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A Demon's Guide to the Afterlife #1
Dark Horse
My husband killed me.
Instead of spending my immortal Afterlife pissed off and angry, I moved on. I became someone.
Sure, that someone was a demon with the highest track record of reform, AKA punishment, in Hell. But who’s bragging?
I’m right on my way to retirement behind the pearly gates. Everything was going fine . . . until the Risk Witches saw a terrible vision.
Three men. Each scarred in their own way, born with powers that haven’t been seen in eons.
Upper Management sent the best to correct their path. Angels. Poltergeists. Nothing worked.
These men were too stubborn. Too bad. Too untamed...
So they sent me.
Roman. Ezra. Dorian.
Combined, they have enough power to end the world—and they will.
Unless I find a way to stop them first.
Breaking people is my job. But this time...my job might break me.
Author's Note: This is an adult paranormal romance series with multiple love interests and some dark elements. If you don't like strong but flawed women and alphahole heroes that need to learn a thing or two about boundaries--this book is not for you. If you love works by Tate James, Ivy Asher, Raven Kennedy, Joely Sue Burkhart, and CM Stunich, then dive right in to the Afterlife. It'll be one hell of a ride.
Instead of spending my immortal Afterlife pissed off and angry, I moved on. I became someone.
Sure, that someone was a demon with the highest track record of reform, AKA punishment, in Hell. But who’s bragging?
I’m right on my way to retirement behind the pearly gates. Everything was going fine . . . until the Risk Witches saw a terrible vision.
Three men. Each scarred in their own way, born with powers that haven’t been seen in eons.
Upper Management sent the best to correct their path. Angels. Poltergeists. Nothing worked.
These men were too stubborn. Too bad. Too untamed...
So they sent me.
Roman. Ezra. Dorian.
Combined, they have enough power to end the world—and they will.
Unless I find a way to stop them first.
Breaking people is my job. But this time...my job might break me.
Author's Note: This is an adult paranormal romance series with multiple love interests and some dark elements. If you don't like strong but flawed women and alphahole heroes that need to learn a thing or two about boundaries--this book is not for you. If you love works by Tate James, Ivy Asher, Raven Kennedy, Joely Sue Burkhart, and CM Stunich, then dive right in to the Afterlife. It'll be one hell of a ride.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2021
1773 people are currently reading
7652 people want to read
About the author
Kel Carpenter
73 books2,146 followersKel Carpenter is a master of werdz. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s traveling the world, lovingly pestering her co-author, and spending time with her family. She is always on the search for good tacos and the best pizza. She resides in Maryland and desperately tries to avoid the traffic.
For subrights or media and film inquiries, please reach out to kel@kelcarpenter.com.
For subrights or media and film inquiries, please reach out to kel@kelcarpenter.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 626 reviews
February 14, 2021
I think I have discovered a trope I absolutely love, heroines that can't die.
There's just something about thinking you've killed someone and they just pop up like
The heroine is given a job, a job that several have tried doing and failed, she is offered the perk she has always wanted, retirement at a place of her choosing. She has go stop three paranormals from being the harbinger of the apocalypse. To her surprise, when she meets them they all claim to be her mate. Then before she can even get to discovering why these men will be the end of the world, someone kills her and keeps trying to.
It was a good book, we got to see the POVs of the guys which I always love in RH. The plot doesn't really move though, she is no closer to finding out anything in regards to her assignment. We are given a little piece of info at the end about why it's all happening but I didn't think it was enough to go through the entire book for that little picture.
Still, not a bad book. Look forward to book 2.
There's just something about thinking you've killed someone and they just pop up like
The heroine is given a job, a job that several have tried doing and failed, she is offered the perk she has always wanted, retirement at a place of her choosing. She has go stop three paranormals from being the harbinger of the apocalypse. To her surprise, when she meets them they all claim to be her mate. Then before she can even get to discovering why these men will be the end of the world, someone kills her and keeps trying to.
It was a good book, we got to see the POVs of the guys which I always love in RH. The plot doesn't really move though, she is no closer to finding out anything in regards to her assignment. We are given a little piece of info at the end about why it's all happening but I didn't think it was enough to go through the entire book for that little picture.
Still, not a bad book. Look forward to book 2.
September 21, 2023
I haven't read a reverse harem in a long time ago and I don't even use Goodreads anymore. But here I am, giving my first 5 stars rating in about forever. Cause it was that good.
> No MM
> No FF
> Three guys
Trigger warning:
Mention of abuse and torture, grief, depression, violence.
booked.unicorn
March 25, 2021
3 stars
This is the first time I have felt like a book burnt out. Like it was going good until the author put everything all at once. It just went so fast and burnt out and I probably won’t read the next one.
This is the first time I have felt like a book burnt out. Like it was going good until the author put everything all at once. It just went so fast and burnt out and I probably won’t read the next one.
March 11, 2021
I was so excited reading the blurb and the starting chapters helped to think it was going to be a nice read but man the way Fury's character loses her shine as the story progressed was a shame.
The initial time spent on Fury's introduction was quite rushed since it would have been nicer to see more of her Afterlife time to really feel her routine focused life that makes her want the retirement so bad that she takes up the Earth assignment despite her history. But it was still fun how she made her entrance being a badass to meet the guys. It's great until the guys come into picture bulldozing the dynamics.
Even with the upper hand she has being a demon and the powerful entry, Fury's character slowly becomes a wispy thing floating around how the plot wants her to go. The take charge aura conveniently transferred to observe and react shit that had her mostly useless in the name of doing her job. Her dialogues are great but the story doesn't utilize this powerful character beyond the typical end of the book boom action.
The guys were great in terms of having a good backstory. Each of them has a history that's intriguing and has me wanting to see more of it. As characters interacting with the FMC, it was okay-ish. As excited I was seeing the first interaction with Roman, his character stays dull whereas Ezra and Dorian were typical.
The plot sounds great on paper but it's executed in the "vagueness-until-something-has-to-happen" crap which by the end rolls into a completely generic cliffhanger that despite some intriguing world building elements or humor doesn't offer anything too engaging.
The initial time spent on Fury's introduction was quite rushed since it would have been nicer to see more of her Afterlife time to really feel her routine focused life that makes her want the retirement so bad that she takes up the Earth assignment despite her history. But it was still fun how she made her entrance being a badass to meet the guys. It's great until the guys come into picture bulldozing the dynamics.
Even with the upper hand she has being a demon and the powerful entry, Fury's character slowly becomes a wispy thing floating around how the plot wants her to go. The take charge aura conveniently transferred to observe and react shit that had her mostly useless in the name of doing her job. Her dialogues are great but the story doesn't utilize this powerful character beyond the typical end of the book boom action.
The guys were great in terms of having a good backstory. Each of them has a history that's intriguing and has me wanting to see more of it. As characters interacting with the FMC, it was okay-ish. As excited I was seeing the first interaction with Roman, his character stays dull whereas Ezra and Dorian were typical.
The plot sounds great on paper but it's executed in the "vagueness-until-something-has-to-happen" crap which by the end rolls into a completely generic cliffhanger that despite some intriguing world building elements or humor doesn't offer anything too engaging.
August 17, 2023
this was such fun and vaguely unique, with the whole "i can't die, i'm back bitches" thing!!
also what's this i see, actually poc being added to the harem?? i love!! the number of rh books i've read where the MC has like 7 men and every. single. one. of them is white?? it's kinda crazy actually. so loved the change up here!!
overall i’m pretty happy, very entertaining read.
also what's this i see, actually poc being added to the harem?? i love!! the number of rh books i've read where the MC has like 7 men and every. single. one. of them is white?? it's kinda crazy actually. so loved the change up here!!
overall i’m pretty happy, very entertaining read.
August 11, 2023
4.4 stars.
…I’m reserving judgment until I finish the trilogy, (since I tend to get too excited in the first book of trilogies and then lose interest halfway into the second)..
But I’m optimistically hopeful about this.
I really enjoyed the characters and all their interactions.
The mysteries are mystery-ing.
The plot is ever thickening..
So far it’s medium burn.
We’ve only gotten sexy fun times with one of the men and it’s mostly because she can’t hide anything from him…plus he’s hot as sin, that helps.😂
I’m looking forward to reading more about this craziness.
But I’m gonna go read something I’ve been waiting for since I found out it was coming out and counting down the days…
…I’m reserving judgment until I finish the trilogy, (since I tend to get too excited in the first book of trilogies and then lose interest halfway into the second)..
But I’m optimistically hopeful about this.
I really enjoyed the characters and all their interactions.
The mysteries are mystery-ing.
The plot is ever thickening..
So far it’s medium burn.
We’ve only gotten sexy fun times with one of the men and it’s mostly because she can’t hide anything from him…plus he’s hot as sin, that helps.😂
I’m looking forward to reading more about this craziness.
But I’m gonna go read something I’ve been waiting for since I found out it was coming out and counting down the days…
September 3, 2023
This book is an excellent example of how listening to the audio can save you from the boredom if read in paper
I think the narrators did an outstanding job in bringing out Fury's sassyness and snarckiness
Roman's broadness, Ezra's indifference and Dorians haughtiness
⚜theme: RH paranormal
⚜tropes: Fated Mates
⚜characters: demon, vampire, shifter, fae, angels
⚜TW: of course
⚜spice: 🌶🌶 surprisingly, not many but it's only books
⚜ending: cliffhanger since it's a series
Fury is a past human murdered by her ex husband. She becomes a demon in charge of torturing sinful souls.
She is summoned to take an a job that angels failed to execute and if she fails the whole world will be over
Going back Earth, she meets three hot supernatural who each coincidently lost their mates long ago and also coincidently, Fury is their Fated mate.
Other supernatural are out to kill Fury because someone told them that she is the catalyst that would destroy the world
As I mentioned, if I hadn't listened to the audio I would have DNFed this book or rated it lower since there were a lot of talking and inner thoughts. If reading, I would have found it boring tbh. But listening to the audio, the narrators really brought the characters to life and it was as if watching a series.
As much talk about how strong Fury is and that she is even stronger than her mates, we never see her ever impressive strength! She is easily killed (she can't die die), kidnapped, poisoned, manipulated etc etc. I was waiting to see her live up to her name, but it didn't happen
I also think that she had a better deep connection with Ezra than Dorian and Roman
So maybe in the next book we'll see her powers???
I think the narrators did an outstanding job in bringing out Fury's sassyness and snarckiness
Roman's broadness, Ezra's indifference and Dorians haughtiness
⚜theme: RH paranormal
⚜tropes: Fated Mates
⚜characters: demon, vampire, shifter, fae, angels
⚜TW: of course
⚜spice: 🌶🌶 surprisingly, not many but it's only books
⚜ending: cliffhanger since it's a series
Fury is a past human murdered by her ex husband. She becomes a demon in charge of torturing sinful souls.
She is summoned to take an a job that angels failed to execute and if she fails the whole world will be over
Going back Earth, she meets three hot supernatural who each coincidently lost their mates long ago and also coincidently, Fury is their Fated mate.
Other supernatural are out to kill Fury because someone told them that she is the catalyst that would destroy the world
As I mentioned, if I hadn't listened to the audio I would have DNFed this book or rated it lower since there were a lot of talking and inner thoughts. If reading, I would have found it boring tbh. But listening to the audio, the narrators really brought the characters to life and it was as if watching a series.
As much talk about how strong Fury is and that she is even stronger than her mates, we never see her ever impressive strength! She is easily killed (she can't die die), kidnapped, poisoned, manipulated etc etc. I was waiting to see her live up to her name, but it didn't happen
I also think that she had a better deep connection with Ezra than Dorian and Roman
So maybe in the next book we'll see her powers???
December 1, 2021
Ok fam.
This book was enjoyable, easy to digest no brain juice was used int he reading of this material.
Iv forgotten how to do spoiler tag so .. reader beware
But for me it was trope city let’s count them shall we
💥overly dramatic BROODING wolf alpha
💥desperate to impress vampire alpha
💥distant and aloof fae lord
💥heroine with chip on her shoulder and commitment issues
💥”bad arse” I hate shopping I am so hardcore I only drink hard core alcohol and is a alcoholic heroine
💥instant bond with all three
I am left curious how her ex managed to become an angel, which I assume is the plot twist there !?
Anyway. Look it was fine.
This book was enjoyable, easy to digest no brain juice was used int he reading of this material.
Iv forgotten how to do spoiler tag so .. reader beware
But for me it was trope city let’s count them shall we
💥overly dramatic BROODING wolf alpha
💥desperate to impress vampire alpha
💥distant and aloof fae lord
💥heroine with chip on her shoulder and commitment issues
💥”bad arse” I hate shopping I am so hardcore I only drink hard core alcohol and is a alcoholic heroine
💥instant bond with all three
I am left curious how her ex managed to become an angel, which I assume is the plot twist there !?
Anyway. Look it was fine.
![Profile Image for Andrea ☾ [is inconsistently consistant].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1642113904i%2F116166019._UY200_CR2%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 28, 2023
4 ⭐️ A demon, a werewolf, a vampire and a fae walk into a bar... and end up mated.
This was one of the coolest fantasy books I've read in a while. It's contemporary, which I love, and it has the most amazing, badass, f*ck-around-and-find-out fmc EVER! Also, I love FMMM books, but this book was mostly about world building and the mystery rather than the actual romantic entanglements. It was lighter on the spice than I was anticipating, too.
Definitely recommend, though, and I'm 100% continuing with this series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️🌶️ / 5
This was one of the coolest fantasy books I've read in a while. It's contemporary, which I love, and it has the most amazing, badass, f*ck-around-and-find-out fmc EVER! Also, I love FMMM books, but this book was mostly about world building and the mystery rather than the actual romantic entanglements. It was lighter on the spice than I was anticipating, too.
Definitely recommend, though, and I'm 100% continuing with this series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️🌶️ / 5
Read
November 2, 2022DNF at 70%.
One word: Snoozefest.
One word: Snoozefest.
February 19, 2022
2.6✨ yk what this was actually pretty good 🪢
book’s about demon girl’s last mission before her retirement after more than a decade working for hell. the mission requires her to go back to earth and there she unexpectedly met her mates (a wolf vamp & fae. what r the odds theyre all powerful alphas? idk its just the way it is)
i was kinda hoping hades the crow would be one of her harem but well
’Taylor’s knees hit the sticky floor. I tapped under his chin with the end of the pool stick, making him lift his head.
“I believe you promised to suck a dick if I won,” I said, grabbing his jaw with one hand and prying it open. “I guess you can suck mine if you’re so insistent on getting a little action.”
I shoved the butt of the pool stick between his lips and let it slide back until I hit the tight barrier of his throat.
Taylor coughed, and his eyes watered.
“Uh huh,” I singsonged, “I like it deep-throated.”
heroines pretty badass and not meek (she also cant die) so overall like i said, pretty solid if ure looking for a good pnr rh
btw her 3 mates were apparently the ones seen in the prophecy gonna end the world, so demon girl was sent to earth to kill em, which got complicated after she found out shes their second chance mate (previous girl all got killed)
not rlly hitting for me but it might for u
book’s about demon girl’s last mission before her retirement after more than a decade working for hell. the mission requires her to go back to earth and there she unexpectedly met her mates (a wolf vamp & fae. what r the odds theyre all powerful alphas? idk its just the way it is)
i was kinda hoping hades the crow would be one of her harem but well
’Taylor’s knees hit the sticky floor. I tapped under his chin with the end of the pool stick, making him lift his head.
“I believe you promised to suck a dick if I won,” I said, grabbing his jaw with one hand and prying it open. “I guess you can suck mine if you’re so insistent on getting a little action.”
I shoved the butt of the pool stick between his lips and let it slide back until I hit the tight barrier of his throat.
Taylor coughed, and his eyes watered.
“Uh huh,” I singsonged, “I like it deep-throated.”
heroines pretty badass and not meek (she also cant die) so overall like i said, pretty solid if ure looking for a good pnr rh
btw her 3 mates were apparently the ones seen in the prophecy gonna end the world, so demon girl was sent to earth to kill em, which got complicated after she found out shes their second chance mate (previous girl all got killed)
not rlly hitting for me but it might for u
November 20, 2024
**Highly recommend the audiobook**
Reverse Harem where all the love interests are tied for best boy
Reverse Harem where all the love interests are tied for best boy
February 2, 2021
This book was fantastic, I loved every single moment and hated to put it down. The plot is unique, I haven't read anything like this before. I loved Fury and all her snark, and best of all I had no idea where this story was going but I was having a good time while reading it, this story had me laughing and that is such a good thing in a book.
Authors Kel Carpenter and Aurelia Jane have a series together, Dark Horse is the first book in the A Demon's Guide to the Afterlife series. It's a multiple point-of-view reverse harem paranormal romance set in modern-day Huston, Texas. The story centers on Fury who is dead and a demon. The afterlife is run like a company and Fury has spent her afterlife as a demon rehabilitating human souls waiting for retirement when the bosses upstairs give her an assignment she just can pass up. All Fury has to do is this one job and she's out, ready for retirement well the joke is on her when a werewolf, a fae, and a vampire walk into a bar... haha. Things get a little hairy from there.
Fury is a great character, she is smart, snarky, mostly honest, honorable, but is so very human. She believes in helping people, in rehabilitation and is a hard worker. She doesn't let anyone control her, she takes charge and can play mind games with the best of them. She's almost like a supernatural therapist, how she can get inside of people and see what makes them tick. However, she also has a violent side and the air around her seems charged.
In this reverse harem there are three guys, each very different from the other but somehow have something that Fury needs in her life but they need her as well. Roman is steady, is the family type, and needs someone to protect, not that she will have it. Dorian is smart, likes a challenge, and needs challenging. Finally, there is Ezra, who is my favorite, he is smart, cunning, and playful, he needs someone to be there with him. I am just starting to get to know the guys and I am excited to get to know more from them in the next book.
The story was great, as I said I love to laugh and this book made me laugh but it also had me guessing. I couldn't figure out the plot and I wasn't really trying to this time. I was just enjoying the story, the back and forth between Fury and the guys, the action, and the mystery. All of it drew me in especially Fury's personality, something about her I just like and her commentary was pretty good at times. Getting a look at the human afterlife was interesting and kinda depressing (haha) but I want to know more about the supernatural world. I wanna know more about Roman's pack, Ezra's clan, and Dorian's people. I want more magic and more information about the rest of the supernatural world. I hoping I get it in the next book.
Dark Horse is defined as a candidate or competitor about whom little is known but who unexpectedly wins or succeeds. Fury is most definitely the dark horse in this book and the craziness has just started beginning. I am looking forward to more fun and dangerous times with Fury and everyone, not to mention more of Hades, Fury needs to build her relationships. The ending had one heck of a plot twist and I cannot tell you how ready I am for the next book.
Authors Kel Carpenter and Aurelia Jane have a series together, Dark Horse is the first book in the A Demon's Guide to the Afterlife series. It's a multiple point-of-view reverse harem paranormal romance set in modern-day Huston, Texas. The story centers on Fury who is dead and a demon. The afterlife is run like a company and Fury has spent her afterlife as a demon rehabilitating human souls waiting for retirement when the bosses upstairs give her an assignment she just can pass up. All Fury has to do is this one job and she's out, ready for retirement well the joke is on her when a werewolf, a fae, and a vampire walk into a bar... haha. Things get a little hairy from there.
Fury is a great character, she is smart, snarky, mostly honest, honorable, but is so very human. She believes in helping people, in rehabilitation and is a hard worker. She doesn't let anyone control her, she takes charge and can play mind games with the best of them. She's almost like a supernatural therapist, how she can get inside of people and see what makes them tick. However, she also has a violent side and the air around her seems charged.
In this reverse harem there are three guys, each very different from the other but somehow have something that Fury needs in her life but they need her as well. Roman is steady, is the family type, and needs someone to protect, not that she will have it. Dorian is smart, likes a challenge, and needs challenging. Finally, there is Ezra, who is my favorite, he is smart, cunning, and playful, he needs someone to be there with him. I am just starting to get to know the guys and I am excited to get to know more from them in the next book.
The story was great, as I said I love to laugh and this book made me laugh but it also had me guessing. I couldn't figure out the plot and I wasn't really trying to this time. I was just enjoying the story, the back and forth between Fury and the guys, the action, and the mystery. All of it drew me in especially Fury's personality, something about her I just like and her commentary was pretty good at times. Getting a look at the human afterlife was interesting and kinda depressing (haha) but I want to know more about the supernatural world. I wanna know more about Roman's pack, Ezra's clan, and Dorian's people. I want more magic and more information about the rest of the supernatural world. I hoping I get it in the next book.
Dark Horse is defined as a candidate or competitor about whom little is known but who unexpectedly wins or succeeds. Fury is most definitely the dark horse in this book and the craziness has just started beginning. I am looking forward to more fun and dangerous times with Fury and everyone, not to mention more of Hades, Fury needs to build her relationships. The ending had one heck of a plot twist and I cannot tell you how ready I am for the next book.
March 16, 2021
DNF
It started off really well for me, but then it got really limp and boring.
It started off really well for me, but then it got really limp and boring.
January 12, 2022
I just loved this one!
I don't think I've ever read anything like it.
It had me laughing my head of at some parts and making me feel all kinds of things.
I just loved this book!
I don't think I've ever read anything like it.
It had me laughing my head of at some parts and making me feel all kinds of things.
I just loved this book!
December 7, 2025
Fury is now a demon in the afterlife, once human she was murdered by her husband and has since dedicated her life to rehabilitation and her methods are certainly unorthodox. Her success rates though speak for themselves. When she's requested for a special assignment on Earth she initially baulks. But when she discovers it's a free pass to her own early retirement she's instantly on board. The mission is simple go to Earth and rehabilitate three Supes, a Wolf Shifter. A Vampire and a Fae. They are prophesied to end the world and all others gone before Fury have failed to turn the tide. So Fury along with her sidekick a talking ashole Crow head to Houston let the fun begin.
Not sure about this one I did like the humour but I'm not usually a fan of this more jokey type of paranormal romance. This is also a reverse harem which I'm partial to but it wasn't quite doing it for me here. With the exception of Ezra, I don't think there was much chemistry between the characters. Fury’s bond with Dorian and Roman just wasn't there and though I did find the overall story intriguing the flat romantic component impacted my enjoyment and I just wasn't that invested. I will attempt to read the second just to see if things improve for me but there would need to be a dramatic change in the direction of the romance to get me on board.
The writing was fine I just think this isn't my style of fiction and that ok. I prefer my paranormal romance to be more serious in tone which this wasn't. Also as much as I initially liked Fury’s sass and attitude it got old fast and then she just veered into irritating territory. Overall though this was imaginative and I did like the core story.
Not sure about this one I did like the humour but I'm not usually a fan of this more jokey type of paranormal romance. This is also a reverse harem which I'm partial to but it wasn't quite doing it for me here. With the exception of Ezra, I don't think there was much chemistry between the characters. Fury’s bond with Dorian and Roman just wasn't there and though I did find the overall story intriguing the flat romantic component impacted my enjoyment and I just wasn't that invested. I will attempt to read the second just to see if things improve for me but there would need to be a dramatic change in the direction of the romance to get me on board.
The writing was fine I just think this isn't my style of fiction and that ok. I prefer my paranormal romance to be more serious in tone which this wasn't. Also as much as I initially liked Fury’s sass and attitude it got old fast and then she just veered into irritating territory. Overall though this was imaginative and I did like the core story.
July 1, 2025
This was such an entertaining read. I started reading it yesterday while I was getting tattooed and just couldn't put it down. I loved the characters but, my favorites are Fury, Roxanne, and Ezra. I loved the friendship between Fury and Roxanne. The atmosphere and vibes were crazy, chaotic and simply fun. I am glad I gave this book a chance.
February 8, 2021
This book! WOW! It was amazing! 5 Million stars.
There are books where you look at the page number/ percentage all the time and it doesn’t seem to go forward. You don’t seem to make any progress. And then there are books where you’re surprised you’re already at 50% of the book and also a little scared, because it went by way too quickly and you *try* to slow down and savour the words, but it is just not possible. Dark Horse was one of the latter for sure!
Dark Horse has everything my fangirl heart loves. A badass female lead, all the supernatural creatures I love, banter, sarcasm, a snarky animal companion, fated mates and lots of hot and powerful alpha males.😉🔥
You start reading this book and you are immediately thrown into the story and into a weird and absolutely fantastic first scene. That definitely was a great way to make an impression. 😂
I found myself smirking non-stop, because honestly? Fury (our MC) is a demon from the Afterlife, whose job it is to rehabilitate bad souls like murderers by punishing them and she is REALLY good at her job! She is also pretty hilarious. Her comebacks made me laugh out loud and because she doesn’t mince words. (Is that how the saying goes in English? 😂) She is strong - stronger than any other supernaturals, because basically demons are the most badass magical beings and she loves playing with her “prey” (or simply with those that rub her the wrong way).
And to top it all off, Fury finds herself stuck with a talking crow companion she didn’t ask for and that talks back big time.😂 Hades (yes, the crow’s name is Hades lol) is hilarious and honestly I want to see so much more of him in book 2. He always provides a funny twist on things.
And then - of course - we have our hot and powerful alphas. I won’t tell you too much about them, other that they will supposedly destroy the world and Fury it sent to punish/rehabilitate them before they end all of humanity, but ohhh… they are a real treat.
To sum it up, what does Dark Horse give us?
It gives us different supernatural species. Demons, Witches, Shifters, Vampires, Fae and … more?
We have a reverse harem situation with some sexy alphas.
It provides us with some steamy scenes!
We get sarcastic humor, fluent writing and just general awesomeness!
I. Need. More.
There are books where you look at the page number/ percentage all the time and it doesn’t seem to go forward. You don’t seem to make any progress. And then there are books where you’re surprised you’re already at 50% of the book and also a little scared, because it went by way too quickly and you *try* to slow down and savour the words, but it is just not possible. Dark Horse was one of the latter for sure!
Dark Horse has everything my fangirl heart loves. A badass female lead, all the supernatural creatures I love, banter, sarcasm, a snarky animal companion, fated mates and lots of hot and powerful alpha males.😉🔥
You start reading this book and you are immediately thrown into the story and into a weird and absolutely fantastic first scene. That definitely was a great way to make an impression. 😂
I found myself smirking non-stop, because honestly? Fury (our MC) is a demon from the Afterlife, whose job it is to rehabilitate bad souls like murderers by punishing them and she is REALLY good at her job! She is also pretty hilarious. Her comebacks made me laugh out loud and because she doesn’t mince words. (Is that how the saying goes in English? 😂) She is strong - stronger than any other supernaturals, because basically demons are the most badass magical beings and she loves playing with her “prey” (or simply with those that rub her the wrong way).
And to top it all off, Fury finds herself stuck with a talking crow companion she didn’t ask for and that talks back big time.😂 Hades (yes, the crow’s name is Hades lol) is hilarious and honestly I want to see so much more of him in book 2. He always provides a funny twist on things.
And then - of course - we have our hot and powerful alphas. I won’t tell you too much about them, other that they will supposedly destroy the world and Fury it sent to punish/rehabilitate them before they end all of humanity, but ohhh… they are a real treat.
To sum it up, what does Dark Horse give us?
It gives us different supernatural species. Demons, Witches, Shifters, Vampires, Fae and … more?
We have a reverse harem situation with some sexy alphas.
It provides us with some steamy scenes!
We get sarcastic humor, fluent writing and just general awesomeness!
I. Need. More.
December 14, 2021
Vampires and shifters and far, oh my!
I had fun getting to know this heroine and the people that surround her. I like that although the link with Roman, Ezra, and Dorian was there, there was no installed. I like the idea of possibility so much more. I'm curious to see where this story is headed and can't wait for the next one!
I had fun getting to know this heroine and the people that surround her. I like that although the link with Roman, Ezra, and Dorian was there, there was no installed. I like the idea of possibility so much more. I'm curious to see where this story is headed and can't wait for the next one!
Read
March 7, 2021DNF 75%
I'll pick this book back up in a couple of months.
Its not you book, its me :(
I'll pick this book back up in a couple of months.
Its not you book, its me :(
January 4, 2025
1.5 stars
well, i’ve officially read my first disappointment of 2025👍 safe to say i will not be continuing the trilogy even with it ending on a cliffhanger. probably one of the most boring, dull books i’ve read.
idk how to explain it, but for some reason this doesn’t feel like it’s a book at all but instead more like a tv show? and idk if that’s a good or bad thing, but i personally wasn’t a fan of it.
this was kind of funny and entertaining at first, but i just feel absolutely nothing for any of the love interests which is a bummer. if i’m being completely honest, i don’t care about a single character. any of them could have died and i wouldn’t even bat an eye. the characters fell sooooo beyond flat. i couldn’t tell you a single personality trait about any of them except that the fmc has a drinking problem and thinks it’s quirky.
there is a plot to it, but at the same time it feels like a whole lot of nothing is actually happening when there’s so much potential for it to be good. the premise is intriguing but the execution leaves sm to be desired. i don’t understand how i read over 400 pages yet feel like literally NOTHING happened.
well, i’ve officially read my first disappointment of 2025👍 safe to say i will not be continuing the trilogy even with it ending on a cliffhanger. probably one of the most boring, dull books i’ve read.
idk how to explain it, but for some reason this doesn’t feel like it’s a book at all but instead more like a tv show? and idk if that’s a good or bad thing, but i personally wasn’t a fan of it.
this was kind of funny and entertaining at first, but i just feel absolutely nothing for any of the love interests which is a bummer. if i’m being completely honest, i don’t care about a single character. any of them could have died and i wouldn’t even bat an eye. the characters fell sooooo beyond flat. i couldn’t tell you a single personality trait about any of them except that the fmc has a drinking problem and thinks it’s quirky.
there is a plot to it, but at the same time it feels like a whole lot of nothing is actually happening when there’s so much potential for it to be good. the premise is intriguing but the execution leaves sm to be desired. i don’t understand how i read over 400 pages yet feel like literally NOTHING happened.
Read
December 28, 2020Author's Note: This is an adult paranormal romance series with multiple love interests and some dark elements. If you don't like strong but flawed women and alphahole heroes that need to learn a thing or two about boundaries--this book is not for you.
There is a preorder reward for those that preorder. Fill out the google form below to get a custom bookplate signed by the authors: https://forms.gle/zgQQCuWUXtLbTyxNA
This book is a full-length 400+ page novel.
It is steamy.
It's also quite funny.
Just a little dark.
If you're interested in receiving an ARC please join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kelskrew
There is a preorder reward for those that preorder. Fill out the google form below to get a custom bookplate signed by the authors: https://forms.gle/zgQQCuWUXtLbTyxNA
This book is a full-length 400+ page novel.
It is steamy.
It's also quite funny.
Just a little dark.
If you're interested in receiving an ARC please join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kelskrew
December 30, 2021
if read the next few books, and there is fucking FADE TO BLACK on my smut.
I'm going to start throwing shit.
November 3, 2025
Audio:
5 stars for Savannah Gilmore
5 stars for Adam Gold
Book: 4 stars for series
I was hooked from book 1 and I read the full complete series book so it all blended together haha!
I wished that we had some spinoff series with the other characters!
5 stars for Savannah Gilmore
5 stars for Adam Gold
Book: 4 stars for series
I was hooked from book 1 and I read the full complete series book so it all blended together haha!
I wished that we had some spinoff series with the other characters!
February 6, 2021
Wicked hilarious
This was sooooooo good! What a crazy freaking ride! Crazy engaging storyline, sexy delicious men, but the real gem is the heroine herself. She had me constantly rolling! Her sharp like a whip comments to everyone and every moment was just to freaking perfect. I love a strong female roll, and making a alpha wolf deep throat a pool stick, well, I fell in love baby! It's been awhile since a book has totally taking over my life to the point I can't put it down. And this one had me wrapped around it's wicked little finger. I can not wait to read more of this craziness, definitely a book I won't be forgetting anytime soon.
This was sooooooo good! What a crazy freaking ride! Crazy engaging storyline, sexy delicious men, but the real gem is the heroine herself. She had me constantly rolling! Her sharp like a whip comments to everyone and every moment was just to freaking perfect. I love a strong female roll, and making a alpha wolf deep throat a pool stick, well, I fell in love baby! It's been awhile since a book has totally taking over my life to the point I can't put it down. And this one had me wrapped around it's wicked little finger. I can not wait to read more of this craziness, definitely a book I won't be forgetting anytime soon.
April 13, 2021
A bit of a slow start, but once it starts I really enjoyed the book. Fury is my kind of heroine, who didn’t take crap from her mates, which was refreshing. I hate true mate books where the heroine can no longer control herself, with her body betraying her. Fury had some feelings but she could control herself. This was a med/slow burn for me, which I enjoy. There was more focus on the plot than the sexy times.
Definitely looking forward to the next installment!
Definitely looking forward to the next installment!
December 16, 2021
AMAZING! I can't wait for the next book to drop.
July 16, 2021
There's a lot I could say about this book. The first? I never knew this, but I really enjoy a FMC that can die over and over again and just pop back into life with a, "Surprise, bitch!" Combined with the fact that Fury can take a joke, make a good joke, and isn't the classic stone-cold snappy RH heroine, I actually really like her.
And Ezra. I usually go for the unapproachable, dark, possessively angry men because I'm a fucked up bitch like that, but Ezra was definitely the one I connected to the most in this novel, even before he figured out Fury's real identity as a demon before the rest and offered her a shoulder to rest her head on. Roman bothers me for obvious reasons, but I understand why he is the way he is, and he's still hot as fuck. I just don't know enough about Dorian to comment, but I'm definitely interested in knowing more, specifically about how his history as one of the oldest-living Fae plays into his character and the way he presents himself as a whole.
Overall, I really like the group of characters as a whole. I like the way Carpenter has managed to make them dark but still maintain a level of humanity, even though all the beings in this novel are far from human. There weren't too many grammatical mistakes that I could catch and so Dark Horse was genuinely a pleasure to read.
I do, however, believe that Carpenter rushed the entire last quarter of the book. She could've tugged out the ending twists to at least the second novel, and I think the fact that some things were revealed simply too early was enough to take the next book off the priority list on my TBR and knock off a star.
Three stars. Not too shabby, Carpenter. I look forward to reading the rest of the series sometime in the future,
And Ezra. I usually go for the unapproachable, dark, possessively angry men because I'm a fucked up bitch like that, but Ezra was definitely the one I connected to the most in this novel, even before he figured out Fury's real identity as a demon before the rest and offered her a shoulder to rest her head on. Roman bothers me for obvious reasons, but I understand why he is the way he is, and he's still hot as fuck. I just don't know enough about Dorian to comment, but I'm definitely interested in knowing more, specifically about how his history as one of the oldest-living Fae plays into his character and the way he presents himself as a whole.
Overall, I really like the group of characters as a whole. I like the way Carpenter has managed to make them dark but still maintain a level of humanity, even though all the beings in this novel are far from human. There weren't too many grammatical mistakes that I could catch and so Dark Horse was genuinely a pleasure to read.
I do, however, believe that Carpenter rushed the entire last quarter of the book. She could've tugged out the ending twists to at least the second novel, and I think the fact that some things were revealed simply too early was enough to take the next book off the priority list on my TBR and knock off a star.
Three stars. Not too shabby, Carpenter. I look forward to reading the rest of the series sometime in the future,
February 24, 2021
4.25.
This was the most I've enjoyed a RH book for a long time and it reminded me why I used to love the genre so much.
It took me a little while to warm up to Fury, our FMC. I was worried at the start she'd be your shallow, archetypal snarky, ballsy UF heroine who lacks any depth, but I feel like her layers were peeled back slightly as the book progressed. I would have liked a little more of this and I think it is what made this not a 4.5 star read.
I really liked the Harem and their dynamic. The three guys were all distinct from one naother with their own eo4oabaloties that didn't feel like your typical RH tropes e.g. the geeky one, the alpha hole the jokey one that you tend to get in most cookie cutter RH. I liked that they knew each other but didn't really get on and were sort of forced to. Ezra was definitely my favourite. I also liked the fact that it is a slow/medium burn, despite the mates thing, which isn't usually something I like.
This was an entertaining, funny, absorbing and quick read that I definitely recommend and look forward to the next one!
This was the most I've enjoyed a RH book for a long time and it reminded me why I used to love the genre so much.
It took me a little while to warm up to Fury, our FMC. I was worried at the start she'd be your shallow, archetypal snarky, ballsy UF heroine who lacks any depth, but I feel like her layers were peeled back slightly as the book progressed. I would have liked a little more of this and I think it is what made this not a 4.5 star read.
I really liked the Harem and their dynamic. The three guys were all distinct from one naother with their own eo4oabaloties that didn't feel like your typical RH tropes e.g. the geeky one, the alpha hole the jokey one that you tend to get in most cookie cutter RH. I liked that they knew each other but didn't really get on and were sort of forced to. Ezra was definitely my favourite. I also liked the fact that it is a slow/medium burn, despite the mates thing, which isn't usually something I like.
This was an entertaining, funny, absorbing and quick read that I definitely recommend and look forward to the next one!
June 19, 2023
OK, wow! I didn't expect this to be a page turning gem of a book.
FMC is sassy, funny, strong, and an undercover demon on the living side of this existence.
The three MMCs are intriguing, and all have their own pain. It is not a rejected mate story. In fact, you don't think it's going to be about mates, really, when the story leads with what it does.
There is some smut and wow what a lucky fury to get what I read about 😏
I think I will binge this series. It may become another fav of mine!
Not too much darkness, just a tad mention of abuse, but no description. Not too much spice, just a tad of hot moments, and I wish for more description (my smutdar craves what it craves 🤷🏿♀️). Not too much instantly in love, just a tad of falling while trying to discover what is going on. Lots of funny, chuckle randomly moments.In all a mixture of a great book and potentially great series
4.6 stars
FMC is sassy, funny, strong, and an undercover demon on the living side of this existence.
The three MMCs are intriguing, and all have their own pain. It is not a rejected mate story. In fact, you don't think it's going to be about mates, really, when the story leads with what it does.
There is some smut and wow what a lucky fury to get what I read about 😏
I think I will binge this series. It may become another fav of mine!
Not too much darkness, just a tad mention of abuse, but no description. Not too much spice, just a tad of hot moments, and I wish for more description (my smutdar craves what it craves 🤷🏿♀️). Not too much instantly in love, just a tad of falling while trying to discover what is going on. Lots of funny, chuckle randomly moments.In all a mixture of a great book and potentially great series
4.6 stars
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