Mark of a Demon

by Despoina Kemeridou

Heather was born with a weak heart; she wasn’t supposed to live. In a moment of despair, her mother summoned a demon who gave the girl half his heart, binding their fates. There was only one condition; she would live only until as long as his powers lasted.

Unaware of its meaning, Heather grew up hiding the mysterious mark on her chest. Her life changed when she fell for the very demon who saved her, marking the start of a forbidden love.

What happens when Heather uncovers the hidden truths her aunt and the demon have kept from her?

Genres: Romance, Fantasy

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2020

About the author

Despoina Kemeridou is a multi-genre author, poet, and graphic designer. She started writing in 2009 and immediately knew this was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.

Kemeridou was born in 1996 in Thessaloniki, Greece. She studied Midwifery at the International University of Greece. Alongside writing, Kemeridou likes reading, photography, sketching, and painting.

She started self-publishing in 2018 and has since self-published three books. Currently, she is working on a dark fantasy retelling of a mixture between the myth of Hades and Persephone and the Beauty and the Beast fairytale.

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice YA Romance short story

This is a very nice YA romance short story. I’m a sucker for anything with a demon mentioned, so was drawn to this. Simple and sweet would be good descriptors, and who couldn’t use a little of that in these crazy times. I would say 3.5/5.0 stars.

[Sarah ♡ (let’s interact!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fancied a short story before bed and this turned out to be quite a good choice! Some demonic, romantic, YA goodness.
The sexual scene did remind me of many years ago when I used to read fan-fiction late in the night and made me slightly cringe for that exact reason, but overall it was a fine and well-written tale. I definitely would have preferred this one as a teenager and fallen in love with the demon myself.

3.5 Stars, rounded up to a 4 because I wouldn’t want to discourage any of you. It’s worth the quick read.

[S.A. Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise

Heather was born with a weak heart. When she was a child her mother makes a bargain with a demon to save her. The way the story progresses from Heather's childhood to the part where Heather would have to keep her part of the bargain was told in crisp and short manner.
The part which comes after Heather learns about this and the romance forms the crux of the story.
Interesting read.

[Janelle Schiecke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful short story! I enjoyed the characters, and for a YA book the prose is simple but also eloquent and poetic. I was wondering how it would all play out between Heather and Nabe, and quite enjoyed the turn of events in the ending. It's a sweet paranormal romance, and I found it to be a cozy read as well.

[A.C. Merkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC (advanced reader copy) of this book in exchange for a fair review. I was not paid, or in any other way reimbursed for my review.

This is a cool story. Despoina has transported us back in time once more!

It’s a fairly short book so getting into story elements will only hurt someone’s reading experience.

The story is solid and the characters are easy to like
and to root for.

This could have been a five with more proof reading. Some phrases were very awkward and others used tense incorrectly etc. I’m not being too tough on it because it’s written in another language and then translated. Which is amazing and beyond my own abilities.

Thanks again Despoina for a fun foray into a new magical world!

[Martin White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very impressive YA novella with a lot of style and heart. It reads like a modern day dark fairy tale where, although there may be fantastic themes, there’s also a sense of reality about the characters and plot that make it feel grounded and real. The plot, characters and development all felt natural and central to the story and overall the book is well paced and written.

Other reviewers have mentioned the plot so I won’t go there in case I start blabbing and give too much away, but if you enjoyed the complex human/demon relationship issues amongst the main characters in Buffy and possibly even the Twilight books, you’ll certainly enjoy this tale.

[Kevin Parham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review of same. I was not compensated in any way for reviewing the book.

Not one to usually delve into the paranormal romance genre, I found 'Mark of a Demon' by Despoina Kemeridou to be a well-constructed and entertaining short story. It contains the requisite elements of a balanced love story conveyed in a manner that flows seamlessly from beginning to end.

From the innocence of a girl born with a physical malady, to a mother's unrequited love and the ultimate sacrifice she makes through a pact with the dark side, the story draws the reader into a paranormal world of mortals, spirits, and demons.

The protagonist, Heather, while attempting to understand her place in the world and why she is looked upon as 'evil,' as evidenced by how poorly she is treated by her peers at school, eventually learns not only about her unique psychic abilities and the circumstances surrounding her existence, but also about the power of love and attraction and how these attributes can have a positive effect on the malevolent nature of others . . . even that of Naberius, the conflicted demon she falls in love with.

What I found interesting is that Heather, although pursued as a love-interest by Finn, a mortal, she instead selects a demon to fulfill her sensual desires and brings the story full-circle to a surprising conclusion.

I would highly recommend 'Mark of a Demon' to any reader who enjoys paranormal romantic short stories, for it will satisfy the need for a quick read that is both succinct and engaging.

[Sahreth Bowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all know the adage on making deals with demons (or the devil or any other supernatural creature for that matter), but 'Mark of a Demon' is a whole new twist on it. Desperate for her daughter to have a life, regardless of how short lived, Heather's mother gives herself in exchange for what years this dark spirit can provide. However as Heather grows into a young woman and meets said demon and begins falling for him, things take some unprecedented turns.

I adore this story! Those who know me know I love demons and this was such an interestingly endearing paranormal romance. Although I've read work by Despoina Kemeridou before and enjoyed it, this is my favorite as of now. Falling in love with 'the bad guy' sounds cliche, but I assure this story is not. Kudos for creating this sweet love story with a fresh twist!

[Tanweer Dar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-conceived cautionary tale, similar in many ways to fairytales of old, 'Mark of a Demon' is a short, satisfying read.

Heather, the main character, is 'marked' from birth by a demon. The story of her young life unfolds in this dramatic tale. Dealing with bullying, prejudice and young love, this short read packs a surprising punch.

The author, whose first language isn't English, has come a long way when it comes to writing in English. A clear and easy read, 'Mark of a Demon' is a great little story for any reader, especially fans of fantasy.

A bit more depth and detail, as well as more consideration for the setting, would easily take this to five stars.

Overall, a great effort that I'd happily recommend to all.

[Damon Laws · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

No were near what I normally read. However happily it kept me reading until the end. The book is only 50 or so pages and it is a good 50 pages.

[Adriana Rayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Loved the story. Great, interesting characters, especially Nabe. And I'm happy about how the story ended. I give five stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Dan Sihota · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, Mark of a Demon, is not a book I would normally read; I only come to know of the author, Despoina Keremidou, through Twitter; and when I saw this book was available for a free download from Amazon, I decided to download a copy.

Now, despite the title, this is not a work of horror, as I had first thought, but is probably best described as Young Adult (YA) fiction, however, this should not be seen as a negative. This is a short book, probably best described as a novella, as a result, it is a very quick read. As for the story itself, it's quite simple, a woman makes deal with a demon to spare the life of her newborn daughter, this leads to all kinds of unforeseen consequences later on.

The story is well-written, easy to read, and makes for an enjoyable read. I'm sure there are many readers out there who wouldn't normally be drawn to this kind of fiction, but given that it's a short and enjoyable read, I highly recommend this book.

[A.D. Wills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a delight to read from start to finish. Kemeridou does a great job of setting the tone right away, and continuing to cultivate tension throughout which makes for a snappy and wild ride. It had such a fast pace to it, yet still felt like everything was being properly explained, and fleshed out. Being a short story, it's impressive how much is packed into this.

The chemistry between the two characters is obvious, and very well written, which is always key in any romance.

I really enjoyed myself reading this, and it's a perfect quick read for anyone interested in a forbidden romance that feels like a fresh take.

[Sean Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting look inside the life of a demon and how they operate. I very much enjoyed the humanistic nature of the supernatural and how a demon can love and what he sacrifices in the process. The honest genuine feel of the characters and their reactions make this story real. The demon Naberious is more human then human and creates and uncertain destiny for him and the child he protects.

Chilling and heartwarming at the same time; Mark of a Demon will leave you questioning the world around you and what may be watching from the shadows.

[Elizabeth Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A forbidden romance with a twist

A fast paced short story that had a feeling of a fairytale about it. This book was beautifully written and left you wanting to read more from the author. I loved the romance in the story and found myself unable to put the book down.

Despoina is an incredibly talented author and I cannot wait to read more of her writing.

[Aron Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshingly easy-to-read, youthful romance tale, featuring just enough forbidden fruit to keep it interesting. It's short, but then the price is fair.

Looking forward to check out her other work!

[H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely YA romance short story. It's about a forbidden love between a human and a demon. I loved the ending.
I'd recommend this book to paranormal romance fans. It's fun and easy to read.

[Kelly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the read and found the story quite interesting. The main character's romantic relationship is inappropriate to be sure, so if that would bother you, don't read this. But this is a fantasy tale, and by the end, it left me with a warm feeling.

[Worst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually someone who enjoys romance but as it was about a demon I knew it would be different to other books within that genre. I was instantly drawn into the story and found myself wanting to read more. I really enjoyed this novella.

[Christopher Denton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous Resolution

Mark of a Demon is a short and fast-paced paranormal romance featuring a human and a demon. If you enjoy occult tales and coming of age stories, you’re in for a treat.

The Opening

This book begins with an intriguing statement that provides an effective hook enticing the reader to turn the pages. It also soon shows the reader that this story involves the occult, which is a further incentive to read on and discover more.

However, there are some elements of the opening that I found distracting. For example, the comment that the narrator cannot comprehend the language her mother spoke when she chanted.

I understand why the author made this statement. She wanted us to understand that the language used was not the same as the one used for narration and was foreign to the protagonist. However, because the protagonist is a newborn baby at the time of this event, it came across as a strange thing to say, in my opinion.

The Characters

Heather struggled to come into the world and has lost her free will due to the bargain made at her birth, which makes her a sympathetic character from the very beginning. As the story develops, the shabby way she is treated by some other characters when compared to her friendly attitude serves to make her even more likable.

It is never explained why Sara calls Heather “Eri”. I suspect it’s to do with the native language of the characters and that “Eri” is short for the word “heather” in their language, but it would have been nice if it were explained at some point in the story.

Naberius is an odd demon. He always appears to do nice things rather than evil. His character development arc is interesting, especially at the end.

At first, I didn’t like Finn. However, as the story developed, I began to like him very much. In the end, I think his character development was, in many ways, even better than Naberius’.

The minor characters were well developed. Sara is a great maternal figure and easy to relate to. Christie is super sweet, and I was glad she didn’t change.

The Plot

The main plot didn’t fall into any particular trope, which is no bad thing. However, I would have liked a bit more conflict, by which I mean resistance to the developing relationship. Sara should have done more to try and stop it, and Aurora herself should have done more soul seeking, in my opinion.

I understood perfectly well why Heather might feel attracted to Naberius. After all, he is protective and the ultimate bad boy. However, I didn’t get what Naberius saw in Heather.

Because the story was largely told from Heather’s viewpoint, this may have been difficult to communicate, but I felt it was needed. From what I could see, he just sort of fell for her because she liked him.

I presume that the idea is that he developed feelings for her over her lifetime in the same way that Maleficent and Diaval become enamored of Aurora over time in the film Maleficent. However, much like in the film, this should be somehow communicated to the reader.

The more minor events throughout the story are well introduced and interesting. I mean events such as schoolyard bullying and possible alternative relationships. Even though the story was fast-paced, it wasn’t without texture and interesting asides.

Although I have my reservations about the main relationship plot, the secondary conflict that comes into play toward the end is much more interesting. The way in which Kemeridou resolved the situation is fabulous. I loved the ending.

The Setting

The setting is deliberately vague. I would have liked more information about this mansion in the beginning and Sara’s background. For example, how did Sara’s husband die? What was their social position that enabled them to live in a mansion? How did they know so much about the occult in the first place?

Near the beginning of the story, it seemed quite strange that Sara didn’t realize that Peter lived in the house she visited. I mean, it’s a small town and she has interacted with him before this event. How would she not know?

The Prose

The story is easy to follow and I was never confused. The opening chapter might have been better off narrated from Sara’s viewpoint rather than Heather’s, but I understand why it was presented in this way.

The language felt a little simple to my ears, but there’s nothing wrong with that. It makes the story easily accessible.

My Opinion

Overall, I found this fast-paced tale to be an enjoyable easy-read romance. There are plenty of interesting events along the path of this romance to make it a pleasure to read.

Due to my feelings about the lack of resistance to the relationship and the absence of clear motivation from Naberius’ end, I’m going to rate this as 8 out of 10, which will translate to 4 out of 5 on Goodreads and Amazon.

[Stewart Bint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing and Different Demon Story


This is truly an intriguing and unusual demon-based short story.

Intriguing, because, as the demon himself says towards the end of the tale: “I’ve never made a deal with a human for their life or someone else’s before. All contracts were usually for money, love, revenge…but never like yours.”

Right from the start, we’re into new territory as Lorelei makes an unusual pact with one of Hell’s most powerful demons, to save the life of her baby daughter, Eri, so the reader never has any real idea which way the author will take us. Every page and every new scene opens up something different for us.

This engaging cross-species love story between human and demon moves its well-fleshed-out characters along at a perfect pace, and leads us to a surprising outcome.

Neatly and tightly written, with a number of scenes invoking genuine emotion, I’d like to have seen more of Mark of a Demon. By that, I mean, what was a 52-minute read on my Kindle, becoming, if not a full-length novel, at the very least stretched out to a novella, because the characters, storyline, and plot certainly deserved it.

From its intriguing beginning to its emotionally-charged ending, it’s perfect as a short story, with everything coming together brilliantly. There is true magic in the telling of a good short story, and Despoina Kemeridou has certainly uttered “Abracadabra” on this one.

Well-presented characters are 90 per cent of any story, and in this case, the author didn’t need to construct a plot – her characters, Lorelei and Nabe, and to a lesser extent, Aunt Sara, did that for her. And that’s the magic. There are no slick tricks, however, just powerful writing.

With short stories, we only have limited time to get to know the characters, and it’s a testament to the author’s skill that I’d have loved this tale to take me, as the reader, on a longer journey, deeper into those characters.

In summary, a satisfying and unusual take on the paranormal romance genre, which make it stand out a good head above the others in this field.

[Lee Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern feel-good fable of forbidden love and a hint of darkness…

Despoina Kemeridou returns with her unique fairy tale style voice to tell a heart warming, feel-good modern fable that explores many different themes including love, sacrifice and the value of life. We are introduced to ‘Heather’ who is born with a weak heart and so her mother bargains with demonic forces to save her but at a cost.

That bargain will eventually come to fruition and as ‘Heather’ grows up we see her young life unfold in the authors style that keeps pages moving while also providing important plot detail – this has all the feeling and vibe that fairy tales of old contain but with a fuller feeling story that carries more of an adult theme.

To say anymore about the story would be giving spoilers and this is a book that deserves to be discovered and immersed in, even if it is a shorter read that is by no means a disadvantage. There a moments that are both heart breaking and heart warming that make up the drama that is a fun read and escape that I highly recommend.

[Beena Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC for this book.

I love the premise of the book. The protagonist Heather who has a fatal heart. She now shares her heart with a demon. The book cover is intriguing and the title is amazing. When I first saw the cover and title, I knew I had to read it.

'Mark of a Demon' by Despoina Kemeridou is a sweet, short paranormal romance. Heather is a young girl trying to find her place in the world. Her mark is seen as taboo since it's affiliated with a demon. From the opening chapter, I was hooked, and I couldn't wait to dive in and read more of the story.

The book was entertaining nevertheless, I do wish the romance was more build up. I would have liked to see more romance development. At times, it felt rushed and less explored. I would give it a solid 3.5 stars. This would appeal to paranormal short stories addicts!

[Aoife McDonagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This bittersweet tale was such an enjoyable read! I received an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
It features a unique, interesting romance as well as characters with strong voices that drew me in to the story. The link between Nabe and Heather is really interesting and it was fun to see their relationship develop! Really happy I got to read this! I would have liked if it was longer in terms of the chance to develop the characters more, but the author did a good job with this as a short story! I really liked the ending and how everything was wrapped up. Overall, a very intriguing story.

[L.L. Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: Received an ARC of this book.

Review: I always say this: when a book makes me cry or feel a certain way, it's automatically a 5 for me. How can a book hurt and feel good to read at the same time?

Though the beginning was a little slow for me, it became instantly exciting when Nabe came in and it has been a rollercoaster of emotions from there (which involved a lot of ugly crying). There were lots of noteworthy quotes too and if an author can make you feel absolute pain and heartbreak, you know they are a talented storyteller.

[Lacrima Mundi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and very romantic little story.

The writing itself is sometimes a little simplistic, but aside of that I enjoyed the story well-enough. Has been quite entertaining to read.

3.75 stars rounded up to 4

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Transparency info: Read via Kindle Unlimited.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short read! Loved the underlying mystery behind the two MC's connection and all that happened around them because of it.

[P.S. Kessell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic love story set in the realm of darkness; well-written characters; easy reading for a start to finish read in one sitting

[Judy Ferrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different type of deal.

When a mother makes a deal with a grain it's a very different kind of deal. This is a romance unlike in other I've ever read. I enjoyed it. It's an extremely fast read. I recommend it.

[Remy Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it

This book has been in my tbr for a while and I’m disappointed to have waited so long! I really enjoyed it. For a short story the characters were well written.