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4.4 AVERAGE
4.4 AVERAGE
THIS SERIES IS EVERYTHING TO ME!!! There was not a single moment of this book that I wasn’t on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, and sweating profusely. This book picked up right where the last one left off, so we were thrown into crazy situations IMMEDIATELY. I literally will not know peace until this series is finished.
I genuinely love all of these characters so much. Darien Cassel is forever THE book boyfriend. Loren is such a sweet angel baby, and I love that the author didn’t feel the need to turn her into a fighter. She’s soft but has her own strengths, and I love that. The Roman/Shay romance was INCREDIBLE in this book with so much yearning and tension. I absolutely love them. All of the other characters all hold such a special place in my heart too. The found family in this series is everything. And a character that really surprised me and warmed my heart? Roark Bright.
The plot in this is genuinely so good and so unique. I’m just as invested in the plot as I am in the characters’ relationships. This world is so intricate and has such strong world building.
Anyways, no one talk to me until the next book is released.
I genuinely love all of these characters so much. Darien Cassel is forever THE book boyfriend. Loren is such a sweet angel baby, and I love that the author didn’t feel the need to turn her into a fighter. She’s soft but has her own strengths, and I love that. The Roman/Shay romance was INCREDIBLE in this book with so much yearning and tension. I absolutely love them. All of the other characters all hold such a special place in my heart too. The found family in this series is everything. And a character that really surprised me and warmed my heart? Roark Bright.
The plot in this is genuinely so good and so unique. I’m just as invested in the plot as I am in the characters’ relationships. This world is so intricate and has such strong world building.
Anyways, no one talk to me until the next book is released.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I have no coherent thoughts yet I’m too busy crying over this
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
I love this series so much and it was so fun to see all my favourite characters again! This book was so action packed and set up the next big fight for the Devils and I already can’t wait for book 5.
There was so much I really loved and I do think it's a great book within the context of the series, especially for how it sets up the plot and problems of book 5 and possibly 6. However, on it's own, I was left kinda wishing for more and that's why it didn't quite reach 5 stars in my eyes.
Let me start with everything I loved:
1) The book starts immediately after CoLaL and we see everyone trying to find each other and make it out of Yveswich. During those first few chapters we get some Malakai-Loren scenes, and I honestly love their dynamic. They are so funny together!
"You're thinking about that asshole again, aren’t you?"
"I'm always thinking about him. And he's not an asshole."
"He is, actually. He's just not an asshole to you."
"Watch the tone, Tiny Dog - your Rottweiler's not here to bite for you."
"You poked me in the eyeball with your germy penis hand!"
2) I absolutely love Loren and Darien and all I want is for them to be happy, but it was actually very interesting to see them after the 'I tied my life to yours'-fallout. Because the way a couple fights and deals with these difficult subjects is quite telling, so to see them be on such opposite sides while still trying to love each other and make it work was so heartbreaking but also so important. And I think I might've fallen for the two of them even harder (which didn't seem possible to me after the last three books).
"I'm not very good at this whole life thing. Mistakes, though ... I've always been good at those."
"Nice little homecoming we've got going on, hey? We've barely been together for thirty minutes, I'm about to have a Surge, and look at you - you're already crying."
"Be mad if you want to be mad. Hate me if you want to hate me. But with all this fuckery going on outside - I want you with me at all times. Even if we're not talking, you go where I go. Understand?"
"We're not really getting along, are we?"
"No. But I'll always love you. Even on the days when we're upset with each other. And even when you don’t love me back."
"You are my present, my future, and my eternity, Loren."
"My heart has been searching for you my whole life."
3) I also feel like Darien deserves his own mention, because he's really going through it in this one. Not only is he trying to get off of Venom, he also gets into it with Max, and while I hate it for them it's so interesting to see their found family dynamics at work and to see these brothers be at odds.
4) Next thing I was so happy about was the crumbs we got for all the cutest ships. I mean, when is Malakai gonna grow some balls and finally ask Aspen out?
"Hi, Aspen."
"Hi, Malakai."
"Glad to see you're, like, you know - alive."
"Jewels convince you to say that?"
"Aspen, actually. She said I'm a dick for putting everyone in danger, and I kinda like her, so."
Also, Travis is so damn cute. Him just trying to be near Jewels while constantly questioning if she even likes him was so adorable. Also, he deals with Malakai for her which is practically a whole love confession in and of itself.
"Why did you stay? Was it really just because of ... me?"
"I mean ... Yeah. Yeah, I guess."
"You know, I've been thinking... In case we don't make it out of here tomorrow... it would probably be a good idea if I kissed you now."
"Mmm. Just in case?"
"Better to be safe. No regrets, right?"
"No regrets."
We also didn't see a lot of them, but I was still so happy to see some Sabrine - Logan and Dominic- Blue stuff.
And Dallas deciding what she wants for herself and Max just being endlessly supportive and understanding was just so great. We don't really get a lot of stuff with just those two on their own, but the way they're just there for each other, always, even with complicated stuff like Max's sister, is so amazing.
Also, I was so so incredibly happy to get some more Ivy - Jack. I love those two so much and think their relationship is so interesting. Especially with this new side we got to see of Jack, where he's not just the comedic relief but actively missing Ivy. You really got the feeling that half of his soul was left with his wife and I just wanted them to be together again.
5) Roman Devlin. I love this man. I love the way he loves and protects his brothers, the way he has a complicated relationship with Travis but will still always see him as a priority. The way he just wants Shay to be safe (in a mostly dumb way, but he means well, lol.).
And Shayla Cousens? That girl is literally perfection. I mean besides being a badass, the selflessnes? Both in CoLaL and this book she goes out of her way to save people she's known for what, two weeks now? I mean the way she keeps coming for Pax and rescuing him should be enough for Roman to put a ring on it already.
"She's incredible."
"It isn't your job to save me."
"Is it such a crime to try?"
"She's quite the looker, hey?"
"Tell me about it. I can’t stop looking at her."
"I don't see a way out."
"We'll make one."
"You said you love me. Is it true?"
"What would you say if I said yes?"
"I'd say you're a fucking idiot."
"Ouch."
"And I'd say you're too good for me. I'd say I'm a wreck and I have nothing good to offer you. And I'd say that I love you, too."
"You stole my heart, Shay."
"Well, in my defense, I am a thief."
Also, jealous Roman is hilarious! Is it bad that I want more people to hit on Shay just so that Roman can get jealous more? That scene was so funny.
"And this woman here, her name's Taken."
"Jealous, Shadows?"
"Very."
Honestly, I have a place in my heart for all the characters and I would read books about them just hanging out, but by now this is a huge cast and this is sadly also where I see some problems.
1) First of all, the pacing and plot. I'd guess that about the first 45% of the book only cover one single day, which isn't necessarily bad, since a lot is happening and all the different groups experience different things that need to be covered. But it's weird to read a 900 page book and feel like the plot didn't really progress. Yes, we get more insight into the relationships and group dynamics and I actually love character-driven books, but in comparison to the first three books it doesn't feel like we got a lot of new information or progress in regards to the state of the world. We know the Veil needs to be brought back up and the imperator defeated, but that is pretty much the same things we knew at the end of CoLaL. Donavan is still around, the Tricking is still around and overall, besides the group leaving Yveswich, there's not a lot of important new things that happened. All I can think of is that Loren reversed Darien's deal (which I'm both exstatic and worried about, since he doesn't know that yet; it also happens right at the end, so for the most part it's not even an important part of the book), Roman found out Dean's his dad (which doesn't even seem to affect the story that much, unless it'll have more of an impact in book 5?), and there's a new type of the Tricking (which is kind of dropped without much buildup; it does up the stakes a little though). I'm not at all trying to say that this book should've been shorter or wasn't needed, especially since it sets up a lot of things for book 5. All I'm saying is that in comparison to the first three books it doesn't shine as much when it comes to the plot development.
2) Next thing is stakes, and believe me when I say that I absolutely HATE to bring this up. I love these characters and all of them have essential roles that are precious to me. However, in a series where all the characters constantly put their lives in danger, after a while the stakes don't feel that high anymore if nothing ever happens to them. And I really don't want to be saying this, because I want all my loves to be safe, but with a huge cast like this it's realistically kind of inevitable that someone's going to die. And yes, I know that people have gotten hurt and died already (like the Elementals, or whatever happened with Willow and Tamika), but none of those were characters the reader was already invested in. And none of the main characters really grieved any of them either. So emotions-wise none of the deaths/hurts have torn me apart. As I'm writing this I know it’s stupid to ask for this because if anything happens I'm going to be devestated, but so far I haven't actually felt worried about the characters because you just know they're going to be fine, so that kinda takes away from the fully invested reading experience.
3) Lastly, the huge cast of characters brings some challenges with it character-work-wise. I know it’s not easy to flesh out all the characters, but especially with Dominic, Blue, Logan and Sabrine it seems like these characters are just there to help out whenever needed and otherwise don't have anything going on themselves. This also comes through when characters like Tamika and Willow are seemingly just forgotten. Yes, there's an argument to be made that everyone had too much going on to properly process, but if none of the characters seem affected by their supposed friends' disappearance or stabbing, neither will the reader feel affected.
I still really really loved the book though and was devouring it the day it came out. And honestly, any book that makes you read well into the night and then the next morning (what even is sleep?) is obviously a great experience and a must-read, so please do yourselves a favour and start the House of Devils series by Kayla Edwards!
There was so much I really loved and I do think it's a great book within the context of the series, especially for how it sets up the plot and problems of book 5 and possibly 6. However, on it's own, I was left kinda wishing for more and that's why it didn't quite reach 5 stars in my eyes.
Let me start with everything I loved:
"You're thinking about that asshole again, aren’t you?"
"I'm always thinking about him. And he's not an asshole."
"He is, actually. He's just not an asshole to you."
"Watch the tone, Tiny Dog - your Rottweiler's not here to bite for you."
"You poked me in the eyeball with your germy penis hand!"
2) I absolutely love Loren and Darien and all I want is for them to be happy, but it was actually very interesting to see them after the 'I tied my life to yours'-fallout. Because the way a couple fights and deals with these difficult subjects is quite telling, so to see them be on such opposite sides while still trying to love each other and make it work was so heartbreaking but also so important. And I think I might've fallen for the two of them even harder (which didn't seem possible to me after the last three books).
"I'm not very good at this whole life thing. Mistakes, though ... I've always been good at those."
"Nice little homecoming we've got going on, hey? We've barely been together for thirty minutes, I'm about to have a Surge, and look at you - you're already crying."
"Be mad if you want to be mad. Hate me if you want to hate me. But with all this fuckery going on outside - I want you with me at all times. Even if we're not talking, you go where I go. Understand?"
"We're not really getting along, are we?"
"No. But I'll always love you. Even on the days when we're upset with each other. And even when you don’t love me back."
"You are my present, my future, and my eternity, Loren."
"My heart has been searching for you my whole life."
3) I also feel like Darien deserves his own mention, because he's really going through it in this one. Not only is he trying to get off of Venom, he also gets into it with Max, and while I hate it for them it's so interesting to see their found family dynamics at work and to see these brothers be at odds.
4) Next thing I was so happy about was the crumbs we got for all the cutest ships. I mean, when is Malakai gonna grow some balls and finally ask Aspen out?
"Hi, Aspen."
"Hi, Malakai."
"Glad to see you're, like, you know - alive."
"Jewels convince you to say that?"
"Aspen, actually. She said I'm a dick for putting everyone in danger, and I kinda like her, so."
Also, Travis is so damn cute. Him just trying to be near Jewels while constantly questioning if she even likes him was so adorable. Also, he deals with Malakai for her which is practically a whole love confession in and of itself.
"Why did you stay? Was it really just because of ... me?"
"I mean ... Yeah. Yeah, I guess."
"You know, I've been thinking... In case we don't make it out of here tomorrow... it would probably be a good idea if I kissed you now."
"Mmm. Just in case?"
"Better to be safe. No regrets, right?"
"No regrets."
We also didn't see a lot of them, but I was still so happy to see some Sabrine - Logan and Dominic- Blue stuff.
And Dallas deciding what she wants for herself and Max just being endlessly supportive and understanding was just so great. We don't really get a lot of stuff with just those two on their own, but the way they're just there for each other, always, even with complicated stuff like Max's sister, is so amazing.
Also, I was so so incredibly happy to get some more Ivy - Jack. I love those two so much and think their relationship is so interesting. Especially with this new side we got to see of Jack, where he's not just the comedic relief but actively missing Ivy. You really got the feeling that half of his soul was left with his wife and I just wanted them to be together again.
5) Roman Devlin. I love this man. I love the way he loves and protects his brothers, the way he has a complicated relationship with Travis but will still always see him as a priority. The way he just wants Shay to be safe (in a mostly dumb way, but he means well, lol.).
And Shayla Cousens? That girl is literally perfection. I mean besides being a badass, the selflessnes? Both in CoLaL and this book she goes out of her way to save people she's known for what, two weeks now? I mean the way she keeps coming for Pax and rescuing him should be enough for Roman to put a ring on it already.
"She's incredible."
"It isn't your job to save me."
"Is it such a crime to try?"
"She's quite the looker, hey?"
"Tell me about it. I can’t stop looking at her."
"I don't see a way out."
"We'll make one."
"You said you love me. Is it true?"
"What would you say if I said yes?"
"I'd say you're a fucking idiot."
"Ouch."
"And I'd say you're too good for me. I'd say I'm a wreck and I have nothing good to offer you. And I'd say that I love you, too."
"You stole my heart, Shay."
"Well, in my defense, I am a thief."
Also, jealous Roman is hilarious! Is it bad that I want more people to hit on Shay just so that Roman can get jealous more? That scene was so funny.
"And this woman here, her name's Taken."
"Jealous, Shadows?"
"Very."
Honestly, I have a place in my heart for all the characters and I would read books about them just hanging out, but by now this is a huge cast and this is sadly also where I see some problems.
1) First of all, the pacing and plot. I'd guess that about the first 45% of the book only cover one single day, which isn't necessarily bad, since a lot is happening and all the different groups experience different things that need to be covered. But it's weird to read a 900 page book and feel like the plot didn't really progress. Yes, we get more insight into the relationships and group dynamics and I actually love character-driven books, but in comparison to the first three books it doesn't feel like we got a lot of new information or progress in regards to the state of the world. We know the Veil needs to be brought back up and the imperator defeated, but that is pretty much the same things we knew at the end of CoLaL. Donavan is still around, the Tricking is still around and overall, besides the group leaving Yveswich, there's not a lot of important new things that happened. All I can think of is that Loren reversed Darien's deal (which I'm both exstatic and worried about, since he doesn't know that yet; it also happens right at the end, so for the most part it's not even an important part of the book), Roman found out Dean's his dad (which doesn't even seem to affect the story that much, unless it'll have more of an impact in book 5?), and there's a new type of the Tricking (which is kind of dropped without much buildup; it does up the stakes a little though). I'm not at all trying to say that this book should've been shorter or wasn't needed, especially since it sets up a lot of things for book 5. All I'm saying is that in comparison to the first three books it doesn't shine as much when it comes to the plot development.
2) Next thing is stakes, and believe me when I say that I absolutely HATE to bring this up. I love these characters and all of them have essential roles that are precious to me. However, in a series where all the characters constantly put their lives in danger, after a while the stakes don't feel that high anymore if nothing ever happens to them. And I really don't want to be saying this, because I want all my loves to be safe, but with a huge cast like this it's realistically kind of inevitable that someone's going to die. And yes, I know that people have gotten hurt and died already (like the Elementals, or whatever happened with Willow and Tamika), but none of those were characters the reader was already invested in. And none of the main characters really grieved any of them either. So emotions-wise none of the deaths/hurts have torn me apart. As I'm writing this I know it’s stupid to ask for this because if anything happens I'm going to be devestated, but so far I haven't actually felt worried about the characters because you just know they're going to be fine, so that kinda takes away from the fully invested reading experience.
3) Lastly, the huge cast of characters brings some challenges with it character-work-wise. I know it’s not easy to flesh out all the characters, but especially with Dominic, Blue, Logan and Sabrine it seems like these characters are just there to help out whenever needed and otherwise don't have anything going on themselves. This also comes through when characters like Tamika and Willow are seemingly just forgotten. Yes, there's an argument to be made that everyone had too much going on to properly process, but if none of the characters seem affected by their supposed friends' disappearance or stabbing, neither will the reader feel affected.
I still really really loved the book though and was devouring it the day it came out. And honestly, any book that makes you read well into the night and then the next morning (what even is sleep?) is obviously a great experience and a must-read, so please do yourselves a favour and start the House of Devils series by Kayla Edwards!
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Book Review: City of Smoke and Brimstone by Kayla Edwards
⭐️ 5 | 🌶️ 3
⭐️ 5 | 🌶️ 3
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year—and it did not disappoint. What follows is a spoiler-free review because, honestly, you just need to experience the magic of this book and its worldbuilding for yourself.
First things first: Kayla Edwards, YOU DID IT AGAIN.
I was an emotional wreck throughout this entire book. Every chapter amped up my anxiety—but also gave me bursts of comedic relief that helped ease the ache in my chest. And that ache didn’t just come from the plot twists... it came from the heartbreak our characters go through.
Sincerely, the best part of this novel is the character development and the raw, real dynamics among the gang. I will shout this until I’m blue in the face: the House of Devils series is superior. Kayla makes you care deeply about every single character you meet. This book has multiple POVs (even
more than last time), and rather than pulling you out of the story, it adds so much more to it. With each chapter, I found myself screaming to check in on my Seven Devils fam. But honestly? By this point, it’s more than just our devils—it’s the ragtag team of Reapers, Angels, the House of Black, the Riptide, and the Elementals. THIS is the found family trope done right.
Let me list the reasons I love this book:
✨ Action-packed—pacing perfection. Not a single scene felt unnecessary.
✨ Character development and communication (painful at times) were earned.
✨ Darien Cassel and Loren Calla are MY BABIES.
✨ Roman, Shay, and Paxton are PERFECTION.
✨ Max Reacher—no notes. People sleep on him (but I won’t, and neither does Dallas 😎—love her).
✨ Devlin Bros > Everyone else.
✨ The humor?? Thank you Malakai, Travis, Jack, and Bandit.
✨ Darien Cassel (yes, again. And I’ll keep saying it.)
✨ The yearning.
✨ The LOVE 🥹
✨ That ending 😮💨
✨ Action-packed—pacing perfection. Not a single scene felt unnecessary.
✨ Character development and communication (painful at times) were earned.
✨ Darien Cassel and Loren Calla are MY BABIES.
✨ Roman, Shay, and Paxton are PERFECTION.
✨ Max Reacher—no notes. People sleep on him (but I won’t, and neither does Dallas 😎—love her).
✨ Devlin Bros > Everyone else.
✨ The humor?? Thank you Malakai, Travis, Jack, and Bandit.
✨ Darien Cassel (yes, again. And I’ll keep saying it.)
✨ The yearning.
✨ The LOVE 🥹
✨ That ending 😮💨
Should this spill into your TBR?
YES. What are you waiting for?! Why haven’t you read the rest of this series?! Get on that, won’t you? Please and thank you. And when you’re done—come yap with me about it. 🫶😌
YES. What are you waiting for?! Why haven’t you read the rest of this series?! Get on that, won’t you? Please and thank you. And when you’re done—come yap with me about it. 🫶😌
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated