Asian Literature
Book Title: Blood of the Demonified Maiskrean Trilogy Part 1
Author: Neelima Rao
Publisher: Evincepub Publishing
Neelima Rao’s Blood of the Demonified, the first installment of the Maiskrean Trilogy, is a heady blend of urban fantasy, science fiction, teen angst, and supernatural warfare, woven together with striking originality and emotional resonance. At its core, this novel follows seventeen-year-old Aurelia Vex—a relatable and quick-witted protagonist—as she’s thrust from mundane teenage troubles into a world of monsters, mutants, and powers she never imagined herself possessing.
The story begins innocuously enough: Lia, as she’s often called, is an ordinary high school girl dealing with typical adolescent issues—crushes, rejection, overprotective parents, and navigating her place in a close-knit friend group. But her world is flipped when her father, a secretive scientist, is kidnapped by a sinister crime syndicate known as the Medusa Gang. Suddenly, Lia is hunted, betrayed, and forced to flee, only to find herself in the company of an underground resistance group—Demonified warriors with elemental powers and one mission: to prevent evil from taking over the world.
What makes Rao’s narrative immediately engaging is her vibrant, sassy, and emotionally vulnerable protagonist. Lia is neither a helpless damsel nor a perfect warrior—she’s insecure, brave, impulsive, and deeply human. Her inner monologue, peppered with sarcasm and raw emotion, provides a refreshing and grounded voice amidst the fantastical chaos.
The book’s fantasy lore is rich and intricate. Rao introduces a fascinating mythology with the Demonified—individuals who possess “good demon” blood, allowing them to wield unique powers such as flame summoning and telepathy. Opposing them are the evil Demonified, corrupted by their lust for control and vengeance, seeking to resurrect the deceased but powerful Heine, leader of the Medusa Gang. Rao blends this fantastical premise with grounded, real-world stakes—government conspiracies, biotech experiments, and zombie-like creatures engineered from reanimated corpses.
The romantic subplot adds another compelling layer. Xander, a fire-wielding warrior with an attitude problem and a mysterious past, plays the reluctant protector. His chemistry with Lia oscillates between explosive confrontations and brief, tender moments. Rao handles this relationship delicately, ensuring it complements rather than overshadows the broader plot.
Structurally, the book is split into parts that reflect Lia’s escalating journey—from reluctant runaway to determined fighter. Rao’s pacing is brisk, with cliffhangers at the end of nearly every chapter, making the book difficult to put down. Action sequences are cinematic—zombies, dragon-like “Maiskreas,” hand-to-hand combat—and balanced with emotional beats that explore grief, betrayal, and identity.
One of the book’s strongest aspects is how it treats trauma. Lia’s descent into this hidden world is not smooth or overly romanticized. Her experiences—escaping assassination attempts, surviving underground lairs, confronting her father’s secrets—leave scars. She’s forced to reevaluate everything she thought she knew, including her relationship with her dad, who turns out to be key to the resurrection technology that everyone is fighting over.
There’s also a philosophical undercurrent to the narrative. Rao raises questions about life, death, and the ethics of resurrection. Through Lia’s father’s experiments and the motivations of the Medusa Gang, readers are asked: if we could bring back the dead, should we? And what kind of responsibility comes with playing god?
The ensemble cast is another highlight. Characters like Merissa with her bubblegum hair and sword, and Payne, the blue-haired leader of the resistance, bring flair and heart to the story. The community of the “Anti-Medusa” feels like a found family, and their varied powers and backstories add richness and depth to the worldbuilding.
If there’s a criticism, it’s that the lore—especially the concepts of Demonified blood, Maiskreas, and resurrection science—can be slightly overwhelming at first. However, Rao smartly layers this information through dialogue and action, ensuring readers aren’t bogged down with exposition.
In conclusion, Blood of the Demonified is a thrilling, emotionally charged, and imaginatively conceived entry into the YA fantasy canon. With its relatable heroine, compelling themes, and pulse-pounding adventure, it’s a book that will resonate with fans of Leigh Bardugo, Cassandra Clare, and Veronica Roth. As the first in a trilogy, it ends with enough closure to satisfy, yet leaves the door wide open for a deeper exploration of the Maiskrean world.
Book available on Amazon
