It is not a long episode, which intrigued me as I knew I could finish it within one sitting and even if it was 165 pages, I still probably would’ve finished it.
As someone who grew up in libraries, I understood the FMC perspective a good bit. I felt it was a good representation of being within a library community.
The pacing throughout was ell maintained other than the first and last chapter which I found a tad lacklustre. The first chapter was the jumping into the world as it was with no context, which was fine. The last chapter added context to a couple characters that had not been fully developed yet for the reader. The essence of a character I could catch on to their story in the last couple chapters which was fulfilling in a way.
I enjoyed the writing. This was a little steamier than I expected but it was done well if you enjoy spicy novels. I usually do not but found this to be okay. The scene in the last chapter I found unneeded in that way but that would be my preference. The relationship between characters is one of lust and it is clear early on.
Interested on seeing the next episodes!

3.5 stars. Short, fun and very unhinged!

Vera and Nikolai are going through their own respective supernaturally morbid journeys when
they stumble across each other and the rest as they say, is history! Barely 11 chapters long but did a great job of setting up the premises and characters. I love the dynamic where the woman is headstrong and just the right amount of crass and the man is just happy to come along for the ride! There's murder, mystery and men that make you want to...well murder them. And the dry humour coming from the goddess possessing Vera adds a fun little quirk to this wild and spicy ride of a novella!

I enjoyed reading the episode one of this series and look forward to reading more!

Thank you NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my unbiased review!

Yes! Absolutely, yes!
A (not so) simple librarian who gets off on killing after opening a book and being possessed by a goddess who seeks death as a means of reaching mind-blowing orgasms. In walks Nikolai, an immortal who craves death and is willing to let Vera bend him to her every will, as long as it leads to death (aka an extraordinarily satisfying orgasm!)
I. Need. More.
That's all I can say!
Kristen Coar has done it with this one. It takes a lot to write a novella that encapsulates every aspect of a full, compelling story that entices a reader and leaves them yearning for more. Kristen has done that. I have never heard of her before, but after this, I can guarantee you, I will never forget her name! I am so eager and excited for the future episodes to come!
Thank you NetGalley and Kristen Coar for such a captivating and enticing read!

Short, spicy, and deliciously unhinged. This novella sets the tone for the chaos to come... with blood, murder, supernatural kink and a killer premise (literally). Vera’s dark transformation is gripping and I’m very curious to see what happens with Nikolai... and especially David. I’ll definitely be reading the next episodes!

The beginning of this book drew me right into the story and helped me to keep attention throught out the whole book, because I really wanted to figuere out the main character and whatever is going on in her head. Sadly I never quite got the plot and what or who the godess in her head is. The relationship also was very rushed but that can be expected from a short book so that's not negative. Even tho I didn't get what's happening Ireally enjoyed reading this. The writing style was intruiging and the characters were interesting. I really think that i would enjoy this book more with each additional book, that helps to develop the characters and the world. Everything said I believe that this book will be great for all the people out there that love dark romance with love for unpredictable characters and plot.

Love love love . Imagine only being able to get the big O when you kick somebody else’s life that’s right our girl here can only get off when well somebody else’s life is cut off. But then she meets somebody and oh boy this mysterious person comes out and ends up being our girls Favorite fantasy come along for this sexy and such a fun ride if you’re looking for spice with plot this, my my friend is the story you need. It’s a little bit fantasy a little bit magic, a little bit death goddess, and a lot of bit hard-core spice and I love it.

Vera is a librarian who becomes cursed by the goddess. Unfortunately, this turns her into a serial killer who literally cannot climax unless someone dies. When she meets her immortal match...will he be her next victim?

This was such a fun novella! I really enjoyed the little bit of artwork that was inserted toward the end - sweet and spicy! I also liked the chemistry between these two characters and their pacing felt good. I'm looking forward to reading the other episodes in this series!

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

3.5 🩵🩵HA! This was fun! Very short novella and not as spicy as I thought it would be.

But I love that Vera was a serial killer and that Nikolai was there for the ride… 🤣

She’s a librarian who accidentally makes a deal with a goddess(and the goddess speaks to her).

Fun, a little bloody, a little funny!

I will say the cover is a bit misleading IMO-because the FMC is described as small and petite(and I’m not saying you can’t be petite and plus size), but based on the cover and the art provided in the ebook, she is definitely plus sized-so the description threw me just a bit.

Thank you a NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC!

Amazing book loved the characters abd plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. Ii loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

I received an ARC for this novella through Net Galley and I’m so glad I did!!!

It’s a novella which follows a librarian, Vera, who has made a deal with a goddess meaning she has to kill. When she meets Nikolai a mysterious man who doesn’t seem to mind what she does, thinks get spicy.

This was such a fun, quick story and I’m so excited to continue with the novellas!!!!

Thank you for letting me read this early 🖤

I LOVED this novella and I'm already needing book two! Vera needs to unalive people to 💦, and Nikolai 💦 while he's being unalived. A match made in heaven if you ask me 🤣

It was spicy, quick, and interesting. I finished it in one sitting 😍

🖤 Dark Romance
🖤 Paranormal
🖤 30+ Curvy & Cursed FMC
🖤 Stabby FMC
🖤 Cinnamon Roll Stalker MMC
🖤 Morally Grey MMCs
🖤 Novella

Darkly Addictive and Utterly Original—A Spellbinding Start

Ink, Blood, and Other Afflictions: Episode One is the kind of story that immediately sinks its claws into you—in the best possible way. Kristen Coar has conjured a world that feels gritty, visceral, and brimming with dark magic that pulses through every page.

From the first line, I knew I was in for something special. Coar’s writing is sharp and immersive, striking that perfect balance between haunting and poetic. The atmosphere drips with tension—each scene feels like it’s written in ink and blood, exactly as the title promises.

The characters are equally magnetic. They’re flawed, dangerous, and impossible to look away from. Even in this first installment, you get the sense that each of them carries secrets like hidden daggers, and I found myself dying (pun intended) to know more about what drives them—and what they might do next.

I also love how this episode format leaves you wanting more in the best, most agonizing way. It’s like watching the pilot of a dark, addictive series and instantly needing the next episode.

If you love urban fantasy with a sharp edge, morally grey characters, and magic that feels raw and unpredictable, *Ink, Blood, and Other Afflictions* will be your next obsession. Kristen Coar is an author to watch—I can’t wait to see where this wicked tale goes next.

Vera habría sido una bibliotecaria típica, excepto por esa vez que abrió el libro equivocado y fue poseída por una diosa oscura. Ahora, cada vez que termina una vida, experimenta el tipo de orgasmo alucinante que podría romper los cimientos de su apartamento. ¿Y Nikolai? Él es el inmortal que ruega ser su próxima víctima.

Es oscuro, picante y el tipo correcto de incorrecto, ¿quieres probar?


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La idea me parece interesante, pero debido a que se centra más en lo sexual llega a volverse monótono. Tiene elementos que se eluden explotar más, espero que en las siguientes entregas podamos conocer más a los protagonistas .

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

This was a really interesting read. Made me think of a cross over between Ruin me Gently and Cadavers.
Only issue was it was so short - I just got a taste for the story and it was done.
The spice was okay - but I did expect more detail especially with the fact the end up in bed being the main plot point.
There were one or two inconsistencies with the time of day
But overall I did enjoy it

Whew 🥵🥵🥵

This paranormal romance was so good and kept you wanting more. I honestly cannot wait to see what happens next!

Vera is amazing and works in the library where she finds a mystery book that leaves her feeling a certain type of way.

Nikolai is our stalker with a few tricks up his sleeve.

I absolutely loved the two of them so much!

3.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Kristen Coar for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an absolutely unhinged wild ride from the beginning. It was a very fast novella that leaves you ready and excited for episode 2.
Vera is a librarian who opened the wrong book and everytime she kills she has a world shattering orgasm.
This book features a dark goddess, serial killers and spicy murders with a little blood involved.
I do wish there were trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.
It was a lot of fun, it is funny and incredibly unhinged.

Amazing novella. I loved how this was a perfect palette cleanser for between books. I was laughing out loud at some of the banter and really enjoyed it!

This was a great, short, spicy and entertaining read!

I enjoyed the setting and the characters. The romance plot was a little insta-lust but I absolutely ate it up! You can feel the spark between them instantly.

This is no ordinary boy meets girl, this is dark and unhinged. There's blood, there's spice, there's murder mystery and there's a story that has left me absolutely begging for more.

Initially I had hoped this was almost a teaser for a full length novel because believe me this has such amazing potential to be one. I want to know more about the MMC, I want to know more about The Goddess and even creepy David. However, I can see that there are other episodes of this series coming out later this year and I absolutely can't wait!!!

Thank you to Victory Editing, NetGalley and the author for the arc. This is my own honest review of the book.

I really enjoyed this novella. It was quick and spicy and very intriguing. Vera and Nikolai were really interesting characters and I can't wait to see more of them!

My full review is currently live on my instagram. Link is below.

Have you read The Ruinous Love trilogy but thought "this is great but needs a hot demon"? Then this may be the novella for you! This is the first of four in the series and I can't wait for the next one.