One Savage Knight

Demon Knights #1

by Holly Roberds

Fear pounds through me every time I approach the man in room #526.

But I put on my big girl panties, and deal because I'm a nurse and helping people is all that matters.

I moved across country to a hell mouth with my fiancé who then dumped me. But I found a new job, got a new apartment, and the new me isn't going to be cowed down by some big, scary guy.

Even if he is becoming more monster than man.

Leonidas is chained up in our research hospital for everyone’s safety, since he's been infected by a demon.

This man has no last name, no past, but plenty of secrets. He insists he’s a Knight of the Light, with powers to fight the forces of darkness, and we are holding him captive.

But I can’t let him go, he needs help. The sickness is changing him, turning him into something dark and dangerous.

Then when the demon who infected Leonidas escapes and starts razing a bloody path through the hospital, I have only this knight to rely on if we want to get out alive.


One Savage Knight can be read as a standalone.

From the world of The Five Orders, comes a series of standalones tales featuring the Knights of the Light

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Demons, Paranormal Romance, Dark Romance, Magic

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2022

About the author

Holly Roberds is an Amazon Top 40 Bestselling Author of the Vegas Immortals and Lost Girls series, known for badass heroines, gut-busting laughs, and spicy romance. Holly lives in Denver but is only outdoorsy in that she drinks on patios—with a prosecco in one hand and an espresso in the other. When not writing, she’s playing D&D, sharpening her banter skills, or sinking her teeth into her husband’s very bitable arm.

Reviews

[Kassybetweenpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this. Total cover read, but I was hooked as soon as I found out our FMC was a chaotic crafting Nurse who’s family takes her time and desire to people please for granted!

This book has the nurse/patient trope, demons and society of ax wielding Knights. I was here for it👏🏽. Besty has no idea that the place she is working at is more than it seems and all hell breaks loose when a demon gets out and rampages through the hospital. She has to rely on her extremely violent patient to both help save and find this demon who’s taken a liking to her. I can’t wait to see what book two is going to be about I have some theories 😄

[Brenda Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting story with strong well developed characters. The author does a wonderful job building the story and pulling you in with this exciting story line. It's well written,moves fluidly and is a great read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Marley Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love this book, this book is hot. Please get a fan. The hot scenes are hot. I better not tell you anymore . please enjoy.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @15%

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than the blurb and a couple of posts about this story I really didn’t know much about it. I haven’t read the previous stories from the author where this is a spin off of that world. Didn’t matter though, this story is a medium paced, paranormal romance, redemption tale. I loved that Betsy figured out that she was the only one that could help Leonidas before he told her. Even through her chaotic crafting mania, her ex that made me crazy, and the sisters that were in the background telling her what to do, I just adore her. For paranormal romance readers, this book fits the bill.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish we could do half stars, but it's an easy read.

Rebecca works as a nurse in a facility that helps treat people from possession or supernatural infections. She ends up in the middle of a power struggle while trying to find her own identity and create boundaries.

[Elizabeth]

Did not finish at 29%. This book is fine but it’s just feeling like a slog to read and I just don’t feel like putting in that energy.

[MaRiSa · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Who the heck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Décidément j’aime les livres de cette autrice !
C’est toujours bien construit, drôle et addictif !
J’ai adoré ce premier stand alone de la série et j’ai hâte de lire le second !

[Roe's Reads & Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author has been popping up on my socials for a while, so I thought I'd give it a go.
This book was about a 3.75 star for me, so I rounded up to a 4 on goodreads.
The book was fast-paced and punchy. There was a great storyline. The reason for the 3.75 was because it was a little predictable but still a super fun read!

[Angela Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Savage Knight was a fun and fast read. If Goodreads allowed for half stars this would be a 3.5 star read for me. I liked it, and I believe I will be adding the other books from this series to my TBR. Betty and Leo were really fun characters. They were well developed and quirky. Just the way I like them. I believe I would have like this story better if I had read the books that came before. The magic and world building in the Urban Fantasy was a little abrupt and I feel like Leonidas's Magical Order was probably better explained in previous novels. This book can be read as a stand alone, and I did read it in a day so it was enjoyable.

[Amy]

DNF at 28%
I find Betsy annoying. She has no sense of preservation at all. One second she’s convinced the crap Leo is saying is because he’s infected, the next she’s wondering why he didn’t tell the doctors who he was when he clearly did.
There wasn’t much world building either. I want to know more about their world after the demons or whatever are released and hope they appear. With just no information on Leo’s mission I find myself bored.
The only way for me to not finish a book is if I just don’t care to find out what happens in the end. This book is a prime example. I can’t stick it out any longer.

[Amy Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Warning: NOT a standalone

It is a major pet peeve of mine when a book is labeled a stand alone and it is actually a spin off. Half the book has characters and plots from a previous series that I did not know existed. If you’ve read them, great. I’m sure this book was much better for you.

This book should instead be called: “Really Terrible Human Beings + 2 Doormats”. Here is the plot: almost everyone in the lives of the two main characters are either selfish to an obscene degree, and/or psychopaths. The main characters are such naive people pleasers that they allow themselves to be LITERALLY enslaved. And they fight demons to save the world. Somehow.

[2TNWalkers · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you love doormat Betsy Sue’s…this is a story for you….absolutely detested the FMC starting with the name…she was a doormat for everyone…it was not a role of helping one’s family out in a pinch, it was they relied on her to cook, clean and take care of their kids for them….they controlled her life…then it was revealed that she is the oldest…but the younger siblings control her…wow but I guess there are equal amount of doormats compare to actual strong independent women out there…and as one of the latter I don’t have any sympathy for the doormats anymore. Plus I am a Gen X…

[Maggie Darbyshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun reading.

Very entertaining. Read the series before this in the same world to understand reoccurring characters. Doesn’t feel completely flushed out but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

[Jessi Combs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. But I only liked it. I'm not sure what the hang up was. The plot was good and interesting. It was unique. I'll probably read the next one.

[Kayla Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: One Savage Knight
Author: Holly Roberds
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance / Reverse Harem
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 stars)

⸻

“Savage, seductive, and soaked in magic—One Savage Knight delivers a dark, addicting ride through a brutal fantasy world.”

This book was everything I wanted from a gritty, dark fantasy romance with just the right amount of spice and danger. Holly Roberds throws you into a twisted world filled with brutal knights, dark secrets, and a heroine who refuses to bow to any man—even when she’s caught between several who are dead set on claiming her.

The world-building is rich and gritty, with a medieval fantasy backdrop that feels both beautiful and bloodstained. The heroine is fierce, intelligent, and unapologetically defiant, and the dynamic between her and the “savage” knight(s) is pure tension-filled goodness. There’s a slow-burn harem element that’s well done—not rushed, but full of chemistry and emotional stakes.

⸻

What to Expect:

Trigger Warnings:
• Violence and gore
• Dubcon / dark themes
• Power struggles
• Possessive and morally gray men
• Trauma-related content

⸻

Spice Level:

4.5/5 — Intense and steamy, with dominant energy and dark romance undertones. Definitely for mature readers who enjoy reverse harem with heat and tension.

⸻

Tropes & Themes:
• Reverse harem (why choose?)
• Dark fantasy world
• Savage, morally gray love interests
• Enemies to reluctant allies
• Fated connection / mates
• Tension-filled slow-burn
• Magic, war, and survival

⸻

My Thoughts:

One Savage Knight surprised me in the best way. The plot was action-packed, the magic system was intriguing, and the relationships felt layered and complicated in the best kind of way. I loved the way the heroine held her own—strong without being arrogant, vulnerable without being weak. The savage knight(s) each bring something unique to the table, and I’m fully invested in how those connections will develop in future books.

There were a few pacing hiccups in the beginning, but once the world and characters settled in, I couldn’t put it down. It’s emotional, raw, and dripping with potential for even darker and deeper developments as the series continues.

⸻

Final Thoughts:

If you’re craving a dark, fantasy romance with morally gray men, a kickass heroine, and an edge-of-your-seat storyline, One Savage Knight is a must-read. Holly Roberds has built a brutal, beautiful world—and I’m absolutely coming back for more.

[Karin Popken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leonidas (Leo) is chained up in a research centre/hospital because he was infected by a demon and needs treatment. Betsy is a nurse who works in the hospital and she is the only one who Leo allows to give him his treatment. Leo scares Betsy, but she is also intrigued by him.

When a very dangerous demon escapes the centre and kills everyone that is inside the building, Leo saves Betsy and both are able to escape. Betsy eventually takes Leo home to her appartment to tend to his injuries. During Leo's stay at Betsy's appartement he opens up about his past and tells her his story. Betsy comes to the realisation that everything she always thought about her job and her employer is based on a lie. Together with Leo she goes on a mission to fight all the evil forces, including her former employer.

Betsy is a kind and caring woman who wants the best for everything. These traits make her very likeable but also make her a pushover, especially by her family and her ex fiancee.  
Leo is a tall, muscular and handsome man who is troubled by his past but who also fights for what is right.

The book is very well written and the word-building is amazing. The story is very fast paced but it suits the story well. Leo and Betsy have great chemistry, are both very likeable and funny. I loved the fact that the story has serious and sad moments but also some very funny moments which made me laugh out loud. Leo stands up for Betsy and makes her realise that her family is only using her and that she needs to put herself first. Betsy learns Leo to follow his heart and give love a chance.

This book is a must read for everyone who is into demons, monsters, prophecies, action and very steamy love-making.

I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I meet the author at RomantiConn - in Connecticut.

Betsy is a nurse in a hospital/institution. She's their to help her patients get better. When hell breaks loose in the ward, Betsy doesn't hesitate to get the deadly patient she is working with out of there. The things she witnessed in the hospital doesn't match with what she thought was going on. That winged creature that tried to kill her, where did that come from? The patient explains what was going on, he is a knight of light, trying to destroy the black demon that tried to kill them. That's his job. To keep the darkness at bay, so humanity can survive. He needs to find that demon and destroy it. Only that demon lives in him too.

She is everything he's wanted. Legs. A sturdy woman, who needs to figure out herself and accept him as hers. Could she ever do that? Accept him? And the demon that lurks beneath the skin? Betsy calms Leonidas. Keeps his demon at bay, unless he is needed. Together they look for what happened to him and the other patients. His love grows for her, his need for her too. The other demon is searching for her, he is using the link with Leonidas to find her. He is also sending images of what he wants to do to Betsy and it's not pleasant at all. With the help of his axe and his Order can Leo defeat the demon and save the girl all in one fell swoop? Or will he die? Or worse yet will Betsy die at his hands when the demon emerges?

I read this book in 2 sittings. It was good. Betsy & Leo were relatable. I love how Betsy found her voice with the help of Leo. They are perfect for each other. It's a good story, with lots of action, and good times. I will be picking up the next book in this series. #Gatsby

[Nicky Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Savage Knight is the first book in the Demon Knights series, and is also the first book by Holly that I have read. It won't be the last.

If you are going to read this, I would recommend reading the Five Orders series first (which I should have done) to get more of an understanding of the world the Demon Knights series is set in.

In this, we meet Betsy, a sweet, protective nurse who loves crafting (a girl after my own heart), and Leonidas, a Chevalier, who is a knight of the light in the order of Luxis.

Leonidas is chained up in a research hospital, and being given (without Betsy's knowledge), demon genetic coding.

The Tombscream, a demon Leonidas was hunting escapes, and kills everyone in the hospital, apart from them, as they are trapped in his room. He creates a portal to help them escape.

Betsy & Leonidas find out that as a result of the genetic coding, Leonidas can now transform into a demon. He is also psychically linked to the demon he is hunting. The demon sees Leonidas as another apex predator to be removed. The demon can sense how much Leonidas wants Betsy and as a result he wants her as well.

They end up being on the run from the order after they turn on him when they find out he can now transform into a demon and may be the start of a prophecy.

THE PROPHECY

“Ye shall see the sign and know by the light warrior’s dark winged form. One by one, the light warriors will turn. From light, there shall be darkness, and it will herald the end of those who created them. Like the pillars of a temple trembling in the earthquake in humanity, when one falls, the rest shall also fall. The factions of five shall be no more.”

Holly does an amazing job in building the world and characters. You can't help but want to read more.

[Stephanie Blatz · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!

I think Betsy is such a relatable character for most of us. She tries to do so much for all of those around her that she neglects her own needs and mercilessly degrades herself when she perceives she missed something. Her family is so used to her mothering them that they act like a pack of hungry baby birds nipping at her constantly. Her ex-fiancé isn’t any better. When Leonidas meets Betsy, she stands out from the other staff at the research institute with her genuine caring for him. To her, he’s not a number or a job. But he also doesn’t belong there, he was captured and told they were treating him for showing paranormal symptoms. But as a knight of light his abilities are natural to him in his mission to destroy the demons recently unleashed on earth. But the Dr in charge of his treatment has her own agenda and it’s not to make him well. When another demon being held at the institute escapes, Betsy defies orders and helps Leonidas escape. She can’t just leave him to die at the claws of the beast that murdered everyone at the facility. Leonidas manages to summon up enough of his medically repressed powers to get them out of there.

As they try to figure out what was being done to Leonidas at the institute, they both come realize how much they desire to help others, to the point of overwhelming self recrimination. Together they realize they need boundaries in their lives between themselves and those who seek to run them ragged.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betsy is a nurse at a questionable hospital. She treats patients but doesn’t have much information on them. When something happens at the hospital, she is left in a room with a patient who happens to be chained to the wall. Needing to escape but not wanting to leave the patient, Betsy frees Leonidas. Together, they try to find the evil monster responsible for what is going on.
Opinion
I have to admit that I am a bit biased when it comes to Holly Roberds. I am part of her street team on Facebook and follow her on TikTok as well. She does so many fun things for her readers that I'd probably follow her even if I didn't like her books. (Lets be honest though, her books should be considered essential reading for any paranormal fan. They are just that good.)
This book is the first in a sister series to her Five Orders series. Quite frankly, I found myself laughing out loud throughout the whole book. When I wasn't laughing, I was gripping my phone (I read an e-book) wanting to know what happens next. This book is downright fabulous. If you enjoy paranormal romance, add this book to your list.
It is not a requisite to read her other books first. However, they may give you some insight while reading this one.
I'd like to throw out a HUGE thanks to Holly Roberds for providing me with an ARC of this book. I look forward to many more in this series and others.

[MaryLovesRomance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It was really cute and I enjoyed the interactions between the hero and heroine. My only real issue is that the heroine, Betsy, had so much guilt and felt the need to be self-sacrificing at every turn that it just became too much.

Betsy works at a research hospital trying to help the people infected by the demons who have come to earth. There is one patient, Leo, who she finds herself drawn to in spite of how intimidating he is. When the facility is under attack, Betsy decides to rescue Leo and the two must run from danger together.

I would have liked the heroine so much more if she wasn’t continually sacrificing herself, her life, her happiness, her sanity for others. I understand why it was happening but to me the was no gradual progression to her becoming more self-assured. She just kind of lost her self-sacrificing nature all at once. I wanted more of a pivotal moment from her and I wanted apologies from her family for taking advantage of her. I was left feeling pretty unsatisfied with how the plot between Betsy and her family was “resolved.”

I did really like Leo. I liked that he was all about Betsy right away and that she was the key to brining him back to himself. I wanted more from their relationship but all in all I felt like it was cute.

I really enjoyed this book and I’m glad I read it.

[Hey.Reese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Demon DNA and naughty things

Do you like a monster in the sheets? Well so does she.

She’s a nurse, moved away from home where everyone needs her and blames her for their struggles, only to be left out in the cold by her fiance a month before their wedding.

Betsy takes a new job at ground zero where a demon infection is taking place and treatments are being done at the facility to help. What Betsy doesn’t know is the truth. That there is a more nefarious story about to unfold. She is always the one to care, to put others before herself. Those who are supposed to love her, take advantage.

Leo, oh gosh, Leo.. is a whole vibe.

Attentive, possessive, loyal. His life belongs to duty but soon realizes something’s not okay and it will disrupt everything he’s ever known. He’s trapped and thrown into the middle of a much larger, horrible conflict, and will do anything to protect Betsy from it. His battle to live his own life or commit to duty, wars inside him.


While this can be read as a stand alone, you are introduced to some good peeps in this book that have their own installments.

[S. A. Shreve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great. Betsy was sweet and soft but still strong, which I loved. She managed to have her sweet quirky side without it being annoying or whiney which I feel like can happen sometimes with female characters that are more soft. I loved her character growth. She went from people pleasing to standing up for herself while still not losing who she was at the core.

Leo was adorable. I loved his devotion to Betsy and his growth as well as he became more than just a weapon or a tool to be used by his order. His language was a little weird at times though. It was an odd combination of modern and antiquated. Which does make sense for his character to an extent but was still odd to me. I felt like they were going to tell me he was like 100s of years old or something. If he was the language might have made more sense. It was just a little off putting at times.

I'm such a sucker for when the ex shows up after a bad break up only to see that our heroine has moved on and up. Like its such a gratifying moment and how it was done in this book was amazing.

Overall I enjoyed the story. The spice was good and the storyline kept me interested and wanting to know what happens. I will definitely keep reading more by this author.

[Bookworm Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I picked this book up - I couldn't put it down. Loved both Betsy and Leonidas. The storyline was brilliant. After a bust up with her fiance, Betsy, a nurse, moves to her own place and starts work at a research hospital. She is not supposed to get close to the subjects but she has a soft spot for subject #526 - Leonidas. When she is tending to him a demon escapes in the facility and everyone is being slaughtered. She unchains him and the two of them escape through a portal that he creates. As the truth about who Leonidas truly is, is revealed they work together to try and find the demon who is now after them. This is a wonderful story where we see Betsy and Leonidas falling in love, battling with the evil doctor and the industry behind the research hospital. Going to task with Leonidas's Master, Master Violetta and help from a few of Leo's friends and not forgetting Bubbles the cat who is adorable. So looking forward to the next in the series. And I'm also off to read the Five Orders Series to find out more about the stories behind Leo's friends.

[Cara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up this rec from KU looking for a quick good time, but I got the ick and DNF. Yes, the prose is very poor quality and the author misused words frequently- malapropisms are a low bar that any decent editing should catch. There were things that made no sense- our hero didn’t understand that people wear clothes despite the fact that he had various friends in the world and apparently a string of women he’d hooked up with and had to explain that he couldn’t commit to. FMC was just too dumb to be able to figure out that she was working for the bad guys. But the ick factor of this man- he calls her Legs?!? What is this, a sleazy 1940’s detective novel??? We are supposed to appreciate that he wants her to have orgasms because she’s never had one before??? The stereotypical sleazy ex was bad of course because why be original, but she’s a nurse and she’s never gotten herself off??? I guess we are trying to move on from FMC’s being blushing, naïve virgins, but not trying to move very far. Ugh.

[Evelyn Dotson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betsy is a RN who transferred from Montana to Colorado. She had left with her high school sweetheart who dumped her one month before their wedding. She now worked in a very special unit designated to fight those who came from the hellmouth they were over, Stygian. They housed a very unique man who was receiving very special injections. Betsy was the only one who could work on him without any problems. When they are under attack, they end up leaving and finding a monster he had a psychic connection with. Running for their lives from the monster, the Order, and those set to get and retain Leonidas again, is a constant battle. He is from the Order and was made to fight the demons. Only, he and Betsy have fallen for one another~ Her family is also trying to get her to come home to mother them like she used to. Where will all this end up? What about the prophecy? This book is chock full of action and heat~ It is a very fast paced read and one you will enjoy~

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It!

Another great book by Holly. Once you start reading this until you won’t be able to put it down. Betsy is a nurse in a research institute, thinking she is helping the people that are locked up because they have been bitten by demons. She is especially drawn to patient #526 and seems to be the only person he will let near him for his treatments. One night she gets locked in the room with him because one of the demons that the institute has secretly locked up escapes and kills everyone there. She and #526 barely escape. She takes him back to her apartment to take care of his injuries he received helping her escape. Once she hears his story, she seriously begins to doubt everything she has been told.

I love the chemistry of these two and how their relationship develops as they try and survive. Lots of action and a fantastic story!

I received an ARC copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.

[Frances Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
POV: Dual 1st Person
M/F
Stand Alone? Yes. Though this book is connected to the Five Orders series it is intended to be a stand alone.

This was my first book by Holly Roberds and it will most definitely NOT be my last. After watching a live where the author was reading random pages chosen by the viewers, I ended up pre-ordering the paperback to read. I do NOT regret this decision. I loved the story so much that I ended up purchasing every other book the author had written and am enjoying them all.

This book was so good that I ended up devouring it. I wasn’t sure if I hated or loved the author when I was finished because one thing was sure… I’d be spending more money to buy ALL the books.

The story was intense, action packed, spicy, had an entertaining story line, kept me entranced and definitely made me a Holly Roberds fan. Plus, the dedication? Pure gold! 😂

This was an excellent read and I am looking forward to more.

Happy reading my friends!