Review: A Cursed Embrace by Cecy Robson

A Cursed Embrace
by Cecy Robson
Series: Weird Girls #2
Publisher: Penguin
Publication date: July 2, 2013
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
My review of book one: Sealed with a Curse 

Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other twenty-something girls—with one tiny exception: They are the products of a curse that backfired and gave each of them unique powers that made them, well, a little weird… After Celia Wird and her sisters help master vampire Misha save his family, their powers are exposed to the supernatural community of the Lake Tahoe region. But fame comes at a price, and being “weird” isn’t always welcome. To make matters worse, Celia desires the love of Alpha werewolf Aric, but his pack is bent on destroying their relationship to preserve his pureblood status. And once weres start turning up dead—with evidence pointing to the vampires—she must face the prospect of losing Aric forever. But the chaos only masks a new threat. An evil known as the Tribe has risen—and their sights are set on Celia and her sisters.

With Cursed Embrace, Cecy Robson has been added to my favorite authors list and The Weird Girls series is one of my favorite urban fantasy series. Fans of Kim Harrison’s the Hollows series and Patricia Brigg’s Mercy Thompson series will devour Weird Girls. Robson delivered an action-packed tale with characters I instantly connected with. She took me on an emotional roller coaster ride and I want more! Three world review: Intense, heart-breaking and brilliant.

The girls are all recovering from the escapades of the last novel and attempting to return to normal. *Pfft* Things are looking good in the love department, except for Celia who isn’t sure where she stands with Aric. When a dead raccoonwere shows up on their door step things are about to get ugly and normal it is not! Told from Celia’s perspective the tale kept me enthralled as we fought evil and Robson toyed with my heart and emotions.

While Celia is the most fleshed-out character, I adore them all. Each has a unique voice and it is easy to keep this cast of characters sorted. Stand out characters would be Bren who in my opinion is a total smart-ass and loyal to the end. Of the sister’s Celia and Taran are my personal favorites. To the outside world Taran is a total bad-ass, and confident, but inside she is this big old ball of heart and I’d totally go into battle with her or shoe shop. Celia is brave, caring, tormented and gads do I adore her. In battle she is quick, smart and fearless even as her personal life resembles a vortex sucking out her very soul. The girl's love interests are adorable, smexy wolves and we see some tender moments. The relationship between Celia and Aric is one smoking hot mess! I am totally 100% for them but my emotions shifted from elated to hunt him down and kill him. Ha! I understood him, but that doesn't mean I have to like it! All I can say is I better get my HEA even if it takes twenty books!!!!  Ari is swoon-worthy and I one of the aspects I like about weres is their possessiveness. That whole, “mine” mentality curls my toes. Despite the whole alpha thing he is also tender, romantic and respectful. This was/ is a total turn on. *swoons* Misha is back, and he totally wants Celia and isn't afraid to say so. While he makes his feelings quite clear, I give him credit for respecting Celia’s wishes. We have the tribal leaders, villains and other characters that both aid the plot and toyed with my emotions. Grrr!

While we see plenty of action and the threat is fascinating, the central theme in this second novel is the relationship between Aric and Celia Whatever it was, it kept me flipping the pages and caught up in the action. I verbally engaged with the tale shouting my frustrations, oohing and ahhing it was totally crazy and I loved every friggin' minute of it. Robson introduces us to a serious threat and makes us privy to some diabolic violence. While I learned more about the girls, their boyfriends and life in Tahoe, I really want to know more about the different supernatural beings and different classes of weres. Hopefully those things are answered in the next book. The girl’s relationships talk, shopping trips and boyfriend issues had me giggling aloud as these moments helped me catch my breath between the non-stop action scenes. The relationship between Aric and Celia was one hell of a ride. We get some seriously hot moments and a few  romantic ones.  The climactic scene right before the ending had me reeling, making the cliffhanger ending more manageable. I understood it, but dang it I want more. I immediately searched out the next book's release date and I am now counting the days.

Fans of urban fantasy with kick-butt heroines and smexy weres and vampires need to check out Cursed Embrace and the Weird Girls series. Curse Moon a novella will be released in December and Cursed By Destiny book three will be released in January of 2014. *are we there yet?*

Four and half cups of coffee out of five

Review: Big Bad Bite by Jessie Lane

Big Bad Bite
by Jessie Lane
Series: Big Bad Bite #1
Publication date:  January 28, 2013
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon
ARC provided in exchange for unbiased review
*purchase through buy links supports this blog

What would it be like to live in a world where you are considered abnormal to those who are above the norm? Jenna O’ Conner has been taught her whole life to hide from everyone. Never to let anyone to close enough to know that she would prefer a shotgun for her birthday over of a bouquet of roses. She’s been smothered by her over protective family so that no one learns what she truly is. Which is not human. Nor, is she considered the norm for the supernatural Other community that is benevolent enough to share this world with the humans. In a desperate attempt to live her own life away from the small town she was raised in, Jenna obtains her dream job as the newest member on the Wilmington Police Department’s SWAT Team. What she didn’t predict was that she would run into trouble her first day on the job, in the form of a deadly, mouthwatering man named Adam McPhee. Who is also not human, but more like a wolf walking around in human skin. He’s determined to figure out exactly what Jenna is, which unbeknownst to him, could very well put her life in danger. He’s also determined to have her all to himself.  As if that wasn’t enough for Jenna to deal with, bad news blows into town. A group of extremist Shifters who think humans are cattle and factions of Others worldwide should stay within their own species - never to intermingle. Chaos ensues. Jenna has to find a way to shut them down, but in the process of trying to do that, discovers things about herself that even she never thought was possible. Who said the wolf was what you had to worry about? Welcome to the real world.

I love a good paranormal romance and when you mix in some weres, shifters, demons and vampires I am a happy little reader. Author Jessie Lane asked me to review her novel Big Bad Bite and I am delighted that I did. While it wasn’t perfect, I enjoyed many elements and literally consumed this in a few hours.

The tale begins on the first day of Jenna O’Conner’s job on the Wilmington Police Department’s SWAT Team. They are going into a home to catch a perp for questions into the disappearance of his wife. Jenna and her sergeant are the first to enter, and the assailant has a gun pointed at a chiseled, swoon worthy red-head man named Adam McPhee. Jenna is one hell of a shot and she shoots the perp’s trigger hand forcing the standoff to an end. Job well done, only Jenna has a problem, Adam is staring her down; she immediately recognizes him as a Were, and he is looking at her like he is detecting there is something different about her. They gaze at each other him telling her to submit to his Alpha, but she cannot let him know what she is. Thankfully duty calls and she jumps back into the swat van. Adam needs to know what she is and Jenna has been raised to never reveal she is a hybrid. She is part demon and part wolf. The tale that unfolds is action packed and heavy on the romance as Adam and Jenna come to terms.

Jenna is a total kick-ass with guns and knives and she talks the talk. She is snarky, bold, opinionated and don’t ever get between her and her coffee. She is also vulnerable and I liked the unsure side of her even though she kept it hidden. Then there is her feminine side that loves comfy chairs and frilly things. Thanks to her mother and Uncle she has led a very sheltered life, and only recently let out from under their controlling thumbs. She doesn’t understand pack mentality and has been taught to hide what she is. Adam is smexy and a total Alpha.  He is use to people submitting to him and is both intrigued and terrified of Jenna as she shows no fear. His inner wolf is determined to have her, and Adam is thinking that would be wonderful if Jenna agrees. He wants her but willingly; he doesn’t want to break her fiery will. These two had chemistry from the start, and I liked how gentle he was with her. She struggled but it felt genuine and I was rooting for them. Jenna’s partner Kent is a sex-crazed demon and I cannot wait to learn more about him. We get hints that he  is more than the laid back guy he personifies. We meet a Tiger-shifting family and their antics made me laugh especially the grandmother. Jenna’s brother Logan was sweet, and I loved the banter between them. For the most part everyone was well fleshed out and had distinct voices.

I enjoyed all the threads in the overall arc but felt they were not balanced enough. They were all good but in the middle the focus became primarily the romance and courting of Adam and Jenna. It was hot and believable and I totally got wrapped up in it but I also liked the thread about the shifters that attacked and this thread suffered until the end where the author wrapped things up and sets us up for book two. I also loved the Swat team and while it got Jenna and her partner to plot B I really want to see more. This book is filled with humor and I loved all the snarky banter and sexual innuendo and tension. I laughed aloud throughout the entire book and all of the characters were lovable. So I guess what I am trying to say is: this was a wonderful start to the series. I will continue reading as I truly enjoyed the tale but I am hoping for more balance in the plot threads.

I recommend Big Bad Bite to fans of paranormal romance and urban fantasy featuring weres, shifters and the supernatural. The romance reminded me of Mercy and Adam which is totally a good thing. Walk on the Striped Side will be released sometime in 2013 and will feature Gage and Elena’s story. I am looking forward to it.

Three cups of cinnamon spice coffee out of five 

City of Demons by Kevin Harkness

City of Demons
by Kevin Harkness
Publisher: Tyche Books Ltd.
Publication date: July 25, 2012
Genre: YA Fantasy
Purchase: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository

Demons are invading the Midlands for the first time in centuries.

The farmers have no defenses against the murderous creatures. Swords in the hands of ordinary soldiers have no effect against demons, for the ability to resist a demon’s power – a projection of paralyzing fear – cannot be taught.

Garet’s life is forever changed the night his midlands family is attacked. Demonstrating a rare talent for resisting demon fear, Garet is taken to the city of Shirath to become a Demonbane: one who can withstand the demons’ psychic assault, trained in combat, and learned in demon lore.

But the ancient city isn’t a safe haven, it’s a death trap. While opposing political forces vie for the throne, a new demon terrorizes the citizens. To save Shirath, Garet must find friends and allies quickly, because the biggest threat to the city isn’t the demons, but the people living within the city’s walls.

City of Demons is an epic fantasy that takes us on one young man’s journey from the farmlands to the cities of Midland. Filled with demons, battles, political conflict, suspense and intrigue this is sure to enchant fantasy lovers. Harkness weaves a tale that will leave you breathless. I consumed this over the course of three evening and was sadden to see it end.

The tale begins when we meet Garet, he is a young sheep herder, who lives on a small farm with his family.  He loves his mom and his little sister but he lives in fear of his abusive father and manipulative brothers. Garet dreams of escaping. As he watches the herds he dreams about the cities he has never seen and wonders what the roads are paved of.  A need to protect his mother and baby sister, keep him from running away. One evening his life is forever changes when his family is attacked by a demon. As his father and brothers cower in fear, young Garet finds he is able to resist "demon fear" and slays the demon. When it’s discovered he has this rare talent, he is taken to the city of Shirath. Here he trains to become a Demonbane. He he is schooled in combat, demon lore, and how to resist the demon’s physic power. The tale that unfolds was breathtakingly beautiful, had depth and characters I came to adore.

Garet has led a simple, mostly miserable life on a small  farm. Until his journey begins he has never left his home. Viewing the world through his eyes was simplistic, beautiful and fascinating. He is bright, brave and inquisitive. He absorbs the world around him, questions everything and sees the world with an understanding beyond his years. While he is excited by all around him, a part of him yearns for his mother, sister and the open fields of his farm. The town’s people were fascinating and colorful. The Masters and students from within the Demonbane school(s) depicted all personality types. Some I adored and others I loathed. The demons were all unique and utterly terrifying. The power they held and the changes in their behavior made for some heart-racing scenes.

The world building was fascinating and all told from Garet’s point of view. Harkness gives us more than a mystical realm with horrific demons and exciting battles. He shares with us kingdoms and kings. The tale is filled with political power struggles, deception and fear. I became completely enthralled in this dark world. I loved watching Garet try to find his place and grow. He is faces many challenges; making friends, learning, choosing allies and finding truth. The school and its hierarchy was complex and not free from issues. The change in demon behavior made the tale suspenseful, as did the people’s changing opinions of the Demonbanes. I became completely invested in Garet and his quest to save them all.  The tale had a nice slow pace and allowed the reader to absorb the details and underlying conflicts. The author provides details as Garet learns them keeping the reader engaged. Sketches throughout the novel of the demons were imaginative. Harkness vividly described the demons bringing them to life and kept me spellbound.  

I highly recommend City of Demons to fantasy fans. The world and fleshed out characters will leave you begging for more. I have added Kevin Harkness to my authors to watch list and would revisit this world again.

I want to thank Tyche Books for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

I gave this novel 4 cups of coffee out of 5. 

Sweet Chaos by Misty Evans

Sweet Chaos
by Misty Evan
Series: A Kali Sweet Urban Fantasy Story #2
Publication date: July 3, 2012
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
Purchase: Barnes and Noble/Amazon 

*contains sexual content

Three hundred years later, the ghosts from her past are hunting for revenge.

The past always finds a way to bite you in the ass.

As a three-hundred-year old vengeance demon, I’ve made a lot of enemies. The worst was Queen Maria, the Italian Court’s most devious succubus and a ruler who used me as a weapon of mass destruction to inflict pain and kill hundreds of humans in her torture chambers.

Now she’s back, this time as a ghost, and she’s invited a new friend to the party—a vampire king who wants my head on a stake. Together they’re bringing a war to Chicago that will topple the carefully constructed world I’ve protected for centuries.

But I’m Kali Sweet. I never run from my past…and I’m not about to hide from my present

Sweet Chaos delivered non-stop action, danger, and kick-ass characters that kept me spellbound. If you have been following my blog you know about my infatuation with chaos demon Radison Beaumont. In fact I recently interviewed him. If you missed this hilarious post, you can check it out here. While each novel can be read as standalone, I highly recommend you read Revenge is Sweet first. You can see my review of it here.

Kali once again finds herself in the thick of things. She is a vengeance demon and Queen of the Undead. Toel a master vampire is unhappy with this and is working to raise an army. In the meantime she is hired by his brother’s to capture him. They want him alive so they can seek justice for their master’s death and make an example of him. While trying to capture a ghost on a side job, she gets more then she bargained for. It appears the ghost is Queen Maria. She was the Italian Court’s most terrifying ruler and succubus. That was until Kali killed her. The tale that unfolds as Kali tried to stop them is action packed, suspenseful, and delicious. I became completely caught up in the cases, the characters and of course Rad.

Evans characters are delicious, well fleshed out and kick-ass. Kali is one tough cookie. She is constantly trying to make amends for her past and protect the lives of humans. Despite being swept up in one crisis after another, she is focused, and a total kick-ass demon. I love how she interacts with her colleagues and friends.  Her snarky, quick-witted comments had me laughing aloud. While she hasn’t spoken the words for fear of breaking her heart; it’s obvious she adores and loves Rad. Radison wasn’t in the book nearly enough to satisfy moi. He is rakishly handsome, a swoon-worthy romantic and a total kick-ass chaos demon. Did I mention how handsome he is? Toel the evil vampire is totally gnarly dude and added to the suspense throughout the novel. Damon, leader of the Bridge Council, had me rolling in laughter. I still feel a smidgen of a love triangle and I hope Rad squashes him.( like a bug) I adored Maddy and the relationship that is developing between her and Kali. Cole, Kali’s partner and protector takes a lot of crap, but I’d trust my life with him. I am hoping we learn more about him.

Evans has created a unique, fascinating and humorous world. I love how things are developing in this series and look forward to watching it unfold. Her characters have depth and believability. The pace is fast, and she weaves together all of the plots brilliantly. Fans of the Hollows, Cats and Bones and the Mercy Thompson series should find this series to be just what the doctor ordered.  

I highly recommend Sweet Chaos and the Kali Sweet Urban Fantasy series to fans of urban fantasy. Evans delivers lovable characters, suspense, action and paranormal elements that will delight you. Misty Evans is on my author’s to read list and I hope she is busy writing book three. (like now, seriously.)

I want to thank the author for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

I gave this novel 4 coffee cups out of 5. 

Dark Kiss (Nightwatchers #1) by Michelle Rowen

Dark Kiss
by Michelle Rowan
Series:Night Watchers #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication date: May 22, 2012
Genre: YA Paranormal

Buy:Barnes and Noble /Amazon /Book Depoistory

I don't do dangerous.  Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back. Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me.... NIGHTWATCHERS When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...(synopsis from Goodreads)

Dark Kiss is the first novel in a new YA series called Nightwatchers by author Michelle Rowan. Filled with demons, angels and a new supernatural creature this novel is sure to delight.  Rowan offers romance, suspense and a battle against good and evil. I found this novel to be an easy, highly entertaining read and the start to an exciting new paranormal series.

The tale begins in heaven with Bishop being hurled to Earth on a life or death mission. The scene then jumps to introduce us to seventeen year old protagonist Samantha. She is headed home when she passes a very handsome dark hard boy who appears to be in trouble. Remembering  her past runaway stint, she offers to help.  Bishop is confused, very confused. He has been sent to Earth to find another angel and two demons. Together they must stop an evil that is consuming Trinity, New York. If they fail all of humanity could be lost and he is unable to locate them.  When Samantha touches Bishop, there is an electrical current. He begins to have clarity and she has a horrible vision of the city destroyed. She sees herself falling into a giant swirling vortex and Bishop is unable to save her.  As Bishop head clears, he mumbles about finding the spotlights and not being able to see them. Samantha points and says you mean like that? They quickly realize that Samantha can see the beacons and she leads him to the first one. The tale that unfolds is suspenseful as Samantha finds herself in the middle of an epic battle that’s results could change the world.


The characters in Dark Kiss are all unique.  Samantha is both brave and impossibly stubborn. She is quickly learning everything she thought about herself and her world is wrong. She has an insatiable hunger that cannot be fed and must face impossible decisions. The biggest problem is who to trust. I like Samantha, but I didn’t love her. I would have liked her to be a little more mature and more snarky. Bishop is an angel and has the weight of the world on his shoulders.  He is dark and brooding and needs Samantha more then she even realizes. Other key characters were Kraven, Carly, Zach, Roth and Conner. I really liked the handsome demon Kraven and look forward to reading more about him. Carly is Samantha’s BFF and at first I didn’t like her, but she surprised me. There is also an old homeless man who appears to see things and I loved the way he spoke in riddles. It will be interesting to see how Rowan develops these characters and their individual story lines.


Rowan’s world-building was fascinating. I really liked learning her take on souls and what occurs when we die. The history of angels and demons had me captivated. One of tales had me rooting for Samantha and Bishop. The threat she has created for humanity is interesting and the reaction of Heaven and Hell felt both believable and unique. Fans of Supernatural will see similarities with the angels and demons. I am anxious to see how this plot develops. I am hoping to see more of this fleshed out in book two and I’d really like to see character growth in Samantha.  She has the potential to be an awesome protagonist. Rowan delivered a fast paced novel that flowed well and kept me entertained. 


I recommend Dark Kiss and the Nightwatchers series to fans of paranormal romance. Those who love angels and demons are sure to delight in this quest.  I have added Rowan to my author to watch list and look forward to reading Wicked Kiss book two in this series. Rowen has other YA and adult fiction series and novels. I encourage you to check out her website. I have added a few to my reading list. 

I want to thank netGalley and Harlequin for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

I gave this novel 3.5 coffee cups out of 5. 

Michelle Rowen

Website

A Perfect Blood (The Hollows #10) by Kim Harrison

New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison returns to the Hollows with the electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed Pale Demon!

Ritually murdered corpses are appearing across Cincinnati, terrifying amalgams of human and other. Pulled in to help investigate by the I.S. and the FIB, former witch turned day-walking demon Rachel Morgan soon realizes a horrifying truth: a human hate group is trying to create its own demons to destroy all Inderlanders, and to do so, it needs her blood.

She’s faced vampires, witches, werewolves, demons, and more, but humanity itself might be her toughest challenge yet.(synopsis from Barnes and Noble)

Like many Hollows fans I pre-ordered A Perfect Blood and was counting down the days till its release. I was anxious to get my hands on it and stayed up Monday night just to download it promptly at 12:01. I just wanted to read a few pages; such was my anticipation.  It took me three sessions to complete this novel, as the gods and life worked against me. Now that I’ve finished, I am glad because I had a chance to savor it. Now I find myself, stuck right back where I was on Monday...waiting for the next Hollows release..sheesh.  A Perfect Blood, had a blended feel of earlier novels and newer ones as Rachel dealt with being a demon and spent much of the novel with limited powers. As always I loved my trip back to the Hollows.

The tale begins with Rachel, a declared demon, trying to gain status as a citizen; well get her car registered.  She is wearing the bracelet Trent gave her, and basically has no more power than an earth witch. While it protects her from the entire demon collective and keeps Al from dragging her to the ever-after, it is pitiful to see Rachel like this.  She feels stuck and feels like Ivy and Jenks are moving forward. She has a bodyguard, courtesy of Daddy. A delicious werewolf named Wayde and even without all of her powers she is still quite capable of getting in trouble and driving him crazy.  While at the DMV she is paged and taken to a back office. She meets a living vampire who asks her to take a seat and then proceeds to be inhabited by a very old Master Vampire. He wants Rachel’s to help the I.S. department. Someone is abducting witches and using demon magic on them. Rachel immediately agrees but only if, he gets her car registration taken care of.  Rachel is first suspected of committing these crimes, and asked to produce a list of curses that she is capable of performing as a demon. Rachel calls Glenn and the FIB when she sees evidence that this might be a crime involving HAPA (A human hate group). The first part of the book progresses at a slower clip, as Rachel contemplates life without magic, has mini-pity-parties and works to solve the case. The second half of the book is non-stop action and left me breathless. No filler words here my Hollow loving peeps. Tons of twist, trickery, traitors and secret groups will have you turning the pages. Rachel as always finds herself in trouble, kicks butt and never ceases to surprise anyone..even herself.  

I love Harrison’s characters and many make an appearance along with a few new ones.  Trent is back, a softer Trent, a happier Trent. An elf who is embracing his magic. Is that hearts I see in Rachel’s eyes?  Harrison weaves their stories closer together in this novel and makes Rachel see him in a somewhat different light. It is almost magical, like perhaps this was Harrison’s vision all along. Eek gads she is wickedly good.  What we also see in this novel is a lot of character growth. While Rachel still (and always will) rushes into things, she is getting better and actually made plans. She, listens (well some of the time) and is starting to think things through and see the bigger picture.  Ivy is finding peace and acceptance and Jenk’s is surviving the loss of his wife.  David makes an appearance and he and Rachel make peace about her position in the pack. Trent has a lot of character growth and I loved it. Our beloved AL puts in an appearance or two…is it freaky that I love that little demon.  We meet Ella, the young living vamp, who is possessed by the Master Vampire and Dr. Cordova and FIB agent you will love to hate. We also meet a witch, named Winona, who is held prisoner and befriended by Rachel. I really liked Winona, she is clever, witty and one brave cookie.  Daryl is back and living with Glenn and we learn a little more about her.

While not without flaws, A Perfect Blood delivered and lived up to my expectations. I really liked the blended feel from the first few books of the series to the present. I am anxious to see what Rachel does in the next installment of the Hollows entitled,  Ever After. It is expected to be released in 2013. Harrison is saying there are two maybe three novels left in this series and I will be sad to see it end. A Perfect Blood is currently available in paper, eBook and audio formats.


Cover Talk: I loved the red and black. Rachel looks good, and the man in the back ground had me curious. It's a winner.

I gave this novel 4 coffee cups out of 5. 

Author's website: Kim Harrison

Buy the book from:
Barnes and Noble:A Perfect Blood 
Amazon:A Perfect Blood 

The Book Depository:A Perfect Blood

The Shade and the Nine Lower Levels by Tannis Skye

Below our feet, where the damned roam undetected, a whole other world exists. Once a distinguished, high ranking tier nine angel, Lucifer challenges the vision of The Light King. Before a rebellion can be formed, Lucifer is banished from the Upper Levels, where he plummets to the center of the Earth. Lucifer forms a lava oasis, which descends nine levels deep, into the very core. In this new world he creates an army of hellions, renounces his former identity and stands as Abaddon.  One of his hellions Valafar has been in his service since the beginning and millenniums later, it is his turn to prove himself worthy of being Realm Lord of level Four. Before doing so, he is released from the hell-mouth with the task of dragging a soul back with him. Thinking himself triumphant, Valafar’s intended victim becomes his greatest folly. Kai’s soul has been stolen, but his body remains. Without a soul and not quite dead, Kai lives on, as a shade. It’s been over seventy-five years since the birth of his new life. Kai seeks a quiet existence with the possibility of the human interaction he has been without. But Kai is not the only supernatural being to reside within the sleepy town of Madeira Park.  Unlike Keetes, Kai’s soul has been stolen from his body by a demon, leaving him as a shade; a stronger version of a vampire. Keetes is the best friend to Riley, the town’s fire cracker and hot mouth. Meeting at night classes and sharing a mutual love of art, Kai’s connection to Riley is undeniable. Riley is unaffected by any form of compulsion thanks to a shield her unaware clairvoyant friend and she is a puzzle that Keetes has grown bored of trying to solve. It’s time to change her. Kai struggles with his need to remain anonymous and his blossoming feelings for the infuriating red-head. Unwilling to let Keetes turn her, Kai is forced to reveal his unequalled skill. As he is thrust onto a wooden spike and lit aflame, Keetes vows to seek out Kai’s maker within the Lower Levels and inform him that his mistake is siding with humans rather than his own kind. There is only a matter of weeks before Keetes will find Valafar and when he does, a whole army of hellions will be sent to wreak havoc on the disobedient shade. The only hope Kai has is seeking out the phantom Unholy Priest.(synopsis from Goodreads)

The Shade and the Nine Lower Levels is a dark urban fantasy with supernatural elements.  It started off slow for me and left me with unanswered questions. The story line is unique and I look forward to reading more in this series. This novel has vampires, demons, angels, hellions and a new creature called a Shade.  

Skye introduced several key characters.  Kai, is a demon’s mistake known as a Shade. We learn about his past, and find him living in the woods near the town of Madeira Park. He is for the most part a recluse, and has very little interaction with the townspeople.  Riley, the protagonist, of the story is strong, talented and protective of her friends Willow and Fay. I sometimes found her to be annoying and moody. Riley, spent her life in and out of foster care, and carries secrets about her past.  Riley and Fay work at the local pub known as The Grasshopper. Riley attends art school at night, and has been friends with Keetes for over a year. She senses Keetes likes her, but he hasn't made a move. Riley finds herself attracted to Kai but his signals are mixed. What she doesn’t know is that these two are far from human, and Keetes has horrible plans for her. Fay is just eighteen and troubled with dreams involving Riley. She learns that she is clairvoyant and tries to warn Riley of the danger she senses from Keetes.  Willow is Fay’s sister and the mother figure for the Riley and Fay. The three women live in a cabin deep in the woods outside of the town.

In the Shade and the Nine Lower Levels, Skye introduces you to the characters and then slowly reveals who and what they are. Be patient, as most answers are slowly revealed, and some will shock you.  The descriptions of heaven and hell were interesting, as was the tale of Lucifer. While some of the writing and editing was shaky, the tale was well worth my time. This is a fresh storyline and I can see the writer’s vision. The second half of the book shows growth, for both the writer and the story. These emerge as details began to tighten up and the storyline became fast paced.  I loved some of the scenes, the suspense and unexpected revelations that occurred throughout the story. Skye's descriptions of the town, the pub and the cabin were vivid. By the end I had connected to the characters, the tale and was left wanting more.

I highly recommend the Shade and the Nine Lower Levels to fans of dark urban fantasy, vampires, demons and the supernatural.  I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. This book is currently only available as an eBook. 

I want to thank the author for providing me with this ARC, in exchange for my unbiased review.

I gave this book 3 coffee cups out of 5. 

Buy here: Amazon or here: Smashwords

Author's website: Tannis Skye