I really liked this book. It’s the first book I have read by this author but it’s quite good.
It’s set in a slightly alternate timeline (much like the Anita Blake novels though the timeline is not the same one, it’s similar but it’s own). There are different kinds of magic people and magic people’s powers all have some basis in Psi powers. The hero of the story (and this line of books which this seems to be the first) is Dante (or Danny) Valentine and she is a Necromance though she has strengths in other areas.
She is a very stand offish kind of person but incredible focused and honorable. She protects everyone she is involved with though she really wants to work alone. In fact, this story is much about that struggle.
She is basically dragged to meet the devil (yes, the actual devil, Lucifer – though it is explained throughout the story that perhaps he is not anything like the christian idea of the devil) and he hires her to kill a demon and get something back for him. He also pairs her with another demon and kind of a protector. She of course doesn’t like that but that is only the first part of people joining this effort.
It turns out she is after the person who is actually another demon who killed and tortured her best friend. This is a bunch about revenge but also about closure and forgiveness to other friends. The action scenes are just fabulous. The relationships are described very well. I really can’t wait for the next book which is due out in September to see more of Danny.