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Tale of the Demon World #7
The Assassins' Lover
Katsu Shinobi isn’t your ordinary princess. For one thing, she’s a Yama, a member of a supposedly demonic race Humans discovered living secretly among them forty years ago. For another, Kat doesn’t subscribe to the icy-hearted principles most royals swear by. She wants to live life—maybe not as recklessly as Humans but as fully as she dares.
Accustomed to sharing women, demon assassins Ciran and Hattori introduce Kat to the pleasures of an intense ménage. Neither expects to lose their heart to her, or that Kat's enemies will one day hire them to kill her.
Their bid for freedom will pit them against the icy dangers of diamond lands and the alien comforts of a Victorianesque Human world. Most of all, though, this daring trio will need to conquer the threat within. Only when they put all their faith in love will they find happiness together.
Accustomed to sharing women, demon assassins Ciran and Hattori introduce Kat to the pleasures of an intense ménage. Neither expects to lose their heart to her, or that Kat's enemies will one day hire them to kill her.
Their bid for freedom will pit them against the icy dangers of diamond lands and the alien comforts of a Victorianesque Human world. Most of all, though, this daring trio will need to conquer the threat within. Only when they put all their faith in love will they find happiness together.
182 pages, Paperback
First published July 27, 2011
20 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Emma Holly
93 books1,268 followersI'm a USA Today bestselling author who LOVES the hot stuff, both to read and to write. My favorite obsessions are all things coffee, almost everything on HGTV, and dreaming up new stories.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 21, 2011
More of a 4.5 but I like to round up. :) I believe this is a self-published book and was expecting it to be a bit rough, but its really pretty well done. I can see a few spots where content editing would have been helpful, but in all, its a better product than many publishers turn out.
You've read the synopsis and if you are a fan of Ms Holly's demon series, you've got the general setting: an alternate Victorian/steampunk universe, the "demons" who are in reality an evolutionary offshoot of humans, and their propensity for emotional restraint and excessive sexual needs.
I really liked this story, Hattori and Ciran are hot, hot alpha males. Katsu is a very appealing and charismatic heroine. None of the characters were without flaw...Katsu reveled in being a princess, Hattori was a bit uptight (and his brother was the one who was the one who went to prison for being "moralistic"!) and Ciran...well, he was just freakin' yummy. Intriguing too. He was my favorite of the three.
The conflict between the three was slightly uncomfortable: after years as companions and lovers with Ciran, Hattori falls head-over-heels in love with Katsu, leaving Ciran in the cold. You can't help but feel for the odd man out in the triangle and the idea that one of the menage was loved less than the others bothered me. I suppose that's why I dropped the score a half-point. The ending was satisfying, but that element remained with me after the story ended.
However, its a fun ride, I'll certainly do a repeat reading. And as always with an Emma Holly book, its blistering hot!
You've read the synopsis and if you are a fan of Ms Holly's demon series, you've got the general setting: an alternate Victorian/steampunk universe, the "demons" who are in reality an evolutionary offshoot of humans, and their propensity for emotional restraint and excessive sexual needs.
I really liked this story, Hattori and Ciran are hot, hot alpha males. Katsu is a very appealing and charismatic heroine. None of the characters were without flaw...Katsu reveled in being a princess, Hattori was a bit uptight (and his brother was the one who was the one who went to prison for being "moralistic"!) and Ciran...well, he was just freakin' yummy. Intriguing too. He was my favorite of the three.
The conflict between the three was slightly uncomfortable: after years as companions and lovers with Ciran, Hattori falls head-over-heels in love with Katsu, leaving Ciran in the cold. You can't help but feel for the odd man out in the triangle and the idea that one of the menage was loved less than the others bothered me. I suppose that's why I dropped the score a half-point. The ending was satisfying, but that element remained with me after the story ended.
However, its a fun ride, I'll certainly do a repeat reading. And as always with an Emma Holly book, its blistering hot!
November 7, 2011
Emma Holly is wicked, wicked good at writing erotic novels. You surely get that in The Assassins Lover. I will warn those of you that are not into m/m/f (which means the men interact together) relationship you should stop now. Because there is a lot of m/m relations in this story.
The Assassin’s Lover takes us into a world where what class you are born into determines your future.
A chance meeting between Princess Katsu and two of her cousins body guards Hattori & Ciran ends in a summer of the three of them spending every last minute together. Sharing everything!! But after a summer of bliss, does the hardest thing she has ever done she has to walk away from them.
4 years later Hattori and Ciran have been hired to kill a member of the Royal family. They are hired to kill Princess Katsu, the woman that they spent a blissful 3 months with so long ago.
I really enjoyed this story. Emma is a wicked good story teller. But at times I was a little confused by some of the terminology she uses. But I think that was mostly due to the fact that this is a new world to me. As I state before there are some WICKED hot sex scene that are m/m/f, m/f and some m/m too. So if that is not your ideal you may not like this story.
But if you have ever read an Emma Holly novel you will know how WICKED good she is!
The Assassin’s Lover takes us into a world where what class you are born into determines your future.
A chance meeting between Princess Katsu and two of her cousins body guards Hattori & Ciran ends in a summer of the three of them spending every last minute together. Sharing everything!! But after a summer of bliss, does the hardest thing she has ever done she has to walk away from them.
4 years later Hattori and Ciran have been hired to kill a member of the Royal family. They are hired to kill Princess Katsu, the woman that they spent a blissful 3 months with so long ago.
I really enjoyed this story. Emma is a wicked good story teller. But at times I was a little confused by some of the terminology she uses. But I think that was mostly due to the fact that this is a new world to me. As I state before there are some WICKED hot sex scene that are m/m/f, m/f and some m/m too. So if that is not your ideal you may not like this story.
But if you have ever read an Emma Holly novel you will know how WICKED good she is!
June 16, 2015
4.5 Stars
I love rereading this book. Ms. Holly's Yama world is one of my favorites to visit and I've read this one several times. Two Assassins on assignment as guards meet one their genetic mates.
I love rereading this book. Ms. Holly's Yama world is one of my favorites to visit and I've read this one several times. Two Assassins on assignment as guards meet one their genetic mates.
August 3, 2011
Princess Katsu Shinobi got more than she expected on her natal day. Hidden away at the behest of her jealous stepmother, Kat is more than happy to share her isolation with the two handsome Rohn guards, Hattori and Ciran. For three blissful months the three explore their sexuality with fierce abandon. Years later, the duo are hired to kill their former lover. Knowing there is very little chance for them all to escape with their lives, Kat, Hattori and Ciran set forth a plan that could bring freedom for the trio or death.
Full review posted on 8/04/2011 at http://www.ragesexandteddybears.blogs...
Full review posted on 8/04/2011 at http://www.ragesexandteddybears.blogs...
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September 5, 201250% off coupon through Smashwords valid until Friday 7th Sept - EZ43P
May 21, 2017
I would have appreciated a more direct warning in the synopsis that this book has A LOT of INTENSE M/M sex. Im new to this author, but not new to erotica by a long shot. Many other authors provide a content warning so you'll know before purchase whether a book depicts scenes of anal, M/M, F/F, gingering, dubious conscent, shifter/human, rape, BDSM... basically any of the non-vanilla things that could stir someones pot wrong if they're not expecting it. This is my 2nd book by this author (first was Prince of Ice - only 1 short M/M scene) and it seems her style embraces bisexuality. With that being said, the emotion the characters shared was multi-layered and I enjoyed going thru the highs and lows.
January 24, 2018
If you're looking for a hot read, books don't come any hotter than this one. The love scenes were steamy, and the characters were all interesting. There was enough conflict, both external and interpersonal, to drive the story forward. I would say that this would be a difficult book to jump into if you haven't read any of Emma Holly's other demon books, but you don't have to have read more than one other with a royal prince in it to follow along.
August 17, 2011
Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
This story is an erotic powerhouse that dives right into what readers love best about the demon world created by the amazing mind of Ms. Holly. For readers who may feel that they don’t or can’t get enough of those scenes that the author does so well, The Assassin’s Lover is a bonanza.
What always amazes and delights me is the raw emotion and need that Ms. Holly imbues her characters with. I don’t know how she does it, but every erotic scene has meaning to the characters and brings depth to the story without ever seeming gratuitous or for the sake of sex itself.
The conflicts are varied. There’s the external threat of assassins going after the assassins, the idea of vengeance, and the most important and relevant issue is the balancing of three lives into a cohesive and healthy relationship. Feelings are hurt, soothed, explored and exposed. The dynamics of bringing together three such diverse and unlikely characters and making them fall in love was tricky and fascinating. To add spice and suspense there was an additional goal or plot -- to rescue a relative from an unspeakable and well guarded place. Put it all together and readers are in for a roller coaster of drama, uncertainty, daring-do and a romance that defies the odds.
Kat is an exiled princess. The best description I can come up with to refer to her is ‘survivor’. There’s a bow to the tale of Cinderella regarding the heroine. The unfair attacks against her haven’t broken her but made her stronger, more determined and more appreciative of the gifts that come her way. I loved that she could be haughty and prim, wild and devious, and sexually bold -- truly a mate worthy of the strong men in her life.
Those manly men come in the yummy packages of Hattori and Ciran. A reader will first meet them in an innocent setting. What’s genius about that is its showing of a simple and uncomplicated time in all of their lives. The author sets up the future by looking briefly into the past. By doing so, I understood better about what they lost, what they struggled to overcome and what they eventually will fight for. It’s a hard road but the men are harder.
Hattori is the main focus of Kat’s desire. Ciran is the unfortunate third wheel whose emotions and feelings are locked inside. His yearning is what endeared him to me. He was trying so hard to be selfless and it was killing me. I believe that he needed to love and be loved most of all. Hattori and Kat’s eventual realization of that truth enhanced the telling of this fascinating tale. Sure, it’s full of bumps and bruises, but a lot of hot loving is what eventually takes the blinders off allowing Hattori and Kat to let go of their ingrained reserve and finally reveal the true love they all share. It’s beautiful; their passion has an incendiary quality that had me having to fan myself a few times. Okay, more than a few.
As I said before, one of the plot goals was to rescue a family member. What the trio had to do in order to be successful had me shivering and perspiring. It’s intense, it’s a bit rough and it’s well written. The saying is, when you love someone, you’ll do anything for them. Ms. Holly explored it in a way only she can. Get ready for a wild ride.
The thing that made me tap my chin in thought was the family member. The blurb doesn’t say anything about it and neither will I. I will only say that I wished the character was fleshed out more. I understand that trauma will affect a person but it was hard for me to really truly care when the person came across as cardboard and stiff. Something was missing but I can’t put my finger on it. Out of the whole book, this is the only thing that I felt let me down.
The Assassin’s Lover is a complicated love story, rich in emotion, conflict and heart. Ms. Holly is known for her well written scenes when it comes to skin on skin action and this book certainly delivers with explosive results. The intricacy of the plot takes its toll on the main characters and a reader will be hard pressed to put this book down until the very end. I am satisfied with the happily ever after but I get the feeling it has an attached ‘for now’ somewhere. I don’t believe they’re completely out of danger and I also think the person they rescued now needs some emotional TLC as well. What this means is that the next story set in this alternate Victorian world is going to be an auto-buy for me. I simply have to know.
This story is an erotic powerhouse that dives right into what readers love best about the demon world created by the amazing mind of Ms. Holly. For readers who may feel that they don’t or can’t get enough of those scenes that the author does so well, The Assassin’s Lover is a bonanza.
What always amazes and delights me is the raw emotion and need that Ms. Holly imbues her characters with. I don’t know how she does it, but every erotic scene has meaning to the characters and brings depth to the story without ever seeming gratuitous or for the sake of sex itself.
The conflicts are varied. There’s the external threat of assassins going after the assassins, the idea of vengeance, and the most important and relevant issue is the balancing of three lives into a cohesive and healthy relationship. Feelings are hurt, soothed, explored and exposed. The dynamics of bringing together three such diverse and unlikely characters and making them fall in love was tricky and fascinating. To add spice and suspense there was an additional goal or plot -- to rescue a relative from an unspeakable and well guarded place. Put it all together and readers are in for a roller coaster of drama, uncertainty, daring-do and a romance that defies the odds.
Kat is an exiled princess. The best description I can come up with to refer to her is ‘survivor’. There’s a bow to the tale of Cinderella regarding the heroine. The unfair attacks against her haven’t broken her but made her stronger, more determined and more appreciative of the gifts that come her way. I loved that she could be haughty and prim, wild and devious, and sexually bold -- truly a mate worthy of the strong men in her life.
Those manly men come in the yummy packages of Hattori and Ciran. A reader will first meet them in an innocent setting. What’s genius about that is its showing of a simple and uncomplicated time in all of their lives. The author sets up the future by looking briefly into the past. By doing so, I understood better about what they lost, what they struggled to overcome and what they eventually will fight for. It’s a hard road but the men are harder.
Hattori is the main focus of Kat’s desire. Ciran is the unfortunate third wheel whose emotions and feelings are locked inside. His yearning is what endeared him to me. He was trying so hard to be selfless and it was killing me. I believe that he needed to love and be loved most of all. Hattori and Kat’s eventual realization of that truth enhanced the telling of this fascinating tale. Sure, it’s full of bumps and bruises, but a lot of hot loving is what eventually takes the blinders off allowing Hattori and Kat to let go of their ingrained reserve and finally reveal the true love they all share. It’s beautiful; their passion has an incendiary quality that had me having to fan myself a few times. Okay, more than a few.
As I said before, one of the plot goals was to rescue a family member. What the trio had to do in order to be successful had me shivering and perspiring. It’s intense, it’s a bit rough and it’s well written. The saying is, when you love someone, you’ll do anything for them. Ms. Holly explored it in a way only she can. Get ready for a wild ride.
The thing that made me tap my chin in thought was the family member. The blurb doesn’t say anything about it and neither will I. I will only say that I wished the character was fleshed out more. I understand that trauma will affect a person but it was hard for me to really truly care when the person came across as cardboard and stiff. Something was missing but I can’t put my finger on it. Out of the whole book, this is the only thing that I felt let me down.
The Assassin’s Lover is a complicated love story, rich in emotion, conflict and heart. Ms. Holly is known for her well written scenes when it comes to skin on skin action and this book certainly delivers with explosive results. The intricacy of the plot takes its toll on the main characters and a reader will be hard pressed to put this book down until the very end. I am satisfied with the happily ever after but I get the feeling it has an attached ‘for now’ somewhere. I don’t believe they’re completely out of danger and I also think the person they rescued now needs some emotional TLC as well. What this means is that the next story set in this alternate Victorian world is going to be an auto-buy for me. I simply have to know.
December 10, 2012
First off, the sex is insanely, filthily, scorchingly hot. Details abound, and the sheer amount, variety and quality of the encounters is amazing...never got repetitive or boring. I usually don't go for the MMF, MM, or the alternative universe/non-human/shifter type of stuff, but this is really good. This book just may make me change my tune on those parameters!
(alert--some minor spoilers here)
The first half of the book, I wasn't quite feeling the triangle dynamic...but the sexy scenes kept me reading. Soon, I was fully invested in the story, the characters, and found myself falling in love with (third-wheel sidekick) Ciran, just as the heroine does. In fact, I believe Ciran is the real hero of the book, not Hattori, who is a bit too caveman and selfish (esp. towards Ciran) for my taste, even with his, ahem, affliction.
All in all, a scorching tale and a damn good story. I do love Emma Holly, she never disappoints in the hotness factor, and constantly broadens my horizons.
(alert--some minor spoilers here)
The first half of the book, I wasn't quite feeling the triangle dynamic...but the sexy scenes kept me reading. Soon, I was fully invested in the story, the characters, and found myself falling in love with (third-wheel sidekick) Ciran, just as the heroine does. In fact, I believe Ciran is the real hero of the book, not Hattori, who is a bit too caveman and selfish (esp. towards Ciran) for my taste, even with his, ahem, affliction.
All in all, a scorching tale and a damn good story. I do love Emma Holly, she never disappoints in the hotness factor, and constantly broadens my horizons.
September 4, 2011
I've always loved Emma Holly's writing. Yes, it's hotter than the barbecue grill on July 4th, but don't be misled...that's only a small part of her work. The fact that the characters come alive - leap off the pages of each book - always stuns me, given that the erotic nature of the storylines is so intense. Ms. Holly has achieved that magical balance between sexual adventures and character development, and it is ably demonstrated in this story.
The heroine and her two male lovers are vibrant, believable and likeable, yet fallible in ways that endear them to readers. They are sexual beings, but they reveal more than their bodies when they are thus engaged...they reveal their emotions as well. I was fascinated by Kat, Hattori and Ciran's developing relationship - and found myself involved in all their adventures from the beginning.
Thanks, Ms. Holly. Once again you've delivered a wonderfully engrossing story!
The heroine and her two male lovers are vibrant, believable and likeable, yet fallible in ways that endear them to readers. They are sexual beings, but they reveal more than their bodies when they are thus engaged...they reveal their emotions as well. I was fascinated by Kat, Hattori and Ciran's developing relationship - and found myself involved in all their adventures from the beginning.
Thanks, Ms. Holly. Once again you've delivered a wonderfully engrossing story!
June 5, 2013
This story was pretty awesome. I first read about the Yama in a short Anthology and I enjoyed it a lot. Hoping to find another book like it I bought this book. It was a Yama story as well as really good. The story was fast paced, action packed and full of emotion. Sometimes the emotions could be really staggering and puzzling, though I have to admit, that I loved how they worked through them and came out better for it.
This was also one of the very first m/m/f stories I read. I have to admit I enjoyed it very much. It added another complex layer of emotions to the story. Normally the guys only like each other or are siblings or otherwise related, but this time they were an actual couple. Liked it!
This was also one of the very first m/m/f stories I read. I have to admit I enjoyed it very much. It added another complex layer of emotions to the story. Normally the guys only like each other or are siblings or otherwise related, but this time they were an actual couple. Liked it!
November 1, 2011
I really enjoyed this ebook. It had a different feel on the demon aspect making them more human than the stereo type demon. I found this a more of a polical intregue book with the romance/sex aspect throughout.
I wish there had been more on the brother, but glad things all came together at the end (for the most part). I still would have preferred the revenge factor at the end, but maybe that will occur in a sequel. ;-)
All-n-all, I enjoyed reading the ebook and look forward to seeing what else the author has up and coming.
I wish there had been more on the brother, but glad things all came together at the end (for the most part). I still would have preferred the revenge factor at the end, but maybe that will occur in a sequel. ;-)
All-n-all, I enjoyed reading the ebook and look forward to seeing what else the author has up and coming.
January 1, 2023
Just finished reading this book for the third time, and it is just as good as when I first read it. The characters, main and secondary, are realistic and whole. The main characters Katsu, Hattori, and Ciran have emotional depth and reveal their foibles, but not so far that the story seems sappy. They are as real as can be written on a page, and I many times wanted to crawl into the pages of the book - and not just for the trademark-Holly steamy scenes! I love this book. This was my first in the Demon World, though not my first Emma Holly novel, and I'm going to be looking for more.
July 20, 2015
This book made me cry because the lovers triangle was tortured and sweet and I was totally emotionally vested! Ciran made me long for him to find the love he wanted....and the sex scenes were smoking hot!! There is quite a bit m-m that doesn't always include a woman, but it's all a sweet, emotional story that I loved, despite not being vested much in the politics of the future-like world!
June 28, 2015
I loved this book. Loved it! Something about Ms. Holly's writing does it for me. The world she creates in this book is new to me (the book was written in 2011), the main characters are fantastic - complex and rich. The sex scenes are trademark Ms. Holly - smoking hot with variations that are novel without being wackado.
Bought from kobo.
Bought from kobo.
February 22, 2013
this book started a little slow for me but picked up. The world Emma Holly creates is very interesting and she does a good job with it by adding many details. The love triangle is electric and the love scenes are original and erotic.
October 8, 2011
Emma Holly...what more can I say but that I will read ANYTHING written by her. The Assassin's Lover is unparalleled steaminess.
November 29, 2011
I loved this book, it had a great sexy vibe that resonated with me! There is one scene in particular that was so smoking hot that I thought my kindle was going to become kindling! LOL :)
May 21, 2012
Like all the Demon Wordl novels, this one grabbed me and wouldn't let go until I finished it.
August 14, 2012
If you love menage books you will love this book. Hot Hot!!!!
February 8, 2022
Erotic, great characters, good story and great sex, especially if you like menage a trois with a little light bondage
September 10, 2023
Interesting characters and a complicated but satisfying story.
February 26, 2015
I really enjoy Emma Holly's "Demon" series - kinky!
March 6, 2016
Some good suspense/tension. I understand why there was no showdown with the antagonist, it makes sense, but I still wish there had been some more closure there.
December 24, 2016
Wow
I've always love the Demon series and Emma has produced another outstanding book. The love scenes are out of this world and the characters are so likable.
I've always love the Demon series and Emma has produced another outstanding book. The love scenes are out of this world and the characters are so likable.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews