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The Demons' Muse #1
The Kiss of Death
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
I always imagined Death's final kiss would be cold. It wasn't.
Four years later, I can still remember the exact shade of his skin: a blue so pale it looked like moonlight. I dream of his touch. Mostly, I paint the man under the heavy cowl, including those perfect lips which ruined mine for anyone else.
I'm obsessed with him.
The doctors say he's nothing more than a hallucination caused by a mixture of head trauma and emergency pain medications. I think he's a really sexy figment of my imagination. I mean, who besides an artist would dream up the Grim Reaper for their hero?
Now, something's changed and my drawings are taking on a life of their own. As if college wasn't hard enough, trying to keep this a secret is going to be impossible. Keeping my sanity might be worse. And that's not the worst of my problems.
Death is back.
He wants another kiss.
And he's not alone.
The Kiss of Death is a 156,000 word, full-length novel with NO cliffhanger ending. This is a Reverse Harem series which includes multiple love interests, some m/m themes, and graphic scenes of sex, violence, and language. Be warned: everything you thought you knew about the world, religion, and death will be pulled apart, twisted around, and put back together in ways you will not expect.
I always imagined Death's final kiss would be cold. It wasn't.
Four years later, I can still remember the exact shade of his skin: a blue so pale it looked like moonlight. I dream of his touch. Mostly, I paint the man under the heavy cowl, including those perfect lips which ruined mine for anyone else.
I'm obsessed with him.
The doctors say he's nothing more than a hallucination caused by a mixture of head trauma and emergency pain medications. I think he's a really sexy figment of my imagination. I mean, who besides an artist would dream up the Grim Reaper for their hero?
Now, something's changed and my drawings are taking on a life of their own. As if college wasn't hard enough, trying to keep this a secret is going to be impossible. Keeping my sanity might be worse. And that's not the worst of my problems.
Death is back.
He wants another kiss.
And he's not alone.
The Kiss of Death is a 156,000 word, full-length novel with NO cliffhanger ending. This is a Reverse Harem series which includes multiple love interests, some m/m themes, and graphic scenes of sex, violence, and language. Be warned: everything you thought you knew about the world, religion, and death will be pulled apart, twisted around, and put back together in ways you will not expect.
514 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2018
2998 people are currently reading
6013 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 694 reviews
July 28, 2018
This review may not be as eloquent as some, but so many people have rated this highly I felt it was my duty to post something for those of us in the minority (it seems).
my main problem with this book are
In one word - Everything
But that's not really helpful so here's a list
✘ Religion, normally I can deal with twisting of Christianity BUT I draw the line at Jesus, please leave him out of it.
✘ the long winded physics lessons- a lot of the book is technical jargon which I started skimming pretty quickly.
✘ the word "y'all" its used about 1.2 billion times (give or take a couple of hundred) and gets really old really fast. Nothing else suggest the MC has a southern accent and this threw my mental dialogue every time
✘ the book was too long and not enough happening to justify it
✘ the MC was a real special snowflake, I got tired of hearing how no-one else was able to do what she could do. There hasn't ever been a muse like you, no human has ever been able to pull aether except you, everybody falls the first time...except you, everyone is afraid of my demon form except you. Get the picture?
✘ Nick - get over your insecurities your a billion years old for F sake Sheesh what a cry baby
The things I liked about this book;
✔ its got angels I like angels
That about covers it
my main problem with this book are
In one word - Everything
But that's not really helpful so here's a list
✘ Religion, normally I can deal with twisting of Christianity BUT I draw the line at Jesus, please leave him out of it.
✘ the long winded physics lessons- a lot of the book is technical jargon which I started skimming pretty quickly.
✘ the word "y'all" its used about 1.2 billion times (give or take a couple of hundred) and gets really old really fast. Nothing else suggest the MC has a southern accent and this threw my mental dialogue every time
✘ the book was too long and not enough happening to justify it
✘ the MC was a real special snowflake, I got tired of hearing how no-one else was able to do what she could do. There hasn't ever been a muse like you, no human has ever been able to pull aether except you, everybody falls the first time...except you, everyone is afraid of my demon form except you. Get the picture?
✘ Nick - get over your insecurities your a billion years old for F sake Sheesh what a cry baby
The things I liked about this book;
✔ its got angels I like angels
That about covers it
September 21, 2023
MacHalo Reading Challenge (MMFBCE™) : 5. Gods and Demons
warning: if you are a very religious person and easily offended, you should probably not read this book; it's basically five hundred pages of blasphemy.
To put it simply: A Kiss of Death destroys plenty of Christian teachings by simply setting up the universe; there is no Heaven, no Hell, and no God. Angels and demons have been there from the beginning of times, strolling around with dinosaurs, watching species evolve, and fighting with each other.
You've been warned.
Auryn Hadley has one hell of an imagination -pun intended. She took the over-used theme of the religion to make something original and almost as complex as the real thing, perhaps even a little too much.
But while the world-building was incredible, the characters were lacking a bit. We had Death, we had a Muse, we had some very infamous characters; the setup was perfect to make everything very poetic.
Unfortunately, the characters were mostly 2 dimensional, sometimes immature, never really deep. They had consistency, but not enough, which should not have bothered me if the book wasn't 500 pages long. The world was developed, the characters were not; even Sia mostly stagnated.
Despite that, A Kiss of Death was a very good and surprising read. It's the kind of book that is better appreciated without any spoiler, where you don't mind the constant mystery and the unanswered questions. We will have them in time, and I cannot wait to read more.
And because it's me and bitching is kind of my thing, let's finish with even more subjective ranting:
+ the overuse of exclamation points can quickly become extremely annoying;
+ "y'all" is a very ugly shortening and was also used too frequently;
+ As a coffee addict myself trying to bring my heart rate back to something somewhat normal, I must say that drinking coffee is not sexy. I don't know which rule decided that it was badass but I dream the day heroines will start drinking tea or stick to water;
+ and Nick, dude, grow some balls.
> MM
> No FF
Trigger warning:
See theology warning above. And assault and stuff.
booked.unicorn
June 4, 2019
DNF at 30%
I try not to DNF books before 50% but this book is so damn long and nothing is happening that I feel justified.
Seriously. I feel like it is dragging along and it is over 500 pages?
I'm not against long books. I just bought a Norton Anthology for fun. But I am against long books without the plot or connection to support it. The characters are all one-dimensional at this point (after 100 something pages) and I am not engaged with the plot.
Insta-love. Insta-attraction. Men clamoring after one girl without emotional connections.
Also, this girl is perfect. Smart. Determined. Good at art. Good at bartending. Takes care of her house. I really want her to have flaws besides disbelief and loving a dude she has never really interacted with. Why should I care about her? What makes her compelling?
If after 100 pages, you can't tell me that then it isn't worth my time and effort.
I try not to DNF books before 50% but this book is so damn long and nothing is happening that I feel justified.
Seriously. I feel like it is dragging along and it is over 500 pages?
I'm not against long books. I just bought a Norton Anthology for fun. But I am against long books without the plot or connection to support it. The characters are all one-dimensional at this point (after 100 something pages) and I am not engaged with the plot.
Insta-love. Insta-attraction. Men clamoring after one girl without emotional connections.
Also, this girl is perfect. Smart. Determined. Good at art. Good at bartending. Takes care of her house. I really want her to have flaws besides disbelief and loving a dude she has never really interacted with. Why should I care about her? What makes her compelling?
If after 100 pages, you can't tell me that then it isn't worth my time and effort.
November 2, 2020
⚡ Read for the 2018 KU Shitathon™ challenge over at the MacHalos ⚡
I haven't read such original blasphemy in forever!
Finally getting around to writing a few words about this — Hallelujah!
This book isn't for everyone. One might say that it takes religion and rips it to shreds. That, however, would be false. It takes religion and myths, deconstructs them down to nothing and then proceeds to build something entirely new and plausible. Imagine The Lego Movie Master Builders!
And no, Sia is nothing like Emmet. She has issues and she thinks them through. She isn't perfect and doesn't do badassery on her first try. More like the third. She asks questions. Sia is a really good character.
The guys are also good. They talk and explain. They have theri own history and issues and they deal.
The writing is excellent. Yes the book is a monster with all those pages but it flows. It is easy and simple.
If you aren't overly religious I would give this a try.
◼ Book: # 5 -- Week: 29/07 - 11/08 ◼
I haven't read such original blasphemy in forever!
Finally getting around to writing a few words about this — Hallelujah!
This book isn't for everyone. One might say that it takes religion and rips it to shreds. That, however, would be false. It takes religion and myths, deconstructs them down to nothing and then proceeds to build something entirely new and plausible. Imagine The Lego Movie Master Builders!
And no, Sia is nothing like Emmet. She has issues and she thinks them through. She isn't perfect and doesn't do badassery on her first try. More like the third. She asks questions. Sia is a really good character.
The guys are also good. They talk and explain. They have theri own history and issues and they deal.
The writing is excellent. Yes the book is a monster with all those pages but it flows. It is easy and simple.
If you aren't overly religious I would give this a try.
◼ Book: # 5 -- Week: 29/07 - 11/08 ◼
Want to read
June 3, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/2/2019)! 🎁
Sequel free with Kindle Unlimited
Sequel free with Kindle Unlimited
March 18, 2018
LOL so bad. How does this book get good ratings? It is all nonsense filler where you wait around for something to happen. The dialogue is painful as hell. Main character chick just sounds like an idiot and the author manages to write her as both boy-crazy and prude-ish at the same time.
Only interesting scene in the whole thing was the very first involving a robbery. Absolutely nothing worthwhile after it. I am not religious and enjoy books about alt takes on various religions so that was sort of appealing to me but the execution of the meandering plot and (bad) characterizations were just all nope.
And if Nick is so ancient why does he act 16? Meh.
Only interesting scene in the whole thing was the very first involving a robbery. Absolutely nothing worthwhile after it. I am not religious and enjoy books about alt takes on various religions so that was sort of appealing to me but the execution of the meandering plot and (bad) characterizations were just all nope.
And if Nick is so ancient why does he act 16? Meh.
March 5, 2020
I am torn over this. I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it either.
I was intrigued by the plot of the story, but for a 500 page book, I really expected more, I mean the harem isn't even established. I have a pretty good idea who else will be in the harem, but that is just a guess.
I will say it was annoying how much it was repeated about how special Sienna was.
I will continue with the series because I want to see what happens next and if I am right about the harem.
I was intrigued by the plot of the story, but for a 500 page book, I really expected more, I mean the harem isn't even established. I have a pretty good idea who else will be in the harem, but that is just a guess.
I will say it was annoying how much it was repeated about how special Sienna was.
I will continue with the series because I want to see what happens next and if I am right about the harem.
May 23, 2019
This is one long ass boring book. When I need books as long as this I don't get it but when I hope for a book to be over quickly I get encyclopedias. Nothing happens in this book, the plot was boring. I got tired of hearing how special Sienna was,got tired of Nick's insecurities, got tired of trying to figure out when the RH actually happens. Definitely not reading book 2.
Want to read
June 2, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/2/2019)! 🎁
April 19, 2020
Paranormal RH!
This was so good. I'm always amazed with Hadley's ability to write characters that I just love, worlds that beg to be explored, and stories that literally suck you in.
The characters:
-Sia the muse
-Nick aka Old Nick aka Satanael aka Satan
-Sam aka Samyaza
-Luke aka Lucifer the fallen angel
-Bel aka Beelzebub
Great first book and I highly recommend. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger.
This was so good. I'm always amazed with Hadley's ability to write characters that I just love, worlds that beg to be explored, and stories that literally suck you in.
The characters:
-Sia the muse
-Nick aka Old Nick aka Satanael aka Satan
-Sam aka Samyaza
-Luke aka Lucifer the fallen angel
-Bel aka Beelzebub
Great first book and I highly recommend. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger.
September 12, 2020
1.5 rounded up.
This book is 500 pages, it feels like 1,000. First off I'll start with the good. The world building wasn't bad, the idea also could have worked. The writing wasnt horrible per se but...
The bad... everything else. mainly the fact that this book is long and feels 3x longer and nothing really happens. There is just constant info dumps throughout and physics lectures, I do not care about your made up physics.
Lack of a harem. This is touted as a reverse harem, and I'm sure later in the series it will develop more, but right now its all about "Nick". And that's fine but not really what I thought I was signing up for.
The worst part of this story is the main character Sia shes horrible, everyone in this book is really flat and lack personality but Sia is a bratty Mary-Sue who is the most special snowflake in the world. I hate Sia, everyone is devoted to her but there is no reason I would ever want to be friends with her. She's not likable and has the personality of white bread that got a little mold on it. Another review mentioned the author somehow managed to make her both prudish and sexually open at the same time. That's pretty accurate. She comes off as someone so proud shes so 'open' and 'progressive' but she still calls men "pigs" for behaving like a normal consequentially receptive dude. (Wow! This guy who is kissing on a happily willing girl in public is such a PIG, wow that girl is a slut!). I hate it, I hate her.
Male/Male action. I love Male/Male action, I was honestly offended at how it was handled here. The author basically treats M/M relationships as lesser or "settling" because "girls are not around" and obviously everyone would rather a female but women don't exist in the demon race. The book is just weirdly homophobic to me because it treats m/m touching like something that's so naughty but these are 'demons' so *childish snicker* its ok if they 'sin'. ugh, gross.
Age- not really a spoiler, these guys are BILLIONS of years old, seriously Billions, repeatedly addressed they 'walked with literal dinosaurs old, and watched the evolution of mammals' they act like insecure teens. The literal devil is as whipped and cowardly as you can get in this, and not in a 'oh thats satirical kind of way' no we are supposed to see him as some bad ass who is just misunderstood, but in actuality he's he's just supposedly a wet blanket who's ashamed he's so 'scary and misunderstood'.
If you are going to make your heroes 'demons' and go with that taboo, then MAKE THEM BAD, embrace that vibe! Make them evil, like..... don't make them the misunderstood sorry sops who are neutered and weepy that humans think they are the bad guys. Whats the point? If you are setting someone up to date the devil don't make the devil ashamed of what he looks like and sad he has to kill little old ladies and people hate him for it (but actually its ok guys he doesn't 'kill them' in a bad way because they are evil or anything, he releases them from their pain and helps them end the suffering... so spooky... so evil...).
It clearly says a lot about me that I want my demons evil and am salty they are hella' lame here .
My advice is advice I did not even follow. If you find yourself around 30% of the book thinking 'wow this is slow, and i feel like i have read 300 pages already.' Just cut out, it doesn't get better.
Peace out!
This book is 500 pages, it feels like 1,000. First off I'll start with the good. The world building wasn't bad, the idea also could have worked. The writing wasnt horrible per se but...
The bad... everything else. mainly the fact that this book is long and feels 3x longer and nothing really happens. There is just constant info dumps throughout and physics lectures, I do not care about your made up physics.
Lack of a harem. This is touted as a reverse harem, and I'm sure later in the series it will develop more, but right now its all about "Nick". And that's fine but not really what I thought I was signing up for.
The worst part of this story is the main character Sia shes horrible, everyone in this book is really flat and lack personality but Sia is a bratty Mary-Sue who is the most special snowflake in the world. I hate Sia, everyone is devoted to her but there is no reason I would ever want to be friends with her. She's not likable and has the personality of white bread that got a little mold on it. Another review mentioned the author somehow managed to make her both prudish and sexually open at the same time. That's pretty accurate. She comes off as someone so proud shes so 'open' and 'progressive' but she still calls men "pigs" for behaving like a normal consequentially receptive dude. (Wow! This guy who is kissing on a happily willing girl in public is such a PIG, wow that girl is a slut!). I hate it, I hate her.
Male/Male action. I love Male/Male action, I was honestly offended at how it was handled here. The author basically treats M/M relationships as lesser or "settling" because "girls are not around" and obviously everyone would rather a female but women don't exist in the demon race. The book is just weirdly homophobic to me because it treats m/m touching like something that's so naughty but these are 'demons' so *childish snicker* its ok if they 'sin'. ugh, gross.
Age- not really a spoiler, these guys are BILLIONS of years old, seriously Billions, repeatedly addressed they 'walked with literal dinosaurs old, and watched the evolution of mammals' they act like insecure teens. The literal devil is as whipped and cowardly as you can get in this, and not in a 'oh thats satirical kind of way' no we are supposed to see him as some bad ass who is just misunderstood, but in actuality he's he's just supposedly a wet blanket who's ashamed he's so 'scary and misunderstood'.
If you are going to make your heroes 'demons' and go with that taboo, then MAKE THEM BAD, embrace that vibe! Make them evil, like..... don't make them the misunderstood sorry sops who are neutered and weepy that humans think they are the bad guys. Whats the point? If you are setting someone up to date the devil don't make the devil ashamed of what he looks like and sad he has to kill little old ladies and people hate him for it (but actually its ok guys he doesn't 'kill them' in a bad way because they are evil or anything, he releases them from their pain and helps them end the suffering... so spooky... so evil...).
It clearly says a lot about me that I want my demons evil and am salty they are hella' lame here .
My advice is advice I did not even follow. If you find yourself around 30% of the book thinking 'wow this is slow, and i feel like i have read 300 pages already.' Just cut out, it doesn't get better.
Peace out!
April 17, 2018
**For those who are religious and easily offended this book is not a read for you. This book is fantastic read but it pretty much takes religious ideals and throws them out the window and does not look back. So, if this is something that you can’t put aside to read a beautifully written story move along to a different novel.
The Kiss of Death was an unexpected addicting treat. I was a skeptical but intrigued to see what this book could offer up, and my goodness I devoured it! This book throws so many rules or ideas right out the window without hesitation and honestly it is one of the things that made me love this read so much more. I truly could not put it down, every page offered something different, something new, something mind-blowing. The story develops with every passing page, a new twist to the ever-developing story.
Sienna stops off one night to visit her friend Jamal at the local gas station, the next thing she knows she is watching the robber shoot her friend and mystical person comes to her rescue before she is truly harmed. In exchange for his help the person asks for just one thing, a kiss.; this kiss sets Sienna on a four-year long struggle to find this mystical person to whom she calls Death. Her journey leads her to college where she sets about her first year of college at the glorious young age of 24, where she determine to major in Art. Along in her quest for higher education, she meets Nick whose yumminess does not quench Sienna’s thirst for more of him; However, he is thowing mix signals and is a true gentleman at heart, mind you this does nothing to stop her wandering mind and only causes more intrigue. These two have a sexual tension that is a slow burn, and this relationship is one for the ages too! I love how his friends Sam and Luke become integral to this dynamic story line. The tension, the wants, the looks and the feelings that this trio unleash on Sienna is hard for one gal to take. As the story develops and the characters true nature are revealed, one is immersed with details, dimensions, and a war that is centuries old.
I am anticipating the release of the next book and can’t wait to see how the characters and story develop!
The Kiss of Death was an unexpected addicting treat. I was a skeptical but intrigued to see what this book could offer up, and my goodness I devoured it! This book throws so many rules or ideas right out the window without hesitation and honestly it is one of the things that made me love this read so much more. I truly could not put it down, every page offered something different, something new, something mind-blowing. The story develops with every passing page, a new twist to the ever-developing story.
Sienna stops off one night to visit her friend Jamal at the local gas station, the next thing she knows she is watching the robber shoot her friend and mystical person comes to her rescue before she is truly harmed. In exchange for his help the person asks for just one thing, a kiss.; this kiss sets Sienna on a four-year long struggle to find this mystical person to whom she calls Death. Her journey leads her to college where she sets about her first year of college at the glorious young age of 24, where she determine to major in Art. Along in her quest for higher education, she meets Nick whose yumminess does not quench Sienna’s thirst for more of him; However, he is thowing mix signals and is a true gentleman at heart, mind you this does nothing to stop her wandering mind and only causes more intrigue. These two have a sexual tension that is a slow burn, and this relationship is one for the ages too! I love how his friends Sam and Luke become integral to this dynamic story line. The tension, the wants, the looks and the feelings that this trio unleash on Sienna is hard for one gal to take. As the story develops and the characters true nature are revealed, one is immersed with details, dimensions, and a war that is centuries old.
I am anticipating the release of the next book and can’t wait to see how the characters and story develop!
February 14, 2019
Okay so here's the skinny on this book. Whereas the storyline was good but totally different from anything I've read before as far as the main characters are concerned. This author really took it there! I mean she didn't whole back as far as science and religion were concerned. I will say she had the balls to seriously write this book and flip our basic way of thinking and beliefs upside down. Where I will not necessarily say I was totally religious I'm quite spiritual and I have a loving relationship with God and his angels, but I just couldn't get down with her way of thinking. Now I'm aware this is a fictional book and it's for entertainment purposes, but damn I could never go there!
Now the reason I'm rating this book as 3.5* is because there were just too many explanations of science and math. I mean do I really care? No! So there just were too many parts of this book that wasn't necessary. But that's my opinion and I'm entitled to it!
However, with all of that, that was mention above will not stop me from continuing to read this series so onto book 2.
Again overall rating:
3.5* ~ I like it, I guess. (keeping an open mind!)
Now the reason I'm rating this book as 3.5* is because there were just too many explanations of science and math. I mean do I really care? No! So there just were too many parts of this book that wasn't necessary. But that's my opinion and I'm entitled to it!
However, with all of that, that was mention above will not stop me from continuing to read this series so onto book 2.
Again overall rating:
3.5* ~ I like it, I guess. (keeping an open mind!)
February 5, 2020
Skimmed.
Because the first page had this sentence.
“Under my shoes, the bodies of crickets crunched disgustingly.”
Which doesn’t bode well for the standard of writing.
Personal opinion.
Because the first page had this sentence.
“Under my shoes, the bodies of crickets crunched disgustingly.”
Which doesn’t bode well for the standard of writing.
Personal opinion.
May 19, 2021
3.75 Stars
I liked the book, the concept of the world and I really liked Sia and the guys but the book was a little slow for me and it took me a lot of time to finish it. It was not bad but it wasn’t super good, it was more than meh like a I sometimes didn’t care what happened but other times I did type of thing. In general I would recommend if you like slower RH romances.
I liked the book, the concept of the world and I really liked Sia and the guys but the book was a little slow for me and it took me a lot of time to finish it. It was not bad but it wasn’t super good, it was more than meh like a I sometimes didn’t care what happened but other times I did type of thing. In general I would recommend if you like slower RH romances.
March 16, 2018
Holy freaking smokes can I give more than 5 stars?
SOME LITTLE SPOILERS SO SCROLL ON IF YOU DONT WANT TO READ IT!
This book blow my mind, from the amazing writing style to the descriptions of the different dimensions, or how the eather (life force) and all of the Characters Power worked ,to the descriptions of the Characters in there other form.
What surprised me the most and the little plot twist is, that for once Angels are not described and portraited as good, they are the most selfish and vile although appear to be beautiful creatures, and the Demons while 'bad' or do have their sins like everyone else are basically the good guys. I really liked the concept of the Grim Reaper and all the other 'biblical' characters that are decribed.
From what I know it is a RH book although in book 1 you wont find it. The female Character is completely Devoted to her guy Nick (one of his names ) but yes does expierence later on more than friendly feelings towards the others but has some trouble and fear of what is all means. Nick later on and I mean A lot farther towards the end of the book explain that Demons do/did share because of the lack of females. there will be a kiss of 3 with others, and There will be a MM kiss but that is the height of the the RH, my guess and please let it be , book 2 will continue exploring the relationship between at least the 5 of them.
SOME LITTLE SPOILERS SO SCROLL ON IF YOU DONT WANT TO READ IT!
This book blow my mind, from the amazing writing style to the descriptions of the different dimensions, or how the eather (life force) and all of the Characters Power worked ,to the descriptions of the Characters in there other form.
What surprised me the most and the little plot twist is, that for once Angels are not described and portraited as good, they are the most selfish and vile although appear to be beautiful creatures, and the Demons while 'bad' or do have their sins like everyone else are basically the good guys. I really liked the concept of the Grim Reaper and all the other 'biblical' characters that are decribed.
From what I know it is a RH book although in book 1 you wont find it. The female Character is completely Devoted to her guy Nick (one of his names ) but yes does expierence later on more than friendly feelings towards the others but has some trouble and fear of what is all means. Nick later on and I mean A lot farther towards the end of the book explain that Demons do/did share because of the lack of females. there will be a kiss of 3 with others, and There will be a MM kiss but that is the height of the the RH, my guess and please let it be , book 2 will continue exploring the relationship between at least the 5 of them.
May 1, 2018
It is an interesting idea. Take everything you know about religion, and change it. If religion subjects are a trigger for you (saying that Angels are the bad guys and demons are good, just the victims of some bad PR) this book is not for you. It straddled the line a bit for me, I was uncomfortable with the religion reversal, but I can accept it is a work of fiction.
However, while the book started very interesting it dragged on A LOT in the middle. It just went on and on and on with no action, just conversations about how to do things. I just felt that we could have had a less detailed "learning phase" and still have the same understanding of what was going on without it being as boring.
This is supposed to be a reverse harem, but there was not much (if any) of that in the first book.
While I did not hate it, I will not be reading the second book, I am just not interested enough.
However, while the book started very interesting it dragged on A LOT in the middle. It just went on and on and on with no action, just conversations about how to do things. I just felt that we could have had a less detailed "learning phase" and still have the same understanding of what was going on without it being as boring.
This is supposed to be a reverse harem, but there was not much (if any) of that in the first book.
While I did not hate it, I will not be reading the second book, I am just not interested enough.
May 30, 2020
Lots of people said they had a problem with the unsavoury depiction of religion. I personally, as an atheist, didn’t have a problem with the blatant disrespect and disregard shown towards religion and theists. For me the only two problems were the incessant fucking school lectures teaching us all about their world and also the lack of actual ‘reverse harem’ in the romance. She was stuck up on one fucking guy.
December 16, 2018
A generous 2.75 rating, rounded up to 3. It started out strong but all the "y'all"-ing and "chuckling" derailed my reading pleasure. As did the narrator; her reading style was very choppy.
The Kiss of Death is certainly not for religious puritans. Personally I didn't mind, but I can see why the Jesus is the son of Michael (an angel) explanation would be a problem for some readers.
The Kiss of Death is certainly not for religious puritans. Personally I didn't mind, but I can see why the Jesus is the son of Michael (an angel) explanation would be a problem for some readers.
January 30, 2020
The first scene hooked me, then it was all downhill from there. For me to read a long long book that is mostly dialog, I have to like the MC. She has to be someone whose issues and thoughts interest me, and I can relate to somehow. This was not by any stretch a YA story, But this grown woman MC had the interests, maturity, silly language and vocabulary, and foul mouth speaking style of a 15 year old, something you would hear on those vacuous social media selfie channels. It's "cheese d*ck", assh*le, and f bombs ad nauseum, a southern accent with no reason for it, everyone is "horny, or a "d*ck", and she is rude and hateful and bratty to everyone. Her main focus is "muscles" and "ass," and getting into bed, and I would never in a million years believe this foul mouthed airhead could inspire the love and devotion of a billion year old being. I debated whether or not to abandon it, but one thing in the book's favor is the male characters and their worlds. I wanted to know how things would turn out for them, so I plowed through, only to find it's not a completed story and the next one must be read for resolution. I just can't force the next book. I really hesitated for 2 full days about this review, then decided that I just had to speak honestly about it. One more thing, IMHO it's very risky to trash Jesus in a novel. There is no way a lot of readers won't be turned off. Even if the author is not a believer, it's not a great idea. I was able to somewhat get past it, but it definitely was unpleasant for me.
November 30, 2018
So, the whole reverse harem thing is a interesting to me, but I'm not sure how I feel about it. I think I have read about two or three different series now. I Like a powerful female in romance. I would think that's what a reverse harem is going to give me, but that's not what its feeling like most of the time. I'm finding, in general, the heroine is coming off whiney and needing to be saved and protected. There is a bit of that here.
The heroine is an idiot and revels in her stupidity to the point that she just lets someone else do her calculus homework because she doesn't understand it. She just goes with it. I know I'm being nit picky, but that is a major faux pas for me. Oh and the fact that she has a particular conversation over and over again. By the end if the book she just really came off as dumb.
Having said that, I really enjoyed the world building in here. Its what kept me in this book and eventually to the second. It takes all Christian theology and turns it into a fascinating set of characters.
The heroine is an idiot and revels in her stupidity to the point that she just lets someone else do her calculus homework because she doesn't understand it. She just goes with it. I know I'm being nit picky, but that is a major faux pas for me. Oh and the fact that she has a particular conversation over and over again. By the end if the book she just really came off as dumb.
Having said that, I really enjoyed the world building in here. Its what kept me in this book and eventually to the second. It takes all Christian theology and turns it into a fascinating set of characters.
June 18, 2020
So this book is a reverse harem and really long.
The book actually covers quite a bit which surprised me and definitely bored me a little bit. Sienna is somebody who is just trying to go to college who doesn’t remember their life before age 5 and was in foster care for quite a while but she is very talented with painting and drawing and art. So this is the story about how she means demons and how different worlds exist it’s actually pretty cool and then there is romance it is slow burn with the rest of the harem she is basically only dates nick right now.
I actually find the story kind of cute because Nick is really shy but it was difficult to deal with their age and their reactions to things because I don’t think they would really be that interested in Sia but then again they aren’t typical demons either they’re not mean this whole story is pretty cool.
Going to the next one for sure.
The book actually covers quite a bit which surprised me and definitely bored me a little bit. Sienna is somebody who is just trying to go to college who doesn’t remember their life before age 5 and was in foster care for quite a while but she is very talented with painting and drawing and art. So this is the story about how she means demons and how different worlds exist it’s actually pretty cool and then there is romance it is slow burn with the rest of the harem she is basically only dates nick right now.
I actually find the story kind of cute because Nick is really shy but it was difficult to deal with their age and their reactions to things because I don’t think they would really be that interested in Sia but then again they aren’t typical demons either they’re not mean this whole story is pretty cool.
Going to the next one for sure.
March 17, 2018
I really enjoyed this a lot. Sia was a likeable character and believable in her reactions to things and the position she was put in. The world building was interesting and original and we'll fleshed out. The male characters were great as well, all different and equally likeable.
I have two minor quibbles, however. Firstly, there was a bit too much of the lengthy description of the fake physics side of the aether and Sia learning to use her powers. It was interesting, but I think it just went on a bit too much.
Secondly, it is advertised as a RH book, and there are elements of this in the first book, and a set up for more to come in the future, potentially. I am fairly new to the RH genre, and surprised I've enjoyed it as much as I have, as I loathe love triangles, or books where there are multiple love interests and angst and the girl torn between them all. I just find it rarely well done and more of a lazy writing tactic to create tension for the main pair. I think this is why I've come to enjoy RH books so much in the last few weeks, as this isn't an issue!
Thankfully, the RH elements have none of the postering or jealousy/rivalry nonsense in this book. However, Sia is very intimatly and deeply romantically involved with one of the men, who she clearly places above the rest, whereas there have been a couple.of kisses with one other and nothing from the rest. That niggled at me a bit, as I think RH only works (maybe just for me anyway) when all of the partners are equal in the girls affections, both physically and emotionally. This idea that she can fool around with the others, but only if she likes him the best, hints that there will always be that imbalance, even if the rest of them become more intimate with Sia. Also, Nick's just a little too perfect, I sort of wanted him to bit a bit edgier.
However, I have no idea where the RH will go, and Nick is very open about having no issues with the possibility, so maybe the feelings for the others will grow equally strong.
If you like your urban fantasy with interesting world building, a likeable heroine, a group of attractive and engaging men, all of whom are equally likeable (give Luke a chance, he'll grow on you!) with a strong, but in no way overpowering, romantic element, then I can imagine you'd love this book!
I have two minor quibbles, however. Firstly, there was a bit too much of the lengthy description of the fake physics side of the aether and Sia learning to use her powers. It was interesting, but I think it just went on a bit too much.
Secondly, it is advertised as a RH book, and there are elements of this in the first book, and a set up for more to come in the future, potentially. I am fairly new to the RH genre, and surprised I've enjoyed it as much as I have, as I loathe love triangles, or books where there are multiple love interests and angst and the girl torn between them all. I just find it rarely well done and more of a lazy writing tactic to create tension for the main pair. I think this is why I've come to enjoy RH books so much in the last few weeks, as this isn't an issue!
Thankfully, the RH elements have none of the postering or jealousy/rivalry nonsense in this book. However, Sia is very intimatly and deeply romantically involved with one of the men, who she clearly places above the rest, whereas there have been a couple.of kisses with one other and nothing from the rest. That niggled at me a bit, as I think RH only works (maybe just for me anyway) when all of the partners are equal in the girls affections, both physically and emotionally. This idea that she can fool around with the others, but only if she likes him the best, hints that there will always be that imbalance, even if the rest of them become more intimate with Sia. Also, Nick's just a little too perfect, I sort of wanted him to bit a bit edgier.
However, I have no idea where the RH will go, and Nick is very open about having no issues with the possibility, so maybe the feelings for the others will grow equally strong.
If you like your urban fantasy with interesting world building, a likeable heroine, a group of attractive and engaging men, all of whom are equally likeable (give Luke a chance, he'll grow on you!) with a strong, but in no way overpowering, romantic element, then I can imagine you'd love this book!
June 28, 2018
Wow! I really, really, really, enjoyed this book! It's my first read from this author. She also wrote Rise of the Iliri, which has been on my TBR list but now, it's going to the top of my list. I loved this book. It was longer than I expected, it took me quite a while, but I'm totally okay with that! It was complex, intricate, some many twists and turns.
Sienna a.k.a. Sia - she's pretty bad-ass. I can't wait to see her grow more! Sometimes her independent streak drove me crazy but that's okay because she learned from those mistakes, like we all do.
The men - I don't want to give too much away when it comes to them. But....I've always had a thing for bad boys. They are beautiful. All the characters in this story are beautiful but these men...they have become one of my favorite!
I love the theories that this author wrote. It's different from most theories out there so it may piss off some people. I however, thought it was something different but not necessarily a bad thing.
This is a medium burn, but a slow-burn RH. Not everyone got in on the action. I was okay with that I like how this relationships grow and you experience them growing. Sometimes the insta-lust doesn't do it for me.
I can't wait for the next one in this series.
Overall: 5/5
Sienna a.k.a. Sia - she's pretty bad-ass. I can't wait to see her grow more! Sometimes her independent streak drove me crazy but that's okay because she learned from those mistakes, like we all do.
The men - I don't want to give too much away when it comes to them. But....I've always had a thing for bad boys. They are beautiful. All the characters in this story are beautiful but these men...they have become one of my favorite!
I love the theories that this author wrote. It's different from most theories out there so it may piss off some people. I however, thought it was something different but not necessarily a bad thing.
This is a medium burn, but a slow-burn RH. Not everyone got in on the action. I was okay with that I like how this relationships grow and you experience them growing. Sometimes the insta-lust doesn't do it for me.
I can't wait for the next one in this series.
Overall: 5/5
November 29, 2018
The first few pages caught my attention. Nick and Sia has a pretty good chemistry. But it didn’t last long though.
Too many information about physics and their background history, it bores me and gave me a headache I started skipping for a good scene.
And Sia, for Pete’s sake. Was too inquisitive that every answer has a questions, so the never-ending-deep-information was TMI. Too much. Too much.
I don’t practice my religion anymore but I’m no atheist either. I think religion is a very sensitive matter that turning it into a fictional story is quite demoralizing, especially including ‘Jesus’ name. I say we just leave some respect for people who believes. I’ve read other fictional books that has a touch of religion in them but I think this one is way, way out of line.
Unfortunately, even if I want to see Sam’s, Luke’s and Bel’s love life journey with Sia, I don’t think I’ll read the second book. I guess it’s not for me as it has too much explanation of events, it gives me headache. Literally.
Too many information about physics and their background history, it bores me and gave me a headache I started skipping for a good scene.
And Sia, for Pete’s sake. Was too inquisitive that every answer has a questions, so the never-ending-deep-information was TMI. Too much. Too much.
I don’t practice my religion anymore but I’m no atheist either. I think religion is a very sensitive matter that turning it into a fictional story is quite demoralizing, especially including ‘Jesus’ name. I say we just leave some respect for people who believes. I’ve read other fictional books that has a touch of religion in them but I think this one is way, way out of line.
Unfortunately, even if I want to see Sam’s, Luke’s and Bel’s love life journey with Sia, I don’t think I’ll read the second book. I guess it’s not for me as it has too much explanation of events, it gives me headache. Literally.
July 7, 2019
Much like Sia’s dating life, this book and I lacked chemistry. Second one in a row (been on a bad book tear, so take this with a grain of salt), but nothing clicked for me with Sia or her guys.
It had all the elements of an interesting PNR RH but was too bogged down with long explanations of the Aether and demon culture etc to sustain interest. The guys lacked sizzle, too enamored with Sia instantly to work on building a real relationship (which builds that sexy buildup, at least for me).
Her specialness was just so...special. Never in history had anyone ever done what she could do. She was good at everything she tried. And for all the pain/loneliness she told us (so casually, like an anecdote) she encountered as a child, Sia was surprisingly boring as a character. Nick got on my nerves, acting often like a 20 year old and not someone millenia old. He could have used a dose of some badassery to back up all the respect he supposedly held in Hell. I kept wanting him to be a little more Barrons and a little less insecure...soft...understanding.
It had all the elements of an interesting PNR RH but was too bogged down with long explanations of the Aether and demon culture etc to sustain interest. The guys lacked sizzle, too enamored with Sia instantly to work on building a real relationship (which builds that sexy buildup, at least for me).
Her specialness was just so...special. Never in history had anyone ever done what she could do. She was good at everything she tried. And for all the pain/loneliness she told us (so casually, like an anecdote) she encountered as a child, Sia was surprisingly boring as a character. Nick got on my nerves, acting often like a 20 year old and not someone millenia old. He could have used a dose of some badassery to back up all the respect he supposedly held in Hell. I kept wanting him to be a little more Barrons and a little less insecure...soft...understanding.
May 5, 2018
Oh. My. Gosh. Finally! A fresh take on the reverse harem genre. I was starting to loose hope with this genre, as all the protagonists in RH are built around the same tropes-- but I'm happy to report, you're in for a surprise. Not only is Kiss of Death layered with complex issues and surprising depth, but the men are not your typical mix of bold, shy, quiet, and rebellious-- these guys are as complex as the plot, and an even mix of personalities. Loved the story line as well as all the characters. I wish all writers could world-build as well, offering readers a manageable series of alternate worlds, characters, and subplots.
Fresh, and exciting read- fast paced enough to hold you at the edge of your chair, steamy enough to make you squirm in your seat, and layered enough to tease your brain with the possibilities!
Fresh, and exciting read- fast paced enough to hold you at the edge of your chair, steamy enough to make you squirm in your seat, and layered enough to tease your brain with the possibilities!
April 8, 2018
4,5! I couldn’t put it down. It was amazing and I really hope book 2 comes fast!!😍😍
February 12, 2021
If you love reverse harem and paranormal romance I highly recommend this series. I read all 5 books in one go.
If Jesus is your co-pilot this epic story is not for you, unless you are enlightened enough to think outside the box. Angels and demons are not what you think. The creatures of our myths and legends are real and exist in other dimensions. I love that the heroine is an artist like me. I love the descriptions of the colors she sees. "The sons of God begat the daughters of man and found them comely" (from the book of Genesis) kept running through my head as I read this book. I love how Ms. Hadley creates a whole different set of cultures and worlds unlike ours. The descriptive details of the creatures and the alternate worlds they come from is as if Ms. Hadley actually saw them. These details are what make Ms. Hadley's writing surpass the writing of most authors. The main character, Sienna, is a strong woman whose metal has been hammered and hardened by the adversity in her young short life. A lot of reviewers balked at the science being explained in the story. I love science. Neil deGrasse Tyson is awesome. I would love to know what he would say about this fictional tale.
Sienna has been raised in the foster system for as long as she can remember. One night she is almost killed in a robbery of a gas station. She is saved by what she believes is the angel of death. The doctors told her the trauma and medications made her confused.
Four years later she goes to college and meets Nick, a classmate, who in the right light looks very similar to the man who saved her. And from him she learns the truth of her death and life.
Many readers didn't understand why Sienna always acted so insecure. The timeline in the series covers about a 6 month period after Sienna starts college. The fact that this young lady, who was never truly loved just couldn't feel confident in her new role and it irritated many readers. After a while, through 5 books you would think that she would get over her lack of confidence, but that is easier said than done. Also her Oklahoma roots and accent (she said y'all a lot) bothered readers as well.
So much happens in book 1 that makes it seem so much longer. And Ms. Hadley writes big, fat books to begin with, which I love.
I hope you love this series as much as I did.
If Jesus is your co-pilot this epic story is not for you, unless you are enlightened enough to think outside the box. Angels and demons are not what you think. The creatures of our myths and legends are real and exist in other dimensions. I love that the heroine is an artist like me. I love the descriptions of the colors she sees. "The sons of God begat the daughters of man and found them comely" (from the book of Genesis) kept running through my head as I read this book. I love how Ms. Hadley creates a whole different set of cultures and worlds unlike ours. The descriptive details of the creatures and the alternate worlds they come from is as if Ms. Hadley actually saw them. These details are what make Ms. Hadley's writing surpass the writing of most authors. The main character, Sienna, is a strong woman whose metal has been hammered and hardened by the adversity in her young short life. A lot of reviewers balked at the science being explained in the story. I love science. Neil deGrasse Tyson is awesome. I would love to know what he would say about this fictional tale.
Sienna has been raised in the foster system for as long as she can remember. One night she is almost killed in a robbery of a gas station. She is saved by what she believes is the angel of death. The doctors told her the trauma and medications made her confused.
Four years later she goes to college and meets Nick, a classmate, who in the right light looks very similar to the man who saved her. And from him she learns the truth of her death and life.
Many readers didn't understand why Sienna always acted so insecure. The timeline in the series covers about a 6 month period after Sienna starts college. The fact that this young lady, who was never truly loved just couldn't feel confident in her new role and it irritated many readers. After a while, through 5 books you would think that she would get over her lack of confidence, but that is easier said than done. Also her Oklahoma roots and accent (she said y'all a lot) bothered readers as well.
So much happens in book 1 that makes it seem so much longer. And Ms. Hadley writes big, fat books to begin with, which I love.
I hope you love this series as much as I did.
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