Dark Horse (A Demon's Guide to the Afterlife Book 1)
by Kel Carpenter and Aurelia Jane
Blurb
My husband killed me.
Instead of spending my immortal Afterlife pissed off and angry, I moved on. I became someone.
Sure, that someone was a demon with the highest track record of reform, AKA punishment, in Hell. But who’s bragging?
I’m right on my way to retirement behind the pearly gates. Everything was going fine . . . until the Risk Witches saw a terrible vision.
Three men. Each scarred in their own way, born with powers that haven’t been seen in eons.
Upper Management sent the best to correct their path. Angels. Poltergeists. Nothing worked.
These men were too stubborn. Too bad. Too untamed...
So they sent me.
Roman. Ezra. Dorian.
Combined, they have enough power to end the world—and they will.
Unless I find a way to stop them first.
Breaking people is my job. But this time...my job might break me.
My Review
I'm kicking myself for not reading this book sooner! Wow, this book was incredible! It was unique, creative, original and so different from other books I've read lately. Quite refreshing to read. It also has a great pace with plenty of action and some steam and sexual tension too. A must have, right?
The leading female, Fury, is strong, smart, has a sense of humor and some incredibly powerful abilities. Fury lived a rough life on earth and died at the hands of her abusive husband. She's sent to the Afterlife where she chooses to become a demon that dishes out punishment in Hell. Her idea of reform is not conventional, but it has earned her the highest track record, making her the best at this job. I would describe her type of punishment as "an eye for an eye". What they did wrong on earth she then gives them the same type of treatment in Hell. I'm not going to lie, a couple parts made me squirm a bit, but I did not find it too disturbing to continue reading.
When the Risk Witches see a terrible vision, Fury gets tasked with the job of taking out three powerful supernaturals. All she's been told is they will end the world and everyone else they sent to stop them has failed. At first, Fury isn't interested. When they tell her she can retire after this job, she takes it! She wants nothing more than to live in peace in Hell. She's ready for the job. Oh, wait! There's a crow. She's given a crow to help her along the way. The dynamic between the two is hilarious. I wasn't expecting it and I felt it provided some good comic relief when things weren't going well. Ok, ok, now she's ready for the job. What she wasn't ready for was the three sexy, dominate, powerful men that she'd have to take out. I love the connection she has with all three men. There's a good quality steamy scene with one of them and more sexual tension with the others I would say. I'd love to see more steam in the next book.
Overall, like I said, this book was incredible. It's getting five stars for the uniqueness, originality, creative story and strong characters. It is definitely not finished and the readers are left with many questions. I'm really looking forward to the next book. I think this series will be epic.
Lastly, I'd like to say thank you to the authors for what they put in the very end of the book in the "Author's Note". Fury had a traumatic life on Earth dealing with an abusive husband and because of it, she drinks. A lot. It helped her numb her physical and emotional pain. Sadly, making her an alcoholic. It's a trait that has carried over in her Afterlife. In the "Author's Note" they write, "While she is fictional, the reality of her past and why she drinks is far from fantasy." They continue on with, "If you or someone you love needs help, please reach out to a friend, a family member, a counselor, or one the resources below." They list websites/phone numbers for domestic abuse and alcohol/substance abuse services. I've read books with trigger warnings that are stated at the beginning, but I've never seen an author take the extra step at the end, like they did. It's true, although the character is fictional, her problem is one that is very real. All the respect and all the stars for talking about the distinction between fantasy and reality. Thank you.
Rating: 5 Stars
Recommend: Highly
Books in the series
