Tag: author Jennifer Cody

Review: I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc: Book 1 by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 5🌈

Jennifer Cody has started a serialized fantasy story that’s an absolutely fantastic read and entertaining adventure. The drawback? It’s in a serialized format so each story is short and ends far sooner than the reader wants.

I was totally immersed in the characters, the storylines, and the journey they were about to embark on when this tale ended. Argh ! But that’s absolutely in keeping with the spirit and tradition of a serialized story.

So if that’s an issue, then waiting until all the stories are published, then reading them together is probably the best option for you.

But otherwise, dive into a lively tale of a half orc and a necromancer who meet and go on a journey to find the enemy who’s destroying their Kingdom. Each character is intriguing, well fleshed out, and full of great elements. There’s plenty of interesting side characters and an established world that’s further explored as they get closer to their next stage in their relationship.

The sorcerer is a popular character, especially in this form but I really like where Cody is taking Lawton in terms of family dynamics and powers. And of course, his new role and relationship with Berklak, the half-orc. Berklak is another being that’s got plenty of depth and room for growth. Equipped with what we already know about Berklak, he’s already a great main character.

I believe Cody intends to have the installments released pretty quickly. I can’t wait.

Need a new fantasy read? Hear a new addiction for you!

Love the cover.

Buy Link:

Book 1 of 1: I Went On an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc

Blurb:

Berklak:

Being a half-orc is fun most of the time. Most people think I’m all orc, and that usually slicks things up so I can glide in and out of town without much fuss. Most of the time things go really smoothly for me. Sometimes, young watchmen from small towns with too much time on their hands pick a fight with half-orcs just trying to get some mead, and sometimes that ends up with me taking a kid all the way to the capital to become a bard, and sometimes that means I discover along the way a new questline that I need to follow. Sometimes. Well, this time, at least, and my companion for this quest is the cutest little necromancer I’ve ever seen (he’s the only one I’ve ever seen, but he’s adorable).

Now, where did I leave my barrel of mead again?

Lawton:

Being the most feared human in Fasgard is annoying and inconvenient. It’s not like I went out of my way to be born a necromancer, but since my options are death or working for the king, I gladly accept my role as high sorcerer. It doesn’t matter that I’m a prince of the realm, at least not to anyone in the palace. When one of my father’s concubines loses her temper a little too hard, the things I discover lead me to the most wonderful half-orc I’ve ever met (I’ve only met the one, but he’s amazing), and my very first real adventure.

I can’t believe I’m finally going to leave the palace!

I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc is a five chapter serial fantasy adventure with zen a light-hearted, fun TTRPG vibe. Expect big magic, lots of cuddles, plenty of steam, and a team of characters that might not get a natural 20 on every roll, but they make up for it with creative solutions to both magical and mundane problems.

Review: Gale (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus Book 2) by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 4.75🌈

Hammer and Fist is a two-part series by Jennifer Cody that’s mind boggling in structure, absolutely labyrinthine in its creative threads and fantastically complex world building and characterizations.

As of now the author is alternating between the two connected series , Lexatalion and Geminatus, and their characters/arcs. But from the events in each series second books, I expect that’s about to change with the stories that will follow as the major threats and threads feel like they’re about to converge.

But first the extraordinary events that have occurred here in Gale: Geminatus Book Two. The titles, like the characters themselves, are so multifaceted and complex. Not a complete Geminatus, a single being with two physical avatars that function almost in sync with each other, the title character here is not only partially Geminatus, but also human, and demon, as well as Fae origin, although exactly how he came into being is as yet unclear. But his demonic origins are known with each of his individually functioning avatars, Hunter and Ranger, containing certain elemental magical powers. One the Inferno of the first book, the second the Gale of this story.

Honestly, the storylines are far too complex, the character development and ideas behind them equally complicated and wildly compelling that’s it’s impossible for a review to cover the important aspects of this element. Especially as , per the cliffhanger at the end, Cody is further enlarging on exactly what might be the roles of the avatars within this Geminatus.

Mind blowing.

We do get to see one of the “off page events “ from Brick and Brass (Hammer and Fist: Lextalion Book 2) occur here and mentions of the magical occurrences that will shape both series going forward.

But there’s plenty of mystery, horror, death, and bodies here for everyone to deal with. It’s part of what Hunter had been dealing with since his teenage years in town as well as part of a larger investigation.

How Cody pulls both together is brutal, exciting,and full of suspense.

There’s lots of action, surprises, and some twists and tons of anxiety for the future. I can’t wait for the next books to arrive.

Apparently, via author’s note, it’s looking like at least two more books will be coming each to finish this off. Maybe more. I can believe it. So beautifully complex and getting even more so.

I’m highly recommending this but read them in alternating order ( the first book ones, then both book two’s) from the beginning otherwise you’ll be lost.

Hammer and Fist Series

✓ Sledge and Claw (Hammer and Fist: Lextalion Book 1)

✓ Brick and Brass (Hammer and Fist: Lextalion Book 2)

✓ Inferno (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus Book 1)

✓ Gale (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus Book 2)

Buy Links:

Gale (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus Book 2)

Blurb:

Ranger/Hunter:

After nearly losing an avatar, I’m ready to sign on with IDIA, the Interdimensional Immigration Agency. I need their resources to figure out what the hell is happening to my town. Townsend keeps attracting rogue non-humans and other extraterrestrials, and I’m half convinced it’s ritual sacrifice, but who would bring people here to die? And am I being used to kill these people, or is it happenstance that I’m the one defending Townsend from the violent non-humans?

As I get closer to answers, mysteries and portals pop up and someone starts targeting the people I care about. I’m not usually known for losing my patience, but if these people want to fuck around, they’re going to find out what happens when they do. With the help of my new friends in the agency and the trainer they’ve assigned me, I’ll find out who’s threatening the people under my protection, and when I do, they’re going to regret going up against a prince of hell. I might look like a Geminatus, but I’m so much more than that.

Gale is a 68k word Urban Fantasy with darker themes including dark magic, murder, gore, mutilation, ritual sacrifice, and suicide. Mild cliffhangers happen in UF and this books isn’t an exception

Review: Brick and Brass (Hammer and Fist: Lextalion Book 2) by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 4.75🌈

If this wasn’t such an exciting and exceedingly well written story, I’d be taking a smidge of rating points away for sheer frustration with Cody over that ending and the fact it’s probably going to be a while before we get around to finding out what happens next.

Yes, no surprise, it’s cliffhanger time again!

This whole universe is so weird and crazy that I have to look back at my notes to remember how things and Cody’s other books fit in with these stories. It’s like a madhatter’s 10, 000 pieces puzzle but cut out into insane shapes.

Thankfully, Cody gives us a recap why Lex is in a coma but mentally aware as the book opens. I had to dig through my memories about the last book for all the events as they happened, complicated as they were by a immense cast of characters, worlds accessible by portals, gods, dragons, aliens, slavers, you name it. Tied together by murders, mysteries, hellacious plots galore and the agents like Lex that work for The Inter-dimensional Immigration Agency—IDIA, the government agency that enforces the laws that govern non-humans on Earth.

So we pick up after that nasty explosion and the search is still on for Dominus, the being/person behind all the slave trafficking/inter dimensional world kidnappings and plain old horrifically bizarre goings on. His identity is unknown, as is why he’s able to make himself disappear into obscurity without a trace.

Cody has to address the blood hexes that tie a Geminatus to him so they’re unable to return to their homeland, as well as Lex being in thrall to Tor, an agent of the IDIA. A huge element itself.

But the author addresses each subject, separating them so they can have the impact and narrative development they deserve, while simultaneously being a fluid piece of the total story fabric. That’s quite the gift.

Tor and Lex especially, as it’s not just Lex that’s feeling the emotional attachment and passions of the bond between them. It’s the monsters he carries within him. And they have different opinions about Tor and the way he should fit into their lives. What a sexually dynamic and hot area of this book and one that adds to my frustration because the cliffhanger cuts short so much of the relationship follow up here , big stuff that’s waiting to happen.

Same for the Geminatus aspect. The “twin” Geminatus born on Earth get a chance to meet a Geminatus born on the planet, and it’s oddly very different and disturbing for both. This is such a huge element that it’s going to be explored in the second of the Geminatus books in the Hammer and Fist:Geminatus series.

That leaves this story with Lex’s character’s greater expansion into his background, current status, and interpersonal mingling of the beings within himself. It’s also the growth of his and Tor’s own dynamic as they search out what the curse means emotionally.

And finally, it’s the biggest threat and storyline. Who’s Dominus? Where are they? What are their plans and how does Lex stop them?

It’s mind boggling how much is dumped into this book and how well it all fits together.

The ending is shocking. There’s a character death, and then a several consecutive dramatic events that lead to one unbelievable cliffhanger.

Then an author’s note that the next book up is the second in the Geminatus series! Noooooo.

So how one goes about reading a series and they feel about multiple cliffhangers, should let a reader decide what they want to do about reading the series. Read them as then release acknowledging that there will be cliffhangers and a good amount of time between stories or wait and binge.

But one thing is for certain. This is a must read. However it’s resolved, whatever tragedy consequences or happy turns of events, however unlikely, it’s a great convoluted epic tale of worlds, gods, monsters and love.

A fabulous story.

One I’m highly recommending no matter how frustrating that ending still makes me.

Read each series in order. It won’t make any sense if you don’t.

Hammer and Fist Series

✓ Sledge and Claw (Hammer and Fist: Lextalion Book 1)

✓ Brick and Brass (Hammer and Fist: Lextalion Book 2)

✓ Inferno (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus Book 1)

◦ Gale (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus Book 2) July 2023

Buy Link:

Brick and Brass (Hammer and Fist: Lextalion Book 2)

Description:

Lex:

Of course waking up from a coma wouldn’t come easy for me; thankfully I have friends willing to fuck me back to life. Once I’m on my feet again, playing catch up on the trafficking case makes me want to eviscerate someone. I hate that I’ve lost precious time hunting down Dominus, but I’m awake now and ready for action.

With weird things happening to the portals, an Ethensian hopping realms when he shouldn’t be able to, and trying to figure out how to end the blood hex I’m under, I feel like I’m drowning in tasks and making no progress. I want to end Dominus and put Knoxville behind me; instead, I get a one-off accidental prophecy taking me straight to a battlefield I didn’t even know existed.

Brick and Brass is a 65k MM Urban Fantasy. This is the second in the series and not a stand alone. Content includes: horror descriptions and gore, public sex and sex magic outside of the romantic subplot.

Review: Poison Hearts (The Elite universe story) by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 5🌈

Poison Hearts by Jennifer Cody was a real winner for me. It’s so entertaining, it’s characters so outrageously out there and engaging that it cries out for more adventures.

Pls pls I desperately need more stories of the merry insanity that is Orlando, Shannon, Minion , and hopefully, Linus.

Do not deprive us of this!

And it all starts so not so innocently with the blow dart murders of some bad guys in the Old Defiance neighborhood being protected by Orlando Ludovici, your neighborhood vigilante ninja assassin .

Cody has created a fabulous character in Orlando, complete with a fascinating family background and creative methodology for dealing with the baddies. There’s several authors that jump immediately to mind with their similarly charismatic assassins and Orlando easily ranks right in there with that crazy murderous fictional group.

Then there’s the fabulously insane scientist Shannon Mayburn, the tool peddler, brilliant inventor of tools of murder and mass destruction . He loves to dance and soon, he loves Orlando.

Plus his Minion. Whose name isn’t really minion and may kill Shannon at any moment because his boss annoys him so. I adore Minion. Who’s full of revelations and a delightful character in his own right.

Did I mention Linus the coroner who gets texts from Orlando about the bodies he’s about to receive? Theirs is a funny complicated anonymous relationship.

Ah, The Anonymous ! The elegant extremely private club where a crème colored invitation ushers you into a world of an utter criminality. The urbane of the world’s rift raft or this section’s of it, all secretly having cocktails and making connections in a lavish atmosphere in an art deco hotel.

It’s the meet cutely dangerous for Orlando and Shannon (as well as being the theme for the series). The characters Cody creates for the reason for Orlando’s entrance are mysterious and so beautifully written they scream for a story of their own. Especially since they come with such a scrumptious companion/bodyguard to boot.

Honestly, there’s no aspect, no element that Cody used in the many storylines that wasn’t a money maker in terms of its narrative use here. Thrills, excitement, more dead bodies, smooches and love talk ala crazy people. Yes! All there along with some explosions. And frogs.

I love this story and all the characters. Well, not the dead ones. The very much alive and deadly ones. And need more of them.

Hopefully Jennifer Cody is listening.

Yes this is a highly recommended read.

The Elite Multi-Author series (9 Books):

✓ Reckless Roulette by Alice Winters

✓ Leave No Trace by Michelle Frost and Sammi Cee❤️

✓ Ace of Maids by K.L. Hiers

✓ Poison Hearts by Jennifer Cody❤️

◦ Liar’s Gambit by Kelly Fox

◦ Dealer of Secrets by Davidson King

◦ Bullets & Butterflies by Maz Maddox

◦ Love for the Reaper by Charlie Cochet

◦ Chance Encounter by Luna David

Review: The Trouble With Trying To Love A Hellion (Murder Sprees & Mute Decrees Book 3) by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 3🌈

It’s been eight months since the release of the second book in this series, so it took me a while to remember the circumstances in which we left the characters at the end of that novel.

Especially as there’s a huge amount of characters who also come with a complicated personal history and connected relationships. It makes for a highly fascinating and entertaining storyline when everyone is going about their murderous way’s trying trying to make good and evil balance out.

A very tricky proposition on a good day, on a bad one? Hmmmmm. Even more entertaining and outlandishly awash in bodies and bloodshed.

So I wasn’t prepared for Cody to switch focuses or try for a new narrative point of view by changing out the usual perspective from that of The Reaper, Arlington Fox or his partner, Romily Butcher , to an unexpected voice. That of the innocent Auger, Edovard.

Edovard, or Pupper as he’s affectionately called, was adopted into The Foxilys (the Grandpas, Romily Butcher,Arlington Fox, adopted assassin Bellamy) in Book 2. It’s too complicated to go into. In fact all the relationships can’t really be explained without it turning into another novella. It’s that convoluted.

But Edovard is special. He sees good and evil in beings. In their souls. His personality is beautiful and childlike, although he’s been told by others that his gentleness and kindness is a lack of intelligence and more.

Cody has done a terrific job in creating a empathetic and engaging person in Edovard. He’s so easy to like and connect with.

Which, imo , doesn’t make him an ideal candidate for the role the author puts him into for most of her story.

It’s as if she vacillates between the child like persona she’s created who doesn’t know or understand sex. Then Edovard is understood to be asexual and then next in the story he’s the one she needs to be a sexually mature and active part of a polyamory relationship, one that just seemed to happen without much in depth discussion. It just feels so wrong. Not in keeping with the original characterization, even if you might have a natural growth in the relationships and knowledge. It’s still as if we have two different people here.

A naive pupper and one who can handle a polyamorous family and two difficult family dynamics in an adult manner.

I did enjoy Edovard’s reworking of Hell, doing evil by doing good. That so highly entertaining and funny. It honestly makes sense.

But some of the rest just left me puzzled. There was a odd revelation at the end which will be continued into Book 4 as well as some murders to carry out.

I’m hoping Cody will revert back to the original narrative because as much as I enjoy Edovard, his is not the voice that this story or series needs. At least imo. It made it uncomfortable and sort of creepy.

I’ll continue on. See what happens next.

Not exactly recommending this . Leaving the decision up to you.

Murder Sprees & Mute Decrees series:

🔷The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion #1

🔷The Trouble With Trying to Save an Assassin #2

🔷The Trouble With Trying To Love A Hellion #3

Buy Link:

The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Book 3)

Description:

Edovard:

Um…I was told I’m supposed to summarize my story here, but recently I’ve learned that blurbs are hard so I’m not sure what to say.

My name is Edovard Durand Folange. I’m twenty seven years old from Fresno, California, and recently I moved across the country to live with my new parents and brother. Oppa kills people for a living, and Papa is his announcer guy, and my brother is like his assistant, and I guess it turns out I’m the person the magic tells who needs to die—it’s called being an Augur. I don’t really know what that word means, but even though it’s scary, I’m getting used to it.

It’s nice to have a job, but Santanos (he’s the Avatar of Evil) offered me a second job, and I’m really excited about that because I get to work with him and help him fix the minions. A lot of them aren’t doing very well, so my second job is to make sure that everyone gets as much love as they need in their lives. Sometimes that means killing people who are stealing all the love away from them. I guess maybe I’m a little evil too, because I don’t mind letting Oppa kill those people to save the minions.

The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion is a 52k MM+ paranormal romance, featuring a cinnamon roll narrator with more than the usual amount of love to give and a sultry incubus who happens to be the Avatar of Evil. If the minions are especially affectionate with the cinnabun, well, who can blame them when he’s the best cuddler they’ve ever met?

Contents include: blood, viscera, someone dies because they call Edovard dumb, and Edovard accidentally creates a polycule, but that’s ok because he’s just making sure everyone gets enough love to be emotionally healthy.

Review: Fox Recruits a Mute Boy (And Falls in Love): A Short Story MSMD 1.5 (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees) by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 3.5🌈

“Romily asked me to do this, and I would do anything for that cute, fiery ball of optimism and silver linings except share him. He’s mine and I will fight you for him. No exceptions.”

— Fox Recruits a Mute Boy (And Falls in Love): A Short Story MSMD 1.5 (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees) by Jennifer Cody

This cute short story is wonderful to read right after The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer #1. Whereas that story is narrated by Romily, this is narrated by Arlington Fox, with interruptions by Romily. It’s a quick look at their beginning, and soulmate connection, from Fox’ perspective.

If you were wondering why Fox was so quick to go along with Romily on all those occasions? Here’s your answer!

Love it! Recommending it. Need the other book to know what’s going on.

It’s also available free if you subscribe to the author’s mailing list.

Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees series to date:

✓ The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer #1

✓ Fox Recruits a Mute Boy (And Falls in Love): A Short Story MSMD #1.5

✓ The Trouble With Trying to Save an Assassin (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Book 2)

https://www.amazon.com › Jennifer-…Jennifer Cody: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle – Amazon.com

Synopsis:

Romily:
Are you wondering what meeting me was like for the love of my life, Arlington Fox? Well, as Fox tells it, it was magical. Obviously.

Fox:
Romily asked me to do this, and I would do anything for that cute, fiery ball of optimism and silver linings except share him. He’s mine and I will fight you for him. No exceptions.

Fox Recruits a Mute Boy is a 5k word short story as told from Fox’s point of view about how he met his soul’s mate. Content Warning: blood, gore, flying limbs, and ridiculous requests from polyamorous fathers.

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Book 1) by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 4🌈

What we have here is a paranormal murderous romance farce as narrated by a snarky mute with a bent for sparkly jewelry and competent killer men so outstanding it brings out the heart eyes.

The author states in her notes she wrote it for fun and it reads that way. It’s absolutely entertaining, a one-sided narrative from a mute character, Romily Butcher, who’s bloody, dark short history absolutely prepares him for the supernatural/ paranormal death fest that’s Arlington Fox.

And it all starts with

“Once upon a time, a mute boy fell in love with an unapologetic murderer.”

— The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Book 1) by Jennifer Cody

From the beginning of their meeting in the diner, it’s a chaotic bloody romantic snarky funny mess. One that allows the narrator to peal back his own devastatingly awful personal history even as his new one is rolling out before us. It’s full of cherubs, demons, organizations that help with the balance of good and evil, magical agents and agendas galore , all served up with mystery and sarcasm!

Bad things happen. Lots of people die. It’s high action, kidnapping, murder, hijinks, and terror amidst the humor and romance. So while it’s fluffy in parts, it’s hellish fluffy.

Which, depending on how the author executes the story and frames out their characters, I’m a fan of. I really like how it works here. It’s a interesting combination of mythology, crime family dynamics, romance, and farce.

A note, traumatic and semi-traumatic events are given glossy or brief, succinct treatments here in the book and series. Maybe there’s a mention of a few tears but that’s generally it. I’ll let Romily spell it out as he does at the beginning of the book.

A NOTE FROM ROMILY

Dear Reader,

I’m a sassy, brave, beautiful boy who happens to use humor to cope with an unseen disability. If that bothers you, maybe you should consider expanding your horizons about how disabled people make life bearable when we’re surrounded by the oblivious.

Sincerely, Romily Butcher

PS: There’s a dub-con scene in this book. Shhh, it’s ok. I’m fine.”

— The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Book 1) by Jennifer Cody

Yes. As I said bad things happen. But they’re always happened to him. And they happen repeatedly throughout the book, to others all around him. It’s that series and those types of characters.

You know if you’re the type of reader that this will pose a issue for. Pls take that into consideration.

Meanwhile, I’m recommending The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Book 1) by Jennifer Cody. There’s 3 stories out now with plenty more planned. That is great incentive for me if I’m enjoying a series so far!

Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees series to date:

✓ The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer #1

✓ Fox Recruits a Mute Boy (And Falls in Love): A Short Story MSMD #1.5

✓ The Trouble With Trying to Save an Assassin (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Book 2)

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer by Jennifer Cody | Goodreads

Synopsis:

Romily:

Third time’s the charm, right? At least that’s what I tell myself when I witness the same hot guy commit mass murder three times in a few days. I’m either the luckiest mute boy ever or possibly the unluckiest. Who knows, maybe him kidnapping me will turn into the greatest love story ever told? Hey, it could happen! You never know how these things will turn out. I happen to believe in love and soulmates, and if nothing else, Arlington Fox doesn’t treat my disability like a nuisance. It’s not everyday you find someone who just gets you, and I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth even if the horse in question is a man so good at killing people that I should probably introspect a bit about why that skews my moral compass and possibly my kinks. But c’mon, competence is sexy, amiright?

The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer is an MM Paranormal Romance with lots of sass, humor, a ridiculous 3000 year age-gap, and an inordinate number of tables.

Praise for The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer:

“Arlington Fox is so smexy, but if he accidentally gets blood on one of my suits again, we’re going to have words.” —Romily Butcher, aka the narrator.

“I’d never accidentally get blood on any of his suits.” —Arlington Fox, aka Future Husband

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Inferno (Hammer and Fist : Geminatus #1) by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 4.75🌈

Excellent story! This second concurrently running series to Hammer and Fist: Lexatalion , is helpfully set up by the introduction of the Geminatus species and world in that series first story, Sledge and Claw.

It does help to read that series first to get a better understanding of the agency, IDIA, it’s agents, who are it’s Hammer and Fist. Hence the titles of these series. Each agent is the law enforcement, judge , jury, and the one who enacts swift execution.

We met our first Geminatus, a female, in that story. But she’s a kidnapped member of her species. Direct from the planet.

The person who’s story this is , Hunter and Ranger DuPont, has lived as human twins in a small town all his life, with the exception of having his two avatars go off to different collages, graduating with degrees in other fields, before returning home.

He is both , Ranger DuPont, the high school science teacher, and his “brother “ , Hunter, the town’s best friend and go to when something needs to be done. Usually in a wildlife capacity.

In secret, Hunter’s , with Ranger if necessary, has been hunting monsters, keeping his little town safe and himself with his secrets too.

It’s remarkable that Cody is able to make us believe in this incredibly unique being, who’s one person with two bodies. Yet each body also has and operates with distinct personalities. Hunter has all the creative side, tattoos, long hair, dresses like a hipster. While Ranger, the science teacher, has a more scientific mind, quiet and authoritative personality. And through such excellent writing and genuinely great descriptions, we absolutely believe in all three. The one, and the two.

The weird way they switch back and forth between awareness’s, and remembering the minutiae about each brother to keep their secret intact before whoever they are interacting with. Then letting the awareness drop, as one being to think about the duality and perception.

It’s a narratively tight balancing act and Cody does a beautiful job.

While all that is occurring, there’s also a potential romance happening with another character, who’s aware he’s dealing with a Geminatus. And all the ramifications that comes that situation. But Cedric Clark, a nurse, also has an enormous secret that probably will have a huge impact going forward.

Weaving into this a mystery about all the so called monsters Hunter’s been fighting over the years, why Townsend? With the IDIC as a guide , these monsters soon get very disturbing names .

And mounting questions about Hunter/Ranger’s origins and things they/him can do that the other can’t?

Cody has built a novel of spellbinding questions with little answers.

Some of the characters from Hammer and Fist: Lextalion appear here. It’s fascinating to get another perspective on that group’s dynamics. Unexpected!

I can’t wait to see where Gale, the next novel moves the story. This is such a complicated arc and the characters are amazingly just as convoluted.

I’m highly recommending Inferno (Hammer and Fist : Geminatus #1) by Jennifer Cody and it’s twin series. I’ve listed both below.

Read them in the order I suggested, it will help with character, event, and storylines development

Same universe, events often running concurrently.

🔶Hammer and Fist: Lextalion series:

🔹Sledge and Claw: Lextalion #1

🔹Brick and Brass : Lextalion #2 TBD

🔶Hammer and Fist : Geminatus series:

🔹Inferno #1

🔹Gale #2 – RTBD

https://www.goodreads.com › showInferno (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus # 1) by Jennifer Cody – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Ranger/Hunter:

After an encounter with gremlins that almost kills one of my avatars, I’m forced to get involved with the government agency that enforces the laws that govern non-humans on Earth. The Inter-dimensional Immigration Agency—IDIA, according to the office agent assigned to my case—has a vested interest in me. I’m a species that they’ve only just discovered, and I have a few gifts that I shouldn’t. Plus, I’ve been doing the work of a field agent for more than a decade, and they want to recruit me into the fold. It may be time I start getting paid for my efforts, but I’ll only agree to it if they can respect the family I’ve built and the people I’m protecting. If they want my loyalty, they’re going to have to earn it.

Inferno is an MM Urban Fantasy in the Hammer and Fist series. For a more informed reader experience, read Sledge and Claw (Hammer and Fist Lextalion Book 1) first, or explore the world for the frist time with Ranger/Hunter for a fun adventure into magic and inter-dimensional mayhem.

Review: Sledge and Claw (Hammer and Fist: Lextalion ) by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 4.75🌈

I love this introduction to a new author and a universe who’s fabric is exquisitely complicated, rich with the mythologies of a multitude of cultures and nations, as well as one that has the ability to expand through portals to endless worlds as the investigations require.

Jennifer Cody’s Hammer and Fist, as the Field Agent’s of the IDIA refer to themselves , is not just one series but as of now, two series. Each with a different character as a focal point.

I haven’t started on the second series, Inferno (Hammer and Fist : Geminatus #1) yet. But we meet that species here and it seems that the two intersect at a horrific mystery and investigation over the investigation into the abduction of species from their home worlds and slave trafficking.

First, Sledge and Claw. It’s fantastic. The beautifully defined characters run the gamut from human (or part human) to Fae to main one’s you need to discover in these pages.

It will start with Lextalion Farrow, FA for the IDIA, Inter-dimensional Immigration Agency. He’s the main, but not only POV. Lex is a mystery that slowly unravels . A top field agent , if not the top, for a somewhat nebulous agency. What that means exactly will be sharply defined, both by his actions and words, as he moves from one investigation to another, each pointing the way to a larger , more horrifying conspiracy of species abduction and slave trafficking.

Cody has crafted some incredibly strong, multidimensional female characters that constantly change as circumstances and relationship dynamics require. To go further would spoil a wonderful element here.

The other man, who is soon to stir things up, is such a strong personality, that you can sense that he will be a bigger player in this book as it continues. He too has secrets.

There’s Norse gods, mini gods, and a strange spelling of Nidhöggr, which I’m sure was intentional. I really liked that.

The writing was excellent, the plotting outstanding. And while I say there’s a cliffhanger, the author makes up for it by including a sneak peek at the next in the series, Brick and Brass, which lets us know exactly how that cliffhanger was resolved.

Since we don’t have a release date for book 2, that sneak peek was greatly appreciated and virtually eliminated the angst brought on by the cliffhanger.

All good.

I suspect that we are at the start of the beginning of a foundation of a found family of sorts. It has so many magnificent possibilities.

I was grateful for that sneak peek as I said for book 2. Now I need the actual release date for Brick and Brass!

If you love fantasy fiction, and the potential for new characters, new worlds, and mysteries as well as romances?

This is it! I’m highly recommending it.

Plus fabulous cover.

Now I’m off to see what the other series holds.

Hammer and Fist: Lextalion series:

🔹Sledge and Claw: Lextalion #1

🔹Brick and Brass : Lextalion #2 TBD

Same universe:

Hammer and Fist : Geminatus series:

🔹Inferno #1

https://www.goodreads.com › showSledge and Claw (Hammer and Fist #1) by Jennifer Cody – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Lex:

I work, I sleep, I fuck. That’s what I do.

My alphabet soup agency recruited me because of my unique blend of magic and innate talent, but those come with a steep price and it’s getting harder to pay with every investigation.

I never thought Knoxville would be the place that kills me, but between someone targeting me to get me fired (or start a war; could go either way), taking on a naïve new trainee, and investigating a non-human trafficking ring, it looks like I’m about to bite off more than I can chew.

The question is, can I figure out what’s going on before it all blows up in my face?

Sledge and Claw is an MM Urban Fantasy with triggers for the horrors of slave trafficking and consent issues. There also happens to be a cliffhanger ending

Review notes: at the end of the story is a brief sneak peek at the beginning of Brick and Brass that resolves the cliffhanger. FYI for all that can’t abide cliffhangers!