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Red Demon
On an isolated planet where unity is as engineered as its people, Jesse seeks the truth behind the slaughter of his family-starting with the immortal who spared him.
A century ago, two human lines nearly wiped each other out rather than acknowledge their shared humanity. But when Jesse's mining town is slaughtered under mysterious circumstances, it's clear ancient bigotries are still alive, and rebels have access to some magic or tech capable of wide-scale genocide.
The Red Demon bloodied her swords in that massacre-a bioengineered immortal left over from that century old war. Jesse expected her to be upholding his empire's fragile peace, not killing her own. But Jesse is too optimistic and stubborn to break. Better days are coming, and he's willing to take on an immortal to protect the life he's rebuilt among the ashes.
Faruhar, the so-called Red Demon, is not the mastermind Jesse expects. Her fragmented mind is ravaged by guilt over crimes she cannot remember committing, and a code impressed on her by a few kind people she cannot forget.
A fast-paced science fantasy with tense fight scenes, a spicy romantic subplot, and a twisty plot that punches you in the feels. Fans of Pierce Brown's Red Rising and R.F. Kuang's Poppy War Trilogy will appreciate this book.
A century ago, two human lines nearly wiped each other out rather than acknowledge their shared humanity. But when Jesse's mining town is slaughtered under mysterious circumstances, it's clear ancient bigotries are still alive, and rebels have access to some magic or tech capable of wide-scale genocide.
The Red Demon bloodied her swords in that massacre-a bioengineered immortal left over from that century old war. Jesse expected her to be upholding his empire's fragile peace, not killing her own. But Jesse is too optimistic and stubborn to break. Better days are coming, and he's willing to take on an immortal to protect the life he's rebuilt among the ashes.
Faruhar, the so-called Red Demon, is not the mastermind Jesse expects. Her fragmented mind is ravaged by guilt over crimes she cannot remember committing, and a code impressed on her by a few kind people she cannot forget.
A fast-paced science fantasy with tense fight scenes, a spicy romantic subplot, and a twisty plot that punches you in the feels. Fans of Pierce Brown's Red Rising and R.F. Kuang's Poppy War Trilogy will appreciate this book.
414 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2025
10 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Sill Bihagia
3 books8 followersSill is a parent, sword afficionado, data analyst and suburban chicken farmer from Maryland. Many of their stories come from vivid dreams with fight scenes and recurring characters. After over twenty years of my brain haunting me, writing is now a primary priority in their life.
They love mature approachable prose, witty dialog and twisty enemies-to-lovers subplots. Expect complex characters, emotional devastation, and (eventually) hopeful themes. Their world building geeks out into neuroscience, genetics, psychology, and mycology.
They love mature approachable prose, witty dialog and twisty enemies-to-lovers subplots. Expect complex characters, emotional devastation, and (eventually) hopeful themes. Their world building geeks out into neuroscience, genetics, psychology, and mycology.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
June 23, 2025
Extremely ambitious world-building in this sci fi fantasy debut.
Jesse’s entire village (and family) mysteriously drops dead and any survivors killed by the Red Demon. Jesse escapes, determined to discover the truth and kill the Red Demon.
Step one: survive the night. Step one thousand: kill the Red Demon. Somewhere in between, I’d do what Iden suggested: find other Chaeten, avoid Asri, get help from the empire.
In this world, there are two human lines who nearly wiped each other out rather than acknowledge their shared humanity. The Chaeten fled the death of their planet, coming as refugees. The Asri - the native humans, couldn’t agree if the Chaeten were coded human enough. Through the last few generations, the Chaeten changed their genetic code to belong.
I do wish this was explained more as things that seem too complicated are explained away by latent genes and Asri ‘magic’ - tech that no one really understands.
Jesse is a bi disaster. An honourable loyal friend, and unwilling to bend on his principles.
He discovers and cultivates a found family and the relationship between Jesse and his new ‘Brother’ is the epitome of heartfelt bromance.
The tumultuous feelings of Jesse is increased by the first person narration, however I have to admit to thinking of Jesse as a girl until 20%. Whoops.
I did find the ending too easy and slightly unsatisfying. This is a book one, so I am hopeful the world and lore will expand and deliver a satisfying story!
All in all, this is an impressive debut with a few teething problems.
Arc gifted by author.
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Jesse’s entire village (and family) mysteriously drops dead and any survivors killed by the Red Demon. Jesse escapes, determined to discover the truth and kill the Red Demon.
Step one: survive the night. Step one thousand: kill the Red Demon. Somewhere in between, I’d do what Iden suggested: find other Chaeten, avoid Asri, get help from the empire.
In this world, there are two human lines who nearly wiped each other out rather than acknowledge their shared humanity. The Chaeten fled the death of their planet, coming as refugees. The Asri - the native humans, couldn’t agree if the Chaeten were coded human enough. Through the last few generations, the Chaeten changed their genetic code to belong.
I do wish this was explained more as things that seem too complicated are explained away by latent genes and Asri ‘magic’ - tech that no one really understands.
Jesse is a bi disaster. An honourable loyal friend, and unwilling to bend on his principles.
He discovers and cultivates a found family and the relationship between Jesse and his new ‘Brother’ is the epitome of heartfelt bromance.
The tumultuous feelings of Jesse is increased by the first person narration, however I have to admit to thinking of Jesse as a girl until 20%. Whoops.
I did find the ending too easy and slightly unsatisfying. This is a book one, so I am hopeful the world and lore will expand and deliver a satisfying story!
All in all, this is an impressive debut with a few teething problems.
Arc gifted by author.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
July 14, 2025
Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ℝ𝕖𝕕 𝔻𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕟
𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗮
OMG, this book knocked my socks off, kicked them around the room, and put them back on. Red Demon’s storyline is as unique as it is intense.
Red Demon is fantasy mixed with science, including bioengineering. The fight scenes are intense and romance makes an appearance as well. It also holds fast to the importance of trust in relationships.
The plot zips right along and I found myself completely immersed in the story, so much so that it took me a minute to remember where I was when I stopped reading. This is a book I didn’t want to put down.
ℝ𝕖𝕕 𝔻𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕟
𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗮
OMG, this book knocked my socks off, kicked them around the room, and put them back on. Red Demon’s storyline is as unique as it is intense.
Red Demon is fantasy mixed with science, including bioengineering. The fight scenes are intense and romance makes an appearance as well. It also holds fast to the importance of trust in relationships.
The plot zips right along and I found myself completely immersed in the story, so much so that it took me a minute to remember where I was when I stopped reading. This is a book I didn’t want to put down.
July 19, 2025
Arc review
Jesse is the sole survivor of a mysterious attack that wipes out his entire village, including his whole family. Most are dead without a mark, and the Red Demon is taking out the stragglers. She lets Jesse live, and only him.
A solid science fantasy debut. 1st person POV.
It is a dark story with moments that might be uncomfortable, but Jesse is a resilient protagonist. He’s full of character and emotion.
We get a bit of found family. Jesse loses everyone he loves, but as he continues his journey, he makes new connections. The growth of these new relationships feels organic. It’s important setup for the later half of the story, but the pacing drags a touch and the plot seems to drift for a minute.
The Red Demon, Faruhar, was interesting and well-written. A super modded girl packed with trauma! Once you get to know her, you can really feel how lost and broken she is.
It’s packed with action! Lots of fight scenes!
While not 100% of the worldbuilding stuck with me, the Oria was one of my favorite parts. I loved the concept of this connected world where it feels very much alive. For the most part I enjoyed the world (though I absolutely wouldn’t want to live there 😂)
Jesse is the sole survivor of a mysterious attack that wipes out his entire village, including his whole family. Most are dead without a mark, and the Red Demon is taking out the stragglers. She lets Jesse live, and only him.
A solid science fantasy debut. 1st person POV.
It is a dark story with moments that might be uncomfortable, but Jesse is a resilient protagonist. He’s full of character and emotion.
We get a bit of found family. Jesse loses everyone he loves, but as he continues his journey, he makes new connections. The growth of these new relationships feels organic. It’s important setup for the later half of the story, but the pacing drags a touch and the plot seems to drift for a minute.
The Red Demon, Faruhar, was interesting and well-written. A super modded girl packed with trauma! Once you get to know her, you can really feel how lost and broken she is.
It’s packed with action! Lots of fight scenes!
While not 100% of the worldbuilding stuck with me, the Oria was one of my favorite parts. I loved the concept of this connected world where it feels very much alive. For the most part I enjoyed the world (though I absolutely wouldn’t want to live there 😂)
August 12, 2025
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
Red Demon delivers a gritty mix of sci-fi and fantasy with strong world building, action, and a unique premise. While some pacing and depth could be refined, it’s a promising debut with plenty of action and an intriguing central duo.
Red Demon delivers a gritty mix of sci-fi and fantasy with strong world building, action, and a unique premise. While some pacing and depth could be refined, it’s a promising debut with plenty of action and an intriguing central duo.
July 16, 2025
Red Demon felt like the perfect book to read after the high of watching K-Pop Demon Hunters
As a biomedical engineer, I thoroughly enjoyed the science tied into the worldbuilding/ the SBO lore and loved the women in STEM representation in Mira’s character. The narrator/ MMC Jesse is also great representation of bisexuality, without seeming forced or falling into problematic tropes. If you’re looking for smut, be warned that this book only has one real ~spicy~ scene towards the end, but it was entirely worth it. As with other readers, I felt that the end was a bit lackluster but I understand that was the necessary conclusion to this story. Jesse’s “chosen family” storyline feels reminiscent of Fang Runin’s journey with The Cike (and I loved every bit of Asher and Jesse’s interactions!) so if you enjoyed The Poppy War, highly recommend Red Demon
As a biomedical engineer, I thoroughly enjoyed the science tied into the worldbuilding/ the SBO lore and loved the women in STEM representation in Mira’s character. The narrator/ MMC Jesse is also great representation of bisexuality, without seeming forced or falling into problematic tropes. If you’re looking for smut, be warned that this book only has one real ~spicy~ scene towards the end, but it was entirely worth it. As with other readers, I felt that the end was a bit lackluster but I understand that was the necessary conclusion to this story. Jesse’s “chosen family” storyline feels reminiscent of Fang Runin’s journey with The Cike (and I loved every bit of Asher and Jesse’s interactions!) so if you enjoyed The Poppy War, highly recommend Red Demon
July 13, 2025
Bihagia is an exceptional writer and this is easily one of the best written books I've read this year. Starting strong, she excels at building uncomfortableness for the reader, I was scared and my heart felt like it was in my throat for the opening scenes. The emotional pain of the characters really comes through with the style of writing and prose. Not only that, but I love the way tension is built, you can literally feel it build as you turn each page, at points I was nervous of what I was about to discover. At one point it even almost sent me into an existential crisis as I questioned myself on my honour and if I even had any, and at what point I'd lost it. The culture and spirituality created is second to none. I really enjoyed all the unique names and beliefs that really shone in this book. I would love to read more stories from this world, it's a genuinely fantastic read and I am more than happy to call it an epic fantasy based off the scope and world building alone.
July 14, 2025
Starting strong, the uncomfortableness for the reader was very prominent. I was actually scared and my heart felt like it was in my throat. The emotional pain from the characters really comes through with the way the book is written. Not only that, but the way tension is built can literally be felt. The culture and spirituality created is absolutely amazing! I really enjoyed the unique names even though they were a bit hard to pronounce at times. I would love to read more stories from this world and can’t wait for more!
September 15, 2025
Red Demon is a superbly written sci-fantasy debut full of action, trauma, and will they/wont they romance. Jesse is an awesome protagonist and the supporting cast fills the story admirably. Some of the scenes with Jesse and his friends were just so sweet and earnest and then at other times, I was on the edge of my seat worrying about those same characters. The world building is intense but it comes together well. I absolutely love Faruhar—her backstory and her character in general was just fantastic. She has a few wonderfully poetic sections from her POV, and honestly, I wanted more of those bits! Overall, this is an excellent sci-fantasy novel, and I highly recommend you check it out!
July 15, 2025
Red Demon had me hooked from the start. The mix of action, mystery, and unexpected twists made it such a fun and intense read. I loved how vivid the writing was, it painted every scene so clearly, and I felt completely pulled into the world.
Jessie and Fer were both super compelling in different ways, and I really enjoyed watching their dynamic unfold. Jessie’s growth and resilience made him easy to root for, while Fer kept me guessing with her unpredictable nature. The side characters were also great.
If you like fast-paced fantasy with strong characters and a gripping plot, this one’s definitely worth picking up!
Jessie and Fer were both super compelling in different ways, and I really enjoyed watching their dynamic unfold. Jessie’s growth and resilience made him easy to root for, while Fer kept me guessing with her unpredictable nature. The side characters were also great.
If you like fast-paced fantasy with strong characters and a gripping plot, this one’s definitely worth picking up!
July 20, 2025
I truly wanted to love this book more than I did. Truly. I was so intrigued by the premise, the science fantasy genre, and the overall story. I went into it, but then somewhere along the way, I got lost. I got lost in the dense forest of lore, history, and magic systems. I wanted to do and be better, wanted to immerse myself fully, but somehow never managed to find solid ground.
The story itself carries undeniable power at its core, set in a world fighting for survival, where two human factions, who nearly wiped each other out rather than acknowledge their shared humanity, are still at odds, locked in a cycle of division. Where stories and hidden truths are as powerful as myths. Where oppression still runs rampant.
At the heart of it all is Jesse, a character tormented by his past and haunted by his demons, literally and figuratively. His journey and need for revenge were the core of the story, but despite all that, I never fully understood him or connected to his character. I wanted to, but never found the emotional anchor I needed. Somehow, it stayed beyond my grasp.
The same goes for the Red Demon, even though I did connect to her pain more. She was visceral and raw, and her story was simply devastating. I wish I had seen more of her, got to know her even better, and understood her deepest thoughts. She was the highlight in my eyes.
Red Demon is a story filled with potential. And while I craved a deeper emotional connection, one to shake me to my core, I am grateful to the author for giving me the chance to read and experience her story and to witness her vision.
The story itself carries undeniable power at its core, set in a world fighting for survival, where two human factions, who nearly wiped each other out rather than acknowledge their shared humanity, are still at odds, locked in a cycle of division. Where stories and hidden truths are as powerful as myths. Where oppression still runs rampant.
At the heart of it all is Jesse, a character tormented by his past and haunted by his demons, literally and figuratively. His journey and need for revenge were the core of the story, but despite all that, I never fully understood him or connected to his character. I wanted to, but never found the emotional anchor I needed. Somehow, it stayed beyond my grasp.
The same goes for the Red Demon, even though I did connect to her pain more. She was visceral and raw, and her story was simply devastating. I wish I had seen more of her, got to know her even better, and understood her deepest thoughts. She was the highlight in my eyes.
Red Demon is a story filled with potential. And while I craved a deeper emotional connection, one to shake me to my core, I am grateful to the author for giving me the chance to read and experience her story and to witness her vision.
October 22, 2025
I found Red Demon to be a really unique and interesting read. The author successfully fuses Sci-fi and Fantasy, creating a world where advanced technology and magic coexist. The science woven into the world-building and lore is incredibly well-thought-out and kept me engaged page after page.
Plot-wise, the book is an absolute whirlwind, blending a good amount of action with some mystery. I really enjoyed the concept of the virus being spread while at the same time there's a killer on the loose. The narrative is full of unpredictable twists and turns. Every time I thought I knew where the story was heading, I was proven wrong which was great! This constant uncertainty was a big part of the fun!
Jesse is an interesting main character. Sometimes I did find him to be a tad too boring for me though. I became far more invested in the Red Demon. The more the story revealed, the more I wanted to know about their past. She became more of a focal point for me and was so intrigued. Ash and Mira were ok side characters as well. I just wish they were fleshed out a bit more.
For readers who appreciate intricate world-building, a dash of spice, and some epic fight scenes, Red Demon is a recommendation I would stand by!
Plot-wise, the book is an absolute whirlwind, blending a good amount of action with some mystery. I really enjoyed the concept of the virus being spread while at the same time there's a killer on the loose. The narrative is full of unpredictable twists and turns. Every time I thought I knew where the story was heading, I was proven wrong which was great! This constant uncertainty was a big part of the fun!
Jesse is an interesting main character. Sometimes I did find him to be a tad too boring for me though. I became far more invested in the Red Demon. The more the story revealed, the more I wanted to know about their past. She became more of a focal point for me and was so intrigued. Ash and Mira were ok side characters as well. I just wish they were fleshed out a bit more.
For readers who appreciate intricate world-building, a dash of spice, and some epic fight scenes, Red Demon is a recommendation I would stand by!
September 13, 2025
I was provided an ARC by the author and this is my honest review.
I really enjoyed this story. It was a fantasy with bioengineered technology. There are two human lines and the MC, Jesse, finds a new family (with the other line) after his village is tragically slaughtered. He spends his youth driven to get vengeance on the Red Demon who massacred his village. Overtime he begins to learn that there might be more going on and his anger might be misplaced.
My favorite character was the Red Demon - Faruhar. Her trauma and fragmented mind are what drive her to do the things she does and the remorse she feels when she remembers helps build out her character. There was also pretty good action throughout and I would be happy to recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this story. It was a fantasy with bioengineered technology. There are two human lines and the MC, Jesse, finds a new family (with the other line) after his village is tragically slaughtered. He spends his youth driven to get vengeance on the Red Demon who massacred his village. Overtime he begins to learn that there might be more going on and his anger might be misplaced.
My favorite character was the Red Demon - Faruhar. Her trauma and fragmented mind are what drive her to do the things she does and the remorse she feels when she remembers helps build out her character. There was also pretty good action throughout and I would be happy to recommend this book.
November 9, 2025
OMG!!! What an absolute masterpiece!!! I loved every bit of this story it was beautifully written. I loved the characters and their growth throughout the story.
August 24, 2025
**Light spoilers**
**Light spoilers**
**Light spoilers**
Disclaimer: I am reviewing the ARC version of this novel, kindly provided by the author in hopes of receiving an honest review. The version I read may differ slightly from the published edition.
(4.5/5, but I’m a rounder upper kinda dude.)
Red Demon is an ambitious debut in the somewhat murky science fantasy genre mashup. While there are a lot of fascinating sci-fi elements present in the novel, it reads much more like straight fantasy, with sword fighting and mysterious magic, but also genetic manipulation and bioweapons. There’s a lot of fantastic action alongside some great, memorable characters and found-family themes. Overall the prose reads very smoothly, there’s some lovely imagery, and the world-building feels deeply imagined, even if not fully realized. I personally prefer to have world-building drip fed rather than fire-hosed in detail, so I didn’t mind, but I could see some readers feeling lost at sea in the world of Noe.
Jesse is our main character, and he wasn’t quite what I expected when I started reading. The story begins, as they are wont to do, with a horrendous and mysterious massacre. Jesse’s town and most of his family dies, propelling him on a journey of survival and revenge. But unlike so many heroes within this genre (Vis, Darrow, etc.), Jesse isn’t consumed by blind hatred for his family’s killer, nor is he a brooding ball of alternating depression and rage leaving carnage in his wake. He’s light-hearted, funny, optimistic despite continually getting kicked in the teeth, and, above all, supremely likeable. It’s a nice change of pace from what you’d expect, and I think this inherent quality is actually what pivots the novel from predictable (a male power fantasy revenge plot) to something more intriguing, when his fury toward his family’s killer shifts into something entirely different.
Which brings me to the titular character, the Red Demon, a.k.a, Faruhar. She gives me massive River Tam in Serenity vibes, a badass but deeply troubled woman. She’s a human weapon, a bioengineered immortal left over from a war one hundred years past. But despite her deadly pedigree, her mind is “broken.” Her memories are fleeting to the point she relies on a journal to record what’s important to her, she hears literal voices, and she’s wracked by guilt for violence she’s committed but cannot fully remember. The whole story really orbits her, and after finishing the novel, I wished I had more time with her, particularly because there’s one early POV chapter for her, and it set the expectation for me that they would be frequent occurrences.
Which brings me to the plot. The core mystery of the novel—what the hell killed Jesse’s village and why?—is interesting enough to keep you hopping from one chapter to the next, though you spend the majority of the novel in the dark. The final reveal about the plot, the reason for the continuous deaths caused by a disease called SBO, is horrifying and twisted. But overall, I felt that the central relationship between Jesse and Faruhar overshadowed it. By the end, I felt more invested on their character dynamic than the central plot, which fell out of focus for me and the conclusion felt somewhat rushed. This is rare for me, but I actually felt like this novel could have used an extra five to ten thousand words, breathing room, so to speak, to really unfurl all the fascinating world-building and that the author has imagined.
I believe that Red Demon is the first in a series, though I suspect it won't end up being a traditional trilogy? The epilogue left me wondering if the next story would be told from Jesse’s perspective. If not, that would be bittersweet, but there’s clearly a lot more world and people to explore in Noe.
TL;DR:
Reasons to read Red Demon: Cool science fantasy genre mashup, a badass sword fighting ninja chick, unique and deeply imagined worldbuilding (bioluminescent magic fungi!), a sympathetic, likeable, and talented but not overpowered protagonist
Reasons not to read Red Demon: Plot feels overshadowed by character relationships at time, abundant but under-explained world-building
**Light spoilers**
**Light spoilers**
Disclaimer: I am reviewing the ARC version of this novel, kindly provided by the author in hopes of receiving an honest review. The version I read may differ slightly from the published edition.
(4.5/5, but I’m a rounder upper kinda dude.)
Red Demon is an ambitious debut in the somewhat murky science fantasy genre mashup. While there are a lot of fascinating sci-fi elements present in the novel, it reads much more like straight fantasy, with sword fighting and mysterious magic, but also genetic manipulation and bioweapons. There’s a lot of fantastic action alongside some great, memorable characters and found-family themes. Overall the prose reads very smoothly, there’s some lovely imagery, and the world-building feels deeply imagined, even if not fully realized. I personally prefer to have world-building drip fed rather than fire-hosed in detail, so I didn’t mind, but I could see some readers feeling lost at sea in the world of Noe.
Jesse is our main character, and he wasn’t quite what I expected when I started reading. The story begins, as they are wont to do, with a horrendous and mysterious massacre. Jesse’s town and most of his family dies, propelling him on a journey of survival and revenge. But unlike so many heroes within this genre (Vis, Darrow, etc.), Jesse isn’t consumed by blind hatred for his family’s killer, nor is he a brooding ball of alternating depression and rage leaving carnage in his wake. He’s light-hearted, funny, optimistic despite continually getting kicked in the teeth, and, above all, supremely likeable. It’s a nice change of pace from what you’d expect, and I think this inherent quality is actually what pivots the novel from predictable (a male power fantasy revenge plot) to something more intriguing, when his fury toward his family’s killer shifts into something entirely different.
Which brings me to the titular character, the Red Demon, a.k.a, Faruhar. She gives me massive River Tam in Serenity vibes, a badass but deeply troubled woman. She’s a human weapon, a bioengineered immortal left over from a war one hundred years past. But despite her deadly pedigree, her mind is “broken.” Her memories are fleeting to the point she relies on a journal to record what’s important to her, she hears literal voices, and she’s wracked by guilt for violence she’s committed but cannot fully remember. The whole story really orbits her, and after finishing the novel, I wished I had more time with her, particularly because there’s one early POV chapter for her, and it set the expectation for me that they would be frequent occurrences.
Which brings me to the plot. The core mystery of the novel—what the hell killed Jesse’s village and why?—is interesting enough to keep you hopping from one chapter to the next, though you spend the majority of the novel in the dark. The final reveal about the plot, the reason for the continuous deaths caused by a disease called SBO, is horrifying and twisted. But overall, I felt that the central relationship between Jesse and Faruhar overshadowed it. By the end, I felt more invested on their character dynamic than the central plot, which fell out of focus for me and the conclusion felt somewhat rushed. This is rare for me, but I actually felt like this novel could have used an extra five to ten thousand words, breathing room, so to speak, to really unfurl all the fascinating world-building and that the author has imagined.
I believe that Red Demon is the first in a series, though I suspect it won't end up being a traditional trilogy? The epilogue left me wondering if the next story would be told from Jesse’s perspective. If not, that would be bittersweet, but there’s clearly a lot more world and people to explore in Noe.
TL;DR:
Reasons to read Red Demon: Cool science fantasy genre mashup, a badass sword fighting ninja chick, unique and deeply imagined worldbuilding (bioluminescent magic fungi!), a sympathetic, likeable, and talented but not overpowered protagonist
Reasons not to read Red Demon: Plot feels overshadowed by character relationships at time, abundant but under-explained world-building
August 30, 2025
I loved reading Red Demon. The world the author has created is an intriguing blend of magic and advanced technology, with fully developed cultures and history. The characters are fascinating, with a refreshing level of depth. They truly seemed like real people. The story held my attention from the very first page and never let it go until the end of the book. This is one of the better books I've read recently, and I can't wait to see what comes next in the series. I highly recommend Red Demon to readers who enjoy a blend of science fiction and fantasy.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 21, 2025
Red Demon follows the main character, Jesse, as he struggles to rebuild his life after his entire village is wiped out. With impressive survival skills and a lust for revenge, Jesse begins his search for other survivors of his own kind, as well as the immortal superhuman who murdered his family: the Red Demon.
Author Sill Bihagia’s writing feels effortlessly fluid, which makes for an easy, fast read. Bihagia follows the number one rule of good writing, “show, don’t tell,” in order to build a world that is both intricate and enchanting, melding advanced technology with magic and sword fighting. One unique aspect is that the setting feels very rural and almost Medieval in that the people live in small villages dispersed throughout a vast wooded landscape, and fight via sword and hand-to-hand combat. However, at the same time, they have advanced technology that allows them to “mod” their genetics and create invisible barriers that block magic, for example. I found the juxtaposition between futuristic and antiquated endearing. I also appreciated how the main characters are likeable, but imperfect, and they bond over similar past traumas. And I, of course, love a good “found family” trope.
If you enjoy well-paced sci-fi fantasy, intricate world building, epic fight scenes, and a touch of spice, then I highly recommend Red Demon, by Sill Bihagia.
Author Sill Bihagia’s writing feels effortlessly fluid, which makes for an easy, fast read. Bihagia follows the number one rule of good writing, “show, don’t tell,” in order to build a world that is both intricate and enchanting, melding advanced technology with magic and sword fighting. One unique aspect is that the setting feels very rural and almost Medieval in that the people live in small villages dispersed throughout a vast wooded landscape, and fight via sword and hand-to-hand combat. However, at the same time, they have advanced technology that allows them to “mod” their genetics and create invisible barriers that block magic, for example. I found the juxtaposition between futuristic and antiquated endearing. I also appreciated how the main characters are likeable, but imperfect, and they bond over similar past traumas. And I, of course, love a good “found family” trope.
If you enjoy well-paced sci-fi fantasy, intricate world building, epic fight scenes, and a touch of spice, then I highly recommend Red Demon, by Sill Bihagia.
August 29, 2025
Fascinating magic system, found family (that I was obsessed with), enemies to lovers, training for revenge, cool tech ... so much to love about this book! Took me a little bit to fully understand the world (but sci fi isn't usually my thing and I always struggle at first) but once I settled in I was hooked. Can't wait to see what else this author writes.
September 17, 2025
ARC provided by the author. All thoughts are my own.
Red Demon is a dark and emotionally rich science fantasy that drops you straight into a world full of engineered species, war-torn histories, and characters on the edge of breaking. From the first chapter, it’s clear this is not going to be a lighthearted story. What I didn’t anticipate, even after reading the blurb, was just how emotionally devastating and complex this book would be. It’s gritty, often bleak, and absolutely gripping.
At its heart, this story follows Jesse, a survivor of a massacre that wipes out his family and entire village. His vow to survive and seek justice sets the tone for the story’s overarching tension. As the book spans years, we watch Jesse grow and evolve, becoming someone capable of navigating political and moral chaos while still holding on to his stubborn hope. When the Red Demon returns to his life, everything kicks into high gear.
The Red Demon herself is a fascinating character. Though we spend less time with her directly, her presence is felt throughout. She’s a bioengineered immortal, shattered by guilt and lost memories, yet guided by the remnants of a code she barely remembers. Her relationship with Jesse is charged, tense, and layered with emotional weight.
What really makes this story shine is how invested you become in the characters. Even secondary characters feel vivid and meaningful. Ash, in particular, deserves a special mention. His role in Jesse’s life is both grounding and bright, and honestly, he felt like a beam of light cutting through the story’s darkest moments.
While the pacing and emotional intensity are spot on, my biggest issue with the book lies in the worldbuilding. There’s a lot happening in this setting, magic, genetic modification, factional tension, but the explanations around how it all works are thin. I often found myself pulled out of the story because I couldn’t quite grasp the mechanics of the world. Over time, more information is revealed, especially about the humanoid species and the planet’s history, but I still felt like I was playing catch-up.
That said, the plot is full of unexpected twists, betrayals, and moral dilemmas that kept me turning the pages. The emotional journey is intense and the stakes are always high. If you're someone who enjoys layered character arcs, bleak but compelling worlds, and stories where nothing is black and white, Red Demon is absolutely worth a read.
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August 7, 2025
Maybe 2.5⭐️. I needed this book to start with a prologue or world introduction, since no world building or species breakdown was given in the text, all of this instead went into the glossary? There were only implications of hierarchies and concepts like reborn immortals, but I spent most of this book thinking the characters were some form of cyborg/robots due to the constant use of the term 'mods', when the glossary reveals this likely refers to genetic engineering. There was no real explanation of the ghost war outside of the fact it happened and the Queen led them to victory, nor a real explanation of Oria as an afterlife from which deceased souls can be rejected. I had no idea that different planets were involved, nor is any inter-planet travel mentioned. Due to the lack of explanation, I spent most of my time reading incredibly confused.
The actual plot was fine but incredibly long-winded, what should have been a single chapter 'training montage' was drawn out into years of training, building relationships and stagnating the MCs mission to seek revenge. The MC garners no sympathy, he settles into a life of sleeping around, kissing the one girl his sworn brother has shown interest in, becoming arrogantly confident in his sword skills against a limited group. He ignores blatant red flags, taking information from a man he shouldn't trust. It takes losing everything to get him moving again, immediately failing to carry out his revenge and deciding he is too honourable to ever try and kill his, as far as he knows, mortal enemy ever again? The reveal that she is maybe partially innocent wasn't surprising, but led to another overly drawn out but more engaging journey. Finally pursuing the correct enemy, the MC works with rebels to put down evil. He also sleeps with an incredibly mentally unstable, clearly hurting girl, who, while maybe justified, slaughtered both of his families in front of him... Her instability and murderous nature does not miraculously disappear, she is used against him and his allies in a devastating way, I was glad she removed herself in the end.
A good idea and would have been a lot more readable if the information on the world was woven in rather than stuck in the back, but it fell short for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The actual plot was fine but incredibly long-winded, what should have been a single chapter 'training montage' was drawn out into years of training, building relationships and stagnating the MCs mission to seek revenge. The MC garners no sympathy, he settles into a life of sleeping around, kissing the one girl his sworn brother has shown interest in, becoming arrogantly confident in his sword skills against a limited group. He ignores blatant red flags, taking information from a man he shouldn't trust. It takes losing everything to get him moving again, immediately failing to carry out his revenge and deciding he is too honourable to ever try and kill his, as far as he knows, mortal enemy ever again? The reveal that she is maybe partially innocent wasn't surprising, but led to another overly drawn out but more engaging journey. Finally pursuing the correct enemy, the MC works with rebels to put down evil. He also sleeps with an incredibly mentally unstable, clearly hurting girl, who, while maybe justified, slaughtered both of his families in front of him... Her instability and murderous nature does not miraculously disappear, she is used against him and his allies in a devastating way, I was glad she removed herself in the end.
A good idea and would have been a lot more readable if the information on the world was woven in rather than stuck in the back, but it fell short for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2025
Red Demon hooked me from page one — and by “hooked,��� I mean absolutely punched me in the gut. In the very first chapter, Jesse sees his whole village wiped out in a harrowing act of genocide, and that sets the tone for the rest of the story. It’s intense, violent, and full of high-stakes moments, but it’s also about connection, trust, and finding family in the unlikeliest places.
The world is fascinating — two races sharing the same planet, one with magic, one with tech. Technology is flashy here, but it is only used where absolutely necessary, kept in check by the dangers of the magic. The worldbuilding is rich and detailed, though I sometimes wished the magic side of things had been explained a bit more.
Jesse’s journey is all about surviving loss, chasing revenge, and trying to bridge huge cultural divides. The main characters are great, the villains are nasty, and the pacing kept me turning pages without ever feeling rushed. At times, character motivations seemed shallow, and loyalties shifted a little too easily in a couple of spots. It's not enough to rip me fully out of the story, but it was distracting at times.
It’s dark, it’s gritty, and it doesn’t pull punches — but if you like your sci-fantasy with depth, danger, and a bit of hope glimmering under all the chaos, I’d definitely recommend this one. And yes… I need book two.
The world is fascinating — two races sharing the same planet, one with magic, one with tech. Technology is flashy here, but it is only used where absolutely necessary, kept in check by the dangers of the magic. The worldbuilding is rich and detailed, though I sometimes wished the magic side of things had been explained a bit more.
Jesse’s journey is all about surviving loss, chasing revenge, and trying to bridge huge cultural divides. The main characters are great, the villains are nasty, and the pacing kept me turning pages without ever feeling rushed. At times, character motivations seemed shallow, and loyalties shifted a little too easily in a couple of spots. It's not enough to rip me fully out of the story, but it was distracting at times.
It’s dark, it’s gritty, and it doesn’t pull punches — but if you like your sci-fantasy with depth, danger, and a bit of hope glimmering under all the chaos, I’d definitely recommend this one. And yes… I need book two.
August 27, 2025
Red Demon is phenomenal!! Hands down best sci-fi/fantasy book I have this year. I can 100% see this as a movie! The world building is amazing and detailed. The character development is chef’s kiss. It was tension filled and had my heart in my throat witnessing the turmoil and pain the characters endure. Faruhar as the Red Demon takes us through a myriad of emotions, feeling fear of her to compassion for her. Jesse, the MMC, takes on his journey of hate, determination, devotion and forgiveness. So well done how the characters orbit together and apart this book!
If I was to describe this book in mainstream terms I would compare the world building as complex and compelling as Tolkien, the character development as intricate as Avatar, and the spiritual diversity and intensity of the plot to Dune and Aliens. I will most definitely be reading anything @sillauthor writes!!
Thank you to the author for the early copy of this book. This is my honest, voluntary review.
If I was to describe this book in mainstream terms I would compare the world building as complex and compelling as Tolkien, the character development as intricate as Avatar, and the spiritual diversity and intensity of the plot to Dune and Aliens. I will most definitely be reading anything @sillauthor writes!!
Thank you to the author for the early copy of this book. This is my honest, voluntary review.
September 19, 2025
ARC Review
Red Demon was a rollercoaster of a read, out of different reasons. At the end I ended up loving the book, but it took me some time to get there.
Because no matter how much i loved the concept with a virus, a killer on the lose and the incredible world building. It was heavily slowed down with the main character, and for me it was basically because he was a boring character. But from about 65% he had a amazing character growth and just got so much better to follow along.
This ended up being a fantastic sci-fi fantasy read, with a slow burn romance. The world is dark and gruesome place and had me sometimes feeling sick in my stomach of what I read (because I'm a weak), and filled with amazing lore building. And now that I'm done with this I want more!
Red Demon was a rollercoaster of a read, out of different reasons. At the end I ended up loving the book, but it took me some time to get there.
Because no matter how much i loved the concept with a virus, a killer on the lose and the incredible world building. It was heavily slowed down with the main character, and for me it was basically because he was a boring character. But from about 65% he had a amazing character growth and just got so much better to follow along.
This ended up being a fantastic sci-fi fantasy read, with a slow burn romance. The world is dark and gruesome place and had me sometimes feeling sick in my stomach of what I read (because I'm a weak), and filled with amazing lore building. And now that I'm done with this I want more!
July 15, 2025
A fast-paced, fantasy mixed with sci-fi, dark, mysterious book that I think is perfect for those trying to get into the genre! The world building keeps you questioning a lot about the lore but also gives plenty of context to become engaged with the story. Personally (and admittedly partially out of selfishness) I wish the world building was more fleshed out because there were many aspects of the referenced history, current political climate, and character backstories that weren’t able to be fully described either in the glossary or in the actual chapters. I also feel that for the length of the book, I would have preferred the contents of the glossary to be explained in the chapters, though I understand that others may be opposed to too much info dumping. Overall, the story was engaging and I enjoyed the characters. It’s also very obvious how much effort and editing went into this because the writing is great!
July 30, 2025
One of the best books I've read this year. Original ideas, compelling characters, and a deeply satisfying world-building. This one keeps the story moving with high stakes action while still taking time to explore the gentler pleasures and develop deep characters. The romance doesn't kick off until pretty far into the book, but it's given enough emphasis to feel really satisfying and meaningful, and it makes a big part of what this book delivers.
July 27, 2025
There is a lot of character development. And the mystery of what is happening is always hovering as the story progresses.
Following Jesse’s path while trying to understand what is happening in his world was a great ride.
I would love to dive more into all that happened to Faruhar.
As always, world development takes some time but at the 60% mark things start to ramp up very quickly.
I definitely enjoyed the book. The motivations of the characters are intriguing and I want to continue reading more.
Following Jesse’s path while trying to understand what is happening in his world was a great ride.
I would love to dive more into all that happened to Faruhar.
As always, world development takes some time but at the 60% mark things start to ramp up very quickly.
I definitely enjoyed the book. The motivations of the characters are intriguing and I want to continue reading more.
July 21, 2025
ARC review. I really enjoyed this book. The work building was great and overall it was a good blend of fantasy and Sci fi. It had some familiar tropes, but was presented in a way that was entirely new.
It did see to end at an odd point, however I do know there is more to come.
It did see to end at an odd point, however I do know there is more to come.
August 1, 2025
What an incredible debut novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the world building, loved the concept, found the pacing perfect. I did find myself a little confused at time but I was very happy to ride along, I am defo going to re read this one! Thank you.
September 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I would definitely say this is one of the more interesting fantasy books that I have read in a while, mainly in terms of the book's concept and the characters. There are like “modded” people in this novel, like changes in their code and it results in a bunch of different things, it’s very cool and it’s done so well for the story.
The dynamic between the characters is something I really enjoyed, Jesse and Asher aren’t brothers by blood but they have such a realistic brother dynamic, I have to believe that the author has brothers haha. Each character had such a unique role in the novel but Bihagia does a great job at making all of them work well with each other not only with their role in the plot, but their dialogue and personalities too.
On the note of dialogue, each character had their own cadence but Bihagia did a great job at characters speaking like their age and level of maturity. It was honestly really refreshing because some authors really struggle with that (I’ve read a book where a young child talked the exact same as their adult self).
Now this book does have a spicy chapter, for those who aren’t into spice at all, but it is done very well and was honestly a very important part of the book and a big moment for the characters. It wasn’t just a “hey let’s hook-up” deal, slow burn in the most non-romantic sense haha.
I also just love a fantasy where the characters are younger and fighting for the greater good in unconventional ways, it’s always something I’ve loved in a novel. The ending of this book is not what I wanted but it makes sense, but I’m angry at it. I found out after that this book is the first book of the series so I am excited to see what will come next.
I would definitely say this is one of the more interesting fantasy books that I have read in a while, mainly in terms of the book's concept and the characters. There are like “modded” people in this novel, like changes in their code and it results in a bunch of different things, it’s very cool and it’s done so well for the story.
The dynamic between the characters is something I really enjoyed, Jesse and Asher aren’t brothers by blood but they have such a realistic brother dynamic, I have to believe that the author has brothers haha. Each character had such a unique role in the novel but Bihagia does a great job at making all of them work well with each other not only with their role in the plot, but their dialogue and personalities too.
On the note of dialogue, each character had their own cadence but Bihagia did a great job at characters speaking like their age and level of maturity. It was honestly really refreshing because some authors really struggle with that (I’ve read a book where a young child talked the exact same as their adult self).
Now this book does have a spicy chapter, for those who aren’t into spice at all, but it is done very well and was honestly a very important part of the book and a big moment for the characters. It wasn’t just a “hey let’s hook-up” deal, slow burn in the most non-romantic sense haha.
I also just love a fantasy where the characters are younger and fighting for the greater good in unconventional ways, it’s always something I’ve loved in a novel. The ending of this book is not what I wanted but it makes sense, but I’m angry at it. I found out after that this book is the first book of the series so I am excited to see what will come next.
July 30, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Red Demon follows Jesse, the only survivor of an attack that has slaughtered his whole village, including his family, by the Red Demon - a bioengineered immortal girl. Unsure why she spares him, Jesse is determined to track her down and kill her himself.
This story is a wonderful mix of science and fantasy. The worldbuilding is very unique and I feel so much care has been taken with it, it's woven into the story naturally. Everything is paced very well especially as there are time jumps.
Jesse was such a wonderful character to experience this story through. I could see his growth as time passed, his grief that was still there, his profound love for his new family. Faruhar was so enticing, despite the bloodshed she caused you're still so intrigued by her character and ultimately can feel her pain and turmoil as you start to understand her better.
Red Demon follows Jesse, the only survivor of an attack that has slaughtered his whole village, including his family, by the Red Demon - a bioengineered immortal girl. Unsure why she spares him, Jesse is determined to track her down and kill her himself.
This story is a wonderful mix of science and fantasy. The worldbuilding is very unique and I feel so much care has been taken with it, it's woven into the story naturally. Everything is paced very well especially as there are time jumps.
Jesse was such a wonderful character to experience this story through. I could see his growth as time passed, his grief that was still there, his profound love for his new family. Faruhar was so enticing, despite the bloodshed she caused you're still so intrigued by her character and ultimately can feel her pain and turmoil as you start to understand her better.
"Mom taught me there will always be someone else to cling to when a pillar of our life falls down, and she taught me to be that pillar in turn."
June 26, 2025
3.5 ⭐️!
This is my ARC review! Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book & give a review!
Jesse’s village& family are absolutely destroyed by the Red Demon & Jesse goes out to seek revenge!
I really enjoyed the world building in this book! There was a lot! It’s a book about conflict, power, & Destiny! It took me on a really delightful ride!
The ending left me a little bit disappointed but I hope book two fixes that! I will definitely be reading the second book when it releases!
I’ve never read a book by this author before and this is her sci-fi debut! I love to go into books blind & I recommend anyone do the same! Always check trigger warnings, of course!
This is my ARC review! Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book & give a review!
Jesse’s village& family are absolutely destroyed by the Red Demon & Jesse goes out to seek revenge!
I really enjoyed the world building in this book! There was a lot! It’s a book about conflict, power, & Destiny! It took me on a really delightful ride!
The ending left me a little bit disappointed but I hope book two fixes that! I will definitely be reading the second book when it releases!
I’ve never read a book by this author before and this is her sci-fi debut! I love to go into books blind & I recommend anyone do the same! Always check trigger warnings, of course!
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