The Nature of Demons was a particularly dark and distrurbing read. The first couple of chapters were quite confusing and disorienting which narratively works, but as a reader it can be quite difficult to wade through. Overall I enjoyed getting a new POV on the apocolypse that is not just "a perfect survivor". Most of the characters are quite dislikable but in a way that works and makes sense within the world. My favorite characters were the one off side characters and I wish we coud have gotten more from them. I also wish we had gotten more of an explanation of the world and lore, but since the characters we follow do not have the answers I understand why we also did not get them.

I think this book would appeal to certain horror readers who prefer graphic writing and are ok with having a bit of a frustrating experience.

I would also like to mention that I believe there should be more trigger warnings in this book, particularly regarding SA. There are MANY mentions of implied r*pe and violence towards women that I believe other readers should be warned of prior to reading. Many of these moments also felt a bit unnecessary and egregious .

The Nature of Demons is a dark and intense read, but what really grabbed me was how human it is! The story follows Jacob Freeman as his life is thrown into chaos. The author does a great job of creating some amazing scenes of what has happened. The story's not afraid to get gory and brutal and the writing is amazing. The relationship with Jacob and his daughter Micah really added to this. If you enjoy the dark side of fantasy, this is a must read. Thanks to NetGalley and Demon Mythos for the Advanced copy in exchange for my honest review releases July 1st 2025

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a fresh take on a demon apocolypse.
The first couple of chapters are chaotic and hard to follow - so I was concerned the book would continue like that. But fortunately that was just to set the scene around what was happening to Jacob and clarity was soon given from Rebeccas perspective.
I thought the characters were well written and i particularily enjoyed that internal battle within Jacob. I think it would have been good to get Micahs perspective too though.
I am very much looking forward to (and hoping there is a second book) to find out what is going on with the river lady and the city of light - it seemed to me to be building to a good vs evil (like in the stand)

The Nature of Demons by J.D. Carmicle offers a provocative exploration into the realm of spiritual entities, particularly demons, from a perspective that intertwines theology, psychology, and real-world cases. Carmicle delves into the nature and activities of demons, presenting them as intelligent beings with will, emotion, and intellect, capable of influencing human behavior and events. He examines various manifestations of demonic activity, including possession, oppression, and influence over individuals and societies. The book also discusses the role of angels and dark angels, suggesting that certain mental illnesses and disorders may be manifestations of spiritual influence. 

The text is rich with biblical references and case studies, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of demonic entities and their interactions with the human world. Carmicle’s approach is both scholarly and accessible, making complex theological concepts understandable for a broad audience. However, readers should approach the material with discernment, as the interpretations presented are specific to Carmicle’s theological perspective.

For those interested in the intersection of spirituality and psychology, The Nature of Demons offers a thought-provoking examination of how spiritual entities may influence human behavior and societal events. It encourages readers to consider the spiritual dimensions of human experience and the potential impact of unseen forces on our lives.

The Nature of Demons was a very interesting read. This is a good book to read if you're looking to feel frustration and tension. Quite disturbing in some parts, but very suspenseful and picks up the pace towards the end. I liked feeling uncertain about the main protagonist throughout the entire book - is he actually a good, trustworthy person?

This is a haunting journey through psychological and physical horror, dripping with gore that spares no detail. The author gives the details of dread that lingers long after each chapter. However, the pacing is deliberately slow, with long, meandering chapters that may test the patience of some readers. While the unsettling imagery and creeping tension are masterfully done, the drawn-out structure can make the narrative feel like a marathon. Recommended for fans of horror who enjoy a slow burn and don't mind wading through some narrative fog to get to the bloody heart of the story.

The Nature of Demons delivers an intense portrayal of a world spiraling into supernatural chaos. Jacob Freeman's transformation is chilling and perfectly executed as he grapples with his shifting physical form and a mind increasingly corrupted by dark, inexplicable powers. His desperate struggle to retain his humanity and protect his loved ones amidst the escalating nightmare creates a powerful emotional tie to who he once was. Ultimately, this novel presents an unflinching examination of humanity's darkest aspects.

Thank you to NetGalley and Demon Mythos / IBPA for the opportunity to review and provide my honest feedback.

Great world building and story teling. Loved the idea that no matter how much darkness he had, his love for his daughter and making sure she was safe was maintained if not strengthened. Definitely left me wanting a little more clarity at the end, but overall great read!

A stellar take on apocalyptic horror. I typically do not like reading stories that follow men, BUT, this was such an interesting premise and kept me so hooked on that I overlooked that. It’s eerie and freaky throughout the entire thing and genuinely made me not want to sleep while I read it.

The Nature of Demons is a dark, immersive journey into a post-apocalyptic world that feels both brutal and unexpectedly tender. The story follows Jacob Freeman—a husband, father, and lawyer—whose life is ripped apart by a demonic transformation and the collapse of the world around him. What makes this stand out isn’t just the gore or chaos, but how human it remains at its core.

The author paints vivid, cinematic scenes filled with horror and suspense. I appreciated how Jacob, even twisted by something monstrous, still fights to stay grounded in love and protect the people he cares about. The character work is strong—especially in the dynamic between Jacob and his daughter, Micah. I also loved the quotes from Micah at the end of each chapter; they add a hopeful, grounding presence amidst the darkness.

It’s not a light read—there are graphic scenes, strong language, and mature content. But if you’re a fan of dark speculative fiction or mythos-driven horror, this one’s worth picking up. A strong, emotional, and well-written story that leaves an impression.

First off I want to say I couldn’t put this book down the moment I picked it up. I was heavily invested in Jacob, Rebecca, and their daughter Micah fight for survival in post apocalyptic messed up world.

Jacob was a character I didn’t know either to like or dislike at times but a man who would do anything to protect his family is a winner in my book despite the obvious flaws he has. Rebecca might get some hate I imagine for lots of reasons but I really couldn’t find myself disliking her. She was in my opinion the only voice of sanity despite her own not so wise choices. I am really hoping for some sort of character growth with her pleeeease. Micah was a ball of sunshine and not one flaw with her. I’m looking forward to what she brings to the story. As for another character (I will not name) I’m not sure I quite like them yet. Though not a bad character in writing I just have to quote Jacob “The Freeman family plus one”

As for characters who came through the story I was interested in them all. Despite the horror happening in this story I liked the of tender but bittersweet moment that happened early on. As for the others I’m really looking forward to what J.D. Carmicle will introduce. I enjoyed his writing style very much and the world he created it held me in a tight grip in which I finished in 3 days

So thank you NetGalley and Demon Mythos for allowing me the opportunity to read this free digital copy for my honest review. I will be looking forward to what J.D. Carmicle writes next!

I really enjoyed this book, the atmosphere, the world building, it was a good book, I highly recommend reading this. It was different and really interesting.

Supernatural meets The Walking Dead in The Nature of Demons. A supernatural-apocalyptic horror that packs a punch from the very first chapter.

What starts as a normal day for Jacob, Rebecca and their daughter Micah turns to utter pandemonium as it also seemingly does for the rest of the world. Homes and vehicles are abandoned, and corpses decompose in the street, strewn around the town like twisted art installations.

When night falls and demons come out to play, how far will Jacob go to protect his family - from others and himself?

Action-packed, eerie and gruesome from the get go, this had me on tenterhooks throughout. Both well written and well and truly unnerving. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sharing an advance copy!

I heavily appreciated the content warnings. This book has such a cool cover and the premise is spooky! This book has a different storytelling format than what I’m used to and my brain is simply not enjoying the way the story is being told. Those that enjoy a bit more of an artsy execution with storytelling in horror will love this. I am a picky reader and want to know what is happening in a clear format. This book has unique chapter formatting that I think will work really well in print and audio edition. It’s definitely very scary and disturbing.

Thank you for allowing me to sample this eARC! I appreciate the opportunity to leave honest feedback voluntarily,

“The Nature Of Demons” by J.D. Carmicle is a 281-page fictional book released this year, the copywriter being the same author. Its cover artwork was produced this year by Tim Byrne. The paperback has ISBN 979-8-9928285-0-4 in paperback form, and the ebook has ISBN 979-8-9928285-1-1 in eBook form. J.D. Carmicle, who is very adept at dark speculative fiction, currently lives in Cincinnati. This book is currently priced at $4.99 in digital form on Amazon Kindle.

“The Nature of Demons” is a mythos surrounding apocalyptic events and demonic possession, centering on protagonist Jacob Freeman, an attorney, husband, and father who finds himself in an apocalyptic realm of chaos and anarchy, where a malevolent force contorts his body into a demonic one. As his family witnesses his paranormal transformation, he overcomes his dark urges and explores the post-apocalyptic world in a quest to protect his wife, Rebecca, and daughter, Micah, from danger.

Will they survive doomsday? What awaits Jacob in the post-apocalyptic world? Find out in this amazing book!

I thoroughly enjoyed the unique and descriptive nature of the author in crafting his storytelling. True to his preferred genre, the author’s narration is very picturesque and leaves very little to the imaginations of the readers. The author fills each chapter with suspense and incredible gory details meant to pluck at the reader’s emotional heartstrings. I hope the author becomes more adept at ensuring happy endings in his stories.

The character developments in this book are also very amazing. I loved the fact that Jacob remains human even after being demonically altered and almost kills Micah in a bit of a frenzy. In the post-apocalyptic world, he celebrates Halloween with her, takes her to the hospital, and soothes the more pessimistic Rebecca. He also befriends Judith and makes her protect his family.

The book is also very entertaining and filled with quotes from Micah at the end of each chapter. My favorite is, “Find good things in the world. Even if it looks like everything is as bad as it can be, there’s something good you can find.” A good and applicable morale, I must say.

This book is excellently and thoroughly edited, so I did not find any grammatical errors or typographical mistakes. As a lover of all things fictional, be it literary fiction, science fiction, or dark speculative fiction, I, Michael Lartey, find this book to be thoroughly appealing and fun to read. The author’s context and style in this book powerfully and incredibly convey emotional intensity; therefore, I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. This is one of the best books I have ever read. I absolutely recommend this book to lovers of fiction, mythos, and dark fantasy.

However, because this book contains profane words and mild sexual content, I recommend it only for adult readers.