Tag Archives: Demons

Paradise by Meljean Brook

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Wild ThingTitle: Wild Thing
Author: Meljean Brook
Series: The Guardians #1.5
In: Wild Thing (Marjorie M. Liu, Maggie Shayne, Alyssa Day & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Demons, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: His hands were falling in love with her.

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Synopsis

Follow the dark shadows that stalk both the living and the undead in a world of restless vampries and guardian angels…

Thoughts

I loved the end of Demon Angel, or at least, I loved the happy ending that the characters got. But to me it felt a little too off-into-the-sunset. Which is nice, but I felt like something was left slightly unfinished. Paradise helped to stop that lingering “but-what-happened-next” feeling. It also gave Selah her own story and that in and of itself was enjoyable.

Selah and Lucas were not quite the couple that I was expecting. Mostly because neither character was what they quite seemed on the outset. And I loved the surprises lent by their histories and personalities. From Lilith’s perspective, I expected Selah to be the Guardian who had died young and was kind of prissy… until I read her story. She is so much more relatable! And, because of that, far more loveable.

Demon Angel mostly outlines the worlds of Caelum and Hell (Hugh and Lilith’s worlds). Finally, Paradise introduces the reality of the vampries. And also highlights that this series is based in a time of drastic change… for everyone in the world.

 <- Demon Angel Review Demon Moon Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Demon Angel by Meljean Brook

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Demon AngelTitle: Demon Angel
Author: Meljean Brook
Series: The Guardians #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Demons, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: He lowered to his heels next to her.

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Synopsis

For two thousand years, Lilith wrought vengeance upon the evil and the damned, gathering souls for her father’s armies Below and proving her fealty to her Underworld liege. Half-demon, half-human, bound by a bargain with the devil, and forbidden to feel pleasure, she draws upon her dark powers and serpentine grace to lead men into temptation – Heaven’s own Sir Hugh Castleford…

Once a knight and now a Guardian, Hugh spent centuries battling demons – and the cursed, blood-drinking nosferatu. His purpose has always been to thwart the demon Lilith, even as he battles his treacherous hunger for her. But when a deadly alliance unleashes a threat to both humans and Guardians in modern-day San Francisco, angel and demon must fight together against unholy evil – and against a desire that has been too long denied…

Thoughts

The play on demons, angels and much of the Christian faith worked so well. The use of Lilith, Lucifer and Michael to create a great paranormal world over top of our own gave the strength of millennia to the battles and moments which help to form Lilith and Hugh’s relationship in the first part of this novel. The second part of this slightly builds upon the mythos used to create this world, but also furthers the relationship to and great understanding of the characters throughout.

I loved the complexity of the storyline and world that The Guardians is built in. Brook has managed to create a world in which there are layers upon layers of complexity that will (I’m sure) slowly be peeled back throughout the rest of the novels in this series. Yet, it’s not so intensely complex that I’m constantly feeling confused by the details and minutiae of the world that the characters live in. Most of my brain power is reserved for the characterisation and the race to save Lilith and Hugh (from each other, or their fates, I’m still not 100% sure).

As cliché as it seems, I found the idea of a demon and an angel falling in love stupidly fun. The idea that the “perfect” angel would fall for a demon ensures a fun story in the least. But the great characterisation of both, and the vulnerabilities that help them to rub up against one another makes it seem a whole lot less cliché. And made the entire thing so enjoyable that I almost took an extra long lunch break so that I could finish this really fun story…

 <- Falling for Anthony Review Paradise Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Hell in a Handbasket by Lucien Soulban

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Blood LiteTitle: Hell in a Handbasket
Author: Lucien Soulban
In: Blood Lite (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Dark fantasy, Demons
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Pocket Books
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: He patted his stomach.

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Synopsis

A baby is left at the gates of hell… and well, all hell breaks loose.

Thoughts

I laughed a LOT at this short story. And full on laughing out loud as well. Not just quite inside giggles or secret smiles to myself. I chortled loudly and very happily as I read this story. It was funny, cute and had that slightly sarcastic and witty humour that I tend to love.

There is also a dash of mystery in this short story. Primarily, who in the hell would leave a baby at the literal gates of hell? But as that mystery is uncovered… well, it gets even funnier and more entertaining. And the retaliation when they find out what’s going on was just amazingly poetic.

 <- Mr. Bear Review The Eldritch Pastiche from Beyond the Shadow of Horror Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Armor of Roses by Marjorie Liu

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Inked

Title: Armor of Roses
Author: Marjorie Liu
Series: Hunter Kiss #3.5
In: Inked (Karen Chance, Marjorie M. Liu, Yasmine Galenorn & Eileen Wilks)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Demons, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: It was 1944, but this could have been a quiet street sixty years from now.

Synopsis

When New York Times bestselling author Marjorie M. Liu’s demon hunter Maxine Kiss investigates a grisly murder, she finds herself involved in a conspiracy dating back to World War II – and a secret mission that her grandmother may have carried out for the U.S. government, one that involes the mysterious “Armor of Roses.”

Thoughts

Lately I’ve been enjoying a graphic novel series by Marjorie M. Liu & Sana Takeda. So, I already knew that I enjoyed this author. However, reading this novella showed me that she is certainly one that I need to buy more of! And now I have to wait for the books to arrive…

I really enjoyed the swanky opening scene of this story – it was a swanky yacht with a very different crowd and a woman who so completely obviously didn’t fit in. Which, of course, drew me in immediately. Maxine is literally a woman who is surrounded by demons… luckily they are her constant friends and companions. But, it does make it a little difficult for her to fit in with the rest of the crowd she is originally surrounded by. Luckily, this quickly changes and she heads into a world that far better suits her companions.

I really wasn’t expecting a time travel component to this story. Or a greater conspiracy that would draw in World War II. But, it worked brilliantly and it was impossible to put down from the moment Maxine was forced to visit her grandmother. It was a really good journey and, as with all stories that I love, it didn’t go where I expected or predicted. Although, it did kind of hint at the first two novels in this series that I haven’t yet read… which might ruin the storyline a little, but certainly something that I look forward to regardless.

<- Skin DeepEtched in Silver ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

Blind Spot by Meljean Brook

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Must Love HellhoundsTitle: Blind Spot
Author: Meljean Brook
Series: The Guardians #5.5
In: Must Love Hellhounds (Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Demons, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: But it was the knees that made Maggie want to sink whimpering to the floor and curl into a ball.

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Synopsis

Embark on a perilous search for the kidnapped niece of a powerful vampire alongside her blind – and damn sexy – companion and a hellhound in Blind Spot.

Thoughts

So this didn’t turn out the way I expected. I expected the love interest of course… everything in the Must Love Hellhounds collection has a romantic entanglement of some kind (actually, almost everything you read does). But the guy wasn’t anything like what I expected. The journey they go on didn’t have the usual push and pull – they were both instantly attracted, but rather than having hang ups on getting together, they just couldn’t act on it.

A hellhound, a blind guy and an ex-CIA agent sounds like the beginning of a really, really bad joke. Or a weird, convoluted tale. Luckily, it was neither. This turned into a fun and engaging cast that lured me in from the very first moment. And one that has made me buy the first two books of the series as soon as I got to a good internet connection.

Blind Spot is beautifully named – there is a blind guy and they have a blind spot in their dealings with each other. The fact that this feeds into a bigger conspiracy against a powerful family, a kidnapping and Maggie’s chance at her own happily-ever-after just makes it all the more enjoyable. Really, I just can’t wait to get the first book in the series. I also can’t seem to get the final scene out of my head, which is… interesting.

 <- Magic Mourns Review Must Love Hellhounds Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Falling for Anthony by Meljean Brook

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Hot SpellTitle: Falling for Anthony
Author: Meljean Brook
Series: The Guardians #0.5
In: Hot Spell (Lora Leigh, Emma Holly, Shiloh Walker & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Demons, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: Mrs. Kremble was not the softest of women, but she had served the family faithfully for years.

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Synopsis

Disillusioned and hurt, Emily Ames-Beaumont makes a decision that she can’t take back. 88 Anthony has grown up with the Ames-Beaumont twins, but he is of a different class. His decision to become a physician in the war and face down a nosferata has unforseen consequences.

Thoughts

This was nothing like what I expected. The first The Guardians story that I read was the novella Blind Spot and I absolutely loved the intersection of angels, vampires, romance and hellhounds. So I decided that this was a series that I just had to have. And I’m so glad that I made that decision. Even though Falling for Anthony wasn’t what I was expecting, more Victorian romance than contemporary as I was expecting, it was still so very, very good.

I’ve always found the notion that a woman’s virginity should be protected – but when you are writing a tale featuring Victorian England and sex is involved, it’s a huge part of the plot. Brook handled this really well, but didn’t make it an overbearing and difficult aspect of the tale. Emily and Anthony’s moment of passion has far reaching consequences and is incredibly serious, but it’s used as a great plot driver.

I always know that a tale is really good when I can’t get scenes and emotions out of my head. And that is the case with Falling for Anthony. There is something haunting about this story, and it introduces the leads in Demon Angel perfectly. Now I just have to find a way to squirrel myself away and read this in peace.

 <- Guardian Demon Review Demon Angel Review ->
Image source: Meljean Brook

Black Scales, White Fur by Kylie Chan

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Black Scales White FurTitle: Black Scales, White Fur
Author: Kylie Chan
Series: Dark Heavens #9.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Demons, Mythology
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Kylie Chan
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: She broke off the kiss and smiled up at him through stinging tears of joy.

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Synopsis

The Demon King’s harem is a dangerous place, with the Snake Mothers constantly battling for prizes and promotion. But the smallest Snake Mother doesn’t want to play the cruel games; she just wants to create beautiful works of art. After a chance meeting with the Celestial Emperor of the West, the White Tiger, she quietly plots to escape Hell and find freedom – and perhaps even love.

Thoughts

I didn’t realise that this novella fits towards the end of the Dark Heavens series, I actually thought it sat in beforehand, a bit like Small Shen. But, there is a small mention of Simone as a woman, so I figure it is much later in the overall series. That’s not to say that it really gave anything away, there is a small mention of Emma and John going out for Yum Cha with Simone, but that is the only hint of the future. And to be completely honest, you know that eventually they will get their happily ever after… Chan has just put them through too much to not give them that. Or me. I need that. I haven’t even finished the series. And I know that I need that happily ever after…

Bai Hu’s harem of wives and women is something that is both interesting, and a little concerning to me throughout the rest of the Dark Heavens books. So it was interesting to read a story about a woman (of a sort) that falls for him and is willing to become one of many. Honestly, I understand Emma’s one and only feelings a lot more, even if it means she can’t touch her one and only… But the sweetness of the main character in this, and the way in which Bai Hu is able to completely change her life makes the fact that this does happen make a little more sense to me. The fact that she hangs on to her free will, no matter what the risks also made me love her a little more. After all, falling in love and being swept away by your emotions doesn’t mean that you have to lose your will power and independence.

I really liked this look into Chan’s demonic world. It gave a completely different perspective into a reality that I am already in love with. The fitting of a mythological world on top of our own works beautifully. Actually, this is one of the best ways in which I’ve seen an author do this, and switching from the Celestial, and our world to the Underworld in this novella was a great change of pace. And it still worked fantastically. It made a lot of sense, and the brief appearances of known Celestial characters against he horror of this small Snake Mothers’ real world help to give even more layers which has made me pick up White Tiger again and just devour it.

 <- Black Jade Review Small Shen Review ->
Image source: Smashwords

White Tiger by Kylie Chan

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
White Tiger

Title: White Tiger
Author: Kylie Chan
Series: Dark Heavens #1, Dark Heavens Trilogy #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Demons, Mythology
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Voyager
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Understood, sir,’ Leo said.

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Synopsis

ACTION, INTRIGUE, DEMONS AND DRAGONS.

Kylie Chan creates a fast and furious story balanced between the celestial and the mortal, the powerful and the innocent…

Emma Donahoe has just started her new job as nanny to Simone, the daughter of John Chen, a very rich Hong Kong businessman. She understands that Simone may be a target for kidnappers but she does not expect to be drawn into a world of martial arts, magic and extreme danger, where both gods and demons can exist in the mortal domain.

When John and his American bodyguard, Leo, teach Emma their particular style of martial arts, they begin to realise that Emma herself is more than she seems…

Thoughts

This was one of the books Mum bought me years ago, back when she still bought me books because I didn’t have the serious bibiliophilic problem that I have today. And I remember giving it to my sister to read when she was younger. It’s the reason that she too has started to create her own library – there’s just something about this fast-paced, fun and intriguing book that has drawn both of us in from the very first page.

Admittedly, I went to reread this book a year ago, and at the time it just really didn’t fit my current mood. I just didn’t want to read a book that featured a woman who is willing to do anything and give up anything for love. However, now I’m in the right mood again. And it was just as amazing as I remember. And just as difficult to put down. And just, really, in general, lots of fun and fantastic. Now that I’m older, I do find Emma’s commitment a little bit more difficult to understand, because I’m not blinded by the idea of true love and the romance of sacrificing everything for somebody else. I still believe in it, I still believe in Emma’s brand of love to be honest, but I don’t think it is as amazing and sweet a choice as I used to. Now I understand just what sacrifice she is making. And this is just the first book!

I’ve already mentioned a bit about how Emma sacrifices a lot to be with the Chen household, but she is also an incredibly strong and great heroine. The story is all completely written from her point of view, and I love the tone and insight that this lends to the tale. You discover the secrets as she does. And the fact that she is Australian lends an extra level of familiarity to me… there are moments of colloquial and cultural understanding that already belong to me, and it makes me feel like I too could travel to Hong Kong, find a rich businessman and fall into a world that is not my own… or not. I could just stay on my comfortable, Australian couch…

 <- Small Shen ReviewRed Phoenix Review ->
Image source: Booktopia

Small Shen by Kylie Chan & Queenie Chan

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Small ShenTitle: Small Shen
Author: Kylie Chan & Queenie Chan
Series: Dark Heavens #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Demons, Graphic novels, Mythology
Pace: Medium
Format: Graphic novel, Novel
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: How long before the spirit could be restored and you would become more than an animal again?

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Synopsis

In the tradition of the bestselling White Tiger series, Small Shen follows the adventures of cheeky troublemaker Gold who seduces a dragon princess, fights demons and causes headaches for the gods of Chinese mythology. When Gold is ordered to join the household of John Chen, the Dark Lord of the Northern Heavens, he discovers he will do anything to save John and his family from danger…

Small Shen is a stunning combination of Kylie Chan’s action-packed storytelling and Queenie Chan’s illustrations and manga comics.

Thoughts

I love the combination of mediums in this novel. Flicking between prose and images makes this journey really fun and different. Especially when you place it within the context of the Dark Heavens series. Following Gold through the years and his ability to get into all kinds of trouble is entertaining to say the least. The fact that his numerous mistakes are accompanied by actual facial expressions, well, it’s priceless.

As well as the mixed medium, the storyline jumps between time periods. When it is telling the more modern-day story of Michelle and John, there is only prose. The characters that I have grown to love throughout the series are still only witnessed in my mind’s eye. Which I like, nothing destroys a series I have long loved more than being shown another’s image of what the character looks like… only to find out that someone else’s idea is completely different to my own. Yet, when the past is visited and the Gods are seen, there is some vivid and thoroughly enjoyable pictures which can accompany this. Not only do I like the fact that Leo, Emma and Simone aren’t really witnessed throughout this tale, but using pictures to tell a lot of one storyline and not another help to further distinguish between the two timelines and reduce the confusion.

I can remember reading White Tiger years and years ago. And I did kind of wonder just what Gold and Jade had done to be forced into servitude. I also wondered at what kind of woman Michelle was and how the relationship with her was so different to that of Emma’s relationship. This small prequel helps to answer a lot of the questions that I had when I started this series. It’s enjoyable to read this before or after reading the Dark Heavens trilogy. Or really at any point within the great Dark Heavens series.

 <- Black Scales, White Fur Review White Tiger Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Beacon by Shannon K. Butcher

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Dark and Stormy KnightsTitle: The Beacon
Author: Shannon K. Butcher
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Demons, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Something in his leg cracked and pain screamed up his spine, setting his brain on fire.

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Synopsis

Ryder is after a Beacon, someone who draws demonic creatures into our world. But this Beacon isn’t anything like he expected, and the battle that follows will change his life forever.

Thoughts

The opening scene in this short story drew me in from the very beginning. Partially because Butcher is a really good writer, but also partly because it starts with a man going for a drive specifically to kill someone. There is something that I always find fun about assassin stories (this may be a deeper comment on my psyche, but we won’t go into that…)

Although Ryder is off to kill someone for the greater good, the person who he has been sent after is completely unexpected, and the battle that follows is epic. Not only is Ryder faced with an incredibly intimidating foe, he also has a crisis of faith, and a plucky (if not completely underqualified) side kick that he really doesn’t want or need.

I love how The Beacon is bought full circle, albeit with an incredibly changed lifestyle and bunch of choices for Ryder. It ties everything up so neatly and leaves you feeling like he is able to continue fighting the good fight.

 <- Even Hand Review Even a Rabbit Will Bite Review ->
Image source: Goodreads