Serpents & Summons: A Fated Lovers Demonic Dark Romance

by Magda M. McQueen

An escort who doesn't trust anything she can't control.
A magnetic ex-con who conjures something that should have stayed buried.
A demonic shadow twin that lurks in the darkness.

It was supposed to be a fantasy. A fun, sexy transaction where she was in control and set the terms. But her enigmatic client doesn’t play by the rules.

Mysterious, volatile, and deeply attuned to her, he triggers something far more destructive than desire. Because he didn’t come alone.

As the boundaries between realities start to bleed, Gabrielle becomes the portal to something sinister—a shadow twin that speaks in serpent tongues and craves more than her body.

Caught between obsession and something darker, she must uncover whether she’s being pursued…or summoned.

Some sins are covenant to a higher calling.

Serpents & Summons — a literary dark romance steeped in mythology, biblical symbolism, and the occult, where the line between divination and damnation runs razor-thin.


“Smut for sapiosexuals.” —ARC reviewer

Genres: Dark Romance, Erotica, Paranormal Romance

350 pages, ebook

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

Magda M. McQueen is a San Francisco Bay Area–based author. Serpents & Summons is her debut novel and her first foray into dark romance.

She holds a degree in writing from the University of California, San Diego. With nearly a decade of experience in publishing and media, she has contributed to award-winning books in humor, science, and history and has worked in-house across print and digital with major brands including Skybound Entertainment, Blizzard, Activision, and Warner Bros.

Her work explores the strange intersection between our inner worlds, repressed psychology, and the stories we tell ourselves. Private and introspective by nature, when she isn’t writing, she can be found reading obscure history, exploring esoteric ideas, at the observatory looking for the latest celestial alignments, or spending time with animals.

Reviews

[Bookishness · Rating 1 out of 5]

No plot at all, all spice, no character growth, and I felt the book was mostly just dialogue. I got bored and wanted to skim through it to the end.

I received an ARC copy..

[Marija Unkind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is difficult to describe in the best possible way. It feels intense, surreal and slightly chaotic all the way.

The story blends romance with themes of religion, spirituality, tarot, astrology and fate, creating an atmosphere that feels dreamlike and symbolic rather than straightforward.
The FMC is guarded, cynical and layered, while the MMC is mysterious, morally gray and impossible to look away from. Their chemistry is full of tension, temptation and emotional push and pull.

The first half is especially gripping with sharp dialogue and plenty (sexual) tension. The second half becomes more chaotic and abstract. Even when I was not completely sure what was happening, I was completely invested in how it made me feel.

The atmosphere, emotional intensity and unique concept made this a memorable read!

Thank you to Magda McQueen, Nightvision Media and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC 🖤
All opinions are my own.

[InkedSirenXO · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book didn’t just grab me—it coiled around my throat and whispered, “you’re not leaving.” 🐍🌸

Serpents & Summons is that dangerously intoxicating blend of dark romance + occult fever dream that makes you feel like you accidentally opened a door you were definitely not supposed to touch…and then kept walking anyway.

Gabrielle? Controlled, sharp, unshakable—until she meets him.
And this man? Not just red flags. He’s the whole ritual circle.

The tension in this book is unreal. It’s not just “will they/won’t they”—it’s should they even exist in the same reality?? The chemistry is volatile, obsessive, and threaded with something that feels ancient and…hungry.

And then the shadow twin element???
Yeah. That’s where things go from spicy to what did I just summon at 2am.

This isn’t your typical dark romance. It’s layered with:

* biblical symbolism that feels almost blasphemous (in the best way)
* astrology and occult vibes that drip off the pages
* a slow unraveling of reality that makes you question EVERYTHING

The spice? 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Not just heat—possession energy. The kind that feels like it might crawl off the page and follow you.

It’s seductive. It’s unsettling. It’s the literary equivalent of lighting a black candle “just to see what happens”…and then something answers.

If you like your romance:
✔ dark
✔ obsessive
✔ slightly unholy
✔ and laced with psychological chaos

…welcome to your next obsession.

Just don’t read it at night unless you’re okay with shadows feeling a little too…alive.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.

I am not sure what I just read. It almost seemed like two separate books between the first and second half. When I hit around 50% I was sitting there thinking ‘what the fuck did I just read?!’ by 75% it was ‘what the fuck is going on?!’ This book consumed me and kept me up at night. Not just reading it, but thinking about it when I was trying to sleep.

It is full of astrology, tarot, religion with a dash of alchemy. It is heavy on the dialogue, sometimes I found it hard to follow along with who was speaking.

The first half of the book was full of tension, spice, dirty talk. A lot of female empowerment. It was hot and dirty, and slutty in the best possible way.

The second half of the book was fucked up, filthy, confusing. I had no idea where it was going. You have to keep reading to understand. Very interesting concept and unlike anything I have read.

There were quite a few errors throughout the book, missing punctuation, words misspelled, sentences repeated. This was an advanced copy, so hopefully it’s cleaned up before release.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliciously wickedness does this way come. And, my goodness, I’m unsure if you’ll be ready for it. Intriguing characters with interesting and complex backgrounds. Connections that defy logic and put fear into those who are used to being in control. And the twists?! My goodness, the twists had me hooked like a “fiend” and I legit ignored everything until I was finished reading.

[Brandy Slifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

🐍✨ Serpents & Summons — ARC Review ✨🐍

by Magda McQueen

(Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy — this is my honest, chaotic opinion.)

⸻

💫 First Impressions

Listen… I’m not even gonna lie…
that cover?? 👀✨
Minimal. Elegant. Mysterious.
She pulled me in by the throat and I happily walked into the darkness.

And the summary?
Simple. Clean. Enough intrigue to say:
“yes, I will emotionally commit to this decision” 🤡

⸻

🧠 Meet Gabriella (aka: Miss Transactional Queen)

Gabriella is a courier who basically treats love like a business deal…
and BABY she commits to that mindset like it’s a full-time job 💼💔

At first I was like:
“okay, strong independent woman, we LOVE this” 👏🔥

…but then it slowly turned into:
girl… do you even LIKE anyone??? 😭

She’s so cynical that it starts to feel like:
🚫 no vulnerability
🚫 no softness
🚫 no emotional evolution

And I get what the author was going for —
a commentary on relationships, power, and the mistakes men make…

BUT it started to feel like:
🧱 character wall = permanent fixture

No cracks. No growth. Just vibes.

⸻

🐌 The Plot (aka: Why Are We Still Warming Up??)

The beginning?

SLOW.
Like…
“did we hit pause or is this intentional?” slow 😩

There’s a LOT of:
🔬 science
🧠 philosophy
⚖️ transactional logic

And while that could’ve been interesting…
it just kind of… sat there.

I kept waiting for the story to grab me…
and it just gently tapped my shoulder like:
“hey… maybe later?”

⸻

🔮 The Astrology Element

Okay THIS part?? 👀✨

I actually really liked:
🌙 astrology references
🃏 the cards
✨ mystical vibes

BUT I needed MORE.

Like don’t tease me with celestial spice and then give me crumbs 😭

⸻

😈 The Men (Finally Some Flavor)

Luca 💙

HELLO SIR—
Where were you the whole book??

Because when he showed up:
✔️ banter improved
✔️ Gabriella felt more human
✔️ I started caring again

But he was barely there and I am OFFENDED 😤

⸻

Dante (the demonic twin energy) 😬🔥

Okay so…

This is where things got…
awkward spicy.

Not because he’s a demon — I read worse before breakfast 😌

But the wording in certain scenes had me like:
“…did we mean to say it like that??”

The spice had potential 🌶️
but the execution?
a little “wait… huh?”

⸻

🌀 The Plot Confusion Spiral

Y’all…

I tried. I REALLY did.

But the pacing + transitions =
📍 Where are we?
📍 When did that happen?
📍 Why does this feel disconnected??

And then…

⚠️ SPOILER-ish ⚠️

WHEN DID SHE BECOME AN ANGEL??

I blinked.
I reread.
I questioned my sanity.

It just… happened.

No emotional build. No real explanation.
Just ✨surprise celestial upgrade✨

Ma’am??? 😭

⸻

💔 Romance… Where??

For a book labeled:
“Fated Lovers Demonic Dark Romance”

I was expecting:
🔥 tension
🔥 obsession
🔥 emotional damage

What I got was:
🤏 tiny bits of connection
🤏 minimal development
🤏 more romance from the SIDE CHARACTER (Gracie?? excuse me??)

Gracie really said:
“fine, I’ll carry the romance myself” 💅

⸻

🧩 What Worked for Me

✔️ Gorgeous cover
✔️ Strong concept
✔️ Astrology elements (needed more!)
✔️ Luca (I will take scraps, apparently)
✔️ Banter moments when they actually happened

⸻

😩 What Didn’t Land

❌ Slow, heavy start
❌ Overloaded philosophy without payoff
❌ Gabriella’s lack of growth
❌ Confusing transitions
❌ Underdeveloped romance
❌ That angel situation??? still not over it

⸻

🔥 Final Verdict

⭐ 2.5 / 5 stars ⭐

This one had a really intriguing concept and some solid elements,
but the execution just didn’t come together for me 😔

It felt like:
📖 a story with pieces I should love
…but never fully connected

Would I try this author again?
👉 Honestly… yeah. There’s potential here.

But this one?

She was pretty… but she didn’t possess me. 🐍✨

[Bree Burgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆
This is one of those books that’s hard to neatly categorize—and honestly, that’s part of what makes it so compelling.
Serpents & Summons feels less like a straightforward romance and more like an experience. It’s atmospheric, a little chaotic, deeply introspective, and layered with symbolism in a way that makes you stop and think (and maybe reread a few passages just to fully process them).
The vibe is immediate. There’s this heavy, almost hypnotic tone running through the entire book—mysticism, tarot, spirituality, psychology—all woven together with sharp, often witty dialogue. It pulls you in quickly, especially in the first half where the tension, chemistry, and push-pull dynamic are incredibly addictive.
The FMC is… not your typical heroine, and I actually really appreciated that. She’s flawed, self-destructive at times, hyper-aware, and clearly searching for something deeper even when she pretends she’s not. She wants connection, but on her own terms—and watching that play out (especially through her choices) is messy in a way that feels very intentional. She’s not always likable, but she is interesting, and I couldn’t look away.
The MMC adds another layer to that complexity. Their dynamic evolves in a way that feels less like a traditional romance arc and more like an exploration of power, desire, and emotional detachment shifting into something else entirely. It moves from transactional to intimate to something harder to define—which fits the tone of the book perfectly.
And yes—the spice is very spicy. But it’s not just there for shock value. It ties into the deeper themes of control, identity, vulnerability, and even spirituality in a way that makes it feel purposeful rather than just indulgent.
About halfway through, the story shifts. It becomes more abstract, more symbolic, and at times a little disorienting. You’re not always sure what’s literal vs. metaphorical, what’s real vs. perception—and I think that’s deliberate. It leans heavily into psychological and almost Jungian territory, especially with the exploration of the subconscious, identity, and the blurred line between worlds.
That said, it can feel a little disconnected at times. The dialogue-heavy structure and layered symbolism occasionally make it harder to track what’s happening, and there are moments where more clarity or grounding would’ve strengthened the impact. But even when I felt slightly lost, I was still engaged.
What really stood out to me is how much this book has to say. Beneath the paranormal and erotic elements, there’s a deeper conversation happening about relationships, gender dynamics, societal expectations, and autonomy. It’s surprisingly feminist in a way that sneaks up on you.
Also—unexpectedly? It’s funny. There are these little sharp, witty moments in the dialogue that cut through the heavier themes and keep it from feeling overwhelming.
Overall, this is not a light, easy romance. It’s weird, bold, introspective, and a little messy—but in a way that feels intentional and thought-provoking. Definitely the kind of book that would spark a very interesting book club discussion.
If you’re looking for something atmospheric, spicy, and psychologically layered that pushes outside the usual romance box… this one is worth the ride.

[BaddyBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 💌

This book did not just cross my comfort zone… it dragged me across it, lit a candle, pulled tarot, and whispered “you’re staying.”

I genuinely do not know how to explain this book without sounding a little unhinged, because that is exactly how it feels reading it. One minute you are in tension-filled, dirty, intoxicating dialogue, and the next you are spiraling through religion, fate, desire, and something that feels just slightly… wrong in the best way.

This is not a straightforward romance. This is layered, symbolic, and deeply atmospheric. The writing leans heavy into spirituality, tarot, astrology, and religious themes, and it creates this almost dreamlike, surreal reading experience where you are constantly trying to piece together what everything means.

The FMC is cynical, guarded, and self-aware in a way that makes her feel very real. There is a reason for the way she loves, and watching that unravel slowly is part of what keeps you hooked.

And the MMC… listen.

Mysterious, intense, slightly unreadable, morally questionable, and dripping in “this might ruin my life but I’m leaning in anyway” energy. Their dynamic is pure tension. It is temptation, push and pull, power and vulnerability all tangled together.

The first half?
Hot. Tense. Filthy. Dialogue that feels like a weapon.

The second half?
Unhinged. Confusing. Slightly chaotic. Existential crisis energy.

But somehow… it works.

You are not always sure what is happening, but you feel everything. And that is kind of the point. This book makes you sit in discomfort, desire, and confusion all at once, and I could not stop thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading.

There were moments where the dialogue-heavy structure made it a little hard to track who was speaking, and you can definitely tell it is an ARC in places with minor errors. But the concept? The vibe? The way this story sticks in your brain? Yeah… that part hits.

This is one of those books where you finish and just sit there like…
what did I just experience.

And then immediately want to talk about it.

Tropes & Vibes:
🐍 dark romance
🔮 tarot + astrology + spirituality
🔥 heavy tension and explicit spice
🖤 morally gray MMC
⚖️ fate vs free will
😵‍💫 psychological / symbolic storytelling
🕯️ ethereal, almost dreamlike atmosphere
💬 dialogue-driven intensity

Who should read this:
🔥 readers who like their romance dark, messy, and thought-provoking
🔮 anyone obsessed with tarot, symbolism, and spiritual themes
🖤 lovers of morally gray, slightly dangerous men
😈 readers who enjoy “this feels wrong but I need more” energy
🧠 people who like to analyze and sit with a story after finishing it
🚫 not for readers looking for a simple, linear romance

This was chaotic, filthy, confusing, and completely unlike anything I have read in a while… and somehow I am still thinking about it.

[Sydney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one took me some time to get through. If it wasn’t an ARC, I honestly would have DNF at the 30% mark. It wasn’t holding my attention or interest. The summary had me hooked but I didn’t see that storyline develop until nearly halfway through. The overall description for this book would be : Disconnected. The two halves of the story, the characters themselves, even the dialogue versus the storyline.
The first half: contemporary urban(?) setting, a late 20’s/early 30’s woman decides the dating world is not doing it for her and she wants to get rid of the expectations and just have fun. She signs up for an app escort service, and so begins our spicy set ups.
*issue here* Some authors use the same words to describe anatomy/feelings during sex. This author used every synonym she could think of in one scene. Equally distracting.
- back to the plot -> No real names, no expectations. Her first client becomes a repeat for months, with varying levels of flirty banter between “dates.” She of course starts falling for him, he is of course hiding secrets. They gradually open up to each other but still stay quite distant. By the time we meet the demon mentioned in the synopsis, she’s convincing herself she’s seeing things (?) dreaming, I’m not sure how she’s not more skeptical or aware of the glaring differences.
**But here is where the writing really starts to throw me off. We go from these vague descriptions during the moment, her brushing them away, then pages later she names the observation/feeling as if fact from the get go. Um, how did we get there?
There were some odd animal interactions going on with her. And for all her spirituality and tarot whatever, she didn’t seem to think twice about. Also, how did they relate or add to the story?
Then boom revelations and little bombs about who she is, what her real purpose in life is, (the meaning of life??). So much dialogue and musings of the main character, that honestly, I couldn’t find where it was connecting to the rest of the story. And, where did our MMC go? Is there an MMC in this “romance” book?
I lost the story, actually.
The astrology and tarot were a cool aspect, but it wasn’t really explained. If you don’t know those cards or what it means to be ‘a full moon in Aries’, what am I supposed to do with that scene? It got very dense and hard to follow, ~Disconnected~ further.
Other issues–
I didn’t love the prologue. It was like giving us all the background information of the character and how we’re supposed to see her up front. I’d rather find out through actions and the story itself. It did not, in fact, help me understand the character, or the storyline.
In general, this needed better editing. Some sentences are repeated in a slightly different way right after each other. Punctuation errors. General ~flow~.
I don’t feel like I just read a romance book. Certainly nothing about demons. Spirits, sure. Paranormal, maybe. Astrology/tarot/*spiritual* something, yes.

[Cate Rayner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audacity of this book—it wasn't even subtle. The cake was smashed in my face, and somehow, I STILL missed it.

Where to start? Gabrielle is a disillusioned, complex, damaged avoidant who manages to be both the clearest thinker and the most unreliable narrator I've read in a long time. She is honest but abrasive, witty but negative, guarded but vulnerable, badass and wise, but self-destructive and depressed, all at the same time.

SPOILER: I figured something out. *The FMC and Gracie are the Madonna-whore complex.* But each character is more than one cultural or psychological complex. FMC is the divine messenger, but she's also the "whore" part of the M-W complex; Gracie is the Madonna. But bucking against black-and-white, this-or-that archetypes is this book's core message. For example, FMC is a divine whore. Yes....a divine whore.

That scene after Gracie's wedding, where she gets constricted to death, really confused me. But now, I think I get it: When Gracie officially "becomes the Madonna (married, pregnant)," the "whore" (FMC) dies.

Dante is the MMC's ego—but I think it is also FMC's own inner demons summoning him. Their shadow selves. Their spicy scene escalates like an addiction—she drinks, smokes, does drugs, describes things as highs, withdrawals, hangovers, "chasing the dragon." She talks about the candles like they are a drug stash.

I don't really know what the significance of the one-way Sound thing was. But everything in this book is symbolic. I did notice it parallels the "no talking" arrangement she has with the "real" MMC. But that's all I got on that.

Now, the "twist." It's not a twist at all. I was beaten over the head with it, and still didn't see it—which is EXACTLY the book's whole point. GLOWING GOLDEN HANDS. HER HANDS GLOW, GUYS. SHE DELIVERS THE MESSAGE FOR THE LION. HER NAME. HER JOB IN REAL LIFE IS A COURIER. She told us over and over—we just didn't hear it, because we couldn't consider that a woman could be a "divine whore." That's the whole point. The book implies the Bible is a blueprint for the patriarchy and silences women. And the ending. They are creating their own mythology that reimagines the stories society shapes itself around. Chef's kiss.

Thank you to McQueen, NetGalley, and Nightvision Media. Count me in for future ARCs!

[Lozzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was honestly an interesting read, and a little bit different from the type of fantasy-erotica than I'm used to. It had quite a unique feel to it writing wise. It caught me off guard, and really enjoyed the read and I think one of the reasons was that I couldn't predict what the outcome was going to be because of the twists and turns, and the haunting elements that were woven into the storyline.

Overall, you can expect a few things - a messenger, a battle between desire and sin, a push and pull between fate and what it means to have free will of choice. This also explores religious elements and at the heart, I'd say what it means to have faith and belief in different things, alongside embracing your spirtuality. It's layered with symbolism in many different ways, so you may find at times that you find yourself re-reading parts - nothing wrong with that at all, given the amount of detail that's been written into this book.

The characters are BOTH in their 30s, and I think that's what makes them both so compelling - both of them have a whole host of their own personal things going on, but somehow find themselves completely gravitating to each other - there's also a reveal in this that I wasn't expecting, so that was a nice twist to the story. Our FMC is the cynical romance type, which I think was quite refreshing, mainly because she's super self aware about it - you won't find out till much later what the reason for this is, but I'd say the reveal was really what kept me reading when we were a quarter from the end. I also really loved our MMC. Tortured, reasonably so. He's mysterious, and intense - a little hard to read but all in all he respects her in ways that I really admired, and also the way he because vulnerable and opened up to her was, and the connection that they developed with each other throughout.

Also that ending! very different type of HEA, and I admired that.

[Cheyenne Oleson · Rating 4 out of 5]

**★★★★☆ | Chaotic, Thought-Provoking, and Completely Unforgettable**

*Serpents & Summons* by Magda McQueen is not a book you simply read—it’s one you experience, question, and then sit with long after you finish.

This story feels like two different worlds stitched together. The first half pulls you in with tension, heat, and sharp, addictive dialogue. It’s intense, magnetic, and full of that push-and-pull energy that keeps you completely hooked.

Then the second half shifts.

It becomes darker, more abstract, and at times almost disorienting—in a way that feels intentional. The story leans heavily into symbolism, weaving together themes of spirituality, identity, power, and perception. You’re not always sure what’s happening, but you *feel* it, and that’s what makes it so compelling.

The characters are layered and complex, especially the FMC, who walks the line between deeply self-aware and potentially unreliable. That ambiguity adds another level to the story, making you question everything as it unfolds.

The world itself feels rich with meaning—tarot, mysticism, and deeper psychological undertones all blend together to create something that feels unique and thought-provoking. It’s not a straightforward fantasy or romance, and it doesn’t try to be.

The pacing is steady overall, though there are moments where clarity or further development could have strengthened the impact. The dialogue-heavy structure can occasionally make it harder to track, and there are a few noticeable ARC errors, but neither takes away from the overall experience.

Overall, *Serpents & Summons* is a bold, immersive read that isn’t afraid to be messy, symbolic, and a little chaotic. It’s the kind of book that leaves you thinking, questioning, and maybe even wanting to reread it just to catch everything you missed the first time.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

[Big Sho ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this as an ARC from Net galley.

This is a very slow burn book, we learn how cynical the FMC is but she’s also low key looking for connection. She wants uninhibited, mind blowing sexual relationships which she finds on an escort platform

The MMC is trying to reintegrate back into society and is not looking for commitment. The story shares their interaction from client to lovers and to friendship. The story telling is very different from other paranormal stories I have read. There’s a lot of dialogue dissecting the nuances of relationships and how men treat women.

There’s also a lot of humor in the dialogue which I really enjoyed between the FMC and her best friend and also the MMC. The book is heavy on astrology and spiritual practices that span several generations. While a bit complex to understand that part , I find myself curious to learn more. This is not your regular romance story, it’s basically a story on the dynamics of men and women in relationships from different perspectives. We also get insight into her best friend’s relationship and how it evolves. The spice is veryyyy spicy! So graphic and detailed.

There is a veil between the realm of the living and the dead which the FMC crosses consciously over and over again. So we have a sex triangle not a love one but she’s in control and is able to navigate through that journey on her own terms.

I would give this book a 3.5, I am glad I got this ARC and would definitely recommend it to those who love dark romance with astrology, tarot reading and spiritual practices.

[Jalin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little chaotic but that’s to be expected when demons are involved. While Serpents & Summons is a dark romance it also touches on several other genres as it includes a lot of content on the psyche, religion, and esoteric topics. The prologue what was really drew me in and made me excited to read what was ahead. I was satisfied with the romance and spicy content between the cynical FMC and morally gray MMC. Although, I was initially hoping to hear more about Gabrielle’s encounters with other clients. Around the 75% mark, I was a little surprised that I had to reread a few pages again to make sure I read it correctly. There were some typos and spelling inconsistencies but nothing so egregious that detracted from my overall reading experience. I am sure the author and proofreader will fix ahead of publication. I think you will enjoy reading this novel more if you are interested in astronomy, spirituality, Greek mythology, and forms of divinations such as astrology and tarot. This is definitely one of those books that will keep popping up in my mind from time to time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Nightvision Media for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review. Serpents & Summons is expected to be published in July 2026.

[Anna Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wild ride that starts out grounded in reality and grows more frenzied as it unfolds. I saw a lot of psychological metaphors with jungian influences as it related to the “shadow self.” While it’s not exactly a romance, or a dark romance even, it’s something else and of its own. The spice is high caliber, but the spice itself is rich with symbolism. There is a crazy twist ending and big reveal that puts framing around why the FMC thinks the way she does and how she relates to both the MMC and his shadow self, the demon twin.

But to lighten the heavy themes it explores, this book has moments of insightful humor and the writing style has a sense of movement while being almost conversational. I don’t agree with a lot of the FMCs ways of thinking but I think it was worthwhile to engage with it, because there’s an interesting point of view on the world that lands in a surprisingly feminist place, despite. Early on, the FMC says she lives in an “inversion” but doesn’t elaborate what she means, but by the end it’s made more clear. The good guys aren’t who they seem, and the bad guys aren’t either.

This book has an entire philosophy in it, one that I have been thinking about ever since I finished it.”

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

"All relationships are transactional. Even love. Beware the ones who say otherwise - they profit the most from the delusion. Unconditional love isn't real. It's a pipedream sold mostly to women, teaching them that tolerance for cruelty is a virtue."

This book was interesting, and while it is listed as a dark romance, I would say it's closer to erotica that becomes...religious?

It's funny because I'm reading "How to Kill a Witch" and they mentioned that the "bad batch of ergot bread" and the burning of women at the stake are both myths that endure - and these myths both made it into this book.

Gabrielle, our main character, decides to become an escort. She meets Lucca, her favorite client, and becomes entangled with him and the spirit of his deceased twin, Dante. She summons Dante to her while seeing Lucca at the same time and learns about their family and their mafia business.

The twist that comes near the end blindsided me. The whole book took on new meaning. It became a little difficult to understand, and it truly felt like I was reading multiple books rather than one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Beckreadz25 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I must admit when I first picked this up, it wasn't what I thought it was going to be at all. Another "let's do the escort and screw random strangers for feminism thing". It turned out to be so much more!

Gabrielle and her relationship with Lucca was fascinating. The back and forth banter. The cheeky dialogue....perfection. Add in Dante, and I'm salivating.

The only thing that held me back was the whole description of genitalia. Like okay you've called the male and lady parts 8 different names. I get it. It was a bit of a turn off, and it kept me from rating it 5 stars.

The astrology, mythological, and religious tie ins were incredible. Being a Gemini myself, I loved it! I've never believed in astrology or the liminal before, but now I'm curious and going to research.

The twist at the end though? Absolutely brilliant! The ending itself was satisfying and perfect for the relationship that Gabrielle and Lucca built.

4.5 stars! I applaud the author for her creativity and boldness!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ 4🌶
Dating and partnership vs hookups, is the beginning thread to this tangled story. Gabrielle, the main FMC is about bit neurodivergent so her take is very refreshing. She's doesn't let feelings cloud her perception. She's analytical and cerebral with her views and insights. Her brash and bold styles lead her to take on becoming an escort of sorts.

This rabbit hole leads to dalliances throughout with religion, astrology, tarot and other esoteric avenues. These themes play both into the journey that she's is on. If you're a fan of those themes you should like this seamless blending of them. Add in demons and arch angels and free will and this story takes on a new life.

I will say that I enjoyed the book. I think I vibed very well with the style being a bit outside or divergent myself. My only detraction was the ending seemed a little off in comparison to how much I enjoyed the rest of the story, that could just be a me thing.

Tropes and triggers: demons, angels, witchcraft, dark romance, bd$m, religious text, reincarnation, prophecy, astrology, tarot

[Drew Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC to review. I read this whole book in three days.

This book was a breath of fresh air. A little disconnected at times, but the writing style is really engaging. The vibe of the book was very atmospheric. It had twists and turns that kept me engaged; it almost read like a mystery or psychological thriller, though not quite. It wasn't quite a romance either. It's a little bit of everything.

I loved the tarot cards throughout and the exploration of the deep psyche through sex, spirituality, and societal stories and expectations. This book was surprisingly deep. The spice was intense and generous, but surprisingly furthered the storyline.

It's the kind of book that makes you think long after you set it aside for the night or even finish it. This book would do well in a book club, because there's a lot to unpack and ways to interpret different, strange events, especially the rapid reveals in the end. There are some very Jungian ideas, deep metaphors, and rich symbolism throughout.

It's been a while since I read something so layered and abstract. I especially didn't expect that in a smutty dark romance. It's like the Muholland Drive of smut. I appreciated the originality of the story and I think most of all, I just like McQueen's writing style.

To all those booktok and bookstagram people saying dark romance is regressive because, read this book, beneath it all, this book is feminist in an unusual way. It doesn't seem like it at first, but it ends up there.

It is also full of random bits of smart and witty humor that I appreciated, given some of its other heavy themes of addiction, depression, and existential dread.

A great debut for McQueen, I will keep an eye out for her future works!

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review!!

I gave this book 3 stars, not because I did not enjoy it, but because I was confused about what I was reading for most of the book. The story follows Gabrielle, a tarot reading, cat loving FMC who joins a website for some fun and a little extra cash. This is where she meets our mystery MMC. I won't tell you his name because it is part of the story you have to discover alone.

The two characters hook up (🌶️ 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️.5 by the way) on and off for about a year while she slowly learns about his past, his family and the future he is discovering for himself.

This book took a lot of concentration but overall it was an interesting read. It made me think a lot about my faith and what I believe in, as well as my opinions on what is good and bad, or what runs in the grey area.

Thank you to Magda. M. McQueen for the opportunity to read this. This review is completely of my opinion.

[MS · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a whirlwind read and I finished the book in a single day. What started as a dicey dark romance (read the trigger warnings) got increasingly complex and unpredictable. We see Catholicism aesthetics, Polish traditions (as a Polish Catholic I smiled at all the references,) tarot, crystals and other woo, and feminist interpretations of the original sin story. It was a fascinating journey and I definitely never predicted the twists. What confused me was why she continued to dance with the devil so to speak - I wasn’t sure about the reason for the summoning that went on. Beyond that, this book became romantic and I genuinely felt bittersweet about what happened between our FMC and the MMC. This was an impressive debut from Magda McQueen and I look forward to future works.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc! 💜

[danie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

So, I want to start and say I love dark romance and I have no issue with anything like that. For being the author's debut novel, I think it's a great start, but I'm not sure if it's ready for publishing yet. I noticed quite a few grammatical/plot errors and the story didn't quite make sense to me with some of the word choices used being, not great. The majority of the book was just spice, like a lot of spice but because of the wording that specifically the mmc used, it turned me off quite a bit and I didn't really enjoy it at all. The writing itself was OK, but it wasn't very fluid and everything seemed a bit jumbled together.

I really appreciate the opportunity to read this one and I wish the autbor the best of luck, she seems super nice and I do think there is an audience for this book, but I unfortunately just did not click with it.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serpents and summons

NetGalley ARC review -

A dark romance with a demonic twist and a lot of talk of spirituality, astrology and prophecy’s!
Gabrielle was such a great FMC, I loved her analysis of everything especially the way she explained the way men think and act when it comes to relationships both new and old. She’s definitely someone you would inspire to be like in the real world, so certain in herself and upfront with everything. Her friendship with Gracie was also something I loved, their interactions and conversations were very insightful!
Lucca/dante was a great MMC, definitely a way to keep you hooked into a story with these two! With the information given in the last section of the book you definitely start to understand them better as well.

This was definitely a wild ride, good amount of spice and a great plot twist that ties everything together!

[Skirmantė · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know what I expected going into this book, but it definitely wasn’t what I got. At around 50% I was like "what’s going on", and by 80% I lost interest because it became so unhinged.

The pacing felt uneven, and the spicy scenes were written in super vulgar language. I know it was intended in some parts, but did we really need it in all of them? The whole concept was interesting, but it fell flat for me in the end, like I mentioned before.

The FMC was amazing, I love a woman who has her own opinions and values. I liked the MMC too, but I feel like his story could have used more work. And all the mysterious details and the prophecy were just too much for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Morgan Schell · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of astrology and mythology involved in the plots of this story. While very interesting, I believe there could have been shorter amounts of information or conversations on the topics, and still provided all the details to follow along. It became an overload for me after a while. For that reason, I reduced the star rating. The spice is good and bounces between rough, demanding scenes and attentive, deeply connecting interactions.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Victoria Viper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, especially the protagonist.
She felt fresh, bold, and unapologetically herself. The tarot element was a fun touch, and the love interest ended up being even more interesting than I expected.
The chemistry between them was everything, and the spice was easily one of the best parts, switching between rough intensity and deeply intimate moments.
That said, the mystery plot got confusing at times, and the heavy astrology and mythology info dumps started to feel overwhelming.In my opinion, it should have been longer I would have liked it more.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book keeps you reading trying to figure out who the actual players are. Gabrielle wanted to try something new and set up an account as an escort. Her first client turns out to be a regular and he’s not who she thinks he is. So many twist and turns that keeps you guessing what is actually happening. I felt heavy after reading this but would read it again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[matti rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love monster romances and haven’t read a demon one in awhile so I thought I would give this one a try.

The start of the book already had me wanting to read more. It was different than what I normally read and had my surprised but overall enjoyable

I absolutely love the dynamic between the being 2 MMCs and reminded me of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dark Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a wild ride. There are some witchy/tarot/astrology-type elements, and it kept me guessing throughout. The first half and second half are quite different from each other, but I couldn't put it down. The spice is super high, but the story uses that to help explore the power of attraction and sexuality. Quite different from my usual reads, and I enjoyed it.

[Begonia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This felt like multiple different books stitched together. Very disjointed. None of the characters had a distinct voice and the dialogue often felt too cliché and preachy. There were some interesting themes, the prologue and the first chapter were very promising but the rest of the book fell short for me.