Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up.

I went into this book blind, having not read anything about the book. It was my first paranormal romantasy read and did not disappoint.

The story follows Galilee, a young girl who lives with her family, though only the women are allowed to live on the compound. Galilee has always known there was something different about herself but her family had always kept it a secret.

Galilee moves to the city and befriends an author and an heiress. She's invited to a party at the childhood home of her new friend and there she meets Lucifer.

The bulk of the story takes place over about 24 hours. Galilee falls for not only Lucifer, but also a Prince of Hell. She goes on to discover her true heritage, settles things with her family and is able to solve a problem that Lucifer and the Princes of Hell have been battling.

The spice was spicy in this one (probably 3.5 🌶) and had an element of Why Choose.

I do wish the plot had been set over a longer time period, the insta-love and devotion was a little much for me. I anticipate this will be a huge hit for paranormal romance lovers and I loved the history and language used in the book.

thank you so much for the approval- i cannot wait to dive in, this is one of my most anticipated reads of the year! i will be sure to leave a review on GR/retailers to come! 💞

If you don't love paranormal romance, this won't be the book to change your mind. All the cliched flaws of the genre are here on full display: a truly excessive amount of violent alpha male posturing, instalust, inexplicable true love (the whole book takes place over 24 hours, in which the characters go from strangers to soulmates), wildly flip flopping personalities, abrupt and not-satisfyingly-explained 180s of opinion, intriguing bits of world building never being elaborated on, a great deal of infodumping/telling-not-showing, etc.

But if you are a fan of paranormal romance, then I see no reason you won't enjoy yourself immensely here: a male mc who worships the ground Gali walks on, a refreshing focus on female pleasure, strong family bonds for both leads, women who don't hate each other, a sprinkling of kink. Son of the Morning even takes the time to point out and question some of the ridiculousness it depends on (Gali being disgusted with herself for wanting Lucifer despite his refusing to guarantee her safety, isn't it WEIRD how this is all so intense so fast, etc) albeit without actually resolving any of it.

And it's really nice to see a m/f romance be so unrepentantly queer. I did really like that.

It's fine? I did not enjoy it, but mostly because I don't like this genre (I thought being an Emezi fan would overcome that, mostly because I expected Emezi to subvert or improve on the genre cliches, but apparently not) which is hardly the book's fault. There's room for a sequel but it stands alone perfectly too. Pretty confident the right readers will love it.

Nobody is more disappointed than me for not loving this one. The prologue had me hooked immediately. I was sure this would end up being at LEAST a 4 star read. And as someone who prefers their fantasy with some romance, I actually wish the romance hadn't been the main focus of the story. It all happened way. too. fast. There was literally zero build up to the main characters getting together - not even an actual conversation. I wish this had been a slow burn, it would've felt much more genuine and satisfying. I loved the FMC's best friends and I was also happy there was some trans representation in the story! For the plot to have such high stakes, every problem was solved much too simply. I think the writing was incredible, I just wanted the story to have been more thoughtfully drawn out. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Galilee Kincaid, a young woman grappling with a lifelong sense of otherness. Her quiet existence within the powerful Kincaid clan, rooted in generations of Black women and shrouded in the mysteries of their secluded land, is shattered by the arrival of Lucifer Helel. From the moment their eyes meet, the connection is electric, undeniable, and dangerously destabilizing.
The introduction of Lucifer is a stroke of genius. Emezi avoids the clichéd depictions of the fallen angel, instead portraying him as a complex, compelling figure. His relationship with Galilee is not simply lustful; it's a catalyst for her awakening, a mirror reflecting back the power she never knew she possessed. Their connection is fraught with danger, not just from the impending heavenly conflict, but also from the societal structures and internal demons they both navigate.
The inclusion of Leviathan adds another layer of intrigue. As Lucifer's loyal lieutenant, Levi is driven by a fierce protectiveness that fuels his antagonism towards Galilee. He embodies the fear of the unknown, the resistance to change, and the lengths to which one will go to preserve the status quo. His presence elevates the narrative beyond a simple love story, injecting it with compelling moral dilemmas and questions of loyalty.
Overall, this story is a seductive and daring exploration of self-acceptance, which will challenge you to confront their own preconceived notions of good and evil, power and vulnerability. This is a read that I highly recommend.

Sexy as hell! Like what the actual fu- is this excellence?!?!?! Ugh! I love when WOMEN ARE POWERFUL! Something f about it made me feel alive. It’s electric between these two and you just end up wanting more and more and MORE!

Thank you NetGalley, the Publishers, and Akwaeke Emezi for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Son of the Morning!

First off. Wow. The writing style was phenomenal. I was blown away. One of the best written books I’ve ever read. And it was such an intriguing story! I went in pretty blindly so I didn’t know what to expect. I wanted to know more about the Kincaids. They are some of the most interesting characters I’ve ever read about.

And Gali. She was pretty close to a perfect main character. I love a main character who goes after what they want and are not wishy washy. She was strong and brave and wasn’t afraid of her feelings or wants. I liked how she didn’t let her tragedies and uncovered secrets define her.

Lucifer was a fun character too. He was so well written that I could believe he was ageless.
Their love was instalove, but I liked how it developed. I would definitely say this book is more sexual than my normal type.
And Levi. That sort of threw me off. I did not expect that. And I still am not sure how I feel about it.

I would definitely recommend this book! It was written so amazing. I bet you’ve never read a book written like this. Pick up a copy and see for yourself!!

Overall, if you enjoy spicy fantasy romance then you might enjoy this one. This book has a lot of good ideas, but it lacked character development. I didn't feel attached or connected with the characters. However, I think there is a lot of mystery to the book when it comes to the plot, and it left me intrigued enough to want to finish the book. While it may not have been my favorite book, I can see where others may really enjoy it

3.5 ⭐️

This had its issues. The main body of the plot takes place over maybe 36 hours, and this means that all of the romance is very fast-paced. This is not only insta-lust, but the follow-through is also immediate. The plot is fast-paced and exciting, but also ultimately is resolved with shocking ease given the high stakes.

Despite these issues, this was just a really fun read. It was fast and easy, the atmosphere was immersive, the characters and their dynamics managed to be compelling despite the short timeline. This may not be a mind-blowing read, but it was a satisfying one and delivered exactly what it advertised.

Thanks to NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a conflicting read. I really loved the angels and demons stuff but it took a backseat to the romance, which was HELLA spicy. I feel like the book needed some more baking in the oven because some things felt half-done. Don't get me wrong, it was all very entertaining, but the potential for a bigger story was there but it didn't quite make it. I would've liked more about the protagonist's hunter family but we barely saw them. I would've liked more on Lucifer's adopted family of demons but we barely saw them....

It's definitely another one of those romantasy books where the fantasy is yeeted in favor of nothing but the romance.

Also a heads-up, this is a spoiler but I would've liked to have known this before: it ends in a Polyamorous relationship. I won't say with who, but I typically don't like poly stuff so I finished the book with a bit of a bitter taste after that.

I had heard amazing things about this one and love the cover and concept, but I just couldn't connect. Took too long to get to the plot, had a convoluted writing style I didn't connect with, and I just wasn't interested in the characters. I think people are still going to love this one, though!

I’m not a romantasy lover but this book had enough plot coupled with the insta love & lust to make it enjoyable. I’m not surprised because Akwaeke Emezi can write, okay??? Don’t play with them.

However, I saw the little surprise (was it a surprise?) romance twist coming from early on and then I was just 50/50 on whether I enjoyed it or not. I think the entire development made sense though and the background and pasts of all the characters was done so well and I loved reading it, but I’m still iffy on whether I liked the switch-up.

I loved Lucifer and Galilee as a duo so I was caught off guard at the change in dynamic. I think it all boils down to my personal feelings on the chemistry in the relationships.

Otherwise, I did like this book. The writing was great and the storytelling was more complex and unique than I’d expect from a romantasy. I was really immersed in the world building.

Thank you Net Galley & Publishers for the ARC!

Son of the Morning is a fascinating story. Gali is a such a cool FMC. Her motivation and background sucked me in from the get go. Lucifer was a delight as well. His growth, that was shown in the flashbacks especially, made him easy to root for. Levi was my favorite though. He is hurt in a way that just makes me want to love and take care of him. The plot was really cool too. I wasn't sure where it was going but loved the journey. My only real issue was the timeline. The majority of the storyline takes place in under three days. I really struggled with that. I would've loved the opportunity to get to know the characters more and watch all three of them interact. I would've especially loved if Levi had gone through his journey over a longer period of time. Overall though, a solid romantasy!

Thank you Netgalley and Avon for the ARC.

Akwaeke Emezi, your mind >>>

I've been such a fan of all of Emezi's works that I've read so far. Up until this point, Emezi's YA works were my favorite books of theirs, but Son of the Morning swept me off my feet!! I was so enamored by the world Emezi crafted in this book--I really love how they are able to weave fantasy elements and world-building into contemporary settings. The paranormal / supernatural aspect of this book (heavily based on Christian theology) was so intriguing. I'm not sure if a sequel is planned for this book but I would love one just for this world alone. Otherwise, this book reads as a great fantasy standalone!

And the romance. THE ROMANCE! Emezi really wrote this book for the girls and the gays. I need everyone who comes across a love triangle in a fantasy book and thinks to themself: "(view spoiler)" to read this book (hidden in case people don't want to be spoiled about the main romance trope. I higlighted soooo many scenes and dialogue in this book from the romance alone because Galilee, Lucifer, and Leviathan's dynamic was *chef's kiss.* Emezi does such an excellent job in all of their books building complex and intimate character relationships. Their characters are always filled with so much compassion, empathy, and care. Reading their books feels like being loved tenderly in all forms--romantic, platonic, and familial--and I can definitely say the same in this book.

I described this book to my friends as if Beverly Jenkin's strong FMCs, queer paranormal romance, Black Southern gothic, and Christian theology had a baby, so if that intrigues you, go pre-order Son of the Morning!!

Akwaeke Emezi weaves a dark, romantic story following Galilee Kincaid as she moves through a world she thought she understood. The Kincaid women are powerful and strong, living on the outskirts of a nearby town with no men among them they know who they are. Galilee has always felt as though she is set a part from this group of hunters, and to find herself she moves into the local city. On a night out with friends Galilee meets Lucifer Helel, a security personal in charge of guarding a rare artifact. Upon first touch a fire ignites in both of them, one they can't deny and one that is not particularly human. As they dive headfirst into each other Gali learns that Lucifer is just that, and he wants her more than anything else...

Wow was this plot hotter than Hell! Emezi has created such powerful women to rule her stories and Galilee in "Son of the Morning" is no exception. The sizzling romance holds it's own with this unique world and plot. I loved the twist on the hierarchy of Hell and found all of the characters so interesting. The Kincaid women specifically were so cool, I want a prequel about them desperately!

Wonderfully atmospheric, with compelling, efficient prose. Emezi writes well-realized, dimensional characters and dynamics.

The romance was fantastic, nothing juvenile or standard about it, an amazing entry into the romantasy genre, Emezi makes old tropes fresh and interesting.

Son of the Morning felt like a pretty standard, paranormal romance. Emezi is a solid writer and their talent shows through in this work.

I absolutely enjoyed this book! I knew that this one was about The King of Hell but that was all I knew. I went in blind and I was completely surprised! Son of the Morning gives the reader a front seat into how Lucifer falls in love with Galilee Kincaid. Now based on everyone's knowledge or rumors about the Devil himself, who would think that he would fall in love?
This book is a love story wrapped in lust, revenge, friendship, family, and love triangles.
When Luci and Kincaid meet, it's by happenstance, but it's "burn" at first sight!
This book was amazing and I couldn't put it down! It's a must read for 2025!

Objectively, this was a fine book. The writing style is engaging, the characters are charismatic, and there’s an interesting plot coating it all. Subjectively, though, I was sorely disappointed. I nagged a lot of people to get this book (I even emailed the publisher before I was approved here in NetGalley), and maybe my expectation had grown too high, but I really struggled to finish this.

For starters, while the idea behind the characters was good, I thought the execution wasn’t there. In the first five chapters or so, I didn’t know anything about Galilee other than she was special and overwhelmed by her overbearing family, while Lucifer acted like a horny teenager for most of the book instead of the eons-old, unhuman being he was supposed to be. The romance, which I thought would be a high point for me, was rushed, lacked chemistry, and read as insta-lust (and insta-love) from both parties instead of a developed relationship between the two. I actually liked Leviathan’s character a lot (he was the only one with a working head on his shoulders) and his relationship with both Lucifer and Galilee was the aspect I enjoyed the most outside Galilee’s family, the Kincaids, which I would’ve loved to see, learn, and read more of. That said, I appreciated a lot how queer this book was and how effortlessly it was written in the story.

The writing style was good. Akwaeke Emezi is truly an amazing author and storyteller, and I really enjoyed how they weaved their words together and their meaning. I will definitely read more of their work soon, but I don’t think I’ll continue this series. I just didn’t connect the way I wanted to (and I really, really wanted to *see emailing the publisher about it*), but I can see a lot of people enjoying this book too!