Dark Books - Page 13

The Devil's Right Hand (Dante Valentine, Book 3)

Lilith Saintcrow

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 36 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Stating to get a bit whiney 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Dante Valentine series has not lacked for action so far and this book delivers. It's a bit whiney w/ more stupid, obvious mistakes but still a good read.

Such a whiner!!! 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

What happened to the Dante from the first two books? Now she just acts like a petulant child. I love the other characters but Dante is beginning to annoy me.

Editorial Review:

Dante Valentine, Necromancer and bounty hunter, just wants to be left alone. But the Devil has other ideas.

The Prince wants Dante. And he wants her now. And Dante and her lover, Japhrimel, have no choice but to answer the Prince's summons. And to fulfill a seemingly simple task: become the Devil's Right Hand, hunt down four demons that have escaped from Hell, and earn His gratitude.

It's a shame that nothing is ever easy when it comes to the Devil. Because of course, he doesn't tell Dante the whole truth: there is a rebellion brewing in Hell. And there is a good chance that Lucifer is about to be pushed off the throne.

But Dante is getting really tired of being pushed around. And this time, she might be angry enough to take on the Devil himself...

Thin Air (Weather Warden, Book 6)

Rachel Caine

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Weather Warden Baldwin is Back on Track 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is a much better book than its predecessor! The story moves along at breakneck speed and there are lots of unexpected twists and turns along the way. The memory-aspect of the book is done well, and Rachel Caine's method of revealing bits of Joanne's past by delving memories out of other characters' minds let's us see Joanne Baldwin in a new light, as others in the cast see her.

Good action, strong story line, and believable dialogue make this a winner.

Should be named Hot Air..... 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book was a bit of a disappointment to me. It just seemed repetitive. Sought of like a replay book for those who haven't read the previous books. The book picks up from the end of Windfall where Jo has lost her memory or rather someone is trying to erase her existence; starting with whipping out her memory. Next, comes the long recap, which I hate! (I know I'm not the most patient person in the world but I do hate repeats) Somehow Lewis and Dave catch-up to Jo before she freezes to death; from being lost and naked in some forest. The adult demon we met in Windfall, coincidentally now wants to become Jo and is hell-bent on taking Jo's place. Jo's sister Sarah and Eamon are a match made in hell. I hate to see Sarah not have progressed and is still as pathetic since we first met her in Windfall. I am so disappointed about the situation with Imara. Why did they bother to introduce us to her in the first place? After we barely get to know her, now she's some oracle? What a waste of a good character. I pretty much sped through this book. Hopefully the next in the series, Gale Force will not disappoint. Anymore installments like Thin Air and I'd have to stop reading the series. Very few series are 100% perfect but this book was a total let down.

Editorial Review:

After preventing Mother Earth from destroying the planet, Joanne Baldwin lost her memories thanks to Ashan the djinn-and they will remain lost forever unless Joanne can recover her identity-and destroy the demon who is impersonating her, fabulous shoes and all...

Strange Candy

Laurell K. Hamilton

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 56 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

#1 New York Times bestselling author's Laurell K. Hamilton's first short story collection-including an all new Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter story.

Known for her darkly violent, stunningly erotic Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novels, New York Times bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton reveals new dimensions of her talent in these fantastical fairy tales and lush parables as she welcomes readers to the far corners of her fertile imagination.

From a woman who marries into a family of volatile wizards to a couple fleeing a gang of love-hungry cupids, from a girl who seeks sanctuary in the form of a graceful goose to the disgruntled superhero Captain Housework, readers will revel in the many twists and turns of fortune in these unique, sometimes surreal visions. Hardened vampire hunter and zombie animator Anita Blake gets blindsided by the disturbing motives of her clients in the never-before-published "Those Who Seek Forgiveness" and in "The Girl Who Was Infatuated with Death."

Mr. Punch

Neil Gaiman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Wonderfully moody and oh so atmospheric 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Neil Gaiman delivers yet another knockout in the realm of the graphic novel with his wonderfully dark and hallucinatory 'Mr. Punch.' A tale of dark and gloomy childhood flashbacks, 'Mr. Punch,' is a great read for those looking for something oozing with chilly atmosphere. The mixed-media (enhanced photos and pencils) artwork by Dave McKean is astounding as well and visually evokes a feeling of helplessness confronting a child when stuck in a grim and depressing environment that amplifies all of his little fears. While this book is nowhere near the epic grandeur of Gaiman's, 'Sandman,' series - as a standalone, 'Mr. Punch,' is a visual and narrative treat not to be missed.

Editorial Review:

In his grandfather's seaside arcade, a young boy encounters a mysterious Punch & Judy man with a dark past and a woman who makes her living playing a mermaid. As their stories unfold, the boy must confront family secrets, strange puppets and a nightmarish world of violence and betrayal. Second printing. Graphic novel format.

Fire Sea: The Death Gate Cycle, Volume 3

Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 49 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Fire Sea - Death Gate Cycle takes a very dark turn... 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Fire Sea, the third of seven books in Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's Death Gate Cycle is just as good as the previous two, if not better. This entry in the series takes place in Abarrach, the Realm of Stone.

It starts out different from all the rest, with the first seven chapters being part of a diary from Balthazar, King Edward's necromancer. Soon, as Haplo is about to enter the Death Gate, Alfred (from Dragon Wing) drops in and goes with Haplo to Abarrach. They soon discover that the Sartan found here practice Necromancy, or the art of bringing back the dead. This is discovered much to Alfred's horror, as he cannot believe his race would do such a thing.

The book continues, with many conflicts and sub-conflicts rising up and making for a very dark and interesting read. We get to see inside Haplo, and we discover he is not all Sartan-hater we think he is. We also find that Haplo is not invincible and that Alfred is more powerful than we knew.

Fire Sea is an amazing book in the Death Gate Cycle, and I cannot wait to read Serpent Mage!

P.S: Be sure to read the appendicies...They're important!

Editorial Review:

Ages ago, the world had been divided into four realms--sky, fire, stone, and water--and now only the few magicians who have survived the Labyrinth and crossed the Death Gate have the knowledge to unravel the mysteries of these realms. Reprint.

If Angels Burn: A Novel of the Darkyn (Signet Eclipse)

Lynn Viehl

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 63 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Not Really a Romance 3 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Dr. Alex Keller is a rockstar in the cosmetic surgery world. She's been on the cover of Time Magazine and been proclaimed as the "Fastest Scalpel in the World". What's more is she works pro bono, taking on cases of disfigurement from accidents and violent crimes, preferring to help those who most need her skills over rich, vain clients. As she and her brother are wealthy from the deaths of their adoptive parents, Alex can afford to be scrupulous.

However, there is one patient who persistently requests her services, and won't take no for an answer. The mysterious Mr. Michael Cyprien, via his assistant offers Alex up to $4 million to fly out to his home in New Orleans and perform surgery on him--which Alex takes as a blatant show of wealth and arrogance, and detects something sinister. She informs Cyprian's assistant that he has to go to a hospital to have any surgery performed, recommends colleagues that could perform the surgery, but firmly refuses to consider his case. Michael, however, is not having any of it, and has Alex abducted (read: drugged up on ether) and forcibly brought to his Louisiana manor to perform the surgery. Upon awakening, Alex is justifiably outraged...until she finally sets eyes on Cyprian and sees the extent of his injuries. His face has been brutally crushed, and covered in thick ragged scar tissue. He has no eyes, as the tissue has healed over them, no nose, and a gaping hole for a mouth. Alex is a healer and empathetic by nature--her curiosity is piqued, and as a medical doctor she cannot resist the mystery in front of her. That Cyprian survived such a brutal mauling that left him without a face is astounding enough--and then he shows her why he needed the Fastest Scalpel in the World. Upon being cut, Cyprian heals almost immediately. Any other surgeon would take too long, and his face would heal over mid-procedure. Seeing the once in a lifetime challenge before her, Alex accepts and is successful beyond all expectations--Cyprian is restored to his former beauty. He awakens and opens his beautiful eyes, and unfortunately for Alex, succumbs to bloodlust. Cyprian is not, as Alex postured, a medical miracle but in fact a Darkyn; a creature akin to vampires, an ancient race that survived the Black Death and roam the earth damned to eternal life. Michael manages to stop himself from killing Alex but in the process has infected her, and she begins her own journey from human to undead. Determined to ignore Michael and the magnetic pull they have towards each other, Alex tries to fight the infection using her medical savvy. Meanwhile, her brother (who is a priest) searches frantically for his estranged sister, and stumbles into The Brethren--a secret order of priests dedicated to hunting down and destroying the Darkyn.

Overall, this was a good read. I enjoyed Ms. Viehl's characters, and I liked the spunky heroine she created in Alexandra (even if she was just Cherijo with a regular scalpel in Louisiana as opposed to a lascalpel on K-2). Alex's dogged refusal to drink blood and accept becoming a Darkyn as she searched for a `cure' felt genuine. Similarly, her brother's struggle with celibacy and faith certainly was not a comfortable topic to read, and the torturous scenes involving him weren't pleasant either--but they were effective and lent dimension to these characters. Ms. Viehl writes a smart story, and she doesn't pull her punches.

The actual romance between Cyprian and Alex was enjoyable as well--they are two very stubborn characters, and the attraction they feel for each other is realistically portrayed. Alex has rough edges and refuses to be dominated immediately by Michael, exhibiting her strength of will and spunk (even telling him at one point to bite her...butt, packing a nice punch as well). Michael himself was a bit of a wanker though---a bit stock in the growly possessive mate department. I enjoyed the romance as an almost afterthought to the actual story however, and I suspect this is why the book garners negative reviews.

What Ms. Viehl does best though is weave multiple storylines with deftness. The subplot involving Alex's brother and the hideous torture and rape he undergoes at the hand of the Brethren is terrifying, yet engaging and relevant to the overall story. The baddies here really are bad; not your typical incompetent idiot villains. There are other subplots involving other characters, most notably the character of Thierry Durand who has been driven mad after being forced to watch his mate raped, tortured, then murdered by the Brethren.

This is a complex and dark book--not so much a paranormal romance as it is dark fantasy or horror. I'd warn romance fans that are expecting another sexy vampire fluff tale; Ms. Viehl isn't about that. Think more along the lines of Anne Bishop than Kresley Cole--except Ms. Viehl is far superior to both authors, in this reviewer's humble opinion.

I enjoyed this book. Ms. Viehl proves again that she can write an engaging, fast paced story, and I'll probably be picking up book 2 sometime in the near future. I still prefer the Stardoc series, but her foray into the paranormal genre has everything I could have asked for.

Review Courtesy of thebooksmugglers.blogspot.com

Editorial Review:

Alexandra Keller is Chicago's most brilliant reconstructive surgeon. Michael Cyprien is New Orleans' most reclusive millionaire-and in desperate need of Dr. Keller's skills. In the heart of the Garden District, Alex encounters the extraordinary Cyprien, uncovering a love Alex is willing to embrace, even if she must sacrifice her heart and soul to do so.

The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden

Catherynne M. Valente

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 26 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

A Book of Wonders for Grown-Up Readers

Every once in a great while a book comes along that reminds us of the magic spell that stories can
cast over us–to dazzle, entertain, and enlighten. Welcome to the Arabian Nights for our time–a lush and fantastical epic guaranteed to spirit you away from the very first page….

Secreted away in a garden, a lonely girl spins stories to warm a curious prince: peculiar feats and unspeakable fates that loop through each other and back again to meet in the tapestry of her voice. Inked on her eyelids, each twisting, tattooed tale is a piece in the puzzle of the girl’s own hidden history. And what tales she tells! Tales of shape-shifting witches and wild horsewomen, heron kings and beast princesses, snake gods, dog monks, and living stars–each story more strange and fantastic than the one that came before. From ill-tempered “mermaid” to fastidious Beast, nothing is ever quite what it seems in these ever-shifting tales–even, and especially, their teller. Adorned with illustrations by the legendary Michael Kaluta, Valente’s enchanting lyrical fantasy offers a breathtaking reinvention of the untold myths and dark fairy tales that shape our dreams. And just when you think you’ve come to the end, you realize the adventure has only begun….

Working for the Devil (Dante Valentine, Book 1)

Lilith Saintcrow

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 93 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Heroine is unlikable, romance is implausible 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I'm not hard to please when it comes to reading. I really expected to find this as another guilty pleasure. I love tough heroines and unique romance! However, I was disappointed by how unlikeable the heroine was. She wasn't supposed to yell because of her powers as a necromancer, but most of the book, that's exactly what she was doing. She was always full of acid and when she was nice, it didn't really make sense. The competing romances were also disappointing. This book made me feel like the author was actively hating men while writing it. She couldn't appreciate men for anything other than their muscles. I was quite disappointed. If I want to get away from the depressing aspects of life, I don't want to read a book where the main character is so depressing. Interesting world, unlikable characters. This just didn't make sense.

Editorial Review:

When the Devil needs a rogue demon killed, who does he call?

The Player: Necromance-for-hire Dante Valentine is choosy about her jobs. Hot tempered and with nerves of steel, she can raise the dead like nobody's business. But one rainy Monday morning, everything goes straight to hell.

The Score: The Devil hires Dante to eliminate a rogue demon: Vardimal Santino. In return, he will let her live. It's an offer she can't refuse.

The Catch: How do you kill something that can't die?

Dead Man Rising (Dante Valentine, Book 2)

Lilith Saintcrow

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 49 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Needs less whining and more of the Danny we saw in Book 1. 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I really, really liked the first book in the Dante Valentine series by Lilith Saintcrow. Dead Man Rising (the second book in this series) was a disappointment.

You meet up with Dante (Danny) a short time after her hunt in the last book and the "death" of Japh. Dante has been recklessly taking bounty after bounty to distract herself from her grief over Japh. Jace shows up to help her out on her bounties and has forsaken all of his connections with the mob for her. Gabe ends up calling Danny in on a grisly murder and Danny finds that these murders may be linked to something that happened at Rigger Hall (the horrible school where Danny was first educated as a psion and tortured, etc, etc).

This book had a lot of action but it wasn't nearly as interesting and crisp as the first book. This book makes no progress in Danny understanding her new half-demon nature. Danny spends most of the time grieving over Japh's death and, when she is not whining about how much she misses Japh, she is sitting around talking about how horrible Rigger Hall was and how she can't bear to even enter the place or think about it. I thought it was all a bit over the top and dramatic, even for Danny. I mean the Rigger Hall incidents were years ago. We all have bad memories from childhood, and hers were much worse than most, but in the first book she seemed to be a reasonably well-adjusted person despite her tough beginning. She spends this whole book whining, grieving, and falling to pieces. I understand Danny is going through rough times but, come on, that doesn't need to be the content of the *whole* book.

I found myself rolling my eyes at Danny's dramatic and strange behavior a number of times. I was hoping all of this was going to lead somewhere profound but even the climax of her facing her fears at Rigger Hall fell dead for me. I really, really hope the third book is better. I liked the first book a lot so I will read the third, if the third follows the second I am done with this series. So in summary this book was passable but not nearly as good as I was expecting.
[...]

Editorial Review:

"Dark fantasy has a new heroine."
--- SFX

When the dead call, she answers.

Bounty hunting is a helluva job, but it pays the bills. And it lets Necromance Dante Valentine forget her issues---like struggling with her half-demon side and the memory of her lover's death.

Now psychics all over the city are being savagely murdered---and a piece of the past Dante thought she'd buried is stalking the night with a vengeance. Too bad she's got no way to tell which fiend--or friend--to trust. Or that her most horrifying nightmares are gathering to take one kick-ass bounty hunter down for the count.

But that's only the beginning. The Devil just called. He's looking for Dante's lover--the one he killed...

The Awakening (Immortals, Book 3)

Joy Nash

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Kalen is a very unique character. His witch is powerful, but still kind hearted. Far more enjoyable than book 2 was. 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

The Immortals Series:

The Calling (Jennifer Ashley)

The Darkening (Robin T. Popp)

The Awakening (Joy Nash)

The Gathering (Jennifer Ashley)

The Redeeming (Jennifer Ashley) Due for release in Sept. 2008

The Crossing (Joy Nash) Due for release in Sept/ Oct 2008


This series needs to be read in order. Start from the beginning to follow the unfolding story. Personally, I've enjoyed books 1 and 3 far more than book 2. But 2 does have a role in the series, so it's worth reading.
The authors of books 1 and 3 are continuing the series for the next few books. I'm looking forward to reading them.


Christine is a powerful witch with gifts she has yet to discover. After helping to perform The Calling spell with her coven, she is heading to Scotland to find the one brother whom they completely failed to reach. Kalen has not been seen or heard from in over 700 years. Christine finds him with a sex muse who has talked him into giving her a child. Kalen doesn't recognize that the spells the muse is performing are death magic. Christine has seen the spells before. Risking her own life, Christine attacks the muse to save Kalen.

Kalen is shocked when a witch interrupts the spell that his lover is performing. He saw Christine in a vision days before. He doesn't know who she is, or why she is here, but he knows he can't let the muse harm her. Kalen grabs the witch and transports her to his castle where she will be safe behind his magically protected walls.

Kalen and Christine share a love of art. Kalen has been trying for centuries to create beautiful pieces. Something is leashing his abilities. After one night with Christine, his talent is astonishing. Realizing that it is Christine's magic that has freed his talent, he resolves to keep her forever.

Christine can't convince Kalen to join Adrian's army in Seattle. She will spend some days with him trying to change his mind, but she knows she has to leave soon to join the army of light magic. Death magic beings are multiplying at an alarming rate. Humans and light magic creatures are being slaughtered. If the death magic leader is not stopped soon, earth will become the new hell.

It has been centuries since Kalen last fought in his role as a protector of innocent beings. A spell holds his fate in limbo. If he takes a life, he will be imprisoned in silent darkness for eternity. He has made a new life as an art dealer, forcing himself to become a man of peace. When Christine's life is threatened, he has to make a choice. Allow her to be enslaved and slowly tortured to death by a demon, or kill the beast and spend eternity imprisoned in torment himself.

Why 4 stars instead of 5? The story took a bit too long to get moving. Once it caught fire, the action was great.



Here are the links for the rest of the series so far:

The Calling (Immortals, Book 1)

The Darkening (Immortals, Book 2)

The Gathering (Immortals, Book 4)

Book 5: The Redeeming is due for release in Sept 2008

Book 6: The Crossing is due for release in Sept/ Oct 2008

Editorial Review:

Created at the dawn of time to protect humanity, the ancient warriors have been nearly forgotten, though magic lives on--in vampires, werewolves, the Celtic Sidhe, and other beings. But now one of their own has turned rogue, and the world is again in desperate need of the IMMORTALS

She came to him in a dream: her creamy skin delectably cool, silky raven hair smelling of the sea and ocean-blue eyes reflecting the depths of her passion. She was everything Kalen had been desperate to capture in his art--and in his bed. In reality, when Christine found his remote Scottish castle, it was to persuade the Immortal warrior to help repel the darkness spreading around the world. But Kalen had a vindictive Sidhe trying to steal his powers and a dark secret of his own to battle before he and Christine could give in to...THE AWAKENING