Tag Archives: Demons

Red Phoenix by Kylie Chan

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover red phoenix

Title: Red Phoenix
Author: Kylie Chan
Series: Dark Heavens Trilogy #2, Dark Heavens #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Chinese mythology, Demons, Gods
Dates read: 3rd – 9th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Voyager
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: We moved the Wudang Academy from the Mountain to here in Hong Kong.

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Synopsis

IMMORTALS, MARTIAL ARTS, GODS AND DEMONS

The intrigue deepens as the demon threat closes around mortals and gods alike…

When Emma Donahoe took the position of nanny to John Chen’s daughter Simone, she never expected to be caring for the child of a Chinese god, and she didn’t expect that demons would want him dead. Nor has moving from nanny to partner in his heavenly realm made Emma’s life any easier.

Now a powerful race of demons has been created to hunt her and her family from Hong Kong to Europe. And she and Simone have become targets – pawns to be used in a deadly celestial power play.

Thoughts

It’s been a long time since I read this. And now I’m remembering why Dark Heavens is one of my all time favourite series. I think that come the new year (since my TBR starts again at the turn of the year) this will be the first series I sink my teeth into. There is just an amazing style, writing and storyline to this story. It is intense, fast-paced and filled with a great sense of humour. Which, since Chan is an Australian author, it’s the kind of humour that I love and recognise.

I picked this up in the week that I was not only feeling a little sad, but I was also feeling really, really sick. Normally I read a booka  day, plus get all of my work and housework sorted. Yet, I’ve barely been able to pick up a book. So sinking myself into the world of Emma, John, Simone and their incredibly off-centre family was the perfect anecdote for my horrible week. There’s nothing like a well-loved story to help pick you up.

I knew it from White Tiger, but Red Phoenix highlights how truly insane Emma is. I’m all for doing anything in the name of love… but what she does and gives up in the name of her love… I actually can’t fathom that. Which of course, makes this a brilliant book because it takes me to places that I would never willingly go myself (even though it’s actually not possible… but you get my drift). I also love that she is so loyal. Everything she does is in honour of the people she treasures. That part I can actually completely understand.

This is the book in which Michael first joins the family. He’s such a great addition to the storyline, and, if memory serves me (it’s been a long time since I’ve read the books), he becomes a really powerful character within the storyline. The web of family, relations and loyalties is getting more and more complex, and this is exactly why I love this series so much. The connections between the modern world and the mythical. And the relationships between father and son, father and daughter, so on and so forth.

 <- White Tiger ReviewBlue Dragon Review ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Wick’s End by Joanna Parypinski

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover haunted nights ellen datlow

Title: Wick’s End
Author: Joanna Parypinski
In: Haunted Nights (Lisa Morton & Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Demons, Horror, Tricksters
Dates read: 17th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Blumhouse
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: His soul was turned away from the light, and turned away, of course, from that seething pit of terror known as hell, as the devil kept his promise.

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Synopsis

A trade-off of horror stories late on All Hallows Eve. Each one scarier than the last. Each with their own, hidden message.

Thoughts

There is something that is just so… recognisable about telling ghost stories. It doesn’t matter what age or setting, telling tales that are sure to freak out your friends, peers and family is just… well, fun. Which of course meant that there had to be an exchange of ghost stories in a collection of Halloween tales. The fact that it’s an exchange of steadily creepier stories in a bar in the middle of nowhere… well, that had me grinning and clapping my hands like a little ninny.

This is a bit of a trickster tale. After all, the trickster is constantly outwitting and outmanoeuvring his enemies. And often times they are far more powerful than him. Which is what the man in this tale does… but with the devil. And yet, you know, since it’s the devil… that there will be some form of comeuppance at the end. The devil really doesn’t like to be bested, so he’s going to find a way to get his revenge… which creates an amazing cat and mouse story that I’m really disappointed ended so quickly. I mean, I would have loved to continue the cat and mouse game a little longer!

I’ve never understood what is so “cool” about Jack O’Lanterns. Or however you spell it… they’ve always seemed creepy. And I’ve watched rom coms which feature their carving as some romantic moment… ummmm. No thank you! This is a bit of a Jack O’Lantern origins story. One which far better suits my freaked out opinion on them than anything else I’ve read or seen in a long time… they are not cute and cuddly!

 <- A Small Taste of the Old Country ReviewThe Seventeen-Year Itch Review ->

Image source: Amazon

Once a Demon by Dina James

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

Title: Once a Demon
Author: Dina James
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 31st October 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: She made a wonderful effort to pronounce it, and asked if she could shorten it to simply ‘Kail’.

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Synopsis

Katrina has decided that Kyle needs a good friend. With the help of her husband, she lures this reclusive vampire into their home. But, when she finds out more about his past, she has to question everything that she’d believed to be true.

Thoughts

Unlike many of the short stories found in The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance, the two leads in this story aren’t the love interests. Actually, there’s no romance whatsoever between them with Katrina being a very, very happily married woman and her counterpart in this tale being a fairly notorious recluse. I liked the departure from the expected. It was nice to have two different people who had found their soul mates connecting on a more platonic level and finding common ground in their stories.

I absolutely adored Katrina in this story. She was so obviously in control of all of the men in her life and it was her very naïve sweetness that allowed her to do this. A bit of a reminder that we can conquer all with our femininity, as well as with a sword (but that would be other stories which feature a sword). Having the men wrapped around her finger helped to draw out the other characters and almost offer a sense of healing that was previously missing. Something that I think is so important, and completely beautiful.

Using a demon / vampire hybrid was totally unexpected. But very much welcomed. I’m actually quite disappointed that this is just a standalone short story. I would have loved to explore both the powers of Lucifer’s son and the politics behind his fall. Because, although the fall was beautifully described in this short story, I feel like there could be so much more going on behind the scenes… maybe I’ll just have to make it all up in my own mind’s eye.

 <- Grace of Small Magics ReviewNight Vision Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Eternity Embraced by Larissa Ione

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

Title: Eternity Embraced
Author: Larissa Ione
Series: Demonica #3.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 27th October 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Then we consider your idea about moving to New York.

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Synopsis

Desire…
Demon slayer Andrea Cole has always taken down the demons and vampires she hunts without mercy. But when a fellow slayer is captured and turned into a vampire by a sadistic monster, she must choose between loyalty to her family and the man she loves.

Versus Instinct…
Kaden Quinn has dedicated his life to slaying vampires, so when he is turned into one, his greatest nightmare comes to life. And when the woman he loves is thrown into a dungeon with him ― as food ― he must battle new instincts and old desires, and choose between his life, and hers.

Thoughts

This story is a bit of a cliffhanger, and as I was reading it, I was seriously hoping that it was part of a greater series. I was lucky, it is. Which makes me super happy, because this world building is brilliant. Although, I wanted more of a backstory… which I will get when I finally buy the novels!!!

This is so a true love conquers all kind of story… after all, it’s the thing which makes sure that Kaden doesn’t turn evil. Even when Andrea fully expects him to. This isn’t a ride off into the sunset, happily ever after story. It’s more of a there’s a chance for the future, but we’re not really sure what’s going to happen next kind of tale. And it’s the perfect hook to make you want to buy the rest of the series.

Eternity Embraced is an incredibly sweet, beautiful story. It’s an easy read, and one that sweeps you away for five, ten minutes. Just enough to sweep you off your feet and make you believe in true love again. Or at least, a love that give you an amazing future.

 <- Blood Gothic ReviewThe Ghost of Leadville Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover working for the devil

Title: Working for the Devil
Author: Lilith Saintcrow
Series: Dante Valentine #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 14th – 20th October 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: The Hall had been hell – a true hell, a human hell, withou the excuse of demons to make it terrifying.

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Synopsis

Dante Valentine’s working relationship with the Devil wasn’t her choice – but you can’t turn down a contract with Lucifer and live. 88 Hired to kill fugitive Vardimal Santino, Dante can count as allies only a demon familiar she doesn’t trust and a small band of psychics. The thing is, Dante doesn’t need friends, she needs a miracle. Because the first time Dante Valentine met Santino, she almost died.

Thoughts

I’ve been meaning to get to the first Dante Valentine book for quite a while now… mostly because I’ve loved the short stories that I’ve read in this series and by Lilith Saintcrow in general. But it’s never seemed a good time to start a whole new series. But, I finally succumbed. And boy, am I glad that I did. Although now I have to wait until I have the money to buy the next books in the series… which is problematic because I want to know what happens next!!! The occurrences in this story are completely ground breaking, and normally happen about 3 books into an urban fantasy series like this… not at the very beginning!!!

Working for the Devil has kind of a tragic end. I’m hoping that things will turn out better in the next book. It was also nice to have a story that didn’t end with a happily ever after. For starters it makes me want to read the next book more than any other urban fantasy I’ve read recently. And it also is a reminder that life doesn’t exactly end up the way you want it too. I might get really mad if I find out that she’s pregnant in the next book though… that’s just not a good trope.

The amount of backstory and hints that Saintcrow manages to sneak into her storyline. She has a past lover, past injuries and a past enemy. All of which manage to jump out at her as she races to stop a demon at the bequest of the devil. It’s a pretty fast-paced storyline. Which is what I love – something that gets the heart racing, and makes it impossible to put down. I also loved that all of these past hurts aren’t fully described in the novel, but expanded on enough that you know parts of the story, and just want to know more. It also made one hell of a tough chick as the lead – someone who is totally damaged, and for me, incredibly easy to relate to.

Working for the Devil moves up my list for favourite urban fantasy stories. It has a kick arse chick with a penchant for death, a horrid history and a band of ragtag mates that are loyal to the core. Alright, it fits a lot of fairly typical themes and tropes for the books on my shelves, but there’s a reason why they fill my shelves. They’re fun, engaging and far more relatable than any of the male-driven storylines that also tend to sit on my shelves.

 <- Coming Home ReviewDead Man Rising Review ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

The Resurrectionist by Caitlin Kittredge

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for urban enemies book cover

Title: The Resurrectionist
Author: Caitlin Kittredge
Series: Hellhound Chronicles #2.5
In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 15th October 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Some dame with legs and a problem.

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Synopsis

A routine job turns into something a little more sinister. Especially when the end of the journey results in everyone dead and grudges being held.

Thoughts

It took me a little bit longer than I would like to admit to realise that the lead in this wasn’t alive. That he was dead. And that was why he got hit with a shovel (and other implements) multiple times and didn’t die. It finally started to make a little more sense… but in the best, most beautiful way possible. Because I really like stories about people who are weirdly undead rolling around the world.

This is one of those short stories that really didn’t end the way that I expected it to. Everyone is dead. There is no happily ever after, although there is a sense of finding oneself at the very ending. Or maybe refinding oneself is the better way to put it… since the narrator eventually realises what his original calling in life was and decides to return to it.

This short story has added yet another series to my wishlist. If this is the tale of one of the “enemies” in the story, then the heroes are going to be fantastically beautiful. There is something alluring about this story and the idea of hellhounds… they’re certainly a paranormal beast that I haven’t read much about…

 <- The Naughtiest Cherub ReviewDown Where the Darkness Dwells Review ->
Image source: Simon & Schuster

Thicker Than Blood by Meljean Brook

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
First Blood

Title: Thicker Than Blood
Author: Meljean Brook
Series: The Guardians #3.5
In: First Blood (Susan Sizemore, Erin McCarthy, Chris Marie Green & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Demons, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 30th September 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: All the while, telling me that I had to drink the vampire’s blood, that I had to willingly accept the change for the transformation to work.

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Synopsis

Six years ago, Jack Harrington was in love with Annie Gallagher, until her sudden death turned his world upside down. But when an intruder breaks into his home one night, the former FBI agent can barely believe his eyes – Annie’s alive… and a vampire.

After her sudden transition, Annie couldn’t bear to let Jack see all that she had become. One night she gives into temptation and decides to feed off a man who resembled Jack, only to find herself face to face with the man himself. Now that they’re together again, Jack’s not about to let Annie go, vampire or no. And Annie needs Jack’s help to find a missing girl named Cricket. Danger swirls around the pair as they search for Cricket while a demon bent on destroying all vampires closes in on the pair. Will love lost and found be able to overcome supernatural odds?

Thoughts

I found this story a little bit sad. Alright, there’s a happy ending… but the fact that a couple who so obviously loves one another is kept apart by a series of mistakes and misunderstandings… it was more than a little sad. I did like that the relationship was restored because of her constant need to be near him, and desire to find a little girl collide beautifully.

There are three tales which run through this story. Firstly, there’s the race to find Cricket with a mad man (or demon) on their trail. Secondly, a renegotiation of old relationships and sharing of the past as they try to find a future together. And, lastly, the thread which holds this novella to the rest of the Guardians series, the epic battle between light and dark that happens behind the scenes of our every day lives. Not many novellas would be able to include all of these storylines so seamlessly, but Meljean Brook managed to do this fantastically.

Thicker than Blood was a great novella with just the amount of angst and drama to keep me hooked, but not so much that I found it tedious. It made me want to run to my shelves and pick up the next book in the Guardians series, and just sink my nose into another day of fun and romance, forgetting the world and all of my responsibilities.

 <- Double the Bite ReviewFirst Blood Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Kiss by Lilith Saintcrow

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for urban enemies book cover

Title: Kiss
Author: Lilith Saintcrow
Series: Jill Kismet #6.5
In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 22nd September 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: You must agree that’s only fair.

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Synopsis

Is it the kiss of steel or the kiss of death? What could this horrifying creature be planning for?

Thoughts

I’m still not entirely sure what the storyline in this tale was. I’m more than a little confused by it. But I liked the darkness. The idea of a villain plotting against her victims for decades… and there was a lot of information about kisses and debts to be paid… like I said, not entirely sure what I was actually reading about… but I know that I liked what I did understand.

Most of the short stories that I read are really good standalones. This is not really one of those stories. It’s kind of hard to follow, and the insidiousness of the villain seems to be highlighted better in the preceding stories. it made it a little hard to fear and question the villain than other stories in this collection. Because I just didn’t know how much of a villain she truly was…

This story was a lot about plotting. Every move is calculated and part of a much larger scheme. It reads like a set up for the next Jill Kismet novel. One that will pay dividends when you finally get up to that point in the series, but a short story that doesn’t necessarily draw me into the world and make me want to rush out and buy the first novel.

 <- Sixty-Six Seconds ReviewThe Naughtiest Cherub Review ->
Image source: Simon & Schuster

Dead Man Dating by Lori Handeland

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for dates from hell book cover

Title: Dead Man Dating
Author: Lori Handeland
In: Dates From Hell (Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Kelley Armstrong & Lori Handeland)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 11th July 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Avon Fiction
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: His face was fierce, his eyes dark, intense as they stared into mine.

Synopsis

On their first date, Kit goes too far with Eric, shot by bystander Chávez, then wakes to no blood, no body.

Thoughts

You know a story’s going to be good when it starts out stating that she was on a date with a dead man. Literally. Completely, totally and utterly, stone cold. Dead. The fact that a mysterious, Latino man dives in to save the day and the woman is stubborn enough not to let him escape. Well, it was going to be a fantastic story from the very beginning.

Handeland seems to have a way that is both witty and serious with her writing. As Kit struggles to escape the seductive demon chasing her and sort out her feelings for the demon hunter in her life, she also manages to be a little bit pithy about the world around her. The tragedy of her past, the terrifying circumstances of her present, nothing dulls Kit’s ability to find humour in everything and a way to move forward. Which of course, made this story completely impossible to put down. I even walked into the edge of the doorway, I was so desperate to finish this and make my dinner at the same time.

The construction of the world in this novella is fantastic. I love the layering of real world issues and realities (calling a twenty-something year old virgin rare for starters) with a demon hunting reality. Many of us often claim that the world is kind of going to shit, and Handeland seamlessly takes this idea one step further with the discussions of a coming apocalypse. Now I just have to find some more works by her to fill up my happy little, addicted brain.

 <- ChaoticDates From Hell ->

Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for any given doomsday lori handeland book cover

Title: Any Given Doomsday
Author: Lori Handeland
Series: Phoenix Chronicles #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Demons, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 11th – 19th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Lori Handeland
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I ran toward the approaching vehicle.

Synopsis

From the author who brought you The Nightcreature Novels comes the first installment in an original urban fantasy series.

Psychic ex-cop Elizabeth Phoenix finds herself thrust into saving the world, one demon at a time. Unaware of the supernatural battle that has been raging since the beginning, Liz becomes the untaught leader of the Federation, a collection of seers and demon killers. She’s soon pointing out monsters of Biblical proportion to her ex-boyfriend Jimmy, a half-vampire battling an army of Nephilim intent on bringing about doomsday.

Unable to control her new powers, Liz travels from Wisconsin to New Mexico where she meets with Sawyer, a powerful Navajo shape-shifter whose secrets frighten her and whose sexuality tempts her.

Caught between two worlds and two men, Liz must juggle it all in a spiral toward Armageddon. She will need all her powers, and those of her friends and lovers, to battle an enemy that could be indestructible.

Thoughts

Any Given Doomsday has been sitting on my shelves for about a year now. I bought it when I read the short story Here There Be Demons and then promptly completely forgot about it. Until I read Dead Man Dating in another collection of tales. And then I remembered that I seriously enjoyed Handeland’s writing. I figured I may as well pick this up and see what it was like. And boy am I glad that I did. Now I just have to wait to order and receive the next few books in this series…

Stories of lost loves and tales which are complicated by the past are always good bait for me. Especially when they are tied into tales of battle and urban fantasy. What makes this incredibly different is that it also deals with ideas of God and demons. And the apocalypse. There are many theories about the fact that we are on the eve of an apocalypse, but surprisingly few books on my shelves which actually deal with such an idea. The use of seers and DKs (demon killers) is also just a little bit different, whilst still fitting into some well-loved tropes. It made me fall head over heels into this world and feel incredibly disappointed that I have to wait another two weeks before I can buy more of this series.

Most of the time when a love triangle is building in a story, I have a clear favourite. From the very beginning. There is something that always draws me to one character or another. Yet, with this story, I don’t have a serious favourite. I don’t know who I prefer and which couple I think will work best. I mostly just know that I want these stories to end with Elizabeth’s happiness. Whether or not that involves Sawyer or Jimmy, I’m actually not sure. This is the first time that I’m not even sure the potential love interests are good matches. But I’m sure that this series will start to sway me one way or another as it develops.

This is a fantastic novel that starts a fantastic series. It has all of the entrapments and marvellous snares of a great urban fantasy. With a beautiful love triangle, a tragic past and a heroine who is destined to lead the world to a better future. If she can only figure out how to accept her future and revel in it… I just can’t believe that it took me this long to get my literary teeth into this, and how much longer it will take me to collect the rest of the books in this series.

<- There Will Be DemonsDoomsday Can Wait ->

Image source: Amazon