Urban fantasy binge reading continues, this time with a author well established as a terrific writer of fantastical, magical tales and series.
I must have missed Sam Burnsā fantasy fairytale story first time around. So I was happy to make its acquaintance by chance now, lured in by its great cover and evocative title. Why did du Maurierās Rebecca spring to mind? Nevertheless, it pulled me right in.
Told from the pov of Wainwright, a cat and companion to Luke, youngest of three Miller brothers. Parents recently deceased and the older brothers have decided to deprive Luke of his rightful inheritance and chase him from his home, with only the cat and his grandfatherās book in his possession.
Lukeās shaky, uncertain perspective comes in later as the young man struggles to survive on the streets without resources, unwilling to part from Wainwright.
Unaware that Wainwright is trying to provide for them both and just might be more than either of them suspect.
The Cat Returns To Adderly turns into one of those stories that engages your imagination as well as your heart. Sam Burns builds such fascinating characters here! And not just the main characters of Luke and Alastair. But that circle of witches that attend to the Market just cries out for an expanded version or more stories. How powerful a presence were they!
Plus I needed more knowledge of Lukeās grandfather and that book! And poor Elz. And and andā¦ā¦
Itās a parade of intriguing characters here. And all I wanted to know was more more more. Of what came next. Of what happened in the pastā¦ just everything.
Because thereās more elements here that needed a wider universe and plain bigger novel (s).
This? Itās great. But the promise for over the top magnificent? Itās everywhere.
Read it and see if you agree.
Yes Iām definitely c recommending this.
Synopsis:
Orphaned, Luke Miller is left alone and homeless with only his cat for company. But Wentworth is more than an average feline, and when Luke makes a set of leather boots to keep his paws safe, it might help them both find the path to where they belong.
Previously published in Fables Retold under the same title
Iāve been thinking about this book, itās elements, and my review.
Why? Because it contains that one element guaranteed to bring me back to a basic argument I have, as a reviewer and for myself as a reader. Simply put, it is how do I feel about the cliffhanger?
Yes, Tide of Tricks, book 2 of Shadows of London, a fantastic tale of magic and mystery, has the most outrageous of all cliffhangers and THE key series/story revelation all at the same moment. Right at the end of the story! DO NOT READ the ending first. You wonāt even understand it anyway.
This is a heartbreaking, mindblast of a problem for several reasons, at least for me. I trust it will be for you all as well.
And I can tell you , if we were talking over tea or coffee? The expletives would be flying!
So let me dive into the why this cliffhanger is going to be so mind boggling awful.
It starts with Ariana Nashās character of John āDomā Domenici. His character, his personality and background is so densely layered, like a ābloom inā onionā as it were. The author has crafted Domās past with bagged filled hidden years that get revealed only through times of immense stress or threatened violence, that the reader and his associates never know whatās coming. Dom is a man whoās means of escaping his crime-filled East End childhood was to join the Army. That also turned out to be something far more torturous and disturbing (Iāll leave that to the book). Tragically from his start in Pretty Twisted Things , we now watch a man weāve come to greatly care about, slowly destabilize. With devastating results. And someone has planned this.
Nash has written a terrifying authentic example of a man being driven almost to the brink by forces unknown. We will feel every bit as helpless as Dom is to stop the events around him.
The people who work with him who we āthinkā care for him realize the dangers but thereās multiple targets. No one knows whoās the mastermind. And those who are acting on the mastermindās orders?
A shock or two there.
This is a veritable Minotaurās labyrinth of a plot and series arc. Bodies are falling, shadows are everywhere, magical objects of destruction of appearing all over London to destabilize people like Dom, and revelations about the primary characters start to pop like narrative gun fire. Nothing can be counted on except that everyone is in danger. And we have no real idea who everyone truly is.
Cliffhanger. In a beautifully written, outstandingly executed and almost flawless book.
Second stories are almost always a bridge book. They carry the plot and characters safely over from the foundation novel to the third book, which might be the end or even penultimate story in the series. Here Nash not only shoots out the lanterns our characters are carrying to light the way across the bridge but Nash is stranding them there before they reach the end. The bridge is going to break and all is darkness.
The third book in the series? Trial by Fire? Doesnāt come out until next May 2022. Ffs. Yup. Next year.
So back to my ongoing dilemma. When it comes to series and cliffhangers, do you (if given advance notice, clearly not here) wait until you have the entire series and read right through?
Or do what Iāve done, repeatedly, give in and read the book 1 in series after series, hopefully not to see a cliffhanger, and just go with it.
Knowing full well that come next May Iāll have to reread books 1 & 2 before diving back into this series, because the author has made it just that involved and convoluted. My mind will just not be able to hold onto all the details of this arc and plot and multiple characters until May 2022.
Sigh. Itās a old argument. Iāll probably still plow onwards. This author has me so hooked itās unreal.
So yesā¦ absolutely read this book and series. You decide when. If you want to wait until the series is complete, then read all the stories go for it. Read them as they come, waiting along with me? Ok weāll suffer together.
Either way, put it on your TBR list. Iām highly recommending it.
Shadows of London series:
ā¦ Twisted Pretty Things #1
ā¦ Tide of Tricks #2
ā¦ Trial by Fire #3- coming May 31st, 2022 argh! The wait will kill me!
Reeling from recent revelations and forced to lie for Kempthorne, the unthinkable happens: Dom fails the latent competency test. One more strike and heāll be deemed unstable, have his registration stripped, and the life he’s come to love at Kempthorne & Co will be over.
If that weren’t bad enough, someone is stalking him, taunting him. Someone who knows what Dom did all those years ago.
While Dom juggles Kempthorne’s lies and his own shady past, latents are being murdered. The police won’t help, so it’s up to Dom, Kempthorne & new-recruit Kage (Hollywood) to find the killer, before they strike too close to home.
Dom soon finds himself at the heart of it all with his control slipping, his trick breaking free, and the shadows rising.
He’s coming undone. And for unstable latents, there’s only one way outā¦..
Please note, this is an adult urban fantasy, so there are multiple swears, some darker themes and scenes, and on-page sex.
Here we are at the Hidden Species finale and usually Iām a very mopey reader at this stage because Iām saying goodbye to characters and a universe Iāve fallen deeply and irrevocably in love with.
However, thank you, Louisa Masters, I know that the fabulous sequel series Here Be Dragons ensures that both this universe and characters and romances will happily and eagerly be something I can look forward to, book after book. Sighā¦. More Hellhounds and dragons!
At any rateā¦. Focusingā¦.
Sorcerers Always Satisfy brings to the fore one of the steadiest, grounded characters of this series. The one man we probably have known the least about but also never really thought that much about either.
David Carew, sorcerer and all around steadfast albeit a tad boring friend to everyone in the Luciferās inner circle, including Percy Caraway himself. David has been a bit of a blank page, while all his friends supplied the glitter, flash, angst, age, or samba lines.
Now Davidās past comes roaring back and explains his need , nope, love and need for order instead of chaos. And itās revealed that heās not exactly just āa sorcererā but something extraordinary as sorcerers go. Yeah, heās inner circle for a reason, we really should have seen that one.
Davidās true strengths and past is revealed during a time of disaster and dimension peril so extreme that no one could have foreseen it.
The elf Caolan ,who appeared in Alistairās story , is now a full partner is the Alliance to stop the enemies plan. I wonāt spoil all that entails because itās complicated, imaginative, and well, encapsulates four books. Read them all in the order they are written.
But Caolan is also adoring of David. Before you go itās too soon, as David does actually, thereās a host of explanations that cover exactly why itās not. Just another outstanding element here. Elf loves David, itās perfectly reasonable, I love this couple. And well the Elves. And their love of cell phonesā¦ just wait.
This story easily engages with the heartbreak of a young David and his adolescence, the impending doom of a world, and what that shattering event will do emotionally to several species . Themes both intimate such as couple love to enormous, along the lines of dimension death, are woven into the storylines here. Al itās done so beautifully.
Again written with amazing poignancy and humor. You want to cry and then laugh , both . Often at the same time. Because the author realizes how close both emotions are to each other.
There is joy, there is sadness.
I think thatās a Taylor Swift song.
Sorcerers Always Satisfy is a fantastic story and series finale. It gives David the romance and mate he deserves and this outstanding series the closure to this complicated fantasy epic adventure the send off we need before journeying onto Here Be Dragons!
Letās raise a glass to our heroes until we meet them again! Hereās to an amazing journey! Thanks for the Grand times! See you all soon!
Yesā¦ Iām recommending every single one. Read them often!
š¶Hidden Species series:
Demons Do It Better #1
One Bite with A Vampire #2
Hijinks With A Hellhound #3
Sorcerers Always Satisfy #4
š¶Sequel Series:
Here Be Dragons (happens immediately after the events of Hidden Species)
Dragon Ever After#1
Hidden Species Cast of Characters:
Community of Species Government-CSG
Percy Caraway: the Lucifer . Aka the Head of State of the Physical Plane
Senior Investigators Team:
Sam Tiller – team admin
Gideon Bailey, Demon
Elinor Martin, Hellhound, cousin to Alistair
David Carew, sorcerer
Lily Heath, succubus
Andrew Turner, Vampire
Alistair Smythe, Hellhound
Noah Cage, human
Aiden Byrne, Felix shifter-Shifter Species Leader
Caolan, Elf
Brandt. Wing leader of all dragons
King Radulfr, King of all Elves
Synopsis:Just because I enjoy planning and researching doesnāt mean Iām not the most dangerous badass mothercracker around.
The world sees me as boring, dependable David. And I like it that way. I know things and Iām organized. Plus, Iāve seen firsthand the harm a chaotic life can inflict, and Iād rather have my lists and be called dull.
Which is what makes it all the more disconcerting when a sexy elf declares his adoration and begins to āwooā me. What am I supposed to do?
Hide, mostly. Itās hard, though, because Caolan and I are supposed to be working together. And heās tough to resist: sweet, competent, and so incredibly beautiful. He sees something in me that no one else does. Would it really be such a bad thing if I gave in to temptation?
My personal life canāt be the priority right now, though. The bad guys are gearing up to strike, and if we donāt stop them, the end of the world could be nigh. I need to focus on that, not on letting Caolan show me the benefits of spontaneity. Or do I?
One Bite With a Vsmpire introduces us to Noah Cage, a human who is one of the most fascinating characters of the Hidden Species series. Noahās personality and character is one of unknown depths, continual growth, and unexpected revelation.
Honestly, even at the end of the series finale, I felt as though the life force and Louisa Masters wasnāt done with Noah yet.
Heās almost mesmerizing in his grumpiness, painful past of which we are never fully cognizant, and inability to fully trust.
His scary journey here to the CSG and the found family of species within the inner circle of the Lucifer is a white knuckle ride.
That itās Andrew Turner, the 800 year old vampire, with a fondness for cake and snark whoās the being thatās the one at Noahās side? Both a touch of perfection and source of poignancy.
For as irritation slides into lust and then something more, whatās continually highlighted is Noahās humanity and short lifespan against Andrewās great age and continued longevity.
And we watch as both Andrew and Noah each try to deal with this element of their relationship in their own way, unsuccessfully, however subtly.
Masters can, with just a few sentences, create a scene of such emotional fragility , containing both despair and hope, you will want to weep.
And she does it over and over again.
Book after book here in this series.
Then follow it up with one of equal hilarity.
Goddess love those hellhounds!
While I have focused on Noah here as a character, Andrew Turner , vampire, is just as complicated as his years would have made him. More of his background and history as it relates to other members of the inner circle comes out in another vastly important and emotional story. But much like Noah, Andrew has just as many depths and dimensions to him waiting for us to discover.
They are a truly great pair.
This story doesnāt so much end on a solid note so much as it gets ready to flow into the next book.
This is a ending youāre going to see until the finale as the huge investigation ramps up and the horror begins to unveil.
So yes run immediately to Hijinks With A Hellhound because you need to know what happens next and well, itās Alistair. Thatās reason enough.
Honestly Alistair became alive to me as did all the Hellhounds. I physically hurt over the fact they donāt exist. We really need Hellhounds in our lives. Especially Alistair.
At any rate. Noahās journey which starts here is a compelling and emotional story. So is his romance with Andrew, full of snarky love, pain and surprise.
Iām highly recommending One Bite with A Vampire and the entire Hidden Species series.
They are must reading for me.
š¶Hidden Species series:
Demons Do It Better #1
One Bite with A Vampire #2
Hijinks With A Hellhound #3
Sorcerers Always Satisfy #4
š¶Sequel Series:
Here Be Dragons (happens immediately after the events of Hidden Species)
Dragon Ever After#1
Synopsis:Getting kidnapped was never part of my life plan. But being rescued opened up a whole world of crazy.
Itās not easy being the only human at the Community of Species Governmentāand especially not when youāre the rescue case. Two years ago, I was planning to go to college, have a wild time, then settle into a normal life. Instead, I was kidnapped, spent months being a test subject, was in hiding for nearly a year, and then found out that my whole existence is a science experiment conducted by the bad guys. Itās definitely time to reassess.
My rescuers at CSG have been awesomeā¦ mostly. They gave me a job, a home, and a support network. But the whole demons, vampires, shifters thing is not easy to get used to. Especially when one particular vampire makes me want to take up stake sharpening for a hobby. How can someone be over eight centuries old and have the maturity of a drunk frat boy?
The thing is, teenage mentality or not, Andrew is a fierce protector. With the bad guys still on the loose, I need someone like that on my side. Plus, did I mention that heās not hard to look at? I could stare at him all day if only he never opened his mouth.
As we race to find my former captor before he can find me, life takes another twist and upends my world all over again. This time, though, Iām readyāafter all, Iāve got an eight-hundred-year-old vampire at my back. What could possibly go wrong?
When I see a new release from Kim Fielding, i always know to expect several things. Iām about to embark on a remarkable journey. It will be one of both deep despair and incredible highs. Iāll meet many unique and memorable beings along the way, who through great trials, states of tremendous grief or the beginnings of love, achieve greatness. Sometimes in glory, sometimes in a sort of quietude.
Characters often those like Oliver Webb and Felix Corbyn, to name just two, who have a huge adventure in front of them.
As do we.
Oliver and Felix are remarkable in that at first they appear quite mundane. Ahhhā¦.such magic in the telling and unfolding.
There will be some humor, light as rare pink sprights in flight or warm-hearted as a tiny imp with a treasure of tangled threads.But , true to form, thereās also immense pain and darkness and despair. For no one knows better then Fielding that to truly appreciate the white. brightest of that golden light that glows at the final peak for the brave that successfully overcome all odds to achieve their quest that they first must endure the darkness, the brutality , the loss of hope and love in order to gain it back again.
Sometimes in one of her stories youāre not even sure the heroes will prevail. That is the journey they must endure and learn from itself thatās the quest and not whatever the item to be found at the end theyāve been asked to find.
Itās in her characters, their relationships, the universe and the peoples and beings around them thatās the treasure each reader finds and gleans something personal from. I can find something new each time I reread her stories. They have that much depth.
Farview contains everything I expect from a Kim Fielding story. Outstanding universe building, characters that slowly reveal their layers, of character and history, as they grow together and into your heart. A magical mystery, a heartbreaking illness, imps, dragons, and a village by the sea that will exert a emotional pull on you just as it does on Oliver.
At times I found myself bawling my eyes out. My heart hurt that badly for all involved. And I wasnāt sure exactly how it all would work out.
Strangely and perfectly enough, not in anyway I foresaw.
Love it when that happens.
The ending left me smiling, eyes closed, listening as I imagined the sounds of the sea calling, the salt in the wind and the sounds of laughter ringing up from over the cliffsā¦..
Perfection.
I highly recommend Farview and Kim Fielding if you havenāt found this author yet.
Synopsis: Ravaged by a horrific experience, Oliver Webb flees the smog-bound city of Greynox for a quiet seaside village and the inheritance heās never seen: a cottage called Farview. He discovers clear skies, friendly imps, and a charming storyteller named Felix Corbyn.
With help from Felixās tales, Oliver learns surprising secrets about his family history and discovers what home really means. But with Felix cursed, Oliver growing deathly ill, and an obligation in Greynox hanging heavy around his neck, it seems that not even wizards can save the day.
Still, as Felix knows, stories are the best truths and the most powerful magic. Perhaps the right words might yet conjure a chance for happiness
When a simple āfind & fetchā case throws private investigator Twig Starfig and newly-minted wizard, Quinn Broomsparkle, into the middle of an EBI murder investigation, itās just another day in the Elder Realm.
If murder were Twigās only problem, heād be the luckiest half-dragon in the land. Murder he can handle. Fulfilling his promise to his scheming, power-hungry father to run for a seat on Lighthelmās city council? Meh, heād rather face a demon with a toothache.
On top of their case going sideways, and Twig running for a council seat he really doesnāt want, Twig and Quinn are forced to face some unpleasant realities about their budding romance, while still learning how to handle the wizard-familiar bond they now share. Throw in a red fury with abysmal taste in boyfriends, a ghost pirate-parrot who drinks too much, a murderer who will stop at nothing to get what they want, a host of new friends and enemies, and youāve got a situation where no one is safe and everyone is Fairy Game.
Be Fairy Game, next book in the Starfig Investigations series by Meghan Maslow, picks up after the events that occurred to bring Half dragon half fairy PI Twig Starfig together with his lover and not as yet formalized mate, wizard Quinn Broomsparkles.
Now with their assistant, the demon Red Fury Bill, and Pie, ghost pirate parrot with a taste for the tavern, itās another client thatās claiming their attention away from the personal issues theyāve yet to address about their complicated relationship.
Maslow is really such a great writer. Each story in this series builds on the preceding one, growing ever richer in its foundation universe, new characters, and expanding relationship dynamics within the current family and couple structures.
Here with what seems to be a simple case of find a object brings about absolute chaos in the very best (meaning murderous, hilarious, shocking, and surprisingly poignant) way. Maslowās great blending of high fantasy (Fae, orcs,selkie etc) with horror (vampire professors) meshes so well together along with other beings weāve yet to put names to. Honestly we need more of Cookie.
Combine breath-taking, white knuckle action with rollicking great sex, whimsical names, and storylines that are getting increasingly layered and complex and you have characters, story, and a series thatās positively addictive.
I need to know more about the relationship between Auric, Twigās master manipulator of a father and his fierce Fae guard . A whole book as a matter of fact.
Plus thereās Leo, the EBI agent, lithe, highly intelligent and somehow always in the middle of things. Hmmmm.
Honestly the Elder Realm just keeps getting more snd more fascinating with each story and character. Plus Twig and Quinnās relationship still has so many unanswered questions.
Onto His Fairy Share next!
Then Iāll be begging for more. I can already tell. Itās that type of series.
Need a new fantasy book and series? Start here. Highly recommended.
All Quinn wants is his fairy share of happiness. Is that so much to ask?
Now on book 3 of Meghan Maslowās Starfig Investigations series and, as they say, the plots just keep getting thicker! Much to my total delight and absolute entertainment.
I say plots because this series and each story contains multiple storylines, each as convoluted and mysterious as the next.
And with each new case and adventure (or should that be misadventures) our stalwart found family and couple set out on, we get more! More of the questions each book asks, more enhanced landscape of the world map and cultures, and yes, new characters and relationships.
We are left joyfully panting for answers as well as the next book and case. So are our couple, Twig and Quinn.
His Fairy Share has to be the most poignant and moving story yet of all the three tales. Needing answers to the questions about their potential mate bonding and Quinnās powers, and with a Witches Council summon in hand, they head to the last place Quinn ever wanted to returnā¦the human realm.
Is there ever any element more fraught with dread anticipation, pain, anger, and the ability to bring forth the worst as well as the hopes of the past then returning home? Especially a home that helped sell you into sexual slavery?
Maslow does an incredible job of getting into the emotional state and mind of Quinn as he enters back into the quagmire that is this realm.
The author creates a place of ritual, magic, rigid regulations to go along with a Witches culture so hidebound and structured that itās claustrophobic almost to read certain passages. We are truly there in spirit and itās awful.
Such a place is lightened by some new splendid characters like Two Toes the Tavern keeper, librarian Beckett, and , of course, that irrepressible younger brother Zak!
Honestly this story belongs in the movie theater! Thereās sea battles to take your breath away, pirates, ghosts, more amazing heart racing action than you can imagine.
All executed beautifully and with great passion by Maslow.
The most magnificent is towards the endā¦ something I will absolutely not spoil for any reader but it will have you cheering. Just warn the neighbors if your walls are thin.
The ending is just the right touch after all the high action that went before. Instead of blasting, fire, and hells a blazing, we get subtlety, mischief, love, and a whole lot of more questions, in the very best of ways.
To sum up! Magnificently written, fantastic moving storylines, and characters to die for. My favorite yet.
Donāt miss out on this book or this incredible series. They should be read in the order they were written for full plot development and characters/relationships growth.
I consider all three must reads and canāt wait for the fourth installment coming out in September!
Need a new fantasy book and series? Start here. Highly recommended.
Meghan Maslow is a relatively new author for me. I just discovered her story from a recent multi-author fantasy series and really enjoyed it. So I was wondering what else she had written.
Imagine my joy to find an entire series to dive into.
Maslowās Starfig Investigations series offers up a wealth of characters, some truly funny dialogue, a rich universe to explore and storylines that combine mystery, comedy, romance, fantasy with more than a bit of horror.
Zombies and Orcs, cyclops and ghost ships! Plus sexy supernatural beings of all types and temperament. Itās great when a story and itās characters can make your puls
Half fairy half dragon Twig Starfig runs Starfig Investigations. His latest client? Brandsome Nightwind , magnificent sparkly unicorn with his pet human slave,Quinn Broomsparkles, in tow.
The unicorn has an object he wants Twig to recover. What seems to be straightforward is anything but and a twisting, amazing adventure ensues.
Plus an equally strange and amazing relationship between Twig and Quinn.
Thereās father issues, unholy family dynamics, bogs, yes zombies, secrets, and some just amazing characters and great scenes. I laughed, sighed, felt a little heartbroken for each in turn at points in the narrative and wholly fell in love.
I adore this story and canāt wait to see what the second installment has in store for our heroes and her readers.
Need a new fantasy book and series? Start here. Highly recommended.
How I love this series! It really has everything to offer lovers of fantasy stories.
Thereās exciting action, espionage (well eggs and spinach but youāre going to get it ), outstanding humor both gentle and guffaw worthy, and so much love in all its aspects it threatens to tumble out of the pages.
Oh, and did I mention dragons? Tiny, middle sized, graceful to downright awkward dragons! Magic no matter the stage of growth they find themselves in and utterly charming.
Perfect companions to Dave, our lovely gentle Orc of the previous storylines and adventures. Now happily ensconced in the Kings tower turned dragon incubator and sanctuary, heās now in charge of all things dragons for Kings Quentin and Loth.
Allās well. And when a similar dragon loving soul named Simon appears in the kitchen and brings food to the tower, things look even brighter.
Such great characters, Dave and Simon! With such tremendous travails before them. Including figuring out what the new emotions they are feeling means, to themselves and eventually each other. Especially when neither has had a relationship and what they see or hear from others doesnāt sound like something they might want.
Socially Orcward is both about fantasy adventures, with dragons, and a complex story about figuring out who you are, what you stand for, and accepting the same for the one you love. I laughedā¦.a lot. Really, the authors pulled the thespian joke and itās still hilarious.
And I brought out the tissues in places too because both authors got right into the hearts of Simon, and Daveā¦. and it hurt. And then it soared, as it should.
Which made that last line and the ending so incredibly satisfying and heartwarming. Perfection really.
Everyone is happy. Even Scott.
Who saw that coming?
Adventures in Aquillon just made my comfort reads list as well as automatically recommended.
Incredibly well written, beautifully plotted, outstanding characters, with lines that have the capability to make me burst out laughing or equally shed tears.
Honestly? Farmyard fornicator? Dirty alchemist? Certain things will live on ā¦. Not sure if I should send the authors unspeakable gingerbread as thanks or threats for these mind wormsā¦..
Either way, read for yourself. Iām highly recommending them all, including Socially Orcward
Have you ever wondered if that little voice inside you is actually, your voice?
Egypt captivates Benjamin. As an adult, he immerses himself in his chosen profession, as an archaeologist in the ancient city of Abydos. For Ben, the hieroglyphs, and paintings unlock dreams of a time long lost.
The dig Ben works on is financed by Ashari Hathonatum. For many years, the man has been looking for the one who completes him. He initially saw his heart’s match from a distance. But that was a long time ago and from an alternate universe. When Ashari encounters Ben, he wonders if he is the reincarnation of the man he saw, through another’s eyes, all those years ago. Will the secrets Ashari hides about his heritage stop their love blooming, or will others from his dimension, determined to keep Ashari from his heart’s match, rule the day?
Hathonatum is quite a wild story. There’s reincarnation, aliens, fantasy and ancient Egypt all rolled into one. While I like a wild story every now and then, I have to admit this one was a little too wild for me.
The book started off strong. I was immediately captivated and fascinated. The archaeology parts were really interesting. I’m not a huge history nerd, but mix in a bit of Fantasy and I’m all for it. And then there was the mystery surrounding Ashari.
But once that mystery started clearing up, it just got weirder and weirder. I don’t want to give away too much, bet let’s just say there were a lot of unexpected revelations.
I didn’t quite buy the romance between Ashari and Ben. I just didn’t feel it, for some reason. And of course Ben, a grown man, was a virgin who’s never even had a crush on anybody before. So not a trope I enjoy.
The sex scenes were pretty good, though. I liked that they switched. That’s a trope I do enjoy very much.
The ending was the last straw for me. I wasn’t happy with how everything turned out and it essentially made me dislike all the characters. At least it’s not a horrible cliffhanger. The storyline is pretty much finished and it’s obvious who the MCs of book 2 will be. I won’t be reading that one, though.
Overall, this book was just a bit too much for me. If weirdness doesn’t put you off, give it a try. Maybe it’s just me.
The cover looks a bit weird, too. The guy (I’m guessing it’s Ashari) looks a bit like Jesus. But I guess the weirdness fits the book and at least there’s no half-naked men on it. So yay for uniqueness.
Have you ever wondered if that little voice inside you is actually, your voice?
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 