Deranged Demons

Game of Psychos #1

by Mia Hartson

An underestimated half-demon princess. A sarcastic, book-loving crow bestie. A deadly fated mates competition with the unmated monster alphas from five realms.

When dear old dad the demon king forces me into a competition to fight for my survival and find my fated mates, I look on the bright side: once I bond with my mates, I can unlock my power and take over the demon throne. At least, that's the plan until I meet them:

The seductive demon leader who's hiding a dark secret.
The jaguar shifter thief who wants to steal my family's treasure.
The archangel prince who rejects the bond.
And, the tattooed assassin giant who has sworn to take my life.

Yep, it can't get much worse than that. …Except, of course, it does.

Turns out there are bigger things for us to worry about, like you know, witches who want to steal our power and destroy the allied realms. If we're going to survive, my mates and I are going to have to learn to get along. Or at least, we'll have to stop trying to unalive each other in order to save the realms.

And who knows, maybe these men aren't simply dud mates after all. They might just be...family.

Deranged Demons is a fun reverse harem fantasy novel and the first book in the Game of Psychos series. It features a fierce, sarcastic heroine, her hilarious crow bestie, and her lethal, possessive fated mates who will learn that some bonds are worth fighting for. This series contains darker themes and is intended for audiences aged 18 years and older. **Language warning **Multiple POV

This series precedes the Fated Mates of Shadowbone Academy series and is set in the same universe.

Genres: Fantasy, Why Choose, Demons, Paranormal, Romance, Slow Burn, Shapeshifters

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2024

About the author

Mia Hartson is an Australian author who loves writing stories about feisty heroines who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty, hunky, misunderstood heroes who would do anything to protect their girl, and intriguing fantasy worlds filled with magic.

To receive writing updates and get your hands on exclusive, bonus content, sign up for Mia's mailing list via her website: www.miahartson.com

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Reviews

[Alex(Books-In-A-Storm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy shit this end was so wow. I can't wait to read the next book. It's going to be so much fun reading them all together and I can't wait to see what happens next.

[T.P.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading anything about this author, so frankly I was not certain what to expect. It is an interesting story where the FMC is the Demons' King Daughter and on the path to take the reins of the kingdom into her own hands. However , her half angelic blood puts a question as to her right to the throne. When the King demands that his daughter finds her fated mates, a gorgeous ball takes place where the main heroine and all candidates for her affection are in for quite the surprise.

I really liked the demon King, he is a witty one, survive together and eventually you will find who your soul mates are. The trial is dangerous and dankness creeps from every corner. It is still early to say anything about the MMCs, apart from the fact that are some more in tune with their feelings than others.

Magic, variety of paranormal creatures and hidden secrets all encompass this story. Apart from the Demon realm there are others, some of which quite mysterious and I am really looking forward to discovering more about them. It certainly is a promising start to the series, so I hope it continues that way.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW AND SPOILERS AHEAD.

I absolutely devoured this book I started it and didn't put it down until I had finished it 5 hours later.

I love the main character she's a powerful female who doesn't take any bullshit from anyone and her friend shade the banter between the two is funny.

Her mates are HOT and this book does contain some steamy scenes which are soooo good!!

I must say Dante is probably my favourite so far haha

Please note this book does end on a cliff hanger but definitely do yourself a favour and read it!! Best book I've read this year.

[Kristie-Anne Bridges · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book by Mia Hartson & I was hooked from the very beginning. Deranged Demons was a great start to this paranormal series.

Princess Blake is getting ready to take over her father's throne but in preparation for it she must find her fated mates to ensure that she is strong enough to hold the throne. This is where the adventure begins with lots of unexpected twists & turns. Leaving us with one hell of a cliffhanger. I can't wait to see where the story goes in the next book!!!

Each character's voice was very distinct & easily identifiable. Particularly the sassy MFC Princess Blake & her sidekick Shade. I love the banter between these two in particular. I also enjoyed the banter between her mates. Which brought lightness to balance the heavy scenes. The world was also detailed just enough & easy to envision without being overdone.

Some of the themes/tropes in this book are:

*Why Choose
*Royalty
*Fated Mates
*Attempted Kidnapping
*Violence
*Unaliving

I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this book & this is my honest opinion.

[Tatiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Deranged Demons is like watching a bad CW show at 2am — you know it’s kind of ridiculous, not particularly deep, but you’re still going to binge the whole thing because it mostly scratches the itch. The story follows a half-angel, half-demon princess — second only to her dying father — who must find her fated mates to unlock her full power and ascend the throne… but instead of doing anything remotely logical, her dad throws her a mating ball and then hurls every eligible alpha into a monster-infested death maze. Because, obviously.

The concept is chaotic in a fun way, and it delivers on the promise of paranormal reverse harem, light plot, zero emotional lift, and just enough tension to keep the pages turning — even if you’re not particularly invested. Each mate has their own tropey personality: the thief, the assassin, the reluctant prince, the realm's playboy — none of them want her, but all of them want her, if you know what I mean. There’s heat without spice, thanks to her fear of hurting them (casual past lover death — oops), but the tension is there.

What worked:

Campy humor, including a bird best friend and over-the-top alpha posturing

The "team of reluctant misfits banding together" survival vibe in the maze

The easy, no-pressure read quality of a classic guilty-pleasure binge

What didn’t:

The story is so surface level it frequently left me bored

Almost no emotional depth, despite a plot that could have explored power, fear, betrayal, and legacy

The mates' dynamics with her never felt truly earned — just predictable attraction and convenient loyalty

The overall vibe screams palette cleanser, not must-read

If you’re looking for something fast, brainless, and mildly entertaining with supernatural chaos, fated mates, and zero emotional stakes, Deranged Demons will do the trick. Just don’t expect logic, character development, or much depth. It’s campy, unhinged, and kind of fun if you don’t think too hard — exactly what it set out to be.

[Holly's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second series by this author and she's quickly becoming one of my favorites. I like the hunger games esque action to find her mates and escape the realm they were dropped in. This was slow burn with some angst and little spice. I'm ready to see how their relationship develops.

[Bel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐
Book #1 of 3


🔸Demon princess
🔸Pervy female crow bff
🔸RH: medium-slow, 5 M, no MM
🔸Mate bonds: instant recognition through scent but slow acceptance of the bond for some
🔸Different realms: demon, angel, shifters, giants, merfolk, witch, shadow (of the dead), human & the lost realm
🔸Different kinds of supernaturals, each with their own types/powers: e.g. giants can grow their size, shifters have different types (panther, bear, wolf, bunny,...), angels have different types of powers (wind control, healing, fire,...), demons like angels have different powers but also have horns and tails (invisibility, truth telling, controlling animals, seduction,...) and different types of demons (Inc. Incubus)
🔸Competition to find FMC mates: more find the treasure where people can be killed than a competition
🔸FMC: tough, learnt to be strong on her own, grew up with dangerous games her father made her prove her worth, half-angel-half-demon, heir to the demon throne, hides her ability to talk with her crow bff which leaves her to look a bit eccentric by talking alone out loud
🔸Grumpy MMC
🔸Enemy-to-lovers
🔸Assassin MMC who wants to kill her
🔸Thief MMC who wants to steal from her castle
🔸Funny MMC who doesn't take things seriously
🔸Cocky MMC
🔥Hand necklace
🔥Love-hate fight scenes
🔸 No cheating, no MM, no OW/OM drama


❗Mentions: death, genocide (past, off screen), torture (off screen, not graphic), traumatic childhood (past), family abuse (past), violence, death of family member, dealing with trauma

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action-packed Slow Burn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

This slow-burn paranormal RH romance is positively delicious. Fated mates meets... Hunger Games? The characters are unique, and each have depth that makes them fun to read. The interplay between the male mates is really fun, and adds levity to what would otherwise be a super intense read.

The plot is unlike any I've read before. I really enjoyed uncovering the dynamics of this new world. Cliffhanger warning: I literally yelled "Noooooooooooooooo!" out loud when I abruptly hit the ending.

While I'm not generally a fan of cliffhangers OR slow-burns, this one was so flawlessly executed that I cannot WAIT to get my hands on the next book!

[Kelly Lauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deranged Demons by Mia Hartson immediately jumps right into the story with not a whole lot of background information to start. At first I found this little bit annoying, but piece by piece you are fed the information you need— easily maintaining curiosity along the way. This novel was filled to the brim with twists and turns, essentially making it a very easy read to devour in just a few sittings. It was an extremely slow burner with very few spice scenes throughout, earning a fair one 🌶️ as far as spice is concerned. I have higher hopes for book two of this RH!

I immediately fell in love with the witty remarks and humor despite serious situations. Shade was the perfect little addition on Blake’s shoulder, and her cheeky snide comments had me all the more invested!

The author made all the different personalities flow with perfect execution, having the ability to keep each one separate while being noticeably maintained well. Normally I find numerous MC hard to keep up with as they simply wind up bleeding together— wait, which one is this again?? This did not happen even once, as they were all very distinct personalities. *chef’s kiss*

As far as the FMC, I was a little surprised at how she was portrayed throughout the novel. She was more sympathetic and emotional than expected, not just for being a demon, but also as how she was portrayed when the book begins. It leads you to believe that she’s this calculatedly cold and crazy FMC, but she seemed to switch personas after the first chapter. It was kind of disappointing to read since it was one of the reasons I was drawn to the book itself, although I came around to enjoying this new perspective of her anyways.

Apart from the MCs, I thought the author did well managing all the different monsters. There wasn’t too much information where you might question, “why is this so important to know?” But enough to get the general idea to understand the gravity of each one.

I received an advance copy for free through Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kay ⋆˙⟡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.75?
I actually enjoyed Deranged Demons quite a bit, but I don’t know if I would qualify it as good necessarily. The writing isn’t bad, although it falls a little flat in some ways. It’s relatively short and fast-paced, which I like. I don’t feel that any of the characters really stand out except the FMC, but they’re all mostly likable regardless.

Nothing too special, but I’m not mad at it.

[Melo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turning entertainment

I actually really like Blake. Now there is a strong capable heroine who doesn't peacock, it's refreshing. Princess of hell but still kind, who'd have thought...

I also really appreciate the slow burn aspect, we actually get a proper introduction to the MMCs. I wish other authors would go back to writing like this, instead of bombarding us with smut on page one.

I'm recommending this series. There's humour, action, bonds you can actually feel building. Best of all its not predictable.

[Tosha Y. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why!

I need book two to be out. Ugh, it's always the good books that aren't finished. I wish this was a standalone. I recommend you read this book, but the cliffhanger will have you growling your frustration.

[MaD · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is the first book I have read by Mia Hartson, I believe it won't be my last,
"Deranged Demons" is a cleverly written start to her "Game of Psychos" series.

Blake, half angel/half demon, is a force to be reckoned with. Her father raised her to be cunning and ruthless when necessary...throwing arduous puzzles and physical challenges her way...after all, she'll have to be able to handle herself if she is going to take his place on the throne. (Although, now and then you catch a glimpse of a lighter side?) But first, she must find her mates to unlock her full powers.

Dear old Dad decides to throw a ball, inviting all nonbonded alphas from all realms to increase the possibilty of finding her mates quickly. But the devious demon turns it into a challenge in another realm without the participants knowing until the last minute. Now Blake must have her wits about her and survive the tricks and traps left throughout this neutral area, find her mate/mates and get back to her realm safely. All the alphas are not making that easy and Lady Fate sure hands Blake some doozies of mates.

I liked that even though they recognized each other as mates, it wasn't instant love. Each of her mates have their own story. Each could benefit from a bonding with her. Some don't want it, some are sworn enemies, and then there's Nate!
I like that the individuals don't get lost in the harem but are distinct personalities. Callan, Nate, Dante and Alaric are tempting and impressive in their own way. I wonder if she actually found them all...hmmmmmm.

And then there is Shade...forever faithful and keeping Blake true to herself and not to full of herself...like a bestie. I thoroughly enjoyed the snarky banter and was repeatedly catching myself laugh out loud at their "silent" conversations. I also saw their relationship as an outlet for Blake to be herself without having to put on a front. I also think there must be more to Shade's story as well.


The plot kept you on your toes as if you experience the trials right along with Blake and the guys. And the cliffhanger was not one I saw coming. Well done

I can't wait for the next installment (And to find out what is hiding behind the door to Dad's secret room!!)

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[neeshreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️.5/5

Mia Hartson is an author that I recently came across with Her Cursed Protectors series, and had slowly fallen in love with her writing style. In that series, I was drawn in by the world building, banter, and character development. With Deranged Demons? Mia DELIVERED right out of the gate. Even though this book ends on a cliffhanger, I’m not the least bit bothered because I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series **🤞🏽 we don’t have to wait too long!**

I DEVOURED this book. I started this book thinking I would finish in a few days, but the joke was on me because my life was put on pause so I could finish it in one day.

So many boxes are checked with this book.

✔️Strong FMC
✔️Hilarious banter
✔️Charismatic and dynamic MMCs
✔️Mystery and intrigue
✔️Action, adventure and danger
✔️Steam and sexual tension
✔️Plot twists
✔️Amazing world building

The stage is set incredibly for this series!! Our FMC, Princess Blake, has quite a few problems on hand. Being a half angel, half demon, and the sole royal heir to the land of demons, Blake was raised to be cutthroat and to show no weakness. Now, the ruthless demon king, Blake’s dad, is dying (which shouldn’t be happening), so Blake will become the queen…but she needs her fated mates to fully come into her power and secure her throne.

Blake doesn’t want to find her mates as she wants to focus on the tension in the demon realm between the various clans and houses, and the larger threat surrounding an enemy to all the realms, the witches. Ignoring this, Blake’s dear old dad, has created the most INSANE trials for Blake to find her fated mates. Danger lurks around every corner…not to mention the political nightmare of problems these trials might cause with the other realms if their alphas don’t return.

The chaos of navigating these challenges while finding Blake’s fated mates is so entertaining! You’d think that with Blake finding majority of her mates, she’d be thrilled…but Lady Fate has an interesting sense of humor considering none of her mates truly get along and some are enemies of her realm. Throw in a WILD plot twist in that last chapter? The introductions to the mayhem that Blake has to navigate have been made, and I can’t wait to see how this plays out!

[Heather Kruczek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in the matter of a few hours. It has everything I want in a RH book: delicious fated mates who would do anything to protect the FMC, a feisty and bada$$ FMC, enemies to lovers, a little bit of suspense, some comedy, and a sprinkling of spice. The cherry on top certainly comes in the form of Blake's companion crow, Shade. Shade is the hilarious and unfiltered best friend you wished you had. Acting almost like Blake's inner voice, she has the ability to communicate with Blake in her mind. The conversations are funny, and it's even funnier when Blake forgets to respond back mentally and says things out loud.

I guessed a few of Blake's mates based on the early interactions, but I will say I thought I had guessed incorrectly about one until he finally showed up; sneaky and slick mate! Without spoiling the names, Blake's four mates are all intriguing characters, and I am truly looking forward to seeing if they bond in the next book, and whether that is the full harem. Blake and Shade alone bring levity into the book with their sassy personalities and I am all for it. Blake's inner commentary on her disastrous luck with mates had me rolling.

Lady Fate sure has it out for Blake and must be laughing uncontrollably at the mates she has paired with Blake. One mate clearly wants her, but due to some unknown promise, he can't have her. Mate #2 is fiercely protective of Blake, but has his eyes on something else. Mate #3 has quite a reputation in his realm. Lastly, Mate #4 has made it his life mission to kill Blake, their mate bond unbeknownst and a surprise to them both. This book ends on quite a cliffhanger that I did not anticipate; I had two possible endings in mind and I was delightfully surprised to see what happened instead. King Dalton is something else! I am interested on the reaction by the other realms when they find out about this entire game he meticulously created, causing death among many unbonded alphas.

October cannot come fast enough for book two! Grab Deranged Demons and I promise you won't regret it!

I had the opportunity to receive a copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carol Rupprecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seemed like this book flew by while I was reading. Everything was so fast paced and action packed that it grabbed my attention immediately. I loved the way Mia fleshed everything out in this book and the world building was top notch as well.

Princess Blake was an amazing fmc. Strong, independent, and able to hold her own both physically and mentally. She has a total “don't need no man” type of attitude and it was nice to see her own that. It gave me a giggle when her father set her up to meet all the eligible alphas in the realms to search for her mates because I knew she wouldn't be thrilled with it all.

Despite many men being eager to possibly be her mates, Lady Fate somehow stuck Blake with a group of men who didn't really want her for one reason or another. It should be interesting to see how long they will fight the bonds that are tugging them closer together and to discover what is keeping them from accepting the bond fully. It makes for a really great enemies to lovers type of relationship and I think adds more depth to the characters and their backstory.

Out of all Blake's men, Dante definitely stood out to me. He was the only one diving head first into this mating bond and honestly seems to care for Blake. I think even with his playboy reputation, he's going to be a total sweetheart and will worship Blake.

By far my favorite part of this book was Blake and Shade's relationship. The witty banter and sarcastic comments flying back and forth between them made everything so much better. The comedic relief that was provided by these two helped balance everything out with the action happening. Not only was their humor with their relationship but an actual bond. One forged with time and care. Shade wasn't a pet to Blake but a dear friend. A lot of times I feel like when familiars or alter egos (like with shifters) have their own personalities and can communicate they tend to get annoying with their input or don't add much to the story. This wasn't the case with Shade. I think with how the relationships with the men started, Blake Is going to need Shade around for some support. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

[Ms. Dess · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating: 3.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

We Have:
✅ MMMM/F Romance
✅ Why Choose
✅ Fantasy/Supernatural
✅ Great Banter
✅ Fated Mates
✅ Slow Burn (barely any spice in this book)
✅ Unfinished Series
✅ Strong FMC
✅ Quick Read <350 pages

Not a four star book for me but it has soooo much potential. This came across my radar because of the ARC for book two coming out. I figured - meh - I should probably read the 1st book right? Yeah, I’m not at all disappointed. Y’all know I love a strong FMC, I’m not talking just sassy and brave - I’m taking will whole rip your arm off, beat you with it, I don’t need no damn man type of chick… I definitely got this in this book. She’s a beast! I love her already 100% girl crush on her! Her men tho 👀👀👀 we’ve got broody, grumpy, happy to be here and just down right fuckable (I mean his name is even yummy- what more can you ask for?)

Cliffhangers drive me bananas cause I have no self control. I hate waiting for the next book lol. I’ll say while the story was fun - and the banter was pretty good, the world building and character development kinda drove me nuts. We got to know the characters some (eh, not really), and a teensy bit of back story however, not nearly enough was revealed. I feel like I have no idea what the hell is happening or where this is going to go.

Also - be warned - there is absolutely zero smut in here. Like none. That makes it really hard for me because I legit need it in my books. I don’t read YA or Thrillers for this reason. I don’t like it. I love 18+ erotica books. There is no shortage of promises of smut (I mean they gotta bang so they can bond), a quick sexy scene or two but nothing at all smutty. I’m hoping that this will happen in book two cause I would hate not finish the series because I have blue balls.. My only other complaint is I prefer my why choose books to have a max of 3 men, cause what do you do with the extra peen that’s waiting to be used… unless we get a hot AF MM scene which I’d be more than ok with!

[Moonburst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Blake has been raised by her father, the Demon King, to be ruthless and never show weakness, despite her half-angel blood. Her father has been springing challenges and traps to test her since she was a little girl. When he reveals that he is dying, he forces Blake into one last trial, one designed to force her to find her fated mates and finally unlock her true power. As Blake navigates the hostile competition she does find her fated mates. Unfortunately, they're all a bunch of jerks.

Blake is a responsible and capable princess with a sarcastic sense of humor. She's fed up with her father's orchestrations and doesn't believe she needs to find her fated mates. She has the power to telepathically communicate and command animals at will, and has a special bond with a raven, Shade. Sometimes her side of the conversation with Shade comes out verbally, giving her a slightly unhinged vibe. Since most of the males in the competition want her for the Demon King's throne, and her own fated mates seem less than ideal, she avoids coming across as a Mary Sue type character. As she collects her motley crew of striking mates that absolutely cannot stand each other, you can't help but hope she is able to succeed her father's challenge.

Deranged Demons is a fun reverse haram romance with characters that do not get along. The chaos is extremely entertaining and makes for an extremely diverting read. The book does end on a cliffhanger, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became a fan of this author when I started reading the "Her Cursed Protectors" series, but where the love for her writing style slowly grew alongside the series, with "Deranged Demons" everything is spot on from the start. I truly loved the start of this new series. I'm always game for a fated mates storyline with reluctant mates, and the author created it perfectly. She even provided some original connections between Blake and her men, and I can't wait to watch it all unfold. I'm also wondering if we can expect more mates to pop up further in the series... I wouldn't mind a big harem for our angel/demon hybrid princess! Even though it's a little early to start picking favorites, I have to admit I really like Nate's playfulness, but there's a lot to love from a whole bunch of different men in this series!

That being said, I believe my favorite character right now... is a crow. I adore the connection between Blake and Shade, and some of the things happening between them are hilarious. She's exactly what Blake, and the storyline, need to add a touch of humor and fun whenever the tension starts to get too high.

Even though this first book feels mostly like an introduction, where a lot of questions and characters pop up, I'm already completely invested in this series and I can't wait to find out what will be next! Once again the worldbuilding is awesome, original and I can't wait to see more of this world, meet more characters and watch Blake and her men grow closer together.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia Hartson knocked it out of the park with this book. Deranged Demons was so freaking good. I blew through this story.


One of my favorite characters is a talking crow named Shade who seems more human than most of the characters and has the best personality. Blake is a badass and she should be considering her dad has been putting her through survival training (Paranormal style) since she was a kid. Like seriously, some of that stuff had my eyebrow-raising. The guys are pieces of work. Only one was swoon-worthy but I have hope for the rest, after all, everybody has a backstory.


Mia has certainly set the stage with an abandoned kingdom and dangers lurking everywhere. I have to say a survival quest is a unique and entertaining way to look for mates. It causes all kinds of drama and it's fascinating. I got so wrapped up in Blake's mate quest I completely forgot about the other stuff going on that has Blake a little nervous. Something has been happening right under the Demon King's (aka Blake's dad) nose and Blake is just starting to dig into that. As of right now, I have no real theories about what exactly is happening but it's fun to theorize.


Deranged Demons was a fantastic start to the series, fast-paced, interesting twists, and deadly trials. It was pure entertainment. And that last chapter was a doozy. Like wtf? It was just so beyond unexpected it put me into shock. Blake had a lot on her plate and that ending just added a lot more problems. I will be eternally grateful to get book two sooner rather than later.

[Soft Covers, Hard Feelings · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ A R C REVIEW ✨

------------------------------

Okay. It's been a bit more on the rare side for me to find a book, start it, and finish it all in the same day. Ugh. I knew it was going to end on a cliffhanger but I was still not ready for it. I think the timeline was perfect. Everything was flowing at a proper place for the story. The plot that was introduced didn't take up the full time, but we still got reminders every so often, as we focused on the building of the story. I for one love a good plot when I'm reading. & I was very pleasantly surprised with this one.

I was skeptical about the potential headstrong, too independent, bad ass fmc, but she was balanced and I liked that a lot. Because we know this is a reverse harem I can say I enjoyed the different reaction for the mates. I can see how they'll compliment each other, and different personalities is sooo refreshing.

& Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm, is what I'm thinking going to happen? Because "when demons die, their body stays." Dante? HELLLLOOOOOOO. Am I hearing this wrong. I immediately screamed because I'm pretty sure that means what I think it means. There was a lot of action in this, but it wasn't all over the place and overwhelming. I for one could have used a bit more romance. But for book one. This was executed perfectly. A sure good way to rope readers in for more. Now where's book 2? I need it yesterday. Def something I'll tell my friends to read.

[Mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that Mia Hartson has strong female characters that aren’t push overs. In her latest series, Blake is a half demon-half angel princess who will succeeded her father, the King, but only when she bonds with her fated mates. The King believes she is destined to have 3-4 mates. It’s an idea she isn’t entirely in line with. Reluctantly, she’s forced into the King’s trials set about the realm, searching for them.

She already knows one, Dante (a demon) who has been pestering her with bringing humans for his demons to have trysts with. (He only watches). She puts a knife through his shoulder in one such occasion.

She meets another potential mate, Prince Callan(archangel)at the ball, who has a habit of fending off males that bother her. However, she believes she can handle herself and is perturbed he keeps inserting himself into her confrontations. When they discover they are mates, he rejects her.

There’s another mate, Nate (jaguar shifter) that is a thief with secrets. He’s flirtatious but not the most trustworthy.

Blake spends much of her time with Callan and Nate. But she does find another on her journey, much to her dismay

We definitely have enemies to lovers, possessive “touch her, you’ll die” alpha vibes for a couple of her mates. There isn’t any smexy times with her new found mates but I wouldn’t be surprised there is bonding in the next book.Just a great start to the series and really itching to read the next book after that cliffhanger

[Bookstatic · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a breath of fresh air to have a FMC who owns her shit and doesn’t make stupid decisions. There’s hope for strong female leads after all. Especially ones who can talk to crows 🤭. Oh and she’s called Blake, suitable name for a tough princess.

The storyline was good. Demon daughter completes deadly tasks to find her “bonded” (her soulmates). And all of the men she finds are sexy (duh!) and protective of her. Dante, a sexy man whore demon (and my personal favourite) Prince Callan, arrogant angel royalty who’s convinced he can’t have a mate due to some oath he swore (dudeee she’s your soulmate, kiss her already 🙄) Nate, swoon worthy jaguar with a dirty mouth (love him too) and Alaric, giant assassin who’s sworn to kill Blake (jury’s still out on him).

Only thing that pissed me off was her dislike to get intimate. There were so many scenes where the sexual tensions was insaneeeee and she pulled away at the last minute cos she killed her last lover by having sex with him. And she keeps finding excuses to not get dirty. It was so frustrating. The scene with Dante in the park was ✨amazing✨ and I’m also convinced Dante is Kai. There I said it. How did he know about Kai? Why did they both say “I’ve got you princess”? And Kai’s eyes flashed blue ( same as Dante’s). Something’s definitely fishy here.

And that ending. The plot twist! If I don’t get my hands on the next book I’ll explode.

[Kattikuss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been putting off reading this book for some reason and now that I’ve read it, I regret my life choices.

Blake is the princess and heir to the demon throne and is expected to take the throne from her father within a fairly short time frame. Unfortunately for Blake, in order to gain her full powers she must find and bond with her fated mates. Her father being a fan of putting Blake through her paces to ensure she’s the strongest she can be to rule likes to throw her into tough and often deadly trials.

Skip forward to her and all the unbounded alpha males of the various realms being thrown into a devastated realm where Blake must find all of her mates from said bunch of unbonded alphas while simultaneously defeating various obstacles in her path.

I enjoyed the premise of this book because we’re shown just how much of a baddie Blake is without her coming across obnoxious and we meet her mates slowly so we can see each personality shine. While there is a mild amount of insta-lust due to the fated bonds, there is no insta-love, so the chemistry between Blake and her men has a chance to grow.

I also love Shade, her crow companion. Their friendship is super cute.

I’ll note there is next to no spice in this first book, but I appreciated that the time was used to introduce all the characters and build some semblance of relationships between them before everyone jumps into bed.

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

All demons are Psychos some just hide it better

4.5 STARS

Princess Blake is the heir to the demon throne. However, she is has a few things working against her. First off she is half angel and half demon which has forced her to spend her life proving she is strong enough to be considered the heir. Secondly she is unmatted.

Dad decided it's almost time for Blake to take the throne but knows that there is no way she will be able to hold it unless she finds her mates and unlocks her full power potential. So what would any father do but send out invitations to all of the realms alphas inviting them to the palace to see if they are Blake's mates. There's only one catch and that is that everything the king does has tested Blake and this adventure is no different.

Suddenly Blake is told she must find her mates and survive as well as that there are provisions located around the city. When she comes to she finds herself in the final realm which was destroyed years ago and is used as a neutral ground. What kind of tests will she find? Will she find her mates? Will they all survive?

This was a thrilling story with so many different moving parts. I absolutely loved every minute. There are so many things going on with no clue who all is on who's side. I absolutely can not wait for the next installment of the Psycho games.

[Michelle Peralta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading Mia Hartson's book "Deranged Demons" and I couldn't stop! It's about Princess Blake who needs to find her mates to become queen. The story is full of surprises and ends with a big question, making me want to read more.

I liked how each character in the book has their own voice, especially Princess Blake and Shade. They're funny together, which helps when things get serious. The way Blake interacts with her mates also adds depth to the story. Hartson describes the world just enough for me to imagine it without getting too complicated.

The story moves quickly and is full of action, making it hard to put down. Princess Blake is a strong character who doesn't rely on anyone else. Her journey to find her mates is tough, but she handles it well.

Dante is one of Blake's suitors who stands out because he seems sincere. I'm curious to see how their relationship develops. I also enjoyed the banter between Evelyn and Shade, which brings some humor to the story.

Overall, "Deranged Demons" is a great start to the series. I'm excited to see what happens next with Princess Blake and her mates.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Toni Hopley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is of an ARC copy.

Another new Aussie author to add to my list and I totally fell in love with this story.

The main character is such a strong female lead. She is determined and fiercely independent - which is to be expected when your dad is a psycho Demon King’. Blake is not to be underestimated. She stands up for herself and her friends in this book.I love the banter

The plans of her Dad to have the games to find an heir is a a great set up to the Princess finding her mates - yes more than one. I love the guys and some of the scenes are HOT.

Blake and her mates face some serious challenges during which they all take stock of their true feelings for each other. There are many secrets that are acting as barriers to the mating bond and this is a great twist. Blake’s mates all have very individual personalities and their dynamics makes for great read as to how these guys will work together to protect Blake and eventually rule the realm.

This story is a great read with many of my favourite tropes including “why choose”, “enemies to lovers”.

Please note this book does end on a cliff hanger.

[Helen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good!
Princess Blake is the daughter of the demon king and over the years he has pushed her hard to prove herself, putting her in harms way and she has only narrowly escaped death on more than one occasion. When she discovers her father is dying he informs her she and her mates are to take over ruling Seral, but she doesn't have mates! The king has organised a ball so she can find her fated mates but Blake and all the Alphas in attendance are whisked away to another world ... more trials!
This is an amazing story, it is slow burn, the attraction is there but more than one of the mates are reluctant and don't want to form the mate bond so it is going to be interesting to see what happens with that. My favourite character here has to be Shade, Blake's best friend who just happens to be a crow. They have a mind link like telepathy where they can talk to each other inside their heads and Shade is so funny I was constantly laughing at some of the things she came out with.
It ends on a monstrous cliffhanger, I don't know how these characters are going to find their way out of the situation they are in but I can't wait to find out!

[Lyndi (mibookobsession) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blake is only a half blood demon, so she's had to fight hard her whole life to never show weakness. When her demon king father admits he dying, the clan leaders who've always doubted her are lined up to take over the kingdom. She'll need the help of her fated mate to unlock her power... if only she could find him. Her father sets up a competition and invites all the alpha beasts and monsters in the allied realms to participate. When she meets her fated mate she'll know it. The biggest problem... there's more than one!
I loved this author's Cursed Protectors series and I was excited to try this new series. The world building and characters are just as imaginative and original and I was immediately drawn into the story. I love the drastically different personalities of each of the guys and how they interact with each other and with Blake. It'll be interesting to see how she gets them working as a team in the next books and I can't wait to see how she gets herself out of the predicament she's in at the end!

[Frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writing with brilliant suspense, action, tension blended with snarky, fun humour made for a really enjoyable and un-put-downable book.
I went into this book blind on what to expect and when I next looked up it was hours later & I’d finished! It gripped me right from the start & wouldn’t let go.
I enjoyed the fact that each character is so different & easily recognisable. A hazard of many Why Choose stories for me is that the characters are too similar & blend together but this does not happen here. Each character brings their own story to the table & I’m really looking toward to getting to know them all.
The relationship between Blake & Shade is fun & hilarious (if not slightly confusing with Shade’s raunchy references towards humans…I’m wondering if there’s more to her story down the road…) and was a great contrast to the moody males.
The action was brief but well done & the tension and backstories have me questioning & guessing at what is yet to come.
Thanks for the adventure Ms Hartson, I can’t wait for book 2!