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The Rivers of Hell #1

The River of Fire

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He’ll never be the hero, but I might be damned to love him anyway.

My life was quiet, boring, even. I liked it that way—until everything burned. Turns out the Underworld has a bit of a problem: too many damned souls and not enough space to store them. Their solution? Recruit half-human hybrids like me to help clean house. I didn’t ask to be part angel and part demon. I definitely didn’t ask to be conscripted into a supernatural war.

And I really didn’t ask for Ashtaroth. He’s one of Hell’s oldest archdemons—lethal, ancient and way too invested in my survival.

Now we’re forced to work together—me, the reluctant recruit, and him, the monster who might be falling for me. Or maybe he’s just waiting to devour me whole.

I don’t know what’s worse: the horrors of Hell… or how much I want the villain in charge of it.

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 2, 2024

326 people are currently reading
1869 people want to read

About the author

Liana Valerian

17 books298 followers
Liana Valerian is a passionate gamer, obsessed bookworm, enthusiastic sci-fi and fantasy nerd, and self-proclaimed crazy cat lady. She crafts dark fantasy romance novels filled with humor, spice, and mythology, blending gothic and romantic elements in shadowy realms where darkness reigns.
Liana's debut novel, The River of Fire, the first in The Rivers of Hell series, is a steamy romance set in the Underworld, where angels, demons, and forbidden love collide. Now, Liana is branching out into sci-fi, taking readers on thrilling, otherworldly adventures filled with romance, intrigue, and the unknown.
You can follow her adventures and connect with her on social media @liana.valerian.

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5 stars
239 (49%)
4 stars
139 (28%)
3 stars
77 (15%)
2 stars
23 (4%)
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9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
Profile Image for Mia S..
567 reviews42 followers
October 19, 2024
Surprised

Ok so I read the prequel as my reading group requested, and because I don’t put trilogies down (unless bleh) I decided to continue because the prequel- Gates of Hell was an interesting story and yes see how it was so blended in this story! Surprised because I really wasn’t expecting much! That sounds worse, but I didn’t expect to love as much as I did! The story lines were interesting and Lana and Ash’s story was so much, and spicy but not overly. I mean yes a lot but some stories is just all spice and end up skipping over to get back to the story (truth) but not here. The spice enhanced the story and dining room scene alone wow! But the story was really great, heartbreaking at times, and of course leads up to next book which I cannot wait to get into!
Profile Image for theshadyivy.
244 reviews40 followers
July 3, 2024
General: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🫦🫦🫦🫦🫦

The first book of the The Rivers in Hell series The River of Fire by Liana Valerian will be released on August 2nd.

Tropes:
🪽 Age gap
🪽 Kidnapping
🪽 Enemies to lovers
🪽 Touch her & ☠️
🪽 Found family
🪽 Forbidden
🪽 He falls first
🪽 Badass FMC
🪽 Obsessive villainous MMC
🪽 Mythology

The first book in this series takes you again, like the prequel The Gates of Hell, straight to hell.
It is bursting at its seams caused by too many souls of sinners, which causes rifts to the human world. The Council of angels and demons decide to bring Elioud, ancestors of angels and/or demons to hell, to train them to fight against the manifestation of souls.

Our FMC Lana is one of the Elioud and something special among them. She is one the first who copes well with the new situation in an unfamiliar vicinity. She develops a lot of skills, which make her a badass warrior among the others.

Astharoth our MMC is the Great Duke of Hell, who experiences something totally new to him.

And we have this little sidekick Puck, who is soooo cute … you will wish to have someone like him at home.

Liana has such a wonderful way to write, it’s full of dry humor as well as a lot of banter. The story is mysterious and reveals itself slowly through the book, with a lot of plot twists.

And I cannot forget to tell you this book is hot as hell, pun intended. There is so much smut, you will get all sweaty and dripping.

Quotes:
It occurs to me that I didn't even think of the fact that he could have taken on a ... less humanoid form. I shudder, thinking about being pinned down by something with scales or a tail. However, what girl would mind a forked tongue? I slap my hand against my face as if I'm trying to beat the intrusive thoughts away.
Daniel chuckles and I realize my saintly friend is relieved that I got off instead of getting offed.

I want to beg him to kiss me, but l know that's not what he meant and it's not what this is about. And I want him inside me so badly I could die.
"Please," | whisper against his lips.
He shakes his head slowly.
I gulp, too tense to breathe, and try again, "Please, fuçk me."
He notches the tip of his coçk at my entrance and just waits, looking at me patiently, seemingly unaffected.
If I didn't feel him hard and leaking, I would think he has little interest in the act.
But me, I want, I need. I damn a piece of my soul for pleasure and say,
"Please, fuçk me, Master."
Profile Image for Smuttybookoholic.
194 reviews
July 4, 2024
I’m trying to find words to describe how amazing this book was. Liana you did a spectacular job! I can not wait to order these beautiful babies for my bookshelf. I am obsessed. I could not quit blowing my friends DMs up with how good this book was. I related to Lana more than I have ever related to another character out of all the books I have read. Her age, her attitude, her sense of humor, I just seen so much of myself in this character. I loved every second of her story. Ash, oh daddy Ash, I have found a new Demon book husband. Your “touch her and die”, “I would burn the world for you” “possessive” “morally black MC”! I loved everything about him. I loved how he only shows Lana his soft side and to everyone else he is this frightening archdemon that could incinerate them with a snap of his fingers! 😂 I loved that he would apologize to Lana, when he realized he was in the wrong! Their banter is so funny and the chemistry was phenomenal! The plot was just as good! 10/10. The smut, oh let me tell you the smut!! Was chefs kiss, top tier! Lana’s inner dialogue of how she describes Ash and the stuff she thinks just made me giggle because it sounds exactly like things me and my friend would say! For all my, paranormal, romantasy, dark romance girlies, I urge you to read this as soon as it releases, which will be August 2, 2024! It is that good!
Profile Image for MKat1214.
558 reviews19 followers
November 1, 2024
Tropes:
-multi POV
-angels/demons
-morally grey MMC
-villainous MMC
-enemies to lovers
-touch her and die
-badass FMC
-kidnapping
-instant lust
-paranormal(imps, succubus, etc.)
-banter
-exhibitionism
-voyeurism

I haven't read many Angels and Demons books, so this was a fun adventure for me. It was unique and funny. I can't wait to read the next one. The side characters are written incredibly well. So much that you get overly attached to them.

Lana is taken from her normal life to Purgatory to train as a soldier. While in training, she discovers that she is not fully human. She is something special. Lana is a badass with fighting skills and magic. While on patrol, she runs into an Archdemon, Ash. It is lust at first sight.

Ash is a demon who feeds off blood and lust. Give me all the villainous MMCs, please, and thank you. Ash decides he wants Lana all for himself and kidnaps her to Hell. The spice was HOT. I love an MMC who has it bad for his woman.

I have to give an honorable mention to Puck. He is an adorable imp. How do I know he is cute? Because Liana includes a picture of him. I love him. I want him.

If you like PNR, you don't want to miss this book. It is a true page-turner and is written incredibly well. It is available on KU.

Quotes:
He’ll never be the hero. But I clearly have the capacity to fall in love with a villain.
Profile Image for jor.
251 reviews8 followers
October 29, 2024
"Can't have you dying before I feast on your cunt." COME AGAIN?? oh my gosh, this book was hotttt! I enjoyed every second of this. like once I got like 30% in, I could not stop reading. The banter, the action, and the spice made for a wonderful read. This is definitely one of those books that I'm gonna think about for a while. I am now completely obsessed with Liana's writing and cant wait for more!
Profile Image for Noemi Salazar.
254 reviews6 followers
November 1, 2024
The River of Fire
By Liana Valerian

5 ⭐ 4🌶️

Tropes:
🪽 Age gap
🖤 Ladynapping
🪽 Enemies to lovers
🖤 He falls first
🪽 Forbidden romance
🖤 Badass FMC
🪽 Morally grey/villainous MMC
🖤 Touch her & 💀

Main Characters:
Lana & Ashtaroth

Stand out lines/quotes:
“For the next several millennia, I only felt a perversion of the little emotion we were given. Lust in control, pride of self, greed for power.”
“I suggest you don’t play with fire unless you wish to be burned”

My Thoughts:
I love Lana & Ash. I really enjoyed the storyline, I do wish there was a little more explanation behind Lana’s bloodline but maybe that will come later. Ashtaroth is freaking hot, I’d be ok if he kidnapped me too. I am in love with the characters and I cannot wait to see what comes next in this series.
Profile Image for Chelsea Kohutek.
111 reviews2 followers
October 31, 2024
I loved this book so much!! I love the world Liana created and how seamlessly she wove together the backstory of the FMC (Lana) and the romance aspect of the book.

I love the paranormal/fantasy/religious mythology that was intertwined to create a beautiful story. The witty banter and chemistry between the MCs and other side characters so so good.

This story took me through a journey of emotions: hate, love, sadness, happiness. It was a whirlwind. The spice was so good too! It never felt out of place or forced. I cringed at zero of the lines used so that’s also a plus! I couldn’t put this book down!

Definitely recommended for my paranormal/romantasy readers!
Profile Image for Vileen.
40 reviews13 followers
August 3, 2024
"Acting in fear of the opinion of others will lead you down the wrong path."
"You see, with how humans are multiplying like rabbits in your mortal realm, so does sin."

This is the first book of the series, you're in for a hell of a read (although set in Purgatory...mostly) 😉 Definitely a must-read if you like fantasy, adventure, magic, and relations between characters ranging from lovely friendships, lust, and love.

Hell is overpopulated, so these silly rulers decide hey let's kidnap some mortals and train them to be soldiers. Lana is a mortal who gets kidnapped and swooped away from her monotonous life, training to be a fighter while also drawing in the interest of a powerful archdemon to be feared...that's all I'll say.

I thought TGOH was good but THIS truly deserved 5 stars 👏 Everyone is so badass and the premise is unique. Very rarely do I feel that newer books these days are well written, but Li really does have a refreshing style of her own where you can picture it all and get wonderful world-building and fighting action without overbearing description. Li's engaging prose is consistent between both her prequel novella and this book. Also, Lana was ACTUALLY funny. I LOLED SEVERAL TIMES. Not only do you see some well-developed character growth but also Li's growth as an author.

Although I am not a big fan of spice because I feel that spicy books are usually lacking in plot, TRoF actually contains BOTH plot and spice. It is quite spicy if that's your thing and honestly it is more appropriate and appreciative here thematically because of the theme of sinful lust and how Ash's thoughts alter throughout. As an aside, I have never seen fantasy books even USE the word platelets in healing, as a nerd I approve of the scientific use while ALSO calling out on the misogynistic, derogatory behavior of men throughout this book. "So you want to apologize because I'm upset, and not because of what you said? Typical man."

Of course, we can't forget about PUCK, the cutest imp ever. He's surely chaotic but he's so silly and loyal, now I want a Puck of my own! ALSO Ash who is literally a BROODING SHADOW DEMON calling Lana the nickname SWEETNESS is literally SO CUTE.

After reading the sneak peak, I already know book 2 is also going to be good :)
Profile Image for Paula Campbell.
59 reviews8 followers
November 1, 2024
I devoured The Gates of Hell novella so it made sense to check out The River of Hell and I can only say I wish I’d done it sooner!

The character building in this is phenomenal, Ash especially cracked me up - the demon with all the feels. Both of the MC’s are easy to fall in love with and make this spicy fast paced book an easy read.

My favourite throughout though has to be Puck! We all need our own version of him. Liana has smashed it with the novella and now this, I can’t wait for The Realm of Shadows.

If you haven’t started this series, you are missing out!
Profile Image for S.D. Paine.
Author 5 books124 followers
July 16, 2024
I LOVED this book! Lana is an awesome, feisty main character. Her inner dialogue was great. The humor in this book is very well done!

The series is such a cool take on angels and demons. The imagery was perfect. Why do I want to go live in hell now?! Only if I get to stay with Ash. Come to mommaaaa, demon daddyyy! 🔥

This books is violent and spicy in all the best ways. Cannot wait to read what comes next!! 🖤
Profile Image for Chasing Silhouettes.
261 reviews26 followers
March 28, 2025
Lana is a spunky snarky hellcat. She's a Nephalem, a human with demon and angelic ancestry, full of clichés and a propensity towards humor in the most perilous of situations.

Ashtaroth is an archdemon, wise, and poised with a commanding no-nonsense demeanor. And Lana just happens to stir and awaken something within him... curiosity, intrigue... and a desire possibly hotter than Hell, itself. What he wouldn't do to break her of her pride and make her succumb to his sadistic will. Can Lana hold her own against this domineering archdemon and make him lose control?

If Rhysand (ACOTAR) were a mere tidal wave, then Ashtaroth would be the tsunami. Oh my goodness! Ashtaroth is the epitome of saliciousness. (And he knows how to throw one hell of a feast! 😱) It didn't matter how many eyes were upon them or where they were. He took what he wanted ruthlessly.

And Puck! I want one! Idk why, but when I think of him, I think of a demon version of a cherub.

This book is rich with writhing pleasure (and pain) from libidinous exploration and the unexpected!

Liana is a magician when it comes to writing her characters. Their personalities are apparent and recognizable through her descriptions, as well as their dialogue and mannerisms. How can a reader not feel a connection with them, especially the primary and secondary characters! And let's just face it, her stories are a smoldering smorgasbord of scandalous unmentionables... at least in polite company.

P.S. if you want a touch more of this couple, they're in A Hellish Christmas Short Story Duology.

5🌟
Profile Image for Vikki.
584 reviews
October 31, 2024
The River of Fire by Liana Valerian is an unexpectedly delightful plunge into the depths of Hell, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I adored this book, especially the banter that crackles between the characters like a lightning bolt over a demonic battlefield. Seriously, if witty repartee were a weapon, Lana and Ashtaroth would be the ultimate power couple, slaying demons and snark alike.

Lana, our introverted heroine, finds herself yanked from her mundane life and tossed into the Underworld—talk about a major plot twist! She encounters the dangerously alluring archdemon Ashtaroth, who clearly needs a lesson in personal space and consent. But who can resist that smoldering gaze and wicked charm? Their chemistry is like fire and brimstone, and you’ll be rooting for Lana to embrace her inner villainess, even as she fights against the lust he ignites within her.

And let’s not forget Puck, the imp! Every reader needs to rally around this chaotic little ball of mischief. Protect him at all costs! He’s the perfect blend of comic relief and adorable troublemaker, and honestly, I’d follow him into the depths of Hell if it meant more of his antics.

Valerian’s world-building is richly immersive, dragging you into the beautifully twisted landscapes of Hell while keeping the humor sharp and darkly delicious. The moral dilemmas are as spicy as the romance, and you’ll be questioning whether you’d rather kiss a demon or avoid eternal damnation—tough choices!

I cannot wait for the next book! If you’re in the mood for a dark romance that’s equal parts thrilling and hilarious, The River of Fire is your ticket to a hellishly good time. Grab your favorite snack, settle in, and prepare for a story that’s as addictive as it is wickedly fun!
Profile Image for GheridenTheBookBard .
220 reviews29 followers
November 5, 2024
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

The River of Fire by Liana Valerian is a wild, unforgettable journey. Valerian’s writing is immersive and lush, pulling you into a world that feels both hauntingly beautiful and raw. Her characters are so well-crafted and real, flawed, and easy to connect with as they navigate high-stakes challenges and, yes, some steamy moments that definitely turn up the heat!

The plot is a perfect mix of action, intrigue, and spice, with just enough tension to keep you turning pages. Valerian balances epic fantasy elements with emotional depth, while also adding just the right amount of romance that’s as compelling as it is spicy. There are a few slower parts, but honestly, they just give you more time to sink into the world and the characters’ struggles.

If you’re looking for a book that has it all—fantasy, romance, and brings the heat—The River of Fire is a must-read. It’s the kind of story that lingers, leaving you thinking about the characters long after you’ve finished. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a bit of everything in their fantasy!
56 reviews1 follower
October 31, 2024
After reading The Gates of Hell I didn’t think I could read anything that I would love more even though that was a novella. Then I read the River of Fire and I ate it up. I absolutely devoured this book. I loved it so much.

The banter going on and the inner monologues going on between the characters is hilarious and spicy and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Whether it’s angels and demons or half-lings and demons or whatever mythological creature Liana has a way of bringing you into the pages so you feel like you are one of the characters of her story. There was one character in particular that I fell in love with and would love to have one of my own to curl up in bed with. PUCK!!! He is a little demon who kind of I think becomes the protector of the FMC.

If you are looking for spice that has you curling your toes and banter that has you cracking up at times. This is the book for you. Like the novella I am ready for what’s next and can’t wait to meet my new best friends in the next books. I’m curious to see who it’s about next…..hmmm? I absolutely loved The river of Fire!

🔥Demon Daddy (literally)
🔥Bad Ass FMC
🔥🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🔥Mythological Dark Romance
🔥Shadow Daddy
🔥Touch Her and Die
Profile Image for Shelbie.
72 reviews7 followers
October 29, 2024
I am by far obsessed with Liana’s writing and this series in general. The way she brings the characters to life and how she makes the story move so smoothly between chapters, I never get confused on what’s going on. This book had me so addicted I did not want to put it down. I loved the main characters and how their relationship changes through out the book, it had me memorized and don’t get me started on puck. I will honestly say I love this one more than the first. The way she writes the spicy scenes had me book drunk!😍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nikki.
304 reviews85 followers
October 28, 2024
Liana’s brand of spice is my new favourite. My goodness this was HOT. And I mean that quite literally since it takes place in Purgatory. Loved following Lana’s journey and of course Ash is just devilishly perfect. And PUCK! The most hellish, adorable little imp legend. Cannot wait for her upcoming release called The Realm of Shadows that centres around SUCCUBUS. Highly recommend🖤
Profile Image for Joy Parsons.
396 reviews5 followers
October 31, 2024
Great story. Loved getting to read it! The characters and world-building were spot on and I really enjoyed reading from page 1!
Profile Image for Tammy.
273 reviews1 follower
January 19, 2026
Anyone want angels and demons with spice?
Check this one out! I’m definitely enjoying this series
Profile Image for Unbound Bookworm.
42 reviews
November 2, 2024
I can not begin to even describe just how much I am loving this series. I have quickly become so heavily invested in this beautiful story that is unfolding and the character development is so good! If you are a lover of all things demon and angel and every other supernatural thing that goes with it you will absolutely love these books! Easily one of my favorite reads of the year and for sure one of my favorite series that I'm reading. I'll be impatiently waiting to see how this story plays out! The story is amazing, the spice is so good! Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Suze.
1,884 reviews1,297 followers
August 3, 2024
The River of Fire is a great, sassy story with plenty of humor and spice. I enjoyed Liana Valerian’s amazing world-building and was gripped by her action scenes. I really loved this book and can’t wait to read more.
Profile Image for Sami.
100 reviews7 followers
September 29, 2024
Let me just say first of all, this book was brilliant! I absolutely love how Liana has so much biblical lore in it! It's amazing and you can tell she took the time to truly do her research!
This book is a must read for anyone that like any kind of mythology with some extra spice thrown in! I love the flow of how this book reads and I can't wait to read book two to see what happens to Ash and Lana next!
Profile Image for Corpse Bride.
19 reviews1 follower
December 20, 2024
YES YES YESSSSSS!!!

The River of Fire by Liana Valerian is a devilishly addictive plunge into a world where Hell is more than just a myth. It's a realm teeming with forbidden desires, dark intrigue, and seductive demons. From the moment you're thrust into this vividly constructed underworld, you won't want to leave. Lana, the fiery, snarky heroine, is pulled from her mundane life into the clutches of Hell itself, only to face off against the dangerously irresistible archdemon Ashtaroth. He’s not your typical brooding anti-hero—he’s powerful, ancient, and more than willing to burn down the world to claim her.

The banter between Lana and Ashtaroth is electric, sparking with both tension and undeniable attraction that makes every scene between them a delicious tug-of-war. Valerian masterfully weaves a story that's equal parts dark fantasy and seductive romance, giving readers moments of intense, heart-pounding action alongside heated, open-door encounters that leave nothing to the imagination. Ashtaroth, with his brooding, commanding presence, is the perfect foil to Lana’s fierce independence, and their chemistry practically sets the pages on fire.

Beyond the steamy romance, The River of Fire dives into rich lore and world-building. The stakes are high as Heaven and Hell collide in a battle to contain the growing chaos. Valerian doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker themes of lust, power, and survival, but she tempers it with moments of humor and emotional vulnerability that add depth to the characters. Lana is no damsel in distress; she is a force of nature who stands her ground, making her a MFC reader's root for.

If you’re looking for a sexy, fast-paced ride through the depths of Hell where the villain gets the girl and every page drips with tension and spice, River of Fire is your next must-read.

Tropes
Villain/Anti-Hero Love Interest: Ashtaroth is a powerful, ancient demon, not your typical hero but someone who walks the line between danger and desire.

Forced Proximity: Lana is kidnapped and thrown into Hell, forced to work closely with Ashtaroth, intensifying their attraction and tension.

Enemies to Lovers: Initially, Lana resists Ashtaroth's advances and his dark allure, but their relationship slowly transforms into something deeper.

Overpowered Love Interest: Ashtaroth is an ancient, dangerous being with immense power, and his presence dominates the story.

Dark Fantasy World: The story is set in Hell, filled with demons, angels, and a richly imagined underworld.

Sassy Heroine: Lana is snarky, strong, and not afraid to stand her ground, making her more than a match for the powerful demon.

Open-Door Romance: The romance between Lana and Ashtaroth includes steamy, explicit scenes, adding intensity to their dynamic.

Touch Her and You Die: Ashtaroth is fiercely protective of Lana, showing possessiveness and a willingness to destroy anyone who threatens her.

He Falls First: Ashtaroth is initially captivated by Lana and becomes obsessed with her while she tries to resist his allure.
Profile Image for Ruth Bookish Angel.
331 reviews36 followers
July 21, 2024
The River of Fire. The Rivers of Hell Series book 1
by Liana Valerian

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Always read trigger warnings!

This is a dark gothic romantasy

Tropes:
🖤Enemies to lovers
🖤Badass FMC
🖤Steamy
🖤Age gap
🖤Touch her & ☠️
🖤Obsessive villainous MMC
🖤Mythology
🖤Multi-POV
🖤Found Family

Immersive and Elegant: Eternal and consuming… Utterly hot, as hot as the pits of Hell and as likely to consume you.

River of Fire follows seamlessly from the prequel: The Novela: The Gates of Hell, perfectly and is a Devine accompaniment to the overall aesthetic and narrative of the storyline as a whole.

This is scorching hot and it’s not just the fiery pits of hell that will have you sweating and begging profusely for more.

The fluidity of the narrative is awe inspiring!
Eloquent and descriptive. A heartwarming tale of unexpected love and friendship.

Lana, FMC. Unbeknown to her, she is Elioud: a special blend of bloodlines… Of angel and Demon.
She is whisked to the depths of hell to develop and hone her skills with others of her kind with whom she develops close bonds with overtime.

Our FMC is feisty and a tad cooky, a real firecracker.

Ashtorath, MMC. Morally black with a marshmallow centre. Big bad, brooding archDemon… he is dark, sin incarnate and everything a good girl needs! A brilliantly deep and complex character. I simply cannot get enough of him.
I fell absolutely in love with his character and the development which he takes along the journey through his narrative.

The dynamic between our MC’s is palpable and a fast moving rollercoaster ride from the moment they meet. This is an epic awe inspiring story that will have you on the edge of your seat through the twists and turns at every corner. It’s hot as the fiery pits of hell, but you will not want to leave.

Liana, is truly gifted in her craft and this book is sure to WOW you all the way through the intricate and finally honed narrative.

The Elaborate world building: the complex and intriguing characters: the brilliantly crafted dialogue and humorous banter that will have you laughing out loud at unexpected moments!

Liana is an amazing writer, she is extremely talented and able to draw you into the beautiful intricacies and sophistication of the storyline.

A world full of angels and Demons, a stunning mythological universe.

I cannot wait for the next instalment of this story. Bravo Liana!

Quote:
“It occurs to me that I didn't even think of the fact that he could have taken on a ... less humanoid form. I shudder, thinking about being pinned down by something with scales or a tall. However, what girl would mind a forked tongue? I slap my hand against my face as if I'm trying to beat the intrusive thoughts away.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lianne Scheepers.
154 reviews2 followers
September 17, 2024
I’m seriously so happy I found this author and her work. This book was awesome!

The world building is great and written in such a way that’s very immersive yet super smooth to read. (Sometimes world building is so extensive that I have to think on what I should be envisioning, making me work for those images in my mind a bit. I didn’t have to work for the images with this book, they were just there already.)

The story is well written and full of passion and plot twists. I absolutely loved Ashtaroth and Lana, their build-up, and their push-and-pull had me turning pages like a woman obsessed. The spice is hot as hell (pun intended) yet their story still has so much heart.

I really enjoyed Lana’s wit, she had me laughing out loud several times. I mean…
“I’ll probably have ‘made fun of a demon lord’s tiny tail’ written on my gravestone.”
This is just gold. 😂

The gothic vibes were such a lovely addition and made my inner goth really happy. I cannot wait to see what else Liana Valerian has up her sleeve for her readers!
Profile Image for Katelynn | booksareadoorway.
371 reviews18 followers
July 21, 2024
This was a great first full-length book in the Rivers of Hell series. It was spicy, funny, had a strong FMC, a morally grey MMC, and action. What more could you ask for?

"I must be ovulating or something because there is no way I'm getting a daddy demon breeding kink right now."

Lana is our badass FMC. She was living blissfully unaware of what she truly was in the human world until she was kidnapped by a demon and brought to Purgatory. There, she discovered that she was a nephalem: she possessed both angelic and demonic ancestry. This made her a rare commodity in Hell's fight against overcrowding. Ashtaroth is an Archdemon known for his wisdom and command over legions. Once Ashtaroth lays eyes on Lana when she's on patrol, there's no going back. He has to possess his "little lamb." What happens when the two of them get together is 🔥🔥🔥

I had to give Puck his own special section of my review because I want an imp of my own after reading about him. Puck is an Imp known for causing chaos wherever he goes. He and Lana become best friends, and it's adorable. Ashataroth even becomes jealous of the little Imp. I need more Puck in the next book.

The world building was beautiful. The way that Liana describes this version of Hell really paints a picture in your head and sets it apart from the versions of Hell that other authors write.

I can't wait to read more of this series. There are still so many archdemons that I would love to hear more about and many facets of the war that Hell is fighting to explore.
Profile Image for Jacky.
163 reviews8 followers
July 11, 2024
I had the opportunity to beta read this first installment in The rivers of Hell series by Liana Valerian. The River of Fire will be released on August 2nd 2024.

“I’ve not been in Heaven in an eternity, but between her legs, my memories of it feel sharper”

Just like in the prequel The Gates of Hell, Liana takes you to Hell. And let me tell you, once you have a taste of Hell, you don’t want to come back of it. Liana has a way with words that is unheard of. She made me laugh out loud and made me cry like a little girl all in the same book. The River of Fire is a fantasy with magnificent world-building and a very steamy romance, it has demons, fallen angels and everything in-between but most of all, it has a plot!

The FMC is sassy, sarcastic and a total badass and I loved her instantly. She is protective of the people she loves and can care for herself and isn’t a damsel in distress. The MMC is possessive and an asshole, but I loved him for it! The side characters are so good and I can only hope we will see more of them in the next books. And Puck!! I want my own little Puck to share cherry tomatoes with!

So if you’re looking for a new exciting fantasy world to dive into, then get your ticket to Hell, you won’t regret it, I promise!!

Tropes:
-Age gap
-Enemies to lovers
-(Fallen) Angels and Demons
-Kidnapping
-Found Family
-He falls first
-Sarcastic kick-ass FMC
-Obsessive MMC
-Mythology
Profile Image for Kerry Topping.
Author 2 books6 followers
July 29, 2024
I want to thank the lovely Liana for allowing me to be part of her arc team!

I read this in one day. I cannot tell you when the last time was that I actually binged a book in a day but this was addictive and I could not put it down (I actually tried to get up at one point to do adulting stuff, failed miserably and skipped back to this book giggling)

I adored everything about this, it's fast-paced filled with action and the spice was just *chefs kiss* Lana is my favourite kind of FMC - a total badass with sharp wit that had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions. Her friend Mike's description of her at the novel's beginning - I have NEVER felt so seen!
Our MMC Ashtaroth, Ash...Master...well he's gotta be up there as one of the hottest characters I've ever encountered. Morally grey, touch her and die, big brute sexy MF. I'm also such a sucker for a gothic castle, and you guessed it, he has one. Hello, new book boyfriend.

Their chemistry was like lightning (if you've read it you'll see what I did there) and I could not get enough. I cannot wait for the next book now, I'm reeling to find out what happens next!

Also...Puck, I need him. I hope Liana makes plushie versions of him because I will purchase as many of them as years Ash is old.

I cannot recommend this enough if you're a fan of romantasy and dark romance - it is completely worth the hype and Liana is an utter genius! I've never wanted to go to hell so badly!
Profile Image for Dee | myliteraryera.
200 reviews30 followers
August 15, 2024
“ℑ 𝔴𝔞𝔫𝔱 𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔬 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔬𝔫𝔩𝔶 𝔠𝔯𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔪𝔶 𝔣𝔩𝔢𝔰𝔥 𝔦𝔫 𝔯𝔢𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔫, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔞𝔩𝔰𝔬 𝔱𝔬 𝔣𝔦𝔫𝔡 𝔪𝔶 𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔯𝔢 𝔟𝔢𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔞𝔰 𝔳𝔦𝔱𝔞𝔩 𝔱𝔬 𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔢𝔵𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔞𝔰 𝔞𝔦𝔯.”

+ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 +
𝘉𝘺 𝘓𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯

[ 4.5 ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩]
[ 4 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️]

Following on from The Gates of Hell prequel, Liana graces us with TROF. Book One in her world of Angels & Demons series.

Just as I loved TGOH for the sensuality, TROF provided the SPICE and action. Perfectly blending the two in this dark gothic romance.

Throughout the story there is a sublime amount of banter, wittyness, adventure and heat. The storyline continues from book one exceptionally well and I really enjoyed learning about all the depraved and fallen characters that make up the ‘Below’.

The humour throughout, despite being a dark gothic read, kept me snickering the entire time and surprised at how dark scenes could get. What a contrast!

Ashtaroth, his evil lordship archdemon.
Is entranced by a mere beautiful Auburn haired female. He decides the first time he laid eyes on this little Lamb, wouldn’t be the last. - Did someone say Demon Daddy?🔥

Lana is a tall, freckled, green eyed feisty beauty with locks of red. Our FMC encompasses the meaning of ‘witty’ and there is not an instance where she cannot break tension with it. 🔥

Lana comes to understand who and Ashtaroth is, though that did not deter her from the forbidden temptation.

Thank you for another great read Li. I’m excited to see what awaits us in The Realm of Shadows! 🖤🔥
Profile Image for book_babe_chey.
6 reviews1 follower
September 3, 2024
It has all of your favorite troupes, you've got the bad ass MFC, obsessive but protective MMC 😉, forbidden, age gap, kidnapping, enemies to lovers ❤️‍🔥, and many more! 😜

Plenty of action, spice, and keeps you wanting more!
I would recommend this book to any and everyone! If you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for? 😋
Liana did an amazing job portraying the characters, the story line, everything about it is just amazing! 🥹 I loved getting to read it & I can't wait for more books by her!


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