Alena has spent the better part of a century hunting and banishing demons to the Underworld. With the help of her best friend, Vasacardi—a charming but dangerous vampire—they have completed every mission placed upon them without fail. When an exorcism goes fatally wrong, Alena and Vasacardi are pulled into a celestial war that has raged across the universe for centuries.
To prevent the end of all existence, they must descend into the dark depths of the Underworld and rescue the Death God himself, Thanatos. But Thanatos is no willing ally. From the moment Alena frees him, his cold, unyielding demeanour stirs something deep within her—something she doesn't quite understand.
Meanwhile, Vasacardi is battling demons of his own. The Underworld awakens something ancient within him, a hunger he has long tried to silence. Haunted by a voice from his dreams, he must decide whether to resist his instincts or embrace the darkness calling him home.
As gods rise and war looms, Alena and Vasacardi must defy fate, uncover the truth behind Thanatos’s capture and protect the balance between realms.
Because if the King of the Underworld falls... so does all of creation.
this was my first book by this author and definitely won't be the last! while it wasn't my favourite book, i still had a great time reading it!
my favourite characters were vasacardi and max for sure, they both had this distinctive personality to them that made me giggle a few times! the story also had a strong villain, which i didn't expect at all.
the writing style was also really easy to get into and dialogue specifically is definitely a strong point of the story. i liked following different perspectives too!
when it comes to the plot, i wish we had more glimpses into exorcisms that the mcs were performing. we only had a look at one and i wanted more! also in my opinion the beginning was really strong but then towards the end it did get just a little slow, and then the very last chapter was a bang, leaving room for maybe a 2nd book. 👀
this is one i definitely recommend reading, especially if you wanna get into fantasy genre or want a fantasy that's not overly complicated and quick to read!
3.75 ⭐️ I enjoyed this read overall and I’m excited to see what happens in book 2. However, for me too much happened in the short amount of time (324 pages) which left me quite confused. I felt like the world building and character development could have perhaps been explored further however I really liked some of the characters. Alexa and Vas’ friendship made so much more sense at the end and I’m looking forward to learning more! Thanatos definitely gives “burn the world for her” vibes so hope that is explored more too. Thank you to Whimsywordspr and SM Carpenter for the review copy!
This story is so beautifully developed, I loved it from the very first chapter! A story of Angels, demons and complex characters. This is a story of secrets, mystery and plot twists that keep you hooked the entire time!
Alena is a demon hunter that is thrown into a world of deadly politics in the underworld with her best friend Vasacardi!
Every single character in this book is hiding something and i love how it all started to Unravel and reveal their stories! The pacing was perfect and the story so well developed! I absolutely loved all of the characters and was completely consumed the entire time!
I anticipate the second book will have so much more to add to this already beautiful story and I can't wait for the second book!!
Review of advance copy received from Whimsy Words PR
Morebris by S.M. Carpenter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
I devoured Morebris in one sitting- it was that good. From the very first page, the plot raced through an exhilarating adventure into the underworld. Depsite the pacing, the world-building never felt rushed. Carpenter crafts a vivid word filled with vampires, demons and angels and fleshes it out with a cast of characters you can’t help but adore.
✨ Characters that shine: - Vascardi stole the show for me- sassy, witty, and devastatingly charming. He’s the kind of sidekick you instantly want more of. - Alena our fabulous FMC, is everything I love in a heroine: strong, cunning, and unafraid to mouth off even when it lands her in trouble. - Together, Alena and Vascardi are dynamite. Their banter is sharp, their bond authentic, and watching their relationship unfold was pure joy. - And then there’s Thanatos, the god of death. Imagine a hot, grumpy grim reaper you can’t quite stay away from. Every scene with him crackles with tension and his chemistry with Alena was electric.
⚔️ Why it worked: Every chapter pulled me deeper in. The intrigue, the danger, the humour. It all blended seamlessly. Every character had me wanting to know more. And that twist at the end? Absolute perfection. I suspected something was amiss, but I did not see that coming!
Verdic: Morebris is fast-paced fantasy done right: thrilling, witty, and impossible to put down. S.M. Carpenter is a genius, and I’ll be counting the days until book two.
Thank you to S.M. Carpenter and Whimsy Words PR for gifting me an ARC of Morebris in exchange for an honest review 🖤
This book had me hooked from the very beginning! I fell in love with every single character and their progression throughout the story is phenomenal. Alena is a badass female main character and her friendship with Vasacardi is second to none. Who knew that I would find a book where I love Death as a character, but here it is! I really hope we get to see more progression with Alena and Thanatos in Book 2 as that is a connection I cannot wait to explore. I had so many jaw dropping moments throughout this story, and all I have to say is I did not expect that ending. I highly recommend picking this book up if you love your gothic fantasy vibes, I thoroughly enjoyed every second and this has made it in to my top 10 reads of 2025!
Morebris by S.M. Carpenter is a paranormal fantasy read that earns a 3-star rating from me. The atmospheric underworld setting, demon hunters, forbidden love, and morally grey characters offer intriguing potential, blending angels and demons into Greek mythology with a dangerous edge. There are moments where the tension and found-family banter shine, pulling you into the dark secrets and twisting plot. However, the pacing feels uneven, and I wanted more depth in the worldbuilding and emotional arcs to fully connect with the stakes. Overall, Morebris has solid ideas and shows promise for fans of gothic immortals and shadowy romance, but it didn't quite reach its full potential for me.
Morebris by S.M Carpenter immediately captivates you from the very beginning, with the plot twists and the secrets every character is hiding its a hard read to put down. Its so invigorating, that you cant help but be excited when reading this book. The characters *chefs kiss* all of them were amazing.
“I was never selfish, I cared for nothing, and yet…the moment I stepped into your throne room and watched you pretend to be something you were not, I knew that I would never be the same. That every moment of my ancient life would be worth just a second with you, and I…” He trailed off. “I did a poor job of showing that to you.”
Alena is a demon hunter that you can't help not love. With her vampire best friend: Vascardi (who is probably my favourite character) she is thrust into the underworld to save the god of death only to be placed into a much bigger game that's at play.
3.5* Cant wait to read the next, great twists and turns, but no idea what happened at the end or why. Can't wait to see Alena and Thanatos relationship in the next one!
✨💀MOREBRIS💀✨ had me hooked from the second I started reading! Not only is the whole book beautiful to look at, the story transports you to a whole new dimension...
Vampires, Angels, Demons, exorcism... This is a book packed full of fantasy and a promise of becoming fully addicted to turning the page 🤌🏻
The underworld comes alive with corruption, war and politics... And Alena and Vasacardi are at the centre of it all. But will they be able to stop a war that they don't yet understand?
This is a solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read and I cannot WAIT for book two! 🙌🏻💜
Morebris by S. M. Carpenter is one of those rare books that doesn’t just tell a story — it consumes you. Every page feels drenched in emotion, with prose so atmospheric it almost breathes. The author creates a world that feels both ethereal and suffocating, where beauty and decay exist side by side, and you can’t help but be mesmerized by the tension between the two.
What stood out most to me was how vividly the characters are written. They’re not perfect heroes — they’re flawed, fragile, and achingly human. Their struggles felt heavy but real, each choice carrying weight and consequence. Carpenter doesn’t shy away from the darker sides of grief, guilt, and hope, and that honesty makes the story even more powerful.
The writing itself is absolutely stunning — poetic without ever losing its rawness. Every line feels intentional, every description soaked in symbolism and emotion. It’s the kind of book that makes you stop mid-sentence just to reread a phrase because it hits that hard.
What I loved most was how Morebris captures the idea that darkness and beauty can coexist — that even in ruin, there’s still something sacred. It’s haunting, emotional, and deeply introspective, the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.
If you love stories that feel like spells — filled with rich imagery, emotional depth, and hauntingly beautiful writing — Morebris is a must-read.
With demon hunters, vampires, gods, angels, the underworld and a bit of sass… what more would you want from a book?
This was a very enjoyable read, full of world and character building, with unexpected reveals about the 2 MCs at the end. The worlds were intriguing and overall the characters were complex and engaging.
I really liked the MMC, his personality was complex with a lot of sass - his mouth spoke before his brain caught up. Because of this, I feel like I got on with the MC a lot better than the FMC. In contrast the FMC was more serious and reserved, but with a fiery side to her. This was probably intentional due to the reveal at the end, but it did mean I didn’t fully connect with the FMC. The MMC made up for this though!
There are also a lot of side characters in this book, each one brings their own nuance to the table. I can’t wait to get to know them more and how they fit in to the bigger puzzle of the Morebris world.
I think this book focused on setting the scene for book two, and I anticipate there will be a lot more action in book two now everything is explained. The pace was steady in book one, which was good, but I’d love to be thrown in at the deep end for book two with a faster pace.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book, it was exciting, we had tension between the lovers, we travelled a lot, we got to know how the underworld works. And then started to have more and more plotlines, and at some point it was too much (i'm pretty sure i don't understand who everyone is, and I am still craving for a Thanatos pov!)
The characters were really good, there was a lot but still you could feel that every one of them has a distinct identity. (My fav was Vas, I hope we see more of him)
We had big (and good) plot twists near the end but we had very little time to enjoy or acknowledge them, which was a little sad. With that said, the pacing was off a couple of times.
I actually did enjoy it, but before I would recommend it to everyone, I'd like to read the second book to see if it is worth it. I can see so much potential, that these things won't even matter, genuinely we have a great story here (I'm trying not to scream how good the plot twist was but it is getting harder)
So If you feel like the plot connects to you, I say read it! If not, I will tell you How I feel after the next book comes out.
I picked up Morebris through my Kindle Unlimited subscription after the cover immediately caught my eye and the premise intrigued me — and I am so glad I did.
Almost from the very beginning, I completely fell in love with Vasacardi and Alena. Their dynamic is beautifully written, and the depth of their friendship feels genuine and believable. You can truly feel how close they are, which makes every interaction between them compelling to read. Thanatos was another absolute favourite of mine, and there is so much I want to say about him… but this is one of those books that is best experienced without spoilers.
This is a story that rewards going in blind.
The pacing kept me hooked from start to finish. I read it in just two days and immediately felt the need to dive straight into book two. I loved the character dynamics across the board, and this already feels like a series I will happily revisit in the future.
If you enjoy gothic fantasy filled with demons, angels, and vampires — with strong character relationships at its heart — Morebris is absolutely worth your time.
Morebris was a refreshing and imaginative read with a lot to love.
The worldbuilding is where this book really shines. It offers a unique and original take on angels, demons, death, and the Underworld, managing to feel familiar enough to ground you while still doing something different from what’s currently flooding the genre. The celestial war and its consequences give the story real weight, and the mythology feels thoughtfully constructed.
The characters are engaging, particularly Alena, who is capable and intriguing without feeling overdone. Her relationships—especially with Vasacardi—add emotional depth and tension, and I enjoyed watching those dynamics evolve as the stakes rose. Thanatos was also a standout; his cold, distant presence added an extra layer of intrigue and intensity to the story.
Overall, Morebris is a solid, creative fantasy that stands out for its originality and atmosphere. If you enjoy darker fantasy with fresh spins on familiar mythological themes, this is definitely worth picking up.
I received a gifted copy of this book from Whimsy Words PR and author and am leaving this review voluntarily 🫶🏼
Morebris completely surprised me in the best possible way. When the God of Death disappears, the balance between realms begins to crack, and what unfolds is a dark, emotional, and beautifully layered story full of gods, demons, cursed bargains, and impossible choices.
I loved how this story takes its time; the slow burn is delicious, the tension is earned, and the relationships-both romantic and platonic-feel deeply human despite the celestial stakes. Alena is such a compelling main character, and the dynamic between her, Vasacardi, and Thanatos had me fully invested from start to finish.
The Underworld feels alive, dangerous, and heavy with consequence. With found family, forbidden love, multiple POVs, and plot twists that actually land, I was hooked. I can’t wait for the next book!
This fast paced dark gothic fantasy had twists and turns in all the right places. I was hooked after the first couple of chapters and fell in love with our MC duo Alena a demon hunter and Vasacardi a vampire. She is brave, strong and outspoken. He is sassy and charming but with a dark side he can't always control.
The character and world (or underworld) building was amazing throughout this book. All the characters seemed to either be hiding something or battling their inner demons. Our journey through the underworld was interesting as we moved through the different realms that were so wonderfully built for us by the author.
Slowly we unravel exactly what they had been hiding and let's say I did not see it coming! I just couldn't put this down for the last 25% and stayed up late just to finish this book. Bring on book two!
4.5 ⭐️ Well, excuse me while I chew on my bag of hay again and think about THAT ENDING. Honestly, I was in a state of constant confusion at the last 15% of the book. I had no idea what was happening but I loved it anyway! I just love the world and the settings. This is the kind of dark fantasy I like - there are angels, demons, demon hunters, reapers and so much more in the Underworld and I find it so delicious. The book jumps right into the action, so it’s very fast-paced and you do feel like you’re thrown into the deep end and you have to find your way through, but I actually loved that because it was all part of the mystery. I especially loved that we had multiple POVs and that we spent an equal amount of time with each character. I was so intrigued by both the main and side characters, and I especially loved Alena and Vasacardi’s friendship. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
S. M. Carpenter’s atmospheric writing gripped my attention immediately. She seamlessly weaves angels and demons into Greek mythology to create a dangerous world full of dark secrets and complex characters. The FMC, Alena, finds this out the hard way when she’s taken from her life as a demon hunter and thrust into the deadly politics of The Underworld.
I came to love all of the characters in Morebris, but none more so than Alena’s best friend, Vasacardi. This flirtatious vampire’s wit and charm knows no bounds, but there’s a darkness lurking within him that he struggles to deal with throughout the book. In fact, every character in Morebris has something that they’re hiding, and I was completely hooked as things began to reveal themselves. I suspect that there’s far more to be uncovered in the next book and I, for one, cannot wait!
If you enjoy paranormal fantasy with found family banter and morally grey characters, you’ll love reading Morebris.
A fast-paced, thrilling adventure into the underworld that grips you from the very first page. The story is packed with intrigue and danger, balanced perfectly with subtle touches of humour that keep the tone sharp and engaging rather than heavy. The atmosphere is richly immersive, blending the supernatural seamlessly with Greek mythology to create a world that feels both familiar and refreshingly dark. Each scene pulls you deeper, making the underworld feel vivid, perilous, and alive. With constant twists and turns, the plot keeps you on your toes and makes it almost impossible to put the book down. Just when you think you know where the story is heading, it surprises you—leaving you eager to read on and discover what lies ahead.
I wish goodreads did half stars. 3.5 stars rating. The book had so many great reviews that I was drawn to read it. Maybe it is my ADHD but at times I couldn't follow what was happening on the page. So much information coming at me. That being said the fmc is a demon Hunter with some amazing sass and strength. Vas her best friend is loyal and always there for her. He has his own demons that he battles within himself. Thanatos has some serious touch her and die vibes and hope to get more of him in book two. The demons, magic, morally grey characters, celestial war,and betrayals are present throughout the book. I did like to see that characters all had some great growth and in their own way some healing. I look forward to book two and visiting this world again
Wow! I’ve just finished this and I’m still reeling, my brain is officially in overdrive 😵💫 This is a fastpaced fantasy packed with hidden secrets and twists you will not see coming, delivering plenty of jaw-dropping moments along the way.
The chemistry between the characters is intense and beautifully done, the author absolutely nailed it. I was completely drawn in and quickly became invested, helped by the multiple POVs, which I really enjoyed.
This is one that needs your full attention to keep track of where you are and to catch all those important connections… and trust me, you don’t want to miss them.
That ending though 👀🔥 Book two is an absolute must. I can’t wait to see where this world takes me next.
Morebris is a gothic romance. This book has morally grey characters, demons, exorcisms, vampires, celestial-war and a slow burn romance 🔥
In this book we meet Alena and Vasacardi who are demonhuters. Together it's them against everyone else, freinds for life. But soon they understand that something isn't as it should. And they are trust into the underworld to save the God of Death!
There are twist and turnes that grips you the whole way trough the book. Beautifully written characters, gothic worlds, humor and banter, danger and tension and an enda that had me shocked!
So if you love it a bit dark, gothic with supernatural vibes, this is absolutely the book for you. She has written an amazing story and I loved it 🖤
S. M. Carpenter has become one of my absolute favorite authors!
This was a super fun read and follows Alena, a demon Hunter (how fun is that!) and her best friend, Vasacardi, who is a vampire, as they are thrown into joining the rescue of Thanatos, the God of Death from the underworld!
I loved the characters, they were all really likeable but I have a soft spot for Thanatos 🥰
The plot was so good and I loved the twist towards the end, I did not see that coming!! I did however find the world building a tad confusing at times and struggled to stay focused but maybe a reread is on the cards 😉
I am looking forward to seeing what's in store for book 2
WOW! I missed getting this book as an arc so brought it from kindle. I am SO glad I did! OMG what a read, I struggled to put it down and read it in 2 days which for me is massive as I'm slow 🐌
Banter and love between Vas and Alena is the best type of friendship where they look out for each other and would do anything for each other. It was great to learn all about the Underworld.
The SLOW SLOW burn between Alean and Thanatos!
One of the twists I did not see coming, the betrayal of it! Oh and not forgetting the main one did not expect that!
This is a great gothic fantasy set in the underworld featuring vampires, demons and angels. The whole story is very well written and every character is harbouring a secret or two. There’s a huge plot twist and I think book 2 will reveal even more secrets that have been hidden. I love a hidden identity trope and this was incredibly well done, I would be surprised if anyone guessed what was going to happen. I hope in book 2 we get to see more of the love story because that was a highlight for me ❤️
DNF 30% - sadly this book wasn't for me. If felt like I was reading a sequel about characters we had met previously except I'm not and I have no idea who these people are even 60 pages in I was confused. The world building felt disjointed where I wasn't sure what I should be imagining. The same language was used frequently and cut off sentences started to get irritating. The plot and premise are good and the story felt like it could have been so much more but sadly I just couldn't continue with the story.
This is a paranormal fantasy book with a demon hunter, vampire, demons and angels. The overall storyline of this book was really good and I absolutely loved some of the characters. I did struggle reading this book however and found that it was rather disjointed. I was able to skim read certain parts of it as not a lot happened but then felt there were other parts that I just didn’t know what was happening and had to reread sections and still struggled. I really wanted to love this as it had all the elements that I love in a book but I just struggled at times.
4.25 stars! I had such a fun time with this one! It has vampires, demons, demon hunters, a journey to the underworld, a delicious slow burn. What more could a girl want? It was giving me Shadowhunters vibes in parts which I loveddd. Vasacardi is absolutely hilarious, I love him. There’s a plot twist I did not see coming at all and the ending… I have so many questions and I am superrr excited for book 2 coming out next month!
Morebris is a dark fantasy romance with gothic vibes. S.M. Carpenter weaves a beautiful story with demons, angels, and vampires that primarily takes place in the dark underworld. Alena, the FMC, is feisty and sharp-tongued. Her sidekick, Vasacardi, is a vampire that absolutely detests his very nature. Enter Thanatos, the God of Death. He’s broody and grumpy, but sometimes his gaze lingers on Alena and I get a subtle hint of devastation and the slowest of slow burns.
Every character in this story seems to have a multitude of secrets and I found myself at the edge of my seat trying to figure them all out. The last few chapters had my heart racing and I can’t wait to read the next book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Morebris by S. M. Carpenter hooked me from the first chapter. Alena is a fantastic fMC who I loved immediately, and every character carries secrets that unravel at just the right moments. The pacing was strong and kept me fully engaged throughout. Dark, intriguing, and impossible to put down — highly recommend.