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Corine Solomon #4
Devil's Punch
The power swelled inside me, burning, hurting, but I let it center me. Pain means I’m still here, fighting. I envisioned it swelling in my hand in a seething rush, gathering, gathering, and then I sent it out on my resolve like a dark and winged thing riding the magickal wind.
As a handler, Corine Solomon can touch any object and learn its history. Her power is a gift, but one that’s thrown her life off track. The magical inheritance she received from her mother is dangerously powerful, and Corine has managed to mark herself as a black witch by dealing with demons to solve her problems.
Back home, Corine is trying to rebuild her pawnshop and her life with her ex, Chance, despite the target on her back. But when the demons she provoked kidnap her best friend in retaliation, Corine puts everything on hold to rescue her. It’s undoubtedly a trap, but Corine will do anything to save those she loves, even if it means sacrificing herself…
As a handler, Corine Solomon can touch any object and learn its history. Her power is a gift, but one that’s thrown her life off track. The magical inheritance she received from her mother is dangerously powerful, and Corine has managed to mark herself as a black witch by dealing with demons to solve her problems.
Back home, Corine is trying to rebuild her pawnshop and her life with her ex, Chance, despite the target on her back. But when the demons she provoked kidnap her best friend in retaliation, Corine puts everything on hold to rescue her. It’s undoubtedly a trap, but Corine will do anything to save those she loves, even if it means sacrificing herself…
316 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 3, 2012
31 people are currently reading
1197 people want to read
About the author
Ann Aguirre
81 books7,064 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ann Aguirre has been a clown, a clerk, a savior of stray kittens, and a voice actress, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in Mexico with her family. She writes all kinds of genre fiction, but she has an eternal soft spot for a happily ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
March 27, 2012
How far would you go to save your best friend? If you’re anything like Corine Solomon, you would take a one-way ticket to hell without a second thought.
This is my tenth book by Ann Aguirre, and she has yet to write a single sentence that I won’t like. From her restrained writing style to her astonishing worlds, everything she does demonstrates calmness, precision and experience not many authors have.
My relationship with Corine Solomon got off to a rocky start. Just like Sirantha Jax, she was insufferable at first, mildly infuriating later and a role model by the end. Not that we got to see much of Corine this time around, as she was sharing her body with a vicious demon queen. She was mostly in the background, a helpless spectator in her own life, and even when she found the strength to push the queen down, she was rarely the Corine I know and love. She and the queen started out as complete opposites, one gentle and mellow, the other evil incarnate, but the lines started blurring pretty soon and suddenly I had no idea where one ends and the other begins. Just like Chance, I was unsure about her actions, constantly wondering which part was Corine, and which the demon queen. If that isn’t proof enough of superior writing skills, I don’t know what is.
I adore that Aguirre toys with the genre, stepping in and out as she sees fit and abandoning it altogether when the need arises. Hell Fire, book two in the series, was really a small-town horror story, compelling, utterly creepy and so much better than the small town horror story that won 2011 GoodReads choice award. That’s when it became clear that the author refuses to be confined by the genre and it was around that time that I started worshiping the ground she walks on… with much dignity, of course. ;) She took a step back with the third book, Shady Lady, which was a real urban fantasy if I ever read one. It was, at that moment, the best one of the series. I loved an impossible man together with Corine, I suffered with her, I fought right alongside her and I cried when she lost the things she valued most. I thought it would be a hard one to top, and it was, but I might have underestimated Aguirre’s ability to surprise her readers. She wrote a book so unlike Shady Lady, or any of her books for that matter, that it’s simply impossible to compare them.
Flirting with high fantasy did wonders for this series. The second Corine and Chance jumped (literally, they jumped) into the demon realm, my jaw dropped and that’s where it stayed. From the gate and the sacrifice the crossing required to Xibalba, a huge demon city they ended up in, every single detail was in its place. The demon queen’s palace was as real to me as my own back yard, and the creatures that gathered there will feature in my nightmares for a long time to come. I’ve said this before, but it deems repeating: nobody builds worlds like Ann Aguirre. Each one is a work of art, but when the time comes to destroy them, she shows no mercy. I think that’s what I appreciate the most.
Make sure to stop by The Nocturnal Library tomorrow for an interview and triple giveaway with the amazing Ann Aguirre. We will be giving away first installments of her three ongoing series: Enclave, Grimspace, and Blue Diablo.
This is my tenth book by Ann Aguirre, and she has yet to write a single sentence that I won’t like. From her restrained writing style to her astonishing worlds, everything she does demonstrates calmness, precision and experience not many authors have.
My relationship with Corine Solomon got off to a rocky start. Just like Sirantha Jax, she was insufferable at first, mildly infuriating later and a role model by the end. Not that we got to see much of Corine this time around, as she was sharing her body with a vicious demon queen. She was mostly in the background, a helpless spectator in her own life, and even when she found the strength to push the queen down, she was rarely the Corine I know and love. She and the queen started out as complete opposites, one gentle and mellow, the other evil incarnate, but the lines started blurring pretty soon and suddenly I had no idea where one ends and the other begins. Just like Chance, I was unsure about her actions, constantly wondering which part was Corine, and which the demon queen. If that isn’t proof enough of superior writing skills, I don’t know what is.
I adore that Aguirre toys with the genre, stepping in and out as she sees fit and abandoning it altogether when the need arises. Hell Fire, book two in the series, was really a small-town horror story, compelling, utterly creepy and so much better than the small town horror story that won 2011 GoodReads choice award. That’s when it became clear that the author refuses to be confined by the genre and it was around that time that I started worshiping the ground she walks on… with much dignity, of course. ;) She took a step back with the third book, Shady Lady, which was a real urban fantasy if I ever read one. It was, at that moment, the best one of the series. I loved an impossible man together with Corine, I suffered with her, I fought right alongside her and I cried when she lost the things she valued most. I thought it would be a hard one to top, and it was, but I might have underestimated Aguirre’s ability to surprise her readers. She wrote a book so unlike Shady Lady, or any of her books for that matter, that it’s simply impossible to compare them.
Flirting with high fantasy did wonders for this series. The second Corine and Chance jumped (literally, they jumped) into the demon realm, my jaw dropped and that’s where it stayed. From the gate and the sacrifice the crossing required to Xibalba, a huge demon city they ended up in, every single detail was in its place. The demon queen’s palace was as real to me as my own back yard, and the creatures that gathered there will feature in my nightmares for a long time to come. I’ve said this before, but it deems repeating: nobody builds worlds like Ann Aguirre. Each one is a work of art, but when the time comes to destroy them, she shows no mercy. I think that’s what I appreciate the most.
Make sure to stop by The Nocturnal Library tomorrow for an interview and triple giveaway with the amazing Ann Aguirre. We will be giving away first installments of her three ongoing series: Enclave, Grimspace, and Blue Diablo.
May 4, 2012
Devil's Punch picks up right where Shady Lady left off. Corine and Chance are in Mexico, Corine's trying to rebuild and work on her magical skills. Things are going great until Corine gets a note saying that Shannon has been kidnapped. Because of events in the last book, Corine knows that demons are involved.
I like this book but I don't think it was nearly as good as Shady Lady. I really missed Kel. Chance was awesome and has definitely changed and is serious about being with Corine...but I got really attached to Kel in the last book. We finally find out more about Chance, which is great! It's kind of a shocker, to be honest :)
I don't know exactly what made this one less enjoyable for me, it had all the right stuff but it just wasn't as interesting. I think the problem may have been Corine?? And I don't like .
It ends with a huge cliffhanger so I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series!
I like this book but I don't think it was nearly as good as Shady Lady. I really missed Kel. Chance was awesome and has definitely changed and is serious about being with Corine...but I got really attached to Kel in the last book. We finally find out more about Chance, which is great! It's kind of a shocker, to be honest :)
I don't know exactly what made this one less enjoyable for me, it had all the right stuff but it just wasn't as interesting. I think the problem may have been Corine?? And I don't like .
It ends with a huge cliffhanger so I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series!
April 2, 2012
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
DEVIL’S PUNCH is the game changer book for the Corine Solomon series. Normally, I love it when authors take big risks to shake up their series, but I think in this case it might have been too much. Without spoiling anything, two huge events transpire; one that drastically alters the tone of this book, and another that will drastically affect the tone of the next book.
Praise is due once again for the writing which is as immersive as always. We get to visit Sheol aka Hell in DEVIL’S PUNCH, which provides plenty of opportunity for Aguirre to transport her readers with numerous delightful descriptions of various demons, underworld cities, and some very enchanting clothing options. Also enjoyable is the romantic decisiveness that Corine finally shows. She has made her choice and sticks with it. The early chapters with Corine and Chance re-learning each other were remarkably tender and very romantic. Chance finally let his guard down and revealed a lot about his past and it helped him endear himself to me in a way that he hadn’t managed in the previous books. And if the rest of the book could have stayed in that sweet spot, this would be another 4 bat review.
I can’t say I really enjoyed the changes made to either Corine or Chance in the course of DEVIL’S PUNCH. To be fair, with Corine, there were several hints from the previous books that led up to this change, but it was such a departure that, combined with the new setting, made DEVIL’S PUNCH almost feel like a book from a different series. Very little page time is spent in Mexico, and most of the supporting characters are no shows. So while I’d give the first half a 4/5, I unfortunately have to give the second half a 2/5. I don’t really know what’s going to happen in AGAVE KISS when it releases in March 2013. Several issues will have to carry over, which I’m not thrilled about, but hopefully, the oh-so-good stuff from the previous books will be back too.
Sexual Content:
A few sex scenes
DEVIL’S PUNCH is the game changer book for the Corine Solomon series. Normally, I love it when authors take big risks to shake up their series, but I think in this case it might have been too much. Without spoiling anything, two huge events transpire; one that drastically alters the tone of this book, and another that will drastically affect the tone of the next book.
Praise is due once again for the writing which is as immersive as always. We get to visit Sheol aka Hell in DEVIL’S PUNCH, which provides plenty of opportunity for Aguirre to transport her readers with numerous delightful descriptions of various demons, underworld cities, and some very enchanting clothing options. Also enjoyable is the romantic decisiveness that Corine finally shows. She has made her choice and sticks with it. The early chapters with Corine and Chance re-learning each other were remarkably tender and very romantic. Chance finally let his guard down and revealed a lot about his past and it helped him endear himself to me in a way that he hadn’t managed in the previous books. And if the rest of the book could have stayed in that sweet spot, this would be another 4 bat review.
I can’t say I really enjoyed the changes made to either Corine or Chance in the course of DEVIL’S PUNCH. To be fair, with Corine, there were several hints from the previous books that led up to this change, but it was such a departure that, combined with the new setting, made DEVIL’S PUNCH almost feel like a book from a different series. Very little page time is spent in Mexico, and most of the supporting characters are no shows. So while I’d give the first half a 4/5, I unfortunately have to give the second half a 2/5. I don’t really know what’s going to happen in AGAVE KISS when it releases in March 2013. Several issues will have to carry over, which I’m not thrilled about, but hopefully, the oh-so-good stuff from the previous books will be back too.
Sexual Content:
A few sex scenes
June 27, 2012
I’m disappointed.
I was mad at Corine half of the book. Corine’s love life is fickle: she loves Chance, but also Kell and she has desired/desires Jesse, Chance and Kell. We are lucky that Jesse is now with Shannon, otherwise we would have to put up with more of her whining. Corine’s love life is fickle. I annoyed me to no end. I like romances, but I expect some direction in them: this is the fourth book and Corine could be with just anyone of the aforementioned (except Jesse out of loyalty with Shannon).
The whole voyage to the Hell plot, maybe I wasn’t in the mood, but I just didn’t feel like to learn about a new world (with lots of new species) while hearing Corine wonder about her future with Chance. I also didn’t care much about the split personality, either (nothing charming in that, nor in the evil queen power over Chance). However, as in other Aguirre’s books, the writing quality is good, the world imaginative and the characters remarkable.
And then... the end arrives and this book is definitely not a HEA. And I’m tired. I do not read to suffer. I will read the next one, but I’m happy it’s the last one.
I was mad at Corine half of the book. Corine’s love life is fickle: she loves Chance, but also Kell and she has desired/desires Jesse, Chance and Kell. We are lucky that Jesse is now with Shannon, otherwise we would have to put up with more of her whining. Corine’s love life is fickle. I annoyed me to no end. I like romances, but I expect some direction in them: this is the fourth book and Corine could be with just anyone of the aforementioned (except Jesse out of loyalty with Shannon).
The whole voyage to the Hell plot, maybe I wasn’t in the mood, but I just didn’t feel like to learn about a new world (with lots of new species) while hearing Corine wonder about her future with Chance. I also didn’t care much about the split personality, either (nothing charming in that, nor in the evil queen power over Chance). However, as in other Aguirre’s books, the writing quality is good, the world imaginative and the characters remarkable.
And then... the end arrives and this book is definitely not a HEA. And I’m tired. I do not read to suffer. I will read the next one, but I’m happy it’s the last one.
November 12, 2013
I am sad to say I am very disappointed with this book.
This series used to be one of my most favourite UF series.
But I am not okay with Shannon and Jesse. She is barely out of high school and he is so much older and a cop to boot. Not only that, but his romantic attachment with Corine from before just added to my distaste. I don't care how the author spins this: for example, the amnesia broke the barriers to Shannon and Jesse's love, or whatever other reasoning anyone can come up with. But there is a good reason why people frown upon such big age gaps, especially when one of the partners is so bloody young. And for God's sake, she wear "Lolita makeup" (Book 5) and carries a backpack, like some high-schooler, which she may as well be...
This series used to be one of my most favourite UF series.
But I am not okay with Shannon and Jesse. She is barely out of high school and he is so much older and a cop to boot. Not only that, but his romantic attachment with Corine from before just added to my distaste. I don't care how the author spins this: for example, the amnesia broke the barriers to Shannon and Jesse's love, or whatever other reasoning anyone can come up with. But there is a good reason why people frown upon such big age gaps, especially when one of the partners is so bloody young. And for God's sake, she wear "Lolita makeup" (Book 5) and carries a backpack, like some high-schooler, which she may as well be...
July 8, 2015
Devil's Punch was filled with so much action, I hardly knew how to continue! Corine went through so many things that made my heart not only break, but completely shatter for her.
June 16, 2012
Spoilers
Set a few months after the events of Shady Lady, Corine returns to Mexico to try and rebuild her business and home. Corine must also deal with her ex-boyfriend, Chance who has followed her to Mexico in the hopes of winning her back. Without her best friend Shannon to help her, Corine is struggling to cope with her new future. Shannon along with Corine’s almost boyfriend, Jesse, no longer remember Corine due to one of her memory spells going awry. When Shannon goes missing, Corine finds out that she’s been kidnapped by demons and taken to Sheol (hell). Corine is approached by a demon called Greydusk who offers to take Corine and Chance to Sheol to save Shannon.
I mostly enjoyed the first half of the book, the second half was disappointing. I didn’t appreciate that the tone of the book seemed to change from urban fantasy to fantasy-lite, it felt like I was reading a different series. I was disappointed that major characters from previous books either had no role or just a minor role in this book - especially Kel, Chuch and Eva. The only new character that I was invested in was Greydusk. I found it difficult to get through this when I was indifferent to or disliked most of the characters.
Corine has become more tolerable but there are still times where her reactions to certain people and their actions, are just frustrating. Corine has become somewhat stronger and sure of herself, I liked that Corine was determined to save Shannon even if it cost her life. I preferred when Corine only had her psychometry powers, now that she’s all powerful and a bit of a Mary Sue I find her quite dull and clichéd.
The Jesse/Corine/Chance love triangle is put to rest in this installment, as Jesse has no memory of Corine he’s now dating Shannon. I wasn’t impressed with this because of the age difference between the two and also because of the fact that when Jesse had his memories of Corine he showed no interest in Shannon whatsoever, so Shannon’s pretty much second best.
I’ve never really liked Chance, he treated Corine awfully and used her when they were together and it was obvious that he never felt as much for Corine as he did his first love, Lily. I did start to warm to him at the beginning of the book, he started to open up more and he showed how much Corine meant to him. I didn’t like him for long though, towards the middle of the book I went back to disliking him and then towards the end I just plain hated him. After fighting for Corine in the last few books and claiming that he loved her, in a matter of weeks he goes and falls madly in love with the Demon Queen possessing Corine. He even says at one point that he doesn’t really care whether or not Corine regains control of her body..WTF?! It just showed how little Chance actually felt for Corine by having him fall passionately in love with the woman who was trying to get rid of Corine and also by having Chance not even care if Corine permanently disappeared. Instead of being relieved and glad when Corine finally manages to overpower the Demon Queen possessing her, Chance is disappointed and worried about the Demon Queen – I don’t understand the author, does she seriously expect us to ship Chance/Corine after Chance favour the Demon Queen over Corine. Chance shows more passion, emotion and feeling towards the Demon Queen and towards his dead first love, Corine is basically 3rd best and the only reason Chance seems to want Corine is because he can’t have his 1st and 2nd choices. It’s obvious Chance is supposed to be Corine’s HEA, but she deserves better than Chance and I’d prefer she end up on her own than with Chance. I was annoyed that Corine didn’t even care that Chance was basically cheating on her with the Demon Queen, and even when Corine witnessed the passion between the two she didn’t feel betrayed or hurt, she just felt angry that the Demon Queen was confusing him. I’ll be really pissed if Corine doesn’t confront Chance about his feelings for the Demon Queen. I have feeling the whole thing will be brushed under the carpet because Corine will just be glad to have Chance back.
The time the characters spent in Sheol was just confusing and I didn’t feel that it fit in with the series. I found it unrealistic that Chance and Shannon over a few weeks manage to become first rate warriors who are more than a match for any of the demons.
Definitely the worst installment in the series, I won’t be buying the next book but I might flick through it at the library to see how things turn out.
Set a few months after the events of Shady Lady, Corine returns to Mexico to try and rebuild her business and home. Corine must also deal with her ex-boyfriend, Chance who has followed her to Mexico in the hopes of winning her back. Without her best friend Shannon to help her, Corine is struggling to cope with her new future. Shannon along with Corine’s almost boyfriend, Jesse, no longer remember Corine due to one of her memory spells going awry. When Shannon goes missing, Corine finds out that she’s been kidnapped by demons and taken to Sheol (hell). Corine is approached by a demon called Greydusk who offers to take Corine and Chance to Sheol to save Shannon.
I mostly enjoyed the first half of the book, the second half was disappointing. I didn’t appreciate that the tone of the book seemed to change from urban fantasy to fantasy-lite, it felt like I was reading a different series. I was disappointed that major characters from previous books either had no role or just a minor role in this book - especially Kel, Chuch and Eva. The only new character that I was invested in was Greydusk. I found it difficult to get through this when I was indifferent to or disliked most of the characters.
Corine has become more tolerable but there are still times where her reactions to certain people and their actions, are just frustrating. Corine has become somewhat stronger and sure of herself, I liked that Corine was determined to save Shannon even if it cost her life. I preferred when Corine only had her psychometry powers, now that she’s all powerful and a bit of a Mary Sue I find her quite dull and clichéd.
The Jesse/Corine/Chance love triangle is put to rest in this installment, as Jesse has no memory of Corine he’s now dating Shannon. I wasn’t impressed with this because of the age difference between the two and also because of the fact that when Jesse had his memories of Corine he showed no interest in Shannon whatsoever, so Shannon’s pretty much second best.
I’ve never really liked Chance, he treated Corine awfully and used her when they were together and it was obvious that he never felt as much for Corine as he did his first love, Lily. I did start to warm to him at the beginning of the book, he started to open up more and he showed how much Corine meant to him. I didn’t like him for long though, towards the middle of the book I went back to disliking him and then towards the end I just plain hated him. After fighting for Corine in the last few books and claiming that he loved her, in a matter of weeks he goes and falls madly in love with the Demon Queen possessing Corine. He even says at one point that he doesn’t really care whether or not Corine regains control of her body..WTF?! It just showed how little Chance actually felt for Corine by having him fall passionately in love with the woman who was trying to get rid of Corine and also by having Chance not even care if Corine permanently disappeared. Instead of being relieved and glad when Corine finally manages to overpower the Demon Queen possessing her, Chance is disappointed and worried about the Demon Queen – I don’t understand the author, does she seriously expect us to ship Chance/Corine after Chance favour the Demon Queen over Corine. Chance shows more passion, emotion and feeling towards the Demon Queen and towards his dead first love, Corine is basically 3rd best and the only reason Chance seems to want Corine is because he can’t have his 1st and 2nd choices. It’s obvious Chance is supposed to be Corine’s HEA, but she deserves better than Chance and I’d prefer she end up on her own than with Chance. I was annoyed that Corine didn’t even care that Chance was basically cheating on her with the Demon Queen, and even when Corine witnessed the passion between the two she didn’t feel betrayed or hurt, she just felt angry that the Demon Queen was confusing him. I’ll be really pissed if Corine doesn’t confront Chance about his feelings for the Demon Queen. I have feeling the whole thing will be brushed under the carpet because Corine will just be glad to have Chance back.
The time the characters spent in Sheol was just confusing and I didn’t feel that it fit in with the series. I found it unrealistic that Chance and Shannon over a few weeks manage to become first rate warriors who are more than a match for any of the demons.
Definitely the worst installment in the series, I won’t be buying the next book but I might flick through it at the library to see how things turn out.
April 15, 2012
I don't know what it is lately but I've been disappointed with Ann Aguirre's books lately. And it's kind of complicated in that I'm not disappointed in the writing quality or Ann Aguirre's ability to keep me glued to the pages. It's more of a disappointment in the directions her series are taking. I still love the author's writing and I want to find out what happens in both this series and her Sirantha Jax series, but I wish the past few books in the series turned out differently.
May 29, 2012
Fourth in the Corine Solomon urban fantasy series revolving around a touch psychic living in Mexico.
My Take
I was enjoying the promise of Corine and Chance together again, building a life. Then Aguirre comes along with this kidnapping. Okay. Obviously, a new story needs a new bit of drama. And it's good for a while, but then Corine is making all these stupid decisions, just rushing on in without thought.
One word sums it up...drama queen.
It's certainly an interesting journey into Hell. Then there are the distinctions the demons themselves make between each other.
Oh brother...the whining begins. Up to this point, Corine has been a pretty courageous and intelligent person. She knows it's the Chasm of Despair...hullo. So she just spills everything. And I mean...everything. Idiot. Corine's interactions with Sybella and her escape are just too easy. There's a shallowness in this story that is irritating. Almost like taking a ride through Disneyland. This should be such an important chapter in Corine's life and...phfft.
Xibalba is the, well, I guess capital city of Sheol, and it certainly sounds pretty. It has its range of neighborhoods with their particular quirks and dangers. Just as the different classes of demons do. Whoa, the information about the archangels and the nephilim is rather disturbing.
Wow, Chance really does want to get back with Corine. Compared to their first time around, he's practically spilling all of his back history. Including all about his old girlfriend Lily and how she met her demise. It's just too not-Chance. I feel as though Aguirre skipped a major part of Chance's "life change". We also get a view on how Shannon fared after Shady Lady.
The whole possession thing is weak. Aguirre builds some really nice tension, but then just lets it go. The Saremon demons are such a danger to her and yet she concentrates on making her house all pretty?? WTF?? Her encounter with her dad and Shannon's remembering was just...weak.
The Story
Chance is serious. He fully intends to romance Corine and he's followed her to Mexico and taken a house nearby as Corine rebuilds her shop. But fate has no intention of allowing them to relax for demons have kidnapped Shannon. If Corine wants her back, she'll have to take a trip to Hell, one on which her powers begin to manifest.
Seems there is a demon faction who wants Corine to take her rightful place in Hell. As her lover, Chance, too, has a role to play, one which may drag him under. Unfortunately, there are other factions who disagree with Corine's "promotion".
The Characters
Corine Solomon, a.k.a., The Binder, is carrying a darkish aura (a result of feeding those men to a demon in Shady Lady) and something in her family lineage gives Corine power over demons. Tia sees into her heart though and is accepting of her. Butch is her very-sentient Chihuahua. He knows more than Corine can understand. Chance is lucky. No, seriously. He was born with good luck, but woe to the person next to him as the bad side of the luck has to go somewhere. His mother Min is human and we finally learn about his father. We also discover Corine's father, Albie Solomon, and what really happened.
Tia is a witch who has offered to teach Corine to use her magick and let her stay at her place while her old place is rebuilt. Kel is a fallen angel, a Nephilim, charged with destroying evil---and protecting Corine in Shady Lady. Shannon was Corine's best friend and Jesse Saldana was much more than that but now they are that story's casualties. They no longer remember Corine, but they remembered each other. Chuch and Eva have had a little girl, Camellia.
Greydusk is the Imaron demon hired to guide Corine and Chance to Sheol. Sybella is a Luren demon, its Knight, and the one who ordered Shannon kidnapped. Only they don't have her anymore. Nenlil is a demon queen who lost her power, her existence due to her own greed.
The Cover
The cover is complex. A tarty looking Corine in a black tank top and jeans is walking away but with her head turned back to look at us with a big-ass knife in her right hand. In the background is a cityscape of towers and spires with a purple sky.
The title is the beverage served at Corine's formal coronation ball, Devil's Punch.
My Take
I was enjoying the promise of Corine and Chance together again, building a life. Then Aguirre comes along with this kidnapping. Okay. Obviously, a new story needs a new bit of drama. And it's good for a while, but then Corine is making all these stupid decisions, just rushing on in without thought.
One word sums it up...drama queen.
It's certainly an interesting journey into Hell. Then there are the distinctions the demons themselves make between each other.
Oh brother...the whining begins. Up to this point, Corine has been a pretty courageous and intelligent person. She knows it's the Chasm of Despair...hullo. So she just spills everything. And I mean...everything. Idiot. Corine's interactions with Sybella and her escape are just too easy. There's a shallowness in this story that is irritating. Almost like taking a ride through Disneyland. This should be such an important chapter in Corine's life and...phfft.
Xibalba is the, well, I guess capital city of Sheol, and it certainly sounds pretty. It has its range of neighborhoods with their particular quirks and dangers. Just as the different classes of demons do. Whoa, the information about the archangels and the nephilim is rather disturbing.
Wow, Chance really does want to get back with Corine. Compared to their first time around, he's practically spilling all of his back history. Including all about his old girlfriend Lily and how she met her demise. It's just too not-Chance. I feel as though Aguirre skipped a major part of Chance's "life change". We also get a view on how Shannon fared after Shady Lady.
The whole possession thing is weak. Aguirre builds some really nice tension, but then just lets it go. The Saremon demons are such a danger to her and yet she concentrates on making her house all pretty?? WTF?? Her encounter with her dad and Shannon's remembering was just...weak.
The Story
Chance is serious. He fully intends to romance Corine and he's followed her to Mexico and taken a house nearby as Corine rebuilds her shop. But fate has no intention of allowing them to relax for demons have kidnapped Shannon. If Corine wants her back, she'll have to take a trip to Hell, one on which her powers begin to manifest.
Seems there is a demon faction who wants Corine to take her rightful place in Hell. As her lover, Chance, too, has a role to play, one which may drag him under. Unfortunately, there are other factions who disagree with Corine's "promotion".
The Characters
Corine Solomon, a.k.a., The Binder, is carrying a darkish aura (a result of feeding those men to a demon in Shady Lady) and something in her family lineage gives Corine power over demons. Tia sees into her heart though and is accepting of her. Butch is her very-sentient Chihuahua. He knows more than Corine can understand. Chance is lucky. No, seriously. He was born with good luck, but woe to the person next to him as the bad side of the luck has to go somewhere. His mother Min is human and we finally learn about his father. We also discover Corine's father, Albie Solomon, and what really happened.
Tia is a witch who has offered to teach Corine to use her magick and let her stay at her place while her old place is rebuilt. Kel is a fallen angel, a Nephilim, charged with destroying evil---and protecting Corine in Shady Lady. Shannon was Corine's best friend and Jesse Saldana was much more than that but now they are that story's casualties. They no longer remember Corine, but they remembered each other. Chuch and Eva have had a little girl, Camellia.
Greydusk is the Imaron demon hired to guide Corine and Chance to Sheol. Sybella is a Luren demon, its Knight, and the one who ordered Shannon kidnapped. Only they don't have her anymore. Nenlil is a demon queen who lost her power, her existence due to her own greed.
The Cover
The cover is complex. A tarty looking Corine in a black tank top and jeans is walking away but with her head turned back to look at us with a big-ass knife in her right hand. In the background is a cityscape of towers and spires with a purple sky.
The title is the beverage served at Corine's formal coronation ball, Devil's Punch.
May 4, 2012
Originally posted at WickedLilPixie Reviews
Corine is back in this fourth book of the Corine Solomon series, by Ann Aguirre! I have waited a year for this installment and it was totally the wait.
Since the events in the last book, Shady Lady, we know that her friend Shannon no longer remembers her. Corine has basically lost a best friend and a would-be boyfriend by using a "simple" magic trick that went really wrong. Oops! When Shannon goes missing, and it's revealed she is being held in Sheol, it's a no-brainer for Corine to go find her. Corine had made all these plans with Shannon, and losing her has been gut-wrenching, the only female friend she has ever had. Chance is trying very hard to prove himself and how genuine he is that he is ready to move forward with Corine and win her back. When Corine sets off to Sheol, Chance goes with her. And that's the setup for a wild awesome ride.
For me, everything that happened in this book came out of left-field, in that I was not expecting any of it. Rest assured though, it all worked. The journey becomes epic as memories are rehashed, flashbacks are had, and revelations are made.There was one revelation having to do with Shannon that made my heart sink to my stomach for Corine, and it took a while for me to get comfortable with. I felt as though I was digesting the information right along with Corine, and let me tell you, her friendship with Shannon was truly awesome to watch. During events of the previous book I wasn't so sure where the romance arc was going, or if there'd even be one, but this story solidified how I believe the series will end. And I could not be any more pleased. I enjoy Corine's narration so much, especially between her and Chance.
----
I didn't want to love him again; I feared it, but he had a siren's call bound up in his tiger eyes and tawny skin. With Chance, I suspected - in the end - I would walk into the water, smiling, and let it close over my head.
----
I was worried that Kel's absence would be felt in Devil's Punch, after Ann Aguirre revealed on Twitter he wasn't in this book; especially after his dramatic character evolution in Shady Lady. That being said, his absence did not detract from the story at all. As Corine travels to Sheol, it is an awesome journey of new critters and demon species. I loved the new characters and creatures Ann Aguirre created!! It was an entirely new and different world, and it was awesome. There is a fantastic secondary character introduced named Greydusk who totally won me over. I felt like I was really with them on their journey through Sheol, the characters were so vivid and the different areas and castes of Sheol were fascinating. There were some really hard parts to endure, all gorey and macabre, which I love.
----
Greydusk opened the door and a host of spiders poured out. Only they weren't normal, household spiders. Which would've been bad enough.
No, these were the size of small dogs, like, say the one cowering in my handbag, and they all had long, excessively hairy legs, and the purple wizened faces of human babies that had been dead for four or five days. They chattered as they rushed at us.
-----
Once again, Ann Aguirre's ability to create a new world for us from the ground up is nothing short of spectacular and I continue to make this one of my favorite UF series out there. I am sad to know there is only one book left, but excited for it to come so we can see just what is left in store for Corine Solomon.
The Corine Solomon series is a 5 Book Urban Fantasy series, and you must read the books in order. Here is the reading order, along with my previous review links, for your convenience:
Blue Diablo
Hell Fire
Shady Lady
Devil's Punch
Agave Kiss - 2013 - end of series
Corine is back in this fourth book of the Corine Solomon series, by Ann Aguirre! I have waited a year for this installment and it was totally the wait.
Since the events in the last book, Shady Lady, we know that her friend Shannon no longer remembers her. Corine has basically lost a best friend and a would-be boyfriend by using a "simple" magic trick that went really wrong. Oops! When Shannon goes missing, and it's revealed she is being held in Sheol, it's a no-brainer for Corine to go find her. Corine had made all these plans with Shannon, and losing her has been gut-wrenching, the only female friend she has ever had. Chance is trying very hard to prove himself and how genuine he is that he is ready to move forward with Corine and win her back. When Corine sets off to Sheol, Chance goes with her. And that's the setup for a wild awesome ride.
For me, everything that happened in this book came out of left-field, in that I was not expecting any of it. Rest assured though, it all worked. The journey becomes epic as memories are rehashed, flashbacks are had, and revelations are made.There was one revelation having to do with Shannon that made my heart sink to my stomach for Corine, and it took a while for me to get comfortable with. I felt as though I was digesting the information right along with Corine, and let me tell you, her friendship with Shannon was truly awesome to watch. During events of the previous book I wasn't so sure where the romance arc was going, or if there'd even be one, but this story solidified how I believe the series will end. And I could not be any more pleased. I enjoy Corine's narration so much, especially between her and Chance.
----
I didn't want to love him again; I feared it, but he had a siren's call bound up in his tiger eyes and tawny skin. With Chance, I suspected - in the end - I would walk into the water, smiling, and let it close over my head.
----
I was worried that Kel's absence would be felt in Devil's Punch, after Ann Aguirre revealed on Twitter he wasn't in this book; especially after his dramatic character evolution in Shady Lady. That being said, his absence did not detract from the story at all. As Corine travels to Sheol, it is an awesome journey of new critters and demon species. I loved the new characters and creatures Ann Aguirre created!! It was an entirely new and different world, and it was awesome. There is a fantastic secondary character introduced named Greydusk who totally won me over. I felt like I was really with them on their journey through Sheol, the characters were so vivid and the different areas and castes of Sheol were fascinating. There were some really hard parts to endure, all gorey and macabre, which I love.
----
Greydusk opened the door and a host of spiders poured out. Only they weren't normal, household spiders. Which would've been bad enough.
No, these were the size of small dogs, like, say the one cowering in my handbag, and they all had long, excessively hairy legs, and the purple wizened faces of human babies that had been dead for four or five days. They chattered as they rushed at us.
-----
Once again, Ann Aguirre's ability to create a new world for us from the ground up is nothing short of spectacular and I continue to make this one of my favorite UF series out there. I am sad to know there is only one book left, but excited for it to come so we can see just what is left in store for Corine Solomon.
The Corine Solomon series is a 5 Book Urban Fantasy series, and you must read the books in order. Here is the reading order, along with my previous review links, for your convenience:
Blue Diablo
Hell Fire
Shady Lady
Devil's Punch
Agave Kiss - 2013 - end of series
April 17, 2012
Aguirre takes a lot of narrative risks in this book, and it didn't entirely work for me. After her "forget" spell makes her boyfriend and best friend forget her somewhat permanently (oops), Corine gets back with her ex, Chance, and starts to rebuild in Mexico. But as always, her actions in the last book have consequences in this one, and she must travel to Sheol (aka Hell) to rescue Shannon, said best friend, who has been kidnapped in retribution for Corine's actions.
This is where it gets a little weird. Corine is descended from someone who is bound to Ninlil, the queen of Sheol, and the more time she spends there, the more Ninlil takes over her consciousness. Soon Aguirre is using the first person narration in a very intersting way - "I" goes from Corine to Ninlil almost seamlessly, but I could somehow always tell who was talking. I found that very skillful.
However, I didn't really love the whole time spent in Sheol, and as usual, the book ends very abruptly (darn you Aguirre). Of course I have to read the next one to see the fallout. This only got three stars from me because I felt like the heroine was missing for a great part of the book, and I didn't think her companions were behaving rationally. Things have changed irrevocably for Corine, though, and I need to see what that means for her in the future.
This is where it gets a little weird. Corine is descended from someone who is bound to Ninlil, the queen of Sheol, and the more time she spends there, the more Ninlil takes over her consciousness. Soon Aguirre is using the first person narration in a very intersting way - "I" goes from Corine to Ninlil almost seamlessly, but I could somehow always tell who was talking. I found that very skillful.
However, I didn't really love the whole time spent in Sheol, and as usual, the book ends very abruptly (darn you Aguirre). Of course I have to read the next one to see the fallout. This only got three stars from me because I felt like the heroine was missing for a great part of the book, and I didn't think her companions were behaving rationally. Things have changed irrevocably for Corine, though, and I need to see what that means for her in the future.
May 15, 2012
It's taken me a while to make up my mind about this series...the first two books I liked, the third was all right, and this one I liked less. I dislike the romantic arrangements that seem contrived (first we have two guys "fighting" it out for the heroine's affectinos, then we have a half-angel, then we have the first of the two guys, then immediately upon his heels, the original (ex) boyfriend and second of the two guys triumphing, then he gets killed)...and in many respects the circumstances seem artificial, as well as nonsensical, to produce the romantic plotline. The action is fairly good and imaginative, but the whole detour to Hell in this book, along with the split personality, didn't do it for me.
May 17, 2011
The best Corine Solomon yet.
Just when you think Ann Aguirre has done it all, she tops herself. And then sucker punches you.
A must read.
Just when you think Ann Aguirre has done it all, she tops herself. And then sucker punches you.
A must read.
August 2, 2023
Just past 70% and I've been struggling with how Corinne's decisions have been taken away away from her... and how depressing it is.
I just don't see a happy ending for this and I can't struggle through hell anymore. Literally Hell because that's where this book takes place.
Shitty cause I really liked the first two and the third was epically adventurous.
I just don't see a happy ending for this and I can't struggle through hell anymore. Literally Hell because that's where this book takes place.
Shitty cause I really liked the first two and the third was epically adventurous.
April 21, 2012
Guess I can't really do this review without spoilers, so I'll state from the start, this spoils the end of the book.
Is it fucked up that I actually found it more rewarding to see Corine really give Chance a real opportunity, even knowing how the story ended?
I gave Black Howl a scathing review for presenting a character death in a way where I thought it might be undone, then realized it wouldn't, but here ....
I find myself believing Chance. "Even death will not keep me from you." After all, his daddy was a god. I think somehow we'll see more of him, and not just through Shannon's radio.
Even if we don't. It felt like both Corine and Chance gave up existing and really lived in the end.
I was re-reading my reviews from the earlier books in this series. This is from book 2:
Corine seems to be trying, not to find happiness, but to find the least stressful version of mere contentment. And Chance is bending over backwards to earn himself a second chance. I'd be sending that demon off to Mexico to destroy her little antique shop so she'll make an attempt to live again, not just to continue to simply exist. Her excuses when it comes to Chance's luck are feeling like the "if I leave the house, I might be hit by a bus" type of excuses.
So Corine finally gave in. It may have ended tragically, but they were burning bright in the meantime.
Given the ending, it seems odd to even comment on this, but the dynamic between Corine (with the queen riding her) and Chance towards the middle of the book pushed my buttons in a very good way. Loved the D/s dynamic they had going.
Chance bending to her will, confused, but strangely enjoying it.
"Are you mine?" I asked, low knowing the answer already.
"Completely." His voice thrummed with conviction.
And oh, I liked it.
"So I may do anything I wish with you?"
"Anything."
I didn't need his invitation, of course. He belonged to me, like everything in Sheol, but there was more pleasure in a willing slave. I drew my athame and took his hand. He shuddered at my touch because I put a thread of power in it, pulled it through him in a flicker of the darkest pleasure. Soon enough he'd beg for this, unable to perform with anyone else. I knew how to enthrall my lovers. With a faint smile, I pricked the tip of his finger. Not as much pain as he expected, I think, but I drew blood. His gasp aroused me. His blood welled like a crimson jewel and I took his fingertip between my lips, tasting him. Learning his secrets. (pg165)
Yeah, I'm certainly having a fucked up reaction to this book. But how can you deny the appeal of someone willing to die for you? You don't want it to go that far, even in fiction, but ....
Off on another tangent. I think I like Ann Agirre's writing better when she's doing all the world building -- in other words, a completely original setting, rather than adding magic to our world. Most of this book took place in the demon realm, and I enjoyed that more than the tour of Mexico we were getting.
Despite it all, best book in the series.
Is it fucked up that I actually found it more rewarding to see Corine really give Chance a real opportunity, even knowing how the story ended?
I gave Black Howl a scathing review for presenting a character death in a way where I thought it might be undone, then realized it wouldn't, but here ....
I find myself believing Chance. "Even death will not keep me from you." After all, his daddy was a god. I think somehow we'll see more of him, and not just through Shannon's radio.
Even if we don't. It felt like both Corine and Chance gave up existing and really lived in the end.
I was re-reading my reviews from the earlier books in this series. This is from book 2:
Corine seems to be trying, not to find happiness, but to find the least stressful version of mere contentment. And Chance is bending over backwards to earn himself a second chance. I'd be sending that demon off to Mexico to destroy her little antique shop so she'll make an attempt to live again, not just to continue to simply exist. Her excuses when it comes to Chance's luck are feeling like the "if I leave the house, I might be hit by a bus" type of excuses.
So Corine finally gave in. It may have ended tragically, but they were burning bright in the meantime.
Given the ending, it seems odd to even comment on this, but the dynamic between Corine (with the queen riding her) and Chance towards the middle of the book pushed my buttons in a very good way. Loved the D/s dynamic they had going.
Chance bending to her will, confused, but strangely enjoying it.
"Are you mine?" I asked, low knowing the answer already.
"Completely." His voice thrummed with conviction.
And oh, I liked it.
"So I may do anything I wish with you?"
"Anything."
I didn't need his invitation, of course. He belonged to me, like everything in Sheol, but there was more pleasure in a willing slave. I drew my athame and took his hand. He shuddered at my touch because I put a thread of power in it, pulled it through him in a flicker of the darkest pleasure. Soon enough he'd beg for this, unable to perform with anyone else. I knew how to enthrall my lovers. With a faint smile, I pricked the tip of his finger. Not as much pain as he expected, I think, but I drew blood. His gasp aroused me. His blood welled like a crimson jewel and I took his fingertip between my lips, tasting him. Learning his secrets. (pg165)
Yeah, I'm certainly having a fucked up reaction to this book. But how can you deny the appeal of someone willing to die for you? You don't want it to go that far, even in fiction, but ....
Off on another tangent. I think I like Ann Agirre's writing better when she's doing all the world building -- in other words, a completely original setting, rather than adding magic to our world. Most of this book took place in the demon realm, and I enjoyed that more than the tour of Mexico we were getting.
Despite it all, best book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2012
Chance has moved to Mexico to be with Corine and although their relationship is progressing slowly there time alone together is all cut short when Corine finds out her best friend has been kidnapped by Demons. The pair quickly find out that the kidnapping is to get Corine to jump into the demon realm and take her place on the throne.
I was really sad that the ending of book 3 SHADY LADY left some of Corine's closest friends without any memories of her. Although they finally get their memories back so much has happened and so much has been lost that it still leaves you really sad at the end of DEVIL'S PUNCH. The setting of book 4 takes place pretty much fully in on the Demon plane. I cant say I enjoyed it as much due to the fact that everything changed so much from what I'm used to reading about Corine. The world building is really great and the new characters were interesting but it just didn't feel like the other Corine books. The situation with Chance pretty much falling head over heals for the Demon Queen really bugged me. I understand a little bit because of the overall situation but come on, he is in love with CORINE and he didn't see anything seriously wrong with his behavior? I just had a really hard time with that overall and it made me lose faith in him. There is a lot of high emotion throughout the book and I did find myself bawling in a few parts. It will be interesting to see where Ann takes the series next.
DEVIL'S PUNCH was not my favorite of the series but a lot did happen to move the series along and I will be reading book 5 when it comes out.
I was really sad that the ending of book 3 SHADY LADY left some of Corine's closest friends without any memories of her. Although they finally get their memories back so much has happened and so much has been lost that it still leaves you really sad at the end of DEVIL'S PUNCH. The setting of book 4 takes place pretty much fully in on the Demon plane. I cant say I enjoyed it as much due to the fact that everything changed so much from what I'm used to reading about Corine. The world building is really great and the new characters were interesting but it just didn't feel like the other Corine books. The situation with Chance pretty much falling head over heals for the Demon Queen really bugged me. I understand a little bit because of the overall situation but come on, he is in love with CORINE and he didn't see anything seriously wrong with his behavior? I just had a really hard time with that overall and it made me lose faith in him. There is a lot of high emotion throughout the book and I did find myself bawling in a few parts. It will be interesting to see where Ann takes the series next.
DEVIL'S PUNCH was not my favorite of the series but a lot did happen to move the series along and I will be reading book 5 when it comes out.
June 12, 2012
I love Ann Aguirre’s writing. I love how she takes me deep into the story. I am fully invested in what happens to Corine and her friends and that happened after a few chapters in book 1 when usually it takes me a whole book to feel close to a main character in a series. Besides creating amazing characters, I usually can picture the setting and surroundings to the point where I feel like I’m in the middle of Mexico or Kilmer, GA.
With all that being said, there was something that I didn’t groove with in Devil’s Punch. I’m pretty sure it was Sheol (aka Hell) and how being there drastically changed our characters. Although I’m all for character development, I’m not really one for character change. Thankfully that was only about the middle of the book and towards the end everyone seemed to get back to their normal selves (for the most part).
There are some heartbreaking moments in this book, as there have been in the previous ones. I loved having Chance back in a vital roll for Corine. I think that Aguirre handles their relationship beautifully throughout the books and it is even better in Devil’s Punch, even with those character changing moments mentioned before.
I can’t wait until next year so I can read Agave Kiss, which is supposed to be the final book in Corine’s story. I don’t know how Aguirre is going to fix what she’s done, but I just know that when all is said and done, I will be satisfied and the series will be one of my favorites.
With all that being said, there was something that I didn’t groove with in Devil’s Punch. I’m pretty sure it was Sheol (aka Hell) and how being there drastically changed our characters. Although I’m all for character development, I’m not really one for character change. Thankfully that was only about the middle of the book and towards the end everyone seemed to get back to their normal selves (for the most part).
There are some heartbreaking moments in this book, as there have been in the previous ones. I loved having Chance back in a vital roll for Corine. I think that Aguirre handles their relationship beautifully throughout the books and it is even better in Devil’s Punch, even with those character changing moments mentioned before.
I can’t wait until next year so I can read Agave Kiss, which is supposed to be the final book in Corine’s story. I don’t know how Aguirre is going to fix what she’s done, but I just know that when all is said and done, I will be satisfied and the series will be one of my favorites.
November 8, 2012
I enjoyed this one immensely, although it looks like some of what I liked so much was the exact things that made others disliked the book - to each their own, I guess.
For me, this book promised everything I've come to expect from Ann Aguirre's writing: gritty situations, epic worldbuilding, complex characters, strong-if-flawed relationships and no easy answers. Ever.
I particularly loved the way Ms Aguirre handled the whole Corine-and-Ninlil-headspace-sharing thing. I loved how she showed who was in ascendance at any one time, and to what degree (because it was rarely 100% one or the other - things just *aren't* that clear-cut in Ms Aguirre's writing) through the language use. Sometimes, we'd get to see one of them wresting control from the other within the space of a sentence - all shown, rather than told through the word choices.
That there? That was some seriously skillful writing!
I'll admit that I did get a sense of character bleedthrough from the Sirantha Jax books in places. Not in the details, but in the feel of the characters. Every now and then I got a subtle March-sense from Chance; and a not-so-subtle Vel-sense from Greydusk
That was fine - it didn't ruin my sense of the story any.
Basically, from what felt like a weak start to me, this series has gone from strength to strength, with each instalment getting better and better.
I'm definitely hanging out for Book 5 now (assuming there's going to be one)
For me, this book promised everything I've come to expect from Ann Aguirre's writing: gritty situations, epic worldbuilding, complex characters, strong-if-flawed relationships and no easy answers. Ever.
I particularly loved the way Ms Aguirre handled the whole Corine-and-Ninlil-headspace-sharing thing. I loved how she showed who was in ascendance at any one time, and to what degree (because it was rarely 100% one or the other - things just *aren't* that clear-cut in Ms Aguirre's writing) through the language use. Sometimes, we'd get to see one of them wresting control from the other within the space of a sentence - all shown, rather than told through the word choices.
That there? That was some seriously skillful writing!
I'll admit that I did get a sense of character bleedthrough from the Sirantha Jax books in places. Not in the details, but in the feel of the characters. Every now and then I got a subtle March-sense from Chance; and a not-so-subtle Vel-sense from Greydusk
That was fine - it didn't ruin my sense of the story any.
Basically, from what felt like a weak start to me, this series has gone from strength to strength, with each instalment getting better and better.
I'm definitely hanging out for Book 5 now (assuming there's going to be one)
June 5, 2012
Almost halfway through the book, I realized that I was tired of the plot. Although I'd enjoyed previous entries in this series, the "possessed by an evil queen" storyline began to drag and I started to associate this with a Jim Butcher/Harry Dresden/Spiderman level of degredation heroism.
The main character, Corinne Solomon, is going to just going to keep slogging until she can't and the reader might as well settle in to duck the slings and arrows of an unappreciative or antagonistic world as she does so. Corinne suffers from being the only character who is a mix of both good and evil intentions. Her ex and now current boyfriend exists to serve. Her friends exist to demonstrate faith and loyalty. Criminal origins? Demonic origins? If you're in Corinne's party you are immediately a sterling example of loyalty, while Corinne snags all the moral ambiguity for herself and smears it around like fingerpainted mascara.
Oddly enough, this doesn't mean that I wouldn't read another book in this series. This particular one just didn't work for me.
The main character, Corinne Solomon, is going to just going to keep slogging until she can't and the reader might as well settle in to duck the slings and arrows of an unappreciative or antagonistic world as she does so. Corinne suffers from being the only character who is a mix of both good and evil intentions. Her ex and now current boyfriend exists to serve. Her friends exist to demonstrate faith and loyalty. Criminal origins? Demonic origins? If you're in Corinne's party you are immediately a sterling example of loyalty, while Corinne snags all the moral ambiguity for herself and smears it around like fingerpainted mascara.
Oddly enough, this doesn't mean that I wouldn't read another book in this series. This particular one just didn't work for me.
April 19, 2012
Let's see... where shall I begin without giving away anything?
It bores me for the most of the book due to the constant narration of corine and herself and her past, her ex and have I mention, herself?
And then it gets interesting to know more about herself, her not ex and her missing father.
Something happened, shit hit the fan and everything went to hell.
I don't do well with loss of loved ones.
Used Kleenex on 3 occasions and the book got my attention back with less of Corine talking to herself.
The ending is a killer.
I'm not sure what will happen but I hope it will catch my attention the moment I read it.
It bores me for the most of the book due to the constant narration of corine and herself and her past, her ex and have I mention, herself?
And then it gets interesting to know more about herself, her not ex and her missing father.
Something happened, shit hit the fan and everything went to hell.
I don't do well with loss of loved ones.
Used Kleenex on 3 occasions and the book got my attention back with less of Corine talking to herself.
The ending is a killer.
I'm not sure what will happen but I hope it will catch my attention the moment I read it.
May 2, 2012
I really enjoyed the first three books in this series. I almost felt like this book was written by a different author. I didn't feel the connection to the characters that I had in the past books and didn't care for the direction that Ann has taken the series.
June 4, 2012
The Corine Solomon series takes you to places we can only imagine. Her trials and tribulations would kill even a superior being, and yet she prevails against overwhelming odds. I'm looking forward to the next book about her life and times.
May 2, 2012
A very generous three stars. So many things went wrong that I don't know where to begin. Not sure that I want to review this one.
April 8, 2012
Synopsis:
It is the fourth part of a series – you can read it as a stand-alone (there is plenty of info from previous books mentioned in the plot) but still you’ll be missing many details so I don't recommend starting with this one.
Chance has moved to Mexico to be with Corine Solomon, his ex-girlfriend. Although their relationship is progressing slowly toward the right direction they simply lack enough time to make it work. Soon after they settled down and bought some furniture Corine gets a note saying that her best friend, Shannon, might have been captured. Being a practitioner of arcane arts Corine knows immediately that something paranormal must be involved – after all touching any object she can ‘see’ its history and the stories behind the people who handled it so she can ‘read’ much more than just ink on paper. She also knows that when demons are involved there is hardly anybody else she can turn to.
Shannon, an orphan girl and a very special friend, is also somebody who has been suffering because one of Corine’s spells went wrong; that’s why our witch is prepared to put everything on hold to save her. She even drags along Chance and Butch, the wonderful chihuahua which understand American English and can communicate using Scrabble tiles. The rescue mission will take them straight to Sheol (a Hebrew name for Hell) where Corine will have to deal with thousands of demons and demon-like entities, especially one very old, very angry queen. And rule them or perish. Is she going to return alive? How much will it cost her personally? What will she discover this time about her family and her lover?
What I liked:
Corine Solomon is a friend every boy and girl would like to have by their side when the chips are seriously down. She is truly unstoppable. Would you go to Hell to save your best buddy? Honestly, would you? Plenty of people would balk at the very idea but not Corrie. She is so motivated that she can persuade Chance to follow her and she befriends her demonic guide, Greydusk, who joins her side. I enjoyed the fact that such an aspect of Corine's personality was so emphasised here – a loyal friend to the very end, that’s my girl.
Her character changed radically as well but it was explained and justified in a logical way. I admit the influence of a certain demonic queen was something Corine and Chance needed the most, maybe especially Chance who, in previous novels, treated his ex-girlfriend in a slightly condescending manner, getting on my nerves from time to time. Seriously dude, if you are so supreme, beautiful and great why are you still hanging around? Anyway here Chance gets to know another Corine and it serves him right.
The setting of this installment is rather different from the previous three books as it takes place mostly in Sheol, the place where demons dwell and rule. I found the world building rather original although from time to time I got strange flashes from the old Dune film (1984, no less, directed by David Lynch), as if the author watched it while writing. Well, such a radical change of scenery is a very bold move and I praise Ms. Aguirre for not being afraid of taking such a risk. However, I would be more than ok if the book showed us a bit more of Mexican/ Tex-Mex lifestyle.
What I didn’t like:
After a while (like in the second half of the book, maybe even a tad earlier) I felt as if I was reading a screenplay for a computer game – I mean too many things happening too fast to be registered properly, the ending being mostly about who would be able to kill their opponent more quickly and escape. Or not. The situation with the demons deteriorated very quickly but it didn't surprise me, you deal with bad, big devious devils after all, not a bunch of fluffy bunnies. However, I would prefer a closer look at Sheol and its castes so more halcyon days for Corine and her team. More bonding and planning.
Also most of secondary characters from the previous parts were either completely absent (Kel) or just hovered on the outskirts of the main plot (Jesse). I know, Greydusk was one fine demonic specimen and queen Ninlil was simply devilicious but somehow I felt they couldn’t make up for all these absentees. Not really.
My ramblings concerning the future of this series (please read only if you don’t mind major spoilers, have read the book or you like ramblings too much for your own good).
Final verdict.
The next part of this series, Agave Kiss, will be released in March 2013. I hope it will make Devil’s Punch more understandable, explaining several issues in a good way and bringing all the good stuff from previous installments back. I believe Ms. Aguirre is up to the task.
Overall I would give this one rather 3.5 than 4 starts but, as it is impossible to rate so here, let it be 4. I am feeling generous because I am being optimistic.
It is the fourth part of a series – you can read it as a stand-alone (there is plenty of info from previous books mentioned in the plot) but still you’ll be missing many details so I don't recommend starting with this one.
Chance has moved to Mexico to be with Corine Solomon, his ex-girlfriend. Although their relationship is progressing slowly toward the right direction they simply lack enough time to make it work. Soon after they settled down and bought some furniture Corine gets a note saying that her best friend, Shannon, might have been captured. Being a practitioner of arcane arts Corine knows immediately that something paranormal must be involved – after all touching any object she can ‘see’ its history and the stories behind the people who handled it so she can ‘read’ much more than just ink on paper. She also knows that when demons are involved there is hardly anybody else she can turn to.
Shannon, an orphan girl and a very special friend, is also somebody who has been suffering because one of Corine’s spells went wrong; that’s why our witch is prepared to put everything on hold to save her. She even drags along Chance and Butch, the wonderful chihuahua which understand American English and can communicate using Scrabble tiles. The rescue mission will take them straight to Sheol (a Hebrew name for Hell) where Corine will have to deal with thousands of demons and demon-like entities, especially one very old, very angry queen. And rule them or perish. Is she going to return alive? How much will it cost her personally? What will she discover this time about her family and her lover?
What I liked:
Corine Solomon is a friend every boy and girl would like to have by their side when the chips are seriously down. She is truly unstoppable. Would you go to Hell to save your best buddy? Honestly, would you? Plenty of people would balk at the very idea but not Corrie. She is so motivated that she can persuade Chance to follow her and she befriends her demonic guide, Greydusk, who joins her side. I enjoyed the fact that such an aspect of Corine's personality was so emphasised here – a loyal friend to the very end, that’s my girl.
Her character changed radically as well but it was explained and justified in a logical way. I admit the influence of a certain demonic queen was something Corine and Chance needed the most, maybe especially Chance who, in previous novels, treated his ex-girlfriend in a slightly condescending manner, getting on my nerves from time to time. Seriously dude, if you are so supreme, beautiful and great why are you still hanging around? Anyway here Chance gets to know another Corine and it serves him right.
The setting of this installment is rather different from the previous three books as it takes place mostly in Sheol, the place where demons dwell and rule. I found the world building rather original although from time to time I got strange flashes from the old Dune film (1984, no less, directed by David Lynch), as if the author watched it while writing. Well, such a radical change of scenery is a very bold move and I praise Ms. Aguirre for not being afraid of taking such a risk. However, I would be more than ok if the book showed us a bit more of Mexican/ Tex-Mex lifestyle.
What I didn’t like:
After a while (like in the second half of the book, maybe even a tad earlier) I felt as if I was reading a screenplay for a computer game – I mean too many things happening too fast to be registered properly, the ending being mostly about who would be able to kill their opponent more quickly and escape. Or not. The situation with the demons deteriorated very quickly but it didn't surprise me, you deal with bad, big devious devils after all, not a bunch of fluffy bunnies. However, I would prefer a closer look at Sheol and its castes so more halcyon days for Corine and her team. More bonding and planning.
Also most of secondary characters from the previous parts were either completely absent (Kel) or just hovered on the outskirts of the main plot (Jesse). I know, Greydusk was one fine demonic specimen and queen Ninlil was simply devilicious but somehow I felt they couldn’t make up for all these absentees. Not really.
My ramblings concerning the future of this series (please read only if you don’t mind major spoilers, have read the book or you like ramblings too much for your own good).
Final verdict.
The next part of this series, Agave Kiss, will be released in March 2013. I hope it will make Devil’s Punch more understandable, explaining several issues in a good way and bringing all the good stuff from previous installments back. I believe Ms. Aguirre is up to the task.
Overall I would give this one rather 3.5 than 4 starts but, as it is impossible to rate so here, let it be 4. I am feeling generous because I am being optimistic.
March 22, 2019
This is the fourth book in the Corine Solomon series by Ann Aguirre. This book is an Urban fantasy. In this one Corine and Chance are living back in Mexico City trying to rebuild her shop and work on their relationship. She receives a note from a demon demanding that she meet at a designation that is only map co-ordinance in the mountains near Mexico City. If she fails to appear her friend Shannon will be killed. Even though Corine has taken Shannon's memory of her time with Corine in a spell gone awry, she is still determined to save her. Chance, of course, insists on helping her do so. So with her dog Butch they set out to find Shannon. Little do they know that they will end up in Sheol, the land of demons. Corine will make several alliances with dark creatures that she thought she would never make before things are over because she will do whatever it takes to save her friends. This book is another great read in this series and I recommend it and I am looking forward to reading the fifth and final book in this series, Agave Kiss.
June 19, 2022
I’ll keep reading this series because the story is interesting, and I’m invested now. That said, I still don’t like Chance, even if he did experience some character growth. His “love” is more like obsession, he has little personality outside of ego and that obsession, and every omfwearesoinlove moment feels forced AF. The only good relationship-type thing in this story is the friendships and that Jesse has moved on.
And I missed Kel. She writes him so well and clearly likes him, and that bleeds into the story, making Chance and Jesse pretty flat by comparison.
And I missed Kel. She writes him so well and clearly likes him, and that bleeds into the story, making Chance and Jesse pretty flat by comparison.
May 24, 2021
Back home in Mexico, Corine is trying to rebuild her life and her store, along with her partner, Chance. But, when demons kidnap her best friend, Corine and Chance have to travel to Hell inself to rescue her. And, it turns out, Corine is the Queen the demons have been waiting for. When she seizes the crown, it may be too much power for a human to handle. Will she be able to rescue her friend and survive?
August 6, 2018
The first few chapters read like an orientation for new readers, but man! once the plot starts, it really goes. Instead of saving the descent to the demon realm for the final climactic chapters, Corine and Chance spend the bulk of the book in the demon realm. Great world-building and stakes that ratchet higher and higher as Corine's heritage as King Solomon's descendant come into play.
July 14, 2020
Oy vey
👁️👁️
"Sigh"
well....
It was Comme ci, comme ça
Some parts mundane
Some parts were very chaotic & lacked fluidity
The last 25% was good
I enjoyed Corine's growth and maturity
I enjoyed chance love and loyalty
I liked imaron's character
I'd some up the ending with ...
"sometimes you gotta lose to win."
The eternal optimist I move...
Onward to AGAVE KISS 💋 (5)
👁️👁️
"Sigh"
well....
It was Comme ci, comme ça
Some parts mundane
Some parts were very chaotic & lacked fluidity
The last 25% was good
I enjoyed Corine's growth and maturity
I enjoyed chance love and loyalty
I liked imaron's character
I'd some up the ending with ...
"sometimes you gotta lose to win."
The eternal optimist I move...
Onward to AGAVE KISS 💋 (5)
December 29, 2016
Love it. Very action packed with pure romance. Sacrifices aplenty mixed with loyalty, reverence, friendship, kinship, power, revenge and most importantly, love .
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