Schrödinger's Bookshelf

Schrödinger's Bookshelf

Archive for category Divine/Infernal Beings

Undone, by Rachel Caine (Roc, 2009)

Jul 26

Posted by Michael M. Jones in Divine/Infernal Beings, Urban Fantasy, Wizards, Mages and Spellcasters | No Comments

Once, Cassiel was one of the immortal elemental beings known as Djinn: unknowable, alien, and removed from humanity. But for defying Ashan, leader of her kind, she was stripped of her power and cast down to Earth to live as a mortal, forced to inhabit solid, unchanging flesh, a slave to physical needs and emotional demands. Neither human nor Djinn, she finds a wary acceptance with the Weather Wardens, the secret organization responsible for protecting humanity against the capricious, violent whims of the Earth itself. She’s partnered with Manny Rocha, one of the very few Wardens willing to trust her, and a tenuous friendship is born. But when the unexpected happens to Manny and his family, Cassiel finds herself partnered with his brother, Luis, who’s not so trusting. Can the two work together to avenge the dead, especially when all evidence points towards their enemy being far larger, and far more dangerous than anything they could have imagined? To combat the threats at hand, Cassiel and Luis will have to learn to trust one another, and Cassiel will have to reveal an age-old dirty secret, one which haunts her still.

The first book of a spin-off series from Rachel Caine’s popular Weather Wardens saga, Undone sharply chronicles Cassiel’s fall from grace and gradual adjustment to her new status. As she goes from outsider to someone with an active stake in humanity’s fate, as she deals with fragile emotional bonds and pesky physical requirements, as she reveals just what caused her to be exiled from her own kind, she undergoes a fascinating, believable journey. Both strong and vulnerable, she provides us with an intriguing point of view as she connects with the people she encounters. She and Luis make one heck of an enjoyable team, one with genuine chemistry, and it’ll be fun to see how they change and continue to deal with one another as the series continues.

Apart from the new protagonist, there’s not much to separate this series from its parent, since they’re both looking at related aspects of the same world, complete with overlapping characters and ongoing threats. However, in this case, that’s not a bad thing; the Weather Wardens series is an excellent example of urban fantasy as an ever-changing, ever-exciting field, and Undone happily explores aspects the main series doesn’t have time to deal with. The nature of the Djinn, their relationship with humans, some intriguing hints at their role in pre-recorded history, and the scope of an ancient threat, these things all play a part in Cassiel’s personal journey here. It’s good stuff, and you don’t have to be familiar with the Weather Wardens series in order to enjoy this book. Cassiel is just as good a protagonist as Joanne Baldwin, and in some ways, even more appealing; I can’t wait to see where she goes next.

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Trick of the Light, by Rob Thurman (Roc, 2009)

Jul 26

Posted by Michael M. Jones in Divine/Infernal Beings, Urban Fantasy, Wizards, Mages and Spellcasters | No Comments

At first glance, one might think Trixa Iktomi to just be a Las Vegas bar owner with dead brother issues and a penchant for burning down a certain demon-run nightclub. One might even think she dabbled in demon-slaying, with the help of a rather unusual pair of friends. And those surface appearances would be correct. But Trixa is much, much more, and the true depths of her complex nature reveal themselves slowly over the course of current events, as Las Vegas becomes a secret battleground over an ancient mystic artifact.

The Light of Life pretty much guarantees safety and victory to whoever possesses it, which means the forces of Heaven and Hell are both eager to get their hands on it. When Trixa, a professional dealer in information, gets a lead on the Light, everyone’s out in force to ensure her cooperation, at any cost. Angels and demons alike infest her life, only to learn that Trixa Iktomi has her own unique way of dealing with people – and beings – who annoy her. Moreover, she has friends, including the trigger-happy telepath Zeke and the empathic Griffin, two young men who live to kill demons and fight evil. Along with her bartender/best friend Leo, Trixa’s ready to take on just about anyone. Even Solomon, the most powerful demon in Las Vegas, and Mr. Trinity, the local Earthly leader of Eden House, a Heaven-influenced organization. But what is Trixa’s master plan, and who’ll be laughing when the dust clears?

In Trick of the Light, Rob Thurman starts a new series, one only tangentially connected to her current series about the brothers Leandros, and here we’re introduced to almost completely new facets of the complex supernatural world established elsewhere. Here we see how angels and demons fit into the overall mythos, and how wild cards such as psychic mortals and sneaky immortals affect the balance of things. Thurman proves quite adept at spinning out Trixa’s story and nature over the course of the book, peeling back layers to constantly reveal something new about her and the world she inhabits. It’s an impressive feat, especially when we get to the end and certain things can be seen in an entirely different light. Knowing up front that this is billed as the first in the Trickster series doesn’t quite prepare the reader for the sheer brilliance of some of the revelations and plot maneuverings.

While I absolutely loved the overall story, I did find Trixa’s internal tone and narrative to be occasionally grating, even overwrought, which impacted my ability to throw myself into the thick of things. It fits the character, but it could have been toned down and still been quite effective. Zeke and Griffin reminded me quite strongly of the Leandros brothers from the other series, to the point where I occasionally confused them mentally. These are minor issues when weighed against my overall enjoyment, however. The jury’s still out on just how unreliable a narrator Trixa is, given that everything we know is filtered through her, including her background, motivations, and true nature. Is it playing fair for us to be in her head and still not made privy to the truths she knows? Or does she lie to herself just to keep her secrets safe? There’s an interesting line of questioning that may be answered on another reading, or in future books.

I have a particular fondness for tricksters, and I was quite pleased with the overall effect of this book, and I’ll definitely be back for Trixa’s next adventure. Thurman’s more than earned my repeat business.

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Succubus Heat, by Richelle Mead (Kensington, 2009)

Jul 26

Posted by Michael M. Jones in Divine/Infernal Beings, Romance, Urban Fantasy | No Comments

It’s not easy being a succubus in love. Worse still to be a succubus still suffering from a painful breakup with the love of her life. With author Seth Mortenson out of her love life (and now dating one of her mortal coworkers), Georgina Kincaid has, to put it mildly, developed an attitude problem. After Georgina sleeps with her therapist for a quick energy fix, her demonic boss Jerome decides that it’s time for a scenery change. And off Georgina goes to Vancouver, Canada, to help another demon deal with an embarrassing case of Satanic cult in the area. Canada. Land of Tim Hortons.

Of course, things don’t go easily at all. The cultists may be idiots, but there’s a genuine supernatural entity manipulating them, and Georgina suspects it’s all part of demonic politics and jockeying for territory. Her fears are confirmed when Jerome vanishes, leaving Seattle without a demon-in-charge and the immortals under his control powerless. Just like that, Georgina loses her powers and succubus need for life energy, making her closer to human than she’s been in many centuries. While her vampire coworkers go off to try and get a tan, Georgina throws herself into finding Jerome and solving the mystery of his disappearance. But was it Cedric from Vancouver, or Janette from Portland, or some other demon that would benefit from a little local reorganization? And how does the Army of Darkness fit into the plan? To further complicate matters, Georgina and Seth are drawn back to one another, even though he’s dating Maddy and Georgina is sleeping with bad boy magician Dante. Can they resist temptation, or will Georgina’s newfound ability to get physical without sucking out life force be enough to justify rekindle the flames of passion?

In Succubus Heat, we get to see our heroine at her most vulnerable, emotionally, physically, and supernaturally, but it doesn’t slow her down for long. Even bereft of her powers, she’s still following her nature, trying to do the right thing for her friends even though she’s technically a creature of evil. One thing you can say about Georgina: she’s predictable. Also loyal, stubborn, foolhardy and impulsive. You just know she’s going to make some dumb mistakes along the way, which is half the fun. And when the men in her life all manage to converge, it’s not just her dating life that’s going to take the hit.

It’s the little touches which continue to make this series fun, like Georgina’s mortal job as a bookstore manager, and her love for cats and salsa dancing. Or Jerome’s insistence on looking like John Cusack. Or the vampires who hit the beach when their nocturnal status is temporarily negated. Or the Army of Darkness and their lame Satanic-worshipping pranks. Or Tawny, the world’s worst succubus. Or Carter, the grunge-wearing angel who has a special interest in Georgina’s fate. Things like this really make the world memorable and entertaining.

There’s a genuine mystery underlying the plot here. That, coupled with adept characterization, some intensely hot sex scenes (what else do you expect when a succubus is involved), and wry humor, makes Succubus Heat as enjoyable as its predecessors in the series, and worth checking out. I’m still interested to see just where Richelle Mead plans to take things in books to come. I suspect it won’t be what any of us expect.

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Succubus Dreams, by Richelle Mead (Kensington, 2008)

Jul 26

Posted by Michael M. Jones in Divine/Infernal Beings, Romance, Urban Fantasy | No Comments

Even though she’s got the boyfriend of her dreams (fan-favorite writer Seth Mortensen), and a day job she loves (managing a Seattle bookstore), Georgina Kincaid’s life is anything but wine and roses. Maybe, just maybe, it’s because she’s really a succubus, tasked with seducing men and damning their souls to Hell, and she can’t consummate her relationship with Seth lest she kill him by accident. Maybe it’s because her demonic superiors are getting on her case about not paying enough attention to the job, and the imp who originally brought her into the “business” has shown up in Seattle with an inept new succubus he wants Georgina to mentor. Or maybe it’s because she’s having weird dreams of a happy, content, normal future that leave her drained when she wakes up. Any of these things would be bad enough; all of them at once is a recipe for disaster.

As Georgina’s relationship with Seth frays around the edges due to stress and lack of time spent together, she digs into the mystery of her strange dreams, even as she attempts to train Tawny, who may just be the worst succubus to ever fail at seducing a man. But Georgina quickly realizes that whatever is going on in the Emerald City is bigger and badder than she anticipated, especially when a host of heavenly agents show up and start doing mysterious things on the periphery of the action. Even enlisting the aid of Dante, a dream interpreter with a dark past and a sordid nature, doesn’t make things any less complicated. Something out there is using Georgina as part of a dangerous, demonic agenda, and if she doesn’t do something drastic, there’ll be Hell to pay.

The third installment in the adventures of Georgina Kincaid, Succubus Dreams follows our heroine as her routine is twisted into knots, as she finds it impossible to separate her personal and professional lives, and as she learns the price for getting too attached to people. Richelle Mead really does a great job of putting the screws to Georgina’s contentment. As always, she draws from a variety of mythological sources to paint a picture of a supernatural-infested Seattle, where angels and demons go about their business with nary a mortal realizing. And Mead injects the series with a sense of unpredictability as she throws a wrench into the loving relationship built up between Georgina and Seth in the first two books, leaving things wide open for the future.

There’s a lot to like about this series, from its mixture of romance and mystery, to the memorable characters and ever-unpredictable plot, and Succubus Dreams has all of those things in ample supply. And as one might expect from a series starring a (reluctant) succubus, there are some pretty steamy points as well, when Georgina’s forced to turn on the “charm,” either for work or for more private reasons. Mead manages to keep it sexy and hot without letting it slide into sleazy, which is always a risk when you’re dealing with soul-sucking Hellspawn.

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Street Magic, by Caitlin Kittredge (St. Martins, 2009)

Jul 26

Posted by Michael M. Jones in Divine/Infernal Beings, Urban Fantasy, Wizards, Mages and Spellcasters | No Comments

When she was sixteen, Pete Caldecott watched a man die, killed by the spirit she helped him summon. Twelve years later, still haunted by that disastrous night, she’s become a Detective Inspector with the London police. Caught up in the job, dealing with the fallout from a failed relationship, and on the trail of a kidnapped girl, Pete’s thrown for a loop when her latest informant turns out to be Jack Winter, the man whose death changed her life forever. Very much alive, angry with her for unspecified reasons, and strung out on heroin, Jack Winter is far from the man she knew, and their reunion is as acrimonious as it is unexpected. But they need one another, a fact which becomes clear after they find the first kidnapped child, only for several more to go missing. Someone’s stealing children and draining them of their spirits, and only Jack has the answers.

Their unlikely partnership rekindled, Pete and Jack take their searches into the hidden supernatural world of London known as the Black, where mages and sorcerers, fey and monsters dwell. But as Jack kicks the heroin habit, his supernatural abilities and psychic talents reemerge with a passion, threatening to drive him mad and take Pete along for the ride. Worse, powerful people are out to kill Jack for unspecified reasons, and they don’t mind collateral damage. Meanwhile, Pete’s own mysterious talents are coming into play. Can Pete and Jack stop fighting with one another over their shared past, long enough to deal with the larger problems at hand, or will this case end with someone dead for real this time?

Moody, atmospheric, and raw, Street Magic convincingly evokes a hard-edged, punk-spirited London, where trouble lurks around every corner and magic demands a price. There’s a heavy John Constantine (Hellblazer) (as written by Garth Ennis) vibe, infused with some of Gaiman’s Neverwhere and just a dash of Alan Moore for flavor. It’s rough, bleak, emotional and fast-paced, the sort of story which threatens to drag you under. Easily Kittredge’s best work to date, Street Magic doesn’t pull punches in terms of language, violence, or consequences. In a word, it feels real, for all that it’s a dark urban fantasy set in a world where the fey hang out in secret bars, secret sorcerous societies conspire against one another, and spirits linger long past their time. The emotional conflict between Jack and Pete is quite nicely done, as these two old friends don’t hold back while dealing with their various issues.

I loved Street Magic. It’s a hell of a read, and I’ll be eagerly anticipating the future adventures of our unlikely heroes. From what I’ve heard, Kittredge plans to keep putting Jack Winter and Pete Caldecott through the wringer. I expect it’ll be awesome. Kittredge may be American, but she’s put her heart into making this as convincing a Brit-flavored dark urban fantasy as possible, and it shows.

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Speak of the Devil, by Jenna Black (Dell, 2009)

Jul 26

Posted by Michael M. Jones in Divine/Infernal Beings, LGBTQ Interest, Romance, Urban Fantasy | No Comments

Here’s the scoop: exorcist Morgan Kingsley is being sued by a father who blames her for an exorcism that left his son brain-dead. Her license has been suspended, she’s been living out of a suitcase ever since her home was burned down, and the exiled king of the demons is illegally living in her body. Her boyfriend is upset with her for having both trust and secrecy issues, and the only people she can count upon are the people she fears and distrusts the most. It’s clear that someone’s trying to destroy her life, and Morgan’s had enough of that, thank you very much. If she can’t figure out who has it in for her, and why, she’ll be in real trouble … and for once it’s not someone trying to kill her because of Lugh, her unwelcome guest. But with her personal life already in shambles, how much more does Morgan have to lose? Plenty. Here’s hoping she can hold it together long enough to survive.

I’ll be honest. I don’t keep returning to this series – four books and counting – because I like the main character. Morgan’s a self-absorbed, irritating person, the sort who invariably makes life much harder for herself than it needs to be. She constantly alienates and abuses everyone who might be willing and able to help her, drives away her allies, and tosses common sense and self-preservation out the window on a regular basis. It’s hard to imagine how she’s lasted this long. No, I’m here because of the supporting cast, and specifically for Adam and Dominic. It’s pretty damn rare to find such a positive portrayal of a loving, committed homosexual BDSM-practicing couple in any series outside of the erotic section, and their presence more than makes up for Morgan’s shortcomings. While they’re used, at least a little, for titillation (this series does not shy away from erotic moments), they’re also in a functional, sane relationship, one presented as healthy and matter-of-fact, even if some aspects of what they do squicks the main character. I think Adam and Dominic could headline a book of their own, especially since Adam’s a cop hosting a demon and Dominic’s a mortal with a passion for cooking. Another breakout supporting character is Barbara “Barbie” Paget, a private investigator who plays a large part in the events of this book, for good and for bad. Again, she seems like she’d be a great lead at some point.

But what about the plot, you ask. Here I’ve been going on and on about the characters, but the plot? Well, it’s pretty much as described above: someone’s systematically destroying aspects of Morgan’s personal life, including her career and her relationships, and it has almost nothing to do with the overarching plot involving Lugh and his slow struggle to defeat his usurper brother and regain his throne in the Demon Realm. While there’s some small progression in terms of character growth and adding new elements to the mix, there’s not much made towards what I’ve always considered to be the real plot of the series. Maybe I’m missing the larger picture and where this fits in, or maybe it’s more of a plot detour. I guess we’ll see. Meanwhile, throughout the course of this book, Morgan does, what else, everything she can to sabotage her own chances of success, including ditching her allies/bodyguards at every opportunity and shooting herself in the legal foot. It’s frustrating to watch a protagonist go through so much trouble when a touch of patience, understanding, and trust would have saved her the grief.

But you know what? I’ll be here for the next book in the series anyway. Perhaps in morbid fascination, I have to see how this turns out, and of course, I want to see the supporting cast get more time in the sun. They’re what makes this series memorable, as far as I’m concerned. Before I wrap this up, let me reiterate: this is by no means a bad book, or a bad series, for all that I’ve got some major complaints. Black lures me back with each new volume because there’s a lot of potential here, and some solidly enjoyable underpinnings to the series. Speak of the Devil still has plenty going for it, enough to keep fans happy at the very least.

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The Devil’s Due, by Jenna Black (Dell Spectra, 2008)

Jul 26

Posted by Michael M. Jones in Divine/Infernal Beings, Romance, Urban Fantasy | No Comments

The worst thing any exorcist can do is secretly harbor a demon inside of her. Especially an illegally summoned one. Worse still is when said demon is Lugh, exiled king of the demons, and some very powerful forces are looking to find and kill him. Morgan Kingsley has established an uneasy truce with Lugh, though she’s none too pleased nor comfortable with the arrangement, which sees him visiting her in her dreams and occasionally using her body . . . with and without her permission. She’s paid a heavy toll so far, with her life thrown into upheaval and her family torn apart, and as far as she can tell, things are just getting worse.

But a girl has to eat and pay bills, and so Morgan takes on a job. It seems that the son of a prominent Philadelphian couple has gotten himself possessed by a demon. Given that he was, until very recently, quite anti-demon, everything smacks of illegal possession. Morgan looks into things, and quickly finds herself pulled into a nasty, messy situation. Forced to increasingly rely on allies she doesn’t fully trust, pushed far beyond her comfort zones, and knowing that innocent lives are on the line, it’s everything Morgan can do not to bury this case and head for the hills. But not even she can turn her back on missing children, or the few people she calls friends. But what will it cost her this time?

I’m honestly torn when it comes to this series. Three books in, and I’ve got a pretty good feel for how it’s going. I really enjoy it, enough to pick up each new book as it comes out, and I think there’s a great premise and an intriguing storyline running throughout the series. The more we learn about the ways the mortal and demon worlds interact, the secrets of the demons, and the shadowy conspiracies that seem to be playing both sides against the middle, the more I want to see what happens next. I have to wonder who Morgan will end up with ultimately: her human boyfriend, or Lugh, both of whom have an appeal for her, both of whom have interest in her. I’m not sure which I’d prefer, and it’s that ambiguity and uncertainty, in part, that keeps me coming back for more. You can’t call it a romance, for all that there are those undertones.

I love the fact that two of the supporting characters are a rather functional, affectionate, dedicated gay couple. Sure, the one is a demon-possessed cop, the other is a mortal ex-firefighter, and they have some fairly kinky BDSM-flavored fun going on, but hey, they’re still cute together, and quite likeable. Heck, I wouldn’t mind seeing a book told from their point of view.

So what’s my problem? The main character. Morgan Kingsley herself, the point-of-view protagonist. I’ve lost number of the times I want to shake her until she gets over herself. She’s whiny, indecisive, hypocritical, self-absorbed, and downright rude to the people best suited to help her. She’s her own worst enemy, sabotaging plans with her inability to compromise or cope with the situation. Sure, she may be justified for some of it, but it’s hard to remain sympathetic to a character who just won’t budge. The more she drives away potential allies and friends, the more I hope they’ll leave her to her own devices until she gets the wake-up call she needs. And this is three books’ worth of annoyance, here. This series would be so much better if the main character matured and opened her mind a little more. All the ingredients are there: premise, setting, plotline, action, romance, and even some rather spicy moments, but the series hasn’t quite grasped its potential.

As for this particular book, The Devil’s Due? I enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun, and I’m always interested in seeing how the storyline progresses, as we’ve seen some fascinating revelations, and some disturbing implications along the way. However, it felt a little bit like it was a stepping stone towards the next in the series, as though Jenna Black is aiming at something big down the line, and this was just all part of getting there. It’s a good book, but taken on its own merits, not spectacular. It works better when viewed as part of the series as a larger story. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next!

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Dancing on the Head of a Pin, by Thomas Sniegoski (Roc, 2009)

Jul 26

Posted by Michael M. Jones in Divine/Infernal Beings, Private Investigators, Urban Fantasy | No Comments

The recent death of his wife Maddie has left Boston-based P.I. Remy Chandler in an emotional downward spiral, bereft of one of his major connections to the humanity he’s cultivated for millennia. For Remy’s no ordinary gumshoe; once upon a time he was Remiel, a Seraphim of the Heavenly Host, an angel who fought loyally for Heaven until the brutalities of war caused him to reject his duties, hide his nature, and adopt a veneer of humanity. Despite his best efforts to avoid the entanglements and trappings of his previous existence, his old life has a nasty habit of sneaking up on him. Recently, he helped to thwart the Apocalypse, and as a result, dark things are once again stirring at the edges of society.

Take his newest case: Remy’s been hired to track down a batch of weapons which vanished from a private collector’s vault. No ordinary weapons, these are older than mankind and filled with a dark power and purpose. Whoever possesses them could be an unstoppable killer … or use them for an even darker, more unthinkable purpose. All of a sudden, trouble’s crawling out of the woodwork, trouble that smells like Hell. Now Remy has to find the weapons known as the Pitiless, keep them out of the wrong hands, and puzzle out why the enigmatic Nomads, an angelic faction which refused to take sides, might be involved. The answers will take Remy and his allies into the depths of Tartarus itself, where fallen angels reside and Lucifer Morningstar himself is imprisoned. The balance between Heaven and Hell will be irrevocably altered, no matter how Remy handles this one. The only question is, what will it cost him? Even angels can die, under the right circumstances….

With this book, Sniegoski tosses his cards on the table, revealing that he’s working on a much larger scale than the average urban fantasy, and playing for a larger pot than the average noir detective tale. Remy may have started off trying to pull a simple retrieval job, but the events set in motion are centuries in the making, and the consequences are epic in nature. And yet, there’s an intensely human, personal aspect to Remy’s struggle to balance his Seraphim and human natures, his attempts to ground himself with friends and family and a mortal job even as Heaven comes knocking on his door to invite him home. Good thing he has his ever-loyal Labrador Marlowe and his cop friend Mulveville to keep him human when the Heavenly temptations get to be a bit much.

Dancing on the Head of a Pin is a tightly-woven mixture of mystery and dark fantasy, presenting an intriguing vision of a Hell reserved for fallen angels who have yet to earn their parole for good behavior, a place of punishment and imprisonment not for wayward humans, but for Heaven’s unfaithful children. It offers up a complex underground society of rebellious, disaffected, even war-traumatized supernatural beings who’ve fallen a long ways from their original glory. It even offers up a small hint as to what the war cost those who remained loyal; it seems no one escaped unscathed, and some wounds have never healed. A third book in the series is clearly a necessity, given the way things turn out in this one. The more Remy Chandler’s world unfolds, the more I want to see. I want to know his this saga turns out.

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Cape Storm, by Rachel Caine (Roc, 2009)

Jul 26

Posted by Michael M. Jones in Divine/Infernal Beings, Urban Fantasy, Wizards, Mages and Spellcasters | No Comments

There’s a killer storm coming, and it’s headed right for Miami. To lure it away and prevent unimaginable destruction, Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin and her new husband, the djinn David, have amassed a small army of Weather Wardens and allies, and commandeered a cruise liner. Their goal: draw it away from land, and try to take the hurricane apart where no one will be hurt. And then find where the renegade Warden, Bad Bob Biringanine, has holed up with an army of his own, and shut them down for good. No problem, right? Wrong. Major problems. For starters, Joanne’s been infected with a Demon Mark, which is progressively seducing and corrupting her, a process which can only be slowed, not stopped. For another, Bad Bob has access to a substance which utterly destroys djinn. For a third, there are strange, unearthly things hiding on the cruise ship, wearing stolen bodies and waiting for the right moment to strike. And for last, the hurricane refuses to be stopped. When Joanne fails and falls to the dark side, she’ll discover just how bad things can get. What will success cost her and her allies this time, and is it too late? Some wounds never heal….

We’re now eight books into what Caine has described as a nine book storyline, and while Joanne and the others have been through a lot already, this book pushes the limits once again, and alters the status quo in a way that may or may not be recoverable. We’ve seen Joanne die and come back, lose her memory and regain it, become a djinn and return to human, so it’s anyone’s guess as to how these latest changes will stick. It’s interesting all the same to watch the author put her cast through the wringer, even as she invents new and interesting ways to ramp up the tension and the stakes. And believe me, things get pretty intense here.

I doubt many people are going to be leaping on at this point without having read one or more pf the previous releases, but Caine makes it easy to get caught up to speed, providing a quick summary of the major events that have shaped the series thus far. It’s not an ideal jumping-on point, but it’s passable. As for fans who’ve kept up with things all along, they’re bound to be satisfied with this entry. It takes everything we’ve learned to date, and kicks it up a notch. I’m both anxious to see how the series (or at least the overarching plotline) wraps up, and sad to know the end is almost within sight. Cape Storm is another excellent entry in a series that’s been consistently enjoyable all along.

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The Devil You Know, by Jenna Black (Dell Spectra, 2008)

Jul 26

Posted by Michael M. Jones in Divine/Infernal Beings, LGBTQ Interest, Romance, Urban Fantasy | No Comments

Freelance exorcist Morgan Kingsley has demon problems like she never expected. To her immense annoyance, she’s the unwitting host for Lugh, exiled king of the demons, who’s using her as a refuge while a power struggle in the Demon Realms shakes itself out. Luckily, Lugh hasn’t possessed Morgan, body and soul, like most demons do when they take a mortal host. No, he only shows up in her dreams, where he’s both a distraction and an enticement, neither one of which she needs in an increasingly-complicated life. Her brother, Andrew, was possessed until recently by Raphael, Lugh’s brother, but with Raphael returned from whench he came, Andrew’s in a coma with no signs of improvement. Things get worse when Morgan learns that the demon equivalent of a sociopath, The Hunter, has been released on Earth in order to hunt down Morgan, aiming to kill her and destroy Lugh at the same time. The Hunter will stop at nothing to get its target, and Morgan’s friends and family are right in its path, as victims or hosts. Worse still, Morgan’s just learned things about her family and heritage that she never even dreamed possible, things which cast her entire reason for being into a new light. Now Morgan has to defeat The Hunter, confront her parents, protect everyone she cares for, and still make a living, all while keeping anyone from learning about the demon in her subconscious. And no matter how hard she tries, someone’s getting hurt.

The Devil You Know is the sequel to The Devil Inside, continuing the story of a demon-hunting exorcist forced to coexist with the things she hates, fears, and distrusts the most. It’s a strong, fast-moving story filled with plenty of action and character moments. Morgan’s stubborn refusal to change or adapt when it comes to demons does wear thin after a while; I lost count of the number of times she could have made things easier for herself if she extended even a shred of trust, or a kind word, to people clearly trying to help her. Maybe that’s just how the character is, but after a while, it gets repetitive, especially after the multiple learning experiences she ‘enjoys’ as a result. The relationshsips between Morgan and the other characters are interesting, especially with Adam and Dominic, the sado-masochistic gay couple that act both as allies and occasional foils to Morgan’s plans. The two men attract and repel her in turn, mostly because of their willing demon possession (current for Adam, former for Dominic), partly because of Adam’s love of dealing pain to the willing, and it’s fun to watch Morgan struggle with her conflicting attitudes.

All in all, I’d have to say I enjoyed The Devil You Know. This series is fun, with plenty of action – Morgan Kingsley is an asskicking heroine when she cuts loose – and mystery, with bits of romance seeping through at the edges. One might see Morgan and Lugh getting together in some fashion someday, but she’d have to lose a lot of attitude first. Wherever Jenna Black is going with this series, it’s bound to be enjoyable in the end. I’ll be back for the next installment.

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