Comments on: Review: The Road to Hell

by: Mardel

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:00:19 +0000

I liked Jezebel’s confusion- on one hand she loves Paul, but on the other hand she lusts after everyone. She’s a former succubus - all that previous history doesn’t just disappear. I think it’s funny, the lustful shameless stripper mixed in with the mushy feelings that are new to her. Even though I’m not crazy about the mushy stuff (hate the mushy - but then I’ve been married forever!), for me it kind of worked in this story - especially when you combine it with her basic nature, and her anger at Paul for trying to put limits on her. Like a little bit of the rose-tint got wiped off her new rose colored glasses. Paul’s character was a little boring to me, such a nice guy, maybe that’s what would attract a former succubus? opposites attract? Jezebel is definitely not your normal do-good, angelic heroine - which for me is a nice change. The two extremes of her personality seem normal to me, since she started out as a demon succubus and ended up a “human”. Even though I was a little frustrated at her “white-picket fence” yearnings for Paul, it was in a fun way, making me wonder if or when she was going to snap. I’m also looking forward to Daun’s book.

by: Jackie

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:42:45 +0000

“Jackie - …. but what about Angel? She’s adorable! Who does she get?”

I’m writing a short story for the upcoming DREAMS & DESIRES Vol. 3 charity anthology, which will be all about Angel. More than that, I can’t say. (No, seriously, I can’t say. I haven’t written it yet!)

by: LeaF

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:46:31 +0000

Your honest analysis of this book and posting samples of Ms. Kessler’s prose was really helpful for someone having no previous exposure to her work. I don’t usually read much in urban/sci fi fantasy genre but, you and Bam have piqued my interest, and I may well add the first book in this series to my ever growing mountain of TBR books.

Thank you posting a great review.

by: Tumperkin

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:05:55 +0000

Jill - I tend to agree re the ‘is this a romance?’ query - maybe if I hadn’t approached it as a romance, the things that bothered me about it wouldn’t have bothered me so much.

Wendy - I’m sure you will. Jackie is a damn fine writer.

Jackie - …. but what about Angel? She’s adorable! Who does she get?

by: Jill Sorenson

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:13:57 +0000

Interesting review. It seems as though the story didn’t work for you, but parts of it elicited a strong emotional (or intellectual?) reaction. I’ve had experiences like that, didn’t enjoy the book, but couldn’t stop thinking about it. Not sure if this is the same kind of situation.

Anyway, I’m having trouble understanding why this book is considered a romance. She meets Paul in the first book, so there’s no falling in love. And she sleeps with other men, so there’s no committment. If the male character did this, I wouldn’t consider him much of a “hero,” and I can’t imagine how this set up could lead to an HEA. But I guess I’m not taking the setting (if you can’t do it in hell, where can you?), or the humor of the piece, into consideration.

by: Wendy

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:01:07 +0000

I have this on my TBR pile, my friend Rachael really liked it so I’m gonna try it. Good review!

by: Jackie

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:00:44 +0000

Thanks very much for not only reading ROAD but also for the thoughtful review, Tumperkin. Daun’s book, HOT, may be more to your liking (it’s my favorite to date), but a fair warning that HOT does not have a traditional HEA. It’s much more a dark paranormal love story. (Yes, Angel is in the book, with a very important role. But she’s not the heroine.)

I’m working on the fourth HELL book now. Reasons behind Jesse’s split nature, and why she loves Paul (and why he loves her) will be addressed and answered. And God (er, surely not the other Guy?) willing, I’ll even finish the manuscript on time.