If you love a good urban romantasy this is perfect for you – as long as you’re okay with strong religious overtones. But that is par for the course with demon- based stories, so just wanted to be clear on that reminder during the current times,
About the Book
SAMANTHA
I never thought I’d willingly walk into Hell again, but I did.I survived and am back where I belong—home in Texas. But Gabe, my demon dead friend, is still missing. The guilt is crippling me.
Now, I’m laughing and happy with Phoenix – my boyfriend, if that’s what I can call him— while Gabe is suffering. While I’m resting and healing, Gabe is probably being endlessly tortured. But there’s nothing I can do. Every plan I come up with is a suicide mission. Despite what it sometimes looks like, I’m not ready to die.
So, when my werewolf friends ask me to help their pack with a problem, there’s no way I can say no—even if I’m not ready to jump into another fight. But there’s a mysterious evil the werewolves can’t track, and it’s killing pack members. They need me to find it, identify it, and help them kill it. AKA do my job.
It’s the perfect distraction. Something that I can do, that I’m trained to do. The only problem? Phoenix wants to go with me.
Even though he’s proven he can handle the supernatural, I can’t help but think nothing good can come from him getting an even better glimpse of how not normal my work life is. I can’t say no to him; all I can do is pray Phoenix is still by my side when this is over.
PHOENIX
My life pre-Samantha was turmoil. Soccer career, over. Family life, devastated after the loss of my grandmother. Dating? Laughable. Every relationship fell apart because the door in my heart had been shut tight except for the one girl who had completely changed how I viewed the world. Samantha is it for me; my heart knew it before I did. And I’d go anywhere as long as it’s with her. But her guardian angel, Eli, said something to me that makes me think something truly terrible will happen to Samantha. And I’m not about to let that happen. I’ll do anything to keep her safe.
My Thoughts
Demon stories almost always involve religion, but if that isn’t your jerm to me it felt like you could easily read this for the beautifully crafted fantasy tale it is. Despite the pure fantastical world created here, the story drew mein and kept me turning pages. My daughter was out for days for unprecedented snow and I had a hard time putting the book down!
This one picks up pretty much where Book 1 left off, so if you didn’t pick that one up I highly recommend you start there. some books are arguably okay to pick up mid- series, but I don’t think this one is. There is a great deal of back story and context you will lose if you don’t read Book 1. So be warned.
With fantasy, the world building is always key. Urbanfantasy is a little easier Possibly because it’s within our regular world. Or maybe it’s harder because author’s have to fit all that within the structure of our world. Either way, the author did a great job. she even provided great nuance I think for how different supernaturals might be accepted -ornot. when they were seen or recognized by the world.
I love our FMC Samantha. She is helpful to a fault, a trait I share with her, and the characterization was done well and believably. Her “gifts” and her religion were all tied up in creating the perfect storm that created that trait. This is why Phoenix is such a perfect MMC to introduce into the equation. I don’t want to go much into why so I don’t spoil things – but they are well matched. This is something explored throughout the relationships in the books, an emphasis on the strength of the matches. This extended to the friendships and other relationships as well. The wolf pack, Tessa, Samantha’s mom, and other familial bonds were well explored and vital to the story as well. I always enjoy stories that feature strong character development, which we see here. I also enjoy now the plot seems both character and plot driven.
I can’t wait for the next book! Both books felt like cliffhangers to me, so the wait until fall feels long! I’m so grateful to the author and LBT for including me on this tour.
Who’s It For?
If you enjoy fantasy – especially demon-based good vs. evil type fantasy – this is a great read for you. There’s spiritual warfare angels, demons,monsters, vampires, werewolves, and garden -variety humans caught in the middle. It can be a lot in parts, so make sure you’re up for it and check the content warnings!
Content warnings: Spiritual Warfare, Religious Ideology, Family Dysfunction, Death, Violence, Demons, Fear, Graphic Depictions of Hell, Adult Language, Adult Situations
About the Author
Aileen Erin is half – Irish, half – Mexican, and 100% nerd—from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she reads Quenya and some Sindarin, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her family in Texas, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.
Published by Amorina Carlton. Award-winning American author, Amorina Carlton, is currently working on her first novel. You can find more about her published work and works in progress on the home page. She also serves as the PR/Marketing Lead for Ravens and Roses Publishing, and reviews books, mostly by other indie authors, here and on Bookstagram.