scijessreads

I love a good “deal with a demon” story. And these two books by Viano Oniomoh are just lovely. There is very much an undercurrent of sweetness in the romances, with mutual pining and development of feelings beyond the initial “bargain” made. They both also deal with incredibly emotional backstories on both the demon and human side of the pair. These books are a celebration of love. Both of our human leads are black, in larger bodies, and as you read their stuggles and triumphs, you see the universality in their stories. They are simply stories of survival and finding love when you thought you many never find it.

From the book: Joy needs a deal with a demon to bring an end the man who’d ruined her life. Malachi needs a deal with a human so he can remain in the mortal realm, far from the sentries looking to drag him back to his sect in hell.

My Thoughts: This was not the demon romance I was expecting. Joy was clawing back at the man who violated her by summoning a demon. Malachi the demon is seriously a cinnamon roll. They play off each other so well, and their relationship quickly turns from transactional to something more. This was short and sweet, with a kick, and I loved these two so very much.

From the book: Saint needs a contract with a demon to protect him from a stalker. Knight thinks a contract with the very human whose dreams he’s been visiting sounds pretty much perfect.

My Thoughts: This series has quickly become one of my favorites. The stories are on the “sweet” side in that there is not a major conflict between the demons and their humans, but the stories are also not light. Especially here, with Saint and Knight. The ache of seeking community is a bond that they both share, and their hesitance to truly name what they want from the other is endearing and incredibly real. It is hard to trust someone when for so long there was no one to truly trust in your life.

Saint is someone I wanted to wrap up in a giant hug and never let go. He fought for his survival, even when it didn’t feel like it. And Knight… the definition of a simp and cinnamon roll for the human that stole his heart. I also love the cameos at the end from Joy and Malachi. Viano Oniomoh is quickly becoming an author that I will read anything by.