To claim my destiny, I have to go through hell. Literally.
When I left my sheltered haven, I never thought I'd end up at a gothic cathedral, training with immortals of all kinds to prepare for an epically dangerous journey.
We need to go to hell and find the most powerful slayer of all time, who just happens to be the demonic brother of the half-god, half-incubus angel I'm dating.
Well, I'm not sure if sharing searingly hot nights where he feeds on my pleasure and helps bring my abyssal powers to the surface counts as dating, exactly.
But with the fate of the world in my hands, I don't have much time to worry about it. Especially when an old friend returns from the past, begging to join our party.
We'll need all the help we can get if we're going to make it through the abyssal realms and reach hell together and alive. I have to recruit three more legendary slayers to my team before attempting ascension.
The final opponent may just spell doom for me--and the entire world--if I'm not careful.
After eight years of bestsellers and over 5 million books sold as Terry Bolryder, I decided I wanted to branch out a bit and write something new and longer.
Domino Savage delivers sexy, dark anti-heroes, snarky heroines, killer fight scenes, rich world-building and swoon-worthy romance in a long, satisfying package. No cliffhangers here, because I want you to come back just because you loved the ride. The Demon's Pet is my debut novel and I hope you enjoy!
LOVED it! I'm loving this series so much. Love Sam. Can't wait for the third (and I think final) book in this series. It comes out in September. Not sure how soon after the audio comes but I do the audios.
The MCs rehash the same fight for about 200 pages and that was the driving plot point in those pages so it got monotonous. Overall, not as great as the first book but I’m still interested to see where the story ends!
Wow, I’m so excited to have just finished reading The Demon’s Path which is the second book in the Morningstar series. It was absolutely amazing and I feel like I’ve been to Hell and back❣️
Sam and Cleo make a startling discovery at the end of the first book and will need to venture to Hell to find out if this is true. Along the way with their group, though they will need to pick up some strong warriors to help in their quest….but things are more uncertain than ever and as they get closer to the gates, friendships and more will be tested in this exciting adventure🤩
I’m more than ready for Sam and Cleo’s next adventure, bring it😍 I received an advanced copy and voluntarily leave my honest review and recommendation❤️
I'm giving this two stars mostly because the author was able to produce the most passionate response I've had about a book and its characters in a very long time but, unfortunately, it wasn't a great passionate response. She made me want to step into the book's world and throttle every single side character and the male love interest on behalf of the FMC.
The FMC from the first book was heavily impulsive which often got her in trouble but she always seemed to hold to her moral values in the face of scrutiny and even attempted to save another being at the risk of disrespecting an entire race of mythical creatures. She was mostly likable, if not a little naive due to her upbringing and isolation from the rest of the world, and she had a backbone. The male love interest was always hot and cold but we discovered he had his reasons and it seems the hot and cold shit is done by the end of the book. I even greatly enjoyed the side characters.
That is not the case for this book. Everything I enjoyed from the first book took a nose dive into the abyss. The bulk of the book is spent with the FMC's sexual preferences being shamed for being too prude-ish by not only the side characters but also the male love interest who has annoyingly reverted back to his hot-and-cold demeanor that I thought was resolved at the end of the first book. Apparently not. Not only is she shamed but they also spend the whole time pushing at her to go against what makes her comfortable because the demon queen will NEVER believe she's the prophesized morning star if she isn't heavy on the kinks. There's even a moment where the FMC asks something along the lines of 'wouldn't the demon queen be impressed with me sticking by who I am and what I prefer,' to which the resounding answer was NO. Guess what? After a ton of drama caused by all of this, demon queen didn't really care that FMC had a 'monogamy kink'. And EVEN THREW THAT EXACT PHRASING BACK INTO FMC'S FACE.
And here comes the part of my passionate response. The side characters and male love interest are all present for this conversation. What does FMC do? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. That backbone she had in book one? Yeah, it's apparently gone. At minimum, I would have forced every single one of them to give a heart-felt, groveling-for-forgiveness apology. At most? I would have exploded out of my skin in an inferno of petty rage and thrown every single one of them into a pit of hell-fire lava. Male love interest included.
If this had happened any earlier in the book, I probably would've DNF'd it on the spot, and I'm not so certain I'm keen on reading any others in this series that might be written. The first book was really good and was why I pre-ordered the second book the very moment I finished it. This was a major let down with its only saving graces being the super spicey scenes and the fight sequences.
2.5 stars. Could have easily been better if shortened.
PROS - I like that they come across adventures and wrap them up before moving on. It’s kind of like watching a tv series where each episode has its own plot while still contributing to the overall purpose. - many of the side characters are enjoyable.
CONS - 50 % of the book was Cleo and Sam discussing the same thing over and over and over and over. Everyone told her to move on from Sam but she couldn’t understand why. Then when she started to show she may try Sam got mad. Then it happened all over again. If this plot would have been shortened by hundred pages then the book would have been significantly better and I wouldn’t have found Cleo so annoying. - I like the author’s writing style and she did a good job of building up scenarios but didn’t deliver on a few. 1) so much time was spent on convincing Cleo that the demon world would not accept her monogamous lifestyle and that Ara is ruthless and would torture her. In actuality Ara was nice, understanding and was ready to fight for Cleo. 2) Sam talks about how bad his early life was and the horrible things he’s done and seen. When in fact he was held as a slave when he was a child and anything he endured was not his fault. A majority of this book was about why Sam and Cleo couldn’t be together when there was actually no reason at all. - Cleo is a shell of who she was in the first book. She wasn’t as independent and obsessed over her relationship with Sam. - wish we had Sam’s POV. - incorporating Sam’s tail into their sexcapades was too weird for me. It really turned me off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Heroine is mostly talked around, an entire conversation with me going on around her or about her but she will say nothing or have single sentence input. Frequent loss of logic. Author with describe one statute or rule in his a system works or how dangerous x is and the heroine promptly does what they shouldn’t anyway. Often, she acts like a child .Both the first and the second book of this series were annoying, but I kept hoping they would get better…. They never did.
I even skimmed to try and get there. Holy hells. I either want a reverse harem that you KNOW going in that there will he multiple partners. Or a MF happily ever after story with only the main couple. Where you KNOW the hero gets the girl. Sam and Cleo were sooooooo wishy washy and the same conversation happened 30 times to then be wishy washy. I had to stop. I’m sad because the actual story felt good and that it would go places literally. Ha, but no. This dragged on!! Sooo I’m stopping and don’t see myself trying again.
First of all. The tail. THAT FUCKING TAIL. I don't know how the author did that but I was so jealous of the pleasure that Cleo received from that part of Sam's body. Yeah I know. Weird. But also fucking hot. 🥵
This is the second book of this series. Demons, shifters, vampires, sinners, fallen creatures, dead that were brought back to life, prophecies.. and more. What's not to love about all this.
This story is a constant journey. The characters never stop doing all these things that are expected from them. They have to like..find more information about Cleo, find Sam's brother in hell, fight enemies or even friends, deny lust because it's for a reason selfish to want someone for yourself and all this while you try to save the world or something.
I don't know where to start. Everything was a mess. But I loved that mess. It made everything more exciting. I didn't know who was the friend and who was the enemy. I didn't know why Samael was a total jerk and was keeping Cleo at arm's length all the time. Well at the same time guess who was freaking out every time Cleo was approaching another male. Like..dude? Can you decide or CAN YOU DECIDE?
I loved the "side" characters. They felt nothing like side ones though. I want to read more about them because they deserve to have their stories told.
This was an excellent read for me. The steam was scorching hot. 🔥 The heroes were likeable. The plot was from the beginning captivating. 🔥
Although..a specific scene with demons could have the potential to be so much more sexy. I would have loved to see some orgies. I would have loved to see Cleo breaking out of her shell. I would have loved to see some dirty incubus sex. But the author kept everything between Sam and Cleo. I respect that. I had the idea though that in a way..she built it differently. I was expecting Cleo to have sex with other men. But she was absolutely in love with Sam. Again.. I respect that. Maybe I've read too much RH lately. Who knows! 🤣
Did I accidentally spoiler too much? No. Yes. Fine.. maybe. But i didn't mean to I promise. Just read the book! 🔥
I loved this book as much as the first, the angst with Cleo and Sam constantly unsure about their feelings was a bit heartbreaking at times with Sam never feeling like he'd be worthy of someone like Cleo aka The Morningstar.
My favorite part was when they were at Ara's and she scolded everyone for telling Cleo she had to experiment after it was clear Sam and Cleo were mates.
Finding out that Sam's brother Cayne was still alive in hell at the end of book one Sam made it his mission to go and bring Cayne back knowing that it was his life's mission to serve the morningstar and that he would be the best to train Cleo. So they journeyed to the underworld through the realms to get there meeting others along the way and gaining more to their party. When they arrived at Ara's a place where demons power up through revelries and shows usually performed by Incubus or Succumbus it was expected that Sam perform something that soured Cleo's stomach and angered her demon whom classified Sam as her mate. Sam had been pushing Cleo away knowing that this was coming he didn't expect her to be so hurt that she'd seek out another Incubus to do a show with. Seeing Cleo with someone else snapped something inside Sam and sent him to his rogue form, where he finally admitted she was his. When they journeyed to where Cayne was he didn't believe that Cleo was the morningstar he'd been waiting for and tried to kill her but when he saw her bring the morning he realized how wrong he'd been and promised to return to train her. One would think being in the underworld would have been the hardest journey so far but in order to fulfill the prophecy they'd have to go the the celestial world a place where everbright swords were in abundance and the risk of not all of them returning was high. But Cleo knew she couldn't stop now.
Cleo and Sam and crew go on an adventure to HELL to rescue Cayne and figure out the destiny of the morningstar. What I like a lot about the book is the different types of characters they come across on their journey. Cleo had no clue about any of these parts of the world. She has made quite a few friends who have agreed to help and protect her on the journey. She desperately wants to convince Sam that she only wants him and no one else. He thinks she needs to be with others because that is how most demons gain powers. Any time she comes close to trying to be with someone else he gets so very jealous. I enjoyed the adventure and different areas they come through. So many different types of fae, elves and demons are introduced and they all have their own gifts or quirks. I am not a fan of violence that happens on the adventure but I can tolerate it written the way it is done in this book. The demon path is not going to be an easy and peaceful road, although there are some peaceful places, we are dealing with demons. We do learn a lot more about Sam and the different things he went through growing up. I'll admit that I enjoyed the first book a lot more but I find the new characters we come across just as interesting in this book and I really like the journey. It is definitely a good read with some surprises along the way. Cleo comes a long way in learning how to fight. Everyone is finding their role on the team and they are becoming a family together dysfunctional as it may be. I can not wait to see what comes next and who we meet in the next adventure.
I want to make it clear that this is a series with a continuing storyline but each book has a satisfactory ending so that, if you stop reading the series, you will not be left with an agonizing cliffhanger just an unfinished story left at a good stopping point. Think Harry Potter - each book stops with some resolution but you know the whole story isn't over until Harry takes on Voldemort. There are no angsty cliffhangers - Cleo isn't left bleeding out, Sam doesn't run off in a fit of jealousy/rage, Simon doesn't get staked. Honestly, I hate cliffhangers and these books are more like separate legs of a journey.
Cleo and company (a celestial pet, a vampire, a thrall, a half celestial/half demon, and more) are ready to set out and retrieve Cayne. This is an exciting adventure with new realms to explore and new new friends and foes. The world building is beautiful and if I were part demon, I would love to visit the Drorren territories. Each new aspect of this world brings more understanding of what is actually going on and what the Morningstar means to everyone. Filled with lots of action and surprises, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The epic encounter at the end with its unexpected reveal was fantastic.
This book is heavy on the fantasy with a dose of hot and heavy between Cleo and Sam. I view it more along the lines of some of my favorite authors such as Mercedes Lackey (fantasy), Anne McCaffrey (fantasy), Christine Feehan (paranormal romance), and Gena Showalter (paranormal romance) than a lot of the escapism literature put out by indie authors. Don't get me wrong, I love my escapism books, I just feel that this book has more depth and intricacies.
I am blown away. I absolutely love this series, but especially this one. It is SO RARE to find a book where the main character has believable mental growth, and realistic courage to fight to become stronger. You don't just give yourself a pep talk and suddenly feel like you can take the world. Cleo goes through a lot of self doubt, fear, and stress throughout the book. She suffers with the pain of knowing her love for Sam is more than just him being an incubus, or a physical attraction. She goes through a lot of pain when he pushes her away again and again. And she can still find it in her to bear through that pain and rejection in order to be what the world needs of her. However the difference with this book that is dome so well, is that it HURTS her. She struggles to be strong, and she struggles to accept things. It hit read personal cord with me. But I love how Cleo is, and while I want to slap Sam for being dummy,.I love his character too. In fact, the author writes all these characters well.. It seems rude to call the other characters "side characters", because they are just as important to the story as Cleo and Sam. They all have their struggles, and flaws, and a familiarity to them that made each one relatable and endearing. I really hope this series is continued and that we don't lose anyone from the group. I love this series, and I hope people look past any low review of this series. It is a treasure that I hope more people find and cherish like I do.
This is a simply wonderful second book in this series, great characters and scenario
I simply loved to read this the second book in the series, I had thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series and had been earnestly waiting to read this book and was not in the slightest bit disappointed.
It was filled with lots of action and suspense and action and I have to say that I found the chemistry between the characters to be simply electric and once I started reading the story found it was simply impossible to put the book down until I reached the final page and discovered what the final outcome was going to be.
I do not want to give the plot away and hence this is why I am being careful about how much information I give as I do not want to spoil the plot for other readers and I assure you that you will love this book it will keep you guessing from start to finish of this great read.
I assure you that you will love every moment of this book it is simply a fantastic read. I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.
I am not sure if I am even capable of writing a review that can truly do justice for this book. But before I attempt it...if you haven't read The Demon's Pet, then please do that first. This book will not make any sense if you don't. This is not a standalone. The saga of the Morningstar continues. Cleo is trying to reach her full potential, while trying to cope with a love that sometimes feels one sided. The personalities od their little group are tense as what lies ahead draws closer. Conflict and betrayal shatter trust. Samael returns and faces the stress and turmoil with Simon. The why is a question. Yet, the destiny must be completed and Cleo is still not fully trained. The group must take a dangerous journey that will put all their lives in danger. But this is an mission they must complete in order to help Cleo reach her full potential. There are twists and turns around every corner. With Samael's return he brings information regarding his dead brother, Cayne. An addictive series that is one of the best I have ever read. You can't miss with this. Remember, if you want to read a book that you can't put down, you have to pick it up first.
This is the second book in the Morningstar series and carries straight on from the first book.
I love this world that Domino has created and we are back with our favourite characters on there journey to hell to find Cayne and figure out what is instore for the morningstar. Cleo and Sam's journey has lots of danger with twists galore thrown into the mix on there adventure where they pick up more friends to help in there quest to get to hell.
This was a book of two half's for me, as the first half was a bit of a slow build but them BAM we get to the second half and it all happens where you are holding your breath with what is unfolding before your eyes. This wasn't a easy road for them as the different realms they have to go through nothing is as it seems with obstacles around every corner.
Oh and the steamy heat between Cloe and Sam steps up in the second half of this book with a panty melting scene that will leave you panting, PHEW It was HOT!! This book is pure fantasy with a nice bit of steam, plus we get to find out more about Sam's past which will have you routing for him even more with what he went through as a young boy. 4.5 stars for this second instalment.
I wanted to give this a one but I’ll give it a 2 since the story would be enjoyable with any other FMC.
Ok this FMC takes things too far. Sam has to do a show and instead of it being sexual because he knows that would hurt Cleo, He decides to do a “show” literally flaying someone’s skin off! But ohhh no instead of being terrified or disgusted or happy he didn’t touch someone else, Cleo still gets super jealous & runs off to the first guy she meets to do a show of her own just to piss Sam off. But of course she says it “wasn’t to piss him off” …… he loses it which leads to him be imprisoned, almost ruining the whole mission. I can’t anymore. I’m scared to continue. I’ve heard this only gets worse in book 3. Take it from me and please just skip this series. If the FMC was likable, the story has promise. But the FMC makes me want to scream. She is beyond immature & cannot make a sensible decision to save her life which ruins the entire story for me. Also, every time Sam even hints that he is unsure, she threatens to run to another man (this happens a lot). I’m done & highly disappointed she had NO growth. If anything, she is going backwards 😑
Cleo is the Morningstar—whatever that is? Yeah, her new team tells her she is and she has to travel to hell so she can save the world. Okaaayyy! She is busy training with a group of supernaturals including one who so much more. He seems to feel the same but his words deny it. Can her heart manage to do what she has to and be near him?
The book is a web of characters, realms, dangers, and more. Remember the author's note to be sure to read book one to understand book two. The characters are unforgettable. Who can she trust? Who really wants her for her and who wants her for her powers or to keep her from her journey. The book will keep you glued trying to find out the future for Cleo, her team, and her love life.
Stay alert there is a lot going on! Amazing books.
Rise of the Morningstar book 2. A fanfreakingtasic read. So the crew takes you on an amazing journey to find Sam's brother. OMG!! This book is filled from cover to cover, lies, hella twisty, serious drama, secret pasts, angst level 10, and oh yes dirty birdie hotness/tingle worthy. I mean the demon world is beyond a simple sin and then hell is a whole WTF situation. Morningstar is nowhere near ready but has to step up. Sam and her circle each other on some serious craycray issues. But oh my, the ooh la la scenes take you there. All I'm gonna say is the "tail" scene. Then the part with Dellen, i needed my tissues. The crew is a team and family, they ride for each other and willing to die for each other. I hope there is a 3rd book cause I need some more.
This is such an amazing story! Sam and Chloe continue on their journey to find Cayne and help the demons. They have quite a few surprises in store for both of them. This was packed with so much action, suspense, drama, and very steamy! It really pulls at your heart at times! It really shows such amazing (sometimes quirky lol) friendship with this group! Such fantastic characters! I think Zadis was a big surprise! This is an incredibly well written story with an amazing storyline that really grabs your attention from the beginning and you can’t put it down! The author did an outstanding job on this! Can’t wait to continue onto the next leg of the journey! Received arc and am voluntarily leaving an honest review
Wonderfully imagined world, a very different story of demons, angels, hell and heaven. A twisted tale of finding one strength and being worthy of love. When she will be with in the darkness that is love. Fast paced in the beginning but slowed in the middle then action near the end, and then the ending... hot. Chloe has not grown much is this book as I expected may be in the next. She won't be so naive and more assertive, secure in her abilities. Her band of merry men and woman grown in becoming less prickly and we see the friendship expand. Sam stubbornness does cause some trouble, oh what trouble it is... Overall great read and looking forward to the next book.
This is the second book in this wonderful series and picks up right where "The Demon's Pet" ended and I do feel you need to read that book first to get the full depth of this wonderful storyline
Cleo who was the pet and Sam are now a couple but Sam is struggling with the emotional side of things on top of that they had some startling news at the end of book one and in this latest instalment they are journeying into hell to find out if it is true. Along the way they will take old friends and form new connections all while trying to love up to the prophecy of the Morningstar. This is a brilliant read and I can't wait for more.
DNF. Os was an angel in the first book and fae in the second. I know this seems like a shitty review but it’s really all I’ve got.
Ps I very well could be missing something but I did double check - in the first he’s described as an angel, and in the second he’s fae. He could be mixed? Can’t remember if that’s accurate or if I’m imagining that but even still it’s confusing to refer to him as primarily one or the other. Angel makes more sense since he has wings (or at least he did in the first. I didn’t stick around long enough into the second to confirm if he does in this version of him too).
I have read all the works under this authors other pen name, obviously I enjoyed them to read them all however her work under the pen name Donmino Savage is very different and extremely good. It's not the same of same of rehash love story you normally get with romance books. It builds its own world vividly, the lead male is complex as is the lead female and multiple side characters who get built up to,. Not just named with no personality. You have really favourites among them and feel its thier story too. The story its self is so imaginative and well told. Amazing work. Best to start at book 1 to get the true character depth
Wow, just wow. Cleo really proved herself when Zaris died. She truly is the Morningstar, learning more about herself through the journey of the different realms. And FINALLY Sam poured his heart out to Cleo confessing his love for her..well his iccubus knew they were mates long before they bonded..even Cleo's demon side knew he was her mate. I wander what her demon side looks like. I am happy that Sam now has his Brother although he almost tried to kill him because he wanted to harm Cleo his MATE..love it can't wait to see what happens next...big fan as always Winzie19🤗💞.
This storyline will keep you reading and enthralled
This story line involves many mystical beasts and creatures and the author fills them out so completely, I can see them clearly in my mind's eye. There are twists I didn't see coming as the Morningstar looks to fulfill her destiny. Not all demons are evil and not all celestial beings are good...but who's who will keep you guessing! Looking forward to more answers on how this growing group of heroes do on their next adventure!
I am so excited and relieved that Sam finally admitted and accepted his true feelings for Cleo. I was getting vet frustrated waiting for them to stop playing with each other and embrace the mate bond. I was getting exhausted with the wishy washy feelings 😩. I loved everything about this book from the characters to the world building and to how everyone interacted with each other. Sam is truly my favorite character. Cannot wait for the next installment. Highly recommend.
Let’s say 3.5 because some of the character inconsistencies I complained about in the first book were much improved in this book. Some of the characters are still a bit shallowly developed, but they overall are likeable and interesting. I do get annoyed with the heroine a bit at times, so honestly it’s the supporting cast that makes it worthwhile. The sex is still spicy and things are overall entertaining enough to want to read the next book when it comes out. I still find the world interesting and like the concept behind it.