Customer Reviews

Lucinda, Darkly: The Demon Princess Chronicles

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

A princess of Hell, the only thing the demon Lucinda rules over is the territory she is charged to protect in her role as guardian. Demon she may be, but she is honorable as well. When she is tasked with the capture of a rogue Monére warrior, she soon finds herself in the role of protector rather than hunter, adding her prisoner to her troupe of companions: a rare Floradëur, Monére warrior Stefan, and the Mixed Breed Jonnie.

Although determined to not become attached to those under her protection, she finds Stefan irresistible, and is pulled into a web of erotic desire with him unlike any she has felt before. Knowing he needs more than she can ever give him, she intends to find him a place with a Monére Queen, leaving him and the others behind.

But an unforeseen danger binds her to her men in a way she could never have anticipated, making the very idea of separation impossible...

Lucinda, Darkly is the first book in Sunny's The Demon Princess Chronicles which is connected to her Monére, Children of the Moon series, but works very well as a standalone series for those who have not read the other books - like me. This was the first book by Sunny I have had the pleasure of reading, and it will not be my last. Not only am I eagerly anticipating the sequel to Lucinda, Darkly, but I have already added the Monére, Children of the Moon series to my book shopping list. Although I was able to follow this story without issue, the references to characters in the other series made me intensely curious!

This book has been compared to Laurell K. Hamilton's writing, and I can definitely see why. While classified as a romance and it has some romantic elements, the story is more an adventure following the main character, Lucinda, and her companions. Yes, there is love, and oh my gosh are there some sexy scenes - but this book doesn't fit the `mold' of a classic romance in that her story does not end in this book. While this particular part of her story has completed, her exploits will be continued in the following stories, if the series title is any indication. Most noticeably, there isn't a traditional happy ending in this book. Yes, the story ends well for our main characters, but since this isn't really the end of Lucinda's tale, it is largely up in the air still as to who she will end up with in the long run. Fans of sagas that star the same hero and/or heroine in each of the books will appreciate this immensely, as did I.

Lucinda is an extremely likable heroine. She might be a demon, but she is nowhere near evil, as she proves by her actions over and over again. It is easy to fall for her, just like the men who accompany her do.

I see the next book in this exciting new series is due out in *sigh* 2009!!! I suppose I am going to try to have some patience, but it will be extremely hard when I am so anxious to see what happens next with this intriguing group of people! I will be using that time to catch up on Sunny's other stories in the meantime... J

Lucinda was a Monere queen before she died, strong enough to make the transition to become a demon dead, who travels between hell and earth looking to return wayward demons to hell. Her mission is interrupted when she saves Stefan, a rogue Monere warrior who ran away from his queen. They share violence and pleasure while she drinks his blood.

Lucinda returns to Hell; where the de facto ruler her brother Halcyon tells her to find Nico the rogue Monere warrior and return him to his queen. When she catches up with Nico he puts up a good fight refusing to be killed by her or returned to his queen who kills her warriors when they become too strong, but he loses to her. She returns him to Mona Si Guiri who annoys Lucinda with her attitude. Nico is placed in silver chains making his powers useless and Lucinda is held in black chains. However the demon side of Lucinda rises and she defeats the queens and her warriors. She must return to Hell or fade into nothingness. Derek a former guardian tries to prevent her return to Hell even as she begins to build a male warrior following in Arizona.

This superb fast-paced urban fantasy in the tradition of Laurel K. Hamilton contains strong characterization that makes the Monere universe seems genuine. There is also plenty of sex and violence, at times together, but it is necessary elements interwoven into the story line. Although this is a stand alone side thriller, reading the previous Mona Lisa tales (see MONA LISA BLOSSOMING and MONA LISA AWAKENING) will make it easier to understand Sunny's complex realm.

Harriet Klausner

Sunny has done an excellent job writing the introduction of Lucinda's story. I love the worlds/realms she has created as well as the characters. It has everything that I need in a book - heated romance, love, action, fantasy and a real plot! I can not wait till the next book. Unfortunately it's slated for 2009. Unbelievable! Thats like waiting till Fall 2008 for the 4th book of the Twilight Series of Stephanie Meyer. Sunny you have 5 stars from me! I have my other book friends reading Lucinda right now! Lucinda is one "bad" demon Princess!!!

Demon's being "good" rather than "evil" is hitting the romance genre. Spinning off the Monere series, Sunny has a hit with Lucinda Darkly (LD) & a new Demon series in her grasp.

Although Sunny does a great job world building that LD can stand alone, I strongly recommend reading the Monere series first to become familiar with Lucinda's species Demon Dead (who are Monere's that have transitioned into Demon Dead upon death).
I believe readers will have a better understanding of Lucinda Darkly if they read the Monroe series first.

We 1st met Lucinda in the Monere series where she was a bit scary to me. I didn't know if she was friend or foe. Lucinda is as a hunter feared by Monere who can kill without flinching and easily take what she needs when she needs. In LD we discover she is also capable of not only great passion, but also compassion as rogue Monere's are drawn into her keeping.

In keeping with the Monere series you can expect some violence as well as yummy males and hot, steamy sex scenes. I anticipate there will be as many battles and intrigue between Lucinda and Monere Queens as well as between the two species of Monere and Demon Dead.

Write faster Sunny!!

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Lucinda has spent centuries doing nothing more than feed off of the Monére and play escort returning demons to the underworld. She's grown tired of her life until everything changes in one moment. When she meets Stefan, a rogue Monere warrior who is acting as guardian to a young mixed breed Jonnie, something grabs her long dead heart and she can't leave them behind.

Lucinda's cadre of companions grows when she returns, then claims, another rogue Monére, Nico, and in so doing finds young Talon, a Floradëur (Flower of darkness) who was stolen from the underworld as a child. As Lucinda and her companions vow to return Talon to his home and find the demon responsible for stealing him, she finds herself bound to her men in such a way that separation would mean their death.

Lucinda, Darkly is strongly tied to the Monére, Children of the Moon series yet still stands apart as a unique story in its own right. Reading the Monére series may help a reader become more invested in this story, but new visitors to the worlds Sunny has created will also enjoy this novel.

Meeting Lucinda in previous novellas in the Monére, Children of the Moon series made me want to learn more about her. So I was curious enough to pick up Lucinda, Darkly and read her story. While I think the Monére series is a bit more original and better written, I did enjoy this book. Lucinda is a study in contrasts, a demon with a heart and longing for a new life that even being the daughter of the High Lord of Hell can't give her.

Lucinda, Darkly is a classic quest novel, with a twist and spiced up with lots of hot sex. And is it ever hot! The passion between the characters made me blush on more than one occasion. Lucinda is a demon who actually has some human qualities, as evidenced in her attachments to the men and boys under her protection. I thought Lucinda spent a little too much time bemoaning her fate and trying to convince herself she must remain alone, but I found her to be a very likeable protagonist. I could not help but become emotionally involved in her story.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, January 2008. All rights reserved.

I have read the four Mona Lisa stories. I have not read the two shorts that introduced this character. Was interested in the direction this character may go.

I was hoping for a stronger more self confident personality. Lucinda is 700 years old. 100 has a monere queen (very short life - wonder what happened there) and 600 years as demon dead.

I feel that is all this time, she still doesn't know who or what she wants to be when she grows up. She is a guardian that works for the High Council or the High Prince (Brother) and/or Ruler (Father) of Hell.

Lucinda's life is long and lonely - but that is beginning to change. Will she gracefully accept the changes in her life? At times I felt that she had no more wisdom or maturity then a 20 year old. Instead of coming up with solutions to many of the obsticles in her path - she is just willing to sacrifice herself and in essence doom others to a life of gloom without her. Realize that we want some drama and mystery but thought she was too willing to give up instead of fighting for what she wants and what her guys would need.

Book was great, I loved the way she tied in the Mona Lisa Books but gave this book its own creatures and charaters. Sunny was able to make this book its own story. I love the fresh new take on the mixed genre. Sunny is a great writer!!

While not listed as a part of the "Mona Lisa" series, this seems to be part of the overall Monere series. One thing I love about Sunny's stories is I can't guess what's going to happen next. So many authors stories end as expected, but Sunny has no problems going her own direction. Her books always leave me wondering what's next and anxiously waiting fot the next installment. Truly an ehgrossing and enjoyable read and I can hardly wait to get my next Sunny book.

Lucinda has existed for a long time as demon dead, but she is feeling the weight of all her years. She misses the simple kindnesses experienced through interaction with others, where she's not feared or reviled. When Lucinda comes across a man that can understand her isolation, she also finds a man that does not fear her, wishes nothing from her, but the right to cherish her. However, when Lucinda is called to perform her duties as Guardian, she comes across more men who appreciate her, not who or what she is. Will Lucinda be able to step away from the path she has created for herself and accept what is offered, or will she chose to repay their kindness and love with cruelty as she expects of herself?

In Lucinda, Darkly we find all the elements that make an erotic fantasy book memorable, reminiscent of Laurell K. Hamilton's Meredith Gentry series. The characters have unexpected depths that surprise us, as they drag us into their story and make it difficult to tear yourself away from the action. Lucinda is a woman that seems to revel in cruelty and pain, but in reality craves acceptance and love. As Lucinda unwittingly starts collecting "her men," we live with them, seeing their pain and pleasure as they fight to unravel the conflicting forces forcing them apart, to bind themselves closer together. Lucinda and her men are scorching hot and you don't want to miss them. Sunny is an author destined for the keeper shelf in your library and I can't wait to see where she will take us next. Lucinda, Darkly is not to be missed; the Demon Princess series has begun with an explosion that will leave you waiting eagerly for the next installment.

Sabella reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This book was simply lovely. The characters were interesting and well-written, the story line was easy to follow, and it was quite satisfying to be able to recognize elements and characters from Sunny's first series. Nico and Stephan are near polar-opposites, and Talon seems like he'll develop into a strong, fascinating character. If you haven't read the Monere: Children of the Moon series, you'll still be able to pick this book up and run with it. Overall, a wonderful read, and a great start for what promises to be a very good new series. I'll definitely be purchasing the next installment!