This is second in a sci-fantasy romance series where each book is a different couple. The couple from the first book are present here, but not stronglThis is second in a sci-fantasy romance series where each book is a different couple. The couple from the first book are present here, but not strongly so. You could read out of order, but it's probably better if you read the other book first—not least to establish a bunch of the worldbuilding.
This one was very different from the first, as Tayra has a genetic heritage from her race's creation that gives them something called the "yen" if they find a human they consider the perfect mate. And Tony is a cinnamon roll of the highest order so she fixates on him within the first quarter of the story. So a ton of the middle of this story is them dealing with her open feelings for him and him deciding what to do about it (if anything).
And I'll be honest, the thrash on that gets a little frustrating as the author throws one obstacle after another in the way of their consuming the whole "yen" thing. Not to mention that the ultimate bad guy was kind of obvious after about the second exchange of hostilities and that nobody even suspects what is going on by then strained my credulity a bit.
Still, I really liked Tayra and Tony and they make such a fantastic team. So I'm not even going to hold the (view spoiler)[humanizing transformation that happens once Tayra and Tony do it, making her much closer to the being depicted on the cover rather than the beaked bird-headed body she had before (hide spoiler)] against it. So let's call it 3½ stars that I'm rounding up because seriously, Tony is exactly my type and Tayra ended up a great match with him.
A note about Steamy: There are a couple of explicit sex scenes putting this, barely, in the middle of my steam tolerance. As with the first, it's interesting having a male-focused author writing those intimate moments as I think the tone is distinct....more
This was a fascinating genre twist. You would expect it, with that sub-title, to be the first in a harem story. But it seems this series is more like This was a fascinating genre twist. You would expect it, with that sub-title, to be the first in a harem story. But it seems this series is more like you get in romance where each book features a different couple in the same world. So it's more of a romance subgenre than anything else.
And it works surprisingly well as such. There's some fun action and a plot that keeps a great pace for the main characters to bounce off each other despite coming from completely different worlds. So seeing them develop respect for each other that blooms into more was exactly what I'd expect for a decent romance with mystery elements.
I have a hard time with romantic-suspense so I want to be clear that this doesn't have many of those markers. There's danger to both protagonists, but you don't get the isolating and ramping threat more common to that romance genre. So nobody saves the other from dire peril that we see coming half a book away. And for me, that's a good thing.
Anyway, I enjoyed this more than I expected I would and think it's a solid four stars. The romance doesn't quite connect and Velise's arachae physique isn't even a little engaging for me personally. Plus, see below for a note about romance that I found strange. All that said, I'm definitely interested in more along the same lines and can't wait to explore this series.
A note about romance expectations: Most of the romances I read are written by women for women and there's a certain flavor to both the romance and the steam as a result. This is obviously written by a man for men and has a correspondingly different flavor in the romance and steam. I don't want to say that it's written for the male gaze, but that's definitely a factor. I'm not sure I can explain it entirely, but I'd be interested in the experiences of others to see what they think.
A note about Steamy: There are a couple of explicit sex scenes putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance. Velise is not human though she's more-or-less sexually compatible with humans for background reasons. I'm not sure how to process that into how well the sex worked as part of the story, though I did enjoy how different their perspectives were for the emotional aspects of love and sex and the relationship discussions that happened as a result....more
This is third in a fantasy series where most of the setup is established in the first. I recommend reading the first to start, but you could, technicaThis is third in a fantasy series where most of the setup is established in the first. I recommend reading the first to start, but you could, technically, if you wanted to, skip around from there. Each story (so far) takes place in a different locale, so Ginnevra and Eodan are the only real constants.
So my standard, non-standard caveat applies. Melissa is the light of my life and origin of all things good in it. Or something like that. Feel free to disregard this review as hopelessly biased for all I strive for honesty in all my reviews.
I think this book is where Ginnevra (maybe the series, but definitely the character) is settling into herself as a Prime of the Dark Goddess. She's more sure of herself, though still doing her best to understand what the Dark Goddess wants her to be (to be her best self). The conflict in this story is a city-state where the faithful are under persecution. They are a minority and adherents to the majority religion are antagonizing them and that needs to stop. Ginnevra has a stick to bring to the fight in the form of economic sanctions that have bite as the city's main export is silver and the Goddess is a major purchaser of the metal (for arming her paladins for a start).
Only Ginnevra arrives to find the picture much murkier than originally given. The faithful aren't blameless in the religious factionalism to the point that she finds herself with a potential religious war on her hands. And a king who seems firmly entrenched on the other side. I love that Ginnevra is clear-sighted enough to see her faction's errors and forthright enough to admit them, even when it plays against her official message. And I love that she does her best to get to the bottom of things so that she understands first before taking drastic action that would devastate many innocent people.
And I love even more the friendship storyline with a woman who had been Ginnevra's best friend before they parted in anger and frustration. The theme of forgiveness and redemption has more than one arc to play in this story and those resonant waves were completely engaging.
I think I'll stop there, though with a tease that the conflict includes powers beyond the ken of men (or paladin) with a wrap that puts faith into the spotlight in layered and complex ways. In the best of ways, really. So this is a solid five stars and I'm so glad this series will continue from here.
A note about Chaste: Eodan and Ginnevra are together. Intimately. Clearly. But there's only kissing and mild snuggles on page. Which I consider pretty chaste, though you may disagree....more
This is second in a series with some elements established from the first book. You don't have to read in order, but I highly recommend that you read tThis is second in a series with some elements established from the first book. You don't have to read in order, but I highly recommend that you read the first one first.
My completely non-standard disclaimer applies. Melissa and I have been together well over half our lives at this point. So you can adjust your expectations from my review as much as you like.
Ginnevra and Eodan have been together for some months and have worked out a routine for those days of the month when Eodan's nights turn furry. Things get interesting on their way back to the aunt they've been visiting, including bandits and an ornery, injured hunter who makes the trip a misery. Relief is short-lived, however, when they find that Ginnevra's aunt is missing; and worse, that she is the latest in a rash of people going missing in the city.
The rest of this book is a (fantasy) urban investigation as they try to work out what is happening and who is responsible. Ginnevra is still getting used to her role as a Prime (a paladin who doesn't work in a company), so this is a stretch of her skills and diplomacy and semi-official authority. And it doesn't help that she's also fighting the prejudice against werewolves with those who discover his secret.
It's a tense story with a strong pace and interesting reveals and I'm having a hard time not going into spoiler territory, particularly for that lovely ending. So perfect! So I'll stop with the five stars for a great time reading.
A note about Chaste: Ginnevra and Eodan are together. In that way. But there are no details beyond kissing and minor references to them being happy to be together. In that way. I consider this very chaste, but there's room to disagree....more
About halfway through, I remember thinking to myself "my rating is going to depend a lot on what we find out about Violet's disappearance." And it doeAbout halfway through, I remember thinking to myself "my rating is going to depend a lot on what we find out about Violet's disappearance." And it does.
This story has a lot of moving parts and some complicated relationships. The core relationship is between the missing Violet and her sister Sasha. There's bad blood between them and the story spends the most time establishing the layers of that relationship. The push and pull of rivalry, competition, care, and past hurts. Since Violet is absent from the story (except for a brief appearance at the end that I'll get to), Sasha is by far the most intimate picture of her and that is not a flattering view. Which is why, in the middle of the story, I wondered why we should care beyond maybe a little closure. Which is when the story turned into a logical puzzle for me rather than one where I cared about Violet for herself.
And at least the puzzle was an interesting one. Um. Until you find out and then it turns out it wasn't that interesting after all. At least to me. The author dances around a lot and waves a lot of moving pieces around with the different viewpoints and vignettes and voices telling what they know of Violet. And there's some skullduggery as well that was interesting (until we get to the reveal and it wasn't so much). So the dancing around is entertaining. Violet is an interesting person and getting the layers of her manufactured personas and all these different perspectives of her was engaging.
Less engaging was Sasha's sanctimonious daughter, Quinn. She's the epitome of the wise millennial letting all the adults know what's virtuous and good. Only the author took all the possible shortcuts with her vegan this and environmental that and the haughty lectures about resources and consciousness. Is there a stock of these characters in some warehouse, somewhere? Any chance we can set fire to that thing and make authors go the long-way around to signal character virtue? Yes, yes, Quinn is great and how dare these adults try to have any input whatsoever about her in any way. Sigh.
Anyway, the mystery turns out to be none of the interesting options and instead leans into the (view spoiler)[magical mysticism that's been edging into the story along the way. People really are magical! Sasha really can teleport places and Violet mastered dimensional travel and is now, er, well, we don't really know do we? Sasha has a fade-in/out episode and they have a talk-talk in some random dimensional space where they reenact all their rivalries and decide to be nicer to one another even if neither one cares to let go of any of their animosity. So Violet is . . . somewhere but we don't really know where or what she's doing or why she felt she had to go except for some really stupid egotistical thing that is, I'll admit, on-brand. And then Sasha snaps back to where she was before (hide spoiler)] and now Sasha is fine with things and happy whatever. So it was the cheapest possible option, is what I'm saying.
So yeah, I'm not a fan of the final reveal. I'm going to give this three stars because I was entertained along the way, even if the payoff was weak. I get the feeling that this is supposed to be deep and say things about the masks we wear and how we manufacture our self-image all the time or something. But it's the kind of deep you get in freshman dorms before they've learned anything useful and want to impress each other or in bars just as everyone settles in for the duration and someone asks "hey, am I really me, or am I just who I think is me?" I wasn't drunk enough to find it deep, I suppose.
A note about the audiobook: The audio production is fantastic, with a lot of talented actors contributing to the work. It really worked and worked well, even if the deepthroat guy was way creepier than I liked. I definitely recommend that if you're going to take a shot at this, that you get the audiobook version.
A note about Chaste: There's no sex in this. Violet is a promiscuous, polyamorous bisexual and they talk a lot about her various exploits, but not in explicit terms. So I consider this pretty chaste....more
This is second in a mystery series with an odd setting. I recommend reading at least the first, City of the Lost, before this one to get all the necesThis is second in a mystery series with an odd setting. I recommend reading at least the first, City of the Lost, before this one to get all the necessary background.
You know about what to expect with this from the first book, though the crimes this time include sexual abuse along with murder which may make it more intense for some readers. I liked a lot of this for much of the story. Casey and Eric are having the relationship conflict you'd expect and I loved that they communicate through it almost as much as I like that they can give each other cool-down space.
I had two problems with the story, though, that dragged it down for me. Note that this puts me in a minority among my friends (for whom this seems to be a favorite of the series). The first is that we have replaced Diane with Jen as the woman actively making Casey's life in Rockton a misery (or trying to, at any rate). Which adds an unsolved mystery to the story—why the heck Eric and Casey tolerate her constant insults and heckling. It's not just little things, either, it's literally everything from their personal life to their professional conduct to their mental capacity. She's a relentless drone of self-aggrandizement and bitter vitriol. I was tired of her the first time she shows up and why they'd tolerate for even one second her desire to join the town militia is beyond me. Why yes, I would like the grating jerk, who doesn't have a kind word for literally anybody, to be a member of the constabulary. Wouldn't you?!?
The second is that I pegged the culprit too early. This isn't Casey's fault as there are some strong misdirects that she's rationally relying on. But Casey didn't know she was in a mystery novel so missed the clues I picked up on. So every time the bad person is interacting with them after I figured it out made me tense. I wanted Casey to make the logical leap and get it over with already. Add that Armstrong does actually cheat by making them more successful than they deserve and I found the last third or so very frustrating.
Offsetting that a bit is developments with Mattias, the town butcher. "Down South" (their term for the world they're all fleeing from) he was a criminal psychiatrist specializing in the worst of the worst. And it's hinted that he's a bit of a sociopath himself. Or at least, in my understanding of the term. His friendship with Casey was layered and interesting and tense and supportive in turns.
There was enough friction with this that I'm going to stick it with three stars. It likely deserved more, not least as I appreciated the nuance with Casey's ex-bff Diane. I expected that to be annoying, but it felt about right if you posit that Diane is receiving benefit from her association with someone who was a therapist Down South. She's not great, but she's more even and that made her tolerable. Extra kudos for Armstrong not making that be a reconciliation or redemption story (waaaay too early for that kind of fundamental change; assuming it's on the docket as possible at all).
A note about Steamy: We get a couple of short, and explicit, sex scenes putting this in the low end of my steam tolerance. It was enough to show their growing intimacy and emotional connection and I thought it very well-done....more
I've read other Kelley Armstrong books, but those were largely YA paranormal. This is none of that. It's contemporary mystery and one I found enjoyablI've read other Kelley Armstrong books, but those were largely YA paranormal. This is none of that. It's contemporary mystery and one I found enjoyable.
Casey worried me at first because I really dislike guilt as a primary attribute of a character. And it doesn't help that her guilt is self-magnified to be absolute and with no redemption possible. So she holds it close to her and actively refuses any mitigating force (internal or external). This is one of those things that I feel like authors do because it feels like that's the way things should be rather than how a particular character would actually work. Like, of course killing a guy should stain your soul forever! Like that's a moral absolute. Which it may be, I dunno. I've never killed a guy. But I know a lot of moral frameworks that hold some nuance there. And personally, I think the guy she offed was an unrepentant scumbag on his way to hurting a lot of people and I'm just as happy that she took care of business, however poorly (un)planned.
And I'm glad I was prepared (from reading reviews) for that first part to go long and include a really great guy I'd attach to as a romantic interest even though he's not "the one". I liked him a lot (Keith? I forget the name). He was a stand-up guy who had made mistakes and was taking a shot at redemption and along the way was doing his best to be kind and help others. So I'm glad I was prepared so when the break came, I could see its beauty and how important it was for Casey instead of pining for what might-have-been.
Once the story gets fully underway (when they get to Rockton), it does a lot of establishing and there's a lot to establish. It's all interesting, so that's not a bad thing. I liked seeing Casey under full steam to solve a mystery and getting to know this small community built of people with reasons to run away from civilization. I particularly liked how Armstrong leaned into the populace not necessarily being nice people done wrong by life. So there's a lot of shady to sift through and motives that aren't at all obvious from the jump. Plus, there's Eric.
And I liked him more than a little. It was interesting having Anders muddying the waters along the way. And both men being decent, kind guys doing their best to help those around them. And I never got "love triangle" vibes so that was nice, too. Anders is nice-enough, but Eric is the complete package even if a bit damaged by his history.
The mystery itself completely blindsided me, though it holds up and that's nice. I'm not sure I buy the details, though as (view spoiler)[the brutality of the murders didn't seem to fit Beth's character. Which is to say, we should have seen her sadism manifest in other ways through the story if I was going to buy it being so strong in those acts of vengeance (hide spoiler)].
This worked well-enough for four stars. The pace was slow at times, and I'm not entirely happy with the conclusion. While I'm glad we have enough for an ongoing series in that setting, I'm not so sanguine having (view spoiler)[Diane stick around. That chick is bent and in a completely tiresome way. I hate that she's going to hang around to be a nuisance to Casey in an ongoing way (hide spoiler)].
A note about Steamy: There are a couple of sex scenes, though it cuts short of full details. There's enough there to trip the steam tag (for me), but not by much as it goes dark before going very far. I'm fairly happy with the how and who so it was really all that was needed. So is it bad that I wanted more, if only to see Eric's caretaking masculinity in moments of physical intimacy? Sigh. Probably......more
This is second in a mystery-type series. The first is alluded to and some events have consequences lasting into this one. The first is also a better iThis is second in a mystery-type series. The first is alluded to and some events have consequences lasting into this one. The first is also a better introduction to the characters. I recommend reading them in order, but it's not strictly necessary as Spotswood does a good job catching you up. As far as I can tell at any rate.
This wasn't as strong as the first, on pretty much every dimension. The mystery was weaker, the investigation less directed, the character moments a little shallower. Or, at least that's how it felt to me. Which isn't to say it was bad, like, at all.
This one pulls our detectives to rural, um, Virginia? to defend one of Will's early mentors whose name is Russian so I'm not going to bother trying to spell it here. He has been arrested for murdering the circus tattooed lady (he's the circus knife thrower) on fairly flimsy evidence and the whole circus needs their help straightening things out in a small town that kinda wants them to take the fall for stuff. So you can see right away that this makes it harder for the noir elements to penetrate (though it mirrors a few Nero Wolfe stories with bucolic settings, including one with a fairground setting).
There are some good character moments and Spotswood excels at giving people layers. So, for example, the small-town sheriff is capable and surprisingly reasonable. And the love interest in this one is a good guy in a hard situation. So seeing Will navigate the small town characters was engaging and had some surprisingly good interactions. Less fun, but not-unexpected, were the overt instances of racism. It's easy to forget that folks thought little of a sign in their storefront preventing "coloreds" from entering. This element wasn't forefront, but it was jarring every time it entered a scene.
I liked the resolution and the couple of twists and that easy answers were as wrong as they ever are. Seeing Will with "her people" was also a nice touch, and doubly so for the growth opportunities as she comes to understand that she has moved on (and that they have, too).
I'm going to call this a solid four stars and my appreciation for a good follow-up to the first, even with the shifted tone due to setting. And, as before, I really love the relationship between Will and her mentor/genius Lillian. They make an outstanding team, even when Will can't quite bring herself to confide fully or wants to avoid a tough topic for a bit.
A note about Steamy: There's a single, reasonably explicit sex scene putting this on the low end of my steam tolerance. It isn't terribly explicit, either, so that's the low-low end if you want to grade that fine. I was intrigued that this time the interest was male, solidifying Will's bisexuality. She's amazingly well-integrated for her time period, which actually works for me better than if she had more period-expected insecurities....more
This is first in a series, but it seems like it's intertwined with the author's Nocturne Falls Romances. I started the first of that one and can tell This is first in a series, but it seems like it's intertwined with the author's Nocturne Falls Romances. I started the first of that one and can tell that this one is after that in chronology because I recognize things that haven't happened yet. Feel free to read this first because the spoilers are mostly that Delaney has a store in town so you know things work out and that's not a surprise.
This definitely isn't a romance. It's mostly a cozy mystery, though there's a bit of jeopardy near the end. There are two guys vying for Jayne's attention so it looks like a standard love-triangle situation. I kind of like both and that's pretty rare for me so I'm happy with that. For now.
As for the story, the plot is really light, as is the worldbuilding. It's a minor miracle that it isn't all a jumbled muddle, but Painter at least keeps her lore consistent. And the town is charming, combining small town atmosphere with a heaping helping of supernatural folks works better than it has any right to.
As for Jayne, herself, she's a bit on the immature side, which worried me at first. Only, it turns out this is a lot about her finding confidence and a place for herself and growing into it. And I found that engaging.
So I'm going to go with a solid four stars, but with the caveat that this is very much a taste thing. If you are willing to go with the premise and a fairly light story you might enjoy it, too. Fortunately, the tone is set really early so a sample should tell you if you're going find it interesting or not.
A note about Chaste: Jayne is explicitly someone who doesn't do casual sex. And there are two guys vying for her favors and it ends without her making any kind of choice. Except to keep dating both. So there's no sex at all and only a couple of very nice kisses. So I consider it very chaste....more
Take the noir detective, place him in post-war New York, and then make him a her. And you'd have only a very shallow understanding of this story becauTake the noir detective, place him in post-war New York, and then make him a her. And you'd have only a very shallow understanding of this story because Spotswood imbues these characters with life in a way that both honors, and extends, his noir source.
The structure of this closely resembles Nero Wolfe with Willowjean Parker playing the intrepid Archie. I was engaged with Will from the start, and not just for her embracing her Carnie roots. I love how unabashedly she is herself as a semi-butch bisexual who actively acquires both the hard and soft skills needed to be the support Lillian Pentecost needs in her investigations. (short aside, I just love these names!)
Anyway, the mystery is as solid as it needs to be. And Spotswood follows the noir patterns very well. He also layers in a good bit of feminism and pointed social commentary without being pedantic or moralistic and that's an incredible feat, frankly. I think it works because Will makes for a great barometer, staying true to herself in ways that spotlight injustices and hypocrisies but without going out of the way to do so. It wouldn't have worked if the characterization weren't as strong as it is, I think.
Anyway, I was drawn in from the start and never faltered. It's a strong five stars and I highly recommend it for fans of noir detective stories or anyone interested in the seedier side of 1940s post-war New York.
A note about Chaste: Will isn't a heartbreaker and while there's a bit of dating it doesn't progress to sleep-overs. So there's a great kiss and nothing more. I consider this very chaste....more
Let's just get this out of the way up front: there is nothing cozy about this story and the series setup mitigates against any future stories being evLet's just get this out of the way up front: there is nothing cozy about this story and the series setup mitigates against any future stories being even close. This is really bad marketing by the publisher. I'm not sure what I'd call it. Paranormal mystery, if I were making stuff up. Though I'd try to shoehorn "adventure" in there because this is more adventure story than mystery story.
I'm really conflicted about this story. I really liked Bridget and Sabrina and their never-say-die personalities. They're never too stupid to live and any time it got close, you could clearly see their motivations and they had explicitly decided that the probable consequences were worth it. Since the heart of this story is slavery (that's what they call a "strong reading", i.e. one the author doesn't come close to and I'll work on supporting that in a bit), there are lots of opportunities for them to exercise their personhood in the face of violations of autonomy.
The afterlife posited by the story is bureaucratic hell. Bridget even says so a couple of times and she isn't wrong. The dead have zero autonomy and self-determination is a complete no-go. It doesn't matter what you want to do, you do the job assigned to you. It doesn't matter how you want to live, you live where, and with whom, you are told. And your personal "guardian" is very much in the parental sense of "I get to make decisions for you". This is obscured a little bit because Oz, Bridget's guardian, is mostly a decent person. But that fact seems mostly an accident and we see plenty of abuses of the system to be more than a little skeptical of all the power structures of the worldbuilding. Add that the people assigned to teach newbs the rules are incompetent in the kindest reading and actively evil if you want to take their actions at the results and you have a situation where I can totally see someone with a strong moral code opting out and doing her own things as much as she is able.
So yeah, the dead are essentially slaves. You never see the people in charge, but whoever they are, their enforcers (both the police and the bigger, badder ghost police) are omnipresent, have no check in situ, have no appeal of their rulings, and impose draconian measures with zero remorse or hesitation. And they dictate every aspect of the afterlife from occupation to free time activities to living accommodations to association. Indeed, for the first decade, they put people in group homes with mandatory group activities. Which is my own version of hell. And then they grade on "acclimation" which you quickly learn is a malleable concept open to interpretation. Again with no appeal. So it serves essentially as an obedience training concept where those who go along with the rules and dictates of whoever the powers are receive the accolades. Note: not freedom. Nobody has freedom.
So it's a lot heavier than the marketing would support. But I liked Bridget and Sabrina so much that I was fully engaged in their dynamic-duo determination to get to the bottom of things and to make things right where they can. I liked that they have separate, but very useful, skillsets and I particularly like that Bridget, our viewpoint character, has a very subtle power set based largely on knowing who she is and what she wants. And keen organizational skills.
Oh right. The mystery. The investigation was interesting, though the antagonist was super lame once revealed. Frankly, it managed the pace it did by having a lot of contributing elements stepping on each other along the way. And I mean that in a good way because many of the side characters are variously aligned and are sometimes in conflict and sometimes allied and I liked that dynamic more than a little.
OH! I just realized that this story feels a lot like the 80s RPG Paranoia if you took away the guns and factional antagonism. Yes, I am a nerd. Why do you ask?
Anyway, this is four stars, though I'm not sure I can handle being in that world for more stories. The bureaucratic hell is way too oppressive for my taste.
A note about Chaste: There's no romance in the story, though it feels like Bridget is being setup for a slow-burn with Oz. Which I'm totally down for, though we need more development of him as a character for that to happen. I'm willing to go there if the author does, though....more
I enjoyed this more than a little. Corey and Thayer are cute and their chemistry is awesome. I liked that neither bothered denying their attraction evI enjoyed this more than a little. Corey and Thayer are cute and their chemistry is awesome. I liked that neither bothered denying their attraction even as they made the choice to take things (relatively) slow. Like, both acknowledged that a relationship was likely and desirable so they took steps to give themselves a solid foundation. Only not as calculating or explicit as my laying it out here would imply.
The plot leans into their related professions so there's a lot of blood and gore on the page. Which explains the marketing even though the investigation itself isn't that large a part of the story. I mean, I wouldn't categorize this as a mystery or procedural which you might assume from the blurb. Most of the story revolves around their relationship, and not least as the final fifth of the book is after the mystery is wrapped up and deals with the fallout of events. Also, the "mystery" turned out to be really, really lame with an antagonist who was stupid and venal. So it's just as well that it isn't core to the story.
I'm not a huge fan of the fallout of events in that culmination. My discontent started with a confrontation that has Corey being really stupid for a trained fighter. I mean, you don't just stand still for a rush by an opponent twice your size. An MMA fighter in her likely weight class would know that and be ready with a pivot/redirect, particularly against an untrained opponent. But worse than that, (view spoiler)[it feels like it was manipulated in order to give Corey a serious injury that will, in turn, spawn a dark moment. Which is extra dumb because I could think of three different ways to get to that injury that wouldn't have needed Corey to be stupid at all, starting with being in an environment with the kind of clutter you don't get in a ring. (hide spoiler)]
And the dark moment felt . . . okay fine. It made sense and fit the character. I just don't like it when one character pulls into themselves in a crisis. Loving relationships are about sacrificing for each other and that means working together to overcome obstacles. So having a character pull inside in a way that hurts the other feels like betrayal to me. To the other person, too. So I'm not a fan of this as a plotline.
I did like where we ended with the characters, though. So I'm calling this a success. Well, four stars of a success, at any rate. I really like these two together and loved seeing their relationship develop. It was so sweet.
A note about the series: I have no desire to continue the series, despite liking the characters a lot. Or, maybe because I like them a lot? It looks like subsequent stories include setbacks in their personal relationship and I hate when authors have resets like that be part of their overall arc. Every relationship has rough spots, true, but actual regressions are rare. Or they should be in healthy relationships, I think.
A note about Steamy: There's a single explicit sex scene, with some short semi-explicit bits putting this on the low end of my steam tolerance. It was actually very well done and I loved this aspect of their relationship—including how explicit they were in building a relationship. And making Thayer such a strong top was unexpected, but completely right at the same time....more
This is part of a series where mostly only the setting is shared. We actually see a bunch of the leads from previous books (if I just missed that JakeThis is part of a series where mostly only the setting is shared. We actually see a bunch of the leads from previous books (if I just missed that Jake and Adelaide from The Other Lady Vanishes make an appearance, then it would be all of them) in this one, though you don't really need any of their stories to get along in this one. Only that's not entirely true because Raina and Luther are more central in this one (even having significant PoV) and their relationship has a culmination. So I'd recommend reading all of the others first; particularly if you want the full ramp up on Raina and Luther.
The trajectory of these stories has been generally walking towards Quick's world of paranormal and we can see some of the things establishing themselves here that are fully formed in later timelines. That actually grates a bit on me, but I've come to accept it as an aspect of the series. And the stories.
In this one, both Lyra and Simon have some kind of paranormal talent, though Simon's is overt. Indeed, you could be excused from not noticing that Lyra has one of the subtle "persuader" style talents if you think that her getting everyone, absolutely everyone, to open up to her is just personality. It being paranormal is confirmed near the end when we pick up Simon's adopted father and his nutjob device that "supposedly" (but really) detects psychical energy. And I don't know why I'm dwelling on this here, because it wasn't that important to the story, except as a tool they use to find clues they need as investigators.
I liked seeing them work together, bounce off each other, and find meaning neither expected to in being together. It was a little hokey, if I'm being deadly honest, but it's my jam so I didn't care. I even liked how the anti-marriage (view spoiler)[flipped to "let's get married really fast, because we just know, dagnabbit" (hide spoiler)] worked out. Yeah, I'm a total sap.
If there's a detriment to the story, it's how intrusive Luther and Raina were. Like I said above, they take PoV space and their history is the center of the mystery/action plot. If you weren't invested in their relationship from before, this could easily have been a giant "whaaaa?" As it was, I'm glad these two crazy kids got their resolution. Or, at least, as much resolution as they're likely to get.
Anyway, it's a strong plot, though I could do with less of the "psycho being psycho" bit (particularly as PoV). Overall this is 4½ stars that I'm rounding up because, well, I don't have a good reason. Except that I enjoyed it, was fully engaged, and stayed up way to late to finish it last night. Which is good enough, I think.
A note about Steamy: There's a single on-page explicit sex scene, a post-sex with getting dressed vignette, and a psycho being sexually predatory but in a weirdly sterile way, putting this near the middle of my steam tolerance but not actually reaching that far. It was all on par with the rest of the series and exceptionally well-done, particularly in the actual sex scene with a lovely development I hadn't seen coming. So to speak....more
This is second in a series with some relationship and plots that carry over from story to story. So I recommend reading them in order.
Having read the This is second in a series with some relationship and plots that carry over from story to story. So I recommend reading them in order.
Having read the first, you know what to expect. Fortunately, Charlotte doesn't go through a period of author-induced helplessness that points out the plight of women in Victorian England. So there's that. Instead, we have every man (save Lord Ingram, natch) turn out to be incapable of respecting a woman who has ambition and/or intelligence. I was particularly disappointed in Treadles who is becoming estranged from the wife he loves, and who loves him, because she, gasp, once wanted to run a company. Not because she has ambition, but because he can't provide her dreams to her, himself. I find this silly, frankly. But then, I've always found powerful women attractive and have never understood the need to feel superior to someone you "love". And yeah, I used sarcasm quotes because seriously, that superiority stuff never made sense to me in a loving relationship. Having Treadles' viewpoint at all in this story was totally manufactured, so I hated it even more. He didn't interact with Charlotte at all and his "investigation" never went anywhere as a result. So he's a complete non-entity and including his floundering had literally no point beyond keeping us up-to-date on his descent into a misogynistic hell of his own devising.
But the bigger disappointment was Bancroft. He's hyper-rational and issues a marriage proposal to Charlotte that rests on recognizing her talent and explicitly feeding it by giving her challenges to solve. Only, apparently, all that goes out the window if it's actually helpful or useful in any way? The man is an idiot, it turns out.
I worried about Lord Ingram there for a bit. But he comes around.
And why am I going on about these men when the book is all about female empowerment and achievement? Did I completely miss the point?!? Probably. I mean, the women have a romping good time with lots of shenanigans that seem like fun. They do disguises, learn a martial art, brandish guns in a very satisfying way (not sarcasm), and infiltrate a soup kitchen (also not sarcasm, this was actually pretty interesting stuff). So the adventure is interesting. And the plot is, well okay, the plot meanders a lot with three investigative threads that converge a bit artificially, I think. I mean, it holds together in the end, so the artifice is actually in making them appear separate for as long as it did.
And I continue to find Olivia's storyline the more intriguing as the sister left behind, amusing herself with making up a Sherlock storyline for a book she wants to write that closely resembles our actual-world reality as if she were Arthur Conan Doyle.
Anyway, this is four stars, for all the men were so disappointingly monotoned. I still like Lord Ingram best. But then, I'm pretty sure that's deliberate as he's the only guy who can tolerate powerful women and not feel lessened by it. That I'm conscious of that, even as I admire him, drags me down more than a little, though.
A note about Chaste: There's no room for romantic shenanigans in this story. The tension between Charlotte and Lord Ingram mounts. More so as we see Lady Ingram in such negative light in this story. Developments there are on track for eventual consummation. Probably illicitly, but maybe not....more
This was excellent. Aral is a complexly broken character. He has been trained as an assassin for the goddess of Justice—a role he found great joy and This was excellent. Aral is a complexly broken character. He has been trained as an assassin for the goddess of Justice—a role he found great joy and satisfaction in. Then the other gods ganged up and killed her. Justice is dead, Aral is not only out of a job, but the bedrock of his identity is gone. We pick up five years later as he's just about hit rock bottom. He and all his fellows are under a death sentence, so he's working odd jobs under the table and drinking himself silly every night.
It's always uncomfortable with a self-destructive hero. For me, at any rate. So I was relieved to see this become something of a turn-around story. It's not a quick one. Or easy. But when a job spirals out of control and old friends show up wanting to either recruit or kill him he has some tough choices to make. And the toughest choice is trying to figure out what he actually believes and who he wants to be. And I particularly liked Mylien as a catalyst. She was perfect for the role and her involvement as a good-hearted noble in need of help in a world where abuse of power is the norm was fantastic. And no damsel in distress, either, as she has her own competencies and strength enough to match his (though in different ways).
I loved being along with Aral through some great action, staying one step ahead of the bad guys. Most of the time. The flavor is a bit like a noir detective but without the legitimacy of being a detective. Think Glen Cook's Garrett meets Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos. And it was every bit as good as that comparison indicates. Okay, if you twist my arm, I'll admit that McCullough isn't the master those two are. But he's good enough that the tale was engaging, the pace fast and the plot held together very well, indeed.
I particularly liked the ending and the unresolved resolution. It was perfect for what it needed to be and it let me close the story eager for the next. It's five stars, is what I'm saying, and I'm eager to see what's next.
A note about Chaste: There's sex in the story, but nothing explicit on the page. Well, some snuggling. So it's borderline, but on the chaste side of the border for me. McCullough could easily have gone there, but I'm kind of glad he didn't as I don't think it was necessary....more
This is fourth in a series with a little continuity over entries, but not a lot. You're probably fine picking up here, though I recommend reading the This is fourth in a series with a little continuity over entries, but not a lot. You're probably fine picking up here, though I recommend reading the first before any of the others so you know the key background points.
This one was a bit more scattered than the others and the plot was more fractured, too. It was still good and I enjoyed all the stuff from prior stories. Just not as much. And it could be that it suffers from reading right after finishing the third (making it feel too similar).
I loved the romantic developments in this one, not least because there's less friction about Carter's investigation (he gets sidelined by the feds before Fortune and posse get too involved).
And I don't have a lot more to say. It was good. But not as good as some of the others. Four stars worth of entertainment at any rate.
A note about Chaste: There are a couple of kisses with Carter and those are outstanding. But still nothing sexy or that I'd consider steamy at all. So it's pretty chaste....more
This is third in a fantasy series that builds some character and plot arcs over time. So I recommend reading them in order.
Ah. Right. My non-standardThis is third in a fantasy series that builds some character and plot arcs over time. So I recommend reading them in order.
Ah. Right. My non-standard standard disclaimer. I nearly forgot it this time. As always feel free to disregard my review as biased because I'm more-than friends with the author. Or so our kids claim. They're really poor judges of character, though. Plus, I try really hard to be honest in all my reviews, even those of Melissa's books. Still, take that into account as you decide whether to take me seriously.
The series takes a definite turn here that works against expectation. Rokshan and Lamprophyre have become best friends and that has been explicitly platonic because, well, different species and all. Lamprophyre has been somewhat distressed because she doesn't have any romantic feelings for anybody and she's of an age where the pair-bonding should be kicking in and it just doesn't seem to be on the docket. So when an enemy turns her human in order to make her vulnerable to threats a dragon can shrug off, things get even more complicated on the relationship front.
So in addition to the investigation and exploration that is the center of this series, you have relationship changes with Rokshan. I was delighted to see them navigate these fraught waters, each having to be both brave and vulnerable. And I love that they get angry with each other and hurt, sometimes, and have to choose to communicate and reconcile. It's a really hard position because there is no easy answer if they're going to develop feelings that go beyond friendship. They really can't afford to have Lamprophyre so vulnerable with the unknown entity gunning for her so assiduously, so there are some definite conflicting motivations happening here.
Which brings up the fast pace and excellent plot. Having a hidden enemy who can manipulate others from afar is crazy-making as Lamprophyre and Rokshan try to discern what it can and cannot do. Some very scary developments happen and some tough choices have to be made. Who do you risk when death, and worse than death, are on the line?
Anyway, I loved this story and was so thrilled to see how it developed. Even as it broke my heart at times. Tough choices are faced and the friendship between Lamprophyre and Rokshan is tested to its limit. I'm so thrilled with how it played out so this is five stars and I can't wait for the next book!
A note about Chaste: For the first time in the series, sex is a possibility. There are some frank, but not detailed, discussions. But there is no sex. Prior in the series, we've heard Rokshan talk about sex and how he's decided not to go there until married. And he holds onto that. There's some kissing, but nothing more. Lamprophyre's exploration of her alien, human body has a few details as well, though not dwelled-upon or frequent. That may kick others into non-chaste evaluations, despite the decidedly non-sexual nature of her curiosity. For me, I think it's very chaste, with nothing more than some kissing, but others could disagree....more
This is second in a fantasy series and characters and some story elements persist from one to the other and there's definitely an over-arching plot. IThis is second in a fantasy series and characters and some story elements persist from one to the other and there's definitely an over-arching plot. I recommend reading in order.
Crap. Almost forgot my standard non-standard disclaimer. Can't have that. You can feel free to ignore this review as I make no claim to objectivity. I strive for honesty in this review, as in all my reviews. But Melissa and I share enough that I'm nowhere near independent. I rely on her for good sense, a check on my excesses, and advice on how to handle our children. Oh. Right. We share a couple children. Four, as it happens. Like the number of books in this series (which maybe explains why each is dedicated to one of the kids).
Anyway. If you've read the first, you know more or less what to expect, though the conflict is lower-impact so there's not as much direct fighting-type conflict. Indeed, the story is mainly about human/dragon relations, made stronger for having Lamprophyre's clutch join her in the capital. I loved getting to know the other dragons that are so important to her and watch as they built their own relationships with humans according to their individual tastes and interests.
The conflict of this story is mainly around the competing faiths of dragons and humans. The ecclesiasts make some bold moves to oust/discredit dragons and to drive wedges between them and humans—because dragons don't worship the perfectly good god of dragons in their pantheon (a god the dragons have never heard of).
And my favorite part is the community that builds up around Lamprophyre's embassy. Depik takes her leftovers and offers free soup to the indigent creating something of a soup kitchen atmosphere. I love Lamprophyre's innate kindness and desire to help others. And I love the found-family aspect that grows out of that kindness. Plus, it gives us a great diversity of reactions to the edicts trying to pit humans against dragons and that rocked more than a little.
So yeah, I think it earns all of the five stars I'm giving it. I love Lamprophyre and Rokshan and their friendship. The tests they experience in this story are large and not without some bruising. And I loved watching them find their way back to each other despite all that would tear them apart.
A note about Chaste: Lamprophyre isn't romantically inclined, however much as she wishes she could see members of her (predominantly male) clutch "that way". Rokshan develops a bit of a thing for a human female and seeing that play out was fascinating. And Lamprophyre still doesn't have anybody willing to explain human sexuality to her, as much as she's curious. So it's very chaste, I think....more
This is pretty good, but not so much as a romance. It's mostly a murder mystery with paranormal properties (there are ghosts and important plot develoThis is pretty good, but not so much as a romance. It's mostly a murder mystery with paranormal properties (there are ghosts and important plot developments happen by them being actual visitors from the dead). Fortunately, Avery works well as a lead investigator and Cam isn't bad as a helpful sidekick.
It's good that the mystery works. It holds together and the investigation goes pretty much how it should but without being predictable or obvious. And I liked Avery and Cam working together and connecting with one another.
And there were many interesting side-characters, particularly Avery's deputy partner. I'm not so sanguine with Millie and Jane, the elderly meddlers who propel many important developments, though. They lacked any sense of humanity, for me, and that made it hard to just roll with their hijinks. They were what I'd expect if the id and the ego ganked the superego in a gang fight and then let loose, Thelma and Louise style. Which makes them sound way more interesting than they actually were.
And the problem with the romance is that it's barely there. Which makes sense as the pace is driving and the plot develops quickly. And life and death are on the line (and not a Sicilian in sight!) so there isn't a lot of time for things like dating. I did like the trust they established and that they were able to put together a teamwork dynamic that felt satisfying. But the feelings, and the sex, happened way, waaaay too fast.
So this is a solid four stars. It's good for what it is and I found I didn't mind the warp speed romance when the mystery was good and the characters fun. I wish I could buy them lasting long-term (and long-distance), but I'm okay just taking that on faith at the end of this riveting ride.
A note about Steamy: There's a single explicit sex scene putting this on the low end of my steam tolerance. It was okay, but has a pretty shaky foundation as anything realistic, let alone long term....more
This is very much a queer fantasy story. Indeed, Seven Hills is pretty much a queer Hogwarts, though accidentally rather than intentionally (i.e. all This is very much a queer fantasy story. Indeed, Seven Hills is pretty much a queer Hogwarts, though accidentally rather than intentionally (i.e. all the queer students just happen to enroll here rather than invitations going out by whatever the queer equivalent of owls would be). Also, there's no magic (except for the magic of being gay—sorry, I couldn't help myself. And no, I have no idea what that means). So it's a place where you have tons of queer representation with many characters being "out" and a wide-open dating/gossip pool.
There are two main viewpoint characters, though Seth is kind of an afterthought. So mainly it's Evelyn. Evelyn went through a horrible experience in her home district where she was outed maliciously and then ostracized. So she's more than a bit skittish. The story is very much her finding her way to claiming her queer identity and learning to find strength in who she is. As such, it's an in-community-focused story, targeted at queer acceptance and it wasn't a surprise when the author included a note hoping it'd be a welcoming place for other queer kids, letting them know that they are seen and appreciated. I think it does pretty well at doing that.
Unfortunately, the plot is messy beyond reason and it warps the characters in very poor ways. Like, Seth and his boyfriend have a messy dark moment that was as much manufactured by the author as it was by the villain. Indeed, all of the ending drama is manipulation central and rather painful. So first, Seth is made stupid to confront the villain without telling anyone or planning for what they might do in retaliation. Then his boyfriend is made stupid to believe the dumbest thing possible about the boy he adores. Then Noelle is made stupid to comply with the scary, dangerous villain (right, two villains, this second one coming completely out of the blue, though there are vague hints about it along the way). And then everybody does things that shouldn't have worked, but do because that's how the plot had to manufacture reconciliation, realizations, and catalyze growth arcs. Oh, and I think some laws of physics are violated in there somewhere (I clocked some cops approaching light speed at one point and I'm pretty sure that's against the speed limit).
So this is three stars for characters that were interesting and a queer-acceptance story that, while preaching to the choir (queior?), did well enough that it has a good chance of reaching people who might find comfort and identity in its pages.
A note about the author: Philline Harms is very young to have produced something as good as this is. Yes, I went over a ton of weaknesses in the plot. And the overall story is rather surface when all is said. But it's an amazing achievement for one so young. My rating doesn't reflect this acknowledgement at all (I didn't rate up just because I'm amazed a teen wrote it). So I want to express my appreciation for it and I hope the author continues to mature as she produces more work.
A note about controversy: Working against the author writing anything ever again is an outcry about Noelle. Noelle is specifically black and Harms wasn't careful in investing this detail with the weight it needed. So while the queer rep is strong, the POC rep is not. Personally, I'm inclined to give her the kudos for trying. But I'm a white guy so that carries exactly zero weight. Or possibly negative weight. It'd make me sad if she were to internalize that and give up writing as a result. It'd be a shame and we'd lose a potentially very powerful writer if that happens. I hate to see marginalized groups eat their own just because someone doesn't get it perfectly right first try. In software development, we have a saying that "the perfect is the enemy of the good" and this is an illustration of that in action, I think.
A note about Steamy: Noelle and Evelyn end up having sex and it's explicit enough that I'm tagging this as steamy. It is baaarely that much because it pulls back pretty quick. So this is the lightest possible steam and I thought it was exactly perfect for the story to handle it that way....more
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