Arcane Fate: Compulsions of the Damned Book 1

by Trista Ricketts

One touch. That's all it takes to change your life for better or worse. For those under the Compulsion of the Caretaker, life is lonely and fraught with misery.

Meet Wendy Lace, the sassy bartender who has lived her whole life thinking there was something wrong with her. She doesn't feel things the way others do, in fact she doesn't feel much at all. She can't stand to be touched and thinks she's alone in a world of normal people. Always armed and finding her way, she's just making it through another shift when a dark, brooding stranger turns out to have more in common with her than she expected.

Damien – Not the Antichrist – Richards is resigned to the fact that he is destined to die young and alone. But he's going to get as much out of his life and music as he can before he goes. A last-minute booking for his band at a new venue brings him face to face with destiny and a glimpse at what things could truly be.

That is, if the demon and the serial killer stalking them all would give them a break.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 27, 2026

Reviews

[Elizabeth Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trista has done it again! I was hooked from page 1. Great characters, great plot, wonderful imagery. I can't wait for book 2!

[Amy Lescoe-Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book and learning about the characters, their backstories, connections, fears, vulnerabilities, and triumphs. Some tough subject matter, but it's told in a very digestible manner. Very detailed spice between two people with an obvious attraction. I look forward to the rest of the series. Trista Ricketts is now on my go-to list of authors that I want to read more from.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Trista and LOVED it. I was sucked in by the 2nd chapter and spent the entire night reading... I loved the characters and the story. The twists were really good. Definitely steamy romance scenes. I am dying to know what happens next! Purposely not writing anything that would spoil the story. Just pick it up when it comes out. You won't be sorry.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cant express how much I love this new series. Mystery, meham. Demons, crows and people in tough positions. I cant wait to see where Trista Ricketts takes this story.

[Aimee Pickard · Rating 3 out of 5]

📚 ARC Review Disclosure:
Thank you to author Trista Ricketts for trusting me with an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Available November 2026.

💕 The Vibe
⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ /5
✨CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS BESTIES✨
This was very much a “didn’t love it, didn’t hate it” read for me. 🤷🏼‍♀️There were things I enjoyed, but I never quite found myself emotionally invested in the characters or their story.
My biggest issue was the pacing. It moved way too fast for my personal taste, and honestly, by page 3 I felt like I had been dropped into the middle of someone’s life with very little background or setup.

📌 Need to know:
⚡ Very fast-paced 🌶️. No waiting for the good stuff!
Book 1 in a new series.

💛What worked for me:
• The spice was spicing 🫶🏼
• There were definitely moments I enjoyed, even if I never fully connected with the story.
• The side characters were quirky and enjoyable 😊

🚩 What didn’t work for me:
• The pacing was too fast for my taste.
• I felt like I was dropped into the middle of these characters’ lives almost immediately, without enough background or setup.
• I felt like too much was left unaddressed even for book 1.
• Predictable twists: I figured out most of the major twists well before they happened, so the reveals didn’t have quite the impact I think they were meant to.

👀 Read this if you like:
• Fast-paced romance
• Dark Paranormal Romance
• Spice with minimal waiting
• Getting straight into the story without a lot of setup

📖 Bottom Line:

Take it or leave it. 😅

This wasn’t a bad book! It just wasn’t my book. I’d give her other works a chance before counting her out!

[Sarah Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely beautiful. The details inside of the artwork and the little crow made me want to get a tattoo of one like the two main characters. The story was easily to follow but felt a little bit like somethings were not addressed. Like it said six weeks, presuming that will be concluded in the next book. We didn’t get very far with identifying the main villain and what he is after. We didn’t get information on why this crow follows Wendy around. The killer was unexpected though I thought about it after the last murder when Damien was arrested. Presuming her birthday is in the next book aswell. Seems this book was focusing on their building of relationship/ sex life. Sex scenes were a tad basic for me (I can’t write them so…). I did love the story but found myself taking breaks, nothing actually got sorted in the book and seemed everything else was dragged forward. Their relationship was so fast paced. It missed the slow burn aspect it could of gotten. The way both characters were able to be vulnerable but bad ass at the same time was a little rushed in some places.

These are all thoughts in my mind. I will obviously want to continue the series to see where it goes and to see how beautiful the cover comes out. Thank you for trusting me with this copy

[Paige Ciemnolonski · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved every aspect of this book.
-The premise is unique and amazing
-The side characters are so lovable and if anything horrible happens to any of them I will be making a fuss lol
- this is the spiciest book I've read from Trista to date and I was here for it. The romance is great and those two just can't get enough of each other.
-the characters are emotionally mature (yes, several have moments that aren't but they always rectify it)
-the mystery within was well done. Both the murders and the still ongoing one with the demon- I didn't realize who it was until the characters did and I love that.

I am just glad that I don't have to wait an entire year for book 2. I need more of Damien... And Curtis... And billy. Oh man... I hope the others find someone (hopefully Curtis gets his happyily ever after next)

[Andrew Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome book and I wish the next several were available for me to continue the story.
To start with, the first sentence was an attention grabber, letting you know that the reader was going to be on a ride.
Is it a steamy book? Absolutely. Cat and mouse chase between the main characters? Nope. Relationship struggles? Yes, but who doesn’t.
This is not a slow burn, will they/ won’t they, with the first (of many) encounters occurring reasonably early into the first 25% of the book.
I would consider this a well written horror story, as there is a troublesome demon involved, even if you removed the spice.
Will there be a happy ending? I dunno, I’ll have to wait and see who holds the match at the end

[KK Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as my very first ARC read. Let me tell you hands down, this book is so incredibly captivating. I am not going to put any spoilers in, you will just have to get the book yourself. I can not wait to read book 2 and 3. I need them immediately! You will fall in love with a bad ass bartender named Wendy, Damien a sexy musician, and the quirky group of friends. This is a steamy read with twist and turns. It will keep you guessing. Arcane Fate will be released in November 2026 go get yourself a copy. This is an absolute must read! You will not be sorry. Thank you Trista for giving me the opportunity to read this before it was released.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy and Damien are two people cut from the same cloth that are tethered by a delicate invisible thread. Threatened by a soul sucking Demon who threatened to cut their happiness as Wendy’s 25th birthday approaches. As they embark on an epic journey to stay together. They are incapable of keeping their bodies apart. This book will pull you in its steamy thralls. Leaving you panting for more. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Happy lust reading my fellow smut readers. Thank you Trista for allowing me to be part of this Arc club!

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arcane Fate by Trista Ricketts was an engaging, enjoyable read, with characters who were easily the highlight for me. I loved getting to know them, and my connection to them made me more invested in how their story would unfold. They were what made the book memorable for me.

I also appreciated how easy the story was to read. The writing felt approachable, making it easy to settle into the book and enjoy the experience. Sometimes you want a story you can simply get lost in, and this delivered that feeling for me.

[Michelle Howze · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Arcane Fate, my third read from Trista Ricketts, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations.

The story kept me engaged from beginning to end, and now I'm eagerly waiting for Book 2. Rather than risk spoilers, I'll keep this review short and sweet: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If Trista Ricketts isn't already on your radar, consider this your nudge to add her to the top of your TBR!

[Sara · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This was an unexpected surprise! There were times it seemed a little slow, but I love every single character and how the author develops each throughout the story. Super excited for everyone else to get their hands on this and can’t wait for book 2.

[mallory bargas · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Ok this is my first Arc read! This was a really good story. It kept me interested and I loved all the characters. I’m excited to see where this story goes. That being said it’s more fantasy/paranormal romance than dark romance. I can’t wait for the next book! Well done Trista!!!

[Josie Fox]

This was my first book by Trista Ricketts and it is an enjoyable read. It is definitely not a slow burn, so be ready to jump right in. I liked the plot twists, character building and symbolism this initial book set up for book 2.

[Drie Corley · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Loved the characters and their backstories and the spice was great!
Some subject matter was a little tough to get through but it is written in a way that makes it easy to continue on with the story.

[Aurora Lindquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read a paranormal dark romance but this book had me hooked from the start I was so annoyed when it ended because I was so into the story if you're into dark romances with a paranormal presence and a lot of space this book is definitely for you

[Deanna Vrba · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

i like her writing

[Carol Hearne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book that held my interest from the beginning and kept it the whole book the characters were amazing and fit the story perfectly

[Rebecca Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book all the twists and turns and turns were amazing. Couldn’t put it down and had just the right amount of spice.

[Rose · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Is good, though it has some pretty obvious this is what is happening next.
Good for a quick spicy read however! Would love to see book 2!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murders, Plot twist, Spicy Scenes, Curses. I can't wait for the next book to come out.