Tag: author Nazri Noor

Review: The Grip of Death (Arcane Hearts Book 8) by Nazri Noor

Rating: 4.5🌈

The Grip of Death does it job! It pulls together all the many fabulous characters, various universes, and multiple storylines to give the long term romance of Jackson Pryde and his fiancée, Xander Wright, the wedding of Jackson ‘s wildest dreams and end the series longest running mystery. 

That’s a lot of elements and stuff to jam into one book. Because at eight books, this couple has had a lot of fun, many adventures, and the Black Market itself is full of the most memorable Masters of the most interesting fields of magic one could imagine.

Every one, including the Goddess Hecate and the adorable sentient AI family members, Lore and Whitby, are present at the goings on, new mystery, and a relocation of the wedding to, where else, the Summer Palace, courtesy of King Oberon.

The author balances the storyline of the many characters and elements involved in the couple’s wedding with the ongoing process of completing the arcane engine his parents had started as well  as launching the guild of artificers.  This arcane engine process brings the story back to the original mystery of the original destruction of guild of artificers and the deaths of Jackson’s parents. 

The story is highly entertaining, extremely suspenseful, and action packed. But Noor never forgets about the emotional impact of family and relationships , writing moments of genuine poignancy and deep love. 

I’m thrilled with the ending and this book and series are a definite recommendation for me. 

Arcane Hearts:

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

The Grip of Death #8 – finale 

Cover art by Christian Bentulan coversbychristian.com

Buy link

        The Grip of Death (Arcane Hearts Book 8)

    

Blurb 

Wedding bells. Death knells.

Jackson Pryde and Xander Wright are hard at work preparing for their upcoming wedding. Good thing they have everything they need right in the Black Market, whether it’s an enormous cake or the perfect wedding rings.

Jack is working on an incredible project, too: an arcane engine inspired by his parents’ schematics. If it works, artificers and mages alike will unlock untold stores of energy, making it the guild’s greatest discovery to date.

 But it’s not all wine and roses. Echoes from the past point to dark secrets still lurking within the Black Market. Jackson and Xander must unearth these mysteries before they wreak havoc and ruin the wedding… or put their very lives in danger.

  • Publication date: February 28, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 204 pages

Review:  All Out of Flux (Stolen Hearts Book 3) by Nazri Noor

Rating : 4.5🌈

All Out of Flux is the final book in Nazri Noor’s Stolen Hearts trilogy.  In this story, brujo witch Leon Alcantara and mage Max Drake are still in pursuit of the Quartz Spider , a time mage who threatens existence itself.  

Noor’s narrative has been building up to this, including the amazing sea dragons that inhabit Leon for a spell in exchange for powerful magic.  This element expands as another dragon is introduced and a scary scenario is unveiled for their appearance.

This is a fast paced, action packed book, where if you skip a sentence or two, you’ve missed an important step or aspect of the game that’s playing out in the narrative.  

I find the entire Las Lunas universe endlessly imaginative.  The spider beings, from the Jade and Amethyst Spiders to the very Queen herself, this is such a uniquely fascinating element that I love and could wish for additional exploration. 

And also there’s Max’s criminal, entertaining, persistent family to dive into as well.  Tons of characters waiting for their own input into Max and Leon’s lives and further adventures.

That final battle and scenes left me with some major issues but it was most definitely dramatic and memorable.  Did I have several questions about how it was possible and why it was happening in the first place? Yes.  Did know one know about the Masque? However, everything is satisfactory and maybe any further series will bring answers for us.  You never know.

If you love fantasy fiction, magical stories, here’s a trilogy you won’t want to miss. 

Stolen Hearts:

Hex and the City #1

Elixir of Strife #2

All Out Of Flux #3 – finale

Buy link

        All Out of Flux (Stolen Hearts Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Time is running out.

Leon Alcantara and Max Drake are finding help in the most unlikely of places. A third dragon has manifested, promising Leon untold elemental power. Another specter from Max’s past returns to haunt him, presenting a tempting offer.

But everything comes with a price.

Perhaps the risk is worth the reward. More anomalies are erupting across Dos Lunas. The boys need all the help they can get against the rogue time mage responsible. The Quartz Spider has finally shown his hand, and only Max and Leon can stop him.

But how can they stop the enemy when the enemy is time itself?

  • Publication date: August 30, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 148 pages

Review: Grave Misfortune (Fortune Favors the Fae Book 8) by Nazri Noor

Rating: 4.5🌈

Grave Misfortune is Nazri Noor’s novel in the fantastic fantasy series, Fortune Favors the Fae. This is a multi-author series about a mysterious ancient Fae coin that travels from world to world, interfering with the lives and destinies of those it encounters. It’s a fascinating theme and Noor puts it and the coin to rigorous use in his highly entertaining novel.

In Noor’s storyline, there’s a small town called Barrowdeep that is besieged by ghouls. Its the perfect setting for this enemies to lovers romance. And the author has created a number of memorable characters that inhabit it to make this place real, its horrors to the remaining citizens haunting and scary, and the heartfelt rawness of those who have survived believable.

Already there is Leoric, a battle hardened, war weary soldier whose laid down his weapons for a new job as the town’s grave keeper in return for a new home. Leoric is an impressive man, a powerful character on the town’s side, whose history is as slowly revealed as is his match here.

That would be the traveling lone elf, Orphium of the Dawning Court. With his magical wagon that needs no animal to pull it, he careens from town to village, where aided by his charm and magical tricks, he wagers its people out of trinkets that also carry their precious memories, unknowingly won by him without their consent.

That’s the Orphium we meet as his wagon wheels itself into Barrowdeep. Self centered, self serving is perhaps a better term, and not prepared for the reception he receives.

Noor does an excellent job of transitioning the character of Orphium from a dislikable being to someone the reader understands and invests in emotionally. Orphium’s an isolated desperate elf constantly trying to deny the consequences of his actions, stealing precious memories from those who unknowingly surrendered them to him over a game of chance. Through the events, the escalating violence of the ghoulish invasion, and yes, that Fae coin, the relationship between Leoric and Orphium, and Orphium and the townsfolk starts to evolve.

I love all the many elements that Noor creates in this world and story and felt some didn’t get the development they deserved. But the author notes that this is the first book in a new series, so I imagine that those things will get better explanations further down the road.

I’m absolutely looking forward to seeing where this goes. Grave Misfortune (Fortune Favors the Fae Book 8) by Nazri Noor is another must read book in this fantastic collection. It’s a definite recommendation!

Cover art by Natasha Snow. I love the covers. Fabulous.

Fortune Favors the Fae – 15 books:

✓ A Fae Coin Transported Me Into Another World and Now I’m the Gay Holy Maiden by AJ Sherwood #1❤️

✓ The Wolf’s (Un)Lucky Fae by Michele Notaro #2 ❤️

✓ Bound to the Wild Fae by Tavia Lark #3 June 13❤️

✓ The Sorcerer’s Thief by Lee Colgin #4 ❤️🔷

✓ The Fae Menagerie by Edie Montreaux #5

✓ Never Darling by Sam Burns #6

✓ Prince of Poison by Alice Winters #7 ❤️

✓ Grave Misfortune by Nazri Noor #8 ❤️

◦ Fae for Pay by Meaghan Maslow #9 – July 23,2024

◦ Kisses at the Crossroad by Morgan Lysand #10 – August 1,2024

◦ Smoke and Mirrors by Kai Butler #11 – August 8, 2024

◦ Siren in the Rain by Chloe Archer #12 – Aug 15,2024

◦ I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem by Jocelynn Drake #13 – Aug 22,2024

◦ A Fae Called Wylder by Michelle Frost #14 – Aug 29,2024

◦ Lucky or Knot by Eliot Grayson #15 – September 5,2024

Buy link

Grave Misfortune

Blurb

Darkness sleeps beneath Barrowdeep.

War-weary mercenary Leoric has traded his sword for a shovel, burying the undead blight that plagues the little town of Barrowdeep. Now he fights for the living instead of against them.

Fae trickster Orphium travels from town to town, stealing human trinkets and memories through games of chance. He’s desperate to fill the hollow in his heart, but the hunger never goes away.

Barrowdeep is ripe for the picking, except the nosy local gravedigger keeps interfering. But when Leoric unearths an ancient fae artifact, Orphium knows he’ll stop at nothing to possess the powerful coin.

And the undead will stop at nothing to possess him.

Orphium and Leoric must fight the undead together before tensions and their shadowy pasts rise to the surface — and before an even darker evil awakens beneath Barrowdeep.

Grave Misfortune is a part of the multi-author series, Fortune Favors the Fae. From spicy to sweet, zany romps to epic adventures, there’s something for everyone in this mystical series. Discover destiny and true love and follow the coin on its fickle journey to the next world and a new magical adventure.

• Publication date: July 18, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 218 pages

Review: Elixir of Strife (Stolen Hearts Book 2) by Nazri Noor

Rating: 3.25🌈

Elixir of Strife is the second in the Stolen Hearts series by Nazri Noor and I’m not sure it passes the all important second book test.

That’s the one that’s supposed to deepen the arc plot while further engaging the reader in the main characters storylines and relationships. While it does tick some of those boxes, it actually makes the reader take a harder look at the main characters personalities, relationships, and elements thereof.

Those don’t come off as good as they did in the first book unfortunately.

Elixir of Strife (Stolen Hearts Book 2) by Nazri Noor is a strange mix of terrifically intriguing ideas, great secondary beings, increasingly irritating main characters, and a flawed plot. It’s so hard to find a good way to find a way through the entire story without having to stop at the bits that just don’t work.

It’s starts off with the best and worst of the elements. It’s a 2-person narrative, Leon Alcantara or Witch Boy and Maximilian Drake, who’s also a member of the Brilliant family. They are practicing their thievery skills but it’s their individual voices that’s becoming problematic.

For Max, the rich son whose rejected his wealthy arcane family for a semi independence, it’s a borderline self-indulgent, sexed up rich bad boy , “look at me” attitude that’s becoming sort of off putting. Especially when combined with his feelings towards Leon (confused) and his family (waffling).

Then there’s Leon. He’s still my favorite but now he’s leaning towards that deadly character tendency called TSTL. Combined with utter magical greediness, it makes sense he’s marching towards this aspect of the arc storyline without any real thought, but it’s enough to make a reader want to smack him.

“Consider this. How does it benefit us to weaken and kill a human who has willingly presented themself as a conduit for our power? Early man could not have traversed the oceans without a seaworthy vessel. Why would we break the best vessel we’ve found in a long while, knowing that the rest of our kind may still want a turn on the raft?”

My gut was so prepared to send me running away from all sea dragons, blaring warning sirens throughout my body. But yet again the lure of power left me standing with feet firmly planted”

That’s Leon taking on yet another dragon inside him, after questioning what’s the cost for the experience/power exchange. A bit of his soul? Yeah, let’s do it! Cause I’m not thinking through this. SMH. A classic TSTL.

But it’s right in the middle of a truly interesting aspect of this series storyline, that of sea dragons that approach Leon with a deal to inhabit his body in exchange for water magic/powers. So far we’ve met the god Tiamat and now we get Bakunawa, Filipino sea serpent, command of storms, fury of the seas.

I love the cultural aspect of the dragons and my only wish is that this is explored further.

Also great. New character Edel Wise (say that fast) , a hagiculturalist who’s a Demon gardener. They/she worked in the prime hells but was ready for something new! Loved her.

The new mission involves Daniel D Lyon from a large arcane family and his new business.

That’s Succulence and it’s forbidden evil olive. It needs an elixir. One wanted by many.

The mission is involved with lots of layers. Including the fabulous Jade spider herself , another fabulous woman and aspect of the series.

Noor keeps mixing bits that absolutely work with ones that make the reader question whether they should continue with the series. Wonderful details and character development with Leon meshing together the dragon of the moment. The way it goes wrong. The way is supposed to be a “hidden Entity “ but Leon basically tells everyone. Then at the end , after Leon has even let Bakunawa talk through him to a group of people, the Jade Spider says she forgives him his secrets. What secrets? He’s basically shouted it to the universe! Another SMH moment..

We go back and forth like this. Small betrayals, secrets that aren’t, and villains that always get away.

I’ll continue with the series but my frustration is increasing with the books.

Do i recommend reading this ? Read over my review and decide for yourself.

Stolen Hearts:

✓ Hex and the City #1

✓ Elixir of Strife #2

◦ All Out of Flux #3 -Sept 29,2023

Buy Link:

Elixir of Strife (Stolen Hearts Book 2)

Blurb:

Water, water, everywhere.

Leon Alcantara and Maximilian Drake have barely caught their breath after saving the city from an untimely fate. Now the Jade Spider has a new assignment. A local magical plant shop has requested a strange elixir, the liquid essence of purest water.

In pursuit of the ocean potion, Max stumbles upon a tormentor from his past. Leon faces the challenge of hosting a second dragon, a legend much closer to home. And the mysterious Masques are more watchful than ever, shadowing the boys at every turn.

But strangest of all is a fresh spate of elemental anomalies in Dos Lunas. Life or death, sink or swim, Leon and Max must rise to the challenge — or drown under a tide of wicked magic.

Review: Hex and the City (Stolen Hearts Book 1) by Nazri Noor

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Hex and the City starts off a new series, Stolen Hearts, by Nazri Noor, and I’m happy to share that’s it’s a very exciting start indeed.

The beginning was a titch rocky for me as I’m not a fan of the insufferably vain ,so self-indulgently awesome as to be stupid , main character. Especially when that’s the first voice the reader “hears” as they drop into the narrative.

But that quickly turns into something else, a more layered reality when a second main character and different perspective is added. Then we see that the first character’s voice and projection isn’t exactly what the reality is.

And that changes everything.

Leon Alcantara or Witch Boy as he’s called, is a finder. He’s the last of his line. A bruho, a male witch. But he’s constantly on the run, barely making it, moving from place to place. Hardly the careless happy image he’s projecting at the beginning of the story. He may be good looking but he’s seriously not the strongest , successful player in town and he knows it. And we soon see exactly where Leon stands by looking at him through the eyes of another finder.

That’s Maximilian Drake. A mysterious man of wealth who still lives as a finder, he sees the ragged clothes Leon wears and will come to hear Leon’s history of subsistence and endurance.

Noor completely brings us into the universe he’s creating, slowly leaving us bits of knowledge about the world, its structure, and the struggles within. We get the criminal families, and the Masques, a strange enigmatic group of magical law enforcement agents wearing their own masks that cover magical crimes. One of which is the basis of the story here.

The author creates a fascinating story around a semi-lawful culture of Spiders, a group of beings that accumulate wealth of knowledge of ,well, everything, and the finders they send out for things. A hunt that brings Max and Leon together with huge complications. The more the hunt goes wrong, the more creative and layered the characters and plot becomes as the author expands on the history, relationships, and world building.

It goes on to explore what the characters relationship might turn into, what mysteries their backgrounds hold, and the layers Noor is still working into the series. All of which are very compelling.

The second book, Elixir of Strife, will be released soon. I can’t wait. I’m highly recommending you begin your Stolen Hearts journey with Hex and the City. It’s a great beginning to what looks to be a fabulous tale!

Stolen Hearts:

✓ Hex and the City #1

◦ Elixir of Strife #2 – July 28,2023

◦ All Out of Flux #3 -Sept 29,2023

Buy Link:

Hex and the City (Stolen Hearts Book 1)

Description:

Leon Alcantara is a real son of a witch.

The last in a proud line of witches, he’s come to test his small magic in the big city. Stealing enchanted artifacts pays the rent, but the competition is fierce. And handsome. And great at magic, too.

But Maximilian Drake and his dark, brooding glances are the least of Leon’s problems. A chain of anomalies surges through the city, strange distortions in reality that threaten both Dos Lunas and its people.

Suspected by the arcane authorities, Leon is forced to work with his nemesis to clear his name. But Max is so secretive over his shrouded past. Can he even be trusted? Leon must decide before the anomalies destroy the city — and his entire life.

Review: The Claws of Winter (Arcane Hearts Book 7) by Nazri Noor

Rating: 4.25🌈

Here we are at the penultimate book in the Arcane Hearts series with the release of The Claws of Winter by Nazri Noor. It’s hard to imagine the author is going to be able to not only resolve some of the major mysteries of the series but also to explain the rationale behind some aspects of the family dynamics that undergo an enormous transformation at the end.

Personality transformations, AI intelligent beings that require whole storylines to conclude all the narrative levels it’s involved in, a romantic relationship to move to HEA, and still a deadly conflict with other realms that are in play. Seems a lot to ask of one finale novel.

Because The Claws of Winter ending finishes with all that still left hanging for the final story to deal with.

There’s a ton of elements here for the characters and plot threads to explore here. It picks up where the last book ends, with The Oberon’s Heart being returned to the King of Summer in The Verdant and releasing him from the poisonous crystal vines. But the land and the Fae need to recover, and Queen Titania is missing. More mysteries.

Jackson Pryde has started to become a character I’m not really connecting with anymore. I enjoyed watching him at the start but he’s not really growing up . At least as far as maturity or demonstrating the character growth his fiancé, Xander Wright, the former Incandescent, has shown steadily throughout the series.

It’s odd. I’m not sure if it’s intentional by the author or if Jackson is a personal “blind spot “ creatively for him. Many of the other characters or people around him have aged, acquired important positions and significant others.

Jackson, while working towards his goals of establishing the Hall of Making, has remained essentially, well the same Jackson. Yes, he rebuilt the Artificers Hall. He’s in a relationship. He’s done all these things and gone on all these adventures. However, his inner self, his emotional persona has essentially been unchanged from the beginning. He’s still showing doubts about his abilities, demonstrating jealousy as well as insecurities about Xander when it comes to the College and the Incandescent Magic. Even his exaggerated ego can feel childish when framed around the events that are happening. What was once understandable is now getting tired.

Where Jackson is still struggling and believable is when he is within the realm of his home life , present and past. Whether he’s supporting Lore in Lore’s achievements as a AI being or remembering life with his deceased parents, that’s when Noor takes Jackson and grounds him firmly in the basis for the arc themes and his character. He’s more realistic and we are more invested in him and the story.

Weak components here are to do with the Magical Incandescent young man introduced into the narrative, his interactions with the characters (although this may be a part of the overall storyline), and the ease of resolution of one issue of a major theme. It feels one dimensional.

So many narrative balls up in the air, and so many characters await to catch them.

I’m not sure it all worked here . But it’s very complicated and the world building is so well done that it’s hard not to enjoy the journey even if you’re having quibbles along the way.

Book 7 is complete. Onto the finale, The Grip of Death, Book 8 of Arcane Hearts.

I’m definitely recommending the series and this story. It’s a wild ride.

rcane Hearts series, 8 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

◦ The Grip of Death #8 – finale /Nov 24, 2023

Buy link:

The Claws of Winter (Arcane Hearts Book 7)

Description:

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

The guild of artificers is so close to completion, Jackson Pryde can almost taste it. Befriending the Black Market’s guilds has paid off.

Everyone agrees that Jackson should become master of the artificers, even Mother Dough, the powerful guild of bakers.

But it’s not all sugar and spice. A strange sorcerer has reawakened Xander’s interest in Incandescence. The second AI has unearthed a bizarre blueprint. And not everything is as it seems in the Verdance.

Tensions mount as the fae courts question the value of human friendship – and human life. Jackson and Xander may have saved the King of Summer, but now they must face the wrath of the Queen of Winter.

Review: Prince of Flowers (Wild Hearts #1) by Nazri Noor

Rating: 2.25🌈

I really like this author’s other stories but this is a real miss on so many levels. Frankly I’m astonished.

This was a almost DNF for me. Only the fact that I always hope for a turn for the better keeps me from stopping at my real “I’m done “ point in each book this happens at.

Here it was at about 62% when the Goddess Aphrodite appeared, smug , and making all sorts of declarations about the situation the incompetent summoner has entwined the poor Princely Elf and himself in.

It came at a poor place in the narrative. After a series of tasks the idiot Summoner has forced the elf to accomplish, getting him hurt in the process.

It starts with student Lochlann Wilde, someone who’s less than studious nature has caused him to be one the the college’s oldest students and one who’s so far behind in his levels that he hasn’t earned his Crest.

The story goes on about how fabulous a summoner his father is and what enormous stress it is to live up to that. But you know what? Loch hasn’t memorized his spells, hasn’t put in the work.

So nope. No connection here. And Noor is going with the golden, gorgeous, lazy boy main character first person point of view. So you automatically must forgive his faults and sloppy behavior, because golden boy. This smacks regrettably close to a Gary Stu.

It’s a little bit much.

He decides to summon a eidolon without knowing what he’s summoning. Instead of a animal to be his familiar he summons a actual person, a being. A elf.

Which then becomes his basic captive/slave. Unable to fight back or return home due to the summoning. Instead of breaking the spell like a reasonable, rational human would when confronted with having a living sentient being accidentally enslaved, Loch takes advantage and decides he’s going to get his Crest and extra credits at College by treating the Elf like a specimen/slave/forced eidolon. As well as telling the College it’s their chance to see what a elf is all about.

Right.

So. This whole storyline has a definite bad taste to it.

If you flip the characters. Say have the Fae be the one to enslave the summoner/student by accident, then immediately, the Elf is always dark or evil because they have taken away consent. It’s entrapment. All sorts of flags.

But here, it’s supposed to be ok, because it’s a human. He has needs.

And don’t get me started on the sexual aspect that starts on Loch’s part almost immediately. That on top of the non consensual aspect of this story that gets overlooked is mind boggling.

So no. The Fae isn’t some cute pet to be treated as something to be “tamed”. Another narrative theme that is tired and is sorely overdue to be retired.

Along with the entire story.

So done.

I’m extremely disappointed with so many old, distasteful, or poorly executed elements and characters here.

◦ Main Character that’s selfish, lazy, and vain.

◦ That another race needs to be “tamed”

◦ That another sentient being can be enslaved and that’s fine by both a MC, a college, and apparently a Goddess.

◦ Old themes and thoughts on racism and sex. Especially when one has the power over another.

I’m definitely not continuing further. It’s doesn’t matter how it’s resolved because excuses are made for all of the above.

For me, those are things that shouldn’t be excused.

Any of these things sound appealing, maybe none of this will bother you, then investigate the story for yourself.

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Prince-F…Prince of Flowers (Wild Hearts Book 1) eBook : Noor, Nazri: Kindle Store

He captured a fae prince. But can he capture his heart?

Lochlann Wilde walks in the shadow of his father, a legendary summoner who commanded mythical beasts in battle. But Locke isn’t legendary. He’s barely a summoner, never passing his academy’s trial of the elements.

And then he accidentally summons a fae prince with a beautiful body and a bad attitude.

Sylvain is fiery and ferocious, stronger than anything Locke has ever encountered. And hotter, too. But time is running out. Locke must tame the prince’s wild heart. If he fails his trial, he’ll lose his inheritance and ruin his family’s name.

Without Sylvain, Locke could lose his chance to become a true summoner… along with his shot at true love.

Prince of Flowers is a contemporary fantasy romance with an HFN ending. Can a snarky summoner and a fickle fae prince endure mythical creatures, meddling goddesses, the fury of the elements, and each other? Only one way to find out. If you like sorcery, spice, and everything nice, you’ve come to the right place. Start the Wild Hearts series today.

Review: A Clap of Thunder (Arcane Hearts #6) by Nazri Noor

Rating: 4.75🌈

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)

https://www.goodreads.com › showA Clap of Thunder (Arcane Hearts, #6) by Nazri Noor – Goodreads

Some secrets are best left buried.

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.

Review: Hand of Glory (Arcane Hearts #5) by Nazri Noor

Rating: 4.75🌈

Hand of Glory is the penultimate book in Nazri Noor’s fantastic Arcane Hearts fantasy series. I’ve been sitting here thinking about the story, all the incredibly imaginative elements, and wide range of engaging characters that Hand of Glory alone showcases.

It’s made me realize, not for the first time, how limiting our rating system is. Especially for novel’s outside the contemporary spectrum. I wish I could have a list for rating some truly outstanding aspects of fantasy/Other storytelling. And now for Best IA Characters, Best Use of Loki, Best Special Effects, Best Universe…you get my drift. Just too limited.

Like other marvelous authors of fantasy or genres of fiction that allows a writer create unique universes, build cultures and characters of their own, Noor has built something spectacular with his Arcane Hearts series. And with each new installment, he expands and exponentially gives his readers even more character growth , new imaginative elements and key new characters to think about as the series arc moves forward.

Bees. Candles. Wax. All in a way I’ve never thought about before. I loved that! A major element here . It also brings more depth to a character who’s part of the found family that Jackson Pryde and Xander Wright have been bringing together, friends from the the various Guilds, helping to rebuild the artificers guild hall. Each person within their circle is getting more layers to their personalities and more powerful.

Which is to be expected, as after the disastrous battle in the Black Market, and at the Ball, the new dangers they face from the purple crystal and the Fae becomes even more perilous.

What I look forward to in these stories, is, in between all the battles, the investigations, the sexy scenes, the fantastical mythology lie the heartwarming ones. The small bits , the tiny moments when Jackson, often when Xander is present, is reunited with his deceased parents, through the remarkable capabilities of Lore and his parents foresight to put a series of memories inside Lore for Jackson, to access just when he needs them. It’s unbelievably poignant and emotional.

It’s just one more amazing aspect of this story that makes me happy just when I know everything will be falling apart fast in the next novel. A moment to treasure.

Just like this series. And the bees.

I’m highly recommending this novel and series. Read them in the order they are written for story and characters relationships development.

I’ve listed them below. Now to wait until July for A Clap of Thunder to be released!

Arcane Hearts series, 6 of 6 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 – July 29, 2022 (finale)

https://www.goodreads.com › seriesArcane Hearts Series by Nazri Noor – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Glamor, glitter, and gold.

Jackson Pryde and the great guilds of the Black Market are recovering in the aftermath of the fae attacks. With Xander Wright at his side, Jackson finds the strength and spellpower to rebuild.

Yet the fae keep coming, infiltrating under cover of illusions and glamor. And then there’s the upcoming Grayhaven gala, a gathering that’s sure to attract their destructive appetites.

Whispers speak of a strange and powerful candle, one that will help Jackson find the source of the fae and stop their attacks forever. Where are the fae coming from? Who is sending them to spread chaos?

And most important of all: where will Jackson find the time and courage to propose?

Hand of Glory is a 77,000-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 Hand of Glory today.

Review: A Velvet Glove (Arcane Hearts #4) by Nazri Noor

Rating: 4.75🌈

Such an outstanding series. Each story sees a increase in danger to the world our heroes live in from the Fae, the originators of the purple poison crystals that started off the series arc with some strange deaths.

But it’s not from the Fae alone that our characters and their deep relationship seem to face new obstacles and trials. Everywhere they turn, there’s daunting challenges to the path forward they are trying to tread.

For Jackson Pryde , it’s the gods and goddesses who have invited/told him to come to a meeting about his identity as a prism. It’s a element that’s still in development as to what it will eventually mean to Jackson’s life and relationship.

It’s a overlaying thread while Jackson deals with trying to rebuild the artificers’ guild, get approval for the plans (a fantastic section that includes Lore and a new character), and get ready to attend a gathering with Xander at Greyhaven, the magical school he was told he was never good enough for.

Nazri Noor has packed a couple of books worth of themes into one here and , while jammed full, it still flows smoothly. It’s incredibly suspenseful, full of so many emotionally laden issues for our main characters that we and them might be unpacking for the next book or three.

Idol/hero worship, adolescent expectations and the pain when reality mades life feel less important, doubts and insecurities. All while fighting a growing enemy bent on complete destruction.

New fascinating characters. Old enemies , the Fae, of Irish lore. Definitely not any friendly to humans, but capable of extraordinary cruelty.

Lore is exhibiting new growth and personality. I love him.

Noor gives us hints of enormous peril, loss, and just the hope of happiness. Have no idea where this is going but I’m on for the whole ride.

Just amazing stories but read them in the order they are written so you can understand the relationships and arc development.

I’m highly recommending them all.

Arcane Hearts series:

✓ A Touch of Fever #1

✓ A Stroke of Brilliance #2

✓ An Iron Fist #3

✓ A Velvet Glove #4

◦ Hand of Glory #5

https://www.goodreads.com › seriesArcane Hearts Series by Nazri Noor – Goodreads

Jackson Pryde is too cool for school.

In the middle of shearing talking sheep, Jackson Pryde and Xander Wright are visited by Hecate and Freyja, queens of magical might within their pantheons. The goddesses have summoned Jackson for a meeting among immortals, a convocation of entities who wish to study the strange nature of his prismatic powers.

Jackson’s busy enough already. Work is underway for the rebuilding of the artificers’ guild. Rumors abound that his childhood hero is searching for a suitable assistant. And a chance assignment sees the boys visiting the heart of where their bitter rivalry truly began: the elite academy of Grayhaven.

Good thing a visit to Xander’s alma mater won’t unearth old grudges and ancient insecurities.

Right?

A Velvet Glove is an 85,000-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 Velvet Glove today.