Devouring Kiss: A Dark Fantasy Monster Romance

Demonic Prince #2

by Karen Kincy

I am a monster with royal blood, and my mate breathes fire.

They whisper my name in fear—the Gray Prince, the bastard son of the king and his succubus courtesan. A prophecy claims I will sit on the ruined throne, but the last thing I need is the dead weight of a crown on my head.

Nothing matters to me but Pyrah.

My dragon shifter mate brings light to the otherwise dark gloom of my life. I would do anything to protect her. But another dragon stalks Pyrah, hungering to make her his own. Worse still, the queen's knights hunt us relentlessly—not to kill, but to capture. Whatever sinister plot the queen weaves, Pyrah is the missing thread.

I have lived in the shadows, an outlaw prince dreaded by the kingdom. But for Pyrah, I will become the monster they always feared I was.

For her, I will reduce this kingdom to ashes and bones.

Some flames aren't meant to be tamed—they are meant to devour everything.

Genres: Fantasy, Dark Romance

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2025

About the author

Karen Kincy writes books when she isn’t writing code. She has a BA in Linguistics and Literature from The Evergreen State College, and an MS in Computational Linguistics from the University of Washington.

Reviews

[Maria Elena | pagesofmaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rook the demon that you are!

Devouring Kiss the second book in the Demonic Prince series, a dark fantasy monster romance between a monster slayer incubus and a dragon shifter.

The story kicks off right where the first book left off. Rook and Pyrah are together, hiding from Queen Dulcamara’s guards and from Scaldric, the golden dragon who wants to claim Pyrah as his own mate. The queen wants them captured, so whatever she is planning involves Pyrah somehow, and Rook is going to burn the whole kingdom to the ground before he lets anything happen to his fierce mate.

Oh how I missed Rook and Pyrah! I love how they’re both fierce and very protective of each other. As a dragon shifter, Pyrah is used to handling things herself, but as his mate Rook can’t help but want to protect her. And yet, never is he overbearing in his protectiveness. The two, whether they’re fighting enemies or taking care of Rook’s hunger (*wink wink*), are a team. Speaking of enemies, there were several heart-stopping moments in this book that kept me on the edge of my seat!

I can’t help imagining Geralt Cavill whenever Rook talks, which was why I was extra excited to listen to the audiobook this time around. The audiobook was produced by Podium, and the narrators are Caren Naess and Gabriel Spires. It was the first time I listened to Caren Naess’s narration, and she was splendid as both Pyrah and Lark, Rook’s twin sister. I’ve already read a couple of books with Gabriel Spires and his voice is, as always, divine. He did a great job with Rook’s growly voice.

Here are some tropes!
🐉 dragon shifter (her) x half incubus (him)
⚔️ monster slayer MMC
🔮 fated mates
❤️‍🔥 who did this to you
💀touch him/her and…
💥 primal play

Thank you to the author for gifting me an ebook, and to Podium for providing an Audible code so I could listen to this beauty. Opinions are my own.

[Chiara | wordsbychiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for gifting me an ebook and to Podium for providing an Audible code to listen to the audiobook. Opinions are my own.

I hope you have room in your lists for one more book boyfriend because Rook is here to deliver!

Devouring Kiss is the second book in the Demonic Prince series, a dark fantasy monster romance starring Rook and Pyrah. He is a half incubus/half monster hunter, and she is a dragon shifter. Their paths cross when he forcibly takes her so that she can help him save his sister. But things get HOT and hella complicated along the way.

I absolutely loved the first book, Demonic Prince, and this book followed in its path. The chemistry between Pyrah and Rook is even more intense, enriched by the addition of Rook’s POV. There is no foe or adversity they wouldn’t face for each other. They are the definition of touch him/her and die trope! I'd say you would definitely love them too if you love spitfire, strong FMCs and the broody Geralt of Rivia types of heroes. I also appreciated Lark’s chapters. She is Rook’s twin, and the star of a complicated romantic subplot with a witch that intrigued me a lot.

If you love audiobooks, I 100% recommend listening to the audiobook narrated by Caren Naess and Gabriel Spires. Rook's chapters were INCREDIBLE and Gabriel's voice for Rook 😮‍💨👌

Here are some series tropes:
dragon shifter (her) x half incubus (him)
monster slayer MMC
fated mates
who did this to you
touch him/her and...
primal play

[Blair Welter · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐
while I love Rook and Pyrah's story, there was very little that actually happened that moved the story along. and what did, didn't happen until the last third. I was still engaged, but not as enthralled as book 1.. can't wait for book 3 and "where" that seems to be taking us.

thanks to BookSirens for providing the ebook.

[Moonburst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that Pyrah and Rook are mated, they need to determine what their life together will look like. Unfortunately, Rook’s mating bite won’t last, and the dragon that bit Pyrah against her will continues to stalk her. Even worse, the queen is clearly looking to capture Pyrah and Rook to use for her own nefarious deeds. Rook’s hunger continues to grow, though he is determined to find a way to make his relationship with Pyrah stable and sustainable. Can Pyrah and Rook find a way to live freely and safely, or will the queen and her minions succeed in her machinations?

Pyrah and Rook come from very different backgrounds and their new relationship has a rocky start as they navigate through their social norms and desires. Further complicating their future is the fact that Rook’s sterile and every time Pyrah is not pregnant, she has a time of vulnerability where she cannot shift. Both main characters have to contend with deep personal issues. Pyrah has to contend with her perceived weakness and the potential for a childless future. And Rook struggles deeply with feelings of inadequacy and self-hatred. His emotional turmoil causes him to make some erratic decisions with some disastrous consequences. While the characters make some progress in their issues together, they clearly have plenty of room for personal growth.

I enjoyed this book, but found the initial third of the book to drag a little. However, the action picks up nicely in the rest of the book.

Like many second books in a trilogy, Devouring Kiss does not significantly resolve any of the core issues confronting Pyrah and Rook, though they do make some major decisions that clearly set the stage for the next book. A good continuation of the series with believable personal growth of the main characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Destiny Soden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest review is 4.25 stars.

This was an ARC read thanks to BookSirens.

This book follows three POVS: Pyrah, Rook, and Lark. We learn through Lark's POV some of what she went through while captured, along with seeing the different attitude she has towards feeding than Rook. We are able to see how much control Rook tries to exert over his hunger and how much he struggles with that part of himself.

I really love the relationship between Pyrah and Rook and how they are helping each other heal and grow through their past traumas. The spice content in this book for me was about a 3-3.5 out of 5. You have an incubus and a dragon shifter so you get what you expect. I honestly have been waiting for them to take it a step further but I was left surprised that it never went where I was expecting.

My heart broke for Rook through this book. Seeing his conviction at the end has me already pacing for book three! All -in-all, this was a very fun read and delivered lots of heat!

[MarlyUsagi · Rating 4 out of 5]

After waiting a hot minute for this book and seeing that it was finally here I ran!!! This book was everything I could have hoped for and more to come out of this story. It's such a interesting concept for a dragon shifter and a incubus to be paired together as mates. It took me a minute to remember all the characters but when I did everything got right into place. Pyrah is such a headstrong character, and I like the element of with her being with Rook and not being able to get pregnant send her into a human like menstrual cycle and limits her shifting abilities making her more vulnerable. I like that the characters were developed further in this book, and I can't wait to see them wreck havoc on the kingdom!

[Sarah Konieczny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wait for book 2 in this series was well worthwhile. Karen Kincy’s characters are always complex but in a grounded way. Her books always have world building and plot development. I cannot wait for book 3!!

I will say the story may triggering at times for anyone dealing with infertility. Even though we find out in book 1 that Rook is sterile, the impact that has on both himself and Pyrah is written with such intense emotion that I, even though I don’t identify with that heartbreak, was crying my eyes out for them.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carrie McConn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picks up right where Book1 ends. No recaps, just going for it, which I enjoy.

Another rushed quest that is resolved in a few pages, with lots of encouragement, and recapped memories amongst the main characters, mixed in.

The best chapters involve Lark, the sister of Rook (MC). These chapters don't even feel like they are written by the same person!? We need a Zin x Lark stand-alone.

I received an ARC from the author for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

In this second book, we continue right after the first book. We continue to see Rook and Pyrah's relationship develop. We have revelations about Rook and Lark's childhood. Finally, Pyrah discovers that she is not only strong in her transformation into a Dragon 🐉 I loved this second book as much as I loved the first. I can't wait for the third.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun continuation of Pyrah and Rook's story and it takes off right from where book one ended. These two are so fun, with each of them fully capable yet looking to protect the other. There is definitely some suspenseful moments that had me on the edge of my seat and the spice was spicing ;P I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next to see how things continue to unfold for this dynamic couple. Good fun!

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

still really enjoyed it, but not nearly as much as the first one. this one felt kind of repetitive; there was a lot of "i should've been there to protect you" and "i'm a dragon" and even though i feel like all the main characters are supposed to be fantastic fighters, they fall for stupid ploys and get captured so easily anyway. idk. i did really enjoy getting to know L more as that was something I was missing from the first book.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This addition is way more complicated than the first one. Rook and Pyrah have many more trials to overcome before they get their happily ever after. This one starts out slow and speeds up and drags you along for the ride. A fantastic read if you like demons, dragons, magic and more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It does not end here!!!!! Excellent sequel even though had me on the edge of my chair. Shadow daddy alert. It picks up right where it ended in the first one. They are mated but not left alone, high stakes but he will destroy everything for her. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Reader

A dragon gets captured by an incubus. But will either of them get away from the queen??

[Claudia Pereira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amei tanto este como o primeiro. Sei que haverá um 3a desta série. Ansiosa para o poder ler e saber como acabará esta história da Pyrah e do Rook

[Haeli S · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book picks up right where book one left off and I was hooked all over again. I loved getting to dive deeper into Rooks childhood and learn more about Lark.

The love between Pyrah and Rook is something I can’t get enough of. I’m excited to see where their next quest takes them in book three!

Thank you to the BookSirens and the author for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!

[Oona Loontjens · Rating 3 out of 5]

**ARC REVIEW**

Thank you Karen Kincy for the ARC of your newest book!

Devouring Kiss is book 2 in this series. We had to wait quite a bit for its release and next month it will finally be out. I remember DEVOURING (wink wink) book 1. It was the perfect monster romance. It took me half a day to finish it. This book however, I wanted to take my time.

We follow Rook, who is half man/succubus and Pyrah, who is a dragon shape shifter. In book 1 they declared themselves mates even though another dragon proclaimed Pyrah as his mate against her will. He is hunting her and she cannot evade him. They’re also on the run from the evil stepmother queen who put a bounty on their heads.
We also have POV chapters from Rook’s sister Lark who is dealing with some personal issues too.

There were many hints at possible storylines but they never happened. Like I wouldn’t have mind them looking for Pyrah’s father.

Halfway in the book they finally come to the decision to look for the soul stone. It’s a relic that has been passed down in Rook’s family for generations and will help them balance their newfound relationship. Rook tries to suppress his “hunger” for lust. He lies to protect his mate, but those lies don’t hold for long.
When he goes to the palace of the evil stepmother of course he get imprisoned by her and shackled for days. After days of torture, his sister lover decides to release him because she feels remorse all of the sudden?

The book ends abruptly in my opinion. They maul the creepy stalker “mate” and then they figure out how to activate the soulstone by adding water to it. With that they find out his mother is still alive.

I did enjoy the book, but certain parts felt rushed. Especially the end. This book could’ve been longer if we went with a couple of more storylines that were mentioned throughout the book. The spice was spicing but it wasn’t the same as in book one.

Pyrah still wants to be the independent woman that she’s always been, but Rook is too overprotective and she doubts herself on many occassions.

I am really curious what book 3 will bring.

Thank you again for the ARC 🩷

[Ve (ve_xo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devouring Kiss by Karen Kincy was everything I crave in a dark romantasy, intense, unhinged devotion, high stakes, and a love that burns hotter than dragon fire.

Devouring Kiss (book two in the Demonic Prince series) picks up right where we left off, throwing us back into the fire with Rook and Pyrah. They’re on the run, hunted by Queen Dulcamara’s knights and stalked by Scaldric, the golden dragon who refuses to accept Pyrah belongs to anyone but him. The danger is constant, the tension sharp, and Rook makes it very clear, he’ll raze the entire kingdom before he lets anyone lay a hand on his mate.

What makes this book great is the balance: dark court politics, outlaw tension, and pulse-pounding danger all wrapped around a romance . The prophecy, the rival dragon, the queen’s sinister plans, it’s the perfect storm of fantasy and passion. And when the Gray Prince declares he’ll be the monster everyone fears just to keep Pyrah safe? I melted.

Tropes you’ll find:
✨ Dark prophecy / reluctant heir
✨ Dragon shifters
✨ Fated mates
✨ Possessive, obsessive hero who will burn the world for her
✨ Outlaw prince / morally gray MMC
✨ Court intrigue & betrayal
✨ Forced to fight for their love against destiny

Huge thanks to the author for gifting me a copy. All opinions are my own.

[Leah Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t wait to see what’s next for these two. Really enjoy the depth of caring and emotion Rook possesses. Such a great weekend read!!