Rating: 4⭐️
There are things that I really like about this book and elements that are starting to feel a bit drawn out.
Aviva’s hidden infernal identity is a huge factor in her life, from her own personal experiences with her mother, a high ranking officer of the Maccabees, to her complicated, often rancorous relationships between herself and members of the organization that she works for, including her team.
Now her struggles involve her demon father and vampire ex-boyfriend, both of which are powerful in their own right and with their own agendas.
How all these various conflicts and constantly changing dynamics work within their respective storylines are some of my favorite aspects of Aviva’s character and journey. Especially the dangers of the having a father such as demon lord, Delacroix constantly inferring into her life, the real reasons why he’s so insistent are hidden. And that Ezra, who’s co running The Copper Hell with Delacroix, still had his own plans in place for himself.
Sachi, the best friend and agency teammate is character who has been, if not one dimensional, then maybe formatted. Aggressive, childish, and often with little thoughtful thinking to her personality, she’s been more a reactive individual than not.
Here, towards the end, Wilde appears to allow her some emotional growth. I’m not sure it’s believable given the strength of her personality, and absolute beliefs about demons and where she falls as a Maccabee agent.
And then there’s Michael, Aviva’s mother. Their strained relationship and odd working relationship finally got a change in their pattern. That was a good aspect of the story.
But it’s Aviva’s belief in ,as well as that of others like Silas, the agency of the Maccabees which is straining my belief in their characters , both as agents of extraordinary experience and as people who have seen the extent to which this organization has become a morally grey authority.
It’s an interesting concept but having these characters either so naive or blind to their own agency’s agendas takes away from their credibility.
At least for me. I’m sure it will make for great drama scenes later on but it’s not an enough of a well written element here.
The entire manner in which the Jewish community, their religious beliefs and culture is woven into this series and characters is a huge factor and great reason to read this author and series.
It’s just amazing.
A winner and headed to the next book.
Cover by: Covers By Christian.
Bedeviled:
Big Demon Energy #1
Demon on Deck #2
Better the Demon You Know #3
Demon in Disguise #4
The Demon’s Due #5 – Aug 18,2025
Buy link
Better the Demon You Know: An Enemies-To-Lovers Urban Fantasy (Bedeviled Book 3)
Blurb
Evil has a scent: lemon.
It was supposed to be a routine drug bust. Arrest some magic jerks and move on, but then a fellow operative is murdered, and Aviva is thrust into a perilous black ops mission to disprove corruption charges.
Meanwhile, her half-sister is being blackmailed for being an infernal, and as Avi struggles to protect her, she’s set on a collision course with the one person she hoped to never meet.
And just when she thought things couldn’t get any crazier, her ex drops a bomb about second chances.
Aviva must navigate a minefield of love, betrayal, and powerful Maccabees gunning for her, to expose her enemies—and keep her secrets hidden. But hey, running for your life is good cardio, right?
Featuring a smart, funny heroine and a banter-fueled vampire romance, this wickedly addictive urban fantasy will keep you reading way past bedtime.
Dive in now for a fiendishly good time!
- Publisher: Te Da Media Inc.
- Publication date: September 15, 2024
- Language: English
- Print length: 368 pages
- Book 3 of 5: Bedeviled
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 