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breezyrenee's review
4.0
*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.*
This book was a solid 3.5 that I'm rounding up to a 4.
The story starts with a fast pace (literally). All I could do was grip my hands tight and hold on for the ride. This carried on for the majority of the book, yet there were points where I still found it hard to pick up and keep reading.
I was intrigued by the concept of book, and Blackrose did a good job world building. It was interesting to come across the different creatures in this world, but the main character did put me off a lot of the time. She called other characters immature when she herself had a lot of immature moments.
The one thing I definitely could've done without was the scene with the dead birds. As a furry animal lover, that scene was a little hard for me to read. Other than that, I'll probably read the second book just to see what's up with the ang- Ash.
This book was a solid 3.5 that I'm rounding up to a 4.
The story starts with a fast pace (literally). All I could do was grip my hands tight and hold on for the ride. This carried on for the majority of the book, yet there were points where I still found it hard to pick up and keep reading.
I was intrigued by the concept of book, and Blackrose did a good job world building. It was interesting to come across the different creatures in this world, but the main character did put me off a lot of the time. She called other characters immature when she herself had a lot of immature moments.
The one thing I definitely could've done without was the scene with the dead birds. As a furry animal lover, that scene was a little hard for me to read. Other than that, I'll probably read the second book just to see what's up with the ang- Ash.
bookish_kayy's review
3.0
This wasn’t bad.
The world building was good, and the storyline was something that I haven’t read a lot of.
However I had a hard time connecting to the characters, and because of that, it diminished my investment in the story.
This could be a case of me not the book, but I don’t know.
The world building was good, and the storyline was something that I haven’t read a lot of.
However I had a hard time connecting to the characters, and because of that, it diminished my investment in the story.
This could be a case of me not the book, but I don’t know.
shell_s's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
As J.D. Blackrose did superbly with her Monster Hunter Mom stories starring affectionate but tough 40+ Jewish mother of two Jess Friedman (for which I eagerly await Season Two), the author brings her signature snarky humor and lovably oddball side characters and strong sense of guiding faith into an electrifying new urban fantasy series.
In other words, Demon Kissed is as funny, heart squeezing, butt-kicking, spiritually wise and supremely satisfying as its predecessor The Devil's Been Busy and I'm eager to continue.
Blackrose books are a must-buy for me, a copy for me and at least one other to give away as a gift. I would read the heck out of a crossover even if it was just Jess Friedman and Rebecca "Becs" Greenblatt sharing tea or a beer and something to nosh while they compared hot takes on the supernatural world and humanity and shared adorable family photos.
This set-up would've hooked me even if I hadn't recognized Blackrose's name, however: Rebecca "Becs" Greenblatt tries not to kvetch about it, but she did not choose to be a summoner with the eldritch mark known colloquially as the Kiss. Never signed up to carry the burdensome gift of being able to conjure demons and fae and the like, and with it the responsibility of safeguarding "clients" through careful contract negotiations when foolish enough to bargain with the supernatural world. It's a deadly job, and literal hell on her social life, but she has little choice other than to put her heart and soul into protecting foolish mortals from the other side as best she can.
Like Jess, Becs is a resolute heroine studying hard at martial arts and demonology and lore (P.S. the library scenes and its mysterious magic cat are awesome!), always bravely putting her life on the line trying to protect her family and friends on both sides of the supernatural divide, and humanity at large, against predatory monstrosities. Or she was, until recently.
A contract gone viciously wrong for the ambitious younger brother of a mob boss puts Becs on the hook for a favor to a notorious demon lord. Wracked with guilt, she's spurred to quit taking on infernal contracts (and other summonings) and starts a marginally less dangerous job tending a supernatural bar packed with colorful and difficult fae personalities. Unfortunately the mob boss and other figures from her past won't leave Becs in peace, and she's forced to investigate their schemes so she can thwart them before another disastrous bargain with hell is struck.
The mystery of what the three major evil antagonists are up to, and how Becs can dodge and counteract all of them at once, makes for a suspenseful page turner. Still for me the heart and real drive of the story is always rooting for its characters and their emotional stakes, and Blackrose always delivers on that score too.
One of the most lovable side characters IMHO is Pinky, a forgetful young fey regular where Becs bartends who displays some socially awkward characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorders. He has a loyal relationship with Becs where they support and help each other and his dilemma of being unable to return home to his mother in the fey realm provides the kind of heart-tugging subplot I get majorly invested in.
Pinky is a rare source of companionship though, because unlike happily married mom Jess, late twenties Becs fears it would be dangerous folly to try to have a love life or family life. So long as a demon lord holds a favor over her head and dark beings dog her steps and her very dreams, anyway. Which leaves poor Becs making excuses to her beloved sister and niece, and fighting an intense crush on her conventionally good-looking, evasive upstairs neighbor, Ash.
Ash is more than meets the eye and plenty of readers will guess his true nature fairly quickly, but that does not at all detract from the enjoyment. He's compassionate and resourceful and starts helping out Becs on her investigation, for which I appreciated him, but he was hard to warm up to for me. In part because he's definitely keeping secrets and keeping Becs at arm's length without being able (or allowed?) to explain--and in part because I preferred another man in Becs' life to him and couldn't help comparing them.
Kenneth is Becs' sweetly attentive and geeky T-shirt loving friend and employee of a family restaurant from whose parents Becs rents her apartment. Thankfully the dynamic never becomes a love triangle because Becs is very upfront with Kenneth that she won't date him, and in private only daydreams about Ash. I preferred Kenneth over Ash because I enjoy "friends to lovers" and nerdy love interests without magazine cover good looks more than other pairings, but I suspect I'd be in the minority here. Without spoiling how, Kenneth's family is a delightful surprise and play a larger role in the story than I anticipated and I'm really hoping to see more of them in sequels.
Becs is the greatest and most lovable character by a mile though and the major reason for anyone to pick up or return to the series. Funny and resilient and tough talking and fiercely loving and scrambling to keep her life together and stay one step ahead of monsters literal and figurative, but still taking time out to feed and appreciate the varieties of birds she adores, and ever more concerned for everyone than she is for herself to a fault in a relatable way.
WHEN A BOOK MAKES YOU WISH YOU COULD SUMMON THE HERO'S NEXT ADVENTURE IMMEDIATELY TO HAND, BOOST THE SIGNAL!
In other words, Demon Kissed is as funny, heart squeezing, butt-kicking, spiritually wise and supremely satisfying as its predecessor The Devil's Been Busy and I'm eager to continue.
Blackrose books are a must-buy for me, a copy for me and at least one other to give away as a gift. I would read the heck out of a crossover even if it was just Jess Friedman and Rebecca "Becs" Greenblatt sharing tea or a beer and something to nosh while they compared hot takes on the supernatural world and humanity and shared adorable family photos.
This set-up would've hooked me even if I hadn't recognized Blackrose's name, however: Rebecca "Becs" Greenblatt tries not to kvetch about it, but she did not choose to be a summoner with the eldritch mark known colloquially as the Kiss. Never signed up to carry the burdensome gift of being able to conjure demons and fae and the like, and with it the responsibility of safeguarding "clients" through careful contract negotiations when foolish enough to bargain with the supernatural world. It's a deadly job, and literal hell on her social life, but she has little choice other than to put her heart and soul into protecting foolish mortals from the other side as best she can.
Like Jess, Becs is a resolute heroine studying hard at martial arts and demonology and lore (P.S. the library scenes and its mysterious magic cat are awesome!), always bravely putting her life on the line trying to protect her family and friends on both sides of the supernatural divide, and humanity at large, against predatory monstrosities. Or she was, until recently.
A contract gone viciously wrong for the ambitious younger brother of a mob boss puts Becs on the hook for a favor to a notorious demon lord. Wracked with guilt, she's spurred to quit taking on infernal contracts (and other summonings) and starts a marginally less dangerous job tending a supernatural bar packed with colorful and difficult fae personalities. Unfortunately the mob boss and other figures from her past won't leave Becs in peace, and she's forced to investigate their schemes so she can thwart them before another disastrous bargain with hell is struck.
The mystery of what the three major evil antagonists are up to, and how Becs can dodge and counteract all of them at once, makes for a suspenseful page turner. Still for me the heart and real drive of the story is always rooting for its characters and their emotional stakes, and Blackrose always delivers on that score too.
One of the most lovable side characters IMHO is Pinky, a forgetful young fey regular where Becs bartends who displays some socially awkward characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorders. He has a loyal relationship with Becs where they support and help each other and his dilemma of being unable to return home to his mother in the fey realm provides the kind of heart-tugging subplot I get majorly invested in.
Pinky is a rare source of companionship though, because unlike happily married mom Jess, late twenties Becs fears it would be dangerous folly to try to have a love life or family life. So long as a demon lord holds a favor over her head and dark beings dog her steps and her very dreams, anyway. Which leaves poor Becs making excuses to her beloved sister and niece, and fighting an intense crush on her conventionally good-looking, evasive upstairs neighbor, Ash.
Ash is more than meets the eye and plenty of readers will guess his true nature fairly quickly, but that does not at all detract from the enjoyment. He's compassionate and resourceful and starts helping out Becs on her investigation, for which I appreciated him, but he was hard to warm up to for me. In part because he's definitely keeping secrets and keeping Becs at arm's length without being able (or allowed?) to explain--and in part because I preferred another man in Becs' life to him and couldn't help comparing them.
Kenneth is Becs' sweetly attentive and geeky T-shirt loving friend and employee of a family restaurant from whose parents Becs rents her apartment. Thankfully the dynamic never becomes a love triangle because Becs is very upfront with Kenneth that she won't date him, and in private only daydreams about Ash. I preferred Kenneth over Ash because I enjoy "friends to lovers" and nerdy love interests without magazine cover good looks more than other pairings, but I suspect I'd be in the minority here. Without spoiling how, Kenneth's family is a delightful surprise and play a larger role in the story than I anticipated and I'm really hoping to see more of them in sequels.
Becs is the greatest and most lovable character by a mile though and the major reason for anyone to pick up or return to the series. Funny and resilient and tough talking and fiercely loving and scrambling to keep her life together and stay one step ahead of monsters literal and figurative, but still taking time out to feed and appreciate the varieties of birds she adores, and ever more concerned for everyone than she is for herself to a fault in a relatable way.
WHEN A BOOK MAKES YOU WISH YOU COULD SUMMON THE HERO'S NEXT ADVENTURE IMMEDIATELY TO HAND, BOOST THE SIGNAL!
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