Being a chameleon demoness already made things tricky, but did it need to be this difficult? All Dahlia wanted was her freedom, but first, she needed to buy out of her promised bonding, a promise that was made for her before she was even born. Almost a century of trying had taken its toll, and she’d done things she wasn’t proud of. Lost parts of herself along the way and flirted with the darkness … way and flirted with the darkness inside her.
And it flirted back.
She told herself it would all be worth it in the end, but before she won that battle, everything in her life systematically blew up in her face—one piece at a time. Blaming it all on the beautiful, egotistical vampire who showed up in her life would be easy, but it started long before he arrived. With his help, she might succeed, but Dahlia wasn’t sure she could trust an outsider—not even one sent by Lucifer himself.
Dahlia was standing on the brink of having everything she’d ever dreamed of, but she also risked losing it all.
Was her freedom really worth the cost?
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I can’t believe this is Takari Turner first book!! The worldbuilding is amazing with strong characters that i fell for and a story that will keep you riveted till the end that came way to soon. I need more!! Urban Fantasy at its best. Hope that there will be many more books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5 stars, baby!
Yes, of course after seeing the cover I won’t lie, I was ridiculously excited about reading this book. I hoped and prayed it would embody the cover, and for me, it most certainly did!
First off, this book is well written. That’s right. This is a debut novel from an independent author and it’s easy to follow. It’s free of redundancies, grammatical errors and pointless dialogue. So, because of that we can see the world and characters clearly. Every scene has a purpose to the story -that I think is more layered than we realize (especially at the beginning).
The world building feels fluid and is presented through the characters and story, rather than the reader having info dumped upon them. Fantasy tends to do this a lot, so it’s nice to be able to have the world unfold for us as the story is being told.
I really enjoyed the characters. Dahlia is relatable. She’s young and maybe a little unsure of herself, but it’s clear she knows that when she makes her decisions she’ll follow through. You can see so much room for growth, but still stand in her corner while she’s doing her growing. Her friends and colleagues are beings you want to be around and get to know. I’m looking forward to watching their bonds grow stronger. I’m also looking forward to watching love bloom. *eyebrow wiggle*
I won’t go too much into this (partly because this story just skims the surface of it), but know I fully ship those two and CANNOT wait for their story to unfold.
Lastly, I want to talk villains. I hate them. Like, I really, really can’t stand them. Yes, there’s more than one to hate and yes, you’ll probably hate them all. But hey, that’s what villains are for, right?!
Although, the book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, there’s definite questions that will need to be answered and issues that will need to be addressed. It IS the start of a series and I don’t need all my answers now. I’m hunkering down and happy to see where the story goes. It’s been awhile since I’ve been on an actual journey with a cast of characters, so this should be fun!!
Shout out to Takari Hunter for allowing me to start this journey with her and Dahlia and hook me up with an ARC. Thank you!! It’s great to be able to read an ARC and give it a positive review. So, Takari… you’re writing the next one, right? Like now?? Patiently (not so patiently) awaiting Book 2!
Isn’t it the best when you discover a new author who takes and idea you already love and turns it on its head?
Dahlia is a demon, not just any demon she is Chameleon royalty. Chameleon’s have been living in hiding since the great battle between Michael and Lucifer, they were the race treated as the scape goat for Lucifer’s loss and the demons getting kicked out.
Dahlia is a fantastic character just the right combination of kick ass and emotionally vulnerable to be realistic. I dislike female characters that are so over the top in either direction it was great seeing Dahlia develop through the first book and take what she could for herself.
Carver and Cade are my next favorite characters, they’re Dahlia’s twin older brothers, standing up against their mother in whatever ways they can without her going completely off the edge and locking them all in the family home. They are so funny and I can’t see what they’ll do in the next book.
Dhalia’s mother is a piece of work surpassing even Joan Crawford of Mommy Dearest proportions, I do hope we get some answers on what exactly went wrong in that woman’s head in the next book.
In my opinion the next book cannot come fast enough, I have all the questions! The world building was so rich and well done that I had one of those lovely book hangovers when I emerged at the end with no idea what time of day it was. I could not put this book down, when all was said and done it was delivery pizza for my family that night because I was busy reading about Dahlia kicking ass. Fantastic!
I did receive an ARC copy in exchange for a review, I also pre-ordered a copy because this series is worth the dent in my book budget to support.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC. I’m always a bit nervous to read something from a new author but WOW WOW WOW! Takari Hunter comes out swinging with this amazing debut! I could not put it down and I love that Dahlia is a strong badass character but there was still room for character development. I liked that she wasn’t perfect but was actually growing as a person. And I love the twist at the end. I usually see those coming but I was not expecting that.
This is an amazing debut!! I applause you Takari
A debut urban fantasy featuring a strong, realistic female lead.
**** I’m volunteering to review this arc ****
This story is fast paced. It’s about Dahlia who is a chameleon demon. Dahlia finds out that her aunt has gone missing along with other chameleon demons. Dahlia meets Edwin during her search for her aunt. But Edwin has his own secrets. Dahlia also has to deal with her mother and Joshua. She must figure out who is after her. Can Dahlia figure you out who is after the chameleon demons and herself before it’s to late? Will Edwin tell Dahlia who and what he is? Will it destroy there trust that they built?
I look forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have not read anything I liked more than this, it is on par with Annie Anderson’s Rogue Ethereal series.
Our heroine is at times infuriating but the sass, and dynamic world building makes up for the naivety and slower pace
I am chomping at the bit to read on
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This first book is PHENOMENAL I couldn’t put it down so well written and the characters I think this is going to be a fabulous series form an amazing new author!
This was an amazing book by an author that is new to me. The main character was an amazing female that was relatable and easy to love. The world building is superb and much more than I expected.
Dahlia, a chameleon demoness, is working as an assassin to earn the cash she needs in order to escape a bond forced upon her by her mother.
I am eagerly awaiting book 2 as this one left me wanting so much more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Demons baby! Watch out!
This surprise me so much! i didn’t know what to expect! i think chameleon demons are underrated a bit in the supernatural world but that’s about to change! The underworld is about to get a rude
awakening! Chameleon are hunted for a reason! Cant wait for book two! That ending was a wowzer! didn’t see that coming!!! #Demons#Chameleons#NothingIsquiteWhatItseems
THIS BOOK WAS SUCH A GREAT READ. I LOVED DAHLIA. I THOUGHT SHE WAS A STRONG CHARACTER. I ALSO ENJOYED THE REST OF THE CHARACTERS AND FOUND THEM WELL WRITTEN AND DEVELOPED. THE BOOK HAD A GREAT STORYLINE THAT HELD MY INTEREST THROUGHOUT. A BOOK I DIDN’T WANT TO PUT DOWN. I RECOMMEND READING.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
ONE MUST HAVE THRILL RIDE!!!
Holy hell! Takari floats my boat blowing me away with this kickass approach, spinning one compelling storyline and wicked plot, jetting this baby through the stars, fusing it together sleek, shiny and tight. Twined, combined and interwoven, noting the explosive ups and nerve racking downs, blasting this sparkling gem to life spectacularly. Satisfaction is an understatement, this baby comes packing a punch, testing our resolve and pushing onward, launching this little fella to staggering heights. Anarchy, escapades and havoc run amuck, kicking this bad boy into a roaring tempest, catapulting it into a tailspin with an explosive culmination. A churning eddy chocked full of unforseen mishaps and surprising circumstances, catapulting those swirling emotions into play front and center. You feel everything the characters feel, you become a part of the adventure instead of on the sideline. The characters are complex and authentic with depth and traits that blend and flow, transforming into genuinely relatable personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions you have no problem picturing each scenario creating a colorful backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Remarkable job Takari, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.
*Spoiler Alert*
As bad***ed FMC goes Dahlia is definitely up there as a Chameleon Demon who has a brilliant ability way of changing forms with a clever little mask and runes all over her body. Not only that but she has a sideline as an assassin but only for another 5 years out of her 95 just in time to pay for her freedom and out of bonding to a bed hopping, egotistical, womanising prat. With absolutely no redeeming qualities at all. With a mother from hell trying every dirty and underhand trick to get her bonded to him her time is running out but her brothers Cade & Carver (who are absolute sweethearts…………cuties!) as well as her dad have her back.
Comedy and laughs come in the form of a Gorgon and Dahlia’s friend Cassia. Shes a riot! Had me cracking up. Itching to find out whats going on with her and Beelzebub? Props to Cassia for landing Dahlia a job with Lucifer and The Seven (hot sins!) after her aunt goes missing. Who knew Lucifer had his own investigating task force?? He lands her with her own stalker/babysitting Vampire Edwin who seems hell bent (yes thats a pun lol) on rubbing each other up the wrong way. The banter with these two is just brilliant.
I absolutely love books with Supernatural PN in them and Lucifer is a fav. Just a totally great read and i really loved it. Dying to get my hands on book 2
What a fantastic and unique story about demons and the world they live in. The characters had Sass, the world is beautifully described and the plot is so inclusive and exciting. The dialogue is just brilliant and keeps you glued to the pages wanting more. What a debut novel from a new author. This is a story to read and a new author to follow. You will be pleasantly satisfied with this supernatural read! Wow!
Are you looking for something just a little different? Something that you possibly have never read before?
I say possibly because honestly, I don’t know what you read. This was new for me, I have been contemplating my reading progression lately and I found that I started to stray from the paranormal romance/ urban fantasy genre. I have been firmly hanging out in the dark romance section of life.
Takari Hunter has reminded me what I love about this genre, she single-handedly got me to take a vacation back into the fantasy realm and had me fall in love with the genre again. So I thank her for that.
I am not going to give any spoilers of this book because I feel that you need to go in blind to really appreciate the effect this book has. What I can tell you is that it’s about an assassin Chamelon Demon. Who has been promised to marry for status.
If that doesn’t at the very least catch your attention I don’t know what else will. This book had a lot of twists and turns and the ending you will never see coming. Thank you Takari for making me remember what I loved so much about this genre and I can’t wait to read the next book!
ARC Provided for an honest review
Such a good story and would highly recommend to all. Can’t wait for the next story.
This was a great way to start a series. I really enjoyed the world that the author created as well as the characters. The story had a great flow and once I started I didn’t want to stop until the end. I’m looking forward to more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Never in my life have I so desperately needed a breath of fresh air – and reader, I got it. This book has FRESH comin out the wazoo.
Betrayals & Broken Promises doesn’t commit to one genre but dabbles in a few. In a world of demons living side-by-side with humans in what they call ‘Hell’, there’s a definite UF undertone to the book. However, as the story progresses I started wondering if I should classify this as a romance, or even a coming-of-age story. Because despite the fact that the MC is 200-something years old, she’s doing a lot of growing in this series.
So, before I go off on that tangent, here’s the setup of the book.
Dahlia is a chameleon demoness: she can transform into any other species of demon at will. However, she can’t do so in public, because chameleons have hidden their existence from all other demons for millennia. Problem #1.
She has very close ties to her family and community, who are the only ones who know her true identity, but that means she has to put up with a nasty mother and a betrothal to a man she can’t stand. Problem #2.
So what do you do when you have an evil mom, an engagement that’s gonna take a lot of money to break, and a knack for secret identities?
You become a killer for hire. You know, like any sane person would. Problem #3.
So Dahlia gets in some trouble due to her job (and various other nefarious, demonic schemes) and the plot sets off.
My favorite part of this book is the focus placed on familial relationships; the good, the bad, the cyanide-level toxic. Dahlia struggles throughout the story with her need for affection and approval from a family that’s been the central focus of her life for centuries, and with her need for independence and space from the mother that’s only ever disappointed her.
Without this tether to Earth, if you will, Dahlia may come off as fickle, or distant, or hard to understand. It’s her complicated and down-to-Earth relationship with her family that really shapes her character and allows you to relate to an ancient, beautiful, half-crazy demon.
High hopes for this series – the amount of work, thought, and love the author put into the book jumps off every page, so I know good things are ahead.