Review: Deal with the Devil (Mercenary Librarians #1) by Kit Rocha

Deal with the Devil

(Mercenary Librarians #1)

by Kit Rocha

July 28, 2020
336 pages

Goodreads Summary:

Deal with the Devil is Orphan Black meets the post-apocalyptic Avengers by USA Today and New York Times bestselling author duo Kit Rocha.

Nina is an information broker with a mission--she and her team of mercenary librarians use their knowledge to save the hopeless in a crumbling America.

Knox is the bitter, battle-weary captain of the Silver Devils. His squad of supersoldiers went AWOL to avoid slaughtering innocents, and now he's fighting to survive.

They're on a deadly collision course, and the passion that flares between them only makes it more dangerous. They could burn down the world, destroying each other in the process...

Or they could do the impossible: team up.

This is the first book in a near-future science fiction series with elements of romance.

Review

Deal with the Devil is my first foray into a Kit Rocha world and I'm happy to report my attempt was successful. I didn't fall in love with the story but the characters sucked me in and held me captive until the very end.

I can't put my finger on exactly what made Deal with the Devil so readable but it was thoroughly addictive. The story is character-driven, fast-paced and so easy to read. Despite the main romance being a little too insta-love for me, I enjoyed the high tech lingo and all the action.

There wasn't one character that I didn't like in Deal with the Devil. Each had their own scars but they were all kindhearted and whip-smart. "Assumptions are for people who don't have facts." (p. 270). I especially loved the banter between the gals and the guys. So sharp yet full of innuendos. Nina and Knox felt a tad cliché but I did sense genuine feelings in their interactions. Dani and Rafe stole my attention so fingers crossed they get their own book!

One thing I wanted to point out is the series title, Mercernary Librarians. I love it but I also think it's a little misleading. Sure, Nina is an information broker. But aside from the talks about printing books and her love for books, there wasn't much book exchanging going on. Maybe I'm missing the point but I wanted more book talk.

I'm really pleased with myself for choosing to read Deal with the Devil. It trapped me with its characters and held me with their growing rapport. Nothing will stop me from picking up the sequel!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the copy I received.