Lust

by Sanzaki Kojika

In their tiny Chicago-land office, Vere and his partner Thomas take any case big or small, and will do anything to see it solved. A woman hires them to find out the truth behind her boyfriend’s sudden illness, but when their case takes a turn towards the supernatural, they might not be enough.

When Thomas falls prey to their mysterious attacker, things only get worse. Armed with minimal knowledge and left to fend for himself, Vere’s in for the ride of his life. He might have found help, but his new partner is a creature of nightmares herself - a Succubus.

(ISBN 1523259884)

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 5, 2016

About the author

Fawn Szymoniak, aka "Sanzaki Kojika" has been a residence of the fantasy world from a young age, growing up in a house full of books and mythology. Her mother introduced her to fantasy works by authors like Barbara Hambly and Terry Brooks. By the age of 8, she had already written her first novel (albeit crudely). On top of her writing, she is also a freelance graphic designer. She has several graphic novels self-published, including her ongoing webcomic series "Zos Kias," at 12 volumes in 2020, with a new one each year.

Reviews

[Natalie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good solid read i look forward to book 2

I've only just finished this book but I'm already looking forward to reading book 2 when get the time. There are so many characters in this book that I would like read more about. This book only gives us a small look into the world where its set but the possibilities leave you wanted more. It has all the elements of good detective story but with unknown mythical creatures. I don't want to spoil the story but I loved how the narrator Vere Cain drip feeds information about his own past and his working relationship with Thomas throughout the main story. I also loved the banter between Vere and Thomas who's working relationship often seems like an old married couple in a fun way. As will as mystery there is a lot of drama. I would recommend the book to anyone who a good detective novel as well as those who like books about mythological creatures such as vampires werewolves and occult magic. I look forward to book 2 as I feel there is much more to come.

[Alex Fayborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this one, even though it is not the usual genre that I often pick up to read. I really like Vere and can relate to him the most out of all the characters thus far. I don't know too much about Thomas to form an opinion of him just yet, but Priti is an interesting character. I'm not sure if I 100% like her yet, but she treats Vere well (so far) but I don't know if she's totally on his side. I'm glad that I chose to pick up this book and I look forward to finding out more about Priti and even Thomas and why exactly she is choosing to work alongside the two boys. I really hope that nothing major happens to Vere or I think I'll be very upset, though I will continue with the series regardless. I have already started on Greed and I think I like it even more than this one!

[Joe Pranaitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Archive of Sinners book 1 we meet Cain Investigations, Thomas and Vere who have been asked to look into a case dealing with men going into a coma for weeks on end, through out there investigation Thomas falls into a coma while Vere along with their new ally and Vere's new paranormal teacher Priti who is a succubus track down the person or being responsible for the comas. I'll leave it at that but I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series and I highly recommend that you pick up a copy too.    

[TheLoneKing · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review of Lust by Sanzaki Kojika

I just finished reading this horror novel in about five hours, and my time feels well spent. Lust is the first of a seven part series that seem to revolve around the seven deadly sins and the detective agency that that investigates the sins.

This is the second Sanzaki Kojika project I've read, having also read her Zos Kias manga (also pretty good!).

Lust is a tale about Vere Cain, a young man with magical powers. He joins a detective agency, and after many normal encounters the book opens on their early work on a supernatural case.

Men are falling into comas all around Chicago, and the detective duo of Thomas and Vere Cain are hired to figure out who or what is the cause!

The book reminds me a bit of of Batman and Robin, a bit like the Dean Koontz Odd Thomas series of books, with mystical things dancing just out of sight most of the time. The book is pretty unique in that despite being a supernatural detective horror book, it seems to have characters that are not exactly like any other book!

The book feels like a TV movie pilot for a TV series, leaving me to click on the next episode.

Part of the genius of this book is that even though it deals with one of the seven deadly sins, usually Heavy R-rated material such as I the movie Se7en or American Horror story, Lust is a most a hard PG or a soft PG-13 in terms of violence and sexuality, making it it in no way a “dirty book”, which is refreshing in a world of 50 shades of Gray clones.

The second book is already out, and I'm looking forward to reading it and the rest of the series!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really good. It had a real solid story, lots of likeable characters, and it was very well written. I think my favorite out of all of them is Priti. I am still trying to figure out Vere. I just can’t get a read on him. I am also trying to figure out the ending. I understand about Vere’s ability, but wouldn’t Iria/ Jules have still remembered she was a succubus even if she doesn’t remember everything with Rati? If she doesn’t remember, couldn’t that be bad in the long run since she won’t know how she needs to feed? I look forward to reading more of this series.