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A City of Gold and Demons
Sin City is ground zero for demons entering Earth’s society. Disease, war, and famine reign supreme. Humans have become the slaves—the lesser beings. Their lives are in squalor, while the creatures of the Underworld live in luxury.
After losing her father to war and her mother to abduction, Helen wants nothing more than to stay alive. It’s the same goal every lowly human has post apocalypse. She stays in the shadows, never making waves.
She does a great job of it, too, that is, until Helen makes a potentially fatal error that draws the attention of her demon boss, and their two worlds collide.
Evander Odin charges to the Earth’s surface with his three brothers when the gates from the Underworld are wrenched open wide. They rule everything below, and now, everything above right along with it. He is big, built, blond, and every inch a Viking warrior. Evander gets what Evander wants or blood rains.
Now, one thing is clear, all the trials in Helen’s life that seemed like setbacks may have been setups designed to prepare her. She will need all of her strength and determination to survive what is coming next.
After losing her father to war and her mother to abduction, Helen wants nothing more than to stay alive. It’s the same goal every lowly human has post apocalypse. She stays in the shadows, never making waves.
She does a great job of it, too, that is, until Helen makes a potentially fatal error that draws the attention of her demon boss, and their two worlds collide.
Evander Odin charges to the Earth’s surface with his three brothers when the gates from the Underworld are wrenched open wide. They rule everything below, and now, everything above right along with it. He is big, built, blond, and every inch a Viking warrior. Evander gets what Evander wants or blood rains.
Now, one thing is clear, all the trials in Helen’s life that seemed like setbacks may have been setups designed to prepare her. She will need all of her strength and determination to survive what is coming next.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2021
2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Shelly Monarch
4 books15 followersShelly Monarch is a former teacher turned book addict. Now, she and her family go wherever her husband’s high-speed career takes them. From the Pacific Northwest to the warm coasts of the Gulf, she is never quite sure where she will be when she pens her next great story.
Her hubby, two crazy young kids, and two unpredictable old rescue dogs keep her busy most days, but when she can, she loves a good outdoor adventure. Lazy mountain hikes and glorious days at the beach refresh the soul! Shelly devours books like all good little bookworms do, especially those with even a hint of romance.
Shelly’s varied tastes in literature fuel her writing. She loves finding new authors to stalk and stories to enjoy. She has big plans for future novels in different genres such as twisted fairy tales, romantic comedy, paranormal fantasy, and science fiction.
Stay tuned for more alpha males and the strong females who save them from themselves. Happy reading!
Her hubby, two crazy young kids, and two unpredictable old rescue dogs keep her busy most days, but when she can, she loves a good outdoor adventure. Lazy mountain hikes and glorious days at the beach refresh the soul! Shelly devours books like all good little bookworms do, especially those with even a hint of romance.
Shelly’s varied tastes in literature fuel her writing. She loves finding new authors to stalk and stories to enjoy. She has big plans for future novels in different genres such as twisted fairy tales, romantic comedy, paranormal fantasy, and science fiction.
Stay tuned for more alpha males and the strong females who save them from themselves. Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 1, 2022
Shelley kindly provided me with an advanced copy to read for review and well I'm so glad that I did!
The end of day has come … ahead of schedule. A City of Gold and Demons follows Helen a woman orphaned during the apocalypse. Following a particularly bad day she ends up standing in front of her boss, which is where the story begins.
I really enjoyed the plot to this book and it was nice to have to wrapped up in one book (no nasty cliffhangers). However I think to have really done this story justice it should have been split across 2 books to allow for more details. Don’t get me wrong this book isn’t a rushed story and isn’t lacking I just think more space to build the reader’s relationship with the character, the character’s relationships between each other and more of their history would have made this a truly amazing book.
This won’t be the last book I read from Shelley and I’m looking forward to more!
The end of day has come … ahead of schedule. A City of Gold and Demons follows Helen a woman orphaned during the apocalypse. Following a particularly bad day she ends up standing in front of her boss, which is where the story begins.
I really enjoyed the plot to this book and it was nice to have to wrapped up in one book (no nasty cliffhangers). However I think to have really done this story justice it should have been split across 2 books to allow for more details. Don’t get me wrong this book isn’t a rushed story and isn’t lacking I just think more space to build the reader’s relationship with the character, the character’s relationships between each other and more of their history would have made this a truly amazing book.
This won’t be the last book I read from Shelley and I’m looking forward to more!
December 30, 2021
Thought provoking, excellent read. This book captivated my attention, I couldn’t put it down. Look forward to other books from this writer.
January 1, 2022
Such a great story!
This book was so much fun to read! The end of the world has come. It is now over run by creatures of the underworld. Helen Frig is just a typical girl, just trying to stay under the radar, when a bad day at work throws her right into the sights of one of the biggest baddest demons of them all. Evander Odin is top dog. He, along with his brothers are on the hunt for what was stolen. While dealing with a situation at his base of operation, he has his entire world turned upside down in the form of a human woman with fire hair.
This book was so much fun to read! The end of the world has come. It is now over run by creatures of the underworld. Helen Frig is just a typical girl, just trying to stay under the radar, when a bad day at work throws her right into the sights of one of the biggest baddest demons of them all. Evander Odin is top dog. He, along with his brothers are on the hunt for what was stolen. While dealing with a situation at his base of operation, he has his entire world turned upside down in the form of a human woman with fire hair.
December 14, 2021
Although this is not my normal genre, the cover drew me in and the story kept me. A story of growth, discovery and love… plus battles, amazing creatures and a good plot! I’ll happily continue to read Shelly Monarch’s books as long as she writes.
December 14, 2021
After being introduced to Helen and Evander in the first two chapters I was hooked. It was a fast-paced, round-the-world romance that has always been and will be forever. The trip was a fun, easy read that I couldn't put down.
January 12, 2022
This is a high octane, fast paced story that pacts a lot of actions and character growth into one story but has it all plotted out in an understandable if a little bit breakneck speed. The main character, Helen is very much a reflection of the book protagonists that she references like Hunger Games, Twilight, and Divergent. If you were into those books and those heroines than this will be up your alley. Helen starts as a normal, everyday girl that just wants to blend into the background as the world burns down around her, then she’s part of the resistance, then she’s in a romance, then she’s more than she ever was before, and by the end she’s had a huge power growth and if you want a romance power fantasy than this is your story.
So, not really my thing. Evander’s feelings for her seems weird to me and are hard to follow. While I liked the action, the romance part of it honestly confused me. Mostly because I could not connect to them. I just didn’t feel it. I didn’t feel their connection or what they felt as they got closer.
That said, the action parts were suitably entertaining, and while the romance wasn’t my thing, this was well written, with thought put into the world building without being overwhelming if not always logical (I still don’t know why the four horsemen cared it happened early when apparently the angels didn’t) but it made the plot move forward and there were a lot of fun creatures to fight, and that part was definitely a lot of fun. Plus, there was a lot of details to give this a sort of movie feel to the cool moments in the book.
So, not really my thing. Evander’s feelings for her seems weird to me and are hard to follow. While I liked the action, the romance part of it honestly confused me. Mostly because I could not connect to them. I just didn’t feel it. I didn’t feel their connection or what they felt as they got closer.
That said, the action parts were suitably entertaining, and while the romance wasn’t my thing, this was well written, with thought put into the world building without being overwhelming if not always logical (I still don’t know why the four horsemen cared it happened early when apparently the angels didn’t) but it made the plot move forward and there were a lot of fun creatures to fight, and that part was definitely a lot of fun. Plus, there was a lot of details to give this a sort of movie feel to the cool moments in the book.
January 21, 2022
This book was good for the authors first book. The character development was quick and hard to follow at times. I loved the story line and idea but I do think the story could and should have been drawn out even more. Love Helen! Love Evander! It was hard to get into the book but once I did, I loved it!
January 17, 2022
Interesting read
This was an interesting read and take on apocalyptic Earth, overrun by Demons. Strength and love of humans and demons alike to right the wrongs that have been done. This is not like any book I've ever read and it kept me glued to the pages. Definitely recommend to be read.
This was an interesting read and take on apocalyptic Earth, overrun by Demons. Strength and love of humans and demons alike to right the wrongs that have been done. This is not like any book I've ever read and it kept me glued to the pages. Definitely recommend to be read.
January 13, 2022
I totally loved this book. Helen turned out to be a kick butt heroine and her man the sexy man/dragon Evander. The 4 horsemen and Helen have to help save the world from "The End" which never should've happened in the first place. This book is filled with tons of action and drama, and the main thing a HEA. This is a must read on everyone's list of books to read.
January 16, 2022
Hold onto your seats. This is a wild ride.
Grabs you and sucks you in from the very beginning. Talk about the human race going from being on top to being at the bottom of the totem pole.
It gets so intense at times. I'm constantly on my toes wanting to know what's going to happen next. I love the fighter Helen became. The group that became family to her and supported her. Then there is Evander who becomes drawn to her and insists he must have Helen. It's amazing the lengths he goes through to find her. You'll have to read the story to find out how their journey ends. This book is so different from what I've ever read. It's unique. This story goes to show you should never give up. Fight for what you believe in. Don't be afraid to try something new or out of your comfort zone. Shelly Monarch is a new author to me and I truly enjoyed this book. It's a must read!
Grabs you and sucks you in from the very beginning. Talk about the human race going from being on top to being at the bottom of the totem pole.
It gets so intense at times. I'm constantly on my toes wanting to know what's going to happen next. I love the fighter Helen became. The group that became family to her and supported her. Then there is Evander who becomes drawn to her and insists he must have Helen. It's amazing the lengths he goes through to find her. You'll have to read the story to find out how their journey ends. This book is so different from what I've ever read. It's unique. This story goes to show you should never give up. Fight for what you believe in. Don't be afraid to try something new or out of your comfort zone. Shelly Monarch is a new author to me and I truly enjoyed this book. It's a must read!
April 3, 2022
A City of Gold and Demons is a fast-paced fantasy, laced with a hint of romance and jam-packed with action. The gates of the Underworld have opened up, unleashing a deadly host of creatures and demons that flood the Earth, wreaking death and devastation upon the human population. We’re talking minotaurs, sirens, spirits, demons, three-headed dogs – it’s all here! The lucky few that were not killed by the evil ones are instead enslaved by them (mostly those who were young when the takeover occurred).
Helen, our protagonist, has intense anxiety on the anniversary of her mother’s death as she sets off on her usual day of work at a Las Vegas resort. This emotionally stressful day results in Helen reacting in a way that causes trouble for her boss, Evander, a hunky and muscular demon originating from the Underworld. What comes next for Helen is a massive disruption to the life that she has known for the last ten years. Helen’s journey is one of immense change – of having to stop running from whatever you fear in order to ascend to the next level of understanding oneself.
There is much good to be said about A City of Gold and Demons! The book is written in first-person perspective from multiple points of view – one chapter you get the perspective of Helen, another chapter you may be reading the thoughts of Evander. This method of writing is lovely because it allows the reader to have a better understanding of each character, broadening the perspective of the entire story through different angles. I found the character-building to be impeccable – I quickly fell in love with many characters such as Dolores and Gabriela. Although they were not the focus of the story, their interactions with the main characters allowed for deeper insight into both Helen and Evander’s personalities. The world development is well-researched and impressively done. I was easily able to envision the world that the author was describing in vivid detail.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed reading A City of Gold and Demons and will give it 4 out of 5 stars. The author sprinkled many bookish references into the book which made me smile. What I loved the most about A City of Gold and Demons is the amount of action that was incorporated into the story. Again, the descriptive nature of Shelly Monarch’s writing made it effortless to create scenes of epic battles within my own mind. I love that Helen rose from a frightened and sweet young lady in the beginning of the novel to a heroic and fierce warrior by the end. Many readers will be able to relate to the idea of tackling fears and pursuing greatness – whatever that may look like to us individually. I recommend A City of Gold and Demons to anyone who enjoys a heroine’s journey, the fantasy genre, and doesn’t require too much sap or spice in their books!
Helen, our protagonist, has intense anxiety on the anniversary of her mother’s death as she sets off on her usual day of work at a Las Vegas resort. This emotionally stressful day results in Helen reacting in a way that causes trouble for her boss, Evander, a hunky and muscular demon originating from the Underworld. What comes next for Helen is a massive disruption to the life that she has known for the last ten years. Helen’s journey is one of immense change – of having to stop running from whatever you fear in order to ascend to the next level of understanding oneself.
There is much good to be said about A City of Gold and Demons! The book is written in first-person perspective from multiple points of view – one chapter you get the perspective of Helen, another chapter you may be reading the thoughts of Evander. This method of writing is lovely because it allows the reader to have a better understanding of each character, broadening the perspective of the entire story through different angles. I found the character-building to be impeccable – I quickly fell in love with many characters such as Dolores and Gabriela. Although they were not the focus of the story, their interactions with the main characters allowed for deeper insight into both Helen and Evander’s personalities. The world development is well-researched and impressively done. I was easily able to envision the world that the author was describing in vivid detail.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed reading A City of Gold and Demons and will give it 4 out of 5 stars. The author sprinkled many bookish references into the book which made me smile. What I loved the most about A City of Gold and Demons is the amount of action that was incorporated into the story. Again, the descriptive nature of Shelly Monarch’s writing made it effortless to create scenes of epic battles within my own mind. I love that Helen rose from a frightened and sweet young lady in the beginning of the novel to a heroic and fierce warrior by the end. Many readers will be able to relate to the idea of tackling fears and pursuing greatness – whatever that may look like to us individually. I recommend A City of Gold and Demons to anyone who enjoys a heroine’s journey, the fantasy genre, and doesn’t require too much sap or spice in their books!
March 29, 2022
Oh man, I had so much fun with this book!
Helen Frig just wants to survive. In a world where demons rule and humans are their slaves, all she can hope for is to get through each day without drawing attention to herself; and she’d been succeeding, until she makes a single mistake that brings the eyes of Evander Odin directly on her. He has a monstrous presence, he’s terrifying and of course, he’s also ridiculously attractive. Helen doesn’t want anything to do with him, but, as she soon finds out, what she wants doesn’t really matter.
I quite liked this read. I’ve read books before where demons rule an apocalyptic world, but there was something more to this particular story that made it stand out. I particularly liked Helen and how she grew as a character to become strong and independent. The slight twist of ‘balancing the scales’ is nice touch and added a deeper layer to the fantasy romance - I very much appreciate that the relationship between Helen and Evander will prominent, but did not take over the entire plot. I do wish that there was just a little more editing though. The book moves extremely fast and at times, seemed choppy just so things could be finished in the one novel. Still though, a very enjoyable read!
Thank you Voracious Readers and Shelly Monarch for my copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Helen Frig just wants to survive. In a world where demons rule and humans are their slaves, all she can hope for is to get through each day without drawing attention to herself; and she’d been succeeding, until she makes a single mistake that brings the eyes of Evander Odin directly on her. He has a monstrous presence, he’s terrifying and of course, he’s also ridiculously attractive. Helen doesn’t want anything to do with him, but, as she soon finds out, what she wants doesn’t really matter.
I quite liked this read. I’ve read books before where demons rule an apocalyptic world, but there was something more to this particular story that made it stand out. I particularly liked Helen and how she grew as a character to become strong and independent. The slight twist of ‘balancing the scales’ is nice touch and added a deeper layer to the fantasy romance - I very much appreciate that the relationship between Helen and Evander will prominent, but did not take over the entire plot. I do wish that there was just a little more editing though. The book moves extremely fast and at times, seemed choppy just so things could be finished in the one novel. Still though, a very enjoyable read!
Thank you Voracious Readers and Shelly Monarch for my copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 11, 2022
The end of the world, the underworld has taken over and humans are servants. This book was wonderfully done and exceptionally descriptive. The author did an amazing job in describing this new world with so many different demons, creatures, and half-humans. I was hooked from the beginning. Helen is a fantastic character and so well developed. You really feel her emotions, fear, strength and growth throughout the story. Evander is a wonderfully strong character who I would certainly want on my side at the end of the world. I highly recommend this read I can't wait to read more by this author.
December 15, 2022
This was very intense action book that we see the characters racing towards their goal. We see the power struggle wit the end. the world that was built in this book really enjoyed
January 26, 2022
The title “A City of Gold and Demons” is certainly demonstrated within the first few pages. It is post apocalypse and there are demons ruling on Earth. Humans are surviving at the whim of demons. The main character Helen is one such human who tries to stay unnoticed but a certain unwise reaction from Helen draws the attention of Evander Odin, who is her Demon boss. Evander has his own agenda and not everything is as it seems. However, Helen is not going to let him dictate her future. The fate of the world also hangs in the balance, can both Humans and Demons work together? This book is written from both Helen and Evander’s points of view, with a few other characters occasionally taking the reins.
Shelly Monarch really captured my imagination and gave life to all the surrounding environment and characters within the story. There is a really rich background and lore to this world. I found all subject matters, such as fighting skills, were well researched and described within the scenes. I got character development within the story and found they had some real depth to them. Shelly has given all her characters great thought and I am sure that we don’t get all of it within this book. This book at just over 200 pages is slightly shorter than I am used to, and I was caught unaware with the pacing to start with. Once I got part way in, I found it was kept at a consistent pace and I enjoyed the flow. My main dislike was that I encountered several of moments where a couple of weeks went by and were described within a page. I would have quite happily read several of pages of Shelly Monarch describing more details and events for this timeframe.
If you like easy reading with lots of rich details and enjoy fantasy rooted in our real world with romantic interests but with strong female characters, then this is worth picking up. I am looking forward to more from Shelly, my biggest hope is to read a story with more details in between the meatier action parts.
Shelly Monarch really captured my imagination and gave life to all the surrounding environment and characters within the story. There is a really rich background and lore to this world. I found all subject matters, such as fighting skills, were well researched and described within the scenes. I got character development within the story and found they had some real depth to them. Shelly has given all her characters great thought and I am sure that we don’t get all of it within this book. This book at just over 200 pages is slightly shorter than I am used to, and I was caught unaware with the pacing to start with. Once I got part way in, I found it was kept at a consistent pace and I enjoyed the flow. My main dislike was that I encountered several of moments where a couple of weeks went by and were described within a page. I would have quite happily read several of pages of Shelly Monarch describing more details and events for this timeframe.
If you like easy reading with lots of rich details and enjoy fantasy rooted in our real world with romantic interests but with strong female characters, then this is worth picking up. I am looking forward to more from Shelly, my biggest hope is to read a story with more details in between the meatier action parts.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews