A Devious Awakening: Book Two of the Devious Duet

by A.A. Powers

WHAT WOULD YOU SACRIFICE TO SAVE EVERYTHING YOU LOVE?

FRANKIE’s magic is new and unpredictable, bound to emotions she can’t control. The more she suppresses her darkness, the harder it becomes to summon her light. As balance slips further from reach, she relies on Zarreth to teach her that control isn’t about holding back but letting go. She must face every part of herself, even the ones she’s afraid to claim.

ZARRETH has finally returned to his horde and the home he gave everything to protect. But now the realms are faltering as Dante draws power from something that was never meant to be used. To save them, Zarreth must leave his home again and travel to the light realm with Frankie, where her power could either mend what’s broken or shatter it completely.

TOGETHER, they risk everything to stop the destruction, even if it means sacrificing the one thing they can’t live without.

A DEVIOUS AWAKENING is a dark romantasy full of magic, loyalty, and sacrifice where love is power, balance is survival, and nothing comes without a cost.

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2026

About the author

A.A. Powers is the author of the Devious Bonds series - a dark, spicy paranormal romance featuring demons, fated mates, and dangerous worlds where love survives the darkness. She was a finalist in the Indie Author Network (IAN) book of the year awards.

She began writing to show her kids what it looks like to choose something that matters, even when it feels a little scary.

She lives in Minnesota with her husband (her favorite person to flirt with), kids (who definitely think their mom is cool), and a revolving cast of animals who all seem to believe they are the main character.

When she isn’t writing, she’s usually lost in big what-ifs, letting the dogs in and out, and keeping the house just clean enough to find the remote.

Reviews

[NicolBackBooks]

Review coming. In the meantime… add this duet to your TBR. 😭😭😭 so good.

**ARC** A Devious Awakening: Book Two of the Devious Duet
A.A. Powers
I'd like to first thank A.A. for the opportunity to ARC both of these books. This is a duet that will stay with me for a long time to come and has made itself one of my favorite reads.

A Devious Awakening, the second book in A.A. Powers’ Devious Duet, is a paranormal dark romantasy that picks up right where A Devious Descent left off. Frankie and Zarreth—fated mates bound by magic, loyalty, and an all‑consuming love—are thrust into a journey that tests not only their bond but the fate of every realm.

Premise & Worldbuilding
This installment expands the world dramatically, taking readers into the Light Realm as Frankie confronts her destiny: restoring balance before the realms collapse. Her magic is still new, volatile, and deeply tied to her emotions. The more she tries to suppress her darkness, the harder it becomes to summon her light—an internal struggle that mirrors the external stakes.
Zarreth, now reunited with his horde, is forced to leave home again as Dante draws power from forces never meant to be touched. Together, Frankie and Zarreth must face a threat capable of shattering the universe itself. The tension is high, the danger is real, and the cost of failure is devastating.

Character Dynamics
Frankie is the heart of this story. She’s kind, selfless, and fiercely devoted to Zarreth—even when his overprotectiveness borders on infuriating. What makes her compelling is her growth: she’s learning to blend her light and dark magic, but she’s also maturing emotionally as a mate, a friend, and a woman carrying the weight of cosmic responsibility.
Zarreth is everything a dark‑romance MMC should be: lethal, loyal, and absolutely unhinged when it comes to protecting his mate. He will hunt down anyone who even looks at Frankie wrong, and yet his tenderness with her is what makes him unforgettable.
Their bond is the epitome of fated mates—intense, magnetic, and unwavering.

Themes
• Balance vs. Chaos: Frankie’s internal magic struggle mirrors the instability of the realms.
• Sacrifice: The story repeatedly asks what one would give up to save everything they love.
• Identity & Power: Frankie must face every part of herself, even the ones she fears.
• Love as Strength: Their relationship isn’t a distraction from the plot—it is part of the power that drives it.

Pacing, Writing, and Spice
The pacing is fast and addictive—I inhaled this book in 24 hours. The writing blends high‑stakes fantasy with emotional intimacy, and the spice? Absolutely on point. A.A. Powers doesn’t fade to black; she writes intimacy that’s visceral, meaningful, and deeply tied to character development.
If you love fae romance with heat, magic, and a protective MMC who would burn worlds for his mate, this book delivers.

Final Thoughts
A Devious Awakening is a powerful, emotional, and deliciously spicy continuation of Frankie and Zarreth’s story. It raises the stakes, deepens the romance, and pushes both characters to their limits. Fans of dark romantasy, fated mates, and magic‑heavy worldbuilding will devour this book just as quickly as I did.

[Danny Marie Marie]

Ohhh Mrs.Powers you’ve done it again! I’m simply obsessed.

The character development from book 1 to this was absolutely beautiful. You can perfectly see how Frankie transformed from the unsure girl in the first book to who she was by the end of the second. Zarreths character development was small (as in he was already perfect and didn’t need to change much, in my opinion haha) but you can still see it in who he is.

I loved the shift into the other realms. The world building/structuring for future books was chefs kiss!

Quick recap shall we? :)
•Good character development? ✅
•Amazing world building? ✅
•Good plot? ✅
•Spice was spicing? ✅
•Side characters to die for? ✅
•MAIN characters to die for? ✅
•Beautifully written? ✅
•Kept me reading late into the night? ✅

I loved EVERY second of this book! I am excited to see the plot continue in the next book. (I have an ideaaaa of who our main characters will beeee) Even though I’m beyond sad that Zarreth and Frankie won’t be our main characters any more😭

Quotes that hit just right✨
“What lies within you, your love, your compassion, that’s who you are.”

“You think the light will save you? You burn with it, but it’s the dark that listens when you scream.”

Thank you A.A Powers for the ARC! I am eternally grateful! I had such a fun time reading this book and can’t wait to see what you write next!🩷

[Milda]

It's just been too long since I read the first book and I no longer feel attached to the characters. Especially when I get smacked in the face with some BDSM smut that kept going for the first 100 pages. Perhaps it would have worked if I was in a different mood but I don't care enough to try.

[Jen W]

Frankie and Zarreth are perfect together. In the first book, it was an insta-love situation. In this book, Zarreth really steps in as her partner to help her regulate her emotions. Frankie is learning more about who she is and her powers. She can become very overwhelmed which leads to some emotional outbursts. Zarreth is her calming presence.

Frankie gets to go into his realm and meet his and Ronin's family and friends. Of course, her being a half-demon proves to be an issue for some.

Dante is still out there stirring up trouble in the most hurtful way for Frankie.

I can't wait to see what the next book has in store for us. Each book ends with a juicy detail that you know will shape the next book.

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

[Jennifer Hines]

ARC reader for this series. Fantastic story telling and imagery. Writer makes you feel all of the emotions of the characters. I highly recommend reading this book! a definite must read that is for sure!!! I would give more than 5 stars if I could. Great series but a great writer who is an amazing human.

[Stefanie Verhelst]

In this 2nd book, you dive right into the story, that continues where the first book ended.

It’s clear that Frankie and Zarreth will have to face a big challenge and will have to make a very difficult decision.

A thrilling romantasy with a dark edge!

Beautifully written, I loved it from beginning to the end!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lyha Thompson]

I am hooked on this series! It is a must read! Powers words are just that, powerful. Can't wait to read what she comes up with next!

[Susanne]

Frankie's four months out from the events of book one, and she is not okay. She's grieving her brother, cutting to cope with feelings she can't let herself feel around anyone without risking hurting them, and quietly convinced her demon mate Zarreth deserves someone who isn't broken. He, meanwhile, is hiding something from her, and it's eating him alive too. The opening stretch is really a slow unraveling of both of them before the plot proper kicks in. I liked that it didn't rush past the grief to get somewhere more exciting.

From there it widens fast. There's a realm-hopping trip to Zarreth's home village in the Dark Realm, a trip to the Light Realm to find a cure for a friend who's dying, a Queen who wants Frankie to fix a fracturing portal between worlds, and the demon Dante, who is very much still a problem. Frankie's own nature, carrying both light and dark magic in a world that's terrified of what that combination has historically meant, is the throughline connecting all of it. Figuring out how to actually use both halves of herself instead of choking one down is the book's real engine.

That's a lot to cover. It shows a little in the pacing, and there's a point in the middle where I lost track of how many realms we'd visited in a stretch of maybe three days. But the emotional stuff underneath it stays steady even when the plot machinery gets busy, and that's what kept me turning pages.

Character Development
Frankie's the heart of this book, and her arc is the thing I'd point to first if someone asked what this story is really about. She's self-harming in the opening chapters, hiding it from everyone she loves, and the book doesn't treat that lightly or use it as a quick shorthand for "damaged heroine." It sits with her, shows the actual mechanics of how she hides it and why the urge keeps coming back, and slowly moves her toward a different way of coping that doesn't involve a blade. By the cave sequence near the end, where she literally has to face down a version of herself made of pure shadow, I believed she'd earned the moment where she tells that shadow-self "you're not wrong" instead of fighting it. That's a much better resolution than the easy version where she just decides to be happy now. She stops trying to be only the light half of herself and starts being both, and the book takes its time getting her there instead of skipping to the healed version.

Zarreth is possessive to a degree that's clearly meant to read as hot rather than alarming, and mostly it lands that way, though I'll admit there were a couple of moments (the training-grounds scene where he steps in front of her to stop a sparring match she wanted, or how hard it is for him to let her walk into the portal) where his overprotectiveness frustrated me as a reader before the book acknowledged it as a problem he has to work through. Credit where it's due: it does acknowledge it. Kara, one of the falkyrie warriors, calls him out on it directly, and he listens. His arc is smaller than Frankie's, but the moment where he lets her go into the portal without trying to stop her, after a whole book of not being able to do that, felt earned rather than just declared.

Jess is doing a lot of the book's comic relief and does it well, but she's not just there for jokes. Her insistence on running out of a protective shield to save a child during the battle, and the consequences that follow from it, give her a real stake in the plot instead of leaving her as the sidekick who gets kidnapped. Graven, Ronin's cousin, starts the book as a guy who openly says he hates humans and ends it bonded to Jess by necessity, and watching that forced closeness turn into something neither of them will admit out loud yet was fun to read. Their bickering never stopped feeling like actual chemistry instead of filler.

The falkyrie side characters, Kara and Rhea, get less space overall, but they're where the book landed its hardest emotional punch for me. Kara's funny and a little reckless and clearly in love with Rhea in a way neither of them makes a big deal about, and when the portal's corruption catches up with her during the road trip to stabilize it, what follows hit me harder than I expected going in. Whatever happens to her, the book gives it real weight afterward instead of shrugging it off for plot momentum.

And then there's Nate. Frankie's brother, who she believed was dead, turns up alive and changed by Dante into something that isn't quite him anymore, and every scene with him hurts in the way it's supposed to. He's not written as simply a monster or simply a victim. There's a scene where he gives Frankie something that might help her friend, clearly still fighting for some scrap of control even while serving the villain, and I spent the whole back half of the book unsure what to even hope for regarding him. That ambiguity is the strongest choice the book makes with a side character.

Dante himself works better as a presence than a fully drawn villain. He's charming and cruel in the right proportions for a book like this, but he's mostly kept at arm's length until the final confrontation, so he reads more like a looming threat than a character with real interiority. That's a fair trade-off for this kind of book, honestly. Not every villain needs to be a person; sometimes they just need to be a problem.

Themes
The light-and-dark duality is obviously the loudest theme here, but what I liked is that the book doesn't resolve it the obvious way. Frankie doesn't "win" by becoming more light and less dark. She wins by refusing to keep fighting herself, by accepting that the same magic that lets her heal people is tangled up with the same magic that let her torture a man to death in book one's aftermath, and that neither part cancels the other out. The metaphor for trauma and self-acceptance is not subtle, but it's sincere, and it threads through the self-harm plotline instead of sitting next to it as a separate storyline.

Consent and control come up constantly, mostly through the sex, but also through how the book handles power more broadly. Zarreth's instinct to protect Frankie by controlling her choices runs against the trust he has to learn to extend instead. There's a real, stated difference in the book between him taking control in the bedroom, where she's asking for it and can stop it with a word, and him trying to take control of her life outside it, where she can't. The book knows the difference even when Zarreth doesn't always act like he does, and that's true even in the spiciest scenes.

Family, the chosen kind more than the biological kind, runs under everything too. Frankie's actual mother is barely there. She's clearly the source of a lot of her damage. The family she's built instead, Jess, Zarreth's mother Anatha, even the falkyrie she barely knows, is what gets her through the book. Anatha's small gesture of baking a treat with Nate's initial carved into it, for a brother she never met, got me a little. That's a quiet, specific kindness in a book that's mostly loud.

Writing Style and Effectiveness
The dual first-person present-tense structure alternates cleanly between Frankie and Zarreth, and it's the book's strongest structural choice. You get the emotional interiority of whoever's scared or lying in a given scene, which matters a lot given how much of the plot in the first act runs on Zarreth hiding something from Frankie. It never feels like a gimmick. It earns its keep.

The prose gets shakier around repetition. Zarreth calls Frankie "little mate" or "Melita" so often it started to lose its weight by the midpoint, the same way a nickname stops meaning anything once it's used in every other line of dialogue. There's also a heavy reliance on info-dumping through Quenric, the librarian demon, whose scenes are charming in small doses but occasionally stop the plot cold to explain lore that could've been folded in more naturally elsewhere. He reminded me a little of the bumbling-scholar type you get a lot in urban fantasy, the one who can't read a room, except this one earns more laughs than most because the narration lets Frankie be openly irritated by him instead of charmed on cue. I liked him as a character (the running bit where he goes invisible mid-conversation because he "didn't want to intrude" made me laugh out loud), but his exposition dumps are doing double duty as both comic relief and worldbuilding delivery, and the worldbuilding half suffers for it.

The trauma writing, though, is done well. The scene where Frankie cuts herself in her dead brother's room isn't sensationalized, isn't lingered on for shock, and reads like someone who understands the compulsive logic of self-harm instead of someone writing it from the outside. That's harder to pull off than the spice scenes, honestly, and it's the section of the book I'd point to as proof this author can write restraint when the material calls for it.

The spice itself is frequent, explicit, and leans into a dom/sub dynamic that's consistent with everything the book has already told you about these two: possessive demon, mate who needs to feel safe enough to let go. It's well-integrated with the plot rather than sitting apart from it; more than one scene doubles as emotional processing, which is a genre trick that's easy to botch and doesn't get botched here.

Conclusion
This book knows what it's good at. It leans into it. The self-harm recovery arc and the light/dark duality metaphor built around it are the real spine of the story, and they're handled with more care than I expected going in. The realm-hopping plot around them is fun but a little overstuffed, and the exposition delivery could use a trim. A lot of dark romantasy defaults to trauma as decoration, something the heroine has so she can be tragic and hot. This one does something with it, and that's the difference between a book that uses its themes and one that just name-drops them.

I came away more invested in what happens to Nate and Kara than in the central romance's HEA, if I'm honest, which says something about where the book's real strengths are. Frankie and Zarreth get their happy ending and it's satisfying, but it's the messier, sadder threads around them that stuck with me longer.

Evaluation
Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Writing Style: ★★★☆☆ (3/5):
Characters: ★★★★☆ (4/5):
World-Building: ★★★☆☆ (3/5):
Spice Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5):

Trigger warnings: torture, graphic violence, death, self-harm, grief, depression, intense fear related to the loss of loved ones (including children), and the funeral of a child (death occurs off-page, brief scene).

Recommended for readers already invested in dark romantasy with a genuine trauma-recovery arc underneath the magic system, who don't mind frequent, explicit, dom/sub-leaning spice and don't need a villain who's more than a looming threat. This is not a jumping-on point, go read book one first, since this picks up directly from it and leans on you already knowing who everyone is. If you want your romantasy villain to have as much interiority as your heroine, or you're looking for a tightly paced single-realm plot, this one will probably frustrate you more than it satisfies.

[Sharayah Nicholson]

First I’d like to thank A.A. Powers for letting me continue to be an ARC reader for the devious bonds series. If you enjoy fantasy, spice, sci-fi, and have a sense of humor as well then this is the series for you. I really enjoyed continuing the story of Zarreth and Frankie and love the friendship Frankie and Jess have. We went on a whole adventure again and I can’t wait to see where the story continues next time.

[Megan Witsche]

Tropes: 🖤 Dark Romantasy
🔥 Fated Mates
😈 Half-Demon FMC
⚔️ Demon Warrior MMC
💞 Established Fated-Mate Bond
✨ Light vs. Dark Magic
🩸 Unpredictable / Emotion-Driven Magic
🐺 Embracing Your Dark Side
🌍 Saving the Realms
⚔️ High-Stakes Quest
🔮 Forbidden Power
😈 Power-Hungry Villain
💥 Magic That Can Save or Destroy the World
🖤 Inner Darkness and Self-Acceptance

Review No Spoilers: second book in the Devious Bonds series, delivering another dark, high stakes fantasy romance filled with dangerous magic, fated bonds, and realms on the brink of destruction.

We’re back with Frankie Hart, a half-demon heroine struggling to understand her newly awakened, unpredictable magic. Her powers are deeply connected to her emotions, and the more she tries to suppress her darker side, the more difficult it becomes to access her light magic. Watching Frankie navigate her inner turmoil and learn to embrace every part of herself adds a compelling layer of character growth to the story.

Thankfully, her fated mate, Zarreth, is there to guide her. As a powerful demon warrior, he helps Frankie understand that true strength comes from accepting who she is rather than fighting against her own nature. Their bond is at the heart of the story as they face new dangers together.

But just when Zarreth returns to the home and horde he sacrificed so much to protect, a new threat emerges. Dante is harnessing forbidden power, throwing the magical realms into chaos and threatening to tear apart everything they know. Frankie and Zarreth must venture into the light realm to stop the destruction before it’s too late.

With Frankie’s volatile magic holding the potential to either heal the fractured realms or destroy them completely, the stakes have never been higher!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Aida Rivero]

A Devious Awakening
By A. A. Powers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes
* Fated Mates
* Enemies to Lovers
* He Falls First
* Hidden Power/Prophecy
* Found Family
* "Who Did This To You?"
* Dark Magic & Corruption
A. A. Powers has delivered a breathtaking conclusion to the Devious Bonds duet that far exceeded my expectations. A Devious Awakening takes everything that worked in the first book—the witty banter, the intense chemistry, and the high-stakes world-building—and dials it up to eleven. Watching Frankie grapple with her unpredictable new magic while Zarreth battles his own loyalties back in the Dark Realm kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page.
The emotional growth in this sequel is profound. Frankie’s journey from suppressing her darkness to finally embracing her power is handled with such raw, visceral honesty. Her relationship with Zarreth remains the soul of the story; their "fated mates" bond is tested in ways that feel both earned and heart-wrenching. The transition into the Light Realm added a beautiful but dangerous new dimension to the setting, making the risks of their sacrifice feel even more tangible.
If you love dark romantasy with a perfect balance of "spice" and substance, this is a must-read. Powers masterfully ties together the prophecy, the personal stakes, and the romance into a finale that is as satisfying as it is emotional. Just be sure to check the content warnings, as the author doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of this supernatural world.

10/10 Would recommend this book to all family and friends.

[Natasha M]

5Stars!

Let me start this review by saying that AA depicted grief so beautifully in the beginning of this book.
This book took longer to read than it should have, because my life took an unexpected turn. I suffered multiple close losses to me, and reading this book. I got 2-3 pages at a time and would have to stop and have a good cry.
Because, to capture love and grief so elegantly is often times hard, but she has done it.

I adore the couples in this story, and I am so proud to know AA.
I received this as an ARC, and AA also reached out to me to personally send me the physical copy of this book when she realized that I had suffered loss and was experiencing a hard time. You cannot compete with friends within this community.

Frankie and Zarreth are incomparable love. Their love transcends time and space; yet it holds no faults and is ever patient.
This story picks up immediately where book one ended, and I am so delighted to see their *HeA*.
I feel like they will still be in future books to see how the rest of their stories play out, but it makes sense to pass the torch to Jess for the next FMC.

The banter in this book is amazing.
I love the side characters just as much as the main characters.
The other realms are very ingenious. (I do wish there would be a tizzle- just a TIZZLE more description on the main differences between what the realms look like).
I love the relationships and character development within the relational aspects.
I sincerely hope someone knocks Sable on her ass.

Well done, this is a fun read and it’s really amazing.

[Hayley]

I would like to request my heart back! Please!
Crying was not a part of the deal... even if it was 🥺 It is so freaking good!!

Frankie and Zarreth deserve all the good in the world, as do the others! I mean, obviously, minus jerkie Dante, no good for him 😒 He sucks.
The intimacy and love between Frankie and Zarreth is intense, and the longing and need that they feel for each other is so amazing and so freaking addictive - I would like this, please! (maybe a little less overprotectivness, cause the real world isn't as bad 🤣).
The love, loyalty, and friendship that is so strong and built so amazingly between each and every character is aspiring, creating so much support and the fear of losing that. It is scary! They are family, not just friends. The more the merrier, right? Also, I have to love a bit of drama, keeping it interesting. Keep the characters all on their toes around each other and others 🤣 even if it causes all the trouble for them along the way.

The rollercoaster that I went through during this story is crazy. So much is happening, and yet, there is breathing space to enjoy each moment, every interaction, and got to become so immersed and drawn into it that I become a part of it.
The emotions that I felt reading this was like a damn pendulum, and I didn't know how I should be feeling from one moment to the next. Kept me on my toes while lulling me into security and plotting the next move to boot me to the curb and find my new way back 😆

Thank you for letting me be a part of this ARC read 🥰

[Danette Badger]

A Devious Awakening is everything you hope a second book in a series will be—and more. Where A Devious Descent pulled me in with its dark intrigue and unforgettable characters, this installment tightens the tension, deepens the emotional stakes, and proves that A. A. Powers is only getting stronger as a storyteller.

From the very first page, the atmosphere is charged. The plot is layered, intentional, and relentlessly gripping, with twists that feel earned rather than forced.

The characters evolve in ways that feel raw, human, and sometimes painfully honest. Their struggles, growth, and inner conflicts linger long after you close the book, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested.

The pacing is excellent—fast enough to keep you turning pages late into the night, yet balanced with moments that allow the story to breathe and the emotions to land. The world expands naturally, adding depth without overwhelming the reader, and the stakes feel higher at every turn.

As an ARC reader, I can confidently say that A Devious Awakening solidifies this series. It’s dark, compelling, emotionally charged, and expertly crafted. If you loved A Devious Descent, this book will exceed your expectations—and if you’re new to the series, start at the beginning and prepare to be hooked.

I cannot wait to see where A. A. Powers takes us next!

[Fae&Lattes (Chelle)]

A Devious Awakening is the second installment in The Devious Bonds series, and it raises the stakes in both scale and intensity. The politics deepen, the realms widen, and the danger feels more immediate. The transition into the demon realm and later the Light Realm added layers to the overarching conflict, and the power struggles unfolding behind the scenes were compelling. Frankie continues to grow into her power, and I appreciated seeing her face increasingly complex decisions with consequences that stretch far beyond herself. Zarreth remains a strong presence and the dynamic between him and Frankie is intense and highly physical, and readers who enjoy lots of spice will not be disappointed. The chemistry is undeniable, and the possessive, morally gray energy is consistent with the tone established in book one. For me personally, I would have enjoyed a bit more emotional slow burn between Frankie and Zarreth. While it wasn’t instant love, the progression felt somewhat accelerated, and I found myself wanting more tension building moments and deeper emotional development to balance the physical intensity. That said, readers who enjoy dark fantasy romance with strong spice, fast pacing, and escalating stakes will likely find this installment satisfying. The tone remains dark, the action moves quickly, and the series continues to build toward something larger.

[Mandy Britt]

Dark, Divine, and Utterly Addictive.
A. A. Powers delivers a breathtaking conclusion to the Devious Bonds duet with A Devious Awakening, a sequel that amplifies the witty banter and intense chemistry of the first book. Picking up immediately where the cliffhanger left off, the story dials up the tension as Zarreth battles his loyalties to the Dark Realm while Frankie grapples with her unpredictable new magic. I was particularly impressed by Frankie’s profound emotional growth; her journey from suppressing her darkness to finally embracing her power is handled with raw, visceral honesty.
​The "fated mates" bond remains the soul of the story, tested in ways that feel both heart-wrenching and earned. By shifting the setting away from the human realm and into the Light Realm, Powers offers deeper world-building and higher stakes that kept me on the edge of my seat. With the addition of fantastic new side characters and a perfect balance of spice and substance, this is a satisfying, high-stakes finale that I finished in a single day. It is a must-read for any fan of dark romantasy, though I recommend checking the content warnings as the author doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of this supernatural world.

[Brooke]

As an ARC reader I am posting this honestly and of my own free will! I want to first say thank you A.A. Powers for allowing me to be an ARC reader for you.
5 Star Read!!
This is everything that you would want from a sequel, the first book A Devious Decent had me hooked from the beginning and I didn't think that it could get better but it did with A Devious Awakening.
This book had so much banter, and world building and character development that we really did need to see. I love the way the author describes the world around you because it is almost like you are really in there. This book follows Frankie and Zarreth navigating the world after where the last one left off. This book does have some trigger warnings and is very spicy so make sure you read the trigger warnings before diving in. I don't want to give too much away in my review. But I can honestly say I adore how Zarreth helps Frankie control her emotions and learn to regulate her magic to become the person she wants to be, even if she doesn't really like to give that control up. I enjoyed the fact this book was more out of the mortal realm and more into the demon and the light realm. It helped give a whole new perspective. I am excited to see where this series goes and I will always love Zarreth and Frankie <3

[Haylee Alexsis]

As an ARC reader I am posting this honestly and of my own free will! ❤️🥰
I don’t really know how to write reviews without fully spoiling the books…. I try my best but I’m never good at it. Here is my review as honest as I can make it!
Ahhhhhh!!!!!!
Zarreth and Frankie go together like clockwork, I love itttt!!!!
The first book was passionate love, and instantaneous! As her mate in this novel, Zarreth actually helps her CONTROL her emotions. Zarreths patients with Frankie this book makes my heart skip some beats! Frankie's knowledge of her identity and abilities is definitely growing, and quite shocking (not really though, kind of saw it coming) (hehe). She often experiences intense overwhelming feelings which usually results in emotional outbursts, but Zarreth is always there to soothe her and bring her back! 🥰 Frankie has the opportunity to enter his domain and interact with Ronin's and his family. Naturally, some people find her being a semi-demon problematic. Dante always seems to be a problem 🙄 in Frankie's life in the most irritating ways possible, but all the same I'm eager to find out what the upcoming storyline will contain!!!

[Angela Zambito]

Thanks for the arc and a chance to read the second instalment early!
Frankie and Zarreth continue their journey to help the realms and the portals that have been breaking down and causing havoc, as well as continuing their love story and working through Frankie's understanding of her magic and healing her trauma from the previous book. We also get to see more of Jess and some other characters and meet some new ones!
Honestly some of the sex scenes were a bit bdsm for me but it got better and more understanding through the book. I loved seeing a new realm through Frankie’s eyes and I do think the author has gained more confidence and skill with this book. It still felt a bit fast paced but not as rushed as the first. The ending leaves some unanswered questions for some characters but the author has alluded to further books within the 'world' but separate to Frankie and Zarreth which is really cool, similar to Melissa Roehrich's series around her Chaosverse. I really enjoyed being a part of Frankie’s growth and coming to terms with her two powers. I loved the new characters and think the story blended well. Thanks again!

[nightlyreadingheather]

If you have read A Devious Descent, then you will definitely understand the need for this book! Please read the first one before diving into this one, or you will be lost.

Upon entering this one, I was so nervous for Frankie and did not know what to expect. She has a lot of ups and downs; I laughed and cried a few times while reading. She finds out more about who she is and how to harness her power.

I loved Zareth so much more in this book than in the first. He wanted so badly to protect Frankie, but had to put his feelings aside and let her work it out on her own, which we know had to be very difficult for him. We get to see Zareth's homeland and meet his Mom! I loved getting to see a different side of him.

Frankie has a little jealousy streak going on in this book and I really enjoyed how bad a$$ she becomes to prove that Zareth is her man.

My favorite character is and always will be Frankie's BFF, Jess. Jess is humorous and I love the sisterly bond the two have. (I need a book with Jess as the FMC!)

I believe that Frankie and Zareth's story is over and I am intrigued to see whose story is up next!

[Sarah Callison]

This book was absolutely amazing. A. A. Powers has delivered an amazing book to finish the Devious Bonds Duet. Although the full story will continue with more books this and A Devious Descent include Frankie and Zarreth.

Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
He falls first
Hidden power/prophecy
Found family

This amazing second book to the Duet includes all the witty banter and intense chemistry between the two mates and increased it. all the things we fell in love with in book 1 is magnified in this book.

There is alot of emotional growth with Frankie and her journey. Frankie and Zarreth's relationship as "fated mates" is the main focus of the plot with everything going on around them. While Frankie has the struggles of understanding her powers Zarreth has to figure out his loyalties to the dark realm. The whole story keeps you on edge from the moment you start reading.

This is an amazing dark romantasy that has the perfect amount of spice in the story. There is significant character and world building. I absolutely recommend this series!

[Nicole Pierce]

Wow! I absolutely fell in love with A Devious Descent but A Devious Awakening really just took my heart. Book 2 has such amazing world and Character building. Its not Just Frankie and Zarreth you fall in love with but every character is brought to life and you cannot help but completely fall in love with them. The well written side of Mental health had a perfect balance. I laughed I cried I gasped. In a world filled with Dark Frankie must reach for the light. A.A. Powers really did an amazing job keeping us readers locked in. She was able to build a world and bring Characters to life that you the reader can grab onto and love!
The Spice is Spicy and well placed. The humor fit perfectly into each situation. The emotional pull will tug at your heart and dont be surprised if you find your eyes wet! 10 out of 10 recommend picking up this book. But grab Book 1 sit down read it and then buckle up because Book 2 will absolutely blow your mind!

[Morgie]

This book was full of action just like the first and I could not put it down!! I finished it in one day!! Immediately picked this one up after book 1 and I liked this one even more. It picked up immediately where book 1 left off. I loved all of the new side characters that came into the story and was so happy to see more of Jess because I love her character. I also enjoyed that this book spent less time set in the human realm allowing for more worldbuilding and a look into the other realms. Frankie showed so much growth throughout the story and it was interesting to experience this journey with her. Plus more of Frankie and Zarreth!! Always a yes in my book! This book definitely delivers on the spice. Be sure to check trigger warnings. Another great read for dark fantasy and dark romance readers!

[Lauren Head]

From the very first page to the last, this book had me completely hooked. Watching Frankie grow from the unsure girl she was in book one into the strong, fully realized woman she becomes by the end of book two was breathtaking, while Zarreth’s quieter, more subtle development still revealed itself beautifully through the depth of his character. The expansion into the other realms elevated the story even further, with world-building so intentional and immersive it felt like a tantalizing promise of what’s to come. Between the gripping plot, flawless pacing, perfectly timed spice, unforgettable side and main characters, and prose so captivating it kept me up far too late, I can honestly say I loved every second. While I’m excited to see where the story goes next, I’m also deeply sad to say goodbye to Frankie and Zarreth as our main characters, because they were truly unforgettable.

[Deborah Richards]

A Devious Awakening is the second book in a series!
This is a book about self control, discovering one’s self, prophecies and friendship, and fated mates!
FMC is Frankie Hart. Half Demon. She has the power of both light and dark! She needs to learn how to control both, because her blood is tied to a prophecy!

MMC is Zarreth who is a demon from the dark realm. He was supposed to un-alive Frankie to stop the prophecy, but the are fated mates.
Dante also a demon, is trying to take Frankie’s power by using power from something hat was never meant to be used!
If you like spice, fated mates, found family, demons, friendship and lots of witty banter, then this book is for you.
Please check trigger warnings!

@aapowers.author

[Lindsey]

A. A. Powers has delivered an incredible conclusion to the Devious Bonds Duet.
This book was absolutely amazing, with lots of spice, great banter, intense chemistry, and emotional depth.
Frankie and Zarreth's relationship takes center stage, and their struggles with loyalty, power, and love will keep you on edge. Working to save the realms and saving their friends/ family in the process. The world-building is phenomenal, and the character development is impressive. If you're looking for a dark romance fantasy with the perfect amount of spice, look no further.
I think I even enjoyed this more than the first book. Although both are 5 stars! It was a fast paced read and I couldn’t put it down!
I’m hoping Jess and Graven are the next ones to get a book!

[Faith]

A Devious Awakening delivers a dark, emotional start with strong fated-mates energy and an intense, moody atmosphere. The connection between the characters feels inevitable and consuming, pulling you into their dynamic quickly.

The story leans toward a slow burn, focusing heavily on emotion and relationship development rather than fast-paced action. While the plot moves steadily, some moments are more about tension and buildup than payoff—but that works well for readers who enjoy vibes and depth.

Overall, this is a strong start that sets the tone for what’s to come. A great pick for fans of dark romance, fate-driven bonds, and morally gray undertones.

[Jessica]

I received this book as an advanced ARC copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was FANTASTIC!! Devious Awakening is about fated-mates Frankie and Zarreth whose connection keeps you wanting more. Zarreth’s patience with helping Frankie through some difficult emotions and figuring out who she really is, not only strengthens their bond, it builds their trust. The story builds up revealing some surprising information leaving you asking questions and wanting more. I highly recommend reading books 1 &2 . I really can’t wait to see how the author further develops the story. I give it 5⭐️.

[Dawna Shaw]

This is an ARC review. I love the twists and turns in this dark fantasy series and how you continue to follow Zarreth and Frankie. I love how even though this series continues on, it doesn't really leave a cliffhanger at the end of the books. It's only when you read the epilogues that you know there is an opening for the next installment and I can't wait until she writes and comes out with the third book. Her description of the lands they travel to is fantastic. This book is spicy and does have trigger warnings just like the first so make sure you can handle it before you dive deeper into this thrilling dark romance series.

[Mary]

"A Devious Awakening" is book two of the Devious Duet by the amazing A.A. Powers. This a paranormal dark romantasy that picks up right where book one in the series, "A Devious Descent," left off. Frankie and Zarreth are fated mates who are bound by magic, loyalty, and an all‑consuming love. They are propelled into a journey that tests their bond as well as the fate of every realm.

Powers masterfully ties together the prophecy, the personal stakes, and the romance into a finale that is as satisfying as it is emotional. 

If you love a dark romantasy story that is the combination of perfect balance of spice and substance, this is definitely a must-read.