Demon Riding Shotgun is packed with intrigue, magic, thrilling action, and multifaceted characters.

Mira shares her body and soul with a demon and the two of them have a fragile co-existence going on. They have made it their mission to hunt down and destroy Rifters, humans possessed by demons who go around causing chaos wherever they go. In Baltimore Mira runs up against an immensely powerful Rifter and finds herself in the crosshairs of the local law.

Ty wants nothing to do with magic after his PTF partner died. But the PTF is still struggling to get back on their feet and Ty is the Baltimore PD’s only cop with magical experience. He is hellbent on capturing Mira but it turns out things are not what they seem to be.

Mira and her demon were super interesting. They talked to each other all the time and sometimes the demon got to have control of the body, but mostly it was Mira in charge. This is where the title of the book comes in. The two of them have been alone for so long, it was hard for Mira to work with Ty to rid the world of the dangerous Rifter.

Ty started out bundling all magic users together, they are bad news and should be stopped. But the more he tracked Mira, the more he realized things are not as black and white as he’d like to think they are. He was very thorough in his investigation, despite his aversion to anything magic related. Ty has severe PTSD from his experiences with the PTF and the book described that quite deftly. I really felt Ty’s pain.

This is a spin-off of the Magicsmith series, which I also loved. You don’t have to read that series first, but the world will make a lot more sense if you do. This book has completely new characters and a new direction.

Ty and Mira are both interesting and complex. Each has their own set of secrets and pain and their development throughout was skillfully done. This book also has the same exciting writing and nail-biting action that I’ve come to expect through the Magicsmith series.

I can definitely recommend this if you like fantasy. There is romance, but it’s not super steamy and it’s not the main focus of the book.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. I really liked the original series that this spun off from. I didn't realize at first that it was but the author did a good job of linking it. I was excited to get to read this as the author is good with writing believable characters and situations. I found that I wasn't as vested in the characters and the story though. There are some situations that I had problems with that made it hard to continue to the finish. The relationship she has with the demon she has can be questionable at times and her interactions with her partner kind of left me flat. I really didn't like how she chooses to deal with her feelings about what she is doing.

Demon Riding Shotgun was a welcome surprise to my reading world. This is a perfect example of what fantastic world building should be. This is a very intricate world with lots of different take on Legends and lore that many readers are thoroughly familiar with. Author L.R. Braden shows that she has an imagination and is able to pen an intricate story that keeps readers highly involved. I will say that this may not be the easiest of reads but it is a highly enjoyable one. After a few chapters you will see the author style of showing you the difference in the internal dialogue between our main character and her demon riding along with her.


This is not my usual cup of tea story but I will say it was quite enjoyable.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Bell Bridge Books for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is a new author for me. I really enjoyed this book, it was an unexpected surprise. The world, the characters, it was all intriguing and fun. I would highly recommend this book. 4 stars

Think of "Venom" but a girl and a demon and even more attitude and sarcasm - and consuming evil demons and thwarting those wanting to take over the Earth! Hey, plus maybe a little romance just to keep things even more interesting. Loved it and when it ended definitely wanted more! Hope these characters return - often!

I like. I like a lot. AND I'm from Balitmore so ..... BONUS! Great new series, intriguing characters, excellent world and character building! Looking forward to more!

I really liked reading this spin-off story featuring Mira. We got her back story in this book. I knew she was a badass in “Of Magic and Mettle” when she helped Alex learn more about her practitioner magic but I didn’t know that she tracks down and kills other rifters that are harming humans. In this story, Mira uncovers a sinister plot by some rifters, who like her, have managed not to burn out. She has to find a way to stop their plot without getting captured by the PTF for being un unregistered practitioner. Along the way she meets handsome and sexy, Ty Williams, an officer with the Baltimore PD, Ty used to work for the PTF but after a tragic accident in which his partner was killed, wants nothing to do with magic or paranormal beings. Will he assist her or take her into custody? I really like the Magicsmith series and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to the next book in this spin-off series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I received an ARC from Netgalley. This is my honest review.

As a big fan of the author's Magicsmith series, I didn't realize that this book is a spinoff of that series

Although it's not necessary to do so, understanding of the world created by Braden would be enhanced by reading at least the first Magicsmith book as the author doesn't spend as much time here world building.

The book takes place in the same world as Magicsmith but the location has switched from Colorado to Maryland

The MC is an oddity. Although she's possessed by a demon and is a rifter, the demon and human share consciousness. The sharing means that the MC is more humane than normal rifters

The plot was a basic detective mystery with few surprises. However, Braden is adept at creating lonely, broken characters that are highly relateable and leave us wanting to know more qbout them.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of DEMON RIDING SHOTGUN (Book 1 of the MagicSmith Universe Novels), by L.R. Braden, in exchange for an honest review. Mira Fuentes is unique. She’s survived being constantly possessed by a demon since she was eleven years old; most demon possessions end quickly with the rapid deterioration and death of the host. Mira and her demon have managed to form a precarious balance and maintain it by hunting down and dining upon those unstable demon-controlled humans. Mira stumbles upon a nefarious demonic plot and determines she needs to thwart the evil plan and to save the world. Mira’s illegal, and arguably murderous, antics come to the attention of Baltimore Police Department officer Ty Williams. From then on, Mira is being hunted by the law as she seeks answers. Mira may have to make a leap of faith in order to achieve her goals.

I like the Magic Smith series and was excited to see another book by this author. It was a solid start to a newish series.

#DemonRidingShotgun #NetGalley

Demon riding shotgun by L.R Braden.
Possessed by a demon since she was eleven years old, Mira Fuentes maintains a fragile alliance with the snarky soul who shares her body. Together they hunt down unstable Rifters-- demon-controlled humans bent on causing chaos in the mortal realm. But when a routine hunt leads to a powerful Rifter with plans for Baltimore, Mira quickly finds herself in over her head and at the top of the city's Most Wanted.
I really enjoyed this book. Brilliant. I loved the story. I loved Miras character. 5*.

Demon Riding Shotgun, by author L.R. Braden, is a story that takes place after the events of, Of Mettle and Magic. In this world, Demons dwell in the Rift which is chaotic energy that connects all the realms. Demons can't manifest without a physical body and that's when a Rifter is created. Mira Fuentes is a rifter, a human possessed by a demon. But unlike other rifters, Mira and her demon found a way to share a body since she was 11 years old without it being destroyed. The demon preserves her free will and lets her make her own choices, even bad ones.

Mira and her demon have a symbiotic relationship which shows with a bit of humorous dialogue along the way. One of the more curiouser aspects of Mira is the fact that she prays using a variety of prayers while also making cuts in her skin to keep track of all the lives that she's taken trying to free humans from demon possession. The author reminds readers that Mira played an important part in the final battle that took place in Baltimore. Now, we return to the same city where Mira is tracking down Riders who managed to escape.

The story really takes off when a routine hunt leads to a powerful Rifter with plans for Baltimore. Mira quickly finds herself in over her head and at the top of the city's Most Wanted after being involved in two incidents. Enter Ty Williams formerly of the PTF (Paranormal Task Force) who left the job after losing his partner and is now a Detective in the Baltimore Police Department. When a person dies of magical causes and the PTF doesn't have any agents to spare thanks to the events of Of Mettle and Magic and its sorcerers being sidelined, Ty is the closest thing the department has to an expert.

Saddled with a new partner he doesn't want and a mountain of self-doubt, it's his job to track down a suspect who looks suspiciously like the one-night-stand he brought home from the bar last night. Ty must decide whether to trust his instincts and believe Mira is trying to stop the real bad guys. Ty’s intuition, confusion, grief, guilt, and drive to do good are raw and compelling. He clearly struggles with PTSD, magic, small places and unnecessary partners, but he’s never portrayed as weak or incompetent because of it.

This was an entertaining story and I wouldn't be shocked if the author kept this world going with new characters. Especially after what happened to Alex and her friends at the end of Of Mettle and Magic.

Myth: 3/5

Mira and her demon are easy and fun to sink into. They’re easy back and forth shows off a uniquely cozy relationship. I couldn’t get into any chemistry between Mira and Ty, I can’t quite tell if this is intended to be a series, but the ending definitely sets it up for one that could potentially show off more of Mira and Ty working together as opposed to having separate stories that intersect in a handful of points.

Magic: 2.5/5

Though there were multiple types of magic that I believe the other series in the same world would give more detail on, Mira’s story focuses on rifters, demon controlled humans. As a rifter herself, Mira is desperate to find another like her, where they demon and human have found a balance, but the odds are not really in her favor. While it didn’t impact the immediate story, I got the impression that most of the world building was done in the previous series.

Overall: 3/5

With Ty and Mira’s opposing perspectives, you get to see the story play out from both sides. They bring you along for the ride in this magical detective story where the suspect is certainly not what she seems.

I quite enjoyed this author’s Magicsmith series, so I was excited for this new novel set in the same universe. Mira, the main character, had a small part in the first series, but one of the reasons I loved this book was that you don’t need to have read the previous series to enjoy this one fully. Mira is also not your standard character, and she has her flaws. Ty is the same. I loved how there was a slow buildup with Mira and Ty, and how we followed both of their stories in parallel. I know this is supposed to be a standalone, but I really, really hope the author changes her mind because there is so much potential in this world, and I would love to see more. Well-written urban fantasy leaving you wanting more. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

I LOVED this book. It’s got fun. It’s got depth. It’s definitely going to stick with me. It’s going to hard to do it justice in a review, but here goes. The premise, characters, and world are unique and compelling. There are a couple of trigger warnings (see end of review), but nothing graphic or extreme.

THE CHARACTERS:
Mira’s not normal for a human. The demon she shares a body with is no normal demon. It’s an unlikely partnership, but it works. Mira is a rifter, a human possessed by a demon. But unlike other rifters, Mira and her demon found a way to share a body for years without it being destroyed by the strain of housing a demon. Unlike other demons, Mira’s demon is happy to let her remain in control of her body whenever possible. Mira’s demon is just interested in helping Mira, protecting the two of them, and bringing murder and mayhem to the demons on Earth that are hurting humans. It’s a strange partnership and an even stranger friendship.

Mira and her demon have numerous mental conversations throughout the book. They’re always interesting and Braden avoids confusion by showing Mira’s thoughts in italics and the demon’s thoughts enclose by < > symbols. Mira and her demon also have have distinctly different voices, speech patterns, and personalities. They’re both snarky and sarcastic, but with completely different styles.

Mira is a practitioner (of magic), with a big power boost courtesy of her demon. Mira’s powers are imaginative, vividly described, and just downright cool. Example: “Wiggling her fingers Mira grabbed hold of a shadow and pulled it around her like a cape.” Coolest camouflage ever. Her powers are far from absolute and they come with plenty of catches. With great power comes great danger if you lose control. She uses their powers to help people, protect people, and protect herself. To do this, she hunts demons who hurt innocents. Officially, she’s a normal PI. The world is not friendly to practitioners, and it’s certainly worse for rifters. But Mira’s tough, but lonely. Mira’s past has left her a bit of a cynic, but she never gives up fighting for what’s right.

Mira’s demon chose her because she’s a fighter with a good heart who will risks herself to protect others. This demon first found young Mira in trouble and came to her aid. It’s not like the demon isn’t getting plenty out of the deal. She found a rare human that is not only moral and trustworthy, but is also compatible, capable and willing to live as a joined creature, two consciousnesses sharing one body. A good match for a demon with a (metaphorically) good heart hidden behind snark and sarcasm. I’m pretty sure Mira’s demon is secretly a bit of a romantic and optimist.

Mira’s demon is just that: hers. Her partner. Her friend. Loyal to her. Concerned not just with Mira’s survival, but her happiness. Mira and her demon genuinely care about each other, treat each other as equals, and know each other better than anyone.

The other major character is Detective Ty Williams: a copy who doesn’t trust his instincts after losing his last partner. When Mira becomes a suspect, Ty must decide whether to trust his instincts and believe Mira is trying to stop the real bad guys. Ty’s intuition, confusion, grief, guilt, and drive to do good are raw and compelling. He clearly struggles with PTSD, but he’s never portrayed as weak or incompetent because of it. In fact, it highlights just how strong and skilled he is.

I grew to love Mira, her demon, and Ty for their depth of character, bravery, intelligence, and uniqueness. Every mistake they made only made me love them more.

THE PLOT:
A routine demon hunt puts Mira and her demon on the trail of a sinister plot brewing in Baltimore. This investigation soon gets Mira wanted by the police. How could she run away when people could be in danger from this mysterious sinister plot? The mysteries in this book will have you on the edge of your seat.

THE WRITING:
As a spin off from the Magicsmith series, this book is set in a fully-realized world with a well developed magic system and history. However, this series-starter definitely delves boldly into new conflicts and uncharted waters. I didn’t read the Magicsmith series before reading this and had no problems, so this new series can definitely stand on its own. Although after reading this book, I’m eager to dig into the Magicsmith series set in the same universe!

This tale was told with fantastic imagery without slowing the story down. I was able to picture just about everything that happened. The pacing of this book was perfect, which is very rare. Things are constantly moving and never rushed. The plot has plenty of great twists and turns. The ending is satisfying, mostly happy, unpredictable, believable, and sets things up for the next book. I eagerly await the next books with excitement and anxious hope that they are just as good as this one.

THE THINGS THAT BUGGED ME (AT FIRST):

** minor spoilers ahead **

There were a couple things in this book I had some qualms about and kept bugging me. But then I realized that supposed to. Things aren’t supposed to be black and white, simple, or easy in this book. They’re supposed to be murky. These things were supposed to be problematic.

Here’s the first thing that bugged me: The Mira and the demon have an agreement to take turns choosing how they burn off the energy they need to get Mira back in the driver’s seat after a big power-boost. The demon always chooses a one night stand and Mira chooses exercise. The demon having sex in Mira’s body that she technically agreed to but isn’t thrilled about isn’t exactly the picture of freely given consent. Mira also takes risks that could kill them both to help others with her demon only half on-board with the plan. I think these things are supposed to be problematic. Things are morally dubious and complex when you have two distinct entities sharing a body, even voluntarily. The consciousness in the driver’s seat is always making decisions for the other party that could affect them both. Even with permission from the party not in control, it’s not exactly freely given consent.

Here’s the second thing: For each possessed human that dies when Mira kills the demon possessing them, she makes a cut on her leg, prays, and deliberately doesn’t heal it in order to leave a scar as some sort of penance. She does this even knowing that the demonic possession would surely have killed the human eventually. She does this despite her demon’s very concerned objections. (Notice the demon preserves her free will and lets her make her own choices, even bad ones). This definitely is not portrayed as healthy behavior, but as a sign of the toll that guilt and past trauma have taken on Mira. This adds a layer of darkness to a book with an ultimately hopeful message. I hope to see Mira find enough peace to kick this unhealthy coping mechanism in future books.

This things that bothered me at first turned out to give the story moral complexity and depth and create a world full of shades of grey. A world where both darkness and hope can coexist in a story, just like they so often do in the real world.

** end of minor spoilers **

Warnings: self-harm (with no suicidal intent), sex (1 scene only, not very graphic). The content of these warnings is further discussed above in the THE THINGS THAT BUGGED ME (AT FIRST) section.

Thanks to Bell Bridge Books and NetGalley for a free e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. This author is one I have come to know as always delivering a unique story. Mira should be.self.surviving. She is anything but. Her story is one of conflict and survival. The ending was not what I was expecting and I like that.

This book is set in the same world as the authors Magicsmith series although its not the Fae that dominate here but actually Demons ! Mira has shared her body with a Demon since she came into her powers as a child and now together to survive they hunt down the Rifters who prey upon humans. Whilst staking out a Rifter Mira spots someone else who it seems just might know more about why she has survived and not burned up after being possessed. Mira is about to discover that she's not the only human who can successfully ride along with a Demon symbiot but it's not safe for Mira as those in power want to contain and ultimately lock her up !
I thoroughly enjoyed this and if you enjoy urban fantasy than I wholeheartedly recommend this author and her work. With characters that leap off the page and unique world building her books are exciting, entertaining and just such fun to read.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

It’s a police/detective story where demons, fae and magic are added to the mix. There is nothing particularly new about this specific story; so if you like that style of story, this should hit the sweet spot. The story opens with a demon possessed vigilante hunting another ‘rifter' that was killing innocents; but Mira is something different, having obtained a working balance with her demon (who can periodically take charge of her body and carry on amusing conversations) where most simple go nuts and burn away. When the party is interrupted by a second rifter, we begin to see a developing conspiracy among the demons that doesn’t sound good the home team humans … unfortunately the incident draws the attention of the Baltimore PD and a washed up paranormal cop who also happened to have been her demon’s one night-stand (with her body of course). What follows is a bit of a cat and mouse game with the demon spawn and “Mr Yummy” while the hero attempts to find the big bad while remaining in the shadows … because bad things happen when the authorities get their hands on an unregistered [magic] practitioner, much less something that should not even exist (a stable rifter). Ultimately this was a fun diversion that kept me up passed midnight as I read through to the end. I look forward to the next installment.

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#DemonRidingShotgun #NetGalley.

I loved this book. It was fast paced and magic filled. So engrossing, I sped right through it. Fantastic thriller with a massive twisty I did not see coming. At. All. Superb writing by this author for that alone. Mira is a badass heroine, Ty the cop who needs to trust her. The side characters were spot on, the villain....hoo boy. I recommend this book to everyone who likes the genre. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book from Netgalley.