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tllynn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? No
4.5
bookslotsofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book even more the second time around! I love how Talon/Olivia is loyal and firece and independen but loving too. I love Poison they are unsure but with Talons friendship they bloom! Riot is not what one normally reads about a beautiful girl and I love how she is different. Wrath, I need more of him becaus I think he'll be a favorit too. Dice is an Idiot and arrogant I kinda want more of a caring goofball, which maybe he will be. Saint annoyed me, but I still liked him. He was so self depeicating and thinking he knew what was best, but just kept secrets that ended in disaster.
jessicasorenson's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
songwind's review against another edition
4.0
An entertaining book with a unique concept of Hell. The writing was solid, and the editing was pretty good, with a few issues here and there.
The MC is pretty unusual as well. Unrepentant mafia scions are not usually the sorts of protagonists one gets in any sort of urban fantasy. Olivia is unapologetically, even aggressively herself throughout the book. Sometime to her benefit, and others, her detriment.
The book is also unabashedly erotic. The sex scenes are explicit, but well written.
If you're a fan of paranormal romance with a spicy twist, I suggest giving it a look.
The MC is pretty unusual as well. Unrepentant mafia scions are not usually the sorts of protagonists one gets in any sort of urban fantasy. Olivia is unapologetically, even aggressively herself throughout the book. Sometime to her benefit, and others, her detriment.
The book is also unabashedly erotic. The sex scenes are explicit, but well written.
If you're a fan of paranormal romance with a spicy twist, I suggest giving it a look.
triflesandvanities's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
3.0 ⭐️
Summary
Olivia has been part of the family crime business pretty much her whole life. To survive, she's had to develop a thick skin and the ability to be three steps ahead of her enemies. Unfortunately, she misses a few key warning signs one night and finds herself dead and enrolled at Underworld University, one of the many possible afterlives a human can have. Now, she must quickly figure out how to stay alive in her new demonic reality, all while juggling her many love interests.
My Thoughts
This was just okay. I enjoyed some of the conversations here, as Olivia's humanity made a significant difference in the lives of her loves as she helped them see how they were deserving of love, respect, and care. There were real moments of tenderness shared between Olivia and her partners that I wish were delved into a bit more.
Some of my initial gripes with this book were the constant reminders that Olivia was Italian. It was truly comical how many Italian phrases were unnecessarily inserted to remind us that Olivia was Italian (*from New Jersey*) and proud of it! As a main character, it was also hard to overlook how hard the author tried to make her "not like other girls". These traits become less grating over time as she integrates herself into the underworld, but they still pop up from time to time.
The worldbuilding also left a lot to be desired, but I could overlook most of it in order to continue reading. But what do you mean... we're dead, but we still have to eat and shower???
Another issue I had was the way the only Black character was described at points and how the attraction the demons felt toward Olivia was essentially the fetishization of her humanness. I think there were ways the attraction could have been written differently to reflect more on Olivia's character rather than where she came from.
I'd recommend this if you want to read something low stakes with a decent amount of spice. I have yet to decide if I will continue with the series.
Summary
Olivia has been part of the family crime business pretty much her whole life. To survive, she's had to develop a thick skin and the ability to be three steps ahead of her enemies. Unfortunately, she misses a few key warning signs one night and finds herself dead and enrolled at Underworld University, one of the many possible afterlives a human can have. Now, she must quickly figure out how to stay alive in her new demonic reality, all while juggling her many love interests.
My Thoughts
This was just okay. I enjoyed some of the conversations here, as Olivia's humanity made a significant difference in the lives of her loves as she helped them see how they were deserving of love, respect, and care. There were real moments of tenderness shared between Olivia and her partners that I wish were delved into a bit more.
Some of my initial gripes with this book were the constant reminders that Olivia was Italian. It was truly comical how many Italian phrases were unnecessarily inserted to remind us that Olivia was Italian (*from New Jersey*) and proud of it! As a main character, it was also hard to overlook how hard the author tried to make her "not like other girls". These traits become less grating over time as she integrates herself into the underworld, but they still pop up from time to time.
The worldbuilding also left a lot to be desired, but I could overlook most of it in order to continue reading. But what do you mean... we're dead, but we still have to eat and shower???
Another issue I had was the way the only Black character was described at points and how the attraction the demons felt toward Olivia was essentially the fetishization of her humanness. I think there were ways the attraction could have been written differently to reflect more on Olivia's character rather than where she came from.
I'd recommend this if you want to read something low stakes with a decent amount of spice. I have yet to decide if I will continue with the series.
amandaslittlelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
GOD THIS WAS SO GOOD!!!
I read this for the Trans Rights Readathon, and was hooked from the very beginning. Bex Deveau is very talented at writing atmosphere because as soon as we (along with the FMC, Olivia/Talon) are introduced to the world of Hell and Underworld University, I was completely immersed. This had the vibes of Vampire Academy and Sky High but with hot demons and I was absolutely EATING IT UP. It was just so fun— at sometimes ridiculous and wild, like Talon being in Hell and being worried about math KILLED ME— but it was such a good time and I loved every bit of it.
I loved all the characters/love interests as well! When I realized Talon was going to have FIVE love interests I was a little scared I wouldn’t be able to keep up with it them/tell them apart (I am a huge fan of why choose books but there have been some with over three love interests where I felt they blended together) but Bex wrote each of them so beautifully and I am now completely enamored with every single one of them. They each have a very distinct voice and I loved every moment we got with each of them with Talon. (The spice is immaculate btw.)
This ended on a major cliffhanger and I am so glad I have the second to read immediately now.
100000% recommend this for the vibes and just absolute blast it is to read. It also has trans/nb rep, polyam rep (FMC has five LI), and SW positivity (the FMC Talon is staunchly pro SW and defends her SW love interest multiple times, I loved it sm). Go read now 🖤
I read this for the Trans Rights Readathon, and was hooked from the very beginning. Bex Deveau is very talented at writing atmosphere because as soon as we (along with the FMC, Olivia/Talon) are introduced to the world of Hell and Underworld University, I was completely immersed. This had the vibes of Vampire Academy and Sky High but with hot demons and I was absolutely EATING IT UP. It was just so fun— at sometimes ridiculous and wild, like Talon being in Hell and being worried about math KILLED ME— but it was such a good time and I loved every bit of it.
I loved all the characters/love interests as well! When I realized Talon was going to have FIVE love interests I was a little scared I wouldn’t be able to keep up with it them/tell them apart (I am a huge fan of why choose books but there have been some with over three love interests where I felt they blended together) but Bex wrote each of them so beautifully and I am now completely enamored with every single one of them. They each have a very distinct voice and I loved every moment we got with each of them with Talon. (The spice is immaculate btw.)
This ended on a major cliffhanger and I am so glad I have the second to read immediately now.
100000% recommend this for the vibes and just absolute blast it is to read. It also has trans/nb rep, polyam rep (FMC has five LI), and SW positivity (the FMC Talon is staunchly pro SW and defends her SW love interest multiple times, I loved it sm). Go read now 🖤
shaniamarie21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
5.0
opalescent4026's review against another edition
5.0
P.O.I.S.O.N.
Read this book for Poison and fall in love with everyone else along the way. I do love the others in this book, Talon is vivacious and amazing and Dice and Wrath and Saint and Riot each have a little piece of my heart…but Poison. Precious.
Read this book for Poison and fall in love with everyone else along the way. I do love the others in this book, Talon is vivacious and amazing and Dice and Wrath and Saint and Riot each have a little piece of my heart…but Poison. Precious.