Tag Archives: Demons

Doomsday Can Wait by Lori Handeland

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Doomsday Can Wait
Author: Lori Handeland
Series: Phoenix Chronicles #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Demons, Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2009

Thoughts

It’s been a long while since I read Any Given Doomsday. So it did take a little time to get into this… mostly because I kept forgetting what had happened in the past book. But, once I got my head back into the world building… I was hooked.

One of the things I still find weird about this series is the whole sexual empath thing. Its certainly enjoyably unique, but I’ve been mainlining contemporary romances lately. And this really doesn’t fit the bill. Again, something that took me a little while to get my head around. But, I am looking forward to seeing how that will evolve in the following book.

I liked the idea of Liz and Jimmy reuniting in Any Given Doomsday. But the more I got to know Sawyer in this, the more I enjoyed their dynamic. The complexities of the relationships in this world got very heavy very quickly in Doomsday Can Wait. I can’t wait to see how they will develop further into the series.

I was completely taken by the relationship complexities in this novel. But there was a lot of action as well. Liz’s desire to win the day, no matter the cost and the fight between good and evil was pretty intense. It added a brilliant and much needed element of darkness to this fantastic story.

<- Any Given DoomsdayApocalypse Happens ->

Image source: Goodreads

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Eve of Warfare by S.J. Day

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance 2 book cover

Title: Eve of Warfare
Author: S.J. Day
Series: Marked #3.2
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Demons, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 23rd July 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: In the meantime… Marry me, angel.

Synopsis

Eve is stuck between two brothers – a fact that makes her a constant political pawn. But, what she doesn’t realise is that the stakes are about to be drastically raised, and not only her life, but also her heart is about to be placed on the line.

Thoughts

I’m getting a little “eh” about Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel stories. They seem to be popping up a little bit in my reading lately. This one wasn’t a bad one…. and I’d probably enjoy reading a bit more from this series (if it’s part of one), but I wasn’t over the moon happy about it.

There was a lot of really fun and intriguing world building going on in this story. The history, the lore and the established relationships were wonderful. It created a fabric that pulled me in and had me constantly wondering what was going to happen next. I also loved how much of this information was filled into such a short story.

All in all, I enjoyed Eve and Alec as lead characters. They were fun and had great characterisation. If it wasn’t for the overwhelming backdrop of the Cain and Abel story, I probably would have loved this. But the constant references felt a little grating after a while.

<- The Sons of RaThe Majestic ->

Image source: Amazon

The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
The Iron Hunt (Hunter Kiss, #1) by Marjorie M. Liu

Title: The Iron Hunt
Author: Marjorie M. Liu
Series: Hunter Kiss #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Demons, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 22nd May – 19th June 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: For the first time in my life, I did not care.

Synopsis

Silver smoke winds around my torso, peeling away from my ribs and back, stealing the dark mist covering my hands and lower extremities…tattoos dissolving into demon flesh, coalescing into small dark bodies. My boys. The only friends I have in this world. Demons.

I am a demon hunter. I am a demon. I am Hunter Kiss.

By day, her tattoos are her armor. By night, they unwind from her body to take on forms of their own–demons of the flesh, turned into flesh. This is the only family demon hunter Maxine Kiss has ever known. It’s the only way to live, and the very way she’ll die. For one day her demons will abandon her for her daughter to assure their own survival–leaving Maxine helpless against her enemies.

But such is the way of Earth’s last protector–the only one standing between humanity and the demons breaking out from behind the prison veil. It is a life lacking in love, reveling in death, until one moment–and one man– changes everything…

Thoughts

I’ve been hanging to fully get into this series since I read the first Hunter Kiss novella. But, for whatever reasons I’ve been putting it off. But, now I’m definitely going to keep diving into this series. There’s the whole intrigue of the end of the world going on. And a question of heart. A question of loyalty. There’s just a whole lot of wow going on.

I like that Maxine is the first if the hunter women to actually stop and put down roots. They’re still unconventional. But they are roots, nonetheless. It creates a wonderful, sweet and nice world that she is able to rely on. And, since this whole series seems like its going to revolve around the idea that maxine is special and last… it just adds that extra layer of mystery.

I really loved the feeling of mystery and world building that Liu was able to create. I know from some of the other works I’ve read by her that she tends towards a darker style of story. I know that my heart strings are going to be plucked drastically throughout this series.

The boys that surround marine are also adorable. I’m sure that finding demons adorable is a bit odd… but nevertheless, I still find them wonderful. And im not sure if I’m excited for Darkness Calls for the continuation of the storyline… or getting to spend more time with Maxine’s “boys”

<- Hunter KissDarkness Calls ->

Image source: Goodreads

Queen of All She Surveys by Emma Holly

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for beyond the dark angela knight book cover

Title: Queen of All She Surveys
Author: Emma Holly
Series: Tale of the Demon World #5
In: Beyond the Dark (Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Emma Holly & Diane Whiteside)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Gaslamp, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 11th May 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: It had been a sleepy outpost then, held but not exploited by a king who valued creature comforts above conquest.

Synopsis

Emma Holly does it… in a fantastic world where a powerful queen rules – until she commits the sin of falling in love with the handsome son of her worst enemy.

Thoughts

I love Emma Holly’s writing. I also finally received some of her Tales of the Demon World books. There is just something… fun about the idea of these sexual vampires that come from another world. Set in a regency, steampunk style world. It all weaves together to create a seriously unique reality and world that I’m never quite expecting.

In the case of this story… I was confused throughout. Which I kind of liked. I mean, there’s a gorgeous prince who is known for his god-given sexual gifts. And the woman who is queen who is never quite sated. Of course you know that they are obviously going to fall in love and end up being each other’s perfect sexual partner. But there were so many characters and feeling of back story that I found a little dense. Perfect reason to pick up the rest of the books… that will probably fix the confusion.

The respect that both the monarchs / leads in this story have for one another is kind of brilliant. I’ve been reading a lot of books which feature more domineering personalities. And although there is still respect, I love that there really isn’t a dominant person in this partnership. Rather, both the characters seem to be dominant in their own worlds and arenas, without having to prove themselves any further to their counterpart. That sense of comfort and maturity in themselves was exactly what I wanted. Now I just need more!

<- Caught by the TidesIn a Wolf’s Embrace ->

Image source: Amazon

The Demon’s Secret by Nathalie Gray

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance 2 book cover

Title: The Demon’s Secret
Author: Nathalie Gray
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 30th March 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Without bothering to warm up the car, he just drove it to his temporary home at the foot of the Jacques-Cartier bridge.

Synopsis

Cain is in service to a demon, but there is some hope on the horizon… if he’s only brave enough to take his chance on love.

Thoughts

From the very beginning of this story, I thought that it was that Cain. And even though I did guess this, I was still quite pleasantly surprised. After all, it’s one thing to suspect, and another to have your suspicions confirmed in the best way. Adding to that the fact that it was in such a wonderfully surprising manner, with a fantabulous twist.

This is a pretty action packed short story from the very beginning – it involves two demon bounty hunters who are collecting secrets racing against the clock. The fact that there is an extra layer of enjoyment and lust just settles you completely into the tale. And yet, even with this bit of extra lust, it doesn’t quite feel like a… lustful and sexual story. Rather, it’s all kind of sweet.

I’d probably reread this short story. It was a genuinely fun and easy read. One that swept you away, without making you forget about the realities of the world. The perfect balance for ease of access and enjoyment. And, all in all, an incredibly sweet ending.

<- Spirit of the PrairieMarine Biology ->

Image source: Amazon

To Hell With Love by Jackie Kessler

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance 2 book cover

Title: To Hell With Love
Author: Jackie Kessler
Series: Hell on Earth #3.8
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 7th February 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Walk only where I walk.

Synopsis

Sometimes love is everything you could ever want. Sometimes it’s just a real kick in the teeth.

Thoughts

I really liked the world building in this story. It featured twins that weren’t really twins, a demon, and a long-lost love. There is nothing I love better than a story that has this much power and just plain, downright awesomeness. It drew me in from the beginning and even a few days after reading it and sitting down to (finally) write this review…. I’m still enjoying the storyline.

Relationships are built upon memories. I love that this story is all about those memories. Those key moments that we all have and that each of us remember differently. I love that sin an attempt to reconnect with a lost love, it’s a memory that is shared. The fact that this memory box sends a demon twin into a hell dimension and all sorts of horribleness… well, it just wouldn’t be a good story without such a spanner in the works.

This was an incredibly quick and easy story to read. It swept me away and took me on a fun little adventure. One that I completely wasn’t expecting but enjoyed regardless. I love the idea of demon twins and having to protect demons. Hell dimensions and loves lost or regained. It was just… fun and a great set up in a relatively few number of pages.

<- The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2Princes of Dominion ->

Image source: Amazon

The Demon in the Dunes by Chris Grabenstein

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for death's excellent vacation book cover

Title: The Demon in the Dunes
Author: Chris Grabenstein
In: Death’s Excellent Vacation (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 22nd November 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: I held up two warm beer cans.

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Synopsis

He’s reminiscing about the demon in the dunes and the summer of 1975. Will he finally be able to figure out what the demon was warning against all those years ago?

Thoughts

This is the prefect story to discourage idiots from smoking. I mean, the whole thing is just completely creepy and uncomfortable. And then, when you get to the twist at the end and the consequences are realised. Well, it becomes just that much more powerful and intense.

The Demon in the Dunes is a fun short story that uses the past and foreshadowing in a perfect way. It makes you want to race to the end to find out what the demon was doing there, even if that will ruin everything. I love stories that use foreshadowing well, it gives an extra sense of suspense to a story line that would not necessarily have it otherwise.

The Demon in the Dunes was a great short story that pulled me in from the very beginning. In fact, I kind of walked into a doorway while I was reading, I got that wrapped up in the book. Which is not always a bad thing…

<- The Heart is Always RightHome from America ->

Image source: Amazon

The Perils of Effrijim by Katie MacAlister

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for death's excellent vacation book cover

Title: The Perils of Effrijim
Author: Katie MacAlister
Series: Aisling Grey #4.5
In: Death’s Excellent Vacation (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 13th November 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: I’m a sixth-class demon.

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Synopsis

Effrijim just wants to spend his ten day vacation with the love of his life. But things don’t quite go as planned when a She-Bitch gets involved.

Thoughts

The first comment in my notes was “Poor Effrijim”. After all, this story is just one calamity after another. Just a whole series of problems that stop him from having a relaxing vacation and leave him feeling frustrated and ready to scream. It’s just not the optimal vacation and left me feeling seriously bad for Effrijim, even as I laughed and laughed at all of the bad that befell him.

Titania and Oberon made a great cameo appearance in this story. They’re altered story line was fun and entertaining. I also loved how militant and kick ass Titania was. After all, she is completely unorthodox and has been wronged. I also love how she decides to keep Oberon in line from now on…

Jim’s torture is what dreams are made of. It was the kind of torture and storyline that had me laughing happily throughout the entire story. I finished this with a huge grin on my face and a desire to just read more.

<- Seeing is BelievingThin Walls ->

Image source: Amazon

The Devil’s Jack by Laura Anne Gilman

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for dead man's hand book cover

Title: The Devil’s Jack
Author: Laura Anne Gilman
In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal fantasy, Weird western
Dates read: 12th November 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Titan Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: “But you waited.”

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Synopsis

Jack knew better. But he still made a deal with the devil. And now he’s Devil’s Jack, running errands for seven and seven and seven again.

Thoughts

A deal with the devil is never a good idea. But it is a really fun thing to read about. I mean, a deal with the devil is guaranteed to be an interesting beginning to a story. And a great driver for morally grey characters. After all, if they’re doing evil things, then it’s because the devil asked them to and it isn’t because they are evil themselves…

I love how although this is a story about a man who has sold his soul to the devil, it’s primarily about him outsmarting the devil. And the fact that both he and the devil know that even if he’s momentarily outsmarted the devil, it’s just a moment. A quiet little rebellion that ultimately does nothing for Jack.

This was a really fun and humorous short story. I absolutely adored it and had a huge smile on my face the whole time that I was reading it. It was funny and cute. Full of clever, witty moments and just a seriously enjoyable read.

<- What I Assume You Shall AssumeThe Golden Age ->

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The Last Master of Aeronautical Winters by Larry D. Sweazy

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for westward weird book cover

Title: The Last Master of Aeronautical Winters
Author: Larry D. Sweazy
In: Westward Weird (Martin H. Greenberg & Kerrie Hughes)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Weird western, Westerns
Dates read: 29th June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Daw Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: It was like they were real, burrowing into my own eyes with anger and resentment or maybe doubt of my fortitude.

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Synopsis

They’ve been friends and companions for years. But it isn’t until his secret identity gets out that their friendship is truly tested in this fun little Weird Western story.

Thoughts

This is a fun little short story which features an illegitimate heir and cowboys. Demon hunting and secrets. It’s an interesting mix that features your ideas of a western cowboy. But also partners that with ideas of the monarchy, which kind of took me a little bit by surprise. A good read and one that I would probably pick up again.

I really liked the idea of cowboys going demon hunting on the mean streets. That the gunslingers are the ones who are bringing down creatures from hell. It made for a fun little diversion and journey that I really wasn’t expecting and thoroughly enjoyed.

I seriously enjoyed this story. It may not be one of those that is crazy, rich with detail and intense. But it was most definitely an enjoyable journey. One that I look forward to embarking on again in the future.

<- The Temptation of Eustace Prudence McAllenLowstone ->

Image source: Amazon