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Lovelace & Wick #1
The Last Temptations of Iago Wick
This is an alternate cover edition for B06WGVBNG7
The city of Marlowe, Massachusetts is a lovely place to settle down… just ask its two resident demons.
For centuries, Iago Wick and his partner, Dante Lovelace, have meddled in the affairs of Man for the benefit of Hell—and had a damnably good time doing it.
Everything changes when a peculiar demon hunter with a murky past comes to Marlowe and sets his sights on Iago. Mr. Wick is all too happy to grant him a game of cat and mouse. After all, a little distraction from his Hellish duties does an old demon good.
But soon, Iago and Dante find themselves entangled in the mystery surrounding the strange hunter, and the line between danger and excitement becomes a blurry one. What happens when Iago gets a little too close? Is working for Hell really all it’s cracked up to be? And why is the idea of freewill suddenly so appealing?
Join a diverse and eccentric cast of demons and the hunters who hunt them in this wickedly witty tale of Victorian adventure and infernal mayhem.
The city of Marlowe, Massachusetts is a lovely place to settle down… just ask its two resident demons.
For centuries, Iago Wick and his partner, Dante Lovelace, have meddled in the affairs of Man for the benefit of Hell—and had a damnably good time doing it.
Everything changes when a peculiar demon hunter with a murky past comes to Marlowe and sets his sights on Iago. Mr. Wick is all too happy to grant him a game of cat and mouse. After all, a little distraction from his Hellish duties does an old demon good.
But soon, Iago and Dante find themselves entangled in the mystery surrounding the strange hunter, and the line between danger and excitement becomes a blurry one. What happens when Iago gets a little too close? Is working for Hell really all it’s cracked up to be? And why is the idea of freewill suddenly so appealing?
Join a diverse and eccentric cast of demons and the hunters who hunt them in this wickedly witty tale of Victorian adventure and infernal mayhem.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2017
About the author
Jennifer Rainey
12 books85 followersJennifer Rainey is a sometimes-writer, sometimes-folk singer from beautiful central Ohio. When she's not busy writing, you can probably find her perusing antique malls or watching classic horror films.
To keep an eye on what she's up to, please check out http://jenniferraineyauthor.blogspot.com.
To keep an eye on what she's up to, please check out http://jenniferraineyauthor.blogspot.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 28, 2018
**** 4.5 stars ****
I adored this.
One thousand year-old demon Iago Wick exuberantly embraces his work of tempting humans to sign over their immortal souls:
And he's damned *ahem* good at his job. Dante Lovelace, his partner in crime (and in other ways as well), pursues a slightly different line of work, crafting catastrophes that take down the righteous as well as the sinful.
These two very-anti-heroes, with their unholier-than-thou attitudes, confront demon hunters, angelic beings and oh-so-temptable humans... While over them looms Iago's upcoming promotion, granted by Hell in recognition of his centuries of "good" work, which will permanently separate the two of them.
The writing was clever, in a dry, low-key way, with throwaway lines like these:
This book brought me joy -- and joy isn't too strong a word -- because it wasn't a romance, just a fantasy with queer characters. As far as fiction goes, spec fic is my first and oldest love; I've been reading it for almost 50 years now, and of course for the first 45 or so it was peopled almost exclusively by an endless parade of cishet characters.
To be able to read stories like this in my favorite genre, with same-sex couples appearing with absolutely no hoopla, just as matter-of-fact as can be, is still so new to me, and so endlessly awesome, that by the end of the book I was crying a little with happy tears, just because it exists and it was fun and smart and good and queer.
Which, if you think about it, is a rather long-winded way of saying: YMMV.
I read it for free on KU, returned it and bought myself a copy, bought the sequel, only stopped there because there's nothing else to buy at the moment, followed the author, signed up for her newsletter -- I am all in.
I adored this.
One thousand year-old demon Iago Wick exuberantly embraces his work of tempting humans to sign over their immortal souls:
Iago did love humans, their quirks, their passions, their bizarre rituals. They were gloriously innovative things, and when allowed, they found amazing ways to show their true mettle—whether it was Heaven or Hell that was to be the beneficiary. Humans were a tremendous medium in which to work.
And he's damned *ahem* good at his job. Dante Lovelace, his partner in crime (and in other ways as well), pursues a slightly different line of work, crafting catastrophes that take down the righteous as well as the sinful.
These two very-anti-heroes, with their unholier-than-thou attitudes, confront demon hunters, angelic beings and oh-so-temptable humans... While over them looms Iago's upcoming promotion, granted by Hell in recognition of his centuries of "good" work, which will permanently separate the two of them.
The writing was clever, in a dry, low-key way, with throwaway lines like these:
...the pen is mightier than the sword, but it would still be a terrible idea to bring a pen to a sword fight.
He had never had to ask someone if they’d been dealing with demons, and he realized he didn’t quite know what to say. It was like asking someone how their syphilis was coming along or how life had been since the wife admitted to having that affair with the milkman.
This book brought me joy -- and joy isn't too strong a word -- because it wasn't a romance, just a fantasy with queer characters. As far as fiction goes, spec fic is my first and oldest love; I've been reading it for almost 50 years now, and of course for the first 45 or so it was peopled almost exclusively by an endless parade of cishet characters.
To be able to read stories like this in my favorite genre, with same-sex couples appearing with absolutely no hoopla, just as matter-of-fact as can be, is still so new to me, and so endlessly awesome, that by the end of the book I was crying a little with happy tears, just because it exists and it was fun and smart and good and queer.
Which, if you think about it, is a rather long-winded way of saying: YMMV.
I read it for free on KU, returned it and bought myself a copy, bought the sequel, only stopped there because there's nothing else to buy at the moment, followed the author, signed up for her newsletter -- I am all in.
July 29, 2023
How devilishly fun! This was recommended to me by the Amazon algorithm and it finally got my tastes right. Let's do a deep dive into the book and why it's 4/5 stars on my BookTube channel, link provided for all you interested demons out there.
Edit from 2025: I adore and love this book and still think of it often even with its quirks, so I’m bumping it to 5 stars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K63q4...
Edit from 2025: I adore and love this book and still think of it often even with its quirks, so I’m bumping it to 5 stars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K63q4...
February 4, 2019
4.5 stars
Well, this was different.
It’s not every day that I get to read about a demon’s adventures and find myself rooting for him to succeed in winning souls for Hell and
The writing was very good and I loved the dry humor permeating the whole book, it was what helped me going through the first half of the story, when I found it a little hard to sink into the plot. Somewhere into the second half, , things changed and I couldn’t stop reading.
Not to mention that, despite this being nowhere near to a romance, I adored Iago and Dante’s relationship, they are truly a match made in Hell (sorry, couldn’t resist :P).
Another series to add to the list. Which is great, of course, it’s just...
Please, Teal, try finding some great standalone books in the future. ;)
Well, this was different.
It’s not every day that I get to read about a demon’s adventures and find myself rooting for him to succeed in winning souls for Hell and
The writing was very good and I loved the dry humor permeating the whole book, it was what helped me going through the first half of the story, when I found it a little hard to sink into the plot. Somewhere into the second half, , things changed and I couldn’t stop reading.
Not to mention that, despite this being nowhere near to a romance, I adored Iago and Dante’s relationship, they are truly a match made in Hell (sorry, couldn’t resist :P).
Another series to add to the list. Which is great, of course, it’s just...
Please, Teal, try finding some great standalone books in the future. ;)
November 4, 2020
3.5 stars
This is different than my norm, and that first line almost scared me away, but I'm glad I kept at it (and talked my friends into a BR). The key to this series, I think, is not taking anything too seriously. It's very tongue-in-cheek and irreverent, and while the first third or so of the book is a bit gratuitous in some of the details, once things started picking up, it got a lot better and there's good humor scattered throughout.
Iago and Dante, both appropriately named, are demons born in hell and sent topside to tempt humans and wreak havoc. They're not your typical demons, evidenced by the fact they're in a relationship and support each other through their triumphs and failures. They're very sweet, once you can look past the fact they're demons. (But they can't help their natures. Much.) Add in secret societies, demon hunters and the bureaucracy from, well, Hell, and this is quite an unusual but enjoyable tale.
Thanks to Elena, Rosa and Teal for the BR!
This is different than my norm, and that first line almost scared me away, but I'm glad I kept at it (and talked my friends into a BR). The key to this series, I think, is not taking anything too seriously. It's very tongue-in-cheek and irreverent, and while the first third or so of the book is a bit gratuitous in some of the details, once things started picking up, it got a lot better and there's good humor scattered throughout.
Iago and Dante, both appropriately named, are demons born in hell and sent topside to tempt humans and wreak havoc. They're not your typical demons, evidenced by the fact they're in a relationship and support each other through their triumphs and failures. They're very sweet, once you can look past the fact they're demons. (But they can't help their natures. Much.) Add in secret societies, demon hunters and the bureaucracy from, well, Hell, and this is quite an unusual but enjoyable tale.
Thanks to Elena, Rosa and Teal for the BR!
August 26, 2020
This was an unexpected delight. I've so many books waiting TBR that I'd thrown dice to choose a page in my Kindle index, and then to choose a book on the page. Perhaps Iago Wick (brilliantly evocative name) had a hand in it.
Iago is a demon, driving hard bargains for men's souls on behalf of Hell. Fortunately for us, the only souls we see him stealing are those of thorough-going rotters, so we can sympathise with him without having to think too hard about the morality of the thing. The plot canters along at a decent pace: Iago picks off the souls of an unpleasant club one by one, with glee and panache, while staving off the unwelcome attention of a demon-hunter. In the background, his elegant companion, Dante Lovelace (of 13, Darke Street), masterminds larger catastrophes. For all that Rainey inverts our normal sympathies, there are some very effective scenes of the horror Wick's victims feel.
What sets the book apart is an exceptional feeling for language, and Rainey's ability to turn a neat phrase. She writes with an appropriate C19th gravity, yet still injects a good deal of humour into the formal language.
"His countenance, though handsome, suggested a man flirting sweetly with middle age."
"He had completed his task, and now it was time to step back and watch the pieces fall into place. Or out of place. A little chaos was a beautiful thing."
"Marlowe was a curious city. Every shadow in every alley and crack and crevice swelled and breathed and watched. It was a darkly proud city, one that had been a companion to Iago Wick, a macabre sort of spirit which wrapped encouraging arms around a hardworking minion of Hell. And in the autumn months, its eerie presence seemed only to blossom along with the season’s blood, rust, and gold hues. A demon could feel very at home in Marlowe."
I enjoyed this hugely, and I'm delighted to see there are two and a half more books to read in the series.
Iago is a demon, driving hard bargains for men's souls on behalf of Hell. Fortunately for us, the only souls we see him stealing are those of thorough-going rotters, so we can sympathise with him without having to think too hard about the morality of the thing. The plot canters along at a decent pace: Iago picks off the souls of an unpleasant club one by one, with glee and panache, while staving off the unwelcome attention of a demon-hunter. In the background, his elegant companion, Dante Lovelace (of 13, Darke Street), masterminds larger catastrophes. For all that Rainey inverts our normal sympathies, there are some very effective scenes of the horror Wick's victims feel.
What sets the book apart is an exceptional feeling for language, and Rainey's ability to turn a neat phrase. She writes with an appropriate C19th gravity, yet still injects a good deal of humour into the formal language.
"His countenance, though handsome, suggested a man flirting sweetly with middle age."
"He had completed his task, and now it was time to step back and watch the pieces fall into place. Or out of place. A little chaos was a beautiful thing."
"Marlowe was a curious city. Every shadow in every alley and crack and crevice swelled and breathed and watched. It was a darkly proud city, one that had been a companion to Iago Wick, a macabre sort of spirit which wrapped encouraging arms around a hardworking minion of Hell. And in the autumn months, its eerie presence seemed only to blossom along with the season’s blood, rust, and gold hues. A demon could feel very at home in Marlowe."
I enjoyed this hugely, and I'm delighted to see there are two and a half more books to read in the series.
November 4, 2020
This is the first time I chose a spooky read to start on Halloween, horror isn't my to-go genre either but the chosen one was an unexpected surprise. Not everyday you find yourself in the "bad guys" side, wanting demons to succeed in gaining souls for Hell. I must say these two are pretty decent for being demons (I'm afraid I can't say the same of my fellow humans though), and being inside Iago's head is fun, I don't want to talk about the plot too much not to spoil it for others. I'd only say that there were some turns unexpected and refreshing. Also, the possibilities that last scene opens are really interesting.
And as always, I'm having a great time discussing this one with my fellow BReaders.
And as always, I'm having a great time discussing this one with my fellow BReaders.
August 20, 2018
Demons can be the good guys
And if you can't fathom that, don't read this book. This story follows Iago Wick, temptor, as he strolls through his small Massachusset's city,giving a small push to the wicked down the path passed redemption. Everyone has got a job to do, after all, and Iago is charming (and creepy and cruel) as he takes pride in creating just the right temptations for those near-to-damnation. Unusual for demons, I ago is not alone, as we also meet his partner, the Byronic Mr. Dante Lovelace (catastrophe and disaster specialist).
This cleanly written in a spare style, with action, some mixed morals, angels and demons and love and murder...unexpectedly fun. Features m/m and f/f characters. Smooth dialogue.
I found this story gently humorous, and a fresh approach to a powerful beings fantasy. The demons are good at their work, and people go through some torturous crimes to commit themselves to help. Demons do be liars and happy in their work...or are they happy? No heat book, no sex on stage.
If you like the sound of the Last Temptations of I ago Wick,
Then I can definitely recommend
Ginn Hale's Wicked Gentlemen.
Also: Salt Magic Skin Magic by Lee Welch
The Magpie Lord series by K J Charles
And if you can't fathom that, don't read this book. This story follows Iago Wick, temptor, as he strolls through his small Massachusset's city,giving a small push to the wicked down the path passed redemption. Everyone has got a job to do, after all, and Iago is charming (and creepy and cruel) as he takes pride in creating just the right temptations for those near-to-damnation. Unusual for demons, I ago is not alone, as we also meet his partner, the Byronic Mr. Dante Lovelace (catastrophe and disaster specialist).
This cleanly written in a spare style, with action, some mixed morals, angels and demons and love and murder...unexpectedly fun. Features m/m and f/f characters. Smooth dialogue.
I found this story gently humorous, and a fresh approach to a powerful beings fantasy. The demons are good at their work, and people go through some torturous crimes to commit themselves to help. Demons do be liars and happy in their work...or are they happy? No heat book, no sex on stage.
If you like the sound of the Last Temptations of I ago Wick,
Then I can definitely recommend
Ginn Hale's Wicked Gentlemen.
Also: Salt Magic Skin Magic by Lee Welch
The Magpie Lord series by K J Charles
Did Not Finish
March 29, 2023DNF @ 17%. No rating.
The writing was amazing, the worldbuilding was great and I loved what little I saw of the MCs but this wasn't my thing. By 17%, the MCs had only had a few short scenes together and the rest of the story focused very heavily on other characters and the fantasy elements of the world. In addition, the MCs had an established relationship (maybe romantic, maybe not, it wasn't clear). While I love MCs having a pre-existing relationship (friends to lovers, second chance etc), that only works for me if I get to spend lots of time with both MCs getting to know them quickly and getting to know what their past and current relationships are like. That wasn't the case here so I felt a bit bored and lost, like I was supposed to know these MCs and care about them when I didn't.
The writing was amazing, the worldbuilding was great and I loved what little I saw of the MCs but this wasn't my thing. By 17%, the MCs had only had a few short scenes together and the rest of the story focused very heavily on other characters and the fantasy elements of the world. In addition, the MCs had an established relationship (maybe romantic, maybe not, it wasn't clear). While I love MCs having a pre-existing relationship (friends to lovers, second chance etc), that only works for me if I get to spend lots of time with both MCs getting to know them quickly and getting to know what their past and current relationships are like. That wasn't the case here so I felt a bit bored and lost, like I was supposed to know these MCs and care about them when I didn't.
January 5, 2023
Iago is a demon working on earth using temptation to lure his targets. He has a partner who is a demon into catastrophes.
The book follows Iago with his task of ending The Order.
Interesting and will read further books in the series.
The book follows Iago with his task of ending The Order.
Interesting and will read further books in the series.
March 26, 2017
Any book that tells a story of angels and demons walking around incognito, and playing parts in the "divine comedy" will draw comparisons to Pratchet and Gaiman's 'Good Omens'. Jennifer Rainey's book does well in those comparisons. I believe that prose possessing wit and humor is one the rarest and most difficult things to find as a reader. Rainey's prose is entertaining, she achieves genuine comic timing with her writing. I can think of very few authors that can pull that off: Douglas Adam, Woody Allen, George Saunders, Joy Williams, Tom Robbins, Terry Pratchet and now Jennifer Rainey. Her prose alone makes this book work reading.
Spoilers Follow:
Which is good, because the story is a little flat and the ideas are rote. This book tells the story of Iago Wick, a six-hundred-year-old demon living in fictional Massachusetts town in a slightly steampunk 19th century. Iago is a tempter. His job is to get people to sign over their souls and except eternal damnation. As Rainey imagines it this is a very easy job. Iago's prey are broken self-centered small minded me to begin with and Iago's methods are far from creative. One victim he simply tortures until he signs his name over and another all he does is suggest it. If wasn't for the fact that Iago is such a sarcastic dandy, I wouldn't have made it through the first half of the book. The first three temptations are dull. I would have love to see Iago turn his charm and wit on somebody truly thoughtful and righteous. I want to see a demon dig deep to find that string of sin inside a person and then hang them with it. If the devil just tortures you till you sell your soul that feels like cheating.
However, about halfway through the book the conflict with the demon hunters came to life and I started making time during the workday to sneak away and read this book (Oh, did I mention there were demon hunters? Well there are. There are steampunk-lesbian-demon hunters? Rainey passed on a lot of sales by not titling the book steampunk-lesbian-demon hunters.) The main demon hunter presents both and interesting foil for Iago, and a mystery for both Iago and the reader. But the resolution of that conflict disappointed me. I know some readers that can't stand it when book series end and there is a temptation to string things along. Seemingly bowing to that impulse, Rainey's book ends with a return to relative normalcy, and the demon and demon hunter riding off together as potential allies. To be fair, the ending does offer nice symmetry. Because the book ends with Iago being tempted. I just wish the temptations were a little more seductive and challenging.
But despite the lackluster ending, the plot was interesting enough for me to want to read the end. Wit alone isn't enough to carry me through a book. I never finished Joy Williams truly funny "Quick and the Dead" or "Notable American Women" by Ben Marcus despite laughing out loud while reading each book. It is because those books didn't give me enough of a plot to follow through. Rainey's book mixes storytelling with cleverness. Overall, I recommend this book. After reading this, I feel that the author has a masterpiece in her, and while this may not be it, this is a fun read.
Spoilers Follow:
Which is good, because the story is a little flat and the ideas are rote. This book tells the story of Iago Wick, a six-hundred-year-old demon living in fictional Massachusetts town in a slightly steampunk 19th century. Iago is a tempter. His job is to get people to sign over their souls and except eternal damnation. As Rainey imagines it this is a very easy job. Iago's prey are broken self-centered small minded me to begin with and Iago's methods are far from creative. One victim he simply tortures until he signs his name over and another all he does is suggest it. If wasn't for the fact that Iago is such a sarcastic dandy, I wouldn't have made it through the first half of the book. The first three temptations are dull. I would have love to see Iago turn his charm and wit on somebody truly thoughtful and righteous. I want to see a demon dig deep to find that string of sin inside a person and then hang them with it. If the devil just tortures you till you sell your soul that feels like cheating.
However, about halfway through the book the conflict with the demon hunters came to life and I started making time during the workday to sneak away and read this book (Oh, did I mention there were demon hunters? Well there are. There are steampunk-lesbian-demon hunters? Rainey passed on a lot of sales by not titling the book steampunk-lesbian-demon hunters.) The main demon hunter presents both and interesting foil for Iago, and a mystery for both Iago and the reader. But the resolution of that conflict disappointed me. I know some readers that can't stand it when book series end and there is a temptation to string things along. Seemingly bowing to that impulse, Rainey's book ends with a return to relative normalcy, and the demon and demon hunter riding off together as potential allies. To be fair, the ending does offer nice symmetry. Because the book ends with Iago being tempted. I just wish the temptations were a little more seductive and challenging.
But despite the lackluster ending, the plot was interesting enough for me to want to read the end. Wit alone isn't enough to carry me through a book. I never finished Joy Williams truly funny "Quick and the Dead" or "Notable American Women" by Ben Marcus despite laughing out loud while reading each book. It is because those books didn't give me enough of a plot to follow through. Rainey's book mixes storytelling with cleverness. Overall, I recommend this book. After reading this, I feel that the author has a masterpiece in her, and while this may not be it, this is a fun read.
February 8, 2020
A fabulously wicked read.
This is the first of two books in the ‘Wick and Lovelace’ steampunk/gaslamp fiction series, although both Iago Wick and Dante Lovelace both also appear in ‘Iago Wick and the Vampire Queen’.
Similar to life for a tempter such as Iago Wick, this book is never dull. Mystery, adventure, temptation and danger combine to provide a well paced, very entertaining read that hooks the reader early and proceeds to charm them into feeling far more empathy for a demon than most would be willing to consider wise.
Iago and Dante are delightfully devilish, giving the reader an insight into how demons might go about distracting and tempting humans while at the same time being thoroughly charming and polite.
The writing is fluent and witty, vividly bringing to life the Victorian-esque city of Marlowe, Massachusetts, and the spectrum of characters who live there. This is a story laced with dark humour and keen insight into what makes people tick, making it both very readable and deeply fascinating.
Overall, it’s a fabulously wicked read.
This is the first of two books in the ‘Wick and Lovelace’ steampunk/gaslamp fiction series, although both Iago Wick and Dante Lovelace both also appear in ‘Iago Wick and the Vampire Queen’.
Similar to life for a tempter such as Iago Wick, this book is never dull. Mystery, adventure, temptation and danger combine to provide a well paced, very entertaining read that hooks the reader early and proceeds to charm them into feeling far more empathy for a demon than most would be willing to consider wise.
Iago and Dante are delightfully devilish, giving the reader an insight into how demons might go about distracting and tempting humans while at the same time being thoroughly charming and polite.
The writing is fluent and witty, vividly bringing to life the Victorian-esque city of Marlowe, Massachusetts, and the spectrum of characters who live there. This is a story laced with dark humour and keen insight into what makes people tick, making it both very readable and deeply fascinating.
Overall, it’s a fabulously wicked read.
September 2, 2018
4.5 stars. I had so much fun reading this book. The writing style may come as too dry for some, but I find it quite appealing. Can't wait to read the next one. XDD
June 20, 2019
I just finished a great mini series called, The Last Temptations of Iago Wick (bk1), and The Binding of Dante Lovelace (bk2) by Jennifer Rainey.
Both take us through the story of two Demons and their lives in the Victorian era. In book 1, Iago must battle for his anti-human life as a determined and resourceful Demon hunter comes after him. Testing his resolve to stay alive and to admit to his true feelings for Dante...what will happen and what will his last Temptation be?
Absolutely loved the pace and detail of the world surrounding Iago. I high recommended this series and enjoyed the writing style of this author.
Both take us through the story of two Demons and their lives in the Victorian era. In book 1, Iago must battle for his anti-human life as a determined and resourceful Demon hunter comes after him. Testing his resolve to stay alive and to admit to his true feelings for Dante...what will happen and what will his last Temptation be?
Absolutely loved the pace and detail of the world surrounding Iago. I high recommended this series and enjoyed the writing style of this author.
September 26, 2018
Paranormal steampunk is right in one of my favorite niches. What made it even better for me, though, was the ambiance. The book takes place in Massachusetts in October. *cue the pumpkin spice invasion!* Fall is my all-time favorite!!! It was sooooooooo lovely snuggling down into Jennifer's gorgeous autumn-laced words.
The steampunk elements were pretty on point too - a pet peeve of mine is books that classify themselves as steampunk but mysteriously lack any of the elements. Not this one, though! The twist near the end was really interesting, but I wish there had been a few more little clues leading up to it. It was really out of the blue, though I know some people would really like that. And the character arcs and motivations were all really well done, which I think is especially impressive given that the two central characters are demons.
Jennifer took Iago's motivations to a whole new level because he's not just a mindless, evil drone. He has free will and desires for himself, which come into conflict with his job as a demon. Color me intrigued! The last half hour of reading got pretty harrowing. I really didn't know what was gonna happen, and I fully believed it could go either way.
The only thing I didn't really like about the book was that the writing felt kind of distant. Nearly everyone in the book is terrible in some way or another, and Iago's job is to tempt people to hell. I didn't really have anyone to root for until about halfway through the book. I enjoyed the book enough, though, that I want to see what happens next.
The steampunk elements were pretty on point too - a pet peeve of mine is books that classify themselves as steampunk but mysteriously lack any of the elements. Not this one, though! The twist near the end was really interesting, but I wish there had been a few more little clues leading up to it. It was really out of the blue, though I know some people would really like that. And the character arcs and motivations were all really well done, which I think is especially impressive given that the two central characters are demons.
Jennifer took Iago's motivations to a whole new level because he's not just a mindless, evil drone. He has free will and desires for himself, which come into conflict with his job as a demon. Color me intrigued! The last half hour of reading got pretty harrowing. I really didn't know what was gonna happen, and I fully believed it could go either way.
The only thing I didn't really like about the book was that the writing felt kind of distant. Nearly everyone in the book is terrible in some way or another, and Iago's job is to tempt people to hell. I didn't really have anyone to root for until about halfway through the book. I enjoyed the book enough, though, that I want to see what happens next.
August 13, 2020
It’s all about that demonic aesthetic.
This book is something like if CS Lewis’s Screwtape Letters and Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s Good Omens got together and hatched a delightful little hell spawn. Iago Wick is an artist and a craftsman, a demon who takes pride in the creative flair that he adds to each of his demonic temptations. Dante Lovelace is his partner, in the romantic sense, and he leans so far into the gothic aesthetic he makes Edgar Allen Poe look positively pastel. Much like the Screwtape Letters, this book does not shy away from the fact that demons do really awful things including orchestrating gruesome murders and pushing victims to suicide – so don’t go into this expecting it to be all fluff and gluing coins to the pavement demon Crowley-style (Good Omens). Dante is more into causing boats to sink, airships to srach and farms to burn, while Wick enjoys crafting hideous nightmares, or giving an artist a quill that will allow him to paint exquisite portraits in blood, while exsanguinating and killing the individuals who inspire the portrait.
Dante and Iago have a charmingly respectful relationship that is interwoven with Iago’s efforts to complete one last major assignment from hell before he is to receive a major promotion/relocation. Together the two gentlemen are described as “quite an odd pair, like a peacock and a raven happy to share a meal.”
It’s a fun ride and I look forward to reading the rest of the series soon.
TW: Suicide, murder, torture, animal death
This book is something like if CS Lewis’s Screwtape Letters and Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s Good Omens got together and hatched a delightful little hell spawn. Iago Wick is an artist and a craftsman, a demon who takes pride in the creative flair that he adds to each of his demonic temptations. Dante Lovelace is his partner, in the romantic sense, and he leans so far into the gothic aesthetic he makes Edgar Allen Poe look positively pastel. Much like the Screwtape Letters, this book does not shy away from the fact that demons do really awful things including orchestrating gruesome murders and pushing victims to suicide – so don’t go into this expecting it to be all fluff and gluing coins to the pavement demon Crowley-style (Good Omens). Dante is more into causing boats to sink, airships to srach and farms to burn, while Wick enjoys crafting hideous nightmares, or giving an artist a quill that will allow him to paint exquisite portraits in blood, while exsanguinating and killing the individuals who inspire the portrait.
Dante and Iago have a charmingly respectful relationship that is interwoven with Iago’s efforts to complete one last major assignment from hell before he is to receive a major promotion/relocation. Together the two gentlemen are described as “quite an odd pair, like a peacock and a raven happy to share a meal.”
It’s a fun ride and I look forward to reading the rest of the series soon.
TW: Suicide, murder, torture, animal death
September 6, 2019
The Last Temptations of Iago Wick is such a fun book. Yes, Iago Wick and Dante Lovelace are demons, but they’re not evil. Well, maybe a bit, but mostly it’s because temptation and catastrophe are their callings. Lucifer gave demons a purpose. They really do enjoy people, like being on earth (it’s way better than Hell, even for a demon).
Iago is a tempter. The souls he’s after are already well on their way to hell, he just gives the final push. His current assignment involves the men in a secret society. that has done some pretty nasty things to a lot of people over the years.
But there’s this inventor, relatively new in town, who realizes that the town’s recent spate of deaths is due to a demon. And Iago might be in more danger than he expects.
The book really is delightful. It’s funny in a dry way. It’s got demons with their own moral code and their own dilemmas. There’s an angel who recognizes that maybe demons have worth aside from what they are. There’s the inventor, who is pretty awesome for a number of reasons. It’s a perfect fall read, a bit of light horror, a bit of the supernatural, and anti-heroes I can root for.
Iago is a tempter. The souls he’s after are already well on their way to hell, he just gives the final push. His current assignment involves the men in a secret society. that has done some pretty nasty things to a lot of people over the years.
But there’s this inventor, relatively new in town, who realizes that the town’s recent spate of deaths is due to a demon. And Iago might be in more danger than he expects.
The book really is delightful. It’s funny in a dry way. It’s got demons with their own moral code and their own dilemmas. There’s an angel who recognizes that maybe demons have worth aside from what they are. There’s the inventor, who is pretty awesome for a number of reasons. It’s a perfect fall read, a bit of light horror, a bit of the supernatural, and anti-heroes I can root for.
February 9, 2019
Demon and gentleman Iago Wick is tasked to claim nefarious souls for Hell's legions. Based in the eerie Marlowe, Massachussetts, Iago must annihilate the Fraternal order of the Scarab, his final assignment before his big promotion. Everything is going swimmingly until Thomas Atichson sticks his nose into his business. A mysterious inventor, Atichson hunts demons and has his sights on Wick. Secrets, society, and murder abound in this delightfully hellish adventure.
I absolutely loved this book! I'm a sucker for a morally grey character and this take on demons was definitely unique. The juxtaposition of high society and the gentlemanly pursuits of Iago and his partner Dante Lovelace with gruesome murders and dark human psyche was an absolute treat. The story was filled with wit and heart. It was a great setup to continue the series and further explore this demon infested world.
I would highly recommend this short little story filled with dark humor and wonderful sass. Although it lacked a bit of complexity, it was truly a fun read and I can't wait to continue the series.
I absolutely loved this book! I'm a sucker for a morally grey character and this take on demons was definitely unique. The juxtaposition of high society and the gentlemanly pursuits of Iago and his partner Dante Lovelace with gruesome murders and dark human psyche was an absolute treat. The story was filled with wit and heart. It was a great setup to continue the series and further explore this demon infested world.
I would highly recommend this short little story filled with dark humor and wonderful sass. Although it lacked a bit of complexity, it was truly a fun read and I can't wait to continue the series.
February 5, 2024
Okay, I'm upset.
I think I actually purchased this item because someone said that it's reminiscent of Good Omens . I saw in the Goodreads tags that it's an M/M romance.
My fellows. Y'all. Raiders of the Lost Ark is more of a romance than this book. All of the relationships in this book are established and take a backseat to the plot, which is...I dunno, horror? Mystery? Slice of life demon story?
I'm still in my Smut Rut.
Boo.
Anyway, I still loved it. I like Iago; he's a great anti-hero. I liked his arc. I liked that I didn't know for whom I was supposed to be rooting for a sizable portion of this book .
I especially liked the ending so of course I'm gonna be shelling out cash for the next installments, even though they won't have any smut either.
ugh.
I think I actually purchased this item because someone said that it's reminiscent of Good Omens . I saw in the Goodreads tags that it's an M/M romance.
My fellows. Y'all. Raiders of the Lost Ark is more of a romance than this book. All of the relationships in this book are established and take a backseat to the plot, which is...I dunno, horror? Mystery? Slice of life demon story?
I'm still in my Smut Rut.
Boo.
Anyway, I still loved it. I like Iago; he's a great anti-hero. I liked his arc. I liked that I didn't know for whom I was supposed to be rooting for a sizable portion of this book .
I especially liked the ending so of course I'm gonna be shelling out cash for the next installments, even though they won't have any smut either.
ugh.
June 14, 2020
This is quite an interesting little read. It blazes quickly and is a fun romp. It's very well written with engaging characters. It kinda reads a bit like a Good Omens fanfiction, but I won't knock that against it. I appreciate the fact that two gay couples feature so prominently in a way that isn't voyeuristic or made into a huge to do. These characters simply exist, queer demons and demon hunters as they are.
Iago and Dante are both really enjoyable anti-heroes/villain protagonists. I loved their chemistry, and I enjoyed the internal conflict of Iago. The Atchisons were enjoyable, and I loved the mystery of who Thomas was.
I would perhaps have liked a bit more world building details, and the plot gets a little bit thin, though it was good. I may continue with the rest of the series at a later time, but I'm not sure. Still, this was highly enjoyable even as a standalone read.
Iago and Dante are both really enjoyable anti-heroes/villain protagonists. I loved their chemistry, and I enjoyed the internal conflict of Iago. The Atchisons were enjoyable, and I loved the mystery of who Thomas was.
I would perhaps have liked a bit more world building details, and the plot gets a little bit thin, though it was good. I may continue with the rest of the series at a later time, but I'm not sure. Still, this was highly enjoyable even as a standalone read.
February 7, 2023
This reading experience was all over the place for me. I found it very slow and hard to pick up, but once I would pick it up I did enjoy the story. I highlighted seven quotes from the book, and truly enjoyed a lot of the theology/theory behind the story. I really liked Iago Wick and Dante Lovelace. I enjoyed the Atchisons, although that story line was much more interesting right at the very end. This loses a star for me because of the very graphic descriptions that I was not expecting. I was expecting a lighter, more 'fun' story of a demon getting tired of his duties. There's some of that, but also bloody torture and violence that I just wasn't prepared for. I got all three of the books in the series for free from Kindle and I have yet to decide whether I will continue or not. I liked the ending and I am intrigued by the idea of following Dante around. But I haven't decided yet.
may-be
April 30, 2021Having grown up when reading and analyzing Bulgakov’s “The Master and Margarita” was a part of classic literature studies at school... I am unsure any other “demons meddling in people’s affairs and collecting souls” story can come close or even hold up against that golden standard. Master and Margarita, of course, is much more than that and undeniably brilliant book, granted I read it in Russian, so I don’t know how well it translates.
I love m/m, but still everything else seems like an armature copycat compared to Bulgakov’’s masterpiece. I am curious, though, if that’s what inspired the author.
A very strong “maybe” for me...
I love m/m, but still everything else seems like an armature copycat compared to Bulgakov’’s masterpiece. I am curious, though, if that’s what inspired the author.
A very strong “maybe” for me...
January 21, 2018
Unsettling read
This is a sort of grimmer version of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters. A Story in which a demon is the protagonist who carefully crafts temptations as a sort of art form. But this demon is a much more fully developed character that Lewis' demon with inner conflicts and his own sort of moral code. Could be the first in a series possibly.
This is a sort of grimmer version of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters. A Story in which a demon is the protagonist who carefully crafts temptations as a sort of art form. But this demon is a much more fully developed character that Lewis' demon with inner conflicts and his own sort of moral code. Could be the first in a series possibly.
September 21, 2019
Enchanting read!
The author has captured an enchanting, beautifully written account of a demon struggling with, gasp!, his moral quandary and struggle with being a slave to the lower powers that be. I enjoyed this book very much and am quite looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
The author has captured an enchanting, beautifully written account of a demon struggling with, gasp!, his moral quandary and struggle with being a slave to the lower powers that be. I enjoyed this book very much and am quite looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
March 25, 2017
Very entertaining
I want sure what to expect when I picked this one up but was pleasantly surprised. The story pulls you along nicely and the main characters all have actual personality. Iago himself makes you pull for the demon even as he deceives or otherwise leads people to sign away their souls.
I want sure what to expect when I picked this one up but was pleasantly surprised. The story pulls you along nicely and the main characters all have actual personality. Iago himself makes you pull for the demon even as he deceives or otherwise leads people to sign away their souls.
May 9, 2017
Felt a bit rough at the start but the story quickly found its stride and was a very fun and entertaining read! I find myself hoping that we will be treated to more stories of Iago's future adventures.
March 28, 2018
Fun romp
A writer's masterpiece, this is not. A light, smart, funny tale with interestingly quirky characters, it most certainly is. I am looking for the next in - what I hope is - the series!
A writer's masterpiece, this is not. A light, smart, funny tale with interestingly quirky characters, it most certainly is. I am looking for the next in - what I hope is - the series!
January 9, 2019
A fun, inclusive read.
Cute read. A fantasy story that is LGBT inclusive- gotta love it. Not on the level of Gaiman, but a solid Fantasy story that reminds me a little bit of Good Omens. Looking forward to more.
Cute read. A fantasy story that is LGBT inclusive- gotta love it. Not on the level of Gaiman, but a solid Fantasy story that reminds me a little bit of Good Omens. Looking forward to more.
October 14, 2020
Iago and Dante automatically reminded me of the relationship between Aziraphale and Crowley from Good Omens, even though Iago and Dante are both demons. This was such a fun read and I look forward to more adventures from these two demons.
August 8, 2023
3.25 stars
Well written, but really not a romance, despite the tiny bits of happy queer coupledom here and there. I'm not sure if I'll be following up with the rest of the series or not. Time alone will tell...
Well written, but really not a romance, despite the tiny bits of happy queer coupledom here and there. I'm not sure if I'll be following up with the rest of the series or not. Time alone will tell...
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April 6, 2018Devilishly unique
I enjoyed this book thoroughly. The characters were great and a nice plot twist. Can't wait until book two. Looking for more books by the author.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly. The characters were great and a nice plot twist. Can't wait until book two. Looking for more books by the author.
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