That fun, fantastical, and magical Fledgling God series ride is back in its second book, Melee Mage! Yes, Jason and his found family have a huge battle coming and itās time to learn to do a rumble the magical way! Or is it?
Michael Taggert expounds on the limitations of magic or the concept of relying on just one type of āsenseā to protect yourself and the ones you care about.
As usual, itās the approach thatāsā¦ un hemā¦ novel.
Jason has had several life threatening beatings, and magic hasnāt been always the answer in the end. Tyler puts forth the idea that they, Jason and Annabeth, need martial arts training using Wing Chun. This immediately sent me using Google fuā¦ and found an entire ancient discipline devoted to a defensive martial arts. ā¦.*calling now*
Anyway, this turns into one incredible section of Melee Mage, with the House getting involved in their training, a Mr Sparklesā¦lots of humor and interesting ways to move the characters forward in their physical journey and closeness.
Meanwhile, other elements are still factoring in, new magic, characters, theories about souls, and more fears from outside mages needing power.
Every gain in stability and growth, either of new power or personal levels of awareness, is balanced by an increase in danger and numbers coming for them. A very scary and fragile situation.
This story ends a bit abruptly that leaves us wanting to reach for that next installment that isnāt available as yet. Not exactly a cliffhanger but close.
It leaves one major plot thread unresolved while happily tying up a couple of other ones. However, as a series should, the arc questions float nicely above and around the situations here, keeping us very aware thereās some wild potential angles a coming!
Iām looking forward to seeing how our happily reunited and focused found family will handle whatās ahead.
After getting punched in the face by a golem, Jason discovers he desperately needs two things: a much better offense and a much better defense.
To a hammer, everything looks like a nail, and to a mage, everything is solved with magic. That is, unless your magic is small and restricted like Jasonās. Since he canāt use charms, create shields or throw fireballs, he needs to find a different way to win battles.
Fortunately, Tyler is back, and as a Natural, he is ready to teach Jason the Way of the Fist. Among other things. (Nudge nudge, wink wink)
And heāll need all the help he can get, because with Isobel gone, the Louisville Mages are in disarray. That should have been the end of the threat to Jason, his friends, and the House. But she left behind a terrible legacy, and now there is a battle royale for power.
As the last person standing, Jason must find a way to defend the House and get his friends back on their feet. If he canāt do it with magic, then heāll have to do it as a fighter. He will have to become the Melee Mage.
Embers is the fifth and as far as I can tell, the finale book in the Scales ānā Spells series by A.J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake. Itās also my favorite as itās also the one that feels the most successful In balancing out both sides of the series arc. That of dragons and mages.
Where all the other stories have been mage heavy in their narrative, leaving little space for their dragons to be little other than a story support for the mage itās focused on, here non-binary mage Nikki and red fire dragon Gunter have equal story time. Gunterās role in Nikkiās road to trust and healing is well documented as is Nikkiās in Gunterās re-emergence into dragon society. This partnership and itās growth, while stated in other novels, is clearly shown in operation here and it makes the book.
In fact, Nikki is one of my favorite characters. I appreciate the care thatās taken by all castle inhabitants to ask what pronouns Nikki wants to use and the hilarious interchange with drunk gender fluid dragon Lir during a party.
That dragons are pansexual and accepting of the spectrum of sexuality is a major theme in the series. The fact that Nikki is non binary and should be treated exactly as everyone else as they see no issues with differences in sexuality or gender is also key. To Nikkiās past ( and other mages treatment from their own clans and families) to the way in which theyāve been valued outside of dragon society.
The authors do a wonderful job with this aspect of their series and this novel. So I was a bit disappointed to see that a line editor missed a crucial error here during the dragon game night scene:
āā¦.dungeon,” called out a familiar voice above the din,
and Nikki had to swallow back his laughter.ā
Surely, of all mistakes, something like that should have been caught. When itās been impressed upon everyone thatās their pronouns are they/them.
There are some very good action scenes, thrilling and suspenseful towards the end where thereās a cinematic fiery battle. But , hereās the thing, do the authors want us to treat this final chapter where thereās multiple injuries, deaths, explosions!
Drama!
But on the flip side ā¦ giggling? Some jokes and inconsequential banter. And neither seems to fit particularly well with the other. Itās as though the authors couldnāt decide what atmosphere or overall tone to go for, lighthearted fun or deadly drama, so they did both.
Letās have sooo many dyingā¦. But Iāll giggle too. Hmmmmm no. If I was the writers, I might have rethought that.
A element I did like? I had wondered previously about the lack of dragon information, background knowledge, including that of the incubators. That bit of knowledge gets filled in here nicely. Babies! And happy endings.
The Scales ānā Spells series was a entertaining urban fantasy series, saving the best til last.
Once upon a time, there was a stunningly gorgeous mage named Nikki.
They were trapped by evil, horrible Jaeggi mages for ten long years until they were rescued by the brave dragon named Gunter.
The grumpy red knight swept in, carrying them off to a fair castle, where they lived happily ever after.
Thatās how the storyās supposed to go, anyway. Nikki would really like to have that fairytale ending, please and thank you.
Itās too bad Gunter is oblivious and the Jaeggi are interfering. Nikki may just have to cook up some explosions to help both situations along, because theyāre determined to get their happily ever after.
Is there a magic how-to guide on things that go boom?
Tags: non-binary MC, Grumpy and Sunshine, itās basically the air we breathe, Gunter needs a hug, Nikki likes to give them, crippling crush at first sight, Nikki has trust issues, for good reason, Nikkiās determined, Gunter is oblivious, mis-used poetry, Alric and Gunter are once again banned from drinking together, ever, schmoop, wall sex, the tongue thing is awesome, all hail Gunterās tongue, violence, because bad guys, Nikki feels that explosions are an appropriate response to everything, Cameron and Nikki are explosion buddies, Nikki has mixed feelings on high heels, fairytales do come true.
Fluke and the Faultline Fiasco is the penultimate novel in Sam Burns four book Fantastic Fluke series and itās terrific.
As the author starts to do the arduous task of both ramping up the expectations for the expected magical thrown down and accompanying revelations she also has to start , however slowly, pulling together all the loose plot threads and tidying up her narrative house as it were.
The weight carried by the penultimate story is much like that of the second novel. Itās subtle, often without the shine and glory of the finale, but with huge responsibilities for the characters and plot.
Fluke and the Faultline Fiasco Carrieās that weight with ease, bringing new information on our main characters magical abilities to light as well as delving deep into the past that created both their ancestry and the dire issues they all face currently.
It does so through action packed scenes, quiet moments of reflection, and quirky communal times spent eating pizza amidst laughter and love. It shows us found family at its most supportive and itās ability to continue to grow and connect to allow others within its warm embrace.
Iāve come to absolutely love this group of beings, people, familiars, mages, what have you. What a remarkable family of well defined individuals Burns has created for us to love and connect with.
And a plot that seems to want to transcend both time and realities, if the Convergence has anything to say about it.
Itās hard to believe the author has chosen to end this series at four novel. I could easily have spent a shelf of stories here.
The next will be out in February 2022. Until then I absolutely recommend reading this entire series in the order they are written for characters growth and plot development.
That cover like all the rest is astonishing.
The Fantastic Fluke Series -4 of 4:
ā The Fantastic Fluke #1
ā Fluke and the Failthless Father #2
ā Fluke and the Faultline Fiasco #3
ā¦ Fluke and the Frontier Farce #4 – coming in February 2022
When an earthquake shakes up Sage’s night, his instinct is to forget about it. They live in Californiaāquakes happen. But this one sends the consciousness that lives in the ley lines running to him in fear, so he and his gunslinger boyfriend set out to investigate. What they uncover is a century-old plot to destroy not only the ley lines, but the city of Junction itself.
Now, they’re in a race against an unknown adversary who wants to annihilate everything they love, and the only man with the answers is Sage’s long-dead Uncle Jonathon. Good thing they only have to read his journals, not deal with the insufferable jerk in person.
Between a heist to steal a magic artifact, Uncle Jonathon’s bigoted ramblings, and one surprise after another from his allies, can Sage find what he needs to save Junction?
Fluke and the Faultline Fiasco is third in its series, so if you haven’t read a Fluke book before, you should definitely start with book one, The Fantastic Fluke. The Faultline Fiasco is a 65k word novel that follows the continuing adventures of Sage, Fluke, Gideon, and their whole family, as they try to save the world. Or at least Southern California..
Blood, book 4 in A.J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drakeās Scales ānā Spells series, feels like the first story that brings both sides of the mage/dragon union into the tale as equal partners.
Here we get Soraās full background and family history that folds in with mages as a whole. Itās interesting and a perspective the reader is well familiar with.
Along side the mage pov, is Ravi, the blue Wind Dragon that was adopted during the War by the Burkhard Clan. In the previous stories, the dragons have had or told less about themselves in each book versus the amount of space given their mates.
In Blood , both Sora and Ravi have equal time, narratively speaking. Probably because Raviās unusual past makes him a more noteworthy subject for a bigger share of the story. And he does well by it.
This is also a bigger book dramatically in terms of widening the scope of the themes and arc storytelling. Letās just say the cast gets much bigger almost overnight!
I adore the impulsive Ravi and find the more responsible Sora a treat as well as a great compliment to him. The chemistry works.
I enjoy this series and story for its entertainment value. Plus dragons!
However, the new big plot elements also left a few equally noticeable plot holes. Ones at least large enough I thought several small dragons could fly through.
Itās hard to explain without giving the entire plot and storyline revelations away but the use of the impulsive (and young) Ravi to go chase after, boo hisss, the bad guys?
Itās something that strikes me as merely the authors ploy to raise the drama quotient from point A to point W, not because it makes any logical sense when looking at all the characters and story components the authors just laid down.
Thatās frustrating because surely another way could have been found around all that. Sigh. Plot caverns make me crazy.
What this story does right? A gorgeous bonding ceremony that again was lacking in previous novels. It was moving and magical. Lovely.
I found Blood and Ravi and Sora to be a winner. Might be my favorite yet of the series.
Iām recommending it to all those who enjoy dragons and fantasy.
Sora finds this to be doubly true after meeting the struggling Burkhard Clan and the mischievous Ravi. The wind dragon has stolen his breath, and heart, away. Sora suspects he might have found his mate.
But his inability to be truthful with Ravi eats at Sora. When the Jaeggi attack, Sora canāt keep his secrets any longer. Not when Ravi is in the center of the war raging around them.
He has to reveal who he really is. Itās the only way to be with Ravi and give the Burkhards the help they need.
Soraās secret could tip the scales to save them all.
Tags:
Thereās tropes, and then thereās this book, Ravi has impulse issues, in Raviās defense he was left unsupervised, youāre only in trouble if you get caught, secret identity, only Ravi could have a meet-cute like this, Ravi attempts romance, it’s bad, no its really really bad, thank god for it, bored mages get into stuff, mothers with an agenda, hurt/comfort, somehow the comfort part involves tacos, Ravi is a corruptive influence, Sora is a willing corruptee, chaos incarnate, protective mate, bad guys ramp it up to the next level, Sora has an ace up his sleeve, and is not afraid to use it, Bat-Ravi
After reading The Fantastic Fluke I had to immediately go to the next in the series to see what happens next. Imagine how surprised I was to find this (and probably all the other books) flow seamlessly from one to another.
The beginning here is exactly the last paragraphs of the ending of the first book so the narrative continues perfectly, picking up where the events left everyone evaluating how to go forward.
All the characters I have gotten to love, and a few I despise, are back. The interpersonal relationships are deepening. And the character growth and magical revelations just connect me even more closely with mage Sage McKinley, and his incredible found family that includes his cowboy mage (former ghost) boyfriend Gideon, his fabulous mage grandmother Iris McKinley and her staff/family as well as Rufus her familiar, Sageās BFF and store partner Beez, Freddy, and last but never ever least ā¦ the amazing familiar Fluke the fox! Unfortunately thereās still Sageās dads who are both a huge part of this story.
Both of them had enormous roles in damaging and traumatizing Sage, a element that has continued into the present. His biological father has remained in the bookstore Sage inherited, albeit in ghostly form, to taunt him daily, not content to have been just a miserable, horrible father to Sage while living.
The man Sage had loved and thought of as his real father and family, until he watched him murder his mother, is behind bars, convicted of the same murder that almost took Sageās life too. And left him traumatized.
Both men and Sageās past return here with real emotional impact.
I love found family stories and Burns is building a remarkable one while crafting a urban fantasy arc full of magic and mystery and quite a few murders.
Throw in how much damage a parent can inflict on a childās personality by abuse, neglect, or, stunningly, unforeseen betrayal and murder, as Burns gives us a heartbreaking portrait of damaged adolescence and survival. And not just Sageās.
Fluke and The Faithless Father is such a great story because of perseverance and strength and even grace shown by those under such awful conditions here. And the way in which they all triumph as they head to the next challenges.
It made me want to go back to the beginning and meet them all again, to see what I may have missed, recapture their wonderful spirits, before we head onto the next step.
I can already tell this is a journey Iāll want to take again with this remarkable family.
Iām highly recommending this book and series.
Again, a glorious cover.
The Fantastic Fluke Series:
ā The Fantastic Fluke #1
ā Fluke and the Faithless Father #2
ā¦ Fluke and the Faultline Fiasco #3
ā¦ Fluke and the Frontier Farce #4 – coming in 2022
After escaping a murderer and resurrecting his boyfriend, Sage figures he deserves a little time to recover.
Unfortunately, life is rarely fair.
So instead of a break, he gets to deal with a magical law enforcement rookie asking uncomfortable questions about his brush with death. The quaesitor is acting downright suspicious. Or is it suspiciously?
Things go from awkward to dangerous when the man who murdered Sageās mother is released from prison, and soon after there’s a break-in at the bookstore. The situation escalates so fast that Sage is afraid he’s going to end up with whiplash. Or worse, end up dead. He wanted a break, but not a permanent one.
Fluke and the Faithless Father is a direct sequel to The Fantastic Fluke, and should not be read first. It is an ~85k word novel that follows the continuing adventures of Sage, Fluke, Gideon, and their whole family, found and otherwise.
The first in a series, The Fantastic Fluke is another one of those magical tales that author Sam Burns writes so beautifully.
From the opening sentence and our introduction to mage Sage McKinley, we have an immediate understanding of this manās current situation, his thoughts on his past, his present predicament, even his self image. Itās intimate and concise. And it serves as both a foundation and way to connect the reader emotionally to Sage.
How could it not? Then we get thrown further afterwards as it gets more evidenced that this story is firmly bound to the magical world by ghosts, mages, familiars and murders most supernatural!
Not all the great characters are human, some are delightfully foxy! Or ghostly! Burns has built this story around multiple magical murder mysteries (alliteration is not a key), fantastic layered characters, and a romance.
The story is so well plotted that it moves along smoothly, all the elements coming together at the end for a perfect āahaā revelation or two!
I was just captivated the entire story. Whether it was Sageās ghastly adolescence, the trauma he endured, or his future path that was happening , whether he wanted it or not. Magic was coming for him.
The Fantastic Fluke is just the first of The Fantastic Fluke series by Sam Burns. I canāt wait to read on and see where this journey takes Sage and his companions.
Iām highly recommending this. And the author, Sam Burns.
And btw? That cover is gorgeous! Love it.
The Fantastic Fluke Series:
ā The Fantastic Fluke #1
ā¦ Fluke and the Failthless Father #2
ā¦ Fluke and the Faultline Fiasco #3
ā¦ Fluke and the Frontier Farce #4 – coming in 2022
A lost fox. A gorgeous ghost. And an unlikely partnership to stop a murderer.
Since his mother’s murder, Sage McKinley doesnāt live, he exists. His weak magic has made him an outcast, shadowing his life with self-doubt. All that changes when the spirit of a gunslinger appears in his bookstore with a message that will flip Sageās world upside down. According to the mesmerizing apparition, a powerful magic lies within Sage… if he can find a way to tap into it.
But dastardly threats accompany this untapped power. Bodies are piling high as a killer hunts for the secrets of the mage that now course through Sageās veins. Can Sage find the confidence to embrace all heās capable of? Or will the next life snuffed out be his own?
Breath is the second book in Sherwood and Drakeās fantasy series and it takes the series off to Finland, Poland..a tiny travelogue of countries really, in search of new mages and Dragon mates for the Burkhard Fire Clan. The path taken through Riga, then WrocÅaw is so descriptive and charming that you scramble to Google it. Locations are always a plus here.
However with both Origin and now Breath, there was an underlying element that tugged at me when I finished both stories and it took this book to figure out what it was.
I like the fantasy arc the authors have established and the mystery of the enemy mages to overcome. Nor have I mislaid the aspect of the Lost Clans the authors only mentioned in the beginning. All good.
I do like that the story concentrates on the mage for most of the novel. Here itās Tori Taavi. Heās lived a miserable life in a hidden village thatās pretty much a matriarchal homophobic society where only the females who test out magically are valued, males who do are valued solely as mates to procreate and anyone else is considered worthless. Tori fell in the later as gay and someone who did work magic under their rigid guidelines.
Both Sherwood and Drake do a fantastic job in creating a sympathetic and relatable personality in Tori. Heās so easy to connect with, that making him our window into the story and his personal journey into a new world of hope is amazing. Iām with him and his tale of love and growth all the way.
In fact Toriās emotional tale overpowers everything here. Baldewin, the sweet giant of a red fire dragon, definitely comes in second as a narrator instead of on equal standing. Same for Baldewinās story. Itās Toriās book really, not that I mind. Heās a great character. Much like the first book belonged to Cameron, Cassie, and Ha Na instead of King Alric.
But shouldnāt it be at least more uhā¦ dragon sided too?
Right now itās all about the mages but we learn very little about dragons here.
Thatās part of the issue thatās been troubling me. Dragons, for all the castles and verbiage given to them here, have, little natural history or foundation. So thereās a magical incubator. Great! How does it work?why, other than the war basics, donāt we really know much about dragons here?
The mate ceremony is over before you know it . Which considering that itās what all the drama and wars were/are fought over, wouldnāt you expect something more uh noteworthy? Here thatās the section that feels the most incomplete. When it should be the most uplifting and important.
And it was that way for both stories. So I see a pattern emerging here.
Great mage characters and their storyline. Lesser dragons characters with a rushed ending.
Thankfully Tori was so great that I really enjoyed his journey and thought Baldewin made a lovely mate for him.
Now onto the novella, Wish.
Iām recommending this because the characters are terrific and fantasy is always my jam.
Tori was doing great until sexy dragon Baldewin interfered.
Between the little gifts, constant protection, and the steadfast confidence from the overgrown lizard, Tori wonders if maybe that last step needs revising. He has no chance to consider it.
Not before trouble called Jaeggi REALLY hits. Now heās on the road trip from hell to the one place heād never thought would be a safe haven. A clan of dragons.
Assuming they make it, that is.
Tags:
Dragon shifters, mages, fated mates, hurt/comfort, enemies to lovers, not mpreg, interracial couple, road trip, No Flying, nope not even with a dragon, dwarf hunting in Poland, Tori needs allll the hugs, Baldewin is happy to supply them, dragons are ninjas, attempted kidnapping, mages being BAMF, insecurity, trust issues, Tori is an arse, Baldewin is adorable, Cassie is over it, virgin character, but not for long fufufufu, dysfunctional family, family of choice, magical realism, cuuuuudles, the authors regret nothing.
When I saw that two of my go to authors had co-writtten a series together, I needed to check it out. Especially a fantasy series.
Origin, the first in A.J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drakeās Scales ānā Spells series is a terrific story. It overflows with dragons, magic, and romance.
The world building is straight forward and, unless the authors intend to throw substantial twists into the upcoming novels, without the multiple complexities and overall murkiness Iāve had in my other sagas. This contributes to a lighter narrative, that moves the plot swiftly along. Germany makes for a rich location in terms of language and culture and both are put to excellent use by the authors.
The Park Twins, both Cameron and his sister Cassie are charming and well conceived. In fact, the entire all the Noh family, including the wonderful grandmother are such a plus! I gravitated to them all. More so then any of the other characters. Hopefully we will see more of them in the upcoming novels.
The arc story threads is set forth almost immediately as are the stakes for all the beings involved. The action scenes are well done but I want more of the dragons. Balancing mage and dragons here isnāt a easy task.
Alric and Cameron make a relatable couple. I think his sister Cassie and her mate make an even more adorable one, and wanted to see more of them too.
Origins was a very good start to a new series and I look forward towards the rest of the series.
Cameron wants to make it clear that he did not go into the festival to find a dragon mate.
Germany is supposed to be an escape. With a new mechanical engineering degree, a new job looming, and a whole life planned out that isnāt his, Germany seems like the best place to find himself.
So, how does he end up discovering his lost magic heritage, running from bad guys with a secret agenda, and being adopted by the not-so-extinct Fire Dragon clan?
Cameron blames tall, dark, and sexy Alric, King of the Fire Dragons. His fated mate. Because of course he is, and mates are meant to take the blame, right?
It may take a hot second, but as Cameron learns more about the scarred Alric and the life heās landed in, Cameron realizes that perhaps this is where heās meant to be, magic and mates and kidnapping and all.
Turns out coming to Germany wasnāt an escape but his awakening.
Tags: Not-so-extinct, Shifter dragons, mages, fated mates, secret clans, epic libraries, hurt/comfort, not mpreg, age gap, not that Alric cares, magical heritage, mechanical engineers being BAMF, grumpy dragon kings being protective of their cute mates, really the cuteness is downright criminal, we might need a firehose for these two, or not, sass, so much sass, Ravi and Cameron are no longer allowed to be alone together, for reasons, dragons hoarding, when you live long enough statistics will get you, bats named Cheryl, beheadings, no damsels in distress here, just very unhappy mages, with trigger fingers, anyone have life hacks on how to get rid of kidnappers, Cameron is open to suggestions.
I absolutely love it when I stumble across a book by a new author and become a fan of the writer as well as a reader highly invested in a series and characters after only finishing book one.
Thatās what occurred after Hailey Turnerās A Ferry of Bones & Gold got itās narrative hooks into me. Once I found myself absolutely engaged with the lives of Patrick Collins, Jono, and all the rest of the beings fighting against the Dominion Sect , I was full on part of that universe and fight as well.
Turner has a terrific way with dialogue and descriptions that makes these people. beings, crackle with life, energy, vibrancy or in the case of the vampire s, chilling magnetic power, that flies off the pages.
And the sense of urgency, and suspense is incredible when it comes to the battles and chases. Whether itās mundane or magical. From great fight scenes to the devastation left behind, the author brings a sense of authenticity to her writing that makes us believe!
The plots here are many and varied. Also as convoluted as the famous Labyrinth of Crete, which is perfect because on top of werecreatures, vampires, elves, dragons and such, the storyās man elements include the gods of various mythologies. Albeit vary much alive.
The first book deals primarily with Greek although the Egyptian Ra and Norse gods are mentioned.
Here they are quite the meddling group, and the layers (as well as god pantheon politics) flow through the story.
Thatās a lot to pack into a story and this book holds that weight easily. Along side a beginning relationship with Patrick with a were, and a small group of beings as he starts to find himself a unofficial āteamā and circle of friends.
However, the author also allows a continual thread of loss, death, isolation, to run faintly through. Itās in Patrickās history, and the reader is aware is most likely in the fighting still to come.
A sobering awareness that never leaves, giving this story a severity and somber note you hear over the laughter.
I appreciate that and wonder how this extremely complicated relationship and many layered arc storylines will play out.
I canāt wait to read on and find out.
What an amazing start.
Highly recommend this story and author.
Soulbound series:
ā A Ferry of Bones & Gold #1
ā¦ All Souls Near & Nigh #2
ā¦ A Crown of Iron & Silver #3
ā¦ A Vigil in the Mourning #4
ā¦ On the Wings of War #5
ā¦ An Echo in the Sorrow #6
ā¦ A Veiled & Hallowed Eve #7
Synopsis:
When the gods come calling, you donāt get to say no.
Patrick Collins is three years into a career as a special agent for the Supernatural Operations Agency when the gods come calling to collect a soul debt he owes them. An immortal has gone missing in New York City and bodies are showing up in the wake of demon-led ritual killings that Patrick recognizes all too easily from his nightmares.
Unable to walk away, Patrick finds himself once again facing off against mercenary magic users belonging to the Dominion Sect. Standing his ground alone has never been a winning option in Patrickās experience, but itās been years since heās had a partner he could trust.
Looking for allies in all the wrong places, Patrick discovers the Dominion Sectās next target is the same werewolf the Fates themselves have thrown into his path. Patrick has been inexplicably attracted to the man from their first meeting, but desire has no place in war. That doesnāt stop Patrick from wanting what he shouldnāt have. Jonothon de Vere is gorgeous, dangerous, and nothing but troubleāto the case, to the fight against every hell, and ultimately, to Patrickās heart and soul.
In the end, all debts must be paid, and Patrick can only do what he does bestācheat death.
A Ferry of Bones & Gold is a 115k word m/m urban fantasy with a gay romantic subplot and a HFN ending
Ah, time for that all important second book in a series review. So many questions and weighted hopes hangs on this follow up novel if the author is continuing an overall series arc.
Is there continuity and character growth? Does it flow somehow out from the events of the first book? Does it empower not only the characters but our imagination in the same manner the original launches us into this journey?
Hmmm, with Spellbound, the answers are a bit mixed.
Letās tackle them one by one.
Plots.
The storyline that takes up the majority of this novel is wonderful. It contains so much depth and emotional layering that I expected. Thereās a serious mother/daughter flawed relationship built on lies, love, and a great tragedy. Eden, the daughter is so relatable in her anger, pain, and apparent maternal abandonment. Her rage is both poignant and deeply frightening. We get it. This aspect of the novel, and everything that surrounds Eden is absolutely terrific. With an exception.
Eden is a high school student. At the end of this story, sheās found herself in a serious permanent as in forever relationship. With a ancient being. Now while we are all smacking our heads over that flag, I will say the author has several characters bring up the illegality of that issue as well as the idea that sheās not emotionally ready. Ok good.
But thereās no real resolution. So perhaps thatās to be addressed in upcoming novels but Eden clearly deserves a more defined finish here. Sheās a marvelous character and so is this entire element of the arc.
Which brings me to
Series Arc plots .
As best I can tell, Salinger is slowly adding bits of pieces to her overall arc mosaic much like a 1.000 piece table puzzle . You fit a bit in here, several snap in together there. So hopefully, Eden and her new Dryad Prince are part of the huge battle group that will be needed to fight the Evil whoever who is trying to do whatever. Still not a clue. But Salingerās strengths are in her ingenious storylines and layerings. She knows how to build a suspenseful scene, and then top it off with high action.
However , this didnāt move the overall arc along hugely. Did confirm new information about our main characters though.
That brings us to the aspect of characterization. What I thought worked and, frankly, what I felt didnāt.
Edenās group and storyline. Those characters were new , including her BFF Lois and her family. All the beings that gravitated around Eden and her drama? They really worked as far as realistic emotional scenes and reactions to her dilemma. Again great job.
But, unfortunately, in what should be solid, continuing .character growth for Cassius and Morgan, our main couple and the series biggest heart as well as mystery? It felt as though we got a stripping off of layers instead of a depth of dimension.
In the first story, we saw the ages of wisdom, the compassion and pain coming through for Cassius. Now heās a pouty, insecure lovesick being? What happened to the serious character of the other novel? He seems to have vanished, replaced by a boyfriend of Morganās. Who occasionally transforms into something cool. Morgan too is undergoing a bit of a metamorphosis, although into what exactly is anyoneās guess. But the gravity of these downright elemental or idk other worldly transformations seems to be missing.
Idk maybe they should actually stop having sex for a moā and figure out if this pertains to their missing memories, and maybe even the bad guy! Good grief.
Definitely not the same beings I liked in book one. They need to regain their gravitas, their focus, and personalities.
Almost missing main character. You all know how I feel about this. Here itās Loki the magical cat, a main player in book one and the series arc. He lives with Cassius now. When do we see and here about him here? When the book is about 74% complete. Then Loki is mentioned as part of the growing mystery so , yes, he has to be trotted out in one scene so everyone sees heās still around. Thatās it. Done. He disappears again back into the apartment not to be mentioned again. It fed or whatever. So Loki could have starved because heās not seen or mentioned even when they are back in the apartment. A huge change from book one when heās a constant presence, weaving catlike around the feet or in their laps. SMH. Continuity and consistency!
All of which finally brings me to my last bit of griping. Since I had time to notice all the above, then the issues I had with the repetition of adjectives and certain authorās fondness of terms definitely continues on here.
Pls, someone either tell her about how to find and replace a word within a document, Thesauruses our old friend , (and edit) or point a great editor her way.
We are back to muscles jumping in every characterās face and often. Adrianne is saying things āleadenlyāagain. I pity poor Adrianne. No sex and the worst lines. A couple of female characters always āsmile softly ā.
Thereās also a lot of āshe___fill in the name___snarled,ā āso and so hissedā,
Lots of hissing and no they arenāt snake shifters.
Also āgrowling ā. Cedric growled. But it could have been and usually is another.
Plus a host of clenched whateverā¦ jaw, fistā¦ whatever can be clenched.
You get the idea. Salinger once she uses a word or term in a certain manner, it stays used. To the detriment of the story. And the readerās, at least this readerās concentration.
And thatās a shame, because the plots? Both one the book and overall series arc scale are imaginative and layered. They have grabbed my attention and the potential for a really great series shows everywhereā¦.
But thereās some definite tidying up to be done. Both in the major characters personalities and language. I look forward to see what book three brings.
High marks mostly for Eden and her journey.
Fallen Messenger series:
Unbound #0.5
Fractured Souls #1
Spellbound #2
Edge Lines #3
Oathbreaker #4
Synopsis:
Can Cassius and Morgan overcome an elusive enemy and save a young girlās life?
Eden Monroe has spent her entire existence believing she has no magic. Shunned by her mother Brianna and the magical bureau Hexa, she runs away from home when she is forced to embrace a future she never chose, only to fall into the hands of ghastly monsters from the Nine Hells. After being rescued by a mysterious Dryad with secrets of his own, Eden realizes there is more to her past and future than she could ever have imagined.
When San Francisco PD asks Argonaut to assist them in solving a series of strange bank robberies, Cassius Black and Morgan King uncover a disturbing plot that points to an unknown artifact hidden somewhere in the city. Their investigation soon has them crossing paths with a desperate Brianna, who seeks their help in finding her missing daughter. When the witch reveals the shocking circumstances surrounding her daughterās birth as well as the deadly magic sealed inside the young girlās body, the Argonaut agents realize their case is linked to Eden and the weapon of devastating power the bank robbers are after.
Can Cassius and Morgan defeat the malevolent organization behind it all and save Eden from her cursed fate? Or will the young girl suffer a destiny worse than death itself?
Spellbound is the second novel in the gay urban fantasy romance series Fallen Messengers. If you like your paranormal adventures full of action, magic, snark, and a host of steamy angels and demons, then youāre not going to want to miss this jaw-dropping, fun-filled ride!
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 