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Daemones ex Machina
If you make a deal with the Devil, don’t forget to read the fine print.
Three operatives find themselves on the run after a corporate sabotage job goes awry. Now, their predatory employer, a heavyweight weapons-tech firm, wants its elite A-team dead at all costs.
Jon is a smooth-talking charmer. Friedrich is a hacker prodigy. And Guion is the ice-cold tactician who keeps them all in line. Backs against the wall, the men strike separate infernal pacts to stay alive. They vanish into the urban badlands of New York’s Five Hives, vowing to lie low and figure out why they’ve become targets. Meanwhile, Jon suspects there’s an insidious evil possessing his friends, and he wonders if they all got more than they bargained for.
Amid an escalating war between local gangs and the firm’s private shock troops, the fugitives uncover a conspiracy that threatens to destroy everyone they know and love. But can they stop the destruction before their inner demons seize control?
Three operatives find themselves on the run after a corporate sabotage job goes awry. Now, their predatory employer, a heavyweight weapons-tech firm, wants its elite A-team dead at all costs.
Jon is a smooth-talking charmer. Friedrich is a hacker prodigy. And Guion is the ice-cold tactician who keeps them all in line. Backs against the wall, the men strike separate infernal pacts to stay alive. They vanish into the urban badlands of New York’s Five Hives, vowing to lie low and figure out why they’ve become targets. Meanwhile, Jon suspects there’s an insidious evil possessing his friends, and he wonders if they all got more than they bargained for.
Amid an escalating war between local gangs and the firm’s private shock troops, the fugitives uncover a conspiracy that threatens to destroy everyone they know and love. But can they stop the destruction before their inner demons seize control?
- GenresScience Fiction
402 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2025
10 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 27, 2025
Russell Anders' "Daemones ex Machina" throws you headfirst into a gritty, technologically advanced world where the lines between man and machine, and human and demon, are blurred beyond recognition. This isn't your typical chrome-plated cyberpunk; it's a world where mythic hieroglyphs meet server racks, and where the virtual WorldGrid bleeds into the harsh realities of corporate-controlled sprawls and forgotten tenements.
Anders paints a stark picture of this future: Corporations wield unchecked power, manipulating citizens with advanced mind-control technologies hidden within everyday tech, such as full-sensory MIUs. The streets are choked with crime and inequality, and even in the gleaming towers of the elite, something rotten festers beneath the surface. It's this oppressive, noir-infused atmosphere that sets the stage for a truly original take on the genre.
What elevates "Daemones ex Machina" further is its unique blend of technology with the supernatural. The characters' pacts with demons are not mere metaphors; they're tangible agreements with ancient beings, influencing their thoughts, actions, and even their very bodies. The demons' influence weaves through the narrative, adding a layer of unpredictable chaos and raising profound questions about free will, sacrifice, and the price of power.
The author's ability to weave these elements together – the detailed cyberpunk world, the presence of the demonic, the struggles of characters fighting for their own agendas - is what makes "Daemones ex Machina" an unforgettable debut novel. You won't just read this book; you'll be immersed in its dark, compelling world, and left pondering its themes long after you turn the final page.
Anders paints a stark picture of this future: Corporations wield unchecked power, manipulating citizens with advanced mind-control technologies hidden within everyday tech, such as full-sensory MIUs. The streets are choked with crime and inequality, and even in the gleaming towers of the elite, something rotten festers beneath the surface. It's this oppressive, noir-infused atmosphere that sets the stage for a truly original take on the genre.
What elevates "Daemones ex Machina" further is its unique blend of technology with the supernatural. The characters' pacts with demons are not mere metaphors; they're tangible agreements with ancient beings, influencing their thoughts, actions, and even their very bodies. The demons' influence weaves through the narrative, adding a layer of unpredictable chaos and raising profound questions about free will, sacrifice, and the price of power.
The author's ability to weave these elements together – the detailed cyberpunk world, the presence of the demonic, the struggles of characters fighting for their own agendas - is what makes "Daemones ex Machina" an unforgettable debut novel. You won't just read this book; you'll be immersed in its dark, compelling world, and left pondering its themes long after you turn the final page.
July 30, 2025
An Outstanding Read! I am taking the time to write this review because Daemones ex Machina stands out among the thousands of books that I’ve read. It deserves the full five-star rating, and I enjoyed it immensely. This is *not* a novel for those looking merely for a cheap horror thrill about demons. It’s a fascinating, well-paced read with characters so lifelike that they practically leap off the page. I can’t help but mention Steve, who had me laughing aloud several times. The characters have dimensions and backstories that obliterate the simple good versus evil paradigm. Instead, the plot is an astute allegory to modern-day societal issues. I won’t spoil it for other readers by spelling those out in detail. My solitary critique—a minor one—is that one scene was particularly gruesome (which I have a notoriously low tolerance for); upon reflection, however, I suspect the author wrote it that way purposefully to drive home a point. (If so, it worked; I got the point.) Setting aside that small caveat, I cannot say enough good things about this book! I hungrily wait to devour Russell Anders’ next book.
July 25, 2025
The premise of this book hooked me right away. I'm a fan of the cyberpunk genre and I'm an even bigger fan of supernatural thrillers. Combining the two isn't something that always works, but Deamones ex Machina does it and does it extremely well. Three survivors of a mission gone wrong are sent to rot in a prison until they escape after they each bargain their soul away to the devil. The pacing of the book is pedal to the metal from the start and it barely lets up as things predictably spiral out of control the three main characters. The dystopian, highly commodified nature of the not too distant future is about as nightmarish as you would expect, but the way horror elements slowly creep in was the standout part of the story for me.
July 25, 2025
Dark, inventive, and refreshingly original
Daemones ex Machina drops you into a gritty cyberpunk world where demonic deals and corporate power plays collide. The world-building is rich and fully realized, with a compelling premise that explores the cost of survival when the devil’s in the fine print—literally. I liked the concept of three operatives each making desperate pacts and then dealing with the consequences in very different ways.
There were moments where the pacing wavered, but the premise and atmosphere carried me through more than enough. It’s a bold, thoughtful debut with a cool blend of sci-fi and supernatural elements. Excited to see where this author goes next.
Daemones ex Machina drops you into a gritty cyberpunk world where demonic deals and corporate power plays collide. The world-building is rich and fully realized, with a compelling premise that explores the cost of survival when the devil’s in the fine print—literally. I liked the concept of three operatives each making desperate pacts and then dealing with the consequences in very different ways.
There were moments where the pacing wavered, but the premise and atmosphere carried me through more than enough. It’s a bold, thoughtful debut with a cool blend of sci-fi and supernatural elements. Excited to see where this author goes next.
August 19, 2025
A Pact with Darkness: Reviewing Russell Anders' "Daemones Ex Machina"
★★★★★
Russell Anders delivers a visceral punch to the cyberpunk genre with 'Daemones Ex Machina', a supernatural thriller that elevates the classic "heist gone wrong" narrative into something far more sinister and compelling. This debut novel proves that sometimes the most dangerous enemy isn't the corporation hunting you, it's the darkness you've willingly invited inside.
🍁 A World Worth Fearing ~
Set in a near-future New York transformed into the sprawling "Five Hives," Anders crafts a dystopian landscape that feels uncomfortably plausible. Corporate power has eclipsed governmental authority, creating a world where weapons-tech giants can mark their own operatives for death without consequence. The decaying urban maze of gangs, mercenaries, and omnipresent surveillance drones serves as the perfect backdrop for a story about men who've lost everything including, perhaps, their humanity.
🍁 Characters Caught Between Salvation and Damnation ~
The three protagonists — Jon the silver-tongued deceiver, Friedrich the reclusive hacker, and Guion the calculating strategist, begin as familiar cyberpunk archetypes but evolve into something far more complex. When their backs are against the wall, each makes an otherworldly bargain that promises power but demands an unthinkable price. Anders excels at showing how desperation can make even the most rational minds justify the unjustifiable.
Jon serves as our primary lens into this moral decay, and his growing paranoia about his teammates creates a delicious tension that permeates every page. As he witnesses their disturbing transformations, readers are forced to question not just the nature of the supernatural forces at play, but the very definition of humanity itself.
🍁 Where Cyberpunk Meets the Supernatural ~
What sets 'Daemones Ex Machina' apart from its cyberpunk predecessors is Anders' bold decision to inject genuine supernatural horror into the genre's typically tech-focused framework. The demons aren't mere metaphors for corporate oppression but they're literal entities with their own agenda, and their presence transforms what could have been a straightforward revenge thriller into something far more unsettling.
The author demonstrates remarkable restraint in revealing the true nature of these otherworldly forces. Rather than overwhelming readers with exposition, he allows the horror to seep through character interactions and subtle environmental details. When the supernatural finally shows its hand, the impact is devastating.
🍁 Themes That Cut Deep ~
Anders doesn't shy away from weighty themes. The novel serves as a pointed critique of unchecked corporatism and wealth concentration, but its exploration of moral compromise hits even harder. Each character's supernatural pact serves as an allegory for the small compromises we make in desperate times and how those compromises can compound until we no longer recognize ourselves.
The recurring question of "what would you sacrifice to survive?" echoes throughout the narrative, becoming increasingly urgent as the supernatural price becomes clear. Anders forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the choices we make when pushed to our limits.
🍁 Technical Mastery ~
Having spent years honing his craft, Anders demonstrates impressive technical skill in his pacing and character development. The prose is lean and purposeful, never indulgent despite the complex world-building required. Action sequences pulse with kinetic energy, while quieter character moments allow for genuine introspection without stalling momentum.
The author's background in narrative criticism shows in his careful construction. Every plot point feels earned, every character decision logical within the established framework. There are no wasted scenes or throwaway characters as everything serves the larger story.
🍁 Minor Quibbles ~
While the supernatural elements add tremendous depth to the story, they occasionally feel at odds with the hard-edged cyberpunk aesthetic. Some readers seeking pure science fiction might find the demonic elements jarring, though I would argue that's precisely the point because Anders is deliberately subverting genre expectations.
Additionally, while the three protagonists are well-developed, some supporting characters feel slightly underdeveloped. The world of the Five Hives is so richly detailed that readers might wish for more time with its inhabitants.
🍁 Final Verdict ~
'Daemones Ex Machina' announces Russell Anders as a formidable new voice in speculative fiction. By grafting supernatural horror onto cyberpunk's technological framework, he creates something genuinely fresh, a story that honors the genre's traditions while pushing into unexplored territory.
This is cyberpunk for readers who thought they'd seen everything the genre had to offer. Anders proves there are still new ways to explore humanity's relationship with power, technology, and moral compromise. The result is a thrilling, thought-provoking novel that lingers long after the final page.
For fans of William Gibson's sprawl trilogy seeking something that captures that same innovative spirit while charting new territory, 'Daemones Ex Machina' is essential reading. Just be prepared for a story that's as interested in damning souls as it is in uploading consciousness.
🍁 Recommended for ~
Readers of cyberpunk fiction, supernatural thrillers, and anyone interested in morally complex science fiction that doesn't shy away from difficult questions.
★★★★★
Russell Anders delivers a visceral punch to the cyberpunk genre with 'Daemones Ex Machina', a supernatural thriller that elevates the classic "heist gone wrong" narrative into something far more sinister and compelling. This debut novel proves that sometimes the most dangerous enemy isn't the corporation hunting you, it's the darkness you've willingly invited inside.
🍁 A World Worth Fearing ~
Set in a near-future New York transformed into the sprawling "Five Hives," Anders crafts a dystopian landscape that feels uncomfortably plausible. Corporate power has eclipsed governmental authority, creating a world where weapons-tech giants can mark their own operatives for death without consequence. The decaying urban maze of gangs, mercenaries, and omnipresent surveillance drones serves as the perfect backdrop for a story about men who've lost everything including, perhaps, their humanity.
🍁 Characters Caught Between Salvation and Damnation ~
The three protagonists — Jon the silver-tongued deceiver, Friedrich the reclusive hacker, and Guion the calculating strategist, begin as familiar cyberpunk archetypes but evolve into something far more complex. When their backs are against the wall, each makes an otherworldly bargain that promises power but demands an unthinkable price. Anders excels at showing how desperation can make even the most rational minds justify the unjustifiable.
Jon serves as our primary lens into this moral decay, and his growing paranoia about his teammates creates a delicious tension that permeates every page. As he witnesses their disturbing transformations, readers are forced to question not just the nature of the supernatural forces at play, but the very definition of humanity itself.
🍁 Where Cyberpunk Meets the Supernatural ~
What sets 'Daemones Ex Machina' apart from its cyberpunk predecessors is Anders' bold decision to inject genuine supernatural horror into the genre's typically tech-focused framework. The demons aren't mere metaphors for corporate oppression but they're literal entities with their own agenda, and their presence transforms what could have been a straightforward revenge thriller into something far more unsettling.
The author demonstrates remarkable restraint in revealing the true nature of these otherworldly forces. Rather than overwhelming readers with exposition, he allows the horror to seep through character interactions and subtle environmental details. When the supernatural finally shows its hand, the impact is devastating.
🍁 Themes That Cut Deep ~
Anders doesn't shy away from weighty themes. The novel serves as a pointed critique of unchecked corporatism and wealth concentration, but its exploration of moral compromise hits even harder. Each character's supernatural pact serves as an allegory for the small compromises we make in desperate times and how those compromises can compound until we no longer recognize ourselves.
The recurring question of "what would you sacrifice to survive?" echoes throughout the narrative, becoming increasingly urgent as the supernatural price becomes clear. Anders forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the choices we make when pushed to our limits.
🍁 Technical Mastery ~
Having spent years honing his craft, Anders demonstrates impressive technical skill in his pacing and character development. The prose is lean and purposeful, never indulgent despite the complex world-building required. Action sequences pulse with kinetic energy, while quieter character moments allow for genuine introspection without stalling momentum.
The author's background in narrative criticism shows in his careful construction. Every plot point feels earned, every character decision logical within the established framework. There are no wasted scenes or throwaway characters as everything serves the larger story.
🍁 Minor Quibbles ~
While the supernatural elements add tremendous depth to the story, they occasionally feel at odds with the hard-edged cyberpunk aesthetic. Some readers seeking pure science fiction might find the demonic elements jarring, though I would argue that's precisely the point because Anders is deliberately subverting genre expectations.
Additionally, while the three protagonists are well-developed, some supporting characters feel slightly underdeveloped. The world of the Five Hives is so richly detailed that readers might wish for more time with its inhabitants.
🍁 Final Verdict ~
'Daemones Ex Machina' announces Russell Anders as a formidable new voice in speculative fiction. By grafting supernatural horror onto cyberpunk's technological framework, he creates something genuinely fresh, a story that honors the genre's traditions while pushing into unexplored territory.
This is cyberpunk for readers who thought they'd seen everything the genre had to offer. Anders proves there are still new ways to explore humanity's relationship with power, technology, and moral compromise. The result is a thrilling, thought-provoking novel that lingers long after the final page.
For fans of William Gibson's sprawl trilogy seeking something that captures that same innovative spirit while charting new territory, 'Daemones Ex Machina' is essential reading. Just be prepared for a story that's as interested in damning souls as it is in uploading consciousness.
🍁 Recommended for ~
Readers of cyberpunk fiction, supernatural thrillers, and anyone interested in morally complex science fiction that doesn't shy away from difficult questions.
October 16, 2025
This book was gripping and thought-provoking!
What hooked me most about Daemones Ex Machina wasn’t just the thrilling action - it was how alive the characters felt. You’re not just following three operatives on the run; you’re plunged into their world, feeling every jolt of heart-pounding adrenaline. I loved the sly bits of banter that cut through the tension at exactly the right moments. The dialogue is razor-sharp and believable, which makes moments of mistrust and temptation hit even harder. I found it to be an emotionally charged, edge-of-your-seat ride unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
The stakes feel real on every level - personal, emotional, and explosive. I became invested not just in whether the characters will survive, but in whether they’ll survive themselves.
The story delves deep into the lies we tell ourselves - the subtle self-deception that lets certain characters justify doing the wrong thing. It forces you to question where free will becomes a double-edged sword: the gift that gives us choice, and the curse that makes us complicit in our own downfall.
It’s clear that Anders cares about his audience. For his debut novel, this is an utter gem! You can tell Anders isn’t just telling a story; he’s giving readers a glimpse of what true storytelling looks like - storytelling done right.
What also really stands out about Daemones Ex Machina is that it feels like a true passion project. This isn’t a book that was cranked out to fill a shelf...it’s written with real care and intention. You can feel the love for storytelling in every scene, the way the world is built with such detail, and how the dialogue sparkles with authenticity that makes you believe these characters could step right off the page.
The story is dark, heavy with tension, and intensely gripping, yet it also makes you think in a way few books do. It unsettled me on a psychological level, leaving me reflecting on real-life moral dilemmas and human weaknesses long after I closed the book. Even as the sci-fi and horror elements became outlandish, the ethical conflicts and consequences felt entirely believable, including corporate sabotage, temptation, shady deals, and the corrosive nature of power and greed... it felt are all too real and Anders captures that darkness with unnerving precision.
The book is a stark reminder that there is always a choice. No one is truly forced into corruption, but the lure of power, money, or advantage can warp friendships, distort humanity, and erode moral integrity faster than you might expect. Humanity can become despicable in the smallest ways, and evil often hides in tiny decisions or seemingly insignificant compromises. What might feel like “no big deal” choices can spiral into real devastation. These themes resonate far beyond the supernatural elements, making readers reflect on subtle moral challenges in their own lives. Ethics can be tested in ways you don’t even realize, and Anders shows that brilliantly.
Russell Anders builds a world that is gritty yet threaded with a constant, unsettling sense that something darker lurks just beyond perception. The supernatural elements (demons, dark deals, and eerie forces) are handled so masterfully that at first I wasn't sure if the horror was external or a reflection of the characters’ inner fears. It’s terrifying and mesmerizing in equal measure, staying with you long after the last page.
Beneath the horror and sci-fi action, the book delivers a gripping examination of choice, temptation, and the fragility of morality. Anders shows how quickly friendships can fracture when corrupt deals appear and demonstrates how even a single compromised decision can spiral into devastating consequences. Evil hides in the fine print, in the smallest choice, and the cost of giving in can be ruinous. The story is dark, intense, and deeply thought-provoking, forcing you to consider how subtle moral compromises can have real-world repercussions.
Everything can be commoditized, and every decision carries weight. The price of temptation is brutally clear as you dig deeper into this masterpiece. Anders doesn’t shy away from showing the terrifying consequences of moral compromise on both individual and societal levels.
The book’s intensity is unflinching and visceral. I was spooked and completely engrossed and have no doubt that you will be just as captivated and surprised by Anders’ unique perspective on these deeply moving themes.
If you scare easily, be warned: the horror and gore feel disturbingly real, making it perfect for a chilling late-night read - just in time for Halloween.
Anders’ writing is dark, precise, and intensely gripping, combining suspense and moral exploration in a way few authors can achieve.
Daemones Ex Machina is not just a story - it’s a chillingly profound exploration of choice, temptation, and moral decay. I found it to be horrific, thought-provoking, and brilliantly written. Highly recommend this amazing work of art!
What hooked me most about Daemones Ex Machina wasn’t just the thrilling action - it was how alive the characters felt. You’re not just following three operatives on the run; you’re plunged into their world, feeling every jolt of heart-pounding adrenaline. I loved the sly bits of banter that cut through the tension at exactly the right moments. The dialogue is razor-sharp and believable, which makes moments of mistrust and temptation hit even harder. I found it to be an emotionally charged, edge-of-your-seat ride unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
The stakes feel real on every level - personal, emotional, and explosive. I became invested not just in whether the characters will survive, but in whether they’ll survive themselves.
The story delves deep into the lies we tell ourselves - the subtle self-deception that lets certain characters justify doing the wrong thing. It forces you to question where free will becomes a double-edged sword: the gift that gives us choice, and the curse that makes us complicit in our own downfall.
It’s clear that Anders cares about his audience. For his debut novel, this is an utter gem! You can tell Anders isn’t just telling a story; he’s giving readers a glimpse of what true storytelling looks like - storytelling done right.
What also really stands out about Daemones Ex Machina is that it feels like a true passion project. This isn’t a book that was cranked out to fill a shelf...it’s written with real care and intention. You can feel the love for storytelling in every scene, the way the world is built with such detail, and how the dialogue sparkles with authenticity that makes you believe these characters could step right off the page.
The story is dark, heavy with tension, and intensely gripping, yet it also makes you think in a way few books do. It unsettled me on a psychological level, leaving me reflecting on real-life moral dilemmas and human weaknesses long after I closed the book. Even as the sci-fi and horror elements became outlandish, the ethical conflicts and consequences felt entirely believable, including corporate sabotage, temptation, shady deals, and the corrosive nature of power and greed... it felt are all too real and Anders captures that darkness with unnerving precision.
The book is a stark reminder that there is always a choice. No one is truly forced into corruption, but the lure of power, money, or advantage can warp friendships, distort humanity, and erode moral integrity faster than you might expect. Humanity can become despicable in the smallest ways, and evil often hides in tiny decisions or seemingly insignificant compromises. What might feel like “no big deal” choices can spiral into real devastation. These themes resonate far beyond the supernatural elements, making readers reflect on subtle moral challenges in their own lives. Ethics can be tested in ways you don’t even realize, and Anders shows that brilliantly.
Russell Anders builds a world that is gritty yet threaded with a constant, unsettling sense that something darker lurks just beyond perception. The supernatural elements (demons, dark deals, and eerie forces) are handled so masterfully that at first I wasn't sure if the horror was external or a reflection of the characters’ inner fears. It’s terrifying and mesmerizing in equal measure, staying with you long after the last page.
Beneath the horror and sci-fi action, the book delivers a gripping examination of choice, temptation, and the fragility of morality. Anders shows how quickly friendships can fracture when corrupt deals appear and demonstrates how even a single compromised decision can spiral into devastating consequences. Evil hides in the fine print, in the smallest choice, and the cost of giving in can be ruinous. The story is dark, intense, and deeply thought-provoking, forcing you to consider how subtle moral compromises can have real-world repercussions.
Everything can be commoditized, and every decision carries weight. The price of temptation is brutally clear as you dig deeper into this masterpiece. Anders doesn’t shy away from showing the terrifying consequences of moral compromise on both individual and societal levels.
The book’s intensity is unflinching and visceral. I was spooked and completely engrossed and have no doubt that you will be just as captivated and surprised by Anders’ unique perspective on these deeply moving themes.
If you scare easily, be warned: the horror and gore feel disturbingly real, making it perfect for a chilling late-night read - just in time for Halloween.
Anders’ writing is dark, precise, and intensely gripping, combining suspense and moral exploration in a way few authors can achieve.
Daemones Ex Machina is not just a story - it’s a chillingly profound exploration of choice, temptation, and moral decay. I found it to be horrific, thought-provoking, and brilliantly written. Highly recommend this amazing work of art!
November 11, 2025
⚫️Daemones Ex Machina is a breathtaking plunge into a world where technology and damnation collide, crafted by Russell Andreas. This gripping tale blends cyber-thriller elements with supernatural horror, constantly challenging your perception of free will.
⚫️From the very first chapter, Andreas catapults readers into the lives of three operatives Jon, Friedrich, and Guion whose failed sabotage mission transforms them from elite agents into desperate fugitives. While it may seem like a straightforward survival story against a relentless weapons-tech corporation, there’s a much darker undercurrent: the heavy toll of a deal struck with both literal and metaphorical devils.
⚫️Each character is vividly brought to life: Jon, the charming smooth-talker burdened by guilt; Friedrich, the brilliant hacker on the brink of obsession; and Guion, the cold strategist whose grip begins to slip as unseen forces close in. Their uneasy camaraderie and gradual unraveling form the emotional heart of the novel, making their struggle for survival feel intensely personal amidst the chaos.
⚫️Andreas's world-building is nothing short of extraordinary. The decaying maze of New York's Five Hives feels almost sentient a dystopian expanse alive with corruption, rebellion, and sinister whispers. His writing is sharp, cinematic, and rich in atmosphere, perfectly encapsulating a universe where technology mirrors possession and corporations wield god-like power.
⚫️What truly drives Daemones Ex Machina is its psychological and philosophical richness. Beneath the action and suspense lies a profound exploration of temptation, control, and the price of ambition. The demonic bargains the characters strike reflect their inner voids just as much as their fight for survival, reminding us that the most terrifying monsters might just be human after all.
⚫️By the time you reach the explosive finale, Daemones Machina has transformed from a mere chase thriller into a deep dive into the concept of damnation in the digital age.
Happy reading ❤️✨
August 16, 2025
*Daemones ex Machina-*
This is an exciting thriller that follows three operatives—Jon, Friedrich, and Guion—who find themselves in a dangerous situation after a corporate sabotage job goes wrong. The story kicks off with the trio on the run from a powerful weapons-tech company that wants them dead. This setup creates an intense atmosphere right from the start, as readers are drawn into a world of corporate greed and betrayal.
Jon is the charming and smooth-talking member of the group, while Friedrich is a brilliant hacker with a knack for technology. Guion, on the other hand, is the cold and calculating tactician who keeps the team focused. Each character brings a unique skill set to the table, making their dynamic interesting. As they navigate their perilous circumstances, the tension between them grows, especially as Jon begins to suspect that something sinister is affecting his friends.
The author does a great job of painting a vivid picture of the story, making it easy for readers to imagine the chaos and uncertainty that surrounds the operatives. This story not only entertains but also challenges readers to think about the nature of good and evil.
As the plot unfolds, the trio discovers a conspiracy that could have catastrophic consequences for everyone they care about. The stakes are raised as they realize that their lives are not the only ones at risk. The tension builds as they race against time to uncover the truth and stop the impending disaster.
Jon's suspicion that his friends may be possessed by something evil adds a layer of psychological depth to the narrative. This exploration of personal struggles and the battle against one's own darkness makes the characters more relatable and complex. It raises questions about loyalty, trust, and the lengths one will go to survive.
Overall, this is a gripping tale filled with action, suspense, and thought-provoking themes. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
This is an exciting thriller that follows three operatives—Jon, Friedrich, and Guion—who find themselves in a dangerous situation after a corporate sabotage job goes wrong. The story kicks off with the trio on the run from a powerful weapons-tech company that wants them dead. This setup creates an intense atmosphere right from the start, as readers are drawn into a world of corporate greed and betrayal.
Jon is the charming and smooth-talking member of the group, while Friedrich is a brilliant hacker with a knack for technology. Guion, on the other hand, is the cold and calculating tactician who keeps the team focused. Each character brings a unique skill set to the table, making their dynamic interesting. As they navigate their perilous circumstances, the tension between them grows, especially as Jon begins to suspect that something sinister is affecting his friends.
The author does a great job of painting a vivid picture of the story, making it easy for readers to imagine the chaos and uncertainty that surrounds the operatives. This story not only entertains but also challenges readers to think about the nature of good and evil.
As the plot unfolds, the trio discovers a conspiracy that could have catastrophic consequences for everyone they care about. The stakes are raised as they realize that their lives are not the only ones at risk. The tension builds as they race against time to uncover the truth and stop the impending disaster.
Jon's suspicion that his friends may be possessed by something evil adds a layer of psychological depth to the narrative. This exploration of personal struggles and the battle against one's own darkness makes the characters more relatable and complex. It raises questions about loyalty, trust, and the lengths one will go to survive.
Overall, this is a gripping tale filled with action, suspense, and thought-provoking themes. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
October 14, 2025
This book destroyed me and I mean that in the best way possible. Daemones Ex Machina isn't just about demons and cyberpunk stuff, it's about watching people you care about become strangers, and that hurt more than any horror element could. Jon, Friedrich, and Guion start out as brothers basically, the kind of bond where you'd trust them with your life, and then they make these deals that seem necessary at first but slowly poison everything between them.
What got me was how realistic the breakdown felt. They don't turn evil overnight. It's small things. Friedrich stops joking around. Guion's eyes go cold when he looks at you. Jon starts lying about little stuff, then bigger stuff, until you don't know what's true anymore. That's the actual nightmare, not the demons. I kept thinking about my own friend group and how fragile trust really is, how one bad choice can spiral into losing people you thought would always have your back.
Anders writes their deteriorating friendship with this painful accuracy that made me want to reach through the pages and shake them. Stop making excuses for each other. Notice what's happening before it's too late. But they don't, because they're desperate and scared and that's human. The cyberpunk setting with corporations and tech is cool background, but the emotional core is what wrecked me. By the ending I was genuinely grieving for what they lost, not just their humanity but each other.
Honestly might be too soon to reread because it hits different when you value your friends above everything. This book reminds you that some prices are too high, even for survival. Would recommend but maybe keep tissues nearby because the betrayal aspects sting.
What got me was how realistic the breakdown felt. They don't turn evil overnight. It's small things. Friedrich stops joking around. Guion's eyes go cold when he looks at you. Jon starts lying about little stuff, then bigger stuff, until you don't know what's true anymore. That's the actual nightmare, not the demons. I kept thinking about my own friend group and how fragile trust really is, how one bad choice can spiral into losing people you thought would always have your back.
Anders writes their deteriorating friendship with this painful accuracy that made me want to reach through the pages and shake them. Stop making excuses for each other. Notice what's happening before it's too late. But they don't, because they're desperate and scared and that's human. The cyberpunk setting with corporations and tech is cool background, but the emotional core is what wrecked me. By the ending I was genuinely grieving for what they lost, not just their humanity but each other.
Honestly might be too soon to reread because it hits different when you value your friends above everything. This book reminds you that some prices are too high, even for survival. Would recommend but maybe keep tissues nearby because the betrayal aspects sting.
September 22, 2025
I was captivated by Russell Anders' Daemones Ex Machina, a masterful fusion of cyberpunk technology and ancient supernatural terror. Anders transforms New York into the Five Hives, a sprawling corporate dystopia where survival depends on navigating gang territories, surveillance, and mercenary conflicts. The city itself becomes a character, its oppressive atmosphere heightening every moment of tension.
The characters are equally compelling. Jon, Friedrich, and Guion begin as familiar archetypes but evolve under impossible moral pressures. Their supernatural pacts explore the depths of human desperation, showing how power gained through dark means inevitably corrupts the soul. Anders treats these choices with nuance, making the horror both external and intimately personal.
The novel succeeds in blending genres with originality. The demons are not mere metaphors but entities with their own agendas, and the supernatural emerges organically through the story. The pacing is meticulous, alternating explosive action with moments of reflection that enrich both character and theme.
Anders also offers profound insights into power, corruption, and moral compromise. The corporate dystopia is not just a backdrop but an active force shaping human vulnerability, suggesting that systems of exploitation make people susceptible to even darker influences.
Daemones Ex Machina is a bold, exhilarating debut that reinvents familiar genres while delivering a gripping, morally complex story. It is essential reading for anyone seeking thrilling speculative fiction that challenges assumptions, explores the human condition, and lingers in the mind long after the last page.
The characters are equally compelling. Jon, Friedrich, and Guion begin as familiar archetypes but evolve under impossible moral pressures. Their supernatural pacts explore the depths of human desperation, showing how power gained through dark means inevitably corrupts the soul. Anders treats these choices with nuance, making the horror both external and intimately personal.
The novel succeeds in blending genres with originality. The demons are not mere metaphors but entities with their own agendas, and the supernatural emerges organically through the story. The pacing is meticulous, alternating explosive action with moments of reflection that enrich both character and theme.
Anders also offers profound insights into power, corruption, and moral compromise. The corporate dystopia is not just a backdrop but an active force shaping human vulnerability, suggesting that systems of exploitation make people susceptible to even darker influences.
Daemones Ex Machina is a bold, exhilarating debut that reinvents familiar genres while delivering a gripping, morally complex story. It is essential reading for anyone seeking thrilling speculative fiction that challenges assumptions, explores the human condition, and lingers in the mind long after the last page.
July 31, 2025
Set in a nightmarish future, Russell Anders’ debut novel Daemones Ex Machina is fast paced and action packed, blending science fiction and horror. The plot contains many twists and turns – several points had me saying out loud “Did that just actually happen??”
In some ways, the setting seems totally conceivable in a not too distant future. I think this is where Anders’ writing really shines – world building. It really shows on the page how much he has considered every aspect of what it would be like to try and live as the characters in the book. The same corporations handle policing, the media, and manufacturing weapons without being checked by any government. Most of humanity lives in a world where crime is rampant and life is a struggle for daily survival. Many people own high-tech toys to distract them from the miserable conditions in which they live.
The characters are well written, they all have something to hide in their past – you learn more and more about them as the story goes on. My personal favorite was Steve, the wise-cracking demon with an insatiable appetite for junk food. Truly a one of a kind character!!
I don’t want to give too much away about the plot itself, but I will close by saying my favorite part was a battle on a highway. Pick up a copy today!
In some ways, the setting seems totally conceivable in a not too distant future. I think this is where Anders’ writing really shines – world building. It really shows on the page how much he has considered every aspect of what it would be like to try and live as the characters in the book. The same corporations handle policing, the media, and manufacturing weapons without being checked by any government. Most of humanity lives in a world where crime is rampant and life is a struggle for daily survival. Many people own high-tech toys to distract them from the miserable conditions in which they live.
The characters are well written, they all have something to hide in their past – you learn more and more about them as the story goes on. My personal favorite was Steve, the wise-cracking demon with an insatiable appetite for junk food. Truly a one of a kind character!!
I don’t want to give too much away about the plot itself, but I will close by saying my favorite part was a battle on a highway. Pick up a copy today!
October 17, 2025
As an engineering student drowning in thermodynamics textbooks, I needed fiction that respected technical details while delivering actual story. Daemones Ex Machina delivered both spectacularly.
Anders clearly understands systems architecture. Friedrich's hacking sequences aren't Hollywood nonsense. The network infiltration, encryption bypasses, drone surveillance grids, all track logically. The Five Hives infrastructure feels like extrapolated urban planning gone corporate. I appreciated that attention to plausibility even when supernatural elements entered.
That's where Anders surprised me. Introducing literal demons into hard sci fi should break immersion completely. Instead, he treats the supernatural with the same systematic logic he applies to technology. The demonic pacts operate with rules, costs, observable transformations. It's almost algorithmic horror.
What hooked me wasn't just world building though. These characters make calculated risk assessments that spiral into catastrophic failure modes. Jon's paranoia reads like debugging code where every fix introduces new bugs. Watching rational people optimize for survival until they've corrupted their core programming, that resonated hard.
Finished it during exam week. Worth the lost sleep.
Anders clearly understands systems architecture. Friedrich's hacking sequences aren't Hollywood nonsense. The network infiltration, encryption bypasses, drone surveillance grids, all track logically. The Five Hives infrastructure feels like extrapolated urban planning gone corporate. I appreciated that attention to plausibility even when supernatural elements entered.
That's where Anders surprised me. Introducing literal demons into hard sci fi should break immersion completely. Instead, he treats the supernatural with the same systematic logic he applies to technology. The demonic pacts operate with rules, costs, observable transformations. It's almost algorithmic horror.
What hooked me wasn't just world building though. These characters make calculated risk assessments that spiral into catastrophic failure modes. Jon's paranoia reads like debugging code where every fix introduces new bugs. Watching rational people optimize for survival until they've corrupted their core programming, that resonated hard.
Finished it during exam week. Worth the lost sleep.
November 5, 2025
Listen, I watch movies obsessively because I crave that visceral rush, but Russell Anders just proved books can deliver the same hit. This thing reads like a Fincher film directed by Guillermo del Toro.
★ The Opening Hook
Throws you straight into chaos. No slow setup, just immediate danger and escalating stakes. These operatives are marked for death within pages and you're running alongside them from frame one.
★ Visual Storytelling
Anders writes like he's blocking camera shots. The cyberpunk cityscape has that gritty Blade Runner 2049 texture. Neon bleeding through rain soaked streets. Surveillance drones circling like mechanical vultures. When the supernatural erupts it's body horror that would make Cronenberg proud.
★ Tension That Doesn't Quit
Each scene cranks tighter. The paranoia between characters plays like The Thing, everyone suspicious, trust disintegrating. My pulse was genuinely elevated during the final act. That knife edge feeling where anything could explode at any second.
★ Why It Works
Relentless pacing meets genuine stakes. No filler, pure momentum. This needs adaptation immediately because it's already playing like a thriller in your head while reading.
★ The Opening Hook
Throws you straight into chaos. No slow setup, just immediate danger and escalating stakes. These operatives are marked for death within pages and you're running alongside them from frame one.
★ Visual Storytelling
Anders writes like he's blocking camera shots. The cyberpunk cityscape has that gritty Blade Runner 2049 texture. Neon bleeding through rain soaked streets. Surveillance drones circling like mechanical vultures. When the supernatural erupts it's body horror that would make Cronenberg proud.
★ Tension That Doesn't Quit
Each scene cranks tighter. The paranoia between characters plays like The Thing, everyone suspicious, trust disintegrating. My pulse was genuinely elevated during the final act. That knife edge feeling where anything could explode at any second.
★ Why It Works
Relentless pacing meets genuine stakes. No filler, pure momentum. This needs adaptation immediately because it's already playing like a thriller in your head while reading.
October 14, 2025
I'm obsessed with Daemones Ex Machina and can't stop thinking about it. Anders took two genres I love and smashed them together with such confidence that I'm genuinely angry this is just his debut. Where has this writer been hiding?
The character work here is phenomenal. Jon, Friedrich, and Guion aren't just archetypes making deals with demons. They're fully realized people whose desperation I felt in my bones. Watching them justify their choices, rationalize the changes, deny what they're becoming, that's the real horror.
The themes hit differently too. Corporate oppression as literal soul crushing force. Technology as modern ritual. Survival at any cost transformed into visceral body horror. Anders isn't playing it safe with metaphor. He commits fully to both the philosophical questions and the supernatural consequences.
This is what experimental fiction should be, bold, risky, unafraid to alienate purists from either genre. I need everything this man writes immediately. This book proves there are still unexplored territories in speculative fiction if you're brave enough to map them.
The character work here is phenomenal. Jon, Friedrich, and Guion aren't just archetypes making deals with demons. They're fully realized people whose desperation I felt in my bones. Watching them justify their choices, rationalize the changes, deny what they're becoming, that's the real horror.
The themes hit differently too. Corporate oppression as literal soul crushing force. Technology as modern ritual. Survival at any cost transformed into visceral body horror. Anders isn't playing it safe with metaphor. He commits fully to both the philosophical questions and the supernatural consequences.
This is what experimental fiction should be, bold, risky, unafraid to alienate purists from either genre. I need everything this man writes immediately. This book proves there are still unexplored territories in speculative fiction if you're brave enough to map them.
October 18, 2025
I devour paranormal thrillers constantly, but Daemones Ex Machina does something genuinely unique. Russell Anders drops real demonic mythology into hard edged cyberpunk and creates something I've never experienced before.
The Demons Feel Authentic :
These aren't vague shadow creatures. Anders built actual rules and consequences. Each demon corrupts differently, gradually, terrifyingly. Friedrich's transformation especially haunted me because you watch him slip away piece by piece while technology can't save him.
Why It Works:
Most paranormal fiction plays it safe. Anders asked what happens when ancient darkness invades a surveillance state future. The answer is breathtaking. Advanced tech means nothing against forces operating outside physical laws. That helplessness creates unique dread.
The characters make believable choices despite knowing the cost. Jon's pact feels inevitable rather than convenient, which is masterful writing. Anders respects both the supernatural and sci fi equally, never letting one overshadow the other.
Finally, paranormal fiction unafraid to break boundaries and experiment boldly.
The Demons Feel Authentic :
These aren't vague shadow creatures. Anders built actual rules and consequences. Each demon corrupts differently, gradually, terrifyingly. Friedrich's transformation especially haunted me because you watch him slip away piece by piece while technology can't save him.
Why It Works:
Most paranormal fiction plays it safe. Anders asked what happens when ancient darkness invades a surveillance state future. The answer is breathtaking. Advanced tech means nothing against forces operating outside physical laws. That helplessness creates unique dread.
The characters make believable choices despite knowing the cost. Jon's pact feels inevitable rather than convenient, which is masterful writing. Anders respects both the supernatural and sci fi equally, never letting one overshadow the other.
Finally, paranormal fiction unafraid to break boundaries and experiment boldly.
October 18, 2025
Finished Daemones ex Machina and wow!
Quick thoughts because I'm still processing.
The good stuff:
World building that doesn't waste time with unnecessary exposition. You learn through immersion which kept me engaged throughout.
Characters making progressively worse decisions that somehow make complete sense given their circumstances. No stupid choices for plot convenience.
Supernatural elements introduced gradually then escalating into full horror. Anders knows how to build dread effectively.
What impressed me:
How seamlessly the cyberpunk and demonic aspects merged. Shouldn't work theoretically but Anders made it feel natural.
The friendship dynamics central to everything. Betrayal hits harder when you actually care about the relationships being destroyed.
Final thoughts ~
Strong debut showing serious promise. Russell Anders understands pacing, atmosphere, and character development. Looking forward to whatever comes next.
Recommended if you enjoy: Dark speculative fiction, moral complexity, genre experimentation
Trigger warnings: Body horror, psychological manipulation, violence
Quick thoughts because I'm still processing.
The good stuff:
World building that doesn't waste time with unnecessary exposition. You learn through immersion which kept me engaged throughout.
Characters making progressively worse decisions that somehow make complete sense given their circumstances. No stupid choices for plot convenience.
Supernatural elements introduced gradually then escalating into full horror. Anders knows how to build dread effectively.
What impressed me:
How seamlessly the cyberpunk and demonic aspects merged. Shouldn't work theoretically but Anders made it feel natural.
The friendship dynamics central to everything. Betrayal hits harder when you actually care about the relationships being destroyed.
Final thoughts ~
Strong debut showing serious promise. Russell Anders understands pacing, atmosphere, and character development. Looking forward to whatever comes next.
Recommended if you enjoy: Dark speculative fiction, moral complexity, genre experimentation
Trigger warnings: Body horror, psychological manipulation, violence
July 24, 2025
Daemones ex Machina is set in a thrilling, dark, gritty cyberpunk world intermingled with the demonic and possession. This is exactly why I wanted to read this book, and I am so grateful to have been afforded an early read. Within this world we follow a few characters, it is these characters that are pivotal to the story and we see their journeys of heartache, betrayals and decisions both bad and good.
When I was reading this book the setting and concept kept me going, and the pace of the narrative dragged me a long from start to finish. However, I did often find the narrative confused, or confusing. I often had to re-read sections and ask myself ‘right, what’s happened’ or ‘why has that happened’ and ‘what does that mean?’. So as a result, the impact of narrative began to become lost on me as I continued on. I wanted to connect with this book so much more than I did, the setting and ideas begged me to but ultimately it just did not click. Now, I know there are people who will adore this novel, and they should rightly so but I was not one of those unfortunately
When I was reading this book the setting and concept kept me going, and the pace of the narrative dragged me a long from start to finish. However, I did often find the narrative confused, or confusing. I often had to re-read sections and ask myself ‘right, what’s happened’ or ‘why has that happened’ and ‘what does that mean?’. So as a result, the impact of narrative began to become lost on me as I continued on. I wanted to connect with this book so much more than I did, the setting and ideas begged me to but ultimately it just did not click. Now, I know there are people who will adore this novel, and they should rightly so but I was not one of those unfortunately
September 11, 2025
Russell Anders does an outstanding job of worldbuilding, providing clear and easily envisioned descriptions of all the sights and sounds this cyberpunk environment has to offer. Sometimes when reading a sci-fi novel where the environment is filled with bizarre and unique items, it's hard to imagine what the author is trying to describe. Here Russell Anders shows a great deal of talent, as everything was described so clearly that it took little effort to feel as though I was right in the middle of the scene, with all the sights, sounds and smells each area had to offer.
The character building was just as if not more engaging. Each character was so unique, and their stories unfolded so naturally that by the end of the book I felt like I had really connected with all of them. The main story intertwining with each individual characters story was masterfully done.
All of these elements were wrapped together in a action packed narrative which kept the pages turning. The pacing was nearly perfect, never seeming too rushed or feeling lagged.
The character building was just as if not more engaging. Each character was so unique, and their stories unfolded so naturally that by the end of the book I felt like I had really connected with all of them. The main story intertwining with each individual characters story was masterfully done.
All of these elements were wrapped together in a action packed narrative which kept the pages turning. The pacing was nearly perfect, never seeming too rushed or feeling lagged.
October 13, 2025
I picked up Daemones Ex Machina expecting a decent heist story and got absolutely wrecked by what Anders unleashed. This book doesn't mess around. From the moment these three desperate operatives make their devil's bargain, the tension cranks up and never stops. What got me was how Anders plays with trust between the characters. You're constantly second guessing who's still human and who's been consumed by whatever darkness they invited in. The paranoia is infectious.
Every conversation feels loaded with hidden meaning, every glance suspicious. I kept flipping pages faster, needing to know how far gone they were. The corporate conspiracy stuff provides solid backbone, but the real thrill comes from watching these men unravel from the inside out. Anders knows exactly when to twist the knife. Just when you think you've figured out the stakes, he reveals another layer that makes everything worse in the most satisfying way. This is edge of your seat stuff that delivers genuine shocks without cheap tricks. Pure adrenaline.
Every conversation feels loaded with hidden meaning, every glance suspicious. I kept flipping pages faster, needing to know how far gone they were. The corporate conspiracy stuff provides solid backbone, but the real thrill comes from watching these men unravel from the inside out. Anders knows exactly when to twist the knife. Just when you think you've figured out the stakes, he reveals another layer that makes everything worse in the most satisfying way. This is edge of your seat stuff that delivers genuine shocks without cheap tricks. Pure adrenaline.
October 13, 2025
Anders just did what I've been waiting years for someone to attempt. Mixing demons with cyberpunk shouldn't work, yet here we are. Reading Daemones Ex Machina felt like watching Clive Barker collaborate with William Gibson, that perfect marriage of cosmic horror and tech dystopia. The supernatural elements aren't window dressing like in so many genre mashups. These demonic entities have weight, agency, and terrifying logic that reminded me of the best Hellraiser mythology. Anders understands that true horror comes from consequences, not jump scares.
The way each character's pact manifests differently shows serious understanding of demonology traditions while keeping things fresh. This isn't your typical possession story. The corruption is subtle, psychological, seeping through until you realize these men have become something ancient wearing modern skin. Neil Gaiman's American Gods explored old gods in new worlds, but Anders flips it, bringing old darkness into futures we might actually face. Finally, supernatural fiction that respects both genres equally.
The way each character's pact manifests differently shows serious understanding of demonology traditions while keeping things fresh. This isn't your typical possession story. The corruption is subtle, psychological, seeping through until you realize these men have become something ancient wearing modern skin. Neil Gaiman's American Gods explored old gods in new worlds, but Anders flips it, bringing old darkness into futures we might actually face. Finally, supernatural fiction that respects both genres equally.
October 13, 2025
Finally had time to read after exams and wow, this was the perfect brain reset. Daemones Ex Machina hit different when you're exhausted and just want something that grabs you without requiring a philosophy degree.
Anders doesn't waste time with slow burns. These guys make demon deals by like page fifty and everything spirals fast. Honestly relate to the desperation though. When Friedrich hacks into systems he shouldn't touch because he's got no other options, that's basically me cramming the night before finals. Except his consequences are way worse than a bad grade.
The cyberpunk world is cool, very Blade Runner vibes but grittier. What kept me hooked was how the friendship between Jon, Friedrich, and Guion just disintegrates. They start as this tight crew and end up suspicious, paranoid, barely recognizing each other. Kind of like group projects gone nuclear. Binged the whole thing in two days between sleep and leftover pizza. No regrets. Way better than doomscrolling after a brutal exam week.
Anders doesn't waste time with slow burns. These guys make demon deals by like page fifty and everything spirals fast. Honestly relate to the desperation though. When Friedrich hacks into systems he shouldn't touch because he's got no other options, that's basically me cramming the night before finals. Except his consequences are way worse than a bad grade.
The cyberpunk world is cool, very Blade Runner vibes but grittier. What kept me hooked was how the friendship between Jon, Friedrich, and Guion just disintegrates. They start as this tight crew and end up suspicious, paranoid, barely recognizing each other. Kind of like group projects gone nuclear. Binged the whole thing in two days between sleep and leftover pizza. No regrets. Way better than doomscrolling after a brutal exam week.
October 16, 2025
Daemones Ex Machina is just so gripping because I literally couldn't put it down. Started reading around 9pm thinking I'd do a chapter or two before bed. Next thing I know it's 5am, the book's finished, and I'm sitting there stunned. Anders built this relentless momentum that made stopping physically impossible. Every chapter ended with something that demanded I keep going. Just one more page turned into just one more hour until suddenly the sun was coming up.
What gripped me wasn't even the demon stuff, though that's wild. It was watching these three guys make one bad call after another, each choice seeming reasonable in the moment but adding up to total disaster. The paranoia between them became my paranoia. I started suspecting everyone alongside Jon, jumping at the same shadows. My heart was racing during the last fifty pages like I'd mainlined espresso. Haven't had a book hijack my night like this in years. Absolutely worth the zombie day that followed. Russell Anders knows exactly how to hook readers and refuse to let go.
What gripped me wasn't even the demon stuff, though that's wild. It was watching these three guys make one bad call after another, each choice seeming reasonable in the moment but adding up to total disaster. The paranoia between them became my paranoia. I started suspecting everyone alongside Jon, jumping at the same shadows. My heart was racing during the last fifty pages like I'd mainlined espresso. Haven't had a book hijack my night like this in years. Absolutely worth the zombie day that followed. Russell Anders knows exactly how to hook readers and refuse to let go.
October 16, 2025
Read Daemones Ex Machina during a particularly brutal work week and the timing couldn't have been better. Or worse, depending how you look at it.
Anders captures something visceral about desperation and compromise that hit different when you're stressed. His characters make deals that seem necessary in the moment, trading pieces of themselves for immediate relief without considering long-term costs. That resonated uncomfortably with corporate life where small ethical compromises pile up until you barely recognize your own reflection.
The cyberpunk setting with its oppressive corporate structures felt satirical yet painfully accurate. The supernatural horror provides just enough distance to process these themes without feeling preachy.
What makes this work is Anders never judges his characters. He presents their choices with empathy while showing consequences clearly. The result is a thriller that entertains while making you examine your own boundaries and breaking points. Finished it feeling both satisfied and unsettled, which seems exactly right.
Anders captures something visceral about desperation and compromise that hit different when you're stressed. His characters make deals that seem necessary in the moment, trading pieces of themselves for immediate relief without considering long-term costs. That resonated uncomfortably with corporate life where small ethical compromises pile up until you barely recognize your own reflection.
The cyberpunk setting with its oppressive corporate structures felt satirical yet painfully accurate. The supernatural horror provides just enough distance to process these themes without feeling preachy.
What makes this work is Anders never judges his characters. He presents their choices with empathy while showing consequences clearly. The result is a thriller that entertains while making you examine your own boundaries and breaking points. Finished it feeling both satisfied and unsettled, which seems exactly right.
October 27, 2025
Daemones Ex Machina operates like a thought experiment dressed in horror. Russell Anders examines the ethics of survival under corporate tyranny and does it through a story that feels disturbingly plausible.
The novel’s genius lies not in its monsters but in its logic when every demonic bargain functions like a corporate contract, written in fine print that eats away at the soul. The futuristic setting, with its metallic claustrophobia and endless surveillance, mirrors the psychological collapse of its protagonists.
Jon, Friedrich, and Guion become case studies in moral erosion, each reacting differently to pressure that feels all too human. Anders’s prose avoids the melodrama common in dark sci-fi and instead relies on tension born of consequence.
Every page demands engagement, asking how far we’d go when forced to choose between survival and selfhood. It’s a smart, disciplined debut that provokes as much as it entertains, leaving behind the uneasy question of whether evil is summoned or simply manufactured.
The novel’s genius lies not in its monsters but in its logic when every demonic bargain functions like a corporate contract, written in fine print that eats away at the soul. The futuristic setting, with its metallic claustrophobia and endless surveillance, mirrors the psychological collapse of its protagonists.
Jon, Friedrich, and Guion become case studies in moral erosion, each reacting differently to pressure that feels all too human. Anders’s prose avoids the melodrama common in dark sci-fi and instead relies on tension born of consequence.
Every page demands engagement, asking how far we’d go when forced to choose between survival and selfhood. It’s a smart, disciplined debut that provokes as much as it entertains, leaving behind the uneasy question of whether evil is summoned or simply manufactured.
October 13, 2025
Russell Anders' Daemones Ex Machina blindsided me in the best possible way. As a hardcore sci fi reader, I went in expecting pure cyberpunk and got something that challenged everything I thought the genre could be. The Five Hives setting delivers that gritty tech noir I crave, but Anders had the audacity to inject literal demons into it, and somehow it works brilliantly. Initially I resisted the supernatural turn, wanting my cyberpunk clean and technological. Then I realized that's exactly why it's genius. The demonic pacts function like corrupted software eating away at human code, making the horror feel oddly compatible with the tech dystopia. Watching Jon navigate both corporate surveillance and otherworldly corruption kept me reading. Anders proves science fiction doesn't need to stay in its lane to be effective. This genre fusion shouldn't work, but it does, creating something genuinely innovative that expands what cyberpunk can explore.
October 16, 2025
Russell Anders "said" what if we stopped pretending cyberpunk has new things to say and just threw demons at it. Chaotic energy that actually delivers.
Here's the thing though. This book doesn't care about your genre expectations. It's messy and dark and three guys spiraling because survival required selling pieces of themselves they can't get back. The cyberpunk stuff is window dressing honestly. The real story is about corruption, the kind that starts small and metastasizes until you're unrecognizable.
Friedrich breaking down while everyone pretends he's fine. Jon lying to himself more than anyone else. Guion going cold in ways that feel permanent. That's where Anders lives, in those uncomfortable moments where you realize there's no coming back.
It's not a comfortable read. Shouldn't be. The best horror never is. Anders understands that power always costs and sometimes the bill comes due in ways that destroy you completely. Respect.
Here's the thing though. This book doesn't care about your genre expectations. It's messy and dark and three guys spiraling because survival required selling pieces of themselves they can't get back. The cyberpunk stuff is window dressing honestly. The real story is about corruption, the kind that starts small and metastasizes until you're unrecognizable.
Friedrich breaking down while everyone pretends he's fine. Jon lying to himself more than anyone else. Guion going cold in ways that feel permanent. That's where Anders lives, in those uncomfortable moments where you realize there's no coming back.
It's not a comfortable read. Shouldn't be. The best horror never is. Anders understands that power always costs and sometimes the bill comes due in ways that destroy you completely. Respect.
October 17, 2025
Been reading Daemones Ex Machina on my daily train rides and people definitely noticed me gasping out loud multiple times. Anders created something genuinely disturbing here.
The premise sounds wild, demons in cyberpunk, but it works because he commits fully. No half measures. Jon, Friedrich, and Guion make choices that seem rational until they absolutely aren't, and watching that logic break down is fascinating and horrifying.
What impressed me most was the restraint. Anders doesn't over explain the supernatural elements. The demons operate on their own rules and you figure it out through consequences rather than exposition dumps. Smart writing that trusts readers.
The Five Hives setting feels oppressively real, all corporate surveillance and urban decay. Perfect backdrop for a story about losing yourself.
Almost missed my stop because I couldn't look away. That's quality storytelling right there.
The premise sounds wild, demons in cyberpunk, but it works because he commits fully. No half measures. Jon, Friedrich, and Guion make choices that seem rational until they absolutely aren't, and watching that logic break down is fascinating and horrifying.
What impressed me most was the restraint. Anders doesn't over explain the supernatural elements. The demons operate on their own rules and you figure it out through consequences rather than exposition dumps. Smart writing that trusts readers.
The Five Hives setting feels oppressively real, all corporate surveillance and urban decay. Perfect backdrop for a story about losing yourself.
Almost missed my stop because I couldn't look away. That's quality storytelling right there.
October 17, 2025
📖 DAEMONES EX MACHINA 📖
Just closed this book and need a moment to recover.
The Story: Cyberpunk world where desperation meets demonic intervention. Three operatives against impossible odds make choices they can't undo.
What Grabbed Me: The friendship collapse felt personal. Watching Jon lose trust in everyone around him while questioning his own sanity created this suffocating atmosphere I couldn't escape.
The Setting: Five Hives New York is bleak perfection. Corporate tyranny, constant surveillance, zero hope. Anders painted a future that feels inevitable and terrifying.
Real Talk: This isn't light reading. It's heavy, dark, morally complex. But if you want fiction that challenges you while delivering genuine thrills, this is it.
Would I Recommend: Absolutely, but come prepared for emotional damage.
Genre: Cyberpunk meets supernatural horror
Mood: Dark, intense, unforgiving
Just closed this book and need a moment to recover.
The Story: Cyberpunk world where desperation meets demonic intervention. Three operatives against impossible odds make choices they can't undo.
What Grabbed Me: The friendship collapse felt personal. Watching Jon lose trust in everyone around him while questioning his own sanity created this suffocating atmosphere I couldn't escape.
The Setting: Five Hives New York is bleak perfection. Corporate tyranny, constant surveillance, zero hope. Anders painted a future that feels inevitable and terrifying.
Real Talk: This isn't light reading. It's heavy, dark, morally complex. But if you want fiction that challenges you while delivering genuine thrills, this is it.
Would I Recommend: Absolutely, but come prepared for emotional damage.
Genre: Cyberpunk meets supernatural horror
Mood: Dark, intense, unforgiving
October 18, 2025
I opened Daemones Ex Machina thinking I’d read a few pages before bed. Three hours later, I was wide awake, heart racing, trying to process what I’d just experienced. Russell Anders builds a future that feels both mechanical and haunted, where demons exist not as fantasy but as extensions of corporate greed.
The story of Jon, Friedrich, and Guion begins with desperation and spirals into moral ruin. What really struck me was how ordinary their downfall feels when their each decision seems logical until the moment it isn’t. Anders writes with surgical precision, cutting deep into human frailty while surrounding it with flickering neon and digital decay.
The horror doesn’t come from jump scares but from recognizing ourselves in their compromises. It’s rare to find a debut this assured, this unwilling to comfort its readers. I closed the book feeling exhilarated and unnerved, which is the best kind of reading hangover.
The story of Jon, Friedrich, and Guion begins with desperation and spirals into moral ruin. What really struck me was how ordinary their downfall feels when their each decision seems logical until the moment it isn’t. Anders writes with surgical precision, cutting deep into human frailty while surrounding it with flickering neon and digital decay.
The horror doesn’t come from jump scares but from recognizing ourselves in their compromises. It’s rare to find a debut this assured, this unwilling to comfort its readers. I closed the book feeling exhilarated and unnerved, which is the best kind of reading hangover.
October 24, 2025
I picked up Daemones Ex Machina out of curiosity and stayed because it reads like a cinematic nightmare. The story never slows down. One moment it’s tech jargon and neon lights, the next it’s ancient evil whispering through circuitry. Russell Anders makes the collision of myth and machine feel effortless. What really hooked me, though, wasn’t the demons ~ it was the people.
The three leads start off as regular guys trying to survive a brutal world, and by the end, I could barely recognize them. The pacing feels like a spiral which is tight, fast, and relentless. Even when I wanted to look away, the writing wouldn’t let me.
Anders doesn’t waste time with filler; every chapter raises the intensity until the final act detonates. It’s smart, visual, and surprisingly emotional. I can easily imagine this adapted into a high-budget series. If you want something dark, addictive, and original, this one delivers completely.
The three leads start off as regular guys trying to survive a brutal world, and by the end, I could barely recognize them. The pacing feels like a spiral which is tight, fast, and relentless. Even when I wanted to look away, the writing wouldn’t let me.
Anders doesn’t waste time with filler; every chapter raises the intensity until the final act detonates. It’s smart, visual, and surprisingly emotional. I can easily imagine this adapted into a high-budget series. If you want something dark, addictive, and original, this one delivers completely.
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