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Son of the Morning
From New York Times bestselling author Akwaeke Emezi comes a steamy paranormal romance set in the Black South—a bold new foray that takes us on a journey of magic and fantasy, from the whispering creeks outside the city of Salvation to the very depths of Hell itself.
Tenderhearted Galilee was raised by the Kincaids, a formidable clan of Black women sequestered deep in the weeping willows and dark rushing creeks of their land. Galilee has always known that she’s different—that there is an old and unknowable secret around her very existence. It has been a hollow ache inside her since her childhood, something she assumes she will always have to live with.
Until she meets Lucifer Helel. He’s fronting as the head of security for her wealthy friend Oriaku’s family, protecting a mysterious, ancient artifact, but from the moment she lays eyes on him, Gali knows he’s not human. From her first incendiary touch, Lucifer knows something even Gali herself doesn’t—that she isn’t human either.
Leviathan. As Lucifer’s most trusted prince of Hell, Levi is ruthless and determined to eliminate the intolerable danger that is Galilee before she brings death and disaster to those he loves. While unseen battles rage between Hell, Heaven, and earth, Lucifer and Galilee’s attraction threatens to bring all the structures of their existence crashing down around them.
Soon, loyalties will be shattered and reformed as Kincaid secrets clash with the princes of Hell, driving even the most powerful to their knees. Galilee Kincaid must decide if she will step into herself and embrace the consequences of power in this astonishing, seductive, and wildly original fantasy.
Tenderhearted Galilee was raised by the Kincaids, a formidable clan of Black women sequestered deep in the weeping willows and dark rushing creeks of their land. Galilee has always known that she’s different—that there is an old and unknowable secret around her very existence. It has been a hollow ache inside her since her childhood, something she assumes she will always have to live with.
Until she meets Lucifer Helel. He’s fronting as the head of security for her wealthy friend Oriaku’s family, protecting a mysterious, ancient artifact, but from the moment she lays eyes on him, Gali knows he’s not human. From her first incendiary touch, Lucifer knows something even Gali herself doesn’t—that she isn’t human either.
Leviathan. As Lucifer’s most trusted prince of Hell, Levi is ruthless and determined to eliminate the intolerable danger that is Galilee before she brings death and disaster to those he loves. While unseen battles rage between Hell, Heaven, and earth, Lucifer and Galilee’s attraction threatens to bring all the structures of their existence crashing down around them.
Soon, loyalties will be shattered and reformed as Kincaid secrets clash with the princes of Hell, driving even the most powerful to their knees. Galilee Kincaid must decide if she will step into herself and embrace the consequences of power in this astonishing, seductive, and wildly original fantasy.
Unknown Binding
First published November 4, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 491 reviews
June 10, 2025
If you one-star a book before there are even arcs of it I'm going to five-star it, sorry-not-sorry.
After reading: I received an arc, it doesn't affect my opinion, blah blah.
If you don't love paranormal romance, this won't be the book to change your mind. All the cliched flaws of the genre are here on full display: a truly excessive amount of violent alpha male posturing, instalust, inexplicable true love (the whole book takes place over 24 hours, in which the characters go from strangers to soulmates), wildly flip flopping personalities, abrupt and not-satisfyingly-explained 180s of opinion, intriguing bits of world building never being elaborated on, a great deal of infodumping/telling-not-showing, etc.
But if you are a fan of paranormal romance, then I see no reason you won't enjoy yourself immensely here: a male mc who worships the ground Gali walks on, a refreshing focus on female pleasure, strong family bonds for both leads, women who don't hate each other, a sprinkling of kink. Son of the Morning even takes the time to point out and question some of the ridiculousness it depends on (Gali being disgusted with herself for wanting Lucifer despite his refusing to guarantee her safety, isn't it WEIRD how this is all so intense so fast, etc) albeit without actually resolving any of it.
And it's really nice to see a m/f romance be so unrepentantly queer. I did really like that.
It's fine? I did not enjoy it, but mostly because I don't like this genre (I thought being an Emezi fan would overcome that, mostly because I expected Emezi to subvert or improve on the genre cliches, but apparently not) which is hardly the book's fault. There's room for a sequel but it stands alone perfectly too. Pretty confident the right readers will love it.
After reading: I received an arc, it doesn't affect my opinion, blah blah.
If you don't love paranormal romance, this won't be the book to change your mind. All the cliched flaws of the genre are here on full display: a truly excessive amount of violent alpha male posturing, instalust, inexplicable true love (the whole book takes place over 24 hours, in which the characters go from strangers to soulmates), wildly flip flopping personalities, abrupt and not-satisfyingly-explained 180s of opinion, intriguing bits of world building never being elaborated on, a great deal of infodumping/telling-not-showing, etc.
But if you are a fan of paranormal romance, then I see no reason you won't enjoy yourself immensely here: a male mc who worships the ground Gali walks on, a refreshing focus on female pleasure, strong family bonds for both leads, women who don't hate each other, a sprinkling of kink. Son of the Morning even takes the time to point out and question some of the ridiculousness it depends on (Gali being disgusted with herself for wanting Lucifer despite his refusing to guarantee her safety, isn't it WEIRD how this is all so intense so fast, etc) albeit without actually resolving any of it.
And it's really nice to see a m/f romance be so unrepentantly queer. I did really like that.
It's fine? I did not enjoy it, but mostly because I don't like this genre (I thought being an Emezi fan would overcome that, mostly because I expected Emezi to subvert or improve on the genre cliches, but apparently not) which is hardly the book's fault. There's room for a sequel but it stands alone perfectly too. Pretty confident the right readers will love it.
October 16, 2025
This book was such a ride!!! ⚡ A fast-paced, steamy paranormal romance with insta-love vibes that pulled me in from the very beginning. The world building was so atmospheric and immersive 🌌 I could vividly picture everything like a movie in my head 🎬.
There’s solid LGBT rep 🏳️🌈 and a Black cast ✊🏾 which made it even cooler because it’s not often you get to see yourself reflected in fantasy. Black fantasies aren’t super prevalent, so it’s special when you can actually relate to the characters you’re reading about 💜..
The romance? Steamy and satisfying 🔥 and the twists?? Twist on twist on twist 🤯 I couldn’t put it down.
What I loved too is that it’s a standalone 🙌 perfect for breaking up all the long romantasy series we’re juggling. That said, the world is so rich I could totally see it being expanded. With the way it ended I’m hoping we get a second installment because I am INVESTED 🥵👀.
This one definitely flips religion on its head ⛪👹. It was biblically accurate in a lot of ways but layered with fantasy elements that made it so fresh and thought-provoking. If you’re a Bible thumper I’d proceed with caution 😬 someone on TikTok called it “Bible fanfic” and I’d agree lol.
There are so many subliminal messages woven throughout 💭 and if you grew up in the church ⛪ you’ll definitely catch them. It really makes you pause and think about the dynamics of heaven, hell, angels, demons, and power.
This was my first Akwaeke Emezi book and they absolutely nailed it 💜 I’m obsessed and can’t wait to dive into more of their catalog.
There’s solid LGBT rep 🏳️🌈 and a Black cast ✊🏾 which made it even cooler because it’s not often you get to see yourself reflected in fantasy. Black fantasies aren’t super prevalent, so it’s special when you can actually relate to the characters you’re reading about 💜..
The romance? Steamy and satisfying 🔥 and the twists?? Twist on twist on twist 🤯 I couldn’t put it down.
What I loved too is that it’s a standalone 🙌 perfect for breaking up all the long romantasy series we’re juggling. That said, the world is so rich I could totally see it being expanded. With the way it ended I’m hoping we get a second installment because I am INVESTED 🥵👀.
This one definitely flips religion on its head ⛪👹. It was biblically accurate in a lot of ways but layered with fantasy elements that made it so fresh and thought-provoking. If you’re a Bible thumper I’d proceed with caution 😬 someone on TikTok called it “Bible fanfic” and I’d agree lol.
There are so many subliminal messages woven throughout 💭 and if you grew up in the church ⛪ you’ll definitely catch them. It really makes you pause and think about the dynamics of heaven, hell, angels, demons, and power.
This was my first Akwaeke Emezi book and they absolutely nailed it 💜 I’m obsessed and can’t wait to dive into more of their catalog.
December 23, 2025
I will join whatever religion this is thank you
December 30, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
whewww that was H o t.
after the hot mess that was little rot (it was too too dark for me, but also i just didn’t appreciate it like i had emezi’s other books), it’s so nice to return to their writing and actually enjoy their creative storytelling.
son of the morning was a fantastic standalone paranormal romance revolving around lucifer morningstar; emezi had included interesting/thought-provoking religious commentary, and a surprise poly romance that was sssssuper steamy.
i hope they explore this genre more!!
——
very excited to dive in, especially after this was the book they were excited about when i asked emezi about their next book back in 2022 at the release party of you made a fool of death with your beauty!!
whewww that was H o t.
after the hot mess that was little rot (it was too too dark for me, but also i just didn’t appreciate it like i had emezi’s other books), it’s so nice to return to their writing and actually enjoy their creative storytelling.
son of the morning was a fantastic standalone paranormal romance revolving around lucifer morningstar; emezi had included interesting/thought-provoking religious commentary, and a surprise poly romance that was sssssuper steamy.
i hope they explore this genre more!!
——
very excited to dive in, especially after this was the book they were excited about when i asked emezi about their next book back in 2022 at the release party of you made a fool of death with your beauty!!
October 11, 2025
3.75 / 5 Stars
Akwaeke Emezi has been on my TBR for a long time and I am glad I finally got to read one of their books. I truly had no clue what to expect going in but it was a fun ride (albeit a tad slow at times). A quick plot synopsis: Galilee was raised by the Kincaid women, a clan of Black women who bear no sons and let no men live on their land. And while the Kincaids have special powers (some of them can prophesize the future or create memoryscapes), Galilee’s abilities are shrouded in secrecy. No one knows exactly what she can do. Tired of feeling like the most different member of her family, Galilee moves to the city to try to have a normal life – she wants to make friends and figure out what she likes. A night out leads her to Lucifer. Yup, the nonhuman, devil Lucifer. He is acting as the head of security for an ancient artifact and the second they lay eyes on each other, there is an unexplainable pull and attraction between them. And while Galilee and Lucifer throw all caution to the wind, his princes of Hell, especially Leviathan, his former lover, are not pleased about this connection. They give Lucifer 48 hours to figure out who or what Galilee is before they kill her. As a war starts between Heaven and Hell, Galilee must come to terms with who she really is and who she really loves.
You will probably like this book if you like:
🌟 Paranormal, dark romance with the devil
🌟 Black southern gothic setting
🌟 A love triangle that turns into a why choose MMF (the boyfriends are also boyfriends)
🌟 Multiple POVs (three in third person and one in first person)
🌟 LGBTQ+ representation
🌟 Insta-lust
🌟 Family secrets
If you like reading dark romances where the man is obsessed, possessive, and will burn the world down for the female protagonist after knowing her for like 20 minutes, I think you will like this. Lucifer comes across like the head of a mafia who cannot stay away from Galilee and I love those types of completely illogical romances. The timeline is truly bananas (they are risking everything for each other in under 24 hours), but it works for me. Things that I usually can’t stand in contemporary romances, like insta-lust, work when they are set in a completely unrealistic world like a mafia romance or a paranormal romance like this one. And the timeframe might have been irrational, but the reason Lucifer is obsessed with Galilee made perfect sense: Galilee can incinerate him with her touch and he loves it. He hasn’t felt in centuries, eons even, and Galilee makes him feel again. Sorry that a man/demon just wants to feel things!
Galilee and the Kincaid women were also really strong, well-written characters. Nana Darling raised some badasses and reading the story of how Galilee came to belong to the Kincaid clan was really moving. Seeing Galilee come into her own power was a really fruitful journey too.
The love triangle/why choose was interesting. It turns out that no one has been very nice to the princes of Hell so one kind act really brings on the love (LOL). Why choose romances tend to stress me out a bit (the logistics of it all — girl, it is so much to manage), but it was a fun twist and did make sense.
I did find the middle a tad slow. We spent a lot of time learning about people’s motives and histories which was interesting but tedious at times. I did really enjoy the different POVs. They served the story well and added new dimensions to the story, even when they were long. Also, there are a lot of side characters and sometimes their personalities were not distinct enough for me to keep everyone straight.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
Publication Date: November 4, 2025
__________________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: When you pick a book because the two people on the cover are hot and then say, “huh, I wonder why the guy has wings?” and it turns out this is a why choose involving the devil. And also this happens to be second book that I’ve read this month that involves an affair with the devil. I don’t even know anymore but I’m just vibing 😂😂😂
Akwaeke Emezi has been on my TBR for a long time and I am glad I finally got to read one of their books. I truly had no clue what to expect going in but it was a fun ride (albeit a tad slow at times). A quick plot synopsis: Galilee was raised by the Kincaid women, a clan of Black women who bear no sons and let no men live on their land. And while the Kincaids have special powers (some of them can prophesize the future or create memoryscapes), Galilee’s abilities are shrouded in secrecy. No one knows exactly what she can do. Tired of feeling like the most different member of her family, Galilee moves to the city to try to have a normal life – she wants to make friends and figure out what she likes. A night out leads her to Lucifer. Yup, the nonhuman, devil Lucifer. He is acting as the head of security for an ancient artifact and the second they lay eyes on each other, there is an unexplainable pull and attraction between them. And while Galilee and Lucifer throw all caution to the wind, his princes of Hell, especially Leviathan, his former lover, are not pleased about this connection. They give Lucifer 48 hours to figure out who or what Galilee is before they kill her. As a war starts between Heaven and Hell, Galilee must come to terms with who she really is and who she really loves.
You will probably like this book if you like:
🌟 Paranormal, dark romance with the devil
🌟 Black southern gothic setting
🌟 A love triangle that turns into a why choose MMF (the boyfriends are also boyfriends)
🌟 Multiple POVs (three in third person and one in first person)
🌟 LGBTQ+ representation
🌟 Insta-lust
🌟 Family secrets
If you like reading dark romances where the man is obsessed, possessive, and will burn the world down for the female protagonist after knowing her for like 20 minutes, I think you will like this. Lucifer comes across like the head of a mafia who cannot stay away from Galilee and I love those types of completely illogical romances. The timeline is truly bananas (they are risking everything for each other in under 24 hours), but it works for me. Things that I usually can’t stand in contemporary romances, like insta-lust, work when they are set in a completely unrealistic world like a mafia romance or a paranormal romance like this one. And the timeframe might have been irrational, but the reason Lucifer is obsessed with Galilee made perfect sense: Galilee can incinerate him with her touch and he loves it. He hasn’t felt in centuries, eons even, and Galilee makes him feel again. Sorry that a man/demon just wants to feel things!
Galilee and the Kincaid women were also really strong, well-written characters. Nana Darling raised some badasses and reading the story of how Galilee came to belong to the Kincaid clan was really moving. Seeing Galilee come into her own power was a really fruitful journey too.
The love triangle/why choose was interesting. It turns out that no one has been very nice to the princes of Hell so one kind act really brings on the love (LOL). Why choose romances tend to stress me out a bit (the logistics of it all — girl, it is so much to manage), but it was a fun twist and did make sense.
I did find the middle a tad slow. We spent a lot of time learning about people’s motives and histories which was interesting but tedious at times. I did really enjoy the different POVs. They served the story well and added new dimensions to the story, even when they were long. Also, there are a lot of side characters and sometimes their personalities were not distinct enough for me to keep everyone straight.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
Publication Date: November 4, 2025
__________________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: When you pick a book because the two people on the cover are hot and then say, “huh, I wonder why the guy has wings?” and it turns out this is a why choose involving the devil. And also this happens to be second book that I’ve read this month that involves an affair with the devil. I don’t even know anymore but I’m just vibing 😂😂😂
Read
October 25, 2025DNF at 80 pages. Insta-lust just isn’t for me
October 28, 2025
3.25 stars.
Who hasn't gotten their coochie eaten out by the Devil (with a big D) in a dark hallway while attending a fancy gala at your rich friend's mansion?
Bonus: he has a forked tongue. 🐍
Surprisingly, I didn't outright hate this. I actually would've liked this a lot better if the romance was more like the final sex scene. (Most of it was pretty standard female x supernatural male so, eh.) No spoilers, but that last sex scene though... Goddamn, that was hot!
Look, if you're into supernatural romantasies with the sexiest and baddest boy of them all as your stereotypical tall, dark (actually dark and not like some tanned white guy) and handsome love interest, then you'll be in for a great time.
I think the author was going for something deep with the whole angel/devil story, but lbr, no one's using their fancy university degree to critically analyze a trashy novel about a magical chick getting dicked down by goddamn Lucifer.(Hell, I could be wrong. I've written a paper about Hokusai's The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife in undergrad.)
The writing is cheesy. ("Touching you is like making love to a storm...." Girl, what???) The MCs are all gorgeous and horny. The analogies and similes are cringe af. ("He kissed Galilee, and his teeth nicked at her mouth, giving him just a little blood, but enough to taste armies and horizons and repentances." Huh?????)
But who really cares about all that because I had a good time.
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for this arc.
Who hasn't gotten their coochie eaten out by the Devil (with a big D) in a dark hallway while attending a fancy gala at your rich friend's mansion?
Bonus: he has a forked tongue. 🐍
Surprisingly, I didn't outright hate this. I actually would've liked this a lot better if the romance was more like the final sex scene. (Most of it was pretty standard female x supernatural male so, eh.) No spoilers, but that last sex scene though... Goddamn, that was hot!
Look, if you're into supernatural romantasies with the sexiest and baddest boy of them all as your stereotypical tall, dark (actually dark and not like some tanned white guy) and handsome love interest, then you'll be in for a great time.
I think the author was going for something deep with the whole angel/devil story, but lbr, no one's using their fancy university degree to critically analyze a trashy novel about a magical chick getting dicked down by goddamn Lucifer.
The writing is cheesy. ("Touching you is like making love to a storm...." Girl, what???) The MCs are all gorgeous and horny. The analogies and similes are cringe af. ("He kissed Galilee, and his teeth nicked at her mouth, giving him just a little blood, but enough to taste armies and horizons and repentances." Huh?????)
But who really cares about all that because I had a good time.
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for this arc.
December 16, 2025
A deliciously sexy paranormal romance set in the Black South with a cast of biblical characters like you've never seen them before! The love interest? The literal devil. Awkaeke Emezi peels back the layers of Galilee's heritage and examines themes of salvation, power, and the struggle between legacy and desire. I could not put it down!
April 28, 2025
Thank you so much to Avon Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Akwaeke Emezi, your mind >>>
I've been such a fan of all of Emezi's works that I've read so far. Up until this point, Emezi's YA works were my favorite books of theirs, but Son of the Morning swept me off my feet!! I was so enamored by the world Emezi crafted in this book—I really love how they are able to weave fantasy elements and world-building into contemporary settings. The paranormal / supernatural aspect of this book (heavily based on Christian theology) was so intriguing. I'm not sure if a sequel is planned for this book but I would love one just for this world alone. Otherwise, this book reads as a great fantasy standalone!
And the romance. THE ROMANCE! Emezi really wrote this book for the girls and the gays. I need everyone who comes across a love triangle in a fantasy book and thinks to themself: "" to read this book (hidden in case people don't want to be spoiled about the main romance trope). I highlighted soooo many scenes and dialogue in this book from the romance alone because Galilee, Lucifer, and Leviathan's dynamic was *chef's kiss.* Emezi does such an excellent job in all of their books building complex and intimate character relationships. Their characters are always filled with so much compassion, empathy, and care. Reading their books feels like being loved tenderly in all forms—romantic, platonic, and familial—and I can definitely say the same for this book.
I described this book to my friends as if Beverly Jenkin's strong FMCs, queer paranormal romance, Black Southern gothic, and Christian theology had a baby, so if that intrigues you, go pre-order Son of the Morning!!
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Akwaeke Emezi, your mind >>>
I've been such a fan of all of Emezi's works that I've read so far. Up until this point, Emezi's YA works were my favorite books of theirs, but Son of the Morning swept me off my feet!! I was so enamored by the world Emezi crafted in this book—I really love how they are able to weave fantasy elements and world-building into contemporary settings. The paranormal / supernatural aspect of this book (heavily based on Christian theology) was so intriguing. I'm not sure if a sequel is planned for this book but I would love one just for this world alone. Otherwise, this book reads as a great fantasy standalone!
And the romance. THE ROMANCE! Emezi really wrote this book for the girls and the gays. I need everyone who comes across a love triangle in a fantasy book and thinks to themself: "" to read this book (hidden in case people don't want to be spoiled about the main romance trope). I highlighted soooo many scenes and dialogue in this book from the romance alone because Galilee, Lucifer, and Leviathan's dynamic was *chef's kiss.* Emezi does such an excellent job in all of their books building complex and intimate character relationships. Their characters are always filled with so much compassion, empathy, and care. Reading their books feels like being loved tenderly in all forms—romantic, platonic, and familial—and I can definitely say the same for this book.
I described this book to my friends as if Beverly Jenkin's strong FMCs, queer paranormal romance, Black Southern gothic, and Christian theology had a baby, so if that intrigues you, go pre-order Son of the Morning!!
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
Want to read
March 25, 2025um why didn’t anyone tell me akwaeke emezi has a new (fantasy) romance coming out ?????
November 17, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ for a standalone romanatsy I enjoyed that the writing wasn’t as ‘simple’ as typical romanatsy books but the plot was very insta lovey and I wished the story was more fleshed out!
November 20, 2025
As a committed Akwaeke hater, I have to start with some hot takes:
1. Maybe we actually DO need to ban some books --Maya, after I summarized the devil threesome plot in this story to her
2. Southern gothic my ass…you own an airBNB in New Orleans, YOU are the ghost haunting the Black South!! --Michaela, when we first learned about this book coming out
3. Only Akwaeke would find a way to write a story with a 6,000-year age gap --Me
Now that my hate is out the way, while it pains me to admit, Book Number 10 (YEUCK) is…maybe my favorite since Death of Vivek Oji???? It’s not touching Pet, but it’s lightyears above Fool of Death and Bitter.
This is false advertising!!! Do not expect a queer, Southern gothic story!!!
My main aggravation with Son of the Morning is that it’s chock full of the same GRATING cisheteronormativity that we see in another recent churn of the assembly line, Little Rot. This is why it drives me up a wall when Akwaeke is described as a queer author. Everyone acts as if their work is soooo transgressive, just for the cis woman protagonist to spend 300 pages being like “omg this big strong man is so manly and big and strong.” I can tell that they THINK they’re subverting damsel in distress tropes, because they make the damsels have some sort of secret power. But, when you think about how said damsels want to be treated by their partners, and how their partners look to “protect” them, we spend a lot of the book in very regressive places.
The other thing that felt misaligned with queer ethics is how Galilee and her man spend a lot of this book casting off their friends and family in pursuit of their new relationship. From FREEZING THEIR FRIENDS IN TIME to going back on the non-hierarchical workplace agreements, these people lose their minds and more importantly, their character, over love. Akwaeke had the same thing in Fool of Death, where Alim was fighting with HIS OWN CHILDREN about his right to get into deeply irresponsible relationships. I truly hate it!!!! Like romantic/sexual connection doesn’t need to end up here, every time. I am BEGGING this author to read more asexual authors so they can learn how amatonormativity is ruining friendships and family connections. Shoot, at this point, I’ll even settle for them digging into Dean Spade’s work on the romance myth. But SOMETHING has to give!!! I’m weary.
This was a fun world to inhabit
Speaking of turning the non-hierarchical workplace back into a dictatorship, one of my favorite parts of this book was how Akwaeke superimposed the normal onto the supernatural. It makes for these silly comparisons and plot updates. For instance, when I was updating my girlfriend on the basic plot points (which led to quote 1 at the top), this was my main rundown: hell has been unionized, and is transitioning as a workplace from the devil being the sole boss to a worker co-op model; the devil and his new GF are about to bring in a third who also used to sleep with the devil 8000 years ago; and there is an intergenerational polycule where a mom and daughter secretly have the same (ex)-partner. It’s all very Durham, NC despite being set in this mystical universe!!!
I must say though, these characters are a bit confused about their org chart. The devil acts like middle management, but he’s really a regional SVP. Meanwhile, Michael IS middle management who pretends to be a c-suite exec on his LinkedIn posts. (Maybe if he focused on doing his job instead of sabotaging his coworkers to get them put on PIPs, he could move up in rank!!!) Finally, I hope Leviathan’s promotion is right around the corner—he’s been stuck in a senior analyst role for far too long, and is punching way above his weight in terms of core competencies.
Nice pacing and deconstruction material
I also appreciated the 48-hour confine of this story—I think Akwaeke stick to it, like they did here and in Little Rot. It’s a good fit for about how long I can stomach being placed inside what I have come to see as their trademark bastardized ethics. The “all-in-a-weekend” setting also creates an interesting juxtaposition with the immortal timespans, where the angels and demons just have so long to pine after their friends, siblings, parents, and lovers. We see them grappling with the inconsequential nature of 25 years, while also being drawn into the deeply consequential gift of a single minute with the people they love. I was impressed with this level of consideration, I must give it to them!
Anyone who struggled with some of the stories they learned in Sunday school will appreciate how Akwaeke attempts to rewrite these religious “truths.” Their approach calls to mind Da’Shaun Harrison’s framing of Lucifer as the discarded child of God. In Son of the Morning, the devil is particularly discarded due to his care for human beings as more than the divine’s playthings. Later in the book, we see even more characters wrestle with the troubled consent of paranormal worlds, perhaps none more than Galilee. She is dealing with this notion of how many of us are “created” to fulfill someone else’s desires, versus to be our own people in the world. The book is about having different supernatural politics than your heavenly parents, but it maps very neatly onto some current conversations about parental transphobia and what sort of respect you owe your child (even/especially after they’ve left this earth.) If you want the context there, I really appreciated Dominique Morgan’s thoughts on TikTok.
Some enjoyable characterization
Final thing I enjoyed here: the characters themselves!!! We have some over-the-top moments, sure, but also lots of genuine intrigue. I loved how Levi kept being like yeahhhh you’re dead and you don’t even know it yet, and Galilee KNEW that he meant it!!! Overall, Leviathan’s character is such a great example of the Virgo relational truth—any grudge we have is just a crush gone awry!!!! The unnamed narrator is also such an epic villain, and the immediate switch to her POV after the end-of-chapter reveal was superbly executed. When the devil realizes how this unnamed narrator is being tricked just like he once was, those split-second realizations are DELICIOUS. I love when a scene unfolds in that cinematic, slow-motion sort of fashion.
The final thing I love about the unnamed narrator is that they are a morally warped character that Akwaeke RECOGNIZES as a morally warped character. That is no small feat for them, because they usually will justify the most depraved acts ever!!! I will end with a quote from this section, that forecasts the chilling end:
1. Maybe we actually DO need to ban some books --Maya, after I summarized the devil threesome plot in this story to her
2. Southern gothic my ass…you own an airBNB in New Orleans, YOU are the ghost haunting the Black South!! --Michaela, when we first learned about this book coming out
3. Only Akwaeke would find a way to write a story with a 6,000-year age gap --Me
Now that my hate is out the way, while it pains me to admit, Book Number 10 (YEUCK) is…maybe my favorite since Death of Vivek Oji???? It’s not touching Pet, but it’s lightyears above Fool of Death and Bitter.
This is false advertising!!! Do not expect a queer, Southern gothic story!!!
My main aggravation with Son of the Morning is that it’s chock full of the same GRATING cisheteronormativity that we see in another recent churn of the assembly line, Little Rot. This is why it drives me up a wall when Akwaeke is described as a queer author. Everyone acts as if their work is soooo transgressive, just for the cis woman protagonist to spend 300 pages being like “omg this big strong man is so manly and big and strong.” I can tell that they THINK they’re subverting damsel in distress tropes, because they make the damsels have some sort of secret power. But, when you think about how said damsels want to be treated by their partners, and how their partners look to “protect” them, we spend a lot of the book in very regressive places.
The other thing that felt misaligned with queer ethics is how Galilee and her man spend a lot of this book casting off their friends and family in pursuit of their new relationship. From FREEZING THEIR FRIENDS IN TIME to going back on the non-hierarchical workplace agreements, these people lose their minds and more importantly, their character, over love. Akwaeke had the same thing in Fool of Death, where Alim was fighting with HIS OWN CHILDREN about his right to get into deeply irresponsible relationships. I truly hate it!!!! Like romantic/sexual connection doesn’t need to end up here, every time. I am BEGGING this author to read more asexual authors so they can learn how amatonormativity is ruining friendships and family connections. Shoot, at this point, I’ll even settle for them digging into Dean Spade’s work on the romance myth. But SOMETHING has to give!!! I’m weary.
This was a fun world to inhabit
Speaking of turning the non-hierarchical workplace back into a dictatorship, one of my favorite parts of this book was how Akwaeke superimposed the normal onto the supernatural. It makes for these silly comparisons and plot updates. For instance, when I was updating my girlfriend on the basic plot points (which led to quote 1 at the top), this was my main rundown: hell has been unionized, and is transitioning as a workplace from the devil being the sole boss to a worker co-op model; the devil and his new GF are about to bring in a third who also used to sleep with the devil 8000 years ago; and there is an intergenerational polycule where a mom and daughter secretly have the same (ex)-partner. It’s all very Durham, NC despite being set in this mystical universe!!!
I must say though, these characters are a bit confused about their org chart. The devil acts like middle management, but he’s really a regional SVP. Meanwhile, Michael IS middle management who pretends to be a c-suite exec on his LinkedIn posts. (Maybe if he focused on doing his job instead of sabotaging his coworkers to get them put on PIPs, he could move up in rank!!!) Finally, I hope Leviathan’s promotion is right around the corner—he’s been stuck in a senior analyst role for far too long, and is punching way above his weight in terms of core competencies.
Nice pacing and deconstruction material
I also appreciated the 48-hour confine of this story—I think Akwaeke stick to it, like they did here and in Little Rot. It’s a good fit for about how long I can stomach being placed inside what I have come to see as their trademark bastardized ethics. The “all-in-a-weekend” setting also creates an interesting juxtaposition with the immortal timespans, where the angels and demons just have so long to pine after their friends, siblings, parents, and lovers. We see them grappling with the inconsequential nature of 25 years, while also being drawn into the deeply consequential gift of a single minute with the people they love. I was impressed with this level of consideration, I must give it to them!
Anyone who struggled with some of the stories they learned in Sunday school will appreciate how Akwaeke attempts to rewrite these religious “truths.” Their approach calls to mind Da’Shaun Harrison’s framing of Lucifer as the discarded child of God. In Son of the Morning, the devil is particularly discarded due to his care for human beings as more than the divine’s playthings. Later in the book, we see even more characters wrestle with the troubled consent of paranormal worlds, perhaps none more than Galilee. She is dealing with this notion of how many of us are “created” to fulfill someone else’s desires, versus to be our own people in the world. The book is about having different supernatural politics than your heavenly parents, but it maps very neatly onto some current conversations about parental transphobia and what sort of respect you owe your child (even/especially after they’ve left this earth.) If you want the context there, I really appreciated Dominique Morgan’s thoughts on TikTok.
Some enjoyable characterization
Final thing I enjoyed here: the characters themselves!!! We have some over-the-top moments, sure, but also lots of genuine intrigue. I loved how Levi kept being like yeahhhh you’re dead and you don’t even know it yet, and Galilee KNEW that he meant it!!! Overall, Leviathan’s character is such a great example of the Virgo relational truth—any grudge we have is just a crush gone awry!!!! The unnamed narrator is also such an epic villain, and the immediate switch to her POV after the end-of-chapter reveal was superbly executed. When the devil realizes how this unnamed narrator is being tricked just like he once was, those split-second realizations are DELICIOUS. I love when a scene unfolds in that cinematic, slow-motion sort of fashion.
The final thing I love about the unnamed narrator is that they are a morally warped character that Akwaeke RECOGNIZES as a morally warped character. That is no small feat for them, because they usually will justify the most depraved acts ever!!! I will end with a quote from this section, that forecasts the chilling end:
“The yellow-eyed demon looked disgusted. “You created [redacted] because you were too afraid to attack [redacted] directly?” I ignored him. What did they know of Heaven and our rigor, our rules? I had created [redacted] because I was not permitted to move directly against the [redacted], so it was the corners and loopholes for me, squeezing God’s justice into spaces where it barely fit.” (233)
November 4, 2025
unlike anything I’ve read in AWHILE
things to know:
- paranormal
- Devil, princes of Hell, angels, demon hunters
- FMC with a mysterious past
- Location: Deep South <3 <3
- Insta-lust with the Devil himself (can’t blame her)
Honestly have no idea how to describe this book or what to even say to convince people to resd it other than: it’s such a different vibe and feel from all the other paranormal romances coming out right now & also - it’s like 300 pages so a QUICK read
probably would give this a 4.5⭐️!
things to know:
- paranormal
- Devil, princes of Hell, angels, demon hunters
- FMC with a mysterious past
- Location: Deep South <3 <3
- Insta-lust with the Devil himself (can’t blame her)
Honestly have no idea how to describe this book or what to even say to convince people to resd it other than: it’s such a different vibe and feel from all the other paranormal romances coming out right now & also - it’s like 300 pages so a QUICK read
probably would give this a 4.5⭐️!
November 22, 2025
I loved this read so much it had everything that kept me intrigued from the beginning to the end. I was so hooked on this Lucifer, fallen angel, and archangel plot. The fmc has always been different and comes from a family of energetic hunters. She’s always felt different and knows her family is keeping a secret from her. When we meet her in the book she is away from her family trying to figure out things about herself.
She hooks up with this hot guy who we learn is Lucifer the mmc as he gives her head at her friend’s family club. She realizes that he is different and makes a bargain with him. Later as she figures out her powers and learns more about Lucifer due to people trying to kill her and her family trying to find her.
I loved the lore and the way it was so easy to understand the world building. It was interesting how different factions of the world interacted with each other like the heaven, hell and mortal world. I would like to know more about the fmcs family because they are intriguing and fun. I would also love more about Lucifers princes because they are full of life. This book is also very very steamy and I was here for it, especially since it turned into a throuple. I wasn’t expecting Levi Lucifers prince who wanted to kill the fmc to later like her but i should have known lol. I wish the throuple was more fleshed out though because it felt abrupt. I liked the side characters and seeing the southern aspects in the story. I hope there are more books in this world, thanks to the harper voyager for this arc.
She hooks up with this hot guy who we learn is Lucifer the mmc as he gives her head at her friend’s family club. She realizes that he is different and makes a bargain with him. Later as she figures out her powers and learns more about Lucifer due to people trying to kill her and her family trying to find her.
I loved the lore and the way it was so easy to understand the world building. It was interesting how different factions of the world interacted with each other like the heaven, hell and mortal world. I would like to know more about the fmcs family because they are intriguing and fun. I would also love more about Lucifers princes because they are full of life. This book is also very very steamy and I was here for it, especially since it turned into a throuple. I wasn’t expecting Levi Lucifers prince who wanted to kill the fmc to later like her but i should have known lol. I wish the throuple was more fleshed out though because it felt abrupt. I liked the side characters and seeing the southern aspects in the story. I hope there are more books in this world, thanks to the harper voyager for this arc.
November 11, 2025
I was really intrigued by the fallen angel, deal with the devil aspects of this! I also liked this family of strong black women with the ability to protect their own.
Akwaeke Emezi has such beautiful prose and the unique ability to pack so much into a story, so that every sentence feels intentional —this is one of my favorite aspects of their books and what sets them apart from other authors.
That said, I’ve seen this labeled as both romantasy and paranormal romance. I think paranormal romance is the genre this best fits into. If you go into this expecting a true romantasy (as I was), you may be disappointed. The world building is minimal and conflicts felt quickly resolved. The romance was instalove, which isn’t my favorite. The spicy scenes were SPICY! 🌶️ Ultimately, we didn’t spend enough time with the characters or build the back stories enough for me.
I always enjoy AE for their flexibility in writing across genres and just going for it! They will continue to be an autobuy author for me.
Akwaeke Emezi has such beautiful prose and the unique ability to pack so much into a story, so that every sentence feels intentional —this is one of my favorite aspects of their books and what sets them apart from other authors.
That said, I’ve seen this labeled as both romantasy and paranormal romance. I think paranormal romance is the genre this best fits into. If you go into this expecting a true romantasy (as I was), you may be disappointed. The world building is minimal and conflicts felt quickly resolved. The romance was instalove, which isn’t my favorite. The spicy scenes were SPICY! 🌶️ Ultimately, we didn’t spend enough time with the characters or build the back stories enough for me.
I always enjoy AE for their flexibility in writing across genres and just going for it! They will continue to be an autobuy author for me.
November 3, 2025
ARC from Libro FM
Release date: Nov 4th 2025
Son of the morning by Akwaeke Emezi
-not the meet cute with lucifer 👀😂
-Lucifer carried it for me, he’s funny but also so intriguing
-the spice especially with him 🥵
-I love the premise of this book and the fact it’s a mixture of fantasy and paranormal
-love all the angels in this book
-this was a fun paranormal romance I did find myself bored at times but Galilee and Lucifers relationship carried it for me 🥰🫶🏾
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Release date: Nov 4th 2025
Son of the morning by Akwaeke Emezi
-not the meet cute with lucifer 👀😂
-Lucifer carried it for me, he’s funny but also so intriguing
-the spice especially with him 🥵
-I love the premise of this book and the fact it’s a mixture of fantasy and paranormal
-love all the angels in this book
-this was a fun paranormal romance I did find myself bored at times but Galilee and Lucifers relationship carried it for me 🥰🫶🏾
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
December 15, 2025
4 stars. Containing smut of biblical proportions (literally and metaphorically) and written with the kind of deft prose I expect from Akawaeke Emezi, Son of the Morning was a compelling paranormal romance that leaves it's reader both hot and bothered but with a lot to chew on.
November 19, 2025
What the hell was that?
I was intrigued by the cover (randomly picked it up at the library) and the premise but, whew terrible execution. I’m here for the representation, we love a Black ginger, a trans Nigerian bestie and a demon with vitiligo, but the plot was awful. Lack of cohesion, I hated all the different point of views. I hated the writing. I hated how there was no romance whatsoever. I’m here for instant non-PG 13 couplings but I genuinely think the main love interests had maybe 10 minutes (being generous) of conversation between the two of them in the entire book.
Polycule biblical smut with no character development. Galilee was dumb as rocks. Homegirl throws a tantrum because her family came to defend her after she was kidnapped by the devil himself. I’m bothered even more when I realize because the whole thing transpired over two damn days. Beautiful cover but damn, I’m annoyed!
I was intrigued by the cover (randomly picked it up at the library) and the premise but, whew terrible execution. I’m here for the representation, we love a Black ginger, a trans Nigerian bestie and a demon with vitiligo, but the plot was awful. Lack of cohesion, I hated all the different point of views. I hated the writing. I hated how there was no romance whatsoever. I’m here for instant non-PG 13 couplings but I genuinely think the main love interests had maybe 10 minutes (being generous) of conversation between the two of them in the entire book.
Polycule biblical smut with no character development. Galilee was dumb as rocks. Homegirl throws a tantrum because her family came to defend her after she was kidnapped by the devil himself. I’m bothered even more when I realize because the whole thing transpired over two damn days. Beautiful cover but damn, I’m annoyed!
December 8, 2025
Son of the Morning was my first time reading anything by Akwaeke Emezi, and while I’ll say their prose is very beautiful and engaging, this book wasn’t my favorite. While I do enjoy more flowery prose, I think prose has to actually be something that nestles into the reader’s mind so much so that if a character is being described more than once as beautiful, I should not only be able to believe it, I should see beauty as a plot device or something the character uses as part of their arc. Otherwise, it’s just sentences upon sentences saying someone is really very good-looking—and I get that.
It was just…kind of boring for a book about angels and the devil and princes of hell, and family secrets formed after oaths and agendas previously unknown. I’m not sure if this is a standalone or the first of a series—in a lot of ways, the story of Galilee, Lucifer, and Leviathan is tied up well, but some of the other side plots remained a bit more open, and I was interested in those more than the love story, to be honest.
Speaking of, 99% of the book takes place over 48 hours I believe? And the reader is meant to not only believe that Galilee falls in love with Lucifer, she also discovers who she is after a lifetime of her family hiding it to her, learns something truly mind-blowing about it herself, falls for Leviathan, AND she still makes time to see her best friends more than once? She must have Beyoncé’s 24 hours, because my 24 hours never gave 2 weeks quite like this book did. I’m still relatively new to reading MMF or any poly couplings, but I don’t know how the MMF works here if the only couplings on page are MFM/MF and the MM coupling contains a scene where consent was not honored or respected? That was freaky (derogatory).
I just wanted *more*. Higher stakes, more fleshed out characters, better world building, more of the hoodoo-ish lore and Southern gothic vibes, more of a firm decision to suspend the reader into madness while being accountable for also making it believable, or at the very least entertaining. More diving into the Kincaid women’s history, lives, and purpose. I’m not queer, but I imagine the MM romance could’ve been something that queer readers are glad to root for if the past lack of consent was handled better in the present. Galilee was like, kind of just ~there~ for most of the book. Lucifer is humanized and has faith in humanity, but unfortunately that made him boring. Leviathan was kind of a brat, actually. Galilee’s friends did a lot of squealing when they needed to be telling Galilee to charge her brain and that phone.
Side note: About 80% in I switched to the audiobook and I am genuinely so confused about why the narrator gave Gabriel, an archangel, a southern twang?
I’m open to reading more by Emezi in the future—and if they continue this series, I’m intrigued enough to give a second book a try. But this wasn’t my favorite.
3.5 ⭐️s
3 🌶️
It was just…kind of boring for a book about angels and the devil and princes of hell, and family secrets formed after oaths and agendas previously unknown. I’m not sure if this is a standalone or the first of a series—in a lot of ways, the story of Galilee, Lucifer, and Leviathan is tied up well, but some of the other side plots remained a bit more open, and I was interested in those more than the love story, to be honest.
Speaking of, 99% of the book takes place over 48 hours I believe? And the reader is meant to not only believe that Galilee falls in love with Lucifer, she also discovers who she is after a lifetime of her family hiding it to her, learns something truly mind-blowing about it herself, falls for Leviathan, AND she still makes time to see her best friends more than once? She must have Beyoncé’s 24 hours, because my 24 hours never gave 2 weeks quite like this book did. I’m still relatively new to reading MMF or any poly couplings, but I don’t know how the MMF works here if the only couplings on page are MFM/MF and the MM coupling contains a scene where consent was not honored or respected? That was freaky (derogatory).
I just wanted *more*. Higher stakes, more fleshed out characters, better world building, more of the hoodoo-ish lore and Southern gothic vibes, more of a firm decision to suspend the reader into madness while being accountable for also making it believable, or at the very least entertaining. More diving into the Kincaid women’s history, lives, and purpose. I’m not queer, but I imagine the MM romance could’ve been something that queer readers are glad to root for if the past lack of consent was handled better in the present. Galilee was like, kind of just ~there~ for most of the book. Lucifer is humanized and has faith in humanity, but unfortunately that made him boring. Leviathan was kind of a brat, actually. Galilee’s friends did a lot of squealing when they needed to be telling Galilee to charge her brain and that phone.
Side note: About 80% in I switched to the audiobook and I am genuinely so confused about why the narrator gave Gabriel, an archangel, a southern twang?
I’m open to reading more by Emezi in the future—and if they continue this series, I’m intrigued enough to give a second book a try. But this wasn’t my favorite.
3.5 ⭐️s
3 🌶️
November 4, 2025
3-3.5⭐️
The fact that I think about this book and instantly giggle shows it’s a great time 🤭🤭
This girl is SPICY and STEAMY!! 🥵 and I def enjoyed it!
(I feel like a devil romance should feel like this 🤣)
If you’re looking for a super fast paced paranormal romance that def had me blushing, pick this up!
It’s a vibe and not very long or dragged out and the best part is it’s a standalone 🫶
The fact that I think about this book and instantly giggle shows it’s a great time 🤭🤭
This girl is SPICY and STEAMY!! 🥵 and I def enjoyed it!
(I feel like a devil romance should feel like this 🤣)
If you’re looking for a super fast paced paranormal romance that def had me blushing, pick this up!
It’s a vibe and not very long or dragged out and the best part is it’s a standalone 🫶
August 30, 2025
this book is genuinely so different from anything I’ve ever read before and it’s my first read from this author! I really loved lucifer, galilee, and leviathan and all of the yearning??I’m kicking my feet!! I also can’t get enough of the strong found family aspect! I really love seeing strong women coming together and loving each other. I neeeed a sequel!!
November 22, 2025
2.5 stars. Smut good, plot bad. Begging authors to have romance novels take place for longer than TWENTY FOUR HOURS
———
oh my god I can’t believe I only just found out one of my favourite authors has a PARANORMAL ROMANCE coming yes please and thank you
———
oh my god I can’t believe I only just found out one of my favourite authors has a PARANORMAL ROMANCE coming yes please and thank you
November 6, 2025
another Akwaeke Emezi hit!! you can't go wrong with any of their books and i am constantly in awe of their ability to write and excel in every single genre.
September 18, 2025
This book was fun! The world building was intriguing and the writing was great. It has all the lust and longing you want in a romance, plus a cool story line and well-crafted fantasy. And the smut...to die for. I need a sequel and a prequel and a whole series!!!
July 15, 2025
I received a copy of this book directly from the publisher, via Goodreads Giveaways. Thank you to Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins, for providing a copy prior to publication.
I've never read this author before, but I've certainly heard of them, and was thrilled at the chance to read their newest novel.
My assessment, having now finished the book, is that it's a very mixed bag.
Early on, the descriptive passages eluded me a bit. Certainly, anything supernatural will be esoteric by nature, but I found it hard to discern what exactly the main character was feeling. I found it helpful to latch on to the story and not worry too much about it. (The constant switching from third to first person and back again was a bit jarring as well.)
The character names were way too on the nose: Galilee, full of too much light and living in the town of Salvation, versus Lucifer, full of too much darkness and even going by the pseudonym Helel. This made clear that we were in for an especially tropey version of paranormal romance.
Just as the presentation of the themes were not subtle, the steamy action was not shy at all, either. Those brazen sex scenes were the best-written passages of the book and should be commended. Not all authors are good at writing them. It is what elevated my rating from 2 to 3 stars.
This genre is not outside my wheelhouse. One of my favorite books has a romance that develops slowly over time, as the protagonists tangle with a paranormal mystery. So, I like the general idea. This, however is different, where the romance itself is paranormal, and does not develop over time, but rather jumps into instantaneous intensity. If you are a reader who wants the lovers to skip the "will they/won't they" part, this will delight you.
I think I might have enjoyed the story more, if it had been more nuanced and more layered, especially if the backstory of the main character had been more developed.
I've never read this author before, but I've certainly heard of them, and was thrilled at the chance to read their newest novel.
My assessment, having now finished the book, is that it's a very mixed bag.
Early on, the descriptive passages eluded me a bit. Certainly, anything supernatural will be esoteric by nature, but I found it hard to discern what exactly the main character was feeling. I found it helpful to latch on to the story and not worry too much about it. (The constant switching from third to first person and back again was a bit jarring as well.)
The character names were way too on the nose: Galilee, full of too much light and living in the town of Salvation, versus Lucifer, full of too much darkness and even going by the pseudonym Helel. This made clear that we were in for an especially tropey version of paranormal romance.
Just as the presentation of the themes were not subtle, the steamy action was not shy at all, either. Those brazen sex scenes were the best-written passages of the book and should be commended. Not all authors are good at writing them. It is what elevated my rating from 2 to 3 stars.
This genre is not outside my wheelhouse. One of my favorite books has a romance that develops slowly over time, as the protagonists tangle with a paranormal mystery. So, I like the general idea. This, however is different, where the romance itself is paranormal, and does not develop over time, but rather jumps into instantaneous intensity. If you are a reader who wants the lovers to skip the "will they/won't they" part, this will delight you.
I think I might have enjoyed the story more, if it had been more nuanced and more layered, especially if the backstory of the main character had been more developed.
April 16, 2025
3.5/5 Son of the Morning was an over the top, but enjoyable read. There were several moments that almost threw me out of my suspension of disbelief, but the narrative rallied and swung from too silly to compelling fairly quickly. I appreciate how extremely queer the book is, for all that it's being marketed as an M/F romance. There are some good and chewy power dynamic and power play vibes happening that were delightful within the romance, too.
December 7, 2025
4.75 🌟
"That voice... it scorched like both magma and a cold that could sear flesh off the bone, iron bleached soft at an unfathomable temperature. It licked against her like a spell." (Ch 2)
Steamy Paranormal/Supernatural Romantasy | Devil and Angels
Spicy, seductive, alluring. Unexpected in ways that defy ideals that have been ingrained from youth. Forbidden. Unmentionable. Blasphemy. This book paints the Devil in a different light.
" "What if you 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 me to hurt you?" She asked.
"Yes, Galilee." His voice slithered with amusement, sending goose bumps flickering over her flesh. "What if I crave it, what if I touch myself remembering it, what if I think I might die for it?"" (Ch 7)
Love Galilee's coming into being, her growth, her innocence born of the ignorance pushed upon her by the secrets her family kept from her, and her original strength that she didn't even realize she had. And standing her ground, depite every threat against her. She wanted to be normal, but she found her acceptance.
"Touching you is like making love to a storm..... I like it, Galilee. I 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 it. You burn me, but you don't wound me." (Ch 9)
There was passion, strength in family, secrets, white lies, twists, pawns and calculating vengeance. I devoured it with zeal like a guilty pleasure.
"Some secrets shouldn't be kept." (Ch 15)
ARC courtesy of Goodreads Giveaways | HarperCollins/Avon Books
"That voice... it scorched like both magma and a cold that could sear flesh off the bone, iron bleached soft at an unfathomable temperature. It licked against her like a spell." (Ch 2)
Steamy Paranormal/Supernatural Romantasy | Devil and Angels
Spicy, seductive, alluring. Unexpected in ways that defy ideals that have been ingrained from youth. Forbidden. Unmentionable. Blasphemy. This book paints the Devil in a different light.
" "What if you 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 me to hurt you?" She asked.
"Yes, Galilee." His voice slithered with amusement, sending goose bumps flickering over her flesh. "What if I crave it, what if I touch myself remembering it, what if I think I might die for it?"" (Ch 7)
Love Galilee's coming into being, her growth, her innocence born of the ignorance pushed upon her by the secrets her family kept from her, and her original strength that she didn't even realize she had. And standing her ground, depite every threat against her. She wanted to be normal, but she found her acceptance.
"Touching you is like making love to a storm..... I like it, Galilee. I 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 it. You burn me, but you don't wound me." (Ch 9)
There was passion, strength in family, secrets, white lies, twists, pawns and calculating vengeance. I devoured it with zeal like a guilty pleasure.
"Some secrets shouldn't be kept." (Ch 15)
ARC courtesy of Goodreads Giveaways | HarperCollins/Avon Books
November 7, 2025
Galilee Kincaid comes from a long line of powerful Black women tasked with hunting demons and keeping the balance between Heaven and Hell. She’s the chosen one in a family full of fierce expectations, but when Lucifer crosses her path, everything she’s ever known begins to unravel. What follows is a lush, dangerous, and seductive story about power, faith, and choosing your own destiny.
From the very first page, I was hooked. The world Emezi builds feels alive and layered, filled with faith, legacy, and generational strength. Watching Galilee come into her power was everything. She’s fierce, flawed, soft, and strong all at once, and the way Emezi writes her growth made me want to cheer her on. The mythology, the family dynamics, and the pull between duty and desire made this story impossible to put down.
Now about the spice. The chemistry between Galilee and Lucifer is magnetic, and when Leviathan steps into the mix… insert water and chili peppers because whew. The tension, the heat, the emotional chaos — it’s intoxicating in the best way. I’ve seen people mention the pacing feels quick, but honestly, I didn’t mind at all. It matches the intensity of their connection. Deziel, however, can absolutely kick rocks.
What really sealed this as a five-star read for me was how it celebrates strong Black women while diving deep into themes of power, identity, and freedom. The way Emezi blends myth with modern emotion is unmatched. This story is bold, sensual, and unforgettable. Akwaeke Emezi can write in any genre and I’ll always show up to read it.
From the very first page, I was hooked. The world Emezi builds feels alive and layered, filled with faith, legacy, and generational strength. Watching Galilee come into her power was everything. She’s fierce, flawed, soft, and strong all at once, and the way Emezi writes her growth made me want to cheer her on. The mythology, the family dynamics, and the pull between duty and desire made this story impossible to put down.
Now about the spice. The chemistry between Galilee and Lucifer is magnetic, and when Leviathan steps into the mix… insert water and chili peppers because whew. The tension, the heat, the emotional chaos — it’s intoxicating in the best way. I’ve seen people mention the pacing feels quick, but honestly, I didn’t mind at all. It matches the intensity of their connection. Deziel, however, can absolutely kick rocks.
What really sealed this as a five-star read for me was how it celebrates strong Black women while diving deep into themes of power, identity, and freedom. The way Emezi blends myth with modern emotion is unmatched. This story is bold, sensual, and unforgettable. Akwaeke Emezi can write in any genre and I’ll always show up to read it.
November 22, 2025
I think I'm in the minority, but I wasn't a huge fan of this one. While the characters are intriguing and strong, the world is really great, and the whole premise interesting, the insta-love and lack of cohesion overall threw me off. I'll try to give it a go again later, but the fact that in 2.5 seconds they're basically in love and fully dedicated to each other made no sense to me.
The audiobook is not it. I wish they had paid to have a full production with different narrators for each POV because it really good have been great.
The audiobook is not it. I wish they had paid to have a full production with different narrators for each POV because it really good have been great.
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