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Nava Katz #3
The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Need
Nava Katz has a lot on her plate:
Brotherhood: unmask.
Demons: slaughter.
Guy problems: terminate with extreme prejudice.
Nava is hot on the heels of a demonic serial killer and finally working with her brother. The assignment should be a dream come true, not a nightmarish power struggle made worse by her twin's refusal to believe there's corruption within the Brotherhood.
She's determined to find proof of their dirty dealings, even as she risks irrefutably breaking her sibling bond.
And speaking of clocking annoying males upside the head...
Nava is also totally over smoking hot rock star and fellow hunter Rohan Mitra. There is a veritable buffet of boy options out there, and this girl is now all-you-can-eat.
So when her demon hunt brings her first love, Cole, back into her life, her revenge fantasies for closure-on all fronts-are a go.
Except neither her old wounds nor her new ones are as healed as she believes. It’s Less Hopelessly Devoted, more Worse Things I Could Do.
Brotherhood: unmask.
Demons: slaughter.
Guy problems: terminate with extreme prejudice.
Nava is hot on the heels of a demonic serial killer and finally working with her brother. The assignment should be a dream come true, not a nightmarish power struggle made worse by her twin's refusal to believe there's corruption within the Brotherhood.
She's determined to find proof of their dirty dealings, even as she risks irrefutably breaking her sibling bond.
And speaking of clocking annoying males upside the head...
Nava is also totally over smoking hot rock star and fellow hunter Rohan Mitra. There is a veritable buffet of boy options out there, and this girl is now all-you-can-eat.
So when her demon hunt brings her first love, Cole, back into her life, her revenge fantasies for closure-on all fronts-are a go.
Except neither her old wounds nor her new ones are as healed as she believes. It’s Less Hopelessly Devoted, more Worse Things I Could Do.
Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2017
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409 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Wilde
42 books1,057 followersDeborah Wilde is a global wanderer and hopeless romantic. After twelve years as a screenwriter, she was also a total cynic with a broken edit button, so, she jumped ship, started writing funny, sexy, urban fantasy and paranormal women’s fiction books, and never looked back.
She loves writing smart, flawed, wisecracking women who can solve a mystery, kick supernatural butt, banter with hot men, and still make time for their best female friend, because those were the women she grew up around and admired. Granted, her grandmother never had to kill a demon at her weekly friend lunches, but Deborah is pretty sure she could have.
she/her
Smart (ass) heroines. Epic magic. Red-hot romance.
She loves writing smart, flawed, wisecracking women who can solve a mystery, kick supernatural butt, banter with hot men, and still make time for their best female friend, because those were the women she grew up around and admired. Granted, her grandmother never had to kill a demon at her weekly friend lunches, but Deborah is pretty sure she could have.
she/her
Smart (ass) heroines. Epic magic. Red-hot romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
February 15, 2018
Another satisfying and fun journey through Nava land.
Finally we get some character development from Nava - although not nearly enough to be really satisfying for me. I just have a problem with grown-ass people that fail to communicate so miserably. Seriously you are not 12 anymore.
Whi knows me, knows that I definitely preferr badass-heroines and as much as I like Nava with all her imperfections and quirks - she is no real badass, because she decides to stay cowardly a lot of the time and never really mans-up. Finally in the end she does show a little balls, but all in all, to be a really kickass-heroine, it simply was not enough.
There was a lot of strain in this book for poor little Nava - the relationship with her brother is strained, although she finally works with him, the relationship with Rohan is strained, nicely said, the relationshio to the brotherhood is strained and to the witches, too - short there is a lot of conflict in this book. Personally I would have preferred a bit more plot and less drama, but oh well - we can't have everything, can we?
The thing is - I still don't know, if I like Rohan. He has his momements, but I am not sure, if that is enough. I still can't really get a grip on him - if I had to describe hime, I would struggle at points.
A really shame was, that we have yet another book were we get nothing of Tree Trunk AND nothing of Drio! What?!? AT least we get some little Kane action and some more of him and Ari.
All in all I feel that characterization could be better - I don't like Ari, I don't know if I like Rohan, Leo too, the interesting person of the "housekeeper" is rather neglected and so on.
But as with the other two books before, I had lots of fun from page one on. They have a few flaws, but the world bulding is intriguing, Nava's edgy character entertaining (and by the way, I absolute LOVE that she and Leo are bisexual) and some of the ideas with demons really cool. It was a fast-paced story, that gripped me again.
Finally we get some character development from Nava - although not nearly enough to be really satisfying for me. I just have a problem with grown-ass people that fail to communicate so miserably. Seriously you are not 12 anymore.
Whi knows me, knows that I definitely preferr badass-heroines and as much as I like Nava with all her imperfections and quirks - she is no real badass, because she decides to stay cowardly a lot of the time and never really mans-up. Finally in the end she does show a little balls, but all in all, to be a really kickass-heroine, it simply was not enough.
There was a lot of strain in this book for poor little Nava - the relationship with her brother is strained, although she finally works with him, the relationship with Rohan is strained, nicely said, the relationshio to the brotherhood is strained and to the witches, too - short there is a lot of conflict in this book. Personally I would have preferred a bit more plot and less drama, but oh well - we can't have everything, can we?
The thing is - I still don't know, if I like Rohan. He has his momements, but I am not sure, if that is enough. I still can't really get a grip on him - if I had to describe hime, I would struggle at points.
A really shame was, that we have yet another book were we get nothing of Tree Trunk AND nothing of Drio! What?!? AT least we get some little Kane action and some more of him and Ari.
All in all I feel that characterization could be better - I don't like Ari, I don't know if I like Rohan, Leo too, the interesting person of the "housekeeper" is rather neglected and so on.
But as with the other two books before, I had lots of fun from page one on. They have a few flaws, but the world bulding is intriguing, Nava's edgy character entertaining (and by the way, I absolute LOVE that she and Leo are bisexual) and some of the ideas with demons really cool. It was a fast-paced story, that gripped me again.
October 10, 2024
The Nava Katz series is one you have to read in order. Each installment builds a little more on the characters and world and takes us on a new adventure. It’s been a month between Sting and Need. Ari has his powers now thanks to Nava his sister, her relationship with Rohan is over, and she’s looking for the witches.
The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Need is a crazy ride! It’s another whirl wind adventure with some hilarious moments. Their were a few surprises along the way and the ending was a happy one. Rohan comes back and we see that he’s cracked her armor. She loves him, but she knows/feels deep down he’s going to leave her. So where will that leave them? I’d say Nava has some trust issues. We see that her relationship with her brother is strained and Rohan is another complication, plus the Brotherhood being an all boys club and now a girls in it, so we have drama and conflict.
I wish we got more on the Brotherhood front and the witches. What is the deal? Where is this going? I also wish Nava would grow up a little. She needs to Adult more aka communicate. Her attitude is still very prickly and it’s getting old.
Even with the few issues I had. Need turned out to be a terrific addition to the series. I had a delightful time and look forward to seeing where things go.
Rated: 3.5 Stars
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Deborah Wilde with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Need is a crazy ride! It’s another whirl wind adventure with some hilarious moments. Their were a few surprises along the way and the ending was a happy one. Rohan comes back and we see that he’s cracked her armor. She loves him, but she knows/feels deep down he’s going to leave her. So where will that leave them? I’d say Nava has some trust issues. We see that her relationship with her brother is strained and Rohan is another complication, plus the Brotherhood being an all boys club and now a girls in it, so we have drama and conflict.
I wish we got more on the Brotherhood front and the witches. What is the deal? Where is this going? I also wish Nava would grow up a little. She needs to Adult more aka communicate. Her attitude is still very prickly and it’s getting old.
Even with the few issues I had. Need turned out to be a terrific addition to the series. I had a delightful time and look forward to seeing where things go.
Rated: 3.5 Stars
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Deborah Wilde with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
December 21, 2020
Nava is pissed because Rohan ghosted her for weeks while on assignment. Neither of them knows what they want, making it interesting when they team up to investigate who is trying to bind demons to do their bidding (like the one that attacked Nava in Prague). Meanwhile, the boys club is still dissing her by putting Avi in charge of their latest local case, a string of unusual heart attacks, instead of recognizing Nava’s seniority.
I must be in a mood because I didn't like this one as much as I thought I would. I think I'm just frustrated with Nava's situation within the Brotherhood and in her relationship with Rohan. I'm growing tired of her having to prove her worth just because she is female. Even the male characters that I thought had accepted her have moments of machismo. As for her relationship with Rohan, I suppose the uncertainty resolved itself by the end of the book, but I had little tolerance for the on-again / off-again that led up to it. I also really did not like the ex, Cole. I was almost insulted that Nava considered getting back together with him. I'm still not over the moon for Rohan either, despite the earth-shattering orgasms he showers Nava with. They are hot together and gradually adding in real feelings into their intense physical relationship. I'm sure it will be worth it in the end, they just have to get there, and maybe I'll get over whatever it is that is preventing me from full membership to Team Rohan.
I must be in a mood because I didn't like this one as much as I thought I would. I think I'm just frustrated with Nava's situation within the Brotherhood and in her relationship with Rohan. I'm growing tired of her having to prove her worth just because she is female. Even the male characters that I thought had accepted her have moments of machismo. As for her relationship with Rohan, I suppose the uncertainty resolved itself by the end of the book, but I had little tolerance for the on-again / off-again that led up to it. I also really did not like the ex, Cole. I was almost insulted that Nava considered getting back together with him. I'm still not over the moon for Rohan either, despite the earth-shattering orgasms he showers Nava with. They are hot together and gradually adding in real feelings into their intense physical relationship. I'm sure it will be worth it in the end, they just have to get there, and maybe I'll get over whatever it is that is preventing me from full membership to Team Rohan.
August 6, 2017
Were TV shows and book covers to be believed, I'd stake out my prey with a sleek fall of hair, clad in head-to-toe leather. Too bad my curls were allergic to flat irons and tight leather pants gave me yeast infections.
I don't normally read ARCs twice but when it came to book three in the Nava Katz series I'm so glad I did. I was slumping hard when I went through it the first time and I missed so much because my brain was like "yeah, you want to read this, and we like it, but nope to books". Going through this the second time had me picking up on things I had clearly missed out on due to a malfunctioning brain and which made for a confusing time later on. Which was a total disservice to what I knew had to be a great book. But having just finished this? Oh man. So good. Zero confusion. All the fun and love. #bookslumpsaresuchmofos
"You know them?"
"No."
" Nava hates lots of people she doesn't know. It's her special talent. "
Anyyyywayyyy onto the book.
I could take on a hoard of demons but adult communication left me wanting to run away very fast.
Wilde left us with a doozy of an ending in STING and I was so damn worried about what would happen in NEED after we picked up from those final pages of book two. And.. it was bad. Like, in the best way kind of bad, but certainly no fun for Nava. She did make the best of it though and I loved having all the issues, and people, from her past crop up and be resolved the way they did. It was the perfect time for it and definitely something that had to be dealt with before she could move forward. I said in my review for book two how smart Wilde's handling of some of the romantic mess was and this installment was equally well done. And ended right where I wanted it to. Happy sigh.
While important Jewish male figures were mentioned on a regular basis in these books, the women were absent. But nah, the Brotherhood wasn't sexist.
But there was so much more happening in book three than just Nava's romantic woes. We finally get to see the Wonder Twins in action and.. it's.. not going so great? Nava and Ari's sibling bond is tested in the best kind of ways due to loyalty to the Brotherhood overshadowing loyalty to each other and peppered with a lot doubt over some of the reveals from the prior book. But this was very much a real thing that, like Nava's backstory, had to be worked through and it felt very organic and natural. Now we just have to get a handle on the Ari and Kane shenanigans..
The Eau de Boys' Club wafting off them made me want to hurl into the tasteful ficus beside the doorway.
While the series is moving forward and we, like Nava, are learning more -- and the existing members of the Brotherhood who don't think she's a complete waste of space are discovering aspects to their organization they didn't know were in play -- the author's writing style is consistently snappy. Sprinkled with pop culture/music/you name it references, witty banter, dry and hilarious narrative, realistic situations that make it actually feel plausible that demons do exist, and ohmahgawd chemistry and steam and swoons. In a market saturated with all different kinds of PNR flavours, these definitely stand out.
"You want safe? Date a lifejacket."
I'm so happy that this series is not a trilogy and there's so more Nava yet to experience and discover. I'm very keen to see where book four, and beyond, takes us and would definitely recommend!
4 "it was a massive injustice that I lived in a reality in which demons existed and house elves didn't" stars
** I received an ARC from the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
I don't normally read ARCs twice but when it came to book three in the Nava Katz series I'm so glad I did. I was slumping hard when I went through it the first time and I missed so much because my brain was like "yeah, you want to read this, and we like it, but nope to books". Going through this the second time had me picking up on things I had clearly missed out on due to a malfunctioning brain and which made for a confusing time later on. Which was a total disservice to what I knew had to be a great book. But having just finished this? Oh man. So good. Zero confusion. All the fun and love. #bookslumpsaresuchmofos
"You know them?"
"No."
" Nava hates lots of people she doesn't know. It's her special talent. "
Anyyyywayyyy onto the book.
I could take on a hoard of demons but adult communication left me wanting to run away very fast.
Wilde left us with a doozy of an ending in STING and I was so damn worried about what would happen in NEED after we picked up from those final pages of book two. And.. it was bad. Like, in the best way kind of bad, but certainly no fun for Nava. She did make the best of it though and I loved having all the issues, and people, from her past crop up and be resolved the way they did. It was the perfect time for it and definitely something that had to be dealt with before she could move forward. I said in my review for book two how smart Wilde's handling of some of the romantic mess was and this installment was equally well done. And ended right where I wanted it to. Happy sigh.
While important Jewish male figures were mentioned on a regular basis in these books, the women were absent. But nah, the Brotherhood wasn't sexist.
But there was so much more happening in book three than just Nava's romantic woes. We finally get to see the Wonder Twins in action and.. it's.. not going so great? Nava and Ari's sibling bond is tested in the best kind of ways due to loyalty to the Brotherhood overshadowing loyalty to each other and peppered with a lot doubt over some of the reveals from the prior book. But this was very much a real thing that, like Nava's backstory, had to be worked through and it felt very organic and natural. Now we just have to get a handle on the Ari and Kane shenanigans..
The Eau de Boys' Club wafting off them made me want to hurl into the tasteful ficus beside the doorway.
While the series is moving forward and we, like Nava, are learning more -- and the existing members of the Brotherhood who don't think she's a complete waste of space are discovering aspects to their organization they didn't know were in play -- the author's writing style is consistently snappy. Sprinkled with pop culture/music/you name it references, witty banter, dry and hilarious narrative, realistic situations that make it actually feel plausible that demons do exist, and ohmahgawd chemistry and steam and swoons. In a market saturated with all different kinds of PNR flavours, these definitely stand out.
"You want safe? Date a lifejacket."
I'm so happy that this series is not a trilogy and there's so more Nava yet to experience and discover. I'm very keen to see where book four, and beyond, takes us and would definitely recommend!
4 "it was a massive injustice that I lived in a reality in which demons existed and house elves didn't" stars
** I received an ARC from the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
July 11, 2018
I'm so digging this series. It's everything I want when I'm in a bad mood or tired or mad about something. It's fun, it's exciting, it's fresh. And it's only picking up speed. I'm ready to go Wilde ;)
Over and out
Over and out
February 26, 2018
All Nava's waffling over Rohan got real old real quick. I almost like her more in this book than the previous one's only because she doesn't constantly think about sex. I mean if I wanted to read porn erotica I would.
Like the book before it, Nava lets the men in her life walk over her. I would like nothing more than to punch Ari in the face. Because really if my sibling got almost killed and told me the party responsible for it I would do my best todestroy said party support my sibling. Ari on the otherhand, dismisses Nava's reasoning entirely, sticks up for the parts of the Brotherhood that treat her like shit (even tries to defend them by saying the way they treat her is acceptable because she hasn't spent her life proving her worth) and says some mean-ass shit. I get that everyone in this book has ''issues'' but it was too over the top for me.
I felt like the mystery aspect of the story was more of an after thought than front and centre here. The book seemed to revolve more around Nava's relationships with Rohan and Ari than anything else, and it dragged.
Like the book before it, Nava lets the men in her life walk over her. I would like nothing more than to punch Ari in the face. Because really if my sibling got almost killed and told me the party responsible for it I would do my best to
I felt like the mystery aspect of the story was more of an after thought than front and centre here. The book seemed to revolve more around Nava's relationships with Rohan and Ari than anything else, and it dragged.
January 10, 2019
3.5 stars
November 9, 2020
RATING: 4.5 STARS!
I felt a little sorry for Nava in this installment. The lads, including her brother, Ari, need to be put back in their box.
Nava has to do some soul searching on a personal level and a great twist pops up.
I felt a little sorry for Nava in this installment. The lads, including her brother, Ari, need to be put back in their box.
Nava has to do some soul searching on a personal level and a great twist pops up.
dnf
July 12, 2020dnf @ around 60%
Nava is a hot mess and I love it, and I love her personality! But the men in her life don't deserve her. In book 1 her brother didn't deserve her and in book 2 her lover didn't deserve her. In this book, neither of them deserved her and it was too much assholery being dished Nava's way; my fragile heart couldn't take it. Leo, Nava's best friend, seemed to be the only shining light in Nava's life and there wasn't enough page time for her. Not even the running plot as intriguing as it was- between the witches and the brotherhood- could have kept me here☹
Nava is a hot mess and I love it, and I love her personality! But the men in her life don't deserve her. In book 1 her brother didn't deserve her and in book 2 her lover didn't deserve her. In this book, neither of them deserved her and it was too much assholery being dished Nava's way; my fragile heart couldn't take it. Leo, Nava's best friend, seemed to be the only shining light in Nava's life and there wasn't enough page time for her. Not even the running plot as intriguing as it was- between the witches and the brotherhood- could have kept me here☹
May 25, 2020
Rohan and Nava have worked their way into my top couples list. Not sure what position they're in yet, as I need to complete the series, but I am loving their journey. The author does love the angst though, so despite the awesomeness of the ending, I'm still nervous.
I love this series, though!
I love this series, though!
January 9, 2019
Oh Ari. He has moved to Most Hated in this series, for me. I don't even care if he's going to come around in later books. His behavior in this one - after everything Nava has done for him - will never ever ever be excusable.
Rohan still gives me whiplash. I have no idea what to think about him. I really don't. That said,
And Nava still needs to get the fuck out of this sexist Boys Club. Nothing she does will ever change her status with them, and the fact that she is continuing to try makes her look like a goddamn spineless moron. The supposed badass girl, but she's all talk, no action. I can't stress how much this undermines her character.
Rohan still gives me whiplash. I have no idea what to think about him. I really don't. That said,
And Nava still needs to get the fuck out of this sexist Boys Club. Nothing she does will ever change her status with them, and the fact that she is continuing to try makes her look like a goddamn spineless moron. The supposed badass girl, but she's all talk, no action. I can't stress how much this undermines her character.
August 17, 2017
This was so frustrating.. can I have the next book please?
Let's cut to the chase. I wanted to smack Nava. Hard. Quite a bit. The romance? Bloody infuriating one way ticket to frustration-ville. But I so enjoyed this book.
It's my favorite in the series not because of the plot or the romance but because I loved, nay adored the character building.
Book 3 picks up one months after book 2 and you get thrown right into the deep end. Lots of action and emotional dramas.
I was a bit annoyed by Nava and Rohan's situation. Okay, allot annoyed. One thing became really clear really fast however Nava needs to let go and start listening. I found her behaviour really frustrating. Pointing fingers, while doing the exact same thing. But she does get her act together, she does try and see someone else's perspective and I love how she resolves things in the end.
We get to see the twins in action together in this book and I love their codes and language, just as much as their disagreements. I think Wilde shines in this, their relationship feels real and tangible. Having siblings I know how one can at the same time be a total odd but love each other beyond anything. The bond between them, feels real.
The same goes to all the different relationships between the main cast. The issues between friends, the Rasha men views of life.. those details are brilliant and make the characters realistic, way more than in the previous books I connected to the crew. I care about them and can't wait to see what they up to next.
The plot is captivating, lots of action and plenty of dramas. But I feel a bit short changed when it comes to both mysteries. Neither was actually solved. Well the one case kinda was, but it is still open ended. The other, we got given so little, way to little. Yet I am not unsatisfied, because there is some closure and I can't wait to hopefully find out more on the mystery in the next book.
The writing style is witty and imaginative, I love it. Yet at times it felt a bit generic- some of the dialogues were a bit like good old classics from 80s blockbusters, especially at the beginning of the book. While I don't mind it much, it also isn't my favorite thing. Thankfully there are plenty of good dialogues and moments around, so the good outways the bad.
The world building was interesting. I actually would have liked some more. Lots of the world building was done in the previous books, there are some new additions, yet those weren't quite enough for me.
However those new additions were imaginative and fun - and just like with the rest of the book, I want more!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even if it was frustrating and heartbreaking at times. It is also swoony, exciting and insightful. My favorite in the series so far and I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment.
Let's cut to the chase. I wanted to smack Nava. Hard. Quite a bit. The romance? Bloody infuriating one way ticket to frustration-ville. But I so enjoyed this book.
It's my favorite in the series not because of the plot or the romance but because I loved, nay adored the character building.
Book 3 picks up one months after book 2 and you get thrown right into the deep end. Lots of action and emotional dramas.
I was a bit annoyed by Nava and Rohan's situation. Okay, allot annoyed. One thing became really clear really fast however Nava needs to let go and start listening. I found her behaviour really frustrating. Pointing fingers, while doing the exact same thing. But she does get her act together, she does try and see someone else's perspective and I love how she resolves things in the end.
We get to see the twins in action together in this book and I love their codes and language, just as much as their disagreements. I think Wilde shines in this, their relationship feels real and tangible. Having siblings I know how one can at the same time be a total odd but love each other beyond anything. The bond between them, feels real.
The same goes to all the different relationships between the main cast. The issues between friends, the Rasha men views of life.. those details are brilliant and make the characters realistic, way more than in the previous books I connected to the crew. I care about them and can't wait to see what they up to next.
The plot is captivating, lots of action and plenty of dramas. But I feel a bit short changed when it comes to both mysteries. Neither was actually solved. Well the one case kinda was, but it is still open ended. The other, we got given so little, way to little. Yet I am not unsatisfied, because there is some closure and I can't wait to hopefully find out more on the mystery in the next book.
The writing style is witty and imaginative, I love it. Yet at times it felt a bit generic- some of the dialogues were a bit like good old classics from 80s blockbusters, especially at the beginning of the book. While I don't mind it much, it also isn't my favorite thing. Thankfully there are plenty of good dialogues and moments around, so the good outways the bad.
The world building was interesting. I actually would have liked some more. Lots of the world building was done in the previous books, there are some new additions, yet those weren't quite enough for me.
However those new additions were imaginative and fun - and just like with the rest of the book, I want more!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even if it was frustrating and heartbreaking at times. It is also swoony, exciting and insightful. My favorite in the series so far and I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment.
January 3, 2019
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.In this 3rd edition of the Unlikeable Demon Hunter, we see Nava finally get a case with her brother. However, it's not the partnership that Nava would like. Now that Ari has his powers, he has this superiority complex that is causing issues between the twins. He is totally taking over the case. It is rubbing Nava the wrong way, but she also has a lot of other stuff on her plate, like exposing the Brotherhood and her crazy love life.
Need felt like a total mish mash of different story lines. There is the case of the serial murders, which Nava does work some on. That investigation leads to a meet up with ex-boyfriend Cole. This could be Nava's opportunity to get Rohan out of her head. I am still frustrated by Nava's whole love live scenario. The back and forth in the relationships just highlighted how immature that Nava still is. I find this really annoying and have to focus more on the action and investigations.
The demon hunting seemed to lead to the serial killer pretty quickly, or so we think. There is a surprise twist that seems to come out of nowhere. It was distracting moving between the two investigations, knowing which one Nava was working on. It helped that Rohan was the one helping her with the Brotherhood investigation, which she seemed to do more of because of her brother's controlling attitude.
The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Need was a quick listen that had me frustrated in many areas. Mainly with the characters and their decisions. The story itself took many twists and turns and had a very interesting ending. I'm hoping as the series goes on, we see the characters fit into their roles a bit better and not be so flighty and indecisive. I'm left with the feeling that it may be the case.
The narration by Hollie Jackson was done well. However, I still had to listen with the speed a little bit higher as her narration seemed to be a bit slow. At 1.25 it was perfect. Her accents for the hunters are well done. I'm not crazy about Rohan's voice, but I've become used to that being him, so I've adjusted.This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
October 30, 2017
Oh my gawd, I want to smack Ro and Nava upside-the-head, hog-tie them both and throw them into the Crystal-freaking-dome until they sort their shit out.
So much fun.
More please.
So much fun.
More please.
January 16, 2022
Wow, boys club did anyone see that coming… I mean from a mile away duh!
I swear if I were Rohan I would have quit Nava from the beginning she might be fun and great in bed but she is a pain in his ass.
The ending was nice.
Ary needs to grow up and be a team and realize what his sister did for him.
The fact that sparks are flying between Nava’s most hated hunter and Ary was entertaining I will give you that.
I liked the snark.
I won’t be finishing the series.
Loved the narration.
I swear if I were Rohan I would have quit Nava from the beginning she might be fun and great in bed but she is a pain in his ass.
The ending was nice.
Ary needs to grow up and be a team and realize what his sister did for him.
The fact that sparks are flying between Nava’s most hated hunter and Ary was entertaining I will give you that.
I liked the snark.
I won’t be finishing the series.
Loved the narration.
December 23, 2018
LOVE this series!
WOW!! Nava & Rohan! WOW! I seriously can’t get enough of them and this series. Each book is better than the last. can’t wait for more!
WOW!! Nava & Rohan! WOW! I seriously can’t get enough of them and this series. Each book is better than the last. can’t wait for more!
November 23, 2017
Oh, Nava! What a journey she goes on in this book! Ari is kinda awful to her as well as other guys (looking at you, head Rabbi, guy!) but there were some really fantastic moments! Like the twin war! And the feels, with Rohan, and Cole! Gah! Such a great book!
February 11, 2022
3.5 stars for the series
Review - Nava Katz Series
Quick Sitch: Nava Katz finds out that she's a female demon hunter, and that's a problem. Mostly because misogyny and there's never been one before and no one knows how to deal with it. The story builds as Nava comes into her own and learns that there are certain players out there actively working their way towards an apocalypse and she's got to stop it. All while falling in love with Rohan Mitra, a former rock god turned demon hunter. Romance and apocalypses go together, like peas and bicycles. Whatever, it works, just go with it.
Overview: I'm digging Deborah Wilde's writing, and while the three series that I've read (yes, three in a row because when I obsess I OBSESS), have their similarities - paranormal stories with Jewish heroines and diverse characters set in Vancouver - I do love that each has their own spin and ythe heroines are at different stages in life. Nava's the youngest and most immature but also the one who goes through it in terms of the way she's treated by every misogynist in the Brasha organizations and basically everyone thinking that she's a twit, until they learn differently. The story goes to some fantastically weird places, and it stretches the bounds, for sure, but I still enjoyed most of it. My struggle was with some of the humor (some lands, some doesn't) and
Book 1: The intro is good, kept me interested, and her Pretty Woman-esque take on sex was a thing. I appreciate that she owned her sexuality and wasn't about to be shamed. I liked it but I'm never a fan of naming genitalia. Just not my bag.
Book 2 (Sting): Dives further into actual demon hunting, introduces some key players to the overarching storyline. There's some OW/OM contact, but in the context of this series, didn't bother me and was actually that kind of emotional push/pull that surprised me because of how much I enjoyed it.
Book 3 (Need): This one introduces Malik and I wasn't mad about it at all. The danger ratchets up even more and the blurring of lines, plus some emotional payoff for the romance.
Book 4 (Crave): The one where the story starts to go off on a tangent, and it definitely felt like the need to mess with Rohan and Nava was more plot point driven than not. Feels like the overarching storyline gets bigger but the small moments could have used more time to really make you care for all these characters in a way that can impact any big conflicts that are coming up. I liked them all, but I really felt the narrowness of of that first person POV holding things back.
Book 5 (Fall): The penultimate episode in this Buffy-esque takeoff and for sure I felt that Season 6-7 fatigue at this point. It's all danger but the need to pull back kind of kills the momentum a wee bit. And that final battle? Kookydukes.
Book 6 (Burn): The finale that had ALOT of ground to cover and it felt like it. It continues that feeling of nothing but danger everywhere you turn but a lack of commitment to it that takes it down a notch. Now, I'm a romance centered reader at heart, so I didn't mind that alot of this is about pairing up the couples that you felt connecting in the background of Nava and Rohan's lives. I just wish I could have seen more of it. And the Deus Ex Machina vibe to the ultimate resolution was an "well...*blinks* alrighty then" kind of moment. I mean, look I'm all for suspension of disbelief. I LOVE the OTT moments I am right there willing to buy into what you're selling....I just wish the pitch was a little more solid.
Bottom Line: In the end I liked this, even though some of the humor didn't work for me, but I do think it's something that is more for fans of UF-PNR who prefer it a little danger but mostly safe when all is said and done.
And that's all I got.
Review - Nava Katz Series
Quick Sitch: Nava Katz finds out that she's a female demon hunter, and that's a problem. Mostly because misogyny and there's never been one before and no one knows how to deal with it. The story builds as Nava comes into her own and learns that there are certain players out there actively working their way towards an apocalypse and she's got to stop it. All while falling in love with Rohan Mitra, a former rock god turned demon hunter. Romance and apocalypses go together, like peas and bicycles. Whatever, it works, just go with it.
Overview: I'm digging Deborah Wilde's writing, and while the three series that I've read (yes, three in a row because when I obsess I OBSESS), have their similarities - paranormal stories with Jewish heroines and diverse characters set in Vancouver - I do love that each has their own spin and ythe heroines are at different stages in life. Nava's the youngest and most immature but also the one who goes through it in terms of the way she's treated by every misogynist in the Brasha organizations and basically everyone thinking that she's a twit, until they learn differently. The story goes to some fantastically weird places, and it stretches the bounds, for sure, but I still enjoyed most of it. My struggle was with some of the humor (some lands, some doesn't) and
Book 1: The intro is good, kept me interested, and her Pretty Woman-esque take on sex was a thing. I appreciate that she owned her sexuality and wasn't about to be shamed. I liked it but I'm never a fan of naming genitalia. Just not my bag.
Book 2 (Sting): Dives further into actual demon hunting, introduces some key players to the overarching storyline. There's some OW/OM contact, but in the context of this series, didn't bother me and was actually that kind of emotional push/pull that surprised me because of how much I enjoyed it.
Book 3 (Need): This one introduces Malik and I wasn't mad about it at all. The danger ratchets up even more and the blurring of lines, plus some emotional payoff for the romance.
Book 4 (Crave): The one where the story starts to go off on a tangent, and it definitely felt like the need to mess with Rohan and Nava was more plot point driven than not. Feels like the overarching storyline gets bigger but the small moments could have used more time to really make you care for all these characters in a way that can impact any big conflicts that are coming up. I liked them all, but I really felt the narrowness of of that first person POV holding things back.
Book 5 (Fall): The penultimate episode in this Buffy-esque takeoff and for sure I felt that Season 6-7 fatigue at this point. It's all danger but the need to pull back kind of kills the momentum a wee bit. And that final battle? Kookydukes.
Book 6 (Burn): The finale that had ALOT of ground to cover and it felt like it. It continues that feeling of nothing but danger everywhere you turn but a lack of commitment to it that takes it down a notch. Now, I'm a romance centered reader at heart, so I didn't mind that alot of this is about pairing up the couples that you felt connecting in the background of Nava and Rohan's lives. I just wish I could have seen more of it. And the Deus Ex Machina vibe to the ultimate resolution was an "well...*blinks* alrighty then" kind of moment. I mean, look I'm all for suspension of disbelief. I LOVE the OTT moments I am right there willing to buy into what you're selling....I just wish the pitch was a little more solid.
Bottom Line: In the end I liked this, even though some of the humor didn't work for me, but I do think it's something that is more for fans of UF-PNR who prefer it a little danger but mostly safe when all is said and done.
And that's all I got.
August 18, 2017
As per usual, the story was entertaining. There was a fight with demons, make out session between Nava and some girl, and the meeting with the "mortal enemy" and all that was just the first thirty pages. So, yeah, no complaints there.
But the beginning (hell, the majority of the story) was slightly confusing and brought up some questions, such as:
1. What the hell is happening between Nava and Rohan? And Ari and Kane, for that matter.
2. Why is Ari being such a dick? His magic was cool, though
3. What is the Brotherhood really up to and why does Nava seem to be the only one concerned about this?
4. Will we see Drio again? I miss that cheerful guy
5. And, most importantly, when will Cole take the hint and fuck off? I mean, I did want to lear about him and his past with Nava, but jeez man, get lost already.
Things just stopped making sense to me. Ultimately, the only question that got answered by the end of the story was the one about Cole.
Despite the confusion, I still had a great time reading the book and am ready for the author to release the next one right now. (It's not much to ask for, is it?)
But the beginning (hell, the majority of the story) was slightly confusing and brought up some questions, such as:
1. What the hell is happening between Nava and Rohan? And Ari and Kane, for that matter.
2. Why is Ari being such a dick? His magic was cool, though
3. What is the Brotherhood really up to and why does Nava seem to be the only one concerned about this?
4. Will we see Drio again? I miss that cheerful guy
5. And, most importantly, when will Cole take the hint and fuck off? I mean, I did want to lear about him and his past with Nava, but jeez man, get lost already.
Things just stopped making sense to me. Ultimately, the only question that got answered by the end of the story was the one about Cole.
Despite the confusion, I still had a great time reading the book and am ready for the author to release the next one right now. (It's not much to ask for, is it?)
September 19, 2017
I loved this book!
Mostly because they finally stopped playing games with each other and got together--WOOHOO!! but also because of how the group are growing as characters. Nava has come a long way from that rather unlikeable person she was in the first book and i love her now. She's snarky but fun and i love the commaraderie she has with almost everyone in the demon hunting squad. We're really getting to know them now and I'm so looking forward to the next one.
Mostly because they finally stopped playing games with each other and got together--WOOHOO!! but also because of how the group are growing as characters. Nava has come a long way from that rather unlikeable person she was in the first book and i love her now. She's snarky but fun and i love the commaraderie she has with almost everyone in the demon hunting squad. We're really getting to know them now and I'm so looking forward to the next one.
August 30, 2017
This turning out to be one of my favorite book series. The charters are funny and deep. Nova is cute and funny and I can really relate to how she feels about a relationship. I really cannot wait for the next book!!
February 17, 2018
Really this series just keeps getting better and better!!!!I loved this book, the best of the series so far, the last scene of the book melted my cold dark heart into a rainbowy puddle... just lovely 💟💟💟
May 4, 2020
Not much I can say without spoiling anything at this point. I enjoyed the book, although I keep zoning out a little. It's not that the book isn't interesting, but that I relax with it, which is a good thing, although being too relaxed isn't the best when reading :P
July 29, 2017
Review to come
September 18, 2018
My newfound obsession. This series. Oh.. and ROHAN.
![Profile Image for Namera [The Literary Invertebrate].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1647896333i%2F31792110._UX200_CR0%2C96%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
June 9, 2021
3.5/5 Stars
August 8, 2017
DETAILS:
The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Need (TUDH: Need) is Book 3 in Deborah Wilde's, Nava Katz Series. Books 1 and 2 are TUDH & TUDH: Sting, and this new addition takes the series to five titles. The other two titles are companion stories, including: Slay - Book 1.5; and Crush - Book 2.5. Access details for Crush, which isn't present on retailer sites, are included in the final pages of each book, and via Deborah's website (listing details can also be viewed on Goodreads). When I submitted this review, TUDH: Need had 27 ratings with an avg. of 4.67 stars via Goodreads. It is set to be released August 18th 2017. According to ebook details on Moon Reader Pro+ it has a word count of 92,116 (or 469 pages). The current series combined avg. rating is 4.22 stars (from 1126 Goodreads ratings).
The following links include: Amazon's Deborah Wilde Page; my review of TUDH; & my review of TUDH: Sting.
Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/Deborah-Wilde/...
Review - https://www.amazon.com.au/review/R1C7...
Review - https://www.amazon.com.au/review/R182...
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION - THE STORY:
Nava Katz is the only female demon hunter (a.k.a. Rasha) to have ever been officiated by the Brotherhood of David. Ari, her twin brother, has always supported her unconditionally, even in the face of family portrayal describing Nava as a failure. As the twins now navigate the new variables of being Rasha situated at their local chapter and working their first mission together, Ari's opinions begin to realign with the consensus by their parents; thereby altering the dynamics of their bond. Guilt and deep sorrow had sat like a dead weight in the pit of Nava's stomach until she persevered and fought long and hard enough to defy the odds in finding another way to induct him; given his actual ceremony failed when the ritual hamsa ring chose her instead. Given what she faced and went through to achieve her, his attitudes aren't as easily forgiven.
Committed to giving him leg room because of her unintentional role in the upheaval he faced before her success, a life-long security of knowing what he was born to achieve and yet it being taken away by his sister's drunken crashing of the private ceremony intended to officiate it, Nava's patience begins to sway under the weight of his attitudes. Especially seeing as they match up with the lack of familial support in the reasons why her life had come unhinged. But with a new threat coming from a potential demon serial killer, they'll need their twin-bond to prevail and bygones to be made, given their investigation could bring them into the path of an ancient one's intentions, as Nava's last mission had.
Her presence in the Brotherhood and residence at the local chapter caused both to be turned on their heads, the former more so than the latter, which correspondingly recovered quicker. Loyalties from Rasha who've spent a lifetime of living and drinking the kool-aid sticks closely to the beliefs and mission statement sold them by the Rabbi executive, who unlike the Rasha they oversee they aren't necessarily ancestors of King David: the ancestral link that permits the magic needed to face demons to be bestowed on the hunters. Acceptance by an all-male and time honoured system of blah, blah, blah, if Nava's convictions are those being heard, means teething issues at every official turn she attempts to make; resulting in Nava having either clear-headed insight or biased prejudices, to see evidence others won't or which isn't there, respectively. Regardless, the executive order wishes her to fail and giving them reasons will only play into the hands.
A possibly hidden, inconceivable, and antithetical initiative of the Brotherhood may have been identified. The possibility of involvement alone provides the footing of a wedge, the truth or naysay being the determinant that will either drive the wedge home or knock it aside. Strategically and emotively, damage has already cracked the dynamics of relationships involved in the espionage aimed at finding the truth or proving presumptions wrong. Whether recovery is a possibility will be decided on the strength of bonds that predate active involvement and the affinity certain characters have for others. As to whether the slate will truly be wiped cleaned is a debate for latter days; when full hands are empty and calmer waters prevail, if the latter can ever surface.
Arising from the woodwork like a moth to the flame, news of the female Rasha offered a spectacular trophy-head given two millenia of hunting whom her head is desired by. Presently, that initial mayhem has settled to the state where every demon now knows what the words 'Nava Katz' mean. Whether Nava was instrumental in the most successful banishment in the Brotherhood's history is undetermined, but in recent history that is guaranteed. Now, Nava and Ari may vicariously identify another threat in the same weight category as she saw on the last mission. She'd never speak the words that demon hunting has given her life meaning, much like her twin, but despite all the odds she's begun the resolute path of where that has been found. Despite the path of greatest resistance she isn't one to shy away from a fight, unless it's about her personal life, where refusing to face things is her knee-jerk reaction.
She thus has a serial killer to stop before the upcoming loss of another innocent life, and restoring her twin-bond could be instrumental in whether the danger sees a repeat of recent tragedies. On the elicit front she'll be forced to consider whether her new thirst for life is more important than her thirst for the truth, as her actions in seeking the truth may eliminate the facilitator of her new drive for a life she's meant to perform. And as always in the life of a lover restricted to bed partners where no actual intimate bonding is permitted, she'll need to choose to lay it all on the line or to completely put what has developed behind her, because she cannot continue as if things never arrived at this juncture. It's fair to say that Nava Katz has her hands fall. Pivotal crossroads have been reached in the two most important and challenged aspects of lifestyles to date. Her choices will irrevocably frame the future she'll walk away with, if one permits her to be able to walk away at all.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OPINION:
Nava is a veritable fountain of juicy tendencies and traits, enough so that only her own point of view on the Rasha lifestyle and world is necessary to captivate and intrigue. Where some plots are bolstered by the introduction of several intimate perspectives that encompass the particulars through their own strategically placed narration, this series would suffer to my way of thinking. The fulfilling experience Nava provides through all her uncensored brutality in regards to everything other than her emotional self, the place bound up tighter than Fort Knox, is something I suspect would detract from the experience if she weren't absolutely the larger-than-life driver and navigator of that bus.
On the matter of Nava's life, her knee-jerk engrained responses have the capacity to jeopardise relationships capable of the long haul. Her insecurities arouse problems from the outset, her past history priming her as though subconsciously she seeks to willingly crash and burn; the repeat of past hurts being avoided through that self-destruct option before they ween their way into the places that hurt so much more. The power of a colleague to have slipped under her volatile radar, to raise the threshold of possible harm in the event they step on her strategically placed mines, is deleteriously prepared to provide her with the cut-and-run she can justify to both herself and the ones metaphorically now missing a leg. Sooner than obtain answers to the most vigorously burning questions of her personal life, she's determined to fill in the blanks in lieu of obtaining an actual answer, as that way they meet the guidelines she's manufactured for herself.
The complexity of relationships throughout the series to date have nearly entirely been difficult to manage where they tread water in the realms of intimacy. To my mind none bring histories of ex's that defined those relationships as relaxed and happy-go-lucky. Instead, the complications are so ingrained that it's easy to presume that hunters go AWOL or self-destruct before reaching the age of retirement from fieldwork. The life of Rasha and how being demon hunters puts a strain on them makes sure that for most, their relationships are strained at best, volatile and nuclear in the worst; and truly minimal for those who wish to avoid the trappings altogether. Given strained occupational environments often see workers sticking to their own, you have to wonder if in a real world application, the introduction of female Rasha would open up possibilities the current workforce never considered but would nonetheless appreciate such an option.
The use of language in an unrestricted adult context remains a draw card. It isn't that it's profane, it's that it's fitting; as much as that might appear strange or crass itself. None of the polite high society gab that reverts to the mundane when no one is thought to be listening. The bare knuckles unscripted nature of the dialogue, not to mention Nava's narrative monologue, is rather appropriate and appealing. With some passages being what I'm sure an author unaccustomed to such a repertoire would deliberate or balk at, Deborah navigates with ease. I guess depending on the audience it might be fitting to deliberate, Nava's "cuntessa" still strikes that spot where no matter how many times it has been spoken, it will forever redefine the word it derives from. At the end of the day, it is in my mind befitting of Nava, and it may only ever be befitting of she who first spoke it.
The Rasha powers as we know them, their eventuality coming from subconscious complexes if we're to believe Nava's opinions regarding their inception, are the staple of what we think of regarding their capabilities. This is of course backed up by tomes of knowledge and constant physical training and conditioning. But in so much as it takes place in the background through the use of wards and other less momentary spell-casting, it's easy to forget or consider that there is the dimension of spell work that Rasha are capable of. These don't tend to factor into the heat of moment, but they are nonetheless an aspect of their abilities. The involvement of ritual spells arose in TUDH: Sting. Circumstances repeat similar herein, and together they bring me to the stage where pondering if increases in their application and even an introduction of it into fight sequences could benefit future books. The theology suggests such is mostly the domain of the witches, but the discussed aspects of this notion aren't prohibitive. I might be a bit vague about the links, but I'm trying to avoid spoilers through the way these concepts are discussed. It must be said though that there's no lack which brings this about, It's more a case of 'what if'.
One of the good indicators of how great series and writers impact your memory is in how long it takes for pieces (or the whole) of the story to come flooding back after having had a break. It's almost mathematical, depending on how you conceptualise it. Variables can include how many books were read in the series, how many other books where read in between, how long since you last read any of it, and how the previous book ended; to name but a few. What is at the core of how they impacted you is in how much comes to mind as you begin reading a new book in the series. The resounding determinant for me is in how many pages it is before my brain starts ringing with the echoes of "oh yeah, now I remember".
It's with pleasure that I can boast along with Deborah in saying that much comes flooding back within just the first few new pages of her new additions (or the first chapter or two at most). This holds true in the case of several books in between, as I can never be found without a book in hand, or my tab with my eLibrary to be precise. If I had to hazard a guess at the greatest factors, those that come to mind are Nava's sassy narration combined with Deborah's natural flare for storytelling. These now a signature feature after the three main books, which poses the consideration of whether Deborah has a similar style in her personal environment, given how naturally and apparently easy it comes across in her books. The concept of author characteristics bleeding into caricatures are debated, but the quirks and nuances seem as though they derive so naturally from a model that's second nature to her. In any case, the style continues to be a great draw card.
If it wasn't already evident there's many reasons to get behind Deborah's books in this series. Outstanding characters, location, theology and lore, content and plots: the list could go on-and-on and will be shaped by the things that come to mind most easily for each reader. This adult urban fantasy delight crosses off any measure I've ever been inclined to use as a guide to making my judgement in committing to a purchased book. If I could give 6 ☆☆☆☆☆ I would - thus it's a resounding 5 ☆☆☆☆☆ without hesitation! The Nava Katz Series would hold its weight easily in my most-enjoyed series list, and favourite authors listing.
The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Need (TUDH: Need) is Book 3 in Deborah Wilde's, Nava Katz Series. Books 1 and 2 are TUDH & TUDH: Sting, and this new addition takes the series to five titles. The other two titles are companion stories, including: Slay - Book 1.5; and Crush - Book 2.5. Access details for Crush, which isn't present on retailer sites, are included in the final pages of each book, and via Deborah's website (listing details can also be viewed on Goodreads). When I submitted this review, TUDH: Need had 27 ratings with an avg. of 4.67 stars via Goodreads. It is set to be released August 18th 2017. According to ebook details on Moon Reader Pro+ it has a word count of 92,116 (or 469 pages). The current series combined avg. rating is 4.22 stars (from 1126 Goodreads ratings).
The following links include: Amazon's Deborah Wilde Page; my review of TUDH; & my review of TUDH: Sting.
Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/Deborah-Wilde/...
Review - https://www.amazon.com.au/review/R1C7...
Review - https://www.amazon.com.au/review/R182...
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION - THE STORY:
Nava Katz is the only female demon hunter (a.k.a. Rasha) to have ever been officiated by the Brotherhood of David. Ari, her twin brother, has always supported her unconditionally, even in the face of family portrayal describing Nava as a failure. As the twins now navigate the new variables of being Rasha situated at their local chapter and working their first mission together, Ari's opinions begin to realign with the consensus by their parents; thereby altering the dynamics of their bond. Guilt and deep sorrow had sat like a dead weight in the pit of Nava's stomach until she persevered and fought long and hard enough to defy the odds in finding another way to induct him; given his actual ceremony failed when the ritual hamsa ring chose her instead. Given what she faced and went through to achieve her, his attitudes aren't as easily forgiven.
Committed to giving him leg room because of her unintentional role in the upheaval he faced before her success, a life-long security of knowing what he was born to achieve and yet it being taken away by his sister's drunken crashing of the private ceremony intended to officiate it, Nava's patience begins to sway under the weight of his attitudes. Especially seeing as they match up with the lack of familial support in the reasons why her life had come unhinged. But with a new threat coming from a potential demon serial killer, they'll need their twin-bond to prevail and bygones to be made, given their investigation could bring them into the path of an ancient one's intentions, as Nava's last mission had.
Her presence in the Brotherhood and residence at the local chapter caused both to be turned on their heads, the former more so than the latter, which correspondingly recovered quicker. Loyalties from Rasha who've spent a lifetime of living and drinking the kool-aid sticks closely to the beliefs and mission statement sold them by the Rabbi executive, who unlike the Rasha they oversee they aren't necessarily ancestors of King David: the ancestral link that permits the magic needed to face demons to be bestowed on the hunters. Acceptance by an all-male and time honoured system of blah, blah, blah, if Nava's convictions are those being heard, means teething issues at every official turn she attempts to make; resulting in Nava having either clear-headed insight or biased prejudices, to see evidence others won't or which isn't there, respectively. Regardless, the executive order wishes her to fail and giving them reasons will only play into the hands.
A possibly hidden, inconceivable, and antithetical initiative of the Brotherhood may have been identified. The possibility of involvement alone provides the footing of a wedge, the truth or naysay being the determinant that will either drive the wedge home or knock it aside. Strategically and emotively, damage has already cracked the dynamics of relationships involved in the espionage aimed at finding the truth or proving presumptions wrong. Whether recovery is a possibility will be decided on the strength of bonds that predate active involvement and the affinity certain characters have for others. As to whether the slate will truly be wiped cleaned is a debate for latter days; when full hands are empty and calmer waters prevail, if the latter can ever surface.
Arising from the woodwork like a moth to the flame, news of the female Rasha offered a spectacular trophy-head given two millenia of hunting whom her head is desired by. Presently, that initial mayhem has settled to the state where every demon now knows what the words 'Nava Katz' mean. Whether Nava was instrumental in the most successful banishment in the Brotherhood's history is undetermined, but in recent history that is guaranteed. Now, Nava and Ari may vicariously identify another threat in the same weight category as she saw on the last mission. She'd never speak the words that demon hunting has given her life meaning, much like her twin, but despite all the odds she's begun the resolute path of where that has been found. Despite the path of greatest resistance she isn't one to shy away from a fight, unless it's about her personal life, where refusing to face things is her knee-jerk reaction.
She thus has a serial killer to stop before the upcoming loss of another innocent life, and restoring her twin-bond could be instrumental in whether the danger sees a repeat of recent tragedies. On the elicit front she'll be forced to consider whether her new thirst for life is more important than her thirst for the truth, as her actions in seeking the truth may eliminate the facilitator of her new drive for a life she's meant to perform. And as always in the life of a lover restricted to bed partners where no actual intimate bonding is permitted, she'll need to choose to lay it all on the line or to completely put what has developed behind her, because she cannot continue as if things never arrived at this juncture. It's fair to say that Nava Katz has her hands fall. Pivotal crossroads have been reached in the two most important and challenged aspects of lifestyles to date. Her choices will irrevocably frame the future she'll walk away with, if one permits her to be able to walk away at all.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OPINION:
Nava is a veritable fountain of juicy tendencies and traits, enough so that only her own point of view on the Rasha lifestyle and world is necessary to captivate and intrigue. Where some plots are bolstered by the introduction of several intimate perspectives that encompass the particulars through their own strategically placed narration, this series would suffer to my way of thinking. The fulfilling experience Nava provides through all her uncensored brutality in regards to everything other than her emotional self, the place bound up tighter than Fort Knox, is something I suspect would detract from the experience if she weren't absolutely the larger-than-life driver and navigator of that bus.
On the matter of Nava's life, her knee-jerk engrained responses have the capacity to jeopardise relationships capable of the long haul. Her insecurities arouse problems from the outset, her past history priming her as though subconsciously she seeks to willingly crash and burn; the repeat of past hurts being avoided through that self-destruct option before they ween their way into the places that hurt so much more. The power of a colleague to have slipped under her volatile radar, to raise the threshold of possible harm in the event they step on her strategically placed mines, is deleteriously prepared to provide her with the cut-and-run she can justify to both herself and the ones metaphorically now missing a leg. Sooner than obtain answers to the most vigorously burning questions of her personal life, she's determined to fill in the blanks in lieu of obtaining an actual answer, as that way they meet the guidelines she's manufactured for herself.
The complexity of relationships throughout the series to date have nearly entirely been difficult to manage where they tread water in the realms of intimacy. To my mind none bring histories of ex's that defined those relationships as relaxed and happy-go-lucky. Instead, the complications are so ingrained that it's easy to presume that hunters go AWOL or self-destruct before reaching the age of retirement from fieldwork. The life of Rasha and how being demon hunters puts a strain on them makes sure that for most, their relationships are strained at best, volatile and nuclear in the worst; and truly minimal for those who wish to avoid the trappings altogether. Given strained occupational environments often see workers sticking to their own, you have to wonder if in a real world application, the introduction of female Rasha would open up possibilities the current workforce never considered but would nonetheless appreciate such an option.
The use of language in an unrestricted adult context remains a draw card. It isn't that it's profane, it's that it's fitting; as much as that might appear strange or crass itself. None of the polite high society gab that reverts to the mundane when no one is thought to be listening. The bare knuckles unscripted nature of the dialogue, not to mention Nava's narrative monologue, is rather appropriate and appealing. With some passages being what I'm sure an author unaccustomed to such a repertoire would deliberate or balk at, Deborah navigates with ease. I guess depending on the audience it might be fitting to deliberate, Nava's "cuntessa" still strikes that spot where no matter how many times it has been spoken, it will forever redefine the word it derives from. At the end of the day, it is in my mind befitting of Nava, and it may only ever be befitting of she who first spoke it.
The Rasha powers as we know them, their eventuality coming from subconscious complexes if we're to believe Nava's opinions regarding their inception, are the staple of what we think of regarding their capabilities. This is of course backed up by tomes of knowledge and constant physical training and conditioning. But in so much as it takes place in the background through the use of wards and other less momentary spell-casting, it's easy to forget or consider that there is the dimension of spell work that Rasha are capable of. These don't tend to factor into the heat of moment, but they are nonetheless an aspect of their abilities. The involvement of ritual spells arose in TUDH: Sting. Circumstances repeat similar herein, and together they bring me to the stage where pondering if increases in their application and even an introduction of it into fight sequences could benefit future books. The theology suggests such is mostly the domain of the witches, but the discussed aspects of this notion aren't prohibitive. I might be a bit vague about the links, but I'm trying to avoid spoilers through the way these concepts are discussed. It must be said though that there's no lack which brings this about, It's more a case of 'what if'.
One of the good indicators of how great series and writers impact your memory is in how long it takes for pieces (or the whole) of the story to come flooding back after having had a break. It's almost mathematical, depending on how you conceptualise it. Variables can include how many books were read in the series, how many other books where read in between, how long since you last read any of it, and how the previous book ended; to name but a few. What is at the core of how they impacted you is in how much comes to mind as you begin reading a new book in the series. The resounding determinant for me is in how many pages it is before my brain starts ringing with the echoes of "oh yeah, now I remember".
It's with pleasure that I can boast along with Deborah in saying that much comes flooding back within just the first few new pages of her new additions (or the first chapter or two at most). This holds true in the case of several books in between, as I can never be found without a book in hand, or my tab with my eLibrary to be precise. If I had to hazard a guess at the greatest factors, those that come to mind are Nava's sassy narration combined with Deborah's natural flare for storytelling. These now a signature feature after the three main books, which poses the consideration of whether Deborah has a similar style in her personal environment, given how naturally and apparently easy it comes across in her books. The concept of author characteristics bleeding into caricatures are debated, but the quirks and nuances seem as though they derive so naturally from a model that's second nature to her. In any case, the style continues to be a great draw card.
If it wasn't already evident there's many reasons to get behind Deborah's books in this series. Outstanding characters, location, theology and lore, content and plots: the list could go on-and-on and will be shaped by the things that come to mind most easily for each reader. This adult urban fantasy delight crosses off any measure I've ever been inclined to use as a guide to making my judgement in committing to a purchased book. If I could give 6 ☆☆☆☆☆ I would - thus it's a resounding 5 ☆☆☆☆☆ without hesitation! The Nava Katz Series would hold its weight easily in my most-enjoyed series list, and favourite authors listing.
February 24, 2023
Nava Katz continues to rebuke the rabbinic patriarchy and be a bad ass bish hunting demons. Literally what’s not to like.
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