If you’ve spent any time on BookTok recently, you've probably seen Amber V. Nicole’s massive black-and-gold tome popping up in every other video. People are obsessed. But if you’re coming over from the land of ACOTAR or Fourth Wing, you’re likely asking the one question that determines whether you pick it up tonight or leave it on the shelf: is The Book of Azrael spicy?
The short answer? Yes. But honestly, it’s complicated.
It isn't a "smut for the sake of smut" kind of book. If you are looking for a story where the characters are ripping each other's clothes off by page fifty, you are going to be severely disappointed. This is a massive, 400-plus page epic fantasy that prioritizes world-building and a very, very agonizing slow burn. We’re talking "burn your house down and leave you screaming at the wall" levels of slow.
The Heat Level: Breaking Down the Spice
When we talk about whether The Book of Azrael is spicy, we have to look at the "Spice Scale." On a scale of one to five peppers, most seasoned romance readers place this at a solid 2.5 to 3 peppers.
It’s high-quality heat, but it is infrequent.
Amber V. Nicole isn't shy about descriptive language once the characters actually get there. The scenes are explicit. They are "open door." You aren't going to get a fade-to-black moment right when things get interesting. However, the first book in the Gods and Monsters series is much more about the tension—the "if I touch you, I might kill you" energy—than it is about physical intimacy.
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The story follows Dianna, who is essentially a villain (or at least, she’s doing very bad things for what she thinks are good reasons), and Liam, who is the "World Ender" but also happens to be a celestial being with a moral compass. Because they are literal enemies, the psychological warfare comes first.
Why the "Slow Burn" in The Book of Azrael Hits Different
Let’s be real. Most "enemies to lovers" books these days are actually "enemies to mild-annoyance to lovers" within three chapters. This book doesn't do that.
The reason people keep asking is The Book of Azrael spicy is that the chemistry is palpable from their first interaction. It’s thick. It’s heavy. It’s annoying in the best way possible. But because Dianna is grieving and Liam is guarded, the physical payoff takes a long time to arrive.
- The tension is built through:
- Lingering stares that feel like threats.
- Banter that borders on actual verbal assault.
- Unwilling protection during high-stakes battles.
- The "Who did this to you?" trope (executed perfectly, might I add).
If you need a high "spice frequency"—meaning a spicy scene every few chapters—this book might feel slow to you. But if you live for the moment two people who should hate each other finally snap, this is your holy grail.
Comparing the Heat to Other Series
To give you some context, let’s look at how this compares to other heavy hitters in the genre.
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A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMAF) has more frequent sexual tension and a similar "wait for it" payoff. However, The Book of Azrael feels a bit darker and grittier. While Sarah J. Maas leans into the lyrical, romanticized side of spice, Amber V. Nicole keeps it grounded in the raw, sometimes violent nature of the characters.
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout is arguably "spicier" in terms of volume. Poppy and Casteel can't keep their hands off each other for more than a few pages at a time once they get going. In contrast, Dianna and Liam are fighting for their lives against ancient gods. They literally don't have time to hook up every twenty minutes.
The "Vibe" Matters More Than the Rating
Honestly, the "is it spicy" question ignores the most important part of this book: the emotional wreckage. This is a "knife to the throat" romance. If you like your romance with a side of "I will burn this entire world to the ground if you stop breathing," then the spice level will satisfy you perfectly.
The heat in The Book of Azrael is tied to the power dynamics. Dianna is powerful. Liam is powerful. When they finally collide, it isn't just about sex; it’s about a surrender of power. That makes the few spicy scenes that do exist feel incredibly earned.
You should also know that the series gets progressively steamier. The second book, The Throne of Broken Gods, cranks the heat up significantly. If the first book is the spark, the second book is the forest fire. Many readers who felt the first book was a bit "tame" for their tastes found exactly what they were looking for in the sequel.
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What Readers Should Know Before Starting
Don't go into this expecting a lighthearted romp. It’s dark. There is significant gore. There is deep-seated grief and trauma.
- Trigger Warnings: It’s worth checking these. The book deals with loss of family, torture, and heavy violence.
- The Length: It’s a bit of a commitment. You have to be okay with prose that takes its time.
- The Cliffhanger: Oh, it’s a doozy. Have the second book ready.
So, is The Book of Azrael spicy? Yes, but it's the kind of spice that makes you work for it. It's the reward at the end of a very long, very dangerous road. It’s explicit, it’s passionate, and it’s deeply rooted in the characters' development.
Practical Steps for New Readers
If you're ready to dive in, here is how to handle the Gods and Monsters experience:
- Clear your schedule: Once the tension peaks around the 60% mark, you won't be able to put it down.
- Read the Prequel? You can, but most fans recommend starting with The Book of Azrael and reading the prequel later to fill in the gaps.
- Check the Tropes: If you love "Grumpy x Sunshine" (where she's the grumpy one) and "Forced Proximity," buy it immediately.
- Prepare for Book Two: Do not—I repeat, do not—finish book one without having The Throne of Broken Gods within arm's reach. The ending of the first book will leave you in a state of emotional emergency.
The "spice" is just the seasoning on an incredibly well-cooked steak of a fantasy novel. Enjoy the burn.