “Bet you never thought you’d have first period English with the devil.”

“No,” she said. “I never did.”

“By your description,” Jack said, his smile fading. “The devil was in Miss Drake’s class. But it wasn’t me.”

“Jack,” Audrey said, giving up. “I want to go home. Can I go home, please?”

“Soon,” he said, tossing the knife in the sink, turning around, and leaning up against it. “You have to do something for me first. Don’t worry. I don’t think you’ll have a problem with it. I hope not, anyway.”

Audrey narrowed her eyes. She wasn’t afraid. After tonight, she didn’t know if she had any fear left in her. “What?” she asked.

“In order for you to understand the ‘what,’” he said. “You first have to understand who Ireally am. Completely—or at least as much as I understand, myself. Time is short, so pay attention.”

Audrey listened.

Meet Marcus Damanda

Marcus Damanda lives in Woodbridge, Virginia with his cat, Shazam. At various times throughout his life, he played bass guitar for the garage heavy metal band

Mother’s Day, wrote for The Dale City Messenger, and published editorials in The Potomac News and The Freelance Star. Currently, while not plotting his next foray into fictitious suburban mayhem, he spoils his nieces and nephews and teaches middle school English.

Find Marcus Damanda here:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Giveaway

$10 Evernight Teen Gift Card

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Synopsis

“Everyone loves the devil until they know him. Until they see him for what he really is.” 

Nobody ever did, even as the bodies started to pile up. 

But now, too late for it to matter, Audrey understands at last. The devil of Fairview has been courting her for days, and watching her for much longer than that. The murderer is her boyfriend—and he’s been killing on her behalf. 

His name is Jack Maddox, but everyone calls him Mad Jack. He’s planning a party, where everyone is invited, especially Audrey’s tormentors—especially the Facebook Fifteen. 

Audrey will have her revenge, whether she wants it or not. 

Because, in Miss Drake’s class, the devil will have his due.

What I Loved

          Wow this was a crazy way to end an equally crazy series but I mean that in an awesome way.  There was so much going on and I have been waiting to see how all of this craziness was going to end.  Of course since I just love Audrey so much my heart was at time breaking for her, while other times I was exhilarated for her. 

          This installment was just a rollercoaster of crazy and creepy all rolled into one.  I swear at certain points I was squirming in my seat while reading, but I loved every minute of it.  It’s weird because you ultimately kind of know how this is going to end but that still didn’t prepare me everything that happened.  I’m pretty sure I had to pick my jaw up off the ground at certain points.  I couldn’t put this story down until the very end and I was certainly not disappointed in the least.

Not So Much

          I really don’t have anything negative things to say about this story.  As I was reading I was a little annoyed that certain story lines didn’t seem to be addressed but at the end those story lines came back and were closed as well so I was very happy once again.  I guess maybe just a little bit more background detail, and maybe descriptions of what the characters look like.  I get that this is a series not a standalone but since some people won’t read all these back to back it’s good to set the foundation again for the characters because it’s hard to remember every single detail from book one and book two. 

To Sum It All Up!

          This series was a stretch for me, because I usually read adult romances and shy away from young adult stories.  So I was a little apprehensive to read a new adult horror/suspense paranormal series but I made a promise to myself to dip into other genres and I must say I am so happy I did! This was such a great series and this book in particular was so freaking crazy and put me on such an emotional roller coaster at times I wanted to scream.  I loved every minute of this book and I have just totally fallen in love with the character of Audrey.  I was to be the president of her fan club and root for her happiness every single day.  There were times that I was holding my breath with my heart pounding to see how all this was going to end and where Audrey was going to land.  I was very happy with the way things turned out and overall very happy with this amazing series.