I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Prosper's Demon by K.J. Parker Published by Tor.com on January 28 2020
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 112
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: A twisty, clever and irreverent story about demonic possession.
So apparently K.J. Parker is a pseudonym for author Tom Holt, and this has been common knowledge for the past five years. I just got that memo, lol, but even if I didn’t know this, it wouldn’t change my opinion of Prosper’s Demon at all. I loved this short novella to pieces! This is my first time reading either Parker or Holt, so I’m going into this story with completely fresh and unbiased eyes.
Told by an unnamed narrator who can “see” demons in people and expel them, Prosper’s Demon tells the story of a brilliant artist and scientist named Prosper of Schanz who has taken on two seemingly impossible challenges: first, he has been granted permission to oversee the social and educational development of the newly born Prince of Essen, imagining a future “philosopher king” who will be a perfect human specimen. And second, he wants to engineer and build a gigantic bronze horse to display in the palace, which will be the largest and most complex bronze statue ever built.
Unbeknownst to Prosper, his artistic ability and ingenuity are due to an uninvited demon living inside him, a demon the narrator refers to as “She.” Our narrator, chasing after a different demon who so recently forced him to murder a young woman, gains access to the Palace and befriends Prosper, convinced he’ll be able to easily expel the demon inside him. But Prosper’s demon is one he’s never met before, and it doesn’t take long for our narrator to get caught up in the demon’s scheme. She confides that She’s been working on a project She calls the “grand design” for hundreds of years, and that Prosper will bring her plan even closer to fruition. So what does our narrator do with that interesting information? That is for you to find out when you read this book!
This idea has the potential for a much longer book, and yet Parker tells this unusual story in just 112 pages. I’m always amazed when authors can condense a story into such a small package and still succeed at plot, pacing and characterization, but that’s just what Parker has done here.
My favorite part of the book is definitely the voice of the narrator whose wry humor was a perfect backdrop for his unorthodox occupation. He starts the story by admitting “I have an idea you aren’t going to like me very much,” and goes on to inform us that there are precisely 72,936 demons in existence, and that in his jurisdiction he’s responsible for monitoring 109 of those. Because of that, he keeps running into the same demons over and over, including a demon who’s given him plenty of grief over the years. He can “smell” demons and communicate with them telepathically. He simply has to order them “out” of the body, and they must comply. However, there are risks with expelling demons, and Parker gleefully goes into the sometimes gory details of these exorcisms.
The story also dips back into the narrator’s past as he tells us how he discovered he had the ability to see and expel demons as a child and some of what he’s learned over the years. This is where the author added some nice emotional moments, and again, I thought this was so well done, considering how short this story is.
And if you’ve ever wondered how bronze statues are made, then pay attention! Prosper’s Demon goes into fascinating (and at times, excruciating) detail about the process. I personally was fascinated. The ending did wrap up rather too quickly, but it was the only stumble I can think of in an otherwise stellar novella.
Laugh out loud funny, endlessly fascinating and filled with wickedly gruesome moments, Prosper’s Demon is a dark and entertaining treat.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Sweet. I love me some Tom Holt, and have also only just discovered his K. J. Parker books. Flinging this one on to the TBR pile. Thanks!
He’s written so many books, as both authors. I’m anxious to read more!
This seems such an interesting reading! I never read something by Holt or Parker, but I think I may give this one a try!
It was a lot of fun, Susy!
Great review! This is one I’d really like to check out – it sounds so interesting. I also didn’t know K. J. Parker is Tom Holt, so you’re not alone! Tor.com really are killing it with the novellas right now – the cover of this one is gorgeous.
Jess @ Jessticulates recently posted…Books for comfort and escapism
I agree, this cover is so good. Tor.com is really hiring great artists for their covers:-)
This sounds like a cool book. I LOVE the cover! Thanks for sharing your review, Tammy.
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…R.I.P. Daddy
I love the cover too. And it actually makes sense when you read the story!
Great review! Mine will be up later 🙂
Enjoyed your review, David!
I’m glad to hear you liked it! I was curious about it (mostly because of the cover) and now I really want to try it. Tor.com novellas rarely disappoint. Great review, and now I want to know why a gigantic bronze horse…
Acqua recently posted…Review: Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire
I know, the bronze horse seems like it wouldn’t fit with this story, but it actually does:-)
I also didn’t get that memo – until just now!
Great review and what a chilling cover that is. It gives me the heebies.
Lynn 😀
Oh good, glad I’m not along with my ignorance;-)
Who would have thought that demonic possession could be a “laugh out loud funny” narrative topic?
I will have to keep this one in mind for a change of pace in my usual reading habits… Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Maddalena@SpaceandSorcery recently posted…THE INSTITUTE, by Stephen King
It’s definitely a different spin on demonic possession:-)
Excellent review!! I totally agree with your sentiments:)
It was fun, right?
I need to read this! Great review.
Thanks Lisa:-)
I would have never expected this to have a humorous element. It’s definitely on my radar!
I wasn’t expecting humor either, although I should have known because Tom Holt is known for his humor:-)
Oooh, this sounds fantastic! I’m all for a lower page count when the story works.
Not all novellas are successful, but for me the length worked this time.
Wonderful review! I wasn’t too excited about this initially I think- but I tend to be more forgiving or willing to experiment with novellas (112 pages- I could read this in a day). But you got me with wry humor. Sounds like a blast. Hopefully I’ll be able to track a copy down. (I guess maybe not for a few months considering the Macmillan library ban).
It’s so much funnier than I expected:-)
I’m so used to fantasy novels being terribly chonky, so knowing you’ve found a great novella is exciting. I’ve never read about a demon hunter who works with the same demons repeatedly. It’s an interesting idea, especially given the way the character has to eventually develop a relationship, or report, with these demons. These 109 demons are slowly shifting into teenagers in my mind, lol.
I love reading novellas when I need a break from long fantasy novels:-)
Great review as always! I absolutely love laugh out loud funny books as well as demonic possession (to read about I mean xD) so this sounds like a really great read.
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Review: A Worthy Opponent by Katee Robert
It really was a good combination of funny and horrific:-)
This one sounds intriguing! 🙂
It was, very different from what I was expecting!
Definitely on my list of potential future reads. Sounds really interesting, and being this short even if it doesn’t work it’s not that much time invested. But I’m hopeful! I have a copy of Parker’s The Last Witness because that also sounded interesting, but I haven’t read it yet.
It’s definitely easier to commit to such a short book. Hope you get the chance to read it some day:-)
I’ve never tried this author before, but this sounds so entertaining. Glad you had such a great time reading it. 🙂
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra recently posted…Review: DON’T READ THE COMMENTS by Eric Smith
I’m also super impressed by how Parker managed to fit this into 112 pages. Totally agree about the narrative voice–it was the most compelling part of this novella and absolutely hilarious. So glad you also enjoyed it!
Jordan @ Forever Lost in Literature recently posted…Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Things in Jars, The Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street, & Mercy House
Welp, I also just got the memo, thanks to you, so … you for sure weren’t the last to know, if that makes you feel any better. xD I’m always a little hesitant with shorter books, because I usually feel like they’re over too quick, but I keep seeing this one floating around, and I’m really curious about it. I think I’ll have to check it out. The idea sounds just too interesting to pass by!
Ahh okay I need to read this one. I love the sound of the concept…. it sounds so unique to me and I really love it. I think it is one I am going to enjoy a lot. I also really like that the demon is simply called ‘she’ and that it is a demon. I feel like if you wanted to do some deep dive analysis you could study gender in relation to the demon and ambition… hmm… Ahh I’m excited!
Olivia Roach recently posted…Americanah [Book Review]
I keep meaning to read more KJ Parker, this sounds amazing.
I’ve thought this one sounds awfully cool and very twisty!
Prosper’s Demon sounds fun, interesting and off the beaten track. Thanks for the review.