How I Stole The Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him To Villainy: Miracle 1. By A.J. Sherwood is a new wonderfully entertaining fantasy story. It’s free at the moment but soon it will be pulled, and made part of a series Sherwood’s writing about a white knight and the black sorcerer who’s falling for him.
It’s got Sherwood’s tell tale humor, magical characters, snarky dialogue, action, and remarkable heart added to this enemies to lovers romance.
Honestly, the bad guy’s not so bad, well, really, the princess isn’t very nice, and the White Knight? He’s caught trying to do the right thing, and falling in love with the wrong person.
I couldn’t put this rollicking fabulous tale down . And when it was time for the Knight’s next mission? I found I needed that story that hasn’t been finished yet.
Oh the anticipation. Luckily, when the books come, they will be released, one after another.
So grab this up. Read it and enjoy.
Then wait with me for the announcement of the books to arrive!
What’s a white knight to do when his princess wants to sacrifice a town to barbarians? Go to the famous Black Sorcerer of Grimslock for help, apparently. What’s a black sorcerer to do when the white knight comes to him for help? Keep him, naturally. Devan does not approve of this payment plan. Tan does. Less
What’s a white knight to do when his princess wants to sacrifice a town to barbarians? Go to the famous Black Sorcerer of Grimslock for help, apparently.
What’s a black sorcerer to do when the white knight comes to him for help? Keep him, naturally.
Somehow I missed this series when it began so I’m catching up now. T.J. Nichols Familiar Mates series has nine books to date and The Witch’s Familiar is the one that launches it all.
It’s a entertaining story, full of romance, magical characters, and thrills. I did find it lacking in world building, especially when we land into electro mage Jude Sullivan’s predicament with a paranormal ruling council, The Coven. He’s in real trouble, again, this time he could be stripped of his magic.
Now, it’s assumed and understood through some of the dialogue that the human world and magical exists together, the mundane hasn’t a clue about the paranormal side, and obviously it should stay that way. But as to all the rest of the structure and who the Coven is? Nothing.
Except all the serious stuff that’s implied in bits and pieces throughout the rest of the book. Nichols has left a hole here and hopefully each book will continue to fill in more of the series foundation.
Jude Sullivan is given a mission as a test, complete it successfully and keep his powers or fail and have them removed. Seems a bit excessive. Plus there’s a obvious enemy on the Council.
At the small town where the killings are occurring that Jude needs to investigate is a lone bear shifter, Rob Mackenzie. He’s the town mechanic.
I adore this character. Mack is exactly what you’d want in a bear shifter. His personality suits the regional location and his temperament.
The manner in which Nichols has the two men meet is a tad odd because who jumps to such wild assumptions without any research or clues. It made no sense. It was just one of those “narratively directed” choices that always seem so out of place.
Especially when the later combined dynamics and growing relationship indicates anything but character driven actions.
The creatures, their magical history were amazing, and the investigation/hunt to capture the mystery animal was a great feature. Including Mack’s reaction to everything.
I really enjoyed the romantic aspects of their relationship, but wish they had gone further with the familiar/mate part as it seemed so serious with big ramifications, but we got none of that.
We also had two characters , Jude’s enemy on the Council, and Mack’s ex, each of whom promised more drama. They faded out at the end.
Those are the issues that nagged at me.
The Witch’s Familiar (Familiar Mates #1) by T.J. Nichols is a quick read. Light, suspenseful with a terrific couple. If you can set aside those issues that I mentioned above, you will find this a very satisfying paranormal romance.
I’ve listed the entire series below. I’m onto the next. A vampire with a familiar!
He can hold lightning in his hand, but will love slip through his fingers?
Jude Sullivan has one more chance to prove he isn’t a danger to the paranormal community. If he fails, he’ll be stripped of his magic, a painful process to make a witch human. As a test, the Coven sends him to Mercy South, Colorado, to stop a creature that’s been mutilating cows and scaring the locals. Jude hates cows and small towns. The Coven should’ve sent a nature witch.
Rob Mackenzie is the local mechanic and bear shifter. If the locals knew his secret, they’d run him out of town. He wants someone to really know him and not be afraid. With several chewed-up cows and some other weird happenings, he’s wondering if he’s no longer the strangest creature in Mercy.
After meeting Mack, Jude thinks he’s found the cause of the trouble. But the trouble is only just getting started when Mack realizes he’s Jude’s fated mate. As the cow-mutilating creature starts hunting in town, Mack and Jude will have to stop fighting their attraction and each other, to stop the creature from killing again.
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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.
Due to the complexity of Salinger’s world building and expanding cast of characters, I always need a bit of a review before diving back into this series. But it’s so worthwhile because the author has created a grand tale of war between good and evil beings, one that has been fought before, and now 500 years later is exploding on earth as mortals, Demi gods, mythological beings and creatures from all realms are gathering for one final chapter.
In the last novel, Edge Lines, the Fallen have started to remember their past lives before the First War, when they fell to Earth. The consequences of that recovery of a original self, means the reintegration of memory and powers. And just as much pain and guilt. For Cassius and Morgan , and for Victor.
Because the returning memories and selves brings deep deceptions and painful history to light.
All this while continuing current storylines with the characters, and investigations that carried over looking for the man/being who’s causing the chaos.
A main factor here is Theophile Serrano’s past, and his future part in the ongoing war. It is an amazing journey that really invigorated the story for me in some respects.
Just when I was thinking the story was getting a little dense in bringing in more characters and exposition, Theo’s part began and I was even more delighted with the twists that came next. It was incredibly emotional, full of action, and the ramifications from his section for the next storylines are huge.
These aren’t books you can read as standalones. They must be read in the order they are written and in the series sequence. They contain a huge amount of material that moves the arc and relationships forward in each story.
Fallen Messengers is a highly imaginative, complicated series. Oathbreaker is a wonderful installment, one I couldn’t put down until I was finished.
When the past comes calling, Cassius and Morgan have no option but to face the dire consequences of the choices they made before the Fall.
With Cassius Black’s secret operations to save the world in the last five-hundred years finally revealed by the agencies that govern the otherworldly, his status as the most vilified Fallen on Earth changes almost overnight. Unused to his newfound fame, Cassius tries to keep a low profile, but Morgan King’s reckless actions soon have them in the news again.
Forced to take a sabbatical, the pair heads to London to meet with Victor Sloan, who’s been incommunicado since his identity as the demigod who betrayed Cassius and Morgan during the War in the Nether came to light in the Spirit Realm.
Meanwhile, Theophile Serrano’s attempts to adapt to his new job as P.A. to Sion CEO Hugo Frost are derailed by the strange things that keep happening to him. Things that soon convince him that he is losing his mind.
Destinies collide when a catastrophe engendered by the dark God Elios strikes London. As past and present meet, Cassius finally comes face to face with the Guardians who were left behind in the Nether.
Will unlocking the secrets of Cassius and Theo’s past be the key to the city’s salvation? Or will the truth tear them all apart and give Elios the victory he seeks?
Oathbreaker is the fourth novel in the gay urban fantasy romance series Fallen Messengers. If you like your paranormal adventures full of action, magic, snark, and a host of steamy angels and demons, then you’re not going to want to miss this gripping, angst-filled adrenaline ride!
Content note: this book contains sensitive content that may be upsetting to some readers. Please refer to the blurb page of the eBook and the copyright page of the paperback and hardback for more information.
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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.
Tavia Lark’s latest fantasy romance, Prince and Assassin, lives up to its exciting description and surpasses it.
The first in Lark’s Perilous Courts trilogy, Prince and Assassin is the perilous romance between Prince Julien and the assassin sent to kill him, Whisper.
I love a marvelously told high fantasy tale and Prince and Assassin ticks the exposition boxes with glee and fervor!
This is a two voice narrative, so important when the men and situations are so dire and opposing. Also to really get a firm idea of how each person really looks like, at least through each other’s eyes.
Whisper is the product of a House of Assassins. He’s one of the infamous Hounds of the Kennel. Owned by a famed Blood Mage, Reo Barnaby, who now trains and sells the services of his specialized Hounds. Killers only the richest can afford.
Lark has built a fascinating background for Whisper that honestly cries out for its own series. The other Hounds briefly mentioned, Lily (a boy), Adder, along with their looks and specialties, were just tantalizing as anything else in the story. We continue to hear about their missions, well as the rules and training they lived under. It’s both mesmerizing and heartbreaking.
The Whisper we meet has been a Hound since he was 6 years old. And it’s breaking him down.
The author gives us memories of Whisper’s missions. The emotional impact it’s having on him, and the turmoil the current circumstances of his new target is creating within him.
Every scene, each phrase chosen brings us closer to the assassin breaking apart because of his unexpected feelings about his role and his target.
And his target? Not as expected either. Prince Julien Sandry has the layers one would think a Prince would cultivate and still be able to survive politically in a highly stressful, and sometimes deadly level.
Prince Julien, his female guards who are wonderful, are terrific characters, and a great balance for Whisper at each stage of the storyline. Julien has his own issues, with the court’s maneuvering between themselves to put different brothers on the throne, his own investigations into disappearances prior to his arrival, and an overall air of unsettling atmosphere that hangs over the area.
Lark has written great characters, put them into situations that create emotional and physical impact with humor, a romance with sizzling chemistry, and fantastic magical action.
Plus two fellcats that will utterly charm you! I really needed more of both of them, Rumi and Fisk. Their histories and, well, everything.
If I had a issue, it would be that Julien and Whisper’s story is relegated to one book. It has the characters, elements, and storylines for its own series, to see their relationship grow and deepen. Instead we get a HFN.
Which is suitable for all that went before.
Each book in the trilogy is going to a Sandry Prince brother of Silaise. This is the middle brother’s story. I adored it and them. And wished for more.
Prince and Assassin (Perilous Courts #1) by Tavia Lark is a book I’m highly recommending. Pick it up and enjoy before the next is out in September!
Perilous Courts:
✓ Prince and Assassin #1
◦ Prince in Disguise #2 – Sept 30, 2022 (Prince Bellamy and Rakos)
◦ Prince and Pawn #3 – Jan 30, 2033 (Prince Audric and Corin)
He’s supposed to kill Prince Julien. Not fall for him.
Whisper doesn’t remember his real name. All he knows is the elite assassin guild that raised him—and controls him with the threat of blood magic. Plagued by nightmares, he doesn’t get to refuse assignments, even when his new job doesn’t make sense:
Infiltrate Prince Julien’s court, protect him until the signal arrives, then kill him.
Julien hides his own schemes behind a sordid reputation. He trusts nobody besides his brothers, and he certainly doesn’t trust the aloof, beautiful new stranger at court. But he doesn’t have to trust the stranger to be drawn to him, especially when he saves Julien’s life.
Then Julien saves Whisper too, and Whisper’s reserve shatters.
Beneath Julien’s playboy facade is a warmth Whisper can’t resist. Whisper’s never been comforted before. He’s never been cared for like this. As his nightmares darken, Julien’s touch is his only solace—but falling in love could ruin them both.
Because Whisper’s mission hasn’t changed, and the price for failure is worse than death.
Prince and Assassin is a high fantasy gay romance, with secret identities, hurt/comfort, and magic tigers with attitude.
The Perilous Courts series is best read in order, but each book follows a different prince and his Happily Ever After.
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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer
When I finished a Hand of Glory, the fifth in Nazri Noor’s Arcane Heaets series, A Clap of Thunder was supposed to be the series finale and I was wondering how all the many complicated storylines were going to be resolved in one novel.
Turns out they aren’t and I’m thrilled the author chose this path rather then cram all the answers into a overly dense narrative where something has to give. There’s going to be another book after this one and after all the events that occur here? It’s got it’s own action packed mission to fulfill as well as wind down the series.
A Clap of Thunder continues to see Noor using his incredible imagination to bring new characters and elements into this universe. We get new schools of magic, their universities, and Professors. Each uniquely endowed with fascinating magical themes, beautifully defined elements, and mystical beings.
Noor has created different spells associated with each type of magic too, one’s that continually expand as our found family of mages and artificers grow their potential magically and become more powerful within their respective guilds.
This is a richly complex universe that contains multiple species, realms, even gods. And all the tortured, convoluted relationships that comes with all that.
Newly engaged couple Jackson Pryde and Xander Wright are happy, in love, and working on rebuilding the shattered home of the guild of artificers while still investigating the origin of the purple Chrysanthemum crystals which has terrorized their home, the Black Market, and the various universities.
Greyhaven, Xander’s university, was the recent site of a savage raid by infected Fae and now it’s headmistress intends to invade the Realm of the Fae.
It a painful tumultuous time for all and it’s captured vividly in scene after scene, from the Black Market to Greyhaven to Philippine jungles and beaches. Always keeping our group together and their dynamics front and center.
Still there is more here to uncover and investigate if they, including Lore, the first family AI, can get all the memories from the second newly found AI cube, Whitby. How I adore Lore. It’s a enormous mystery pertaining to Jackson’s parents deaths and the explosions that destroyed the artificers guild.
Then there’s the heart of Oberon. And the Fae themselves.
So many inventive, fantastic storylines here, and one great twist.
No cliffhanger. And we are ready for The Claws of Winter coming in February of 2023.
I can’t wait. This is a wildly entertaining and complicated story, with great characters , magical actions and battles! Dragons even!
Plus a loving couple with a bit of kink.
I’m highly recommending Arcane Hearts as it’s winding down, A Clap of Thunder is a highly entertaining read!
They must be read in the order they are written to understand the characters, relationships, and universe.
Arcane Hearts series, 6 of 7 books:
✓ A Touch of Fever #1
✓ A Stroke of Brilliance #2
✓ An Iron Fist #3
✓ A Velvet Glove #4
✓ Hand of Glory #5
✓ A Clap of Thunder #6
◦ The Claws of Winter #7 – Feb 24, 2023 (series finale)
Jackson Pryde and Xander Wright are happier than ever. The guild of artificers grows stronger thanks to the Black Market’s masters. The second AI is awakening, closer to divulging its forgotten secrets. And most shocking of all, Jackson has finally invented something worth selling.
But war is brewing in the arcane underground. Madame Catherine Grayhaven does not forgive easily. The grand dame of the elite academy has rallied her students for a vengeful attack on the Verdance, the realm of the fae.
Jackson and Xander join the fight with their own motives: find King Oberon and hold him accountable for his crimes. But what awaits beyond the portal may shatter everything they believe in.
A Clap of Thunder is a 65,000-word M/M urban fantasy romance with a HFN ending. Join a fast-talking artificer and a snarky sorcerer, childhood friends who become bitter enemies, then lovers, as they explore a world filled with strange flora, mythical fauna, and magical murders. If you like your urban fantasy with humor, horror, and a whole lot of heart, you’ve come to the right place. Experience A Clap of Thunder today.
The Reluctant Companion is exactly what I was hoping to read when I saw the words whimsical fantasy adventure! The first in the 13 Kingdoms series by H.L. Day, it just encapsulated all those things that have made me love this type of book since adolescence . It’s got a glorious, technicolor cover, complete with fabulous looking being with Fire leaning against a huge lion! Yep!
Then immediately inside there’s hand drawn maps of the places our characters go charging off to, ala Tolkien or many a other great fantasy series. Be still my heart when I saw those tiny little mountains, complete with nonsensical names.
You got to have those in a whimsical fantasy.
And then? It’s quest time! A farm boy sets out to find his sister who’s left his village, only to find himself (and his quest) being immediately led astray by a magical monkey only he can see!
The farm boy isn’t your typical naive wide eyed sweet thing. Oh no. He’s a deliciously stubborn, temperamental person who also happens to be a excellent hunter with a dry sense of humor and strong sense of justice.
A interesting choice when it comes to wanting a companion for a mission and adventure. Especially if the other person’s morals are a tad on the shaky side. As is his identity. But he’s gorgeous, a bit vain. And mysterious. And hard to say no to. Even as a reader. *shakes head at Sebastian *
Jack needs to find his sister and Sebastian says he needs to rescue a Prince. In between those two quests lies, well, a ton of fantastical fun, a bunch of not quite lies, amazing amounts of fabulous characters, including orcs who may not have been cheated, cheating pirates who aren’t nice to their fathers, and sassy, spoiled princes.
And some magic. And not that they’d let on, but perhaps some heartfelt romance.
It’s a wonderfully lighthearted story that allows for the characters to show growth of personality as well as real changes of heart as their journey progresses. It’s surprisingly deep for a whimsical tale of adventure, wild quests, and personal growth.
And maybe finding a companion who loves you too.
The ending is just terrific. One element of the plot had been left open. So of course, a new mission opens up for Jack and Sebastian with the potential to tie up that loose storyline. The Stubborn Accomplice (13 Kingdoms #2) is due out on September 30, 2022.
I will there immediately to grab it up.
Love fantasy? In need of something lighthearted? But with great characters and enough depth and charm that it will stay with you after you are done?
Check out The Reluctant Companion (13 Kingdoms #1) by H.L. Day! And don’t forget to look at the maps!
Sebastian might have the power to summon animals, but winning Jack over? Far more difficult.
As first encounters go, Jack and Sebastian’s isn’t ideal, leaving Jack nursing a grudge he’s not about to let go of in a hurry. Yet, if Jack is to find his missing sister, and Sebastian is to rescue his captured prince, they’ll need to set their differences aside and work as a team.
Jack is stubborn and somewhat volatile. Sebastian is vain and clearly in love with himself. But as the unlikely companions face all manner of dangers together, they grow closer. Rescuing the prince should be easy. Rescuing him from an impenetrable tower guarded by dragon-shifting knights? Okay, that part is harder.
But once the adventure is over, letting Sebastian go might be the hardest thing Jack has ever had to do.
The Reluctant Companion is an 85k MM enemies to lover’s story featuring murderous orcs, deadly creatures, and marauding bandits. Opposites attract in this light-hearted fantasy romance which mixes humor with action and adventure. Meet a whole cast of colorful characters in the first book of the 13 kingdoms series.
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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.
I was looking forward to this book based on the blurb and some of the reviews, but it was definitely not the story I anticipated. Btw, spoilers ahead.
First of all there is no solid world building here. The Infidelity Clause by Lisa Olivier was lacking in a consistent foundation for its storylines. It’s missing huge parts of its universe, especially anything relatable to a magical element. That was almost a nonexistent item here, although supposedly it was a major factor in the health of the peoples, education , and foundation of the kingdoms.
Oliver’s plot veered between the “whimsical” historical comedy the blurb referenced and a realistic drama that factors in people with pasts that contain sexual assault, suicide, family abuse, and abandonment. More about the abundance of plot elements later.
The story revolves around a marriage clause called a Infidelity Clause referred to by the characters as a “piss off “ clause repeatedly. Why? Because if broken, one of the partners of the contract can, well, you guess it.
The intention here is that the marriage was going to be a temporary contract. It all starts off so lightly. A way faring Prince, will wed a ne’er do well “loves to party”prince in a comedy of errors! Sounds fab!
The author has chosen names of the countries and neighboring kingdoms along the lines of Gumflumple, ( actually Gunkermal) with a actual heir , a stepbrother, to a throne called Paragon. Not the main characters. So I figured this was not a story I was supposed to take seriously.
It was if Oliver started out writing a broad comedy, then because she couldn’t decide where to take the characterizations, so she moved them and the storylines all over the place. From light fun which then took a dark turn into stark murderous drama!
Broad comedy, sex and sexual awakening, drama, murder mystery, murder attempts, action suspense, romance, pirates and sea battles, a pinch of steampunk and a scoosch of tiny magical doings too . Oh and a character with disabilities and mentions of several past sexual assaults to others. The entire kitchen of narrative elements was absolutely tossed into the book here . I believe I’ve left out some. Like the smh names of some people and items.
I liked the characters, but the story they are running around in is a mess. Main elements have no foundation. Small characters play a big part , then several mentions, then disappear. Pop back in. Gone again.
It’s got the feeling of a grab bag of narrative elements that just keep getting thrown in without the necessary exposition to glue it together.
But the worst? The way it was ended.
“Which was why, when the knocking at the door started, he ignored it, and encouraged Caspian to ignore it too.
To Be Continued.”
— The Infidelity Clause: One of those MM crown princes, arranged marriages books by Lisa Oliver
The author excuses herself by saying she’s decided to write another book, so she’s leaving them here.
Like that absolves her of the decision to complete a book a person has paid for and has the expectation of getting a finished , polished product.
Which, imo, this is not.
So read it if you’re a fan of the author. Or if the blurb intrigues you. I’m giving the next book a pass.
Caspian, fourth son and yet still a Crown Prince of Gunkermal knew he was a party to a marriage contract. Arranged marriages were common in his family, and he expected the contract would cement various trade or security agreements with another country. He just didn’t realize the other party to his contract was a full-grown man, who stepped off his ship and into Caspian’s life as if he owned it.
How much is this marriage worth to our king again?
Nikolas, Crown Prince and only heir of Westland, arrived in Gunkermal to fulfill his part of a marriage contract that was six months in the making. He was under no illusions about his prospective spouse. By all accounts, his intended was a womanizer, a lay about, and was likely someone who fussed if Nikolas should use a wrong fork at dinner. That’s why Nikolas insisted their marriage contract have an infidelity clause. He figured his spouse would invoke what was known as the “piss-off” clause before Christmas and he’d be free.
It’s far better to marry someone whose weaknesses we’re already aware of.
One man went into his marriage contract blindly. The other thought he knew everything there was to know about his intended spouse. When circumstances suggested that neither man knew what was actually going on, was there a possibility the marriage could work after all? And what did a pirate captain have to do with anything at all.
The Infidelity Clause is a whimsical story that is the result of the author’s muse taking a holiday. If you are a fan of MM arranged marriage stories, set in a land with a dash of magic, and a double dose of humor, you might enjoy this one. The main characters in this story are adults, so intimate situations are described. Please store your e-book content responsibly.
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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.
Where There’s a Witch There’s a Way dives right into a instant mate situation, albeit between two people who’ve known each other for a while.
One is Titus Compton, of the town’s Witches Council. The other is one of the many werewolf Stone brothers, Kean Stone, brother to the Alpha/Mayor Adhan.
There’s little background, Broom assumes you’ve read the first book in the series, The Crazy Bookshop, where everyone and everything was established.
You really do require that history there because all the drama and mystery coming into play here stems from the events there. You’re going to be pretty much lost without it.
All the characters, the warm-hearted relationships are back! The mystery, the villain and yes, the sex are all on the soft, PG-13 side. The group works together to learn magic, become a found family, and confront what looks to be a deepening series arc piece of villainy.
It’s fun, mostly light hearted, and not really scary.
I did have several issues here. Especially at the end , when the group goes off to discover what and where all the dark magic is coming from, they split up. The reader gets one group’s side of the action. The other more fabulous tale? With waaay more interesting things that occurred? It’s as told to.
I was absolutely dumbfounded. If I’d had the author there, this is how it would have gone.
Me: so there’s was zombies, an apocalypse, flames, ghouls, everything underground. Magical fighting galore?
Author: yup
Me: you gave us two , maybe 3 sentences. Of the best stuff?
Author: yup
Me: *blink blink* huh.
Walks to door, door closes.
Author: you’re coming back, right?
Hmmmm.
So utterly disappointing.
It also introduces a couple of new characters but we get nothing?
So either that going to be a whole new book to describe those happenings or we in the dark but either way, it’s a majorly flawed component here.
And it reduces the impact of that whole event. As does the way the author leaves many of the new and secondary characters.
So for me, Where There’s a Witch There’s a Way keeps adding new characters and new bits to the overall arc but I’m not sure it’s made the series any better. It’s lost some of the original charm, some of the whimsy and goofiness that I enjoyed so.
I’m sure I’ll be continuing on if only to see if it can recapture some of the joy that brought me into it.
If you’re a fan of this author, or of light fantasy, I’ll leave that decision up to you as well.
Who knew letting my walls down would change my life?
Titus Compton works for the Witches’ Council. He has nothing in his life but work with the occasional town witch meeting in Cadenbury thrown in.
However, Titus has a secret. He’s in love with Kean Stone, the sinfully handsome, fun-loving wolf shifter.
What would Kean want with a pompous, workaholic witch?
A phone call from his mother telling him his father is sick leads Titus back home, but no way are his new friends letting him go alone.
With secrets revealed and dark witches causing trouble, Kean is happy to lend his support to Titus and be his safe harbour. But it will take all his family and friends to stop disaster from striking, and along the way, they might just score perfect tens.
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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.
Malicious Midpoint is the third of Alice Winters’ Demon Magic series and it’s my favorite to date. It’s a great mixture of the author’s signature snarky dialogue, quirky likable characters, which is combined with a magically twisted dark plot that’s pulled from all the previous novels. One that unexpectedly eschews the expectations of humor, ending up with emotionally moving scenes that deepen our connections with this very odd group of beings.
Not that humorous elements are left out! Far from it. There’s a scene or two that actually causes a spit take ! Waterbeds indeed! The growing family of Miles, Havoc, Menace, and others who often end up in their home or part of the peculiar intimate circle of friends are added to and, have their bonds tightened by the events here.
And it all starts so easily. With just a book and a boom!
Winters weaves a tale of love, darkness, tortured pasts, loss, family, and reclamation into something extraordinary. Just when you think the pain and darkness is unrelenting, there’s that aspect of humor to pull everything up before it’s plunging back down again.
Then there’s that ending. It’s weighing on me. Everywhere I see this is noted as 3 of 3 books in the series but this is very much an unfinished arc with so many storylines left unresolved.
It’s why this isn’t a 5 rating. Will there be more books? Another related series? I don’t know. I do know if you’re like me you won’t feel completely satisfied by this ending.
I’m still thrilled by Malicious Midpoint. But is it really instead the midpoint of this series? Is that my takeaway?
If someone has the scoop, please contact me.
In the meantime, I’m highly recommending Malicious Midpoint (Demon Magic #3) by Alice Winters and all the books that preceded it.
Nothing can go wrong with being in love with a demon and having a dragon familiar whose idea of a fun time is watching me plummet to the ground, right? Now that things have settled down, I’m hoping to finally get some peace and quiet to spend with Havoc.
Instead, we get a guy who can walk the river of the dead, a centaur that seems allergic to pants, and an angel who has only one true love: himself.
This is the group of misfits I’ve been given to protect the district.
Sometimes I can’t help but wonder how we stopped an unbelievably powerful dark mage.
After finding a strange book in the middle of the woods that seems to be connected to curse magic, I find myself in the presence of someone from my past… someone I never expected to meet again. As the clues lead us into a district on the brink of destruction, Havoc and I realize that in order to stop the district from collapsing and taking down our friends with it, we can’t do it alone. With the assistance of my chaotic crew, we are going to stop this darkness before it consumes those we care about.
But everything comes at a cost because when you work with magic, nothing is predictable.
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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.
What a moving, funny, and gobsmackingly magnificent book A Shattered Silver Crown is! It’s my favorite of four stories to date in Kai Butler’s fantastic San Amaro Investigations , a series that’s gotten more breathtaking in scope with each novel. Butler seems to be envisioning the future of the universe as well as character growth as something so wildly different, so unexpected that with every new case or turn in the story, the reader never knows what emotionally the impact will bring. On the characters and us.
It could be warm-hearted scenes between the growing found family living with Parker Ferro. It could be wildly humorous ones with brownies determined to have their be dazzling way, or heartbreaking ones as Parker deals with the emotional fallout of his past and his identity. All while investigating cases that could shatter worlds.
Butler’s writing here is just superb. The ramifications from the deep draining family issues that have come from the deaths and devastating events from the previous books are a major factor here. Lauren, Parker’s sister, isn’t right. How this is handled is incredible.
Love, whether it’s family or romantic, and it’s complications , especially when the Fae are involved is a enormous element here. Especially because Parker is Fae. The balancing act he has to make between his two lives is becoming more perilous and harder to do.
Butler’s ability to bring us inside Parker’s often anguished emotional state is heartbreaking and painful. We are so committed to him and want him to succeed even as the odds are increasing against him.
The magical scenes of battle are powerful and believable, imaginative and thrilling. You can feel the heat of the flames around the people you care about!
At the end, the case here has been resolved. But the cost has been high. And there’s hints of a high danger on the horizon. As well as one on the doorstep.
There’s another book, The Heart’s Blood Arrow, coming out Nov 7, 2022. It says it’s the 5 and last story in the series. But honestly, I can’t understand how this unbelievably complicated universe and themes can be wrapped up in one book. It seems unlikely.
I’m highly anticipating that book. But until then, this series is amazing. Read it in the order it’s written. They are not standalone books.
I’m highly recommending each and every one, especially A Shattered Silver Crown (San Amaro Investigations #4) by Kai Butler .
Sure, he’s still recovering from his last case and his sister has started keeping secrets, but that’s just another day in the life of the Windrose of San Amaro.
Then the local werewolf alpha calls in a favor when he’s turned on by his own pack and the last thing Parker wants to do is get mired in the city’s pack politics. Throw in the recent murder of a local cult leader with disturbing connections to the hidden fae in San Amaro, a long lost relative showing up to reconnect, and a group of brownies taking up residence in his car, and Parker cannot catch a break.
Hopefully he can solve this case and figure out some family secrets before everything blows up in his face, taking the city along with it.
A Shattered Silver Crown is a 120k MM urban fantasy with a HFN ending and an ongoing storyline. It cannot be read as a standalone.
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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 