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The Demon Among Us #2
Malevolent: Book 2 of The Demons Among Us series
When Tim and Christine's daughter, Julie, reaches puberty, with it comes mood swings and sudden tantrums. But not just that; in her room, things start flying around of their own accord, loud bangs and thuds. Christine's mother, Vera, half blind, also sees and hears things and is convinced the house is haunted. But when a local deliverance minister visits, he is sure Julie is the root cause of it all and that it will soon stop.
Until the shadows appear, the ghostly visitations and the threats. As the violence escalates, and Terry and Agatha are called to investigate, they soon realise they may have been wrong with their original beliefs. But will it be too late to save the family and will Terry finally find the one he's been seeking all these years?
Until the shadows appear, the ghostly visitations and the threats. As the violence escalates, and Terry and Agatha are called to investigate, they soon realise they may have been wrong with their original beliefs. But will it be too late to save the family and will Terry finally find the one he's been seeking all these years?
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2025
7 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 5, 2025
“Malevolent” - Round 2, don’t forget to bring your Holy Water!
★★★★☆ (4.5)
First of all, thank you for blessing me with the ARC! I was really excited for the second book in “The Demons Among Us” series and like the first one I really enjoyed it! I’ll also stick to my “These stories feel like The Exorcist meet The Conjuring” quote because they do in the best way! This novel was filled with darkness and you can feel the constant tension and dread growing with each chapter, it’s pace keeping you on your toes and making in hard to put this one down. I can’t wait for the next one!
★★★★☆ (4.5)
First of all, thank you for blessing me with the ARC! I was really excited for the second book in “The Demons Among Us” series and like the first one I really enjoyed it! I’ll also stick to my “These stories feel like The Exorcist meet The Conjuring” quote because they do in the best way! This novel was filled with darkness and you can feel the constant tension and dread growing with each chapter, it’s pace keeping you on your toes and making in hard to put this one down. I can’t wait for the next one!
January 3, 2026
Book two of the Demon’s Among Us series is cruel in the best possible way.
It doesn’t rely on cheap shocks or momentary scares — it seeps under the skin, festers, and stays there. This is possession horror that understands something fundamental: demons don’t break doors down. They move in when the house is already collapsing.
The family at the center of this story is unraveling long before anything supernatural arrives. Julie is caught in the raw, confusing terror of puberty, her sense of self fractured and vulnerable. Her parents, Timothy and Christine, are caught in a marriage poisoned by doubt, resentment, and emotional neglect. Vera, Julie’s grandmother, has a terrible secret of her own and her failing body is reminder that nothing in this house is getting better. The atmosphere is suffocating — a place where hope has started to bled dry.
When the entity finally takes hold, it doesn’t feel like an invasion. It feels like a natural progression. It feeds on shame, anger, fear, and exhaustion, tightening its grip as the family tears itself apart. By the time help is called, the rot is already running deep.
Terry and Agatha return as the demonologists tasked with stopping it, but this force is a very powerful one, seems to be getting stronger & stronger. Their knowledge doesn’t guarantee safety. Their choices carry weight — and sometimes those choices make the situation worse, and sometimes not . The tension comes not from wondering if they’ll succeed, but from realizing how easily they could fail. Still , faith carries forward .
Fans of the obscure will recognize the bones of familiar possession here, but this story strips away any sense of comfort or righteousness. There are no clean victories. Every revelation comes at a cost, every step forward drags something terrible into the light.
This series has become one of my favorites because it refuses mercy.
It is bleak, oppressive, and relentlessly unsettling — a story that understands evil doesn’t arrive screaming. It waits until you’re weak enough to welcome it.
A brutal, unforgiving read and an easy recommendation for anyone who likes their horror pitch-black and unapologetic.
Looking forward to book #3 of the series!!
It doesn’t rely on cheap shocks or momentary scares — it seeps under the skin, festers, and stays there. This is possession horror that understands something fundamental: demons don’t break doors down. They move in when the house is already collapsing.
The family at the center of this story is unraveling long before anything supernatural arrives. Julie is caught in the raw, confusing terror of puberty, her sense of self fractured and vulnerable. Her parents, Timothy and Christine, are caught in a marriage poisoned by doubt, resentment, and emotional neglect. Vera, Julie’s grandmother, has a terrible secret of her own and her failing body is reminder that nothing in this house is getting better. The atmosphere is suffocating — a place where hope has started to bled dry.
When the entity finally takes hold, it doesn’t feel like an invasion. It feels like a natural progression. It feeds on shame, anger, fear, and exhaustion, tightening its grip as the family tears itself apart. By the time help is called, the rot is already running deep.
Terry and Agatha return as the demonologists tasked with stopping it, but this force is a very powerful one, seems to be getting stronger & stronger. Their knowledge doesn’t guarantee safety. Their choices carry weight — and sometimes those choices make the situation worse, and sometimes not . The tension comes not from wondering if they’ll succeed, but from realizing how easily they could fail. Still , faith carries forward .
Fans of the obscure will recognize the bones of familiar possession here, but this story strips away any sense of comfort or righteousness. There are no clean victories. Every revelation comes at a cost, every step forward drags something terrible into the light.
This series has become one of my favorites because it refuses mercy.
It is bleak, oppressive, and relentlessly unsettling — a story that understands evil doesn’t arrive screaming. It waits until you’re weak enough to welcome it.
A brutal, unforgiving read and an easy recommendation for anyone who likes their horror pitch-black and unapologetic.
Looking forward to book #3 of the series!!
January 1, 2026
ARC Review
If Creepy possession Stories are your thing, you are going to need to read this
Malevolent is the second book of The Demons Among Us Series. In this story we follow Tim, Christine and their daughter Julie. Christine's elderly Mother Vera also lives with the family.
Julie has reached that difficult teenage age where attitude and Mood swings are a given, but when things start being thrown around her room by an invisible force the family realise there is something much more sinister at play.
The family all start to see unexplainable things and they contact a deliverance minister who is convinced that the negative energy within the family home, along with Julie's hormonal changes are the cause and that the strange activity will stop as quickly as it began.
When things start to get a whole lot more terrifying and intense, Terry and Agatha the Demonologists from the first book are called in, but are they too late?!
This was an amazingly Creepy story which had a little bit of everything ghosts, Demons, family Secrets and twists and turns.
Justin has a really brilliant way of writing Characters and family dynamics that are realistic and relatable which draws you in and you are invested from the very first chapter.
As with book one in this series the imagery was creepy and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I Can't wait to see what book 3 has in store for us!
If Creepy possession Stories are your thing, you are going to need to read this
Malevolent is the second book of The Demons Among Us Series. In this story we follow Tim, Christine and their daughter Julie. Christine's elderly Mother Vera also lives with the family.
Julie has reached that difficult teenage age where attitude and Mood swings are a given, but when things start being thrown around her room by an invisible force the family realise there is something much more sinister at play.
The family all start to see unexplainable things and they contact a deliverance minister who is convinced that the negative energy within the family home, along with Julie's hormonal changes are the cause and that the strange activity will stop as quickly as it began.
When things start to get a whole lot more terrifying and intense, Terry and Agatha the Demonologists from the first book are called in, but are they too late?!
This was an amazingly Creepy story which had a little bit of everything ghosts, Demons, family Secrets and twists and turns.
Justin has a really brilliant way of writing Characters and family dynamics that are realistic and relatable which draws you in and you are invested from the very first chapter.
As with book one in this series the imagery was creepy and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I Can't wait to see what book 3 has in store for us!
December 28, 2025
Excellent demon horror!
Malevolent, book 2 in the Demons Among Us series brings the story of a 13 year old girl who begins to have unexplained events occur around her and begins acting out. Initially, the outbursts are dismissed as hormones, but things escalate to the point that a Vicar is called, and he, in turn, calls the returning demonologists Terry and Agatha. Initially, they are unsure if possession is occurring, but things escalate rapidly. The writing is excellent, especially for the genre! The characters, the dialogue, the pacing which starts a bit slow but quickly builds to a gut wrenching denouement, the clear descriptions of the events of the book all combine to give the reader a wild experience. Overall, 4/5 stars, fans of supernatural horror will love it!
Malevolent, book 2 in the Demons Among Us series brings the story of a 13 year old girl who begins to have unexplained events occur around her and begins acting out. Initially, the outbursts are dismissed as hormones, but things escalate to the point that a Vicar is called, and he, in turn, calls the returning demonologists Terry and Agatha. Initially, they are unsure if possession is occurring, but things escalate rapidly. The writing is excellent, especially for the genre! The characters, the dialogue, the pacing which starts a bit slow but quickly builds to a gut wrenching denouement, the clear descriptions of the events of the book all combine to give the reader a wild experience. Overall, 4/5 stars, fans of supernatural horror will love it!
December 15, 2025
Book 2 of the Demon's Among Us series continues to bring the creepy factor in a tale that builds on the lore and the and recurring characters from the first one while weaving another creepy possession story that made the hair stand on the back of my neck the whole way through.
This time we have a troubled family household that is thick with drama, a perfect storm for a malevolent entity to feed off. Julie has recently reached puberty and is struggling to adapt to all the changes it brings whilst her parents, Timothy and Christine, are struggling to keep their relationship going because of a history of past cheating and work issues. Vera, Julie's grandmother who also lives at the house also has her health struggles which doesn't help. So when a entity attaches itself to the household, the Demonologist team of Terry and Agatha are once again called in to handle the situation. What they find however, is a much more complex scenario than the situation first presents.
This is fast becoming one of my favorite series. Fans of The Conjuring or The Exorcist will find a lot to love here. There are several twists and turns in this one that kept me guessing and on my toes and the way it unfolds is deliciously entertaining. This book continues to build on Terry and Agatha's characters and motivations. They are also not perfect like many characters tend to be, their flaws often direct their actions and sometimes they don't pay off.
Highly recommended for fans of possession/haunted house horror. I'm looking forward to what Mr Boote has in store for Book 3!
This time we have a troubled family household that is thick with drama, a perfect storm for a malevolent entity to feed off. Julie has recently reached puberty and is struggling to adapt to all the changes it brings whilst her parents, Timothy and Christine, are struggling to keep their relationship going because of a history of past cheating and work issues. Vera, Julie's grandmother who also lives at the house also has her health struggles which doesn't help. So when a entity attaches itself to the household, the Demonologist team of Terry and Agatha are once again called in to handle the situation. What they find however, is a much more complex scenario than the situation first presents.
This is fast becoming one of my favorite series. Fans of The Conjuring or The Exorcist will find a lot to love here. There are several twists and turns in this one that kept me guessing and on my toes and the way it unfolds is deliciously entertaining. This book continues to build on Terry and Agatha's characters and motivations. They are also not perfect like many characters tend to be, their flaws often direct their actions and sometimes they don't pay off.
Highly recommended for fans of possession/haunted house horror. I'm looking forward to what Mr Boote has in store for Book 3!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am becoming more and more convinced that Boote can get something mundane and boring, like a kitchen towel and turn it into something evil terrifying.
This stand witness of his tremendous ability to provide such an intense level of scare and edge of your seat sensations, that dont fail to exist in this coming novel, Malevolent that follows a pair of exorcists as they try to resolve yet another case of haunting/possesion.
This stand witness of his tremendous ability to provide such an intense level of scare and edge of your seat sensations, that dont fail to exist in this coming novel, Malevolent that follows a pair of exorcists as they try to resolve yet another case of haunting/possesion.
January 8, 2026
Malevolent is possession horror that creeps in quietly and refuses to let go. Rather than relying on sudden shocks, it builds a sense of dread that settles deep and stays there. The horror doesn’t arrive by force — it takes root where things are already broken.
At the heart of the story is a family that is coming apart long before anything supernatural shows itself. Julie is navigating the confusion and fear of puberty, vulnerable and unsure of who she is becoming. Her parents, Timothy and Christine, are trapped in a marriage eroded by resentment and emotional distance. Adding to the tension is Vera, Julie’s grandmother, whose own hidden past and physical decline cast a long shadow over the household. The home itself feels heavy and airless, a place where optimism has quietly drained away.
When the entity finally asserts itself, it feels less like an attack and more like an inevitability. It thrives on exhaustion, shame, fear, and anger, tightening its hold as the family continues to fracture. By the time outside help is sought, the damage is already deep and spreading.
Terry and Agatha return as the demonologists tasked with confronting the threat, but their experience offers no guarantee of safety. Every decision carries risk, and even the right choices can have devastating consequences. The tension lies not in whether they might win, but in how easily everything could still go wrong.
While fans of possession horror will recognise familiar foundations, Malevolent strips away any sense of comfort or moral certainty. There are no easy answers, no clean victories — only hard truths and painful revelations. Each step forward comes at a cost.
This series has become a standout for me because it shows no mercy. It’s bleak, oppressive, and deeply unsettling — the kind of horror that lingers long after the final page.
At the heart of the story is a family that is coming apart long before anything supernatural shows itself. Julie is navigating the confusion and fear of puberty, vulnerable and unsure of who she is becoming. Her parents, Timothy and Christine, are trapped in a marriage eroded by resentment and emotional distance. Adding to the tension is Vera, Julie’s grandmother, whose own hidden past and physical decline cast a long shadow over the household. The home itself feels heavy and airless, a place where optimism has quietly drained away.
When the entity finally asserts itself, it feels less like an attack and more like an inevitability. It thrives on exhaustion, shame, fear, and anger, tightening its hold as the family continues to fracture. By the time outside help is sought, the damage is already deep and spreading.
Terry and Agatha return as the demonologists tasked with confronting the threat, but their experience offers no guarantee of safety. Every decision carries risk, and even the right choices can have devastating consequences. The tension lies not in whether they might win, but in how easily everything could still go wrong.
While fans of possession horror will recognise familiar foundations, Malevolent strips away any sense of comfort or moral certainty. There are no easy answers, no clean victories — only hard truths and painful revelations. Each step forward comes at a cost.
This series has become a standout for me because it shows no mercy. It’s bleak, oppressive, and deeply unsettling — the kind of horror that lingers long after the final page.
January 15, 2026
Shout out to this book and to the author Justin Boote 👏 🙌 I finished this recently but have been in a fog with 3 of my 4 kids and myself getting a really nasty case of flu shortly after Christmas, so my brain wasn't functioning enough to share my thoughts!
This book was awesome! My favorite in the collection so far. I'm obsessed with the two returning characters, 100% they will be in my 'character faves' forever. The book can be read as a stand alone though so no worries if this is your first one in the collection... though it will make you want to read more so, fair warning!
It had me guessing til the end and speeding through it to see what happens next. The action and the scares start off right out of the gate with a scene that will hook you immediately! WILD!! I loved the poltergeist, haunting vibe so much... paranormal horror is one of my favorite sub-genres, so if you're into it too you'll love this! The ghost/demon descriptions felt so real you could see it so clearly in your mind. All the visuals throughout the book were vivid and visceral.
The characters were flawed in the most perfectly imperfect way which made them relatable...(because who the f**k is perfect and who wants to read about some made up, unrelatable person with a fake perfect life?!)...so you really feel for them and root for them!!
Gahh, its hard to share without giving too much away, but if you like books/movies such as Poltergeist, Carrie, Paranormal Activity and The Exorcist you will like this!
This book was awesome! My favorite in the collection so far. I'm obsessed with the two returning characters, 100% they will be in my 'character faves' forever. The book can be read as a stand alone though so no worries if this is your first one in the collection... though it will make you want to read more so, fair warning!
It had me guessing til the end and speeding through it to see what happens next. The action and the scares start off right out of the gate with a scene that will hook you immediately! WILD!! I loved the poltergeist, haunting vibe so much... paranormal horror is one of my favorite sub-genres, so if you're into it too you'll love this! The ghost/demon descriptions felt so real you could see it so clearly in your mind. All the visuals throughout the book were vivid and visceral.
The characters were flawed in the most perfectly imperfect way which made them relatable...(because who the f**k is perfect and who wants to read about some made up, unrelatable person with a fake perfect life?!)...so you really feel for them and root for them!!
Gahh, its hard to share without giving too much away, but if you like books/movies such as Poltergeist, Carrie, Paranormal Activity and The Exorcist you will like this!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This one has it all: demons, ghosts, possessions, poltergeists, exorcisms, murders, hauntings...! "Malevolent" continues the story begun in "Entity," the first book in the "Demons Among Us" series. The first half of the book figures another family mysteriously plagued by supernatural presences, while the second brings in Terry the experienced demonologist-slash-exorcist and his wife Agatha to deal with the paranormal events. This time, there will be blood! The demonic attacks are quite aggressive, drawing sustenance from unresolved events in the family's past - or do they?
Risking some outright confusion, the plotting seemed to me to get a bit more complicated than usual, perhaps even too complex for a one-sitting read. Boote plays a sort of hide-and-seek with the reader, sometimes putting the spotlight on sadistic ghosts, other times on evil demons, making it impossible to see clearly what's really going on, who's been possessed (if anyone has), and who's the mastermind behind all this. It was a relief to finally see the connection with Baal, Terry's arch-enemy from the first book; it was sad to watch the half-blind grandmother cruelly being targeted by the demons; and a bit funny to discover that things in the house just couldn't stay put for more than a couple of pages: everything's flying - furniture, books, clothes...!
That ending though... preparing the road for the next book - literally insane (pun intended)! Recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Malevolent is the 2nd book in the Demons Are Among Us series by Justin Boote. Baal, a demon introduced in the 1st book, has taken hold of another family…Timothy, Christine, their daughter Julie, and Christine’s mom, Vera who is blind. Starts off with Julie hearing and seeing supernatural things in her bedroom. Then stuff in her in room starts flying off her walls and out of draws. Heavy furniture is moved without explanation. Christine and Vera start to experience sinister things that can’t be explained either. The church is initially called in to help, but they quickly realize they need more. Terry and Agatha are then brought in. Terry senses it’s Baal and a demonic possession. But who is possessed? Is it Julie, Christine, or Vera. Or all 3? You’ll need to read this book to find out. If you like the Poltergeist, the Exorcist, or the Conjuring you will love this new series by Justin Boote. I read this book in less than a day…each chapter flew by! The infamous Northgate hospital for the criminally insane is mentioned several times throughout the book. I look forward to book 3 in the series. You can preorder The Malevolent today on Amazon, which will be available December 28th.
January 2, 2026
When Julie's behavior begins to shift from ordinary teenage mood swings into something far more violent and disturbing, her family knows something is terribly wrong. Screams echo from her room at night. Objects move on their own. An unseen presence seems to linger in their home, watching and waiting. Christine, Julie's mother, is desperate for answers but people just believe it's just a phase or puberty. Even a deliverance minister insists that the darkness will pass. But Christine's mother Vera knows better. She has seen evil before, and this feels familiar. As things grow more dangerous, paranormal investigators Terry and Agatha are drawn into the case. What they uncover suggests this is no simple possession. With time running out, the family must face the terrifying truth. .. some forces don't want to be cast out, and they will do anything to stay.
Malevolent is the kind of horror that creeps in quietly and refuses to let go. What starts as troubling changes in a teenage girl quickly escalates into something sinister and the sense of unease never lets up. Justin excels at turning every day family life into a pressure cooker of fear. The paranormal elements are not heavy-handed or gimmicky and the realization that the threat may have been misunderstood is chilling. I love how the tension builds through the atmosphere and character reactions, making the horror feel personal. Malevolent is a gripping read for fans of possession horror that lingers long after the last page!
Thank you to Justin Boote for the eARC! Book 3 here we come!
Malevolent is the kind of horror that creeps in quietly and refuses to let go. What starts as troubling changes in a teenage girl quickly escalates into something sinister and the sense of unease never lets up. Justin excels at turning every day family life into a pressure cooker of fear. The paranormal elements are not heavy-handed or gimmicky and the realization that the threat may have been misunderstood is chilling. I love how the tension builds through the atmosphere and character reactions, making the horror feel personal. Malevolent is a gripping read for fans of possession horror that lingers long after the last page!
Thank you to Justin Boote for the eARC! Book 3 here we come!
December 29, 2025
Malevolent, book two of the Demons Among Us series, is written by Justin Boote. Justin is not only a fantastic splatterpunk author but also exceptional at regular horror, especially when it comes to demonic possession. *shivers!!* They give The Conjuring vibes all the way!
When young Julie reaches puberty, strange things begin to happen that are brushed off as just hormones and mood swings, but as things start to escalate and the unexplained happen, a local deliverance minister is called. Believing that Julie is the root cause, he assures them that it will soon stop. Soon, ghostly visitations and violence become too much, and Terry and Agatha are finally called to investigate.
This series continues to deliver! Justin’s writing is always on point, and he is great at building up the tension and unleashing it full blast at you. I love that with each book, we dive deeper into Terry and Agatha’s characters. I am addicted to this series and can’t wait to read book three!
Thanks to Justin Boote for gifting me an eARC of Malevolent. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When young Julie reaches puberty, strange things begin to happen that are brushed off as just hormones and mood swings, but as things start to escalate and the unexplained happen, a local deliverance minister is called. Believing that Julie is the root cause, he assures them that it will soon stop. Soon, ghostly visitations and violence become too much, and Terry and Agatha are finally called to investigate.
This series continues to deliver! Justin’s writing is always on point, and he is great at building up the tension and unleashing it full blast at you. I love that with each book, we dive deeper into Terry and Agatha’s characters. I am addicted to this series and can’t wait to read book three!
Thanks to Justin Boote for gifting me an eARC of Malevolent. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
😈😈 Malevolent by Justin Boote 😈😈
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out December 28th
When Tim and Christine's daughter, Julie, reaches puberty, with it comes mood swings and sudden tantrums. But not just that; in her room, things start flying around of their own accord, loud bangs and thuds. Christine's mother, Vera, half blind, also sees and hears things and is convinced the house is haunted. But when a local deliverance minister visits, he is sure Julie is the root cause of it all and that it will soon stop.
Until the shadows appear, the ghostly visitations and the threats. As the violence escalates, and Terry and Agatha are called to investigate, they soon realise they may have been wrong with their original beliefs. But will it be too late to save the family and will Terry finally find the one he's been seeking all these years?
The darkness and mayhem continue in book two of this series, and if you think that book one would prepare you for what's to come, then you're mistaken. Again, Boote gives us a great cast of characters before then turning their lives upside down, and this time you'll be left guessing over who Baal has set his sights on. If you love possession books, then start reading this series now, it's seriously good stuff.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out December 28th
When Tim and Christine's daughter, Julie, reaches puberty, with it comes mood swings and sudden tantrums. But not just that; in her room, things start flying around of their own accord, loud bangs and thuds. Christine's mother, Vera, half blind, also sees and hears things and is convinced the house is haunted. But when a local deliverance minister visits, he is sure Julie is the root cause of it all and that it will soon stop.
Until the shadows appear, the ghostly visitations and the threats. As the violence escalates, and Terry and Agatha are called to investigate, they soon realise they may have been wrong with their original beliefs. But will it be too late to save the family and will Terry finally find the one he's been seeking all these years?
The darkness and mayhem continue in book two of this series, and if you think that book one would prepare you for what's to come, then you're mistaken. Again, Boote gives us a great cast of characters before then turning their lives upside down, and this time you'll be left guessing over who Baal has set his sights on. If you love possession books, then start reading this series now, it's seriously good stuff.
December 28, 2025
This is not a story about a haunted house, it’s about what happens when a family is already broken–and something decides to move in.
Tim, Christine, and their teenage daughter Julie begin to notice sinister things happening in their home. Is it a teenager pushing back against her parents, or something far darker taking place?
Grandma Vera lives with them. She is sick. She is blind. And she knows far more than she lets on.
Malevolent drags you into a family full of old sins, buried secrets, and the supernatural presence is cruel, relentless, and deeply unsettling. Boote knows exactly how to pull you under and refuse to let go.
This book is viciously effective. Creepy in the best way, it held me captive from start to finish and genuinely unsettled me. I don’t spook easily–and this one got to me.
Solid characters. Tight pacing. No comfort offered.
Trigger warning: nightmares likely.
Malevolent is OUT NOW! Pick it up. I dare you.
Happy reading.
-Vibeke 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
Malevolent by Justin Boote
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Such an engaging and exciting non-stop horror story!! I love the creepiness and darkness that plays out throughout the book.
A family starts to witness some strange occurrences and after things begin flying around on their own, they decide to contact the church for assistance. The church reaches out to Terry and his wife Agatha to dig deeper into these issues the family is having. Do they have a ghost? Haunted house? A possession?
Terry wonders if it’s the demon Baal coming back again? He wants to stop him once and for all.
I was lucky to get an arc of this fantastic book!! It’s a very entertaining and well written story.
I can’t wait for book 3!
Part of The Demons Among Us Series-
1.) Entity
2.) Malevolent (coming out December 28)
3.) Mental (coming in January 2026)
*A Must read series!!!*
😈👿😈👿😈
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Such an engaging and exciting non-stop horror story!! I love the creepiness and darkness that plays out throughout the book.
A family starts to witness some strange occurrences and after things begin flying around on their own, they decide to contact the church for assistance. The church reaches out to Terry and his wife Agatha to dig deeper into these issues the family is having. Do they have a ghost? Haunted house? A possession?
Terry wonders if it’s the demon Baal coming back again? He wants to stop him once and for all.
I was lucky to get an arc of this fantastic book!! It’s a very entertaining and well written story.
I can’t wait for book 3!
Part of The Demons Among Us Series-
1.) Entity
2.) Malevolent (coming out December 28)
3.) Mental (coming in January 2026)
*A Must read series!!!*
😈👿😈👿😈
January 4, 2026
Another wonderfully creepy tale of possession that will leave you on the edge of your seat! Boote has done it again with this second installment of The Demons Among Us Series!
This story had everything you could want from possession, plot twists, drama, trickery, to the most unsettling scenarios!
I am genuinely hooked on this series and cannot get enough! Malevolent will leave you unnerved and unsettled, in all the best ways! By the end of this tale you will have experienced every emotion, it was gut wrenching, nerve wrecking but extremely wholesome. Set up perfectly for the next installment.
I'm also OBSESSED with this cover, how bloody creepy is that! This is definitely a judge a book by it's cover, because Justin will leave your skin crawling!
Thank you so much to Justin for the arc of Malevolent, all thoughts and opinions are mine and left voluntarily!
This story had everything you could want from possession, plot twists, drama, trickery, to the most unsettling scenarios!
I am genuinely hooked on this series and cannot get enough! Malevolent will leave you unnerved and unsettled, in all the best ways! By the end of this tale you will have experienced every emotion, it was gut wrenching, nerve wrecking but extremely wholesome. Set up perfectly for the next installment.
I'm also OBSESSED with this cover, how bloody creepy is that! This is definitely a judge a book by it's cover, because Justin will leave your skin crawling!
Thank you so much to Justin for the arc of Malevolent, all thoughts and opinions are mine and left voluntarily!
March 9, 2026
I tore through Malevolent: Book 2 in the Demons Among Us Series by Justin Boote and honestly… it’s even darker than the first book. Right from the start I felt that creeping dread again, but this time the stakes felt way higher. Watching the characters realize the demons aren’t just lurking—they’re actively manipulating everything around them—had me hooked. The reveal that someone they trusted was already under demonic influence caught me completely off guard. And that ending! When the truth about what the demon has actually been planning finally comes out, it flips everything on its head and leaves things in a seriously bleak place. I finished the last page thinking, there’s no way this ends well for anyone.
If you liked the first book, this one goes harder, darker, and way more brutal. I’m officially invested in this nightmare of a series. 😈📚
If you liked the first book, this one goes harder, darker, and way more brutal. I’m officially invested in this nightmare of a series. 😈📚
December 28, 2025
Malevolent is a visceral, fast paced dive into psychological horror that doesn't shy away from the darker corners of the human (and inhuman) experience. If you enjoy stories where the atmosphere is thick enough to choke on, this is a solid pick.
The story follows a protagonist caught in a downward spiral, where the boundaries between reality and a waking nightmare begin to blur. It wastes little time on pleasantries, plunging into a world that feels increasingly claustrophobic and threatening and Justin excels at describing settings that feel inherently wrong, making the reader feel as unsettled as the characters.
This one will linger in your mind like a bad dream you can't quite shake. 5/5 ⭐️
The story follows a protagonist caught in a downward spiral, where the boundaries between reality and a waking nightmare begin to blur. It wastes little time on pleasantries, plunging into a world that feels increasingly claustrophobic and threatening and Justin excels at describing settings that feel inherently wrong, making the reader feel as unsettled as the characters.
This one will linger in your mind like a bad dream you can't quite shake. 5/5 ⭐️
January 8, 2026
Terry and his wife are called to another difficult situation. This time what seems to be the energy of a poltergeist turns out to be a child that is possessed by a demon that has no problem using all family members against each other. This is the second book in the series. I really enjoyed the bleak outlook the author expresses throughout the story. There were several mentions about an inmate at Northgate Asylum so I would have to think the third book will entertain this story. I cannot imagine taking on the powerful demon in this story. This demon pulls no stops at trying to make all the people doubt themselves or dividing and conquering as to stop the exorcism. The final battle was filled with anguish and bravery. I can hardly wait to read the next book named Mental.
April 4, 2026
This was a great book, and honestly, the real evil might just be being a teenager. I swear our parents probably thought we were actually possessed at some point too.
Julie has hit puberty, and what starts off looking like mood swings and attitude very quickly turns into something much darker. Things move on their own, the house feels wrong, and everyone in the family has their own mess. That’s one of the things I liked most here: it’s not the perfect cookie cutter family.
I also liked how the story played with uncertainty. Is it Julie? Is it the house? Is it something else entirely? Also, I was so immersed while reading that the power went out twice and I almost left my house, so that should tell you enough.
December 7, 2025
Many thanks for allowing me the privilege of being an A.R.C reader!
"Malevolent" is the second book in 'The Demons Among Us Series' crafted by J. Boote. This one left me shook to the core. When I tell you Boote is one of the top horror writers of my time, please trust and believe. He is a legend. If you do not know his name and are a fan of all things horrific, read one of his books.
"Malevolent" is a sinister and twisted tale of possession. It is a story full of dark surprises that left me speechless. The grotesque imagery left me terrified. I devoured this tale in record time and ended up having nightmares. No regrets! I cannot wait for the third book.
"Malevolent" is the second book in 'The Demons Among Us Series' crafted by J. Boote. This one left me shook to the core. When I tell you Boote is one of the top horror writers of my time, please trust and believe. He is a legend. If you do not know his name and are a fan of all things horrific, read one of his books.
"Malevolent" is a sinister and twisted tale of possession. It is a story full of dark surprises that left me speechless. The grotesque imagery left me terrified. I devoured this tale in record time and ended up having nightmares. No regrets! I cannot wait for the third book.
December 20, 2025
Julie’s waiting for a call. She’s got the hots for Paul. Strange things start happening in Julie’s bedroom that she can’t make head nor tail of. Things take a turn darker when Julie’s Grandmother Vera begins to see shadows darting about the house.
I love Justin’s writing especially of his younger characters. I loved Julie’s character and how she developed as the story went on. Vera’s anxiety rippled through the early chapters. Eerie tension built and built with this one! I absolutely loved it! Easy 5 star!
I love Justin’s writing especially of his younger characters. I loved Julie’s character and how she developed as the story went on. Vera’s anxiety rippled through the early chapters. Eerie tension built and built with this one! I absolutely loved it! Easy 5 star!
January 6, 2026
4.5 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌟
Rarely does a sequel beat the original, but Justin Boote absolutJustin Boote off with Malevolent: Book 2 of The Demons Among Us series. It flows great, kept me hooked the whole way, and delivers a rock-solid storyline.
This series leans more into dark demonic/possession-style horror with a strong psychological edge, so you definitely feel it getting under your skin.
Those last few chapters had my heart racing non-stop, and that ending…whew!! If you loved the original, this one’s a step up. Go read it now! I’m ready for #3!
Rarely does a sequel beat the original, but Justin Boote absolutJustin Boote off with Malevolent: Book 2 of The Demons Among Us series. It flows great, kept me hooked the whole way, and delivers a rock-solid storyline.
This series leans more into dark demonic/possession-style horror with a strong psychological edge, so you definitely feel it getting under your skin.
Those last few chapters had my heart racing non-stop, and that ending…whew!! If you loved the original, this one’s a step up. Go read it now! I’m ready for #3!
January 2, 2026
can't wait for book 3
I finished this book in two days. . . would have been one if I didn't have to work.
Once again Justin Boote gives us some great characters with depth. . .Tim and Christine struggle with conflicts of marriage and a teenage daughter entering the hormone stage. Christine's mother lives with them and with her she brings her own baggage and secrets she tries desperately to hide from all of them.
Is the house possessed? Is it Grandma, daughter Julie, or Christine?
Not going to ruin it for you a great edge of your seat read.
I finished this book in two days. . . would have been one if I didn't have to work.
Once again Justin Boote gives us some great characters with depth. . .Tim and Christine struggle with conflicts of marriage and a teenage daughter entering the hormone stage. Christine's mother lives with them and with her she brings her own baggage and secrets she tries desperately to hide from all of them.
Is the house possessed? Is it Grandma, daughter Julie, or Christine?
Not going to ruin it for you a great edge of your seat read.
December 6, 2025
A massive thank you to J Boote for letting me
ARC read Malevolent. This sequel is pure darkness an exorcism in book form.
The dread builds with every chapter, and I couldn't put it down. If I could give it more than five stars, I would.
Boote never disappoints, and Malevolent proves it's a midnight read worth losing sleep over.
ARC read Malevolent. This sequel is pure darkness an exorcism in book form.
The dread builds with every chapter, and I couldn't put it down. If I could give it more than five stars, I would.
Boote never disappoints, and Malevolent proves it's a midnight read worth losing sleep over.
January 1, 2026
Excellent book 2 in The Demons Among Us series!!
This one kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat for the whole book. Just like with Entity, every noise in my house while reading these makes me wonder who or what is there 😬 It is creepy and a great story of haunting and possession.
If you are into reading about Demons, I highly suggest picking this one up!
This one kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat for the whole book. Just like with Entity, every noise in my house while reading these makes me wonder who or what is there 😬 It is creepy and a great story of haunting and possession.
If you are into reading about Demons, I highly suggest picking this one up!
January 9, 2026
Another fast paced, creepy story. Justin doesn't give his characters - and readers - a chance to take a breath. Incidents follow each other at warp speed. There really isn't a dull moment to be found.
I loved how Terry and Agatha are recurring characters. I really grew to like them in the first book.
I loved how Terry and Agatha are recurring characters. I really grew to like them in the first book.
November 29, 2025
deffenitly a great sequel. I love the fact that his sister comes at the end as a ghost and helps him save Julie. I thought at one point that the mother was possessed but I was surprised that it was just her being crazy lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2026
ARC review;
book 2 of the demons among us series. an engaging, soul gripping story that will keep you on your toes. when Julie no longer acts like an annoyed typical teenager but something more sinister, the whole family is affected. I enjoy this series and super excited to dive into book 3!
book 2 of the demons among us series. an engaging, soul gripping story that will keep you on your toes. when Julie no longer acts like an annoyed typical teenager but something more sinister, the whole family is affected. I enjoy this series and super excited to dive into book 3!
January 31, 2026
Great book 2 in The Demons Among Us series. Read it with the lights on; it’ll keep you on your toes and jumping! Loved it!
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