What do you think?
Rate this book
The Harbinger
NOTE: This is not a PNR, Fantasy, Supernatural, or anything of the like. It is a contemporary, cult romance with demon/Satan worship.
What do you do when you’ve caught the eye of a psychopath?
On the run with no memory, Mia is thrust into an evil, secret society which threatens her very existence.
But they are the least of her worries…
He’s cunning, deadly, and desperate to possess her, not to mention, the only one who can protect her… if he chooses.
Sacha’s all wrong for her, but his darkness draws her back into his twisted web.
Maybe she’s mad, maybe it’s the drugs, but there are few certainties…
He’s trouble.
She’s falling for him.
And their binding might burn both of their worlds to the ground.
WARNING: This is not a PNR, it is a cult romance.
What do you do when you’ve caught the eye of a psychopath?
On the run with no memory, Mia is thrust into an evil, secret society which threatens her very existence.
But they are the least of her worries…
He’s cunning, deadly, and desperate to possess her, not to mention, the only one who can protect her… if he chooses.
Sacha’s all wrong for her, but his darkness draws her back into his twisted web.
Maybe she’s mad, maybe it’s the drugs, but there are few certainties…
He’s trouble.
She’s falling for him.
And their binding might burn both of their worlds to the ground.
WARNING: This is not a PNR, it is a cult romance.
560 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2023
202 people are currently reading
3035 people want to read
About the author
Ann-Marie Davis
12 books313 followersBorn on the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, Ann-Marie grew up learning from strong, confident influences which translates in her writing today.
She acquired the love of writing when she was just 12 years old and at 19; she wrote her first novel, which remains under lock and missing key.
When she’s not writing international bestselling books, she’s traveling around the USA with her 3 children and a camper, tending to her garden and chickens, or fixing something on her mini-ranch. All with the wonderful support of her amazing husband.
★CONNECT WITH ANN-MARIE★
WEBSITE: www.authoramdavis.com
FACEBOOK: https://bit.ly/3tyZjzY
FB READER’S GROUP: https://bit.ly/2QmXasJ
AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3vLucmu
BOOKBUB: https://bit.ly/3tUgFrl
IG: https://bit.ly/3lIYEt6 | @authoramdavis
NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/4190Kqb
Ann-Marie loves to hear from her fans. So email your questions or comments at AnnMarieDavis88@gmail.com.
She acquired the love of writing when she was just 12 years old and at 19; she wrote her first novel, which remains under lock and missing key.
When she’s not writing international bestselling books, she’s traveling around the USA with her 3 children and a camper, tending to her garden and chickens, or fixing something on her mini-ranch. All with the wonderful support of her amazing husband.
★CONNECT WITH ANN-MARIE★
WEBSITE: www.authoramdavis.com
FACEBOOK: https://bit.ly/3tyZjzY
FB READER’S GROUP: https://bit.ly/2QmXasJ
AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3vLucmu
BOOKBUB: https://bit.ly/3tUgFrl
IG: https://bit.ly/3lIYEt6 | @authoramdavis
NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/4190Kqb
Ann-Marie loves to hear from her fans. So email your questions or comments at AnnMarieDavis88@gmail.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
June 2, 2023
Rating: 4.5 Stars
The Harbinger by Ann-Marie Davis is a standalone dark romance with suspenseful and occult vibes. This takes you on quite the journey.
There is always that one book, when I read it, that makes me question myself. My moral compass, my sense of humor, and whether or not I should be in therapy. This is that book….And I loved it!!! It’s dark, it’s twisted and brings intense a whole new meaning. Literally, a totally mindf*ck and I’m here for it.
I was entrapped by this emotionally intense book. I couldn’t stop and I couldn’t put it down for long before I was drawn back in. I imagine it felt like what a hit of cocaine to my system would feel like. Something you crave, dying to get your next hit but having to pause and reflected on the words you just read. Trying to decide if it’s worth and it was more than worth it.
This is my first book by Ann-Marie Davis and she did an amazing job writing this! I seriously felt every emotion reading this from turmoil to torture and everything in between; I cried, I laughed, I was suspicious, I was worried and scared a few times. My heart nearly broke around Chapter 56-60, what happened was so unexpected. This didn’t feel like I read almost 700 pages, I felt like it was over too fast. I wanted more and when I got to the last pages I didn’t know if I wanted to cry and demand more or appreciate the story I got.
If you like dark romance, cults, twisted emotional books, you’ll love this. I don’t want to give any spoilers away but I hope at least one person decides to read this based off my review.
Please always be aware of trigger warnings before starting a book.
TW/CW:
Abduction, Anal Play, Anxiety, Assault, Blood Drinking, Blood Play, Body Mutilation, Coercion, Control, Cults, Death, Degradation, Depression, Disembowelment, Drowning, Drugs, Dubious Consent, Eating Disorder, Electrocution, Emotional Abuse, Exhibitionism, Experimental Medical Procedures, Fictitious Satanic and Demonic Worship, Force Proximity, Hallucinations, History Of Trauma, Human Sacrifice, Kidnapping, Knife Play, Mental Health Conditions, Manipulation, Murder, Occult, Orgasm Control/Torture, Panic Attacks, Parental Death, Poisoning, Praise, Primal, PTSD, Sadomasochism, Self-Harm, Sexual Asphyxiation, Sexual Assault, Spanking, Spitting, Starvation, Stockholm Syndrome, Substance Abuse/Addiction, Suicidal Ideations/Attempt/Threats/Flashbacks, Torture, Violence
Ann-Marie Davis and BookSirens thank you for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this for review.
The Harbinger by Ann-Marie Davis is a standalone dark romance with suspenseful and occult vibes. This takes you on quite the journey.
There is always that one book, when I read it, that makes me question myself. My moral compass, my sense of humor, and whether or not I should be in therapy. This is that book….And I loved it!!! It’s dark, it’s twisted and brings intense a whole new meaning. Literally, a totally mindf*ck and I’m here for it.
I was entrapped by this emotionally intense book. I couldn’t stop and I couldn’t put it down for long before I was drawn back in. I imagine it felt like what a hit of cocaine to my system would feel like. Something you crave, dying to get your next hit but having to pause and reflected on the words you just read. Trying to decide if it’s worth and it was more than worth it.
This is my first book by Ann-Marie Davis and she did an amazing job writing this! I seriously felt every emotion reading this from turmoil to torture and everything in between; I cried, I laughed, I was suspicious, I was worried and scared a few times. My heart nearly broke around Chapter 56-60, what happened was so unexpected. This didn’t feel like I read almost 700 pages, I felt like it was over too fast. I wanted more and when I got to the last pages I didn’t know if I wanted to cry and demand more or appreciate the story I got.
If you like dark romance, cults, twisted emotional books, you’ll love this. I don’t want to give any spoilers away but I hope at least one person decides to read this based off my review.
Please always be aware of trigger warnings before starting a book.
TW/CW:
Abduction, Anal Play, Anxiety, Assault, Blood Drinking, Blood Play, Body Mutilation, Coercion, Control, Cults, Death, Degradation, Depression, Disembowelment, Drowning, Drugs, Dubious Consent, Eating Disorder, Electrocution, Emotional Abuse, Exhibitionism, Experimental Medical Procedures, Fictitious Satanic and Demonic Worship, Force Proximity, Hallucinations, History Of Trauma, Human Sacrifice, Kidnapping, Knife Play, Mental Health Conditions, Manipulation, Murder, Occult, Orgasm Control/Torture, Panic Attacks, Parental Death, Poisoning, Praise, Primal, PTSD, Sadomasochism, Self-Harm, Sexual Asphyxiation, Sexual Assault, Spanking, Spitting, Starvation, Stockholm Syndrome, Substance Abuse/Addiction, Suicidal Ideations/Attempt/Threats/Flashbacks, Torture, Violence
Ann-Marie Davis and BookSirens thank you for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this for review.
October 21, 2024
This was a highly anticipated read for me, the blurb just totally appealed and ticked so many of my boxes so I was excited to pick this one up. It's a dark psychological occult romance with some pretty toxic behaviour and so many triggers I actually lost count. I have to say I devoured this one all 500 plus pages and in one sitting as well, I was that absorbed.
So our heroine Mia is a young girl without a past. She's currently living on the streets, an addict and her whole life before this is a blank. When she is taken at a gas station her whole life is placed in further upheaval as she now finds herself being whisked off to Russia in the company of some very bad individuals.
Alexander Ruslanovich, Sacha to those who know him is Mia's new jailor when he first encounters her he is intrigued but suspicious. He questions and doubts her motives including her story from day one and is determined to uncover her truths. He is also a ranking member of a very shady secret society and he believes Mia's sudden appearance may be more than mere coincidence which could result in some severe consequences on her end.
Mia now confined and isolated in Sacha's home finds herself thrust into a world she didn't know existed. Sacha has dark secrets and is treated almost like a god by those that surround him. More of Mia's fractured memories are resurfacing every day but there's also so much she is still in the dark about. She's also totally disgusted with herself at the pull she feels towards her captor, especially with the way he frequently treats her, he also blows hot and cold on her constantly. As the truth gradually emerges Mia is appalled and also terrified at the world she now inhabits and just what Sascha is capable of and what it could also then mean for her future.
So first thing this has triggers, it doesn't pull its punches in any way. The relationship between these two is toxic and unhealthy as fuck but honestly, that was part of the appeal. Sasha is a true anti-hero who doesn't stray very far from his origins and Mia has to learn to accept him and his strange beliefs for what they are.
We have kidnapping, some serious dub-con, drug addiction, self-harm, murder, an abusive and controlling relationship, and so much more, the list is endless. The sex between these two is rough and violent with lots of degradation and praise kink included. Also, be aware that this involves worshipping the Occult and all that entails this is a cult romance. So don't be expecting a healthy normal relationship as this is so far removed from all that, this one is the true definition of a dark romance.
It had twists and turns around every corner and it was all so incredibly addictive and made for some compelling reading. I found it well written and it was also dual POV which is my favourite. So If you're after a dark romance with a difference this one has you covered for sure. It's getting five stars for the sheer fact I couldn't put it down.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
May 23, 2023
I am finding a lot of new authors this year and Ann-Marie Davis is one of them. The Harbinger is a dark romance. It is unlike a lot of other dark occult romance that i have read. Our FMC is a homeless female that is taken of the street by what seems to be a Russian mafia men type individuals. Their companion goes into a gas station and never comes out. To be on their way to where they have to go to get some “product” tested they pick up Mia. Now Mia has memory lost is addicted to narcotics and just wanted a fix and some cash to move along. But after they take her to test this product they don’t end up letting her go. She meets our MMC, Sacha, and he just doesn’t let her go. Ending up seeing a birthmark that is prophesied he takes her back to Russia.
Sacha is not a good guy, he takes what he wants when he wants. It is how he was raised. He is in a high ranking member of his congregation.
I really don’t want to say more. The spice in this book is definitely 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ and will leave you just 🤤. You will find praise, degradation, a some BD$M among other things.
I really enjoyed this. Don’t let the page count get to you. While it is on the longer side you will get captivated by it just wanted answers. The next thing you know you will be so far in that you will want to read it in one sitting…and it is doable! I can’t wait to read more by Ann-Marie!
Sacha is not a good guy, he takes what he wants when he wants. It is how he was raised. He is in a high ranking member of his congregation.
I really don’t want to say more. The spice in this book is definitely 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ and will leave you just 🤤. You will find praise, degradation, a some BD$M among other things.
I really enjoyed this. Don’t let the page count get to you. While it is on the longer side you will get captivated by it just wanted answers. The next thing you know you will be so far in that you will want to read it in one sitting…and it is doable! I can’t wait to read more by Ann-Marie!
July 21, 2024
Hotdamn,what a rollercoaster ride this one was!
Filled to the brim with emotions,suspense and heat,i felt i couldn’t catch my breath until the very end.
Nothing was what it seemed,and assuming who was on what side was futile.
Just when i thought i had it all figured out,new information came to light,or something happened,to make me second guess everything.
The story was so well built that it had me glued to the pages the entire time,giving me every emotion you can think of.
Mia was in a bad place,and with amnesia she didn’t have any idea who she was.
Jenny was her only friend,helping her score money to feed her addiction.
Until the day she asked the wrong man…..and she ended up having to taste a shipment of cocaine for some very bad men.
If only that was it…..no,their boss decided to take her with him,back to his home in Russia.
Because she intrigued him,and Sasha wanted to find out why.
Detox was hell,but what came after was worse,far worse!
Because the world Sasha lived in was a dark one,a violent one,and Mia needed to find a way out of there,fast!
If only she knew where to…..but Sasha was already doing his research,peeling back the layers of who she was.
The fragments of her returning memory were confusing and hurting her,but who could she trust enough to share them with?
The only one that she could trust,who had been honest with her from the start,was the very same that hurt her,used and degraded her…..Sasha.
The world he lived in was determined to get rid of her,though….because they all saw her as a threat.
But all she wanted,was to feel safe,wanted and cared for,even if the person she turned to for that little bit of affection she needed so badly didn’t seem to care….
Sasha was intrigued by the shell of a girl that replaced the girl that was supposed to taste the cocaine.
Letting her go was not an option until he figured her out.
Until he knew for sure she wasn’t who everyone thought she could be.
But when he knew for sure,it was too late…..and he knew he wasn’t going to let her go….ever.
Because she took everything he did to her,and more.
And because,somehow,she found a place deep down inside of him,and nestled there.
Knowing his world didn’t want her with him,and would do anything to get rid of her,didn’t make it easier to keep her,though….
And then it all went to hell……
The moments leading up to that total clusterfuck already had me reeling,but what happened here was mindblowing.
And i couldn’t see any possibility of either of them coming out of it alive.
But luckily Ann-Marie had a few more tricks up her sleeve…..
Filled to the brim with emotions,suspense and heat,i felt i couldn’t catch my breath until the very end.
Nothing was what it seemed,and assuming who was on what side was futile.
Just when i thought i had it all figured out,new information came to light,or something happened,to make me second guess everything.
The story was so well built that it had me glued to the pages the entire time,giving me every emotion you can think of.
Mia was in a bad place,and with amnesia she didn’t have any idea who she was.
Jenny was her only friend,helping her score money to feed her addiction.
Until the day she asked the wrong man…..and she ended up having to taste a shipment of cocaine for some very bad men.
If only that was it…..no,their boss decided to take her with him,back to his home in Russia.
Because she intrigued him,and Sasha wanted to find out why.
Detox was hell,but what came after was worse,far worse!
Because the world Sasha lived in was a dark one,a violent one,and Mia needed to find a way out of there,fast!
If only she knew where to…..but Sasha was already doing his research,peeling back the layers of who she was.
The fragments of her returning memory were confusing and hurting her,but who could she trust enough to share them with?
The only one that she could trust,who had been honest with her from the start,was the very same that hurt her,used and degraded her…..Sasha.
The world he lived in was determined to get rid of her,though….because they all saw her as a threat.
But all she wanted,was to feel safe,wanted and cared for,even if the person she turned to for that little bit of affection she needed so badly didn’t seem to care….
Sasha was intrigued by the shell of a girl that replaced the girl that was supposed to taste the cocaine.
Letting her go was not an option until he figured her out.
Until he knew for sure she wasn’t who everyone thought she could be.
But when he knew for sure,it was too late…..and he knew he wasn’t going to let her go….ever.
Because she took everything he did to her,and more.
And because,somehow,she found a place deep down inside of him,and nestled there.
Knowing his world didn’t want her with him,and would do anything to get rid of her,didn’t make it easier to keep her,though….
And then it all went to hell……
The moments leading up to that total clusterfuck already had me reeling,but what happened here was mindblowing.
And i couldn’t see any possibility of either of them coming out of it alive.
But luckily Ann-Marie had a few more tricks up her sleeve…..
July 29, 2023
I was so excited for this one and wanted to love/enjoy it so bad but I’m sorry this is not for me. It just feels like a lot of stuff happened but nothing happened at the same time. Also, I hate it when the mmc uses words like “slut/whore” and he used them a lot. I was so uncomfortable reading and had a hard time finishing the book. The fmc was weak naïve kinda girl and mmc was just horrible.
February 15, 2024
This book. Was so. Freaking. Slow. I kept asking myself “How can a book about Satan worshippers be boring?”
May 26, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
This book seriously had me in a chokehold from page 1. It was a CRAZY, WILD, & emotional ride from start to finish.
What do you do when you've caught the eye of a psychopath? On the run with no memory, Mia is thrust into an evil, secret
society, which threatens her very existence. But they are the least of her worries..
He's cunning, deadly, and desperate to possess her, not to mention the only one who can protect her.. if he chooses.
Sacha's all wrong for her, but his darkness draws her back into his twisted web. Maybe she's mad, maybe it's the drugs, but there are few certainties.
He's trouble. She's falling for him, and their binding might burn both of their worlds to the ground.
I can't even describe the feelings that surfaced throughout this book. They were on a massive roller coaster. But in the end, it is perfect! If you like DARK cult vibes, this is perfect for you!!
🔥 Definitely check your triggers because this book contains a lot of them!
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
This book seriously had me in a chokehold from page 1. It was a CRAZY, WILD, & emotional ride from start to finish.
What do you do when you've caught the eye of a psychopath? On the run with no memory, Mia is thrust into an evil, secret
society, which threatens her very existence. But they are the least of her worries..
He's cunning, deadly, and desperate to possess her, not to mention the only one who can protect her.. if he chooses.
Sacha's all wrong for her, but his darkness draws her back into his twisted web. Maybe she's mad, maybe it's the drugs, but there are few certainties.
He's trouble. She's falling for him, and their binding might burn both of their worlds to the ground.
I can't even describe the feelings that surfaced throughout this book. They were on a massive roller coaster. But in the end, it is perfect! If you like DARK cult vibes, this is perfect for you!!
🔥 Definitely check your triggers because this book contains a lot of them!
December 21, 2024
No one tell anyone I read this 😂
June 4, 2023
Hi, readers! Here we go again with an English review of a strong #darkromance. Be prepared, this book is not for everyone, not even to people who are used to read this genre. Why?
Here you can find those tropes:
- Occult vibes
- Unapologetic psychopath MMC
- #forcedproximity
- Touch her and d!e
- And so many other dark things!
So, everything started after Mia, our FMC, get kidnapped by someone who seems to be a drug dealer, but just at the beginning. Reading you’ll find out that both Mia and Sacha are so much more. She’ll find herself stuck in a foreign country and this just a few days after waking up after some mysterious, brutal and dark things happened to her. She doesn’t remember anything of her life, just her name and something from the voices she hears.
The two main characters share their part of mysteries, but both are feeling emotions that they cannot understand, emotions that are far away from their being and their personalities. They want to stay away from each other but, at the same time, they want to be together, they struggle to find a balance, a neutral point, something that will not destroy both.
You will grow with the characters, you’ll learn to have patience, to go under the skin of Sacha and Mia, trying to understand their choices, even when all you what to do is to cry, screaming or punching one of them in face, even when you’ll be against their choices or their behaviors.
So, this book is for you if you are ready for a twisted and deeply dark book, if you are ready to put your moral aside or keep asking questions to yourself. And, please, check the TWs and be aware of them before starting reading.
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE ONLY THING WHO CAN SAVE YOU IS ALSO THE SAME WHO PUT YOU IN DANGER MAKING YOU DROWN MORE AND MORE?
COMPLETE Review on the BLOG (link in bio)
Here you can find those tropes:
- Occult vibes
- Unapologetic psychopath MMC
- #forcedproximity
- Touch her and d!e
- And so many other dark things!
So, everything started after Mia, our FMC, get kidnapped by someone who seems to be a drug dealer, but just at the beginning. Reading you’ll find out that both Mia and Sacha are so much more. She’ll find herself stuck in a foreign country and this just a few days after waking up after some mysterious, brutal and dark things happened to her. She doesn’t remember anything of her life, just her name and something from the voices she hears.
The two main characters share their part of mysteries, but both are feeling emotions that they cannot understand, emotions that are far away from their being and their personalities. They want to stay away from each other but, at the same time, they want to be together, they struggle to find a balance, a neutral point, something that will not destroy both.
You will grow with the characters, you’ll learn to have patience, to go under the skin of Sacha and Mia, trying to understand their choices, even when all you what to do is to cry, screaming or punching one of them in face, even when you’ll be against their choices or their behaviors.
So, this book is for you if you are ready for a twisted and deeply dark book, if you are ready to put your moral aside or keep asking questions to yourself. And, please, check the TWs and be aware of them before starting reading.
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE ONLY THING WHO CAN SAVE YOU IS ALSO THE SAME WHO PUT YOU IN DANGER MAKING YOU DROWN MORE AND MORE?
COMPLETE Review on the BLOG (link in bio)
August 14, 2023
TBH, I’m not 100% certain how I feel about this book. There were aspects of it I thought were really great and others… not so much.
Although the authors just drops you in the middle of it on page 1 (saying “Wait, what?” to your Kindle repeatedly… IYKYK), I have to say, the book sunk its claws into me pretty early on. I absolutely needed answers. The FMC grated my nerves repeatedly but I thoroughly enjoyed our MMC’s alpha vibe.
The horror / occult aspects were well done in my opinion without being absurd or outlandish. The gore was there but not OTT. The kink / spice was good and a little different from the norm which I appreciated.
Sometimes I found the descriptions and inner monologue were more drawn out than necessary and made the book longer than it needed to be.
There is a long list of things in this book that some could be very sensitive to. I would definitely recommend a thorough understanding of the TWs before diving in.
Although the authors just drops you in the middle of it on page 1 (saying “Wait, what?” to your Kindle repeatedly… IYKYK), I have to say, the book sunk its claws into me pretty early on. I absolutely needed answers. The FMC grated my nerves repeatedly but I thoroughly enjoyed our MMC’s alpha vibe.
The horror / occult aspects were well done in my opinion without being absurd or outlandish. The gore was there but not OTT. The kink / spice was good and a little different from the norm which I appreciated.
Sometimes I found the descriptions and inner monologue were more drawn out than necessary and made the book longer than it needed to be.
There is a long list of things in this book that some could be very sensitive to. I would definitely recommend a thorough understanding of the TWs before diving in.
May 29, 2024
Ok, wow..😍 This was so good!! Dark, hot and heavy! Exactly what I needed, I could not put it down!! gripping the whole way through
December 9, 2023
4.25⭐️
I definitely enjoyed this more than I thought I would! The beginning was a bit slow to me but then I became addicted and INHALED this! To say this was a wild ride would be an understatement.
Sacha was terrible but also kinda sweet?? Like, yeah he leads a cult and he’s murdered countless people in the name of his religion but he was also hot sooooo👀 What can I say; at some points, he had me ready to drink the kool-aid as well🫣
Mia just needs all the hugs and extensive therapy 😭 my girl was going through it.
This truly messed with my mind so if you’re looking for something dark, hot, and utterly insane, I definitely recommend this! Be sure to check TWs and enjoy!
I definitely enjoyed this more than I thought I would! The beginning was a bit slow to me but then I became addicted and INHALED this! To say this was a wild ride would be an understatement.
Sacha was terrible but also kinda sweet?? Like, yeah he leads a cult and he’s murdered countless people in the name of his religion but he was also hot sooooo👀 What can I say; at some points, he had me ready to drink the kool-aid as well🫣
Mia just needs all the hugs and extensive therapy 😭 my girl was going through it.
This truly messed with my mind so if you’re looking for something dark, hot, and utterly insane, I definitely recommend this! Be sure to check TWs and enjoy!
May 31, 2023
Oh where to begin with this book, the rollercoaster ride is real with it wow, I was insnared, captivated, it was amazing. It's definitely slow at first but when it picks up hold on for the ride. It was so tragic, I absolutely fell in love with Mia and was continually rooting for her. It had so many twists sometimes I was left reeling no knowing what to expect next. ❤️❤️
April 12, 2024
2/5 - This book got real convoluted for no reason.
By the time I got to killing Caroline and Katya I’d decided this was a three star read for me. But that damn baby ending, for real, knocked it down to a two star. Baby epilogues are the bane of my existence. Whenever an author feels the need to have one in their book, it’s an automatic star taken away. I don’t care if it was a stupid just holding a baby that’s not her’s was annoying.
This is not what I had in mind for a “dark occult psychological” romance. Were all of the trigger warnings accurate, yes; however, a lot were mildly present. It just felt like the author really wanted to go there emotionally and attack serious mental health issues, but it got lost in the many subplots.
The occult aspect of the story seemed like it served as a vehicle to get Sacha, Ruslan, and Nikolai together. Beyond that the sacrifices seemed more for shock value, but not really.
It felt like the small details that were meant to fill holes within the story were rushed over or not needed, like the whole cat situation. What did that really add to the story?
Ok let’s talk about the amount of sex that’s in this book. I think once I got to the 40% mark in the book Sacha and Mia just started fucking like rabbits. He’d tell her not to do something, she’d do it. He’d degrade her and inflict pain then hardcore sex, but his threats were really empty. All the sex in the book got boring. And for me to say that there’s too much is saying something.
The prose was good and the storytelling was great; I wanted to keep reading the book just to see how much more stupid Mia could be. She could be a lot stupid… all the way to the end of the book. I feel like all her trauma was supposed to excuse her serious lack of likability. She tried to use it as a crutch in the book and the author tried to do the same.
By the time I got to killing Caroline and Katya I’d decided this was a three star read for me. But that damn baby ending, for real, knocked it down to a two star. Baby epilogues are the bane of my existence. Whenever an author feels the need to have one in their book, it’s an automatic star taken away. I don’t care if it was a stupid just holding a baby that’s not her’s was annoying.
This is not what I had in mind for a “dark occult psychological” romance. Were all of the trigger warnings accurate, yes; however, a lot were mildly present. It just felt like the author really wanted to go there emotionally and attack serious mental health issues, but it got lost in the many subplots.
The occult aspect of the story seemed like it served as a vehicle to get Sacha, Ruslan, and Nikolai together. Beyond that the sacrifices seemed more for shock value, but not really.
It felt like the small details that were meant to fill holes within the story were rushed over or not needed, like the whole cat situation. What did that really add to the story?
Ok let’s talk about the amount of sex that’s in this book. I think once I got to the 40% mark in the book Sacha and Mia just started fucking like rabbits. He’d tell her not to do something, she’d do it. He’d degrade her and inflict pain then hardcore sex, but his threats were really empty. All the sex in the book got boring. And for me to say that there’s too much is saying something.
The prose was good and the storytelling was great; I wanted to keep reading the book just to see how much more stupid Mia could be. She could be a lot stupid… all the way to the end of the book. I feel like all her trauma was supposed to excuse her serious lack of likability. She tried to use it as a crutch in the book and the author tried to do the same.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2023
First of all… Holy mindfuck!!! What did I just read?!! My head is still reeling after reading this book. I was not expecting the plot twist at all and was floored when it happened. This entire book was dark and twisted, it is also one of the most intense dark romances that I've ever read and also the most unique. I've read several dark psychological romance books but The Harbinger was unlike anything I've ever read. The entire story was incredibly well written and the plot was so gripping that I could not stop turning page after page.
Mia, our FMC is such a strong and resilient character despite the trauma she's endured. She is suffering from amnesia with no memory of who she really is or even where she came from. Her only glimpse of her past being crippling flashbacks of the trauma she's endured. Despite the trauma of her past, Mia remained strong and independent but was absolutely, 100% a brat. I couldn't help but lover her character and her bratty ways and very much enjoyed her "punishment" for that.
Alexander Ruslanovich or "Sacha", our MMC is dark, brooding and mysterious but also sort of terrifying but this character is HOT!!! He doesn't appreciate Mia's bratty behavior and has very particular tastes when it comes to "punishment". This led to some of the hottest spicy scenes I've ever read. I was torn between loving and hating his character for most of the book, that was until the story really unfolded and I was finally able to understand his motives behind everything he's done. This led to Sacha being my newest book boyfriend obsession.
The Harbinger was definitely a wild ride but I enjoyed every devious page that I read. If you're a fan of dark psychological romance or dark occult romance, I highly recommend giving this book a chance to become your new favorite dark romance. This easily earned 5 stars in every department but especially in the spice department. Ann-Marie Davis is a new to me author but after enjoying The Harbinger as much as I did, she has definitely gained a fan for life.
Mia, our FMC is such a strong and resilient character despite the trauma she's endured. She is suffering from amnesia with no memory of who she really is or even where she came from. Her only glimpse of her past being crippling flashbacks of the trauma she's endured. Despite the trauma of her past, Mia remained strong and independent but was absolutely, 100% a brat. I couldn't help but lover her character and her bratty ways and very much enjoyed her "punishment" for that.
Alexander Ruslanovich or "Sacha", our MMC is dark, brooding and mysterious but also sort of terrifying but this character is HOT!!! He doesn't appreciate Mia's bratty behavior and has very particular tastes when it comes to "punishment". This led to some of the hottest spicy scenes I've ever read. I was torn between loving and hating his character for most of the book, that was until the story really unfolded and I was finally able to understand his motives behind everything he's done. This led to Sacha being my newest book boyfriend obsession.
The Harbinger was definitely a wild ride but I enjoyed every devious page that I read. If you're a fan of dark psychological romance or dark occult romance, I highly recommend giving this book a chance to become your new favorite dark romance. This easily earned 5 stars in every department but especially in the spice department. Ann-Marie Davis is a new to me author but after enjoying The Harbinger as much as I did, she has definitely gained a fan for life.
June 7, 2023
Have you ever gone into a book thinking, “I’m not sure where this is headed or what it’s really about, but i’ll try it but I may not like it because it seems kinda weird and not my normal…..” THIS BOOK AINT THAT! I mean, you don’t know where it’s heading sure but it’s one that you can’t help by devour and love from cover to cover! Nothing about it is weird and nothing about this story had me running for the hills. IN FACT, I’d read it again if I could. This book is dark and twisted and as more and more of the secrets are revealed the more hooked you get. PERIOD.
Ann-Marie Davis… what did you do to me!! I finished “The Harbinger” and IMMEDIATELY wanted more! More of everything! Even the MMC, Sacha, who is literally a monster in every way. It takes a little bit for him and the FMC, Mia, to find common ground and stop fighting each other but the second it happens it’s like a bomb goes off. Their chemistry is off the charts — even if it seems a bit Stockholm Syndrome-y, they’re still pretty perfect for each other. The secret society/religion/cult-y aspect of this story is EVERYTHING! I haven’t read anything with this trope and now I’m like actively searching for this trope everywhere!
Now, this book is a thick girl but because of how well written it is, finishing it in less than two days didn’t feel daunting… like I said, I personally wanted more. For those dark romance readers out there with little to no triggers, this book is for you! It’s different in its premise but it DELIVERS from start to finish.
Rating: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 3.5/5🌶️🥵
Tropes:
🥀 Russian secret society/cult
🥀 Captured FMC
🥀 Unapologetic psychotic MMC
🥀 Age-gap
🥀 Forced Proximity
🥀 Degradation
🥀 Touch her and ☠️
Triggers:
💥 The list here is VERY long so please read all trigger warnings before diving into this book. Sacha is a literally monster and Mia is very damaged so be aware of this. 💥
Ann-Marie Davis… what did you do to me!! I finished “The Harbinger” and IMMEDIATELY wanted more! More of everything! Even the MMC, Sacha, who is literally a monster in every way. It takes a little bit for him and the FMC, Mia, to find common ground and stop fighting each other but the second it happens it’s like a bomb goes off. Their chemistry is off the charts — even if it seems a bit Stockholm Syndrome-y, they’re still pretty perfect for each other. The secret society/religion/cult-y aspect of this story is EVERYTHING! I haven’t read anything with this trope and now I’m like actively searching for this trope everywhere!
Now, this book is a thick girl but because of how well written it is, finishing it in less than two days didn’t feel daunting… like I said, I personally wanted more. For those dark romance readers out there with little to no triggers, this book is for you! It’s different in its premise but it DELIVERS from start to finish.
Rating: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 3.5/5🌶️🥵
Tropes:
🥀 Russian secret society/cult
🥀 Captured FMC
🥀 Unapologetic psychotic MMC
🥀 Age-gap
🥀 Forced Proximity
🥀 Degradation
🥀 Touch her and ☠️
Triggers:
💥 The list here is VERY long so please read all trigger warnings before diving into this book. Sacha is a literally monster and Mia is very damaged so be aware of this. 💥
March 28, 2024
My Rating: 3 ⭐⭐⭐
Solid 3 star book. It hooked me right from the beginning with the whole mystery surrounding the FMC. The MMC was how you expected someone like him to be. I will say I feel like some of the story kind of fell apart in the middle - but the author did a great job (in my opinion) tieing up loose ends.
Almost all of my questions were answered by the end of the book. When I was close to the end - I felt like I wasn't going to enjoy reading this. I thought "ugh - the FMC is driving me insane" and the few miscommunication incidences were driving me mad! I think that's why I rated the book as a 3 and not a two. Isn't that what a book is supposed to do? Get you involved? Make you emotional? Cause a reaction? This in fact, did all of those. I even found myself with some feels towards the end.
I have to remember - with dual POV books - I have MUCH more information than the characters - so when they don't see something that is clearly super fkng obvious to me - I want to throw the book and scream - then once I've finished the book and can thing clearly, sans any emotions, I'm like - duh he or she wasn't in the person's head and had NO idea what was happening.
Things I liked - this book was dark - there were some messed up things, and it was smutty - I liked that we didn't have to wait to the 50% mark to get to the good stuff 😏😏. It wasn't filthy, but 100% had some terrific smut. Its not fluff AT ALL - there is a HEA but you will have to work to get there and these characters go through IT to get there.
I can appreciate the story and the stand alone. And yes, this chick pissed me off more than once when she was absolutely appalled the MMC murdered someone for her - but fk that - cause I woulda been like burn the world lol - especially if someone killed my cat 😏😏
Solid 3 star book. It hooked me right from the beginning with the whole mystery surrounding the FMC. The MMC was how you expected someone like him to be. I will say I feel like some of the story kind of fell apart in the middle - but the author did a great job (in my opinion) tieing up loose ends.
Almost all of my questions were answered by the end of the book. When I was close to the end - I felt like I wasn't going to enjoy reading this. I thought "ugh - the FMC is driving me insane" and the few miscommunication incidences were driving me mad! I think that's why I rated the book as a 3 and not a two. Isn't that what a book is supposed to do? Get you involved? Make you emotional? Cause a reaction? This in fact, did all of those. I even found myself with some feels towards the end.
I have to remember - with dual POV books - I have MUCH more information than the characters - so when they don't see something that is clearly super fkng obvious to me - I want to throw the book and scream - then once I've finished the book and can thing clearly, sans any emotions, I'm like - duh he or she wasn't in the person's head and had NO idea what was happening.
Things I liked - this book was dark - there were some messed up things, and it was smutty - I liked that we didn't have to wait to the 50% mark to get to the good stuff 😏😏. It wasn't filthy, but 100% had some terrific smut. Its not fluff AT ALL - there is a HEA but you will have to work to get there and these characters go through IT to get there.
I can appreciate the story and the stand alone. And yes, this chick pissed me off more than once when she was absolutely appalled the MMC murdered someone for her - but fk that - cause I woulda been like burn the world lol - especially if someone killed my cat 😏😏
May 4, 2025
NEGATIVE 100 STARS
What the actual fuck? Mia is the dumbest fictional character in literary history. She asks questions like, "What's upstairs?" instead of, "WHO ARE YOU, EXACTLY? WHY AM I HERE?" On top of that, she is IN LOVE WITH HER ABUSER. We could argue he physically abused her and he definitely emotionally fucked her up. And she was already fucked up.
Then, just to stray from the path of telling us more about this cult, the author segways into A PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPERIMENT. And ope, it looks like Mia is going home. This is after she said shit such as not caring about Sacha's religion (um, maybe in this case, you should) . But don't worry - her abuser did this out of love. He knew her crazy ass would come back.
Why did I finish this? Because, with every turn of the page, I expected Mia to fucking finally remember something crucial to her life.
What the actual fuck? Mia is the dumbest fictional character in literary history. She asks questions like, "What's upstairs?" instead of, "WHO ARE YOU, EXACTLY? WHY AM I HERE?" On top of that, she is IN LOVE WITH HER ABUSER. We could argue he physically abused her and he definitely emotionally fucked her up. And she was already fucked up.
Then, just to stray from the path of telling us more about this cult, the author segways into A PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPERIMENT. And ope, it looks like Mia is going home. This is after she said shit such as not caring about Sacha's religion (um, maybe in this case, you should) . But don't worry - her abuser did this out of love. He knew her crazy ass would come back.
Why did I finish this? Because, with every turn of the page, I expected Mia to fucking finally remember something crucial to her life.
June 2, 2023
What a ride this book was!!! It starts out slow. We have no idea what’s going on with our fmc or why she’s found herself in her current situation. But let me tell you, the story picks up fast and when it does, it picks UP baby 👏🏻
We have everything from cult rituals, degradation, sacrifice, Stockholm syndrome, and so much more. Literally the trigger warning list is longer than my grocery list and I am here for it ALL 🙌🏻💯
And when I finally got to the part that explained everything I was just like 👁️👄👁️
This book had me guessing til the very last page! Definitely 5/5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
We have everything from cult rituals, degradation, sacrifice, Stockholm syndrome, and so much more. Literally the trigger warning list is longer than my grocery list and I am here for it ALL 🙌🏻💯
And when I finally got to the part that explained everything I was just like 👁️👄👁️
This book had me guessing til the very last page! Definitely 5/5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 9, 2023
I read a lot of dark romances, but I normally avoid the cult ones and sometimes I struggle to understand what’s happening. This book came hugely recommended so I thought I would give it a go, and it did not disappoint. Absolutely incredible, really informative so you don’t have to guess what something means, the authors writing is brilliant. The twists were fantastic and wasn’t predictable. Absolutely loved it will definitely read more from the author 🖤
May 24, 2023
The anticipation I had waiting for this book to arrive and boy, does it start with intrigue! Sacha is shrouded in mystery and poor Mia sounds like she's been through a lot. She's not at all in a good place and there are certain things that Sacha is curious about.
This book is descriptive without giving anything away. Mia doesn't know who she is and we have no idea who Sascha is. Ann-marie has her hooks firmly embedded and you have no choice but to keep reading, it makes you feel desperate to know what's going on, like Mia jonesing for her next fix.
The deeper we go, the more mysteries there are to solve. Sacha is a powerful man. He likes control and is set on breaking Mia. I'm right there with her. I'm caught between being enraptured by his tenderness to finding him too brutish. He's a conundrum.
Mia has flashbacks to a life she's struggling to remember. She's a fighter and is struggling to handle Sacha's personality but at the same time, she craves him, he makes her feel safe despite everything.
I love the intrigue I feel coming from the writing, like there's something hidden in the words that you have to try to figure out. I keep reading hoping I can figure it out but Ann-Marie has a way with her words and I feel like I'm crawling through a maze trying to figure out how to make my way to the end. Sascha has beliefs that Mia questions in the beginning and I'm hoping that what she's still going through doesn't force her to go back to old habits.
Their spicy scenes were hot, hot, hot. Described in such a way that you cannot help imagining in your head. Things you never knew you were into. Mia has become his and Sacha won't allow anyone to take his prized possession. Somewhere along the way Mia realises it's better to go along than to fight. These two characters couldn't be more different, watching Mia begin to remember whilst learning to be OK and coming to terms with Sacha and his beliefs has been so intense. Sacha felt compelled to keep Mia and will do anything, and I do mean anything, to keep her safe. She is his now and no one will take her away. Mia has come to realise that despite how Sacha chooses to live his life, she can't be without him.
I've only said this about few books, but this is unlike anything I've ever read and it has been written brilliantly. Ann-marie has an edge to her writing that fits perfect to a story like this. Reading about Sacha and his occult was fascinating, their beliefs and their believers far reaching.
They both grew by the end, Mia in a sense was reborn and without what was done to her she never would have met Sacha. Sacha became a little softer and showed his tenderness more, which I liked. This was so well done that you will not have any clue how it is all pieced together until it is all spelled out for you.
This was an absolutely fantastic read and it was worth the wait. I cannot praise this book enough, it was that good. For those that love a dark story, some real spicy scenes and a dominant occult leader, this book is for you.
This book is descriptive without giving anything away. Mia doesn't know who she is and we have no idea who Sascha is. Ann-marie has her hooks firmly embedded and you have no choice but to keep reading, it makes you feel desperate to know what's going on, like Mia jonesing for her next fix.
The deeper we go, the more mysteries there are to solve. Sacha is a powerful man. He likes control and is set on breaking Mia. I'm right there with her. I'm caught between being enraptured by his tenderness to finding him too brutish. He's a conundrum.
Mia has flashbacks to a life she's struggling to remember. She's a fighter and is struggling to handle Sacha's personality but at the same time, she craves him, he makes her feel safe despite everything.
I love the intrigue I feel coming from the writing, like there's something hidden in the words that you have to try to figure out. I keep reading hoping I can figure it out but Ann-Marie has a way with her words and I feel like I'm crawling through a maze trying to figure out how to make my way to the end. Sascha has beliefs that Mia questions in the beginning and I'm hoping that what she's still going through doesn't force her to go back to old habits.
Their spicy scenes were hot, hot, hot. Described in such a way that you cannot help imagining in your head. Things you never knew you were into. Mia has become his and Sacha won't allow anyone to take his prized possession. Somewhere along the way Mia realises it's better to go along than to fight. These two characters couldn't be more different, watching Mia begin to remember whilst learning to be OK and coming to terms with Sacha and his beliefs has been so intense. Sacha felt compelled to keep Mia and will do anything, and I do mean anything, to keep her safe. She is his now and no one will take her away. Mia has come to realise that despite how Sacha chooses to live his life, she can't be without him.
I've only said this about few books, but this is unlike anything I've ever read and it has been written brilliantly. Ann-marie has an edge to her writing that fits perfect to a story like this. Reading about Sacha and his occult was fascinating, their beliefs and their believers far reaching.
They both grew by the end, Mia in a sense was reborn and without what was done to her she never would have met Sacha. Sacha became a little softer and showed his tenderness more, which I liked. This was so well done that you will not have any clue how it is all pieced together until it is all spelled out for you.
This was an absolutely fantastic read and it was worth the wait. I cannot praise this book enough, it was that good. For those that love a dark story, some real spicy scenes and a dominant occult leader, this book is for you.
March 5, 2024
The anticipation I had waiting for this book to arrive and boy, does it start with intrigue! Sacha is shrouded in mystery and poor Mia sounds like she's been through a lot. She's not at all in a good place and there are certain things that Sacha is curious about.
This book is descriptive without giving anything away. Mia doesn't know who she is and we have no idea who Sascha is. Ann-marie has her hooks firmly embedded and you have no choice but to keep reading, it makes you feel desperate to know what's going on, like Mia jonesing for her next fix.
The deeper we go, the more mysteries there are to solve. Sacha is a powerful man. He likes control and is set on breaking Mia. I'm right there with her. I'm caught between being enraptured by his tenderness to finding him too brutish. He's a conundrum.
Mia has flashbacks to a life she's struggling to remember. She's a fighter and is struggling to handle Sacha's personality but at the same time, she craves him, he makes her feel safe despite everything.
I love the intrigue I feel coming from the writing, like there's something hidden in the words that you have to try to figure out. I keep reading hoping I can figure it out but Ann-Marie has a way with her words and I feel like I'm crawling through a maze trying to figure out how to make my way to the end. Sascha has beliefs that Mia questions in the beginning and I'm hoping that what she's still going through doesn't force her to go back to old habits.
Their spicy scenes were hot, hot, hot. Described in such a way that you cannot help imagining in your head. Things you never knew you were into. Mia has become his and Sacha won't allow anyone to take his prized possession. Somewhere along the way Mia realises it's better to go along than to fight. These two characters couldn't be more different, watching Mia begin to remember whilst learning to be OK and coming to terms with Sacha and his beliefs has been so intense. Sacha felt compelled to keep Mia and will do anything, and I do mean anything, to keep her safe. She is his now and no one will take her away. Mia has come to realise that despite how Sacha chooses to live his life, she can't be without him.
I've only said this about few books, but this is unlike anything I've ever read and it has been written brilliantly. Ann-marie has an edge to her writing that fits perfect to a story like this. Reading about Sacha and his occult was fascinating, their beliefs and their believers far reaching.
They both grew by the end, Mia in a sense was reborn and without what was done to her she never would have met Sacha. Sacha became a little softer and showed his tenderness more, which I liked. This was so well done that you will not have any clue how it is all pieced together until it is all spelled out for you.
This was an absolutely fantastic read and it was worth the wait. I cannot praise this book enough, it was that good. For those that love a dark story, some real spicy scenes and a dominant occult leader, this book is for you.
This book is descriptive without giving anything away. Mia doesn't know who she is and we have no idea who Sascha is. Ann-marie has her hooks firmly embedded and you have no choice but to keep reading, it makes you feel desperate to know what's going on, like Mia jonesing for her next fix.
The deeper we go, the more mysteries there are to solve. Sacha is a powerful man. He likes control and is set on breaking Mia. I'm right there with her. I'm caught between being enraptured by his tenderness to finding him too brutish. He's a conundrum.
Mia has flashbacks to a life she's struggling to remember. She's a fighter and is struggling to handle Sacha's personality but at the same time, she craves him, he makes her feel safe despite everything.
I love the intrigue I feel coming from the writing, like there's something hidden in the words that you have to try to figure out. I keep reading hoping I can figure it out but Ann-Marie has a way with her words and I feel like I'm crawling through a maze trying to figure out how to make my way to the end. Sascha has beliefs that Mia questions in the beginning and I'm hoping that what she's still going through doesn't force her to go back to old habits.
Their spicy scenes were hot, hot, hot. Described in such a way that you cannot help imagining in your head. Things you never knew you were into. Mia has become his and Sacha won't allow anyone to take his prized possession. Somewhere along the way Mia realises it's better to go along than to fight. These two characters couldn't be more different, watching Mia begin to remember whilst learning to be OK and coming to terms with Sacha and his beliefs has been so intense. Sacha felt compelled to keep Mia and will do anything, and I do mean anything, to keep her safe. She is his now and no one will take her away. Mia has come to realise that despite how Sacha chooses to live his life, she can't be without him.
I've only said this about few books, but this is unlike anything I've ever read and it has been written brilliantly. Ann-marie has an edge to her writing that fits perfect to a story like this. Reading about Sacha and his occult was fascinating, their beliefs and their believers far reaching.
They both grew by the end, Mia in a sense was reborn and without what was done to her she never would have met Sacha. Sacha became a little softer and showed his tenderness more, which I liked. This was so well done that you will not have any clue how it is all pieced together until it is all spelled out for you.
This was an absolutely fantastic read and it was worth the wait. I cannot praise this book enough, it was that good. For those that love a dark story, some real spicy scenes and a dominant occult leader, this book is for you.
June 11, 2023
Another all nighter
This is a super dark and complex read. It's truly a very Occult book. There are many books that are themed with the Occult running through the storyline but this is heavy. It's an intense psychological experience. The fmc has no memory of her life just a few days before. Mia is a young American woman. She's homeless. She is starved for not only the basic things of humanity but she has no place to be. It's a fascinating experience of the wandering journey of amnesia and waking the f up. Upon meeting Sascha, a dark Russian man with incredible magnetic pull, she knows in her heart that he's very different. He's demanding and uncompromising. He needs her for something that she doesn't know about.
There is plenty of angst but it's tolerable in the way it's a natural dance of indecision. A young woman with sleep walking and black out terrors finds comfort in the arms of her captor. As she learns more about the life Sascha doesn't keep a secret, she falls for him. To her his passionate beliefs prove his passion for something greater even if it's not the traditional sense. He's dark. He's dangerous. There are so many ways that he terrifies her but it's the outside world that scares her more.
The Occult beats heavy and constant. It's not a secret society or a dystopian cult. This is a religion and a lifestyle that the characters do not hide in dark caves. They adorn homes with the paintings and statues of worship. Of course there's an altar yesssss. And such nasty and hotttt things happen on it.
With the absolute perfect length of this book it's written so well that I couldn't put it down. I love a great standalone that has real meat in it's story. Yes this is a terrifying story of consuming, heavy heat and dark depravity it's raunchy but defined. It's a push into those flexible boundaries that exist in our minds and I jump for joy when I read it.
This is a super dark and complex read. It's truly a very Occult book. There are many books that are themed with the Occult running through the storyline but this is heavy. It's an intense psychological experience. The fmc has no memory of her life just a few days before. Mia is a young American woman. She's homeless. She is starved for not only the basic things of humanity but she has no place to be. It's a fascinating experience of the wandering journey of amnesia and waking the f up. Upon meeting Sascha, a dark Russian man with incredible magnetic pull, she knows in her heart that he's very different. He's demanding and uncompromising. He needs her for something that she doesn't know about.
There is plenty of angst but it's tolerable in the way it's a natural dance of indecision. A young woman with sleep walking and black out terrors finds comfort in the arms of her captor. As she learns more about the life Sascha doesn't keep a secret, she falls for him. To her his passionate beliefs prove his passion for something greater even if it's not the traditional sense. He's dark. He's dangerous. There are so many ways that he terrifies her but it's the outside world that scares her more.
The Occult beats heavy and constant. It's not a secret society or a dystopian cult. This is a religion and a lifestyle that the characters do not hide in dark caves. They adorn homes with the paintings and statues of worship. Of course there's an altar yesssss. And such nasty and hotttt things happen on it.
With the absolute perfect length of this book it's written so well that I couldn't put it down. I love a great standalone that has real meat in it's story. Yes this is a terrifying story of consuming, heavy heat and dark depravity it's raunchy but defined. It's a push into those flexible boundaries that exist in our minds and I jump for joy when I read it.
June 13, 2023
Mia is living on the street when she is abducted by a man she simply asked for help. She eventually finds herself in a foreign country on the other side of the world. She is confused yet chooses to make the best of it. When Sacha, the handsome stranger that she is depending on to survive, begins to open his world to her, she is shocked. Soon she finds herself becoming attached and realizes that she has become a prisoner to her mind rather than of Sacha.
However, things are not as they seem. An unexpected plot twist changes the entire story and the reader’s perspective of everything that has already happened and every moment after.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Part of me found the story disturbingly intriguing and different than anything else I’ve read this year. I assumed there’d be a religious aspect but it went in a different direction than I thought it would. I found myself constantly yelling “nope” with my jaw dropped. The things that Mia was expected to be okay with surprised me.
I was drawn in by the idea of this story and while there were interesting parts that kept me engaged enough to finish, the overall story was a little underwhelming. This was simply because I felt nothing for the characters. I did not find them relatable, likable, or interesting. I found Mia’s back-and-forth with Sacha to be painfully predictable. That said, once all secrets began to unravel, I found the story more interesting. I even started to change my mind a bit about Mia after the final alter scene.
I do think that there was great world-building and the story was original. There were moments when I laughed out loud and others when I was frustrated. Nevertheless, while this story may not have been 100% for me, I can appreciate it and think that others may absolutely love it.
Voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of the author, Ann-Marie Davis.
However, things are not as they seem. An unexpected plot twist changes the entire story and the reader’s perspective of everything that has already happened and every moment after.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Part of me found the story disturbingly intriguing and different than anything else I’ve read this year. I assumed there’d be a religious aspect but it went in a different direction than I thought it would. I found myself constantly yelling “nope” with my jaw dropped. The things that Mia was expected to be okay with surprised me.
I was drawn in by the idea of this story and while there were interesting parts that kept me engaged enough to finish, the overall story was a little underwhelming. This was simply because I felt nothing for the characters. I did not find them relatable, likable, or interesting. I found Mia’s back-and-forth with Sacha to be painfully predictable. That said, once all secrets began to unravel, I found the story more interesting. I even started to change my mind a bit about Mia after the final alter scene.
I do think that there was great world-building and the story was original. There were moments when I laughed out loud and others when I was frustrated. Nevertheless, while this story may not have been 100% for me, I can appreciate it and think that others may absolutely love it.
Voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of the author, Ann-Marie Davis.
June 6, 2023
"She was mine. And not even the gates of Hell could take her from me."
I had a great time reading this book. It had so many different elements that captivated my attention. I really liked being unsure of what's going on and then the author reveals something and it all fits together perfectly. This book is a puzzle. Each piece fits together and eventually makes sense. This book takes you on a journey. There is so much that happens. I was never bored.
“Show me how well you can obey your god.”
The relationship between Sacha and Mia was strange yet infectious. He was so hot and cold the entire book which of course enticed me even more. Their steamy scenes were written well. Plenty of kinks to keep you occupied 😏 Two of my favorites were in here so I was having a fun 😈
It was really cool learning about Mia as she learned about herself. When we meet her she has no idea who she is. As she begins to figure it out, the readers are too. The reveals were done very well. As a reader you know there's plenty of shadiness in this book. I was not expecting some of the reveals while the others I had an idea.
I had so many questions that would get answered and then I'd have even more. I was constantly guessing what would happen next in this book and a decent amount of the time I was pleasantly surprised. The ending was perfect. The author did an incredible job of wrapping up a chaotic book into a nice satisfying bow at the end.
This book is full of mystery, suspense, dark twists and turns, and spice. I was lucky enough to read this as an ARC. Thank you so much Ann-Marie Davis for sharing your book with me. You have something great here for sure.
I had a great time reading this book. It had so many different elements that captivated my attention. I really liked being unsure of what's going on and then the author reveals something and it all fits together perfectly. This book is a puzzle. Each piece fits together and eventually makes sense. This book takes you on a journey. There is so much that happens. I was never bored.
“Show me how well you can obey your god.”
The relationship between Sacha and Mia was strange yet infectious. He was so hot and cold the entire book which of course enticed me even more. Their steamy scenes were written well. Plenty of kinks to keep you occupied 😏 Two of my favorites were in here so I was having a fun 😈
It was really cool learning about Mia as she learned about herself. When we meet her she has no idea who she is. As she begins to figure it out, the readers are too. The reveals were done very well. As a reader you know there's plenty of shadiness in this book. I was not expecting some of the reveals while the others I had an idea.
I had so many questions that would get answered and then I'd have even more. I was constantly guessing what would happen next in this book and a decent amount of the time I was pleasantly surprised. The ending was perfect. The author did an incredible job of wrapping up a chaotic book into a nice satisfying bow at the end.
This book is full of mystery, suspense, dark twists and turns, and spice. I was lucky enough to read this as an ARC. Thank you so much Ann-Marie Davis for sharing your book with me. You have something great here for sure.
June 18, 2023
If you love dark occult romance, definitely check this one out! But be sure to read the trigger warnings….as it is… well… dark. There are a TON of steamy scenes that will leave your mouth watering.
Ann-Marie Davis has an amazing way of building up her dark worlds and, in this particular instance, leaving the reader with a bunch of question marks as the story progresses. Mia has absolutely no memory- zero- of who she is or where she’s from, or what the heck she’s even doing. Following a chance encounter, Mia is found by Sacha, a dark man full of red flags who keeps her all to himself. But what she thinks is real and possible, may not be the full truth- especially in this dark, secret society. As she tries to figure things out, she also finds herself inexplicably drawn to Sacha. Call it Stockholm Syndrome or whatever, but their relationship continues to develop throughout the story, with a lot of twists and turns, and nothing ever seems concrete… until it does. You’ll understand that bit when you read it.
Again, grab your coffee, your chocolate, and a comfy blanket because you’re in for a RIDE! Ann-Marie’s characters claw themselves into you and leave you hanging with one helluva book hangover. Mia and Sacha are wonderful characters, both with flaws that will sometimes leave you pulling your hair out. But really, that’s the beauty of it.
I highly recommend this standalone, but again, read your triggers!!! You’ve been warned!!
Ann-Marie Davis has an amazing way of building up her dark worlds and, in this particular instance, leaving the reader with a bunch of question marks as the story progresses. Mia has absolutely no memory- zero- of who she is or where she’s from, or what the heck she’s even doing. Following a chance encounter, Mia is found by Sacha, a dark man full of red flags who keeps her all to himself. But what she thinks is real and possible, may not be the full truth- especially in this dark, secret society. As she tries to figure things out, she also finds herself inexplicably drawn to Sacha. Call it Stockholm Syndrome or whatever, but their relationship continues to develop throughout the story, with a lot of twists and turns, and nothing ever seems concrete… until it does. You’ll understand that bit when you read it.
Again, grab your coffee, your chocolate, and a comfy blanket because you’re in for a RIDE! Ann-Marie’s characters claw themselves into you and leave you hanging with one helluva book hangover. Mia and Sacha are wonderful characters, both with flaws that will sometimes leave you pulling your hair out. But really, that’s the beauty of it.
I highly recommend this standalone, but again, read your triggers!!! You’ve been warned!!
June 3, 2023
I just find my new obsessed!!!!
Ann Marie is author to me that I'm in love with, so now after finishing this ARC I'm left speshles again.
I'm not fan of psychological romance,but now when she added dark,and occult to the mix it get my attention!😌
So the story start with Mia our damsel in distras ,who is homeless and without memory.
One night lurking around, her path is crossed with bunch rusian tugs,who brings her to theyr boss Sasha this wicked, and psychotic man.
He is controlling freak,who is also leader to secret occult society. He is unapologetic and get anything he wants, and in this list is to crush Mia like ant.
My feelings toward him trough 70% of the book was love, and hate relationship. One moment he was tender and caring, and in the next so brutal that I wanted to hit him.😌
Mia in other hand make my heart to ache 🤧this girl suffered a lot... the hell she get trough no one can describe. Now also without answers,who she is ,and where she is , the universe trow at her Sasha, and to fight with he's cruel personality and the live he live in.
Trough the whole book,I was rollercoaster of emotions, the whole book hold me trough soo much tension, what is going to happen next. This was incredible dark story,that was worth reading it.
I highly recommend to anyone, who love dark and occult society romance !
Ann Marie is author to me that I'm in love with, so now after finishing this ARC I'm left speshles again.
I'm not fan of psychological romance,but now when she added dark,and occult to the mix it get my attention!😌
So the story start with Mia our damsel in distras ,who is homeless and without memory.
One night lurking around, her path is crossed with bunch rusian tugs,who brings her to theyr boss Sasha this wicked, and psychotic man.
He is controlling freak,who is also leader to secret occult society. He is unapologetic and get anything he wants, and in this list is to crush Mia like ant.
My feelings toward him trough 70% of the book was love, and hate relationship. One moment he was tender and caring, and in the next so brutal that I wanted to hit him.😌
Mia in other hand make my heart to ache 🤧this girl suffered a lot... the hell she get trough no one can describe. Now also without answers,who she is ,and where she is , the universe trow at her Sasha, and to fight with he's cruel personality and the live he live in.
Trough the whole book,I was rollercoaster of emotions, the whole book hold me trough soo much tension, what is going to happen next. This was incredible dark story,that was worth reading it.
I highly recommend to anyone, who love dark and occult society romance !
June 5, 2023
Hot Damn!! If you have not read Ann-Marie Davis yet, you need to do so NOW! Every book of hers I read is a bloody smash!! The Harbinger is a dark, dark, cult romance. The stark difference in MCs is so creatively woven as we learn about Mia and Sascha.
Mia's story is sad and so painful. An unfortunate product of circumstances. Sacha is a lead MC that you want to dislike, but, I'll be damned if I didn't fall in love with his domineering, psychopathic ways. There are twists and turns I didn't see coming and the steamy factor is off the charts! Ann-Marie knows how to write great steamy scenes or many steamy moments! Mia and Sacha’s life is anything but easy, in a strange way you are cheering for the darkness and their success (It was a strange combo for me personally). This is the second thriller I have read this month and I LOVED it! It was a far cry from my typical HEA romances.
This book does have TRIGGER WARNINGS. The readers need to heed this warning if they find certain situations to be an issue. That is on the reader to make the decision to read it or not. This book will keep you immersed in the dark, evil world that has been created. It is a delight to fall off the cliff & slowly climb back up it! This book is worth your time!! Give Ann-Marie Davis a chance, you will not be disappointed! @theoriginialmrsp
Mia's story is sad and so painful. An unfortunate product of circumstances. Sacha is a lead MC that you want to dislike, but, I'll be damned if I didn't fall in love with his domineering, psychopathic ways. There are twists and turns I didn't see coming and the steamy factor is off the charts! Ann-Marie knows how to write great steamy scenes or many steamy moments! Mia and Sacha’s life is anything but easy, in a strange way you are cheering for the darkness and their success (It was a strange combo for me personally). This is the second thriller I have read this month and I LOVED it! It was a far cry from my typical HEA romances.
This book does have TRIGGER WARNINGS. The readers need to heed this warning if they find certain situations to be an issue. That is on the reader to make the decision to read it or not. This book will keep you immersed in the dark, evil world that has been created. It is a delight to fall off the cliff & slowly climb back up it! This book is worth your time!! Give Ann-Marie Davis a chance, you will not be disappointed! @theoriginialmrsp
June 12, 2023
First time reading from this author and definitely won't be the last. Its the biggest book I've read in a while. Don't be put off by the amount of pages as if you enjoy this type of book you'll definitely fly through it 😊.
Triggers within the books are:-
Spicy scenes, suicide, unaliving, torture, blood, self harm, drug use, abuse, graphic violence and more..
(Listed at the back of the book-ebook)
The story follows Mia who suffers from amnesia and drug addiction who is kidnapped then held within an evil secret society in Russia. Sacha is there to protect Mia when he chooses to do so.. buckle up for a fast pace, dark and twisty ride!
The cover of this book drew me in before I even read the plot.. I don't mind books with trigger warnings. The author states this before the story begins..
Always be sure to check trigger warnings.
The storyline keeps you engrossed definitely a page turner for me which I love 💕. Book told in a dual POV.
Spice a definite 5. Also this book is a standalone.
Want to say a massive thank you to the author for allowing me to read the advance readers copy! It's been a wild ride.. (a good one)
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Triggers within the books are:-
Spicy scenes, suicide, unaliving, torture, blood, self harm, drug use, abuse, graphic violence and more..
(Listed at the back of the book-ebook)
The story follows Mia who suffers from amnesia and drug addiction who is kidnapped then held within an evil secret society in Russia. Sacha is there to protect Mia when he chooses to do so.. buckle up for a fast pace, dark and twisty ride!
The cover of this book drew me in before I even read the plot.. I don't mind books with trigger warnings. The author states this before the story begins..
Always be sure to check trigger warnings.
The storyline keeps you engrossed definitely a page turner for me which I love 💕. Book told in a dual POV.
Spice a definite 5. Also this book is a standalone.
Want to say a massive thank you to the author for allowing me to read the advance readers copy! It's been a wild ride.. (a good one)
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 30, 2023
This isn’t a just a story - it’s a dark journey filled with twists, turns and bloodshed that I couldn’t put down.
Mia is a young woman who is lost, alone and carries scars on the inside and out - she has no remembrance of where she came from and is desperate to find home. My intrigue with Mia was never ending, she is genuinely one of the most interesting characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Sacha is a man of few words, but his actions scream his intentions. I was truly terrified of him for a better part of this story, but everything he did had purpose.
This is such a psychological mindscrew and I loved every…single…word. Ann has written a story that had me questioning everything while keeping me glued to the pages as the story unfolded. This talented queen was able to beautifully develop two characters, while keeping them both shrouded in mystery, within a story that had so many layers but never felt overdone. I loved the suspense and ominous air with each turn of the page until the nail-biting crescendo and much earned happy ever after. Definitely one of my favorite reads of the year and I can’t wait to add it to my physical library.
Mia is a young woman who is lost, alone and carries scars on the inside and out - she has no remembrance of where she came from and is desperate to find home. My intrigue with Mia was never ending, she is genuinely one of the most interesting characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Sacha is a man of few words, but his actions scream his intentions. I was truly terrified of him for a better part of this story, but everything he did had purpose.
This is such a psychological mindscrew and I loved every…single…word. Ann has written a story that had me questioning everything while keeping me glued to the pages as the story unfolded. This talented queen was able to beautifully develop two characters, while keeping them both shrouded in mystery, within a story that had so many layers but never felt overdone. I loved the suspense and ominous air with each turn of the page until the nail-biting crescendo and much earned happy ever after. Definitely one of my favorite reads of the year and I can’t wait to add it to my physical library.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews