"Heart of the Damned by Julia Pauss is only available in German (A shame. Foreign publishers take notes!!!) but this one has become a new favourite and easily has found its place among my top five reads of this year!!! ❤️ We just LOVE a clever, badass FMC, an actual enemies to lovers arc, and excellent worldbuilding. This is a gem that I definitely need more people to pick up." @acedimski
（Aleksandra from @acedimski, for example, is a book content creator with more than 40.000 followers on Instagram. As a trained book seller and super popular moderator for readings and book events of all sorts, she is a certified romance connoisseur and notoriously picky when it comes to romantasy ... And today she uploaded a reel on Instagram titled "Did I find a new favourite romantasy?", featuring her latest obsession with Julia Pauss' HEART OF THE DAMNED. Just like many others of her videos, this one is in English — do yourself a favour and follow this link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRIUBstDWKf/ This fast-paced reel is so funny and heartfelt, with quick cuts and hilarious voice-over, and definitely makes you want to pick up the book yourself. We are thrilled about this amazing and authentic review in English, and it is perfect for sharing widely! ）

"I'm absolutely dying to see the second one now." - Diana Herrmann - Instagram
"Full of suspense and thrilling. Just when you think, okay, maybe there'll be a brief respite, bang - the next event occurs." - Mary Weysters - Instagram
For me, this is definitely the highlight of the year! [...] I'm really looking forward to the sequel next spring! « —— Katharina Roth ― Instagram

"A truly wonderful fantasy novel!" Nicole List — Nicole List — Café Puls 4
I finished reading this book very quickly because it blends romance, suspense and fantasy elements perfectly. « —— Stephanie Baron ― Instagram

It's a successful start. Anyone who loves romantic fantasy novels should not miss it. - Alexandra Lähn - Instagram

“The tension and energy between the two characters was beautifully developed. But it wasn't just the love story that won me over; the intrigue, the action, the search for the traitor, and the fantastic world-building also had me completely hooked. At the end, there is a dramatic twist that I would never have expected and that left me speechless. The cliffhanger is so cruel, I don't know how I'm going to manage to wait so long for the sequel ...”——Amazon review

“Even experienced fantasy readers will be pleasantly surprised by the many twists and turns that completely defy expectations. I can’t wait to read the sequel, because the cliffhanger at the end of this volume was more than cruel ”——Amazon review

★ This work has received continuous praise in the European domestic market! As of now (by the end of October 2025), it has sold over 14,000 copies (excluding e-books).
★ A highly atmospheric special edition! Features colored page edges and includes a magical map.
★ Good news! The second installment of this series, "Kiss of the Broken", has been confirmed and will be published in March 2026. The unexpected cliffhanger at the end of the first book has left readers both excited and shocked... Many readers have been asking for a plot summary of the upcoming second book.

He thought I was his savior. But I will eventually become his destroyer.
In the kingdom of Leasia, where demons run rampant, the shapeshifter Scarlett ekes out a living by stealing. When she is caught breaking into the royal chambers, it seems her fate is sealed. But that very night, the king's fiancée is brutally murdered. Instead of having Scarlett executed, King Ren makes her a deal: if she can use her magic to transform into his future wife, she will be spared. As darkness descends upon Leasia, the relationship between the two becomes increasingly intimate. But Ren hides a secret he dare not reveal. And how could a thief so easily win a woman's heart?
The first installment of a thrilling romantic fantasy/magic duology - fast-paced, atmospheric, and gripping.

Julia Pauss
Julia Pauss currently resides in Salzburg, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in English and German Studies as well as a master's degree in English and Creative Industries. Books have always been her greatest passion, and she can't imagine life without stories. When she's not busy concocting new tales, she's probably curled up in a corner with a good book, lost in a world of fantasy, or sharing snippets of her life as a writer on her Instagram account.