Beyond The Veil (The Veil Series) Paperback – February 10, 2014

[Full disclosure: I requested and received a free ebook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]I’d only read one of Pippa DaCosta’s other books, City of Fae, before trying out Beyond the Veil. City of Fae was a book I absolutely loved in part because of the many, many plot twists and surprises. Beyond the Veil is very similar in that regard: I had no idea what to expect next. In urban fantasy, that’s kind of a rare luxury and I absolutely treasured it in this book.Muse is a half-demon that was born in the netherworld and sold into slavery, as is the normal treatment for ‘half-breeds’ if their demon parent does not have them killed. She spent years being abused before Akil, one of the seven princes of Hell, rescued her for his own reasons and began a relationship of sorts with her. Then, five years ago she left him to try to live life as a human. Fast forwardto the present day and things aren’t necessarily working out the best in that regard, especially when the half-demon Stefan walks into her life. Poor Muse is then forced back into a world where she really can’t trust anyone—particularly anyone who says they’re trying to save her. And yet she learns and grows despite the hidden motivations of those around her. She finally becomes stronger and learns to deal with the demon side she has been so afraid of for years.Muse is of course a fascinating character in her own right but even the secondary charcters in Beyond the Veil are well developed. Akil certainly is a compelling character; he’s a more terrifying, smarter version of your stereotypical bad boy. Stefan seems to be a rather horrible character before Muse really gets to know him and learns about his horrific past. And Nica, Akil’s secretary, has motivations and secrets all of her own despite being completely human and working for a powerful demon who has a penchant for killing liars. I’m oversimplifying here but I can’t go into detail without spoiling some of the great surprises DaCosta worked into the narrative. Needless to say, you’ll appreciate the character development that went into all of the characters, not just Muse.As I said, the plot is incredibly fast paced but it’s also very unpredictable. There are lots of twists that I didn’t see coming, despite being quite familiar with the urban fantasy genre. Thankfully Pippa DaCosta once again departs from the expected formula and that makes the story all the more enjoyable. Trust me when I say that things are almost never what they seem when it comes to her writing. She’s also created such a rich, well-developed fantasy world that even if the plot were boring, Beyond the Veil would still be a very enjoyable book. It’s nice to see someone depart from the typical Heaven and Hell version of demons and make them more terrifying than they usually are because of it.If you love great characters, so many plot twists you’ll be guessing until the end and some incredible world-building, you’ll love Beyond the Veil as much as I did. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.I give this book 5/5 stars.

“I should have known he'd be trouble as soon as he walked into my workshop, but I couldn't have known he'd be the death of me.” - MuseWith that opening sentence I was hooked! Especially since you don't know whether it's pertaining to this book or maybe the next ones? All you know is some awesome fun is about to happen. It also reassured my indie/self-pub fears. I haven't been batting well lately. However, it was clear that DaCosta's writing is on freaking point. There was not a single point where I was cringing due to bad writing/grammar. Thank you.Once those fears were assuaged it was clear that this was one sexy and wild ride. Especially since the man candy does not fit into the molds of good or bad. No it's more like “wickedly evil” and “so baaaaaaaad but I can't help myself”. Oh, and the cherry on top is that they're demons. Yeah.“The demon inside his male exterior burned with primal needs. It devoured, it stole, it consumed. He was all greed and desire, always hungry.”Akil is the Demon Prince of Greed. He's basically Muse's—the main character here, I'll get to her—savior. Or is he? Akil is freaking sex and power personified here, and despite all the twists my lady parts still lust. Speaking of lust, let me tell you about Stephan Harper. Assassin, double agent, spy, killer, mechanic, and all around smexy man. Stephan can't be pinned down. He's a half human/half demon, like Muse, but he is ice where she is fire. Oh, they're fabulous together! Stephan might seem like the standard hero, but his character had just enough twists that trusting him is dangerous. I love that any lover Muse has might be deadly, and might just try to kill her. Come on, it's a dangerous combination that's too good.Now speaking of Muse, I really enjoyed her. She's not some crazy warrior woman. No. Muse is a half demon. She lived in the netherworld for a time as the property of psycho demon. Torture, rape, and all kinds of nightmares were her life. Until Akil stepped in and helped her to become strong and kill her master. Readers come in as she's living the life of a normal human. She’s a blacksmith and enjoys her average Joe life. Her human boyfriend and feeding her cat. Come on, that can't last!It's clear that Muse has fire—no pun intended—and she wants to be free. It's clear she’s use to hiding behind people. Not using her inner strength and skills, but relying on others to help save her. But I still like her. She's believable, and after all the stuff she's gone through I can buy just wanting to stick your head in the sand. Pretend nothing happened. Though I'm a big believer in the whole “power is knowledge” thing. So I question as to why she wouldn't try to find away to protect herself when she left Akil's protection. A few times Muse ticked me off with her inability to think. To see where things might end up by. You know thinking things through. Knowing when to bail the hell out.That's part of her charm. Cause despite that she is believable and I enjoy having a different kind of female lead to the UF genre. Muse embraces her sexuality. No slut shaming here. (I can't believe that's enough of a thing that it's such a joyous thing when I find it.) Love that she's a blacksmith/whatever you want to call it. Though I'm bummed there wasn't more of that here. Even with her iffy survival skills I do like that once she's confronted with the truth she goes forth and seeks answers herself.The best thing about Beyond the Veil is that one can never be sure about any of the characters. What side they're on and what their agenda is. Because everybody has an agenda. Especially if Muse is involved. Because she's been lied to since birth and there are some secrets and truths that are coming out. The only problem is knowing whether it is actually THE truth.Beyond the Veil definitely left no doubt in my mind as to whether I'd be continuing this book. Duh! It's a fabulous twisty and dark read. Oh, and that cliffhanger!!! (OK, maybe Stephan is that kind of guy.) Muse is a great lead and she's obviously going to be getting the crash course on what the demon world is really like. Now that she knows the truth about half demons and their power I'm excited to see her become that kick ass heroine. Especially since she's already got the whit to go with it. Come on action scene one liners! Even though she's out of the hands of the demons, for now, the humans might not be any better. (After all she just battled a Prince of Hell and her brother still wants her dead.) I'm looking forward to the full world picture that is teased here. (A little bit after writing this review I bought the rest of the books in the series.)Sexual Content: Sexual humor and some darker themes.4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.Originally reviewed at Book Whispers.

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This is one of those books that one has to read all at once, it was a late night or early morning? The world building is flawless, characters are well developed and realistic and the plot keeps you guessing! If you like Urban Fantasy, this is a book you should read. Definitely recommended!

After I finished the book I want to read the next and see what is with Akil.The story is easy and exciting, in some places rather bleak, told. I find it exciting that this novel pick not even the usual suspects of an urban fantasy novel as central theme (werewolves, hunters, etc.). Instead, we are dealing with demons that live right around the corner and quickly can drop their human shell. The protagonist himself is a half-demon, who has to deal with both her ​​past She was escaped the world of demons to live a normal human life, what her human-half wants so much. But her old protector Akil and its icy counterpart Stefan make that impossible. In the match for Muses confidence Akil has long nose forward until Muse see with her own eyes that Akil wants to kill her, or that he just wants her demon.I think you win quite quickly an impression of the people, because they were described vivid and appealing. For me it was actually from the beginning so that I love Akil, even if he really is the bad guy. But with Stefan you can never be 100% sure that he did not still planned anything. His motives are revealed only gradually. The Institute and Stefan's father surprised me, for example. I would have thought that he is a lone wolf. I think, from the Institute we will hear a lot more in the next book. Muse aka Charlie is very likable. She is so torn between the desire to be a normal person and to be powerful enough that it is no longer being passed around by the demons. And it can clearly not choose between Akil and Stefan, even if Akil several times they tried to kill. This is somehow a love-hate relationship.I think this is a great start for a new, very different and exiting urban fantasy story!

After reading another story by the author I decided to download her latest story. I'd enjoyed 'Hunted' very much and although 'Beyond the Veil' has a different feel to it it was still a great read - fast becoming a steadfast fan!The main character Charlie - real name Muse - is a kick bottom half woman half demon and although she's trying to do things her way stuff spirals out of control when we're introduced to Mr Cool, Stefan. Nothing is as it seems and it's all too easy to get caught in Muse's story as the plot twists snd turns. And the on-off again ex demon prince lover? Very hawt ^^ All too often I get where a story is going but with the triangle between the above three, through the lies and half truths, I was left guessing and needed to know what happened. Finished it all too quickly but then I pretty much didn't put the book down for a couple of days.Also get the feeling there's more to come. Which is good because I'm desperate to know what happens next for Muse!

I'm so thankful I found this as a free e-book, otherwise I wouldn't have also thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the books in the series. Pippa DaCosta is an amazing writer with a great sense of humor which shows in her books. Urban fantasies have become my favorite genre and if you LOVE a good urban fantasy, then Pippa and her Muse series must be way up there with the best of the best. The books are full of great characters, funny, nasty, ugly, beautiful, good and evil. All we ever want and need in a great urban fantasy.