Urban Fantasy

Review of How To Fae It With A Fae by Amy Boyles

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Synopsis:
A broody fae king bent on revenge meets his match in this hilarious modern romance.

Book lover Addison Thornrose can match you with your next perfect read. Unfortunately, she can’t match herself with a good man. Her latest just dumped her. Worse, she’s learned that unless she marries, and quickly, her family will lose their witch magic—forever.

Feylin, king of the fae, has no interest in romance. In fact, the only thing he’s interested in is getting revenge on the Thornrose family for ruining his life. So when he learns that they’re holding a Bridgerton style ball to marry off their oldest daughter, Addison, he sees an opportunity for vengeance.

But what Feylin doesn’t expect is to start falling for Addison. And worse, he really doesn’t expect it when ancient fae magic binds them together.

His solution is to strike a bargain—be in a fake relationship. Just until they can break the spell between them, and just until he can get his revenge.

For Addison, this is a dream come true! She doesn’t want to be pawned off to a line of suitors, and she certainly doesn’t want to be engaged. But between the spine-tingling fake dates and the tension-infused banter, lines begin to blur. And Addison begins to wonder when her heart will stop faking it and her feelings become real.

This grumpy/sunshine witch romcom features a ballroom dance complete with frilly gowns, a magical bookshop, a tight-knit family, sisterhood, and of course, the promise of true love. It’s the first in a series of stand-alone romances.

Review:
I absolutely loved this book, which is odd, because usually I’m not a huge fan of “forced” pairings. I thought this book did really well with the enemies to lovers troupe, and getting Addison and Feylin to learn more about each other. I did think the ending seemed a bit rushed, and a bit too obvious in the big horrible event being just so easily swept away and everything returned to normal and forgiven. Addison, come on, girl! I also believe that the true culprit was very obvious from the start, but I absolutely love who came to the rescue in a complete deus ex machina moment (no spoilers here!!) All in all, this book is a quick, fun, light read and I have been looking forward to continuing with the next one in the series once it came out. Now that I’ve written this review… time to read book 2!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

*This book was read in August, though reviewed now.

Review of Veiled Threat by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
Integrity Taylor has regained possession of her ancestral lands – and inherited a whole host of new problems. The spectre of what really happened to her parents is casting a shadow over everything while Fomori demons are being sighted up and down the Highlands. It doesn’t help that Aifric Moncrieffe still seems determined to see her dead and emerald eyed Byron remains stubbornly blind to his father’s true nature.

Integrity is determined to stay in control of her own destiny, however, even if it means confronting the darkness across the Veil yet again. And at least she’s still got a sense of humour…

Review:
Once again, I am rereading this book series so if this seems familiar… well, I’m sure I’m highlighting different parts than last time.

This book was deep. There were a lot of problems that had to be waded through and it was awesome to see how Integrity’s friends always had her back and supported her- like the found family they are. While Integrity might have been raised clanless (or not even raised before she met Taylor) it was awesome to see just what happens when someone is raised with kindness and the belief that everyone deserves respect. It’s admirable that while there is a heavy romantic something between Byron and Integrity that isn’t the plot; it’s a subplot. Their affection towards each other doesn’t diminish or change the overall plot of what’s going on/being worked for. I wish Byron could have been brought into the fold without the drastic measures of the ending, but I am so glad for everyone else’s fealty and involvement.

There was one line that really ripped me away from the story and that was, “The heady scent of his masculinity made it difficult for me to think though.” (Chapter 7) Just… no. Describe the woods, describe his aftershave, but otherwise, what are you describing? Sweat? No one finds that attractive.

The banter between everyone was still perfect, and I loved the quip Bob made about feeling like he was talking to Skeletor. I absolutely adore how in with current trends, tv shows, pop culture Bob is. There is an absolutely perfect blend of magic and modernity, especially with only having certain characters experience such.

Now that this book is done, I will eagerly start book 4!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️

Review of Honour Bound by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
Integrity Taylor should have been a Clan princess. Instead she’s lived a life on the very periphery of society. Now that she’s learnt more about her heritage, however, and the magic that she’s capable of wielding, she’s not going to hide in the shadows any longer. The once-in-a-generation Sidhe Games are going to provide the perfect opportunity for her to win back her birthright – and the fact that she’ll be going head to head, toe to toe and mouth to mouth with golden haired Byron Moncrieffe might just be the icing on the cake.

Review:
Same disclaimer as previously stated- read this book series a number of years ago and am rereading now. It’s so interesting the differences in what grips you with age.

One thing I absolutely love about this series it the play with words that the other had, in calling this Honour Bound, in having the heroine call herself Integrity. One thing I absolutely love about this book is that it shows just how much honour Bryon has, despite being the steward’s son. It was a rather quick read, and I love that we begin to see beyond people’s façade to what they may actually want in life. I absolutely love all the quips between Integrity and Bob. As soon as I finished this I immediately started book 3.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of The Order of Blood and Ruin by K. M. Shea

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Synopsis:
They used to be enemies. Now they’re partners.

I never imagined Considine Maledictus—one of the most powerful vampires alive—would go from ruling the streets at night to joining the supernatural task force just to become my partner, but here we are.

Considine claims he “fancies” me. He also used to hide his identity and pose as my charming next-door neighbor, so forgive me if I don’t believe him.

As bad as that is, my work life is worse.

My slayer identity—kept a secret since a lone slayer is an easy target—has been leaked by a suspect from a previous case. This brings a new level of danger to my job, especially since the suspect is obviously holding a grudge against me.

But I’m more worried about my city. Bad things are going down, and whatever is stirring in the shadows is more than I can handle alone. Can I trust Considine to watch my back when he used to be the biggest threat to my life?

And why is it that despite everything that has happened, a part of me wonders if it’s possible for a slayer and vampire to be together…

The Order of Blood and Ruin is the final book in the Magic on Main Street urban fantasy trilogy, and is part of the Magiford Supernatural City world. This series is packed with humor, magical fights, and a sweet, slow burn romance between a slayer who battles social anxiety and a vampire who is sick of his immortality.

Review:
Seeing Jade learn what it’s like to have a partner, team, and friends who care about her was so gratifying after how much time she spent feeling self deprecating. Jade clearly didn’t realize how much her mindset of always striving to improve and working together as a team really impacted the rest of her work colleagues, but as Considine says, “There is a difference between seeking improvement and demanding perfection.” (Chapter 17) This books leaves one with the glorious idea that a perfect partner is patient with your faults and always has your back. Another important Jade point is that she has no problem standing up to vampires (perhaps because she knows she could kill them) and that she believes that communication is always key.

It was touching to see how much time Considine spent trying to make sure he would do everything in his power to remember Jade. Considine had to work to get Jade to open up to him when she knew exactly who he was. She knew he could be a good work partner, but how could a slayer and vampire be anything more? Considine continued in his devil may care attitude, and while he doesn’t like rules, did attempt to learn and follow them for Jade’s sake. I quite enjoyed his take on why he attacked/beat supernaturals. “I beg your pardon, I didn’t senselessly beat supernaturals just because I disliked their appearance,” Considine said. “It was also because they annoyed me.” (Chapter 3)

The absolute end tie in of Blood and Ruin was perfection, though I will say that I knew from book 1 who the missing female was, as well as what and where she was going to be.

I am so going to miss the Magiford series, and it is with a heavy heart that I finish this last review of K. M. Shea for a while. I wish the author nothing but the best, and hope that someday in the future she continues to write and bring us along for another adventure (Justice for Angelique!- my first taste of K. M. Shea’s books was in The Fairy Tale Enchantress series).

*This book was read in June and reviewed in July.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of The Games of Enemies and Allies by K. M. Shea

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Synopsis:
At night they’re enemies. During the day they’re friends. Only one of them is aware of this…

My stress levels skyrocketed after I discovered the deadly vampire who has taken over downtown is Considine Maledictus, one of the most powerful vampires alive.

Now I’m even more reluctant to tangle with him, but he’s started showing up in the middle of my investigations, even if they’re outside his territory. I never know if he’s there to fight or to lend me some unexpected help.

I don’t have time to ponder his weird behavior, because a group of local wizards are up to some shady practices. They’ve never been fond of the non-magical, but suddenly they’re popping up all over the city, “helping” humans.

At least I can count on my vampire friend and next-door neighbor, Connor, for some laughs. Except…he’s been acting strange and is even more touchy-feely than usual these days.

Regardless, I’m going to stay focused on protecting my city. I’m just not sure if I should be more concerned about the wizards, or the chaotic vampire who swaps from friend to foe on a nightly basis.

The Games of Enemies and Allies is the second book in the Magic on Main Street urban fantasy trilogy, and is part of the Magiford Supernatural City world. This series is packed with humor, magical fights, and a sweet, slow burn romance between a slayer who battles social anxiety and a vampire who is sick of his immortality.

Review:
It was quite amusing to see Jade attempt to make family recipes so many times and have them not turn out the way she’d planned. It was even more amusing when her mother reveals WHY several of the recipes have turned out wrong. Most know someone who is socially awkward, and while that may not be the reader, one finds themselves cheering for Jade to find a connection beyond just what books have told you to do to make friends. Social anxiety is very real and while not everyone has it to the extent of Jade, everyone has most likely thought, at least once, oh, I wonder if so and so doesn’t actually like me. It was refreshing to see Jade open up to Connor and learn that she doesn’t have to always worry about what she says and does. It was also so frustrating that Jade had realized that the night vampire was Considine but hadn’t put the two together yet!!

While Jade does try to do the textbook thing for making friends, it is interesting to see how her team at work seems to get so frustrated with her throwing herself into danger for her teammates. In Jade’s mind, that’s what you do when you work together- you have each other’s back. When Jade finally gets a partner that can match and keep up with her, it is simply chef’s kiss.

As a side note, I absolutely loved when they were called into a bar to deal with a vampire. If you read the book and know what part I’m talking about, feel free to reach out! I’m always willing to talk books!

*This book was read in June, but is being reviewed in July.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Furtive Dawn by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
It’s been almost a year since the magical apocalypse closed off the city of Manchester from the rest of the world. The vampires, werewolves and humans within the city all now live together in relative harmony … but trouble is brewing on the horizon. Supplies are starting to run out and, despite their best efforts to grow crops and create a sustainable future, everyone knows that it will be an uphill battle. Still, the magic swirling in the city air is an incredible bonus. Charley, the most magical of them all, is determined to do whatever she can to help out her new community and with Monroe by her side, she’s confident that things will turn out alright. But when someone from beyond Manchester’s walls makes contact, what happens next will be anyone’s guess.

Review:
Finally, after a year, there is hope of getting help. It turns out that not everyone is as fearful of Manchester’s magic as those within might have been led to believe. I absolutely love how this book ended, who the known “saviour” is, and just… completely bittersweet. As always, great series by Helen Harper, though isn’t as high up in my heart as some of her previous ones like Firebrand. If you love paranormal fantasy, definitely check her out!!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Brittle Midnight by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
Who ever thought that life after an apocalyptic event would be easy?

Charley is under pressure. The demands of her new community are piling on stress after stress and, even with her developing magical skills, she’s finding it hard to cope. Things aren’t any better for Monroe – his grief and guilt over what happened to his werewolf pack are overwhelming him. When dead bodies start to appear across the city, they’re going to have to work together to prevent more killings. But whether they’ll be able to survive together too is anyone’s guess.

Review:
Perhaps unexpected in a new city that’s still being set up by people who have never done so before there is mayhem. The mystery of who the killer (or killers) is definitely threw me for a loop because it wasn’t anything that you’d expect. There are a lot of racial tensions and need to smooth things out to care for all people. There are bits of knowledge peppered throughout the novel about why people may do things, such as having a lot of attention can be ego boosting if you’re treated as special, but perhaps it affects you negatively if you are treated as less than. There was a great bit about what people who continue trying to prep for the possibility of an apocalypse after going through one that I also thought was quite amusing.

Again, this book does have some editorial issues, but that doesn’t keep you from enjoying the novel. Harper’s novels usually do not have such things.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Shrill Dusk by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
Charley is a cleaner by day and a professional gambler by night. She might be haunted by her tragic past but she’s never thought of herself as anything or anyone special. Until, that is, things start to go terribly wrong all across the city of Manchester. Between plagues of rats, firestorms and the gleaming blue eyes of a sexy Scottish werewolf, she might just have landed herself in the middle of a magical apocalypse. She might also be the only person who has the ability to bring order to an utterly chaotic new world.

Review:
The first half of this book is very much the story we already know from Madrona in the last book of the Fractured Faery series (Skulk of Foxes) from the perspective of Charley. While Charley was blissfully unaware of all the magic that might have been around the city, she takes the new knowledge extremely well and does her best to keep sane and bring everyone together. As someone who didn’t want to be in a position of leadership, Charley does well to show that not wanting the job can often mean you’re one of the best people for it. As Charley says, in times of trouble, “We’re stronger together than we are apart. We can make something of this new world if we pull together.” (Page 262, Chapter 24)

Unfortunately this particular series of Harper’s does have quite a editing issues throughout, and while a bit annoying, it did not deter me from enjoying the series. I will note that this is not usually the case for Harper’s books.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Skulk of Foxes by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
One impending apocalypse. Several crazy faeries. A few troubling plagues of locusts and storms of fire … It’s just another day in Manchester for the Madhatter.

Madrona might still have amnesia and might yet prove to be a vicious murderess but that doesn’t mean she’s going to quit being a heroine just yet. However, while she might be prepared to go to any lengths to stop Rubus from triggering Armageddon, it’s equally possible that the world will end as a result of her actions too. Manchester is experiencing terrifying surges in magic which are causing all sorts of chaotic events to occur. With a dragon, several werewolves and a host of faeries by her side, there is still a thread of hope.

And green eyed, sexy arsed Morgan. There’s always him.

Review:
There were so many good bits of this book, and twists and turns that wouldn’t be expected from characters we’d grown to know and love. I loved the description of things fae can do in chapter 8, and all of the bits of wisdom sprinkled throughout the novel, such as personalities having the ability to change and that no one is ever the same all the time, as well as being selfish creatures who make mistakes and have to work on righting them and being better in the future. There was an excellent(ly frustrating) end to the novel, which made me wish we had just a chapter (or a few more) to learn exactly how Madrona and Morgan ended up. That being said, this series is an excellent set up for the City of Magic book series, which I have almost already devoured in whole.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Quiver of Cobras by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
One wondrous faery with stupendous magical skills and a superior mind (not to mention incredible modesty). One drop dead gorgeous, green eyed stud muffin and his evil Fey brother. And the end of the world. Maybe.

Madrona might still not remember anything about her past, and she might be more of an evil villain than a fabulous super hero, but that doesn’t mean she can’t also be a super spy. With Rubus desperately searching for the magical dragon sphere which can return the faeries back to their homeland – and cause the apocalypse in this land – she doesn’t have much choice.

Someone with wit, intelligence and strength has to step up and save the world … and if that person happens to look super sexy while doing it then that’s just an added bonus.

This is the second book in the urban fantasy series, The Fractured Faery, and ends with a nail-biting cliffhanger.

Review:
Oh. My. Gosh. Of COURSE I’m already reading book 3 because that cliffhanger is a doozy! This book is absolutely stunning, with Madrona coming into herself and learning both her personal style as well as continuing with her gigantic ego. There was definitely a part that I found very touching, albeit sad, but I quite loved the ending reveal and hadn’t figured it out exactly on my own, despite there being so many little nudges that we should have pieced it together (or that Morgan should have!) We have a bunch of awesome characters and it’s good to see Madrona trying to be her best good/bad self!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯