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The Company of Angels #1
Where Demons Fear to Tread
The arch demon’s voice was low and deep. His fingers caressed her through the fabric of her dress. “Your soul—or his, Serena. Choose. ”
Fledging guardian angel and yoga teacher Serena St. Clair dares to enter Devil’s Paradise nightclub on a mission—to retrieve the wayward Hollywood “It Boy” she’s assigned to protect. But she’s ambushed by the club’s owner, arch demon Julian Ascher.
The most powerful demonic entity in Los Angeles, Julian is handsome as sin, a master of temptation who loves nothing more than corrupting pleasure-seeking humans. He won’t release the lost soul Serena is supposed to guard. Unless she accepts his dangerous wager.
…After the disastrous way his human life ended, Julian vowed that no woman would get the better of him again. Yet this sexy-sweet angel, smelling of fresh ocean air and happiness, triggers centuries-old feelings. Now, their high-stakes game of seduction, where angels fall from grace and where demons fear to tread, will lead them either to an eternity in hell…or a deliciously hot heaven.
A Company of Angels Novel
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2011
26 people are currently reading
2379 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Chong
4 books189 followersStephanie Chong worked as a lawyer at a top-tier Canadian firm and completed five university degrees before landing her dream job: romance novelist. Her degrees include a J.D. and a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, and a Master’s in Creative Writing from Oxford University.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys yoga, traveling and outdoor adventures. She lives in Vancouver with her husband and their pug, Dexter.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys yoga, traveling and outdoor adventures. She lives in Vancouver with her husband and their pug, Dexter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
October 25, 2015
*spoilers ahoy*
I picked this one up because I thought the storyline sounded interesting and I like trying new authors. I thought I would like it. I didn't.
I got about 1/3 the way through it before I gave up. I didn't enjoy the writing and I didn't think the characters were well drawn. I didn't like the world building. I thought it was a good idea but it didn't deliver.
The basic set up is that new Angel Serena is given the assignment of protecting a bad boy Hollywood actor, Nick Ramirez. She trails him to Devil's Paradise a club run by Archdemon Julian Ascher.
We're told that Julian is the baddest of the bad demons; he enjoys corrupting human souls and has no remorse for any of his actions. Next thing, Serena's pricking his "conscience". ("It pricked at his conscience for a moment - kissing an angel was surely some kind of sin") Hur?
Serena on the other hand, is seriously lacking in the kick-ass department. Much to my surprise, she was immediately attracted to the Archdemon at their first meeting. I would have much preferred a slow build of attraction given the diversity of their characters but, because he's hot, she's horny. I found it a bit hard to believe.
Also, her angel supervisor, Arielle, has totally set her up and has given her no support for her secret task, so I felt she was unlikeable too.
But, what really got to me was on p65. Julian materialises in Serena's house while she is sleeping. They barely know each other but she's piqued his interest.
"Awake, she'd never have let him touch her like this. But now, as she slept, he took liberties that would have made her shriek with fury during waking hours. He got into bed with her, sliding under the covers with a carefully practiced stealth..."
then he feels her up til she wakes and he dematerialises.
This is NOT hero material for me. Dude, that's sexual assualt = NOT SEXY. It is apparent from the bit I quoted, that he knew she DID NOT WANT but did it anyway. No thank you.
I did read on a little from there but I found nothing in Julian's character that I was interested in reading about further. He did not come across to me as a sexy misunderstood demon or as someone who could be redeemed. He then decides to force Serena to choose between her soul or her brother's and blackmails her into staying with him. At that point I stopped reading.
Maybe Ms. Chong is able to pull of the redemption of Julian but I couldn't bring myself to care. To me, he'd already crossed into irretrievable territory and I had to put the book down.
I can see from other reviews here that I am a bit of an outlier though, but this book was definitely not for me.
I picked this one up because I thought the storyline sounded interesting and I like trying new authors. I thought I would like it. I didn't.
I got about 1/3 the way through it before I gave up. I didn't enjoy the writing and I didn't think the characters were well drawn. I didn't like the world building. I thought it was a good idea but it didn't deliver.
The basic set up is that new Angel Serena is given the assignment of protecting a bad boy Hollywood actor, Nick Ramirez. She trails him to Devil's Paradise a club run by Archdemon Julian Ascher.
We're told that Julian is the baddest of the bad demons; he enjoys corrupting human souls and has no remorse for any of his actions. Next thing, Serena's pricking his "conscience". ("It pricked at his conscience for a moment - kissing an angel was surely some kind of sin") Hur?
Serena on the other hand, is seriously lacking in the kick-ass department. Much to my surprise, she was immediately attracted to the Archdemon at their first meeting. I would have much preferred a slow build of attraction given the diversity of their characters but, because he's hot, she's horny. I found it a bit hard to believe.
Also, her angel supervisor, Arielle, has totally set her up and has given her no support for her secret task, so I felt she was unlikeable too.
But, what really got to me was on p65. Julian materialises in Serena's house while she is sleeping. They barely know each other but she's piqued his interest.
"Awake, she'd never have let him touch her like this. But now, as she slept, he took liberties that would have made her shriek with fury during waking hours. He got into bed with her, sliding under the covers with a carefully practiced stealth..."
then he feels her up til she wakes and he dematerialises.
This is NOT hero material for me. Dude, that's sexual assualt = NOT SEXY. It is apparent from the bit I quoted, that he knew she DID NOT WANT but did it anyway. No thank you.
I did read on a little from there but I found nothing in Julian's character that I was interested in reading about further. He did not come across to me as a sexy misunderstood demon or as someone who could be redeemed. He then decides to force Serena to choose between her soul or her brother's and blackmails her into staying with him. At that point I stopped reading.
Maybe Ms. Chong is able to pull of the redemption of Julian but I couldn't bring myself to care. To me, he'd already crossed into irretrievable territory and I had to put the book down.
I can see from other reviews here that I am a bit of an outlier though, but this book was definitely not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2011
Tired of the boring paranormal romance interplay and algorithm? Give WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD a try! It's a fresh take on paranormal romance, where both characters give equally and the plot is well flushed out and interesting. Top that off with some freaky and thrilling scenes, along with a underlying philosophy that will actually have you thinking, you've got yourself one interesting read!
In a world rife with angels and demons exists a fledgling guardian angel Serena St. Clair. Serena loves being an angel, but sometimes being good all the time can be overwhelming. Her latest assignment is Nick, a hot young actor that is on a downward spiral. Serena follows him to a nightclub called the Devil's Paradise and too late she realizes that it is a nest of demons, ruled by the very powerful arch demon, Julian Ascher.
Julian is used to getting exactly what he wants, when he wants it and one look at the innocent Serena St. Clair and he knows corrupting a cute little guardian angel might be just the ticket to spice up his life. Julian has a one-track mind and Serena, bent on keeping her charge safe finds herself face to face with some tough decisions, including how much she can trust a demon…
Hot hot hot. This paranormal romance is not one you want to pass up. I loved the good and evil interplay along with the two main characters. Chong also puts a lot of play on secondary characters, making them seem very real also. I really enjoyed the world that Stephanie Chong created and can't wait to read more, because this debut was excellent!
Recommended for fans of paranormal romance, if you like Gena Showalter and Larissa Ione you'll like Stephanie Chong!
Like this, like that:
Pleasure Unbound (Demonica Series) by Larissa Ione
Otherkin series by Eve Silver
In a world rife with angels and demons exists a fledgling guardian angel Serena St. Clair. Serena loves being an angel, but sometimes being good all the time can be overwhelming. Her latest assignment is Nick, a hot young actor that is on a downward spiral. Serena follows him to a nightclub called the Devil's Paradise and too late she realizes that it is a nest of demons, ruled by the very powerful arch demon, Julian Ascher.
Julian is used to getting exactly what he wants, when he wants it and one look at the innocent Serena St. Clair and he knows corrupting a cute little guardian angel might be just the ticket to spice up his life. Julian has a one-track mind and Serena, bent on keeping her charge safe finds herself face to face with some tough decisions, including how much she can trust a demon…
Hot hot hot. This paranormal romance is not one you want to pass up. I loved the good and evil interplay along with the two main characters. Chong also puts a lot of play on secondary characters, making them seem very real also. I really enjoyed the world that Stephanie Chong created and can't wait to read more, because this debut was excellent!
Recommended for fans of paranormal romance, if you like Gena Showalter and Larissa Ione you'll like Stephanie Chong!
Like this, like that:
Pleasure Unbound (Demonica Series) by Larissa Ione
Otherkin series by Eve Silver
August 8, 2011
http://underthecoversbookblog.blogspo...
Where Demons Fear to Tread
(The Company of Angels)
by Stephanie Chong
Paranormal Romance
Julian Acsher is an Archdemon, the highest ranking demon next to the Dark Prince himself. Devil’s Paradise is his creation, a club made to tempt humans to sin. It is Julian’s job to lead people to damnation and corruption, using his good looks and charm. Julian is simply the best in what he does.
Serena St. Clair is a Guardian angel, a job she takes very seriously. She works for Arielle and The Company where they lead misguided humans into a more suitable path. Serena’s assignment is to corral Nick Ramirez, the hottest Hollywood actor from living a life of sin. But her boss has an ulterior motive...
Arielle pairs Nick with Serena because she knows that Nick has ties to Julian. She hopes Serena’s beauty and innocent will tempt Julian enough to get close to her.
In Where Demons Fear to Tread, there is a battle between good and bad. Will Serena’s innate goodness stand a chance against Julian’s devilish ways? Or will Julian charm the angel right into his grips?
I found that it was a little difficult to get into this at first. I couldn’t find myself relating to Serena. I didn’t hate her, but something about her did not stick with me. She’s a sweetheart, a complete angel and maybe this is where I wished there was something about her that wasn’t so easy to read.
On the other hand, I adored Julian! There was something darkly seductive about him. I could understand why even angels fall for him. He was a strong character that pushed me to read this book!
While the pacing lagged in a few bits, overall I enjoyed Chong’s writing style. I liked her take on angels, but wished there was something else that made it stand out against the roaring trend of angels in paranormal romance.
Where Demons Fear to Tread is a story about how love is the ultimate redemption and what romance reader can resist a story like that?
*eArc provided by NetGalley
Where Demons Fear to Tread
(The Company of Angels)
by Stephanie Chong
Paranormal Romance
Julian Acsher is an Archdemon, the highest ranking demon next to the Dark Prince himself. Devil’s Paradise is his creation, a club made to tempt humans to sin. It is Julian’s job to lead people to damnation and corruption, using his good looks and charm. Julian is simply the best in what he does.
Serena St. Clair is a Guardian angel, a job she takes very seriously. She works for Arielle and The Company where they lead misguided humans into a more suitable path. Serena’s assignment is to corral Nick Ramirez, the hottest Hollywood actor from living a life of sin. But her boss has an ulterior motive...
Arielle pairs Nick with Serena because she knows that Nick has ties to Julian. She hopes Serena’s beauty and innocent will tempt Julian enough to get close to her.
In Where Demons Fear to Tread, there is a battle between good and bad. Will Serena’s innate goodness stand a chance against Julian’s devilish ways? Or will Julian charm the angel right into his grips?
I found that it was a little difficult to get into this at first. I couldn’t find myself relating to Serena. I didn’t hate her, but something about her did not stick with me. She’s a sweetheart, a complete angel and maybe this is where I wished there was something about her that wasn’t so easy to read.
On the other hand, I adored Julian! There was something darkly seductive about him. I could understand why even angels fall for him. He was a strong character that pushed me to read this book!
While the pacing lagged in a few bits, overall I enjoyed Chong’s writing style. I liked her take on angels, but wished there was something else that made it stand out against the roaring trend of angels in paranormal romance.
Where Demons Fear to Tread is a story about how love is the ultimate redemption and what romance reader can resist a story like that?
*eArc provided by NetGalley
July 18, 2011
Where Demons Fear to Tread by Stephanie Chong is a prime example of why I love Net Galley. They introduce me to new authors that instantly become favorites. Ms. Chong hits it on the mark with this first installment of The Company of Angels series. Serena St. Clair is a guardian angel and a yoga instructor who is sent to look after Hollywood’s hottest young star, Nick Ramirez. Serena follows Nick to the nightclub Devil’s Paradise run by Archdemon Julian Ascher. At once Julian senses Serena’s presence and goes after her. He tries unsuccessfully to seduce her and lets her go. This is not the end of Julian’s pursuit of Serena. He wants to have her as his own even though she is an angel and he a demon. The Company of Angel’s supervisor, Arielle, has other plans for Julian and warns Serena: “he has the power to destroy you.” Julian tries to manipulate Serena in more ways than one even involving her brother who thinks she’s dead. The ultimate test is when Julian brings Serena to Las Vegas to the opening of his new club. Where Demons Fear to Tread was a sexy paranormal take on the fight between good and evil. I really loved it. Highly recommended. Can’t wait for the sequel.
April 28, 2012
I saw this book and thought...yeh another one! But hell I'll read it anyway. Well how wrong was I !!
Fledgling guardian angel and yoga teacher Serena St. Clair dares to enter Devil’s Paradise nightclub on a mission—to retrieve the wayward Hollywood “It Boy” she’s assigned to protect. But she’s ambushed by the club’s owner, arch demon Julian Ascher. The most powerful demonic entity in Los Angeles, Julian is handsome as sin, a master of temptation who loves nothing more than corrupting pleasure-seeking humans. He won’t release the lost soul Serena is supposed to guard. Unless she accepts his dangerous wager......
Serena is an angel who is good and Julian is a powerful demon full of bitterness after the way his human life ended. This book is filled with a battle of wills between a worldly demon and an innocent angel. Both Julian and Serena are likeable characters and I found the tension between the angel heroine and demon hero a real page turner.
Highly recommended and will be reading the sequel.
Fledgling guardian angel and yoga teacher Serena St. Clair dares to enter Devil’s Paradise nightclub on a mission—to retrieve the wayward Hollywood “It Boy” she’s assigned to protect. But she’s ambushed by the club’s owner, arch demon Julian Ascher. The most powerful demonic entity in Los Angeles, Julian is handsome as sin, a master of temptation who loves nothing more than corrupting pleasure-seeking humans. He won’t release the lost soul Serena is supposed to guard. Unless she accepts his dangerous wager......
Serena is an angel who is good and Julian is a powerful demon full of bitterness after the way his human life ended. This book is filled with a battle of wills between a worldly demon and an innocent angel. Both Julian and Serena are likeable characters and I found the tension between the angel heroine and demon hero a real page turner.
Highly recommended and will be reading the sequel.
August 8, 2011
*Rating* 3.5 <--may come back to this at a later date.
*Genre* Paranormal Romance/Angels and Demons
*Review*
Stephanie Chong’s Where Demons Fear to Tread, is the first book in the Company of Angels series. It falls clearly within in the paranormal romance genre. The story, at its essence, is about angels who try to protect mortals from their own stupidity and their bad choices, and the demons that lure them into making those bad choices.
Characters:
Serena St. Clair is a new Guardian and as well as a fledgling angel, the lowest rank of celestial beings. As such she is responsible for the earthly care of humans. She also is a yoga instructor who is supposed to be protecting Nick Ramirez, a Hollywood hot shot, from falling into darkness.
Serena died while trying to save a woman and child at the risk of her own life. Her self-sacrifice gave her a one way ticket to heaven and on the road of achieving her angel wings. When Serena walks into Julian Asher’s club to find Nick there, she unwittingly becomes the prey in Asher’s spider web. He wants nothing more than to lure her into giving herself fully to his whims and desires and then watching her fall out of grace. At this point, you will find a timid, and scared character that is just learning how to be a good guardian. Later, you find a totally different and harder character who once again risks her own life to save another being.
Julian Asher is a demon who died as a result of a scheme to get him to kill the husband of a former love interest. He ended up in Hell because of the choices he made in his lifetime. The Prince of Hell himself sent Julian back to earth as a Gatekeeper. After a mere 200 years, he became one of the youngest arch-demons ever and ever since then he has soiled and ruined the souls of many innocent women. So, when Julian catches sight of Serena in his L.A. club, he does everything he can do to lure her into losing her wings even it if means making a wager for the souls of those she is sworn to protect. Julian soon realizes that he is falling for this angel of his and hasn't a clue what to do about it until it is almost too late.
With Julian focusing all his attention and energy on swaying and gaining Serena’s soul at any cost, including using her brother Andrew who is a photographer as a bargaining chip, she wonders just how long she can hold out before she ends up falling into Julian’s desires and sexual advances and falls in love with him which in turn will give her a one way ticket straight to hell.
Nick Ramirez, the Hollywood boy toy, is a character that most readers will probably have a hard time understanding or will feel sorry for. Nick is supposed to be Serena's charge, but he has no idea of what exactly she is. Nick needs companionship and love and believes that he has found it in Serena who has become a staple in his life. When Serena pushes him away for Julian, Nick makes some really bad choices including one that will forever change his life.
For Serena, she is also stuck between a rock and a hard place. She wants to protect Nick from Julian’s interference, but realizes that her Company wants Serena to focus on Julian alone. They believe that Serena is the only one capable of changing Julian’s stripes with love in her heart. They really could care less if Nick falls out of grace as long as the attempt is made to change Julian's heart and soul.
For the romance readers out there, this is the perfect book for you. The love/hate relationship between Julian and Serena is the true background of this story as well as the steamy sex scenes in the middle of the book after Julian forces Serena into traveling to Las Vegas for a week of debauchery and sin. Redemption, Love, and Forgiveness are the clear result of Serena's attempt to sway Julian back to the good side.
Overall, this is an interesting story with a step in the right direction as the first book in the series. I would like to know more about the company that Serena, Meredith and Arielle all work for. Also, it definitely leaves an open story for the demon that got away after the Company rushes in to save Serena from the demons. Some may not like this because they will feel that it has a religious undertone. I strongly disagree. The only arch-angel that appears during the story is Gabriel, and he doesn't spout bibilical passages while trying to guide Serena into her destiny.
US and Canadian edition releasing August 23, 2011
Kindle edition releasing September 1, 2011
UK edition releasing September 16, 2011
**ARC received from the publisher via NetGalley. Reviewer was not paid to provide her opinions or make commentary about this book.**
*Genre* Paranormal Romance/Angels and Demons
*Review*
Stephanie Chong’s Where Demons Fear to Tread, is the first book in the Company of Angels series. It falls clearly within in the paranormal romance genre. The story, at its essence, is about angels who try to protect mortals from their own stupidity and their bad choices, and the demons that lure them into making those bad choices.
Characters:
Serena St. Clair is a new Guardian and as well as a fledgling angel, the lowest rank of celestial beings. As such she is responsible for the earthly care of humans. She also is a yoga instructor who is supposed to be protecting Nick Ramirez, a Hollywood hot shot, from falling into darkness.
Serena died while trying to save a woman and child at the risk of her own life. Her self-sacrifice gave her a one way ticket to heaven and on the road of achieving her angel wings. When Serena walks into Julian Asher’s club to find Nick there, she unwittingly becomes the prey in Asher’s spider web. He wants nothing more than to lure her into giving herself fully to his whims and desires and then watching her fall out of grace. At this point, you will find a timid, and scared character that is just learning how to be a good guardian. Later, you find a totally different and harder character who once again risks her own life to save another being.
Julian Asher is a demon who died as a result of a scheme to get him to kill the husband of a former love interest. He ended up in Hell because of the choices he made in his lifetime. The Prince of Hell himself sent Julian back to earth as a Gatekeeper. After a mere 200 years, he became one of the youngest arch-demons ever and ever since then he has soiled and ruined the souls of many innocent women. So, when Julian catches sight of Serena in his L.A. club, he does everything he can do to lure her into losing her wings even it if means making a wager for the souls of those she is sworn to protect. Julian soon realizes that he is falling for this angel of his and hasn't a clue what to do about it until it is almost too late.
With Julian focusing all his attention and energy on swaying and gaining Serena’s soul at any cost, including using her brother Andrew who is a photographer as a bargaining chip, she wonders just how long she can hold out before she ends up falling into Julian’s desires and sexual advances and falls in love with him which in turn will give her a one way ticket straight to hell.
Nick Ramirez, the Hollywood boy toy, is a character that most readers will probably have a hard time understanding or will feel sorry for. Nick is supposed to be Serena's charge, but he has no idea of what exactly she is. Nick needs companionship and love and believes that he has found it in Serena who has become a staple in his life. When Serena pushes him away for Julian, Nick makes some really bad choices including one that will forever change his life.
For Serena, she is also stuck between a rock and a hard place. She wants to protect Nick from Julian’s interference, but realizes that her Company wants Serena to focus on Julian alone. They believe that Serena is the only one capable of changing Julian’s stripes with love in her heart. They really could care less if Nick falls out of grace as long as the attempt is made to change Julian's heart and soul.
For the romance readers out there, this is the perfect book for you. The love/hate relationship between Julian and Serena is the true background of this story as well as the steamy sex scenes in the middle of the book after Julian forces Serena into traveling to Las Vegas for a week of debauchery and sin. Redemption, Love, and Forgiveness are the clear result of Serena's attempt to sway Julian back to the good side.
Overall, this is an interesting story with a step in the right direction as the first book in the series. I would like to know more about the company that Serena, Meredith and Arielle all work for. Also, it definitely leaves an open story for the demon that got away after the Company rushes in to save Serena from the demons. Some may not like this because they will feel that it has a religious undertone. I strongly disagree. The only arch-angel that appears during the story is Gabriel, and he doesn't spout bibilical passages while trying to guide Serena into her destiny.
US and Canadian edition releasing August 23, 2011
Kindle edition releasing September 1, 2011
UK edition releasing September 16, 2011
**ARC received from the publisher via NetGalley. Reviewer was not paid to provide her opinions or make commentary about this book.**
August 3, 2011
Only a demon can kill an angel, but can an angel save a demon?
He waits, searching for his next conquest to tempt into a drug, alcohol, or sexual haze of debauchery. This is how he has built his empire and risen through the demon ranks over the centuries, off the backs of evil choices humans make. On this night though Archdemon Julian is restless. Never one to lack female companionship to slake his lust, Julian is unusually discontent and finds nothing holds his interest. That is until he saw her.
Guardian angel/yoga instructor Serena’s first Assignee is a drug and alcohol abusive, womanizing actor. Her mission is to guide Nick toward a path of good choices. Easier said than done. No one told her it would ultimately lead her into a demon’s lair where she captured the unwanted yet enraptured attention of the club’s owner. Now faced with an impossible decision involving her family, friends, and Assignee, Serena makes a deal with a demon.
"Better the devil you know?"
With Julian and Serena now in Sin City, a battle of wills ensues and weaknesses are exposed. Julian soon recognizes that his little angel is a lot tougher than she looks and all his best efforts to make her “fall” are wasted. Instead, Julian becomes confused over his desire to destroy or keep her.
"You have a divine mission to carry out."
Meanwhile, Serena receives a ‘divine intervention’. She wasn't informed of what exactly her mission entails or how truly divine it would be. All she needs to remember is to keep love in her heart. However, her Assignee has become more of a babysitting issue and while her attention is diverted, mistakes are made. Is one person’s soul worth an angel falling?
“Never bet the devil your head. He'll screw you every time.”
Demons in the form of a woman scorned and a power-hungry man are waiting in the wings looking for the perfect opportunity to strike and will use any means necessary to destroy both Julian and Serena.
“‘Good and evil are equally balanced. Besides, you should know by now that what is beautiful isn't necessarily good,’ he said.”
After some initial confusion in the beginning, the rest of the story was hypnotically entrancing. I was surprised to find how fascinatingly profound the story was at times and my reaction to the question of choice. Most intriguing were the conversational debates that Julian and Serena had regarding the differences between angels and demons and the balance of good and evil. If an angel can fall, can a demon be redeemed? Both sides gave convincing arguments, but in the war between good and evil, it is all about choice.
Julian is a brilliant cross of both hero and villain. Believable to his evil core while he struggles to stay away from the light. I had a wonderful love/hate relationship with this character. On the other hand, Serena has a bit of a martyr complex. She just can’t stand by while bad choices are being made and will sacrifice herself if that’s what it takes. I enjoyed watching her fledgling nervousness make way for her inner iron-willed Guardian. She even has an inner seductress that is exposed when she suddenly decides to flip the script on Julian, which is one of my favorite scenes. In a twisted, ironic sort of way, Julian and Serena both fail and accomplish their missions.
Ms. Chong’s imagery was so well depicted that I honestly felt like some of the scenes would have made stunning photographs. Her sexual tension technique was built to simmer throughout the storyline and then boil over in an erotically sensual explosion. It was delicious. Overall, the story was delivered with a very well developed world and plotline. This author’s debut and first in The Company of Angels series is sure to be a hit and I will undoubtedly continue with next installment.
“If fools rush in where angels fear to tread, where do demons fear to tread?”
And now I know the answer. Curious? Read the book. You won't be sorry you did.
Review also posted @ Night Owl Reviews:
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/
He waits, searching for his next conquest to tempt into a drug, alcohol, or sexual haze of debauchery. This is how he has built his empire and risen through the demon ranks over the centuries, off the backs of evil choices humans make. On this night though Archdemon Julian is restless. Never one to lack female companionship to slake his lust, Julian is unusually discontent and finds nothing holds his interest. That is until he saw her.
Guardian angel/yoga instructor Serena’s first Assignee is a drug and alcohol abusive, womanizing actor. Her mission is to guide Nick toward a path of good choices. Easier said than done. No one told her it would ultimately lead her into a demon’s lair where she captured the unwanted yet enraptured attention of the club’s owner. Now faced with an impossible decision involving her family, friends, and Assignee, Serena makes a deal with a demon.
"Better the devil you know?"
With Julian and Serena now in Sin City, a battle of wills ensues and weaknesses are exposed. Julian soon recognizes that his little angel is a lot tougher than she looks and all his best efforts to make her “fall” are wasted. Instead, Julian becomes confused over his desire to destroy or keep her.
"You have a divine mission to carry out."
Meanwhile, Serena receives a ‘divine intervention’. She wasn't informed of what exactly her mission entails or how truly divine it would be. All she needs to remember is to keep love in her heart. However, her Assignee has become more of a babysitting issue and while her attention is diverted, mistakes are made. Is one person’s soul worth an angel falling?
“Never bet the devil your head. He'll screw you every time.”
Demons in the form of a woman scorned and a power-hungry man are waiting in the wings looking for the perfect opportunity to strike and will use any means necessary to destroy both Julian and Serena.
“‘Good and evil are equally balanced. Besides, you should know by now that what is beautiful isn't necessarily good,’ he said.”
After some initial confusion in the beginning, the rest of the story was hypnotically entrancing. I was surprised to find how fascinatingly profound the story was at times and my reaction to the question of choice. Most intriguing were the conversational debates that Julian and Serena had regarding the differences between angels and demons and the balance of good and evil. If an angel can fall, can a demon be redeemed? Both sides gave convincing arguments, but in the war between good and evil, it is all about choice.
Julian is a brilliant cross of both hero and villain. Believable to his evil core while he struggles to stay away from the light. I had a wonderful love/hate relationship with this character. On the other hand, Serena has a bit of a martyr complex. She just can’t stand by while bad choices are being made and will sacrifice herself if that’s what it takes. I enjoyed watching her fledgling nervousness make way for her inner iron-willed Guardian. She even has an inner seductress that is exposed when she suddenly decides to flip the script on Julian, which is one of my favorite scenes. In a twisted, ironic sort of way, Julian and Serena both fail and accomplish their missions.
Ms. Chong’s imagery was so well depicted that I honestly felt like some of the scenes would have made stunning photographs. Her sexual tension technique was built to simmer throughout the storyline and then boil over in an erotically sensual explosion. It was delicious. Overall, the story was delivered with a very well developed world and plotline. This author’s debut and first in The Company of Angels series is sure to be a hit and I will undoubtedly continue with next installment.
“If fools rush in where angels fear to tread, where do demons fear to tread?”
And now I know the answer. Curious? Read the book. You won't be sorry you did.
Review also posted @ Night Owl Reviews:
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/
August 26, 2011
Where Demons Fear to Tread is the first book in Stephanie Chong's new The Company of Angels series. When I saw this book was about angels and demons I had to read it. I am loving all the angel v. demon novels coming out this year. It's always fun to read about the ultimate good v. evil battle, especially when the lines between the two blur a bit.
In this story, we meet Serena, an selfless angel who has never been jaded by love and an arch demon, Julian, who excels at his job of gathering souls of the wicked. Serena's charge is Nick Ramirez, a hot, new celebrity. When she follows him into Devil's Paradise, the club owned by Julian, her job becomes a whole lot harder. Serena sees Julian and recognizes him as a demon. Even though demons and angels do NOT mix, she's drawn to him. This scares her. When Julian spots her he MUST have her. Can true love save an arch demon?
Sadly, as honorable as Serena's selflessness and willingness to sacrifice herself was, I just could not relate to her. I hunger for strong, kick-ass heroines who know what they want. Serena was the polar opposite. However, Stephanie did a good job presenting her in a way one may visualize a pure, naive angel. Parts veered too far into the religious zone for my liking.
However, Julian's character was well-rounded, wicked, but hot. He is the best demon he can be and thrives on damning souls to Hell. But, the sight of Serena has him second-guessing himself. Again, a little hard to swallow, but his character is written in a way that pulled me to his side, hoping he was able to have what he wanted.
Poor Nick. He's been assigned an angel for a reason, but he seems to get the short end of the stick here. He just wants to be loved. But, instead the demon trying hard to corrupt him and the angel assigned to save him find love. Doesn't seem right. I'm all for an angel and a demon HEA, but at the cost of a human life?
Overall, I felt Stephanie did a wonderful job of presenting the wickedness of demons. The story was a quick read and the romance was hot. My full rating is 2.5 stars, but I rounded up to 3 because of Julian.
This was a Mira ARC provided to me by Netgalley
In this story, we meet Serena, an selfless angel who has never been jaded by love and an arch demon, Julian, who excels at his job of gathering souls of the wicked. Serena's charge is Nick Ramirez, a hot, new celebrity. When she follows him into Devil's Paradise, the club owned by Julian, her job becomes a whole lot harder. Serena sees Julian and recognizes him as a demon. Even though demons and angels do NOT mix, she's drawn to him. This scares her. When Julian spots her he MUST have her. Can true love save an arch demon?
Sadly, as honorable as Serena's selflessness and willingness to sacrifice herself was, I just could not relate to her. I hunger for strong, kick-ass heroines who know what they want. Serena was the polar opposite. However, Stephanie did a good job presenting her in a way one may visualize a pure, naive angel. Parts veered too far into the religious zone for my liking.
However, Julian's character was well-rounded, wicked, but hot. He is the best demon he can be and thrives on damning souls to Hell. But, the sight of Serena has him second-guessing himself. Again, a little hard to swallow, but his character is written in a way that pulled me to his side, hoping he was able to have what he wanted.
Poor Nick. He's been assigned an angel for a reason, but he seems to get the short end of the stick here. He just wants to be loved. But, instead the demon trying hard to corrupt him and the angel assigned to save him find love. Doesn't seem right. I'm all for an angel and a demon HEA, but at the cost of a human life?
Overall, I felt Stephanie did a wonderful job of presenting the wickedness of demons. The story was a quick read and the romance was hot. My full rating is 2.5 stars, but I rounded up to 3 because of Julian.
This was a Mira ARC provided to me by Netgalley
October 5, 2011
I’ve read a lot of paranormal romance series and I thought that “Where Demons Fear to Tread” by Stephanie Chong will be another book like so many others. But, I’m glad I was wrong! The book is different and it was a great read!
What I mean “different” when the main theme is angels VS demons? I mean that here we don’t have the “demons are nice guys who are just been misunderstood” usual theme. In this book, there are demons and angels exactly as we know them!
Serena is a new guardian angel and she has a difficult assignment, a new and hot actor, Nick, who is in love with her. But then, an arch demon, Julian, sees her and he decides that he has to take her. And he is a very powerful demon who is used to take what he wants.
Serena was a very good person before she died but now she’s even more good. She’s trying so hard to save Nick’s soul and not to be attracted by Julian. She’s strong in an unusual way but sometimes she feels like she’s not brave enough. She has to believe more in herself! Her growing love for the demon is pure and her soul isn’t in danger at all. I like that in this book: Angels can make love with a demon without falling from grace when their love is pure and true! And demons are in Hell because they made some bad choices but they can always earn redemption.
Julian is my favorite! He knows what he is and he knows what he is capable of. He regrets his past actions that made him a demon and he doesn’t believe that he deserves redemption. For two centuries he have done a lot of bad things without second thought until he starts to fall in love with Serena. Then, he becomes a different man and regrets for his past. When he starts, for real, to care about Serena he’s adorable! I love him!
Another thing I like in this book, are the secondary characters. Angels, demons and humans are very well-written characters and help the development of the story. I loved Nick and I hope to know what happened to him in the next book! And Corbin is what exactly I think of a demon!
I recommend this book to all the fans of paranormal romance books!
What I mean “different” when the main theme is angels VS demons? I mean that here we don’t have the “demons are nice guys who are just been misunderstood” usual theme. In this book, there are demons and angels exactly as we know them!
Serena is a new guardian angel and she has a difficult assignment, a new and hot actor, Nick, who is in love with her. But then, an arch demon, Julian, sees her and he decides that he has to take her. And he is a very powerful demon who is used to take what he wants.
Serena was a very good person before she died but now she’s even more good. She’s trying so hard to save Nick’s soul and not to be attracted by Julian. She’s strong in an unusual way but sometimes she feels like she’s not brave enough. She has to believe more in herself! Her growing love for the demon is pure and her soul isn’t in danger at all. I like that in this book: Angels can make love with a demon without falling from grace when their love is pure and true! And demons are in Hell because they made some bad choices but they can always earn redemption.
Julian is my favorite! He knows what he is and he knows what he is capable of. He regrets his past actions that made him a demon and he doesn’t believe that he deserves redemption. For two centuries he have done a lot of bad things without second thought until he starts to fall in love with Serena. Then, he becomes a different man and regrets for his past. When he starts, for real, to care about Serena he’s adorable! I love him!
Another thing I like in this book, are the secondary characters. Angels, demons and humans are very well-written characters and help the development of the story. I loved Nick and I hope to know what happened to him in the next book! And Corbin is what exactly I think of a demon!
I recommend this book to all the fans of paranormal romance books!
August 29, 2011
Finally, an urban paranormal that is not afraid to genuinely embrace the power of good, and not afraid to sprinkle in some thoughtful philosophical elements into an otherwise tired and amoral sub-genre. Not perfect at all, but brilliant in places, enough to earn 5 stars. Also, some very fresh and original sexy scenes, and a very hot hero.
Also, to readers who are turned off by so-called "religious dogma" -- seriously, why are you reading books about angels, fallen or otherwise? Merely to gloat and revel in a possibility of the "fall" of good? Because, how strange to crave fixed anti-heroes (glorified bad boys) and yet entirely disdain the possibility of their redemption. Think about it, anti-heroes who never change are simply charming villains -- and ultimately their charm is an illusion, while they destroy you. There cannot be a valid story of angels and demons without a truly balanced exploration of good and evil... or deity.
(And no, I am not religious, merely logical.)
Also, to readers who are turned off by so-called "religious dogma" -- seriously, why are you reading books about angels, fallen or otherwise? Merely to gloat and revel in a possibility of the "fall" of good? Because, how strange to crave fixed anti-heroes (glorified bad boys) and yet entirely disdain the possibility of their redemption. Think about it, anti-heroes who never change are simply charming villains -- and ultimately their charm is an illusion, while they destroy you. There cannot be a valid story of angels and demons without a truly balanced exploration of good and evil... or deity.
(And no, I am not religious, merely logical.)
July 17, 2011
Tread Too Lightly For Me
She hasn't been an angel for even a year, but self sacrificing yoga teacher Serena St. Clair is a guardian with a difficult first assignee, a Hollywood playboy with a face and body made for sin and the desire to sin as often as possible. Drugs and prostitutes are his weaknesses, and trying to save him from himself draws Serena into one of the hottest nightclubs in town, the ominously named Devil's Paradise. She should have known better.
Archdemon Julian Ascher loves nothing more than corrupting and breaking women, damning them to the fires of hell as he was damned over two hundred years ago. When a pretty little angel dares step her delicate little toes into his domain like a shaft of warm summer sun slicing through all manner of dark debauchery, casting the tantalizing scent of the sea in her wake, something in Julian clenches in anticipation of the sweetest gauntlet thrown at his feet. She is a heavenly challenge to a demonic desire, and one he has every intention of crushing.
Their initial meeting is fraught with danger and heat, and the fledgling angel knows she is in way over her head. Her kind doesn't tangle with archdemons. Ever. But the soul of her assignee lies in the balance, and Serena has already proven herself willing to sacrifice herself for those who can't save themselves. Even if she has to tug on one very sexy demon's tail to do it.
It seems that vampires and wereanimals have become passé in paranormal romance books of late, judging by the recent proliferation of heavenly...and not so heavenly hosts in new books and series being released. Or maybe it's just that I seem to be stumbling across more of them lately and my perception is flawed. I hope it's the latter but fear it's the former, because due to personal reading preferences, I'm very particular about angel and demon mythology and how they are developed in books I read. And while the demons gave me no trouble in this book, I can't say the same for the angels and their mythology. I don't favor the concept of guardian angels to begin with, and to compound the problem, these guardian angels seemed uncomfortably blasé about failings and mistakes made in situations in which it seemed against their nature to be so.
Then there was the main character, Serena. Again, this is a personal preference, but I don't like weak female lead characters, be they the naive ingénue, the timid virgin, the airhead, the oblivious, the ignorant, etc. I prefer books that feature strong, competent, intelligent, independent women who can and do hold their own and triumph. I can tolerate weak female characters only if the story arc includes their evolution into some sort of strength and autonomy.
Serena was not a strong female lead character. There was a slight improvement in her towards the end, but it wasn't enough for me to feel mollified for spending the first three-quarters of the book with a timid, unsure newbie featherhead who was so conflicted about her feelings and desires that she did nothing but proclaim ad nauseum that she shouldn't/couldn't/wouldn't do exactly as she proceeded to do anyway. Serena's problems weren't limited to her being a naive newbie angel, either. There were inconsistencies in her character, and more than once her actions tread dangerously over the line of naivety and straight into stupidity.
I didn't have any problems or major complaints with Julian or the secondary characters. I'm well aware that I'm not nearly as critical of male leads as I am of females, but even with that, I felt like Chong had a firmer grip on Julian as a character and an easier time developing him in a well rounded and fully formed manner. He wasn't always likable, and frankly, some of his motivations for evil seemed more than a little petty, but he was three dimensional.
That being said, I was a little turned off by a storyline that focused on the romance between an angel and a demon at the expense of the ongoing corruption of a human soul. A storyline that proclaimed in a loud voice that the power of divine love was the be-all, end-all, which annoyed me as seeming too syrupy to begin with, also failed to encompass one who very much needed it, so it seemed rather fickle for its alleged divinity. I couldn't help but pity poor Nick, a guy who, at the core, just wanted to be loved by someone, so I couldn't lose myself in the romance while Nick's character got mostly overlooked. In the end it felt very much like the reader is being told that the soul of a demon is more important to redeem than the soul of a human who isn't yet condemned. That bothered me.
Be that as it may, there were also some positives. Stephanie Chong showed off quite a talent for creating truly malevolent antagonists and complex motivations for evil. The book also offers a few nicely sensual scenes between Julian and Serena. And while I wasn't a fan of the concept of the angels as they were described and written, I do think Chong did a nice job fleshing out the world and explaining them without bogging down the plot or taking away from the action, and there were some original and unique aspects to the plot that offered a break from the formulaic nature of paranormal romance.
Emotional transitions were too abrupt for me throughout. Serena's intention to remain resolute against Julian became capitulation a scant few pages later, and there was a similar about-face in Julian's case. Neither provided me the sort of relationship evolution that I prefer in romance, and it hampered the fluidity and complexity of the plot. Several scenes and plot threads that evolved from that romance didn't have the background and foundation necessary to make them fully emotionally successful.
Whatever my feelings for the book, it's clear that Chong has both the skill and ability to write. I freely admit that many of my issues with Where Demons Fear to Tread are based around my very subjective personal reading preferences. While I can't disregard them when I'm reading, I can look beyond them and see the bigger picture. As a debut novel, Chong has started something that could be truly entertaining and very popular. It didn't work for me, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it worked well for others.
Disclosure: An Advance Reading Copy was provided by Harlequin's Mira Books via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
She hasn't been an angel for even a year, but self sacrificing yoga teacher Serena St. Clair is a guardian with a difficult first assignee, a Hollywood playboy with a face and body made for sin and the desire to sin as often as possible. Drugs and prostitutes are his weaknesses, and trying to save him from himself draws Serena into one of the hottest nightclubs in town, the ominously named Devil's Paradise. She should have known better.
Archdemon Julian Ascher loves nothing more than corrupting and breaking women, damning them to the fires of hell as he was damned over two hundred years ago. When a pretty little angel dares step her delicate little toes into his domain like a shaft of warm summer sun slicing through all manner of dark debauchery, casting the tantalizing scent of the sea in her wake, something in Julian clenches in anticipation of the sweetest gauntlet thrown at his feet. She is a heavenly challenge to a demonic desire, and one he has every intention of crushing.
Their initial meeting is fraught with danger and heat, and the fledgling angel knows she is in way over her head. Her kind doesn't tangle with archdemons. Ever. But the soul of her assignee lies in the balance, and Serena has already proven herself willing to sacrifice herself for those who can't save themselves. Even if she has to tug on one very sexy demon's tail to do it.
It seems that vampires and wereanimals have become passé in paranormal romance books of late, judging by the recent proliferation of heavenly...and not so heavenly hosts in new books and series being released. Or maybe it's just that I seem to be stumbling across more of them lately and my perception is flawed. I hope it's the latter but fear it's the former, because due to personal reading preferences, I'm very particular about angel and demon mythology and how they are developed in books I read. And while the demons gave me no trouble in this book, I can't say the same for the angels and their mythology. I don't favor the concept of guardian angels to begin with, and to compound the problem, these guardian angels seemed uncomfortably blasé about failings and mistakes made in situations in which it seemed against their nature to be so.
Then there was the main character, Serena. Again, this is a personal preference, but I don't like weak female lead characters, be they the naive ingénue, the timid virgin, the airhead, the oblivious, the ignorant, etc. I prefer books that feature strong, competent, intelligent, independent women who can and do hold their own and triumph. I can tolerate weak female characters only if the story arc includes their evolution into some sort of strength and autonomy.
Serena was not a strong female lead character. There was a slight improvement in her towards the end, but it wasn't enough for me to feel mollified for spending the first three-quarters of the book with a timid, unsure newbie featherhead who was so conflicted about her feelings and desires that she did nothing but proclaim ad nauseum that she shouldn't/couldn't/wouldn't do exactly as she proceeded to do anyway. Serena's problems weren't limited to her being a naive newbie angel, either. There were inconsistencies in her character, and more than once her actions tread dangerously over the line of naivety and straight into stupidity.
I didn't have any problems or major complaints with Julian or the secondary characters. I'm well aware that I'm not nearly as critical of male leads as I am of females, but even with that, I felt like Chong had a firmer grip on Julian as a character and an easier time developing him in a well rounded and fully formed manner. He wasn't always likable, and frankly, some of his motivations for evil seemed more than a little petty, but he was three dimensional.
That being said, I was a little turned off by a storyline that focused on the romance between an angel and a demon at the expense of the ongoing corruption of a human soul. A storyline that proclaimed in a loud voice that the power of divine love was the be-all, end-all, which annoyed me as seeming too syrupy to begin with, also failed to encompass one who very much needed it, so it seemed rather fickle for its alleged divinity. I couldn't help but pity poor Nick, a guy who, at the core, just wanted to be loved by someone, so I couldn't lose myself in the romance while Nick's character got mostly overlooked. In the end it felt very much like the reader is being told that the soul of a demon is more important to redeem than the soul of a human who isn't yet condemned. That bothered me.
Be that as it may, there were also some positives. Stephanie Chong showed off quite a talent for creating truly malevolent antagonists and complex motivations for evil. The book also offers a few nicely sensual scenes between Julian and Serena. And while I wasn't a fan of the concept of the angels as they were described and written, I do think Chong did a nice job fleshing out the world and explaining them without bogging down the plot or taking away from the action, and there were some original and unique aspects to the plot that offered a break from the formulaic nature of paranormal romance.
Emotional transitions were too abrupt for me throughout. Serena's intention to remain resolute against Julian became capitulation a scant few pages later, and there was a similar about-face in Julian's case. Neither provided me the sort of relationship evolution that I prefer in romance, and it hampered the fluidity and complexity of the plot. Several scenes and plot threads that evolved from that romance didn't have the background and foundation necessary to make them fully emotionally successful.
Whatever my feelings for the book, it's clear that Chong has both the skill and ability to write. I freely admit that many of my issues with Where Demons Fear to Tread are based around my very subjective personal reading preferences. While I can't disregard them when I'm reading, I can look beyond them and see the bigger picture. As a debut novel, Chong has started something that could be truly entertaining and very popular. It didn't work for me, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it worked well for others.
Disclosure: An Advance Reading Copy was provided by Harlequin's Mira Books via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
June 25, 2017
I didn't expect so much from this book, but boy was I wrong!
This was sexy as fuck! God, the story developed so good that I wanted to not go to work, and stay to read all day.
This was sexy as fuck! God, the story developed so good that I wanted to not go to work, and stay to read all day.
January 18, 2012
Serena and Julian couldn’t be more different. The saying that opposites attract is truly shown in this book. Serena is a Guardian (an Angel) who’s job is to try to help humans who are headed on a path of self destruction or a path that will lead them only to hell when they die. Serena became and Angel when she was 23 years old, when she stopped at a traffic accident to help the people in the cars to safety. She saved a mother and two young children, but when she went to the other car to try and save the other woman the car exploded from the gas leak that was caused from the accident and Serena and the woman were both killed. The woman she saved is also an Angel, and as luck would have it, also her roomate and now very good friend. Serena’s “case” now is a young actor who fills his time with women, liquor, and drugs. She imposes in his life as his yoga instructor, to help him straighten his life out. It is because of Nick, the young actor, that she meets Julian in a nightclub. Julian couldn’t be more oppostie of Serena. He is a demon who preys on the weaknesses of others so they will go to hell when they die.
So happens that in this book, both Serena and Julian want Nick. They also find themselves very attracted to and wanting each other. Julian starts his task of not only getting Nick, but trying to make Serena become a Fallen Angel so she too will go to the bowels of hell. Julian manipulates Serena by way of her family and friends lives and safety to get her to do what he wants. She ends up going with him, and Nick, to Vegas for an opening of Julian’s new nightclub. She is to spend 7 days with him, never leaving his side, and then she will be free to go. Julian is confident that he will get her to be a Fallen Angel well within that time.
What Serena did not count on was falling in love with Julian. What she also did not count on was her “boss” being ok with this and actually encouraging her to do so. What Julian did not count on was the effect Serena would have on him, body and soul.
This book is full of wonder, romance, and anticipation. I really could not help just wanting to read the next page, and the next and the next, just to see what would transpire. I thought this book was well written to keep the reader engrossed in the story and wanting to read more just to see what would happen next. It was a true page turner for me, I bought it to read, finally started it and then just couldn’t stop reading it. I finished this book in a matter of days, most of which was read in one sitting before bed. I just couldn’t help myself, I felt like I just had to know how this story turned out and if an Angel really could help a Demon change, if even just a little. So…does Julian learn to feel love for Serena, this perfect, innocent Angel?…Does Serena succeed in saving Nick from the Demon’s grasp?…Do opposites really attract?…Can the ways and beliefs of people really change? Well, to answer any of those questions for sure, you have to read the book! J
So happens that in this book, both Serena and Julian want Nick. They also find themselves very attracted to and wanting each other. Julian starts his task of not only getting Nick, but trying to make Serena become a Fallen Angel so she too will go to the bowels of hell. Julian manipulates Serena by way of her family and friends lives and safety to get her to do what he wants. She ends up going with him, and Nick, to Vegas for an opening of Julian’s new nightclub. She is to spend 7 days with him, never leaving his side, and then she will be free to go. Julian is confident that he will get her to be a Fallen Angel well within that time.
What Serena did not count on was falling in love with Julian. What she also did not count on was her “boss” being ok with this and actually encouraging her to do so. What Julian did not count on was the effect Serena would have on him, body and soul.
This book is full of wonder, romance, and anticipation. I really could not help just wanting to read the next page, and the next and the next, just to see what would transpire. I thought this book was well written to keep the reader engrossed in the story and wanting to read more just to see what would happen next. It was a true page turner for me, I bought it to read, finally started it and then just couldn’t stop reading it. I finished this book in a matter of days, most of which was read in one sitting before bed. I just couldn’t help myself, I felt like I just had to know how this story turned out and if an Angel really could help a Demon change, if even just a little. So…does Julian learn to feel love for Serena, this perfect, innocent Angel?…Does Serena succeed in saving Nick from the Demon’s grasp?…Do opposites really attract?…Can the ways and beliefs of people really change? Well, to answer any of those questions for sure, you have to read the book! J
August 22, 2011
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
Angels and demons in paranormal romance bring a different kind of grace and power to the genre than the more traditional vampires and werewolves. That’s especially true in WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD, which takes the whole opposites attract idea to extremes when a demon who has long since shed his soul falls for a young angel who refuses to believe that love won’t win. It’s a fast, fun, and well written romance that could have been great except for a couple unfortunate set backs.
My two big hang-ups with WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD were the religious overtones and the character of Serena. Like many paranormal fans, I like the influx of new mythology that angels bring, but I do always get slightly uncomfortable when the mythology in books like this start mucking around with religious dogma. My brain starts going off in different directions and a lot of the fun gets lost for me. Some books, like Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series, do an amazing job of leaving religion out of their angels books, but others, like WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD, don’t pull it off quite as well.
And then there was Serena. I never once understood how she could fall for Julian. Every moment she spent with him was because he gave her an ultimatum: either you do want I want or I will destroy someone you love. And he’s not kidding. Serena listens to him talk about what form of depravity he’s going to unleash on someone and in her head she’s battling her uncontrollable lust for him. What? He sends hookers and cocaine to the human she’s guarding, and seconds later she’s moaning while he gropes her. Never came close to respecting her.
Julian at least made sense. He’s a demon. He’s completely upfront with Serena about what he is, what he’s done, and what he plans on doing. I didn’t exactly buy that her ‘angelic’ presence would make him want to abandon his demonic ways, but Julian is written in such a way that as a reader, I wanted him to.
Overall, WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD pits a new angel against an old demon fighting for a human soul and falling in love in the process. The romance is hot and the story soars at a fast enough pace that the occasional religious implications and a heroine who lets her hormones drive didn’t completely ground this book. There is no info about the next book in The Company of Angels series, but presumably we can expect it sometime in 2012.
Sexual Content:
References to orgies, rape, and prostitution. Scenes of sensuality. A graphic sex scene.
Angels and demons in paranormal romance bring a different kind of grace and power to the genre than the more traditional vampires and werewolves. That’s especially true in WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD, which takes the whole opposites attract idea to extremes when a demon who has long since shed his soul falls for a young angel who refuses to believe that love won’t win. It’s a fast, fun, and well written romance that could have been great except for a couple unfortunate set backs.
My two big hang-ups with WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD were the religious overtones and the character of Serena. Like many paranormal fans, I like the influx of new mythology that angels bring, but I do always get slightly uncomfortable when the mythology in books like this start mucking around with religious dogma. My brain starts going off in different directions and a lot of the fun gets lost for me. Some books, like Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series, do an amazing job of leaving religion out of their angels books, but others, like WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD, don’t pull it off quite as well.
And then there was Serena. I never once understood how she could fall for Julian. Every moment she spent with him was because he gave her an ultimatum: either you do want I want or I will destroy someone you love. And he’s not kidding. Serena listens to him talk about what form of depravity he’s going to unleash on someone and in her head she’s battling her uncontrollable lust for him. What? He sends hookers and cocaine to the human she’s guarding, and seconds later she’s moaning while he gropes her. Never came close to respecting her.
Julian at least made sense. He’s a demon. He’s completely upfront with Serena about what he is, what he’s done, and what he plans on doing. I didn’t exactly buy that her ‘angelic’ presence would make him want to abandon his demonic ways, but Julian is written in such a way that as a reader, I wanted him to.
Overall, WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD pits a new angel against an old demon fighting for a human soul and falling in love in the process. The romance is hot and the story soars at a fast enough pace that the occasional religious implications and a heroine who lets her hormones drive didn’t completely ground this book. There is no info about the next book in The Company of Angels series, but presumably we can expect it sometime in 2012.
Sexual Content:
References to orgies, rape, and prostitution. Scenes of sensuality. A graphic sex scene.
June 22, 2011
I went into this with medium expectations, hoping that this book would break the traditional bodice ripper romance novel mold when reading the blurb. Sadly, I was disappointed when it almost -- ALMOST did. So close, ladies and gents! Still, it gets three stars for being a solid, well-written (even if a bit cliched) read.
I guess my disappointment lay with the construction of Serena; fledgling angel as a yoga instructor? Kind of predictable. Had she had some other job, maybe something as dangerous as a demon would choose, I would have really enjoyed her character more. With the way the stakes were being played between the angels and demons (and the fact that the angels didn't really seem to care if the lowest angels on the totem pole got thrown out as long as they got the higher job done), I kind of hoped that the main female lead would be a bit fiestier. The only time she was aggressive was...well, I'm not going to spoil it for you, but let's just say it was during one of the important sexy times within the story.
I had no problem with the male leads. They were what I expected, and more. I liked Luciana's character a lot, since she was what a she-demon was supposed to be. The bit with her snake landed her in the cliche catagory, but again, I didn't go into this with the highest of hopes. She did her job. That was good enough for me.
I think the biggest disappointment of the book was how easily Julian rolled over. I was actually pouting by the end of the book. However, Serena finally growing some balls and taking over as the kick-ass heroine more than made up for that. Even with all of the cliches that were there, I loved the fact that Serena went tooth and claw after the demons -- definitely not what we typically expect from angels. I love how she reacted when she figured out her place in the larger picture of things concerning the angels, the demons, and Julian. These two things definitely saved the book, making it a solid read.
There's no doubt, however, that Chong knows how to write, and write well. She definitely sucked me in with her diction from the first page. It's just the rest of it she needs to work on.
So if you want a naughty beach book for the summer, "Where Demons Fear to Tread" doesn't disappoint. If you want more than that, however, I suggest you look elsewhere.
(crossposted to librarything, goodreads, shelfari, and witchoftheatregoing.wordpress.com)
I guess my disappointment lay with the construction of Serena; fledgling angel as a yoga instructor? Kind of predictable. Had she had some other job, maybe something as dangerous as a demon would choose, I would have really enjoyed her character more. With the way the stakes were being played between the angels and demons (and the fact that the angels didn't really seem to care if the lowest angels on the totem pole got thrown out as long as they got the higher job done), I kind of hoped that the main female lead would be a bit fiestier. The only time she was aggressive was...well, I'm not going to spoil it for you, but let's just say it was during one of the important sexy times within the story.
I had no problem with the male leads. They were what I expected, and more. I liked Luciana's character a lot, since she was what a she-demon was supposed to be. The bit with her snake landed her in the cliche catagory, but again, I didn't go into this with the highest of hopes. She did her job. That was good enough for me.
I think the biggest disappointment of the book was how easily Julian rolled over. I was actually pouting by the end of the book. However, Serena finally growing some balls and taking over as the kick-ass heroine more than made up for that. Even with all of the cliches that were there, I loved the fact that Serena went tooth and claw after the demons -- definitely not what we typically expect from angels. I love how she reacted when she figured out her place in the larger picture of things concerning the angels, the demons, and Julian. These two things definitely saved the book, making it a solid read.
There's no doubt, however, that Chong knows how to write, and write well. She definitely sucked me in with her diction from the first page. It's just the rest of it she needs to work on.
So if you want a naughty beach book for the summer, "Where Demons Fear to Tread" doesn't disappoint. If you want more than that, however, I suggest you look elsewhere.
(crossposted to librarything, goodreads, shelfari, and witchoftheatregoing.wordpress.com)
July 23, 2011
Note: I read the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this book.
"I'm just a yoga teacher." She remained still as he circled around her.
"You may be trying to pass yourself off as such. I think we both know better. Let's discuss that in a moment. But since you insist that you're just a yoga teacher..." She could feel his hot gaze running the length of her. He completed his turn in front of her. "Would you say your body is your temple?""
She nodded once, almost imperceptibly, afraid to move.
"Then let me come in and worship."
In a world where Guardian Angels and Demons live under the radar, Julian is the ultimate in temptation. As an Archdemon, he's corrupted thousands of souls. After a couple hundred years a guy can get board. That was when Serena St. Clair walked into his nightclub and life. What could be more challenging than corrupting a Guardian Angel? Julian will pull all his dirty tricks to accomplish his task, including threatening to corrupt her brother and her current assignment, Nick. The stakes are high, for what price can you put on one's soul?
This is the debut book for Ms. Chong and I must say she definitely picked the right profession. I so enjoyed this book. Once I picked it up I didn't want to put it down until I finished. The heat between Serena and Julian seemed unearthly hot. The story line was fun and the characters were all likeable. Her supporting characters were just as intriguing as the main characters and it's my hope we'll be seeing more of them in forthcoming sequels. I could find no website for Ms. Chong, so I'm uncertain, but since Amazon put 'The Company of Angels' behind the title, I'm assuming this will be a series.Yay! I look forward to seeing more of the world she's created. Oh, and if you're wondering why the series would be called 'The Company of Angels', it's because Serena works for the Company - "a group of Guardians, whose vast network stretched around the globe. They worked in units of a few dozen individuals each, more united than anything demons had ever managed to organize." I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses.
If you like to read more of my reviews, please visit my blog at:
www.seducedbyabook.com
"I'm just a yoga teacher." She remained still as he circled around her.
"You may be trying to pass yourself off as such. I think we both know better. Let's discuss that in a moment. But since you insist that you're just a yoga teacher..." She could feel his hot gaze running the length of her. He completed his turn in front of her. "Would you say your body is your temple?""
She nodded once, almost imperceptibly, afraid to move.
"Then let me come in and worship."
In a world where Guardian Angels and Demons live under the radar, Julian is the ultimate in temptation. As an Archdemon, he's corrupted thousands of souls. After a couple hundred years a guy can get board. That was when Serena St. Clair walked into his nightclub and life. What could be more challenging than corrupting a Guardian Angel? Julian will pull all his dirty tricks to accomplish his task, including threatening to corrupt her brother and her current assignment, Nick. The stakes are high, for what price can you put on one's soul?
This is the debut book for Ms. Chong and I must say she definitely picked the right profession. I so enjoyed this book. Once I picked it up I didn't want to put it down until I finished. The heat between Serena and Julian seemed unearthly hot. The story line was fun and the characters were all likeable. Her supporting characters were just as intriguing as the main characters and it's my hope we'll be seeing more of them in forthcoming sequels. I could find no website for Ms. Chong, so I'm uncertain, but since Amazon put 'The Company of Angels' behind the title, I'm assuming this will be a series.Yay! I look forward to seeing more of the world she's created. Oh, and if you're wondering why the series would be called 'The Company of Angels', it's because Serena works for the Company - "a group of Guardians, whose vast network stretched around the globe. They worked in units of a few dozen individuals each, more united than anything demons had ever managed to organize." I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses.
If you like to read more of my reviews, please visit my blog at:
www.seducedbyabook.com
September 9, 2011
I really enjoyed this novel and the world it created. What I really enjoyed was the main heroine, Serena. She was pure of heart in life that was cut short. She had not experienced much of life and died a hero so she became a Guardian in her afterlife. This type of character could be quite annoying but I enjoyed her because she was genuine and she was smart. She had wisdom and insight most people don't have. She was a natural at figuring out what was really going on despite all the lies and deceptions. She was nieve, but it never got in her way. She also knew she didn't live a full life and she didn't shove her morals down others throat. She tried to influence others, of course, but didn't feel the need to constantly berate them for their bad choices.
Now to Julian. Bad, but vulnerable, Julian rose within the demon ranks quickly. He enjoyed corrupting others, but it really was more about revenge for being corrupted himself. He only made one fatal mistake before his death and was sent to the hell realm. Therefore, some good still lived within even if he spent centuries burying it.
Ah, you know this is a PNR so you know how this will play out between Serena and Julian. Despite that knowledge, you are swept away within the adventure that brings them together. Julian falls for Serena and it comes across as more genuine and at a time he really wanted change. So, Serena was the catalyst but not the cause. That made it much more believable.
However, I do have one complaint. In the end there was a bit of extra story we were given after things were solved. What I didn't like about this was Julian's behavior. This time it didn't quite seem genuine but forced. I would like to see both characters struggle with grey areas they have now stumbled upon. Perhaps this will happen in continuing books if this is a series.
I give this book 4 stars. Those that want a fun PNR with a slightly different take on the whole angel/demon ideology will like it. It isn't completely different, but does contain slight differences that make it fun.
Now to Julian. Bad, but vulnerable, Julian rose within the demon ranks quickly. He enjoyed corrupting others, but it really was more about revenge for being corrupted himself. He only made one fatal mistake before his death and was sent to the hell realm. Therefore, some good still lived within even if he spent centuries burying it.
Ah, you know this is a PNR so you know how this will play out between Serena and Julian. Despite that knowledge, you are swept away within the adventure that brings them together. Julian falls for Serena and it comes across as more genuine and at a time he really wanted change. So, Serena was the catalyst but not the cause. That made it much more believable.
However, I do have one complaint. In the end there was a bit of extra story we were given after things were solved. What I didn't like about this was Julian's behavior. This time it didn't quite seem genuine but forced. I would like to see both characters struggle with grey areas they have now stumbled upon. Perhaps this will happen in continuing books if this is a series.
I give this book 4 stars. Those that want a fun PNR with a slightly different take on the whole angel/demon ideology will like it. It isn't completely different, but does contain slight differences that make it fun.
October 30, 2011
Where do I start with this book? Ah yes, the predictable, boring Venn Diagram of romance novels – the dichotomy of good and evil with overlapping qualities, providing ample room for sexual tension. Nailed it! Unfortunately, Where Demons Fear to Tread wasn’t at all what I expected. I knew there would be some sort of romance between Serena and Julian, but I didn’t think the entire book would revolve solely around that. Adding to the tedium is the fact that their relationship and its future are completely foreseeable from page 1, yet you’re stuck reading the incessant push and pull between the two characters. Julian believes he can corrupt sweet, innocent Serena and blackmails her along the way to get what he wants. Serena repeatedly resists, but with hardly any fortitude whatsoever (Really? Right away you want to jump the demon’s bones?). I spent some time mulling over Serena’s misplaced lust for Julian and there seems to be only one logical explanation for an angel without a shred of willpower …Axe body wash.
After revising my longstanding postulation to ‘all angels are pure whores’, I hoped that Serena would follow suit and finally succumb to this debonair demon for my sake, `cause Julian’s sexy bod was the only thing worth reading about. Despite thoroughly enjoying his pectoral muscles, I felt that the author should have focused more on Nick, since, ya know, his life is hanging in the balance and whatnot. But alas, Where Demons Fear to Tread reads like most romance novels I’ve had the misfortune of picking up – total disregard for any sort of external plot, cheesy lines, and sex…lots of sex. I wouldn’t recommend this book to any of my friends. However, I’m sure fans of this genre and my widowed grandmother would love it.
2/5 for getting me all hot and bothered, though.
Reviewed by Brittany for Book Sake.
After revising my longstanding postulation to ‘all angels are pure whores’, I hoped that Serena would follow suit and finally succumb to this debonair demon for my sake, `cause Julian’s sexy bod was the only thing worth reading about. Despite thoroughly enjoying his pectoral muscles, I felt that the author should have focused more on Nick, since, ya know, his life is hanging in the balance and whatnot. But alas, Where Demons Fear to Tread reads like most romance novels I’ve had the misfortune of picking up – total disregard for any sort of external plot, cheesy lines, and sex…lots of sex. I wouldn’t recommend this book to any of my friends. However, I’m sure fans of this genre and my widowed grandmother would love it.
2/5 for getting me all hot and bothered, though.
Reviewed by Brittany for Book Sake.
November 6, 2011
Serena is the guardian angel sent to be protector of Nick, or so she is lead to believe is her sole task, to save him from the path he is leading himself down. It isn’t an easy task for Serena, due to an Archdemon named Julian wanting his soul for himself. As soon as Julian lays eyes upon Serena he knows he wants her, to corrupt her. His usual tricks don’t work on her so he uses her brother as leverage to get Serena to go to Vegas with him, which is where his lust for her turns to love;
Things get more complicated with a fellow Archdemon Corbin wanting Julian destroyed and using Serena to get revenge against him as well as using Nick as a pawn in his plan. Not to mention an ex-lover of Julian’s added to the mix, teaming up with Corbin to really cause trouble. I really loved how Serena was able to crack through Julian’s defences and demonic bravado, saving him and fulfilling her own needs and finding happiness. It was great how you could really track the changes Julian was going through personally and that is testament to the way this book was written and how it flowed. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book and if you are a lover of angels and demons you need to read this. I was in a but of a debate with myself as whether to give this four stars to five, but due to the fact I couldn't find anything bad to say about it, I settled on five.
“Somewhere along the line, although he didn’t know where or when, this had stopped being a game of seeing whether he could seduce an angel. She was no longer just another passing conquest, or a challenge to alleviate his boredom.
He was dangerously close to falling in love."
Things get more complicated with a fellow Archdemon Corbin wanting Julian destroyed and using Serena to get revenge against him as well as using Nick as a pawn in his plan. Not to mention an ex-lover of Julian’s added to the mix, teaming up with Corbin to really cause trouble. I really loved how Serena was able to crack through Julian’s defences and demonic bravado, saving him and fulfilling her own needs and finding happiness. It was great how you could really track the changes Julian was going through personally and that is testament to the way this book was written and how it flowed. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book and if you are a lover of angels and demons you need to read this. I was in a but of a debate with myself as whether to give this four stars to five, but due to the fact I couldn't find anything bad to say about it, I settled on five.
did-not-finish
September 28, 2012Started to read WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD, but I think I'm going to pass on this one. There is far too much showing and info-dumping for my liking, and both happen way too soon in the story. For example, in the first chapter, readers learn how the hero became what he is now and his life leading up to that event. I don't know the characters well enough to care about their pasts yet, so why am I already being told about it? Where is the mystery? At the very least, I wished that scene--which had the potential to be compelling and heartbreaking--could have appealed to my senses and emotions. Perhaps I would have felt more invested if that were the case.
I don't know how many chapters I was into the story, but at about 15% (on my Kindle), I had to give up for the night. The writing is decent, but there is definitely room for improvement--and I do feel the author will improve in time. But, since I was unable to connect with the characters, and because there was no humor or anything else to really keep me invested, I couldn't continue.
I'm a bit disappointed, since this sounded like it could be such an awesome story. Perhaps I'll give this book another shot at a later date. I am unwilling to write this author's future books off just yet, but for now, WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD is a DNF.
I don't know how many chapters I was into the story, but at about 15% (on my Kindle), I had to give up for the night. The writing is decent, but there is definitely room for improvement--and I do feel the author will improve in time. But, since I was unable to connect with the characters, and because there was no humor or anything else to really keep me invested, I couldn't continue.
I'm a bit disappointed, since this sounded like it could be such an awesome story. Perhaps I'll give this book another shot at a later date. I am unwilling to write this author's future books off just yet, but for now, WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD is a DNF.
September 7, 2011
You will be tempted...
This was the debut book for Stephanie Chong and her Company of Angels series. The main character of this story is Serena St. Clair, who, when killed trying to save others in a car accident, was offered a position as a guardian angel. Her first assignment as a guardian angel is Nick Ramirez, a young rising Hollywood star, who is having trouble resisting temptation. Serena finds Nick hanging out at the nightclub Devil’s Paradise where temptation is everywhere, especially in the form of the club’s owner, Archdemon Julian Ascher. Julian wants to count Nick’s soul in his tally and once he sets his sights on Serena, he’ll stop at nothing to see her in his bed.
This story starts out hot right from the first confrontation between Julian and Serena at the nightclub. Things sizzle between the Serena and Julian, and being a demon with no conscience, Julian really will stop at nothing to get Serena to bend to his will. This was a great story with well-written characters and each subcharacter is left with an open-ended story at the end of the book, I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.
You should definitely give this book a try.
This was the debut book for Stephanie Chong and her Company of Angels series. The main character of this story is Serena St. Clair, who, when killed trying to save others in a car accident, was offered a position as a guardian angel. Her first assignment as a guardian angel is Nick Ramirez, a young rising Hollywood star, who is having trouble resisting temptation. Serena finds Nick hanging out at the nightclub Devil’s Paradise where temptation is everywhere, especially in the form of the club’s owner, Archdemon Julian Ascher. Julian wants to count Nick’s soul in his tally and once he sets his sights on Serena, he’ll stop at nothing to see her in his bed.
This story starts out hot right from the first confrontation between Julian and Serena at the nightclub. Things sizzle between the Serena and Julian, and being a demon with no conscience, Julian really will stop at nothing to get Serena to bend to his will. This was a great story with well-written characters and each subcharacter is left with an open-ended story at the end of the book, I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.
You should definitely give this book a try.
June 26, 2012
Love, love, loved this! I was utterly captivated by this story from the very beginning. Where Demons Fear to Tread is the story of fledgling angel Serena, who is on a mission to protect Hollywood 'it boy' Nick. But in doing so, she puts herself right in the path of arch demon Julian. The characters in this book are very real, unique, and likeable. Julian has a certain amount of swagger befitting a demon, and sinfully sexy. I felt like a school girl with a crush whenever he was present in the story. Serena is angelic, true to her nature, but she is by no means a wallflower. She is strong in her convictions, cannot lie to save herself, and feisty.
The romance was not slow, but it wasn't forced either. Every time something new happened between Serena and Julian I would get little fluttery butterflies in my stomach. I was cheering for them to get together from their first steamy introduction, and the book does not disappoint.
The plot was interesting, but in truth my focus was mostly drawn to the characters and their individual stories. I loved this book and cannot wait for the next one in the series. Well worth the read.
The romance was not slow, but it wasn't forced either. Every time something new happened between Serena and Julian I would get little fluttery butterflies in my stomach. I was cheering for them to get together from their first steamy introduction, and the book does not disappoint.
The plot was interesting, but in truth my focus was mostly drawn to the characters and their individual stories. I loved this book and cannot wait for the next one in the series. Well worth the read.
January 7, 2016
Serena St. Claire is a Yoga instructor/Fledgling Guardian Angel who is on a mission to save a very lost soul from going to hell. And on the other shoulder is Jullian Ascher Arch Demon trying to destroy this lost soul. But the only way he can do that is to take him of the path of good which Serena is on. But as they first meet at his club, Jullian starts to feel very strongly about Serena. So Jullian tries to break of the habit of being very good. But what he doesn't understand is that Serena is very dedicated. Even that alone makes her irresistible to him. Jullian ends up wooing her because he understands that this isn't about his job anymore, its about love and what is in his heart. Outside forces are against them, two demons together bent on destroying his precious angel and the soul that Serena is trying to save. Find out if Serena will give herself completely to Jullian? And if Serena saves the soul she is to protect from all demons?
June 24, 2011
Stephanie Chong is a good writer. I was sucked into her writing skills. I had issues with this book though. Mostly the characters, and how they did 180's at the drop of a hat. More in Depth review coming soon.
Julian reminded me of an Anne Stuart hero in the beginning. Maybe that's why I didn't like him, connect with him, or root for him. ---that is not a knock against Ms. Chong. Just Julian.
Julian reminded me of an Anne Stuart hero in the beginning. Maybe that's why I didn't like him, connect with him, or root for him. ---that is not a knock against Ms. Chong. Just Julian.
October 21, 2011
not a bad story over all. had it high points and low points. Kinda of hard to have loving feelings for a bad demon as the hero and some parts were just a bit cliched. All in all though very enjoyable and interesting. The ending was highly expected and ill look forward to seeing if the next in the series can surprise me in the end. 3.5 stars
August 25, 2011
I have read many books that have contained stories about good and evil, angels and demons but none like what I have read by this author.
It seems as though there have been many conflicting reviews about this book that I think my own "thumbs up" ought to be enough.
It seems as though there have been many conflicting reviews about this book that I think my own "thumbs up" ought to be enough.
on-hold-pile
November 7, 2021Note to self: dnf at 35 % cos I'm bored to tears, no sparks flying even tho it's enemies-to-lovers. Spice where? The writing is not bad, might return later.
August 18, 2016
My Review:
The Plot:
Fledgling Guardian Angel, Serena St. Claire, is deep into her first mission when she finds herself ensnared within the inescapable and notoriously cunning grasp of an Archdemon. Tracking her Assignee - the human she's tasked with protecting - to Devil's Paradise, a night club in the heart of Los Angeles, Serena waltzes in with the naive intention of securing her charge and leaving just as quickly. However, Devil's Paradise isn't just your run-of-the-mill nightclub. Just as its name implies, the club is the ultimate sinning ground for the devil and his minions. More accurately, its the home of an Archdemon - a demon who answers only to the Devil himself - and one who just happens to own this particular nightclub as well as all of Los Angels and Serena has just fallen prey to his unwavering focus.
For two centuries, Julian Ascher has built his demonic empire upon thousands of fallen human souls. Fueled by the rush of corruption, Julian once reveled with sinful glee as human after human fell beneath his subtle but effective whisperings of sin. With his clubs providing the perfect environment to topple even more souls into Hell, Julian has begun to find things a little too easy and perhaps a touch too bland until suddenly an angel walks into Devil's Paradise. Serena St. Claire is beauty in it's purest form. Radiating an innocence that boils his lust, Julian is obsessively determined to keep his beguiling new pet. Corrupting Serena's instinctual self-sacrificing nature, Julian twists and cajoles her into staying one week with him in Las Vegas, the devil's playground, or he'll determinedly harm her beloved brother and corruptible Assignee. While a piquing nag of guilt threatens his previously non-existent subconscious, Julian, disturbed by this strange and sudden fault in his character, finds it all the more urgent to burn out the bright light that is Serena.
Coerced into spending seven interminable days with Julian Ascher, Serena's emotions war between abject hatred and paralyzing fear. There's also a certain amount of intrigue for the Archdemon that irritatingly clouds her thoughts and worse, her judgement. Determined to never forget that a malevolent creature lies beneath Julian's masculine beauty, Serena blocks his every advance. It's not hard in the beginning. Never having been interested in Las Vegas, a frivolous playground to be sure, Serena isn't enamored with the bright lights or tinkling opulence. Nor is she overly impressed with the high end fashion that Julian had the audacity to purchase for her. Material goods never mattered to Serena when she was human and they definitely don't matter now that she's an angel. But the longer she's in Julian's company the more of an effect he has on her. Not a minute of the day or night goes by when he's not by her side, softening her will power and bending her body to his sensual pull.
Striking out again and again when trying to appeal to Serena's womanly greed for material goods, Julian rethinks his strategy with the realization that in order to get to his angel's heart, he'll have to first appeal to her mind. But the more he learns about Serena, the more Julian wishes to cherish her rather than oblige his Liege and topple her into Hell. With this thought also comes unexpected terror. Having selfishly dragged Serena to Las Vegas, Julian has unthinkingly exposed her to true evil, an evil that will think nothing of hunting her down and murdering her for the simple and pure enjoyment of crushing innocence in its truest form. For the first time in two centuries, Julian despises his own inherent evil and the havoc he has and still does cause. Believing that the only way to save Serena is by making her believe in his rejection, Julian brutally tosses her aside while he himself cripples beneath the sheer love that she freely offers while recognizing it as a love he never once earned.
The Heroine:
From the deepest heart of her core and radiating outward, Serena St. Claire is goodness. But having scrupulously toed the line as a human, Serena is even more monkish in her lifestyle as an angel. On closer scrutiny, it could be said that she's never truly lived life even when she had it firmly within her grasp. She's never loved or been even remotely spontaneous and you can just forget about reckless. Now, having died young and reincarnated into her angelic self, Serena has been offered a new shot at life but does she have the courage take it? Only the sheer force of Julian's demonic manipulation empowers Serena to finally stare that question in the face and make a choice.
The Hero:
The dark opposite to Serena's radiating light, Julian Ascher is a demon with a complex rational of sin and justice that's strangely logical. However, he's also incredibly ruthless and thinks nothing of backing Serena into an inescapable corner simply for his own selfish amusement. He's a bad a guy. Period. But thankfully, a redeemable one.
As a human, Julian once couldn't wait to help those around him. A member of the English Aristocracy, Julian endeavored proactively to help and protect his tenants but when a woman manipulated him into committing murder, Julian's angry soul sunk into the bowels of Hell. Tormented by the injustice of his human life, Julian began tormenting other damned souls and found he had a knack for it. Another being noticed this too. Soon his ability propelled him straight to the top as an Archdemon but one who never could forget that he had once sought to be the exact opposite of what he is now. Strangely vulnerable, Julian falls heavily for Serena. For the first time in two centuries, he's once again thinking of someone other than himself. But he may be too late. His wicked ways may have already prevailed but he'll commit every sin in the book if it helps him save Serena from the danger his selfishness has plunged her unwittingly into.
My Final Thoughts:
WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD embodies an interesting plot premise that shows vast promise and appeal. Unfortunately, a disappointing lack of strong worldbuilding and a heroine that exhibits one too many too-stupid-to-live moments downgrades an otherwise good read.
While readers' appetites for worldbuilding vary greatly, whether it be great or small, one always expects a least some clear understanding of the rules. Instead, I found myself trapped within a continuous stream of questions. Not to say that questions can't good but with each question, as a reader, we expect answers eventually - especially with regards to basic worldbuilding. With why and how dominating my thoughts, a strong lack of believability began to settle over my reading experience. Such distractions created a disjointed narrative flow providing more and more opportunities for me to put the book down and do something else.
In addition, the first quarter of the book is incredibly rough. Serena - young, naive and strangely without any power whatsoever - locks lips with a decidedly powerful Archdemon within pages of meeting. This is a demon who quickly twists her natural desire to protect so hatefully that I almost let the book go. I'm sorry, but unlike Serena, if an evil demon was threatening my brother's life, even if it was simply an act of manipulation, no way in Hell would I be warring with my libido over his sexy good looks. Thankfully, the author finds her groove and her scenes smooth out once Julian and Serena reach Las Vegas. In fact, there are numerous instances within the final three quarters where the author gripped me with such incredible strength that the torturous beginning soon became worthwhile.
While not the most amazing paranormal romance to hit the market, WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD shows some good promise. There's undoubtedly talent here and I'm curious to watch as this author develops.
3 Stars
The Plot:
Fledgling Guardian Angel, Serena St. Claire, is deep into her first mission when she finds herself ensnared within the inescapable and notoriously cunning grasp of an Archdemon. Tracking her Assignee - the human she's tasked with protecting - to Devil's Paradise, a night club in the heart of Los Angeles, Serena waltzes in with the naive intention of securing her charge and leaving just as quickly. However, Devil's Paradise isn't just your run-of-the-mill nightclub. Just as its name implies, the club is the ultimate sinning ground for the devil and his minions. More accurately, its the home of an Archdemon - a demon who answers only to the Devil himself - and one who just happens to own this particular nightclub as well as all of Los Angels and Serena has just fallen prey to his unwavering focus.
For two centuries, Julian Ascher has built his demonic empire upon thousands of fallen human souls. Fueled by the rush of corruption, Julian once reveled with sinful glee as human after human fell beneath his subtle but effective whisperings of sin. With his clubs providing the perfect environment to topple even more souls into Hell, Julian has begun to find things a little too easy and perhaps a touch too bland until suddenly an angel walks into Devil's Paradise. Serena St. Claire is beauty in it's purest form. Radiating an innocence that boils his lust, Julian is obsessively determined to keep his beguiling new pet. Corrupting Serena's instinctual self-sacrificing nature, Julian twists and cajoles her into staying one week with him in Las Vegas, the devil's playground, or he'll determinedly harm her beloved brother and corruptible Assignee. While a piquing nag of guilt threatens his previously non-existent subconscious, Julian, disturbed by this strange and sudden fault in his character, finds it all the more urgent to burn out the bright light that is Serena.
Coerced into spending seven interminable days with Julian Ascher, Serena's emotions war between abject hatred and paralyzing fear. There's also a certain amount of intrigue for the Archdemon that irritatingly clouds her thoughts and worse, her judgement. Determined to never forget that a malevolent creature lies beneath Julian's masculine beauty, Serena blocks his every advance. It's not hard in the beginning. Never having been interested in Las Vegas, a frivolous playground to be sure, Serena isn't enamored with the bright lights or tinkling opulence. Nor is she overly impressed with the high end fashion that Julian had the audacity to purchase for her. Material goods never mattered to Serena when she was human and they definitely don't matter now that she's an angel. But the longer she's in Julian's company the more of an effect he has on her. Not a minute of the day or night goes by when he's not by her side, softening her will power and bending her body to his sensual pull.
Striking out again and again when trying to appeal to Serena's womanly greed for material goods, Julian rethinks his strategy with the realization that in order to get to his angel's heart, he'll have to first appeal to her mind. But the more he learns about Serena, the more Julian wishes to cherish her rather than oblige his Liege and topple her into Hell. With this thought also comes unexpected terror. Having selfishly dragged Serena to Las Vegas, Julian has unthinkingly exposed her to true evil, an evil that will think nothing of hunting her down and murdering her for the simple and pure enjoyment of crushing innocence in its truest form. For the first time in two centuries, Julian despises his own inherent evil and the havoc he has and still does cause. Believing that the only way to save Serena is by making her believe in his rejection, Julian brutally tosses her aside while he himself cripples beneath the sheer love that she freely offers while recognizing it as a love he never once earned.
The Heroine:
From the deepest heart of her core and radiating outward, Serena St. Claire is goodness. But having scrupulously toed the line as a human, Serena is even more monkish in her lifestyle as an angel. On closer scrutiny, it could be said that she's never truly lived life even when she had it firmly within her grasp. She's never loved or been even remotely spontaneous and you can just forget about reckless. Now, having died young and reincarnated into her angelic self, Serena has been offered a new shot at life but does she have the courage take it? Only the sheer force of Julian's demonic manipulation empowers Serena to finally stare that question in the face and make a choice.
The Hero:
The dark opposite to Serena's radiating light, Julian Ascher is a demon with a complex rational of sin and justice that's strangely logical. However, he's also incredibly ruthless and thinks nothing of backing Serena into an inescapable corner simply for his own selfish amusement. He's a bad a guy. Period. But thankfully, a redeemable one.
As a human, Julian once couldn't wait to help those around him. A member of the English Aristocracy, Julian endeavored proactively to help and protect his tenants but when a woman manipulated him into committing murder, Julian's angry soul sunk into the bowels of Hell. Tormented by the injustice of his human life, Julian began tormenting other damned souls and found he had a knack for it. Another being noticed this too. Soon his ability propelled him straight to the top as an Archdemon but one who never could forget that he had once sought to be the exact opposite of what he is now. Strangely vulnerable, Julian falls heavily for Serena. For the first time in two centuries, he's once again thinking of someone other than himself. But he may be too late. His wicked ways may have already prevailed but he'll commit every sin in the book if it helps him save Serena from the danger his selfishness has plunged her unwittingly into.
My Final Thoughts:
WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD embodies an interesting plot premise that shows vast promise and appeal. Unfortunately, a disappointing lack of strong worldbuilding and a heroine that exhibits one too many too-stupid-to-live moments downgrades an otherwise good read.
While readers' appetites for worldbuilding vary greatly, whether it be great or small, one always expects a least some clear understanding of the rules. Instead, I found myself trapped within a continuous stream of questions. Not to say that questions can't good but with each question, as a reader, we expect answers eventually - especially with regards to basic worldbuilding. With why and how dominating my thoughts, a strong lack of believability began to settle over my reading experience. Such distractions created a disjointed narrative flow providing more and more opportunities for me to put the book down and do something else.
In addition, the first quarter of the book is incredibly rough. Serena - young, naive and strangely without any power whatsoever - locks lips with a decidedly powerful Archdemon within pages of meeting. This is a demon who quickly twists her natural desire to protect so hatefully that I almost let the book go. I'm sorry, but unlike Serena, if an evil demon was threatening my brother's life, even if it was simply an act of manipulation, no way in Hell would I be warring with my libido over his sexy good looks. Thankfully, the author finds her groove and her scenes smooth out once Julian and Serena reach Las Vegas. In fact, there are numerous instances within the final three quarters where the author gripped me with such incredible strength that the torturous beginning soon became worthwhile.
While not the most amazing paranormal romance to hit the market, WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD shows some good promise. There's undoubtedly talent here and I'm curious to watch as this author develops.
3 Stars
November 9, 2022
Goodreads sld really give 0....option. Sucks big time. Now I love forbidden love story and because humanity's habit of making everything about themselves ALMOST EVERY Devine forbidden romance equals human x paranormal 😮💨 it's rare to find a book with angel x demon. Therefore I was excited. Well, it is not. I hated the characters and the couple bore me to death. The ex of Julian told the MFC he always goes for younger fresh faces and did she lie though. U cn gaslight me all u want that what they have is love bt I call bullshit. Add to that woooow this book is filled with SA. Their sexy scenes makes me wanna throw up. Mr Julian says he is a master of seduction wld never force himself on a woman. He says this while FORCING Serena. Like WTF man. Atlst be consistent. The only thing I ended up doing is shipping Corbin and Arielle 🤣🤣 dnt ask me why bt the heart wants what it wants 😭
October 4, 2011
This ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publish date: August 30th, 2011
Fiction – Adult: Romance: Contemporary
Harlequin (MIRA Books)
Demons try to take a soul, while the guardian angels are hell bent on saving it (pun intended). Serena St. Clair finds herself in Archdemon territory and seems to have forgotten the rules. If you encounter a demon more powerful than yourself, get the hell out (pun intended - again).
Julian Ascher loves corrupting naïve humans. Then again, love is a foreign concept. When he notices a woman in his club, looking very much out of place, he instantly knows she’s a guardian angel and sets his sights on her. He never thought railroading her into accepting a wager would be his undoing. To have her close awakens feelings in Julian he doesn’t want to deal with. Will the most powerful emotion of all prevail in the face of danger?
Where to start? I loved the first twenty percent of the book. It all seemed very promising! I liked the setting. Well, settings that is. Los Angeles and later on Las Vegas! Perfect for a demon/angel-themed story. I fell for Julian pretty much right away. Why? Because he’s one fine bad, BAD boy. He reminded me of Ash (the hero of Cherrie Lynn’s paranormal romance “Far From Heaven”). There’s just something about a brooding hero that makes me gravitate to the dark side. It was no different this time around. I really liked Julian’s demonic nature no matter how dangerous and evil he was. To be honest, it made him all the more sexy and interesting. A cute idea to have him thrown off balance by an angel in a sundress. Two of my favorite supernatural creatures! It was a fun book to read. The author did a great job on the writing. Great flow, to the point, and easy to get into. Unfortunately, that was all I liked about the book. I have much to complain about. Her innocents attracted him. I understood her appeal, but she was too angelic, too good, too inexperienced. I hoped for some more substance, but her personality was just…flat. No character development. I didn’t get to know her at all. Neither her likes, nor her dislikes, or even the reason for falling in love with Julian were revealed. It just happened out of the blue. At least it felt like this to me. There wasn’t anything particularly special about Serena except for her…occupation as a guardian angel for The Company of Angels. On top of that, the plot turned out to be not so note-worthy. Julian manipulated her into accompanying him to Las Vegas, realizing too late that he brought her into the demon’s den - putting her in grave danger. Now, that doesn’t sound too boring, does it? It’s just that the villains (as in plural) were not really villainous. The author made sure to give detailed information about Julian. Run! Run as fast as you can! Danger! For me to be afraid of the real bad guy it would’ve taken some proof: Proof that Corbin posed a serious threat to Julian. Bummer I never saw him as the most powerful among the Archdemons and therefore wasn’t too concerned about him getting his panties in a twist. He just blabbered a lot. The bitchy female out for revenge (as I said - villains - plural) didn’t make it better either. I had no idea what she was so pissed about. Made no sense. Or maybe I just didn’t care for her enough as a character and somehow missed the passage that would’ve cleared this up. They both were rather annoying, but by no means did I consider them a match for Julian. I did like the big picture behind everything, but only for so long. Serena mentioned love a lot. Mention away, but where oh where was the love between hero and heroine? There should’ve been something to back the talk up. Why did she fall in love with him? What was it about her that made Julian want to be a better man? My biggest issue with this book happened to be the ending. The author introduced us to this demon, so full of hatred. A dangerous creature to be around! Julian had been taking souls for a long time. No regrets! Even though he once was a human, as a demon the darkness became part of his nature. It’s what got me all hot and bothered just thinking about him. I wanted Serena to love him just like that. The 180 he pulled personality-wise made me furious. A completely different person! Not the Julian I fell for anymore. That’s a big no-go. I wished for him to still want to corrupt humans, still want to take their souls, but not act on the need. To fight these cravings would’ve been a fabulous subplot for the next book in the series. For example Raphael the Archangel in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series learning to be less of a domineering douche step by step…or more like book by book. Didn’t like Serena to begin with and ended up not liking Julian after all. That sounds a bit too harsh. I’ve definitely read worse. Maybe the second book will make up for what I found unacceptable this time around. 2.5 stars to Where Demons Fear to Tread by Stephanie Chong!
Beware of Spoilers!
A few of my favorite quotes for those of you who are interested:
° “…in his amber-colored eyes, cruelty lit like a flash of lightning, that quick and that powerful.”
° “…it was all becoming a little bit too easy. These days, when Julian fought for a soul, he always won.”
° “…she, in her innocent little sundress, with her laughable belief in the goodness of the human race, had entered Devil’s Paradise.”
° “She’d smelled like the beach. Like fresh air. Like happiness. Something he hadn’t known for a very long time.”
° “He felt an overwhelming need to knock that goody-goody halo of hers askew.”
° “Goodness? In Julian? That was pushing it a bit far.”
Publish date: August 30th, 2011
Fiction – Adult: Romance: Contemporary
Harlequin (MIRA Books)
Demons try to take a soul, while the guardian angels are hell bent on saving it (pun intended). Serena St. Clair finds herself in Archdemon territory and seems to have forgotten the rules. If you encounter a demon more powerful than yourself, get the hell out (pun intended - again).
Julian Ascher loves corrupting naïve humans. Then again, love is a foreign concept. When he notices a woman in his club, looking very much out of place, he instantly knows she’s a guardian angel and sets his sights on her. He never thought railroading her into accepting a wager would be his undoing. To have her close awakens feelings in Julian he doesn’t want to deal with. Will the most powerful emotion of all prevail in the face of danger?
Where to start? I loved the first twenty percent of the book. It all seemed very promising! I liked the setting. Well, settings that is. Los Angeles and later on Las Vegas! Perfect for a demon/angel-themed story. I fell for Julian pretty much right away. Why? Because he’s one fine bad, BAD boy. He reminded me of Ash (the hero of Cherrie Lynn’s paranormal romance “Far From Heaven”). There’s just something about a brooding hero that makes me gravitate to the dark side. It was no different this time around. I really liked Julian’s demonic nature no matter how dangerous and evil he was. To be honest, it made him all the more sexy and interesting. A cute idea to have him thrown off balance by an angel in a sundress. Two of my favorite supernatural creatures! It was a fun book to read. The author did a great job on the writing. Great flow, to the point, and easy to get into. Unfortunately, that was all I liked about the book. I have much to complain about. Her innocents attracted him. I understood her appeal, but she was too angelic, too good, too inexperienced. I hoped for some more substance, but her personality was just…flat. No character development. I didn’t get to know her at all. Neither her likes, nor her dislikes, or even the reason for falling in love with Julian were revealed. It just happened out of the blue. At least it felt like this to me. There wasn’t anything particularly special about Serena except for her…occupation as a guardian angel for The Company of Angels. On top of that, the plot turned out to be not so note-worthy. Julian manipulated her into accompanying him to Las Vegas, realizing too late that he brought her into the demon’s den - putting her in grave danger. Now, that doesn’t sound too boring, does it? It’s just that the villains (as in plural) were not really villainous. The author made sure to give detailed information about Julian. Run! Run as fast as you can! Danger! For me to be afraid of the real bad guy it would’ve taken some proof: Proof that Corbin posed a serious threat to Julian. Bummer I never saw him as the most powerful among the Archdemons and therefore wasn’t too concerned about him getting his panties in a twist. He just blabbered a lot. The bitchy female out for revenge (as I said - villains - plural) didn’t make it better either. I had no idea what she was so pissed about. Made no sense. Or maybe I just didn’t care for her enough as a character and somehow missed the passage that would’ve cleared this up. They both were rather annoying, but by no means did I consider them a match for Julian. I did like the big picture behind everything, but only for so long. Serena mentioned love a lot. Mention away, but where oh where was the love between hero and heroine? There should’ve been something to back the talk up. Why did she fall in love with him? What was it about her that made Julian want to be a better man? My biggest issue with this book happened to be the ending. The author introduced us to this demon, so full of hatred. A dangerous creature to be around! Julian had been taking souls for a long time. No regrets! Even though he once was a human, as a demon the darkness became part of his nature. It’s what got me all hot and bothered just thinking about him. I wanted Serena to love him just like that. The 180 he pulled personality-wise made me furious. A completely different person! Not the Julian I fell for anymore. That’s a big no-go. I wished for him to still want to corrupt humans, still want to take their souls, but not act on the need. To fight these cravings would’ve been a fabulous subplot for the next book in the series. For example Raphael the Archangel in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series learning to be less of a domineering douche step by step…or more like book by book. Didn’t like Serena to begin with and ended up not liking Julian after all. That sounds a bit too harsh. I’ve definitely read worse. Maybe the second book will make up for what I found unacceptable this time around. 2.5 stars to Where Demons Fear to Tread by Stephanie Chong!
Beware of Spoilers!
A few of my favorite quotes for those of you who are interested:
° “…in his amber-colored eyes, cruelty lit like a flash of lightning, that quick and that powerful.”
° “…it was all becoming a little bit too easy. These days, when Julian fought for a soul, he always won.”
° “…she, in her innocent little sundress, with her laughable belief in the goodness of the human race, had entered Devil’s Paradise.”
° “She’d smelled like the beach. Like fresh air. Like happiness. Something he hadn’t known for a very long time.”
° “He felt an overwhelming need to knock that goody-goody halo of hers askew.”
° “Goodness? In Julian? That was pushing it a bit far.”
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