The amount of chaotic and unhinged moments in this story made it impossible to put down. The pacing kept me hooked, with twists and wild turns that felt both entertaining and intentional. The writing had an energy that matched the story’s unpredictability, making every chapter feel fresh. Overall, it was a thrilling, messy, and addictive read and I’ll definitely be continuing the series.

As something of a newbie to dark romance, I didn't know that was what I was getting when I signed up for an ARC of Ink, Blood, and Other Afflictions: Episode One by Kristen Coar on #netgalley, the first of four novellas launched today.

But I was hooked by the female character and her literal murder fetish right away. Plus I found it delightful that by day, she's a librarian—not the type of person you'd suspect of having been possessed by a dark goddess!

She kills to get off—and in comes the immortal Nikolai, who might very well be the man to fulfill her dreams (or at least her conscience?).

What I Loved:
👍 The way this book literally starts in medias res, not just in the middle of the action, but in the middle of the crime as it's committed!
👍 The dark savagery of the female main character, Vera, the way she regrets her dwindling humanity yet also tries to stick to a moral code, no matter how skewed, and then gives herself up to glorious monstrosity.
👍 Nikolai gives me red flags, but I also found myself fascinated by him, and then surprised into laughing out loud when I learned what his deal was.
👍 When the characters came together, it was 🔥🔥🔥

What I Didn't Love:
👎 I don't know if it was a constraint of this format, but I felt like the sex, while very, very hot, came a little quicker than I might have liked, at least in the sense that it kind of rushed the plot for me?

Also, not really a true negative point, but I wasn't happy that I guessed at the murder mystery's resolution early on, and found myself proven right without opportunities to doubt if it wasn't going to go the way I expected. But maybe that's just my being weird as a reader.

If the other episodes/novellas follow Vera and Nikolai down the rabbit-hole of the world we're introduced to in Ink, Blood, and Other Afflictions: Episode One, then I'm ready to throw myself into them as well.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, NetGalley, and Kristen Coar for the eARC of this novella!
This was a fun and quick erotic horror novella about Vera, a librarian possessed by an ancient goddess that gets off on murder. Vera hahs done her best to make sure she satisfies this desire by killing douche bags. Until she meets the mysterious Nikolai, a man who just so happens to get off on being killed. I always knew there was someone out ther for everyone, and thank goddess these two crazy kids found each other!

I will say that the book hits the ground running from the first sentence, and I have SO many questions. But there are clearly more episodes so I am hopeful that we will get answers sooner rather than later.

To be honest, I can't decide how I feel about this story. On the one hand, it's original and unhinged, and it makes me curious about future episodes. On the other hand, I'm confused by certain details. I feel like I'm being given bits of information, but not enough to really understand. I'm also having a hard time understanding why the story is split into several episodes if they're all coming out on the same day—at least, the release date is the same for all of them on Amazon as I write this review—I admit that the concept totally escapes me at this point.

With the way this first episode is structured, I didn't have time to get to know the characters. As a reader, I place a huge importance on the characters. Honestly, my feelings after reading this short story are very strange. I liked the writing style and see the potential, but it ends too abruptly. I don't even know if you can call it a cliffhanger.

I feel like neither I have nor can give an informed opinion on this first episode of Ink, Blood, and Other Afflictions because I don't have enough material to do so. All I can say is that the story seems promising. However, I would have preferred to read a full book instead of having it cut into four short stories.

Serial unaliver meets someone who only really feels alive when they're dying. It's a match made in dark, twisted heaven. In the spicy dark romantic novella. Getting to know Vera and Nikolai was just a joy to read. I love the banter between Vera and the Dark Goddess as well. I cannot wait to read the rest of the novellas in this series. Definitely a must read for any fan of dark rom coms.

This was a very fast read with an interesting concept! This could really be expanded to a full novel as the characters are interesting.

This follows Vera who has some paranormal powers, that makes her feel unbelievable pleasure when unaliving someone, she stumbles upon a man who gets pleasure from being at the brink of death. Then some very dark erotic scenes occur ! Short, dark and too the point!

Definitely not your usual serial killer story! This novella reads hot and spicy, and definitely puts the dark in dark romance here.
I liked the idea that the FMC was a librarian possessed by a dark goddess (watch out for those mysterious books!)
Just murdering their way through life, until they meet Nikolai...
The story jumps right in feet first- a little backstory would've added to it.
The first of four episodes...i look forward to seeing where this goes.

thank you to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this arc

The first in a series of fantasy novella. Dark adult spice, with more than a coating of bloody murder. Fun reading indeed, with more than enough unanswered questions that I immediately wanted to read the next one. Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine freely given.

So faced paced and unhinged!
I ate this up and loved everything second of it.
This was a beautiful mix of dark romance , plot line and spice.

Will definitely be interested in stocking this in my store

Fast, sharp, and gloriously unhinged—in the best way possible. Dark, funny, and just a little spicy, this was such a fun read. I only wish there’d been more world-building and depth—it felt like a tempting teaser for something bigger.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC—can’t wait to see what’s next!

Oooooh how I loved this! This was so fast paced. There was action, there was spice, and there’s a plot! All wrapped up in this novella! I cannot wait for the next one!

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the eARC!

This novella is wildly inventive and deliciously unhinged in all the best ways. The premise alone—a librarian cursed by a dark goddess, who now experiences explosive orgasms every time she ends a life—sets the tone. It’s bizarre, darkly humorous, and totally captivating .

Vera, the protagonist, is unexpectedly magnetic. Her “feisty attitude” and the way she handles conversations with the entity she unknowingly invited in had readers giggling out loud . Meanwhile, Nikolai—the morally ambiguous immortal drawn to her—is exactly the kind of brooding, obsessive counterpart that makes dark romance sizzle .

From early impressions on NetGalley, the main character is described as "gloriously unhinged"—a blast to read—and readers are already eager for the next installment . And one Goodreads review nails it: the writing is “lyrical, haunting, and emotionally rich,” with themes of grief, legacy, and artistic responsibility that linger long after reading .

That said, as a novella, it's compact and makes no pretense at subtlety. It’s explicit, darkly erotic, and carries weighty triggers (graphic violence, blood kink, stalking)—so it’s not for every reader .


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Final Verdict

If you’re craving a dark fantasy romance that’s as wild as it is poetic, with a heroine who’s both vulnerable and utterly fearless—you’ve found it. Ink, Blood, and Other Afflictions is unapologetically bold and emotionally sharp. It’s the kind of twisted fantasy that grabs you fast and refuses to let go.

Perfect for fans of morally gray characters, unconventional romance, and stories that indulge in quirky, dangerous magic.

This novella is chaotic, horny, and completely self-aware—and I mean that as a compliment.

Vera is a cursed librarian whose body responds very enthusiastically to killing, thanks to a divine affliction. Nikolai, the obsessive immortal with unsettlingly good cleaning skills, enters like a storm, and their connection is pure dark romance gold. It’s unhinged, spicy, and unexpectedly funny.

The world is urban fantasy with a super simple magic system, but that’s where I wanted more. There’s potential for real depth—gods, curses, blood magic—but those parts were left vague. I hope future episodes explore how it all works because there are definitely questions worth answering.

A very short story, this is a part of a series. This kinda reminds me of Dexter and Butcher & Blackbird. I would recommend this if you like those murder podcasts episodes, that how I felt reading this. Has some spicy scenes with a sci-fi element to it. Not much romance since the big reveal was rushed.

I devoured this novella in one sitting. I enjoyed the concept of a librarian making a deal with a Goddess. She in turn has to do really bad things to enjoy "pleasure" 😉. She meets someone who can help her achieve these "tasks". There was some great funny banter and really funny moments that had me giggle. This novella does end in a cliffhanger and I am so excited for episode 2.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

Ink, Blood, and Other Afflictions has wholely captured my attention and my heart. This deadly world takes shape without noise or warning around you from page 1. There is no warning and certainly no quarter from what stalks in the shadows. It's full steam ahead, and I was completely along for the ride.

Two strangers meet in the night sort of, but the one has left a life altering impression on the other. They are like two magnets desperate to come together. Unsure of the consequences and yet helpless to stop it from happening, they are truly compelled to fall into the other's or it until nothing is left untouched.

What entails is a truly messy and eye-opening journey that few will believe and even fewer might embrace. However, this is their truth, and they can't deny it or walk away from it.

Kristen Coar has written an intriguing yet intoxicating story of how anyone's world can be turned upside down at any given moment. The question then becomes what will we do with what Fate drops in our lap. Will we hold on right or push it away out of fear?

Novellas can be tricky, but this was absolutely perfect. I was hooked. It felt like reading a TV episode. Perfect blend of dark romance with humor elements. Of course, we get that cliffhanger, but you will definitely want to read episode two.

This was so silly and unhinged and I loved it :3

What a concept… woman who gets off on killing and man who gets off on being killed… unhinged yet so fun to read!

I am excited to read the next episodes like who exactly is this goddess and what the hell is up with David (he has to be the serial killer right?)… I will be tuning in!

This was so unhinged 😂 but I do love a good unhinged novella and ate it up!!

Honestly, even though it was a quick novella, I loved the little twists in the story that made it funny and totally unhinged. I absolutely love an insta-lust especially in a novella. I also loved the cover and the art that is at the end!

Thank you Netgalley for the early copy in exchange for a review!

A cute little novella. Easy to read and no big danger…. Yet!!!
But obviously there is a ton we don’t know and I have a sneaky suspicion that Mr. Good Guy, is actually a big bad!
We’ll see!!!!!