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The Infernal Royals #1

The Devil's Huntress

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Thanks to Jesse James, Lucifer owns her.

Jessica James knew she wasn’t normal when her mother dropped her off on a ranch with the infamous Doc Holliday who was supposed to be long dead. All she was told was that she needed to train for the day her mother came back so she could fulfill her destiny.

Too bad Jess wants nothing to do with destiny.

When the day her mother comes to fetch her finally arrives, Jess finds her hanging in the apple tree. Demons searching for her all her life finally caught up to them.

Thanks to her ancestor Jesse James, the devil Lucifer Morningstar, is also looking for her to fulfill a contract made almost two hundred years ago.

Jess is untrained and knows nothing about the paranormal world. Will she get her bearings and learn how to fight back before Lucifer gets her killed?

464 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 20, 2021

253 people are currently reading
269 people want to read

About the author

Emma Dean

83 books695 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

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5 stars
230 (67%)
4 stars
85 (24%)
3 stars
18 (5%)
2 stars
5 (1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Danyelle Williams.
963 reviews8 followers
May 30, 2021
Demon Hunter

Learning about Jessica James. If you have been a fan of the series than you know Jessica...and you have always wanted to know her and Lucifer's story. Are they aren't they. Well in this book we get to know Jessica so much more as she slowly discovers who she is after years of being clueless. We also got to see the development of the ties that she develops to hell and Lucifer.

As Emma mentioned this one is a slow burn and a slower paced story...but if you have been wondering about Jessica than you will enjoy learning right along side her
Profile Image for Sarah.
181 reviews4 followers
July 2, 2021
Basically a 3.75. I LOVE everything I've read by Emma Dean, but this one fell a little short. I love the characters, I love the basic plot and world building, but there are several scenes where it feels like information is known by the main character but there's no explanation for how or when she learned it. I feel like maybe some scenes got cut, or weren't added in, because that's all I can think of for some of the miraculous moments of knowing stuff she shouldn't know. There are some scenes where the reactions feel a little odd, but eh. It could just be that I'm not used to the new voice/point of view for this series. I do understand that with this book being written during covid, and the author being at home with a young child almost 24/7, her work/life situation changed quite drastically. I am still just about itching for more in this world, in any of her series.
71 reviews
May 15, 2021
Jessica Freaking James!

I have been checking in constantly hoping that Emma would write a series about Jess! Her popping in and out of stories here and there was just enough to intrigue me and I am so glad she has written this! It was HOT y'all. The slowest of slow burns, which considering where Jess was most of the book was pretty poetic. I love the mystery, love the interaction of Jess and her love interest (I don't remember if the blurb says who it is or not), and I love how I could feel all the emotions of that characters! They are more than static characters, the people who support Jess, and I cannot wait to see how they develop along side of her! When is book 2 out? Can it be tomorrow? Please?
21 reviews
May 15, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! Having read the other series that mention Jess and Lucifer I’ve been super eager for her/their story and this didn’t disappoint! Seeing her go from general bada$$ to one with confidence and power to back it in finding herself was awesome! The time difference in this books compared to the most recent is a couple of years so it will be interesting to see her get to where she is in the timeline now because we all now how bada$$ she gets and to see their side of the story in comparison to what’s going on currently. I also love this kind of Lucifer book when it twists the whole “evil manipulator devil” into something that is totally opposite. I loved the hellhound scenes too. A few familiar faces and crossovers too! I can’t wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Matthew Wilson.
20 reviews
July 9, 2024
*TRIGGER WARNINGS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM- MAY APPEAR AS A SPOILER*

This is the very first book chronologically in the Council of Paranormals world. The author states in other books in the world you do not have to read them in order/ all of them, but I'd *highly* recommend reading every book.

Positives:
Kick ass FMC
Found family
Slow-ish burn
Growing into one's self
Interactions between FMC and love interest that got me screaming, giggling, and kicking my feet
So good I binged it in one go 😌
Generally emotionally intelligent characters

TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Parental Abandonment
Murder of parent
Abduction
Brief mentions of Bigotry
Violence
Attempted murder
Off-page very brief violence between partners (aftermath) (NOT FMC and partner)
5 reviews
January 26, 2024
Love can be Hellish!

I love how determined Jessica stays as she is developing into her own awareness. She was isolated from the world....then, abruptly expected to use innate talents she was unaware she possessed to keep humanity safe from the evil paranormals. She finds a puzzled but willing trainer in Lucifer...as well as a developing attraction on both sides. Reading the changes she causes is fascinating and enjoyable! I believe you'll want to continue the series, just like I am going to do.
Profile Image for Summer.
139 reviews
May 28, 2025
DNF at 22%
I was willing to accept Jess randomly meets a witch who can be her “guy in the chair”, providing all the fake legal docs and paranormal background. I didn’t like it, but I’d let it go. But I had to draw the line when after living in hiding all her life, watching the bad guys literally tear ppl to pieces, being told to stay inside, stay off the radar, and lay low she literally goes to confront vamps with no investigation, no research besides reading 1 book on how vamps die, and no planning.
110 reviews1 follower
May 19, 2021
I don't know where to start, Emma Dean has out done herself yet again with this new series. Not only could I not put if down, but damn girl the heat between Jess and the Devil had me fanning myself. I love the fact that we are getting Jessica's back story as I've loved her in the University of Morgana. The only thing that has disappointed me about this book is tgd next one is not ready. Seriously though love this book, I bow down to Emma for being an amazing storyteller.
Profile Image for stacey Ellis.
183 reviews2 followers
June 3, 2021
Finally

I have been waiting for a book about Jesse James ever since I first heard about her in Emma deans previous books, I absolutely love her and I really love lucifer, all the side characters are great too, I loved the storyline, the book really pulled me in from the first page and I have read it in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down. Well done to Emma Dean for another fantastic book
Profile Image for Tatted  Reader.
165 reviews11 followers
May 16, 2021
I have been waiting for a Jess and Lucifer series and I’m so Not disappointed in how it started! Sooo good i love how sassy Jess is and her relationship with Luca and how easy she flows with other creatures from hell. The relationship brewing with Lucifer and her is going to be so hot and sweet. I love it
Profile Image for Mari C.
353 reviews18 followers
May 18, 2021
A fantastic addition to the Council of Paranormals! It’s great to get some background of events set into motion prior to the rest of the books in the world. Jessica has always been a fairly important character that has popped up throughout several of the connected series but has always had this shroud of mystery around her. We get to pull this curtain back and see how she came to be this powerhouse of a FMC and the journey that lead her there.
1,846 reviews7 followers
September 9, 2023
Wow

Jess is a demon witch hunter and has bo clue what she is or her powers. When she is told her mother that dropped her off on a ranch till they she would return for her to fill her destiny. The chemisrty her and Lucifer have and the struggles she faces will have you wanti g to see more.
301 reviews2 followers
May 19, 2021
Long Awaited!

I have been waiting for these characters book for so long, but I can honestly say that it was worth the wait! This series is going to be one heck of a wild ride and I can't wait for the next adventure. I would definitely recommend. Happy reading everyone.
Profile Image for Noxwitchbooklife.
863 reviews12 followers
May 21, 2021
The Jessica James story I've been eagerly anticipating forever!

It is just as good as I was expecting with finding out most of her 'origin story' with plenty of Hell related action awesomeness and feisty cowgirl demon witchness.
Profile Image for Niki Trento.
Author 1 book6 followers
July 1, 2021
Holy hellfire!!

Emma Dean sucks you in, chews you up, then spits you out on the edge of a cliff!
This take on Jesse James and the devil is enthralling, mesmerizing, hot, & a must read!!
The only bad thing is waiting until April for the next one. ;)
Profile Image for Niki Trento.
Author 20 books206 followers
July 1, 2021
Emma Dean sucks you in, chews you up, then spits you out onto the edge of a high cliff!
This retelling of Jesse James and the Devil is absolutely delicious. The only problem is having to wait until next April to read the next book! <3
Profile Image for Anne.
245 reviews
April 26, 2022
One of my favorite worlds

I think Jessica James might be my favorite heroine from this world. I love that she is strong but still has some vulnerabilities. I also love the misfits she gathers along the way, especially the goblins. I am so excited that the next one is available.
Profile Image for Gwendolyn Thaggard.
765 reviews2 followers
June 1, 2022
I enjoyed getting to really know Jess.
I feel like I already knew her from previous books and her character seemed so self assure, in control, and badass.
I'm glad she got her own origin story.
She had a bad start but she came out swinging, literally.
Profile Image for Mari.
3,105 reviews2 followers
April 10, 2025
I hoped I would like it as much as I expected, but it exceeded my expectations by a mile. I love everything about this book. The story is intriguing, I absolutely love the characters and I can’t wait to bury myself in the next book.
468 reviews3 followers
June 4, 2021
Amazing

It was so cool to see Jessica’s backstory and how everything started with her and Lucifer. i cant wait to see what comes next for them
Profile Image for Willi.
414 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2022
Love Jess!

Emma Dean’s writing is magical and I enjoy every page. Jessica and her friends are amusing and I can’t imagine the adventures that she will be having in the next book!
Profile Image for Allons-y.
238 reviews46 followers
January 29, 2022
Very engaging read. I got a little bored around the 60% mark but it quickly turned around. Can't wait for the next book 😍
7 reviews5 followers
March 22, 2022
wow!

I’m not even sure what to say. The slow burn was painfully good. I loved every moment of this book
Profile Image for oh no she betty did.
133 reviews1 follower
July 28, 2024
2.75 ⭐️ Really liked the premise but the world building was soooo rushed! First 20% gave me whiplash.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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