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Dante Valentine #1-5
Dante Valentine: The Complete Series
Necromancer. Bounty hunter. Killer.
Dante Valentine has been all three in her life. But in the beginning, she was a Necromancer for hire. And while she was choosy about her jobs, there were just some she couldn't turn down. Like when the Devil showed up at the door and offered her a deal. Her life -- in exchange for the capture and elimination of a renegade demon. But how do you kill something that can't die?
Dante Valentine , one of urban fantasy's hottest series, is compiled into one volume for the first time. Included in this omnibus edition Working for the Devil, Dead Man Rising, The Devil's Right Hand, Saint City Sinners , and To Hell and Back .
Dante Valentine has been all three in her life. But in the beginning, she was a Necromancer for hire. And while she was choosy about her jobs, there were just some she couldn't turn down. Like when the Devil showed up at the door and offered her a deal. Her life -- in exchange for the capture and elimination of a renegade demon. But how do you kill something that can't die?
Dante Valentine , one of urban fantasy's hottest series, is compiled into one volume for the first time. Included in this omnibus edition Working for the Devil, Dead Man Rising, The Devil's Right Hand, Saint City Sinners , and To Hell and Back .
1267 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
247 people are currently reading
1304 people want to read
About the author
Lilith Saintcrow
132 books4,512 followersLilith Saintcrow was born in New Mexico, bounced around the world as a child, and fell in love with writing stories when she was ten years old. She and her library co-habitate in Vancouver, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
January 14, 2012
The concept of the series was good, but the characters were really disappointing. There were so many times were I just wanted to toss the books aside because the main character, Dante, was just over emotional to the point of stupidity. Some characters can still be good or decent characters by being emotionally over bearing in some situations, but in these particular novels, Dante as an emotional unstable human/demon/bounty hunter didn't work in the least bit. She was constantly making just down right senseless choices based solely on the fact that Eve, the head of the rebellion, wore the face of Dante's dead lover. How she didn't know she was being used by Eve is beyond me because there was a snippet of conversation that Dante actually overheard Eve stated that she would read the magi journals to Dante to get her to be compliant to her cause. Dante started off as a somewhat strong character and just fell from there, flitting back and forth between being that strong character to an over vexed fool. And her distrust issue just got more annoying as the pages went on. Japhrimel, Dante's demon lover, was less of an irritating character but he flitted back and forth between being an abusive boyfriend to the shoulder to cry on just seemed bipolar at points. Overall, the idea was good, the characters on the other hand were terribly written. Honestly, the only reason I finished the series was in hopes that someone would finally kill Dante.
July 4, 2011
Woah...just woah. I don't know what to write. I really didn't expect most of the things that happend. And especially the end. It's so raw and heartwrenching, and you literally feel exactly what the protagonist feels. It leaves you with the same empty numbness, Dante feels. And there are not many authors, who are able to pull something like this off.
Also a plus: it's not your typical Urban Fantasy story with lots of clichées and meaningless romance (not that I enjoy those storys too, from time to time). It's the story itself that matters here and the characters and their development. Their feelings, their hopes, their despair, their pain and their relationships/friendship.
The whole series is so amazingly written. I really, really love it.
The only thing that gets on your nerves sometimes, is the constant repeating of some phrases. But it's nothing really worth mentioning.
All in all, if you like some solid story with fights, horror, surprises, honor, betrayel, friendship, bonds, and lots more, you should read it.
Also a plus: it's not your typical Urban Fantasy story with lots of clichées and meaningless romance (not that I enjoy those storys too, from time to time). It's the story itself that matters here and the characters and their development. Their feelings, their hopes, their despair, their pain and their relationships/friendship.
The whole series is so amazingly written. I really, really love it.
The only thing that gets on your nerves sometimes, is the constant repeating of some phrases. But it's nothing really worth mentioning.
All in all, if you like some solid story with fights, horror, surprises, honor, betrayel, friendship, bonds, and lots more, you should read it.
Read
July 30, 2011I must've liked it because I read the whole thing. But I don't know why. I think the moral of the story is "If Lucifer comes knocking on your door, turn the lights out and hide, just like when you run out of Halloween candy" The story itself was very good and interesting, but the characters were annoying. I liked Gabe, Eddie and Jace, although he was a bit of an ass, but redeemed himself. Our Heroine Dante was a self centered, whiny, pain in the butt. I know she had a issues in school and woo-woo-woo, but give me break! And Japh was an overprotective futuristic version of a hillbilly wife beater. Dante should've chopped his head off with her katana when she had the chance. Lucifer was a little wishy-washy as well, especially for the ruler of Hell. I didn't mind the futuristic setting, but I didn't like the made up words to make things from "now" sound like they were new whiz bang future things. Like I said, the story was good, and I think that's what kept me hanging in there, because you never know what's really going on. Mostly because Japh won't tell Dante. If she'd have chopped his head off, we wouldn't have the problem, now would we?
April 12, 2014
Do people actually realize how much of urban fantasy has your typical kick-butt heroine that is a "damaged surviver, that wins against impossible odds using a tougher then nails attitude and combat skills" ? Around ninety percent. Buffy is probably to blame, but Buffy was special. She was goofy, and imperfect, and needed people. She was also very willing to NOT hurt someone. If she had a chance to not fight she always took it. At heart Buffy wasn't about being a very strong female. It was about sacrifice. Buffy was willing to lay down her extremely young life for the good of others. THAT was why she drew others to her. That selflessness.
Not so with the twenty million Buffy imitators that glare at me from the book jackets of the entire urban fantasy section in a book store. There they are, with their tough girl pouts, holding up weapons, wearing jeans, leather pants and bustiers. On every cover it tells me how THIS kick butt heroine is unique, but none of them are. ditto Dante Valentine. She is an angry, mistrusting harridan, who pretty much defines the words "more brawn then brains" NO THANKS. I just don't think I can even relate to people that liked this book series.
Not so with the twenty million Buffy imitators that glare at me from the book jackets of the entire urban fantasy section in a book store. There they are, with their tough girl pouts, holding up weapons, wearing jeans, leather pants and bustiers. On every cover it tells me how THIS kick butt heroine is unique, but none of them are. ditto Dante Valentine. She is an angry, mistrusting harridan, who pretty much defines the words "more brawn then brains" NO THANKS. I just don't think I can even relate to people that liked this book series.
August 12, 2017
BOOK 1: Working for the Devil
Rating: 3.5 stars
I was pleasantly surprised by this first book in the Dante Valentine series. I bought this five book omnibus because the price was good and the series was completed. I really thought it would be a standard urban fantasy, and in many aspects it is. But... the setting is slightly different, as it's the future and there are plasguns and holo-vids. The world-building reminded me a lot of the "Downside Ghosts" series by Stacia Kane (or maybe it's the other way around since the Dante Valentine series is older?) which is a plus, of course, since I love Downside Ghosts. I was also surprised that I liked Dante so much since I was convinced she would be a very stereotypical character... again, in a few ways she is, but there is also something appealing in her.
Overall, I liked this first book. It was a good introduction to the series and the characters and world-building make it interesting enough. Sure, the world needs more explaining but there are four more books.
Book 2: Dead Man Rising
Rating: 3 stars
WARNING: SPOILERS for book 1
In this second book of the Dante Valentine series we are treated to more development of the world although many parts aren't very well explained still. Dante is now a little more than human after what happened to her in the first book and she is dealing with Japhrimel's death by throwing herself into work. But when her friend Gabe asks for her help in an awful murder investigation Dante may just have to revisit her past.
This book was less impressive than the first. It was useful because we got to know more about the world and more about Dante's past but the mystery was pretty simple and there wasn't a lot of suspense. I think the whole thing with Japhrimel was pretty obvious too. This book is clearly meant to develop the characters and little more. That said I didn't particularly like where Dante is going as a character, but oh well. I'd also like to know more about Anubis and the other gods.
Overall a nice UF read but nothing special.
Book 3: The Devil's Right Hand
Rating: 2 stars
WARNING: Spoilers and Rant ahead
Really? With a fully developed world filled with supernaturals and psionic humans and still so much to discover we're back to 'Hell's denizens'? Really?
Book 3 sounded a lot like book 1, except there is no resolution, there's less action, the mystery plot is almost nonexistent, Japhrimel is an idiot and Dante is an even bigger idiot (and a whiner). Oh there are explosions and stuff, but there's not much development in terms of story (seems like the last three books are the same big story arc) and there were tons of things that could have been explored but weren't. All Dante does in this book is to whine, cry and feel cheated because her boyfriend is abusive but she luuurves him so! But she is independent! But she also luuurves him so! Woes, the hurt. It hurts.
In the middle of all the angst (Japhrimel really is a bastard in this book, to give Dante some credit), there is some story about the Prince of Hell wreaking havoc in everyone's life. What annoyed me is that Dante doesn't evolve as a character. In most urban fantasy books heroines either develop the skills to fight stronger foes or try against all odds; not Dante. She just goes on and on about how demons are stronger and she could never ever hope to fight them and she's so lucky Japh is so big and strong and can protect her.
Basically the characters in this book were mostly awfully annoying and boring. Dante alternates between damsel in distress and though 'I-don't-need-no-man' chick and Japhrimel's possessiveness towards his 'woman' and general treatment of her was frankly revolting. So it's getting difficult to like Dante, Japhrimel outlived his usefulness and nothing much happens.
We get it, demons are strong. What about writing about the other supernaturals in your world Ms Saintcrow? Diversity makes a UF series thrive, me thinks. I don't think it's going to happen since the series is finished, but it's still a pity. There is much that could be done with this series world which still is the series' best feature.
BOOKS 4 & 5: Saint City Sinners & To Hell and Back
These books are part one and two of the "epic" (not so much) conclusion of the Dante Valentine series. In book 3, Lucifer decided to randomly appoint Dante as his 'right-hand' (read: assassin and/or catcher of rebellious demons), the post held before by Dante's Fallen (read: boyfriend) Japhrimel. At the same time Gabe, Dante's Necromance friend calls her with a request to return to Saint City and help her with an investigation. Chaos (and I mean it, it's plot! chaos) ensues.
The pacing of both books is frenetic and because book 5 is a direct continuation I decided to review them both. They are too similar in plot style and character development, really.
A lot goes on in these books, but mostly it's in Dante's head. She pulls an "Anita Blake" on the readers and spends most of these last two books deciding if she can or can't trust Japhrimel, who is (still) a bastard. So it's kind of a valid question, but Dante is pretty weak willed and it's annoying. Japhrimel with his "trust me and don't ask questions, just do as I say" speech is also annoying; I mean he could have learned, right? His 'beloved' is always telling him that way won't work with her.
Since all this emotional angst is unresolved, much of the books is a collection of Dante's anguished inner ramblings. And then something really bad happens to our heroine and she's left near madness (really, everything happens to Dante. Too much!). So we get to read what's happening through her fractured mind. And maybe that's why the plot seemed so thin, convoluted and really random sometimes. Everyone's plotting and there are plots within plots or so the author would have us believe but in the end it's all very simple: there's a rebellion and since Dante is the 'right-hand' she's being used by everyone. And everyone gets this but her (of course if she did get it, the book would be a lot shorter). It's kind of... annoying?
Overall, I thought the author was just giving us the same old storylines she gave us in books one and two; there was nothing innovative in the last three books and the main characters were pretty aggravating with their attitudes. The plot was thin although the writing was meant to make the reader think it was complex.
Saintcrow did create a passably original and engrossing world and you can tell she had the history of it all figured out, but she only explored a tiny part of it. I'd love to read more about the world although maybe not through Dante. It's a pity the author focused so much on one race of supernaturals when there were so many others to know about. And we never got to understand more about Jado or Abracadabra or the gods.
A nice futuristic urban fantasy series that could have been so much better. The world-building is good but while the main character starts out ok, she turns into an exasperating whiner who can do little by herself.
Rating: 3.5 stars
I was pleasantly surprised by this first book in the Dante Valentine series. I bought this five book omnibus because the price was good and the series was completed. I really thought it would be a standard urban fantasy, and in many aspects it is. But... the setting is slightly different, as it's the future and there are plasguns and holo-vids. The world-building reminded me a lot of the "Downside Ghosts" series by Stacia Kane (or maybe it's the other way around since the Dante Valentine series is older?) which is a plus, of course, since I love Downside Ghosts. I was also surprised that I liked Dante so much since I was convinced she would be a very stereotypical character... again, in a few ways she is, but there is also something appealing in her.
Overall, I liked this first book. It was a good introduction to the series and the characters and world-building make it interesting enough. Sure, the world needs more explaining but there are four more books.
Book 2: Dead Man Rising
Rating: 3 stars
WARNING: SPOILERS for book 1
In this second book of the Dante Valentine series we are treated to more development of the world although many parts aren't very well explained still. Dante is now a little more than human after what happened to her in the first book and she is dealing with Japhrimel's death by throwing herself into work. But when her friend Gabe asks for her help in an awful murder investigation Dante may just have to revisit her past.
This book was less impressive than the first. It was useful because we got to know more about the world and more about Dante's past but the mystery was pretty simple and there wasn't a lot of suspense. I think the whole thing with Japhrimel was pretty obvious too. This book is clearly meant to develop the characters and little more. That said I didn't particularly like where Dante is going as a character, but oh well. I'd also like to know more about Anubis and the other gods.
Overall a nice UF read but nothing special.
Book 3: The Devil's Right Hand
Rating: 2 stars
WARNING: Spoilers and Rant ahead
Really? With a fully developed world filled with supernaturals and psionic humans and still so much to discover we're back to 'Hell's denizens'? Really?
Book 3 sounded a lot like book 1, except there is no resolution, there's less action, the mystery plot is almost nonexistent, Japhrimel is an idiot and Dante is an even bigger idiot (and a whiner). Oh there are explosions and stuff, but there's not much development in terms of story (seems like the last three books are the same big story arc) and there were tons of things that could have been explored but weren't. All Dante does in this book is to whine, cry and feel cheated because her boyfriend is abusive but she luuurves him so! But she is independent! But she also luuurves him so! Woes, the hurt. It hurts.
In the middle of all the angst (Japhrimel really is a bastard in this book, to give Dante some credit), there is some story about the Prince of Hell wreaking havoc in everyone's life. What annoyed me is that Dante doesn't evolve as a character. In most urban fantasy books heroines either develop the skills to fight stronger foes or try against all odds; not Dante. She just goes on and on about how demons are stronger and she could never ever hope to fight them and she's so lucky Japh is so big and strong and can protect her.
Basically the characters in this book were mostly awfully annoying and boring. Dante alternates between damsel in distress and though 'I-don't-need-no-man' chick and Japhrimel's possessiveness towards his 'woman' and general treatment of her was frankly revolting. So it's getting difficult to like Dante, Japhrimel outlived his usefulness and nothing much happens.
We get it, demons are strong. What about writing about the other supernaturals in your world Ms Saintcrow? Diversity makes a UF series thrive, me thinks. I don't think it's going to happen since the series is finished, but it's still a pity. There is much that could be done with this series world which still is the series' best feature.
BOOKS 4 & 5: Saint City Sinners & To Hell and Back
These books are part one and two of the "epic" (not so much) conclusion of the Dante Valentine series. In book 3, Lucifer decided to randomly appoint Dante as his 'right-hand' (read: assassin and/or catcher of rebellious demons), the post held before by Dante's Fallen (read: boyfriend) Japhrimel. At the same time Gabe, Dante's Necromance friend calls her with a request to return to Saint City and help her with an investigation. Chaos (and I mean it, it's plot! chaos) ensues.
The pacing of both books is frenetic and because book 5 is a direct continuation I decided to review them both. They are too similar in plot style and character development, really.
A lot goes on in these books, but mostly it's in Dante's head. She pulls an "Anita Blake" on the readers and spends most of these last two books deciding if she can or can't trust Japhrimel, who is (still) a bastard. So it's kind of a valid question, but Dante is pretty weak willed and it's annoying. Japhrimel with his "trust me and don't ask questions, just do as I say" speech is also annoying; I mean he could have learned, right? His 'beloved' is always telling him that way won't work with her.
Since all this emotional angst is unresolved, much of the books is a collection of Dante's anguished inner ramblings. And then something really bad happens to our heroine and she's left near madness (really, everything happens to Dante. Too much!). So we get to read what's happening through her fractured mind. And maybe that's why the plot seemed so thin, convoluted and really random sometimes. Everyone's plotting and there are plots within plots or so the author would have us believe but in the end it's all very simple: there's a rebellion and since Dante is the 'right-hand' she's being used by everyone. And everyone gets this but her (of course if she did get it, the book would be a lot shorter). It's kind of... annoying?
Overall, I thought the author was just giving us the same old storylines she gave us in books one and two; there was nothing innovative in the last three books and the main characters were pretty aggravating with their attitudes. The plot was thin although the writing was meant to make the reader think it was complex.
Saintcrow did create a passably original and engrossing world and you can tell she had the history of it all figured out, but she only explored a tiny part of it. I'd love to read more about the world although maybe not through Dante. It's a pity the author focused so much on one race of supernaturals when there were so many others to know about. And we never got to understand more about Jado or Abracadabra or the gods.
A nice futuristic urban fantasy series that could have been so much better. The world-building is good but while the main character starts out ok, she turns into an exasperating whiner who can do little by herself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2011
When?
A 1285 page book - an omnibus of five different novels. When did I find out when the novel took place? In the author's afterward. Page 1278.
By the slaughtering of place names, culture names, and religious names, I knew it took place in "the future", but I was guessing 50-100 years. It was 600.
Where?
Back to the slaughtered place names. As a result of fragmented "that kinda sounds like" names, I didn't really have a sense of where we were in the world for most of the book. Talking about the Pyramids of Giza was like Charleston Heston seeing the Statue of Liberty at the end of "Planet of the Apes". Only not in a good way. In a "so this isn't really a made up world?" sort of way.
(The difference being "Planet of the Apes" felt like an entirely alien world, until that last twist. This world didn't give a single impression. One moment it felt "other". The next moment it was our future. The moment after that it felt like an entirely new world with "cheated" Earth-like geography. Like standing on quick sand.)
World building?
The author spent a great deal of time with her back story - all the events that occurred between our present and the beginning of book 1. Some of it was repeated so often it felt like it was being pounded into my head. Other passages like that made me glaze over. Basically, she gave us too much world building, presented in a way where I just didn't give a damn.
What did I walk away with? There was a 70 day war, an unknown number of years in the past, which pulled psions and preternaturals into the forefront of society. But said same war caused massive nuclear fallout level destruction. Other than that, you had your anti-grav vehicles and your video phones. Big fucking deal.
By the way, preference wise, I don't consider post-apocalyptic fantasy to be equivalent to urban fantasy, which was what I was expecting. So I felt a bit mislead in that. I was looking for a contemporary (or slightly in the future) version of our world. A world that is almost like our world, except that there are preternatural creatures of some type, either in or out of the metaphorical closet. This was an open world, by the way.
SPOILERS after this point.
Who?
The characters. At the end of the journey, I really didn't like the "hero" or "heroine". The only characters I walked away liking were all dead - Jase, Gabe, and Eddie. Japh came across as a bit of a dick. Major abusive boyfriend material. And Dante? Almost schizophrenic. Love him. He's my only shelter in the world. Next moment ... Hate him. Must run away. Should I try to kill him? Hey, jumping off this building seems preferable to spending another moment with him. And this wasn't just love to hate or hate to love, it was a fucking sine wave.
What?
Plot? Given this was a compendium of five different stand alone novels, I should walk away with the sense of five different journeys completed. Not so much. I liked the "chill" story line ("chill" is a street drug), and Eddie finding a cure, even if it cost him his life. And I kinda liked the original search for a serial killer who turned out to be a demon. But what was the rest? Are we working for the devil, or trying to kill him? Is the devil's spawn, aka Eve, a better alternative or just a lesser known evil?
I ended most of the individual books feeling dissatisfied, and I ended the omnibus feeling the same way.
A few days ago I was reading about literary versus genre writing, and the audience expectations for genre. I think this book failed to meet the expectations of fantasy, of any sub-genre. The overall arch was unseating the devil, but it was put forth that he might just have been the lesser evil. So what was the point?
We started with a fucked up world -- ended with a fucked up world. Started with a fucked up narrator -- ended with a schizophrenic (fucked up) narrator. The genuine good guys all died. We didn't gain any ground at all.
Fantasy is supposed to be escapist. It's supposed to be a vacation from reality where we slay someone else's dragons (metaphorical or otherwise). We're supposed to come out of it feeling like we accomplished something, even if we're a bit worse for wear.
Why?
That's the question, isn't it. What was the purpose of that arduous journey. I have no idea.
Don't like the writing style. I won't be reading anything else by this author. In fact, I'm amazed I finished the whole omnibus.
Very disappointed.
A 1285 page book - an omnibus of five different novels. When did I find out when the novel took place? In the author's afterward. Page 1278.
By the slaughtering of place names, culture names, and religious names, I knew it took place in "the future", but I was guessing 50-100 years. It was 600.
Where?
Back to the slaughtered place names. As a result of fragmented "that kinda sounds like" names, I didn't really have a sense of where we were in the world for most of the book. Talking about the Pyramids of Giza was like Charleston Heston seeing the Statue of Liberty at the end of "Planet of the Apes". Only not in a good way. In a "so this isn't really a made up world?" sort of way.
(The difference being "Planet of the Apes" felt like an entirely alien world, until that last twist. This world didn't give a single impression. One moment it felt "other". The next moment it was our future. The moment after that it felt like an entirely new world with "cheated" Earth-like geography. Like standing on quick sand.)
World building?
The author spent a great deal of time with her back story - all the events that occurred between our present and the beginning of book 1. Some of it was repeated so often it felt like it was being pounded into my head. Other passages like that made me glaze over. Basically, she gave us too much world building, presented in a way where I just didn't give a damn.
What did I walk away with? There was a 70 day war, an unknown number of years in the past, which pulled psions and preternaturals into the forefront of society. But said same war caused massive nuclear fallout level destruction. Other than that, you had your anti-grav vehicles and your video phones. Big fucking deal.
By the way, preference wise, I don't consider post-apocalyptic fantasy to be equivalent to urban fantasy, which was what I was expecting. So I felt a bit mislead in that. I was looking for a contemporary (or slightly in the future) version of our world. A world that is almost like our world, except that there are preternatural creatures of some type, either in or out of the metaphorical closet. This was an open world, by the way.
SPOILERS after this point.
Who?
The characters. At the end of the journey, I really didn't like the "hero" or "heroine". The only characters I walked away liking were all dead - Jase, Gabe, and Eddie. Japh came across as a bit of a dick. Major abusive boyfriend material. And Dante? Almost schizophrenic. Love him. He's my only shelter in the world. Next moment ... Hate him. Must run away. Should I try to kill him? Hey, jumping off this building seems preferable to spending another moment with him. And this wasn't just love to hate or hate to love, it was a fucking sine wave.
What?
Plot? Given this was a compendium of five different stand alone novels, I should walk away with the sense of five different journeys completed. Not so much. I liked the "chill" story line ("chill" is a street drug), and Eddie finding a cure, even if it cost him his life. And I kinda liked the original search for a serial killer who turned out to be a demon. But what was the rest? Are we working for the devil, or trying to kill him? Is the devil's spawn, aka Eve, a better alternative or just a lesser known evil?
I ended most of the individual books feeling dissatisfied, and I ended the omnibus feeling the same way.
A few days ago I was reading about literary versus genre writing, and the audience expectations for genre. I think this book failed to meet the expectations of fantasy, of any sub-genre. The overall arch was unseating the devil, but it was put forth that he might just have been the lesser evil. So what was the point?
We started with a fucked up world -- ended with a fucked up world. Started with a fucked up narrator -- ended with a schizophrenic (fucked up) narrator. The genuine good guys all died. We didn't gain any ground at all.
Fantasy is supposed to be escapist. It's supposed to be a vacation from reality where we slay someone else's dragons (metaphorical or otherwise). We're supposed to come out of it feeling like we accomplished something, even if we're a bit worse for wear.
Why?
That's the question, isn't it. What was the purpose of that arduous journey. I have no idea.
Don't like the writing style. I won't be reading anything else by this author. In fact, I'm amazed I finished the whole omnibus.
Very disappointed.
October 24, 2017
I really wanted to like this series, and I finished it, hoping against hope that there would be redemption at the end.
There wasn't.
Spoilers follow:
The character of Dante Valentine is supposed to be a tough as nails Necromancer. After book 1 she turns from this promising start into a woman trapped in a physically and emotionally abusive relationship who is apparently unable to communicate a single thought in her head. She is transformed from a hero into a beast that operates solely on instinct, with one abuse after another heaped on her book after book. This character turned my stomach. What is so very disappointing is that the world itself is a wonderful cyberpunk/fantasy dystopia. I would have love to play in it, but instead found myself cringing from chapter to chapter. This series moves from a potentially awesome urban fantasy into the worst aspects of grimdark.
There wasn't.
Spoilers follow:
The character of Dante Valentine is supposed to be a tough as nails Necromancer. After book 1 she turns from this promising start into a woman trapped in a physically and emotionally abusive relationship who is apparently unable to communicate a single thought in her head. She is transformed from a hero into a beast that operates solely on instinct, with one abuse after another heaped on her book after book. This character turned my stomach. What is so very disappointing is that the world itself is a wonderful cyberpunk/fantasy dystopia. I would have love to play in it, but instead found myself cringing from chapter to chapter. This series moves from a potentially awesome urban fantasy into the worst aspects of grimdark.
January 30, 2011
Kick butt heroine, dark fantasy--completely awesome!
May 22, 2011
Working for the devil - I thought this started out a bit slow and took a few chapters to get going, but obviously the author has to set the scene etc. I find that some of the reading is a bit heavy going as there are a lot of phrases and words the author uses pertaining to the world she has created for the story, but she does not always explain what the things are! It is, however a very imaginative work, and something very different to the paranormal stuff I have read before. As for the characters, Dante is well kick-arse material, clearly can look after herself, but she seems to have a hard nature about her, maybe she will soften as the story progresses? As for Jace, I just love him, he is so sweet and will do anything for Dante, who in my opinion is a bit of a bitch to him at times. Won't give too much away but I was really sad at bits of Jace's story and what happens with him.
Dead man rising - I thought the storyline to this episode was excellent. Very well written, and the author pulled together what is essentially quite a tricky plot, that provides a lot of back-story to Dante's childhood experiences. I'm not sure what I make of the outcome where Japh is concerned, but maybe this will be explained a bit more in the next book. There are so many questions I want answered and I hope the author is eventually gonna tell us and not make us wait right to the last part of the last book to find out!
Devils Right Hand - well, the action has certainly picked up even more in this third part of the omnibus! So many fights, skirmishes, explosions and fires there are too many to comment on, but it certainly provides excitement and suspense, and well wot about the twists that have been very cleverly written in, eg; the androgeny, and Villalobos especially. Although I'm enjoying the series, I can't help being frustrated about how the two main characters just can't seem to have a finished conversation! Dante is always thinking loadsa stuff, but often never actually tells Japh how she feels, and I just feel like kicking her up the butt and making her tell him! And Japh is just as bad, whenever Dante asks him a question he rarly gives her a straight answer, or any answer at all, god knows how Dante must feel cos as a reader I'm just pulling my hair out wanting to know so many things that he could easily tell us and bloody won't ugh!! At times I find Japh really endearing and other times I think why on earth is Dante still with him and putting up with his, often out of order, behaviour! I can't believe that after 3 books we still don't really know what hedeira means, or the consequences this entails for Dante, other than she seems to be 'owned' by Japh! Come on put us out of our misery and give a bit away huh!
St. City Sinners - continued loads of action throughout this episode, and a few interesting twists and turns that I hadn't anticipated! I think the whole series has been quote 'deep' at times, but felt this particular book was very deep and dark, with lots of Dante's feelings being revealed and explained. She is a very complicated, confused, difficult character at times, but it is quite refreshing to have a female lead that doesn't just 'bow-down' and give in to her love, as so many of them do in other books I have read. It's nice to see they both have to work at the relationship, and that it's not a bed of roses, which perhaps makes it that bit more realistic, and proves that some things never change, even 600 years into the future lol!!
To Hell and Back - this last installment was exciting in places, with continued action and brought together some of what was actually going on in the big plot and counter-plot, however I still didn't feel we actually got any real answers from Japh and Dante, and would have liked that explored and explained more. Apart from that being a bit disappointing and frustrating, the series overall was action packed, exciting, (confusing at times), but extremely creative and unique. Well worth the read if you fancy something a bit different .
Dead man rising - I thought the storyline to this episode was excellent. Very well written, and the author pulled together what is essentially quite a tricky plot, that provides a lot of back-story to Dante's childhood experiences. I'm not sure what I make of the outcome where Japh is concerned, but maybe this will be explained a bit more in the next book. There are so many questions I want answered and I hope the author is eventually gonna tell us and not make us wait right to the last part of the last book to find out!
Devils Right Hand - well, the action has certainly picked up even more in this third part of the omnibus! So many fights, skirmishes, explosions and fires there are too many to comment on, but it certainly provides excitement and suspense, and well wot about the twists that have been very cleverly written in, eg; the androgeny, and Villalobos especially. Although I'm enjoying the series, I can't help being frustrated about how the two main characters just can't seem to have a finished conversation! Dante is always thinking loadsa stuff, but often never actually tells Japh how she feels, and I just feel like kicking her up the butt and making her tell him! And Japh is just as bad, whenever Dante asks him a question he rarly gives her a straight answer, or any answer at all, god knows how Dante must feel cos as a reader I'm just pulling my hair out wanting to know so many things that he could easily tell us and bloody won't ugh!! At times I find Japh really endearing and other times I think why on earth is Dante still with him and putting up with his, often out of order, behaviour! I can't believe that after 3 books we still don't really know what hedeira means, or the consequences this entails for Dante, other than she seems to be 'owned' by Japh! Come on put us out of our misery and give a bit away huh!
St. City Sinners - continued loads of action throughout this episode, and a few interesting twists and turns that I hadn't anticipated! I think the whole series has been quote 'deep' at times, but felt this particular book was very deep and dark, with lots of Dante's feelings being revealed and explained. She is a very complicated, confused, difficult character at times, but it is quite refreshing to have a female lead that doesn't just 'bow-down' and give in to her love, as so many of them do in other books I have read. It's nice to see they both have to work at the relationship, and that it's not a bed of roses, which perhaps makes it that bit more realistic, and proves that some things never change, even 600 years into the future lol!!
To Hell and Back - this last installment was exciting in places, with continued action and brought together some of what was actually going on in the big plot and counter-plot, however I still didn't feel we actually got any real answers from Japh and Dante, and would have liked that explored and explained more. Apart from that being a bit disappointing and frustrating, the series overall was action packed, exciting, (confusing at times), but extremely creative and unique. Well worth the read if you fancy something a bit different .
January 8, 2023
Read this years ago and decided to do it again.
Just as good.
Dante is a bit of an anti-hero, she kicks ass and takes no prisoners. She's got a strong moral code, but has deep childhood issues. Her life is not simple and her love life is worse.
Japh is brilliant and scary, but at his core wants the best for Dante, but he's a demon after all.
Most of the time I am firmly on Dante's side, but sometimes I wan to kick her in the ass too.
The intrigues are fabulous, the players interesting, evil, scary. And the world building is very interesting.
Just as good.
Dante is a bit of an anti-hero, she kicks ass and takes no prisoners. She's got a strong moral code, but has deep childhood issues. Her life is not simple and her love life is worse.
Japh is brilliant and scary, but at his core wants the best for Dante, but he's a demon after all.
Most of the time I am firmly on Dante's side, but sometimes I wan to kick her in the ass too.
The intrigues are fabulous, the players interesting, evil, scary. And the world building is very interesting.
May 14, 2012
These books were interesting but my God, could Dante whine any more?! And Japhrimel just doing whatever he wants and forcing her along for the ride was irritating. Grow a backbone, woman!! The books were interesting but not really worth reading more then once. More developement of the psions and maybe a different, non-demon bad guy would have been nice. It was basically the same story over and over again. Blech.
June 25, 2019
Dark and amazing
I read all five books in one giant gulp. You jump in and Dante grabs your heart and doesn’t let go. I cried for her pain and just had to know what happened next
I read all five books in one giant gulp. You jump in and Dante grabs your heart and doesn’t let go. I cried for her pain and just had to know what happened next
September 2, 2020
Dante Valentine is already a classical archetype in Urban/Dark Fantasy, and the very first one in a whole new generation of strong heroines that (fortunately) populate UF today.
Dante Valentine, necromancer and bounty hunter, lives a couple of centuries ahead in future we may not understand but would undoubtedly recognize as a strong possibility. Dante, a strong psi who grew up in Rigger Hall, the governmental institution for psions , has more of less successfully put her past behind, certifying as a Necromancer and working as a paranormal bounty hunter, but her life would change with a knock in the door, literally! Opening the door to Japhrimel, an envoy of Hell “requesting” a meeting with his master (and yes that would be the Devil himself) can ruin your day; in Dante’s case will permanently change her life for the worst, to the best and back again.
Lilith Saintcrow has crafted a believable dystopian/dark fantasy world, populated by psions that have to be accredited and tattooed by the Hegemony in accordance to the Parapsychic Act that should protect them from exploitation but does nothing to stop the hate/fear. Necromancers are the rarest of all non-human races (Necromancers, Skilins, Sedayens, Shamans, Ceremonial and Magi); and Dante herself is the one with the highest psi-level, which made her stay in Rigger Hall a living nightmare, whose aftermath stills creeps her thoughts. Saintcrow constructed back-history adds credibility without overwhelming the action, with some “Hegemony documentation” and a final Glossary.
Dante Valentine’s journey to self-redemption begins with an audience with Lucifer and ends five books later, after a final confrontations with her own very real nightmares returned to life.
This compilation includes all five book in the series
#1 Working for the Devil
“My working relationship with Lucifer began on a rainy Monday”
As the second-in-command to the Devil himself knocks on Dante Valentine’s door requesting an audience with the Prince of Hell himself, Dante would never have suspected how her life would be changed forever. As a bounty hunter Dante is used to difficult tasks, nevertheless Lucifer assignment would put her into a journey that crosses her own nightmarish past. Tierce Japhimel (the devil second-in-command) sway Dante’s resolution as a force of “supernature” (pun intended)
#2 Dead Man Rising
Dante’s working relationship with Lucifer is an ongoing process. When Lucifer calls-in again looking for the missing Japhrimel, Dante has to multitask: deal with her own transformation into Japh’s ‘hedaira’ (would help if she has an inkling what it’s suppose to mean), mourn the death of Japh while having to find him and return him to Lucifer (yes! I know… believe it makes perfect sense in the end 😊) and focus on the solving the serial murder of several psions through the city.
#3 The Devil’s Right Hand
Dante finally has a respite, living in peace with Japh in Toscano and enjoying life, couldn’t last 😉 Lucifer wants Dante, and the Devil has not patience, thus Dante answer his summons and find herself recompensated by becoming the Devil’s Right Hand, must be a catch, never is easy when it comes to Lucifer. Of course! Now as the DRH Dante is tasked with hunting four escaping demons. Trust the Devil to with be sparse with the truth and send Dante in a quest that is even harder as is seems at first sight
#4 Saint City Sinners
Dante is bounty hunting in Hegemony Afrike as Gabrielle Spocarelly ask for help. When you best friend calls you, you let everything fall in and come to help. Dante and Japh (with her team (McKinley, Leander and the man that cannot die Lucas Villalobos) come back to Saint City. Gabe’s partner Eddie has been murdered, as Dante search for his murder she unearths a terrifying truth… some is targeting Rigger Hall’s former children. Dante’s past is coming back with a vengeance.
#5 To Hell and Back
After confronting her worse nightmare and expiating her past in the process, Dante has reached her own breaking point. Working for Lucifer, literally going to Hell and back in multiple occasions, somehow it has to stop, and she would put an end to the matter, even if she has to meet her own Death psychopomp in the process. It is time for the Devil to pay its dues.
This series is not just a strong recommendation, but is a veritable must-read for every new generation UF/Dark Fantasy fan, why “new generation”? Well if you need to know, obviously because for us OGs, this is already one of the books in our constantly being re-reading shelf 😉
Dante Valentine, necromancer and bounty hunter, lives a couple of centuries ahead in future we may not understand but would undoubtedly recognize as a strong possibility. Dante, a strong psi who grew up in Rigger Hall, the governmental institution for psions , has more of less successfully put her past behind, certifying as a Necromancer and working as a paranormal bounty hunter, but her life would change with a knock in the door, literally! Opening the door to Japhrimel, an envoy of Hell “requesting” a meeting with his master (and yes that would be the Devil himself) can ruin your day; in Dante’s case will permanently change her life for the worst, to the best and back again.
Lilith Saintcrow has crafted a believable dystopian/dark fantasy world, populated by psions that have to be accredited and tattooed by the Hegemony in accordance to the Parapsychic Act that should protect them from exploitation but does nothing to stop the hate/fear. Necromancers are the rarest of all non-human races (Necromancers, Skilins, Sedayens, Shamans, Ceremonial and Magi); and Dante herself is the one with the highest psi-level, which made her stay in Rigger Hall a living nightmare, whose aftermath stills creeps her thoughts. Saintcrow constructed back-history adds credibility without overwhelming the action, with some “Hegemony documentation” and a final Glossary.
Dante Valentine’s journey to self-redemption begins with an audience with Lucifer and ends five books later, after a final confrontations with her own very real nightmares returned to life.
This compilation includes all five book in the series
#1 Working for the Devil
“My working relationship with Lucifer began on a rainy Monday”
As the second-in-command to the Devil himself knocks on Dante Valentine’s door requesting an audience with the Prince of Hell himself, Dante would never have suspected how her life would be changed forever. As a bounty hunter Dante is used to difficult tasks, nevertheless Lucifer assignment would put her into a journey that crosses her own nightmarish past. Tierce Japhimel (the devil second-in-command) sway Dante’s resolution as a force of “supernature” (pun intended)
#2 Dead Man Rising
Dante’s working relationship with Lucifer is an ongoing process. When Lucifer calls-in again looking for the missing Japhrimel, Dante has to multitask: deal with her own transformation into Japh’s ‘hedaira’ (would help if she has an inkling what it’s suppose to mean), mourn the death of Japh while having to find him and return him to Lucifer (yes! I know… believe it makes perfect sense in the end 😊) and focus on the solving the serial murder of several psions through the city.
#3 The Devil’s Right Hand
Dante finally has a respite, living in peace with Japh in Toscano and enjoying life, couldn’t last 😉 Lucifer wants Dante, and the Devil has not patience, thus Dante answer his summons and find herself recompensated by becoming the Devil’s Right Hand, must be a catch, never is easy when it comes to Lucifer. Of course! Now as the DRH Dante is tasked with hunting four escaping demons. Trust the Devil to with be sparse with the truth and send Dante in a quest that is even harder as is seems at first sight
#4 Saint City Sinners
Dante is bounty hunting in Hegemony Afrike as Gabrielle Spocarelly ask for help. When you best friend calls you, you let everything fall in and come to help. Dante and Japh (with her team (McKinley, Leander and the man that cannot die Lucas Villalobos) come back to Saint City. Gabe’s partner Eddie has been murdered, as Dante search for his murder she unearths a terrifying truth… some is targeting Rigger Hall’s former children. Dante’s past is coming back with a vengeance.
#5 To Hell and Back
After confronting her worse nightmare and expiating her past in the process, Dante has reached her own breaking point. Working for Lucifer, literally going to Hell and back in multiple occasions, somehow it has to stop, and she would put an end to the matter, even if she has to meet her own Death psychopomp in the process. It is time for the Devil to pay its dues.
This series is not just a strong recommendation, but is a veritable must-read for every new generation UF/Dark Fantasy fan, why “new generation”? Well if you need to know, obviously because for us OGs, this is already one of the books in our constantly being re-reading shelf 😉
July 19, 2024
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
I rated book 1 2.75 stars. I had rated the complete set, 3.75 stars but since my brain has been adding an extra epilogue to 'fix' things, then clearly I can't leave it at that rating.
World-building = Gets the extra star for that.
Reasons why I'm downgrading my rating =
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: I'm reading the first Jill Kismet but no, no more because I'm not liking the LI.
Would you recommend?: No
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
I rated book 1 2.75 stars. I had rated the complete set, 3.75 stars but since my brain has been adding an extra epilogue to 'fix' things, then clearly I can't leave it at that rating.
World-building = Gets the extra star for that.
Reasons why I'm downgrading my rating =
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: I'm reading the first Jill Kismet but no, no more because I'm not liking the LI.
Would you recommend?: No
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
April 6, 2020
4.25/5 stars
1,000+ pages and 5 bundled books later... :) Enjoyed this re-read immensely.
1,000+ pages and 5 bundled books later... :) Enjoyed this re-read immensely.
August 11, 2019
Friend's Recommendations
So glad a friend recommend this series, this Angel of death supernatural series was worth the many hours spent to read.📚🎉
So glad a friend recommend this series, this Angel of death supernatural series was worth the many hours spent to read.📚🎉
March 12, 2018
I first read this series years ago, and I still have the shiny paperback copies that I bought then. They made the cut to move from California to Hawaii, and they live next to the Jill Kismet series, The Demon's Librarian and Dark Watcher. I have The Hedgewitch Queen books on my tablet. All of this is to say that I fell for Lilith Saintcrow in a big way when I first read her work.
That is why it is so painful to me to re-read the Dante Valentine series and be bitterly disappointed by the characters of Dante and Tierce Japhrimel. They are not as kick-ass, strong and noble as I wanted them to be, and in fact, I dislike them both so very much a majority of the time.
I'm probably going to spoil stuff like crazy for the series, so be warned: SPOILERS AHOY!
Here's why the series gets 2 stars, though: Saintcrow's use of language absolutely slays me. It's unique, evocative, intense and it must be paid attention. It's gorgeous.
Gah, I just can't. I wanted to love it again. I thought I would. I really, really did, and it breaks my heart that I don't. Farewell, Dante. I'm going to try and bury this re-reading so I can cherish the memories.
That is why it is so painful to me to re-read the Dante Valentine series and be bitterly disappointed by the characters of Dante and Tierce Japhrimel. They are not as kick-ass, strong and noble as I wanted them to be, and in fact, I dislike them both so very much a majority of the time.
I'm probably going to spoil stuff like crazy for the series, so be warned: SPOILERS AHOY!
Here's why the series gets 2 stars, though: Saintcrow's use of language absolutely slays me. It's unique, evocative, intense and it must be paid attention. It's gorgeous.
Gah, I just can't. I wanted to love it again. I thought I would. I really, really did, and it breaks my heart that I don't. Farewell, Dante. I'm going to try and bury this re-reading so I can cherish the memories.
December 20, 2020
A urban fantasy leaves you feeling punch. Highly recommended
A well written story.
Book 1 I found myself overwhelmed by the world building. However when you get passed the drone you find yourself enthralled by the characters and their extremely loud personalities. Dante a suicidal tendency and stubborn streak brings some serious pain to the surface.
Book2 The world is established and you find the story's pace. You feel the missing part in the book and the frantic chance that Dante is doing.
Book 3 Enthrall you. A lot more of Japf is revealed in this book. Also the suicidal tendency of Dante takes new level.
Book 4 The game is afoot. Who to trust, who do you side with? The story gets quite complicated. Heavy action through out all the books finally lead somewhere and to something. Then bang to be continued. Thank goodness I had book 5 ready.
Book 5 the conclusion, the end of it all or is it. What a journey. From meet Dante and Japh I found myself locked in. Enjoying every written word. Action that had me on the edge. The vast dynamics of characters, towns, cities, hell leaves a spectacular view.
A definitely recommended to urban fantasy lovers. I am absolutely blown away by this story and a little sad that is the end of Dante and Japf.
A well written story.
Book 1 I found myself overwhelmed by the world building. However when you get passed the drone you find yourself enthralled by the characters and their extremely loud personalities. Dante a suicidal tendency and stubborn streak brings some serious pain to the surface.
Book2 The world is established and you find the story's pace. You feel the missing part in the book and the frantic chance that Dante is doing.
Book 3 Enthrall you. A lot more of Japf is revealed in this book. Also the suicidal tendency of Dante takes new level.
Book 4 The game is afoot. Who to trust, who do you side with? The story gets quite complicated. Heavy action through out all the books finally lead somewhere and to something. Then bang to be continued. Thank goodness I had book 5 ready.
Book 5 the conclusion, the end of it all or is it. What a journey. From meet Dante and Japh I found myself locked in. Enjoying every written word. Action that had me on the edge. The vast dynamics of characters, towns, cities, hell leaves a spectacular view.
A definitely recommended to urban fantasy lovers. I am absolutely blown away by this story and a little sad that is the end of Dante and Japf.
May 21, 2022
Why did I finish this???
I feel like the title says it all… I did not enjoy this book. But I can tell you the reason I forced myself to read it, mainly because I bought it, and partly because I wanted the ability, after reading a few books inside one book, to add it to my read in 2022. I’m doing a reading challenge and after some time spent reading this, I (felt I) needed to be able to say I’d read it. There is also, past a certain point, a part of me that doesn’t like leaving a book partly read. The main character is yanked around throughout all the books and in the end, there’s no redemption… nothing to justify sticking it out… I liked the first book best, if you’re thinking about it, read the first book and stop (maybe the second book, it’s not too bad either) before the final three, they are not worth it.
I feel like the title says it all… I did not enjoy this book. But I can tell you the reason I forced myself to read it, mainly because I bought it, and partly because I wanted the ability, after reading a few books inside one book, to add it to my read in 2022. I’m doing a reading challenge and after some time spent reading this, I (felt I) needed to be able to say I’d read it. There is also, past a certain point, a part of me that doesn’t like leaving a book partly read. The main character is yanked around throughout all the books and in the end, there’s no redemption… nothing to justify sticking it out… I liked the first book best, if you’re thinking about it, read the first book and stop (maybe the second book, it’s not too bad either) before the final three, they are not worth it.
December 24, 2021
DNF; made it halfway through book 1.
If I’d come across this years ago, maybe I would’ve liked it. But I didn’t, so all I can say is, my gods that was rough.
Everyone, and I mean *everyone*, is a cardboard cutout and a broody male cyberpunk protagonist with a deep dark past who can handle everything alone - including the women. Especially the women, in fact.
The first and last braincell appeared and vanished when the secretary-monster in Hell was introduced, and frankly that was just cause it was the only character who had their priorities straight.
Too many mature themes to be comfortably Teen, too many weak characters to be comfortably YA/Adult.
Truly saddening considering how fantastic the premise was
If I’d come across this years ago, maybe I would’ve liked it. But I didn’t, so all I can say is, my gods that was rough.
Everyone, and I mean *everyone*, is a cardboard cutout and a broody male cyberpunk protagonist with a deep dark past who can handle everything alone - including the women. Especially the women, in fact.
The first and last braincell appeared and vanished when the secretary-monster in Hell was introduced, and frankly that was just cause it was the only character who had their priorities straight.
Too many mature themes to be comfortably Teen, too many weak characters to be comfortably YA/Adult.
Truly saddening considering how fantastic the premise was
October 23, 2022
What a ride!
I read the singular novels each time they came out, waiting with bated breath for each one; will Japhrimel really always be there? What is Dante THINKING?! Will the Devil get his due? A friend recently asked for a book recommendation with a kickazz heroine and when I searched my Kindle for the first book, I discovered I purchased this omnibus in 2013! Needless to say, I fell down his incredible rabbit hole this week: reliving all the angst, the tears, screaming when they refused to hear each other ot even SPEAK to each other! I'd forgotten so much with the passage of time but the memories are now so much more. This is a great start into the world of Lilith Saintcrow: you I'll not BELIEVE how well fleshed out this is until you experience it.
I read the singular novels each time they came out, waiting with bated breath for each one; will Japhrimel really always be there? What is Dante THINKING?! Will the Devil get his due? A friend recently asked for a book recommendation with a kickazz heroine and when I searched my Kindle for the first book, I discovered I purchased this omnibus in 2013! Needless to say, I fell down his incredible rabbit hole this week: reliving all the angst, the tears, screaming when they refused to hear each other ot even SPEAK to each other! I'd forgotten so much with the passage of time but the memories are now so much more. This is a great start into the world of Lilith Saintcrow: you I'll not BELIEVE how well fleshed out this is until you experience it.
December 26, 2016
Okay, the first book was good and the second one was tolerable.But the others,the last three, made me want to throw the book down,shred it into pieces. Now that i think about it, Jaf falling for Dante after 2 days, and Dante's 'ye i love you too but let me think about my collection of lovers through out the entire series' mode does not make sense at all.
I regret starting to this series. I understand the need to create a new universe,but the constant critizitation of religions and beliefs made me really angry.
I started writing this comment positively but my real feelings began pouring out.
I regret starting to this series. I understand the need to create a new universe,but the constant critizitation of religions and beliefs made me really angry.
I started writing this comment positively but my real feelings began pouring out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2020
I loved these books. I've read them all twice. Dante Gabriel is a great character, cool, smart and dangerous, with a passionate heart. What made her into a necromancer is slowly revealed throughout the books. The unlikely romance at the centre of these novels is beautifully drawn, it starts fast and ends up being a rollercoaster as Dante will never compromise. The side characters are also vivid and entertaining. No action is ever irrelevant, although it may take a while for its purpose to be revealed. The action is fast and furious in every book. Dante's world - a lot like ours but where preternatural talents are real - is brilliantly realised, you can smell the dirt.
December 27, 2017
intriguing concept, and I enjoyed the alt-earth the author created. however, for the love of all that is noodly, how many times can the characters fight-makeup-tell secrets-rinse-repeat before you MOVE ON WITH THE DAMN STORY??
I powered through all 5 books to see what some of the big secrets that Japh was hiding from Dante...and they were meh at best.
you want a demon-dealing witch? read some Kim Harrison.
I powered through all 5 books to see what some of the big secrets that Japh was hiding from Dante...and they were meh at best.
you want a demon-dealing witch? read some Kim Harrison.
January 31, 2019
Striking, vivid and powerful characters, scenes and plots. Hardcore. A slap in the face, a punch in the stomach, a kick in the groin and a dagger between the ribs. Attitude at it's best.
Only things I read that are reminiscent of Dante Valentine are Gears of War series and The Malazan Book of the Fallen.
Only things I read that are reminiscent of Dante Valentine are Gears of War series and The Malazan Book of the Fallen.
January 27, 2019
Great love story
Its more than just a love story but that is what it is at its heart. The love of friends, the family you make, and the mate you choose.
And along the way, the adventure.
Its more than just a love story but that is what it is at its heart. The love of friends, the family you make, and the mate you choose.
And along the way, the adventure.
August 19, 2023
All time favorite series! If you want a book that will keep you at the edge of your seat this is it. The action is intense main character is a total badass and theres just enough romance to keep you blushing!
March 28, 2018
I liked the book, but toward the end I really hated how the character I liked and was powerful and great, and then she became weak and weepy and impulsively stupid. But well written and interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2018
It started out alright, but I couldn't get into it.
July 25, 2018
No. Starts off painful and dull... could not finish it. Poor writing. Just sucks. Good idea though, poor execution
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews