Demon Angel (The Guardians, Book 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Meljean Brook (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2007

All hell breaks loose in Meljean Brook's erotic, supernatural debut novel.

Lilith, a demon, has spent 2,000 years tempting men and guaranteeing their eventual damnation. That is, until she meets her greatest temptation: the man whose life mission has been to kill her.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Meljean was raised in the middle of the woods, and hid under her blankets at night with fairy tales, comic books, and romances. She left the forest and went on a misguided tour through the world of accounting, banking, and a (very) brief teaching career before focusing on her first loves, reading and writing--and she realized that monsters, superheroes, and happily-ever-afters are easily found between the covers, as well as under them, so she set out to make her own. Meljean lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and daughter.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Sensation (January 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425213471
• ISBN-13: 978-0425213476
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #325,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Meljean was raised in the middle of the woods, and hid under her blankets at night with fairy tales, comic books, and romances. She left the forest and went on a misguided tour through the world of accounting before focusing on her first loves, reading and writing-and she realized that monsters, superheroes, and happily-ever-afters are easily found between the covers, as well as under them, so she set out to make her own.

Meljean lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and daughter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, January 6, 2007

By 

loonigrrl (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Demon Angel (The Guardians, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

* WARNING: SPOILERS*

I'm not even sure how to write a review for this novel. Anything I can say to describe it will fall far short of what should be said. The skill with which Meljean Brook created her characters, the world they inhabit, their conflict and their romance is so far superior to most books I've read that I'm amazed.

In Demon Angel, Lilith and Hugh meet and begin their journey in 13th century England. And theirs is definitely a journey. You won't find two dimensional characters here, without conflict or real motivation or personality. Instead, you'll get to know two very different, very complicated people who change and evolve just as time, their lives and their understanding of the world and themselves do. In the beginning, I wasn't sure if I really liked Lilith. She's a demon, after all- manipulative, hurtful, vengeful, only looking out for herself. I quickly changed my opinion, though. On the other hand, Hugh was immediately likeable. He was honorable, loyal and kind, but terribly naive and idealistic. When they meet, both are immediately fascinated by the other. It was because of Hugh's inner strength and goodness that made Lilith want to corrupt him- to damn him and his soul for eternity. Hugh, however, saw through her lies and tricks and her scales and talons and believed he could save her soul.

The first part of the book is the story of Lilith's part in Hugh's death- his sacrifice to save another. It's also the story of his time as a Guardian and the eight hundred years he went up against Lilith in fight after fight- always struggling against his desire for her as he searched for a way to save her. The second half of the book takes place after hundreds of years of fighting, but failing to save Lilith have changed him into a different man. He had become tormented, and defeated and despaired over the purpose of his life. Deciding the time had come and believing he had no other options, he tried saving Lilith the only way he knew- he killed her and Fell- turned human. Sixteen years go by before he realizes his mistake- Lilith did not die. The second half begins in modern day San Francisco when Hugh and Lilith meet up again- this time to fight together to save the city and the world from the demons and the nosferatu attempting to take over.

I cannot say enough good things about Demon Angel- except for the cover, please don't let it deter you from reading this book. Demon Angel has not only a great story with plenty of action, but it also has two fully developed characters who change and evolve over an eight hundred year period. Sometimes in romance books, I'm left wondering what exactly made the hero and heroine fall in love because they certainly didn't know each other very well. That is certainly not the case here. Hugh and Lilith know each other better than anyone else on Heaven(Caelum actually), Hell or Earth. Their romance is tragic and heartbreaking at times, but so compelling that I had to struggle to put the book down even when I finished reading the last page. It was, simply put, wonderful.

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too hard to follow and characters didn't draw me. It was not a pleasant read. I wanted it to be over., May 11, 2008

By 

Jane (Chicago, IL, United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Demon Angel (The Guardians, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

HARD TO FOLLOW:

Part 1 of the book is 97 pages. Hugh a human and Lilith a demon meet. Hugh becomes a guardian. Then he and she meet each other 172 years later, have a conversation and separate. They next meet 72 years later, have a conversation and separate. This continues for about seven meetings. In each conversation the reader learns a little about their worlds, but the scenes are confusing. For example, in one scene a cathedral is burning, but the reader doesn't know who set the fire or why or why Hugh and Lilith are there.

Part 2 of the book has more of a plot, but that too is hard to follow. Throughout that part I had many unanswered questions. Some of them were answered later and some were not. It was hard keeping track of who the bad guys were. It was hard to know what was going on and why. In general it was unsettling.

CLIFFHANGER WRITING STYLE:

I've read enjoyable mysteries and suspense stories which switch scenes among characters, time, etc. But, this author switched scenes too abruptly at cliffhanger moments, which frustrated me. For example, A and B teleport to a place they believe is safe, but accidentally end up in a place of horror and fear (page 267). The author then switches to other characters and scenes. I wanted to know where they were and what would happen to them, which was not answered until page 347. Page 347 has a short scene in which A got out, but I still didn't know where they were or why. The author switches to other characters and scenes. On page 362, the author states that B got out of that place. Finally, on page 369 the author describes where they were and why. Some mysteries are important to keep hidden, but I didn't see this as one of them. Knowing the why and where earlier would not have detracted from the good guys vs. bad guys plot. Instead of anticipating and/or experiencing an adventure, I felt annoyed. There were a number of cliffhangers other than this that added to my frustration.

CAUTION SPOILERS:

CHARACTERS DIDN'T DRAW ME.

Lilith and Hugh loved each other, probably from the beginning. It is Lilith's nature as a demon to lie, but she is also half human. She lies to Hugh about her feelings for him and about her knowledge of Hell and the world. Hugh holds back from his feelings for vague reasons. This was partially explained on page 346 when he said "Four days are not enough to make up for the eight hundred I was too foolish to take for my own, yet I would try." He is talking about having a loving/sexual relationship with Lilith.

The romance between Lilith and Hugh for the majority of the book felt like too many mind games. An example from page 229: She said "You cannot save me." He said "I can try." She said "I hate martyrs." The conversation continues for a little while. Then she said "And when you are kind to me, when you touch me, I desire what I cannot have." Lilith then has a few inner thoughts as Hugh is walking down the stairs, leaving. I didn't understand why they couldn't be together and why Hugh left. I felt like I was hanging, without answers.

ON THE POSITIVE SIDE:

The ending was creative and enjoyable, but not enough to make up for the hours spent with the rest of the book.

Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: six. Setting: 1217 to 2007 various locations in Europe, US, Caelum (a heavenly place) and Hell. Part 2 is set primarily in San Francisco. Copyright: 2007. Genre: fantasy and paranormal romance.

SERIES:

The first four books in this series are:

3 stars to FALLING FOR ANTHONY, in Hot Spell anthology

1 star to DEMON ANGEL

(not read) PARADISE, in Wild Think anthology

2 stars to DEMON MOON

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too Complicated, May 12, 2007

By 

A. Ryan "AJRyan" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Demon Angel (The Guardians, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Right off the bat, I want to point out that it's very possible that I have Adult ADD. I really need a book to grab me and keep my attention until the end, or else I find I have a hard time finishing.

While surfing around on one of my favorite book sites, I read a really long but very positive review of this book that prompted me to buy it. I don't know if it's maybe just me or what, but I was never able to finish this. I liked the first half of the book...the part where we see Hugh and Lilith's lives in different time periods leading up to the current day.

The second half just kind of dragged. I found it way too confusing. Too much happening. I kind of got tired of Hugh's Martyrdom. I just generally couldn't get interested in the rest of it. I kept putting it down, picking it up, putting it down until I eventually never picked it up again. I really WANTED to like it. Really. I tried. But, I just couldn't make myself finish it.

Again, could be my Adult ADD kicking in, but I think the too much information aspect of this ruined it for me. Now, that's not to say that I don't think this could be a good book for those who love the really intricate plots. If you're one of those people, you'll probably love this. If you like your books more simple as I do, you might find this a bit too much to handle.