Rating: 
Summary: A good read, but could have been a lot better
Review: Lee's novel has as its premise that Hell is a city--sort of an evil twin of New York. When you're damned, you become an eternal resident, keeping your human body until it is somehow destroyed, and then being reincarnated as some much less attractive post-life form. The aesthetic sensibilites are strictly Goth, so if you're a member of the club the main characters are pretty likeable, and the local color is great. But those who look for good writing are going to be sorry. Lee is a talented guy, but this is a sloppy book with some embarrassing mistakes. It's rife with malaprops (one example of many is "grueling" used when "gruesome" is correct)and unfortunate typos ("world" for "word"), that can pull some readers (like me) right out of the story because they're so annoying. The plot isn't convincing, but it's clearly incidental to the author's purpose--this novel is all about character and atmosphere, heavy on the gore and aiming for a high gross-out rating. If you have a strong stomach it's a good choice for very light vacation reading, or an evening's read when there's nothing more interesting around.
Rating: 
Summary: What a great horror novel!
Review: I was one of those who read the negative reviews and bought the book with trepidation, but once I opened it up, I couldn't stop reading it until it was finished. Let's just say that I devoured this book during one very long night and it stayed with me long after. Leisure Books brings out tons of really great books, but occasionally there's one that stands out amongst all of them. City Infernal is that book.As a semi-aging goth, I identified with the main character Cassie who is very confused and lost after contributing to an event that sent her twin sister over the edge and caused her to commit suicide. Cassie and her father move to a small rural southern town and from there the story gets going. Its at this house that she meets up with a ragtag group of teenagers who guide her into hell itself to find her sister. From this point, I won't give anything else away just to say that hell is a very colorful and incredibly imagined city. Mr. Lee took a interesting concept and turned it into a strange and frightening city of the dead. There are all manner of demons here and hellish traps not to mention an odd plot twist with warring demons and a plot to overthrow Lucifer's grip on the city. This book is exceptional and there are funny parts too. Cassie's trip to the local redneck store was really funny, not to mention her friendship with a one-armed redneck. All in all, a great book and one I highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: A page turning good time.
Review: I seen this book at a local bookstore of mine and the premise caught my interest. I said to myself why not and bought it. I was'nt expecting much but, I was plesently shocked. It is one of the better horror novels I have read. It is full of action and gore but, it has more than just that. Cassie the books main charater is well developed, and you really become attached to her as the book goes along. It also gives most people's view of Hell a modern upgrade. It is a booming metropolis with skysprapers, parks, nightclubs, apartments builings etc. It is a well thought out book. This is the first Edward Lee book I have read but it wont be the last.
Rating:
Summary: Touring Hell
Review: I have heard a lot of great things about Edward Lee, so I couldn't wait to read one of his books. Finally I got "City Infernal". It was reminicent of Clive Barker's earlier stuff like "The Damnation Game". "City Infernal" is a horror fantasy novel about a young goth chic named Cassie. Her twin sister, Lissa (I did spell that right), commited a murder/suicide right in front of Cassie a couple of years ago. Now, Cassie has the chance to go into Hell to look for her. Hell itself is a brilliently imagined cityscape that is like a nightmare version of New York, Amsterdam, and other famous cities put together. Cassie finds out she is an Etheress, a living woman in just special enough circumstances to have magical powers in Hell. (I had a big problem with Cassie's just right circumstances; it feels like Lee made it up just for Cassie's situation.) Along the way she makes friends with Xeke, Via, and Hush, all suicides who can travel between Hell and Earth. They are Cassie's guide through Hell, which is filled with hidious monsters of Lovecraftian quility. I liked this book a lot. It is extreamly gory (though I'm told that Lee's earlier, non-commercial books are much more graphic) and the torture and violence is pretty intense. Lee is having a lot of fun with his geography, he has places like Iscariot Ave., River Styx, and many other occult references (including many Ceasers). Cassie is an ok hero, even though she hasn't accomplished her goal at the end of the book. Her side kicks are amusing and informitive. But where the book really gets it's kicks is in the demons and monsters. My favorite is Lilith, an incubus who slips onto Earth and nearly kills Cassie's father (that sequence was very unsettleing). The second half of the book (dealing with a waring faction of arch-angels rebelling against Satan, luckily it only the last forty pages or so) is no where near as good as the first half (basicly a guided tour through Hell). "City Infernal" is interesting for anyone looking for basicly Dante's Inferno light.
Rating:
Summary: City Infernal
Review: The latest novel from writer Edward Lee proves itself to be well worth your time, with characters you genuinely care about, and a fantastic climax, which leaves you wanting more.
This book is a great example of an original concept executed perfectly. The question asked is, "If human civilization has evolved over the years, would Hell have as well?" Lee provides a thoughtful answer, doing the initial question justice. The main character, a Goth girl named Cassie, is still haunted by her sister's suicide, and the subsequent results. After seeing his daughter attempt suicide twice, despite counseling, Cassie's father decides that a change of scenery is the best thing for her. While exploring her new house in the countryside, Cassie discovers three teenagers living upstairs. After talking with them, they reveal to Cassie that they are from Hell, and that according to history, Cassie is a powerful being, what they call an Etheress. Cassie is asked to accompany them to Hell, and at first she refuses. But when she realizes that this will give her a chance to finally say goodbye to her sister, Cassie agrees. From here, the novel begins to pick up steam, all the way trhough to the action-filled climax. Lee has managed to create a horrific vision of Hell, unlike anything else ever written. He has taken great pains to write about this world to the smallest detail, and it shows, making the novel even more enjoyable.
This is one of the most ambitious novels I have read in quite a while. With a cast of characters you cannot help but enjoy reading about, this is one of the best novels I have read in a long time. You can't go wrong by picking this book up. Matthew Costaris
Rating:
Summary: The best book I've ever read!
Review: I will be honest, I have not read very many books straight through. Have a really hard time finding books that keep my attention, Silence of the Lambs, A Wrinkle in Time, and Hellbound Heart are about it. Well once I started reading City Infernal I almost read the whole thing in one sitting. It captures your attention and refuses to let go until the very end. I actually found its sequel Infernal Angel first, but didn't want to read it until I found City Infernal. I now consider Edward Lee a writing God. He has the ability to kidnap you, throw you into a dungeon, force you to watch the most horrorfying things, and then have you begging to see more. Clive Barker used to do that for me, but he tended to stretch the scenes and the story out so thin that I started becoming bored. Ed Lee packs all the punches and doesn't waste a single page on such filler. Get this book, get all of his books, make a shrine to Edward Lee, worship him, and pray that you can survive the horror.
Rating:
Summary: Edward Lee's Hell: a nice place to visit...
Review: Edward Lee is the one author who can grab me by the throat from page one and keep me guessing till the end. His plot twists are masterful. His characters are always life-like and believable. His wicked sense of humor rings through and makes me laugh out loud. And in City Infernal, his vision of what hell is like...man, this just blew my mind! Such creativity. Let's just say: Hell might be a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't wanna live there! At least, not in Edward Lee's Hell!! And this is one of his milder books... Ed Lee is truly an original. BUY THIS BOOK if you want intelligent, well-written horror with wit, fast-pacing, humor and a raucous sense of adventure! I've already purchased extra copies of City Infernal to give to family and friends. Yes, it's THAT good. Once you get started reading Lee, you'll wonder how you ever put up with the hum drum drivel you're used to reading. Lee spoils ya as a reader. There's not a dull moment in his novels. YOU'LL LOVE HIM! Also, check out DAHMER'S NOT DEAD, BIGHEAD and CREEKERS. You won't be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: City Infernal
Review: The latest novel from writer Edward Lee proves itself to be well worth your time, with characters you genuinely care about, and a fantastic climax, which leaves you wanting more.
This book is a great example of an original concept executed perfectly. The question asked is, "If human civilization has evolved over the years, would Hell have as well?" Lee provides a thoughtful answer, doing the initial question justice. The main character, a Goth girl named Cassie, is still haunted by her sister's suicide, and the subsequent results. After seeing his daughter attempt suicide twice, despite counseling, Cassie's father decides that a change of scenery is the best thing for her. While exploring her new house in the countryside, Cassie discovers three teenagers living upstairs. After talking with them, they reveal to Cassie that they are from Hell, and that according to history, Cassie is a powerful being, what they call an Etheress. Cassie is asked to accompany them to Hell, and at first she refuses. But when she realizes that this will give her a chance to finally say goodbye to her sister, Cassie agrees. From here, the novel begins to pick up steam, all the way trhough to the action-filled climax. Lee has managed to create a horrific vision of Hell, unlike anything else ever written. He has taken great pains to write about this world to the smallest detail, and it shows, making the novel even more enjoyable.
This is one of the most ambitious novels I have read in quite a while. With a cast of characters you cannot help but enjoy reading about, this is one of the best novels I have read in a long time. You can't go wrong by picking this book up. Matthew Costaris
Rating:
Summary: Touring Hell
Review: I have heard a lot of great things about Edward Lee, so I couldn't wait to read one of his books. Finally I got "City Infernal". It was reminicent of Clive Barker's earlier stuff like "The Damnation Game". "City Infernal" is a horror fantasy novel about a young goth chic named Cassie. Her twin sister, Lissa (I did spell that right), commited a murder/suicide right in front of Cassie a couple of years ago. Now, Cassie has the chance to go into Hell to look for her. Hell itself is a brilliently imagined cityscape that is like a nightmare version of New York, Amsterdam, and other famous cities put together. Cassie finds out she is an Etheress, a living woman in just special enough circumstances to have magical powers in Hell. (I had a big problem with Cassie's just right circumstances; it feels like Lee made it up just for Cassie's situation.) Along the way she makes friends with Xeke, Via, and Hush, all suicides who can travel between Hell and Earth. They are Cassie's guide through Hell, which is filled with hidious monsters of Lovecraftian quility. I liked this book a lot. It is extreamly gory (though I'm told that Lee's earlier, non-commercial books are much more graphic) and the torture and violence is pretty intense. Lee is having a lot of fun with his geography, he has places like Iscariot Ave., River Styx, and many other occult references (including many Ceasers). Cassie is an ok hero, even though she hasn't accomplished her goal at the end of the book. Her side kicks are amusing and informitive. But where the book really gets it's kicks is in the demons and monsters. My favorite is Lilith, an incubus who slips onto Earth and nearly kills Cassie's father (that sequence was very unsettleing). The second half of the book (dealing with a waring faction of arch-angels rebelling against Satan, luckily it only the last forty pages or so) is no where near as good as the first half (basicly a guided tour through Hell). "City Infernal" is interesting for anyone looking for basicly Dante's Inferno light.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Sequel to City Infernal
Review: Infernal Angel is a quick and enjoyable read set once again in the world of the Mephistopolis, the city of Hell. Edward Lee holds back a little on his regular helping of extreme gore, but peppers the story with enough digusting elements to satisfy his fan base and attract new fans. The clues of the main storyline come together very nicely at the end. It's a fascinating plot that has a big payoff and if you enjoyed City Infernal, you'll eat this book up quick. I heard a rumor that Lee has outlined a third book in the series. If that's true, and you would like to read it, simply write an email to Don D'Auria (the editor of Leisure's horror line) at Dorchester Publishing and let him know to greenlight the book.
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