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shomarq's review
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
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!
jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting to read Brook's first fiction effort, and to see how far she's come as a storyteller (as well as the hints of innovation and feminism that would come to characterize her later, more polished works).
sarawackadoo's review against another edition
3.0
I did enjoy it but the book seemed to drag on and on. The tension, playful and otherwise, between Lilith and Hugh was very engaging. Unfortunately I got to a point where I just wanted the book to be over, about halfway through, and finishing the book was a bit of a chore.
pamgodwin's review against another edition
5.0
I wish she'd update her cover art, because it doesn't do these books justice. Brook's depiction of heaven and hell, demons and angels, twist up tradition. The character cast is extraordinary (You're such a b1tch, Lilith. I love you!) and I'm losing sleep waiting for the release of the last book. How will she save the ultimate Guardian, and the world? This review applies to all of the following:
Hot Spell (anthology)
Demon Angel
Demon Moon
Demon Night
Demon Bound
Demon Forged
Demon Blood
Demon Marked
Hot Spell (anthology)
Demon Angel
Demon Moon
Demon Night
Demon Bound
Demon Forged
Demon Blood
Demon Marked
ginating's review against another edition
3.0
It started off really good...then dragged a bit for me. That's not to say it wasn't good...I already have the second book and hope that it doesn't disappoint.
claire_loves_books's review against another edition
3.0
I did like this but I found Lilith and Hugh's relationship way to angsty for me to really enjoy it. I also found the writing style a confusing in places- at the beginning when we were skipping forward through 800 years it was fairly straight forward, but once we reached the present timeline there seem to be a lot of flashbacks and jumping about with the POV.
nelsonseye's review
4.0
Rounded up from 3.5 stars. A slow read (for me) but well developed leads and secondary characters.
seeinghowitgoes's review against another edition
4.0
Ah what the heck! lol
I picked up the Guardian series based on the strength of Meljean Brook's later writing in the Iron Duke series. After the initial confusion of time shifting, character introductions, and general exposition things picked it up a notch as Lilith and Hugh finally meet in modern day times.
And proceeded to the burn the hell out of my kindle. Smoking hot is probably the best way I could put this. It's an old story with enough twists and it's most likely sucked me into reading the rest of the series.
I picked up the Guardian series based on the strength of Meljean Brook's later writing in the Iron Duke series. After the initial confusion of time shifting, character introductions, and general exposition things picked it up a notch as Lilith and Hugh finally meet in modern day times.
And proceeded to the burn the hell out of my kindle. Smoking hot is probably the best way I could put this. It's an old story with enough twists and it's most likely sucked me into reading the rest of the series.