reasonpassion's review against another edition
ignorance is not bliss
Some find it rather annoying how long Dante goes back and forth over Japhrimel being alive or dead, but given her level of ignorance about what she is and all it entails this waffling makes sense. There is ample room to wonder if such was the right way to tell the story but I'm not the author and it works for the character. This is a woman who has suffered through hell on earth and lived through it not by finding the good but simply by brutal perseverance. She cannot love without shame and guilt as she puts it near the end. Such emotional turmoil and competing energy does not lend itself to clear thinking or simple relationships. This story is about healing but it is not the cool breath of soothing but the harsh searing of a red-hot blade.
Some find it rather annoying how long Dante goes back and forth over Japhrimel being alive or dead, but given her level of ignorance about what she is and all it entails this waffling makes sense. There is ample room to wonder if such was the right way to tell the story but I'm not the author and it works for the character. This is a woman who has suffered through hell on earth and lived through it not by finding the good but simply by brutal perseverance. She cannot love without shame and guilt as she puts it near the end. Such emotional turmoil and competing energy does not lend itself to clear thinking or simple relationships. This story is about healing but it is not the cool breath of soothing but the harsh searing of a red-hot blade.
cajunliterarybelle's review
5.0
I think that Saintcrow did an excellent job with the sequel to Dante Valentine’s premiere book. The story jump started into action and never really slowed down, which I personally loved. Dante dealt with much inward turmoil which many chapters delved deeply into, but the emotional and mental struggle seemed expected after the way the first book concluded. The action and mental dialogue felt spread appropriately. This entire installment forced Dante to face ghosts from her past - literally and figuratively - and I appreciate how she did not become a Mary Sue now that she is part demon. She still has all her own flaws and is not afraid to show them… not matter how tough things get. Many questions from Dante’s past were answered throughout the story with a stellar, albeit slightly predictable ending.
What does deserve mentioning is how the author included a more detailed explanation of her paranormal universe in the beginning of the book as well as a glossary of key concepts at the end. These were both very instrumental in giving me a stronger grasp of the society Dante lives in and how it came to be. A lecture and a term paper at the end both did the same. I felt these features would’ve been helpful in giving a better initial understanding of the world she created, if provided in the first book and simply continued on or even added to in further installments of the series.
What does deserve mentioning is how the author included a more detailed explanation of her paranormal universe in the beginning of the book as well as a glossary of key concepts at the end. These were both very instrumental in giving me a stronger grasp of the society Dante lives in and how it came to be. A lecture and a term paper at the end both did the same. I felt these features would’ve been helpful in giving a better initial understanding of the world she created, if provided in the first book and simply continued on or even added to in further installments of the series.
cajeck's review
4.0
I've never been a fan of the star rating system on this site. I don't think a range of five is nearly broad enough to really summarize my overall feelings on a book. Hell, TEN isn't even enough. If I could rate this book on a scale of 1 to 20, I'd say 14. On a scale of 1 to 10: 7. On a scale of 1 to 5: 3 1/2. I'm certain the ratios are a bit off, but more importantly I hope my feelings are clear. "Dead Man Rising" is a decent enough sophomore effort by Saintcrow, but I felt it was slower paced in comparison to "Working for the Devil." That may have been my warped perception, however, because I kept anticipating an event to take place, and while I found everything happening in the book interesting, the plot couldn't move fast enough toward this thing I wanted so badly. Once I let go of my constant anticipation, I found I enjoyed the story a lot more, and was able to appreciate how it was unfolding before me.
In this installment of the series, Dante is considerably depressed and struggles with her feelings quite a bit. When a series of murders in Saint City resurfaces the painful history of her past, Dante's angst and martyr-complex kicks into overdrive. If you found these aspects of this character frustrating in the first book, you might want to skip out on this one, because Dante's pain and suffering practically cries right off the pages. The redundant thinking that I noted in my review for the first book is still present in this one, but I found it less frustrating as there were less instances of Dante repeating aloud her internal thoughts verbatim. Dante's depression isolates her from the rest of the cast, so there wasn't as much interaction with others, with the exception of Jace, and even then their interactions weren't especially long or numerous. Character development for the auxiliary cast was minimal at best. All that said, we spend a lot more time with just Dante narrating, and that in turn affords us with a more detailed view of her world. I almost feel like DMD was Saintcrow taking the time to better round out the cyberpunk setting. We meet some new characters in this book, some of whom I find fairly interesting, and I hope they make a return in other books. The climax, just as the first book, was suitably epic and a fantastic arrival to catharsis.
So all this said, I'll admit that it did take a level of patience for me to finish "Dead Man Rising", but I still blasted through it, and in the end I was thoroughly satisfied.
In this installment of the series, Dante is considerably depressed and struggles with her feelings quite a bit. When a series of murders in Saint City resurfaces the painful history of her past, Dante's angst and martyr-complex kicks into overdrive. If you found these aspects of this character frustrating in the first book, you might want to skip out on this one, because Dante's pain and suffering practically cries right off the pages. The redundant thinking that I noted in my review for the first book is still present in this one, but I found it less frustrating as there were less instances of Dante repeating aloud her internal thoughts verbatim. Dante's depression isolates her from the rest of the cast, so there wasn't as much interaction with others, with the exception of Jace, and even then their interactions weren't especially long or numerous. Character development for the auxiliary cast was minimal at best. All that said, we spend a lot more time with just Dante narrating, and that in turn affords us with a more detailed view of her world. I almost feel like DMD was Saintcrow taking the time to better round out the cyberpunk setting. We meet some new characters in this book, some of whom I find fairly interesting, and I hope they make a return in other books. The climax, just as the first book, was suitably epic and a fantastic arrival to catharsis.
So all this said, I'll admit that it did take a level of patience for me to finish "Dead Man Rising", but I still blasted through it, and in the end I was thoroughly satisfied.
anzuk's review against another edition
3.0
I really REALLY liked Working for the Devil. It sucked me in since page one. Dead Man Rising however, did not. I didn’t take this as a sign. I should have.
Dead Man Rising’s story did not work for me at all. I don’t know why but Dante’s past doesn’t interest me so much. Yes, she got tortured, and I feel bad for her, but meh. You know? Meh. The story was extremely mediocre if you ask me.
The characters kind of pissed me off as well. Dante was ok, but she bothered me with her attitude towards Jace. You saw how that ended. Not. Cool.
And Jace was just pitiful. I hate when authors make ex-lovers act like freaking dogs. Begging for a scrap of affection. Always sticking by her side, hoping she’ll change her mind and/or feelings towards him. Again, you saw where this has led him to.
And my biggest problem was Jeph. Or the lack of Jeph, to be precise. I will be frank and tell you that the main reason why I love this series is Jeph. Yep. Not gonna lie about it. So Jeph being supposedly dead, and thus absent throughout the book, made it less exciting for me.
Yep.
Apart from these issues Dead Man Rising is a decent book. Lilith Saintcrow is a very good Urban Fantasy author, and I really respect her work. I’m actually excited about the upcoming book, The Devil's Right Hand, since.. well.. Jeph is.. you know..
That is all.
/Anzu out
2.5 stars
Review also posted on
Dead Man Rising’s story did not work for me at all. I don’t know why but Dante’s past doesn’t interest me so much. Yes, she got tortured, and I feel bad for her, but meh. You know? Meh. The story was extremely mediocre if you ask me.
The characters kind of pissed me off as well. Dante was ok, but she bothered me with her attitude towards Jace. You saw how that ended. Not. Cool.
And Jace was just pitiful. I hate when authors make ex-lovers act like freaking dogs. Begging for a scrap of affection. Always sticking by her side, hoping she’ll change her mind and/or feelings towards him. Again, you saw where this has led him to.
And my biggest problem was Jeph. Or the lack of Jeph, to be precise. I will be frank and tell you that the main reason why I love this series is Jeph. Yep. Not gonna lie about it. So Jeph being supposedly dead, and thus absent throughout the book, made it less exciting for me.
Yep.
Apart from these issues Dead Man Rising is a decent book. Lilith Saintcrow is a very good Urban Fantasy author, and I really respect her work. I’m actually excited about the upcoming book, The Devil's Right Hand, since.. well.. Jeph is.. you know..
That is all.
/Anzu out
2.5 stars
Review also posted on
wetdryvac's review
5.0
For the whole series: By the gods and kittens, that *censored* hurt.
Seriously excellent world building, really strong character development, a fascinating look at ethics without truth, and just... damn. An impressive and in many ways resonating construct, but I'm literally writing myself a note to never pick this particular series back up again because the price is so damn high.
And yeah, it gets five stars. Because it does what it does so very well. And because so many of the underlying structures are absolutely beautiful.
Seriously excellent world building, really strong character development, a fascinating look at ethics without truth, and just... damn. An impressive and in many ways resonating construct, but I'm literally writing myself a note to never pick this particular series back up again because the price is so damn high.
And yeah, it gets five stars. Because it does what it does so very well. And because so many of the underlying structures are absolutely beautiful.
zeezeemama11's review against another edition
2.0
Still excellent writing but it does not live up to her first novel "working for the devil". This book, second in the series of who knows how many, is important to a continuing store line and you learn so much more about the main character's past. But the majority of individuals who will read this book will figure out the ending before they have finished the first few chapters. This book although still as addicting as the rest in the series will leave its reader unsatisfied.
connie_flower's review against another edition
2.0
I am really disapointed to say that this wasn't as good as the first one :( But thankfully it was readable. The plot was ok, if not a little shakey in places, but it did fill in some of Dante's previously hinted at bad past. But the endless pity party Dante had goin on was bordering ridiculous; Japh this, Jace that, I'm a terrible person, what the hell is hedaira, everyone hates Necromancers, my shoulder hurts, wierd giggle. That's about the majority of her worries, repeated over and over and over and over and over. I like a bit of drama and internal conflict as much as the next person, but Saintcrow needs to tone it down a bit and increase the actual story-telling.
One of the good thing, however, is that there was a glossary as the back of the book to explain some of the term used, which is useful as one of the main complaint from the first book was that there were too many unexplained termed. There were also a couple of short essays at the back to explain some of the concepts Saintcrow uses.
Thankfully, reviews for the 3rd book in the series are quite good, so I won't be dropping this series. If not for those good reviews I would quite these books because 'Dead Man Rising' was a bit of a let-down.
One of the good thing, however, is that there was a glossary as the back of the book to explain some of the term used, which is useful as one of the main complaint from the first book was that there were too many unexplained termed. There were also a couple of short essays at the back to explain some of the concepts Saintcrow uses.
Thankfully, reviews for the 3rd book in the series are quite good, so I won't be dropping this series. If not for those good reviews I would quite these books because 'Dead Man Rising' was a bit of a let-down.
amby's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I'm reading the complete Dante collection on my ereader. I loved the first book. But this one. Damn, it was so boring for the first 2/3. Only than it became really intresting and than I ofcourse finished it within 2 days. Anyway. Not sure if I wanna read the rest of the 5 books. But whatever, I'll find out in the future
rclz's review
3.0
I liked it but was disappointed. The story is good but she waited until the last bloody minute to resurrect Jaff and that was the whole point of the book as far as I was concerned. I may give this series one more try....