Another intense read as a turned out client leads Celia to saving the world again. Things are changing not only for Celia but her friends. Can't wait until the next book.
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Good addition to the series, but not the strongest book. Needs more Bruno action. ( )

A good solid read.

I love this series, you know that, right? Well, this one wasn't my favorite but it was necessary to advance the series.

Read my complete review here: http://www.justtalkingbooks.com/1/post/2013/11/review-to-dance-with-the-devilblo... ( )

TO DANCE WITH THE DEVIL was an amazing thrill ride. Celia turns down a case but that doesn't stop a very evil mage from threatening her and endangering her and all of her friends. She also manages to forgive herself for not being able to save her sister Ivy's life when they were children which was just what Ivy needed to move on to the afterlife. While Celia will miss the presence of ghost Ivy in her life, she knows this a best for Ivy.

Celia's mother doesn't feel the same way. Lana is in prison on siren island after a bunch of DUIs and, though forced to dry out, she is still a very unpleasant person who can never take responsibility for her own actions and who persists is blaming Celia for all the things going wrong in her life. Celia loves her mother but really wishes that she didn't. She is able to stay out of her toxic presence and still maintain her relationship with her grandmother which had been severely strained because the grandmother was a classic enabler who always took her daughter's side.

Beyond the personal, Celia gets involved in a blood feud between magical families that almost kills her. But the blood feud is only part of Connor Finn's plans. He and some confederates are determined to take over the node under the prison he has been in for 22 years. Finn is an extremely powerful mage who also happens to be a psychopath. It takes the combined powers of Bruno and Matty, John Crede, and Bruno and Matty's mother Isabella to recreate the protections that keep prisoners in the prison. They are working node magic which requires the death of a mage. Celia is going to do everything in her power to make sure that mage is Connor Finn and not one of her friends.

The story was exciting, action-packed, and fast paced. I liked the friendships that Celia maintains. None of her circle of friends are cardboard characters but, rather, people we know and care about. The one thing I missed was more romance as Celia and Bruno get to spend very little time together in this episode.

This was a great episode in a strong urban fantasy series. I recommend it highly. ( )

Celia meets with a woman who wants to hire her to protect her daughter, but when Celia points out that the woman isn’t telling the whole truth, the woman storms out without hiring her. Bad decision. Celia does get involved when the powerful bad guy tries to warn Celia off after a seer tells him she’ll be in his way.

There is a major growth issue for Celia in the story when it comes to her family and what she’s always felt she was responsible for. Celia also learns to ask for help from her widening circle of friends. There’s plenty of action and inward speculation. It’s nice to see that more people are seeing Celia as an asset to have around instead of a monster.

This is first and foremost an urban fantasy series and not a romance. Yes, she does have an ongoing relationship, and while it’s an important part of her life, it’s a small part of the overall story.

I have to admit that I’d stopped buying the books when I became disenchanted with the series. But after reading and enjoying the last 3 books via the library, I believe it’s time for me to start purchasing the books again. I’ve never gone back to purchasing books in a series after switching to getting them from the library. And I think I’d like to reread the series. ( )