Customer Reviews

Demon Angel (The Guardians, Book 2)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

* 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.

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

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.

Former fan fiction author, Meljean Brook, pens a debut paranormal worth talking about. Lilith is the daughter of Lucifer who has spent centuries getting men to kill themselves at her suggestion. Hugh Castleford is a knight from the 12th Century who has spent the last two years guarding his liege's wife. Hugh has a bit of a crush on the young lady but is much too honorable to ever act on it. Lilith is busy luring men at the baron's home to their death. Upon seeing the purity of Hugh's soul, Lucifer orders Lilith to obtain it.

Unfortunately, Lilith is also intrigued by Hugh's soul and is so moved by his goodness that she begs Michael, an angel, to transform Hugh to an angel. Thus begins over 800 years of battling between Hugh and Lilith. They love, lust and battle until Hugh becomes disillusioned and chooses to Fall. Before Falling, however, he believes he must perform an act of courage that he had been to weak to do and that is to kill Lilith and release her from her servitude to Lucifer.

Lilith is a strong female lead who not only knows how to kick butt and take names but does so. Hugh is a man whose honor and innate goodness made a stark contrast to Lilith's character. Together they were a perfect match, providing an ideal foil for the other. The chemistry between the two was electric.

The problems with this book is that it is dialogue intensive and had a bit of a pacing problem. But I could not stop thinking about the worldbuilding and the sexy meaningful romance between Hugh and Lilith. A thinking person's paranormal.

This book is explosive in so many ways. If you are a fan of the whole heaven/hell, angel/demon world, you must pick this up! Even though this is considered a romance, men can enjoy this book also because the romance between the two characters is not the most important thing.

The hero Hugh is a 11th century knight and the heroine who is more of the anti-heroine Lillith is a demon who sold her soul to Lucifer. She must take the life of Hugh so she can be free.

Through Lillith's actions, Hugh becomes a Guardian in heaven. The story than ranges hundreds of years between the two.

The words and actions used between Hugh and Lillith are so intense and magical. Some of the conversations are hard to understand but overall when you do get the jist, you will be amazed how the author came up with this storyline.

This is not your stereotypical romance. The frontrunner is the war going on between the demons in hell and the guardians in heaven who watch over the humans of earth.

Hugh and Lillith are pawns but try to take matters in their own hands. Hopefully the outcome will be them finally together and not through death and suffering as both have gone through.

For the ones who want an indredible hot romance with a plot to blown your mind, pick this book up.

For those who like alternative worlds with a sci-fi/horror slant, this is also for you.

Katiebabs

Hot Spell

Demon Moon (Berkley Sensation)

Can there be light without darkness? It is an age old question, and one at the crux of the strange relationship between Hugh and Lilith. Inexplicably drawn to one another, they both know they are forbidden to each other. Love, sex, even friendship between a demon from Hell and a Guardian from Heaven can never be.

Lilith is a seducer, a temptress, a tormenter of humankind. A Halfling demon, she finds her human half responding to Hugh's kindness, in spite of the promise of her Punishment at the hands of Lucifer for such weakness.

Protector of the innocent, Hugh wants nothing more than to save Lilith. He'll do anything towards that end - even give up Heaven itself.

Demon Angel is the second book in Meljean Brook's series titled The Guardians (the first story is found in the anthology Hot Spell.) I read this book not realizing that it was a continuation of a series, and I can happily report that understanding Demon Angel is not dependent on having already read the first story. The author does an admirable job of detailing her universe, and teaching readers the tenets of the world she has created in this series.

I greatly enjoyed the plot of Demon Angel and found myself drawn to the compelling characters Brook created for this book - both the primary characters and the supporting characters. Fans of this book will be happy to learn that the fourth book in this series stars two of the most intriguing supporting characters from the second book.

While I enjoyed this book, I did feel that the pacing was a bit slow at times. This could be a byproduct of the need to teach the mythos of Brook's world to us alongside telling the story itself. I think that subsequent books in this series could benefit from having a glossary in the front of the book, removing the need for so much of this sort of detail in the prose.

That said, if you enjoy a good paranormal romance, then Meljean Brook's The Guardian, Book 2: Demon Angel is a perfect addition to your book wish list!

Series Order:

Hot Spell (The Guardians, Book 1) (The Breed Next Door) (The Countess's Pleasure) (The Blood Kiss)(Falling For Anthony)

Demon Angel (The Guardians, Book 2)

Wild Thing

Demon Moon (The Guardians, Book 4) (Berkley Sensation)

Demon Night

I have a kindle and read all the books in this series except for Demon Angel, which is not on kindle. I love this series. I found it clever, sexy and intelligent. Except for the author's annoying habit of over using names in conversation, I felt they were very well written. So I decided I would buy the paperback of Demon Angel and read how they all began. I was bitterly disappointed. While reading I got the sense that I was plodding around in a thick fog, going nowhere. The behavior of both Lillith and Hugh made little sense and I am currently at page 188 and realize I am receiving no pleasure reading this book, and so I have given up. If you have not begun this series, I strongly recommend you skip this book and begin with Demon Moon. Ms. Brooks explains enough in future books that you won't miss out on anything having missed Demon Angel. I'm hoping the reason this book is not available on kindle is because the author has plans to rewrite it into something worthy of the other excellent books in this series.

With the paranormal genre overrun with every possible permutation on the vampire mythology, it's rare indeed to find a book with a fresh and interesting take on paranormal romance. And one that uses the paranormal world to delve into questions of free will, morality, and the wonderfully diverse shades of gray in between right and wrong.

Lilith and Hugh seem an unlikely couple. She is a demon from hell meant to gain souls for Lucifer. Hugh is a Guardian meant to save those souls. And yet over the centuries they meet up over and over again, with Hugh ever certain that it is possible for Lilith to be redeemed.

They are both wonderfully fascinating characters and I loved watching them interact through the novel. The battle of wit and wills showed to strong, passionate people who were drawn together despite their differences. I loved watching them together and truly felt the deep connection between them.

This is, however, not a light beach read. The story is complex and I feel that the reader needs to stay mentally engaged to keep track of the world-building as well as the bargains and wagers that are laid down throughout. I found the effort was well worth it.

This book was too slow and the story draaaaaaaaaaged on and on and on. Although Hugh and Lilith were boring I enjoyed the other characters; Colin, Savi and Michael. I feel the book should have been 100 or so pages less.

Wow... this is not your usual paranormal romance. It spans centuries. My head is still spinning. Others have done a much better job of reviewing this, so maybe I should just say "What they said" and let it go at that.

Nah, I'll try to explain my own reactions to this book.

Lilith is a demon, Lucifer's daughter. Hugh was a young knight escorting his lord's equally young wife home, when he discovers Lilith engaged in a bit of BDSM with said lord, who's, fortunately, blindfolded. Lilith is startled into giving Hugh her real name, and agrees not to reveal that he witnessed the man's humiliation in exchange for Hugh owing her a favor later on.

That doesn't save Hugh for long, though, because she tricks him into appearing to betray his lord with the young wife (she's a demon--it's what she does), and the lord kills him.

Lilith realizes too late that she has feelings for Hugh, so she begins the process of turning him into a demon, but stops and instead allows archangel Michael to do the honors, turning Hugh into a Guardian, and basically her enemy.

We follow the two of them through the centuries, and it's an intense, complicated relationship the two of them have, with nothing nearly as simple as good and evil, heaven and hell between them. The dark complexity of their relationship has a feel not unlike Kinsale's For My Lady's Heart or Shadowheart. There's love and pain and sacrifice and despair and longing and betrayal and redemption.

My only complaint, and it's not a very big one, is that Demon Angel was confusing in spots. That might change on a re-read, and this is definitely a book that I'll re-read. Not too soon, though--it's too intense for that. I think I'll go back instead and re-read "Falling for Anthony" in Hot Spell. I'd found that too confusing to enjoy very thoroughly at the time--I'll bet it'll make more sense now.