One of the new authors I’m checking out is Lilith Saintcrow and her series involving Dante Valentine. The premise is even more futuristic than Keri Arthur’s Riley Jenson novels and a slight take from the Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series.
The first novel Working for the Devil introduces us to Dante Valentine, a Necromance-for-hire who gets hired by the Devil. Not that she really wants to work for him, but he made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. The series was actually pretty good. It can be a little confusing when Saintcrow describes her inventions for the world Dante lives in, but I was able to figure everything out once I continued reading. Once I read what it was, then it was understandable, but she doesn’t always explains things right away. Saintcrow also plays with the supernaturals or the Psions in her world. So far I haven’t come across any vampires or werewolves, but there are Magi, Shamans, and Skinlins (which, in layman terms, are earth witches). The one thing she does point out is nobody gets to decide they are a Psion, but it’s part of their genetic code.
The one thing I haven’t made my mind up about yet, is that fact that she made one thing very obvious in the beginning of the story. I’m not going to say what it was, but I was not surprised when, what I thought was going to happen, actually did happen. Although I do have to say, it was nice watching the situation unfold. It wasn’t something that happened within a chapter or two, but it wasn’t dragged out or anything either. Everything Dante went through seemed right. It wasn’t hurried or just thrown in for an added benefit. I think that is why I haven’t made any decisions regarding it yet. While it was glaringly obvious, it was really well done. And you really can’t argue against that.
This novel is borderline too futuristic for me, but it’s still a good read and I’m willing to try the second book Dead Man Rising. Either way, if you like the Riley Jenson or Anita Blake series, check this one out. This first novel was good and it kept me interested.
Read Order:
Working for the Devil
Dead Man Rising
The Devil’s Right Hand
Saint City Sinners
To Hell and Back
