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Hunger #2
A Taste for the Peculiar: A Historical Monster Romance
A succubus hiding her true form. A faerie dripping with scandal. A lesson in seduction.
Miss Avirin Ellison can’t tell anyone what she has become — not when her position in society is already so precarious. When her mother threatens to lock her away for good, Avirin must find a way to procure a marriage proposal, and fast.
Enter Lord Pye Riften. Avirin can’t marry them, of course; the moth fae is already plagued by salacious rumors, but his rakish reputation might be just what she needs. If he can teach her how to seduce a husband, she can secure a match and make a life for herself among high society.
But as their lessons grow more heated, Avirin begins to question the rules she lives by. Lord Riften is strangely captivating, immersing her in a beautiful world where she is indulged and savored. But when Avirin’s newfound desires clash with public expectation, she’s forced to confront the deepest parts of herself.
Which would she rather lose: the life she thought she wanted, or a chance at true love?
Note: Pye uses “he” and “they” pronouns interchangeably throughout this book. This novel is a W/Nbi romance between a succubus and a death’s-head fae. It is intended only for adult audiences. Reader discretion is advised. Content advisories are listed in the book's front matter and on the author's website.
This is a standalone historical romance. If you want to read Avirin & Pye falling in love again, begin their modern office romance with Feed!
Miss Avirin Ellison can’t tell anyone what she has become — not when her position in society is already so precarious. When her mother threatens to lock her away for good, Avirin must find a way to procure a marriage proposal, and fast.
Enter Lord Pye Riften. Avirin can’t marry them, of course; the moth fae is already plagued by salacious rumors, but his rakish reputation might be just what she needs. If he can teach her how to seduce a husband, she can secure a match and make a life for herself among high society.
But as their lessons grow more heated, Avirin begins to question the rules she lives by. Lord Riften is strangely captivating, immersing her in a beautiful world where she is indulged and savored. But when Avirin’s newfound desires clash with public expectation, she’s forced to confront the deepest parts of herself.
Which would she rather lose: the life she thought she wanted, or a chance at true love?
Note: Pye uses “he” and “they” pronouns interchangeably throughout this book. This novel is a W/Nbi romance between a succubus and a death’s-head fae. It is intended only for adult audiences. Reader discretion is advised. Content advisories are listed in the book's front matter and on the author's website.
This is a standalone historical romance. If you want to read Avirin & Pye falling in love again, begin their modern office romance with Feed!
235 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2026
About the author
Aveda Vice
11 books419 followersAveda Vice (any pronouns) is a pansexual author of unconventional kink and monstrous romances. In their books, you’ll find a fondness for queer creatures, polyamorous love, and grumpy girls. She falls down rabbit holes, decorates every day like it’s Halloween, and is going to hell.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 20, 2026
🕯️“Now, for the most important question.” They gesture for Avirin to join them. “Are these lessons meant to attract a husband or 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 husband?”🕯️
✨
A TASTE FOR THE PECULIAR
(Hunger, 2)
by Aveda Vice
𝗲𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪
𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 August 28, 2026
223 𝖯𝖺𝗀𝖾𝗌
🕯️
@avedavice can simply do no wrong in my opinion. Quickly became an auto-buy author for me once I discovered them.
🕯️
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗬 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦:
SUCCUBUS 𝘅 FAERIE
REGENCY MONSTER ROMANCE
LESSONS IN *BEDDING*
QUEER AWAKENING
FAMILY PRESSURE
SOCIETY PREJUDICES
NONBINARY MOTH FAE
CURVY, AUTISTIC SUCCUBUS
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE
GROUP *ACTIVITIES*
SEXY & SPICY AF
🕯️
» GENERAL BREAKDOWN:
PLOT 𝟺
MAIN CHARACTERS 𝟻
WRITING STYLE 𝟻
ENJOYMENT 𝟻
SETTING 𝟻
MISCELLANEOUS 𝟺
SECONDARY CHARACTERS 𝟺
OTHER 𝟺
ENGAGEMENT 𝟻
EASE OF READING 𝟻
BONUS FOR REP 𝟺
VIBES 𝟻
• OVERALL TOTAL: ★★★★★
𝙵𝙸𝚅𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚁𝚂
✨🕯️✨
“Here, sweetness. We’ll free you from the shackles this cruel lord has imposed upon you.”
✨🕯️✨
"Instruct me," Pye purrs. "Tell me exactly how you want me. Tell me where to touch you, how to move my mouth, if I should use my hands." His fingertips glide up the outer lips of her cynt, pressing just enough to pull back the hood of her clit. "If a man won't take your direction, he's a-
waste of your time."
✨🕯️✨
𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗕𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.
❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗙𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
✨🌈✨
✨
A TASTE FOR THE PECULIAR
(Hunger, 2)
by Aveda Vice
𝗲𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪
𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 August 28, 2026
223 𝖯𝖺𝗀𝖾𝗌
🕯️
@avedavice can simply do no wrong in my opinion. Quickly became an auto-buy author for me once I discovered them.
🕯️
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗬 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦:
SUCCUBUS 𝘅 FAERIE
REGENCY MONSTER ROMANCE
LESSONS IN *BEDDING*
QUEER AWAKENING
FAMILY PRESSURE
SOCIETY PREJUDICES
NONBINARY MOTH FAE
CURVY, AUTISTIC SUCCUBUS
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE
GROUP *ACTIVITIES*
SEXY & SPICY AF
🕯️
» GENERAL BREAKDOWN:
PLOT 𝟺
MAIN CHARACTERS 𝟻
WRITING STYLE 𝟻
ENJOYMENT 𝟻
SETTING 𝟻
MISCELLANEOUS 𝟺
SECONDARY CHARACTERS 𝟺
OTHER 𝟺
ENGAGEMENT 𝟻
EASE OF READING 𝟻
BONUS FOR REP 𝟺
VIBES 𝟻
• OVERALL TOTAL: ★★★★★
𝙵𝙸𝚅𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚁𝚂
✨🕯️✨
“Here, sweetness. We’ll free you from the shackles this cruel lord has imposed upon you.”
✨🕯️✨
"Instruct me," Pye purrs. "Tell me exactly how you want me. Tell me where to touch you, how to move my mouth, if I should use my hands." His fingertips glide up the outer lips of her cynt, pressing just enough to pull back the hood of her clit. "If a man won't take your direction, he's a-
waste of your time."
✨🕯️✨
𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗕𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.
❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗙𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
✨🌈✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you for the ARC!
When I heard this arc was available, I rushed to finally pick up the prequel "Yours, Insatiably". As this features the same couple in a different reality, it was an excellent way to get to know them.
What "A Taste for the Peculiar" does better, is that Avirin keeps more control over what she wants. A critical note I've heard about the previous book is that the plot rather happens to her, orchestrated by the ever-adventurous Pye. In this novel, Avirin is more vocal about her desires and even initiates them. I do have to say I found her frequent pleading for consummation to be slightly out of place in this setting because this setting is obsessed with purity culture.
Nevertheless, Aveda Vice is a master at sex scenes. They're passionate, they're creative, and they're a lot of fun. It's my favourite part of their writing and I hope we may be blessed with more of their work.
When I heard this arc was available, I rushed to finally pick up the prequel "Yours, Insatiably". As this features the same couple in a different reality, it was an excellent way to get to know them.
What "A Taste for the Peculiar" does better, is that Avirin keeps more control over what she wants. A critical note I've heard about the previous book is that the plot rather happens to her, orchestrated by the ever-adventurous Pye. In this novel, Avirin is more vocal about her desires and even initiates them. I do have to say I found her frequent pleading for consummation to be slightly out of place in this setting because this setting is obsessed with purity culture.
Nevertheless, Aveda Vice is a master at sex scenes. They're passionate, they're creative, and they're a lot of fun. It's my favourite part of their writing and I hope we may be blessed with more of their work.
Review of advance copy received from Author
***ARC Review***
Going into this, I was already looking forward to reading about Pye and Avirin again, but I especially loved the idea of reading their story in a completely different setting and sub-genre. Using a historical romance framework is really interesting, because then you're dealing with an even stricter set of social rules and issues of propriety. Society becomes a much bigger obstacle and source of conflict in the story, making it that much more impactful when we see the relationship and character arcs develop throughout the book.
A Taste for the Peculiar is hot, sure (like....really hot), but there's so much heart, too. Pye truly understands Avirin and her inner turmoil, they support her as she grows into herself, and they love her for being exactly who she is. Meanwhile, Avirin's journey to self-acceptance is *so* well done, and I appreciated that it wasn't rushed. After finishing the book, I can definitively say that Pye in any iteration (historical, fantasy, whatever) is the sweetest, and as always, I just wanted to give Avirin a hug.
Going into this, I was already looking forward to reading about Pye and Avirin again, but I especially loved the idea of reading their story in a completely different setting and sub-genre. Using a historical romance framework is really interesting, because then you're dealing with an even stricter set of social rules and issues of propriety. Society becomes a much bigger obstacle and source of conflict in the story, making it that much more impactful when we see the relationship and character arcs develop throughout the book.
A Taste for the Peculiar is hot, sure (like....really hot), but there's so much heart, too. Pye truly understands Avirin and her inner turmoil, they support her as she grows into herself, and they love her for being exactly who she is. Meanwhile, Avirin's journey to self-acceptance is *so* well done, and I appreciated that it wasn't rushed. After finishing the book, I can definitively say that Pye in any iteration (historical, fantasy, whatever) is the sweetest, and as always, I just wanted to give Avirin a hug.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Aveda Vice has placed her well loved Pye and Avirin characters in a Regency setting and I am here for it!
This is an erotic historical monster romance. Pye is a death’s-head hawkmoth fae and Avirin is a succubus.
Despite being part of the Hunger series, where the same characters fall in love in different timelines, this can definitely be read as a standalone.
The historical setting really allowed Vice to play with the strict social codes of the historical romance genre.
Yes, this is erotic romance, but there was great character development as Pye and Avirin fell in love and encouraged each other’s strengths.
Beautifully written and with commentary on class, gender and looking beyond appearances, this is well worth a read.
I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is an erotic historical monster romance. Pye is a death’s-head hawkmoth fae and Avirin is a succubus.
Despite being part of the Hunger series, where the same characters fall in love in different timelines, this can definitely be read as a standalone.
The historical setting really allowed Vice to play with the strict social codes of the historical romance genre.
Yes, this is erotic romance, but there was great character development as Pye and Avirin fell in love and encouraged each other’s strengths.
Beautifully written and with commentary on class, gender and looking beyond appearances, this is well worth a read.
I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Taste for the Peculiar is a historical romance AU with Aveda Vice's delightful characters Pye and Averin. In this Regency inspired universe, Pye, the Death's Head Hawkmoth fae, is a libertine Lord. Averin is a secret succubus, whose mother is desperately trying to marry her off before the social season ends.
After asking Pye for their help in securing a husband, Averin finds herself slipping away secretly to all sorts of places and events what would give her mother a heart attack. And falling for the gorgeous, gender fluid Pye.
A Taste for the Peculiar is a very spicy, quick read, but it also explores the emotional distress that Averin goes through as she develops desires that are counter to her high society conditioning and the turmoil that Pye faces because they think they can't provide the life they think Averin wants.
Thank you Aveda Vice for the opportunity to advance read.
After asking Pye for their help in securing a husband, Averin finds herself slipping away secretly to all sorts of places and events what would give her mother a heart attack. And falling for the gorgeous, gender fluid Pye.
A Taste for the Peculiar is a very spicy, quick read, but it also explores the emotional distress that Averin goes through as she develops desires that are counter to her high society conditioning and the turmoil that Pye faces because they think they can't provide the life they think Averin wants.
Thank you Aveda Vice for the opportunity to advance read.
September 2, 2026
Plot 4 Spice 4.5 FMC 4 MC 5
Historical Monster Romance
Dual 3rd POV
Grumpy (FMC)/Sunshine (MC)
Autistic Curvy Succubus FMC
Non-Binary Former Courtesan Fairy MC
Spicy Lessons
They/He Falls First
They/He Falls Harder
Pining/Yearning
Queer Awakening
Neurodivergent Rep
Nonbinary Rep
Unpacking purity culture, heteronormativity, & societal expectations
Aggressively Child-Free by Choice (!)
D/s - Sir, Good Girl, Switch Scene
Kink - Praise, Humiliation, Begging,🤚🏻 📿 , Bondage, Special 🍆, Light Bratting
F/Enbi, M/Enbi/F, F/F/Enbi, F/F/F
No 3rd Act Breakup
I like this version better because there is no unnecessary enemies-to-lovers trope, so Pye is just the sweetest, most obsessed love interest. Personally, I would’ve like more spicy scenes focused on just Pye & Avi. F/F isn’t my taste, but to each their own.
Historical Monster Romance
Dual 3rd POV
Grumpy (FMC)/Sunshine (MC)
Autistic Curvy Succubus FMC
Non-Binary Former Courtesan Fairy MC
Spicy Lessons
They/He Falls First
They/He Falls Harder
Pining/Yearning
Queer Awakening
Neurodivergent Rep
Nonbinary Rep
Unpacking purity culture, heteronormativity, & societal expectations
Aggressively Child-Free by Choice (!)
D/s - Sir, Good Girl, Switch Scene
Kink - Praise, Humiliation, Begging,🤚🏻 📿 , Bondage, Special 🍆, Light Bratting
F/Enbi, M/Enbi/F, F/F/Enbi, F/F/F
No 3rd Act Breakup
I like this version better because there is no unnecessary enemies-to-lovers trope, so Pye is just the sweetest, most obsessed love interest. Personally, I would’ve like more spicy scenes focused on just Pye & Avi. F/F isn’t my taste, but to each their own.
August 28, 2026
This was such a fun and steamy historical monster romance. It follows Avirin as she is out in society for a whole not and she can't let them know what she has become. Her mother is threatening to lock her away if she doesn't find a marriage proposal soon. Enter Lord Pye Riften, they are already plagued by salacious romance, so Avirin can't marry them but they can help her. Pye can teach her how to please her future husband.
I really enjoyed this one so much. I haven't read many historical romances but this one had fae and demons so that make it much more intriguing. The steamy scenes were absolutely amazing and I loved the portrayal of succubus's in this story. Definitely recommend this one if you are on the lookout for a steamy stand alone historical romance!
Thanks to Aveda Vice for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this one so much. I haven't read many historical romances but this one had fae and demons so that make it much more intriguing. The steamy scenes were absolutely amazing and I loved the portrayal of succubus's in this story. Definitely recommend this one if you are on the lookout for a steamy stand alone historical romance!
Thanks to Aveda Vice for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2026
This starts off as a somewhat standard (complimentary) “teach me how to get a husband” story and morphs into something different, much like our characters. Don’t get me wrong, the sex lessons plot that drives the first half of the book is fun and hot and there is angst and emotion that gives it all weight, but the second half of the book takes a turn that I wasn’t expecting and I loved it. I don’t want to spoil too much but the second half doubles down on the sexiness and emotion and allows Avirin to come into her own in a really beautiful way. Highly recommend for a fresh and fantastical take on historical. Thank you to the author for the ARC!
August 28, 2026
I fell in love with Avirin and Pye all over again in this gorgeous historical romance. The language is lush and lyrical. The spice is delicious. The feelings make my heart ache in the best way. All around, a top tier experience.
This is an AU set in England times of the MC’s from Feed and Yours, Insatiably. You don’t need to read the prior books to enjoy this one, but also do yourself a favor and read them because they’re sublime.
** I received an eARC from the author as a member of their Patreon and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. **
This is an AU set in England times of the MC’s from Feed and Yours, Insatiably. You don’t need to read the prior books to enjoy this one, but also do yourself a favor and read them because they’re sublime.
** I received an eARC from the author as a member of their Patreon and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. **
September 6, 2026
I love when an author loves characters enough to keep putting them in different situations. Avirin and Pye are my favorite couple no matter what time they exist in. The chemistry is off the charts. But the theme of someone loving and accepting you as you are is so heartbreakingly real for us queer folks. Avirin's internal conflict is relatable, and to have someone like Pye want all of her including the parts she is terrified of, is just so good. I hope for so many AUs with Avirin and Pye; I will read them all.
September 2, 2026
A spicy kinky romp of a book! We see Avirin develop from a woman bound by polite society into a wife freed and able to have as much fun as she wants! (Consensually ofc!) there’s quite a few different kinks here so I’d say there’s some spice for everyone included in here 💗
Features;
- Nb Fae Lord x Sheltered Succubus
- Majorly shitty parents
- Sharing
- Marriage of convenience
- They call her My Lady
Features;
- Nb Fae Lord x Sheltered Succubus
- Majorly shitty parents
- Sharing
- Marriage of convenience
- They call her My Lady
Review of advance copy received from Author
“We are wondrous. More than they could ever imagine.”
i love pye in every universe 🖤
smoking hot and more emo/angsty than i expected! it was fun to see vice go hisrom. pye and avirin's relationship was peakkkkk. a lot of steam but also a lot of heart. such a fun, dramatic, and sexy au side adventure!
an honest arc review <3
i love pye in every universe 🖤
smoking hot and more emo/angsty than i expected! it was fun to see vice go hisrom. pye and avirin's relationship was peakkkkk. a lot of steam but also a lot of heart. such a fun, dramatic, and sexy au side adventure!
an honest arc review <3
September 1, 2026
4/5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I don't even know where to start. Avirin and Pye absolutely wrecked me and put me back together. She's a succubus who doesn't know how to be herself, and he's a tattooed moth-fae with infinite patience who looks at her like she hung the moon.
The ending? An epilogue that left me grinning from ear to ear. They get married AGAIN because once wasn't enough. EVERYTHING
I don't even know where to start. Avirin and Pye absolutely wrecked me and put me back together. She's a succubus who doesn't know how to be herself, and he's a tattooed moth-fae with infinite patience who looks at her like she hung the moon.
The ending? An epilogue that left me grinning from ear to ear. They get married AGAIN because once wasn't enough. EVERYTHING
Review of advance copy received from Author
It’s been a while since I finished a book in a day, but I could NOT put this down. This was such a beautiful story filled with safety, acceptance, exploration & utter adoration. Aveda, I need more characters like Pye! 😍
August 25, 2026
ARC review!
I loved “Yours, Insatiably” and getting to experience Avirin and Pye fall in love again in a new reality was just as satisfying as it was the first time around! I also haven’t finished a book so quickly in a long time, I just couldn’t put it down though.
I loved “Yours, Insatiably” and getting to experience Avirin and Pye fall in love again in a new reality was just as satisfying as it was the first time around! I also haven’t finished a book so quickly in a long time, I just couldn’t put it down though.
August 29, 2026
My honest eARC review <3
I missed more detailed explanations; The writing is confusing at times, and there's some repeated words that could be edited out easily. However, the book and the plot are simply amazing, the story grabs you in a way I couldn't describe. I highly recommend it.
I missed more detailed explanations; The writing is confusing at times, and there's some repeated words that could be edited out easily. However, the book and the plot are simply amazing, the story grabs you in a way I couldn't describe. I highly recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Look am I biased because of how much I already love these characters? 100%
But I will absolutely never get enough of them
But I will absolutely never get enough of them
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews