srm401's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
mlboyd20's review against another edition
4.0
The story opens with Daphne, who is half-angel and half-demon, daughter of Lucifer, and a great description of her home in hell, also known as Pandemonium. Daphne is basically a teenager. She enjoys tv shows and earthly items, but she has no urge to actually go there. She has a number of sisters and one brother, Obie. Her sisters are basically succubus'. Her brother works in a hospital.
Daphne's world gets tossed on end after he brother, who had decided to leave hell for good, goes missing. With all thoughts of her brother, she goes to modern day earth. She locates the one human she knows has met her brother. This boy, Truman, is a mess.
Truman...that's one teen boy, who with everything you learn about, would be a great book in itself. After his mother passed away, he fell into a great depression. With this brought an attempted suicide, which in turn brought upon him night terrors courtesy of Azael, an archangel. Besides the depression, he is now afraid to sleep, driving him further into darkness, alchohol abuse, heavy smoking, etc.
Daphne finds him, gets him back on the track of the living, and their adventure begins. Daphne deals with loss and awakenings while Truman deals with the previously unknown, and together they find their way to Obie. In their way to Obie, they discover his infant daughter, which is unlike any baby ever seen on earth. They deal with Daphne's cousin and also find themselves having a demon in common.
The story is full of ups and downs, and I don't just mean the emotional ones. There are times when it seems that the author took a temporary detour, than realized it, and wound her way back to the story. Near the end of the book, it felt a little erratic. A couple times it felt like the story was coming to an end and than would start off again. Almost as if the author had finished it, than decided she didn't want it to end that way and added more. Maybe she had considered a sequel than decided not to, or it's just the way it turned out.
I enjoyed the imagery and the story line. Some of the angel/demon info was a bit confusing, but that may just be me. The romantic conflict, and the bringing back from the dead really held my interest. I do recommend this for any reader who is interested in angels, demons, conflict, romance, etc.
Daphne's world gets tossed on end after he brother, who had decided to leave hell for good, goes missing. With all thoughts of her brother, she goes to modern day earth. She locates the one human she knows has met her brother. This boy, Truman, is a mess.
Truman...that's one teen boy, who with everything you learn about, would be a great book in itself. After his mother passed away, he fell into a great depression. With this brought an attempted suicide, which in turn brought upon him night terrors courtesy of Azael, an archangel. Besides the depression, he is now afraid to sleep, driving him further into darkness, alchohol abuse, heavy smoking, etc.
Daphne finds him, gets him back on the track of the living, and their adventure begins. Daphne deals with loss and awakenings while Truman deals with the previously unknown, and together they find their way to Obie. In their way to Obie, they discover his infant daughter, which is unlike any baby ever seen on earth. They deal with Daphne's cousin and also find themselves having a demon in common.
The story is full of ups and downs, and I don't just mean the emotional ones. There are times when it seems that the author took a temporary detour, than realized it, and wound her way back to the story. Near the end of the book, it felt a little erratic. A couple times it felt like the story was coming to an end and than would start off again. Almost as if the author had finished it, than decided she didn't want it to end that way and added more. Maybe she had considered a sequel than decided not to, or it's just the way it turned out.
I enjoyed the imagery and the story line. Some of the angel/demon info was a bit confusing, but that may just be me. The romantic conflict, and the bringing back from the dead really held my interest. I do recommend this for any reader who is interested in angels, demons, conflict, romance, etc.
lisaluvsliterature's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed the first book I read by this author, [b:The Replacement|7507908|The Replacement|Brenna Yovanoff|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YK5JMd-WL._SL75_.jpg|6911742]. So I knew I would enjoy this one right away, and was excited when I won it from a giveaway here on Goodreads. I was a little disappointed at first that it wouldn't be a sequel to the first book, as I feel that one left open for a sequel. But the premise to this story was really good as well. I was fortunate in that I picked this book up at a time when I actually had some time to read, and I got it all read within about 3 days time, the majority of it yesterday. Once I picked it up and started reading, I was just sucked in and had to know where it was going. What I love about this author's books is that she is so descriptive, and the storyline, background, history of the world, etc., they are all so involved. Even with all the fallen angel stories that are out, and even some now about demons as not so bad of people, this has it's own originality.
The main character is Daphne. She lives in Pandemonium, which is a city in Hell. The interesting thing about this city is that when they open the furnaces of hell, everything burns. They must close doors and windows and cabinets to protect things that are not from that city. Daphne is the daugher of Lillith, a demon, and Lucifer, the devil. She has many half brothers and sisters, most are demons like her mohter, but one is her brother Obie. Obie has gone to earth, but he chooses to save lost souls, whereas her sisters choose to take from the men.
We begin with a boy showing up in Pandemonimum bleeding and lost. Obie helps to save him, and then afterwards, Obie chooses to go live on Earth to stay, as he has fallen in love. When Daphne's mother sees that Obie disappears, she sends Daphne to earth to find him, as Lillith cannot go herself. Daphne still feels a connection to the boy who her brother saved, his name is Truman. And she feels that he may have an idea to where her brother might have disappeared. So she goes to Truman (I love that this is the character's name), for help. But it is not safe for Daphne on earth, there is the archangel Azriel who wants to kill and destroy all demons who come to earth, in order to save the humans. Together they must pass through several obstacles and dangers to find Obie, and it is possible that they may not all survive. But who will give their life for love?
The main character is Daphne. She lives in Pandemonium, which is a city in Hell. The interesting thing about this city is that when they open the furnaces of hell, everything burns. They must close doors and windows and cabinets to protect things that are not from that city. Daphne is the daugher of Lillith, a demon, and Lucifer, the devil. She has many half brothers and sisters, most are demons like her mohter, but one is her brother Obie. Obie has gone to earth, but he chooses to save lost souls, whereas her sisters choose to take from the men.
We begin with a boy showing up in Pandemonimum bleeding and lost. Obie helps to save him, and then afterwards, Obie chooses to go live on Earth to stay, as he has fallen in love. When Daphne's mother sees that Obie disappears, she sends Daphne to earth to find him, as Lillith cannot go herself. Daphne still feels a connection to the boy who her brother saved, his name is Truman. And she feels that he may have an idea to where her brother might have disappeared. So she goes to Truman (I love that this is the character's name), for help. But it is not safe for Daphne on earth, there is the archangel Azriel who wants to kill and destroy all demons who come to earth, in order to save the humans. Together they must pass through several obstacles and dangers to find Obie, and it is possible that they may not all survive. But who will give their life for love?
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
Ms. Yovanoff is again exploring the "other world" theme, but in a completely different way than she did in The Replacement. Here we have recognizable angels and demons (Lilith, Lucifer, Beelzebub and others make an appearance, and Adam has a cameo), and a wonderful description of Hell (known as Pandemonium, the city Daphne calls home). Daphne is the daughter of Lilith and Lucifer and spends most of her time watching tv, chatting with Beelzebub and fighting her inner nature. She also collects momentoes given to her by her half-brother Obie (the son of Adam and Lilith), her favorite half-sibling. One "day" she sees a human, covered in pale pink water, arrive and for some reason she is drawn to him - Obie wants to return him to Earth, but can only do so after Beezlebub gives his approval. Obie then helps Truman (I'm not sure if the name is an accident or supposed to be Highly Significant) through his initial recovery, but it's clear that Truman still has a death wish. Obie, on the other hand, has fallen in love with a human and has decided to leave his job, family and Hell for her.
Daphne remembers Truman and is distraught at Obie's leaving, so when Lilith tells her that Obie has disappeared, she decides to find Truman and get his help rescuing her brother. The rest of the story is told from the alternating viewpoints of Truman and Daphne as they search for Obie, encounter other angels and demons, and attempt to solve the puzzles of their true nature and where they belong. It was interesting to see that in some respects, the "good guys" (Azrael and Dark Dreadful) and the "bad guys" (Lucifer, Moloch) are pretty much the same.
The weakest part of all this is the ending, where it's a little unclear what's happened and where Truman and Daphne are and whether they're together or apart. This is one of those books where the pacing suddenly shifts, or perhaps the ending gets edited a little too much. Hence the four rating (could go with 4.5, but I don't have that option here).
ARC provided by publisher.
Daphne remembers Truman and is distraught at Obie's leaving, so when Lilith tells her that Obie has disappeared, she decides to find Truman and get his help rescuing her brother. The rest of the story is told from the alternating viewpoints of Truman and Daphne as they search for Obie, encounter other angels and demons, and attempt to solve the puzzles of their true nature and where they belong. It was interesting to see that in some respects, the "good guys" (Azrael and Dark Dreadful) and the "bad guys" (Lucifer, Moloch) are pretty much the same.
The weakest part of all this is the ending, where it's a little unclear what's happened and where Truman and Daphne are and whether they're together or apart. This is one of those books where the pacing suddenly shifts, or perhaps the ending gets edited a little too much. Hence the four rating (could go with 4.5, but I don't have that option here).
ARC provided by publisher.
the_pepperwood_chronicles's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this so much more than I actually did. The Replacement was just so amazing and Mackie Doyle, and, and, and...
pnw_michelle's review against another edition
5.0
I was lucky enough to win an ARC of Yovanoff's forthcoming novel, and oooooh . . . it was delicious. Dark and melancholy, haunting and breathtaking. This is only her second published novel, but Yovanoff is firmly set on my list of favorite authors.
books_plan_create's review against another edition
4.0
Well. First after reaction: I love Raymie!
More of the review, including cover art info can be found here
Daphne is the daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Half-demon, half-fallen angel.She has two teeth made of steel. She lives in Pandemonium where everything is made of steel-including the flowers. Below their city streets is the Pit-hot melting fire.
When her brother Obie goes missing on Earth, Daphne goes in search of him. And to do that, she must find Truman-a human who can help her. But Truman is not going to be easy. He is broken, and his soul is being fought over. In the hunt for her brother, Daphne and Truman are being hunted. He by someone in his dreams. She by Dark Dreadful.
Navigating Earth, human emotions, jealousies, etc is a new experience for Daphne. In order to survive, she must be strong and do what needs to be done. On her journey, her mother appears to her through glass and mirrors to help Daphne.
The ending, and all of the revelations in this book are absolutely amazing. I was hooked from the first descriptions of Pandemonium and Lilith. Come on, it's Lilith! This was also an ending that sat in my mind and marinated for a few days. There is so much more that I want to know..what happens later? But, as an awesome turn of events: Brenna Yovanoff gives us a stand alone! (YAY!) Therefore you have to make up your own conclusions. Granted, there may be one coming later...
More of the review, including cover art info can be found here
Daphne is the daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Half-demon, half-fallen angel.She has two teeth made of steel. She lives in Pandemonium where everything is made of steel-including the flowers. Below their city streets is the Pit-hot melting fire.
When her brother Obie goes missing on Earth, Daphne goes in search of him. And to do that, she must find Truman-a human who can help her. But Truman is not going to be easy. He is broken, and his soul is being fought over. In the hunt for her brother, Daphne and Truman are being hunted. He by someone in his dreams. She by Dark Dreadful.
Navigating Earth, human emotions, jealousies, etc is a new experience for Daphne. In order to survive, she must be strong and do what needs to be done. On her journey, her mother appears to her through glass and mirrors to help Daphne.
The ending, and all of the revelations in this book are absolutely amazing. I was hooked from the first descriptions of Pandemonium and Lilith. Come on, it's Lilith! This was also an ending that sat in my mind and marinated for a few days. There is so much more that I want to know..what happens later? But, as an awesome turn of events: Brenna Yovanoff gives us a stand alone! (YAY!) Therefore you have to make up your own conclusions. Granted, there may be one coming later...