Demonology for Overachievers

by Lily Anderson

Dark academia takes a fresh twist in this YA novel, where a determined high school senior strikes a bargain with a demon to win a coveted scholarship—only to discover her rival has made the same deal.

Merritt Maldonado has done everything right. But for every club she’s founded, tree she’s planted, and sport she’s played, her academic nemesis Linus Lexington has been right there. By her side. Copying her every move.

And now they're neck and neck for a coveted full ride scholarship. Desperate to gain an edge, Merritt finds herself making a deal with a demon. But when other applicants start dying in gruesome ways, Merritt realizes the demon is killing off her competition. And to make matters worse, she finds the demon’s mark on Linus.

Now Merritt and Linus' souls are tied to the same deadly demon. With bodies piling up, they have to work together to break the pact, stop the killings, and maybe admit that the bond they share isn't just supernatural...

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Horror, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural, Dark Academia

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2026

About the author

Lily Anderson is the author of THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN ME IS YOU, NOT NOW NOT EVER, and UNDEAD GIRL GANG. A former school librarian, she is deeply devoted to Shakespeare, fairy tales, and podcasts. Somewhere in Northern California, she is having strong opinions on musical theater. Find her online at www.mslilyanderson.com

Reviews

[Gali · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Demonology for Overachievers" by Lily Anderson wears many hats. It is a YA paranormal dark academia novel with Poe and Mary Shelley's vibes. It takes the classic deal-with-the-devil motif (think Faust) to another level.

Told in the first person, the story follows Merritt Maldonado, a seventeen-year-old introverted girl who, in her own words, is "a fat goth Afro-Latina orphan." Raised by her grandmother after losing her parents, Merritt is a loner with social anxiety and only one good friend, Fancy. Determined to win the Lexington Scholarship and secure a place at a good college, she creates bogus clubs to pad her résumé.

Her fiercest competition comes from her academic nemesis, Linus Lexington, who is charismatic and outgoing. Afraid of failure, she strikes a bargain with a demon in the hope of securing the scholarship. Little does she know that Linus has the same idea. The plot thickens when other scholarship applicants start dropping dead in bizarre accidents, forcing the two rivals to work together to break their pacts before more people die.

I enjoyed the book immensely and found it a quick read. It is well written, with an engaging storyline and well-rounded characters. I loved the concept, the way the demon's name is marked with dashes, and the representation. I loved both protagonists. They're both overachievers, but I especially appreciated that Merritt isn't the typical heroine. At the same time, I felt that she made some very stupid choices for someone so smart. Every time she made a dumb decision, I wanted to shake her.

The story was largely believable, well, as believable as a paranormal novel can be, but one scene felt particularly ridiculous. In the middle of trying not to get caught in a dorm room, the protagonists somehow found time to kiss instead of running away. The scene that followed that was brillant, though.

The horror leans more toward an eerie atmosphere than outright terror, although there are a couple of graphic deaths that made me wince. The author also gives enough detail to make the side characters memorable. I liked Fancy's personality, a transgender girl who is accepted by everyone, and disliked one of the other side characters. I also found the nickname Merritt is given rather cruel. But then, kids can be cruel.

The book explores themes of found family, learning from mistakes, choices and their consequences, not judging people by appearance or lineage, and how far one will go to succeed. Merritt learns that there is no such thing as a free lunch and that everything comes at a price. If I were to sum up the message in one sentence, it would be: be careful what you wish for.

Overall, I loved the book. I came for the demons and stayed for the plot. If you love dark academia, rivals to lovers, a strong heroine, and light horror vibes, this is the book for you. The romance is a subplot and never overshadows the mystery. There is no spice, making it appropriate for YA readers. I definitely recommend it. Full stars from me!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...

[Sascha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demonology for Overachievers, another entry from Lily Anderson, is perfectly timed for the scary season. Her last one, Killer House Party, came out two years ago, and I was in the minority who loved it (amusingly, I’m usually in the minority for hating a book, go figure).

❓ Is Demonology for Overachievers worth reading?
Absolutely, especially if you want a YA horror with an excellent blend of humor and light gore, just a tad of gore, not described in much detail and not a gratuitous offering. It’s a satisfying read for fans of enemies-to-more romance, dark academia with teeth, and books that treat the supernatural with a shrug instead of a scream, which I was sincerely bemused by and found myself loving.

📖 What Is Demonology for Overachievers About?
Merritt is trying to win a prestigious scholarship that guarantees her a full ride for the college of her choice. Then she can get a good job and help out her grandmother who has been raising her since the deaths of her parents in a car accident. And, she can pay off her mother’s student loans that her grandmother had to take over because the loans don’t care that someone died. On the advice of her former mentor, Sloan, who has since graduated and received the fellowship, Merritt binds a demon to herself in order to win the scholarship. Little does she know that her nemesis Linus Lexington has made the same deal with the demon. Events soon get out of hand and what follows is Merritt and a scooby gang of fellow scholarship hopefuls trying to stay safe and get rid of the demon, while Merritt and Linus, tied to the same deadly demon, end up working together to hopefully banish it and keep the people around them safe from harm.

✨ What Worked for Me?
The blend of humor and gore was excellent — just a touch of gore, nothing overdone, and not that scary. I loved how nonchalant everyone was about the idea of contacting a demon; it’s very much an “oh, a demon” kind of book rather than an “OH A DEMON!!!” one, which suited the tone perfectly. The pacing was very good throughout, including a lull before the big banishing that I think some readers might grumble about but that I thought was well placed; it read like taking a breath after one sprint to get enough oxygen to finish the race (if that were actually a race thing).

There were genuinely poignant moments too, particularly Merritt reflecting on her parents and wanting to continue the research they were doing, only for her grandmother to tell her she doesn’t have to live their lives just because they died. Merritt doesn’t know what she’d do with her future instead, and that uncertainty felt very real. The book’s themes, believing in yourself and what you’re capable of, and learning that reaching out to friends for help isn’t a failing but part of being human, didn’t feel heavy-handed, but rather well done.

I was honestly mind-boggled by how nonchalant and forgiving Merritt’s grandmother was about her granddaughter having summoned a demon. I loved that she basically chalked it up to Merritt just being a teenager. Small moments like that, plus the grandmother being a birder (be still my heart), gave the book a real warmth underneath all the demon business.

👥 Characters & Relationships
Merritt and Linus were well developed, and their enemies-to-more romance was cute: turns out Linus had been pining for Merritt since they met at a STEM event back in fifth grade, which is a long time to carry a torch. Merritt’s best friend Fancy is a fun foil, unexpectedly blunt and lively in a way that gave her some real depth, especially in comparison to Merritt’s mostly measured behavior (completely measured folks don’t call on demons 😆). Some of the background characters were less developed, but that felt appropriate for this kind of novel, where they’re mostly fulfilling a role.

❗ What Didn’t Work for Me
Honestly, very little. I totally enjoyed this read.

⭐ Final Verdict
I felt this one was more polished than Lily Anderson’s previous novel, Killer House Party, which I also liked, and Demonology for Overachievers is a fun, funny, occasionally poignant read with a satisfying ending. Recommended for YA horror readers who want romance and humor alongside their demons.

Many thanks to Macmillan / Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for sending me a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Darque Dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 by 5 stars!

Yes, yes, yes! This was my jam! (😈) I have been a fan of Ms. Lily Anderson since Undead Girl Gang and I've loved everything I've read written by her! This one is no exception, and it was everything I expected, and so much more!

Demonology for Overachievers, at its heart, was about found family, living with grief and the loss of a loved one(s), learning that the grass isn't always greener on the other side, not underestimating yourself or your worth, and figuring out how to fight (fairly) for what you want. It celebrated diversity and lgbtqia+ rep. It was endearing and as cozy as a horror comedy can be. It warmed my little goth heart!

But, it also had 10 Things I Hate About You (for those who remember the Shakespeare obsession 🤣), Beetlejuice, The Craft and Buffy vibes. It gave 90s nostalgia and reminded me a little of Fright Night and Netflix's Never Have I Ever. It had inspiration from Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley and Doctor Faustus. Maybe even a little Final Destination sprinkling, too.

And, the characters were 🤌🏼. Merritt reminded me of myself in high school and I loved her personality and just everything about her. Fancy was my absolute favorite, as she was a beautiful, sparkly firecracker with personality for days! Gran was like a warm hug on a cold day, and Linus absolutely stole my heart. Though I would have liked a touch more from the rest of the characters, they were sprinkled in nicely and added the diversity and subplot-ness that made the book 👌🏼.

I loved the horror. I loved the comedy. I loved the characters. I loved the banter, the snark, and the emotion. And, I loved all the small details and the entire story. It was demonically overachieving in the best way possible!

"...the demon wakes up and wackiness ensues." - Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Thank you to the publisher for approving my request to read the earc early!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC. All opinions are my own.

Let’s get onto the review!

Demonology for Overachievers wastes no time jumping into the meat of the story. We’re told very early on that our main character, an fat Afro-Latina who lives with her grandmother, has summoned a demon. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how long it would take to get to that point in the story but I was surprised to see that it was basically right up front.

And why did she summon a demon? Because there’s a scholarship she wants and it’s against nine other students. Nine people who are vying for the chance to get a full ride to college, and an internship at a local mega corporation called Lexgroup or Lexcorp. Either way, it reminded me of Lex Luthor way too much.

Can we see him giving the overachieving student of Metropolist giving students a chance to win an internship? Honestly, yeah maybe but he’d turn them into soldiers against Superman or something.

Anyway!

Merri wants this so that she can get that internship, get into the local college which is just as good as any ivy league school, and get a job that will allow her to pay off her mother’s student loans. Her mother and father also worked at the company and died in a car accident when she was young. Her grandmother takes care of her, lovingly, and since she cosigned her daughter’s student loans, she’s on the hook for them.

Which, let’s be real, is so predatory. No, I don’t want to hear or read about how “well she signed them”. Don’t care. The person going to school literally died. Let it go.

Enough of that tangent.

So, overall, this was a good book. I liked it. Although there were some things I had issue with. Trigger warning for fatphobia, cyberbullying, transfobia.

There are, as I said, nine other kids who are up for the scholarship, and one is one of the CEO’s second cousins. He’s a teenager named Linus and I kept picturing the kid from the Peanut’s He’s described as 6ft tall (which, can we please stop that? Not every dude is 6ft nore does he need to be.) and with a Superman curl in the center of his forehead. But I just kept picturing Linu’s head on the top of a tall, muscular frame. It made the reading far more entertaining than it had any right to be at some points.

Now, over all, like I said, this was a good read. But some of Merri’s personality traits just kind of annoyed me. She’s into Victorian era fiction. She loves Jane Eyre and her best friend, Fancy, a trans girl, loves monster romance and is the most boisterous, out there, loving big personality a person could want in a friend. While Fancy is a lot in the way a teenager is a lot because they have a lot of energy and don’t care who they’re around (I miss that so much) when they’re comfortable, Merri was the one who kind of annoyed me. “My inner Victoria woman was scandalized” was a sentence that I read more than once and rolled my eyes at.

I get it, teenagers are dramatic. Gothic fiction is dramatic. I also have a massive love of Jane Eyre. It’s on my bedside bookshelf as I type this. However, Merri took it just a little too far. It was just those little sayings that kind of annoyed me. So there were times where I didn’t enjoy being in her head because I was getting a bit irritated.

The love interest is of course, Linus Lexington. He starts to invade all of the clubs that Merri created so they would make her applications to college look good even though she was the only one in them. The way she was taught to game the system was honestly impressive.

Now, there’s a different reason she also wants to be alone. She’s got horrible social anxiety because we live in a fatphobic world and she is not the thin little teenager people for some reason think should be the only thing to exist.

There’s a school gossip IG page and it has taken aim at Merri before, saddling her with a cruel nickname. Wednesday Fattams. Creative? Not really. Heinous, yes. She goes through her life trying to make herself as invisible as possible because of people treating her that way. It was so bad people actually thought that was her name. I can’t imagine that.

Then, we have one of the scholarship prospects. Ava. Ava is, to put it bluntly, a mean girl. She always has something snarky to say. Says fatphobic things and even hinted at transphobia when talking to and about Fancy. She was infuriating.

I’ve had a little bit to sit with it after I finished reading it and I think I’ve settled squarely on a 4⭐rating. It’s well written, I liked the way the demon was handled actually. I liked most of the book quite a bit. I would recommend this to teenagers who are into the occult or adults who are curious about a good story. And anyone 15+ looking for a good read for the upcoming spooky season.

So, yeah, 4⭐. Have you read it? Are you planning to? What did or do you think about it? Let me know!

[Alexandra Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Co, and the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

I found this one under the horror category, of course. It being YA did not make me hesitate at the time, but after the accidental middle grade YA I requested I was a little nervy.

I’m expecting this one to be an exploration of the impossible standards teens face while applying to college (because wtf is a 6.0 GPA?) and a ‘the real demons are the friends we made along the way!’ feel good ending.

This book was actually so fun.

I found myself laughing out loud at some of the jokes—I used to work with college students, so it's not too terribly off base for the students here, and it definitely read to me like my previous students were speaking to me.

My favorite thing about a YA novel is that it gives us innocent, pure-of-heart kids who just want to save the world. They do not have the same baggage or motivations that adults do.

Demonology for Overachievers kind of roughs that up a little bit. The kids in this one have to save the world because of their own actions of willingly summoning a demon.

The characters are flawed and multidimensional in a way that is impressive for YA to me. I think Merritt’s backstory is very real: a plus-sized Afro-Latina being raised by her grandmother who feels like it is life or death that she get this fellowship so she can retire her grandmother.

It’s clear to me how someone in Merritt’s position would feel compelled to summon a demon to ensure that she wins this scholarship.

It is no secret that despite often being overqualified, Women of Color have to work significantly harder to earn the same accolades as their white male counterparts.

Merritt’s identity is a key piece to this story, and without it, I’m not sure if this book would have worked as well as it did. She often feels isolated due to her size and style as well, earning the nickname Wednesday Fattams from an anonymous gossip account run by a classmate.

Seeing Merritt’s overall character arc is heartwarming. It is always healing to me personally when I see a character who feels isolated and alone learn to let people in emotionally.

Also, we’ve got to talk about the gore.

The gore in this book was awesome.

Especially for a YA.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by YA horror lately with the gore! It’s not something I expect to be very detailed due to the age demographic.

But there are a couple of scenes involving a fountain pen and an air conditioning unit that were pretty gnarly. Very freak accident, Final Destination coded.

The demon descriptions were also really gross. I’m pretty sure I said “ew” out loud multiple times when the demon was summoned.

The real antagonist to me, though, wasn’t the demon - it was some of the other kids. I think Anderson did a great job in capturing how truly mean teens can be.

Lowkey triggered me at some points and made me thankful I’m not a teenage girl anymore but also dread that my daughter will be a teenage girl one day.

Overall, I think this is an outstanding YA novel that explores the pressures that teenagers find themselves under while also being really funny with fantastic horror elements.

Demonology for Overachievers has a dynamic cast of characters that feel real and flawed while still capturing the pure of heart essance of YA characters.

They are a very easy group of kids to root for.

There are several Queer characters that are well written and they feel authentic - not like caricatures. While this book does include bullying, there is never punching down on the Queer characters identities which was nice.

I think people of any age demographic could enjoy this one. Even the more seasoned horror reader I think can appreciate the quickness of this one combined with the gore elements.

Is it a catfish?

Not a catfish!

This was a really authentic book that is just as described.

I’m giving Demonology for Overachievers a solid 4 star rating.

It gave me exactly what I was looking for in a YA horror. Charming characters, a larger than life / outrageous problem, and a satisfying, happy ending.

I’m really glad I took a chance on this one and I will likely purchase a copy for my personal library.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Demonology for Overachievers” by Lily Anderson is what happens when dark academia meets college application stress, throws in demon summoning, and somehow still manages to be hilarious.

The premise is already great: Merritt Maldonado is determined to win a full-ride scholarship because her family seriously needs the money, and she’s spent basically her entire high school career building the world’s most exhausting résumé to make it happen. We’re talking clubs, leadership positions, endless extracurriculars (some of which are so ridiculous they become one of the funniest running jokes in the book; shoutout to all the clubs she founded where she was literally the only member).

But when her academic rival, Linus Lexington, is once again right there competing for the same scholarship, Merritt panics and does what any stressed-overachiever would obviously do: makes a deal with a demon.

As one does.

The book leans more into dark comedy than straight horror, and honestly, that works really well. There is some blood and gore, especially once the demon starts “helping” by killing off the competition, but this is definitely more sarcastic supernatural chaos than terrifying demon horror. If you go in expecting nonstop scares, you’ll probably be disappointed. If you go in expecting messy teen decisions, awkward demon problems, and a lot of jokes, you’ll have a much better time.

Merritt is a really strong main character. She’s relatable in that painfully realistic overachiever way as she is trying to live up to impossible standards, carrying family expectations, and convincing herself that taking the easy way out is somehow justified. She’s also a larger goth girl, which makes her feel refreshingly different from the typical YA heroine, and that representation is handled really nicely.

Linus starts off as kind of annoying, not going to lie. He’s the classic academic rival with a talent for being smug and occasionally making jokes that absolutely do not land. But as the story goes on, he gets a lot more depth, and once he and Merritt are forced to work together to stop the demon from murdering everyone, the rivalry-to-romance arc gets way more fun. It’s pretty obvious early on that he likes her long before she notices, which is frustrating but also entertaining.

One thing I really liked was the found family vibe that develops with the other scholarship finalists. Instead of everyone just being cutthroat competition, Merritt starts building real relationships with them, and it adds a lot of heart to the story. It makes the stakes feel bigger when the demon starts targeting people.

There’s also a mystery element as Merritt and Linus try to figure out how to break the demon pact before more people die, which helps balance out the romance and comedy. That said, the pacing does slow down a bit in the middle, and I definitely wished there were more horror moments throughout. The demon itself is creepy when it shows up, but the book often chooses humor over actual fear.

The biggest weakness is probably the ending; it wraps up a little too neatly and feels slightly anticlimactic considering how much chaos came before it. I wanted the final confrontation to hit a little harder.

Still, the emotional payoff works. Merritt gets solid character growth, especially as she learns that success isn’t about destroying yourself to meet everyone else’s expectations. A big theme here is learning that messing up doesn’t make you a failure, and that maybe you shouldn’t base your entire future on trying to live out someone else’s dream.

Overall, “Demonology for Overachievers” is funny, weird, and surprisingly heartfelt. It’s less “terrifying demon horror” and more “what if your college anxiety became a literal demon,” which honestly feels pretty accurate. If you like dark academia, rivals-to-romance, and supernatural disasters caused by bad teenage decisions, this one is a really fun time.

[RedReviews4You Susan-Dara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an absolute surprise from start to finish, and I completely loved it for that exact reason. Lily Anderson doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of modern high school life and the relentless pressures weighing on young people today—economically, socially, and academically. On top of that, there is the compounding weight of facing a future that feels deeply uncertain in every single respect.

For the main character, Merritt, these challenges are layered even further. As a plus-sized, Afro-Latine young woman, all of these academic and societal pressures compound in ways that directly reflect how she is seen by the dominant culture in her school and community. When a future-defining fellowship that Merritt has pinned all her hopes on is jeopardized by other students, she turns to an unforeseen option out of sheer desperation: enlisting the aid of a demon to secure her goals.

This story makes a powerful statement about what all too many young people are living through right now. For those of us who haven’t been teenagers in a while, it is a deeply eye-opening look at the modern landscape. It highlights both the sharp differences and the striking similarities between the generations. The "Mean Girls" have always been there trying to define how we should view ourselves, and the rich kids have always had effortless access to the best of everything—pristine clothes, brand-new cars, and a school system that often feels designed just to keep the status quo running smoothly. Perhaps the only real generational difference is that back in the days before social media, we could actually escape the drama for a little while outside of school hours. Now, for teens, it is a non-stop, 24/7/365 digital reality.

Yet, despite the dark humor, the artful (and age-appropriate!) use of gore, and the perfect blend of Spooky Season scares, the book showcases deeply affirming, beautiful messages. At its heart, it teaches you that you have to believe in yourself and claim your own worth so you can discover exactly what you are capable of. It proves that no matter how bleak things feel, there are people who will have your back. Family does see you for who you truly are, and asking for help or seeking advice is never a character flaw—it is quite the opposite. It is an essential part of growing up and stepping into your own power.

I absolutely loved that this never felt like a preachy, after-school special. The growth and messaging felt entirely organic to Merritt’s spectacular character arc. Highly recommend adding this to your fall reading list!

[Cass Serenity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an e-ARC of Demonology for Overachievers by Lily Anderson

All thoughts and reviews are solely my own.

3 Stars

Review:
Story:
Demonology for Overachievers by Lily Anderson is an entertaining moral lesson about taking ‘the easy way out’, though I would argue that summoning a demon and binding your souls together isn’t easy. Nor is dealing with the consequences of those actions, but that doesn’t fit the moral lesson we should be learning.

There are a lot of overdone tropes in this book like the anti-social orphan with a chip on her shoulder, the emotionless mentor that believes the ends justify the means, the hot male lead who’s friendly with everyone, and a flamboyant best friend. I would have liked more unique characters to experience the story with but Merritt and Linus (they did have unique names!) did grow on me.

The pacing was a little off with the romance moving fast, but the search for removing the sigil going slow.

I did enjoy the depictions of the demon and the mythology that went behind it. That was a fresh take of the wish granting entity. I also felt a personal connection with Merritt as a type A personality who was a goth in high school.

However, one of my biggest pet peeves with the story is the repeated fat shaming throughout the story. I know she wasn’t liked, but why did that always equal calling her fat? Even Merritt referred to herself as “fat” rather than overweight. This is a personal pet peeve as someone who has struggled with weight my entire life.

Overall, I was entertained, which is what you want from a story. I felt for Merritt and Linus, rooting for them both to survive.

Who would love this:
~ A YA crowd looking for stories about the struggles of high school and what you’ll do to get out of it no matter the cost.
~ You want a unique look at a wish granting story.
~ You’re looking for a few really good death scenes.

Who wouldn’t like this:
~ You want more from a story than a central cast of tropes.
~ You don’t want to be told a moral from your stories.
~ You’re against fat shaming as a repeated description for the main character.

Tropes:
~ Rivals to Lovers
~ Shy girl gets Hot guy
~ Push away friends for their own good

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

I signed a contract with a demon just to beat my high school rival for a college scholarship and honestly? Same. 😈📚

Here are the 15 exact reactions I had while reading Merritt and Linus navigate cursed pacts, body counts, and undeniable tension:

Chapter 1: Merritt, babe, please take a deep breath and a nap. 😴

Chapter 3: Linus Lexington is the most infuriatingly attractive academic nemesis to ever exist. 😤

Chapter 5: Wait... she's actually going through with summoning a demon for a scholarship?! Respect the grind, I guess. 📜✍️

Chapter 8: Okay, the demon is kind of iconic but also terrifying.

Chapter 12: Oh no. The demon took "eliminating the competition" WAY too literally. 😳🩸

Chapter 15: NOT THE GORY DETAILS! RIP to that applicant... 🪦

Chapter 18: WAIT. Linus has the demon's mark, too?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! 😱

Chapter 21: Tied to the same soul-devouring demon? Now, this is forced proximity. 🔗🔥

Chapter 24: Watching them attempt teamwork when they want to strangle each other is pure comedy.

Chapter 27: The banter is bantering, and I am giggling into my pillow. 🤭📖

Chapter 30: Okay, the line between "I hate you" and "I can't live without you" is officially blurring.

Chapter 33: The plot twists are hitting like a freight train who can actually be trusted?! 🕵️‍♀️

Chapter 36: Running against the clock to break a demonic pact while pretending everything is fine at school is peak stress.

Chapter 39: MY HEART CANNOT TAKE THIS ENDGAME CONFRONTATION. 💔💥

The Epilogue: Screaming, crying, and immediately needing a sequel!

A huge thank you to Toppling Stack Tours, Henry Holt and Co., and Lily Anderson for sharing an early copy of Demonology for Overachievers with me! I had the absolute best time diving into this dark and hilarious world. 🕯️✨

[Kate Connell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet YA read, quick and predictable but entertaining with a unique storyline. I found the parts of the story outside of the demon very relatable for YA and the emotions driving the story felt genuine. I would read another book by Lily Anderson; her slasher novel Showstopper is being added to my TBR for sure.

Merritt Maldanado is a high school senior being raised by her grandmother after her parents passed away years ago in a car accident. Her whole life is structured around what she thinks would make them proud, doing whatever it takes to work at LexCo in the R&D department, where they worked and met. First on the list is to score the coveted LexCo scholarship, a full ride to any school she gets into, a necessity with the way her grandmother scrimps to keep them afloat. But Linus Lexington (Of the LexCo family) is also in the running, and Merritt isn't sure her long list of clubs, sports, and academic achievements will outweigh his, especially since they've been neck and neck their entire high school career. So, when her friend and mentor Sloane tells her she can summon a demon and solve all of her problems, Merritt doesn't ask too many questions. But when the other finalists for the scholarship start dying in gruesome ways, Merritt can't pretend she doesn't know what's going on, and she quickly learns that Linus may know more than he is letting on as well. The two must work together to stop the deaths, break the pact, and maybe admit that they enjoy spending time together.... a lot.

Thank you to Net Galley for an eARC of this novel.

[Amanda Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a fun, chaotic ride, and I absolutely ate up the Final Destination meets demon contract vibes. There was this constant underlying feeling of okay, but what’s going to happen next?! that kept me hooked and flying through the pages.

The character development was definitely one of the strongest parts for me. I loved watching the characters grow as the story progressed and seeing how their choices, relationships, and circumstances shaped them. There was enough emotional depth to make me genuinely invested in what happened to them while still keeping that dark, slightly unhinged energy that made the premise so much fun.

The only thing keeping this from being a full five stars was that I wanted more world building and more development from some of the side characters. The concept was so interesting that I found myself wanting to dig even deeper into the world, its rules, and the people surrounding the main characters.

Overall, Demonology for Over Achievers was addictive, dark, clever, and incredibly entertaining. If you like supernatural stories with complicated characters, demon contracts, and that looming Final Destination-style sense that consequences are coming, definitely pick this one up!

4.5 ⭐️

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DEMONOLOGY FOR OVERACHIEVERS by Lily Anderson (September 22, 2026)

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan (Henry Holt & Co) for the eArc

Merritt Maldonado is an overachiever, but so is her academic rival, Linus Lexington. Now, both on the cusp of winning a full ride scholarship, Merritt makes a deal with a demon. Then the other applicants start d*ing. She and Linus---tied to the same demon---must work together to stop the demon.
DEMONOLOGY FOR OVERACHIEVERS is a YA horror story that blends demon (ology), found family, and academic rivals. This dark academia story had me hooked from the beginning, and I read the entire thing in a day. I understood why Merritt did what she did (though very stupid of her). She wanted to get that internship, go to college, succeed.
I think my favorite part of this were the scenes with Merritt and Fancy, and Linus and Merritt. The friendship between to former, the banter between the latter. Though at face with a demon, I liked that they had time for that.
I've read a few of Anderson's other books, and this one has been my favorite. Yet another read perfect for the fall.

[Alanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun way to start spooky season for me. The cast of characters was to die for (literally.) Lily has such a great way of writing teenagers that actually feel like teenagers. Their emotions, decisions, friendships all felt natural without trying to make them seem too mature for their age or following stereotypes.

And Merritt summoning a demon to win the scholarship and finding out Linus also summoned the demon was teaaaa. And then the demon was silly / goofy while also being unsettling. I laughed so hard and was shocked by the twists. Also really like that we got the emails as mixed media elements, literally one of my favorite things.

The romance between Linus and Merritt was so cute. I loved watching their dynamic go from rivals to teens with crushes to admitting their feelings and fighting a demon together. And then Linus was described as a teenage Clark Kent..... all I pictured was Henry Cavill and that was all I needed.

Overall, this is a fun YA fantasy with a strong cast of characters, twists that had me hooked, and a sweet rivalry romance. Perfect for the fall.

Thank you Macmillan Children's for the ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Henry Holt and Co and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I love a witty horror romance! Merritt Maldonado is at the top of her class, she’s done everything right to succeed. But for everything she’s done so has Linus Lexington. And now they are neck and neck for a coveted scholarship that Merritt just has to win. So she does the only thing she can do and summons a demon, naturally, to help her win. But soon her competition start to die one by one and it doesn’t take her long to realize that the demon is killing her competition. And worse she’s seen the demon’s mark on Linus. Now their tied together and will have to work with one another to figure out how break the pact with the demon, stop people from dying, and maybe admit that their rivalry hides more, maybe something of a romantic nature. Can they succeed? Lily Anderson’s writes a sweet heartfelt book that was fast paced and full of humor! I loved the character development and the emotional depth of the story! A unique story that’s filled with chaos and spookiness!

[Larissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if a demon could solve all your problems. This is what Merritt is hoping will happen. She really wants to win scholarship to her dream school, but there are too many people who are making those chances a bit harder. Merritt knows that she is a good choice and winning the scholarship would take so much stress out of her and her grandmother’s life. So, when her mentor offers her the opportunity to get help from a demon that can make her dreams come true Merritt jumps at the chance. What she wasn’t expecting is that her wish would cause people to die, nor was she expecting one of her greatest competitors to have access to the same demon and using it for their wishes as well.
I loved the voice in this book. The characters were vibrant, quirky, and just were a pleasure to read and go on this adventure to fix their mistakes with. I think that young adult readers are truly going to fall in love with this dynamic book.
Thank you so much to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

[Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Demonology for Overachievers by Lily Anderson reminded me of what it felt like to be a teenager under pressure to secure my future, without knowing how to use that pressure effectively. I desperately wanted to hold onto any bit of control and consider every angle to protect my dreams. I didn’t go so far as to seek help from a demon, but I can understand navigating that uncertainty. While I felt the consequences for the main characters' actions didn't necessarily match the severity of the harm they caused others, I enjoyed reading their mental growth. This book could be relatable, thought-provoking, and bring humor to any high schooler looking to secure an academic future.

Three stars for me, as I felt the justification for their actions didn't match the consequences, but I did enjoy the first love of it all. Thank you to NetGalley, author Lily Anderson, and Macmillan Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this Teen/YA book.

[Leslie Cernosek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was campy and funny and fun. Merritt is a relatable type A introvert looking for a sure fire way to get a life changing scholarship. Why not summon a demon to guarantee her wish will come true? When bad things start happening to the other scholarship contenders Merritt has to work with Linus, her biggest rival, to contain the demon. Hijinks ensue. Merritt was so relatable to me and, having a teen going through the college admissions process, it’s not hard to see why she decided to take a short cut with some help from a demon. I really enjoyed Merritt and watching her growth as she tries to make things right. Her banter with Linus and relationship with Fancy and her Gran were so fun to read. Anderson has a real knack for realistic dialogue and relationships, even with the backdrop of a horror premise.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy and a chance to read this early. All opinions are my own.

[Danielle Walker Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really enjoyable, and I found it adorable if that even makes sense. It definitely struck with my “weird” vibe, and it gave me so many nostalgic feelings. I loved the Poe inclusion. Poe was my gateway into all things dark, weird, and creepy.

The characters are all well-written and each has their own individuality, but they all mesh so well together, and the banger is great! All the themes were woven well together with the characters and storyline.

If you want to read a book that has horror(nothing heavy), comedy, romance, found family, great characters, and a well-written storyline, you have got to pick this book up!

Thank you, NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/ Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for the widget for the ARC to read and review early, and to the talented Lily Anderson for giving us such a fun and quirky book!

[Stacee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always down for a book from Lily, but there was no way I was going to miss this one.

I loved Merritt. She's so smart and such a delightful goth kid. I loved being in her head. Linus is charming and more than his name. Together they have animosity, a bit of flirting, and a weird bond. The Jam Club kids were (mostly) fun and added some levity.

Plot wise, i was instantly invested in what happened and the repercussions of their actions. The last chapter was fantastic and while I wish we would have gotten just a bit more at the end, I thoroughly enjoyed devouring this story.

Overall, this book was filled with heart, longing, and of course, a demon. I can't wait to see what's next.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

[BookishKB · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖤😈 Demonology for Overachievers 😈🖤

While I enjoyed this book, I was really hoping it would be a 5 star read.

I'm giving it 4 stars because I loved almost everything about it except our FMC. She drove me absolutely nuts for most of the book and there were quite a few moments where I found myself frustrated with her attitude.

🔮What to Expect
• Dark Academia
• Academic Rivals
• Demon Bargain
• Scholarship Competition
• Supernatural
• Murder Mystery
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 22, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Steffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading an ARC of Showstopper last year (and promptly buying a physical copy because I loved it so much!) I knew I had to read this! This was a super cute, fun, easy to read YA novel, following Merritt, a high school senior vying for a prestigious fellowship, so she enlists the help of a demon. "Be careful what you wish for" vibes abound when fellow finalists start dropping dead in freak accidents. Merri & Linus (who had also made a deal) work together to keep everyone else safe and try to banish the demon. Humorous & heartfelt!

[Jame_EReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

👧🏻 review: I read this book in a blink of an eye. I wasn’t anticipating this book to be both entertaining and cryptic. It is a light read with enigmatic moments and some funny winks. I was literally guesstimating the whole time when the plot twisted. The story is definitely up my alleys and with the subtle romance and fantasy, the book sealed the deal. It is dark, funny, cozy, cute and mysterious in so many ways. For dark academia fantasy readers, this will absolutely captivate them to read it.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was really enjoyable, funny, and just an easy read. I don't, however, agree with it being marketed for 14 and up due to the frequent mention of monster erotica, threesomes, poly relationships and the mentions of a room in the school dedicated to jacking off. 😅 I think these parts should be made more aware before diving into the book, so parents or the child could decide if this is material they're comfortable with reading.

Aside from that, I enjoyed it overall.

[Jessica Gleason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing says "meet cute" like pacts with demons and watching your classmates die. 🤣 This book was a lot of fun.

As you may know, deals with devils have a special place in my heart. This presents an entertaining twist on the trope as two rivals make the same pact with the same devil causing havoc, gruesome death, and a race to break their crossroads contracts before all of their competition goes kaput.

I had fun reading this one. Check it out!

[Lili Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, fast-paced YA horror romance. Merrit is such a great goth girlie, moody and driven, independent by self-isolation. Linus, her enemy/love interest, is of course the well-liked golden boy with a well-known family. There are some great shock-value moments, some funny moments, and this found-family vibe that I do so love in stories! Thank you, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Lily Anderson, for this complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. 

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one! I read an ARC of Showstopper by Lily Anderson last year and was so excited to get a widget for this one.

If you love snarky, funny, YA horror/romance, this is for you! The banter is excellent, the characters are fun and diverse, the deaths are gory and surprising. I was 3 pages in when I told my teenage daughter I already knew I would love it.

4.25⭐

[Koda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much NetGalley for the chance to read this early.

I had a GREAT time with this. The setting was phenomenal and lord knows I love a competitive dark academia. Throw in some demons and now it’s perfect.

[Chaitra Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

was looking forward to this because I thought it would be the more paranormal version of The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You (which is one of my most fave books Ever) with a big friend group and lots of intersectional gothic nerdiness, but it didn't quite hit the mark.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review forthcoming in SLJ.

[Kristi Housman Confessions of a YA Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

rtc for blog tour

Thank you to the publisher for my earc and Netgalley for an earc too.