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The Demon Star
Gods rule this planet. Demons stalk its canyons while Kings beg for mercy. Can three mere humans rewrite its destiny?
The otherworldly religious conflict of Dune, the cosmic strangeness of Gideon the Ninth, and the heart-pounding action of Red Rising converge in this horror-tinged epic science fantasy debut.
Ysira Naktis was a human sacrifice, marked for death. Unlike the thousands ‘harvested’ each year, though, she did the unthinkable. She survived—and what she brought back with her could change the fate of worlds.
When Ysira’s estranged son is chosen to become the vessel of a god-killing demon, she is faced with a choice: allow him to harness cosmic power at an unspeakable cost, or doom millions to save him. She finds an unlikely ally in Brother Jacen Kheris, once a gifted exorcist, now a guilt-ridden addict, desperate for purpose.
From a demon-haunted canyon to a starbound satellite, they must battle their way through cultists, aliens, and the gods themselves. The truths they unearth are deeper and more sinister than anything they could have imagined.
In this cinematic thrill ride, Jesse Aragon plunges us into a world as intricate and inventive as it is brutal.
The otherworldly religious conflict of Dune, the cosmic strangeness of Gideon the Ninth, and the heart-pounding action of Red Rising converge in this horror-tinged epic science fantasy debut.
Ysira Naktis was a human sacrifice, marked for death. Unlike the thousands ‘harvested’ each year, though, she did the unthinkable. She survived—and what she brought back with her could change the fate of worlds.
When Ysira’s estranged son is chosen to become the vessel of a god-killing demon, she is faced with a choice: allow him to harness cosmic power at an unspeakable cost, or doom millions to save him. She finds an unlikely ally in Brother Jacen Kheris, once a gifted exorcist, now a guilt-ridden addict, desperate for purpose.
From a demon-haunted canyon to a starbound satellite, they must battle their way through cultists, aliens, and the gods themselves. The truths they unearth are deeper and more sinister than anything they could have imagined.
In this cinematic thrill ride, Jesse Aragon plunges us into a world as intricate and inventive as it is brutal.
449 pages, Hardcover
First published July 28, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC provided by the publisher—DAW Books—in exchange for an honest review.
The Demon Star has great potential to become one of science fantasy readers’ favorite ambitious debuts of the year.
If you’ve been following my reviews, you might have noticed that in the past few years, I’ve been diving into more science fantasy novels. Do not get me wrong. I have always known I’m a big fan of the sub-genre. But recently, especially thanks to The Sun Eater by Christopher Ruocchio, I’ve been more active and intrigued in searching for more and more awesome science fantasy novels to read. I am not ashamed to admit my interest in reading The Demon Star was ignited instantaneously by the cover art reveal. The cover art is illustrated by the incredible Kieran Yanner, who some of you might know from his work on the US edition cover art for the The Sun Eater series. The cover art of The Demon Star immediately became a small window to the key characters and the rich and mystery-infused world-building contained in the novel. After reading it, I am pleased to say The Demon Star will be regarded as one of the memorable science fantasy novels that will find its home in the heart and bookshelves of the genre reader.
The story in The Demon Star takes place on a ruined planet oppressed by eldritch gods. In this place where faith placed upon the gods is totally crucial, a rebel leader forces his own son to become the vessel of a god-killing demon. Caught in this conflict spanning millennia are our two main characters and unlikely allies. First is Ysira Naktis. Ysira was a human sacrifice destined for that. But unlike the thousands “harvested” each year, she beat the odds and survived. What she brought back with her could rewrite the fate of her civilization. And when Ysira’s son is chosen for demonic possession, she is faced with a choice. Leave him to his own fate to allow him to harness cosmic power at an unspeakable cost, or doom millions to save him. In this perilous journey of survival, she finds an unlikely ally in Brother Jacen Kheris, the other main character, who was once a gifted exorcist but now is an addict desperate for purpose.
A new science fantasy debut with ambitious world-building is something I find to be relatively rare now. Generally speaking, having been reviewing SFF books for almost a decade now, I miss the era of seeing new epic fantasy and science fiction not rooted in romantasy being published. Aragon has mentioned that The Demon Star is her love letter to the classic science fiction stories like Hyperion by Dan Simmons, Dune by Frank Herbert, and Star Wars, to mention a few. The fragments of these classics are clearly reflected in her book through the expansive world-building. If there’s one color that determines the tone of The Demon Star, it would have to be red and black. You will understand why the more you read the book. From the red-environment planet, the bloody actions, the demon-haunted canyon, the cultists, and the exorcisms, The Demon Star is one heck of a debut that blends science fiction, epic fantasy, and some horror elements into one package.
It felt easy for the mystery of the culture and the world in The Demon Star to engage my curiosity to keep reading. To find out more about the history and secrets of the world. And believe me, there are secrets to be unravelled here. However, the other standout in The Demon Star is the morally gray main characters, Ysira and Jacen. I wouldn’t necessarily say they’re some of my favorite characters in speculative fiction. Honestly, I don’t think I even liked the characters' relationship with one another as much as I liked the world-building. But I would be lying if I said I was not invested in their story and how they navigate the ruthless ordeals ahead of them. This, in my opinion, is more important than whether I love the characters or not. If I don’t feel intrigued by the character’s journey, then the reading experience would fall apart. From the inner conflicts and violent external wounds, Aragon does not shy away from placing her characters through trauma and a crimson path. Ysira, in particular, is on the horrible receiving end of this. I found her determination to save and protect her son to be relatable. Do note that this is not a happy book. Darkness unquestionably triumphs over light in tone. But it would be inaccurate to state the narrative in this book was devoid of hope.
When it comes down to it, what I liked most about The Demon Star has to be the world and the immersion I got from reading it. The action sequences, once it gets going in the halfway point, is practically non-stop to the end of the book. I did hope, just a little bit, that we have more room to let the characters sits, contemplate, and develop further before we jump to the next conflict. However, these are minor issues. Well-written action scenes, to me, always felt like the stakes were there, and they could make me see the events in the texts unfolds as if I’m in the room right there with them. Fortunately, I got that from reading The Demon Star. The action sequences were properly crafted and structured. The revelations about the gods and the world were superbly executed, too. Everything from the second half was a constant twists and turns that kept me captivated to the end of the novel.
I’ve been intentionally keeping most of my review vague regarding the details of the story. But I do think this is for the better. Future readers should attempt this debut with as little knowledge as possible, as I did. In The Demon Star, Aragon successfully achieved the golden balance of drama, actions, and extensive world-building in a fascinating debut that blends sci-fi, fantasy, and horror seamlessly. At the moment, I have no idea whether this would become a series or remain as a standalone novel. But whatever Aragon writes next, I look forward to seeing how she will further develop her storytelling skills after this superb debut. The ending definitely left room for more stories in this world, after all. If your preference of genre is fantasy or sci-fi tinged with horror, you simply cannot go wrong with trying The Demon Star.
You can order this book from: Amazon | Blackwells (Free International shipping)
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Andrew. S, Arik, Arliss, Barbara, Ben, Benjamin, Cade, Chris, Crystal, Cullen, Dan, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Erich, Evie, Feanor, Francesca, Frank, Gary, Gregory, James, Jason, Jeff, Johnny, Joie, Jonathan, Katrina, Kim, Kristina, Lara, Leigh, Lourdes, Melinda, Mike, Mike S, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Radiah, RCT, Sally, Samuel, Sarah, Scott, Sean, Shawn, Shawna, Stephanie, Trish, Tyler, TS, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zachary, Zammar.
The Demon Star has great potential to become one of science fantasy readers’ favorite ambitious debuts of the year.
“Darkness is refuge. Chaos is clarity. Power is freedom.”
If you’ve been following my reviews, you might have noticed that in the past few years, I’ve been diving into more science fantasy novels. Do not get me wrong. I have always known I’m a big fan of the sub-genre. But recently, especially thanks to The Sun Eater by Christopher Ruocchio, I’ve been more active and intrigued in searching for more and more awesome science fantasy novels to read. I am not ashamed to admit my interest in reading The Demon Star was ignited instantaneously by the cover art reveal. The cover art is illustrated by the incredible Kieran Yanner, who some of you might know from his work on the US edition cover art for the The Sun Eater series. The cover art of The Demon Star immediately became a small window to the key characters and the rich and mystery-infused world-building contained in the novel. After reading it, I am pleased to say The Demon Star will be regarded as one of the memorable science fantasy novels that will find its home in the heart and bookshelves of the genre reader.
“How strange a thought, that it could be possible to love someone so completely, unconditionally, for no other reason than that they were.”
The story in The Demon Star takes place on a ruined planet oppressed by eldritch gods. In this place where faith placed upon the gods is totally crucial, a rebel leader forces his own son to become the vessel of a god-killing demon. Caught in this conflict spanning millennia are our two main characters and unlikely allies. First is Ysira Naktis. Ysira was a human sacrifice destined for that. But unlike the thousands “harvested” each year, she beat the odds and survived. What she brought back with her could rewrite the fate of her civilization. And when Ysira’s son is chosen for demonic possession, she is faced with a choice. Leave him to his own fate to allow him to harness cosmic power at an unspeakable cost, or doom millions to save him. In this perilous journey of survival, she finds an unlikely ally in Brother Jacen Kheris, the other main character, who was once a gifted exorcist but now is an addict desperate for purpose.
“Faith was a leap in the dark, the chasm between mystery and truth, and such a leap required resolve. Faith was the will to do even the unspeakable— for the sake of a dream, for the promise of peace, for the shadow of a hope of a better future.”
A new science fantasy debut with ambitious world-building is something I find to be relatively rare now. Generally speaking, having been reviewing SFF books for almost a decade now, I miss the era of seeing new epic fantasy and science fiction not rooted in romantasy being published. Aragon has mentioned that The Demon Star is her love letter to the classic science fiction stories like Hyperion by Dan Simmons, Dune by Frank Herbert, and Star Wars, to mention a few. The fragments of these classics are clearly reflected in her book through the expansive world-building. If there’s one color that determines the tone of The Demon Star, it would have to be red and black. You will understand why the more you read the book. From the red-environment planet, the bloody actions, the demon-haunted canyon, the cultists, and the exorcisms, The Demon Star is one heck of a debut that blends science fiction, epic fantasy, and some horror elements into one package.
“Everything a demon learns, it learns from us. What we’ve become is a horror of our own making.”
It felt easy for the mystery of the culture and the world in The Demon Star to engage my curiosity to keep reading. To find out more about the history and secrets of the world. And believe me, there are secrets to be unravelled here. However, the other standout in The Demon Star is the morally gray main characters, Ysira and Jacen. I wouldn’t necessarily say they’re some of my favorite characters in speculative fiction. Honestly, I don’t think I even liked the characters' relationship with one another as much as I liked the world-building. But I would be lying if I said I was not invested in their story and how they navigate the ruthless ordeals ahead of them. This, in my opinion, is more important than whether I love the characters or not. If I don’t feel intrigued by the character’s journey, then the reading experience would fall apart. From the inner conflicts and violent external wounds, Aragon does not shy away from placing her characters through trauma and a crimson path. Ysira, in particular, is on the horrible receiving end of this. I found her determination to save and protect her son to be relatable. Do note that this is not a happy book. Darkness unquestionably triumphs over light in tone. But it would be inaccurate to state the narrative in this book was devoid of hope.
“If a god was something they made, then perhaps faith must be, too. Not an immutable trait but a series of choices, day after day, even when one might never live to see them bear fruit. So let this choice be the first. He would stay. He would try. He would hope. He watched them, the prophet and the mother of his god, a deep weariness settling into his bones. They watched the stars.”
When it comes down to it, what I liked most about The Demon Star has to be the world and the immersion I got from reading it. The action sequences, once it gets going in the halfway point, is practically non-stop to the end of the book. I did hope, just a little bit, that we have more room to let the characters sits, contemplate, and develop further before we jump to the next conflict. However, these are minor issues. Well-written action scenes, to me, always felt like the stakes were there, and they could make me see the events in the texts unfolds as if I’m in the room right there with them. Fortunately, I got that from reading The Demon Star. The action sequences were properly crafted and structured. The revelations about the gods and the world were superbly executed, too. Everything from the second half was a constant twists and turns that kept me captivated to the end of the novel.
“The gods were meant to embody deliverance from suffering, but there was no shortage of pain here.”
I’ve been intentionally keeping most of my review vague regarding the details of the story. But I do think this is for the better. Future readers should attempt this debut with as little knowledge as possible, as I did. In The Demon Star, Aragon successfully achieved the golden balance of drama, actions, and extensive world-building in a fascinating debut that blends sci-fi, fantasy, and horror seamlessly. At the moment, I have no idea whether this would become a series or remain as a standalone novel. But whatever Aragon writes next, I look forward to seeing how she will further develop her storytelling skills after this superb debut. The ending definitely left room for more stories in this world, after all. If your preference of genre is fantasy or sci-fi tinged with horror, you simply cannot go wrong with trying The Demon Star.
“All our lives we’ve lived in shadow. We do not fear the dark. We endured beyond the end of our world before, and we will again.. And the stars will know our name.”
You can order this book from: Amazon | Blackwells (Free International shipping)
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Andrew. S, Arik, Arliss, Barbara, Ben, Benjamin, Cade, Chris, Crystal, Cullen, Dan, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Erich, Evie, Feanor, Francesca, Frank, Gary, Gregory, James, Jason, Jeff, Johnny, Joie, Jonathan, Katrina, Kim, Kristina, Lara, Leigh, Lourdes, Melinda, Mike, Mike S, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Radiah, RCT, Sally, Samuel, Sarah, Scott, Sean, Shawn, Shawna, Stephanie, Trish, Tyler, TS, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zachary, Zammar.
August 13, 2026
The Demon Star by Jesse Aragon
4.25 rounded down to 4🔮orbs
Pub. Date: July 28, 2026
DAW Publishing
An exorcism….
💡 Orbs Prologue: Sticky with perspiration, the red robe clings to Orb’s body, identifying his status as a Zivoran priest. Orb’s telepathic powers, while impressive, were no match for someone like Jacen, who stands at the cathedral’s table performing an exorcism. Exalting demons, or that is what they say. You see, dear reader, I write this not to alarm, but to salvage, like a sunken treasure for future reference. We are here to send those children with certain powers, chosen, if you like, to be sent like cows to slaughter. We call it the Harvest. Why, you may ask? 'Tis simple: we must appease the gods, the ones who came before us and allowed us our way of life…
🧐 A small glimpse: How to unpack this one: lots of moving parts. In a nutshell, we have nobles (Semira's) mandating laws that require offerings to these immortal gods. An FMC, Ysira, has a child with Ged Semira, who is next in line to the coveted throne. Ysira is exiled to the outskirts of society without her child, Nero, who remains oblivious to the fact that Ysira is his mother. As an internal war starts to simmer, Ged makes his move to usurp the crown and change the ways of his people. The tides start to shift! Our other MC, Jacen, a priest with highly “usable” telepathe abilities, takes center stage. His past is filled with an event that has left him a drunkard trying to forget. Ged sends his son Nero into the abyss in an attempt to become a vessel for a demon-killing god named Artek Var Naxal, in hopes of change. And thus begins a series of events that will keep readers compelled by the wonderful prose of Jesse Aragon.
👍 Orbs Pros: Character-driven fantasy! There is a wonderful list of characters from which to choose. Aragon does a tremendous job of creating a cast not so numerous as to forget, but rather a smaller group that intertwines quite nicely. Futuristic twists, sprinkled with a medieval feel! Spaceships, barren Dune-like landscapes, a shrouded city, exorcisms, demons, seizing unrelenting control, and telepathic powers… What’s not to like? Unique! Now, I am not saying a book like this does not exist; I have seen some say this has a Dune-like quality, which I have never read and can’t confirm. What I will say is that I personally have never read anything like this. While diving into the political intrigue, the reader is challenged with moral dilemmas all while navigating a brutal landscape. An eerily similar dichotomy begins. This work of fiction marches to the familiar beat of modern-day society and, for that matter, the inception of man, whose pursuit of greed, power, and control trumps all else. Scary stuff! After finishing, I felt I may not have fully grasped every single element. Like perhaps I missed something! Now why is this a pro? Normally, this might create an issue. However, I found this more about actually “wanting” to discover more in this vast world that I may have overlooked. There is a certain magnetism that is difficult to explain, but to put it more simply, "This book will stay with me."
👎 Orbs Cons: Pacing! This is a small quibble. There was a period where I felt the story lulled a tad. This often happens when a character I am not particularly fond of dominates the stage. My mind started meandering, but thankfully, I was brought back by a breakneck of scenes that really took me for a ride.
Highly Recommended! A great debut from Jesse Aragon, and one that I believe deserves your attention. If you enjoy fantasy and SF splashed with some horror elements, this most certainly brings you some satisfaction. A great read!
💡 Orbs Epilogue: Sacrifices must be made, and who am I to argue? And while I vehemently dislike this practice, for my own sanity, I would rather choose to think of us as an integral part of keeping our society thriving. We shall remain steadfast in our beliefs. Through the mystifying glow of wall sconces, a soft gold blush adheres to the smoke of the burning incense, creating an ominous feel. As the parents of the children become agitated at the sight of their little bird floundering through the exorcist procession, I attempt to keep them calm with a bit of mind manipulation, a soothing stroke of relaxation. There, there. It will soon be over. And so another child is plucked from our diminishing pile of those with the necessary gifts needed to satiate the god’s never-ending hunger. And one might think, haven’t we repaid our debt a million times over? And those who might merely question this ritual might be ostracized for such blasphemy… Perhaps there is some truth behind the heretic's words?
Many thanks to DAW Publishing for the ARC through NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4.25 rounded down to 4🔮orbs
Pub. Date: July 28, 2026
DAW Publishing
An exorcism….
💡 Orbs Prologue: Sticky with perspiration, the red robe clings to Orb’s body, identifying his status as a Zivoran priest. Orb’s telepathic powers, while impressive, were no match for someone like Jacen, who stands at the cathedral’s table performing an exorcism. Exalting demons, or that is what they say. You see, dear reader, I write this not to alarm, but to salvage, like a sunken treasure for future reference. We are here to send those children with certain powers, chosen, if you like, to be sent like cows to slaughter. We call it the Harvest. Why, you may ask? 'Tis simple: we must appease the gods, the ones who came before us and allowed us our way of life…
🧐 A small glimpse: How to unpack this one: lots of moving parts. In a nutshell, we have nobles (Semira's) mandating laws that require offerings to these immortal gods. An FMC, Ysira, has a child with Ged Semira, who is next in line to the coveted throne. Ysira is exiled to the outskirts of society without her child, Nero, who remains oblivious to the fact that Ysira is his mother. As an internal war starts to simmer, Ged makes his move to usurp the crown and change the ways of his people. The tides start to shift! Our other MC, Jacen, a priest with highly “usable” telepathe abilities, takes center stage. His past is filled with an event that has left him a drunkard trying to forget. Ged sends his son Nero into the abyss in an attempt to become a vessel for a demon-killing god named Artek Var Naxal, in hopes of change. And thus begins a series of events that will keep readers compelled by the wonderful prose of Jesse Aragon.
👍 Orbs Pros: Character-driven fantasy! There is a wonderful list of characters from which to choose. Aragon does a tremendous job of creating a cast not so numerous as to forget, but rather a smaller group that intertwines quite nicely. Futuristic twists, sprinkled with a medieval feel! Spaceships, barren Dune-like landscapes, a shrouded city, exorcisms, demons, seizing unrelenting control, and telepathic powers… What’s not to like? Unique! Now, I am not saying a book like this does not exist; I have seen some say this has a Dune-like quality, which I have never read and can’t confirm. What I will say is that I personally have never read anything like this. While diving into the political intrigue, the reader is challenged with moral dilemmas all while navigating a brutal landscape. An eerily similar dichotomy begins. This work of fiction marches to the familiar beat of modern-day society and, for that matter, the inception of man, whose pursuit of greed, power, and control trumps all else. Scary stuff! After finishing, I felt I may not have fully grasped every single element. Like perhaps I missed something! Now why is this a pro? Normally, this might create an issue. However, I found this more about actually “wanting” to discover more in this vast world that I may have overlooked. There is a certain magnetism that is difficult to explain, but to put it more simply, "This book will stay with me."
👎 Orbs Cons: Pacing! This is a small quibble. There was a period where I felt the story lulled a tad. This often happens when a character I am not particularly fond of dominates the stage. My mind started meandering, but thankfully, I was brought back by a breakneck of scenes that really took me for a ride.
Highly Recommended! A great debut from Jesse Aragon, and one that I believe deserves your attention. If you enjoy fantasy and SF splashed with some horror elements, this most certainly brings you some satisfaction. A great read!
💡 Orbs Epilogue: Sacrifices must be made, and who am I to argue? And while I vehemently dislike this practice, for my own sanity, I would rather choose to think of us as an integral part of keeping our society thriving. We shall remain steadfast in our beliefs. Through the mystifying glow of wall sconces, a soft gold blush adheres to the smoke of the burning incense, creating an ominous feel. As the parents of the children become agitated at the sight of their little bird floundering through the exorcist procession, I attempt to keep them calm with a bit of mind manipulation, a soothing stroke of relaxation. There, there. It will soon be over. And so another child is plucked from our diminishing pile of those with the necessary gifts needed to satiate the god’s never-ending hunger. And one might think, haven’t we repaid our debt a million times over? And those who might merely question this ritual might be ostracized for such blasphemy… Perhaps there is some truth behind the heretic's words?
Many thanks to DAW Publishing for the ARC through NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
August 25, 2025This is my debut novel! As ARCs start to make their way out into the world, I’m stopping by to provide some context and content warnings before I dip out of this space forever!
✨ The Demon Star is a science fantasy/space opera novel. In style and content, it’s closer to epic fantasy than science fiction.
👿 I wrote TDS for an adult audience. CWs below the cut.
🪱 For more information, news, artwork, and memes if you’re into that, you can visit my website, or see the pinned post on my author Instagram!
Happy reading 🙂
CWs (extremely mild spoilers):
✨ The Demon Star is a science fantasy/space opera novel. In style and content, it’s closer to epic fantasy than science fiction.
👿 I wrote TDS for an adult audience. CWs below the cut.
🪱 For more information, news, artwork, and memes if you’re into that, you can visit my website, or see the pinned post on my author Instagram!
Happy reading 🙂
CWs (extremely mild spoilers):
August 16, 2026
Horror infused sci-fantasy... of course I was going to pick this up. And oh my it did not disappoint.
The Demon Star is yet another example that modern speculative fiction is not just regurgitating works of the past. Even if you do not click with The Demon Star, I think you will respect and appreciate how different it is to everything else you have picked up. Truly dark at times, in a devastatingly brutal world, but with key characters you're rooting for who make the darkness bearable, we follow our characters as their worlds are truly shaken. You feel the changes they go through, and feel the tension of their turmoil. Consequences are a real thing in The Demon Star, and I was invested in each and every one.
Ysira will give you Orka vibes if you have read Papa Gwynne's Bloodsworn Saga, and the fantasy elements will simultaneously shock and thrill you.
I am going to keep this review brief as the best part of this story is the surprises. What I will say is that Jacen and Ysira are excellent leading perspectives, and The Demon Star is possibly the best exploration of demons I have encountered in my reading journey.
Pick up this debut!
5/5 STARS
The Demon Star is yet another example that modern speculative fiction is not just regurgitating works of the past. Even if you do not click with The Demon Star, I think you will respect and appreciate how different it is to everything else you have picked up. Truly dark at times, in a devastatingly brutal world, but with key characters you're rooting for who make the darkness bearable, we follow our characters as their worlds are truly shaken. You feel the changes they go through, and feel the tension of their turmoil. Consequences are a real thing in The Demon Star, and I was invested in each and every one.
Ysira will give you Orka vibes if you have read Papa Gwynne's Bloodsworn Saga, and the fantasy elements will simultaneously shock and thrill you.
I am going to keep this review brief as the best part of this story is the surprises. What I will say is that Jacen and Ysira are excellent leading perspectives, and The Demon Star is possibly the best exploration of demons I have encountered in my reading journey.
Pick up this debut!
5/5 STARS
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jesse Aragon's debut, The Demon Star, is a seamless fusion of dark epic fantasy, space opera and cosmic horror. Across a bleak, war scarred world, living gods rule through a repressive Church, demons haunt the deserts, telepathy is wielded as both miracle and weapon, and religion has become the ultimate instrument of control. Every piece of the world building feels vast and meticulously realised, layering history, political intrigue, colonial assimilation and theological indoctrination into a deeply vivid setting.
An oppressive sense of dread permeates every chapter. Horror isn't confined to isolated moments but woven into the fabric of the world itself, erupting into visceral body horror and genuine terror before building towards an extraordinary crescendo of revelations that continually expand the story's scope. It's incredibly ambitious, exploring rebellion against empire, competing religions and ordinary people struggling within systems built to keep them powerless.
There are no uncomplicated heroes here, only deeply human characters forced to navigate impossible choices where every path demands sacrifice and every victory carries a cost. Through profoundly personal dilemmas, Aragon explores faith, power and resistance, weighing individual lives against the fate of entire peoples. Asking if there's a point of no return, how far we're willing to cross it and whether sacrifice still has meaning when there is no guarantee of changing the outcome. It's bleak, yet fiercely devoted to life, freedom and self determination.
The finale is immensely satisfying - full of action and revelations. I can't wait to see what Aragon comes up with next.
Grand in imagination, fearless in its ideas and unforgettable in its execution, The Demon Star proves epic fantasy, space opera and cosmic horror aren't merely compatible - they were always destined to share the same sky.
My thanks to DAW for the arc
An oppressive sense of dread permeates every chapter. Horror isn't confined to isolated moments but woven into the fabric of the world itself, erupting into visceral body horror and genuine terror before building towards an extraordinary crescendo of revelations that continually expand the story's scope. It's incredibly ambitious, exploring rebellion against empire, competing religions and ordinary people struggling within systems built to keep them powerless.
There are no uncomplicated heroes here, only deeply human characters forced to navigate impossible choices where every path demands sacrifice and every victory carries a cost. Through profoundly personal dilemmas, Aragon explores faith, power and resistance, weighing individual lives against the fate of entire peoples. Asking if there's a point of no return, how far we're willing to cross it and whether sacrifice still has meaning when there is no guarantee of changing the outcome. It's bleak, yet fiercely devoted to life, freedom and self determination.
The finale is immensely satisfying - full of action and revelations. I can't wait to see what Aragon comes up with next.
Grand in imagination, fearless in its ideas and unforgettable in its execution, The Demon Star proves epic fantasy, space opera and cosmic horror aren't merely compatible - they were always destined to share the same sky.
My thanks to DAW for the arc
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the debut that will ruin you for every other debuts.
What I loved:
- I had never read this mix of fantasy, scifi, and horror before. I loved the unforgiving nature of some details.
- Everyone in the book is morally grey, at best, in the most realistic way possible.
- Lowkey unromanticised romance and it features a comfort throuple? So fresh!
- Our hero is a “cripple” and all his problems don’t magically disappear once he becomes a powerhouse
- I’d like to assign extra points to the author, as she rightfully mentioned her cat in the acknowledgments first of all.
Conclusions:
I can’t wrap my head around how this deep, unique, complex, well-built book is a debut.
I’m forever ruined.
If you are not particularly squeamish you should defo check it out!
I’ll surely add this author to my watch list!
PS: I think this is a standalone, but it could be a series. The ending leaves room to go both ways.
CHECK OUT MY IG CAROUSEL WITH GIFS
Pre-read
I've absolutely no expectations (other than high ones) and going in blind.
I'm in love with the title's font BTW. It's especially soft but confident looking in the black on white version on the inner title page 🧐
What I loved:
- I had never read this mix of fantasy, scifi, and horror before. I loved the unforgiving nature of some details.
- Everyone in the book is morally grey, at best, in the most realistic way possible.
- Lowkey unromanticised romance and it features a comfort throuple? So fresh!
- Our hero is a “cripple” and all his problems don’t magically disappear once he becomes a powerhouse
- I’d like to assign extra points to the author, as she rightfully mentioned her cat in the acknowledgments first of all.
Conclusions:
I can’t wrap my head around how this deep, unique, complex, well-built book is a debut.
I’m forever ruined.
If you are not particularly squeamish you should defo check it out!
I’ll surely add this author to my watch list!
PS: I think this is a standalone, but it could be a series. The ending leaves room to go both ways.
CHECK OUT MY IG CAROUSEL WITH GIFS
Pre-read
I've absolutely no expectations (other than high ones) and going in blind.
I'm in love with the title's font BTW. It's especially soft but confident looking in the black on white version on the inner title page 🧐
July 19, 2026
This book has it all: brainworm demons, human sacrifices, manipulative church, manipulative gods, a throuple, telepathy, Big Bad Demons, negligent parenting, and eyeball horror. I loved every single word.
September 5, 2026
This was a solid debut, but there was so much being juggled and it was ambitious in a way that I feel like the writing wasn’t always strong enough to keep up. The characters were compelling in their own ways, yet their motivations and interactions with each other felt so hollow. The world building was my favorite part and where I think this story really shines. I also love the moments of horror mixed in and think Aragon did a great job of genre blending here. It’s always exciting to see a new voice pop up in SFF, so I’m looking forward to seeing what she writes next.
August 12, 2026
I picked up The Demon Star for the Gideon the Ninth comp, and instead I got Dune–which, to be fair, is also a comp title, but not the one I was hoping for. The Demon Star is brimming with fantastic ideas that are interesting in theory, but the execution left me wanting a lot more. I found this to be a frustrating reading experience that slowly became a chore to read.
With demons, gods, exorcists, and many, many secrets in this apocalyptic SciFi world, I was immediately intrigued by the ideas in this story. Unfortunately, I feel like it really lacked the finesse and depth to keep me interested. There is an art to building up to reveals, to utilizing both action scenes and slow moments to create tension and suspense. I found that The Demon Star really lacked this balance. It felt like every reveal was handed to the reader way too easily; there wasn't enough time building tension and wonder before these reveals. The characters didn't seem to be significantly impacted by these world-changing reveals. I didn't feel the impact of anything that was happening because it all happened too easily, and we moved on too quickly.
This also just wasn't an enjoyable reading experience for me, and that largely ties back to the fact that I didn't find the characters compelling or enjoyable to read about. Their motivations and relationships were shallow and difficult to believe. I am the kind of reader who needs to be able to like or at least sympathize with the characters in a book in order to enjoy it. The characters in The Demon Star are just crappy people, and it's exhausting to read from their perspectives.
I would much, much rather a book take a big swing and slightly miss than be unoriginal or unambitious. However, I think The Demon Star needed a little bit more time to cook in order to fully polish off the world-building and pacing. Despite my mixed experience, I would still recommend this to readers who enjoy weird, horror SciFi. This really reminded me of mye experience with Metal From Heaven.
Thank you to Daw for the eARC
Links to my TikTok | Instagram | YouTube | Bindery Books
With demons, gods, exorcists, and many, many secrets in this apocalyptic SciFi world, I was immediately intrigued by the ideas in this story. Unfortunately, I feel like it really lacked the finesse and depth to keep me interested. There is an art to building up to reveals, to utilizing both action scenes and slow moments to create tension and suspense. I found that The Demon Star really lacked this balance. It felt like every reveal was handed to the reader way too easily; there wasn't enough time building tension and wonder before these reveals. The characters didn't seem to be significantly impacted by these world-changing reveals. I didn't feel the impact of anything that was happening because it all happened too easily, and we moved on too quickly.
This also just wasn't an enjoyable reading experience for me, and that largely ties back to the fact that I didn't find the characters compelling or enjoyable to read about. Their motivations and relationships were shallow and difficult to believe. I am the kind of reader who needs to be able to like or at least sympathize with the characters in a book in order to enjoy it. The characters in The Demon Star are just crappy people, and it's exhausting to read from their perspectives.
I would much, much rather a book take a big swing and slightly miss than be unoriginal or unambitious. However, I think The Demon Star needed a little bit more time to cook in order to fully polish off the world-building and pacing. Despite my mixed experience, I would still recommend this to readers who enjoy weird, horror SciFi. This really reminded me of mye experience with Metal From Heaven.
Thank you to Daw for the eARC
Links to my TikTok | Instagram | YouTube | Bindery Books
August 17, 2026
Local throuple starts a revolution against the gods, becomes war criminals along the way.
Good, pulpy scifi! This was cinematic, gorey, and action-packed, with a heavy dose of politics and religion. The Dune comp is spot on for this one.
The Demon Star felt like a solid 5 stars for the first half and more like a 3 for a lot of the second half, so I’ll split the difference with a 4. This was an extremely ambitious debut, and there are a lot of things I loved about it, including the subtle interpersonal relationships and really meaty worldbuilding. Also, I LOVE parasite horror, which is what this ultimately is.
I do think the book started to suffer between the 50-60% mark, for two main reasons. The first is that it’s SO fast-paced and action packed up to that point that when we finally slow down to catch our breath, it almost felt like an adrenaline crash. I got bored. And - right at the same time it suddenly got a little boring - the book also tried to introduce a whole slate of new characters. Sorry, no! You’re maxed out! Things were already a little overstuffed, so I simply did not commit any of the new people to memory.
I think this would have finished stronger if it had tabled some characters and spent a little less of the final quarter indulging in the gore and violence, which started to lose impact.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Good, pulpy scifi! This was cinematic, gorey, and action-packed, with a heavy dose of politics and religion. The Dune comp is spot on for this one.
The Demon Star felt like a solid 5 stars for the first half and more like a 3 for a lot of the second half, so I’ll split the difference with a 4. This was an extremely ambitious debut, and there are a lot of things I loved about it, including the subtle interpersonal relationships and really meaty worldbuilding. Also, I LOVE parasite horror, which is what this ultimately is.
I do think the book started to suffer between the 50-60% mark, for two main reasons. The first is that it’s SO fast-paced and action packed up to that point that when we finally slow down to catch our breath, it almost felt like an adrenaline crash. I got bored. And - right at the same time it suddenly got a little boring - the book also tried to introduce a whole slate of new characters. Sorry, no! You’re maxed out! Things were already a little overstuffed, so I simply did not commit any of the new people to memory.
I think this would have finished stronger if it had tabled some characters and spent a little less of the final quarter indulging in the gore and violence, which started to lose impact.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 18, 2026
⭐⭐¼ Ambitious, Dense, and Ultimately Not for Me
I received The Demon Star by Jesse Aragon through NetGalley and expected it to be the kind of book I would enjoy, particularly because I am interested in both science fiction and fantasy. I had also seen a considerable amount of praise from readers whose opinions I respect, so I approached it with fairly high expectations. Unfortunately, I never developed a strong connection with the story. It took me nearly two weeks to finish Part One, largely because the novel felt excessively dense and slow-moving. The constant introduction of new characters, gods, demons, factions, powers, and layers of mythology gradually weakened the momentum rather than strengthening it.
There are certainly ambitious ideas here, especially in the treatment of religion, institutional control, the Harvest, and the relationship between supernatural power and political authority. At the same time, the novel often felt overextended, as though it contained enough material for two books rather than one. The Harvest also reminded me at times of Scythe, particularly in the way death is institutionalized and justified through a larger social system, but I found The Demon Star much less compelling in its execution. Instead of becoming more invested as the mythology expanded, I often found myself trying to remember additional terminology and relationships without feeling that the emotional stakes were becoming any stronger.
The one character I genuinely cared about was Nines. She stood out because she felt vulnerable, sympathetic, and easier to connect with than the rest of the cast. I remained largely detached from the other major characters, to the point that I was rarely concerned about who survived. I also did not find the romantic subplot particularly effective. The relationship between the two male characters is introduced much earlier in the novel, while a later scene expands that relationship into a three-person dynamic. Neither element added much to my understanding of the characters or strengthened the larger narrative, so both ultimately felt unnecessary to me rather than emotionally meaningful.
I can understand why readers who enjoy dense world-building, elaborate mythology, and highly ambitious science-fantasy narratives have responded so positively to this book. For me, though, the scope became a weakness rather than a strength. The Demon Star felt overcrowded, overly complicated, and emotionally distant, and I finished it more out of determination than genuine investment. Reading it felt like pushing through an ambitious world filled with ideas, but never quite finding a reason to care deeply about the people living inside it, with the exception of Nines.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Jesse Aragon, and DAW Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheDemonStarJesseAragonDAWBooks #NetGalley
I received The Demon Star by Jesse Aragon through NetGalley and expected it to be the kind of book I would enjoy, particularly because I am interested in both science fiction and fantasy. I had also seen a considerable amount of praise from readers whose opinions I respect, so I approached it with fairly high expectations. Unfortunately, I never developed a strong connection with the story. It took me nearly two weeks to finish Part One, largely because the novel felt excessively dense and slow-moving. The constant introduction of new characters, gods, demons, factions, powers, and layers of mythology gradually weakened the momentum rather than strengthening it.
There are certainly ambitious ideas here, especially in the treatment of religion, institutional control, the Harvest, and the relationship between supernatural power and political authority. At the same time, the novel often felt overextended, as though it contained enough material for two books rather than one. The Harvest also reminded me at times of Scythe, particularly in the way death is institutionalized and justified through a larger social system, but I found The Demon Star much less compelling in its execution. Instead of becoming more invested as the mythology expanded, I often found myself trying to remember additional terminology and relationships without feeling that the emotional stakes were becoming any stronger.
The one character I genuinely cared about was Nines. She stood out because she felt vulnerable, sympathetic, and easier to connect with than the rest of the cast. I remained largely detached from the other major characters, to the point that I was rarely concerned about who survived. I also did not find the romantic subplot particularly effective. The relationship between the two male characters is introduced much earlier in the novel, while a later scene expands that relationship into a three-person dynamic. Neither element added much to my understanding of the characters or strengthened the larger narrative, so both ultimately felt unnecessary to me rather than emotionally meaningful.
I can understand why readers who enjoy dense world-building, elaborate mythology, and highly ambitious science-fantasy narratives have responded so positively to this book. For me, though, the scope became a weakness rather than a strength. The Demon Star felt overcrowded, overly complicated, and emotionally distant, and I finished it more out of determination than genuine investment. Reading it felt like pushing through an ambitious world filled with ideas, but never quite finding a reason to care deeply about the people living inside it, with the exception of Nines.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Jesse Aragon, and DAW Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheDemonStarJesseAragonDAWBooks #NetGalley
July 30, 2026
oh she's goooood. rtc
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was an insane Sci - Fantasy Horror mash - up. I loved the layers of world building, the corrupt religion, the characters & the otherworldly elements. Dual POV from flawed & fleshed out MC’s as we navigate their trauma & their relationships.
Telepathy intertwined with gods & demon possession (& so much more!). This had me on the edge of my seat, constant twist & layers to the plot that I did not see coming.
An ending that leaves you with a ton of questions, thoughts & reflection. I’m really excited to read more stories from Jesse!
Telepathy intertwined with gods & demon possession (& so much more!). This had me on the edge of my seat, constant twist & layers to the plot that I did not see coming.
An ending that leaves you with a ton of questions, thoughts & reflection. I’m really excited to read more stories from Jesse!
July 5, 2026
An epic science fantasy with a bit of horror. The start of this was amazing and fully pulled me into this story. I enjoyed the world building that the author was crafting as well as the dynamics between the characters.
My main problem while reading this is that I just didn’t care about our characters that much or where the story went. I was still impressed with this debut and would be interested in what else the author has to write.
3.75⭐️
My main problem while reading this is that I just didn’t care about our characters that much or where the story went. I was still impressed with this debut and would be interested in what else the author has to write.
3.75⭐️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
EPIC ! A fantasy adventure that brings back memories of the first time I read Dune, I was enthralled.This story, it’s characters, it’s villains and the world are so well written. Gods so unique and twisted, yet that’s not all they were. Everyone here is multidimensional. I really can’t tell you about the story it will ruin it. If you like a good fantasy with believable characters, lots of action and twists, read this, trust me. The ending was satisfying leaving an opening to continue
I give this 6 out of 5 stars.
I give this 6 out of 5 stars.
May 27, 2026
4.5 stars! RTC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley, opinions are always my own.
This was a stunning debut. The characters are all uniquely human and deeply flawed. They make mistakes, are truly morally grey, even if it is for the right reasons. At the end I was left wondering if they went too far. And it's honestly kind of hard to answer that.
The writing was beautiful, great prose while also being suspenseful throughout. That's a rare combination. I'm definitely following this author and will try any and all future works.
This book is great for fans of darker fantasy and scifi. I would personally consider it more scifi than fantasy, but I can see how part two would morph into epic fantasy.
All in all, I highly recommend it!
This was a stunning debut. The characters are all uniquely human and deeply flawed. They make mistakes, are truly morally grey, even if it is for the right reasons. At the end I was left wondering if they went too far. And it's honestly kind of hard to answer that.
The writing was beautiful, great prose while also being suspenseful throughout. That's a rare combination. I'm definitely following this author and will try any and all future works.
This book is great for fans of darker fantasy and scifi. I would personally consider it more scifi than fantasy, but I can see how part two would morph into epic fantasy.
All in all, I highly recommend it!
August 21, 2026
It's like "The Locked Tomb" with Jean Grey's mutant power set and a touch of the Phoenix Force. Brutal and often surprising. "The Demon Star" is an intimate study of the tyranny of faith and revolution at the cost of one's humanity.
Did Not Finish
August 7, 2026DNF:25% , 4+ hours of the audiobook
This book just wasn't for me. It's a well-written story, but I just wasn't having any fun, even after 4 hours... Everything felt... predictable. Maybe it's because I've read plenty of fantasy and sci-fi books already, but nothing in The Demon Star stood out to me... I am definitely in the minority though. :)
This book just wasn't for me. It's a well-written story, but I just wasn't having any fun, even after 4 hours... Everything felt... predictable. Maybe it's because I've read plenty of fantasy and sci-fi books already, but nothing in The Demon Star stood out to me... I am definitely in the minority though. :)
August 13, 2026
Thank you to Jesse Aragon, DAW & NetGalley for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐
CW: Explicit |
Moderate |
Mild |
My chosen soundtrack(s): Your World Will Fail - Les Friction | No Church In The Wild - JAY-Z, Kanye West, Frank Ocean, THE-DREAM | Bonus soundtrack specifically for Jacen: Drinking Age - Cameron Winter
Representation
╰┈➤ Ethnic/racial diversity
✴︎ Unspecified BIPOC MC, Ysira, "light brown skin"
✴︎ Unspecified BIPOC MC, Neri, "his skin was a darker brown"
✴︎ Unspecified BIPOC MC, Seth, all Semira's are associated with darker skin
✴︎ Unspecified BIPOC MC, Ninety-nine/Nines, "dense white curls and skin so dark, it was almost blue"
✴︎ Multiple unspecified BIPOC SCs and BGCs, Hesaya, Commander Teheda, Ged, and probably more I'm forgetting
╰┈➤ Queer characters and dynamics
✴︎ Bi/Pan MMCs
✴︎ (Past) MLM dynamic
✴︎ Poly MMF dynamic
✴︎ Implied lesbian SCs
╰┈➤ Disability
✴︎ Disabled MC, Neri, "walked with a limp from a deformed foot, and squinted from nearsightedness. He sickened easily, the desert dust made him wheeze"
✴︎ Multiple Characters are/become amputees (and use a prosthesis)
Themes
Classism, destiny vs shaping your own future, dogma, humanity, identity, "ignorance is bliss", imperialism/colonization, indoctrination, loss of civilazations/cultures/groups, (mass/mind) manipulation, morality based in religion vs morality based in the self, one's purpose in life, optics, parent-child dynamics, passive somewhat safety vs active high risk rebellion/liberation, religion/cult, religious guilt, repeating history, resilliance, responsibility, the cycle or violence.
Tropes/What to expect
❥ Religion/Cult
❥ Demons and gods
❥ Dual and some multi POV
❥ Morally ambiguous and flawed characters
❥ Break the believer
❥ Living weapon
❥ Dystopian desert setting
❥ Reluctant, jaded mentor gets saddled with a student
❥ Ethical dilemmas
❥ Exploration of humanity
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
What I liked/loved
✧ What immediately drew me in was the premise of The Demon Star.
Otherworldly religious conflict, political intrigue, dystopian sci-fi, rebellion, human sacrifices, gods, demons, exorcisms? Everything about it was intriguing, and I'm glad to say it very much did live up to my high expectations.
✧ This read is a mix of character- and plot-driven. I would describe its pace as dancing between medium and fast.
✧ Very quotable prose. Lots of discourse on philosophical questions and ethics. I've made WAY too many annotations for this read.
✧ Though I normally tend to be more into character-driven stories, I was absolutely awed by the worldbuilding of this book. It's so extensive, obviously well-thought-out and felt complex in a way that made me want to learn more. (Jesse Aragon, if you ever decide to write another book in this universe, it'll be an insta-buy for me).
I also loved the environmental storytelling through infrastructure, architecture, temperature, tools and light.
✧ This book offers a wide variety of characters who are all interesting in their own right.
Morally grey actions, impossible, horrific choices, devotion and conviction all mix together in a highly complex portrait of these characters who can be seen as a representation of humanity.
All of them, even the ones less significant to the plot, were layered, had their own motivations, felt real and gave me something to ruminate about.
Here is a little sneak peek of some of these characters:
✵ A presumed-dead, should-have-been human sacrifice, who somehow slipped through the cracks. Now forced to return to a life she's left behind.
✵ A young, disabled, illegitimate son craving to be "worth something", serving as a vessel for a demon god-killer and becoming an integral player in this epic tale.
✵ A kind, tender-hearted man picking up his somewhat retired blade, forced to make hard choices while stuck between his family, his own morality and strategic choices for the greater good.
✵ A fallen-from-grace, jaded, alcoholic priest desperate for purpose who reluctantly takes on a young, quiet, talented student with no memory or name.
I also need to highlight the fact that everyone in this book was aura farming 24/7, and I didn't mind it one bit. There are so many epic scenes and cold lines said by these characters.
I also love strong, unhinged and/or unpalatable women, so obviously I was extremely invested and interested in Ysira. There was one Ysira-centred chapter that was batshit crazy, which is still looping in my brain. Saying "God, she is so cool" doesn't really do justice to what was happening on those pages, but it is what I thought every 2 sentences.
✧ The character dynamics deserve their own segment because, wow, they were complex. I'm still trying to fully digest them.
✵ Many of the characters have a shared, sometimes messy, unresolved past that can be felt in each interaction before knowing their full history.
✵ Some characters almost feel like a manifestation of what another character could or should have been if things had been different.
✵ Characters/factions who feel like two sides of the same coin.
✵ There is one dynamic which is both mother and son, stranger to stranger, weapon to a wielder and a means to an end. These all exist at the same time, which makes them all the more interesting.
✵ There are some big differences in their belief systems, morality, what is deemed the priority, and whether the goal justifies the means. This sets the scene for intriguing conflicts and ethical dilemmas where you, as a reader, might feel conflicted as well.
Aragon is amazing at making you understand these characters even when disagreeing with them and/or their actions.
✵ There are lots of parallels and mirroring between situations and characters. Highlighting how cycles both can and/or cannot be broken and the repercussions that are defined by this distinction. Highlighting the fact that history tends to repeat itself.
✧ Break the believer (adjacent) and living weapon trope, my beloved, you never do me wrong!
✧ Comparisons and/or similar media:
✵ Disclaimer: I have not read Game of Thrones, but I have watched it, and I do feel like The Demon Star sometimes felt like a smaller-scale sci-fi/dystopian GOT. There was lots of political intrigue and a conflict that was way more complex than just winning a physical fight. There were multiple parties and elements at play, and it wasn't always clear who to root for.
Aragon also isn't afraid of killing their characters, which made me actually fear for their lives. A concept GOT watchers are definitely familiar with.
✵ Some of the more cosmic/scifi elements and the way in which demons worked felt similar to The Host. It has that eldritch/alien, cosmic horror feel.
✵ The concept of "Humans are space orcs"
✵ The idea that the cost of a "peaceful" society rests on the sacrifice of human life made me think of The Ones Who Walked Away From Omelas , though mind you, the society in The Demon Star is definitely NOT living in a utopia in exchange for these sacrifices.
✧ Explores humanity on a large scale; oppression, colonialism, imperialism, ethical dilemmas, tribalism, the impact of war, religion-based governments and how peace and freedom/liberation are two very different things.
✧ Explores humanity on a zoomed-in, personal scale; family (dynamics), belief systems, identity, addiction, purpose, shame, guilt, self-worth, morality and what that means in the context of survival and how war/tragedy/violence can detrimentally change people.
✧ If any of these random qoutes/concepts entice you, pick up this book: President Coin proposing a "symbolic Hunger Games", "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain", the cycle of violence, Ouroboros, "reap what you sow", Pandora's box, "In the pursuit of great, we failed to do good", the cost of winning.
✧ Stressed me out, made me angry and made me go "EW". I had physical reactions to this read! Such a tense page-turner.
✧ An ending that gave me mixed feelings, yet felt like the exact ending it needed. It made me ruminate on humanity and morality. There is so much I want to talk about here, but unfortunately I can't due to spoilers. If you have read the ending and you want to yap about it, hmu!
What I can reveal, though, is that its ending was definitely impactful, leaving me to think about it still.
What I didn't like/felt lacklustre about
✦ Once again, reading a high-fantasy or high-sci-fi read always makes me feel a bit drained until I have a grasp of the world. So this is a more genre-wide personal complaint. Luckily, it was easier to deal with once I made a graphic including the two maps and characters belonging to different factions, which is included in the book btw! But it was nice to always have it open on a second screen since I read on an e-reader. So I highly recommend doing the same.
✦ The third part sometimes was a bit complex to follow with the amount of moving parts and characters. As a vibe, it was great though. I probably missed some details here and there, but it didn't have a big negative impact on my reading experience.
✦ Okay, so this point might either be: A) a misunderstanding on my part or B) A detail only I care about. This is very spoilery when it comes to romantic dynamics between characters, so make sure to skip if you haven't fully read this book yet. It's safe to read again from the next segment, 'Conclusion/Notes'. Here we go:
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
Conclusion/Notes
My God, this was a lot.
I feel empty, sad, and have a bit of a headache induced by that last insanely tense third that didn't let me breathe for a second. Yet I also feel satisfied by the immense journey this book took me on, the extensive, amazing world I got to experience, and an ending that felt both fitting and made me want to stare at the wall. It makes me think about predestination and inevitability, yet also about actively fighting for and shaping a specific future and whether this distinction even really matters in the grand scheme of it all.
There were so many complex elements at play on a political level, yet the pages still left enough room for me to develop a strong connection to all its characters. Which I'm grateful for, since they might even be way more complex.
Ysira, I'll probably never be able to form a solid opinion on you, but I do know you're an unrivalled badass. Seth, it was a joy to get to know your tender heart. Jacen, you were relatable in the most painful of ways. Nines, sometimes you felt like the only sane person through all this. And Neri, I am sorry you were made to believe you weren't worth anything.
What a beautiful, ugly, raw and realistic exploration/portayal of humanity, ethical dilemmas, religion, the cycle of violence, Ouroboros-esque elements, and the sacrifice of morality for the presumed "greater good".
This was an absolutely amazing read! I recommend it to anyone who likes discourse on humanity, is a fan of dark speculative fiction, and enjoys eldritch elements. And if you want to read about disabled MCs who get to be powerful without erasing their disability, as well as strong FMCs who unapologetically get to crash out, you're right where you're supposed to be!
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
Want to buddy read this book now or in the future? You can do so on Storygraph.
Follow me on Spotify for specific reading playlists like these ones: 📚 Reading An Epic Adventure | 📚 Living Weapon | 📚 Badass Powerful Characters
GoodReads | StoryGraph | Instagram | TikTok | Spotify | Overview of all reading playlists | last.fm
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐
CW: Explicit |
Moderate |
Mild |
My chosen soundtrack(s): Your World Will Fail - Les Friction | No Church In The Wild - JAY-Z, Kanye West, Frank Ocean, THE-DREAM | Bonus soundtrack specifically for Jacen: Drinking Age - Cameron Winter
"When we destroyed the world, the gods should have condemned us to our suffering. Instead, they built for us a sacred city, where the faithful might live free of fear, hunger, sickness, pain, sorrow, and despair. In exchange for this great mercy, we must follow their commandments.
We shall renounce the worship of demons.
We shall give unto the Church a tithe of coin.
We shall offer up our secrets, in prayer and in confession.
We shall speak no tongue but the gods’.
The canyon shall belong only to the dead.
Our children shall bear a scar of consecration, in service of our holiest mandate: each year when the shadow comes, whether it demands one man or a thousand, we will provide its due."
—Andel Tamaran, Holy Father of the Church of the Black Sun, 11 A. C.
Representation
╰┈➤ Ethnic/racial diversity
✴︎ Unspecified BIPOC MC, Ysira, "light brown skin"
✴︎ Unspecified BIPOC MC, Neri, "his skin was a darker brown"
✴︎ Unspecified BIPOC MC, Seth, all Semira's are associated with darker skin
✴︎ Unspecified BIPOC MC, Ninety-nine/Nines, "dense white curls and skin so dark, it was almost blue"
✴︎ Multiple unspecified BIPOC SCs and BGCs, Hesaya, Commander Teheda, Ged, and probably more I'm forgetting
╰┈➤ Queer characters and dynamics
✴︎ Bi/Pan MMCs
✴︎ (Past) MLM dynamic
✴︎ Poly MMF dynamic
✴︎ Implied lesbian SCs
╰┈➤ Disability
✴︎ Disabled MC, Neri, "walked with a limp from a deformed foot, and squinted from nearsightedness. He sickened easily, the desert dust made him wheeze"
✴︎ Multiple Characters are/become amputees (and use a prosthesis)
Themes
Classism, destiny vs shaping your own future, dogma, humanity, identity, "ignorance is bliss", imperialism/colonization, indoctrination, loss of civilazations/cultures/groups, (mass/mind) manipulation, morality based in religion vs morality based in the self, one's purpose in life, optics, parent-child dynamics, passive somewhat safety vs active high risk rebellion/liberation, religion/cult, religious guilt, repeating history, resilliance, responsibility, the cycle or violence.
Tropes/What to expect
❥ Religion/Cult
❥ Demons and gods
❥ Dual and some multi POV
❥ Morally ambiguous and flawed characters
❥ Break the believer
❥ Living weapon
❥ Dystopian desert setting
❥ Reluctant, jaded mentor gets saddled with a student
❥ Ethical dilemmas
❥ Exploration of humanity
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
What I liked/loved
✧ What immediately drew me in was the premise of The Demon Star.
Otherworldly religious conflict, political intrigue, dystopian sci-fi, rebellion, human sacrifices, gods, demons, exorcisms? Everything about it was intriguing, and I'm glad to say it very much did live up to my high expectations.
✧ This read is a mix of character- and plot-driven. I would describe its pace as dancing between medium and fast.
✧ Very quotable prose. Lots of discourse on philosophical questions and ethics. I've made WAY too many annotations for this read.
✧ Though I normally tend to be more into character-driven stories, I was absolutely awed by the worldbuilding of this book. It's so extensive, obviously well-thought-out and felt complex in a way that made me want to learn more. (Jesse Aragon, if you ever decide to write another book in this universe, it'll be an insta-buy for me).
I also loved the environmental storytelling through infrastructure, architecture, temperature, tools and light.
✧ This book offers a wide variety of characters who are all interesting in their own right.
Morally grey actions, impossible, horrific choices, devotion and conviction all mix together in a highly complex portrait of these characters who can be seen as a representation of humanity.
All of them, even the ones less significant to the plot, were layered, had their own motivations, felt real and gave me something to ruminate about.
Here is a little sneak peek of some of these characters:
✵ A presumed-dead, should-have-been human sacrifice, who somehow slipped through the cracks. Now forced to return to a life she's left behind.
✵ A young, disabled, illegitimate son craving to be "worth something", serving as a vessel for a demon god-killer and becoming an integral player in this epic tale.
✵ A kind, tender-hearted man picking up his somewhat retired blade, forced to make hard choices while stuck between his family, his own morality and strategic choices for the greater good.
✵ A fallen-from-grace, jaded, alcoholic priest desperate for purpose who reluctantly takes on a young, quiet, talented student with no memory or name.
I also need to highlight the fact that everyone in this book was aura farming 24/7, and I didn't mind it one bit. There are so many epic scenes and cold lines said by these characters.
I also love strong, unhinged and/or unpalatable women, so obviously I was extremely invested and interested in Ysira. There was one Ysira-centred chapter that was batshit crazy, which is still looping in my brain. Saying "God, she is so cool" doesn't really do justice to what was happening on those pages, but it is what I thought every 2 sentences.
✧ The character dynamics deserve their own segment because, wow, they were complex. I'm still trying to fully digest them.
✵ Many of the characters have a shared, sometimes messy, unresolved past that can be felt in each interaction before knowing their full history.
✵ Some characters almost feel like a manifestation of what another character could or should have been if things had been different.
✵ Characters/factions who feel like two sides of the same coin.
✵ There is one dynamic which is both mother and son, stranger to stranger, weapon to a wielder and a means to an end. These all exist at the same time, which makes them all the more interesting.
✵ There are some big differences in their belief systems, morality, what is deemed the priority, and whether the goal justifies the means. This sets the scene for intriguing conflicts and ethical dilemmas where you, as a reader, might feel conflicted as well.
Aragon is amazing at making you understand these characters even when disagreeing with them and/or their actions.
✵ There are lots of parallels and mirroring between situations and characters. Highlighting how cycles both can and/or cannot be broken and the repercussions that are defined by this distinction. Highlighting the fact that history tends to repeat itself.
✧ Break the believer (adjacent) and living weapon trope, my beloved, you never do me wrong!
✧ Comparisons and/or similar media:
✵ Disclaimer: I have not read Game of Thrones, but I have watched it, and I do feel like The Demon Star sometimes felt like a smaller-scale sci-fi/dystopian GOT. There was lots of political intrigue and a conflict that was way more complex than just winning a physical fight. There were multiple parties and elements at play, and it wasn't always clear who to root for.
Aragon also isn't afraid of killing their characters, which made me actually fear for their lives. A concept GOT watchers are definitely familiar with.
✵ Some of the more cosmic/scifi elements and the way in which demons worked felt similar to The Host. It has that eldritch/alien, cosmic horror feel.
✵ The concept of "Humans are space orcs"
✵ The idea that the cost of a "peaceful" society rests on the sacrifice of human life made me think of The Ones Who Walked Away From Omelas , though mind you, the society in The Demon Star is definitely NOT living in a utopia in exchange for these sacrifices.
✧ Explores humanity on a large scale; oppression, colonialism, imperialism, ethical dilemmas, tribalism, the impact of war, religion-based governments and how peace and freedom/liberation are two very different things.
✧ Explores humanity on a zoomed-in, personal scale; family (dynamics), belief systems, identity, addiction, purpose, shame, guilt, self-worth, morality and what that means in the context of survival and how war/tragedy/violence can detrimentally change people.
✧ If any of these random qoutes/concepts entice you, pick up this book: President Coin proposing a "symbolic Hunger Games", "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain", the cycle of violence, Ouroboros, "reap what you sow", Pandora's box, "In the pursuit of great, we failed to do good", the cost of winning.
✧ Stressed me out, made me angry and made me go "EW". I had physical reactions to this read! Such a tense page-turner.
✧ An ending that gave me mixed feelings, yet felt like the exact ending it needed. It made me ruminate on humanity and morality. There is so much I want to talk about here, but unfortunately I can't due to spoilers. If you have read the ending and you want to yap about it, hmu!
What I can reveal, though, is that its ending was definitely impactful, leaving me to think about it still.
What I didn't like/felt lacklustre about
✦ Once again, reading a high-fantasy or high-sci-fi read always makes me feel a bit drained until I have a grasp of the world. So this is a more genre-wide personal complaint. Luckily, it was easier to deal with once I made a graphic including the two maps and characters belonging to different factions, which is included in the book btw! But it was nice to always have it open on a second screen since I read on an e-reader. So I highly recommend doing the same.
✦ The third part sometimes was a bit complex to follow with the amount of moving parts and characters. As a vibe, it was great though. I probably missed some details here and there, but it didn't have a big negative impact on my reading experience.
✦ Okay, so this point might either be: A) a misunderstanding on my part or B) A detail only I care about. This is very spoilery when it comes to romantic dynamics between characters, so make sure to skip if you haven't fully read this book yet. It's safe to read again from the next segment, 'Conclusion/Notes'. Here we go:
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
Conclusion/Notes
My God, this was a lot.
I feel empty, sad, and have a bit of a headache induced by that last insanely tense third that didn't let me breathe for a second. Yet I also feel satisfied by the immense journey this book took me on, the extensive, amazing world I got to experience, and an ending that felt both fitting and made me want to stare at the wall. It makes me think about predestination and inevitability, yet also about actively fighting for and shaping a specific future and whether this distinction even really matters in the grand scheme of it all.
There were so many complex elements at play on a political level, yet the pages still left enough room for me to develop a strong connection to all its characters. Which I'm grateful for, since they might even be way more complex.
Ysira, I'll probably never be able to form a solid opinion on you, but I do know you're an unrivalled badass. Seth, it was a joy to get to know your tender heart. Jacen, you were relatable in the most painful of ways. Nines, sometimes you felt like the only sane person through all this. And Neri, I am sorry you were made to believe you weren't worth anything.
What a beautiful, ugly, raw and realistic exploration/portayal of humanity, ethical dilemmas, religion, the cycle of violence, Ouroboros-esque elements, and the sacrifice of morality for the presumed "greater good".
This was an absolutely amazing read! I recommend it to anyone who likes discourse on humanity, is a fan of dark speculative fiction, and enjoys eldritch elements. And if you want to read about disabled MCs who get to be powerful without erasing their disability, as well as strong FMCs who unapologetically get to crash out, you're right where you're supposed to be!
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
"Some remained who still believed. They lived in hiding, always searching, waiting for the day their prayers would be answered.
They had not prayed for peace."
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
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August 5, 2026
I was excited to start this book the day it came out. Gods, demons, exorcists, sacrifices - sounds great! The first of 3 parts in this book was incredible. Great world building and very interesting characters. I loved the environment and all of the religious things that were going on. I couldn't stop reading and listening. Once I hit the 2nd part, most of what I loved fell apart. Without giving everything away, each part of this book continues the story, but kind of undoes the part before it. Once it got far enough into the 3rd part, I was bored. Lots of battle plans, and chaotic fighting. At the very end, I just couldn't wait to be done. I still liked the story, and I'm sure many people will like it, but I just kind of wanted the story to live more in the first part of the book.
October 27, 2025
Filled with compelling and merciless morally gray characters I rooted for, The Demon Star made me feel a sense of wonder I haven't experienced since reading Dune for the first time. For fans of desert worlds, mothers who will elevate their children to godhood to survive and thrive, and worms (Aragon's are much smaller, but just as terrifying). But with tortured, alcoholic, catholic-inspired psychic priests! Demonic possession!?? Apocalyptic reapings organized by alien overlords! Horrors beyond comprehension! This one sex scene that actually killed me (and then resuscitated me)!
My official blurb: Aragorn’s science-fantasy epic infected me with wonder and creeping dread. The Demon Star is a testament to how desperation turns the power-starved into monsters, and in a brutal world oppressed by alien gods, I would bow at Ysira and Jacen’s feet.
My official blurb: Aragorn’s science-fantasy epic infected me with wonder and creeping dread. The Demon Star is a testament to how desperation turns the power-starved into monsters, and in a brutal world oppressed by alien gods, I would bow at Ysira and Jacen’s feet.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow what a debut by Jesse Aragon! If I didn't know I was going into a debut novel I wouldn't have known. The writing, plot, characters, themes, world, and subversions of the tropes kept me hooked.
The main characters are so human with relatable flaws. I'm a sucker for great characterization.
One is Brother Jacen, who is such a strong telepath his main task is exorcising demons. Yet he is disillusioned and has turned to alcohol to cope.
And the the other main character is Ysira, a mother who survives the Harvest with a demon in her head which is unheard of.
Just describing the main characters is making the story a tailormade fantasy x horror story, but suddenly your head is spinning when scifi hits you like a truck. I did not see that plot twist coming.
Prepare for a story with incredible and relatable characters, fantasy x scifi x horror tropes, found family, and societal foundational earthquakes and how different humans cope with this change!
4.25 stars
Thank you to DAW and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The main characters are so human with relatable flaws. I'm a sucker for great characterization.
One is Brother Jacen, who is such a strong telepath his main task is exorcising demons. Yet he is disillusioned and has turned to alcohol to cope.
And the the other main character is Ysira, a mother who survives the Harvest with a demon in her head which is unheard of.
Just describing the main characters is making the story a tailormade fantasy x horror story, but suddenly your head is spinning when scifi hits you like a truck. I did not see that plot twist coming.
Prepare for a story with incredible and relatable characters, fantasy x scifi x horror tropes, found family, and societal foundational earthquakes and how different humans cope with this change!
4.25 stars
Thank you to DAW and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2026
Daaaaaaaaaaamn. This book is NO JOKE DARKNESS and I loved it, ya'll. Deeply thought out questions about what makes a god, and faith, and the classic about whether you would sacrifice one child to save a world, and if so, if that choice is redeemable. Heavy stuff, but the characters (and their complicated sexualities) made it fun for me.
The story is told in two perspectives for the most part: Jacen, a sort of priest who's lost his faith and is slowly sinking into alcohol addiction, and Ysira, a woman who came up from the gutter toward a promising military career, only to be selected as a random sacrifice and then do the unthinkable: survive.
Jacen and Ysira both have their reasons to be disgusted with the world they live in, but feel powerless. Until Jacen discovers something by chance that call the power dynamics of their world into question - Ysira gets pulled in, alongside her young, estranged son Neri, his father Ged and his uncle Seth. There are political machinations in this book, but mostly it's about consequences. Choices get made quickly, and we wade through the fallout.
I suppose I should also warn that this book is violent! People get hurt and die; many, many of them. Some of them in brutally described ways. (Not for nothing but apparently Aragon has been an EMT and seen some gruesomeness up close - she is definitely sharing that here.)
It's worth mentioning this story's setting gives strong Dune vibes, and that's from a person who hasn't read or seen DUNE. I guess it's shorthand for: creepy desert world with strong religious overtones. Let's just say the setting is memorable and very nearly a character itself in this book.
For me, the most surprising and wonderful inclusion is the character of Seth. He's kind of the moral compass of the story, and has emotional ties to both Ysira and Jacen. He's a whychoose kind of guy, so we kind of know where this is going...but let me tell you: I did not predict the path it actually took for these three to come together. It's slow, and then very dramatic and twisted at the end. Delicious and terrible all at once.
I think I read somewhere that this might have been a duology except since it's a debut the publisher didn't want to take a chance like that. I honestly weep for how much more detailed this story could have been. The plot works out just fine, but everything moves at a seriously fast clip. This serves the frame of the action-horror SFF story that it is, but I would have loved to take a bit more time with some of the relationships.
Marketing tricks worked on me with this one: I read a huge chunk of the book that was released early and it intrigued me enough to immediately add it to my library hold list. Then when my local indie had a sale, I just said f*ck it and preordered. NO REGRETS.
I finished this book about a month ago and it has left a dent in my psyche. What a stunner.
Definitely up for whatever Aragon has coming next.
The story is told in two perspectives for the most part: Jacen, a sort of priest who's lost his faith and is slowly sinking into alcohol addiction, and Ysira, a woman who came up from the gutter toward a promising military career, only to be selected as a random sacrifice and then do the unthinkable: survive.
Jacen and Ysira both have their reasons to be disgusted with the world they live in, but feel powerless. Until Jacen discovers something by chance that call the power dynamics of their world into question - Ysira gets pulled in, alongside her young, estranged son Neri, his father Ged and his uncle Seth. There are political machinations in this book, but mostly it's about consequences. Choices get made quickly, and we wade through the fallout.
I suppose I should also warn that this book is violent! People get hurt and die; many, many of them. Some of them in brutally described ways. (Not for nothing but apparently Aragon has been an EMT and seen some gruesomeness up close - she is definitely sharing that here.)
It's worth mentioning this story's setting gives strong Dune vibes, and that's from a person who hasn't read or seen DUNE. I guess it's shorthand for: creepy desert world with strong religious overtones. Let's just say the setting is memorable and very nearly a character itself in this book.
For me, the most surprising and wonderful inclusion is the character of Seth. He's kind of the moral compass of the story, and has emotional ties to both Ysira and Jacen. He's a whychoose kind of guy, so we kind of know where this is going...but let me tell you: I did not predict the path it actually took for these three to come together. It's slow, and then very dramatic and twisted at the end. Delicious and terrible all at once.
I think I read somewhere that this might have been a duology except since it's a debut the publisher didn't want to take a chance like that. I honestly weep for how much more detailed this story could have been. The plot works out just fine, but everything moves at a seriously fast clip. This serves the frame of the action-horror SFF story that it is, but I would have loved to take a bit more time with some of the relationships.
Marketing tricks worked on me with this one: I read a huge chunk of the book that was released early and it intrigued me enough to immediately add it to my library hold list. Then when my local indie had a sale, I just said f*ck it and preordered. NO REGRETS.
I finished this book about a month ago and it has left a dent in my psyche. What a stunner.
Definitely up for whatever Aragon has coming next.
July 26, 2026
Thank you to DAW and NetGalley for providing access to this ebook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Elements of horror, science fiction and fantasy blend together in The Demon Star and create a captivating tale of faith, morality and freedom. One of my most anticipated releases of the year, I was ecstatic to read an immersive and excellently-crafted novel that left me both reluctant to finish and yearning to read more.
Told mainly from dual perspectives and set on a desert planet that some may view slightly remsicient of Arrakis, The Demon Star depicts a complex world where insect-like demons with a desire for possession lurk, telepathic members of a powerful religious order seek out and exorcise them and the eldritch gods exact their control over civilization with their customary sacrifices every year.
Ysira Naktis-a human sacrifice who survived the unthinkable-and Jacen Kheris-a telepathic priest awash in addiction and searching for a purpose-are the protagonists and two of many deeply-flawed, complicated and morally gray characters whose decisions impact not only their own fates, but the very fabric of their society.
The minor characters are intriguing-particularly Ogden the physician and “Nines” the Novitiate-and it was wonderful to gain insight into their backstories and motivations.
I had so much sympathy for Neri and how his parents’ decisions coupled with his desire to prove himself upended his life forever.
The gods are absolutely horrific, completely inhuman and utterly irredeemable and the inevitable consequences of their actions were wholly deserved.
Religious trauma and themes pertaining to: power, morality, oppression, motherhood, rebellion and sacrifice are present within The Demon Star. There is also queer longing and chronic illness representation, which I especially appreciated as someone who has asthma.
Is the soul of a child worth the end of tyrany? Is the continued sacrifice of thousands worth the illusion of order?
What truly is a god?
I would recommend The Demon Star to readers who enjoy cosmic/sci-fi horror, a dark story where there are no easy choices and characters you can emphasize with and question on a moral level.
Elements of horror, science fiction and fantasy blend together in The Demon Star and create a captivating tale of faith, morality and freedom. One of my most anticipated releases of the year, I was ecstatic to read an immersive and excellently-crafted novel that left me both reluctant to finish and yearning to read more.
Told mainly from dual perspectives and set on a desert planet that some may view slightly remsicient of Arrakis, The Demon Star depicts a complex world where insect-like demons with a desire for possession lurk, telepathic members of a powerful religious order seek out and exorcise them and the eldritch gods exact their control over civilization with their customary sacrifices every year.
Ysira Naktis-a human sacrifice who survived the unthinkable-and Jacen Kheris-a telepathic priest awash in addiction and searching for a purpose-are the protagonists and two of many deeply-flawed, complicated and morally gray characters whose decisions impact not only their own fates, but the very fabric of their society.
The minor characters are intriguing-particularly Ogden the physician and “Nines” the Novitiate-and it was wonderful to gain insight into their backstories and motivations.
I had so much sympathy for Neri and how his parents’ decisions coupled with his desire to prove himself upended his life forever.
The gods are absolutely horrific, completely inhuman and utterly irredeemable and the inevitable consequences of their actions were wholly deserved.
Religious trauma and themes pertaining to: power, morality, oppression, motherhood, rebellion and sacrifice are present within The Demon Star. There is also queer longing and chronic illness representation, which I especially appreciated as someone who has asthma.
Is the soul of a child worth the end of tyrany? Is the continued sacrifice of thousands worth the illusion of order?
What truly is a god?
I would recommend The Demon Star to readers who enjoy cosmic/sci-fi horror, a dark story where there are no easy choices and characters you can emphasize with and question on a moral level.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Come watch Jesse on Realm Runners! Live Now!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyCBF...
Full review originally on Grimdark Magazine
https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/revi...
One of my most anticipated books of the year, The Demon Star, did not let me down. What an outstanding debut. This had it all and covered a span of genres like sci-fi, fantasy, and horror; how Aragon managed to take so many different aspects of things I love and combine them into a fearless, action-packed and thought-provoking story is a mystery, but The Demon Star did it all. And most importantly, did it well.
The plot, which I’ll keep vague since the book isn’t out yet, is fantastic, with multiple perspectives that let us experience the journey across different factions, faiths, and cultures. Ysira is a human sacrifice who takes a chance at life and becomes more than she ever expected to be. Her estranged son is chosen to take control of a demon who can change the world, and she’s partly responsible for setting him on the right path. Meanwhile Jacen, a telepathic-exorcist turned drunk, is stuck in a spiral without anything to believe in.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
The strongest aspect of The Demon Star was the characters. They jumped right off the page with how well-crafted they were and getting to spend time with them was fun. Sometimes with multiple perspectives there will be one or two in a book where I may not connect with, or I struggle to understand the reasons they behave the way they do, but that’s not the case here at all. Aragon did an excellent job with each of them, but especially with Jacen. I love reading about a character who starts the story trying to get out of the gutter and we get to experience their redemption, or further plummet into rock bottom, and that was the case with Jacen for me. But more than having him wallow in self-pity, the tragic backstory as to how he ended up there was so fully fleshed out and well done, that I was able to understand how someone that had such high place in the world’s society and seemingly unlimited potential, ended up being fine to merely exist in it once all their dreams collapsed. Aragon did a fantastic job of diving into the psyche of a man who lost everything; family, friends and faith, and answers the question of how much would he be willing to do to get some of those back.
One of the most unique aspects of The Demon Star was…well, the demons themselves. Without going into any details, demons can fully integrate themselves into the hosts’ minds; literally wrapping themselves around the brain, like a horrifyingly intelligent spider. Crawling into the grey matter and making nice webs. It’s been a long time since I’ve encountered that type of parasitic being, and it reminded me of reading Animorphs when I was younger. The other thing it reminded me of was the way the xenomorphs work in the Alien series, which is the highest praise I can think of. Those are terrifying, mysterious, and outright iconic monsters, and the way in which the demons take hold of their hosts in this book sent those same shivers down my spine. The Demon Star takes the idea of something being undetectable while controlling the person they’ve “infected” and twists it into something incredibly fun to read; it’s not the overt horror that you might expect, but the lore subtly dispensed throughout the first portion of the story gave us a peek behind the curtain as to why the demons and human relationships were intertwined so deeply. The only people who can detect demons are telepaths, who all have different levels and abilities and make up the main religious faction in the book: the Church of the Black Sun.
This may be one of my favorite books of the year already. It had everything I was looking for. Even the dreaded info-dump doesn’t rear its ugly head. The flashbacks were incredibly well done, and it helped to give the characters especially such a great background that it made me empathize with the things they’re battling with in the present day so much more. Knowing the battles they’ve previously faced and the trials and tribulations they had to go through made me so connected to them during the main timeline of the story, which kept the stakes high. This world felt as immersive and alive as Arrakis and never felt like a copy. The political battles were well done, but never confusing. A few of the characters were morally grey, and always left me rooting for them. Characters never made a choice without expressing the pros and cons of each decision internally and there were quite a few times I felt like screaming when they made a decision I would never have, but they still had me in their corner after it all.
The Demon Star may have been Jesse Aragon’s debut, but it feels like so much more. It was a bold, fully immersive, and action-packed journey with plenty of horror along the way. It may not have jump scares, but the imagery that she was able to conjure up on these pages; man. It felt like I was living the story in my mind whenever I closed my eyes, and the ways in which she twisted phrases felt like something unique and new; all the while never feeling too fluffed up or grandiose. One of the biggest tells for me to know I’m absolutely loving a writer’s work is when there’s an injury or action scene, anything where I can really “see” what happening and in The Demon Star, there were a few times where I groaned audibly after a battle, which is a tell-tale sign that the descriptive writing was killing it (literally). Overall, The Demon Star wasn’t just a great debut; it was a truly great book. I’m beyond excited to see what Jesse has up next.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyCBF...
Full review originally on Grimdark Magazine
https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/revi...
One of my most anticipated books of the year, The Demon Star, did not let me down. What an outstanding debut. This had it all and covered a span of genres like sci-fi, fantasy, and horror; how Aragon managed to take so many different aspects of things I love and combine them into a fearless, action-packed and thought-provoking story is a mystery, but The Demon Star did it all. And most importantly, did it well.
The plot, which I’ll keep vague since the book isn’t out yet, is fantastic, with multiple perspectives that let us experience the journey across different factions, faiths, and cultures. Ysira is a human sacrifice who takes a chance at life and becomes more than she ever expected to be. Her estranged son is chosen to take control of a demon who can change the world, and she’s partly responsible for setting him on the right path. Meanwhile Jacen, a telepathic-exorcist turned drunk, is stuck in a spiral without anything to believe in.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
The strongest aspect of The Demon Star was the characters. They jumped right off the page with how well-crafted they were and getting to spend time with them was fun. Sometimes with multiple perspectives there will be one or two in a book where I may not connect with, or I struggle to understand the reasons they behave the way they do, but that’s not the case here at all. Aragon did an excellent job with each of them, but especially with Jacen. I love reading about a character who starts the story trying to get out of the gutter and we get to experience their redemption, or further plummet into rock bottom, and that was the case with Jacen for me. But more than having him wallow in self-pity, the tragic backstory as to how he ended up there was so fully fleshed out and well done, that I was able to understand how someone that had such high place in the world’s society and seemingly unlimited potential, ended up being fine to merely exist in it once all their dreams collapsed. Aragon did a fantastic job of diving into the psyche of a man who lost everything; family, friends and faith, and answers the question of how much would he be willing to do to get some of those back.
One of the most unique aspects of The Demon Star was…well, the demons themselves. Without going into any details, demons can fully integrate themselves into the hosts’ minds; literally wrapping themselves around the brain, like a horrifyingly intelligent spider. Crawling into the grey matter and making nice webs. It’s been a long time since I’ve encountered that type of parasitic being, and it reminded me of reading Animorphs when I was younger. The other thing it reminded me of was the way the xenomorphs work in the Alien series, which is the highest praise I can think of. Those are terrifying, mysterious, and outright iconic monsters, and the way in which the demons take hold of their hosts in this book sent those same shivers down my spine. The Demon Star takes the idea of something being undetectable while controlling the person they’ve “infected” and twists it into something incredibly fun to read; it’s not the overt horror that you might expect, but the lore subtly dispensed throughout the first portion of the story gave us a peek behind the curtain as to why the demons and human relationships were intertwined so deeply. The only people who can detect demons are telepaths, who all have different levels and abilities and make up the main religious faction in the book: the Church of the Black Sun.
This may be one of my favorite books of the year already. It had everything I was looking for. Even the dreaded info-dump doesn’t rear its ugly head. The flashbacks were incredibly well done, and it helped to give the characters especially such a great background that it made me empathize with the things they’re battling with in the present day so much more. Knowing the battles they’ve previously faced and the trials and tribulations they had to go through made me so connected to them during the main timeline of the story, which kept the stakes high. This world felt as immersive and alive as Arrakis and never felt like a copy. The political battles were well done, but never confusing. A few of the characters were morally grey, and always left me rooting for them. Characters never made a choice without expressing the pros and cons of each decision internally and there were quite a few times I felt like screaming when they made a decision I would never have, but they still had me in their corner after it all.
The Demon Star may have been Jesse Aragon’s debut, but it feels like so much more. It was a bold, fully immersive, and action-packed journey with plenty of horror along the way. It may not have jump scares, but the imagery that she was able to conjure up on these pages; man. It felt like I was living the story in my mind whenever I closed my eyes, and the ways in which she twisted phrases felt like something unique and new; all the while never feeling too fluffed up or grandiose. One of the biggest tells for me to know I’m absolutely loving a writer’s work is when there’s an injury or action scene, anything where I can really “see” what happening and in The Demon Star, there were a few times where I groaned audibly after a battle, which is a tell-tale sign that the descriptive writing was killing it (literally). Overall, The Demon Star wasn’t just a great debut; it was a truly great book. I’m beyond excited to see what Jesse has up next.
June 22, 2026
Thank you to DAW for the Arc!!
The Demon Star is an incredibly ambitious debut.
The book hooked me immediately and never really let go. Jesse Aragon crafts a fascinating world filled with faith, political intrigue, and difficult moral questions. I am always a sucker for stories that blur the lines between right and wrong, and this book leans heavily into that.
I also loved the influences on display. I got strong Dune, The Matrix, and even Stargate vibes throughout, all wrapped in a world that still manages to feel distinctly its own.
My biggest criticism is pacing. The first half was incredibly hard to put down, but the middle slows considerably with exposition that occasionally stalls the momentum. Because of this, some later moments did not land with quite the impact they could have. This is a very ambitious story for 400 pages, and I honestly think it may have benefited from being split into two books.
Even with those issues, I came away impressed. Aragon tackles big ideas with confidence, and the ambition on display here is undeniable.
Jesse Aragon is an author I’m excited to watch.
The Demon Star is an incredibly ambitious debut.
The book hooked me immediately and never really let go. Jesse Aragon crafts a fascinating world filled with faith, political intrigue, and difficult moral questions. I am always a sucker for stories that blur the lines between right and wrong, and this book leans heavily into that.
I also loved the influences on display. I got strong Dune, The Matrix, and even Stargate vibes throughout, all wrapped in a world that still manages to feel distinctly its own.
My biggest criticism is pacing. The first half was incredibly hard to put down, but the middle slows considerably with exposition that occasionally stalls the momentum. Because of this, some later moments did not land with quite the impact they could have. This is a very ambitious story for 400 pages, and I honestly think it may have benefited from being split into two books.
Even with those issues, I came away impressed. Aragon tackles big ideas with confidence, and the ambition on display here is undeniable.
Jesse Aragon is an author I’m excited to watch.
June 23, 2026
This is a science fantasy with some elements of horror (disgusting 😏) and this blend really worked for me.
Things I loved:
- the high stakes, making this truly epic!! Such an incredible feat for a standalone book
- The priesthood, exorcists, and parasitic demons
- Complex mother/son relationship with a chosen one type of situation (see Dune comp)
- Morally grey to dead cold heart type characters (no one is good here)
- Pacing was great!!
- The tiniest crumb of a queer romantic subplot (it was perfect)
My only complaint was that I wished the glossary was a lot more extensive because your girl forgot a few things here and there. Thank you DAW for this advanced reader copy!
Things I loved:
- the high stakes, making this truly epic!! Such an incredible feat for a standalone book
- The priesthood, exorcists, and parasitic demons
- Complex mother/son relationship with a chosen one type of situation (see Dune comp)
- Morally grey to dead cold heart type characters (no one is good here)
- Pacing was great!!
- The tiniest crumb of a queer romantic subplot (it was perfect)
My only complaint was that I wished the glossary was a lot more extensive because your girl forgot a few things here and there. Thank you DAW for this advanced reader copy!
August 6, 2026
3.25 ⭐️
This one was a hard one to rate because I think the parts I really disliked were intentional decisions made by the author. I actually had a three page rant written about how much I hated the characters in this book and their decisions, but then I realized that was doing too much 😭 Everyone except Seth and Nines
This was by no means a bad book, it was actually quite impressive for a debut, but unfortunately wasn’t an enjoyable reading experience for me. I did enjoy the first half of the book but I felt like the second half lacked the momentum of the first. Once the mystery behind the gods was revealed, the story kind of lost the tension/suspense and started to feel a little derivative. By the end, I was racing to finish it. Not because I was interested in where the story was going but because I just wanted to get to the end.
This one was a hard one to rate because I think the parts I really disliked were intentional decisions made by the author. I actually had a three page rant written about how much I hated the characters in this book and their decisions, but then I realized that was doing too much 😭 Everyone except Seth and Nines
This was by no means a bad book, it was actually quite impressive for a debut, but unfortunately wasn’t an enjoyable reading experience for me. I did enjoy the first half of the book but I felt like the second half lacked the momentum of the first. Once the mystery behind the gods was revealed, the story kind of lost the tension/suspense and started to feel a little derivative. By the end, I was racing to finish it. Not because I was interested in where the story was going but because I just wanted to get to the end.
July 21, 2026
Review originally on JamReads
The Demon Star is a science fantasy novel written by Jesse Aragon, published by The Broken Binding Publishing. An extremely ambitious debut full of promises, and that somehow manages to not only fulfill all of them but went a step further, delivering a story that refuses to stay in a single organized box, simultaneously threading multiple storylines with well-fleshed characters, all to firmly position Aragon as one of the debuts of the year.
A planet ruled by Gods, where people are harvested at the dim and wits of them, all to keep them happy until the next Harvest season starts; demons roam the cannons of this planet, and in them there might be the opportunity to change the established order. An opportunity that appears when Neri, a weak telepath, is sent to the Desert to be imprinted by a demon powerful enough to destroy Gods, the catalyst of change; we will be mainly following those around him, people whose decisions will shape his future and that will irremediably shatter the established order.
How those characters are shaped and developed is part of what makes Aragon's debut so memorable: not only we have an incredible opportunity to appreciate how their backstory is affecting their present, but they feel so human, flawed but still trying to defend what they believe in. I think it's particularly interesting to see the journey of Brother Jacen, not only because it's a flawless execution in many aspects, such as the struggle of an addiction and how it happened, but also to see how faith crumbles but something is built over; he's trying to do good for the world. And the best part? Most of the characters are equally compelling, each one with their own vision and their motivations to act; a marvelous cast to make this story work.
Worldbuilding is on par with the character work: it's complex, but Aragon doesn't unveil all at the start; instead, you start getting answers together with the characters, slowly developing new ideas about what's happening in this planet, about the nature of the Gods and Demons and what needs to be done. There's already a past, and religion, or more adequately named, faith, and how each character conceptualizes it plays an important role in the own story.
Aragon's writing is quite cinematic, embracing this mash-up between horror, fantasy and sci-fi that this novel is; the imagery is quite rich, the action scenes are superb portrayed, and in particular, I loved how precise is the language regarding physical/mental injuries/conditions.
The pacing is relentless, keeping you on the edge of the seat from the start, and not letting you take a breath until the end.
The Demon Star is a superb novel, a remarkable tour de force that effortlessly blurs the line between genres choosing to be an unique thing; if you are into expansive worldbuildings that are the setting of really ambitious plots, this is a book that you should totally pick (and remember to check the content warnings first). Jesse Aragon is a name to keep an eye on the future!
The Demon Star is a science fantasy novel written by Jesse Aragon, published by The Broken Binding Publishing. An extremely ambitious debut full of promises, and that somehow manages to not only fulfill all of them but went a step further, delivering a story that refuses to stay in a single organized box, simultaneously threading multiple storylines with well-fleshed characters, all to firmly position Aragon as one of the debuts of the year.
A planet ruled by Gods, where people are harvested at the dim and wits of them, all to keep them happy until the next Harvest season starts; demons roam the cannons of this planet, and in them there might be the opportunity to change the established order. An opportunity that appears when Neri, a weak telepath, is sent to the Desert to be imprinted by a demon powerful enough to destroy Gods, the catalyst of change; we will be mainly following those around him, people whose decisions will shape his future and that will irremediably shatter the established order.
How those characters are shaped and developed is part of what makes Aragon's debut so memorable: not only we have an incredible opportunity to appreciate how their backstory is affecting their present, but they feel so human, flawed but still trying to defend what they believe in. I think it's particularly interesting to see the journey of Brother Jacen, not only because it's a flawless execution in many aspects, such as the struggle of an addiction and how it happened, but also to see how faith crumbles but something is built over; he's trying to do good for the world. And the best part? Most of the characters are equally compelling, each one with their own vision and their motivations to act; a marvelous cast to make this story work.
Worldbuilding is on par with the character work: it's complex, but Aragon doesn't unveil all at the start; instead, you start getting answers together with the characters, slowly developing new ideas about what's happening in this planet, about the nature of the Gods and Demons and what needs to be done. There's already a past, and religion, or more adequately named, faith, and how each character conceptualizes it plays an important role in the own story.
Aragon's writing is quite cinematic, embracing this mash-up between horror, fantasy and sci-fi that this novel is; the imagery is quite rich, the action scenes are superb portrayed, and in particular, I loved how precise is the language regarding physical/mental injuries/conditions.
The pacing is relentless, keeping you on the edge of the seat from the start, and not letting you take a breath until the end.
The Demon Star is a superb novel, a remarkable tour de force that effortlessly blurs the line between genres choosing to be an unique thing; if you are into expansive worldbuildings that are the setting of really ambitious plots, this is a book that you should totally pick (and remember to check the content warnings first). Jesse Aragon is a name to keep an eye on the future!
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