Absinthe

by Shannon Morse

404 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2025

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark and wild ride! There are so many twists and turns. Star and Keith are out for revenge on the most terrible people in the world. The world building and characters were so well written.

[Tiffany's TBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn! I’m not sure I’ve even fully wrapped my mind around this book yet—but what I can say is this: it’s dark. Seriously, check the trigger warnings.

Shannon Morse delivers a twisted, intense blend of dark paranormal romance and psychological thriller that will pull you in and refuse to let go. The writing is so vivid and gripping that I found myself completely hooked from start to finish.

It’s haunting, it’s emotional, and it’s absolutely unforgettable. After this, I’ll read anything Shannon writes.

Final thought: Damn. Read this book.

[Alisha Pascual · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah, right off the bat it was wow. From chapter 1 it was so very sexual, dark, twisted, and intense so check the trigger warnings!! I can’t remember the last dark paranormal romance, psychological thriller I’ve read that pulled me in so fast and got me hooked. The details of Keith and Star’s journey were so vivid that it is unforgettable. And I loved the twists and turns it had that kept me on my toes wondering what happens next. This was definitely original and not something that I have ever come across of before, very unexpected. And I will warn again, read the trigger warnings before reading this. Even so, this book will still shock you.

[Manda 🖤👻👽🧚🏻‍♀️🐲 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the start! It starts hot and heavy then makes you question what you thought you knew about control! Deranged in the best possible way!!!

[Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn't for the feint of heart. Join me as I enter a dark world through the eyes of Absynthe. Yes, you heard me, a story of this liquor driving the characters in this story. Allow me to briefly introduce you to "just Keith" (still laughing) and Star. Absynthe starts his story with carnal urges and no direction in mind, just seeking dark pleasures. As he feeds his darkness he finds a path. I don't want to spoil you on this path, as it was a twist I didn't expect. But along the way he meets Absynthe (Star). She is on the same journey, they navigate their darkness and pleasure together. This book is so well written and to see if from an unexpected perspective, I have never read anything of it's like. This dark romance girly loves this book. Join me in the darkness and meet Absynthe as they unite and connect for a purpose beyond their pleasure, all while getting their pleasures! 10/10 Recommend!! Way to go S.M. I love it!

[Kylie Weigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel gives a new meaning to vengeful spirits!
Meet Absinthe, a green liquid form that has been transformed with the perfect symbiosis with a man, Keith, who matches their drive for blood, pleasure, and mixing the two. But there's more than one - another Absinthe has made a woman's body her newest host. The master they are and the hosts that they embody were a match made in heaven. With a plan to avenge not only Star but all the women who have been wronged by the same men who operate without any concern for the pain and trauma they leave behind, the two unlikely green forms and their flesh pair up and become a team - the bringers of death, a duo that has taken it upon themselves to become the hunters, operating in the shadows of the darkest parts of the world. Slithering through even the most rancid of minds and absorbing information, seeking out the rot in the belly of the beast, or the mind to be more specific, and using that as fuel to their fire.
What started as a simple meat suit to play with, Absinthe does a complete 180 and becomes his own version of vengeance when enlightened with the harsh realities of underground crime, skin trading, and the victims left behind; used, abused, broken or worse. Partnering with Star to not only seek her own justice but the justice for those that have succumbed to the underground; vigilantes - a green, formless shape that slithers in the synapses of the minds of those in their path; nothing can escape them, with them nothing stays buried. Exacting each revenge with flair and arousal, they made their list, and they don't need to check it twice. When they aren't burning down the lives of every perpetrator that has operated in this ring, you will find the string pullers that are Absinthe and their hosts engaging in pleasure and falling into desire, lust of the flesh they each reside in; a catharsis in reclaiming their autonomy and the choice to float in the very pleasure that was stolen from them; driven by their own needs and desires.
Absinthe gives way to a new type of paranormal possession, redefining the preconceived notions of what it means to be a puppet to something you can't see. Instead, Absinthe is giving a new perspective, an inside look (literally) to what the possibilities to what happens when the unknown is met with the vile, cruel realities of what it's like to be a woman in a man's world, a man's mind. Humanizing the intrusion by defeating corruption, acts of violence, and the ill intentions of the men who operate by using fear and power to defile the innocent and taint humanity as a whole.
But the next question is.. Will they make it out of the fire?

[Amanda Unapologetically Unhinged · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved absolutely everything about this book!! Shannon does such an incredible job at blending psychological thriller, erotic horror and paranormal romance into one hell of book. From the start this book puts the gas pedal to the floor & doesn't hit the brakes until the very last page!!!

If you’re looking for some excitement in your next book, I can't recommend Absinthe enough. You will not be disappointed & will thank me later when you're done 😉! Trust me, Absinthe is one of those books that you don't just read, you experience it!! I'm looking forward to the next masterpiece Shannon writes for us!!

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absinthe is a complete mind fuck and acid trip of epic proportions. I really enjoyed this story, this plot takes paranormal mind games to the next level. This is vengeance in the flesh and in the mind. I've read a few paranormal tropes and what set this apart for me was the interactions between entities. I enjoyed the duality and the banter in here is top notch. I literally laughed out loud at several moments.

As always, I'm a huge fan of the action. I love a rampage, and Absinthe is filled with enough gratuitous violence, spice, and dark themes to make you scream "heck YES."

A top-notch paranormal read for spooky season!

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Star and Keith were fire. this book has the most amazing elements of being dark, paranormal, and a psychological thriller. props! that's an amazing mix. and this book was too. the twists and turns, the spice. this book brought it all. this is my first time reading this author, but you better believe it won't be the last. absolutely loved this one!

[🐷Shay loves books🐷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was a ride and 1/2 and I enjoyed every minute of it. We got a unique look into the minds of people with addiction. It’s very spicy I wld say at least 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. It kinda has a paranormal aspect to it, but this book takes you on a journey through the mind of what addiction does and can do to someone, how it alters their thinking and abilities to cope and survive. I will come back and add more to my review at a later time, but this book is so good and I wld highly recommend it.

This book had me in a chokehold the entire time and I cld not put it down. It takes you on a ride through the mind of addiction, sex trafficking and revenge!! The revenge part is absolutely amazing!

You follow 2 main characters who are vigilantes that are hell bent on getting revenge for the disgusting humans who use people, abuse them in every way imaginable, the people who put the victims in those situations and they will stop at nothing to take down the most ruthless, horrible people. While the main characters are addicted to drugs but mostly Absinthe, will the help of Absinthe they get the strength and courage to fight the bad guys and come out as the victors.

The absinthe takes over their mind, body and spirit and won’t let go. It literally controls every aspect of their lives and journey while seeking the justice they so rightfully deserve.

[Elizabeth Tryon · Rating 4 out of 5]

When absinthe seeps into ‘just Keith’s’ human form there is chaos and desire to ensue. Things take a turn and ‘they’ meet Starling, once she gets a piece of absinthe their dark path and desires take them on a quest to ‘find peace’ and seek vengeance. The story is well detailed, great plot and plenty of spice!

[Shellyann Paape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one to read the trigger warnings and actually pay attention to them. Excellent book however.

The writing was very detailed, felt like you were there, living through the nightmare of the girls, and also witnessing the punishment of them men.

Proceed with caution; but karma is a bitch, and I throughly enjoyed reading the men getting everything they had coming to them.

[Mandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure what to say about this book. I do like the premise however this book wasn’t for me. I couldn’t into it. Having absinthe take over a host seemed very emotionally disconnected. The host so far, seems like a tough guy but I’m still waiting for the less brutal parts of the story. I will probably give this book another chance at a different time however, I’m a mood reader and this book doesn’t fit my mood. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to release

[Baileyreadsnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me… I was going in excited with the blurb but when I started reading I realized that it was a new spin on how to narrate a possession story line. Normally you just get the POV of the main character but never the possessor. This gave me the view from the possessor view which was really interesting. This was a dark story but I enjoyed the spice and the writing style. I will definitely check out this author again!

[Arleigh Salerno · Rating 3 out of 5]

feeling quite... neutral on this one. I didn't dislike it but nor did I quite enjoy it. There were definitely parts of it I liked, but I just couldn't fully get into this one. I wish I could have.

[Danielle Damron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, just wow! This book was dark, twisted, unexpected but in the best way. The development of their world, their characters, it was done so well! This book gives you a whole new side of possessive, a read like nothing I’ve read before.

[Grave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enter a dark, distorted and depraved mind in this intense psychological thriller romance. This book will have you drawn in from the first page joining a haunting journey as you discover just how debased humanity can really be.

This book is written in such an immersive way that it will truly consume you. So if you’re looking for an unforgettable story full of horrors, twists and turns, paranormal mind games, banter and rough romance this book is for you.

As Always, your mental heath matters so please check triggers warnings before any dark romance read.

[Alli Escobar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good! It was dark and twisty and had tons of spice! The author did a great job with this dark story and i cant wait to see more!

[Shannonlouise Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

head spinning, jaw dropping love fighting blood spilling thrill of a ride. spicy. this isn't a cozy sit down to a hot chocolate type no this is a spicy top shelf level wild. the nickname in this book are prefect for ever character. this book kept me on the edge wanting more. it just kept delivering. uhhh just absolutely in love with book. definitely in my top 5 for 2025

[The Fabled Librarian🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. I need the lore of Absinthe like now and for this to be a series. As soon as I got the ARC, I started reading and COULD NOT STOP. The banter between Keith and his Absinthe had me rolling. Star and Keith… next level! And the spice *chefs kiss* if you’re looking for a dark romance book that has feminine rage and feminine justice with a hot broody man and his ‘dark passenger’ this is it!!! Absolutely loved it!

[Lynnmarie542_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book was unlike anything I’ve read before! And I loved every minute of it. It’s dark, intense, and a little hypnotic…..you can’t look away. There’s a lot of spice and a paranormal twist that makes it even more addictive.

Please check the trigger warnings as there are some very dark aspects to the amazing read.

Thank you Shannon for sending me yet another copy of your book! 🫶🏽

Thank you to Good Girl Author Services for sending me the arc copy too

[Lexi Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting take on POV. To read the whole story from the point of view of Absinthe was wild. It was a good story too

[Sky Trahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

*review coming. let me gather my thoughts 🙂*

[Stephanie Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was definitely unlike anything I’ve ever read. It was really good and written exceptionally well. The story is told in the POV of the Absinthe. The Absinthe takes over. It takes control of Keith and Star so they can take revenge on those deserving of it. Those that have done the unthinkable and unimaginable to the innocent.

Absinthe is dark, sexual, intense and twisted. Highly recommend to those who enjoy a dark, psychological thriller with a paranormal aspect.

[Avrisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

Shannon Morse delivers a dark, disturbing, and intoxicating descent into madness in Absinthe. This isn’t a love story; it’s a possession, a corruption, and a masterful dive into the sinister spaces between pleasure and control.

Told through the chilling perspective of a formless entity that thrives on chaos and desire, Absinthe is unlike anything I’ve read before. The writing is raw, visceral, and unflinching, pulling readers deep into a world where sex, violence, and power intertwine in ways that are both horrifying and hypnotic.

Morse doesn’t shy away from the grotesque or the uncomfortable. Instead, she forces you to confront it. Every scene drips with tension and sensory detail, and while the content is dark (please check the trigger warnings), it’s written with a haunting kind of artistry that keeps you turning the pages even when you want to look away.

This book isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s graphic, shocking, and deeply psychological, but it’s also brilliant in its ambition. Absinthe explores the extremes of human depravity and the seductive pull of corruption with lyrical, fever-dream intensity.

Dark. Erotic. Unrelenting.
If you crave stories that push boundaries and linger long after you close the book, Absinthe will consume you.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by this author. Two completely different books. There are not many things that surprise me anymore with these types of books. I love to read the darker the better. Well, I do have to give credit to Shannon as she did get me.

Star and Keith share the same target goal...to take down the evil. Absinthe is happy to feed this need that Star and Keith have. Keith and Star are fine and to be honest, they may not have found the motive if not for Absinthe. Absinthe is the star of the story.

Absinthe is a freak and if you make their acquaintance, then it is not good for you.

If you are looking for something new to read, that will mess with your mind, then pick up this book now.

[Nara Kavassian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absinthe is a hypnotic descent into darkness — part horror, part psychological romance, and fully unlike anything I’ve read before. Shannon Morse crafts a world where desire and dread intertwine, and where the line between love, obsession, and power dissolves in the most unsettling way.

The bonds created in this book are full of twists and the deeper you delve into the book the more intense it gets. I will stop at this as if I give any more I will be giving away spoilers.

[Kalene · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! Smutty and everything in-between! It was amazing I loved Absinthe she was incredibly interesting!