Devil May Care: A Muse Urban Fantasy (The Veil Series Book 2) Kindle Edition

It wasn’t too long ago that I reviewed the first book in this series. I mentioned in that review that I really wanted to find out more about Muse and her past, I really wanted to find out more about Stefan and I REALLY wanted to know more about Akil. I needed to figure out what was going on with him, he seemed like such a mystery. So I was excited to get into this book and get more… more of everything! And I was absolutely not disappointed!In this book we meet Muse, just months after Stefan has dragged Akil through the veil. She’s now working for the institute, but that’s not of her choosing. Also not of her choosing, she’s still cut off from her demon. Yep, life is really not going well for Muse. To make it even worse her torturous ex-owner is back seeking her and eventually she also ends up being pulled through to the other side of the veil…. Like I said, not great times. But believe it or not, there is a whole lot worse to come for Muse in this book and she doesn’t even see it coming.This book overall was darker and grittier than its predecessor. This is to be expected when not only do we have Damien in the picture, Muse’s ex-owner who she thought she’d killed, hell bent on taking her right back to where he thinks she belongs…and trust me, he is a piece of work, but we also have a big chunk of the story based in the netherworld. It really stole my breath how on edge I was throughout, waiting for Damien, or the next demon, or imagining the sights and smells of the netherworld, it was very well executed. The devil is in the detail and nothing rings truer when talking about this book.Character wise I was really glad to see that Muse did a lot of growing up throughout this book. She was still feisty and could definitely still be impulsive but at the same time she became more self-sufficient and definitely much less of a victim. Which was actually kinda really handy considering she had a lot of work ahead of her if she wanted to survive the netherworld, let alone escape it. Stefan was a real surprise for me in this one, you can imagine how being trapped somewhere like that could change you and I really don’t know quite what the end game is here, his story was heartbreaking but really kept me on my toes but despite the despair and I loved that we weren’t just going to replay the whole romance/no-romance scenario over again as so often can happen in a series. This way of approaching it seemed fresh and was exactly what the story needed. Akil was also heavily featured and I definitely got my wish when I said I wanted to find out more about him! He’s still mysterious yes, but at the same time I’ve learnt a great deal about him. Finally we got to peel some layers back, seeing him in an almost fragile state at times really reinforced that he was more than just a big bad demon. I didn’t know what to expect with him and honestly, in some ways I still don’t and I LOVE this about him, you couldn’t have him any other way. One thing for sure is though, I’m looking forward to what the Prince of Greed is going to get up to next.Once again Pippa DaCosta keeps the story fast paced and consuming, which definitely suits the subject. You really get a sense of urgency and ‘fight or flight’ really does come to mind more than once. After this second book I definitely feel like I’m getting a good grip on this ‘world’ as well as its characters. Everything is seeming really well fleshed out going into the upcoming third book, even with the un–resolved issue of Stefan vs Akil for hottest book boyfriend of the series! There was a teaser at the end of my E-Book for Darkest Before Dawn, I couldn’t help myself, I did read it and I have to say I feel like this upcoming book could be the best yet, lucky it’s out this October!

Overall, I was pleased with the book/series, and would recommend it to others. It has a strong story arc, likeable and developed characters (who are all imperfect in their own ways), good timing and action, and not insanely heavy on the sex. If you liked early Anita Blake (Books 1-7 or so), Kate Daniels, Mercy Thompson, or others along those lines, you are likely to enjoy this series. This genre has become a bit saturated with weak story lines and weak writing. I feel this series was a strong contribution to the benefit of the genre.I started with a sample of the first book, and ended up reading the entire series and enjoyed it. The writing was strong and character development flowed throughout the book. Dacosta also struck a nice balance of growing the lead character from a victim to a likeable and strong, but not perfect, character in the end. I liked that.Personally, I wanted a tiny bit more story for the HEA, but the author did not do it wrong. I just really liked where the characters ended up and was not quite ready to let them go without knowing just a little bit more... I am really not criticizing with this statement, it was just my reaction.

Muse, Charlie, is stunned. Stefan has been pulled beyond the veil wilt Akil. Someone had to make a sacrifice to ensure Akil would not return. After Muse drained his power, it was easy to remove him. But she hadn't know Stefan would do that, and now fits sister hates her guts.She has a plan. Adam has been after her to join the enforcers and she will do just that. She will let them train her, and when she's ready, she will go after Stefan. She loves him. But she never counted on Damien, her on e owner, to return when she thought he was dead.He begins to kill new enforcers, and since he controls air, no one has been able to catch him. Muse is afraid...very afraid, and so is her demon. But she has to stop him. Nothing goes as planned. He grabs her and escapes through the veil.Can Muse survive another lifetime of abuse from the hands of this monster?? What happened to Stefan?? Can either of them be saved?Fascinating story. I guess I'm hooked. Read on my friends.

It's been 6 months since Stefan took the demon Prince Mammon through the veil and into the netherworld. Muse hopes Stefan is still alive but she know full well how things work on the other side. It's survival of the fittest and she isn't sure Stefan has made it. Her owner, who she thought dead at her hand, has returned and he will not stop until he owns her again. She must fight for her life and her sanity. This story is action packed and full of surprises. We get to meet Steven's mother, a snow demon, and find out just what happens to a half-demon on the other side of the veil. A definite must read for fans of paranormal fiction!

***Spoilers*** This book was not what I expected at all coming from the first. The Muse I thought we had shrank in key moments in the beginning and the book dragged at least through the first ten chapters. Akil's reemergence in the book was a surprise as well as the role he played but Levi was a shock and definitely turned up the intrigue which is a huge reason I'm moving forward to book three. Stefan and Muse seemed to have had something in the last book that fizzled in this one in a major way. The soul lock with Damien, hinted rape and torture were my just favorite parts of this book. I still despise Adam and Nica's actions were a shock. Misguided and disastrous at the end. I have some hope for the next one, let's see where this one leads.

So, take all the happy that didn't happen in book one, subtract from it, and you have book two. What would you expect from a book with a demon story line. Muse's dependence on Akil becomes more apparent as well as her love and hope for Stefan. They all seem out to get her. Even her friend Ryder can't be trusted a hundred percent. This book is pretty bleak and book three is pretty hard to get through too, but book four and five more than make up for it. So stick with it and enjoy the ride.

As a kindle unlimited reader I seldom buy booksI read the first book as part of an anthology I found free somewhere and usually then just move on but the twist between the three main seamos in this story compelled me to buy not only this book but the next oneGreat story, it’s completely different.

Good read

Good continuation of the story. Bit painful and predictable to end and lead into a third book. Nice easy going read for someone into this style of genre. Shame these books are always more expensive when you buy them in Australia. I chose the rating because it wasn't the most amazing visual and descriptive writing I've ever read. But it was still good.

Very easy read, good characters. I'm already reading the next book in the series!

Loved it! Well-written!