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Nava Katz #2
The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Sting
50% boobs.
50% sarcasm.
100% new breed of hunter.
After a bumpy start as the only female demon hunter in the top secret Brotherhood of David, Nava heads to Prague for her first undercover mission: unmasking a demon movie star.
She’d be all kinds of thrilled if it weren’t for the fact that her fellow hunter-with-benefits, Rohan, has reclaimed his rock star status and assigned Nava the role of groupie.
Rejecting her “be a good girl and follow orders” directive, Nava unleashes an alter ego guaranteed to hook their celebrity target and drive Rohan crazy.
No downside–until she finds herself up against Rohan’s past, the Brotherhood’s antiquated thinking, and her own identity issues, turning her personal life into a bomb that could blow up the entire operation.
Sparkly and deadly; it’s a plan.
50% sarcasm.
100% new breed of hunter.
After a bumpy start as the only female demon hunter in the top secret Brotherhood of David, Nava heads to Prague for her first undercover mission: unmasking a demon movie star.
She’d be all kinds of thrilled if it weren’t for the fact that her fellow hunter-with-benefits, Rohan, has reclaimed his rock star status and assigned Nava the role of groupie.
Rejecting her “be a good girl and follow orders” directive, Nava unleashes an alter ego guaranteed to hook their celebrity target and drive Rohan crazy.
No downside–until she finds herself up against Rohan’s past, the Brotherhood’s antiquated thinking, and her own identity issues, turning her personal life into a bomb that could blow up the entire operation.
Sparkly and deadly; it’s a plan.
422 pages, ebook
First published June 26, 2017
1160 people are currently reading
589 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Wilde
42 books1,057 followersDeborah Wilde is a global wanderer and hopeless romantic. After twelve years as a screenwriter, she was also a total cynic with a broken edit button, so, she jumped ship, started writing funny, sexy, urban fantasy and paranormal women’s fiction books, and never looked back.
She loves writing smart, flawed, wisecracking women who can solve a mystery, kick supernatural butt, banter with hot men, and still make time for their best female friend, because those were the women she grew up around and admired. Granted, her grandmother never had to kill a demon at her weekly friend lunches, but Deborah is pretty sure she could have.
she/her
Smart (ass) heroines. Epic magic. Red-hot romance.
She loves writing smart, flawed, wisecracking women who can solve a mystery, kick supernatural butt, banter with hot men, and still make time for their best female friend, because those were the women she grew up around and admired. Granted, her grandmother never had to kill a demon at her weekly friend lunches, but Deborah is pretty sure she could have.
she/her
Smart (ass) heroines. Epic magic. Red-hot romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
July 2, 2017
I kept hoping the Brotherhood would spring my own personal Giles on me, but sadly that had not yet come to pass. Buffy had lied big time about the perks of being chosen.
It hasn't really been all that long (February) since I read book one in the Nava Katz series but considering the amount I read, the various genres and plots and characters rattling around in my (admittedly otherwise hollow) head, I needed no recap to remember where thing stood for these characters and the plotlines that had been explored. This is definitely one of those series, full of unique and fun personalities, that stick.
"Look at my face. Now put all your admittedly limited powers of deduction to the test and tell me if it says 'sass me'."
Without any time jump, we open up pretty much where book one ended. Nava is still adjusting to her new status as the only female member of the Brotherhood, a group of demon hunters with Jewish roots, and they are gathering intel in the lead-up to traveling to Prague in order to unmask Samson King, a famous actor who they believe to be a demon with far-reaching connections and plans for world domination.. more or less.
Rasha magic stemmed from personality dysfunction, like how Kane with his poison power was a literal manifestation of him being toxic in relationships. As far as I was concerned, my magic was simply electric awesomeness and not, as Ari had said, my 'desire to shock others and keep them at bay made tangible'.
Adding to the complexity of Nava's status, she's delegated to the undercover role of Rohan's groupie, a fellow member of the Brotherhood with a rockstar past, and the man she happens to be bumping sexyparts with. They have a complicated relationship, stemming mostly from one of them refusing to allow a certain intimate act (not that, you sickos), made even more complicated by the sudden appearance of Rohan's exgirlfriend; the major love of his life.
"Hey! I have a moral compass."
"Yeah, with Hell as your true north."
I usually hate the 'insert ex to cause drama here' addition to a plot but Wilde gave us such a great character in Lily. And likewise, as much as Nava wanted to hate her, was jealous, felt all sorts of emotions that she struggled to not only deal with but identify, she, too, didn't spiral out into typical romance trope tendencies. I loved how fresh and exciting and, I hate to say it, rare that was. In fact there were multiple occasions (one of them so fucking hilarious) where Nava could've sabotaged or betrayed either Lily or Rohan and she didn't. The whole situation was an angsty frustrating delight.
"Nava Katz. The gift that keeps on giving."
"Like herpes."
Sure, maybe she's like herpes, but as mentioned above this is the kind of character other female readers want to see. Yes, she's snarky and funny and that's great, but she's got this beautiful blend of vulnerability and fortitude and kick-assery, while still being true and honest, that is so refreshing to see.
"The Brotherhood should have been prepared for me."
"No one can prepare for you. Not even FEMA."
But enough about Nava. She might be the star of this show but Wilde also gives us a pile of other brilliant characters. This time we reduced some of the group that had been introduced into book one and focused mainly on three of them, with some new (temporary?) faces, and that was perfect. Drio really took a step up and I loved the evolution not only of himself but of how he interacted with Nava. Their relationship became one of the highlights for me and I'm really looking forward to more of him -- and his little short story! I have CRUSH queue'd up next.
"What's important is that I could pick his manaconda out of a police line-up."
"Never use that word again."
Equally wonderful, as always, was Rohan. He definitely showed sides of himself we'd only heard about before and, in contrast to Drio, his evolution was more of a.. de-volution. In having to act in his own undercover role as his superstar rockstar persona, we saw sides of Rohan that were unlikeable (self-five for the title tie-in). And that even he didn't like. The only downside to having only Nava's snarky POV is a lot of the Rohan scenes were seen only from her perspective (obviously) and with the way things ended I need him to do some 'splaining, please! I have so many questions about his behaviour and considering the synopsis of book three.. I don't know if they have good answers.
"Are you listening to me?"
"Not really. But don't stress yourself. Long-winded villain plans are generally where I leave to go to the bathroom."
Chock full of complicated and total visual asskicking, sensual push and pull swoons, crass clever and crude hilarity, a bevy of sexy undercover outfits, delicious pastries, solid and realistic female friendships, new secrets and plots, Prague, emotional angst, and even more icky gross demons, STING -- book two in the Nava Katz series -- was a definite win for me and a solid follow up to book one. No middle book syndrome here, folks!
Before I wrap this longwinded review, in honour of it being Canada day and the fact that I spent it reading a book by a Canadian author (woo!), I thought this particular quote was just so so perfect :
A French family a few rows behind us made loud, disparaging comments about Americans. As a Canadian, I'd seen enough American backpackers sporting Canadian flags that I was happy to reinforce any bad perception of Americans abroad. Payback.
That's right. We see you stealing our flags. We are wise to you. Peace out, 'Murricah.
4.25 "thank you for understanding that when I say I don't like people, I'm not doing it to make polite conversation" stars
It hasn't really been all that long (February) since I read book one in the Nava Katz series but considering the amount I read, the various genres and plots and characters rattling around in my (admittedly otherwise hollow) head, I needed no recap to remember where thing stood for these characters and the plotlines that had been explored. This is definitely one of those series, full of unique and fun personalities, that stick.
"Look at my face. Now put all your admittedly limited powers of deduction to the test and tell me if it says 'sass me'."
Without any time jump, we open up pretty much where book one ended. Nava is still adjusting to her new status as the only female member of the Brotherhood, a group of demon hunters with Jewish roots, and they are gathering intel in the lead-up to traveling to Prague in order to unmask Samson King, a famous actor who they believe to be a demon with far-reaching connections and plans for world domination.. more or less.
Rasha magic stemmed from personality dysfunction, like how Kane with his poison power was a literal manifestation of him being toxic in relationships. As far as I was concerned, my magic was simply electric awesomeness and not, as Ari had said, my 'desire to shock others and keep them at bay made tangible'.
Adding to the complexity of Nava's status, she's delegated to the undercover role of Rohan's groupie, a fellow member of the Brotherhood with a rockstar past, and the man she happens to be bumping sexyparts with. They have a complicated relationship, stemming mostly from one of them refusing to allow a certain intimate act (not that, you sickos), made even more complicated by the sudden appearance of Rohan's exgirlfriend; the major love of his life.
"Hey! I have a moral compass."
"Yeah, with Hell as your true north."
I usually hate the 'insert ex to cause drama here' addition to a plot but Wilde gave us such a great character in Lily. And likewise, as much as Nava wanted to hate her, was jealous, felt all sorts of emotions that she struggled to not only deal with but identify, she, too, didn't spiral out into typical romance trope tendencies. I loved how fresh and exciting and, I hate to say it, rare that was. In fact there were multiple occasions (one of them so fucking hilarious) where Nava could've sabotaged or betrayed either Lily or Rohan and she didn't. The whole situation was an angsty frustrating delight.
"Nava Katz. The gift that keeps on giving."
"Like herpes."
Sure, maybe she's like herpes, but as mentioned above this is the kind of character other female readers want to see. Yes, she's snarky and funny and that's great, but she's got this beautiful blend of vulnerability and fortitude and kick-assery, while still being true and honest, that is so refreshing to see.
"The Brotherhood should have been prepared for me."
"No one can prepare for you. Not even FEMA."
But enough about Nava. She might be the star of this show but Wilde also gives us a pile of other brilliant characters. This time we reduced some of the group that had been introduced into book one and focused mainly on three of them, with some new (temporary?) faces, and that was perfect. Drio really took a step up and I loved the evolution not only of himself but of how he interacted with Nava. Their relationship became one of the highlights for me and I'm really looking forward to more of him -- and his little short story! I have CRUSH queue'd up next.
"What's important is that I could pick his manaconda out of a police line-up."
"Never use that word again."
Equally wonderful, as always, was Rohan. He definitely showed sides of himself we'd only heard about before and, in contrast to Drio, his evolution was more of a.. de-volution. In having to act in his own undercover role as his superstar rockstar persona, we saw sides of Rohan that were unlikeable (self-five for the title tie-in). And that even he didn't like. The only downside to having only Nava's snarky POV is a lot of the Rohan scenes were seen only from her perspective (obviously) and with the way things ended I need him to do some 'splaining, please! I have so many questions about his behaviour and considering the synopsis of book three.. I don't know if they have good answers.
"Are you listening to me?"
"Not really. But don't stress yourself. Long-winded villain plans are generally where I leave to go to the bathroom."
Chock full of complicated and total visual asskicking, sensual push and pull swoons, crass clever and crude hilarity, a bevy of sexy undercover outfits, delicious pastries, solid and realistic female friendships, new secrets and plots, Prague, emotional angst, and even more icky gross demons, STING -- book two in the Nava Katz series -- was a definite win for me and a solid follow up to book one. No middle book syndrome here, folks!
Before I wrap this longwinded review, in honour of it being Canada day and the fact that I spent it reading a book by a Canadian author (woo!), I thought this particular quote was just so so perfect :
A French family a few rows behind us made loud, disparaging comments about Americans. As a Canadian, I'd seen enough American backpackers sporting Canadian flags that I was happy to reinforce any bad perception of Americans abroad. Payback.
That's right. We see you stealing our flags. We are wise to you. Peace out, 'Murricah.
4.25 "thank you for understanding that when I say I don't like people, I'm not doing it to make polite conversation" stars
January 9, 2019
No sophomore curse for this one. Nope. Just as good as the first one, in some ways even better. More character development, more unbalanced situations, the beginnings of new myphologies. This is the stuff!
I'm even growing a bit more attached to Rohan. And what's there not to love about Nava?
"Folding and organizing were for saps. I prefered hunting and rooting, the thrill of the never-ending treasure hunt for my personal belonings."
Preach, girl!
Over and out.
I'm even growing a bit more attached to Rohan. And what's there not to love about Nava?
"Folding and organizing were for saps. I prefered hunting and rooting, the thrill of the never-ending treasure hunt for my personal belonings."
Preach, girl!
Over and out.
August 28, 2024
The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Sting is book two in the Nava Katz series by Deborah Wilde. This series needs to be read in order.
I had a fun time reading book 2. Their is so much snark, sexual tension, and action.
Nava’s on her first mission as a demon-hunter. She’s trying so hard to find her feet in the world as a demon-hunter in an organization that has been only male up until now. Her relationship with Rohan (the friends with benefits guy) is changing and who knows where it will go. Rohan and Nave’s relationship is tested on this mission with Rohan’s childhood friend and previous love showing up and Nava’s own insecurities and stubbornness. All this adds up to is an emotional up and down journey that she and us go on. Her friendship with Drio is also growing and we see Ari’s story get some closure.
So many fun and emotional things pop up in The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Sting. It’s fast-paced, action-packed, with twists and an ending that will make you want to pick up the next book to find out what happens next.
Rated: 4 Stars
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Deborah Wilde with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
I had a fun time reading book 2. Their is so much snark, sexual tension, and action.
Nava’s on her first mission as a demon-hunter. She’s trying so hard to find her feet in the world as a demon-hunter in an organization that has been only male up until now. Her relationship with Rohan (the friends with benefits guy) is changing and who knows where it will go. Rohan and Nave’s relationship is tested on this mission with Rohan’s childhood friend and previous love showing up and Nava’s own insecurities and stubbornness. All this adds up to is an emotional up and down journey that she and us go on. Her friendship with Drio is also growing and we see Ari’s story get some closure.
So many fun and emotional things pop up in The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Sting. It’s fast-paced, action-packed, with twists and an ending that will make you want to pick up the next book to find out what happens next.
Rated: 4 Stars
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Deborah Wilde with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
February 12, 2018
I was really contemplating how much stars I should give this one - I was jumping back and forth between 3 and 4 again and again.
I really really enjoy this series, Nava, the world building and other characters. But the miscommunication, the amount of lying to themselves, irrational character behaviour and such was a little bit too much for me.
I don‘t mind OW drama as much as some of my GR friends, but it should not take place the whole book for me to enjoy it. It was just too much for me, his ex girlfriend, the other groupie - the whole push and pull thing, misunderstandings. It just went on too long for me. I like some angst and some drama in my books, they tend to be boring if they don‘t have at least some of that, but I don‘t need constant drama throughout a whole book and literally NOTHING was cleared up at the end.
That aside I had tons of fun reading this book!
I was indeed a bit bummed, we get so little of Tree Trunk, but for this we get even more of superasshole Drio. To this day I don‘t really get why he hated her with such a passion in the beginning, but it is awesome to see how she starts to grow on him like fungus. There are glimpses how sweet he can really be and it reminded me a little bit of the Nighthuntress series and Ian‘s and Cat‘s relationship, which I absolutely adore, especially towards the end.
The antagonist in this book was a bit of a miss for me, his and Nava‘s relationship was really weird and not plausible in my eyes, but in the end didn‘t bother me much and was okay.
It was a great follow up to the first book and has despite its flaws the potential to became one of my favorite urban fantasy reads. If you’ll excuse me, I am off to read the third book!
I also missed Leo and Ari, but because of the setting it was very plausible and hopefully we get more of them in the next book.
I really really enjoy this series, Nava, the world building and other characters. But the miscommunication, the amount of lying to themselves, irrational character behaviour and such was a little bit too much for me.
I don‘t mind OW drama as much as some of my GR friends, but it should not take place the whole book for me to enjoy it. It was just too much for me, his ex girlfriend, the other groupie - the whole push and pull thing, misunderstandings. It just went on too long for me. I like some angst and some drama in my books, they tend to be boring if they don‘t have at least some of that, but I don‘t need constant drama throughout a whole book and literally NOTHING was cleared up at the end.
That aside I had tons of fun reading this book!
I was indeed a bit bummed, we get so little of Tree Trunk, but for this we get even more of superasshole Drio. To this day I don‘t really get why he hated her with such a passion in the beginning, but it is awesome to see how she starts to grow on him like fungus. There are glimpses how sweet he can really be and it reminded me a little bit of the Nighthuntress series and Ian‘s and Cat‘s relationship, which I absolutely adore, especially towards the end.
The antagonist in this book was a bit of a miss for me, his and Nava‘s relationship was really weird and not plausible in my eyes, but in the end didn‘t bother me much and was okay.
It was a great follow up to the first book and has despite its flaws the potential to became one of my favorite urban fantasy reads. If you’ll excuse me, I am off to read the third book!
I also missed Leo and Ari, but because of the setting it was very plausible and hopefully we get more of them in the next book.
July 2, 2017
Kindle Unlimited 3.5
I do love this series but am somewhat put off by the off again/on again romance factor. So many books go through this angsty romance stuff which I find tormentingly boring, enough so that it detracts from the story rather than adding that bit of extra spice.
Aside from my romance factor whine, the witty repartee remains up to par and the hip factor, together with the comic portions, manage to lighten up parts of the tale.
Because of the teenage romance angst, and by the looks of it this continues into the next novel, I am considering ditching the series. After all, there's not enough time in the day to approach my ever increasing TBR list.
I do love this series but am somewhat put off by the off again/on again romance factor. So many books go through this angsty romance stuff which I find tormentingly boring, enough so that it detracts from the story rather than adding that bit of extra spice.
Aside from my romance factor whine, the witty repartee remains up to par and the hip factor, together with the comic portions, manage to lighten up parts of the tale.
Because of the teenage romance angst, and by the looks of it this continues into the next novel, I am considering ditching the series. After all, there's not enough time in the day to approach my ever increasing TBR list.
Read
September 12, 2018DNF at 50%
I was hoping the original storyline and interesting characters would make up for the lack of romance but unfortunately, it doesn't. Don't get me wrong, there's sex in this one and the hint that feelings are involved, it's just more about scratching an itch and regretting it than romance. I'm not invested enough to wait for Nava and Rohan to grow the heck up and accept the feelings they have for each other. A wee bit too high school with nasty teachers, petty squabbles, him acting the manwhore out of spite and her acting bratty, to suit me. This series had potential but it just missed the mark by a smidge.
I was hoping the original storyline and interesting characters would make up for the lack of romance but unfortunately, it doesn't. Don't get me wrong, there's sex in this one and the hint that feelings are involved, it's just more about scratching an itch and regretting it than romance. I'm not invested enough to wait for Nava and Rohan to grow the heck up and accept the feelings they have for each other. A wee bit too high school with nasty teachers, petty squabbles, him acting the manwhore out of spite and her acting bratty, to suit me. This series had potential but it just missed the mark by a smidge.
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September 27, 2019
I've rarely been so disappointed in a sequel - and what makes it worse is that the writing, the dialogue, the action, was still all on point.
But the romance was shot to utter shite. The hero gets a bloody f*cking BLOWJOB from an OW after he hooked up with the heroine in the last book, and as if that's not bad enough, he kisses and flirts with his ex-girlfriend (another OW) MULTIPLE TIMES while STILL stringing the heroine along with sex!!! And she's lost enough brain cells since the last book to accept that!!! I was really proud of her attitude to men in the first book, and I can't express how disappointed I am that she started to embody the 'betraying body' trope.
The guy doesn't even F*CKING APOLOGISE!!!
Ordinarily I'd DNF, but I'm now caught on the good worldbuilding and wider plot, so I shall persevere. But it's going to take an Act of God to resurrect my enthusiasm for this romance now.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
But the romance was shot to utter shite. The hero gets a bloody f*cking BLOWJOB from an OW after he hooked up with the heroine in the last book, and as if that's not bad enough, he kisses and flirts with his ex-girlfriend (another OW) MULTIPLE TIMES while STILL stringing the heroine along with sex!!! And she's lost enough brain cells since the last book to accept that!!! I was really proud of her attitude to men in the first book, and I can't express how disappointed I am that she started to embody the 'betraying body' trope.
The guy doesn't even F*CKING APOLOGISE!!!
Ordinarily I'd DNF, but I'm now caught on the good worldbuilding and wider plot, so I shall persevere. But it's going to take an Act of God to resurrect my enthusiasm for this romance now.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
March 24, 2021
I have very low tolerance for OW drama and this book was alllll OW drama. There were two OW subplots going on here. First, they run into Rohan's childhood ex-girlfriend Lily in Prague. He is genuinely fond of Lily as they were friends before they briefly dated so they spend time together. While I didn't like this, I understood it. Him and Nava are only FWB's and he is catching up with an old friend. The second subplot is that for the sake of the demon killing mission, Rohan had to pose as a celebrity, and thus was surrounded by groupies. He entertained their attention and even got a blowjob from one (the one who was antagonizing Nava), and this annoyed me the most bc there was no reason for it. If anything, it went against the objective of the mission. It really made me mad. What made me even madder though was the way Nava handled all of this. She refuses to be honest about her emotions, even with herself, so she keeps telling herself, Rohan, and everyone around her that she doesn't care and he is free to do what he wants, which means she hurts herself over and over by staying in this situation and then inevitably ends up acting out in pettiness/passive aggression from all the built up emotion. I think it triggers me so much bc it reminds me of something college-me would do, and college me should be set on fire.
"You want a beer?" the waiter asked me.
"Lemon radler." Rohan looked horrified at my order. "Some of us are concerned about getting our daily fruit content," I said.
"Oh no. Not even you can convince yourself of that."
"That's cute. You have no idea what I can convince myself of."
Towards the end of this, Rohan sang a love song to his ex-girlfriend in front of a crowd of thousands and it tore Nava up inside, but she goes backstage and for some reason is about to initiate a hookup w him, and then when the ex-girlfriend comes in all giddy about the song and kisses him, and he kisses her back infront of Nava, so she almost fucks his best friend. The word toxic almost doesn't cover it. Also, when they were both in mortal danger, he chose to save Lily over her. And while Lily is a gentle flower and generally needs more tending to than Nava who can handle herself, he didn't even follow up after to see if she was alright. Rohan lost sooooo many points from me in this book it's not even funny. It's mainly just annoying bc if I didn't think they were so funny and compatible and had some of the best banter from any couple I've ever read, I wouldn't care so much. They have so much potential and could be amazinggg if they just dropped the games.
"Don't wreck my hard work. You have your role and I have mine."
"You mean swallowing?"
I throw him a pitying smile. "It's such an easy option for getting what I want."
The one good thing that came out of this though was Drio having Nava's back always and their budding friendship. Those two could be a power team of evil if they wanted to be.
"The brotherhood should've prepared for me."
"No one can prepare for you," Drio quipped. "Not even FEMA."
"You want a beer?" the waiter asked me.
"Lemon radler." Rohan looked horrified at my order. "Some of us are concerned about getting our daily fruit content," I said.
"Oh no. Not even you can convince yourself of that."
"That's cute. You have no idea what I can convince myself of."
Towards the end of this, Rohan sang a love song to his ex-girlfriend in front of a crowd of thousands and it tore Nava up inside, but she goes backstage and for some reason is about to initiate a hookup w him, and then when the ex-girlfriend comes in all giddy about the song and kisses him, and he kisses her back infront of Nava, so she almost fucks his best friend. The word toxic almost doesn't cover it. Also, when they were both in mortal danger, he chose to save Lily over her. And while Lily is a gentle flower and generally needs more tending to than Nava who can handle herself, he didn't even follow up after to see if she was alright. Rohan lost sooooo many points from me in this book it's not even funny. It's mainly just annoying bc if I didn't think they were so funny and compatible and had some of the best banter from any couple I've ever read, I wouldn't care so much. They have so much potential and could be amazinggg if they just dropped the games.
"Don't wreck my hard work. You have your role and I have mine."
"You mean swallowing?"
I throw him a pitying smile. "It's such an easy option for getting what I want."
The one good thing that came out of this though was Drio having Nava's back always and their budding friendship. Those two could be a power team of evil if they wanted to be.
"The brotherhood should've prepared for me."
"No one can prepare for you," Drio quipped. "Not even FEMA."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2019
Nava's adventures continue, and she gets her wish of being allowed to join the guys on an overseas mission.
She is still as irreverent as ever, making her own way instead of blindly following directions, and proving that she might be just as good as her fellow fighters.
The story takes place in Prague, where Nava has two missions - to help uncover the demon identity of a mega movie star, and the secret mission of finding a way to get her brother inducted into the brotherhood.
At the same time, her friends-with-benefits relationship with Rohan gets shaken up, both by her role as the groupie to his rockstar persona, and the .
Nava makes great strides in this book, .
I am looking forward to continuing her story in Need, after the short story about Drio in Crush.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Slay (Nava Katz #1.5) ~ ★★★ (28/04/2018)
✦ The Unlikeable Demon Hunter (Nava Katz, #1)~ ★★★★ (28/04/2018)
She is still as irreverent as ever, making her own way instead of blindly following directions, and proving that she might be just as good as her fellow fighters.
The story takes place in Prague, where Nava has two missions - to help uncover the demon identity of a mega movie star, and the secret mission of finding a way to get her brother inducted into the brotherhood.
At the same time, her friends-with-benefits relationship with Rohan gets shaken up, both by her role as the groupie to his rockstar persona, and the .
Nava makes great strides in this book, .
I am looking forward to continuing her story in Need, after the short story about Drio in Crush.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Slay (Nava Katz #1.5) ~ ★★★ (28/04/2018)
✦ The Unlikeable Demon Hunter (Nava Katz, #1)~ ★★★★ (28/04/2018)
June 29, 2017
Wait! No!!! And now I have to wait until September. Damnation!
Excuse my profanity, but... Just as I was totally invested in Nava's story, the book ended. And now I have to wait.
Let's backtrack.
I liked book one of the series well enough, it was cute and fun. Totally Wilde's Mo, if you ask me.
When I started this book I thought I'll be getting more of the same. Fun, cute, imaginative and your usual PNR rump. Great entertainment. In fact, The Unlikeable Demon Hunter kinda reminds me of Ghost Busters. I am talking about the entertainment factor, the fast pace and the fun dialogues. A bit of light entertainment, that is really imaginative. Oh and then there is the cool factor, that reminds me of Men in Black- just with demons and rabbis.
I wasn't quite buying Nav and Ro's connection until the last quarter of the book. And then, well Wilde went and ripped out my heart!
Somewhere around halfway, this took a turn from entertaining to me being totally invested in the characters. Because the MCs changed from feeling a bit formulaic to unique.
Wild did a great job at the character building in this installment. There is way less cliche, more unique and a hell of a lot more unexpected.
The plot is fast-paced with a few great twists. There are still your big movie moments, the last scene included, but they now feel like the best thing ever. I honestly hope someone will turn this into an awesome series- you know like Alias but with demons.
Last but not least the world building becomes better and better. I love the mix of myth, history and fantasy. Well constructed!
My only little issue. I was a bit disappointed with how quickly the situation with Asmodeus was solved and I was left with a ton of questions. Which brings be back to what I said right in the beginning: September? Really?
Excuse my profanity, but... Just as I was totally invested in Nava's story, the book ended. And now I have to wait.
Let's backtrack.
I liked book one of the series well enough, it was cute and fun. Totally Wilde's Mo, if you ask me.
When I started this book I thought I'll be getting more of the same. Fun, cute, imaginative and your usual PNR rump. Great entertainment. In fact, The Unlikeable Demon Hunter kinda reminds me of Ghost Busters. I am talking about the entertainment factor, the fast pace and the fun dialogues. A bit of light entertainment, that is really imaginative. Oh and then there is the cool factor, that reminds me of Men in Black- just with demons and rabbis.
I wasn't quite buying Nav and Ro's connection until the last quarter of the book. And then, well Wilde went and ripped out my heart!
Somewhere around halfway, this took a turn from entertaining to me being totally invested in the characters. Because the MCs changed from feeling a bit formulaic to unique.
Wild did a great job at the character building in this installment. There is way less cliche, more unique and a hell of a lot more unexpected.
The plot is fast-paced with a few great twists. There are still your big movie moments, the last scene included, but they now feel like the best thing ever. I honestly hope someone will turn this into an awesome series- you know like Alias but with demons.
Last but not least the world building becomes better and better. I love the mix of myth, history and fantasy. Well constructed!
My only little issue. I was a bit disappointed with how quickly the situation with Asmodeus was solved and I was left with a ton of questions. Which brings be back to what I said right in the beginning: September? Really?
December 18, 2020
The gang is off to Prague to try to determine if Samson is a demon or not. Both Rohan and Nava are forced to play roles that increase the tension between them and threaten whatever type of relationship they currently have. Nava is also tasked with making contact with someone that might be able to bring about Ari’s initiation into the Brotherhood and give him demon-fighting magic.
I'm getting sucked into this series quickly, mostly due to Rohan and Nava. They are hot together! It almost distracts me entirely from the rest of the plot, which wasn't too bad. The added element of witches to the mix in this world should be interesting in future books. Of course, I groaned a little at the same time since the Brotherhood is already misogynistic and now the female opposition are "witches".
I'm getting sucked into this series quickly, mostly due to Rohan and Nava. They are hot together! It almost distracts me entirely from the rest of the plot, which wasn't too bad. The added element of witches to the mix in this world should be interesting in future books. Of course, I groaned a little at the same time since the Brotherhood is already misogynistic and now the female opposition are "witches".
November 9, 2020
RATING: 4.5 STARS
Rohan and Nava *sigh* lots of ups and downs for these two.
I love Nava always wants to help out those in need and she isn't judgy. She is new to the Demon Club so she hasn't had all their ways drilled into her, so she can see more clearly the 'other' possibilities.
Rohan I get, then I don't get.
Rohan and Nava *sigh* lots of ups and downs for these two.
I love Nava always wants to help out those in need and she isn't judgy. She is new to the Demon Club so she hasn't had all their ways drilled into her, so she can see more clearly the 'other' possibilities.
Rohan I get, then I don't get.
March 10, 2018
While I really enjoyed the first Nava Katz book, this one was a pretty big step back for me. My biggest complaint with the first book was the romance aspect between Nava and Rohan felt really overbearing and took away from Nava's character, which I thought was the most interesting promise of the series. Instead of remedying that, this book devoted most of its effort to "developing" that relationship. I use quotation marks because I don't really feel like much was really developed or at least not in any interesting way. It was mostly just a lot of bickering and frustration, then they'd go on a cute little date where the author continues to try and convince me, unsuccessfully, that Rohan is likable, rinse, lather, repeat till you throw up.
Which brings me to another thing, I feel like all of Rohan's likable qualities are just told to us, such as when he's described as "telling a story with his usual charisma" and commanding the room. We are repeatedly told how he is so "oh. my. god. sexy rock god." But when he talks or interacts with anyone, he just shifts between boring and annoying. I really wouldn't mind if he were just out of the story altogether. In the first book, I could stomach it since it didn't feel as overbearing, but here, focusing on the romance so much just really slowed this book down and made it hard for me to find things to like about it.
Further, this book just generally felt very rushed. The plot doesn't move much until about the 70% mark or so, which is a long time for nothing to happen other than the above-mentioned cringe. Normally, I might be more okay with a slower plot since I like Nava as a character and the first book had a really entertaining and humorous voice that would've been enough to keep me going in itself. But even the humor is lacking compared to the first book. Most of Nava's inner dialogue is just "omgRohanomg" or berating herself for thinking that. It wasn't even the humor falling flat, there just almost was no humor, which was especially disappointing after the first book.
On the other hand, when the plot did pick up, there was some good action here and there and not the entire book was a total flop. Several scenes that I can't say much on without spoilers, especially near the end of the book, were actually really intriguing and set things up that, while they didn't get much payoff in this book, I could see being really interesting moving forward. To be honest, these scenes are the only reason I'm rating this 3 stars. Otherwise, given that it was basically just a very dull romance for ~60% of the book, it would've been 2 stars for me. I felt like the book was just thrown together to have a link between books 1 and 3 so that the subplots it wanted to set up wouldn't be smooshed into the beginning of book 3.
Luckily, those foreshadowed aspects do give me some hope and interest in the books to come, so I plan to continue with the series. I just hope the following installments are handled with more care and are more in line with book 1 than 2. We have enough alpha douche romance and love triangles in this genre and I just think Nava can break that mold better as she does with other tired tropes.
Which brings me to another thing, I feel like all of Rohan's likable qualities are just told to us, such as when he's described as "telling a story with his usual charisma" and commanding the room. We are repeatedly told how he is so "oh. my. god. sexy rock god." But when he talks or interacts with anyone, he just shifts between boring and annoying. I really wouldn't mind if he were just out of the story altogether. In the first book, I could stomach it since it didn't feel as overbearing, but here, focusing on the romance so much just really slowed this book down and made it hard for me to find things to like about it.
Further, this book just generally felt very rushed. The plot doesn't move much until about the 70% mark or so, which is a long time for nothing to happen other than the above-mentioned cringe. Normally, I might be more okay with a slower plot since I like Nava as a character and the first book had a really entertaining and humorous voice that would've been enough to keep me going in itself. But even the humor is lacking compared to the first book. Most of Nava's inner dialogue is just "omgRohanomg" or berating herself for thinking that. It wasn't even the humor falling flat, there just almost was no humor, which was especially disappointing after the first book.
On the other hand, when the plot did pick up, there was some good action here and there and not the entire book was a total flop. Several scenes that I can't say much on without spoilers, especially near the end of the book, were actually really intriguing and set things up that, while they didn't get much payoff in this book, I could see being really interesting moving forward. To be honest, these scenes are the only reason I'm rating this 3 stars. Otherwise, given that it was basically just a very dull romance for ~60% of the book, it would've been 2 stars for me. I felt like the book was just thrown together to have a link between books 1 and 3 so that the subplots it wanted to set up wouldn't be smooshed into the beginning of book 3.
Luckily, those foreshadowed aspects do give me some hope and interest in the books to come, so I plan to continue with the series. I just hope the following installments are handled with more care and are more in line with book 1 than 2. We have enough alpha douche romance and love triangles in this genre and I just think Nava can break that mold better as she does with other tired tropes.
July 20, 2019
Do these people ever become very likeable? Any of them?
April 22, 2020
I still don't know what to say about these books. They are ok, for I'm somewhat interested in knowing what's going on, but at the same time I space out a lot. With my health as it is at this moment, I don't know if the spacing is because of the book or myself...
I'm going to listen to a book not in the series next, so maybe that will shed some light on this conondrum.
And that was a really crappy review. Sorry.
Trying again!
The story was interesting enough, but as you might have guessed, I wasn't all that invested. I got the main points by zoning out while listening.
The new characters were ok, and I liked how the exsiting characters developed, although Nava's "not talking about it"-attitude is pissing me off.
Writing is ok, pacing is ok, the world is better than ok, especially now that it have witches!
So I guess actual rating is 2.5/5 stars
I'm going to listen to a book not in the series next, so maybe that will shed some light on this conondrum.
And that was a really crappy review. Sorry.
Trying again!
The story was interesting enough, but as you might have guessed, I wasn't all that invested. I got the main points by zoning out while listening.
The new characters were ok, and I liked how the exsiting characters developed, although Nava's "not talking about it"-attitude is pissing me off.
Writing is ok, pacing is ok, the world is better than ok, especially now that it have witches!
So I guess actual rating is 2.5/5 stars
January 16, 2022
Oh the Drama, I get it new demon hunter who shouldn’t be a girl and all that good stuff. But her twin is being a boob about it.
And what does Nava do lets risk it all to prove it to him he is a hunter too. Do any of them care that she does it nope.
She strings poor Rohan along its not wonder he doesn’t know which way is up with her.
I get it she has been hurt in the past but Rohan jumps through hoops for her.
Narration is what kept me interested. On to the next.
And what does Nava do lets risk it all to prove it to him he is a hunter too. Do any of them care that she does it nope.
She strings poor Rohan along its not wonder he doesn’t know which way is up with her.
I get it she has been hurt in the past but Rohan jumps through hoops for her.
Narration is what kept me interested. On to the next.
May 24, 2020
I really ship Nava and Rohan so hard and I love this series. That is all.
December 28, 2017
Better!
I'm glad I waited until Book 2 to write a review on this series. After book one I was up in the air on continuing. But I finished my last book so fast I was like let's go ahead and give Nava another try. And I'm glad that I did.
Book 2 is named Sting. Maybe I looked over it but not sure if that title is tied to something in the book or not.
The narrater is Hollie Jackson. She impressed me. She gives Rohan a savory voice that matches him well. She is having to do multiple male voices all with different accents. The accents and dialect come across well for me. I'm not Italian or from the Middle East but they sound authentic to my ears.
The best improvements for the story is giving the hunters an actual mission. It gives the characters a better purpose and goal. Much better concept than a demon father wanting to kill you for jacking off his son to death.
These are still issues for me:
1. The author trys way too hard with the Gay/Bisexual thing. It feels like she is unnecessarily screaming out "Hey, Im cool with Gay people! See how many I squeezed into my book. " I mean gosh, there are more gay men in this book than the M/M romances I've read. Lets count them... Her Brother is Gay, her bestie is Bisexual, 2 of her coworkers are Gay, 2 are possible Bisexual, and there are hints of her lover Rohan being Bisexual. Oh and all work for a strict religious organization who isn't cool with a women being in their club but haven't had an issues with the gay men??? I mean really, what is the likely hood of that???
2. Why is everyone beautiful or gorgeous? This author has fallen in the Laurel K. Hamilton trap of describing the men every chapter and going on about how hot they all are, how good they look in this outfit... ANNOYING.
3. All the men are trained for 20 years to be one hunters, but Nava is sent on her first mission in less than a 3 weeks... hmm? This one I'll let slide because it's one of the reasons why the book is interesting.
4. The Friends with benefits concept. This has been done in most of our real lives and in our fictional characters lives. It never works. So the issues they face in tgis novel are predictable. It would have been nice to have it work out through a few books without it backgiring. Now that would have been something new. An open relationship that actually functions.
Overall I enjoyed this book much more than the last. The events that happen in the end with the bad guy were BLAH but the build up was better.
Audible Books Listener
Alexis :-)
I'm glad I waited until Book 2 to write a review on this series. After book one I was up in the air on continuing. But I finished my last book so fast I was like let's go ahead and give Nava another try. And I'm glad that I did.
Book 2 is named Sting. Maybe I looked over it but not sure if that title is tied to something in the book or not.
The narrater is Hollie Jackson. She impressed me. She gives Rohan a savory voice that matches him well. She is having to do multiple male voices all with different accents. The accents and dialect come across well for me. I'm not Italian or from the Middle East but they sound authentic to my ears.
The best improvements for the story is giving the hunters an actual mission. It gives the characters a better purpose and goal. Much better concept than a demon father wanting to kill you for jacking off his son to death.
These are still issues for me:
1. The author trys way too hard with the Gay/Bisexual thing. It feels like she is unnecessarily screaming out "Hey, Im cool with Gay people! See how many I squeezed into my book. " I mean gosh, there are more gay men in this book than the M/M romances I've read. Lets count them... Her Brother is Gay, her bestie is Bisexual, 2 of her coworkers are Gay, 2 are possible Bisexual, and there are hints of her lover Rohan being Bisexual. Oh and all work for a strict religious organization who isn't cool with a women being in their club but haven't had an issues with the gay men??? I mean really, what is the likely hood of that???
2. Why is everyone beautiful or gorgeous? This author has fallen in the Laurel K. Hamilton trap of describing the men every chapter and going on about how hot they all are, how good they look in this outfit... ANNOYING.
3. All the men are trained for 20 years to be one hunters, but Nava is sent on her first mission in less than a 3 weeks... hmm? This one I'll let slide because it's one of the reasons why the book is interesting.
4. The Friends with benefits concept. This has been done in most of our real lives and in our fictional characters lives. It never works. So the issues they face in tgis novel are predictable. It would have been nice to have it work out through a few books without it backgiring. Now that would have been something new. An open relationship that actually functions.
Overall I enjoyed this book much more than the last. The events that happen in the end with the bad guy were BLAH but the build up was better.
Audible Books Listener
Alexis :-)
June 2, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed the first outing of Nava (the very unlikeable!) and was looking forward to seeing what direction Deborah would go in the second book. I was not disappointed at all.
Nava is trying hard to find her feet in the world of the demon-hunting previously all male brotherhood while looking for a way to help her brother Ari and keep her best friend a secret from said brotherhood. Her friends with benefits relationship with Rohan is tested by the mission, the arrival of Rohan's childhood friend and previous love and by Nava's own insecurities and stubbornness and her hate/hate relationship with Drio evolves into a kind of acceptance of each other, which was good to see.
I can't wait to read the third instalment to find out what happens next.
I received an ARC from the author but decided to voluntarily review this and the opinions are my own.
Nava is trying hard to find her feet in the world of the demon-hunting previously all male brotherhood while looking for a way to help her brother Ari and keep her best friend a secret from said brotherhood. Her friends with benefits relationship with Rohan is tested by the mission, the arrival of Rohan's childhood friend and previous love and by Nava's own insecurities and stubbornness and her hate/hate relationship with Drio evolves into a kind of acceptance of each other, which was good to see.
I can't wait to read the third instalment to find out what happens next.
I received an ARC from the author but decided to voluntarily review this and the opinions are my own.
February 11, 2022
3.5 stars for the series
Review - Nava Katz Series
Quick Sitch: Nava Katz finds out that she's a female demon hunter, and that's a problem. Mostly because misogyny and there's never been one before and no one knows how to deal with it. The story builds as Nava comes into her own and learns that there are certain players out there actively working their way towards an apocalypse and she's got to stop it. All while falling in love with Rohan Mitra, a former rock god turned demon hunter. Romance and apocalypses go together, like peas and bicycles. Whatever, it works, just go with it.
Overview: I'm digging Deborah Wilde's writing, and while the three series that I've read (yes, three in a row because when I obsess I OBSESS), have their similarities - paranormal stories with Jewish heroines and diverse characters set in Vancouver - I do love that each has their own spin and ythe heroines are at different stages in life. Nava's the youngest and most immature but also the one who goes through it in terms of the way she's treated by every misogynist in the Brasha organizations and basically everyone thinking that she's a twit, until they learn differently. The story goes to some fantastically weird places, and it stretches the bounds, for sure, but I still enjoyed most of it. My struggle was with some of the humor (some lands, some doesn't) and
Book 1: The intro is good, kept me interested, and her Pretty Woman-esque take on sex was a thing. I appreciate that she owned her sexuality and wasn't about to be shamed. I liked it but I'm never a fan of naming genitalia. Just not my bag.
Book 2 (Sting): Dives further into actual demon hunting, introduces some key players to the overarching storyline. There's some OW/OM contact, but in the context of this series, didn't bother me and was actually that kind of emotional push/pull that surprised me because of how much I enjoyed it.
Book 3 (Need): This one introduces Malik and I wasn't mad about it at all. The danger ratchets up even more and the blurring of lines, plus some emotional payoff for the romance.
Book 4 (Crave): The one where the story starts to go off on a tangent, and it definitely felt like the need to mess with Rohan and Nava was more plot point driven than not. Feels like the overarching storyline gets bigger but the small moments could have used more time to really make you care for all these characters in a way that can impact any big conflicts that are coming up. I liked them all, but I really felt the narrowness of of that first person POV holding things back.
Book 5 (Fall): The penultimate episode in this Buffy-esque takeoff and for sure I felt that Season 6-7 fatigue at this point. It's all danger but the need to pull back kind of kills the momentum a wee bit. And that final battle? Kookydukes.
Book 6 (Burn): The finale that had ALOT of ground to cover and it felt like it. It continues that feeling of nothing but danger everywhere you turn but a lack of commitment to it that takes it down a notch. Now, I'm a romance centered reader at heart, so I didn't mind that alot of this is about pairing up the couples that you felt connecting in the background of Nava and Rohan's lives. I just wish I could have seen more of it. And the Deus Ex Machina vibe to the ultimate resolution was an "well...*blinks* alrighty then" kind of moment. I mean, look I'm all for suspension of disbelief. I LOVE the OTT moments I am right there willing to buy into what you're selling....I just wish the pitch was a little more solid.
Bottom Line: In the end I liked this, even though some of the humor didn't work for me, but I do think it's something that is more for fans of UF-PNR who prefer it a little danger but mostly safe when all is said and done.
And that's all I got.
Review - Nava Katz Series
Quick Sitch: Nava Katz finds out that she's a female demon hunter, and that's a problem. Mostly because misogyny and there's never been one before and no one knows how to deal with it. The story builds as Nava comes into her own and learns that there are certain players out there actively working their way towards an apocalypse and she's got to stop it. All while falling in love with Rohan Mitra, a former rock god turned demon hunter. Romance and apocalypses go together, like peas and bicycles. Whatever, it works, just go with it.
Overview: I'm digging Deborah Wilde's writing, and while the three series that I've read (yes, three in a row because when I obsess I OBSESS), have their similarities - paranormal stories with Jewish heroines and diverse characters set in Vancouver - I do love that each has their own spin and ythe heroines are at different stages in life. Nava's the youngest and most immature but also the one who goes through it in terms of the way she's treated by every misogynist in the Brasha organizations and basically everyone thinking that she's a twit, until they learn differently. The story goes to some fantastically weird places, and it stretches the bounds, for sure, but I still enjoyed most of it. My struggle was with some of the humor (some lands, some doesn't) and
Book 1: The intro is good, kept me interested, and her Pretty Woman-esque take on sex was a thing. I appreciate that she owned her sexuality and wasn't about to be shamed. I liked it but I'm never a fan of naming genitalia. Just not my bag.
Book 2 (Sting): Dives further into actual demon hunting, introduces some key players to the overarching storyline. There's some OW/OM contact, but in the context of this series, didn't bother me and was actually that kind of emotional push/pull that surprised me because of how much I enjoyed it.
Book 3 (Need): This one introduces Malik and I wasn't mad about it at all. The danger ratchets up even more and the blurring of lines, plus some emotional payoff for the romance.
Book 4 (Crave): The one where the story starts to go off on a tangent, and it definitely felt like the need to mess with Rohan and Nava was more plot point driven than not. Feels like the overarching storyline gets bigger but the small moments could have used more time to really make you care for all these characters in a way that can impact any big conflicts that are coming up. I liked them all, but I really felt the narrowness of of that first person POV holding things back.
Book 5 (Fall): The penultimate episode in this Buffy-esque takeoff and for sure I felt that Season 6-7 fatigue at this point. It's all danger but the need to pull back kind of kills the momentum a wee bit. And that final battle? Kookydukes.
Book 6 (Burn): The finale that had ALOT of ground to cover and it felt like it. It continues that feeling of nothing but danger everywhere you turn but a lack of commitment to it that takes it down a notch. Now, I'm a romance centered reader at heart, so I didn't mind that alot of this is about pairing up the couples that you felt connecting in the background of Nava and Rohan's lives. I just wish I could have seen more of it. And the Deus Ex Machina vibe to the ultimate resolution was an "well...*blinks* alrighty then" kind of moment. I mean, look I'm all for suspension of disbelief. I LOVE the OTT moments I am right there willing to buy into what you're selling....I just wish the pitch was a little more solid.
Bottom Line: In the end I liked this, even though some of the humor didn't work for me, but I do think it's something that is more for fans of UF-PNR who prefer it a little danger but mostly safe when all is said and done.
And that's all I got.
January 9, 2019
This one was hard for me to rate because there were parts I really liked, and parts I really hated.
I think it killed Rohan for me as a love interest. He got off on the sexist shit in Boys Club, and on her being constantly put in her place with their bullshit groupie plan. And then his behavior flashed between hot and cold so fast that I got whiplash. Also, That's a line too far in my book.
I liked the info from the witch, but I have to say I don't understand a lot of what went on with the Brotherhood.
I think it killed Rohan for me as a love interest. He got off on the sexist shit in Boys Club, and on her being constantly put in her place with their bullshit groupie plan. And then his behavior flashed between hot and cold so fast that I got whiplash. Also, That's a line too far in my book.
I liked the info from the witch, but I have to say I don't understand a lot of what went on with the Brotherhood.
February 26, 2018
Nava is still her crass and vulgar self, and I'm undecided as to whether I mean that as a compliment or not.
The problem I faced with this book is two fold. The first being that I hardly ever seem to understand the reasoning behind some of Nava's and Rohan's actions. The second problem is somewhat related to the first. Nava, who is usually a strong, confident, take no shit from the Brotherhood character, allows friends, lovers and family to talk down to her. Not only does she allow these people who are meant to be on her side to demean her, but she doesn't get mad at their total assholery. Nope. Instead she randomly gets mad at a totally innocent question which makes no sense to me but she can apparently read all sorts of douchery in the backstory? I don't get it at all. Which is weird because when shes not interacting with these people I get her 100%.
I also am not a fan of her insane sexual lust for Rohan and the whole acting on that lust when you know it's not healthy. But she doeshim it over and over again. It was frustrating and annoying. Add to that, Rohan seems to care about her(mostly) but she keeps pushing him away because she wants to be FWB, then she gets mad when he shows interest in someone else. Either you're in or you're out, but the whole half-assing it got real old real quick.
Sure there's fun and good times to be had in this book, if you don't let the misogyny and slut shaming drown your enjoyment.
The problem I faced with this book is two fold. The first being that I hardly ever seem to understand the reasoning behind some of Nava's and Rohan's actions. The second problem is somewhat related to the first. Nava, who is usually a strong, confident, take no shit from the Brotherhood character, allows friends, lovers and family to talk down to her. Not only does she allow these people who are meant to be on her side to demean her, but she doesn't get mad at their total assholery. Nope. Instead she randomly gets mad at a totally innocent question which makes no sense to me but she can apparently read all sorts of douchery in the backstory? I don't get it at all. Which is weird because when shes not interacting with these people I get her 100%.
I also am not a fan of her insane sexual lust for Rohan and the whole acting on that lust when you know it's not healthy. But she does
Sure there's fun and good times to be had in this book, if you don't let the misogyny and slut shaming drown your enjoyment.
June 26, 2017
Snarky, sassy, sexy, action-packed fun for some and dread for others. Nava has returned this time we have a full on operation underway and this unlikely, unlikeable demon hunter is here to show what she’s got. She still the girl with an attitude and following rules precisely still is not part of her forte. I personally still like this brand of demon hunter. She has lots of tude and a great way to release some of that bent up hostility to following strenuous rules.
Action, action, action. Snark times two and sensual heat that will need a serious outlet. Nava has her way and it’s so much more fun than the way they want her to do things. The was some emotional moments that just added to the drama of the past coming back and the present not being exactly stable.
We got old friends and new ones. This mission was so much more than just the assignment given. There was some growth and closure. This series has just truly begun. Nava has to make her mark on the world of demon hunting and at the same time find out who she really is and what she is capable of becoming.
Action, action, action. Snark times two and sensual heat that will need a serious outlet. Nava has her way and it’s so much more fun than the way they want her to do things. The was some emotional moments that just added to the drama of the past coming back and the present not being exactly stable.
We got old friends and new ones. This mission was so much more than just the assignment given. There was some growth and closure. This series has just truly begun. Nava has to make her mark on the world of demon hunting and at the same time find out who she really is and what she is capable of becoming.
June 27, 2017
In the second book of the Nava Katz series Drio, Rohan and Nova are going off to Prague, on a mission to figure out whether the famous Samson King is a demon or not, with a firm instruction for Nava to 'not think for herself and to do as she's told'. In other words, let the men do the job and try to not get in the way. Snort. It's like they don't know her at all.
Meanwhile, Ari is on a self distraction path, off fighting demons despite the fact that he cannot actually make the kill shot.
So, not only Nava has to deal with the sexist jerks on this mission, she also has to figure out a way to make Ari one of the Rasha. Can't a girl get a break?
Frenemies So, first of all, I'd like to say that I'm loving this frenemy thing Nava and Drio got going between them. You can see that he's gradually warming up to her, but desperately trying to hold on to the hate. Drio and Nava had their moments in this book, and I loved it.
The Brotherhood. Like it wasn't enough that the Brotherhood is a bunch of old sexist jerks, now they are also ! I have no clue what they might do next, but I'm damn curious. Though, I'm starting to warm up toward the Rabbi Abrams.
Rohan/Nava Now to the Rohan situation. I'm not even sure where to start here. Their relationship is a one big confusing mess which will take some time to figure out. I don't remember if it was explained in the first book who the hell Cole is, but I'll definitely check, because this shit is interesting. What did he do to make Nava the way she is? And Lily! Throughout the whole book I wanted to shout to Rohan to keep it in his pants.
I want to read the novellas from Rohan and Dario's POV in hopes to understand everything better and I'll probably hit those right away.
And the ending! The book ended in the middle of a conversation (a very intense one) and that was cruel. How am I supposed to wait for the next book now? Talk about keeping readers in suspense.
Meanwhile, Ari is on a self distraction path, off fighting demons despite the fact that he cannot actually make the kill shot.
So, not only Nava has to deal with the sexist jerks on this mission, she also has to figure out a way to make Ari one of the Rasha. Can't a girl get a break?
Frenemies So, first of all, I'd like to say that I'm loving this frenemy thing Nava and Drio got going between them. You can see that he's gradually warming up to her, but desperately trying to hold on to the hate. Drio and Nava had their moments in this book, and I loved it.
The Brotherhood. Like it wasn't enough that the Brotherhood is a bunch of old sexist jerks, now they are also ! I have no clue what they might do next, but I'm damn curious. Though, I'm starting to warm up toward the Rabbi Abrams.
Rohan/Nava Now to the Rohan situation. I'm not even sure where to start here. Their relationship is a one big confusing mess which will take some time to figure out. I don't remember if it was explained in the first book who the hell Cole is, but I'll definitely check, because this shit is interesting. What did he do to make Nava the way she is? And Lily! Throughout the whole book I wanted to shout to Rohan to keep it in his pants.
I want to read the novellas from Rohan and Dario's POV in hopes to understand everything better and I'll probably hit those right away.
And the ending! The book ended in the middle of a conversation (a very intense one) and that was cruel. How am I supposed to wait for the next book now? Talk about keeping readers in suspense.
December 21, 2018
New Favorite!
New favorite series! Nava is bada$$, Rohan is sexy and I can’t get enough of them! The Unlikeable Demon Hunter series is fun, super sexy, and totally binge-worthy. Off to read the next one!
New favorite series! Nava is bada$$, Rohan is sexy and I can’t get enough of them! The Unlikeable Demon Hunter series is fun, super sexy, and totally binge-worthy. Off to read the next one!
September 27, 2023
Audiobook
Narration: Hollie Jackson
Like with the first book it's been few weeks and I don't remember specifics but I DNFed the series after this book. I wasn't that interested and I want to be emotionally invested but there was no romance so I had no craving to continue.
Narration: Hollie Jackson
Like with the first book it's been few weeks and I don't remember specifics but I DNFed the series after this book. I wasn't that interested and I want to be emotionally invested but there was no romance so I had no craving to continue.
March 30, 2019
Great
I couldn't put it down once I started reading this can't wait to read next book hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I have
I couldn't put it down once I started reading this can't wait to read next book hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I have
June 9, 2017
THE STORY SO FAR:
The Katz household was turned on its head when Nava stumbled home half drunk and on the morning after's walk of shame, only to interrupt the secretive and sanctified final ceremonial testing of her twin's goal to shift from being an initiate to that of full blown Rasha. Nava had once held the title of a sure bet, a promised life of the mediocre stardom available to tap dancers at the pinnacle of performance. Teenage injury had altered that paradigm, however, to the never emotionally recovered state of being a sure bet in pissing away her youth in nights filled with drunken debauchery.
When she mistook the ceremonial wine for a well placed opportunity of chasing back the hangover with some hair of the dog, before stumbling into the respective ceremony with all the grace of a young beautiful woman tripping over her drunken feet spectacularly enough to cause her left boob to slip free and wink at the elderly Rabbi completing the test, an undeniable internal force prompted her to speak a word she'd never known or encountered before. At the final critical stage of the test, her actions irrevocably altered the outcome intended to be her brother's. Before even the inevitable tongue lashings about disappointment, shame, embarrassment, and messing up her family's plans could be shouted, impossible denial and surprise would be the order of the day: the codex of The Brotherhood denies the possibility of females becoming Rasha.
Nava's existence now challenges that rule, and provides a critical reality of the errors of the order: they've never before tested females born in the family lineages of the original warriors who were made Rasha. This brought the conclusion that it's possible for someone never tested and inducted first as an initiate, to be made Rasha by the use of the magical ceremony only the order is both meant to be capable of, and which they'd kill to protect. Being as once the golden seal (the hamsa ring) fits itself to the Rasha's ring finger, it can never be removed, there exists no protocol of reversing the test once its conclusion is reached. If The Brotherhood cannot protect its control of the twins' lives, then they stand on the very cliff edge of becoming a plummet neither will survive.
After considerable teething issues, some measure of acceptance was achieved between, but Nava will never let up on her goals of seeing her brother restored to his original station. Combining absent brain-mouth filters and a broken edit button that fails to make an impact on impulsivity, Nava exemplifies some of the conclusions others made about not just her, but all women's potential for becoming hunters. Not one to rely much on others' opinions, her independent streak turned to the making of decisions she was unequivocally unqualified to make. It made her both a danger to herself, and to others involved, especially when her actions lead to their safety being jeopardised in the one sanctuary that's meant exist. If her comrades are incapable of restricting her nature to baulk against authority and control, and if they're incapable of showing the Executive that she's an asset to their goals, more than just her own safety will be at risk.
As the saying goes, all is fair in love and war, and there's a shit-tonne more war in her life than has ever been before. There's also only one type of love she's ever permitted or held stock in, and she'll die to protect it. With a few devoted backers she went in swinging and managed to pull off a victory no one thought possible, being as only one type of pulling off is imagined to be the type she's capable of, and which started that ball rolling. With most of the jury still out on whether she was to blame in that issue, she did unknowingly earn a reprieve from any final orders being sent down the chain of command. The order has been deliberating over how best to address an ongoing concern present before any of the team even knew she existed. With only one avenue considered possible, a representative sees a chance for a win-win situation if she was to be used in ways that ensured their latest design could be brought to bare.
Her compliance was brokered in a payment to be rendered. This gives rise to her first official mission of finding out if a suspected large player in the war can be confirmed (and summarily extinguished). The conflict she was first exposed to was less of a mission and more of a reaction to circumstances arising from her being the first ever female Rasha. Thus the new assignment is the first official time since their inception that The Brotherhood of David has a female Rasha assigned to field duty. The agent who runs their mansion and regional aspects of the organisation is a female powerhouse indicative of the highest rank previously open to women within The Brotherhood, one who also happens to moonlight as one of the most sought after dominatrixes. It should normally mean an added edge or element of surprise that a female Rasha now exists, but with the demon network having a rapid grapevine and untold bragging rights being on offer for whomever bagged the notorious trophy Nava constitutes, such benefits are already long gone. Only anonymity protects her, and she generally makes a splash too large for anonymity to protect.
The joy of being permitted to join the ranks of hunters sent to Prague in a concerted effort into finding the necessary evidence to support suspicions about a global A-list celebrity being a mythical demon, is overshadowed by the fact that none other than the head of the Executive has staked a personal interest in her value as a Rasha. The excitement now tempered by virtue of suspicions about how he'll likely look to push forward on quietly 'retiring' her, unless she proves to be anything less than a secret weapon. In his disdain, a misogynist belief shrouded as much in cultural as well as Brotherhood traditions, the joy is further tempered by statements about doing everything the 'men' say to do, implying her gender and not her experience is the causal factor.
The ranks of the foot soldiers might be filled with every sort of different ethnic heritage under the sun, making attitudes quite varied in regards to female Rasha, but the ruling body is purely Rabbi based; religious men noted by Nava as being the sort who in cultural daily religious practices thank 'God' for having not been born a woman. The constant battles she'll forever be faced with by being the only non-ball dangling member of the order are something she knows she needs to keep contained, until at least her secreted plans for making her twin into the Rasha he was denied being come to fruition; presumably following this outcome it'll be every dog for themselves.
To this end, the assignment in Prague has a bonus element only she and two others are aware of. A conference being held there includes a speaker who may hold the key to completing her twin's ceremony successfully. Nava now faces unparalleled dangers to any other Rasha in history: the trophy value of her head; the undecided goals to permanently and prematurely retire her; the month's worth of training in lieu of the decade plus that male Rasha take into the field; a personal nemesis in the Executive; what her success as a field agent will highlight in regards to traditional cultural practices; the possibility that the man they chase may actually be a godlike demon thousands of years old; and her secret and illegal intentions. Thankfully she's spent the last several years as a disappointment and in learning to accept a life she never had plans of living: making her the most resilient version of herself that she could've been.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OPINION:
When you hear the words "Shove it in already" and “I’m not putting my finger in there. You want it so badly, do it yourself.” between Nava and Rohan, especially in light of their explosive interlude during the closing chapters of book one, you don't expect it to relate to the decomposed fluids of the current demon's weak spot. Although given the battles we've been exposed to, reasoning out the second meaning isn't a particularly large leap. It does suggest however, that our first impressions might instead be more exemplary of our own desires than anything else. Her trademark snarky and general discontent at the gore involved in killing demons brings back sentiments well developed by the end of book one. Continuance extends to other characters making you immediately feel at home in the new storyline.
The choreography of the demon fighting is more substantive and viscerally legitimate than is normally encountered in the kick-arse heroine (or hero) literature. In many instances of duelling magical mortals against supernatural beings or creatures, the injuries sustained are less repetitious. Yes, they have comparable large scale injuries, where in mammoth battles or for early starters, the near fatal or serious injuries occur in roughly the same ratio or quota. But it's the incidental and less serious, but albeit as painful, where usually after one to two fight scenes the 'good guys and girls' start experiencing less and less; until somewhere down a rather short road, they almost always stop experiencing any at all. This isn't so exemplary in the books of this series to date, in the case of Nava that is.
Her fellow Rasha sustain injuries and as in the case of Drio during the final battle with Asmodeus, these can be pretty spectacular, but they're by no means as similar as the case for Nava. In a truer reflection of what you'd expect in real world settings, she is forever sustaining an array of injuries. Although she hasn't, as yet, faced the near death experience of a mortal injury. Regardless, she's come away from even the most minor altercations with significant injuries that if it weren't for her accelerated healing, they'd sideline her as painful souvenirs intended to motivate novices into forever training and practice. This is something, that although it might be considered as sadistic, that I hope remains present for a good time to come. It reflects better the reality of demon hunting capacities, these creatures are after all equipped with dazzling weapons and almost suicidal savagery.
As expected, Nava's excessive adherence to, and enforcement of, her no kissing mandate continues to increase the mountain of her potential for relationship (exclusion) problems. Anyone who's watched Pretty Woman, doco's on prostitution, one night 'standers' or just simply any other movie source of people who prefer to sleep around in lieu of the bonds of intimacy, will be acquainted with the philosophy or rationale, if not the the pro's and con's of kissing being an exclusion. If I understand the integral distinguishing benchmark correctly, its inherently the difference between intimacy and purely physical gratification.
In keeping with the complexities of behaviour, you must ask if kissing, like sex, can be done without any emotional investment; to which anyone who has received a chaste kiss from friends or family, would state the answer as a resounding yes. These distinctions can then be further made more difficult by questions such as: during which type of interpretations and contexts; or perhaps on which location of the body; whether it's in the giving or the receiving that it matters; or by standards defined in the intention or the interpretation. In the realm of others' opinions I would wonder if many can legitimately lay claim to having known any f-buddies who can without any doubt state that both partners didn't truly feel more or want more?
These are hardly the extent of questions capable of exhausting any debate, they are intended instead to highlight the complexities that stand in contest to Nava's rather simple statements and commitments, that no kissing means no emotional connection. Even if she can do so as easily for her own part then she'd have to be stupid, closeminded, selfish or naive, to think that such a standard could ever assuage that of her partner in any repeated gratification. Indeed, her hook-up rule appears to be more valid to one off occasions. By her standards, a hug during intercourse could imply too much connection for her to give or permit. It isn't any wonder why her 'O' experiences have never previously equated to the interpreted levels she's heard spoken of. For those earth shattering times when the synchronicity of desires and actions are afforded the intimate backing of being in love, which together scale heights not capable of being achieved in one off's.
Interestingly, she both requires and expresses sentimentality without even the furthest avoidance or prejudice. A person who looks to psychological defense mechanics to understand contexts and motivations of behaviour would likely consider it a case of catharsis and sublimation of an emotion a lot less dangerous should it go wrong. Personally I'd suggest that Nava craves intimacy but that currently it exists only on a subconscious level where it finds expression through sentimentality, which is intimacy's lesser cousin after all; and which is arguably safe whether it's one- or multi-directional. Her capacity to recognise intimacy and for it to taint her when comparing the like to her own relationship achievements implies without doubt that whilst she may abhor the practice she does nonetheless crave it.
Such observations both make Nava a complex and rich character, and also an interesting puzzle to solve. She is one such as a rubix cube - where simply turning sides of observation isn't enough to help you reach a better understanding. Like the aforementioned conceptual paradigm, it becomes necessary to not only see one or two sides in order to solve the problem, no, you have to picture them all plus how their movement affects their neighbour's. Then there's the final possibility that you might just have to get a razor blade and glue if you hope to get all the jumbled up colours to match up on their respective sides, for which you'll still have no understanding of how it works.
Another high note that remains, without being something I discussed during my review of book one, is the completely unique and intriguing aspects of magical manifestations in the Rasha. In certain ways a similar expression of the demons' magic based around the sins they reflect is sufficiently so, if less than, to be able to be included in the same discussion. The type of magical abilities which usually find their ways into fantasy lore are primarily based around type of supernatural being or creature. Not always, but enough to become an expectation based on lore, there are also those who can use the magical store to create spell-work. Even then the spells they cast out of their structural components, or in the type and capabilities have a tendency towards being relative to one personification of whatever being it is that gives them their power. The way this is reflected in the Nava Katz Series is truly unique: to clarify, not so much in the case of being completely unique to each Rasha, which is certainly the case, but more in how it is that it's unique.
The reflection basis of idiosyncratic penchants is highly intuitive whilst being humorously intriguing. I'm unsure on whether such evaluations were intended, but irrespective of goals being compatible to reader reasoning, the outcome is memorable. This is surely at least one of the intentions of creating unique stories particular to an author's (real or pen) name. It's a little like goods manufacture or service provision, where creating a memorable logo or brand name is half of at least one of the challenges of being successful. If an author's name (or as in the analogy, a goods and service branding) creates a memory particular to just that name, then fixing themselves inside the minds of people looking to purchase a reliable product is already fifty percent completed. The rest of course is about making those memories enjoyable, which is as successful in Deborah's ability.
Conceding first that this isn't an accurate description, the second book is such a further and full realisation that it has an influence which casts the outstanding first book into a prequel or prelude styled introduction in some ways. The development of the typical storylines that might be indicated by this wonderful exploration of Nava's role, gives much more without changing any critical aspects of the residual ideas about the plot from book one. This isn't to imply that book two is expected or predictable, that's far from the truth, but I must state this given the possible misinterpretation of the previous sentence. The nature of the stories that might now be seen in further books is better implicated now than what was seen in Nava's burgeoning role from book one. In many ways most characters also have shown development even though they were in a more stable state, having been Rasha and initiated by The Brotherhood of David for most of their lives. Almost every critical aspect has been developed in just the short time that has chronologically happened since page one of the first book.
Deborah's style, technical skills, and natural imagination are best-seller traits. Her ability to step into the shoes to perform the function of seeing that characters act in the ways required by their personalities is without any regression to the mean. It never ceases to amaze that great authors are so capable of having multiple personalities where if it were a movie review you'd be seeing comments that praise the cast in their abilities to stay in character. Memorable authors do so without the benefit of having individuals who only have to turn off their own persona in favour of adopting the single other persona they must maintain. Skilled, or perhaps natural, storytellers do so on a much larger scale, and the better ones do it without any noticeable pieces of both their own and the main character's traits from appearing in others.
Nava is an ideal and gold mine character creation. She precipitates the full range of emotions to be empathised, from positives to negatives and from easy to difficult to reflect: there's an absence of emotional gaps, especially when considered from the perspective of both books together. Better still there's the ability to live extremely vicariously through the events she faces in her demon hunting and her sex life, in ways there's bound to be oodles of people who have never been capable of pursuing, or dreamt of experiencing. Fast pace, intriguing sequences, captivating content, natural style, well used techniques: there's so many features worthy of being listed, too many to undertake in one hit. The assurance it does make is therefore that you really ought to get your hands on this fantastic urban fantasy series, and add Deborah Wilde to the must read and must follow lists.
The Katz household was turned on its head when Nava stumbled home half drunk and on the morning after's walk of shame, only to interrupt the secretive and sanctified final ceremonial testing of her twin's goal to shift from being an initiate to that of full blown Rasha. Nava had once held the title of a sure bet, a promised life of the mediocre stardom available to tap dancers at the pinnacle of performance. Teenage injury had altered that paradigm, however, to the never emotionally recovered state of being a sure bet in pissing away her youth in nights filled with drunken debauchery.
When she mistook the ceremonial wine for a well placed opportunity of chasing back the hangover with some hair of the dog, before stumbling into the respective ceremony with all the grace of a young beautiful woman tripping over her drunken feet spectacularly enough to cause her left boob to slip free and wink at the elderly Rabbi completing the test, an undeniable internal force prompted her to speak a word she'd never known or encountered before. At the final critical stage of the test, her actions irrevocably altered the outcome intended to be her brother's. Before even the inevitable tongue lashings about disappointment, shame, embarrassment, and messing up her family's plans could be shouted, impossible denial and surprise would be the order of the day: the codex of The Brotherhood denies the possibility of females becoming Rasha.
Nava's existence now challenges that rule, and provides a critical reality of the errors of the order: they've never before tested females born in the family lineages of the original warriors who were made Rasha. This brought the conclusion that it's possible for someone never tested and inducted first as an initiate, to be made Rasha by the use of the magical ceremony only the order is both meant to be capable of, and which they'd kill to protect. Being as once the golden seal (the hamsa ring) fits itself to the Rasha's ring finger, it can never be removed, there exists no protocol of reversing the test once its conclusion is reached. If The Brotherhood cannot protect its control of the twins' lives, then they stand on the very cliff edge of becoming a plummet neither will survive.
After considerable teething issues, some measure of acceptance was achieved between, but Nava will never let up on her goals of seeing her brother restored to his original station. Combining absent brain-mouth filters and a broken edit button that fails to make an impact on impulsivity, Nava exemplifies some of the conclusions others made about not just her, but all women's potential for becoming hunters. Not one to rely much on others' opinions, her independent streak turned to the making of decisions she was unequivocally unqualified to make. It made her both a danger to herself, and to others involved, especially when her actions lead to their safety being jeopardised in the one sanctuary that's meant exist. If her comrades are incapable of restricting her nature to baulk against authority and control, and if they're incapable of showing the Executive that she's an asset to their goals, more than just her own safety will be at risk.
As the saying goes, all is fair in love and war, and there's a shit-tonne more war in her life than has ever been before. There's also only one type of love she's ever permitted or held stock in, and she'll die to protect it. With a few devoted backers she went in swinging and managed to pull off a victory no one thought possible, being as only one type of pulling off is imagined to be the type she's capable of, and which started that ball rolling. With most of the jury still out on whether she was to blame in that issue, she did unknowingly earn a reprieve from any final orders being sent down the chain of command. The order has been deliberating over how best to address an ongoing concern present before any of the team even knew she existed. With only one avenue considered possible, a representative sees a chance for a win-win situation if she was to be used in ways that ensured their latest design could be brought to bare.
Her compliance was brokered in a payment to be rendered. This gives rise to her first official mission of finding out if a suspected large player in the war can be confirmed (and summarily extinguished). The conflict she was first exposed to was less of a mission and more of a reaction to circumstances arising from her being the first ever female Rasha. Thus the new assignment is the first official time since their inception that The Brotherhood of David has a female Rasha assigned to field duty. The agent who runs their mansion and regional aspects of the organisation is a female powerhouse indicative of the highest rank previously open to women within The Brotherhood, one who also happens to moonlight as one of the most sought after dominatrixes. It should normally mean an added edge or element of surprise that a female Rasha now exists, but with the demon network having a rapid grapevine and untold bragging rights being on offer for whomever bagged the notorious trophy Nava constitutes, such benefits are already long gone. Only anonymity protects her, and she generally makes a splash too large for anonymity to protect.
The joy of being permitted to join the ranks of hunters sent to Prague in a concerted effort into finding the necessary evidence to support suspicions about a global A-list celebrity being a mythical demon, is overshadowed by the fact that none other than the head of the Executive has staked a personal interest in her value as a Rasha. The excitement now tempered by virtue of suspicions about how he'll likely look to push forward on quietly 'retiring' her, unless she proves to be anything less than a secret weapon. In his disdain, a misogynist belief shrouded as much in cultural as well as Brotherhood traditions, the joy is further tempered by statements about doing everything the 'men' say to do, implying her gender and not her experience is the causal factor.
The ranks of the foot soldiers might be filled with every sort of different ethnic heritage under the sun, making attitudes quite varied in regards to female Rasha, but the ruling body is purely Rabbi based; religious men noted by Nava as being the sort who in cultural daily religious practices thank 'God' for having not been born a woman. The constant battles she'll forever be faced with by being the only non-ball dangling member of the order are something she knows she needs to keep contained, until at least her secreted plans for making her twin into the Rasha he was denied being come to fruition; presumably following this outcome it'll be every dog for themselves.
To this end, the assignment in Prague has a bonus element only she and two others are aware of. A conference being held there includes a speaker who may hold the key to completing her twin's ceremony successfully. Nava now faces unparalleled dangers to any other Rasha in history: the trophy value of her head; the undecided goals to permanently and prematurely retire her; the month's worth of training in lieu of the decade plus that male Rasha take into the field; a personal nemesis in the Executive; what her success as a field agent will highlight in regards to traditional cultural practices; the possibility that the man they chase may actually be a godlike demon thousands of years old; and her secret and illegal intentions. Thankfully she's spent the last several years as a disappointment and in learning to accept a life she never had plans of living: making her the most resilient version of herself that she could've been.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OPINION:
When you hear the words "Shove it in already" and “I’m not putting my finger in there. You want it so badly, do it yourself.” between Nava and Rohan, especially in light of their explosive interlude during the closing chapters of book one, you don't expect it to relate to the decomposed fluids of the current demon's weak spot. Although given the battles we've been exposed to, reasoning out the second meaning isn't a particularly large leap. It does suggest however, that our first impressions might instead be more exemplary of our own desires than anything else. Her trademark snarky and general discontent at the gore involved in killing demons brings back sentiments well developed by the end of book one. Continuance extends to other characters making you immediately feel at home in the new storyline.
The choreography of the demon fighting is more substantive and viscerally legitimate than is normally encountered in the kick-arse heroine (or hero) literature. In many instances of duelling magical mortals against supernatural beings or creatures, the injuries sustained are less repetitious. Yes, they have comparable large scale injuries, where in mammoth battles or for early starters, the near fatal or serious injuries occur in roughly the same ratio or quota. But it's the incidental and less serious, but albeit as painful, where usually after one to two fight scenes the 'good guys and girls' start experiencing less and less; until somewhere down a rather short road, they almost always stop experiencing any at all. This isn't so exemplary in the books of this series to date, in the case of Nava that is.
Her fellow Rasha sustain injuries and as in the case of Drio during the final battle with Asmodeus, these can be pretty spectacular, but they're by no means as similar as the case for Nava. In a truer reflection of what you'd expect in real world settings, she is forever sustaining an array of injuries. Although she hasn't, as yet, faced the near death experience of a mortal injury. Regardless, she's come away from even the most minor altercations with significant injuries that if it weren't for her accelerated healing, they'd sideline her as painful souvenirs intended to motivate novices into forever training and practice. This is something, that although it might be considered as sadistic, that I hope remains present for a good time to come. It reflects better the reality of demon hunting capacities, these creatures are after all equipped with dazzling weapons and almost suicidal savagery.
As expected, Nava's excessive adherence to, and enforcement of, her no kissing mandate continues to increase the mountain of her potential for relationship (exclusion) problems. Anyone who's watched Pretty Woman, doco's on prostitution, one night 'standers' or just simply any other movie source of people who prefer to sleep around in lieu of the bonds of intimacy, will be acquainted with the philosophy or rationale, if not the the pro's and con's of kissing being an exclusion. If I understand the integral distinguishing benchmark correctly, its inherently the difference between intimacy and purely physical gratification.
In keeping with the complexities of behaviour, you must ask if kissing, like sex, can be done without any emotional investment; to which anyone who has received a chaste kiss from friends or family, would state the answer as a resounding yes. These distinctions can then be further made more difficult by questions such as: during which type of interpretations and contexts; or perhaps on which location of the body; whether it's in the giving or the receiving that it matters; or by standards defined in the intention or the interpretation. In the realm of others' opinions I would wonder if many can legitimately lay claim to having known any f-buddies who can without any doubt state that both partners didn't truly feel more or want more?
These are hardly the extent of questions capable of exhausting any debate, they are intended instead to highlight the complexities that stand in contest to Nava's rather simple statements and commitments, that no kissing means no emotional connection. Even if she can do so as easily for her own part then she'd have to be stupid, closeminded, selfish or naive, to think that such a standard could ever assuage that of her partner in any repeated gratification. Indeed, her hook-up rule appears to be more valid to one off occasions. By her standards, a hug during intercourse could imply too much connection for her to give or permit. It isn't any wonder why her 'O' experiences have never previously equated to the interpreted levels she's heard spoken of. For those earth shattering times when the synchronicity of desires and actions are afforded the intimate backing of being in love, which together scale heights not capable of being achieved in one off's.
Interestingly, she both requires and expresses sentimentality without even the furthest avoidance or prejudice. A person who looks to psychological defense mechanics to understand contexts and motivations of behaviour would likely consider it a case of catharsis and sublimation of an emotion a lot less dangerous should it go wrong. Personally I'd suggest that Nava craves intimacy but that currently it exists only on a subconscious level where it finds expression through sentimentality, which is intimacy's lesser cousin after all; and which is arguably safe whether it's one- or multi-directional. Her capacity to recognise intimacy and for it to taint her when comparing the like to her own relationship achievements implies without doubt that whilst she may abhor the practice she does nonetheless crave it.
Such observations both make Nava a complex and rich character, and also an interesting puzzle to solve. She is one such as a rubix cube - where simply turning sides of observation isn't enough to help you reach a better understanding. Like the aforementioned conceptual paradigm, it becomes necessary to not only see one or two sides in order to solve the problem, no, you have to picture them all plus how their movement affects their neighbour's. Then there's the final possibility that you might just have to get a razor blade and glue if you hope to get all the jumbled up colours to match up on their respective sides, for which you'll still have no understanding of how it works.
Another high note that remains, without being something I discussed during my review of book one, is the completely unique and intriguing aspects of magical manifestations in the Rasha. In certain ways a similar expression of the demons' magic based around the sins they reflect is sufficiently so, if less than, to be able to be included in the same discussion. The type of magical abilities which usually find their ways into fantasy lore are primarily based around type of supernatural being or creature. Not always, but enough to become an expectation based on lore, there are also those who can use the magical store to create spell-work. Even then the spells they cast out of their structural components, or in the type and capabilities have a tendency towards being relative to one personification of whatever being it is that gives them their power. The way this is reflected in the Nava Katz Series is truly unique: to clarify, not so much in the case of being completely unique to each Rasha, which is certainly the case, but more in how it is that it's unique.
The reflection basis of idiosyncratic penchants is highly intuitive whilst being humorously intriguing. I'm unsure on whether such evaluations were intended, but irrespective of goals being compatible to reader reasoning, the outcome is memorable. This is surely at least one of the intentions of creating unique stories particular to an author's (real or pen) name. It's a little like goods manufacture or service provision, where creating a memorable logo or brand name is half of at least one of the challenges of being successful. If an author's name (or as in the analogy, a goods and service branding) creates a memory particular to just that name, then fixing themselves inside the minds of people looking to purchase a reliable product is already fifty percent completed. The rest of course is about making those memories enjoyable, which is as successful in Deborah's ability.
Conceding first that this isn't an accurate description, the second book is such a further and full realisation that it has an influence which casts the outstanding first book into a prequel or prelude styled introduction in some ways. The development of the typical storylines that might be indicated by this wonderful exploration of Nava's role, gives much more without changing any critical aspects of the residual ideas about the plot from book one. This isn't to imply that book two is expected or predictable, that's far from the truth, but I must state this given the possible misinterpretation of the previous sentence. The nature of the stories that might now be seen in further books is better implicated now than what was seen in Nava's burgeoning role from book one. In many ways most characters also have shown development even though they were in a more stable state, having been Rasha and initiated by The Brotherhood of David for most of their lives. Almost every critical aspect has been developed in just the short time that has chronologically happened since page one of the first book.
Deborah's style, technical skills, and natural imagination are best-seller traits. Her ability to step into the shoes to perform the function of seeing that characters act in the ways required by their personalities is without any regression to the mean. It never ceases to amaze that great authors are so capable of having multiple personalities where if it were a movie review you'd be seeing comments that praise the cast in their abilities to stay in character. Memorable authors do so without the benefit of having individuals who only have to turn off their own persona in favour of adopting the single other persona they must maintain. Skilled, or perhaps natural, storytellers do so on a much larger scale, and the better ones do it without any noticeable pieces of both their own and the main character's traits from appearing in others.
Nava is an ideal and gold mine character creation. She precipitates the full range of emotions to be empathised, from positives to negatives and from easy to difficult to reflect: there's an absence of emotional gaps, especially when considered from the perspective of both books together. Better still there's the ability to live extremely vicariously through the events she faces in her demon hunting and her sex life, in ways there's bound to be oodles of people who have never been capable of pursuing, or dreamt of experiencing. Fast pace, intriguing sequences, captivating content, natural style, well used techniques: there's so many features worthy of being listed, too many to undertake in one hit. The assurance it does make is therefore that you really ought to get your hands on this fantastic urban fantasy series, and add Deborah Wilde to the must read and must follow lists.
November 21, 2017
Great book
Such a good book. I couldnt put it down- its funny, charming, a little bitchy and entertaining. I recommend it to any girl who likes scifi
Such a good book. I couldnt put it down- its funny, charming, a little bitchy and entertaining. I recommend it to any girl who likes scifi
June 26, 2017
Nooooooooo! There must be more pages... it can't be the end already... 😢 Be prepared to lose yourself in 50% more action, snarkiness and 90% more RoNav tension. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this awesome book.
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