Genre: Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Fantasy Horror

TL;DR: Come for the demons and dystopia, stay for the characters and delicious vocabulary

Mini Muse & Me isn’t just about cozy socks and hand-dyed yarn, we love books! This month, I’m stepping through the Demon Gate to talk about a genre-bending debut that gripped me from page one and refused to let go.

What happens when science catastrophically punches a hole through reality and the universe punches back? In The Infernal Age – Demon Gate, Anson Joaquín offers a chillingly believable answer: everything breaks.

The end of the world doesn’t begin with fire or flood, it begins in Betelgeuse, New Mexico, where a high-energy particle experiment tears open the fabric of reality. Enter Gabriel Rodriguez, an ex-soldier, now project-manager sent to keep the site and its secrets contained. Joining him is Dr. Tam Sinclair, a delightfully philosophical and quietly brilliant scientist who warned of the risks no one wanted to hear. When things inevitably go catastrophically wrong, the two are thrust into a world transformed by horror, cut off from technology, and hunted by creatures that shouldn’t exist.

This book is a slow burn, and I mean that as a sincere compliment. Joaquín doesn’t rush the devastation, he crafts it, layer by layer, letting us get to know Gabriel and Tam, grounding the narrative in their camaraderie, quirks, and unfolding trust. And when the action finally erupts? It erupts. The pacing shifts gears without warning, and suddenly, you’re flying through blue infernos and nightmare creatures, clinging to every word.

Tam’s unspoken neurodivergence is handled with care and nuance. He’s not labeled, but those of us who see it, see it. His focus, his cadence, his perspective – it’s all there. And Gabriel doesn’t just accept these quirks – he appreciates them. Their dynamic is one of mutual respect, quiet humor, and a connection that feels rare in apocalyptic fiction. It’s not romantic, but it’s intimate, and it left a mark.

Sarah, aka Ripley – a woman broken but not beaten, becomes a third to this alliance. The story balances gruesome action (and yes, some truly horrific monsters whose presence practically drips with Lovecraftian dread) with moments of introspection and connection. The trio begins to change, physically and psychologically, as otherworldly forces awaken powers within them – powers that may help them survive, but that they don’t fully understand.

The Infernal Age is a gripping blend of science fiction, fantasy, and horror with a touch of cosmic dread. It examines the death of the technological world and the birth of something darker, something older. On a mission to seek answers, the characters are forced to reckon with morality when the old rules no longer apply.

If you’re into high-concept apocalypse with strong character work, rich vocabulary, and a touch of existential dread, The Infernal Age – Demon Gate is your next read. Just don’t expect to put it down once the demons show up.

Have you read this one yet? Let me know in the comments, or tag me on Instagram if it’s made its way onto your TBR list. And if you’ve got recommendations for similar reads—especially ones with solid character dynamics and weird, wild world-building—my bookshelf is always open.

** I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. **