Excerpt: The Heaven Trilogy by Reni Stankova
- Archaeolibrarian
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
Book Details:
A Queer Fantasy of Angels, Demons, and Forbidden Love
MM Gay Epic Fantasy
Overall Heat Rating for the series: 2 - 3 flames
The stories are best read in order.
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Book Title: The Enemy of Heaven
Cover Artist: GetCovers
Length: 100 000 words
Release Date: second edition, February 2025
Tense/POV: third person, past tense, alternating POV.
Genres: MM Gay Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
Tropes: Political intrigue, forbidden love, power couple, slow burn
Themes: No homophobia (sexuality doesn’t play a role in the plot), however, there’s in-world racism and police brutality
It can be read as a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger. It's a Happy For Now ending
Blurb
As an angel prince of Heaven, Raphael has spent his youth fighting for demon rights. His efforts are fruitless until he meets Dante, a demon with dangerous powers.
Seeing potential, Raphael recruits him as his royal guard, scandalizing the court, and turning a demon into his closest ally in a mission to dethrone the King of Heaven.
Dante has always hated angels, but after Prince Raphael saves him from execution, he couldn’t help but follow him. Being the only demon among the angel elite is unbearable, but for the first time, he has hope for the future.
But a coup is a dangerous game. Can Dante protect Raphael long enough for him to ignite real change? And what does it mean for the Kingdom of Heaven when an angel and a demon dare to fall for each other?
Finalist of the 2023 Indies Today Awards.
Without saying a word, Samuel Mitrigard sunk the knife deep into Dante’s side. Piercing pain ignited his senses and weakness spread through his body. He gritted his teeth and glared at the bastard, not giving him the satisfaction of hearing his anguish. Samuel pulled the blade out without even twisting it to finish the job. He was playing.
“Drop him,” he ordered, ever so casually.
The arms pulled away and Dante fell face-first into the dirt. So, this was the end. Dante could never imagine his death, even though he had many close brushes. There were many things he hadn’t done in his life, but at least he took solace in knowing that Peter and Dianna were safe.
Samuel Mitrigard grabbed a fistful of hair and pulled Dante’s head. The edge of an impeccably clean sword lowered to his exposed throat.
“Halt!”
The guardian angels froze and gawked as a hooded figure appeared. Dante could swear he saw this hooded figure, but his vision was blurring quickly. The man walked closer and removed his hood, exposing a blond head and blue angel eyes.
“Don’t kill this demon! I order you to release him in the name of Raphael Azelys, Third Prince of Heaven!”
What did he say? Dante couldn’t trust his ears, or any of his other senses at this moment. A royal heir could not be in the ghetto. It made no sense. Though the guardians were suddenly standing to attention. Everyone but Samuel Mitrigard still held his prey by the hair, his sword still ready to slice.
“Your Highness, I don’t know why you’re here alone, but this is not the place for royalty.”
“Please, guardian Samuel, tell me exactly where my place is.”
Dante felt the body behind him tense. The soles of ridiculously expensive boots stepped close enough for him to smell the leather.
“Remove your weapon,” demanded the prince.
His voice was so calm, as though an owner was asking his dog to drop its favorite toy. The guardians were looking at each other, clueless as to what to do. Samuel Mitrigard pressed the blade against Dante’s throat, enough to break the skin, but no further. He simply did not want to let go, not even when his sovereign demanded it.
“Your Highness, this is a convicted murderer. He killed a guardian on duty—”
“Any demon’s crimes are erased should they become an honorary angel,” the prince interrupted. “I’m here to make him into one.”
“What?”
“Give him to me, guardian Samuel.”
The guardian tugged on Dante’s hair—one last act of defiance before he reluctantly let him go. Dante’s face planted back into the dirt, but the prince caught him in time.
His vision was blurry, but he could see him. His Royal Highness Raphael Azelys was kneeling before him, supporting his chin in his palm, enough so they could establish eye contact.
“From now on, you’re mine,” he said, and the world sank into darkness.
Book Title: The Secrets of Heaven
Cover Artist: MiblArt
Length: 105 000 words
Release Date: second edition, February 2025
Tropes: Quest fantasy, established couple, power couple, couple on the lam
Themes: more classism than racism in this one, travel adventure vibes
It is not a standalone story and ends on a cliffhanger.
Blurb
Five years of stolen peace in the mountains ends when Archangel Remiel, Heaven’s most elite investigator, finds Raphael and Dante’s sanctuary. Tasked with sending the fugitives to their lawful executions, she forces the couple into a life on the run.
Meanwhile, Raphael stumbles upon a clue to his mother’s lost legacy—the archeological artifact that caused her murder all those years ago might be within reach, and it might throw all of Heaven into chaos.
So, the chase is on.
Raphael and Dante travel through three continents, on their way to a secluded island in the Holy Land while evading Remiel’s elite guardian squad. With a prize for their capture, they’re forced to clash with old friends and foes, all eager to exploit their situation for personal gain, and their bond is tested in ways they never imagined.
But the closer they get to the truth, the higher the stakes become. What secrets lie buried in the Holy Land? And will Heaven survive what they uncover—or will it burn?
Book Title: The Children of Heaven
Length: 115 000 words
Release Date: November 1, 2025
Tropes: Angels and demons, rebellion, married couple, power couple
Themes: Themes of belonging, family, tragedy
It is not a standalone story. It does not end on a cliffhanger. A Happily Ever After.
Blurb
Michael Azelys has awakened a long-forgotten power, and for the first time in a thousand years, angels, demons, and virtues clash in a brutal uprising, reminiscent of the Great War.
Determined to stop his brother, Raphael becomes the key to ending the centuries-long oppression of demonkind. He will return free will to the demons, or die trying.
Far away, Dante braves the desolate Impact Land in search of other awakened demons like himself. What he discovers exceeds his wildest hopes. But will he return in time, with an army strong enough to stop Michael Azelys, and save his loved ones?
As Heaven crumbles and distance tests their bond, Raphael and Dante must face their greatest fears and decide what they’re willing to sacrifice.
Will they survive long enough to meet each other again?
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A bilingual author from Bulgaria, a dreamer, a traveler, and a gentle soul who loves writing about diverse power couples, original worlds, wholesome romance and political intrigue.
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