This is a collection of the first three books in the bestselling Peachville High Demons series, a fast-paced Young Adult series filled with magic, mystery, and a touch of romance. (Approx. 150,000 words total.)
Beautiful Demons In Peachville, even the cheerleaders have a dark side...
Harper Madison isn't like other girls. She has extraordinary powers, but her inability to control them has gotten her kicked from so many foster homes she's lost count. Shadowford Home for Girls is her last chance, and she hopes Peachville High will be the fresh start she needs.
But when evidence ties her to the gruesome murder of a Demons cheerleader, Harper discovers this small town has a big secret.
Inner Demons Becoming a Demons cheerleader was the last thing Harper Madison expected when she moved to the small town of Peachville. She's willing to do whatever it takes, though, to get the answers she needs about her mother and about her own strange powers.
Now that she's an official member of the squad, her training can begin. Only, this is no normal group of cheerleaders. The training opens up a new world for Harper. It's a world of beauty and magic beyond her wildest dreams, but also a world of pressure and impossible expectations.
A world where every secret hides an even darker secret.
Bitter Demons So far, life in Peachville has been tough for Harper Madison. She's survived attacks on her life, learned how to control her magic and met the most gorgeous boy with an unbelievable secret. After her latest stunt at Brighton Hospital, life has gotten even more complicated. The Order of Shadows is determined to tighten their control on her life.
When a future Prima from a nearby demon gate comes to town, she and Harper decide to use glamours to switch places at a party. All Harper wants is to have a little fun.
But the night will end in blood.
And Harper will find out the attack was meant for her...
I downloaded this set for free, so I wasn't expecting too much. The books were ok, entertaining enough. If I was reviewing them separately, I would probably give the first two stars, the second four, and the third three. I would read the rest, but do I feel compelled to? No. Not really. Harper isn't a very intriguing character. These books made me think of a little girl plucking the petals of a flower, but in her case it was pretty much "I love him", "I love him not." The plot was super predictable, too, and I was a little annoyed with her inability to figure anything out in time. Whatever, it's free, so if you don't like it just delete it.
I read the first book, didn't like it. Read the second book, didn't like it either, read the third one too, same results. I am clearly insane to try after the first failure.
Harper was a typical book teenager. She'd have a plan and couple of pages later she has completely discarded the plan. She was kept in the dark about everything and still couldn't find anything for herself. It was boredom that made me keep reading so it's safe to say I am not interested in the rest.
I only made it into book one, Beautiful Demons, but I can already tell this book isn’t for me mostly because of the language and possible issues with the magic later on.
I follow the author’s writing YouTube channel and was curious about her books, so I got this box set for free on Kindle hoping the “demons” in the title weren’t legit Biblical demons we’re seeing as good or something, and while nothing like that popped up in what I read, I have a feeling the magic might cross some lines for me as I know from the blurbs of the later books that Harper is a witch and so are these cheerleaders literally everyone is worshipping which is kinda creepy, though it’s meant to be and it’s also going to be pointed out as bad later on in the series (at least that’s what I’m guessing from the blurbs).
The creepy, something-isn’t-entirely-right vibe I liked as it gave you an unsettled feeling without crossing into terrifying and overall the author writes really well with an engaging style that sucks you right in and makes you feel at home with Harper. Another surprise was Harper is a really nice girl without a chip on her shoulder like so many other supernatural and even YA protagonists are, and if not for the other issues I had with the book I would have kept reading for her because I genuinely like her. Jackson, her eventual love interest, is also not a brooding idiot but is really nice and I liked him too even though this short in we don’t see much of him.
My biggest issue with the book and pretty much why I’m stopping now is the fact that two chapters back to back take Jesus’ name in vain. Now weird and bad as it may sound, I can handle and even ignore if God is used in vain but not Jesus (don’t ask why because I’m not even sure), and twice that close together and soon tells me there will probably be more and while I can ignore it once, I can’t ignore it more then that.
It’s really sad too because I wanted to like this author’s books as another supernatural/paranormal/urban fantasy I could read and enjoy (these covers are cool too) but alas this genre still continues to allude me despite me wanting to find clean, fun books in it. Maybe someday I’ll write some…
‼️Content (up to 8%)‼️
Language: crappy/crap; what the heck; hell; what the hell; asshole; gosh; God (2); Jesus (2)
Sexual: a girl’s called hot; a guy’s smile is called sexy
Drug/Alcohol: a teen guy smokes a cigarette
Other: magical powers/abilities; a ghost lady in a dream; a house is set on fire in a dream
Eh. I wanted to like these books more than I actually did. I got so sick of the "I'm going to tell you something but then not the whole thing, and then leave you wondering what's going on for the next 300 pages." I think that was trying to build suspense, but really I just felt like she forgot to tell you what happened and then all of a sudden was like "oh crap, here's what that secret actually was!" The plot was kind of interesting, but I also got sick of never knowing who you could trust, who you couldn't, who was lying, who was telling the truth, who was only telling part of the truth, etc etc etc. It was just annoying. The characters were more interesting as the series went on, thankfully, but even after only reading the first 3, I have no desire to read the rest.
There where times in this series that was extremely interesting and then there where times that I wanted to shake the main character Harper! Here is a girl with great powers and she acts like an incompetent idiot! I do not know if I will continue with this series. The storyline did get more interesting in third book of the series.
Beautiful Demons Book 1 - Okay start to the series but finishes mid storyline so you definitely need the trilogy before you start this. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Inner Demons Book 2 - Plot continues on from book one, more happening in this part. Story still incomplete so you need to have the trilogy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bitter Demons Book 3 - We finally get some answers in this part of the story and the main plot line is mostly wrapped up. I don’t have the next one but if I did I’d keep reading. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book series! It was so intriguing. I love the characters the twists the way the two main characters evolve throughout the series. AND IT'S FREE ON GOOGLE BOOKS. I'm not usually a fan of ebooks but I found it really nice when I want to carry a small purse our if I forget mine but most of all at night so I don't keep my husband up all night cuz I'm reading with the light on lol
I really did enjoy this series. Completely creative, as far as I know, great character development and captivating plot. Each book in the book set had its own good high points which is not bad since we're used to other books in a series never living up to the uniqueness of book one. I'll definitely be continuing the series til the end.
The first book started slow. But it did manage to grasp my interest. As the series goes on the books get better and better and land a few curveballs I did not expect or anticipate.
Beautiful Demons is the start of a world where demons live under the surface, influencing everything you think you know. Harper is thrown in at the deep end, trying to hide her powers while also learning they aren't as unusual here as she thought. In Inner Demons she takes up a a place in the cheerleading squad in order to find out more about her mother while struggling to keep hold of her own self. In Bitter Demons things ramp up with threats from outside the town and we learn more about the demons and how they co-exist with the humans.
It's only half the series. And it's not fair that only cheerleaders get to be the "good" witches. And I've learned that demons are not autonomous. They are always either trapped or controlled. The one that was too powerful (surprises) became trapped in a handsome young-man body, so OF COURSE he sulks for 50 years and decides to crush on the 17 year old gal who is our protagonist.
It's like the vampire thing. Why would this even work? Different biology!
And the witchery. I don't like how the women are so negative about who leads the covens and, again, why is it only cheerleaders who get all the glory?! I love the Bring It On movies, but this is a bit too far.
Ultra-competitive back-biting witchery! I will not finish the series. :-(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I wish I would have known before starting that there are actually 10 books to this series. I never would have started it. Although questions are answered, new ones arise. And each books ends in a cliffhanger of sorts. And As a Christian, I'm not a fan of the glamorizations of demons.
I just finished book three!! Loved it!! Sometimes there seems some information missing but as the story continues you find out more. It was ver gripping for me. Had me hooked from the beginning. Can't wait to read the rest!
I couldn't read this book/series after the first few chapters pulled me in and then slapped me in the face. It was not funny. "Thief breaks into her apartment, is about to rape her and then HA HA IT'S MY BOYFRIEND." No Thank you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
If you love paranormal activity as much as I do, then this set is a page turning must read. I've read this set 2X already and I'll do it again in a heartbeat! 😍😍😍
I started this series because the first three books were a free download (a clever marketing ploy to be sure) and I love the content the author posts on YouTube. And I found myself flying through the pages and finished the first three books in a day. Granted, they weren't particularly long or difficult, but still a testament to the addictive nature of this series. It's hard to describe what sort of magic Sarra Cannon has woven into this series. It's aesthetic is very Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets True Blood vibes - but for a pre-teen to early teen audience. The writing style is simple and effective, not taking any deep dives into the characters but moving quickly along through the plot. As an adult reader, I found that I wanted more character development and arcs. But given the targeted audience, the more plot-focused approach seemed a good fit.
And the plot was very intriguing! I went into this thinking that I'd read the first three and move on, but as soon as I finished book three, I purchased the rest of the series. It's not so much that the characters were ones I wanted to keep getting to know. The characters were, overall, pretty flat and stereotypical of this kind of pre-teen fantasy novel. The inclusion of the petty high school drama and cheerleader/popularity contest nonsense was a big turn of for me personally (but again, not the target audience here). But the magic was enough to keep me around and not roll my eyes because of the high school nonsense.
But the world building, the secrets, and the mystery of it all keeps me coming back for me. The plot is incredibly fast paced -- everything comes at the reader one thing after another, bam bam bam! It's incredibly addictive and exciting. Plus, the chapters are incredibly short, which makes me plowing through chapter after chapter, constantly telling myself "just one more, it's only three minutes long" over and over again.
As each book progresses, you can tell that Cannon is learning her style as a writer and growing in skill. The first book, Beautiful Demons, was fine but "meh" overall with a fairly predictable (though enjoyable) plot. The second book, Inner Demons, got better as far as intriguing plot and led to some twists that were more interesting than the first. And the third book, Bitter Demons, was just as fun (if a little more see through). You can see Cannon developing as an author as the story develops.
My biggest critiques are that character development is basically non-existent and the endings are far to abrupt. Our main character, Harper, seems to be buffeted along by plot and not learning anything as far as changing as a person (not just growing her magical ability). Starting Book 4, she is nearly as clueless and guileless as she was at the beginning, just with more magic. The other characters are just as flat. As for the endings, they basically happen over the course of 1000 words. It's so fast! We move from climax to done in less than 10 minutes of reading. It's way to quick for me. I'd like a little extra time to either a) evaluate what the characters have learned from this journey (see complaint number one) or b) get a lead up and teaser/cliff hanger for the next book in the series.
Overall, an enjoyable series and I would recommend it for folks who are looking for a fun, quick, plot driven kind of story!
If I was starring each book individually: Beautiful Demons - 2 stars Inner Demons - 3 stars Bitter Demons - 3 stars
After the first book I was going to call it quits on this series, I even questioned if I should read any more YA books after this. It was that bad, I decide to just finish the series as the books were short. It felt more like a full story was cut into pieces to make each book, in my opinion, each book does not stand on its own.
I will list out a few things that made this book difficult to read and continue.
Harper - I understand she is young and naïve but there is a line between that and being stupid. She continues to makes the same mistakes over and over. The people around her lie to her and keep secrets, everything they tell her is half truths and they omit a lot of things. Even knowing that every time they suggest something to her she goes along with it. I wanted to yell so many times WHY?!!!!! and STOP BEING STUPID! Harper as a character is so boring and superficial, its like can she please get a personality or something interesting.
Jackson - For someone who has lived so long and know how they operate he fails to warn or tell Harper thing that can help her stay safe. Clearly she is the only one willing to help him but he still feels the need to not communicate effectively.
Miscommunication - In so many books specially YA there is so much that can be resolved if people were to just talk to each other. This book had this issue in spade to the point where I wanted to throw my kindle at the wall.
Book 2 and 3 were slightly better than book 1 but still would not recommend this series.
I wasn't sure whether I'd like these books at first. The whole 'b*tchy cheerleaders' in a cutsie American high school made me cringe. But then the story got going, and I warmed to it. The only problem I had was that the books were too short and could have done with being merged into one book.
I liked the slow development of Harper's family history. The fact that questions were raised, but the answers to those questions were distributed throughout the plot so as to make the reader piece them together just as much as Harper had to do.
The revelation about Jackson's true identity was definitely a plot twist that I wasn't expecting! I've read the blurbs of the next books in the series, and I'm definitely curious to read the rest of them.
I will admit though, most of the characters are pretty cliche. You've got Harper, the relatable outcast who just wants to be accepted for once. Agnes, the excitable best friend - granted she is involved in a plot twist. You've got the cheerleaders (need I explain?). You've got Jackson, the mysterious bad boy - also involved in a plot twist, but the description still applies. You've got Drake Ashworth, the handsome douchebag. Tori is the stereotypical mean girl, who eventually turns into Brooke. Yeah, I wouldn't say these characters spoiled the book, but they did make it a bit cringe or predictable at times.
I'd like to see Harper strengthen her powers, and develop her relationship with Jackson, so I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series at some point.
The order of shadows knows Harper is their prima their future leader but now the fight begins. Book one is more an intro to the people that matter and of course Drake and Jackson she learns that she has powers, book two she's fighting it all but book three has scary yet adventure. Harper goes to peachville high where the beautiful students hang out and everyone envied Drake the captain eyes Dr in the book shop then learns where she is from and backs off !like he's been burned until she is in its to join the cheerleaders then he's all over her like a rash. But not everything is sweet hunky dorey there are witches out there wanting her dead. She finds Jackson a dream but at time he's at arms length until she is in trouble then he is right there for her. Three great books good storys adventure danger death and magic great magic I recommend this starter yes there are more you will want to read
I say a lot of reviews that were on either end of the spectrum. It piqued my curiosity so I read the books. I liked it like I would like any decent free book or any wattpad story worth a dime. There were annoying things sure but nothing to illicit any real strong emotions really. I wonder what other readings experienced. Oh well. It was a good enough read especially to kill time.
There were many things that I found strange but this was the weirdest one Why did they treat her so awesome when they realized she was their Prima but then absolutelyfailed in every way to teach her 1.about her past, 2. how to hone her powers and 3. how to protect herself It's counter-productive really. If she dies they die and if she runs off or something they won't get the extra power they want soooo...
I love a book the sucks me in from the first page and thats exactly what happened when I began reading this series. The first 3 of an 11 book series, The Shadow Demons Saga had me HOOKED!
Sarra does a great job of capturing and keeping your attention as she takes you on a ride like no other. So much emotion is evoke from reading this book and I gotta warn you, the main protagonists will get on your nerves sometimes.
As annoyed as I got with the characters never answering questions, and I got REALLY annoyed, I was still hooked. I was dreaming about the story in my sleep and identifying with the characters in some aspects.
You will enjoy this and go searching for the rest. BELIEVE me. Give this trilogy a shot. You wont be sorry!