Scan barcode
A review by plumpaperbacks
The Demon's Bargain by Katee Robert
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’ve completed my holy trinity of Katee Robert ships—Persephone/Hades, Tink/Hook, and now Lenora/Ramanu. WHEN I SAY I ADORE THEM!!!
Seriously though, this book is a DELIGHT. From their very first interaction, Lenora and Ramanu are such an entertaining (and spicy 👀) duo, and the more I read, the more feral I became. I love everything about them, as characters and as a couple. Their dynamic is basically “you’re a menace”/“I’m your menace,” which is 1000% the best ship dynamic and thus makes them completely, undeniably iconic. I don’t make the rules. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Some of my favorite (early, spoiler-free) moments:
1. “‘If you fuck with me, I will kill you.’
‘You’ll try. It will be fun.’”
2. “‘If you touch me again, I’m going to take it as an invitation.’
‘I just attacked you.’
‘Baby, that’s practically foreplay.’”
3. “‘I’m not going to fuck you.’
‘Keep telling yourself that.’”
I’m cackling just thinking about these!! And yes, they are like this for the entire book. ;))
My one (1) qualm with this book is that I would’ve liked to see more between the last chapter and the epilogue. I understand why the time jump is there and I absolutely love the epilogue as it is, but like… I just want more of my ship. I can’t help it.
Current ranking of the Deal With a Demon series:
Seriously though, this book is a DELIGHT. From their very first interaction, Lenora and Ramanu are such an entertaining (and spicy 👀) duo, and the more I read, the more feral I became. I love everything about them, as characters and as a couple. Their dynamic is basically “you’re a menace”/“I’m your menace,” which is 1000% the best ship dynamic and thus makes them completely, undeniably iconic. I don’t make the rules. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Some of my favorite (early, spoiler-free) moments:
1. “‘If you fuck with me, I will kill you.’
‘You’ll try. It will be fun.’”
2. “‘If you touch me again, I’m going to take it as an invitation.’
‘I just attacked you.’
‘Baby, that’s practically foreplay.’”
3. “‘I’m not going to fuck you.’
‘Keep telling yourself that.’”
I’m cackling just thinking about these!! And yes, they are like this for the entire book. ;))
My one (1) qualm with this book is that I would’ve liked to see more between the last chapter and the epilogue. I understand why the time jump is there and I absolutely love the epilogue as it is, but like… I just want more of my ship. I can’t help it.
Current ranking of the Deal With a Demon series:
- The Demon’s Bargain (calling it now - this will stay in the #1 spot)
- The Kraken’s Sacrifice
- The Dragon’s Bride
Current ranking of the Peculiar Tastes series:
- The Demon’s Bargain (calling it now - this will also stay in this #1 spot)
- The Death God’s Sacrifice (but the gap between the two books is. a lot.)
Representation:
- two bi/pansexual protagonists (unlabeled, but both attracted to multiple genders)
- nonbinary protagonist that uses they/them (their gender isn’t specifically labeled; I’m using “nonbinary” as an umbrella term)
- nonbinary side character of color that uses they/them
- sapphic side characters + couples (only one is on-page; both minor)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Gore, and Murder
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Self harm
Mild, consensual injuries during one sex scene. Mild, infrequent self-harm for magical purposes. Murder of a side character via decapitation, on-page but mentioned only briefly.