Review: Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf (The Unconventional Heroes Book 1) by L. G. Estrella

Rating: 4✨

This was a well written and imaginative fantasy story.  The first in a new series , The Unconventional Heroes by L. G. Estrella, Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf at first glance sounds more like a bar joke than a plot of a story.

But that’s exactly what it is. The beginning of a formation of the group of Unconventional Heroes, starting with an infamous Necromancer and his very young, very capable intern, who have decided that the life they are living needs a total change. But to do that they need the approval of their Kingdom’s council.

Luckily, a war approaches. And a special army of highly skilled criminals is required by the Kingdom. Pardons, getting to keep their own castles and goodies if they work together for the Kingdom? A definite plus. 

 

This novel launches the series so we meet Timmy, the world renowned infamous Necromancer and his scarily powerful but adorable preteen intern, Katie, and her squad of Ninja rats. Then it’s the intriguing bureaucrat, Gerald, with amazing bureaucratic skills and powers who go on a quest to get the very terrifying elf witch Avraniel (and enemy of Timmy) to join them. And kill a dragon along the way. 

At only 81 pages, this has the feel of a much larger and wider range story. The characters and world is well written and the challenges as well as battles are exciting and vividly detailed. 

This series is a great read. One I’m excited to share and recommend.  High adventure! Fun, and great storytelling. A complete series. 

Love the covers, simple and eye catching. 

Cover by L. G. Estrella.

The Unconventional Heroes Series (5 book series)

Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf #1

Two Necromancers, an Army of Golems, and a Demon Lord #2

Two Necromancers, a Dragon, and a Vampire #3

Two Necromancers, a Dwarf Kingdom, and a Sky City #4

Two Necromancers, a Fortress, and a Titan #5 

Buy link:

        Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf (The Unconventional Heroes Series Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Two necromancers, a bureaucrat, and an elf – it sounds like the start of a bad joke, only the joke is on Timmy.

Timothy Walter Bolton – better known as Timmy – has spent most of his life as a necromancer. When he isn’t terrorising his enemies, he’s plotting inside his castle, which is built on top of lightless chasms filled with nameless horrors and beings of a generally malevolent and megalomaniacal nature. But after one of his latest creations, a zombie hydra-dragon-bear, tries to eat him, he decides that maybe it’s time to find a new, less dangerous, career.

But that’s easier said than done. He’s a wanted criminal with no shortage of powerful (and crazy) enemies, and he has a bone or two to pick with the Everton Council of Mages.

Hope arrives in the form of a new law. War is coming to Everton, and the Council is desperate. In exchange for providing some help, Timmy might just earn that pardon he’s been looking for. Of course, just because it’s possible to earn a pardon doesn’t mean that it’s going to be easy.

To earn his pardon, Timmy is going to have to take down some of Everton’s most dangerous enemies and put together a quirky group of unconventional heroes, most of whom want nothing more than to mangle him and/or the Council in as vicious a way as possible. It’s a good thing that he’s got some help: an obnoxious ten-year-old apprentice who thinks that pink glasses are appropriate for a budding necromancer and a bumbling bureaucrat who may or may not make it through their first real fight without puking his guts up.

Wonderful.

Still, Timmy’s never been one to back down from a challenge even if their first recruit is basically the elf version of the bogeyman.

Review:  Smokescreen (Knight & Daywalker Book 1) by Sam Burns 

Rating: 4.5🌈

Set in the same universe as the marvelous Fantastic Fluke series, Sam Burns has a new fantastic paranormal series out, Knight and Daywalker. 

The first book, Smokescreen, which ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, is an excellent read and start up. 

It’s got murder mysteries, a paranormal universe with magical characters, including two main characters who are somewhat enigmatic in their precise nature and history as well as a black kitten with a bottomless appetite. It’s also just as intriguing as the other main characters. 

Flynn Knight, has a very scary ,Morticia coded in looks, mother who rules the vampires of their city. Is Flynn a vampire? No, he talks to animals. That’s one of the puzzles in the story. What is Flynn? Other than absolutely engaging.

Then there’s Davin, the Irish vampire who, courtesy of Flynn’s mother, ends up being Flynn’s business partner. But the idea of another agenda seems possible. He’s got his own troubles and backstory to revealed. 

The pace is quick. We meet many new and exciting characters. All incredible and with their own stories to explore. 

And Smokescreen finishes with a startling dramatic flourish and cliffhanger.  Which I’m not unhappy about. 

I’m excited about the next story, even if it’s months away from release.

Sam Burns is an auto buy for this very reason. Definitely recommend this book.

Cover art © 2025 by Natasha Snow 

Knight and Daywalker – a planned trilogy:

Smokescreen #1

Façade #2 –  Jan 1,2026

Masquerade #3 – TBD

Same universe as 

THE FANTASTIC FLUKE-complete ❤️

The Fantastic Fluke 

Fluke and the Faithless Father

 Fluke and the Faultline Fiasco

 Fluke and the Frontier Farce 

Fluke and the Fantastic Finale

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: Knight & Daywalker 

Blurb 

Flynn Knight is the only (and frankly, impossible) child of the leader of the vampires in Los Angeles. He’s also a bit of a scatterbrain, a thirty-something manchild, and a private investigator. When one of his mother’s political frenemies gets killed and she asks him to investigate, he’s put between a rock—her—and a hard place—the fact that not a single vampire in the city will believe the answers he finds without impressive proof to back him up.

Combine that with an eighty-thousand-dollar bill he has no idea how he’s going to pay, a hit and run that has landed him a victim of the cat distribution system, and his mother trying to foist a new business partner off on him, and his life is way more complicated than he likes.

At least his new partner is nice to look at, even if he’s the weirdest vampire ever, who doesn’t seem to follow any of the usual vampire rules.

Also, why won’t this kitten stop eating?

Smokescreen is set in the Fantastic Fluke universe, starring never before seen characters and a new setting. It begins to explore Flynn Knight’s relationships, and while it contains a complete story, it does not reach the slow burn romance plot, and the main overarching plot will continue in book two, Façade.

  • Publication date: September 4, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 259 pages
  • Book 1 of 2: Knight & Daywalker

Content Warning: multiple gruesome deaths described in detail, injured (but NEVER killed) animals, ableist attitudes from non-MCs, violence, fraught parental relationships.

Review:  Fangs and Front Pages (Ravens Hollow Investigations Book 1) by Ella Stone 

Rating: 2/ DNF

Just no. Couldn’t get past a preposterous female lead character. The more I read the worse this characterization got. 

Elodie Evergreen is a newly turned vampire, a former investigative reporter back in London, now forced to start over in a new job and paranormal community in the USA. She’s severely unprepared for everything that she does, although the author both lets the reader know that and yet thinks that Elodie’s approach is one we’ll find engaging. 

She’s an investigative journalist. Does she research her new life? What paranormal species there are, and their lives or culture? No. Her mystery friend, Donna, helped obtain her the new job and move. But does she go with any kind of knowledge or groundwork? No. Instead she holds up the plane in an act of amazing stupidity.

Then once, before she’s even settled, she forces herself on the editor to go against his wishes before knowing the community or townsfolk. Makes quick decisions/judgements about everything without having any sort of understanding or knowledge of the community or situation or paranormal anything. And has an immediate argument with the Sheriff while announcing she has a hidden, or not so hidden mission . 

Honestly? TSTL rides high here. 

She’s not very likable. The idea that she was ever a respectable professional journalist isn’t realistic or credible either. But the author is trying hard to get the reader to believe that. Actions to the contrary.

Nor do we get any world building. 

I was done. There’s far better similar novels and female characters than this. 

Poorly conceived, poorly crafted characters. 

DNF.

Read if you’re a fan of the author. 

Paper Cat Publishing

Cover by Christian Bentulan

The Ravens Hollow Investigations :

Bylines and Bloodsuckers -prequel 

Fangs and Front Pages 

Hexes and Headlines 

Demons and Deadlines

Buy link

        Fangs and Front Pages: A thrilling urban fantasy story (Ravens Hollow Investigations Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Is this the scoop of a lifetime, or something far deadlier?

Starting over in Ravens Hollow was meant to be simple – a chance to adjust to my new, nocturnal existence. No men. No complications. Just a bit of light investigative journalism in a quaint magical town by the sea.

Then Pongo the pup trotted into my life, and normalcy bled away faster than my resistance to a fresh pint of blood. I’d barely set up my desk at the Ravens Hollow Oracle before a renowned sculptor turned up dead at the town’s annual art exhibition.

What better way to get to know a place than by investigating its most suspicious residents? The only snag was Chief Whip – the infuriatingly handsome local lawman who’d rather I kept my fangs and my nose out of his murder investigation.

Too bad. The body count is rising, and whether he likes it or not, he needs me—Elodie Evergreen, investigative reporter. My instincts are razor-sharp. My fangs? Even sharper.

Perfect for fans of resourceful heroines, cute animal sidekicks, and exhilarating urban fantasy, Fangs and Front Pages delivers action, mystery, and supernatural surprises. Series includes: stand-alone mysteries, snarky humour, and a slow-burn romance.

Ravens Hollow Investigations Series:
Bylines and Bloodsuckers – Prequel
Fangs and Front Pages – Book 1
Hexes and Headlines – Book 2
Demons and Deadlines – Book 3

Review:  Wooing the Wiccan (Elf Magic Book 1)  by Louisa Masters 

Rating: 4🌈

I enjoyed Wooing the Wiccan (Elf Magic Book 1)  by Louisa Masters, another new book and series in this author’s multi-series Hidden Species/Community of Species universe. 

It was wonderful seeing King Raðulf, the head of the elves who has appeared throughout this universe in many novels, find a new love and get his own HEA, with a human Wiccan elementary schoolteacher, Jared. And his cat. 

Equally wonderful? And true highlights? Having hilarious moments with dragonshifter Wing Leader Brandt, his Consort Percy, and their adorable daughter.  Also Sam, Alastair, and many other great characters. 

If anything, with the main issues and the characters involved, this relationship would have felt more natural and more well developed if , either the book itself had been longer or divided into two parts. 

There’s so much that both characters have to immediately deal with, some of which is brushed over quickly here while still noting how deeply the changes impact on their lives and their relationships.   Jared is unaware of the fact that otherworldly species exist, including the one he’s involved with.  

Raðulfr has the safety of his people, the fact of his being the King with all that entails, and how much of his courtly life will be impacted by his Consort.  And the fact that he is human. 

Plus they don’t know each other well. They just started talking and dating. 

So when Masters narrative begins to speed up once Jared is introduced to the Community of Species and all the other paranormals who exist on earth with the human community and the magic, other elements lose their depth of development and exploration.

How does Jared fit his new life into his old one? We don’t know. Does he change careers? No idea. It’s meeting and quickly developing affection between the two while hiding exactly who and what Raðulfr is. Followed by a huge argument, a shocking revelation, and then another rather quick, for this situation, resolution. And an immediate exchange of “I love you’s”. 

Sigh. I was fine right up until that instant love came in. Adult conversation and working through their various issues? Fantastic. But it’s been weeks. Mere weeks. 

A two part relationship development, along with further growth of magical abilities and time to explore this new aspect of the magical universe? That would’ve made this a far more interesting and believable journey. 

Did I find it entertaining? Yes. It made me want to reread Brandt and Percy’s series once again.   It’s a good read and gives the elf King a lovely HEA. 

Cover Photo: Wander Aguiar 

Model: Douglas 

Cover Design: Booksmith Design

Elf Magic:

Wooing the Wiccan #1

Enticing the Elf #2 – Nov 6,2025

Buy link

        Wooing The Wiccan (Elf Magic Book 1)

    

Blurb 

I’m surrounded by two hundred thousand elves, yet somehow, I’m still lonely.

After a rough few millennia, the past decade has finally brought us peace and security—and justified my choices as our leader. But as chaos gives way to calm, I have more time for myself… yet it’s not what I want it to be. I’ve been alone for a long time, but before my people and work needed me more. Now the lonely hours stretch into eternity.

Until I meet Jared.

He’s my perfect match in every way; a teacher, a gardener, a cat dad. He loves books, nature, and interacting with others. He’s sweet, funny, kind, and we’re fire in the bedroom. The only hiccup? He’s human, and he doesn’t know other species exist.

Legally, we haven’t been together long enough for me to tell him I’m not human, and it’s getting harder and harder to keep this secret. To keep part of myself from him… to lie. But what if he learns the truth—a truth that will shatter the core of his beliefs—and can’t handle it?

What if he can’t forgive the lies?

  • Publication date: August 7, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 238 pages
  • Book 1 of 2: Elf Magic

Review:  Three Charms for Murder (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 5) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5⭐️✨

Intriguing murder mystery, new adorable Felix’s, and a terrific insight into Henri’s thoughts and emotions on why he has been so thoughtful and slow in his courtship of Jamie.  And hers in return on why it was important for her to have the time to establish herself and continue to work on her trauma and transition before anything personal could occur. 

Depth of evolution of the characters and a highly intelligent investigation of this unusual, and for Henri, emotional case, make Three Charms for Murder  a fantastic read and engaging narrative full of action, magic, and fast paced storytelling. 

I love this so much!

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Three Charms for Murder (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 5)

    

Blurb 

It takes more than three charms to commit murder.

When an old childhood friend comes to Henri asking for help in solving his parents’ murders, Henri agrees immediately. He knows this case is not going to be easy. Mr. and Mrs. Atwood’s bodies had been found magically posed to mimic a statue, and the investigator in charge ruled it a murder-suicide. Which is simply not feasible according to the Atwood children.

Aware this is a high society case and all attention will be on them, the team makes their way out to the Atwoods’ vacation home. Upon arrival, Jamie and Henri are horrified to find most of the trace evidence destroyed by incompetence, the bodies unpreserved, and the case file a single page of notes. To top it all off, the local police force wants nothing more than to see them fail.

Add in a string of suspicious burglaries, compromised wards, arson, and a suspect who will do anything to keep the truth under wraps, and Jamie and Henri are ready to commit murder themselves.

Review:  Breaking and Entering 101 (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 4) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5⭐️✨

I really enjoyed Breaking and Entering 101 for a number of reasons. Obviously because I love the characters and series, they continue to develop and evolve in their respective roles, professionally as we see here as Kingsmen consultants, and personally as Jamie has consistently shown that she’s dedicated to her new world and found family. And they to her. 

There’s two distinct mysteries to solve here, both extremely important to undertake and each has its own unique quirks and skills required to succeed in understanding and investigating it. 

One is the theft of heavy gold ingots from a train car that’s locked and warded. Another, which introduces a favorite new character of mine, is a mystery of how the Royal palace (and its many incredible wards) is being constantly being surpassed by a trespasser who doesn’t do anything much but look around, sampling food and drinks. 

This brings in the wonderfully crafted Queen, the many Kingsmen familiar with Jamie, and those slowly becoming a part of Jamie and Henri’s (and RM Seaton as well as Felix Clint) inner circle.   

The time frame has moved by 2 years. That includes new “discoveries and inventions” Jamie has introduced via Ellie to this world. 

Don’t miss out on the additions by Jamie of her knowledge and comparisons at the end. It grows by each novel. 

Another must read in a must have series. 

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Breaking and Entering 101 (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 4)

    

Blurb 

Since Jamie and Henri agreed to be Kingsmen consultants, they’d not had much call to actually consult. Which is a fortuitous thing, as Henri is up to his neck in labwork and interviews for a new Magical Examiner due to Sanderson’s departing. He is hardly in any position to add more tasks onto his shoulders. 

Which, naturally, means two disasters strike at once. 

In a brilliant coup, a group of thieves have struck the railroad and stolen a breathtaking three hundred thousand crowns in gold. No one has any idea how, who, or where the ingots have gotten to. The Kingsmen on the case are baffled, as this is hardly their normal purview. They naturally reach out to their Kingsmen consultants, which mean Jamie and Henri are now on the week-old case. 

To spice things up further, someone is routinely sneaking through the palace wards and lurking about the grounds, and no one has any idea how the breach is occurring. Seaton’s beside himself trying to figure it out and Henri has been drawn in to assist him. 

As Jamie would say: When it rains, it pours.

Review:  Magic Outside the Box (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 3) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5⭐️✨

What a great mystery and story! Both sad, satisfying and it will be the story the propels an important element of this series into more development and exploration for Jamie and her closest friends. 

In addition, Royal Mage Sherard, now a close friend and colleague, is here, Clint the talking magical cat, and one of Jamie’s police ducklings, McSparrin, and she’s got Ellie the magician engineer, to soup up the engine of the cars she rides in to go 50 mph instead of 30!

Again, it’s a fantastic formula for a story. Henri is writing his cases but in such a way that the reader can see it published in the future. But his friends, Jamie and Sherard insert themselves into these pages via hilarious notes and even entire sections which he then smartly remarks upon. All in different colored ink. Black ink for Henri, blue ink for Jamie and green ink for Sherard. And if that sounds chaotic, it’s not. It’s remarkably clear whose voice it is and the emotionally tones carry through vividly.

Another sparkling performance from the author and characters. 

Fabulous!

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Magic Outside the Box (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Henri is quite accustomed to dangerous and unusual cases landing in his lap. Being partnered to the Shinigami Detective likely has something to do with it. What he is NOT accustomed to is the queen herself marching into his lab and handing them such a case. 

Former Royal Mage Joseph Burtchell was found dead in his home, all signs pointing to murder. However, it’s in question as to how the murderer accomplished the deed—the house was locked, the wards fully up, and the body bearing a peculiar wound.

It’s a locked room mystery, one with a suspiciously absent murder weapon and lack of suspects. Henri’s left baffled. Jamie’s excited, relishing the challenge the case represents. 

Who’s powerful enough to thwart a royal mage’s wards and murder him undetected?

Review:  Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 2) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5⭐️✨

“‘How upset is our good Queen?’

“Livid, Seaton answered cheerfully.

I’m quite happy about that. Angry women change the world.’”

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) the oh so appropriate title of book two is a great, emotional story. The mystery hits on many levels as well, bringing in everything from the societal aspects of health care (or lack thereof), the need for better government regulation of magical items and their manufacture, and general police procedures on multiple fronts. 

It’s dealing with epidemics, ignorance, violence and scam artists who have caused unprecedented harm. 

And all while showing how Jamie is still recovering from her ordeal, maneuvering through a society and systems that are designed to keep women from being able to live as equals, and instituting change from a world that is unknown and one she can’t return to. 

New fantastic characters are emerging in continuing important roles, in Jamie’s life and the series, such as RM Seaton, and the notes of each character, identified by color, are highly entertaining and important to the story and influence of their respective roles here. 

How do I love this? Let me count the ways.

  1. Spectacular writing.
  2. Great mysteries 
  3. Fabulous characters that continue to develop 
  4. Found families 
  5. World building that’s incredible in depth and vividly detailed 
  6. Slowish burn ever romance 

Yes and yes! 

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 2)

    

Blurb

A dead charm maker is only the beginning. 

Humanity seems determined to come up with increasingly clever ways to murder one another. They seize upon new technological advances in a way that’s alarming, their creativity and blood-thirstiness knowing no bounds.

When a charm maker is blown up inside his own vehicle, for once it’s not Henri Davenforth’s expertise needed: it’s Jamie Edwards’, the Shinigami Detective. Car bombs are something unique in Kingston, and only she has experience with them. But the unique murder takes an unexpected turn when it becomes evident that the dead charm maker dabbled in something he should not have, inciting disastrous results.

The dangers he unleashed upon Kingston threaten thousands of lives and it launches a race requiring not only Jamie and Henri’s expertise, but the Kingsmen’s as well to beat the menace spreading through the city.

Meanwhile, the murderer is still at large, leaving Henri and Jamie to wonder: what will blow next?

Review:  Magic and the Shinigami Detective (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 1) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5⭐️✨

When I found this book and series, I found my new favorite obsession and the reason I’ve had no sleep since as I’ve been binging the series. 

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth has everything I look for in a series, it’s got magnificent characters, outstanding world building, amazing plots, and a format that is just so great and entertaining that it makes my brain and heart stay engaged and focused on the storytelling. But also while being able to admire and throughly be amazed by the flexibility of its structure. 

Yes, may this series never end. 

Science fiction, magical realism, urban fantasy, historical fiction, one of the slowest burn romances ever, outstanding mysteries, and yes, mystical cats . 

All beautifully rendered and crafted with depth and attention to detail that will continue to expand and evolve with each book. 

I’m well into book 5 now. 

Honor Raconteur has used as a basis for her mysteries some real little known murders. See the author’s notes for more information. Then given them a fantastic magical twist. 

The character of former FBI agent Jamie Edwards, kidnapped and brought to another world by an insane powerful witch, who performed experiments on her and others who died. This is the story and series of how Jamie became the Shinigami Detective, and co-worker with Dr. Henri Davenforth, Magical Examiner for the police department. 

Slowly, in a world of paranormal species and time that resembles 18th century America, Jamie assembles a found family, finds a new home, job and future while solving mysteries with Henri. And others. 

She with science brought from Earth and her training as a FBI agent, he with magic and his formidable intelligence. 

The 11th book was released this year and now I’m going to have to clear a bookshelf for this series. Cause’ I need them. I’ll be rereading this series, they are those books. 

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Magic and the Shinigami Detective (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 1)

    

Blurb 

When the Night Foxes boldly break into the Fourth Precinct’s Evidence Building, it causes quite the stir. The break-in is daring enough, but their method shreds the magical wards and protections on the building like confetti paper. To say the police are ‘alarmed’ by this is the understatement of the century.

As a Magical Examiner, Henri Davenforth is of course immediately called in. Quite to his astonishment, Captain Gregson has him work the case like a detective. Even more astounding, he assigns Henri a partner. The Shinigami Detective.

The woman is famous for killing the most destructive rogue witch of the century, and no one is quite certain where she’s from. Every officer in the precinct is either in awe of her or a little frightened by her. Henri is just baffled. What is he supposed to do with a partner?

Hopefully killing one witch makes Jamie Edwards enough of an expert on magic to be helpful, as the thieves aren’t content to just break into one building. They in fact seem to have an agenda, as with each theft, they take magical objects. It’s all mounting to a dangerously powerful magical construct capable of toppling the wards on any building.

And no one has any idea what the thieves’ true target is.

Review:  Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie #1) by Michele Notaro

Rating: 4 🌈

The first in a new series by Michele Notaro, Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie #1) was a terrific story, a little slow in the beginning but quickly picked up the pace for a dramatic ending. 

The author is just starting to build the setting and form the group of characters that will eventually become a found family so we don’t have much of a history or background on them.  Just the vague sketch of an idea for each. 

Individually, the characters are good, as a relationship, the two main characters don’t have a real believable connection. It’s either too quickly pulled together or something. But the storyline just doesn’t give them the right chemistry even when supplying them with a back history together. 

I think it’s a lack of overall world building and foundation versus the evil gnomes mystery that makes the story feel highly paced but without a feeling of depth. 

I look forward to seeing what the second book brings. 

Carry A Faerie:

  • Did It Have To Be Gnomes? #1
  • The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) #2 – July 15,2025

Buy link

        Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Am I afraid of gnomes? 

Maaaaaaaybe.

Did I take on a huge gnome job anyway? I sure did.

Am I about to ask my crush for help? 

Well, I have to ask someone, right?

I get called out to a huge mansion with the biggest number of invading gnomes I’ve ever seen, and I’m not sure who to call to help. And I definitely need some help. 

So when Winter Montgomery just so happens to stop by, I know I have to ask him. I’ve been crushing on the handsome guy from afar for years, so now’s my chance to get close—and get some much needed support. 

As long as I don’t let him see just how much I hate gnomes—okay, I’m actually terrified of them, but he doesn’t need to know that… right?

Did It Really Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie Book 1) is a MM urban fantasy and the first book in Miles and Winter’s love story. Each book will have its own supernatural problem with a HFN ending for the couple, but there will be overarching plot themes throughout the series.

  • Publication date: July 31, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 296 pages
  • Book 1 of 2: Carry A Faerie