Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow

Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow. You know you've read a good book when you don't want to read the last page and feel like ranting at the author for things she inflicted on characters in the book that you weren't expecting.

Back blurb:

When the Devil needs a rogue demon killed, who does he call?

The Player: Necromance-for-hire Dante Valentine is choosy about her jobs. Hot tempered and with nerves of steel, she can raise the dead like nobody's business. But one rainy Monday morning, everything goes straight to hell.

The Score: The Devil hires Dante to eliminate a rogue demon: Vardimal Santino. In return, he will let her live. It's an offer she can't refuse.

The Catch: How do you kill something that can't die?

This comes out next month, March 1st, 2006. If you like urban fantasy, buy it. It's a must-read. It's set in what seems to be the near-future, a time after magic and paranormals (psions, in the book) have been accepted as real in the world. Hell, complete with demons, is a real place - another world, so to speak. The author has set up an interesting world and combined many different beliefs into it. It works quite well and rather than mass info-dumping, the information is doled out as necessary. This is a world filled with demons, imps, golems, Magi, Shamans, Necromances, and all sorts of other things usually relegated to the fringe or myth and legend.

Now on to the characters, or at least the two main ones that I liked the most. The book is filled with some interesting ones.

Dante (Danny) Valentine: Our Necromance (she can raise/talk to the dead) and main character. She's definitely an alpha female and is used to working on her own and taking care of herself. She's, well, herself. Unique and fun to listen to. Since the book is told in first person, this is a good thing. Her past is horrific at times and shaped the woman she is, with scars both internal and external. She doesn't want any pity, though. She's the best Necromance in her generation (perhaps ever) and that is why the Prince of Hell wants her for his job.

Japhrimel: His first meeting with Danny doesn't go well since she objects to having guns thrust in her face. He's the one who takes her to Hell and back. Literally (hey, it works in this case, Megan. She really does go to Hell). He's a demon whose welfare depends on keeping Danny alive long enough for her to do her task. He takes his job seriously. I think he's one of my favorite characters. Watching him change throughout the book is intense.

Again, I'd say this is a must-read book. Now I can't wait to read the next one. I really can't say enough about how much I enjoyed reading this book.