BOOK REVIEW: HELL TO PAY BY SHERRILYNN KENYON

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Lucian “Luke” Teivel isn’t just any exile—he’s Lucifer’s son, freshly banished from Hell with no forwarding address and zero explanation. Now he’s stuck in the human world, paying cosmic penance by working for Infernal Affairs, a secret task force that polices supernatural crime and decides whether the guilty belong in prison…or back in the Pit.

Luke’s doing his best to blend in and not burn his petty annoyances when a new partner storms into his life: Detective Sorcha O’Malley. She’s sharp, stubborn, suspicious—and assigned to keep him from indulging in his more demonic tendencies. But Sorcha carries shadows even Luke can’t read.

Just as they’re settling into their begrudging partnership, college students start dropping across Savannah, Georgia. And every clue points directly at Luke. Someone is framing him—someone with a grudge, a plan, and a very personal reason to send him back to Hell.

To survive the setup, Luke and Sorcha must team up against enemies both infernal and annoyingly human. But as the danger escalates and Sorcha’s secrets inch closer to the surface, Luke faces the worst dilemma 

Hand over his new partner to the devil…

Or be relegated to earth forever.

And if he’s not careful? Savannah might wind up with a fresh vacancy in its homicide department—and one very pissed-off Prince of Hell.

TEE'S THOUGHTS

 This was my first book by Sherrilyn Kenyon, although she has been writing for years, and it certainly won’t be my last.

Hell to Pay is such a fun read. Imagine being Lucifer’s son and suddenly finding yourself kicked out of Hell with no explanation. You have no idea why you’ve been banished to Earth or who would want to keep you there. That’s exactly what happens to Luke.

Now stranded Earth-side, Luke finds himself working as a detective for a paranormal investigation firm called Infernal Affairs. Yes, I giggled at the name—and honestly, I laughed quite a bit throughout this book. Luke’s snark and sarcasm were some of the brightest moments, and he delivers plenty of both.

This is a fast-paced urban fantasy that is incredibly easy to fly through. It’s very character-driven and packed with a memorable cast of side characters. There are shape-shifters, fae queens, closet demons who dance and eat pizza, and Luke’s imp companion, Helly, who may have been my favorite character in the entire book. Honestly, Helly has serious breakout-character energy.

While the mystery and supernatural elements keep the story moving, it’s the characters and their interactions that make this one so much fun. I found myself just enjoying the world and everyone in it.

Hell to Pay is the first installment in the Infernal Affairs series, and if the rest of the books are anything like this one, I can see myself happily spending more time with this wonderfully chaotic cast.