The book begins with long-time torturer of Hell Phenex taking a chance
upon a rogue portal and ending up stranded in New York City with very
realistic culture shock. Fate has assigned her exactly one ally, a being
equally between realms as she is, and a redemption contract that she'd
best fulfill or else.
The ally, Smoke, prefers living as a stray tomcat to either Hell or Heaven. Phenex, or as she renames herself, Phoebe,
discovers
a long-buried joy in aiding animals serves her well. Her task is to
stop a rogue Djinn from gorging on too many human lottery winners with
the help of a Night Hag she met Down Below... all before she figures out
how to learn to read.
The only hiccup I encountered in
believing this unfolding tale was how quickly our heroine figures out
the telling of time. Otherwise I was very easily entranced by this spin
on the supernatural realms, and look forward to finding out what's
making the portals, why Lucifer is MIA Down There, and whether Phoebe
and Smoke can do all seven of her Redemption Tasks while also becoming a
full-fledged Veterinarian's assistant. That is, if she quits nearly
dying prematurely. Fine start to a series.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3564604987
https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Running-Devil-Book-1-ebook/dp/B07XDC8LVF/
Although it is not marketed as a YA, I am designating it as one because it is not at all romantic or even sexual in content, and it has plenty of puppies.
