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Riley Cruz #1

Demon Relic Hunter

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I’m a goat shifter with a checkered past and sticky fingers.

I like my new life. I’ve got good friends, cheap booze, and weekly karaoke. Sure, I live in an apartment with more deadbolts than functioning windows. And yeah, I earn just enough tips as a mediocre bartender to buy name brand ramen noodles. But I can be as flamboyant and fun as I want—as long as I keep my hands clean.

When a mysterious stranger strolls into my bar with tales of a magical dagger so rare it’s guaranteed to start a bidding war, that old itch is back. One last job…for old times’ sake. At least, that’s what I tell myself.

With an uptight alpha werewolf breathing down my neck and a demon hot on my tail, this job could be my downfall. One wrong move, and the pack of werewolves I ran from eight years ago will come looking for payback. Only this time, they won’t leave me breathing. Hopefully, my survival skills are better than my bartending.


Demon Relic Hunter is the first book in the Riley Cruz series. If you like fun, fast-paced urban fantasy with quirky characters and a dose of slow-burn romance, this is the book for you.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 2023

713 people are currently reading
1516 people want to read

About the author

L.A. McBride

20 books145 followers

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5 stars
472 (47%)
4 stars
305 (30%)
3 stars
165 (16%)
2 stars
38 (3%)
1 star
18 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
Profile Image for Montzalee Wittmann.
5,213 reviews2,341 followers
January 24, 2025
Relic Hunter
By L.A. McBride
This was a very entertaining novel about shifters, vampires, and demons. There, our main character is a thief and steals an object that is a powerful demon relic. She wants to get a buyer for it soon before someone takes it from her and kills here in the process.
There's a great cast of characters, good plots, and interesting situations. Plan to read book 2.
Profile Image for Jilleen.
Author 47 books183 followers
September 17, 2023
Wow, I've been waiting so long for Riley's first full book! I was not disappointed!

This book is a spin off of McBride's Kali James series from the point of view of her goat shifter bestie, Riley Cruz. Some of the story happens concurrently with that series, but you don't have to read that series to fully enjoy this one!

Riley is everything I want to be. Cocksure, bold, adventurous, and take charge. In her prequel, we learned how she grew up—the trainee of a murderous, thieving, evil alphahole werewolf. She learns to be a world class thief in her early teens, and finally escapes that world of abuse.

In this book, she's made a life for herself. It's under the radar, she's still in hiding, because when she left her evil alpha, Carl, she screwed him over in the worst (but so clever) way.

Now, she has the opportunity to steal something big. Something that will protect her behind a wall of money. Of course she has to do it. But there are consequences, big ones. And now she has to pull off the heist of her life to help her friends, the city, her new man, and of course to fix her life once and for all.

It all will be done with style at least! Riley like the goat she sometimes is, really has no fear and can get in and out of trouble like nobody's business. Sometimes, you just need a stubborn streak, a head butt, and attitude to get through!

Wow, you'll really enjoy this one. If you love chaos, strong female leads, clever lines, and sexy alpha werewolves, you'll love this! Pick it up today!
13 reviews
October 8, 2023
This book is amazing! I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy and I love Riley so much. While the prequel novella gave us her backstory this is all about present day Riley and she is badass! Full of action and a little bit of romance this was a super fun book from start to finish and had multiple heists which I loved. Riley continues to be one of my favorite characters and I am excited to see how her story continues! Such an awesome book!
Profile Image for Tracey.
68 reviews
October 12, 2023
I received an ARC from the author, but this review is my own.
After meeting Riley originally in the Kali James series, it's nice to see her have her own series. While you can read this book without reading The Kali James series, it is richer if you have. We get to know more about Riley and its nice seeing things from her point of view, shes more capable then she gets credit for, shes fun and quirky and doesn't let little things get her down.
She gets to put the skills she learnt when she was younger to the test, just not in the way she had planned. Shes loyal to her friends and does her best to keep them safe. I love seeing her grow, and I'm looking forward to seeing what she gets up to next.
Profile Image for Yael.
219 reviews7 followers
October 11, 2023
This was such a great read, pulled me in from the beginning and keeped me reading to the last word, leaving me wanting more! Riley is not a superhero, she makes mistakes, but she doesn’t let that keep her down. She gets right up, dusts herself off and gets right back into the game. She is witty, and determined to keep her freedom, which leads her into all kinds of adventures. The characters in this world are well written, the world building is fantastic, and L.A McBride weaves a story with the best of them. Don’t miss out on a great spin off to her Kali universe!
I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Profile Image for Penny.
3,125 reviews85 followers
October 6, 2023
Ever since I discovered this author, I’ve devoured everything she’s written. I was so excited to get this first book in a new series, and I eagerly dived in. I was so glad to see Riley again. She’s a little bit of a broken character who can’t seem to trust that people may care about her. The plot of this book runs simultaneously with a Kali book, and we see things more from Riley and Volkov sides. I understand both of them and wish they understood each other. I can’t wait to see what the next books hold as they find their way to each other and see what Riley will get up to next with the events at the end of the book. Great and well written urban fantasy. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
118 reviews3 followers
October 21, 2023
I’m not afraid to say I am in love with a pink haired goat shifter. She is a snarky smartass loner of a goat shifter but she is also loyal, a friends friend and the best thief in the world… well she thinks she is anyway. If you read the other series by the amazing L.A. McBride revolving around Kali James then you know about Riley her best friend. If you haven’t read that series then what the hell are you waiting for? Consider this your invitation. This novel takes a deeper dive into Riley, her past, her friends, her skills and her lovers. She wants back in the game and decides to steal a demon made dagger before it can be auctioned off. This leads to her having to spill her past to her friends as she does manage to steal the artifact but also manages to lose it again. Some more thievery involving people from her past and she proves to be the thief the good magical world needs to combat the demons. What a fun ride this is going to be!
Profile Image for Anaïsu Anaïsu.
176 reviews3 followers
October 9, 2023
I already loved Ridley when she was a teenager but now that she is able to be her own persona, she just shines. I enjoyed her friendships with the rest of her crew (Dez, Kali, Helen & Co.). However, her banter with alpha Max is the highlight of the book, as she lets run free her funny and smart mouth.

I'm looking forward to reading more about her adventures as a Demon Relic Hunter.
Profile Image for Piper James.
456 reviews7 followers
June 21, 2024
This book was a delight. Riley is a goat shifter with an authority problem, and a being underestimated problem, and an adrenaline rush problem. But she also has friends in her corner. When she acquires a dagger it sends her on the path to some of the greatest challenges in her career. Through disguises, near misses, and some glitter bombs (courtesy of the stitch witches) Riley just needs to make it through.
139 reviews
October 8, 2023
So. Good. I love the way Lisa writes. Each book leaves you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. Riley is hilarious and Max is the sexy over protective alpha. I highly recommend both series in this Universe!!!
Profile Image for Rita Whinfield.
1,575 reviews
October 20, 2023
Excellent start

Loved this book, Riley was just awesome. Lots of action and adventure, but Riley is a lot more innocent than she realises. Hopefully Max and her friends can keep her alive to learn.
Profile Image for Gwen DeMarco.
Author 87 books114 followers
February 17, 2024
This book is related to the Kali James series, but you do not need to read those first to enjoy this story. This book is a page-turner for sure - I couldn't put it down. And Riley has the perfect amount of snark and spunk - who wouldn't love a pink-haired goat shifter?
Profile Image for Lorna Hanrahan.
69 reviews
October 7, 2023
After reading the Kali James series I was interested in learning more about Riley. This book covers some of the same events as the Kali James books but from Riley's point of view. For the most part it is about new events that occur in the same time frame. We learned how Riley became a thief in the Prequel Boneyard Thief. Some characters from her past come to haunt her present. It is definitely a roller coaster of a ride but well worth the time it takes to read.

I was given an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Devsai.
73 reviews4 followers
March 30, 2024
3 stars

A very fast paced and light book! I finished this in a day. I had read about Riley and had been intrigued since I read the Kali James series..

I had fun reading about Riley's thieving heists. I do feel that Max was way too overbearing and a judgmental mc for me. I guess he will get better as the series proceeds.
34 reviews2 followers
October 8, 2023
This one has to be my favourite so far, wolves, vampires, special force guy a demon relic and a goat shifter!!!
Profile Image for Suzanne McNeill Taviner.
2,037 reviews10 followers
October 12, 2023
Having read the prequel I was very much looking forward to this one and it didn't disappoint! I loved how much Riley has grown and developed since the prequel. I also enjoyed her relationship with Max as they fought against their attraction so much.
Loved the storyline and that she kept on proving that she didn't need Max to rescue her. Loved the twist at the end and am looking forward to reading more of Riley's adventures in the future.
Profile Image for Stephanie Mirro.
Author 29 books243 followers
November 3, 2023
Riley is such a fun, likable character. How could a goat shifting thief not be?? I loved that this book ran alongside Kali's story, and I'm really looking forward to reading more about Riley's new job. And Max? ::fans self:: Woooooo. This is a fade-to-black style romance, but it is handled so well for those of us who need a little something before that door closes.
Profile Image for Leigh Brooker.
225 reviews2 followers
December 21, 2024
BOY OH BOY was I super stoked to finally get to Riley's story and what a fantastic series starter this was. This action packed, hilariously funny story ticked all my boxes in ALL the right places. What's not to love about someone who always finds trouble even when not looking for it, glitter bombs that literally make you laugh and an ingenious way to escape from a heist. Yep I'm totally hooked and I want more ..

Riley Cruz has a lot of skills, unfortunately bartending isn't one of them. So when a mysterious stranger turns up in the bar where she works talking of a magical dagger, Riley immediately wants in. One last heist, to scratch that itch that has been nagging her. To complicate matters, the Alpha that she ran from eight years ago has tracked her down and is on her tail. Only because she double crossed him, she doubts he will be content with leaving her alive. It's time for Riley to put her survival skills to the test, and pray that they are better than her bartending.

I've said it before and I'll say it again Riley is the bomb, this pink haired menace of a goat shifter who is as chaotic as a hurricane (and as tamable as one) had me laughing my butt off with her shenanigans. Literally having no filter, she'll say exactly what's she's thinking and damn the consequences, especially when it comes to getting under Max's skin or pushing his buttons. She's feisty, stubborn and can definitely kick ass when she needs to, even when others around her underestimate her. My kind of girl. However, there is a vulnerability there that makes Riley a more complex character than she first appears and finding out more on her past has me rooting for the girl, who against all odds came out on top but left her with trust issues.

Max the Alpha of Kansas City, hot as Hades needs to unclench a little, I mean the man won't even try gummy bears (seriously what's up with that). But he has a caring and protective side a mile wide when it comes to Riley, I can already see the cinnamon roll underneath that harsh exterior he portrays, which has me crushing hard on him (damn it) and I have a feeling that the longer he's around her he'll learn to loosen up. As polar opposites they balance each other out wonderfully, and I can't wait to see where this goes.

And lastly Dez, Riley's nerdy tech savvy friend who's not your average vampire is adorablely cute and I have to say I'm harbouring a soft spot for him right from the start. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him.

It was great to see old characters as well as meeting new ones and I'm off to book two because I'm dying to find out what's on the cards for Riley next. So if you love found family vibes, goat shifters with spunk and vampires with a twist, climb aboard the Riley Cruz crazy train today. I swear you won't regret it. Highly recommend 😁
Profile Image for Cassie.
137 reviews9 followers
October 15, 2023
I LOVE Riley!! She is so much fun and chaos personified. You just never know what she’s going to say or do next.

Riley is a goat shifter living in Kansas City with a traumatic past. Her old Alpha taught her to be a world class thief but he couldn’t dim her shiny personality. Now that Riley is on her own she’s found a new family that loves her just as she is.

You should definitely read the prequel novella BONEYARD THIEF before starting DEMON RELIC HUNTER so you have a firm grasp on why her old Alpha makes Riley so afraid. But don’t worry, you can get it for free by signing up for the author’s newsletter!

The Riley Cruz series is a spinoff of the Kali James series. You do not need to read the Kali books before jumping into Riley. But you may notice that some scenes in DRH wrap up quicker than expected or are light on the details. That’s because the full scene will be in one of Kali’s books - DRH spans several books in Kali’s story.

I cannot wait for the next book in Riley’s series! She has a big job ahead of her with a good group of people to keep her out of trouble. Plus I need to know more about her past!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this series and Kali James!
2,110 reviews17 followers
October 15, 2023
Riley is back in the latest book by L.A. McBride. Along with her friends, IT Geek Dez and Necromancer, Kali she helps battle demons, fight off her old Alpha Carl, and juggles the new Alpha, Max who wants her to join his pack. I love the give and take attraction Riley and Max have though it can't be a solid until he trusts her abilities instead of wanting to protect her all the time. Riley, like Kali, is another kick-ass heroine who though always is in trouble, usually manages to squeeze out of it. She holds her friends close but is blind to how important Max is to her- for now. I love these Riley books as I loved Kali's. I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Sentinelle23.
2,001 reviews33 followers
October 21, 2023
❤️❤️🐐 A BIG CRUSH !

For eight years now, Riley has made her living from her job as a waitress.
She was peaceful, free of problems.

Then temptation suddenly resurfaced with a bar customer who told her about the existence of a magic dagger...

------------------------------------

An unexpected and big crush for this Fantasy adventure read in one go, full of action and danger, with a rather mysterious plot, attractive dialogues, totally captivating characters, and many unexpected events.

I loved the main character of Riley!
I can't wait to read the rest!
Well done to the author.

I highly recommend !
❤️❤️🐐
Profile Image for Donna.
158 reviews10 followers
October 15, 2023
This was truly fun! I lost one entire day to a heroine who is a cross between Stephanie Plum and paranormal Kinsey Millhone. I loved this adventure. The characters are interesting, the storyline unpredictable, and the writing and grammar exemplary. I’m so looking forward to the second in this series. Kudos, L.A. McBride. You caught my interest when so many books in this genre are redundant.
Profile Image for Laurel.
605 reviews2 followers
October 23, 2023
I was so excited to read Riley's first full book and I wasn't a bit disappointed! Riley's series is a spin off of McBride's Kali James series and events in this book happen concurrently with that series but we see things from Riley and Volkov POV. You don't have to have read all of the Kali books, but it would really help.

I love Riley, she was one of my favorite characters in Kali's series and I love getting her side of what was going on and learning more about what shes up to and what motivates her. This was well written and a lot of fun, I highly recommend it.

#UrbanFantasy #Paranormal #Mystery #Magic #ContemporaryFantasy
Profile Image for Jo.
Author 2 books
October 13, 2023
Riley is a master thief that happens to be a goat shifter. There’s a heist or two, great characters with plenty of depth, life and death stakes and a bit of humour too.

You definitely don’t need to read the other series. There’s bits that are mentioned from that one but nothing that requires prior knowledge. It all fits smoothly in the plot without anything having to be “told”.

The story was wrapped up nicely with a few little teasers left open at the end for the next book, which I’ll definitely be reading.
35 reviews
October 21, 2023
laugh out loud

I love Riley! Her character makes me laugh out loud. They way she teases Volkov is hilarious. Riley keeps everyone on there toes and trying to guess what she will do next is impossible. Can’t wait for the next book in her series!
Profile Image for Jody.
249 reviews3 followers
October 22, 2023
Riley is the G.O.A.T

With her knack for getting into trouble Riley’s story is hilarious and exhilarating. You can read this as a stand alone but I’d recommend reading Kali’s series first. It helps fill in some of the gaps.
67 reviews
October 25, 2023
Fabulous!

This is another book I’ve read of L.A. McBride’s and they don’t disappoint. They just get better and better. Great story. Hot & steamy. Perfect!
Profile Image for Ezrie  Moon.
19 reviews
April 3, 2024
Actual rating 2.5 star.
I wouldn't call this book "fast paced", there was a lot of down time to the point where it was boring to read. I skimmed a lot. Everything that happened to Riley was just far to0 convenient and easy. At some point she goes "Finally, something going my way for once" or something similar but the whole book till this point has pretty much gone her way. Nothing was difficult.
There was also very little chemistry between her and Max and his Alpha "you can't do this" for EVERYTHING she wanted to do was vastly annoying.
If they are gonna end up together...well who really wants to be in a relationship with someone who doubts you at every turn?
It wasn't a terrible book though, don't get me wrong. it's well written and very typical urban fantasy, nothing that is earth moving. It's an easy read .I might go and read the second book in the series but it's not a priority at all. I will get to the book eventually. That's really how the book felt to me. Very Meh. Not terrible enough to dnf but not exciting enough either for me to jump to the next book.
Quick edit to add that this book was a lot better than the Fastening the Grave/Kali series. I dnfed that book but decided to give this one a try.
Profile Image for Maria.
545 reviews4 followers
June 15, 2024
Good but standard urban fantasy fare

We have the shifter heroine - just for fun she shifts into a goat but to round out the character we have a sassy mouth, impressive heist skills, a few magical superpowers, and a tragic past. Sound familiar?

The plot did not make sense, and a number of the difficulties Riley encountered I had predicted by the end of Chapter 2 (because her decisions were just THAT obviously bad). And I would have been much happier if I just quit around halfway when I was contemplating it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews

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