Title: What Doesn’t Kill You
Series: Between Worlds
Author: Valentina Heart
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Length: Short Novel (150pgs)
Publisher: Loose Id (5th June 2012)
Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: After another disastrous sexual escapade, Jae only has escape in mind. Running down the stairs, he slips, falls, and blacks out. The first thing he sees once he wakes up is a gorgeous stranger offering him a beautiful future in just a single gaze.
Kian is a light demon who’s been looking for his chosen one for years. Even with that set goal in mind, it’s never been an easy path. Once he sees Jae, all the pieces fit into place. The clock starts ticking but they have to run for their life, run hard, if they’re going to get that perfect future.
With demons at their heels and dangers lurking around every corner, Kian and Jae have to rely on each other — find their strengths, defeat their enemies and nurture their delicate, still forming connection. What doesn’t kill them is definitely going to make them stronger.
Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.com/What-Doesnt-Kill-You.aspx
Review: Jae is fleeing the building after being unceremoniously turfed out of bed. He is upset and can’t understand why men always treat him like crap. After he takes a tumble down the stairs, he comes to and finds a stranger tending to him. But, that stranger will give him everything he has ever wanted. Kian has been searching for his Chosen for many years and now he has finally found him. But, it is just the beginning of their trouble. They now have to cross to the demon realm and register their mating. But, danger lurks ahead and it’s a race against time to get to Verdelet (demon who performs the ceremony), before the catchers get them.
An absolutely brilliant fantasy that is great in detail, as well as imagination. Jae has somehow always picked losers and men who treat him like crap. The latest one, Varick, has turfed him out of bed. So bitterly disappointed and upset, Jae falls down the stairs, Kian is there when he awakens and just from contact Jae knows that Kian will be everything to him. But, it is a lot for Jae to take in, as they have to leave immediately to avoid the catchers who would kill them both. Kian knows it isn’t the ideal situation for them, but this was how it was for demons. To reach Verdelet and perform the ceremony before the catchers get them is the way of the demons. But, for a human, it is fraught with worry, fear and danger, because if the catchers don’t get them, the other demons and animals might.
Wow. All I can say is…wow. The opening paragraph miss-led me because it was from Varick’s POV, so I thought there would be more of Varick throughout the book. But, no, we don’t see him again until the epilogue, where we then see what his connection is. Jae and Kian have an instant bonding, which is the way of demons, and they really are perfect for each other. We learn more about the bonding, as we go through the book and you understand then why they meld together so quickly. The demon realm is described in all its breath-taking starkness, with the dangers and pitfalls being vast and numerous. The stark contrast between day and night and the differences between demons being varied and colorful.
The world building for the demon realm is impressive; from the scorching sun that will kill to the blackest night where the creatures come out to play. from the Forest of the Dead Trees (which comes to life at night), to the vast sands surrounding Mestif’s ruins, to the Crystal Road and the Glass Sea and the numerous deadly animals that stalk them, it’s breath-taking and vivid in detail. Just getting from their starting point to their finishing line is an arduous journey, without the animals and catchers thrown in to plague them.
This is not the usually romance, as with this story their romance and love is a sure thing… surviving to enjoy it, is another matter entirely. The sex between them is hot, erotic and passionate, but as you might be able to guess, it’s few and far between that we see these scenes as they fight for survival. There are also one or two characters that a different story begins to evolve for, so that’s something to watch out for in the future.
So, who do I recommend this to? Well, if you love fantasy, paranormal, danger, instant bonding, fighting for your life, dangerous animals, dangerous demons, more danger, harsh conditions, incredible world building and a happy ever after, then this is the book for you.