tikky's review
4.0
Absolutely liked it. It's a little bit same to the Anita Blake stories, but it's still something else. Honestly, can't wait to reed the other books of the series. :)
hgranger's review against another edition
1.0
I like urban fantasy. I like to sometimes just enjoy reading a book that doesn’t require much thought but is pure entertainment. There are some great ones out there — but it is baffling to me how many more crappy ones there are, this one included. Beginning with the excessively flowering language, including “poetic” phrases like “the air was bleeding” - how does that even work?? And then moving on to how Dante is strong and decisive up until the action gets going. Then she’s suddenly a sobbing mess who can’t do anything without tears and shuddering. She’s also not very nice, which makes the demon insta-love even more baffling. What the heck does he see in her??? The supporting cast are mere caricatures, and we never find out what’s driving them, so it’s hard to care about their multiple near death situations. And then the ending...first there’s all the loss and heartache, oh no, the humanity. It’s so exaggerated that it’s hard to care, especially as Dante hasn’t been super likable up to that point. Then there’s the very last part, where Jace informs her it’s his choice, not hers, to move into her house. Excuse me, what? Yup, he moves himself into her house against her will, and plonks down to sleep in her bed, all because he loves her and must protect her. Uhm, no. This is HER house. It’s NOT a romantic gesture to force yourself into someone else’s home. Blech!
cluckingbell's review against another edition
2.0
If you’re going to write a complex and difficult lead character using first-person narration, you’d better be pretty darn good at it, or the character may come off as erratic, unsympathetic, and ultimately render the entire plot unbelievable. For example, given her volatile mood swings and lack of impulse control, I find it impossible to believe that Dante Valentine has the discipline of mind necessary to be a world-class Necromance. Given her egocentric view of the world and propensity for lashing out at everyone she encounters, I find it impossible to believe that she inspires such loyalty from everyone around her.
This character has apparently been through a lot in life, particularly in the last few years, and everyone who knew her when would still move heaven and earth for her. And yet, it doesn’t sound like she was any more emotionally stable then, either. So if there’s going to be no introspection or logical thought progression on the part of the character narrating her own story, this is where an author needs to show us how others see her, because she’s doing nothing to charm the pants off the reader on her own.
And while I have other complaints (), this is where the story really falls short for me, because Dante “Danny” Valentine pays very little attention to the emotional lives of those around her, and when she does bother to wonder what someone’s thinking, she’s either jumping to conclusions that make no sense or finding the object of her curiosity utterly inscrutable. She’s as insulated from empathy as a psychopath and yet is constantly spewing her own emotional turmoil at the world, often violently. Which means much of what happens is tiresome and makes no sense whatsoever.
All of which could still be interesting, if it were being told from a more objective viewpoint instead of being filtered through the neurotic herself. You just never get a break from this nutjob!
It gets two stars because it clipped along at a decent pace and, if I pretend it’s not kicking off an interminable series of books featuring this madwoman, I like to imagine that the author wrote the entire book with a Post-It note on her desk that read, “Danny Valentine IS the monster!”
Spoiler
, including a powerful demon who’s known her all of a week or two but claims she treats him with greater decency than anyone he’s ever knownThis character has apparently been through a lot in life, particularly in the last few years, and everyone who knew her when would still move heaven and earth for her. And yet, it doesn’t sound like she was any more emotionally stable then, either. So if there’s going to be no introspection or logical thought progression on the part of the character narrating her own story, this is where an author needs to show us how others see her, because she’s doing nothing to charm the pants off the reader on her own.
And while I have other complaints (
Spoiler
like the terrifying and sinister villain of unspeakable evil who’s haunted her dreams for years but turns into a total Chatty Cathy info dump when he finally does turn upAll of which could still be interesting, if it were being told from a more objective viewpoint instead of being filtered through the neurotic herself. You just never get a break from this nutjob!
It gets two stars because it clipped along at a decent pace and, if I pretend it’s not kicking off an interminable series of books featuring this madwoman, I like to imagine that the author wrote the entire book with a Post-It note on her desk that read, “Danny Valentine IS the monster!”
janessaalexis's review against another edition
2.0
I forgot to mark this as read, but I did finish it a few days.
It sounded promising, but I just don't think this has aged well. Dialogue is repetitive, characters are one-dimensional, and the heroine? We talk about how cool and smart and unique she is, but she does nothing to prove it.
It sounded promising, but I just don't think this has aged well. Dialogue is repetitive, characters are one-dimensional, and the heroine? We talk about how cool and smart and unique she is, but she does nothing to prove it.
a_verthandi's review against another edition
3.0
Get it, girl! Dante Valentine is rough, tough, and hard to bluff -- one of the best heroines I've come across in a long time. And Saintcrow builds a wonderful world between the Hegemony and the Putchkin Alliance. I have a lot of fun picking out what's analogous to what in our world today.
reasonpassion's review
quite the interesting Devil
There's something to be said for creating an entirely new world, one that isn't futuristic or post-apocalyptic so there's a constant need to make it connected to the reader's real world. Make it close but different and the imagination fills in what doesn't need created by the author. This world works that way, close but different, with demons who are our creators and magic that is linked to genetic variation. With a character like Dante you have an incredible woman who hurts and kicks ass with friends who are fabulous non-cutouts and a world skimming the space between fascinating-weird and too strange to resonate with. Thankfully there are more in the series.
There's something to be said for creating an entirely new world, one that isn't futuristic or post-apocalyptic so there's a constant need to make it connected to the reader's real world. Make it close but different and the imagination fills in what doesn't need created by the author. This world works that way, close but different, with demons who are our creators and magic that is linked to genetic variation. With a character like Dante you have an incredible woman who hurts and kicks ass with friends who are fabulous non-cutouts and a world skimming the space between fascinating-weird and too strange to resonate with. Thankfully there are more in the series.
lizzy_22's review
4.0
I'm always looking for something to fill that Kate Daniels shaped hole in my UF reads and this comes pretty close. Not as snarky and clever as Kate but Dante Valentine is a pretty kickass heroine. She's self sufficient, capable and an ace at her job. The story is fast paced and I look forward to more from all the characters, interesting as they already were here in this first installment. There's also a little bit of romance, the good, slow burn, sexy kind.
Amazing how a good author can throw you into a world with an advanced society, futuristic tech and fully formed magic system without explanation and the reader just "gets it". That's what Saintcrow has done here. No fuss, no muss just multifaceted,complicated, but in a good way, UF.
Kind of a heartbreaking cliffy at the end, but I have hope, so let's read on...
Amazing how a good author can throw you into a world with an advanced society, futuristic tech and fully formed magic system without explanation and the reader just "gets it". That's what Saintcrow has done here. No fuss, no muss just multifaceted,complicated, but in a good way, UF.
Kind of a heartbreaking cliffy at the end, but I have hope, so let's read on...
cajunliterarybelle's review against another edition
4.0
Edited to add: After reading the entire Dante Valentine series… Fantasy lovers who dig mythology & religion - modern Judeo-Christianity, Ancient Greek, Ancient Egyptian, and likely more - being worked into contemporary fantasy worlds have a good chance of enjoying these books. I also thoroughly enjoyed how the author implemented nuances of our modern world’s geography into Dante’s world. Those little details of architecture, landmarks, and adjusted place names help root the futuristic world to our modern one.
I love the paranormal world that Saintcrow created. I can tell a lot of thought was put into most aspects. Being into the geography of where my books take place, though, I’d like if a clearer idea would be given for some of the places in relation to our world. Each character is given a distinct personality, some more than others, with flaws that make them relatable. Crucial, for a story set on a changed, mythological Earth. Even the protagonist, Dante, has her weaknesses, which I love. A perfect protagonist just turns me off, because I cannot make a connection to that kind of hero. At first, I despised how Saintcrow took her precious time divulging the puzzle pieces to Dante’s past and her connection to other characters, but by the end I have come to realize that is a clever way to draw the reader in and keep wanting more. The suspense of motivation on the part of some friends and foes of Dante works well. Maybe I did not read the book as actively as some people, but I did not see the ending coming the way it did. Excited to begin the next installment and discover how some threads to the story weave further.
I love the paranormal world that Saintcrow created. I can tell a lot of thought was put into most aspects. Being into the geography of where my books take place, though, I’d like if a clearer idea would be given for some of the places in relation to our world. Each character is given a distinct personality, some more than others, with flaws that make them relatable. Crucial, for a story set on a changed, mythological Earth. Even the protagonist, Dante, has her weaknesses, which I love. A perfect protagonist just turns me off, because I cannot make a connection to that kind of hero. At first, I despised how Saintcrow took her precious time divulging the puzzle pieces to Dante’s past and her connection to other characters, but by the end I have come to realize that is a clever way to draw the reader in and keep wanting more. The suspense of motivation on the part of some friends and foes of Dante works well. Maybe I did not read the book as actively as some people, but I did not see the ending coming the way it did. Excited to begin the next installment and discover how some threads to the story weave further.
cajeck's review against another edition
4.0
What most struck me about "Working for the Devil" was the heavy cyberpunk setting. I hadn't realized this book would deal with advanced technology of any sort, let alone an alien setting filled with its own unique culture, races, and catchy vernacular. I found it very reminiscent of the "Shadowrun" franchise, and for that reason, WftD has much to owe Jake Armitage and his dark world of augmented mercenaries and government corporations.
It takes a while for the plot to get going in this book, and I had to get used to the protagonist's wisecracking, but things get very interesting the more one invests. Danny Valentine proved to be a very sympathetic and likeable character, and her suicidal methods make for some thrilling storytelling. Her relationships with the other characters are intense and complex, particularly her interactions with the demon, Japhrimel. I was really surprised when elements of romance started rearing their seductive little heads, but these were subtle and definitely took a backseat to the action and intrigue of the plot. WftD is certainly an urban fantasy FIRST, and a paranormal romance second.
Some downsides to consider (though they didn't detract from my enjoyment at all) there is some definite angsty martyrdom going on that some may find a bit tiresome, and sometimes I think the author unnecessarily revisits thoughts to the point of being detrimental to the story's pace (for instance, Danny will have an internal thought, then immediately say that thought outloud, repeating it almost word for word).
Ultimately, I found the characters, plot, dialogue, and setting of "Working for the Devil" to be a great experience, and the Dante Valentine series one I had faith in continuing...so much so that I bought the complete anthology off of Amazon!
It takes a while for the plot to get going in this book, and I had to get used to the protagonist's wisecracking, but things get very interesting the more one invests. Danny Valentine proved to be a very sympathetic and likeable character, and her suicidal methods make for some thrilling storytelling. Her relationships with the other characters are intense and complex, particularly her interactions with the demon, Japhrimel. I was really surprised when elements of romance started rearing their seductive little heads, but these were subtle and definitely took a backseat to the action and intrigue of the plot. WftD is certainly an urban fantasy FIRST, and a paranormal romance second.
Some downsides to consider (though they didn't detract from my enjoyment at all) there is some definite angsty martyrdom going on that some may find a bit tiresome, and sometimes I think the author unnecessarily revisits thoughts to the point of being detrimental to the story's pace (for instance, Danny will have an internal thought, then immediately say that thought outloud, repeating it almost word for word).
Ultimately, I found the characters, plot, dialogue, and setting of "Working for the Devil" to be a great experience, and the Dante Valentine series one I had faith in continuing...so much so that I bought the complete anthology off of Amazon!