Demonized

[melissajm]

My "serpent-demon novel" has been getting a lot of feedback along the lines of "This is well written, but I'm just not warming to the main character." People either seem to love Malak or hate him, and so far all the agents have come down on the "No Love" side.

Wiser heads than mine have suggested 2 possible instant turnoffs:

1. Serpent-demons, including Malak, eat anything that moves, including people.

2. Readers see "seraphim" and "demon" and assume a religious framework that isn't there, which throws them off.

So, does anyone have a strong reaction to either of those issues? Or suggestions? Thanks!

Comments

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

The only thing is, Jurassic Park isn't written from the velociraptors' POV, Also, we accept that T. Rex eats everything that moves, because she's an uberpredator. But she does not eat other T. Rexes, even in the sequel, when there are others. "Including people" includes other serpent demons, which give me major paws.

[melissajm.livejournal.com]

Very rarely, though-as a funeral rite or sign of domination. Or just plain desperation.