Demi Mondaine: Volume One

by N.R. Mayfield

Life at the fringe of society was all Demi had hoped for after her years of military service yielded nothing but nightmares, dust-covered medals, and a chilling moniker—the Butcher of Khost.

But when Demi’s days of drinking and self-loathing are interrupted by a pair of border-hopping witches, she finds herself pulled into a world of shapeshifters, ghosts, and monsters. Can Demi harness her old demons and put them to good use… or is she just another monster lurking in the dark?

In this collection of twelve stories, follow Demi and her fellow hunters as they take on cartel coyotes, a hypnotic curse, and the mother of all ghouls. And when a demon slips free from Hell, it may just be more than even Demi can handle.

Genres: Dystopia

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 16, 2021

Reviews

[Jacia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like the humor and characters were very Supernatural, but I think that every character had the same sort of sarcasm and rudeness. The chapters all had the same tone and I got bored quite a few times. There is plenty to read if you like interconnected short stories— though, the blurb that made me download it said it was reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and I didn’t get those vibes at all.

[Chasity · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I was recommended to me by Voracious Readers Only.

Spice: 🌶🌶.5

Story overview:

This story follows an ex-soldier who becomes a hunter of monsters.

Thoughts:

If you enjoy the TV show Supernatural, then this will be up your alley. You get to see both sides of the story from the perspective of the hunter/hunted. There are some editing errors, but I enjoyed the story overall, but the ending had me scratching my head a little bit.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demi and her unit were in the middle of nowhere. She raised her infrared binoculars to her eyes and stared down at the stretch of chain-link fence she and her unit were tasked with protecting. But there was nothing to see as they watched the border. Then three heavy military transport vehicles pulled up on the Mexican side of the fence. She couldn’t figure why Sergeant Casey was opening the fence and letting them roll in! Her team was speculating that this looked like the cartel! Whatever it was, Casey told them it was above their paygrade and just ignore it. She might have done that… until they came back and crossed the Mexican border again less than an hour later!

This is the beginning of the first of 12 stories. Needless to say, it gets intriguing fast and pulls the reader right in. The characters are portrayed well, giving the reader confidence in Demi to keep an eye on things – because her attention is definitely on those trucks now and she wants to know what they are up to.

And when she finds herself drawn into a world of witches, shapeshifters, ghosts, and monsters, will Demi be ready to take them on?

In this collection of twelve stories, we will be following Demi and her fellow hunters as they take on cartel coyotes, a hypnotic curse, and a not so nice ghoul. And amid all this action, when a demon slips out of Hell, it may be the final straw that defeats even Demi. Grab your copy and enjoy the stories! Lots of action and adventure, but Demi and her crew seem very capable.

[Coral Forster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the premise of this book to be intriguing. It reminded me of the TV series Supernatural. A flawed female lead character, with a supporting cast of not so nice humans. The good guys aren't much better than the bad guys, except they kill fewer people. Demi seems to have enough of her own demons, so when she takes on an actual demon and survives, are we wrong to wish that her newfound killing career continues?
I found the narrative to be well written, although the segues between chapters was a bit rough. I didn't care for the dialogue, it seemed as if it was written by a different person. The world of the demi-monde is mysterious and seedy. The dialogue isn't.
I found it not to my taste, but that shouldn't stop anyone else from giving this book a try.
I received a free copy from the author and Voracious Readers Only.

[Katie Romeo · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little weird, but interesting premise for a book. While the story was somewhat intriguing, the main character was entirely unlikeable and very had to connect with and want to root for. There were also jarring breaks in between the main story and side stories, and gaps of time which were referred back to, but didn't actually happen in the book. It was very hard to understand the relationships between all the characters. The beginning of the story also seemed very out of place and didn't do much to introduce the reader to the world or the main character. If the story were more flushed out and had more details into their early times together, as well as a little more insight into the gaps, it would have flowed a bit better.

Received as a complimentary copy via Voracious Readers.

[Nicola Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What do we do?" Bailey asked. "How do we stop this?"

"The only way I know how," Demi said. "I'm gonna shoot someone."

This book is great! It's like the TV show Supernatural, only with a female version of Dean. I totally love her. Demi is a hot mess, and total badass.

Different stories are masterfully interwoven, each chapter engaging and suspenseful. Excellent writing. You'll be sucked right into this monster hunting world...

[BAM xo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received a complimentary copy of this book from VRO.

Sooo..
When I first started reading this book,no thought it was interesting, then as it went on I thought it was so intense, but in a good way, it was throwing out some Supernatural/Buffy vibes, I ADORE both those TV shows. So it was a huge hit for me.
I mean you can't go wrong with a bit of monster hunting. Am i right, guys and ghouls? Scooby gang for life.

The world building here was epic, I don't know how Mayfield did it, but I was right there kicking butt alongside our heroes. It was such a comical, dramatic and thoughtful adventure.

The beginning of the book is quite intense, the overall themes running through this book change rapidly from beginning to end.
From the start we get a story involving veterans, cartel, PTSD, then we move forth to sex slaves/trafficking, then onto some monster hunting, then serial killing, then for any smutty fans, at the end chapters of the book it turns into a serious smutfest.
Like, I wasn't expecting that AT ALL. I don't think the book needed it IMO. The book would have been solid, without such graphic content coming in like a slap to the face. (That's why you lose a star) Although it was well written, I'd have liked to see what could have been done with those pages without the snu-snu.

The ending was like a punch to the bloody gut. Not gonna lie, seething through my teeth that you did my man Seabiscuit like that. 💔
I'd have liked to have seen the journey continue for the trio.
Also, what the hell happened to Vera? She just stopped appearing? And got no further mention.

So overall, it was a great story, needed less smut, took me on an epic adventure.

Would I recommend? Yes
Would I read the rest of the series? Probably not, now you deaded Seabiscuit. I'm heartbroken.
You heartless fiend.😭
4* solid stars for you.

Thank you for giving me a chance to read your book, and I look forward to more of your work in the future.

[Mc Chanster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this novel, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised!

Demi is a military veteran who loved her job. At least, she did until one day she realized things weren’t… right with what she did. Now plagued with nightmares and penchant for all things alcoholic, Demi is constantly on the verge of self-destructing. And this is all before the witches, ghouls and demons show up. Then things get interesting.

All things considered, I actually quite liked Demi as a main overall. Sure, she’s a lot of a hot mess, but she’s strong and independent. I wasn’t particularly fond of how she treated the people around her, but I do love how she’s a total badass when dealing with monsters and the creepy crawlies. The author’s choice to split up the novel into short stories was, in my opinion, a smart one. With the introduction of new characters and the variety of evils, the breaks allowed me a bit of breathing room and made it easier to connect. It also made it much more of an impact when Demi appeared since she’s not in every story. Full of action, adventure and questionable decisions, Demi Mondaine is definitely a worthwhile read!

Thank you Voracious Readers and NR Mayfield for my copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cara Sanders · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a female-led fanfic of Supernatural, but full of unnecessary vulgarity. While the stories are as fun as the show, there was no need to include step-family sexual relationships, or a dad who loved his little girl too much, amongst other things.

Main character is a female Dean, after he's returned from hell and acquired a taste for torture. Demi's hell was as a torture-interrogator in the military, but with the same duality of hating how much she loves what she does, and how good she is at it.

There are some great supporting characters that come and go, just like the show. Owens seems like Demi's Bobby, with Doug being the positive personality traits of early Sam. Although, Demi and Doug don't have the same family bond that keeps them together above all else - rather they served together for a time in a corrupt military unit.

If you're a fan of Supernatural, and you don't mind the smut, you'll probably love this. Lots of action, as each chapter is a different "episode". Mental anguish of trying to process Demi's deeds, and the ensuing chaos she wreaks in efforts to keep it all at bay. Decent enough read, but not interested in the next volume. Not a fan of the degrading sexual manner in which the characters are treated.

[Todd Roseweir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only for review, and here it is. Overall, I really enjoyed it. It reminded me at times of the Men in Black movies with the humorous attitude Demi and her colleagues displayed in some of the situations they found themselves in. I really got a kick out of those parts of the book. Humorous moments aside, the book did contain a lot of graphic violence and explicit content. Some people may find it excessive, but I was fine with it. At the end of the day, the genre of this book is supernatural/fantasy horror, and the entities encountered are not generally known for being wholesome and well-behaved. The main character Demi is very damaged and self-destructive, and her behavior reminded me of the title character from the Hancock movies and the character of Martin Riggs from the Lethal Weapon movies/TV shows. If you enjoyed any of the movies and/or TV shows mentioned in this review, I'm sure you will enjoy this book too. I for one am looking forward to the next one in the series.

[Traumrealistin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a reading copy for an honest review.

This was one of the strangest books I have read in a long time. It is not for the faint hearted or for lovers of positive twists and endings. The heroine is a total anti-heroine who has been corrupted inside by her actions during her time in the military. She wants to put that time behind her with its nightmares and inner demons and is drunk as soon as she can. Sex with whomever helps in the short term as well.

Through various circumstances she discovers the world of the supernatural and becomes a hunter for the beings that harm people. She has her form of conscience, but is internally troubled and torn throughout the book.

The book is a sequential collection of short stories. There is repetition and could therefore be revised accordingly. However, this does not result in a deduction of stars as the story is simply excellent. I will definitely read the second installment.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Demi Mondaine is a firecracker from page one and as the reader, you never know which way her sparks will fly; one thing you can count on, however, is her sparks being bright.

In a world concerned with appearances, step into one where the truest natures of humanity are revealed. There are no holds barred when it comes to the characters and showcasing their flaws, their trauma, and their desires. The multiple perspectives gained from each short story contributed depth to the story and helped me invest in both the lives of the hunters and the backgrounds of their supernatural prey.

Despite being outside of my preferred genres, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who wants to sink their teeth into an interesting read. But be careful, you may find yourself carrying salt and silver with you after…

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

[R. N. Headlam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Truly Spectacular Read

After reading The Driest Dust That Blows, I knew Mayfield was quickly going to become one of my favorite authors. I picked up Demi Mondaine hoping to get more of what I was given in The Driest Dust That Blows and I was not disappointed.

Frankly, the ride throughout the book was filled with twists and turns done in Mayfield's classic style of writing. Each chapter is its own story, but they all interconnect to tell the story of Demi, a veteran-turned-monster hunter.

It's not as clear-cut as you'd expect though, because you're introduced to characters who make you question reality. Still, I was quite pleased with how satisfactory everything turned out at the end of each hunt (except that last monster hunt. I almost cried, but I wouldn't want to spoil it 🙊). Five out of five stars as always.

[Mackenzie Maczko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you like the show Supernatural? Yes. Then you would like this book. It pulls you in quickly sinking its claws into your mind and captivating you as a reader to make you continue to read until you are finished. If you liked Dean (from Supernatural) then you will like Demi, the female version of him. As a hot mess and a badass. She is relatable in some ways. Every chapter was suspenseful and intriguing. N.R. Mayfield has excellent writing and I was sucked directly into the hunting world of monsters. The story was told from both the hunted and hunter's perspectives. I have already recommended this book to several people. Can't wait to read book number two.


Thank you to Voracious Readers Only for providing me with a free copy of this book in return for an Honest Unbiased Opinion of a review.

[Rachella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a free copy from the author, publisher and Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity.

This collection of interwoven short stories had me from the very beginning. There was an interesting interweaving between stories- we see what the characters are facing- demons, hauntings, etc. The next story usually involves Demi showing up and saving the day.
Demi is a badass monster hunter and anti-hero. She is strong, fierce and no-nonsense. I do wish that I would have known a bit more about her past and what broke her, as it is referenced but not explained.
Overall, a fun and adventurous read. I felt that it lived up to its premise.

[Robin Hillman · Rating 3 out of 5]

My thanks to the author and voracious readers for the free copy of this book.


I really wanted to love this. The quality of the writing was good but as another reviewer noted it is in need of some proof reading, it seemed like it was spellchecked which is a good thing but when they did some words were corrected to the wrong word, also noticed one incidence of a her that should have been a him.

I found the book meandering it felt like more than half the story was not focused on the main characters and I almost felt like I liked those parts better. I would have liked to see a lot more character development of Demi and her partner they both felt very one note, it felt like their scenes were just there to kill the monster not forward the story

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy if this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review...

I'm not going to lie...I NEED MORE! I loved this so much. The only reason it's not 5 stars is because there are a few loose ends that frustrated me and I don't know if that was on purpose or forgotten. The characters are enjoyable, the lore is on point, and I loved the connections between the background stories and our hunters. My could have done with a little more world building and a little less repetition. We are reminded of Demi's background waaay too much, to the point where I started to skip those paragraphs. Overall, highly enjoyable light read.

[Venetia Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really can't decide whether I like this book or not. I certainly enjoyed the mythology in it and the ideas were very clever. However, there was too much of the sameness to it that made it a little boring to me. Whilst I can understand that the main character was damaged and going through "stuff" the predictability of her reactions made for a predictable outcome. I would not say it was a let down but it was a little disappointing and very jumpy, sometimes it was not clear to see how things linked together. I do not think I will bother seeing how things work out for Demi or the other characters in this book.

[Sonia Jose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Author and Voracious Readers for the copy of this book.

This book provides good rollicking fun, in a supernatural and horror narrative combined with sex, drama and comedy. What more can you ask for? It did feel in parts like the Supernatural television series but with a female star in the guise of Demi Mondaine. As a heroine, Demi is flawed, but she fights like a warrior. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to those who like a female character facing demons, ghouls and other monsters.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an okay read. The author spends a lot of time giving back story fo the "cases" Demi encounters. Some of it is essential as those characters will interact with Demi, but some notice to the reader would help keep readers attention. At first it all seems unrelated and unnecessary, and I had to force myself to keep reading. It almost seemed like it was originally written as a type of screenplay for a series. If you can force yourself to stay with it, it's okay. Be forewarned, there is a bit of sex and drug use, so if that bothers you avoid this one.

[Lisa Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book to read by voracious readers. It is the kind of book I would choose to read but was left not sure after this one. I love the concept of the book, the style of writing and most of the characters but found it difficult to like the main character Demi. The idea of her story is good but just wanted to see a few more glimpses of a not so selfish Demi to have you wondering if she will redeem herself and change. I think it would have brought a bit more intrigue to her character. Will probably read the next one to see if it happens then.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like your monster hunters with attitude and a messy past, Demi Mondaine delivers. It’s got that gritty Supernatural-meets-Buffy vibe, but with more bite and darker edges. Demi’s sharp, sarcastic, and totally not here to play nice — and the world she lives in is just as brutal. Fast-paced, a little twisted, and seriously addictive. Definitely one for urban fantasy fans who like things rough around the edges.
At first the jump in each chapter to be somewhere with someone totally different is a little hard to follow - but it all makes sense in the end. Really well done.

[Hannah George Wood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full disclosure, did not finish, made it 20% of the way until I shut the book for good. Trigger warnings: child abuse, sex trafficking.

Story had promise, but read like Supernatural fanfic. Story happened very quickly, the author could have taken more pages to really develop the plot. A lot of information was dumped without background. Book has a LOT of promise, but needs work.

All of this is my opinion, so please read other reviews before making a decision to read/not read!

[AMBER CLARK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monsters, ghosts, demons, witches, and more!
If you love stories of the supernatural then this is definitely the book for you. It follows Demi a military veteran who tries to drown her past with alcohol and meaningless human connections. This is essentially a book of short stories though they are all connected by who else but Demi. Each story gets darker than the last but I enjoyed it enough to read all in one sitting. And will definitely be looking out for Volume Two.

[Miesha Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was unique and I appreciated the author's attempt at weaving multiple stories together. My biggest issue is how the book started and where it lead. Completely random and disjointed. The main character is terrible with no progression, growth or development. In fact she got worse as the book progressed. Didn't hate it but didn't love it.

**I receive a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only and am voluntarily leaving a review.**

[Sophia Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven’t already read Demi Mondaine you must! It’s was a blast reading! I love it! ❤️🤩I loved all the characters. The book 📖 has paranormal vibes and witches and haunts. It’s filled with so much adventure and stories about creatures they hunt. I so love this book so much. I received it by the Author for a review . I’m so looking forward for reading book two because it’s getting really interesting ❤️❣️

[S Spurr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demi is a military veteran & after years of service she suffers nightmares and drags around a disturbing nickname. She spends her days drinking and wallowing until she meets witches and discovers a world full of shapeshifters, ghosts, and monsters.
This is a collection of twelve stories, but they all weave together to make a great read.

VoraciousReadersOnly

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories aren't bad. But I feel like these are a rip-off of Supernatural. And the main character is just plain annoying. She drinks too much, sleeps around with strangers who end up being the bad guys, and she verbally abuses her "partners". Said partners stick around and take the abuse. Not a story I would like to continue. I'll go watch Supernatural, the characters and stories are better.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story had a woman main character and that was nice. It was almost like a couple short stories with different monsters to deal with. Demi is definitely a flawed hero but what she has been through helped her to deal with the monsters. She has to deal with her own inner demons as well as the ones on the outside.

[Jo Crosbie]

A great story, told in a unique way. The lead character - Demi Mondaine, is portrayed in a way that is realistic given her military background and the residing mental health issues around being in the military. I enjoyed her reaction to the supernatural and how she manages to navigate through this while staying true to herself. Thank you