
Red Demon
Oria Universe Book 1
by Sill Bihagia
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Sep 16 2025 | Archive Date Jul 16 2025
Talking about this book? Use #RedDemon #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
NOTE: If you are visiting from a widget after the 7/16 Netgalley archive date, I may still have ARC slots open on sillauthor.com. As of 7/14, some Physical ARCs remain available for booksellers, editorial reviewers, or librarians. Oria Press can ship to most countries. 70/200 ARC slots are open overall.
________
On an isolated planet where unity is as engineered as its people, Jesse seeks the truth behind the slaughter of his family-starting with the immortal who spared him.
A century ago, two human lines nearly wiped each other out rather than acknowledge their shared humanity. But when Jesse's mining town is slaughtered under mysterious circumstances, it's clear ancient bigotries are still alive, and rebels have access to some magic or tech capable of wide-scale genocide.
The Red Demon bloodied her swords in that massacre-a bioengineered immortal left over from that century old war. Jesse expected to be upholding his empire's fragile peace, not killing her own. But Jesse is too optimistic and stubborn to break. Better days are coming-and he's willing to take on an immortal to protect the life he's rebuilt among the ashes.
Faruhar, the so-called Red Demon, is not the mastermind Jesse expects. Her fragmented mind is ravaged by guilt over crimes she cannot remember committing, and a code impressed on her by a few kind people she cannot forget.
A fast-paced science fantasy with tense fight scenes, a spicy romantic subplot, and a twisty plot that punches you in the feels. Fans of Pierce Brown's Red Rising and R.F. Kuang's Poppy War Trilogy will appreciate this book.
A Note From the Publisher
US-based Independent bookstores and libraries can also request a a physical ARC and/or free laminated bookmarks by contacting sill@oriapress.com
Special editions with painted edges will be for sale within the US on https://www.indiereads.org/. They are available for preorder now on sillauthor.com
Advance Praise
"I had the chance to work on this fast-paced science fantasy as a proofreader and I was mesmerised by its richly realized setting and characters. I also may or may not have threatened Sill that I need more books set in this world." - Danai Christopoulou, Pushcart-nominated author and editor at Hugo-nominated khōréō
An unflinching and epic work of sci-fi/fantasy, Red Demon by Sill Bihagia is the genre-blending debut of what portends to be a masterful series.
After discovering that his town has been wiped out by a mysterious bioweapon, and witnessing an immortal warrior named the Red Demon mercilessly cut down his brothers, a traumatized Jesse swears vengeance, provided he can survive the night. In a tense world where two strains of humans exist - the "magical" Asri natives and the "modified" Chaeten refugees - Jesse starts rebuilding a different life with loyal companions and fellow crafters, but the bitterness never fully fades. With the aid of another immortal Chaeten-sa and a chosen brother he never expected to find, Jesse evolves into a determined warrior who refuses to turn down the chance for justice, even if that means sacrificing his opportunity for peace.
From its dramatic opening lines and spectacular world-building depth to the visceral emotionality of the prose and Jesse's remarkable story arc, this novel exceeds every expectation for the genre. The concept of modifying genetics as a common cultural practice draws readers in early with a unique and fascinating hook, but this book defies traditional sci-fi boundaries, with elements of inborn magic and ghostly immortality rubbing shoulders with genetic engineering and interplanetary colonization.
Combined with existential quandaries that we're facing in the real world, Bihagia has crafted a stunningly multifaceted first installment, emphatically demonstrating a mastery of both sci-fi and fantasy storytelling.
-Self Publishing Review
Marketing Plan
Physical ARCs are available for bookstores, editorial reviewers, select bookish influencers, and librarians. Packages include bookmarks, character art, and limited-edition signed copies for select partners. Apply for these arcs directly at oriapress.com
Aside from Netgalley ARC, ARCs will be distributed through BookSirens, and a curated private reviewer list.
Targeted influencer outreach is planned for SFF, science fantasy, and romantasy creators across TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, and Threads.
Cover and character art collaborations feature work by Marie Spada and Kateryna Vitkovska.
Email marketing will be conducted via the author’s newsletter.
Two animated trailers, narrated by Brandon Francis and Cassandra Trieu, will be released on YouTube, social media platforms, and as part of a pre-order Kickstarter campaign.
Balticon 2025 appearance, with in-person promotions, signed copies, and ARC giveaways. Additional Maryland-based events to be announced.
Targeted outreach to editorial reviewers, with emphasis on genre-aligned outlets.
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781968468026 |
PRICE | |
PAGES | 404 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

3.5*
This was a beautiful debut by Sill Bihagia. The writing in this was absolutely beautiful. This book has so much slow burn in terms of character development and plot - which I loved and felt that it gave the book so much heart.
The worldbuilding was admittedly a bit confusing and overwhelming at times but the pacing was perfect for me and there was so much nuance and care given to each character. However, the first half of the book was much stronger than the latter in my opinion and left me feeling like I wanted more from the ending. It felt a bit rushed considering the careful pacing of the rest of the book though this may be cleared up in the following books in the series.
The heart of this story lies in Jesse's journey, his resilience and his found family.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Victory Editing and Oria Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ℝ𝕖𝕕 𝔻𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕟
𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗮
OMG, this book knocked my socks off, kicked them around the room, and put them back on. Red Demon’s storyline is as unique as it is intense.
Red Demon is fantasy mixed with science, including bioengineering. The fight scenes are intense and romance makes an appearance as well. It also holds fast to the importance of trust in relationships.
The plot zips right along and I found myself completely immersed in the story, so much so that it took me a minute to remember where I was when I stopped reading. This is a book I didn’t want to put down.

Starting strong, the uncomfortableness for the reader was very prominent. I was actually scared and my heart felt like it was in my throat. The emotional pain from the characters really comes through with the way the book is written. Not only that, but the way tension is built can literally be felt. The culture and spirituality created is absolutely amazing! I really enjoyed the unique names even though they were a bit hard to pronounce at times. I would love to read more stories from this world and can’t wait for more!
Readers who liked this book also liked:
Bonnie Kelso (co-author and illustrator), Kentee Pasek (co-author)
Children's Nonfiction, Entertainment & Pop Culture
Kathleen Kaufman
General Fiction (Adult), Historical Fiction
Katie da Cunha Lewin
Arts & Photography, Biographies & Memoirs, Nonfiction (Adult)