Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Hell is a strangely beautiful city made of chrome and steel populated by demons that move back and forth between earth and their home city called Pandemonium. This is a love story. A love story between broken human boy not so sure about wanting to live and a demon girl who isn’t so sure about living the life expected of her. Daphne is a sort of goth Little Mermaid - a demon daughter of Satan looking longingly at life on earth and wishing she were human - maybe. The plot may be familiar but the telling is unique and entertaining. Brenna Yovanoff is an author to watch.
There's a love story in here, and I know, I know it's not aimed at me, but I can't help feeling that it will disappoint, because it's mostly unnecessary to the plot. Well, I'm clearly not the target audience, and I knew that, but it read to me like the author was occasionally tacking on emotions to otherwise flat characters. The only character with any depth at all is the protagonist, Daphne, and that's possibly because about one in three chapters are from her point of view, first-person. That said, she's interesting enough, in a confused adolescent sort of way.
I also didn't like some of the repetitive phrasing. For instance, early on the phrase "pink, watery blood" (I think) comes up about three times in the space of a couple of pages. It lets down what is otherwise quite smartly written.
Given that, what we have is a reasonable fantasy story in a great setting. The background observations, the scenery and the construction of the demon city are all good. The world Yovanoff builds is better than the sum of its parts.
I also didn't like some of the repetitive phrasing. For instance, early on the phrase "pink, watery blood" (I think) comes up about three times in the space of a couple of pages. It lets down what is otherwise quite smartly written.
Given that, what we have is a reasonable fantasy story in a great setting. The background observations, the scenery and the construction of the demon city are all good. The world Yovanoff builds is better than the sum of its parts.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Spoiler
So, when Beelzebub dies at the end, where does he go? He's already in Hell. Does he just become one of the tormented souls tortured by lesser demons, or what? Clearly, I'm overthinking it, right?
This was a really great story, told through alternating views.
Daphne struggles with her nature, and with the concept of love in all its forms, on her quest to save her brother. Though the character's voice seems detached from emotion, it becomes clear to the reader that she does, in fact, feel. She simply has no way of recognizing it or naming it at first. She is incredibly strong and determined. She needs the help of a man because of his knowledge of a particular subject, not because of his strength. In most ways she is the stronger of the two.
Truman is broken. He first meets Daphne in Pandemonium after a suicide attempt. Haunted by a tragic loss and tormented nightly by nightmares, he can't pull it together. It's only through helping Daphne that he finds peace once more. When we read from Tru's viewpoint, we get to know the depth of his pain and loneliness, and eventually his hope.
There is a terrific cast of secondary characters as well. Be they kind, creepy, or equally lost, they each bring something to the story: friendship, love, sorrow, betrayal, compassion, understanding. Nor is everything black and white with demons and angels, a concept that Truman struggles with at first.
One of the best things about this book are the twists. I can usually spot things a mile off, but there were a couple things that caught me off-guard nonetheless. Something towards the end has also left me thinking. I read several books a week and they can start to blur together, so to still be thinking about elements of one days later is an accomplishment on the writer's part.
I recommend it to all who think it sounds like something they'd be interested in.
Daphne struggles with her nature, and with the concept of love in all its forms, on her quest to save her brother. Though the character's voice seems detached from emotion, it becomes clear to the reader that she does, in fact, feel. She simply has no way of recognizing it or naming it at first. She is incredibly strong and determined. She needs the help of a man because of his knowledge of a particular subject, not because of his strength. In most ways she is the stronger of the two.
Truman is broken. He first meets Daphne in Pandemonium after a suicide attempt. Haunted by a tragic loss and tormented nightly by nightmares, he can't pull it together. It's only through helping Daphne that he finds peace once more. When we read from Tru's viewpoint, we get to know the depth of his pain and loneliness, and eventually his hope.
There is a terrific cast of secondary characters as well. Be they kind, creepy, or equally lost, they each bring something to the story: friendship, love, sorrow, betrayal, compassion, understanding. Nor is everything black and white with demons and angels, a concept that Truman struggles with at first.
One of the best things about this book are the twists. I can usually spot things a mile off, but there were a couple things that caught me off-guard nonetheless. Something towards the end has also left me thinking. I read several books a week and they can start to blur together, so to still be thinking about elements of one days later is an accomplishment on the writer's part.
I recommend it to all who think it sounds like something they'd be interested in.
This book started off with real potential of being rated 4 stars. The premise is based on mythology and was very interesting and strange and new feeling. By the end though many of the plots faltered and I felt that some of the story lines were dropped without explanation or climax. I do have to say that it was well written and a very compelling story and I enjoyed myself the whole time!
I really enjoy books with the angel/demon theme and Yovanoff did not disappoint. I thought her book, The Replacement, was phenomenal, so I was very keen to read this one. When the daughter of Lucifer, Daphne, is forced to go to the earth realm to find her brother, she clearly needs help. She begs the assistance of Truman, a young suicidal and damaged man, who is at the centre of something very strange. Stalked by terrifying archangels, they literally race against time. Along the way, Daphne learns that there are parts of her that are not evil and Truman learns that maybe his life isn't a total screw up. A hint of romance, biblical lore and great dialogue made this book a winner for me.
Yovanoff's writing is captivating - even if the angels & demons subject matter is never going to be the most interesting thing in the world to me as a reader
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes