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The Reality of the Broken
The Demon’s Deceit follows a washed-up addict who wakes up and finds herself under the control of a wealthy, manipulative demon, and is offered a deal: freedom from pain and fear, in exchange for becoming an assassin. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
It all started with the question of what would happen if an average woman suddenly found herself with superpowers. I was getting tired of reading fantasy books with suspiciously capable and barely adult protagonists, so I wrote a book that I wanted to read about older and imperfect women like me. The follow-up question then became: how would she get the superpowers to begin with? I can’t help but challenge religion, so I created a race of twisted supernatural beings who may or may not have inspired most religions and who laugh at humanity from the shadows.
There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
I wanted them to feel authentic and unique. I’ve had the privilege of being inspired by so many people from different backgrounds and ways of life, and I wanted to represent the beauty of the unconventional and the reality of the broken.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Redemption and recovery were the main themes revealed during my writing process. Having struggled with mental illness and addiction myself, I wanted my protagonist to “win” after dealing with grief and substance abuse for so long. It’s cathartic for me and hopefully for readers.
When will Book Two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
The Angel’s Bane (Divine Evolution Book 2) is coming early 2026:
By all accounts, Jeanie Bennett is living the dream: money, power, love—but happiness comes at a cost. A growing paranoia threatens to ruin everything she’s worked so hard to build, because loving a divine means accepting that death lurks around every corner. And another loss is not something she can endure.
In addition to protecting Sam from demons thirsting for his angelic blood, she’s juggling the launch of two non-profits, working through her unresolved grief, and battling her mental illness and addictions. When the mounting challenges become too much to bear, she goes back to her roots to find the perfect second assistant. He’s more than qualified, but his motives might not be so pure.
Now they just have to contend with demons, rival angels, kidnappers, mobsters, and a mysterious foe who gives Jeanie her greatest challenge yet. Will she be able to stop him from taking everything she holds dear before it’s too late?
Author Links: <a href="http://22 Nov 2025 13:16:47 -0800 Andria Carver GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Jeanie’s day started off like any other—hungover in a back alley after another epic bender. But the one-way ride on her downward spiral was about to come to an abrupt end. Kidnapped by a bloodthirsty demon, she is thrown into the dark world of the divines, a supernatural species living secretly among humans.
As the new assistant to a divine intent on rising through the ranks, Jeanie is given an assignment: kill an angel so her demon can take his place, or die trying. In order to achieve the impossible, she’ll have to rely on the powers given to her by her new master, along with her quick wit and talent for bluffing.
But not all divines are what they seem, and Jeanie must choose to either defy her morality or die in utter agony. A dangerous incubus steps in and promises to help her, or is he just using her too?
Wickedly funny, unexpectedly moving, and delightfully twisted. The Demon’s Deceit slashes through genre conventions with a bloody dagger in one hand and a smoldering joint in the other. Think Fleabag as Buffy the Vampire Slayer with extra helpings of humor, peril, and passion thrown in.
Contains sexual content, references to drug addiction and abuse, and probably too many curse words (definitely too many)
The Demon’s Deceit
The Demon’s Deceit is the first book in Andria Carver’s “Divine Evolution” series, and it throws you straight into a gritty, supernatural underworld where addiction, trauma, and power all mix with the occult. The story follows Jeanie Bennett, a washed-up addict who wakes up to find herself under the control of Ms. Cummings, a wealthy, manipulative demon. Cummings offers her a deal, freedom from pain and fear, in exchange for becoming her unwilling assassin. What follows is a twisted dive into the world of the “Divines,” beings who exist beyond humanity, feeding on power, blood, and chaos. The story blends dark humor, philosophical reflection, and raw, uncomfortable honesty in a way that makes you both wince and laugh.
I couldn’t stop thinking about how real Jeanie felt. Her sarcasm, her self-loathing, the way she drifts between wanting to die and wanting to live again. The writing is sharp and punchy, and Carver knows how to make even the filthiest alleyway feel alive. There’s grit under every word, and I loved that the book doesn’t try to glamorize the supernatural. Instead, it makes demons bureaucratic, vain, and disturbingly human. Sometimes the dialogue felt very real, like overhearing someone’s breakdown in a dive bar. I liked that rawness, though. The pacing dips now and then, mostly when the lore gets heavy, but the character work keeps it grounded. I found myself laughing at Jeanie’s bleak humor and then suddenly feeling a lump in my throat when her grief crept through the cracks.
Carver’s ideas about divinity and morality are what really stuck with me. The book doesn’t hand you clean answers, it muddies everything. Who deserves redemption? What’s the price of feeling nothing? And can survival be noble if it’s built on someone else’s pain? These questions hum beneath the action and the blood. I liked how Carver never lets Jeanie off the hook; she’s messy, flawed, and maddening, but she’s trying, and that made me root for her. The mix of horror, dark comedy, and emotional honesty gave the book an unpredictable rhythm that made it feel alive.
The Demon’s Deceit feels like a gritty mashup of Neil Gaiman’s dark whimsy in American Gods, Gillian Flynn’s raw, damaged characters, and the cynical bite of Chuck Palahniuk’s storytelling, all wrapped in a supernatural noir that’s entirely its own. The Demon’s Deceit is a wild story that I heartily enjoyed. I’d recommend it to readers who like their urban fantasy dark, their humor twisted, and their characters broken but fighting.
Pages: 273 | ASIN : B0FLVVHS8J
Above the Ashes
In Above the Ashes, Alexander Fernandez introduces Sybil Cotterill, a resilient witch who narrowly escapes the horrors of the English witch hunts, only to be thrust into the infamous Salem trials. After using her magic to cheat death, Sybil’s freedom is snatched away by a mysterious force that entombs her for centuries. When she awakens in the modern world, she’s driven by a thirst for vengeance. However, Marcelo, the vampire who unknowingly frees her, complicates her dark mission. As her interactions with Marcelo deepen, Sybil faces an unexpected internal battle—will she stay true to her path of destruction, or will Marcelo’s influence lead her to reconsider the darkness she’s embraced for so long?
This novel is a gripping blend of historical fiction and supernatural elements, a combination that will instantly appeal to fans of dark fantasy like myself. Fernandez’s strength lies in his ability to create immersive settings, transporting the reader from the ominous streets of 17th-century Salem to the mystic landscapes of Peru. His vivid descriptions make each scene feel alive, whether you’re experiencing the brutality of a witch trial or the supernatural tension that hums through the narrative. Sybil is a complex, deeply flawed character whose relentless desire for revenge feels all too human, while Marcelo brings a new layer of conflict to her journey. Their relationship is charged with emotional tension and raises the stakes on every page. Fernandez’s masterful weaving of historical events with paranormal lore grounds the supernatural in a world that feels believable, particularly with his detailed portrayal of the witch trials. These scenes are gripping, invoking genuine fear and empathy for Sybil’s plight. Her quest for vengeance is palpable, but Fernandez also leaves room for introspection, making us question whether her unyielding need for retribution is justified or if it’s simply destroying her from within. The emotional stakes are high, and as a reader, you’re torn between wanting Sybil to succeed in her quest and hoping she finds some form of redemption along the way.
At the heart of this novel are themes of survival, trust, and the thin line between vengeance and redemption. Sybil’s evolution from hunted witch to powerful sorceress parallels Marcelo’s own struggle with his vampire nature, giving their connection emotional depth beyond simple romance. Their shared mission to navigate a world filled with demons, magic, and betrayal keeps the tension high, but Fernandez also adds moments of humor and lightness, balancing the darker tones of the story. The pacing is spot on, keeping readers hooked from the opening page until the very end while leaving them eager for more.
Above the Ashes is a strong start to what promises to be a captivating series. Fernandez’s writing is rich with detail, and his characters are multi-dimensional, making this world of witches and vampires come alive. Fans of dark fantasy and supernatural stories will find this a must-read. It’s a book that deserves a place on your bookshelf, especially if you enjoy stories that challenge characters—and readers alike—to confront their own darkness.
Pages: 235 | ASIN : B0D3YQK5S2
A Sinister Love
In A Sinister Love, by Spencer Hixon, we are introduced to Scribble, a demoness abruptly reassigned from her mundane clerical duties to a role she never anticipated: a Sinister on Earth. Tasked with tempting her assigned human, Paul, into sinning, Scribble struggles not from a lack of cunning, but because she tends to talk more than she tempts. Deciding that a physical presence might improve her odds, she assumes a succubus body with the help of her enigmatic new boss. As Scribble navigates her new form, she not only charms Paul into offering her a job but also grows unexpectedly close to him, leading to unforeseen emotional complications. Is her discomfort due to the new body, or could she be falling for a human?
Hixon’s portrayal of Scribble as an avid reader adds an unexpected layer of relatability to the demoness, making her journey from timidity to bravery quite compelling. Similarly, Paul is a thoughtfully crafted character whose struggles with mental health add depth and relevance to the narrative. The character of Rotworm is vividly realized—his sleazy demeanor is palpable, yet he delivers surprises that leave readers eager for more. While the novel excels in character development and a gripping plot, I feel that some areas seemed a bit underexplored and could benefit from further elaboration. Despite these minor gaps, this book remains a highly engaging read, especially for those who appreciate a blend of supernatural elements with human emotional dilemmas. Hixon’s work is a commendable addition to the genre, promising a level of intrigue that will keep readers looking forward to the next installment.
Spencer Hixon’s A Sinister Love masterfully blends the supernatural with the profoundly human, crafting a narrative that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant. Through the eyes of Scribble, a demoness finding her footing among humans, readers are treated to a story that challenges the traditional boundaries of genre fiction. This book is sure to delight those who enjoy tales of personal growth, supernatural intrigue, and the complexities of love, making it a worthy addition to any reader’s collection.
Pages: 344 | ASIN : B0D1F6FS5K
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