Hell to Pay

Razing Hell #2

by Cate Corvin

They bound me. Led me into sin.
Twisted my heart and soul.
But they didn’t break me.

By a stroke of fate, I’ve won my freedom… and the dark half of the Seventh Circle.
All it took was betraying the prince who held me captive.
Belial’s anger burns hotter than the fires of Hell, but I won’t rest until I’ve won my Nephilim mate from him, even if being his enemy tears at my heart.
Azazel and Lucifer have a plan: create the Sword of Mourning, the polar opposite of the Sword of Light, and wage war against Satan.
I’ll raise my own army, master my corrupted magic, and together, we’ll strike at the heart of Dis. Satan must die.
And Gabriel will suffer.
For the archangel who pushed me, for the king who terrorized me, there’ll be hell to pay.

Hell to Pay is a steamy, enemies-to-lovers reverse harem romance for readers 18 and over.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Angels, Demons, Paranormal Romance, Audiobook

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 10, 2020

About the author

Cate is a USA Today Bestselling Author who loves all things passionate and paranormal with a side of horror. She lives in the South with her family and pets, and loves every kind of coffee, horror and fantasy movies, and cats. Reading is her favorite hobby when she’s not writing.

Sign up for my newsletter here: https://www.catecorvin.com/newsletter

Reviews

[CLUB GEMILL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to give a warning before I get to my review! This book is a Reverse Harem! This book is not for the Faint of Heart! Please do not read if you are not into Reverse Harems! 😎😏

Now that we got that BS out of the way. Bruh!! This book/series is Sugar, Spice, and Nothing Nice! Lol! Make sure you get your popcorn ready with Extra Butter and Salt. Maybe even a very Strong beverage while you are at it! That’s just some Friendly advice. Anyways, This is The Best Reverse Harem book/series that I have read! Once again people, I can’t stop reading this series! It’s like going to Vegas and never wanting to leave! I feel like I am cheating on The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Crooked Kingdom. Both books that I am currently reading and should have finished by now. Does this make me a bad person? Please don’t judge me. Lol! I Just Can’t Help Myself. I am Addicted and I need help. This is some SOS stuff, y’all! Cate Corvin is a Brilliant author! She is no Freaking joke! I highly recommend reading this book/series! Only if you want to Let Your Hair Down and Walk on The Wild Side! CHEERS 😎😏🥂🍾 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇

[Al *the semi serial series skipper* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Taste. So beautiful and fickle.

The first time I heard about this author was when I read the first book of this series, I loved it so much I tried to read ALL of her other books. I gave up at book 5 but was patiently waiting for this one, since it started the love affair, I reckoned I'd like it just as much.

That turned out to be a lie. I did not like this book at all. The characters were so whinny, I don't know if I completely ignored Melissandre's eyes glistening with tears in book 1 but it drove me crazy in this book.

The thing with Belial also drove me nuts. He acted like she pissed in his coffee, I don't know why he was so upset. She was a slave treated like royalty, why should she try to be free. Dumbass. Melissandre too annoyed me with this, always crying when he treated her like shit because of her "betrayal" yet she kept going back and crying. Girl, if you don't stiffen up that upper lip. Also, when she breaks off from Belial she suddenly becomes arbiter of pain and suffering. I know she's from the choir of righteous fury or whatever it was called but the complete about face was jarring. It is one thing to survive in Belial's arena trying to fight for your life but it is a completely different thing having your own arena with people fighting for you.

I'm all for girl power but Vyra and her antics got on my nerves as well. Yes, it is nice the succubus is there with all her glitter, nail polish and makeup but please, for the love of all that's holy can she not be in every chapter. Why would anyone need to mention glitter and nail polish when you're literally in hell. Oh, I know. People from Hell deserve to be pretty too and yes, I agree. Just don't mention it willynilly. When it's time to entertain, I'm all for her dressing up but when she's going to a region where she could probably die, please keep your makeup talk to yourself.

I didn't like the rest of her harem either. Lucifer was a wimp, Azrael was all mysterious for nothing, Tascius was bleh. I can't believe I loved these people in book 1. At this point I don't know if I am reading book 3.

[Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead


The blurb gave me intense action vibes and a enemies to lovers spin with the h and Belial......not so much.
I do not like the h
When I think of demon mcs I think gigantic, give no fucks badasses....not quite


I'm tired and bored and did I mention I can't stand the h? Unfortunately I'm done with this series for now

[❀ Crystal ✿ - PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is giving me life and I love it. This time around the tension is high as are emotions. After the startling end of book one, Melisande may have pissed off and broken one of her mates. I have to sympathize for both parties but at the same time had Belial been honest about what the mark he gave her meant, I think things would have played out differently. Aside from them working out their mess soooooo much other drama happens. The hunt for the tools to kill Satan is on. But of course Melisande does her own thing and changes things up. Rather than having a sword created to destroy Gabriel or even Satan she has wings made for Tascisus. Goodness this was so amazing and heartbreaking at the same time. You could almost feel his heart overflowing when he finds out what she did. Then again now she has Lucifer and Azazel pissed off that she threw more than just a wrench in their plans. But like Belial I'm hoping time will show them her heart was in the right place. Even above her revenge is her love for them all and she will always put them first, can they really be mad about that? And damn damn damn that end!!!!!! I knew Gabriel would be Tascusis's father, it was just too horrible to not happen. What I did not see coming though was Belial utterly destroying Gabriel in her name and offering his severed wings like some Hell token of his love. How romantic. I love that she took to Hell like that's where she should have been all along! This will undoubtedly have some unseen consequences especially from Heaven but perhaps given that Gabriel isn't actually dead may or may not change things. I am so excited for the next book. So far this series has been super engaging and the pacing is so well done, the story just keeps moving and I need more! Also side note, can we send some love to her new BFF Vyra, she rocks so hard lol

[Mariam Mohsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Spoiler Alert*
Book 2 kicks off where book 1 left off Melisande (FMC) has won her freedom from Belial but gaining it is not all its cracked up to be. Still on her own course to get her revenge on Gabriel as well as Satan too and she has way of getting both. With the help of Tascuis, Azarel & Lucifer. My god these four guys steam up my kindle. They are hotness personified!! Love, Love, Love them!! Melisande is bloody lucky woman. I also love Vyra shes a sweet & funny character & im hoping she gets a little action with Haru?? Fingers crossed for that one. This series is so good i cant praise it up enough. Its just brilliant

[SnooRegrets · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I don’t like how the heroine doesn’t learn from previous mistakes and doesn’t seem to really grow at all, but I liked the pacing in this book.
Lucifer still is a character, that seems like no character at all and he seems to be in her harem only because that name belongs with hell.

[Miki’s⚠️ Safety Reviews & Rants⚠️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌟Brief Summary:
This is a review for the entire series.
This will have mild spoilers but I’ll try to stick to safety and opinions.

‼️This was a solid 4 star series until book 5 and it all went to shit. (See spoilers below)
Honestly I really have this 2.5 stars ⭐️ but rounded up cause it was safe and had no OW.

❣️Things I Liked/Loved❣️
-❤️I LOVED THE HAREM- they were not OTT but they were a well balanced and had lots of swoon moments.
-Overall good 🌎 world building
-Depth of character and SOME character growth.
-I liked the Gladiator vibe
-I love me a FMC that has fight to her…how ever juvenile🙄


Things I Did 💔 Not Like
-‼️I DO NOT LIKE THE VERY CLOSE BUT TWISTED BIBLICAL STORY. I like fantasy and even Angel/demons PNR but this was pushing my limits. If it wasn’t written by Cate I would have DNF and maybe still should have.

-‼️The FMC was the most Juvenile FMC. She thought telling Someone to “fuck off” was the answer to EVERYTHING.

-‼️The constant separation from one or more of her harem throughout the series. My Pet peeve!

-‼️2 different men in her harem where being controlled by another entity during the series. I hate this esp when the guy doesn’t really have remorse for what he didn’t to the h during that time. It’s so dumb I hate this type of storyline. At the very least that control wasn’t sexual so they stayed faithful. That’s not always the case in these situations so I appreciate that.

-⚠️now for a spoiler of book 5⚠️
Why oh why🤦🏼‍♀️
This is where the story took a serious plummet. Book 5 was like reading a totally diff story. INTRODUCING A NEW AND MORE POWERFUL ENEMY IN THE LAST BOOK IS A NO GO!!!!!!!
This enemy wasn’t introduced took the very end of book 4. Till then she had never been talked about. Then we had to endure almost a whole book of our FMC being tortured. Then her men are yet again in and out of the story. This was unpleasant and frustrating to read. What was the point of her being pregnant? She stupidly goaded the bad guy to the pony of torture but all was ok cause she protected her baby w magic 🙄 she didn’t even allow herself to think of the baby as a priority. This book dive bombed this series for me. Then she ends up as a queen and goddess!? It just took weird turns and I WAS NOT HERE FOR IT. Ugh it’s so dumb.
The only thing worth reading was the epilogue.

🦹🏻‍♂️ Hero: RH
🪽Lucifer- Prince of Hell, Fallen Angel, son of Satan

🦁Beliel- Prince of Wrath, Prince of the Seventh Circle

🐦‍⬛Azezel- Death God, Lord of the Watchers and the Grigori.

☠️Tascius - Nephilim turned Archangel

🦋 Heroine:
Melisande- Fallen Angel 🪽
Prideful, arrogant, self righteous, severely juvenile, extremely entitled,
makes lots of really stupid decisions and AWLAYS says the wrong thing……
😳So yeah 🤷🏼‍♀️ I didn’t love her- she didn’t have any real character growth till book 5 and even then she wasn’t likable.

💭 POV:
Multiple first person you get 1POV from each guy per book. Would have liked more from the guys.

🔥 Burn Rate:
Medium- first sexy times in book 1 is at 50% and is pretty steady throughout the series

😡/😍 Angst level:
Medium-low

❤️‍🔥 Sexy times & Descriptive sex: yes 🔥🔥🔥🔥 there are some good spicy sexy times

🌓 Push/Pull:
Some mild push pull with some of her men but nothing lasts to long.
Book 2 her and Beliel are on the outs it’s wrapped up by the end.

☠️ OW/OM Drama:
None

🤮 OW/OM Sex / Fluid or DNA Exchange:
None

🤬 Cheating:
None

👰🏼‍♀️ Virgins:
h is a V
None of her harem are V

⛈️Separation/ 3rd Act Breakup:
Mostly No -but throughout there are different times of separation with some of her mates.

Safety⚠️Triggers🗡️:
Torture
Bloody fighting

🌈Epilogue:
Yes

🥂HEA:
Yes

❌My opinion is just that… MY OPINION.
I know we all get passionate about our favorite reads and characters but we should respect each opinions a thoughts. ~Thank you

[Soph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly am really enjoying this series. Would 100% reccomend

[Rae · Rating 1 out of 5]

Whole book predicated on an annoying plot hole, and completely contradicts book 1

“I’ve got too much pride… It was taught to us angels by Gabriel.” Did the author forget that PRIDE IS A SIN? Are we just ignoring that the angels wouldn’t have accepted obvious sin like that? It’s what was said last book, and it isn’t like there’s any new info, just a lazy plot device. And the choirs weren’t allowed to be prideful, they were controlled and demeaned and weren’t allowed to be happy when they did well. THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF PRIDE. The whole book is pathetically stupid and I can’t stand this sort of lazy writing and development.

[Rhiannon Chillingworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really one of the better RH series I have read this year.

I really enjoyed the first, and this didn't disppoint, either. The world building is interesting, the male characters all have their own individual personalities and Milesande managed to be tough without being a cocky asshole about it, which is often the case with kickbass heroines in these types of books.

I definitely recommend this series.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****5 Razing Stars*****

Loving this trilogy, and it is just getting better. This review will be for the first 2 books.

Melisande is a great badass female lead. She is a warrior, and that is awesome But, even better she is learning to adapt to this new life she was thrust into when she fell from Heaven, and she is thriving. She has found herself with four very strong, powerful and hot as hell mates. Now she just needs to learn how to rely on them, and trust them with her plans.

This story moves at a great pace, and is filled with lots of action. I am a sucker for a gladiator story, so I am just loving the arena. The world building is done very well too as we get great descriptions of Hell as Melisande travels through the different circles. Pretty much these books just have everything that I am looking for in a fantasy book.

Highly recommend!

[Zen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Choices are made

Melissa new has forged new bonds with those around her and is trying to find her way back to Belial after being cast out. A greater plot is revealed as the group finds that the arch angels are acting independently and are no longer receiving direction from God. She has a choice to make, the feather or the sword, that will impact them all.

[Siri · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,7 stars ish

[Kitlina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good read as well. I love how the story flows.
The dynamic between the characters is so relatable. I really like their banter.
And I love where the story is going.
I can't wait to read more.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Crap guys, this book was FIRE! The second book in this series was amazing and even better then the first book. This book starts off with Mel gaining her freedom by betraying Belial. She is then cast out to the Nightshade kingdom and for the first time since falling to Hell, Mel is on her own. She now has to learn how to navigate her new home and figure out what is important to her. However, being away from Belial she finally gets to know Azazel and Lucifer and they are everything....

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Cat H · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8 stars.
Whoa.
A lot of things happened in this book.
So many things.

I’m not even sure I can explain any of it really.
All I can say is that I’m truly enjoying this author’s ability to spin an intriguing tale of complex problems with complex solutions, and steamy sex that continuously ratchets the tension up.
I’ve yet to be disappointed, and I’ve got faith that that will continue to be the case as I read this series.

Im gonna get on that now.
This book’s cliffhanger left a lot in the air. I need some answers and some more action.

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it! Her story sort of slowed in the middle but ran at the end.

[Bella - · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,80 Stars

I have a word for this book and it is Cheesy yes definitely this book is soo damn cheesy. I really liked the first book even though it was also like that but it was apparently nothing compared to this one.

I mentioned this also in my review of the first book. The audience for the entire series is adults but for some reason, it feels like it was written for children. The story involves blood, killings, sex, and yes these are the elements for an adult book, oh it’s also a reverse harem but except these, the story doesn't have much, there's an ongoing story where there aren't many details, and everything gets solved easily.

Okay, I still like the characters. Some more than the others but even my favorite Belial doesn’t feel perfectly right in this one. (He is also a bit childish I might say haha, but still, he has a big place in my heart.)

One of my biggest issues with the series is that the reverse harem elements don't work quite right. The relationship developments are poor, it's definitely lacking. The relationships only work because the author wrote that way but there's not a single evidence that can prove how this might work, or why. How did they even fall in love?

Maybe this series should have been a romantic fantasy without reverse harem elements. All the boys could remain love interests who entered Melisande’s life at the same or different times. All I am trying to say that reverse harem elements don't fit. Especially when group sex is involved. Hmm okay, awkward, yeah well… Maybe stop. Especially with Tascius nope, still not a fan of this big boy. I am still thinking Gabriel would’ve been a better love interest than him, shame on me but #sorrynotsorry

Footnote 1: I mean Melisande has wings. Big, wide, full of feathers wings that she cannot hide and she has to always carry them, okay I don't need to know how she sleeps I can imagine that one way or another but she always dresses up fancy and stylish I mean is it too much to ask how she manages that? Vyra is there as a personal fashion designer of hers. There are so many descriptions of the glitters and blablas on her dress. But rather than, just once tell me a bit about how she dresses around her wigs. Or how she controls her wings when she has sex? Sometimes it doesn't make sense.

Footnote 2: I know it is nothing like that but it kinda gave me the vibe of Gone with the wind. When she was like; Even if it killed me, I would earn it back. (about Belial's mark) I really loved them together I can't help it, he is the one and only for me. I ship Melisande and Belial.

Overall:
*I am still voting 3.8 mainly because of the characters and the book cover. And by the time I started reading It was supposed to be a trilogy, so I decided I would finish it. Now I have to finish it because this is how I am, I am not easy with DNFs after I make the decision.

*The story had so many positive aspects but it just didn't work. There are really good characters, a good plot, a good world-building (environment at least) but altogether something is missing, it just doesn’t work perfectly.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded this book via Kindle Unlimited.

Okay wow. This book absolutely blew me away. I never thought after my previous experiences reading RH books that I would ever find one I enjoyed but so far this series is proving me wrong time and time again. In this book we see the aftermath of Melisande's win in Belial's arena, winning not only her freedom but also half of his circle and the title of Lady Wrath. But Belial isn't happy about her dismissing everything he's ever done for her and instead chooses to freeze her out and keep Tascious as a warrior to spite her. Despite her heartbreak over this, Melisande chooses to start her new life as Lady Wrath, eventually coming into a quest to build a complete opposite to Gabriel's Sword of Light in order to kill him.

This book was a rollercoaster journey from start to finish. I missed Belial and Tascious when they weren't around, and I could really feel so did Melisande. She never once said that she loved one of her boys more than any of the others and I loved that their sexual chemistry isn't the only thing driving the plot in this book, there is also a genuine story.

[Trish R. Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this series so far. Really like how the story progress and reading the banter between the characters. Very hot sexy scenes, there are some touching heartfelt moments too. I also like the bond between Melisande and Vyra, please let us have her HEA when this series is done.

I'm on a binge and now on to Book 3!

[Tara Syrnyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Series keeps getting better! After reading the first book, I was already on the edge of my seat just beginning this book! There is so much to love about this series! The characters are so amazingly well developed, the plot is unique and strong, everything is so clearly and thoughtfully described, its so easy to “see” the story. Melisande has become one of my favorite characters. We get to see some much growth with her. She is totally bad ass but she’s also learning to trust and love. It’s really fun to go on this journey with her and her totally bad ass boys. Angels, Nephilim, Demons and so much more grace these pages in an impressive journey that left me it a total book hangover. This series is a must read, full of drama, steam, action and a Heroine that will inspire a love for the “dark side”

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

👍👍💥💥

This was such a fabulous book! I loved getting more Lucifer and Azazel even if I missed Belial until he pulled off the ultimate gift! This really is a great series and I am looking forward to continuing it.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m enjoying this series can’t wait for the next

[Imy♥♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 43%

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really loving this series

There are a lot of ups and downs in this book, mostly if not all pertaining to the many relationships our mfc has. And the guys do not impress me much when they are faced with relationship conflict. They are so hot and cold its giving me whip lash. Aside from all that though, good plot development and good flow. I like that we got to see different areas of the hell plane.

[Britt B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow

I have no words... this is easily one of the best series I have ever read. I could critique it and find minor flaws, but minor is all they are. I have to read the next book after that ending!!!!

[Jasmine Hoisington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet holy hell! This book was just as good if not better than book 1! This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites!

Melisande is a bad @ss MC but she annoyed me to high heavens (pun intended) with her rash decision making. I’m hopeful she keeps to her word in the upcoming book and goes to her guys before making any more rash decisions. The guys… holy freaking swoon worthy. All of them! Tascius is freaking goals!

I can not wait for book 3!!!

[Beanca Ras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cate Corvin is fast becoming one of my favorite authors, like me becoming stalker obsessed....

Hell to Pay is a fantastic read and a great sequel to For the Hell of It.

Melisande is one baddadd FMC, but there where time i wanted to climb into the story and throttle her!!


I cannot wait for book 3!!!

[Rambling Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book in this series gave me hope for the RH genre. Here was a heroine that was legitimately strong, took what she wanted, and was owning her future. Then came book two and the lame love-fest. Do the men in RHs always have to turn into the world’s biggest puss? Why can’t they all just stay badass? I feel that these are legit questions and also why I never like these series past the first book.