Rating: 5 🌈
Well, this made me exceptionally happy. In a collection about demons from hell finding a mate and a relationship, in whatever form that may take, I have a story where the characters are actually coming across as demonic. With a few minor exceptions. And hell’s no vacation spot.
Amanda Meuwissen’s tale of love and demons is an intriguing affair. I love it when a collection reacquaints me with an author I haven’t read in a while with outstanding results, and that’s what I found here.
Immediately the author gives us a compelling opening . It’s Avriel’s 21st birthday and he’s feeling a bit out of sorts, even for him. From beautifully detailed descriptions of the characters and their personalities and lives , the reader is intimately familiar with the situation as the story begins and understands the types of people involved. Avi is immediately real and grounded in his small group of friends and college town.
And when he dies, it’s gut wrenching. That’s not a spoiler. It’s in the blurb and how he changes into his true self. But are we still prepared for it? No.
Then there’s Marchosias, the demon imp, also known as Marc. He’s the other half of this incredibly complicated, emotional narrative. From the start, Marc has a surprising history and agenda that prompts a character development that’s both in keeping with his demonic tendencies and newfound sense of self worth. It’s an exceptional journey.
But it’s done in tandem with the changes brought forth by the death and rebirth of Avi’s demon nature. And the battles they face from the Princes of Hell.
Meuwissen was so clever in using the seven deadly sins as avatars for the Princes of Hell. How they manifested themselves in the earthly realm I’ll leave to the book as well as those formidable battles. Just outstanding on every level.
Even the other characters that support Avi and Marc are so good in their roles and depth of personality. The father who is just glimpsed until the later stages still has a strong sense of self. The cast is believable and grounded in emotion and real life, even given the paranormal nature of the situations.
Let’s get to the part where there’s pain, blood, suffering, and death, because yes, these are demons. There may be a beauty in their brutality and otherworldly physicality but they are definitely demons. It’s reflected in the evolving relationship between Avi and Marc, the conflicted nature of their roles as Avi changes and Marc becomes more aware of his own feelings. Such an emotional connection and excellent element of this story.
Avi and Marc have decisions to make if possible. That’s part of the amazing story and the author’s ability to create a great narrative. I won’t spoil it but will say this is my favorite of the collection. And I’m delighted to have rediscovered this author once more.
Grab this one up if paranormal fiction and romances are your wheelhouse.
Check out the rest of the Possessive Love series! 15 books by 15 authors
◦ A Slice For My Demon by K.L. Hiers & Mozzarus Scout
✓ Cuddly Demon by Aster Rae – DNF
✓ My Demon Husband by Jax Stuart ♥️
✓ Exercising A Demon by H.L Day ♥️
✓ Drop Dead Demon by B. Ripley
✓ The Demon’s Dealbreaker by Delaney Rain
◦ My Demon Rebound by Ashlynn Mills
✓ Curiosity Caught the Demon by Travis Beaudoin
◦ My Saintly Demon by RM Neill
◦ Terrible Lovely Demon by Odessa Hywell
✓ Son of the Arch Demon by Amanda Meuwissen ❤️♥️
◦ Recalling My Demon by Colette Davison
✓ The Demon Undertaker by Alex J. Adams
◦ Gift for a Demon by Emily Alter
Buy Link :
Son of the Arch Demon: An MM Paranormal Romance
Blurb:
Sometimes the high road leads straight to Hell.
Avriel
Turning twenty-one is almost universally seen as the age of transformation, of coming into one’s own, reaching adulthood, and sometimes even as a symbol of death and rebirth. I never knew how literal that last part could be until, on my twenty-first birthday, I died and was resurrected as a demon.
Well, half-demon and would have died if I wasn’t prophesized to become the Antichrist and take over the world. All I wanted was to survive graduation, achieve my dream of becoming an artist, and maybe have Marc, the hot new guy who I thought liked me for me, be anything other than a lust demon hoping to guide me on my path to the apocalypse.
Marchosias
Occasionally, ya gotta make yer own destiny, my lovelies, so when I found a thin spot in the veil between Hell and earth, I leapt right through it. Sensing the soon-to-be successor to the throne of Hell, I insinuated myself on campus and into his life to await his awakening and fell to my knees in supplication once he did. Pity Avi is so set on denying his destiny.
But I can convince him. I will serve and aid and arouse my master in whatever manner necessary to get what I want. I’ve been an underling, a doormat, a lesser demon for far too long, and his path to glory is going to be mine.
Son of the Arch Demon is part of the MM paranormal romance collaboration Possessive Love.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 