The Book of Azrael: Gods and Monsters, Book 1

Erin

Chef’s Kiss

"The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole is the first book in the Gods & Monsters series and was one of my favorite reads of 2023. I was long overdue for a reread and it only further solidified that I had this book on a pedestal for good reason. As much as I enjoy a strong, snarky and morally grey FMC — I’m glad that there’s so much more to Dianna than her default superficial mask. She’s layered and complex but at her core she’s self-sacrificing, a fighter and a protector. It’s difficult to grasp what a lonely life she’s been forced to live and how much of herself she’s sacrificed. She hasn’t had the luxury of a soft heart and love has only ever been used as a weapon against her. Samkiel, our World Ender, might just be the most honestly written MMC with clear and accurate depictions of depression that I’ve ever read. Amber doesn’t shy away from detailing the overwhelming aspects of apathy and self-loathing. Understanding the weight of grief that Samkiel carries made watching Dianna and him grow closer even more special. There is freedom in not being able to hide your past or true nature from someone. Also, his explanation for why he goes by Liam rather than Samkiel is surprisingly thoughtful and deeply moving. He’s a perfectly flawed, tragically pained, unimaginably powerful and surprisingly open to personal growth MMC. The world building is excellent and the pacing is really well done. The reader can feel each transformative turning point in Samkiel & Dianna’s relationship. It’s vulnerable. It’s intimate. Their need for one another becomes tangible and is impossible not to root for. The Book of Azrael is perfect for fantasy romance fans of epic world building, morally grey MCs, banter, unique magic systems, enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, tragic backstories and slow burn romance leading to open door spice! ["

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November 30, 2025 Verified Purchase

coralreef

It's worth reading

"Ok so I'm on page 129 of a bajillion- I'll update this review when I finish the book. *UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM* I am a reader that loves epic fantasy & scifi from intelligent and talented authors. Some examples of authors I highly recommend would be Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss, Rebecca Roanhorse, Adrian Tchaikovsky, John Gwynne, Karen Marie Morning, and John Scalzi. So that's an example of the talent I like. K, so pros of this book so far: it's long, so that's a bonus for me. It has an interesting premise, (at least, so far). And supposedly there's slow burn romance and I like that. I think if this is the author's first published book, then it's a good first go. Now for the cons... I am used to really really great prose. And this book is not that. First of all the font size differences in the Kindle version are annoying as hell. Secondly, whoever the editor was sucked. There's sentence fragments and grammar & spelling issues. The world building keeps throwing me off: it's supposed to be a completely different world, but the culture and people are exactly like the US and Europe. Either be urban fantasy set in our world, or be epic fantasy set on a different world with different customs and culture, cuz what the author has done in this book keeps jarring my brain. And the descriptions of places are just so... Blah. And I think it's cuz the prose is blah. The main character is the typical female BAMF that's been written over and over. Fine. I can deal with that. But the issue is I can't connect to her. At all. Her feelings are written as if the author is a little of a sociopath, so the reader can't put themselves in the main character's shoes. For example, a vampire is supposed to be her best friend, but there's zero indication of that, other than a few sentences where the main character tells us he is. And then a sentence later she murders him.... Um. Ok? I dunno about you, but murdering my best friend would rock my world and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to compartmentalize it enough to move on the way the MC did. So there's issues there. There's needs to be a lot more back story if the character was important in the Mac's life. There's got to me WAY more internal conflict and emotional trauma afterward. I haven't gotten to the romantic interest yet, so I'm hoping there really is slow-burn romance as indicated in other reviews, rather than insta-lust. Overall, if this is the author's first book, then I'd say she has promise. But definitely get a different editor, and definitely go study your craft some more. You could be right up there with Karen Marie Moning. *******************REVIEW UPDATE***************** Ok, now that I've finished the book I've upgraded my review from 3 to 4 stars. The prose is still blah. But again- if this is the author's first book then I expect that. For all intents and purposes this is paranormal romance similar to Karen Marie Moning's Dark Fever series. It's good relatively-slow-burn relationship building with a BIG back story and lots of other stuff going on. The second half of the book is better than the first as far as dialogue flow and being able to feel what the MCs feel. I burned through the second half of the book last night and this morning, the story line was so good. Although the dialogue flow was better, I still feel like it needs improvement. I still stand by my world-building and culture critique: either make it urban fantasy, or make it epic fantasy. This weird clashing of alien worlds with US & European cultures and societies is weird. The biggest issue for this book & author is editing. And more work on prose and describing the MCs feelings. The slow-burn romance is good, world-building is decent, and story line is awesome. Bottom line? I will absolutely be buying the next book in this series. ["

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June 21, 2022 Verified Purchase

@literary_havoc

You have been warned: Once you enter this world, it owns you.

"If you’re craving a romantasy that ruins your life in the best possible way, welcome. This is the one. This is the book that grabs your face, whispers “you’re mine now,” and drags you through a world of gods, monsters, trauma, forbidden alliances, and a slow burn so intense it physically PAINS you. This story is dark, emotional, complex, and so wildly addictive that I’m convinced Amber Nicole cast an actual spell on her readers. ✨ WHO SHOULD READ THIS: — Readers who want real enemies-to-lovers, not mild annoyance, but ancient grudges, attempted murder, and slow, reluctant trust. — Anyone obsessed with morally grey heroines who bite first, banter second, and feel later. — Lovers of broken, traumatized, self-sacrificing men who’d burn the world down quietly, but will let one person in. — Fans of massive, immersive worlds without the info-dump headache. — People who LOVE a found-family vibe with side characters who steal entire chapters. — Readers ready for a cliffhanger that will emotionally annihilate you. ✨ WHAT TO EXPECT: 🌑 A world of gods, monsters, humans, and ancient magic 🔥 Tension so thick it could cut through realms 💀 A villain who is so compelling you don’t know whether to hate him or stan him 💫 Snark, banter, and one-liners that had me wheezing 🗝 Emotional depth - PTSD, trauma, loyalty, survival, grief 🌧 A slow-burn romance that makes you feral 🩸 Action scenes that go HARD 🌶 A couple of perfectly-earned spicy moments 😱 Plot twists that hit like a punch to the chest 💔 A finale that will have you pacing your house like you’re mourning someone This book feels like the perfect blend of epic fantasy, emotional devastation, found family, forbidden longing, and full-body obsession. If you’ve been searching for a romantasy that gives you the same unhinged devotion as early ACOTAR, the raw emotional wreckage of Crescent City, and a heroine who’d go toe-to-toe with Katherine Pierce… Dianna and Liam are calling your name. You have been warned: Once you enter this world, it owns you. ["

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May 14, 2026 Verified Purchase

katie

The Search for a Book to Destroy the World

"Book of Azrael introduces us to a world where the monsters that we believe are myths and legends, are in fact based on truth. The book is set in a world ruled by gods, monsters, and ancient magics. We follow along as Diana is tasked by Kaden to find the “book of Azrael”, many of which believe does not truly exist. However, Diana becomes captured by Liam and the rest of the celestials and she has to learn to reevaluate the people she follows, the people to trust, and those who deserve her love. Love the character dynamics between Diana and Liam, and the tension between them as they work together to find the Book of Azrael. — This was a beautiful edition (deluxe special edition) and they outdone themselves with the end pages and sprayed edges. Love the addition bonus chapter with a Kaden pov. ["

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May 8, 2026 Verified Purchase

Robin

Already know I'm going to LOVE this series!

"I absolutely LOVED this book! Dianna is a force!! The bond between her and her sister was one of my favorite parts! Dianna will literally do anything to keep her sister safe and give her the life she deserves, and it pulled at my heartstrings so much being an older sister myself. I could relate on so many levels. The world and magic was so interesting and easy to follow, even with how much was going on, which is a testament to how well written this was. Now the romance!! OMG! I love the mortal enemies so I must hate you but I’m starting to love you dynamic because it gives me a little bit of forbidden love! The snarky comments were everything! The back and forth and how Dianna pushes Samkiel’s buttons had me addicted! I adored the pinkie promises and how Dianna starts pulling emotion back into Samkiel after he’s been isolated and alone for such a long time. It was fun watching that spark ignite! Then throw in some nightmare comfort and I was a goner!!! This book is action packed and I’m very excited to see what happens next after that ending!! Fav Quotes: I’d never had someone there for me. Not like this. Now when I’d bared pieces of my soul and revealed my weaknesses. She was my enemy, yet my enemy was the only one who seemed to understand me and the demons I fought. I didn’t remember how long we talked, but somewhere amidst her laughter and her smiles, I decided I would rip the world apart for her. “You already consume my every waking thought. Must you consume my dreams as well?” ["

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November 27, 2025 Verified Purchase