The Devil's Playground by Jenna Glass Series: Morgan Kingsley #5
Published by Dell on March 23, 2010
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 385
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
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Morgan Kingsley, a kick-ass exorcist, can deal with Lugh, the supersexy demon living inside her, but does he have to moan softly during her intimate moments with her mortal lover? Understandably, Brian is reluctant to share the pleasures of Morgan’s flesh with a gorgeous rogue from the Demon Realm.
But personal matters will have to wait when the opportunistic owner of the Seven Deadlies demon club in Philadelphia enlists Morgan’s help in heading off a crisis: It seems that demons have started showing up at the hot spot in alarming numbers and in the unwilling bodies of rough trade club-goers. Morgan is sure that Dougal, Lugh’s sworn enemy, is behind this, but why? To find out, Morgan must summon every ounce of power at her command—or risk becoming just another casualty in an all-out demon war.
This is the fifth, and last book, in the Morgan Kingsley, urban fantasy series. This is a series you must read in order. Each book builds on the previous story, so you would be pretty lost if you started the series here.
If you’re not familiar with this series, which is set in Philadelphia, demons exist and possess people to walk the Mortal Plain. By human law, demons are only allowed to possess willing humans. If that demon is found to possess someone against their will or injure a human in an act of violence of any kind, they are exorcised (which humans believe kill the demon, but actually, only being burned alive in a human can kill them. Exorcism just sends them back to the Demon Plain). Morgan is one of those exorcists. She comes in when the government orders an exorcism. If she performs an exorcism without a court order, she would be up for murder.
Throughout the series, Morgan, who has never been a fan of demons, finds herself working with demons as she tries to protect Lugh, the demon king trapped on the Mortal Plain. Lugh’s brother Dugal wants to take over the throne. Morgan finds herself with many death threats throughout the series. We see how she struggles with many different things, from her relationship with her boyfriend, Brian to dealing with her estranged family.
This has been a really fun series with action, adventure, drama, and romance. I love the characters in this story. They are widely diverse in the personalities. Ms. Black really kept me on my toes with these characters. You never really knew what what going to happen next.
Now, I know I didn’t say much about The Devil’s Playground in particular. That is because I can’t say much without spoiling the entire series for you. I’ll just say that this book does wrap up the series really well, though the first time I read the series, I really hoped we would get more. If you’re looking for a gritty urban fantasy series, this is a good one. And, with only five books, it is one you can get through fairly quickly (when compared to some of those double digit series out there. I know those can be daunting, even though I love them too.)
About Jenna Glass
Jenna Glass (Jenna Black) is your typical writer. Which means she’s an “experience junkie.” She got her BA in physical anthropology and French from Duke University.
Once upon a time, she dreamed she would be the next Jane Goodall, camping in the bush making fabulous discoveries about primate behavior. Then, during her senior year at Duke, she did some actual research in the field and made this shocking discovery: primates spend something like 80% of their time doing such exciting things as sleeping and eating.
Concluding that this discovery was her life’s work in the field of primatology, she then moved on to such varied pastimes as grooming dogs and writing technical documentation. She writes paranormal romance for Tor and urban fantasy for Bantam Dell.
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I started listening to audiobooks when a new book in a series was coming out and I wanted to get a refresher, but didn’t have time to read all the books (I think it was Anita Blake). I fell in love. I stayed with strictly re-reading books that I’d already read for a long time. I eventually tried an audiobook for something that I hadn’t read first and was hooked there too. Now, I listen to audio for both re-reads and first time. I have some series that I’ve given up reading and only listen. I try to get any many books/audiobooks from the library to help save on my budget. Books on CD and the newer digital downloads from the library really allow me to listen more. I then purchase my favorites (because who can wait in line for your favorite book??) and less mainstream books from Audible or some other online retailer.
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I did read this series years ago but I remember enjoying it.
This was my second time through it and I enjoyed it as much as the first time. 🙂
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I have every intention of reading this series as I enjoy this author. Someday. The list is very long of things I really, really want to read.
I’ve enjoyed everything written by Jenna Black, including her YA, which I don’t read a lot of.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
One of these days I’m going to pick up this series. My SIL just read a YA horror fantasy from her and loved it.
I really enjoyed that series too. I don’t read a lot of YA, but I do like her stuff.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
This is another series I keep meaning to get to!
I have some of those too. 🙂
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
This sounds like the perfect end to the series Melanie! I do love a good UF series, and to enjoy the ending of a longish series is fabulous. Great review girl!
I was a great ending to a series. I really enjoyed my time with these characters.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart