Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Del Diablo

Rate this book
Filthy. Clandestine. Unorthodox.Stygian Isle was born from the brilliant mind of an abominable man. The Alistair patriarch and sovereign of the nonconformist crafted a peaceful refuge for those unashamedly wicked.From his creation came a secret society of filthy heretics.Carnal sin and mayhem fuel their religion.Sex and death drench their doctrine.They indulge in the taboo and immerse themselves in madness.We were brought here to be sacrificed by body and soul.Until death grants us a sweet escape, we are to forget who we once were and become everything they desire.

The inhabitants of Stygian Isle have zero regard for right and wrong. Please read with an open mind and the understanding that nothing here is off limits. Each book in this series is a full-length standalone that can be read in any order and follows a different couple. Del Diablo is a loose prequel to Muerte.

95 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2020

66 people are currently reading
403 people want to read

About the author

Natalie Bennett

111 books2,666 followers
Lover of all things pǝʇsıʍʇ & unusual.

I write unconventional 'romance' with strong elements of horror.

Find all my links here!
linktr.ee/AuthornatB

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
163 (48%)
4 stars
83 (24%)
3 stars
57 (17%)
2 stars
20 (5%)
1 star
11 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
Profile Image for Mimiorphee.
700 reviews41 followers
December 29, 2021
Del Diablo introduces us to Natalie Bennett's Stygian Isle new series. This novella plunged me right away into a worrisome and dark atmosphere, which turned eerie in not time, to end up completely maddening.

I found myself thrilled all along, not knowing how far the author would set the bar when it comes to depravity and ultra-violence, and knowing that it didn't really mattered, I would love it.

Now that I tasted Adelita and Draven's twisted beginnings, I can only hope Muerte is coming soon!
Profile Image for The Aqua Pisces.
271 reviews17 followers
February 25, 2024
4.5 Stars 🌟

Dang, Daddy dearest Alistair is more sinister than his son when it comes to his bride! I enjoyed the prequel to Muerte. I appreciate the author's villainous mentality writing style. It's dark and I love it! Excited to have fallen upon the series and can't wait for its completion. I would love to read a whole series just in Mom and Daddy Draven!
Profile Image for TheBookPlatypus.
1,244 reviews264 followers
December 25, 2021
“I’d made it abundantly clear that Adelita Asmo belonged to the Alistairs. I killed in honor of that vow without remorse.”

Woah. This book. It was such a tease yet so dang good. It’s dark and full of hidden secrets. A dark dark cult. And human sacrifice.

Draven Alistairs has been keeping a close eye on Adelita for years until the time was right to take what he believes is his. Her.
Getting set up and bound - she realizes she’s part of a ritual. A dark dark dark satanic ritual.
“They say the devil disguises himself as an angel, masquerading as all you’ve ever wanted. I had never been a believer until tonight.”

All she wanted was to go on a date with that gorgeous Draven and and she got so much more.
This is a quick prequel before these characters head to Stygian Isle as Husband and Wife where no morals exist.
Profile Image for Mandyloves2read.
1,776 reviews175 followers
December 30, 2021
Del Diablo is the prequel to the Stygian Isle series the first book being Muerte I remember reading this from a anthology a while back I can’t remember which one , but I think in this book she had more added to it but as usual Natalie Bennett gave us a dark twisted bloody and mind blowing beginning to what I just know is going to be a EPIC story! I loved the characters I loved the story this short prequel gives us a taste of what’s to come this one is definitely not for the faint of heart so check them trigger warnings! Can’t wait for Muerte!!!
Profile Image for The Romantic Rush Blog.
2,681 reviews966 followers
December 21, 2021
Del Diablo is a dark and twisted prequel to the world of Stygian Island and the upcoming Muerte. It's a wild ride that starts out deceptively placid, but Natalie soon unleashes her full creative depravity. If you know Natalie's work, you know what to expect- if not this is a good taste. Triggers, degeneracy, gore, and all sorts of messed up fun abounds- beware!

Profile Image for Kim Whitehead.
2,831 reviews
December 17, 2021
Boy did that have a creepy vibe! It definitely had me on edge! And holy smokes what a ceremony! Natalie Bennett really does take you on sickly wild ride! And a tease of what’s to come!
Profile Image for ari.
409 reviews105 followers
February 10, 2023
i didn’t really understand what was happening when reading this book. i wanted to like it but it just wasn’t convincing enough.
Profile Image for Ana Manjić.
627 reviews52 followers
December 21, 2021
"They say the devil disguises himself as an angel, masquerading as all you've ever wanted. I had never been a believer until tonight."...



Let's just say this was a mild version of the horror that awaits us.
But, there's nothing I won't love and read when it comes to NB.
I'm speechless and shocked every time (in a good way of course).
Once you start reading her book (any book) there's no stopping. Every single time.

This is a short story, a preface to book 1 and it's simply perfect as always.
If you like dark and twisted - and I mean it - read this one! Like a bedtime story :)

Happy reading!
Profile Image for Kade Gulluscio.
975 reviews65 followers
December 29, 2021
How do I even start this?! This book was insane. And by insane, I mean utterly amazing.
The cover art is gorgeous.
Natalie Bennett’s writing style is so intriguing and beautiful. Even on the absolute darkest topic.
I will say - take the trigger warnings seriously. They’re there for a reason, and this book isn’t for overly sensitive.
If you have a black twisted heart like myself, you’ll love this book as well.
Keep in mind this is a prequel to Muerte, and it does leave off on a cliffhanger. Cliffhangers aren’t my favorite, but only because I’m impatient. 😂.
Draven’s possessiveness is so very hot, even if he absolutely crazy. Haha.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but if twisted hot men, satanic rituals, and fierce female main characters are your thing, you’ll love this book.
Profile Image for Siobhan (Bookish Vibes).
883 reviews36 followers
December 18, 2021
This short prequel gives us a taste of what's to come in this series and from it, along with the many trigger warnings, it's sure to be a wild ride! It's best to never try to guess what is going to happen in Natalie's stories and just give in to all of the dark and depraved that's bound to arise.

Del Diablo started off fairly 'normal' for a dark romance... shady characters, strange encounters, dark underlying themes but it definitely takes a turn towards the end. And the little sneak peek of Muerte just left me wanting so much more!!

This series is not one for the faint hearted, if you are familiar with Natalie Bennett's books then you would already know this, but if you like your stories dark, creepy and completely twisted then this one is for you.
Profile Image for Samantha.
1,920 reviews40 followers
August 16, 2025
This was a dark, twisted story that definitely makes me want to dive into the next book.
It left me with many questions that I need answers for!

Update from Second Reading:
I wanted to read this one more time before jumping into the main duet. It was dark and intense, really setting the stage and easing me into the darker darkness to come.
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
20.1k reviews256 followers
December 29, 2021
This is a prequel into a secret society where cardinal sins and mayhem prevail, and this is the twisted beginnings from Draven and Adelita’s story. This is a well written flawless story which is dark, raw, gritty, intriguing, thrilling, and depraved, and I was totally hooked throughout this riveting page turner. I cannot wait to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Shawna Jimenez more.books.forever.
1,858 reviews87 followers
December 22, 2021
Okay so if you have read any of Natalie’s books then you know how dark and twisted her mind can get and this book is no exception. This little prequel right here deliciously dark and I perfect into to Stygian Island I cannot wait to dive into the upcoming novel Muerte and enjoy this dark and deprived world.
Profile Image for Chey.
390 reviews8 followers
April 13, 2022
Okay… what can i say to this book?
A group with rituals and sacrifices? YES
A guy who choose your heroine and keep her? YES
Gore, deaths and a lot of triggers? DEFINITELY YES

Natalie Bennett knows write dark book like nobody and i just love for this one too.With a lot of mysteries and questions unresolved, i can’t wait for the next one of this series.
Profile Image for Joelle.
566 reviews15 followers
January 12, 2022
74 pages of story the rest was just fluff....its like the author started to write the story and then said...okay I am done....didn't bother to really wrap things up.

Disappointed
Profile Image for Roschele.
154 reviews32 followers
December 27, 2021
They say the devil disguises himself as an angel, masquerading as all you've ever wanted. I had never been a believer until tonight.

When I started reading this, I quickly realized that I has read this before in an anthology. A few minor details were changed but overall it was the same great story I had read before and still loved. So just a quick cut and paste with a few modifications from that previous review below.

Holy shit! I have a new VILF, guys. I thought I had a thing for the Andreou men but Draven Alistair. He can get it.



Just to caution you other bitches, I would probably throw down over him. Just sayin'.

What can I say? Natalie has the perfect vision of evil but intoxicating men. You should really hate their guts but damn if you can. And they just keep getting better with every book she writes. I honestly can say that I don't think anyone can top Draven, though.

This is a short but definite goodie. This story centers on Adelita. She isn't doing the best in life. She lives with her sister who's head over a guy who likes to practice the ol' five finger discount.

Adelita receives a call from her sister requesting help as her sticky-fingered boyfriend is at it again and wouldnt you know it, at a church. A church ran by Draven Alistair. Draven is a man that always had Adelita's lady parts a tingle. I feel ya sister. Hell, just reading about him made me do the same. He seems like the perfect guy on the outside. Pragmatic leader of a church and all. Perfect man to take home to meet the family.

But...As soon as they enter the church, well, Ave Satanas. The trap has been set for them and Adelita has sprung it.

Black robes. Blood flows. Vows made. Sacrifices paid.



I can't leave this review without mentioning Draven in that robe...

🖤 Arc kindly provided for an honest review🖤
Profile Image for Shannon.
180 reviews2 followers
June 23, 2025
4.5 stars

This is the novella to the Stygian Isle duet which can be read before or after the duet, the order doesn’t matter and I did end up reading it first before the duet.

This was good, for me, to read before book 1 and 2 because it gave me a good idea of what was happening and put some pieces together for me.

This is definitely a dark romantic horror and the MMC’s in this series are 100% morally black. They are not Prince Charming but they walk close to the devil himself and I love that about them. The MMC in this novella is Draven, the father to the MMC Alexander of the duet.

Our FMC is currently working at a low end job living with her sister and her POS boyfriend whom she is now pregnant with. The boyfriend has her sister involved in stupid low end criminal jobs and high me of them that he convinces her to join in on is robbing the mysterious, creepy church run by an enigmatic group of people connected to Stygian Isle. This church though, is run by Draven and he is the last person to be slighting. Our FMC goes with her sister because she can’t convince her to stay home but wants to make sure she stays safe and her 2 friends join as well.

The job goes wrong, of course.. and somehow, our FMC ends up on a mysterious island chained to a wall in an empty bedroom with no one in sight.. things just get more interesting from there.

Great, dark and twisted read, but definitely recommend reading the whole duet and novella to get the whole picture, it’s a pretty dark story, and I loved it.
Profile Image for stwdscrwdntat2d.
138 reviews
December 19, 2021
Del Diablo

Id like to first say that Natalie Bennett knows how to write a book that appeases my little black heart. If this is your first NB book, you are in for a real treat. Please read the trigger warnings because this story is not for the faint of heart.. with that being said....

Adelita, "Adel, Della, Del" Asmo and Draven Alastair had known of each other when his cousin, Gwenyth started at her high school.

Flash forward a few years and now Adel and her sister, Isabel live together with Isa's useless, small town crook of a boyfriend, Troy. I feel its important to bring in Jessica and Kyle.. Adel's BFFs.. they are the ones that make sure she is looked out for. They are an important part in her life.

When Troy's shenanigans gets them all in hot water, the fun really starts.

Let me just say that if youre into dark reads, this one will lead you down the rabbit hole that is Natalie Bennett.

Del Diablo is a prequel to Muerte and does leave us with a cliffhanger, so if thats not your sort of thing, I would recommend picking up her Badlands Series, Dahila Saga or The Coveting Delirium.. or her standalones.. oh man... so many good books.

I received Del Diablo as an ARC and am leaving an honest review but the others I recommended were read before I was in her reader group.. which if you love her as much I do (queue the fan girl music), you will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Rebecca Carsley.
534 reviews8 followers
December 31, 2021
A Fantastic Series Intro!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ REVIEW

Natalie Bennett never disappoints with her books. This is a dark and twisted little tease Prequel of her upcoming Stygian Isle Series and the first book Muerte. And it was absolutely fantastic because Natalie never fails to make the darkness delectable.

It gives you a peak into the darkness and secrets that surround the handsome young religious fanatic and Leader Draven Alistair. But he’s not your typical religious leader to say the least and he has his eyes set on the beautiful Adelita Asmo. Being pulled into circumstances by her sister Adel finds herself and everyone else drugged and taken, forcing Draven’s hand and changing his plans for her.

If you love dark, mysterious and dangerous alpha men who obsess over sweet innocent women who eventually bend to their will you will enjoy this. There’s action, mystery, suspense, secret Societies and ritualistic events. A definite must read.
Profile Image for Valerie *valovebooks* Parker.
269 reviews7 followers
December 16, 2021
Omg Holy what the what. I was super excited to read this and the whole time I was wishing this would never end!!!! I really enjoyed this read. It was so fast and it is a prequel so I understand. Gosh the whole well orchestrated plan was amazing and all that waiting.. I don't want to give away any spoilers. But people if you can't handle blood then make sure you read the trigger warnings. They need to be taken seriously. There is a scene that is very raw and well described. Just Wow. I was making all the faces like uuummm.. 😵🤯🤢😶🥴🥴 LOL I so want more of Draven's thoughts and emotions. I need Muerte and I'm so ready for this series to blast off. They're said to be standalone's but I would read many books of this setting. I really enjoyed this quick read and I recommend it! Thank you TwistedAlphas&DarkRomance🖤
Profile Image for Anna.
99 reviews72 followers
January 3, 2022
I know that this is just a prequel so it’s supposed to be short,but I felt like this was too short and fast so that its the reason why I’m giving it only 3 stars. This definitely has the potencial to be a whole novel, and I think this is one of the reasons for me to think it’s was too short and fast. As a prequel I think it really gets the job done, once this MADE ME SO ANXIOUS FOR MUERTE AND TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE END OF THIS, when I finished this I was like “ WTF???? THIS CANT BE THE END. I NEED ANSWER RIGHT FUCKING NOW”. We get a glimpse of the cult and the madness that it will be the Stygian isle, and I will just say that satanic cult? YOU CAN HAVE ALL MY MONEY, JUST GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK.
Profile Image for Jess Boschock.
619 reviews4 followers
December 19, 2021
Del Diablo is a short prequel and will definitely have you feeling some type of way! Natalie is a phenomenal writer and I do look forward to her new releases! Only a couple authors get in everything in a story that I’m looking for and Natalie gives my black heart all of its desires! I’d hate to say that I feel for Adelita for what she is going through, but that would be a lie! I need to know what happens next and all what exactly Draven has planned for her. This book is dark, a little gory at the end and boy you will flip through these pages if you love Natalie’s work as much as I do. Im so excited for what’s to come!
Profile Image for Sarah.
48 reviews7 followers
March 22, 2022
Holy Moley, Del Diablo was intense, and I loved it; any book that can make me sit in bed and go “wtf did I just read” is grade-a writing. With such ease, Natalie created a gruesome and poignant story, a spectacular prequel to the series, Stygian Isle. Muerte will be the first book in a series of standalones.

Because this is very fast-paced (novella,) I don’t want to get into too much detail - this is a spoiler-free zone.

I HIGHLY recommend reading Del Diablo if you like dark cult romances. And I mean dark. Pleeease read the TWs; this is exceptionally well written and can be overwhelming to read certain scenes.

⚠️⚠️⚠️ /3
🌶🌶 /5
⛓⛓⛓⛓⛓ /5
❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 /5
Profile Image for Erin.
3,531 reviews79 followers
December 28, 2021
Holy Hell! That was one deliciously tasty and utterly twisted teaser of a prequel to the new world of Stygian Island. It’s dark, bloody, violent, suspenseful and titillating from start to finish.

The vibe and setting is creepy, the characters are unhinged and diabolical and the storyline - well that is something left for us to stew on until book one comes out.

This phenomenal author has now whet my appetite and I can’t wait for this story to continue. It’s going to be one hell of a crazy rollercoaster ride!
Profile Image for Ruth Vitale.
496 reviews5 followers
January 11, 2022
This is in true Natalie Bennett fashion… I love her dark and twisted world and I can already tell that this series is not going to be any different if I could give it more than 5 stars I would … Natalie Bennett is the Queen of Darkness!! Thank you so much for all you do !! I know it can’t be easy in this day and age but somehow you manage… I always look to see when another of your books is coming out!! I can’t wait for the next in this series!!!
Profile Image for Ms Cat's World.
997 reviews13 followers
November 22, 2023
Deceitful Layers

Del Diablo, a loose prequel to Muerte with Lola, gives the background of The Isle.

An island built by the Alistair patriarch, Draven, where primal desires and needs are allowed to be fulfilled.

His rightful chosen? Adelita, a seemingly sacrificial lamb. There are lots of secondary characters as well.

Many layers of deceit, lies, and secrets. Can't wait to unravel them all!

Profile Image for Hopelessly Addicted To Books .
3,625 reviews150 followers
December 28, 2021
Most times when I've finished a book by this author I question my morals and my sanity and this one is no different. This is a short prequel to prepare is for things to come and I don't mind admitting I am slightly scared but mostly intrigued. This is a classic dark read by this author and I cannot wait for more.
28 reviews1 follower
December 30, 2021
There are no words! This introduction to Stygian Isle was far greater than my expectations and they were pretty high. I have so many questions and my own little assumptions already. Can not wait to see what Natalie has for next!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.