This book is a mix of Iranian history -- from the 1950s -- and a sketched out biography of Soraya, Queen of Iran as it draws both from Soraya's own memoirs and other sources. The book is well written, and the author's voice is almost entirely absent as they lay out the timeline of Soraya's life, from her childhood to her death.

However, it's also a very ... monotone book, and I don't really know what it's trying to say. While it's interesting (especially given the current political climate in Iran) to read a book about Iran's difficulties in the early days of the oil boom, the book doesn't really focus on the history. It also doesn't really focus on Soraya.

I'm sorry, but I'm left a little flat by the book. I feel like I read something for a history class that gave me the outline of events but never got me close enough to feel anything for the people involved. However, I don't often read biographies, so the discordance could well be mine.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the book.

Trigger warnings for: gore, animal death, possession, cheating, gaslighting, bodily functions

This book didn't push near far enough. The main character is supposed to be an unreliable narrator who tells us only the portion of the truth that can be polished into a nice, shiny gem while leaving out all the dark and depraved bits ... but there are no dark and depraved bits.

His parents are afraid of him! But ... why? He had dark thoughts at school! Okay, and? When he gets possessed by the demon they go out and do "things," but the book isn't able to mention those things let alone describe them.

It does, however, talk a lot about bodily functions and fluids, which -- and this is just a personal thing -- make me cringe. This isn't to yuk anyone's yum, but this is a yuk for me, and while it doesn't color my rating, it will be mentioned in the review for any others who feel similarly.

It's just such a tepid book, afraid to do anything. It's all posturing and promises, and then nothing. There's no character growth, there's no real plot, and I, personally, was bored.

There's a charm to these late 2000's urban fantasy romances that romantasy just can't match. Ellie is so much a part of her world and her community, someone with friends and a job and interests and hobbies. She's powerful and loyal, smart, strong, clever, and an absolute badass. She's also able to be scared, lonely, angry and horny with no shame or guilt.

Raphael is an arrogant asshole and absolutely inhuman. And yet he, too, has friends he leans on for support, interests and a life outside of Ellie. She is someone he's brought into his life as a tool, and he doesn't sugar coat that. He pushes past her boundaries with the disdain of someone who knows he is the ultimate power ... and yet he backs off when she says no, because he's not a rapist.

The tension and power dynamics between them, the slow burn and the angst of Ellie choosing to be with someone who can wipe her mind, who can make her do what he wants ... and trusting him to not do those things is so well done. The writing is solid, the pace is flawless -- every scene serves a purpose, with no lingering over something unnecessary or pushing past important people and scenes.

The world building, with vampires and angels, hunters and humans works so well. They mythologies, the cultures, the politics ... there's a reason this is one of my favorite urban fantasy romance series.

This book collects volumes 41-45 and shows more of Erica’s training under — or rather, her trailing after — Jessica, the woman who saved her from the monsters and welcomed her into the Slaughter family and their duties as monster killers. Erica spends much of her time in this book worried about Jessica, who drinks too much, sleeps too little and works too hard. For all that she and Erica aren’t related, she’s the only family Erica has, and she’s worried about her, especially when Jessica shows signs of strain and distraction as the two head to Valmont Mountain House.

As ever, I love the art, and I like seeing the bond between Erica and Jessica reflected in how Erica treats the young children she manages to save. However, this is only four chapters, and ends on a cliffhanger which … isn’t my favorite. I get it, with the way comics are meant to be enjoyed, in small, bite sized, serialized bits, but I personally want instant gratification.

Still. I love the story, I like the characters, and I can’t wait to see more! Thank you so very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!