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Demon Underground #4
Make Me
Shapiro has a secret she’s desperate to keep - she’s lost her slayer powers.
As the new guardian of the Encyclopedia Magicka, Val expected the books to give her powers to replace those that disappeared after she lost her “V card” to Shade. But the encyclopedia exacts a price for every spell, making the job of guardian a tricky proposition.
When a rogue demon kidnaps Val’s roommate Gwen and Micah, leader of the San Antonio Demon Underground, Val is plunged into the middle of a Solomon’s Choice. The rogue wants the dangerously potent Encyclopedia Magicka in exchange for her friends’ lives; the succubus leader of the Demon Underground in Austin is demanding the books be destroyed rather than let them fall into the wrong hands and wants Shade for herself, swearing to do everything she can to prevent Val’s turning over the books.
The kidnapping isn't the only crisis Val faces. She’s been betrayed by Fang. Demons and vampires are disappearing. The vamps of the New Blood Movement are forcing Val to keep the terms of her agreement to work for them to combat this new threat.
The Demon Underground is challenging Micah's leadership, and everyone is depending on a now-powerless Val to set things right. Val needs all the help she can get. Even if it means forgiving Fang and spending time with a dangerously sexy cowboy-vampire.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2012
18 people are currently reading
614 people want to read
About the author
Parker Blue
15 books323 followersWho is Parker Blue? Well, I live in Colorado Springs with my dog, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Val's part-hellhound mutt, Fang.
I hate writing bios so that's all you're gonna get. Okay, okay. Instead of more boring bio stuff, how about some of my likes and dislikes?
Stuff I love, in no particular order:
- The color red—a bright, orange-red just makes me happy.
- Shiny things. I must have been a magpie in a previous life.
- Making shiny things. Love to bead!
- Dogs—they love you unconditionally and are great at stress relief.
- Numbers. So sue me—I love math. It always makes sense.
- Chocolate. Come on, that's a no-brainer.
- The mountains of Colorado. Their awe-tastic beauty is good for the soul.
- Diet Coke. What can I say? I'm addicted.
- Reading. Escaping into a cool new world someone created out of their imagination? It doesn't get much better than that.
- Oh, yeah. And writing. Making up my own world out of random bits of my twisted psyche is the best!
Things I'm not so crazy about, besides the obvious things everyone hates (war, pestilence, famine, you know the drill):
- Blogs that dis other people. What's up with that?
- Going to the dentist. Need I say more?
- Politics. Big yawn.
- Television shows that ask people do stupid things for money then make fun of them.
- Seafood. Ick. Just...ick.
- Yard work. I need lawn gnomes!
- Writing bios. Enough already!
As for the drawings...no, they don't really resemble me much, but this is what I figure Parker Blue ought to look like, kind of geek chic. Torie Fox drew them for me—isn't she fabulous?
I hate writing bios so that's all you're gonna get. Okay, okay. Instead of more boring bio stuff, how about some of my likes and dislikes?
Stuff I love, in no particular order:
- The color red—a bright, orange-red just makes me happy.
- Shiny things. I must have been a magpie in a previous life.
- Making shiny things. Love to bead!
- Dogs—they love you unconditionally and are great at stress relief.
- Numbers. So sue me—I love math. It always makes sense.
- Chocolate. Come on, that's a no-brainer.
- The mountains of Colorado. Their awe-tastic beauty is good for the soul.
- Diet Coke. What can I say? I'm addicted.
- Reading. Escaping into a cool new world someone created out of their imagination? It doesn't get much better than that.
- Oh, yeah. And writing. Making up my own world out of random bits of my twisted psyche is the best!
Things I'm not so crazy about, besides the obvious things everyone hates (war, pestilence, famine, you know the drill):
- Blogs that dis other people. What's up with that?
- Going to the dentist. Need I say more?
- Politics. Big yawn.
- Television shows that ask people do stupid things for money then make fun of them.
- Seafood. Ick. Just...ick.
- Yard work. I need lawn gnomes!
- Writing bios. Enough already!
As for the drawings...no, they don't really resemble me much, but this is what I figure Parker Blue ought to look like, kind of geek chic. Torie Fox drew them for me—isn't she fabulous?
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April 24, 2012
Part demon, part human, we are secretly born.
Persecuted, violated, forsaken, forlorn.
For freedom, for privacy, we have all made a pact.
Three to serve: one to lead, one to protect, one to act.
It would seem that my favorite half succubus just can’t catch a break. Val Shapiro has been hunting bad vampires for as long as she can remember, but lately her life has been a bit harder than usual. Ever since she lost her Slayer powers along with her V card, she only has her succubus half, Lola, to rely on in fights. Speed and strength of a regular human aren’t nearly enough when you spend your days fighting vampires, not even with some training in martial arts.
Val’s new boss, leader of the ‘good’ vampires, has to go to Austin to take care of business and insists on bringing Val along. That would normally be fine, but her boyfriend Shade is complicating matters by being jealous of the vampire lieutenant Austin and wanting to come along. Besides, things aren’t running smoothly in the Demon Underground either. A none-too-small fraction of the Underground has turned against Micah, their incubus leader and Val’s cousin. They want things to go back to the old ways, when protecting half demons was far more important than blending in, but Micah wants to lead the organization the way his father did before him. Val isn’t quite sure what to think of the matter and would like to stay out of it if at all possible, but the new fraction is convinced that she would make a much better leader than Micah, so avoiding the problem isn’t really an option.
All these things, however, pale in comparison to the challenge of keeping the Encyclopedia Magicka safe. Torn between her job and her duty towards her own kind, Val is forced to use any means necessary, including her succubus half Lola and the rather unpredictable book, to save everyone and everything she loves.
Maybe six months ago, after a recommendation by a trusted friend, I picked up the first three books of the Demon Underground series and read them all in two days. They were incredibly entertaining, with great worldbuilding, likable characters, and interesting plots and I became an instant fan. Needless to say, my expectations for this book were sky high, and I’m sorry to say it didn’t quite live up to them. (A love triangle? Really, Parker Blue? Why would you do such a thing to a perfectly good series? *cries*)
Shade was my biggest disappointment by far. He was almost unrecognizable in Make Me. Without any warning, he and Val went from being a sweet new couple to having trust issues, balance issues, issues with unfounded jealousy and lack of communication. When exactly did their relationship become a power struggle? They were perfectly happy at the end of book three.
Val was also a bit too whiny for my taste. She had a right to be, all things considered, but I still didn’t appreciate the pity party. Even Fang, her loyal hellhound, wasn’t as funny as he usually is.
I’ll probably still read book five when it comes out, but my expectations will be a lot lower.
For more of my reviews, please visit The Nocturnal Library
Persecuted, violated, forsaken, forlorn.
For freedom, for privacy, we have all made a pact.
Three to serve: one to lead, one to protect, one to act.
It would seem that my favorite half succubus just can’t catch a break. Val Shapiro has been hunting bad vampires for as long as she can remember, but lately her life has been a bit harder than usual. Ever since she lost her Slayer powers along with her V card, she only has her succubus half, Lola, to rely on in fights. Speed and strength of a regular human aren’t nearly enough when you spend your days fighting vampires, not even with some training in martial arts.
Val’s new boss, leader of the ‘good’ vampires, has to go to Austin to take care of business and insists on bringing Val along. That would normally be fine, but her boyfriend Shade is complicating matters by being jealous of the vampire lieutenant Austin and wanting to come along. Besides, things aren’t running smoothly in the Demon Underground either. A none-too-small fraction of the Underground has turned against Micah, their incubus leader and Val’s cousin. They want things to go back to the old ways, when protecting half demons was far more important than blending in, but Micah wants to lead the organization the way his father did before him. Val isn’t quite sure what to think of the matter and would like to stay out of it if at all possible, but the new fraction is convinced that she would make a much better leader than Micah, so avoiding the problem isn’t really an option.
All these things, however, pale in comparison to the challenge of keeping the Encyclopedia Magicka safe. Torn between her job and her duty towards her own kind, Val is forced to use any means necessary, including her succubus half Lola and the rather unpredictable book, to save everyone and everything she loves.
Maybe six months ago, after a recommendation by a trusted friend, I picked up the first three books of the Demon Underground series and read them all in two days. They were incredibly entertaining, with great worldbuilding, likable characters, and interesting plots and I became an instant fan. Needless to say, my expectations for this book were sky high, and I’m sorry to say it didn’t quite live up to them. (A love triangle? Really, Parker Blue? Why would you do such a thing to a perfectly good series? *cries*)
Shade was my biggest disappointment by far. He was almost unrecognizable in Make Me. Without any warning, he and Val went from being a sweet new couple to having trust issues, balance issues, issues with unfounded jealousy and lack of communication. When exactly did their relationship become a power struggle? They were perfectly happy at the end of book three.
Val was also a bit too whiny for my taste. She had a right to be, all things considered, but I still didn’t appreciate the pity party. Even Fang, her loyal hellhound, wasn’t as funny as he usually is.
I’ll probably still read book five when it comes out, but my expectations will be a lot lower.
For more of my reviews, please visit The Nocturnal Library
November 17, 2025
The Demon Underground series has been a consecutive series of events since the beginning. Make Me take place immediately following the events of Fang Me. We find Valentine Sharpiro still struggling with the change in her powers from Succubus/Slayer to the keeper of the books of Encyclopedia Magicka. Val must hide her loss of powers to rogue vampires, or it could be death sentence. Val is also still stuck in a contract with the New Blood Movement vampires and Alejandro, their area leader.
Alejandro wants Val to go to Austin to find out what is going on with the government and the delay in announcing the existence of the supernaturals. Alejandro sends Val, Austin, the vampire, Jack, the last keeper of the book, and Val’s hell hound, Fang, with her to Texas. Shayde, Val’s boyfried, takes himself to Austin to help back up Val.
When in Austin, Val discovers the delay is caused by attacks that are believed to be done by a mythical creature the chupacabra.
To make it more complicated, Shayde is held by another succubus and a Demon named Asmodeus wants the books so he takes Val’s, best friend, Shade’s pregnant, by Fang, hellhound and Micah, leader of the local Demon Underground, hostage.
Fast, easy and entertaining. I really enjoy this series but I do find there is disconnect at times with the characters becoming, in my best terms, shallow. I had a really hard time with Shade’s character and some of Val’s actions. That being said, I wanted to jump right into Dare me to find out what happens next. In the end, Make Me was between a like and really like for me.
I received this copy of Make Me from BelleBooks- Bell Bridge Books. This is my honest and voluntary review. Make Me published April 20, 2012.
Alejandro wants Val to go to Austin to find out what is going on with the government and the delay in announcing the existence of the supernaturals. Alejandro sends Val, Austin, the vampire, Jack, the last keeper of the book, and Val’s hell hound, Fang, with her to Texas. Shayde, Val’s boyfried, takes himself to Austin to help back up Val.
When in Austin, Val discovers the delay is caused by attacks that are believed to be done by a mythical creature the chupacabra.
To make it more complicated, Shayde is held by another succubus and a Demon named Asmodeus wants the books so he takes Val’s, best friend, Shade’s pregnant, by Fang, hellhound and Micah, leader of the local Demon Underground, hostage.
Fast, easy and entertaining. I really enjoy this series but I do find there is disconnect at times with the characters becoming, in my best terms, shallow. I had a really hard time with Shade’s character and some of Val’s actions. That being said, I wanted to jump right into Dare me to find out what happens next. In the end, Make Me was between a like and really like for me.
I received this copy of Make Me from BelleBooks- Bell Bridge Books. This is my honest and voluntary review. Make Me published April 20, 2012.
July 21, 2012
Read This Review & More Like It On My Blog!
My overall enjoyment with this series has severely decreased with each subsequent volume, and Make Me is no exception. Many of the previously mostly enjoyable characters change drastically for no (or a supremely stupid) reason (Val, Shade, especially, come to mind), the pacing is off (very noticeable and distracting in the first and last segments), the uneven POV shifts from first person to third person omniscient, certain elements feel shoe-horned in and pretty deux-ex-machina-y (), and... I was bored. A lot. Initially a charming if somewhat formulaic series about a teenage vampire Slayer, the Demon Underground series has grown bloated and boring. This is one of the novels I've gone back and forth on rating - from a 2 to a 1, finally meeting in the middle at 1.5 stars. There was literally nothing about this fourth foray into Val Shapiro's life that I enjoyed.
I hate not loving books I expect to enjoy. The first three ( Bite Me , Try Me , Fang Me ) were never the most original or innovative of the young-adult paranormal genre, but they were snarky and often funny, with a strong and decisive protagonist. The reads of the the first three sped be on the strength of Val, her inner monologue and Fang, the talking mind-reading hellhound. Now, that previously strong girl has morphed into a whiny, annoying and often harebrained version of the girl who used to be Val Shapiro. A love triangle and stupid assumptions mar a lot of what good Val does bring to the table; I won't deny I still like reading about can-do girls who can defend themselves, but I wish so much time hadn't been spent on melodrama and boy troubles.
I had issues with the style and presentation of the novel and its plot from the beginning. Ones I don't recall having with the previous three, which either means this seriees is somewhat forgettable (true) or that something has changed, or I've just outgrown these particular books (entirely possible). For one thing, I hate hate hate when authors jump between first and third POVs for character narration. It's weird to be in the head of Val and then in the next chapter, be jerked to distantly viewing Micah and his subplot. It just doesn't work; it causes a problem in my reading and in also how I relate to and invest in the characters involved. I don't care what one the author chooses, but it should be one and it should be used for the entirety of the novel. Sure there are some authors and characters that could pull off the dichotomy, but Val and Parker Blue are not among them.
I'm not even going to go into the myriad other problems I had with this book because I'm underwhelmed, disappointed and frustrated. I'm done. All I can really say is that I won't be reading the inevitable fifth addition to this series.
My overall enjoyment with this series has severely decreased with each subsequent volume, and Make Me is no exception. Many of the previously mostly enjoyable characters change drastically for no (or a supremely stupid) reason (Val, Shade, especially, come to mind), the pacing is off (very noticeable and distracting in the first and last segments), the uneven POV shifts from first person to third person omniscient, certain elements feel shoe-horned in and pretty deux-ex-machina-y (), and... I was bored. A lot. Initially a charming if somewhat formulaic series about a teenage vampire Slayer, the Demon Underground series has grown bloated and boring. This is one of the novels I've gone back and forth on rating - from a 2 to a 1, finally meeting in the middle at 1.5 stars. There was literally nothing about this fourth foray into Val Shapiro's life that I enjoyed.
I hate not loving books I expect to enjoy. The first three ( Bite Me , Try Me , Fang Me ) were never the most original or innovative of the young-adult paranormal genre, but they were snarky and often funny, with a strong and decisive protagonist. The reads of the the first three sped be on the strength of Val, her inner monologue and Fang, the talking mind-reading hellhound. Now, that previously strong girl has morphed into a whiny, annoying and often harebrained version of the girl who used to be Val Shapiro. A love triangle and stupid assumptions mar a lot of what good Val does bring to the table; I won't deny I still like reading about can-do girls who can defend themselves, but I wish so much time hadn't been spent on melodrama and boy troubles.
I had issues with the style and presentation of the novel and its plot from the beginning. Ones I don't recall having with the previous three, which either means this seriees is somewhat forgettable (true) or that something has changed, or I've just outgrown these particular books (entirely possible). For one thing, I hate hate hate when authors jump between first and third POVs for character narration. It's weird to be in the head of Val and then in the next chapter, be jerked to distantly viewing Micah and his subplot. It just doesn't work; it causes a problem in my reading and in also how I relate to and invest in the characters involved. I don't care what one the author chooses, but it should be one and it should be used for the entirety of the novel. Sure there are some authors and characters that could pull off the dichotomy, but Val and Parker Blue are not among them.
I'm not even going to go into the myriad other problems I had with this book because I'm underwhelmed, disappointed and frustrated. I'm done. All I can really say is that I won't be reading the inevitable fifth addition to this series.
May 3, 2017
Make me by Parker Blue.
Val Shapiro is a succubas lust demon. She has lost her strength and speed. She is desperate to keep this a secret. When a rogue demon kidnaps Val’s roommate Gwen and Micah, leader of the San Antonio Demon Underground, Val is plunged into the middle of a Solomon’s Choice. The rogue wants the dangerously potent Encyclopedia Magicka in exchange for her friends’ lives; the succubus leader of the Demon Underground in Austin is demanding the books be destroyed rather than let them fall into the wrong hands and wants Shade for herself, swearing to do everything she can to prevent Val’s turning over the books.
Fantastic read with brilliant characters. Loved val and fang. Love this series. Can't wait for next part. 5*. Netgalley and belle bridge books.
Val Shapiro is a succubas lust demon. She has lost her strength and speed. She is desperate to keep this a secret. When a rogue demon kidnaps Val’s roommate Gwen and Micah, leader of the San Antonio Demon Underground, Val is plunged into the middle of a Solomon’s Choice. The rogue wants the dangerously potent Encyclopedia Magicka in exchange for her friends’ lives; the succubus leader of the Demon Underground in Austin is demanding the books be destroyed rather than let them fall into the wrong hands and wants Shade for herself, swearing to do everything she can to prevent Val’s turning over the books.
Fantastic read with brilliant characters. Loved val and fang. Love this series. Can't wait for next part. 5*. Netgalley and belle bridge books.
April 28, 2012
*Genre* YA Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3 1/2
*Review*
Make Me (Demon Underground #4) by Parker Blue picks up pretty much where Fang Me left off. In fact, the entire series so far has been told over a period of a few months.
Valentine (Val) Shapiro has lost her slayer powers. She’s extremely desperate to keep that secret from the rogue vampires who would love nothing better than to take her down permanently. Val has been a thorn in the vampire’s sides for years and she’s still only 18 years old!
Val is part Succubus which she tends to call Lola. Lola is the only thing standing in the way of Val being killed outright. Lola is able to take control of any vampire; unless that vampire happens to be female then she’s in deep trouble.
Val remains under contract to the New Blood Movement and Alejandro until they come out into the open and announce that they exist. Since she’s under contract, this means that she has to travel to Austin, Texas along with Alejandro and his crew. This crew includes Austin, who has been trying to teach Val how to fight off vampires.
Val is also the current Keeper of the Encyclopedia Magicka. The only problem is that Jack, the former keeper of the books, is so busy catching up on TV shows, and eating his heart’s content in food, that Val hasn’t been properly trained. What Val does know from Jack, is that she needs to be careful using the books or she could permanently lose her Succubus powers as well.
While in Austin, Val and crew discover that someone is creating rogue demon vampires. The villain, and her reasons for creating these chupacabra’s, shall not be spoiled by me in this review. Let’s just say that things don’t exactly end up the way Val thought they would when she agreed to work with the vampires.
Val’s already complicated life really delves into the darkness when her best friend and roommate Gwen, along with Micah the leader of the Demon Underground, end up being kidnapped by a demon named Asmodeus who wants the books Val now holds. He even brings back a former nemesis of Val’s, Lily Armstrong, in order to prod Val into giving up the books.
Naturally, there’s a huge twist regarding Gwen that I’m not sure needed to be done nor shall I spoil. Val’s life is already problematic, and now thanks to her contract with the New Blood Movement, her former bosses at the Special Crimes Unit have terminated her with prejudice.
She is also betrayed by her so called best friend Fang who wants things to change in San Antonio’s Demon Underground and needs Val’s help in order to bring about the changes that will make the Underground better and safer for Demons.
On the romance side of things, Shade, who Val lost her V to, becomes cold and bitter after he follows Val and crew to Austin because he’s jealous of the vampire Austin and Val’s closeness. After another Succubus takes control of him and uses him for her own desires, Shade lays all blame at Val’s feet and the relationship suffers a major collapse. I guess we should have seen that coming since Val’s relationships don’t last all that long.
Overall, while I still enjoy Val, she came across like a teenager with major angst in her life. Yes, she does have serious problems, but it’s time to stand up and make a choice about what she wants to do with her life now that she doesn’t have her slayer powers, and the books are causing all sorts of fun for her.
This series has been, mostly, about Val and Fang’s relationship and how they work together to fight the villains. This time out, not only does Fang do Val wrong, but he’s not all that funny. Maybe it’s because he’s about read to have a litter of puppies, that his thoughts are otherwise preoccupied.
With the surprise ending to this book, one can only hope that there will be a book # 5 in this series to tie up several of the storylines once and for-all.
Expected publication: April 30 2012 by Bell Bridge Books
*Rating* 3 1/2
*Review*
Make Me (Demon Underground #4) by Parker Blue picks up pretty much where Fang Me left off. In fact, the entire series so far has been told over a period of a few months.
Valentine (Val) Shapiro has lost her slayer powers. She’s extremely desperate to keep that secret from the rogue vampires who would love nothing better than to take her down permanently. Val has been a thorn in the vampire’s sides for years and she’s still only 18 years old!
Val is part Succubus which she tends to call Lola. Lola is the only thing standing in the way of Val being killed outright. Lola is able to take control of any vampire; unless that vampire happens to be female then she’s in deep trouble.
Val remains under contract to the New Blood Movement and Alejandro until they come out into the open and announce that they exist. Since she’s under contract, this means that she has to travel to Austin, Texas along with Alejandro and his crew. This crew includes Austin, who has been trying to teach Val how to fight off vampires.
Val is also the current Keeper of the Encyclopedia Magicka. The only problem is that Jack, the former keeper of the books, is so busy catching up on TV shows, and eating his heart’s content in food, that Val hasn’t been properly trained. What Val does know from Jack, is that she needs to be careful using the books or she could permanently lose her Succubus powers as well.
While in Austin, Val and crew discover that someone is creating rogue demon vampires. The villain, and her reasons for creating these chupacabra’s, shall not be spoiled by me in this review. Let’s just say that things don’t exactly end up the way Val thought they would when she agreed to work with the vampires.
Val’s already complicated life really delves into the darkness when her best friend and roommate Gwen, along with Micah the leader of the Demon Underground, end up being kidnapped by a demon named Asmodeus who wants the books Val now holds. He even brings back a former nemesis of Val’s, Lily Armstrong, in order to prod Val into giving up the books.
Naturally, there’s a huge twist regarding Gwen that I’m not sure needed to be done nor shall I spoil. Val’s life is already problematic, and now thanks to her contract with the New Blood Movement, her former bosses at the Special Crimes Unit have terminated her with prejudice.
She is also betrayed by her so called best friend Fang who wants things to change in San Antonio’s Demon Underground and needs Val’s help in order to bring about the changes that will make the Underground better and safer for Demons.
On the romance side of things, Shade, who Val lost her V to, becomes cold and bitter after he follows Val and crew to Austin because he’s jealous of the vampire Austin and Val’s closeness. After another Succubus takes control of him and uses him for her own desires, Shade lays all blame at Val’s feet and the relationship suffers a major collapse. I guess we should have seen that coming since Val’s relationships don’t last all that long.
Overall, while I still enjoy Val, she came across like a teenager with major angst in her life. Yes, she does have serious problems, but it’s time to stand up and make a choice about what she wants to do with her life now that she doesn’t have her slayer powers, and the books are causing all sorts of fun for her.
This series has been, mostly, about Val and Fang’s relationship and how they work together to fight the villains. This time out, not only does Fang do Val wrong, but he’s not all that funny. Maybe it’s because he’s about read to have a litter of puppies, that his thoughts are otherwise preoccupied.
With the surprise ending to this book, one can only hope that there will be a book # 5 in this series to tie up several of the storylines once and for-all.
Expected publication: April 30 2012 by Bell Bridge Books
January 4, 2015
So by now if you've read the series we all know what's going on with Val and the gang, so there is really no need for a recap. If you're reading this and have never read the series, I highly recommend you reading it, it's very good, and captivating. Parker Blue has a made a fantastic world, that just sucks you right in, and with each book you just want more.
In this book, Val and a few of the gang travel to Austin to help out with a situation out there. While out there, Val meets another succubus. Instantly she dislikes this succubus for a good reason, she has entralled Shade. And with her being neurotic as she is, she can't handle that. But she has to maintain herself because she has a duty to the Demon Underground, and to the Movement.
During this book she also gets close to the charming, arrogant vampire Austin, haha no pun on the location either.
It's a great book, my only complain on this book and the one following this one, is that Val gets a little whiny about and over Shade. It gets a little unnerving and something I would expect from a character 16 years old and younger not someone who is 18-19years old. But other than that another phenomenal book.
In this book, Val and a few of the gang travel to Austin to help out with a situation out there. While out there, Val meets another succubus. Instantly she dislikes this succubus for a good reason, she has entralled Shade. And with her being neurotic as she is, she can't handle that. But she has to maintain herself because she has a duty to the Demon Underground, and to the Movement.
During this book she also gets close to the charming, arrogant vampire Austin, haha no pun on the location either.
It's a great book, my only complain on this book and the one following this one, is that Val gets a little whiny about and over Shade. It gets a little unnerving and something I would expect from a character 16 years old and younger not someone who is 18-19years old. But other than that another phenomenal book.
May 22, 2022
Me gustó más este libro que los anteriores. Es decir, fue más emocionante, hubo giros inesperados y la trama no fue tan lenta. Me frustra mucho lo de Gwen, ya que ella no se merecía lo que le pasó! Pero bueno, supongo que podría servir para que Dan entienda que no todo lo supernatural es malo. Ahora, dos cosas que realmente me molestaron: primero, que onda con Shade? Y culpar a Val por lo que le hizo Dina. Val se lo quería llevar pero él insistió e insistió para quedarse, incluso le dijo que no necesitaba su protección, que era todo un hombre, pero al final de cuentas le echa la culpa por "abandonarlo". Tarado. Todos las parejas de Val son unos completos idiotas. Y segundo, porque tanto lío de Val por ser el Paladín de su grupo de demonios? Al final, ya lo es! Sólo le faltaba un título. No seas ridícula, Shapiro. A veces sólo quiero ahorcarte.
May 28, 2017
I was really excited to try this series and I have not tried this author yet. I was not disappointed! This series seems like a series I should read from the beginning just because the book was very good. I think I may have to start from book one! I enjoyed the story line and the characters. Being my first book and starting in the middle of the series, the author helped fill me in and I didn't as lost as I thought I would. I think this series is definitely worth I read. * I received this book from Netgalley and this is my honest review*
July 21, 2017
Pretty good, but I liked the first three books better. I was just so sad to see some characters change so much & not necessarily for the better. I guess that's what happens in life too, but it still stinks when people you think you know turn into a-holes all of a sudden. I still like the series though because the books are fun, quick reads.
June 24, 2019
It was awesome book, it was really hard to put it down. There was alot going on through out the book.
August 2, 2022
Enjoyable, if not memorable
April 30, 2012
ORIGINAL POST And GIVEAWAY of a special three volume Galley I received from Bell Bridge Press (10" by 8" softcover). It contains the first three novels in the Demon Underground Series by Parker Blue and I am giving it away. To enter complete the form below. US postal addresses only, 18 or older. Ends Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 12:01AM EST. FANGS, WANDS & FAIRY DUST 5-1-2012
MAKE ME
Demon Underground #4
by Parker Blue
Bell Bridge Books
Kindle: 535 KB, March 13, 2012
Paperback: 224 pages, April 20, 2012
Age: Young Adult
Disclosure: Provided by publisher via Net Galley.
No remuneration was exchanged and except as noted, all opinions are my own.
Parker Blue's Demon Underground series (BITE ME, TRY ME, FANG ME, MAKE ME) is a mix of the adult (sex, virginity, death, falling for a cop, being a succubus) and the not-so-adult (vibrating magic books, talking hell-hounds: one petulant King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and one Captain Courageous Jack Russel Terrier). If it weren't for Fang and Princess, Val's life of killing vampires and then being their employee/security, being a demon, rejection by her parents, etc. would kind of suck.
There are many characters in MAKE ME in the series of books (two more books are contracted, and a novella and a short story are planned - Parker Blue Facebook), and two locales: Austin and San Antonio, Texas. The vampires and demons were hard to keep track of.Most of the character definition of everyone but Val and her cousin/mentor/demon underground leader was written into the previous novels.
In MAKE ME Val's word and her honor, has stuck between vampires and demons, nether group is all bad or all good, all right or all wrong. A desire for power is perhaps more corrupting than having it apparently. And, as per genre-norms all magick has its price and sacrifice.
Even though Val is pretty young, she regularly deals with adults and ancient vampires on an equal footing, and she was even part of the police force. Having lost her virginity, or her V-Card, Val's fighting and healing powers are drastically reduced. Her only real weapon now is her succubus' ability to ensnare men. She does have a set of magic books which will teach her what she needs to know in a magical situation: the right spell for the job. But for each one her succubus nature is reduced.
But in many ways MAKE ME feels more YA than than FANG ME. And, she doesn't have an opportunity to hook up with her Shadow Demon boyfriend. At one point she has to feed of a vampire male-friend, Austin and in doing so reminds me of a young Anita Blake, it is the sexiest thing that happens in the book. The cover reflects this "return to innocence" with a Harry Potter vibe.
But it's hard to have a story about a succubus without some mention of sexy so if you are totally dead set against it for your self or a young adult then, well, while this is extremely innocuous in this regard the subject does come up.
There is the death of someone close to Val and I felt it was brushed over in an "it's sad but let's get back to business" way. Of course if they don't more people will die. Most situations are resolved at the end. This is a fine continuation of the story and leaves room for the series to progress in several directions.
MAKE ME
Demon Underground #4
by Parker Blue
Bell Bridge Books
Kindle: 535 KB, March 13, 2012
Paperback: 224 pages, April 20, 2012
Age: Young Adult
Disclosure: Provided by publisher via Net Galley.
No remuneration was exchanged and except as noted, all opinions are my own.
Val Shapiro has a secret she’s desperate to keep—she’s lost her slayer powers.
As the new guardian of the Encyclopedia Magicka, Val expected the books to give her powers to replace those that disappeared after she lost her "V card” to Shade.But the encyclopediaexacts a price for every spell, making the job of guardian a tricky proposition.
When a rogue demon kidnaps Val’s roommate Gwen and Micah, leader of the San Antonio Demon Underground, Val is plunged into the middle of a Solomon’s Choice.The rogue wants the dangerously potent Encyclopedia Magicka in exchange for her friends’ lives; the succubus leader of the Demon Underground in Austin is demanding the books be destroyed rather than let them fall into the wrong hands and wants Shade for herself, swearing to do everything she can to prevent Val’s turning over the books.
The kidnapping isn’t the only crisis Val faces. She’s been betrayed by Fang. Demons and vampires are disappearing.The vamps of the New Blood Movement are forcing Val to keep the terms of her agreement to work for them to combat this new threat. The Demon Underground is challenging Micah's leadership, and everyone is depending on a now-powerless Val to set things right.
Val needs all the help she can get. Even if it means forgiving Fang and spending time with a dangerously sexy cowboy-vampire. www.bellebooks.com
Parker Blue's Demon Underground series (BITE ME, TRY ME, FANG ME, MAKE ME) is a mix of the adult (sex, virginity, death, falling for a cop, being a succubus) and the not-so-adult (vibrating magic books, talking hell-hounds: one petulant King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and one Captain Courageous Jack Russel Terrier). If it weren't for Fang and Princess, Val's life of killing vampires and then being their employee/security, being a demon, rejection by her parents, etc. would kind of suck.
There are many characters in MAKE ME in the series of books (two more books are contracted, and a novella and a short story are planned - Parker Blue Facebook), and two locales: Austin and San Antonio, Texas. The vampires and demons were hard to keep track of.Most of the character definition of everyone but Val and her cousin/mentor/demon underground leader was written into the previous novels.
In MAKE ME Val's word and her honor, has stuck between vampires and demons, nether group is all bad or all good, all right or all wrong. A desire for power is perhaps more corrupting than having it apparently. And, as per genre-norms all magick has its price and sacrifice.
Even though Val is pretty young, she regularly deals with adults and ancient vampires on an equal footing, and she was even part of the police force. Having lost her virginity, or her V-Card, Val's fighting and healing powers are drastically reduced. Her only real weapon now is her succubus' ability to ensnare men. She does have a set of magic books which will teach her what she needs to know in a magical situation: the right spell for the job. But for each one her succubus nature is reduced.
But in many ways MAKE ME feels more YA than than FANG ME. And, she doesn't have an opportunity to hook up with her Shadow Demon boyfriend. At one point she has to feed of a vampire male-friend, Austin and in doing so reminds me of a young Anita Blake, it is the sexiest thing that happens in the book. The cover reflects this "return to innocence" with a Harry Potter vibe.
But it's hard to have a story about a succubus without some mention of sexy so if you are totally dead set against it for your self or a young adult then, well, while this is extremely innocuous in this regard the subject does come up.
There is the death of someone close to Val and I felt it was brushed over in an "it's sad but let's get back to business" way. Of course if they don't more people will die. Most situations are resolved at the end. This is a fine continuation of the story and leaves room for the series to progress in several directions.
May 10, 2012
You ever hear the saying, "some things are too good to be true"...? When you have the luck and life of Val, you should never hold things and/or people too close, as they WILL leave her. *sigh* I am one of those really crazy HUGE fans of this series!! I was so excited to see this title on NetGalley while I wait for my copy to come in-THANKS NETGALLEY- that I literally screamed when I got my apporval notice, and then I dropped EVERYTHING and jumped in to read this one!! Seriously, I really am a crazed over-zealous fan LOL :) This will be my first "real, official, big" review, now that I have a blog and can talk all I want!!!
This is book 4, so you may see some references to the first 3 books, but I will try NOT to put anything too bad in the spoiler part :) The first few sentences of the first book had me screaming-seriously, as Val is kicked out by her STUPID mother on her 18th birthday. Her step dad and sister love her, but they are stuck in the middle, so they say nothing. Val's luck continues to go to hell-pun intended :) She finds out the truths about her "demon" heritage, and even finds out that there's a demon underground meant to help demons fit into the human population. She meets Micah who then becomes like a mentor to her. She also gets a job with the police on a special branch of supernatural watchers. There she meets Dan, who, KINDA becomes her love interest, and fellow cop partner. I loved Dan until he became very STUPID-yes I keep using that word because I cannot publish cuss words on the internet LOL But she also becomes a roommate to Dan's sister, gwen, whom I LOVE!!! and she also gets Fang--FANG IS SO AWESOME!!! Fang becomes her true side-kick, as he is a hellhound-terrier mix :) I giggle at his image in my head! And along the way, she meets Shade-Shade is very, very swoonworthy!!- and finally gets a happy ending, or does she?
Ok, now that we've got the past established, let's get to this book, which is basically a all out mess for Val. She sacrificed the most important thing in her life to Shade only to have it continuously bit her in the.... yeah, back there ;) I think I stayed furious at Shade thoughout this WHOLE book, as I really, REALLY was in love with him until now! Hot damn, I told you Val has terrible luck. But in this installment, pretty much everything you could think would happen, did, all for the worse. She goes to Austin with the Vampires-as she is stuck in that damn contract- and ends up trying to help the vamps, the demons, AND the humans, as an Apocalypse would kill them too LOL I think all the truths she learns from this book will hurt the most, but will help her the most in the long run. She learns exactly who her real friends are, who's got her back, who's gunna break her heart, and who is a crazy, evil, nut case :) There is so much humor in the book-especially from Fang, and so much action, as Val is a true kick @$$ heroine, and tragedy, mixed with sad and happy times. I really don't want to give away too much.
The writing is like no other! Parker Blue makes me feel like I'M IN THE BOOK living things out, instead of Val. I'm not sure just why I have grown attached to this series, or these characters, quite like I have, but I can tell you part of it is due directly to great writing! It's still considered a YA, although no actual sex, there are some slight undertones, so maybe the older teens. I would recommend this WHOLE series, to everyone I see LOL or blab to on my blog! Get them all! I am now sad again that I have to wait for the next book to come out... I shall have to re-read this a few times LOL!
This is book 4, so you may see some references to the first 3 books, but I will try NOT to put anything too bad in the spoiler part :) The first few sentences of the first book had me screaming-seriously, as Val is kicked out by her STUPID mother on her 18th birthday. Her step dad and sister love her, but they are stuck in the middle, so they say nothing. Val's luck continues to go to hell-pun intended :) She finds out the truths about her "demon" heritage, and even finds out that there's a demon underground meant to help demons fit into the human population. She meets Micah who then becomes like a mentor to her. She also gets a job with the police on a special branch of supernatural watchers. There she meets Dan, who, KINDA becomes her love interest, and fellow cop partner. I loved Dan until he became very STUPID-yes I keep using that word because I cannot publish cuss words on the internet LOL But she also becomes a roommate to Dan's sister, gwen, whom I LOVE!!! and she also gets Fang--FANG IS SO AWESOME!!! Fang becomes her true side-kick, as he is a hellhound-terrier mix :) I giggle at his image in my head! And along the way, she meets Shade-Shade is very, very swoonworthy!!- and finally gets a happy ending, or does she?
Ok, now that we've got the past established, let's get to this book, which is basically a all out mess for Val. She sacrificed the most important thing in her life to Shade only to have it continuously bit her in the.... yeah, back there ;) I think I stayed furious at Shade thoughout this WHOLE book, as I really, REALLY was in love with him until now! Hot damn, I told you Val has terrible luck. But in this installment, pretty much everything you could think would happen, did, all for the worse. She goes to Austin with the Vampires-as she is stuck in that damn contract- and ends up trying to help the vamps, the demons, AND the humans, as an Apocalypse would kill them too LOL I think all the truths she learns from this book will hurt the most, but will help her the most in the long run. She learns exactly who her real friends are, who's got her back, who's gunna break her heart, and who is a crazy, evil, nut case :) There is so much humor in the book-especially from Fang, and so much action, as Val is a true kick @$$ heroine, and tragedy, mixed with sad and happy times. I really don't want to give away too much.
The writing is like no other! Parker Blue makes me feel like I'M IN THE BOOK living things out, instead of Val. I'm not sure just why I have grown attached to this series, or these characters, quite like I have, but I can tell you part of it is due directly to great writing! It's still considered a YA, although no actual sex, there are some slight undertones, so maybe the older teens. I would recommend this WHOLE series, to everyone I see LOL or blab to on my blog! Get them all! I am now sad again that I have to wait for the next book to come out... I shall have to re-read this a few times LOL!
June 7, 2012
Book Info: Genre: Urban Fantasy Reading Level: Young Adult
Disclosure: I received an eGalley of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Shapiro has a secret she’s desperate to keep—she’s lost her slayer powers. As the new guardian of the Encyclopedia Magicka, Val expected the books to give her powers to replace those that disappeared after she lost her “V card” to Shade. But the encyclopedia exacts a price for every spell, making the job of guardian a tricky proposition.
When a rogue demon kidnaps Val’s roommate Gwen and Micah, leader of the San Antonio Demon Underground, Val is plunged into the middle of a Solomon’s Choice. The rogue wants the dangerously potent Encyclopedia Magicka in exchange for her friends’ lives; the succubus leader of the Demon Underground in Austin is demanding the books be destroyed rather than let them fall into the wrong hands and wants Shade for herself, swearing to do everything she can to prevent Val’s turning over the books.
The kidnapping isn’t the only crisis Val faces. She’s been betrayed by Fang. Demons and vampires are disappearing. The vamps of the New Blood Movement are forcing Val to keep the terms of her agreement to work for them to combat this new threat.
The Demon Underground is challenging Micah's leadership, and everyone is depending on a now-powerless Val to set things right. Val needs all the help she can get. Even if it means forgiving Fang and spending time with a dangerously sexy cowboy-vampire.
My Thoughts: I was really happy to get this from NetGalley in time to read right after I’d finished the first three.
Wow, so Parker Blue mentioned after the 2nd book that she planned to “do another and maybe a 4th,” but the way she left this one, I’ll be terribly disappointed if she doesn’t write another one; this book ends with quite a mess on Val’s hands. I certainly hope things aren’t going to be left like that! Thank goodness - I just checked parkerblue.net and she intends to continue the series whew.
Does that give you an idea of how much I love these books? An interesting note on the series as a whole – the entire series has taken place, so far, over the course of just a few months. The first book, Bite Me, started at her birthday, which was a bit before Samhain, and this latest book ends right after midnight on Christmas of the same year. That’s a lot of action and happenings in a young girl’s life over not much time, and Val has grown tremendously. Also, hellhound puppies on the way – yay! Hopefully they’ll make an appearance in the next book.
I highly recommend all these books to the folks who enjoy urban fantasy and paranormal fiction of all kinds. I’ve only seen one negative review on each book so far (probably the same person), so a lot of people seem to agree with me. Check ‘em out, why don’t ya?
Disclosure: I received an eGalley of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Shapiro has a secret she’s desperate to keep—she’s lost her slayer powers. As the new guardian of the Encyclopedia Magicka, Val expected the books to give her powers to replace those that disappeared after she lost her “V card” to Shade. But the encyclopedia exacts a price for every spell, making the job of guardian a tricky proposition.
When a rogue demon kidnaps Val’s roommate Gwen and Micah, leader of the San Antonio Demon Underground, Val is plunged into the middle of a Solomon’s Choice. The rogue wants the dangerously potent Encyclopedia Magicka in exchange for her friends’ lives; the succubus leader of the Demon Underground in Austin is demanding the books be destroyed rather than let them fall into the wrong hands and wants Shade for herself, swearing to do everything she can to prevent Val’s turning over the books.
The kidnapping isn’t the only crisis Val faces. She’s been betrayed by Fang. Demons and vampires are disappearing. The vamps of the New Blood Movement are forcing Val to keep the terms of her agreement to work for them to combat this new threat.
The Demon Underground is challenging Micah's leadership, and everyone is depending on a now-powerless Val to set things right. Val needs all the help she can get. Even if it means forgiving Fang and spending time with a dangerously sexy cowboy-vampire.
My Thoughts: I was really happy to get this from NetGalley in time to read right after I’d finished the first three.
Wow, so Parker Blue mentioned after the 2nd book that she planned to “do another and maybe a 4th,” but the way she left this one, I’ll be terribly disappointed if she doesn’t write another one; this book ends with quite a mess on Val’s hands. I certainly hope things aren’t going to be left like that! Thank goodness - I just checked parkerblue.net and she intends to continue the series whew.
Does that give you an idea of how much I love these books? An interesting note on the series as a whole – the entire series has taken place, so far, over the course of just a few months. The first book, Bite Me, started at her birthday, which was a bit before Samhain, and this latest book ends right after midnight on Christmas of the same year. That’s a lot of action and happenings in a young girl’s life over not much time, and Val has grown tremendously. Also, hellhound puppies on the way – yay! Hopefully they’ll make an appearance in the next book.
I highly recommend all these books to the folks who enjoy urban fantasy and paranormal fiction of all kinds. I’ve only seen one negative review on each book so far (probably the same person), so a lot of people seem to agree with me. Check ‘em out, why don’t ya?
July 9, 2012
Okay, it's official, I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!!! "Make Me" is a wild roller coaster ride of excitement, intrigue, betrayal, kidnapping and more. This installment finds our heroine, Val Shapiro being forced to go to Austin, Texas with the vampire congregation led by Alejandro but not before she discovers that some of the demons have not been as protected from negative people in society and they want a change. She is reeling over her new duty as Keeper of the Magicka Encylopedia and hasn't even had a chance to begin her training when this trip comes up. There is no way her boyfriend, Slade will allow her to go without following her. So, he follows but is told that he cannot stay with Val since she is on official business.
After arriving in Austin, it is discovered that the Vampires led by Lisette have three of their members missing and rumor is going around the city that there is a chupracabra (goat sucker) on the loose. Since one of the missing vamps is a man Austin sired he requests Val's assistance in locating him. She renegotiates her deal with the vamps to state that once she takes care of the chupacabra situation she is free from her contract.
When Shade arrives in Austin, he decides to seek out the demon underground there. It is headed up by a succubus, Dina and she seems to have a stranger that usual hold on the men. She demands that Val leave both the encyclopedia and Shade with her. She refuses to do both but Shade steps in and agrees to stay with Dina. Although she is not happy about it, Val leaves Shade and goes on the hunt.
Soon they discover two mentally wacked out vamps who turn out to be Austin's missing friend and one other of Lisette's men. They find the ashes of the third. The demons also seem to be missing two men as well. It is discovered that it was the wacked out vamps who were responsible for the animal deaths in the city but they cannot figure out why they were doing it. They are placed in the hospital to heal.
Meanwhile, there is a rogue demon named Amodaeus who kidnaps Val's roommate Gwen, Micah and Princess the pregnant hellhound. They are being held hostage for the books. Unfortunately, Val does not discover this until it is too late and it will have dire consequences for Gwen.
This book really brought a lot of information to light. The Demon Underground is not all it seems, Val's opinion of the vampires will need to undergo a change and her relationship with Shade will become at risk. Amidst all of this craziness, there is still the snarky humor with the hellhounds but my heart truly ached for all of the pain and responsibilities thrown upon the shoulders of Val. This series just gets better and better. I do not know how long we will have to wait for the next book in the series; but, I can tell you I am at a loss to know what will happen next. Hopefully, we will get another installment before the end of the year.
After arriving in Austin, it is discovered that the Vampires led by Lisette have three of their members missing and rumor is going around the city that there is a chupracabra (goat sucker) on the loose. Since one of the missing vamps is a man Austin sired he requests Val's assistance in locating him. She renegotiates her deal with the vamps to state that once she takes care of the chupacabra situation she is free from her contract.
When Shade arrives in Austin, he decides to seek out the demon underground there. It is headed up by a succubus, Dina and she seems to have a stranger that usual hold on the men. She demands that Val leave both the encyclopedia and Shade with her. She refuses to do both but Shade steps in and agrees to stay with Dina. Although she is not happy about it, Val leaves Shade and goes on the hunt.
Soon they discover two mentally wacked out vamps who turn out to be Austin's missing friend and one other of Lisette's men. They find the ashes of the third. The demons also seem to be missing two men as well. It is discovered that it was the wacked out vamps who were responsible for the animal deaths in the city but they cannot figure out why they were doing it. They are placed in the hospital to heal.
Meanwhile, there is a rogue demon named Amodaeus who kidnaps Val's roommate Gwen, Micah and Princess the pregnant hellhound. They are being held hostage for the books. Unfortunately, Val does not discover this until it is too late and it will have dire consequences for Gwen.
This book really brought a lot of information to light. The Demon Underground is not all it seems, Val's opinion of the vampires will need to undergo a change and her relationship with Shade will become at risk. Amidst all of this craziness, there is still the snarky humor with the hellhounds but my heart truly ached for all of the pain and responsibilities thrown upon the shoulders of Val. This series just gets better and better. I do not know how long we will have to wait for the next book in the series; but, I can tell you I am at a loss to know what will happen next. Hopefully, we will get another installment before the end of the year.
May 6, 2013
Book 4 in an exciting "New Adult" urban fantasy series with a "kick-ass" heroine
In this fourth book in the Demon Underground, New Adult, urban fantasy series, "kick-ass" heroine, 18-year-old Val Shapiro, is hiding a dangerous secret. After losing her virginity to her handsome, demon boyfriend, Shade, her slayer powers vanished. She had hoped that as the latest guardian of the Encyclopedia Magicka, these enormously powerful books would offer her new magical abilities to replace those she'd surrendered for love, but so far, that has not happened. These books take away more than they give, because there is a price to pay for using any spell they offer.
While Val is still floundering without any magical resources to protect herself or anyone else, her roommate Gwen and her mentor Micah, the incubus leader of the San Antonio Demon Underground, are kidnapped by a rogue demon, who commands Val to surrender the Encyclopedia Magicka to him as the price for her friends' lives. As Val contemplates the nightmare such an exchange would produce, the gorgeous, succubus leader of the Austin Demon Underground arrives, insisting that the deadly books be destroyed to prevent their falling into the wrong hands. She also employs her succubus powers to bind Shade to her, and a devastated Val can do nothing to prevent it.
Meanwhile, demons and vampires begin disappearing in San Antonio, and Val is torn between the needs of the vampire and demon communities. The vampires of the New Blood Movement demand that Val uphold her oath to work for them as they search for the perpetrator of these threats, but there is dangerous turmoil in the Demon Underground without Micah in charge. As if all that weren't enough, Val's best friend and sidekick, Fang the talking hellhound, chooses this moment to unaccountably betray her.
Val, as always, is a valiant, determined, very active protagonist, and she has plenty of exciting, scary problems to deal with in this latest action-filled installment of the Demon Underground series. Val inhabits a compelling, magical world, and I thoroughly enjoy reading about that world and experiencing the many intriguing subcharacters inhabiting it.
Poor Val can't ever seem to catch a break in the romance department, but since this is not a series that focuses a great deal of attention on romance as an end in and of itself, I won't downgrade my score for this novel for not delivering a strong paranormal-romance subplot. Instead, I am giving it a high score for a great deal of success in its main focus: relentless warrior, Val, giving her all to the goal of defeating scary villains against impossible odds.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book through Net Galley.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Fantasy World-Building: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Action-Adventure/Thriller Plot: 4 stars
Overall: 5 stars
In this fourth book in the Demon Underground, New Adult, urban fantasy series, "kick-ass" heroine, 18-year-old Val Shapiro, is hiding a dangerous secret. After losing her virginity to her handsome, demon boyfriend, Shade, her slayer powers vanished. She had hoped that as the latest guardian of the Encyclopedia Magicka, these enormously powerful books would offer her new magical abilities to replace those she'd surrendered for love, but so far, that has not happened. These books take away more than they give, because there is a price to pay for using any spell they offer.
While Val is still floundering without any magical resources to protect herself or anyone else, her roommate Gwen and her mentor Micah, the incubus leader of the San Antonio Demon Underground, are kidnapped by a rogue demon, who commands Val to surrender the Encyclopedia Magicka to him as the price for her friends' lives. As Val contemplates the nightmare such an exchange would produce, the gorgeous, succubus leader of the Austin Demon Underground arrives, insisting that the deadly books be destroyed to prevent their falling into the wrong hands. She also employs her succubus powers to bind Shade to her, and a devastated Val can do nothing to prevent it.
Meanwhile, demons and vampires begin disappearing in San Antonio, and Val is torn between the needs of the vampire and demon communities. The vampires of the New Blood Movement demand that Val uphold her oath to work for them as they search for the perpetrator of these threats, but there is dangerous turmoil in the Demon Underground without Micah in charge. As if all that weren't enough, Val's best friend and sidekick, Fang the talking hellhound, chooses this moment to unaccountably betray her.
Val, as always, is a valiant, determined, very active protagonist, and she has plenty of exciting, scary problems to deal with in this latest action-filled installment of the Demon Underground series. Val inhabits a compelling, magical world, and I thoroughly enjoy reading about that world and experiencing the many intriguing subcharacters inhabiting it.
Poor Val can't ever seem to catch a break in the romance department, but since this is not a series that focuses a great deal of attention on romance as an end in and of itself, I won't downgrade my score for this novel for not delivering a strong paranormal-romance subplot. Instead, I am giving it a high score for a great deal of success in its main focus: relentless warrior, Val, giving her all to the goal of defeating scary villains against impossible odds.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book through Net Galley.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Fantasy World-Building: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Action-Adventure/Thriller Plot: 4 stars
Overall: 5 stars
October 11, 2012
2.5 stars — spoilers
This was just an ok read — the plot was rather predictable, the romance was crap and the main characters were difficult to relate to. Val was more or less likeable bar her tendency to let people walk all over her. It's irritating that she gets pushed in to doing things she doesn't want, she rarely has control over her own life — which makes for very frustrating reading. This time around, Alejandro and his vampires force her into going to Austin with them to investigate a bunch of missing vampires. She then later gets cornered in to finding out what happened to a bunch of missing demons. Val for some reason doesn't protest putting her life in danger and taking on everyone else's BS - what she should have done was tell everyone to fuck off, especially her boyfriend, Shade.
Shade turned in to a right bastard, he blamed Val for everything that happened to him when it was all his own fault. And stupid Val felt guilty even though it was Shade that was in the wrong. If he hadn't demanded to go with Val to Austin then he would never have been controlled by the bad guy, Dina - but because he was irrationally jealous of her spending time with Austin (the vampire) he forced her to let him go. And because of his ego, he later made the decision to stay with Dina the succubus, knowing that Dina could end up controlling him. Val begged him not to stay with Dina yet he still turned around and said it was Val's fault that he ended up being controlled by crazy Dina. Shade was also pissed that Val didn't save him when she didn't even know he needed saving and then he went and got pissed when she did save him because it made him feel less of a man… what a fucker. He was so pathetic and unmanly blaming Val when he was at fault.
I thought her last love interest, Dan, was awful but Shade was ten times worse. I'll be pissed if Val takes responsibility for Shade's mistakes and begs him for another chance when it should be the other way around.
I hate that Val is such a doormat and always feels responsible for everyone. She really needs to get a backbone and stop letting people treat her like shit. Her family are vile - throwing her out, treating her like dirt - but does she have a go at them? No, she thinks she deserved all the shit they threw at her - Val needs to tell them and Shade to piss off.
Val's interactions with Austin were pretty great, he's a far better love interest than Shade.
A quick, easy and somewhat entertaining read. It would have been more enjoyable if Val found her spine and didn't let everyone control her all the time. The side characters - Fang, Austin, Jack and Gwen were all decent enough. I'll still read the next one to see what happens with Val, her family and Shade/Austin.
This was just an ok read — the plot was rather predictable, the romance was crap and the main characters were difficult to relate to. Val was more or less likeable bar her tendency to let people walk all over her. It's irritating that she gets pushed in to doing things she doesn't want, she rarely has control over her own life — which makes for very frustrating reading. This time around, Alejandro and his vampires force her into going to Austin with them to investigate a bunch of missing vampires. She then later gets cornered in to finding out what happened to a bunch of missing demons. Val for some reason doesn't protest putting her life in danger and taking on everyone else's BS - what she should have done was tell everyone to fuck off, especially her boyfriend, Shade.
Shade turned in to a right bastard, he blamed Val for everything that happened to him when it was all his own fault. And stupid Val felt guilty even though it was Shade that was in the wrong. If he hadn't demanded to go with Val to Austin then he would never have been controlled by the bad guy, Dina - but because he was irrationally jealous of her spending time with Austin (the vampire) he forced her to let him go. And because of his ego, he later made the decision to stay with Dina the succubus, knowing that Dina could end up controlling him. Val begged him not to stay with Dina yet he still turned around and said it was Val's fault that he ended up being controlled by crazy Dina. Shade was also pissed that Val didn't save him when she didn't even know he needed saving and then he went and got pissed when she did save him because it made him feel less of a man… what a fucker. He was so pathetic and unmanly blaming Val when he was at fault.
I thought her last love interest, Dan, was awful but Shade was ten times worse. I'll be pissed if Val takes responsibility for Shade's mistakes and begs him for another chance when it should be the other way around.
I hate that Val is such a doormat and always feels responsible for everyone. She really needs to get a backbone and stop letting people treat her like shit. Her family are vile - throwing her out, treating her like dirt - but does she have a go at them? No, she thinks she deserved all the shit they threw at her - Val needs to tell them and Shade to piss off.
Val's interactions with Austin were pretty great, he's a far better love interest than Shade.
A quick, easy and somewhat entertaining read. It would have been more enjoyable if Val found her spine and didn't let everyone control her all the time. The side characters - Fang, Austin, Jack and Gwen were all decent enough. I'll still read the next one to see what happens with Val, her family and Shade/Austin.
May 20, 2012
While it took me a little longer to get into this book than the others, I felt like it was one of the best ones in the series overall.
The change to switching between Val and Micah's view points was interesting, necessary at times, and very well done. I always enjoy hearing more from Micah.
Before Val can even focus on the holidays, she is kidnapped with the assistance of fang, by demons who have a bone to pick with Micah and want to use her as a catalyst and leverage.
After getting out of the situation, Val immediately has to run off to Austin with Alejandro and crew.
Val has to figure out how to use the encyclopedia magicka, protect kidnapped friends, and find the culprit responsible for the rash of chupacabra attacks that are responsible to multiple animal, vamp, and demon deaths around the city of Austin.
Alejandro wisks Val off to Austin to met the local New Movement Head there to discuss the legislation that should assist the vamps in coming out of the coffin. What they find when they get there is a series of attacks that keep the politicians backing them from wanting any of the negative attention drawn on them of the vamps. Val agrees to try to discover what the chupacabra is and find the missing vamps in exchange for Alejandro releasing her from her contract upon completion.
Multiple relationships (and people) around Val change drastically due to the events that take place in Austin.
Battling a power hungry succubus and a slightly off kilter mage demon is all in a days work for Val. Even if she doesn't want the job.
Parker Blue really seems like shes coming into her own more and gaining more confidence in her writing and her characters as they grow a bit more in depth and the plots become a bit more intricate. I am unsure how far she intends to carry this series (there is at least one more book that I know of) but I will definitely be following Val and her adventures. Poor girl.
The change to switching between Val and Micah's view points was interesting, necessary at times, and very well done. I always enjoy hearing more from Micah.
Before Val can even focus on the holidays, she is kidnapped with the assistance of fang, by demons who have a bone to pick with Micah and want to use her as a catalyst and leverage.
After getting out of the situation, Val immediately has to run off to Austin with Alejandro and crew.
Val has to figure out how to use the encyclopedia magicka, protect kidnapped friends, and find the culprit responsible for the rash of chupacabra attacks that are responsible to multiple animal, vamp, and demon deaths around the city of Austin.
Alejandro wisks Val off to Austin to met the local New Movement Head there to discuss the legislation that should assist the vamps in coming out of the coffin. What they find when they get there is a series of attacks that keep the politicians backing them from wanting any of the negative attention drawn on them of the vamps. Val agrees to try to discover what the chupacabra is and find the missing vamps in exchange for Alejandro releasing her from her contract upon completion.
Multiple relationships (and people) around Val change drastically due to the events that take place in Austin.
Battling a power hungry succubus and a slightly off kilter mage demon is all in a days work for Val. Even if she doesn't want the job.
Parker Blue really seems like shes coming into her own more and gaining more confidence in her writing and her characters as they grow a bit more in depth and the plots become a bit more intricate. I am unsure how far she intends to carry this series (there is at least one more book that I know of) but I will definitely be following Val and her adventures. Poor girl.
May 11, 2012
First things first, of all the Demon Underground books, Make Me has the least appealing cover but do not let the overly cartoony, childish cover put you off the book.
Poor Val. It seems that trouble just follows her and she cannot do anything about it. Now that she has lost her Slayer powers, all she has is Lola, the succubus within her, which is helpful, but having accelerated healing powers, speed and strength sure did come in handy when fighting the bad Vampires. The good Vampires, however? Well, she has a contract with them to help them until they unveil themselves to the world, which is not going as smoothly as head Vamp, Alejandro, had hoped.
Now, to help clean up this mess, Val is on her way to Austin with Alejandro, his right hand Vamp, the sexy southern Austin, and Jack, ex-keeper of the Encyclopedia Magicka, who is going to teach present keeper, Val, all there is to know about the books. Oh, and do not forget jealous boyfriend, shadow demon Shade, you demands on following Val there. What is the worst that can happen? Well, this is Val we are talking about and everyone, demon and vampire alike seems to be leaning on her for help.
The Demon Underground series is a well built world with each book being highly entertaining. The character's are likable even if a lot of the characters walk in and out of the books, such as Dan, who was pretty big in the first, but now, has turned quite one dimensional and plays a very minute role.
Make Me has a large sub-plot that on Val's personal struggle with Shade. This was not a very enjoyable sub-plot, mainly because Shade completely changed in this book, even without a certain someone's help. (I'm trying not to spoil here!) From the start of the book, he seems resentful of her despite the fact that Val gave up her super powers when she lost her virginity to him.
The books are also quite short, with Make Me being only 224 pages. This is a good thing, it means the story are fast paced and you will not get bored of the series as it is not drawn out.
Final Thought.
Although less actiony than the past three books of the series, Make Me is still interesting and shakes up the Val's world. Who knows where book five will lead too?
Poor Val. It seems that trouble just follows her and she cannot do anything about it. Now that she has lost her Slayer powers, all she has is Lola, the succubus within her, which is helpful, but having accelerated healing powers, speed and strength sure did come in handy when fighting the bad Vampires. The good Vampires, however? Well, she has a contract with them to help them until they unveil themselves to the world, which is not going as smoothly as head Vamp, Alejandro, had hoped.
Now, to help clean up this mess, Val is on her way to Austin with Alejandro, his right hand Vamp, the sexy southern Austin, and Jack, ex-keeper of the Encyclopedia Magicka, who is going to teach present keeper, Val, all there is to know about the books. Oh, and do not forget jealous boyfriend, shadow demon Shade, you demands on following Val there. What is the worst that can happen? Well, this is Val we are talking about and everyone, demon and vampire alike seems to be leaning on her for help.
The Demon Underground series is a well built world with each book being highly entertaining. The character's are likable even if a lot of the characters walk in and out of the books, such as Dan, who was pretty big in the first, but now, has turned quite one dimensional and plays a very minute role.
Make Me has a large sub-plot that on Val's personal struggle with Shade. This was not a very enjoyable sub-plot, mainly because Shade completely changed in this book, even without a certain someone's help. (I'm trying not to spoil here!) From the start of the book, he seems resentful of her despite the fact that Val gave up her super powers when she lost her virginity to him.
The books are also quite short, with Make Me being only 224 pages. This is a good thing, it means the story are fast paced and you will not get bored of the series as it is not drawn out.
Final Thought.
Although less actiony than the past three books of the series, Make Me is still interesting and shakes up the Val's world. Who knows where book five will lead too?
September 2, 2012
Seriously, this series just keeps on getting better and better. I could not put this book down. Instead, I was entranced by Val who’s snarky attitude, demon talking sarcastic dog kept me entertained till the very last page.
First off, I can’t begin to tell you how much I adored this book. It’s so awesome, I don’t even know where to begin. Um…, so okay lets start off with the plot. This plot follows Val who has been called in to help figure out why vampires are missing in Austin. Val, along with Fang travel to the city to start investigating. Once there, the plot just accelerated forward. Val finds herself more than just missing vampires, but a power hungry being set to rule the world. I loved that immediately Val is on her game and asking questions. She sets everything aside to help others even when her life is falling apart in front of her. Val makes some very hard decisions, that once again, turn around and bite her in the butt. I’m not very happy about this. Val deserves some redemptions here!!!
The characters. The characters have grown much on psychical strength and knowledge in what do to. Still, Val is horrible in setting herself first! GAH! I love that she is selfless for others, but damn girl! Be selfish for once and do something for yourself. For for yourself cause your worth it. Stop putting your powers, as a excuse and fight! *rant over* Sorry about that. That is one thing that irks me about Val. She is incredible when it comes to others but when it comes to herself, she always so stupid. I am hoping that this time around Val has this time learn her lesson.
The love interest! Excuse me while I scream…
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I mean really? REALLLY!!! Geez, just when I think things have finally gotten somewhere, the author just goes and throws this in my face!
Well played Ms. Parker. WELL PLAYED!
Make Me is an awesome book! Fan of Richelle Mead’s Succubus Blue series will love Val as she is just like younger version of Georgina. Make Me is satisfying yet sweet. With emotions flowing like a roller coaster, Make Me will drive the reader insane. (the good kind) Make Me is a captivating story that I never want to end. Make Me is awesome!
First off, I can’t begin to tell you how much I adored this book. It’s so awesome, I don’t even know where to begin. Um…, so okay lets start off with the plot. This plot follows Val who has been called in to help figure out why vampires are missing in Austin. Val, along with Fang travel to the city to start investigating. Once there, the plot just accelerated forward. Val finds herself more than just missing vampires, but a power hungry being set to rule the world. I loved that immediately Val is on her game and asking questions. She sets everything aside to help others even when her life is falling apart in front of her. Val makes some very hard decisions, that once again, turn around and bite her in the butt. I’m not very happy about this. Val deserves some redemptions here!!!
The characters. The characters have grown much on psychical strength and knowledge in what do to. Still, Val is horrible in setting herself first! GAH! I love that she is selfless for others, but damn girl! Be selfish for once and do something for yourself. For for yourself cause your worth it. Stop putting your powers, as a excuse and fight! *rant over* Sorry about that. That is one thing that irks me about Val. She is incredible when it comes to others but when it comes to herself, she always so stupid. I am hoping that this time around Val has this time learn her lesson.
The love interest! Excuse me while I scream…
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I mean really? REALLLY!!! Geez, just when I think things have finally gotten somewhere, the author just goes and throws this in my face!
Well played Ms. Parker. WELL PLAYED!
Make Me is an awesome book! Fan of Richelle Mead’s Succubus Blue series will love Val as she is just like younger version of Georgina. Make Me is satisfying yet sweet. With emotions flowing like a roller coaster, Make Me will drive the reader insane. (the good kind) Make Me is a captivating story that I never want to end. Make Me is awesome!
July 11, 2014
Wow. Another fine addition to Parker Blue's Demon Underground series. Couldn't put the book down, not for a thing.
Make Me takes place in Austin, Texas (Nice change of scenery. I approve!). The New Blood Movement is in the throes of coming out to the world, but with the supposed appearance of 'Chupacabras' their plans are being delayed for fear of catching the blame for the deaths these beings are causing. So, naturally, it's a road trip for Val, and where Val goes a jealous Shade trails in her wake.
Shade has made it quite obvious that he doesn't approve of Val being in the cowboy vampire Austin's presence and has firmly staked his claim on her. However, being the woman that she is, Val can fight her own battles and puts him in his place. (Proceed to Shade's eternal pouting.) Ugh. I liked that boy a lot better when he possessed some child-like endearment, but this dominance crap and not wanting Val to come to his rescue or do anything even remotely helpful is beyond ridiculous. And then to turn around and freaking BLAME HER for your own stupid decisions and stubborn pride?? Are you kidding me?!? That shit just won't fly!! That's BS. You know it, I know it, but sadly Val is too heartbroken to see it. Yet. What an asshat!!
Sorry, just had to throw that little peice of ranting in there.
More than the 'chupacabras' threat, though, is the mass disappearances of vamps, demons, and of course some key members close to Val. (Because life wasn't already throwing that girl enough crap to deal with.) Val must uncover who is behind the disappearances, the many deaths in animal the population, and the innate wrongness that she senses in the Austin DU.
All of this would be hard to take on for any girl, but with the recent loss of many of her succubus powers, she's more vulnerable than ever. She'll have to rely on others for the strength needed to face the challenges that await her, but at what cost to herself? Will she be able to suck up her pride and accept the help freely given, or will her pride be her own peril?
Can't wait to find out more from this thrilling series!!
Make Me takes place in Austin, Texas (Nice change of scenery. I approve!). The New Blood Movement is in the throes of coming out to the world, but with the supposed appearance of 'Chupacabras' their plans are being delayed for fear of catching the blame for the deaths these beings are causing. So, naturally, it's a road trip for Val, and where Val goes a jealous Shade trails in her wake.
Shade has made it quite obvious that he doesn't approve of Val being in the cowboy vampire Austin's presence and has firmly staked his claim on her. However, being the woman that she is, Val can fight her own battles and puts him in his place. (Proceed to Shade's eternal pouting.) Ugh. I liked that boy a lot better when he possessed some child-like endearment, but this dominance crap and not wanting Val to come to his rescue or do anything even remotely helpful is beyond ridiculous. And then to turn around and freaking BLAME HER for your own stupid decisions and stubborn pride?? Are you kidding me?!? That shit just won't fly!! That's BS. You know it, I know it, but sadly Val is too heartbroken to see it. Yet. What an asshat!!
Sorry, just had to throw that little peice of ranting in there.
More than the 'chupacabras' threat, though, is the mass disappearances of vamps, demons, and of course some key members close to Val. (Because life wasn't already throwing that girl enough crap to deal with.) Val must uncover who is behind the disappearances, the many deaths in animal the population, and the innate wrongness that she senses in the Austin DU.
All of this would be hard to take on for any girl, but with the recent loss of many of her succubus powers, she's more vulnerable than ever. She'll have to rely on others for the strength needed to face the challenges that await her, but at what cost to herself? Will she be able to suck up her pride and accept the help freely given, or will her pride be her own peril?
Can't wait to find out more from this thrilling series!!
May 4, 2012
Spoilers for previous books.
Absolutely amazing. I am in love with this series. I think they are getting better every book.
Gwen and Micah get kidnapped by a mage demon. And the ransom he requires, is the Encyclopedia Magicka. A book that is kind of like a witches book of shadows but this one is written by witches and is extremely dangerous in the wrong hands, mainly, the hands of a mage demon. So Val needs to find a way to free Gwen and Micah without handing over the books.
On top of this, Val also has to help the vampires find the chupacabras (goat suckers) who are killing animals all over the city of Austin before the vampires of the New Blood Movement can make themselves known to the public and Val can be released from her contract with them.
And to top it all, she had to leave her boyfriend Shade in the hands of another succubus, Dina, the leader of the Demon Underground in Austin, who wants him, a lot.
Again, this was a fantastic story filled with action and suspense. It is fast paced and flows along really well. Another one that I just couldn't put out of my hands for very long without the lure of it calling me back.
Val is her usual awesome self, but this time she's accompanied by Austin, a sexy cowboy vampire, who helps to protect her since she's lost her kick ass powers by cashing in her "v" card. Jack, the previous keeper of the Encyclopedia Magicka is along for the ride too to try to help her, as the new keeper, to use the books and get her powers back from them. Dan also returns to the fray in this book to help rescue his sister, Gwen. We also meet a couple of new characters who help out along the way, David, another incubus and Pia, a siren.
Again, I cannot recommend this series enough. If it sounds like something you think you might be interested in, you need to read it now and wallow in the awesomeness that is the Demon Underground series.
Absolutely amazing. I am in love with this series. I think they are getting better every book.
Gwen and Micah get kidnapped by a mage demon. And the ransom he requires, is the Encyclopedia Magicka. A book that is kind of like a witches book of shadows but this one is written by witches and is extremely dangerous in the wrong hands, mainly, the hands of a mage demon. So Val needs to find a way to free Gwen and Micah without handing over the books.
On top of this, Val also has to help the vampires find the chupacabras (goat suckers) who are killing animals all over the city of Austin before the vampires of the New Blood Movement can make themselves known to the public and Val can be released from her contract with them.
And to top it all, she had to leave her boyfriend Shade in the hands of another succubus, Dina, the leader of the Demon Underground in Austin, who wants him, a lot.
Again, this was a fantastic story filled with action and suspense. It is fast paced and flows along really well. Another one that I just couldn't put out of my hands for very long without the lure of it calling me back.
Val is her usual awesome self, but this time she's accompanied by Austin, a sexy cowboy vampire, who helps to protect her since she's lost her kick ass powers by cashing in her "v" card. Jack, the previous keeper of the Encyclopedia Magicka is along for the ride too to try to help her, as the new keeper, to use the books and get her powers back from them. Dan also returns to the fray in this book to help rescue his sister, Gwen. We also meet a couple of new characters who help out along the way, David, another incubus and Pia, a siren.
Again, I cannot recommend this series enough. If it sounds like something you think you might be interested in, you need to read it now and wallow in the awesomeness that is the Demon Underground series.
April 22, 2012
3.5
Favorite Lines: "Leave me alone," he said flatly. "Get the hell out of my life." (p. 210, e-galley)
Cover art: I hate it. It has an 80's cover art feel that I don't find attractive or enticing.
Characters: We are introduced to new characters in the fourth installment of Parker Blue's Demon Underground series. The characters are a paranormal mixture which includes vampires, hybrids and demons. Some of them are clearly evil others force you to sit the fence and wait to find out if they are on Val's side. I expect to see many of those characters in the future. I also expect to see less of some key characters from past books as the series proceeds.
Plot: The story is pretty straight forward. Val is keeping her word to the vampires and it takes her out of town. Once there, similar to a P.I., she investigates a mystery that takes her places she never wanted to be. It also forces her to see both the demons and the vampires in a new light. She learns about both and her relationship with Shade is tested in an unexpected way. Some story lines are closed, while new ones begin.
Overall Thoughts: At times part of the story was pretty predictable. Remember that the series is marketed to young adults and that the heroine is a recently turned 18-year-old so not all of her decisions are well thought out. Don't read it as a stand alone novel. The author supplies much back story, but it's not an adequate substitute to reading books one through three. I enjoy Val Shapiro and loved the ending. I want to see where Blue will take Val next and will be reading book five when it is released.
Favorite Lines: "Leave me alone," he said flatly. "Get the hell out of my life." (p. 210, e-galley)
Cover art: I hate it. It has an 80's cover art feel that I don't find attractive or enticing.
Characters: We are introduced to new characters in the fourth installment of Parker Blue's Demon Underground series. The characters are a paranormal mixture which includes vampires, hybrids and demons. Some of them are clearly evil others force you to sit the fence and wait to find out if they are on Val's side. I expect to see many of those characters in the future. I also expect to see less of some key characters from past books as the series proceeds.
Plot: The story is pretty straight forward. Val is keeping her word to the vampires and it takes her out of town. Once there, similar to a P.I., she investigates a mystery that takes her places she never wanted to be. It also forces her to see both the demons and the vampires in a new light. She learns about both and her relationship with Shade is tested in an unexpected way. Some story lines are closed, while new ones begin.
Overall Thoughts: At times part of the story was pretty predictable. Remember that the series is marketed to young adults and that the heroine is a recently turned 18-year-old so not all of her decisions are well thought out. Don't read it as a stand alone novel. The author supplies much back story, but it's not an adequate substitute to reading books one through three. I enjoy Val Shapiro and loved the ending. I want to see where Blue will take Val next and will be reading book five when it is released.
April 20, 2012
Review: Make Me by Parker Blue
4 STARS
Make Me is the 4th book in the series. Since my memory is not what it used to be, I reread Bite Me, Try Me and Fang Me. I enjoyed them the second time just as much.
Make Me starts after Fang Me. I wished the ending had been different. Maybe thier will be more books.
Val Shapiro now has the magic book, still works for the vampires. Val has to work for them till they come out & the books were found. She has lost
her powers,strength but still has Lola and her power.
Shade is still her boyfriend but he does not like her working for the vampires and when he finds out that she is going with them to Austin with them he goes too.
Thier is lots of action, different people are kidnapped and rescued throughout the book.
Gwen, Micah and Princess are kidnapped while Val is in Austin.
Jack is supposed to be training her to be the new keeper of the book but he keeps putting it off. All Jack wants to do now that he is back in this dimension is eat and watch tv.
Austin the vampire is handsom and is willing to help Val to learn to fight without her other powers. Plus help her to find Micah and the others plus solve the vampire problems in Austin vein.
Micah leadership is being questioned and is going to have a vote to see if the demons of the underground still want him to lead. He is also having
problems with the club not enough customers coming.
I did not want to put the book down till it was finshed. I will definatly read the next book in the series.
I was given Make Me to read and in exchange for a honest review from
Netgalley.
04/30/2012 PUB Bell Bridge Books
4 STARS
Make Me is the 4th book in the series. Since my memory is not what it used to be, I reread Bite Me, Try Me and Fang Me. I enjoyed them the second time just as much.
Make Me starts after Fang Me. I wished the ending had been different. Maybe thier will be more books.
Val Shapiro now has the magic book, still works for the vampires. Val has to work for them till they come out & the books were found. She has lost
her powers,strength but still has Lola and her power.
Shade is still her boyfriend but he does not like her working for the vampires and when he finds out that she is going with them to Austin with them he goes too.
Thier is lots of action, different people are kidnapped and rescued throughout the book.
Gwen, Micah and Princess are kidnapped while Val is in Austin.
Jack is supposed to be training her to be the new keeper of the book but he keeps putting it off. All Jack wants to do now that he is back in this dimension is eat and watch tv.
Austin the vampire is handsom and is willing to help Val to learn to fight without her other powers. Plus help her to find Micah and the others plus solve the vampire problems in Austin vein.
Micah leadership is being questioned and is going to have a vote to see if the demons of the underground still want him to lead. He is also having
problems with the club not enough customers coming.
I did not want to put the book down till it was finshed. I will definatly read the next book in the series.
I was given Make Me to read and in exchange for a honest review from
Netgalley.
04/30/2012 PUB Bell Bridge Books
April 29, 2012
I think I would have liked this one better had Val not been a whiny kid. She has been through so much, accepted it and moved on. So I was surprised when every time we turned around she was whining.
I do think that Val had things to complain about. She has the books, doesn't have a clue how to use them and the guy that should be showing her how to use the books isn't. She gets kidnapped by some rogue demons who point out some inequalities within the demon world, while still being forced to work with the vampires.
While working with the vamps things start to go downhill for Val. The demon and vamp worlds collide and things go to hell in a hand basket real fast! Val isn't sure who she can trust and those close to her are thrown into trouble. Trying to save everyone Val is forced to make some hard decisions, ones where not everyone she cares about can come first. Along the way Val learns more about the demon world, the good and bad parts.
At the end Val is forced into a corner, one where she has to agree to do something she doesn't want to do in order to save someone she cares about from a horrible fate.
With this final choice I worry for Val, her life is once again about to change, it remains to be seen if it will be a good one and what her life will now become. We will have to wait and see to find out.
I do think that Val had things to complain about. She has the books, doesn't have a clue how to use them and the guy that should be showing her how to use the books isn't. She gets kidnapped by some rogue demons who point out some inequalities within the demon world, while still being forced to work with the vampires.
While working with the vamps things start to go downhill for Val. The demon and vamp worlds collide and things go to hell in a hand basket real fast! Val isn't sure who she can trust and those close to her are thrown into trouble. Trying to save everyone Val is forced to make some hard decisions, ones where not everyone she cares about can come first. Along the way Val learns more about the demon world, the good and bad parts.
At the end Val is forced into a corner, one where she has to agree to do something she doesn't want to do in order to save someone she cares about from a horrible fate.
With this final choice I worry for Val, her life is once again about to change, it remains to be seen if it will be a good one and what her life will now become. We will have to wait and see to find out.
June 11, 2012
Wow, poor Val just can't catch a break, it's always just one disaster after another! If you're a fan of this series, you won't want to miss this one, there are just too many climactic turning points with the plot.
There are some crucial changes to Val & Shade's relationship. Val also has another change in her role in the Demon Underground (I don't want to give too much away). She also has some changes to her relationship with the vampires in the New Blood Movement. I really like where the next book seems to be heading!
It did take me until about halfway through this book to really get into it, but I actually liked this one the best out of all the books in the series, and I think it's because Val seems to be growing up more in this book. Val always has so many responsibilities thrust upon her shoulders, that it is hard to remember that she is only eighteen years old. This book is no different, but I think she is finally starting to grow up some and take the responsibilities in stride.
Parker Blue has really became such a great author throughout these books and I've been glad to see her grow as a writer. This one is my favorite to date and I can't wait to see what happens to Val next! All in all, a really good book!
***Review Copy provided by NetGalley & Bell Bridge Books in exchange for an honest review***
Also Published on my blog http://www.bookliaison.com
There are some crucial changes to Val & Shade's relationship. Val also has another change in her role in the Demon Underground (I don't want to give too much away). She also has some changes to her relationship with the vampires in the New Blood Movement. I really like where the next book seems to be heading!
It did take me until about halfway through this book to really get into it, but I actually liked this one the best out of all the books in the series, and I think it's because Val seems to be growing up more in this book. Val always has so many responsibilities thrust upon her shoulders, that it is hard to remember that she is only eighteen years old. This book is no different, but I think she is finally starting to grow up some and take the responsibilities in stride.
Parker Blue has really became such a great author throughout these books and I've been glad to see her grow as a writer. This one is my favorite to date and I can't wait to see what happens to Val next! All in all, a really good book!
***Review Copy provided by NetGalley & Bell Bridge Books in exchange for an honest review***
Also Published on my blog http://www.bookliaison.com
May 20, 2012
Valentine Shapiro is back in action, but instead of being The Slayer she is now The Keeper of the Books. After losing many of her powers she is relearning how to fight and protect those around her without being killed herself. Make Me offers action packed chapters but also throws in new twists. Gwen and Micah are kidnapped by a demon who wants the Encyclopedia Magicka. Val can’t give the books up, but she also can’t let her friends die. Of course the book wouldn’t be complete with subplots twisted inside. Who is killing large animals in Austin Texas? Why are vampires AND demons disappearing in Austin Texas. How can Dina (the leader of the Austin Demon Underground) control so many men all of the time? Are these three separate issues or are they connected? Val is pushed to new limits as she helps the humans, vampires and demons in her life. This fourth installment of the Demon Underground series was just as good as the earlier books and I wait with anticipation for a fifth volume!
October 19, 2012
Awesome, simply awesome. Blue manages to make me forget about everything and just think about Val and Shade and Austin (Yummy vampire)... This time I loved the Val-Austin relationship, I hated how petty and childish was acting Shade and believe me when I say I LOVE HIM.
Val was asked (forced by the contract) by Alejandro (vamp) to go to Ausint and help him with some stuff.... and then when she goes, everything kind of falls apart...
We meet new people such as Dina and some more bad guys...
It was great, I don't know what to say, how to critize it, I simply can't now. It's wonderfully written, the plot has not holes (not that I discovered), the characters felt realistic and had flaws and stuff normal people have and I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read the next one because Blue simply MUST write another one!
LOVED IT!!
Val was asked (forced by the contract) by Alejandro (vamp) to go to Ausint and help him with some stuff.... and then when she goes, everything kind of falls apart...
We meet new people such as Dina and some more bad guys...
It was great, I don't know what to say, how to critize it, I simply can't now. It's wonderfully written, the plot has not holes (not that I discovered), the characters felt realistic and had flaws and stuff normal people have and I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read the next one because Blue simply MUST write another one!
LOVED IT!!
February 27, 2015
Tenía mucho tiempo con este libro pendiente y finalmente me decidí a leerlo!!!
Sin embargo no entiendo el afán de la autora de que Val no pueda tener un novio decente, primero con Dan, el cual me encantaba y la autora hizo que no la quisiera por ser un súcubo entonces me dejo queriendo más Dan y Val y ahora Shade??? Qué decepción de hombres o demonios o whatever en este saga! Espero que Austin sea la excepción a la regla y la pobre Val encuentre un tipo decente que la sepa apreciar y no que le huyan a la primera.
En fin, a pesar de todo esta saga tiene algo que me gusta jajajaja y ahora quiero leer más pero espero que Val no tenga que pasar por los brazos de mil hombres para encontrar al indicado.
Sin embargo no entiendo el afán de la autora de que Val no pueda tener un novio decente, primero con Dan, el cual me encantaba y la autora hizo que no la quisiera por ser un súcubo entonces me dejo queriendo más Dan y Val y ahora Shade??? Qué decepción de hombres o demonios o whatever en este saga! Espero que Austin sea la excepción a la regla y la pobre Val encuentre un tipo decente que la sepa apreciar y no que le huyan a la primera.
En fin, a pesar de todo esta saga tiene algo que me gusta jajajaja y ahora quiero leer más pero espero que Val no tenga que pasar por los brazos de mil hombres para encontrar al indicado.
August 8, 2012
I got the first three books of this series as a single e-book through NetGalley.
The writing is the best I have ever read but I still loved these books. I devoured them and the fourth book. I'm struggling to cope with the fact that I don't have a fifth book.
Val is an enjoyable character. I love her attitude and the fact that she really has few answers but she follows her heart and seems to be right more often than she is wrong. She makes mistakes.
I love Fang - I don't think there is a character out there I love more. As a telepathic terrier - he is funny and so loveable. I desperately want that dog.
There is some romance and that was entertaining. I can't wait to see where Val goes from here.
The writing is the best I have ever read but I still loved these books. I devoured them and the fourth book. I'm struggling to cope with the fact that I don't have a fifth book.
Val is an enjoyable character. I love her attitude and the fact that she really has few answers but she follows her heart and seems to be right more often than she is wrong. She makes mistakes.
I love Fang - I don't think there is a character out there I love more. As a telepathic terrier - he is funny and so loveable. I desperately want that dog.
There is some romance and that was entertaining. I can't wait to see where Val goes from here.
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