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John Shirley

Demons: A Novel Paperback – 15 April 2003

by John Shirley (Author)

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In a future uncomfortably close to the present day, the apocalypse has surpassed all expectations. Hideous demons roam the streets in an orgy of terror, drawing pleasure from torturing humans as sadistically as possible. Divided into seven clans, these grisly invaders-gnashing, writhing, bloodthirsty monsters-seem horrifically to belong in our world.Ira, a young San Francisco artist, becomes involved with a strange group of scientists and philosophers desperately trying to end the bloody siege. Yet through it all, Ira continues to paint-for in his canvasses lie crucial clues to the demons' origins.Yet the demons draw their strength from an all-too-familiar evil-a deadly malevolence supported by some of the greatest powers on earth, concealed beneath the trappings of status, success, and abused power. Ira and his allies- including a compelling young seeress-come to believe these demons didn't just appear. They were summoned. But the most shocking revelation is yet to come . . .

Print length

1 pages
Language

English
Publisher

BALLANTINE
Publication date

15 April 2003
Dimensions

13.84 x 2.03 x 20.83 cm
ISBN-10

9780345446497
ISBN-13

978-0345446497
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Product description

Review

"An allegory for our time, full of creepy splendorand excitement . . . Demons is a brave and smart book. Read it if you dare."--San Francisco Bay Guardian

"Demons is funny, outrageous, and frightening, and, as a metaphor for our times, it works frighteningly well."--Rocky Mountain News

"Barely street-legal, Shirley's Bosch-like visions mark him out as perhaps the closest thing contemporary American fantasy has to a genuine 'outsider artist.'"--William Gibson

"John Shirley is an adventurer, returning from dark and troubled regions with visionary tales to tell. I heartily recommend a journey with John Shirley at your side."--Clive Barker

"John Shirley writes like a runaway train. . . . Intensely suspenseful, visionary, surreal, and every bit as gritty and immediate and believable as a police report, this book will scare you, dazzle you, and delight you."--Tim Powers

From the Back Cover

Writers from Clive Barker to Bruce Sterling and Roger Zelazny have praised John Shirley's searing, apocalyptic visions of postmodern hell on earth. Now this perversely brilliant author, one of the seminal representatives on the cyberpunk movement, unleashes his newest masterpiece.
DEMONS
In a future uncomfortably close to the present day, the apocalypse has surpassed all expectations. Hideous demons roam the streets in an orgy of terror, drawing pleasure from torturing humans as sadistically as possible. Divided into seven clans, these grisly invaders-gnashing, writhing, bloodthirsty monsters-seem horrifically to "belong in our world.
Ira, a young San Francisco artist, becomes involved with a strange group of scientists and philosophers desperately trying to end the bloody siege. Yet through it all, Ira continues to paint-for in his canvasses lie crucial clues to the demons' origins.
Yet the demons draw their strength from an all-too-familiar evil-a deadly malevolence supported by some of the greatest powers on earth, concealed beneath the trappings of status, success, and abused power. Ira and his allies- including a compelling young seeress-come to believe these demons didn't just appear. They were summoned. But the most shocking revelation is yet to come . . .
EXCLUSIVE TO THIS EDITION: The original novella "Demons was published as an acclaimed, limited edition hardcover which "Publishers Weekly called a "mini-masterpiece." Now the terror continues, as the sequel story, "Undercurrents," takes the reader on a macabre journey into the center of the conspiracy that may lay waste to the Earth. "

"From the Hardcover edition.

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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0345446496
Publisher ‏ : ‎ BALLANTINE; 1st edition (15 April 2003)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 1 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780345446497
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0345446497
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.84 x 2.03 x 20.83 cm

Best Sellers Rank: 509,588 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 7,979 in Occult Stories
- 12,197 in Dark Fantasy (Books)
- 27,251 in Military Fantasy (Books)

Customer Reviews:
25 ratings

About the author

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John Shirley

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John Shirley won the Bram Stoker Award for his story collection Black Butterflies, and is the author of numerous novels, including the best-seller DEMONS, the cyberpunk classics CITY COME A-WALKIN', ECLIPSE, and BLACK GLASS, and his newest novels STORMLAND and A SORCERER OF ATLANTIS.

He is also a screenwriter, having written for television and movies; he was co-screenwriter of THE CROW. He has been several Year's Best anthologies including Prime Books' THE YEAR'S BEST DARK FANTASY AND HORROR anthology, and his nwest story collection is IN EXTREMIS: THE MOST EXTREME SHORT STORIES OF JOHN SHIRLEY. His novel BIOSHOCK: RAPTURE telling the story of the creation and undoing of Rapture, from the hit videogame BIOSHOCK is out from TOR books; his Halo novel, HALO: BROKEN CIRCLE is coming out from Pocket Books.

His most recent novels are STORMLAND and (forthcoming) AXLE BUST CREEK. His new story collection is THE FEVERISH STARS. STORMLAND and other John Shirley novels are available as audiobooks.

He is also a lyricist, having written lyrics for 18 songs recorded by the Blue Oyster Cult (especially on their albums Heaven Forbidden and Curse of the Hidden Mirror), and his own recordings.

John Shirley has written only one nonfiction book, GURDJIEFF: AN INTRODUCTION TO HIS LIFE AND IDEAS, published by Penguin/Jeremy Tarcher.

John Shirley story collections include BLACK BUTTERFLIES, IN EXTREMIS, REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY WEIRD STORIES, and LIVING SHADOWS.

Customer reviews

5 star		50%
4 star		10%
3 star		7%
2 star		8%
1 star		25%

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Quick delivery

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 October 2018

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Good read

Steven Marley

Awful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 August 2013

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I had a lot of high expectations about this book. First off, there was a lot of irrelevant space filler that did not make much sense, namely the relationship between the main protagonist and and old professor whose dialogue read like the ramblings of a madman. That was the first thing I noticed. Second, the writing style makes it extremely difficult to follow what is going on, lacking in depth explanations for what is going on where he expects the reader to fill in the blanks. That is such lazy writing and I absolutely HATE that. I got this for the kindle and it cost £5.72, please do not waste your money people.

8 people found this helpful

AstraDaemon

Ignore The Haters, Give It A Chance

Reviewed in the United States on 10 December 2019

Verified Purchase

DEMONS by John Shirley is a book I've read more than once, and I've enjoyed this story every time. I don't understand why this novel bombed with horror fans when first released. I've always felt Shirley created an amazing origins story for the demons. Many readers complained about the mix of comedy and horror, and I can't help but wonder if they actually read the book or just skimmed through it because there's nothing funny about seven clans of demons terrorizing the planet. When the source of the demonic invasion is revealed, the author uses a metaphysical twist to expose the worst humanity has to offer. Just imagine if a group like the Illuminati were Cthulhu worshippers.

This novel is two books bound together. The second part takes place nine years after the first one, with most everyone in denial about what happened around the world. Unfortunately, another group is making a new attempt to allow the demons back into our world, using pesticides to induce a mass murder as a form of sacrifice. Some of the details are quite similar to real life events, giving Shirley's story the appearance of a prophetic warning.

If you enjoy horror movies such as Lord of Illusions or Hellraiser, you should give this novel a chance.

2 people found this helpful

Killer Kitty 79

Horror And Comedy Don't Mix

Reviewed in the United States on 6 November 2018

Verified Purchase

When I read the plot of Demons it sounds dark, serious and scary. However after reading a good chuck of this novel it's a comedy which in my opinion horror and comedy don't mix well at all. Because you'll have a hard time if you should take the story serious or as a joke. Also didn't like any of the characters as none of them interest me. Over all a really bad novel!

One person found this helpful

M. Krzmarzick

Another excellent short novel from Cemetery Dance folks.

Reviewed in the United States on 30 September 2000

Verified Purchase

When it comes to John Shirley, you have to take your chances. In my humble opinion, I find him a writer of widely varying quality (though one who steadily improves, there is little backsliding in his work). If one goes as far back as CELLARS, there is really not much to recommend; however, Mr. Shirley has produced such excellent work as: IN DARKNESS WAITING; WETBONES; and, most recently, DEMONS. This is a terrific short novel--well-paced, gripping, and solid. Mr. Shirley's mastery of this short form is impressive. A sense of dread is pervasive thoughout, though his prose is lean and to the point.
In this most imaginative premise (though I sense some inspiration from John Ostrander's DEMON WARS arc in the GRIMJACK comics), unstoppable, murderous demons have suddenly appeared on Earth. They can make their presence known anywhere and anytime. With no defenses, humans must make their way through this hell on earth as best they can (this is Shirley's most interesting facet in the book--how John and Mary Sixpack continue about their daily business in this new dystopia).
It was a pleasure to read DEMONS, and I look forward to Mr. Shirley's next work.

15 people found this helpful

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Demons: A Novel Paperback – 15 April 2003

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John Shirley

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Demons: A Novel Paperback – 15 April 2003

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About the Author

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About the author

John Shirley

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