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Daevas I
In a world ravaged by holy war, Ari clings to one truth: mouths lie, but blood does not. When the past surfaces in fragments, he turns to Auovin, a demon who offers answers—and demands a price Ari does not yet understand.
As the war’s lies unravel, Ari’s certainty fractures with them. What he thought was righteousness becomes control. What he thought was monstrosity becomes familiarity. The closer he draws to the truth, the more he is forced to confront the one thing he cannot outfight: what he is becoming.
Daevas: Volume One opens a three-volume queer dark fantasy saga of remembrance, moral rupture, and the peril of being fully seen. For readers of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, it is a story where identity and monstrosity are impossible to separate.
As the war’s lies unravel, Ari’s certainty fractures with them. What he thought was righteousness becomes control. What he thought was monstrosity becomes familiarity. The closer he draws to the truth, the more he is forced to confront the one thing he cannot outfight: what he is becoming.
Daevas: Volume One opens a three-volume queer dark fantasy saga of remembrance, moral rupture, and the peril of being fully seen. For readers of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, it is a story where identity and monstrosity are impossible to separate.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2025
About the author
Milan Sno
1 book2 followersSomeone who loves telling queer, literary, and BIPOC-centered stories and believes everyone deserves to see themselves in the pages of a good book. Now if they could just procrastinate a little less, they'd have more to share.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars!! 🤩
"It was not jealousy, he told himself. Not really. But seeing Cyrus at Auovin’s side was like staring at the sun—too bright, too perfect, reminding him of everything he was not."
I've been dying to get my hands on a copy ever since reading the rough draft a long time ago! I don't normally leave reviews. I didn't even have a goodreads, but I love this book so much, I had to make one. Thank you Sno for sending me an early copy. The world you painted is fantastic. I can see how you pull from storytelling style like Ursula as you note her work a lot. I quite loved so many of the sentences, I just start pinning like crazy so I can go back to it.
Ari is quite the character. He's just as naive and dense as ever, reminding me when I was younger! He's relatable but a little frustrating at times. When you mentioned he was stubborn, I can definitely see it. Freir, who takes on a fatherly role toward Ari, clearly cares about him but also makes some deeply flawed choices. Ari’s refusal to listen, was frustrating but so real. I saw so much of my younger queer self in that, trying to make sense of my feelings while being told they were wrong.
I love how you baked in the queer experience into the story without it sounding didactic. The worldbuilding was so lived in. I never thought I was being told anything. Just experiencing it with alongside Ari. When Ari was unraveling and I saw myself unraveling along with him, revisiting old feelings. Both the good and the not-so good. That may get a little uncomfortable for some, but this book really touches on a lot of the internal struggles of queer people. I found myself ugly crying at a couple scenes, angry at others, boiling over with frustration, laughing, and even blushing at some of the steamier parts.
In an odd way, I've learned a lot about myself. I remember you talking about how you didn't want to call it literary because you felt as though it was too genre fiction. However, it is pretty literary and you have a right to call it that! You've earned it. The level of craft and tight prose speaks to it.
I could go on forever as I read this book twice now and plan to reread again. The complex relationships (One of my fav parts), the layers, all the different kinds of love explored, the themes.... Thank you Sno for writing this wonderful book that centers queer people. I can't wait until the next volume (Hopefully March!!)
"It was not jealousy, he told himself. Not really. But seeing Cyrus at Auovin’s side was like staring at the sun—too bright, too perfect, reminding him of everything he was not."
I've been dying to get my hands on a copy ever since reading the rough draft a long time ago! I don't normally leave reviews. I didn't even have a goodreads, but I love this book so much, I had to make one. Thank you Sno for sending me an early copy. The world you painted is fantastic. I can see how you pull from storytelling style like Ursula as you note her work a lot. I quite loved so many of the sentences, I just start pinning like crazy so I can go back to it.
Ari is quite the character. He's just as naive and dense as ever, reminding me when I was younger! He's relatable but a little frustrating at times. When you mentioned he was stubborn, I can definitely see it. Freir, who takes on a fatherly role toward Ari, clearly cares about him but also makes some deeply flawed choices. Ari’s refusal to listen, was frustrating but so real. I saw so much of my younger queer self in that, trying to make sense of my feelings while being told they were wrong.
I love how you baked in the queer experience into the story without it sounding didactic. The worldbuilding was so lived in. I never thought I was being told anything. Just experiencing it with alongside Ari. When Ari was unraveling and I saw myself unraveling along with him, revisiting old feelings. Both the good and the not-so good. That may get a little uncomfortable for some, but this book really touches on a lot of the internal struggles of queer people. I found myself ugly crying at a couple scenes, angry at others, boiling over with frustration, laughing, and even blushing at some of the steamier parts.
In an odd way, I've learned a lot about myself. I remember you talking about how you didn't want to call it literary because you felt as though it was too genre fiction. However, it is pretty literary and you have a right to call it that! You've earned it. The level of craft and tight prose speaks to it.
I could go on forever as I read this book twice now and plan to reread again. The complex relationships (One of my fav parts), the layers, all the different kinds of love explored, the themes.... Thank you Sno for writing this wonderful book that centers queer people. I can't wait until the next volume (Hopefully March!!)
September 26, 2025
I took my time writing this because there was a lot I want to say.
The Story
This book is not light reading. Daevas throws you into a dark, rain-soaked forest on page one and says “good luck.” And somehow, you want to thank it for the bruises. The fights are intense, but they are never filler. That opening scene with Ari and Freir battling demons in the rain? Cinematic. You can almost feel the mud and the panic. But what makes it work is that the action is always tied to emotion.
The Characters
Ari is one of those characters who feels like he is made of contradictions. Fragile and hurting, but also stubborn enough to stand in the fire. His love is so intense it makes you want to shake him and hug him at the same time. The scene with Freir nearly broke me. When Freir says,
I just sat there like… wow. Auovin, meanwhile, might be one of the most frustratingly compelling characters I’ve ever read. Cruel, cold, but every so often you catch a crack in the ice and it hurts even more. Cyrus is sharp and tetchy, but secretly soft. And Freir and Rein bring their own complicated mix of love, duty, and pain. No one here is flat, and everyone leaves a mark.
The Themes
This is not your standard good versus evil fantasy. It is a story about identity, memory, guilt, and desire. The demons are not just monsters, they are mirrors for the characters’ pain. The polyamorous dynamics are handled with care. Ari’s love for Auovin, his bond with Cyrus, and the space for other possibilities never feel like a triangle. It is more like a storm pulling in different directions, messy and real. The book keeps asking, what does it mean to love someone who hurts you, or to love when you feel you shouldn’t? And it never gives you easy answers.
The Writing
The prose is simple, yet beautiful and heavy in the best way. This is a book that stays with you. Lines stay with you long after you close it. Ari’s quiet “why?” repeated through the story hit me harder than any enemies-to-lovers standard trope ever would. And little details like the swirling sun markings of the Daevas are not just pretty touches. They are symbols tied to the entire mythology. You can tell this is a book written with layers.
Final Thoughts
Daevas is heartbreaking, beautiful, and the kind of book that will stick under your skin. It is not afraid to be messy or tragic. It will tug your heartstrings, snap them, and then stitch them back together with starlight. If you want fantasy with demons, gods, queer love, and writing that makes you stop and just… feel, this is the book.
Sigh.
This book really feels like it was written by a queer person with a queer audience in mind and I am so thankful for that. The experiences and feelings Ari deals with really stuck with me. Reading how he trying to figure things out and be proud of who he was really one of my most treasured moments in this book.
The Story
This book is not light reading. Daevas throws you into a dark, rain-soaked forest on page one and says “good luck.” And somehow, you want to thank it for the bruises. The fights are intense, but they are never filler. That opening scene with Ari and Freir battling demons in the rain? Cinematic. You can almost feel the mud and the panic. But what makes it work is that the action is always tied to emotion.
The Characters
Ari is one of those characters who feels like he is made of contradictions. Fragile and hurting, but also stubborn enough to stand in the fire. His love is so intense it makes you want to shake him and hug him at the same time. The scene with Freir nearly broke me. When Freir says,
“But if you feel . . .” Freir’s voice softened, a hint of sadness in his eyes. “If you feel like you belong there, there is always a place here.” He touched his chest, right over his heart. “Always.”
I just sat there like… wow. Auovin, meanwhile, might be one of the most frustratingly compelling characters I’ve ever read. Cruel, cold, but every so often you catch a crack in the ice and it hurts even more. Cyrus is sharp and tetchy, but secretly soft. And Freir and Rein bring their own complicated mix of love, duty, and pain. No one here is flat, and everyone leaves a mark.
The Themes
This is not your standard good versus evil fantasy. It is a story about identity, memory, guilt, and desire. The demons are not just monsters, they are mirrors for the characters’ pain. The polyamorous dynamics are handled with care. Ari’s love for Auovin, his bond with Cyrus, and the space for other possibilities never feel like a triangle. It is more like a storm pulling in different directions, messy and real. The book keeps asking, what does it mean to love someone who hurts you, or to love when you feel you shouldn’t? And it never gives you easy answers.
The Writing
The prose is simple, yet beautiful and heavy in the best way. This is a book that stays with you. Lines stay with you long after you close it. Ari’s quiet “why?” repeated through the story hit me harder than any enemies-to-lovers standard trope ever would. And little details like the swirling sun markings of the Daevas are not just pretty touches. They are symbols tied to the entire mythology. You can tell this is a book written with layers.
Final Thoughts
Daevas is heartbreaking, beautiful, and the kind of book that will stick under your skin. It is not afraid to be messy or tragic. It will tug your heartstrings, snap them, and then stitch them back together with starlight. If you want fantasy with demons, gods, queer love, and writing that makes you stop and just… feel, this is the book.
Sigh.
This book really feels like it was written by a queer person with a queer audience in mind and I am so thankful for that. The experiences and feelings Ari deals with really stuck with me. Reading how he trying to figure things out and be proud of who he was really one of my most treasured moments in this book.
July 20, 2025
Exciting read, you can tell a lot of time and effort was put in. I look forward to more reads like this !
July 19, 2025
I have feelings about the book. I am unsure currently if they are good or bad.
The premise is excellent a holy war, demons, hidden identities and forbidden love.
The execution is weird. There is virtually no world building, you have to guess what this world looks like from the tiny bits of info the characters drop into our laps.
I thought maybe the idea is to make the reader as clueless as Ari as the main character- but it got old fast.
There was also alot of repetition. Ari wants to know what's going on he asks then is distracted, then doesn't care. This happens with pretty much ever character he interacts with. Often more than once.
I wonder if the authors native language is English? As the language used is very clunky, an odd.
Despite this I kept reading, it hooked me in and I do want to know what happens next.
The premise is excellent a holy war, demons, hidden identities and forbidden love.
The execution is weird. There is virtually no world building, you have to guess what this world looks like from the tiny bits of info the characters drop into our laps.
I thought maybe the idea is to make the reader as clueless as Ari as the main character- but it got old fast.
There was also alot of repetition. Ari wants to know what's going on he asks then is distracted, then doesn't care. This happens with pretty much ever character he interacts with. Often more than once.
I wonder if the authors native language is English? As the language used is very clunky, an odd.
Despite this I kept reading, it hooked me in and I do want to know what happens next.
Did Not Finish
September 2, 2025i am unfortunately going to DNF this at 34%
i’m so sad about it, because i really thought i was going to love this one. the premise sounded super interesting to me, but ultimately it just fell flat for me.
there was no introduction, we were kinda just thrown right in the deep end. don’t get me wrong, i like not knowing and having to guess where things are gonna go, but i have to have *something* to hold on to. some little seed planted that makes me want to find out what’s going to happen, and i just did not have that here. from the get go we didn’t know ANYTHING, and that just made me so uninterested in the story as a whole.
the pacing was odd, and the story felt almost clunky in some places. scenes would cut off suddenly, and i was left being so confused. i just wanted MORE. a little explanation, some backstory, because for the majority of my time reading this i just felt - for lack of a better word - confused, because we were missing those key elements. i’m sure we would get answers eventually, but because i didn’t have that thing making me *want* to know, i just didn’t care to continue.
at times the writing was beautiful, almost poetic, but then other times it felt kind of juvenile and not very well crafted. it took me out of the story a bit.
now, the characters. sigh. the whole demon love interest thing was SO intriguing to me, and was what made me want to read the book in the first place, but every single character felt very two dimensional. they weren’t very well fleshed out, and everything was very surface level all around.
we also didn’t really get the buildup for their relationship - we know that our mmc hates the love interest, but then suddenly he feels ‘tethered to him’ and wants to be around him when before, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. it felt like a switch had flipped all of a sudden; it changed very drastically with little to no buildup to explain their sudden ‘relationship’ or care for each other, and personally it wasn’t what i enjoy when reading an enemies to lovers book.
so unfortunately i will not be finishing this.
thank you to netgalley for proving this ARC.
i’m so sad about it, because i really thought i was going to love this one. the premise sounded super interesting to me, but ultimately it just fell flat for me.
there was no introduction, we were kinda just thrown right in the deep end. don’t get me wrong, i like not knowing and having to guess where things are gonna go, but i have to have *something* to hold on to. some little seed planted that makes me want to find out what’s going to happen, and i just did not have that here. from the get go we didn’t know ANYTHING, and that just made me so uninterested in the story as a whole.
the pacing was odd, and the story felt almost clunky in some places. scenes would cut off suddenly, and i was left being so confused. i just wanted MORE. a little explanation, some backstory, because for the majority of my time reading this i just felt - for lack of a better word - confused, because we were missing those key elements. i’m sure we would get answers eventually, but because i didn’t have that thing making me *want* to know, i just didn’t care to continue.
at times the writing was beautiful, almost poetic, but then other times it felt kind of juvenile and not very well crafted. it took me out of the story a bit.
now, the characters. sigh. the whole demon love interest thing was SO intriguing to me, and was what made me want to read the book in the first place, but every single character felt very two dimensional. they weren’t very well fleshed out, and everything was very surface level all around.
we also didn’t really get the buildup for their relationship - we know that our mmc hates the love interest, but then suddenly he feels ‘tethered to him’ and wants to be around him when before, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. it felt like a switch had flipped all of a sudden; it changed very drastically with little to no buildup to explain their sudden ‘relationship’ or care for each other, and personally it wasn’t what i enjoy when reading an enemies to lovers book.
so unfortunately i will not be finishing this.
thank you to netgalley for proving this ARC.
September 25, 2025
Review Time
Finally finished reading it, and what a time I had!! One of my most favorite parts of this book was the characters. I was in it with Ari through all of his *cough* mistakes and secondhand embarrassment. Ari lags behind his peers in terms of understanding emotions when it comes to love, affection, and intimacy and this book thoughtfully explored it using a queer lens. Then there was Ari’s shame and confusion, mirroring the struggle many LGTBTQ+ people face trying to "fit in" to spaces that were never built to love them.
However, there are some things that bothered me. I wish that that the ending wasn't as abrupt as it was. Read as cutting down word count rather than a satisfying ending that'll lead into the next book. I also think it would've been better if there was a map in the book help visualize the places for readers who rely on them to orient themselves.
Overall, this book was wonderful. You learn quickly not to trust anyone, not even Ari. If you're looking for a MM fantasy book that isn't just about sexy time or tropes thrown everywhere, this is for you! The text is a bit dense, though.
TL;DR:
If you like horror, fantasy, trauma-lite all while reading about a character falling in love with someone hell-bent on making him suffer then this is for you! 🤪
Sincerely,
An early reader
Finally finished reading it, and what a time I had!! One of my most favorite parts of this book was the characters. I was in it with Ari through all of his *cough* mistakes and secondhand embarrassment. Ari lags behind his peers in terms of understanding emotions when it comes to love, affection, and intimacy and this book thoughtfully explored it using a queer lens. Then there was Ari’s shame and confusion, mirroring the struggle many LGTBTQ+ people face trying to "fit in" to spaces that were never built to love them.
However, there are some things that bothered me. I wish that that the ending wasn't as abrupt as it was. Read as cutting down word count rather than a satisfying ending that'll lead into the next book. I also think it would've been better if there was a map in the book help visualize the places for readers who rely on them to orient themselves.
Overall, this book was wonderful. You learn quickly not to trust anyone, not even Ari. If you're looking for a MM fantasy book that isn't just about sexy time or tropes thrown everywhere, this is for you! The text is a bit dense, though.
TL;DR:
If you like horror, fantasy, trauma-lite all while reading about a character falling in love with someone hell-bent on making him suffer then this is for you! 🤪
Sincerely,
An early reader
July 19, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Milan Sno for this E-ARC
I want to start off by saying this should be marketed and listed as literary fantasy not just dark fantasy bc typical fantasy readers are not going to vibe with this story. It should be made a bit clearer upfront.
In saying that, I enjoyed this story a lot. I’m a gay man who loves queer fantasy, so this book called to me. Based off the genres noted in the listing, I didn’t know what I was getting into. Where was the world building? Why are we always in Ari’s head, always always asking questions? Ari is a curious little devil, and I was a little peeved when he found himself in situations he could have avoided if he listened. But I’d say after a few chapters things really came together for me.
This is literary fantasy, and it’s brilliant. The way everything is built on top of the other. Ari is a mess of emotions and I had a great time going through all the coming-of-age moments in this book, especially with Auovin.
The Khaeo was done so well and the ending left me wanting more. Everything was building up to a certain point and I didn’t realize it until I was there. I will be rereading. I feel like I missed a lot of key details and it made me feel kind of dumb?
Again, I wasn’t prepared for the work that came with this book. Market it appropriately as literary fantasy. I can see a lot of love went into this book, but this isn’t for a lot of readers as it’s not all laid out in front you. This had made me want to read more literary stuff. Any recs, let me know!
I want to start off by saying this should be marketed and listed as literary fantasy not just dark fantasy bc typical fantasy readers are not going to vibe with this story. It should be made a bit clearer upfront.
In saying that, I enjoyed this story a lot. I’m a gay man who loves queer fantasy, so this book called to me. Based off the genres noted in the listing, I didn’t know what I was getting into. Where was the world building? Why are we always in Ari’s head, always always asking questions? Ari is a curious little devil, and I was a little peeved when he found himself in situations he could have avoided if he listened. But I’d say after a few chapters things really came together for me.
This is literary fantasy, and it’s brilliant. The way everything is built on top of the other. Ari is a mess of emotions and I had a great time going through all the coming-of-age moments in this book, especially with Auovin.
The Khaeo was done so well and the ending left me wanting more. Everything was building up to a certain point and I didn’t realize it until I was there. I will be rereading. I feel like I missed a lot of key details and it made me feel kind of dumb?
Again, I wasn’t prepared for the work that came with this book. Market it appropriately as literary fantasy. I can see a lot of love went into this book, but this isn’t for a lot of readers as it’s not all laid out in front you. This had made me want to read more literary stuff. Any recs, let me know!
July 19, 2025
I have mixed reactions to this book, but overall I’m left slightly more inclined to a positive review. This book starts with Ari right in the middle of the conflict, and the reader is left to glean some of the bare facts, like the fact that Ari is a demon hunter — young and not as trained. As the story goes on Ari’s world gets revealed, bit by bit, both the demon side and the human, with information being given only when necessary and all of that information feeling logical and like it fits within the world.
However, the characters are all very flat. If you gave me a conversation between two of them with no name identifiers, I’d have no chance of guessing who was who. They all talk alike, react alike, and feel like the same person. And this, along with the plain , at times overly simplistic writing left me feeling equally flat while reading the book. There’s more focus on actions than feelings, and the book is very heavily weighted to telling rather than showing.
Even so, I think there’s potential, here. With the world and the rules already set in place, perhaps future books wold have more of a chance to focus on a handful of characters rather than an introduction of so many, and to have a chance to develop them more as people rather than set pieces. I’d be very curious to read the next book in this series.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
However, the characters are all very flat. If you gave me a conversation between two of them with no name identifiers, I’d have no chance of guessing who was who. They all talk alike, react alike, and feel like the same person. And this, along with the plain , at times overly simplistic writing left me feeling equally flat while reading the book. There’s more focus on actions than feelings, and the book is very heavily weighted to telling rather than showing.
Even so, I think there’s potential, here. With the world and the rules already set in place, perhaps future books wold have more of a chance to focus on a handful of characters rather than an introduction of so many, and to have a chance to develop them more as people rather than set pieces. I’d be very curious to read the next book in this series.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
October 14, 2025
Daevas I is a beautifully written descent into a world where faith, desire, and damnation collide. Milan Sno’s prose feels almost musical, each line dripping with emotion and atmosphere. Ari and Auovin’s dynamic is mesmerizing, both tender and dangerous, pulling you into their connection even as it threatens to destroy them. The world itself is bleak yet strangely intimate, built on the echoes of war and the lingering scent of blood and truth. This isn’t a light read—it’s introspective, haunting, and achingly human beneath its supernatural skin. A perfect choice for readers who crave morally complex characters, lyrical storytelling, and the kind of slow burn that scorches by the end.
Read
August 4, 2025Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book.
Unfortunately I had to DNF this book at around 30%. The world is not described super well or in depth leaving the reader scrambling to figure out what's going on. It's also incredibly slow and repetitive, Ari is curious about something or someone, then decides he actually doesn't care, then he's curious again and so on. It really didn't feel like anything actually happened. The characters also felt really flat for me.
Unfortunately I had to DNF this book at around 30%. The world is not described super well or in depth leaving the reader scrambling to figure out what's going on. It's also incredibly slow and repetitive, Ari is curious about something or someone, then decides he actually doesn't care, then he's curious again and so on. It really didn't feel like anything actually happened. The characters also felt really flat for me.
August 7, 2025
I remember reading this entire story on wattpad and being hooked the world building is a interesting take because it doesn't just outright tell you everything you need to know about the world and instead it feels like your learning about this world the same way ari is. While yes there is smut in the story it's not driven or focused on it like some other stories instead it feels almost natural in how the story pushes them before going back to the story itself. If you like demonic or knight sci-fi I would highly recommend getting this book.
October 24, 2025
This dark fantasy tale unfolds in a world shattered by holy war, where love, guilt, and identity intertwine. It follows Ari, a man scarred by the past, on his desperate search for truth through pain and blood, and Auovin, a demon both alluring and dangerous. Their journey is one of longing, betrayal, and the fragile hope of redemption. With lyrical, haunting prose and an atmosphere thick with desire and despair, the story captures the beauty and cruelty of being seen. A perfect read for those drawn to dark, introspective tales of love and monstrosity.
October 2, 2025
Daevas I is queer dark fantasy with a literary pulse. Ari, shaped by a holy war and a mantra—mouths lie, blood doesn’t—turns to the demon Auovin for answers and gets pulled into a slow-burn tangle of revelation, desire, and moral rot. The world feels intimate rather than encyclopedic; the book trades sprawling lore for close-quarters intensity, mythic hush, and knife-clean prose. If you’re in for character-first stakes, ambiguity, and the cost of being truly seen, it delivers.
October 5, 2025
Daevas I is a darkly poetic tale where war, faith, and forbidden desire collide.
Ari’s search for truth leads him into a perilous bond with the enigmatic demon Auovin.
The prose is lyrical yet sharp, painting a vivid world of shadows and longing.
Its slow-burning intensity makes the emotional stakes feel raw and real.
A compelling first volume that promises a haunting, unforgettable saga.
Ari’s search for truth leads him into a perilous bond with the enigmatic demon Auovin.
The prose is lyrical yet sharp, painting a vivid world of shadows and longing.
Its slow-burning intensity makes the emotional stakes feel raw and real.
A compelling first volume that promises a haunting, unforgettable saga.
October 15, 2025
Daevas I is an immersive and thought-provoking fantasy that stands out with its originality and depth. The world-building is rich and layered, and the author’s writing style is both poetic and powerful. I was pulled in by the mysterious lore and the complex characters, each with their own struggles and strengths. It's clear a lot of thought went into the creation of this universe.
October 23, 2025
I enjoyed reading this dark LGBTQIA+ fantasy.
'Daevas I' descends into a realm where faith, longing, and ruin collide. Milan Sno’s prose is rich, atmospheric, and filled with emotion. Ari and Auovin’s bond is both tender and deadly, unfolding in a bleak yet intimate world shaped by war; it’s a haunting story of morally complex characters and a slow burn that burns deep.
'Daevas I' descends into a realm where faith, longing, and ruin collide. Milan Sno’s prose is rich, atmospheric, and filled with emotion. Ari and Auovin’s bond is both tender and deadly, unfolding in a bleak yet intimate world shaped by war; it’s a haunting story of morally complex characters and a slow burn that burns deep.
October 7, 2025
The night was quiet, yet the wind whispered the promised words of death. This was their time to feed.
And I was sold! Read through a lot of the reviews and I'm surprised no one really talked about the horror! The action scenes are very cinematic, my goodness. First chapter had everything from characterization and world-building to blood, guts, and tears. I do wish there was a map and pictures of the demons, though. If it leaned more on the demon hunting/ Witcher vibes that would have been an insta-5 stars.
There were times where I thought things could have slowed down a little, take a breath such as the temple chapter. I also think adding more lore would have helped the world feel even more alive. The characters are one thing I will not complain about. They are complex and fully realized people, but I feel like a lot more effort was put toward that. A little extra emphasis in the next book would make me happy, but that's just me.
I enjoyed Ari's journey and the interesting choices he made along the way. I think anyone's who actually read the book can agree even if you didn't like Ari or his choices. He is so naive and you can only read on to find out what trouble he landed himself into this time. The ending tied up some loose ends, but only answered some of the plethora of questions haunting me.
Overall, good book. Hope the next one has more demon taxonomy and a larger focus on the world-building as I liked what I read so far.
July 29, 2025
Thank you for the e-ARC.
This book is about a young demon hunter named Ari who, after running into a demon he's never faced before, begins his journey in search in truth. What he has been taught and what he is learning is being challenged, and he must decide on where his future lies and who he is. What he'll become.
I've read my fair share of fantasy books and dabbled in literary fiction. This book has gotten me out of my reading slump bc it combined them both. And was very, very queer, for sure. Admittedly, the writing style took a little getting used to. Not a lot of work uses that old timey language. The ending was great but it left on a huge cliffhanger. Like dropping a bomb and then walking away. Anyway, I'll read the next book for sure.
This book is about a young demon hunter named Ari who, after running into a demon he's never faced before, begins his journey in search in truth. What he has been taught and what he is learning is being challenged, and he must decide on where his future lies and who he is. What he'll become.
I've read my fair share of fantasy books and dabbled in literary fiction. This book has gotten me out of my reading slump bc it combined them both. And was very, very queer, for sure. Admittedly, the writing style took a little getting used to. Not a lot of work uses that old timey language. The ending was great but it left on a huge cliffhanger. Like dropping a bomb and then walking away. Anyway, I'll read the next book for sure.
September 21, 2025
This was a phenomenal book. The characters, the subtext, everything! I have so many sentences pinned and highlighted. I'll be buying the print version very, very soon. There were some crazy emotional scenes. Or maybe I was just feeling super sensitive, idk. The shame, the guilt, the compromising... It was very authentic and heartfelt. This was actually a LGBTQ+ story!! Not just making characters queer to check off a box.
But can we talk about Freir, though? He is such a great character. I disliked him in the beginning, but the love and care he shows Ari felt very real, and very messy. When Freir leveled with Ari, that's the scene I really shed some tears. Because if only! Rein is just... I honestly didn't care too much for him, but he just had a terrible way of expressing himself when it came to Ari. I still don't have him figured out, and that's why I love this story so much. Nothing is predictable.
I cannot express just how much I loved this book. I will be reading the next book.
Thank you for the ARC!
But can we talk about Freir, though? He is such a great character. I disliked him in the beginning, but the love and care he shows Ari felt very real, and very messy. When Freir leveled with Ari, that's the scene I really shed some tears. Because if only! Rein is just... I honestly didn't care too much for him, but he just had a terrible way of expressing himself when it came to Ari. I still don't have him figured out, and that's why I love this story so much. Nothing is predictable.
I cannot express just how much I loved this book. I will be reading the next book.
Thank you for the ARC!
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