Demons Among Us By W.E. Zazo-Phillips

K Studio,  2010

ISBN: 978-0984194520

Available: New

Demons Among Us is the first book in a trilogy. The story follows Elizabeth Townsend, a Coast Guard officer serving on the cutter Surveyor when the end of the world occurs.  What appears to be a virus has attacked a boy in Albany.  When a priest is called in by his mother, who fears it’s actually a demon possession, the demons infecting the boy discover they can move from person to person through blood.  They spread like wildfire and civilization is brought to the brink of extinction, with the infected running in packs like wild animals, killing everyone it their path.  Elizabeth and her crewmates are brought to a secure facility so they can contact any surviving family members and make preparations to be taken to the West.

Five years after the infection, Elizabeth is living in a commune in the desert.  Run by what’s left of the U.S. Military, the commune is one of many scattered throughout the Western United States. The communes are segregated according to gender, with the main job of the women being reproduction.  We discover that Elizabeth is a sensor—someone who can detect an infected person.  Unfortunately for her, there are people in the remaining government who wish to exploit that ability.  While at a major conference, Elizabeth discovers this plot to use her, and decides to go on the run.  Unknown to most of the people living in the communes, there are scattered communities of uninfected people living beyond the reach of the military.  What will Elizabeth find?

This is a brilliant story—demon possession that spreads like a virus.  It’s not overtly religious, but there are references to Christianity, with the communes being named after books of the Bible, and the Biblical quote “I am Legion…we are many”.  There are also people who can make holy water, which rids the demons from the body without killing the possessed.  The characters are well-developed and the story itself is well-written.  I also enjoyed the fact that our “hero” is a strong female.  There are a few mysteries left to be played out, which really holds my interest.  There are two other novellas to come, and I am looking forward to reading them.  Demons Among Us is quite the page-turner. Highly recommended.

Contains: adult language, cannibalism and sexual themes

Reviewed by Colleen Wanglund