Higher Demon (The Collective Book 1) by Louisa Masters

Higher Demon is the exciting new spin off of the Ghostly Guardian series by Louisa Masters featuring a prissy higher demon and the human hunter he falls for! Get ready for Lousia Masters at her best snarky self. 


From the blurb:

No matter the demon, the hunter's role is clear…

A thousand years ago, my great-something uncle founded the Collective, a secret organization dedicated to protecting humanity from demons. The hunter tradition has been passed down over the generations, from parent to child, secure in the knowledge that the Collective is a community of safety and knowledge.

But betrayal sucks, and six years ago, it turned my world—and the Collective—upside down. After generations of deception, the hunters left behind are picking up the pieces and trying something we’ve never done before—working side by side with our enemy.

Demons, just to be clear. They’re apparently “misunderstood,” but the jury is still out on that. And I—a twentysomething archivist with an addiction to hoodies—somehow ended up as liaison to the demon ambassador.

If it sounds like a nightmare, that’s because it is. The demon ambassador is a stuck-up, pretentious twat... not to mention he could kill me with a thought. Worst of all, he’s getting under my skin in ways I never expected. But I’m the only hunter who doesn’t actively want to kill him, so… tag, I’m it.

I’ve already been betrayed by those I should have been able to trust the most. How hard can hanging out with a higher demon be?

The author recommends reading the Ghostly Guardian series for full background on what happened six years ago, though it's not essential.


Jacqueleen the Reading Queen's review:

"𝓘 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓰𝓲𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓻𝓮𝓰𝓻𝓮𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼, 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓮𝓷𝓼."

I have to start off this review by saying I absolutely love Marc. Yes he is an absolute prick of a higher demon, but he's a loveable one. I swear. Especially when it comes to Ian. Both these knuckleheads were so convinced that they could do the whole no strings hook up without feelings ever getting into the mix. Boy were they wrong! Once the intimacy began, both of our clueless MCs headed straight to feelings land pretty quickly. And I adored them for it.

"𝓛𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓘'𝓵𝓵 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭 𝓱𝓲𝓶. 𝓘'𝓵𝓵 𝓪𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭 𝓱𝓲𝓶. 𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓻𝓲𝓯𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝓶𝓮."

The whole plotline of Marc trying to make human "friends" was hilarious. The man cannot go one minute in a human's presence without insulting them. But it was also really sweet when he realized that Ian was different. That despite Ian's terrible fashion sense, Marc still wanted him. He enjoyed their banter and Ian's ability to be honest and himself. The vast majority of hunters were still super leery around Marc so it was a nice change of pace for him.

Being a higher demon also gives Marc some special gifts, one of which is pretty major in regards to his and Ian's relationship. I really loved that aspect of the story, though I did think it was odd Ian never told his brother the whole truth about it. It has me wondering if the truth will come to play in his bestie Matt's book. I'm also crossing my fingers Matt will be getting himself a higher demon of his own. I'm guessing you'll agree once you finish this book too.


Molly Otto's review:

What can you really say? Oh my god, I love the banter between Marc & Ian it was pure snarky perfection. Their dynamic was just so much fun! And absolutely adored Marc did everything in his power to make sure Ian knew this was all his choice even if he was the one with more power in the relationship. It showed an understanding that was needed. Just ugh absolutely adored this book and can not wait to see Matt find his happiness. 

This family's dynamics are one you want to have and can understand how they all love each other, even while passing the other off. And we get a Connor cameo in all his surly gloriness!


Higher Demon is currently available as an e-book and paperback and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription