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Demonic Reign

Not yet published
Expected 5 Jun 26
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She killed to earn his approval. She may die learning why she never should have.

Once upon a time, a demon king took a human woman.

From that bloodline, Nyx was born.

Nyx is the daughter of Ashmedai, one of the demon kings, raised in a world where power is currency and weakness is a death sentence. To survive his brutal regime, she did as she was told and became a ruthless assassin, chasing the one thing that has always eluded her father’s approval.

Her greatest advantage is Wisp, a winged, chameleon-like soul creature who can vanish into thin air and speak directly into her mind. Soul creatures don’t bond with demons. They never have. But Nyx is not entirely demon, and that human thread running through her blood tipped the scales. Through Wisp, she inherits the gift of invisibility, a power that makes her one of the most dangerous hunters in the realm, and gives her an edge no other demon can claim.

But edges dull, and Nyx is about to discover how quickly.

To earn her father’s recognition, Nyx enters the Shadow Syndicate trials, an elite competition reserved for bounty hunters bound to soul creatures, and the proving ground she has spent her entire life preparing for. But surviving the trials demands more than skill. It requires ruthless strategy, and the resolve to keep moving when betrayal comes, because it always does.

Then Nyx meets Elysia.

A single encounter with the mysterious woman pulls Nyx into something far larger than any trial she ever faced. What begins as a chance encounter unravels into forbidden truths that cannot be unlearned, and revelations that shake the foundation of everything Nyx thought she understood. The origins of the world. The nature of Samael and Lilith, beings she had always believed were gods, now something far more complicated. And Nyx herself, her past, her bloodline, her purpose, pulled into a fate far larger than the life she has spent every breath trying to survive.

For the first time, Nyx begins to question everything she has ever killed for. And as loyalties fracture and secrets surface, she is forced to ask how far she will go, for power, for survival, for the validation she has spent her entire life chasing.

Demonic Reign is a dark fantasy rooted in Kabbalistic mystical lore, set in a world of unforgiving ambition and lethal deception. At its core, it is a tale of survival, loyalty, and the price of uncovering the truth when the world wants you blind.

373 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 5, 2026

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About the author

Devorah Leah Barrocas

2 books5 followers
Devorah Leah Barrocas writes dark fantasy with occult undercurrents, high-stakes trials, and morally complex characters. Her debut novel, Demonic Reign, opens a planned duology built around power, loyalty, and the cost of realizing everything you thought you knew was wrong. She shares updates, behind-the-scenes notes, and new releases on TikTok and Instagram.

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5 stars
20 (86%)
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1 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Tori.
34 reviews2 followers
March 16, 2026
Demonic Reign was sent to me as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was excellent. It’s an incredible dark fantasy packed with action and adventure. The MC is Nyx, the daughter of a demon king. She has spent her whole life hoping to win his approval, and she joins the Shadow Syndicate trials to do just that. These trials reminded me of a much more brutal version of the Hunger Games. The tasks the competitors are asked to do are nearly impossible and almost always fatal. The descriptions of these violent trials were so vivid that for brief moments I almost felt like I was reading a horror novel (in the best way). Following the trials Nyx meets a woman named Elysia who opens her eyes to several hard truths, and this leads to even more adventure. Throughout the book Nyx is supported by her three best friends Mal, Kal, and Raz. The banter between the four of them was so funny and enjoyable. The author did a great job of making these characters interesting and developing strong bonds between them. Nyx also has a soul creature named Wisp, who speaks directly into Nyx’s mind and can become invisible. The numerous mythical creatures and the lore in this book made it even more fun to read. While I wouldn’t call this a romantasy, Nyx does have a lady love interest and I’m really hoping to see their relationship bloom in the second book!
Profile Image for Eva S.
91 reviews
Did Not Finish
March 11, 2026
Well I feel likeI am not in the mood for this one bc I just can’t get hooked and don’t really have interest to try🤷‍♀️
6 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 4, 2026
What a ride! This was at is roots, a beautiful story of survival and what to do when everything you once believed isn't quite what it seems.
I was immediately drawn to Nyx and her need to please and seek out the approval of her less than savory father. The trials she endures to prove herself are strenuous and full of unexpected challenges. The way the author was able to make me see these soul creatures in each trial so clearly was insane! They were all so beautifully written it hurts! And the trio of Mal, Kal and Raz gave me life. Talk about the 3 book brothers I didn't know I needed!
This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I cannot wait to see where Nyx and Elysia go next!
Profile Image for Steph.
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 13, 2026
I will start off my review by first thanking the author for the opportunity to preview this work before it's release.

I am not generally a difficult person to please when it comes to reading books. As long as it's fantasy and sapphic (two areas that this book covers perfectly), I'm going to have a good time. With that in mind, I have tried to do the review process justice by casting a slightly more balanced eye that hopefully will be more helpful than a simple 'I liked it. I eagerly await the sequel'.

That being said, should you choose to finish reading here... I liked it! I eagerly await the sequel!

Now, to begin with the only negative I could muster about this book - it took a couple of chapters to really get into the flow of this author's writing style. It often felt like a lot of care had been placed into describing details that ultimately seemed to have little meaning or hold over the overall plot (eg. short lived outfits or settings we visit for only a page or two). On the other hand, some things that are very important throughout the book don't receive the same level of description until much later, leaving me unable to picture them clearly. One example of this, without spoilers, was the description of Wisp. This, based on the previous effort felt like an oversight and not a specific choice. The book does include visual references at the end for those who wish to have a visual in addition to the narrative description, which may benefit some.

This slight imbalance is truly the only thing I could claw at a negative, even trying to be critical. Once I got into the flow of the author's writing style (which only took a chapter or two), I truly, thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Nyx is a wonderful main character. She is strong (willed and physically), compassionate, confident and -despite being an assassin- ultimately morally good. She is all of this, whilst having enough flaws and faults to keep her relatable and realistic.

I also really enjoyed the characterisation of the other characters we meet, especially Mal, Raz and Kal, and found them to be a nice light hearted reprieve from the dark setting of the world.

I will say that, although marketing suggests this book as a romance, I don't feel the romantic story line is the main focus at all, and it seems more of a side plot compared to the story surrounding Nyx and everything happening within her world. This is not a complaint at all, but just something I thought I'd mention.

However, it doesn't feel like the side plot nature of the romance is due to it being sapphic and therefore just pushed aside, (which is how I've felt reading some other books before- like it's there so the author can have brownie points without actually centering queer romance in the main plot) but just that Nyx's overall character and story is the driving force, and her romantic relationships are just a small part of it. I would be excited to see it being more of focus for her in a future book. Though to clarify it did not feel lacking at all.

I overall really enjoyed the plot of this book. What draws me to books usually is a character driven narrative with minor plot points - but this book was a nice mix of both. The majority focuses on the main character, her development, and I really got a sense of how she might continue to grow in a sequel. While focusing on Nyx in the first 3/4 (though to be clear; the whole book continues to focus on her) and her specific story it was great to see her point of view and how the world affects her, the relationships she develops, and ger feberal view on things.

Then the last quarter of the book really expands into the outer world around her, giving me that a larger insight on not only how she fits into the world, how she's affected by it, where the future might take her and other characters, but also providing the start of further detail and lore about the setting and the history being the world. We also got to see a plot points develop further, and see how the outer world is running both because of and regardless of Nyx. Which really helps build the world beyond the main character feel.

This way, despite being a self admitted fast paced book, it also felt like the plot was nicely paced without trying to rush additional details.

The world itself feels well fleshed out; we get to see different areas across the setting and gradually learn the lore at a fairly reasonable pace. I found it to be well imagined and not overwhelming at the given pace without feeling lacking. The world was rich and interesting, with familar ideas (like political hierarchy, class divisions etc) but also lots of new and fun fantasy lore to make it feel original.

Overall, I felt satisfied with how the story wrapped, whilst stirring excitement for the sequel with just enough new information to leave me eager.

Honestly I'd really recommend this book, it was a good read!

Updated Edit:

Just adding to my original review that after feedback (and still a good while before the official release) the author has made a considerable effort to alter the marketing to not focus entirely on the romance aspect of the plot and instead is pushing more about the overall themes of the book and Nyx specifically. I think this should help clear up confusion on the importance of the romance to the plot.
Profile Image for Kat Findley.
2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 27, 2026
Overall this book definitely has a unique story and decent characters. I would describe it as a dark fantasy with some lgbtq+ representation.

I feel like the book should have been much longer than it is. It is a very fast paced story with a lot to cover so I was constantly feeling like an outsider to the story; like it was more of a retelling of events than actually experiencing it first hand. I would have loved the author to spend more time describing the looks, feels, and emotions of the world.

I would not call this book a “sapphic fantasy.” There are definitely a few instances of sapphic interaction, but I would have liked that aspect to be more of an important story factor if it is going to be called a sapphic dark fantasy. I wanted to feel the tension and crave the emotions that small glances and touches can have.

This book is an interesting read and is a wonderful choice if you are wanting a fantasy without the obligation of a 600+ page book. I think the author has real potential to write some amazing stories.
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 13, 2026
Absolutely loved this book. Nyx is such a fierce and captivating main character. An assassin navigating a dark world full of demons, danger, and complicated loyalties. From the first chapter I was hooked and couldn’t put it down.

The story is fast-paced and packed with action, but it also has great character dynamics and moments that really pull you into Nyx’s journey. I especially enjoyed the tension between different characters and the banter that helped balance the darker tone of the story.

The world-building is intriguing and the plot keeps you guessing the entire time. Just when you think you know where things are going, something shifts and pulls you deeper into the story.

And that ending definitely left me wanting more. I’m really excited to see where the series goes next and can’t wait to read the next installment.
Profile Image for Angel Showers.
4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 20, 2026
ARC REVIEW

This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. When I first started reading it was so nice to have a masc female main character. This being a sapphic romance captured me from the beginning. I loved that the other characters all had back stories and elements that made them all unique. I never knew what was going to happen from chapter to chapter. The author was very good at building the suspense and just when you thought you knew what was going to happen you would be surprised. I loved that you thought the first girl was going to be the love interest and then it ended up being a totally different girl. Yes you are left on a very big cliff hanger but I felt that it was stopped at a good point so the author could continue the series. I can’t wait for the author to write book 2. It leaves you wanting to know more. This book captured my heart in the best way possible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
Review of advance copy
March 10, 2026
This book was amazing. The magic system feels original, intricate, and genuinely exciting, and every new reveal pulled me deeper into the story. The plot twists were wild in the best way. Every time I thought I had a sense of where things were going, the story shifted again and caught me completely off guard.

What stayed with me most was how much this book made me feel. I laughed, I stressed, I felt my heart break, and I got completely swept up in everything these characters went through. The humor lands so well, which makes the painful moments hit even harder. It feels like a full emotional experience from beginning to end.

This is one of those books that pulls you in fast and never lets the tension ease. I finished it desperate for book two.
Profile Image for Jae (Nyx) Night.
35 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 10, 2026
….Speechless…First off Nyx is a badass blade wielding assassin who I loved reading about and the story start to finish is packed with death, demons, and beings connected to you with a bond; I was so upset a quarter of the way through because of Kain’s betrayal and it was so sad to see Nadia and Alara perish; but I did love the dynamic of Nyx; Kal, Raz and Mal (who we later find out are her brother’s) and their banter. I further enjoyed getting introduced to Elysia, Elysia and Nyx have this sort of tension right off the bat and it’s so fun to see Nyx struggle with her feelings even when she found out the betrayal of Elysia and her clan. It ends on a cliffhanger that already makes me hunger for more, but I can’t wait to see what else the author Devorah will bring!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Vee S.
7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 13, 2026
Ill preface this review by mentioning that I am Old. Old enough, at least, to remember when there was no LGBT+ representation in media. Sure, I also grew up in a deeply Mormon community that limited exposure even more, but be assured that stories like this were not readily accessible almost* anywhere. Anywayyyy, THIS is the exact sort of story I craved as a young adult and teenager. I wanted the adventure and thrill packaged in protagonists that I could relate to.

Proud of and grateful to the author for writing such a fun and upbeat story. It was a joy to read.
2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 18, 2026
ARC proved to be a page-turner and oh my goodness, I need MORE of this world of Nyx’s! I want the second book now. The characters are amazing and there are twists in it which I appreciate. For those who enjoy books like Aurora's Angel or the Empyrean series, you will adore and absorb this book. Lots of depth, characters I love and maybe even more than one I want to disembowel. The latter shocks me because I thought I was a pacifist? Do not want to leave spoilers. Just, go and get the book when it comes out or pre-order if you can!

 
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 16, 2026
This book had me on my toes from start to finish.
The writing is beautiful and the story is just as engaging, even though fast-paced. Nyx is a truly compelling character and her relationship with the other characters in the book felt lived in, which is always great. Not to mention Elysia is the absolute definition of femme fatale, so that just gripped me since the first moment she appeared on page.
I thank the author for trusting me with an early copy so I could devour it in less than a week.
Looking forward reading book 2 in one sitting when it comes out.
Profile Image for Sarah Taylor.
55 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 17, 2026
First I want to thank Devorah Leah Barrocas for selecting me to be an ARC Reader ! This is my honest review.


I absolutely ate this book up ! I am just now getting into sapphic dark fantasy and let me tell you I’ve been missing OUT big time . The way this book incorporates loyalty, obsession and survival. The world building was impeccable, I truly felt I was in the story . The writing was a 10/10 for me and I can’t wait to read more from Devorah Leah Barrocas.

10/10 would recommend!
Profile Image for Megan Sorrells.
1 review2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 26, 2026
I received Demonic Reign as an ARC from the author. I typically like my books spicier than this (I would give it a 2/5 🔥 with 2 explicit scenes), but the world building, character development, and plot kept my attention! I devoured this book and can’t wait for the next in the series! The tension building between the FF love interests is fantastic and I hope we get much more spice between them in the second book!
Profile Image for Jen Harling.
25 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 5, 2026
I was lucky enough to have a copy sent to me by the author for an advanced read.

I really did enjoy this book, and the characters. The only reason I have given this a 4 star is because a couple of scenes I felt lost reading them, like I couldn't understand it. Little hard to explain, almost like they didn't make sense.
I loved Nyx and her relationship with her companions.
The overall story was great, and it did leave me wanting more.
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 4, 2026
This book kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end! The characters are rich, relatable, and feel authentic. The plot is full of active twists and turns. I could not put it down! Between the characters, the humor, the romance, the adventure, the action, and the fantasy; this is such a rich book that I can read it over and over again! I can’t wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Aspen.
31 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 9, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. The ups and downs kept me beyond intrigued on what would happen next. This book and me laughing and crying by the end. Nyx was a great character and the three friends she has had me laughing and enjoying their relationship. I can wait to understand more of the twist and turns this book gave me. Will be recommending to my dark book friends
Profile Image for Reader.
3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 3, 2026
This book was amazing. I was laughing and on edge the entire time! The characters the plot. I haven’t read a book like this before and holy shit it was amazing!!! 10/10 cannot wait for the next book.
1 review
Review of advance copy
March 27, 2026
I was in a reading slump and Demonic Reign pulled me right out of it. Fast paced, short, and actually kept my attention the whole time. I finished it way quicker than I expected. I loved it and I need book 2 asap. I need more of Nyx and Elysia!!!
17 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 27, 2026
At first, it threw you right into the book but you won't regret it. The storyline isnt just about the romance, its an entire world with fantastic details and descriptions. It does great building the entire imagery of the world. I cant wait for #2.
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 9, 2026
Got sent a copy of the story by the author in exchange for an honest review 😁

I am still currently reading this story but so far it is very well written and the story keeps you on your toes! The twist betrayal with Kain and Alare surprised me! I can't wait to finish the story!
Profile Image for Chelsea.
59 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 26, 2026
Good fantasy but I found some scenes not fully connected to the story, especially the romance, I didn't feel it fit perfectly in the spot it was in. But overall, cool idea, characters, and creatures!
Profile Image for Jade Marshall.
27 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 28, 2026
I was lucky to receive an ARC for this book and it was an amazing read.
Profile Image for Dacia .
30 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 3, 2026
The attention to detail, the world building, the plot, the tension, the betrayal!! It has it all and I can’t wait for book 2! Well written and very captivating.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews