Deal with the Devil is an action-packed, humorous, engaging, and sexy sci-fi/dystopian novel. I thought this book was a great introduction to the Mercenary Librarians series. First impressions are everything, and I think the authors did a great job in laying the groundwork for this series. The world-building was done in a very clear and interesting way, which kept me intrigued until the end. The main characters Nina and Knox were very likable and were a great fit. I liked that the progress of their relationship had a steady pace and took time to develop instead of being instant. The authors really gave them time to get to know each other. The side characters were also amazing. Both Nina and Knox have their own crew that they are responsible for, and you could really feel how much they cared for each of them.

What I loved most about this book was just the combination of action, suspense, and romance. The banter between the characters were also done really well. The authors told a lot in this book without making it feeling busy. They were able to introduce each character and make you care for them. I enjoyed getting snippets from their POV, which gave me an idea what was going on in their heads. They were all very unique and interesting in their own ways, and I really look forward to seeing them grow throughout this series. There were a couple of twists added to the plot which I loved. It makes me even more excited to see what will happen next. I think this book was a great introduction to the world Kit Rocha built, and I loved what I read so I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

Please add this to your must read list if you like urban fantasy and post-apocalyptic stories with amazing characters and great writing. Overall, this book had me when the description included the words "mercenary librarians." SIGN ME UP! And it did not disappoint.

The book centers around a world in the not to distant future that was fairly frightening in its possible reality. Both Knox and Nina are products of their environment (literally). The world they inhabit is post-apocalyptic. The world-building done is stellar and immersive, but doesn't weigh you down in the way books sometimes can. I would say it is on par with some of the best - like Nalini Singh and others writing at the highest levels. The first half of the book can be a little slow at times - but what we learn and see is critical to our understanding.

I love that both Nina and Knox are both truly tough - but there is no sexism or suggestion that Nina is less because she is a woman. Her sex is somewhat neutral. The main crew of characters view the men and women as equals and formidable ones at that - each being respected for their considerable skills.

I really hope there are more books in this series - because I NEED more! I need to see where things are going with this group and the overall story line.

Loved it. One of the best of 2020 so far.

I received a copy of this book as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own..

This book is a delight! I haven't read any of Kit Rocha's other books before (although I've followed Bree on twitter for ages), but this is a good entry point and I'm definitely interested in checking out their other stuff sometime soon. It's very much "the grumpy one is (reluctantly) soft for the sunshine one" so if that's your trope catnip, you'll be very happy. Hero and heroine both have devoted crews (if "girl gang" is your trope catnip you will <i>also</i> be very happy) and there's a lot of delightful loyalty feels. I haven't seen much dystopian romance on the mainstream market lately so this feels really fresh and new! I like the worldbuilding, especially the almost frontier homemaking aspect of Nina's neighborhood "library". Solidly recommended!

Wow, I cannot believe that it's been two years since I've read the last Kit Rocha book.

To be honest, I had a bit of a hard time with this book. The idea is good. It's set in the same post-apo/dystopian world as the Beyond series. But except for the Flares, there is very little in common. It takes place in a different part of America, and I could not find any direct reference to the previous series. (Meaning, I did not notice any mention of the character from the Beyond series. But if I missed some and you find any, please, let me know! I was really curious to see if there would be some.)

While the world and the story were not a problem, the characters were. I could not connect with any of them. They seemed like vaguely similar to some characters from the Beyond series but way less fleshed out. I did not like any of them. I did not dislike any of them. I just did not really care about them in a way. As if they were just shells, a mirror reflection. Something was missing from them.

I wanted to write a couple of sentences for each character, but then I realised that there is nothing much I have to say about them.

So, while I said that the story was good, I also have to say that it was somewhat predictable. The twist? It just felt like the foreshadowing was done by Hulk.

And while in the past I read Kit Rocha's books mainly when I wanted to just relax, I still enjoyed them very much. Because the characters were fun and the writing was well-done, it just drew you to the story, and I was missing this here a bit. Sometimes I just read a chapter, and then I stopped for two days. I have to say that sometimes I caught myself skimming through certain parts just to make some progress.

I don't want to say that this is a bad book. More of an okay book. I'm not angry or even disappointed by it. It's more of the same case as with the characters. I don't necessarily care. And while I give this three stars, I do not think I will continue reading this series.

Absolutely amazing!!!!

I have been a fan of Kit Rocha for years and was lucky enough to have been given a chance to read and review the first book in their new series early! It was so good!!! Well written with fantastic character-building. This book compares well with the Beyond series, which I was a bit worried about, except that the sexy times are not quite as intense (at least so far). There were even a few somewhat obscure references to things from that series. There is plenty of intrigue, lots of action, girl gangs, soldiers, and of course, some romance.

The epilogue was just WOW!!! All parts of it!!! I am so excited to see where this series goes. I would absolutely give this more than 5 stars if I could. And I most definitely recommend it to anyone who it a fan of this trope!!!

I received an ARC through Netgalley.

DwtD by Kit Rocha is book one in their new Mercenary Librarians Series and introduces the reader to a new dystopian world. Just like their O'Kane universe, DwtD tells the story of the post catastrophe era where law and order have another meaning than before.
The storyline is set in former Atlanta and tells Nina and Knox's story.
It's a fast paced read, action packed, raw and gritty - an unputdownable, hanging on the edge of my seat read that kept me in suspense from chapter one til the end.
I recommend the book. 5 stars.

One of my most anticipated books for 2020 and I wasn't disappointed! It had everything I wanted: intriguing characters with interesting backgrounds, fun and witty banter, cool actiony things! this book and series would make such a good netflix series or movies! I can picture all the badassary up on a screen.

I won't say anything spoilery cuz we still got a way to go before this one comes out but I love ladies who can kick ass and our Mercenary Librarians are just that! Knox and his team were not prepared for them which, makes for a particularly funny scene in the trucks lol.

I must say though, while i did love our MCs Knox and Nina, some other characters stole the show for me. In this one we get POV from the other characters, even as Knox and Nina are the main POVs. We get to slip inside some of their teammates heads. Even before I got a Rafe point of view I adored that guy, because of course i fall for the lovable flirt and on the flipside, I fell for Dani too cuz she's so murderyyyyy! So yeah, I'm really interested in knowing more about them. And I'm shipping these two like whoa!

Also we get a little O'Kane mention of sorts, so if you're a fan of the Beyond books like me you will be all !!! about the brief mention :)

This was a wild, fun, ride with some twists that had me going :O, especially that ending OMG!!! I need book 2 in my eyeballs nowww!!!