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The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake
Not yet published
Expected 14 Apr 26In Wisteria, the very act of innovation is forbidden. Any creation—art, music, engineering—conjures a demon from the other side. The greater the innovation, the more dangerous the demon.
This has never stopped Aurelie from inventing—but it has made it more difficult. Her inventions are small by necessity, producing demons that she is capable of dispatching alone. But she knows she’s meant for something greater, and each day has her chafing more at the boundaries of her society.
Destrier lost his parents to demons as a child, and has devoted his life to preventing more senseless murder at the hands of demons. He was young when he joined the hunters, and each year he’s grown stronger. But it’s never enough.
When a mysterious figure offers Aurelie a job she can’t refuse—an impossible, magnificent invention—her decision to accept sets off a chain of events that will alter every aspect of their world… and sparks the connection that will change both Aurelie and Des irrevocably.
With the fierce enemies-to-lovers romance of Heartless Hunter and the high-concept worldbuilding of Arcane, The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake will thrill readers looking for their new cross-genre favorite.
This has never stopped Aurelie from inventing—but it has made it more difficult. Her inventions are small by necessity, producing demons that she is capable of dispatching alone. But she knows she’s meant for something greater, and each day has her chafing more at the boundaries of her society.
Destrier lost his parents to demons as a child, and has devoted his life to preventing more senseless murder at the hands of demons. He was young when he joined the hunters, and each year he’s grown stronger. But it’s never enough.
When a mysterious figure offers Aurelie a job she can’t refuse—an impossible, magnificent invention—her decision to accept sets off a chain of events that will alter every aspect of their world… and sparks the connection that will change both Aurelie and Des irrevocably.
With the fierce enemies-to-lovers romance of Heartless Hunter and the high-concept worldbuilding of Arcane, The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake will thrill readers looking for their new cross-genre favorite.
Unknown Binding
Expected publication April 14, 2026
5 people are currently reading
1036 people want to read
About the author
Mara Rutherford
8 books1,535 followersMara Rutherford began her writing career as a journalist but quickly discovered she far preferred fantasy to reality. A triplet born on Leap Day, Mara has lived all over the world with her diplomat husband and two sons. She is the author of Crown of Coral and Pearl and its sequel, Kingdom of Sea and Stone; Luminous; The Poison Season; and A Multitude of Dreams. Her next book, A CURIOUS KIND OF MAGIC, releases Fall '25 from Wednesday Books.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 13, 2025
Nope nope nope!!! I’m sick and tired of this, Grandpa!!!!
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Thank you to NetGalley and HarperTeen for the arc! This was a wonderful concept, but it stayed a wonderful concept only. I have many critiques about the execution.
Here we have multiple instances of repetition that is non-intentional and grating to read. How many times are we gonna say the same thing with slightly different words!?
I say this as a petite woman, I’m sick and TIRED of romantasy authors constantly pointing out how eeny teeny weeny polka dot bikini their fmc is. Of course, Aurelie is so small and short and fragile and the mmc is so big and tall and brooding! Put me to fucking sleep ffs
We’ve got insta-lust! Besides wanting to bone for nearly all of the book I have no idea why the leads are attracted to each other. I felt no chemistry. The beaker was broken. They failed the class!!!!
I totally don’t despise characters that are only intelligent when the author requires it! Even though we’re told how brilliant they are, and more times than necessary!!! Sorry, they’re as dumb as a pile of dirt!
I’ve always wanted a formulaic, cartoony, big bad. 😍 I’m fucking yawning. I’m slumped over. Honesty, this entire book is formulaic, and it went limp in its restraints.
I was standing up, and I’m now stood! Unfortunately, this is yet another cookie-cutter, romantic fantasy book. I should put that romantic part in quotes though, as so many romantasy authors confuse lust with love as well as a contrived formula with tradition. Why do I even bother, dude? -2 stars
.
.
.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperTeen for the arc! This was a wonderful concept, but it stayed a wonderful concept only. I have many critiques about the execution.
Here we have multiple instances of repetition that is non-intentional and grating to read. How many times are we gonna say the same thing with slightly different words!?
I say this as a petite woman, I’m sick and TIRED of romantasy authors constantly pointing out how eeny teeny weeny polka dot bikini their fmc is. Of course, Aurelie is so small and short and fragile and the mmc is so big and tall and brooding! Put me to fucking sleep ffs
We’ve got insta-lust! Besides wanting to bone for nearly all of the book I have no idea why the leads are attracted to each other. I felt no chemistry. The beaker was broken. They failed the class!!!!
I totally don’t despise characters that are only intelligent when the author requires it! Even though we’re told how brilliant they are, and more times than necessary!!! Sorry, they’re as dumb as a pile of dirt!
I’ve always wanted a formulaic, cartoony, big bad. 😍 I’m fucking yawning. I’m slumped over. Honesty, this entire book is formulaic, and it went limp in its restraints.
I was standing up, and I’m now stood! Unfortunately, this is yet another cookie-cutter, romantic fantasy book. I should put that romantic part in quotes though, as so many romantasy authors confuse lust with love as well as a contrived formula with tradition. Why do I even bother, dude? -2 stars
October 11, 2025
Much like Mara Rutherford’s other protagonists, I found Aurelie to be quite endearing and Des to be funny and quick-witted. The premise of this book was incredibly intriguing as we follow Aurelie in a world where invention and creative liberty are outlawed as their creation spawns demons (even if they’re cute like the little dragon demon Aurelie keeps as a pet).
I think this has some wonderful parallels to the anti-intellectual movement sweeping the world on a domestic and global scale with fake news, AI in art/writing, and banned/challenged books. Creativity is under attack and it felt like this book was able to harbor similar questions many of us have about our current world.
I’m very eager to see what happens in the next book as Rutherford steps further into her upper YA genre, but I think it’ll be equally ad wonderful as this book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book!
I think this has some wonderful parallels to the anti-intellectual movement sweeping the world on a domestic and global scale with fake news, AI in art/writing, and banned/challenged books. Creativity is under attack and it felt like this book was able to harbor similar questions many of us have about our current world.
I’m very eager to see what happens in the next book as Rutherford steps further into her upper YA genre, but I think it’ll be equally ad wonderful as this book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book!
September 11, 2025
oh, its a series, is it? how many more books of readers being reminded of how big des is and how utterly tiny aurelie is? good god.
September 28, 2025
2.5/5 stars
Cover? Gorgeous. Title? Fantastic. Description? Intriguing. Execution? Ehhh…
I am really sad that I couldn’t get into this book. It had all the infrastructure to be great but the reality is that it just wasn’t. I found it very difficult to get engaged and stay engaged. I had to force myself to pick it up. It felt like it was dragging. However, it doesn’t feel right to rate it lower than 2.5 stars. I enjoy Mara Rutherford’s prose, enjoyed the creativity of the story, and didn’t find anything offensive. Was the book rather repetitive? Unfortunately, yes. Did she love to remind you of the MMC’s HUGE stature and the FMC’s itty bitty size? Yes, and I think we’re all absolutely sick of that. But the book was fine.
I also am a bit frustrated that the book ended up being a part of a series and not a standalone. I wish that was better advertised. Unfortunately, I will not be continuing with the next book.
This is only my second book by Mara Rutherford and the first I read from them was a 5 star so I certainly plan to read more from them in the future. I just hope those books make me feel more like I did while reading A Curious Kind of Magic than while reading The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake!
Cover? Gorgeous. Title? Fantastic. Description? Intriguing. Execution? Ehhh…
I am really sad that I couldn’t get into this book. It had all the infrastructure to be great but the reality is that it just wasn’t. I found it very difficult to get engaged and stay engaged. I had to force myself to pick it up. It felt like it was dragging. However, it doesn’t feel right to rate it lower than 2.5 stars. I enjoy Mara Rutherford’s prose, enjoyed the creativity of the story, and didn’t find anything offensive. Was the book rather repetitive? Unfortunately, yes. Did she love to remind you of the MMC’s HUGE stature and the FMC’s itty bitty size? Yes, and I think we’re all absolutely sick of that. But the book was fine.
I also am a bit frustrated that the book ended up being a part of a series and not a standalone. I wish that was better advertised. Unfortunately, I will not be continuing with the next book.
This is only my second book by Mara Rutherford and the first I read from them was a 5 star so I certainly plan to read more from them in the future. I just hope those books make me feel more like I did while reading A Curious Kind of Magic than while reading The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake!
October 8, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins for allowing me to read and review The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Quotes used may differ in the finished version.
"There have always been demons, Aurelie. Some are just more obvious than others."
The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake is the newest upcoming release by Mara Rutherford, the author of A Curious Kind of Magic and The Poison Season. Aurelie is an inventor, hiding away in her dingy room from he prying eyes of her Uncle Leo and the Iron Guard. She resides at the University of Wisteria where she and her best friend Kiara, the groundskeeper's daughter, spend a lot of time together. Creating inventions is illegal as they spawn different demons with each creative and artistic idea, awake or asleep. The demon population is dwindling down as less and less people are taking creative liberties. Aurelie is visited by her Uncle's friend Everard, who propositions her to use her inventing abilities to help him create a demonic door, which could either lead to
In between her time figuring out the pieces of this curious and magnetic door, she meets Destrier 'Des' Whitlow, an up-and-coming guard in the Iron Guard program. Des was made an orphan when demons murdered his parents at a young age. All orphans are brought to the Iron Guard to give them shelter and to teach them how to fight demons. The Iron Guard has three rules: never hunt alone, never act on impulse, and never underestimate a demon. Des and Aurelie meet with bad first impressions, leading to Des commanded to watch over Aurelie after he sees her acting suspiciously.
"Mondays were an excellent day for inventing. After all, they were the first day of the week, and if one were to begin something new, one ought to start at the beginning."
Mara Rutherford does a great job entering her Upper-YA era. I really liked how she built Aurelie and Des's slow-burn romance. They have similar life changes, but very different upbringings. Aurelie is brought up by her Uncle Leo, the University Headmaster, after her parents perished in a carriage accident whereas Des was brought up by the Iron Guard. He was trained and taught on sword fighting and the war against the demonic presence. He doesn't understand the rich frills and secured lifestyle Aurelie has always known. They both dislike the other from the start and they have a playful way of avoiding the other, but they always end up next to each other in the end. Knowing this is the start of a duology helped me accept that their relationship would take some time to build from dislike to 'oh wait, I like this person now?' I think Mara did well with executing their growing trust and relationship.
"She knew better than anyone that progress was not a straight path; it featured all the topography of an uncharted world, and all the promise."
With that said, the pacing can be slow at times. The story did take a while to capture my attention and hold it for long periods of time. After a couple of speed bumps, I was able to enjoy the story-telling and the characters. Besides the pacing, the only other negative for me is the repetitive mentions of how big Des is or how small Aurelie is. After reading a review with the same thoughts, I could not stop seeing it. It's mentioned a lot on how tiny or huge they are and it became a very distracting and slightly frustrating reading experience.
The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake does remind me a little bit of The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare, but for a new generation of readers. I think many will enjoy the banter between Aurelie and Des, the demons, and the secondary cast of characters. I did like the back and forth point of views between Aurelie and Des. I love that Mara included Mephisto, a dragon-like demon Aurelie spawned from an invention she made when she was younger. I really like when creatures are included as pets when they're not supposed to be kept as one.
Overall, an intriguing read that needs a little patience because the twist at the end is totally worth it.
4 stars
"There have always been demons, Aurelie. Some are just more obvious than others."
The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake is the newest upcoming release by Mara Rutherford, the author of A Curious Kind of Magic and The Poison Season. Aurelie is an inventor, hiding away in her dingy room from he prying eyes of her Uncle Leo and the Iron Guard. She resides at the University of Wisteria where she and her best friend Kiara, the groundskeeper's daughter, spend a lot of time together. Creating inventions is illegal as they spawn different demons with each creative and artistic idea, awake or asleep. The demon population is dwindling down as less and less people are taking creative liberties. Aurelie is visited by her Uncle's friend Everard, who propositions her to use her inventing abilities to help him create a demonic door, which could either lead to
In between her time figuring out the pieces of this curious and magnetic door, she meets Destrier 'Des' Whitlow, an up-and-coming guard in the Iron Guard program. Des was made an orphan when demons murdered his parents at a young age. All orphans are brought to the Iron Guard to give them shelter and to teach them how to fight demons. The Iron Guard has three rules: never hunt alone, never act on impulse, and never underestimate a demon. Des and Aurelie meet with bad first impressions, leading to Des commanded to watch over Aurelie after he sees her acting suspiciously.
"Mondays were an excellent day for inventing. After all, they were the first day of the week, and if one were to begin something new, one ought to start at the beginning."
Mara Rutherford does a great job entering her Upper-YA era. I really liked how she built Aurelie and Des's slow-burn romance. They have similar life changes, but very different upbringings. Aurelie is brought up by her Uncle Leo, the University Headmaster, after her parents perished in a carriage accident whereas Des was brought up by the Iron Guard. He was trained and taught on sword fighting and the war against the demonic presence. He doesn't understand the rich frills and secured lifestyle Aurelie has always known. They both dislike the other from the start and they have a playful way of avoiding the other, but they always end up next to each other in the end. Knowing this is the start of a duology helped me accept that their relationship would take some time to build from dislike to 'oh wait, I like this person now?' I think Mara did well with executing their growing trust and relationship.
"She knew better than anyone that progress was not a straight path; it featured all the topography of an uncharted world, and all the promise."
With that said, the pacing can be slow at times. The story did take a while to capture my attention and hold it for long periods of time. After a couple of speed bumps, I was able to enjoy the story-telling and the characters. Besides the pacing, the only other negative for me is the repetitive mentions of how big Des is or how small Aurelie is. After reading a review with the same thoughts, I could not stop seeing it. It's mentioned a lot on how tiny or huge they are and it became a very distracting and slightly frustrating reading experience.
The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake does remind me a little bit of The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare, but for a new generation of readers. I think many will enjoy the banter between Aurelie and Des, the demons, and the secondary cast of characters. I did like the back and forth point of views between Aurelie and Des. I love that Mara included Mephisto, a dragon-like demon Aurelie spawned from an invention she made when she was younger. I really like when creatures are included as pets when they're not supposed to be kept as one.
Overall, an intriguing read that needs a little patience because the twist at the end is totally worth it.
4 stars
November 8, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Mara Rutherford’s “The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake” marks a bold step into upper YA fantasy with a darkly imaginative, emotionally charged story that fuses steampunk aesthetics, forbidden creativity, and slow-burn romance into a world teetering on the edge of collapse. The story features a richly built setting, witty banter, and the lingering question of whether invention itself can be both a gift and a curse.
In the city of Wisteria, creativity is forbidden. Every new invention or artistic act risks spawning demons, which are creatures of chaos that threaten to unravel the fragile balance of society. Yet Aurelie Blake, a brilliant and defiant young inventor, can’t help but tinker in secret, crafting mechanical wonders in her attic workshop. Her latest creation: Mephisto, a mischievous little dragon demon who’s more adorable than dangerous. When her uncle’s mysterious associate, Everard, asks Aurelie to help him construct a demonic door, a device that could alter the fabric of their world, Aurelie is thrust into a dangerous web of secrets, science, and temptation.
Enter Destrier “Des” Whitlow, a stoic young soldier of the Iron Guard, raised to destroy demons after they took his parents’ lives. When Des catches Aurelie acting suspiciously, he’s ordered to watch her—a duty that soon spirals into something far more complicated. As their paths intertwine, Aurelie’s boundless curiosity clashes with Des’s rigid discipline, leading to a delightful enemies-to-lovers tension that evolves through witty sparring, mutual exasperation, and reluctant understanding.
Rutherford’s worldbuilding shines here. Wisteria feels both gothic and lived-in, a place where magic, science, and faith collide in eerie harmony. The idea that invention itself gives birth to demons is both fascinating and deeply symbolic, evoking modern anxieties about creativity, technology, and censorship.
That said, “The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake” isn’t without flaws. The pacing can be uneven where the first half drags a bit, especially before the plot’s central mystery takes shape, and it’s a bit tiresome with the repetitive mentions of Des’s size versus Aurelie’s “tiny” frame, which is, unfortunately, common in romantasy books. These details, while meant to heighten contrast, sometimes distract from the otherwise strong chemistry and character growth, and there is some insta-lust, which definitely doesn’t help. Still, the dual points of view keep the story dynamic, and Rutherford’s lyrical prose and keen emotional insight ensure the momentum never falters for long.
Aurelie herself is classic Rutherford. She is endearing, clever, and flawed, a heroine who questions authority and refuses to apologize for her intellect. Des, by contrast, brings humor and heart to the story with his dry wit and quiet vulnerability. Their dynamic, underscored by Rutherford’s knack for sharp dialogue, makes for some of the book’s best moments. And Mephisto, the tiny dragon-like demon, absolutely steals the show, adding warmth and levity to the otherwise shadowy tone.
Overall, “The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake” lays solid groundwork for what promises to be a thrilling duology. The final twist recontextualizes much of what came before, rewarding you with an ending that’s both surprising and deeply satisfying. Inventive, atmospheric, and thematically resonant, “The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake” is a story about the price of creation and the courage to imagine freely in a world that fears originality. Despite some pacing hiccups, it’s a beautifully written fantasy that balances romance, danger, and social commentary with skill.
Mara Rutherford’s “The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake” marks a bold step into upper YA fantasy with a darkly imaginative, emotionally charged story that fuses steampunk aesthetics, forbidden creativity, and slow-burn romance into a world teetering on the edge of collapse. The story features a richly built setting, witty banter, and the lingering question of whether invention itself can be both a gift and a curse.
In the city of Wisteria, creativity is forbidden. Every new invention or artistic act risks spawning demons, which are creatures of chaos that threaten to unravel the fragile balance of society. Yet Aurelie Blake, a brilliant and defiant young inventor, can’t help but tinker in secret, crafting mechanical wonders in her attic workshop. Her latest creation: Mephisto, a mischievous little dragon demon who’s more adorable than dangerous. When her uncle’s mysterious associate, Everard, asks Aurelie to help him construct a demonic door, a device that could alter the fabric of their world, Aurelie is thrust into a dangerous web of secrets, science, and temptation.
Enter Destrier “Des” Whitlow, a stoic young soldier of the Iron Guard, raised to destroy demons after they took his parents’ lives. When Des catches Aurelie acting suspiciously, he’s ordered to watch her—a duty that soon spirals into something far more complicated. As their paths intertwine, Aurelie’s boundless curiosity clashes with Des’s rigid discipline, leading to a delightful enemies-to-lovers tension that evolves through witty sparring, mutual exasperation, and reluctant understanding.
Rutherford’s worldbuilding shines here. Wisteria feels both gothic and lived-in, a place where magic, science, and faith collide in eerie harmony. The idea that invention itself gives birth to demons is both fascinating and deeply symbolic, evoking modern anxieties about creativity, technology, and censorship.
That said, “The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake” isn’t without flaws. The pacing can be uneven where the first half drags a bit, especially before the plot’s central mystery takes shape, and it’s a bit tiresome with the repetitive mentions of Des’s size versus Aurelie’s “tiny” frame, which is, unfortunately, common in romantasy books. These details, while meant to heighten contrast, sometimes distract from the otherwise strong chemistry and character growth, and there is some insta-lust, which definitely doesn’t help. Still, the dual points of view keep the story dynamic, and Rutherford’s lyrical prose and keen emotional insight ensure the momentum never falters for long.
Aurelie herself is classic Rutherford. She is endearing, clever, and flawed, a heroine who questions authority and refuses to apologize for her intellect. Des, by contrast, brings humor and heart to the story with his dry wit and quiet vulnerability. Their dynamic, underscored by Rutherford’s knack for sharp dialogue, makes for some of the book’s best moments. And Mephisto, the tiny dragon-like demon, absolutely steals the show, adding warmth and levity to the otherwise shadowy tone.
Overall, “The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake” lays solid groundwork for what promises to be a thrilling duology. The final twist recontextualizes much of what came before, rewarding you with an ending that’s both surprising and deeply satisfying. Inventive, atmospheric, and thematically resonant, “The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake” is a story about the price of creation and the courage to imagine freely in a world that fears originality. Despite some pacing hiccups, it’s a beautifully written fantasy that balances romance, danger, and social commentary with skill.
November 24, 2025
Super interesting premise… if you invent something or dream something new or bring a new life into the world a demon materializes. This is from a curse that essentially seeks to stop progress in the kingdom.
The Iron guard hunts these demons and keeps the citizens safe. They despise demons (they’ve lost parents and loved ones to the demons) and have no compassion for the people who summon them.
Aurelie, our FMC, receives a mysterious proposition from a man named Everard. He wants her to invent something that will rid the world of demons. It’s a daunting task, but Aurelie agrees to do it. Greater good and all that. Oh, did I mention that she has a pet demon? Because she does.
Unfortunately, Aurelie captures the attention of the Iron Guard, which is a bad thing because she is breaking their most sacred law…
Read this if you like:
-a FMC who can think on her feet
-a MMC who absolutely despises her… until he doesn’t
-forbidden love
-will he or won’t he…take her to prison?
-grudgingly working together
-provocative clavicle bones
This is the first book of a series and I will absolutely be reading the next one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collin’s for the eARC!!!
The Iron guard hunts these demons and keeps the citizens safe. They despise demons (they’ve lost parents and loved ones to the demons) and have no compassion for the people who summon them.
Aurelie, our FMC, receives a mysterious proposition from a man named Everard. He wants her to invent something that will rid the world of demons. It’s a daunting task, but Aurelie agrees to do it. Greater good and all that. Oh, did I mention that she has a pet demon? Because she does.
Unfortunately, Aurelie captures the attention of the Iron Guard, which is a bad thing because she is breaking their most sacred law…
Read this if you like:
-a FMC who can think on her feet
-a MMC who absolutely despises her… until he doesn’t
-forbidden love
-will he or won’t he…take her to prison?
-grudgingly working together
-provocative clavicle bones
This is the first book of a series and I will absolutely be reading the next one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collin’s for the eARC!!!
August 27, 2025
I seem to have this habit of completely inhaling anything Mara Rutherford writes! Brimming with atmosphere, this story was a crafty invention of storytelling, including a cursed city, a resolute innovator, a gloomy (and somehow cozy) university, a demon hunter, and of course, demons! (Oh, Mephisto!) Told in dual points of view (which I loved), this book brought all the tension between the two main characters to the forefront, and my favorite part was witnessing how Aurelie and Des saw each other—and how they warred with their competing feelings of frustration/distrust, attraction/understanding. Can't wait for book 2!
August 23, 2025
The heroine is obnoxiously outrageously stupid and selfish beyond words, ignoring every red flag that warns her off a course of action she pursues recklessly to the detriment of the entire kingdom. And pays zero consequences for it coz of course not.
The love interest at least wants to keep people safe and risks his life to protect innocents, but his level of vitriol towards Aurelie without reasonable justification and the way he verbally abused her was not a good look. But oh, he finds her physically attractive so I guess an epic romance is afoot.
The love interest at least wants to keep people safe and risks his life to protect innocents, but his level of vitriol towards Aurelie without reasonable justification and the way he verbally abused her was not a good look. But oh, he finds her physically attractive so I guess an epic romance is afoot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2025
I technically dnf at 86%. I already guessed all the plot twists.. I don’t care. If I have to hear about Aurelie (or whatever her name is) being SOFT, soft. So soft.. again I’m gonna lost it. We get it she’s tiny, she’s soft. And Des is big and hard. We get it. Jesus…. I just didn’t care. If there was less horrible romance and more demons and action it would be okay. But I guess who the bad guy was in the beginning, not hard to figure out…
Just wasn’t for me. Might be for some people. Not for me
Just wasn’t for me. Might be for some people. Not for me
October 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the e-ARC of The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake!
4 / 5 ⭐
The pacing for the relationship wasn’t quite right for me, but it was good to see an enemies-to-lovers situation where the pair are more than slightly inconvenienced by each other. I love a unique magic system, and I didn’t catch all of the twists in advance. It was a very enjoyable read; I read it in one day.
"There have always been demons, Aurelie. Some are just more obvious than others."
4 / 5 ⭐
The pacing for the relationship wasn’t quite right for me, but it was good to see an enemies-to-lovers situation where the pair are more than slightly inconvenienced by each other. I love a unique magic system, and I didn’t catch all of the twists in advance. It was a very enjoyable read; I read it in one day.
"There have always been demons, Aurelie. Some are just more obvious than others."
November 16, 2025
A unique enemies to lovers romantasy set in an academic, wintry world that’s grappling with tension of conventionality/resistance to change versus innovation and progress. I loved that the protagonist Aurelie is more than meets the eye - her intellect and bravery shining through. This is a fun read with some mild spice. Thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins for providing a free electronic advanced reader copy. Excited for Mara Rutherford to continue this series.
Want to read
May 12, 2025"In which 18-year-old inventor Aurelie makes an illegal bargain to save her family, even though every new creation releases a demon into her world, and this one can only be stopped with the help of a reluctant (and annoyingly handsome) demon hunter."
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