I’ve enjoyed previous books from Olivia Dade. And so I jumped straight into World’s Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon. Because who would resist a title like that? And what I got was not what I expected. Keep reading this book review of World’s Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon for my full thoughts.
Summary
Gwen Wexloff might be able to see the future, but not when it matters. Her visions invariably involve piddling issues, which means—unlike most oracles—she’s spent her life predicting for everyday humans instead of international power brokers. After a clutch of brain-slurping zombies escapes from their walled-off compound, though, Gwen experiences the first genuinely world-altering vision of her life . . . and now she needs help.
Unfortunately, that help comes from Hugh Blacke, the same starchy (but annoyingly cute) demon who watched her bomb her oracle verification test years ago. To Gwen’s dismay, the two of them will need to work together to unravel the deadly conspiracy behind the zombie breach, despite their complicated past and the secrets they’re keeping.
Even with her newfound power, she couldn’t have foreseen how quickly they’d both want more than a simple partnership. But the clock is ticking—and with the fate of humanity at stake, Gwen and Hugh will have to decide how much they’re willing to risk for an unexpected, passionate love…and a future together that might prove very short indeed.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I will admit that I started this one without realizing it was a series. World’s Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon is a humorous fantasy romance. But looking at other reviews, I can see that possibly this might spell doom for me and the first of the series. What I struggled the most with was the tone and the pacing. World’s Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon is incredibly devoted to its humor. And while I appreciate a good pun, a cheese book, and more it got to the point where it seemed one note. The humor took over the moments where we were supposed to feel the emotional weight or even the stakes. I couldn’t get a read on Gwen and her character when everything felt like a joke?
World’s Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon relies on the humor instead of the humor being an element within. And so that meant that every time I wanted to sink into a moment, her feelings of failure, or the stakes, there was a comment which distracted me from feeling the story. Based on reviews, I can see that this was the case with the first of the series and is very much a personal preference. Some really enjoyed that! So if you love a series full of humor, wit, and some fun tangents, World’s Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon could be for you! But for me, I needed a bit more grounding. And because I couldn’t really get my footing, the pacing felt like galloping and then running into a wall. The humor makes things feel like it goes faster than it should in some parts or even perhaps distraction in other parts?
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Unfortunately, I didn’t love World’s Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon as much as I wanted to. I sincerely love other books from Dade, but this wasn’t for me. Find World’s Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon on Goodreads, Storygraph, Bookshop, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.