Taken to the Deadlands

Stolen Demon Brides #1

by Elle Mae

From Elle Mae comes a spicy sapphic novella series where super-powered humans are kidnapped and sold at demon auctions.

Who knew faking seeing ghosts could send me straight to hell? Literally.

One moment I was in my shop, minding my business, and the next a crazy winged lady knocked me out and the next time I woke up, I was in the demon realm.

Turns out, humans with special abilities are highly valued... because they taste better.

When they forced me out on that stage, I was prepared to be eaten. What I didn't prepare for was a hot yet exceedingly annoying demon to buy me.

She says she wants help and needs my powers to do so... but what happens when she finds out it's all a lie?

Please look at the trigger warnings on the authors' website before continuing.

Genres: Lesbian, Fantasy, Romance, LGBT, Novella, Queer, Paranormal

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 10, 2025

About the author

Also writes under Eden Emory.

Reviews

[Sadie☠🖤 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soooo she’s just going to abandon her cat…

[OceaneZw · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 Stars

The story was enjoyable.

While there were a lot of things that didn’t fully make sense to me throughout the book, if you look past them, it doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment.

I really wish the novel had been longer, with more world-building and explanations about how Mia gained some of her powers.

Also, can we please not abandon the cat next time? 😭

[purlpur · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️
серія новел про демонес та людей. щось легке, розпусне, невеликий сюжет теж присутній. швидко прочитала - швидко забула 😁
eріс - загрозлива демонеса-самітниця з царства мертвих земель, яка насправді є вегетаріанкою серед своїх: не їсть людей і добре до них ставиться.
мія - людинка, яка вдає, що бачить привидів, заробляючи цим собі на життя. саме через її «дар» еріс купує мію на аукціоні, аби та допомогла їй зв'язатися з особливим для неї привидом.
а далі все завертілося.. 🌚

[rie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75-3?

despite this being longer than the second, this felt much less satisfying. maybe it’s because there were even more elements in here that didn’t feel fully tapped into. i know the whole point of this is the smut but damn…i think spicy works can be good and hold emotional weight too!

[Venuss · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25🪦

A lot didn’t make sense but this was a quick and enjoyable read. Perfect if you’re craving for a brief literary lobotomy 🫶🏾

[Beatrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

the concept is really cool but nothing really happened

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

my love of demons continues 🙂‍↕️


p. s. i know this is a novella, but dang i wanted more of them!

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the set up for this book, but the follow through just wasn’t there. Mia was a charlatan spirit seer kidnapped by demons and sold to Aris, who wanted to speak with a ghost. They struck up a sexual relationship, but a lot of their getting to know each other was skipped over. The world was interesting and dangerous, with people eating demons and risky lies.

Spice: 3/5

Triggers: dubcon (power differential), sexual assault mention, death, gore, nonconsensual biting, consensual biting, trafficking , eating humans ideation and mention, mutilation visuals, light animal abuse(throwing cat to the side)

[Steph H · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

I’ll start by saying there’s some authors who’s work I’ll just buy, without a second thought for the story, because I just know I’ll love whatever’s been written and since my undying love for “don’t stop me”.. and the rest of that series, Elle Mae/Eden Emory(this authors other book name) is that author for me!

For such a short read, it’s so brilliantly done, the story grips you, the characters grow on you, the world intrigues you. I’ve not read demon x human before.. probably my new fav and I can’t wait for the rest!😍

I’d highly recommend every book from this author, they’re all incredible.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I read the word "frenzy" one more time, it will be too soon.

[Liv - Livslibrarylabyrinth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Who just leaves their cat alone like that

[manu · Rating 3 out of 5]

everyone of those succubus were 🔥🙂‍↕️ sign me up for more

[Sofi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐ - only reason it isn't a true 5 star read is bc I feel like we didn't really get a resolution to the main argument they had toward the end that led to the breakup, but otherwise?? big fan, will definitely be continuing with the series

[beep ☀︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars !

[Peppa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had potential but just didn’t fully land for me. The setup was interesting and the worldbuilding had some really solid moments, but because it was so short, I never really connected with Mia or Aris.
They just didn’t click for me as a couple… no real spark or tension, and I felt like I was being told they were into each other instead of actually feeling it.

That said, the writing itself was nice and the world had a vibe I could’ve definitely gotten into if the story had been given more space to breathe. Just wish I cared more about the characters and their dynamic. Not sure yet if i will pick up the second volume.

[TJ Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Interesting world building but awful character connection. And characters in general. Like why do they even like each other? And, why do they even exist? It was short at least.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why didn't she take Momo with her?? :((

[Vero Exposito · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 Stars

This was so good bro but I didn’t give it 4 stars because I NEEDED IT TO BE LONGER, I NEED TO KNOW MORE. I would’ve loved for this to be a full book but alas it’s a novella but a very good one. I love my gay shit and this was gay AF. Aris and Mia were so cute and steamy and I 100% recommend reading this. It’s super quick and interesting. Elle Mae knows how to write a good wlw romance. I’ll never skip one of her books/novellas. Toodles!

[Ladz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and Steamy

A human named Mia scams her way into the heart of a demon named Aris. Domesticity gets in the way, and they find more in common in the comfort of each other. I had fun reading this and definitely want to check out more of Elle Mae's work.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

meh

[Jokie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,25⭐
I need more of this series!!!

[star · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars because i love women !!

[marilynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

patiently waiting for my demon to make an appearance. long live horny lesbians! my only grievance was...the cat!!!!

[Lady Olenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Interesting world the author built in this short but absorbing story. The Deadlands was quite fascinating and the sex scenes were hot.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

blah blah blah proper name place name backstory stuff

[brooke⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish she kept her cat but other than that… perfection

[Zara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
I don't know how I feel about this at all

[Katie BC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short but enjoyable human x demon dark sapphic monster romance!

The concept is interesting enough: a fake ghost whisperer is taken to the demon realm for her fake power, and is then bought by a demon in need of help that her fake power would provide.
The unravelling of all of that, along with lots of the classic miscommunication trope between the MCs, you get this book with a good helping of signature Elle Mae smut.

You get exactly what you think you will out of it, so if this sounds interesting go for it!

[Finding Sky Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things I loved:
Sapphic Romance
Demon / Spirit Seer
Demon Auction
Great world building and character development
Blood lust and handlebars (horns)
Demon wears a muzzle

Review: For a novella this book actually was so well written and I didn’t feel like it was actually missing anything. Do I wish it was longer if course, I wanted more of them. But overall I think the world building was amazing well donedone, the characters were well developed well and u really got to know them (even side catchers were well done), the plot felt like it was paced well and I think it just read so easily!

The connection between our two MCs felt realistic and it was kinda captive to friends to lovers. I was surprised by how sweet Aris was, especially in showing so much restraint to be attentive and comforting to Mia. It was actually almost cozy at times. I think the development of them and personally and romantically was great.

Smut wise WOW, come the fuck on, handle bars, and a muzzle aaaaannnndddd blood lust. These scenes were good!!

Overall would definitely recommend, I think it’s well written and paced well especially for a novella!!
✨

[Mercykay · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

This book made me realize I do have some standards, because I would not fall in love with a human-eating demon. Not even if they stopped eating humans (Aris clearly did struggle not to eat human so I would not trust her anyways lol).
I believe this book lacks of worldbuilding, as we only see some tiny bits here and there throughout the story. I wish we knew more about the demons' world and their magic system (I'll read the following books because I'm interested nonetheless).
There are definitely different holes in the romance plot and the timeline is a bit confusing. The chemistry was there but the feelings came up too early.

I also find it is quite weird that Aris had a companion for 20 years and then forgets about contacting her ghost (which is the whole point why she bought a ghost whisperer
to begin with) only because she develops a crush on someone she barely knows. One thousand years of feeling guilty about Cara's death and you suddenly forget about her because you met another woman? Seems odd to me. I guess feelings work differently for demons...