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The First and Last Demon: A Sapphic Fantasy Romance
Meet a once-renowned human warrior, trapped in an abandoned city with a demon who hates her. A demon who woke her from a fifty-year magical slumber specifically for the sake of tormenting her.
The demon’s Vesper. She and Char go a long, long way back. They used to be partners on the battlefield. National heroes. An unbeatable team bonded by magic. That bond was supposed to last for the rest of their lives.
Now Char’s memory is full of holes. The sealed city is full of hostile magical beasts. And Vesper, with her sharp teeth and unpredictable moods, is the most vicious of them all. As an ageless demon, she’s fully prepared to keep holding Char captive forever.
Char struggles to unravel the mystery of why they've ended up pitted against each other, locked in a private war that seems certain to end with one or both of them dead. Does Vesper’s senseless cruelty stem from simple demonic bloodlust? From years of suppressed loathing? What else could have driven her past the breaking point—compelled her to suddenly snap and betray her own bondmate?
To uncover the truth, Char will have to face her demon as she would any other deadly as an enemy of humanity, the most formidable and vindictive foe she's ever encountered.
The First and Last Demon is a dark f/f enemies to lovers story with a heavy emphasis on the enmity—but an indelible slow-burning love at its core. Although it's set in the same contemporary fantasy world as the Clem & Wist series, this novel can be fully enjoyed as a standalone tale.
The demon’s Vesper. She and Char go a long, long way back. They used to be partners on the battlefield. National heroes. An unbeatable team bonded by magic. That bond was supposed to last for the rest of their lives.
Now Char’s memory is full of holes. The sealed city is full of hostile magical beasts. And Vesper, with her sharp teeth and unpredictable moods, is the most vicious of them all. As an ageless demon, she’s fully prepared to keep holding Char captive forever.
Char struggles to unravel the mystery of why they've ended up pitted against each other, locked in a private war that seems certain to end with one or both of them dead. Does Vesper’s senseless cruelty stem from simple demonic bloodlust? From years of suppressed loathing? What else could have driven her past the breaking point—compelled her to suddenly snap and betray her own bondmate?
To uncover the truth, Char will have to face her demon as she would any other deadly as an enemy of humanity, the most formidable and vindictive foe she's ever encountered.
The First and Last Demon is a dark f/f enemies to lovers story with a heavy emphasis on the enmity—but an indelible slow-burning love at its core. Although it's set in the same contemporary fantasy world as the Clem & Wist series, this novel can be fully enjoyed as a standalone tale.
388 pages, Hardcover
Published March 31, 2023
About the author
Hiyodori
11 books331 followersHiyodori is not a bird. But she is dearly fond of her namesake, a plain-looking brown-gray bird that likes to perch near her Tokyo apartment and unleash the most incredible primal screams. Hiyodori (the human author) loves stories with fantastical settings and complicated, difficult-to-define relationships. All of her books—including Amity in the House of Her Enemy, her latest standalone novel—take place in the same shared fantasy universe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
May 10, 2023
One of the best fiction books I have ever read, and the first I've found that truly scratches the same kind of itch as Gideon the Ninth and the rest of the Locked Tomb series.
Exquisite from beginning to end, the characters are amazing, and the worldbuilding is incredible, thoroughly unique, and frequently very funny even while being grim and gothic.
Exquisite from beginning to end, the characters are amazing, and the worldbuilding is incredible, thoroughly unique, and frequently very funny even while being grim and gothic.
January 12, 2024
I give myself as tribute to be a gate in which Hiyodori can pull any book through.
March 25, 2023
“Hi,” said the copy. “You called me.”
I discovered this book by searching the word sapphic in kindle. It wasn’t entirely what I was looking for, but it was still a wild ride I enjoyed nonetheless! I have not read Hiyodori’s work previously or been introduced to her fantastical literary world. As a fresh reader, needless to say, I was completely confused for most of it. I’m not sure if the worldbuilding would have been understood easier if I read her other works first, or if everyone felt like they were putting together a puzzle piece by piece with every page that they read.
Because of this though, every page captured my attention and consumed my daily thoughts.
The reason I would not give it 5 stars is because I expected to experience more “romance” – especially with it being labelled as thus in the title. Most of the romance was not until the end of the book. We did get crumbs here and there and I realize teasing and bullying can be another form of endearment, but it was still not entirely what I was looking to read. That being said, I still am happy to have read this story and did enjoy this journey in Jace!
March 28, 2024
3.5 stars
I'm incredibly picky when it comes to what I like in a sapphic romance, but this was wonderful. I'm definitely going to go through Hiyodori's backlist at some point this year. The only reason this story gets three stars instead of four is because it was very slow in some places, and the world building was so well developed I felt it could have been used to further the plot a lot more.
This is a very introspective, leisurely paced fantasy novel with some very dark undertones. Honestly, the entire time I was reading this book I kept thinking it would make such a good studio ghibli movie. Very character focused and very magic based. It definitely had Howl's Moving Castle/Spirited Away vibes but with the added darkness of Princess Mononoke.
TW: cannibalism, graphic murder and torture, violence
I'm incredibly picky when it comes to what I like in a sapphic romance, but this was wonderful. I'm definitely going to go through Hiyodori's backlist at some point this year. The only reason this story gets three stars instead of four is because it was very slow in some places, and the world building was so well developed I felt it could have been used to further the plot a lot more.
This is a very introspective, leisurely paced fantasy novel with some very dark undertones. Honestly, the entire time I was reading this book I kept thinking it would make such a good studio ghibli movie. Very character focused and very magic based. It definitely had Howl's Moving Castle/Spirited Away vibes but with the added darkness of Princess Mononoke.
TW: cannibalism, graphic murder and torture, violence
October 9, 2023
this author seems to really enjoy writing the most unique non-conventional romances i’ve found so far and i am absolutely obsessed. every new page or new scene in this books leaves u with so many questions u want answers for yet every answer you get to a question is gonna make u want to ask 3 more questions. never in an annoying way though especially with the final reveal being so very satisfying.
also 10/10 for the scifi/fantasy world building
also 10/10 for the scifi/fantasy world building
June 28, 2024
The First and Last Demon is (a lot) darker than Hiyodori's main Clem&Wist series but it still features the Hiyodori classics that are sadomasochist lesbians, butches, devastating plot twists and someone losing a body part.
While Hiyodori's style is perfect for Clematis, I did find Demon harder to get into due to Char's less compelling nature: here it's Vesper who does the charming heavy lifting. Char is a relative emotionless POV (turns out it is extremely story relevant and I'm glad I caught that) but that makes it harder for her to have a dynamic voice in the story and as a character. Isn't that the whole thesis? That Char is plagued with memory loss and (spoilers) which makes it impossible for her to be herself and know who she is? But I find that Hiyodori's prose doesn't fully work with this. However, Hiyodori is still a master at crafting compelling dialogues that never feel cringy while packing angst and layers of complex dynamics.
The First and Last Demon is darker than the other stories set in the Osmanthus&Jacian universe and by darker I mean that the protagonists will physically hurt each other, over and over again, including killing each other because they cannot die. While it's marketed as enemies to lovers, they're never truly enemies, they never even truly hate each other because Char seems incapable of hatred and Vesper never seems to actually hate Char just taking out whatever complex emotions she's feeling on her in the goal of something.
I'm not sure how I feel about the presence of a certain two characters, I'm especially wondering how readers with no prior knowledge of the lore did follow their role and power. Like we say here, they did appear a bit like a hair falling on the soup. It also spoils their future plotline? (BB is a good thing because it's a solution to her main inner conflict but I don't like the fact that I'm hearing about this here first instead of the main series)
While Hiyodori's style is perfect for Clematis, I did find Demon harder to get into due to Char's less compelling nature: here it's Vesper who does the charming heavy lifting. Char is a relative emotionless POV (turns out it is extremely story relevant and I'm glad I caught that) but that makes it harder for her to have a dynamic voice in the story and as a character. Isn't that the whole thesis? That Char is plagued with memory loss and (spoilers) which makes it impossible for her to be herself and know who she is? But I find that Hiyodori's prose doesn't fully work with this. However, Hiyodori is still a master at crafting compelling dialogues that never feel cringy while packing angst and layers of complex dynamics.
The First and Last Demon is darker than the other stories set in the Osmanthus&Jacian universe and by darker I mean that the protagonists will physically hurt each other, over and over again, including killing each other because they cannot die. While it's marketed as enemies to lovers, they're never truly enemies, they never even truly hate each other because Char seems incapable of hatred and Vesper never seems to actually hate Char just taking out whatever complex emotions she's feeling on her in the goal of something.
I'm not sure how I feel about the presence of a certain two characters, I'm especially wondering how readers with no prior knowledge of the lore did follow their role and power. Like we say here, they did appear a bit like a hair falling on the soup. It also spoils their future plotline? (BB is a good thing because it's a solution to her main inner conflict but I don't like the fact that I'm hearing about this here first instead of the main series)
September 21, 2024
This honestly was pretty disappointing. It states it’s a sapphic romance. How? Where is there any actual romance? There’s abuse and torture and more abuse, but I never saw one scrap of romance until out of nowhere in the last 20 pages. The redeeming factor was the world is interesting. Otherwise, I very bored and felt misled.
October 20, 2024
3.75 stars, I really liked this, and loved the premise, but a part of me wishes it had delivered better on what the blurb promised.
Char wakes up from a 50-year stasis sleep, ready to achieve the same mission she's been tasked with for centuries: protect her country. But after millennia of existence, and actually living 25-ish years of that time dedicated to defending her nation, her memories start to erode. She is the Host to a demon, Vesper, who has always been her ally. She woke up in a city she sealed off and by doing so she'd doomed its inhabitants to death. Then why is Vesper hell-bent on killing her now? As long as Vesper lives, her death is only temporary, but the demon had never been gratuitously violent towards Char. What has she forgotten to make her one companion turn against her, to become the demon's captive in the deserted city?
I really liked the concept of an eternal Hero that is put to sleep until the "country needs her", and her demon bondmate. The friends to enemies to lovers was interesting, and they were actually at each others' throat. The big reveal was also satisfying.
I have two things I didn't like:
1. Even if the author says this can be read as a standalone, I started reading the book 33% before I felt like I was missing a big part of the context, especially the lore and worldbuilding. Reading the author's other books took care of that, but I didn't like how reliant on the other books' lore this one was. Yeah, you can understand without all the information and background, but it's so much more complicated to get into and follow what's happening.
2. Directly tied to the first point, and I am probably the only person in the review section who feels that way, but I didn't like how big of a role Clem & Wist played? Again, this is supposed to work as a standalone but 2 out of the 4 characters are the main characters of the author's main series. I would have preferred if this book focused more on Vesper and Char and their confrontation. I do like Clem and Wist, but I am not sure I wanted to see them as much as they appeared here.
Anyway, I still really liked it and I am in love with the concept of the story. It just didn't deliver exactly what I wanted, but it's fine.
Char wakes up from a 50-year stasis sleep, ready to achieve the same mission she's been tasked with for centuries: protect her country. But after millennia of existence, and actually living 25-ish years of that time dedicated to defending her nation, her memories start to erode. She is the Host to a demon, Vesper, who has always been her ally. She woke up in a city she sealed off and by doing so she'd doomed its inhabitants to death. Then why is Vesper hell-bent on killing her now? As long as Vesper lives, her death is only temporary, but the demon had never been gratuitously violent towards Char. What has she forgotten to make her one companion turn against her, to become the demon's captive in the deserted city?
I really liked the concept of an eternal Hero that is put to sleep until the "country needs her", and her demon bondmate. The friends to enemies to lovers was interesting, and they were actually at each others' throat. The big reveal was also satisfying.
I have two things I didn't like:
1. Even if the author says this can be read as a standalone, I started reading the book 33% before I felt like I was missing a big part of the context, especially the lore and worldbuilding. Reading the author's other books took care of that, but I didn't like how reliant on the other books' lore this one was. Yeah, you can understand without all the information and background, but it's so much more complicated to get into and follow what's happening.
2. Directly tied to the first point, and I am probably the only person in the review section who feels that way, but I didn't like how big of a role Clem & Wist played? Again, this is supposed to work as a standalone but 2 out of the 4 characters are the main characters of the author's main series. I would have preferred if this book focused more on Vesper and Char and their confrontation. I do like Clem and Wist, but I am not sure I wanted to see them as much as they appeared here.
Anyway, I still really liked it and I am in love with the concept of the story. It just didn't deliver exactly what I wanted, but it's fine.
November 25, 2024
Honestly this was kind of mid idk. I wish I would have liked it more, but it just moved way too slow. Also, almost every single chapter felt like the main character was repeating the same thing and concept over again. I wanted to enjoy it, but sadly did not:(
Want to Read
March 6, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBO9 contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
The great city’s ancient protector and her demon are once again woken from their magical sleep, but the city is lifeless and in ruins. So who woke them?
This is a wonderfully focused beginning, introducing its principle characters who become more interesting by the page - the stern, dutiful, knightly hero and the irreverent, dangerous, floating, succubine demon she is tied to.
The fractured memory of the MC slowly returns in her waking, letting the narration slowly fill in the gaps, but our MC has been asleep a long time and much has changed. She can’t fill in all the gaps herself, and some things she always forgets, to the frustration of her demon.
The scale of the fantasy elements feels large here. The existence of our MC - it’s hard to call it a life - is otherworldly. Sleeping for sometimes centuries before waking to defend the city and its people. A tool of war, put away again when she is done.
She is more a host for her demon than a person. But now, for the first time, things are different. The reader is treated to descriptions, precise and strange, of the ruined city, smashed and overgrown in places, with weird waters flowing through it.
The mystery of this opening is deeply inviting. The dialogue is strong. The story is immediate. This feels like a story only fantasy could deliver. It isn’t pulling any punches.
The promise of sapphic fantasy romance, coupled with our dangerous demon, unique setting, bizarre circumstances, and strong if somewhat blank MC has be eagerly looking forward to the next pages. I’m thrilled. I’m in!
The great city’s ancient protector and her demon are once again woken from their magical sleep, but the city is lifeless and in ruins. So who woke them?
This is a wonderfully focused beginning, introducing its principle characters who become more interesting by the page - the stern, dutiful, knightly hero and the irreverent, dangerous, floating, succubine demon she is tied to.
The fractured memory of the MC slowly returns in her waking, letting the narration slowly fill in the gaps, but our MC has been asleep a long time and much has changed. She can’t fill in all the gaps herself, and some things she always forgets, to the frustration of her demon.
The scale of the fantasy elements feels large here. The existence of our MC - it’s hard to call it a life - is otherworldly. Sleeping for sometimes centuries before waking to defend the city and its people. A tool of war, put away again when she is done.
She is more a host for her demon than a person. But now, for the first time, things are different. The reader is treated to descriptions, precise and strange, of the ruined city, smashed and overgrown in places, with weird waters flowing through it.
The mystery of this opening is deeply inviting. The dialogue is strong. The story is immediate. This feels like a story only fantasy could deliver. It isn’t pulling any punches.
The promise of sapphic fantasy romance, coupled with our dangerous demon, unique setting, bizarre circumstances, and strong if somewhat blank MC has be eagerly looking forward to the next pages. I’m thrilled. I’m in!
April 29, 2026
Im not sure how to rate this book.
Plot: I found the plot both romantic and other dragged a little. Most likely because of the writing style was contemplative and not rushed.
Characters: I loved Vesper. She was spicy, saucy, and had this mysterious anguish/longing. Char was a bit harder to love as her emotion weren’t as volatile and she was hard to understand, however that turned around at the end.
Setting: loved it. Like a mix of Neir Automatica and everyone is dead dystopian. The magic system was interesting as well.
Overall: mixed feelings, im going to give this book the time test before deciding on weather i keep my copy or not
Plot: I found the plot both romantic and other dragged a little. Most likely because of the writing style was contemplative and not rushed.
Characters: I loved Vesper. She was spicy, saucy, and had this mysterious anguish/longing. Char was a bit harder to love as her emotion weren’t as volatile and she was hard to understand, however that turned around at the end.
Setting: loved it. Like a mix of Neir Automatica and everyone is dead dystopian. The magic system was interesting as well.
Overall: mixed feelings, im going to give this book the time test before deciding on weather i keep my copy or not
November 5, 2025
Holy shit did I love that
I’ll admit it was a teeny bit repetitive to start but the writing style is up my alley. Also what in the plot twist??? Who would’ve thunk it? Not me. I wasn’t thinking it.
Thoroughly satisfied, will absolutely read more from the author.
I’ll admit it was a teeny bit repetitive to start but the writing style is up my alley. Also what in the plot twist??? Who would’ve thunk it? Not me. I wasn’t thinking it.
Thoroughly satisfied, will absolutely read more from the author.
September 5, 2025
Dark fantasy with a romance subplot about a woman trapped in a dead city with the demon she’s bonded to. Man, the worldbuilding and magic system in this book were intensely interesting and I loved learning about the MC’s backstory. It really highlights the cost of war, the violent lengths a country will go to for advances in technology and weaponry, and the way individual lives can be treated as nothing more than meat destined for the grinder. I wouldn’t exactly say it’s an enemies to lovers story (it’s more complicated than that) but there’s definitely enmity and violence between the MCs so it scratches the same itch. The story has layers of mystery that have both the MC and the reader guessing what’s real, in that sense it reminded me a bit of Tamsyn Muir’s Locked Tomb series. This was going to be a 5 star read but the ending was a bit of a letdown for me, I wasn’t moved by the romance since it feels heavily skewed on one-side given that the MC is an amnesiac. I’m definitely going to be checking out more books by this author!
May 29, 2024
Well that was depressing
I expected more romance but I guess sapphic writers only know how to write pain and suffering lmaoo
It felt like watching 16 episode of a post-apocalyptic sad and grungy anime, execpt it actually ends on a positive note
Story is really good tho, but no feet kicking, only heart breaking until the end lol
Asa is a lot of fun, but Wist could have been a walking magic wall and the story would be the same.
3.5/5⭐️, good book but the positive ending doesn't erase the depression I felt while reading the body of the book
_____
This is funny, I don't think I had such a good time reading it (not a bad time either, it was just rly... sad?), but the more I think about it, the more I like it. How does this work?! Maybe that's just proof of a well written story. Very painful and yet beautiful. Glad both characters got a happy ending, they deserve it.
I expected more romance but I guess sapphic writers only know how to write pain and suffering lmaoo
It felt like watching 16 episode of a post-apocalyptic sad and grungy anime, execpt it actually ends on a positive note
Story is really good tho, but no feet kicking, only heart breaking until the end lol
Asa is a lot of fun, but Wist could have been a walking magic wall and the story would be the same.
3.5/5⭐️, good book but the positive ending doesn't erase the depression I felt while reading the body of the book
_____
This is funny, I don't think I had such a good time reading it (not a bad time either, it was just rly... sad?), but the more I think about it, the more I like it. How does this work?! Maybe that's just proof of a well written story. Very painful and yet beautiful. Glad both characters got a happy ending, they deserve it.
March 23, 2023
An absolute delight. I picked it up based on the author without reading the description and was happy to see it revisited the same universe of the previous books... And even more excited to see Wist and Clem again! This one starts a bit violent but is intriguing and mysterious and clever and a little romantic too, eventually. Loved it!
June 8, 2024
Took me a bit to get into it because I felt kind of unmoored from the world. But the connection just hadn’t been made yet. Tbh this book drove me insane. However, I’m also in love with Vesper.
This book and I are Char and Vesper. Makes me want to beat the absolute shit out of it. Have I sold it to you?
This book and I are Char and Vesper. Makes me want to beat the absolute shit out of it. Have I sold it to you?
January 21, 2026
Toxic yuri: desmemoriado edition
(Tres y media, pongo cuatro porque el mundo está muy bien construido)
Los primeros tres cuartos de esta novela son muy buenos. Hay una ambientación muy chula, los cuatro personajes que aparecen son interesantes y tienen buenas dinámicas, y el mundo se siente muy vivido sin necesidad de dedicarse al lore por páginas y páginas.
Ah, y los momentos algo más crueles a nivel físico y psicológico...me encantan.
Sin embargo, todo se siente un poco acelerado, como queriendo avanzar demasiado rápido hacia un evento particular, que resulta ser un giro de guión que, aunque me ha gustado y no era lo más predecible del mundo, es asumido por los personajes con una naturalidad casi automática y hace que la obra tome en su trayecto final un tono feel good que no termina de casar con lo leído hasta entonces (y que, a mí personalmente, me ha cortado un poco bastante el rollo).
Sí, entiendo el mensaje a transmitir y me parece muy loable y bonito, pero prefiría la obra mucho más oscura y matizada que era antes de este momento.
(Tres y media, pongo cuatro porque el mundo está muy bien construido)
Los primeros tres cuartos de esta novela son muy buenos. Hay una ambientación muy chula, los cuatro personajes que aparecen son interesantes y tienen buenas dinámicas, y el mundo se siente muy vivido sin necesidad de dedicarse al lore por páginas y páginas.
Ah, y los momentos algo más crueles a nivel físico y psicológico...me encantan.
Sin embargo, todo se siente un poco acelerado, como queriendo avanzar demasiado rápido hacia un evento particular, que resulta ser un giro de guión que, aunque me ha gustado y no era lo más predecible del mundo, es asumido por los personajes con una naturalidad casi automática y hace que la obra tome en su trayecto final un tono feel good que no termina de casar con lo leído hasta entonces (y que, a mí personalmente, me ha cortado un poco bastante el rollo).
Sí, entiendo el mensaje a transmitir y me parece muy loable y bonito, pero prefiría la obra mucho más oscura y matizada que era antes de este momento.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2026
my first hiyodori book, and damn, what an impressive start to the clem and wist world (although this book is not about them, it's an entry into the shared universe).
messy sapphics, real enemies to lovers, and the mystery of the world they awaken to unveils slowly alongside their thorny relationship (can you tell that i love it??). the prose is straightforward and doesn't mess around, yet still conveys to me the sense of worldbuilding and the conflicting feelings vesper and char go through.
jumping to my next hiyodori book now.
messy sapphics, real enemies to lovers, and the mystery of the world they awaken to unveils slowly alongside their thorny relationship (can you tell that i love it??). the prose is straightforward and doesn't mess around, yet still conveys to me the sense of worldbuilding and the conflicting feelings vesper and char go through.
jumping to my next hiyodori book now.
September 16, 2026
4.5
For some reason I put off reading this book because I thought it would be completely different from what it was. I got it in my rainbowcrate subscription and didn't know much so I think it went over my head that it was science fantasy (kinda?). I loved it. I love me a book where the romance dynamic is complex and slow burn and they spend most of their time trying to kill each other. The worldbuilding was fantastic (magic, bondmates, mechas, vorpal beasts??? So cool) and made me want to pick up the author's other books in the same universe.
I'll say that to me the ending wrapped up a little too quickly emotionally speaking but overall this was a blast. Read if you like stabby murderous sapphic demons and genre-bending worldbuilding ☆
For some reason I put off reading this book because I thought it would be completely different from what it was. I got it in my rainbowcrate subscription and didn't know much so I think it went over my head that it was science fantasy (kinda?). I loved it. I love me a book where the romance dynamic is complex and slow burn and they spend most of their time trying to kill each other. The worldbuilding was fantastic (magic, bondmates, mechas, vorpal beasts??? So cool) and made me want to pick up the author's other books in the same universe.
I'll say that to me the ending wrapped up a little too quickly emotionally speaking but overall this was a blast. Read if you like stabby murderous sapphic demons and genre-bending worldbuilding ☆
August 11, 2024
Less a review, and more some disjointed thoughts:
-The story more or less ends up becoming another Clem and Wist story (the author's main series), with the "main characters" really just being the subjects of Clem and Wist's newest "case", seen from the subject's POV, rather than Clem and Wist's.
I didn't know about this other series until after I read this book, but even during this book, when Clem and Wist showed up, I was immediate struck by "These characters really seem like Original Characters that the author has been writing about for a long time; the story is kind of bending over backwards to show us how cool and interesting these supposed side-characters are.".
-The story is vaguely written like a Detective/mystery story, with steady reveals of info, and characters pointing out that previous clues hinted at these reveals. But, if you were to actually engage with this like a Mystery, then you might be disappointed a bit: the setting and situation the characters are in lends itself to a sort of "anything goes" mood. Rules are laid out as concrete and unbreakable, and then later broken. Things that are "established fact" get revealed to be lies. So much ends up falling into question, that keeping track of what you know feels less like "keeping up with the mystery" and more like "wasting your time tracking info that will be obsolete in a few pages". There are even multiple points where the story goes out of it's way to make clear that the Magic of Demons doesn't follow any kind of clear rules, so "anything goes".
-The romance element is present, but is more implied than seen. A tell-tale moment, for me, is that Char ends up hurt, and Vesper has a bunch of body language about it. If you read into the body language, you can see that they care about each other, and don't like seeing each other hurt. But that's some of the most explicit it gets: most of the time, the explicit text-on-page leaves it very unclear if they actually have any chemistry with each other at all.
-I ended up quite liking the magic system and setting, all things considered. It's not super original or anything, but it's intriguing enough, and lends itself to interesting stories. The "Decrepit-punk" aesthetic of this particular setting was interesting too, with multiple points where it is explicitly acknowledged that, yes, all these things should have been rotted more/less than they are presented now, but it looks cool, and we have magic as an excuse, so shut up and enjoy the view.
-The story more or less ends up becoming another Clem and Wist story (the author's main series), with the "main characters" really just being the subjects of Clem and Wist's newest "case", seen from the subject's POV, rather than Clem and Wist's.
I didn't know about this other series until after I read this book, but even during this book, when Clem and Wist showed up, I was immediate struck by "These characters really seem like Original Characters that the author has been writing about for a long time; the story is kind of bending over backwards to show us how cool and interesting these supposed side-characters are.".
-The story is vaguely written like a Detective/mystery story, with steady reveals of info, and characters pointing out that previous clues hinted at these reveals. But, if you were to actually engage with this like a Mystery, then you might be disappointed a bit: the setting and situation the characters are in lends itself to a sort of "anything goes" mood. Rules are laid out as concrete and unbreakable, and then later broken. Things that are "established fact" get revealed to be lies. So much ends up falling into question, that keeping track of what you know feels less like "keeping up with the mystery" and more like "wasting your time tracking info that will be obsolete in a few pages". There are even multiple points where the story goes out of it's way to make clear that the Magic of Demons doesn't follow any kind of clear rules, so "anything goes".
-The romance element is present, but is more implied than seen. A tell-tale moment, for me, is that Char ends up hurt, and Vesper has a bunch of body language about it. If you read into the body language, you can see that they care about each other, and don't like seeing each other hurt. But that's some of the most explicit it gets: most of the time, the explicit text-on-page leaves it very unclear if they actually have any chemistry with each other at all.
-I ended up quite liking the magic system and setting, all things considered. It's not super original or anything, but it's intriguing enough, and lends itself to interesting stories. The "Decrepit-punk" aesthetic of this particular setting was interesting too, with multiple points where it is explicitly acknowledged that, yes, all these things should have been rotted more/less than they are presented now, but it looks cool, and we have magic as an excuse, so shut up and enjoy the view.
December 24, 2025
The First and Last Demon was the second Hiyodori book I read, having assumed it was again a stand alone story separate from her main series. This book actually convinced me to finally read the main series because I'd been thoroughly tricked into loving the two side characters who popped up to help Char through the awful process of piecing together why her demon, bonded to her through life and death, would be so ardently trying to murder her. Char is not a saint, (those are something wildly different) and she's done a lot in her 1000 years of life but in all those years, she's never been an enemy of Vesper. Vesper herself is very unwilling to explain exactly why she's trying her hardest to make Char hate her, and it takes almost the entire book before I learn her reason for it. Vesper doesn't want to be forgotten, and Char's trapped in a cycle of having her life and memories smudged every time she gets woken from her stasis for another bout of saving the nation of Jace, the very nation that mutilated her as a child.
Char knows who she needs to be, and while there's only so much she manages to remember, she is able to remember enough of her time with Vesper to realize she's ready to let it all go, she's willing to drop the mantle of hero, and be simply Char, an ex-soldier with no family or friends to rely on if it means letting Vesper free. Char believes Vesper is tired, and she is, but not of being the only demon of Jace. In the end, with a lot of help from our favorite ex-con and her mage, we get to learn Vesper's motive. Hiyodori handles the terror of immortality versus mortality exquisitely, what would you do to make sure the one person you loved remembered you in the short life they had left? Thankfully the story doesn't end in tragedy, something Hiyodori has never done. The twist gets me every time, and title is a perfect inside joke. Char and Vesper get their own version of a happy ending, and this book remains one I reread at least twice a year.
Char knows who she needs to be, and while there's only so much she manages to remember, she is able to remember enough of her time with Vesper to realize she's ready to let it all go, she's willing to drop the mantle of hero, and be simply Char, an ex-soldier with no family or friends to rely on if it means letting Vesper free. Char believes Vesper is tired, and she is, but not of being the only demon of Jace. In the end, with a lot of help from our favorite ex-con and her mage, we get to learn Vesper's motive. Hiyodori handles the terror of immortality versus mortality exquisitely, what would you do to make sure the one person you loved remembered you in the short life they had left? Thankfully the story doesn't end in tragedy, something Hiyodori has never done. The twist gets me every time, and title is a perfect inside joke. Char and Vesper get their own version of a happy ending, and this book remains one I reread at least twice a year.
March 20, 2023
A strange and thrilling fantasy world
Where Clem and Wist play an important role in this story of a city magically sealed by a an out-of-control military device to stave off the cataclysm of an immense vorpal hole pouring interdimensional beings into the human world. But the MCs this time are from a rival island-nation traditionally in conflict with Osmanthus, and the opposite of a mageocracy. In the Jacian archipelago, mages are treated as a natural resource, their power brutally harvested with no regard for its human bearers. The great magically powered war-machine that protects the Jacians over a thousand-year span is piloted by Char, a human immortally bonded to Vesper, a demon summoned from the vorpal plane. Their story is told by Char, who is kept in unaging "hibernation" during the very long periods of time when her piloting skills are not needed. In this latest awakening Char and Vesper are not summoned into action by a national emergency. Instead, they are primed to learn shocking truths about one another once Clem and Wist reveal themselves as on a magical diplomatic mission to the sealed-off city, in support of the Jacian nation. I loved the story, even though it lacks the psychological density of the three Clem and Wist novels. Hiyodori has an uncanny descriptive gift, and her conflicted MCs are always compelling. It's also a pleasure to see Clem and Wist working as a team.
Where Clem and Wist play an important role in this story of a city magically sealed by a an out-of-control military device to stave off the cataclysm of an immense vorpal hole pouring interdimensional beings into the human world. But the MCs this time are from a rival island-nation traditionally in conflict with Osmanthus, and the opposite of a mageocracy. In the Jacian archipelago, mages are treated as a natural resource, their power brutally harvested with no regard for its human bearers. The great magically powered war-machine that protects the Jacians over a thousand-year span is piloted by Char, a human immortally bonded to Vesper, a demon summoned from the vorpal plane. Their story is told by Char, who is kept in unaging "hibernation" during the very long periods of time when her piloting skills are not needed. In this latest awakening Char and Vesper are not summoned into action by a national emergency. Instead, they are primed to learn shocking truths about one another once Clem and Wist reveal themselves as on a magical diplomatic mission to the sealed-off city, in support of the Jacian nation. I loved the story, even though it lacks the psychological density of the three Clem and Wist novels. Hiyodori has an uncanny descriptive gift, and her conflicted MCs are always compelling. It's also a pleasure to see Clem and Wist working as a team.
March 14, 2023
Well...this book did its best to ruin my life (In a good way)
I'm not kidding though, I'm not sure if these novels are just tailored to all of my deepest, truest, literary longings, or if it gets to everyone the way it does me.
Personally, I think when Hiyodori writes, it's straight up catnip. Because over the weekend, I'm telling you, I could do nothing productive until I finished reading this, and I stretched it out as long as I could. Of course.
Anywho...
First and foremost this is a standalone but it's as deeply provocative and captivating as the others Hiyodori has written. The slow burn romance that goes beyond the boundaries of physicality into the very depths of who you are as an individual? Just as potent as Clem and Wist.
I did not see the twist coming. Not even a tad little bit.
But you know who did? ASA CLEMATIS. That's right. For a Hiyodori junkie like myself, there was enough Clem and Wist (MCs from the Lowest Healer books) to satisfy me and then some.
The time period takes place after The Reverse Healer Case files, BTW.
Can not wait to read what Hiyodori puts out next. And if you like sapphic fantasy, especially if you like Anime, you should be reading this and waiting impatiently with me.
Side note to the author-I still desperately want to be a beta writer, if you happen to read this.
I'm not kidding though, I'm not sure if these novels are just tailored to all of my deepest, truest, literary longings, or if it gets to everyone the way it does me.
Personally, I think when Hiyodori writes, it's straight up catnip. Because over the weekend, I'm telling you, I could do nothing productive until I finished reading this, and I stretched it out as long as I could. Of course.
Anywho...
First and foremost this is a standalone but it's as deeply provocative and captivating as the others Hiyodori has written. The slow burn romance that goes beyond the boundaries of physicality into the very depths of who you are as an individual? Just as potent as Clem and Wist.
I did not see the twist coming. Not even a tad little bit.
But you know who did? ASA CLEMATIS. That's right. For a Hiyodori junkie like myself, there was enough Clem and Wist (MCs from the Lowest Healer books) to satisfy me and then some.
The time period takes place after The Reverse Healer Case files, BTW.
Can not wait to read what Hiyodori puts out next. And if you like sapphic fantasy, especially if you like Anime, you should be reading this and waiting impatiently with me.
Side note to the author-I still desperately want to be a beta writer, if you happen to read this.
November 21, 2023
Honestly, I feel I disrespected the author because I read this when I was in the wrong mood. I was in the mood for excitement and adventure and spice and a clear story line. I was not in a mood to fully appreciate this and unfortunately I became impatient. If I read this in a solemn mood I'd have been astounded and mesmerised by how good it is. ART. I don't even like angst, and this is very much angsty. But it's the kind of angst you feel should be hate and it's also hate but the characters are so inhuman that hate seems a waste of time and that is relieving and yet so frustrating. The plot twist was almost unbelievable and I'm entirely in awe of the character that made the leaps and bounds. Throughout I was unsure of the characters love for each other and I was so torn when the harmed each other because I still wanted them to go back to each other. I was almost begging for a cliche romance book end. I was hoping for silver and I got gold. This was an utterly painful story but God did I love it. One of the best books ever.
February 14, 2026
I want to read this again for the first time
Note: If you’re debating whether or not to read this book (just read it), and you haven’t yet read The Lowest Healer and the Highest Mage, read that first. No, it’s not required and it stands on its own, but you’ll thank me later.
Here’s the thing about Hiyodori—she’s always gonna unwrap her characters, and the plot, in delicate, ingenious layers. And the world building is always brilliant, but the mystery will keep you invested. This book is wild, because Vesper and Char are trying to physically and mentally harm each other for around 80% of this book. Yet, it was impossible for me to give up on them. I needed to know why. And when I thought I’d figured it all out, Hiyodori said, in the voice of Vesper, “you are a simple woman.” It’s so good!!! Take another note, this is dark fantasy, with dark romance, and no spice. If you’re good with that, dive in and enjoy!
Note: If you’re debating whether or not to read this book (just read it), and you haven’t yet read The Lowest Healer and the Highest Mage, read that first. No, it’s not required and it stands on its own, but you’ll thank me later.
Here’s the thing about Hiyodori—she’s always gonna unwrap her characters, and the plot, in delicate, ingenious layers. And the world building is always brilliant, but the mystery will keep you invested. This book is wild, because Vesper and Char are trying to physically and mentally harm each other for around 80% of this book. Yet, it was impossible for me to give up on them. I needed to know why. And when I thought I’d figured it all out, Hiyodori said, in the voice of Vesper, “you are a simple woman.” It’s so good!!! Take another note, this is dark fantasy, with dark romance, and no spice. If you’re good with that, dive in and enjoy!
August 4, 2023
This was my entry into Hiyodori's books, and I loved it so much I immediately read the other three!
Although there is some violence, I didn't find it that bad, and I am pretty squeamish! Perhaps tender is not the right word for it, but I loved the connection I felt between the two main characters and I also loved Wist and Clem when they showed up!
All Hiyodori's books have fraught relationships and complicated pasts, and to me the action is always enmeshed with growth and understanding by the characters. The two MCs in this one learn about themselves and each other, with a couple big plot twists along the way.
This series is going to be one that I read through over and over. Loved it massively!
Although there is some violence, I didn't find it that bad, and I am pretty squeamish! Perhaps tender is not the right word for it, but I loved the connection I felt between the two main characters and I also loved Wist and Clem when they showed up!
All Hiyodori's books have fraught relationships and complicated pasts, and to me the action is always enmeshed with growth and understanding by the characters. The two MCs in this one learn about themselves and each other, with a couple big plot twists along the way.
This series is going to be one that I read through over and over. Loved it massively!
November 22, 2024
Having never read the Clem & Wist books, I went into this world very much fresh-eyed. And it was interesting and mysterious and worth a wander. There is a bit of a similarity to the Jaeger pilot teams of Pacific Rim in how our leads are paired up, but the backstory and the current battles (mostly inter-personal) are much more like a cat toying with its prey. While the pace was a bit slow, and the characters a bit distant (to me), I was still fascinated by the story. Of bonds and breaking and what it truly means to be tired to someone ;or something) else and dependent on them for part of your survival. And how quickly you can turn on each other too (once you reach a breaking point).
August 18, 2024
Okay, wtf. This was such a good fantasy book. I'm still processing the mind fuckery that went down. A bit of angst and a slow build-up made me fall in love with this book. Also, i love reading from a point of view of a person with barely any emotions, it made me so keen to know more about Char. Anyways, Vesper's hot and there was a lot of killing and mystery that it keeps you on ur toes.
5 🌟 +++
5 🌟 +++
June 9, 2023
I don't like them as much as Clem & Wist, but it's still a pretty good story.
That said, I don't know if I'd agree with this story being standalone--seems like a lot of Clem & Wist's circumstances and abilities would feel terribly contrived if you weren't familiar with their story.
That said, I don't know if I'd agree with this story being standalone--seems like a lot of Clem & Wist's circumstances and abilities would feel terribly contrived if you weren't familiar with their story.
April 2, 2025
I didn’t think it was possible, but this story rivals This Is How You Lose… - maybe even surpasses it, thanks to No-one-can-fool-Asa-freakin-Clematis and her Wist and those brilliant final pages. I reread them multiple times, not wanting it to end.
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