Narrated by Darcy Stark
I hadn’t read or listened to anything by Meghan Maslow before I picked up Must Love Demons last year, but I’ve since become a bit of a fan. She writes funny, sexy fantasy romances, usually with a bit of mystery thrown in, featuring well-drawn, engaging characters and strong and imaginative worldbuilding. Demon for the Win is billed as book 1.5 in the series, but it’s actually set before the events of In Fair Verona, the short prequel to Must Love Demons. Its placement doesn’t really matter as it’s a standalone story; there are a couple of recurring characters (primarily Nico, who appears in all three books) but no overarching plotlines.
Speaking of Nico, Demon for the Win opens just as he’s been thrown out of his Legion because his magic doesn’t work the way it should. Incubi are lust demons, but Nico’s magic runs more towards love, and an Incubus who pairs people with their soulmates is bad for business at Inferno, the most popular sex club in Verona, so Nico is out on his ear. His best friend, Kemuel Balthazar, is one of the bar staff at the club, and is just paying Nico what he’s owed as the club is opening for the night and the first patrons are arriving. As Kem is walking Nico out, his eye is caught by a beautiful but nervous-looking dryad coming in with a party of newbies. Kem is completely smitten and determined to seduce him, pleased to see he’s wearing a yellow wristband (maybe) and not a red one (nope).
Tuliphis Cato is regretting letting his friend talk him into a night out at Inferno. He’s sworn off dating following a bad break-up, but when the seriously hot bartender comes over and starts talking to him, making clear his interest and what he wants, Tuli is tempted. It’s not as if it’ll be anything other than a hook-up, so why not enjoy a night of what will surely be fantastic sex before going back to real life tomorrow? Tuli gives in to the temptation.
The sex is, indeed, fantastic, but when Kem wakes the next morning to find no sign of Tuli – no note, no contact information, nothing – he feels a strange, unfamiliar weight on his chest. It’s a shame – he’d definitely have been up for another round with Tuli. Yep. Regret at not getting some morning sex in. That’s all it is.
Two months later, Kem is still feeling a bit off. He’s having breakfast with Nico at Café Coven when he looks up to see Tuli at the counter. For the first time in weeks, that lump in his chest lifts, and he invites Tuli to eat with them. Regretfully, Tuli says he can’t because he’s got to get to work, but this time, he doesn’t leave without telling Kem where he can find him. He’s a sous chef at one of Verona’s top restaurants, La Tempete, and suggests that maybe Kem should come by for lunch with him tomorrow. Kem is over the moon. Seeing Tuli again has convinced him that Tuli is special, and he’s determined to woo him however he can.
Demon for the Win is a lot of fun, and I really enjoy spending time in the fantasy world the author has created. Tuli is an absolute sweetheart; he’s confident in the kitchen but his self-esteem took a beating after his ex did a number on him and he’s hesitant to trust, especially given that Kem is an incubus and not built for fidelity. But Kem is determined to show Tuli he’s all in; he’s protective and supportive and kind, and there’s no way either of them can help falling for each other.
There’s a lot of plot here so there’s never a dull moment, but what with magical spoons, evil wizards, cantankerous chefs and murderous centaurs all causing lots of trouble, the romance is pushed to the side just a little bit. There’s a well-rounded secondary cast – Tuli’s friend and fellow chef, Shrood, is a hoot! – and we get to see more of Az – who has been a bit of a villain so far – whose book is up next, I believe.
I was really pleased when this title popped up in audio with Darcy Stark narrating. I loved his performance in Must Love Demons, and he delivers another terrific performance here, with good pacing, excellent characterisations and effective differentiation. His portrayal of the two leads is pitch-perfect, Kem’s deeper voice and impeccable English accent conveying an air of authority and protectiveness, while Tuli’s lighter tones reveal his good nature and his vulnerability. Of the secondary characters, I have to single out his interpretation of Shrood as a kind of laid-back surfer-dude – it made me smile every time I heard it – and I was pleased to hear that Nico sounds the same as he does in the other books.
Demon for the Win comes in at just over five hours, but it’s five hours well spent. The romance is perhaps a little underdone, but Kem and Tuli are so damn cute together, the rest of the story is so engaging and the narration by Darcy Stark is so good that it was easy to just go with the flow and enjoy the show.
Caz
Buy Demon for the Win by Meghan Maslow on Amazon
I really enjoyed this in print. I listened to Must Love Demons after it was reviewed here and I admit I wasn’t 100% sold on Darcy Stark’s narration. I gave him a B/B-. His voice for flame was sounded like a grumpy OLD man. I kept having trouble remembering that he was supposed to be (relatively) young and handsome. He also sounded like someone reading a book while doing character voices, but not doing the vocal acting on the narrative passages. Obviously I need to give him another chance which I’m willing to do. I might try this one since I already know I enjoy the story. I also bought a collection of the first three Diversion books in a sale.
I remember your saying that about Flame’s voice – fortunately, it worked better for me than it did for you – I also found his vocal acting excellent.
Maybe give Diversion a try – he’s outstanding in that series.