Providence

by Madison Jade

392 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 13, 2026

About the author

Madison Jade writes dark fantasy novels filled with ancient fate and sharp-edged loyalties. She lives in Florida, having graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. When she is not writing, she spends her free time baking, attempting to shrink her massive TBR pile, and spoiling her three cats, Luna, Peanut, and Socks. Find her on Instagram and TikTok @madisonjadebooks

Reviews

[Amelia · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

The book starts with describing an angel falling to earth, which in itself is gripping me from the first page. But then it says my favorite words “Pacific Northwest”. How Lucy knows this is beyond me, but we do not look a gift horse in the mouth. I’ve never been and I don’t imagine I ever will, but if I were to pick a spot in this entire earth to live in, it would be there. The trees, the ocean, the mist. Heaven.

“It’s a strange kind of magic,” Lucy said, her thumb tracing the edge of the leather. “To trap a thought in paper and watch it live longer than the person who thought it.”

And this right there is why I am sad I can barely write two coherent sentences together for a review. And even that’s hit or miss. Meanwhile I can yap and rant about anything, important or incremental, in several languages. But alas, woe is me, my very important thoughts shall die with me 😂😗🌚

“I’ve found that we like to think our failures are the fault of the stars or the gods, rather than our own volition. It’s a comforting sort of despair.”

It’s because of phrases like that, seemingly inconsequential that I found this book to have such an impact. For a debut, the writing is incredible. The world building was so complex and unexpected, considering the events take place just in our world. Throughout reading it, I could feel such intense underworld vibes. Not sure if it’s what the author intended and Lucy, the main character, has about zero traits in common with Selene, but because of the grittiness, that was all I could think of.

I really enjoyed this and I was not expecting the direction or events, but I’m super interested to see where this series goes. What I do hope for the next installment is actually more POVs. I have a lot of interest in the secondary characters aside from Lucy and Noah and I’m sorry, my fantasy romance heart just wants to see more of Azazeal 🫣

[gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Ephemeral Press & Madison Jade for the eARC.

This is an honest review for Providence.

When I first saw the summary for this book, i instantly knew I needed to read it and to say this is the author’s debut novel honestly is just insane.

with how saturated the fantasy market is, I think that it can be incredibly difficult to come up with a fully original & unique book concept, but this one absolutely blew it out the park. I genuinely had no idea where this book was going or what was going to happen and I absolutely was not disappointed.

I read the first chapter and I was immediately completely sucked in and obsessed - I’m not sure if I’ve ever read an opening chapter in a book that has made me sit and think to myself ‘right, I need to finish this entire book now’. The pacing was completely spot on for me; it allowed for appropriate world-building, character development, and relationship development, whilst still allowing appropriate time for the bomb-drop climax towards the end. Not to mention that cliff-hanger at the end - I need more NOW 😭

I felt very connected to Lucy, Nell, Barnaby & Noah, though I would’ve liked a little more development and understanding of Kybele & Azazel (though I also appreciate that this is something that may come later on in the series so it’s not a huge gripe for me). I’m very intrigued to see how certain relationships develop further into the series.

One thing that I consistently noted down throughout the entire book was the descriptive writing style. I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever read a book that is written quite like this before. I thought that the descriptions were so vivid and clever; it really helped not just in bringing the imagery of the world to life, but also the entire feeling of the world. It made the book very easy to digest, and really sucked me into the Providence universe.

Overall, I bloody loved this book and even saying that feels like an understatement. I eagerly await Providence’s sequel, and I will be sure to keep an eye out for anything else Madison Jade releases in the future.

[Janelle Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5/5

Thank you to Madison Jade and her team for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. 🫶🏻


Providence has such an interesting premise, and that was what initially drew me into the story. I especially liked the darker fantasy elements and the idea of a much bigger conflict unfolding behind everything. There were definitely moments that made me curious about the world and what was really going on.

For me, the pacing slowed down a little around the halfway point, as the writing is quite detailed and descriptive. I personally tend to prefer a slightly faster pace, so there were some parts that took me a little longer to get through.

By the end, I was hoping to have a few more of my questions answered, but it also feels like there is still a much bigger story waiting to unfold.

Overall, this was an interesting debut with a lot of ideas and a world that still has plenty left to explore.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

*arc review*

Atmospherics, beautiful, suspenseful
🩸🌧️🖤🪽📖🍂
I was hooked from the very first chapter. The writing was so descriptive and immersive I felt like I was in the story. There’s an element of suspense and not really knowing where the story is about to take you and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

[alis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Ephemeral Press for an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

We live in a time where many new releases in the fantasy sector tend to start sounding the same. Many stories have become too reliant on tropes and overused plot lines, which is why when I read the description of *Providence*, I knew I had to pick it up. The concept is so unique and interesting—I mean, you have angels and vampires and demonic entities, and all of it takes place in a rainy gothic town. It’s glorious.

I wish I’d gotten the chance to read this when it was raining out, because this story is so incredibly cozy!! There’s something very nostalgic about it; It reminded me of something like The Vampire Diaries. The vibes were just great all around.

But the best part of this story is how refreshing it is. For starters, there’s no romance (which I’m a huge fan of), because in today’s landscape, a story like this without romance center stage feels almost unheard of. That doesn’t mean the story doesn’t open that door, because it does, but it was so nice to see Noah and Lucy care for each other platonically and bond over being creatures who don’t fit in human society. Lucy, especially, is a protector and watching her resolve grow quickly made her my favorite!! Noah is great too, as he struggles to come to terms with what he is while also desperately trying to hold on to his humanity.

While there is so much to love, it must be mentioned that the story’s weaknesses do lie in the side characters. Nell, Bernaby, Kol, and even one of our antagonists, Azazel, have so little to them I didn’t care about them one bit. Since this is only the first book of a series, I am very hopeful for their involvement in the story to come. Because these characters aren’t as interesting as our main duo, the stakes don’t feel high enough and there wasn’t a moment where I felt anything or anyone was a huge threat.

It’s very impressive, still, that this is only a debut novel. I really enjoyed my time with it and will most certainly be purchasing a paperback copy when it’s released. Madison Jade is an author I’ll be keeping my eye on, and I’m so excited to see what she writes next!

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know a book has gotten under your skin when you keep thinking about it even after you’ve put it down… and Providence definitely did that to me. 🖤🥀

Madison Jade pulled me into a story that felt mysterious, emotional, and deliciously dark. From the beginning, I found myself wanting to uncover what was hiding beneath the surface, and that sense of uncertainty kept me turning the pages.

I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this one. There’s a darker edge running through the story that gives everything an underlying tension, and I loved never feeling completely sure where things were headed. 👀🌑

The characters were another highlight for me. They’re complicated, flawed, and carrying their own baggage, which made their relationships feel messy in a way that kept me invested. The chemistry and emotional tension added plenty of moments that had me completely glued to the page. 🔥

🥀 TROPES & VIBES 🥀

🖤 Dark Romance
🌑 Mysterious Atmosphere
🥀 Morally Grey Characters
🔥 Intense Chemistry
👀 Secrets & Mystery
💔 Emotional Angst
⛓️ Complicated Relationships
🔥 Romantic Tension
🖤 Dark & Emotional Themes
👀 Can't-Look-Away Energy

Overall, Providence was an atmospheric and addictive read that kept me curious from beginning to end. I loved getting tangled up in the mystery, the emotional chaos, and the complicated characters—and honestly, that's exactly the kind of reading experience I enjoy. 🖤📖

Thank you to Madison Jade for the opportunity to read this ARC! 🥀🖤

If you enjoy dark romance with mystery, complicated characters, emotional tension, and an atmosphere that keeps you guessing, definitely consider adding Providence to your TBR. 🔥🌑

[Ekwuyasi Anwulichukwuka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Providence was such an enjoyable read. It’s a supernatural story, but the plot felt genuinely different from what I usually come across in the genre. There are familiar elements( celestial beings, vampires, demons and more) but the way they’re brought together creates something that feels fresh and leaves you wanting to understand more of this world.

The writing was honestly stellar. It’s descriptive without becoming difficult to follow. The story also does a good job of balancing the supernatural elements with the characters themselves, so it never felt like the worldbuilding was overshadowing the people within it.

‎I really enjoyed Lucy and Noah as characters, and their individual journeys kept me invested in the story. There’s still so much I want to learn about them, particularly with the number of unanswered questions introduced throughout the book. I’m also very curious to see where things go with Lucy and Azazel because there’s definitely something there that I’d like to explore further.

‎One of my favourite things about the book is that it feels like the beginning of a much bigger story. There are plenty of questions left unanswered, but instead of feeling frustrating, they made me even more interested in what comes next.

‎Overall, Providence was a really enjoyable read. I loved the writing, the premise and the direction of the story, and I’m definitely looking forward to the next book.

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

[Tawny Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Providence. The care and attention poured into every meticulous detail of the world-building and character development in this book are unreal.

Let me tell you what sets this book apart from others I typically love. This is not a trope-heavy book, and I LOVE tropes. This is not a smutty book, and I am absolutely an enjoyer of spice. And this is not your typical damsel-in-distress-turns-warrior story.

This is true dark fantasy with no spice, meaningful character arcs, and genuinely haunting lore. The plot is so thick and layered that it will leave you gasping for air. The angels, demons, and vampires are explored in a completely different context than what we typically see in romantasy and dark fantasy, and I was absolutely captivated.

And Lucy and Noah. LUCY AND NOAH. I desperately want a love story to blossom between them. I NEED to know what this tether between them is, and there are SO many questions I still need answered. There are five books in this series, and I will be kindly stalking the author until this series is complete because I simply cannot be left with all these questions!

Mark my words: this series will become a movie or TV show. It has a haunting vibe reminiscent of City of Angels, Constantine, and Legion. I’m telling you, reading this book feels like watching an actual movie. The atmosphere, the lore, the characters, the sheer depth of the plot—it’s breathtaking.

And yes, of course I cried.

I NEED MORE!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ephemeral Press, and Madison Jade for providing a copy of this ARC to be reviewed.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an ARC reader, I absolutely loved Providence. From the very beginning, I was pulled into the atmosphere of Calloway, Oregon. The foggy, isolated town was such a perfect setting and gave the story this eerie, almost dreamlike feeling that I couldn’t get enough of.

I adored every character, even the minor supporting ones, who all felt like they had their own personalities and purpose. And I have to mention Kol because I am officially obsessed with him. I also loved the dual POVs between an angel and a vampire. Lucy’s journey was especially interesting, particularly watching her adjust to being mortal after falling from the Golden City and figure out who she is outside of the life she knew before.

The lore was so much fun to uncover, and I loved learning more about the supernatural world and the villain as the story progressed. This was such an amazing debut, and I seriously can’t wait for the sequel. I’d definitely recommend Providence to anyone who loves supernatural stories, especially angels and vampires.

[Entisar Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Providence completely hooked me with its unique blend of angels, vampires, demonic entities, and a rainy gothic Pacific Northwest setting. The atmosphere was one of my favorite parts, and I loved how the story made an ordinary world feel layered with something much darker and more mysterious. Lucy quickly became my favorite. I loved watching her challenge the rules she was raised to follow and develop her own sense of purpose. Noah was equally intriguing, especially as he struggled to understand his impossible existence while holding on to his humanity. I also appreciated that their bond was allowed to develop without romance taking center stage. The writing was beautiful, with little philosophical observations that really stayed with me. I did find the pacing slow in places, and I wanted more depth from the secondary characters and a few more answers by the end.
Still, this was an impressive debut, and I am genuinely excited to see where this strange, fascinating conspiracy goes next. Also, I desperately need more Azazel!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Alyssa Snyder · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of this book.


Well….it looks like I may be the odd man out, but this was really hard for me to get through. The premise is so intriguing. An Angel and a vampire? Yes please, but the language was so descriptive it was very distracting. It felt like the author wasn’t pleased with a sentence unless it has at least 12 adjectives. It was hard to follow and felt repetitive because of it. I found myself getting halfway through a sentence and having to back track to remember what was happening because the descriptive language is so over the top. That being said the plot pacing was pretty good, but I didn’t feel very attached to the characters. If I didn’t get this as an ARC I would have DNFd. I think the author was trying to make readers feel submerged into the world she created, and it missed the mark for me.


The cover art will get reader’s attention, and the book description is very well written, but I’m not sure how it will be received.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Providence is a compelling story of the forces and dark and light seeking to resolve an ever-deepening mystery. Madison Jade's debut novel draws readers deeply into the lives of Lucy and Noah as they navigate their demons - inner demons as well as some real world ones. Readers are reminded more often than necessary of Noah and Lucy's attributes, values and habits and the descriptions can detract from the story, especially in moments of action. Despite that, the mystery and action successfully drew me to the end of the story and I enjoyed the read.
I received this book as a review copy and voluntarily provide this review.

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so grateful to have been given a chance to read participate in the ARC program! I loved how the main characters were both relatable and flawed. They felt fully realized, and it really drew me into the storyline. For the actual plot, I wish it was longer! While the writing style is more descriptive than I usually like, I found that it worked in this book as it matched the gothic atmosphere created by the author. All in all, a quick enjoyable read that sets things up for an exciting second book!

[Written By Grace White · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dark fantasy elements and compelling premise of Providence pulled me right in, teasing a much grander conflict behind the scenes. While the heavily detailed writing slowed the pacing down around the halfway mark which made it a bit of a slower read for my personal preference the world-building remains impressive. The ending leaves several intriguing questions open, but it sets up a strong foundation for future books. A solid debut with plenty of room to grow!

[Dylan Crowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the characters growth throughout the book and I'm exited to see what the relationships grow into in the rest of the series. The setting is so detailed I feel like I can see myself in the locations perfectly. But i gotta say the librarian was lowkey my favorite character so that scene made me so sad😭.

[Kate chester · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC reader with an honest review.

I absolutely loved Providence by Madison Jade, not often a first chapter grabs my attention enough that when I’ve put the book down to go back to reality I’m hanging out to get back to it. It had twists I never saw coming and relationships formed I couldn’t believe. If you love dark fantasy then this is a book for the top of your TBR pile.