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81 of 84 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Intriguing Mix Of Fantasy, Mystery, History and Erotica., December 12, 2004
Although I would have given this delightful novel a more creative title - one which would inspire a wider variety of readers to take interest - Ms. Holly has written another winner with "The Demon's Daughter." An off-beat, science fiction-fantasy, cum Dickensian Oliver Twist, cum romance, the book is set in Victorian Avvar, in the Empire of Aedlyne. Avvar is a city not unlike London during Victoria's rule. It is inhabited by humans and demons - the Yama. Like the aristocratic British, the Yamas have a strict hierarchical society. The aristocracy, called "daimyos" do not want to be tainted by mingling with the lower classes (people), or with their own outcasts, rebels who refuse to live within their own hierarchical system, (called "rohn"). Yamas are a humanoid species, extremely beautiful and gifted. They are able to communicate telepathically and can feed off of human life force without killing their victims. Humans crave the high technology that Yamas have developed and accept the "rohn" into their world in exchange for the use of this advanced technology.
Inspector Adrian Philips, is a detective and peacekeeper, policing both human and "rohn" communities. He loves his work, is ambitious and has his heart set on moving up in his field, using whatever politics necessary. Roxanne McAllister is a lovely but eccentric artist, a painter, daughter of a deceased diva and an unknown father. She is an outcast from polite society because of her illegitimacy and her eccentricity. Roxanne lives on the edge of the Avvar slums with two boys who she picked up on the streets, starving and desperately in need of a home. Adolescent Charles, 5 year-old Max, (right out of Dickens), and Roxanne make-up an unusual but loving family of three...until Inspector Philips enters the picture.
Roxanne finds Adrian literally on her doorstep, seriously injured after a fight with hostile "rohn," and takes him in to care for him until he heals. The plot thickens with a huge dose of Ms. Holly's romance and erotica. The mainstream storyline is not bad either. One of the conflicts is that if Inspector Phillips follows his heart and stays with Roxanne, he will ruin his reputation and all chances for promotion. There are enough interesting subplots and unusual characters to make this a page turner. The two boys are adorable, Adrian's family is just too funny, and there's a chillingly evil doctor who steals children for experimentation to keep the plot edgy.
This is a fun book, which mixes fantasy, intrigue, history, and sensuality, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
JANA
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A sizzling new universe from Emma Holly, October 17, 2004
I first ran across Emma Holly in the HOT BLOODED anthology and went on to read HUNTING MIDNIGHT. Both those books concerned shape-shifting vampires and I was intrigued by both the concept and the remarkable "steaminess" of the stories. In THE DEMON'S DAUGHTER, Holly has created an alternative reality in which the worlds of beautiful, technologically advanced demons and humans overlap. This imagined world bears a great resemblance to Victorian era London. Inspector Adrian Phillips of the Securite Service has allowed himself to be implanted with demon powers and finds himself alienated from both human and demon society alike. After suffering an attack by humans who serve the demons while searching for a missing boy, he is rescued by a half-demon woman, Roxanne McAllister. While recuperating in her home, he finds himself falling in love with her while trying to resist a relationship that would destroy the ambitious police career he has been building.
Emma Holly's trademark erotic scenes are very hot indeed, and there is a sweetness and vulnerability in both Adrian and Roxie that I find very appealing. The secondary plot concerns the appearance of Roxie's powerful and enigmatic demon father in her life and his intentions toward her. The book probably should be 4 stars, because the wrapping up of the secondary plot seems a bit rushed, almost an afterthought. However, the character development is so strong and the book so entertaining, I had to go for 5! THE DEMON'S DAUGHTER is a definite "keeper". I don't know if there are the seeds of a series here, but I'd enjoy another visit to Adrian and Roxie's world.
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27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant work from the genius of Holly, November 6, 2004
Emma Holly is one of the hottest cutting-edge writers in today's market. She's gaining a strong fan base for her sizzling Romantica tales (Strange Attractions, Personal Best and her Black Lace books) to her Paranormals (Catching Midnight, Hunting Midnight and the novella in Hot Blooded) and Victorian Era (Beyond Innocence, Beyond Seduction). Frankly, I think Emma Holly can¯and does¯write anything she wants and does it unlike any writer around. Her writing is frank, open and she loves to walk on the wild side.
This time she ventures into another Paranormal tale that is both exciting and very original. It has the feel of another series, and one I will be looking forward to when they tales come! The range of Holly's writing is amazing, her deeply drawn characters and strong plot really set her above others Romantica writers. She succeeds while others often don't make the bar, because her works are well researched, and she gives such heart to her heroine and hero.
Set in the Victoria era, Inspector Adrian Philip of Securite Service, is more than a typical policeman, he is the keeper of peace between demons and humans. He has accepted implants in his body that enable him to have incredible strength, and to assume the powers of a demon for short periods. By accepting this role of protector of both, he belongs to neither. Adrian is an outsider in both worlds.
When Adrian seeks a missing boy, he is attacked by a local gang. Using his demonic implanted powers, he escapes. After using the powers, he is weakened and collapses in a courtyard of Roxanne McCallister. Roxanne is also an outcast, a half-breed, part demon, part human. She takes Adrian in and treats him. Adrian is very attracted to Roxanne, but knows no woman will want him. Proof of this is his former wife had walked out on him because of his not quite human state. Roxanne desires Adrian, but is unaware of his demon enhanced state. Being a half breed, she fears no man or demon would want her either. As Adrian recovers under Roxanne's tender care, he falls in love with her, yet tries to resist a relationship that could interfere with his police career, and ultimately will leave him hurt when she rejects him.
In true Emma Holly fashion, the love scenes are beyond erotic, but she never loses a firm grasp on what makes Romance work. Her fantasy world works, because she strongly roots it in reality of caring people that linker in the readers mind long after you put the book down.
Another keeper for my Emma Holly shelf! They are racking up very fast, and each one so special.
2004 Reviews International Organization Award of Excellence Finalist
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