Demon Memories by Pamela K. Kinney introduces us to Harper Doyle, a teenager whose life in the seemingly peaceful town of Moon Ridge takes an extraordinary turn when she discovers she shares her consciousness with a demon named Cresil. As Harper grapples with this supernatural possession, she learns of an ancient prophecy that places her at the center of an impending war between Heaven and Hell. With help from her estranged friend Jake, Harper must uncover family secrets, understand her unique destiny, and navigate a complex relationship with the demon inside her head, all while trying to prevent an apocalyptic conflict that could destroy everything she knows.

Author Pamela K. Kinney weaves together an interesting clash of elements from chilling horror and suspense through to the warmth of friendship and coming-of-age storytelling in this rich and engaging novel. The relationship between Harper and Cresil creates a fresh take on possession stories that I found both unsettling and oddly touching. Kinney's description of Moon Ridge makes the town feel both cozy and menacing, with shadows of supernatural danger lurking beneath its peaceful surface. I also really loved the dynamic between Harper and Jake. The dialogue offers emotional depth, making their reconnection realistically paced and well-earned rather than being a convenient plot device. I particularly appreciate how Kinney balanced moments of genuine horror with unexpected humor, creating a read that feels true to both the teenage experience and the gravity of the supernatural threat. When she delves into the larger mythological aspects of the story, the writing maintains its personal focus while expanding the scope of the conflict with gorgeous atmospheric language. Overall, I enthusiastically recommend Demon Memories to readers who enjoy young adult horror that combines genuine scares with heart and plenty of realistic emotional depth.

Demon Memories by Pamela K. Kinney is a young adult horror story that creeps up on readers, grabs them by the throat, and gives them a good shake. Harper Doyle is a typical teenager living in the small rural town of Moon Ridge, West Virginia. Moon Ridge has a long history of supernatural happenings with many believing the town was originally founded by a coven of witches. When Harper and her friends visit an abandoned house with the joking intention of summoning a demon, little do they know the havoc they will unleash upon the town and ultimately the world. Something went wrong that night and all Harper’s friends died in a horrific fire that consumed the derelict house. Harper wasn’t sure how she was the only one to survive the tragedy but she knew she must somehow uncover the truth of what happened that fateful night. Her search for truth will lead her back to her childhood best friend, Jake, to a father she had never known, and to an unholy battle with the denizens of Hell itself, as Lucifer, Baal, and the rest of Hell’s evil residents seek to assert their dominion over Earth. 

Demon Memories is totally outside my typical reading wheelhouse but I am so glad I decided to read this story. Author Pamela K. Kinney has created a wonderful mix of human, demonic, and angelic characters that come alive under her skillful hand. What I particularly loved was that the novel was related not only from Harper’s perspective but also from the viewpoint of her inhabiting demon, Cresil. To see the differing perspectives of the same event from both Harper’s angle and the demon’s view certainly gave the narrative a depth it might otherwise have been missing. I also enjoyed the concept of this never-ending struggle between the denizens of Hell (the fallen) and the Angels of Heaven played out continually between humans on Earth. For aficionados of action, this story has no end of demonic battles and breathtaking scenes of mayhem, yet there is woven into the narrative the sweet rekindling of a childhood friendship and ultimately a romance between Harper and Jake that softens the tone and gives the novel balance. The unique relationship that ultimately develops between Harper and her demon interloper, Cresil, is also one of the highlights of the story. This is a well-plotted, well-written tale that I found absolutely delightful and that I highly recommend.