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Hellbent Halo #2
Smoke & Mirrors
Working for Heaven is a living Hell for rogue wizard Josiah Quinn.
Too many rules and not enough easy cash. His first official assignment from the God Squad? Solve a string of brutal murders Josiah believes are part of an intricate and all-too-familiar summoning ritual involving broken mirrors.
His investigation leads him to the front door of Stefan Nikolaides, the one and only living Oracle in North America. What Josiah learns from Stefan’s terrifying visions sends him deep into the underworld of the Greek mafia, where satyrs call the shots and cut deals behind locked doors using the only currency that matters: human souls.
Are the mobsters involved in the ritual summoning? Or is it all smoke and mirrors, distracting Josiah from the real monster—one a little closer to home…
Smoke and Mirrors is the second installment of Hellbent Halo, a dark and irreverent take on urban fantasy. If you like anti-heroes like Sandman Slim and John Constantine, you’ll love Josiah Quinn.
Buy Smoke and Mirrors to dive into this bloody good mystery today!
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2020
28 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 25, 2019
Smoke & Mirrors
(Hellbent Halo #2)
by E.A. Copen
This is a book I requested and the review is voluntary. Action packed fantasy with demons, half-demons, and the mob! Lots of levels of intrigue going on! Mages with some demons trying to raise the most evil demon ever! A demon Lucifer was afraid of. Very exciting stuff! They kidnap an Oracle and that's where our team comes in, find him, and stop the summoning. Can't wait for the next book!
(Hellbent Halo #2)
by E.A. Copen
This is a book I requested and the review is voluntary. Action packed fantasy with demons, half-demons, and the mob! Lots of levels of intrigue going on! Mages with some demons trying to raise the most evil demon ever! A demon Lucifer was afraid of. Very exciting stuff! They kidnap an Oracle and that's where our team comes in, find him, and stop the summoning. Can't wait for the next book!
September 14, 2019
An interesting story with a different viewpoint about life. In the Lazarus series we met Ms.Morningstar, Lucifer’s daughter, and Josiah. We met many other characters. In this story we will learn about the story of a fallen/ demon who wants to rule the world. Another fight of good versus evil but with a twist. In the story to save mankind you will learn more about who Josiah is and who he is related to which is an epic point. Josiah, Ms.Morningstar, some angels and a couple of demons will change an outcome temporarily. You will meet an Oracle,Stefan, who plays an important part in the entire story. You will meet an imp but I really enjoyed Milly.
This is an excellent well written story which I hope you will enjoy as much as I did!
This is an excellent well written story which I hope you will enjoy as much as I did!
April 13, 2021
I really enjoyed this one, but it is a book not for the faint of heart. It's almost horror with the amount of blood, guts and gore. I'm not necessarily complaining, just giving a warning about the sheer buckets of gore. It's a good thing magical healing exists for Josiah, Khaleda & their associates, but too bad about anyone else unlucky not to survive the forces of evil. (I wonder if any of that magical healing will help the otherwise inevitable lung cancer for Josiah, what with his constant smoking or complaining about wanting a smoke.)
Beyond magical healing allowing the characters to survive much longer than they ought, it's also a good thing they have their comic relief in between danger, death, doom and despair. Josiah is still reeling from the finale of the previous book and it's now him leaning on Khaleda rather than the other way around, not that he'd ever admit it. New characters are introduced as well to add to their dynamic and I'm hoping to see more of them in the coming books.
I listened to the audio for this one - I'm not super keen on dual narration, since it means characters have different voices depending on the narrator and the female narrator's Australian accent is questionable, but emotionally, they pull it off well.
Beyond magical healing allowing the characters to survive much longer than they ought, it's also a good thing they have their comic relief in between danger, death, doom and despair. Josiah is still reeling from the finale of the previous book and it's now him leaning on Khaleda rather than the other way around, not that he'd ever admit it. New characters are introduced as well to add to their dynamic and I'm hoping to see more of them in the coming books.
I listened to the audio for this one - I'm not super keen on dual narration, since it means characters have different voices depending on the narrator and the female narrator's Australian accent is questionable, but emotionally, they pull it off well.
February 3, 2025
Well, I enjoyed this book much more than the first. Josiah is still an ass but there are more explanations as to why. I’m willing to give him the benefit of doubt that he’s not as unlikeable as he seems. He definitely has a soft spot for some things and people. He goes out of his way to help them.
He also has a tarantula as a familiar which makes me predisposed to dislike him – spiders and I are not friends.
Josiah and Khalida have been blackmailed into working for the God Squad even though they are despised by the squad.
They are enlisted to investigate some brutal ritual slayings as well as a missing persons case Josiah has on the side. Surprisingly these cases are connected.
This book has a lot of violent action, definitely has quite a bit of blood and gore. There is Greek mafia involved, attempts to raise the most powerful Fallen angel, a push to make Khalida claim her heritage as Lucifers daughter and take up the crown of hell.
There is more learned about Josiah’s background which explains a lot. There is also the addition of an Oracle, Stepan, who seems to be important to the series. I guess I’ll find out.
After the first book, I wasn’t sure about this but it’s now really interested me and am looking forward to going onto the next.
He also has a tarantula as a familiar which makes me predisposed to dislike him – spiders and I are not friends.
Josiah and Khalida have been blackmailed into working for the God Squad even though they are despised by the squad.
They are enlisted to investigate some brutal ritual slayings as well as a missing persons case Josiah has on the side. Surprisingly these cases are connected.
This book has a lot of violent action, definitely has quite a bit of blood and gore. There is Greek mafia involved, attempts to raise the most powerful Fallen angel, a push to make Khalida claim her heritage as Lucifers daughter and take up the crown of hell.
There is more learned about Josiah’s background which explains a lot. There is also the addition of an Oracle, Stepan, who seems to be important to the series. I guess I’ll find out.
After the first book, I wasn’t sure about this but it’s now really interested me and am looking forward to going onto the next.
July 26, 2019
Smoke & Mirrors begins where the first book in the series left off. I strongly suggest reading the first book in the series and then this one as this one builds off of the other. Author Copen does a grand job with the plot and just when you think you've gotten things figured out, there is another twist. They all make sense, but they can be wonderfully unexpected.
The characters of Josiah and Khalida further develop throughout the book, and who wants to miss the darling Milly? Not me! The teamup is an intriguing one, and in this book they have a suspenseful mystery/murder to solve.
Eagerly hoping for the next book in the series, soon!
I was given an ARC of this book and have chosen to review it.
The characters of Josiah and Khalida further develop throughout the book, and who wants to miss the darling Milly? Not me! The teamup is an intriguing one, and in this book they have a suspenseful mystery/murder to solve.
Eagerly hoping for the next book in the series, soon!
I was given an ARC of this book and have chosen to review it.
July 28, 2019
Smoke & Mirrors is Book 2 in the Hellbent Halo series by E. A. Copen. Like a roller coaster there are numerous ups and down, twists and turns so you are always surprised by what comes next. As in Fractured Souls (Book 1) this is an extremely well-written tale with amazing characters that are so true to life (we get to meet Millie) and at its end we are left with wanting more. Loving this book/series and looking forward to Book 3 to see where this amazing author is going to take us next. Highly recommend this book/series to anybody who likes urban fantasy and an awesome story. Received an ARC and this is my voluntary and honest review.
July 27, 2019
Great 2nd book in the new Hellbent Halo series. We learn more about Josiah & Khaleda in this exciting tale of magic, demons, angels, Greek mafioso, Oracles & satyres. Together with gruesome murders & smashed mirrors found at the scene of our unconventional twosome's first job with Magnus Dai & Father Mirren's plea for a missing person to be found; events & people lead Josiah & Khedula to uncover dark & dangerous secrets which rapidly suck them into situations & concequences they never expected! Loved it, overflowing with brilliant writing & characters that draw you into their noir underworld. Glad to read more about Milly & Reggie! Highly recommended magical read.
July 22, 2019
I just finished reading this book, I read the first one about 2-3 months ago and honestly it’s like I only read it yesterday. This book stars off pretty well where book one ended and the plot and storyline only grows more chaotic (in the best possible way) and interesting the further you get, there’s unexpected twists when it comes to both Khalida and Josiah, both intimate and otherwise. I honestly couldn’t put down this book once I started it, and it is intense, but worth the read !
July 27, 2019
Smoke & Mirrors: A Dark Urban Fantasy Mystery (Hellbent Halo Book 2) by E.A. Copen is an amazing story that I have loved reading. This is book number two in this amazing series that I loved reading from the very first book. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about mysteries in their stories.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
July 28, 2019
Wonderfully detailed sequel to the Hellbent Halo Series with action, adventures, violence and great main characters. There are Angels, Demons, Greek Mobsters, as well as mythological creatures. The storyline is well-written, descriptive, smooth flowing and entertaining. I loved it. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.
August 2, 2019
Demons, Nephilim, satyrs, wizards, fallen angels, regular angels, humans, and Lucifer’s daughter herself are caught up in a power struggle. You may be surprised at who alines with whom, and why. This story definitely has an intriguing plot and interesting characters.
July 28, 2019
Wow. Totally different type of detective work. This is for heaven. Hard, not enough money. Absolutely enjoyable. Can’t wait for the next one.
July 11, 2020
I'm still on the fence with this series. There's plenty of action, and the characters have their moments... but I'm just not in love with these people, and I have mixed feelings about the storyline.
November 14, 2020
Some surprises came about in this book, and I wasn't sure how the author will handle writing some parts, but I ended up loving the series even more!
July 6, 2021
Josiah is back in another action filled book with a while host of interesting characters.
January 5, 2026
Audiobook has two main narrators and depending on the chapter is who will read it with voices. So the same characters throughout the book have different voices. The book was good. On to the next one.
January 29, 2025
I couldn't wait to get back into Josiah's world and see what trouble he and Khaleda could get into next and boy I wasn't disappointed.
Hells yes, if I thought the first book was great this one was fantastic. I have a feeling each one will get better and better building up until it reaches its conclusion. There were so many twists and turns on this one, some I guessed some I was completely blindsided by but absolutely loved all the way.
Josiah's and Khaleda's frenemy relationship still amuses and entertains me no end but underneath it all I can see a mutual respect and care that they feel for each other even though they'd never admit it.
I also loved the fact that there is a new love interest for Josiah, a man who's trying to close his heart off as he has so much to lose but still taking a risk anyway. Whether it works out or not remains to be seen but I'm a romantic at heart so I'm hoping for the best.
As I can't wait I'll be going straight to book 3.
Hells yes, if I thought the first book was great this one was fantastic. I have a feeling each one will get better and better building up until it reaches its conclusion. There were so many twists and turns on this one, some I guessed some I was completely blindsided by but absolutely loved all the way.
Josiah's and Khaleda's frenemy relationship still amuses and entertains me no end but underneath it all I can see a mutual respect and care that they feel for each other even though they'd never admit it.
I also loved the fact that there is a new love interest for Josiah, a man who's trying to close his heart off as he has so much to lose but still taking a risk anyway. Whether it works out or not remains to be seen but I'm a romantic at heart so I'm hoping for the best.
As I can't wait I'll be going straight to book 3.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews