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Jill Kismet #2
Hunter's Prayer
Another night on the Nightside. . .An ancient evil looms over Santa Luz. Prostitutes are showing up dead and eviscerated. And Jill Kismet just might be able to get her revenge against an old enemy.
There's just one problem. Someone wants Jill dead -- again. And if they have to open up Hell itself to kill her, they will.
Sometimes, even when you're Jill Kismet, you don't have a prayer. . .
There's just one problem. Someone wants Jill dead -- again. And if they have to open up Hell itself to kill her, they will.
Sometimes, even when you're Jill Kismet, you don't have a prayer. . .
326 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
65 people are currently reading
1615 people want to read
About the author
Lilith Saintcrow
134 books4,511 followersLilith Saintcrow was born in New Mexico, bounced around the world as a child, and fell in love with writing stories when she was ten years old. She and her library co-habitate in Vancouver, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
September 9, 2015
Well now, Pericles. Just as Jill asked herself about a dozen times, I too will ask the question - what exactly are you, Perry? He's certainly not what he appears to be, his bland demeanor is just a mask. Literally and figuratively, he uses it to cover up his true nature. Nobody would suspect "bland" Perry as being overly powerful, which is why he appears as he does. I'm really eager to learn in the coming books about what and who he really is. I really like that slippery hellbreed, even if he did pop a creepy boner. Jill wondered if it's forked, I would also like to know. Forget spooning, I'd like to see Pericles do some forking :)
I will describe this book in two words - noisome and runnels. If those two words strike you as being on the unappetizing side, well then you would have an idea of some of the more gruesome elements of this book. Prostitutes, mostly pregnant ones, are found murdered and disemboweled, their organs and entrails missing from every murder scene. There is also a creature on the loose who may or may not be connected to the prostitutes. Jill finds herself in heaps of trouble trying to figure this one out, there were several times where I thought that this surely is the end of Kiss.
One thing I liked about this installment was that we got to see the insecure side of Jillian Kismet. She finds herself questioning not only why Saul wants to be with her, but also when he will leave her. She's used to being abandoned, and sure enough she isn't over that issue. Having Jill show a little weakness really added some humility to her otherwise tough as nails, "I run this city", persona. It made her more likable, even though I like her with out without human weakness.
The ending was definitely interesting. I hope the next book expounds on that a bit. It's not quite a cliffhanger, but it does get you wondering about what happens next.
I will describe this book in two words - noisome and runnels. If those two words strike you as being on the unappetizing side, well then you would have an idea of some of the more gruesome elements of this book. Prostitutes, mostly pregnant ones, are found murdered and disemboweled, their organs and entrails missing from every murder scene. There is also a creature on the loose who may or may not be connected to the prostitutes. Jill finds herself in heaps of trouble trying to figure this one out, there were several times where I thought that this surely is the end of Kiss.
One thing I liked about this installment was that we got to see the insecure side of Jillian Kismet. She finds herself questioning not only why Saul wants to be with her, but also when he will leave her. She's used to being abandoned, and sure enough she isn't over that issue. Having Jill show a little weakness really added some humility to her otherwise tough as nails, "I run this city", persona. It made her more likable, even though I like her with out without human weakness.
The ending was definitely interesting. I hope the next book expounds on that a bit. It's not quite a cliffhanger, but it does get you wondering about what happens next.
October 20, 2009
One word: Pericles. And I thought that I was in love with him in Night Shift! Damn, that man, er, hellbreed, is hot! I never knew that Prince Charming had a scaly tongue, but hey, I'm experimental ;)
Loved the story, and I didn't feel nearly as sorry for the bad guys in this book as I did in the first. That was so sad, but this was just good ol' vengeance, exactly how I like it. Looking forward to reading the next installment, which is currently languishing somewhere in my room, but I have to finish my challenge books first. I know, it's always the challenge books D: Whatever.
And someone needs to take away Jill's guns.
Loved the story, and I didn't feel nearly as sorry for the bad guys in this book as I did in the first. That was so sad, but this was just good ol' vengeance, exactly how I like it. Looking forward to reading the next installment, which is currently languishing somewhere in my room, but I have to finish my challenge books first. I know, it's always the challenge books D: Whatever.
And someone needs to take away Jill's guns.
dnf
August 18, 2016I couldn't get into it.
It's not that it was bad or anything, but it just didn't make me want to read more. I got to about 40% and decided that I wanna read something else. So on I go!
It's not that it was bad or anything, but it just didn't make me want to read more. I got to about 40% and decided that I wanna read something else. So on I go!
February 9, 2014
The second installment in the Jill Kismet series was as good, if not better, than the first. In fact, I loved it.
This is dark fantasy, really dark and gruesome. Young prostitutes are found mutilated and half eaten, their entrails gone, their eyes missing. They've been taken by an unknown type of beast; so strong that even Jill,with her hellbreed strength gets herself in serious trouble when she tries to fight it. And to top things off, the Sorrow that killed her mentor, Mikhail, is back in town. Not a good day to be a Hunter, indebted to a demon and with a cat that wants her to take a vacation.
Wow! Lilith Saintcrow has done the impossible. She's made me fall in love with a were! Normally they're my least favorite supernatural. I tolerate them, but love them? Never! That is, until Saul. He's just the sweetest, most protective,most romantic kittycat. E.V.E.R. The things he says to her almost makes me wish I was a cat person. He's so good to her, kind, tolerant, overprotective and jealous in the sweetest way. Always bumping into her. Who wouldn't fall for a guy who says "Loved you the first moment I saw you, kitten. Covered in muck and swearing at the top of your lands. God, you were a sight". Ah, yes, I'd definitely say yes to an under the moon ceremony with a were like him. He's obviously very good for Jill. She's still so broken at a fundamental level. Alway second guessing herself. And that stupid, stubborn streak... That being said, their relationship is not the focal point of this novel, the crimes are.
But alas for Jill, she's also tied to the secretive, perhaps not so lowly after all, hellbreed, Pericles. Another reviewer called him Prince Charming with a scaly tongue and that title suits him perfectly. Perry is an enigma both to us and to Jill. There's no doubt he's evil, but the way he portrays himself is decidedly creepy. First of all, his exterior is that of a bland businessman, while all the other hellbreeds are stunningly beautiful. Over the course of the book he also displays powers that transcend what a hellbreed of his caliber should be able to perform. I just have this sneaking suspicion it takes a very powerful demon indeed to disregard the outer trappings of power the way Perry does. We know he is prideful, because there are at least two occasions where that is made abundantly clear. First when Jill comments on that unpretty face of his, as well as their final confrontation. I'm utterly fascinated by this creature, trying so hard to seduce her with phrases like having her at his right side, wrapping her in silk if she'd let him, sporting a quite sizable boner, but at the same time threatening to break her. I need to know what it is he wants from Jill. At the end of the book, I nearly felt sorry for the bastard. No doubt, he'll be back stronger than ever, being played like that must have been downright humiliating. And I for one will be happy to see him return. I think he's the most perfect, scarily seductive little mofo hellbreed I've ever had the pleasure of reading about.
This is dark fantasy, really dark and gruesome. Young prostitutes are found mutilated and half eaten, their entrails gone, their eyes missing. They've been taken by an unknown type of beast; so strong that even Jill,with her hellbreed strength gets herself in serious trouble when she tries to fight it. And to top things off, the Sorrow that killed her mentor, Mikhail, is back in town. Not a good day to be a Hunter, indebted to a demon and with a cat that wants her to take a vacation.
Wow! Lilith Saintcrow has done the impossible. She's made me fall in love with a were! Normally they're my least favorite supernatural. I tolerate them, but love them? Never! That is, until Saul. He's just the sweetest, most protective,most romantic kittycat. E.V.E.R. The things he says to her almost makes me wish I was a cat person. He's so good to her, kind, tolerant, overprotective and jealous in the sweetest way. Always bumping into her. Who wouldn't fall for a guy who says "Loved you the first moment I saw you, kitten. Covered in muck and swearing at the top of your lands. God, you were a sight". Ah, yes, I'd definitely say yes to an under the moon ceremony with a were like him. He's obviously very good for Jill. She's still so broken at a fundamental level. Alway second guessing herself. And that stupid, stubborn streak... That being said, their relationship is not the focal point of this novel, the crimes are.
But alas for Jill, she's also tied to the secretive, perhaps not so lowly after all, hellbreed, Pericles. Another reviewer called him Prince Charming with a scaly tongue and that title suits him perfectly. Perry is an enigma both to us and to Jill. There's no doubt he's evil, but the way he portrays himself is decidedly creepy. First of all, his exterior is that of a bland businessman, while all the other hellbreeds are stunningly beautiful. Over the course of the book he also displays powers that transcend what a hellbreed of his caliber should be able to perform. I just have this sneaking suspicion it takes a very powerful demon indeed to disregard the outer trappings of power the way Perry does. We know he is prideful, because there are at least two occasions where that is made abundantly clear. First when Jill comments on that unpretty face of his, as well as their final confrontation. I'm utterly fascinated by this creature, trying so hard to seduce her with phrases like having her at his right side, wrapping her in silk if she'd let him, sporting a quite sizable boner, but at the same time threatening to break her. I need to know what it is he wants from Jill. At the end of the book, I nearly felt sorry for the bastard. No doubt, he'll be back stronger than ever, being played like that must have been downright humiliating. And I for one will be happy to see him return. I think he's the most perfect, scarily seductive little mofo hellbreed I've ever had the pleasure of reading about.
June 11, 2011
The rating is harsh, but i must say that the reading process was rather painful.
EXCESS inner commentating, a not-so-dominant Were lover, too much focus on one single thing- which was the case, and at places too unrealistic.
The fact that her lover, Saul, was passive and a by-stander when she kicked hellbreeds' butts was pissing enough. And with the seriously annoying, braggy inner commentating on Jill's part scrawled over more than half the pages was really pushing it. The final straw was the cases were all so gruesome and repetitive(continued from the first book) that i was immune to it even before i finished half the book. I initially was feeling a little sorry for the victims, but after the what, 10th case i just shut the book and was like ah heck..this is wasting my time. And chugged it aside. For weeks. I even renewed my library loan and couldn't finish it on time cause i was seriously getting bored of it. And weeks later, i sit here writing this review cause i was reluctant to even think about it before.
I'll give you the quick gloss over till the part i stopped(as much as i can remember anyway): She was tracking a hellbreed, or meeting one, and fought(with a lot of lame comments in her head again). Then went to Saul who was smoking cigar in the car. Jill gave him some commands(yes, SHE gave HIM commands and he didnt even show bristle with irritation or sth..ANYTHING.) and they drove off. No lovey dovey parts to soften the grim and emo world she lives in. She gets case after case after case from her police contact. After case. All of the bodies left along roadsides, all bloodied beyond recognition, but most of them miraculously having one fingerprint undamaged on that one finger pad for ID-ing. Well that's convenient. And i ended when things started to get interesting(just i minor spark of the brewing plot, but still boring to me)- the church was hiding something from their protector, which was her. She got pissed, almost hit the priest and left. Yep, i stopped there.
I liked Saintcrow's Strange Angels series, but this one fell REALLY flat in comparison. Tho her habit of excess inner commentating was omnipresent, the plot pretty much saved everything. But this...is just...sigh..
I dont know, i've got nothing nice to say so i'll just stop here. When i remember something then i'll update this review. If not, i'll end off with: I am NOT going to continue reading this series.Period.
EXCESS inner commentating, a not-so-dominant Were lover, too much focus on one single thing- which was the case, and at places too unrealistic.
The fact that her lover, Saul, was passive and a by-stander when she kicked hellbreeds' butts was pissing enough. And with the seriously annoying, braggy inner commentating on Jill's part scrawled over more than half the pages was really pushing it. The final straw was the cases were all so gruesome and repetitive(continued from the first book) that i was immune to it even before i finished half the book. I initially was feeling a little sorry for the victims, but after the what, 10th case i just shut the book and was like ah heck..this is wasting my time. And chugged it aside. For weeks. I even renewed my library loan and couldn't finish it on time cause i was seriously getting bored of it. And weeks later, i sit here writing this review cause i was reluctant to even think about it before.
I'll give you the quick gloss over till the part i stopped(as much as i can remember anyway): She was tracking a hellbreed, or meeting one, and fought(with a lot of lame comments in her head again). Then went to Saul who was smoking cigar in the car. Jill gave him some commands(yes, SHE gave HIM commands and he didnt even show bristle with irritation or sth..ANYTHING.) and they drove off. No lovey dovey parts to soften the grim and emo world she lives in. She gets case after case after case from her police contact. After case. All of the bodies left along roadsides, all bloodied beyond recognition, but most of them miraculously having one fingerprint undamaged on that one finger pad for ID-ing. Well that's convenient. And i ended when things started to get interesting(just i minor spark of the brewing plot, but still boring to me)- the church was hiding something from their protector, which was her. She got pissed, almost hit the priest and left. Yep, i stopped there.
I liked Saintcrow's Strange Angels series, but this one fell REALLY flat in comparison. Tho her habit of excess inner commentating was omnipresent, the plot pretty much saved everything. But this...is just...sigh..
I dont know, i've got nothing nice to say so i'll just stop here. When i remember something then i'll update this review. If not, i'll end off with: I am NOT going to continue reading this series.Period.
December 9, 2018
Yes! This was just what I was wanting to read. Lots of action, lots of humour, and an adorable couple with 2 strong and supportive people.
Jill is both super strong and in charge, but also has a very vulnerable scared side that pops up in her relationship with Saul. Saul is also strong, but he's super supportive of Jill, and seems content for their relationship to run at her speed, although he is definitely nudging her in all the right ways to believe in them more. It's absolutely heartwarming and feels real to witness their relationship.
On the action side, there is lots of it. With paranormal baddies and lots of police work, it's nonstop go. Just what I was wanting to read. So yay for expectations being met.
Jill is both super strong and in charge, but also has a very vulnerable scared side that pops up in her relationship with Saul. Saul is also strong, but he's super supportive of Jill, and seems content for their relationship to run at her speed, although he is definitely nudging her in all the right ways to believe in them more. It's absolutely heartwarming and feels real to witness their relationship.
On the action side, there is lots of it. With paranormal baddies and lots of police work, it's nonstop go. Just what I was wanting to read. So yay for expectations being met.
February 10, 2011
Let me start by saying how much I really love Lili Saintcrow. Really. I think she's fabulous.
That being said, I don't think this particular series is that great. I started the book, and then kept starting (and finishing) others because I just wasn't that interested in this one-- it probaby took me 8 or 9 days to finish it.
Jill isn't as likeable as Lili's other big heroine, Dante Valentine. That may be an unfair comparison, but... there you go. They are both kind of ridiculously hard on themselves emotionally, but Jill--although her attachment to Saul seems more human-- also has an oddly clingy side, which feels squidgy to me. It seems like too sharp of a contrast to the rest of her personality. It just always rings a little false. I like her backstory-- it's really solid and makes perfect sense. Maybe it's too perfectly written-- she never does anything odd. She certainly doesn't have much of a sense of humor. Whatever it is, I just can't really like Jill.
I also don't quite get Jill's paralyzing fear of the hellbreeds. I get that they're evil and dangerous-- but she kills them all the time, and she's around them a LOT. That level of familiarity usually wears down fear, and she's a pretty badass chick. Her insane, trembling, disgusted fear just seems way too extreme to happen EVERY time she encounters Perry. She has a nickname for him for chrissake!
I'm also not a big fan of Saul-- and with him it is definitely that he's too perfect, and this is a critique of one of my favorite authors (i.e., it pains me to say it). Saul is not a person, he's just this perfect guy who is unfailingly every single thing that Jill needs. He has no depth. Maybe in book 3 we'll see more when we go to see his people, but after books one and two, he's just not a real person.
I'd like to add that although I've read that quite a few people seem to believe this is exactly the same world as the Dante Valentine series-- and although it's very similar in tone, level of violence, and level of grittiness, I completely disagree. They are both very detailed, dark, and full of crazy magics & creatures, but not the same magics, and not the same creatures.
I really wanted to like these books more than I did. Le sigh.
That being said, I don't think this particular series is that great. I started the book, and then kept starting (and finishing) others because I just wasn't that interested in this one-- it probaby took me 8 or 9 days to finish it.
Jill isn't as likeable as Lili's other big heroine, Dante Valentine. That may be an unfair comparison, but... there you go. They are both kind of ridiculously hard on themselves emotionally, but Jill--although her attachment to Saul seems more human-- also has an oddly clingy side, which feels squidgy to me. It seems like too sharp of a contrast to the rest of her personality. It just always rings a little false. I like her backstory-- it's really solid and makes perfect sense. Maybe it's too perfectly written-- she never does anything odd. She certainly doesn't have much of a sense of humor. Whatever it is, I just can't really like Jill.
I also don't quite get Jill's paralyzing fear of the hellbreeds. I get that they're evil and dangerous-- but she kills them all the time, and she's around them a LOT. That level of familiarity usually wears down fear, and she's a pretty badass chick. Her insane, trembling, disgusted fear just seems way too extreme to happen EVERY time she encounters Perry. She has a nickname for him for chrissake!
I'm also not a big fan of Saul-- and with him it is definitely that he's too perfect, and this is a critique of one of my favorite authors (i.e., it pains me to say it). Saul is not a person, he's just this perfect guy who is unfailingly every single thing that Jill needs. He has no depth. Maybe in book 3 we'll see more when we go to see his people, but after books one and two, he's just not a real person.
I'd like to add that although I've read that quite a few people seem to believe this is exactly the same world as the Dante Valentine series-- and although it's very similar in tone, level of violence, and level of grittiness, I completely disagree. They are both very detailed, dark, and full of crazy magics & creatures, but not the same magics, and not the same creatures.
I really wanted to like these books more than I did. Le sigh.
July 6, 2020
Fast-paced urban fantasy. I was a little surprised that five years passed between books one and two, perhaps so Jill and Saul were more established as a couple? Awesome ending, so well set up. As a reader I could see Jill making a mistake, but because of her backstory there was nothing else she could have done.
May 2, 2018
It wasn't bad, but isn't in my top 50
December 23, 2011
Oh wow, this book is incredible! If you was fascinated by the first one you will be happy about this one, too. Jill have to fight against a very old and powerful and dangerous being and she can't win without help of Saul and Perry. Perry plays a bigger role in this book and helps Jill more than she want to. But not because he is nice, no. He have his own plan.
The story is very fast and full of shoking scene. It's bloody, bestial and nothing for romantic reader. But if you have read the first book you know that this books are nothing for people with weak nerves!
The relationship between Saul and Jill is very harmonic and uncomplicated. Jill thinks always that he will leave her but the werepuma Saul don't think about this. He support her in every situation and can't be realy angry with her.
The bargain between Perry and Jill isn't that easy. She always balance on the knive's edge when she handle with him. And it's not clear what he will do with her. But in this book it seems that he doesn't want to kill her. But what are his plans with or for her? Nobody knows.
Jill is confronted with her past in this book, too. The Sorrow which killed her master is in the city and have to do with the bloody murdering in her town. The whole thing with the murdered prostitute remember her for her own life and past. It isn't realy easy for her.
All in all it was a great book. But I haven't weak nerves and can read such bloody scene without any problems. If you like the Anita Blake series or the Dante Valentine books, you would be happy with this one, too.
The story is very fast and full of shoking scene. It's bloody, bestial and nothing for romantic reader. But if you have read the first book you know that this books are nothing for people with weak nerves!
The relationship between Saul and Jill is very harmonic and uncomplicated. Jill thinks always that he will leave her but the werepuma Saul don't think about this. He support her in every situation and can't be realy angry with her.
The bargain between Perry and Jill isn't that easy. She always balance on the knive's edge when she handle with him. And it's not clear what he will do with her. But in this book it seems that he doesn't want to kill her. But what are his plans with or for her? Nobody knows.
Jill is confronted with her past in this book, too. The Sorrow which killed her master is in the city and have to do with the bloody murdering in her town. The whole thing with the murdered prostitute remember her for her own life and past. It isn't realy easy for her.
All in all it was a great book. But I haven't weak nerves and can read such bloody scene without any problems. If you like the Anita Blake series or the Dante Valentine books, you would be happy with this one, too.
January 27, 2016
Saintcrow is beyond talented with created dark and gritty Urban Fantasy worlds. Her violent characters are forced to dive over the gray lines and make connections with the purely evil. She crosses grim lines other Urban Fantasy authors don’t cross, which is what makes her books so ridiculously addictive to me.
Unfortunately her other series, Dante Valentine, made me hate – hate – hate the protagonist. Jill Kismet is more likeable but she shares some of the dislikable strands. She gets on my nerves more here than the first book but still stays relatively appealing. Her actions don’t always add up in my book, but plots have always been pushed forward by unsavory actions by senseless characters.
Saul is present and kind of just there – there’s something flat and almost false about him this time around. Saintcrow did an annoying jump years into the future (she did that twice with the Valentine series too, must be something she likes to do, ugh.) Perry was fascinating as usual, can't really get what he's after fully.
The story for this one is more urgent, dark and twisted than its predecessor. I loved the ending, nice twists and it’s certainly a large battle that even Jill herself can’t win by herself. Dark stuff.
Overall it was just okay. I expected more because I was ready to leave off on the relationship pitfalls from the first book, but the jump ahead in time squashed that. The story is good but a little muddy sometimes. Not as good as the first, but the series still remains strong and addictive.
June 19, 2013
“I am not a nice person” — Jill Kismet
Jill Kismet is a Hunter — she keeps her city safe by tracking and destroying the creatures of the Nightside — those things that come out of hell to prey on humans. The cops call on Jill when there’s a crime that seems to involve paranormal beings. Jill takes care of it while the cops cover it up. Jill’s a badass — she can beat up anybody — but she also has some special powers of sorcery and healing which she got by making a bargain with a hellspawn named Perry. Perry keeps Jill alive and in return she gives him two hours of her “time” each month.
In Night Shift, the first book in Lilith Saintcrow’s JILL KISMET series (reviewed by Robert), we met all the main characters, but you don’t really need to read Night Shift to understand what’s going on in this second book, Hunter’s Prayer. Saintcrow quickly catches up new readers and Jill is dealing with a new threat to the Nightside this time. Teenage prostitutes are being brutally murdered and eviscerated and their internal organs and eyeballs are being harvested. Jill is called in to solve the crime and it’s soon clear that whatever is killing those girls is after Jill, too. Fortunately Jill’s got backup from her sidekick lover, a werecat named Saul, and Perry’s contributions are keeping her alive.
Read the rest:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Jill Kismet is a Hunter — she keeps her city safe by tracking and destroying the creatures of the Nightside — those things that come out of hell to prey on humans. The cops call on Jill when there’s a crime that seems to involve paranormal beings. Jill takes care of it while the cops cover it up. Jill’s a badass — she can beat up anybody — but she also has some special powers of sorcery and healing which she got by making a bargain with a hellspawn named Perry. Perry keeps Jill alive and in return she gives him two hours of her “time” each month.
In Night Shift, the first book in Lilith Saintcrow’s JILL KISMET series (reviewed by Robert), we met all the main characters, but you don’t really need to read Night Shift to understand what’s going on in this second book, Hunter’s Prayer. Saintcrow quickly catches up new readers and Jill is dealing with a new threat to the Nightside this time. Teenage prostitutes are being brutally murdered and eviscerated and their internal organs and eyeballs are being harvested. Jill is called in to solve the crime and it’s soon clear that whatever is killing those girls is after Jill, too. Fortunately Jill’s got backup from her sidekick lover, a werecat named Saul, and Perry’s contributions are keeping her alive.
Read the rest:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
June 14, 2009
2nd in the "Jill Kismet" series. Intriguing plot, a lot of action, some interesting background info on the characters, scary monsters... But!
It would have been even a better read if I actually liked Jill, if I could connect with her at some point, if I found her character somehow sympathetic. Basically, she's a bitch - her words, not mine. She's arrogant, volatile, brash and short-tempered. And because she just doesn't think before she acts, she makes mistakes that put her in even less favorable light. And her troubles with Perry don't make her less annoying either because the bargain she made with him brought her super powers that she has no constraints to use but when it comes down to upholding her part of the contract, she's all "woe is me". Very unbecoming. But it's true that Saul made her mellower and she didn't keep on moaning "Mikhail, Mikhail" the whole book long like in part one, so that's a plus.
So, as I said, it's too bad that I don't like the main heroine otherwise this book would be near the top of my favorite paranormal books. 3.5 stars but I will bump it up to 4.
It would have been even a better read if I actually liked Jill, if I could connect with her at some point, if I found her character somehow sympathetic. Basically, she's a bitch - her words, not mine. She's arrogant, volatile, brash and short-tempered. And because she just doesn't think before she acts, she makes mistakes that put her in even less favorable light. And her troubles with Perry don't make her less annoying either because the bargain she made with him brought her super powers that she has no constraints to use but when it comes down to upholding her part of the contract, she's all "woe is me". Very unbecoming. But it's true that Saul made her mellower and she didn't keep on moaning "Mikhail, Mikhail" the whole book long like in part one, so that's a plus.
So, as I said, it's too bad that I don't like the main heroine otherwise this book would be near the top of my favorite paranormal books. 3.5 stars but I will bump it up to 4.
January 13, 2009
Jill Kismet is a hunter with some extra strength hellbreed abilities. (she's been marked by a hellbreed). In this installment of the series, there is something out killing the local prostitutes. Not just killing them, but slitting their bodies wide open and removing all the organs... Jill has to find out what is doing this before more people die. Of course, she must get in touch with the hellbreed who has marked her. Perry has a vested interest in keeping her alive because he wants her to owe him a little bit more. Saul is ever present (her were boyfriend) and he is more than pissed at the idea of Jill being in Perry's debt.
This was a good second book in the series. At time I was frustrated with how stubborn Jill could be, and I could do without the flashbacks but all in all I liked how the story ended. And I didn't see the twist at the end coming. Although, I should probably have suspected it.
Can't wait for the next book, Redemption Alley to come out.
This was a good second book in the series. At time I was frustrated with how stubborn Jill could be, and I could do without the flashbacks but all in all I liked how the story ended. And I didn't see the twist at the end coming. Although, I should probably have suspected it.
Can't wait for the next book, Redemption Alley to come out.
June 30, 2010
Stopping at page 70. I enjoyed the first book in this series, but there are simply not enough cuss words in my limited vocabulary to display my rage at the writing in this second outing with Jill "super duper hunter supreme" Kismet.
Imagine Angel, Buffy, and Darkside Goth Barbie were somehow combined into one person, and then their brain was removed and replaced with piss and vinegar. That's Jill. She'll spend a lot of time telling you how she's dressed and what jewelry she's wearing right before she jumps into yet another pointless fight. Which she will of course win in less than a page, because she a "suuuuper hunter" and the dark forces of the world are all pussies compared to her.
Whatever. Done with this crap, and never coming back. Nice first book, but the second fell in a lake of stupid.
Imagine Angel, Buffy, and Darkside Goth Barbie were somehow combined into one person, and then their brain was removed and replaced with piss and vinegar. That's Jill. She'll spend a lot of time telling you how she's dressed and what jewelry she's wearing right before she jumps into yet another pointless fight. Which she will of course win in less than a page, because she a "suuuuper hunter" and the dark forces of the world are all pussies compared to her.
Whatever. Done with this crap, and never coming back. Nice first book, but the second fell in a lake of stupid.
June 30, 2016
Or maybe 4.5 stars, certainly enough to keep me one-more-chaptering until a good bit past my bedtime.
Just as Jill is starting to let go of the weight of her mentor's death, her streetwalker past catches up to her with an unusually grisly series of murders of the local prostitute population. If that wasn't more than enough for a solo operative to deal with, her demonic bargain starts to show its true cost. Thank goodness she's not totally alone here, backed up by a shockingly mature and shenanigan-free relationship that actually grows organically instead of zapping fully formed out of some silly insta-love trope (wow, can you tell I've read a LOOOOOOT of overly formulaic UF?).
I'm content to continue my series dive, and kinda wondering why I left it so long after enjoying the first book a few years ago.
Just as Jill is starting to let go of the weight of her mentor's death, her streetwalker past catches up to her with an unusually grisly series of murders of the local prostitute population. If that wasn't more than enough for a solo operative to deal with, her demonic bargain starts to show its true cost. Thank goodness she's not totally alone here, backed up by a shockingly mature and shenanigan-free relationship that actually grows organically instead of zapping fully formed out of some silly insta-love trope (wow, can you tell I've read a LOOOOOOT of overly formulaic UF?).
I'm content to continue my series dive, and kinda wondering why I left it so long after enjoying the first book a few years ago.
November 27, 2012
Never before have I really really wanted to like a main character, and yet struggled so much to do so. I spent most of the book wanting to say "Look, Jill, I understand that you've had a really difficult life....but why do you have to be such an ever-loving Bitch all the time???" Optimistically , I am hoping that this aspect of her character improves with time.
Secondly....More Perry! Yeah, sure he's an evil demonic hellbreed....but he's INTERESTING!
So in summary, I humbly ask whatever god is in charge of meaningless literary prayers....Please, Book #3: Less bitchiness...more Perry. Thank you.
(Dropped my optimistic 3 Star Rating down to 2 Stars after reading book #3, only to find that NONE of my hopes were even close to realized)
Secondly....More Perry! Yeah, sure he's an evil demonic hellbreed....but he's INTERESTING!
So in summary, I humbly ask whatever god is in charge of meaningless literary prayers....Please, Book #3: Less bitchiness...more Perry. Thank you.
(Dropped my optimistic 3 Star Rating down to 2 Stars after reading book #3, only to find that NONE of my hopes were even close to realized)
May 19, 2015
Look, I still adore Saul like whoa, but I am feeling a familiar rhythm developing. I read the Dante Valentine series and remember enjoying the first one, but as the series went on, the world was just too horrible for me. As in, interesting magic, fascinating divisions, but, man, everything is too grim all the time. Everything is death and torture and awful and no one has a nice home life or a pleasant summer, it seems like. I could watch the news for awfulness, I don't like it in fiction.
So I'm still reading, but am worried this will get too dark for me. (You can call me a wuss, I'm okay with that.)
So I'm still reading, but am worried this will get too dark for me. (You can call me a wuss, I'm okay with that.)
September 10, 2011
What is it about Perry which is so alluring? He's a sadist yet a masochist too. What does he want with Jill? I like Jill. She reminds me of a phoenix rising out of ashes. This second book in the series continues with the punches. Will Jill ever get a break? She's like Buffy but w/o a Scooby Gang or a watcher. Instead she has a few people who become hostages for her line of work. Does Ms. Saintcrow ever write a book with a bit of good fortune to balance out the depressing darkness? My answer would be ...No.
October 30, 2009
Jill is back and I am happy to see her with Saul. They run up against old enemey who really does a number on Jill. Her interactions with Perry seem to be more intense in this book. But towards the end she does get him a good one. I also love the interaction with Monty and the police. They are funny in that they know the bad things are out there, but are content to let her deal with them. The battle scenes were great. Looking forward to what happens next.
January 18, 2009
Wow, that's one messed-up protagonist.
April 14, 2015
I am going to stop this series all together. Honestly this was a DNF for me
Read
December 11, 2022Not the smoothest transition between book 1 and book 2. Apparently almost two years have passed and they're mates now – it's like the actual romance part was skipped! Like the whole relationship developed off-screen.
Saul might as well be a stick figure for all the dimension he's given. Jill feels insecure about their relationship, always afraid of him leaving, continually wondering what he sees in her – and I have to wonder the same. What does he want anyway, what are his motives? He sticks around after the events of book one, and tags along with Jill on the job. He may as well be one of her weapons, the way he exists to serve, all he does is trail behind her and follow her orders. There's nothing to like or dislike about him.
I was also uncomfortable with the Native American representation…Saul is referred to as "Tonto" repeatedly by one of the minor characters – a friend of Jill's – in a way that's clearly meant to be harmless banter, but as Saul isn't given much depth to begin with and the character who says it isn't portrayed as a bigot or anything like that…it really just reduces him to his ethnicity in an offensive way.
I'm not sure what it is about white authors in this genre insisting on making either their MCs or love interests some variety of brown and handling it poorly.
Sorry, but what is this…
Or this…
It was published nearly fifteen years ago, I suppose…
Saul might as well be a stick figure for all the dimension he's given. Jill feels insecure about their relationship, always afraid of him leaving, continually wondering what he sees in her – and I have to wonder the same. What does he want anyway, what are his motives? He sticks around after the events of book one, and tags along with Jill on the job. He may as well be one of her weapons, the way he exists to serve, all he does is trail behind her and follow her orders. There's nothing to like or dislike about him.
“Do it.”
Saul blinked, and complied.
No matter how often I see it, I always get a little shiver down my spine when he shifts. The mind is trained by the eyes to make a whole hell of a lot of assumptions about things, and seeing a tall man who looks like the romance novel ideal of a Native American melt and re-form, fur crackling out through his skin, eyes becoming amber lamps with slit pupils, can wallop those assumptions out from under you pretty damn quick.
I was also uncomfortable with the Native American representation…Saul is referred to as "Tonto" repeatedly by one of the minor characters – a friend of Jill's – in a way that's clearly meant to be harmless banter, but as Saul isn't given much depth to begin with and the character who says it isn't portrayed as a bigot or anything like that…it really just reduces him to his ethnicity in an offensive way.
Saul hefted the boy’s weight, pale naked skin looking exotic against his more familiar mahogany darkness.
I'm not sure what it is about white authors in this genre insisting on making either their MCs or love interests some variety of brown and handling it poorly.
Sorry, but what is this…
The barrio was a good place for someone of my racial persuasion to end up dead;
Or this…
I leveled the gun, cutting him off midstride. “Did she get uppity with you, cabron?
It was published nearly fifteen years ago, I suppose…
March 31, 2020
DNF'd this one at almost the end. Started off hesitant, got to like 50% and by then I was hate reading, and by 75% I was like "Yeah, I don't want to finish this".
The whole plot of the book is rape, if I took a shot every time the protagonist called someone a motherfucker for the explicit purpose of trying too hard to sound like a badass I'd have died of alcohol poisoning, I am so tired of the word 'bitch' at this point. Jill constantly comes in swinging, is constantly the worst parts of police brutality, judges all the prostitutes in spite of haVING BEEN A PROSTITUTE HERSELF as if she's any better.
Saul doesn't pass the sexy lamp test. He's the only character I didn't want to smack and it's because he isn't a character. You could quite literally replace him with a bloodhound and the plot would still basically work, and the sex scenes wouldn't be much more awkward than her sleeping with her not-father.
At one point Jill shoots someone that has information while they're trying to tell her exactly what's going on in the plot and it's obvious that the only reason she did it was because plot armor. Like yes, she had a reason, but that reason was flimsy and how hard would it have been to let her finish her god damn sentence first?
Most of the other women in the book were either catty or cowardly, most of the prostitutes were underaged for like no reason, the protag spends the entire novel trying too hard.
You know all those blogs that complain about protagonists in UF books that are just awful people and try to substitute that for characterization? They might as well just @ this novel. If I wanted to stew in a cesspool of misogyny I'd go to 4chan.
I'm done.
The whole plot of the book is rape, if I took a shot every time the protagonist called someone a motherfucker for the explicit purpose of trying too hard to sound like a badass I'd have died of alcohol poisoning, I am so tired of the word 'bitch' at this point. Jill constantly comes in swinging, is constantly the worst parts of police brutality, judges all the prostitutes in spite of haVING BEEN A PROSTITUTE HERSELF as if she's any better.
Saul doesn't pass the sexy lamp test. He's the only character I didn't want to smack and it's because he isn't a character. You could quite literally replace him with a bloodhound and the plot would still basically work, and the sex scenes wouldn't be much more awkward than her sleeping with her not-father.
At one point Jill shoots someone that has information while they're trying to tell her exactly what's going on in the plot and it's obvious that the only reason she did it was because plot armor. Like yes, she had a reason, but that reason was flimsy and how hard would it have been to let her finish her god damn sentence first?
Most of the other women in the book were either catty or cowardly, most of the prostitutes were underaged for like no reason, the protag spends the entire novel trying too hard.
You know all those blogs that complain about protagonists in UF books that are just awful people and try to substitute that for characterization? They might as well just @ this novel. If I wanted to stew in a cesspool of misogyny I'd go to 4chan.
I'm done.
May 28, 2021
Today’s post is on Hunter's Prayer by Lilith Saintcrow. It is 329 pages long and is published by Orbit Books. The cover is purple with Jill in the center. It is the second in Saintcrow’s Jill Kismet series. The intended reader is someone who has read the first volume likes gritty urban fantasy, and tough female leads. There is foul language, sex and sexuality, and lots of violence in this novel. The story is told from first person close of Jill. There Be Spoilers Ahead.
From the back of the book- Another night on the Nightside...An ancient evil looms over Santa Luz. Prostitutes are showing up dead and eviscerated. And Jill Kismet just might be able to get her revenge against an old enemy.
There's just one problem. Someone wants Jill dead--again. And if they have to open up Hell itself to kill her, they will.
"Sometimes, even when you're Jill Kismet, you don't have a prayer..."
Review- A wonderful second volume in a fast paced series. This a fast ride of a novel with Jill starting hunting and ending in a bad emotional place. We are still getting to know her and what has happened to her in the past. We see more of her life before she was a hunter and how it affects her. There is some great world building in this volume with more about the different power players around Jill. Jill and Saul’s relationship is more concrete but it is not the focus of the story. Killing the bad guys is the focus and there are so many to choose from. If you like fast, action based urban fantasy then you need to read this series.
I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this novel with my own money.
From the back of the book- Another night on the Nightside...An ancient evil looms over Santa Luz. Prostitutes are showing up dead and eviscerated. And Jill Kismet just might be able to get her revenge against an old enemy.
There's just one problem. Someone wants Jill dead--again. And if they have to open up Hell itself to kill her, they will.
"Sometimes, even when you're Jill Kismet, you don't have a prayer..."
Review- A wonderful second volume in a fast paced series. This a fast ride of a novel with Jill starting hunting and ending in a bad emotional place. We are still getting to know her and what has happened to her in the past. We see more of her life before she was a hunter and how it affects her. There is some great world building in this volume with more about the different power players around Jill. Jill and Saul’s relationship is more concrete but it is not the focus of the story. Killing the bad guys is the focus and there are so many to choose from. If you like fast, action based urban fantasy then you need to read this series.
I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this novel with my own money.
February 28, 2024
Well, this experience certainly met its end quickly. I can't say I was entirely happy with the first book, but I had hope it would only get better through the series. Can't say that's the case. The gruesome stuff was even heavier (partly because it tangled with the dirt from the first book), Jill was even more of a birth - I had some issues with the way she handles her relationships and after reading some reviews I can pinpoint this more accurately and the picture is not nice. I mentioned the romance was one of the more important elements (in what kept me going) and that means her treatment of Saul was just... it really brings down my already lowering opinion.
I think Jill had potential - her background was certainly unique, her reason for being so strong was even more so, she is a very special kind of law-enforcement with fingers in a lot of pies. Her personality ruins all that. She is trigger happy - result of her job but her temper cannot be so easily explained. Towards the end, it felt like she made everyone into her personal punching bag, made all the bad choices she could and stretched herself so thin... this book just wasn't a very pleasant place to be and her (whether unreasonable or not) behaviour just killed any goodwill I had left.
I actually went over the next books to see if I am interested in continuing and the opposite happened, my suspicions were confirmed and knowing what happens (in very broad details) I am going to finish it here and just... save myself the trouble.
I think Jill had potential - her background was certainly unique, her reason for being so strong was even more so, she is a very special kind of law-enforcement with fingers in a lot of pies. Her personality ruins all that. She is trigger happy - result of her job but her temper cannot be so easily explained. Towards the end, it felt like she made everyone into her personal punching bag, made all the bad choices she could and stretched herself so thin... this book just wasn't a very pleasant place to be and her (whether unreasonable or not) behaviour just killed any goodwill I had left.
I actually went over the next books to see if I am interested in continuing and the opposite happened, my suspicions were confirmed and knowing what happens (in very broad details) I am going to finish it here and just... save myself the trouble.
October 31, 2020
Hunter's Prayer is the second book in the Jill Kismet series written by Lilith Saintcrow. It centers on Jill Kismet, a Hunter, set in a world five hundred years in the future.
Jill Kismet is now partnered with Saul Dustcircle, the were-cougar and lover as well as her back up. Jill must find out why eviscerated bodies of prostitutes are turning up around the city. The answer is far more sinister and deadly than just another imitator of Jack the Ripper and an Elder God is in the process of being invited into Santa Luz and this definitely falls within her jurisdiction.
Hunter's Prayer is written rather well. The narrative is action packed and rather hard to put down. Jill Kismet is strong character that is deeply broken, as Pericles, the demon who gave her his powers, gets into her head and pushes all of her buttons as readers get glimpses of the insecure scared girl she once was. The mixture of vulnerability and strength is well balanced and at no point does her past or insecurities take over the story.
All in all, Hunter's Prayer is written rather well and is a good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series, which I plan to continue in the very near future.
Jill Kismet is now partnered with Saul Dustcircle, the were-cougar and lover as well as her back up. Jill must find out why eviscerated bodies of prostitutes are turning up around the city. The answer is far more sinister and deadly than just another imitator of Jack the Ripper and an Elder God is in the process of being invited into Santa Luz and this definitely falls within her jurisdiction.
Hunter's Prayer is written rather well. The narrative is action packed and rather hard to put down. Jill Kismet is strong character that is deeply broken, as Pericles, the demon who gave her his powers, gets into her head and pushes all of her buttons as readers get glimpses of the insecure scared girl she once was. The mixture of vulnerability and strength is well balanced and at no point does her past or insecurities take over the story.
All in all, Hunter's Prayer is written rather well and is a good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series, which I plan to continue in the very near future.
August 7, 2020
I read this as part of the Jill Kismet compilation. I liked some aspects of it a lot and others not at all. I liked that the relationship between Saul and Jill has firmed up and they make a great team. (I also just adore Saul!) I like that Jill went through a bit of personal growth (and emotional healing) since book one and was one strong woman. I didn't like that so much of the plot was centered on rape, forced prostitution, and abuse of women. It wasn't gratuitously described, but it was a large part of the plot. These days I always mention this, if it's the case because I try and avoid rape in the books I read for enjoyment. It just feels so overly prevalent in life general that I just don't want to add one more reference to in my life. I figure others might feel that way too. Lastly, while I love the writing, there have been some repetitions, both within the book itself but also things being described in a cut-and-paste manner from book one.
November 19, 2018
4.5 Stars.
I really enjoy how Lilith writes. The only MEH part of this installment was the unnecessary swearing. As someone who swears like a sailor... I have zero problems with it in books... but I do find it annoying when it's used just to be used. There were a few 'bitches' that really could have made the book that much better if they weren't in it....etc.
Otherwise, it was great. I wish we got to see a bit more of Saul... hoping that happens in the next book. As much as I hate Perry, I really loved him in this one and am curious to see what happens next with these three.
Overall, very fun read.
I really enjoy how Lilith writes. The only MEH part of this installment was the unnecessary swearing. As someone who swears like a sailor... I have zero problems with it in books... but I do find it annoying when it's used just to be used. There were a few 'bitches' that really could have made the book that much better if they weren't in it....etc.
Otherwise, it was great. I wish we got to see a bit more of Saul... hoping that happens in the next book. As much as I hate Perry, I really loved him in this one and am curious to see what happens next with these three.
Overall, very fun read.
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