**spoiler alert** This one might actually be like a 3.5 stars but I'm rounding up because as a whole this has been a great ride.
After an incredibly st**spoiler alert** This one might actually be like a 3.5 stars but I'm rounding up because as a whole this has been a great ride.
After an incredibly strong series I kinda didn't love that ending. I didn't flat out hate it, I guess it just wasn't what I wanted. I don't quite know how to feel about the newest version of Paca. The guys (and I!) fell in love with a different woman then the one we saw at the end and I just didn't like how although there is all that reincarnation stuff where they always fall in love regardless, they skipped all of those in between bonding bits and jumped right back into bed when they clearly weren't on the same page. I get that it had been brutal for the guys and that Paca did love them in her own way, but as far as an actual reunion - I felt kinda robbed. I was still mourning for the guys and for the old Paca and this felt like a more hollow version of them as a haram. We see in the Epilogue that the bond has strengthened, but it feels like the guys are like, babysitting her or something, and I miss the old dynamic. I was kinda glad it didn't last more than two chapters. To be clear, I appreciated narratively that the stakes were high and the sacrifice was equally high, but just enjoyment-wise it didn't do it for me.
I also got a little tired of how the old Paca and her guys never worked out their issue of not fully trusting each other. The back and forth of scheming on their own and chaos ensuing got a little old by the end. I got really annoyed with all of them by the final battle , but of course it all turned to tears because Kristy Cunning ripped our damn hearts out instead, so that was mostly forgotten.
Also, no justice or rest for Lamar, eh? Poor guy.
Overall I flew through this series. I have a really hard time actually following through and completing series, and this one went in a flash and for the most part I absolutely loved it. The ending? Not so much. But I can still look back at this and be pretty damn satisfied with the rest of it.
Also I highly recommend the audiobooks if you can get them, Paca's voice is so strong and expressive and it adds a lot!...more
There was a lot about this I liked, but it didn't blow me away. The setting was awesome; always cool to read something that not only takes place in OnThere was a lot about this I liked, but it didn't blow me away. The setting was awesome; always cool to read something that not only takes place in Ontario but takes pride in that setting. I liked the different supernatural elements and how our three basically just said fuck you to the traditions to form their own group. I really would've enjoyed more of the guys interacting and really exploring their bond and dynamics or just relationship in general. It was kind of funny how none of them really know what they are to each other, just that they're vitally important and to be kept safe no matter what. The three of them are very different and I liked them all as well as the supporting cast of characters were introduced to.
While I'm on the topic of characters and our Triad in particular, don't go into this expecting romance or explicit poly scenes because this is not what this is and you will be disappointed. The Triad treat each other more like protective partners brought together by necessity than super-affectionate lovers who ruminate often on how deeply they care, so just be aware this book has more focus on supernatural action elements than the romance between the three leads. I myself am in fact someone who likes romance, so I would've loved that addition, but I direct you to the prequel novella for that. Read that novella in general though, just to ground you in the world. I found it super helpful and borderline mandatory. For all the extensive discussion that occurs about their Triad, there's little discussion within themselves about romance/jealousy other than the understanding that the relationship is somewhat open due to how Luc and Anders feed, but only for sex purposes.
My biggest issue with the book was that I wasn't a huge fan of the writing. I lacked that feeling of immersion and the characters feel like characters I'm reading about, not like when a character becomes a honest-to-god person in your world. The pacing also wasn't my favourite and I wasn't super gripped while I was reading. I actually had to walk away from the climax scene twice due to actual life stuff and it was more mildly annoying than: "no, fuck off, you can wait because I am reading". So that brought my rating down considerably.
I'm already reading the sequel because I was on the subway when I finished this book and I'd already put it on my eReader... so there you go. We'll see if anything improves since I do like the characters, setting and world, but since my issues here are writing style I'm not too optimistic I'll get blown away. Still, there are enough good things going on in this series that are intriguing and supernaturally interesting AND it's Canadian, so I'd still recommend giving it a go if the blurb grabs at you....more
Ultimately, I enjoyed the concept of the story more than how it was written. I liked elements of this, but overall I didn't connect with our main charUltimately, I enjoyed the concept of the story more than how it was written. I liked elements of this, but overall I didn't connect with our main characters or their missing partner and I never gelled with the writing style. Also I prefer my fantasy with less reality in it, which didn't help things. I did love the diversity/representation. I've been looking for books with poly relationships just to educate myself, but I shall continue looking elsewhere. Sad this didn't work for me....more
This was so freaking sweet and the diversity was off the charts. Representation-wise we got: trans, gender non-comforting, aromantic, asexual, POC, inThis was so freaking sweet and the diversity was off the charts. Representation-wise we got: trans, gender non-comforting, aromantic, asexual, POC, intersectionality, disability (blindness), queer romance, and I might be missing one? Also cats and a seeing-eye reptile (you heard me). All of this in ~40 pages without making it feel like Lorien was trying to stuff inclusivity in there. On the contrary, what I loved was that this adorable almost slice-of-life novella was so good at making our characters just feel like real people in love who wanted to stay together after being informed their work orders would split them up for at least 3 years. The four of them had a wonderful relationship that was equal and communicated and rooted in genuine love and devotion. I like how the dynamics would differ one on one between the characters but alone or together they were just so damn happy to be together. And I was very happy to read a healthy poly romance.
The world was also interesting, set after human inevitably ruined Earth and went space-bound. There was a surprising amount of world building for such a short novella without it getting info-dumpy.
There isn't really anything I can put my finger on that I disliked except that I wished it was another 200 pages. I think more time with these wonderful characters surely would've bumped this up for 5 stars. I don't know if there's a sequel in the works but goodness, I'd read the hell out of it. This is just a wholesome slice of happy humans in love and fighting to stay together....more
Loved the paranormal aspects, loved the gender fluid rep and how it was handled, just a fun time had all around. Also, queer authors writing queer chaLoved the paranormal aspects, loved the gender fluid rep and how it was handled, just a fun time had all around. Also, queer authors writing queer characters - yes. Please.
When I talk about being able to create good atmosphere and world in a novella and how it can be done successfully with very few pages, I have another good example to present. Backstories were wound in without feeling cumbersome, dialogue introduced character traits, the occasional flashback for context... Makes you feel like you've been with these characters for a dozen chapters instead of pages.
Helen's Motherly but not overbearing character was great; all the characters felt unique and believable, really. Ivan/Ivana was excellent - they're a big part of why I want a sequel. The confidence, the caring nature, the fact that they're able to sense ghosts - yeah, just sign me right up thank you very much. The casual but firm handling of their genderfluidity was great. I think I liked Ivan/Ivana more than Killian, our protagonist, but they both were well written. The romance moved quickly, but never took on a insta-love or disproportionate commitment feel. It just felt like a gripping attraction, which is what it was. And it was super fun to read.
My last attempt at a paranormal read ended with a 1-star rating and anger, so I really appreciated the spooky aspects in this book, and there was one moment I realized I was genuinely gripping my e-reader far tighter than necessary, so apparently the suspense was well done too. Without spoilers, I liked the ghosts in this world and the mixture of emotions they evoked between fear and compassion.
The ending was good, but it was so intriguing I wanted more. A follow-up chapter/epilogue, a sequel, something! The proposed situation is just too interesting and potentially featuring a gay, poly relationship mixed with learning about ghosts/spirits, so you can forgive me for wishing for more. I wasn't left feeling cheated though, just dreaming.
As a parting note, I think we can all agree when I say a resounding "fuck Jason". What a prink, that one....more
This held my attention alright and I loved all the dragons, but I was a bit underwhelmed. Maybe it was just that I wanted more than a novella2.5 stars
This held my attention alright and I loved all the dragons, but I was a bit underwhelmed. Maybe it was just that I wanted more than a novella, maybe it was the writing at times, maybe the ending felt too rushed... and maybe I should stop saying maybe because yes, it was all of those things. I enjoyed reading a polyamorous relationship simply because I haven't before, but I can see why other reviewers were saying it should've been expanded on more with Malachi. It did feel a little lopsided with Drekken and Yakov quite often, and I kept watching the page count increase knowing that there would be no time to properly get enough dialogue and interaction in with the three of them together. The first interaction held such promise and I was really getting pumped for what would come next... and then the romance kinda fell flat overall. That was disappointing.
To be clear, this wasn't in any way a bad book, and considering it's available free and under 100 pages I regret absolutely nothing. Yes I absolutely wish I got more from it, but still worth the read. Any time I can read about telepathic bad-ass dragons and their babies is a win in my books....more
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