Rating: 4.5🌈
I love it when I learn about different cultures or areas of mythology through stories. Here it’s about the Nøkk, a Scandinavian or Norse being that shapeshifts into a water dwelling human form that lures people by violin playing and/or drowning by screaming. That’s a simplified version of a complex, widely accepted concept of a being used in gaming , storytelling derived from mythology.
Even better when I get to know them through a series that will introduce a cast of characters, inhuman and otherwise, as they study for various degrees and live together in the dorms of Creelin University, aka Creepin U.
The characters, human and otherworldly, are well defined and their personalities are absolutely engaging, especially as they grow and develop the more they interact with each other and the other beings/community around them.
The Nøkk, Steve Job as he’s originally called at the beginning because he had to choose a human name , is a wonderful creation. A thoughtful unhappy young person who has chosen to separate himself from his country and species because he doesn’t want to be like them or follow traditional Nøkk ways. It’s guitar and songwriting over the violin, and he definitely doesn’t want to gather up any souls.
Steve is a great character. Leslie McAdam has made his true name as well as his natural form a important part of the narrative, a definitive element of not only Steve and Brandon’s relationship but of Steve’ growth personally throughout the story.
Brandon, the human roommate and water polo player is another character that has hidden depths to his character. Too easily framed out as a “golden retriever “ personality, that glosses over the many layers the author has created for him here. He is, in fact, a complex person, and that’s a factor in making not only the relationship work but this story as well.
There’s so much to him, Steve, and the framework that McAdams has laid down in the book that makes me want further exploration and tales from this universe and couple. They are now surrounded by friends, a supportive family and a great journey ahead of them. I would love to see more of them in another story.
This series is turning out to be splendid and The Nøkk and the Jock (Creepin U Book 1) by Leslie McAdam is a definite recommendation. Check them out!
Cover Art & Formatting by Whimsical Reverie Design LLC. Fabulous work. Love the cover.
Creepin U series:
- The Nøkk and the Jock by Leslie McAdam #1
- Dryad, Try Again by C.D. Rachels #2
- Vexing the Viper by Ashley Rayne #3
- Penn and Incubus by Essie Sloane #4
- Surviving His Gaze by Rorie Kage #5
Buy link:
Blurb
You’re formally admitted to Creelin University—known locally as “Creepin U.” The only things wilder than the monster shifters prowling around campus are the spicy male-male love stories unfolding between classes. The Nøkk and the Jock is book one, starring an emo shapeshifter and a sunshine human. Each book is a stand-alone M/M spooky romance, but we hope you enroll in them all.
Brandon:
I’m pumped to be one of the first humans to attend a monster university, but a minor, negligible, insignificant issue arises almost immediately: My new roommate wants to drag me to his underground realm and take my soul.
He’s a nøkk who could almost pass for human, except his webbed fingers and entirely black eyes give him away. In my attempt to befriend him, I give him three drops of my blood, a black animal, and a bottle of vodka (I hear it’s a nøkk thing). Which apparently triggers some ancient bonding ritual. My bad.
I must admit I’m into him. Maybe those online tests that say I’m only mostly straight are right. But there are a few hiccups: I can’t know his real name. He won’t show me his true form. And he’s both an omen and a cause of drowning … which is troubling, since he’s on the water polo team with me.
Still, something about him calls to me, even if it shouldn’t.
The Nøkk:
This human is mine.
Stay away from him.
The Nøkk and the Jock is a monster-human bi-awakening M/M romance starring Brandon Fernandez, a golden retriever of a human being, and the prickly, melancholy nøkk. It features puzzling emoji text conversations, a monster who can stop waterfalls in midair, and drunken scareoke (monster karaoke). HEA guaranteed.
- Publication date: October 1, 2024
- Language: English
- Print length: 264 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 