Gwen’s review of Saint City Sinners (Dante Valentine, Book 4) by Lilith Saintcrow
Futuristic Urban Fantasy released by Orbit 1 Nov 07
It’s nearly impossible to review a Dante Valentine novel on its own. Each of the now four books is dependent on the others. I also recommend reading the glossary before you start. Yes, the glossary and I heard some of you groaning out there. Remember, Saintcrow hasn’t created a small world here. It’s complex and about 100 years in the future with magic, weres, nichtvren (vampires), demons, witches, psychics, humans, and myriad other beings all living together. This alternate world fits over what we know like a loose framework. Like one of those crocheted ponchos you wore as a kid, you can see what’s underneath but you were still covered. It’s truly fascinating and has some interesting political and religious differences.
In this book, Dante continues on rocky footing with Japhrimel – her Fallen Demon. They love each other, and Japh will do quite literally anything to keep Danny safe, including things that make her hate him. I keep reminding myself that he’s demon not human, so his motivation is a mystery to an extent. Toward the end of the book we find out more about why he must keep Dante alive. I’m still not sure if it’s because he loves her, or for selfish reasons, or both. It’s a conundrum I hope is resolved in Book 5.
Saintcrow’s characters have lives of immense proportions. They’re fighting life and death struggles every day, making small steps forward, bigger steps back. For example, there’s a rebellion in Hell – or, what we think of as Hell since it’s Lucifer’s domain – and the politics of this has dragged Dante and Japh into a fight that is not their own, but one they cannot avoid. It must be dealt with if they’re to stay alive.
By the end of this book, Dante has had enough. She burns for revenge. Longs for it. Lives for it. She has reached the end of her patience and is ready to take the fight to her enemy(ies). Just as she reaches critical mass, Lucifer brings her to him and says, “Come in, Dante. Sit down. Let us better understand each other.” Chills went up my spine when I read that. And it’s the last line in the book. Talk about a cliffhanger!
Saintcrow has penned another true piece of literature with Saint City Sinners. I haven’t felt like this about a series since I read Herbert’s original Dune books. I can not wait for the next and supposedly last (gosh I hope not) entry in this series, To Hell and Back (Book 5), releasing 1 Jan 08. I’m going to re-read the series in order, just to get into the flow of the story again. It is, quite simply, riveting.
Grade: A
Read my review of Book 3, The Devil’s Right Hand.
Blurb:
Saint City has always been Dante Valentine’s home. It’s where she grew up, it’s where her dead are buried, and it’s where she learned to hunt.
Now, one call from an old friend will bring her back to investigate a murder too close to home for anyone’s comfort. But the one person she trusted has just betrayed her.
Sometimes revenge is best served demon-hot…
Read an excerpt.
Other books in the series:
