I am a fan of Rachel Caine's Weather Warden series and decided to check out this new series she has in the works by Harlequin/Bombshell. I found this first book to the series really enjoyable and could not put it down. First off, Caine has written some really interesting characters- Jazz, Lucia, Borden, Manny- all are different yet believable and work well in the context of the greater story. The plot setting was interesting as well, and I was intrigued by the Cross Society, the idea of Leads and Actors. The questions and suspense kept coming and by the end of the book you are left scratching your head over the mystery and where it is leading. All in all, a great story. This book is different from her Weather Warden series but just as well written and interesting. At best I would call this a paranormal mystery series in the works. So if you are a fan of Caine's, check this new series out and for the price it is a really good bargain! Great job, Ms. Caine!
Wow!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
I know, the phrase *I couldn't put this book down* is a cliché, but I really had a huge problem putting Devil's Bargain down. I'm a fan of Ms Caine's Weather Warden series, so I thought I'd try this one, hoping it would be just as good. To my surprise, Devil's Bargain is even better. I've been reluctant to read the Bombshell line, for fear it would be shoddy writing under the Harlequin/Silhouette label, I am happy to say that this is not so. The imprint seems to be hiring the best. This is not what I'd consider a chic-lit book and has a reasonably good mystery attached, that even male readers might enjoy.Devil's Due, the second in the series, is out in January.
A Great Read!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
There is not much I can add to what has already been said about Devil's Bargain, but I haven't enjoy a book like this in a long time! The characters are well developed and the plot is well written. If you like TV's Alias, I think you will love this book! It is non-stop action. If you haven't already read Devil's Bargain, run to your local bookstore and pick up a copy. I can only hope this is a first in a long line of a series! L. Kraft
Provocative and gripping suspense...
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
No need to get into a detailed plot synopsis here as other reviewers have already done that quite skillfully. Suffice it to say that Devil's Bargain is yet another action-packed thrill ride of a read from author Rachel Caine. Fans and newcomers alike will be delighted with her skill at combining powerful, emotional and deeply-grounded characterizations with sensitive, penetrating and up to the minute dialogue. The main players fairly leap off the page, and their stories unfold against a backdrop so vivid, you almost feel as if you're right there watching them. The plot does take a bit of time to get going, and is heavily laced with a mystical or maybe even futuristic bent. Kind of like a fusion of "X-Files" meets the current TV hit "Numb3rs." It may take a bit of work to follow, but it's intriguing enough to hang in there for some big payoffs in the end. There's exposition here. A lot of it. But I understand this is the first in a new series from Caine, and if her Weather Warden novels are anything to go by, I know that each new installment is likely to build on the strengths of the last. With Devil's Bargain, we've got Jazz Callender, Lucia Garza, James Borden and their world. Now it's time to bring on the stories. I can't wait to see where we're going next, and for me, that's good enough for five stars.
Loved it--write more of these!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Lightning strikes again for the talented Rachel Caine (author of the best-selling Weather Warden series) in this fresh, tense thrill-ride. Devil's Bargain is an honest to goodness face-hugger of a read, the kind I can never find enough of and am oh-so-grateful when one does come down the pike. My hat is off to the publishers for bringing in skilled writers of this caliber who can deliver edgy, believable characters and a cliché-free page-turning story. Make sure you set aside enough time to read it in one sitting. I'm not kidding here, it made me late for work! This book is more than strong enough to stand on its own in the mystery/thriller genres, written in a clear, crisp style that made the read seem like I was watching a movie in my head. I've enjoyed the other Bombshell books, but this one has significantly raised the bar. Caine's secret? Really cool characters, true to themselves to the point of risking everything to do what's right. Good choices, bad choices, they deal with the consquences, however crazy it gets. Jazz, the heroine, is by no imaginative stretch a shrinking violet. How many dames do you know who take on drunken bikers on their own turf---and win? To be fair, she had the upper hand since she'd not yet had her coffee. The hero, James, is a match for her, balancing her raw power and passion with stubborn courage, a clever wit, and a sexy glint in his eye. (Not to mention that killer wardrobe.) There were times I wanted to toss a net over Jazz and jump his bones myself, he's so hot. It's clear to everyone he's fallen for her at first sight, but Jazz is the last to figure it out. (Hey, she's BUSY taking out bad guys, okay?) In lesser hands this wouldn't fly, but Caine's deft word-craft not only has her getting breezily away with it, makes you love it, and leaves you hungry for more, more, more. I hope there will be more to come from this awesome writer! Now please excuse me, I'm going to re-read this one again.
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