How to Read the Deals with Demons Universe
If you are looking for a thrilling blend of gritty urban fantasy, slow-burn paranormal romance, and badass heroines, Stacia Stark’s Deals with Demons universe is the perfect place to start. Set in a modern world that was forever altered when portals opened and unleashed supernatural beings, this series follows the dangerous adventures of witches, demons, werewolves, and mages navigating uneasy alliances and sizzling enemies-to-lovers dynamics.
To get the absolute best experience out of the overarching storyline, character crossovers, and world-building, we recommend following the publication order. Reading in this order ensures that you understand the background lore and the political landscape of the supernatural factions before transitioning into the spin-off series.
The Recommended Reading Order
- Fool the Demon (Book 0.5 — Prequel Novella)
- Speak of the Demon (Book 1)
- Dance with the Demon (Book 2)
- Inner Demons (Book 3)
- Luck of the Demon (Book 4)
- Demon's Advocate (Book 5)
- Play the Demon (Book 6)
- Unnatural Magic (Bargains with Beasts Book 1)
- Unbroken Magic (Bargains with Beasts Book 2)
- Unending Magic (Bargains with Beasts Book 3)
Deals with Demons: Danica and Samael's Arc (Books 1–5)
The core of the series focuses on Danica, a fierce, bounty-hunting witch who is determined to find her mother's killer, and Samael, the city's most powerful and morally grey demon. Their relationship begins with intense hostility and develops into a deep, slow-burn romantic bond as they fight supernatural threats and ancient entities.
- Speak of the Demon (2021): The main series kicks off here. Danica is forced into a temporary two-week magical bond with Samael to solve a series of gruesome demon murders in the city.
- Dance with the Demon (2021): As the magical bond between Danica and Samael deepens, Danica must grapple with her evolving feelings while uncovering dark secrets about her own heritage and lineage.
- Inner Demons (2021): Danica begins to fully embrace her growing magical powers, but the stakes rise as the enemies targeting her and Samael become more dangerous.
- Luck of the Demon (2022): The conflict expands beyond the human realm as Danica and Samael embark on dangerous quests spanning different dimensions.
- Demon's Advocate (2022): The epic conclusion to Danica and Samael's main story arc. They must face off against Lucifer himself to protect their loved ones and secure their freedom.
The Transition: Kyla and Vas's Story (Book 6)
After wrapping up the main arc, Stark expanded the series with a sixth book that shifts the perspective to a fan-favorite side character introduced earlier in the series.
- Play the Demon (2022): This sixth volume stars Kyla, a bartender who possesses rare and hidden 'tech magic.' When a high-profile kidnapping of a fae woman forces her to put her skills to use, she is forced into a complicated alliance with Vas, a demon who has returned from the underworld changed, dangerous, and fiercely protective of her.
The Spin-Off: Bargains with Beasts Trilogy
Once you finish the main six books of Deals with Demons, you can dive straight into the spin-off series, Bargains with Beasts. This completed trilogy is set in the same universe and features several returning elements, but it focuses on a new couple and a different supernatural faction: werewolves.
- Unnatural Magic (2022): The spin-off introduces Evie, a mage who was kept sheltered and controlled by her coven. After gaining her freedom, she works as a private investigator and becomes entangled in a series of strange werewolf-like murders, bringing her face-to-face with the commanding werewolf king, Nathaniel.
- Unbroken Magic (2023): Evie and Nathaniel’s journey continues as they face external threats from hostile covens and internal conflicts within the shifter packs.
- Unending Magic (2023): The final installment of the spin-off trilogy, wrapping up Evie and Nathaniel's romance and bringing peace to the shifter factions.
Chronological Caveats: Where to Start?
The primary chronological question readers face is whether to start with the prequel novella, Fool the Demon, or the first full-length novel, Speak of the Demon. The novella is set before the events of the first book and details Danica's daring attempt to steal an ancient fae artifact from Samael's hoard. While it sets up their fiery dynamic and introduces the tension between them, it is not strictly mandatory to read first. You can easily start with Speak of the Demon and read the prequel later as a flashback, though reading it first provides immediate context for their relationship.
What to Know Before You Start
Stacia Stark's universe is a classic urban fantasy setting with a heavy dose of romance. Expect a lot of banter, slow-burn romantic tension, and a 'touch her and die' protective vibe from the male leads. The magic system is diverse, featuring traditional witchcraft, technological magic, demon abilities, and shifter lore. Because the books in Danica's arc (Books 1–5) are highly serialized and end on cliffhangers, they cannot be read as standalones. You should plan to read them in sequence to follow the overarching plot.