A review by kaje_harper
Devil Take Me by Rhys Ford

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.