Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Resurrected into present-day New York, Nadira Holden is asked to save the world ... again.

Nadira achieved legendary status when she gave her life to protect humans from the demons. To her, it was yesterday. To the rest of the world, it was twenty years ago.

People have made peace with the demons, worshipping them like celebrities. No one wants to believe that the beautiful creatures who brought magic to humans could be causing the disappearance of so many. When Nadira's father goes missing, she refuses to play nice. Gloves off. She has to do what she does best. Fight.

Experience why not even death can stop her.


Nadira Holden, Demon Hunter is a fresh urban fantasy series from Azaaa Davis that combines monster-slaying action, family drama, and simmering romance.

Fans of Vampire Hunter Anita Blake, Succubus Georgina Kincaid, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and Vampire Death Dealer Selene are enthralled and eagerly awaiting the next Nadira Holden novel.

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2018

74 people are currently reading
199 people want to read

About the author

Azaaa Davis

10 books185 followers
Azaaa Davis is an International Bestselling author of urban fantasy & paranormal romance novels. ✨

She fell in love with reading as a high school freshman and continues to read, write, and draw today. Her background in social work helps her portray realistic characters in otherworldly and sometimes terrifying situations. A New York native, Azaaa currently lives in New Hampshire (USA) with her husband and daughters.

Azaaa is working diligently to finish writing more fantasy novels while raising her daughters. Thank you for showing an interest in her stories!

Website and Blog: https://azaaadavis.wordpress.com

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
62 (39%)
4 stars
53 (33%)
3 stars
31 (19%)
2 stars
9 (5%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
Profile Image for Louise H's Book Thoughts.
2,039 reviews316 followers
July 9, 2020
Whilst there were a few technical issues for me, with this book, an interesting and well paced plot meant that overall this was an enjoyable read and one that left me wanting to jump straight into the next book in the series.


I loved how the author built this world for us without it feeling as though we were subject to a large information dump. It perhaps isn't the most detailed world building I've seen, but it was still pretty decent and allowed me to build a good mental picture of Nadira's world. Personally I would have liked a little more detail on the present day Children of Orion organisation. Thankfully it didn't impact on my enjoyment of the story.


The author used some excellent foreshadowing to hint at future revelations, and I have a suspicion there is much more to learn about Nadira's situation in future books. Overall I really liked her, she sometimes seemed to make immature decisions, but given the whole situation it wasn't surprising that Nadira struggled at times. There were some engaging secondary characters that I can't wait to get to know better. This book very much focused on the main protagonist, developing those secondary characters would add extra depth and interest to the story.


I actually had a couple of books on the go at the same time, one which was an arc on a deadline. Sadly the arc wasn't "speaking" to me, and I found myself returning to this and wanting to read it instead. This Time easily held my attention throughout the entirety of the book and it's definitely one I'm happy to recommend to those who enjoy Urban Fantasy.
Profile Image for Maram.
166 reviews63 followers
June 27, 2019
I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is all my opinion.

' Every warrior,'' he continued to say ''needs true motivation. During difficult times ahead, a sense of duty will only take you so far.''  

I think this book will be loved by a lot of people because it has popular tropes that people usually like. I actually found this to be okay, I didn't like it or hate it. And here are my reasons:

The characters:

For me, the most important thing in a book is the characters and I didn't love the characters. The main character Nadira was the strong female character we see in mostly see in every book and I actually got bored of this trope because the only trait for this character is that she is strong while she tends to be annoying too. I know a lot of people will love a character like Nadira but I am just bored of this trope so I didn't like her. The other characters were quite bland because I think we didn't get enough backstory or scenes with them especially Leo (the love interest). My favourite character was Devon he was the funny side character and I love that trope/type of character so much.

The writing:

It was alright but I think there was an unnecessary amount of details and there was a lot of repetition too. I think there should have been more backstory instead of describing things that weren't very important.

'' Sure, the peace might break. People might get hurt if the wrong words are said. But, while the peace exists, why not learn as much as we can from them?''

  The plot:

This book was very action-packed and I think a lot of readers will love that but for me, I really wasn't invested in the characters so I really didn't care about what happened to them. So I felt the plot was quite boring and sometimes it was so slow especially in the middle of the book.

Other things:

- The first half of the book reminded me of City of Bones by Cassandra Clare and I think that feeling was nice considering it reminded me of the parts I liked.
- I thought it was quite unbelievable when everyone believed so easily that Nadira came back to life after 20 years.
- The book is short so you could pick it up when you are in the mood for something fun and fast- paced.

check out my review on my blog: https://enchantedstoriesmaram.wordpre...
Profile Image for Nila (digitalcreativepages).
2,667 reviews222 followers
January 4, 2019
The book was so much more than its blurb. It began with an enthralling dread with the main character, Nadira Holden, crawling out of her grave and then fighting off a vampire. Going back home, she had a few surprises, her father had disappeared, people had changed, magic was more prevalent, and lo and behold—demons and humans lived side by side after signing the treaty. It was almost as if it was a new world, a new era... And Nadira had to learn and adjust and find herself

And boy, did she have some surprises deep within!!Some were pretty shocking!! In with the old, out with the new. You have to read the book to believe it. Metamorphosis and a new being, new rules and a new society, Nadira had to battle them all. Etching her complex character, intermingled with magic and soul binding was where the talent of author Azaaa Davis lay. Her writing was precise be it the action sequence, the inner thoughts, the memories of the past, or the magic spells.

And therein laid my niggles, the blurb was misleading, the story was quite different in some ways, and this change confused me initially. The amalgamation of the main character could have been much smoother, she could have been made more likable. Though her love interest Derek was yummy and complex.

A fast pace and smooth writing, thrilling action moves, magic and secrets, the demons and their prince, enigmatic Derek and a kickass Nadira made this book fabulous enthralling ride.
Profile Image for Sherry Fundin.
2,306 reviews163 followers
April 7, 2020
The awesome cover for This Time does not foreshadow the terrifying opening pages. Are you claustrophobic? Afraid of being buried alive?

Nadira is a warrior, a demon hunter, but there is more than meets the eye to her since her resurrection.

Humans and the supernatural world existed side by side. Would they live to regret it? Can you ever trust a demon?

Is she their secret weapon?

Jamie is a character I quickly became enamored with. She takes all the abuse Nadira heaps on her with a smile on her face. She wants to be her friend. She’s got her back whether she accepts her help or not. I become more and more curious about her and what will become of her. I love when an author creates a minor player that becomes as important to me as the main character.

This Time was a nice surprise and a bit different kind of demon/human and other supernaturals in a battle between good and evil. Nadira is a fascinating character and, while I wonder where she will end up, I feel she couldn’t get there without Jaime.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of This Time by Azaaa Davis.

See more at fundinmental
Profile Image for Patty (IheartYA311).
1,281 reviews
January 23, 2020
This Time started off slow but interesting, and with a lot of information. Besides the slow start, it was paced rather well and the action helped to keep it going. There was one part where it stumbled a bit and felt like the story didn't know it's own direction but that quickly resolved. The world building was great and I really enjoyed how the characters were developed. Nadira is kickass! Overall, This Time is a unique and enjoyable quick read.
Profile Image for Nerd Girl Vixen.
231 reviews32 followers
January 15, 2020
The synopsis hooked me. Bring on the paranormal goodness!!

The story grabbed my attention from the start as you follow Nadira who has woken up 20 years into the future. She struggles to finds answers AND deal with the fact she lost many years of her life. There’s a twist I didn’t see coming and I appreciated that. While I was a bit confused at first, it added much to Nadira’s story. Nice job Miss Davis! The story is fast paced and there’s plenty of action as well. This is a quick and fun type of read. The story is good. I enjoyed it and I hope there’s another book!! I give this 4 stars.

**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng**
Profile Image for Monika.
205 reviews166 followers
March 20, 2019
Every warrior […] needs true motivation. During the difficult times ahead, a sense of duty will only take you so far.

 

Summary
Waking up buried inside a coffin wasn't the way Nadira imagined her morning. It's definitely not the most glorious way to wake up for anyone, especially for a legendary demon hunter. She can only imagine how disappointed the rest of Children of Orion will be to find out that she let herself be kidnapped. Now, she has to find a way to escape and figure out what the hell happened to her.


Writing
The writing in this book is very light and simple. BUT. I have been incredibly bothered by the constant repetitions. I found at least one on almost every single page (and I read this on kindle, where pages are significantly smaller). At times I didn't even know what I was reading and had to go back, because I couldn't focus on anything else. I just feel like this book could benefit from a round or two of proofreading.


Characters
The characters in this novel are pretty simple as well. But in a book this short there just isn't enough time to really flesh them out. Still, they are very likeable, lively and fun, even though sometimes it's hard to understand their motives or way of thinking.


Plot
This is a very fast-paced book. And it's a very fun book. That's all I really need. But I feel like the story could benefit from a little bit more world-building. The magic system is not explained very well and it feels like it's used only when it fits the narrative.


That said, this book is packed with action and it had a few twists I didn't see coming. And the ending was really cool! It made me very interested in the next installment in this series.


Overall
It's a pretty decent book. It has some flaws, but I still enjoyed it. It's a perfect read when you are in the mood for something fun and fast-paced.

 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Ariel Hess.
188 reviews6 followers
December 10, 2018
Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was provided a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher. The copy used in this review is a finished print copy. Special thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book.

Overall, this book takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as you read and learn more about Nadira. The author did a great job with this storyline and with the development of each character. The backstory of the main character is captivating and I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about how Nadira become a master demon hunter. Nadira does face many challenges in this novel but in the end she seems to try her best to the pieces of her life back together and fill in the missing pieces of her memory. This book is based in a world where Demons and Humans coexist, in a sense. However, this did not come easy and a life was given up for this to occur. Whose life was sacrificed for peace? 

You can view the full review of this book on my blog, link in my profile.

Thanks for reading!
Profile Image for Beth Tabler.
Author 15 books198 followers
August 12, 2019
I had a great opportunity to do this as a buddy read with my great friend Jodie at Witty and Sarcastic Book Club. She plows through books like a fiend and if you haven't checked out her site you really should. She is a fabulous reviewer and reads all the cool stuff.

I have read a lot of urban fantasy, I mean a lot. I adore the genre. It hits that spot of fun and fantasy. This story hits a lot of those fun spots. The great kick-ass heroine that channels a bit of the Mercy Thompson vibes with some Kate Daniels. Nadira is more than just a tough character which adds a great dimension to the story. She has insecurities that war with her training and this allows the reader to identify with her as a character.

My only slight complaint with this book with the pacing. I had a difficult time with the pacing. I felt it was a bit uneven. The middle slowed down a touch. But once the story got going though, it was pretty exciting. I especially enjoyed the ending leading into the next book. Check out this indie story. It is really fun and worth the read.

Check out Witty and Sarcastic Book Club's Review
Profile Image for Paige.
1,866 reviews89 followers
January 31, 2020
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: This Time

Author: Azaaa Davis

Book Series: Nadira Holden, Demon Hunter Book 1

Rating: 4/5

Diversity: African American lead!

Publication Date: October 1, 2018

Genre: Fantasy

Recommended Age: 16+ (some mature scenes, violence, slight gore)

Publisher: Camp-Davis Productions

Pages: 250

Amazon Link

Synopsis: Legendary demon hunter Nadira Holden paid the ultimate price to end the war between demons and hunters.

Resurrected in present-day New York, many years have passed, everyone moved on without her, and the demons she once battled have made peace with humans. Nadira no longer has a purpose here. Dying again might be her ticket back to that “next life” she experienced.

Except humans are disappearing, and Nadira’s father is one of the missing. Feeling a strong obligation to find him before sorting out her own fate, she begins investigating.

She won't rest in peace unless she can prove the demons are behind the disappearances. But Nadira is running out of time. The darkness within her is causing her to lose her humanity while the rest of mankind is on the verge of enslavement to the demons they now worship.

Fight with Nadira in a new urban fantasy series that combines monster-slaying action, family drama, and simmering romance. Experience why not even death can stop her.

Fans of Vampire Hunter Anita Blake, Succubus Georgina Kincaid, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Vampire Death Dealer Selene are possessed and eagerly awaiting the next book by fantasy author Azaaa Davis.

Review: For the most part I really liked this book. It has definite City of Bones vibes and the writing is really well done. The book is fast paced and short, so you can pick it up when you have time and easily get done with it in a day. The plot is intriguing and it kept me interested all the way through.

However, I did feel like the characters didn’t really connect with me. I liked the main character and I like that the book was own voice and the cover has a strong African American woman on it, but I didn’t really like any of the other characters. I also felt like some of the points in the novel were a bit repetitive and unbelievable.

Verdict: A great fantasy novel!
Profile Image for Leah M.
1,675 reviews61 followers
April 29, 2020
I received a copy of this book from the author. This is my honest opinion, which I am providing voluntarily.

The idea sounded interesting, and it started out okay. Nadira wakes up in what I immediately recognized as a coffin, even though she (as an experienced demon slayer), didn't realize until she climbed out of it and saw a headstone.

I quickly became frustrated with Nadira's character. She was flat and actually kind of annoying. She's strong, which I know because that fact is repeated so many times throughout the book, but there really isn't any other depth to her character. She's complacent, irritable, and ... boring. None of the other characters are any better, and they don't seem to have much going on in the personality department at all.

The pacing wasn't consistent. There would be a little action and then, nothing. This was repeated throughout the story, and there were sections where the story just dragged along. Spelling and grammar errors occurred throughout the book, and there were inconsistencies that I kept picking up on. The writing was fairly redundant in spots, and I had hoped for the author to do more showing than telling.

I would have DNF'd this one, but I held out hope that it would get better. Sadly, it did not. Even the ending was disappointing.
72 reviews21 followers
February 5, 2019
THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK I HAVE READ BY AZAAA DAVIS AND IT DEFINITELY WON'T BE THE LAST ONE. WHAT AN EXCELLENT START TO A NEW SERIES. THE STORY AND CHARACTERS ARE VERY UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT. NADIRA'S CHARACTER IS VERY COMPLEX AND COMPLICATED BUT YOU WILL STILL LOVE HER. SHE IS VERY STRONG WILLED AND DETERMINED. NADIRA IS A DEMON HUNTER THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK FOR THE DEATH. EVEN DEATH HAS NOT STOPPED HER FROM FULFILLING HER DESTINY. I THINK THERE IS A LOT MORE IN STORE FOR HER AND SHE IS CARRYING A SECRET INSIDE OF HER THAT WILL TAKE YOU COMPLETELY BY SURPRISED. WILL SHE SURVIVE HER LATEST BATTLE?

I REALLY ENJOYED THIS TIME. THE AUTHOR HAS WROTE A UNIQUE AND WELL WRITTEN STORY LINE. I LOVE HOW SHE HAD DIFFERENT PARANORMAL CREATURES IN THE STORY. THERE IS A LOT OF ACTION AND FIGHTING THROUGHOUT THE BOOK. IT IS DEFINITELY A PAGE TURNER THAT YOU WON'T WANT TO PUT DOWN. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO READING THE NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES AND READING MORE BOOKS BY THIS AWESOME AUTHOR.
Profile Image for Angelina Kerner.
Author 26 books151 followers
March 4, 2019
Book Title: This Time
Book Author: Azaaa Davis
Rating: 5 stars

This was the second book that I won in my book reading club. ^_^

Has a trigger. If you’re afraid of the idea of being buried alive or waking up in a coffin, the first chapter may be a little much for you.

It took a while for me to get into enjoying the book. Azaaa introduces a world that the main character doesn’t know because she’s been dead for 25 years so I was as confused as the main character, even though I knew what the year was like haha

Once we meet more characters and get the idea of why things the way they are, the book becomes like amazing and I can’t read book 2 and 3. There is a cover reveal by the author in April for book 2. Nadira’s world is turned upside down after she wakes up from the dead, learning about her past. I think one of the most memorable moments is when she sees her dad.

Beautifully written book.

Great book for 18+ and older.
2,000 reviews37 followers
February 18, 2020
A young woman who's been raised as a demon hunter wakes up buried in a grave yard, only to discover she's been dead for 20 years ... and that's just the first of the things she never knew about herself.
A well written urban fantasy with lots of action, interesting characters, a villain you'll love to hate and just enough loose ends to make you anxious to get hold of the next story in the series without leaving you with frustrating cliffhangers.
I enjoyed this one and would love to find out what happens to Nadira and Roquelle and just what unfinished business they'll have to resolve with the hunky demon Derek.
Profile Image for Susan Hutchinson.
Author 2 books18 followers
February 1, 2020
Demon Hunter or Demon?

Azaaa Davis’s This Time is great blend of paranormal and a kind of coming of age story with a twist of “are you kidding me” great twists. Nadira/Roquelle gives new meaning to the term “multiple personality”. As she/they come to terms with who they are and start to work together, the world is faced with demons, a particularly nasty demon prince and a hot demon Duke we’re sure to see in future books. Despite a few editing errors, This Time is a great read and I look forward to reading more of N/R’s adventures.
Profile Image for J.L. Park.
Author 5 books13 followers
January 3, 2019
This Time was a debut novel I couldn't wait to read. Nadira Holden is an MC that holds your attention right from the start, and keeps you involved in what's happening. Interesting twists and turns keep you on your toes right through out the book. A must read. I cant wait for the second one!
Profile Image for Myriam.
645 reviews26 followers
October 7, 2018
This was one of those highly anticipated debut novels that held so much promise, from the author who was perfectly capable of delivering that promise. And wow did she deliver... All I can say is that my lucky streak of great books continues. 
I don't even know where to start. The authors writing is superb. Her characters are not all lovable but all are well developed. The plot is complex and original. The world the author created is grim, full of betrayal, intrigue, some backstabbing, and a lot of power struggle. It is incredible how the author tackles preconceived notions, prejudice, hypocrisy, and indoctrination.
Nadira, the main character, has to deal with all of them, alone. She is faced with a new reality and has to find her place in it. Not to mention the hardship with dealing with the above mentioned from nearly every single person she meets. Nadira changes and learns the new reality and the old truths. She is an amazingly strong character, physically and mentally. What is even more amazing is how she questions the imposed truths and notions and finds the right path due to her impeccable moral values. 
There are numerous interesting characters in the story, most of them quite unpleasant, but incredibly realistic. The world, a new and original world of the author's creation, is harsh and unforgiving to most, especially Nadira and her counterpart Roquelle, who is an amazing character herself. And then the plot, which kept me in suspense from beginning to the end, full of unexpected twists and turns, and just when I thought that the end will bring a temporary resolution and calm anticipation of the next book, the author decided to finish with a shocking cliffhanger. And I love her for it.
This is a great new author who introduced a great new series, both of which climbed very high on the list of my favourites. I highly recommend this book to all the lovers of well written urban fantasy.
Profile Image for Marta Cox.
2,860 reviews210 followers
April 29, 2021
Three and a half
This review is quite difficult to write because I have no wish to give things away and actually things do happen fairly quickly here. Nadira has no idea why twenty five years later she’s crawled out of her grave and is as if she never died fighting the Demin King. The war that raged as he sought out his missing daughter is apparently well and truly over with those who previously hunted Demons vilified. Who would have guessed that Demons would openly walk the Earth ? Nadira doesn’t know who to trust anymore but finding out her father is missing means she needs to get her head in the game because this time it’s personal !
I really liked this story and it had a lot of things going on that felt very unique. I did feel occasionally that the writing tried to tell rather than show and sometimes the words used to describe things felt overdone eg Nadira describing her fellow Hunter as being manhandled . However this has a different heroine with immense possibilities and potential to shake up everything. Obviously no spoilers here but if you enjoy a slice of romance in your urban fantasy then the next book is bound to be an eye opener because this is left in a way that is very intriguing.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
16.7k reviews154 followers
November 12, 2018
She has been pulled from her next life and put into a modern world. She is a demon Hunter but the new world is so different. The demon and humans seem to be getting on. She suspect something is going on especially is going on as human leaders are disappearing. What is going on? Will she find out? See what is going on

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books).
2,811 reviews117 followers
July 6, 2021
This was a fun read, nothing out of the ordinary amazing but nice. However, it’s the first in a series and will be building up to more hopefully and first books have to do so much scene setting that I’m always generous and I am definitely going to be reading the next, it shows so much promise for the future. 3.5 stars

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Profile Image for Rigel.
433 reviews
did-not-finish
April 9, 2024
I love myself a strong female heroine but I just couldn't get into this story. I kept making excuses as to why I "couldn't" pick this book back up (i.e. starting more books just to avoid it) and couldn't invest myself in the story as I felt nothing much was happening at 30% into the book.
Profile Image for Meharalit.
8 reviews3 followers
March 20, 2019
This Time: A Nadira Holden Novel, is a Debut, Urban Fantasy book by Azaaa Davis and the first of a series. The story revolves around Nadira Holden, a young New York native and demon hunter, who dies in the 20th century and wakes up in the 21st century. As with such story lines, the one who wakes up from the dead almost, always, finds that life went on and times changed, while they seemingly remained stuck in their pre-death state.
The case is no different for Nadira, described as a Child of Orion, who received extensive training as a demon hunter in her lifetime. She wakes up to new technology, political change;

"There was no way she could sit through another lesson on politics. She already learned that she missed the reign of a Black president and that an Orange one now led the country…"

…demons co-existing with humans and the realization that her fellow demon hunters are now 25 years older in age. Interestingly, Nadira is still the same 22 year old she was when she passed on. Her then first love, Leo, is currently married to a childhood rival of hers and her father, director of the Children of Orion training facility, is missing. Indeed, the fact that there seems to be no passage of time in Nadira’s life often conflicts with the present, where lives have gone on.
This Time reads like a mixture of the TV series, Charmed and the Twilight Series movies; lots of magic, shape shifting and demon slaying. It’s also an easy read fit for its target readership of young adults. The first couple of chapters however, felt a bit flat for me, (probably because they were all set in Nadira’s childhood home, which doubles up as the training facility) but the story suddenly picks up pace and does not disappoint.
With the author’s introduction of Nadira’s alter-ego, Roquelle, a demon child that was bound to a younger Nadira’s soul to boost her then sickly nature, comes pages and pages of action packed scenes, questions on identity, rebellion, some romance and an eventual quest to find Nadira’s father. I really appreciated the excellently described fight scenes and the mythical setting of the demon world, Sulyden.
While Roquelle is audacious, reckless, sometimes selfish and unashamedly sexual, Nadira is doubtful, slightly resentful, courageous when need be and more cautious. The two personalities in one body, make for an interesting read. One can only wait and see what extra adventures await Nadira (and Roquelle) in the next book of the series.
41 reviews
December 18, 2019
In this novel we are introduced to Nadira Holden, who was killed during the war between humans and demons. Or so everyone thought. She is resurrected in the present day, where humans and magical beings are living together peacefully. But humans are starting to disappear, and when her father vanishes, Nadira sets out to track them down.
The opening of the novel was brilliantly done. We begin with Nadira waking up and the slow realisation of her being inside a coffin. It was a very tense, claustrophobic moment - you could imagine the walls closing in on her. The descriptions of dirt pouring in and suffocating her were evocative without being gratuitous. This scene also gives a glimpse into Nadira as a person - especially her personality during the war, as when in present day she seems very 'fish out of water'. It was nice being able to contrast her during and after the war. Whilst there were many great passages littered throughout the novel, the opening scene was definitely the highlight. It through the audience straight in and gave a little characterisation too.
The characters themselves are nicely drawn, though admittedly aren't ground-breaking. Nadira is probably the best written, though as the main character that it is to be expected. She is a strong female warrior, and Davis has given her some development, but perhaps that is explored more in the second book. Nadira feels like an incomplete character arc which is probably dealt with later. The secondary characters fall into their respective tropes. We have the love interest Leo, and funny sidekick Devon, there to provide comic relief. As I mentioned, nothing unusual or different is to be expected, but Davis writes these characters well and I enjoyed reading about them. Perhaps because I don't read urban fantasy a lot that these tropes didn't irk me.
Overall, This Time is a really fun, fast-paced read. It doesn't experiment with the genre or characters necessarily, but it is really well-written, and Davis has set up the sequel nicely. There were moments when Davis's writing ability shone through, such as the opening scene, and she seems a promising talent.
Profile Image for Yolanda.
1,023 reviews
August 15, 2019
~3.5 stars~

This Time is about Nadira Holden, a demon hunter. The book starts off fast-paced and exciting. We learn about Nadira’s upbringing and belonging to the Children of Orion, a sect of demon hunters. She had a reputation as a top notch demon hunter but something happens, she dies, and then she is resurrected in present day, and things have definitely changed in the world the live in.

When the blurb of this book compares it to Anita Blake, I can see why, except Nadira is much more level-headed than Anita Blake. And there is way less sex in This Time. There is some heat and sexy scenes in this book but like I said, not Anita Blake level sex, and I actually appreciate that.

As a character, Nadira is a fearsome fighter and was trained to be. It was interesting to see the choice she makes concerning the Children of Orion, but I totally get where she is coming from. Secrets are revealed, and it just makes Nadira question everything. The middle of the book I felt slowed down a bit until we meet a character named Roquelle. Things start to get very interesting with this twist.

What I loved most about the novel is the diversity among the cast of characters. 👏🏼 I didn’t connect much to the characters, maybe because it’s the first book and I’m learning Nadira’s voice and everyone else’s. Like I said, she’s pretty even-keeled until Roquelle comes around. Then her personality shall we say, flourishes? I think her relationship with Jaime was nice, I liked their budding friendship after a suspicious first meeting. And of course, there is Derek, who is a hottie demon duke and their relationship sizzles. The world-building is creative and detailed but I can tell there is much more to learn about the Children of Orion and her family. The book ends strongly with a lot of action, because Nadira Holden can fight.

I think fans of urban fantasy will really like this series. This Time is an enjoyable, promising debut and I look forward to following Nadira Holden’s journey.

Profile Image for Adrienne Bross.
Author 1 book9 followers
December 12, 2019
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

This Time wastes absolutely no time diving into the depths of a strange and unknown reality, where demons and humanity appear to be coexisting within the same reality. We're introduced to this world by Nadira Holden, who wakes in a casket, digs her way out, only to find out it isn't some horrible joke; she has been dead for 25 years, and a lot has changed since she was a demon hunter, and, you know, alive.

Watching the story unfold was an interesting experience. Nadira has to deal with a lot as she adjusts, or at least travels through, a world that isn't her own. Past loves, friends, and even ideas seem to be turned on their heads, and digesting that is one of the largest tasks that Nadira has to wrap her understanding around. Not only has the world changed, but the hunters, who were so dedicated to defeating the demons, have changed as well, and there seems to be some disagreements in the ranks. Nevertheless, once Nadira finds that her father is missing, she's willing to brave all of it to find him.

Add to that the strong currents of possible motives of the people around her, and the world at large, and what you are treated to is an action-packed tale of a woman finding her place in a world that had completely changed, and had moved on, leaving the grave of Nadira Holden as it forgot about her. Turns out, that was the world's mistake!

I have to say that I really enjoyed my glimpse into the world that the author has created. Seeing all of it through Nadira's eyes helped, as we were both on the same footing, traveling through the plot. There were a few spots that dragged, but overall, a good read if you're looking for some urban fantasy.
Profile Image for Margaret Adelle.
349 reviews62 followers
January 7, 2020
When the author offered me a review copy, I was immediately intrigued by the premise. I'm always interested in the plots that involve an MC ending up somehow out of time and younger than their peers. And Nadira has that in spades. The emotional depth she feels in her struggles at being resurrected are intense. I felt for her on so many levels. It was your classic tale of a character raised to be a killer wanting more to life, but it didn't feel over the top in it's angst. Nadira is strong, confident, and capable in everything.

The various twists and turns in the story are also impressive. The answer to Nadira's childhood illness and the injections the Children of Orion's doctor always gave her were unexpected, but made sense and it gave the story a lot of extra depth. I was a bit sad to see that the Children of Orion weren't quite the found family I was hoping for, but then that's kind of the point.

There are some fantastic battles, with a lot of blood and a lot on the line. Nadira's got a kickass skill set and a trump card up her sleeve that I can't explain (cuz spoilers). Rest assured, the fight scenes were always entertaining.

The ending twist, which wasn't revealed until the literal last 2 words of the book, has me hooked. Azaaa Davis followed through on the previous twists beautifully, so I have to assume the next book in the series will be worth the read.

This is definitely a story focused on moral grayness and switching allegiances. If you want clear good/bad guys, this may not be the one for you. But if you like your morality themes messy, this is the perfect fit.
Profile Image for WS_BOOKCLUB.
428 reviews16 followers
July 29, 2019
I got to do a buddy read with the fabulous Beth at Before We Go . This is a genre that I have very little experience in, so please forgive me as I wade through the tangled morass that functions as my thought process. I blame motherhood.

I got some serious Buffy vibes in the first few chapters. Seeing as I’ve watched Buffy upwards of five times, that’s quite the compliment. Nadira digs her way out of her own grave, only to find that years have passed and the things have changed drastically. She has to deal with an uncertain peace that now exists between humanity and demons. Her innate distrust lets her see that things aren’t what they seem.

Nadira was pretty hard-core. I love reading a tough cookie of a female main character, so I was down for that. It was interesting to see that, despite her tough exterior, Nadira was also unsure of herself in many ways.

There were several scenes with Roquell the succubus that made my (more prudish than I thought) sensibilities a bit squirmy. Ha ha! I’m not used to steamy scenes in books. They weren’t over the top in any way, just not the sort of thing I usually read.

The middle slowed down a bit, but the last little bit packed a wallop. The action was fast-paced and didn’t let up. Make sure to read Beth’s take on This Time, and consider picking it up yourself.
Profile Image for Amber Jones.
374 reviews8 followers
January 6, 2020

Azaaa asked me to review her novel for her and I am so utterly glad I did. Once I started reading it I couldnt put it down, I was reading it any chance I got. She doesnt disapoint at all, most books I find I think are way too short and there could be more to it. But no this author creates this world full or creatures and humans and hybreds. The story unfolds beautifully and has an amazing plot with begining middle and end thaht doesnt leave you wanting.

Nadira is a monster/demon hunter that was killed 25 years ago and get awakened. She soon learns of Rochelle a soul she shares her body with and that things have changed drastically since she died. The love of her life moved on with his, her father was kidnapped, and there is a treaty with demons where humans know of them and think they are a punished species, Victim to the demon hunters that murder and torture them.

Everything in her world has been turned upside down, she doesnt know who to trust or what comes next in her life when her fellow demon hunters didnt protect their world.

I absolutely cannot wait to read book 2 in this series and I hope and pray there is more in this series from this author.

5 stars
Profile Image for Jennifer Zamboni.
Author 7 books55 followers
January 20, 2020
While a little slow at the beginning, this action packed urban fantasy/modern fantasy novel picks up its pace and delivers a stunning ending.

Told in third person, the story is a little less immediate than I’m used to in this genre.

Nadira is quite a fascinating character, the best of the best, it was interesting to see such an archetype flounder in the modern era, after being dead for the last 25 years or so.

Her counterpart, Roquelle, was more interesting to me. She’s a succubus, like the mc from the show Lost Girl (she even feeds in a similar manner), but without a clue. It threw me when she first took over the driver’s seat in Nadira’s body, but by the end, I wanted more Roquelle! (I love an antihero!)

As for the demon named Derek, now there’s a character! He’s a bad guy... sort of. Yeah, he’s bad, but not the big bad, and also, he’s capable of compassion. I sense a character arc coming for him!

This is definitely the beginning of a larger narrative and my curiosity is piqued!

Profile Image for Teri.
3,918 reviews37 followers
January 6, 2019
My greatest fear is to be buried alive. Imagine waking up, finding yourself confined in a small space with little to no air, no light, no choice. From this moment on I knew this author was going to stretch me and she did. The story is a great blend of twist and whirls with a boat load of world building built into the story. Nadira has returned from the dead and no it isn't days later like she thinks but 25 years. Not only has time progressed without her, there are plenty of surprises and action in store. Being back brings with it many challenges for her along with questions about her ability or desire to continue as a Demon Hunter. Coming face to face with people who have moved on and finding herself alone and under suspicion from her closest friends. Everything has changed leaving her questioning it all. It's a great read and an amazing debut novel. There are plenty of characters worth a second look and some kicking action which I look forward to more of from this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.