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Imp #4
Devil's Paw
For once no one wants to kill Samantha Martin. She’s free to do all the things a mischievous imp loves to do- like remove all the county speed limit signs, and wrap City Hall in crime scene tape. Her only worry beyond organizing the delivery of her boyfriend’s birthday present, is writing those pesky four nine five reports for the Ruling Council of Angels. But imps can never stay out of trouble for long.
Demon corpses have been found drained of all energy, their spirit selves ripped clean from their bodies. Sam’s angel, Gregory, considers her a prime suspect, so when an angel is discovered dead in the same manner, he drags her to Seattle and Juneau to try to clear her name. The race is on to find the murderer before Sam’s secret is exposed and she’s blamed for the deaths. But is a devouring spirit really the killer, or is there more to the deaths than either Sam or Gregory suspect?
Demon corpses have been found drained of all energy, their spirit selves ripped clean from their bodies. Sam’s angel, Gregory, considers her a prime suspect, so when an angel is discovered dead in the same manner, he drags her to Seattle and Juneau to try to clear her name. The race is on to find the murderer before Sam’s secret is exposed and she’s blamed for the deaths. But is a devouring spirit really the killer, or is there more to the deaths than either Sam or Gregory suspect?
300 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2013
431 people are currently reading
797 people want to read
About the author
Debra Dunbar
109 books1,276 followersDebra lives in a little house in the woods in Maryland with three sons, and a Noah’s ark of four legged family members. She has a corporate job during the day, and writes novels at night, after the kids are tucked in bed.
She drives an Excursion affectionately called The Beast, couldn’t carry a tune if you duct taped it to her back, and enjoys an occasional cosmopolitan (heavy on the vodka). On a good day, she jogs and horseback rides, hopefully managing to keep the horse between herself and the ground.
Her only known super power is ‘Identify Roadkill’.
She drives an Excursion affectionately called The Beast, couldn’t carry a tune if you duct taped it to her back, and enjoys an occasional cosmopolitan (heavy on the vodka). On a good day, she jogs and horseback rides, hopefully managing to keep the horse between herself and the ground.
Her only known super power is ‘Identify Roadkill’.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
January 6, 2017
That ending!!!
It wasn't really a cliffhanger but it was close enough...
Although the plot and the ending and everything was really predictable, I liked it. And it did manage to make me not expect everything, so that's definitely a plus.
And if you're reading this review before reading the blurb of this book... DON'T READ THE BLURB! It has some major spoilers (I was really annoyed but got over it after a while).
Anyway, a good recovery for the series as a whole, I felt it was going a bit downwards after the last one. Glad to have read the save.
It wasn't really a cliffhanger but it was close enough...
Although the plot and the ending and everything was really predictable, I liked it. And it did manage to make me not expect everything, so that's definitely a plus.
And if you're reading this review before reading the blurb of this book... DON'T READ THE BLURB! It has some major spoilers (I was really annoyed but got over it after a while).
Anyway, a good recovery for the series as a whole, I felt it was going a bit downwards after the last one. Glad to have read the save.
March 6, 2018
This has been the best one yet in this series! It's funny, has a good mystery, and has some interesting developments in the romance and character/world building departments. Considering how this book ends, I'm very interested in learning what happens next.
October 26, 2022
Caution: My edition, at least, needs quite a bit of proofreading, and not only for typos. This happens with self-publishing (via CreateSpace), as I know all too well. In spite of that, I really enjoyed this fourth installment of the Imp series. Told in the first person by our genderless narrator Az the imp, inhabiting the form of Samantha Martin for the last forty years, it's a perspective on characters and story line that's pretty well unique.
Remember, imps just want to have fun--mischievous pranks galore but also, through that human form, all the human sensory pleasures. Sex with the handsome neighbor Wyatt, horseback riding, delicious meals, and so on. And Az as Sam funds this lifestyle by collecting rents at all her slum properties in charming Frederick, Maryland.
But, as you know if you've been following this series, life is not so simple for Az, who is secretly more than just a low-ranking demon. The title of book #1, A Demon Bound, tells us the first complication: the bad-tempered angel (actually an archangel) named Gregory, who normally kills any demon that strays out of Hel, binds Az/Sam to himself for reasons he never discloses, and in the binding process, almost accidentally inserts a bit of his angelic essence (it's like a red thread) into this one.
Slowly over the series, we learn that this imp has secret powers. It's not just Samantha Martin but hundreds of other humans and demons whom Az has absorbed in the process called Owning; their souls are still there within Az's spirit self, giving Az a vast store of energy that would draw angelic attention if used openly (and in this book #4 Gregory gets Az to release some of them). In this book we also learn that Samantha is not just Owned but fused somehow with Az, so that she consciously experiences everything in Az's life--and that's a big improvement over her terrible life before Az found her.
In books #2-3 Az/Sam, again almost accidentally, receives the title and weapon of the Iblis or Ha-Satan, without any of the actual power of Satan beyond that status, which has its pluses and minuses. Az/Sam uses it constantly to manipulate interactions with angels, elves, and other demons, but the Iblis must take a seat on the Ruling Council of Angels. That turns out to be a bureaucratic nightmare for a pleasure-seeking imp, who gets hauled off to Aaru, the angelic realm, for punishment whenever Az/Sam misses an assignment.
In the immediate backstory we learned that our narrator is also a "devouring spirit," and in this book we find out a lot more about what that might be and who else bears that secret nature. Three demons and an angel have been killed in that way, "drained of all energy, their spirit selves ripped clean from their bodies" (says the blurb on my edition). The scene shifts from Maryland to Seattle and then to Juneau, the three sites of gates to the worlds of angels, demons, and elves, as Gregory takes Az/Sam along to find and kill the culprit.
As usual, the story is strewn with humorous incidents, and relief from the tension of the main plot also comes from delightful interactions back in Maryland among Sam, her neighbor/lover Wyatt, the demon/elf hybrid he raised as his daughter, and his real daughter who's just been liberated from slavery in an elf kingdom. For me this was loads of fun to read, with a quick pace and a satisfying climax that may just change things forever for Sam. Highly recommended despite the need for proofreading!
Remember, imps just want to have fun--mischievous pranks galore but also, through that human form, all the human sensory pleasures. Sex with the handsome neighbor Wyatt, horseback riding, delicious meals, and so on. And Az as Sam funds this lifestyle by collecting rents at all her slum properties in charming Frederick, Maryland.
But, as you know if you've been following this series, life is not so simple for Az, who is secretly more than just a low-ranking demon. The title of book #1, A Demon Bound, tells us the first complication: the bad-tempered angel (actually an archangel) named Gregory, who normally kills any demon that strays out of Hel, binds Az/Sam to himself for reasons he never discloses, and in the binding process, almost accidentally inserts a bit of his angelic essence (it's like a red thread) into this one.
Slowly over the series, we learn that this imp has secret powers. It's not just Samantha Martin but hundreds of other humans and demons whom Az has absorbed in the process called Owning; their souls are still there within Az's spirit self, giving Az a vast store of energy that would draw angelic attention if used openly (and in this book #4 Gregory gets Az to release some of them). In this book we also learn that Samantha is not just Owned but fused somehow with Az, so that she consciously experiences everything in Az's life--and that's a big improvement over her terrible life before Az found her.
In books #2-3 Az/Sam, again almost accidentally, receives the title and weapon of the Iblis or Ha-Satan, without any of the actual power of Satan beyond that status, which has its pluses and minuses. Az/Sam uses it constantly to manipulate interactions with angels, elves, and other demons, but the Iblis must take a seat on the Ruling Council of Angels. That turns out to be a bureaucratic nightmare for a pleasure-seeking imp, who gets hauled off to Aaru, the angelic realm, for punishment whenever Az/Sam misses an assignment.
In the immediate backstory we learned that our narrator is also a "devouring spirit," and in this book we find out a lot more about what that might be and who else bears that secret nature. Three demons and an angel have been killed in that way, "drained of all energy, their spirit selves ripped clean from their bodies" (says the blurb on my edition). The scene shifts from Maryland to Seattle and then to Juneau, the three sites of gates to the worlds of angels, demons, and elves, as Gregory takes Az/Sam along to find and kill the culprit.
As usual, the story is strewn with humorous incidents, and relief from the tension of the main plot also comes from delightful interactions back in Maryland among Sam, her neighbor/lover Wyatt, the demon/elf hybrid he raised as his daughter, and his real daughter who's just been liberated from slavery in an elf kingdom. For me this was loads of fun to read, with a quick pace and a satisfying climax that may just change things forever for Sam. Highly recommended despite the need for proofreading!
June 14, 2016
4 Totally personal stars
No, this is not a great book. There's nothing special about the writing, there are a lot of editing mistakes that really could have been easily corrected before publishing, there is the usual problem of the plot suddenly dragging midway the book, Sam is still pretty slow in putting clues together and keeps committing the same mistake of not trusting Gregory and sharing all the intel with him. It doesn't matter. It is good and I'm hooked by the series, but It worked for me for a lot of non-qualitative reasons.
After four books I am fully immersed in this world and it feels good. I like the Angels being stiffy, arrogant, aloof and judgemental, most of them looking down on every other creature, it is so much better (and believable) than them being all mercy. They do not really understand humans, they might have given us gifts we don't know how to use, but either you intervene all the time to steer us on the right path, or you keep distant and silent and let us be what we are. They pick and choose what to fix and they have no problems killing. Yes, I can easily believe this version over the current catholic one. I like Demons as well. They are honest in their lack of morals, they are greedy, they grab, brag and consume. I love that they can create and breed while angels are now facing extinction as they can't wield raw energy. It doesn't speak of balance to me, but of a need for extremes to touch that's both dangerous and inevitable, something that always drives me. I also liked that the Elves are total monsters here and that there was a lot of physical gore and pain.
The mystery picks up loose threads from previous books quite nicely, even if it took too long to get there, I had it figured out at the beginning of the book. Sam still has her totally inappropriate imp moments, taunting Gregory in the most annoying ways, she still has issues with trust and recklessness, but she's less and less the uncaring, possessive being from the beginning of the series. She is still a punk about it sometimes, but she's becoming more and more compassionate, her possessiveness has transitioned to a sense of responsability, understanding and empathy that makes her help and fight even for entities that should mean nothing to her or for people she doesn't fully like but are important to those she loves. She is actually helping a lot of people and demons in this one. Of course this is absolutely light reading at all levels, the world building is not complex, the inner monologues about solitude, love, attachments and loss are good but brief and resonate with me for my own private reasons. Still, they did latch into something for me.
This is the book of Sam and Gregory at last. Even with their odd bickering and lack of trust, even with Gregory disappearing all the time without explanations, there are some remarkables scenes between them (the teaching in the flames, the wings, the airport, the top of the mountain fight etc) and admissions I'de been waiting for for a long time. This love between them could be sublime with real depth, but I'll take it anyway I can get it. Why? Because in so many things I am, or better I have been, like Gregory. Wrapped up in a moral code like a shield, shying from any physical pollution and when the shield cracks...oh the fall is endless and there is no coming back. I don't think I've stopped falling yet. There's something irresistible about someone so ancient, so powerful, so set in his ways falling for the incarnation of everything he despised, and embracing it without an inch of pride. For a series where sex scenes are never really described, just alluded, the attraction and desire between these two is smoldering any way they connect: this UST and partial unions better produce true fireworks further down the series or I'm gonna be massively disappointed.
Wyatt loves Sam but he's also becoming more and more contrary to a good part of her demonic side, Gregory claims he wants to redeem her but everything he does for her, all the things he teaches her show a faith in her capability of being much more, much better than what she allows herself to be, demon or not. I loved the way he used the favours to unburden her soul. The extent to which he bends everything he stood for for her, even facing the destiny of the world, is heartmelting, beyond the way it is written. Despite his own limits, he does try to meet her needs at so many levels, including the physical one. And it's not due to a physical attraction alone, they are spirit beings, Sam could assume any form and gender at will and so could he, it's her essence he loves and longs for. Till the very last sacrifice, letting her go with no more bond between them because she asks him to. I really hope she will be able to show just as much love and dedication to him. That was such a painful ending. What she will have to face in Hell in the state she is at the moment makes me very eager to start the next book immediately.
The tone of this book was slightly different, less playful and carefree. It might not be the most intriguing urban fantasy out there, she might not be the richest character, but I love that she learned to love in so many different ways, not only her two men. I have the softest spot for Gregory (even if he can be such an unreasonable jerk sometimes) and my four stars this time are very much for everything these two reminded me about who I was, what I had, what I still want.
April 17, 2020
Devil's Paw
Imp, Book 4
By: Debra Dunbar
Narrated by: Angela Rysk
Series: Imp World, Book 5, Imp Series, Book 4
"Cockroach" is chased and almost killed by a team consisting of a mage, a demon and an angel. She almost dies. She fights and kills one, not the angel of course. Being a lowly imp, she doesn't have that much power. Gregory, the archangel she is bond to, thinks she killed some demons and an angel because of how they are found. She wants to help him track down the real killers to prove her innocence. Action, suspense, humor, romance, and mysteries, along with supernatural characters make this a great book and fun series.
Wonderful narration!
Imp, Book 4
By: Debra Dunbar
Narrated by: Angela Rysk
Series: Imp World, Book 5, Imp Series, Book 4
"Cockroach" is chased and almost killed by a team consisting of a mage, a demon and an angel. She almost dies. She fights and kills one, not the angel of course. Being a lowly imp, she doesn't have that much power. Gregory, the archangel she is bond to, thinks she killed some demons and an angel because of how they are found. She wants to help him track down the real killers to prove her innocence. Action, suspense, humor, romance, and mysteries, along with supernatural characters make this a great book and fun series.
Wonderful narration!
February 16, 2016
Argh, this series has its claws in me. I can't stop reading!
September 13, 2013
Sam may be a devouring spirit, but I doubt her gift rivals my voracious appetite for Sam and Gregory in the Imp series and in Devil's Paw;-) In fact, this is one of those books where I lament my inability to dish out more than five stars!
This book had all I've come to expect from this series, humor, suspense and Sam continuing her demonic version of a downwards spiral... towards doing GOOD;-) I could not put this book down, and read it in secret at work. I believe I may have startled quite a few coworkers when I read about Gregory's first phonecall. And the Nowaya Zemlya incident... (hope the ruling council didn't hear me giggle;-))
But the romance. (Oooooh, the romance. 0:-) ) Finally! The older they are, the harder they fall, huh, Gregory? 0:-) I guess that wing-licking must have touched some erogenous zones... And to see his love manifest the way it did at the Devil's paw mountain and back in Aaru, despite his premonition of what she will become, was truly bittersweet... But: Love has reasons which reason cannot understand. Even for an ancient archangel hel(l)bent on following the straight and narrow path for the last 3 million years. Of course, seeing what she accomplished up on that mountain also brings hope... I am guessing a certain elvish song has relevance to future events?
But something is definitely rotten in the realms of Aaru and the elven kingdoms. (Although I actually sympathise a little with the angels. Poor guys.) I can't wait to read more. And judging by the blurb for book 5, Gregory and his little cockroach's relationship is in for one Hel of a test. That just might be the one thing that'd make Gregory go to Hel and/or risk his vibration patterns after all...
Let's just hope the old saying, which goes well with the theme of this book, is true; Love never seeks to constrict, demand or force through brute strength but speaks a totally different language that is so powerful it can move mountains.
In summary: if you do not want to read this series, you deserve to be have your head placed in a blender and turned to purée.
★★★★★★
or perhaps we should make it:
♥♥♥♥♥♥
Also: If you haven't already looked up Az's many names, you might want to do so. They are based on real mythological entities, and one name in particular is linked closely to the fate of a certain demon that we will finally get to meet in November...
This book had all I've come to expect from this series, humor, suspense and Sam continuing her demonic version of a downwards spiral... towards doing GOOD;-) I could not put this book down, and read it in secret at work. I believe I may have startled quite a few coworkers when I read about Gregory's first phonecall. And the Nowaya Zemlya incident... (hope the ruling council didn't hear me giggle;-))
But the romance. (Oooooh, the romance. 0:-) ) Finally! The older they are, the harder they fall, huh, Gregory? 0:-) I guess that wing-licking must have touched some erogenous zones... And to see his love manifest the way it did at the Devil's paw mountain and back in Aaru, despite his premonition of what she will become, was truly bittersweet... But: Love has reasons which reason cannot understand. Even for an ancient archangel hel(l)bent on following the straight and narrow path for the last 3 million years. Of course, seeing what she accomplished up on that mountain also brings hope... I am guessing a certain elvish song has relevance to future events?
But something is definitely rotten in the realms of Aaru and the elven kingdoms. (Although I actually sympathise a little with the angels. Poor guys.) I can't wait to read more. And judging by the blurb for book 5, Gregory and his little cockroach's relationship is in for one Hel of a test. That just might be the one thing that'd make Gregory go to Hel and/or risk his vibration patterns after all...
Let's just hope the old saying, which goes well with the theme of this book, is true; Love never seeks to constrict, demand or force through brute strength but speaks a totally different language that is so powerful it can move mountains.
In summary: if you do not want to read this series, you deserve to be have your head placed in a blender and turned to purée.
★★★★★★
or perhaps we should make it:
♥♥♥♥♥♥
Also: If you haven't already looked up Az's many names, you might want to do so. They are based on real mythological entities, and one name in particular is linked closely to the fate of a certain demon that we will finally get to meet in November...
August 1, 2016
What "mysteries" this series has served-up (to date) are never extremely mysterious.Devil's Paw was no different. I always seem to solve said mysteries long before Sam decides they warrant further investigation. Devil's Paw annoyed me in that regard, Sam seemed against using common sense. 2+2=4 is basic arithmetic & transcends language barriers. However ask Sam to solve it & you may be past 60% with her refusing to conform no matter how clear the answer is. Eventually Sam solves the mystery only bc it slapped her in the face. However she never shares her intel with Gregory. I swear Sam's worse than all the CIA & FBI in this regard. I understand Gregory is Johnny on the spot but that doesn't mean he's connected all the dots.
Not everything about this book caused me to pull my hair though. The plot had some forward movement. This book ties up some lose ends concerning angel politics (the angel divide). It also cements feelings between our angel & demon. It provides us a clear "bad guy". It also ends with Sam having nothing to show for her trouble. She's back to square one possibly worse off due to her current "health".
I imagine my saying "& so the plot thickens" is a bit cliche? So I'll refrain.... Barely.... Failed.. I have no self restraint. Sorry. ;)
I'm going to continue the series.
Not everything about this book caused me to pull my hair though. The plot had some forward movement. This book ties up some lose ends concerning angel politics (the angel divide). It also cements feelings between our angel & demon. It provides us a clear "bad guy". It also ends with Sam having nothing to show for her trouble. She's back to square one possibly worse off due to her current "health".
I imagine my saying "& so the plot thickens" is a bit cliche? So I'll refrain.... Barely.... Failed.. I have no self restraint. Sorry. ;)
I'm going to continue the series.
September 14, 2013
Definitely improving but still only a 3.75
I find it really frustrating that Sam can't seem to follow any type of logical conclusions until they're practically shoved down her throat!
With the hints from the last book as well as some of the initial details we're given at the beginning of this book I still can't understand why she consistently ignores whats right in front of her??
Maybe I've just watched too many episodes of Columbo?!
Either way aside from this annoyance I still really like this series and will be counting down until Imp Forsaken.
I find it really frustrating that Sam can't seem to follow any type of logical conclusions until they're practically shoved down her throat!
With the hints from the last book as well as some of the initial details we're given at the beginning of this book I still can't understand why she consistently ignores whats right in front of her??
Maybe I've just watched too many episodes of Columbo?!
Either way aside from this annoyance I still really like this series and will be counting down until Imp Forsaken.
July 27, 2017
I almost think this series gets better and better. Still very funny. Well then... cliffhanger. OK, the main line, we get the bad guys, kind of and the why, but the fate of Sam is totally up in the air. I'm sorry authors but this is not complete! This was great before that 5 stars and since it is the 4th book in the series, I will read on. I don't when it is done in a first book, and I don't if it is repeatedly done in any series. I hope this series doesn't go that direction.
This book was different in another way in that the direction was understood right away. We get that there is a bad angel working with a mage that needs to be found, and later a demon to mix in. It is so beyond Sam to put those together because it doesn't happen. Even so, I don't think she would've figured it out sooner. In her other books, the direction is unclear for half the book, we get lots of, directions and they go to the side or coalesce into the main story line. It is fun to see Sam's home life and I might have missed not having more but it was there. Now I'm interested in see what happens to Wyatt's changeling sister, and the other.
The ending, well it was great until the very end and I was, "what?!" argh! I'm so glad that I don't have to wait for the next one to be published. I kind of wanted to go on to Wyatt's sister's book but now I feel I have to go to the next one here. If that happens next book, I'll put it down for years until the series is complete. The cliffhangers are numerous, I like the ending where she is back home with these new people around her and most question are answered for the time being. That is not this one. One star for all the loose ends and cliffhanger. I loved the rest as always.
_______________
On Re-read I feel the same way. It was humorous and a great Imp addition except for the cliffhanger ending. It was totally left in the air and if the next book hadn't been published, I might have had second thoughts. No series is good enough to do what Karen Marie Moning did in the Fever series. The only reason I got to book 5 was that I was reading with people as a series read and I had all the books there to read. I will never recommend that series to anyone. This series I would because this is the only book in the 8 that are published at the time of my re-read and only this one does this up in the air cliffhanger. So it was just this one, so don't worry.
I have not only read the 8th book, Exodus, but then went on to Northern Lights. This book has some of the characters from that book. I didn't remember at the time and now I have more of an understanding of their standoffish behavior. Interesting.
Great book, great re-read, glad I know what happens in the next.
This book was different in another way in that the direction was understood right away. We get that there is a bad angel working with a mage that needs to be found, and later a demon to mix in. It is so beyond Sam to put those together because it doesn't happen. Even so, I don't think she would've figured it out sooner. In her other books, the direction is unclear for half the book, we get lots of, directions and they go to the side or coalesce into the main story line. It is fun to see Sam's home life and I might have missed not having more but it was there. Now I'm interested in see what happens to Wyatt's changeling sister, and the other.
The ending, well it was great until the very end and I was, "what?!" argh! I'm so glad that I don't have to wait for the next one to be published. I kind of wanted to go on to Wyatt's sister's book but now I feel I have to go to the next one here. If that happens next book, I'll put it down for years until the series is complete. The cliffhangers are numerous, I like the ending where she is back home with these new people around her and most question are answered for the time being. That is not this one. One star for all the loose ends and cliffhanger. I loved the rest as always.
_______________
On Re-read I feel the same way. It was humorous and a great Imp addition except for the cliffhanger ending. It was totally left in the air and if the next book hadn't been published, I might have had second thoughts. No series is good enough to do what Karen Marie Moning did in the Fever series. The only reason I got to book 5 was that I was reading with people as a series read and I had all the books there to read. I will never recommend that series to anyone. This series I would because this is the only book in the 8 that are published at the time of my re-read and only this one does this up in the air cliffhanger. So it was just this one, so don't worry.
I have not only read the 8th book, Exodus, but then went on to Northern Lights. This book has some of the characters from that book. I didn't remember at the time and now I have more of an understanding of their standoffish behavior. Interesting.
Great book, great re-read, glad I know what happens in the next.
September 9, 2015
Far more emotional than the previous books, I may have experienced goosebumps and might have even had a tear form. Especially at the end, which I may wholeheartedly say was crap. Good crap, but crappy nonetheless.
By the end of the last book, I was hoping for more Gregory and I definitely got it with this one. Good old Ancient Revered One is turning some new tricks, so to speak. He cashed in his favors in a most angelic way, but he proved there may be some sin underneath all that glory. When you think of the words "badass" and "angel", never are they used together. With one singular exception - Gregory. And now I am left with wanting even MORE Gregory (and Gregory and Sam together, especially since he clearly listened to her speech about looking "completely human" at the airport.)
I was also rather surprised at Sam's behavior. Soup kitchens? Sam? Taking Boomer to the old folks home? Sam Martin, are you sure? Our little imp isn't seeming so demonic these days. She blames it on pleasing Wyatt, but underneath all that gruff, Sam has a heart. Her chaotic antics have almost ceased, which is a huge indicator that she is slowly changing her ways. I am also furious at her for signing that paper. Nothing good can come of that, especially since she was already warned by a certain powerful someone not to sign that particular piece of paper.
Very anxious to move on to the next one. There were several revelations made that make me think one way or another, our Sam is headed for some trouble. Well, more trouble than usual because this sort is huge trouble. Damn you Gregory for opening your mouth on that matter. And damn you Sam for never listening.
By the end of the last book, I was hoping for more Gregory and I definitely got it with this one. Good old Ancient Revered One is turning some new tricks, so to speak. He cashed in his favors in a most angelic way, but he proved there may be some sin underneath all that glory. When you think of the words "badass" and "angel", never are they used together. With one singular exception - Gregory. And now I am left with wanting even MORE Gregory (and Gregory and Sam together, especially since he clearly listened to her speech about looking "completely human" at the airport.)
I was also rather surprised at Sam's behavior. Soup kitchens? Sam? Taking Boomer to the old folks home? Sam Martin, are you sure? Our little imp isn't seeming so demonic these days. She blames it on pleasing Wyatt, but underneath all that gruff, Sam has a heart. Her chaotic antics have almost ceased, which is a huge indicator that she is slowly changing her ways. I am also furious at her for signing that paper. Nothing good can come of that, especially since she was already warned by a certain powerful someone not to sign that particular piece of paper.
Very anxious to move on to the next one. There were several revelations made that make me think one way or another, our Sam is headed for some trouble. Well, more trouble than usual because this sort is huge trouble. Damn you Gregory for opening your mouth on that matter. And damn you Sam for never listening.
January 16, 2016
Hehehehehee. I think I see where this is going, and I think I'm loving it!
December 26, 2013
In previous books the world building was really good but in this one I found myself skipping huge amounts of descriptions. In the first book, Sam visits a supernatural ‘crime scene’ and the amount of detail given about the house was good – it wasn’t too little and it wasn’t too much. In the of Paul Yong's home, I felt like it was too much and I couldn’t envision it in my head so I skipped chunks of description. You would think that skipping the description would ruin the story but it didn’t, which shows that it wasn’t needed. However, it did ruin the reading experience and made me feel impatient.
The plot for this book was slow going and I could straight away see the connection between the early attack on Sam’s person and the demon killings. That’s not just me, right? It seem really obvious and I felt frustrated reading the book because Sam was uncharacteristically slow on the uptake. Her lack of sharing of information with Gregory also annoyed me.
I feel like the only saving grace of this book was that her relationship with Gregory starts to develop and Gregory is finally giving her a chance. He’s coming off his high horse (yay!) but she doesn’t appreciate it – she hides important things from him. She then gets herself into a sticky situation and despite all her lies, and his lack of knowledge of how she got there, he is there for her pulling her back together.
This book was quite sad; the ability of the author to pull emotion from readers is excellent. I felt for Sam in her predicament and I felt for Stab (a character we meet briefly). We experience the humanity of Demons towards the end. I have mixed feelings about this book. It was frustrating and slow-paced. Sam annoyed the fudge out of me. There was a good, if brief, romantic scene and a lot of sadness at the end.
I would recommend it because the other books in the series are good. I don’t know what the last book will be like but this book is a crucial read to fully understand the last book. I feel like the series is starting to grate on me after this book but I’m going to give the 5th book a read anyway. We will see how it goes.
Visit www.vigilantmind.com for the full review and other reviews.
The plot for this book was slow going and I could straight away see the connection between the early attack on Sam’s person and the demon killings. That’s not just me, right? It seem really obvious and I felt frustrated reading the book because Sam was uncharacteristically slow on the uptake. Her lack of sharing of information with Gregory also annoyed me.
I feel like the only saving grace of this book was that her relationship with Gregory starts to develop and Gregory is finally giving her a chance. He’s coming off his high horse (yay!) but she doesn’t appreciate it – she hides important things from him. She then gets herself into a sticky situation and despite all her lies, and his lack of knowledge of how she got there, he is there for her pulling her back together.
This book was quite sad; the ability of the author to pull emotion from readers is excellent. I felt for Sam in her predicament and I felt for Stab (a character we meet briefly). We experience the humanity of Demons towards the end. I have mixed feelings about this book. It was frustrating and slow-paced. Sam annoyed the fudge out of me. There was a good, if brief, romantic scene and a lot of sadness at the end.
I would recommend it because the other books in the series are good. I don’t know what the last book will be like but this book is a crucial read to fully understand the last book. I feel like the series is starting to grate on me after this book but I’m going to give the 5th book a read anyway. We will see how it goes.
Visit www.vigilantmind.com for the full review and other reviews.
September 14, 2015
Devil's Paw is the fourth book in the Imp series by Debra Dunbar, and it's both a fantastic read and a frustrating one as well. It builds on previous stories and makes Sam's growth as the Iblis a major part of the plot. Angel Gregory shows up with another drained demon, and with more victims piled up, including an angel. Sam's got her hands full trying to solve this mystery while at the same time dealing with problems with Wyatt's "half-sister" Amber. Sam has also managed to swing a deal with the elves to find Wyatt's biological sister, Nyalla, and free her from a life of slavery in Hel. On top of all this, she's still got a stack of paperwork to fill out over the humans she's killed in the past.
Most of these subplots fall by the wayside without resolution because the mystery of who is draining demons and angels must be solved before someone tries to frame Sam as the culprit. (These problems are actually covered in spin-off books in the series, but I haven't read those yet, only the blurbs.) Sam and Gregory go globe hopping to track down a suspect, and while Gregory is satisfied to call it a closed case, Sam goes off on her own to keep looking for the real mastermind behind this plot.
This is where things get frustrating because there's a recurring trait in that Sam never really takes anything seriously until she's half dead. It's all fun and games until someone's soul is disintegrating, you know? That's been the case several times before, but this time around, the way Sam stumbles into this mess and almost gets herself killed had me groaning, "how do you even survive a week?"
The book concludes with something of a cliffhanger, and yeah, I'm very much invested in seeing what happens next. But I sometimes wish Sam's slow growth would eventually include an improved survival instinct.
Anywho, I give Devil's Paw 4 stars, and I'm looking forward to Imp Forsaken.
Most of these subplots fall by the wayside without resolution because the mystery of who is draining demons and angels must be solved before someone tries to frame Sam as the culprit. (These problems are actually covered in spin-off books in the series, but I haven't read those yet, only the blurbs.) Sam and Gregory go globe hopping to track down a suspect, and while Gregory is satisfied to call it a closed case, Sam goes off on her own to keep looking for the real mastermind behind this plot.
This is where things get frustrating because there's a recurring trait in that Sam never really takes anything seriously until she's half dead. It's all fun and games until someone's soul is disintegrating, you know? That's been the case several times before, but this time around, the way Sam stumbles into this mess and almost gets herself killed had me groaning, "how do you even survive a week?"
The book concludes with something of a cliffhanger, and yeah, I'm very much invested in seeing what happens next. But I sometimes wish Sam's slow growth would eventually include an improved survival instinct.
Anywho, I give Devil's Paw 4 stars, and I'm looking forward to Imp Forsaken.
September 10, 2015
I never thought I will find another series to love (not for the luck of trying). And there is no way to explain how awesome, fun, incredible... agr!!! I just can't CAN'T find the word!
Not one moment of boredom here. Demons, elves, angels, occasional vampire or human. And action, action, action. There's absolutely no way of even imagining the outcome of the story. When I think I got it... BOOM. Nope.
I keep reading this series one after another and its still painfully good (It's not boring, although it gets more complex but not in a tiring way). I just fell in love with the characters. Sam is an unpredictable true demon to her core but slowly she turns into something more than just your average destruction-loving imp. And I do mean demon. As in: Let's murder a whole family and make a sculpture out of it. Its art!
She is more, so much more.
I already feel the pain of finishing the next one in the series (oh, yes, I will get to it right away) because I will have to wait for another one and it makes me uneasy, restless. I seriously can feel my heart constricting just at the thought of "leaving" all the chars for another book while waiting for the next release.
I was feeling some of this mixed emotions while reading Fever series and although the story itself is completely different, thinking about it still pulls at my heartstrings.
Stop staring and just READ IT!!
Not one moment of boredom here. Demons, elves, angels, occasional vampire or human. And action, action, action. There's absolutely no way of even imagining the outcome of the story. When I think I got it... BOOM. Nope.
I keep reading this series one after another and its still painfully good (It's not boring, although it gets more complex but not in a tiring way). I just fell in love with the characters. Sam is an unpredictable true demon to her core but slowly she turns into something more than just your average destruction-loving imp. And I do mean demon. As in: Let's murder a whole family and make a sculpture out of it. Its art!
She is more, so much more.
I already feel the pain of finishing the next one in the series (oh, yes, I will get to it right away) because I will have to wait for another one and it makes me uneasy, restless. I seriously can feel my heart constricting just at the thought of "leaving" all the chars for another book while waiting for the next release.
I was feeling some of this mixed emotions while reading Fever series and although the story itself is completely different, thinking about it still pulls at my heartstrings.
Stop staring and just READ IT!!
April 10, 2017
Why does every book seem to have all the action towards the end I want some action in the middle damn it. I can not believe all that happened at the end in this book. It's crazy and wow, just wow. Wow.....yea.
August 15, 2023
A bit slow and not hugely interesting until about two thirds of the way through. Then sexiness with the angel heats up, the mystery starts to reveal and the ending was really good. Can't wait to jump into the next!
2023 re-read
2023 re-read
October 5, 2019
Rating 4.0 stars
This is still a good series but this particular book wasn't my favorite. It felt like Sam was more alone in this one. I like the relationship with Sam and all her friends and that was lacking in this book. I still don't know what is going on with Wyatt and Sam. I thought they were breaking up after the last book. It seems more like they are going through the motions. While that relationship is getting weaker, there is now a stronger relationship with Wyatt's family. Amber and Sam are much closer I didn't like what happened to Sam in the end I do think that everything bad that happened to Sam in this book, just sets up the next book to be something of a huge comeback.
This is still a good series but this particular book wasn't my favorite. It felt like Sam was more alone in this one. I like the relationship with Sam and all her friends and that was lacking in this book. I still don't know what is going on with Wyatt and Sam. I thought they were breaking up after the last book. It seems more like they are going through the motions. While that relationship is getting weaker, there is now a stronger relationship with Wyatt's family. Amber and Sam are much closer I didn't like what happened to Sam in the end I do think that everything bad that happened to Sam in this book, just sets up the next book to be something of a huge comeback.
November 19, 2020
Well this was a wild ride! Up to now, the books have had a mystery resolved nearly completely by the end of it. And this one almost did. But holy cow that end!
I like how she's showing gradually more power in each book and abandoning her demonic way slowly. But she still remains playful, albeit in more innocent ways, imp. I am enjoying her change in personality. However, this one had less time with Wyatt and Sam together. I get the point of it, but I was sad about it.
I like how she's showing gradually more power in each book and abandoning her demonic way slowly. But she still remains playful, albeit in more innocent ways, imp. I am enjoying her change in personality. However, this one had less time with Wyatt and Sam together. I get the point of it, but I was sad about it.
January 19, 2022
4.5 stars
I had set this series down for a while, distracted with other things, and I'm right back in the thick of it again, wondering why I did. We see Sam strengthening her existing bonds and being more concerned of that around her while still being the imp we love.
I had set this series down for a while, distracted with other things, and I'm right back in the thick of it again, wondering why I did. We see Sam strengthening her existing bonds and being more concerned of that around her while still being the imp we love.
July 12, 2017
Being as this is the fourth in a series where things build from one book to the next, there is very little that I can mention that isn’t spoiler-y for the series. Oh, I can mention things non-spoiler-y for the book, but very little that isn’t spoiler-y for the series.
So, let me see: In vague hopefully non-spoiler –y terms – this is the book where, somewhere along the line – I think I was at about 67% or so, I almost ‘hit a wall’, so to speak. Gregory is an arrogant, condescending, smug, know-it-all-but-is-wrong asshole who has literally tried to kill Samantha several times (not – gotten so rough that he almost did, but literally tried to kill her a few times). He’s an abusive asshole and normally I’d have run the opposite direction from this series. This isn’t a new revelation in book four, otherwise I wouldn’t have started the paragraph the way I did (re: non-spoiler-y). No, this is the way he has been since book one. So? Why have I read and rather enjoyed these books despite assholes like Gregory in it? Two reasons: Gregory isn’t actually Sam’s boyfriend (that’d be the human Wyatt), and two – Sam goes out of her way to lie, and push Gregory to the breaking point – no, I’m not saying ‘Sam deserves it’, I’m saying ‘Sam is a demon and really enjoys pissing off Gregory and ‘gets off on’ both doing that and, well, pain – she finds pain pleasurable.
The problem, the reason why I started to ‘hit a wall’ with this book is two simple facts: the nature of Sam has morphed over time – she’s still a demon, but she’s also grown to be more; the nature of the relationship between Gregory and Samantha, always oddly filled with fear, love, hate, etc., has also morphed over time. Basically, it’s one thing when Samantha pushes Gregory’s buttons, he reacts by almost strangling her, and she moans in pleasure; and something completely different when . . . not sure how to word this – when the action looks more like an abusive relationship with Samantha the battered woman.
But enough of that. This book here is about following up on a specific plot point that has popped up here and there in previous books (or, to word things more fully, two plot lines from prior books are touched upon further in this book). In prior books Gregory would turn up with a severed head and ask Sam to examine it. For all she could tell, it appeared human. Gregory said that it was a demon. There are books/movies and the like wherein a creature would die, like say a werewolf, and it would ‘revert’ to human form. Demons don’t do that. For one thing they aren’t human, nor are they some mutation of humans. For another, unless I misread things, demons remain demons after death. They might end up looking human after death, but only if they died while in a human body – ‘demon energy’ is still traceable, though, in the body. Normally. The severed head has no trace of demon energy. For all intents and purposes, Gregory keeps turning up with severed human heads while proclaiming them to be ‘demons’. Demons who had something drain them of all demon energy.
Well, Samantha and Gregory go on a hunt – searching for who and what might be acting like a serial killer. The heat has turned up, the need to find the killer has increased, because an Angel has now been added to the drained body count.
Meanwhile, and this another of the plot points from prior books pulled forward, one of the humans that Sam previously meet in Elfland, has been ‘rescued’ by Sam. And presented as a gift to Wyatt. Much misunderstanding and anger erupts ().
Soooo . . . another interesting and good book, though certain issues had me rating this as the lowest rated book, so far, in the series.
Rating: 3.88
July 12 2017
So, let me see: In vague hopefully non-spoiler –y terms – this is the book where, somewhere along the line – I think I was at about 67% or so, I almost ‘hit a wall’, so to speak. Gregory is an arrogant, condescending, smug, know-it-all-but-is-wrong asshole who has literally tried to kill Samantha several times (not – gotten so rough that he almost did, but literally tried to kill her a few times). He’s an abusive asshole and normally I’d have run the opposite direction from this series. This isn’t a new revelation in book four, otherwise I wouldn’t have started the paragraph the way I did (re: non-spoiler-y). No, this is the way he has been since book one. So? Why have I read and rather enjoyed these books despite assholes like Gregory in it? Two reasons: Gregory isn’t actually Sam’s boyfriend (that’d be the human Wyatt), and two – Sam goes out of her way to lie, and push Gregory to the breaking point – no, I’m not saying ‘Sam deserves it’, I’m saying ‘Sam is a demon and really enjoys pissing off Gregory and ‘gets off on’ both doing that and, well, pain – she finds pain pleasurable.
The problem, the reason why I started to ‘hit a wall’ with this book is two simple facts: the nature of Sam has morphed over time – she’s still a demon, but she’s also grown to be more; the nature of the relationship between Gregory and Samantha, always oddly filled with fear, love, hate, etc., has also morphed over time. Basically, it’s one thing when Samantha pushes Gregory’s buttons, he reacts by almost strangling her, and she moans in pleasure; and something completely different when . . . not sure how to word this – when the action looks more like an abusive relationship with Samantha the battered woman.
But enough of that. This book here is about following up on a specific plot point that has popped up here and there in previous books (or, to word things more fully, two plot lines from prior books are touched upon further in this book). In prior books Gregory would turn up with a severed head and ask Sam to examine it. For all she could tell, it appeared human. Gregory said that it was a demon. There are books/movies and the like wherein a creature would die, like say a werewolf, and it would ‘revert’ to human form. Demons don’t do that. For one thing they aren’t human, nor are they some mutation of humans. For another, unless I misread things, demons remain demons after death. They might end up looking human after death, but only if they died while in a human body – ‘demon energy’ is still traceable, though, in the body. Normally. The severed head has no trace of demon energy. For all intents and purposes, Gregory keeps turning up with severed human heads while proclaiming them to be ‘demons’. Demons who had something drain them of all demon energy.
Well, Samantha and Gregory go on a hunt – searching for who and what might be acting like a serial killer. The heat has turned up, the need to find the killer has increased, because an Angel has now been added to the drained body count.
Meanwhile, and this another of the plot points from prior books pulled forward, one of the humans that Sam previously meet in Elfland, has been ‘rescued’ by Sam. And presented as a gift to Wyatt. Much misunderstanding and anger erupts ().
Soooo . . . another interesting and good book, though certain issues had me rating this as the lowest rated book, so far, in the series.
Rating: 3.88
July 12 2017
May 19, 2015
This series continues to be enjoyable, but this one felt a little less "meaty" than prior installments. That is, until the last 10%.
In book 4, Sam's Iblis role takes a backseat to her investigation with Gregory into who is devouring both demons and angels alike. While Sam's obtuseness is somewhat frustrating at times, I find that I am liking her more and more with every book. And her friendship with Gregory is growing as well.
On the home front, Wyatt is adjusting to having his two sisters around. Something pretty big related to Sam's marriage proposals happened early in the book, but never came up again. It felt somewhat misplaced since it seemed to have been forgotten.
Regardless, I like this series and plan to keep reading. Editing was much better in this book than in the prior one, too.
In book 4, Sam's Iblis role takes a backseat to her investigation with Gregory into who is devouring both demons and angels alike. While Sam's obtuseness is somewhat frustrating at times, I find that I am liking her more and more with every book. And her friendship with Gregory is growing as well.
On the home front, Wyatt is adjusting to having his two sisters around. Something pretty big related to Sam's marriage proposals happened early in the book, but never came up again. It felt somewhat misplaced since it seemed to have been forgotten.
Regardless, I like this series and plan to keep reading. Editing was much better in this book than in the prior one, too.
March 3, 2017
Book 4 is fantastic. The big action scenes had me up and pacing the house while I read. I'm so in love with Sam and Gregory together. I really hope the future books bring more permanence for them together. The ending is semi abrupt but I know it will pick right back up in book 5. I think I might need a bit of a break though before I continue this series. I recommend this series to anyone who loves fantasy and urban fantasy. It's a fun read.
I added the wispersync audible narration to this book. The narrator did a good job. I would recommend it.
I added the wispersync audible narration to this book. The narrator did a good job. I would recommend it.
August 11, 2013
Overall, this is more of a 3.5 series for me. I'm giving it the benefit of the 4 because it is original and shows some promise. The relationships are weak and I'm figuring out the plot long before it unfolds for the most part. That said, it is an unusual story and has held my interest. I'll continue to follow the series book by book for now.
August 28, 2015
4.25
So much happens in this one! I'm really wanting to go read the next book now. Sam is really evolving and she's sure not the same character she was in book 1, neither is Gregory for that matter. The scenes at the airport with both of them and security were great. By far the funniest part of this book. If you haven't picked one of these up, I highly recommend doing so.
So much happens in this one! I'm really wanting to go read the next book now. Sam is really evolving and she's sure not the same character she was in book 1, neither is Gregory for that matter. The scenes at the airport with both of them and security were great. By far the funniest part of this book. If you haven't picked one of these up, I highly recommend doing so.
June 9, 2017
Oooh I liked this one a lot! I felt a lot of the plot moved along and I could start to see where the author wants to take our badass herorine. very pleased with the Gregory angle!
December 11, 2019
Sam is still the best. And things are getting more and more interesting as we go along. Should be good!
May 7, 2020
Kindle Unlimited.
Sam unveils a coup between the Elves and the Angels against the demons at great cost to herself. The divide between her and Wyatt becomes obvious and bittersweet. I don't know how I feel about Gregory. Every time I hate him for his inflexibility, he does something to totally redeem himself.
Sam unveils a coup between the Elves and the Angels against the demons at great cost to herself. The divide between her and Wyatt becomes obvious and bittersweet. I don't know how I feel about Gregory. Every time I hate him for his inflexibility, he does something to totally redeem himself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2018
I don't think the covers of this series really does justice to the awesomeness of it.
May 23, 2020
So much fun
Always entertaining to read. This series will keep you on your toes guessing. The authors world building keeps expanding and i can't wait to see what happens next
Always entertaining to read. This series will keep you on your toes guessing. The authors world building keeps expanding and i can't wait to see what happens next
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