I always imagined Death’s final kiss would be cold. It wasn’t.Four years later, I can still remember the exact shade of his skin: a blue so pale it looked like moonlight. I dream of his touch. Mostly, I paint the man under the heavy cowl, including those perfect lips which ruined mine for anyone else. I’m obsessed with him. The doctors say he’s nothing more than a hallucination caused by a … a hallucination caused by a mixture of head trauma and emergency pain medications. I think he’s a really sexy figment of my imagination. I mean, who besides an artist would dream up the Grim Reaper for their hero?
Now, something’s changed and my drawings are taking on a life of their own. As if college wasn’t hard enough, trying to keep this a secret is going to be impossible. Keeping my sanity might be worse. And that’s not the worst of my problems.
Death is back.
He wants another kiss.
And he’s not alone.
The Kiss of Death is a 156,000 word, full-length novel with NO cliffhanger ending. This is a Reverse Harem series which includes multiple love interests, some m/m themes, and graphic scenes of sex, violence, and language. Be warned: everything you thought you knew about the world, religion, and death will be pulled apart, twisted around, and put back together in ways you will not expect.
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I have a hard time finding reverse harem books with both great world building and M/M content. Kiss of Death is one of the two or three best books I’ve read in the genre in terms of world building, and it’s at least setting up for M/M even if it hasn’t really got there yet.
My one frustration with it is the slow burn aspect, mostly because the book is NOT slow burn in the traditional sense. There’s sex, it’s pretty good if you like vanilla M/F, and there is the promise of more to come. But while the book contains a fair amount of roundabout poly negotiation and a couple of kisses, there’s no actual poly. The kisses only happen because it’s part of a ruse or because someone is trying to make a point. I’m one who gets antsy if there isn’t polyamory by the end of the first book, and, honestly, if I’m not going to get my menage fix, I think I’d prefer to skip the M/F buildup altogether. But that’s just me—not a reflection on the book.
That being said, I’m more than happy to tag along for the ride to something more, when it comes to this series. The world is amazing, the characters are deep, and the story is entertaining. Now hurry up with Book 2, Auryn! (And give me some real M/M, please!)
Hadley writes terrific character and complex, intriguing worlds. Sienna is awesome! She is strong, yet is still able to be vulnerable. The guys are great. I like how unique each relationship is with Sienna. I was entertained by Bel trying to adjust. This is the first book in a series, and I can’t wait for book 2!
Wonderful book! I can never get enough of Auryn Hadley’s books! This is an amazing steamy RH adventure!
Omg this book was freaken awesome, I don’t want to put it down but had too 5am was a bit late but it was totally worth it. Now I’m off to continue this adventure, and see where the hell this book takes me..
Love the story. It was a refreshing to see devil and the demons to be the good guys.
I don’t know about everyone but personally, reading a blurb talking about kissing Death and still carrying the memory years later was a sure way to lure me in. I took the bait and I was hooked once I got into the story. This really was a fun read. There was plenty of action and moments where the story could have just clipped off, but so glad the author decided against it and gave plenty to her readers.
Sia really couldn’t ask for a better group of guys, even if it was a bit rough in the beginning. Finding out that you are a Muse, and a rare one at that, could really weigh anyone down. Thankfully we have a heroine that was created perfectly for that role. None of that crybaby sort of story going on here.
Nick and the guys were easy to fall into. And that little ‘try-sexual’ tidbit was (*sigh*) the perfect topping on a perfect sundae. The only down side, in my opinion, was that these guys, that were suppose to be as old as time, really did act like a group of teenagers. I guess I just expected more maturity from them because of their age. Not saying that they acted immature, but I did expect more from them in terms of actions and personalities. Regardless, the story was good enough to reel me in to the next book. The ending and the flow of a few answers to a few questions really keeps you wanting more.
So I was a little weirded out by this chicks obsession with Death. The I was slowly drawn into the story. I definitely liked the perspective on the religious aspect. It was a little hard to get through but I think in the end it was worth the read.
The Kiss of Death (The Demons’ Muse Book 1)Kindle Edition
by Auryn Hadley
Sienna is more than just an artist, more than just an orphan who showed up one day at a fire station and more than just a pretty redhead who saved her money up to put herself through college She is the girl who kissed Death.
One night, after work, she is caught in a convenience store robbery. After her friend is shot and the robber is about to die, she sees the sexiest male, ever. Death, in his dark robes, agrees to save her friend. The price? A single kiss. A kiss that reaches into her soul and brands it with the shape of his lips.
Four years later, she is in University, an art major who draws Death, is a obsessed with him and is struggling to pass Calculus. In school, she meets Nick, Sam and Luke, three of the hottest guys in the world. Especially Nick, who reminds her of someone, but she just can’t place him.
Any more would be spoilers!
A fantastic series with amazing characters! And as always, I have to give props when the writer doesn’t just fall back on regular religion. In fact, Ms Hadley takes the time in this book to consider the true meaning of good and evil and whether or not anyone is truly one or the other.
Sienna is great character in herself. She is willing to except what she sees and what she feels without a lot of rationalizations. She goes with the flow for most of it. I have only one complaint. When it comes to the whole RH portion, Sienna has the same complaints over and over, the same insecurities. I don’t mean once, but several times. (SPOILER: It continues into the second book!) She can accept magic art and demons but whines over having too many men love her.
Once I get passed that, I loved the men and the research that went into getting the characters’ names and histories.
A good book and a solid 4 out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Death-Demons-Muse-Book-ebook/dp/B079S2RFHV
Words cannot express how amazing this book is!
In all her books, Auryn creates such fantastic characters that you want to be (or just want), and beautiful worlds that you want to visit and get lost in; and Kiss of Death is no different.
During a robbery at a gas station, Sienna is not only saved by Death but also shares a kiss with him. She’s not quite sure whether it was all a figment of her imagination, but is still obsessed with him 4 years later when she starts at college.
While at college, Sienna is exposed to the paranormal world and learns that angels and demons actually exist, and maybe she doesn’t know as much as she thought…
Along the way she meets several guys – Nick, Sam, Mike, Luke, Gabe, Raphael, Bel. But how does she know who is good and who isn’t? And does where someone was born determine whether they are good or not? Who wants to use her for their own means, and who wants to protect her?
What I love about Sienna is just how strong she is – not just physically and mentally, but also in her convictions. She’s worked hard to get herself to college, and stands strong in wanting to achieve her dreams and won’t let the hot guys she’s only just met mess with her goals.
I also found her so relatable as all of her reactions to learning about this new world and the supernatural creatures in it was so genuine and normal. She doesn’t let herself get carried away by the hot guys she’s only just met, and is smart about it all – knowing when to stand strong and when to give in and accept help from others.
As for the guys…….without giving away who is who, lets just say that I love each of the guys who join her team and I cannot wait to see what they get up to next!
Cannot wait for the next book!!
If you haven’t read this book, go out and read it now!!
This was a really good book. I’ve read it a couple times and keep discovering new things. Definitely recommend.
This book was given to me as an ARC read. I give my unbiased opinion freely and was not persuaded to do so.
So plain and simple, This book is AMAZING! I was addicted from the first chapter. I loved how diverse the characters were and how they didn’t meet the ” normal standards”. The MC – Sia was a brave woman who worked for what she had. She was brave, fierce, and determined. Once she had her mind set on something, that was it, no changing it.
I found humor in her “Boyfriend” and not because he was funny! (A-A-Ron done messed up!!) Then when Nick showed up, he made it all better. Between Nick, Sam, Luke, and Bel, I believe she has a perfect Legion. A strong family to over come all the challenges she is faced.
I liked the fact there was m/m action even though it was just a hawt kissing scene. I do foresee more in the future though. There was no jealousy or fighting over Sia which is also appreciated.
The book was long and detailed. It took me about 12 hours to read this whole book combined. Its not one of those quick reads that you’ll forget. No, this book will have you begging for the next book!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a good paranormal book!