A young woman with a secret heritage. A man who made a deal with the devil. And an academy where the students are just as dangerous as the demons … ErinI’ve been kept from the truth all my life. Demons walk the earth, and I’m destined to slay them–I only wish I hadn’t lost someone I loved while discovering that truth.Now the demons are after me. The only way to stay alive is to attend an … to stay alive is to attend an academy for demon hunters–a school where I’ll learn how to kill supernaturals and slay the underworld’s minions. But I still feel there are secrets I’m not being told …
Rey
I sold my soul to save my family–and lost everything because of it. Now I’m a slave to the underworld, a fake hunter with half-demon blood.
I’ve been sent on a special assassination mission. If I fail, it means my life. But protecting Erin soon becomes more important than any other task, and there’s something about her that tells me her arrival at the academy will change everything …
An upper young adult paranormal romance novel set in the universe of the Rite World, this is a dark fantasy you won’t want to miss! Forge your weapons and cast spells in a school where demons are hunted and the hunters themselves become prey.
Blackthorn Hunters Academy
Book 1: The Demon Kiss
Book 2: The Hunter Secret (out now!)
Book 3: The Soul Bond (out now!)
Book 4: The Shadow Trials (coming Nov/2019)
Book 5: The Infernal Curse
more
I really enjoyed this book. It was an entertaining book to listen too. The book is told in 2 POV’s which really helped to understand the main characters. I listened to the audio and having 2 narrators was perfect. The author created a world that captivates.
The supernatural aspects of the book were interesting and a different take from the norm. This book is fast paced and action packed. I cannot wait tonsee what happens next.
Erin has been kept in the dark by her aunt all her life . She is dared to go into a house that is said to be haunted but what she finds isn’t ghosts it’s demons and her aunt arrives to kill them only to be killed herself. Rey sold his soul to save his family now he lives a life as half demon half demon Hunter and he is told to kill the headmaster of his academy then you comes upon Erin and his sole purpose is to protect her. I enjoyed listening to this and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
Audiobook review: 3.75 stars. I think there’s a lot of potential in this story. The shift into the academy world happens very quickly, and the love interest/romance is almost a secondary storyline, but the overall story is interesting. During a dare to go into a haunted house for money, Erin is quickly thrust into a world of demons and demon hunters, learning that her aunt was a demon hunter, and it looks like she is too. Of course, there is much more to her story, and we are slowly fed the bits and pieces, the world building being a little choppy and sparse at times. Rey is a half-demon, masquerading as a demon hunter, but the head of the academy knows this – it’s a bit of a strange situation, one that I feel like would have to be made clearer in later books, because it’s never quite clear why he is accepting of the situation, but that can be overlooked for now. There is some pretty significant and obvious foreshadowing early on in the book that comes to fruition at the end, so when it’s revealed, it’s not a shock or surprise at all, but it’s a decent set up for the next book.
The female narrator is a bit hard in her delivery – choppy and staccato, seems to be trying a bit too hard to annunciate everything that the emotion is taken down to a very low level. It wasn’t enough to completely take away from the story, but it was distracting at times. The male narrator is much better, and does a good job, providing an acceptable voice to Rey.
I was hooked from the very beginning. I get, like it’s a fast pace book with good twist and turns. I’m very intrigued with what happens next. Bargains will be made, but will it save them or damn them all. If you love academy books and Shadowhunters vibes be sure to check this book out. Meet your new book boyfriend Rey. You’ll love him!
I listened to the audiobook and it’s a dual POV narration. Both narrators did a wonderful job portraying both POVs and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The voice and inflections they did kept me captivated.
loved it.
Very interesting book and storyline
The story was good, but there were too many “F” words for me.
Finally I finished this book.
After all it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
The plot was predictable kind of, the characters were great but you could also know what will happen.
For me as a 22 years old person I enjoyed the book, it took me longer to read, because it was predictable but if I look past that part, it was really good and enjoyable.
If you don’t like books where the plot is kind of the same as with the books you read before:
when the main character is something she didn’t know, she has to become that person, then something happens and she finds out, then something happens again and etc. then I think this book is not for you, but if you can look past that done this book is good.
Overall I would give this book a 4,3/5
Ohh damn.. loved the start to this series. Will totally be reading the next.. I wonder what else will be mentioned, what powers she will have and how many demons will be coming after her… Can’t wait for the next book. New to this author but totally encaptured me.
“A young woman with a secret heritage. A man who made a deal with the devil. And an academy where the students are just as dangerous as the demons …” oh YES! Yes indeedy.
I am a very strange person because I have several people who are truly beloved even though I’ve never met them. It’s the love of a junkie for her drug pusher only in this case it’s the addiction is for great fiction with the pushers being the authors who create it. Juliana Haygert is a prime example of that. As such I thanked heaven when this particular “pusher” appeased my addiction by coming out with new “product”, namely (hallelujah) a whole new series, Rite World: Blackthorn Hunters Academy, the first book of which is The Demon Kiss. And what a book! Erin is an amazing character and her story is indeed an exciting one but it’s an extraordinary fun (and, as expected, well written) one indeed, populated by a fantastic cast. Particularly Rey. I mean, c’mon, his back story alone is drool-worthy – sold his soul to save his family, ended up instead losing everything and becoming a slave to the underworld, a fake hunter with half-demon blood sent on an assassination mission? Oh yesss! Anyway, bottom line is that all of this is an utterly fantastic read. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises – the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
I have recently been really into Paranormal Academy books and more and more keep popping up. This book was so good! I was dragged in within the first chapter. Juliana Haygert is a very talented author with her world building. I was looped into this book within minutes.
Erin is thrown into this new world after loosing her aunt. She learns about everything she never would have known existed including that she is a Demon Slay. Oh and there is more…. so much more, but I am not going to give it away. From the moment she arrived at Blackthorn Hunters Academy, her world is turned upside down. Rey is a thousand year old half demon who saves Erin and starts falling for her. He tries to fight it as much as he can, but deep down, he wants her like he breathes the air.
This book was great! I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
Wow a fantastic Academy read. This grabbed me right from the start to finish. Erin has lost a lot and dwelt with alot. The Author has written this fantastic. The scenes are written so well that you can picture it in your minds eye so vividly. The Characters are all brought out so well as well. If you love Fantasy and Magic and Academy reads this is definitely the read for you. This is another one that I would love to see on Netflix.
Shauna Joesten
I enjoyed this book… plenty of action with a side of suspense and a taste of romance. Lovers of academy books will enjoy this series with its snarky teen attitudes and lots of kick butt training. The main characters have plenty of chemistry and I enjoyed learning about some of the students while everyone is trying to live through the demon raids.
I received a free ARC of this book. This is an honest review.
ONE BLAZING ADVENTURE!!!
OMG! Man, One mind-blowing storyline and impressive plot bring this bad boy blazing to life beautifully. Juliana totally nailed this bad boy 100% on point. A whirlwind of unexpected events and surprising mishaps that keep you flipping page after page. One rollercoaster with all the trials and tribulations that propels the intense emotions bursting into play smoothly. The characters are authentic, consistent and realistic with depth and qualities its easy to relate. Sparks fly as suspense and danger ensues in epic proportions. Drama, non-stop action, heart pounding, hard hitting wonder that spin all the pieces together brilliantly. The scenes were so graphically detailed it gives the illusion you were right there in the middle of ground zero with them. Remarkable job Juliana, thanks for sharing this little gem with us.
“An upper young adult paranormal romance novel set in the universe of the Rite World, this is a dark fantasy you won’t want to miss! Forge your weapons and cast spells in a school where demons are hunted and the hunters themselves become prey.”
Now if this doesn’t make you want to read this story then it’s not for you but if you are a fan of paranormal romance YA style then you have to read this! As with all schools you have the mean girls, you have the teachers, the good guys and the bad and in this case demons! With a great unique storyline and some awesome characters, this academy tale has me hooked and I can’t wait to read the next book!
Erin finds out there are demons, the hard way. Then she is whisked away to an Academy to learn to become a demon hunter. Oh, and the guy whisking her away? Yeah, he is a half demon. Arriving at the Academy Erin thinks she finally found her place, somewhere she belongs. But it isn’t that easy. It never is.
I loved how the action starts right with the first chapter and then never stops. There are mean girls (yes, I mean you Ava, and your minions) giving the Academy a real high school feeling. Professors having their own agenda, powerful demons and demon princesses being in danger from their father. And, of course, there are feelings, magic, good friends and an ending that has me wanting to read the next book asap.
I was totally blown away by this book. Admittedly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to jump on the Academy train. But this one had so many intriguing details that I had to find out what it was going to be and, boy, am I happy I did. The world is one I’ve been in before through the other Rite series but these characters are new and so great. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Great writing. Emotionally fraught. Erin and Claire are truly delightful. Rey, not so much. Perhaps Ava and Randall are the worst. There are many unexpected twists and turns in the story. I look forward to what follows.
I received a copy of this book as a gift. This is my honest review.
I love this book! Sweet baby demons I was surprised how much I was sucked in. In a world Erin knew nothing about, her character is outstanding and Rey is a wicked badass!
The storyline is incredible, so many great details and so much fun, the world building was a fantastic touch with the storyline and characters that it blended and mixed with harmony! I can’t wait for the next book!
This story starts out in a subtle and calm manner and soon you find yourself just as intrigued and involved as the main character. Erin is a home schooled girl looking for more out of life. She seems a bit lost at first, looking for a way out of her life. She soon finds it, but it is nothing like she or the readers expects.
Erin finds that Demons are real and for some reason they want to kill her. Just when it looks like all is lost in sweeps a handsome man with a sword to save her; but don’t get me wrong Erin is perfectly strong in her own right she was just blinded by a whole new world before her eyes. Rey (the sward wheeling man) is a half demon who takes her to Blackthorn Hunter Academy where the story is set.
I loved the development of Erin’s new life, learning right along with her and the uniqueness of the story was a joy to read. I don’t want to give too much a way but this story reads like a typical high school drama with the added supernatural aspects and less romance (I think that comes in later books); I would definitely read book two. I received an ARC and am leaving an honest review.