In a small shore town, Madison, a determined young woman working at a local pizza shop, strives to fulfill her aspiration of becoming an art teacher. Little does she know that her ordinary life is about to be shattered when Marcus, a menacing red demon, sets his sights on her, threatening her very existence. Enter Kyle, a seasoned demon hunter with a sworn duty to protect humanity. Drawn to Madison's side, he takes on the daunting task of safeguarding her and battling the forces of darkness.
Lauren, a kind-hearted bookstore employee, crosses paths with the malevolent Marcus. A fateful encounter brings David, a brave demon hunter, into her life. As their bond deepens, they find themselves caught in a dangerous dance with destiny, navigating the perilous line between love and the eternal battle against evil.
Melissa and Michael, defy the odds by maintaining a blissful existence despite Marcus's relentless pursuit. Together, they create a haven of happiness, even as darkness looms on their doorstep.
Each couple must confront their own unique challenges, fighting against the evil that seeks to tear them apart.
As their individual narratives intertwine, the fates of everyone become intertwined as well. Their lives converge in a climactic showdown against Marcus, where the ultimate battle between good and evil unfolds. Love and promises made will be tested.
I’ve never read about demon hunters before, but I needed a tiny break from my usual contemporary romance. This was so interesting and fast paced, it reminded me a lot of the things that drew me to buffy the vampire slayer back in the day. I don’t want to spoil the plot, but all 3 couples in this are connected in a really interesting way. The New Jersey beach town vibes were immaculate. I can’t always picture the setting and characters in books very easily but I could with this one. This is a quick read at 162 pages but the stories all wrapped up (and together) really nicely.
We have demons and demon hunters! I liked the story, but there were parts that I wish had more detail. They seemed too rushed. However, I did like the premise and the two timelines added in that gave some background story!
Fun Supernatural Fantasy Romance for Teens! A fast read focused on relationships and emotions, this modern fairy tale follows a “daydreaming” Madison and “ruggedly handsome” Kyle as they overcome obstacles and strange relationship restrictions to find, and lose, and maybe find again, True Love, in the culmination of generations of doomed demon hunters and their fiend-pursued mates. Effective flashback stories like Michael & Melissa’s provide insight into the relationship challenges the main characters face.
The professional cover is alluring. With a solid vocabulary, the author has built an original plot that is effective while sidestepping the anticipated “beats” of romance genre expectations. Her flair for melodramatic language and heightened emotions drives the romance: for example, in only two pages a character finds “her mind reeling,” “her heart aching,” “her heart swelled with compassion,” and she can “see the weight of his words resting heavily on his shoulders” as they seek “solace in each other, despite the invisible barriers that separated them.” Theatrical diction and the use of cliches creates a charming narrative for its intended reader group, middle grade to early teens: “Love at first sight” is real and people are “destined” for each other, if they stand together through “thick and thin.”
This story is about passionate relationships in an exciting adventure. In this novel “demon” is a catch-all term, not a religious reference. As an adult reader I was frustrated the author glossed over explanations of the supernatural monsters and the generations of hunters who have battled them armed with inexplicable skills, such as passing through universes and a sixth sense of when one of their charges faces danger, and the introduction of naive BFF Luis telegraphed his entirely predictable end to me. Place descriptions were purposefully generic, subordinate to the romance elements: the sun rose or set as a “warm orange” or “warm golden” glow, on a “small beach house” in a “small beach town.” Personally, at points the language went far too over-the-top, such as when “every tear that slid down her cheeks felt like acid, burning tracks of pain through her heart.” And when the evil Marcus is finally conquered, I was disappointed it was so easy to defeat him… but I recognize I am not the intended audience: this book is envisioned for 14-year-old readers.
If you’re looking for a romantic fantasy with a mysterious supernatural threat, an intriguing back-story, and an exciting pace, then ‘Promise?’ should be on your “to be read” list.
I received a message from the author asking me to check out this book and I said absolutely! So here is my review
For being a debut book there are some wonderful ideas here for this book! The idea of demons hunting down specific people and the demon hunters assigned to different people to protect is very interesting and I can see a lot of potential continuing on if this author wanted to pursue a series.
This book is extremely fast paced, and while it makes for a good quick story, I was left wanting more in the development of our characters and their relationships. It felt so fast that I didn’t really have any emotions for the characters or their story lines. It seems that all of our demon hunters are fated to falling in love with someone they protect which ultimately becomes their demise. For some reason once a demon hunter has killed the demon hunting someone they’re no longer allowed to be together, why? Because it’s the rules, we never find out unfortunately.
Our MMC has to leave for a period of time - not really explaining why and then we suddenly jump forward two years as if nothing has changed, and the thoughts of our MMC and the demon hunting her are ever present in her mind. I believe this same affect could have been made with only a couple of months which feels more realistic versus two entire years dwelling on this boy.
A couple of other characters in the book didn’t get the full justice I was hoping for including her grandpa who just one day was bed bound (she had been in the hospital for how long? Who was checking on gramps!!), Luis who never earned Madison’s full heart and attention, and Ms. Jenkins who just likes to spew about demons… what does she know!!! Is she being hunted?? Is she a former Demon hunter??! Ms. Jenkins knows something that she isn’t sharing 👀
I would love to see our demon hunters POV and what they go through in between different people they’re assigned to save. What the training entails for hunting these demons. We talk about red demons, are there other types? Is there a special way demons must be killed? Why can a demon hunter not fall in love? What gives them the ability to transport between universes? How many people are being hunted by one demon atone time? And does that mean there are multiple people assigned to killing that one demon? I have so many questions ! I want to know all of it!!
Overall, I thought there were good ideas in this book, good characters and aspirations for them - but it needed more character and scene building to fully create relationships with our MC’s. Our author does a great job with her use of metaphors and creating scenery - I can really picture the settings in our mind. With some smoothing of the rougher edges, I can see great things coming from Allison!!
I’ve read this in literally one day and I have so much to say.
First of all, let’s talk about the things I appreciated about this book: I didn’t get bored at all and it was such a quick read, and I think that’s also because the chapters were short(or long enough at least). I had a perfect image of where I was and how the characters were made while I was reading, thanks to the precise and rigorous descriptions made by the author. I’ve also never read a book about demons/demons hunters and I’m glad that this was the first book of this genre that I’ve read because I feel like it’s the perfect introduction to this world!
However, I couldn’t bring myself to rate it more than 3 stars and I’m going to explain why. First thing is the pacing of the book: I know that we’re talking about a small book(154 pages), but I felt like everything was happening in a rush. All the couples immediately fell in love and I didn’t really have the time to connect with any of them or feel any type of emotion when a good or bad thing would happen to them. I wasn’t also a fan of the time jumps, but in a way I get why they were important for the development of the story. Lastly, there were a few phrases that were repeated throughout the book too many times(but that’s honestly the only thing that kinda bothered me about the writing because I really liked it overall).
In conclusion, considering that this is the author’s first book it is a great start and I see myself buying other books written by her in the future.
"Promise" by Allison Thompson is a thrilling and unique take on the age-old battle between good and evil, set against the backdrop of a charming shore town. The story introduces us to Madison, an ordinary young woman with dreams of becoming an art teacher. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she becomes the target of a menacing red demon named Marcus, who poses a grave threat to her existence.
What stands out in this novel is the intriguing premise and the well-developed supernatural elements. The concept of demon hunters and malevolent forces adds an exciting layer to the story. The author's creativity in crafting a world where demons lurk in the shadows is commendable.
The character of Kyle, the seasoned demon hunter, adds depth to the narrative. His sworn duty to protect humanity and his growing connection with Madison create engaging dynamics throughout the book. The budding romance between them is a highlight, adding an emotional layer to the action-packed plot.
Allison Thompson's writing style is engaging, and she effectively builds tension and suspense in the story. The pacing keeps you invested, with a good balance of action and character development. It's a solid read, and I look forward to seeing where the author takes these characters in future installments.
This is a wonderful debut by the author. A fast paced YA book with an interesting storyline. Our FMC, Madison, is hunted by a malevolent demon named Marcus who seeks to destroy her. Marcus is infamous for wreaking havoc and deeply affected both Madison’s and the MMC, Kyle’s, families. Madison and Kyle work together to eradicate him while navigating their quickly evolved relationship.
I’m a sucker for a good demon v. demon hunter story and I was very intrigued by how demons pursued their prey in this book. The storyline was engaging and there were a few plot twists that caught me off guard.
The downsides of this book can be attributed to its length. It’s 154 pages so everything happens quickly and I wish the characters’ backgrounds and their relationships had been flushed out. There are numerous time skips, which some are ill-placed, and those ill-placed ones made the story extremely rushed. I was also left wanting a larger final battle between Madison, Kyle, and Marcus especially because of the numerous nefarious acts Marcus committed leading up to it.
Overall, the book is an enjoyable read and I’d love to see what else this author has in store.
This is the story of how a girl falls in lover with a boy. She is no ordinary girl and he is no ordinary boy. She is special and has something that compels demons to hunt her. He is a demon hunter sworn to protect her. Their love is a forbidden one that will put both of their lives at risk. Would you do the same for the person you love? Promise?
I normally don't read romance books, but since this one had elements of the supernatural, I gave it a go. I wish there was more backstory as to why Marcus (and other demons) hunt people, other than "because they're chaos". Especially Madison. What exactly made her so unique? A little more backstory on the demon hunters would have been nice too.
Overall, I feel this is more an action/romance novel than a horror novel. I don't care for the romance genre, so I do not feel I am this book's targeted audience. Personally, I would have like to seen more horror.
If you are looking for a love story, with a dash of horror, this might be your new favorite book.
✨ - As the first paranormal read in my challenge, it was unique to see demons and parallel universes intertwining with modern day. This multi-woven narrative’s main constant is Marcus, a red demon, who seems to have intertwined himself in many unsuspecting peoples’ lives.
✨ - As for the main characters, Madison and Kyle are the most dominant, and while they have some intriguing traits, they felt a bit rushed in their writing. We see some longer flash forwards, and with that, we see them both grow up a bit.
✨ - The time progression in this was not my favorite. There is one trope that I think isn’t well incorporated, but that said, it was a quick paced, fun read. There is some great commentary on the idea of everyday present demons - which I take to mean ill-will in people in general - and the idea that we are always surrounded by uncertainty.
Final Recommendation: This type of storyline is really for particular audiences. If Haunting Adeline was retold as a PG-13 version, it would parallel this story.
5 Star Rating 2 Skull Dread Rating Check Your Triggers 😊 Four people, Madison, Kyle, Lauren, and David, fight against the menacing red demon, Marcus, who targets Madison. Along the way, Lauren meets David, and they face their destiny. Melissa and Michael try to maintain a happy life amidst Marcus's pursuit. The couples confront their challenges and fight against evil, culminating in a final showdown against Marcus.
Info: "Lauren, there were three rules I was supposed to follow." He swallowed hard, trying to steady his voice. "I've broken all of them." "Rules? What rules?" "Rules meant to protect us – me, you, and now our child. But I fell in love with you, married you, and now we're having a baby. And I'm terrified of what that means for our future."
"Michael, I need you to understand something," he said sternly. "You mustn't fall in love with Melissa, for if you do, you won't kill her demon. Because you'll want to stay with her."
This was an extremely quick read. It threw you right in to the story , which i felt was slightly out of place. Madison was minding her own business and boom she met Kyle and within the same chapter , they were talking like they'd known each other years. It made me have to re read , to make sure I'd not missed something . Madi accepted way to easily what was revealed.
The descriptions of the surroundings were detailed and I could picture where she lived. I also liked how the author didn't use " said " often, she used great descriptive words instead. For example " she replied"
This would make a cute little read for the younger audience. Good first time novel for sure! The ending was also good, but does end on a cliffhanger!
Madison is a young woman who yearns for a future where she can use her talents as an artist to teach others. Unfortunately her dead-end job and an obligation to care for her aging grandfather leaves her with no clear path to obtain her dream.
Unknown to her, an unfulfilled fantasy is the least of her worries when her grandfather speaks of a darkness that’s plagued their family for generations—a demon named Marcus who wants Madison dead.
Promise? Is a fast paced YA with an awesome storyline. You read not only Madison’s plight, but those of you two couples whose lives are intertwined with Madison.
This is a short read and honestly, I could see this storyline as a full length novel.
I won't lie, I was hype for this book. Then I started reading it.
The writing brings forcefully to mind, the fanfiction my friends and I used to write in middle school l. Connections we're supposed to care about despite there being no context, back story or substance about them. Grandfather and MFCs first interaction he's telling her about a mysterious darkness and how he needs to warn her. Next moment he's all normal and. No mention of mysterious darkness.
She basically becomes romantically attached to MMC literally immediately with zero actual knowledge about him and maybe a.handful of sentences exchanged.
I tried but I really couldn't suspend my disbelief. I had to DNF. Unfortunately I can't recommend this.
I was messaged by the author asking to read this book, and the theme was right up my ally, however.....
I felt like I was reading a rough draft. The characters needed more development, the story was so fast I felt like I was skipping pages, the repeated sentences like "she turned to see Brianna, one of her cowers, jogging to catch up with her." Then two pages later, it was "called out Brianna, her coworker." It's small, but it bugged me. I do like the idea of the book and feel that with some added character development and removal of some unnecessary repeated details, it could be an amazing book.
This is a short/quick read. It is a cute story, but I really wish the flashbacks were done differently. It really took away from the book for me. We already knew all of this by the time we got there. Maybe it needed to be rearranged more to flow better, I don't know. I honestly wanted to put it down and DNF it... but I was curious of what would happen next with Kyle. The story is cute and a good and interesting idea. The writing is a bit juvenile for my taste (just an opinion). It was a quick and easy read but I was also a bit bored at times. Just my honest opinions... yall give it a shot and see what you think!
Promise? By: Allison Thompson ⭐️⭐️⭐️ A good story but needs some ironing out. This book drops you right into the action. It moves very quickly from the very beginning. Third person POV. It follows Madison as she’s being hunted by a demon. A demon hunter, Kyle, shows up, promising to protect her by any means necessary. We learn of her parents and his parents, who were both also killed by a demon. There are some grammatical errors made and some minimal mistakes in the writing of the characters but overall a good story and a wonderful first book from this author!
this book was absolutely what I needed to get me out of my reading slump. The story was fast paced but kept me on my toes. The last chapter had me in a choke hold and had me crying. Such an amazing read and if your looking for something fast paced with little spice but love demon hunters and demons in it and you want to get out your reading slump this is definitely the book for you.
Fast paced, amazing, and the last few pages had me in tears. An amazing read. Just what I needed :)
Where do I begin… A lot of repeat sentences that didn’t need to be there. I think the story had a lot of potential but there was no time to feel anything. The story was very quick it it jumped around. There was really a lot happening without something really happening. Kyle came, he left, he came back, he left again, and so on. Not a great book but good intend on the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was a quick spooky read about a girl being hunted by a demon 👹 who’s trying to kill her and she meets a hot demon hunter who takes her breath away. I read this one in between reading Saving 6 and Redeeming 6 from the Boys of Tommen series and I had a good time. Pick this one up if you’re looking for a young adult paranormal book.
This book is riveting and implored my emotions of both happiness and heartbreak, simultaneously. It’s a culmination of how the supernatural world and the everyday universe collide keeping me entwined within the pages of her book! It was an “Excellent Read” to me!
An entertaining YA fantasy to say the least. If you like the idea of demons who hunt people, and the demon hunters who protect them along with a little romance, spice, and peril this might just be the book for you.
Love this book ,very different from what I am used to read. The character’s are amazing( hate the demon)the love and the sacrifice is heart warming.For everyone that like paranormal romance I recommend.
Very detailed with scenery and actions. Enjoyed the fight scenes. I love paranormal stories, wish I could have had more background on Marcus. Fast paced, detailed backgrounds, and enticing. It’s worth the read for YA Romance/Paranormal.
Thank you #AllisonThompson for introducing me to YA fantasy. This was a first time read and I loved Madison and Kyle's connection. The fight scenes had me feeling like I was the one fighting, it was so realistic. Thanks Allison! Five Stars!
I absolutely loved this book and it's characters. Demon hunter, romance, forbidden love and sorrow. Sign me up! I thought about this book long after I read it. Can't wait until the second one comes out.
I wished it was longer and went more in depth on some parts and I wished the parents stories were towards the beginning before we meet Madison and Kyle but still a very intriguing story.
This is a fun read! Great introduction of the antagonist early on sets up the novel for a lot of exciting conflict from the get-go. I really like Kyle!