A Devil So Wicked

by A.S. Keeper

When a mysterious ship rider joins the crew of the Serenity, wanting to sail into restricted waters, Emeline knows something is wrong. But she doesn't discover what until it's too late.

Arsen Seaspire, the Second Prince of Haven, is tasked with guarding the Veil. When he spots Emeline onboard, she catches him off guard. Gifted with the ability to wield fear, Arsen finds that Emeline doesn't know what her worst fear is. She's been in a fog, grieving from an early loss and struggling with her trauma.

Saving her from an accident at sea, Arsen makes it his own personal mission to discover what she's truly afraid of.

Together, they navigate her grief. As tensions build between them and secrets unravel, they discover they're not so different after all. Grief and trauma don't discriminate. Unfortunately, the fae do and humans aren't allowed to step foot in Haven.

What will happen to Emeline when Arsen and the fae realm begin to feel like home?

What will happen to Arsen when falling in love with a human is considered treason?

Genres: Romance

574 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 4, 2026

About the author

A.S. Keeper is a dark romantasy author who highlights sensitive topics like grief and loss within her works. She's a fierce advocate for women's healthcare and often talks about her own struggles with infertility and loss.
​
She grew up in the U.S. and Honduras, instilling a love for travel and adventure early on. She lived abroad in Japan for a few years before coming back to the United States to start a family.
​
Unfortunately, infertility and loss would plague her, leading her to use story telling as an outlet. She's been writing for years in different forums, but wanted to reach a broader audience to talk about grief with.
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Thus, A Devil So Wicked was born, and it has become a love letter to those grieving and trying to heal.

Reviews

[Amanie ✮⋆˙]

RTC. Absolutely devoured this!

[ChipmunksandDandelion (Cinnamon&Pine) · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Magnificent banter, pop-culture references from Jensen Ackles to Monty Python, and a fearless, vulnerable Emeline who covers her darker emotions with even darker humor: this book had me giggling like a lunatic. Beneath all the fun and laughter, though, it handles some heavy themes, including depression, pregnancy loss, and trauma, and it does so with real care.

Let's talk about the cast. A Devil with a caffeine addiction, who smells of fresh rain. A sarcastic dragon. Banter to die for. I could go on, and I rue the day I pushed this one back on my TBR. Past me has a lot to answer for.

A fair warning for the consent-conscious: Emeline lists a startling number of non-consensual deeds that need to be addressed in the future. Licking (for healing). Blood-drinking (for healing). Non-consensual cuddling. Apparently the last one is the real crime.

My favorite exchange:

"Dragons hold grudges."
"How would you know? You're the only one of your kind."
"Exactly. So I make the rules. Idiot."

And honestly, Emeline's logic is hard to argue with: she would have made any bargain with the Devil if he looked like Tom Ellis.

[Kailyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Devil So Wicked was such an easy 5 stars for me. I genuinely have no complaints. This author is permanently on auto-buy and consume as quickly as possible!

I was hooked from the beginning. The world building, the descriptions, the magic, the creatures… everything made Haven feel so vivid and real. I loved the way the world unfolded as Emeline discovered more of it and the emotional intensity of the story had me completely invested. I was constantly wanting to know what was going to happen next.

Emeline is a character I connected with so much. Her grief especially hit me and resonated with my own. The way she carries it, the way it changes her, and the way she has to learn how to live with and through it rather than simply move past it felt incredibly real. I resonated so deeply with her journey through grief and the complicated emotions that come with it. At the same time, I loved watching her slowly discover her own power. There was something so beautiful about seeing her realize that the things she had been through didn’t make her weak or less than. Her strength was there all along, and watching her find it and start to understand who she is was one of my favorite parts of the story.

And then there’s Arsen. My goodness, ARSEN. I am officially adding him to the book boyfriend roster. He is HOT, without a doubt, but what I loved most was watching his relationship with Emeline and HIMSELF develop. This actually felt like a true enemies-to-lovers romance. The tension wasn’t rushed and the relationship building between them was so perfectly paced. That slow shift from distrust and hostility into something deeper was SO good. Their relationship felt complicated, frustrating, tender, and incredibly satisfying all at once. The yearning was deep and beautiful and I was absolutely eating it up.

Obviously, I also need to talk about Samael because he deserves his own paragraph. I LOVE HIM. Easily my favorite character. Every time he showed up, I was immediately invested. There is just something about him that completely stole my heart. Honestly, I would do just about anything to have my own spicy dragon. Give me one. I don’t care about the logistics. I will figure it out!

And the humor!!!!! I knew AS Keeper was a funny gal, but oh my god I wasn’t expecting to laugh as much as I did. There were so many moments that genuinely got me and had me laughing out loud. I loved how the humor balanced out the darker and more emotional parts of the story without taking away from them.

Side note, I will never look at a vase the same way again. Apparently I’ve been severely underestimating the weapon potential of household decor.

Between the world building, the emotional depth, the characters, the romance, the tension, and the humor, this book completely sucked me in. I cared about what was happening, I cared about these characters, and by the end I was absolutely not ready to leave this world.

A definite 5 stars for me, and I already need more. 🖤

Thank you to NetGalley and A.S. Keeper for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

[Tay P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A grieving woman becomes entangled with the Fae Realm after an accident at sea. Arsen Seaspire is a Prince of Haven and her captor. And she has something he desperately wants. Her worst fear.”

This was such a perfectly paced book. It never felt like the story was moving too quickly or dragging its feet. Everything moved at exactly the pace it needed to. There was enough time for the characters, relationships, and plot to develop naturally without ever making me feel like I was waiting for something to happen.

The author also did a wonderful job with the world-building. The writing was so detailed and immersive that I genuinely felt as though I was there experiencing it. Every setting felt intentional and alive, making it incredibly easy to lose myself in the world of the story.

One of my favorite things about the character development was that they never felt like completely different people simply because the story needed them to be. Instead, we were able to see the characters from new perspectives and have a deeper understanding of who they already were. Their personalities remained their own, which made the story feel genuine. The same can be said for the romance. Everything made sense because of who these characters were and the way the author had built them to be from the beginning.

I also cannot tell you how much I appreciated the actual communication with each other. There was no frustrating miscommunication being dragged out simply to create unnecessary drama, which is something I often find myself struggling with in books. Instead, the characters were allowed to talk, listen, and work through things together. The author trusted the actual plot to create the tension, rather than relying on misunderstandings between the characters, and I absolutely loved that choice.

Another thing I loved was how meaningful every character’s role felt throughout the story. While the book is centered around Arsen, Samael, and Emeline, we were never left wanting more from Wyll and Sari or their story. Each character continued to have a purpose, and their presence never felt like an afterthought. I loved that their stories could exist alongside the main plot without taking away from it.

The plot twists! I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed them. There were so many moments when I thought I had figured out exactly what was happening, only for the author to completely blow my expectations out of the water. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, something would happen that made me question everything I thought I knew. It had me devouring page after page because as I could not wait to find out what would happen next.

Lastly, to the author, I cannot begin to understand the your grief, but I hope you know how deeply the emotions you poured into this story came through. The way you channeled that grief into this book had my heart breaking for you. There was so much emotion in these pages, and I hope that writing this story brought you even a small measure of healing. I hope that just as you gave Emeline so much kindness and compassion, you are able to show yourself the same.

If you have a love for forbidden romance, high-stakes stories, fiercely protective characters, intricate world-building, and plot twists that will leave you questioning everything you thought you had figured out, this is absolutely a book you need to read. I cannot recommend it enough and have already purchased my own copy.

[Britt · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Y’ALLLLLL!! You are NOT READY for your next obsession!!

I loved my girl Em!! She was incredibly brazen, always speaking her mind even if was the absolute worst time lol. I also loved that she wasn’t particularly skilled in any one area; she wasn’t super smart or physically strong or a crazy good fighter, but she was wholly realistic. This made it so we didn’t have a Mary Sue FMC, which is always a plus for me 😊 Another big part of my love for her came through her tackling her grief of miscarriage while also dealing with a whole new world of the fae. There were times this woman couldn’t catch a break and she thought she was going to break completely, but she never did. She was incredibly strong and I loved this representation. It’s a hard topic but one that is so relatable for so many people that I’m glad the author wrote about this so openly.

Of course, Arsen is my man. Sorry, not sorry. He just oozed sexiness no matter what he was doing. From the start, this man was my favorite shade of red flag, and I wasn’t let down with my blind faith in him. Unearthing his backstory was incredibly heartbreaking but also made so much sense as to why he was the way he was and why he did the things he did. I just wanted to hug him!! I also really loved how he was “going to unalive” Em, but he was also incredibly compassionate when the times called for it. Anytime our girl was vulnerable or going through it, this man stepped up by being there, allowing her space to feel her feelings, and reassuring her the best ways he could.

The tension between Em and Arsen was chefs kiss! From their flirty back and forth to their moments of vase throwing and death threats, the chemistry between these two was absolutely fabulous and definitely made the pages go by quickly!!

Samael was hands down my favorite character!! A sassy dragon who is incredibly sarcastic and morally grey? Who bonds with Em despite that being a pain in the ass for Arsen at times? WHO LOOKS FORWARD TO EATING PEOPLE?! ISTG if anything happens to Samael going forward I will RIOT!!! He is my baby.

I loved the found family of Wyll and Sari. Sari was a total badass, and I loved how Wyll slowly softened to Em and they became trusted people for one another. I really, really need THE carriage scene. IYKYK 😉

Ugggggh I can’t wait for book 2 and everything I know is going to gut me but also make me so happy!!

Thank you A.S. Keeper for the opportunity to alpha/beta read this one for you! The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.

[Megan ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc!

This was overall an easy read, and I enjoyed it well enough to finish and would continue the series just to see what happens next. This book explored grief, depression, and loss very well. Some topics were very heavy but the author did very well in writing the overcoming of some of those!

As much as I enjoyed that above, I still had a lot of issues with connecting with the characters, especially the FMC. I was most times irritated by her lack of control of her attitude in especially tense scenes, which would more often than not cause more problems for the rest of the characters in those moments.
I wish there was more buildup in the enemies to lovers between Arsen and Emeline. The progress of their relationship fell a bit flat for me due to how fast it happened. Especially considering the circumstances of their meeting. There was no slow burn, it was more insta-lust, which in itself isn't a problem to me, I just don't think it should be marked as having that.

I loved the banter between all of the characters and I LOVED Samael. He was probably my favorite in the whole book!
Overall, I liked the story, I just think it was a bit clunky at times but I still think it is worth reading especially for the exploration of heavier topics that aren't always talked about in stories like these!

[Cher Van Der Woude · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

ARC Review: A Devil So Wicked
⭐ 4.25 stars

I absolutely devoured this book!
From the very first pages, I was completely invested in Emeline's journey. Emeline is such a beautifully written character, and her grief felt incredibly real and raw. The way she struggles to move forward while carrying the weight of her loss added so much emotional depth to the story. Watching her navigate her pain while slowly finding reasons to keep going was one of my favorite aspects of the book.

And then there's Arsen. I loved him from the start. Beneath all his flaws and secrets, there was such a caring and vulnerable side to him that made it impossible not to root for him.

But honestly, the true scene-stealer for me was Samael. I absolutely adored him. His snarky comments, sharp wit, and the banter he brought to the story had me smiling every time he appeared on the page. As a dragon, he added so much personality and humor, balancing out some of the heavier emotional moments perfectly. He quickly became one of my favorite characters in the entire book.

The romance was full of tension and emotional moments, but what really stood out to me was how well the story balanced the romantasy elements with themes of grief, healing, and learning how to live again after loss. The world-building kept me engaged, and the cast of characters made Haven feel alive.

If you enjoy romantasy with emotional depth, compelling characters, found family, dragons, and a romance that pulls at your heartstrings, this is definitely one to add to your list.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[chanel · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

A grief stricken human woman with nothing to lose. A fae prince with daddy issues. Sign me tf up!!!!!


Like many of us in our mid/late 20’s, we find Emeline in survival mode. Working a job on a private charter she doesn’t truly care for, trying to make friends, and simply just living. But, she has recently suffered a significant loss and is painstakingly battling through grief while doing so. This is everyday for Em until one day, a mysterious passenger boards their private charter and they set sail for forbidden waters…

It’s here in shark infested, rough waters that we meet our blood thirsty, over protective Fae prince, Arsen. He is sworn to protect the Fae in his lands and he’ll do so by killing anyone who dares enter the waters that will get them to Haven. (Un)Luckily for Emeline, when Arsen gets a hold of her ship, he is incapable of killing her.

This is truly where Em and Arsen’s story begins. A fae prince who can’t kill a woman that could threaten the lives of him and his people and a human woman so grief stricken and in survival mode she would rather he just did it and she hates that he can’t and everything he’s done to her up to this point.

Over the course of ADSW, we see just how bloodthirsty and over protective Arsen is over his people and those he loved and that he would do just about anything to keep them safe from his father…even if that means slowly building trust in the strong willed human he hates.

Alyssa does a phenomenal job of capturing true grief, non linear, hurts your soul and the worst times human grief. This story unfolds so beautifully while unlocking trauma, love, and delving into the darker side of Romantasy. I BEG you to pick up this debut novel because it doesn’t disappoint.

Tropes:
-Enemies to Lovers
-Found Family
-Black Cat FMC
-Mental Health Awareness
-Diverse Cast
-Dragon Companion
-MMC with Daddy Issues

TWs:
-Death, Blood, Gore
-Abuse of child (not on page)
-Miscarriage/pregnancy loss (not on page)
-Shark Attacks
-Drowning

[୨୧○• Erin •○୨୧ · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the Author and Netgalley for sending me an advanced reader copy of this book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 stars

What to expect:
Feminine Rage 🗡️ Fear Daddy 👑 Enemies to Lovers 🗡️ Touch him or her and ☠️ 👑 Dual POV 🗡️Forbidden Love 👑 Forced Proximity 🗡️Snarky/Snarkier 👑 Magical Creatures 🗡️ Fae x Humans

Wow what a ride. This is a thickk book at over 600 pages, its packed full of trauma, healing, lots of character growth, tension and banter. This one will take you through all the emotions.
Please check the trigger warnings on this one, it covers some heavy topics, but it’s done with such care, and I commend the Author for that.

We follow our FMC Emeline, when a mysterious man boards the Serenity, the ship Emeline and her crew are on and asks them to sail him into restricted waters for a lot of gold she should have known something was wrong.

While navigating the restricted waters the ship gets attacked by Arsen Seaspire, he is Fae, the Second Prince of Haven, and he is tasked to protect the Veil.
Gifted with the ability to wield fear he attacks the ship and the crew, making their worst fears become reality.
But he spots Emeline abord and decided she has something he desperately wants. She doesn’t know what her worst fear is. So, he takes her back to the Fae realm.

••୨୧•• Characters ••୨୧••

Our human FMC Emeline is 25yrs old, she’s overcome with grief after her miscarriage. She blames herself and loses and her will to live. Watching Emeline navigate her trauma was so heartbreaking 🥺
She uses humor when she’s uncomfortable and has absolutely no filter, she isn’t afraid to tell you what she really thinks.
Loved watching her heal and her find herself again and getting to see another side of her. She’s cunning, witty, brave and has a sweet tooth. Ahh the feminine rage is this book is top tier! Don't mess with her!

Arsen where do I start.. I loved him from the very beginning. ❤️ He had the worst childhood which has caused him to keep everyone at an arm’s length. Even those close to him don’t know what really happened to him 🥺 He is meticulous, cunning, powerful and can be extremely possessive. He is strong, tatted and has a body you can only dream of!🥵🔥
Watching him try to figure Emeline out was fantastic and then watching him fall for her even better 😍
I love the height difference between the MC’s.

••୨୧•• Relationships ••୨୧••

This was a true enemies to lovers and I was here for it!!
I loved the relationship that grew between Emeline and Arsen, it started with hate (with vase throwing) to dislike then allies and finally trust was built. They shared their most private thoughts and feelings. And they healed together.

Their cheeky, flirty banter was one of my favorite parts of the book I was constantly giggling with some of the things they said to each other.
Loved Arsen’s nickname for Emeline. “Little nightmare.”
The tension and yearning was top tier. 👏🏽
The spice we got was spicy and delicious. 🫠
The scene with the Fae wine was 10/10 HOT! 🥵

"There's nothing holy about me, little nightmare."

“I could bite you.” “No thanks. I don’t think you have tetanus shots available here.”

••୨୧•• Plot ••୨୧••

Really enjoyed the plot. The pacing was pretty consistent throughout. There was a lot happening that keep you invested. The court politics were doing its thing in the background. Making life a little difficult. There are some great plot twists and reveals that have you on the edge of your seat.
We got some high-stake action scenes that were intense.
There are soo many secrets to uncover in this book.

••୨୧•• World Building ••୨୧••

Really enjoyed the world building in this one it was immersive and beautifully written. I could picture everything very easily. Love the dark atmospheric vibe of Dragon’s Den and Morningstar Manor.

The magic system in this one was unique. How the Fae gain their magic and how many generations there are affect its potency. Found that very fascinating. I can’t say much more without spoiling it.

••୨୧•• Side Characters ••୨୧••

Caesaria – Sari, I loved her character, she’s strong, thoughtful but also fierce. She is tired of being told what to do my men and what a woman can achieve! 👏🏽 Love the relationship that blossomed between her and Emeline.

Samael, my absolute favorite character!! His personality is just phenomenal. His banter 10/10. His bond with Arsen is very special. Love how much he loved Emeline; he would protect her at all costs. Loved how the communicated with each other.

When Arsen finally accepted his true calling I was sat there with literal goosebumps. Eekk!

The last 10% of the book was hectic, so much was put out in the open… I was sitting there stressed not knowing which way it was going to go.

Thank you to the Author for sharing her personal journey with us. I was sat there with tears streaming down my face. 🥺

Cannot wait to continue this series.

Thank you again to the Author and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC. 🤎

[Nicola Frasier (nikswordsonpaper) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"There's nothing holy about me, little nightmare."

*T/W: Infertility struggles, miscarriage and grief*

An exciting, debut fantasy romance that encapsulated grief and struggles with infertility. I got to say this one surprised me, and after finding out the authors backstory I can see how this was her outlet - and it was truly beautiful.

Straight into the action, we have the characters thrown into chaos with death and enemies. At first, I found the connection with present modern day to venturing into an unknown Fae realm - but I like it in Anime so I thought what the heck! Let's give this a chance. And I am very glad i did.

"I can't stand you." "You're welcome to get on your knees instead."

Arsen is the second son to a tormenting Fae king, but also the heir to hell - though he does not want to rule. Plagued by a negligent and violent childhood, Lucifer gifts him a sassy and powerful dragon as a companion. Together, the protect the boundary to the Fae realm. When they come across a ship from the human world, Arsen uses his shadow powers of inflicting people's worst nightmares to kill everyone on the boat. Other than Her.

Emeline, retired from the navy, is grief stricken from a miscarriage and decides to do one remaining crew trip. When the bad weather, and the suspicious man who hired her team to sail becomes nonsensical, she starts to realise something is amiss. When they are attacked by an unknown entity, Emeline is the sole survivor and is taken prisoner. Arsen can't kill her, as she has no fears. She is an enigma, and one he intends to uncover so he can kill her.

Humans are not welcome in fae realm, and with them being on the brink of civil war, it is even more unsafe. There are enemies close by and watching their every move. As tension builds between them, and Arsen's dragon becomes fond of Emiline, it turns out their are both grieving and, maybe, despite their physical differences, emotionally they are the same.

Can two beings destined for death find solace in each other? And can they finally open their hearts to healing and something they never thought they'd be worthy of - hope.

"The only dreams you should be having of me are nightmares where I'm stabbing this knife through your heart, pervert." "That might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me.

The tension, will-they-won't they, and forbidden connection adds a layer of intensity that had me turning every page. I was obsessed with Arsen when he was morally grey at the beginning, and still as obsessed as he begins to open his heart and understand his true feelings. He also calls her 'Little Nightmare' *swoons*!

At the heart of it, this is a book with flawed characters who battle with self-esteem, anxiety and deep depression. So be warned!

"No one knows what it's like to live in a fog every day. To drown in it and hope that Death will pay a visit."

Though the pacing slows down in the middle, the sassy dragon more than makes up for it with his dark humour and rebuttals. The found family that grows helped me resonate with the characters and fall in love with this world, as Emeline starts to learn to. With that ending, I cannot wait to see what happens next. It is war.

[Eternity's Raven · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Firstly, a thank you to A.S Keeper for having me on her ARC team. I am leaving this review for free and completely of my own thoughts and opinions.

A Devil So Wicked sadly failed to meet the expectations I had for it. While some elements relating to the emotional exploration of the characters were compelling, I found the overall story to feel underdeveloped and poorly explained.

One thing I did find this book did well was it's exploration of grief, depression and loss. Both from the FMC and the MMC of the book. Miscarriage is a very heavy topic and one that is highly stigmatised, so knowing the author used her own experiences with this to write that part of the story was extremely compelling and moving and you could feel the pain and grief behind it. The suicide ideation was also explored in a compelling way and I have a lot of respect for how it was handled in this book.

Despite this however, I just failed to connect to the characters, especially the FMC. I found her brazen and brash acceptance of everything to just be to unbelieveable and I would have liked to have seen more from her other than snark or grief, as she fluxuated between both so rapidly it could be disorientating.

The romance itself, while advertised as a slow burn, was far from it. It was insta-lust and they were ready to sacrifice for each other within 3 weeks of knowing each other. That does not a slow burn make.

I found the world building in this to be very heavy handed. Names and places were thrown at you in big chunks of lore dump that felt chunky and disrupted the flow of the story, but also made it hard to get a clear picture of the world in my head.

Overall, it was a book with a compelling premise that just did not deliver on my expectations.

[Azaria]

Dnf at 23%

I’m sad to say the story just wasn’t for me. The beginning was very chaotic and it threw me for a loop. The transition between realms was very anticlimactic. The fmc just seemed to have no reaction from being in the real world to suddenly now being in a fae realm. Check the trigger warnings for those that want to give this a try.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the eARC in exchange for a review.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book - it was such a good time. The banter was bantering and I loved the pop culture references throughout the book! While this book examined grief, loss, depression, and abuse, it never felt like it was too heavy. The feelings were real and they were analyzed thoroughly. Samael was one of my favorite side characters, as well as Wyll and Sari. I will definitely continue this series!

[Monsterfully Elin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am glad I stuck with this one. I wasn’t sure at first but honestly, so glad I kept going. Once the characters started to develop and evolve I was hooked and I gotta say I love Arsen. I probably related more with him than I did Emeline.

The magic system isn’t too complex. The characters have depth and the pace keeps the pages turning. I am looking forward to book 2.

Thanks for the opportunity for review this ARC via Netgalley

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay… the title said “devil” and “wicked” and apparently I have absolutely no self-control because I immediately needed to know what kind of trouble I was getting myself into. 😂😈🖤

A Devil So Wicked had exactly the kind of dark energy I was hoping for. There’s something deliciously dangerous about a story that gives you characters who feel like they could ruin your life and somehow make you say “thank you.” 😂🔥

I really enjoyed the darker atmosphere and the tension throughout the story. The relationships have that complicated, messy energy I love, where you're constantly wondering whether you should trust these characters or run in the opposite direction.

And the chemistry? 👀🔥 Absolutely understood the assignment.

I loved the push and pull, the morally grey energy, and the feeling that there was always something more lurking underneath the surface. This was definitely a “just one more chapter” kind of read for me.

There were a few moments where I wanted a little more development, which is why I'm landing on four stars, but overall I had such a fun time getting swept into this darker world.

If you like your romance wicked, dangerous, morally questionable, and dripping with tension, then you might want to make room on that TBR. 🖤😈

Because apparently my reading standards are now just:

Is he a walking red flag? 🚩
Is there chemistry? 🔥
Am I concerned for everyone's safety? 🖤
Would I keep reading anyway? Absolutely. 😂

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this ARC! 📖🖤

😈🔥 Tropes & Vibes

🖤 Dark Romance
😈 Devilish Energy
🔥 Intense Chemistry
💋 Romantic Tension
🚩 Morally Grey Characters
🖤 Dangerous Attraction
🤫 Secrets & Mystery
🥀 Dark & Seductive Atmosphere
💔 Complicated Relationships
👀 Suspicious Energy
🔥 Push & Pull
😈 Wicked Characters
🌑 Dark Themes
⚠️ High-Stakes Drama

[Sabina Graziano · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

Where's my coffee lol!? What a fun surprise this book was!? It did have humans and fae, but I liked the different approach to fae with this book. Instead of the typical magic fae, these were descendants of devils. They didn't have elemental magic, some had very unique magics. I quite enjoyed that, plus the world felt very easy to understand. There were some current society references, but I felt like it worked. I'm normally not a fan of it in fantasy books, but it worked in this case. The feelings during this book was happening, but I had so many good laughs as well. Especially since I am a dark humor type of person!

Emeline and Arsen deserve big fat hugs! Ugh the pain, grief, and hopelessness that Emeline goes through is tough and don't wish that on anyone. But her character growth throughout was breathtaking. I can't fully understand that specific pain she goes through, but some of her coping mechanisms are ones I have done. Same goes for Arsen. They way both of them emotionally developed throughout was healing to see. It shows that it takes time and having the right support system can truly work wonders. But the true star of the show is our magnificently hilarious dragon companion Samael! I loved him so much! He had me laughing a lot and adds the perfect amount of lightness to this dark romantasy!

What a wild turn of events during the last 10% of the book! I was so worried and scared then confused. But now I just need to know more. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. But please check the trigger warnings before reading!

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the Advanced Reader Copy.

Wow, where do I even start?

An incredible story of a woman’s grief and dealing with prior trauma. You are taken on a journey of the snarkiest FMC you’ll probably ever read, but by the end, you feel as if you’ve healed a bit of yourself through her healing journey.

The side characters (hi daddy Riven), the sassy dragon, the backstories and magic system, all incredible and well written.

A Devil So Wicked ends in a way that has you itching for the next book and hoping the MMC will burn the entire world down for our FMC.

An incredible debut romantasy for this upcoming author. This is a must read for any Romantasy fan that needs to find deeper meaning in their books than just a fun, fantastical story.

[Sharon Olding-Reynolds · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

You are my choice little nightmare!

The beginning of A Devil So Wicked had me wondering if this was going to be a book I would enjoy. I just was a little confused how some of the disagreements were being handled so casually on the ship. KEEP READING THIS REVIEW. I am a firm believer that when I accept an ARC, I will see it through to the end. An author takes the time to write a story; I feel I owe them my time and an honest review. This is exactly why I am SOOOOO glad I did because before I knew it, I couldn't put this book down! It began to hold me captive.

Emeline is the FMC who has experienced a devastating loss. Looking for a new chapter in her life, she takes a job as a crew member aboard the Serenity. Unfortunately, this ship seems doomed from the start. There is a passenger with a hidden agenda, and as things begin to go terribly wrong, the entire crew finds themselves in grave danger. Emeline starts searching for answers, but what she finds is a whole lot more than she bargained for.

Enter Arsen, the heir to Hell. He's the kind of character who thrives on knowing people's deepest fears and using them against them before ending their lives. So, naturally, when he has the opportunity to kill Emeline, he does the unexpected and spares her. Instead, he takes her back to the fae realm, throwing her into an entirely new world filled with danger, secrets, and more than a few reasons to keep her guard up.

Emeline and Arsen are TRUE enemies to lovers! She blames him for the loss of her friend from the ship, while he has been raised from childhood to believe that humans are the enemy. Neither of them is willing to back down, and their interactions are EVERYTHING. The banter is AMAZING! These two are constantly threatening to end each other. The banter during moments left me laughing. Emmeline damn sure can hold her own and I LOVE it!

But beneath all that hostility, something deeper begins to develop. As they slowly learn more about each other's pasts, they start to recognize the pain and trauma they have both endured. Their relationship gradually shifts from hatred and distrust to understanding, protection, and a growing sense of safety with one another. Watching them go from wanting to destroy each other to becoming the person the other can lean on was one of my favorite parts of the story.

And can we talk about this line? "Now that your hands are on me, I'm grounded."

HELLO! I got sucked in really quick. I want an Arsen! I love when a character who seems so powerful and untouchable finds that one person who makes them feel safe enough to let their guard down. Their relationship is a slow burn, but the emotional payoff makes it worth it!

Of course, things can't be that easy. Arsen's brother and father have their own plans, and when Riven enters the picture, I was immediately thinking, HELL NO! YOU ARE NOT GOING TO F*CK THIS UP! I wanted him to go right back to wherever he came from. The tension and twists kept me wondering what was going to happen next.

I also have to mention Samael! He is basically Arsen's “dragon” sidekick. I absolutely loved that he was on Emeline's side from the beginning, even when Arsen wanted to seriously unalive her. Being thrown into a completely unfamiliar world, Emeline needed someone she could trust, and her companionship with Samael was such a lovely addition to the story. He brought warmth and support when she needed it most. Not to mention, he even sided with her when Arsen expected his loyalty.

Wyll and Sari were such great additions to this story! They weren't just there to fill space; they genuinely cared about Emeline and Arsen and were willing to do whatever they could to help them. I loved seeing how they stood by them and offered their friendship and support when it mattered most. They brought so much heart to the story and made the found-family aspect even better. I always appreciate side characters who feel just as meaningful and invested in the story as the main characters!

Please check the trigger warnings before reading, as this story deals with grief and trauma. I felt these themes were handled thoughtfully and added depth to the characters and their relationship.

If you love a slow burn that turns into “touch her and die”, side characters that you can’t imagine the story without, a found family with friendships that are solid, banter that will have you laughing out loud, and secrets that unravel with each next twist then put this baby on your TBR.

I'm so glad I gave this book a chance because what started as a story that I wasn't sure I would connect with quickly became one I couldn't put down. I found myself completely invested in Emeline and Arsen and their journey from enemies who wanted nothing to do with each other to becoming each other's safe place. Their relationship had everything I love like tension, hilarious banter, heartbreak, and those emotional moments that make you want to jump into the pages and be a support for them.

Watching Emmeline and Arsen as two broken people slowly become each other's safe place while the world around them tries to tear them apart had me invested and it will have you too. That is why this one deserves a spot on your TBR!

I truly want to thank the author and NetGalley for this wonderful opportunity.

[Monica Quin · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 STARS

A Devil So Wicked is one of those books where I went in expecting a romantasy, but ended up connecting with the characters on a much deeper level than I anticipated. And after finishing it, I found myself wanting to reach out to the author because I could genuinely feel how much of her own grief had been poured into this story. ❤️

The worldbuilding was easily my favourite part. Fae, dragons, devils, magic, and a medieval-adjacent setting… YES PLEASE. 😂 I was completely immersed in the intricate world A. S. Keeper created, and I loved discovering how all the different pieces fit together. The realm also being LGBTQ+ friendly was such a nice touch, and I really appreciated the diverse cast.

AND FINALLY, AN ASIAN MMC. 😭😂 I’ve been waiting! Arsen was definitely an interesting one. He was infuriating at times because this man had SO many secrets, so many walls, and apparently communication was not on his list of skills. FFS. 😂 But as the story unfolded, I understood why he was so guarded, and I enjoyed watching his character and relationships develop naturally.

The romance was a true enemies-to-lovers with forced proximity, forbidden romance, and a slow burn that actually felt earned. Nothing felt unnecessarily rushed, and the relationships developed in a way that felt organic. The pacing was also really well done for me.

And then there’s Emeline. 🥹

I don’t think I’ve ever connected with a main character quite the way I did with her. There is a LOT of emotional damage in this book, and watching Emeline work through her grief and everything that came with it hit differently for me. I can see how some readers might find certain parts slower, particularly when Emeline is working through her grief, but personally, I thought the pacing made sense. Healing isn’t something that happens overnight, and I appreciated that the story actually gave her the space to go through it instead of rushing her to the other side.

The found family aspect also really worked for me, especially the way healing happens through those relationships. I loved the characters and their dynamics, and honestly, I wanted to know even more about some of them. 👀

I also enjoyed the twists. Some surprised me, while others I managed to predict, but that’s honestly just me trying to play detective while reading. 😂 The reveals still worked for me and kept me invested, especially as things became more exciting toward the end.

And can we talk about Samael?! 🐉

That is MY favourite character. I want a dragon. HAHAHA. 😂

Overall, this was a beautifully immersive romantasy with a strong emphasis on healing, grief, found family, and relationships that are allowed to develop naturally. I admire A. S. Keeper for channeling something so painful into a story that can ultimately make readers feel seen and understood.

A 4-star read for me, and definitely one that stayed with me for more personal reasons than I expected. ❤️

✨ Tropes & vibes:
🔥 True enemies to lovers
⛓️ Forced proximity
🚫 Forbidden romance
🐌 Slow burn
🐉 Magical creatures
🖤 Dual POV
🏡 Healing through found family
🧠 Mental health representation
🌏 Asian MMC + diverse cast
🏰 Medieval-adjacent setting
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ friendly realm
✨ Intricate worldbuilding
💔 SO MUCH emotional damage

[Karolina Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, this book really said “Let’s start with fear, grief and emotional damage” and then casually threw fae, magic, dragons and a whole lot of chaos at me. Cool. Cool. I’m fine. Emeline was probably my biggest emotional connection. She’s carrying so much grief and trauma and I liked watching her slowly figure out what she actually wants instead of simply surviving from one moment to the next. Her fear of hope especially hit me because it becomes such an important part of her journey.

And Arsen? Sir. The emotional walls. The secrets. The attitude. The absolute refusal to communicate like a normal person. I was frustrated with him at times, but I also understood why he was so guarded. Watching him finally step into his own power toward the end was easily one of my favorite parts. That whole scene had me STRESSED. The supporting characters brought so much personality, too. Sari and Wyll had my heart and their relationship added such a tender contrast to all the political and magical chaos happening around them. Quillan also ended up being much more complicated than I expected and I definitely have QUESTIONS after everything that came out near the end. And then there’s Samael. Listen. We protect that dragon here at all costs. No questions. No negotiations. Someone get him a crown immediately.

I really enjoyed the worldbuilding, especially the mix of fae, devils, dragons and the whole fear based magic system. The nautical atmosphere at the beginning also gave the story a really distinctive feel. It felt dark, mysterious and a little dangerous without losing that fantasy adventure feeling. I will say the pacing wasn’t perfect for me. There were stretches where the story felt like it was moving at a very leisurely pace, especially while Emeline was working through her grief. I understood why those quieter moments mattered, but I definitely found myself wishing the plot would kick the door down a little sooner.

BUT THAT ENDING.

The final chapters absolutely changed the energy of the book. Arsen finally embracing who he is, the declaration of war, the revelations about Quillan and that final sense that everything is about to get significantly messier had me sitting there like… oh, so we’re doing THIS now? The ending gave me exactly what I needed to want the next book. There are still plenty of questions, relationships that need to be figured out and a war looming over everything. Emeline choosing hope despite how terrifying it is felt like the perfect emotional note to end on.

This book was an emotional, magical, occasionally chaotic ride with a heroine learning to live beyond her grief, a morally complicated prince with approximately zero communication skills, lovable side characters and one dragon who deserves protection at all costs.

Thank you so much to askeeperbooksLLC and A.S. Keeper for allowing me to read this eARC before its release through NetGalley. I’m very glad I got to experience this world early and I’m definitely curious to see where Emeline, Arsen and the rest of this beautifully messy disaster go next.

📆 Release Date: November 4, 2026

[PK Amaral · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so appreciative to have received an ARC of *A Devil So Wicked* by A.S. Keeper through NetGalley, and I want to thank both NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Emeline, our FMC, is thrust into an entirely new world filled with demons, fae, and dragons, and let me tell you, there is A LOT happening by page 16. I wasn't entirely sure if the story was going to make a turnaround, but I am happy to say that it absolutely did! After finding herself aboard a ship commissioned by the devil, Emeline watches as the entire crew perishes before she crosses into another realm and passes through the veil. And that is only the beginning!

We are quickly introduced to one of my favorite side characters, a baby dragon named Samael, who brings so much personality and humor to the story. The main male character, Arsen, is tasked with protecting the fae from humans, and he finds himself struggling to understand what Emeline's true fear really is. This question is woven throughout the story in a really interesting way, keeping the reader curious about what lies beneath the surface of both characters.

What I appreciated most was the emotional depth of Emeline's character. We know she is struggling and grieving the loss of her unborn child, and that grief plays an important role in understanding who she is and how she navigates this unfamiliar world. It isn't until near the end of the book that Arsen and Emeline begin to realize they have far more in common than they initially thought.

This is definitely a slow burn, but there is plenty of banter to keep things interesting! I especially enjoyed the hilarious moments when Emeline brings bits of human culture into this new realm. And Samael? The fact that this dragon begins speaking to her in her mind and the conversations that follow add a lighter, often laugh-out-loud element to a story that could otherwise feel much heavier.

For me, the real high point of this novel is the connection between the two main characters. Neither of them has ever truly felt as though they belonged. They have struggled with feeling unwanted and are each carrying an immense sense of loss, not only of the people and things they have loved, but also of themselves. That shared experience adds a layer of vulnerability to their relationship and helps the reader better understand the choices they make and the walls they have built around themselves.

Overall, *A Devil So Wicked* surprised me in the best way! What initially felt like a lot to unpack eventually developed into a story with humor, grief, found connection, and a slow-burn romance that allows its characters to find pieces of themselves in one another. Between the intriguing fantasy world, the banter, and a certain dragon who absolutely steals the show, this was a read that grew on me as the story unfolded!

**Thank you to NetGalley and A.S. Keeper for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.**

[Kayla Byrd-Walton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author and publisher for giving me the chance to read Devil So Wicked early! I was honestly drawn in by the author’s Instagram posts for this book. The snippets, the artwork, the whole aesthetic? Top tier.🔥

Now, starting with the good…

I was immediately pulled in during the first few chapters because my God, Emeline was put THROUGH the wringer. 😭 Her character has been through so much, and I really appreciated the way the story explored her grief, trauma, shame, and guilt surrounding her miscarriage. Those were some of the heavier themes in the book, but I thought they added a lot of emotional depth to her character and her journey.

One of my favorite things was definitely the banter between Emeline and Arsen. Their interactions brought some much-needed humor and levity, and I really enjoyed Emeline’s personality and sense of humor. Their dynamic was one of the things that kept me invested in their relationship.

I also really enjoyed the plot and the worldbuilding. The concept of the Veil, Haven, the fae, and the rules surrounding humans entering the fae realm had me intrigued. I love when a fantasy romance gives me a world that feels like there is still SO much left to uncover, and this definitely did that for me.

The premise itself was also really interesting. Arsen, the Second Prince of Haven, is tasked with guarding the Veil when he encounters Emeline. He has the ability to wield fear, but Emeline is different. She doesn't seem to know what her greatest fear even is. As he becomes determined to understand her, the two find themselves navigating grief, trauma, secrets, and an attraction that could have serious consequences.


I will say, though, I did have a few issues with the pacing. The middle of the book was a bit of a struggle for me. There were times when I felt like the story was moving very slowly, and I found myself having to push myself to keep reading. There were also moments where I felt like certain things were over-explained or talked about repeatedly through conversations with other characters when I felt the point had already been made.

Thankfully, things picked back up again, and by the time the story got moving, I was invested once more. I think tightening up some of those middle sections would make the overall reading experience much stronger.

Despite those issues, I really enjoyed the overall story, the characters, and especially the world A.S. Keeper created. There are definitely questions I still have, and I’m very curious to see where this story goes next.

Overall, Devil So Wicked gave me fantasy, fae, romance, grief, trauma, secrets, forbidden love, and a world that I definitely want to explore more of. ✨

I’m looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you again to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before diving into this book, I highly encourage you to read the trigger warnings!

With that said, I thought I was signing up for your typical fae kidnaps human, they fall in love, the end kind of book.

That is not what I got.

Instead, I got a book I could not put down, and a story that felt unique among all the fae/human fantasy books out there.

At its heart, this book is about trauma, grief, and healing, and how that looks different for everyone. There is one line in this book that has become one of my all-time favorites, and I am paraphrasing here, but it was essentially that grief is love with nowhere to go. That line hit hard. I actually had to stop reading for a minute and process it.

Plot wise, we follow Emeline, our human FMC, who is snarky and has a wonderfully dark sense of humor. I loved her. She had me giggling so much! She gets kidnapped by Arsen, a Fae Prince, and I know what you're thinking. I said this wasn't that kind of book, and it isn't. It just makes you think it is at first!

Once the story really gets going, we meet all the side characters, and they are absolutely delightful. Especially Samael. Samael might be my favorite side character of all time. Snarky, funny, and completely unconcerned with what he says or who he offends. I loved him.

And then we really get into the plot. A kingdom is on the brink of war. There are villains who are truly evil, and I hated every single one of them with a passion. But isn't that what makes a good villain? And then there is a reluctant hero who wants everyone to think he is the villain.

But the question of why the kingdom is on the brink of war is what really made this story stand out to me. It isn't simply about a power-hungry king. It is about how beings are treated, what makes someone worthy of respect versus being treated like trash, and how you help those who are being mistreated without pushing everyone into an all-out war. Can war be avoided? You'll have to read it to find out. This is also a very basic plot summary, it is so much more than this, but if I go to far I will spoil the whole thing, and that is something I refuse to do.

Almost every character is dealing with some kind of trauma, and they all handle it differently. Watching them work through that and slowly discover that maybe hope isn't as fragile as they thought was one of my favorite parts of the story. The way trauma was handled felt genuine and real. This book broke my heart and made my heart happy all at the same time.

Do yourself a favor and add this to your TBR immediately. Just make sure you read those trigger warnings first.

[Arlette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tip for the unknowing reader: Keep all vases away from Emeline Rivers (especially those of the decorative sort).

Emeline: Human. Little Nightmare. An outspoken, former Navy recruit, who is always ready for a fight, especially when injustice is afoot. Add to this, having to deal with incredible loss, which the author respectfully navigates through within the story.

Arsen: Fae. Prince. The Devil? Full of sass, smirk, and snark. Always accompanied by his dragon (hands down, my FAVOURITE character in this book), Samael.

From the very first chapter, we are thrown into action, so I was very much on the edge of my seat as the chapterswent on. The world building is weaved through the story as Emeline finds out more about this other realm, Haven. The author doesn't overdo the narration as she ensures the plot keeps driving forward as the story goes on.

Emeline was a character that I dearly loved in this story. She didn't need to be defined as just a "strong female character". She was also vulnerable, open, and unafraid to be herself. We were able to connect to such raw vulnerabilities that the character was experiencing, through her pregnancy loss (this happens prior to the start of this book). Though I have not had to experience this myself, I felt like I could sympathise with this character as she grew through the grief she was carrying.

Arsen. My devilish Fae prince, oh the man that you are. I can't help but love the black sheep of the family. I also very much condone his coffee-drinking habits (so sorry dear author, this wins over the hot-choccie for me). The tension that builds between Emeline and Arsen is just divine. I really love that they actually communicate, and it's all very healthy (minus his job description, perhaps).

But the crème de la crème in my eyes is Samael. SAM. Oh how I love this little mischievous dragon. Of course he instantly bonds with the HUMAN to the absolute shock-horror of Arsen. What a darling little traitor he is.

Something that really stood out for me with this story, was that the author really fleshed out her side characters (especially Wyll and Sari). You can really understand what these characters meant to Arsen and we are truly shown the love they have for each other. Speaking of Sari. Uh, thank you A.S. Keeper for giving Emeline such a healthy female friendship throughout this book!

All the twists and turns, I really did NOT see coming! I truly was hooked from the beginning and on the edge of my seat until the end. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book! Oh, and did I mention Arsen also has a sadistic, strawberry-loving older brother? Oh, yes.

[Katerina Karavapori · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

*Minor spoilers*
I think this book will satisfy most entry level readers, but unfortunately it did not resonate massively with me in the end. I did finish it and it was a good time, but it felt like a box ticking exercise for me. Like the author wrote the book she wished she had read at some point and included without fail every single element of a romantasy, making this story quite predictable.

Let me elaborate a bit. Emeline is well fleshed out and with wonderful layers of complexity, but there were many instances were I found her impulsive and immature, making it hard for me to love her to the point I was actually invested in her journey. I didn't find the way she was outspoken believable and I found her lacking grace in the way she carried herself. Her redeeming quality was definitely the trauma she carries and her character development and how by the end she is on a path to start healing, that was brilliantly done indeed. Maybe the 3rd person POV wasn't the right choice in this respect? I wonder if a 1st person POV would have allowed for that intimacy which I felt I was craving in order to connect with her. Arsen is interesting, but again, I had issues. He is this dark prince (the emotional baggage was again done really well here) but the way he bounces from heartless slayer to lovesick puppy gave me whiplash. I am not against fated mated, I just felt that it was delivered here in a clunky way, we went to genuine hatred to insta-lust/love in under three weeks, again, I wasn't convinced. Also, how can you set aside that he killed all your friends with zero hesitation and reach the point of feeling love for him? Hmmmm, no. The banter was very good, but there were to many modern day references and the writing was not particularly lyrical (and I get it, that was not what we were going for, but it left things to be desired for me), so again, I struggled to connect. Samael was ADORABLE, and the absolute highlight of this book.

In a nutshell, there is an audience for this kind of storytelling, I just think it wasn't for me. Thank you to A.S Keeper, askeeperbooksLLC and NetGalley for this review copy, all opinions are my own.

[Ilana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold up, I might just have read one of my top 3 best books of this year. Reviewing this will be difficult because I basically loved, well, everything about it and my mind is pure chaos rn. The pacing, writing style, emotions, intrigue, magic system, ... ugh I'm in love.

This story starts off with Emeline being part of a crew at sea while trying to work through her trauma and grief. And let me tell you I was hooked from chapter 1. The way that all of her grief and coping mechanisms were written down hit (almost) too close to home. As someone struggling with the same situation, it was comforting to read about someone else experiencing the same mental struggles and realizing that I’m not alone in feeling this way. The fog, the disassociation, ... hell yes, welcome to the ✨ trauma club ✨.
I love Emeline with all my heart and it was beautiful to see how she grew in her process.

I have no words for Arsen and I felt so sorry for him. He refuses to be vulnerable and yet he became the safest person for Emeline, even with his witty remarks and dirty mouth. Arsen effing drown me Seaspire, the man that you are.

AND SAMAEL? He's all grumpy and sassy but underneath it all he has the purest heart (or does Arsen have the purest heart???).

Honestly this whole book was pure perfection. The way every aspect was essential to the story and how everything pulled at my heartstrings...
I'm still blown away and speechless, my only advice is READ THIS ASAP.

Alyssa, thank you from the bottom of my heart to give me this opportunity. It was a wild ride but this book really healed some insecure part of me and for a moment there, I did not feel alone. 🩷

Oh, and I need book 2 basically yesterday. Did I already say how much I love this book?

If you love:
vampires
dragons
fae
magic
demon daddies
banter as foreplay
enemies to lovers (really)
mind bonds
grief & healing
mental health rep
open door spice

Do read your trigger warnings please.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this arc. All thoughts are my own. 🤍

[Amiee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and to A.S Keeper for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book

Our MMC is a gorgeous shadow daddy, who has trust issues and is used to relying only on himself. He’s deliciously snarky, cheeky from the very first moment and is forced, kicking and screaming, to understand his feelings as they develop for not just our FMC, but also his found family, who love him - even when he’s an utter arse 😂 (he’s been named perfectly)

Our FMC is so strong, but struggling to navigate the depths of her own grief and anxiety after suffering a terrible loss. She’s a sweary, sassy sailor who loves to utilise vases to knock sense into many of the characters! She really develops throughout the book, learning to soften and to enjoy the good moments in amongst the bad.

Sam - the Dragon Familiar we didn’t know we needed, but who we fall in love with anyway. You will love his snarky attitude and wait impatiently for every line from him. He’s the cuddly, person eating, lovable pet everyone wants in their life!

The description of Em’s feelings of grief and anxiety is relatable to so many people, but rarely touched upon in stories. You can feel the personal feelings experience from the author and the way she writes is brilliant!

A.S Keeper builds a fantastic world while also keeping the story moving along with plot and intrigue at every moment. The slow burn is smouldering through the entire story, but with enough spice to keep you waiting with bated breath until FINALLY it happens, but still keeps the surprises with Arsen’s equipment (IYKYK)

You’ll fall in love with all the characters, including the family Arsen has built, but please be aware that the author is happy to kill off characters, so don’t rely on your favourite characters being safe!

You’ll be as feral as me for the sequel to this story! I NEED more Sam in my life!

As a long time fan of this authors fanfics, I was so excited to hear she was publishing and ecstatic to get an ARC. She’s a fantastic writer and I loved every second of this read!

[stevieeenyxreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Alyssa and Netgalley, for the ARC (available November 4, 2026).

This is a book that I think EVERYONE should read immediately. It has a little bit of everything from amazing world building, political intrigue, delicious banter, witty and sarcastic characters, forbidden love, the slowest of slow burns, AND a sassy dragon companion!

Emeline is one of my favorite FMCs ever. She’s got a sharp tongue and doesn’t know when to shut up when her life is in danger, uses dark humor to cope with her grief the circumstances she finds herself in, and has a habit of throwing vases around at people’s heads like it’s no one’s business. As someone who has experienced multiple losses in the last couple of years, I also just feel such a kinship with her. The way her grief is portrayed is so raw and realistic and heartbreaking. I have never before felt so seen as I did while reading this book because of it.

Arsen is also one of my favorite MMCs ever. He’s ruthless, yet also surprisingly soft when it comes to Emeline. Though it takes a while to get to that point, he is DEVOTED 🥵 They also work through their grief together in such a beautiful way. And let’s not forget the ever lovable Samael, the dragon at Arsen’s side who never lets anyone get close to him, that is until Emeline enters the picture.

This book has such a great balance of lighthearted, humorous moments, as well as heavy and dark ones/topics. I also really loved the found family aspect, with well developed side characters and relationships. The tension between Arsen and Emeline is mouth wateringly good, and the romance is WELL worth the wait. I fell in love with this book and these characters so quickly!

And I know I’ve said it a lot, but a special thank you to Alyssa for being such a champion of women’s health and never shying away from discussing how loss and grief affects people. I know it can be incredibly difficult to talk about, but I hope this book finds the people who need it most the same way it found me. It will always hold such a special place in my heart 💖

[Jenna Rehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin? ‼️

Okay, okay- let's back it up to the beginning.
We are welcomed into the story at sea, (an absolutely mysterious and fucking terrifying place to be if I'm being honest) and are introduced to our FMC- Emmeline, an absolute bad ass bitch. 👏🏻👏🏻

We are immediately thrown into chaos as a reader, and I was absolutely here for it. I think I my jaw was on the floor in the first few chapters and remained there for a minute.

As I was reading, I learned early on that this book is not your typical fae/human love story. This story has depth, grief, love, exquisite banter, humor, snark and healing all wrapped up in a beautiful story.

While I personally have no experience with the exact grief that Emmeline is experiencing, the pain and heartbreak was absolutely palpable for me. This story made me feel all the emotions and then some.

The character and world building was absolutely incredible. The way the locations and specifically characters are written made the entire story play out in my head perfectly. There are very few times when I deeply resonate with characters, and this was absolutely one of them. Each character had a purpose and a role that was woven beautifully into the overall story.

Speaking of characters....
HOLY HELL ARSEN. I oof. Our MMC. A devil. He's mean. Kills things and enjoys it. He's morally grey and I honestly love him for it.

And Samael might just be my new favorite character ever.  I mean who doesn't love a Golden retriever-esqe, murdery dragon?
He brings so much joy and hilarity into a story that has some deep topics that are sadly not discussed enough.

Thank you A.S. Keeper for sharing your story with us all. You absolutely wrote with your heart & soul, and as a reader I could feel it. Arsen once said about grief "in its  purest form, it's love with nowhere to go."

Brb sobbing.
Honestly, a 5 star read for me and would recommended to anyone. Just mind the trigger warnings if needed. ❤️

[Hales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and A. S. Keeper for the e- and physical ARCs. This was a VERY easy 5 stars for me. I annotated the heck out of my copy—A Devil So Wicked stole my heart right out of my chest and I'm still in a book hangover weeks later! “What did Wyll do in the carriage?” is officially my new “What did Lorcan do??” ... I can't stop wondering!!!

I went in expecting demons, dragons, and a forbidden romance, and I got all of that. What I didn’t expect was a story about grief that would make me feel this seen. At its core, this is a book about two people doing the heavy work of healing and finding the will to survive when surviving feels like the harder choice.

Emeline is stuck in the fog of depression after an early pregnancy loss (off-page), surviving day-to-day, when she crosses paths with Arsen Seaspire, the Second Prince of Haven. Arsen takes one look at Em, basically says "that one", and proceeds to make it his personal mission to uncover this numb woman's very worst fear. Humans aren’t welcome in Haven, and Arsen should kill her and be done with it... but the tension between them keeps pulling them together, drawing them dangerously close as political upheaval builds (DELICIOUS).

The grief in this book was so well done. As someone who's mom passed when she was little and has carried that loss for almost my whole life, when I say Em and Arsen’s respective grief hit me somewhere deep, I don’t say that lightly. The fog Em experiences, the emotional hollowness and bitterness Arsen feels, all of it was written so honestly. I so appreciate the author for making sure that none of the grief either of them feel is glamorized. It made it wholly relatable and painful. “Her grief wasn’t ugly. It was tragic.” (How dare you read me for filth, A!!!)

Arsen, our sweet bby boy (hardass) demon, is Em’s mirror and her foil. His pain comes from neglect and childhood abuse (all off-page), so it isn’t the same as hers, but the way he guards himself and steels against vulnerability echoes her wounds. “Lucifer was God’s favorite. Arsen had never been anyone’s favorite.” Two incredibly hurt people circling each other is the heart of this book, and it’s why the romance and healing between them is so gut wrenching.

Somehow, a book this heavy is also hilarious. Samael, a sassy, sarcastic, morally grey dragon, bonds with Em immediately and is fiercely protective of her and Arsen. I barked out laughing at him more than once, and Em’s dark humor had me in stitches. There's a certain chapter that opens with one of my favorite Em lines after an incredibly tense cliffhanger... I don't want to spoil it, but it truly sent me into orbit. I couldn't stop laughing at the ridiculousness, it was SO Em and SO perfect for the moment. While Em is sassy and sharp, Arsen is a total smooth-talker, ruthless yet surprisingly Baby Girl at his core. The chemistry and banter between these three characters is through the roof, and although they're all slightly feral and vicious, the emotional payoff when Em and Arsen finally do get together is DIABOLICAL. There were moments where I was blushing so hard I actually felt sweat trickle down my temples... the mouth on that man is just PHEW.

Under all of that steamy banter is a gripping plot with sky-high stakes and no miscommunication trope. God bless A.S. Keeper, because these are adults who communicate like adults, which gets ALL THE POINTS from me. The demonology and history feel fresh instead of recycled, and I couldn’t think of a comparable title, which is incredibly rare in romantasy right now.

TLDR; I’m DYING to get back to this totally unique world. Those cliffhangers at the end were pure evil, and I am SO READY for book two! And hopefully Riven’s story after Arsen & Em’s is completed… you can’t give us a hot bisexual brother and NOT follow up with a little treat of a thousand pages of tragic, sexy, rakish behavior.