Customer Reviews

Demon's Kiss (Wings in the Night, Book 1)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

While Demon's Kiss has paranormal romance overtones it is very much a relationship driven ensemble piece that develops a very interesting group of characters and relationships.

Seth has been waiting all his life for something and has had visions of a woman, a woman who is somehow wrapped up in his destiny. When Sean is mugged, beaten and left for dead Sean readily accepts vampire Reaper's offer of immortality and even on the brink of death Sean realizes that at last he is on the road to fulfilling his purpose. Reaper former CIA assassin during life and now vampire rogue hunter has compelling reasons for shunning any relationship, but since Seth is the one Chosen with whom Reaper has an undeniable bond, Reaper cannot ignore his compulsion to protect Seth. In Shayne's vampire world this bond is not necessarily a romantic bond and Reaper's bond with Sean allows Sean to begin to crack the isolation that loner Reaper has maintained in life and death.

Sean is also the catalyst for cementing the ragtag group that begins to form around Reaper, much to Reaper's frustration. Initially the group is Sean, Reaper, Roxy and Topaz. Roxy, the only non-vampire, is a seer and powerful in her own right. Roxy is the voice of reason for the group and was previously Reaper's only friend and privy to his dark secret. Topaz is a socialite pampered princess on the surface but tough and smart underneath. Topaz hooks up with the group to seek vengeance on the vampire that stole her heart and her money. The remaining important characters are associated with the rogue group that Reaper hunts: Vixen - held captive by the group - is Sean's mystery woman. Vixen is both vampire and fox-shifter but alien in her thinking, almost more fox than woman even when in human form. Briar - beautiful, dark and cruel, is no longer able to feel her own pain and revels in inflicting it on others. And Jack - perpetual con-man, is the vampire who broke Topaz's heart. Jack is always running a scam, loyal only to himself, he never lets any one close to his heart.

It is very difficult to write a decent synopsis for Demon's Kiss because all seven main characters have distinct personalities and roles to play in the action. Shayne intertwines her characters and sets up their relationships, so that while you can see six of them starting to pair off, there are other friendships and other bonds developing between the group that are just as important. Shayne does a good job weaving her story with threads following various members of the ensemble, coming together, splitting off and reforming.

Demon's Kiss is not one of those series romances that focuses solely on a single couple as they take their romantic turn in the spotlight. While Sean & Vixen's is the only romance that runs full course here, there is a strong foundation laid for the past and future relationship between Topaz and Jack. Reaper is also such a strong character that there is no way to keep Reaper staying meekly in the background. The beginning of the complex relationship between Reaper and the evil Briar, whose soul is just as dark and damaged as Reaper's own, steals the spotlight at times. I look forward to seeing where both of those relationships go in the follow on books: Lover's Bite (May 2008 Jack & Topaz) and Angel's Pain (Oct 2008 Reaper & Briar).

Demon's Kiss is set in the same world as Shayne's popular Wings in the Night/Twilight Series (Rhiannon makes a brief appearance here) so check these out if you are looking for something to tide you over until May. Some of the older stories are being released as ebooks, Shayne's website has summaries and a `family tree' that shows the connections between books, she also has a movie trailer for Demon's Kiss by the same production company that does Christine Feehan's, the short one is fun and the longer one a bit hokey.

The Twilight Series Vampire Romance:
Wings in the Night Reissue contains:
Book 1 Twilight Phantasies - Eric & Tamara,
Book 2 Twilight Memories - Roland & Rhiannon,
Book 3 Twilight Illusions - Damian & Shannon
At TwilightReissue contains:
Book 5 Born in Twilight - Jameson and Angelic
Book 4 Beyond Twilight - Cuyler and Ramsey
Book 7 Twilight Hunger - Dante & Morgan,
Book 8 Embrace The Twilight - William & Sarafina,
Two By TwilightReissue contains:
Book 9 Run From Twilight Micheal & Mary
book 6 Twilight Vows - Donovan & Rachel
Book 10Edge Of Twilight Edge & Amber Lily
Book 11Blue Twilight - Lou & Maxie
Book 12 Prince Of Twilight - Vlad & Stormy

Maggie Shayne is BACK!!! Her past two vampire books left me a little disappointed, I still enjoyed them, read them but wasn't as fascinated by them as I was the first novels. This one, however, was the absolute BEST of the series I have read since the original three Twilight books!

The characters were so REAL I felt as if I knew them. Their pain, their weaknesses, their joys. The hero and heroine of this story, I just plain adored. The other characters, too, even evil Briar, in the end I was feeling sorry for her and rooting for her to have a better life.

The storyline was fascinating, so different, new life has been breathed into this series. I won't reveal the plot but I will say that this story had that special something that made me stay up to midnight to read the very last word. My advice, if you are hesitant to buy this book, don't be. Buy it, read it, and add it to your keeper shelf. I know I have.

This book held my attention and I think there will be another one. There are a few dangling strings that I would like knit into another book. These are new characters set on a road to adventure by one of our favorites from an older series.

Reaper works alone, he is one of the vampire executioners, those who stop the rogues who endanger the rest of the vampires by killing and leaving drained bodies. Reaper has his own secret, he worked for the CIA until his death (change) into a vampire. He was one of the chosen, those who carry an antigen in their blood that allows them to be changed. He has closed his heart and mind to others, so as not to have to bear the pain of loss or horror.

Seth is a chosen, the chosen who is watched over by Reaper. When he is beaten unto death Reaper lets him choose to become a vampire. Seth has a destiny, he has had dreams and impressions of a red-headed woman for yrs. Now the pull is steady and even tho Reaper is on a mission, he and Seth follow the pull.

Vixin is a shape-changer. She can change into a fox. She has been captured by a rogue vampire who has imprisoned her and tortures her daily. Now her connection to Seth springs into full power and she knows he is on his way. The rogue vampire just so happens to be the one Reaper is after.

Roxy is a chosen and a witch, she is a friend of Reaper and knows he will need all the help he can get on this mission. She forces him to take her along.

Topaz is a vampire who has been conned out of half-a-million dollars by another vampire, Jack Heart. He is also running with the rogues. So Topaz joins Reapers team.

Reaper, the loner, can hardly believe he is saddled with all these people. But that is just the start of the fun. I really enjoyed this one, lots of action, adventure, and romance. The romance was good and didn't take up half of the book. I am abit tired of getting more physical contact and less plot and story. This one was just right.

Reaper has never been one to "play well with others," nonetheless the vampire finds himself teaming up with a diverse group of other vampires and Chosen when rogue vampire Gregor and his nutty protégé need to be taken out of circulation. Among his cohorts is Seth, a recently turned young man who finds himself drawn to the enigmatic new vampire, Vixen, who they rescue from Gregor. Though he can tell she is hiding something, Seth cannot turn his back on her. Yet, when he learns what her secret is, will this new love be able to endure? Will they live long enough for that to even matter?

*** This Wings in the Night entry is definitely more action driven than prior books. The ensemble cast is a varied lot, filled with diverse personalities and talents. It is almost impossible to identify the main focus of it, so multi-layered is Demon's Kiss. Hopefully, as this is Seth's story, Reaper will get his own time to shine. ***

Amanda Killgore

I got three love stories for the price of one--and they were allso enterwoven that none of them suffered for having to share the pages of the book. Seth and Vixen were perfectly matched, and because Seth was such a hero type, having the innocence of Vixen paired to him was ingenious!

Jack and Topaz--I hope there will be more to this story in a future book--I can see the problems these two need to over come and I think it will make for a fantastic read~!

Reaper and Briar--those two really have me wanting more. Especially Reaper--fell hard and long for that Vampire--and the passion between these two could pretty much ignite the pages of the next book.....

I hope Maggie plans to make my day by actually writing it next.....

I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THIS QUAINT LIL STORY OF ...THE REAPER AND SETH AND THERE MISFIT CREW (SMILE)..
ROXY (the one that didnt turn vamp)
BRIAR (the evil vamptress)
VIXEN ( the shapeshifter/vamp)
TOPAZ ( the high class vamp )
JACK of HEARTS (the con-artist vamp )
GREGOR ( the evil vamp planning to kill all of them )
I HOPE REAPER AND BRIAR HAS A STORY COMIN OUT AS WELL AS SETH AND VIXEN ALSO TOPAZ AND JACK..THAT WOULD BE GREAT MS. SHAYNE...THINK ABOUT ABOUT IT I THINK THE READERS CAN AGREE WITH ME! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ..

When he worked as a cover operator for the CIA he was human though he preferred being a lone wolf as he felt safer depending on himself rather than the screw-ups of a teammate. Since those days, Raphael "Reaper" Rivera has become a vampire, but he remains dedicated to being a lone wolf as he plans to live a long time.

Rhiannon hires Reaper to kill rogue vampire Gregor and his pack that are spread all over the southeast United States causing havoc, but figures he is the right person for the job because he is a lone assassin with no emotional ties. Rhiannon says he lies about his feelings as he cares about the Chosen Seth Connor, who he protects. However, he suddenly has an apprentice, just turned undead Seth, who admires Reaper and wants him to mentor him. Not happy to have to protect a sidekick, he soon finds himself with an unwanted pack as Roxy the human healer, Topaz the rich vampiress and Vixen the shapeshifter join his newly formed squad after he rescues the two females from Gregor's growing zombie vampires

This is a much more complex tale than described above, as Reaper's team pairs off romantically. Although no one stands out amongst the players, each person on Reaper's team contains a different personality that the individual maintains throughout whether in danger or love. Fans of romantic fantasy will appreciate Maggie Shayne's entertaining thriller, just keep a scorecard handy.

Harriet Klausner

I am surprised to see the good reviews on this book. It seems like I read a different book from the other reviewers. I couldn't get into this book at all. I kept forcing myself to finish it. The characters were one dimensional and I didn't connect with them. And there were a lot of characters. I suspect maybe that was the problem -- too many characters trying to be introduced at one time. And the storyline didn't pick up with any action until about page 80. The end of the book left a lot of unanswered questions. All in all, not a good read. This was my first Shayne book and I won't be reading another one.

Reaper has a job to do: destroy Gregor and his band of unruly and perhaps even mindless vampires. Unused to regular companionship, he is surprised to find himself saddled with Seth Connor and his visions of a woman crying out for help. Neither expects their missions to follow the same paths. Soon, Reaper finds himself with an assortment of people accompanying him while Seth will be forced to look deep within himself regarding the power of love.

Maggie Shayne has created a fantastic ensemble of characters in DEMON'S KISS. While the main love story focuses on Seth and Vixen, each of the other characters has an important role to play. Maggie Shayne successfully creates a storyline in which multiple characters play equal and vitally important roles, so that DEMON'S KISS isn't merely the love story of Seth and Vixen. Instead, DEMON'S KISS is a prelude to what looks to be a promising series peopled with fascinating characters.

Relationships are key to the success of DEMON'S KISS. Fans of Maggie Shayne's Wings in the Night series will already be familiar with the unusual bond between vampires and the Chosen. DEMON'S KISS builds upon this theme but takes things a step further. Some of the characters will have to face tough and sensitive issues, as Maggie Shayne doesn't pull any punches as she explores various facets of the relationships being built in DEMON'S KISS.

DEMON'S KISS is another superb book from the talented pen of Maggie Shayne. While it is connected somewhat to her Wings in the Night series, DEMON'S KISS is easily read as a stand alone. Highly recommended!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

I fell in love and I could not wait to buy the last two books in the set. Maggie Shayne is great.