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Dante Valentine #4
Saint City Sinners
Saint City has always been Dante Valentine's home. It's where she grew up, it's where her dead are buried, and it's where she learned to hunt.
Now, one call from an old friend will bring her back to investigate a murder too close to home for anyone's comfort. But the one person she trusted has just betrayed her.
Sometimes revenge is best served demon-hot...
Now, one call from an old friend will bring her back to investigate a murder too close to home for anyone's comfort. But the one person she trusted has just betrayed her.
Sometimes revenge is best served demon-hot...
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Lilith Saintcrow
122 books4,483 followersLilith Saintcrow was born in New Mexico, bounced around the world as a child, and fell in love with writing stories when she was ten years old. She and her library co-habitate in Vancouver, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
January 7, 2015
OK, so what can I say about this that I have not said about the previous instalments? Not much, I'm afraid. And that's not a good thing.
Pacing is still good (though action scenes are becoming more and more confusing), world building good, plot ok (while I do have some beef with the whole Gabe and Eddie dying sideline as it seemed completely unnecessary and irrelevant, the overall story arch developed nicely here) but it falls flat on its face in the execution. Japh is still an abusive control freak. Dante is still a whining imbecile. And the repetition. Oh holyjesusmarymotherofgod, the constant repetition.
I have actually done a count for this one so, Ms Saintcrow's editor, please take note:
• in fifth place we have the emerald on Dante's cheek which is mentioned 7 times, with emeralds altogether (there are 3 necromances plus Lucifer and Eve all with emeralds on their faces) being mentioned 18 times;
• in fourth place we have a tie between Dante's molecule-drip nail polish and black-diamond flames of a demon's aura with a respectable 8 mentions each;
• in third place, Dante's rings winking, swirling, sizzling, rolling, spitting and sparking 18 times;
• in second place, things glowing green are mentioned 36 times, mainly Japhrimel's eyes which have turned from radioactive green to laser green.
In case you need an illustration, here's one of the first results that Google image search comes up with for "glowing green eyes".
• And finally, in first place, mentioned a mind boggling 76 times, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the mark. It pulses, it twists, it burns, it flares, it heats, crunches and flushes. 76 times. All I can say is if you are using this book for a drinking game, do not go with the word mark unless you want to end up at the hospital with a serious case of alcohol poisoning.
Pacing is still good (though action scenes are becoming more and more confusing), world building good, plot ok (while I do have some beef with the whole Gabe and Eddie dying sideline as it seemed completely unnecessary and irrelevant, the overall story arch developed nicely here) but it falls flat on its face in the execution. Japh is still an abusive control freak. Dante is still a whining imbecile. And the repetition. Oh holyjesusmarymotherofgod, the constant repetition.
I have actually done a count for this one so, Ms Saintcrow's editor, please take note:
• in fifth place we have the emerald on Dante's cheek which is mentioned 7 times, with emeralds altogether (there are 3 necromances plus Lucifer and Eve all with emeralds on their faces) being mentioned 18 times;
• in fourth place we have a tie between Dante's molecule-drip nail polish and black-diamond flames of a demon's aura with a respectable 8 mentions each;
• in third place, Dante's rings winking, swirling, sizzling, rolling, spitting and sparking 18 times;
• in second place, things glowing green are mentioned 36 times, mainly Japhrimel's eyes which have turned from radioactive green to laser green.
In case you need an illustration, here's one of the first results that Google image search comes up with for "glowing green eyes".
• And finally, in first place, mentioned a mind boggling 76 times, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the mark. It pulses, it twists, it burns, it flares, it heats, crunches and flushes. 76 times. All I can say is if you are using this book for a drinking game, do not go with the word mark unless you want to end up at the hospital with a serious case of alcohol poisoning.
August 20, 2018
We've gone from necromancy to body horror to becoming one half of some sort of demon/human hybrid soulmate thingie across these books, with friend or lover or frenemies dying left and right and turning poor Dante into a walking wreck... or a wrecking ball.
In other words, it's a decent UF with all the goodies AND it's as high-tech futuristic as it is fully magical and full of practitioners of all kinds of magical arts AND a full community of Demons pulling strings from hell. You know, like Satan. Or Japh, Dante's soul mate. :) Details.
But this book picks up on a dour note mainly because of the strong-arm tactics of Satan and his need to quash the rebellion brewing because his control over his possible new children is slipping.... or has already slipped.
And now Dante and Japh are on or will soon be on different sides of this little nightmare. Dante is going to save her kin. Japh is just trying to survive, and if he doesn't deliver, both of them are going to die.
Here's a GOOD conflict. Add all the sexual tension, the jerky behavior of a demon who can't or won't understand, and the love between them. Add swords, lasers, vamps, undead magicians, werewolves, gene-spliced and augmented hackers.
And MORE dead friends.
Let's let Dante go all out on a revenge kick. And have to decide whether she will betray all her principles AND her death god Anubis. :)
Pretty cool popcorn fiction by any standard. :) And yes, I'm still having fun. Isn't that the point?
In other words, it's a decent UF with all the goodies AND it's as high-tech futuristic as it is fully magical and full of practitioners of all kinds of magical arts AND a full community of Demons pulling strings from hell. You know, like Satan. Or Japh, Dante's soul mate. :) Details.
But this book picks up on a dour note mainly because of the strong-arm tactics of Satan and his need to quash the rebellion brewing because his control over his possible new children is slipping.... or has already slipped.
And now Dante and Japh are on or will soon be on different sides of this little nightmare. Dante is going to save her kin. Japh is just trying to survive, and if he doesn't deliver, both of them are going to die.
Here's a GOOD conflict. Add all the sexual tension, the jerky behavior of a demon who can't or won't understand, and the love between them. Add swords, lasers, vamps, undead magicians, werewolves, gene-spliced and augmented hackers.
And MORE dead friends.
Let's let Dante go all out on a revenge kick. And have to decide whether she will betray all her principles AND her death god Anubis. :)
Pretty cool popcorn fiction by any standard. :) And yes, I'm still having fun. Isn't that the point?
January 29, 2016
This series is killing me. I'll be glad to get it over with and yet I CAN'T STOP READING *gnaws on kindle*
January 27, 2016
2.5 stars
I greatly enjoyed this series when it started, but the third starting kindling a fire in me against the protagonist. This one simply transformed it into all consuming RAGE.
For, you see, I hate Dante Valentine. She is ridiculously irritating. She's always a jumbled mess - never trusting Japh when he's there but angry if she wakes up and he's gone. She knows about all there is to know about what she is, but keeps running around moaning she doesn’t know enough. She doesn’t trust anyone. She kills with ease, even people who are nice to her. She has little emotion and is incredibly selfish.
I like the stories but I always found the connection she felt with Eve the Androgyne and the story with all that dumb. In this book it interfered even more – SIGH. Dante’s stupidity and dreadful attitude made my rage ignite several times, while other times at least it was a slow simmer so I could enjoy it overall.
There’s not as much action anymore as Dante obsesses and then re-obsesses about her relationship drama and trust issues. Egads.
Also, another dark streak from the author as two friends are killed off for a point not easily digested. I just don’t understand Dante’s instant attraction to these children she’s never met either. Sure, as babies and children we should care about them, but she’s so fast to throw anyone out of her life for the “love” she has for a child she thinks is her (so annoying) and this new child she hasn’t even seen yet and just learned about.
For pros, I loved the Selene stuff, that’s an interesting twist. The author has woven a complex world for the demons but, to me, could have explored necromancy more (her version, not Anita Blakes). She also doesn’t have other supernatural creatures besides psychics and witch type abilities.
The author also ended on an annoying cliffhanger like a tv show, which I find cheating in the way it's done. To me this book was an annoying continuation of the last books’ distrust from Dante, and she even gets worse here.
I greatly enjoyed this series when it started, but the third starting kindling a fire in me against the protagonist. This one simply transformed it into all consuming RAGE.
For, you see, I hate Dante Valentine. She is ridiculously irritating. She's always a jumbled mess - never trusting Japh when he's there but angry if she wakes up and he's gone. She knows about all there is to know about what she is, but keeps running around moaning she doesn’t know enough. She doesn’t trust anyone. She kills with ease, even people who are nice to her. She has little emotion and is incredibly selfish.
I like the stories but I always found the connection she felt with Eve the Androgyne and the story with all that dumb. In this book it interfered even more – SIGH. Dante’s stupidity and dreadful attitude made my rage ignite several times, while other times at least it was a slow simmer so I could enjoy it overall.
There’s not as much action anymore as Dante obsesses and then re-obsesses about her relationship drama and trust issues. Egads.
Also, another dark streak from the author as two friends are killed off for a point not easily digested. I just don’t understand Dante’s instant attraction to these children she’s never met either. Sure, as babies and children we should care about them, but she’s so fast to throw anyone out of her life for the “love” she has for a child she thinks is her (so annoying) and this new child she hasn’t even seen yet and just learned about.
For pros, I loved the Selene stuff, that’s an interesting twist. The author has woven a complex world for the demons but, to me, could have explored necromancy more (her version, not Anita Blakes). She also doesn’t have other supernatural creatures besides psychics and witch type abilities.
The author also ended on an annoying cliffhanger like a tv show, which I find cheating in the way it's done. To me this book was an annoying continuation of the last books’ distrust from Dante, and she even gets worse here.
January 29, 2010
First I say that I reserve to change my rating after I finish the next book. I feel like if a book ends with too be continued that it should be viewed as only part of the whole.
This 4th book in the Dante Valentine Series is an almost constant stream of contradictions. It starts almost immediately after the last book and continues that pattern of repetitious and irrational thoughts by our heroine.
****I apologize, but I don't feel like I can complete the review of this book without spoilers. You have been warned, read at your own risk.***
This book starts by repeating the last few pages of the previous book, verbatim. We find Dante still questioning Japh, and trying to justify all the reasons she can't trust him, while she has done and continues to do many of the things she dislikes about him. Actually as this book continues and she holds back secrets and threatens people it becomes almost laughable that she continues to find fault in Japh's actions.
She once again proves at least to me that the ghost of Jace is still alive and well and coming between her and Japh. She also proves to exhibit piss poor judgment in terms of whom she trusts and why. She seems to be putting a stupid amount of faith in Eve, because she reminds her of Doreen. (Another ghost who continues to haunt her relationship and cloud her judgment.) However she seems to forget that despite the fact that this girl looks like Eve she is also the daughter of the devil. But she believes her lies, even after watching Eve with Japh through Japh's eyes, she still manages to make him out to be the bad guy in the wrong. She also believes that Eve is partially her daughter as well. Something she hasn't told Japh, and example of her holding things back.
Of course in the next heartbeat she keeps thinking she is just needs his help, wants his comfort, wants his opinion. Then she can't wait to break up with him. The she misses him. Then she is cursing his name and whining about how he betrayed her. You get the idea, it's like being in the head of a crazy person.
She also seems to be unable to read subtle cues when it comes to him. Actually he's like a blind spot. Or maybe just like someone that brings out the most paranoid mistrustful side of her. She continues to hold on to all her past relationships. She also continues to get upset because he isn't acting human. Of course, he's not human, he's a demon, and she's always known that. She also happens to be part demon, yet she continues to repeat the phrase that she is "still human where it counts." She's not. Honestly unless something major changes in the last book, I really want them not to end up together.
The plot of this book manages to kill off Gabe and Eddie, 2 characters we met in the beginning of the this series. We find out that they have gotten married and had a child without telling Dante. Their murders are unsatisfactory at best. More than not want to see characters you like killed off, they were so uneventful. It is almost like by killing all the humans in her life, the author is trying to either isolate her so she eventually has to trust Japh, or just so she has no more links to her human life that will effect the time line. Gabe reaches out to Dante after Eddie's murder so we were even cheated of one last scene with him. At this meeting Dante admits to lying about Japh's being alive only to find out her friend knew. Another example of how it's okay to lie to people as long as she's the one lying.
Also in a bizarre turn her god asks her to spare the life of the woman who orchestrated Gabe and Eddie's murders. That might not have been weird, but the way it was set up, a 2 big scenes in the last book, you were expecting it to be something much larger. This choice she would have to make. Something that involved people we cared about. This women, we didn't know her all we knew is that she killed characters we knew and liked. I'm hoping she plays some major part in the last book.
There's also some story about a key and whomever holds the key will be very important to the devil. I wonder who else has realized that Dante is this key. Because if I'm not mistaken, she is and Japh knows and is doing his best to protect her, despite the fact that she is fighting him at every turn.
Overall, I found myself angry to the pint of shaking at this book, and yelling at the stupidity of Dante. Honestly I probably would have stopped reading after the 3rd book, had I not purchased the entire series based on my liking of the first book. Now, I just have to finish so I can find out there is some satisfactory resolution to this story and hope that some of the useless things I have read become important.
This 4th book in the Dante Valentine Series is an almost constant stream of contradictions. It starts almost immediately after the last book and continues that pattern of repetitious and irrational thoughts by our heroine.
****I apologize, but I don't feel like I can complete the review of this book without spoilers. You have been warned, read at your own risk.***
This book starts by repeating the last few pages of the previous book, verbatim. We find Dante still questioning Japh, and trying to justify all the reasons she can't trust him, while she has done and continues to do many of the things she dislikes about him. Actually as this book continues and she holds back secrets and threatens people it becomes almost laughable that she continues to find fault in Japh's actions.
She once again proves at least to me that the ghost of Jace is still alive and well and coming between her and Japh. She also proves to exhibit piss poor judgment in terms of whom she trusts and why. She seems to be putting a stupid amount of faith in Eve, because she reminds her of Doreen. (Another ghost who continues to haunt her relationship and cloud her judgment.) However she seems to forget that despite the fact that this girl looks like Eve she is also the daughter of the devil. But she believes her lies, even after watching Eve with Japh through Japh's eyes, she still manages to make him out to be the bad guy in the wrong. She also believes that Eve is partially her daughter as well. Something she hasn't told Japh, and example of her holding things back.
Of course in the next heartbeat she keeps thinking she is just needs his help, wants his comfort, wants his opinion. Then she can't wait to break up with him. The she misses him. Then she is cursing his name and whining about how he betrayed her. You get the idea, it's like being in the head of a crazy person.
She also seems to be unable to read subtle cues when it comes to him. Actually he's like a blind spot. Or maybe just like someone that brings out the most paranoid mistrustful side of her. She continues to hold on to all her past relationships. She also continues to get upset because he isn't acting human. Of course, he's not human, he's a demon, and she's always known that. She also happens to be part demon, yet she continues to repeat the phrase that she is "still human where it counts." She's not. Honestly unless something major changes in the last book, I really want them not to end up together.
The plot of this book manages to kill off Gabe and Eddie, 2 characters we met in the beginning of the this series. We find out that they have gotten married and had a child without telling Dante. Their murders are unsatisfactory at best. More than not want to see characters you like killed off, they were so uneventful. It is almost like by killing all the humans in her life, the author is trying to either isolate her so she eventually has to trust Japh, or just so she has no more links to her human life that will effect the time line. Gabe reaches out to Dante after Eddie's murder so we were even cheated of one last scene with him. At this meeting Dante admits to lying about Japh's being alive only to find out her friend knew. Another example of how it's okay to lie to people as long as she's the one lying.
Also in a bizarre turn her god asks her to spare the life of the woman who orchestrated Gabe and Eddie's murders. That might not have been weird, but the way it was set up, a 2 big scenes in the last book, you were expecting it to be something much larger. This choice she would have to make. Something that involved people we cared about. This women, we didn't know her all we knew is that she killed characters we knew and liked. I'm hoping she plays some major part in the last book.
There's also some story about a key and whomever holds the key will be very important to the devil. I wonder who else has realized that Dante is this key. Because if I'm not mistaken, she is and Japh knows and is doing his best to protect her, despite the fact that she is fighting him at every turn.
Overall, I found myself angry to the pint of shaking at this book, and yelling at the stupidity of Dante. Honestly I probably would have stopped reading after the 3rd book, had I not purchased the entire series based on my liking of the first book. Now, I just have to finish so I can find out there is some satisfactory resolution to this story and hope that some of the useless things I have read become important.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2015
Japhrimel and Dante have gone to Cairo Giza after having defeated Lucifer with the help of Lucas Villalobos. During their stay Dante gets an urgent message by her friend Gabe she can´t ignore. Gabe´s husband Eddie has been murdered and Gabe wants Danny´s help to revenge his death. Japh isn´t happy in the least about it he knows about Danny´s promise to the Devil to hunt the escaped demons. But Danny isnt´t inclined to keep her promise and is determined to protect Eve at all costs even against Japh...
After having read the first 100 pages or so I alreday was very frustrated about Danny´s behaviour... sigh! See acts like a brat throughout the book, even knows it herself but that doesn´t stop her. Her relationship with Japh is strained to the breaking point, she complains most of the time not being the one in charge and only being pushed around, that everybody is lying to her (but she isn´t very truthful herself and does the same) and I really wasn´t sure anymore if I could finish reading this book. The only thing that kept me going on was my own curiosity how the story would unfold and if Danny could control her developing demon powers and her rage that came with her altered state. Japh´s task to keep her safe gets more and more difficult for him and his secrecy about his knowledge what´s going on isn´t doing any good to his and Danny´s relationship. Dante is obsessed with Eve to a degree I couldn´t follow her anymore she´s very single-minded in her stubbornness and the thought that maybe things aren´t always as they seem to be doesn´t even occur to her...
Website of the author: http://www.lilithsaintcrow.com/journal/
After having read the first 100 pages or so I alreday was very frustrated about Danny´s behaviour... sigh! See acts like a brat throughout the book, even knows it herself but that doesn´t stop her. Her relationship with Japh is strained to the breaking point, she complains most of the time not being the one in charge and only being pushed around, that everybody is lying to her (but she isn´t very truthful herself and does the same) and I really wasn´t sure anymore if I could finish reading this book. The only thing that kept me going on was my own curiosity how the story would unfold and if Danny could control her developing demon powers and her rage that came with her altered state. Japh´s task to keep her safe gets more and more difficult for him and his secrecy about his knowledge what´s going on isn´t doing any good to his and Danny´s relationship. Dante is obsessed with Eve to a degree I couldn´t follow her anymore she´s very single-minded in her stubbornness and the thought that maybe things aren´t always as they seem to be doesn´t even occur to her...
Website of the author: http://www.lilithsaintcrow.com/journal/
May 14, 2016
This is torture - sorry Dante Valentine, I'm rooting for someone to kill you and put you (and us) out of our collective misery. I can't take this series anymore and fell like I overpaid at .50 for each of these used books.
February 27, 2023
The GraphicAudio recording is excellent
You can always count on GA recordings to be outstanding. Unfortunately, the story itself is extremely depressing. Throughout this entire series, there is not a single moment of alleviation of the constant gloom. Dante's entire life, from earliest childhood until her present age of 35, seems to have been an endless stream of abuse, abandonment, and alienation. Her behavior in every book so far, and it doesn't look like Book 5 is going to be any different, is presented as a constant rotation between rage, despair and violence. Dante's entanglement with the demon, Japh, who has been the devil Lucifer's right-hand man and personal assassin for millennia, is the strangest romance plot I've ever read. It is never made clear how or why Dante and her demon fell in love in the first place in the first book of this series. They just suddenly are declared by the author to be in love. In this particular book, Dante spends over half the time she's on stage with Japh bitterly fighting with him and declaring she hates him. But when she's away from his side, she decides she still loves him and misses him and needs him. It's a very neurotic pairing.
This whole series is like one big novel, because each of the books, except the final one, ends on a cliffhanger.
Audio performance: 5 stars
Story: 2 stars
Average: 3 stars
You can always count on GA recordings to be outstanding. Unfortunately, the story itself is extremely depressing. Throughout this entire series, there is not a single moment of alleviation of the constant gloom. Dante's entire life, from earliest childhood until her present age of 35, seems to have been an endless stream of abuse, abandonment, and alienation. Her behavior in every book so far, and it doesn't look like Book 5 is going to be any different, is presented as a constant rotation between rage, despair and violence. Dante's entanglement with the demon, Japh, who has been the devil Lucifer's right-hand man and personal assassin for millennia, is the strangest romance plot I've ever read. It is never made clear how or why Dante and her demon fell in love in the first place in the first book of this series. They just suddenly are declared by the author to be in love. In this particular book, Dante spends over half the time she's on stage with Japh bitterly fighting with him and declaring she hates him. But when she's away from his side, she decides she still loves him and misses him and needs him. It's a very neurotic pairing.
This whole series is like one big novel, because each of the books, except the final one, ends on a cliffhanger.
Audio performance: 5 stars
Story: 2 stars
Average: 3 stars
December 26, 2013
This book is just one gigantic exercise in annoyance and frustration. I had no idea I could get sooooooo annoyed with the main character and continue to read the series.
Dante Valentine is the most close minded, easily manipulated, dense, selfish, annoying character ever! Why does she trust Eve? Why does she distrust Japh? Why does she believe anything Eve says but disbelieves anything Japh says??? Oh Japh is a demon that's right, but lets all just conveniently forget the fact that Eve has been raised by the Devil the last few years. I'm sure she is still a total fucking angel you DENSE IDIOT DANTE. ARGH!!!!!!
Yes, Japh hides things, keeps information to himself, and asks for trust. Eve tells Dante all sorts of things yet Dante never questions to motives or even the facts themselves.
Whatever - live in your own world Danny. FINE.
Japh deserves better. And so do the readers.
Plus lets just talk about the fact that the few likeable characters beyond Japh is Eddie and Gabe and what happens to them??? THEY DIE. OFF SCREEN. What a fucking disservice to two awesome characters who got way to little screentime considering their loyalty to Dante and her issues. I totally liked them, and Dante claimed to love them but completely ignored them and dropped them from her life. So when she went crazy over their deaths I just couldn't really buy it.
All in all this series started out with the most awesome first book ever but has been steadily declining since then. I will finish the series, mostly because of Japh, but Dante is going on my list of most dumb main characters ever.
Dante Valentine is the most close minded, easily manipulated, dense, selfish, annoying character ever! Why does she trust Eve? Why does she distrust Japh? Why does she believe anything Eve says but disbelieves anything Japh says??? Oh Japh is a demon that's right, but lets all just conveniently forget the fact that Eve has been raised by the Devil the last few years. I'm sure she is still a total fucking angel you DENSE IDIOT DANTE. ARGH!!!!!!
Yes, Japh hides things, keeps information to himself, and asks for trust. Eve tells Dante all sorts of things yet Dante never questions to motives or even the facts themselves.
Whatever - live in your own world Danny. FINE.
Japh deserves better. And so do the readers.
Plus lets just talk about the fact that the few likeable characters beyond Japh is Eddie and Gabe and what happens to them??? THEY DIE. OFF SCREEN. What a fucking disservice to two awesome characters who got way to little screentime considering their loyalty to Dante and her issues. I totally liked them, and Dante claimed to love them but completely ignored them and dropped them from her life. So when she went crazy over their deaths I just couldn't really buy it.
All in all this series started out with the most awesome first book ever but has been steadily declining since then. I will finish the series, mostly because of Japh, but Dante is going on my list of most dumb main characters ever.
December 4, 2016
Fourth in the Dante Valentine fantasy series, Saint City Sinners continues with the demon hunt to which Japh and Dante have agreed although it takes second place to the disaster which has struck Eddie and Gabe.
My Take
I’m hoping she profits by this insight as she’s driving me mad with her stopping in the middle of a disaster and demanding explanations. Jesus, even I know you get to a safe place first and then ask! Then there’s the fact that she has to have it confirmed from an outside source that "yes, Japhimeral will die if she dies". Japh has been telling her this since Dead Man Rising , 2. Gee, I wonder what else that Japh has been telling her is true — that he loves her, that he is only happy when he knows she’s safe, that…gimme a break!
The Story
Flying back to Santiago City, Dante promises to find Eddie’s killer and protect their daughter if something should happen to Gabe. Between the hunt for Eddie’s killer, avoiding the hell-escaped demons and their hellhounds, and staying under Japh’s radar, Dante finds herself questioning her new perspective on humans and gains insight as to how she appears to Japh.
My Take
I’m hoping she profits by this insight as she’s driving me mad with her stopping in the middle of a disaster and demanding explanations. Jesus, even I know you get to a safe place first and then ask! Then there’s the fact that she has to have it confirmed from an outside source that "yes, Japhimeral will die if she dies". Japh has been telling her this since Dead Man Rising , 2. Gee, I wonder what else that Japh has been telling her is true — that he loves her, that he is only happy when he knows she’s safe, that…gimme a break!
The Story
Flying back to Santiago City, Dante promises to find Eddie’s killer and protect their daughter if something should happen to Gabe. Between the hunt for Eddie’s killer, avoiding the hell-escaped demons and their hellhounds, and staying under Japh’s radar, Dante finds herself questioning her new perspective on humans and gains insight as to how she appears to Japh.
July 2, 2024
I think I'm in a love-hate relationship with this series.
It is well-written with good action and world-building. This one does suffer a bit of a dip in the middle. However...some of the same issues that I had with the last book continue here, especially the frustrations I have with both control freak Japh and the angst-ridden Dante. Danny will not trust Japh and pushes him away...then freaks out when she wakes and he's gone. She obsesses over everything - her relationships, her trust issues, what does being hediara mean. It is annoying. And yet. I feel like I need to finish this series. What you cannot escape, you must fight; what you cannot fight, you must endure. As with Danny's motto, I too endure and will soon read To Hell and Back. Perhaps all will be clear in the final book.
Quote I liked:
There is nothing, on this earth or in Hell, that will keep me from you.
It is well-written with good action and world-building. This one does suffer a bit of a dip in the middle. However...some of the same issues that I had with the last book continue here, especially the frustrations I have with both control freak Japh and the angst-ridden Dante. Danny will not trust Japh and pushes him away...then freaks out when she wakes and he's gone. She obsesses over everything - her relationships, her trust issues, what does being hediara mean. It is annoying. And yet. I feel like I need to finish this series. What you cannot escape, you must fight; what you cannot fight, you must endure. As with Danny's motto, I too endure and will soon read To Hell and Back. Perhaps all will be clear in the final book.
Quote I liked:
There is nothing, on this earth or in Hell, that will keep me from you.
August 26, 2024
3.5 stars
Sometimes... Ok, most of the time, Dante makes choices that makes me just want to shake her.
Sometimes... Ok, most of the time, Dante makes choices that makes me just want to shake her.
December 14, 2021
True bada** ! :D
October 11, 2017
http://delivreenlivres.blogspot.fr/20...
J'ai passé un bon moment même si j'avoue que c'est le tome que j'ai le moins aimé depuis le début de cette série.
Ce tome se focalise sur une enquête sur un meurtre, une nouvelle mission pour Danny. Et c'est la partie que j'ai préféré. Malheureusement je l'ai trouvée un peu diluée au milieu du reste. En effet Danny commence à penser que Japhimel l'a trahi car il a son propre agenda.
En fait tout vient du fait que je n'ai pas compris les états d'esprit de Danny. Elle se monte totalement la tête pour ce qui est pour moi des broutilles et se faisant gâche totalement une relations solide en mettant en danger tout le monde par la même occasion.
Comme je l'avais déjà remarqué dans le tome précédent elle ne supporte pas d'être mise sur le coté, et si ça arrive (comme ici) elle imagine tout de suite le pire. Elle se voile encore totalement la face et je trouve ça hyper dommage.
Ok je suis d'accord que pour Eve Japh n'est pas forcement dans la bonne voie, mais est-ce que ça méritait une réaction aussi totale? Je ne pense pas. Surtout qu'on a l'impression d'avoir des pages et des pages de questionnements qui mènent à des remises en cause qui me paraissaient de plus en plus insensées car elle sont de plus en plus excessives.
Bref je donne l'impression que c'est la seule chose que j'ai retenu vu que j'insiste dessus depuis 2 tomes mais en fait pas du tout. C'est juste que ça me titille alors je ne peux pas m’empêcher d'en parler même si tout le reste m'a bien plu. Et je voulais vraiment insister la dessus vu les commentaires que j'ai eu lors de la critique du précédent.
Au final si on n'est pas gêné par ces passages la ça reste de la bon urban fantasy avec une bonne enquête palpitante, mais malheureusement ça n'a pas été mon cas, dommage.
15/20
J'ai passé un bon moment même si j'avoue que c'est le tome que j'ai le moins aimé depuis le début de cette série.
Ce tome se focalise sur une enquête sur un meurtre, une nouvelle mission pour Danny. Et c'est la partie que j'ai préféré. Malheureusement je l'ai trouvée un peu diluée au milieu du reste. En effet Danny commence à penser que Japhimel l'a trahi car il a son propre agenda.
En fait tout vient du fait que je n'ai pas compris les états d'esprit de Danny. Elle se monte totalement la tête pour ce qui est pour moi des broutilles et se faisant gâche totalement une relations solide en mettant en danger tout le monde par la même occasion.
Comme je l'avais déjà remarqué dans le tome précédent elle ne supporte pas d'être mise sur le coté, et si ça arrive (comme ici) elle imagine tout de suite le pire. Elle se voile encore totalement la face et je trouve ça hyper dommage.
Ok je suis d'accord que pour Eve Japh n'est pas forcement dans la bonne voie, mais est-ce que ça méritait une réaction aussi totale? Je ne pense pas. Surtout qu'on a l'impression d'avoir des pages et des pages de questionnements qui mènent à des remises en cause qui me paraissaient de plus en plus insensées car elle sont de plus en plus excessives.
Bref je donne l'impression que c'est la seule chose que j'ai retenu vu que j'insiste dessus depuis 2 tomes mais en fait pas du tout. C'est juste que ça me titille alors je ne peux pas m’empêcher d'en parler même si tout le reste m'a bien plu. Et je voulais vraiment insister la dessus vu les commentaires que j'ai eu lors de la critique du précédent.
Au final si on n'est pas gêné par ces passages la ça reste de la bon urban fantasy avec une bonne enquête palpitante, mais malheureusement ça n'a pas été mon cas, dommage.
15/20
September 3, 2009
I must say I can't seem to be able to read this series anymore unless I don't have anything else to do. However, that could be just me and plotwise it's really quite original and certainly interesting.
To be honest there's 2 things I dislike about most of this series.
1. The relationship between 2 main characters is soo like 14382907 other fantasy romance books that it makes me sick. I'm not going to elaborate further. Read some vampire fantasy / romance stuff that has "handsome, powerful, manly looking vampire lord ( lol )" in it's description and you'll get what I mean ( ok it's not THAT bad, but close ).
2. The female lead who is pissing me off with her constant issues and blaming the demon guy for everything.
If you can live with these 2 things then otherwise it's a good book / series. The story is nice and not like so many others. Considering that I've browsed through the final volume I can say that it's all nicely concluded and the whole series fits perfectly into 5 volumes.
What can I say? Don't be too interested in the 2 main characters and you'll have a rather enjoyable book to read.
To be honest there's 2 things I dislike about most of this series.
1. The relationship between 2 main characters is soo like 14382907 other fantasy romance books that it makes me sick. I'm not going to elaborate further. Read some vampire fantasy / romance stuff that has "handsome, powerful, manly looking vampire lord ( lol )" in it's description and you'll get what I mean ( ok it's not THAT bad, but close ).
2. The female lead who is pissing me off with her constant issues and blaming the demon guy for everything.
If you can live with these 2 things then otherwise it's a good book / series. The story is nice and not like so many others. Considering that I've browsed through the final volume I can say that it's all nicely concluded and the whole series fits perfectly into 5 volumes.
What can I say? Don't be too interested in the 2 main characters and you'll have a rather enjoyable book to read.
January 2, 2010
I keep hoping this series will deliver on the promise of the first book but so far no luck.
I was pissed that Eddie and Gabe were killed off. I liked both characters, I think I may have even liked them more than Dante and Japh. Besides, killing them off isolated Dante even more so the only person she has extended contact with now is Japh and some of the hired help. Which, of course, gives him further control over her. And so many of their problems could be avoided if they'd just talk to each other.
Plus, I don't really care about the Chill epidemic or Eve.
I was pissed that Eddie and Gabe were killed off. I liked both characters, I think I may have even liked them more than Dante and Japh. Besides, killing them off isolated Dante even more so the only person she has extended contact with now is Japh and some of the hired help. Which, of course, gives him further control over her. And so many of their problems could be avoided if they'd just talk to each other.
Plus, I don't really care about the Chill epidemic or Eve.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2008
Loved it, this and book 5 were my Thanksgiving :)
October 19, 2020
Saint City Sinners is the fourth and penultimate book in Dante Valentine series written by Lilith Saintcrow. It centers on Dante Valentine, a necromancer, set in a world five hundred years in the future.
Dante Valentine reunites with a resurrected Japhrimel and accepting another bounty hunting job for the devil, but things goes awry, when Dante gets an emergency message from Gabe – her best friend. While Japhrimel is not happy about giving up the demon hunt, he evidentially agrees to help out Gabe and all Hell breaks loose – literally.
Saint City Sinners is written rather well. The narrative brings back the tough, decisive, independent protagonist from earlier installments. Dante spends much of her time independent of Japhrimel and finally begins to learn something about her demon nature. However, Dante spends most of the earlier whining and complaining about the state of her relationship, which was a tad grinding at times.
All in all, Saint City Sinners is written rather well and is a good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series, which I plan to continue in the very near future.
Dante Valentine reunites with a resurrected Japhrimel and accepting another bounty hunting job for the devil, but things goes awry, when Dante gets an emergency message from Gabe – her best friend. While Japhrimel is not happy about giving up the demon hunt, he evidentially agrees to help out Gabe and all Hell breaks loose – literally.
Saint City Sinners is written rather well. The narrative brings back the tough, decisive, independent protagonist from earlier installments. Dante spends much of her time independent of Japhrimel and finally begins to learn something about her demon nature. However, Dante spends most of the earlier whining and complaining about the state of her relationship, which was a tad grinding at times.
All in all, Saint City Sinners is written rather well and is a good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series, which I plan to continue in the very near future.
Shelved as 'abandonados'
August 26, 2019Solo he tenido que leer el principio para recordar porqué dejé esta saga. Lo siento pero no puedo.
Adiós
Adiós
January 5, 2011
Dante (Danny) Valentine, hedaira (human woman who has been given demon strength), psion, necromancer and bounty hunter returns to Saint City after her best friend Gabe contacts her and asks for her help.
Of course, she can't go anywhere without Tierce Japhrimel, Fallen, and Eldest attempting to strangle her, putting her to sleep against her will, or dragging her anywhere HE wants to go and then refusing to tell her what exactly he did to Dante when he injected his powers into her.
This series, to me, got off to an interesting start with both Working For The Devil and Dead Man Rising, setting a fast and furious pace as Dante fought her way through a brutal futuristic world, losing friends and lovers along the way.
Since then, we've had to put up with a whiney annoying Dante Valentine who has been dragged into hunting down demons who are trying to rebel against Lucifer. She was forced into being the Devils Right Hand in the last book and is chasing these demons all over the world. She was also given a contract that she is Lucifer's for 7 years.
Gone is Dante the hunter replaced by Dante the whiner as she whines and obsesses about her relationship with Japh. I was truly hoping that by this being the 4th book in the series, she would have gotten over her hissy fits and moved on, or joined Eve in the rebellion against Lucifer and told Japh to get bent.
I truly hate Tierce Japhrimel and have done so since the last book. It's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it. I also don't trust Lucas Villalobos or Leander. Japhrimel hides things from her, insisting that it's for her own protection.
Another complaint I have: How many times must we read about Dante's black demon enhanced nail polish, or her scar on her shoulder that links her to Japh or the fact that she has no clue what Hedaira is?
This time around, instead of obsessing over Japh and the way he treats her, we now have Dante feeling sorry for herself because she didn't stay in contact with Eddie and Gabe who both are shown the way out of the series by being killed off. We also find out that Eddie and Gabe now have a daughter, who Dante is now sworn to protect as well as raise now that they are dead. They were also married during the time that Dante was away from Saint City; her own choice.
Dante and Japh's so called relationship, goes up in flames as Dante takes sides with Eve and her rebellion against Lucifer. It's too bad there wasn't more Eve and Dante, rather than Japh. Eve is a much more interesing character. Also, in my opinion, and not just because Eve may or may not be Dante's part daughter.
One interesting part, Selena, the vampire consort to the master vampire, gives her a book that is supposed to tell her what exactly she is. Some say she is a human bride, or courtesan. Others call her a demonling.
Jace, remains in the storyline. He shows up in her dreams, or when she has been beaten down. He continually supports her and tells her that he is still with her. Can I say that I really miss Jace no matter what is supposingly did in the past?
Of course, we have a conclusion that raises eyebrows and therefore demands that you finish reading the series; To Hell and Back.
I have nothing but respect for Ms Saint Crow as a writer. Her world building is amazing and the characters like Dante and Jill Kismet, are pretty interesting as well as far from perfect that you can imagine.
Of course, she can't go anywhere without Tierce Japhrimel, Fallen, and Eldest attempting to strangle her, putting her to sleep against her will, or dragging her anywhere HE wants to go and then refusing to tell her what exactly he did to Dante when he injected his powers into her.
This series, to me, got off to an interesting start with both Working For The Devil and Dead Man Rising, setting a fast and furious pace as Dante fought her way through a brutal futuristic world, losing friends and lovers along the way.
Since then, we've had to put up with a whiney annoying Dante Valentine who has been dragged into hunting down demons who are trying to rebel against Lucifer. She was forced into being the Devils Right Hand in the last book and is chasing these demons all over the world. She was also given a contract that she is Lucifer's for 7 years.
Gone is Dante the hunter replaced by Dante the whiner as she whines and obsesses about her relationship with Japh. I was truly hoping that by this being the 4th book in the series, she would have gotten over her hissy fits and moved on, or joined Eve in the rebellion against Lucifer and told Japh to get bent.
I truly hate Tierce Japhrimel and have done so since the last book. It's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it. I also don't trust Lucas Villalobos or Leander. Japhrimel hides things from her, insisting that it's for her own protection.
Another complaint I have: How many times must we read about Dante's black demon enhanced nail polish, or her scar on her shoulder that links her to Japh or the fact that she has no clue what Hedaira is?
This time around, instead of obsessing over Japh and the way he treats her, we now have Dante feeling sorry for herself because she didn't stay in contact with Eddie and Gabe who both are shown the way out of the series by being killed off. We also find out that Eddie and Gabe now have a daughter, who Dante is now sworn to protect as well as raise now that they are dead. They were also married during the time that Dante was away from Saint City; her own choice.
Dante and Japh's so called relationship, goes up in flames as Dante takes sides with Eve and her rebellion against Lucifer. It's too bad there wasn't more Eve and Dante, rather than Japh. Eve is a much more interesing character. Also, in my opinion, and not just because Eve may or may not be Dante's part daughter.
One interesting part, Selena, the vampire consort to the master vampire, gives her a book that is supposed to tell her what exactly she is. Some say she is a human bride, or courtesan. Others call her a demonling.
Jace, remains in the storyline. He shows up in her dreams, or when she has been beaten down. He continually supports her and tells her that he is still with her. Can I say that I really miss Jace no matter what is supposingly did in the past?
Of course, we have a conclusion that raises eyebrows and therefore demands that you finish reading the series; To Hell and Back.
I have nothing but respect for Ms Saint Crow as a writer. Her world building is amazing and the characters like Dante and Jill Kismet, are pretty interesting as well as far from perfect that you can imagine.
September 4, 2008
Better than the previous book in the series in that there is not as much navel-gazing. There is still too much of it, and it is beginning to be frustrating.
I expect that a character should grow throughout a series but Dante Valentine is becoming neither stronger nor more sensitive.
I really don't think that it would hurt the plot for the two main characters to actually tell one another what's going on occasionally. Is it that much harder to write an exciting novel without so much angst?
I like the two newish characters that are getting more page time, Lucas and Leander.
Book 5, To Hell and Back, is sitting on my bookshelf. I think I'll let it sit for a short while before revisiting Saint City. I'm afraid that reading one more "I hate it when a demon shrugs" or "I'm still not used to my new-found speed/strength/whatever" will cause me to throw the book down in disgust. Valentine has had THREE books that span over three years story time to get used to shrugs and speed. Get over it or at least quit commenting on it. We get it, already.
Should you read this series? Absolutely. Just leave a couple of weeks or months between installments. Reading them back-to-back really enhances their flaws.
I expect that a character should grow throughout a series but Dante Valentine is becoming neither stronger nor more sensitive.
I really don't think that it would hurt the plot for the two main characters to actually tell one another what's going on occasionally. Is it that much harder to write an exciting novel without so much angst?
I like the two newish characters that are getting more page time, Lucas and Leander.
Book 5, To Hell and Back, is sitting on my bookshelf. I think I'll let it sit for a short while before revisiting Saint City. I'm afraid that reading one more "I hate it when a demon shrugs" or "I'm still not used to my new-found speed/strength/whatever" will cause me to throw the book down in disgust. Valentine has had THREE books that span over three years story time to get used to shrugs and speed. Get over it or at least quit commenting on it. We get it, already.
Should you read this series? Absolutely. Just leave a couple of weeks or months between installments. Reading them back-to-back really enhances their flaws.
December 30, 2010
This is the fourth book in the Dante Valentine series by Lilith Saintcrow. I think it was back on par with the first book of the series, I really enjoyed it.
Japh and Dante (Danny) are in Egypt when Dante gets a message from Gabe. Gabe needs her help...now. Japh is not happy about giving up the demon hunt to help Gabe but agrees to do so. Dante begs Japh not to hunt down Eve while she is working on Gabe's case. As usual all hell (literally) breaks loose.
This book gave us back our tough, decisive, independent Danny from the first book. She spends much of her time independent of Japh and finally begins to learn something about her demon nature. I thought it was awesome that she gained power because of Japh gaining power. I really like Lucas as a character. Japh's underlings are all very interesting too. A lot happens in this book and it was fun to read.
Although, once again, this book leaves you right in the middle of things. It must have been torture for everyone to wait for the last book to be released. Luckily I already have it on hand and have started reading it.
This book seems to be even darker than the previous ones; but still a fast and fun read. I am looking forward to seeing how all of this gets wrapped up!
Japh and Dante (Danny) are in Egypt when Dante gets a message from Gabe. Gabe needs her help...now. Japh is not happy about giving up the demon hunt to help Gabe but agrees to do so. Dante begs Japh not to hunt down Eve while she is working on Gabe's case. As usual all hell (literally) breaks loose.
This book gave us back our tough, decisive, independent Danny from the first book. She spends much of her time independent of Japh and finally begins to learn something about her demon nature. I thought it was awesome that she gained power because of Japh gaining power. I really like Lucas as a character. Japh's underlings are all very interesting too. A lot happens in this book and it was fun to read.
Although, once again, this book leaves you right in the middle of things. It must have been torture for everyone to wait for the last book to be released. Luckily I already have it on hand and have started reading it.
This book seems to be even darker than the previous ones; but still a fast and fun read. I am looking forward to seeing how all of this gets wrapped up!
September 13, 2008
The fourth of the Dante Valentine series. Dante is a Necromance turned part-demon, and in this novel she is called home by her best friend to help solve a murder. This book was strange, like an episode (or season) of a TV series where they throw something different at you for a while, but you really just want to get back to the main story. Kind of frustrating. Like this whole series is, really.
I don't know why, but I just want to kick the main character's ass. She is so whiny and victim-like one minute, and then completely uber-tough, wrong-minded and action-oriented the next. Her relationship with her demon mate, Japhrimel, has to be the most seriously frustrating relationship in the universe. It's like they don't speak the same language. And I guess they are different species (kind of), but I just want to lock them in a room together until they can figure out how to use small words with each other to communicate. Ugh.
I don't know why, but I just want to kick the main character's ass. She is so whiny and victim-like one minute, and then completely uber-tough, wrong-minded and action-oriented the next. Her relationship with her demon mate, Japhrimel, has to be the most seriously frustrating relationship in the universe. It's like they don't speak the same language. And I guess they are different species (kind of), but I just want to lock them in a room together until they can figure out how to use small words with each other to communicate. Ugh.
July 23, 2012
I really enjoyed this entire series! I read all of the books in less than a week. The one thing that keeps me from rating this 5 stars is the way the main character goes from a fantastic character that can accomplish most anything on her own to a helpless twit that can't even think without the help of others. Then, in the blink of an eye she's back to being able to think and act on her own again and back and forth. I mean everyone needs help and has to have the help of others but she goes from one extreme to the next and back again throughout the whole series. I wish the writer could have found a happy medium for Dante. But, nonetheless, after I catch up with my list of books that I want to read, I think that I'll read the other books that Lilith Saintcrow has written. If her other books are as good as this series was then she will definitely be added to my small list of favorite authors!
May 2, 2008
This book was much more gripping than the third, but I was still annoyed by the relationship between the main character and her demon. They're supposed to have the most intimate relationship imaginable, but they can't trust each other.
Despite that, the plot is gripping and this is the best book since the first one. I really feel I have to go out and buy No. 5.
I really like these books despite their flaws. Good escapist/fantasy exploits.
July 12, 2011
Bloated with plot but somehow still utterly uninteresting, this was perhaps the most repetitive and thin book of the series so far. I was increasingly less engaged as the action progressed, and by the close of the novel, I felt both frustrated and cheated. Most of the promise of the series was frittered away in this volume.
May 18, 2013
NO! Why??? Why the death? I don't like this one as much. This went totally sideways for me. I'm so bummed I have to wait until the last book is written. I didn't want to end reading four books published in one weekend only to end on this terrible note. Gotta wait a few months.
July 17, 2008
Dante starts to get a little whiny and you find yourself yelling at her to just trust in Japh for once, for god sake the Demon loves you...doesn't he? Still a great read!
February 20, 2022
Here’s Dante Valentine back again with her boot heels clicking and her scar throbbing and her sword pulsing and her torn clothes flapping and her black molecule drip nail polish shining and her emotions emoting non-stop for long, long paragraphs until you wish the author was in the room so you could pick her up and shake her and shout “GET ON WITH THE BLOODY STORY!”
It’s a damn good story when you penetrate the excess wordage to get at it. In the previous book Dante took on a job as the Devil’s right hand, aiding her demon lover Japhrimel to track down other demons who had rebelled against Lucifer. Japhrimel is Lucifer’s eldest son and has been his chief assassin since time immemorial but he is Fallen (to Earth) because of his love for Dante. I know this is fantasy but it seems unlikely to me that a demon would fall for anyone, and it seems almost impossible that any sentient creature could love Dante Valentine who usually behaves like a spoilt six year old. One of the rebels is Eve, who is an Androgyne and might have some of Dante’s genes due to some events in a previous book. Dante does not want to hunt Eve and doesn’t want Japhrimel hunting her either, even though it is his job. This causes some conflict.
This book starts with Valentine getting summoned to Saint City because her old friend Gabe needs her. Japhrimel agrees to postpone the demon hunt and go with her. Gabe’s partner Ed has been killed and she needs Dante to track down the killers. The plot thickens and she finds herself entangled in a conspiracy of bent cops, mobsters and crooked pharmaceutical companies who are all out to kill her. The rebel demons are out to kill her too, so life gets pretty interesting, especially when they capture Japhrimel and he can no longer protect her.
As with all the Dante Valentine books ‘Saint City Sinners’ has an excellent plot set in an imaginative and well- rendered alternative world where magicians, werewolves, vampires, gods and demons co-exist with poor, helpless humans. But were I not contractually obligated to read this book I might well have cast it aside after two chapters, or less. Lilith Saintcrow is good at describing characters and action but wastes too many words on insignificant detail for my liking. It’s a recognized literary technique used by Stephen King and his heirs to establish the reality of the world being described. It gets tedious if overdone. At least Dante Valentine’s internal monologue was not as whiney and prolonged in this one as in its predecessor.
Undoubtedly fans who liked the other books will like this one too. As the whole quintet of novels forms one big continuing story, new readers should start with ‘Working for the Devil’ and see if they like the style before buying the rest. The final, last ever Dante Valentine book is ‘To Hell and Back’ and it wraps up the continuing story. On with it I will now get.
It’s a damn good story when you penetrate the excess wordage to get at it. In the previous book Dante took on a job as the Devil’s right hand, aiding her demon lover Japhrimel to track down other demons who had rebelled against Lucifer. Japhrimel is Lucifer’s eldest son and has been his chief assassin since time immemorial but he is Fallen (to Earth) because of his love for Dante. I know this is fantasy but it seems unlikely to me that a demon would fall for anyone, and it seems almost impossible that any sentient creature could love Dante Valentine who usually behaves like a spoilt six year old. One of the rebels is Eve, who is an Androgyne and might have some of Dante’s genes due to some events in a previous book. Dante does not want to hunt Eve and doesn’t want Japhrimel hunting her either, even though it is his job. This causes some conflict.
This book starts with Valentine getting summoned to Saint City because her old friend Gabe needs her. Japhrimel agrees to postpone the demon hunt and go with her. Gabe’s partner Ed has been killed and she needs Dante to track down the killers. The plot thickens and she finds herself entangled in a conspiracy of bent cops, mobsters and crooked pharmaceutical companies who are all out to kill her. The rebel demons are out to kill her too, so life gets pretty interesting, especially when they capture Japhrimel and he can no longer protect her.
As with all the Dante Valentine books ‘Saint City Sinners’ has an excellent plot set in an imaginative and well- rendered alternative world where magicians, werewolves, vampires, gods and demons co-exist with poor, helpless humans. But were I not contractually obligated to read this book I might well have cast it aside after two chapters, or less. Lilith Saintcrow is good at describing characters and action but wastes too many words on insignificant detail for my liking. It’s a recognized literary technique used by Stephen King and his heirs to establish the reality of the world being described. It gets tedious if overdone. At least Dante Valentine’s internal monologue was not as whiney and prolonged in this one as in its predecessor.
Undoubtedly fans who liked the other books will like this one too. As the whole quintet of novels forms one big continuing story, new readers should start with ‘Working for the Devil’ and see if they like the style before buying the rest. The final, last ever Dante Valentine book is ‘To Hell and Back’ and it wraps up the continuing story. On with it I will now get.
April 29, 2024
Still not my fave but this was substantially better than the previous 3 books. Part of it is most likely that there's less Jaf. Dude just thinks trust grows on trees or something.
Even Eve, who is clearly manipulating, mentions it. We already knew, of course. It's not hard to understand why Dante has issues trusting an individual keeping stuff from her she's specifically asking for and kinda needs to know so she can understand herself and him.
Jaf just doesn't talk and gets angry and frustrated when Dante doesn't blindly trust him.
Eve gives info. Now way near everything and just parts of the stuff that can benefit her too, but she's still sharing at least a little bit.
I think I like Eve's character best.
Jaf is just a walking red flag of a demon. He's constantly frustrated about not understanding Dante and humans but when Dante gives him chances to understand by talking he's like: Why can't you just trust me?! You should just trust me.
Dude, that's not how trust works, especially when you've gone behind someone's back and magically kept them asleep more than once. Trust is earned, not something that's just there to be given that freely.
So I didn't mind Jaf just being captured and locked away for a substantial part of the book.
Dante's thoughts are still circular at times, but the writing jumps in leagues and flows a lot better than in the previous book. This makes the book a lot more entertaining and fun to read. It also makes for a better Graphic Audio adaptation since the inner monologue and dialogue is less clunky.
I'm curious what the final instalment is going to bring but I don't expect more than a fun, entertaining book that otherwise isn't anything special.
Even Eve, who is clearly manipulating, mentions it. We already knew, of course. It's not hard to understand why Dante has issues trusting an individual keeping stuff from her she's specifically asking for and kinda needs to know so she can understand herself and him.
Jaf just doesn't talk and gets angry and frustrated when Dante doesn't blindly trust him.
Eve gives info. Now way near everything and just parts of the stuff that can benefit her too, but she's still sharing at least a little bit.
I think I like Eve's character best.
Jaf is just a walking red flag of a demon. He's constantly frustrated about not understanding Dante and humans but when Dante gives him chances to understand by talking he's like: Why can't you just trust me?! You should just trust me.
Dude, that's not how trust works, especially when you've gone behind someone's back and magically kept them asleep more than once. Trust is earned, not something that's just there to be given that freely.
So I didn't mind Jaf just being captured and locked away for a substantial part of the book.
Dante's thoughts are still circular at times, but the writing jumps in leagues and flows a lot better than in the previous book. This makes the book a lot more entertaining and fun to read. It also makes for a better Graphic Audio adaptation since the inner monologue and dialogue is less clunky.
I'm curious what the final instalment is going to bring but I don't expect more than a fun, entertaining book that otherwise isn't anything special.
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