The Devil's Intern

Reviewed by: Brooke Faulkner - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 10, 2014

Review

Eternal 17-year-old Mitchell Johnson has been in hell for four years since he was hit by a bus after he ran out into the street for a reason he now can't remember. He's made good friends with other damned souls there, including his best-friend-or-maybe-more-than-friend Melissa (called Medusa due to her unruly hair), who died in the late 1960's; Elinor, who died in the 1600's in the Great Fire of London; and Alfarin, a Viking warrior who was killed in battle. Upon discovering the existence of a time-travel device called a Viciseometer, he and his friends join together to travel to various points in history to stop each of their respective deaths. However, they find, as is so often the case with time travel stories, that they cannot undo events without causing a ripple effect that none of them wants. Comic details abound in this intricately (at times overly) plotted fantastical novel and readers who enjoy the banter that exists between love interests who protest a bit too strongly that they are only friends will find plenty to like here. Though the central mystery is resolved by the end, the conclusion seems to hint at a possible follow-up. Fans of paranormal romance who like their stories snarky and action-oriented rather than swooning will be the best audience for this one.

Overall Book Score: good