In a land where humans and demons fight for existence, only one will remain
Plagued by a harrowing past, Laura Obsidian struggles to adapt to life in the demon hunter’s Coven. She has no care for rules, no desires for companionship or vulnerability, and certainly no trust for anyone but herself. The least of all, the Elders.
But even she might not be able to survive her own secrets.
Aster Ruby’s life has always been guided by two doctrines. Protect the human lands by eradicating demons which crossed the Breach and fulfill the Elders’ expectations. However, as he ends up meeting the infamous Laura Obsidian, Aster can’t help but wanting to know more. And, as demonic incursions inexplicably become more frequent, come to realize just how deadly Laura’s secrets might be.
A. G. Briggs is a fantasy lover, sports aficionado and (somewhat) of a mood writer. She loves to read too late into the night, learn new languages, watch the same TV shows or animes on repeat, and spend time with her family on their farm. When she isn’t writing, you can either find her lost in her own imagination or doing one of her two dozen hobbies.
You can find out more about A. G. and her upcoming releases on her website or socials.
Darkness Will Rise stands out to me because the world was incredibly immersive! I felt every drop of sweat, swipe of a demon, and draw of Laura's blade! The comradery that bloomed between Laura and Aster as we followed their pov's was really interesting, and I loved reading how Aster admired her!! I loved watching Laura puzzle out the situation that arises as higher and higher classes of demon flood into their world!! I am SO excited to see what happens next!!
If you like: Demon Hunting and bada** demons!! Golden Retriever MMCs Descriptive writing Stabby FMCs You need to check out Darkness Will Rise today!! It's out right now!!
Thank you A.G. Briggs for having me as part of the arc team and sending me an e-arc to read!!
So I recently had the opportunity to read an ARC from debut author, A.G. Briggs, whose novel Darkness Will Rise really jumped out at me: a world where humans and demons are locked in an existential struggle where only one can survive.
The story follows Laura Obsidian, a demon hunter with a troubled past who struggles to find her place within the Coven. She's independent to a fault—rejecting rules, companionship, and especially the authority of the Elders. Yet her carefully guarded secrets may prove to ultimately be her undoing.
Meanwhile, Aster Ruby has dedicated his life to two principles: protecting human lands by destroying demons that cross the Breach and faithfully serving the Elders. When his path crosses with the notorious Laura Obsidian, his curiosity is piqued. As demonic incursions mysteriously increase, Aster begins to suspect that Laura's secrets might be either catastrophic—or salvation for them all.
My experience with this book was mixed. I found it difficult to connect with Laura as the female main character. She struck me as unrealistically perfect—an unbeatable fighter, flawless with throwing swords, and exceptional at everything she bothers to attempt. Her only apparent "flaw" seemed to be her stubbornness and refusal to follow instructions, which felt like a forced attempt to make her relatable rather than a genuine character trait.
Aster, however, was much more compelling. His curiosity, authenticity, and independent thinking made him immediately likeable and engaging.
Where Briggs truly excels is world-building. The demonic inhabitants are crafted with impressive detail and imagination. The demons themselves inspire either terror or revulsion—sometimes both in my case—which creates a vivid and effective atmosphere throughout the story.
While I appreciated Briggs' writing style overall, it occasionally felt disjointed, and there were moments where I wished for more depth and development. That said, the pacing made for a quick, engaging read that I finished in a single day. Even though Laura didn't resonate with me as a character, the story itself was enjoyable enough that I'm interested in continuing with the series.
the concept A. G. had for this book is amazing! i was pulled into the world almost immediately and fell in love with Laura just as fast.
in this YA fantasy, Laura is an absolute badass, no-f*cks-given, could-kill-you-with-her-stare demon hunter. i adore her for staying true to herself and her beliefs! god, she’s so cool!
Aster is the demon hunting partner and friend everyone needs. intrigued by the infamous Laura, he needs to learn more about her, and what secrets she’s hiding.
i had such a great time with this book! A. G. has this writing power to create some of the most terrifying demons i’ve ever read with an ending that gave me CHILLS, and i was here for it all! with Darkness Will Rise being her debut novel, A.G. is a Canadian author you want to watch 👀
this review is pretty lengthy so i've arranged it into sections for easier reading
🌟🌟🌟🌟.75 [4.75 rounded up to 5] 💖 [no spice]
Demon hunting? Unlikely partnership? Sign me up. I went in expecting plenty of action and demons, and I was not disappointed. Thank you so much to A.G. Briggs for the eARC of this amazing story!
To simply put, Darkness Will Rise is about Laura, a demon hunter who is forbidden to take part in missions because of her reckless behaviour, and whose life is intertwined with the dutiful and admired prodigy, Aster. Assigned together by the Elders as partners, they hope that Aster's unwavering adherence to the rules will influence Laura's reckless ways, giving her a chance to redeem her unruly self and moulding her into some semblance of a demon hunter who hunts by their rules. Little do they know that Aster is too curious for his own good, and might just find himself tangled in the web of secrets that Laura has been trying to keep from him.
The concept of demons with different classes and levels was very interesting. I've rarely seen concepts like these outside of LitRPG type novels. Though I might be out of the loop. Of course, there were many action scenes and they did not disappoint. They were descriptive and it was really fun to read Laura's fighting style and how she adapts her strategy according to the different types of demons she encounters. Despite her rebellious personality, she's surprisingly a hard worker and very studious, always learning about all the different types of demons and etching that knowledge into her heart.
Characters:
Laura and Aster's partnership is incredible. I like how they give off the partners in crime, “us against the world” vibe. Their dynamic reminds me of a golden retriever and a black cat, but that's really heavily cranking it down to its general idea.
Their friendship was developing a bit too smoothly and that's always a sign for things to go south in books, but thankfully, nothing crazy happened (yet?). Their trust in each other's skills is refreshing to see. I assumed Aster was going to become overprotective or would try to restrain Laura from doing things on her own, but he simply adopted a "I won't stop you, but if you're stirring up trouble, let me in on it too" attitude. The story constantly subverts my expectations, which is a huge plus.
FMC: Laura
I really appreciate Laura's character. She's stubborn and does things her way, but definitely not at the expense of others. She controls her emotions well and avoids blaming the wrong people. Though, she does make sure consequences do find its way back to those who deserve it. In a nutshell, I felt like she's a perfect example of a character who has a strong personality without being unbearable. Even for an experienced demon hunter like Laura, defeating a group of demons alone is a struggle. I just thought that this detail about her was really neat because it adds a nice touch of realism to her character.
MMC: Aster
Aster is just a genuine person. All smiles and is always having fun when the moment permits. Not to say he doesn't have his serious and somber moments, but he's quick to bounce back and make the best of things. Despite being a prodigy, he's humble and acknowledges others' strengths. He's also plenty curious and honest, which helps a lot with the dynamic he has with Laura, helping him earn her trust.
Short mentions: Liam & Alex
I do want to make a mention on Liam (Laura's brother) and Alex (Liam's hunting partner). I hope that we get to see more of them in the future because they seem like fascinating characters with very different skill sets from our MCs. Liam is also a wonderful brother to Laura, and I like their sibling banters a lot. Laura definitely acts a lot different when she's around family, and It's good to know that her brother will always have her back.
Writing:
Just some things that stood out to me while reading was that the story has a handful of time skips and scene cuts, giving it a sort of cinematic feel to it. This might be unusual for some, but I personally think it worked well with the concept, keeping the pace fast and engaging as we get right into the action and lore itself and there wasn't a chapter where something was not happening. But I do sometimes find that some skips felt abrupt because I didn't quite catch a cue leading up to it. Other than that, the writing was sophisticated, and I do like the approach of gradually revealing information as the story goes on rather than rushing them to the readers at the beginning of the book. The writing style also noticeably smoothed out as the book progressed.
Conclusion:
Overall it's an enjoyable read and that ending? What do you mean we've only just scratched the surface and there's still a greater adventure to come? I'm invested to know what secrets and truths Laura and Aster will uncover, especially when this time they’ll be working together more than before…and also because I’m a loyal follower of partners working together against the unknown ԅ(≖⌣≖ԅ)
My interest in Darkness Will Rise was immediately peaked by the incredible fan art I saw on the author's instagram page. Overall, I would rate this book a 3.75 rounded up to a 4. The idea for the story is quite unique and I loved the concept of demons, demon hunters, and the Coven organization - it's very anime-esque in the vibes (which is always a plus for me!). A.G. Briggs excels at the descriptions of fight scenes and the intricate details of these demon monsters that our FMC and MMC find themselves up against, which was enjoyable to read as action is quite prevalent throughout the book. The beginning was a bit slow for me to get into and I think I attribute this to Laura's POV and perhaps a bit of the writing style. Laura is portrayed as this perfect fighter who is also confident, stubborn, and seemingly can find her way out of any situation she finds herself in. There wasn't really too much I could find myself relating much to her as a character because there weren't many scenes of Laura failing and learning/growing. I also think at the beginning of the book, the writing style consisted of very long sentence structures that made the passages feel a bit dense. I found myself needing to reread quite a bit to understand what was going on. However, I will say this writing style worked quite well for the fight scenes. I became much more invested in the story once Aster's POV was introduced. I really enjoyed the dual POV and Aster as a character. I loved how supportive he is of Laura! I'm curious to see where the story will go from here.
Thank you very much A.G. Briggs for allowing me the chance to read an e-arc to read in exchange for an honest review!
4.5 stars What a ride this book was! It's an action-packed, demon hunting adventure with a heart, a pulse, and a lot of daggers. If you’re a fan of Shadowhunters, Supernatural or Demon Slayer, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR. The story follows Laura, fearless, reckless, and an absolute force in combat, paired unexpectedly with Aster, the golden boy prodigy who’s more rules than rebellion. Their dynamic was instant chemistry, not romantically (yet?), but in that unlikely duo who actually balance each other out perfectly. Think black cat meets golden retriever vibe. The demon system is really cool, class levels, unique types, and smart world-building that doesn’t dump lore on you all at once. And the fight scenes were chef’s kiss. They're fast paced and cinematic, with Laura’s adaptive style really showcasing her experience and intelligence as a fighter. She's not just reckless, she’s calculated and clever, which made her feel all the more relatable. I also appreciated that Aster wasn’t just a rule follower. He’s curious, kind, and low-key chaotic when it counts, which makes his developing bond with Laura feel natural and earned. Their partnership grows with mutual respect and a ride or die vibe that was really refreshing. And I have to give a big shout out to the sibling dynamic between Laura and her brother Liam. More of that, please! The ending left me on edge, in the best way. There’s more to this world, and these characters, and I’m dying to see what secrets are still waiting to rise. Book two can’t come soon enough.
Big thank you to A.G Briggs for the opportunity to read an ARC of this outstanding story!
Y’all, this was such a fun and interesting book! The world and story concept was incredibly unique, and I loved all the different levels and types of demons that our main characters hunted and encountered throughout the story.
Our FMC Laura was so complex, and I loved her. She’s flawed in all the best ways and super independent after her childhood years were spent away from her demon hunting coven. Once she’s found and returns to the coven, she fights the Elders at every turn and breaks every rule they have while staying true to her beliefs. She’s out to hunt as many demons as she can, and she’s also trying to figure out why there’s been such a large influx of demons in recent years.
Then we have our MMC Aster, and yes - this book is dual POV! I was a bit worried at first about Aster since he had been such a faithful servant of the Elders. But once Laura opens up and shares a few of her secrets, Aster was more than willing to trust Laura and help her on her unauthorized demon hunting trips. Plus, he has custom daggers made for her on her birthday? How can you not love a MMC who knows the best way to a stabby FMC’s heart! 🖤🗡️
I will admit that A.G. Briggs’ writing style was a little bit different than I’m used to, but that’s wasn’t a bad thing! It just took some getting used to. And as the book progressed, I felt like she really hit her groove and everything smoothed out writing wise.
I cannot wait for Book 2, especially after that cliffhanger! I also really hope we get to learn more about Laura and her lost years away from the coven as this story continues!
I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to receive an advanced copy of Darkness Will Rise from the author! 🫶
Darkness Will Rise is an incredible debut novel and I truly was blown away by everything about this beautiful story! 🥹💕 The worldbuilding was amazing and A.G. Briggs has such a fun and unique writing style that had me captivated from the very first line! ❤️
Laura truly is such an amazing FMC and how she is so feisty. Aster on the other hand is the total opposite of Laura and is such a golden retriever MMC that it was simply adorable. It truly was so fun to see their partnership. The book itself was dual POV so it was a ton of fun getting to read both of their POVs and just placing pieces of the puzzle together to figure out what was going on. Also do not get me started on that cliffhanger because I need book two right now! 😱😭😤🙊🤯
If you love incredible world building, a golden retriever MMC, dual POV, tons of action, and a book that you won’t be able to put down then this is the book for you! 🫶
Darkness Will Rise is a fast-paced, action-packed dive into a world where hunters battle demons and danger lurks at every turn. A.G. Briggs delivers phenomenal world-building and non-stop fight scenes that keep the pages turning.
The chemistry between Aster and Laura is a standout—two very different characters whose unbreakable partnership adds heart to the chaos. While Laura remains too emotionally closed off and underdeveloped, her cunning and strength still shine through.
Aster in contrary, is open minded and always up for Laura‘s ideas and adventures. He‘s the absolute best support to her and it shows in how their relationship becomes stronger the more time they spend together.
Despite the lack of depth in some areas, the thrilling pace and intense dynamics made it impossible to put down. I’m already craving the next adventure.
Thank you so much to A.G. For trusting me with reviewing your debut novel. 🖤
Laura Obsidian is a master of daggers; ruthless in battle, and feared throughout the Demon Hunters' community. The demons keep coming in larger and larger groups, and the elders don't seem to care too much. With the help of her new hunting partner, the golden boy Aster, the two set out to figure out what's going on - disobeying direct orders from the elders.
Tons of action, descriptive fight scenes, unique demons (some named after dinosaurs!!) - this book is for anyone who loves "The Witcher," "Castlevania," "Demon Slayer," and "Solo Leveling." (There's a cave scene !!)
I'm looking forward to the next book!! I have my theories 👀
3.25 ⭐️. I feel it skipped over the most interesting parts (the prologue/backstory) as well as the development of the friendship between the 2 main characters.