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suze_1624's review against another edition
4.0
A coll of 6 stories, probably not a favourite genre but with lots of good authors it was worth it!
I enjoyed the tongue in cheek humour in Jordan L Hawk’s story, and the twist at the end, and the Victorian style AU in Ginn Hale’s.
TA Moore’s very dark and gruesome story was the one least in my comfort zone but well written and probably should be expanded!
CS Poe’s twisted version of NYC ad the underworld and upside down stuff was a bit weird, but the Devil always comes at 11.59. But a hint of romance there too. Another weird one for me was the AU Wonderland story by Rhys Ford - big mad fights, probably need a few of the odd potions to fully understand!
Jordand Castillo Price’s story of Johnny and Adam - becareful what favours are asked for - is probably the one with most romance but also wasn’t sure what role Adam really was, did he take over the mantle left? Johnny definitely the young innocent in 1961 and possibly still so later.
So overall enjoyed, it was long and the style of the stories mean you can’t read them quickly!
I enjoyed the tongue in cheek humour in Jordan L Hawk’s story, and the twist at the end, and the Victorian style AU in Ginn Hale’s.
TA Moore’s very dark and gruesome story was the one least in my comfort zone but well written and probably should be expanded!
CS Poe’s twisted version of NYC ad the underworld and upside down stuff was a bit weird, but the Devil always comes at 11.59. But a hint of romance there too. Another weird one for me was the AU Wonderland story by Rhys Ford - big mad fights, probably need a few of the odd potions to fully understand!
Jordand Castillo Price’s story of Johnny and Adam - becareful what favours are asked for - is probably the one with most romance but also wasn’t sure what role Adam really was, did he take over the mantle left? Johnny definitely the young innocent in 1961 and possibly still so later.
So overall enjoyed, it was long and the style of the stories mean you can’t read them quickly!
alisonalisonalison's review against another edition
3.0
I don't have particularly strong feelings about this anthology. I really liked Ginn Hale's story, which was the main reason I bought this, but the rest of them didn't really excite me. All readable and fine, but nothing spectacular.
bookshirecat's review against another edition
4.0
Let's say 4*. Two short stories (Internal Affairs and 11:59) were brilliant, the rest just fine.
kaje_harper's review against another edition
4.0
** Still on sale on AZ for $1.99 today 11/04/18** A set of very good novella-length stories by talented authors that range in mood from the light and sweet to the very dark. Not all of these have what I'd call a happy ending, but they all were interesting takes on the theme of selling your soul to the devil, and all were well worth the read. (Caution for dark themes and violence.)
Infernal Affairs - Jordan L. Hawk - 4 *
This was light, fun, and had a sweet romance. A bumbling devil meets his match in a flamboyant nonbinary would-be hero willing to sell their soul for the chance to fight evil - a bargain that is pretty confusing to a novice soul-buyer. I had the good fortune to hear Jordan Hawk read from this story at GRL and they made Chess and Ralgath a fascinating and amusing couple.
Collared - TA Moore - 5*
This one was dark and gory and a bit confusing, but somehow the spectre of Hell creeping up on the human world was deeply engaging. Jack is an ex-priest who sold his soul for the wrong kind of love with a demon, but he holds onto the tattered remnants of his humanity, acting as a doomed-to-fail bulwark against the slimy darkness. Math is incredibly creepy, but through Jack's eyes we see why the priest fell. I'm definitely going to have to pay more attention to this author.
Counterfeit Viscount - Ginn Hale - 4.5 *
We get a return to the wonderful world of Wicked Gentlemen although Sykes and Harper only appear in a casual mention. This is a more straightforward tale of a human and a Prodigal whose complicated relationship began as near-children on a battlefield, and who now as adults find themselves caught up in solving a mystery. The characters were appealing, and the world-building is first rate.
11:59 - C.S. Poe - 4 *
Asuka is an ex-cop who sold his soul years ago, to prevent his own death and so he could help others. In a world where science and mythology meet, nightmares have become more than a dream, and some of them take over the body of their host, turning anyone into a violent, mindless horror. Asuka has become a doomed hero, a man who can go out every night and fight monsters and save people, and still not make a dent in the onslaught of death on society. He's hollow and desperate, when he meets a man who makes him want more, and gets the chance to make a difference. This one is less romance, as Merrick is more a hope and a light for Asuka than a major character in the plot, but Asuka is a great character. The world-building is novel, and atmospheric.
Wonderland City - Rhys Ford
A fresh take on the world of Alice in Wonderland, with Xander Spade, the Ace of Hearts, as a weary bounty hunter with a blue dog at his heels, except when it disappears. The arrival of another small girl in Wonderland City may spell doom for all the inhabitants, unless she can be sent back home. Wonderland has been played with by a variety of writers, and the climactic battle goes on a long time, but Rhys Ford manages to get a fresh, twisted take and some really interesting characters into it.
Jordan Castillo Price - Dark Favors - 4*
When Johnny was young, he sold his soul for power and influence but as the years passed he realized he didn't want what he'd gained. He lives a simple life, refusing to cash in the Favors he's gained, until the devil comes to him with one last bargain he might not be able to refuse. Interesting world building, great writing, and characters I got caught up in following. A few uncomfortable moments, and an ending that doesn't quite feel like HFN, but an interesting journey and fitting for a collection that is tagged horror as well as romance.
Infernal Affairs - Jordan L. Hawk - 4 *
This was light, fun, and had a sweet romance. A bumbling devil meets his match in a flamboyant nonbinary would-be hero willing to sell their soul for the chance to fight evil - a bargain that is pretty confusing to a novice soul-buyer. I had the good fortune to hear Jordan Hawk read from this story at GRL and they made Chess and Ralgath a fascinating and amusing couple.
Collared - TA Moore - 5*
This one was dark and gory and a bit confusing, but somehow the spectre of Hell creeping up on the human world was deeply engaging. Jack is an ex-priest who sold his soul for the wrong kind of love with a demon, but he holds onto the tattered remnants of his humanity, acting as a doomed-to-fail bulwark against the slimy darkness. Math is incredibly creepy, but through Jack's eyes we see why the priest fell. I'm definitely going to have to pay more attention to this author.
Counterfeit Viscount - Ginn Hale - 4.5 *
We get a return to the wonderful world of Wicked Gentlemen although Sykes and Harper only appear in a casual mention. This is a more straightforward tale of a human and a Prodigal whose complicated relationship began as near-children on a battlefield, and who now as adults find themselves caught up in solving a mystery. The characters were appealing, and the world-building is first rate.
11:59 - C.S. Poe - 4 *
Asuka is an ex-cop who sold his soul years ago, to prevent his own death and so he could help others. In a world where science and mythology meet, nightmares have become more than a dream, and some of them take over the body of their host, turning anyone into a violent, mindless horror. Asuka has become a doomed hero, a man who can go out every night and fight monsters and save people, and still not make a dent in the onslaught of death on society. He's hollow and desperate, when he meets a man who makes him want more, and gets the chance to make a difference. This one is less romance, as Merrick is more a hope and a light for Asuka than a major character in the plot, but Asuka is a great character. The world-building is novel, and atmospheric.
Wonderland City - Rhys Ford
A fresh take on the world of Alice in Wonderland, with Xander Spade, the Ace of Hearts, as a weary bounty hunter with a blue dog at his heels, except when it disappears. The arrival of another small girl in Wonderland City may spell doom for all the inhabitants, unless she can be sent back home. Wonderland has been played with by a variety of writers, and the climactic battle goes on a long time, but Rhys Ford manages to get a fresh, twisted take and some really interesting characters into it.
Jordan Castillo Price - Dark Favors - 4*
When Johnny was young, he sold his soul for power and influence but as the years passed he realized he didn't want what he'd gained. He lives a simple life, refusing to cash in the Favors he's gained, until the devil comes to him with one last bargain he might not be able to refuse. Interesting world building, great writing, and characters I got caught up in following. A few uncomfortable moments, and an ending that doesn't quite feel like HFN, but an interesting journey and fitting for a collection that is tagged horror as well as romance.
aprillen's review against another edition
4.0
Another great anthology. Not all the novellas were my cup of tea, but they were undoubtedly all good. A couple of them contained dubious consent, past or present. All of them share the theme of a deal with the (or a) Devil.
Infernal Affairs by Jordan L Hawk was sweet and funny and very endearing, with a rookie demon and an irresistibly sassy non-binary hero.
Collared by TA Moore was a real horror story, creepy, dystopian and disturbing, with a truly toxic love and an ending that I would hesitate to call a HEA -- for anyone. But also insanely well written.
The Counterfeit Viscount by Ginn Hale was a story about interracial oppression and forbidden love -- the other race being so-called Prodigal Devils, i.e., the former denizens of Hell, now a downtrodden underclass. It has some dubcon in the past, but not in the present. All in all, it's a Victorian-style adventure story full of twists and turns, and a happy ending for everyone except the villain. (This story had some annoying editing slips, but not many, and not enough to take away from the story.)
11:59 by C.S. Poe is about nightmares, and about the power of dreams, and how even the Devil may need a favour at some point. Dystopian, with elements of mythology. The romance is more of a promise than anything else.
Wonderland City by Rhys Ford was a noir thriller set in a post-Alice Wonderland. Magic and violence and love that turns out to be less toxic than it seemed. Some loose ends that annoyed me, but otherwise a good action story with the Devil as more of an instigator than an actual protagonist.
Dark Favors by Jordan Castillo Price was sexy and original, with its own take on how the Deal with the Devil works. Dubcon, but it quickly turns into con. The infernal system of Favours that make up the Devil's Deal is complex and hard to work around. Is it possible -- or not?
Infernal Affairs by Jordan L Hawk was sweet and funny and very endearing, with a rookie demon and an irresistibly sassy non-binary hero.
Collared by TA Moore was a real horror story, creepy, dystopian and disturbing, with a truly toxic love and an ending that I would hesitate to call a HEA -- for anyone. But also insanely well written.
The Counterfeit Viscount by Ginn Hale was a story about interracial oppression and forbidden love -- the other race being so-called Prodigal Devils, i.e., the former denizens of Hell, now a downtrodden underclass. It has some dubcon in the past, but not in the present. All in all, it's a Victorian-style adventure story full of twists and turns, and a happy ending for everyone except the villain. (This story had some annoying editing slips, but not many, and not enough to take away from the story.)
11:59 by C.S. Poe is about nightmares, and about the power of dreams, and how even the Devil may need a favour at some point. Dystopian, with elements of mythology. The romance is more of a promise than anything else.
Wonderland City by Rhys Ford was a noir thriller set in a post-Alice Wonderland. Magic and violence and love that turns out to be less toxic than it seemed. Some loose ends that annoyed me, but otherwise a good action story with the Devil as more of an instigator than an actual protagonist.
Dark Favors by Jordan Castillo Price was sexy and original, with its own take on how the Deal with the Devil works. Dubcon, but it quickly turns into con. The infernal system of Favours that make up the Devil's Deal is complex and hard to work around. Is it possible -- or not?
ifihadatail7's review against another edition
2.0
DNF
I've been trying to finish this book for 10 months, finally gave up.
This collection has sooo many of my all-time favorite authors contributing, but I found every story utterly depressing.
Sorry everyone!
I've been trying to finish this book for 10 months, finally gave up.
This collection has sooo many of my all-time favorite authors contributing, but I found every story utterly depressing.
Sorry everyone!
iguana_mama's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rissa53's review against another edition
5.0
I love anthologies and that's not the first time I've said that, lol.
I just really like how you get so many stories, different ones too, in one book!
This was very interesting and I love the different stories the authors wrote with a common theme!
Super enjoyed! :)
I just really like how you get so many stories, different ones too, in one book!
This was very interesting and I love the different stories the authors wrote with a common theme!
Super enjoyed! :)
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
5.0
Infernal Affairs by Jordan L. Hawk
Oh, this one was fun! I mean, the whole thing was hilarious and still manage to be full of suspense. Ralgath and Chess are wonderful, but Fluffpaw? Fluffpaw was adorable :P
The feelings growing between the MCs felt real and soon, I found myself wishing with all my heart that they will be able to find their HEA.
No surprise, really. Jordan L. Hawk always manages to bespell me ♥
Collared by T.A. Moore
This one is complex and you know from the beginning that it won't be a traditional romance. I love the way each of the characters is flawed, and yet you get them, you understand and care for them. A true noir crime set in a paranormal Universe, genius! The darkest of the bunch, but really, really good.
Counterfeit Viscount by Ginn Hale
A romance born between bullets and tops hats, this is a great story, truly delightful. And putting it after 'Collared' was an excellent choice.
Wonderland City by Rhys Ford
A twisted version of 'Alice in Wonderland', full of exciting adventure and romance. I haven't read a lot by this author, but this story certainly makes me want to read more :)
Dark Favors by Jordan Castillo Price
Oooooookay. I love the world-building in this one, and I really love the story. But the romance? I'm sorry, but nope. The sex feels too rapey for my tastes and I simply couldn't get over it.
And about the narration, Greg Tremblay does a fantastic job with this anthology.
11:59 by C.S. Poe
Oh! I love the concept of this story. I love that, in a world populated with human nightmares, the one man who can't dream is the hero. And I love that Merrick is the key to solve the whole thing.
I like the nod to Greek mythology, I like the way Asuka is presented as a worn-out hero who keeps going after monsters just because it's what he does. And I love how Merrick changes it all for him.
This is the first paranormal/fantasy I read by C.S. Poe, and I loved it.
Oh, this one was fun! I mean, the whole thing was hilarious and still manage to be full of suspense. Ralgath and Chess are wonderful, but Fluffpaw? Fluffpaw was adorable :P
The feelings growing between the MCs felt real and soon, I found myself wishing with all my heart that they will be able to find their HEA.
No surprise, really. Jordan L. Hawk always manages to bespell me ♥
Collared by T.A. Moore
This one is complex and you know from the beginning that it won't be a traditional romance. I love the way each of the characters is flawed, and yet you get them, you understand and care for them. A true noir crime set in a paranormal Universe, genius! The darkest of the bunch, but really, really good.
Counterfeit Viscount by Ginn Hale
A romance born between bullets and tops hats, this is a great story, truly delightful. And putting it after 'Collared' was an excellent choice.
Wonderland City by Rhys Ford
A twisted version of 'Alice in Wonderland', full of exciting adventure and romance. I haven't read a lot by this author, but this story certainly makes me want to read more :)
Dark Favors by Jordan Castillo Price
Oooooookay. I love the world-building in this one, and I really love the story. But the romance? I'm sorry, but nope. The sex feels too rapey for my tastes and I simply couldn't get over it.
And about the narration, Greg Tremblay does a fantastic job with this anthology.
11:59 by C.S. Poe
Oh! I love the concept of this story. I love that, in a world populated with human nightmares, the one man who can't dream is the hero. And I love that Merrick is the key to solve the whole thing.
I like the nod to Greek mythology, I like the way Asuka is presented as a worn-out hero who keeps going after monsters just because it's what he does. And I love how Merrick changes it all for him.
This is the first paranormal/fantasy I read by C.S. Poe, and I loved it.