Well, well, this series was a very interesting read. Though it has six installments, it is one ongoing story taking place over less than two months tiWell, well, this series was a very interesting read. Though it has six installments, it is one ongoing story taking place over less than two months time with a HFN ending. I loved the lore about HNEs (demons possessing humans) and the different takes on their ecology and ties to the human world. Some aspects could have been explained more in depth, like the various paranormally enabled and their actual powers. Still, I greatly enjoyed this series and will surely read it again some time....more
Heh, I really liked this book. The stubborn 'I'm too old and tough for you and don't care for anyone' military guy and the hopeful and inexperienced pHeh, I really liked this book. The stubborn 'I'm too old and tough for you and don't care for anyone' military guy and the hopeful and inexperienced poor artist make an endearing couple. I would have liked a bit more comic relief, the weird tenants would have been perfect for that purpose....more
Well damn, I liked all four stories very much, I will definitely have to look up the other works by these authors! Varying characters with interestingWell damn, I liked all four stories very much, I will definitely have to look up the other works by these authors! Varying characters with interesting situations, a fantastic world building and great relations. ____ Second read-through: If you want to read a story as a standalone aside from the first, you should know that in this world mystical beings of all sorts exist, but they come from different dimensions or realms than ours, connected by portals and politics. So no bitten werewolves and turned vampires. The Irregulars exist to policy them on the earth realm and make sure their existance stays hidden from the normal populace. You may come across vampires, goblins, mages, brownies, faeries, pixies, nixies, ogres, trolls, demons and more obscure mystical beings int these stories.
Cherries Worth Getting by Nicole Kimberling, 15.10.17, 20.03.21, 1h 35min, 4 stars I find it hard to describe this story and what I liked so much about it. It wasn't a romance, but a mystery/thriller. A human Irregular agent specialised in food-centred crime and his ex (a goblin, which the human didn't know) work together on a case of human meat trade, with vampires, humans and goblins as murder suspects. The case and world-building was interesting, the relationship between the characters complicated with prejudice against goblins in the mix. I liked the pace and I liked the MC. I didn't like the goblin ex, or rather I didn't feel anything for him, he was difficult to get a read on and I did not develop any attachment to the character at all.
Green Glass Beads by Josh Lanyon, 15.10.17, 20.03.21, 1h 47min, 3.5+ stars I wouldn't classify this as a mystery, but also not as a romance. It is a bit of both. A half-faery obsessed with his family heirlooms and an Irregular agent who is certain he is a terrorist. The world-building was not as detailed as in the first story, which was okay because I didn't read it as a standalone, but as the second story of four. Still, as a standalone it would have been a point of criticism and maybe even influence the rating; the world building could have been more detailed, more vivid, just more. Despite my critique, I really liked this story, I liked the characters and I even liked the not-quite-insta-love.
No Life But This by Astrid Amara, 15.10.17, 21.03.21, 2h 40min, 3.5+ stars Again best read as part of the this anthology, to have a better understanding of the world-building. At least the first story should be read first, as it explains everything best. This is a mystery with the human refugee Deven as a consultant to arrogant agent August. Agent August's partner was murdered and magic from the world Deven fled from was involved. Deven has problems to accumulate to human society, customs and morals and is still involved in a war in the world he fled from. Quite the interesting story, I liked Deven very much and I am a fan of the violence of the Aztaw society and the events in this story.
Things Unseen and Deadly by Ginn Hale, 15.10.17, 21.03.21, 2h 41min, 4.5- stars Damn, such a great and fantastical story. An adventure story about a young man in and out of institutions because he sees monsters. Jason finally finds out what he sees is real, but of course there are people wanting him dead because he is special and a whole new world he has to get to know and understand. The Irregular 'half-dead' Harry is the one to find him, explain things and protect him from those who mean him harm, even from the agency itself. Harry is a worn-out revenant of a sorts who forgot how to actually live life and not just exist. Together they search for answers about who Jason is and who wants him dead. We meet many fantastical beings and get connections to the characters from the previous stories. ...more
Damn, I liked this one. The story revolves about family drama, therefore there is a lot of tragedy and heavy emotions. Still, I liked it and didn't fiDamn, I liked this one. The story revolves about family drama, therefore there is a lot of tragedy and heavy emotions. Still, I liked it and didn't find it annoying. Revenge, blackmail, addiction, family bonds, sexuality, personal happiness and emotional manipulations are some of the themes, quite the heavy stuff. I could relate to all the characters (except for the parents, maybe), all having their weaknesses and burdens, but at the end giving their best to overcome them and be happy....more
I loved the first story, really sensual. This is the second short story I read by the author Sean Micheal, and I am definitely checking out his novelsI loved the first story, really sensual. This is the second short story I read by the author Sean Micheal, and I am definitely checking out his novels. His style is sensual and kind.
The second story was even better and could be made into a great book series. Michael's story was all about touch and sex, Bells story had not much sexy time and more plot, moreover it was charming.
The third one was definitely interesting, like the first one very hedonistic. Vampires die a centuries long death, slowly disolving, hence our protagonist is blind. And damn, he uses his blindness to lure young healthy men to devour in more than one sense :P
Well damn, all those stories are great short stories, I really enojoyed everyone of them; never heard of Syd McGinley before and will definitely check out the other works!
I wrote a few words about the first story because I thought not all the stories would be worth mentioning, but they all are! So I may not have complimented them all individually, but damn they were good....more
The start is a bit slow, but that wasn't a problem for me. It is funny and sweet and all three characters experience character growth. All in all not The start is a bit slow, but that wasn't a problem for me. It is funny and sweet and all three characters experience character growth. All in all not excellent but still very entertaining!...more
This book surprised me. I often read great love stories that end at a point where I don't feel satisfied, because there are so many problems ahead of This book surprised me. I often read great love stories that end at a point where I don't feel satisfied, because there are so many problems ahead of the couple. You know, like many books that end just after the big thread is gone. This book doesn't end where I thought it would but shows us the relationship problems of their unique situation. There is no angst or overly rich drama, the characters are likeable and their relationship serious. I enjoyed the story very much and recommend this to adults and teenagers alike....more
I liked the first stories, though I was still a bit disappointed after reading the book. Some stories were just too simple to be interesting. ___ After I liked the first stories, though I was still a bit disappointed after reading the book. Some stories were just too simple to be interesting. ___ After reading it a second time I wasn't disappointed because I knew to expect many really short stories.
Secret Admiration, 36min, 3 stars A nice short story about a jeweler and his secret admirer(s) .
Jailbreak, 57min, 3.5+ stars A mage gets rescued from prison. I liked that it had a real plot and action, I would definitely read more of this.
Courting a Dragon, 11min I did like it, but it was so short I couldn't rate it.
The Western Witch, 1h 3min, 3.5- stars A mistreated grumpy witch and a cheerful mayor.
Seeking Haven, 10min A courtesan and his last night with his favourite client. I liked it, but it's too short to rate.
No Regrets, 18min Just a short scifi tidbit about a worker in a shipyard, slight incest ;)
Seeing, 50min, 2.5 stars This wasn't one of my favourite stories. I didn't get the attraction, at least not from Anton. And the story itself was rather lacking in my opinion.
A Fairy, a Wizard, and a Blacksmith 18min A wizard and a blacksmith having a date.
Fishy Bits 32min, 3.5- stars I liked this one. The MC did seem kinda clueless and naive for supposedly having worked as a sailor for months, but he is also young. I did wonder about Lenol's age, though, he seemed quite a bit older.
The Guardian Dragon 26min, 3 stars A young prince is being claimed by the guardian dragon. I liked that it was told in short chapters that were not all in chronological order, though I would have liked it more to get some chapters where the prince is an adult.
The Strawberry Fairy 28min, 2.5+ stars I don't have much to say about this story, it seemed kinda farfetched and I do have to agree with the brother that their life seems really boring....more
The third short book I read by Miller and I have to say I like her style very much. Similar to Megan Derr's works. Sweet and fun stories, witty characThe third short book I read by Miller and I have to say I like her style very much. Similar to Megan Derr's works. Sweet and fun stories, witty characters who don't let others trample on them and no angst. Her stories are easy to read, have a light atmosphere and create a good mood....more
Two things you should know beforehand so you won't have the wrong idea: 1. This is a very slow paced story without real action. 2. This is not a romancTwo things you should know beforehand so you won't have the wrong idea: 1. This is a very slow paced story without real action. 2. This is not a romance.
About the romantic subplot: We experience how the characters meet, adapt so the situation, slowly get to know and trust each other and only months into their relationship romantic feelings develop, they only get together on the last 10 pages before the epilogue. The romantic relationship is build upon shared values and principles, bonding in times of crises and last but not least close proximity. There is no love at first sight or fairy tale love and no enemies-to-lovers with strong feelings changing from negative to positive. This is a circumstantial romance. It was marvellously done and felt more realistic than most fantasy romance. It is also not a mystery or a real adventure. I wouldn't know how to define it, the story telling is detailed and efficient, also very slow paced. If you absolutely hate to read about mundane things like dressing, eating and doing kingly things like sorting through documents, this is not for you. I found it worked wonderfully in this book, it fit the atmosphere and story and I loved the detailed story telling.
What I didn't like: we got to know the characters better as they learned to trust in each other but they could have undergone more character growth; no further mention of (view spoiler)[the idiot Cutteridge (hide spoiler)] and how he fared; no mention of how the relationship is defined in the epilogue, as well as no mention to how the council and the citizen reacted to it; no mention if the council was actually rebuild; what exactly happened with (view spoiler)[prince Taceo, was he to be held as a political hostage for a certain amount of years or was he send back home? (hide spoiler)]. So mainly, what I didn't like as much as the rest was the ending, I wanted more information about how their life together worked and how everyone coped. I'm still thinking of deducting a star because of the ending....more
I have a cold and am not up to writing a good review, not even a short one. So lets just say I liked it very much, no unnecessary angst or drama, lotsI have a cold and am not up to writing a good review, not even a short one. So lets just say I liked it very much, no unnecessary angst or drama, lots of love - in the hall, in the pool, in the bed, watching from the fireplace... Could have had more violence....more
I can't tell you why I liked this story so much, nothing much happens and feelings develop in just a few pages. Still, it was a really nice read, gentI can't tell you why I liked this story so much, nothing much happens and feelings develop in just a few pages. Still, it was a really nice read, gentle and loving....more
This book surprised me. It's actually a real fantasy book and not a romance with a bit of fantasy, which was what I expected based on my experiences wThis book surprised me. It's actually a real fantasy book and not a romance with a bit of fantasy, which was what I expected based on my experiences with the m/m genre. The world building and the plot are really good, but I would have loved it to be even deeper, less superficial! Expect for being predictable, most of what I wrote in my review of Tournament of Losers applies here, too: (view spoiler)[ the story is great but told rather superficial. It as also very predictable - which does not have to be a bad thing but together with the missing depth, all the details that were left out and the fact that the story was told, rather than experienced, makes me grumpy. I really very much enjoyed the book (hence the four star rating), but it had so much potential to be something even better. (hide spoiler)]
I enjoyed the style, the story, the characters and the world building very much. We have one main couple and two other couples (with already established relationships) and the viewpoint varies between all of them, which really fits and makes sure the focus is on the actual plot more than on the romance. Therefore it still feels more like a fantasy book and less like a romance, though it could have been a lot more explicit, detailed and just plain deeper (I love violence, sex and gore, as well as a dark atmosphere � ). Because of the superficiality I would recommend it not only to adults, but teenagers as well [warning though, there is one mention of non-consensual sex - it's just a few sentences but still rather sickening]. My criticism may be harsh, but I truly enjoyed this book, one of my favourites by Derr!
EDIT: After reading it a third time and having read nearly all of Derr's works I don't notice the superficial style that much anymore. I still feel like this could have been much more epic and am a bit saddened by that, but that's just the way Derr writes. The only thing annoying me every damn time is the need for throughout editing.
EDIT2: After my fourth time reading it (it has become one of my comfort reads) I still think it could have been deeper and I was a bit disappointed by the ending, an epilogue would have very much helped in this instance. Nonetheless, I loved it....more
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