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The Devil's Due #2
Devil’s in the Details
Being a witch with amnesia trying to prevent the magical apocalypse isn’t as bad as you think.
That’s a lie. It’s bad. Real bad.
But I’ve got my coven to get me through. I’ve also got the fifty-eighth president of hell living in my house, a handful of tricksters to help me loosen up, and a new garden gnome with an irritatingly cheery disposition.
And I’ve got Marlowe, the fallen angel I’ve been chasing all year.
What could go wrong?
That’s a lie. It’s bad. Real bad.
But I’ve got my coven to get me through. I’ve also got the fifty-eighth president of hell living in my house, a handful of tricksters to help me loosen up, and a new garden gnome with an irritatingly cheery disposition.
And I’ve got Marlowe, the fallen angel I’ve been chasing all year.
What could go wrong?
345 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2023
12 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Ford
3 books6 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 18, 2024
This sequel definitely got deeper into the lore of the world than in book one, which clearly serves mainly as a set up/world build for the rest of the series to come. Things got a little darker at points and everything that was stalled in book one started to come back to haunt the main characters, especially Luna, who underwent her own character transformation. Book One did see Luna go through some basic character development in accepting the magic and whatnot but Book Two took that to another level and developed her as a person. She gained a lot of agency and seemed easier to support as a main character. While we got character development, we also got a lot of answers to questions from the first book along with new questions, almost like peeling back layers from an onion; one answer brings another question. I like how Ford went in on the different folkloric cultures by including new Gods and figures that aren't always seen in popular culture along with figures that are typically seen. The writing at time still feels awkward and not of the highest quality but it's still an enjoyable plot and the writing style does not make the book unreadable in any sense. You can tell the series is a long game after reading this book and it makes sticking through a mildly slow first book much better.
November 13, 2024
Is this book better than it's previous book in the series, Deals with the Devil? No. Is this book worth reading? Not if you have taste.
The first book in this series set up the scene of the series, gatekeeping any plot and developing ill-structured characters. I thought that the next book would be better, that the author would have better ideas on developing the plot and that their writing style wouldn't end up with me wanting to gouge my eyes out and erase my memory of this book. But, nevertheless, my wishes were not heard.
The second book in this series does have more plot, does have more information, and does not have any of my praise. While instead of creating a book that sprouted off of the original, Veronica Ford painstakingly creating a motionless piece of literature. There is plot, but what is a novel without anything but plot. The writing, while better, seemed forced and ill-constructed. The imagery during battle and "spicy" was hard to follow, confusing at times, and overall not that good. It felt like the written words of a young-adult in middle school sat down and decided to create a cross between a kinky porno and misguided, male-gazed attraction to unrealistic aspects of the female body. When sensitive subjects came up, like Nicki being transgender, they came out of nowhere just to "add" diversity to the book. While I love the representation books can have, I do not have any interest in one that is just "ticking-the-boxes." When plot-developing information was added, there wasn't much suspense and most of it could be guessed before the Big Reveal. The fact that Abigail herself was the skull was pretty straightforward and, personally, had no shock-factor when revealed because it felt obvious from her introduction. When there was character deaths "in the name of the plot", like Jose's, I had to actual remember who this person was. I had to sit there and think "who the hell is Tickety?" When he did die, I felt no emotion or connection to his death, which I felt was supposed to be the point of his death, otherwise it was another poorly construed analogy of human's free will.
To be completely honest (if I haven't thus far), I was actually more disappointed in this second book than the first one of the series. While it was a quicker read because of the plot, the writing felt worse, there were points in the book where I questioned if this author was an actual women, where I cringed at the borderline racism that graced these poor pages, and where I shed not tears of sadness or laugher, but rather of horror and disgust because I was tasked with reading the contents.
In the end, while I could find good things to say about the first book, I felt no hope for the second and felt compelled to google the cliffsnotes (more like that there are none that exist) so I wouldn't have to read it. If I were given the option of reading the book again or dropping the class which was created for the book, you can bet that I would whole-heartedly go with the second option.
The first book in this series set up the scene of the series, gatekeeping any plot and developing ill-structured characters. I thought that the next book would be better, that the author would have better ideas on developing the plot and that their writing style wouldn't end up with me wanting to gouge my eyes out and erase my memory of this book. But, nevertheless, my wishes were not heard.
The second book in this series does have more plot, does have more information, and does not have any of my praise. While instead of creating a book that sprouted off of the original, Veronica Ford painstakingly creating a motionless piece of literature. There is plot, but what is a novel without anything but plot. The writing, while better, seemed forced and ill-constructed. The imagery during battle and "spicy" was hard to follow, confusing at times, and overall not that good. It felt like the written words of a young-adult in middle school sat down and decided to create a cross between a kinky porno and misguided, male-gazed attraction to unrealistic aspects of the female body. When sensitive subjects came up, like Nicki being transgender, they came out of nowhere just to "add" diversity to the book. While I love the representation books can have, I do not have any interest in one that is just "ticking-the-boxes." When plot-developing information was added, there wasn't much suspense and most of it could be guessed before the Big Reveal. The fact that Abigail herself was the skull was pretty straightforward and, personally, had no shock-factor when revealed because it felt obvious from her introduction. When there was character deaths "in the name of the plot", like Jose's, I had to actual remember who this person was. I had to sit there and think "who the hell is Tickety?" When he did die, I felt no emotion or connection to his death, which I felt was supposed to be the point of his death, otherwise it was another poorly construed analogy of human's free will.
To be completely honest (if I haven't thus far), I was actually more disappointed in this second book than the first one of the series. While it was a quicker read because of the plot, the writing felt worse, there were points in the book where I questioned if this author was an actual women, where I cringed at the borderline racism that graced these poor pages, and where I shed not tears of sadness or laugher, but rather of horror and disgust because I was tasked with reading the contents.
In the end, while I could find good things to say about the first book, I felt no hope for the second and felt compelled to google the cliffsnotes (more like that there are none that exist) so I wouldn't have to read it. If I were given the option of reading the book again or dropping the class which was created for the book, you can bet that I would whole-heartedly go with the second option.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2024
It’s funny because this book seems to be all about the importance of free will and yet I had no free will when it comes to reading this.
I tried to go into this second book with an open mind, however, the very first page just reminded me of everything I hated about the first one.
For starters, I’ve decided I just absolutely despise the first person narration of Luna. Her voice is just so incredibly annoying and whiny and cringey. While I will say that her character exhibits more agency in this book and has some character development, I still do not like her at all. Her personality is the equivalent of a stereotypical wattpad FMC. I genuinely believe that I would’ve enjoyed this book much more if the story was told in third person so that I wouldn’t have to listen to her cringey internal monologue.
When it comes to Marlowe, he’s still the same stereotypical “dark” and “morally gray” MMC love interest. It’s quite ironic how he’s getting the character treatment of what’s usually relegated to FMC love interests. However, whether or not this is intended, it just comes off as bad writing. He’s so incredibly irrelevant to the plot and the only purpose he serves is to make Luna horny??? Honestly, Nathan serves more of a role to the plot than this guy. Marlowe is such a disgrace to the typically beloved “dark” and “morally gray” MMC love interest trope.
Pam, Nicki, Gram, Cassie, Sabrina, etc I have zero interest for. I wish the author did a better job at creating emotional attachment for these characters because most of them feel irrelevant, forgetful, and/or one dimensional.
Naasira remains as the only character I like, and again, that’s only because she reminds me of Nazeera from the Shatter Me series… not really because of any individual characteristics of her own.
Also, can we talk about how weird it was to include that many sex scenes with the Aunt and Uncle and having Luna witness that??? Like I’m sorry that was just so weird, uncomfortable, and disturbing in the worst ways possible.
In terms of the plot, I can appreciate the foreshadowing and research that went into its development. However, the plot itself was very unenjoyable and just felt very messily executed. There are too many moving parts that certain scenes that should have gotten more attention, lacked detail and depth. It felt very shallow and childish. I still believe that this series would’ve worked better as a kid’s series because at least the ridiculousness of it all and Luna’s voice would match the vibe. Kids also wouldn’t care about these details this much.
In the end, while I do admire the author’s intentions when writing this book, it is just so poorly executed that it negates everything else.
Anyways, it’s safe to say I’m glad I don’t have to read the other books.
I tried to go into this second book with an open mind, however, the very first page just reminded me of everything I hated about the first one.
For starters, I’ve decided I just absolutely despise the first person narration of Luna. Her voice is just so incredibly annoying and whiny and cringey. While I will say that her character exhibits more agency in this book and has some character development, I still do not like her at all. Her personality is the equivalent of a stereotypical wattpad FMC. I genuinely believe that I would’ve enjoyed this book much more if the story was told in third person so that I wouldn’t have to listen to her cringey internal monologue.
When it comes to Marlowe, he’s still the same stereotypical “dark” and “morally gray” MMC love interest. It’s quite ironic how he’s getting the character treatment of what’s usually relegated to FMC love interests. However, whether or not this is intended, it just comes off as bad writing. He’s so incredibly irrelevant to the plot and the only purpose he serves is to make Luna horny??? Honestly, Nathan serves more of a role to the plot than this guy. Marlowe is such a disgrace to the typically beloved “dark” and “morally gray” MMC love interest trope.
Pam, Nicki, Gram, Cassie, Sabrina, etc I have zero interest for. I wish the author did a better job at creating emotional attachment for these characters because most of them feel irrelevant, forgetful, and/or one dimensional.
Naasira remains as the only character I like, and again, that’s only because she reminds me of Nazeera from the Shatter Me series… not really because of any individual characteristics of her own.
Also, can we talk about how weird it was to include that many sex scenes with the Aunt and Uncle and having Luna witness that??? Like I’m sorry that was just so weird, uncomfortable, and disturbing in the worst ways possible.
In terms of the plot, I can appreciate the foreshadowing and research that went into its development. However, the plot itself was very unenjoyable and just felt very messily executed. There are too many moving parts that certain scenes that should have gotten more attention, lacked detail and depth. It felt very shallow and childish. I still believe that this series would’ve worked better as a kid’s series because at least the ridiculousness of it all and Luna’s voice would match the vibe. Kids also wouldn’t care about these details this much.
In the end, while I do admire the author’s intentions when writing this book, it is just so poorly executed that it negates everything else.
Anyways, it’s safe to say I’m glad I don’t have to read the other books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2024
While the first book was still an engaging read, I actually enjoyed this one a lot more. Ford's foreshadowing really reached new heights in "Devil's in the Details" as all the little easter eggs from the first book started to make sense. It was almost like fitting pieces into a puzzle. While there is something to say about a lack of background character development I think Luna's journey in this book was actually really inspired. The themes of rebirth and free will are brilliantly represented in her character arc and the twist at the end had me falling out of my seat. I really enjoyed reading about her journey from denial (about her powers, heritage etc) to acceptance and how she embraced her newfound identity. I found Luna to be relatable in the sense that she desperately wants control of her own life in any way she can get it. The love interest is a little stereotypical for the romantasy genre (morally grey, obsessed, a million years old etc) but I did not mind. This is a very entertaining series, and while it definitely has its flaws I will say that I was invested nearly the whole time. I will absolutely be picking up the next book. I'd definitely recommend it to fans of urban romantasy thrillers and people who love a good mental puzzle.
November 26, 2023
The 2nd Deals with the Devil novel in Veronica Ford’s series was a great addition to the set. I enjoyed the references to not only Greek mythological gods and magical creatures but a variety of religions and cultures across different settings. In the second book, the reader gets to know a lot more about the main character Luna and her development as a character speaks volume to the story. Luna’s journey includes a wide range of tropes, touching upon themes such as friendship, coming of age, love, and self-discovery. This book seemed more of a mystery to solve, as I really wanted to keep reading to find out who Luna was. I think Ford did a good job writing that aspect of the novel as I grew up loving the Nancy Drew series, which this reminded me of in many of the chapters. Luna gets to find out more about who she is, where she comes from, why magic is such an important part of herself as a person and what that means to her. She is a teacher who cares a lot about her students in the midst of this crazy magical world and she has to balance that craziness with grading papers. After she’s done, she heads on over to the armory to practice fighting with Naasira because at the end of the day, Luna wants to protect her coven. Luna has a lot going on in the second book, and it’s all about her, which I like. One scene I found particularly important was when Luna declared she was the “chosen one” and not one of the main love interests, Marlowe. In my opinion, many fantasy stories in the current pop-culture climate tend to assume women as less in every aspect. Even in the stories where women are main characters, men seem to always have to “save the day” or be the reason women do well in that fantasy. In Ford’s second book, Luna demonstrates that she does not need anyone else to be powerful or to help other, given her magic. She is important for simply being herself and her actions have reflected her selfless character across her thousands of lives. This series does sometimes fit into that regular expectation and stereotype of fantasy pop-subculture as I mentioned before. Luna does grow a lot as a character, but we do see her love triangle with Marlowe and Nathan be emphasized a lot in terms of the physical scenes in both novels. Not that Luna needs either of them, she definitely realizes in the second book that she doesn’t need a man, she is the man. In the second book we get a new characters. I really liked Amy, I thought she was very funny. I think her character relates to a larger theme as the description of Amy’s character and her orange skin color shows how historically, demons have been portrayed to look like people of color in fantasy pop-culture and that comes with a discriminatory and negative connotation that is very harmful. For example in the story, we see Amy having to change her skin-color to fit in with the humans because she’s rather tall and has large features to her body. Aside from this aspect, I really enjoyed reading the parts that included the new character Amy, an orange devil who surprisingly has a good sense of heart and loyalty to the coven. Amy’s relationship with Luna depicted friendship to its purest form and I think Amy really changed Luna as a character. We got to see more of Luna as a person, rather than a man’s love interest, from the perspective of a woman. I think this book wonderfully highlights how love can be seen in different ways, even how Luna adores Gram or Pam/Nicki. In her interactions with Amy, Luna realized how she herself would treat her in a bad way, sometimes snapping at her in their earlier conversations. I think Luna showed me as a reader that demons are very similar to humans, not magically, but in the sense that they “cannot be trusted” or that they can always make mistakes and do whatever they want. Humans at the end of the day will do whatever they want, no matter where you come from. The true test of coven worthiness comes from your actions and whether you're a good person at heart or not. I think Luna humanizes Amy a little as she becomes close with her towards the end of the novel, eventually adding her to her coven of trusted family. Luna kind of is the old stereotype in fantasy but towards the end she breaks those stereotypes about demons, as Luna claims her power to add whoever she wants to her inner-circle. Amy proved that the coven was in her best interest, almost begging Luna to let her stay. Amy grows on to each character in the Deals with the Devil series and was a key character to the story. Overall, this novel was a great-read. The roller-coaster ride of Luna’s fantastical and mythical journey on discovering her past and prophecy kept me at the edge of my seat. I recommend this novel to any fantasy enthusiast or college student, this book really applies magic to the modern day world and allows the reader to step into Luna’s world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2024
Devil's in the Details by Veronica Ford revolves around free will and transformation as Luna's character is developed beyond the pre-set boundaries of Ford's first book, Deals with the Devil, where she is more passive in the magical catastrophes set upon her, relying on the guidance and direction of those around her to solve any problem. However, in book two, Luna develops a greater sense of agency. She embraces her desires, letting go of any inhibitions that hold her back, like her tendency to avoid engaging socially or in magical endeavors, as well as the denial of her true identity and powers.
As the book progresses, Luna's powers grow, due to her rage and, in part, from Dionysius lessening her inhibitions, letting her primal instincts take over. An example is when she runs into the woods at night, hunts/devours a deer, and meets Eostre, a West Germanic Spring Goddess, connected to Luna's past.
Luna progresses her storyline as she chooses to start embracing these wild moments of freedom, and by using that free will, she finally assumes her natural form as the devil/Lucifer and regains her memories. This is a huge moment for readers as it confirms theories of Luna being the devil. We get answers about Luna's previous lives and various ancestors when it is explained that she had been around since the beginning of time as an angel who chose to "fall" from heaven to give humans free will and thus initiate the beginning of history for mankind. Marlowe was one of the first angels who chose to "fall" with her and has always stuck by her side throughout history when she had to give up her memories and live among humans as one of them, as she slowly regained power and the realization of her identity.
The second book drew me in more than the first one because there was more action and evidence of magic this time. For example, the gnome on Luna's porch, Amy being summoned and introduced as an intellectual demon, Luna learning how to conjure things from pockets in the void, and her training with Naasira in combat and sword fighting. All these events made me feel more connected to the magical world and culture that frames the story. I could understand the threats and the different characters of the story better in this magical context. In addition, it was refreshing to see Luna grow, both magically and physically, making her seem more like the strong "chosen one" protagonist that the reader wants to be rooting for.
Ford implants several little easter eggs that can be dismissed, especially if you are not an avid, constantly curious reader who researches every word, idea, or symbol. You can choose, as the reader, to read this book for the plot and experience the winding and seemingly disconnected magical journey Ford lays out. However, you can also take the alternative route and dig deeper, drawing allusions to outside connections that supplement the story, like Cassie originating from Cassandra in Greek mythology with foreboding prophecies, or Walt Whitman's "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d" poem being used as the prologue and epilogue titles to convey the transformation and grief that Luna experiences. Even Luna constantly seeing the morning star in the sky foreshadows her being Lucifer Morningstar.
I prefer to approach this book more casually, flowing with the plot and slowly putting the pieces together, instead of trying to interpret connections with all the random information inserted throughout. Overall, Devil's in the Details was much more enjoyable to read than book one, sparking more magical beings and a crucial backstory that ties up various loose ends. Luna comes into her own as the devil and ultimate champion of free will for humans as she fights the wild magic leaking from the gate.
As the book progresses, Luna's powers grow, due to her rage and, in part, from Dionysius lessening her inhibitions, letting her primal instincts take over. An example is when she runs into the woods at night, hunts/devours a deer, and meets Eostre, a West Germanic Spring Goddess, connected to Luna's past.
Luna progresses her storyline as she chooses to start embracing these wild moments of freedom, and by using that free will, she finally assumes her natural form as the devil/Lucifer and regains her memories. This is a huge moment for readers as it confirms theories of Luna being the devil. We get answers about Luna's previous lives and various ancestors when it is explained that she had been around since the beginning of time as an angel who chose to "fall" from heaven to give humans free will and thus initiate the beginning of history for mankind. Marlowe was one of the first angels who chose to "fall" with her and has always stuck by her side throughout history when she had to give up her memories and live among humans as one of them, as she slowly regained power and the realization of her identity.
The second book drew me in more than the first one because there was more action and evidence of magic this time. For example, the gnome on Luna's porch, Amy being summoned and introduced as an intellectual demon, Luna learning how to conjure things from pockets in the void, and her training with Naasira in combat and sword fighting. All these events made me feel more connected to the magical world and culture that frames the story. I could understand the threats and the different characters of the story better in this magical context. In addition, it was refreshing to see Luna grow, both magically and physically, making her seem more like the strong "chosen one" protagonist that the reader wants to be rooting for.
Ford implants several little easter eggs that can be dismissed, especially if you are not an avid, constantly curious reader who researches every word, idea, or symbol. You can choose, as the reader, to read this book for the plot and experience the winding and seemingly disconnected magical journey Ford lays out. However, you can also take the alternative route and dig deeper, drawing allusions to outside connections that supplement the story, like Cassie originating from Cassandra in Greek mythology with foreboding prophecies, or Walt Whitman's "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d" poem being used as the prologue and epilogue titles to convey the transformation and grief that Luna experiences. Even Luna constantly seeing the morning star in the sky foreshadows her being Lucifer Morningstar.
I prefer to approach this book more casually, flowing with the plot and slowly putting the pieces together, instead of trying to interpret connections with all the random information inserted throughout. Overall, Devil's in the Details was much more enjoyable to read than book one, sparking more magical beings and a crucial backstory that ties up various loose ends. Luna comes into her own as the devil and ultimate champion of free will for humans as she fights the wild magic leaking from the gate.
November 18, 2024
Devils in the Details is a book that incites many opinions in me. I have lots to say, but my main things are pacing, characterization, and plot.
The pacing continued to be an issue for me throughout this book. Ford’s writing style is very meticulous and detailed, but her writing is very slow-going. The balance between plot and setup is too setup/exposition heavy for my taste, and the plot didn’t move nearly fast enough for me.
The characterization in this book was satisfactory, and a huge improvement from the last book. For starters, we get a new character, Amy, with lots of personality and feelings. Her character is very three dimensional, with layers and complexity, and she (both intentionally and unintentionally) challenges Luna, her viewpoints, and her morals. We also get a further look into Folly, the redheaded fae twin that Luna met in her short visit to their court in the first book. Additionally, we can see developments in Luna as a character, and while I still find her to be annoying, there is a clear difference between her character in the first book, and her character by the end of this book. I think that a main reason for this is her increased agency that allowed us to really see who she is now that she has started making decisions for herself.
The last issue I have with this book is the plot. Without spoilers, I feel that Veronica Ford is unnecessarily dragging out the series. There are certain plot points that I could have done without, and I don’t like the direction that this is headed. At the end of this book, we see Luna go to a new place and presumably will be there for a large portion of the next book. This probably means new characters, new challenges, and new relationships. I think that this turn is wildly unnecessary, especially as there is so much unfinished business at UConn.
Overall, I think that the writing in this book was a big improvement from the first book, but I don’t like the direction that the book is going plot-wise, and I continue to find Luna annoying. I think that this book is okay, at best, but my overall impression of the series is that it’s not worth reading. Yes, it’s entertaining, but there are many equally entertaining and better-written series out there that would be much more suited to my taste. I will not be reading the rest of this series, but I don’t think this series was a total waste of time. If you have nothing else to read, I guess it’s worth it. From my personal taste, I give it 2 stars, but I think that with the overall improvement in writing and characterization, one wouldn't be ridiculous in giving it 3.
The pacing continued to be an issue for me throughout this book. Ford’s writing style is very meticulous and detailed, but her writing is very slow-going. The balance between plot and setup is too setup/exposition heavy for my taste, and the plot didn’t move nearly fast enough for me.
The characterization in this book was satisfactory, and a huge improvement from the last book. For starters, we get a new character, Amy, with lots of personality and feelings. Her character is very three dimensional, with layers and complexity, and she (both intentionally and unintentionally) challenges Luna, her viewpoints, and her morals. We also get a further look into Folly, the redheaded fae twin that Luna met in her short visit to their court in the first book. Additionally, we can see developments in Luna as a character, and while I still find her to be annoying, there is a clear difference between her character in the first book, and her character by the end of this book. I think that a main reason for this is her increased agency that allowed us to really see who she is now that she has started making decisions for herself.
The last issue I have with this book is the plot. Without spoilers, I feel that Veronica Ford is unnecessarily dragging out the series. There are certain plot points that I could have done without, and I don’t like the direction that this is headed. At the end of this book, we see Luna go to a new place and presumably will be there for a large portion of the next book. This probably means new characters, new challenges, and new relationships. I think that this turn is wildly unnecessary, especially as there is so much unfinished business at UConn.
Overall, I think that the writing in this book was a big improvement from the first book, but I don’t like the direction that the book is going plot-wise, and I continue to find Luna annoying. I think that this book is okay, at best, but my overall impression of the series is that it’s not worth reading. Yes, it’s entertaining, but there are many equally entertaining and better-written series out there that would be much more suited to my taste. I will not be reading the rest of this series, but I don’t think this series was a total waste of time. If you have nothing else to read, I guess it’s worth it. From my personal taste, I give it 2 stars, but I think that with the overall improvement in writing and characterization, one wouldn't be ridiculous in giving it 3.
November 19, 2024
This is the second book in Veronica Ford's Devils in the Details series. I found it to be a good book and it branched well from the first book. Comparing the two books, her writing improved so much from the first book. It flowed so much better, and you were able to follow her writing. I also felt like the book had a good fast pace to it, which made me want to read more. Personally, I like how events were happening left to right because it kept me locked in and on my toes. I know for some people that may not be their cup of tea, but it is something I really liked.
The second book in the series is about Luna learning/ discovering who she truly is. We go through events that help her train for the opening of the gate and events that help her gain her memories/to help realize who she is and what her duty is. In this book, I really enjoyed the character development with all the characters, especially with Luna. We were able to see a more emotional side of her and we could also connect to her through the stress/ pressure she was going through. I felt like I could relate to that in my own way, maybe not through having to close the gate to hell but through my own stressful experiences. I also loved the slow burn between Luna and Marlowe. I was always on my toes wondering if they were gonna act on their feelings. I loved seeing that tension between them and how they got closer in this book than the last one. Another thing that I liked was that I felt like the book was light if that makes sense. There were intense moments Luna had to face but she would add some funny parts to the scene which made it more enjoyable. For example, the nome fighting with a rake, had me cackling, I found it so funny, I enjoyed that little part because I was not expecting it. The only thing I would say that was bad about this book was that I felt like there were some scenes that were not needed. I felt like it didn't add to the plot and just threw me off because it would never show up again/ tie into the book. It could possibly appear again in book three but there were some parts I felt like it was okay without. Overall, I think this book was really good. I enjoyed the fast pace of the events, the character development, and the way her writing style really improved. It is a good book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a new read!
The second book in the series is about Luna learning/ discovering who she truly is. We go through events that help her train for the opening of the gate and events that help her gain her memories/to help realize who she is and what her duty is. In this book, I really enjoyed the character development with all the characters, especially with Luna. We were able to see a more emotional side of her and we could also connect to her through the stress/ pressure she was going through. I felt like I could relate to that in my own way, maybe not through having to close the gate to hell but through my own stressful experiences. I also loved the slow burn between Luna and Marlowe. I was always on my toes wondering if they were gonna act on their feelings. I loved seeing that tension between them and how they got closer in this book than the last one. Another thing that I liked was that I felt like the book was light if that makes sense. There were intense moments Luna had to face but she would add some funny parts to the scene which made it more enjoyable. For example, the nome fighting with a rake, had me cackling, I found it so funny, I enjoyed that little part because I was not expecting it. The only thing I would say that was bad about this book was that I felt like there were some scenes that were not needed. I felt like it didn't add to the plot and just threw me off because it would never show up again/ tie into the book. It could possibly appear again in book three but there were some parts I felt like it was okay without. Overall, I think this book was really good. I enjoyed the fast pace of the events, the character development, and the way her writing style really improved. It is a good book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a new read!
March 18, 2024
SPOILER ALERT: I loved reading the second book. I feel like it was more structured than the first book. The first book was more of a rollercoaster and it was one event after the other, but this book was more subtle in terms of the transition of events and I was able to take in the events that occurred and the way they occurred. With “Devils in the Details” I didn’t have to reread certain parts as much to understand the next section, which was something that made the book more enjoyable. We see a lot of character development in this book with Luna. In the first book, I wouldn’t trust her to have a demon who is bonded to her or to learn how to use her powers, but she showed a lot of growth in this book. Although Luna is still quirky in this book, she takes more things seriously in serious situations which portray her growth. It was also nice seeing how she took charge to protect her friends and family when the hell gate began to open. I like how there were answered questions in this book because in the first book, it seemed like we the readers were never going to find out anything about her memory and her powers, but in this book, we got those answers. I am hoping we get more information about her mother eventually (I have hope). I was shocked to find out she was Lucifer. Although there were signs of her being Lucifer, it was still a major plot twist for me. I think that’s what made this book so good and her transition to getting her horns and wings was very visual which helped me get a picture of the transition. I did not like how her family just left her after she became the devil because that is just as hard on her as it is on them and she had so many chances to leave her family because of how much they took from her in book 1. I just wished they empathized with her because leaving her like that was not fair.
November 18, 2024
"Devil's in the Details" by Veronica Ford is an interesting second novel in "The Devil's Due series". This urban fantasy novel follows a professor, Luna, at the University of Connecticut who recently discovered she is a witch, and it is her responsibility to stop the magic apocalypse.
One of the largest aspects of this book is Ford's use of biblical references. She weaves in themes of sin and draws parallels to biblical stories like the battle between good and evil. These references added more depth to the novel than readers would have gotten from the story otherwise. It also foreshadowed Luna's true identity. I enjoyed this aspect of the novel because it gave it even more meaning.
Next, the protagonist is both intriguing and relatable. Her sense of humor and awkwardness makes her easier to relate with. Despite her identity and chaotic life, it is easy for readers to relate to some aspect of her personality. Also, her journey of self-discovery and the challenges she faces makes per intriguing. I found her struggles and growth throughout the book to be engaging.
The side characters add even more depth to this novel. The introduction of new side characters, such as the demon Amy, and the progression of side characters from the first book in the series, such as Nicki, make the book even more interesting. Each character brings their own unique perspective and contribute to the story in different ways. For example, Nicki was a relatively simple character in the first novel, but in this second addition, she becomes much more complex by revealing her magical background and coming out as transgender. Each character's interactions are dynamic and make the world more real.
Overall, "Devil's in the Details" is an interesting read and I would suggest that any urban fantasy reader checks out this series. Ford's ability to weave together an engaging plot and well-developed themes make this novel even more enjoyable.
One of the largest aspects of this book is Ford's use of biblical references. She weaves in themes of sin and draws parallels to biblical stories like the battle between good and evil. These references added more depth to the novel than readers would have gotten from the story otherwise. It also foreshadowed Luna's true identity. I enjoyed this aspect of the novel because it gave it even more meaning.
Next, the protagonist is both intriguing and relatable. Her sense of humor and awkwardness makes her easier to relate with. Despite her identity and chaotic life, it is easy for readers to relate to some aspect of her personality. Also, her journey of self-discovery and the challenges she faces makes per intriguing. I found her struggles and growth throughout the book to be engaging.
The side characters add even more depth to this novel. The introduction of new side characters, such as the demon Amy, and the progression of side characters from the first book in the series, such as Nicki, make the book even more interesting. Each character brings their own unique perspective and contribute to the story in different ways. For example, Nicki was a relatively simple character in the first novel, but in this second addition, she becomes much more complex by revealing her magical background and coming out as transgender. Each character's interactions are dynamic and make the world more real.
Overall, "Devil's in the Details" is an interesting read and I would suggest that any urban fantasy reader checks out this series. Ford's ability to weave together an engaging plot and well-developed themes make this novel even more enjoyable.
March 3, 2024
“Devil’s in the Details” is the second book in Veronica Ford’s Devil’s Due series. My frustration with the abundance of unanswered questions in the first book is gone. Almost all of the unresolved plot lines in Book 1 were addressed in Book 2.
I found that many of the twists and reveals were fairly obvious, but one of my friends who also read this book disagrees, so I guess it depends on how closely you pay attention to the details.
I enjoyed Luna’s character development. She was hard to relate to and not very likable in book 1. In this book, the reader learns more about Luna, her past, and why she is the way she is. Her character development also felt authentic, which is something I appreciate. I hope to learn more about Luna’s past in Book 3. After the big reveal at the end of the book, I have still more questions and theories.
One thing I also hope is addressed in Book 3 is how the magic system works. I still don’t fully understand it, especially because it seems to pull from many different religions and beliefs.
If you didn’t love the first book and are curious if it is worth it, I would definitely recommend “Devil’s in the Details.” I was not Book 1’s biggest fan, but Book 2 has more action, answers, and attention to detail. I am excited for Book 3 to come out.
I found that many of the twists and reveals were fairly obvious, but one of my friends who also read this book disagrees, so I guess it depends on how closely you pay attention to the details.
I enjoyed Luna’s character development. She was hard to relate to and not very likable in book 1. In this book, the reader learns more about Luna, her past, and why she is the way she is. Her character development also felt authentic, which is something I appreciate. I hope to learn more about Luna’s past in Book 3. After the big reveal at the end of the book, I have still more questions and theories.
One thing I also hope is addressed in Book 3 is how the magic system works. I still don’t fully understand it, especially because it seems to pull from many different religions and beliefs.
If you didn’t love the first book and are curious if it is worth it, I would definitely recommend “Devil’s in the Details.” I was not Book 1’s biggest fan, but Book 2 has more action, answers, and attention to detail. I am excited for Book 3 to come out.
March 31, 2024
Veronica Ford's "Devils in the Detail" is a gripping continuation of the narrative that began with her previous work. As a reader who thoroughly enjoyed the first book, I found "Devils in the Detail" to be an even more satisfying and immersive experience.
While the first book established an excellent foundation and introduced intriguing characters and plotlines, it left me on a cliffhanger, hungry for answers to the numerous issues it raised. "Devils in the Detail" expertly addresses many of these lingering questions, elegantly connecting various threads of the story into a cohesive and satisfying narrative.
One of the most compelling aspects of "Devils in the Detail" is its exploration of the mysterious character Luna. While the first book hints at Luna's significance, it is in this sequel that we truly come to understand who she is and the pivotal role she plays in the story.
While not all questions are answered, the majority of them were, allowing readers to piece together the puzzle of the narrative and gain a deeper understanding of the world Ford has created.
Overall, "Devils in the Detail" is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will leave readers eager for more. Ford's skillful storytelling and compelling characters make this book a standout in its genre, and I eagerly anticipate what she has in store for her readers next.
While the first book established an excellent foundation and introduced intriguing characters and plotlines, it left me on a cliffhanger, hungry for answers to the numerous issues it raised. "Devils in the Detail" expertly addresses many of these lingering questions, elegantly connecting various threads of the story into a cohesive and satisfying narrative.
One of the most compelling aspects of "Devils in the Detail" is its exploration of the mysterious character Luna. While the first book hints at Luna's significance, it is in this sequel that we truly come to understand who she is and the pivotal role she plays in the story.
While not all questions are answered, the majority of them were, allowing readers to piece together the puzzle of the narrative and gain a deeper understanding of the world Ford has created.
Overall, "Devils in the Detail" is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will leave readers eager for more. Ford's skillful storytelling and compelling characters make this book a standout in its genre, and I eagerly anticipate what she has in store for her readers next.
April 17, 2024
Veronica Ford's "Devil’s Due" series has been an adventure for me. Having recently completed the third installment, I can say that this one is my favorite of the three.
One of the aspects that stood out to me the most in this book was the plot twist. From Luna's shocking revelation to the gradual formation of her "found family," every twist and turn felt exhilarating. I also appreciated the clarity provided in this book, especially in addressing some of the confusion lingering from the first book.
The inclusion of mythology was a fun surprise for me, particularly as someone who recently studied classic mythology in a course. Ford's incorporation of various mythological elements added an extra layer of intrigue to the story.
As a newcomer to the fantasy genre, I found some aspects related to Luna's coven, the Fae, and other magical elements a bit challenging to follow at times but the storytelling and characters kept me invested in the story, even when certain concepts were difficult to grasp.
One of the aspects that stood out to me the most in this book was the plot twist. From Luna's shocking revelation to the gradual formation of her "found family," every twist and turn felt exhilarating. I also appreciated the clarity provided in this book, especially in addressing some of the confusion lingering from the first book.
The inclusion of mythology was a fun surprise for me, particularly as someone who recently studied classic mythology in a course. Ford's incorporation of various mythological elements added an extra layer of intrigue to the story.
As a newcomer to the fantasy genre, I found some aspects related to Luna's coven, the Fae, and other magical elements a bit challenging to follow at times but the storytelling and characters kept me invested in the story, even when certain concepts were difficult to grasp.
November 18, 2024
3.5
I think this book definitely excelled book 1.
I think the author's character development got better in this book compared to the first one. I feel like everyone had an important role in the story (with the exception of a few - but that's just cause of the big cast of characters.) I especially want to learn more about Stephen.
While the characters from book 1 were more developed, I expect that to be the case for any sequel. But overall, I think especially with the new characters (Amy, Abby, etc..) , the author did a better job of actually giving them a role in the story rather than just adding characters for the sake of more characters.
I'm also grateful for the fact that the plot happened more quickly than it did in book 1. Although, I think during the fight scenes especially, I got a little lost as to what was happening. I think without discussing the book in person, I would've enjoyed the book a lot less.
The author's symbolism and allusions stay strong. I hope she continues that.
I think this book definitely excelled book 1.
I think the author's character development got better in this book compared to the first one. I feel like everyone had an important role in the story (with the exception of a few - but that's just cause of the big cast of characters.) I especially want to learn more about Stephen.
While the characters from book 1 were more developed, I expect that to be the case for any sequel. But overall, I think especially with the new characters (Amy, Abby, etc..) , the author did a better job of actually giving them a role in the story rather than just adding characters for the sake of more characters.
I'm also grateful for the fact that the plot happened more quickly than it did in book 1. Although, I think during the fight scenes especially, I got a little lost as to what was happening. I think without discussing the book in person, I would've enjoyed the book a lot less.
The author's symbolism and allusions stay strong. I hope she continues that.
November 20, 2024
Wow! I can't even wrap my head around this book! What an intense book with so many things going on in all the good ways! I was a bit skeptical starting this book as the first book was a bit boring with not enough action for me, however, this book gave me everything that I wanted and then some. I am so impressed at the attention to detail Ford brings to "Devil's in the Details". I really enjoyed getting to know each of the characters individually as well as the growing relationships that Luna has with her coven and the people around her. The ending was very intense in a way that had me on the edge of my seat while I was reading. This book left me wanting to read the third book to find out what happens to Luna and UCONN! The only thing I would have wished for is a bit more background to some of the details that we are almost expected to know as the reader. Personally, I do not have much information about the Bible and biblical tales which knowing would have made me appreciate the book even more.
November 20, 2024
I enjoyed this book much more than the first. The first book is incredibly uneventful, as it is mostly buildup for the later books. With that being said, this book is an incredible sequel, as it builds upon many of the small details from the first book. Many of the unnamed characters who are just mentioned in passing before are given personalities, which makes me wonder which ones will be expanded upon in the future. We are also given more context that is intentionally yet frustratingly left out in the first book, which helps clear up many of the questions left previously unanswered. Overall, I would say I enjoyed this novel, as while there was a lot going on the whole time, it works to balance out the first book, where very few big things occurred. While the author does work in many small pieces of context in case you haven't read the first book or it has been a while between readings, I would not suggest jumping straight into this book. This book is very chaotic to begin with, and not having all of the knowledge from the first book will increase this chaos exponentially.
April 1, 2024
Full disclosure. I didn’t read the first book in the series before starting this one but I suggest you read book one first. I felt like I was thrust into a complex storyline in progress. Luna is a university professor. She also happens to be a witch with amnesia. Luna is rebuilding her coven with some new characters and we learn about her as she tries to recall her memories. It's a typical witch's abode when witch-in-training Pam, accidentally summons a big-breasted demon, while testing a spell in the kitchen. It turns out the demon is the fifty-eighth president of hell. No biggie. Marlowe, the hunky fallen angel shows up, sword in hand, to take care of things. Needless to say this makes for an interesting cast of characters to keep the plot moving along. Luna herself is quirky and funny in a tongue in-cheek, self-deprecating way. All-in-all a fun read for fans of the supernatural romance!
December 4, 2024
Overall Devil's in the Details was not a terrible book, it built off of the book before it which was my expectation going into it. I think the characters gained more depth throughout this book than the last one. This book, like the last one largely focuses on the characters and uses the plot as a means to develop them. I enjoyed digging a little deeper into some of the references in the book which are used as foreshadowing for later events in this book. My main issue with the book was its relatively slow pacing for the bulk of the book compared to the last few chapters where a bulk of the action and developments for the book take place. It left me feeling as if some of the substance to the book was moved towards the end just to make a stronger cliffhanger for an ending. Despite this, the characters antics were entertaining and no parts of the book really felt too difficult to continue reading through.
November 26, 2023
This is a great second installment to a series I'm really enjoying! The magic continues to erupt around campus, and it's definitely getting more dangerous. But the MC is really coming into her own, gathering a coven of smart, powerful, loyal women (and assorted magical creatures). The heat is building between her and the love interest, and that ending!! Can't wait for book 3!
March 3, 2024
AWESOME second installment! Book 1 leaves a lot of mysteries on the table and focuses more on character development and slow burn mystery and steam. Book 2 kicks it all into action and starts bringing things to a head, with character development, old mysteries solved, a few new mysteries added, and lots of action. I'm impatient for book 3!
February 19, 2024
Excellent second installment! The payoff was bigger than I ever expected as Luna collects a few new coven members and finally figures out some crazy truths! This series is turning out to be a lot of fun and I'm really excited for book 3!
November 27, 2023
IT ALL MAKES SO MUCH SENSE NOW! I also feel kinda dumb for not seeing the signs earlier… I honestly think I preferred this book over the first installment. I patiently await book three :)
March 21, 2024
Devil’s in the Details was an amazing sequel. The engagement from before continued, and I was more immersed in this book than the first one. Luna’s character development is significant, and I enjoyed being on the journey with her to discover the parts of her memory she’s forgotten. We learn about the characters and their involvement with Luna’s history. Overall, the story progressed more smoothly than the first book. It has less filler and more plot and character progression. The end sets itself up beautifully for the third book in the series.
(Slight spoilers/ discussing more in depth without direct spoiling)
Marlowe’s character has played a huge role in Luna’s memory in this book, and I really like the hand he plays in leading Luna to where she needs to be. The first book showed Marlowe almost avoiding Luna, and to have it develop into this deep relationship Veronica Ford has been hinting at is rewarding. Luna also discovers a lot about her memory and who she is, and I really fell in love with this conflicting character development. As a reader, I was left questioning if Luna is still really the same “Luna” we have journeyed through this series with. Without severely spoiling, looking back at the foreshadowed moments that led to Luna’s big reveal did it really well, and was just noticeable enough to make you question what the big reveal will be. Honestly, this is my favorite in the series so far, and I can’t wait to see where the story continues.
(Slight spoilers/ discussing more in depth without direct spoiling)
Marlowe’s character has played a huge role in Luna’s memory in this book, and I really like the hand he plays in leading Luna to where she needs to be. The first book showed Marlowe almost avoiding Luna, and to have it develop into this deep relationship Veronica Ford has been hinting at is rewarding. Luna also discovers a lot about her memory and who she is, and I really fell in love with this conflicting character development. As a reader, I was left questioning if Luna is still really the same “Luna” we have journeyed through this series with. Without severely spoiling, looking back at the foreshadowed moments that led to Luna’s big reveal did it really well, and was just noticeable enough to make you question what the big reveal will be. Honestly, this is my favorite in the series so far, and I can’t wait to see where the story continues.
December 7, 2024
We're getting somewhere! I really liked the twist this book offered (though heavily foreshadowed). The pacing has definitely improved from the first book. I'm in love with Amy and the chaotic problem solving she brings. This book follows Luna trying to navigate recovering her memories and building her coven. Love the found family aspects Ford brings in.
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