A Review of The Devil's Playground by Jenna Black

.5
4.5 Fangs for The Devil's Playground by Jenna Black

This was my week for reading the final books of a couple series that I had grown to love.

The Devil's Playground is the 5th and final book in the Morgan Kingsley series featuring an exorcist that hosts the king of all demons inside her.

Throughout the series Morgan had to battle with her thoughts and feelings about demons as she learned many things she had previously perceived to be true were not.

She also had to deal with the fact that she, an exorcist who really hated demons, had become an unwilling demon host and not just to any demon but the king of all demons. This not only drove Morgan crazy but it also put her life and the lives of those around her in danger...constantly.

In this book Morgan finds out that demons are coming into the human realm in greater numbers than ever before- into hosts that never before would have been recruited. Morgan and Lugh along with Lugh's council in the human world decide that Dougal, Lugh's brother, must be behind it. But why?

Along with the demon conflict Morgan has to deal with her brother's depressed and dismal attitude and her boyfriend Brian wanting her to get rid of Lugh. With utter disbelief Morgan realizes she has grown accustomed to Lugh and doesn't think she could stand to live without him, or would she want to. Will she give up Brian to keep Lugh or will she sacrifice Lugh to keep Brian happy?

Having a demon inside you can be alot to deal with. Can you imagine having a separate entity inside you that knows everything...and I mean everything. Even the little things that you have tried to hide from yourself, subconscious thoughts you'd rather not address...everything! Lugh's not a mind reader-he's actually in there, inside Morgan seeing, doing, feeling everything she is.

No wonder her boyfriend isn't exactly thrilled with that-and neither was Morgan at first. But after having Lugh with her for so long-can she give him up?

And as far as Dougal is concerned, will Lugh be able to regain his stronghold without sacrificing all of the demons in the human realm? Will he be able to find a way to stop Dougal without killing himself in the process?

Morgan and everyone she is close to are drafted to take part in a demon war they really want no part of, but Dougal has left them with no other choice.

Black wraps this series up nicely ending it in a way that most of the loose ends are all wrapped up and we are given a somewhat happy ending-with plenty of wiggle room should something ever happen and Black decides to continue with any books later on (you never know, it could happen).

I am sad to see this series end. This was a series that was a surprise enjoyment for me because the first couple books were a little heavy on the m/m and bdsm aspects of the story lines which I am not really into but the characters intrigued me and I just kept reading despite the stuff that made me cringe.

Black's world of demon hosts and exorcists is completely unique and filled with characters that you might not necessarily like but you easily grow attached to. You don't want them to end up getting hurt. And the story lines are also very unique and easily suck you in, making you not want to put the books down.

I know I started reading the first book and just didn't stop until I was done with the third book. Then I had to wait for books four and five to come out.

And now the series is over.

I do look forward to reading other works by Black. Her new YA series hits bookstore shelves soon, Glimmerglass looks like a YA book that may be worth picking up.

Black is also the author of The Guardians of the Night series which I just discovered features...vampires. I am going to have to check those books out.

A Review of Speak of the Devil by Jenna Black

.25

Jenna Black can write some seriously sexy books. Bad ass demons that can be scary, sexy, alluring and sometimes complete pains not to mention pouty. That cracks me up demons that can be pissy and pouty. Too funny.

Anyway the fourth book in the Morgan Kingsley series has someone making her life miserable and she doesn't know why. She has no job because the exorcism board has suspended her license and now she's being sued for the wrongful death of a man whose demon she exorcised-then on top of all that she's accused of murdering the lawyer who was suing her. Then to make everything so much worse, Brian breaks up with her.

So Morgan is in a bad way, Lugh is worried about her and himself but whenever he takes over Morgan ends up violently ill.

Things just keep getting worse and no one knows why.

It's a quick read that will make you want more. The Morgan Kingsley series is sooo sexy. I just wish some of the demons were more- straight. It's hard to lust after a guy who is lusting after other guys-not my thing. The books are still sexy though.

BTW, This book cleared up some about demon bodies and reproduction-that was helpful. I was left wondering about all that after the last book.

I can't wait for the next one to come out in the spring.

(Sorry if this review rambles or doesn't make sense, I am dealing with a migraine from hell yet still trying to concentrate, this might be the only thing that gets typed today :-)

A Review of The Devil's Due by Jenna Black

The Devil's Due is the third book in Jenna Black's Morgan Kingsley series.

In The Devil's Due exorcist Morgan Kingsley is learning more about her past and her connection with the demon world while secretly hosting the king of all demons, Lugh, inside her. Lugh is gaining more control over her and choosing to interfere with all aspects of her life, even delving into her past, her secrets and her sexual needs.

A bizarre possession has Morgan playing investigator and getting hurt a lot in the process as she discovers there is much more going on than she ever expected- and it is all connected to her past and the demons. The demons have been playing with human DNA and genetics to create super human hosts with minimal brain function-this makes it easier for a demon to possess the host and they can do more with a super body. Raphael knows more about the creation of the super hosts than he's willing to let on but Morgan has to trust him even if she doesn't want to.

This series just keeps getting more complicated and Morgan's involvement is more complicated and tied into everything going on that the first book let on. I love how complex this series is getting.

There's a few things that have left me confused though- exorcism doesn't kill the demon-only demons and a few humans know this-like Morgan thanks to Lugh, yet it seems to be common knowledge that when a human host's body dies or fails the demon host can leave and go back to the demon realm.

The only thing that will kill both the host and the demon is fire. If people know the demons go back to the demon realm when the host dies why would they think that exorcism kills the demon-maybe the religious aspects of it? I don't know, just seems kinda weird that people know one thing but don't connect the dots.

Another thing that leaves me shaking my head is that demons are non-corporeal in their realm...this makes we wonder how they survive then if they don't have a body. I mean they must have some kind of real appearance so they recognize each other. For all the power struggles and overthrows they have to have some "form". Plus the demons reproduce, how do you reproduce with no body? Perhaps Black will explore this with more depth in future books. To me it's all loose ends. That's one part of her world building that is a big blank- and I suppose that's the point because our main character knows nothing about demons and their world or how they reproduce-though she obviously needs to get schooled.

Overall the series is pretty great and The Devil's Due really makes me want more of this series. The 4th book in the series, Speak of the Devil is now out and I can't wait to read it. I have to know where Black is going with the demon world and Morgan's unhappy ties to it.

A Review of The Devil You Know by Jenna Black

Four Fangs for The Devil You Know

The Devil You Know is the second book in the Morgan Kingsley series by Jenna Black.

In Morgan's world demons not only exist but some people worship them and offer up their bodies to become demon hosts. Demons not only possess human bodies, but it is legal to do so unless uninvited.

In this book Morgan realizes she's more deeply involved in the demon world than she ever imagined and now she's so far in she'll never get out her only choice is to fight what comes her way.

She still hosts the King of all the Demons inside her though her aura is so powerful no one knows she is the host except a trusted few of her "friends" and her brother Andy who awakens from his catatonic state. And though his mind is fine he's not willing to talk about some things...mainly Morgan's past and why she was really in the hospital when she was a teenager.

Add to all the drama going on now there's a sociopath demon hunting down Morgan because he wants to get to Lugh, the demon King Morgan hosts though everyone thinks she cast him into another host.

Morgan learns more about her past than she ever wanted to know and some family secrets break her heart but explain so much...

The Devil You Know is a wild ride in a demon infested world. Complicated, dark, and sometimes sexy this world gives us a look at what living with demons would be like.
Sometimes it kinda gives me the heebie jeebies thinking about demons running around infesting people. Ick. Can you imagine having your body hijacked and your mind still on but not able to control anything. So creepy.

This book wasn't as sexy as the first in the series though it did answer a lot of questions about Morgan- of course it opened up a whole new line of questions as well.

If you are looking for a wild ride of an urban fantasy series that offers something a little different (no vamps, wolves, or witches here) this is a great series to try.

Monday Musings: The End of Summer Looms Ahead

A restless night has left me thoughtful, melancholy and just plain tired. I think I'll have to pump twice as much caffeine into myself to make it. Perhaps I should just mainline the coffee and be done with it?

So perhaps my restless night has left me with evil humor today as well, don't know but the weird dreams and strange noises that kept me awake, or at least somewhere between restful slumber and wide awake, were so odd.

All night I was plagued with weird dreams of blood, tomatoes, and really strange music. I suppose I have been reading too much then my gardening comes to play in my dreams as well. The music, no clue.

At one point I awoke, or thought I did because strange music was playing, of course it could have been dream on dream. I know I woke up several times hearing odd noises that I think (hope) was just the wind but who knows.

Then the sirens...arg. I live close by two fire stations whose haunting wailing sirens sound very mournful and scary in the middle of a quiet night, especially when the air is just right. My daughter used to wake up terrified when she would hear those sirens. I know why because they scare me a little as well, the sound, it is just...odd. Anyway those damn sirens went off two or three times during the night adding to the weird atmosphere of my sleep.

It's all left me feeling off today.

Then I realized there's very little left to summer and that just depressed me. The end of summer looms- just there in the distance, so close, so sad.

I always mourn the end of summer even though Fall is my favorite time of year. The Celtic New Year, harvest time, apples, squash, Halloween...I am an Autumn child but summer ending always makes me melancholy.

So I am officially a sap today. Perhaps I can channel that darkness into something weird and frightful.

Hmm, enough about me.

So anyone watch Being Human? After the first episode I did keep watching and am now totally hooked and totally pissed this week will be the season finale already. What six episodes? They must have been testing the waters to see how we Americans took to it. I hope to see more.

My husband is thrilled Robin Hood is coming back. Blah never really got into it. It's like been there, done that in 100 ways, ya know? I liked Being Human because it was new and, of course, paranormal.

What is everyone reading these days? I am reading Jenna Black's Morgan Kingsley series right now, totally fab, on book 3. Sexy, hot, and with enough mystery and suspense to make me wonder what everyone is up to and why, I can't wait to see where she takes the story.

I finished Jeaniene Frost's Destined for an Early Grave the other night. I'll have a review up this week. I just have to say, wow. Frost never disappoints me. I love Cat and Bones they are a great power couple.

Speaking of Frost, I read Kimberly Frost's newest, Barely Bewitched. Another big WOW. That review will also be up this week and Kimberly will be here guest blogging on September 1st and we'll be giving away a copy of Barely Bewitched to one lucky reader.

OK so I have nothing really fabulous to chat about so I'll be off to work for now and posting reviews for everyone soon.

A Review of The Devil Inside By Jenna Black

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4.25 Fangs for The Devil Inside By Jenna Black


I started reading this book last weekend and was immediately sucked right in. I couldn't believe how it made me just keep turning pages, I had to know what was going to happen next. Before I knew it it was 4:30 in the morning and I was on Chapter 17. Wow. Talk about a page turner. This book will pull you in and keep you until the very last page and even then you want more.

The book opens with exorcist Morgan Kingsley about to perform a routine exorcism. But it almost went very wrong. The demon was more powerful then she suspected and broke through the restraints. It touched her....touched her- which means it could have possessed her because that's all it takes is for a demon to touch your skin and you're done for. But this demon pulled back, which was good but Morgan couldn't figure out why it pulled away. Weird and creepy the whole situation didn't sit well with Morgan because she knew the only reason a demon would back off was because someone was already possessed. But she couldn't possibly possessed without knowing it, could she?

In Morgan's world demons are common, some people even become willing hosts and are "legals" while other demons take people against their will and that's when exorcists like Morgan come in...to get rid of the illegal demons.

Morgan hates demons but they've been part of her life since day one. Her family is very pro-demon. Her brother even hosts a demon. Which has left him dead to her. Morgan believes that once a demon sets in, the host is gone, many do not recover their mind once the demon leaves their body. But maybe...just maybe there's more to the story and some demons do not destroy their hosts.

Like in Morgan's case. Because soon she learns a demon is inside her...and not just any demon but the king of demons, yet Morgan still has control, not him-who could possibly be the most powerful demon there is.

As if Morgan didn't have enough to deal with learning she has a demon inside her, pretty soon it looks like everyone is out to get her-even her best friend and her brother/demon. What is going on? She doesn't know who to trust or who to turn to. This leaves her in a very precarious position and only one person that can help her.

Adam, the demon cop. He's quite a strange individual-tough, gentle, concerned, quick witted, sadistic and downright demonic sometimes. Plus he's handsome as hell, too bad he's gay. Morgan has never particularly liked this guy since he's actually a demon but now he's the only one she can trust. Well him and his equally hot gay lover, Dominic who just had his demon exorcised by Morgan. Hello, awkward.

Strange situation all around and it makes for one hell of a story that is complicated, different, edgy and sometimes very hot and other times stomach clenching weird. But it works, it really does.

However if you are totally homophobic or really against S & M scenes, skip this book because you'll be exposed to very "interesting" experiences. If you don't mind a little out of the ordinary in your hot and steamy urban fantasy books than this is a must read.

I am looking forward to reading the rest in the series.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

So in my announcements the other day I forgot to mention I am going to be blogging on VampChix at least once a month. This is a new site devoted to everything vampire, especially vampire books and authors.

My first post at VampChix will be Friday July 31, make sure you stop by to check it out.

Onto other things...I started reading The Devil Inside by Jenna Black last night...WOW! Holy hell on wheels that book sucked me in. Before I knew it it was 4:30 in the morning and I was on Chapter 17. Jenna Black has sucked me right into her world and I am itching to get back to that book and the rest in the series.

I have the first three books in the Morgan Kingsley series: The Devil Inside, The Devil You Know, and The Devil's Due. The fourth book comes out this week, Speak of the Devil and I am hoping to snag a copy soon.

So far this series is phenomenal. The characters are wild, the plot is mysterious and the whole world building is complex and complete. I am loving it. Urban fantasy with legal demons and demon hosts and crazy fanatics...OK I am not even done with the book so I am not going into full review mode but I am just loving this book. It's a book that will literally pull you in and not let you go until the book is finished.

I have to stop now or I'll write too much.

I have another book in my to read pile that I've been waiting for: Where There's a Witch by Madelyn Alt, the 5th book in The Bewitching Mysteries. I wonder what will happen with Maggie this time and will she ever hook up with the right guy?

I just received it from the library and am dying to read it but I have to finish this Jenna Black book first since it grabbed me out of nowhere and hooked me into a world full of demons.

Another book I've been waiting for comes out this week: Jeaniene Frost's Destined for an Early Grave the 4th book in The Night Huntress series. I've been waiting for this one for awhile.

I tried to get Jeaniene on Fang-tastic Books but she's currently too busy, she was over at Bitten by Books doing a giveaway though. I entered, would love to win but...I'll probably just have to buy the book. Maybe she'll drop by FB in the future.

Some authors don't have time or get booked way in advance for even their web appearances. I tried to get Yasmine Galenorn too but she was also completely booked. Too bad. Maybe in the future I can get some more awesome authors to drop by and join us.

Barbara Bretton, Susan Squires, Kimberly Frost, and Michelle Rowen will be here at FB soon and they are all fang-tastic authors. I can't wait. Once summer is over more authors will probably start booking appearances again.

OK, I've rambled. Now I am off to write something other than book stuff, well other author's book stuff. :-)

Until next time, happy reading.