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Fates and Fables #1
The Demon of the Wood
There is a demon in the woods.
Melina lives a harsh life on the edge of the woods, forced to care for her cruel
uncle's every whim. Only the books of daring adventure she reads by
candlelight and the sweet solitude of her forest treks help soothe the
hollowness of her days.
Until rumors begin to spread of a demon, brutal and seductive, that lurks
beyond the tree’s edge. Melina has been warned about demons and she has no
desire to ever come into contact with one.
Until she meets him.
Kaemon lives an isolated life, always watching out for the hunters that target
him, the very ones who murdered his family. Keeping everyone at arm’s length
has served him well and kept them safe from those who would harm him. But
when he stumbles upon the captivating Melina, running for her life, he doesn’t
stop to think, he saves her.
As he is finally forced to let another person in, the dangers of being hunted
grow, along with his feelings for Melina, and the danger of losing another
person he loves.
Melina lives a harsh life on the edge of the woods, forced to care for her cruel
uncle's every whim. Only the books of daring adventure she reads by
candlelight and the sweet solitude of her forest treks help soothe the
hollowness of her days.
Until rumors begin to spread of a demon, brutal and seductive, that lurks
beyond the tree’s edge. Melina has been warned about demons and she has no
desire to ever come into contact with one.
Until she meets him.
Kaemon lives an isolated life, always watching out for the hunters that target
him, the very ones who murdered his family. Keeping everyone at arm’s length
has served him well and kept them safe from those who would harm him. But
when he stumbles upon the captivating Melina, running for her life, he doesn’t
stop to think, he saves her.
As he is finally forced to let another person in, the dangers of being hunted
grow, along with his feelings for Melina, and the danger of losing another
person he loves.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 19, 2023
37 people are currently reading
1732 people want to read
About the author
Willow Quinn
5 books61 followersHopeless romantic. Bookworm. Gamer. Dog mom (our brains really do bond with them as if they are our children, I'm not just a millennial woman in her 30s!). Plant murderer. Purveyor of stories.
IG: @authorwillowquinn
TikTok: @willowquinnwrites
IG: @authorwillowquinn
TikTok: @willowquinnwrites
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
February 11, 2025
I’m convinced that there’s some serious magic imbued in this book. I always love a fairy-tale-like story retold from the point of view of the “monster,” (The Shape of Water is one of my favorite movies!) so it’s not a surprise as to why I had a great time reading this book! The story definitely takes inspiration from the likes of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, but the characters inhabit a more traditional fantasy world (Orcs, Elves, and Fairy folk). Also, because the whole story felt like an extended version of the winter section of Beauty and the Beast, the sense of dread that came with the “calm-before-the-storm” feeling was really well done. Even when the characters were at their most cheerful and domestic, I couldn’t help but be like, “okay, when is Gaston going to show up and ruin everything?” Overall, there’s a very nice undercurrent of tenderness and kindness flowing throughout the story and the two main characters, Melina and Kaemon (Kaemon the demon? Yeah, okay), had wonderful chemistry. It’s a love story between two people who have never known unconditional love, so they only know how gain affection by being useful instead.
Most of the book navigates through their initial wariness of each other and how they are able to move on from their trauma through the love they have for each other. I thought that this was especially wonderful as it was patient and sensitive to what both characters had went through in their past. It probably wouldn’t make all that much sense if they immediately trusted each other. If I had any criticism, I think that maybe the two characters didn’t change much from the first page to the last, and their relationship sometimes veered into “sickly sweet” territory every now and then. Even The Beast was rather, er, beastly at first, and had to work pretty hard on improving himself throughout his story. Thankfully in the end, this hardly ended up being a detriment to the plot, and the lack of tension between them did actually end up helping in setting the story apart from the works that inspired it. If I were to compare this book to any others, I’d say it reminded me the most of The Beast's Heart by Leife Shallcross or The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec, both of which I really enjoyed. You could say that they all had a lot of… heart! Badum tsss. Once upon a time, I read a lovely book called The Demon of the Woods and then all was well. The end.
Most of the book navigates through their initial wariness of each other and how they are able to move on from their trauma through the love they have for each other. I thought that this was especially wonderful as it was patient and sensitive to what both characters had went through in their past. It probably wouldn’t make all that much sense if they immediately trusted each other. If I had any criticism, I think that maybe the two characters didn’t change much from the first page to the last, and their relationship sometimes veered into “sickly sweet” territory every now and then. Even The Beast was rather, er, beastly at first, and had to work pretty hard on improving himself throughout his story. Thankfully in the end, this hardly ended up being a detriment to the plot, and the lack of tension between them did actually end up helping in setting the story apart from the works that inspired it. If I were to compare this book to any others, I’d say it reminded me the most of The Beast's Heart by Leife Shallcross or The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec, both of which I really enjoyed. You could say that they all had a lot of… heart! Badum tsss. Once upon a time, I read a lovely book called The Demon of the Woods and then all was well. The end.
November 27, 2023
“She needed the tales of adventure and love, of new cities and places and people who had joy and love, for in this moments that she read, she had them, too.”
Okay, I really fell for this story! It had me captivated from the beginning. 😍
If you’re wanting a soft and cosy fantasy romance with a steady plot, an adorable and sweet romance, with fantasy elements that aren’t too heavy to digest, then look no further.
I can’t get over how atmospheric this felt. It was like I was living in the forest with these two. There was something about the way the author told this story that made me experience it all vividly in my mind.
This is just over 200 pages and it delivered for me when it came to the romance, the character development and the fantasy aspect.
It definitely could’ve done with a bit more depth on all those fronts, but it doesn’t feel like the story was missing much either? I was more than satisfied.
I wouldn’t have known about this story till Vivian beautifully reviewed it and sold me on it. (Thank you!) 🥰
I can’t wait to read more from this author. I believe this is a debut and I can only see her getting better.
Trigger warnings for abusive family members and loss of parents.
Okay, I really fell for this story! It had me captivated from the beginning. 😍
If you’re wanting a soft and cosy fantasy romance with a steady plot, an adorable and sweet romance, with fantasy elements that aren’t too heavy to digest, then look no further.
I can’t get over how atmospheric this felt. It was like I was living in the forest with these two. There was something about the way the author told this story that made me experience it all vividly in my mind.
This is just over 200 pages and it delivered for me when it came to the romance, the character development and the fantasy aspect.
It definitely could’ve done with a bit more depth on all those fronts, but it doesn’t feel like the story was missing much either? I was more than satisfied.
I wouldn’t have known about this story till Vivian beautifully reviewed it and sold me on it. (Thank you!) 🥰
I can’t wait to read more from this author. I believe this is a debut and I can only see her getting better.
Trigger warnings for abusive family members and loss of parents.
September 23, 2023
4/5 ⭐️ This was so cozy and cute. I loved it so much! That prologue had me tearing up a bit. I felt so bad for both Melina and Kaemon. I’m so very happy that they found each other. I was not expecting this book to be as adorable or emotional as it was! I loved it more than I thought I would.
It had a cinnamon roll hero, fated mates, mutual pining, and a beautiful slowburn romance.
Kaemon is a demon but he is so sweet! 🥹 I loved him. And Melina is human and such a sweetheart as well. I felt so bad for how her uncle treated her 🥺. He was constantly hitting and belittling her. I just wanted to hug her.
Melina’s trauma made her very wary of trusting anyone. The way that she would apologize for things that she didn’t even need to apologize for, really broke my heart. My girl was so traumatized and scared that she wouldn’t even let Kaemon help her at first. I loved how she slowly started to trust him though. He was so kind and patient with her. It just melted my heart 🥺❤️.
Their connection was so beautiful! This even had me shedding a few tears with how lonely both of their lives were before they found each other.
Overall, this was just so good. I loved the writing and the characters hold a very special place in my heart ❤️. The plot of the story did feel a bit slow in the middle of the book, but it was still a great read. I enjoyed it so much!
“But he felt like home. He made her feel safe, seen and cared for. Kaemon was the only home she had ever truly known.” 😭❤️
“Melina was the most deserving of love, and she’d had so few people love her. If he could love her enough to make up for all that lack, he would, and he would never cease giving it to her.” 🥹❤️
It had a cinnamon roll hero, fated mates, mutual pining, and a beautiful slowburn romance.
Kaemon is a demon but he is so sweet! 🥹 I loved him. And Melina is human and such a sweetheart as well. I felt so bad for how her uncle treated her 🥺. He was constantly hitting and belittling her. I just wanted to hug her.
Melina’s trauma made her very wary of trusting anyone. The way that she would apologize for things that she didn’t even need to apologize for, really broke my heart. My girl was so traumatized and scared that she wouldn’t even let Kaemon help her at first. I loved how she slowly started to trust him though. He was so kind and patient with her. It just melted my heart 🥺❤️.
Their connection was so beautiful! This even had me shedding a few tears with how lonely both of their lives were before they found each other.
Overall, this was just so good. I loved the writing and the characters hold a very special place in my heart ❤️. The plot of the story did feel a bit slow in the middle of the book, but it was still a great read. I enjoyed it so much!
“But he felt like home. He made her feel safe, seen and cared for. Kaemon was the only home she had ever truly known.” 😭❤️
“Melina was the most deserving of love, and she’d had so few people love her. If he could love her enough to make up for all that lack, he would, and he would never cease giving it to her.” 🥹❤️
January 21, 2023
3.5 stars
My enjoyment of this book was a bit complicated and parts that didn't work for me were very much personal preferences. I thought the world building was interesting and the author had a good storytelling voice. Both main characters are so sweet and kind, but both have experienced abuse and unnecessarily harsh judgement by others. Melina (h) is basically a servant in her uncle's house and prevented from any enjoyment or connections because she was born out of wedlock. Kaemon (H) is a demon who lives in the woods after escaping torture by Hunters, who he was captured by when his family was attacked on a diplomatic visit and possibly killed. He blames himself for what happened and spends a lonely existence mainly in the woods. Kaemon rescues Melina one night when she is being assaulted by other villagers, bringing her home with him. They form a friendship and eventually fall in love. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama (the man who attempts to assault h does cause trouble but I didn’t think of it as om drama), h is a virgin, and H is not (little detail given for his history but no serious relationships).
Melina had great character growth from being subservient and having low self-esteem to really coming into her own, mostly thanks to Kaemon's encouragement and support. Kaemon had less growth in my opinion because he spent so much of the book blaming himself for what happened to his family, it was repeated too often imo. Melina and Kaemon also skirt around their attraction and deeper feelings for each other for most of the story (this is a slow burn) because both are afraid of crossing that line. Kaemon feels a mate bond forming but doesn't address it until forced to later. He also pushed Melina to live elsewhere for her "safety" following an incident. So while this story has lots of cozy elements and slice of life moments of them in the woods in a cabin, there are also heavier themes and there is a separation for the main characters where they see each other, but they're not together. This really bothered me for how long it lasts.
There are steamy moments in the book, demons go into something called a frenzy when around their fertile mate, and plenty of very cute and romantic scenes as well. I did wish there was a bit more lighter and humorous times, but that's a personal preference. I really liked the side characters, who typically provided that lightness. Kaemon has a like/hate friendship with a satyr in the woods and then a deeper friendship with two orcs in a nearby town, who all become friends for Melina as well. I also really liked another character who appeared later in the book who was feisty. Writing style wise, I do think this read slower in places and sometimes it felt almost too formal, but I think this is the author's debut so I imagine the writing style will grow and change with more published.
The story ends on a HFN that I think is meant to be more a HEA because I can't see the two of them being with anyone else, but I wanted more closure in this book for their epilogue. Specifically around where they were going to live and what their life would look like longterm. I think Melina and Kaemon will be side characters possibly in the next book in the series, but there was talk of them traveling to the continent that Kaemon was from and we don't get to see that or how it would affect their life.
Trigger warnings (also on the author's website): torture, violence, attempted sexual assault, talk of infertility
My enjoyment of this book was a bit complicated and parts that didn't work for me were very much personal preferences. I thought the world building was interesting and the author had a good storytelling voice. Both main characters are so sweet and kind, but both have experienced abuse and unnecessarily harsh judgement by others. Melina (h) is basically a servant in her uncle's house and prevented from any enjoyment or connections because she was born out of wedlock. Kaemon (H) is a demon who lives in the woods after escaping torture by Hunters, who he was captured by when his family was attacked on a diplomatic visit and possibly killed. He blames himself for what happened and spends a lonely existence mainly in the woods. Kaemon rescues Melina one night when she is being assaulted by other villagers, bringing her home with him. They form a friendship and eventually fall in love. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama (the man who attempts to assault h does cause trouble but I didn’t think of it as om drama), h is a virgin, and H is not (little detail given for his history but no serious relationships).
Melina had great character growth from being subservient and having low self-esteem to really coming into her own, mostly thanks to Kaemon's encouragement and support. Kaemon had less growth in my opinion because he spent so much of the book blaming himself for what happened to his family, it was repeated too often imo. Melina and Kaemon also skirt around their attraction and deeper feelings for each other for most of the story (this is a slow burn) because both are afraid of crossing that line. Kaemon feels a mate bond forming but doesn't address it until forced to later. He also pushed Melina to live elsewhere for her "safety" following an incident. So while this story has lots of cozy elements and slice of life moments of them in the woods in a cabin, there are also heavier themes and there is a separation for the main characters where they see each other, but they're not together. This really bothered me for how long it lasts.
There are steamy moments in the book, demons go into something called a frenzy when around their fertile mate, and plenty of very cute and romantic scenes as well. I did wish there was a bit more lighter and humorous times, but that's a personal preference. I really liked the side characters, who typically provided that lightness. Kaemon has a like/hate friendship with a satyr in the woods and then a deeper friendship with two orcs in a nearby town, who all become friends for Melina as well. I also really liked another character who appeared later in the book who was feisty. Writing style wise, I do think this read slower in places and sometimes it felt almost too formal, but I think this is the author's debut so I imagine the writing style will grow and change with more published.
The story ends on a HFN that I think is meant to be more a HEA because I can't see the two of them being with anyone else, but I wanted more closure in this book for their epilogue. Specifically around where they were going to live and what their life would look like longterm. I think Melina and Kaemon will be side characters possibly in the next book in the series, but there was talk of them traveling to the continent that Kaemon was from and we don't get to see that or how it would affect their life.
Trigger warnings (also on the author's website): torture, violence, attempted sexual assault, talk of infertility
May 1, 2023
“May the gods spare none of you any mercy when it is your time to face their judgement ”.
Gracias Goodreads por hacerme descubrir libros bastante interesantes y que me calientan el corazón.
“I know what it’s like to have others hurt you and say it’s your fault. But you don’t deserve it. And I won’t hurt you. I swear it. ”
En general la historia me ha parecido muy acogedora. Los personajes, aunque son un poco planos, son carismáticos y sientes ternura por ellos. Por otro lado, el argumento es cliché como él solo, pero se lo he perdonado porque siento que está bien escrito y te acaba entreteniendo. Eso sí, salvo una escena que me dio un poco de “vergüenza ajena” por lo demás todo perfecto.
Totalmente recomendado, pero, una parte de mi espero que escriban una continuación porque hay muchas cosas que se dejan en el tintero.
“Do you think I’m a monster, Melina ? ”
Gracias Goodreads por hacerme descubrir libros bastante interesantes y que me calientan el corazón.
“I know what it’s like to have others hurt you and say it’s your fault. But you don’t deserve it. And I won’t hurt you. I swear it. ”
En general la historia me ha parecido muy acogedora. Los personajes, aunque son un poco planos, son carismáticos y sientes ternura por ellos. Por otro lado, el argumento es cliché como él solo, pero se lo he perdonado porque siento que está bien escrito y te acaba entreteniendo. Eso sí, salvo una escena que me dio un poco de “vergüenza ajena” por lo demás todo perfecto.
Totalmente recomendado, pero, una parte de mi espero que escriban una continuación porque hay muchas cosas que se dejan en el tintero.
“Do you think I’m a monster, Melina ? ”
August 31, 2023
✰ 3 stars ✰
“Sometimes I think I must be. I know how fearful humans are of me and my kind. The people who took me thought I was evil.”
“No, no, you’re not,” she said firmly. “I know monsters, Kaemon. You are the furthest thing from one.”
A cozy romantasy retelling of the Beauty and the Beast, Willow Quinn's debut was the delicate love story between one fair maiden, Melina and The Demon of the Wood, Kaemon. Told in dual POV, this was a very character-driven story, with minimal plot that was a bit predictable and a tad under-developed, but still managed to grab my attention for the quick enjoyable read that it was. 💜💜
Melina and Kaemon were very cute together - each with a tragic backstory that inadvertently brought them together. I liked how he was as afraid of she was, when she stumbled into his woods, and how he had to gently reassure her that he would never harm her. Melina has felt the cruel sting of humanity from her relatives and village men for too long, too distrustful of the male race, to truly feel comfortable in their presence, or to know what it feels like to be loved, but she slowly allowed herself to feel some want for him. 🥺 It's strangely funny how Kaemon was considered the demon in everyone's eyes, when in fact, he was the complete opposite - soft, but dark, he enveloped her in the comfort of his home and the embrace of his warm arms. 🫶🏻🫶🏻
“She could do this for an eternity, just kissing him and touching him and never come up for air. She was certain they had discovered the secret to life immortal right here, in this kiss.”
Through gentle tenderness and magical resolved, Melina slowly felt the comfort of his charms and allowed herself to feel whole and at home with him. The soft and lyrical writing was a balm that beckoned you closer towards their intimate softness of their romance, despite at times, feeling a little too melodious for one's liking. With a simple helping of magical creatures and a little action and spice that created a fine balance of heartfelt levity and low-key conflict, this proved to be a worthwhile debut, that was a pleasant enough read. The cover certainly also played a big part in drawing me in to give it a chance. ✨✨
“Sometimes I think I must be. I know how fearful humans are of me and my kind. The people who took me thought I was evil.”
“No, no, you’re not,” she said firmly. “I know monsters, Kaemon. You are the furthest thing from one.”
A cozy romantasy retelling of the Beauty and the Beast, Willow Quinn's debut was the delicate love story between one fair maiden, Melina and The Demon of the Wood, Kaemon. Told in dual POV, this was a very character-driven story, with minimal plot that was a bit predictable and a tad under-developed, but still managed to grab my attention for the quick enjoyable read that it was. 💜💜
Melina and Kaemon were very cute together - each with a tragic backstory that inadvertently brought them together. I liked how he was as afraid of she was, when she stumbled into his woods, and how he had to gently reassure her that he would never harm her. Melina has felt the cruel sting of humanity from her relatives and village men for too long, too distrustful of the male race, to truly feel comfortable in their presence, or to know what it feels like to be loved, but she slowly allowed herself to feel some want for him. 🥺 It's strangely funny how Kaemon was considered the demon in everyone's eyes, when in fact, he was the complete opposite - soft, but dark, he enveloped her in the comfort of his home and the embrace of his warm arms. 🫶🏻🫶🏻
“She could do this for an eternity, just kissing him and touching him and never come up for air. She was certain they had discovered the secret to life immortal right here, in this kiss.”
Through gentle tenderness and magical resolved, Melina slowly felt the comfort of his charms and allowed herself to feel whole and at home with him. The soft and lyrical writing was a balm that beckoned you closer towards their intimate softness of their romance, despite at times, feeling a little too melodious for one's liking. With a simple helping of magical creatures and a little action and spice that created a fine balance of heartfelt levity and low-key conflict, this proved to be a worthwhile debut, that was a pleasant enough read. The cover certainly also played a big part in drawing me in to give it a chance. ✨✨
January 9, 2023
Thank you, Willow Quinn, for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review:
“The Demon of the Wood” by Willow Quinn
5⭐️/5⭐️
3🌶/5🌶
“Gods, but he was the most beautiful being she had ever seen. And that was before he smiled. With the joy that radiated from his face, she felt as if she were peering into the heart of the sun, seeing its beauty shimmer around her.”
Melina has lived a difficult life. Orphaned at the age of sixteen, she spends her days toiling in her Uncle’s manor, cooking and cleaning for her cousins. After having her trust broken, Melina is rescued by the demon who lives in the woods. Kaemon lives a solitary life in the woods near the human village of Thon. Ten years ago he survived a horrifying attack from a group of human hunters, and now lives alone in his cabin. One evening he saves Melina from being assaulted, and opens his home to her while she recuperates. What begins as a tentative living arrangement slowly becomes a friendship, and soon amorous tension. With the threat of human hunters still looming over their heads, Kaemon and Melina must find a way to be together while maintaining their safety.
-I’m so impressed by this debut novel! This is a book that lives up to the hype generated by the author on social media. The story is such a sweet romance, the perfect amount of slow burn with tension; I was engaged with the plot the entire time I was reading. The pacing is really well done, there aren’t any dull moments or lapses in the advancement of the story. Overall, such a cute romance that I can see myself revisiting again in the future.
-Melina and Kaemon are very easy characters to like. Despite their differing backgrounds, they share a similar trauma. It was really nice to read about two characters that have similar personalities as they heal together. They are so gentle, selfless, and kind; it’s like reading about two cinnamon rolls falling in love.
-While this is a fantasy romance book, the story leans heavily on the romance aspect. Yes, there are nymphs, and orcs, and goblins, and a number of other magical creatures. There are mentionings of magic, but the author doesn’t go into detail about how the magic systems work. This is, first and foremost, a book about two people falling in love. The focus is not world building, its focus is character development and fostering a romantic relationship. I’d even go so far as to say there is a larger focus on how prejudiced the human society is within the setting. There are biases, which leaves Kaemon at a disadvantage, but also an incredible amount of misogyny that Melina must fight against.
-This is a slow burn romance, but there is a great deal of tension throughout the story. There is spice eventually, and it is descriptive, but when reading you’ll find yourself satisfied with the pacing of Melina and Kaemon’s romance. There are wonderful tropes, like being snowed in, sharing one bed, and fated mates.
-There’s a little author’s note which talks about the focus of the sequel, and I’m really looking forward to that story! I think Willow Quinn wrote a strong debut that will appeal to a wide range of readers. “The Demon of the Wood” will be released January 19, 2023.
“The Demon of the Wood” by Willow Quinn
5⭐️/5⭐️
3🌶/5🌶
“Gods, but he was the most beautiful being she had ever seen. And that was before he smiled. With the joy that radiated from his face, she felt as if she were peering into the heart of the sun, seeing its beauty shimmer around her.”
Melina has lived a difficult life. Orphaned at the age of sixteen, she spends her days toiling in her Uncle’s manor, cooking and cleaning for her cousins. After having her trust broken, Melina is rescued by the demon who lives in the woods. Kaemon lives a solitary life in the woods near the human village of Thon. Ten years ago he survived a horrifying attack from a group of human hunters, and now lives alone in his cabin. One evening he saves Melina from being assaulted, and opens his home to her while she recuperates. What begins as a tentative living arrangement slowly becomes a friendship, and soon amorous tension. With the threat of human hunters still looming over their heads, Kaemon and Melina must find a way to be together while maintaining their safety.
-I’m so impressed by this debut novel! This is a book that lives up to the hype generated by the author on social media. The story is such a sweet romance, the perfect amount of slow burn with tension; I was engaged with the plot the entire time I was reading. The pacing is really well done, there aren’t any dull moments or lapses in the advancement of the story. Overall, such a cute romance that I can see myself revisiting again in the future.
-Melina and Kaemon are very easy characters to like. Despite their differing backgrounds, they share a similar trauma. It was really nice to read about two characters that have similar personalities as they heal together. They are so gentle, selfless, and kind; it’s like reading about two cinnamon rolls falling in love.
-While this is a fantasy romance book, the story leans heavily on the romance aspect. Yes, there are nymphs, and orcs, and goblins, and a number of other magical creatures. There are mentionings of magic, but the author doesn’t go into detail about how the magic systems work. This is, first and foremost, a book about two people falling in love. The focus is not world building, its focus is character development and fostering a romantic relationship. I’d even go so far as to say there is a larger focus on how prejudiced the human society is within the setting. There are biases, which leaves Kaemon at a disadvantage, but also an incredible amount of misogyny that Melina must fight against.
-This is a slow burn romance, but there is a great deal of tension throughout the story. There is spice eventually, and it is descriptive, but when reading you’ll find yourself satisfied with the pacing of Melina and Kaemon’s romance. There are wonderful tropes, like being snowed in, sharing one bed, and fated mates.
-There’s a little author’s note which talks about the focus of the sequel, and I’m really looking forward to that story! I think Willow Quinn wrote a strong debut that will appeal to a wide range of readers. “The Demon of the Wood” will be released January 19, 2023.
September 28, 2024
I had a great time with this for the first ¾ or so. Granted, the characterization was not especially nuanced and the writing was a bit clunky, but it was a deeply earnest hurt/comfort slice-of-life story with two good-hearted people who slowly bond and transform each other with their trust and kindness. There was a sort of whimsical-fairy-tale-meets-Dungeons and Dragons feel to the world and lots of cozy little details of the couple’s daily life together.
Tragically, my enjoyment plummeted when the book took a steep turn in the Sarah J Maas direction at the end. The male lead, Kaemon, is a demon with shadow powers and bat-like wings who comes from a misunderstood culture that is thought to be evil but actually isn’t. This was certainly a little derivative but it didn’t bother me too much until the sex scenes kicked off with mating frenzies and all the growling aggression/possessiveness a girl could (not) want to read about. Then at the very end, Melina gets captured and Kaemon rescues her by massacring an entire group of humans with his shadow powers. The tonal shift with all of this was very awkward and abrupt, and the characterization didn't gel with the previous 75% of the book. All in all I will never forgive Her for the criminal damage that she has done to the genre of fantasy romance and I will never rest until balance has been restored!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tragically, my enjoyment plummeted when the book took a steep turn in the Sarah J Maas direction at the end. The male lead, Kaemon, is a demon with shadow powers and bat-like wings who comes from a misunderstood culture that is thought to be evil but actually isn’t. This was certainly a little derivative but it didn’t bother me too much until the sex scenes kicked off with mating frenzies and all the growling aggression/possessiveness a girl could (not) want to read about. Then at the very end, Melina gets captured and Kaemon rescues her by massacring an entire group of humans with his shadow powers. The tonal shift with all of this was very awkward and abrupt, and the characterization didn't gel with the previous 75% of the book. All in all I will never forgive Her for the criminal damage that she has done to the genre of fantasy romance and I will never rest until balance has been restored!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2023
This was a sweet, quiet fantasy tale of romance. The plot and world-building take a backseat to a slow-burn romance.
The Leads
There is nothing extraordinary about Melina, she is perfectly ordinary. And I loved that. Her arc is not about discovering some secret, magical heritage, or developing some insane power. It's about agency and control.
It's about a girl who has been abused reclaiming her own power-- that of her voice and choices.
That makes her extraordinary in my eyes.
She's a character who begins naive and thinks so little of herself-- throughout her arc she ascertains agency, respect, dominance in her own beliefs and actions. She's remains kind and soft-hearted throughout, the core of her remains, but her strengths grows in her own way.
Kaemon is our male lead and a fantastic one at that. He is protective of Melina yet ensures she is given space, given time to adjust, adapt, and form her own opinions on things. He doesn't force himself in any way. He gives time and space, and during that his bond with Melina grows beautifully.
The Romance
For me, their romance sells their story, because it is the story. The plot is, frankly, thin. The world-building sparse. It's really more of a character/romance-driven story. Which means it may not be for everyone, and that's very. What I find positive you may find to be a negative, something holding back the plot progressing forward. All I can say is that this was (mostly) my cup of tea. I enjoyed the characters, the first maybe 80% of the book felt like a slice-0f-life storytelling. We just follow Melina and Kaemon as they go about their days, as Melina finds herself a living with her excellent sewing skills, as Kaemon finds himself letting his guard down and opening his heart, as we see these two tip toe around each other in a clear dance of romance. It's sweet, it's very light-hearted, it's cozy and intimate. It's a fantasy that feels condensed in a way, we blur our the world, slow down the plot, and just focus on two characters growing into their own power and agency, and into love with one another.
There's always a but...
But...that said I did not think this story was without flaws and without problems. Some may suggest I was generous with my rating. That's fair. I think I simply took more to the positive than the negative, but I did have my own qualms within the narrative.
I felt confused by the genre. I'd say the grand majority of it reads like YA fantasy. There are no high stakes, the dialogue is quite breezy and uncomplicated, but then the narrative hits you with smut! I definitely don't mind it, but that smut was clearly more (new) adult. So some may see a potential identity crisis in genre. It didn't bother me overall, but I did notice it-- and it did momentarily take me out of the narrative. I got back into it well enough, but it just felt like a clash of identity.
As mentioned, I don't mind the lack of plot. But towards the end there's a sudden rush to advancing the plot, implementing danger into story, and it threw the pace off. I wasn't sold on it. And my attention waned towards the end. I can't say I embraced as well as I did at the beginning and middle. So the ending did feel lacking in terms of pacing and engagement.
In Conclusion
I don't think this story is perfect, but I do think it is perfectly suited for me. I acknowledged what I felt were elements that didn't work, but found they didn't truly deter my attention away from the book. I never skimmed nor skipped. Moreover, I see so much potential in Willow Quinn's writing. This is her debut and I think it's a pretty good one! I think there's only going up after this.
P.S
While I say this is a light-hearted narrative, there are still trigger warnings to keep in mind, including
The Leads
There is nothing extraordinary about Melina, she is perfectly ordinary. And I loved that. Her arc is not about discovering some secret, magical heritage, or developing some insane power. It's about agency and control.
It's about a girl who has been abused reclaiming her own power-- that of her voice and choices.
That makes her extraordinary in my eyes.
She's a character who begins naive and thinks so little of herself-- throughout her arc she ascertains agency, respect, dominance in her own beliefs and actions. She's remains kind and soft-hearted throughout, the core of her remains, but her strengths grows in her own way.
Kaemon is our male lead and a fantastic one at that. He is protective of Melina yet ensures she is given space, given time to adjust, adapt, and form her own opinions on things. He doesn't force himself in any way. He gives time and space, and during that his bond with Melina grows beautifully.
The Romance
For me, their romance sells their story, because it is the story. The plot is, frankly, thin. The world-building sparse. It's really more of a character/romance-driven story. Which means it may not be for everyone, and that's very. What I find positive you may find to be a negative, something holding back the plot progressing forward. All I can say is that this was (mostly) my cup of tea. I enjoyed the characters, the first maybe 80% of the book felt like a slice-0f-life storytelling. We just follow Melina and Kaemon as they go about their days, as Melina finds herself a living with her excellent sewing skills, as Kaemon finds himself letting his guard down and opening his heart, as we see these two tip toe around each other in a clear dance of romance. It's sweet, it's very light-hearted, it's cozy and intimate. It's a fantasy that feels condensed in a way, we blur our the world, slow down the plot, and just focus on two characters growing into their own power and agency, and into love with one another.
There's always a but...
But...that said I did not think this story was without flaws and without problems. Some may suggest I was generous with my rating. That's fair. I think I simply took more to the positive than the negative, but I did have my own qualms within the narrative.
I felt confused by the genre. I'd say the grand majority of it reads like YA fantasy. There are no high stakes, the dialogue is quite breezy and uncomplicated, but then the narrative hits you with smut! I definitely don't mind it, but that smut was clearly more (new) adult. So some may see a potential identity crisis in genre. It didn't bother me overall, but I did notice it-- and it did momentarily take me out of the narrative. I got back into it well enough, but it just felt like a clash of identity.
As mentioned, I don't mind the lack of plot. But towards the end there's a sudden rush to advancing the plot, implementing danger into story, and it threw the pace off. I wasn't sold on it. And my attention waned towards the end. I can't say I embraced as well as I did at the beginning and middle. So the ending did feel lacking in terms of pacing and engagement.
In Conclusion
I don't think this story is perfect, but I do think it is perfectly suited for me. I acknowledged what I felt were elements that didn't work, but found they didn't truly deter my attention away from the book. I never skimmed nor skipped. Moreover, I see so much potential in Willow Quinn's writing. This is her debut and I think it's a pretty good one! I think there's only going up after this.
P.S
While I say this is a light-hearted narrative, there are still trigger warnings to keep in mind, including
January 15, 2023
I loved this debut novel! It's a slow burn fantasy romance. The dual POV between Melina and Kaemon makes it so easy to love both of them. And while both Melina and Kaemon have gone through so many things in life they both deserve a lot of love.
Willow described the world it is in and the characters so lively it felt like I was walking the woods with Melina and going the places where she was going. I didn't want to put it down and wanted to keep reading.
So if your'e looking for a nice slow burn, with some action and two main characters building on trusting another person and falling in love. This is definitely a book you need to read!
Please be aware of the trigger warnings, cause it seems like only a fun read but there is much more to it!
Thank you Willow Quinn for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Willow described the world it is in and the characters so lively it felt like I was walking the woods with Melina and going the places where she was going. I didn't want to put it down and wanted to keep reading.
So if your'e looking for a nice slow burn, with some action and two main characters building on trusting another person and falling in love. This is definitely a book you need to read!
Please be aware of the trigger warnings, cause it seems like only a fun read but there is much more to it!
Thank you Willow Quinn for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2023
RATING: 3.75✨
SPICE: 🌶½
Trope/Setting Highlights:
✔ <230 pages
✔ Cozy romantasy
✔ Human FMC x Demon MMC
✔ Cinderella-coded FMC (horribly mistreated ‘servant’ for her household)
✔ Past and current trauma for both MCs (on page and discussed)
✔ Wary strangers-to-friends-to-lovers
✔ Forced proximity-ish (they live together for large portions of the book)
✔ Mutual pining
✔ Open door spice
✔ HEA
✔ Epilogue
✔ Start of series, sequel for side character (MMC’s sister and it’s sapphic!) called Daughter of The Darkened City due out as of now on Oct. 26, 2023!
Review:
The Demon of the Wood by Willow Quinn follows the story of Melina and Kaemon, both sweet and gentle souls forced to live as outcasts in different ways by society.
Due to society’s downcast look on her mother, Melina is treated no better, and “works” as a servant/cook/housekeeper/etc for her uncle and cousins as a way to “earn” her place in the household. For Melina’s efforts, she is often mistreated (read: abused). She longs for but can’t possibly imagine a life without her uncle’s cruel treatment.
Kaemon is a demon, a creature that evokes great fear, mistrust, and aggression in society, although, at least in the case of Kaemon, most of that is greatly misplaced. Due to a series of events and personal betrayals in his youth, Kaemon ends up captured by a hunter’s guild and tortured, physically and emotionally. He’s told his family knows exactly what’s happening to him, but refuse to send rescue. Although Kaemon eventually escapes his captors, his time in captivity and awareness of his family’s lack of response leads him to live alone in the forest, hoping for solitude and peace.
Honestly, with two backstories like that, I was a little nervous about this being a ‘cozy’ romantasy. However, the graphic nature never goes deeper than that, and having that shared trauma between the MCs really made you feel connected to and emotionally root for their eventual romance.
Overall, this book was incredibly sweet. It definitely reads like a cozy fantasy with a romantic plotline, the overall stakes were low, and the main focus of the story was on the two main characters and how they both dealt with and overcame their traumas, individually and together.
The writing style of the author tended to skew a little young-sounding. I convinced myself I was reading a YA book until BAM. The spice happened. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE my spice and usually won’t read anything without it, but idk. I think I just got lulled into a false sense of complacency because of the truly sweet nature of the story, that I didn’t really expect the spice to happen. And then when it did happen, it felt a little uneven. Like for example, Kaemon starts to use the “good girl” trope with Melina, which came out of NOWHERE and, to me personally, feels like it doesn’t fit his character at all.
But if you’re looking for a quick, cozy, sweet with your spice fix, romantasy – give this one a try! For a debut by Willow Quinn, I think she did a fantastic job.
SPICE: 🌶½
Trope/Setting Highlights:
✔ <230 pages
✔ Cozy romantasy
✔ Human FMC x Demon MMC
✔ Cinderella-coded FMC (horribly mistreated ‘servant’ for her household)
✔ Past and current trauma for both MCs (on page and discussed)
✔ Wary strangers-to-friends-to-lovers
✔ Forced proximity-ish (they live together for large portions of the book)
✔ Mutual pining
✔ Open door spice
✔ HEA
✔ Epilogue
✔ Start of series, sequel for side character (MMC’s sister and it’s sapphic!) called Daughter of The Darkened City due out as of now on Oct. 26, 2023!
Review:
The Demon of the Wood by Willow Quinn follows the story of Melina and Kaemon, both sweet and gentle souls forced to live as outcasts in different ways by society.
Due to society’s downcast look on her mother, Melina is treated no better, and “works” as a servant/cook/housekeeper/etc for her uncle and cousins as a way to “earn” her place in the household. For Melina’s efforts, she is often mistreated (read: abused). She longs for but can’t possibly imagine a life without her uncle’s cruel treatment.
Kaemon is a demon, a creature that evokes great fear, mistrust, and aggression in society, although, at least in the case of Kaemon, most of that is greatly misplaced. Due to a series of events and personal betrayals in his youth, Kaemon ends up captured by a hunter’s guild and tortured, physically and emotionally. He’s told his family knows exactly what’s happening to him, but refuse to send rescue. Although Kaemon eventually escapes his captors, his time in captivity and awareness of his family’s lack of response leads him to live alone in the forest, hoping for solitude and peace.
Honestly, with two backstories like that, I was a little nervous about this being a ‘cozy’ romantasy. However, the graphic nature never goes deeper than that, and having that shared trauma between the MCs really made you feel connected to and emotionally root for their eventual romance.
Overall, this book was incredibly sweet. It definitely reads like a cozy fantasy with a romantic plotline, the overall stakes were low, and the main focus of the story was on the two main characters and how they both dealt with and overcame their traumas, individually and together.
The writing style of the author tended to skew a little young-sounding. I convinced myself I was reading a YA book until BAM. The spice happened. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE my spice and usually won’t read anything without it, but idk. I think I just got lulled into a false sense of complacency because of the truly sweet nature of the story, that I didn’t really expect the spice to happen. And then when it did happen, it felt a little uneven. Like for example, Kaemon starts to use the “good girl” trope with Melina, which came out of NOWHERE and, to me personally, feels like it doesn’t fit his character at all.
But if you’re looking for a quick, cozy, sweet with your spice fix, romantasy – give this one a try! For a debut by Willow Quinn, I think she did a fantastic job.
January 7, 2023
''I would appreciate if you could stop the magic hold you have on me.''
''Magic hold? What do you mean, Melina? Are you experiencing something magical?''
''Are you not aware of it?''
''What is it? Has someone put a spell on you?''
''Keamon, the thrall you have as a demon on a human woman. The one that makes you so desirable to us.''
''I don't have a magic thrall on you. We can't do that. It's just a myth.''
Actual rating: 4.5 gooey ⭐
Despite some dark themes that you can find between trigger warnings, this was such a sweet, cozy and magical book. In this short story you will meet different creatures, experience funny and naive moments, as well as slow slow burn that ends with mating frenzy. It's perfect amount of romance and action. I absolutely adored both main characters and their interactions between themselves and their friends.
* Mutual Pining
* Adorable characters
* Fated Mates
* Slow, slow burn with rewarding spice
* Different magical creatures
* Great balance between romance and action
* TW's: infertility, SA, violence, verbal and physical abuse, starvation and situations around food that could be triggering for eating disorders and torture.
Thank you to Willow Quinn, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
''Magic hold? What do you mean, Melina? Are you experiencing something magical?''
''Are you not aware of it?''
''What is it? Has someone put a spell on you?''
''Keamon, the thrall you have as a demon on a human woman. The one that makes you so desirable to us.''
''I don't have a magic thrall on you. We can't do that. It's just a myth.''
Actual rating: 4.5 gooey ⭐
Despite some dark themes that you can find between trigger warnings, this was such a sweet, cozy and magical book. In this short story you will meet different creatures, experience funny and naive moments, as well as slow slow burn that ends with mating frenzy. It's perfect amount of romance and action. I absolutely adored both main characters and their interactions between themselves and their friends.
* Mutual Pining
* Adorable characters
* Fated Mates
* Slow, slow burn with rewarding spice
* Different magical creatures
* Great balance between romance and action
* TW's: infertility, SA, violence, verbal and physical abuse, starvation and situations around food that could be triggering for eating disorders and torture.
Thank you to Willow Quinn, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
January 10, 2023
I had the pleasure of receiving the ARC for The Demon of the Wood, a debut novel by the author @authorwillowquinn.
The book tells the story of Melina, a strong and kind-hearted woman who, unfortunately, spent most of her life surrounded by men who abused her physically and psychologically.
Until fate brought her face to face with Kaemon, a demon male, a being she learned her whole life to hate and fear. However, throughout the book, we realize that sometimes evil does not inhabit beings with claws and fangs, but those who seem to be the most angelic and harmless possible.
↳ Considerations:
From the beginning of the book, it was impossible not to fall in love with Melina and Kaemon, and the development of their relationship. You'll laugh, get emotional, and look forward to their closeness.
In addition, we are introduced to incredible secondary characters, which makes everything even more enjoyable to read.
If you like romance-focused, slow burn fantasy books with some steamy scenes, The Demon of the Wood is a read you will definitely love!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
The book tells the story of Melina, a strong and kind-hearted woman who, unfortunately, spent most of her life surrounded by men who abused her physically and psychologically.
Until fate brought her face to face with Kaemon, a demon male, a being she learned her whole life to hate and fear. However, throughout the book, we realize that sometimes evil does not inhabit beings with claws and fangs, but those who seem to be the most angelic and harmless possible.
↳ Considerations:
From the beginning of the book, it was impossible not to fall in love with Melina and Kaemon, and the development of their relationship. You'll laugh, get emotional, and look forward to their closeness.
In addition, we are introduced to incredible secondary characters, which makes everything even more enjoyable to read.
If you like romance-focused, slow burn fantasy books with some steamy scenes, The Demon of the Wood is a read you will definitely love!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
January 7, 2023
Stars: 4.5/5
Spice: 3/5
Note: I was given an ARC of this story for my honest review.
I loved this story. A sweet, slow burn between a lovable MMC and MFC. Both characters had their own growth throughout the story, that they experienced together which made their growing relationship that much more enjoyable.
The bad characters were rightfully dislikable, while the friendly third-party characters were truly lovable.
Kaemon is the sweetest, and the respect he had for Melina from the start gave me all the feels.
We get a bit of spice at the end, which still includes all the love they carried throughout while showing us a bit of that more confident side of Kaemon 🫣😏
Overall, loved the story and can’t wait to learn more about Enid.
Spice: 3/5
Note: I was given an ARC of this story for my honest review.
I loved this story. A sweet, slow burn between a lovable MMC and MFC. Both characters had their own growth throughout the story, that they experienced together which made their growing relationship that much more enjoyable.
The bad characters were rightfully dislikable, while the friendly third-party characters were truly lovable.
Kaemon is the sweetest, and the respect he had for Melina from the start gave me all the feels.
We get a bit of spice at the end, which still includes all the love they carried throughout while showing us a bit of that more confident side of Kaemon 🫣😏
Overall, loved the story and can’t wait to learn more about Enid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2023
“... You’re the only home I’ve ever known, Kaemon.”
January 9, 2023
So cozy! First off, the cover is what sold me on the book. It is stunning! The story was well written and flowed along seamlessly. It definitely didn’t feel like a debut! Both characters were great and I loved when they finally got together. The slow burn was definitely worth it in the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 26, 2023
— 4.25 ☆
1.5 🌶️
this was so cute, so gentle and full of tenderness. i rlly loved seeing how they both struggled with some heavy stuff in the past but found so much comfort & meaning in each other's existence. this was heartwarming and so cozy. it felt very cottagecore. i loved seeing the domestic moments, they were so pure. the side characters were delightful. the world itself was so friggin cute, honestly. the writing was so easy to follow. this is a fantastic palate cleanser for when you need a low angst, gentle, tender book with lots of swoon, a cinnamon roll demon, an absolute cutie of an fmc and a meddlesome satyr. this was just the book i needed to make me less slumpy. it's also short and very easy to read and has such lovable main and side characters. you will do nothing but root for them and pray they find happiness. i am so excited for the next book in the series since it follows the sister of the hero of this book. we get to see some scenes with her and so far, she's a badass and i adore her loyalty to her brother.
i am so glad i found this author. this is a hidden gem if ive ever seen one.
also the cover??? pls😭 im in love
1.5 🌶️
this was so cute, so gentle and full of tenderness. i rlly loved seeing how they both struggled with some heavy stuff in the past but found so much comfort & meaning in each other's existence. this was heartwarming and so cozy. it felt very cottagecore. i loved seeing the domestic moments, they were so pure. the side characters were delightful. the world itself was so friggin cute, honestly. the writing was so easy to follow. this is a fantastic palate cleanser for when you need a low angst, gentle, tender book with lots of swoon, a cinnamon roll demon, an absolute cutie of an fmc and a meddlesome satyr. this was just the book i needed to make me less slumpy. it's also short and very easy to read and has such lovable main and side characters. you will do nothing but root for them and pray they find happiness. i am so excited for the next book in the series since it follows the sister of the hero of this book. we get to see some scenes with her and so far, she's a badass and i adore her loyalty to her brother.
i am so glad i found this author. this is a hidden gem if ive ever seen one.
also the cover??? pls😭 im in love
December 10, 2024
I thought this was a great, short, fun read. Barring a few typos (lowercase beginning of sentences, a few rogue quotation marks and misspellings, and some repeat words), I don’t think I have anything negative to say about it!
Thoroughly enjoyed and wished the author had more works for me to read next!
Thoroughly enjoyed and wished the author had more works for me to read next!
January 6, 2023
It's been a long time since I could start a book and complete it in a single day. To say I loved this love story would be an understatement! Before I knew it, I found myself unable to put the book down, rooting for the characters and wishing them to get together sooner rather than later. When the author calls this a slow burn, they really mean a slowwwww burn and it was completely worth the ride! I found myself at multiple points in the book screaming at the characters to just say how they felt or to just kiss already!
Each character is well thought out and even the side characters I found myself absolutely adoring. Many times I was blushing on behalf of our female protagonist when our Satyr friend dished out his compliments... or suggested otherwise spicy situations. I want to know more about the smaller characters of the story, which has me hoping that perhaps in the future we could see what's in store for them.
If you're a fan of the enemies to friends to lovers trope, this will be the love story for you. I definitely recommend giving this a read, as it is quick, adorable, and has me waiting for the next installment of what this author has planned.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Each character is well thought out and even the side characters I found myself absolutely adoring. Many times I was blushing on behalf of our female protagonist when our Satyr friend dished out his compliments... or suggested otherwise spicy situations. I want to know more about the smaller characters of the story, which has me hoping that perhaps in the future we could see what's in store for them.
If you're a fan of the enemies to friends to lovers trope, this will be the love story for you. I definitely recommend giving this a read, as it is quick, adorable, and has me waiting for the next installment of what this author has planned.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 6, 2023
What a great debut novel!
*** vibes feel a little bit like Half-Orcs Maiden Bride by Ruby Dixon but cozier and softer***
This is a dual POV between the FMC and MMC, who are a human and demon respectively. I loved getting to be in both of their heads!
Both of the main characters have these soft and gooey cinnamon roll vibes which was the perfect amount of sweetness. This is a slow burn through and through but when it hits it HITS (hello mating frenzy 👀)
This is perfect if you’re looking for a cozy, comfort romance read. (Though don’t get me wrong - there are stakes and some triggers to be mindful of including SA)
Tropes/themes you might enjoy:
-cuddling for warmth
-I just want you to be safe and happy ❤️
- stuck in a cabin to weather a snow storm together
- earning trust and building love ❤️
- mated pairs
And I can’t forget to mention the side characters are so fun! There are 3 off the top of my head that I am desperate for books for their stories! 😅
The world has so many characters and creatures (demons, and goblins, and orcs and more!) that I’m impatient for the future books in the series!
Definitely recommend giving this one a shot!
*** vibes feel a little bit like Half-Orcs Maiden Bride by Ruby Dixon but cozier and softer***
This is a dual POV between the FMC and MMC, who are a human and demon respectively. I loved getting to be in both of their heads!
Both of the main characters have these soft and gooey cinnamon roll vibes which was the perfect amount of sweetness. This is a slow burn through and through but when it hits it HITS (hello mating frenzy 👀)
This is perfect if you’re looking for a cozy, comfort romance read. (Though don’t get me wrong - there are stakes and some triggers to be mindful of including SA)
Tropes/themes you might enjoy:
-cuddling for warmth
-I just want you to be safe and happy ❤️
- stuck in a cabin to weather a snow storm together
- earning trust and building love ❤️
- mated pairs
And I can’t forget to mention the side characters are so fun! There are 3 off the top of my head that I am desperate for books for their stories! 😅
The world has so many characters and creatures (demons, and goblins, and orcs and more!) that I’m impatient for the future books in the series!
Definitely recommend giving this one a shot!
June 3, 2023
“Gods, but he was the most beautiful being she had ever seen. And that was before he smiled. With the joy that radiated from his face, she felt as if she were peering into the heart of the sun, seeing its beauty shimmer around her.”
RATING: 4⭐
This was exactly what I needed at the moment.
A fun, cute, light and fast to read story, with the perfect amount of good spice.
I've read this in just one sitting, the plot and the romance got me hooked to the story since the first page until the last one.
The characters were great and well-written and I loved that they shared the same wounds and this got them to heal themselves together throughout the book.
The romance was so adorable, a slow burn with great tension, I loved it and the spice was SO GOOD.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story!
Would I read this again?
Yes!
Would I recommend this book?
A BIG YES!
RATING: 4⭐
This was exactly what I needed at the moment.
A fun, cute, light and fast to read story, with the perfect amount of good spice.
I've read this in just one sitting, the plot and the romance got me hooked to the story since the first page until the last one.
The characters were great and well-written and I loved that they shared the same wounds and this got them to heal themselves together throughout the book.
The romance was so adorable, a slow burn with great tension, I loved it and the spice was SO GOOD.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story!
Would I read this again?
Yes!
Would I recommend this book?
A BIG YES!
January 11, 2023
4.5⭐️
I was given an ARC by Willow Quinn in exchange for an honest review and am so grateful for the opportunity!
This book is such a strong debut novel for the author - it’s hard to believe that it is a debut!
This book is so cozy and sweet but also has so much more to it! I loved getting to know both Melina and Kaemon and watch them each overcome some personal barriers and learn to trust and love one another.
I enjoyed that it was a quick read with enough information given for you to never be confused about the story or what was happening. I found myself visualizing the scenes as they went as the book was descriptive and beautifully written.
All in all, a fantastic read and a great first ARC of 2023!
I was given an ARC by Willow Quinn in exchange for an honest review and am so grateful for the opportunity!
This book is such a strong debut novel for the author - it’s hard to believe that it is a debut!
This book is so cozy and sweet but also has so much more to it! I loved getting to know both Melina and Kaemon and watch them each overcome some personal barriers and learn to trust and love one another.
I enjoyed that it was a quick read with enough information given for you to never be confused about the story or what was happening. I found myself visualizing the scenes as they went as the book was descriptive and beautifully written.
All in all, a fantastic read and a great first ARC of 2023!
September 27, 2024
literally like the tightest and warmest hug in book form!
December 7, 2024
Nothing annoys me more than not liking books with ADORABLE COVERS 😭
January 5, 2023
TW Death/Infertility/Sexual assault/violence, verbal and physical abuse/starvation/situations around food that could be triggering for an ED/Torture
This book pulls you into a magical world with demons, Nymphs, nixies (think mermaids), satyrs and fairies, starting at the prologue which shows you a glimpse into the life of Kaemon, being held as a prisoner until one day after a brutal attack by a guard he finds himself outside, covered in blood and surrounded by death. Next we are introduced to Melina who spends her time taking care of her cousins and uncle, while being abused verbally and physically. She escapes her daily life through sneaking into the library her uncle barred her from and reading books of love and adventure.
This is a shorter read, the end is packed with all the 🌶️ details, and it is action packed and full of fun and adventure. I would also say it is very wholesome, haha.
This book pulls you into a magical world with demons, Nymphs, nixies (think mermaids), satyrs and fairies, starting at the prologue which shows you a glimpse into the life of Kaemon, being held as a prisoner until one day after a brutal attack by a guard he finds himself outside, covered in blood and surrounded by death. Next we are introduced to Melina who spends her time taking care of her cousins and uncle, while being abused verbally and physically. She escapes her daily life through sneaking into the library her uncle barred her from and reading books of love and adventure.
This is a shorter read, the end is packed with all the 🌶️ details, and it is action packed and full of fun and adventure. I would also say it is very wholesome, haha.
January 10, 2023
⚠️ Check for TW ⚠️
The Demon of the Wood is a dual POV of Kaemon and Melina written in 3rd person.
Kaemon. Kaemon is a demon that lives in the woods. He is such a sweet cinnamon roll, and I ADORE him. Kaemon has his trauma, which prevents him from letting anyone in his life till he meets Melina. I love how he is with Melina and his patience toward her ❤️.
Melina. Melina lives a harsh life, and I am here for her character development! She deserves to be happy after all she's been through with her so-called family. I am sad and mad for her. I am proud of how far she's gone, of her little accomplishments.
Melina’s uncle and cousins can rot in hell! Oh, let me add Gregory to that list because he is a d*ckwad!
The Demon of the Wood was short and sweet. I love Kaemon. I am here for Melina’s character development. I love the side characters who welcomed Melina with open arms.
If you like
forced proximity
enemies - friends - lovers
found family
mates
This book might be for you.
The Demon of the Wood is a dual POV of Kaemon and Melina written in 3rd person.
Kaemon. Kaemon is a demon that lives in the woods. He is such a sweet cinnamon roll, and I ADORE him. Kaemon has his trauma, which prevents him from letting anyone in his life till he meets Melina. I love how he is with Melina and his patience toward her ❤️.
Melina. Melina lives a harsh life, and I am here for her character development! She deserves to be happy after all she's been through with her so-called family. I am sad and mad for her. I am proud of how far she's gone, of her little accomplishments.
Melina’s uncle and cousins can rot in hell! Oh, let me add Gregory to that list because he is a d*ckwad!
The Demon of the Wood was short and sweet. I love Kaemon. I am here for Melina’s character development. I love the side characters who welcomed Melina with open arms.
If you like
forced proximity
enemies - friends - lovers
found family
mates
This book might be for you.
January 6, 2023
I was given an ARC of this book and I’m giving this honest review freely. The Demon of the Wood was such an amazing fantasy book full of demon, nymphs, orcs and many other supernatural beings. It was cute with just the right amount of action, love and some 🌶 in the end. It also had a great story that made you want to continue reading. I loved the relationship between Melina and Kaemon. This book was such a fun short read that made you love the main characters that go through many things together and apart. I really recommend this book and im so exited to continue The Fates and Fables series in book two.
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I might alter this review later on but the rating will still be the same (5/5 stars)
Please check content warning before reading.
https://authorwillowquinn.wordpress.c...
I might alter this review later on but the rating will still be the same (5/5 stars)
January 7, 2023
This is such a good story! If anyone is in the mood for a cozy, wintery tale of a slow building of trust and the sweetest, gentlest love possible, then I cannot recommend this book enough!
It is for sure a slow burn romance, and I will give a TW for attempted SA in the first few chapters, but the rest is just so sweet and comforting!
The spice is definitely there, but in a very gentle and safe way. Highly recommend for those looking to dip their toes into the world of spicy books!
I’m so proud of you, Willow!! What a lovely debut novel, and I absolutely cannot WAIT to read more of your work!!
It is for sure a slow burn romance, and I will give a TW for attempted SA in the first few chapters, but the rest is just so sweet and comforting!
The spice is definitely there, but in a very gentle and safe way. Highly recommend for those looking to dip their toes into the world of spicy books!
I’m so proud of you, Willow!! What a lovely debut novel, and I absolutely cannot WAIT to read more of your work!!
January 6, 2023
I could only put it down when I was falling asleep with my kindle in hand. I’m absolutely in love with Melina and Kaemon. Kaemon is the perfect example of what a kind man should be. And the PRAISE. I wish I were Melina. It was the perfect amount of slow burn with satisfying build up. The friendship throughout is also beautiful, I can’t wait to see if we get to follow more of their journey through life and am SO READY for book two and this one hasn’t even released yet 😆.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 5, 2023
Oh my god I loved this book!!! It had all the elements of the perfect romance for me, magic, demons, spice and a slow burn. I can’t wait for the next book to come out
Would definitely recommend if you have ever read and enjoyed Katee Roberts demon series
Would definitely recommend if you have ever read and enjoyed Katee Roberts demon series
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