Demons
Kingdom of the Wicked Book One
Written by Kerri Maniscalco
Historical Fiction, Mystery, Witches, Romance
Published October 27th 2020
448 Pages
Thank you to Jimmy Patterson Books
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★★★★☆
Two sisters.One brutal murder.A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself…And an intoxicating romance.Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe, witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin... Desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost, even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.
Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems...
As children, Emilia and Vittoria listened intently to the stories of their grandmother and the Dicarlo family grimoire, monsters, demons and the stregheria, the matriarchal families of the Sicilian town of Palermo. As the ocean gathers the changing winds, the demon world becomes restless, it's been an age since demons were banished into the netherworld and with a solemn prophecy from their grandmother, the underworld has arisen.
Emilia and Vittoria are contrasting characters, Vittoria is spirited whilst Emilia is passionate about literature and culinary delights, a kitchenhand in their family owned restaurant Sea & Vine. As children, Emilia and Vittoria confided in one another but are now distant, Vittoria secretively indulging in parties and tumultuous love affairs until her body is found within the local monastery, her heart removed in a ritualistic killing. Emilia's sorrow is palpable and although the sisters have grown distant in recent years, she is determined to avenge her sister.
Throughout the narrative, Emilia discovers that Vittoria harboured a dangerous grimoire as she summons a demon from the underworld, the unsuspecting war general, the demonic prince of Wrath. Capturing the devastatingly handsome general for information. Wrath is one of seven demonic princes, each representing the seven houses of immortality. To freed the brothers, a willing bride must be chosen to break the binding spell placed upon the underworld. These princes are deliciously sinful and almost impossible to resist. Yes, they're evil but so incredibly handsome that you almost forget they're in the business of stealing souls. Because handsome.
Wrath is ridiculously attractive. He and Emilia share a vested interest in finding who killed Vittoria, reluctantly agreeing to work together. Over the course of the narrative, Wrath begins to care for Emilia and although she's more than capable of fending for herself, he is a wonderful yet alluring support for Emilia. Remember when you first discovered Twilight and couldn't get enough of the sexual tension? This.
Emilia is a vengeful witch, Wrath is a demonic prince and the mortal enemies to maybe lovers, smouldering attraction and very much wanting to get it on romance is slow and simmering and how I'm here for it. Chef kisses all round friends. If you've read the Stalking Jack the Ripper series with Audrey Rose and Thomas then you'll be well aware of the smouldering, agonising Kerri Maniscalco romances and this was painful in the most delicious meaning of the word.
Kerri Maniscalco writes incredible narratives, mysteries with dangerous undercurrents and passionate romances and Kingdom of the Wicked was intensely brilliant. So much so that I've run out of words. It's sexy. Damn sexy and hot as hell. Literally.
In summary, this is one of those reads you'll sell your mother for.
See my review for Book One here
The Haunting of Sunshine Girl Book Two
Written by Paige McKenzie and Alyssa Sheinmel
Paranormal, Supernatural
Published April 26th 2016
320 Pages
Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia
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★★★★
Sunshine's Luiseach powers have been fully awakened. For months now, Sunshine has felt spirits everywhere. She hears their voices, feels their emotions... It's intense and sometimes overwhelming. She tries to ignore them, but it's impossible. Hoping to get her powers under control (and hoping for answers to her never ending questions) she agrees to start training with her Luiseach mentor, leaving her family, and her friend Nolan, behind.But Sunshine's mentor doesn't understand her attachment to the humans in her life, and she can't forgive his abandonment of her so many years ago. The only thing getting Sunshine through the terrifying and creepy training is her new, distractingly attractive, friend, another young Luiseach.Though Sunshine's mentor is reluctant to answer her many questions, she finally learns the truth about her lineage, as well as the rift that threatens the future of Luiseach and the human race... And the crucial part she has to play in repairing it.
Only a few months ago, sixteen year old Sunshine and her adoptive mother moved to Ridgemont Washington where Sunshine discovered she is no ordinary teen. She's a Luiseach, guiding spirits onto another realm and the last of her kind. In what is now a sixteen year old war brewing between the segregated Luiseach, believing that while Sunshine lives, another of their kind will never be conceived and restless dark spirits will inherit the earth.
For the first time since learning of their fate, Sunshine and her protector Nolan will be separated and parting on regretful words. Missing Nolan while trying to come to terms with her training is taking it's toll. Battling demon possession and dark spirits plays only a small role in who Sunshine must become but local Lucia, also a fellow Luiseach, isn't making it easy.
Kelly's Thoughts
The Haunting of Sunshine Girl series is a fun, entertaining series that's a breath of fresh air. In a market flooded with true to life contemporaries and heavy fantasy novels, paranormal young adult reads feel as though they are too few and far between and Sunshine Girl brilliantly bridges that gap. In the same vain as Anna Dressed in Blood, The Awakening of Sunshine Girl follows the story of Sunshine who is still coming to terms with being branded a Luiseach, a role in which she sees spirits of those who have passed and has the ability to guide them from our world. But unlike her fellow Luiseach, Sunshine's abilities to feel each spirit and their lives is not only what sets her apart. She is the last Luiseach to have been born, on the day of her birth women miscarried and have been unable to conceive in the past sixteen years, dividing the Luiseach community and igniting a war between the segregated factions.
We also see Sunshine taken away from her mother to be cared for and trained, leaving Nolan behind. I enjoyed the lack of romance, not that Nolan and Sunshine are officially together as she cannot touch him without experiencing excruciating pain. But the separation element allowed Sunshine to grow as a character and also establish why she was abandoned as a newborn child.
Where The Haunting of Sunshine Girl was all about establishing Sunshine as a character and learning about her abilities. Sunshine is a girl who is still unsure of herself, often lacking in confidence but while making her relatable despite her abilities. It also felt like a more mature installment in the series, which I really enjoyed. I missed Nolan's character, as he is absent from the main storyline but readers still see glimpses of their separation through Sunshine's dreamscape, a new development with her abilities.
We also see Sunshine taken away from her mother to be cared for and trained, leaving Nolan behind. I enjoyed the lack of romance, not that Nolan and Sunshine are officially together as she cannot touch him without experiencing excruciating pain. But the separation element allowed Sunshine to grow as a character and also establish why she was abandoned as a newborn child.
Where The Haunting of Sunshine Girl was all about establishing Sunshine as a character and learning about her abilities. Sunshine is a girl who is still unsure of herself, often lacking in confidence but while making her relatable despite her abilities. It also felt like a more mature installment in the series, which I really enjoyed. I missed Nolan's character, as he is absent from the main storyline but readers still see glimpses of their separation through Sunshine's dreamscape, a new development with her abilities.
The Haunting of Sunshine Girl series is captivating, entertaining and has invigorated the young adult paranormal genre. With the emphasis on Sunshine, her place in the world and not reliant on romance, it's a breath of fresh air. The Awakening of Sunshine Girl is often brutal and fierce, introducing a horror type suspense to the young and young at heart. Really enjoyed it.The Final Verdict
May contain spoilers for book one. Check out my review here
Written by Derek Landy
Fantasy, Paranormal
Published April 8th 2016
512 Pages
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia
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★★☆
Reeling from their bloody encounter in New York City, Amber and Milo flee north. On their trail are the Hounds of Hell, five demonic bikers who will stop at nothing to drag their quarries back to their unholy master.Amber and Milo’s only hope lies within Desolation Hill, a small town with a big secret, a town with a darkness to it, where evil seeps through the very floorboards. Until, on one night every year, it spills over onto the streets and all hell breaks loose.And that night is coming.
Amber and Milo are back on the Demon Road and headed for the small country town of Desolation Hill, a town known for hiding from the darkness that spills into our world. After the massacre in New York, The Shining Demon Astaroth has sent his Hounds after the unlikely duo, and the town offers sanctuary against those who seek to hide. But Desolation Hill isn't what it seems.
The town is perfect. Too perfect. The close knit community is friendly, the town is charming but only to those who reside there. To an outsider who is passing through on the Demon Road, the townsfolk are hostile and quick to escort tourists to the boundaries of town especially with the upcoming festival that is quickly approaching. But Amber and Milo aren't the only ones new in town.
A group of amateur investigators have reached Desolation Hill, chasing a local urban myth that sees children being chosen and taken against their will. Meanwhile, a town resident has discovered he has a doppelgänger when his neighbour is murdered and the crime concealed by the local police.
For one night each year, the town celebrates the protective barrier waning and the violence spreading throughout the streets. With no means of escape, Amber will need to fight her way to freedom but only now she has a group of friends willing to die for the cause.
Kelly's Thoughts
Desolation begins shortly after the massacre of New York, with Amber and Milo fleeing the clutches of Astaroth, the Shining Demon Amber's parents entered a pact to sacrifice their daughter. After killing his representative, the unlikely duo are back on the Demon Road, destination Desolation Hill in the hope of seeking refuge from Astaroth's Hounds.
Milo and Amber haven't had the best working relationship, seeing he was firstly employed to ensure her safety. Now the two have fallen into an awkward partnership under the guise of a being on a road trip with her Uncle. But along their journey, their relationship begins to change, the usually gruff and stoic Milo seeming more at ease with his teen companion. And Amber could really use a friend.
The town of Desolation Hill reminds me of Pleasantville, a facade of perfection but under the surface lies a sinister secret and Amber and Milo aren't the only tourists in town on the eve of the pending festival. It was a strange mix of lightheartedness and horror, and while the main storyline kept me intrigued, the new characters introduced were a little too many and left me unable to connect with the storyline. The introduction of Kelly and her group of van driving investigators of the strange and paranormal were akin to the Scooby Gang, dog included. In among the death and destruction, it was a bit too jovial and as a reader, it felt a little awkward and forced.
I can understand why Amber is lacking in self confidence, but the emphasis placed upon how plain and ordinary she is as a human and how extraordinarily beautiful she is in demon form still makes my eye twitch. The romance was welcomed in that regard as Amber's love interest could see her human beauty, but I had wished that she wouldn't have needed that potential romance to feel validated.
There's also a reappearance of a past character that seems to make little sense. Appearing with little fanfare and disappearing just as quickly in a blink and you'll miss it series of moments. I'm hoping readers will learn more about why he's hanging on, in an incredibly creepy form that's at odds with his original character.
Milo and Amber haven't had the best working relationship, seeing he was firstly employed to ensure her safety. Now the two have fallen into an awkward partnership under the guise of a being on a road trip with her Uncle. But along their journey, their relationship begins to change, the usually gruff and stoic Milo seeming more at ease with his teen companion. And Amber could really use a friend.
The town of Desolation Hill reminds me of Pleasantville, a facade of perfection but under the surface lies a sinister secret and Amber and Milo aren't the only tourists in town on the eve of the pending festival. It was a strange mix of lightheartedness and horror, and while the main storyline kept me intrigued, the new characters introduced were a little too many and left me unable to connect with the storyline. The introduction of Kelly and her group of van driving investigators of the strange and paranormal were akin to the Scooby Gang, dog included. In among the death and destruction, it was a bit too jovial and as a reader, it felt a little awkward and forced.
I can understand why Amber is lacking in self confidence, but the emphasis placed upon how plain and ordinary she is as a human and how extraordinarily beautiful she is in demon form still makes my eye twitch. The romance was welcomed in that regard as Amber's love interest could see her human beauty, but I had wished that she wouldn't have needed that potential romance to feel validated.
There's also a reappearance of a past character that seems to make little sense. Appearing with little fanfare and disappearing just as quickly in a blink and you'll miss it series of moments. I'm hoping readers will learn more about why he's hanging on, in an incredibly creepy form that's at odds with his original character.
I loved Demon Road, the humour, the adventure and the horror elements blended seamlessly to create a wonderfully entertaining storyline and although I did enjoy Desolation overall, it felt a little too busy with the introduction of too many new characters. I hope the third series installment will return to the magic that was Demon Road, with Amber's storyline at the forefront once again rather than trying to be a little too funny and falling flat.The Final Verdict
Written by Derek Landy
Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Published August 28th 2015
512 Pages
Thank you to Harper Collins Australia
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★★★★★
Full of Landy’s trademark wit, action and razor sharp dialogue, Demon Road kicks off with a shocking opener and never lets up the pace in an epic road trip across the supernatural landscape of America. Killer cars, vampires, undead serial killers. They’re all here. And the demons? Well, that’s where Amber comes in... Sixteen years old, smart and spirited, she’s just a normal American teenager until the lies are torn away and the demons reveal themselves.Forced to go on the run, she hurtles from one threat to another, revealing a tapestry of terror woven into the very fabric of her life. Her only chance rests with her fellow travellers, who are not at all what they appear to be…
Sixteen year old Amber doesn't have many friends, just her low paying and zero respect waitress position at the local diner and parents who couldn't care less about her well being. She's an average teen, trying to find her own identity and feel comfortable in her own skin. So when she's chased down by two disgruntled diner customers, Amber fights back.
Amber is the offspring of two demons, morphing into a red skinned, horned beauty who's parents have promised as a sacrifice. On the run, Amber is forced into the company of Milo, a gruff protector who for the right price will keep her safe. But Milo isn't without his own issues, namely his muscle car he shares an unnatural attachment to. And then there's Glen, Irish, spirited and a curse placed upon his life with only days to live. The three reluctant and irritable companions are travelling the Demon Road, where the seedy underbelly of America joins with the underworld.
In a deal with the devil, literally, Amber must hunt down a serial killer, a ghost of a man who children still tell fables about and bring him to justice. With Glen on the verge of dying, and loudly at that, her parents trying to kill her and realising the car you're travelling in could in fact, eat you at any moment... Amber's in for one hell of a ride.
When your parents feel the need to sacrifice you to a demon, chances are that you may need to align yourself with allies who can aid your survival, and the gruff Milo is being paid handsomely for his services. Milo isn't a father figure, in fact he barely communicates without precise intentions, making for a very tedious road trip. He ensures that Amber will not only survive, but thrive as she hunts down the only opportunity she has to escape her parents and their sacrificial contract on her life. But what would an incredible storyline be without at least one bumbling and kindhearted idiot... Enter Glen.
Irish, persistently annoying and desperate to be part of Amber's journey. I adored him. We need the slapstick characters in young adult to break up a storyline and add an element of unpredictability throughout. Glen added a lighthearted, comedic tone which only enamored me more to Amber's plight. But fear not lovers of paranormal and urban fantasy, Glen isn't a love interest, I'm not sure he'd know what to do with the opposite sex when faced with the opportunity. He's likely to fall into a barrel of topless women and still emerge sucking his own thumb.
Amber is the offspring of two demons, morphing into a red skinned, horned beauty who's parents have promised as a sacrifice. On the run, Amber is forced into the company of Milo, a gruff protector who for the right price will keep her safe. But Milo isn't without his own issues, namely his muscle car he shares an unnatural attachment to. And then there's Glen, Irish, spirited and a curse placed upon his life with only days to live. The three reluctant and irritable companions are travelling the Demon Road, where the seedy underbelly of America joins with the underworld.
In a deal with the devil, literally, Amber must hunt down a serial killer, a ghost of a man who children still tell fables about and bring him to justice. With Glen on the verge of dying, and loudly at that, her parents trying to kill her and realising the car you're travelling in could in fact, eat you at any moment... Amber's in for one hell of a ride.
Demon Road is without a doubt, one of the most entertaining releases in young adult this year. Following the storyline of sixteen year old, average teen Amber, her life previously lacking friends and relied on her online presence to socialise with her peers. Her parents barely acknowledge her existence, but rather are too consumed by their group of hipster friends who are not above mocking Amber purely for their own amusement. But their cruel intentions run much deeper than hurt feelings and along with Amber's parents, feel an entitlement to Amber's life. Sending Amber on the run to survive.Kelly's Thoughts
When your parents feel the need to sacrifice you to a demon, chances are that you may need to align yourself with allies who can aid your survival, and the gruff Milo is being paid handsomely for his services. Milo isn't a father figure, in fact he barely communicates without precise intentions, making for a very tedious road trip. He ensures that Amber will not only survive, but thrive as she hunts down the only opportunity she has to escape her parents and their sacrificial contract on her life. But what would an incredible storyline be without at least one bumbling and kindhearted idiot... Enter Glen.
Irish, persistently annoying and desperate to be part of Amber's journey. I adored him. We need the slapstick characters in young adult to break up a storyline and add an element of unpredictability throughout. Glen added a lighthearted, comedic tone which only enamored me more to Amber's plight. But fear not lovers of paranormal and urban fantasy, Glen isn't a love interest, I'm not sure he'd know what to do with the opposite sex when faced with the opportunity. He's likely to fall into a barrel of topless women and still emerge sucking his own thumb.
Fantastically written, snarky and utterly charming despite the psychotic demons. Who knew that Derek Landy was not only a brilliant author, but hilariously entertaining! I simply loved it and can't wait to see where he takes this fresh and phenomenal new series.The Final Verdict
Written by Barry Jonsberg
Dystopian, Science Fiction
Published in Australia May 2014
312 Pages
Thank you to Allen and Unwin
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★★★★
★★★★
Pandora Jones wakes in an infirmary - her body weak, her memory providing only flashes of horrific scenes of death. She soon discovers that her family has succumbed to a plague pandemic which almost wiped out humanity. Pan is one of the survivors who have been admitted to The School - a quarantined, heavily guarded survival-skills facility - to recover their strength, hone their skills and prepare for whatever comes next. Pandora's skill is intuition, but how useful will it be outside the secure walls of The School? And what if it leads her to question where the truth lies...
Plague. Pandemic. Intuition. Secrets. Truth. Courage. Action. Survival.
Pandora can't remember much from before arriving at The School, rescued from the streets of Melbourne where the bodies of the dead lie haphazardly in the destitute streets. Glimpses of a life she miraculously survived show the virus that had spread at an alarming rate. Starting with a cough, the flu like symptoms seemingly killing those infected within hours. But now Pandora Jones finds herself brought to the safety of the walled community known as The School, where teens of all ages are housed in simple down conditions, with meager meals and army fatigues. They are taught to survive the new world, where each night over four hundred students are plagued by nightmares, their soul wrenching cries only further proof what the world has lost.
The former military barracks is walled in, the location chosen to keep the students and instructors healthy and uninfected. Beyond the fence lies a village, where civilians bring supplies to and from The School. The message is clear, students are not to cross the wall. Placed within an orientation group of fellow new students, the group are expected to learn, to train, to eat and work alongside one another, including the charismatic Nate. Nate is the picture of physical perfection, strong and intelligent who loves to run. Other team members all seem to have unique and differing traits, with Pandora's verging on the supernatural. Pandora has the gift of intuition, able to sense someone watching her, a lost item or even person. Fellow team members are skeptical, and none more so than Jen. But to survive The School, the group of teens need to band together.
As an easy friendship blooms between Pandora and Nate, the two teens are both curious to why lies beyond their surroundings. Finding a route of escape is easy, making it out undetected? Not so much. But when the group are tested on their new survival skills, it soon becomes clear that The School isn't the safe haven they believe it is.
I really enjoyed Admission, it blended an apocalyptic storyline, with survival, romance and a psychological teen thriller that is a brilliant start to what is set to be an incredible series. Imagine everyone around you, from teachers, parents, siblings, neighbours and friends that are lying dead in the streets. A virus sweeping the globe and wiping everyone out but a few questionable strangers and yourself. With no one to turn to, and that's where your memories seem to fade. But luckily you were rescued by a small walled community known as The School, which seems more like being imprisoned than taught to survive.Kelly's Thoughts
Barry Jonsberg created a world in which the reader won't know whether to flee from or escape to, and nothing is what it seems. I liked Pandora, she's a modest protagonist that wants nothing more than to blend into the background and not draw attention to her gift of insight. Nate soon becomes her partner in crime, both teens sharing a curiosity of what lies beyond the wall. Admission simply has one of the best Prologues I've ever read, 'It took slightly under eight hours for Melbourne to die.' I was completely hooked from page one, and it didn't disappoint. The storyline flows beautifully and to put it bluntly, screwed with my head. You know something is coming, you prepare for it, and then Barry Jonsberg completely surprises you and leaves you wanting more. The cliffhanger is simply evil. Kudos mister Jonsberg. This is one series that I can't wait to continue.
Contains spoilers for book one and two
Evertrue (Everneath: Book Three)
Written by Brodi Ashton
Published in Australia March 2014
368 Pages
Thank you to Simon And Schuster Australia
Now that Nikki has rescued Jack, all she wants is to be with him and graduate high school. But Cole tricked Nikki into feeding off him, and she’s begun the process of turning into an Everliving herself... Which means she must feed on a Forfeit soon, or die.
Terrified for her survival, Nikki and Jack begin a desperate attempt to reverse the process using any means possible. Even Cole, who they expected to fight them at every turn, has become an unlikely ally, but how long can it last? Nikki needs to feed on Cole to survive, Cole needs Nikki to gain the throne in the Everneath, Jack needs Nikki because she is everything to him, and together, they must travel back to the Underworld to undo Nikki’s fate and make her mortal once more. But Cole isn’t the only one with plans for Nikki: the Queen has not forgotten Nikki’s treachery, and she wants her destroyed for good. Will Nikki be forced to spend eternity in the Underworld, or does she have what it takes to bring down the Everneath once and for all?
The Forever Song (Book of Eden: Book Three)
Written by Julie Kagawa
Expected Publication April 15th 2014
416 Pages
Thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley
Vengeance will be hers. Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer. MONSTER
Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions, her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost, the last vampire free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.
In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short lived in the face of surviving forever alone.
Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town… Until River West comes along. River rents the guest house behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard.
Is River just a crooked smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more?
Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery... Who makes you want to kiss back.
Violet’s already so knee deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.
Violet's grandmother Frankie was a deeply religious woman before she passed, always reminding her about the dangers of the Devil finding her, I just don't think Violet knew how true that would become. Seventeen year old Violet and twin brother Luke White live alone, their parents are artists and fled to Europe more than a year ago, leaving the two teens penniless and left to maintain an enormous property that is on the verge of falling apart. The house built in 1941 and affectionately known as Citizen Kane, is perched on the edge of the ocean. The location hasn't been kind to the old house, and through years of neglect, the house now needs urgent repairs. But when Violet rents out their guest house to River West, life within the seaside town of Echo is about to be turned upside down.
River West came without any personal effects, apart from a sly, sexy smile and a wallet that barely closes. He wants to rent the White's guest house, under the guise that his parents are travelling through South America on an archeology find. Violet can't wait to dash next door to tell best friend Sunshine about the new stranger, the boy who evades personal questions with a shrug and a smile. But there is something about River that doesn't sit quite right.
As the four teens set out into town, they bypass the tunnel housing the local legend of Blue Hoffman, the hermit who allegedly lives deep within the tunnel and keeps missing children. But when River scoffs at the urban myth and drags Sunshine into the tunnel, no one expected Sunshine to emerge wailing, scared as hell. While Sunshine expected River to kiss her, instead she claims she seen Blue... Only River claims not to have seen a thing. Sunshine doesn't believe in ghosts, monsters of fairies, so what was it that she saw? River doesn't seem disturbed, he seems... Amused.
Daniel Leap is the town drunk, always shouting slurred abuse about Violet's family. Violet has become accustomed to his drunken rants, but River is furious, revealing his darker side that Violet has every reason to be wary of... And rightly so. Going to see classic films in the park has always been a favourite of Violet's, with River tagging along to see Casablanca provides a whole new experience. But when he asks to stop by the local cemetery, Violet never expected to be accosted by three vigilante children, searching for the Devil. Their ringleader Jack, claims to be on patrol with makeshift wooden stakes after a girl was supposedly taken by the Devil. Surely it was only a game, but by the way each boy held his stake, their eerie description of the one who took the little girl, left Violet feeling more than uneasy. But when brother Luke verifies the police presence and search parties looking for the girl, the cemetery is overrun by children, all brandishing stakes and on the hunt for the Devil.
Citizen Kane has always felt as though a ghostly presence was attached to the house, but when the group receive a warning via the Ouija board in the attic, that someone is coming, the ominous warning should be taken seriously and they have no idea what's to come. As River and Violet's relationship deepens, Violet confronts the boy who landed on her doorstep, branding him a liar. He convinces children to look for the Devil, he's caused Sunshine's hallucinations, and he admits that he isn't quite normal, He has The Glow. River can make others see things, planting ideas in their head. Within the blink of an eye he can cause mayhem and devastation. River is evil, no matter how much he denies being misunderstood, so why doesn't Violet feel compelled to ask him to leave?
But if Violet thought River was truly evil, she hasn't met Brodie, the boy who really entombs who the Devil is.
I wasn't sure what to expect from Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, and I was pleasantly surprised. It reminded me of Anna Dressed in Blood, the same suspense and drama and was also beautifully written. River is a lovable villain, he's delightfully evil. He's a proven liar, but his use of The Glow can compel others, including Violet. When River's past follows the trail of destruction, we're introduced to Neely. Neely is bad tempered and violent but is also the only person that River has been able to rely on. Neely also brings the truth, correcting the lies River has told, and who River truly is.
I found the conversation between a few characters irritating, the use of Brother and Sister within the dialogue was annoying. I personally didn't need reminding of the relationship between siblings, because surely no one ever refers to their sister, as Sister. Regardless, it was entertaining and I'll be continuing with the series.
Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
(Between: Book One)
Written By April Genevieve Tucholke
Written By April Genevieve Tucholke
Published 15 / 08 / 2013
368 Pages
Soul Oath is book two is Juliana Haygert's awesome paranormal, dystopian, mythology romance series, Everlast. And now, read from Micah's point of view, with the release of Cup of Life, both Out 25th November, 2013.
It’s been three months since Nadine last heard from Victor, Micah or Ceris, allowing her to concentrate on her own life. But until Victor and Micah find the scepters that will restore them as true gods, their human bodies will require her healing touch and it’s only a matter of time until they wreak havoc on her life again.
As if to prove that, Victor shows up at the hospital dragging along with him a swarm of demons. Nadine is forced to flee to safety. Despite her attempts to keep her loved ones protected, the demons find her, and they bring her to Imha, the goddess of Chaos.
Now, confronted by her greatest fear, Nadine finds a new motivation. Vengeance. And when seeking revenge, no risk is too great, including her own life.
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting, but equally gratifying, life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.
You can find Juliana via her Website Blog Twitter Facebook and Goodreads
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