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26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Blazing Good Read, August 26, 2006
I don't know if it's the titles or the author's own implausable name, but every time I pick up a Lilith Saintcrow novel, I expect silliness; a bubblegum world of demons, and devils, and witches (oh my!). Instead, what I get is dark, urban fantasy at its best! 'Dead Man Rising' is a gritty dark tale, full of meat (and gristle) that leaves you waiting eagerly for the next installment of Dante Valentine. I don't offer a plot synapses in my reviews beause there's normally an excellent one on the page already. Let me just say that this book very satisfactorily answers questions that left you curious and just a little heartbroken in the previous title, 'Working for the Devil'. There's only one thing I find myself wishing for in these books (aside from simply more!). The main character, Dante Valentine (another improbable name, but I've gotten to like it), is so brilliantly drawn, so vivid, that some of the support characters pale in comparison. She is so vibrant that I sometimes lose sight of very important characters like Gabe and Eddie, leaving me to question - who was this again? However, as more sequels are written in this series, I'm sure these characters will develop and eventually breathe as much as Valentine's character. All in all, a very good read. You won't be disappointed. Oh - before I go! Although Saintcrow does a masterful job of weaving the backstory into this, I think that particular backstory is just too big and too vital. I do suggest you read 'Working for the Devil' before tackling this. Though you'll enjoy this without doing so, you'll find it much more satisfying with the previous book under your belt. ~ Dena
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sarra Borne, January 25, 2007
A relative newcomer to the Dark Fantasy genre, Lilith Saintcrow pens a tale that will seem superficially familiar to the aficionado. Protagonist Dante (Danny) Valentine is a necromance, a half-demon and a bounty hunter. Beginning where "Working for the Devil" the previous (and first) novel in the series left off, we find Danny immersing herself in her work collecting bounties nonstop as a means to forget about the death of her lover. Japhrimel a full demon, is the reason that Danny now finds herself to be semi-immortal, inhumanly beautiful and nearly invulnerable. Danny receives a call from close friend and fellow necromance, Gabe, who asks for her help in investigating a series of killings. The victims are seemingly unrelated, with two being psions and one a normal, until Danny using her talents calls back one of the murdered spirits, and is told "Remember Rigger Hall. Remember. REMEMBER!" Aided by former lover, Jace, the shaman who taught her almost everything she knows about bounty hunting, Danny begins an investigation that will tear her apart by forcing her to confront her tortured childhood at Rigger Hall. When she starts receiving letters and phone calls from The Devil asking where Japhrimel is, since he can't seem to locate him in hell, Danny begins to wonder if she is losing it. She knows Japhrimel is dead she witnessed Lucifer kill him with her very own eyes. Now the voices in her head tell her she could have brought him back if only she knew how. It's a story that melds a little bit of cyberpunk, with a dash of paranormal romance, and then brings that together with just enough thriller/horror elements to satisfy the reader. This reviewer would suggest reading "Working for the Devil" first for the full effect. Fortunately a glossary is provided, as the author not only uses Egyptian phrases, but also makes up many of her own names for common things - such as werecain instead of werewolf or lycanthrope and nichtvren for vampire. This series should be immediately and immensely popular with fans of Laurell K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison and Charlaine Harris. A powerful urban fantasy, with a strong female lead wielding immense power, but who has the sensitivity to question her own humanity.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent sequel, September 22, 2006
Dead Man Rising, a sequel to Working for the Devil, is extremely entertaining. This book picks up where Working for the Devil left off. Her demon lover, Japh, is dead and she is mourning his loss. We get more insight into Danny's past in this second book. We learn more about her childhood experiences at Rigger Hall that gives you a feel for why Dante Valentine is the way she is. She is tough, smart and at times a little vulnerable. This was a side of her you didn't see too much of in the first novel. This book also had a very good mystery murder plot. Psions are being killed and her friend Gabe calls her in to help in the investigation. I acutally enjoyed this book more than the first book, but both are excellent reading and highly recommended.
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