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The Desire in The Damned
Hell is looking for a new home, they think Earth is it.
Donny was dragged to a hellish land by the monster known as Mot. After his career progression was delayed by his boss Mr. Hill, they become trapped together in a barren world. They must work together to escape and return to Earth. How much of their humanity will they sacrifice before they resemble the monsters they’re trying to escape.
Pam lived on the outside of society. She tried to take control of her destiny. When she attempted to make a change in her life she found herself imprisoned by Mot who has taken shelter in her apartment building. It plans on breaking her physically and mentally, to prove humans will bow to a new ruler.
Donny stormed out of his boss’s office on the worst day of his professional career.
While marching home in a fit of rage and hopelessness, he ran into his attractive neighbour and ended the night by earning a date with her. But it was a date he would never make.
Little did Donny know, but when he marched into his boss’s office, he’d interrupted a private meeting with a demon from another world eager to collect a body. And that demon set his eyes on Donny as his next victim.
Unable to avoid the beast, Donny is captured and dragged to its dying, hellish world. There, he is imprisoned alongside his sinister boss, who slowly reveals the secrets of this world to Donny as they fight for survival.
Together, they must discover a way out of the hellish world and return to Earth. But the demons plan on making Earth their new home, and time is running out. Will they be able to escape with their lives? And if so, will they be able to stop the looming threat before it is too late?
Donny was dragged to a hellish land by the monster known as Mot. After his career progression was delayed by his boss Mr. Hill, they become trapped together in a barren world. They must work together to escape and return to Earth. How much of their humanity will they sacrifice before they resemble the monsters they’re trying to escape.
Pam lived on the outside of society. She tried to take control of her destiny. When she attempted to make a change in her life she found herself imprisoned by Mot who has taken shelter in her apartment building. It plans on breaking her physically and mentally, to prove humans will bow to a new ruler.
Donny stormed out of his boss’s office on the worst day of his professional career.
While marching home in a fit of rage and hopelessness, he ran into his attractive neighbour and ended the night by earning a date with her. But it was a date he would never make.
Little did Donny know, but when he marched into his boss’s office, he’d interrupted a private meeting with a demon from another world eager to collect a body. And that demon set his eyes on Donny as his next victim.
Unable to avoid the beast, Donny is captured and dragged to its dying, hellish world. There, he is imprisoned alongside his sinister boss, who slowly reveals the secrets of this world to Donny as they fight for survival.
Together, they must discover a way out of the hellish world and return to Earth. But the demons plan on making Earth their new home, and time is running out. Will they be able to escape with their lives? And if so, will they be able to stop the looming threat before it is too late?
355 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2025
11 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
February 2, 2025
Descent Into Hell
THE DESIRE IN THE DAMNED
by Carl Bluesy
No spoilers. 4 1/2 stars. Although Donny had a degree in anthropology, his boss, Mr. Hill thought him too inexperienced for the museum's upcoming Brazil expedition...
Maybe next time...
The chosen group was on its way to make contact with a newly discovered tribe...
But for now...
Donny and his partner, Kevin, were relegated to shining spearheads for the department...
What Donny didn't know was...
Mr. Hill had become a complicit accomplice with a demon called Mot who came from a hellish subterranean world...
Known as Martysheol...
Mot, AKA, the Collector, wanted Hill to supply a steady stream of humans to feed his hellish countrymen. Mot needed bodies.
Hill supplied them...
Eventually...
Donny and Mr. Hill will end up on the menu in Martysheol...
Meanwhile
Back in Donny's apartment building...
Part-time drug dealer Pam and her boyfriend James become acquainted with Mot...
Both groups work independently to escape a terrible fate...
With this first book in his new series, Mr. Bluesy has entered my realm of horror. This story was like an Indiana Jones adventure in Hell, fast-moving and edge-of-your-seat exciting throughout.
Warning: This is a cliffhanger story with an ending that dangles (for now) in outer space. It's a very good story, but I personally don't like hanging out there with the story waiting for part two!
I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
THE DESIRE IN THE DAMNED
by Carl Bluesy
No spoilers. 4 1/2 stars. Although Donny had a degree in anthropology, his boss, Mr. Hill thought him too inexperienced for the museum's upcoming Brazil expedition...
Maybe next time...
The chosen group was on its way to make contact with a newly discovered tribe...
But for now...
Donny and his partner, Kevin, were relegated to shining spearheads for the department...
What Donny didn't know was...
Mr. Hill had become a complicit accomplice with a demon called Mot who came from a hellish subterranean world...
Known as Martysheol...
Mot, AKA, the Collector, wanted Hill to supply a steady stream of humans to feed his hellish countrymen. Mot needed bodies.
Hill supplied them...
Eventually...
Donny and Mr. Hill will end up on the menu in Martysheol...
Meanwhile
Back in Donny's apartment building...
Part-time drug dealer Pam and her boyfriend James become acquainted with Mot...
Both groups work independently to escape a terrible fate...
With this first book in his new series, Mr. Bluesy has entered my realm of horror. This story was like an Indiana Jones adventure in Hell, fast-moving and edge-of-your-seat exciting throughout.
Warning: This is a cliffhanger story with an ending that dangles (for now) in outer space. It's a very good story, but I personally don't like hanging out there with the story waiting for part two!
I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 15, 2025
I received this book from the author in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank him for his generosity.
Actual rating is 3.5 stars.
This book is a horror novel. In this one we have two different story lines where we follow captives of a demon that belongs to another world. This other world is basically hell. Can they escape their current situation and return back to a normal life?
This is the author's debut novel and what an interesting novel to begin his career. I loved the world building especially the hell dimension and the creatures that belong to it. The author does a terrific job painting the picture of this world. I got a wonderful sense of its bleakness and the stark nature of it as inhabitants struggle to survive. I also thought the author gave us a good amount of hints and drops in this world that there is so much more to come. As for the characters this was the case where I enjoyed the antagonist much more than I enjoyed the protagonists. Give me more of Mot the demon that is collecting specimens. I will say the protagonists were so real and maybe that is why I did not connect with them as much as I did with Mot. lol. Okay. So why not a complete four star rating? I have to give a shout out to my Goodreads friend Vicki as I read her review before I started reading this book. I totally agree with her. This book just stops and this is a major pet peeve of mine. Like she said there needs to be a resolution to a story line. Give me a cliffhanger. I am all for that. But something needs completion while enticing me to read the next book. To just stop in the middle of the action does not work for me.
All being said I think this is a very nice read that I am so interested in where it is going. It is fascinating with the different world and I cannot wait to learn more about it. Everything worked here. The horror, the creatures, and the struggle to survive made sure I kept on reading. This debut novel just had one flaw and that there is not really an ending. I look forward to the next book and hopefully get that ending to a story line.
Actual rating is 3.5 stars.
This book is a horror novel. In this one we have two different story lines where we follow captives of a demon that belongs to another world. This other world is basically hell. Can they escape their current situation and return back to a normal life?
This is the author's debut novel and what an interesting novel to begin his career. I loved the world building especially the hell dimension and the creatures that belong to it. The author does a terrific job painting the picture of this world. I got a wonderful sense of its bleakness and the stark nature of it as inhabitants struggle to survive. I also thought the author gave us a good amount of hints and drops in this world that there is so much more to come. As for the characters this was the case where I enjoyed the antagonist much more than I enjoyed the protagonists. Give me more of Mot the demon that is collecting specimens. I will say the protagonists were so real and maybe that is why I did not connect with them as much as I did with Mot. lol. Okay. So why not a complete four star rating? I have to give a shout out to my Goodreads friend Vicki as I read her review before I started reading this book. I totally agree with her. This book just stops and this is a major pet peeve of mine. Like she said there needs to be a resolution to a story line. Give me a cliffhanger. I am all for that. But something needs completion while enticing me to read the next book. To just stop in the middle of the action does not work for me.
All being said I think this is a very nice read that I am so interested in where it is going. It is fascinating with the different world and I cannot wait to learn more about it. Everything worked here. The horror, the creatures, and the struggle to survive made sure I kept on reading. This debut novel just had one flaw and that there is not really an ending. I look forward to the next book and hopefully get that ending to a story line.
April 4, 2025
I enjoyed this book! The creatures in this book remind me of this horror movie called The Decent with a little bit of Hellraiser I’m still trying to find out another horror or suspense movie that has the same vibes like this book. Mr. hill was rude I think he really should’ve gave Donny a chance with the anthropology assignment. Definitely recommend this to people who are thriller suspense fanatics because this was good and the details was good. 4 1/2 ⭐️for me ! Thank you for letting me read this arc read Carl !
March 29, 2025
The Desire in The Damned
By: Carl Bluesy
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Length: 354 Pages
Triggers: Gore, imprisonment, psychological torment, demonic entities
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 Stars)
Dread Rating: 💀💀💀 (3 Skulls)
Hell is looking for a new home, they think Earth is it.
Carl Bluesy’s The Desire in The Damned is a gnarly mashup of horror and dark fantasy, dragging you straight into the worst work trip imaginable—straight to Hell. This book hits hard with vicious monsters, bleak world-building, and a villain that oozes nightmare fuel. If you like your horror fast, brutal, and a little unhinged, this one’s got your name on it.
Donny’s having a straight-up garbage day—he just got screwed out of a big career opportunity and is headed home, ready to sulk in peace. But when he interrupts his snake of a boss, Mr. Hill, in a private meeting with a literal demon, things go from bad to ‘oh sh*t’ real fast. The demon, Mot, decides Donny’s his next target and yeets him straight into a dying, hellish realm called Martysheol, where survival means fighting off grotesque creatures that look like they crawled out of your worst fever dream.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Donny’s neighbor Pam, a no-nonsense badass, is dealing with her own nightmare. Mot’s got her locked down, ready to break her spirit and prove that humans are weak, disposable, and ripe for the picking. With time running out, Donny and Hill have to put aside their petty beef to escape Martysheol, while Pam fights like hell to avoid becoming the demon’s latest pet project.
What Slaps:
✅ Martysheol is Pure Nightmare Fuel:
This hellscape ain’t just fire and brimstone—it’s twisted, raw, and dripping in doom. Picture Silent Hill meets Clive Barker with a sprinkle of “what fresh hell is this?” Every grotesque creature feels like it was cooked up in a fever dream, and the constant sense of dread keeps you on edge.
✅ Mot is the MVP of Terror:
Listen, Mot is THAT villain—cold, calculating, and oozing menace with every word. The way he plays with his victims is straight-up diabolical, and every scene he’s in cranks the tension up to eleven. I wanted more of him, and that’s saying something.
✅ Dual POVs That Keep You Hooked:
The constant back-and-forth between Donny’s hellish survival quest and Pam’s fight against a demonic overlord keeps the pacing tight as hell. Just when you think one side is safe, BAM—another nightmare drops.
✅ Fast-Paced, No Filler, All Thrills:
From gnarly monster fights to existential horror, this book never slows down. The stakes? High as hell. The action? Relentless. The dread? So thick you could cut it with a knife.
What Could Hit Harder:
🔸 That Cliffhanger is Brutal:
Look, I’m all for a good “To Be Continued” moment, but this one straight-up stops mid-sprint. Gimme a little closure while hyping me for the next round!
Final Verdict:
If Hellraiser and Event Horizon had a rage-fueled baby, it’d look a lot like The Desire in The Damned. It’s dark, it’s brutal, and it doesn’t let up. The blend of horror, survival, and apocalyptic WTF moments make this an absolute banger for horror-fantasy fans
⚠️ Warning: If you like your horror soft and your endings neatly wrapped up, this ain’t the book for you. But if you’re ready to get your hands dirty in a world where demons play mind games and survival ain’t guaranteed, buckle up—you’re in for a hell of a ride.
🔥 Read this if you love:
• Monsters that’ll haunt your dreams
• Dark fantasy survival with high stakes
• A villain that makes you question your own morality
• Page-turning, no-fluff horror that keeps you up at night
💀 Final Thought: If you’ve ever had a boss you wanted to punch, imagine being trapped in hell with them. Now imagine that’s not even the worst part. That’s this book. Highly recommend—just don’t expect to sleep after.
By: Carl Bluesy
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Length: 354 Pages
Triggers: Gore, imprisonment, psychological torment, demonic entities
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 Stars)
Dread Rating: 💀💀💀 (3 Skulls)
Hell is looking for a new home, they think Earth is it.
Carl Bluesy’s The Desire in The Damned is a gnarly mashup of horror and dark fantasy, dragging you straight into the worst work trip imaginable—straight to Hell. This book hits hard with vicious monsters, bleak world-building, and a villain that oozes nightmare fuel. If you like your horror fast, brutal, and a little unhinged, this one’s got your name on it.
Donny’s having a straight-up garbage day—he just got screwed out of a big career opportunity and is headed home, ready to sulk in peace. But when he interrupts his snake of a boss, Mr. Hill, in a private meeting with a literal demon, things go from bad to ‘oh sh*t’ real fast. The demon, Mot, decides Donny’s his next target and yeets him straight into a dying, hellish realm called Martysheol, where survival means fighting off grotesque creatures that look like they crawled out of your worst fever dream.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Donny’s neighbor Pam, a no-nonsense badass, is dealing with her own nightmare. Mot’s got her locked down, ready to break her spirit and prove that humans are weak, disposable, and ripe for the picking. With time running out, Donny and Hill have to put aside their petty beef to escape Martysheol, while Pam fights like hell to avoid becoming the demon’s latest pet project.
What Slaps:
✅ Martysheol is Pure Nightmare Fuel:
This hellscape ain’t just fire and brimstone—it’s twisted, raw, and dripping in doom. Picture Silent Hill meets Clive Barker with a sprinkle of “what fresh hell is this?” Every grotesque creature feels like it was cooked up in a fever dream, and the constant sense of dread keeps you on edge.
✅ Mot is the MVP of Terror:
Listen, Mot is THAT villain—cold, calculating, and oozing menace with every word. The way he plays with his victims is straight-up diabolical, and every scene he’s in cranks the tension up to eleven. I wanted more of him, and that’s saying something.
✅ Dual POVs That Keep You Hooked:
The constant back-and-forth between Donny’s hellish survival quest and Pam’s fight against a demonic overlord keeps the pacing tight as hell. Just when you think one side is safe, BAM—another nightmare drops.
✅ Fast-Paced, No Filler, All Thrills:
From gnarly monster fights to existential horror, this book never slows down. The stakes? High as hell. The action? Relentless. The dread? So thick you could cut it with a knife.
What Could Hit Harder:
🔸 That Cliffhanger is Brutal:
Look, I’m all for a good “To Be Continued” moment, but this one straight-up stops mid-sprint. Gimme a little closure while hyping me for the next round!
Final Verdict:
If Hellraiser and Event Horizon had a rage-fueled baby, it’d look a lot like The Desire in The Damned. It’s dark, it’s brutal, and it doesn’t let up. The blend of horror, survival, and apocalyptic WTF moments make this an absolute banger for horror-fantasy fans
⚠️ Warning: If you like your horror soft and your endings neatly wrapped up, this ain’t the book for you. But if you’re ready to get your hands dirty in a world where demons play mind games and survival ain’t guaranteed, buckle up—you’re in for a hell of a ride.
🔥 Read this if you love:
• Monsters that’ll haunt your dreams
• Dark fantasy survival with high stakes
• A villain that makes you question your own morality
• Page-turning, no-fluff horror that keeps you up at night
💀 Final Thought: If you’ve ever had a boss you wanted to punch, imagine being trapped in hell with them. Now imagine that’s not even the worst part. That’s this book. Highly recommend—just don’t expect to sleep after.
February 23, 2025
Thank you, Carl Bluesy for the ARC!
.
I really enjoyed the storyline! There was great world building and some very interesting lore that I hope gets explored more in book 2!
.
This was a dual point of view which kept me invested in both stories however I found myself excited to get back to Pam! Sometimes Donny was arrogant and clumsy at the same time and I found him a little one dimensional. The only other grievance I have was that it ended on a cliffhanger without much of what was mentioned in the synopsis happening in this installment.
.
I really enjoyed the storyline! There was great world building and some very interesting lore that I hope gets explored more in book 2!
.
This was a dual point of view which kept me invested in both stories however I found myself excited to get back to Pam! Sometimes Donny was arrogant and clumsy at the same time and I found him a little one dimensional. The only other grievance I have was that it ended on a cliffhanger without much of what was mentioned in the synopsis happening in this installment.
February 26, 2025
A horror-fantasy blend that throws its characters into the depths of a hellish realm (LITERALLY). The story follows Donny, an archeologist in a monotonous life who, thanks to his deplorable boss, ends up in a nightmarish underworld fighting for his life. At the same time, back on Earth, his neighbor Pam faces her own demon-related horrors.
I had the most fun with Mot and Pam, while Donny’s arc didn’t fully work for me—but that’s more of a personal preference. What really stood out was the contrast between the two perspectives: the sheer chaos of Donny’s journey through hell versus Pam’s struggle in the real world.
While the pacing was solid for the most part, the middle section dragged just a bit. That said, the world-building was immersive, and the visceral descriptions of Martrysheol (this book’s version of hell) really set the tone. The ending leaves a lot of questions, but it’s clear this is just the first part.
January 7, 2025
I was lucky to be a beta reader for this novel, and I can't wait to tell you about it.
Back with more soon.
Back with more soon.
Read
January 24, 2025DNF 48%. Sorry Carl 😶
This is just no for me. I was going for a hellish conquest of our world by demons but this is more like fantasy in a hellish world where the heroes meet ugly creatures and live a kind of quest.
I liked the parts about Pam though, which are actually in the real world. I would have liked a story more like hers.
I must have misunderstood the plot in the book description.
I've been offered the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review (I guess you can see it's honest by reading it 😅)
This is just no for me. I was going for a hellish conquest of our world by demons but this is more like fantasy in a hellish world where the heroes meet ugly creatures and live a kind of quest.
I liked the parts about Pam though, which are actually in the real world. I would have liked a story more like hers.
I must have misunderstood the plot in the book description.
I've been offered the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review (I guess you can see it's honest by reading it 😅)
Read
March 5, 2025DNF at page 48
February 23, 2025
DNF - at 40% through
I have given this book a 3 star rating as the description and concept were very intriguing. From the beginning, this story had me hooked. It was the perfect mixture of fantasy with a hint of horror. Mot was by far my favourite character as the way Bluesy portrays "it" was genius. The first 10 chapters were amazing. I wanted to read to see what would become of Donny and his boss. But as I reached 40% of the way through, I suddenly had no desire to read on.
I kept trying with the hope that it would pick up, but it didn't. It started to feel very repetitive, and it became completely focused on hunting for food and trying to find a way home. There was no obvious progression with the plot, and I felt it was droning on. I had no idea where it was going, but it is a shame that it started to lose my interest as it had a very promising start. In my opinion, the story would have been better if Donny and his boss didn't manage to escape Mot's grasp, as this could have led to more gruesome scenes of torture and horror.
There are some gory descriptions that I loved, and I would have loved more about Mot. Pam wasn't a character I particularly liked, as I felt she brought nothing extra to the overall plot. I really wanted to finish this as it is my first ARC read and I know how important they are as an author myself. I do love Bluesy's writing style, though, and this hasn't put me off reading his future books. This one just fell short for me. It definitely deserves recognition, but I think a lot more work could have been done to improve the overall pace and plot, even some of the characters. I am pleased to have had the chance to read it though!
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review, as an ARC reader.
I have given this book a 3 star rating as the description and concept were very intriguing. From the beginning, this story had me hooked. It was the perfect mixture of fantasy with a hint of horror. Mot was by far my favourite character as the way Bluesy portrays "it" was genius. The first 10 chapters were amazing. I wanted to read to see what would become of Donny and his boss. But as I reached 40% of the way through, I suddenly had no desire to read on.
I kept trying with the hope that it would pick up, but it didn't. It started to feel very repetitive, and it became completely focused on hunting for food and trying to find a way home. There was no obvious progression with the plot, and I felt it was droning on. I had no idea where it was going, but it is a shame that it started to lose my interest as it had a very promising start. In my opinion, the story would have been better if Donny and his boss didn't manage to escape Mot's grasp, as this could have led to more gruesome scenes of torture and horror.
There are some gory descriptions that I loved, and I would have loved more about Mot. Pam wasn't a character I particularly liked, as I felt she brought nothing extra to the overall plot. I really wanted to finish this as it is my first ARC read and I know how important they are as an author myself. I do love Bluesy's writing style, though, and this hasn't put me off reading his future books. This one just fell short for me. It definitely deserves recognition, but I think a lot more work could have been done to improve the overall pace and plot, even some of the characters. I am pleased to have had the chance to read it though!
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review, as an ARC reader.
June 30, 2025
Although this book was gifted to me by the author, I'm not adding my usual disclaimer because I am biased as hell about this one 😌
The Desire in the Damned was my first ever beta read experience and I had so much fun experiencing it for the first time last year and being able to work alongside my friend @carlbluesy to make some minor tweaks.
The final product is amazing and the plot works perfectly for fans of both the horror and fantasy genre. We're left on a cliffhanger, which isn't my favourite, but it leaves you craving book two's release 🙌🏻
I'm so honored to have been a part of something this special 🫶🏻 5/5 for this one! ✨️
The Desire in the Damned was my first ever beta read experience and I had so much fun experiencing it for the first time last year and being able to work alongside my friend @carlbluesy to make some minor tweaks.
The final product is amazing and the plot works perfectly for fans of both the horror and fantasy genre. We're left on a cliffhanger, which isn't my favourite, but it leaves you craving book two's release 🙌🏻
I'm so honored to have been a part of something this special 🫶🏻 5/5 for this one! ✨️
February 7, 2025
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC copy! This book is out on 1st April and is ideal for those who love their horror mixed with fantasy.
Now imagine this... You get taken to some kinda of hellish world while some kinda demon wants to take over Earth. Sounds bad right? But wait... Imagine you're stuck with your boss. Now that's the true horror story! Donny has alot to learn about his boss while he attempts to escape this literal hellscape. This leads him down an adventurous, almost quest like, journey.
Back on Earth, Pam is also confronted by this darkness and finds herself in a sticky situation!
This was a unique novel. I'd say it's more of a dark fantasy than horror but there is lots of horror elements! The mission to escape and everything you learn along the way is entertaining. The author did a really good job of bringing this dangerous and mysterious world to life and keeping you turn the pages.
I will say I felt most connection with Pam. I think this is because while she was dealing with this demon dude, she was still in the normal world. I love the cross over of normal with not so normal as it's easier to put yourself in their shoes.
This is a fun and unique tale and I recommend if you're looking for a fantasy on the dark side!
Now imagine this... You get taken to some kinda of hellish world while some kinda demon wants to take over Earth. Sounds bad right? But wait... Imagine you're stuck with your boss. Now that's the true horror story! Donny has alot to learn about his boss while he attempts to escape this literal hellscape. This leads him down an adventurous, almost quest like, journey.
Back on Earth, Pam is also confronted by this darkness and finds herself in a sticky situation!
This was a unique novel. I'd say it's more of a dark fantasy than horror but there is lots of horror elements! The mission to escape and everything you learn along the way is entertaining. The author did a really good job of bringing this dangerous and mysterious world to life and keeping you turn the pages.
I will say I felt most connection with Pam. I think this is because while she was dealing with this demon dude, she was still in the normal world. I love the cross over of normal with not so normal as it's easier to put yourself in their shoes.
This is a fun and unique tale and I recommend if you're looking for a fantasy on the dark side!
January 21, 2025
I was lucky enough to read this as an ARC, and I feel so privileged to get an early glimpse at such a cool story. While I know the final version might differ slightly, it was a great experience to dive into this book early.
The story kept me hooked, especially with the way the chapters started—they flowed really well and pulled me right in. Some of the characters really stood out, too. Pam was such a standout—you really get a sense of who she is. And MOT... I need more of him! He’s so intriguing, and I’d love to learn more about his backstory in future books.
Donny’s journey was interesting, and Mr. Hill had so much potential. He’s such a mysterious and intriguing character, and I’d love to see him explored more. There’s a lot packed into this book, and with a bit more focus, I think it could really shine.
Overall, this book has so much going for it. It’s clear Carl has put so much heart and creativity into this story, and I think with some refining, it’ll be fantastic. Writing a book is such an amazing achievement, and I really admire anyone who can bring a story to life. I can’t wait to see how it all comes together in the final version!
Thank you Carl :-)
The story kept me hooked, especially with the way the chapters started—they flowed really well and pulled me right in. Some of the characters really stood out, too. Pam was such a standout—you really get a sense of who she is. And MOT... I need more of him! He’s so intriguing, and I’d love to learn more about his backstory in future books.
Donny’s journey was interesting, and Mr. Hill had so much potential. He’s such a mysterious and intriguing character, and I’d love to see him explored more. There’s a lot packed into this book, and with a bit more focus, I think it could really shine.
Overall, this book has so much going for it. It’s clear Carl has put so much heart and creativity into this story, and I think with some refining, it’ll be fantastic. Writing a book is such an amazing achievement, and I really admire anyone who can bring a story to life. I can’t wait to see how it all comes together in the final version!
Thank you Carl :-)
July 15, 2025
I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review so here it is. I'm not going to rehash the plot as other reviewers have already done that for me. If you want to know what it's about, read their reviews with no spoilers. I just want to get into how I felt about the book. I would like to have given the story a 3 and 1/2 stars but Goodreads doesn't let me do that. Overall, I really enjoyed the book. The story leaves off with a massive cliffhanger so prepare yourself for that. The cliffhanger itself is a good news, bad news situation. the good news is the ending leaves the story in a spot that I definitely want to read on in the next book. bad news is I don't really like cliff hangers like that in books. movies ok, books no, but that is just me. All that being said, it was a really good story. it's a combination of a little bit of Duncan Ralston's vibe, a little bit Clive Barker vibe with a dash of HP Lovecraft. it's definitely a monsters, alternate dimensions and creature feature. The author is finding his voice and his style and I look forward to reading more. I look forward to watching him grow into the author I can see him becoming. oh, this is a long way of saying if you enjoy the three authors I mentioned above, you should pick this up and read it.
February 18, 2025
ARC Read
A cocky young anthropologist who thinks he’s worth more then just sitting behind a desk. A boss that harbors a horrible family secret. A women who can’t seem to avoid disaster at every turn no matter how well meaning she may be. Not the group of people you would expect to come together to fight demons and devils in a realm like hell to save humanity as we know it. But that is exactly how they will be tasked.
The characters are relatable. We all know someone just like Donny. A cocky know it all who does not take direction well. His boss Mr. Hill is guarded and rightly so. He harbors so many demons (literally) it’s a wonder he has survived as long as he has. And as for Pam, well that lady cannot catch a break.
The plot behind this is what had me hooked from the first chapter. I studied religion in college and with that I will say that the idea of the church involvement in the control of demons is not a new idea at all but I did enjoy the idea this story presented.
Pacing of the story did have its ups and downs but for the most part it was pretty steady paced. I did not find myself at any point wishing it would just speed up and get to the point.
What I liked was the world building but what I didn’t like sometimes was some of the world building. I know that does not seem to make sense to some but an example of what I mean is when the author is describing the world of hell he supplies just enough for me to envision it but when he describes some of the creatures our characters encounter I felt like I was envisioning a child’s drawing not an horrific beast. None the less that only happened twice in the entire story so defiantly do not let that be a deterrent.
Over all I would recommend you give this a read if you enjoy a good romp through hell with a bit of humor and a sprinkle of religious zealous.
One more thing… So there is that ending. That very wide open ending. I am not mad at it but I do need the second installment please.
A cocky young anthropologist who thinks he’s worth more then just sitting behind a desk. A boss that harbors a horrible family secret. A women who can’t seem to avoid disaster at every turn no matter how well meaning she may be. Not the group of people you would expect to come together to fight demons and devils in a realm like hell to save humanity as we know it. But that is exactly how they will be tasked.
The characters are relatable. We all know someone just like Donny. A cocky know it all who does not take direction well. His boss Mr. Hill is guarded and rightly so. He harbors so many demons (literally) it’s a wonder he has survived as long as he has. And as for Pam, well that lady cannot catch a break.
The plot behind this is what had me hooked from the first chapter. I studied religion in college and with that I will say that the idea of the church involvement in the control of demons is not a new idea at all but I did enjoy the idea this story presented.
Pacing of the story did have its ups and downs but for the most part it was pretty steady paced. I did not find myself at any point wishing it would just speed up and get to the point.
What I liked was the world building but what I didn’t like sometimes was some of the world building. I know that does not seem to make sense to some but an example of what I mean is when the author is describing the world of hell he supplies just enough for me to envision it but when he describes some of the creatures our characters encounter I felt like I was envisioning a child’s drawing not an horrific beast. None the less that only happened twice in the entire story so defiantly do not let that be a deterrent.
Over all I would recommend you give this a read if you enjoy a good romp through hell with a bit of humor and a sprinkle of religious zealous.
One more thing… So there is that ending. That very wide open ending. I am not mad at it but I do need the second installment please.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2025
First, I’d like to thank Carl for sending me an ARC of his debut novel! He’s been such a positive influence in the indie horror community and I have a lot of respect for him. While this novel wasn’t particularly my cup of a tea, it was very well written. Those who enjoy fantasy will absolutely LOVE this story! The horror elements kept my interest and I found myself more engaged with Pam in her world the most.
The Desire In The Damned follows Donny. After experiencing his worst day ever at work he soon finds himself trapped in a hell-like world with his boss. How awful, right? Meanwhile, we have our FMC, Pam, fighting her own demons in the real world. Eventually both worlds collide and there’s so much at stake. This is only the first book in an ongoing series.
You’ll want to add this to your TBR if you enjoy fantasy with horror elements. The Desire In The Damned releases on April 1st, 2025.
The Desire In The Damned follows Donny. After experiencing his worst day ever at work he soon finds himself trapped in a hell-like world with his boss. How awful, right? Meanwhile, we have our FMC, Pam, fighting her own demons in the real world. Eventually both worlds collide and there’s so much at stake. This is only the first book in an ongoing series.
You’ll want to add this to your TBR if you enjoy fantasy with horror elements. The Desire In The Damned releases on April 1st, 2025.
February 11, 2025
Thank you to Carl for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Desire In The Damned was an entertaining read.
The story follows Donny, a frustrated anthropologist who is tired of his boss (Mr Hill) turning him down for big opportunities. Then, Donny finds himself in a hellish dimension of Martrysheol. Not only is he trapped in this hellscape, he awakes to find he is imprisoned with the man he hates the most - Mr Hill.
They must set their differences aside and work together to escape Martrysheol and return to Earth in time for Donny's big date with his drug dealer neighbour Pam.
But while Donny is trying to escape a very tangible hell, Pam is trying to escape her of her own, enslaved by the demonic Mot to do his bidding on Earth.
The two story threads are nicely paced and intercut ensuring there is never a dull moment. Carl certainly delivers a page-turner here and his vivid descriptions of Martrysheol and its inhabitants add even further mystery and intrigue.
My only issue is that I didn't find the protagonist of Donny very likeable, making it difficult for me to root for him on his quest. I found the supporting characters much more fun to read, even Mot, with Pam being a much better developed character.
That said, I still enjoyed the story which is well written and I wouldn't hesitate to read more books by the author.
Desire In The Damned was an entertaining read.
The story follows Donny, a frustrated anthropologist who is tired of his boss (Mr Hill) turning him down for big opportunities. Then, Donny finds himself in a hellish dimension of Martrysheol. Not only is he trapped in this hellscape, he awakes to find he is imprisoned with the man he hates the most - Mr Hill.
They must set their differences aside and work together to escape Martrysheol and return to Earth in time for Donny's big date with his drug dealer neighbour Pam.
But while Donny is trying to escape a very tangible hell, Pam is trying to escape her of her own, enslaved by the demonic Mot to do his bidding on Earth.
The two story threads are nicely paced and intercut ensuring there is never a dull moment. Carl certainly delivers a page-turner here and his vivid descriptions of Martrysheol and its inhabitants add even further mystery and intrigue.
My only issue is that I didn't find the protagonist of Donny very likeable, making it difficult for me to root for him on his quest. I found the supporting characters much more fun to read, even Mot, with Pam being a much better developed character.
That said, I still enjoyed the story which is well written and I wouldn't hesitate to read more books by the author.
February 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
‼️ ARC REVIEW ‼️
Hell is looking for a new home, they think Earth is it. Donny is dragged to a hellish world by a monster known as Mot. He finds himself trapped along side his boss Mr Hill. They must work together to escape and return home. Pam, who struggles in her life tries to take control of it again. When she attempts to make a change, she finds herself imprisoned by Mot who has taken shelter in her apartment building. Our characters will have to use all their strength both mentally and physically to make it out of their hellish situations.
The Desire in the Damned is a very adventurous horror book. You will find yourself learning about a whole new world and Carl Bluesy does a great job with the world building. The book gets into the action pretty early on, and you learn about the characters more as the story progresses. There are also two POVs in the story, Donnys and Pam’s, so you’ll be following both of these characters through their different yet similar experiences with Mot.
I had a lot of fun reading this one, and I do believe other people will enjoy it. This book releases April 1st, but preorders are currently open!
‼️ ARC REVIEW ‼️
Hell is looking for a new home, they think Earth is it. Donny is dragged to a hellish world by a monster known as Mot. He finds himself trapped along side his boss Mr Hill. They must work together to escape and return home. Pam, who struggles in her life tries to take control of it again. When she attempts to make a change, she finds herself imprisoned by Mot who has taken shelter in her apartment building. Our characters will have to use all their strength both mentally and physically to make it out of their hellish situations.
The Desire in the Damned is a very adventurous horror book. You will find yourself learning about a whole new world and Carl Bluesy does a great job with the world building. The book gets into the action pretty early on, and you learn about the characters more as the story progresses. There are also two POVs in the story, Donnys and Pam’s, so you’ll be following both of these characters through their different yet similar experiences with Mot.
I had a lot of fun reading this one, and I do believe other people will enjoy it. This book releases April 1st, but preorders are currently open!
February 28, 2025
Okay, I received this in exchange for a honest review, and oh my.
This was a hellish horror, but built so beautifully. This seems like the first in what I hope will be a series.
We have Donny, who in this authors version, Hell is something called Martysheol, where he gets dragged to my a "being" called Mot. And maybe this part isn't meant to be funny, but I couldn't help but laugh, what's worse then Hell?
Being trapped with your boss in Hell.
Cut to Pam on earth, whose living a Hell all her own, ends up trapped with Mot in her apartment ( which makes you think Mot escapes Martysheol just to end up in Pam's "hell" lol ( was that supposed to be sadly funny because I laughed, what are the chances lol )
I actually enjoyed this being a story told from Donny and from Pam, seeing their perspectives, in what seems to be their own hell.
I loved Pam the most, probably because I understand being trapped in a hell on earth kind of thing.
This to me was like any first book, its a builder, and the author got us ready for what I hope will be a second.
Fantastic little horror fantasy
This was a hellish horror, but built so beautifully. This seems like the first in what I hope will be a series.
We have Donny, who in this authors version, Hell is something called Martysheol, where he gets dragged to my a "being" called Mot. And maybe this part isn't meant to be funny, but I couldn't help but laugh, what's worse then Hell?
Being trapped with your boss in Hell.
Cut to Pam on earth, whose living a Hell all her own, ends up trapped with Mot in her apartment ( which makes you think Mot escapes Martysheol just to end up in Pam's "hell" lol ( was that supposed to be sadly funny because I laughed, what are the chances lol )
I actually enjoyed this being a story told from Donny and from Pam, seeing their perspectives, in what seems to be their own hell.
I loved Pam the most, probably because I understand being trapped in a hell on earth kind of thing.
This to me was like any first book, its a builder, and the author got us ready for what I hope will be a second.
Fantastic little horror fantasy
January 26, 2025
Donny lives a monotonous life working under a deplorable boss with a degree he doesn’t get to use. He then goes home to his empty apartment to wake up the next day and do it again. That is until his boss Mr. Hill inadvertently drags him into the hellish world of Martrysheol. He and Mr. Hill must fight to survive against otherworldly beasts and try and find the portal to return them home. Meanwhile, back on earth, Donny’s neighbor Pam is captured by the same being that dragged Donny to the hellish world and must devise a way to escape before she too is taken to the dregs of hell. This was definitely a unique and interesting read. I feel it was a mix of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy all in one. Some parts of the story are definitely enthralling while I feel others were unnecessary (mainly the sexual parts) and didn’t really flow as well with the main narrative. Still a fun read and interesting take on what we call Hell. Thank you to Carl for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
February 17, 2025
WELCOME TO HELL
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this! Centered around two main characters, I was expecting a horrific journey into hell. And while there’s a lot here that’s horrific, it has more in common with something like Morpheus Road/Pendragon than it does DOOM or AGONY.
Where it excels is in its two main characters: Pam and Donny. They have two parallel storylines that succeed in advancing the story and also providing some great characterization. I had a slight bias towards Pam ( no spoilers here) but both had significant depth.
It also excels in painting a picture of a borderline demonic otherworld that can really been seen as you’re reading through. Highly recommend for that aspect.
The only thing I didn’t like was some slow pacing about 2/3rds of the way in, but super minor complaint.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this! Centered around two main characters, I was expecting a horrific journey into hell. And while there’s a lot here that’s horrific, it has more in common with something like Morpheus Road/Pendragon than it does DOOM or AGONY.
Where it excels is in its two main characters: Pam and Donny. They have two parallel storylines that succeed in advancing the story and also providing some great characterization. I had a slight bias towards Pam ( no spoilers here) but both had significant depth.
It also excels in painting a picture of a borderline demonic otherworld that can really been seen as you’re reading through. Highly recommend for that aspect.
The only thing I didn’t like was some slow pacing about 2/3rds of the way in, but super minor complaint.
February 21, 2025
This is a very solid debut novel!
I enjoyed the world-building and the likeable protagonists.
I definitely was more interested in Pam's storyline compared to Donny's.
I thought this was more along the lines of a fantasy/horror novel than a full on horror novel, but still enjoyed how the author was able to explore differing genres throughout the book.
I definitely was not a fan of the ending. I felt that the entire thing just ended with no real cliffhanger. I realize this is a series, but I was hoping for more of a setup for the next installment.
Besides the grammatical errors, I thought it was well-written and I appreciated how invested I was with the characters.
Thank you to Carl for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the world-building and the likeable protagonists.
I definitely was more interested in Pam's storyline compared to Donny's.
I thought this was more along the lines of a fantasy/horror novel than a full on horror novel, but still enjoyed how the author was able to explore differing genres throughout the book.
I definitely was not a fan of the ending. I felt that the entire thing just ended with no real cliffhanger. I realize this is a series, but I was hoping for more of a setup for the next installment.
Besides the grammatical errors, I thought it was well-written and I appreciated how invested I was with the characters.
Thank you to Carl for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2025
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I greatly enjoyed this book. It gave me the vibes of Darren Shan, a personal favorite of mine as a teen, and his Demonata series. It has humor, adventure, horror, monsters, and some really heavy undertones. Very fun read!
I really loved Pam's story the most throughout this novel. She was vulnerable, strong, complex, but flawed.
I really loved Pam's story the most throughout this novel. She was vulnerable, strong, complex, but flawed.
March 28, 2025
I really enjoyed the concept of the book; being stuck in hell with your boss, who originally volunteered you to be sacrificed sounds like a nightmare. The idea is interesting and the world building is immersive and well done, I think it will make a great series! However, for most of the book, I felt it leaned more into dark fantasy with some horror elements, rather than strictly horror.
*I received a free ARC from the author*
*I received a free ARC from the author*
February 4, 2025
4.5*
I am so thankful for the opportunity to read the beginning of what is shaping up to be a gruesome and gripping fight for life. This was a nice mix of gore, violence, fantasy, and humor. The plot was not something that I had read before, and I found it to be extremely hard to put down. Bonus that one of the characters share my name🤣 I am impatiently looking forward to seeing what happens in the next installment.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to read the beginning of what is shaping up to be a gruesome and gripping fight for life. This was a nice mix of gore, violence, fantasy, and humor. The plot was not something that I had read before, and I found it to be extremely hard to put down. Bonus that one of the characters share my name🤣 I am impatiently looking forward to seeing what happens in the next installment.
February 7, 2025
Prepare to be dragged to a dangerous hellscape teeming with bloodthristy inhabitants! This was fun, gory, and demonic. I'm impressed at the author's creativity and originality. I want to learn more about the lore of this world, the demons, the portals- I need more!!
I know Mot is terrible and evil but there was something endearing about him.. maybe I'm just twisted?
I know Mot is terrible and evil but there was something endearing about him.. maybe I'm just twisted?
February 22, 2025
This read was a hell of a ride for me. Loved the style and loved the character development. The pace was good except in the middle felt like a slow burn for me. The story on itself was nothing I’ve ever read which is a good thing for me. It was a different to read. I highly recommend this read to all my friends. Good job Carl Bluesy on this book I certainly loved it. 👍👍
February 9, 2025
This is the first thing I’ve ever read of Carl’s, and despite being slightly irked that it was the first in a series (I like to hoard a series until I can binge read them all!) I did enjoy this. I read a lot of horror/ demonic paranormal types and this really held my interest!
January 16, 2025
Wow! Sucked in from the first page! In a reality where Hell is real and Collectors are sent to earth to bring back people to sustain the lives of the people who live in the world under our earth. Three people, whose lives are loosely connected on earth, manage to all end up dealing with the same collector. Eventually, they all end up, separately, in the world below earth, and are trying to find a way back home. Two of the three end up together, and knowing each other on the surface, work at finding a way out. Of course, communication is not their strong suit, or maybe it’s trust. Through the course of their time together, working on a way back home, they discover “The creature that will destroy everything”.
This book brings up theories about how we, as humans, treat each other. How some people think they are better than others based on their social standing or their job title (or lack thereof). But in this world, it doesn’t matter who has the knowledge, the money, or the clout; they all need to find a way to work together to defeat a common enemy and make it back home.
And ending on a cliffhanger!
This book brings up theories about how we, as humans, treat each other. How some people think they are better than others based on their social standing or their job title (or lack thereof). But in this world, it doesn’t matter who has the knowledge, the money, or the clout; they all need to find a way to work together to defeat a common enemy and make it back home.
And ending on a cliffhanger!
March 3, 2025
DNF 20%. I'm giving this three stars because the author is generally a good writer—they understand the craft and setting up the stakes. But there were a few issues I had that prevented me from fully immersing myself in the story.
I had a hard time with Pam as a character, since she spent much of the beginning worried about how she looked to the main character, Donny, how she wasn't smart because she didn't have a degree, etc. I wanted some more complexity from her beyond how she thinks the male character thinks about her looks or intellect.
Donny was also a tough character to like. I would have loved to have him built up a bit more with more self-awareness and perspective. There were moments where he felt juvenile and flat—he makes a comment about how girls don't like guys who knit because it's feminine and knitting makes you look poor. Just a strange point-of-view to have from an intelligent, driven anthropologist.
There were also times when the writing would get verbose. The author would get stuck in a moment, describing every detail, but I think it would have benefited from just moving forward. Things like walking down the street, stretching outside of a cave, texting a group chat would go on and on when, as a reader, I just wanted to get to the good stuff.
Again, I think Bluesy is a talented writer, whose strength is in world-building. This story will resonate with a ton of readers. I will be on the lookout for other works he puts out!
Note: I received this ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.
I had a hard time with Pam as a character, since she spent much of the beginning worried about how she looked to the main character, Donny, how she wasn't smart because she didn't have a degree, etc. I wanted some more complexity from her beyond how she thinks the male character thinks about her looks or intellect.
Donny was also a tough character to like. I would have loved to have him built up a bit more with more self-awareness and perspective. There were moments where he felt juvenile and flat—he makes a comment about how girls don't like guys who knit because it's feminine and knitting makes you look poor. Just a strange point-of-view to have from an intelligent, driven anthropologist.
There were also times when the writing would get verbose. The author would get stuck in a moment, describing every detail, but I think it would have benefited from just moving forward. Things like walking down the street, stretching outside of a cave, texting a group chat would go on and on when, as a reader, I just wanted to get to the good stuff.
Again, I think Bluesy is a talented writer, whose strength is in world-building. This story will resonate with a ton of readers. I will be on the lookout for other works he puts out!
Note: I received this ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.
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