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Foils and Fury #1
Oops I Ate a Vengeance Demon
Getting possessed by a demon wasn’t on my to-do list. I was just too busy for that sort of thing.
I had a fifty-hour work week, a hellraiser of a toddler, debilitating morning sickness and a husband who thought his only job was taking out the trash. I was at breaking point.
I don’t remember being possessed, or attacking Terry, or my local priest pulling the demon out of me and trapping her in a banana (with the help of a stranger, a badass girl who apparently wrangled supernatural creatures for a living.)
But the aftermath was wild. Terry promised he’d try harder, and give me more support.
He lied. And I broke.
So… I ate the banana. I absorbed the vengeance demon.
She’s a part of me now, sharing my body; we’re like two people in a car. Most of the time, I’m driving. Sometimes, I let her take the wheel.
She’s the rage of wronged women; the vengeance of the vulnerable, wild justice for the oppressed. She can hear bad thoughts, she can sense evil intentions. She can tell when someone wants to abuse their power, and she whispers their secrets to me.
She also eats the internal organs of evil people… which is a little awkward, since I’m a vegetarian.
Her methods might be a little blunt. And bloodthirsty. But she’s definitely got my back, and I need her help right now.
My best friend is being blackmailed. Someone’s gotten hold of Chloe’s nudes, and is threatening to send them to her whole contact list. Together, me and my vengeance demon need to find who did this, and help bring him to justice.
Hopefully, my kind of justice. The kind involving the police and a courtroom. Not the kind where I’m picking gristle and sinew out of my teeth for a week.
But you never know…
I had a fifty-hour work week, a hellraiser of a toddler, debilitating morning sickness and a husband who thought his only job was taking out the trash. I was at breaking point.
I don’t remember being possessed, or attacking Terry, or my local priest pulling the demon out of me and trapping her in a banana (with the help of a stranger, a badass girl who apparently wrangled supernatural creatures for a living.)
But the aftermath was wild. Terry promised he’d try harder, and give me more support.
He lied. And I broke.
So… I ate the banana. I absorbed the vengeance demon.
She’s a part of me now, sharing my body; we’re like two people in a car. Most of the time, I’m driving. Sometimes, I let her take the wheel.
She’s the rage of wronged women; the vengeance of the vulnerable, wild justice for the oppressed. She can hear bad thoughts, she can sense evil intentions. She can tell when someone wants to abuse their power, and she whispers their secrets to me.
She also eats the internal organs of evil people… which is a little awkward, since I’m a vegetarian.
Her methods might be a little blunt. And bloodthirsty. But she’s definitely got my back, and I need her help right now.
My best friend is being blackmailed. Someone’s gotten hold of Chloe’s nudes, and is threatening to send them to her whole contact list. Together, me and my vengeance demon need to find who did this, and help bring him to justice.
Hopefully, my kind of justice. The kind involving the police and a courtroom. Not the kind where I’m picking gristle and sinew out of my teeth for a week.
But you never know…
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2022
633 people are currently reading
1200 people want to read
About the author
Lauretta Hignett
56 books462 followersA raving fangirl for all things paranormal, supernatural, supernormal and fantastical, Lauretta writes fun Urban Fantasy, PNR and Superhero adventures with a dash of sweet romance and humour.
She's a massive fan of Young and New Adult fiction, loves a plot twist, hates cliffhangers, and always keeps her readers on their toes.
When she's not writing, Lauretta enjoys fad diets, sunshine, her two little children, weird craft projects and massive amounts of dark chocolate
She's a massive fan of Young and New Adult fiction, loves a plot twist, hates cliffhangers, and always keeps her readers on their toes.
When she's not writing, Lauretta enjoys fad diets, sunshine, her two little children, weird craft projects and massive amounts of dark chocolate
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
June 22, 2024
"Would you please make haste with your mental breakdown. We have masculine flesh to consume."💫
This book was fucking weird, but also entertaining as hell.💀👹 Seeing as how I read it in one sitting, I would say that I enjoyed myself. It touched on a lot of important topics, but at the same time had fairly witty characters and paranormal elements that I appreciated. It is not a book that I would normally go for either--an urban setting with vampires, werewolves, death witches, demons, etc.
Plot:
Sandy is a young mother in the early stages of pregnancy, struggling with morning sickness while working 50 hour work weeks. Her boss is a bitch and her husband can't be bothered to help at home or with their toddler. When she finally hits her breaking point, Sandy finds herself possessed by a man-eating demon who goes after evil men, and she only finds out that she tried to carve out her husband's liver after being exorcised by the local priest. With the demon safely trapped inside of a banana, Sandy tries to go back to life as normal, hoping her hubbie will try harder to be a better spouse/father. Of course, he fails, and Sandy decides to take matters into her own hands. Impulsively, she eats the banana, only to find that she is no longer alone.
Mav, the demon, is now a part of her, sharing her body and driving Sandy's will, constantly pressuring her to eat the organs/flesh of evil men. Mav can hear men's evil thoughts, sense their ill intentions, and see all of their secrets. Rage and vengeance are what fuel her. Minus the flesh-feasting, Mav's abilities have come in handy for Sandy, as her best friend is being blackmailed with revenge porn and a certain intimidating cop has recruited her help...
Characters:
While I don't necessarily feel like all of the characters are multi-dimensional, I still very much enjoyed them. The companionship between best friends Sandy, Prue, and Chloe is lovely to see.👯♀️ I love the dialogue between the three of them. You can tell that they love each other so much.🖤 I think their relationships with each other are written so well. All three of their personalities blend perfectly even though they each are so different. I also really enjoyed Sandy, our FMC. She has such a great character arc during the story. She starts out so timid and meek at the beginning of her journey, but finds her courage and becomes an unstoppable force of nature.🌬️ She's also great at calming Mav and trying to redirect her hunger so we aren't constantly witnessing slaughter and chaos.
Mav--the demon--I also quite like. She is a raging, fucking bitch... but, like, in a good way. Hungry as hell, she legit only wants to eat man-flesh and smite their bloody corpses.👹 Vengeance and rage. Vengeance and rage. That is all that matters to her. And I loved every minute of it. Kind of crazy she doesn't care about female predators, only male ones--but to each their own, I guess.😅
💫"Have you consumed any other demon-bound vessels lately? Do you make a daily habit of eating vengeful spirits? A little imp in your empanadas, perhaps? Some Satan in your morning smoothie?"
The titillatingly handsome detective, Conrad Sinclair, on the other hand, has the personality of a wet sock. His character is boring as hell. Maybe in the next few books he will get better? Aside from the 12-pack abs, I don't understand the obsession.
Themes:
This book has a lot of trigger warnings,🛑 but every theme that it touches on is important. Some of these include child marriage in the United States, spousal abuse, sex trafficking, revenge porn, miscarriage and the lack of awareness surrounding it, date rape drugs and sexual assault, sexism, and strict fundamentalism in religion. I honestly wasn't prepared for this book to be as thought-provoking or as triggering as it is. However, I'm glad these themes exist in this story. It made it so much more enjoyable to read because the plot had substance to it. The men in the story are truly evil people, doing horribly grisly and abominable things that sadly exist in the real world.
Overall Thoughts:
This book, while slightly violent and triggering, is a very interesting read. It isn't a book that I would normally pick up--an urban paranormal fantasy. It includes werewolves, demons, vampires, blood witches, and other paranormal species. Usually I read about fae princes or just medieval romances🏰🖤 However, I really enjoyed it. I feel like it was intentionally written with humor. The dialogue you can sense is between friends. The book itself has a playful tone to it. It's no serious, epic high fantasy novel, and I wasn't expecting it to be. The prose isn't lyrical. The imagery isn't magnificent. It's simple, succinct, and just what I was in the mood for, honestly. I would recommend this book if you're looking for a quick, fun read with paranormal elements and quick-witted characters, as long as you don't mind triggering topics.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
This book was fucking weird, but also entertaining as hell.💀👹 Seeing as how I read it in one sitting, I would say that I enjoyed myself. It touched on a lot of important topics, but at the same time had fairly witty characters and paranormal elements that I appreciated. It is not a book that I would normally go for either--an urban setting with vampires, werewolves, death witches, demons, etc.
Plot:
Sandy is a young mother in the early stages of pregnancy, struggling with morning sickness while working 50 hour work weeks. Her boss is a bitch and her husband can't be bothered to help at home or with their toddler. When she finally hits her breaking point, Sandy finds herself possessed by a man-eating demon who goes after evil men, and she only finds out that she tried to carve out her husband's liver after being exorcised by the local priest. With the demon safely trapped inside of a banana, Sandy tries to go back to life as normal, hoping her hubbie will try harder to be a better spouse/father. Of course, he fails, and Sandy decides to take matters into her own hands. Impulsively, she eats the banana, only to find that she is no longer alone.
Mav, the demon, is now a part of her, sharing her body and driving Sandy's will, constantly pressuring her to eat the organs/flesh of evil men. Mav can hear men's evil thoughts, sense their ill intentions, and see all of their secrets. Rage and vengeance are what fuel her. Minus the flesh-feasting, Mav's abilities have come in handy for Sandy, as her best friend is being blackmailed with revenge porn and a certain intimidating cop has recruited her help...
Characters:
While I don't necessarily feel like all of the characters are multi-dimensional, I still very much enjoyed them. The companionship between best friends Sandy, Prue, and Chloe is lovely to see.👯♀️ I love the dialogue between the three of them. You can tell that they love each other so much.🖤 I think their relationships with each other are written so well. All three of their personalities blend perfectly even though they each are so different. I also really enjoyed Sandy, our FMC. She has such a great character arc during the story. She starts out so timid and meek at the beginning of her journey, but finds her courage and becomes an unstoppable force of nature.🌬️ She's also great at calming Mav and trying to redirect her hunger so we aren't constantly witnessing slaughter and chaos.
Mav--the demon--I also quite like. She is a raging, fucking bitch... but, like, in a good way. Hungry as hell, she legit only wants to eat man-flesh and smite their bloody corpses.👹 Vengeance and rage. Vengeance and rage. That is all that matters to her. And I loved every minute of it. Kind of crazy she doesn't care about female predators, only male ones--but to each their own, I guess.😅
💫"Have you consumed any other demon-bound vessels lately? Do you make a daily habit of eating vengeful spirits? A little imp in your empanadas, perhaps? Some Satan in your morning smoothie?"
The titillatingly handsome detective, Conrad Sinclair, on the other hand, has the personality of a wet sock. His character is boring as hell. Maybe in the next few books he will get better? Aside from the 12-pack abs, I don't understand the obsession.
Themes:
This book has a lot of trigger warnings,🛑 but every theme that it touches on is important. Some of these include child marriage in the United States, spousal abuse, sex trafficking, revenge porn, miscarriage and the lack of awareness surrounding it, date rape drugs and sexual assault, sexism, and strict fundamentalism in religion. I honestly wasn't prepared for this book to be as thought-provoking or as triggering as it is. However, I'm glad these themes exist in this story. It made it so much more enjoyable to read because the plot had substance to it. The men in the story are truly evil people, doing horribly grisly and abominable things that sadly exist in the real world.
Overall Thoughts:
This book, while slightly violent and triggering, is a very interesting read. It isn't a book that I would normally pick up--an urban paranormal fantasy. It includes werewolves, demons, vampires, blood witches, and other paranormal species. Usually I read about fae princes or just medieval romances🏰🖤 However, I really enjoyed it. I feel like it was intentionally written with humor. The dialogue you can sense is between friends. The book itself has a playful tone to it. It's no serious, epic high fantasy novel, and I wasn't expecting it to be. The prose isn't lyrical. The imagery isn't magnificent. It's simple, succinct, and just what I was in the mood for, honestly. I would recommend this book if you're looking for a quick, fun read with paranormal elements and quick-witted characters, as long as you don't mind triggering topics.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
October 22, 2024
I understand why people like this series, but I'm just not sure it's for me.
Firstly, I really struggled with the FMC Sandy, because she may be the biggest doormat I have ever come across in UF. She allows everyone to walk all over her. She even acknowledges that she can't answer calls from unlisted numbers because if it is a telemarketer, even they walk all over her. Her being possessed by a vengeance demon is a step in the right direction, but it's also kind of sad. Like, the only way this chick grows a spine is if she has a vengeance demon whispering in her head? Well, that's pathetic, if you really think about it.
The doormat tendencies are coupled with stupidity in a really unflattering way. This chick faints at work - she's 12 weeks pregnant, wildly overworked, boss isn't giving her lunchbreaks - and her boss decides she's faking it (yes, seriously) and just leaves her on the floor of the hair salon for an hour until said bitch boss realizes she's bleeding. By the time the ambulance gets there, she's miscarried and in a coma. She's told all this when she wakes up. Does she press charges? Talk to a lawyer? Do anything at all sensible? No. Just cowers away because she's sure that now she's fired. And this theme continues. She's mistreated to obvious criminal levels (there's a horrible scene with her husband...and it happens IN FRONT OF cops) and she does nothing. Leaves him. But leaves him WITH everything - the house, all their stuff, she just packs up her kid and their clothes and leaves. Even though the sack of shit only works part time, while she works 50+ hours per week (and does all the child care and housework) and - she says - makes most of their money. So that shit is HERS.
I have no respect for her. Like, at all. I like Mavka, the vengeance demon, though, and I like that she's rubbing off on Sandy a little, but I don't think that makes Sandy any less pathetic.
The other reason I think this series might not be for me is the rampant, horrific misogyny in the world of this series. I mean, not only does Sandy run into a few dudes really into rape/torture/murder over the span of ... what, this book probably covers like 3 days post-hospital? But we get to hear their inner thoughts, drooling about how great it would be to cut her breasts off (!!?!) and shit like that, courtesy of the demon. Is she just a magnet for monsters, or are they really that common? And the vengeance demon is adamant about how all men are evil, with just a couple exceptions (there are good men - her brother, etc - and the vengeance demon accepts it and doesn't have a problem with them), and given that she can psychically read their intentions (and so we can, in the book), she isn't wrong.
Which is just depressing. Look, it's no secret that the world is becoming an even scarier place for women in reality. This book takes that as the starting point, and leans into it being the common belief of nearly all men. With some who are extra horrible, really into torture and sex trafficking. And standing against that we have a vengeance demon - yay! - hobbled by a pathetic dishrag of a woman, and we just have to swim through the garbage misogyny constantly. Especially with one of her best friends being Chloe, who is possibly the most naive human being to ever fall off the apple truck (her other best friend is fierce, but I don't know how Prue hasn't pushed both these two simpletons into traffic, I really don't).
Looking at the blurbs for the rest of the series, that seems to be the primary plot, and I don't think I have the stomach for it. There's too much of that in the real world, with no handy vengeance demon to rip out their internal organs ... and this isn't what I read fantasy for. I think if the book was Mavka in the driver's seat, cutting a broad swath through the evil men, I'd be here for it. But not this.
I downloaded the next book onto my kindle, but I would say the odds are less than 50/50 that I ever start it.
Firstly, I really struggled with the FMC Sandy, because she may be the biggest doormat I have ever come across in UF. She allows everyone to walk all over her. She even acknowledges that she can't answer calls from unlisted numbers because if it is a telemarketer, even they walk all over her. Her being possessed by a vengeance demon is a step in the right direction, but it's also kind of sad. Like, the only way this chick grows a spine is if she has a vengeance demon whispering in her head? Well, that's pathetic, if you really think about it.
The doormat tendencies are coupled with stupidity in a really unflattering way. This chick faints at work - she's 12 weeks pregnant, wildly overworked, boss isn't giving her lunchbreaks - and her boss decides she's faking it (yes, seriously) and just leaves her on the floor of the hair salon for an hour until said bitch boss realizes she's bleeding. By the time the ambulance gets there, she's miscarried and in a coma. She's told all this when she wakes up. Does she press charges? Talk to a lawyer? Do anything at all sensible? No. Just cowers away because she's sure that now she's fired. And this theme continues. She's mistreated to obvious criminal levels (there's a horrible scene with her husband...and it happens IN FRONT OF cops) and she does nothing. Leaves him. But leaves him WITH everything - the house, all their stuff, she just packs up her kid and their clothes and leaves. Even though the sack of shit only works part time, while she works 50+ hours per week (and does all the child care and housework) and - she says - makes most of their money. So that shit is HERS.
I have no respect for her. Like, at all. I like Mavka, the vengeance demon, though, and I like that she's rubbing off on Sandy a little, but I don't think that makes Sandy any less pathetic.
The other reason I think this series might not be for me is the rampant, horrific misogyny in the world of this series. I mean, not only does Sandy run into a few dudes really into rape/torture/murder over the span of ... what, this book probably covers like 3 days post-hospital? But we get to hear their inner thoughts, drooling about how great it would be to cut her breasts off (!!?!) and shit like that, courtesy of the demon. Is she just a magnet for monsters, or are they really that common? And the vengeance demon is adamant about how all men are evil, with just a couple exceptions (there are good men - her brother, etc - and the vengeance demon accepts it and doesn't have a problem with them), and given that she can psychically read their intentions (and so we can, in the book), she isn't wrong.
Which is just depressing. Look, it's no secret that the world is becoming an even scarier place for women in reality. This book takes that as the starting point, and leans into it being the common belief of nearly all men. With some who are extra horrible, really into torture and sex trafficking. And standing against that we have a vengeance demon - yay! - hobbled by a pathetic dishrag of a woman, and we just have to swim through the garbage misogyny constantly. Especially with one of her best friends being Chloe, who is possibly the most naive human being to ever fall off the apple truck (her other best friend is fierce, but I don't know how Prue hasn't pushed both these two simpletons into traffic, I really don't).
Looking at the blurbs for the rest of the series, that seems to be the primary plot, and I don't think I have the stomach for it. There's too much of that in the real world, with no handy vengeance demon to rip out their internal organs ... and this isn't what I read fantasy for. I think if the book was Mavka in the driver's seat, cutting a broad swath through the evil men, I'd be here for it. But not this.
I downloaded the next book onto my kindle, but I would say the odds are less than 50/50 that I ever start it.
October 16, 2022
Due to the quirky title of this book, I thought it was going to be a comedy. While there are many humorous parts, this beautifully written, suspenseful and deeply poignant book addresses issues dealing with the horrendous abuse of women by men throughout history. (There are some really wonderful men, too, so it isn't a man-hating book. It's a book about equality and justice.) (And a demon trapped in a banana.)
I must admit, I had reservations about a character who eats a banana with an archetypal/goddess/vengeance/demon/spirit trapped inside and is then inhabited by her, but, by golly, it worked!! (Be sure to read Immortal Games, Chapter One at the end of the book to get Sandy's complete back story.) Moving her from Emerald Valley to the D.C. area and plunging her into a complex and beyond challenging plot that will change life as we know it unless the bad guys are stopped, separated her from her past in a very satisfying way.
I am a huge fan of the Imogen Gray series and was very curious to see who L.H. would choose for a spinoff. Each main character was worthy of one (Rafael!), IMHO. I was very surprised when she chose Sandy and I'm really glad she did. L.H. did a masterful job moving Sandy from her humble, tiny life and placing her in a huge world with grave challenges. I am loving the evolution of her relationship with the powerful and enigmatic Sinclair. (He smiled!) In fact, I love everything about this book. I highly recommend it!!
Chris Rowan, an author who lives in France, articulates the beauty of this book perfectly: "...Often, the heroes that we meet in Urban Fantasy are going on a journey, discovering their powers. This book is more about empowerment. Sandy, our protagonist, rediscovers her strength of character along the way, and breaks free of some shackles her choices and upbringing have placed on her.
If that sounds very serious, there are some genuinely deep subjects that are touched on in this book. However, they are embedded with endless skill and originality by Lauretta, and don’t take away from the humour and fast-paced fun that are integral to all of her writing. Without wanting to give anything away, there is a stronger romantic element to this book, but it doesn’t diminish Sandy’s path to self-liberation in the slightest. The supporting cast of friends and family are wonderful, all carefully crafted individuals who bring the world to life and make you invest in the journey.
Sandy’s relationship with the vengeance demon who possesses her (again) after she eats a haunted banana (and who ever thought I’d end up writing that sentence) is screamingly hilarious as they find a working balance to their wants and needs – Sandy’s for justice and the demon’s for raw internal organs, despite Sandy’s vegetarianism. The story zips along and making sure you take occasional breaks for essential things like sleeping and eating will be an essential part of planning prior to starting reading. Be warned. Lauretta’s writing is as addictive as it is brilliantly entertaining.
So, if you’re looking for a new, relatable female protagonist, a roller-coaster ride of a story, a side-splitting ensemble and writing that sparkles in every single letter, do yourself a favour and pick this book up. This book reminds me why I fell in love with Urban Fantasy in the first place. A masterpiece page-turner of the genre."
I must admit, I had reservations about a character who eats a banana with an archetypal/goddess/vengeance/demon/spirit trapped inside and is then inhabited by her, but, by golly, it worked!! (Be sure to read Immortal Games, Chapter One at the end of the book to get Sandy's complete back story.) Moving her from Emerald Valley to the D.C. area and plunging her into a complex and beyond challenging plot that will change life as we know it unless the bad guys are stopped, separated her from her past in a very satisfying way.
I am a huge fan of the Imogen Gray series and was very curious to see who L.H. would choose for a spinoff. Each main character was worthy of one (Rafael!), IMHO. I was very surprised when she chose Sandy and I'm really glad she did. L.H. did a masterful job moving Sandy from her humble, tiny life and placing her in a huge world with grave challenges. I am loving the evolution of her relationship with the powerful and enigmatic Sinclair. (He smiled!) In fact, I love everything about this book. I highly recommend it!!
Chris Rowan, an author who lives in France, articulates the beauty of this book perfectly: "...Often, the heroes that we meet in Urban Fantasy are going on a journey, discovering their powers. This book is more about empowerment. Sandy, our protagonist, rediscovers her strength of character along the way, and breaks free of some shackles her choices and upbringing have placed on her.
If that sounds very serious, there are some genuinely deep subjects that are touched on in this book. However, they are embedded with endless skill and originality by Lauretta, and don’t take away from the humour and fast-paced fun that are integral to all of her writing. Without wanting to give anything away, there is a stronger romantic element to this book, but it doesn’t diminish Sandy’s path to self-liberation in the slightest. The supporting cast of friends and family are wonderful, all carefully crafted individuals who bring the world to life and make you invest in the journey.
Sandy’s relationship with the vengeance demon who possesses her (again) after she eats a haunted banana (and who ever thought I’d end up writing that sentence) is screamingly hilarious as they find a working balance to their wants and needs – Sandy’s for justice and the demon’s for raw internal organs, despite Sandy’s vegetarianism. The story zips along and making sure you take occasional breaks for essential things like sleeping and eating will be an essential part of planning prior to starting reading. Be warned. Lauretta’s writing is as addictive as it is brilliantly entertaining.
So, if you’re looking for a new, relatable female protagonist, a roller-coaster ride of a story, a side-splitting ensemble and writing that sparkles in every single letter, do yourself a favour and pick this book up. This book reminds me why I fell in love with Urban Fantasy in the first place. A masterpiece page-turner of the genre."
August 16, 2024
Magic realism meets salon standards 🥰
October 3, 2025
Very fun start to an urban fantasy series, with a delightful relationship forming between a girl and her vengeance demon!
December 13, 2023
Catharsis on the page
Reading this book felt like escaping all over again and this time with style and power. I highly recommend reading this.
Reading this book felt like escaping all over again and this time with style and power. I highly recommend reading this.
September 2, 2024
The plot is held together by some duct tape, floss, and a women's studies course from 2006. A silly fun read.
September 22, 2024
4 ⭐️ If you want a fun spooky read for the season this book is perfect for that! I was laughing so much, the author has a great sense of humor! 🤭
I will never look at a banana the same without hoping there isn’t a demon I’m about to eat 😅
🔮 This had witches, vampires, demons, skeletons, & more!
🖤 There are some dark topics so check triggers.
🫶 My heart goes out to any woman who have ever felt like sandy in the first 50% of this book. 🥹
I will never look at a banana the same without hoping there isn’t a demon I’m about to eat 😅
🔮 This had witches, vampires, demons, skeletons, & more!
🖤 There are some dark topics so check triggers.
🫶 My heart goes out to any woman who have ever felt like sandy in the first 50% of this book. 🥹
August 7, 2024
Rating: 4,5 stars
I read this not just in a day, but in a sitting. This was so captivating! I love Mav (the vengeance demon in question) and I am definitely continuing with the series. If you want to read this, definitely have a look at the trigger warnings first!
I read this not just in a day, but in a sitting. This was so captivating! I love Mav (the vengeance demon in question) and I am definitely continuing with the series. If you want to read this, definitely have a look at the trigger warnings first!
October 11, 2024
Not what I expected at all but definitely a vibe
January 8, 2025
Funny and fast paced, loved it
September 27, 2024
Easy 5/5.
Beautifully wacky, angry and hilarious UF!
So. Where to begin with this one. We have a literal man-eating demoness sharing a body with a blond hairdresser single mom of a three-year-old, who, thanks to said demoness, is getting out of an abusive relationship and starts to rebuild her life, all while solving big and small crimes in DC.
I loved the tongue-in-cheek feminism and overall lightness despite the heavy topics mentioned. The banter was hilarious, mostly between our FMC and her inner demon or the MMC, but also between other characters. Because Kindle doesn’t let me share my notes here on GR, here are some of my favorite bits:
‘ Would you please make haste with your mental breakdown. We have masculine flesh to consume. “Can we… can we not? I mean, can we not do that?”’
‘ I pursed my lips, and spoke to her internally. We’re going to have to have a talk as soon as we’re alone. We need some ground rules. I am the scourge of the wicked, she growled sulkily. I don’t do ground rules. Ground human flesh, yes. Not ground rules. ‘
‘ He glowered down at me. “If any man approaches you, tell them you are a lesbian.” “And what if a lesbian approaches me?” I asked sweetly. He glared down at me. “Tell her you’re not a lesbian.”’
While I don’t think irl it is that easy for most women to rebuild their lives after leaving abusive circumstances, this is an urban fantasy so I don’t expect 100% realism. From the blurb I figured that this is a spinoff to another series of the author, but at no point did I feel like I was missing any information, so if, like me, you haven’t read the prior series, feel free to read anyways.
If you are looking for a quick, entertaining, slightly cheeky feminist UF, pick this up!
Beautifully wacky, angry and hilarious UF!
So. Where to begin with this one. We have a literal man-eating demoness sharing a body with a blond hairdresser single mom of a three-year-old, who, thanks to said demoness, is getting out of an abusive relationship and starts to rebuild her life, all while solving big and small crimes in DC.
I loved the tongue-in-cheek feminism and overall lightness despite the heavy topics mentioned. The banter was hilarious, mostly between our FMC and her inner demon or the MMC, but also between other characters. Because Kindle doesn’t let me share my notes here on GR, here are some of my favorite bits:
‘ Would you please make haste with your mental breakdown. We have masculine flesh to consume. “Can we… can we not? I mean, can we not do that?”’
‘ I pursed my lips, and spoke to her internally. We’re going to have to have a talk as soon as we’re alone. We need some ground rules. I am the scourge of the wicked, she growled sulkily. I don’t do ground rules. Ground human flesh, yes. Not ground rules. ‘
‘ He glowered down at me. “If any man approaches you, tell them you are a lesbian.” “And what if a lesbian approaches me?” I asked sweetly. He glared down at me. “Tell her you’re not a lesbian.”’
While I don’t think irl it is that easy for most women to rebuild their lives after leaving abusive circumstances, this is an urban fantasy so I don’t expect 100% realism. From the blurb I figured that this is a spinoff to another series of the author, but at no point did I feel like I was missing any information, so if, like me, you haven’t read the prior series, feel free to read anyways.
If you are looking for a quick, entertaining, slightly cheeky feminist UF, pick this up!
August 29, 2024
Sandy was a hairdresser, mother, housekeeper and browbeaten by her lazy husband. She first came on the scene in the Imogen Gray series when she was possessed by a vengeance demon. The demon was captured in a banana and Sandy’s husband promised to change his ways.
Fast forward three weeks or so and her husband hasn’t changed, she’s still working 50 hours a week and taking care of her child and house alone. After passing out at work (her boss is a real bitch that leaves her on the floor for an hour before calling 911), Sandy wakes up in hospital, alone and scared. Imogen pops in to see how she’s doing and leaves the demon filled banana behind. Of course, Sandy, being desperate eats it. That gives her the power to leave her husband and move to DC, joining old friends Chloe and Prue (Blood and Magic). Prue helps her move and they have a quest to find out who’s threatening Chloe.
The demon is alive and well in her and determined to kill (and eat) all men who want to harm or have harmed women.
This book is an enjoyable story of how she copes with the demon and how her life goes on. There are several characters that show up in other series including the DC Enforcer, Conrad Sinclair.
There is some action but this is mainly character and story driven, with the great characters and interactions, humour – especially when discussing the sleezebags with her demon.
This a fun, quick, easy read.
Fast forward three weeks or so and her husband hasn’t changed, she’s still working 50 hours a week and taking care of her child and house alone. After passing out at work (her boss is a real bitch that leaves her on the floor for an hour before calling 911), Sandy wakes up in hospital, alone and scared. Imogen pops in to see how she’s doing and leaves the demon filled banana behind. Of course, Sandy, being desperate eats it. That gives her the power to leave her husband and move to DC, joining old friends Chloe and Prue (Blood and Magic). Prue helps her move and they have a quest to find out who’s threatening Chloe.
The demon is alive and well in her and determined to kill (and eat) all men who want to harm or have harmed women.
This book is an enjoyable story of how she copes with the demon and how her life goes on. There are several characters that show up in other series including the DC Enforcer, Conrad Sinclair.
There is some action but this is mainly character and story driven, with the great characters and interactions, humour – especially when discussing the sleezebags with her demon.
This a fun, quick, easy read.
July 29, 2024
okay i love all the characters in this book. i really enjoyed the plot. plus the contrast between sandy and mavka! having a christian becoming one with a demon is a moral dilemma that i very much enjoy. i love seeing how sandy’s character develops throughout the book, and how mavka helps sandy develop a backbone.
this book is deliciously fast paced with an interesting plot and lovable characters. and a fantasy world that’s easy to grasp that’s merged with the modern world, rather than a complex list of fancy names you can never remember.
overall, i loved this book and look forward to reading the next one!!
this book is deliciously fast paced with an interesting plot and lovable characters. and a fantasy world that’s easy to grasp that’s merged with the modern world, rather than a complex list of fancy names you can never remember.
overall, i loved this book and look forward to reading the next one!!
October 18, 2024
While I didn’t realise this was a novella from another series, it’s well written and I’d be interested in reading more from this writer, and the series.
Mild mannered hairdresser is possessed by a demon whose purpose is ravaging male abusers, and our fluffy FMC finds her purpose in leaving her useless partner and reclaiming her power and her life; and discovering a whole world of pain that needed her abilities…
Mild mannered hairdresser is possessed by a demon whose purpose is ravaging male abusers, and our fluffy FMC finds her purpose in leaving her useless partner and reclaiming her power and her life; and discovering a whole world of pain that needed her abilities…
July 16, 2025
loved this
This is the first book by this author that I’ve read. Loved it! Really fun, a bit silly but also covered serious topics. Loved Sandy and Detective Conner Sinclair, really looking forward to seeing how that relationship develops. Definitely reading the rest of the series, already downloaded.
This is the first book by this author that I’ve read. Loved it! Really fun, a bit silly but also covered serious topics. Loved Sandy and Detective Conner Sinclair, really looking forward to seeing how that relationship develops. Definitely reading the rest of the series, already downloaded.
August 7, 2025
I downloaded this book on a whim, just wanting something different. It delivered.
The only part of this book I didnt like was the "text messages of the nudes" I thought that was really stupid and it could have been something better.
But overall, I enjoyed this book. It was funny, I loved the female rage of the demon. The writing was good.
I will definitely continue this series!
The only part of this book I didnt like was the "text messages of the nudes" I thought that was really stupid and it could have been something better.
But overall, I enjoyed this book. It was funny, I loved the female rage of the demon. The writing was good.
I will definitely continue this series!
May 9, 2023
Quick, fun read with great characters
Minor inconsistency with the demon’s ability. Initially she said she can only sense evil intention but then she is able to hear exact thoughts and can tell when the MMC is glad to see the FMC
Minor inconsistency with the demon’s ability. Initially she said she can only sense evil intention but then she is able to hear exact thoughts and can tell when the MMC is glad to see the FMC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2025
Actually hilarious. When I saw the words “The End” on the last page I felt the little demon in me get upset! So happy there is a second book to go and read more! Loved the themes as well, told in such a fun way!
May 28, 2024
Wanted to love this. I tried. It has its moments, but it’s a 2.5 at best.
September 19, 2024
great start to a series
I loved this book, it starts with a character who is an off shoot from another series…I love what the author has done with this character and by the end was desperately hoping this wasn’t a ‘one off’, and thankfully it’s not! Can’t wait to grab the next instalment.
I loved this book, it starts with a character who is an off shoot from another series…I love what the author has done with this character and by the end was desperately hoping this wasn’t a ‘one off’, and thankfully it’s not! Can’t wait to grab the next instalment.
September 28, 2024
for some reason I thought I got this in the romance section, but there was no romance. looking back it doesn't say it is so that's just my bad. HOWEVER, I thoroughly enjoyed this Paranormal mystery. I loved the premise, it's quirky banter, the world, the mystery. it was a fun book. I would read more.
March 16, 2025
I found this book interesting starting with the growing of the main character from a doormat to the woman she was supposed to be. I'll surely read the remaining books
Read
May 7, 2024Part of box set.
July 27, 2024
I started reading because I thought it was going to be a goofy, campy story-turns out I was wrong (happily so). It's giving Supernatural vibes and I'm digging it.
March 19, 2024
This series was just so much fun! Couldn’t stop reading, urban fantasy. It had everything Demons, witches, wolves, a skeleton best friend. So so enjoyable!
October 17, 2024
This is an odd little story. I was almost going to give up on it before I got more than about a third of the way in. It was too cozy, too cutesy. Then something odd happened around the 45% (~p120) mark. It got its mojo together and started to become a lot more readable. This was more or less the point where the FMC abandoned her old life and headed off for the bright lights having voluntarily embraced a vengeance demon.
The author has definitely worked a hair dressing salon. There were too many details for her not to have. This sentence leapt out at me, ‘We barely ever sat down.’ That’s something only a salon worker would know, and it leant the tale some much needed verisimilitude, for if you’re going to write a modern urban fantasy it has to be rooted in the real and the mundane. That said, there are a bucketload of fantasy archetypes struggling for space in this story. Maybe a few too many.
However it picked up well enough for me to try the next volume seeing as I seem to be unable to read anything more substantial than this at the moment.
One final thing. The FMC likes a glass of perfectly chilled Pinot Gris. A girl after my own heart. I was left wondering if it was from Oregon, or more exotically for an American audience, Alsace or Tasmania. Maybe the author will let that slip in the next volume!
The author has definitely worked a hair dressing salon. There were too many details for her not to have. This sentence leapt out at me, ‘We barely ever sat down.’ That’s something only a salon worker would know, and it leant the tale some much needed verisimilitude, for if you’re going to write a modern urban fantasy it has to be rooted in the real and the mundane. That said, there are a bucketload of fantasy archetypes struggling for space in this story. Maybe a few too many.
However it picked up well enough for me to try the next volume seeing as I seem to be unable to read anything more substantial than this at the moment.
One final thing. The FMC likes a glass of perfectly chilled Pinot Gris. A girl after my own heart. I was left wondering if it was from Oregon, or more exotically for an American audience, Alsace or Tasmania. Maybe the author will let that slip in the next volume!
June 20, 2024
Imagine if the writers of Riverdale tried to write a Law & Order: SVU episode.
June 30, 2024
Was this book perfect? No. Was it a hell of a lot of fun and full of female friendship and vengeance? Yes.
October 13, 2024
Well seeing as I've done Prue's, Chloe's and the start of Daphne's stories, it's only fair that I move onto Sandy's. Hey I know I've read these backwards but you can blame Jonathan Van Crumpet for telling me about Dwayne 🤣 Plus the fact I have a little bet with myself to see if I can finish this series before The Wolf Vs The Vampire is released into the wild.
I seriously don't know how she does it, but again Lauretta has got me hooked and invested in the story right from the first chapter. This is the start of another beautiful friendship with a new series and I can't wait to see where it goes.
Sandy Becker is a overworked young mother with a lazy good for nothing husband, and she's reaching breaking point. After being possessed by a vengeance demon who is the rage of wronged women, she tries to eat her husband Terry. When the demon is trapped in a banana, Terry promises to be a better husband and support her more.
But a leopard doesn't change it's spots, no matter how much they say they will, and Sandy finds herself back where she started.
When she collapses at work, she wakes up in the hospital alone so Sandy, desperate and at her wits end eats the banana and absorbs the demon.
And so begins a friendship with a demon.
I loved Sandy from the get go and I can absolutely identify with her on so many levels. Most of the people in her life are taking serious advantage of her and because she is so kind she doesn't push back. That starts to change after she absorbs the demon and it's wonderful to see and the banter between her and Mavka is hilarious. I also did a happy dance as Prue comes to take her back to DC and I got to see all three of my girls together as Sandy picks up the pieces of her life.
As you can imagine I think that Terry is the douchiest of douchebags, and I really wished Mavka HAD eaten him. Unfortunately I don't think we've seen the last of him, so maybe she'll get another chance to try.
And I was in full swoon mode from the second Conrad Sinclair made his appearance, geez he just seems to ooze sex and sin appeal and I'm totally here for that. (Damn it Lauretta by the time I've finished reading all your series I'm going to have a harem of book boyfriends!) I loved the chemistry between him and Sandy and I'm excited to see how their relationship progresses.
I absolutely LOVED this first book and have to say it made me laugh out loud more than a few times. So I'm off to start book 2 as I'm impatient and want to know what's coming next. Definitely recommend this, it's a fun easy read which will make you laugh. 😁
I seriously don't know how she does it, but again Lauretta has got me hooked and invested in the story right from the first chapter. This is the start of another beautiful friendship with a new series and I can't wait to see where it goes.
Sandy Becker is a overworked young mother with a lazy good for nothing husband, and she's reaching breaking point. After being possessed by a vengeance demon who is the rage of wronged women, she tries to eat her husband Terry. When the demon is trapped in a banana, Terry promises to be a better husband and support her more.
But a leopard doesn't change it's spots, no matter how much they say they will, and Sandy finds herself back where she started.
When she collapses at work, she wakes up in the hospital alone so Sandy, desperate and at her wits end eats the banana and absorbs the demon.
And so begins a friendship with a demon.
I loved Sandy from the get go and I can absolutely identify with her on so many levels. Most of the people in her life are taking serious advantage of her and because she is so kind she doesn't push back. That starts to change after she absorbs the demon and it's wonderful to see and the banter between her and Mavka is hilarious. I also did a happy dance as Prue comes to take her back to DC and I got to see all three of my girls together as Sandy picks up the pieces of her life.
As you can imagine I think that Terry is the douchiest of douchebags, and I really wished Mavka HAD eaten him. Unfortunately I don't think we've seen the last of him, so maybe she'll get another chance to try.
And I was in full swoon mode from the second Conrad Sinclair made his appearance, geez he just seems to ooze sex and sin appeal and I'm totally here for that. (Damn it Lauretta by the time I've finished reading all your series I'm going to have a harem of book boyfriends!) I loved the chemistry between him and Sandy and I'm excited to see how their relationship progresses.
I absolutely LOVED this first book and have to say it made me laugh out loud more than a few times. So I'm off to start book 2 as I'm impatient and want to know what's coming next. Definitely recommend this, it's a fun easy read which will make you laugh. 😁
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