I love a thick book that promises to feed my intellect, bruise my heart and take me for an edge-of-my-seat ride that leaves me hungrily diving back in line in the hopes of a round two. The Demon Star delivered on all of that. It’s both meaty in substance and fast-paced in delivery with a cast of characters that feel so real they all now live like squatters in my head—I fear I will never be rid of them, in the best way. Is it problematic that I related as well as I did to Jacen? Probably but alas.

The Demon Star asks the question ‘what is a god?’ and then absolutely delivers in exploring the many different textured answers to that question. It’s a book that grapples with the tyranny that organized religion can become while intimately exploring what faith means to individual people. It’s also about power and awesome eclipses and cool fight scenes and is just really fun—brain worms anyone??

More than once while reading a line managed to gut me with its relatability and incisive commentary. And I arrived at the final page feeling a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts—the most prominent being MORE PLEASE.

This book works on so many levels.

Superficially, it's fast-paced, high octane, full of oppression and violent confrontation--the kind of book you would probably enjoy if you liked The Expanse.

But it also goes a bit deeper, with themes of religion, ethical dilemmas, and revenge. The characters are well developed, even side characters I didn't think would be very important. I related most to Jacen, the alcoholic priest who lost his faith a long time ago but hasn't lost his desire to believe. The other main character is Ysira, the mother who gave up her son and is now willing to use him as a tool. The book simultaneously puts you in their heads so that you empathize with them, and also shows exactly how they end up sometimes doing terrible things. There are no easy answers given, no heroes you can unreservedly support.

And on a political level, it handles colonialism in a way that, true to the comps, reminds me of Dune....except that here, the viewpoint is exclusively that of the colonized. It's their battle that matters, not the perspective of the people oppressing them. So while it has many things in common with Dune--a desert planet, unique spirituality, selectively bred heirs to an empire--I wouldn't quite equate them, politically. It's completely free of the chosen one, special white boy narrative that I found so annoying in Dune. Here there are no heroes, just ordinary people struggling to free themselves by whatever means they can lay their hands on.

Read it for an engrossing read that, despite its length, you'll probably plow through fast. But after you set it aside, you may be thinking of some of those themes for a long time.

Trigger warnings: honestly it's hard to think of triggers that *aren't* in this book. There is a particularly large amount of body horror, more than I would usually read at all. I read it anyway because I trusted this author to give these moments the weight they deserve rather than throwing them around gratuitously, which I felt she succeeded at. But if you're a sensitive reader, handle it with caution.

This is not a world where you get to stay yourself for long. The Demon Star runs on control and the slow erosion of identity. That pressure shows up everywhere, in a world shaped by fear, sacrifice, and power, where every choice carries weight. The story weaves in elements of possession and external influence in a way that ties directly into questions of autonomy and control, constantly pushing on who gets to decide what you are and what it costs to take that power back. Nothing here is simple, and no one is purely good, which makes the entire story feel tense and unpredictable.

There’s also a deeper layer running through all of this around faith, power, and truth. Systems built on sacrifice and belief are constantly being questioned, and the line between gods and something far more dangerous starts to blur. That uncertainty adds a quiet tension underneath everything, as characters begin to confront what they’ve been taught versus what they’re starting to see for themselves.

The characters are messy, complicated, and fully committed to their own motivations, even when those motivations clash. The relationships carry just as much weight as the larger conflict, adding layers of loyalty, betrayal, and survival that keep everything grounded. Underneath it all is a story about autonomy and resistance, about identity, oppression, and the cost of pushing back against something bigger than you. And the scope here is huge. The way this is set up leaves endless directions for where the story can go next (consider me invested), which is a seriously impressive feat for a debut author.

Thank you to NetGalley, DAW, and Jesse Aragon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book blew me away and soared beyond all my expectations, and I sincerely hope it becomes the next big thing. A captivating mix of cosmic horror, morally gray characters, and religious control, <i>The Demon Star</i> left me with a glorious sense of wonder and a tinge of existential dread. The character arcs are fascinating to watch unfold, and with each terrible decision they make, you also understand exactly why they made that decision. Was it justified? Did it make things worse? Would I have done things any differently? Aragon expertly poses these ideas in such a way that the reader can't help but ask them.

<b>Fun Story Elements</b>
● Exorcisms
● Controlling religious system
● Giant spiders
● Telepaths
● Aliens
● Sacrifices
● Ambiguous morality
● Queer rep
● Vast world

The choice of narrator for the last few chapters was genius. Having that character describe their new reality left me wondering if the world was any better off at the end of the book than it was at the beginning. Did they manage to make things better, or did the people that set out to change the world become just as bad as the very enemy they gave up so much to destroy? These are the morally gray characters that I was craving!

Where the novel falls a little short is in the characters' relationships. The plot moves so quickly and is so action-packed that the characters rarely have time to sit and interact with one another. There's a lot of inner conflict, which I appreciate, but I still felt a bit blindsided by the formation of the relationship between a certain pair of characters. They don't seem to fit together at all, and are trauma-bonded if anything, but maybe that was the point. They don't fit and are clinging to each other for some semblance of stability because they've been at each other's side through so much. Still, some lead-up to the development of this relationship and the reasoning behind it would have been preferred, though it would definitely be at the cost of slowing down the pacing.

Lastly, if you're sensitive to body horror, tread carefully! I'm a bit squeamish and usually steer clear of body horror, but the scenes including it were so well-written and I was so invested in the plot that I was able to power through it.

The Demon Star was a wonderful story to read. I really enjoyed everything about it. From writing to characters to plot.

You ever read something so good you just gotta lay on the floor about it for a few minutes?

What an incredible debut. Fast-paced, WEIRD (affectionate), morally grey. A phenomenal, compelling cast of characters, containing both psychics and psychos. Parasitic demon magic! So good. Works as a standalone (did the ending make me break out my emergency stash of Ben and Jerry's? yes) but I am HOPEFUL and sending WELL-INTENTIONED GENTLY HARASSING EMAILS TO DAW of getting other books set in the same universe. Please and thank you.

I loved this book! This was a fun read, and the author took some major chances with it. The ending is fast paced, unique, and super intriguing.

I'm excited to see what Jesse Aragon does next for sure

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

4.5 stars/5 stars

<i><blockquote>I thhink that if there's such a thing as a god, they must all go mad.</blockquote></i>

This book is one that wastes absolutely no time dropping you into the action, introducing in quick succession, Jacen, disgraced telepathic priest who has just received a new apprentice in time for the next Harvest, and Ysira, scavenger and former knight who survived said Harvest and now has a demon in her head. Supposedly, their gods protect them against demons, but in return, they require a Harvest of persons every ten years. The truth of course is much darker, as both Jacen and Ysira find out when Ysira's son becomes the host of a god-killer.

The plot moves with an extremely fast-pace, and I finished this book in no time because I just had to keep reading to see how Ysira and Jacen were going to get out of the latest trouble they were in.

<spoiler>I loved the twist that all along, the gods are the demons as well, and that they took over this planet mostly to harvest telepaths for lightspeed travel. </spoiler>

This is a pretty dark book that doesn't shy away from gray morality--both Jacen or Ysira are broken people trying to make sense of a world gone mad, and to fight back the best they can. They have each other and Seth, head knight and lover of both of them, but the questions of faith, what exactly makes a god, and the cost of rebellion and are we willing to also turn ourselves into monsters for a cause runs throughout this entire book.

<blockquote>Faith was a leap in the dark, the chasm between mystery and truth, and such a leap required resolve. Faith was the will to do even the unspeable--for the sake of a dream, for the promise of peace, for the shadow of a hope of a better future.</blockquote>

The worldbuilding is rich and excellent, the setting teeming with the different various cultures of a desert planet but also with the looming presence of an alien empire up ahead. I assume this book has to have a sequel since it left off with a very dark hook about Neri!

I am taking off half a star just because I feel like Ysira went from having no relationship with Neri to being like "I'm the mother of a god" so quickly, but I do feel like circumstances warranted it. How much of it is real and how much of it is an act is up to Ysira herself, and I hope there's a second book so I can see how all this develops!

An alcoholic priest who's losing his faith, a burnout knight trainee turned amnesiac scavenger, and an eleven-year-old boy wrestle with the pressure of living up to their potential, while asking one critical question: What is a god?

(Subtitle: Neri Semira and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week)

Imagine the Shattered Plains of Roshar, ruled by Trisolarans and infested with Yeerks. The deserts of Arrakis, haunted by the cosmic abominations of The Locked Tomb. With every page of The Demon Star, I saw echoes of books I've loved, and I enjoyed every moment of it. It's rare that a book leaves me breathless with horror and adrenaline—Jesse Aragon managed it. This is my favorite SFF debut since Gideon the Ninth.

The only two things that gave me reservations about giving this book five stars are a tendency to overexplain, and some POV choices that left me wishing we'd seen the action play out on the page, rather than its aftemath. The good—great, even—far outweighs any complaints. The Demon Star truly shines with genuinely monstrous characters, action and emotional beats that feel earned, and a conclusion that will haunt me for days (or longer).

If you liked any of the following titles, I think you'll find something to enjoy in The Demon Star. It's a weird list, but hear me out:
The Locked Tomb,
The Stormlight Archives,
Remembrance of Earth's Past,
Iron Widow,
Animorphs,
and if you're a video game fan, House of Ashes.

I look forward to a time when I'll be able to talk about this book with other fans. Thank you to DAW for giving me the opportunity to read this early!

Long ago, a demon-possessed ruler shattered the land in defiance of the gods. Those gods ostensibly saved their people, raising Zivora from the ashes; however they demand continuing sacrifice for that protection. Telepathy is less a gift than a death sentence – weak telepaths are fodder for the Harvesting, the gods’ punishment for a rebellion centuries past, while stronger telepaths are taken into the Church of the Black Sun, where their pasts are erased and they serve as exorcists, the front line against demon infestation. The native Zal population and their demon-centred beliefs are suppressed by the church, with even their language proscribed. When a chance event reveals that the gods are not what they seem, it sparks a series of events that could bring freedom or endanger everything.

The book is multi-POV with two primary narrators. Jacen, a powerful exorcist in service to the Church; a despairing alcoholic struggling with faith after the execution of his last novitiate as a traitor, newly entrusted with another. Ysira, meanwhile, has done the unthinkable and survived the Harvesting, returning heavily pregnant and host to a demon which grants her limitless regenerative powers; after the birth of her son, she’s spent more than a decade in the lower city, serving as a mercenary venturing into the forbidden canyons of the dead to assist a mysterious healer. Without specific spoilers, there’s an additional PoV twist in the final few chapters that serves as an excellent insight into the scope of changes wrought over the course of the novel, which I really loved.

The story hinges on Neri; Ysira’s son by the power-hungry heir to the throne. Eleven years old, he’s disabled and a weak telepath, charged by his father to make himself useful by bonding to the demon of the Canyon and thus harness the power to challenge the gods themselves. There’s also Seth, Neri’s uncle, whose care for Neri sets Ysira and later Jacen on a collision course with destiny; in a cast full of characters with doubts, plots and dubious morality, he’s fairly refreshing in being straightforward and steadfast. Overall, the cast are a wonderful mix of complex characters who, even when they’re the protagonists, you’re not always strictly rooting for.

The pacing feels pretty steady – it’s not breakneck, but things are continuously moving and building towards new heights and objectives. The atmosphere is generally tense, driven by high stakes, but not to the extent that it felt fatiguing. Genre-wise, it strikes an effective blend; with an ostensibly fantasy start, there’s a big kickstart into sci-fi once things get going, and the nature of the gods and the powers on show are likely to appeal to horror fans.

The worldbuilding, likewise, feels just right; it’s not sparse, but equally it doesn’t delve too far towards minutiae. In this, the story benefits from having characters who aren’t necessarily in the know about everything. There is a wider world beyond Zivora, and it’s acknowledged in a way that makes it clear the whole world isn’t limited to one city-state, but the action and depth is pretty tightly controlled to what’s actually necessary to the plot.

The story does have queer representation and polyamory. While society is culturally oppressive there’s no homophobia; instead, the major obstacle is church-enforced celibacy. I am not typically a fan of added romance, and it’s certainly not a major part of the book, but I do legitimately think it benefits the story and character development in this case. So much of the major characters lies in their self-imposed isolation and shutting out of others, and it’s a very profound weakness for them that we see start to break down in part because of this, alongside their non-romantic relationships with others. Admittedly, I will never be sad to see a closed polyamorous triad, and I did really appreciate that the strongest, pre-existing relationship exists between two men rather than this being shoehorned in.
I am also ecstatic to read a debut that is so ambitious in scope and manages to cram in so much action but also manages an incredibly satisfying sense of closure. The door is certainly open to further works in universe (and I would certainly be interested in reading further), but equally it doesn’t feel like half of the threads raised were actually for the obligatory sequel, leaving the book itself feeling unsatisfying; everything wraps up beautifully, while leaving the perfect amount of world-state instability to look ahead.

Overall, I profoundly enjoyed this book; it’s unique, ambitious in scope and incredibly well put together. I would recommend it for anyone looking for an epic science fantasy without the need to delve into a long series, and that strikes a good balance between a fairly intense driving plot while still investing in a complex and fascinating cast of characters. I am incredibly interested in seeing where Aragon goes next!

I have always said I wanted more five star ARCs. I was not prepared for this one.

This story consumed me and split me open the way the Scar split the world of Celes Lor, and I was not prepared for that.

The Demon Star is genre-bending science fantasy that drops you into its world, trusts you to keep up, and never slows down to catch you up.

And I loved it for that. I have been feeling burnt out on books that explain everything up front, so this felt especially refreshing. With this story, you are immediately thrown into the church as Jacen takes on his new novitiate, Nines, and they perform an exorcism. It does not world dump. Instead, you learn the world and its history through Jacen and Ysira's POVs and what they are actively experiencing. It felt refreshing to read something that actually lets you figure it out as you go.

I tend to predict storylines early or think too far ahead. While there were some familiar structural threads, the way something like Dune feels familiar without being derivative, this still kept me fully engaged. I was not trying to solve anything. I was not reading ahead in my head. I was just present, which almost never happens for me.

The characters are one of the strongest parts of this book. They are flawed, layered, and constantly dealing with difficult choices. Some of those choices are not even likeable (I'm looking at you, Ged, Ysira, and Jacen 👀), but you understand exactly why they are making them.

I was especially invested in Ysira and Neri. As a mother and son separated by her choices, everything between them feels complicated, restrained, and honestly a little devastating. Ysira was easily my favorite. Flawed, self-aware in some moments and completely blind to her own hubris in others, that tension makes her feel real. She feels emotionally stunted, not just as a mother but as a woman, which makes perfect sense given what she went through with the Harvest. Neri is still just a boy trying to find his place while carrying something no one fully understands.

What stood out most is that these characters are not really growing in a traditional sense. They are surviving. Making choices in the moment and only understanding themselves after the fact, not becoming better versions of themselves, just more aware of the damage. It feels less like a character arc and more like watching people live with the consequences of who they already are. Characters like Jacen and Ysira only have clarity in retrospect, and by then there is not much they can do about it, so they stuff it down and keep going.

And then there are the other characters, Ogden, Seth, Nines. It is remarkable how distinct Aragon has made each one to the point I feel emotionally attached to all of them.

The world is brutal, oppressive, and deeply tied to religion, which adds another layer of tension to everything happening. The magic system feels grounded and tangible in a way that makes the world even more immersive.

The portrayal of religion in this world is genuinely good, even while leaning into some cliches. Even the fanatics who know pieces of the truth believe they are protecting their people. The horror is not in the evil of the believers but in how completely a system of control can be mistaken for something sacred. As someone who has navigated religious trauma and the loss of a faith I was raised in, I identified deeply with Jacen's initial desperate desire to keep believing when everything in you is saying no. Aragon handles it with a complexity.

The genre shift was one of the most interesting parts. It starts grounded in fantasy, then expands into something that leans more science fantasy with horror elements. I felt that shift most through Ysira and Neri. It threw me off at first and I was not sure how I felt about it, but once it clicked I was locked in. The story lost me slightly in the stretch between the reveal and the Shrouded City, but stick with it. The last third will help integrate everything and it hits hard. Just when you think you understand the world, it expands.

This is the best science fantasy I have read in a long time and the best ARC I have picked up so far. It reminded me of why I fell in love with fantasy as a teenager, reading authors like Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind, that same immersion.

Jesse Aragon is an auto-buy author for me now. I already want ten more books.

This is for readers who like genre-blending fantasy with horror and sci-fi elements, immersive and expanding worldbuilding, complex and flawed characters, and writing that trusts the reader. This book is violent and graphic in places, so if gore is not for you, go in prepared. It may not work as well if you prefer highly accessible prose, purely action-driven stories, romance-forward plots, or clearly explained worldbuilding from the start. And if the shift in world lore throws you off once Neri and Ysira learn the truth, stick with it. The last third will make it worth it.

Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for the eARC.

Oh my f***ing god! This book took me by storm. As an avid Empire of the Vampire fan, this novel slots right into my wheelhouse. 

Morally ambiguous characters mixed with an impossible mission to end the reign of godlike creatures that care little for the wellbeing of ‘lessers’. 

The story centers around the POV of 2 different people. One, Jacen, a telepathic priest, and a drunk, trying to forget an emotionally destructive event that derailed his once high ranking position in the church. The other, Ysira, an estranged mother to a child that could save the world, and a survivor of the ‘Harvest’, from which nobody has ever come back from. 

Both Ysira and Jacen have to deal with their own debilitating mental crises at the weight of the newly found revelation that the gods aren’t what they’d been led to believe. 

Along the way, impossible decisions will be made. To save the world at the cost of millions of lives or desperately try to find an alternative solution that may not exist. 

Jesse Aragon has struck gold with her debut novel. If you’re a fan of Jay Kristoff then The Demon Star is a MUST read. There are bits of Gabriel De Leon from Empire of the Vampire in both Jacen and Ysira and as an avid fan of that trilogy I was engulfed by this story. 
Jesse does an amazing job describing the pain in these characters that I could feel in my gut. I found myself rooting, against the odds, that they find the peace they’re all looking for. And despite the grim situation that permeates this story, Jesse still finds brief respites to warm the heart. Small moments where the characters can take a breath and reflect or take in the comfort of found family or shared burdens. 

The Demon Star is a novel that keeps you entertained straight from the start. It’s a story that will rip your heart out, tear it up and throw it into the abyss. Filled with twists and turns, shocking revelations, visceral crimes against humanity and an emotional ending that leaves you questioning.

Thank you NetGalley and DAW for receiving this eARC.

The Demon Star is a dark and ambitious fantasy with a strong, gritty premise. Set in a world where gods rule and demons haunt the land, the story follows broken, flawed characters trying to survive and make a difference in something much bigger than themselves.

The atmosphere is one of the book’s strongest points. It feels harsh and unforgiving, with a constant sense of danger, especially with the presence of demons and the heavy religious conflict driving the plot. The characters, particularly those dealing with guilt and past failures, add to that darker tone and give the story some emotional weight.

However, the pacing could have been tighter. While the world and ideas are interesting, parts of the story feel stretched out, and it loses some momentum along the way. It sometimes feels like there is more going on than necessary, which makes it drag in places.

Overall, I liked it. It is dark, immersive, and full of interesting ideas, but trimming some sections would have made the story hit harder.

4.5 ⭐️rounding up

Epic, sumptuous science fiction with a robust, diverse cast of characters, impressive worldbuilding and approachable prose. I fell in love with this book from the first chapter and the plot held me by the throat. It's a thick volume, but oh so satisfying to read. A blend of epic fantasy, space opera and cosmic horror. DAW publisher impresses again with their impeccable taste. I'll be waiting to see what else Jesse Aragon serves the readers in the future. I can't believe it's a debut, it's so strong.

Five stars. Holy cow. I could not put it down. I love the characters. I love how fresh this book and concept feels. It is perfect!

A book about breaking out of long-held religious belief that kept people in chains. The characters each have their own personal journeys to leave the comfort of the known for the mystery of the truth. It is gripping and I honestly could not put it down.

I cannot decide whether I like Jacen or Ysira more because they were so compelling. I wanted to see them survive and deal with their personal quests, especially Ysira and her son (also love Seth and Jacen). I’m a sucker for a parent/child bond in books (feel like you don’t see it as much in fantasy) There were moments where Ysira’s inner monologue hit hard, especially when she spoke about womanhood and struggling to fit into the norm.

The world has so much depth to it. The magic (especially the telepathy) and the demons and the mystery of the gods. It is all so compelling. I like how fresh this world feels, part sci-fi, part fantasy in the same vein as the Sun Eater series or Dune. This has the making of being a new classic sci-fi / fantasy. It was so memorable and character-driven!!!

This is a book that I’d kill to erase my memories so I can read again.

This is an AWESOME science-fantasy debut for fans of Dune, Red Rising and Sun Eater. The Demon Star is a genre-bending novel of epic scale, blending high fantasy, horror and space opera sci-fi. This is a work of incredible scale, worldbuilding and imagination.

The Demon Star is set in a desert land ruled by gods and terrorized by demons. The gods demand human sacrifices, and their Church carries out the "harvest" every year. Overall, not a great place to live. A posse of characters, including an alcoholic exorcist priest and woman who survived being chosen as a human sacrifice, go on a journey to discover the truth behind their gods and fan the fires of revolution.

I felt so invested in the characters. They were all easy to root for but the character I felt closest to was Jacen, a messy, chaotic, conflicted alcoholic priest. He's terribly flawed but is trying to do the right thing, and I empathize so much with his conflict between the person he thought he'd become and the person he turned out to be. All the characters were put in impossible positions and made decisions that made me want to scream. No one's hands are clean and everyone does terrible things, but their journeys are so compelling.

To me, the best part is how EASY TO READ this is. This book is ambitious in scope and detailed in worldbuilding, but there is no dry opening to slog through, no long exposition to force yourself to understand. The prose is beautiful, smooth and effective, and the pacing just pulls you along.

This is one of those rare books that feels less like a story and more like an experience you survive and from the very first chapter you realize it will be a five star read.

The Demon Star is everything a Grimdark story should be, its brutal, dark and everyones morality is questionable. Aragon throws the reader into a world of blood-soaked rituals, indifferent gods, and something vast and unknowable pressing in from the edges of reality. And somehow, instead of being overwhelming, it becomes completely absorbing.

Do not misunderstand me, this book is dense and there is no gentle onboarding, no neat explanations and there are times when the book leans heavily into lore or introspection so be prepared. The characters are not easy to love, and I think that’s 100% intentional. Character moral ambiguity is what aides the story and makes it plausible.

The worldbuilding is absolutely next-level. Everything feels ancient, layered, and intentional, like you’re only seeing the surface of something much deeper. It’s bleak, cosmic, and quietly horrifying in a way that sticks with you. The way religion, power, and fear are intertwined is chilling in the best way.

What really sets this book apart for me is the tone. It leans fully into cosmic horror without losing emotional depth. There’s this constant sense that something enormous and uncaring is just out of sight and that humanity is caught in the middle of forces it can’t hope to understand.

Overall, The Demon Star is a bold, immersive, and unapologetically dark debut that gives you morally gray characters, cosmic horror vibes, dense worldbuilding, and refuses to hold your hand. But its is also brilliant!

If you love stories that are ambitious, immersive, and a little bit terrifying, The Demon Star absolutely delivers.

Utterly complex, gruesome, and existential; this read packed so much heat in for form of rage at the oppressors of a society. It sunk its teeth deep into emotions of the reader, using the intense action to keep you engaged. If a god is something they made, then perhaps faith must be too.

Brilliant start and wonderful book. Been waiting for this for awhile and it was worth it! The cover belies how good it can be!

Me: oh this sounds cool let me request an early copy & read it.

Me after reading it: holy crap, I will never be the same.

This was a god-tier read for me and I just know it is going to rocket launch when it comes out. If you like phenomenal world building, a literal genre shift in the middle, and a story that will break you - pick this up immediately when it releases.

This book exceeded my expectations on all counts! It has a fully realized world with a well-defined hierarchy that proves pivotal to the plot. It also has high stakes and a good helping of action and gore. There are enough twists and turns, and enough nods to sci-fi tropes, that I remained engaged throughout.

Readers looking for an action-heavy story will appreciate the epic clashes with deities and the coordination of war and defense. Those interested in character driven stories will appreciate the inner thoughts of Jacen as he struggles with his faith, and Ysira as she works through a complicated past.

Overall this book leans successfully into the complicated nature of power and truth rather than getting lost in the details of a fantastical world. I particularly enjoy how the characters interact with each other as they face incredible odds and uncertainties. This is a solid read andI will definitely be looking for future books from this author!

Really solid debut! The world and Mythos is so rich and developed, which kept me quite engrossed. Could be the makings of a very solid Sci-Fi horror saga, if that’s where the author intends for it to go. Really great cosmic horror as well.

I also really appreciate the main set of characters developments, everyone changes A LOT which can be rare for sweeping epics like this. If Dune, FromSoft games (Elden ring, dark souls), and Lovecraft had a baby!

My only minor gripe is I feel the character of Nines is underdeveloped, we just don’t spend enough time with her, but I can see that changing in a potential sequel.

Jesse Aragon did not disappoint. A wonderful debut. gritty world, religious intrigue, and unique characters. Sci-fi fantasy was a different take for me since I'm used to strictly sci-fi or strictly fantasy, but rarely a combination of both. I honestly think it was done well. Booktok may go wild for this one! My only issue was the pacing for this, but I was willing to part with it for all the other aspects that I enjoyed. Definitely recommend for my fantasy/sci-fi readers!

Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy!

This was really good! I was in a reading slump and really looking for something different, and this hit the mark! Very interesting world and magic system. Unlike anything I’ve ever read, I think this could really be a big Sci Fi Fantasy series and I’m really excited to see where this goes. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy!

Set on a barren planet, very much alien compared to Earth, we are thrust into a brutal world subjugated by god-like creatures who rule over a society controlled by a monolithic religious order of telepathic clergy. Our cast of misfits includes a drunk priest, a loyal knight, and a murderous outlaw who all share a deeply connected past. What unfolds is a sci-fantasy rollercoaster of prophecy, revelation, and revolution that tests the age-old question of whether the ends justify the means. This debut novel from author Jesse Aragon is dark, emotional, and fantastical in all the best ways. Fans of Dune and the Sun Eater series will be right at home, and while not a direct influence, as a massive Stargate fan, this book hit in all the right ways.

What I really enjoyed about this book is how cleverly the author layered theology, morality, themes of self-worth, and sacrifice while expertly world-building a unique and fresh approach to the genre. It is always difficult to blend harder sci-fi with fantasy elements, often going too far in one direction over the other. This book is very subtle and devilishly good at offering unique takes on both, including weaving occult/demonic powers into the world's mechanics, from society to superstition and more. This book does a great job of testing the reader's love of a character against the very difficult and often morally grey choices they must make in order to protect the ones they love or advance the goals of their group's vision for the future.

I also appreciated that the author is not afraid to show the scale of destruction or the cost of life that is necessary for the protagonists to achieve their ends. I think the book carefully skirts the line between characters who must make measured and painful decisions and characters who are capricious or carelessly destructive, admirably. We also get a great mix of relationships, from a love triangle to various parent-child struggles to mentor-mentee dynamics. There is a lot to love in the character/relationship work being done here.

This is a supremely impressive debut novel from a new voice in the sci-fantasy space. Whether this ends up being a standalone novel or a series, this is a must-read for fans of the genre or anyone who is looking for something unique and refreshing. In addition to fans of the aforementioned Dune and Sun Eater series, fans of Swan’s The Empire of the Wolf and Abercrombie’s The Devils will feel right at home with this book. Thank you to the author and DAW for the eARC.

The best read of 2026 so far! How can a debut be so good? I'm stunned.

This is a lengthy epic sci-fi, but there's no bloat or filler. The plot is propulsive from the beginning to the end and the tension holds steadily all the way through. There's a ton of worldbuilding, but it's never pointlessly infodumped, it's always served at a time it's relevant, natural, and the reader's curiosity about that aspect is already piqued. The book is dark and brutal, but never veers into cheap shock value, trauma porn or over-the-top gore (even though a few scenes made me flinch). It also doesn't cowardly shy away from its merciless path.

Too often authors set up impossible stakes and then deus ex machina them away to make the story more pleasant and palatable. Not here! This book joins my hall of fame with The Poppy War and Iron Widow as "yes, the author did, in fact, go there". Bravo! Every time I was wondering will the characters be pushed to their limits, they were... and beyond too. On the other hand, the narrative avoids cheap melodrama for the sake of being a tearjerker.

That's also another commendable feature - the prose here is sleek and efficient. It doesn't stop to overexplain, bang the reader over the head, or look over the shoulder to ask "did you get it?" No, it assumes the reader did get it and moves on. The pacing doesn't halt to a standstill to let the characters brood, mope, or have a moment of comfort. They're barely allowed a breather, as it should be when unspeakable dangers loom over their heads. So often the characters are reminded there's no time to grieve or deliberate, they have to act, go on despite pain, exhaustion and damage (physical or emotional).

It masterfully avoided all the pitfalls that make my eyes roll. There's no extended exposition before the plot starts, no stopping the plot to insert random romantic trope scenes, no cheesy villain monologues, no characters being slow on the uptake what's going on... No, they get it, but the questions are "do we have what it takes" and "can we pay the price". And the answers are not simple.

I don't know whether the author was inspired by Warhammer 40K, but some worldbuilding elements really reminded me of it, including extradimensional gods/demons, technologically advanced aliens, warp travel, psykers, and a procedure analogous to crafting a servitor. Who knows, knows. There's definitely more Dune, Star Wars and WH40K here than "hard" sci-fi.

Now the best part: the characters! It makes me want to cry someone published a book with exactly my type of "unlikeable" characters!

The type of female character I love the most: badass stoic warrior who gives no damn, thinks end justifies the means, is selfish and ambitious, but also would do anything to protect those she cares about, is morally grey, but fights against an evil bigger and worse than herself. Ysira is exactly that kind of person. Add her body dysmorphia, gender envy and likely asexual spectrum into the mix, and it couldn't be a more my type of fmc in a book. Her complicated relationship with motherhood is done so well, she wants the best for her child, but what is "the best" in this cruel world?

The type of male character I love the most: everyone thinks he's pathetic (including himself), is a disgrace/black sheep/outcast, but actually has great potential if allowed to develop innate talent, and is more of a clever, cunning or charming type than strong or commanding. Jacen is exactly that type. He's intelligent, persuasive and a strong telepath, but crippled with self-doubt, crisis of faith and drowning in alcoholism.

There is some form of three-way relationship between Ysira, Jacen and Seth, but think more Game of Thrones than romantasy. It's not supposed to be sexy, maybe even the opposite. There's a few stolen kisses, one fade to black scene, and one very brief open door scene, but it feels more for emphasis how these characters are struggling to find any humanity in this cruel, broken world.

As for side characters, there's also 2 badass lesbians, different from one another, but both great characters.

I also loved the dark humour.

If you like:
🌟 epic sci-fi / fantasy
🌟 high stakes plot that doesn't relent
🌟 messy, morally grey characters
🌟 dark themes
🌟 Dune, Star Wars or Warhammer 40K
This is a must read.

Thank you Netgalley and DAW for the ARC!

Thank you so much to DAW, the author and NetGalley for the eArc.

Wow - I can't believe this is an entry novel. It was fantastic! The Demon Star by Jesse Aragon is an ambitious science-fantasy debut that blends cosmic horror, political oppression, and deeply flawed characters into a brutal but immersive story. Set in a world ruled by alien “gods” who demand human sacrifice, the novel follows Ysira, a survivor of the Harvest, and Jacen, a disgraced exorcist priest struggling with addiction and faith. I loved the intricate world building, which combines desert-world aesthetics, telepathic magic, religious control, and horrifying alien elements in a way that feels reminiscent of Dune and Gideon the Ninth while still carving out its own identity. The characters are also unforgettable but definitely morally gray - so be sure check your trigger warnings.

Rating: 5/5.

The Demon Star
By Jesse Aragon
Release Date July 28, 2026

Simply put, there were so many times that this story made me miss my bedtime. It was impossible to put down. The characters were instantly engaging. The world was mesmerizing. And I needed, within only a few pages, to know what the Hell was going on and what was going to happen to my new favorite people.

On a wasteland of a planet, with the government run by cruel Gods, what can anyone do? These Gods demand frequent human sacrifice in addition to the conscription of telepaths to their priesthood. But what happens when a sacrifice survives?

Well, you'll want to find out. And that story is not for the feint of heart. I was instantly drawn in to the drunk psychic exorcist, the failed human sacrifice, the misfit son, and his loyal knight uncle.

The characters are messy. And it's unnerving how easy it is to feel connected to them. You feel their successes and you understand their failings. Did I cry in my backyard on a few occasions, yes. Would I do it again, absolutely.

This is one that I will reread while I anxiously await anything else that Jesse Aragon blesses us with in the future.

Thanks to Jesse Aragon, NetGalley, and DAW books for access to this eARC. All of the above opinions are my own.

Just wow. This book questions what makes a god and what is faith, but through a horrific sci-fi-fantasy setting. The author did a fantastic job answering these questions through flawed morally grey characters. Everything felt so raw and violent, but it was also philosophical. I really enjoyed the pace of the book, and I liked the contrast between the POVs of Jacen and Ysira. I also liked how the author chose which POV to write the ending, as I think it gave a great perspective of the outcome of the main character’s choices. Also. The ending. I really loved it, I feel like it brought everything full circle.

Although from the beginning I felt like I knew what was happening in the book, the author did a fantastic job bringing me through the story. I also really enjoyed the character development through Ysira interacting with her estranged son, and with Jacen rekindling his feelings with Seth while also battling his revelations of his faith.

I’m going to be thinking about this book for a while.

Thank you to Netgalley and DAW for the ARC!

This book was a great mix of fantasy and scifi with vivid, imaginative world building. The world building was so good I could literally picture the characters surroundings in my mind and recall that picture whenever the names of each place were mentioned. This is what I love to see in fantasy and science fiction. I want to be able to visualize the characters surroundings so well that I can feel the heat of the desert or the coolness of the caves as I’m reading, and the author did an amazing job depicting that.
I felt like the characters’ personalities, emotions, and journey through growth were so strong. The author did not take short cuts in building believable, flawed and relatable characters. I could feel their anxiety as they made world changing decisions. I could feel the fear, the trepidation, and uncertainly radiating off these characters as they moved through a story in which their entire world views are changed in an instant and all they can do is keep moving forward to fight for a better world tomorrow.
The story itself was solid. It moved at a steady pace and I felt like it was consistent all the way through. It didn’t feel like anything was rushed or like things were added just to increase page count. Everything that happened had a reason and a purpose. It greatIy changed the characters and caused them to grow and adapt in just the fast changing environment that they were thrust into.
I don’t want to bring up specifics because I think readers will enjoy this book the most if they just go in blind. But overall, this book was epic, it was enthralling, and it was so so satisfying.

The Demon Star throws you straight into a world where human sacrifice is just... a regular thing, and that sets the tone perfectly. Ysira survived something she wasn't supposed to survive, and what comes after is this wild ride through demons, gods, aliens and cults that somehow all makes sense together. Epic in scope — canyons haunted by demons AND a satellite in space — but still grounded in two main characters who are both deeply messed up in very human ways.
The horror is where this really shines. The gore is unapologetic and honestly kind of fun? There's a joy in how Aragon writes the gruesome scenes that keeps them from feeling gratuitous, and the mix of sci-fi, fantasy and horror just... clicks in ways I wasn't expecting.
Rounding up to 5, it's more of a 4.5 — the book works as a standalone but leaves a few threads dangling that I really hope get picked up someday. My only complaint is that I want more.

What is it with debut books this year?? I’ve read some crazy impressive ones, and ‘The Demon Star’ is yet another.

I don’t usually reach for sci-fi, but this blew me away and has me completely re-thinking how I looked at sci-fi previously. This definitely had fantasy roots interwoven in it, which probably played a part in why I enjoyed ‘The Demon Star’ so much, as there wasn’t a lot of technical science content. The horror aspects of this book comes from the brutal violence, gore, and slight body horror within that I also enjoyed.

The worldbuilding was elaborate and it was dark, there’s this sense of dread throughout as you learn all the book’s dark secrets. But the characters (for me) were the real stars here. The entire cast was unique, original in their own ways with differing personalities, morals and reasons why they behaved the way they did. There’s characters you love and others you hate, even some you’ll waver on how you feel. From the get-go, Jacen and the plot immersed me from the first chapter and I could barely put it down.

Even though this epic sci-fi book could seem like there’s a lot crammed in, it never felt bloated. This author was masterful in how we were given information while being enmeshed in the story, I never felt that confusion from info-dumping that could leave one more annoyed than curious. And the prose in general deserves praise because the characters get things done, there’s no constant monologues with the characters or pointless info, there’s actual action that compels the story forward.

‘The Demon Star’ is complex, I think its horror aspects is even more apparent from its ending alone. A choking realization that upheaval of the status quo might have been for nothing, that a greater evil has been let happily through the door. The dread I felt and my love for the characters kept me glued to the pages, I am so impressed with this book and will be recommending it.

An absolute, whole-hearted, genuine HELL YES from me! This is *exactly* the kind of sci-fi debut I was looking for as I was browsing new releases. This gives me hope for more books in this vein (sci-fi and fantasy in general), with big worldbuilding, a multi-POV cast full of intriguing and unique characters, and lots of action.
This books sets out to discuss and respond differently to themes brought up in books like Dune, and it--in my opinion--succesfully brings forward a new perspective. The existential questions were a delight to see represented in a book that is also full of gory demon powers and battles. I will be keeping an eye out for the full release, but also any potential sequels, and even unrelated books by the same author. It's just genuinely a great book.
While I do have critiques, they are not enough for me to give this book any less than 5/5 stars, as honestly it succeeds at what it sets out to do, and my quibbles might be more of a personal opinion. Though, this being a review, I will say that it's specifically the pace of the opening few chapters that was a little too fast for my taste, and following that, I had trouble feeling the full weight of the plot twists and stakes that came up in the first 25% of the book. However, once the lightning-fast exposition was out of the way, the rhythm bacame much more comfortable, and I was glad to see slower scenes where I could learn new things at the same time as the characters. I wished for just a tad more immersion in the early chapters, to settle into this new world; just as I had overall wished for more details of the world.
All in all though, great work, great book, I want more!
(Also: fantastic cover!)