What do you think?
Rate this book
Pride And Treason
Summer Hale hunts monsters by night and wrangles tiny ballerinas by morning, pretending a normal life still fits around knives and ward lines. Hunters raised her to follow orders, kill demons, and above all never fall for anything born of Hell. Then a gold bike starts haunting her streets and a stranger with molten eyes keeps stepping between her and death.
Abel is the first demon ever forged, Cain’s murdered brother turned weapon, now carrying the stolen power of an old god that should have stayed buried. The mark across his ribs spreads farther every time he uses that power, threading darkness through his veins. If Abel dies, the universe collects, the balance is destroyed and everything burns.
When the power inside Abel begins to spread and the Fates tighten their grip on Summer’s life, they have two obey the story written for them…
Or break it together.
Abel is the first demon ever forged, Cain’s murdered brother turned weapon, now carrying the stolen power of an old god that should have stayed buried. The mark across his ribs spreads farther every time he uses that power, threading darkness through his veins. If Abel dies, the universe collects, the balance is destroyed and everything burns.
When the power inside Abel begins to spread and the Fates tighten their grip on Summer’s life, they have two obey the story written for them…
Or break it together.
475 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2026
8 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 25, 2026
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of Pride and Treason, and it was definitely a fun read. It's a demon/demon hunter story that had strong "Supernatural" vibes! I loved seeing characters from previous books and after that epilogue I'm hoping to see even more of them in the future. Ariel's writing style is very figurative and similie-heavy which isn't for everyone, to be honest, but it's so creative and beautiful.
March 30, 2026
2.5 stars
I was really looking forward to this one. The first two books in the series are strong and written well, so I went in excited. This one, though, leans into a completely different writing approach.
The first third was solid. I liked Abel and Summer together, and I enjoyed watching her push for her own life—teaching ballet, stepping out from under her family, actually choosing what makes her happy.
The last two thirds… that’s where things went sideways. The writing style shifts hard into faux‑dramatic fragments and repeated “impact” phrases, and it pulled me out of the story constantly. I had to take breaks just to get through it. For scale: like (55x), weight (57x), settle (83x), landed (54x). After a while it stops feeling like voice and starts feeling like a tic.
The ending did pick up again and had some dramatic moments that grabbed my attention, and it sets up the next book well enough. Nonetheless, it also leaves some big questions hanging.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to the author and BookFunnel for this eARC.
I was really looking forward to this one. The first two books in the series are strong and written well, so I went in excited. This one, though, leans into a completely different writing approach.
The first third was solid. I liked Abel and Summer together, and I enjoyed watching her push for her own life—teaching ballet, stepping out from under her family, actually choosing what makes her happy.
The last two thirds… that’s where things went sideways. The writing style shifts hard into faux‑dramatic fragments and repeated “impact” phrases, and it pulled me out of the story constantly. I had to take breaks just to get through it. For scale: like (55x), weight (57x), settle (83x), landed (54x). After a while it stops feeling like voice and starts feeling like a tic.
The ending did pick up again and had some dramatic moments that grabbed my attention, and it sets up the next book well enough. Nonetheless, it also leaves some big questions hanging.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to the author and BookFunnel for this eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨️ARC REVIEW✨️
"And just so you're aware... Anytime you want to scream at someone... anytime you want to bite... punch... fuck... or cry... you call me. I will come."
Ariel: "I swear every book I write I am 100% sure its hot garbage"
Me: "If it is hot garbage then I am the raccoon eating it UP! It's so good girl!
YES! YES! YES! A MILLION TIMES YES!😍😍😍
Ariel can I please read about this world forever? I dont want it to end! Every book of Diabolical Hearts got better and better! 🔥 I didn’t know how you were going to top Dear Death but GIRL YOU DID THE DAMN THING! 👏🏻
Everything about this story was perfection, it itched all the right places of my mind, body and soul. 😌 Girl you were destroying me with that ending but then you patched me up and I thought everything was ok but NOOO you come back to destroy me some more! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE! 😅 I literally read those final lines put my kindle down and starred into space like "What the hell just happened" Opal is gonna be PISSED! 🤣 Here I thought we were at the end of this story but there seems to be more to come. 👀
Anyways enough of my mental spiral of trauma! 💀 Abel and Summer’s part is the story was just so good.😍 Summer is a freaking badass chicky I want to be hwr and not only because she gets a super hot Demon/God as a boyfriend. Abel is a cheeky sucker and i honestly feel so deeply for what hes been through i dont blame him for spiralling with power. I have such a soft spot for him. 🤭 They have become strong contenders for top couple of this series!
I just cant express properly how much I loved this book! I ate it up like Sunday dinner! It had so much action, so much lust and affection and the banter was top frwking tier! 🙌🏻
If you love dark paranormal romance that is packed with banter, action, suspense and spice this series will be absolutely PERFECT for you! 😉
"And just so you're aware... Anytime you want to scream at someone... anytime you want to bite... punch... fuck... or cry... you call me. I will come."
Ariel: "I swear every book I write I am 100% sure its hot garbage"
Me: "If it is hot garbage then I am the raccoon eating it UP! It's so good girl!
YES! YES! YES! A MILLION TIMES YES!😍😍😍
Ariel can I please read about this world forever? I dont want it to end! Every book of Diabolical Hearts got better and better! 🔥 I didn’t know how you were going to top Dear Death but GIRL YOU DID THE DAMN THING! 👏🏻
Everything about this story was perfection, it itched all the right places of my mind, body and soul. 😌 Girl you were destroying me with that ending but then you patched me up and I thought everything was ok but NOOO you come back to destroy me some more! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE! 😅 I literally read those final lines put my kindle down and starred into space like "What the hell just happened" Opal is gonna be PISSED! 🤣 Here I thought we were at the end of this story but there seems to be more to come. 👀
Anyways enough of my mental spiral of trauma! 💀 Abel and Summer’s part is the story was just so good.😍 Summer is a freaking badass chicky I want to be hwr and not only because she gets a super hot Demon/God as a boyfriend. Abel is a cheeky sucker and i honestly feel so deeply for what hes been through i dont blame him for spiralling with power. I have such a soft spot for him. 🤭 They have become strong contenders for top couple of this series!
I just cant express properly how much I loved this book! I ate it up like Sunday dinner! It had so much action, so much lust and affection and the banter was top frwking tier! 🙌🏻
If you love dark paranormal romance that is packed with banter, action, suspense and spice this series will be absolutely PERFECT for you! 😉
March 22, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honset review.
Pride & Treason is a dark paranormal romance that blends action, mythology, and high-stakes tension with a deeply intense love story.
Summer lives between two worlds—balancing a normal life with her role as a monster hunter—until Abel enters her life. What starts as mysterious quickly becomes something much bigger, as the truth about Abel, his power, and the consequences tied to him begin to unfold.
The plot was one of my favorite aspects of this book. It’s filled with twists, detailed fight scenes, and a constant sense of tension that kept me fully engaged. There’s always something happening, and the stakes feel real throughout the story.
Abel is easily one of the standout characters. His devotion to Summer is intense and unwavering, giving very strong “burn the world for her” energy. Their dynamic felt powerful and emotional without losing the edge of danger that surrounds them.
The spice isn’t overly frequent, but when it does appear, it’s well-written and impactful, adding to the connection between the characters rather than taking away from the story.
I also really appreciated the depth of the characters and their backstories. The layers surrounding Cain and Abel added complexity and made the world feel much richer.
Overall, this was an incredibly engaging and well-paced read that I had a hard time putting down. I absolutely loved it.
Pride & Treason is a dark paranormal romance that blends action, mythology, and high-stakes tension with a deeply intense love story.
Summer lives between two worlds—balancing a normal life with her role as a monster hunter—until Abel enters her life. What starts as mysterious quickly becomes something much bigger, as the truth about Abel, his power, and the consequences tied to him begin to unfold.
The plot was one of my favorite aspects of this book. It’s filled with twists, detailed fight scenes, and a constant sense of tension that kept me fully engaged. There’s always something happening, and the stakes feel real throughout the story.
Abel is easily one of the standout characters. His devotion to Summer is intense and unwavering, giving very strong “burn the world for her” energy. Their dynamic felt powerful and emotional without losing the edge of danger that surrounds them.
The spice isn’t overly frequent, but when it does appear, it’s well-written and impactful, adding to the connection between the characters rather than taking away from the story.
I also really appreciated the depth of the characters and their backstories. The layers surrounding Cain and Abel added complexity and made the world feel much richer.
Overall, this was an incredibly engaging and well-paced read that I had a hard time putting down. I absolutely loved it.
March 30, 2026
Arc Reader:
Everything that Ariel has written in this series has been delicious. I am all about it! When I had read “Dear Death” and Abel appeared I was excited especially when Ariel said it was going to be more dramatic.
If you love enemy to lovers then this is the book for you. The story hooks you from chapter 1 all the way to the end. I was not able to put it down and let me tell you it was hard because I was at a convention event. Ariel makes such compelling stories towards the characters that you can’t help, but fall in love.
Summer is a hunter that was trained to just obey and not listen to her feelings, but that is not who she is. Abel falls for her sassiness and resilience. Abel troublemaker charms brings Summer of her shell. I love her “fuck with me and find out energy.” For the first time, Abel is able to be his true self with Summer finding love along the way, but his past and experience make it difficult for him to let go of his pride. You can see how his relationship with his brother and hell has affected him.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I absolutely love Crow. He is such a badass and the voice of reason. At one point during the story I started to cross my fingers in hopes that maybe he will get his own book. The last chapters of this book had me gasping, it kept me on my toes and let me tell you that epilogue was killer!! I need it!! Soon hopefully!
Ariel please keep being such a wonderful human being and writer!
Everything that Ariel has written in this series has been delicious. I am all about it! When I had read “Dear Death” and Abel appeared I was excited especially when Ariel said it was going to be more dramatic.
If you love enemy to lovers then this is the book for you. The story hooks you from chapter 1 all the way to the end. I was not able to put it down and let me tell you it was hard because I was at a convention event. Ariel makes such compelling stories towards the characters that you can’t help, but fall in love.
Summer is a hunter that was trained to just obey and not listen to her feelings, but that is not who she is. Abel falls for her sassiness and resilience. Abel troublemaker charms brings Summer of her shell. I love her “fuck with me and find out energy.” For the first time, Abel is able to be his true self with Summer finding love along the way, but his past and experience make it difficult for him to let go of his pride. You can see how his relationship with his brother and hell has affected him.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I absolutely love Crow. He is such a badass and the voice of reason. At one point during the story I started to cross my fingers in hopes that maybe he will get his own book. The last chapters of this book had me gasping, it kept me on my toes and let me tell you that epilogue was killer!! I need it!! Soon hopefully!
Ariel please keep being such a wonderful human being and writer!
March 23, 2026
Continuing from Dear Death, this shifts focus to Abel and watching him with his new power is… addictive.
The stronger he gets, the more it changes him. Each use pushes him further, darker, and you can feel that slow corruption building in such a compelling way. He’s not trying to be good and that makes him even more dangerous.
Then there’s Summer.
Ballerina by day, demon hunter by night. Raised to hate and destroy the very thing Abel is and yet she can’t stay away. Their dynamic is tense, consuming, and impossible to look away from.
This isn’t a redemption story it’s a corruption arc. And watching Summer get pulled into his world instead of pulling him out of it? So good.
And that ending,it breaks you, stitches you back together just enough, and then breaks you again in a completely different way. I was left staring at the ceiling trying to process everything.
Opal is going to be pissed.
The stronger he gets, the more it changes him. Each use pushes him further, darker, and you can feel that slow corruption building in such a compelling way. He’s not trying to be good and that makes him even more dangerous.
Then there’s Summer.
Ballerina by day, demon hunter by night. Raised to hate and destroy the very thing Abel is and yet she can’t stay away. Their dynamic is tense, consuming, and impossible to look away from.
This isn’t a redemption story it’s a corruption arc. And watching Summer get pulled into his world instead of pulling him out of it? So good.
And that ending,it breaks you, stitches you back together just enough, and then breaks you again in a completely different way. I was left staring at the ceiling trying to process everything.
Opal is going to be pissed.
April 30, 2026
ARC REVIEW-
This story was so beyond good. It was the first I’ve read of the authors. I know I know I need to now go back and read the others!! I was hooked from the beginning. Summer is such a strong female character. She pushes for a life outside of hunting demons. She runs her own ballet studio and ends up falling in love with the one thing she shouldn’t, A demon. But not just any demon, a god. A sexy and funny demon Abel. Abel falls for her due to her sassiness and resistance to kill him. He’s able to just be himself around her without any judgement from her due to what he is. Did you think their love would just be easy though? Things get in the way of their love for instance her hunter family and more. The spice level was amazing and can we talk about that cliffhanger of an ending!!! I can’t wait to see what’s next of Summer and Abel’s story
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to Arc Read!
This story was so beyond good. It was the first I’ve read of the authors. I know I know I need to now go back and read the others!! I was hooked from the beginning. Summer is such a strong female character. She pushes for a life outside of hunting demons. She runs her own ballet studio and ends up falling in love with the one thing she shouldn’t, A demon. But not just any demon, a god. A sexy and funny demon Abel. Abel falls for her due to her sassiness and resistance to kill him. He’s able to just be himself around her without any judgement from her due to what he is. Did you think their love would just be easy though? Things get in the way of their love for instance her hunter family and more. The spice level was amazing and can we talk about that cliffhanger of an ending!!! I can’t wait to see what’s next of Summer and Abel’s story
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to Arc Read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
There’s something deliciously dangerous about Pride and Treason.
From the first page, the tension coils tight and stays there, every interaction humming with the threat of ruin. It makes for a reading experience that’s equal parts intoxicating and nerve wracking.
Prose: Lines linger. Some of them cut. A few might haunt you at inconvenient times, like while you’re trying to fall asleep. The chaos feels intentional.
I definitely recommend for readers who like their romance sharp, their characters morally flexible, and their stakes high enough to draw blood.
Verdict: seductive, ruthless, and just a little bit unhinged in the best way.
From the first page, the tension coils tight and stays there, every interaction humming with the threat of ruin. It makes for a reading experience that’s equal parts intoxicating and nerve wracking.
Prose: Lines linger. Some of them cut. A few might haunt you at inconvenient times, like while you’re trying to fall asleep. The chaos feels intentional.
I definitely recommend for readers who like their romance sharp, their characters morally flexible, and their stakes high enough to draw blood.
Verdict: seductive, ruthless, and just a little bit unhinged in the best way.
March 24, 2026
ARC Review
•I’m so overwhelmed right now with how fast paced and impactful this book was. This story follows Abel, Death’s brother, right after he has had a confrontation with power much greater than himself. Our FMC is Summer Hale, a ballerina by day, turned demon hunter at night. This is such a magnetic enemies to lovers dark romance. The banter, fighting, and love scenes made me fall for these characters so fast. When their world gets flipped on its head, what will they be willing to risk to save everyone they love? I cannot wait for the next book, the ending had me reeling in more ways than one!•
•I’m so overwhelmed right now with how fast paced and impactful this book was. This story follows Abel, Death’s brother, right after he has had a confrontation with power much greater than himself. Our FMC is Summer Hale, a ballerina by day, turned demon hunter at night. This is such a magnetic enemies to lovers dark romance. The banter, fighting, and love scenes made me fall for these characters so fast. When their world gets flipped on its head, what will they be willing to risk to save everyone they love? I cannot wait for the next book, the ending had me reeling in more ways than one!•
March 25, 2026
A dark, paranormal romance that has you falling for the morally black, unlovable MMC. Sign me up.
This has been such a fun series and I loved getting to read Abel’s story in this 3rd book. The story had a fast paced plot filled with tension that left us with an epic cliffhanger. I loved that all three stories kept pulling in existing characters and wove all of their stories together. And the message that even the people who seem unlovable are always deserving of love 🖤
I highly recommend this whole series!
This has been such a fun series and I loved getting to read Abel’s story in this 3rd book. The story had a fast paced plot filled with tension that left us with an epic cliffhanger. I loved that all three stories kept pulling in existing characters and wove all of their stories together. And the message that even the people who seem unlovable are always deserving of love 🖤
I highly recommend this whole series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC
In book 3 we follow Abel, Death's brother after what happens in book 2 we get to find out how he is effected with his new godly powers
Summer hunts monsters at night but is a ballerina teacher by day, she may be a killing machine but she loves to keep her slice of normalcy, until a man on a bike keeps showing up reminding her that she isn't a typical girl
Can they keep the power balance even or will all be destroyed and implode
In book 3 we follow Abel, Death's brother after what happens in book 2 we get to find out how he is effected with his new godly powers
Summer hunts monsters at night but is a ballerina teacher by day, she may be a killing machine but she loves to keep her slice of normalcy, until a man on a bike keeps showing up reminding her that she isn't a typical girl
Can they keep the power balance even or will all be destroyed and implode
March 19, 2026
I enjoyed the story, and I believe it has potential but fell short due to some flaws and inconsistencies that hindered the reading experience. The book evoked a sense of Supernatural X Demon Hunter, with promising characters and a nail-biting ending.
March 29, 2026
Fab hot story
I absolutely loved this story about Summer & Abel. It was so well written. She was a hunter and fell for a God. Summer was sick of living by her family's rules so she decided to break them for him.
I absolutely loved this story about Summer & Abel. It was so well written. She was a hunter and fell for a God. Summer was sick of living by her family's rules so she decided to break them for him.
April 2, 2026
As a mood reader that was seeking a demon x hunter read just in time to read this book, 10/10.
5⭐️
2 🌶️
I had the absolute pleasure of being a ARC reader for Ariel for all three books of the Diabolical Hearts series and they’ve all been amazing. Pride and Treason was so good and I loved seeing Damon, Crow, Cain and Opal make a reappearance in this storyline.
After this story and how it ended, I cannot wait for Crows Story 😍
5⭐️
2 🌶️
I had the absolute pleasure of being a ARC reader for Ariel for all three books of the Diabolical Hearts series and they’ve all been amazing. Pride and Treason was so good and I loved seeing Damon, Crow, Cain and Opal make a reappearance in this storyline.
After this story and how it ended, I cannot wait for Crows Story 😍
April 20, 2026
The first two books in this series were fantastic. I don't know what possessed the author to do complete change in writing style etc but couldn't fight through the endless poetic inner monologs. Didn't finish it.
April 22, 2026
Review of ARC copy. This was my first book by this author and while I was super excited for this book, I feel like not reading the other two books first was a mistake. I always felt like I was missing something and didn’t understand the side characters as well.
March 29, 2026
I did enjoy this story. I also like that it an intertwined series but not one that you have to read each book to understand, so you can read them out of order.
Over all this had really good flow and plenty of nail biting suspense. I wanted more near the end but hopefully there’s another book in the series that will ties up those questions. The characters were well developed and had banter even amongst the other side characters which I throughly enjoyed.
Over all this had really good flow and plenty of nail biting suspense. I wanted more near the end but hopefully there’s another book in the series that will ties up those questions. The characters were well developed and had banter even amongst the other side characters which I throughly enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews