Necromancer and bounty hunter Dante (Danny) Valentine finds herself in more trouble than she can handle when a knock on her door reveals a demon standing on her front porch. Tierce Japhrimel has been sent to collect her for a meeting with Lucifer himself. When the Devil comes calling it’s not wise to say no, and a demon with a gun tends to be very persuasive.
Lucifer feels Dante is uniquely suited for a job, and his proposition is simple enough. Kill the rogue demon Vardimal, and return an artifact to Hell. If she refuses the commission, she dies. If she accepts, chances are she’ll die. Dante opts for the latter of the two evils, but finds out too late about a small catch in the contract: Japhrimel -- the Prince of Hell’s own right hand and assassin -- will be accompanying the hunt, never to leave her side and allowing no harm to come to her for the duration. None too pleased, Dante argues adamantly that she works alone, but Lucifer ties her to Japhrimel as a familiar by a brand on her left shoulder.
As it turns out, this rogue is no stranger to Dante. Vardimal is actually Santino, a serial killer she’s hunted before and the monster responsible for her best friend’s gruesome death. Not only is this a paid commission, but also she is given the opportunity for bloody vengeance (perhaps that is what Lucifer meant?) The hard part will be finding him…and accepting help from her friends -- and ex-lover Jace Monroe -- to get the job done and send this demon back to Hell.
In a cyberpunk world of the magical, mystical, and technological, two thirds of the novel is spent on character interaction but the hunt for any clue as to Santino/Vardimal’s whereabouts is enough to tax even Japhrimel’s immense powers in an effort to keep Danny’s self-destructive streak in check.
As things progress, the story becomes clear as the chess match between human and Hades plays itself out. Dante’s friends put their lives on the line for her and she is forced to face her own demons with Jace, the lover who left her three years prior. If there wasn’t enough emotional entanglements, Japhrimel’s attachment to Dante takes a turn that heats up the landscape in unexpected -- and unexplained -- ways.
It took three tries to drag me into this book. Finding solid ground in the author’s world wasn’t exactly easy but once it had its hooks into me, I couldn’t resist. A great deal of time is spent on character development instead of wham-bam action, but it held my attention. The descriptions of various technologies and magic is fascinating, even though the author left me out in the cold with the politics and the shape of this world she created. So what? It was fun trying to figure out what’s what.
Dante Valentine is not an overtly loveable or endearing heroine. She may be honorable and courageous to the point of suicide, but she is thorny even on a good day and willing to argue with anyone offering their help, including fellow Necromancer and trusted friend, Gabe. But the most contentious relationship is with the deadly Japhrimel. Being tied to him as a familiar, she can “see” through his eyes just by touching the brand. He is, literally, everywhere and will stop at nothing to protect her. There is no way to ditch him, but even more frustrating is his ability to remain unflappable when they argue toe-to-toe. That, and his unwillingness to be forthcoming with details and answers to her questions, especially about the real reason for Lucifer’s intense desire to have Vardimal executed.
Dante's personality is a perfect fit even with her inevitable change at the end, and the rest of the characters fall right in line. The distinct lack of familiar romantic clichés is also refreshing. This may have a tinge of paranormal romance to it, but the messy and sad finale is an excellent change of pace from perfect heroines/heroes and everyone living happily ever after.
This is an awesome trip into a new world, and highly recommended. Lilith Saintcrow has shot to the top ten of my favorite authors.
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For a unique sort of reading experience, check out the accompanying soundtrack: Necromantic Overtures. You can visit the author’s site -- http://www.lilithsaintcrow.net/ -- for even more goodies.
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Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Warner Books (March 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0446616702
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