City of Gods and Monsters (House of Devils) Paperback – 24 Jan. 2022

City of Gods and Monsters is the first book in the House of Devils series and follows Loren who, after her friend gets kidnapped, suddenly has people trying to hunting her and through this meets Darien who is one of the people hunting her for a bounty.I started reading this book because of a recommendation from a friend who was already halfway through it and said it was good and I’m happy to say she was right. I absolutely loved this book, the characters were absolutely brilliant and grew as the book progressed. The story was also great, it drew me in from the beginning and had me addicted within the first few chapters. I loved the world that had been created for this series, it took a while to get used to but I found that as I learned more it immersed me more in the story.Overall, this was a really good read, the romance in it was slow burn, which is not something I would normally read, but it really worked with the story and I found it thoroughly enjoyable. I would recommend giving it a read.

I enjoy the book was very interesting. I like the plot the tension . If you as about the spice its very in the end and don’t to much of a spice .

The overall plot is good and the writing is great but the character’s are very YA and cliche. 19 year old naive virgin orphan chosen one and a troubled tattooed leather jacket wearing bad boy.

— 5 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❝Whether he called himself a Devil or not, he had quickly turned into her angel. Perhaps she was becoming his, too.❞📖 | 760 pages👤 | author Kayla Edwards🏢 | independently published📅 | release date 25 January 2022What you can expect:— Third-person POV— Dual POV— First instalment in a series— New Adult Urban Fantasy Romance— Vampires, werewolves, witches, demons and more— Mental-health rep— Morally-grey characters— Grumpy/Sunshine— Bodyguard trope— Close proximity— "Touch her and die" vibes— Slow-burn romance— Bad boy/Good girl— Found familyTrigger warnings include: violence, mature language, sexually explicit content, drug abuse, animal death, sexual harassment, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and suicide.City of Gods and Monsters is a New Adult Urban Fantasy and is the first instalment in the House of Devils series by author Kayla Edwards. Loren Calla has only ever been ordinary. As a human struggling to live within a city filled with all kinds of supernatural creatures, Loren has learned to ask for little and expect less. She always expected a simple and predictable life in a world filled with unpredictability... that is until she barely escapes an abduction attempt at the hands of Darkslayers—supernatural bounty hunters that possess the Sight, a magical tracking ability that allows them to see a person’s aura—and one of her friends is taken in her place. Loren will do whatever it takes to see her friend returned to safety unharmed... even if that means enlisting the help of the most notorious Darkslayer in the city and the leader of the Seven Devils. Darien Cassel is a notorious bounty hunter that serves nothing but positive results for those that hire him. When an unknown proprietor hires Darien to search for Loren in exchange for a very large sum, he accepts. Imagine his surprise when he discovers that Loren Calla is a mere human and not the kind of dangerous creatures he generally hunts. What makes Loren so special to warrant such a large reward? When more women start disappearing, and some of them slowly turn up dead, Loren and Darien are determind to find that out. As their search for answers takes them deep into Angelthene's corrupt underbelly they discover a dark secret that threatens to unravel their world's very existence. And when tragedy strikes, Loren learns that love can make an ordinary person do extraordinary things.THIS BOOK IS SEVERLY UNDERRATED.Yes. I just said it. Author Kayla Edwards has created a truly immersive and thrilling story set in the modern world of Angelthene. The writing was captivating and descriptive, and the pacing was steady throughout the duration of the book. At the beginning of this story we follow Loren, her adoptive sister Dallas and their friend Sabrine on their girls' night out in the town. Loren has issues with her blood sugar and finds herself in-need of returning home as she abruptly begins to feel poorly. As the girls' begin their venture home under the light of the moon they suddenly find themselves fighting for their life as they are cornered and attacked. The attackers' objective was to abduct Loren for reasons then unknown, and when that becomes impossible they instead take Sabrine to later use as ransom. Feeling distraught, guilty and afraid Loren and Dallas turn to the police in the hopes of seeing their friend safely returned. What follows is a conspiracy surrounding legends rooted in forgotten history that takes Loren in an adventure that is anything but safe and predictable. From the very first chapter you're invested and desperate to know more, and whilst this book is indeed thick it was genuinely impossible for me to put it down. Kayla Edwards has solidified herself as a must read and auto-buy author as a result of City of Gods and Monsters.❝He loved the way she said his name, as if it was a light she walked toward through darkness.❞Sigh. Darien Cassel. The easiest way for an author to pull me into their books is by writing a main male character that is renowned for being grumpy and dangerous... and yet we see them display softness and tenderness for their loved ones. Darien has very quickly placed himself at the top of my book boyfriend's list... and I imagine my fellow readers of this book will agree. Darien is ruthless to his core with a tough exterior to match. But what we delve into as the story progresses is his internal battles and struggles with his Surges. A Hellsehyr's Surge was an incredible way for Kayla Edwards to explore the complexities of Darien's magic and his deeply rooted mental heath struggles. It was genuinely a shock and a delight, as sad as the context was, to see a male character at the centre and focus of mental health struggles. We truly see him begin to let those external walls crumble as he better knows Loren which is ultimate sign of trust from him. As much as I thoroughly enjoy a dark, tall and broodingly handsome main character (who doesn't?), the depth to Darien's character is what helped me better understand and connect with him. A truly memorable main character and love interest that cannot be missed out on.Kayla Edwards done a phenomenal job in writing Loren Calla as a main character. As a human surrounded by magic and supernatural creatures it would have been easy to overshadow her characteristics as Loren's identity is largely rooted in feeling "lesser" than the rest of her peers. And yet Loren demonstrated a determination and strength that immediately had me rooting for her character and holding nothing but the upmost love and respect for her. Loren is aware of her capabilties and her limitations, and doesn't let anybody tell her differently. Her love and loyalty towards her loved ones are at the root of who Loren is, and we see that dictate her choices and decisions throughout the story. In spite of her initial fear and hesitation towards Darien when they first meet Loren continues to display a remarkable sense of compassion and kindness which is what I believe to be what initially draws Darien in. Loren's stubbornness and resilience is a driving force during trying and difficult times as the storyline progresses, and Loren is truly one of my all-time favourite characters to follow. The development between Loren and Darien was slow and authentic. Suggestive and sexy. It was truly everything, and I think new readers are going to love what's in-store for this couple.City of Gods and Monsters is only the beginning of one of the best Fantasy stories that I've ever read. Since discovering this series I've went on to read and equally enjoy its second instalment City of Souls and Sinners and I cannot wait for the release of book 3, City of Lies and Legends upon its upcoming 2024 release date.

This was recommended on insta and book toc and whilst it was long, it was slow burn and absolutely great. The next book has been downloaded onto my kindle and will be my inflight entertainment for the next few hours.

It's not often that a book in the fantasy realm comes along with fresh new perspectives, wholly original. I'm glad to say that this one does. The tropes are all there; vampires, werewolves, enhanced supernaturals etc, but handled in a different & exciting way. The protagonists are charming in a scary AF way. The only complaint I have is the propensity of "Lola" to burst into tears continually. This is, of course, not confined to this book, it seems to be a problem in a lot of fantasy books out there. I suppose it's meant to make the heroine more sympathetic but it just annoys me. That minor quibble aside, there is an original & engrossing world to be explored & I will be doing just that by going to the next book straightaway!

City of Gods and Monsters is a slow-burning tale that captivates you, leaving you eager to uncover more. From the very beginning, it keeps you guessing, only to reveal the answers you've been craving at the last possible moment. I especially appreciate the character development of Darien, who undergoes significant growth throughout this first book.

I don't normally review but this book was exceptionally good. The story is engaging, the characters and world building extremely detailed. I couldn't put it down and will now read the author's other works.