Demon Angel (The Guardians, Book 1)

I'll lay a little groundwork but try not to spoil anything. The series premise is based upon the biblical tale of Lucifer's fall. Evidently, you have three "pure-breds" - angels, demons, and nosferatu. The angels stayed true to God, the demons sided with the Morningstar/Lucifer, and the nosferatu wouldn't choose sides but hid until the war was over, and so were cursed. From these, you have many other varieties of things that go bump in the night. One of the problems with angels trying to protect humans was that they weren't human enough - mankind looked on them almost as gods. So, a corps of Guardians was formed. The book starts out in like 1217 or something, with Hugh and Lilith. Another reviewer griped that the author spent the first half of the book writing a prologue, but honestly, I don't see it that way. Yeah, it is a prologue, but IMO it made the book better by being so detailed. You get to see the history between Hugh and Lilith, and you also get to see 800 years of sexual tension. But, like any good film, Ms. Brook moves quickly through the "set-up" stage and onto the "main" story. I just don't think the book would have been as powerful had she done it any other way. I remember thinking the other night "Man, when these guys finally give in and admit how they feel, it's going to be explosive." I was right. Anyway, I'll just wrap up by saying that they have one itty-bitty problem. Hugh's a guardian. And Lilith? Let's just say that she calls Lucifer "Daddy" ;-)

With the paranormal genre overrun with every possible permutation on the vampire mythology, it's rare indeed to find a book with a fresh and interesting take on paranormal romance. And one that uses the paranormal world to delve into questions of free will, morality, and the wonderfully diverse shades of gray in between right and wrong. Lilith and Hugh seem an unlikely couple. She is a demon from hell meant to gain souls for Lucifer. Hugh is a Guardian meant to save those souls. And yet over the centuries they meet up over and over again, with Hugh ever certain that it is possible for Lilith to be redeemed. They are both wonderfully fascinating characters and I loved watching them interact through the novel. The battle of wit and wills showed to strong, passionate people who were drawn together despite their differences. I loved watching them together and truly felt the deep connection between them. This is, however, not a light beach read. The story is complex and I feel that the reader needs to stay mentally engaged to keep track of the world-building as well as the bargains and wagers that are laid down throughout. I found the effort was well worth it.

This book is explosive in so many ways. If you are a fan of the whole heaven/hell, angel/demon world, you must pick this up! Even though this is considered a romance, men can enjoy this book also because the romance between the two characters is not the most important thing. The hero Hugh is a 11th century knight and the heroine who is more of the anti-heroine Lillith is a demon who sold her soul to Lucifer. She must take the life of Hugh so she can be free. Through Lillith's actions, Hugh becomes a Guardian in heaven. The story than ranges hundreds of years between the two. The words and actions used between Hugh and Lillith are so intense and magical. Some of the conversations are hard to understand but overall when you do get the jist, you will be amazed how the author came up with this storyline. This is not your stereotypical romance. The frontrunner is the war going on between the demons in hell and the guardians in heaven who watch over the humans of earth. Hugh and Lillith are pawns but try to take matters in their own hands. Hopefully the outcome will be them finally together and not through death and suffering as both have gone through. For the ones who want an indredible hot romance with a plot to blown your mind, pick this book up. For those who like alternative worlds with a sci-fi/horror slant, this is also for you. Katiebabs Hot Spell Demon Moon (Berkley Sensation)

Lilith is a halfling demon charged with tempting humans to commit the ultimate sin and become soldiers for her father's army Below. When she meets Sir Hugh, she is fascinated. Not only is the young knight a challenge with his chivalrous ways, he is also humorous and sexy. In addition, the Guardians, namely Michael, are watching over him. What a coup if she could temp him over! Yet when things go terribly awry in her scheme, what little humanity she possesses surfaces and she attempts to convert Hugh, only to fail. Her Punishment is pain and suffering for hundreds of years...yet Hugh survives as a Guardian and their love/hate relationship begins. The rivalry, an almost strange foreplay, lasts for centuries. Eventually things come to a head and now they must discover a way to survive the machinations of her father Lucifer, the blood-sucking nosferatu, and their own treacherous desire for each other. The complex and compelling nature of the relationship between Hugh and Lilith is what makes Demon Angel such a fabulous story. These two are so realistic in their strengths, weaknesses and motivations, even as they are transformed into something more than human. It was fascinating watching their journey of discovery through the many centuries and battles. The other creatures are just as engaging and make for an engrossing story of good and evil and all the nuances in between. Demon Angel is the beginning of an action-packed series full of creatures of dark and light. I look forward to many more tales from Ms. Brook. Georgia Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

* WARNING: SPOILERS* I'm not even sure how to write a review for this novel. Anything I can say to describe it will fall far short of what should be said. The skill with which Meljean Brook created her characters, the world they inhabit, their conflict and their romance is so far superior to most books I've read that I'm amazed. In Demon Angel, Lilith and Hugh meet and begin their journey in 13th century England. And theirs is definitely a journey. You won't find two dimensional characters here, without conflict or real motivation or personality. Instead, you'll get to know two very different, very complicated people who change and evolve just as time, their lives and their understanding of the world and themselves do. In the beginning, I wasn't sure if I really liked Lilith. She's a demon, after all- manipulative, hurtful, vengeful, only looking out for herself. I quickly changed my opinion, though. On the other hand, Hugh was immediately likeable. He was honorable, loyal and kind, but terribly naive and idealistic. When they meet, both are immediately fascinated by the other. It was because of Hugh's inner strength and goodness that made Lilith want to corrupt him- to damn him and his soul for eternity. Hugh, however, saw through her lies and tricks and her scales and talons and believed he could save her soul. The first part of the book is the story of Lilith's part in Hugh's death- his sacrifice to save another. It's also the story of his time as a Guardian and the eight hundred years he went up against Lilith in fight after fight- always struggling against his desire for her as he searched for a way to save her. The second half of the book takes place after hundreds of years of fighting, but failing to save Lilith have changed him into a different man. He had become tormented, and defeated and despaired over the purpose of his life. Deciding the time had come and believing he had no other options, he tried saving Lilith the only way he knew- he killed her and Fell- turned human. Sixteen years go by before he realizes his mistake- Lilith did not die. The second half begins in modern day San Francisco when Hugh and Lilith meet up again- this time to fight together to save the city and the world from the demons and the nosferatu attempting to take over. I cannot say enough good things about Demon Angel- except for the cover, please don't let it deter you from reading this book. Demon Angel has not only a great story with plenty of action, but it also has two fully developed characters who change and evolve over an eight hundred year period. Sometimes in romance books, I'm left wondering what exactly made the hero and heroine fall in love because they certainly didn't know each other very well. That is certainly not the case here. Hugh and Lilith know each other better than anyone else on Heaven(Caelum actually), Hell or Earth. Their romance is tragic and heartbreaking at times, but so compelling that I had to stru