Shelf Addiction
  • Home
  • The Podcast
  • Blog
  • Monthly Read-Alongs
  • About Shelf Addiction
    • Media Kit
    • Advertising
    • Privacy Policy
  • Support Us
  • Shop
  • Tee Public Merch Store
  • Book Club Guide
  • Giveaways
Sign up for the FREE Shelf Addiction Newsletter!

Review: Devil's Bargain (Red Letter Days #1), by Rachel Caine

2/14/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Publisher:  Silhouette Bomshell / Harlequin (UK)
Release Date: First published August 1, 2005 / Re-released October 5th 2012 
Format: Galley
Pages: 331 (Paperback)
Source: NetGalley, Courtesy of Harlequin (UK) 
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Date: February 14, 2013
Rating: 4 bookmarks 

Synopsis: What's the price of a deal with the devil?
Playing by the psychic underworld's rules has cost.

Jazz Callender's whole life just got turned upside down. Her friend Ben's been convicted of a crime he didn't commit, and Jazz is determined to clear his name, even if it means enlisting the help of dark forces.

Enter James, a stranger with a mysterious offer. If Jazz pledges to work for The Cross Society, a shadowy secret organisation, he'll help her save Ben.

But as she's thrust into a world of psychic powers and dangerous magic, Jazz isn't just bargain for her friend's freedom. She's bargaining for her soul too.

And how high a price is she willing to pay?


Disclaimer: I received this book as a galley courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 


First let me point out, this is an adult read. It's not YA like her other well known Morganville Vampire series. Even though I liked the first book in that series, I really enjoyed this book much better. I read Devil's Bargain in two sittings, it would have been one if I hadn't had other things to do. 
I'm not sure how to categorize this book and that actually bothers me!  It's definitely not your traditional urban fantasy story. No vamps or werewolves. No witches or magic.  But there are one or two supernatural-ish themes going on, so it does live in the paranormal realm.  It's not "hot" enough for paranormal romance, so that's out.  Mystery is an option, but there isn't one central case being worked on, so I'm not sure about that....Yet, the cover art screams paranormal. This book is a doozy to place in a genre. With that said, Urban Fantasy it is! :-) 

This book starts off at a fast pace with Ex-cop Jazz and former FBI agent Lucia's being offered a nice amount of money to partner up with each other and open a PI firm. The story is told from Jazz's POV, so we learn more about her world and recent past along with seeing her take on their new firm and investors.  I love Jazz and Lucia working together. They are very similar with the way that they think while working, yet very different personalities and styles.  I don't think I've ever read a book with with two female leads. Let alone to hard core, kick ass ladies, which was very fun to read.  I could tell immediately that they would make good partners and friends.  It's clear that when Jazz and Lucia take the deal, they aren't entirely comfortable with the arrangement nor the Cross Society. Yet, they take the money anyway, then later find that their benefactor is basically a man who's been convicted of murder and has some crazy ideas on how the world works.

The roots of story includes psychics and people termed as Actors and Chorus, which are basically used classifying people as active or passive. Either what you do make a huge impact on the world or it doesn't and your just a singer in the chorus line. According to their theory, everyone is an Actor once in their life, some have a longer turn than others.  Clearly, Jazz and Lucia are Actors.  They receive red envelops which contain various jobs and/or tasks which they have been instructed to do. By accepting these red letters from their benefactor, the Cross Society via a law firm, they change the course of events in the world on some level or another.  

I also enjoyed he secondary characters. Their assistant Pansy, her ex partner Ben, the sexy and mysterious lawyer James, Jazz's contact Manny who is a bit loopy and reminds me of the character Huck from Scandal, except the major difference is that Manny's scared of violence and criminal cases. You know the type, socially awkward, sensitive, a loyal friend, but sort of messed up in the head. 

My only complaint is that it ended a little too abruptly. I've already started the next book, Devil's Due, which reads from Lucia's side of things and picks up exactly where this ends. I've looked in to this series hoping to read more adventures with these two ladies, but sadly, I looks like the series ends with book two! 

If you like a bit of mystery and want to read a different take on the urban fantasy genre, this book is for you. Especially if you want a quick read without being pulled into a 20 book series. ;-)

Happy Reading,
~Tamara
Get the Kindle version here: Devil's Bargain (Silhouette Bombshell)
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Gain access to exclusive content!
    Picture
    Click for Shelf Addiction merch!
    Follow on Bloglovin

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Get ONE month FREE!

    ​Rating Scale: 

    Picture
    Wonderful! Loved it! Add it to your shelf!
    Picture
    ​Very good read! It's bookshelf worthy.
    Picture
    ​I liked it. Borrow it from the library or a friend.
    Picture
    I got through it...barely! If you must read it, borrow it.
    Picture
    Don't waste your time.

    Picture

    Currently Reading

    Somebody I Used to Know
    Hidden Bodies

    Follow on Bloglovin

    Read the Printed Word!
    Picture

    DISCLAIMER 
    All affiliate links used on this site are links which I will receive a small commission if you purchase using them. A percent of all monies earned goes to help pay for this website and giveaways hosted by me .
    Click here to read the 
    Privacy Policy for Shelf Addiction


    Categories

    All
    1 Bookmark
    2 Bookmarks
    3 Bookmarks
    4 Bookmarks
    5 Bookmarks
    Aa Fiction
    Armchair Bea
    Audiobook
    Author Features
    Autobiography
    Biography
    Blog Tours
    Book Conventions
    Book Haul Tuesday
    Bookish Bargains
    Bookish News
    Bookish Pod Chat
    Book To Movie Adaptations
    Book To TV Adaptations
    BookTube Weekly
    Buddy Reads
    Chick Lit
    Christian Fiction
    Contemporary Fiction
    Contemporary Romance
    Cover Reveal
    Dystopian
    Erotica
    Fantasy
    Fantasy Series
    Feature & Follow Friday
    General Fiction
    Giveaways
    Guest Posts
    Historical Fiction
    Horror
    Inspirational
    Literacy Events
    Memoir
    Movie Reviews
    Mystery
    Narrator Interviews
    New Adult
    Non Fiction
    Paranormal
    Paranormal Romance
    Pop Culture Sunday
    Read Along
    Read A Thon
    Romance
    Romantic Suspense
    RTU
    Sa-book-club
    Saturday Book Chat
    Science Fiction
    Seasonal Reading
    Shelf Byte
    Short Stories
    Steampunk
    Summer Of Indie
    Suspense
    TBR Jar
    The Book Exchange
    The Recap!
    Thriller
    Throwback Thursday
    TPCP
    Tv Show Reviews
    Urban Fantasy
    Why I Love Wednesdays
    Womens Fiction
    Ya Dystopian
    Ya Fantasy
    Ya Fiction
    Ya Historical Fantasy
    Ya Historical Fiction
    Ya Mystery
    Ya Paranormal
    Ya Retelling
    Ya Romance
    Ya Science Fiction
    Ya Steampunk
    Ya Thriller
    Ya Urban Fantasy

    Reviews Published

    Sponsor Love

    Picture
    Advertise on 
    ​Shelf Addiction!

    Picture
    Picture
    We can't do this without you!! Support this podcast! Use the referral links, leave a review on your platform of choice, donate a coffee or checkout the merch store. Even show your support on Patreon!

    Podcast Book Chats, Bookish Topics, Book Reviews, Audiobook Reviews, Author and Narrator Interviews, Online Book Club

© 2012-2023 shelfaddiction.com. All rights reserved.