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About Talia and her son Adam. Adam's mother discovers what he is.
Now included in Otherworld Nights
About Talia and her son Adam. Adam's mother discovers what he is.
Now included in Otherworld Nights
20 pages, ebook
First published March 1, 2005
5 people are currently reading
1763 people want to read
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
297 books33.6k followersKelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 6, 2022
First read: December 2014 (in Otherworld Nights)
Re-read: June 2022
Rating: 3.5/5 stars (rounded up to 4/5 stars)
Story #6 in my chronological re-read of the Women of the Otherworld series.
Demonology opens with yet another aspect of the supernatural that exists in Armstrong’s world. So far we have seen a hint of the vampires, a lot about the werewolves and a little glimpse at the witches and sorcerers. In the previous novella, Bewitched we were told that the protagonist, Eve Levine, was half-witch and half-demon, with the demon half never explored or explained. Here we get our first look at what role demons and half-demons play in this society. In terms of the timeline, it is presumed that Demonology takes place around the same time as Betwitched, which was set in the early nineteen eighties.
The story opens with Talia Lyndsay and her eight-year-old son, Adam. It is immediately clear that Adam is a bit different to other children. His hands get physically hot enough to burn people and he is obsessed with fire – not starting them but watching them. Talia meets a professor at Stanford named Robert Vasic, who is a former priest and professor of demonology. This is the story of their meeting and how Talia became aware that there was a supernatural side to her world.
Demonology was frustratingly short; there were no answers as to what demons (or half demons) actually are and where they stand in relation bigger theological constructs like God and the devil. It is clear that but what that actually means in Armstrong’s world was not detailed here. I enjoyed the writing and the gradual layering of world-building that is taking place with these short stories, but it is also somewhat frustrating not to get all of the details laid out in one go!
General trivia
- Adam has blonde hair and brown eyes
- Adam eats and drinks: candy bar and a can of pop from a vending machine
- Robert Vasic is described as a slender, bearded middle-aged man
- Talia’s first boyfriend was Josh, who gave her an ultimatum between him and going to college. She chose college.
- Talia has read Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
- Talia eats and drinks: herbal tea, scones and jam, coffee
- Adam’s biological father is described as being of average height and build, with brown hair and brown eyes with copper tints and a cute smile.
- Adam was conceived in a one-night stand when Talia was seventeen
- Talia works as a self-employed horticulturalist
Re-read: June 2022
Rating: 3.5/5 stars (rounded up to 4/5 stars)
Story #6 in my chronological re-read of the Women of the Otherworld series.
Demonology opens with yet another aspect of the supernatural that exists in Armstrong’s world. So far we have seen a hint of the vampires, a lot about the werewolves and a little glimpse at the witches and sorcerers. In the previous novella, Bewitched we were told that the protagonist, Eve Levine, was half-witch and half-demon, with the demon half never explored or explained. Here we get our first look at what role demons and half-demons play in this society. In terms of the timeline, it is presumed that Demonology takes place around the same time as Betwitched, which was set in the early nineteen eighties.
The story opens with Talia Lyndsay and her eight-year-old son, Adam. It is immediately clear that Adam is a bit different to other children. His hands get physically hot enough to burn people and he is obsessed with fire – not starting them but watching them. Talia meets a professor at Stanford named Robert Vasic, who is a former priest and professor of demonology. This is the story of their meeting and how Talia became aware that there was a supernatural side to her world.
Demonology was frustratingly short; there were no answers as to what demons (or half demons) actually are and where they stand in relation bigger theological constructs like God and the devil. It is clear that but what that actually means in Armstrong’s world was not detailed here. I enjoyed the writing and the gradual layering of world-building that is taking place with these short stories, but it is also somewhat frustrating not to get all of the details laid out in one go!
General trivia
- Adam has blonde hair and brown eyes
- Adam eats and drinks: candy bar and a can of pop from a vending machine
- Robert Vasic is described as a slender, bearded middle-aged man
- Talia’s first boyfriend was Josh, who gave her an ultimatum between him and going to college. She chose college.
- Talia has read Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
- Talia eats and drinks: herbal tea, scones and jam, coffee
- Adam’s biological father is described as being of average height and build, with brown hair and brown eyes with copper tints and a cute smile.
- Adam was conceived in a one-night stand when Talia was seventeen
- Talia works as a self-employed horticulturalist
April 2, 2022
3.5 stars
If you've ever thought it odd that Adam's mother was seduced by a Lord Demon and then went on to marry a half demon . . . this is the story of how while searching for help for her son (who liked to set things on fire) she met Robert Vasic.
If you've ever thought it odd that Adam's mother was seduced by a Lord Demon and then went on to marry a half demon . . . this is the story of how while searching for help for her son (who liked to set things on fire) she met Robert Vasic.
January 25, 2019
Demonology – We get to learn a little more of Adam and how he came to be. I love that his momma was so protective of him. She wouldn’t be suede to not know what was going on no matter the risk.
August 31, 2012
Great story on how young mother, Talia, is coping with the fact that her 8 year old son, Adam, is displaying some 'strange symptoms'.... Like having an unnatural fascination with fire... Or having his hands heat up when he gets upset...
Yep, it's that Adam.
In her search for answers Talia finds a certain professor Rober Vasic who's willing to help. Or is he?
Fans of the series know how this one will turn out, but I loved getting some backstory, and I loved how Adam's fiery temperament is not just due to his father....
Yep, it's that Adam.
In her search for answers Talia finds a certain professor Rober Vasic who's willing to help. Or is he?
Fans of the series know how this one will turn out, but I loved getting some backstory, and I loved how Adam's fiery temperament is not just due to his father....
May 14, 2016
This is a great story for fans of the Otherworld series.
Demonology is another of those fun short stories, adding more to characters we meet in the main series. This one tells the story of young Adam, allowing us to find out more about Adam as a character and the half-demon world. Another fun short read.
Demonology is another of those fun short stories, adding more to characters we meet in the main series. This one tells the story of young Adam, allowing us to find out more about Adam as a character and the half-demon world. Another fun short read.
October 4, 2014
Short but good. Left me wanting more.
August 1, 2017
I enjoyed this short story and I hope I'll see more of Adam further in the series. I haven't seen these characters in the main series yet, but I am looking forward to seeing them again now.
January 27, 2018
The Otherworld series 0.5.
A very short story about how Adam’s mother met his stepfather Robert Vasic, a professor in demonology who explains to her about Adam’s special ’abilities’. There’s also a reminiscence of his mother seduction by his birth father, a demon.
Fave scene: full can of pop thirsty.
A very short story about how Adam’s mother met his stepfather Robert Vasic, a professor in demonology who explains to her about Adam’s special ’abilities’. There’s also a reminiscence of his mother seduction by his birth father, a demon.
Fave scene: full can of pop thirsty.
June 28, 2020
Qué historia tan corta y a la vez interesante!!! Te deja con la miel en los labios... en menos de veinte páginas Talía, la madre de Adam, te conquista con su fuerza de madre coraje y me ha entrado hasta curiosidad por saber más de su relación con Robert Vasic. Adam es un personaje que me encanta y, aunque sale poquito, verlo como niño ha sido adorable.
February 2, 2018
Just like with Aaron's short story, I have yet to meet Talia and Adam. But after reading this short story I'm super intrigued by them. I love elemental powers and it seems pretty obvious that we have a case (or two) in this short story. Hopefully I will meet them soon in one of the books!
June 24, 2017
Read as a part of Otherworld Nights
March 1, 2020
And now we have demons added into the Otherworld mix! This was a solid origin story though and the love scene was super hot (Ba dum tss!)
March 30, 2020
too short
January 4, 2021
Sweet but too short
Read
January 6, 2021published in "otherworld nights"
October 22, 2021
About Talia and her son Adam. Adam's mother discovers what he is.
Heather's Notes
I think this is more a story about how Talia met Robert, but enjoyed it regardless.
Heather's Notes
I think this is more a story about how Talia met Robert, but enjoyed it regardless.
June 18, 2023
Very short story about young Adam and how his mother met Dr Vasic. Quite well written and very interesting background for some characters I hadn’t even thought to wonder about before.
January 19, 2024
Is it weird that a demon is a gentle and caring lover or is it just more likely to produce offspring?
January 25, 2026
Wow! Female lead is a strong character, love the short story!
July 7, 2013
Demonology is a short story told by Talia Lyndsay about her eight-year-old son Adam. Adam has some abilities that are abnormal for children of his age so his mother has been searching for an answer, a label, and an explanation about these abilities. After many appointments with doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc. she is still with out an definitive answer. Many have no idea why Adam is different, why he heats up when he is angry, why his bare hands can inflict burns when he gets into a fight with a bully, why he has a fascination for looking at fire but not lighting them. Talia doesn't believe that he is a "budding pyromaniac" as some doctors have labeled him. It isn't until she is referred to Doctor Vasic, a Stanford professor of Demonology, that she might finally have met someone who knows what is really going on with Adam.
While reading this story I kept noting similarities between Adam and Rae from Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers trilogy. They both have an unusual interest in fire and can burn with their touch.
I however found this story to be far too short. It seemed to end just before where I was thinking a climax should have taken place. It give some great background information about Talia's life before she had Adam, how she had broken up with a guy, Josh, she had dated since the beginning of high school, and how she met Adam's father. But the most exciting/interesting part was basically the last few paragraphs. Which is particularly distressing as I don't know when I will learn more as the upcoming short stories are all narrated by other characters that are neither Talia or Adam.
While reading this story I kept noting similarities between Adam and Rae from Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers trilogy. They both have an unusual interest in fire and can burn with their touch.
I however found this story to be far too short. It seemed to end just before where I was thinking a climax should have taken place. It give some great background information about Talia's life before she had Adam, how she had broken up with a guy, Josh, she had dated since the beginning of high school, and how she met Adam's father. But the most exciting/interesting part was basically the last few paragraphs. Which is particularly distressing as I don't know when I will learn more as the upcoming short stories are all narrated by other characters that are neither Talia or Adam.
May 5, 2015
I must admit, I was surprised by how disinterested I was in this story. As a mother, I can understand Adam's mother's concern for her young son as he begins displaying his abilities. I just felt overall this short story served very little purpose. Armstrong's strong suit comes in short stories for already established characters and much like the on she did for Aaron, this one lacks any real appeal. Even as Robert Vasic agrees to tell Adam's mother the truth, the reader doesn't get to live in that moment. Only the moment before as he demonstrates his ability to control the weather, without telling her he's doing it. It's all too vague and really Armstrong focuses way too much on couples and less on interesting plot line.
October 28, 2014
I read Demonology on Ms. Armstrong's website a long time ago. I re-read it again as part of Otherworld Nights. It was a short story which told the discovery of Adam's abilities in fire manipulation as a half demon. This was also the beginning of the love journey between Talia and Robert Vasic. While I enjoyed it, it was not enough to garner sufficient substance to give a plot, apart from giving us a glimpse of how Adam came to be who and what he was and how Robert had helped him as his (future) step-dad.
A good addition to the series, but that was about it.
A good addition to the series, but that was about it.
August 24, 2012
This story is of Talia, a youg single mother who has a child with some strange "abilities". She is on the hunt to figure out what is "wrong" with her son, when she meets Robert Vasic. They meet at which point she becomes convinced he has answers for her. This story was short and though I don't know any if any of these characters appear later in the Otherworld I am definitely intrigued. I think I am really going to enjoy this series.
October 28, 2013
Demonology is told through the eyes of Talia, mother to 8 year old Adam. Talia has been to many doctors trying to find what is 'wrong' with her son who is enraptured by fire and has actually caused substantial burns to classmates. At her wits end, she meets with Dr Robert Vasic, an ex priest, who is a demonology professor at Stanford. Through his help, she is able to see there is truly nothing wrong with her son and has her eyes opened to a whole new world.
November 18, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed the short snippet of the Otherworld that Kelley Armstrong provides here. We are shown an insight into how life was for Adam as a child, as well as the struggles his mother, Talia, had to go through, being a single mother of a child showing unnatural, or rather, supernatural abilities. I particularly enjoyed the surprisingly positive attitude that Talia had towards Adam's father.
November 4, 2014
I've heard a lot about Kelley Armstrong over the last few years, and thought I'd take an opportunity to read some of her short stories to introduce myself to her writing and her world...
And... here I begin to doubt whether short stories will be a best introduction. This is not really a stand-alone story, but more of an 'origin' piece for a clearly already-established character and his mentor. A young boy's mother has to deal with the fact that her young son is developing pyrokinesis...
And... here I begin to doubt whether short stories will be a best introduction. This is not really a stand-alone story, but more of an 'origin' piece for a clearly already-established character and his mentor. A young boy's mother has to deal with the fact that her young son is developing pyrokinesis...
January 9, 2017
We don't actually get to see Adam really meet Robert Vasic, but we see enough of how they interact as family in the main series that I suppose it doesn't really matter. This book is more about how Talia first meets Robert in her efforts to find help for Adam as he grows into his powers (not that she has any idea that's what is happening at the time). A very short and brief teaser that might not make much sense if you don't have the context to put with it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2011
I wish it was longer. The author leaves it open - I want to know where things went with Adam's mother, and possibly Robert Vasic. Hopefully that's another short story. But, it was a good, easy read that peaked my interest.
March 7, 2012
This is a short story, giving a bit of background on some of the charactors throughout the Otherworld series. It's a fun quick read. Can be found on her website http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/free-o...
April 7, 2013
I really have a problem with short stories....most of the times, i just find them too short! :( This is another of those cases.
This story is about Talia and her son Adam. In this novel, Adam is just eight years old, and his powers are starting to arise.
Enters Robert Vasic....
This story is about Talia and her son Adam. In this novel, Adam is just eight years old, and his powers are starting to arise.
Enters Robert Vasic....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews