Desires of the Damned

by Courtney Dailey

A Dark Demon-based, Splatterpunk Erotica.

Please check the tw/cw before choosing to read.
Your mental health matters, love.

Desires of the Damned is a very dark, and triggering read. It is encouraged for you to check the content warnings thoroughly before choosing to read. Not all books are for everyone, and that is okay.

Blurb:

Reaping souls for centuries...
It's what I was made for.
What I am supposed to do.
That one soul though...
It's come back to haunt me, leaving me falling for an angel.

Monsters like us...
We aren't meant to love.
So much pain comes with love.

Genres: Fantasy, Dark, Erotica, Dark Romance

513 pages, Paperback

First published October 3, 2024

Reviews

[•mikaela• :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

Very dark and VERY spicy!

I love how there are trigger warnings before every chapter that has tougher scenes, just to make sure you know what you’re getting into.
And the character art throughout is so helpful! 🖤

Very spicy with MM, FF, MMF and some triggering scenes. Not for the faint of heart.

I’m so interested to see where this series will go. 🫶🏻

[b00kishbritt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this in a giveaway and fell in love with the cover 😍 then I saw the trigger warnings and had to get into it ! This is a DARK demon romance, with plently of warning! I thought it was cool each chapter came with its own TWs. And the artwork of characters throughout the book!!
I love that.
It was a quick, very spicy read with some gruesome parts. Curious to see where the series goes next! Thank you for this copy, she looks beautiful on the shelf!

what's it about?

Raven is a soul-reaping demon with a dangerous flaw: a conscience. She hunts only the wicked, refusing to become the monster everyone expects. Dimitri, the demon who claims she belongs to him, is done watching her “go soft.” When he discovers she’s catching feelings for a human with a blindingly pure soul, he spirals—leaving brutal killings behind to force her back to darkness.
Detective Emmit starts connecting the bodies, and a ruthless demon hunter is closing in. Now Raven is trapped between a jealous demon, a human she can’t stay away from, and two hunters ready to kill her.

•495 Pages
•Dual POV
•MM MF MMF
•No HEA
•Gore
•🌶🌶🌶🌶

[Lindsey Stillthatwitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall enjoyed this book! She really put her heart and soul into it. Tons of triggers but I love that, she did a great job warning throughout. Definitely worth a read! Super fun and smutty

[Niamhyyy12]

DNF- 30% in

I did enjoyed it at the beginning the writing was okay but as the book progressed it became a little flat and a little repetitive, the word “love” was thrown around too much, I also expected it to be more “dark” considering the tw list- maybe if I read more I would’ve gotten more,would’ve loved more detailed writing within these “chapters” but the whole “eating /killing” and torture was very rushed imo and then it continued to a new night? Not detailed enough for me but for others it may be great:) maybe if i continue it would’ve progressed but honestly I would’ve been forcing myself to continue

Thank you for the arc but it just wasn’t for me 💕

[Michelle Partridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay can we take a moment to appreciate the fact that there were trigger warnings before the start of certain chapters. That is hands down the best thing I’ve seen and I’m 100% for it ❤️ Also, I’m pretty sure the list of trigger warnings was the same length as my Costco receipt 🤣

I ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY loved this book!! It had me on the edge of seat, it had me angry, sad & had me saying WTF, You dirty SOB you better not, etc. My poor heart ached & broke into pieces 💔 for the FMC 😭 Thanks for crushing my soul🥺

Let’s talk about the art!! Ummmm C. Dailey you are freaking amazing! I loved being able to see what the characters looked like and the fact that how I was picturing them was somewhat similar was 👌🏼🫶🏼🙌🏼

The spice in this book was soooo damn yummy 🤤 It was definitely the right amount 😉 & very dark 🖤🖤

P.S. book 2 is needed ASAP, please & thank you 😘♥️🖤

Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[kall.isreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆ eARC review
rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
spice : 🌶🌶🌶🌶
-

desires of the damned was a gory fkn ride.
this is a very dark, gory story with no happy ending.
please check TWs.

Our FMC is Raven, a soul reaping demon who's developed a twisted moral compass over her years. with one green and one hazel eye and an allure that she's perfected over the years, she hunts for prey inside night clubs, looking for vile souls to devour as her way of redemption.

Dimitri is one of our pitch black MMC, although this soul reaping demon has only gotten more hateful over his unending years on the earth, he still claims Raven as his.

Detective Emmett Rouse has a new partner to manage, and a serial killer to catch. And his instincts are pointing right at a raven-haired beauty with mismatched eyes.

what you get :
♡ paranormal dark romance
♡ multiple POVs
♡ MM / FF / MFM
♡ dub / non con
♡ morally grey FMC
♡ pitch black MMC
♡ obsession
♡ revenge
♡ blood play
♡ dismemberment
♡ no HEA
♡ chapter titles

[Salsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 4/5

This book completely delivered on the darkness that it promised, it kept me hooked in and in suspense throughout. Absolutely loved it. It was gruesome and thrilling.

We have the FMC, Raven, who we learn is a Soul Reaper demon. She is experiencing a moral conflict over her hunting habits after meeting a beautiful red-headed bartender who has a pure soul.

Dimitri, our pitch black soul reaper MMC, has a claim over Raven and grows spiteful and unhinged over Raven’s attention shifting away from him.

And then, there is Detective Emmet! He is investigating a string of brutal murders along with an unwanted partner, where they catch sight of Raven at the night club the victims were last sighted.

Another thing I absolutely loved about this book were both the chapter content warnings and all of the included artwork. It was so nice to visualize the characters the way the author sees them.

[Tyanna Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author and it did not disappoint. Once I picked it up it was so hard to put it down. It took a few hours to read less than a day. There are some scenes that some may not find appealing and might trigger them, so I would be cautious when going into it, and remember to take a break or stop reading if it gets to bad for you. But I absolutely loved it. The main FMC Raven gets put through the wringer. Some parts made me want to scream and throw my phone because why you know. Now it's labeled as not a happy ending but to me the ending was good and happy considering what was done to my girl Raven. If you love very dark romance, a strong willed FMC, are okay with a little un-aliving, and some girl on girl, guy on guy, and sex with more than two this book is absolutely for you, and I'm sure you'll like it as much as I do.

[Martha Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, the TW are longer than a CVS receipt, so be sure to look over them thoroughly before reading.

Can I just say wow! Courtney Dailey really put her all into writing this book! I was hooked from the first chapter and devoured it within a day!

Raven is just out here trying to live her life only to be railed (*wink*) by Dmitri, who is the biggest red flag ever. Talk about toxic love! There is some MM and FF action going. The spicy scenes were SPICY, and Courtney delivered on those!

There are illustrations of the characters throughout the book, and I loved that it helped me when I thought about the characters in my head.

The book ends and leaves you wanting more!

If you like smut, toxic men, some gruesome content, and a great plot Courtney has written up just the book!

[Libby DeLira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I read Desires of the Damned. I have to say what first caught my eye was the trigger warnings (for some, myself included, this is more like a check list😉). However, the trigger warnings are extensive and should be read before reading this book because it is a deliciously dark read. It is a very spicy book (Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️) with MM, FF, MMF and some triggering scenes. Not for the faint of heart. Before each chapter is a list of the triggering scenes ahead.

I LOVED this book!It had beautiful illustrations in the book and I could not put it down! I was so engaged in the amazing immersive world of C.Dailey I found myself pulling out my phone to read the ebook every chance I got, from the 5 min it took me to go from one class to another, to reading while I whenever I could sneak out the phone. I could not wait to find out what happened next and went from reading "just one more chapter.." to staying up all night to finish the story! It had me on the edge of seat, it had me excited, anxious, sad, happy, angry, & had me saying WTF, You f***ing SOB you better not! My heart ached & broke into pieces 💔 for the FMC 😭 I must find out what happens next!!
I need the next book ASAP! Buy this book you will not regret it! I cried so freaking hard3

Be warned this addicting book has a sequel that's not out yet. If you're a fan of smut, toxic men, some gruesome content, and a great plot then don`t wait another moment!

[S I · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desires of the Damned by Courtney Dailey
4⭐️
5🌶️
Trigger warning to the max.
First thing I loved how this author’s description and wording. She wrote a story that was phenomenal.
Yes at points it was rushed or the incident pasted and it became the next day. But she still gave us all the feels, cringing when she kills, the bit of the couch getting ruined made me laugh. I loved the scene when Dimitri comes after Raven and claimed her. The art work was nice and different for almost every chapter. Trigger warning before it happens.
My first book for this author and I can’t wait to see more.

[Kayla P · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the premise of this book and I think it has a lot of potential that wasn’t fully met. I could’ve used some more world building and background on raven and Dimitri. I wish there was a pov for Rebecca instead of Emmett bc his seemed kind of random. The first like 40% of the book was hard to get through as it was pretty slow and didn’t seem to do much with the overall plot. This wasn’t even really horror let alone splatterpunk but I did enjoy what gore there was. The spice wasn’t all that exciting to me. I think it could’ve used a little tightening up but otherwise I enjoyed it.

[Ashleigh Castor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super dark read with lots of spice!

I would have enjoyed more detail and character building within the story. I just wasn’t sure how some characters fit in with each other at some points. There are a few times where we read things that have happened in the past, and I do not think a lot of those added much to the story line. I felt horrible for the FMC throughout due to one of the MMCs. At the end, I was left wanting to know what happens next which is always a good sign.

Overall, good read.

[iesha Bright · Rating 4 out of 5]

lets me start by saying please check the trigger list first. the list is as long as my kids christmas list.
this book was everything i could have hoped to read. it had rage and angst and by god the SPICE!!!!!
the author put her whole body and soul in this book. i loved that before each chapter was a list of the triggering scenes you would be encountering. the illustrations as well were great to have a mental picture of them. overall a really great book i will have to purchase to add to my shelf

[Kerrie Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please check your triggers before reading this book, I really liked how before anything major was going to happen trigger wise there was a warning before you started reading to make sure that you were aware of what they were, that was different for me but thought it was nice so that if you needed to you could either choose to keep going or stop reading to that point check yourself then continue reading if wanted. This book definently is a recommended read, especially if you like splatter-punk and demons with a great plot and where the spice was spicing.

[Sarah Seelbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book left me craving more. I was completely absorbed, unable to tear myself away from the pages. It left me stunned and speechless, with some steamy scenes that added to the excitement. The unexpected twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. Raven truly deserves better than what she received; I hope that in the next installment, she gets the recognition she deserves. I absolutely adored her character! I'm eagerly looking forward to what comes next in this series! I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

[Dana Marquardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. This was my first horror smut book, and I have no regrets! I couldn't put this down, page turner for sure. Raven is a monster but one with morals. In my opinion, she isn't out here killing just anyone, but a girl gotta eat. Her downfall will be a man or rather a demon! But when she meets a detective, Emmett Rouse, everything changes. Emmett's partner on a murder case is actually a hunter of Raven's kind. Can she stay alive or what she calls alive?

[Lishdella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the start. The very first chapter 🥵. Lots of 🌶️ spicy scenes. I really enjoyed the interior artwork and the warnings before heavy triggers. I loved that I could not guess what was going to happen next leaving my mouth gaping in surprise as I kept turning the pages. I am loving this world that C.Dailey has created and cannot wait till the rest of the series is finished.

[Rebecca Dunne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this start of what is going to be an epic series. A slow burn, dark read this is. I will say, I almost DNF because the burn was that slow for me but, I was curious as to what would happen. The last 20% left me wanting more and wishing there was a second book already. The triggers list is long and listed before every chapter which is a nice touch. Loved all the different point of views!

[Stacey L Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can I just say wow! Courtney Dailey really put her all into writing this book! I was hooked from the first chapter and devoured it within a day! There are illustrations of the characters throughout the book, and I loved that it helped me when I thought about the characters in my head. Be warned this addicting book has a sequel that's not out yet. If you're a fan of smut, toxic men, some gruesome content, and a great plot then don`t wait another moment!

[Liberty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book so much! Honored to have been pick as an ARC reader! If you love Vampires, dark goth vibes and lots of steamy, bloody, gore, mixed in with erotica, then this book is for you. ❤️ Check your trigger warnings, there is a lot!

“Good, take my dick out and suck it like it’s the last time you’ll ever have one.”

“Touch yourself, I want to see you play with your cock while you swallow my cum. Come on then, do as I say. Be a good boy.”

[Jillian Hadden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a dark, and addicting book! I really enjoyed Raven, she was strong despite everything she went through. Dimitri was a walking red flag you hate to love. I loved that the author warned you beforehand when elements of the book were going to be dark. This can be very helpful when someone has specific triggers. I also really enjoyed the spice in this, it was fantastic! I would definitely recommend this book to others if they live paranormal dark romance!

[Candis Arnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

⚠️Please be sure to read the trigger warning list prior to reading⚠️

Overall I really enjoyed this story! It is dark, gory, spicy, and has quite the trigger list! Spicy wise it has a little bit of everything! FF, FFM, MF, MM, MMF. I liked the artwork sprinkled throughout the book. The plot had a few twists that kept me on my toes, and the ending left me wondering and wanting more! This was my first read from C. Dailey and I will definitely be reading more!

[Rebecca Cuevas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly amazing

I was completely blown away by this book. It was so good. The darkness was utterly satisfying and I couldn't put it down and when I was able to, all I could think about was what was going to happen in the book!!

The ending was so good but it left me wanting more! I can't wait for book 2!

[Shantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

You had me at trigger warnings😜 My mouth hit the floor so many times and I found myself hunting alongside the detectives, only to know that I know what they don’t know! Did I confuse you? Good! This was my first demon souls reaping read and it was amazing, though there were a few gray areas where I found myself saying, “there should have been something more here.” Overall, a fast paced, delicious read! Keep your soul in check!

I am so glad I was chosen as an ARC reader for this book and this review was left on my own free will!

[M L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! Love the shorter chapters! Love the TW at the beginning of each chapter.
I felt that this was more like a psychological thrillers mixed with dark spicy romance - best of both worlds - my 2 favorite genres!
No spoilers from me, but you have to read this book! It flowed well, was easy to read

[April coats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I love a fierce FMC and that’s exactly what we got! It’s dark, spicy , wicked, and addicting. I was so mad when I had to stop reading to go to work! I was in the edge waiting for the next page! Hands down a top read this year’

[Cheyanne Haskell · Rating 5 out of 5]

very dark check your TWs! i absolutely loved this book, the characters, the plot, EVERYTHING. I seriously can not get enough and won’t be able recommend this enough 😅🤭 how am i supposed to move on from this 😮‍💨

[Jess_feelzinsane · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much packed into this book!

So many twists and turns had my head spinning in the best of ways! I loved the way this book ended..it had me nervous for just a little! Perfect amount of bloody gore..sex and revenge!

[Kate Pazanin · Rating 4 out of 5]

when a story has trigger warnings a page or more long you have me sold. this was a good read and the author did a fantastic job. the author really put everything ahe had into this story and make it read worth and sucked you in.