Customer Reviews

The Demon's Daughter (Tale of the Demon World)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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

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.

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

I love Emma Holly's historical romance novels, so I was hoping for something special here. No such luck. By two thirds through the book I just had to put it down; reading it had become a chore.

The setting is the part of the book that really fails. It's supposed to be Victorian England combined with aliens and modern technology. People have absurdly prudish views about what is proper in this world (but you'll have to infer them - the author never really explains any of it). At the same time, it's sort of a futuristic society where people live alongside a bunch of aliens called Yama who have brought with them some technology that looks mostly like modern technology. Unfortunately, these two aspects of the setting just cancel each other out rather than combining to form something interesting. Most of the time I just couldn't figure it out.

The Victorian social mores of the time are supposed to be the driving force behind the characters' actions, and yet they never really made any sense. The minute that Adrian and Roxanne meet they are torn between desire and the knowledge that they can never be together because Roxanne is not a suitable lady. Adrian is worried that associating with her will hurt his career. But it took me half the book to figure out why Adrian thought she wasn't suitable, and even then it didn't seem like that big a deal. Apparently painters were not considered proper. And Adrian wants a promotion at work, and his boss might not give it to him if he finds out he's been sleeiping with Roxanne. I kept asking, "So what? So what if he doesn't get a promotion? So what if his mother doesn't like her? So what if she's a painter?" It was a non-conflict.

And frankly, Adrian seemed like a bit of a wimp. Sort of a mama's boy. A "proper Victorian gentleman."

The Yamish implants that give him some special power also don't add a thing to the story. On top of the Victorian morals, which are never really explained in a way that is convincing, there is some kind of social taboo about having the Yamish implants. Couldn't quite figure out what that was about. So basically this book is about two characters worrying constantly about a complex social system that the reader doesn't know anything about. Maybe there was more to the book in the second half. I was so bored and annoyed after a while that I just couldn't keep reading.

I think it might have been better if the setting had been Victorian England, and had been fleshed out to the point where the plot made sense. The alien aspect didn't add a thing to the book (except confusion).

As for eroticism or romantic tension, there didn't seem to be any. No explanation at all for why Roxanne and Adrian are so consumed by desire the first time they glimpse each other. Adrian seemed totally repressed, and that seemed to be the main focus. I found it boring.

Holly writes the sexiest writing I have ever read. The love scenes are hot, hot, HOT!

The characters are endearing. The action is packed. The setting is vivid. Most erotic fiction is bland and corney. Not so with Holly. The plot in all her novels are serious and intiguing. The story line always comes full circle and there are never any strings left hanging. She's simply an excellent writer.

In Demon's Daughter (title DID need a bit of work, though) Inspector Adrian Philips is a bit of an outcast after he receives demon technology to help him in his job in policing the demon population (who are stronger than humans). Roxanne McAllister is a unique artist (she does porn-people, yet she's a virgin). She's also the daughter of a very famous and beautiful singer. Unfortunately, her mother is also known for her multiple and frequent sexual partners and Roxie's father. . . (come on people it's not hard to figure out, look at the title).

After Adrian ends up in Roxie's garden, badly beaten and in need of medical care, Roxie takes him in and nurses him back to health. Regardless of their backgrounds, they can't help but feel something for each other. But, problems are on the horizon.

Writing a story that is both paranormal and believeable, yet with enough quality components to make the otherworld plausible is a neat trick. Add an interesting set of secondary characters and a dash of spicy--almost erotica--and you've got a terrific book. The whole world of "non-satanic" demons used here and in the Crimson City series is not a favorite of mine. No matter how it's sold--demons only have negative connections to me. Yet this one provides a strong father demon, a mixed blood daughter as the female lead and an "enhanced" male lead creating a weird demon blended family that you come to care about. Their story is so well written that you buy the whole package and enjoy a brief escape from the cares of our everday world. Definitey worth reading and a little "softer" than the usual harder-edged stuff from this author.

Fan's of the very talented author Emma Holly are going to be very happy with her latest erotic paranormal read. Ms. Holly has delivered us another creative world in which nothing is as it seems and where nothing is worth having without taking a little risk. Combine compelling charcters that are not "perfect", a fast moving storyline, steamy attraction between our main characters, and voila pure entertainment.

Of course those that are new to Ms. Holly should be warned that her love sense are "HOT" to say the least and are not for the faint of heart.

The reader will step into the Victorian like city of Avvar were humans and demons live side by side, and where it's dangerous to find the two mixing. Or at least it should not mix but Roxanne McAllister just so happens to be an outcast in this city who shares genes from her human mother and her demon father. As if this is not bad enough she finds herself drawn to her injured guest Inspector Adrian Phillips. What starts off as a brewing mutual attraction turns into a searing relationship that is doomed from the start. These two should not be together. Ever.

Adrian knows that he can't share his life with Roxanne, but one week under her care has changed him forever. When he finds out about her heritage he knows that he must end things with her quick and clean. Easier said then done and he finds himself crossing a line that could put everything they feel and share at risk.

Again this was a great story for fans of the paranormal genre. The characters are truly multi-dimensional and as a result the reader can't help but feel for them. Love scenes are hot and explicit in true "Emma Holly Fashion", but it only adds to the telling of the story. Ms. Holly has truly created a very interesting world in which a reader can loose themselves if for only just a little while.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

Demon's daughter is the story of Adrian Phillips, a police officer in an alternate London where demon-like creatures called Yama run the show and humanity are pretty much in league with the Yamish or alternatively their lunch.

Frankly, while I found the story descriptive, this novel didn't really rock my boat. Why? The authors attempts at erotic tension fell flat for me. The two main characters are in such a state of arousal when they first meet I'm surprised they can walk. This state seems to continue throughout the book to a ludicrous degree. What the author considered 'exciting' and 'erotic' frankly just made me groan.

Also, I was bored with the whole orphan subplot. Not a big fan of kiddies in my romance novels. Yes we get it. The heroine is a saint for looking after two orphans. Can we get back to the main story now?

Sorry, I hate to go against the tide which is obviously a very popular novel, but Demon's Daughter bored me and I found the 'erotic tension' ludicrous. 1 Star.

The difference between DEMON and other books that a-s-p-i-r-e to be comparable erotica-romantica-fantasy is like the difference between making love and having you-know-what. There's erotic-romantic-fantasy out there that's fun. It's provocative. And it's also depthless. I read those, but I don't hold my breath. I don't think back on the characters in those books.

Both Inspector Adrian Phillips, DEMON'S lead male and Roxanne McAllister, DEMON'S heroine, have strength of character and body that they must come to recognize over time as well as an overwhelming passion and sensuality just bubbling underneath polite emotional shells of vulnerability and shyness.

Adrian isn't a normal male lead. There are cracks in what would otherwise be the typical romantica/fantasy author's Ken doll, if you will. He's a sensitive detective who follows all the rules...and looks for lost children on his time off.

Roxanne McAllister is a painter who wants to fit into the world she lives in and is simultaneously unwilling to sacrifice the beliefs and behaviors that make her unique. Her generosity as exhibited by her informal fostering of two street children is not the only thing that sets Roxanne apart; and when a distinguished and eerily familiar Yama `demon' shows up at her door one day to engage Roxanne's expertise as an artist, her awareness of just how different she really is deepens.

I think Holly uses Roxanne to represent the reality for most women (and maybe men too) that individuals are often desired for the same qualities about which the world's most harsh judgments are made-sexuality, strength and race (species, rather), among other things. Roxanne is as in need of love as Adrian, and the love story between Roxanne and Adrian is as tender as it is seductive.

Holly's crafting of the story, Adrian, Roxanne (and all the characters really) is masterful. With both lead characters, I think Holly strives to bring androgyny to gender stereotypes-that is, showing that behaviors that may seem distinguishably male or female can and do exist in BOTH genders in reality. Holly has created a world that made me think-about stereotypes, about the imperfection of love, and most importantly, about myself.

Furthermore, the fantasy foundation of DEMON and the underlying story regarding the Yama `demons' and the humans is intellectually stimulating and very creative. This sci-fi background is given proper respect and attention, and it does not feel thrown together as an afterthought.

Holly's finesse with the 'gray areas' in life (lacking so many extremes in behavior that the subtlety of characterization is properly achieved) allowed for the creation of characters that allow the reader to step into their shoes for awhile, feel pity for them, feel angry for them and keep his or her fingers crossed, hoping that their situations will eventually sort themselves out.

Two Thumbs Way Up!

I picked this book up because a friend of mine had read it, and told me about it. She described it as, "Victorian, only not", and I think that's a pretty apt, if short, description. Emma Holly gives us two main character who are flawed, but not in an irredeemable way. Holly also has a flair with showing us the internal conflicts her characters are going through. This book is definately adult in content, but the erotic content compliments the main story, instead of overwhelming it. A good read, and very much something to be read more than once.