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squirrelsohno's review against another edition
3.0
Let me start by saying I'm actually giving this book a 3.5/5, but since it won't do half, I'll just round it down. Working for the Devil is an intriguing book and you can't deny that the author has an interesting premise on her hands. The problem I had with it was because the author went too in depth into the lore of the land, so you might say. There was so much information that everything became muddled and mixed up. I constantly found myself turning back the pages trying to catch something again that I found myself unable to understand, and the influx of new information constantly overloaded my senses after awhile. There was too much in my opinion to keep up with, and certain characters (although there were not that many) started blending together and getting lost in the mayhem of the book.
But as I said before, Saintcrow has an interesting concept on her hands, and I will definitely give her props for that. She's crafted an interesting and well plotted world along with characters that are interesting (however, many could use some increased characterization - a few seemed like dolls, and I never understood Japhrimel's real motivation besides "freedom!" but if there was back story why he wanted it I don't know). Dante was well written, but she could stand to have some more information and explanation in the further books. I hope they will get to this.
It was fast paced and exciting, which overcame a lot of the muddled and confusing aspects of the book. I will read the next in the series even though I have heard bad things about it from my friends. I want to know what happens next I must say.
But as I said before, Saintcrow has an interesting concept on her hands, and I will definitely give her props for that. She's crafted an interesting and well plotted world along with characters that are interesting (however, many could use some increased characterization - a few seemed like dolls, and I never understood Japhrimel's real motivation besides "freedom!" but if there was back story why he wanted it I don't know). Dante was well written, but she could stand to have some more information and explanation in the further books. I hope they will get to this.
It was fast paced and exciting, which overcame a lot of the muddled and confusing aspects of the book. I will read the next in the series even though I have heard bad things about it from my friends. I want to know what happens next I must say.
stacis16's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a little back and forth on whether this book should get a 3 or 4 star review. I've given it 4 right now, but that may change. Dante Valentine is a talented Necromance. She's able to bring a dead spirit back to converse. She is tasked by the Devil himslef with finding a missing demon from Hell who stole something very important to the Devil.
The book starts off right away with Dante being summoned to Hell. Saintcrow does little in way of giving specific background information on the world. The reader basically has to learn new things as Dante goes about her business. There is little explanation. The same goes for the characterization. The story is told first person in Dante's (Danny's) point of view. there isn't long exposition into Dante's life. Instead we get little snippets of flashbacks into Danny's past in order to fill in the blanks of everything she's been through.
In part, this is a good method to use to tell the story, but I found myself sometimes confused as to the terminology. This book / series does take place in Saint City, a city in the future. We never find out if it's a future America or where it's supposed to be. There's also a lot of new technology that we only learn about through it's use in the story.
Something that made this book difficult to sit down and read was Danny's attitude. She just seemed very angry all the time and not knowing her background before the story proper started there was no connection to her feelings. So I couldn't relate to why she was so angry and it made her come across as bitchy.
Japh was a good hero, but I wish things with him and Danny would have developed slower. I think they spent most of the book circling around each other not really knowing what to think and then suddenly there's this attachment. It wasn't completely unexpected, but I think it happened too quickly. But I will say, with the way things ended in this book, I think we'll have a little bit more introspection into Danny's feelings for Japh.
Lilith Saintcrow did create a very unique and interesting world with Dante Valentine. I look forward to continuing the series and can only hope that Danny grows as the story progresses. Until Then!
The book starts off right away with Dante being summoned to Hell. Saintcrow does little in way of giving specific background information on the world. The reader basically has to learn new things as Dante goes about her business. There is little explanation. The same goes for the characterization. The story is told first person in Dante's (Danny's) point of view. there isn't long exposition into Dante's life. Instead we get little snippets of flashbacks into Danny's past in order to fill in the blanks of everything she's been through.
In part, this is a good method to use to tell the story, but I found myself sometimes confused as to the terminology. This book / series does take place in Saint City, a city in the future. We never find out if it's a future America or where it's supposed to be. There's also a lot of new technology that we only learn about through it's use in the story.
Something that made this book difficult to sit down and read was Danny's attitude. She just seemed very angry all the time and not knowing her background before the story proper started there was no connection to her feelings. So I couldn't relate to why she was so angry and it made her come across as bitchy.
Japh was a good hero, but I wish things with him and Danny would have developed slower. I think they spent most of the book circling around each other not really knowing what to think and then suddenly there's this attachment. It wasn't completely unexpected, but I think it happened too quickly. But I will say, with the way things ended in this book, I think we'll have a little bit more introspection into Danny's feelings for Japh.
Lilith Saintcrow did create a very unique and interesting world with Dante Valentine. I look forward to continuing the series and can only hope that Danny grows as the story progresses. Until Then!
berls's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mamap's review against another edition
2.0
R-rated for language.
Alternate future world when demons rule and a necromancer is a normal part of the psion world.
I like her. She has spunk.
Alternate future world when demons rule and a necromancer is a normal part of the psion world.
I like her. She has spunk.
amber1989's review against another edition
I have dfn'd this just because I just can't be bothered with it right now. It just seems too complicated for what it is. I might come back to at some point but I doubt it
b33dubs's review against another edition
5.0
Dystopian, futuristic world full of magic and devious demonic plots? Hell, yes!
claire_loves_books's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this; the world was new, exciting and well build, the characters were fun and it was well written.
There was a lot of made-up names and I don't really know exactly how it was organised but a lot of the names were similar enough to real names that it didn't feel totally confusing and it didn't really impact the story that much so I didn't really mind that much.
There was a lot of made-up names and I don't really know exactly how it was organised but a lot of the names were similar enough to real names that it didn't feel totally confusing and it didn't really impact the story that much so I didn't really mind that much.
danidoll91's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Dante and I loved the world in this book. There are a few moments where you don't quite understand a reference or a saying used in the novel but be patient all is revealed later and the book is worth it.
someonetookit's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
So this was a nostalgia read because I read it 15 years ago when it first came out. I didn't remember half the plot and am pretty sure I thought this was a Laurel K Hamilton novel and vise versa about The Laughing Circus.
If you like urban fantasy from its golden era give it a go. And yes I'm going to finish all 5 of these because why not
So this was a nostalgia read because I read it 15 years ago when it first came out. I didn't remember half the plot and am pretty sure I thought this was a Laurel K Hamilton novel and vise versa about The Laughing Circus.
If you like urban fantasy from its golden era give it a go. And yes I'm going to finish all 5 of these because why not