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The Veil #1
Beyond the Veil
Alternative cover edition of ASIN B00IA3S97K can be found here
If your ex is the Prince of Greed, you’d better be ready to raise hell.
Charlie Henderson is living a lie. Her real name is Muse, she's half demon, and her attempt at a normal life is about to go up in smoke.
When an assassin walks into her life, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake, Muse must return to the one man she hoped never to see again and ask for help. The Prince of Greed isn’t known for his charity. The price is high, and the cost could tear her apart.
Trapped between the malevolent intentions of a Prince of Hell and an assassin with ulterior motives, Muse must embrace the lure of chaos at her core—the demon inside her—in order to survive.
If your ex is the Prince of Greed, you’d better be ready to raise hell.
Charlie Henderson is living a lie. Her real name is Muse, she's half demon, and her attempt at a normal life is about to go up in smoke.
When an assassin walks into her life, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake, Muse must return to the one man she hoped never to see again and ask for help. The Prince of Greed isn’t known for his charity. The price is high, and the cost could tear her apart.
Trapped between the malevolent intentions of a Prince of Hell and an assassin with ulterior motives, Muse must embrace the lure of chaos at her core—the demon inside her—in order to survive.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2014
1894 people are currently reading
6457 people want to read
About the author
Pippa DaCosta
79 books1,559 followersTwo-time DragonCon Finalist & Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award semi-finalist--- "Wait a second. Let's cut to the chase. I write kick-ass urban fantasy & sci-fi novels with conflicted characters, breathless action, and no-holds-barred dialogue. My books may not leave you feeling all fluffy and warm inside, but they will excite you. There will be plot-twists, angst, probably a few dead bodies, and very likely your favorite character will turn out to be the bad guy. Don't say I didn't warn you..."
www.pippadacosta.com
(I review on Goodreads as a reader, not a writer. Reviews here are my personal opinion, not a professional one).
www.pippadacosta.com
(I review on Goodreads as a reader, not a writer. Reviews here are my personal opinion, not a professional one).
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November 4, 2019
😈 Princes of Hell FTW Buddy Reread (PoHFTWBR™) with the MacHalos Ancient and Clueless Young 😈
➽ And the moral of this rereread is : volatile as krill, greedy as shrimp, and treacherous as squid demons are scrumptiously delicious as fish. And that, my little barnacles, is a scientifically proven fact. Because I said so and stuff.
See what I mean?
[October 2016]
☢ MacHalos, if you don't Give this Book a 10-Star Rating you're Dead but Hey no Pressure Buddy Read (MifdGtBa10SRyDbHnPBR™) ☢
And the moral of this reread is :
✘ Some people don't get Muse, and DNF this book.
✔ Some people get Muse, and give this book a4/5 10-star rating.
➽ Which loosely translates to mean:
✘ Some people will die a slow, horrible, painful death at the hands of the murderous crustaceans.
✔ Some people will live a long, prosperous, fulfilling life.
Bye now.
Oh, and by the way:
Original review (November 2014):
Let me catch my breath here for a minute.
Wings Of Hope was dark and mesmerizing. Beyond the Veil is fantastic. No it's not fantastic, it's simply amazing. I have a lump in my throat, my stomach is in knots, my heart is beating much too fast for my own good. I'm exhausted. This is how brilliant this book was.
Let's take this from the start. This story is about Muse, a half-human half-demon once enslaved in the netherworld, who managed to escape with the help of the Prince of Greed (Akil Vitalis in his human form). As the book begins she has been living in Boston for five years, trying to live a normal life in the human world, making a living as a blacksmith under the assumed name of Charlie Henderson. But you can never run away from the past and when a stranger enters Muse's workshop and calls her by her demon name she knows she can no longer escape from her former life. I won't go into more details as it wouldn't do the book justice. Also, I think that in order to better understand the complexity of the story, anyone wanting to give this book a try should read Wings Of Hope first. Although written by the author after the first two instalments in the series, it tells of Muse's life in the netherworld, before her escape. It helps understand her character, motivations and complex relationship with Mammon. I don't think Beyond the Veil would have had such an impact on me had I not read Wings of Hope first.
When I started reading Beyond the Veil I was a bit taken aback. Having read Wings of Hope first, I had only seen Muse in a demon realm setting and it was hard for me to adjust to her living in the human world. It seemed mundane somehow and the atmosphere wasn’t nearly as dark as it was in the prequel. But adjust I did, and how! DaCosta draws you into the story from the very first pages. Her writing is fantastic, the plot is very fast-paced and the chapters flow seamlessly. The tension and angst keep building up and you never know what to expect. Bad guys turned good guys turned bad guys turned good guys (you get the idea), twists and turns, revelations, lies, half-truths… I was a nervous wreck by the time I finished reading the book. Still, I have to say that what I liked most about this book is the world DaCosta created: it's certainly one of the most original and exciting ones I have come across in a long time. My only regret here is that this instalment is set in the human world and I really hope DaCosta explores the demon realm again in books to come.
The characters here are fantastic. Muse has fast become one of my favourite UF heroines. She has been enslaved, used, abused and considered as a weakling and an object for most of her life. But weak she is not. She will stop at nothing to stay away from the netherworld she once escaped. She has put her demon self aside, not wanting to embrace the chaos residing within herself but in order to survive she will have to call on her darker self and learn to use the full extent of her power. And let me tell you, Muse in demon form is a sight to behold! I loved Muse's internal conflict and her constant struggle to keep her demon at aby. She is a complex, fascinating and very engaging character.
Ah men. So we have Akil, the Prince of Greed, aka the hot, swoon-worthy demon everyone loves to hate. Does he love Muse? Does he not? Does he only want to use her? Does he want to protec her? He saved her from a life of slavery and helped her kill her owner but you can never trust one of the seven princes of Hell now can you? 'Ulterior motives' is his middle name and when you ask for his help (or when he gives it to you willingly, which is worse), there will literally be hell to pay.
Then we have Stefan. When he first made an appearance at the very beginning of the story I can't say I was too impressed. Strangely enough I thought he was only a minor character and I wasn't expecting to see much more of him. How wrong I was! Stefan is yet another complex, ambiguous character: he comes into the story as a hired assassin but is he really? Besides, it seems like his middle name might be 'ulterior motives' too...
Poor Muse, she really has a handful with these guys. And don't even get me started about Val, her demon brother, whose sole purpose in life is to have her killed.
Beyond the Veil is an action-packed, brilliantly woven story with fantastic characterization and very original world-building. Read it!
· Prequel: Wings of Hope ★★★★★
· Book 2: Devil May Care ★★★★★
· Book 3: Darkest before Dawn ★★★★★
· Book 4: Drowning in the Dark ★★★★★
· Book 5: Ties that Bind ★★★★★
· Short story & bonus scenes: One For Sorrow ★★★★★
➽ And the moral of this rereread is : volatile as krill, greedy as shrimp, and treacherous as squid demons are scrumptiously delicious as fish. And that, my little barnacles, is a scientifically proven fact. Because I said so and stuff.
See what I mean?
[October 2016]
☢ MacHalos, if you don't Give this Book a 10-Star Rating you're Dead but Hey no Pressure Buddy Read (MifdGtBa10SRyDbHnPBR™) ☢
And the moral of this reread is :
✘ Some people don't get Muse, and DNF this book.
✔ Some people get Muse, and give this book a
➽ Which loosely translates to mean:
✘ Some people will die a slow, horrible, painful death at the hands of the murderous crustaceans.
✔ Some people will live a long, prosperous, fulfilling life.
Bye now.
Oh, and by the way:
Original review (November 2014):
Let me catch my breath here for a minute.
Wings Of Hope was dark and mesmerizing. Beyond the Veil is fantastic. No it's not fantastic, it's simply amazing. I have a lump in my throat, my stomach is in knots, my heart is beating much too fast for my own good. I'm exhausted. This is how brilliant this book was.
Let's take this from the start. This story is about Muse, a half-human half-demon once enslaved in the netherworld, who managed to escape with the help of the Prince of Greed (Akil Vitalis in his human form). As the book begins she has been living in Boston for five years, trying to live a normal life in the human world, making a living as a blacksmith under the assumed name of Charlie Henderson. But you can never run away from the past and when a stranger enters Muse's workshop and calls her by her demon name she knows she can no longer escape from her former life. I won't go into more details as it wouldn't do the book justice. Also, I think that in order to better understand the complexity of the story, anyone wanting to give this book a try should read Wings Of Hope first. Although written by the author after the first two instalments in the series, it tells of Muse's life in the netherworld, before her escape. It helps understand her character, motivations and complex relationship with Mammon. I don't think Beyond the Veil would have had such an impact on me had I not read Wings of Hope first.
When I started reading Beyond the Veil I was a bit taken aback. Having read Wings of Hope first, I had only seen Muse in a demon realm setting and it was hard for me to adjust to her living in the human world. It seemed mundane somehow and the atmosphere wasn’t nearly as dark as it was in the prequel. But adjust I did, and how! DaCosta draws you into the story from the very first pages. Her writing is fantastic, the plot is very fast-paced and the chapters flow seamlessly. The tension and angst keep building up and you never know what to expect. Bad guys turned good guys turned bad guys turned good guys (you get the idea), twists and turns, revelations, lies, half-truths… I was a nervous wreck by the time I finished reading the book. Still, I have to say that what I liked most about this book is the world DaCosta created: it's certainly one of the most original and exciting ones I have come across in a long time. My only regret here is that this instalment is set in the human world and I really hope DaCosta explores the demon realm again in books to come.
The characters here are fantastic. Muse has fast become one of my favourite UF heroines. She has been enslaved, used, abused and considered as a weakling and an object for most of her life. But weak she is not. She will stop at nothing to stay away from the netherworld she once escaped. She has put her demon self aside, not wanting to embrace the chaos residing within herself but in order to survive she will have to call on her darker self and learn to use the full extent of her power. And let me tell you, Muse in demon form is a sight to behold! I loved Muse's internal conflict and her constant struggle to keep her demon at aby. She is a complex, fascinating and very engaging character.
Ah men. So we have Akil, the Prince of Greed, aka the hot, swoon-worthy demon everyone loves to hate. Does he love Muse? Does he not? Does he only want to use her? Does he want to protec her? He saved her from a life of slavery and helped her kill her owner but you can never trust one of the seven princes of Hell now can you? 'Ulterior motives' is his middle name and when you ask for his help (or when he gives it to you willingly, which is worse), there will literally be hell to pay.
Then we have Stefan. When he first made an appearance at the very beginning of the story I can't say I was too impressed. Strangely enough I thought he was only a minor character and I wasn't expecting to see much more of him. How wrong I was! Stefan is yet another complex, ambiguous character: he comes into the story as a hired assassin but is he really? Besides, it seems like his middle name might be 'ulterior motives' too...
Poor Muse, she really has a handful with these guys. And don't even get me started about Val, her demon brother, whose sole purpose in life is to have her killed.
Beyond the Veil is an action-packed, brilliantly woven story with fantastic characterization and very original world-building. Read it!
· Prequel: Wings of Hope ★★★★★
· Book 2: Devil May Care ★★★★★
· Book 3: Darkest before Dawn ★★★★★
· Book 4: Drowning in the Dark ★★★★★
· Book 5: Ties that Bind ★★★★★
· Short story & bonus scenes: One For Sorrow ★★★★★
August 5, 2015
DNF on page 44.
I think it's time to admit defeat. This one didn't work out for me. I have no hard feelings. I think it was my fault. I went through a bad stretch because Kate Daniels was all I wanted. Ilona Andrews has ruined me.
I think it's time to admit defeat. This one didn't work out for me. I have no hard feelings. I think it was my fault. I went through a bad stretch because Kate Daniels was all I wanted. Ilona Andrews has ruined me.
October 24, 2016
*** 4.25 ***
A buddy read with the MacHalo Freaks! We love us some Demons!
I had no plans of reading this book, because in the list of my friends who have read it, the ratings are all over the place. And I like to trust my friends, but in this case, the small but very enthusiastic group of fans of everything Pipa De.Costa, turned out to be right. This was definitely worth the time!
The story is about our world, but at a time when Demons have taken a more prominent part of daily life, and although most pass as humans, humanity is aware of their slow invasion. Since the two races have been intermingling, there naturally are some hybrids, a half breed human/demon progeny. Most of them are killed right away by the Demon community. Very, very few live to adulthood, and their existence is as slaves, playthings owned to be used in most disturbing manner, ending up praying for death anyway....
One of those half-breeds is Muse. The daughter of one of the Seven Princess of Hell and a human, she was sold to a sadistic mo-fo demon who more than anything enjoyed torture and pain of females. And braking, hurting and humiliating Muse was his favorite hobby. Somehow, another one of the Princess of Hell took over her ownership and the lack of pain he offered her, made her gratefully love him.
Forward several years later, Muse has left the Demon world behind and is attempting a normal, human life. Her luck is about to run out, and reality will find a way to remind her that she is in no way normal and there is no true place for her anywhere..
I loved the story and I truly appreciated the way the author gave us a world full of imagination, without turning the first book of the series into an info-dump and overwhelming as with descriptions and historical references... There is a ton of action, plot twists, crazy demon powers, and many double and triple crossings... Trust No One! It was a wild ride and I am ready for more of the same, so book two, here I come!
I wish you all Happy Reading and may we never meet some of the creatures of this book in real life!!!!
A buddy read with the MacHalo Freaks! We love us some Demons!
I had no plans of reading this book, because in the list of my friends who have read it, the ratings are all over the place. And I like to trust my friends, but in this case, the small but very enthusiastic group of fans of everything Pipa De.Costa, turned out to be right. This was definitely worth the time!
The story is about our world, but at a time when Demons have taken a more prominent part of daily life, and although most pass as humans, humanity is aware of their slow invasion. Since the two races have been intermingling, there naturally are some hybrids, a half breed human/demon progeny. Most of them are killed right away by the Demon community. Very, very few live to adulthood, and their existence is as slaves, playthings owned to be used in most disturbing manner, ending up praying for death anyway....
One of those half-breeds is Muse. The daughter of one of the Seven Princess of Hell and a human, she was sold to a sadistic mo-fo demon who more than anything enjoyed torture and pain of females. And braking, hurting and humiliating Muse was his favorite hobby. Somehow, another one of the Princess of Hell took over her ownership and the lack of pain he offered her, made her gratefully love him.
Forward several years later, Muse has left the Demon world behind and is attempting a normal, human life. Her luck is about to run out, and reality will find a way to remind her that she is in no way normal and there is no true place for her anywhere..
I loved the story and I truly appreciated the way the author gave us a world full of imagination, without turning the first book of the series into an info-dump and overwhelming as with descriptions and historical references... There is a ton of action, plot twists, crazy demon powers, and many double and triple crossings... Trust No One! It was a wild ride and I am ready for more of the same, so book two, here I come!
I wish you all Happy Reading and may we never meet some of the creatures of this book in real life!!!!
March 13, 2021
3.5 stars
I have read many of Urban Fantasy in the last few years and since I crossed off all of the popular ones I’m interested in, I moved on to the less popular UF. Pippa DaCosta was high on this list, having heard mostly positive feedback of her books.
I have read many of Urban Fantasy in the last few years and since I crossed off all of the popular ones I’m interested in, I moved on to the less popular UF. Pippa DaCosta was high on this list, having heard mostly positive feedback of her books.
I’ve read the novella (#0.5) a few months ago and it was a lot better this way. I was able to understand Muse’s choices and feelings more. Especially towards Akil. I understand why people would think that the novella confusing but I believe otherwise, I couldn’t really have understood her conflicting feelings toward Akil and the what-ifs. Since this book centers around Muse, Akil, and an assassin allegedly sent to kill her, I was familiar with Muse/Akil dynamics. Otherwise, I would’ve rated this book 3 stars because dammit, Muse did take a long time to make up her mind (but again not that I blame her).
I will be reading the next book for sure and I’m looking forward to knowing more about this world and the characters.
Basically, we have two worlds. Hell and our world are separated by the veil. Muse is a half-demon and half-human who has suffered a lot in the past in hell and is ultimately saved by Akil and brought to the human world. People now know demons exist but they still do not know much about this race. When Stefan blows up her workshop, Muse is forced to go to Akil -whom she hasn't seen in 5 years. But there is more to it than she first thought. Stefan is also a half-demon and the first she ever meet. And he has many many secrets.
I first thought that there will be a love-triangle and it’s one of the very rare cases where I would’ve been able to stomach it (again thanks to the novella -so yeah read it first) because I know how complex her feelings toward Akil are. But luckily there wasn’t much of a love triangle at the end. But she did fall for Stefan too quickly. Also, I really liked him.
I can’t wait to read the remaining books in this series, been a while since I found an interesting UF. Many said fans of IA will like it and I think I agree here. Even though it’s not as good as their books, it is still better than many urban fantasies I’ve come across. Or at least, set the stage for better books. Because I still didn’t love it and I was mostly “okay” about it. I don't think this book was like IA's novels at all. to be clear. But I liked the complex relationships between the characters and the world-building was interesting enough.
May 9, 2017
EDIT
Okay it's time for me to lower my rating now that a few months have passed and I have a more objective and fresh perspective. Yes I had enjoyed the read at the time (it helped me out of a reading slump) but the story and characters had a lot of issues (detailed in my original review below, tagged spoilers alert). Since I have no interest in reading the sequels, 3 stars it is !
... And now I will just sit and pray that Sarah won't come after me with her army of murderous crustaceans !!
Original review
I gulped down this book in one day and a half O_o
And yet, after finishing it, I wasn't sure how to rate it...
I enjoyed the read for sure! But in the middle, I started having major issues with the plot and the twists. I settled for a 3.5 stars (when will you allow for half stars ratings GR!!!) because I enjoyed the read and this book helped me out of a huge reading slump.
I hid a big part of the review, not because it contains major spoilers, but because it includes my impression of the story as a whole and I don't want to influence those who didn't read this yet!
First, I loved Pippa DaCosta's writing style. As English is not my native language, I found it simple and easy to read and yet the descriptions/metaphors were concise and very well-turned.
The world, divided between the human world as we know it and the Demons Realm, was intriguing and I found the idea of the Veil separating both Realms very interesting. The Demon Realm wasn't described much in this first installment but I suspect it will be more explored in the sequels.
Now a lot of people had issues with the main character, Muse. Half human, half demon, Muse tried to escape her past, hide her nature and live a normal life, until both her past and nature caught her. I understand why people disliked her but I didn't, not really. Yes I rolled my eyes more than once at most of her actions and her inconstancy / inconsistency. But honestly, with all the crap she had to endure during most of her life, she fares quite well. I would have been a total wreck in her place and, despite her flaws and weaknesses, I liked the fact that she kept fighting until the end.
Conclusion
All in all, Pippa DaCosta crafted an interesting world. The characters' development showed a lot of potential and the ending was great and opening for a lot of possibilities. But despite reading this book pretty fast and enjoying most of it, sadly I didn't want to discover more, after I turned the last page! And I'm not sure I want to go back to this series again... for now.
Okay it's time for me to lower my rating now that a few months have passed and I have a more objective and fresh perspective. Yes I had enjoyed the read at the time (it helped me out of a reading slump) but the story and characters had a lot of issues (detailed in my original review below, tagged spoilers alert). Since I have no interest in reading the sequels, 3 stars it is !
... And now I will just sit and pray that Sarah won't come after me with her army of murderous crustaceans !!
Original review
I gulped down this book in one day and a half O_o
And yet, after finishing it, I wasn't sure how to rate it...
I enjoyed the read for sure! But in the middle, I started having major issues with the plot and the twists. I settled for a 3.5 stars (when will you allow for half stars ratings GR!!!) because I enjoyed the read and this book helped me out of a huge reading slump.
I hid a big part of the review, not because it contains major spoilers, but because it includes my impression of the story as a whole and I don't want to influence those who didn't read this yet!
First, I loved Pippa DaCosta's writing style. As English is not my native language, I found it simple and easy to read and yet the descriptions/metaphors were concise and very well-turned.
The world, divided between the human world as we know it and the Demons Realm, was intriguing and I found the idea of the Veil separating both Realms very interesting. The Demon Realm wasn't described much in this first installment but I suspect it will be more explored in the sequels.
Now a lot of people had issues with the main character, Muse. Half human, half demon, Muse tried to escape her past, hide her nature and live a normal life, until both her past and nature caught her. I understand why people disliked her but I didn't, not really. Yes I rolled my eyes more than once at most of her actions and her inconstancy / inconsistency. But honestly, with all the crap she had to endure during most of her life, she fares quite well. I would have been a total wreck in her place and, despite her flaws and weaknesses, I liked the fact that she kept fighting until the end.
Conclusion
All in all, Pippa DaCosta crafted an interesting world. The characters' development showed a lot of potential and the ending was great and opening for a lot of possibilities. But despite reading this book pretty fast and enjoying most of it, sadly I didn't want to discover more, after I turned the last page! And I'm not sure I want to go back to this series again... for now.
December 5, 2016
Thank you, Sarah for the rec ;) Your support helped me to survive the hard period with Muse ;)
Stefan would never understand. He spent his life killing demons. He had it simple. I’d spent my life among them. I might despise the majority of them, but I knew them. They were family. Twisted, bitter, dangerous, slippery, back-stabbing, but family all the same.
When I started reading "Beyond the Veil" I was lured in the world of dangerous demons, living in a well-built world on earth and beyond. So, I knew that some fun and interesting stuff will happen. Oh, and it was so. It was a wild ride and I was amazed by the author’s skill to create the action line using suspense and intrigue. The demon creatures, inhabiting Muse's world were interesting and skilled in fighting, so my monster part was satisfied. The story was twisty and dark. The final clash of the forces was awesome and heart-breaking to observe.
I found one flaw in the book. It was Muse. At first I wasn’t satisfied with Muse, as a character in the lead. She whimpered too much. She floated and didn’t use her inner strength and skills, but relied instead on others to help her. Aka, let’s pretend nothing happened. So, for half of the book I thought: “Oh girl, can you stop it and try to be a fighter more, not a rag for men”. The situation changed to better after reaching the middle of the book and I started to like the new Muse as at last she “found out” that she can kick asses, do great magic as well as have her own mind. The famous love triangle made my eyes roll a lot, but I respect all the women fans of the series. So, I’ll just skip all the grumpy comments :D
I’ll definitely return to the Veil series after some time to get my dose of amusing Muse and maybe a little bit of that frosty mechanic :)
I’m not young and my engine isn’t as good as it was, you know :)
Stefan would never understand. He spent his life killing demons. He had it simple. I’d spent my life among them. I might despise the majority of them, but I knew them. They were family. Twisted, bitter, dangerous, slippery, back-stabbing, but family all the same.
When I started reading "Beyond the Veil" I was lured in the world of dangerous demons, living in a well-built world on earth and beyond. So, I knew that some fun and interesting stuff will happen. Oh, and it was so. It was a wild ride and I was amazed by the author’s skill to create the action line using suspense and intrigue. The demon creatures, inhabiting Muse's world were interesting and skilled in fighting, so my monster part was satisfied. The story was twisty and dark. The final clash of the forces was awesome and heart-breaking to observe.
I found one flaw in the book. It was Muse. At first I wasn’t satisfied with Muse, as a character in the lead. She whimpered too much. She floated and didn’t use her inner strength and skills, but relied instead on others to help her. Aka, let’s pretend nothing happened. So, for half of the book I thought: “Oh girl, can you stop it and try to be a fighter more, not a rag for men”. The situation changed to better after reaching the middle of the book and I started to like the new Muse as at last she “found out” that she can kick asses, do great magic as well as have her own mind. The famous love triangle made my eyes roll a lot, but I respect all the women fans of the series. So, I’ll just skip all the grumpy comments :D
I’ll definitely return to the Veil series after some time to get my dose of amusing Muse and maybe a little bit of that frosty mechanic :)
I’m not young and my engine isn’t as good as it was, you know :)
April 1, 2016
DNF - 66%
Jeez, this book is impossible. Seriously, after meeting Ilona Andrews's Kate Daniels, other heroines seem like huge crybabies. Muse is just meh! Just make up your mind already, woman!
And what's with all those double/triple crossings? Akil is the bad guy. No, Val is the bad guy. Wait, Stefan is definitely the bad guy. Hm... nope, back to Akil.
And she cries so much and whines... I thought she was a bad-ass. She's just an abused little girl lacking confidence in herself.
No, just no!
P.S. You have demons and no positive counterpart? Really?
Jeez, this book is impossible. Seriously, after meeting Ilona Andrews's Kate Daniels, other heroines seem like huge crybabies. Muse is just meh! Just make up your mind already, woman!
And what's with all those double/triple crossings? Akil is the bad guy. No, Val is the bad guy. Wait, Stefan is definitely the bad guy. Hm... nope, back to Akil.
And she cries so much and whines... I thought she was a bad-ass. She's just an abused little girl lacking confidence in herself.
No, just no!
P.S. You have demons and no positive counterpart? Really?
August 16, 2017
MacHalo BR under our overlord's watchful eye
I've been waffling between 4 and 5 stars and decided on 5 because it made me hate a lot of people and to still be Team Akil till the end.
It starts out with Muse, a half demon blacksmith, getting a visit from a mysterious and rude blond man in a hideous red coat. Right afterwards, her shop blows up. Not cool. That's why you never trust someone who wears red leather trench coats, I mean, really, it's too heinous to let live. So Muse is without her shop and goes back to her über powerful and demon prince ex-bf, Akil.
Let's talk about Akil here. He's one of the seven demon princes of hell, score. He's the prince of greed, not the best, but it could be worse. He could've been the prince of sloth; I bet that one is a bad lover. Akil, on the other hand, he has lots of energy for getting frisky, running his empire, scheming and plotting. He's sauve, charming, and you totally know he's not the hero of this book. Swoon.
Back to Muse. I'm kind of surprised she's still breathing and not dead or dead. Yeah. Her past sucks decaying zombie balls & she should be dead or a sadistic crazy, but she's sane. She's stupendously broken inside and it's evident in her every interaction. It's pretty saddening and disheartening at times, ok, the whole book, how many pieces she's in. But she keeps trucking and trying to be normal. I'd personally like for her to get her killing on and I have a list all prepared for her. I did appreciate her vibrant temper and ease at fighting.
The plot is all about someone trying to kill her in various ways and her running around with Stefan trying to escape death. Plus trying to figure out who wants her dead out of all her enemies and why. Lots of mysteries about Muse and everyone's motives.
Stefan...meh. I'm very meh about him. I don't condone love triangles and this book tempts my ire with such. I think the book lost me on Stefan when it said he wears a red leather trench and his car is rusty. Does he want tetanus with his ugly coat? Because that's what he'll be getting soon from all that rust. I can't say much about him because it'd be spoiler. So meh to him. He never won me over. Meh.
To the institute:
Fingers crossed for more violence and murders in the next book. More Akil!
I've been waffling between 4 and 5 stars and decided on 5 because it made me hate a lot of people and to still be Team Akil till the end.
It starts out with Muse, a half demon blacksmith, getting a visit from a mysterious and rude blond man in a hideous red coat. Right afterwards, her shop blows up. Not cool. That's why you never trust someone who wears red leather trench coats, I mean, really, it's too heinous to let live. So Muse is without her shop and goes back to her über powerful and demon prince ex-bf, Akil.
Let's talk about Akil here. He's one of the seven demon princes of hell, score. He's the prince of greed, not the best, but it could be worse. He could've been the prince of sloth; I bet that one is a bad lover. Akil, on the other hand, he has lots of energy for getting frisky, running his empire, scheming and plotting. He's sauve, charming, and you totally know he's not the hero of this book. Swoon.
Back to Muse. I'm kind of surprised she's still breathing and not dead or dead. Yeah. Her past sucks decaying zombie balls & she should be dead or a sadistic crazy, but she's sane. She's stupendously broken inside and it's evident in her every interaction. It's pretty saddening and disheartening at times, ok, the whole book, how many pieces she's in. But she keeps trucking and trying to be normal. I'd personally like for her to get her killing on and I have a list all prepared for her. I did appreciate her vibrant temper and ease at fighting.
The plot is all about someone trying to kill her in various ways and her running around with Stefan trying to escape death. Plus trying to figure out who wants her dead out of all her enemies and why. Lots of mysteries about Muse and everyone's motives.
Stefan...meh. I'm very meh about him. I don't condone love triangles and this book tempts my ire with such. I think the book lost me on Stefan when it said he wears a red leather trench and his car is rusty. Does he want tetanus with his ugly coat? Because that's what he'll be getting soon from all that rust. I can't say much about him because it'd be spoiler. So meh to him. He never won me over. Meh.
To the institute:
Fingers crossed for more violence and murders in the next book. More Akil!
October 11, 2015
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I liked this book but I didn't love it. When I first saw this book available for request on NetGalley, I requested it right away only to be somewhat surprised to learned that I actually already owned a copy. Oops. Oh well, I having so many books that I can't remember them all is a good problem to have. I decided that it was obviously time to sit down and actually read this story.
I thought that the world created within this novel was very interesting. One thing that I have learned over the years is that oftentimes the first book in a series such as this requires a lot of world building. Usually, the first book in this type of series is my least favorite. I tend to think of the first book in a urban fiction series as the foundation that the rest of the series will be built upon. If I find that I like the first book, chances are that I will like the subsequent novels even more. It doesn't always work that way but it has happened to me enough that I have come to expect it. You know what....I liked this book so I am really excited to continue on with this series.
I do have to admit that the main character in this novel drove me a little nuts at times and I am still not sure if I like her or not. That's okay. I don't have to like her to enjoy her story. Muse seemed really strong at times and ready to take on anybody and at other times she seemed incredibly vulnerable. I don't think that either side was out of character though. Anyone who was forced to deal with all of the situations the Muse is in this book would probably feel a wide range of emotions which I thought was well represented.
The pacing of the book was well done and there was enough excitement that I really wanted to know how things would work out. There were a few twists that really surprised me and at several points I was as confused as Muse was about who could be trusted. I do wish that some things would have been explored in a little more detail, such as Muse's special ability to read metal, but I suspect that future installments in this series may satisfy my curiosity.
I would recommend this book to fans of urban fiction. There is enough action to keep most readers entertained and the world filled with demons is unique. This is the first book by Pippa DaCosta that I have had a chance to read. I look forward to continuing this series.
I received an review copy of this book from Victory Editing via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts
I liked it but I didn't love it. Interesting world and overall premise but I'm still not sure if I like the main character.
I liked this book but I didn't love it. When I first saw this book available for request on NetGalley, I requested it right away only to be somewhat surprised to learned that I actually already owned a copy. Oops. Oh well, I having so many books that I can't remember them all is a good problem to have. I decided that it was obviously time to sit down and actually read this story.
I thought that the world created within this novel was very interesting. One thing that I have learned over the years is that oftentimes the first book in a series such as this requires a lot of world building. Usually, the first book in this type of series is my least favorite. I tend to think of the first book in a urban fiction series as the foundation that the rest of the series will be built upon. If I find that I like the first book, chances are that I will like the subsequent novels even more. It doesn't always work that way but it has happened to me enough that I have come to expect it. You know what....I liked this book so I am really excited to continue on with this series.
I do have to admit that the main character in this novel drove me a little nuts at times and I am still not sure if I like her or not. That's okay. I don't have to like her to enjoy her story. Muse seemed really strong at times and ready to take on anybody and at other times she seemed incredibly vulnerable. I don't think that either side was out of character though. Anyone who was forced to deal with all of the situations the Muse is in this book would probably feel a wide range of emotions which I thought was well represented.
The pacing of the book was well done and there was enough excitement that I really wanted to know how things would work out. There were a few twists that really surprised me and at several points I was as confused as Muse was about who could be trusted. I do wish that some things would have been explored in a little more detail, such as Muse's special ability to read metal, but I suspect that future installments in this series may satisfy my curiosity.
I would recommend this book to fans of urban fiction. There is enough action to keep most readers entertained and the world filled with demons is unique. This is the first book by Pippa DaCosta that I have had a chance to read. I look forward to continuing this series.
I received an review copy of this book from Victory Editing via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts
I liked it but I didn't love it. Interesting world and overall premise but I'm still not sure if I like the main character.
February 13, 2017
“I could never run from the half of me that danced in the dark.”
It's hard to rating a book three stars when it's so hard to put down my hand may as well be superglued to it, but no matter how into the story I was, there were too many nuances that bugged me.
Charlie is a broken person, a half-demon living some sort of human life as a lie. That doesn't last long since she has to run back to the master demon who helped her in the past early on. It goes without saying these were Urban fantasy demons, not biblical demons. The hierachy is well-structured, with a few masters on Earth who don a human disguise and are supremely power and politically connected. Muse as a half-demon and half-human was previously treated as an abused pet in the underworld, so naturally she has no desire to go back and wants only to cut off that connection.
The story is basically a go back-and-forth on who she can trust. One chapter she thinks she can trust Stefan, then the next chapter she can't. One chapter she can trust Akil, then the second chapter she can't. Are they working together? Yes they are but Stefan is just pretending to work with Akil while being on the side of others. Wait, he's just pretending to pretend to trick Muse. Wait Akil knows. Wait, he just thinks he knows. Wait, these others are in on it. Good grief!
This book is ultimately hard to put down because it's one of those back and forth soap operas that has more twists and turns than a rollercoaster. That's the base of the story right there. When to be paranoid and when to find the paranoia is justified.
Character wise I didn't mind Muse - I don't need the main female character to be totally tough as nails, so her emotionalism didn't bug me. The men are stimulating but a little stereotypical. I have a pet peeve when a person's powers can be subdued or controlled too.
The writing style isn't bad, the pacing is strong, but the storyline isn't the greatest and how the characters relate to each other ends up holding the story. I won't continue with the series, one ride on this coaster was enough, but I don't regret trying it on.
It's hard to rating a book three stars when it's so hard to put down my hand may as well be superglued to it, but no matter how into the story I was, there were too many nuances that bugged me.
Charlie is a broken person, a half-demon living some sort of human life as a lie. That doesn't last long since she has to run back to the master demon who helped her in the past early on. It goes without saying these were Urban fantasy demons, not biblical demons. The hierachy is well-structured, with a few masters on Earth who don a human disguise and are supremely power and politically connected. Muse as a half-demon and half-human was previously treated as an abused pet in the underworld, so naturally she has no desire to go back and wants only to cut off that connection.
The story is basically a go back-and-forth on who she can trust. One chapter she thinks she can trust Stefan, then the next chapter she can't. One chapter she can trust Akil, then the second chapter she can't. Are they working together? Yes they are but Stefan is just pretending to work with Akil while being on the side of others. Wait, he's just pretending to pretend to trick Muse. Wait Akil knows. Wait, he just thinks he knows. Wait, these others are in on it. Good grief!
This book is ultimately hard to put down because it's one of those back and forth soap operas that has more twists and turns than a rollercoaster. That's the base of the story right there. When to be paranoid and when to find the paranoia is justified.
Character wise I didn't mind Muse - I don't need the main female character to be totally tough as nails, so her emotionalism didn't bug me. The men are stimulating but a little stereotypical. I have a pet peeve when a person's powers can be subdued or controlled too.
The writing style isn't bad, the pacing is strong, but the storyline isn't the greatest and how the characters relate to each other ends up holding the story. I won't continue with the series, one ride on this coaster was enough, but I don't regret trying it on.
October 24, 2016
This isn't my first introduction to Pippa DaCosta, but it is one of her earlier series. I liked this book, and think it's a decent start to a series, but it's definitely not up to the level of writing skill that I've read by her previously. And therein lies my problem.
The technical skill involved in writing a book is one that's often overlooked, because when it's good it just fades into the background and becomes a unnoticed non-issue. But when it's lacking, it is much more obvious. And it was obvious here. I struggled with sections, paragraphs, and transitions. I struggled with word choices and thoughts. It was hard to follow what characters were thinking, and why. I was thrown out of the story more than once because of the way the words were strung together - they just didn't make sense or flow.
All of that takes away from what is a really interesting premise. Demons exist and are living in our world. But it's not their world. Their world is just beyond the Veil. They apparently have control over elements, which they draw from the environment around them, and can cause widespread destruction. They also may have some other random powers. And there's the (rare) ability to be a half-blood - though most are killed immediately....except Muse, of course. And that's about the extent of what I know about the world. Which is another problem for me.
Speaking of Muse: why wasn't she killed like most half-bloods? I hope that's something that's covered in the future, because I would really like to understand more about the dynamics there. Muse and I struggled. I don't think she's weak, like I've seen some other people say, but she's definitely a bit passive. A big part of that is that she needs to hit rock-bottom, per se, before she realizes exactly what she will and will not live without. So I get it, and I can love the character growth, while at the same time it frustrated me. I don't like passive characters, characters that let things happen to them, or wait for someone else to make a decision or the first move. Still, by the end, Muse is taking charge and I'm excited to see her exact her revenge - on everyone that deserves it. And her demon is awesome as hell. Literally.
Thankfully, I've got book two loaded and ready to go.
Review also available at The Book Eaters
5 February 2015: $0.00 FREE on Kindle
7 January 2015: $0.99 on Kindle
The technical skill involved in writing a book is one that's often overlooked, because when it's good it just fades into the background and becomes a unnoticed non-issue. But when it's lacking, it is much more obvious. And it was obvious here. I struggled with sections, paragraphs, and transitions. I struggled with word choices and thoughts. It was hard to follow what characters were thinking, and why. I was thrown out of the story more than once because of the way the words were strung together - they just didn't make sense or flow.
All of that takes away from what is a really interesting premise. Demons exist and are living in our world. But it's not their world. Their world is just beyond the Veil. They apparently have control over elements, which they draw from the environment around them, and can cause widespread destruction. They also may have some other random powers. And there's the (rare) ability to be a half-blood - though most are killed immediately....except Muse, of course. And that's about the extent of what I know about the world. Which is another problem for me.
Speaking of Muse: why wasn't she killed like most half-bloods? I hope that's something that's covered in the future, because I would really like to understand more about the dynamics there. Muse and I struggled. I don't think she's weak, like I've seen some other people say, but she's definitely a bit passive. A big part of that is that she needs to hit rock-bottom, per se, before she realizes exactly what she will and will not live without. So I get it, and I can love the character growth, while at the same time it frustrated me. I don't like passive characters, characters that let things happen to them, or wait for someone else to make a decision or the first move. Still, by the end, Muse is taking charge and I'm excited to see her exact her revenge - on everyone that deserves it. And her demon is awesome as hell. Literally.
Thankfully, I've got book two loaded and ready to go.
Review also available at The Book Eaters
5 February 2015: $0.00 FREE on Kindle
7 January 2015: $0.99 on Kindle
Read
August 16, 20173.5 stars
I don't read much UF or PNR anymore, there's too much dodgy stuff; it's like throwing a knife into the dark and expecting it to hit a target dead centre. So when I need a fix, I head over to the page of Sarah of Crustacean fame https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7... and see what she's 5*. This is how I found Pippa DaCosta for the first time.
Now I didn't enjoy the book quote as much as Sarah and looking at the reviews for this title, I'm not the only one. But I really enjoyed the world DaCosta has created here, the demon/half-demon thing is a good hook, and Muse is a character that has room to grow. Most of the poeple who didn't like the book didn't like her and I can see why, but her personal failures are things she's working on, even progressing somewhat by the end of this offering. She's learning to know herself in the fullest sense and it's a journey I want to see. The problem with having a totally badass heroine from the start is that they never have far to go, it then becomes a series of power building exercises. Or an emotional change (a la Kate Daniels).
Now the next instalment is taking us all to the netherworld. This takes it outside the rules of the normal world and I think it'll give the book that extra fizz missing from this one.
I don't read much UF or PNR anymore, there's too much dodgy stuff; it's like throwing a knife into the dark and expecting it to hit a target dead centre. So when I need a fix, I head over to the page of Sarah of Crustacean fame https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7... and see what she's 5*. This is how I found Pippa DaCosta for the first time.
Now I didn't enjoy the book quote as much as Sarah and looking at the reviews for this title, I'm not the only one. But I really enjoyed the world DaCosta has created here, the demon/half-demon thing is a good hook, and Muse is a character that has room to grow. Most of the poeple who didn't like the book didn't like her and I can see why, but her personal failures are things she's working on, even progressing somewhat by the end of this offering. She's learning to know herself in the fullest sense and it's a journey I want to see. The problem with having a totally badass heroine from the start is that they never have far to go, it then becomes a series of power building exercises. Or an emotional change (a la Kate Daniels).
Now the next instalment is taking us all to the netherworld. This takes it outside the rules of the normal world and I think it'll give the book that extra fizz missing from this one.
February 13, 2015
This was a fun UF that never quite managed to be as good as it threatened to be. It had plenty of action and romance, which I loved, but the story moved in a direction I would have preferred it did not!
Half demon Muse thought she had escaped her old life among the demons. She has been living a quiet life in the human world for the last 5 years, but that is shattered when the mysterious Stefan walks into her place of work demanding her help. She refuses him, but knows her quiet life is over. Soon Muse is being dragged back into the world of demons and is forced to turn to her old boyfriend, Akil (the Prince of Greed and one of the Seven Demon Lords of Hell), for help. Can she trust the Demon Prince? And what about the mysterious Stefan who always appears when she most need him?
I liked the world. Humans are aware of the existence of demons, but not aware of how powerful they really are. I loved the fact that the demons took human shape in the "real" world and tried to blend in. The demons have a realm of their own which I'm eager to learn more about! Demons rank as the coolest of the paranormal creatures so I was delighted our main character was a half demon who could switch between her human and demon nature.
I enjoyed the mix of action and romance. It was exactly what I was expecting. I also really liked Muse as a character. She was a complex character. She has a tough upbringing among the full blood demons and was left a bit timid and vulnerable as a result. However she developed well as the story progressed and showed plenty of bravery when her back was to the wall. I took a bit of time to warm to the mysterious demon hunter Stefan, but I eventually did. Akil was the most fascinating character, but it is tough to say much about him without spoiling the story!
Overall I enjoyed this, but would have been a lot happier if we learned a bit more about what motivated both Stefan and Akil to act as they did.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: Hollie Jackson was not the best narrator I've ever heard, but nor was she the worst.
Half demon Muse thought she had escaped her old life among the demons. She has been living a quiet life in the human world for the last 5 years, but that is shattered when the mysterious Stefan walks into her place of work demanding her help. She refuses him, but knows her quiet life is over. Soon Muse is being dragged back into the world of demons and is forced to turn to her old boyfriend, Akil (the Prince of Greed and one of the Seven Demon Lords of Hell), for help. Can she trust the Demon Prince? And what about the mysterious Stefan who always appears when she most need him?
I liked the world. Humans are aware of the existence of demons, but not aware of how powerful they really are. I loved the fact that the demons took human shape in the "real" world and tried to blend in. The demons have a realm of their own which I'm eager to learn more about! Demons rank as the coolest of the paranormal creatures so I was delighted our main character was a half demon who could switch between her human and demon nature.
I enjoyed the mix of action and romance. It was exactly what I was expecting. I also really liked Muse as a character. She was a complex character. She has a tough upbringing among the full blood demons and was left a bit timid and vulnerable as a result. However she developed well as the story progressed and showed plenty of bravery when her back was to the wall. I took a bit of time to warm to the mysterious demon hunter Stefan, but I eventually did. Akil was the most fascinating character, but it is tough to say much about him without spoiling the story!
Overall I enjoyed this, but would have been a lot happier if we learned a bit more about what motivated both Stefan and Akil to act as they did.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: Hollie Jackson was not the best narrator I've ever heard, but nor was she the worst.
February 3, 2016
Well, this one is hard to rate.
For about 30%, it was a 3star book. Then, for about 60%, it was a 2star. The characters were idiots most of the time! They did so many illogical stuff! Gah, and she is a half-demon chick (demons being always the bad guys here), she trusts no one, yet she is amazed when others don't trust her. She keeps complaining about every little thing! I mean, ok, I get it. Your life sucked. Then do something about it! Her reactions are the ones of a 5year old!
So why 3 stars and not 2? Or 1?
Well, it didn't deserve 1. I liked the idea (badly written, but good idea). And I absolutely loved the ending! It really wasn't what I expected! .
So, yes, because this book managed to surprise me, it deserved 3 stars. Well played DaCosta, well played.
For about 30%, it was a 3star book. Then, for about 60%, it was a 2star. The characters were idiots most of the time! They did so many illogical stuff! Gah, and she is a half-demon chick (demons being always the bad guys here), she trusts no one, yet she is amazed when others don't trust her. She keeps complaining about every little thing! I mean, ok, I get it. Your life sucked. Then do something about it! Her reactions are the ones of a 5year old!
So why 3 stars and not 2? Or 1?
Well, it didn't deserve 1. I liked the idea (badly written, but good idea). And I absolutely loved the ending! It really wasn't what I expected! .
So, yes, because this book managed to surprise me, it deserved 3 stars. Well played DaCosta, well played.
January 22, 2018
4 to 4 1/2 stars
I'd been hearing positive things about this series for a while so I was looking forward to diving in and experiencing it firsthand.
I wasn't disappointed.
This is a fast-paced, fascinating UF adventure filled with wild twists and crazy turns that were often unexpected.
The heroine, Muse, is a mixture of demon and human, something that is despised in the Netherworld and makes her a target for powerful demons who want to destroy her.
All she wants is to lead a demon-free, somewhat normal, human existence after years of brutal enslavement. She manages to live a rather quiet, peaceful life for almost five years before her past comes back to devastate her with a vengeance...
There is no such thing as normal where Muse is concerned.
She doesn't know, from one moment to the next, who to trust or what to believe. Neither does the reader. Not only is she fighting for her life, but also to prevent a fate she feels is worse than death...
I enjoyed the dynamics between the various characters and the tension, both sexual and otherwise, that was created by all the question marks that continuously came up on this journey. I had many moments where I was cursing certain characters out and felt almost as betrayed as Muse did when I believed one thing only to learn another. Nothing is as it appears...
Such a roller-coaster ride!
I'm looking forward to continuing on with the Veil Series as I sense I've really just begun to scratch the surface. I know that things are only going to get more crazy and intense as I go. My gut tells me Muse is a lot more powerful than even she knows and that it's only a matter of time before that truth comes to light.
I suspect there is some serious ass kicking to come...
I'd been hearing positive things about this series for a while so I was looking forward to diving in and experiencing it firsthand.
I wasn't disappointed.
This is a fast-paced, fascinating UF adventure filled with wild twists and crazy turns that were often unexpected.
The heroine, Muse, is a mixture of demon and human, something that is despised in the Netherworld and makes her a target for powerful demons who want to destroy her.
All she wants is to lead a demon-free, somewhat normal, human existence after years of brutal enslavement. She manages to live a rather quiet, peaceful life for almost five years before her past comes back to devastate her with a vengeance...
There is no such thing as normal where Muse is concerned.
She doesn't know, from one moment to the next, who to trust or what to believe. Neither does the reader. Not only is she fighting for her life, but also to prevent a fate she feels is worse than death...
I enjoyed the dynamics between the various characters and the tension, both sexual and otherwise, that was created by all the question marks that continuously came up on this journey. I had many moments where I was cursing certain characters out and felt almost as betrayed as Muse did when I believed one thing only to learn another. Nothing is as it appears...
Such a roller-coaster ride!
I'm looking forward to continuing on with the Veil Series as I sense I've really just begun to scratch the surface. I know that things are only going to get more crazy and intense as I go. My gut tells me Muse is a lot more powerful than even she knows and that it's only a matter of time before that truth comes to light.
I suspect there is some serious ass kicking to come...
August 24, 2017
Muse, it wasn't you, it was me. I've been in a big reading slump lately and I just haven't been in the mood, so feeling forced made me less interested in you than I normally would have been.
Will you give me another chance soon, and I'll pick up book two once I'm out of this slump? I'm pretty sure I'd really like you.
Thanks!
Sincerely,
Me.
Will you give me another chance soon, and I'll pick up book two once I'm out of this slump? I'm pretty sure I'd really like you.
Thanks!
Sincerely,
Me.
July 30, 2018
Actual Rating 3.5 stars
I liked it. I was entertained.
I'll move on to the next installment.
Devil May Care (The Veil #2) - 1.5 Stars
Darkest Before Dawn (The Veil #3) - 1 Stars
I liked it. I was entertained.
I'll move on to the next installment.
Devil May Care (The Veil #2) - 1.5 Stars
Darkest Before Dawn (The Veil #3) - 1 Stars
August 5, 2017
3.75 stars.
This was pretty good. It would have been 4 stars but the ' is he double crossing me? No he isn't- yes he is- no he isn't- went on too long. Not sure if I'd continue the series...
This was pretty good. It would have been 4 stars but the ' is he double crossing me? No he isn't- yes he is- no he isn't- went on too long. Not sure if I'd continue the series...
June 16, 2015
ARC from Netgalley, thank you very much.
I read the first 40% of the book fairly quickly. The story flowed well and was not uninteresting. But that was pretty much it from there on. The plot never picked up for me after that.
I did not particularly like Muse, she behaved too much like a victim for me. The kick-ass heroine, that I was hoping for, never emerged. She ended up in this love-hate-triangle with two pretty much interchangeable guys, who in turn asked her for trust and then betrayed her for real or seemingly so, making her and the plot feel like a boomerang. And she just kept going back, crying and asking to be hurt some more. Not working for me.
The institute felt like an after-thought, to give a framework to hang the next books onto. Didn't buy the character of Nica, thought the metal-reading talent of Muse wasn't properly explored and found neither of Muse's love interest sexy. The description of her demon and its powers breaking out of her felt repetetive.
Disappointing all around. The book was well written, there were some great ideas, but the story and the characters just didn't do much for me, sorry.
I read the first 40% of the book fairly quickly. The story flowed well and was not uninteresting. But that was pretty much it from there on. The plot never picked up for me after that.
I did not particularly like Muse, she behaved too much like a victim for me. The kick-ass heroine, that I was hoping for, never emerged. She ended up in this love-hate-triangle with two pretty much interchangeable guys, who in turn asked her for trust and then betrayed her for real or seemingly so, making her and the plot feel like a boomerang. And she just kept going back, crying and asking to be hurt some more. Not working for me.
The institute felt like an after-thought, to give a framework to hang the next books onto. Didn't buy the character of Nica, thought the metal-reading talent of Muse wasn't properly explored and found neither of Muse's love interest sexy. The description of her demon and its powers breaking out of her felt repetetive.
Disappointing all around. The book was well written, there were some great ideas, but the story and the characters just didn't do much for me, sorry.
October 25, 2016
3.5 Stars
I liked the world setting and overall feel in Wings of Hope more than this one, but
March 31, 2014
I received this book through the first reads giveaway on GR.
First off, the cover is absolutely beautiful and fits Muse perfectly. Everything on the cover has significance in the story.
I fell in love with this book from the beginning. You jump right into Muses life as soon as you start reading, it's extremely easy to follow. Mrs.DaCosta provides info and gives tons of details as each scene unfolds so there isn't any info dumping:). The characters themselves are incredible, there is a ton of detail as to what they look like, both in human and demon form to really give you a good sense of them. Her characters are anything but flat. Muse is a perfectly imperfect character, there is no illusions of her perfection, strength or beauty in this book. She's definitely relateable and has so many dimensions to her, she grows and develops as the story moves along. The insanely attractive and playful leading men are both alphas, but couldn't be more polar opposite of each other.
Beyond The Veil is very well written and balanced. There aren't any inconsistencies in the story, or info dumping, and the plot is very strong. All of Muses relationships develop naturally, we aren't rushed into believing she suddenly falls in love with some guy! The ending has left me wanting more, I'm thrilled the next installment will be out soon:D!
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys any type of fantasy or is just looking for a different type of story. It's definitely worth reading.
First off, the cover is absolutely beautiful and fits Muse perfectly. Everything on the cover has significance in the story.
I fell in love with this book from the beginning. You jump right into Muses life as soon as you start reading, it's extremely easy to follow. Mrs.DaCosta provides info and gives tons of details as each scene unfolds so there isn't any info dumping:). The characters themselves are incredible, there is a ton of detail as to what they look like, both in human and demon form to really give you a good sense of them. Her characters are anything but flat. Muse is a perfectly imperfect character, there is no illusions of her perfection, strength or beauty in this book. She's definitely relateable and has so many dimensions to her, she grows and develops as the story moves along. The insanely attractive and playful leading men are both alphas, but couldn't be more polar opposite of each other.
Beyond The Veil is very well written and balanced. There aren't any inconsistencies in the story, or info dumping, and the plot is very strong. All of Muses relationships develop naturally, we aren't rushed into believing she suddenly falls in love with some guy! The ending has left me wanting more, I'm thrilled the next installment will be out soon:D!
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys any type of fantasy or is just looking for a different type of story. It's definitely worth reading.
December 8, 2016
I think I need a glass of wine. This book was the closest I came to DNF. I made it to about 30% and had to skim the rest just to get through. I couldn't stand this book and didn't like any of the characters. Muse was weak, clueless, and too dependent upon EVERYONE all the damn time. All this "you don't know what I'm made of" shit throughout the book and I'm wondering if she even knew. Add in two alpha males and a mix of insta-love and poof, a recipe for disaster. None of this shit made any sense whatsoever. And the writing. The writing was so over the top it was ridiculous. Put the damn thesaurus down and give me a story!
March 21, 2016
DNF @ 70% because Muse and I aren't seeing eye to eye and I can't for the life of me muster the energy to care.
August 5, 2017
Buddy read with the Wednesday UF Group of BB&B.
Nope, I wasn't wrong in my original rating. In fact I would like to rate it even higher now but alas there's no more stars to give :(
Muse is an awesome character but it takes a while for her to reach her potential so if you're thinking of DNFing this book because she comes off a bit too weak and naive here just give the next book a try, okay? I promise she improves and by the time this series ends she's one hell of a badass.
The thing I like most about this series is the ambiguity of the characters. There are no clear cut lines of good and evil. One moment you're rooting for one guy and in the next you want him dead and pray that the other guy would kill the first and then boom! you're back to cheering for team 1. And this crazy seesaw continues through all of the books. And I absolutely love it! Just like I love all of the book to the point of being blind for any flaws :)
Original review
Buddy read with the MacHalos.
The DaCosta cult has a new convert! This was absolutely amazing! I loved every single page of this book! The worldbuilding, the characters, the story - all were mindblowing. How have I lived without knowing this awesomeness???
Muse is a half-blood demon trying so hard to have a normal life. And for a while she had it. But then her ex finds her. And plays with her like a smug overfed cat that's too bored with life. Why? Because he can and little Muse hurt his manly feelings when she left. No one leaves a Prince of Hell after all! So while gripped by crippling insecurity, surrounded by betrayal on all sides, she has to find her backbone and rip all of her preconceptions about life and her place in it from her eyes. With a little help from a dashing half-blood of the opposite element as a dubious ally.
The story is so all consuming that once you start you are instantly transported into that world and it keeps it's hold even after the last page. It creates an instant addiction. One you're more than happy to get lost in.
Nope, I wasn't wrong in my original rating. In fact I would like to rate it even higher now but alas there's no more stars to give :(
Muse is an awesome character but it takes a while for her to reach her potential so if you're thinking of DNFing this book because she comes off a bit too weak and naive here just give the next book a try, okay? I promise she improves and by the time this series ends she's one hell of a badass.
The thing I like most about this series is the ambiguity of the characters. There are no clear cut lines of good and evil. One moment you're rooting for one guy and in the next you want him dead and pray that the other guy would kill the first and then boom! you're back to cheering for team 1. And this crazy seesaw continues through all of the books. And I absolutely love it! Just like I love all of the book to the point of being blind for any flaws :)
Original review
Buddy read with the MacHalos.
The DaCosta cult has a new convert! This was absolutely amazing! I loved every single page of this book! The worldbuilding, the characters, the story - all were mindblowing. How have I lived without knowing this awesomeness???
Muse is a half-blood demon trying so hard to have a normal life. And for a while she had it. But then her ex finds her. And plays with her like a smug overfed cat that's too bored with life. Why? Because he can and little Muse hurt his manly feelings when she left. No one leaves a Prince of Hell after all! So while gripped by crippling insecurity, surrounded by betrayal on all sides, she has to find her backbone and rip all of her preconceptions about life and her place in it from her eyes. With a little help from a dashing half-blood of the opposite element as a dubious ally.
The story is so all consuming that once you start you are instantly transported into that world and it keeps it's hold even after the last page. It creates an instant addiction. One you're more than happy to get lost in.
Read
April 14, 2020• Downloaded and listened to over half a million times.
• Dark and gritty urban fantasy that broke the mold when it was released in 2014.
• Amazon Breakthrough novel Award Finalist (Beyond the Veil)
• Adored by tens of thousands of fans worldwide
• Dark and gritty urban fantasy that broke the mold when it was released in 2014.
• Amazon Breakthrough novel Award Finalist (Beyond the Veil)
• Adored by tens of thousands of fans worldwide
June 1, 2016
After years of being passed around from one demon to another, Charlie (Muse) who is a half demon has managed to gain her freedom. But demons don't give up their possessions willingly and she finds herself once again battling for her life.
Beyond the Veil doesn't have the strongest start. For the first 30% I wasn't feeling much love and probably could have walked away without any regrets. But it improves dramatically and by the halfway mark I found myself eager to see how it all ended. The men in this book aren't all that well written, they're kind of cookie cutter stereotypes but the women (I think there might only be two) are interesting and save the book from mediocrity.
Beyond the Veil doesn't have the strongest start. For the first 30% I wasn't feeling much love and probably could have walked away without any regrets. But it improves dramatically and by the halfway mark I found myself eager to see how it all ended. The men in this book aren't all that well written, they're kind of cookie cutter stereotypes but the women (I think there might only be two) are interesting and save the book from mediocrity.
November 6, 2017
BTV is good UF, it goes stright to the point without nonsense and shit. The MC is a badass and the two guys are exactly what a UF fan needs.
December 8, 2016
The first in Miss DaCosta's Veil series, Beyond the Veil has a cinematic feel to it. While reading, I could see the action as if it was on a big screen and I was settled in a comfy theater seat--middle of the row, first row after the aisle behind the front section, with a cherry ICEE and a small popcorn, extra butter. (What? I'm particular about my movie-going experience, okay?) I guess in a pinch it would work as a TV show or miniseries. But on a network classier than Syfy. (Sorry for the shade, Syfy. I love you but did we really need a Lake Placid/Anaconda crossover sequel?)
This is a well written, smooth Urban Fantasy read. It does have hints of Paranormal Romance to it, which surprised me; the love scenes were an odd mix of hot and heavy with an abrupt fade to black. It felt like a door was shut in my face just as things got smexy, lol. And of course I do love the idea of a world of demons and the supernatural hidden to humans. The imagery and metaphors the author used to describe the veil was really very cool.
I did have a couple gripes, the biggest being certain decisions Muse makes that somewhat conflict with what would make more sense for her given her character's history of abuse. She was rather quick to trust and even fall in love, which seemed to be a stretch after the years of mental, physical, and sexual torture she suffered. And that was another thing. She was seriously well adjusted despite all of that. Maybe having the demon inside her helped her to cope? I dunno. It's just that these things were done to her for most of her life; it wasn't a one time event. Did she go to therapy? There weren't any manifestations of PTSD that I noticed or anything like that, and when combined with how fast she was to give her heart up to people, it just seemed off to me. Maybe it was because the things her former master did to her were mostly glossed over in the book and not recalled in detail, so I didn't really feel an appropriate emotional impact associated with it. Perhaps the concern was it would make this too dark a read if the extent of her suffering was shown? It doesn't matter in the end I suppose, and I realize I'm nitpicking here. The other slight grievance was I felt a tad disconnected from the hero, and wasn't really feeling the secondary characters. This could be because the POV is first person.
In conclusion, Beyond the Veil is a great story by a talented author. The things I was iffy about are minor, really. I'm excited to follow Muse's story in the subsequent releases, and learn what became of the loose ends left by book 1.
This is a well written, smooth Urban Fantasy read. It does have hints of Paranormal Romance to it, which surprised me; the love scenes were an odd mix of hot and heavy with an abrupt fade to black. It felt like a door was shut in my face just as things got smexy, lol. And of course I do love the idea of a world of demons and the supernatural hidden to humans. The imagery and metaphors the author used to describe the veil was really very cool.
I did have a couple gripes, the biggest being certain decisions Muse makes that somewhat conflict with what would make more sense for her given her character's history of abuse. She was rather quick to trust and even fall in love, which seemed to be a stretch after the years of mental, physical, and sexual torture she suffered. And that was another thing. She was seriously well adjusted despite all of that. Maybe having the demon inside her helped her to cope? I dunno. It's just that these things were done to her for most of her life; it wasn't a one time event. Did she go to therapy? There weren't any manifestations of PTSD that I noticed or anything like that, and when combined with how fast she was to give her heart up to people, it just seemed off to me. Maybe it was because the things her former master did to her were mostly glossed over in the book and not recalled in detail, so I didn't really feel an appropriate emotional impact associated with it. Perhaps the concern was it would make this too dark a read if the extent of her suffering was shown? It doesn't matter in the end I suppose, and I realize I'm nitpicking here. The other slight grievance was I felt a tad disconnected from the hero, and wasn't really feeling the secondary characters. This could be because the POV is first person.
In conclusion, Beyond the Veil is a great story by a talented author. The things I was iffy about are minor, really. I'm excited to follow Muse's story in the subsequent releases, and learn what became of the loose ends left by book 1.
November 19, 2025
Half demon, half human hybrid Charlie has lived her life as a slave to Demon kind. With a price on her head, her only benefactor has been the Demon Prince of Greed. She finds herself on a run with hell hounds hot on her trail. Rescued by another half breed, Charlie discovers lies and betrayal come at a devastating cost.
I was very excited to read this new Urban Fantasy, Beyond the Veil. Awesome cover, excellent synopsis, it had all the makings of an incredible read. Quite honestly, I was 100% on board for the first 50% of the book but then it started to take some unusual turns that just didn't work. I'm all for twisty, turning plots but these changes gave it a scattered feeling which inevitably ripped my connection right out of the story.
Great premise, excellent start, but unsure of the plot direction, I'm willing to give book 2 a shot to see where it leads.
I received this copy of Beyond The Veil from Victory Editing in exchange for a honest review.
My Rating: 3 stars
I was very excited to read this new Urban Fantasy, Beyond the Veil. Awesome cover, excellent synopsis, it had all the makings of an incredible read. Quite honestly, I was 100% on board for the first 50% of the book but then it started to take some unusual turns that just didn't work. I'm all for twisty, turning plots but these changes gave it a scattered feeling which inevitably ripped my connection right out of the story.
Great premise, excellent start, but unsure of the plot direction, I'm willing to give book 2 a shot to see where it leads.
I received this copy of Beyond The Veil from Victory Editing in exchange for a honest review.
My Rating: 3 stars
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