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52nd out of 1,689 books
—
7,001 voters
Working for the Devil (Dante Valentine #1)
by
Lilith Saintcrow (Goodreads Author)
When the Devil needs a rogue demon killed, who does he call?
The Player: Necromance-for-hire Dante Valentine is choosy about her jobs. Hot tempered and with nerves of steel, she can raise the dead like nobody's business. But one rainy Monday morning, everything goes straight to hell.
The Score: The Devil hires Dante to eliminate a rogue demon: Vardimal Santino. In return,...more
The Player: Necromance-for-hire Dante Valentine is choosy about her jobs. Hot tempered and with nerves of steel, she can raise the dead like nobody's business. But one rainy Monday morning, everything goes straight to hell.
The Score: The Devil hires Dante to eliminate a rogue demon: Vardimal Santino. In return,...more
Mass Market Paperback, 403 pages
Published
March 1st 2006
by Aspect
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Based on the author's name and the title I was fully expecting a neo-gothic monstrosity of red velvet, dripping blood and undying love. This sort of thing:
Ironically, the book does feature some red velvet and lots of blood, yet it was surprisingly good nonetheless.
This is the story of Dante "Danny" Valentine, a talented necromance and ass-kicking bounty hunter, who is hired (read forced) by the Prince of Hell himself, Lucifer (the Devil is dressed in black jeans and t-shirt, is barefoot, androgy...more
Ironically, the book does feature some red velvet and lots of blood, yet it was surprisingly good nonetheless.
This is the story of Dante "Danny" Valentine, a talented necromance and ass-kicking bounty hunter, who is hired (read forced) by the Prince of Hell himself, Lucifer (the Devil is dressed in black jeans and t-shirt, is barefoot, androgy...more
Just as every cop is a criminal
And all the sinners saints
As heads is tails
Just call me Lucifer
cause I'm in need of some restraint
I blame Buffy for the rash of ass-kicking, smart-talking, bitchy female vampire slayers and the legions of sidekicks who inexplicably give them unconditional love.
I don't mean to imply that loving Buffy herself was inexplicable. Buffy was something special. Even when she was bitchy, she was prone to saying things like, "I'm cookie dough. I'm not done baking." Even as s...more
And all the sinners saints
As heads is tails
Just call me Lucifer
cause I'm in need of some restraint
I blame Buffy for the rash of ass-kicking, smart-talking, bitchy female vampire slayers and the legions of sidekicks who inexplicably give them unconditional love.
I don't mean to imply that loving Buffy herself was inexplicable. Buffy was something special. Even when she was bitchy, she was prone to saying things like, "I'm cookie dough. I'm not done baking." Even as s...more
30 likes · like · see review
Feb 23, 2009
MK (Consultant, Corporal Therapist)
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fans of futuristic/supernatural romance, demons
Recommended to MK (Consultant, Corporal Therapist) by:
Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Monthly Reads Group on GR
The only thing for me that was hard to digest was the futuristic language that was wrapped around every material, object and person's job title.
Dante Valentine is a Necromance(able to raise spirits of the dead and relate their final wishes) and a bounty hunter. She is contracted by The Prince of Hell (Lucifer) and given a demon familiar (who needs blood, sex or fire to live). She is ordered to retrieve an artifact called the Egg from Santino, a serial killer she has crossed paths with before.
T...more
Dante Valentine is a Necromance(able to raise spirits of the dead and relate their final wishes) and a bounty hunter. She is contracted by The Prince of Hell (Lucifer) and given a demon familiar (who needs blood, sex or fire to live). She is ordered to retrieve an artifact called the Egg from Santino, a serial killer she has crossed paths with before.
T...more
4 likes · like · see review
This series is one of the best out there for dark urban fantasy fans. Lilith Saintcrow is a masterful writer, and everything comes together for her with this series. The characters are well-drawn, the plot pace is fast and flawless, and the novel is full of surprising twists and turns. Just one of the best reads I have ever had the chance to experience in this genre. No kidding.
4 likes · like · see review
September 2007: ★★★★★
I LOVE this book. It had me from page one. Great start to a great series. Just my cup of tea.
November 2012: ★★★★★
Ugh. That ending. That heart-shattering, poignant ending. This was just as good as I remembered it.
Review to come.
I LOVE this book. It had me from page one. Great start to a great series. Just my cup of tea.
November 2012: ★★★★★
Ugh. That ending. That heart-shattering, poignant ending. This was just as good as I remembered it.
Review to come.
4 likes · like · see review
Fantastic!! Went out and bought this the other day after seeing some of my friends had it on the their to read list. Bought it, and read it within a day. Then before I even finished this one, I already bought the second book.
This story is about a necromance called Dante Valentine. She is considered one of the best necromance's in the world. So good in fact, that the devil himself has asked her to do him a favor. He wants her to kill a demon who has escaped from hell, and has stolen what he calls...more
This story is about a necromance called Dante Valentine. She is considered one of the best necromance's in the world. So good in fact, that the devil himself has asked her to do him a favor. He wants her to kill a demon who has escaped from hell, and has stolen what he calls...more
3 likes · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Tried to expand my horizons in the Urban Fantasy category. This looked really promising, but has turned out to be hard to get into. Written in a future that is not fully explained, with name dropping of made up people, places, and things that don't have any description. Unfortunately, it might never get finished...
Update 10 Oct 08 - I have come to the conclusion that this is one of those that will sit on the shelf until I feel guilty enough to finish it, or maybe the rest of my collection burns...more
Update 10 Oct 08 - I have come to the conclusion that this is one of those that will sit on the shelf until I feel guilty enough to finish it, or maybe the rest of my collection burns...more
This one fell flat for me. There was too much magic, for one thing. Sorting through the jargon reminded me of trying to read cyberpunk. I prefer a subtle touch - urban fantasy that's a little more grounded in reality.
The writing was also a little repetitive; for example, I found myself counting how many times Japhrimel told Dante to "Breathe. Just Breathe."
I did like the author's voice, and there was potential in the Dante/Japhrimel relationship, but it didn't go anywhere beyond: "I have every r...more
The writing was also a little repetitive; for example, I found myself counting how many times Japhrimel told Dante to "Breathe. Just Breathe."
I did like the author's voice, and there was potential in the Dante/Japhrimel relationship, but it didn't go anywhere beyond: "I have every r...more
3 likes · like · see review
I picked this book up because I finished Living With The Dead while visiting my in-laws and wanted something new to read for the trip back. It was one of those books I always picked up, thought looked interesting, but never quite got around to reading- probably because it seemed like more of the same old, same old I get from so many other urban fantasy authors.
It was not.
Saintcrow blends sci-fi and fantasy pretty seamlessly, creating a world where hover crafts and cyber-age drugs blend with de...more
It was not.
Saintcrow blends sci-fi and fantasy pretty seamlessly, creating a world where hover crafts and cyber-age drugs blend with de...more
I am a sucker for paranormal romance, and while I knew from reviews that it was quite light on the romance, I was still very interested. Luckily, I was not disappointed at all.
Dante is a very strong female character, but she feels more real than other similar characters I've read (Anita Blake, Mercy Thompson). She's tough, but it's not unbelievable. She gets tired, pissy, and has moments where she needs to cry. I like that mix.
I also like that the book was obviously set in the future but it di...more
Dante is a very strong female character, but she feels more real than other similar characters I've read (Anita Blake, Mercy Thompson). She's tough, but it's not unbelievable. She gets tired, pissy, and has moments where she needs to cry. I like that mix.
I also like that the book was obviously set in the future but it di...more
What would be your answer when Lucifer, Prince of Hell would offer you a job and you get two options: if you don´t take it you would be killed or if you take it you could be killed? Right! Dante Valentine a necromance and bounty hunter chooses the second possiblity at least she´d have a chance to survive. An important artifact the "Egg" has been stolen by the demon Vardimal Santino from Hell and Dante´s task is to hunt Santino down, kill him, grab the Egg and bring it back to Lucifer. Seems easy...more
3 likes · like · see review
The story was entertaining, but Ms. Saintcrow could use a good editor. There were too many awkward sentences and absolutely wrong words used through the course of the book to allow me to give it a higher rating. Plus the foul language got old after awhile. It was no longer shock value, just lazy dialogue.
With some editing and less use of a word every teenager uses for every single part of speech, you might have yourself something here. Worth a second effort to fix.
With some editing and less use of a word every teenager uses for every single part of speech, you might have yourself something here. Worth a second effort to fix.
I took a chance and bought the the entire series -- story of a necromancer whom the Devil hires/forces to track down and kill a nasty demon. I wasn't sure at first if I would like this; the story is set at some unknown date in the future, at a time when persons with psychic abilities are openly part of society, and religion as we now know it has undergone some serious shakeups. And, while I won't say this is the best writing ever, I will admit to be being well hooked by about 100 pages in. Enjoy...more
A Devil of a Good Read
Dante Valentine is really good at what she does. In fact, there are some that say she is the best necromance and bounty hunter in Saint City. Apparently the Devil thinks so too.
When Lucifer sends his personal assassin, Tierce Japhrimel, to fetch Dante for a job, she knows she’s in trouble. The Devil wants her to track down and kill an escaped demon named Santino. The problem is Lucifer granted Santino immunity from being killed by any man or demon, so to level the playing f...more
Dante Valentine is really good at what she does. In fact, there are some that say she is the best necromance and bounty hunter in Saint City. Apparently the Devil thinks so too.
When Lucifer sends his personal assassin, Tierce Japhrimel, to fetch Dante for a job, she knows she’s in trouble. The Devil wants her to track down and kill an escaped demon named Santino. The problem is Lucifer granted Santino immunity from being killed by any man or demon, so to level the playing f...more
I like a good urban fantasy with a kick ass heroine and world building that goes beyond the normal fantasy. This series has all these things and started off great. However, I like a story arc that stands alone, despite a series set within it. I made it thru the entire book before I realized that I was not going to be happy about the way this ends because watching the heroine be miserable and conflicted is just what happens in urban fantasy right now... So. Frustrating! I admit that I am picky ab...more
I had really hoped that it wouldn't be like the Strange Angels series, and I wasn't dissatisfied. While I found Danny's choice of wardrobe very similar to that of Drew; they even have names that start with "D". But I liked the similarities, like how neither of them can deal with letting people get close, both have strange parental stories, both are sharp tongued with a tendency to speak before they think, getting them in a bunch of deep doodoo, and their sense of honor really just jacked it up....more
Loved this book, with a capital L. In fact, I wish I had more stars today. I found this gem via the Dark Urban Fantasy Blog: http://www.darkurbanfantasy.com/
So much good here, I barely know where to begin. Dante Valentine is a great heroine, maybe one of my favorites of all time. She's foul-mouthed, sassy, and doesn't take crap from anyone. That occasionally makes her a little hard-nosed, but the way her character is built up makes that fitting. Her relationships are frequently hostile and alway...more
So much good here, I barely know where to begin. Dante Valentine is a great heroine, maybe one of my favorites of all time. She's foul-mouthed, sassy, and doesn't take crap from anyone. That occasionally makes her a little hard-nosed, but the way her character is built up makes that fitting. Her relationships are frequently hostile and alway...more
I liked Working For the Devil but I wished it had been better.
I didn't really like Dante Valentine, who is always interrupting people or demons in the middle of saying important things so that she can mouth off, autocratically ordering her friends around, or freezing up to shake/vomit/rediscover the miracle of breathing before, during, or after every minor skirmish. She's a real drama queen.
It's hard to like a novel when you don't like the first-person narrator. The world-building here is pret...more
I didn't really like Dante Valentine, who is always interrupting people or demons in the middle of saying important things so that she can mouth off, autocratically ordering her friends around, or freezing up to shake/vomit/rediscover the miracle of breathing before, during, or after every minor skirmish. She's a real drama queen.
It's hard to like a novel when you don't like the first-person narrator. The world-building here is pret...more
First line: "My working relationship with Lucifer began on a rainy Monday."
Summary: Scifi/fantasy story where our pretentiously named protagonist gets hauled off by Lucifer to complete a mission for him. Suck.
I picked this up because I quite liked the author's YA series, Strange Angels. This didn't quite work for me. Not sure exactly what it was. Maybe I was comparing it too much to the other book—for example, the author seems to have a penchant for tall dark guys in long black jackets. The plot...more
Summary: Scifi/fantasy story where our pretentiously named protagonist gets hauled off by Lucifer to complete a mission for him. Suck.
I picked this up because I quite liked the author's YA series, Strange Angels. This didn't quite work for me. Not sure exactly what it was. Maybe I was comparing it too much to the other book—for example, the author seems to have a penchant for tall dark guys in long black jackets. The plot...more
Working for the Devil is the first book in Lilith Saintcrow's Dante Valentine series.
I initially picked it up because I was looking for a fast, fun read, and the premmace sounded intriguing.
In the proverbial nutshell, our heroine, colorfully crissend Dante Valentine, works as a necromancer in a futuristic city, raising the dead for fun and profit. She is so good at it that the devil himself contracts her for a rather special side job. He wants her to kill the demon Santino and return the egg, a...more
I initially picked it up because I was looking for a fast, fun read, and the premmace sounded intriguing.
In the proverbial nutshell, our heroine, colorfully crissend Dante Valentine, works as a necromancer in a futuristic city, raising the dead for fun and profit. She is so good at it that the devil himself contracts her for a rather special side job. He wants her to kill the demon Santino and return the egg, a...more
Apr 20, 2011
Connie302
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of the Cassie Palmer series and the Rachel Morgan series
Shelves:
urban-fantasy
I'll get the negatives out of the way first because there aren't that many of them. First of all, I didn't really like how short the chapters were, it made the story flow a bit 'chunky', like Saintcrow was rushing her words and forcing you to skim-read. But after a while you get used to the writers stle and don't really notice it so much. And how many times did the characters shrug? I found myself cringing every time i read the word 'shrug'.
Now for the positives :) . You're thrown straight into...more
Now for the positives :) . You're thrown straight into...more
I've gotta say, this book hooked me in from the very beginning. From page one I wanted to keep reading, and reading so I could find out what would happen next. And there was absolutely nothing predictable about Danny or the world she lives in.
There are necromances, hedgewitches, healers, shamans, demons and even the Devil himself! Honestly, this paranormal world of the future was outstanding in description and the way it functioned. Danny Valentine is a necromance with outstanding power. One rai...more
There are necromances, hedgewitches, healers, shamans, demons and even the Devil himself! Honestly, this paranormal world of the future was outstanding in description and the way it functioned. Danny Valentine is a necromance with outstanding power. One rai...more
This is the first book in the Danny Valentine series by Lilith Saintcrow. Amazon kept recommending this book to me as a great book to read. Guess what? I really did like it!
Danny is a Necromance; that is she communes with the dead. In order to make some extra cash on the side she often takes up bounty hunts. The rumor of her hobby has reached Lucifer, yes the Devil himself, and he has sent one of his demons to bring Danny to hell to offer her a job. A demon is on the loose, a demon that's been g...more
Danny is a Necromance; that is she communes with the dead. In order to make some extra cash on the side she often takes up bounty hunts. The rumor of her hobby has reached Lucifer, yes the Devil himself, and he has sent one of his demons to bring Danny to hell to offer her a job. A demon is on the loose, a demon that's been g...more
I've only discovered Saintcrow earlier this year after reading `The Devil's Librarian', which I enjoyed immensely. Since I'd read everything from my regular UF authors, I figured that it would be nice to find a new author in the field.
The first Dante Valentine book introduces us to the character & her world. Set in a future where all strains of the major religions have died out & supernatural creatures roam the earth such as demons, werecreatures & vampires (called Nichtrevin). Danny...more
The first Dante Valentine book introduces us to the character & her world. Set in a future where all strains of the major religions have died out & supernatural creatures roam the earth such as demons, werecreatures & vampires (called Nichtrevin). Danny...more
There are three reasons that I am giving the Working for the Devil only four stars.
One: Saintcrow's Bladerunneresque world, though unbelievably wonderful, dark and gritty, is a little hard to follow. I'm halfway through the second book in this series and there are still parts of her carefully crafted world that I just don't get. This is MINOR though. For the most part, she is expertly skilled at explaining her world without me wanting to yawn (which is hard... I have a hard time with overly-desc...more
One: Saintcrow's Bladerunneresque world, though unbelievably wonderful, dark and gritty, is a little hard to follow. I'm halfway through the second book in this series and there are still parts of her carefully crafted world that I just don't get. This is MINOR though. For the most part, she is expertly skilled at explaining her world without me wanting to yawn (which is hard... I have a hard time with overly-desc...more
I love me some urban fantasy where the worldbuilding has been carefully considered and there's years of history that support the difference between those worlds and ours. If you have vampires and paranormals and demons wandering around, it pays to have thought about how that has greatly affected the economy, social services, government and law enforcement.
Lilith Saintcrow produces probably the best worldbuilding I've ever seen in adult urban fantasy. So much so that I could forgive her (awesome...more
Lilith Saintcrow produces probably the best worldbuilding I've ever seen in adult urban fantasy. So much so that I could forgive her (awesome...more
I had a tough time rating this book.
Years ago, I read several novels for the RPG Shadowrun. Toward the end of them, and I only read five or six, I was sick of them. There was something about them I didn't like. I think it was the lack of continuity between the books and the fact that there wasn't an overall story. I understand why, though.
Anyway, this book could easily be a Shadowrun novel. It's a very good book, set in the future with SciFi technology and magic. The main character is consiste...more
Years ago, I read several novels for the RPG Shadowrun. Toward the end of them, and I only read five or six, I was sick of them. There was something about them I didn't like. I think it was the lack of continuity between the books and the fact that there wasn't an overall story. I understand why, though.
Anyway, this book could easily be a Shadowrun novel. It's a very good book, set in the future with SciFi technology and magic. The main character is consiste...more
1 like · like · see review
Overall, I enjoyed Working for the Devil quite a bit. The world-building was interesting, detailed enough and without massive infodumps. The plot was decent and multi-layered. The magic was at least trying its best to be reasonably original. Japhrimel was hot and alluring, at least to start with.
On the other hand, the writing felt rough around the edges, with too much repetition of specific phrases or descriptions. Japhrimel, intriguing and alluring at first, turned into someone whose possessive...more
On the other hand, the writing felt rough around the edges, with too much repetition of specific phrases or descriptions. Japhrimel, intriguing and alluring at first, turned into someone whose possessive...more
I'm actually reading the omnibus edition, but I thought I'd add observations as I go along.
Unlike most of the urban fantasy I've read this book appears to take place in the future. Think J.D. Robb (which is set around 2050) with similar touches. Electronics, communications, and transportation are more advanced.
Let's see. Open world where all of the preternaturals are marked with tattoos of some sort. Many also have jewels set in their skin. Preternaturals are openly feared and disdained by norma...more
Unlike most of the urban fantasy I've read this book appears to take place in the future. Think J.D. Robb (which is set around 2050) with similar touches. Electronics, communications, and transportation are more advanced.
Let's see. Open world where all of the preternaturals are marked with tattoos of some sort. Many also have jewels set in their skin. Preternaturals are openly feared and disdained by norma...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaginal Fantasy H...: Working for the Devil | 9 | 132 | Nov 27, 2012 08:27pm |
Lilith Saintcrow was born in New Mexico, bounced around the world as an Air Force brat, and fell in love with writing when she was ten years old. She lives in Vancouver, Washington, in a house full of stray cats and children.
More about Lilith Saintcrow...
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“It truly sucks to doubt your friends when you only have one or two of them, I realized.”
—
32 people liked it
“He wiped away the tears, tenderly, and I forgot to weep as he told me silently everything I always wanted to hear. ”
—
32 people liked it
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Jun 29, 2011 12:07pm
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