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The Guardians #1
Demon Angel
Half-demon, half-human, Lillith is bound by a bargain with the devil and forbidden to feel pleasure. She draws upon her dark powers and serpentine grace to lead men into temptation. That is, until she faces her greatest temptation, Heaven's own Sir Hugh Castleford. Once a knight and now a Guardian, Hugh's purpose has always been to thwart Lillith, even as he battles treacherous hunger for her. When a deadly alliance unleashes a threat to humans and Guardians angel and demon are forced to fight together against evil and against a passionate desire for each other.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 2, 2007
About the author
Meljean Brook
49 books2,571 followersBook info: I am the author of the Iron Seas steampunk romance series. I've written a guide to the world (including a map) on my website.
I also write a paranormal romance series, the Guardians. That series guide is also on my website, including a "The Story So Far" feature, which allows you to catch up on all of the books that previously released in the series if you start after the first installment.
Goodreads info: I am slowly, slowly adding to my shelves and reviews. It's unlikely that I will join many book discussions (especially of my own work) simply because I don't want to stifle reader conversation.
Bio: Meljean was raised in the middle of the woods, and hid under her blankets at night with fairy tales, comic books, and romances. She left the forest and went on a misguided tour through the world of accounting before focusing on her first loves, reading and writing–and she realized that monsters, superheroes, and happily-ever-afters are easily found between the covers, as well as under them, so she set out to make her own.
Meljean lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and daughter.
I also write a paranormal romance series, the Guardians. That series guide is also on my website, including a "The Story So Far" feature, which allows you to catch up on all of the books that previously released in the series if you start after the first installment.
Goodreads info: I am slowly, slowly adding to my shelves and reviews. It's unlikely that I will join many book discussions (especially of my own work) simply because I don't want to stifle reader conversation.
Bio: Meljean was raised in the middle of the woods, and hid under her blankets at night with fairy tales, comic books, and romances. She left the forest and went on a misguided tour through the world of accounting before focusing on her first loves, reading and writing–and she realized that monsters, superheroes, and happily-ever-afters are easily found between the covers, as well as under them, so she set out to make her own.
Meljean lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
Shelved as 'dnf'
December 15, 2015DNF @ 75 pages...Because fucking BORED.
And because, I know this is very shallow and vain of me and blah, blah, blah...
But I am having a hard time getting into a book where the lead female is described as bulky and having "BOVINE" features...
And because, I know this is very shallow and vain of me and blah, blah, blah...
But I am having a hard time getting into a book where the lead female is described as bulky and having "BOVINE" features...
May 10, 2010
I put off reading this book for years. Let's just say, when I thought the heroine was the Lilith (of Biblical infamy), I wasn't sure I could wrap my mind around her being a heroine in a romance novel. Well, I'm glad that I finally did read this book. It was a very good story. And, by the way, she isn't that Lilith.
I think Ms. Brook did a great job of writing this story about a love affair over eight hundred years in the making. Two people who should have been mortal enemies, who ended up falling in love and finding their soulmates in each other. The die-hard romantic in me couldn't help but be enthralled with this concept. And that pull between Lilith and Hugh kept me reading, although this is a story that requires the ability to wait for delayed gratification. That, in itself is not a bad thing. Instead, it was appealing to see the back and forth between Hugh and Lilith through the years. Watching their verbal foreplay, and the fact that although they often went head to head as opponents on opposite sides of a war, but didn't treat each other as the mortal adversaries that they were.
This is a very character-driven book. The good thing about it, is the character are very interesting. Although Lilith is correctly thought of as a 'bad girl,' she has aspects that show that she really isn't all bad. In contrast, Hugh is definitely the white knight type of character. But he has some gray areas too. I loved that they were each other's weaknesses. Hugh was a very chaste, righteous man, but Lilith was the one woman who had the power to utterly seduce him, and he had to work hard not to show it. Hugh made Lilith want to defy her father, Lucifer, even though it was a great personal cost to her. Ms. Brook did such a great job at laying the groundwork for this great love story, and the execution was very good.
Now, this is one of those books that I had trouble rating. The reason why is, well it's a very good book. However, it had a tendency to be quite slow-moving. It was character-driven, which is good, but I think the action sequences needed to be more vivid. There was great potential for rip-roaring, intense battle sequences, and that didn't come to fruition. I think there needed to be more showing and not telling in that arena. Since this is the first full book in the series, I suspect that the further books have expanded in this area, because this story has all kinds of potential. Another issue I had, was sometimes I got lost with some of the aspects of the worldbuilding. I didn't always get what the objective was of everything, with the nosferatu, and the inscribing of symbols, and the drinking of blood with the murders of Hugh's students. I will probably need to reread this book to gain a better understanding of all that.
On the positive, I was really impressed with this story: the guardians versus the demons. The eternal struggle between the forces of light and dark. The worldbuilding had a uniqueness that spoke to me. The scenes describing Hell sent shivers down my spine. I loved Sir Pup, Lilith's pet hellhound. I thought it was awesome how the guardians, nosferatu, and demons could store weapons and other items (even bodies and evidence) in what's called a 'cache,' which I interpreted to be a psychic storage area. That was very cool. What made me uneasy was the parts where Lilith called Lucifer father, and talked about obeying and serving him. I'm a devout Christian, which means he's the bad guy to me, so it was just really odd to have the main character in allegiance to him. But, I liked the interesting dynamic of it all; after all, Lilith knew she was playing for the wrong team.
The best thing about this story was the love story. Hugh and Lilith were made for each other. They had sizzling chemistry that made the slow-moving story worthwhile for staying tuned into. I really wanted things to work out for them. I loved all the love scenes, because they were sizzling hot, and the passion between them really burned. You definitely got the feeling that this was a fire that had been stoking for almost a millenium. Hugh is a sigh-worthy hero. I loved that he was such a good guy, a virgin, with strong principles. Yet, he was not a supercilious, self-righteous plaster saint. He was very much a man, with a man's flaws. He was determined to save Lilith, even when she didn't seem to want saving. He was even willing to sacrifice himself to do so. And Lilith was a great character. I love a complex heroine. She's dark, but has a strong sense of doing what is right to her. She put herself in jeopardy several times, out of love for Hugh, and didn't take the many opportunities she had to destroy him, and make a mockery of his principles. I liked her, and I wanted her to get her man, and for things to work out for her. Because of their strong bond, that made them both stronger and complete as people, and a powerful unit together, I was seriously rooting for their happy ending. And I liked how Ms. Brook pulled it off.
Demon Angel is a book that I was pleasantly surprised with. It has a fresh spin on the ancient battle between heaven and hell. It gave me something to ponder, but I didn't feel like I was compromising my personal beliefs in reading this book. The love story was rich and involving. I definitely want to continue this series, and see how this war between the Guardians, the nosferatu, and the demons unfolds.
I think Ms. Brook did a great job of writing this story about a love affair over eight hundred years in the making. Two people who should have been mortal enemies, who ended up falling in love and finding their soulmates in each other. The die-hard romantic in me couldn't help but be enthralled with this concept. And that pull between Lilith and Hugh kept me reading, although this is a story that requires the ability to wait for delayed gratification. That, in itself is not a bad thing. Instead, it was appealing to see the back and forth between Hugh and Lilith through the years. Watching their verbal foreplay, and the fact that although they often went head to head as opponents on opposite sides of a war, but didn't treat each other as the mortal adversaries that they were.
This is a very character-driven book. The good thing about it, is the character are very interesting. Although Lilith is correctly thought of as a 'bad girl,' she has aspects that show that she really isn't all bad. In contrast, Hugh is definitely the white knight type of character. But he has some gray areas too. I loved that they were each other's weaknesses. Hugh was a very chaste, righteous man, but Lilith was the one woman who had the power to utterly seduce him, and he had to work hard not to show it. Hugh made Lilith want to defy her father, Lucifer, even though it was a great personal cost to her. Ms. Brook did such a great job at laying the groundwork for this great love story, and the execution was very good.
Now, this is one of those books that I had trouble rating. The reason why is, well it's a very good book. However, it had a tendency to be quite slow-moving. It was character-driven, which is good, but I think the action sequences needed to be more vivid. There was great potential for rip-roaring, intense battle sequences, and that didn't come to fruition. I think there needed to be more showing and not telling in that arena. Since this is the first full book in the series, I suspect that the further books have expanded in this area, because this story has all kinds of potential. Another issue I had, was sometimes I got lost with some of the aspects of the worldbuilding. I didn't always get what the objective was of everything, with the nosferatu, and the inscribing of symbols, and the drinking of blood with the murders of Hugh's students. I will probably need to reread this book to gain a better understanding of all that.
On the positive, I was really impressed with this story: the guardians versus the demons. The eternal struggle between the forces of light and dark. The worldbuilding had a uniqueness that spoke to me. The scenes describing Hell sent shivers down my spine. I loved Sir Pup, Lilith's pet hellhound. I thought it was awesome how the guardians, nosferatu, and demons could store weapons and other items (even bodies and evidence) in what's called a 'cache,' which I interpreted to be a psychic storage area. That was very cool. What made me uneasy was the parts where Lilith called Lucifer father, and talked about obeying and serving him. I'm a devout Christian, which means he's the bad guy to me, so it was just really odd to have the main character in allegiance to him. But, I liked the interesting dynamic of it all; after all, Lilith knew she was playing for the wrong team.
The best thing about this story was the love story. Hugh and Lilith were made for each other. They had sizzling chemistry that made the slow-moving story worthwhile for staying tuned into. I really wanted things to work out for them. I loved all the love scenes, because they were sizzling hot, and the passion between them really burned. You definitely got the feeling that this was a fire that had been stoking for almost a millenium. Hugh is a sigh-worthy hero. I loved that he was such a good guy, a virgin, with strong principles. Yet, he was not a supercilious, self-righteous plaster saint. He was very much a man, with a man's flaws. He was determined to save Lilith, even when she didn't seem to want saving. He was even willing to sacrifice himself to do so. And Lilith was a great character. I love a complex heroine. She's dark, but has a strong sense of doing what is right to her. She put herself in jeopardy several times, out of love for Hugh, and didn't take the many opportunities she had to destroy him, and make a mockery of his principles. I liked her, and I wanted her to get her man, and for things to work out for her. Because of their strong bond, that made them both stronger and complete as people, and a powerful unit together, I was seriously rooting for their happy ending. And I liked how Ms. Brook pulled it off.
Demon Angel is a book that I was pleasantly surprised with. It has a fresh spin on the ancient battle between heaven and hell. It gave me something to ponder, but I didn't feel like I was compromising my personal beliefs in reading this book. The love story was rich and involving. I definitely want to continue this series, and see how this war between the Guardians, the nosferatu, and the demons unfolds.
December 8, 2014
Hid this because looking at it now, I get kind of disgusted...
Well, my friends probably know what's coming. I loved this book!
LOL, JK, JK. I had you for a second there, didn't I? I agree with reviewers that realistic Part I of Demon Angel exceeds Part II by far. In Part I, we enjoy tension between medieval knight Hugh and demon Lilith as enemies and lovers, equals. Lilith tries to lure him, and Hugh parries- yet admirably remains a gentleman, though she throws herself at him repeatedly. They engage each other and laugh together, despite the dangerous undertone to their game. Their banter's by turns clever innuendo and intriguing theological debates about sin, both quintessential to their period. (Props. Brook must have some medieval British literature instruction.)
By Part II (the remaining 33 chapters of the 40), events have undergone a seismic shift. Hugh wallows in guilt. Lilith plays the wounded, enduring heroine while the hero takes her actions at face value and responds accordingly. He's kept in the dark, the better to make a martyr out of Lilith. Later, he feels guilty because he did not know that under the lying cocktease (for centuries) there's really a complex woman dying to be loved. He ought to have known that when she said "no" she really meant "yes." I'm sure rapists everywhere will be vindicated.
Chapter 20 reveals almost all of Lilith's woes, and the hero forces himself on her, justified with an explanation plausible only in Romancelandia. Once again, we must pity Lilith and vilify the male. It's notable that our hero only has the advantage or control of their interactions during love scenes, animal that he is. Good to know that if the hero can't be good, at least he can still rouse an orgasm from the heroine. What else is he good for, after all? Following this, he becomes fawning. He repeatedly flagellates himself for... everything. He exposes his feelings, and when she balks to reciprocate he lets her wheedle out of it. Some readers might have found him patient. I didn't care for their one-sided relationship.
Rinse, repeat. Meanwhile, as the hero is expounding upon the heroine's greatness, apologizing to the heroine for the umpteenth time, receiving reassurance from the heroine, or borrowing guilt and thinking about the heroine in melodramatic fashion ("Spilt milk, oh no! Will she be upset? Will she think it was her fault? Oh no!"), demons kidnap people. The suspense/action takes a distinct backseat to the "romance" and frequently involves demon's bargains that hinge on a technical point in the demon mythos invented by the author -so already, we're relying too much on "telling"- and nested, convoluted lies that would only interest the author ("I was lying when I said this and this, so what I really meant was..."). There wasn't a lot of action in this PNR. It was a bit like reading about Lady Gaga without mentioning her wardrobe.
Too bad. I liked the writing style, and the emotion was deep, the characters and story complex and layered. I just cannot find their one-sided relationship and all the guilt and pity and martyrdom romantic. Even for a lover of angst like myself, this was too melodramatic. This read almost like women's fiction: Lilith and Her Progress using Hugh as a Conduit. Or misandry. For those interested, I recommend reading this in chapters since the dialogue is self-referential and imbued with subtext. Although this encourages continuity, one loses the vein of events or dialogue stopping in the midst of a chapter, just FYI.
Update: After reading some excerpts from her other novels, I think I've come to the conclusion I don't care for Brook's one-sided relationships. They seem invariably to feature a heroine who doesn't need the hero -'cause she's all that- while the hero oozes admiration and lust. Also, the heroine is invariably A Strong Female. She's had to endure so much and with spirit. The hero cannot compete. Despite the fact that her narratives sometimes speak from the male's point of view, they are always exulting the heroine. I wish she loved her heroes as much as her heroines.
Well, my friends probably know what's coming. I loved this book!
LOL, JK, JK. I had you for a second there, didn't I? I agree with reviewers that realistic Part I of Demon Angel exceeds Part II by far. In Part I, we enjoy tension between medieval knight Hugh and demon Lilith as enemies and lovers, equals. Lilith tries to lure him, and Hugh parries- yet admirably remains a gentleman, though she throws herself at him repeatedly. They engage each other and laugh together, despite the dangerous undertone to their game. Their banter's by turns clever innuendo and intriguing theological debates about sin, both quintessential to their period. (Props. Brook must have some medieval British literature instruction.)
By Part II (the remaining 33 chapters of the 40), events have undergone a seismic shift. Hugh wallows in guilt. Lilith plays the wounded, enduring heroine while the hero takes her actions at face value and responds accordingly. He's kept in the dark, the better to make a martyr out of Lilith. Later, he feels guilty because he did not know that under the lying cocktease (for centuries) there's really a complex woman dying to be loved. He ought to have known that when she said "no" she really meant "yes." I'm sure rapists everywhere will be vindicated.
Chapter 20 reveals almost all of Lilith's woes, and the hero forces himself on her, justified with an explanation plausible only in Romancelandia. Once again, we must pity Lilith and vilify the male. It's notable that our hero only has the advantage or control of their interactions during love scenes, animal that he is. Good to know that if the hero can't be good, at least he can still rouse an orgasm from the heroine. What else is he good for, after all? Following this, he becomes fawning. He repeatedly flagellates himself for... everything. He exposes his feelings, and when she balks to reciprocate he lets her wheedle out of it. Some readers might have found him patient. I didn't care for their one-sided relationship.
Rinse, repeat. Meanwhile, as the hero is expounding upon the heroine's greatness, apologizing to the heroine for the umpteenth time, receiving reassurance from the heroine, or borrowing guilt and thinking about the heroine in melodramatic fashion ("Spilt milk, oh no! Will she be upset? Will she think it was her fault? Oh no!"), demons kidnap people. The suspense/action takes a distinct backseat to the "romance" and frequently involves demon's bargains that hinge on a technical point in the demon mythos invented by the author -so already, we're relying too much on "telling"- and nested, convoluted lies that would only interest the author ("I was lying when I said this and this, so what I really meant was..."). There wasn't a lot of action in this PNR. It was a bit like reading about Lady Gaga without mentioning her wardrobe.
Too bad. I liked the writing style, and the emotion was deep, the characters and story complex and layered. I just cannot find their one-sided relationship and all the guilt and pity and martyrdom romantic. Even for a lover of angst like myself, this was too melodramatic. This read almost like women's fiction: Lilith and Her Progress using Hugh as a Conduit. Or misandry. For those interested, I recommend reading this in chapters since the dialogue is self-referential and imbued with subtext. Although this encourages continuity, one loses the vein of events or dialogue stopping in the midst of a chapter, just FYI.
Update: After reading some excerpts from her other novels, I think I've come to the conclusion I don't care for Brook's one-sided relationships. They seem invariably to feature a heroine who doesn't need the hero -'cause she's all that- while the hero oozes admiration and lust. Also, the heroine is invariably A Strong Female. She's had to endure so much and with spirit. The hero cannot compete. Despite the fact that her narratives sometimes speak from the male's point of view, they are always exulting the heroine. I wish she loved her heroes as much as her heroines.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2010
This is a really, really hard book to rate.. On one hand, it was so intense and deliciously angsty and just freaking epic.. But on the other hand, it dragged so much in points that I literally found myself asking "does this book ever end??" several times throughout the story..
What worked for me:
* The love story -- for all intents and purposes, it's an angel and a demon who fall in love {okay so not really; he's a "Guardian" and she's a "Halfling" or whatever, but bloody close enough}...
* The fact that the love story spanned 800 years. That's right. 800 Years.. Lemme tell you -- that's a whole lotta UST right there! lol
* Did I mention the UST? I swear, Meljean Brook is the freakin goddess of Unresolved Sexual Tension *fans self* HOTTTTTTTTT!
* Sir Pup - I so want one for my own <3
* Hugh wanting/loving/being attracted to Lilith in her full demon form, when she was convinced he'd find her repulsive. I think I liked this more for the comparison to real life that the reader could draw (a man being attracted to an "imperfect" looking woman, be she old, heavy, scarred, small breasted, or whatever other physical insecurities she might have), than the idea of him actually wanting to bang a red-skinned, full-on-scaly, bat-winged woman ;)
* Two words: Virgin Hero :D
* The sex. Was. Hot. It wasn't super graphic, but the buildup and the climax (heh) were just so incredibly steamy that it made some of the negative points so worth it :)
What didn't work for me:
* The story just draaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggggggeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddd in spots. I'm talking yawn-inducing, I-may-just-skim-these-next-four-chapters dragged.
* Sometimes the UST actually got a little annoying -- every time it looked like something was about to happen, nope, something dramatic came up and no nookie for them... While I adore UST in novels, after a while I actually started to lose interest because it looked as though nothing was ever really going to happen.
* Their senses of humor bothered me.. I've noticed this as a definite trend in her Guardian series -- everyone laughs at (in my mind) the strangest things, and I really feel like she loses a lot of opportunities for drama/angst/tension when all of her characters are so amused by things that would piss off or hurt anyone in real life. Granted, it keeps things from descending into the melodrama of a Harlequin Presents or something, but I wish she'd tone it down a little.
Overall it rather felt like two books in one. It kind of reminded me of Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon in that it almost could've been split into two volumes without really losing anything, had the segue between Parts I and II been tweaked a bit. While on one hand this is a good thing because you get a crapton of backstory and character development, it can also be pretty exhausting for the reader.
4 Stars
What worked for me:
* The love story -- for all intents and purposes, it's an angel and a demon who fall in love {okay so not really; he's a "Guardian" and she's a "Halfling" or whatever, but bloody close enough}...
* The fact that the love story spanned 800 years. That's right. 800 Years.. Lemme tell you -- that's a whole lotta UST right there! lol
* Did I mention the UST? I swear, Meljean Brook is the freakin goddess of Unresolved Sexual Tension *fans self* HOTTTTTTTTT!
* Sir Pup - I so want one for my own <3
* Hugh wanting/loving/being attracted to Lilith in her full demon form, when she was convinced he'd find her repulsive. I think I liked this more for the comparison to real life that the reader could draw (a man being attracted to an "imperfect" looking woman, be she old, heavy, scarred, small breasted, or whatever other physical insecurities she might have), than the idea of him actually wanting to bang a red-skinned, full-on-scaly, bat-winged woman ;)
* Two words: Virgin Hero :D
* The sex. Was. Hot. It wasn't super graphic, but the buildup and the climax (heh) were just so incredibly steamy that it made some of the negative points so worth it :)
What didn't work for me:
* The story just draaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggggggeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddd in spots. I'm talking yawn-inducing, I-may-just-skim-these-next-four-chapters dragged.
* Sometimes the UST actually got a little annoying -- every time it looked like something was about to happen, nope, something dramatic came up and no nookie for them... While I adore UST in novels, after a while I actually started to lose interest because it looked as though nothing was ever really going to happen.
* Their senses of humor bothered me.. I've noticed this as a definite trend in her Guardian series -- everyone laughs at (in my mind) the strangest things, and I really feel like she loses a lot of opportunities for drama/angst/tension when all of her characters are so amused by things that would piss off or hurt anyone in real life. Granted, it keeps things from descending into the melodrama of a Harlequin Presents or something, but I wish she'd tone it down a little.
Overall it rather felt like two books in one. It kind of reminded me of Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon in that it almost could've been split into two volumes without really losing anything, had the segue between Parts I and II been tweaked a bit. While on one hand this is a good thing because you get a crapton of backstory and character development, it can also be pretty exhausting for the reader.
4 Stars
August 9, 2016
Too hard to follow and characters didn’t draw me. It was not a pleasant read. I wanted it to be over.
HARD TO FOLLOW:
Part 1 of the book is 97 pages. Hugh a human and Lilith a demon meet. Hugh becomes a guardian. Then he and she meet each other 172 years later, have a conversation and separate. They next meet 72 years later, have a conversation and separate. This continues for about seven meetings. In each conversation the reader learns a little about their worlds, but the scenes are confusing. For example, in one scene a cathedral is burning, but the reader doesn’t know who set the fire or why or why Hugh and Lilith are there.
Part 2 of the book has more of a plot, but that too is hard to follow. Throughout that part I had many unanswered questions. Some of them were answered later and some were not. It was hard keeping track of who the bad guys were. It was hard to know what was going on and why. In general it was unsettling.
ON THE POSITIVE SIDE:
The ending was creative and enjoyable, but not enough to make up for the hours spent with the rest of the book.
CLIFFHANGER WRITING STYLE:
I’ve read enjoyable mysteries and suspense stories which switch scenes among characters, time, etc. But, this author switched scenes too abruptly at cliffhanger moments, which frustrated me. See Spoiler for example. Some mysteries are important to keep hidden, but I didn’t see this as one of them. Knowing the why and where earlier would not have detracted from the good guys vs. bad guys plot. Instead of anticipating and/or experiencing an adventure, I felt annoyed. There were a number of cliffhangers other than this that added to my frustration.
DATA:
Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: six. Setting: 1217 to 2007 various locations in Europe, US, Caelum (a heavenly place) and Hell. Part 2 is set primarily in San Francisco. Copyright: 2007. Genre: fantasy and paranormal romance.
SERIES:
The first four books in this series are:
3 stars to FALLING FOR ANTHONY, in Hot Spell anthology
1 star to DEMON ANGEL
(not read) PARADISE, in Wild Think anthology
2 stars to DEMON MOON
HARD TO FOLLOW:
Part 1 of the book is 97 pages. Hugh a human and Lilith a demon meet. Hugh becomes a guardian. Then he and she meet each other 172 years later, have a conversation and separate. They next meet 72 years later, have a conversation and separate. This continues for about seven meetings. In each conversation the reader learns a little about their worlds, but the scenes are confusing. For example, in one scene a cathedral is burning, but the reader doesn’t know who set the fire or why or why Hugh and Lilith are there.
Part 2 of the book has more of a plot, but that too is hard to follow. Throughout that part I had many unanswered questions. Some of them were answered later and some were not. It was hard keeping track of who the bad guys were. It was hard to know what was going on and why. In general it was unsettling.
ON THE POSITIVE SIDE:
The ending was creative and enjoyable, but not enough to make up for the hours spent with the rest of the book.
CLIFFHANGER WRITING STYLE:
I’ve read enjoyable mysteries and suspense stories which switch scenes among characters, time, etc. But, this author switched scenes too abruptly at cliffhanger moments, which frustrated me. See Spoiler for example. Some mysteries are important to keep hidden, but I didn’t see this as one of them. Knowing the why and where earlier would not have detracted from the good guys vs. bad guys plot. Instead of anticipating and/or experiencing an adventure, I felt annoyed. There were a number of cliffhangers other than this that added to my frustration.
DATA:
Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: six. Setting: 1217 to 2007 various locations in Europe, US, Caelum (a heavenly place) and Hell. Part 2 is set primarily in San Francisco. Copyright: 2007. Genre: fantasy and paranormal romance.
SERIES:
The first four books in this series are:
3 stars to FALLING FOR ANTHONY, in Hot Spell anthology
1 star to DEMON ANGEL
(not read) PARADISE, in Wild Think anthology
2 stars to DEMON MOON
September 19, 2010
Hugh and Lilith... wow! They really are a great couple! Looking at it objectively, I am almost shocked that I liked them as much as I do, because generally characters like Hugh - overly-earnest, naive, more than a bit self-righteous, very prone to deciding that he knows what is best and then charging forward into that course of action with no discussion, and a freaking martyr - annoy the crap out of me.
But for whatever reason, he really didn't. In this book, all those qualities came together to make a very charming character. He definitely made mistakes, but ... everything was driven by a bone-deep love for Lilith (one that Hugh himself found boggling, I think, but couldn't deny).
And how can you not love Lilith? I loved the topsy-turvy gender-bending relationship they had - she was the seductress, the rake. Charmed by Hugh in spite of her very best efforts. And she was whip-smart, strong, resilient, defiant, and able to hold on to her humanity despite everything she went through.
I still don't like Michael. Sorry, but he seems like an asshat. I wish we had gotten some of the actual story around Lilith's transformation - Michael clearly feels guilty about something there, though Lilith doesn't seem to feel that's the case (though, of course, being a demon she uses his guilt against him... but when she was being frank with Hugh about it, she didn't direct any blame at Michael). Regardless, I don't like him. He's heavy-handed, secretive, he seems to have done something that REALLY pissed Hugh off (though again, we're given no details - we only see the evidence... Hugh can barely be civil to him when they encounter each other in Part 2); he also seems to be happy to manipulate the situation as if he was a demon himself. Anyway. He's a douchecanoe. And I am sure we are going to see more of him later, and he also strikes me as a character the author plans to dig into ... perhaps in a redeeming way.
Anyway, the book was tons of fun! I am glad I snagged the first 3 in this series, so I can continue on with it!
But for whatever reason, he really didn't. In this book, all those qualities came together to make a very charming character. He definitely made mistakes, but ... everything was driven by a bone-deep love for Lilith (one that Hugh himself found boggling, I think, but couldn't deny).
And how can you not love Lilith? I loved the topsy-turvy gender-bending relationship they had - she was the seductress, the rake. Charmed by Hugh in spite of her very best efforts. And she was whip-smart, strong, resilient, defiant, and able to hold on to her humanity despite everything she went through.
I still don't like Michael. Sorry, but he seems like an asshat. I wish we had gotten some of the actual story around Lilith's transformation - Michael clearly feels guilty about something there, though Lilith doesn't seem to feel that's the case (though, of course, being a demon she uses his guilt against him... but when she was being frank with Hugh about it, she didn't direct any blame at Michael). Regardless, I don't like him. He's heavy-handed, secretive, he seems to have done something that REALLY pissed Hugh off (though again, we're given no details - we only see the evidence... Hugh can barely be civil to him when they encounter each other in Part 2); he also seems to be happy to manipulate the situation as if he was a demon himself. Anyway. He's a douchecanoe. And I am sure we are going to see more of him later, and he also strikes me as a character the author plans to dig into ... perhaps in a redeeming way.
Anyway, the book was tons of fun! I am glad I snagged the first 3 in this series, so I can continue on with it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2009
I wasn't sure I would like this book. The blurb is really not descriptive of what it is.
After reading the third in the series 'Demon Night' I went and backtracked to this and loved it. I devoured this book in one day. Could. Not. Put. It. Down.
It really is far to nuanced and complex to explain in a few words. Let's just say there is a fantstically thought out world which the characters inhabit. The characters themselves are flawed and damaged and heroic and all kinds of other things. The sex is hot. All in all a fantastic book, which I will have to go back and read again because I didn't so much as savour but devour it.
Let this be one book you don't judge by it's cover (for it is U-G-L-Y!)
After reading the third in the series 'Demon Night' I went and backtracked to this and loved it. I devoured this book in one day. Could. Not. Put. It. Down.
It really is far to nuanced and complex to explain in a few words. Let's just say there is a fantstically thought out world which the characters inhabit. The characters themselves are flawed and damaged and heroic and all kinds of other things. The sex is hot. All in all a fantastic book, which I will have to go back and read again because I didn't so much as savour but devour it.
Let this be one book you don't judge by it's cover (for it is U-G-L-Y!)
December 7, 2010
This book was full of emotion and centuries of wanting from afar!!! It took me a little bit to get into it as the beginning was confusing (specially because I had to keep stopping). But once I understood where the story was going I really enjoyed it.
Hugh and Lilith are just destined to be together. They meet while she's a demon *on the job* and he's a mortal about 800 years back. Even then there's something between them and it all comes down to a night where Hugh sacrifices himself for the girl he had a crush on and Lilith wanting to keep him "alive" and not able to make him a demon, bargains with an angel to make him a guardian.
They meet constantly in battles, and Hugh's intention has always been to save Lilith, until he figures to do that he has to kill her, which he does and then "falls" becoming human again. Except she doesn't die, and 15 years later she's back, to help him fight the nosferatu's killing his students, protect his life and friends, and.... she has to kill him for Lucifer.
The characters in this book are all likeable! Lilith is a tormented soul, but she's still able to make light of situations, she's got a really fun and easy going personality and at the same time can be bitchy. Sir Pup is just adorable, a hellhound with charisma, I can't wait to read more about him. Savitri, I didn't quite connect with much, but she's young and she was out of the loop, so I'll wait to form an opinion in her book. I was kind of disappointed when I read the next book is Colin and Savitri. I loved Colin in this book, and even though you could tell they were setting them up as a couple, I had hopes for him and Selah. Oh well...
I'm curious to see where Michael ends up. I want to read his story, there has to be so much there.
And then there's Hugh... Hugh is an honest, kind-hearted, male of worth (yes, it's a BDB reference, but it's the best description that comes to mind for him!). And refreshingly, he's the virgin sacrifice! LOL He has so much love for Lilith, he loves even her demon form! OUCH
I'm really looking forward to see what happens next in this series!
Hugh and Lilith are just destined to be together. They meet while she's a demon *on the job* and he's a mortal about 800 years back. Even then there's something between them and it all comes down to a night where Hugh sacrifices himself for the girl he had a crush on and Lilith wanting to keep him "alive" and not able to make him a demon, bargains with an angel to make him a guardian.
They meet constantly in battles, and Hugh's intention has always been to save Lilith, until he figures to do that he has to kill her, which he does and then "falls" becoming human again. Except she doesn't die, and 15 years later she's back, to help him fight the nosferatu's killing his students, protect his life and friends, and.... she has to kill him for Lucifer.
The characters in this book are all likeable! Lilith is a tormented soul, but she's still able to make light of situations, she's got a really fun and easy going personality and at the same time can be bitchy. Sir Pup is just adorable, a hellhound with charisma, I can't wait to read more about him. Savitri, I didn't quite connect with much, but she's young and she was out of the loop, so I'll wait to form an opinion in her book. I was kind of disappointed when I read the next book is Colin and Savitri. I loved Colin in this book, and even though you could tell they were setting them up as a couple, I had hopes for him and Selah. Oh well...
I'm curious to see where Michael ends up. I want to read his story, there has to be so much there.
And then there's Hugh... Hugh is an honest, kind-hearted, male of worth (yes, it's a BDB reference, but it's the best description that comes to mind for him!). And refreshingly, he's the virgin sacrifice! LOL He has so much love for Lilith, he loves even her demon form! OUCH
I'm really looking forward to see what happens next in this series!
August 1, 2010
3.5 stars.
The first part of the book is much, much stronger than the later part.
The first part begins in the middle ages where Hugh is a young squire newly knighted. Lilith is already a century old demon who is sent to the castle where Hugh lives to send corrupt souls to Lucifer.
Lilith is a Demon who serves but even though she is sarcastic, manipulative and lies alot, you can't really dislike her. Hugh is good, smart and so pure in spirit it practically shines out of him. And even though Lilith should be able to corrupt him she can't. Through a series of events, Hugh is killed and is made a Guardian -- an angel who lives on earth and protects mortals.
The next few chapters details almost 1000 years of the two of them crossing paths, taunting each other, alternately suppressing their feelings or flirting lightly with each other.
This part was really good. I liked the establishment of both their characters, personalities and relationships.
But then we get to the present time and there is a turning point in their relationship that precipitates a life altering event for both characters.
Now they are both on earth as humans. Lilith is an FBI agent and Hugh is a college professor. The remainder of the story becomes a somewhat plot heavy, almost muddled story of Lucifer manipulating Lilith to steal Hugh's soul. Along the way they deal with nosferatu, vampires and a faction of demons who are trying to steal Lucifer's throne.
I thought the second half of the story, especially the overtly byzantine plotline with all the hidden agendas and betrayals bogged the story considerably. I actually struggled to stay interested. The only part that kept me involved was the intense relationship and continued connection between Hugh and Lilith. I have to give the author a lot of credit she did a great job of creating a deep emotional romance between two characters who probably should not be together. And she made them both very likable even in their extreme natures.
The first part of the book is much, much stronger than the later part.
The first part begins in the middle ages where Hugh is a young squire newly knighted. Lilith is already a century old demon who is sent to the castle where Hugh lives to send corrupt souls to Lucifer.
Lilith is a Demon who serves but even though she is sarcastic, manipulative and lies alot, you can't really dislike her. Hugh is good, smart and so pure in spirit it practically shines out of him. And even though Lilith should be able to corrupt him she can't. Through a series of events, Hugh is killed and is made a Guardian -- an angel who lives on earth and protects mortals.
The next few chapters details almost 1000 years of the two of them crossing paths, taunting each other, alternately suppressing their feelings or flirting lightly with each other.
This part was really good. I liked the establishment of both their characters, personalities and relationships.
But then we get to the present time and there is a turning point in their relationship that precipitates a life altering event for both characters.
Now they are both on earth as humans. Lilith is an FBI agent and Hugh is a college professor. The remainder of the story becomes a somewhat plot heavy, almost muddled story of Lucifer manipulating Lilith to steal Hugh's soul. Along the way they deal with nosferatu, vampires and a faction of demons who are trying to steal Lucifer's throne.
I thought the second half of the story, especially the overtly byzantine plotline with all the hidden agendas and betrayals bogged the story considerably. I actually struggled to stay interested. The only part that kept me involved was the intense relationship and continued connection between Hugh and Lilith. I have to give the author a lot of credit she did a great job of creating a deep emotional romance between two characters who probably should not be together. And she made them both very likable even in their extreme natures.
August 18, 2016
Bound tightly within its gorgeous cover, the words upon the pages of DEMON ANGEL spans eight hundred years and tells the tale of how layers upon layers of deception and the twisted spin of lies can, against all odds, shape an unbreakable bond of eternal love.
As a demon halfling, Lilith was forbidden her humanity. Born as the creation and daughter of the Morningstar, Lilith served Lucifer at first with utter glee and devotion, reveling in her role of collecting the damned for the armies Below. But with the simultaneous change in her role from collection to temptation and the kindness of one young knight, Lilith's existence would rely upon the stolen and coerced kisses of that very same knight turned Guardian at her behest. For the one man to show her kindness, Lilith will risk Punishment within the bowels of Hell, even possible death, just to keep him.
With the glimpsed evidence of Lilith's humanity, Hugh embarks upon the role of Guardian with not only the burden of protecting mankind from the demons of Hell and the nosferatu upon Earth, but he also vows to save Lilith. Yet as the centuries slip by and the unveiling of Lilith's saving continues to elude him, Hugh's soul slowly turns to ice. Lilith's determination to serve Lucifer baffles Hugh while hardening his heart to her. Unleashing his Gift of truth upon her only makes Lilith's willing servitude more unbearable. But Lilith isn't the only corruption that festers within Hugh for his role as well has turned into a mockery with the modernization of the world. While a Guardian can protect humans from demons and nosferatu, they cannot prevent their Free Will. If humans are intent to harm and maim one another, Hugh cannot interfere, the Rules prevent it. Tired of witnessing destruction with his hands tied behind his back, Hugh makes his decision. He's known all along what can save Lilith, his only hope had been a different outcome than the one available. With one last kiss, Hugh slices Lilith's heart in two and Falls.
Sixteen years later, Hugh is once again human and unbeknownest to him, Lilith is still alive.
Despite the fact that Hugh knows that Lilith's death was necessary to give her freedom, he's still yet to fully recover from his grief. He loved her even though Lilith's demon nature would have prevented her from the same emotion. Slowly, Hugh has pieced together an acceptable existence but his soul has become restless and he feels that doom lingers upon the horizon. It's because of this that Hugh isn't necessarily surprised to find Lilith alive. What's surprising is the coincidence of their meeting and the fact that Lilith is...different.
Although saved by Hugh, Lilith only experienced two hours of freedom after two thousand years of serving Lucifer before he revives her to life with a bargain: A life for her life and the life he demands she take is Hugh's.
A new world has developed for demons. The corruption of the federal and governmental bureaus offer a smorgasbord of opportunities to infiltrate the inner workings of mankind like never before. Lucifer's demons now possess congressmen and senate seats, controlling positions within the FBI, and other powerful outlets. Lilith, aka Agent Lily Milton, works for the San Francisco FBI under Agent Smith, aka the Demon Beelzebub, and justice is not what they seek.
When Hugh learns that his assumption of Lilith as a demon was wrong, that she was in fact human and a halfling, he's more than devastated. For eight hundred years he denied his passion for her thinking that her emotions would only be that of a demon's. Although he's a mere human now, Hugh is once again determined to save Lilith despite her bargain. If he must sacrifice his life for hers then so be it. But soon it's not just about saving Lilith. Hugh's college students are being abducted and found later with gruesome symbols carved into their bodies and their blood drained. There is also a large concentration of nosferatu in the San Francisco area and no Guardians or demons slaying them. When the FBI come knocking at his door with questions, Hugh is soon pegged as the prime suspect in the students' abductions and slayings.
In the midst of avoiding the FBI, stopping the nosferatu, protecting the college students, and trying to outwit Lucifer, Hugh and Lilith's repressed lust comes bursting to the forefront. Already wrought with sexual tension, when these two come together it's positively combustible. Stripping away her demon form and illusions, Hugh burrows deeply within the woman that Lilith has hidden for two thousand years. He rips forth her humanity in such a way that she'll never again be able to hide who and what she truly is: Human. With that being done, of course Lucifer calls in his bargain that Lilith is to take Hugh's life, but Lilith has another plan that's absurd in the extreme. But perhaps a little absurdity is shocking enough to break the bonds of her bargain, save the abducted college students and maybe even close the Gates from Hell to Earth for five hundred years.
I don't believe that any review can convey the sheer epic quality that is DEMON ANGEL. The passage of unimaginable time is depicted clearly with the incredible growth of the novel's characters. Even Hugh's love for Lilith has been shaped by eight hundred years. How does one even describe the evolution of a love that complex? Yet Brook pulls it off and the complexities and the rampant emotions of Hugh and Lilith are captivating.
Lilith's personality resembles the emotionally closed off bad boy heroes that we hussies love so much in romance. First, she's freakin' bad ass! The woman is a serious hardcore superhero in an anti superhero sort of way. She's a woman who cuts herself off from any relationship with a rapier wit and excessive cruelty knowing that one day she may be asked to lead them into temptation. Gentleness is not a highly prized attribute of hers but with Hugh, she is someone that no one else is allowed to see. Even after she's made tentative friends, she cares naught but for Hugh.
The romance in DEMON ANGEL ranged from brutally tragic to fearsome and combustible. Both Hugh and Lilith are adrenalin junkies and their lust for one another is ramped sky high with each brush with death but they're also able to slow it down and luxuriate in each other's embrace. What Brook did with DEMON ANGEL is unlike anything that I've read before or since. Her world is amazingly intense and complex yet its also broken up with laugh out loud moments and passionate love affairs.
There is only one aspect of DEMON ANGEL that dragged down the experience a bit. In some instances the happenings are just too complex and Brook looses the flow of the novel from time to time. Occasionally I had to stop and re-read sections to better understand the characters and their motivations. Truthfully, I think that the themes she tackled in DEMON ANGEL were just, for lack of a better word, huge. Good verses evil is never easy to write for the concept is not black and white but rather it's a spectrum of countless shades of gray. Even knowing that though, one can see and appreciate the talent that Brook has and it shines brightly with DEMON ANGEL.
As a demon halfling, Lilith was forbidden her humanity. Born as the creation and daughter of the Morningstar, Lilith served Lucifer at first with utter glee and devotion, reveling in her role of collecting the damned for the armies Below. But with the simultaneous change in her role from collection to temptation and the kindness of one young knight, Lilith's existence would rely upon the stolen and coerced kisses of that very same knight turned Guardian at her behest. For the one man to show her kindness, Lilith will risk Punishment within the bowels of Hell, even possible death, just to keep him.
With the glimpsed evidence of Lilith's humanity, Hugh embarks upon the role of Guardian with not only the burden of protecting mankind from the demons of Hell and the nosferatu upon Earth, but he also vows to save Lilith. Yet as the centuries slip by and the unveiling of Lilith's saving continues to elude him, Hugh's soul slowly turns to ice. Lilith's determination to serve Lucifer baffles Hugh while hardening his heart to her. Unleashing his Gift of truth upon her only makes Lilith's willing servitude more unbearable. But Lilith isn't the only corruption that festers within Hugh for his role as well has turned into a mockery with the modernization of the world. While a Guardian can protect humans from demons and nosferatu, they cannot prevent their Free Will. If humans are intent to harm and maim one another, Hugh cannot interfere, the Rules prevent it. Tired of witnessing destruction with his hands tied behind his back, Hugh makes his decision. He's known all along what can save Lilith, his only hope had been a different outcome than the one available. With one last kiss, Hugh slices Lilith's heart in two and Falls.
Sixteen years later, Hugh is once again human and unbeknownest to him, Lilith is still alive.
Despite the fact that Hugh knows that Lilith's death was necessary to give her freedom, he's still yet to fully recover from his grief. He loved her even though Lilith's demon nature would have prevented her from the same emotion. Slowly, Hugh has pieced together an acceptable existence but his soul has become restless and he feels that doom lingers upon the horizon. It's because of this that Hugh isn't necessarily surprised to find Lilith alive. What's surprising is the coincidence of their meeting and the fact that Lilith is...different.
Although saved by Hugh, Lilith only experienced two hours of freedom after two thousand years of serving Lucifer before he revives her to life with a bargain: A life for her life and the life he demands she take is Hugh's.
A new world has developed for demons. The corruption of the federal and governmental bureaus offer a smorgasbord of opportunities to infiltrate the inner workings of mankind like never before. Lucifer's demons now possess congressmen and senate seats, controlling positions within the FBI, and other powerful outlets. Lilith, aka Agent Lily Milton, works for the San Francisco FBI under Agent Smith, aka the Demon Beelzebub, and justice is not what they seek.
When Hugh learns that his assumption of Lilith as a demon was wrong, that she was in fact human and a halfling, he's more than devastated. For eight hundred years he denied his passion for her thinking that her emotions would only be that of a demon's. Although he's a mere human now, Hugh is once again determined to save Lilith despite her bargain. If he must sacrifice his life for hers then so be it. But soon it's not just about saving Lilith. Hugh's college students are being abducted and found later with gruesome symbols carved into their bodies and their blood drained. There is also a large concentration of nosferatu in the San Francisco area and no Guardians or demons slaying them. When the FBI come knocking at his door with questions, Hugh is soon pegged as the prime suspect in the students' abductions and slayings.
In the midst of avoiding the FBI, stopping the nosferatu, protecting the college students, and trying to outwit Lucifer, Hugh and Lilith's repressed lust comes bursting to the forefront. Already wrought with sexual tension, when these two come together it's positively combustible. Stripping away her demon form and illusions, Hugh burrows deeply within the woman that Lilith has hidden for two thousand years. He rips forth her humanity in such a way that she'll never again be able to hide who and what she truly is: Human. With that being done, of course Lucifer calls in his bargain that Lilith is to take Hugh's life, but Lilith has another plan that's absurd in the extreme. But perhaps a little absurdity is shocking enough to break the bonds of her bargain, save the abducted college students and maybe even close the Gates from Hell to Earth for five hundred years.
I don't believe that any review can convey the sheer epic quality that is DEMON ANGEL. The passage of unimaginable time is depicted clearly with the incredible growth of the novel's characters. Even Hugh's love for Lilith has been shaped by eight hundred years. How does one even describe the evolution of a love that complex? Yet Brook pulls it off and the complexities and the rampant emotions of Hugh and Lilith are captivating.
Lilith's personality resembles the emotionally closed off bad boy heroes that we hussies love so much in romance. First, she's freakin' bad ass! The woman is a serious hardcore superhero in an anti superhero sort of way. She's a woman who cuts herself off from any relationship with a rapier wit and excessive cruelty knowing that one day she may be asked to lead them into temptation. Gentleness is not a highly prized attribute of hers but with Hugh, she is someone that no one else is allowed to see. Even after she's made tentative friends, she cares naught but for Hugh.
The romance in DEMON ANGEL ranged from brutally tragic to fearsome and combustible. Both Hugh and Lilith are adrenalin junkies and their lust for one another is ramped sky high with each brush with death but they're also able to slow it down and luxuriate in each other's embrace. What Brook did with DEMON ANGEL is unlike anything that I've read before or since. Her world is amazingly intense and complex yet its also broken up with laugh out loud moments and passionate love affairs.
There is only one aspect of DEMON ANGEL that dragged down the experience a bit. In some instances the happenings are just too complex and Brook looses the flow of the novel from time to time. Occasionally I had to stop and re-read sections to better understand the characters and their motivations. Truthfully, I think that the themes she tackled in DEMON ANGEL were just, for lack of a better word, huge. Good verses evil is never easy to write for the concept is not black and white but rather it's a spectrum of countless shades of gray. Even knowing that though, one can see and appreciate the talent that Brook has and it shines brightly with DEMON ANGEL.
January 21, 2019
3.5 stars.
Brilliant beginning, but the story dragged a lot in the middle, until a spectacular ending.
Brilliant beginning, but the story dragged a lot in the middle, until a spectacular ending.
September 21, 2013
Eh. I actually only got to page 67 and, while it had finally just started to become somewhat more interesting, I'm not sure I want to continue.
It is very well written, smart and stylized. It's just too drawn out in the beginning. I seem to think I know where the story is going, but it is simply taking too long to show me. Not very much action, just a lot of words.
I know there are many others who have said it took them a while to get into the book, and that this is a great tragic love story. I just don't seem to be feeling it at the moment.
Maybe I'm just in a book slump. Maybe I will give this another shot some other time. Maybe.
It is very well written, smart and stylized. It's just too drawn out in the beginning. I seem to think I know where the story is going, but it is simply taking too long to show me. Not very much action, just a lot of words.
I know there are many others who have said it took them a while to get into the book, and that this is a great tragic love story. I just don't seem to be feeling it at the moment.
Maybe I'm just in a book slump. Maybe I will give this another shot some other time. Maybe.
September 23, 2022
3.5 stars. I would die for Lilith.
October 7, 2009
No instant gratification, but still satisfying.
At over four hundred pages, with very small type I might add, and covering a story spanning over eight hundred years, Demon Angel is not your typical quick fix erotic read. It is really two books in one.
The first part, one of the other readers refers to it as a "hundred page prolog", sets the stage and shows the evolution in the relationship between the main characters: Hugh, initially a teenage knight, and Lilith, a demonic temptress and daughter of Lucifer, out to collect souls for her father. Hugh is unpredictable and intriguing to the jaded Lilith and Lilith's wickedness, humor and wisp of hidden vulnerablility captures Hugh. As a side product of foiling Lilith's initial attempt on his soul, Hugh gains immortality and they become adversaries in the battle over humanity -- one on the side of light and the other on the side of darkness. Dueling with words and swords for hundreds of years, until at last Hugh breaks and looses his idealism.
The last part of the book moves more along the lines of typical paranormal romance and finally fulfills its erotic promise, but with more depth and intelligence than is found in typical paranormals. The author manages the romantic and plot elements in a way that increases tension and yet provides a satisfying resolution. This was not an easy read, I had to slow myself down to make sure that I didn't miss important details but it was well worth the effort. I am now off to reread her related shorts in Wild Thing and Hot Spell (The Guardians, Book 1) (The Breed Next Door) (The Countess's Pleasure) (The Blood Kiss)(Falling For Anthony) which, didn't stand alone well when I read them before, but will I think fill in some details in preparation for reading her next book The Guardians: Demon Moon (Book 4) (Berkley Sensation).
At over four hundred pages, with very small type I might add, and covering a story spanning over eight hundred years, Demon Angel is not your typical quick fix erotic read. It is really two books in one.
The first part, one of the other readers refers to it as a "hundred page prolog", sets the stage and shows the evolution in the relationship between the main characters: Hugh, initially a teenage knight, and Lilith, a demonic temptress and daughter of Lucifer, out to collect souls for her father. Hugh is unpredictable and intriguing to the jaded Lilith and Lilith's wickedness, humor and wisp of hidden vulnerablility captures Hugh. As a side product of foiling Lilith's initial attempt on his soul, Hugh gains immortality and they become adversaries in the battle over humanity -- one on the side of light and the other on the side of darkness. Dueling with words and swords for hundreds of years, until at last Hugh breaks and looses his idealism.
The last part of the book moves more along the lines of typical paranormal romance and finally fulfills its erotic promise, but with more depth and intelligence than is found in typical paranormals. The author manages the romantic and plot elements in a way that increases tension and yet provides a satisfying resolution. This was not an easy read, I had to slow myself down to make sure that I didn't miss important details but it was well worth the effort. I am now off to reread her related shorts in Wild Thing and Hot Spell (The Guardians, Book 1) (The Breed Next Door) (The Countess's Pleasure) (The Blood Kiss)(Falling For Anthony) which, didn't stand alone well when I read them before, but will I think fill in some details in preparation for reading her next book The Guardians: Demon Moon (Book 4) (Berkley Sensation).
July 28, 2012
This is the first book in Meljean Brook’s Guardian series. Whew. So much happened in this book that I don’t know how I would begin to summarize it. All I can say is that I am now a complete fangirl of Meljean Brook.
Lilith and Hugh. Hugh and Lilith. Now one of my favorite couples. Hugh was a swoon worthy hero, but Lilith really stole my heart. Lilith was a complete badass. She lied, killed and manipulated pretty much everyone and made no apologies for it. She was insulting, rude and crude. I really liked her. And Hugh never asked her to be any different. Given the choice, he wanted her to stay the exact same. He loved her and her demonish ways. I loved these two together. The chemistry and the banter between the two was perfect. It did take them a long time to finally have sex (BOO!) but when they did... holy hotness. Hugh did admit that even though he was a virgin, he had centuries to imagine what he could do to her. And he delivered. Oh boy, did he deliver.
I did have a few moments where I wasn’t really sure what was happening. I felt like the world building was kind of thrown in my face and when I finally caught on, something else was happening that made me go, “WTH?” If it weren’t for my slight confusion and some parts that I felt were drawn out this would have been 5 stars. I loved the world and loved the characters!
Lilith and Hugh. Hugh and Lilith. Now one of my favorite couples. Hugh was a swoon worthy hero, but Lilith really stole my heart. Lilith was a complete badass. She lied, killed and manipulated pretty much everyone and made no apologies for it. She was insulting, rude and crude. I really liked her. And Hugh never asked her to be any different. Given the choice, he wanted her to stay the exact same. He loved her and her demonish ways. I loved these two together. The chemistry and the banter between the two was perfect. It did take them a long time to finally have sex (BOO!) but when they did... holy hotness. Hugh did admit that even though he was a virgin, he had centuries to imagine what he could do to her. And he delivered. Oh boy, did he deliver.
I did have a few moments where I wasn’t really sure what was happening. I felt like the world building was kind of thrown in my face and when I finally caught on, something else was happening that made me go, “WTH?” If it weren’t for my slight confusion and some parts that I felt were drawn out this would have been 5 stars. I loved the world and loved the characters!
May 12, 2009
This book is explosive in so many ways. If you are a fan of the whole heaven/hell, angel/demon world, you must pick this up! Even though this is considered a romance, men can enjoy this book also because the romance between the two characters is not the most important thing.
The hero Hugh is a 11th century knight and the heroine who is more of the anti-heroine Lillith is a demon who sold her soul to Lucifer. She must take the life of Hugh so she can be free.Through Lillith's actions, Hugh becomes a Guardian in heaven. The story than ranges hundreds of years between the two.
The words and actions used between Hugh and Lillith are so intense and magical. Some of the conversations are hard to understand but overall when you do get the jist, you will be amazed how the author came up with this storyline.
This is not your stereotypical romance. The frontrunner is the war going on between the demons in hell and the guardians in heaven who watch over the humans of earth.
Hugh and Lillith are pawns but try to take matters in their own hands. Hopefully the outcome will be them finally together and not through death and suffering as both have gone through.
For the ones who want an indredible hot romance with a plot to blown your mind, pick this book up.
The hero Hugh is a 11th century knight and the heroine who is more of the anti-heroine Lillith is a demon who sold her soul to Lucifer. She must take the life of Hugh so she can be free.Through Lillith's actions, Hugh becomes a Guardian in heaven. The story than ranges hundreds of years between the two.
The words and actions used between Hugh and Lillith are so intense and magical. Some of the conversations are hard to understand but overall when you do get the jist, you will be amazed how the author came up with this storyline.
This is not your stereotypical romance. The frontrunner is the war going on between the demons in hell and the guardians in heaven who watch over the humans of earth.
Hugh and Lillith are pawns but try to take matters in their own hands. Hopefully the outcome will be them finally together and not through death and suffering as both have gone through.
For the ones who want an indredible hot romance with a plot to blown your mind, pick this book up.
December 19, 2013
One of the sweetest, most loveliest books I have read in a long time.
October 9, 2022
Preface
This book structurally wise is not a walk in the park… I mean, it kind of was, but a very fancy park full of exotic flowers one could only ever dream of identifying by themselves. There is probably a few poisonous ones too.
The two stars are for the first part of this book. It was wonderful, truly. The writing had not yet devolved into a confusing mess and missing patches of information, the longing was up par on all levels.
The author was truly crafting a romantic masterpiece with high stakes and good moral dilemma. Until… that all went away? In a blink of an eye?
I adored seeing them meet again throughout time. When the heroine doomed and saved the hero the first time, I teared up a bit. That was heartbreaking to read, especially when I felt the genuine kindness and understanding emanating through the hero. Do you know how starved I am for kind heroes/heroines that are not doormats and are intelligent? Authors seem to think kindness either equals dumbness or boredom.
Not here! At least not at first. She didn’t make the hero a doormat nor self righteous prick but she did make him a bit weepy and very very nonsensically horny.
(The heroine too! She was awesome and then she was horny).
In the first part the hero was complex. Later when gave up on his 800 mission to find another way; I was shocked. What came after was gut wrenching. I was incredibly emotionally invested and the sucker for happy endings that I am, wished that had been the ending.
A tragedy!
That is how bad it gets. It began so good! So promising! Only to derail 😭. I’m not sure I will ever recover.
Long story short, things did not work for me and I won’t be continuing the series.
————————————————————————————
RATINGS:
Plot : 3 📚📚📚 A good amount of plot.
World Building(Immersion): 2 🌎🌎 Okay, a bit confusing.
Angst : 3.5 👹👹👹💫 Getting kicked.
Funniness: 1.5 🌝💫 Amused.
Scariness: 1 💀 Not really
Romance: 3 💖💖💖 Aw, it was cute.
Spice: 3.5 🌶🌶🌶💫 Blushing potential
Goriness: 3 🫀🫀🫀 Someone died and I got to see what happened.
Sadness: 3.5 🥲🥲🥲💫 Multiple tears.
Overall star rating : 2 ⭐️⭐️ Nothing is okay.
————————————————————————————
This book structurally wise is not a walk in the park… I mean, it kind of was, but a very fancy park full of exotic flowers one could only ever dream of identifying by themselves. There is probably a few poisonous ones too.
The two stars are for the first part of this book. It was wonderful, truly. The writing had not yet devolved into a confusing mess and missing patches of information, the longing was up par on all levels.
The author was truly crafting a romantic masterpiece with high stakes and good moral dilemma. Until… that all went away? In a blink of an eye?
I adored seeing them meet again throughout time. When the heroine doomed and saved the hero the first time, I teared up a bit. That was heartbreaking to read, especially when I felt the genuine kindness and understanding emanating through the hero. Do you know how starved I am for kind heroes/heroines that are not doormats and are intelligent? Authors seem to think kindness either equals dumbness or boredom.
Not here! At least not at first. She didn’t make the hero a doormat nor self righteous prick but she did make him a bit weepy and very very nonsensically horny.
(The heroine too! She was awesome and then she was horny).
In the first part the hero was complex. Later when gave up on his 800 mission to find another way; I was shocked. What came after was gut wrenching. I was incredibly emotionally invested and the sucker for happy endings that I am, wished that had been the ending.
A tragedy!
That is how bad it gets. It began so good! So promising! Only to derail 😭. I’m not sure I will ever recover.
Long story short, things did not work for me and I won’t be continuing the series.
————————————————————————————
RATINGS:
Plot : 3 📚📚📚 A good amount of plot.
World Building(Immersion): 2 🌎🌎 Okay, a bit confusing.
Angst : 3.5 👹👹👹💫 Getting kicked.
Funniness: 1.5 🌝💫 Amused.
Scariness: 1 💀 Not really
Romance: 3 💖💖💖 Aw, it was cute.
Spice: 3.5 🌶🌶🌶💫 Blushing potential
Goriness: 3 🫀🫀🫀 Someone died and I got to see what happened.
Sadness: 3.5 🥲🥲🥲💫 Multiple tears.
Overall star rating : 2 ⭐️⭐️ Nothing is okay.
————————————————————————————
September 5, 2020
It took me a long time to read this. I did start a couple of times and stopped. No idea why.
This is the first in The Guardians series and should present the world and its issues. I can't judge Demon Angel because I've already read a story or two from this world (anthologies) so I'm not sure how well it delivered.
That heroine's features are described as 'bovine' doesn't help, but you get an explanation for her appearance at that particular part of the story .
I'm going to read the rest. This is a complete series.
This is the first in The Guardians series and should present the world and its issues. I can't judge Demon Angel because I've already read a story or two from this world (anthologies) so I'm not sure how well it delivered.
That heroine's features are described as 'bovine' doesn't help, but you get an explanation for her appearance at that particular part of the story .
I'm going to read the rest. This is a complete series.
October 14, 2013
Some of my favorite book buddies pushed me hard toward this series, but I can’t say that I’m sold. I had a really hard time connecting with this story. It had its moments, but there were times I really had to push myself to keep reading. The world-building is interesting and the sex is satisfying, but the pacing is a real problem. There were big chunks that lagged… and the major time jumps in the first third of the book made the story very choppy and kept me from forming any real attachment to the hero or the heroine.
Here’s the setup: Back in really olden times, Hugh was a good an idealistic knight. Lillith, meanwhile, was about a thousand years into her deal with the devil. She was a human-demon hybrid with a mission to hasten the deaths of hellbound souls. And if she could point a good guy down the wrong path, all the better. At first, she sees Hugh as an opportunity to garner another soul for her master, but she quickly becomes taken with the young knight. He doesn’t fall for her tricks, but he also unpredictable and unflappable. When her plans to corrupt him go awry, he actually ends up fighting on Team Angel, as a Guardian.
Thus begins the next 800 years of their bizarre courtship. They are on opposite sides, but there is an undeniable pull between them. It never manifests beyond a little wordplay and few bartered kisses, but the longer they play their game, the more they become truly bound to one another. Until the present day, when Hugh falls from grace and chooses to live out the rest of his mortal life. He tries to free Lillith the only way he knows how, but he really only sets up the final chapter of their battle. Ultimately, she must choose between saving Hugh or her own soul — a tough call for anyone, much less someone so jaded by centuries of service and torture.
Clearly, Meljean Brook has a lot to cover here… not only in the very long running relationship between Hugh and Lillith, but in this vast world of Guardians and Demons. There are also vampires, nosferatu, hellhounds, and some high level badguys all named after some incarnation of the devil. It was hard to keep all the players straight, much less all of their plots and schemes and alternative identities. I got confused more than once. Frankly, I thought the book was too long and too complicated. I lost focus on the romance, which kept me from being very invested.
It wasn’t all bad, though. I liked both the hero and the heroine and believed in their struggles, as well as their true affection for one another. The sexual tension was great and the love scenes were hot. (Virgin Hero alert!) Brook did a good job laying the foundation for future books. Obviously, the vampire Colin’s story is next. I am curious enough to give it a try. I am only hoping that it will be less disjointed with a smaller scope of time and without the need for so much foundation-building.
Rating: C/C-
Here’s the setup: Back in really olden times, Hugh was a good an idealistic knight. Lillith, meanwhile, was about a thousand years into her deal with the devil. She was a human-demon hybrid with a mission to hasten the deaths of hellbound souls. And if she could point a good guy down the wrong path, all the better. At first, she sees Hugh as an opportunity to garner another soul for her master, but she quickly becomes taken with the young knight. He doesn’t fall for her tricks, but he also unpredictable and unflappable. When her plans to corrupt him go awry, he actually ends up fighting on Team Angel, as a Guardian.
Thus begins the next 800 years of their bizarre courtship. They are on opposite sides, but there is an undeniable pull between them. It never manifests beyond a little wordplay and few bartered kisses, but the longer they play their game, the more they become truly bound to one another. Until the present day, when Hugh falls from grace and chooses to live out the rest of his mortal life. He tries to free Lillith the only way he knows how, but he really only sets up the final chapter of their battle. Ultimately, she must choose between saving Hugh or her own soul — a tough call for anyone, much less someone so jaded by centuries of service and torture.
Clearly, Meljean Brook has a lot to cover here… not only in the very long running relationship between Hugh and Lillith, but in this vast world of Guardians and Demons. There are also vampires, nosferatu, hellhounds, and some high level badguys all named after some incarnation of the devil. It was hard to keep all the players straight, much less all of their plots and schemes and alternative identities. I got confused more than once. Frankly, I thought the book was too long and too complicated. I lost focus on the romance, which kept me from being very invested.
It wasn’t all bad, though. I liked both the hero and the heroine and believed in their struggles, as well as their true affection for one another. The sexual tension was great and the love scenes were hot. (Virgin Hero alert!) Brook did a good job laying the foundation for future books. Obviously, the vampire Colin’s story is next. I am curious enough to give it a try. I am only hoping that it will be less disjointed with a smaller scope of time and without the need for so much foundation-building.
Rating: C/C-
February 5, 2010
Just finished Demon Angel by Meljean Brook (The Guardians, Book 1) which I give 4 stars. Because I'm feeling lazy today, here's the blurb from the back of the book:
"For two thousand years, Lilith wrought vengeance upon the evil and the damned, gathering souls for her father's armies Below and proving her fealty to her Underworld liege. Half-demon, half-human, bound by a bargain with the devil, and forbidden to feel pleasure, she draws upon her dark powers and serpentine grace to lead men into temptation. That is, until she faces her greatest temptation - Heaven's own Sir Hugh Castleford.
Once a knight and now a Guardian Hugh spent centuries battling demons - and the cursed, blood-drinking nosferatu. His purpose has always been to thwart the demon Lilith, even as he battles his treacherous hunger for her. But when a deadly alliance unleashes a threat to both humans and Guardians in modern-day San Francisco, angel and demon must fight together against unholy evil - and against a desire that has been too long denied. . . "
Overall I liked this book. It was a good story, but it took a long time getting there. The first 97 pages of this 412 page book takes place in the past in snippet scenes that introduce you to Lilith & Hugh and explain how Hugh becomes a Guardian and how they then dance around each other for 800+ years. On page 98 you finally get into the meat of the story. I'm not saying these first 97 pages are a waste - I actually enjoyed them a lot, but feel that they should have been either their own short story prequel, or included into the main storyline as flashbacks to condense things a bit. The rest of the story is a bit . . . breathy . . . as well, with long descriptive passages and not enough action through the first half. I learned to skim over the (ahem) boring parts at the end.
I do think I'll pick up the second book, though, as I liked those particular characters in this book and have hopes that the author will tighten up her prose a bit.
"For two thousand years, Lilith wrought vengeance upon the evil and the damned, gathering souls for her father's armies Below and proving her fealty to her Underworld liege. Half-demon, half-human, bound by a bargain with the devil, and forbidden to feel pleasure, she draws upon her dark powers and serpentine grace to lead men into temptation. That is, until she faces her greatest temptation - Heaven's own Sir Hugh Castleford.
Once a knight and now a Guardian Hugh spent centuries battling demons - and the cursed, blood-drinking nosferatu. His purpose has always been to thwart the demon Lilith, even as he battles his treacherous hunger for her. But when a deadly alliance unleashes a threat to both humans and Guardians in modern-day San Francisco, angel and demon must fight together against unholy evil - and against a desire that has been too long denied. . . "
Overall I liked this book. It was a good story, but it took a long time getting there. The first 97 pages of this 412 page book takes place in the past in snippet scenes that introduce you to Lilith & Hugh and explain how Hugh becomes a Guardian and how they then dance around each other for 800+ years. On page 98 you finally get into the meat of the story. I'm not saying these first 97 pages are a waste - I actually enjoyed them a lot, but feel that they should have been either their own short story prequel, or included into the main storyline as flashbacks to condense things a bit. The rest of the story is a bit . . . breathy . . . as well, with long descriptive passages and not enough action through the first half. I learned to skim over the (ahem) boring parts at the end.
I do think I'll pick up the second book, though, as I liked those particular characters in this book and have hopes that the author will tighten up her prose a bit.
February 9, 2013
In a very ambitious first novel, Brook pulls off most of the things I suspect she set out to achieve. She has created a fascinating, complicated world and peopled it with equally fascinating characters.
Readers briefly met Lilith and Hugh in Brook's entry in the "Hot Spell" anthology. Here, their history is fleshed out in a series of short pieces that bring us up to the current day, where the main story begins.
Lilith is a demon bound to tempt humans to their own destruction; Hugh is a Guardian, bound to protect those same humans from the likes of Lilith. For all that, there is something between them from the first time they met when Hugh is still human, a naive 17 year old in the reign of King John with an innocence Lilith is sent to destroy. He in turn becomes determined to save her soul.
Eight hundred years later, Hugh is no longer a Guardian and Lilith is bound to kill him. None of this makes an easy beginning for a love story, but Brook crafts a lovely one here.
There are first time author problems in this book, mostly in pacing and clarity. Sometimes I struggled to be sure just what was going on - especially with all the bargains and wagers and complicated motivations floating around - and I remain unsure if that was my lack of understanding or the auhtor's lack of clarity. I expect the truth lies somewhere in between.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and I know I'll be buying more of Brook's work in future.
[Copied across from Library Thing; 9 February 2013]
Readers briefly met Lilith and Hugh in Brook's entry in the "Hot Spell" anthology. Here, their history is fleshed out in a series of short pieces that bring us up to the current day, where the main story begins.
Lilith is a demon bound to tempt humans to their own destruction; Hugh is a Guardian, bound to protect those same humans from the likes of Lilith. For all that, there is something between them from the first time they met when Hugh is still human, a naive 17 year old in the reign of King John with an innocence Lilith is sent to destroy. He in turn becomes determined to save her soul.
Eight hundred years later, Hugh is no longer a Guardian and Lilith is bound to kill him. None of this makes an easy beginning for a love story, but Brook crafts a lovely one here.
There are first time author problems in this book, mostly in pacing and clarity. Sometimes I struggled to be sure just what was going on - especially with all the bargains and wagers and complicated motivations floating around - and I remain unsure if that was my lack of understanding or the auhtor's lack of clarity. I expect the truth lies somewhere in between.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and I know I'll be buying more of Brook's work in future.
[Copied across from Library Thing; 9 February 2013]
June 6, 2010
I was totally hooked to this book for the the first half of it. A demon woman gets involved with a knight during a mission but ends up saving his life with deadly consequences to it. The knight becomes a Guardian, a group of men and women with angelic powers who are tasked with helping the innocent from Lucifer's clutches. From then on they meet sporadically through time and a rivalry develops but becomes something more. It's fairly more complicated than that but you get the idea. However, after the first half I became a bit... bored. It seemed to not quite capture my interest as much when it turned into the modern era and they play cat and mouse for ages before they admit their feelings. It also seemed to lose most of the tension built up earlier in the book. I wanted that to continue or get some sort of resolution but it all seemed to fizzle out for me. On the plus side though, even with my complaints, the characters were interesting, especially during the first half, and the universe was built up well, if not the most unique I've ever read about. In the end I'd like to read more by the author but I'm hoping they are better as they going along.
January 26, 2016
This was a really good book. Tho at times there was a lot of info and had to reread pages. I loved the world that was built around Hugh and Lilith and their 800 year love. The ending picked up and overall I enjoyed it. Makes me want to continue on to the next book. The way that Meljean Brook described the angels/guardians and the demons was refreshing.
August 31, 2011
This review was originally published on Musing of a Bookworm
The first in The Guardian series (not including the novella Falling for Anthony), Demon Angel introduces a reader to the War between Heaven and Hell over earth and the souls of the humans living on it.
The tale starts in Medieval England with a young knight, Sir Hugh. On his way home from two years protecting his Lords child bride in France, he meets Lilith at some roman ruins close to his destination after investigating a mysterious flash of movement. There is an instant attraction between them, though they both fight it. Lilith because she is bound by a bargain with Lucifer and part demon, Hugh fights because it goes against his morals and code of conduct.
Hugh discovers Lilith is a demon when he sees her turn to attack his mentor, Sir George and then has the truth revealed to him about Angels, Demons and Guardians. Hugh’s mentor is actually the leader of The Guardians, Michael. When Hugh dies while protecting another from a Demon’s influence, Michael makes him a Guardian to continue to protect mankind from evil influences.
After Hugh becomes a Guardian, he and Lilith spend hundreds of years fighting each other, fighting evil and fighting their sexual attraction for each other.
Now in present day San Francisco, they must fight together to avert the turning of the war and ultimate evil. I won’t go anyfurther in the story line, because I would hate to destroy the twists and surprices. Lets just say that there is love lost, guilt, punishment, unlikely friendships, love rediscovered, forgiveness, symbols to be decifered, lies, truth, betrayal and trust.
I have to say, I am a HUGE fan of Meljean Brook’s series. The world is so detailed and has very defined rules that allow the reader to become submerged in the storyline and the characters.
And what great characters. Lilith has to be a favourite of mine. She is smart, sassy, strong and sarcastic (a lot of “S” words). The best part is that Brook is able to show this side of the character but still include the humanizing vulnerabilities. Lilith is totally badass but also very easy to identify with.
Brook again uses dual personality with her hero, Hugh. Hugh’s vulnerabilities are also his strengths. He’s need to help Lilith and moral compass are his motivation, which seem to make him soft but his centre is toughened steel. He has the strength to hold up Lilith when she needs support and deny himself what his heart desires (and his body!).
Colin is as vain as they come. He bemoans the cost of feeding Lilith’s dog but does not hesitate to spend a fortune on clothes. The sparing between Lilith and Colin is hilarious, empty threats and sarcastic flattery. It is witty, clever and tinged with their loving friendship.
However, my most favourite character in this book is a sideline character – and he isn’t human. Sir Pup is a Hellhound. Brook imbues Pup with such human emotions and responses. I often laugh out loud at his antics. Yesterday I found this image and it immediately brought this character to mind!
The love scenes are masterfully written. They are strong but loving. INCREDIBLY HOT. My Lord, are they hot. My husband found me to be quiet inspired while reading this book!
Favourite Quotes from Demon Angel
Colin:
”Savitri Murray. What a delightfully mixed-up ethnicity you must have, and how delightfully foxed you must be to ring the wrong number at four in the morning. I must confess, I love nothing so much as exotic women who drink excessively.”
“Beautiful? Sartorially exquisite? Witty? Aye, creatures such as I are a menace indeed.”
Savi:
“And now that I know you have ninja skills, I definitely don’t want you to be a psychopath.”
Savi stood by Hugh, her head at the level of his shoulder. “He’s very handsome,” she murmured in Hindi. Colin glanced up, but the rapacious pleasure in his gaze turned to something painfully beleaguered when she added, “It’s too bad he’s gay.”
Lilith:
“If anyone but me knocks at your door, use it.” Pausing, she reconsidered. After their confrontation in the park, Hugh might seek out the vampire. “Unless it is He-Who-Shall-Not- Be-Named.”….. “Voldemort?”
The hellhound gave an inquiring whine; Lilith glanced at him and shook her head. “You can’t eat her. We may need her later. No. Not even one bite.” She grinned at Colin, whose face had paled. “Obedience training. I don’t want him to forget he can’t eat human-shaped things while he’s on Earth.”
Sir Pup waited for her; the odor of the park and Hugh lingered on his fur. He glared at her with four eyes, but refused to look at her at all from his middle head. She grinned. “I meant police officers. You didn’t really think he might be harassed by pigs?” She dumped a pile of dry dog food into the bathtub, promised she’d bring bacon to Colin’s house for his dinner, changed into her suit and ran out the door.
Her eyes gleamed with amusement. “Have you seen what happens if pure hellhound venom gets into a demon? It paralyzes them. Think how easy it would be to pose you for photos then. I’ll probably keep a few for my own enjoyment; you’re both so handsome.”
“I want to be on top,” Hugh said.
She stared at him a moment, then shook her head and burst into laughter. “Good, because we are completely out of condoms.” When he frowned, she said, “Idiot, just because we are settling down you think we want a kid? We already have Colin.”
Hugh choked on his laugh. “Sir Pup. Savi.”
“We are doomed,” Michael said and disappeared.
Hugh:
She quickly wound her hair into a coil. “Can I drive?”
“Not a chance.” He slung his leg over the back of the bike, patted the seat behind him. “I’ve seen you fly.”
Hugh slanted an amused glance down at Sir Pup. “Why is it that she’s so determined to put me in a sexual situation with another man?” He caught her look and raised a brow. “I’ll do it, if it makes you happy.”
“Michael said the same thing: that there is naught to do but fight,” he said, and laughed when she made a sound of dismay. She closed her eyes, grateful he’d let her escape into humor. “Shit. The next time I sound like him, stab me.”
Demon Angel is a fabulous book with intensive characters and some sizzling love scenes. Easily one of my favourite authors, reading any of Meljean’s novels is well worth the time and money well spent.
The first in The Guardian series (not including the novella Falling for Anthony), Demon Angel introduces a reader to the War between Heaven and Hell over earth and the souls of the humans living on it.
The tale starts in Medieval England with a young knight, Sir Hugh. On his way home from two years protecting his Lords child bride in France, he meets Lilith at some roman ruins close to his destination after investigating a mysterious flash of movement. There is an instant attraction between them, though they both fight it. Lilith because she is bound by a bargain with Lucifer and part demon, Hugh fights because it goes against his morals and code of conduct.
Hugh discovers Lilith is a demon when he sees her turn to attack his mentor, Sir George and then has the truth revealed to him about Angels, Demons and Guardians. Hugh’s mentor is actually the leader of The Guardians, Michael. When Hugh dies while protecting another from a Demon’s influence, Michael makes him a Guardian to continue to protect mankind from evil influences.
After Hugh becomes a Guardian, he and Lilith spend hundreds of years fighting each other, fighting evil and fighting their sexual attraction for each other.
Now in present day San Francisco, they must fight together to avert the turning of the war and ultimate evil. I won’t go anyfurther in the story line, because I would hate to destroy the twists and surprices. Lets just say that there is love lost, guilt, punishment, unlikely friendships, love rediscovered, forgiveness, symbols to be decifered, lies, truth, betrayal and trust.
I have to say, I am a HUGE fan of Meljean Brook’s series. The world is so detailed and has very defined rules that allow the reader to become submerged in the storyline and the characters.
And what great characters. Lilith has to be a favourite of mine. She is smart, sassy, strong and sarcastic (a lot of “S” words). The best part is that Brook is able to show this side of the character but still include the humanizing vulnerabilities. Lilith is totally badass but also very easy to identify with.
Brook again uses dual personality with her hero, Hugh. Hugh’s vulnerabilities are also his strengths. He’s need to help Lilith and moral compass are his motivation, which seem to make him soft but his centre is toughened steel. He has the strength to hold up Lilith when she needs support and deny himself what his heart desires (and his body!).
Colin is as vain as they come. He bemoans the cost of feeding Lilith’s dog but does not hesitate to spend a fortune on clothes. The sparing between Lilith and Colin is hilarious, empty threats and sarcastic flattery. It is witty, clever and tinged with their loving friendship.
However, my most favourite character in this book is a sideline character – and he isn’t human. Sir Pup is a Hellhound. Brook imbues Pup with such human emotions and responses. I often laugh out loud at his antics. Yesterday I found this image and it immediately brought this character to mind!
The love scenes are masterfully written. They are strong but loving. INCREDIBLY HOT. My Lord, are they hot. My husband found me to be quiet inspired while reading this book!
Favourite Quotes from Demon Angel
Colin:
”Savitri Murray. What a delightfully mixed-up ethnicity you must have, and how delightfully foxed you must be to ring the wrong number at four in the morning. I must confess, I love nothing so much as exotic women who drink excessively.”
“Beautiful? Sartorially exquisite? Witty? Aye, creatures such as I are a menace indeed.”
Savi:
“And now that I know you have ninja skills, I definitely don’t want you to be a psychopath.”
Savi stood by Hugh, her head at the level of his shoulder. “He’s very handsome,” she murmured in Hindi. Colin glanced up, but the rapacious pleasure in his gaze turned to something painfully beleaguered when she added, “It’s too bad he’s gay.”
Lilith:
“If anyone but me knocks at your door, use it.” Pausing, she reconsidered. After their confrontation in the park, Hugh might seek out the vampire. “Unless it is He-Who-Shall-Not- Be-Named.”….. “Voldemort?”
The hellhound gave an inquiring whine; Lilith glanced at him and shook her head. “You can’t eat her. We may need her later. No. Not even one bite.” She grinned at Colin, whose face had paled. “Obedience training. I don’t want him to forget he can’t eat human-shaped things while he’s on Earth.”
Sir Pup waited for her; the odor of the park and Hugh lingered on his fur. He glared at her with four eyes, but refused to look at her at all from his middle head. She grinned. “I meant police officers. You didn’t really think he might be harassed by pigs?” She dumped a pile of dry dog food into the bathtub, promised she’d bring bacon to Colin’s house for his dinner, changed into her suit and ran out the door.
Her eyes gleamed with amusement. “Have you seen what happens if pure hellhound venom gets into a demon? It paralyzes them. Think how easy it would be to pose you for photos then. I’ll probably keep a few for my own enjoyment; you’re both so handsome.”
“I want to be on top,” Hugh said.
She stared at him a moment, then shook her head and burst into laughter. “Good, because we are completely out of condoms.” When he frowned, she said, “Idiot, just because we are settling down you think we want a kid? We already have Colin.”
Hugh choked on his laugh. “Sir Pup. Savi.”
“We are doomed,” Michael said and disappeared.
Hugh:
She quickly wound her hair into a coil. “Can I drive?”
“Not a chance.” He slung his leg over the back of the bike, patted the seat behind him. “I’ve seen you fly.”
Hugh slanted an amused glance down at Sir Pup. “Why is it that she’s so determined to put me in a sexual situation with another man?” He caught her look and raised a brow. “I’ll do it, if it makes you happy.”
“Michael said the same thing: that there is naught to do but fight,” he said, and laughed when she made a sound of dismay. She closed her eyes, grateful he’d let her escape into humor. “Shit. The next time I sound like him, stab me.”
Demon Angel is a fabulous book with intensive characters and some sizzling love scenes. Easily one of my favourite authors, reading any of Meljean’s novels is well worth the time and money well spent.
July 29, 2018
I'm a big fan of two of Meljean Brook's steam punk books that I've read, however this book was excruciatingly slow and long. And boring. And flat.
Read
March 9, 2019DNF
I love this author so much, but I’ve tried for years to get into this book and just can’t. Today I admit defeat. But her Steampunk series? Amazing! I will always fangirl over her steampunk.
I love this author so much, but I’ve tried for years to get into this book and just can’t. Today I admit defeat. But her Steampunk series? Amazing! I will always fangirl over her steampunk.
March 31, 2023
Reread
3/30/22
I enjoyed this a lot more on the reread, obviously a lot of things make more sense now that I'm familiar with the world and not reading quickly to see what happens and in the process idiotically missing vital information. Also I fucking adore Lillith. And the little bits of foreshadowing the author includes that are in turn major reveals in later books...just 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 SO well done. If reading this patiently and possibly with a little background info from the author's website to simplify some things then this is an excellent intro to an amazing series.
Original review
10/11/22
No actual spoilers but this is super long so...
Once upon a time after discovering Milla Vane and finding her other pen name, I went through her backlist (adored her iron seas series) and tried a sample of Demon Angel...and spoiled by the quality of her latest work fresh in my mind, I was impatient and just made it to 10% before putting it down. Now to be fair this being her debut (I think) it ranks far FAR superior to even established and well loved authors that are publishing today. But at the time it was not something I could see.
Now after thirsting for a piece of her writing as I find most authors can't compare, and the restlessness of waiting for A Dance of Smoke and Steel, I finally went back and read the whole thing slowly, pretending it was an author I was unfamiliar with.
And I have to say...
I am impressed.
After reading, I feel this solidly falls in the 3.5 - 4 star range. It's well written, has little to none of the pet peeve's I catch in most other books I read. The characters are unique and fresh, the world building in intricate and interesting, you will be surprised, the book itself is unpredictable which is something I've always loved about this author. She definitely never hits readers over the head over explaining and treating us like idiots. I have to love her for her diverse inclusivity and fleshed out side characters. And the journey the characters go on! The growth?! Also to make consent an important topic before it was mainstream? Extra points for that. There are so many more aspects about this book that I enjoyed and appreciated but after no sleep I am unable to properly write them out. This was also possibly the slowest burn I have ever read and the scenes between the mains were practically vibrating off the page.
I will say that this story takes quite some time establishing the world, and it took a loong loooong way in (maybe 50%?) to really get invested in the story.
And now...
*rubs hands together deviously* I'm almost giddy with the knowledge that I have at least 7 more full length novels to read and at least a few novellas. Though I doubt it'll hold me till May 23 or God willing if I can get an ARC of Ms brook's latest work.
3/30/22
I enjoyed this a lot more on the reread, obviously a lot of things make more sense now that I'm familiar with the world and not reading quickly to see what happens and in the process idiotically missing vital information. Also I fucking adore Lillith. And the little bits of foreshadowing the author includes that are in turn major reveals in later books...just 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 SO well done. If reading this patiently and possibly with a little background info from the author's website to simplify some things then this is an excellent intro to an amazing series.
Original review
10/11/22
No actual spoilers but this is super long so...
Once upon a time after discovering Milla Vane and finding her other pen name, I went through her backlist (adored her iron seas series) and tried a sample of Demon Angel...and spoiled by the quality of her latest work fresh in my mind, I was impatient and just made it to 10% before putting it down. Now to be fair this being her debut (I think) it ranks far FAR superior to even established and well loved authors that are publishing today. But at the time it was not something I could see.
Now after thirsting for a piece of her writing as I find most authors can't compare, and the restlessness of waiting for A Dance of Smoke and Steel, I finally went back and read the whole thing slowly, pretending it was an author I was unfamiliar with.
And I have to say...
I am impressed.
After reading, I feel this solidly falls in the 3.5 - 4 star range. It's well written, has little to none of the pet peeve's I catch in most other books I read. The characters are unique and fresh, the world building in intricate and interesting, you will be surprised, the book itself is unpredictable which is something I've always loved about this author. She definitely never hits readers over the head over explaining and treating us like idiots. I have to love her for her diverse inclusivity and fleshed out side characters. And the journey the characters go on! The growth?! Also to make consent an important topic before it was mainstream? Extra points for that. There are so many more aspects about this book that I enjoyed and appreciated but after no sleep I am unable to properly write them out. This was also possibly the slowest burn I have ever read and the scenes between the mains were practically vibrating off the page.
I will say that this story takes quite some time establishing the world, and it took a loong loooong way in (maybe 50%?) to really get invested in the story.
And now...
*rubs hands together deviously* I'm almost giddy with the knowledge that I have at least 7 more full length novels to read and at least a few novellas. Though I doubt it'll hold me till May 23 or God willing if I can get an ARC of Ms brook's latest work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2009
I had really high hopes for this book, having heard such great things about this writer. Alas, I find that it took me forever to get through; I just did not like the story. Here I'll run down the positive and negative things about it.
On the positive side, I think Brook has a terrific imagination and she obviously put a ton of it into the building of a complex world. She takes great care in creating a story over time -- eight centuries to be exact -- that is designed to make the reader feel fully invested in the characters and their journey. And as a scholar of sixteenth and seventeenth century English literature, I have to love the references to Christopher Marlowe, John Donne, and most especially John Milton.
Unfortunately, I found myself completely lost for much of the story. I got the overall arc of it, but the author has a habit of throwing out tons of extraneous details, cryptic conversations, and hints that distracted from the main plotline. I understand the need for a slow reveal to create suspense, but I felt I did not have enough context for these details to be meaningful -- simply annoying and distracting. Now, to be fair, I had not read the story that precedes this novel in the series; perhaps that would help. But the author claims on her website that the books can be read out of order. I might beg to differ.
As for the characters, I did not feel particularly attached to them. The heroine, Lilith, seems lacking in any redeeming qualities and thus I could not understand Hugh's desire to "save" her. The sex was reasonably good, with a couple of perhaps unintentional laughs: an encounter on a motorcycle that made no physical sense whatsoever, as well as the fact that we're asked to believe that the 800-year-old Hugh is a virgin ... who nonetheless expertly knows what to do with a woman's body.
Overall, I respect Brook as a writer -- her skill and her inspiration are very evident here. This, and the fact that I may have had a better experience had I read the first story, make me give the book three stars. I did like the characters of Savi and Colin; they are much more interesting personalities than Lilith and Hugh. For that reason, I'll probably read Demon Moon in the future -- but it will take the summoning of much patience, if the execution of their story is as long and baffling as this one was.
On the positive side, I think Brook has a terrific imagination and she obviously put a ton of it into the building of a complex world. She takes great care in creating a story over time -- eight centuries to be exact -- that is designed to make the reader feel fully invested in the characters and their journey. And as a scholar of sixteenth and seventeenth century English literature, I have to love the references to Christopher Marlowe, John Donne, and most especially John Milton.
Unfortunately, I found myself completely lost for much of the story. I got the overall arc of it, but the author has a habit of throwing out tons of extraneous details, cryptic conversations, and hints that distracted from the main plotline. I understand the need for a slow reveal to create suspense, but I felt I did not have enough context for these details to be meaningful -- simply annoying and distracting. Now, to be fair, I had not read the story that precedes this novel in the series; perhaps that would help. But the author claims on her website that the books can be read out of order. I might beg to differ.
As for the characters, I did not feel particularly attached to them. The heroine, Lilith, seems lacking in any redeeming qualities and thus I could not understand Hugh's desire to "save" her. The sex was reasonably good, with a couple of perhaps unintentional laughs: an encounter on a motorcycle that made no physical sense whatsoever, as well as the fact that we're asked to believe that the 800-year-old Hugh is a virgin ... who nonetheless expertly knows what to do with a woman's body.
Overall, I respect Brook as a writer -- her skill and her inspiration are very evident here. This, and the fact that I may have had a better experience had I read the first story, make me give the book three stars. I did like the characters of Savi and Colin; they are much more interesting personalities than Lilith and Hugh. For that reason, I'll probably read Demon Moon in the future -- but it will take the summoning of much patience, if the execution of their story is as long and baffling as this one was.
February 3, 2011
This was a seriously good romance. I am not sure if I have ever read a romance that was quite so... romantic. The premise is she's a demon, he's a "guardian" (quasi-angel), they are secretly obsessed with each other but fight for close to a millenia because that is their nature. And then, circumstances change and... you get the picture.
So many things about this book are classic romance. The tension, the anticipation, the insurmountable obstacles, the tortured lovers. But they are very, very well done. The characters are very integrated into the world Brook has built. There are some holes, or at least vague spots, in this world for me. It does not hold the same level of fascination I have for her "Iron Duke" world. But it has substance, and most importantly, the characters are strongly connected to it, are defined within it. And they make it real. So, insurmountable obstacles... try being forced to bargain with the Devil... choose your soul or your lover's life... kind of puts other more conventional romantic premises to shame in the tortured lover department. So many many points for building the tension and making me grind my teeth to see how they could ever get out of it!
The characters are outstanding. Brook has a knack for this, I think. Lilith is saucy, smart, she can kickass (heck she is a demon!), and she loves Hugh even though she fears it will destroy her. Hugh is righteous, funny, and self-effacing, and loves Lilith enough to sacrifice himself for her. The power of their connection is probably the most remarkable part of the book. How well they know each other, after 800 years, is amazing and yet, it feels real.
I do have a bit of a gripe with this book and that is, some things are implied rather more than explained, to the point where I was not always sure what was going. Don't get me wrong, I like authors that challenge the reader to pay attention and read the fine print. But she really lost me sometimes in this one. Partly in the level of connection between the leads - they obviously inhabited a very real place in her mind, and for the most part, she explained this in great detail and took us there with her. But sometimes I couldn't go with them. I got lost along the way.
The good parts of this book definitely outweigh any unhappiness I had with it. A gripping, intense book and I plan to savor the rest of them.
So many things about this book are classic romance. The tension, the anticipation, the insurmountable obstacles, the tortured lovers. But they are very, very well done. The characters are very integrated into the world Brook has built. There are some holes, or at least vague spots, in this world for me. It does not hold the same level of fascination I have for her "Iron Duke" world. But it has substance, and most importantly, the characters are strongly connected to it, are defined within it. And they make it real. So, insurmountable obstacles... try being forced to bargain with the Devil... choose your soul or your lover's life... kind of puts other more conventional romantic premises to shame in the tortured lover department. So many many points for building the tension and making me grind my teeth to see how they could ever get out of it!
The characters are outstanding. Brook has a knack for this, I think. Lilith is saucy, smart, she can kickass (heck she is a demon!), and she loves Hugh even though she fears it will destroy her. Hugh is righteous, funny, and self-effacing, and loves Lilith enough to sacrifice himself for her. The power of their connection is probably the most remarkable part of the book. How well they know each other, after 800 years, is amazing and yet, it feels real.
I do have a bit of a gripe with this book and that is, some things are implied rather more than explained, to the point where I was not always sure what was going. Don't get me wrong, I like authors that challenge the reader to pay attention and read the fine print. But she really lost me sometimes in this one. Partly in the level of connection between the leads - they obviously inhabited a very real place in her mind, and for the most part, she explained this in great detail and took us there with her. But sometimes I couldn't go with them. I got lost along the way.
The good parts of this book definitely outweigh any unhappiness I had with it. A gripping, intense book and I plan to savor the rest of them.
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