reasonpassion's review against another edition
3.0
Thankfully this one was better than the last one, with a lot of the angst removed or at least better understood as to why it exists. The sheer amount of deception going on clearly here combines with Dante's history of betrayal to push her into cutting off the one person she's near pathologically incapable of understanding and, as part of the plot, the only person capable of helping her survive. That Dante starts finally understanding the depth of Japh's secrets is juxtaposed with her finally beginning to understand what it means to be hedaira, not just for you, but more importantly and differently, for him. The result is a lot of anger, justified, and a lot of stupid childishness, not necessarily justified. The action is great, the supporting characters carry the story and the crazy extent of the machiavellian games being played start opening up. All of that makes working past Dante's actions worth reading through.
cajunliterarybelle's review against another edition
4.0
A wild ride with confusing bits at times due to so many different factions after Dante. Leaving the reader slightly confused, though, I think adds to the impact of the story, because for most of the novel Dante herself is very confused as to what exactly is going on, the WHY of everything. I find that in this case having the reader somewhat confused helps you get into Dante’s headspace.
This 4th installment of the Dante Valentine books is action-packed from beginning to end. Dante is constantly on the move, which leaves the story ever-developing. I loved that aspect of it. While Dante was away from Saint City, life back home kept moving forward for the better and the worse. The big question is how all this will impact Dante later. If she lives to see later, a question she has begun to often ask herself.
Urban fantasy that I plow through large sections of most times I pick it up. I’m always weary about futuristic novels, but the mysticism in this series compounded with the futuristic technology works well to me.
This 4th installment of the Dante Valentine books is action-packed from beginning to end. Dante is constantly on the move, which leaves the story ever-developing. I loved that aspect of it. While Dante was away from Saint City, life back home kept moving forward for the better and the worse. The big question is how all this will impact Dante later. If she lives to see later, a question she has begun to often ask herself.
Urban fantasy that I plow through large sections of most times I pick it up. I’m always weary about futuristic novels, but the mysticism in this series compounded with the futuristic technology works well to me.
cajeck's review against another edition
5.0
This book literally picks up where the last left off. I enjoyed this installment, like all its predecessors. It has good action, a fascinating setting, great tension, and a complex romance. I don't know what I can say about it, though, that I haven't already said of the previous books. Because Saint City Sinners picks up where The Devil's Right Hand leaves off, it has much of the same flavor. All that said, I did feel like there was a small lack of focus in the plot.
Dante is called back to Saint City when her best friend Gabe calls for her help. The investigation she hands over to Danny ends up taking a backseat half the time to the demonic power struggle from the previous book. I feel that Saintcrow managed to keep things from getting too unwieldy, but perhaps only just. Also, it took another review to remind me of this, but Dante certainly gets disagreeable in this book, even to the reader. For example: At one point, she holds her breath in a fit of pique. No, I'm not kidding. In The Devil's Right Hand, while her (at-times) petulant behavior could frustrate the reader, you could at least be somewhat sympathetic to her situation. That's less so, in this book. It didn't scare me off, though. Not at all.
In summary: Yes this is another great book, if you can forgive Dante slipping more into her yin versus her yang. I wish I could give half stars, though. While Saint City Sinners has a lot of the same flavor as The Devil's Right Hand, it doesn't quite have its tight focus and finesse. So in my head, this book rates more like a 4 1/2 stars instead of 5.
Dante is called back to Saint City when her best friend Gabe calls for her help. The investigation she hands over to Danny ends up taking a backseat half the time to the demonic power struggle from the previous book. I feel that Saintcrow managed to keep things from getting too unwieldy, but perhaps only just. Also, it took another review to remind me of this, but Dante certainly gets disagreeable in this book, even to the reader. For example: At one point, she holds her breath in a fit of pique. No, I'm not kidding. In The Devil's Right Hand, while her (at-times) petulant behavior could frustrate the reader, you could at least be somewhat sympathetic to her situation. That's less so, in this book. It didn't scare me off, though. Not at all.
In summary: Yes this is another great book, if you can forgive Dante slipping more into her yin versus her yang. I wish I could give half stars, though. While Saint City Sinners has a lot of the same flavor as The Devil's Right Hand, it doesn't quite have its tight focus and finesse. So in my head, this book rates more like a 4 1/2 stars instead of 5.
anzuk's review against another edition
3.0
*spoilers ahead
What is up with the cheesy lines? If it weren’t for Working for the Devil I wouldn’t even bother with a book that had that rubbish on the cover. I feel forced to read this. I know I have one book left till I’m done with this series and I’m extremely happy about it.
Saint City Sinners is all about crying, shrugging, almost bruises, manhandling, unspoken feelings and annoying monologues. Maybe the cover should look more like this:
What else is happening in Saint City Sinners? Japh is still an insensitive dick.
Yeah yeah, I know, he’s a demon and he doesn’t understand how humans work, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s behaving like a dick, and the fact that I very much hate him.
As for Dante..
:fart sound:
She’s such a bore with all her tantrums and bullshit. She bores me. This book bores me. This series bores me.
Oh, and about the heart-breaking deaths, I feel like I’m supposed to feel sad for Eddie dying. I’m supposed to be even sadder for Gabe dying. But I’m not. I feel like Saintcrow is trying too hard to make this book sad. Hell, she’s been trying to make all this series sad. Trying too hard. And it’s obvious. And it doesn’t work with me. So I’m just left scratching my head and wondering how the hell I’m going to conjure the patience to finish this book. Or all her other books. Minus Working for the Devil, of course. Working for the Devil was awesome.
In the end I don’t like any character anymore. I don’t like the events that are taking place. Thinking about it, I don’t like anything related to the Dante Valentine series anymore. Just be done already!!
Review also posted on
Hell has nothing on Saint City
What is up with the cheesy lines? If it weren’t for Working for the Devil I wouldn’t even bother with a book that had that rubbish on the cover. I feel forced to read this. I know I have one book left till I’m done with this series and I’m extremely happy about it.
Saint City Sinners is all about crying, shrugging, almost bruises, manhandling, unspoken feelings and annoying monologues. Maybe the cover should look more like this:
What else is happening in Saint City Sinners? Japh is still an insensitive dick.
Yeah yeah, I know, he’s a demon and he doesn’t understand how humans work, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s behaving like a dick, and the fact that I very much hate him.
As for Dante..
:fart sound:
She’s such a bore with all her tantrums and bullshit. She bores me. This book bores me. This series bores me.
Oh, and about the heart-breaking deaths, I feel like I’m supposed to feel sad for Eddie dying. I’m supposed to be even sadder for Gabe dying. But I’m not. I feel like Saintcrow is trying too hard to make this book sad. Hell, she’s been trying to make all this series sad. Trying too hard. And it’s obvious. And it doesn’t work with me. So I’m just left scratching my head and wondering how the hell I’m going to conjure the patience to finish this book. Or all her other books. Minus Working for the Devil, of course. Working for the Devil was awesome.
In the end I don’t like any character anymore. I don’t like the events that are taking place. Thinking about it, I don’t like anything related to the Dante Valentine series anymore. Just be done already!!
Review also posted on
wetdryvac's review against another edition
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.
connie_flower's review against another edition
3.0
I don't really know what to put in this review, because it's basically like the others in the series and if you lifed those you'll definintely like this. But I am beginning to get fed up of Valentine living life in a 'me me me' bubble, just running round and only thinking of her own problems, and having a giant pity party when something she doesn't like happens - get over it, that's life for you. But, as usual, the ending was REALLY good, and I can't wait to read the next one.
justytoo's review against another edition
4.0
You won't regret reading this one! Dante is back in Saint City to help a friend. She must deal with all the emotional baggage that being in Saint City brings along with it and still somehow deal with the current crisis and her relationships with those closest to her.
audiobookmel's review against another edition
4.0
There is a lot going on in this book. I am not happy with Dante and Japh's relationship and how Dante beats herself up for every little thing. She must learn that she cannot protect everyone and that does not make her a bad person. I do see why she does not trust Japh. He seems very upset at her distrust, but he does nothing to make her trust him and everything to make her keep distrusting him.
I cannot wait to get to the last book in the series. I hope it will have a good ending that will explain why Japh acts the way he does. I also hope that Dante will finally get the peace she has been looking for in the entire series.
I cannot wait to get to the last book in the series. I hope it will have a good ending that will explain why Japh acts the way he does. I also hope that Dante will finally get the peace she has been looking for in the entire series.
intjzombie's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm, a few repetitive annoyances, most annoying is that it ends basically in the middle of a sentence, just because it's a series doesn't mean that you don't have to wrap up the main plotlines somewhat. (2010-26)