As a handler, Corine Solomon can touch any object and learn its history. Her power is a gift, but one that’s thrown her life off track. The magical inheritance she received from her mother is dangerously powerful, and Corine has managed to mark herself as a black witch by dealing with demons to solve her problems.
Back home, Corine is trying to rebuild her pawnshop and her life with her ex Chance, despite the target on her back. But when the demons she provoked kidnap her best friend in retaliation, Corine puts everything on hold to save her. It’s undoubtedly a trap, but Corine would do anything to save those she loves, even if it means sacrificing herself…
Corine’s best friend, Shannon, has been kidnapped. She loves Shannon like a sister and will do anything to get her back. She heads off to the rendezvous point with Chance (her previous lover and the man with whom she is now working on rebuilding a relationship with) to get Shannon. When they gets there, however, they are met by a demon and taken in to Sheol (hell). This brings up a whole bunch of problems all on its own but the biggest problem is the demon queen that’s been living in Corine that didn’t know about.
The demon queen, Ninlil, has been like a parasite in the Solomon lines for many, many years and now that Corine is in Sheol Ninlil tries to take over Corine so that Ninlil can ascend, once again, to the throne. But Corine is a strong force and fights off the queen to the best of her ability until she realizes at one point it’s either let the queen in or die. What was supposed to be a meshing of two really becomes Ninlil taking over Corine’s body. Corine is back there in her own mind sometimes but Ninlil is so very strong that it’s difficult for Corine to get a word in edgewise. There are groups in Sheol that are thrilled that Ninlil has ascended but there are just as many groups that want her gone forever.
This is book 4 in the Corine Solomon series and takes a hugely unexpected turn. In previous books we got the contemporary setting with the paranormal/fantasy woven in with it. In this book Aguirre really went straight to the fantasy and stayed there for most of the book.
The very first part of the book showed us Corine trying to rebuild her life in Mexico – along with Chance who has changed dramatically from the man she knew previously. She’s thrilled that he is being open and honest with her and doesn’t hesitate to include him when she plans to go after Shannon. Chance is there by her side every step of the way and doesn’t desert her once they are in Sheol. I loved that he stuck by her and was there for her but this is where I had a bit of a problem.
Corine is still Corine on the outside – but inside Ninlil has taken over. When Chance is kissing Corine – he’s really kissing Ninlil. When they’re in bed together – it’s Ninlil that he’s sleeping with. As much as Chance loves Corine – that just felt really weird to me. Cheating, but not? I have no idea how to categorize that! lol The relationship did grow exponentially between Chance and Corine and that was wonderful. I’ve always wanted them together forevah. I have to admit to being more than a little disappointed though that Corine is really Ninlil for most of the story. I love the dynamics of this series but what I love most about it is Corine and she wasn’t there for a good part of the book.
Of course Ann Aguirre’s writing is amazing, just as it has been in all of the books of hers that I’ve read but the story really had me thinking this time. I’m not sure I loved it entirely but it was still so good I was completely sucked in.
This story also has a HUGE shocker at the end of the book that I never expected in a million years and OMG I couldn’t believe it! I’m completely frustrated that I have to wait a whole freaking YEAR to find out what happens next.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Hmmmm, but did Chance know that Ninlil has taken over Corine?
Nath – Yes, he did. That's what was kind of freaking me out a bit was the fact that he was with her knowing that it wasn't really Corine inside – even though it was on the outside. Of course there was power and magic involved so part of him had no resistance. 🙂