The Devil's Right Hand: The Dante Valentine Novels: Book Three [Kindle Edition]

Pretty fab book!

If you enjoyed the previous two in the series then you will love this one. I think this book is about 3-5 years ahead of the last one because Dante mentions living with Japh 'for years'. It takes us away from Saint City and Dante is no longer a bounty hunter, she's having some serious time out enjoying her life with Japh. The Devil returns with a new quest that Dante and Japh simply can't get out of, there's a wicked twist before the end and the book introduces some cool new characters.

The only reason I didn't give it five stars was because of the relationship angst/problems with trust between the two main characters. Because of all the loss that Dante has incurred in her past (Lewis, Doreen, Jace) she seems to be very insecure and vulnerable. However, by the end of the book her fighting spirit is back!

A great read and we don't have to wait very long for the next one!

The world-building is great, and some of the best bits in the book are where we see this post-Awakening world. Alas, there's significantly more repetitive internal monologue - doubt, angst, guilt and fear-filled - from Dante Valentine than there is action. There's a point at which she tells herself to shut up - she's annoying herself. Maybe the author should have followed her own advice. There's a good novel struggling to get out, but it's blanketed in epic levels of angst, and in the end, I just didn't care if Dante made it to the end of the book or not. It's not for me, and I can't in all honesty recommend it. Unless you happen to like lots of angst and self-doubt mixed in with the action. In that case, this book is for you!

It seems that Dante "Danny" Valentine just cannot get away from having to deal with Lucifer. (Yes, Lucifer, Prince of Hades.) Dante no longer has to work to pay off her mortgage. It is done. Now she dwells in a huge fortress with layers upon layers of the best wards and shields (Necromance and "Fallen" Demon). She has even come to trust Trierce "Japh" Japhrimel.

When Japh tells Danny that Lucifer wants to meet with her again, dread hits her hard. But one simply does NOT tell Lucifer no. Lucifer needs a new Right Hand and wants Dante. By the time the negotiations are done, Dante is contracted for the next seven years. Dante must hunt down four rogue demons that have escaped from Hades. Dante's new and fragile trust of Japh begins to crack when her new home is attacked by demons while Japh is conveniently absent. From then on, Dante is on the run. But if Dante is being hunted by demons (and more) while she must hunt down four Greater Flight demons (the highest level demons can become), then she needs a bodyguard. Who better than the merc Lucas Villalobos (a.k.a. Deathless)? He is a man that has done something so vile that the god of death refuses to let Lucas embrace eternal rest. As for Lucas, he hopes Lucifer might be able to kill him since no one else can.

When Japh reenters the picture, Dante notices that he has full demon powers again. Trust all but crumbles. Japh begins acting strangely. When Japh refuses to tell Dante what is going on, acts like she is his prisoner, and even has a creature with him that is neither human, nor demon, trust totally fails. Dante is on her own.

***** The only really irritating thing about Dante's character is that her paranoia causes her trust issues to bounce around like crazy. But hey, isn't that what paranoia does to one? And Dante has very valid reasons to be paranoid! As for this story, it is just as good, if not a tiny bit better, than the previous titles (Working for the Devil & Dead Man Rising) ... and that is saying something! It has been a long time since a series has held me in its grip as tightly as Dante Valentine's. Very highly recommended reading! BRAVA! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.