The Demon's Fate

by Kyle Belote

A crew wakes up to find an alien artifact on their spaceship. They don't remember how it got there or what happened to their missing member. Piecing together the mystery leads to a moral dilemma that might tear them apart. Will they risk life and safety for someone they don't remember, or will the trappings of comfort keep them on their course home?

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2019

About the author

Twenty-year vet writer of novellas and tomes; the grittier, the darker, the more the characters must go through, the better. In the bleakest of worlds, characters shine all the more! I strive to make readers weep, not only because I just slaughtered their favorite character, but because the ending was sudden, unexpected, and impactful!

My genres are grimdark epic fantasy, military sci-fi fantasy, horror/thriller, and currently working on a western fantasy about monster-slaying bounty hunters working for the gods of their holy house.

I'm a wandering Texan who served Uncle Sam for four years, moved about—'here and there and back again,' and been to the far reaches around the world. Always looking for another great adventure, some new idea to write and explore, and a couple of other things along the way to make my life complete.

If you want to know more, check out my blog: https://outpostdire.com

Reviews

[Tik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wooooo I like this book so much!

This book start with the characters suddenly forget everything including their own name and to make it more complicated, they awake in space! Without knowing where and what is their destination.

First I love the world building. The writer really did great job to gave us the view about the space and also the planet that later become their destination. About the "alien" and other things in that unknown planet.

I think this book has medium paced for the story. I like this kind of story where they have adventure in a space. The conflict also really complicated with the lost memory, not having any destination, mistrust with the other crews. Really unique to have all the characters can't decide what type of person they are and can not tell what other crew mean for them. And the plot twist! OMG I never expect something like that happen! Even the ending, it's not something I expect how this book will end! And also the epilogue is good, it's not a cliffhanger but still it gave me a goosebumps. I really recommend this book for someone who love to read about something in space and alien!

[Oluwatobiloba Ijamakinwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started The Demon's Fate, I was genuinely intrigued at how I was able to picture in my mind's eye what the ship and the crew looked like, Although the ending was quite unsettling to me because I'm not used to sad endings, I did love the experience The Demon's Fate took my mind through. I do wish for a sequel to know what the admiralty had to say about finding a lone synthetic on the ship who would've been knowledgeable about all there was to know about humans.
And if Emma didn't at any point doctor whatever happened on Celeste Six, they could watch the entire tragedy unfold. I wish their suits had cameras to record everything happening to each individual while feeding it somewhere untouchable even to SAVI. I loved the book, and I caught myself smiling often while reading; I'm just really heartbroken at how the entire crew was lost, and without even knowing if truly all was orchestrated by Emma, Savi, or the Locals. I have some many wishes and it feels incomplete not knowing EVERYTHING.

[Sandra Hould · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was not at all what I thought it would be, but I highly enjoyed it. It was captivating and like any good old sci-fi stories, it did not offer much of a break.
Throughout the story, I kept wondering how it would all end and it ended in a very surprising way, while at the same time making perfect sense.
The action in this story is constant and each chapter is centered around a particular character, the title of each chapter telling the reader from whose perspective they will be reading from.
If you love intreague, mystery, action, science fiction, a dash of horror, a ton of action and a story that takes place out of thjs world, or even this space that we know and love, you will adore this story.
Do not think that you can guess what will happen, but do expect that in the end, you will tell yourself that yeah, you should have seen it all coming. You might have some inkling as to how it will end, but trust me, the ending will send a chilling cold front in your spine, one that is as delicious as it is breath taking. I for one adored this story and hope to read more of Kyle Belote soon.
He is a young author that I find absolutely full of promise.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so this book is a definite read . Mean its just amazing.
Just think for one second , waking up not knowing what you are what's going on what's gonna happen. Its just perfect.
And that PLOT TWIST i didn't saw that coming. I definitely didn't expected it to be like this. It was as hard an fast as a slap on your face.
Mean if you love adventure mystery or any genre ... Just give this one a try ... Its definitely not a waste of time
i used to read it before going to bed and literally used to have dreams related to it.. so that should be your go to read .

[Melanie Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read!

The Demon's Fate is a gripping and thought-provoking space opera that masterfully blends mystery, suspense, and ethical dilemmas. The story begins with a crew awakening to the eerie presence of an alien artifact on their spaceship, with no memory of how it arrived or what happened to one of their own. This compelling setup immediately hooks the reader and sets the stage for a tense and intriguing journey.

Belote’s strength lies in his ability to create a claustrophobic atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well-developed, and their conflicting emotions feel authentic as they grapple with the mystery and the moral quandaries that arise. The narrative explores themes of identity, loyalty, and sacrifice, making the reader question what it means to be truly human in the face of the unknown.

The plot twists are unexpected and cleverly executed, leading to a satisfying yet thought-provoking conclusion that lingers long after the final page. Fans of sci-fi thrillers will find 'The Demon's Fate' a must-read, as it balances action, psychological tension, and philosophical reflection with finesse. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a blend of mystery and speculative fiction!

[Sophie Mickelsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fascinating from start to finish. The first half was a dive into each character, their wants needs, and fears. I felt like I knew and loved all of them...but the resident asshole. (Spoiler: by the end, he became one of my faves. It's that kinda book.)

The second half was one action-packed scene after another, a chance to see what each person was truly made of. I binge-read the final 40% in an hour and a half. Couldn't put it down. I even went back to re-read my favorite parts before completely finishing the book.

The highs are incredibly satisfying, the lows are nasty. This isn't an easy, emotionless read. I didn't see the end coming; there's quite a few plot twists along the way.

The author delves into both the dark and light of human nature, all while writing crazy cool action scenes.

My only complaint is that the book started out a bit slow. It takes Andrea and the rest of the crew some time to get their memories back. That having been said, the plot twists at the end made me wish I'd gotten to know the characters better, so it's a double-edged sword.

All in all, definitely recommend.

[Raj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thrilling book guaranteed to make all science fiction nerds like myself happy.

I love reading about space travel and this book not only checks that box, it also does it extremely well. The author does an exceptional job in explaining why the characters are where they are and the various degrees of command that they process when it comes to running their ship The Demon.

The first half gives the reader a false sense of security as it mostly gets the reader comfortable while they explore each character psyche the author has created.

The second half had me gripped as the mysteries that had been introduced began to slowly unravel and be revealed. The strange planet and its inhabitants were entertaining and provided great action sequences that I could easily visualize and follow along with.

I would reccomend that you give this book a go if you like reading about mysteries, world building, and space travel!

[Iryani · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Demon's Fate follows the journey of a 5 member military crew on a space ship, The Demon.

The story can be divided into two parts; the first part being them waking up one day and finding their memories gone and the second part being them making a U-turn to a planet they were escaping from - but not before leaving a member there as an exchange for their return journey - and learning the truth about what had transpired on the planet.

The story was cinematic, everything was vividly described that it felt like watching Star Trek and Stargate SG-1. I had fun imagining everything.

The questions raised as the story unfolds really got me thinking about AI and our responsibilities/stance regarding them. The last 5 chapters were really hard to put down, it was so wonderfully penned. The tempo of the story was adrenaline charged. The context behind the title was delightful. It was an awesome read, five stars from me!

[Nisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five people discovered themselves on a ship with no memory of who they were and what were their purposes. With the help of SAVI, the ship' AI, Andrea found out that they needed to go back to a planet to rescue one missing crew. So many dramas and truth being unfolded during the journey to the rescuing mission.

I like the idea of the story as a whole and how the story goes on. However, I think it becomes too overwhelmed with details that made me feel like I just hop right on the middle book in a series. It just feels off not getting the full backside story. I enjoyed reading the book even though there were quite a lot of "ugh" moments. No much comments for the ending. It left me speechless. I had so many expectations on my own except for that, whew... last note: anyone who likes science fiction and is up for a little bit of challenges, you should try this book.

[Icha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waking up in a spaceship, not remembering a single thing, meeting strangers with different characters & finding out that you were on a mission must not be easy, I know!

This is an interesting read. Starting with confusion, each chapter helps me unfold the mystery alongside each character. That makes me feel like I know all the characters well. It's also a good start for a newcomer in Sci-Fi like me (FYI, this is my first Sci-Fi read) because the plot is neat, easy to follow, and has a clear description. Somehow, I wonder how smart a human brain is. The muscle memory took an interesting part in this story, helping all the characters to come back to the routines they had lost, remembering.

I really recommend this book to those who enjoy space ships, aliens, and everything in between. Definitely a recommended Science Fiction read to pass the time.

[Archana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was something like I would like to read. I am fantasized about how the story ended. Suspense in the story was great, I didn't expect the story would end this way. Idea of life on another Planet who possess with supernatural powers is kinda different and I like the idea. The Demon's crew has little bit conflicts between them specially against Daspar. But I didn't expect that Daspar would be the first one to die. Ending was tragic. In the starting I found story very slow, and took up pace when they reached their destination. I liked how every crew has their point of view. Overall it was nice reading it.

[Caribbean Didi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Booktasters for recommending this book to me.
The story is full of suspense and kept me awaiting to follow the events to assume how the end would be, but the end was different than what I thought, it was full of twists.
In a book full of mystery, you will feel close to every character.
The beginning of the story was a bit slow but still enjoyable, the other part was furious and gripping.
I really recommend it to everyone to give it a nice try, you'll be taken on a new journey.

[Kerat Jhaj]

This is such an action packed book! The word 'page turner' is meant for this book! It had such a book that I finished it with in a day! The writer did a great job with the plot, surprise element and ending.

[Ioleta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very engaging story with an unexpected ending.
The author has a natural talent of bringing characters to life, and an unusual ability to breathe life into supporting characters.
If you are looking to embark on a journey that will hold your attention until the end, this is a definite recommend read, and will not disappoint.

[Kathryn Aldridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, the plot had a lot of potential and the characters were interesting but the way this was put together just didn't sit right with me. I get that this is a story about people who have lost their memory but to much happened without any sort of build up. It was to cluttered and almost like it should have been two books or even more. I felt like I was reading the second or third book in the series.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

An action-filled, space adventure with an amnesia-stricken crew!

I was immediately attracted to The Demon’s Fate because of its beautiful cover and unusual premise: the crew of a small spacecraft awakens not knowing who they are, where they are going, or why. The only information the ship’s artificial intelligence (AI), SAVI, can give them is general; all other information is classified and inaccessible without the ship commander’s (who has amnesia) passcode. Asking the right questions of the AI, the crew determines that they are fleeing the last planet they visited with a beautiful, alien artifact aboard, and one of their members was left behind.

There are five crew members on the small ship, and the author gives each one a distinct and well-defined personality. I could easily see each one in my mind as if I knew them. As the story goes on and the crew begins to remember things, the characters remain faithful to the personalities that they awoke with, although, some have hidden strengths that come forth when needed. I liked each of the characters, including the ship’s AI and the synth, Emma.

The action takes place both aboard ship, and later in the book, on the planet, Celestia 6. The ship itself is well described, and I had no trouble seeing the layout of things. It is a small craft, but that just made it feel homey, familiar, and comfortable. The author created a planet with a variety of terrain and populated it with alien peoples and some crazy, wild creatures. The world-building included giving readers a glimpse into the aliens’ past and current life as well. And the bad guys are evil, making some decisions that are made later in the story very difficult.

With so much happening action-wise, you wouldn’t think that the story would have room for moral dilemmas, but it does: several, in fact. Without giving away the plot, the ship’s commander must puzzle out problems regarding artificial intelligence and synthetic humans, getting information out of an enemy combatant, and weighing the pros and cons of risky actions.

The Demon’s Fate is one of those books that I think would make a great action film and would have been the great start of a series (I would totally get the next one.) There are some unanswered questions at the end of the story. I recommend this book to science fiction readers. There are sexual situations (and the subject of sexual assault is a major plot point, in case that is a reader’s aversion), so this is for a mature audience.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

[Zohaib Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

aka space confusion, trust issues, and alien creepiness 101

Imagine waking up in space, with zero memory, no idea who you are, and your ship’s crew looking just as shook as you are. Now throw in a weird alien artifact chilling in your ship, a missing crew member, and an existential crisis looming like a space monster in the dark. Yeah, welcome to The Demon’s Fate.

This book opens like a fever dream and not the fun kind. More like that “what is even real?” kind. It gives off strong Dark Matter energy (it was my most exciting part) but with its own flavor of cosmic dread and moral panic. Kyle Belote wastes no time getting you straight into the mess. One second you're vibing with space crew amnesia, the next you’re questioning loyalty, memory, and whether you're even still human anymore.

The formatting? Kinda like trying to read with your screen cracked...doable, but frustrating.

Now don’t get it twisted; Belote knows how to write. The man crafts tension like a pro and builds a mood that’s part thriller, part psychological spiral. The characters aren't just space NPCs either, they’ve got actual depth, trauma, and vibes. The conflict between what’s logical vs what’s right hits hard, especially when you're navigating survival with people you can’t even remember liking.
The pacing was chaotic. It felt like plot bombs were dropping with no cooldown timer. There’s so much happening, and while the twists slap, the buildup sometimes feels like it hit fast-forward. Honestly, this story could've been two books. Maybe three. Maybe a whole gritty streaming series where we all cry at the season finale.
And look, I’m not gonna lie, it took me months to finish. Not because the story flopped (it didn’t), but because the structure made it hard to fall into the book. But once you're in, you're in. You’ll be hit with plot twists that don’t just blindside you, they gaslight, gatekeep, and girlboss your brain. The ending? Wild. Didn’t see it coming. Still recovering! :D

[Paarthiv Nalluri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Demon's Fate is a dark, riveting, and fast-paced beginning to The Warmaster Series.
In this novella, the crew awakens on a spaceship to find an alien artifact and a comrade missing, without a recollection of either. Immediately, this puts the reader into a tense moral and survival dilemma. Belote creates a compelling grimdark sci-fi atmosphere where characters must decide whether chasing such a brutal truth is worth risking their very lives.
​Perfect for fans of: Military sci-fi and stories about the psychological wear and tear that tough, ambiguous choices can do. It's a quick, gritty read that leaves you ready for the next installment.

[Lesen]

it is like Dick's story.　There is not Bradbery,or Hogan.
And i feel [who am i?]feeling.May be i am no one.The identity is the most important thing.
Am i me? who are you? where are we?
like some little Fantasy point.but no Wizzard.
Ther is　just some Lord System.
My English is not good enough to convey my feelings and thoughts about the story.

I wont to be SAVI.Taste of AI（i dont know how to say in english.In japanese,　taste＝HU U MI）
Kind of Humanismus.Some how,i have Feeling just a little Humor.
Just few man,it is could be make Humor.
In big chaos,but no sadness.
Crazy-society,Crazy-man,Crazy-SAVI
Don't dislike.... but if more/few fantasy points have,more charming.

not for kids/child/youngadult
age for 25～