Demon Food

by Nova Rae

Some of the sweetest dreams are the ones so deliciously dark.

It’d been three hundred years since the streets ran red with angelic blood. The Great War, a war of catastrophic cost, killed tens of thousands of people and every last angel in the kingdom of Novithia.

Now to live in Novithia, is to live under demonic law, and under demonic law, people serve one of two purposes.

Be their slave. Or be their food.

Feloré is intimately familiar with both. There’s nothing luxurious about being the most sought-after concubine in his village. It’s a life filled with calculated sacrifice, but he endures because he’s the only thing standing between his brother and the parasitic demons who would feast on his essence until nothing is left.

When a mysterious new patron arrives at his brothel, Feloré’s dreams of whisking his brother to safety are shattered as he is forced into a deadly game of secrets and seduction with a creature who could consume him body and soul.

But this particular demon doesn’t want to play by the rules of Novithia’s brutal hierarchy. He wants to break them.

As mystifying as he is enticing, Alek might just be the key to a revolution that promises freedom to all humans, but nothing worth fighting for comes without a cost, and Feloré must choose.

Fight to survive. Or fight to feed the deadly appetite of a ravenous prince.

Genres: M M Romance, Dark Romance

348 pages, ebook

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

Nova Rae (she/her) is an author, writing coach, aerial arts instructor, and proud fish mom. These things take up all her time.

In addition to loving romance, she also loves doughnuts and David Bowie, and strong, witchy women.

Her characters tend to be foul-mouthed and scrappy as hell. Their mistakes will make you feel better about your life.

She cries a lot when she's writing (and when she's not writing) and hates gen ai with the passion of a thousand suns.

Her debut novel, Demon Food, is set to release in August 2026.

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

While I was slightly hesitant going into this one because fantasy isn’t normally my jam I wanted to give this one a chance and boy did it deliver!

I was intrigued from the jump and as the book went on I got progressively more locked in and the last like 4 chapters had me low key sweating but also turned on? 😏

This was a little different from other books I’ve read and I don’t want to say much because I think it’s best enjoyed a little blind (definitely check TW’s if you need to though, mental health is definitely important!)

I can safely say this mm monster with a touch of fantasy is definitely one to read! Thank you Nova for the ARC!

[✨️alysha✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely no one could have prepared me for how much I would love this 😍 I was hooked from the very beginning. This is so different from anything I’ve read before and wow, it actually blew my mind.

Feloré and Alekus!!! Foaming at the mouth. Genuinely feral for these two. They are so sweet. The banter between them had me laughing so much. I adore them ❤️ there’s not other way to describe the end other than, it was truly just blood, sweat, and tears in every way possible.

I actually don’t know what to do now that I’ve finished it, I need the next book IMMEDIATELY 😭
What a beautiful debut!!

[Jessie J melka · Rating 4 out of 5]

{Demon Food}
ARC review by Jessie melka
__________•__________

The notes I wrote while reading :
•what am I reading
•Omg he did not say that!
•wish I had a shadow daddy :(
•I’m crying! Why am I crying!
•sh!t f•what just happened
•”TO BE CONTINUED” (Screaming WHAT!)
•I am speechless

LETS DIGG IN!

•

Demon food by Nora Rae
It’s been 300 years Since the streets ran red with an angelic blood. The great war, a war of catastrophic cost,
killed tens of thousands of people and every last angel in the Kingdom of Novithia. Now to live in Novithia, is to live under demonic law, and under demonic law people serve one of two purposes be their slave or be their food

Feloré grew up in the orphanage after losing his parents, when the time came for the choosing of what his purpose would be he was instantly chosen to serve as a Concubine aka demon food
Quickly, he became one of the most sort out Concubine in Novithia and to his horror gets chosen to serve a greater evil than he expected trying to save his brother and keep him out of harm things quickly turn complicated when he meets Alek

Alek refuses to play by the laws of his kin even if it’s gonna kill him, he will not no matter what obey the rules he doesn’t want to he wants to change it all he wants a revolution meeting Flory is the hottest challenge he has come across yet and being trapped with him in a room with no end inside can he keep resisting the urges? Or will he break

300 years of bad blood can these two change the unchangeable and free the people or will everything crumble around them?

•

Wooooow this is definitely a debut to remember I went through so many different emotions some I didn’t even expect. I mean i rarely and I mean RARELY! Cry while reading a book I mean some can make me sad but this book helped me in literal tears and I have no idea why it just hit me someway on a deeper level than I expected

Both of these boys are incredibly stubborn and I had a lot of fun reading their little quips and quirks every interaction literally just made me smile

From the first meeting neither of them wanted to be near each other or literally just didn’t want anything to do with each other but so slowly, ever so slowly the ice between them started to melt and I literally felt the friendship and the lust that grew between them blossom into something more now they aren’t enemies, now they want to save each other from the inevitable.

I’m really excited for what’s gonna come next. I hope we get a second book soon.

I think I want to keep this review short so I’m gonna round it off here. I really want you to read this without spoilers and please if you are reading tell me what you thought of the ending and if you are in as much shock as I am.

I read this book a 4 out of five and this time I will not explain my reasoning but I want you to know that if you like Enemies to lovers, a heated slow burn, extreme force proximity and less but not least romantasy this is definitely something I would like to recommend to you. I hope you enjoy it.
But remember to always form your own opinion and not just listen to mine until next time my loves….

Rating: 4/5
Spice: 3,9/5
Would I read again: yes

(I received this advanced copy for free and I’m leaving this review voluntary)

😈Enemies To Lovers
⛓️Slow Burn
😈Forced Proximity
⛓️Only One Bed
😈MM Romantasy
⛓️Demon Prince X Sexworker Slave
😈Posessive Mc
__________•__________

[A Good Girl’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agony. Pure sweet agony. Crying, screaming, throwing up at this beautiful debut!!! Demon Food is a dark, breathtaking, and soul-crushing fantasy romance that had me clutching my chest through the agonizing angst, and screaming into the void of my room! If you live for shadow-daddy demon princes, fierce concubines who refuse to bow down, and a slow burn that combusts into all-consuming devotion, drop whatever you are doing and read this immediately upon release!

Set in the Kingdom of Novithia, where angels have been dead for centuries and demons rule with absolute authority, humans face a brutal reality: become food or become a slave. Feloré is a feisty human forced into sex work as a concubine in his village's brothel, constantly pursued by incubi who sense something endlessly alluring about him. enter Alek: a powerful, cocky demon prince with a surprisingly hidden soft heart who wants absolutely nothing to do with the torture of humans. When their paths collide, hatred and deep-seated trauma slowly dissolve into a raw, undeniable connection. But in a world built on captivity, dark secrets, and cruel demon kings, loving each other might just be the most dangerous thing they can do!

I fell utterly in love with Feloré from the very first page! Behind his brash, razor-sharp exterior is a boy carrying the crushing weight of forced sex work, abandonment, and survival. Watching him fight back while wearing his gorgeous, sheer garments was pure poetry! Prince Alek... I am on my knees!! I loved how his arrogant, carefree attitude slowly melted into an all-consuming, protective devotion for Feloré. all the “baby’s”, “my love’s”, “darling’s”, swoon!!! His confession literally shattered my heart into a million pieces! Real immediate tears.

Nova's writing style and imagery are so incredibly vivid! the emotional tension, the pure angst, and the twitching... when the spice finally hits after all that excruciating longing, it is absolute perfection! The emotional agony in this story is so real, from Feloré's terrifying captivity to the impossible choice between escaping and staying with the demon prince who represents everything he thought he hated! but also Landry?! My heart is still bleeding over his letter, and I am nowhere near ready to forgive him for what he did to Feloré! I understand him logically, but my love for Feloré currently overrides that. Realizing that Feloré had to navigate all that trauma, forced compliance, and fear without the one person who was his family made the hurt hit ten times deeper. That lingering sense of betrayal made watching him slowly learn to trust Alek, and eventually face the heart-shattering reality of leaving him to die, an absolute rollercoaster of pure angst!

Nova Rae has crafted a truly unforgettable, deeply immersive fantasy romance. Demon Food is a masterful blend of rich world-building, breathtaking angst, and an undeniable, magnetic love story that will live rent-free in your mind long after you turn the final page. I will be in agony and counting down the days till the second book because of that cliffhanger. But I must stay strong!! add this to your TBR, it’s out August 25th !

Instagram: @goodgirlsbookshelf_

[Betzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First thought, "how could you do this? To me, I am hurt and flabbergasted." Now I really need the second book to give me back my life and my happiness and my sanity cause that cliff hanger? I am crushed. I need the second book like I need oxygen, please and thank you.

Now, that I have my dramatics out of the way, this is an excellent debute book. The writing style, the plot, the characters, and the details were immediately captivating and that is exactly what I want when I read. The imagery transported me to the kingdom of Novithia, and kept me there. I was entranced by the history of the kingdom and the war that was fought between the demons (vultae) and the angels. Obviously the demons won, which leads us to the situation where Feloré and Alek find themselves.

As the title suggests, humans have one of two choices. Be their food or be their slave. Their As in the vultae, who feed on human pleasure to stay alive.

Now we have our two main characters, Feloré and Alek. Feloré is a seasoned concubine, who is just trying to survive doing what he needs to do and provide for his brother. I'm not going to give too much away of his or Alek character because I love him and I need everyone else to. Just know that he hates demons and everything they are, which is understandable.

Then, we have Alek, who is a demon prince next up for the throne. However in order to truly awaken, he needs to feed on a human, but he refuses to. He has a lot of self control which I appreciate. His way of seeing interactions between humans and vultae it's rather promising for humankind and he suffers so much to hopefully achieve his goal. He is very much a puppy for Feloré, and he is probably the least scary/intimidating vultae in the kingdom, but I love that about him. Oh my gosh, don't even get me started on all the pet names that Alek calls Feloré, I mean, honestly one hundred out of ten I swooned for all of them. My favorites are beloved, snow fox, and love.

The enemies to lovers is done really well and as you go through the book, you will start seeing a shift in both of their thinkings. I think that in certain situations, the way that Alek thinks about humans really helps the situation and really helps Feloré see Alek in a different light. This is a really good read, and I think if you're looking for fantasy romance, a great plot, great characters. This is it. Truly a job well done, and I can't wait for the next one.

[KathrynAlyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A HUGE thank you to Nova Rae for allowing me the ARC of Demon Food! 🖤

Let me just say… my mouth was hanging open in awe, shock, or complete disbelief for about 80% of this book. 😂

We’ve got enemies-to-lovers, slow burn-ish (do ghost hands count? 👀), forced proximity, forced concubine, and a post–angel vs. demon war world where the demons WON. Humans are now either their servants… or their food.

But not food in the traditional sense. 😏 They don’t necessarily need to physically eat them—they devour them through desire… which may or may not end in death depending on the circumstances. You know… totally normal. 😂

Enter Felore, one of our MMCs, who is assigned as a concubine to the demons. He’s whisked away to the king’s castle under false pretenses and quickly finds himself caught in a world he never expected.

Felore is unique, fierce, and absolutely the perfect match for Alex, the demon prince who has yet to fulfill his own… duties. 👀

Then add forced proximity, a horrible shitty king, INSANE tension, and spice that is absolutely out of this world. The first time Felore meets the king… THAT SCENE. Wow. Just… wow. Okay. 🫠🔌

Chapter 21: 🥵
Chapters 36 & 37: I genuinely thought my heart was going to break.
Chapter 40: THE KNIFE SCENE. The entire damn scene was 🔥🔥🔥

This book has SO much to offer. The spice is 🔥, the tension is ridiculous, but what really surprised me was the tenderness between the two MMCs. Those softer moments balanced the darker elements so well.

And the world-building?! 👏 The way everything unfolds and the reader gradually understands what’s happening was done incredibly well. I never felt like I was being dumped into a world with no explanation.

This book had me questioning EVERYTHING I thought I knew about myself. 😂 I was literally looking around the room like, “Can anyone else see what I’m reading right now?”

Except… I was completely alone. 💀

This is hands down one of the spiciest dark MM romances I’ve ever read, and if you like dark romance, demons, tension, forced proximity, and spice that makes you question your life choices… you NEED to pick this one up.

You know what I disliked, though?

The last three words.

“To be continued.”

EXCUSE ME?! 😭😂

[Dawn Serra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge thanks to Nova Rae and Gay Romance Reviews for the advanced reader copy.

This book ends on a major cliffhanger. A M A J O R C L I F F H A N G E R.
And I am pissed. Because what do you mean I have to wait for more? WAIT FOR HOW LONG?!?!

Demon Food truly surprised me. From the cover and the blurb, I was expecting an ultra smutty, more-erotica-than-romance, more-spice-than-character-development kinda story.

And that is not what this is.

This is rich world building, toppling oppressive regimes, complex character development amid a beautiful, tender, organic, slow-burn relationship that blossoms between a bratty enslaved human and the demon prince who wants to destroy the systems keeping humans enslaved.

I wanted more for them but I dared not hope, I wanted to plead with them to say yes but also begged them no no no no.

Feloré, enslaved since childhood, having served six years as a concubine, as food for the ruling demons, is angry, bitter, smart, and desperate to save those he loves.

Alek is the beautiful, haunting incubus prince whose vision of liberation puts him at great risk. A demonic puppy ready to follow Feloré to the ends of the earth.

Demon Food tackles poverty, oppression, ableism, abuses of power (can one actually consent when the alternative is death?), and the cost of living according your morals.

It is also charming, heartbreaking, sexy, and full of chosen family and love. I hope the next book gives us not only more Alek and Feloré, but lots more Amara, Landry, and Neopal (I have hope for him).

Also, of all the ways to die, being bedded by an actual incubus and dying in pleasure really doesn't sound so bad. In fact, perhaps that is a truly good death. Better than most of us will have.

[paris · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗕𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱. 𝗢𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗲.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

*𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰*

⊹ | 𝘿𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙙 by Nova Rae is a dark M/M romantasy. It is the first book in the series and follows Feloré and Prince Alek. This story explores themes that some readers may find triggering.

Oh, this book is so precious to me. I went from giggling one moment to crying the next. I thought the world building was phenomenal, and if I could erase this book from my memory and reread it, I would in a heartbeat. This was such a great debut novel, and honestly, I don't want to move on. I really, really don't.

In a world where humans either become food or die, Feloré is determined to protect his brother. In a world where Vultae must feed or die, Prince Alek is determined to rebel against the beliefs that his kingdom holds. In the end, some rules are meant to be broken, but at what cost?

I have read 100+ books this year, and this one is immediately going to be added to my top reads of the year. The characters were funny, unhinged, and sometimes a stubborn demonic puppy (I'm looking at you Alek 🫵🏼). Something I loved was how well the slow burn was done. I absolutely ate it up like it was a five-star meal. Additionally, the storyline was interesting and honestly so unique.

Overall, I would 100% recommend this book. If you're looking for something to shake things up a bit, then look no further because 𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘥 is your next read. I'm super excited for book two since that ending left me staring at a wall and feral for more. Like, clawing at the bars with my enclosure.

The last thing I want to say is that, Nova Rae, you are the sweetest human ever. I hope that your writing journey is always filled with love and success.

— 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒃𝒚 𝑷.𝑹.

[Beesbooks02 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demon Food By Nova Rae 🖤
Release date: 25th August 2026
Spice level: 🌶🌶

🅃🅁🄾🄿🄴🅂
🖤 MM Romance
✨️ Enemies X Lovers
🖤 Forced Proximity
✨️ Slow-Burn
🖤 Only one bed

𝔹𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕧𝕖. 𝕆𝕣 𝕓𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕗𝕠𝕠𝕕.

Nova Rae has written a spectacular debut novel that follows a human captive and a demon captor that is the definition of a slow burn. And let me tell you you've got ghost hands 😉

“𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕𝕟’𝕥 𝕥𝕣𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕒𝕣𝕜𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕒 𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕖,” 𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕚𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕕, 𝕤𝕞𝕠𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟 𝕚𝕟𝕧𝕚𝕤𝕚𝕓𝕝𝕖, 𝕚𝕔𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕦𝕞𝕓 𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕞𝕪 𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕜. “𝔸𝕟𝕕 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕𝕟’𝕥 𝕥𝕣𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕞𝕖.”

Pretty much from the very beginning your hooked there's no there way to explain it. Your thrown right into the story and it doesn't let up. Probably the last 20% you'll be sitting there clutching your head and anticipating the worst and then only to be left on a cliffhanger!!!!!! Which is not far 😫
You've got two main characters that are just so precious especially Alek (another book boyfriend added to my list) both MMCs have their own characteristics that really grow on you and for me personally made the characters development better.

“𝕀’𝕝𝕝 𝕓𝕝𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕪𝕠𝕦,” 𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕚𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕕 𝕒 𝕜𝕚𝕤𝕤 𝕒𝕥𝕠𝕡 𝕞𝕪 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕𝕖𝕣. “𝕀’𝕝𝕝 𝕗𝕦𝕔𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕓𝕝𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕪𝕠𝕦, 𝕙𝕦𝕞𝕒𝕟.”

Demon food has so much too offer if you don't read this your seriously missing out, it pretty much has everything you want in an MM romance. Nova Rae deserves around of applause for this one!!

“𝕀 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕗𝕦𝕔𝕜 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕗 𝕠𝕟 𝕞𝕪 𝕜𝕟𝕚𝕗𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞𝕒𝕟.”

Thank you to the author for gifting me this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!!

[Claudia Simeone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t stayed up until 3am reading a book in quite some time but as soon as I started reading Demon Food I knew how much I was going to LOVE this book. I am so blown away by this book. The writing style, the imagery, the characters and the plot were done so well.

In the kingdom of Novithia angels have been dead for hundreds of years and they are ruled by demonic law leaving humans with one of two options. Be there food or be their slave. Feloré is forced to be a concubine at his villages brothel and all demons want him. He’s told there’s just something about him, that feels endless.

This is difficult to write without giving any spoilers because there is so much I want to talk about. I loved Feloré’s character and the dynamic between him and Alek was so apparent, honest, and raw. THE TWITCHING 🥵 This was a slow burn but let me tell you the spice is absolutely NEXT LEVEL. Feloré’s brashness mixed with Alek’s cocky care free attitude is literally perfect. Alek’s character was so intriguing. The more I got to know him the more in love I was. The relationship between these two transcends into something so beautiful. The descriptive language in Demon Food is written so well my mind was exploding with visuals the whole time I was reading. This is everything I could want in an MM romance with fantasy elements intertwined and I’m so excited to have found a new author I love! 🫶

I fear I will not be able to stop thinking about this book. I am already ready for the next one 🥹

[Lynn Give 'Em Hel Vetica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the blurb was super interesting but wasn’t sure what to expect since this is a new author. Demons and people who are food? Sign me up. I’ll report that I’ll gladly read anything else they write. I started reading it in the afternoon and didn’t finish until I read the whole thing by dinner time that same day.

I don’t typically prefer insta-lust/insta-love unless it’s done really well like it was here. It took place in about the span of a week and yet it still felt gradual and earned.

I loved the prose, it was well written, and thank the gods for a good editor. The characters were all so fun, and the banter between Alek and Felore was absolutely delicious. I can’t lie, I found myself giggling like an idiot seeing those two interact. It was great to see all the secondary characters have their own personalities as well since those types of characters can be very flat. I love this world and the magic system, I absolutely need more.

I do have to mention however, such a cruel cliffhanger…this one hurt me! I’m desperately awaiting the next book, hopefully I don’t have to wait long.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

[Ariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

My jaw..... is on the damn floor. I just finished this master piece of a story and I am utterly and throughly shook.

In a post Angel vs. Demon war world, humans are either slaves or food for the Vultae (Demons). Feloré is the latter. He is a seasoned concubine tasked with feeding vultae with essence through sexual acts. However, a mysterious patron arrives with plans for this particular concubine.

Alek is a vultus destined to terrorize the kingdom of Novithis as it's next ruler....or will he? As the future king, Alek has an ideology that looks promising for humankind, but nothing that could change the world comes without a hefty price.

Alek and Felorè's relationship is a definite slow burn, but oh so worth the wait. Alek is a seemingly laid back prince with quite the quick wit and flirtatious banter. Whereas, Feloré is so strong headed, fierce, and always angry.... especially when Alek calls him all kinds of pet names ; ). I am in love with them both and I NEED more.

[ameliabetweenrealms · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG what a debut book!!!!👏🏻👏🏻

This book had me in a chokehold from the first chapter! I couldn’t put it down 😮‍💨 The story was just incredible and I haven’t read one like it before. The writing was so immersive that I was thrown into this world so deeply that I now can’t stop thinking about these characters 🥺

Feloré, oh my sweet sweet feloré 🥺 what an absolute sweetheart, he cared so deeply and loved so loudly. Time after time sacrificing himself for others, he was so selfless he broke my heart 🥺

Alek was also so freaking precious, I loved him so much, he was also so selfless it made me so emotional 🥺 I also loved how he was with Feloré because I truly believe Feloré deserved to feel like he was someone’s everything. Someone worth saving. Together they made me kick my feet giggling, while simultaneously squeezing my heart in a vice 😭

Overall this book had happiness, sadness, tender moments, tension, love and a lot of questions 👀 I cannot wait for book 2!!!!

[anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from GRR, and this is my honest review

Honestly, I don’t even know where to start. I finished this book in less than 8 hours—yes, 8 freaking hours. I almost stayed up all night to finish it because I. Couldn’t. Stop. This book was such a breath of fresh air. The whole concept was incredibly interesting, unique, and so well written. Nova Rae did an amazing job, especially for a debut novel. I’m honestly so glad I randomly picked this one up because I ended up absolutely loving it.

The dynamic between Alek and Feloré was intense and HOT, and the paranormal elements? Absolutely chef’s kiss. The whole thing just worked so well together, and I was completely hooked from beginning to end.

I was absolutely gutted when I reached to be continued. Like, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! Gahhh, I need the next book immediately because I am not emotionally prepared to wait!

[Wallis Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book 🥵

Omg I couldn't stop reading it once I started, and finished in less than 24 hours.

I wish I could give it six stars. Everything about this book deserved it. The writing style, which was beautiful and immersive ; the characters, which you immediately loved (or hated) ; the plot and the world building.

I loved the dynamic between Feloré and Alek and how he went from absolutely hating him to loving him so intensely he would (not spoiling) do what he did at the end of the book.

Also the spicy scenes? 🥵🌶️🌶️🌶️

Feloré is sassy and smart, and Alek is absolutely charming, raw and honest. How could you not fall for them both? I could have another thousand pages of them two on paper and still not get enough of it.

I absolutely cannot wait to read Nova Rae's next work 🫶

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tome has been most wondrously delicious, my lord.👏🏻
Such an incredible debut! BUT. I was utterly unprepared for that cliffhanger. CRUEL AND TREACHEROUS, INDEED. Why would you do that to me, Nova???

Anyway, talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular 👑... I LOVED IT SO MUCH.
I was totally expecting Alek to be a serious, broody, moody lord of all demons, but instead we got a soft, yearning puppy and I adored him even more. Seriously, I want one.
And Feloré, my baby, whom I immediately fell in love with, was so precious. In a world where humans are oppressed and enslaved, he is the bravest person ever and cares so much even when he doesn't want to. I loved how he went from hating Alek's guts to loving him so much that he was willing to die for him.
The world building was incredible and lots of heavy themes were explored in the story which I found very compelling. Novithia is not for the weak.
I seriously cannot wait for the next book😭

The biggest thank you to Nova Rae for picking me to read an ARC 😭🩷

[Nicola Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm left spluttering, that's the only way I can describe how I'm feeling right now.

Just sweep me up and throw me away.

This book!!!!!!

Feloŕe......my sweet sweet concubine, he jumped right into my heart so easily. I could honestly visualise him and his clothing, rather lack of it lol. What a gorgeous gorgeous man.

Alek.....my, well I suppose I'll share him with Feloŕe. Alek Alek Alek my beautiful demon Prince. I desperately wanted to jump right in and do away with his horrible father...the hornier than thow demon King.

I fear I cannot say anymore, thoust I would spoil this precious story.

An unbelievable read and i would easily give 10 stars if I could.

Nova....you are very naughty lol

[Jana Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many stars. All of them, in fact.

This book has everything I could have ever asked for in a romantasy — high stakes, intriguing world building, so many strong emotional beats, etc. Its themes are dark, but not oppressively so. The romance is passionate and sweet and HOT.

And it made me cry, which is the hallmark of a good book for me.

I am so damn proud to have alpha read this stunning story and to get to work closely with Nova as a PA and friend.

More than I’ve ever meant before, please read this book!!!!

“A thing so trifling as gravity cannot hinder me.” - Alek, aka the shadow daddy to end all shadow daddies

[nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first romance book featuring demons and humans, and I really enjoyed it!

Felore doesn’t have an easy life, but he has a big heart he hides behind his feistiness. He also has a strong dislike for incubus demons, which I’m sure you can imagine why. Alek is powerful demon Prince, who wants nothing to do with humans. He also happens to have a soft heart he hides.

Watching them go from not wanting anything to do with the other— to slowly realizing they want to save the other had me completely invested in their story.

The ending left me wanting more. No craving more like I’m one of the Incubus and need it to survive.

[ash[hearts]angst · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW. What a debut book this was! I didn’t know really what to expect besides the obvious, sex demons who survive off of human essence, but this turned out to be so much more than that!

I loved Feloré and his no fucks attitude. Sometimes I did want to shake him and tell him to respectfully shut the fuck up, but thankfully he had Alek to help him with that 😏

Really cool world building with different customs, languages and specific details that brought it all to life. Loved most of the side characters. Definitely let out a scream at the end there because WHAT DO YOU MEAN!!!!

Cannot wait for more of these two.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️ARC Review, thank you Nova for the opportunity.

First of all, respectfully of course, wtf do you mean "to be continued"?! What did I just read?

As another review pointed out, the blurb and title make you think something else. And this definitely wasnt it. It was so much more. I was hooked from the start. It was such a rollercoaster of emotions, especially the ending.

The world building? Amazing. A war between angels and demons where the demons win. Leading the humans to either slaves or food. And not in the sense you're thinking. The banter, the TENSION between Feloré and Alek.

If shadow daddies, slow burn and major tension, this is the one.

[Otakish Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review***

The way I screamed on the last chapter!

Let me tell you this took me out of my comfort zone. When I saw the advertisement for this story I was like “Hmm that’s not something I gravitate towards, why not?”

And I was NOT disappointed!

Alek takes shadow daddy to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL. Feloré my sweet yet sarcastic little concubine will forever be in my heart.

And that ENDING like nooooo I need more!!!

[Jessica Swan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and GRR for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This was FANTASTIC. I went into this with high hopes but this even surpassed that. The characters were wonderful and flawed but they felt so real. The friendship into the romance was beautiful. The plot was entertaining. The smut was addictive. Truly a masterclass of a book.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world building was beautiful. Very unique. Very interesting characters.