Straight to Hell (Lilith Straight, #1) in Shut Up & Read

Mar 02, 2012 Tani added it

Shelves: female-author, fantasy, 2012

I have some serious mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, it was pretty well-written (some issues that should have been caught in proofreading, which are pretty easily forgiven). I liked the main character, Lilith. In fact, I liked most of the characters, who are a pretty interesting crew. I'm not usually a kid person, but I really enjoyed Lilith's niece, Ariel, and the situations that arose with her. To a certain extent, I liked watching Lilith struggle with what had happened to her, I have some serious mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, it was pretty well-written (some issues that should have been caught in proofreading, which are pretty easily forgiven). I liked the main character, Lilith. In fact, I liked most of the characters, who are a pretty interesting crew. I'm not usually a kid person, but I really enjoyed Lilith's niece, Ariel, and the situations that arose with her. To a certain extent, I liked watching Lilith struggle with what had happened to her, and the fight between her conscience and the requirements that were being forced on her.

On the other hand, for a character who was pretty self-righteous, she often missed the obvious on where she was failing. (view spoiler) I also didn't really go for the romance at all. William Darcy? Not impressive in my book, and even after a year of the single life, I wasn't particularly thrilled with the way that Lilith was falling over herself to get with him, no matter how badly he treated her or other people.

My mixed feelings, however, stem mostly from the God v. the devil dilemma that Lilith eventually faces. (view spoiler) In light of that disappointment, I am in a quandary as to how to rate this book. Yes, I enjoyed reading the book. I got into it in places, and I certainly didn't dislike the experience. And yet...in the end, the choices made weren't the ones I wanted, and it's hard for me to say that I'm really happy with the book because of that.

So, for now, no rating. Maybe a few days of consideration will clear the air. We'll just have to wait and see. ...more

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Feb 27, 2012 Kel (Faerie-bookworm) rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebooks, read-2012, succubus-incubus

I was a little weary at first when I started this but it was a really good book. The inner turmoil of Lilith wanting to do what is right but having to be a succubus because of an ancestor really pulled me in. Her determination to do both because she has to be the succubus and her heart is so big makes for some not so good situations. I look forward to the next book to see how she prevails even when she screws up.

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Feb 27, 2012 Delilah rated it really liked it

Shelves: 50-2012, fantasy, language-english

I got this book to review from the Read It & Reap project.

I really liked this book.

I like how it shows a woman's way to work for 'hell', but still remains a good person at heart. A person that is willing to destroy other people's hope and lives to see her family safe and secure, but still a good person.

The way Lilith's new demon powers are explained are something refreashing to me. It's not the 'normal' over-the-top powers like shooting lighting or super-strength or immortality. It's the more su ...more

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Feb 27, 2012 Bookish Michelle rated it liked it · review of another edition

*Received a copy through Read it & Reap program on Goodreads. Thanks to the author and the program for making this happen. Thanks!*

Lilith's a divorced woman trying to make a living with her daughter, her niece and her step-sister who just wouldn't get out of the house to find a job for herself. What could be worse than being knocked down by the car and died? If only it ended there. But no, she went to hell after dying and found out about her terrible family curse--the females in her family were *Received a copy through Read it & Reap program on Goodreads. Thanks to the author and the program for making this happen. Thanks!*

Lilith's a divorced woman trying to make a living with her daughter, her niece and her step-sister who just wouldn't get out of the house to find a job for herself. What could be worse than being knocked down by the car and died? If only it ended there. But no, she went to hell after dying and found out about her terrible family curse--the females in her family were to be succubus due to some contract her ancestor signed with the Devil. Lilith was forced to work for the Devil. The plus point for this arrangement? She got to go back to the living again.

If you think that's the end of the story, think again. She has to go on missions at unexpected times and faced the wrath of her "boss" when she failed them as she just couldn't get past herself to do bad things. It just wasn't in her nature. At times, things happened at home when she wasn't around and it was dangerous for the kids who were unsupervised.

Of course there's a man in every book. In straight to Hell, there's William but there wasn't really much going between him and Lilith or was there? Just read it yourself to find out!

Will Lilith give up her family to continue her job as a succubus? Or will she fight for her family and for a way to survive? Read Straight to Hell by Michelle Scott to find out.

Overall: There's a touch of humor here and there in Straight to Hell, making it an interesting read. The daily struggle with kids and life is realistic and easily relatable. In my opinion, the plot is pretty original but there's just something that doesn't really suits me. I wonder if it is the devilish content? Purposely making/forcing the main character do some bad things. No harm giving this book a try if you are interested though. It has some potential in it. I'll probably wait for some reviews for the second book first before deciding if I want to continue with the series.

3/5 Stars for Straight to Hell.
...more

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Dec 26, 2011 Sheri rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviews

Straight to Hell is a witty, engrossing read that grabs your attention from the beginning. The book is about Lilith Straight, a down on her luck divorcee, who is struggling to balance the strains of being a single parent plus the additional stress of an immature adult sister and a troubled niece living with her. Right after we are introduced to Lilith and have been given a chance to get to know her, she dies. Lilith knows she was not perfect during her short life, but she was not prepared for wh ...more

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Feb 27, 2012 Erin Black rated it it was ok

Shelves: read-it-reap

When I read a book I read it to be completely enveloped in the story. I become part of the book. I can see it playing in my head like a movie. Only, with this book, I didn't.

The story was okay, easy to follow...and unlike anything I have read before. It's the lack of character development that lost me. I want to read a book and fall in love with one of the characters...that didn't happen in this book. There weren't very many emotions brought out while reading this, which again is something that ...more

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