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Tale of the Demon World #1
The Demon's Daughter
Inspector Adrian Philips keeps the peace between demons and humans in Avvar, a city not unlike Victorian London. To do his job, he's allowed his strength to be enhanced by demon technology, a choice that's cost him his wife, his family, and—some would say—his humanity. Rejected by both races, he hungers for a woman's touch.
Roxanne McAllister is an outcast, too: the illegitimate daughter of an infamous chanteuse. One fateful night brings Roxanne and Adrian together, and though the border between human and demon is treacherous, they might be just the ones to cross it. The question is, will the exquisite pleasure they find together be worth the risk?
Roxanne McAllister is an outcast, too: the illegitimate daughter of an infamous chanteuse. One fateful night brings Roxanne and Adrian together, and though the border between human and demon is treacherous, they might be just the ones to cross it. The question is, will the exquisite pleasure they find together be worth the risk?
311 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 2, 2004
25 people are currently reading
1406 people want to read
About the author
Emma Holly
93 books1,270 followersI'm a USA Today bestselling author who LOVES the hot stuff, both to read and to write. My favorite obsessions are all things coffee, almost everything on HGTV, and dreaming up new stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
August 6, 2015
I really loved this book. It hinges on the beautiful characterization of the hero, Adrian. He really yearns for a life with affection and family, but has given up hope it will never happen for him. Adrian was married, but his wife (who he didn't know well before they married) considered him a duty rather than a partner and a joy. He couldn't live like that for the rest of his life so he asked for a divorce. Since this book is set in a version of 19th century England, a gentleman's (even a lowly policeman's) options were very limited in who he can marry and so he feels he's missed his window of opportunity.
The rest of the plot is fine and the other characters are good, but what drew me in was the emotional and sensitive nature of Adrian.
The rest of the plot is fine and the other characters are good, but what drew me in was the emotional and sensitive nature of Adrian.
January 29, 2017
This was my first book by Emma Holly and I thought it was great. I liked the paranormal element and I thought that the romance between Roxanne and Adrian was sweet. I liked that Roxanne had formed her own family by taking in the two orphan boys. The sex was pretty hot, but I wouldn’t categorize the book as erotica still. Will most likely read other books by Emma Holly.
June 5, 2023
3.5 stars
October 12, 2012
I read this after reading the two reviews on SBTB. Sarah didn’t care for it and stopped halfway through. Candy enjoyed it but did have some reservations. And this confirms for me that I should be going by Candy’s reviews, not Sarah’s ‘cuase I have much the same opinion.
I liked this book. Big surprise, right? Alternate history (ish), paranormal (magic), historical, romance verging on erotica? It’s like Emma Holly writes for me specifically. For those of you too lazy to go click the SMTB summaries, here is my attempt: This story takes place in an alternate Victorian English called Avvar that discovered an underground (no really) demon nation and struck up a treaty with them to avoid/win a war by gaining their technology. The price? Demon cast-offs/lower class (rohn) get to live in the main city (which I’ll call London even though it wasn’t) where they can make their way. Oh, and feed on human’s energy. The Hero is Adrian Phillips, an inspector who got demon enchanced strength to help him police the docks where the rohn live and to get advancement in his career but it cost him his wife and some friends. The Heroine is Roxanne McAllister, the bastard daughter of a promiscuous singer and some unknown father, who is an artist trying to move from erotica/porno scenes to respectable landscapes and such. Adrian is chasing information concerning a lost boy who may have been taken by the icky demons for feeding when he’s beaten and stabbed and ends up on Roxanne’s roof. She neatly picks up his 6 foot frame and helps heal him back to health with a really hot kiss (20 pages in, after massive bloodlust on the part of Adrian) and a doctor (before the kiss, must be an awesome doc). Roxanne & Adrian like each other lots. Complications arise from (a) finding out Roxanne’s absent father is a Demon of the higher class (dominayo) and so she’s half-demon and (b) Adriann’s social class being higher than hers and so trying to stay away from her so that he can actually stay in his society. There are other subplots, but that’s the main romance one.
As Candy & Sarah point out, the attraction is immediate and really for no good reason. I mean, they are literally trying to jump each other’s bones from minute one and given Adriann’s state (needed to be laying down for 2-3 days after to recover from blood loss) it is just weird. But if you accept their instant attraction, it works. The sex scenes are hot, though I wish Roxanne hadn’t been a virgin. There’s really no good reason for Holly to have done that and I think the story would have worked better if Roxanne had actually been a ‘fallen’ woman rather than the ‘innocent’ she was. I liked the class stuff. Victorian England was about class restrictions and that was shown both for humans & demons and from several points of view, though Holly does infuse it with our modern notions of how out-dated such a system is. The world building was good, and I want more in this world. I can almost smell a sequel from the end given the switch to a lesser character’s view point and mopiness about “not having anyone” and then being flirted with by the Hero’s unattached sister who hasn’t accepted any of her 50 or so beaus.
There’s another HUGE thing that happens near the end of the book (major spoilers, no I’m not telling) that should have resulted in 20-30 pages of angst, comfort and/or plot to deal with problem, but was just neatly wrapped up in a 3 sentence version of “I’ll take care of this” by a secondary character. Robbed, I tell you! I think Holly just didn’t want to write that part of the plot and so just skipped/skimmed it. It makes me wonder if she’s really just a very good erotica writer who can’t quite stretch to general fiction. Sarah’s comment about needing a scene every 20 pages or so is accurate, which didn’t always pertain to the matters at hand or advance the story. Don’t get me wrong, I like hot sex, and Holly is usually good about using it to advance the story, but I think this book had a little too much or not enough plot to balance.
I liked this book. Big surprise, right? Alternate history (ish), paranormal (magic), historical, romance verging on erotica? It’s like Emma Holly writes for me specifically. For those of you too lazy to go click the SMTB summaries, here is my attempt: This story takes place in an alternate Victorian English called Avvar that discovered an underground (no really) demon nation and struck up a treaty with them to avoid/win a war by gaining their technology. The price? Demon cast-offs/lower class (rohn) get to live in the main city (which I’ll call London even though it wasn’t) where they can make their way. Oh, and feed on human’s energy. The Hero is Adrian Phillips, an inspector who got demon enchanced strength to help him police the docks where the rohn live and to get advancement in his career but it cost him his wife and some friends. The Heroine is Roxanne McAllister, the bastard daughter of a promiscuous singer and some unknown father, who is an artist trying to move from erotica/porno scenes to respectable landscapes and such. Adrian is chasing information concerning a lost boy who may have been taken by the icky demons for feeding when he’s beaten and stabbed and ends up on Roxanne’s roof. She neatly picks up his 6 foot frame and helps heal him back to health with a really hot kiss (20 pages in, after massive bloodlust on the part of Adrian) and a doctor (before the kiss, must be an awesome doc). Roxanne & Adrian like each other lots. Complications arise from (a) finding out Roxanne’s absent father is a Demon of the higher class (dominayo) and so she’s half-demon and (b) Adriann’s social class being higher than hers and so trying to stay away from her so that he can actually stay in his society. There are other subplots, but that’s the main romance one.
As Candy & Sarah point out, the attraction is immediate and really for no good reason. I mean, they are literally trying to jump each other’s bones from minute one and given Adriann’s state (needed to be laying down for 2-3 days after to recover from blood loss) it is just weird. But if you accept their instant attraction, it works. The sex scenes are hot, though I wish Roxanne hadn’t been a virgin. There’s really no good reason for Holly to have done that and I think the story would have worked better if Roxanne had actually been a ‘fallen’ woman rather than the ‘innocent’ she was. I liked the class stuff. Victorian England was about class restrictions and that was shown both for humans & demons and from several points of view, though Holly does infuse it with our modern notions of how out-dated such a system is. The world building was good, and I want more in this world. I can almost smell a sequel from the end given the switch to a lesser character’s view point and mopiness about “not having anyone” and then being flirted with by the Hero’s unattached sister who hasn’t accepted any of her 50 or so beaus.
There’s another HUGE thing that happens near the end of the book (major spoilers, no I’m not telling) that should have resulted in 20-30 pages of angst, comfort and/or plot to deal with problem, but was just neatly wrapped up in a 3 sentence version of “I’ll take care of this” by a secondary character. Robbed, I tell you! I think Holly just didn’t want to write that part of the plot and so just skipped/skimmed it. It makes me wonder if she’s really just a very good erotica writer who can’t quite stretch to general fiction. Sarah’s comment about needing a scene every 20 pages or so is accurate, which didn’t always pertain to the matters at hand or advance the story. Don’t get me wrong, I like hot sex, and Holly is usually good about using it to advance the story, but I think this book had a little too much or not enough plot to balance.
January 26, 2009
#1 or #2 in Demon series (?) - from EH's site I thought this was #1 but ?
Beautifully written, this was a lovely and steamy romance. Set in a fantasy world much like Victorian England, demons inhabit part of the area.
I was so taken by with Adrian and Roxanne's romance and their lives, including the teenager and little boy Roxanne saved from the slums and had taken into her care as her own. Adrian is a human police officer, enhanced with certain demon powers which allow him to keep the peace between the demons and humans. Roxanne is a well-to-do free spirit and artist, whose life is turned upside down when a long-held secret is revealed.
Though demons are an element in this story, there are no big demonic battles featured. It's not the major theme of the story -- at least I didn't see it that way. The demon angle does add intrigue, mystery and interest.
For me, this is a story of love, building relationships and trust, and discovering that love matters most! I liked how certain characters grew and gained insight into themselves and others.
Can't wait to read Prince of Ice very soon, and more of Emma Holly :-)
Beautifully written, this was a lovely and steamy romance. Set in a fantasy world much like Victorian England, demons inhabit part of the area.
I was so taken by with Adrian and Roxanne's romance and their lives, including the teenager and little boy Roxanne saved from the slums and had taken into her care as her own. Adrian is a human police officer, enhanced with certain demon powers which allow him to keep the peace between the demons and humans. Roxanne is a well-to-do free spirit and artist, whose life is turned upside down when a long-held secret is revealed.
Though demons are an element in this story, there are no big demonic battles featured. It's not the major theme of the story -- at least I didn't see it that way. The demon angle does add intrigue, mystery and interest.
For me, this is a story of love, building relationships and trust, and discovering that love matters most! I liked how certain characters grew and gained insight into themselves and others.
Can't wait to read Prince of Ice very soon, and more of Emma Holly :-)
October 18, 2009
When I picked up this book I had no idea it fell under the romance category. That is not a problem; but I was not prepared for the hot eroticism of the story. Emma Holly weaves a interesting world in early 20th century where demons and humans live together. The times are hard and the underclass struggle to survive, even children.
The main character is a single woman, Roxanne who is self made (unique in the times) and rather plain looking. It was nice to read about a character that was just average looking, accepting of herself, and not afraid to explore her dreams. She takes in two orphan boys who have been living in the streets. However, they manage to form a unique family. All is well until an injured man, Detective Adrian Philips literally falls into her garden. As Roxie aids his recovery he struggles with his feelings for her since to see her is political suicide to any chance of promotion of keeping his job. To make matters worse, Roxie discovers the identity of her father and is angered to find he is a demon diplomat.
Very well written, although at times a bit too verbose. Be warned, the sex will want to make you wish you were one of the characters.
The main character is a single woman, Roxanne who is self made (unique in the times) and rather plain looking. It was nice to read about a character that was just average looking, accepting of herself, and not afraid to explore her dreams. She takes in two orphan boys who have been living in the streets. However, they manage to form a unique family. All is well until an injured man, Detective Adrian Philips literally falls into her garden. As Roxie aids his recovery he struggles with his feelings for her since to see her is political suicide to any chance of promotion of keeping his job. To make matters worse, Roxie discovers the identity of her father and is angered to find he is a demon diplomat.
Very well written, although at times a bit too verbose. Be warned, the sex will want to make you wish you were one of the characters.
November 25, 2009
I had high hopes going into this one, believing it to be a steampunk romance. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. I found the development of the relationship between the main characters to be rather thinly drawn, and it was full of cliched plot elements. The plot really seemed to exist to propel the two characters into bed together, which really isn't romance. Romance is the building of an emotional relationship, and sex can be an element of that relationship, but if the development of the emotional relationship is exchanged for the building of the physical one, then it's better classified as erotica. I just couldn't believe in the emotional relationship between Roxanne and Adrian -- what was it they saw in each other past finding the other one hot? -- so it didn't work as romance for me. Added to the choppy worldbuilding and plotting, and this is one fallen souffle of a romance.
December 14, 2007
Uneven. Choppy. Kept losing interest in it. I think I put it down about 4 times and it took me over a year to finish. Which is usually the kiss of death for me with a book... may have skimmed to the end to confirm the "mystery" and then just went back to fill in the gaps.
I'm thinking this author is one I should just quit trying to read...
I'm thinking this author is one I should just quit trying to read...
July 3, 2020
Secondo approccio con questa scrittrice...e quindi già ero bella che avvisata su quello che sarebbe stato il tema principale della storia: il sesso!
Però, se l'altro libro che aveva letto mi aveva deluso alquanto e forse forse disgustato per la sua eccessività, questo libro devo dire riesce a salvarsi.
La storia si presenta originale e interessante. Non riesce, almeno per quanto mi riguarda, a intrigarmi tanto da premiarlo maggiormente oltre queste tre stelline, ma a salvarsi per quello che presenta al suo interno.
Ci troviamo in un passato alternativo, in una Londra e in tutta una serie di ambientazione differente da quella che conosciamo. Nomi, stili di vita, tecnologia sono del tutto differenti dal normale storico in cui è ambientata la storia di Adrian e Roxanne. Lui è un uomo che ha deciso di migliorare se stesso per ottenere una promozione con la quale pensa di far un grosso piacere alla propria moglie. Lei invece lo disprezza sempre più, arrivando a separarsi per il bene di entrambi. Roxie invece è figlia di una spregiudicata donna di successo, una cantante, che non riconoscendo in se alcuna attrattiva estetica ha comunque deciso di votarsi all'arte e di esprimere la propria sessualità latente in dipinti erotici di grande successo. Ma Roxie è molto di più, non è solo una giovane donna, ma anche un legame tra due società di cui tutti ignorano l'esistenza reale.
Chissà per quale volere del destino le vite di questi due personaggi si troveranno ad allacciare una relazione, non peccaminosa in senso volgare, ma appassionata e convincente. La doppia natura di entrambi, il contesto semi-demoniaco, per non dire proprio alieno con la presenza di questo popolo Yama a dare spinta al tutto, pervade l'intera società e la trama narrativa. Tutti vivono in simbiosi facendo si che le parentesi amatorie non attirino troppo l'attenzione su di se. Sia i personaggi, principali e non, sia i loro antagonisti, mandano avanti una ricerca di vita che fa emergere qualcosa in più.
Non è un romanzetto rosa, ma una storia romanzata d'altri tempi, quasi ottima per un film, dove un uomo che vorrebbe una famiglia tutta per se, non solo vivere attraverso quella dei propri familiari, si incontra con quella di una ragazza che ha creato dal nulla un contesto familiare, racimolando due figli, una casa, un lavoro e se stessa nonostante la denigrazione sociale.
Apprezzabile e scorrevole quanto basta. Che poi questa energia eterica, da non confondere con quella erotica XDD ha il suo perchè!
Però, se l'altro libro che aveva letto mi aveva deluso alquanto e forse forse disgustato per la sua eccessività, questo libro devo dire riesce a salvarsi.
La storia si presenta originale e interessante. Non riesce, almeno per quanto mi riguarda, a intrigarmi tanto da premiarlo maggiormente oltre queste tre stelline, ma a salvarsi per quello che presenta al suo interno.
Ci troviamo in un passato alternativo, in una Londra e in tutta una serie di ambientazione differente da quella che conosciamo. Nomi, stili di vita, tecnologia sono del tutto differenti dal normale storico in cui è ambientata la storia di Adrian e Roxanne. Lui è un uomo che ha deciso di migliorare se stesso per ottenere una promozione con la quale pensa di far un grosso piacere alla propria moglie. Lei invece lo disprezza sempre più, arrivando a separarsi per il bene di entrambi. Roxie invece è figlia di una spregiudicata donna di successo, una cantante, che non riconoscendo in se alcuna attrattiva estetica ha comunque deciso di votarsi all'arte e di esprimere la propria sessualità latente in dipinti erotici di grande successo. Ma Roxie è molto di più, non è solo una giovane donna, ma anche un legame tra due società di cui tutti ignorano l'esistenza reale.
Chissà per quale volere del destino le vite di questi due personaggi si troveranno ad allacciare una relazione, non peccaminosa in senso volgare, ma appassionata e convincente. La doppia natura di entrambi, il contesto semi-demoniaco, per non dire proprio alieno con la presenza di questo popolo Yama a dare spinta al tutto, pervade l'intera società e la trama narrativa. Tutti vivono in simbiosi facendo si che le parentesi amatorie non attirino troppo l'attenzione su di se. Sia i personaggi, principali e non, sia i loro antagonisti, mandano avanti una ricerca di vita che fa emergere qualcosa in più.
Non è un romanzetto rosa, ma una storia romanzata d'altri tempi, quasi ottima per un film, dove un uomo che vorrebbe una famiglia tutta per se, non solo vivere attraverso quella dei propri familiari, si incontra con quella di una ragazza che ha creato dal nulla un contesto familiare, racimolando due figli, una casa, un lavoro e se stessa nonostante la denigrazione sociale.
Apprezzabile e scorrevole quanto basta. Che poi questa energia eterica, da non confondere con quella erotica XDD ha il suo perchè!
August 17, 2021
Il demone della passione è il primo volume della serie Tale od the Demon World, purtroppo in Italia sono stati pubblicati solo i primi tre e alcuni racconti. I romanzi sono autoconclusivi ma accomunati dall'ambientazione.
La particolarità di questa serie sta proprio nel mondo in cui si muovono i vari personaggi. Siamo ad Avvar durante l'epoca vittoriana con una tecnologia decisamente più avanzata. Questo perché un esploratore per puro caso aveva scoperto il regno degli Yama, una sorta di demoni simili agli umani ma che amano nutrirsi di energia eterica (posseduta dagli umani). Un'ambientazione decisamente articolata e nuova.
I protagonisti di questo volume sono Adrian un ispettore di polizia che durante un indagine in quartiere malfamato resta ferito e viene salvato da Roxy, una donna non molto affascinante ma estroversa, eccentrica e di buon cuore.
I due protagonisti sono ben caratterizzati, forti ma allo stesso vulnerabili e bisognosi d'amore. La loro storia d'amore è molto tenera oltre che sensuale.
Naturalmente il libro presenta molte scene di sesso ma niente di volgare.
La particolarità di questa serie sta proprio nel mondo in cui si muovono i vari personaggi. Siamo ad Avvar durante l'epoca vittoriana con una tecnologia decisamente più avanzata. Questo perché un esploratore per puro caso aveva scoperto il regno degli Yama, una sorta di demoni simili agli umani ma che amano nutrirsi di energia eterica (posseduta dagli umani). Un'ambientazione decisamente articolata e nuova.
I protagonisti di questo volume sono Adrian un ispettore di polizia che durante un indagine in quartiere malfamato resta ferito e viene salvato da Roxy, una donna non molto affascinante ma estroversa, eccentrica e di buon cuore.
I due protagonisti sono ben caratterizzati, forti ma allo stesso vulnerabili e bisognosi d'amore. La loro storia d'amore è molto tenera oltre che sensuale.
Naturalmente il libro presenta molte scene di sesso ma niente di volgare.
August 31, 2019
Surprisingly amusing tale of an alternate world where 'demons' (dislike the term here; they seem more Elvish) mix with humans. Soul-sucking, empathic powers, and a caste system separate them from humans. I enjoyed the old-timey sorta-steampunk world where ale is groggy but electric cars pop in. Strange how photography hasn't been invented, but that helps heroine Roxanne's sales as a painter extraordinaire.
She finds our hero Adrian after he's injured in a chase with criminals. He crawls up to her roof, passes out and she nurses him to health, and a few boners. Yep, amid the family surprises, back story, lost kid plot, and some magical stuff, the two fall in lust, then love. The series of sex scenes are quite steamy, with surprisingly frank description of actions and body parts, including stud Adrian (I cast Henry Cavill in the role in my mind and twas hot!).
She finds our hero Adrian after he's injured in a chase with criminals. He crawls up to her roof, passes out and she nurses him to health, and a few boners. Yep, amid the family surprises, back story, lost kid plot, and some magical stuff, the two fall in lust, then love. The series of sex scenes are quite steamy, with surprisingly frank description of actions and body parts, including stud Adrian (I cast Henry Cavill in the role in my mind and twas hot!).
May 10, 2022
Kat's Book Report - Contains Spoilers - For my own failing memory...
I get my recs for Fantasy Romance from a lot of places, and this particular book was rec’ed to me on r/RomanceBooks over a year ago as part of a request for well-written, adult Fantasy Romance books (not YA, not NA, no romantic subplots, etc.). It’s been sitting on my TBR since that time until I recently started the process of culling my TBR and searching for books that might fit my all Fantasy Romance r/fantasy Book Bingo card. I didn’t know anything about Emma Holly going into this book aside what I’d learned from some online book buddies – she is best known for Erotic Romance (Romance that is steamier than most, packing more explicit sex than your average Romance) as well as late 1990’s early 2000’s SFF Romances. So, I decided to give it a try.
I continue to marvel at the luck I have falling into books that seem to be made for me. This book screams Kat; it checks so many boxes for me, it’s almost scary. Look – I’m not going to say that what I like is close to being universal. This review is going to be more of a list of why this book works for me, and if you read it and you find that what works for me also works for you? Well, then I highly recommend reading The Demon’s Daughter by Emma Holly, because it was absolutely satisfying.
This review was originally written as part of a personal project to complete an all Fantasy Romance card for r/fantasy’s 2022 Book Bingo. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoy the approach to world-building that fuses a quasi-historical settings with a completely different world. I’ve read this a couple of times, and this book solidified my love of this approach. The author took late Victorian era London and pieces of its history and plunked it down inside a secondary world and alternate history on another planet with a race of demons. She then deepens the immersion through the use of chapter epigraphs that are meant to be excerpts from various historical texts. The world-building was this amazingly creative fusion of ideas and histories, and I was totally diggin’ it.
The theming in this book draws on this world-building, focusing on both the human-demon interactions as well as the class structure within both races. Much of the conflict stems from racism between humans and demons, with both Adrian and Roxanne struggling given their unique ties to the demon race. Layer on top of that the classism that exists in both worlds, and you have a solid foundation for a plot rife with societal tension.
I loved Adrian and Roxanne, the main characters in this book; I felt very connected to them and wanted them to find happiness both for themselves and with each other. Like most modern Romance books, this book is dual-POV, and the development of each character is rich and engaging. I will admit that my preferences tend to older protagonists given my age and the point I am in in my life, and so it was a pleasant surprise to find that the MMC is in his early 40’s and the FMC around 30.
Adrian is not Alpha in any way, but an emotionally-connected man deseparate to find love after a failed marriage and a lonely life dedicated to his job as a Inspector (this book gives off a strong detective noir vibe). He wants the type of family he grew up with, and we get to see a glimpse of what that looks like when he visits his parents. His parents wanted a better life for him than they had, and his drive, the choices he makes with his first marriage, and his decision to take the demon implants all stem from these familial drives. The themes of race and class dynamics and family all tied together nicely to form Adrian’s character arc.
But the same is true for Roxanne. She is alone in this world, never knowing her father and losing her mother at a young age, but she creates a family for herself adopting two children and shapes a life around her art that is uniquely her own. This book has a tremendous message of women’s independence – Roxanne is a force to be reckoned with in an era where a woman’s worth was associated with her husband and her family. She stands apart, making her own living with her art and conducting her day-to-day life in the manner that suits her regardless of societal expectations.
By the end of the book, I realized that The Demon’s Daughter is very much a book about family. It’s a theme that is revisited and explored throughout the story, from Roxanne’s adopted children, to Adrian’s massive family, to the difficult relationship Roxanne has with both of her parents, and finally the formation of a family of their own.
The Demon’s Daughter is a deeply sensual book, and I didn’t realize how much I’d been craving that. Yes, this book does get steamy – Emma Holly is known for her Erotic Romance – but what stood out for me was the intense sensuality of the couple for much of the first half of the book in the form of simple touching, caresses, and foot massages, as an example. That being said, this book does pack a lot of steam, so if you like your explicit sex scenes on the thinner side, this might be a bit much for you.
Finally, the prose. I found this book extremely well-written. It didn’t feel basic, nor was it overwrought. Instead, is struck the perfect balance for me, reflecting the tone the author wanted to deliver with nary a hiccup.
I highly recommend this book. I adored it. I’m not sure if I will read the other two full-length entries in this series – I felt complete at the end of this book – but I am so pleasantly surprised and happy to have read The Demon’s Daughter.
I get my recs for Fantasy Romance from a lot of places, and this particular book was rec’ed to me on r/RomanceBooks over a year ago as part of a request for well-written, adult Fantasy Romance books (not YA, not NA, no romantic subplots, etc.). It’s been sitting on my TBR since that time until I recently started the process of culling my TBR and searching for books that might fit my all Fantasy Romance r/fantasy Book Bingo card. I didn’t know anything about Emma Holly going into this book aside what I’d learned from some online book buddies – she is best known for Erotic Romance (Romance that is steamier than most, packing more explicit sex than your average Romance) as well as late 1990’s early 2000’s SFF Romances. So, I decided to give it a try.
I continue to marvel at the luck I have falling into books that seem to be made for me. This book screams Kat; it checks so many boxes for me, it’s almost scary. Look – I’m not going to say that what I like is close to being universal. This review is going to be more of a list of why this book works for me, and if you read it and you find that what works for me also works for you? Well, then I highly recommend reading The Demon’s Daughter by Emma Holly, because it was absolutely satisfying.
This review was originally written as part of a personal project to complete an all Fantasy Romance card for r/fantasy’s 2022 Book Bingo. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoy the approach to world-building that fuses a quasi-historical settings with a completely different world. I’ve read this a couple of times, and this book solidified my love of this approach. The author took late Victorian era London and pieces of its history and plunked it down inside a secondary world and alternate history on another planet with a race of demons. She then deepens the immersion through the use of chapter epigraphs that are meant to be excerpts from various historical texts. The world-building was this amazingly creative fusion of ideas and histories, and I was totally diggin’ it.
The theming in this book draws on this world-building, focusing on both the human-demon interactions as well as the class structure within both races. Much of the conflict stems from racism between humans and demons, with both Adrian and Roxanne struggling given their unique ties to the demon race. Layer on top of that the classism that exists in both worlds, and you have a solid foundation for a plot rife with societal tension.
I loved Adrian and Roxanne, the main characters in this book; I felt very connected to them and wanted them to find happiness both for themselves and with each other. Like most modern Romance books, this book is dual-POV, and the development of each character is rich and engaging. I will admit that my preferences tend to older protagonists given my age and the point I am in in my life, and so it was a pleasant surprise to find that the MMC is in his early 40’s and the FMC around 30.
Adrian is not Alpha in any way, but an emotionally-connected man deseparate to find love after a failed marriage and a lonely life dedicated to his job as a Inspector (this book gives off a strong detective noir vibe). He wants the type of family he grew up with, and we get to see a glimpse of what that looks like when he visits his parents. His parents wanted a better life for him than they had, and his drive, the choices he makes with his first marriage, and his decision to take the demon implants all stem from these familial drives. The themes of race and class dynamics and family all tied together nicely to form Adrian’s character arc.
But the same is true for Roxanne. She is alone in this world, never knowing her father and losing her mother at a young age, but she creates a family for herself adopting two children and shapes a life around her art that is uniquely her own. This book has a tremendous message of women’s independence – Roxanne is a force to be reckoned with in an era where a woman’s worth was associated with her husband and her family. She stands apart, making her own living with her art and conducting her day-to-day life in the manner that suits her regardless of societal expectations.
By the end of the book, I realized that The Demon’s Daughter is very much a book about family. It’s a theme that is revisited and explored throughout the story, from Roxanne’s adopted children, to Adrian’s massive family, to the difficult relationship Roxanne has with both of her parents, and finally the formation of a family of their own.
The Demon’s Daughter is a deeply sensual book, and I didn’t realize how much I’d been craving that. Yes, this book does get steamy – Emma Holly is known for her Erotic Romance – but what stood out for me was the intense sensuality of the couple for much of the first half of the book in the form of simple touching, caresses, and foot massages, as an example. That being said, this book does pack a lot of steam, so if you like your explicit sex scenes on the thinner side, this might be a bit much for you.
Finally, the prose. I found this book extremely well-written. It didn’t feel basic, nor was it overwrought. Instead, is struck the perfect balance for me, reflecting the tone the author wanted to deliver with nary a hiccup.
I highly recommend this book. I adored it. I’m not sure if I will read the other two full-length entries in this series – I felt complete at the end of this book – but I am so pleasantly surprised and happy to have read The Demon’s Daughter.
August 2, 2011
Imagine a world (like Captain Kirk landing on a planet when Nazi Germany moved into the 21st century, or the old west) of Victoria England - an early industrial time... and, in their explorations, instead of discovering america, they discover the Avvar - a more technically advanced, not quite human society - whose people are divided between the elite Daimos and the lower class Rohns - They are stronger, faster, more intelligent... The snippets of this society come in pieces of the story, and I don't have a complete understanding of how this works.. but the Avvar's, especially the Rohn, can 'feed' from the energy of the humans - they are superior to humans and don't like emotions, they don't like to mix... but in a treaty, they are allowed to live with the Aedlyne - and mostly this means the Rohn, which the Daimos have 'kicked out'... and they do tend to make prolems for the human law enforcement...
and we meet Adrian - a police man, with Victorian type morals - he works hard, he doesn't like failure, and he has accepted demon implants in his wrists when activated give thim the strength and speed of the demons - but makes his fellows fearful of him... He had been married to poor gentry (his family is middle working class), and his wife held tightly to the Victorian modesty - and he resigned himself to a wife who would not allow herself to enjoy his touch... but then he had the implants, and she was afraid he would act differently, and told him she would not have his children, afraid they may be part demon.
and we meet Roxanne - her mother was a famous singer / entertainer, who did not take no... who had and used sex indiscriminatley... who had sex with demon diplomat Herrington (who is interested in humans, unlike most of his kind) at the halftime of her concert, after having sex with someone else an hour earlier - and somehow, this combination of another man's semen and his allowed a human to get pregnant - a led to Roxanne's birth (though Herrington does not know of her until she is in her late 20s)... and who alternatively ignored and lavished attention onto her daughter, taking her with her from city to city...Roxanne is larger than most women, strong, handsome, a bit of her mother's voice, reserved yet caring, an artist - one who started to support herself with pornographic drawings.... she has taken into her home 5 year old Max and 14 year old Charlie, whos she passed on the street, and invited into her home. She in unorthodox, self sufficient, kind hearted, a bit lonely...
and Adrian is hurt, fighting drunk Rohns... and stumbles over the wall separating the dock from the better side of town, and into Roxanne's roof garden and passes out... Roxanne hears him, and takes him into her parlor, calling the doctor to nurse his knife cut... and he spends a week with them... with Charlie cooking delicious meals, Max winning his heart, and a woman who is as attracted to him as he is to her - and their attraction leads to erotic love making...
and though he is warned to stay away from her or possibly loose his job, he cannot stay away... it is touching how their separations and reunions keep bringing them closer...
and then Roxanne;s daimos father visits her shop - and he can see she is the spitting image of his sister - and Roxanne is disturbed to find she is half demon (the first), and she will not reciprocate his attempts to engage her... until...
The Dragon - a rohn doctor (who set the implants in Adrian) - is trying to cultivate a source of energy without the emotions for the upper class daemos... he actually had purchased Max from his parents, experimenting on younger children - then released him to the street where Charlie foundhim... and he wants Roxanne - with the 'blessing' of the prince of Narikerr - they ttempt to kidnap her, and Adrian protects her - and then they (with the kids) go to her father's home for protection... by this time, adrian knows that whatever he might have to give up is nothing compared to his love for Roxanne...
And Roxanne sees (and demon feels) her father's pride and love for her - in spite of his manipulating Adrian's loss of job thinking that would separate them -
and at the political party her father is forced to sponsor to introduce her to the Avvar's and the prince, Adrian & Herrington are manipulated to chase (and kill) the Dragon... while the prince entices Roxanne into a room that he seals... and then says he will take her for his own to experiment with - to draw her energy and if it's not right, to breed her with other demons and humans to find the right balance of blood to 'feed' the daimos without the emotion... and as he is drawing her energy, some demon core comes to life, and pushes back at him - taking his energy and killing him...
And Adrian's large, loud family embraces Roxanne and the boys ... and they are engaged... and happy... and her father takes care of the rest...
the epilogue tells us they had 4 children, and he became head of the police' International Affairs (apparently reinstated after his father-in-law manipulated things back for him...
ahhhhh... a sweet, compelling star crossed love story - where love overcomes all...
and we meet Adrian - a police man, with Victorian type morals - he works hard, he doesn't like failure, and he has accepted demon implants in his wrists when activated give thim the strength and speed of the demons - but makes his fellows fearful of him... He had been married to poor gentry (his family is middle working class), and his wife held tightly to the Victorian modesty - and he resigned himself to a wife who would not allow herself to enjoy his touch... but then he had the implants, and she was afraid he would act differently, and told him she would not have his children, afraid they may be part demon.
and we meet Roxanne - her mother was a famous singer / entertainer, who did not take no... who had and used sex indiscriminatley... who had sex with demon diplomat Herrington (who is interested in humans, unlike most of his kind) at the halftime of her concert, after having sex with someone else an hour earlier - and somehow, this combination of another man's semen and his allowed a human to get pregnant - a led to Roxanne's birth (though Herrington does not know of her until she is in her late 20s)... and who alternatively ignored and lavished attention onto her daughter, taking her with her from city to city...Roxanne is larger than most women, strong, handsome, a bit of her mother's voice, reserved yet caring, an artist - one who started to support herself with pornographic drawings.... she has taken into her home 5 year old Max and 14 year old Charlie, whos she passed on the street, and invited into her home. She in unorthodox, self sufficient, kind hearted, a bit lonely...
and Adrian is hurt, fighting drunk Rohns... and stumbles over the wall separating the dock from the better side of town, and into Roxanne's roof garden and passes out... Roxanne hears him, and takes him into her parlor, calling the doctor to nurse his knife cut... and he spends a week with them... with Charlie cooking delicious meals, Max winning his heart, and a woman who is as attracted to him as he is to her - and their attraction leads to erotic love making...
and though he is warned to stay away from her or possibly loose his job, he cannot stay away... it is touching how their separations and reunions keep bringing them closer...
and then Roxanne;s daimos father visits her shop - and he can see she is the spitting image of his sister - and Roxanne is disturbed to find she is half demon (the first), and she will not reciprocate his attempts to engage her... until...
The Dragon - a rohn doctor (who set the implants in Adrian) - is trying to cultivate a source of energy without the emotions for the upper class daemos... he actually had purchased Max from his parents, experimenting on younger children - then released him to the street where Charlie foundhim... and he wants Roxanne - with the 'blessing' of the prince of Narikerr - they ttempt to kidnap her, and Adrian protects her - and then they (with the kids) go to her father's home for protection... by this time, adrian knows that whatever he might have to give up is nothing compared to his love for Roxanne...
And Roxanne sees (and demon feels) her father's pride and love for her - in spite of his manipulating Adrian's loss of job thinking that would separate them -
and at the political party her father is forced to sponsor to introduce her to the Avvar's and the prince, Adrian & Herrington are manipulated to chase (and kill) the Dragon... while the prince entices Roxanne into a room that he seals... and then says he will take her for his own to experiment with - to draw her energy and if it's not right, to breed her with other demons and humans to find the right balance of blood to 'feed' the daimos without the emotion... and as he is drawing her energy, some demon core comes to life, and pushes back at him - taking his energy and killing him...
And Adrian's large, loud family embraces Roxanne and the boys ... and they are engaged... and happy... and her father takes care of the rest...
the epilogue tells us they had 4 children, and he became head of the police' International Affairs (apparently reinstated after his father-in-law manipulated things back for him...
ahhhhh... a sweet, compelling star crossed love story - where love overcomes all...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2020
It's an ok book and an easy read.....I think I would have liked it more if the focus had been on the world and it's different cultures (more of a fantasy read than a romance one). The father's character was a good and definitely needs some more attention. Maybe the next one won't disappoint.
October 26, 2018
Great story, plenty of well written steamy scenes too.
May 28, 2011
This was my first book by Emma Holly. The world in which she created for this book sort of resembled Victorian England, but with the addition of demons into the world with advanced technology, the added not quite steam punk feel/not exactly sci-fi was an interesting point of view.
The female lead character of the book, Roxanne McAllister, is an illegitimate daughter of a famous opera singer. She has no idea who her father is and after living a life where she pretty much had to take care of herself, she doesn't really care. Living as an artist, she made a home for two orphaned boys (Charles and Max). The book explains how she is a woman standing between two worlds: her background classes her as lower class, but through her mother's lifestyle and embracing out of the box thinking, she holds on tightly to her beliefs while still doing her best to "fit in" as well as she can.
Adrian Phillips is your average run of the mill police man/detective. However, to further his career, he agreed to have special demon technology with gives him enhanced abilities in order to keep the peace and help when lower class demons called rohns cause trouble. Demons find human's life force especially appealing. Humans may "prostitute" their life force out as a means of survival.
Adrian is interesting because his is not the typical male lead. He is very prim and proper and "Victorian". He even blushes and it takes Roxy's carefree attitude toward sex and her willingness to try new things to help break Adrian out of his shell.
After Adrian fights with an especially nasty rohn, he knows he is in bad shape, and in a tough neighborhood, tries to get to the safest place possible. Before he think he accomplishes his goal, however, he passes out.... right in Roxy's garden. She finds him, brings him into her home and cares for his wounds. The attraction between them is amazing and the plot thickens with the growing relation between Roxy and Adrian along with a few other demon (also known as Yama) surprises.
The title gives the surprise away and when Roxy learns that her father is actually the Yama diplomat. Yama and humans are supposed to be incompatable when it comes to having offspring, but somehow.... Roxy is half human, half demon. Lord Herrington, her father, refuses to take no for an answer and continues to initiate communication between them. When he learns that someone else from the demon upper class, the daimyos, wants Roxy, he does his best to protect her. Her "kids", Adrian and Roxy find themselves staying with Lord Herrington when the plot comes to it's climax.
Perhaps the book depended a little too much on the attraction the pair had for each other which led to all the sex scenes. Still, the book was readable, even enjoyable. The plot, perhaps a little predictable, was still to fun to see unravel.
The female lead character of the book, Roxanne McAllister, is an illegitimate daughter of a famous opera singer. She has no idea who her father is and after living a life where she pretty much had to take care of herself, she doesn't really care. Living as an artist, she made a home for two orphaned boys (Charles and Max). The book explains how she is a woman standing between two worlds: her background classes her as lower class, but through her mother's lifestyle and embracing out of the box thinking, she holds on tightly to her beliefs while still doing her best to "fit in" as well as she can.
Adrian Phillips is your average run of the mill police man/detective. However, to further his career, he agreed to have special demon technology with gives him enhanced abilities in order to keep the peace and help when lower class demons called rohns cause trouble. Demons find human's life force especially appealing. Humans may "prostitute" their life force out as a means of survival.
Adrian is interesting because his is not the typical male lead. He is very prim and proper and "Victorian". He even blushes and it takes Roxy's carefree attitude toward sex and her willingness to try new things to help break Adrian out of his shell.
After Adrian fights with an especially nasty rohn, he knows he is in bad shape, and in a tough neighborhood, tries to get to the safest place possible. Before he think he accomplishes his goal, however, he passes out.... right in Roxy's garden. She finds him, brings him into her home and cares for his wounds. The attraction between them is amazing and the plot thickens with the growing relation between Roxy and Adrian along with a few other demon (also known as Yama) surprises.
The title gives the surprise away and when Roxy learns that her father is actually the Yama diplomat. Yama and humans are supposed to be incompatable when it comes to having offspring, but somehow.... Roxy is half human, half demon. Lord Herrington, her father, refuses to take no for an answer and continues to initiate communication between them. When he learns that someone else from the demon upper class, the daimyos, wants Roxy, he does his best to protect her. Her "kids", Adrian and Roxy find themselves staying with Lord Herrington when the plot comes to it's climax.
Perhaps the book depended a little too much on the attraction the pair had for each other which led to all the sex scenes. Still, the book was readable, even enjoyable. The plot, perhaps a little predictable, was still to fun to see unravel.
October 29, 2012
L’amore è una follia più dolce del vino.
L’amore è una lama arrugginita che lacera e non taglia. Dammi un amore umano come il primo pianto di un bambino.
Dammi l’amore, ti prego, o dammi la morte. (dalla Canzone del rohn pazzo d’amore)
Nel passato alternativo creato dalla Holly, un esploratore inglese, durante il regno della Regina Vittoria, ha scoperto casualmente il regno segreto degli Yama, sorta di alieni-demoni simili agli umani, con una civiltà tecnologicamente molto più evoluta. Gli Yama sono esseri affascinanti e molto più forti, eterei, dagli occhi a mandorla, con una società rigidamente suddivisa in caste, e vagamente simile a quella giapponese dell’epoca dei samurai (a parte il richiamo di certi nomi, vi sono un imperatore, un regime feudale, nobili guerrieri, concubine, frequenti richiami nelle vesti e nelle acconciature).
Gli Yama scambiano tra loro energia in continuazione, soprattutto i nobili (i daimyo) che sono in grado di controllarne la natura emotiva, ed hanno perciò deciso di offrire agli umani il loro progresso tecnologico in cambio della possibilità di nutrirsi (per lo più consensualmente) della fontana di energia eterica che gli umani hanno sopra al cuore. I damyon considerano loro inferiori i demoni meno forti, i rohn, e, al di sotto di tutti, gli umani, esseri altamente disprezzati perché manifestano in modo incontrollato le loro emozioni e le loro passioni.
Il primo libro di questa quadrilogia fanta-erotica è ambientato ad Avvar, così come è chiamata la Londra vittoriana alternativa: qui, durante un’indagine in un quartiere malfamato, l’ispettore di polizia Adrian Philips viene tratto in salvo da una pittrice, una donna non bella, stravagante, però estremamente generosa e solare. Pur attratti l’uno dall’altra, Adrian e Roxy si nascondono a vicenda molti segreti, e quasi tutti in relazione ai loro rapporti con la razza degli Yama.
Pur essendo ad alto contenuto erotico (forse con un paio di scene in eccesso), è un romanzo molto gradevole ed appassionante, con una carrellata di personaggi credibili e ben delineati, che si legge con soddisfazione. E poi Adrian riesce ad essere simpatico ed intrigante, anche quando chiama la sorprendente Roxanne “la mia meravigliosa bruttona”!
L’amore è una lama arrugginita che lacera e non taglia. Dammi un amore umano come il primo pianto di un bambino.
Dammi l’amore, ti prego, o dammi la morte. (dalla Canzone del rohn pazzo d’amore)
Nel passato alternativo creato dalla Holly, un esploratore inglese, durante il regno della Regina Vittoria, ha scoperto casualmente il regno segreto degli Yama, sorta di alieni-demoni simili agli umani, con una civiltà tecnologicamente molto più evoluta. Gli Yama sono esseri affascinanti e molto più forti, eterei, dagli occhi a mandorla, con una società rigidamente suddivisa in caste, e vagamente simile a quella giapponese dell’epoca dei samurai (a parte il richiamo di certi nomi, vi sono un imperatore, un regime feudale, nobili guerrieri, concubine, frequenti richiami nelle vesti e nelle acconciature).
Gli Yama scambiano tra loro energia in continuazione, soprattutto i nobili (i daimyo) che sono in grado di controllarne la natura emotiva, ed hanno perciò deciso di offrire agli umani il loro progresso tecnologico in cambio della possibilità di nutrirsi (per lo più consensualmente) della fontana di energia eterica che gli umani hanno sopra al cuore. I damyon considerano loro inferiori i demoni meno forti, i rohn, e, al di sotto di tutti, gli umani, esseri altamente disprezzati perché manifestano in modo incontrollato le loro emozioni e le loro passioni.
Il primo libro di questa quadrilogia fanta-erotica è ambientato ad Avvar, così come è chiamata la Londra vittoriana alternativa: qui, durante un’indagine in un quartiere malfamato, l’ispettore di polizia Adrian Philips viene tratto in salvo da una pittrice, una donna non bella, stravagante, però estremamente generosa e solare. Pur attratti l’uno dall’altra, Adrian e Roxy si nascondono a vicenda molti segreti, e quasi tutti in relazione ai loro rapporti con la razza degli Yama.
Pur essendo ad alto contenuto erotico (forse con un paio di scene in eccesso), è un romanzo molto gradevole ed appassionante, con una carrellata di personaggi credibili e ben delineati, che si legge con soddisfazione. E poi Adrian riesce ad essere simpatico ed intrigante, anche quando chiama la sorprendente Roxanne “la mia meravigliosa bruttona”!
May 19, 2025
In a country much like Victorian England spins a fascinating story of growing love and trust.
Roxanne McAllister has long lived alone. She broke early with her glamorous chanteuse mother to avoid travel around the world on her mothers tours. Roxanne has made herself a name as a painter and she is doing quite well.
One day on the way home she see two small kids shiver in a doorway. At a moment's inspiration she stops and open her home for the little guys. They grow together as a small family.
Inspector Adrian Philips works in the worst port district where people and outcast demons losses themselves. In order to deal with situations with demons, and to more quickly climb on the career ladder, Adrian has had demon implants. They make him stronger and more suited for his type of work, more like a demon.
His wife complains that they make him different and she detest anything demon so they divorce. Something that is relatively unusual. That he failed as husband is a big confidence downer for Adrian.
When Adrian and Roxanne meet the air sparks. He has always longed for a woman who dares to be sensual and who don´t have anything against his implants, and she yearns for someone who is strong and brave and won´t condemn her for the life she chose. And, perhaps most importantly, someone who accepts her two boys.
The book is titled as erotic, but I think it will not really get there. The erotica-label is all about how often a sex scene is described in the story, not how erotic/explicit/steamy the scenes are.
Adrian and Roxanne have a healthy sex life but that does not detract from the story and you can not to get away from Emma Holly´s fantastic way to write.
Her worlds are alive. It is noisy, smelly, class conscious, warm and quite wonderful.
I am totally sold on Emma Holly´s way to write. Had she chosen to write more 'mainstream' novels she had been famous. Or if her books just had another type of cover...
I simply say, do not miss the chance to read a Emma Holly novel!
Roxanne McAllister has long lived alone. She broke early with her glamorous chanteuse mother to avoid travel around the world on her mothers tours. Roxanne has made herself a name as a painter and she is doing quite well.
One day on the way home she see two small kids shiver in a doorway. At a moment's inspiration she stops and open her home for the little guys. They grow together as a small family.
Inspector Adrian Philips works in the worst port district where people and outcast demons losses themselves. In order to deal with situations with demons, and to more quickly climb on the career ladder, Adrian has had demon implants. They make him stronger and more suited for his type of work, more like a demon.
His wife complains that they make him different and she detest anything demon so they divorce. Something that is relatively unusual. That he failed as husband is a big confidence downer for Adrian.
When Adrian and Roxanne meet the air sparks. He has always longed for a woman who dares to be sensual and who don´t have anything against his implants, and she yearns for someone who is strong and brave and won´t condemn her for the life she chose. And, perhaps most importantly, someone who accepts her two boys.
The book is titled as erotic, but I think it will not really get there. The erotica-label is all about how often a sex scene is described in the story, not how erotic/explicit/steamy the scenes are.
Adrian and Roxanne have a healthy sex life but that does not detract from the story and you can not to get away from Emma Holly´s fantastic way to write.
Her worlds are alive. It is noisy, smelly, class conscious, warm and quite wonderful.
I am totally sold on Emma Holly´s way to write. Had she chosen to write more 'mainstream' novels she had been famous. Or if her books just had another type of cover...
I simply say, do not miss the chance to read a Emma Holly novel!
May 15, 2008
I really wanted to like this book. The writing is good, the creativity is good, the sex/romantic scenes are very well written (Emma Holly is know for erotica - so this book is steamy), and this book came very highly recommended. I just couldn't get into it, though. I have a VERY strong preference for contemporary paranormal romance. This one is paranormal, but it's a hybrid of historical and the on-another-planet type of straight up fantasy. I had to force myself to finish it, but it was a good story. As for the romance, it's amazing how Emma Holly manages to work sex, or sexual fantasies, or sexual memories into nearly every chapter (and there are a lot of chapters). Unfortunately, I found myself bored by the sex scenes by the end, because I didn't care much about the characters.
Basic plot line is an earth-like world that approximates 18th century Earth, but on this planet there are two sentient races that have a truce/peace of sorts. The humans are just like humans, but there's also the Yama, who are stronger with more sensitive senses and can feed off the energy of humans. The Yama are also very advanced technologically (late 20th century technology roughly). The races don't particularly like or trust each other, but they interact without too much friction. Lots of political intrigue, though.
Roxanne (the heroine) is an artist and free spirit who tends a police officer named Adrian (the hero) after he is attacked in a bad part of town. Roxanne has two children she's unofficially adopted named Charles and Max. Class differences are a big deal in this society, so when Adrian and Roxanne fall in love, it creates all kinds of problems for them. Even more complicating, Roxanne discovers that her father is actually a high-born Yama, something thought impossible since she is the first interbred half human/half Yama in history. The ending is very happily-ever-after.
Basic plot line is an earth-like world that approximates 18th century Earth, but on this planet there are two sentient races that have a truce/peace of sorts. The humans are just like humans, but there's also the Yama, who are stronger with more sensitive senses and can feed off the energy of humans. The Yama are also very advanced technologically (late 20th century technology roughly). The races don't particularly like or trust each other, but they interact without too much friction. Lots of political intrigue, though.
Roxanne (the heroine) is an artist and free spirit who tends a police officer named Adrian (the hero) after he is attacked in a bad part of town. Roxanne has two children she's unofficially adopted named Charles and Max. Class differences are a big deal in this society, so when Adrian and Roxanne fall in love, it creates all kinds of problems for them. Even more complicating, Roxanne discovers that her father is actually a high-born Yama, something thought impossible since she is the first interbred half human/half Yama in history. The ending is very happily-ever-after.
October 28, 2008
3 stars for The Demon's Daughter by Emma Holly. It is actually the first book I have read by Emma Holly. This book has very mixed reviews on Goodreads, I was hesitant about it being my first but it was one of the only one's available at the library and since I didn't want to buy it not being sure I would like it, I decided to give it a try anyway.
I was very confused from the onset of the book, I didn't realize that they weren't exactly on Earth... at least I think they weren't on Earth? I'm still not really clear about that! So you can imagine my confusion when they speak, act, and dress like they're in the mid 1800's of England and yet have electric cars and decadent bathrooms and other more modern conveniences you wouldn't expect to find in that time period. I kept stopping where I was and going back through the book to try and see where and when they were exactly. I'm sure if I had actually read her books in order I would have been completely fine! As it was, confusion ran amuck!
Aside from said confusion, I did enjoy the story. I thought the characters were complex and interesting. I also enjoyed the familial interaction between Roxanne and her boys. As well as later on with her Father. I would have liked to have seen a bit more sweetness... or affection between Adrian and Roxanne. Now, don't get me wrong, there were PLENTY of steamy scene's throughout the ENTIRE book (I've heard that's a trademark of EH), but I felt like there was an emotional disconnect between Adrian and Roxie. You know the connection I mean... the one that leaves you with a happy sigh and giddy feeling at the end of a really good, well written romance? That's the one!
All in all, not a bad 1st impression, but not an altogether great one either!
I was very confused from the onset of the book, I didn't realize that they weren't exactly on Earth... at least I think they weren't on Earth? I'm still not really clear about that! So you can imagine my confusion when they speak, act, and dress like they're in the mid 1800's of England and yet have electric cars and decadent bathrooms and other more modern conveniences you wouldn't expect to find in that time period. I kept stopping where I was and going back through the book to try and see where and when they were exactly. I'm sure if I had actually read her books in order I would have been completely fine! As it was, confusion ran amuck!
Aside from said confusion, I did enjoy the story. I thought the characters were complex and interesting. I also enjoyed the familial interaction between Roxanne and her boys. As well as later on with her Father. I would have liked to have seen a bit more sweetness... or affection between Adrian and Roxanne. Now, don't get me wrong, there were PLENTY of steamy scene's throughout the ENTIRE book (I've heard that's a trademark of EH), but I felt like there was an emotional disconnect between Adrian and Roxie. You know the connection I mean... the one that leaves you with a happy sigh and giddy feeling at the end of a really good, well written romance? That's the one!
All in all, not a bad 1st impression, but not an altogether great one either!
May 7, 2012
I was very excited to read this book after having read Prince of Ice. I'm not sure if it's because it's the first book or if it's just the whole book itself, but the characters were not nearly developed enough. It's a romance, I expect lovey-dovey stuff - that's why I bought it. But I don't like mindless romance that's so love-at-first-sight. This was most definitely lust at first sight that was passed off as love. Suddenly they're saying "I love you" and what?
I also wasn't a big fan of the hero. The heroine was strong and independent and the boys were developed enough. But the hero was pretty weak. He would start crying randomly and get choked up or be weak physically at times, but was suddenly strong enough to take on a group of super strong characters.
Other than the characters, the plot and premise is cool. I also liked the steampunk feel and the mentions of archaeology. It was definitely sexy and erotic, but the juicy scenes were lacking somehow.
Prince of Ice was better.
I also wasn't a big fan of the hero. The heroine was strong and independent and the boys were developed enough. But the hero was pretty weak. He would start crying randomly and get choked up or be weak physically at times, but was suddenly strong enough to take on a group of super strong characters.
Other than the characters, the plot and premise is cool. I also liked the steampunk feel and the mentions of archaeology. It was definitely sexy and erotic, but the juicy scenes were lacking somehow.
Prince of Ice was better.
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August 27, 2011"Non posso lasciarla in questo casino - ribatté Adrian e poi aggiunse: - Signore (...) -Avanti, assassina di demoni - le sussurrò affettuoso sui capelli."
Ho scelto una citazione "strana" me ne rendo conto, ma la parola "casino" pronunciata in una Londra vittoriana dove convivono umani e demoni mi ha fatto istintivamente sorridere... è vero che anche nei precedenti romanzi della Holly che ho letto avevo apprezzato la capacità di raccontare le fragilità dei vari personaggi, ma mi aveva fatto stacco il linguaggio colorito che usavano (soprattutto nelle scene erotiche) e questo romanzo ha confermato lo stile dell'autrice e l'impressione che mi avevano dato i precedenti: personaggi insoliti, fragili e forti nello stesso tempo e con un lato oscuro da tenere a bada e appunto un linguaggio piuttosto esplicito per l'epoca...
Ho scelto una citazione "strana" me ne rendo conto, ma la parola "casino" pronunciata in una Londra vittoriana dove convivono umani e demoni mi ha fatto istintivamente sorridere... è vero che anche nei precedenti romanzi della Holly che ho letto avevo apprezzato la capacità di raccontare le fragilità dei vari personaggi, ma mi aveva fatto stacco il linguaggio colorito che usavano (soprattutto nelle scene erotiche) e questo romanzo ha confermato lo stile dell'autrice e l'impressione che mi avevano dato i precedenti: personaggi insoliti, fragili e forti nello stesso tempo e con un lato oscuro da tenere a bada e appunto un linguaggio piuttosto esplicito per l'epoca...
January 26, 2009
The Demon's Daughter loved the Victorian feel - and our hero who wanted a girl who was more enamored of him than her fainting couch.
Hot Spell (anthology)same world but not 'Victorian' in the way DD was
Prince of Ice not my favorite, sort of feudal Japan crossed with China's Forbidden City
Demon's Delight (anthology)Demon scientist is trying to develop the ability to 'upgrade' the body - again a piece of technology that will probably reappear should the characters of Demon's Fire get another book.
Beyond the Dark (anthology)this one is set in the distant past [think Ancient Egypt:]- this introduces a piece of 'technology' that appears in Demon's Fire
Demon's Fire (the sequel to Prince of Ice)and in my opinion much more enjoyable, linked to Demon's Daughter.
Hot Spell (anthology)same world but not 'Victorian' in the way DD was
Prince of Ice not my favorite, sort of feudal Japan crossed with China's Forbidden City
Demon's Delight (anthology)Demon scientist is trying to develop the ability to 'upgrade' the body - again a piece of technology that will probably reappear should the characters of Demon's Fire get another book.
Beyond the Dark (anthology)this one is set in the distant past [think Ancient Egypt:]- this introduces a piece of 'technology' that appears in Demon's Fire
Demon's Fire (the sequel to Prince of Ice)and in my opinion much more enjoyable, linked to Demon's Daughter.
August 20, 2010
Holly weaves an unusual tale here, a story set in an alternate Victorian England, where explorers have discovered nothing so mundane as the North Pole, but a northern kingdom of demons who can feed off the energy of humans (and become addicted to it). A mixed culture is established, along with the social stratification of Victorian mores and new demonic lines. The world is an interesting mix of turn of the century human advances with technologically superior alien technology.
Above all this is a love story, the romance of a police inspector of solid standing and an artist of mixed heritage, and the society snubbing they must endure in the face of their relationship. I found this tale unusual for Holly, but highly enjoyable.
Above all this is a love story, the romance of a police inspector of solid standing and an artist of mixed heritage, and the society snubbing they must endure in the face of their relationship. I found this tale unusual for Holly, but highly enjoyable.
April 16, 2010
This book wasn't that bad but wasn't that great either. My biggest complaint is the lack of information the author doesn't give the reader. I had a really hard time imagining the world she created. What time period is it suppose to be? By the end of the book I think I finally understood that it's suppose to be similar to the 19th Century with Demon technology that resembles the 21st Century. I also didn't understand the social ranks. I don't know why Roxie was considered lower than Adrian. The social ranks were very confusing. I still don't understand. The only thing that really kept my attention was the hot steamy scenes. I'll give Emma Holly another go but I wasn't impressed with this book.
July 21, 2008
I wish Emma Holly would write something other than porn. She's a very strong writer, but there's only so much you can do with Tab A and Slot B (or even several tabs, slots, and so on).
I'm also dismayed that she hopped right on the bandwagon and seems to be doing nothing but paranormal erotica lately. I suppose there's a readership for that, but it would sure be something to see Ms Holly stretch, as a writer. She has the mad skillz. (Which is why I made myself give this rehash TabA/SlotB three whole stars. The writing is that good.)
I'm also dismayed that she hopped right on the bandwagon and seems to be doing nothing but paranormal erotica lately. I suppose there's a readership for that, but it would sure be something to see Ms Holly stretch, as a writer. She has the mad skillz. (Which is why I made myself give this rehash TabA/SlotB three whole stars. The writing is that good.)
October 4, 2008
I categorized this as paranormal because half the characters are demons, but that's about as far as it goes. This is a weird world that Holly drops us into - with little or no explanation. Victorian England, but with half the population as demons? Ok.
I did like the main story line, but thought it concluded to quickly and neatly for my taste. I don't know if this one was a stand alone or part of a series, but if it has a sequel, I'm probably going to wait on reading it.
Not bad, but not great.
I did like the main story line, but thought it concluded to quickly and neatly for my taste. I don't know if this one was a stand alone or part of a series, but if it has a sequel, I'm probably going to wait on reading it.
Not bad, but not great.
March 24, 2009
Hummm...what to say about this book. Emma Holly was recommened to me by a friend. I couldn't find the recommended book...so I read the one I could find. It was....just alright. Maybe if I had read others I could figure out the fantasy world she is trying to portray...but I struggled with it. The story was alright...when I wasn't trying to figure out where they were or how the world worked. Her writing isn't bad. The pacing was stilted in spots but all in all and okay book. I'll probably try another book...just to make sure it wasn't just this one that didn't flip it for me.
April 21, 2010
I've read some of Emma Holly's other books, both the contemporary as well as historical romances, and most of them were pretty good. I'm a big fan of paranormal romance and urban fantasy, so when I saw Holly had moved over to my favorite genre I thought I'd give this a try. I was surprised how disappointed I was with this book. Didn't care for the leading man--the way he treated the gal. And the world building didn't appeal to me. The story was slow and didn't hold my interest. I got around half way through before I finaly put the book down and started reading something else.
September 29, 2011
This had a good start. Inspector Adrian Philips has long felt on the outside. A human who has been "enhanced" by Yamish implants in order to police the rougher parts of town, he is feared by his coworkers and had been rejected by his ex-wife. After a fight leaves him wounded he finds himself in the care of the infamous artist. To be honest I didn't know what was going on most of the time. I enjoyed the characters but I kept rereading each chapter twice. Was this Steam-Punk?
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