Devil’s Isle, Book 1
Synopsis: Seven years ago, the Veil that separates humanity from what lies beyond was torn apart, and New Orleans was engulfed in a supernatural war. Now, those with paranormal powers have been confined in a walled community that humans call the District. Those who live there call it Devil’s Isle.
Claire Connolly is a good girl with a dangerous secret: she’s a Sensitive, a human endowed with magic that seeped through the Veil. Claire knows that revealing her skills would mean being confined to Devil’s Isle. Unfortunately, hiding her power has left her untrained and unfocused.
Liam Quinn knows from experience that magic makes monsters of the weak, and he has no time for a Sensitive with no control of her own strength. But when he sees Claire using her powers to save a human under attack—in full view of the French Quarter—Liam decides to bring her to Devil’s Isle and the teacher she needs, even though getting her out of his way isn’t the same as keeping her out of his head.
But when the Veil threatens to shatter completely, Claire and Liam must work together to stop it, or else New Orleans will burn…
Review: I heard a lot of good things about Chloe Neill, including about her vampire series but I really discovered her with one of her YA series. I have the first four books of her vampire series, but I really should read them one day. In any case, with the release of a new urban fantasy novel, it’s true that I was once again drawn to the writings of the author and I was curious to see what she was going to propose to her readers.
I admit that the novel was a bit reminiscent of a series that I follow and appreciate. I do not know if you know about the Deadtown series by Nancy Holzner but the basic idea is much the same, although the story behind it, is not really. We find in both, a city in which there is a clean area where magical creatures live somehow and stay locked up without being able to leave. But it is true that the similarities end there and the world is very intriguing. Indeed, a veil between the human world and the others was torn years earlier and a war had ravaged New Orleans leaving people full of resentment towards paranormal or para. This is where we discover Claire, a young woman who survived the war and lives thinking that every creature is her enemy, as well as any kind of magic. But when she finds out that she has telekinetic powers, her life changes dramatically. Propulsed on the front of the stage, she will have to team up with Liam, a hunter who will help her to control her power and to understand that nothing is black or white and there is good and black in each of us.
I had a little trouble to really get into the story at first, but after some chapters, I admit that it became better. Claire is a young woman fun to learn about and to follow. We understand perfectly her desire to become the person she was, but also to help others no matter what happens and to prevent a new war. And then we have Liam. This boy is more difficult to define but it is also the mystery that makes us want to know more about him, to know about his past and desires and I was curious to see how he would act. I was also curious to know the end of the investigation in which they’re dipped. Indeed, Sensitive seem to turn into other creatures without anyone understanding the reason and our two heroes will try to find out what exactly is happening. The author also reserves us some surprises about that.
It was a good first book to explore and I’m curious to see what it will be for us in the future now.
blodeuedd
I do not have the best track record with her books
kindlemom1
Yay! Glad you liked this as much as I did! I can’t wait for book two!
Melliane
I’m curious as well
Silvia
I’ve been curious about this book since the moment bloggers started sharing cover and blurb over the net, so I’m glad to hear it worked well for you! Fingers crossed it just gets better and better 😉
Melliane
Yes it’s everywhere now, quite intriguing to see all that
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I love her Chicagoland Vampires series, but that will end soon and I’m excited to have something else by her to enjoy. UF series usually start slowly so I won’t expect a lot from the beginning, but overall I hope to enjoy it at least as much as you did.
Melliane
I hope so for you as well. I need to try her Vampire series!
kimbacaffeinate
I loved this one and unlike you I slipped right in. I thought the world was well done. I am kind of excited, we never get authors here where I live and she is doing a book signing at our local B&N Aug 4th.
Melliane
I’m glad it worked from the start for you.
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
So glad you enjoyed this one Melliane! I agree, I had a little trouble getting into it at first, but I loved how everything unfolded and I think the next book is going to be even better:) Can’t wait!
Melliane
I think so as well and I’m curious to see how it will be.
LilyElement
Glad you were able to get into the story and enjoy it after a bit!
Melliane
yes it was good!
Joy (Joyousreads)
I’ve also been meaning to read her works, but other books keep getting in the way. While this one sounds like a cookie-cutter of sort, it still had some redeeming qualities that can perhaps make it more enjoyable. Love that. 🙂
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
This is on my list to read soon, so I’m very glad to see you enjoyed it! It will be my first Chloe Neill novel too so I’m looking forward to checking it out.
Melliane
I hope you’ll have a good time!
Ramona
I’ve read her a long time ago, but not since. I like the general idea behind this, maybe because I’m unaware of the other series you mention. Excellent review!
Melliane
I don’t remember the name but it’s about witches in a school
Aurian
Nice review Melliane, thank you! Adding this new series to my wishlist.
Melissa (Books and Things)
I’m glad you enjoyed this one. I really want to read it even more now! 😀
Lola @ Hit or Miss Books
Hmm, ben some time since I last read an UF series. So many genre I seem to neglect. This one sounds good! Thanks for the review!
Melliane
lol you know I lov the genre
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
Hmm. I’m curious about this one. But she’s also another author that I want to try one day. 🙂
ShootingStarsMag
I’m glad you liked this one as it went on! Sometimes you just have to keep going. Thanks for sharing.
Braine
I love Deadtown and this will be my first Chloe book so those are good signs along with your 4-feather rating.
Melliane
I’m curious to see what you’ll think of it!
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
I’ve really liked her YA and adult books. I have this on my list for one day. Another reader friend had trouble at the beginning too. Glad it turned out to be a good read once it got past that 😀
Melliane
yes, I think it was a bit slow and I didn’t know where she wanted to go but after that it was great
Jennifer Bielman @ Bad Bird Reads
it sucks that it took some time but happy you did get into it. I am reading this next week!
Suzi Q, The Book Dame
This is on my ‘must read’ list. I am glad to see that you liked it after the slow start. I really dig the setting!
Lorna
This sounds like a book I would like. It’s reminds me of another series I read by Alexandra Ivy-The Sentinels Series. The whole making the supernaturals all live together in a complex thing. Thanks for sharing!
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