This devil is not so tempting – a review of the book “King of demons. The Call of Lucifer “, volume 1

Paranormal romances for older readers are constantly popular. Currently, another representative of this genre has appeared on the market, from the cover of which a handsome, winged Lord is watching us, probably representing one of the main characters – Lucifer. Is the book really worth the sin?

What is surprising is that the plot in this book begins without much introduction, be it to the world or the heroes. Literally in the first three pages, we learn that a friend of the main character has disappeared in Las Vegas, and she makes a deal with the super-rich and high-ranking Lucas Yfer to find her. In return for his help, the mysterious man makes a condition – Hannah is to spend seven days and nights with him.

After an extremely fast arrangement, the main character moves into Lucas’ apartment and spends the next days with him, the theme of which is – you will not guess – deadly sins.

Definitely “laziness”

Elizabeth Briggs is known for writing paranormal romances, but for me it was the first contact with her work. Although I happened to read several different series of this genre, I never found this writer’s books. What, however, immediately catches the eye is her love for insignificant descriptions. At times I had the impression that the action was literally standing still, and I was reading the description – whether it was a shopping mall or a hotel room. Also, the dialogues in this story are not pleasant to listen to – underdeveloped and very shallow.

It didn’t spark

The plot is based on a very standard vision repeated in many books – brotherhood of souls and subsequent reincarnations. The reader keeps getting hints that something will concern Hades and Persephone, so even if we don’t want to, the author literally does not give us a chance not to guess what will be all about. Kidnapping Hannah’s friend is only an impulse to meet the main characters and it is not an interestingly developed plot.

 What hurts the most, however, is the fact that even the most basic element of this novel, which is romance, suffers from poor dialogues and a cliché idea (which did not receive any new element from the author). The relationship between Lucas-Lucifer and Hannah is boring. Reaching for a book that promises to be a spicy version of the Lucifer series, I expected shivers of emotions and flushing on my face. I got guts with oil and heroes without guts (and Hannah, to be honest, doesn’t even have a meaningful character and is just pushed by others in different directions). Even imagining Lucas in the form of Tom Ellis, known from the series, does not help. Of course, there are sex scenes (this genre even promises us that) – three if I count correctly, the first of which takes place around the middle of the novel. I can understand the tension building up between the characters before it reaches its climax, but this is not the case at all, so when we get to the bed scene, we feel more like yawning and hopping under our covers than fanning ourselves out of the rush of emotions.

The devil has softened

Speaking a few more words about Lucifer himself, it is worth mentioning that he was presented more as a caring and loving man than the imperious and dominant Lord of Hell. He has a few scenes where he shows his power, but most of the time it felt like he was just a luxury-oriented billionaire. The first days with Hannah passed in the following pattern: Lucas takes her to an expensive place or buys her expensive things, and the main character meekly walks and does not particularly object, although in her mind she tries to fight the “I shouldn’t take this” approach. Hannah doesn’t want to be convinced by his finances, but on the other hand, this is exactly what happens, only under the pretext that Lucas “cares about her and cares about her welfare, humor, etc.”

And finally …

I’m not satisfied with the Briggs novel. The story was a copy made of many other, similar, shallow heroes, and the romance was boring and without emotions. The ending itself did not arouse my interest either, so I do not suspect that I would reach for the next part.