Rating: 4.25⭐️


This book has that chilling, eerie atmosphere. We’ve got dark gothic world-building, demons, sinister bargains, secrets, a cute romance, and somehow, against all odds, a found family that made me emotional.

The premise alone drew me in. Demons can grant you practically anything you want, but in return they take years from your lifespan to extend their own. The bargain can’t be undone unless you kill the demon involved, which is already horrifying enough. But then the story starts introducing loopholes and technicalities, which made the plot even more gripping.

Eda is exactly the kind of protagonist I love. She’s willing to sacrifice everything for the people she cares about, even if it means handing over years of her own life to do it. Watching her grow from someone naive and gullible into someone braver, stronger, and far more fearless to challenge the horrors around her was one of my favorite parts of the book. And I love the chaotic yet wholesome sibling dynamics between Eda and her brothers.

And look, I don’t think it’s surprising to anyone at this point that I have a thing for cheeky, snarky, morally questionable rage baiter love interests. The idea of a demon who genuinely sees beauty in humanity and music is actually a little suspiciously tailored to my interests if you ask me. And every single time Kit called Eda darling, I SWEAR I dissolved into a puddle.

The romance itself was cute. I really liked their chemistry and dynamic, but I didn’t fully love it because the build-up moved a little too quickly for my slow-burn-loving soul. I wanted just a little more yearning and tension to marinate in the feelings before diving into the romance.

And finally, we got to the ending. I genuinely have no idea if this is a standalone or not, but if it is, I have concerns. Because that was a cliffhanger and I refuse to accept this level of emotional abandonment.


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Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC!

I am not quick to give five stars, but i absolutely loved this book! I loved every character (or loved to hate...!)

I absolutely loved this book! I was hooked right from the start.

I love a dark, gothic style romance and this met that genre perfectly. The world building was excellent and I loved the premise involving binding to demons.

The characters were really well developed and likeable. I really enjoyed the mysterious, dark atmosphere and couldn’t wait to pick this book back up again!

I look forward to hearing more from this author!

You're giggling? The demon has gutted someone and been devastatingly romantic in the same paragraph and you're giggling?

Brilliant YA fantasy reminiscent of Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunter Chronicles. Plot was compelling, main character was interesting, romance was GREAT. I would absolutely sell my soul to that demon xx

Ending was slightly rushed, but I was having too much fun to care.

A brilliant read. Five stars. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this ARC.

Eda Shaw’s father made a pact with a demon. After his death, the burden of fulfilling it passed to her and her brothers. Bound to deliver desperate humans to the demon so they may trade years of their lives for what they want, Eda is jaded and bitter. But when a pact goes wrong and her brothers are arrested, Eda finds herself willing to do anything to solve it. Even make a pact with a demon herself.

This was SO delicious. Eda is frustratingly impulsive and messes up a lot, but she loves fiercely and it was hard not to like her. Kit is a dark, demonic delight. Together they are an engaging, fun and addictive couple that had me devouring this book in a day.

The twists and turns, the betrayal, the relationship development and the sprinkling of spice had me eating this book up.

I will be ignoring the last paragraph because wth, don’t risk my HEA, but otherwise this book was everything I enjoy in a YA fantasy.

I was hooked right from the start by this book - the premise, the atmosphere, the characters, all so intriguing!
The premise, where Eda had to make a deal with a demon to save her brothers, had me gripped! The build up to this was spot on, I could really sense the urgency and desperation in Eda’s decisions, especially with the weight of her father’s deal hanging over the family. I thought the pacing was good too, it kept the suspense while not feeling like it dragged. You could really understand the family dynamics from the beginning, and how much they all cared for each other, even if they sometimes made misguided decisions (looking at you, Eda). The relationship between Eda and her brothers felt like a proper sibling relationship, and you could get a sense of their history from their interactions.
The setting was perfect for a gothic fantasy, in a dark and moody town filled with secrets and plotting. I really enjoyed the idea of the deals with demons being illegal and dangerous, something you had to sneak around to manage.
There were so many great characters in this book! I obviously have to start with Kit. Wow, I clearly have a type - I fell for this man hook, line and sinker. He was so funny and mischievous, but also dark and morally grey! Perfection, what’s not to love? I adored the banter and flirting between him and Eda, and how their relationship developed over the course of the story. They really helped each other to grow, which was so nice to read.
There were so many other great side characters as well, from Trippe, to Robin, even Mr Night.
This book was fantastic, I loved every minute that I was reading it.
Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for a copy of an ARC in exchange for an honest review.