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A Devil to Die for #2
The Devil's Mercy: A Dark MM Captive Horror Sci-Fi Romance
Calix Valimir doesn’t know what’s going on anymore.
He thought he understood this dark attraction between him and the doctor, but it turns out he didn’t understand a thing. Not only is Aodhan not who he thought he was, with every torturous touch and forced embrace, Cal is starting to realize he might not have known himself very well either.
Aodhan Solace is done playing nice.
He hates that game anyway. There’s a different one he’d much rather be playing, and once he’s enticed the detective enough to ensnare him, he wastes no more time on pretend. Aodhan has a devilish nature and all of the appetites that come along with it, but he’s certain Calix can handle all that he and Mercy. Even if the detective believes otherwise.
Titus Mercer controls the board.
He always has, always will. His brief past with Calix set him on a path of yearning that first led him to Aodhan before circling back to the one who started it all. As a Connect, a being that must collect life partners and complete a pod before their hundredth birthday, Titus is rather single-minded when it comes to getting what he wants.
And what he wants is Aodhan and Calix.
Forever.
No matter what it takes or how depraved he has to become to have them.
Trigger This is a Dark MMM Sci-Fi Horror Romance, which means there are many themes that some might find disturbing. Some of these include, but are not limited to, dub-con, violence, kidnapping, and explicit sexual content not suitable for all readers. Please be sure to read the Author's Note for a complete list of warnings! HEA guarantee! This is also book two of a trilogy, not a standalone.
He thought he understood this dark attraction between him and the doctor, but it turns out he didn’t understand a thing. Not only is Aodhan not who he thought he was, with every torturous touch and forced embrace, Cal is starting to realize he might not have known himself very well either.
Aodhan Solace is done playing nice.
He hates that game anyway. There’s a different one he’d much rather be playing, and once he’s enticed the detective enough to ensnare him, he wastes no more time on pretend. Aodhan has a devilish nature and all of the appetites that come along with it, but he’s certain Calix can handle all that he and Mercy. Even if the detective believes otherwise.
Titus Mercer controls the board.
He always has, always will. His brief past with Calix set him on a path of yearning that first led him to Aodhan before circling back to the one who started it all. As a Connect, a being that must collect life partners and complete a pod before their hundredth birthday, Titus is rather single-minded when it comes to getting what he wants.
And what he wants is Aodhan and Calix.
Forever.
No matter what it takes or how depraved he has to become to have them.
Trigger This is a Dark MMM Sci-Fi Horror Romance, which means there are many themes that some might find disturbing. Some of these include, but are not limited to, dub-con, violence, kidnapping, and explicit sexual content not suitable for all readers. Please be sure to read the Author's Note for a complete list of warnings! HEA guarantee! This is also book two of a trilogy, not a standalone.
269 pages, Paperback
Published June 25, 2025
72 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Chani Lynn Feener
67 books1,501 followersLibrarians, please don't add books. I stay up to date and add them myself and have ended up with many multiple copies because others add them later. Thank you!
Chani majored in Creative Writing at Johnson State College in Vermont. To pay her bills, she has worked many odd jobs, including, but not limited to, telemarketing, order picking in a warehouse, and filling ink cartridges. When she isn’t writing, she’s binging TV shows, drawing, or frequenting zoos/aquariums. She is the author of the Xenith trilogy, and the teen paranormal series, The Underworld Saga, originally written under the penname Tempest C. Avery. She currently resides in Connecticut.
Have a question? Check her blog! https://chanilynnfeener.wixsite.com/a...
Find her on Instagram @TempestChani
Chani majored in Creative Writing at Johnson State College in Vermont. To pay her bills, she has worked many odd jobs, including, but not limited to, telemarketing, order picking in a warehouse, and filling ink cartridges. When she isn’t writing, she’s binging TV shows, drawing, or frequenting zoos/aquariums. She is the author of the Xenith trilogy, and the teen paranormal series, The Underworld Saga, originally written under the penname Tempest C. Avery. She currently resides in Connecticut.
Have a question? Check her blog! https://chanilynnfeener.wixsite.com/a...
Find her on Instagram @TempestChani
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 3, 2025
This was absolutely as insane as I was expecting it to be, but sometimes I really do wish that the reader got clued into some of the twists and turns! Some events happen and the explanations given left me feeling like I'd missed something because it felt like we were supposed to figure all of this out too but didn't have all the facts!
It was definitely much slower compared to book one - they don't really leave Mercy and Aodhan's lair until very near the end of the book - and it's a lot of set up for book three, as well as dealing with some things that occured in book one. The usual second book in a trilogy really!
I still like Aodhan the most, Mercy is growing on me, and Calix confuses me! The cameo from Zane was fun though, and I always like when we get to learn more about customs and history on all of these different planets. Gael also popped up! I've never read his book because it doesn't sound like my cup of tea, but it was fun to see him again briefly.
I am very intrigued as to what's going to happen in book three though...
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HRCYED2: By The 100s
It was definitely much slower compared to book one - they don't really leave Mercy and Aodhan's lair until very near the end of the book - and it's a lot of set up for book three, as well as dealing with some things that occured in book one. The usual second book in a trilogy really!
I still like Aodhan the most, Mercy is growing on me, and Calix confuses me! The cameo from Zane was fun though, and I always like when we get to learn more about customs and history on all of these different planets. Gael also popped up! I've never read his book because it doesn't sound like my cup of tea, but it was fun to see him again briefly.
I am very intrigued as to what's going to happen in book three though...
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HRCYED2: By The 100s
June 23, 2025
*LOUD SCREAMING* Okay, y’all know I love Chani Lynn Feener’s books with feral intensity and this one was an absolute banger! This is the second book in the ‘A Devil to Die For’ series (read The Devil’s Embrace first) and focusses on the relationship-building between Calix, Aodhan and Mercy.
Having left his IPF detective post, and desperate for a new start, Calix Valimir just wanted one last chance to say goodbye to his lover, Aodhan. But Aodhan has other ideas… along with his partner Mercy, he captures Calix, determined to force the man’s hand. Mercy is a Connect - a powerful race who need two mates in order to harness their power - and Aodhan knows that Calix would make their perfect Third.
But Calix is fighting them at every step, as well as still harbouring plenty of secrets of his own… Can Aodhan and Mercy convince Cal to give himself to them? Or will the games Cal continues to play keep him at arms-length from them forever?
Friends, as always, this book is a DARK romance, so please check the trigger warnings! I absolutely loved Cal, who is the absolute epitome of a ‘black cat’ personality; snappy, mean and refusing to let anyone love him. Mercy and Aodhan are monstrous, determined to bend Cal until he breaks and submits to them. I always love the different sci-fi races that Chani writes and I’m absolutely fascinated by Connects - I’m excited to learn more about the three-way mating bond in the next book!
Read The Devil’s Mercy for:
✨ Dark MMM sci-fi romance
✨ Second in the series
✨ Kidnapping, non-con, dub-con
✨ Primal play, pain play
✨ Doctor x Hospital director x ex-detective
✨ ‘We’ll MAKE you love us’
✨ Secret underground parties
✨ Letting a room of people die…
✨ … but saving the cat 🐈⬛💕
Huge massive thank you to Chani for sending me an early copy to proofread 💕 It’s available on 30th June 2025 ✨
Having left his IPF detective post, and desperate for a new start, Calix Valimir just wanted one last chance to say goodbye to his lover, Aodhan. But Aodhan has other ideas… along with his partner Mercy, he captures Calix, determined to force the man’s hand. Mercy is a Connect - a powerful race who need two mates in order to harness their power - and Aodhan knows that Calix would make their perfect Third.
But Calix is fighting them at every step, as well as still harbouring plenty of secrets of his own… Can Aodhan and Mercy convince Cal to give himself to them? Or will the games Cal continues to play keep him at arms-length from them forever?
Friends, as always, this book is a DARK romance, so please check the trigger warnings! I absolutely loved Cal, who is the absolute epitome of a ‘black cat’ personality; snappy, mean and refusing to let anyone love him. Mercy and Aodhan are monstrous, determined to bend Cal until he breaks and submits to them. I always love the different sci-fi races that Chani writes and I’m absolutely fascinated by Connects - I’m excited to learn more about the three-way mating bond in the next book!
Read The Devil’s Mercy for:
✨ Dark MMM sci-fi romance
✨ Second in the series
✨ Kidnapping, non-con, dub-con
✨ Primal play, pain play
✨ Doctor x Hospital director x ex-detective
✨ ‘We’ll MAKE you love us’
✨ Secret underground parties
✨ Letting a room of people die…
✨ … but saving the cat 🐈⬛💕
Huge massive thank you to Chani for sending me an early copy to proofread 💕 It’s available on 30th June 2025 ✨
July 1, 2025
Ms. Feener… you REALLY caught me by surprise with that ending. I’m talking about grinning ear to ear.
Was Mercy really the one in charge? Emphasis on really. I’m all for the manipulation and mastermind plans. This was such a great read and I’m actually hoping it gets even crazier next book. 5 stars fs.
This was also my first time reading a book by this author and honestly, great introduction.
Was Mercy really the one in charge? Emphasis on really. I’m all for the manipulation and mastermind plans. This was such a great read and I’m actually hoping it gets even crazier next book. 5 stars fs.
This was also my first time reading a book by this author and honestly, great introduction.
June 30, 2025
So dark ❤️
I love that Chani Lynn Feener's books always have twists that I don't see coming. This story is dark and gory, but it makes me happy.
I love the name Calix. Titus and Aodhan are sexy, possessive, and scary. Calix is so stubborn and so smart. I love how all of their darkness draws them together. It's awesome that they have a psychic link. Connects are intriguing. The part where Mercy has to help Aodhan realize what he's feeling is pride for their third. That was cute. The Sylar is the coolest little creature. I want one!
Oooh, we're getting answers to the mysteries!!
I received an ARC of The Devil's Mercy for free and I'm leaving this review voluntarily. I love this book and I can't wait to find out what happens next!
I love that Chani Lynn Feener's books always have twists that I don't see coming. This story is dark and gory, but it makes me happy.
I love the name Calix. Titus and Aodhan are sexy, possessive, and scary. Calix is so stubborn and so smart. I love how all of their darkness draws them together. It's awesome that they have a psychic link. Connects are intriguing. The part where Mercy has to help Aodhan realize what he's feeling is pride for their third. That was cute. The Sylar is the coolest little creature. I want one!
Oooh, we're getting answers to the mysteries!!
I received an ARC of The Devil's Mercy for free and I'm leaving this review voluntarily. I love this book and I can't wait to find out what happens next!
September 4, 2025
I just couldn't put it down, it was sooo good, but please read the trigger warnings before diving into it.
July 1, 2025
I read this in under 6 hours jesus christ give me book 3 now I will sell my soul
July 2, 2025
"All he'd ever wanted was for someone to look at him without disgust. To accept him for who he truly was."
This novel was sexy, entertaining, intriguing, intense, dark and addicting!
In the past month I have completely devoured all of Chani Lynn Feener's works. I really enjoy the way she creates characters and crafts a story. Since this is dark romance, the reader has to have a lot of the characters actions explained so that it makes sense and Feener is very good at doing that. I also enjoyed the dark things within this book. The theme of accepting your self no matter what, really stuck with me.
This novel was sexy, entertaining, intriguing, intense, dark and addicting!
In the past month I have completely devoured all of Chani Lynn Feener's works. I really enjoy the way she creates characters and crafts a story. Since this is dark romance, the reader has to have a lot of the characters actions explained so that it makes sense and Feener is very good at doing that. I also enjoyed the dark things within this book. The theme of accepting your self no matter what, really stuck with me.
July 3, 2025
July 2025
Kindle edition
Slow going for the most part with Cal spending most of his time sitting on an anal hook unless provoking his kidnappers. The ending swerved so need a re-read for that. Nice to see Gael again. The pet was cute. Aodhan was more desperate this time around. I'm looking forward to see how this one ends.
Kindle edition
Slow going for the most part with Cal spending most of his time sitting on an anal hook unless provoking his kidnappers. The ending swerved so need a re-read for that. Nice to see Gael again. The pet was cute. Aodhan was more desperate this time around. I'm looking forward to see how this one ends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2025
3.5 🌟
This took a while to get into and tbh I didn’t remember the first book well enough to jump right in to the continuation of the story. The pacing here seemed slooooww and sometimes I lost the plot but the ending was intriguing and I’ll definitely pick up the third book. I like how Chani does the “who’s really playing who?” thing with the twists and turns and scheming characters.
This took a while to get into and tbh I didn’t remember the first book well enough to jump right in to the continuation of the story. The pacing here seemed slooooww and sometimes I lost the plot but the ending was intriguing and I’ll definitely pick up the third book. I like how Chani does the “who’s really playing who?” thing with the twists and turns and scheming characters.
June 30, 2025
Calix wakes up a prisoner after finding out all is not what it seemed, he had been intimate with his attackers and Titus and Aodhan had been working together. They kidnap him and molest, starve and bind him for weeks while trying to make him admit he wants it. This is a dark and manipulative book and it is unfathomable to me who could want this treatment, yet Cal does. It's another world, in my naiveness, I cannot imagine wanting, populated with nefarious characters and little moralistic code, just Stockholm Syndrome to make Cal accept his own desires. Yet you cannot resist reading this and wanting Cal to find happiness. It's a difficult reality and mind adjustment to make willingly - but you do, it's that good a book. Fascinating! Absorbing! Addicting!
July 3, 2025
lol read it for your sanity
The plot twist is so funny because the author legit warns you that NONE of them are sane but compliment each other. I love this so much. And the growth in this book too. We really get to see how Cal is the “little monster” described in his nickname. This was such a mood to read. I have cackling the whole time.
The plot twist is so funny because the author legit warns you that NONE of them are sane but compliment each other. I love this so much. And the growth in this book too. We really get to see how Cal is the “little monster” described in his nickname. This was such a mood to read. I have cackling the whole time.
July 3, 2025
“Good Light. May the gods have mercy on that poor girl's soul,” !!!!!!! que ya salga el siguiente 🙏🏻
July 3, 2025
the ending didn’t work for me like everyone else 🙄
July 1, 2025
Loved it 😍 can't wait until the next book!
June 30, 2025
5/5⭐️
Give. Me. More.
Give. Me. More.
July 2, 2025
💭⚡: If the world was full of monsters how would you fall in love? Feener always answers this question with such complexity and sometimes bittersweetness. The very final twist was a bit premature, I don't recall enough breadcrumbs from the first book to wrap my head around Calix having that much foresight.
🔖: Learning the full context of Calix's exile was sad but the revenge was satisfying. It was made all the sweeter when he recognized the revenge as a betrothal gift.
His two devils come to slay his very own Mother Gothel. A parent that has crippled their child with fear and self-loathing.
📌: I enjoyed the distinction made between the cruelty of his lovers and society at large. Although Calix's consent is largely ignored and his seduction essentially torture the end goal for Mercy and Aodhan is to restore his personhood although with limits. But their limits are less devastating for someone like Calix than the life of a pariah he was forced into. Normal society members, like Nero Quinten and his classmates even Sister Grace to an extent-given her facade-chewed him up and spit him out. Aftercare not included so he resorted to seeking pain and love in all the 'wrong' places.
A pair of serial killers will be the ones to rectify Calix's losses and love him atypically. As long as Calix learns to accept the collar they have waiting for him. What a lovely paradox.
🧚: Gael initiating another non-believer was so funny. Serving a dose of the same medicine he got in Devil in the Details. Also, I sense a book may be coming for those interesting side characters Nyxian and Harbor (🧜).
🔖: Learning the full context of Calix's exile was sad but the revenge was satisfying. It was made all the sweeter when he recognized the revenge as a betrothal gift.
His two devils come to slay his very own Mother Gothel. A parent that has crippled their child with fear and self-loathing.
📌: I enjoyed the distinction made between the cruelty of his lovers and society at large. Although Calix's consent is largely ignored and his seduction essentially torture the end goal for Mercy and Aodhan is to restore his personhood although with limits. But their limits are less devastating for someone like Calix than the life of a pariah he was forced into. Normal society members, like Nero Quinten and his classmates even Sister Grace to an extent-given her facade-chewed him up and spit him out. Aftercare not included so he resorted to seeking pain and love in all the 'wrong' places.
A pair of serial killers will be the ones to rectify Calix's losses and love him atypically. As long as Calix learns to accept the collar they have waiting for him. What a lovely paradox.
🧚: Gael initiating another non-believer was so funny. Serving a dose of the same medicine he got in Devil in the Details. Also, I sense a book may be coming for those interesting side characters Nyxian and Harbor (🧜).
July 10, 2025
If I could give this 6 stars, I would.
Now, given how the last book ended, it's safe to say that I haven't gone a day without thinking about book 2.
This one starts off with a bang, as do most of Chani's books tbh, straight into the romance. And I absolutely love that, it's the best way to start a book imo.
Most of the book is from Calix's pov, but we do get moments from the perspectives of the other two as well. I loved their parts together and the opportunity to learn more about their dynamic, especially the small domestic moments like them in the kitchen.
Aodhan definitely stole the show for me this time. I don't know what it is, but I absolutely fell in love with him in this book. It makes me realize how happy I am that this is fiction, because Titus might otherwise be coming for me! I think everyone was underestimating him, including Cal, thinking he didn’t have any feelings, and that really got to me. I have a soft spot for those kinds of characters. It was also nice to see Titus having his back, and honestly, to see how in love Titus was with him.
I believe these three are some of the most likable characters ever, which says a lot considering they are all killers (amongst other things) But I genuinely couldn't find reasons to dislike them as the story progressed. Rather, I kept finding reasons to love them.
I absolutely loved Titus' and Aodhan's relationship, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Calix fits into all of it. I think they'll all be perfect for each other, and I genuinely can't wait for the next book.
Now, given how the last book ended, it's safe to say that I haven't gone a day without thinking about book 2.
This one starts off with a bang, as do most of Chani's books tbh, straight into the romance. And I absolutely love that, it's the best way to start a book imo.
Most of the book is from Calix's pov, but we do get moments from the perspectives of the other two as well. I loved their parts together and the opportunity to learn more about their dynamic, especially the small domestic moments like them in the kitchen.
Aodhan definitely stole the show for me this time. I don't know what it is, but I absolutely fell in love with him in this book. It makes me realize how happy I am that this is fiction, because Titus might otherwise be coming for me! I think everyone was underestimating him, including Cal, thinking he didn’t have any feelings, and that really got to me. I have a soft spot for those kinds of characters. It was also nice to see Titus having his back, and honestly, to see how in love Titus was with him.
I believe these three are some of the most likable characters ever, which says a lot considering they are all killers (amongst other things) But I genuinely couldn't find reasons to dislike them as the story progressed. Rather, I kept finding reasons to love them.
I absolutely loved Titus' and Aodhan's relationship, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Calix fits into all of it. I think they'll all be perfect for each other, and I genuinely can't wait for the next book.
July 1, 2025
For a book about kidnapping and other dark themes, the pacing was surprisingly slow.
To be fair, my rating is closer to 3.5 than 4 stars this time, but I rounded it up.
The last part of the book felt really rushed, and I'm only giving it a 4-star rating because there's a book left in the trilogy. It makes sense that there are still unanswered questions this time again.
Aside from that, I still enjoyed how the story unravelled. There's something about this author's work that I always end up liking. She's good at writing addictive books about endearing psychos.
To be fair, my rating is closer to 3.5 than 4 stars this time, but I rounded it up.
The last part of the book felt really rushed, and I'm only giving it a 4-star rating because there's a book left in the trilogy. It makes sense that there are still unanswered questions this time again.
Aside from that, I still enjoyed how the story unravelled. There's something about this author's work that I always end up liking. She's good at writing addictive books about endearing psychos.
July 3, 2025
4,5 ⭐️ damn you think you know, you know, but you have no idea. Chani L. Feener really uped the dark elements in that one. Like 60% of this book is torture and non con, poor Callix, poor poor baby. Right?Titus and Aodhan have some very twisted idea of how to get their third.There was some revelations, but I missed the part about Bruce and the whole reason behind his death. It doesn’t matter though. At least we kinda learn what happened to the merman. Awesome story, very like psychological thriller.
July 2, 2025
🤯🤯🤯whoa.
I can’t believe I read this so fast and have to wait 30 more days until part 3. 🥺🥺
This ends on a good cliffhanger
The whole book was basically trying to get Cal to be the 3rd… or was it. It was a mind bender. What is good? What is evil? Are mostly good people sometimes evil or vice versa.
The 3 way relationship here is fascinating. Now counting down the days until book 📖 3…..😫😫😫
I can’t believe I read this so fast and have to wait 30 more days until part 3. 🥺🥺
This ends on a good cliffhanger
The whole book was basically trying to get Cal to be the 3rd… or was it. It was a mind bender. What is good? What is evil? Are mostly good people sometimes evil or vice versa.
The 3 way relationship here is fascinating. Now counting down the days until book 📖 3…..😫😫😫
June 30, 2025
Oh my - I was not expecting this to get into even darker themes than book one. Well, I DID skip the trigger warnings, so ooops I guess. No matter, the book was interesting and I cannot wait for book 3.
June 30, 2025
Loved it and can't wait for the next one! I almost read this in one sitting but needed to get some sleep. There's always twists that I don't see coming. The Connects are so interesting and I can't wait to see where this goes next!
July 10, 2025
So dark
I think this may be the darkest book I have up to this point ever read, and it was so good. Please read the triggers before reading . Cannot wait to read book 3 in the trilogy. Do recommend .
I think this may be the darkest book I have up to this point ever read, and it was so good. Please read the triggers before reading . Cannot wait to read book 3 in the trilogy. Do recommend .
July 16, 2025
The second was just as good as the first!
The twists and turns just keep coming!! I definitely didn't see this curveball! Im addicted to this series!! It's one of my new favorite reads of this year!
The twists and turns just keep coming!! I definitely didn't see this curveball! Im addicted to this series!! It's one of my new favorite reads of this year!
July 13, 2025
SCREAMING!!!
I loved this book! And I love this throuple. They’re so sexy and the plot twists are phenomenal! Can’t what to read the next one!
I loved this book! And I love this throuple. They’re so sexy and the plot twists are phenomenal! Can’t what to read the next one!
July 16, 2025
Didn't quite understand the scheming in the end, otherwise delicious as always.
July 24, 2025
impatiently waiting waiting for the next one
July 28, 2025
2.something :/
September 5, 2025
3.5 that had a nice twist. i quite like them together
September 15, 2025
still definitely need Jesus
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews