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The Demon of Renaissance Drive

by Elizabeth Reuter (Goodreads Author)

3.77 of 5 stars 3.77 · rating details · 31 ratings · 20 reviews

For one of Hell’s preeminent succubi, life should be sweet...and it is, if you like sulfuric air, political minefields, and crashing boredom. After six thousand years the succubus Annabelle finds relief from her dull life in the companionship of a damned soul named Harry, until the Kings of Hell decide they disapprove of Annabelle and Harry’s bond.

Unfortunately, even esca...more

Paperback, 210 pages

Published November 18th 2011 by JournalStone (first published October 28th 2011)

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Nov 22, 2011 Ruth Albarran rated it 4 of 5 stars

What an amazing book. This story starts with the description of the characters and her life as a Succubi in Hell. The stories grabs you from the start and you don't want to stop reading. Amazing writing and detail description of the main character's surroundings and life style. The description of Hell reminds me of Dante's Inferno, but this one has a sense of Humor and the Thrill keeps you so entertained!

There's always something going on with the characters in this story and we go through it se...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Sam rated it 4 of 5 stars

After 6000 years the succubus Annabelle finds relief from her dull life in Hell in the companionship of a damned soul she calls Harry. Knowing they can't stay in Hell Annabelle and Harry escape to Earth. Making a deal with one of the Kings of Hell and his wife they go through a portal and begin their life on Earth not knowing that they had been betrayed and are being hunted.

The book was well written and held my interest. The way it ended leads you to believe that a second book could be coming an...more

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Nov 20, 2011 J.H. Sked rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was a slow starter for me personally; although it really kicked into high gear right towards the end, and characters that were almost stereotypes started getting a little extra dimension.

I struggled to empathise with Annabelle, a bored succubus who performs the only unselfish act of her existence when she rescues a tortured soul she names Henry, and flees with him to earth.

When she forces psychologist Jimmy to work with a traumatised Henry to try to heal him, the story improves dramat...more

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Dec 11, 2011 Bookmom rated it 2 of 5 stars

After living for six thousand years, Annabelle has seen it all and done it all, and now she's just plain bored. One of seven remaining succubi, she's being solicited by the Kings of Hell for her hand in marriage since Lucifer has decreed that the only offspring that can ascend to the thrones of the twelve Kings of Hell are ones birthed by the wife of each king; non-succubi female demons are infertile for the most part, whereas the job of a succubi is to populate Hell and they get pregnant every...more After living for six thousand years, Annabelle has seen it all and done it all, and now she's just plain bored. One of seven remaining succubi, she's being solicited by the Kings of Hell for her hand in marriage since Lucifer has decreed that the only offspring that can ascend to the thrones of the twelve Kings of Hell are ones birthed by the wife of each king; non-succubi female demons are infertile for the most part, whereas the job of a succubi is to populate Hell and they get pregnant every time they have sex.

While trying to avoid one king she notices an apathetic damned soul just arriving from another place in Hell and something about this guy grabs her. She feels a sense of excitement as she decides to snatch the guy and heal is mind. But the only way to help him will be to find a way to get him back to Earth, where their troubles begin. No damned soul has ever escaped before and Annabelle's actions have caused chaos.

The concept of the story is interesting. Annabelle is royalty and used to having most things handed to her. Now she's working for a paycheck and enjoys the fact that everything she has is because she earned it; well, most things at least. She becomes very attached to the damned soul she calls Harry.

Jimmy, a psychologist, is hired to help Harry and through their discussions we're provided with some interesting ethical and theological discussions. Some of the most interesting deal with Harry remembering what he'd done when he was alive and if a person can ever suffer enough for what they've done in the past.

Much of the story feels choppy. This book was just too easy to put down and set aside, and I did so a number of times. I couldn't find any real feeling for any of the characters, nor could I find a reason to care what happens to them. Jimmy is probably fleshed out the best. Harry has no memory of his life until he's worked with Jimmy for a while, so that one makes sense. But the story is told mostly by Annabelle and we know the least about her.

Reviewed for Library Thing - 2.5 stars
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Nov 28, 2011 Emily rated it 3 of 5 stars

Book Title: The Demon of Renaissance Drive

Author: Elizabeth Reuter

Published By: JournalStone

Genre: Paranormal

Recommended Age: 18+

Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc

Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community

Rating: 3 Ravens

It’s been a few days since I finished this book but it left me with a few feelings I was and I’m still questioning along the way. Part of me wanted to love this book, and the other part of me wanted to hate it. It started out pretty strong flow with s...more Book Title: The Demon of Renaissance Drive

Author: Elizabeth Reuter

Published By: JournalStone

Genre: Paranormal

Recommended Age: 18+

Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc

Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community

Rating: 3 Ravens

It’s been a few days since I finished this book but it left me with a few feelings I was and I’m still questioning along the way. Part of me wanted to love this book, and the other part of me wanted to hate it. It started out pretty strong flow with some of the usual paranormal elements along the way but , began to turn into something of a religious/philosophical questioning leaving me wondering if the book was meant to be that questioning of religions or if somewhere along the lines of the story the story it’s self got lost. Though it was a pretty decent book not of the norm for it’s usual genre. It was definitely a book that has left me with a few questions and some answers I’m not so sure I want.

The story of Annabelle a succubus bored with her life and existence in hell, considered one of Hells’ Noble women and the last few of still procreating demonic mothers practically tearing her hair out to change her life and get out of her norm of day to day political banter with the demon kings of hell and their offers to make her a kept woman if she just spawns them an heir. It further goes to change slowly as she finds and steals this soul sent there for torture and damnation from one of the torture areas. She tries to rehabilitate him from his tortured and now broken mind. A guy that is pretty horrible you later on find and this leaves me with the questions of how am I suppose to feel about this Murder/rapist/racist….On top of which already having the later religious conflicting issues.

They go on to meet this good doing/clean soul Jimmy Hamid a psychologist that is to help restore Harry/Steve to a better mind than the tortured bruised soul that he is. All the while watching as this previously stated soul slowly starts to become a Poltergeist which is stated several times each time something unordinary happens with Harry/Steve . The ending is pretty fastly wrapped up and seems to be purposely left for a sequel to the book but I have to say I’m a little iffy on the choice on whether or night I would like to pick up the book as it’s just a little empty feeling to me. However, Like I always say what isn’t my cup of tea very well may be yours so with that 3 ravens is as good of a review as I can go with this as I’m still torn with my choice but give it a go you may like it and enjoy the aspects of the book that I myself did and did not!(less)

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Nov 15, 2011 Loony Gryphon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-book, librarything-wins, read-post-graduation, read-non-manga

Wow, just wow. I picked this book out to read by just the title, I didn't read the summary or any excerpts and I have to say that I'm far from disappointed. Given who and what Annabelle was, most wouldn't sympathize with her, even less so with Harry once we learn the true reason why he had been damned. Yet, I found myself doing just that. Aside from being able to sympathize with characters that most would classify as evil and leave it at that, I find myself remembering why I never seriously cons...more

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Nov 27, 2011 Liz rated it 2 of 5 stars

I don't even know how to describe this book. It wasn't awful. It wasn't great. I didn't like the characters. I think you were supposed to start liking the characters, or at least, become invested in their awfulness, but I didn't. They weren't even characters that you love to hate. The book was full of philosophical questions, too. Lots of questions about God, and heaven, and punishment, but they didn't resonate with me. I thought there were too many questions, like the author was forcing me to t...more

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Nov 16, 2011 Tona rated it 4 of 5 stars

After 6 Milena who wouldn't be bored with Hell? You can't blame Annabelle for stealing the soul of a man being tortured. She's tired of of being one of the few succubi left and being used as a baby factory to further the kings of hell's political standing.

So she bargains for a way to get to Earth with "Henry". Soon she discovers that even on Earth she can not put Henry's mind back together. She needs help to get Henry functional again. She turns to Jimmy who is a Psychologist to help Henry. Onl...more

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Jan 25, 2012 Talk Supe Blogspot rated it 3 of 5 stars

Annabelle is sarcastic and can kick ass. I like Reuter's version of Hell and how demons generally go after lost and guilty souls and are not interested on the good, selfless ones. If you take out the attempt on making things light and humorous, Reuter's version of Hell is something Dante would be proud of. Souls fed to the fire, breaking your spirit literally for eternity, punishment with no end.

I like Annabelle's transition too from something that's borne out of evil evolving into a version of...more

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Oct 16, 2011 Christopher Payne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: journalstone

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Nov 27, 2011 Katy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Katy by: Christopher Payne

Shelves: librarything-win

Annabelle is one of only seven succubi left; a succubus is the only demoness that is guaranteed to get pregnant and thereby ensure that new demons are born to replace those who are lost to war or intrigue, therefore she is not only highly valuable, but also a desirable commodity. However, Annabelle is bored – she is nearing her sixth millennium, and she’s seen everything, experienced everything, given birth to millions of demons … she wants to do something different. Then one day, while walking...more

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Nov 23, 2011 Cassie McCown rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Demon of Renaissance Drive
By: Elizabeth Reuter
ISBN: 9781936564255
Published November 18, 2011 by JournalStone
Available Format: Hardcover, Paperback, ebook

My Rating: ★★★★★

The Demon of Renaissance Drive secured fourth place in JournalStone’s 2011 Horror contest.
So, maybe hell really isn’t all that bad…if you are a demon king or succubus! The Demon of Renaissance Drive tells the tale of Annabelle, a succubus that is thoroughly fed up with her life in hell. She is tired of being used to populate...more The Demon of Renaissance Drive
By: Elizabeth Reuter
ISBN: 9781936564255
Published November 18, 2011 by JournalStone
Available Format: Hardcover, Paperback, ebook

My Rating: ★★★★★

The Demon of Renaissance Drive secured fourth place in JournalStone’s 2011 Horror contest.
So, maybe hell really isn’t all that bad…if you are a demon king or succubus! The Demon of Renaissance Drive tells the tale of Annabelle, a succubus that is thoroughly fed up with her life in hell. She is tired of being used to populate her world with more and more demon spawn. She is tired of the politics. She is tired of it all. One day, on her way back from a trip to Earth with her friend Samantha, Annabelle sees a glimmer of hope in one of the tortured souls of the underworld. She makes an impulsive decision to snatch the soul and take him back to her home. Naming her new pet ‘Harry,’ she begins working to rehabilitate his tortured mind. She knows she can’t keep him locked away in her bedroom forever, so she begins making deals with other demons to secure passage for her and Harry to have a ‘normal’ life on Earth. Life on the surface cannot possibly be easy for a royal succubus and her stolen poltergeist. Will they be able to rehabilitate Harry? What dangerous secrets will they uncover about his previous life? How far will Annabelle go to keep him safe?

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review.

This novel is comfortably paced, charming and funny, and peppered with a little Dante. The imagination and creativity that went into creating this story is fantastic. Who would have thought I would be reading about hell and actually enjoy it? The different characters of both hell and earth are all humanly flawed yet highly entertaining, and Reuter does a great job writing each and every one of them. Annabelle is one kickass chick, and you know I always love a strong heroine in the story. Harry undergoes a dramatic transformation, and I think Jimmy is probably one of the most relatable and funny characters I have read in a while.

The last chapter was my absolute favorite. I won’t give away the ending, but this last chapter absolutely pulled the entire book together, the way it should have. Of course, we’re left hanging a bit, which hopefully means Reuter will give us a sequel. I can’t wait to read more about Annabelle and Harry!

You simply must get yourself a copy of The Demon of Renaissance Drive and check it out for yourself…
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Nov 28, 2011 Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, library-thing-giveaways

Annabelle is bored in hell. Who would have ever guessed that hell has a social structure? She is one of the more powerful succubi and is tired of continually giving birth to demons.

On a whim she rescues a soul from eternal torture and takes him back to earth. She tries to create a life for her and "Harry". Trying to stay under the radar of hell, because what she has done is highly illegal.

This was a very interesting story. There is action and hell is described in a very unique fashion. I would o...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Lena Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved the book!
Was from a different point of view most authors would not have taken. To have Annabelle as the 'bad guy' being the one mostly portrayed in this novel was brilliant. I could see life from her point of view, how immortality may be boring and what we are 'meant to do' may not make us happy so we must find our own ways.
I really do hope there is a second book to come, The situation of Harry and his soul quite interested me. Lilith, Annabelle's Mother would be awesome in a second book...more

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Nov 16, 2011 Wendy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Six thousand year old, Annabelle is one of the last known succubi in Hell. She is tired and bored (wouldn't you be after six thousand years?) so she visits King Belial hoping he will let her teleport to Earth. Unbeknownst to him (and the other Kings of Hell), she wants to take Harry, the damned soul she saved from Farf (hee hee!), with her. Annabelle soon realizes that there is no escape from the Satanists out to ruin their fun and return them to Hell. Even though this story-line was paranormal...more

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Jan 15, 2012 Cyneva rated it 4 of 5 stars

Despite getting off to a slow start for me (the writer's style took a little while to get used to), this book quickly blossomed into an enjoyable ride. Different take on the whole 'demons coming to earth' thing - interesting characters, some comedic moments (all of which I could picture in my mind vividly as if I was watching a movie), and just well-written overall. Recommended for fans of paranormal/supernatural fiction.

1 like · like · see review

Dec 13, 2011 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: goodreads-wins

I received this book as a Goodreads win. It seemed to have an ok of start to it,then once Annabelle and Harry went to Earth it started slowing down for me and I started to lose interest, but I ended up getting back into it near the end. The book turned out to be a bit philosophical, and I did not see that coming really. Overall its an OK read.

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Mar 18, 2012 Larry rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was fortunate to win this book in a goodreads sweepstakes. Lucky me for this was truly a good read. The story never got slow and the characters in play were terrific. Well done!. Will be looking forward in reading more from Elizabeth Reuter.

1 like · like · see review

Feb 20, 2012 Melissa marked it as to-read

Shelves: i-own

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

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Shelves: journalstone-publishing, wishlist

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Shelves: contest

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About Elizabeth Reuter

Stuck somewhere between childhood and adolescence, Elizabeth Reuter never got tired of playing with the imaginary friends that crowd her skull. She has written published articles, edited novels, and had her first short story published in JournalStone’s 2010 Warped Words anthology, a horror tale about evil children and denial. Ryu Murakami, Natsuo Kirino, J.K. Rowling, Holly Black and Clive Barker...more

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