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The Sacred Dark #1
Lord of the Last Heartbeat
Stop me. Please.
Three words scrawled in bloodred wine. A note furtively passed into the hand of a handsome stranger. Only death can free Mio from his mother’s political schemes. He’s put his trust in the enigmatic Rhodry—an immortal moon soul with the power of the bear spirit—to put an end to it all.
But Rhodry cannot bring himself to kill Mio, whose spellbinding voice has the power to expose secrets from the darkest recesses of the heart and mind. Nor can he deny his attraction to the fair young sorcerer. So he spirits Mio away to his home, the only place he can keep him safe—if the curse that besieges the estate doesn’t destroy them both first.
In a world teeming with mages, ghosts and dark secrets, love blooms between the unlikely pair. But if they are to be strong enough to overcome the evil that draws ever nearer, Mio and Rhodry must first accept a happiness neither ever expected to find.
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
Three words scrawled in bloodred wine. A note furtively passed into the hand of a handsome stranger. Only death can free Mio from his mother’s political schemes. He’s put his trust in the enigmatic Rhodry—an immortal moon soul with the power of the bear spirit—to put an end to it all.
But Rhodry cannot bring himself to kill Mio, whose spellbinding voice has the power to expose secrets from the darkest recesses of the heart and mind. Nor can he deny his attraction to the fair young sorcerer. So he spirits Mio away to his home, the only place he can keep him safe—if the curse that besieges the estate doesn’t destroy them both first.
In a world teeming with mages, ghosts and dark secrets, love blooms between the unlikely pair. But if they are to be strong enough to overcome the evil that draws ever nearer, Mio and Rhodry must first accept a happiness neither ever expected to find.
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2019
83 people are currently reading
1742 people want to read
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September 2, 2019This is a stunning debut. Incredibly rich, textured writing dripping with sensation, and an equally rich and developed fantasy world with vast hinterland. There's real world politics and supernatural mystery and a vast mythos and just an incredible amount in here, which makes it an almost overwhelming reading experience. The core relationship, by contrast is...well, it's not simple because there is a vast power imbalance (handled with great sensitivity by the characters and author alike) but it has a very clear, pure feel to it amid the chaos. Love and kindness cut through the maelstrom like a ringing bell, bringing clarity and resolution. It works beautifully.
A gloriously strange fantasy, a compulsive mystery, and a romance to make you cry. Tremendous.
Note: The author is a friend and writing partner. That doesn't affect my review: I don't rave if I don't mean it.
A gloriously strange fantasy, a compulsive mystery, and a romance to make you cry. Tremendous.
Note: The author is a friend and writing partner. That doesn't affect my review: I don't rave if I don't mean it.
October 8, 2019
I've given this a B- at AAR, so that's 3.5 stars rounded up.
May Peterson’s début novel, Lord of the Last Heartbeat, is an intricately constructed gothic fantasy with an intriguing storyline, set in a world that reminded me somewhat of eighteenth century Italy where dark secrets lurk behind the scenes, political backstabbing is rife and influential families jostle for power. Adding to that particular vibe is the fact that one of the main characters is an opera singer, and I loved the way his vocal talent is incorporated into the fabric of the world the author has created. In fact, I liked almost all the different elements that went to make up the novel – the worldbuilding, the characters, the plot – but ‘almost’ is the key word there, because there are two fairly major problems I couldn’t overlook. Firstly, Ms. Peterson’s writing style just didn’t work for me – which I recognise is entirely subjective - and secondly, the romance isn't well-developed; it springs almost fully formed out of nowhere and there isn’t a great deal of chemistry between the leads.
Mio is the son of Serafina Gianbellici, a powerful witch whose ambition is to control the government of the city of Vermagna, which she does by learning the secrets of its members and using that knowledge to keep them in line. In this world, a mage’s magical power lies in a specific part of the body, and Mio’s lies in his beautiful voice, which he can use to enter someone’s mind and soul to uncover their deepest, darkest secrets – which his mother then uses against them. Mio hates doing what amounts to mind-rape, and hates himself for helping Serafina, but he does it nonetheless, partly because he fears her power and partly because, well… she’s his mother. On the night the story opens, Mio is pretending to be a footman at the house of Pater Donatelli, Serafina’s latest target, waiting until she calls him inside to sing, when he is accosted by a drunken guest (who mistakes him for a pretty girl) who tries to drag him away. Mio has barely begun to try to free himself when the man is pulled off him and dunked into a nearby fountain by a large, dark gentleman Mio quickly realises must be a moon-soul, someone brought back from the dead and invested with the spirit of a noble beast (in this case a bear). Once upon a time, these shape-changing elite had been numerous but now, they are very small in number and coming across one is rare. Feeling unexpectedly comfortable in the man’s presence, Mio decides to take a chance to escape his mother’s machinations once and for all. Before he is summoned inside, he presses a note into the man’s hand which says just three words: Stop me. Please.
From that intriguing beginning unfolds a story of mystery and magic that builds slowly and kept me guessing as it moved towards a shattering climax. When Mio finally breaks free of his mother’s control, he runs to the one person ever to make him feel safe – Rhodry, the moon-soul, who bears a terrible curse he can never escape. Twists and turns abound as Mio and Rhodry gradually begin to understand the nature of the curse and the dark forces at work in Rhodry’s home; it’s an engrossing story and unlike anything else I’ve read recently. I liked Mio’s strength and determination – even in the face of his greatest fears – and Rhodry’s dry (sometimes naughty) sense of humour. I even liked (well, liked to hate!) Mio’s mother, a complex character intent on dominating a world set against her kind who is prepared to use her children while also loving them quite fiercely.
As I said at the beginning of this review, the book has a lot going for it. The worldbuilding, (even though it’s a bit shaky in some areas) the plot, the characters, and the inclusion of a non-binary, femme character in a main role and Rhodry’s unconditional acceptance of Mio for the person he is. But I had problems with the prose, which was overly flowery for my taste; so much so that it often got in the way of the story and the storytelling. And…er… then there was this:
He fondled my chest, as if feeling the shape of my muscles. Maybe it was good to be so firm. Speaking of firm—he jumped slightly as I took a liberty. Heavens, did he have a bouncy little plum. Sweet cleft, muscle tensing under my grasp—damn, I could hold on to that forever.
A bouncy little plum?! (I’m sorry, but once an author has made me laugh (and not in the good way), during a love scene, they’ve lost me.) Not only is it ridiculous, it’s so out of character for Rhodry; he’s a big, dark, brooding presence who knocks back whisky like it’s water and swears like a trooper… and he takes “a liberty” and thinks “Heavens!” ? But it’s also an illustration of the point I was making about language getting in the way and obscuring meaning. What exactly is Rhodry grasping? Is the bouncy little plum in question Mio’s arse? Mio’s cock? A nearby fruit bowl?
And then there’s the underdeveloped romance. There’s no doubt that by the time Mio and Rhodry are on the same page romantically they care for each other deeply and that they’re both prepared to make extreme sacrifices – their lives if need be – in order to keep the other safe. But the movement from initial attraction to full-blown love was weak; it’s pretty much insta-lust/love and there was no real build-up of romantic and sexual tension.
Writing this review and grading this novel has been difficult. Lord of the Last Heartbeat has a lot to offer, and I fully admit that the problem I had with the prose is very subjective. Ultimately, however, I can’t quite bring myself to wholeheartedly and honestly recommend a book in which the writing so often gets in the way of the story – although I’m sure there are many readers for whom Ms. Peterson’s writing style will work better than it did for me.
May Peterson’s début novel, Lord of the Last Heartbeat, is an intricately constructed gothic fantasy with an intriguing storyline, set in a world that reminded me somewhat of eighteenth century Italy where dark secrets lurk behind the scenes, political backstabbing is rife and influential families jostle for power. Adding to that particular vibe is the fact that one of the main characters is an opera singer, and I loved the way his vocal talent is incorporated into the fabric of the world the author has created. In fact, I liked almost all the different elements that went to make up the novel – the worldbuilding, the characters, the plot – but ‘almost’ is the key word there, because there are two fairly major problems I couldn’t overlook. Firstly, Ms. Peterson’s writing style just didn’t work for me – which I recognise is entirely subjective - and secondly, the romance isn't well-developed; it springs almost fully formed out of nowhere and there isn’t a great deal of chemistry between the leads.
Mio is the son of Serafina Gianbellici, a powerful witch whose ambition is to control the government of the city of Vermagna, which she does by learning the secrets of its members and using that knowledge to keep them in line. In this world, a mage’s magical power lies in a specific part of the body, and Mio’s lies in his beautiful voice, which he can use to enter someone’s mind and soul to uncover their deepest, darkest secrets – which his mother then uses against them. Mio hates doing what amounts to mind-rape, and hates himself for helping Serafina, but he does it nonetheless, partly because he fears her power and partly because, well… she’s his mother. On the night the story opens, Mio is pretending to be a footman at the house of Pater Donatelli, Serafina’s latest target, waiting until she calls him inside to sing, when he is accosted by a drunken guest (who mistakes him for a pretty girl) who tries to drag him away. Mio has barely begun to try to free himself when the man is pulled off him and dunked into a nearby fountain by a large, dark gentleman Mio quickly realises must be a moon-soul, someone brought back from the dead and invested with the spirit of a noble beast (in this case a bear). Once upon a time, these shape-changing elite had been numerous but now, they are very small in number and coming across one is rare. Feeling unexpectedly comfortable in the man’s presence, Mio decides to take a chance to escape his mother’s machinations once and for all. Before he is summoned inside, he presses a note into the man’s hand which says just three words: Stop me. Please.
From that intriguing beginning unfolds a story of mystery and magic that builds slowly and kept me guessing as it moved towards a shattering climax. When Mio finally breaks free of his mother’s control, he runs to the one person ever to make him feel safe – Rhodry, the moon-soul, who bears a terrible curse he can never escape. Twists and turns abound as Mio and Rhodry gradually begin to understand the nature of the curse and the dark forces at work in Rhodry’s home; it’s an engrossing story and unlike anything else I’ve read recently. I liked Mio’s strength and determination – even in the face of his greatest fears – and Rhodry’s dry (sometimes naughty) sense of humour. I even liked (well, liked to hate!) Mio’s mother, a complex character intent on dominating a world set against her kind who is prepared to use her children while also loving them quite fiercely.
As I said at the beginning of this review, the book has a lot going for it. The worldbuilding, (even though it’s a bit shaky in some areas) the plot, the characters, and the inclusion of a non-binary, femme character in a main role and Rhodry’s unconditional acceptance of Mio for the person he is. But I had problems with the prose, which was overly flowery for my taste; so much so that it often got in the way of the story and the storytelling. And…er… then there was this:
He fondled my chest, as if feeling the shape of my muscles. Maybe it was good to be so firm. Speaking of firm—he jumped slightly as I took a liberty. Heavens, did he have a bouncy little plum. Sweet cleft, muscle tensing under my grasp—damn, I could hold on to that forever.
A bouncy little plum?! (I’m sorry, but once an author has made me laugh (and not in the good way), during a love scene, they’ve lost me.) Not only is it ridiculous, it’s so out of character for Rhodry; he’s a big, dark, brooding presence who knocks back whisky like it’s water and swears like a trooper… and he takes “a liberty” and thinks “Heavens!” ? But it’s also an illustration of the point I was making about language getting in the way and obscuring meaning. What exactly is Rhodry grasping? Is the bouncy little plum in question Mio’s arse? Mio’s cock? A nearby fruit bowl?
And then there’s the underdeveloped romance. There’s no doubt that by the time Mio and Rhodry are on the same page romantically they care for each other deeply and that they’re both prepared to make extreme sacrifices – their lives if need be – in order to keep the other safe. But the movement from initial attraction to full-blown love was weak; it’s pretty much insta-lust/love and there was no real build-up of romantic and sexual tension.
Writing this review and grading this novel has been difficult. Lord of the Last Heartbeat has a lot to offer, and I fully admit that the problem I had with the prose is very subjective. Ultimately, however, I can’t quite bring myself to wholeheartedly and honestly recommend a book in which the writing so often gets in the way of the story – although I’m sure there are many readers for whom Ms. Peterson’s writing style will work better than it did for me.
September 28, 2019
Content warnings for fantasy violence, suicide, mind control, and homophobia.
What a ride!
The good:
- We have nonbinary protagonist Mio (he/him pronouns) and immortal Rhodry (male) together as a couple, written by a nonbinary author. Hell yes.
- There's a major power imbalance between the two, but it's handled with care. Rhodry checks in with Mio often, makes sure he doesn't feel forced in any way, and backs out of some situations where he fears consent may not be freely given, even if only in part.
- The relationship is incredibly sweet overall. I'm a fan of these two.
- There's more than the romance, though - a lot of plot is going on. The world is vaguely European and teeming with fantasy elements. There are mages and moon souls, ghosts and bear shifters. Political machinations? Yup. Family drama? You bet. A pivotal scene that takes place at an opera house? Check!
- The happy for now ending satisfies and excitement looms on the horizon.
The not-so-good:
- Worldbuilding is easier, I think, when you start with a small scene and expand out in the world. Here the world starts kinda big and focuses down on events in a single house over time. It's jumping in the deep end, and I'm not sure it's the most successful.
- The fantasy elements feel like a hodge podge that don't quite gel together, at least not in this first book. I can see it working on a series level, but having so many supernatural beasties from the start is a lot to take in.
- There's a bit of talk about dying to be with someone, which makes sense in a world where ghosts are real, I guess, but it may still rub you wrong if you're not into it.
It took me a while to wrap my head around the plot and characters, but once I was immersed I couldn't put the book down. I'm super curious to see where Peterson takes the story next now that the worldbuilding and important relationships have been fleshed out.
Thanks to Carina Press and Netgalley for providing a review copy.
What a ride!
The good:
- We have nonbinary protagonist Mio (he/him pronouns) and immortal Rhodry (male) together as a couple, written by a nonbinary author. Hell yes.
- There's a major power imbalance between the two, but it's handled with care. Rhodry checks in with Mio often, makes sure he doesn't feel forced in any way, and backs out of some situations where he fears consent may not be freely given, even if only in part.
- The relationship is incredibly sweet overall. I'm a fan of these two.
- There's more than the romance, though - a lot of plot is going on. The world is vaguely European and teeming with fantasy elements. There are mages and moon souls, ghosts and bear shifters. Political machinations? Yup. Family drama? You bet. A pivotal scene that takes place at an opera house? Check!
- The happy for now ending satisfies and excitement looms on the horizon.
The not-so-good:
- Worldbuilding is easier, I think, when you start with a small scene and expand out in the world. Here the world starts kinda big and focuses down on events in a single house over time. It's jumping in the deep end, and I'm not sure it's the most successful.
- The fantasy elements feel like a hodge podge that don't quite gel together, at least not in this first book. I can see it working on a series level, but having so many supernatural beasties from the start is a lot to take in.
- There's a bit of talk about dying to be with someone, which makes sense in a world where ghosts are real, I guess, but it may still rub you wrong if you're not into it.
It took me a while to wrap my head around the plot and characters, but once I was immersed I couldn't put the book down. I'm super curious to see where Peterson takes the story next now that the worldbuilding and important relationships have been fleshed out.
Thanks to Carina Press and Netgalley for providing a review copy.
October 30, 2023
On the plus side: complicated, engaging MCs with a believable connection; twisty plot; a complete-feeling world. The music. Mio's unusual physical form and how that connected to his gender. Rhodry's million and one qualms and all his delicious guilt.
On the minus side, the world was maybe too complete, in that I found it difficult to orient myself to how the curses worked & ghosts operated & why the revived dead, the moon souls, had sort of been ?taken over? by animal spirits. What were we to make of Mio's mother, whose purposes seemed worthy although her methods were evil? None of the characters seem to grapple with that. And the war that takes place before the book opens -- why was it fought? And so on and so on.
But I still have to give this three stars, because it's just so damn imaginative, and may all the gods bless and keep a writer who has attempted a Big Thing and not quite pulled it off, because I'd 10x rather read a wildly imaginative, well-written mess than a tidy bland book obviously written for the sake of KU dollars.
On the minus side, the world was maybe too complete, in that I found it difficult to orient myself to how the curses worked & ghosts operated & why the revived dead, the moon souls, had sort of been ?taken over? by animal spirits. What were we to make of Mio's mother, whose purposes seemed worthy although her methods were evil? None of the characters seem to grapple with that. And the war that takes place before the book opens -- why was it fought? And so on and so on.
But I still have to give this three stars, because it's just so damn imaginative, and may all the gods bless and keep a writer who has attempted a Big Thing and not quite pulled it off, because I'd 10x rather read a wildly imaginative, well-written mess than a tidy bland book obviously written for the sake of KU dollars.
October 17, 2019
DNF at 15%
This was a novel I'd been eager to read ever since I first heard about it on BookTwitter. It had a non-binary character (who was one half of the main pairing), horror & fantasy elements, and a murder mystery! My interest was piqued and then some!
Alas I had to give it up v. early (around Chapter 3 out of 26 chapters total).
I was not impressed by the worldbuilding (which felt v. incomplete to me). Based on what I read, the book is set in a world that's v. much like somewhere in Western Europe but not quite. Some characters have Italian last names but there are also others that have English and German ones.
Also, the pacing was a little off.
The main reason why I had to quit this novel, however, was the writing style. My best guess is that the author was aiming for a dreamlike vibe with lavish prose that will leave the readers swooning. Instead, all that excess made my eyes glaze over from paragraph to paragraph as the story grew denser and denser.
Since this is a book that's well liked, my suggestion would be to download a sample of the novel so that you can figure out if it's going to click for you or not.
TL;DR: The second biggest disappointment of 2019 for me. I truly wish that I'd have enjoyed this novel a lot more than I did. Not only did I not finish it, I also don't plan to continue any books in the series. Who knows if I'll ever try anything else by this author either. I borrowed this book from my library.
This was a novel I'd been eager to read ever since I first heard about it on BookTwitter. It had a non-binary character (who was one half of the main pairing), horror & fantasy elements, and a murder mystery! My interest was piqued and then some!
Alas I had to give it up v. early (around Chapter 3 out of 26 chapters total).
I was not impressed by the worldbuilding (which felt v. incomplete to me). Based on what I read, the book is set in a world that's v. much like somewhere in Western Europe but not quite. Some characters have Italian last names but there are also others that have English and German ones.
Also, the pacing was a little off.
The main reason why I had to quit this novel, however, was the writing style. My best guess is that the author was aiming for a dreamlike vibe with lavish prose that will leave the readers swooning. Instead, all that excess made my eyes glaze over from paragraph to paragraph as the story grew denser and denser.
Since this is a book that's well liked, my suggestion would be to download a sample of the novel so that you can figure out if it's going to click for you or not.
TL;DR: The second biggest disappointment of 2019 for me. I truly wish that I'd have enjoyed this novel a lot more than I did. Not only did I not finish it, I also don't plan to continue any books in the series. Who knows if I'll ever try anything else by this author either. I borrowed this book from my library.
November 15, 2021
sorry the relationship btwn mio and rhodry was just way too creepy. for one, mio reads like a child, not helped by how much rhodry babies him, & for two, rhodry literally watched him while he grew up? & was halfway in love with him from that? bleh
Rep: gay mc, agender intersex mc
CWs: torture, bodily control by magic, murder
Rep: gay mc, agender intersex mc
CWs: torture, bodily control by magic, murder
September 5, 2019
One of the predominant markers of an author’s success in drawing me into the fantasy they set out to create is to build a lush and vibrant setting out of the whole cloth of their imagination, and then translate that through rich descriptions and the complex layering of both characters and storyline. Lord of the Last Heartbeat is not only May Peterson’s debut novel, but it is an impressive debut that showcases her talent for commingling romance with a variety of complex external forces which influence everything they touch. Rarely, if ever, for the good.
The building up of Mio Gianbellicci’s character as the proverbial Siren who sings his victims’ secrets up from the depths of their minds so his crime-lord mother can compel them into servitude is not only unique but shapes Mio’s character as well. When he passes Lord Rhodry Bedefyr a note begging to be stopped, it is neither random nor without consequence that Mio selected Rhodry to put an end to his existence. Mio can no longer bear the heartache and emotional burden of acting as little more than a useful pawn in his mother’s political power-grab, and so he gives in to the desperation that death is his only means of escaping Serafina’s cold and ruthless clutches. That this meeting between the boy with the voice of an angel and the foreign dignitary who also happens to be a moon soul (a werebear in more familiar terms) sets the stage for everything that happens after. When Mio ultimately discovers the courage within himself to defy his mother’s demands and affect his escape, it’s through his defection and Rhodry’s rescuing him that allows Mio to encounter the true shape and breadth of his own magic. But he does so in silence, which ushers in another of the several things I embraced in this book—the concepts of sacrifice and purification.
House Bedefyr is a down-the-rabbit-hole, dangerous and deadly Wonderland of a ghost-scape, and I loved every moment the story spent here. The atmosphere is claustrophobic, isolated, and yet there are yawning holes in the fabric of its reality that allows readers to see deeper into Peterson’s imagination. The esoterica of the household is encompassed within regrets, secrets, and the betrayals of its inhabitants, and in the menace to those who cross its thresholds. The battle for possession of Mio and his magic comes to the fore as readers meet the otherworldly characters who make up the cast of friend or foe, those roles being delineated fully as the danger crests and the story reaches its apex. The romance that blossoms between Mio and Rhodry is, for Rhodry, a bit of “I loved you before I even knew you” thanks to Mio’s soulful voice. There is a virtue and innocence to it which offsets the age gap and the imbalance of power displayed in the beginning. That balance is met and narrowed further along as Mio grows into his skin. And, as a side note, I appreciated the clear intent of Mio’s name and how it meant something different for his mother and Rhodry. Mio, Mine, was the difference between possession and passion when spoken by the two people who meant very different things to Mio himself.
Lord of the Last Hearbeat gives lovers of spec fic plenty to feast on. It’s also a book that requires the reader’s absolute and undivided attention from beginning to end, as the author begins her weaving and layering early and continues it consistently throughout. The villains are superbly villainous, the heroes and heroines are supremely virtuous, the battle lines are clearly drawn and intensely defended, and the suspense is meted out alongside the heartache and romance and redemption in a polished prose one doesn’t often find in a debut. With the hefty task of the setup behind her now, I look forward to seeing what the author has to serve up in book two.
Reviewed for The Novel Approach
The building up of Mio Gianbellicci’s character as the proverbial Siren who sings his victims’ secrets up from the depths of their minds so his crime-lord mother can compel them into servitude is not only unique but shapes Mio’s character as well. When he passes Lord Rhodry Bedefyr a note begging to be stopped, it is neither random nor without consequence that Mio selected Rhodry to put an end to his existence. Mio can no longer bear the heartache and emotional burden of acting as little more than a useful pawn in his mother’s political power-grab, and so he gives in to the desperation that death is his only means of escaping Serafina’s cold and ruthless clutches. That this meeting between the boy with the voice of an angel and the foreign dignitary who also happens to be a moon soul (a werebear in more familiar terms) sets the stage for everything that happens after. When Mio ultimately discovers the courage within himself to defy his mother’s demands and affect his escape, it’s through his defection and Rhodry’s rescuing him that allows Mio to encounter the true shape and breadth of his own magic. But he does so in silence, which ushers in another of the several things I embraced in this book—the concepts of sacrifice and purification.
House Bedefyr is a down-the-rabbit-hole, dangerous and deadly Wonderland of a ghost-scape, and I loved every moment the story spent here. The atmosphere is claustrophobic, isolated, and yet there are yawning holes in the fabric of its reality that allows readers to see deeper into Peterson’s imagination. The esoterica of the household is encompassed within regrets, secrets, and the betrayals of its inhabitants, and in the menace to those who cross its thresholds. The battle for possession of Mio and his magic comes to the fore as readers meet the otherworldly characters who make up the cast of friend or foe, those roles being delineated fully as the danger crests and the story reaches its apex. The romance that blossoms between Mio and Rhodry is, for Rhodry, a bit of “I loved you before I even knew you” thanks to Mio’s soulful voice. There is a virtue and innocence to it which offsets the age gap and the imbalance of power displayed in the beginning. That balance is met and narrowed further along as Mio grows into his skin. And, as a side note, I appreciated the clear intent of Mio’s name and how it meant something different for his mother and Rhodry. Mio, Mine, was the difference between possession and passion when spoken by the two people who meant very different things to Mio himself.
Lord of the Last Hearbeat gives lovers of spec fic plenty to feast on. It’s also a book that requires the reader’s absolute and undivided attention from beginning to end, as the author begins her weaving and layering early and continues it consistently throughout. The villains are superbly villainous, the heroes and heroines are supremely virtuous, the battle lines are clearly drawn and intensely defended, and the suspense is meted out alongside the heartache and romance and redemption in a polished prose one doesn’t often find in a debut. With the hefty task of the setup behind her now, I look forward to seeing what the author has to serve up in book two.
Reviewed for The Novel Approach
September 15, 2020
Vermagna in the lingering aftermath of war is a city haunted, where any malcontent death might birth a ghost or a terrible curse. Mio, nonbinary and intersex and poised for a career in the opera, is the youngest child of the fallen Gianbellicci house, gentry turned criminal, his family's tenuous position secured by his mother Serafina's blackmail and her terrible mage talent of possession which she aims to use to control the new Electorate from the shadows. Mio's secret is that like her, he is a mage, able to use his voice to draw forth the shame that her power requires from those she directs him to target, and he fears that this is all his powers are good for--or worse, all he is good for.
Rhodry is a former soldier from a neighboring country who, along with his wife and fellow soldier Eirlys, stayed to help rebuild the city after the war. A terrible tragedy some ten years before the story opens left both of them dead and caught in a curse born of shame and silence in their afterlives, Eirlys a mute sword-bearing ghost whose presence is like winter and Rhodry reborn as a deathless moon-soul, blessed with a second life as a bear shapeshifter by a noble animal spirit for some inborn virtue he cannot recognize in himself, living in the house alongside the ghosts of valet Cecilio and war medic Rosemary. An incubus born of the curse's malevolence grown sentient draws victim after victim to the house, and Rhodry's moon-soul powers can hallow the victims' bodies so that the incubus cannot manifest in a physical form, but he can do nothing for their souls, and with each death the incubus' power grows.
A chance encounter brings the two of them together, and Mio begs Rhodry to stop him before he crosses a point of no return with his mother's schemes. Rhodry, unwilling to kill Mio and fearing that to involve Mio in his affairs would only give the incubus yet another victim, lets him go, but when Mio, inspired by the words they exchanged, defies his mother on the opera stage he has no one but Rhodry to turn to. Unexpectedly, however, it turns out that Mio's curious mage powers offer him a sort of immunity to the incubus, and his gifts of communication and healing might just be what's needed to unravel the curse once and for all.
This is a fine debut dark fantasy romance in an interesting world centering on two characters who help each other heal from the shame and trauma of the situations they've been through. The worldbuilding and mythology are interesting, though the book starts very much in the middle of things and only slowly catches up with the explanations as things go on. There are some nice twists, and if I guessed the ultimate villain fairly early on due to some clues that seemed a little heavy-handed and found their motivation a little underdeveloped, the resolution was less predictable and more satisfying and had some nice thematic resonance with the questions of emotional abuse and finding one's place in the world that play out elsewhere. I enjoyed the romance and the character development quite a bit.
I felt, however, that the story was ultimately a bit narrowly focused on the curse and its origins sometimes to the detriment of the worldbuilding, to the extent that I felt a sore lack of context for some of the characters' actions. Who was the war between, and what was it fought over? How exactly do the different countries and governments involved fit together, and what exactly precipitated the decline of Mio's family under the new government? Is Mio's mother typical of mages, and thus the government is right to strongly restrict them, or should we take her claims of ending enslavement of mages and organizing them in protest of their social treatment at face value, and feel conflicted about her methods but not her aims? Where is Mio's father, who as far as I can tell is still alive (though the timeline is not always clear when Mio is talking about his family), in all of this? Because this is a genre romance, it is not a spoiler to say that Rhodry and Mio end up happy and together in the end, but I felt like there were questions I would have liked answered there as well: Mio is happy with Rhodry's company, but what about the opera career he wanted, is that still a possibility? What will Rhodry do now?
Even if I didn't quite get the closure I wanted, though, I still think the ending left the characters in a good place, and I am interested in reading the next book in this setting, an unrelated story which takes place in a different part of the world.
Rhodry is a former soldier from a neighboring country who, along with his wife and fellow soldier Eirlys, stayed to help rebuild the city after the war. A terrible tragedy some ten years before the story opens left both of them dead and caught in a curse born of shame and silence in their afterlives, Eirlys a mute sword-bearing ghost whose presence is like winter and Rhodry reborn as a deathless moon-soul, blessed with a second life as a bear shapeshifter by a noble animal spirit for some inborn virtue he cannot recognize in himself, living in the house alongside the ghosts of valet Cecilio and war medic Rosemary. An incubus born of the curse's malevolence grown sentient draws victim after victim to the house, and Rhodry's moon-soul powers can hallow the victims' bodies so that the incubus cannot manifest in a physical form, but he can do nothing for their souls, and with each death the incubus' power grows.
A chance encounter brings the two of them together, and Mio begs Rhodry to stop him before he crosses a point of no return with his mother's schemes. Rhodry, unwilling to kill Mio and fearing that to involve Mio in his affairs would only give the incubus yet another victim, lets him go, but when Mio, inspired by the words they exchanged, defies his mother on the opera stage he has no one but Rhodry to turn to. Unexpectedly, however, it turns out that Mio's curious mage powers offer him a sort of immunity to the incubus, and his gifts of communication and healing might just be what's needed to unravel the curse once and for all.
This is a fine debut dark fantasy romance in an interesting world centering on two characters who help each other heal from the shame and trauma of the situations they've been through. The worldbuilding and mythology are interesting, though the book starts very much in the middle of things and only slowly catches up with the explanations as things go on. There are some nice twists, and if I guessed the ultimate villain fairly early on due to some clues that seemed a little heavy-handed and found their motivation a little underdeveloped, the resolution was less predictable and more satisfying and had some nice thematic resonance with the questions of emotional abuse and finding one's place in the world that play out elsewhere. I enjoyed the romance and the character development quite a bit.
I felt, however, that the story was ultimately a bit narrowly focused on the curse and its origins sometimes to the detriment of the worldbuilding, to the extent that I felt a sore lack of context for some of the characters' actions. Who was the war between, and what was it fought over? How exactly do the different countries and governments involved fit together, and what exactly precipitated the decline of Mio's family under the new government? Is Mio's mother typical of mages, and thus the government is right to strongly restrict them, or should we take her claims of ending enslavement of mages and organizing them in protest of their social treatment at face value, and feel conflicted about her methods but not her aims? Where is Mio's father, who as far as I can tell is still alive (though the timeline is not always clear when Mio is talking about his family), in all of this? Because this is a genre romance, it is not a spoiler to say that Rhodry and Mio end up happy and together in the end, but I felt like there were questions I would have liked answered there as well: Mio is happy with Rhodry's company, but what about the opera career he wanted, is that still a possibility? What will Rhodry do now?
Even if I didn't quite get the closure I wanted, though, I still think the ending left the characters in a good place, and I am interested in reading the next book in this setting, an unrelated story which takes place in a different part of the world.
September 24, 2019
3.5 stars
This was an interesting debut queer fantasy. There is intricate world building and strong romance but I also had some issues with the story and some aspects of the romance made me uneasy, so I ended up with mixed feelings about it.
As preface I want to say that this book has strong horror elements and as someone who is not a horror fan in general, it was difficult to read at times.
The characters are involved in a sort of house murder mystery that kept me captivated throughout the story but at the same it was too closed in the house only and I missed seeing more of the world outside.
Both MCs and the supporting characters well complex, with good and bad qualities. The story explored different relationships - familial bonds, friendships, relations between spouses,between a master and his servants.
As a woman I am hypersensitive to the representation of women in m/m romance. The misogyny in it is far too common and it’s something I pay extra attention to. For a while I was worried this would be the case here, and I'm still not sure how well it was handled. We see women being both supervillains but also ones who are strong and chivalrous and do a lot of good.
This is a m/non-binary fantasy romance but one of the MCs is intersex as far as I understand, and prefers he/his pronouns and likes the word "boy" for himself. I don't feel qualified/knowledgeable enough to comment on that representation, so I'm just mentioning it as an element of the story.
I admit that the way the magic and curses worked in the story felt too complicated for me and I couldn’t always keep up with it. I would have appreciated a bit more clarity on the magic aspects of the story but that could be a me thing rather than a specific fault of the book.
There is a definite HEA ending though some aspect of the romance didn't quite work for me. There was a sense of obligation and paying back, a certain imbalance as to the positions of the MCs which was never properly addressed in my opinion.
Overall, it's an interesting book but it didn't quite work for me.
CWs: Violence, queerphobia, manipulation, mind control
This was an interesting debut queer fantasy. There is intricate world building and strong romance but I also had some issues with the story and some aspects of the romance made me uneasy, so I ended up with mixed feelings about it.
As preface I want to say that this book has strong horror elements and as someone who is not a horror fan in general, it was difficult to read at times.
The characters are involved in a sort of house murder mystery that kept me captivated throughout the story but at the same it was too closed in the house only and I missed seeing more of the world outside.
Both MCs and the supporting characters well complex, with good and bad qualities. The story explored different relationships - familial bonds, friendships, relations between spouses,between a master and his servants.
As a woman I am hypersensitive to the representation of women in m/m romance. The misogyny in it is far too common and it’s something I pay extra attention to. For a while I was worried this would be the case here, and I'm still not sure how well it was handled. We see women being both supervillains but also ones who are strong and chivalrous and do a lot of good.
This is a m/non-binary fantasy romance but one of the MCs is intersex as far as I understand, and prefers he/his pronouns and likes the word "boy" for himself. I don't feel qualified/knowledgeable enough to comment on that representation, so I'm just mentioning it as an element of the story.
I admit that the way the magic and curses worked in the story felt too complicated for me and I couldn’t always keep up with it. I would have appreciated a bit more clarity on the magic aspects of the story but that could be a me thing rather than a specific fault of the book.
There is a definite HEA ending though some aspect of the romance didn't quite work for me. There was a sense of obligation and paying back, a certain imbalance as to the positions of the MCs which was never properly addressed in my opinion.
Overall, it's an interesting book but it didn't quite work for me.
CWs: Violence, queerphobia, manipulation, mind control
April 10, 2020
Some books open their doors to you without any friction, and others push back against you. This was the latter for me; I persistently struggled to *be in it* in a way that I find both frustrating and mortifying, because it’s a really powerfully written and satisfyingly complex story.
It reminded me of Catherynne M. Valente in style, with a hysterical poetics that is always on the verge of being too much but is often beautiful. The world building is similar: baroque, often obscure, and rooted in a violent emotionality that provides most of the plot. There are ghosts and incubus, curses and possessions, suicides and sacrifices at every turn. It’s a lot, especially at a time like this.
But the central love story between Mio, a mage and a singer, and Rhodry, a cursed bear-soul, is clarifying. It delivers the most satisfying and lovely moments of the book, in particular the scenes that navigate Mio’s body and identity as an intersex person. The sensitivity that May Peterson brings to his and Rhodry’s mutual discovery of pleasure was striking. The conflict between Mio and his mother, a ruthless sorcerer who has controlled his life, and with his older brother, who has facilitated that control, is also powerful and painful; the tussle of love and hate between people who have ruined each other. It’s these things and the ambition of the whole that earn the 4 stars from me; but with an acknowledgement that the book didn’t entirely work from a point of personal taste.
It reminded me of Catherynne M. Valente in style, with a hysterical poetics that is always on the verge of being too much but is often beautiful. The world building is similar: baroque, often obscure, and rooted in a violent emotionality that provides most of the plot. There are ghosts and incubus, curses and possessions, suicides and sacrifices at every turn. It’s a lot, especially at a time like this.
But the central love story between Mio, a mage and a singer, and Rhodry, a cursed bear-soul, is clarifying. It delivers the most satisfying and lovely moments of the book, in particular the scenes that navigate Mio’s body and identity as an intersex person. The sensitivity that May Peterson brings to his and Rhodry’s mutual discovery of pleasure was striking. The conflict between Mio and his mother, a ruthless sorcerer who has controlled his life, and with his older brother, who has facilitated that control, is also powerful and painful; the tussle of love and hate between people who have ruined each other. It’s these things and the ambition of the whole that earn the 4 stars from me; but with an acknowledgement that the book didn’t entirely work from a point of personal taste.
June 23, 2021
3.5 Stars
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via NetGalley. This has not influenced my review.*
This was an atmospheric, expressive, eloquently written fantasy story with magic, ghosts, curses, music, and love. To be honest, I didn't fully grasp all the details about the curse and the magic, it was complex. I also felt like the characters barely knew each other and didn't quite believe they were so in love already. But everything seemed well thought-out, and the magic was interesting. The characters, the ones you were supposed to like at least, were good people. According to the author on Twitter, the main character is nonbinary AMAB intersex (he/him), which isn't explicitly stated with those words in the book but is discussed between characters. Overall, a bit hard for me to get into, but still an enjoyable story that fans of complex magic and atmospheric fantasy romance will enjoy.
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: Ebook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes atmospheric and expressive writing, fantasy romance, nonbinary and intersex rep, and complex magic.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via NetGalley. This has not influenced my review.*
This was an atmospheric, expressive, eloquently written fantasy story with magic, ghosts, curses, music, and love. To be honest, I didn't fully grasp all the details about the curse and the magic, it was complex. I also felt like the characters barely knew each other and didn't quite believe they were so in love already. But everything seemed well thought-out, and the magic was interesting. The characters, the ones you were supposed to like at least, were good people. According to the author on Twitter, the main character is nonbinary AMAB intersex (he/him), which isn't explicitly stated with those words in the book but is discussed between characters. Overall, a bit hard for me to get into, but still an enjoyable story that fans of complex magic and atmospheric fantasy romance will enjoy.
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: Ebook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes atmospheric and expressive writing, fantasy romance, nonbinary and intersex rep, and complex magic.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
March 10, 2020
Hm, ein für mich schwer zu bewertendes Buch.
Eine Menge Dinge haben mir gefallen - die Sprache, die Atmosphäre, die Beziehungen, etc. Wirklich wirklich toll fand ich Mios sehr komplexe Beziehung zu seiner Mutter, die wunderbar eindringlich porträtiert hat wie wir manchmal unseren Abuser trotzdem lieben und wie schwer es ist zu erkennen, dass man jemanden liebt, der einen missbraucht.
Und doch bleibe ich insgesamt irgendwie sehr unbefriedigt zurück.
Peterson hat eine sehr schöne Sprache und schwelgt in vielen Metaphern. Aber das ist auch wieder ein Teil des Problems. Man versteht vor lauter Metaphern irgendwann einfach nicht mehr, was grade vor sich geht. Ich habe z.b. BIS zum Schluss nicht verstanden was Mios Fähigkeiten sind und wie sie wirken und wann nicht. Er hat eine "magische" Stimme und seine Mutter nutzt die am Anfang damit er Menschen ihre innersten Geheimnisse entlockt? Also, glaube ich wenigstens. Schon das war irgendwie sehr vage, weil er sie nicht "magisch dazu bringt" sie ihm zu verraten (so mit einer Art magischen Mind Control), sondern sie ihm offenbart werden, während er singt oder spricht. Also, er "sieht" die innersten Geheimnisse von Menschen, wenn er seine Stimme einsetzt.
Okay. Ich meine ... das ist seltsam, aber ich nehme das einfach mal so hin.
Aber in der zweiten Hälfte waren Mios Fähigkeiten plötzlich der Schlüssel dazu Rhodrys Fluch zu lösen, Geister zu bannen und den Incubus zu besiegen und ich verstehe immer noch nicht wie die Fähigkeit "schamhafte Geheimnisse zu sehen" damit zusammen hängt? Ich meine.... häh?
Genauso ging es mir auch bei dem Fluch, der auf Rhodry, bzw seinem Haus liegt. Wie und nach welchen Regeln funktioniert der? Wann schlägt er zu? Wann nicht? Was beeinflusst ihn?
Ich weiß es immer noch nicht, und genau das hat das gesamte Ende halt auch irgendwie unspannend gemacht. Jemand hat irgendwas gemacht. Irgendwas ist passiert. jemand hat was anderes gemacht oder auch das gleiche. Nichts ist passiert. Jemand macht was. Irgendwas passiert. Und so weiter.
Der "Endkampf" war ganz viel vage, metaphysische Beschreibung darüber wie Mios Noten die "Luft penetrieren" und den Raum erfüllen und blabla, aber wieso das hilft den Fluch zu lösen oder Rhodrys Seele zu befreien oder den Incubus zu erlösen? Keine Ahnung.
Auch ein magisches System muss irgendwelche Regeln haben. Und vor allem muss man auch irgendwie verstehen, was grade passiert.
Harry nutzt einen "Tür Öffne dich"-Zauber und die Tür öffnet sich. Jap. Okay. Das nehme ich.
Mio singt ein Lied mit dem er angeblich die Geheimnisse von Menschen sehen kann - und dann schließt oder öffnet sich eine Tür in die Geisterwelt?? Ne sorry, aber das versteh ich nicht. Du hast nie vorher festgelegt, dass das etwas ist, dass er kann. Und es macht auch keinerlei Sinn weil das nicht den geringsten Zusammenhang mit seinen vorher beschriebenen Fähigkeiten hat. Mio benutzt die Stille um den Incubus zu besiegen. WIE? Ich meine, häh? Bis eben hieß es seine STIMME ist magisch und jetzt ist es magisch, wenn er sie nicht benutzt? "Mios Stille" war am Ende DIE ultimative Endgegnerwaffe, aber ich kapiere bis jetzt nicht wieso???? I mean - how??
Und das ist einfach ärgerlich.
Das zweite was mich gestört hat, war das Peterson ein bisschen dazu neigt einen Charakter auf eine bestimmte Art und Weise anzulegen, aber ihn dann komplett OOC ("out of character") werden zu lassen.
In den ersten paar Kapiteln wird Rhodry als sehr gefasst, sehr smooth, sehr düster und zynisch beschrieben.
Aber dann benutzt sie immerzu Wörter bei ihm, die mich komplett rausgerissen haben, weil ich dachte "Häh? Das klingt aber nicht nach Rhodry". Er "jubiliert". Er "schluchzt". Seine Seele weiß vor Glückseligkeit nicht ein noch aus!
Und damit will ich gar nicht sagen, dass er all diese Dinge nicht empfinden darf - natürlich darf er das! Aber wenn ich in seiner Perspektive stecke, dann bin ich fast sicher, dass er das GANZ ANDERS beschreiben würde. Sehr viel versteckter. Sehr viel mehr zwischen den Zeilen.
Und diese Subtilität und Differenziertheit geht Peterson leider völlig ab. Was ein bisschen dazu führt, dass ihre eigenen Charaktere die ganze Zeit OOC wirken.
Wenn sie schreibt, dass ihr zwei Meter großer, finsterer Lord "jubiliert" dann kommt leider in meinem Kopf eine ziemlich alberne Vorstellung dabei heraus, die einer Disney-Villain-Karikatur ähnelt. Und das Problem hatte ich mit ihren Ausdrücken und Beschreibungen ständig.
Alles in allem ist das der Grund wieso ich so elendig lange gebraucht habe das Buch zu Ende zu lesen. Weder der Fantasy-Mystery-Aspekt war sonderlich gelungen, da man eben nie wusste wie hoch die stakes sind und auch die Romanze hat mich wenig begeistert, weil ich das Gefühl hatte sie hat keinen Zugang zu ihren eigenen Charakteren.
Also erstmal zwei Sterne, weil mir grade spontan viel mehr einfällt, was mir nicht gefallen hat.
Eine Menge Dinge haben mir gefallen - die Sprache, die Atmosphäre, die Beziehungen, etc. Wirklich wirklich toll fand ich Mios sehr komplexe Beziehung zu seiner Mutter, die wunderbar eindringlich porträtiert hat wie wir manchmal unseren Abuser trotzdem lieben und wie schwer es ist zu erkennen, dass man jemanden liebt, der einen missbraucht.
Und doch bleibe ich insgesamt irgendwie sehr unbefriedigt zurück.
Peterson hat eine sehr schöne Sprache und schwelgt in vielen Metaphern. Aber das ist auch wieder ein Teil des Problems. Man versteht vor lauter Metaphern irgendwann einfach nicht mehr, was grade vor sich geht. Ich habe z.b. BIS zum Schluss nicht verstanden was Mios Fähigkeiten sind und wie sie wirken und wann nicht. Er hat eine "magische" Stimme und seine Mutter nutzt die am Anfang damit er Menschen ihre innersten Geheimnisse entlockt? Also, glaube ich wenigstens. Schon das war irgendwie sehr vage, weil er sie nicht "magisch dazu bringt" sie ihm zu verraten (so mit einer Art magischen Mind Control), sondern sie ihm offenbart werden, während er singt oder spricht. Also, er "sieht" die innersten Geheimnisse von Menschen, wenn er seine Stimme einsetzt.
Okay. Ich meine ... das ist seltsam, aber ich nehme das einfach mal so hin.
Aber in der zweiten Hälfte waren Mios Fähigkeiten plötzlich der Schlüssel dazu Rhodrys Fluch zu lösen, Geister zu bannen und den Incubus zu besiegen und ich verstehe immer noch nicht wie die Fähigkeit "schamhafte Geheimnisse zu sehen" damit zusammen hängt? Ich meine.... häh?
Genauso ging es mir auch bei dem Fluch, der auf Rhodry, bzw seinem Haus liegt. Wie und nach welchen Regeln funktioniert der? Wann schlägt er zu? Wann nicht? Was beeinflusst ihn?
Ich weiß es immer noch nicht, und genau das hat das gesamte Ende halt auch irgendwie unspannend gemacht. Jemand hat irgendwas gemacht. Irgendwas ist passiert. jemand hat was anderes gemacht oder auch das gleiche. Nichts ist passiert. Jemand macht was. Irgendwas passiert. Und so weiter.
Der "Endkampf" war ganz viel vage, metaphysische Beschreibung darüber wie Mios Noten die "Luft penetrieren" und den Raum erfüllen und blabla, aber wieso das hilft den Fluch zu lösen oder Rhodrys Seele zu befreien oder den Incubus zu erlösen? Keine Ahnung.
Auch ein magisches System muss irgendwelche Regeln haben. Und vor allem muss man auch irgendwie verstehen, was grade passiert.
Harry nutzt einen "Tür Öffne dich"-Zauber und die Tür öffnet sich. Jap. Okay. Das nehme ich.
Mio singt ein Lied mit dem er angeblich die Geheimnisse von Menschen sehen kann - und dann schließt oder öffnet sich eine Tür in die Geisterwelt?? Ne sorry, aber das versteh ich nicht. Du hast nie vorher festgelegt, dass das etwas ist, dass er kann. Und es macht auch keinerlei Sinn weil das nicht den geringsten Zusammenhang mit seinen vorher beschriebenen Fähigkeiten hat. Mio benutzt die Stille um den Incubus zu besiegen. WIE? Ich meine, häh? Bis eben hieß es seine STIMME ist magisch und jetzt ist es magisch, wenn er sie nicht benutzt? "Mios Stille" war am Ende DIE ultimative Endgegnerwaffe, aber ich kapiere bis jetzt nicht wieso???? I mean - how??
Und das ist einfach ärgerlich.
Das zweite was mich gestört hat, war das Peterson ein bisschen dazu neigt einen Charakter auf eine bestimmte Art und Weise anzulegen, aber ihn dann komplett OOC ("out of character") werden zu lassen.
In den ersten paar Kapiteln wird Rhodry als sehr gefasst, sehr smooth, sehr düster und zynisch beschrieben.
Aber dann benutzt sie immerzu Wörter bei ihm, die mich komplett rausgerissen haben, weil ich dachte "Häh? Das klingt aber nicht nach Rhodry". Er "jubiliert". Er "schluchzt". Seine Seele weiß vor Glückseligkeit nicht ein noch aus!
Und damit will ich gar nicht sagen, dass er all diese Dinge nicht empfinden darf - natürlich darf er das! Aber wenn ich in seiner Perspektive stecke, dann bin ich fast sicher, dass er das GANZ ANDERS beschreiben würde. Sehr viel versteckter. Sehr viel mehr zwischen den Zeilen.
Und diese Subtilität und Differenziertheit geht Peterson leider völlig ab. Was ein bisschen dazu führt, dass ihre eigenen Charaktere die ganze Zeit OOC wirken.
Wenn sie schreibt, dass ihr zwei Meter großer, finsterer Lord "jubiliert" dann kommt leider in meinem Kopf eine ziemlich alberne Vorstellung dabei heraus, die einer Disney-Villain-Karikatur ähnelt. Und das Problem hatte ich mit ihren Ausdrücken und Beschreibungen ständig.
Alles in allem ist das der Grund wieso ich so elendig lange gebraucht habe das Buch zu Ende zu lesen. Weder der Fantasy-Mystery-Aspekt war sonderlich gelungen, da man eben nie wusste wie hoch die stakes sind und auch die Romanze hat mich wenig begeistert, weil ich das Gefühl hatte sie hat keinen Zugang zu ihren eigenen Charakteren.
Also erstmal zwei Sterne, weil mir grade spontan viel mehr einfällt, was mir nicht gefallen hat.
December 29, 2019
I almost wish this had been a nice chunky fantasy novel, because the supernatural worldbuilding suffered a little from being crammed into a romance-novel space; it was all FASCINATING and I wanted it to be able to breathe! The romance was enjoyable because I liked both of the protagonists SO MUCH in their own rights, and wanted them to be happy, though the emotional path from 'meeting' to 'declaring true love' was a little speedy and smooth and unexplored to be perfectly satisfying. But it didn't bother me overmuch, because they were busy dealing with the actual fantasy-mystery plot, which was fantastic.
September 12, 2019
I liked this a lot. But at times had trouble following everything that was happening.
December 31, 2019
Title/Author: Lord of the Last Heartbeat by May Peterson
Series/Standalone: The Sacred Dark #1
Genre/Sub-Genre: Paranormal fantasy/romance with strong horror and mystery elements
Book Format: ebook
Length: 351 pages
LGBTQ+ Orientation: non-binary/intersex and pan-sexual
HEA/HFN: Yes
Abuse/Rape: Mio describes his own powers as “mind rape” and his mother emotionally abuses him by making him use his powers so she can get what she wants.
Violence: Yes, there is a lot of violence and talk of suicide throughout the book.
Ratio of Sex/Plot: Mostly plot
Well Written/Editor Needed: Well written, but needs some minor proofreading.
Would I Re-Read?: There are so many intricate details here and so much happening that it’s not always easy to follow along. As this is the first book in a series, I’m assuming the confusion will lessen with the second book, but I think I will need to reread this one it in order to fully understand what is going on.
Personal Thoughts: Wow! This is Peterson’s first novel, and it sure packs a punch. While this wasn’t 100% well done, there is a lot of promise for this author and the series. The world building is exceptionally detailed and the characters are richly nuanced. The book is centered around Mio’s unique magic powers which encompass language and music. Music has the capacity to bring people together, and it does that here in a way that nearly had me in tears toward the end. Rhodry is a bear spirit, but since we spent so much time with Mio and his powers, I want to know more about Rhodry’s!
I appreciated that these two, who have a huge power imbalance, had a very sweet relationship and talked everything through like real adults so there was no miscommunication when there easily could have been. The sweetness, however, is balanced by a good dose of horror, suspense, and a big murder mystery.
Mio almost seems too child-like to me in the way he’s described by Rhodry and the way he acts for most of the book, but he does grow and change toward the end, which I was glad to see. He explains that he prefers he/him pronouns, but doesn’t feel like a man, though being called “boy” and “brother” are okay. It also might be helpful to know that the author, May Peterson, is transfem.
Series/Standalone: The Sacred Dark #1
Genre/Sub-Genre: Paranormal fantasy/romance with strong horror and mystery elements
Book Format: ebook
Length: 351 pages
LGBTQ+ Orientation: non-binary/intersex and pan-sexual
HEA/HFN: Yes
Abuse/Rape: Mio describes his own powers as “mind rape” and his mother emotionally abuses him by making him use his powers so she can get what she wants.
Violence: Yes, there is a lot of violence and talk of suicide throughout the book.
Ratio of Sex/Plot: Mostly plot
Well Written/Editor Needed: Well written, but needs some minor proofreading.
Would I Re-Read?: There are so many intricate details here and so much happening that it’s not always easy to follow along. As this is the first book in a series, I’m assuming the confusion will lessen with the second book, but I think I will need to reread this one it in order to fully understand what is going on.
Personal Thoughts: Wow! This is Peterson’s first novel, and it sure packs a punch. While this wasn’t 100% well done, there is a lot of promise for this author and the series. The world building is exceptionally detailed and the characters are richly nuanced. The book is centered around Mio’s unique magic powers which encompass language and music. Music has the capacity to bring people together, and it does that here in a way that nearly had me in tears toward the end. Rhodry is a bear spirit, but since we spent so much time with Mio and his powers, I want to know more about Rhodry’s!
I appreciated that these two, who have a huge power imbalance, had a very sweet relationship and talked everything through like real adults so there was no miscommunication when there easily could have been. The sweetness, however, is balanced by a good dose of horror, suspense, and a big murder mystery.
Mio almost seems too child-like to me in the way he’s described by Rhodry and the way he acts for most of the book, but he does grow and change toward the end, which I was glad to see. He explains that he prefers he/him pronouns, but doesn’t feel like a man, though being called “boy” and “brother” are okay. It also might be helpful to know that the author, May Peterson, is transfem.
January 12, 2020
I came here for the m/nb romance but what a twisty and thrilling plot!
December 7, 2020
My heart had been pounding inside my grave for years, sounding the last heartbeat, and Mio alone had heard it.
3.5 stars. This was a lovely story, and a lovely romance. It was super unique in terms of the fantasy of the world, and the magic systems in it, and the different paranormal and fantastical creatures. Just the like, vibes of the setting were incredible. There was a really great Renaissance feeling to the world ,and it was just unlike anything I've ever read in fantasy before. It was so creative, and it was wonderful to read about a world that was comfortably similar to a lot of established fantasy norms, but also singularly lush and expressive and unique.
I do have a lot of critiques and most of them boil down to the world-building, and the way that it was transmitted to the reader. I spent a lot of time while reading this book a little confused or unsure of what I was reading in terms of how the magic systems worked. Not all of the concepts were explained to the reader in a way that I found easy to parse, and even when they were explained, I just found that I remained a little lost. I never like when books do a lot of info dumping, but also in this case I think the story would have benefited a lot if things were just explained a bit more? Or maybe just explained a bit better? I don't know. I really can't tell if the blame for this is at my feet, if I'm just a bit thick or I wasn't paying enough attention to the things I was being told, or if the book just didn't do a great job of explaining things. Either the information was very dense, or I myself felt really dense. I finished this book maybe an hour ago, and if you asked me to take a closed-book quiz on, idk, how immortals/moon-souls are created, the logic behind ghosts in this world, how the Verge works, or any of Mio's magic in the latter half of this book, I would be fucked.
So this could have turned out to be a very lacklustre reading experience, but two things mainly kept pushing me on to read and ultimately left me enjoying the story a lot more than you might expect from my nitpicks. The first was the writing. Peterson has a lovely style that really gelled well with the world that she created. It was intricate where it needed to be but also very simple, and just really lovely to read. I reread several lines immediately upon reading them; sometimes before I just didn't understand, but often because the writing was just gorgeous.
The second, of course, was the romance. It was completely swoon-worthy. I fell hard and fast for both of these characters. Their stories were heartrending, but the joy that they found in each other was just amazing, and lifted my spirits so much I can't even explain it. Mio is incredible, and the story of him coming to terms with his mother's abuse and really trying to break away from it got me right in the heart. And I really love the concept of Rhodry as a character. He has all of this guilt weighing him down, but still he is such a sweetheart and a force of light and humour. I really love loyalty in characters, and characters who fight for one another tooth and nail. That was both of these MCs for one another, and I loved it so much. The romance perhaps moved a liiiiiittle bit fast but it still wasn't unbelievable in any way. It fit perfectly with the setting and the vibes. It was just really moving and sweet at all times. You know a romance is good when it makes you put your Kindle down and cover your face in your hands and just scream a little bit.
And I have to say, even though I spent a lot of time confused, I devoured this. It had a slow start, and I stepped away from it at times to read other things, but once it hit its stride, I flew through this book. I finished it in two sittings today.
I think that perhaps rereading this might do me some good and it might help me parse a little bit more of the world-building. I definitely want to appreciate it more than I did. But just as a fantasy love story, this is tops. Definitely recommend it.
“I guess I’m not much of a savior. But you deserved for someone to try.”
September 29, 2019
I received and ARC of this book via Netgalley.
CW: Violence, mind control, blood and mild (fantasy) gore, past infidelity, homophobia and anti-effeminacy
I wanted to read this book from the moment I saw it mentioned on Twitter, and I wanted to read it extra bad because I was sure this author would pull me into a whirlwind of lush prose and intricate worldbuilding. May Peterson has always had a way with words talking about real life things, why would it be different in fiction?
Reader, it wasn’t. I picked this up because I was dying to read this book with an non-binary AMAB intersex character who is also an opera singer and has very unique talents connected to his voice and how it affects others. Talents his mother wants to use to control the government and protect her own, but in ways that has Mio wanting to die or run so badly, he seeks help in the most unusual place. Namely with Rhodry, who is quite literally battling demons of his own, but still wants to keep Mio safe and preferably close to himself without getting him in danger.
I really did get what I was looking for when I read this story. Intricate worldbuilding in a gothic fantasy novel, twists and turns I couldn’t have guessed - or did guess and then dismissed only to come back to it later - and a very sweet and gentle romance surrounded by a lot of danger, mysteries and magic. Especially the mystery has kept me on my toes, always guessing and fretting, enjoying the delicious angst and quiet moments that took turns pulling at my heartstrings.
Not as well did the development of the romance work for me, mainly because there were some instantaneous feelings happening that had me trying to catch up while the plot continued to evolve. It still had me feeling all kinds of heartbreak and wonder in the end, so it wasn’t a big stumbling stone. One issue that did come up for me a couple of times, but particularly in the end of the book, was how the prose sometimes lost itself in descriptions and lushness so steep, I forgot what I was reading about originally. As much as I love my books to be wordy, maybe a little purple, rich and full of color and sensation, at some points the writing overpowered the plot in ways that made it hard to follow the things happening instead of getting lost in the very sensations that were meant to enhance, not overwhelm.
I had to go back a couple of times to reread passages that contained vital information and major plot twists and explanations, not because I wasn’t paying attention, but because the writing lacked sharpness and contour in order to have the lushness make worldbuilding, plot points and happenings clearer to me instead of blurry. And some things still ended up confusing me or feeling like they were left without coming full circle. Part of that could have also been this being a first book in a series though, so I’m not judging, just feeling.
All in all this was a very strong debut by an author with a great voice and incredibly lush and descriptive prose that is gentle and to die for at the same time. I am definitely looking forward to reading more in this series and more by this author.
CW: Violence, mind control, blood and mild (fantasy) gore, past infidelity, homophobia and anti-effeminacy
I wanted to read this book from the moment I saw it mentioned on Twitter, and I wanted to read it extra bad because I was sure this author would pull me into a whirlwind of lush prose and intricate worldbuilding. May Peterson has always had a way with words talking about real life things, why would it be different in fiction?
Reader, it wasn’t. I picked this up because I was dying to read this book with an non-binary AMAB intersex character who is also an opera singer and has very unique talents connected to his voice and how it affects others. Talents his mother wants to use to control the government and protect her own, but in ways that has Mio wanting to die or run so badly, he seeks help in the most unusual place. Namely with Rhodry, who is quite literally battling demons of his own, but still wants to keep Mio safe and preferably close to himself without getting him in danger.
I really did get what I was looking for when I read this story. Intricate worldbuilding in a gothic fantasy novel, twists and turns I couldn’t have guessed - or did guess and then dismissed only to come back to it later - and a very sweet and gentle romance surrounded by a lot of danger, mysteries and magic. Especially the mystery has kept me on my toes, always guessing and fretting, enjoying the delicious angst and quiet moments that took turns pulling at my heartstrings.
Not as well did the development of the romance work for me, mainly because there were some instantaneous feelings happening that had me trying to catch up while the plot continued to evolve. It still had me feeling all kinds of heartbreak and wonder in the end, so it wasn’t a big stumbling stone. One issue that did come up for me a couple of times, but particularly in the end of the book, was how the prose sometimes lost itself in descriptions and lushness so steep, I forgot what I was reading about originally. As much as I love my books to be wordy, maybe a little purple, rich and full of color and sensation, at some points the writing overpowered the plot in ways that made it hard to follow the things happening instead of getting lost in the very sensations that were meant to enhance, not overwhelm.
I had to go back a couple of times to reread passages that contained vital information and major plot twists and explanations, not because I wasn’t paying attention, but because the writing lacked sharpness and contour in order to have the lushness make worldbuilding, plot points and happenings clearer to me instead of blurry. And some things still ended up confusing me or feeling like they were left without coming full circle. Part of that could have also been this being a first book in a series though, so I’m not judging, just feeling.
All in all this was a very strong debut by an author with a great voice and incredibly lush and descriptive prose that is gentle and to die for at the same time. I am definitely looking forward to reading more in this series and more by this author.
January 3, 2021
Lord of the Last Heartbeat starting out amazingly strong for me. The prose was a delight and the characters instantly gripping; I was instantly invested in their stakes. Mio wants to escape the life of crime his mob-boss mother has forced him into, and Rhodry wants to cleanse his home of a curse involving the angry ghost of his dead wife. Cool cool cool. I was really interested in seeing how these two plots would converge.
Then the book basically abandoned Mio's deal to focus on Rhodry's curse. Which, still cool cool cool. Curses can be fun, right? It helps though to understand the rules and parameters of the curse, which sadly I never did here. The prose that delighted me at first grew to be too much, and I could never grasp any actual concrete facts from all the flowery descriptions.
And speaking of descriptions, really didn't love the way Mio was exclusively described with words like 'delicate,' 'trembling,' 'innocent,' 'childlike' and so on in this vein. Made it had to really enjoy the romance, which I was already struggling with on account of how instant it was.
So yeah. Strong start, but pretty much all downhill after that.
Then the book basically abandoned Mio's deal to focus on Rhodry's curse. Which, still cool cool cool. Curses can be fun, right? It helps though to understand the rules and parameters of the curse, which sadly I never did here. The prose that delighted me at first grew to be too much, and I could never grasp any actual concrete facts from all the flowery descriptions.
And speaking of descriptions, really didn't love the way Mio was exclusively described with words like 'delicate,' 'trembling,' 'innocent,' 'childlike' and so on in this vein. Made it had to really enjoy the romance, which I was already struggling with on account of how instant it was.
So yeah. Strong start, but pretty much all downhill after that.
September 10, 2019
LORD OF THE LAST HEARTBEAT is the first book in the Sacred Dark series, and we focus on Mio and Rhodry. Both of these have secrets and 'powers' that have an effect on their lives. Mio no longer wants to 'help' his mother, but can't see a way out. Rhodry is intrigued by the younger man, but fears trying anything due to the curse he is living under.
What a fantastical world Ms Peterson has invented, with a hint of American Civil War era, coupled with the English Victorian period, this was a great combination of worlds. And yes, I realise I may have the time periods wrong, but that is what it reminded me of!
I loved how the story for both Rhodry and Mio came out slowly, the reader learning bits and pieces of it until it all fell together. Their relationship was the same way, a slow burner with temptation and resistance.
This was an intriguing tale, with plenty of mystery and misdirection thrown in. An amazing cast of characters helps to move the story along.
A wonderful start to the series, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Absolutely recommended by me.
What a fantastical world Ms Peterson has invented, with a hint of American Civil War era, coupled with the English Victorian period, this was a great combination of worlds. And yes, I realise I may have the time periods wrong, but that is what it reminded me of!
I loved how the story for both Rhodry and Mio came out slowly, the reader learning bits and pieces of it until it all fell together. Their relationship was the same way, a slow burner with temptation and resistance.
This was an intriguing tale, with plenty of mystery and misdirection thrown in. An amazing cast of characters helps to move the story along.
A wonderful start to the series, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Absolutely recommended by me.
November 10, 2021
Lord of the Last Heartbeat hovered around a four until the last hundred pages or so. The dynamics of the world are unique, the inbuilt mystery engaging, but the payoff was ultimately underwhelming. I had part of the mystery figured out, but the explanation of the particulars was convoluted and ultimately left me with more questions than answers. It was frustrating to have that build-up just fall apart.
I did enjoy both POV characters. Mio's conflicted emotions rang true of someone with emotionally manipulative parents. His development was warming, and he really started to come into himself toward the end of the book. I would have liked to see Rhodry's survivor's guilt and self-loathing explored a little more, but he was a suitably complex character for his situation while still retaining his charm and dry humor.
It was a good read, a little lacking in the resolution of the central dilemma, but still heart-warming and entertaining.
I did enjoy both POV characters. Mio's conflicted emotions rang true of someone with emotionally manipulative parents. His development was warming, and he really started to come into himself toward the end of the book. I would have liked to see Rhodry's survivor's guilt and self-loathing explored a little more, but he was a suitably complex character for his situation while still retaining his charm and dry humor.
It was a good read, a little lacking in the resolution of the central dilemma, but still heart-warming and entertaining.
September 6, 2019
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!
Title: Lord of the Last Heartbeat
Author: May Peterson
Rating: 2.5 stars
Rep: non-binary intersex MC (stated by the author) Mio goes by "he/him" pronouns throughout the book.
Trigger warnings: attempted sexual assault, gore, violence, gruesome deaths, murder, descriptions of the aftermath of war, suicidal thoughts, suicide, cheating, grief, PTSD, transphobia, mafia.
"The Lord of the Last Heartbeat" has been on my radar for months now after I saw the authors twitter post about their upcoming book. It sounded like something I would absolutely love, so as soon as I saw it on NetGalley I instantly hit request. I am gutted it ended up not being for me, but I am very glad I decided to give this a go!
THE WRITING
Unfortunately, I really didn't gel with the writing style. I know a lot of people will absolutely love it, but it wasn't for me. It felt very convoluted and complicated. The writing seemed so...poetic and flowery, which is not something I usually like, but I know a lot of people love.
However, I loved that this book was dual POV between Mio and Rhodry. I love dual perspective books so this worked really well for me and I definitely think it worked for strengthening the characters' development and their relationship too.
PLOT
While I really enjoyed the first half, the second half was so confusing and all over the place to me. I struggled to understand what was happening, who, why, what, when...
Even the twists and turns didn't register because I was so thoroughly confused. The plot was extremely complex and intricate, especially around the 80% mark.
One thing I did love was the Beauty and the Beast vibes! A very pleasant surprise as I adore that fairytale.
ROMANCE
On the whole, I really enjoyed the romance. For me, it was definitely boarding on insta-love, with Mio confessing his love for Rhodry 30% in. Things moved very fast, especially for Mio, but that didn't really bother me.
On Rhodry's part, the power dynamic was a huge problem for him (as it should be). I was very glad to see them talk it out and try to understand where each other were at in terms of their feelings etc. Communication is key and one of my most hated tropes is "miscommunication", things that are so easily fixed with just sitting down and talking.
Mio had a lot of conflicting feelings too, he didn't think he deserved love because of who he is and because of all the stuff he has had to do in the past on his mothers bidding.
I definitely got emotional when Rhodry asked Mio about what pronouns he feels comfortable with. That whole conversation was super important and I loved it!
CHARACTERS
Rhodry (moon-soul)
Carefree manner, witty and slightly strange, I really loved Rhodry! A character with a deep, sad past and a curse over his head.
Mio (Mage)
Gentle, soft and kind with the voice of an angel, but with a lot of inner conflicts that he faces throughout the book. I did feel like Mio sat on the sidelines at times and let other people fix his problems.
The main & side characters definitely felt very distinctive, each with their own personality traits which I really loved.
WORLD BUILDING
The world-building confused me quite a bit. As soon as I thought I "grasped" the mechanics of this world, something else would be added in and it completely throw me off.
OVERALL
I absolutely loved the concept, the characters were amazing and the romance too, but the plot and world-building just didn't work for me personally. I would still 100% recommend checking this out if you like diverse characters, unique storylines and fantasy romance!
Title: Lord of the Last Heartbeat
Author: May Peterson
Rating: 2.5 stars
Rep: non-binary intersex MC (stated by the author) Mio goes by "he/him" pronouns throughout the book.
Trigger warnings: attempted sexual assault, gore, violence, gruesome deaths, murder, descriptions of the aftermath of war, suicidal thoughts, suicide, cheating, grief, PTSD, transphobia, mafia.
"The Lord of the Last Heartbeat" has been on my radar for months now after I saw the authors twitter post about their upcoming book. It sounded like something I would absolutely love, so as soon as I saw it on NetGalley I instantly hit request. I am gutted it ended up not being for me, but I am very glad I decided to give this a go!
THE WRITING
Unfortunately, I really didn't gel with the writing style. I know a lot of people will absolutely love it, but it wasn't for me. It felt very convoluted and complicated. The writing seemed so...poetic and flowery, which is not something I usually like, but I know a lot of people love.
However, I loved that this book was dual POV between Mio and Rhodry. I love dual perspective books so this worked really well for me and I definitely think it worked for strengthening the characters' development and their relationship too.
PLOT
While I really enjoyed the first half, the second half was so confusing and all over the place to me. I struggled to understand what was happening, who, why, what, when...
Even the twists and turns didn't register because I was so thoroughly confused. The plot was extremely complex and intricate, especially around the 80% mark.
One thing I did love was the Beauty and the Beast vibes! A very pleasant surprise as I adore that fairytale.
ROMANCE
On the whole, I really enjoyed the romance. For me, it was definitely boarding on insta-love, with Mio confessing his love for Rhodry 30% in. Things moved very fast, especially for Mio, but that didn't really bother me.
On Rhodry's part, the power dynamic was a huge problem for him (as it should be). I was very glad to see them talk it out and try to understand where each other were at in terms of their feelings etc. Communication is key and one of my most hated tropes is "miscommunication", things that are so easily fixed with just sitting down and talking.
Mio had a lot of conflicting feelings too, he didn't think he deserved love because of who he is and because of all the stuff he has had to do in the past on his mothers bidding.
I definitely got emotional when Rhodry asked Mio about what pronouns he feels comfortable with. That whole conversation was super important and I loved it!
CHARACTERS
Rhodry (moon-soul)
Carefree manner, witty and slightly strange, I really loved Rhodry! A character with a deep, sad past and a curse over his head.
Mio (Mage)
Gentle, soft and kind with the voice of an angel, but with a lot of inner conflicts that he faces throughout the book. I did feel like Mio sat on the sidelines at times and let other people fix his problems.
The main & side characters definitely felt very distinctive, each with their own personality traits which I really loved.
WORLD BUILDING
The world-building confused me quite a bit. As soon as I thought I "grasped" the mechanics of this world, something else would be added in and it completely throw me off.
OVERALL
I absolutely loved the concept, the characters were amazing and the romance too, but the plot and world-building just didn't work for me personally. I would still 100% recommend checking this out if you like diverse characters, unique storylines and fantasy romance!
October 27, 2019
I was completely enamored with this story from page one. It’s clear Mio is in trouble, although we don’t know how or why. When he meets Rhodry and asks for help, I was drawn even further into Mio’s plight. He was so sweet and pure, so tangled up in what to do and how he might escape his mother Serafina. My heart went out to him and I could see why he was drawn to the strength Rhodry exuded. But Rhodry, a bear-soul, had troubles of his own thanks to a curse and I had no idea how the ghosts and demon might affect them all. All I knew was I was in their corner, desperate for things to work out, and I could not read this fast enough.
In addition to fascinating supernatural elements, this story explored identity and power dynamics in really interesting ways. One of Mio’s greatest strengths is his voice. It’s the one thing he’s really proud of and believes he’s best at. It’s also the source of his magic. After a showdown with his mother, he essentially loses his voice. The selective mutism impacted Mio in a variety of ways, leading him to learn “handspeak.” And this set the plot off in a new direction, full of interesting possibilities, especially when Mio discovers he can communicate with Rhodry’s ghost wife Eirlys, who cannot speak.
The reach of Serafina’s power was confusing a couple of times. As far as I understood, she needed to know someone’s secret in order to control them but she could not read minds, which is why she used Mio, who could then convey the secrets to her and she could take over from there. In at least two key instances, Mio did not reveal a secret and yet she was able to control someone anyway. This was used to great dramatic effect in the scene, I admit, but I kept wondering how she accomplished it when Mio was not complicit in her actions. Regardless, this confusion did not affect my enjoyment of this story.
I loved how this explored gender and sexuality through Mio, who is intersex, prefers he/him, and is okay with boy but not man. When Mio and Rhodry discuss his preferences, Rhodry responded to him with such kindness and acceptance. There’s awareness that not everyone is as accepting of either of them and there are references to homophobia but in Rhodry’s house, everyone is free to be who they are.
Rhodry and Mio’s love story is a slow burn but it’s effective. They have to deal with the threat of Serafina, as well as Rhodry’s curse. Rhodry has to wrestle with the power dynamics between them: not only is Rhodry wealthy, he’s also a great deal older than Mio and now serving as his protector. He wants to do right by Mio and be sure he’s not taking advantage of him. But once they finally act on their feelings, I swooned. They were so good to one another.
All in all, a wonderful debut from May Peterson. The side characters were incredible and I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series: Peterson says book two is about Tibario and his love interest, a transfem Witch from a rival family, and that Eirlys will get her own story as well.
CW: murder, violence, loss of voice, toxic parent, suicidal ideation and attempted suicide, grief and loss, past infidelity, references to homophobia, mind control
In addition to fascinating supernatural elements, this story explored identity and power dynamics in really interesting ways. One of Mio’s greatest strengths is his voice. It’s the one thing he’s really proud of and believes he’s best at. It’s also the source of his magic. After a showdown with his mother, he essentially loses his voice. The selective mutism impacted Mio in a variety of ways, leading him to learn “handspeak.” And this set the plot off in a new direction, full of interesting possibilities, especially when Mio discovers he can communicate with Rhodry’s ghost wife Eirlys, who cannot speak.
The reach of Serafina’s power was confusing a couple of times. As far as I understood, she needed to know someone’s secret in order to control them but she could not read minds, which is why she used Mio, who could then convey the secrets to her and she could take over from there. In at least two key instances, Mio did not reveal a secret and yet she was able to control someone anyway. This was used to great dramatic effect in the scene, I admit, but I kept wondering how she accomplished it when Mio was not complicit in her actions. Regardless, this confusion did not affect my enjoyment of this story.
I loved how this explored gender and sexuality through Mio, who is intersex, prefers he/him, and is okay with boy but not man. When Mio and Rhodry discuss his preferences, Rhodry responded to him with such kindness and acceptance. There’s awareness that not everyone is as accepting of either of them and there are references to homophobia but in Rhodry’s house, everyone is free to be who they are.
Rhodry and Mio’s love story is a slow burn but it’s effective. They have to deal with the threat of Serafina, as well as Rhodry’s curse. Rhodry has to wrestle with the power dynamics between them: not only is Rhodry wealthy, he’s also a great deal older than Mio and now serving as his protector. He wants to do right by Mio and be sure he’s not taking advantage of him. But once they finally act on their feelings, I swooned. They were so good to one another.
All in all, a wonderful debut from May Peterson. The side characters were incredible and I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series: Peterson says book two is about Tibario and his love interest, a transfem Witch from a rival family, and that Eirlys will get her own story as well.
CW: murder, violence, loss of voice, toxic parent, suicidal ideation and attempted suicide, grief and loss, past infidelity, references to homophobia, mind control
Read
January 3, 2025DNF @ 115 pages
The first like, 20 pages of this were so evocative and intriguing and then the wheels came off the wagon very quickly.
There were simultaneously too much worldbuilding and not enough - so many new magical concepts thrown at you in under 30 pages (witches with magical body parts and animal spirits possessing dead people and ghosts and incubi wow hold on maybe explore one of these in depth?) and yet not enough establishing basic facts of the setting - is Vermaga a city or country? Portian is a language, but what is Portia? Where tf is anyone's houses in this city/country - does this powerful crime family live in the upscale quarter or the downtrodden parts of town? Is Rhodry's haunted mansion in the upscale quarter or out of the city completely? It's that absence of an anchor that leaves me unable to be hooked to the story at all.
I was already questioning all of the above when the insta-love first kiss happened at page 100. Nope bye. Worth mentioning too that the romance is aggressively reminiscent of an early 2000's seme/uke pair - other reviews say the power imbalance in the dynamic is worked through in-text, but it's just... too bold of a display of the author's id for me.
Because I'm mean, I wondered why I have been constantly seeing this aggressively mediocre book reviewed and recommended for years now and found out it's because Peterson is the mod of the KJ Charles community group I'm a member of. Yay, networking. Peterson has also apparently doctored a few Charles books, which *tilts head* ...how?
The first like, 20 pages of this were so evocative and intriguing and then the wheels came off the wagon very quickly.
There were simultaneously too much worldbuilding and not enough - so many new magical concepts thrown at you in under 30 pages (witches with magical body parts and animal spirits possessing dead people and ghosts and incubi wow hold on maybe explore one of these in depth?) and yet not enough establishing basic facts of the setting - is Vermaga a city or country? Portian is a language, but what is Portia? Where tf is anyone's houses in this city/country - does this powerful crime family live in the upscale quarter or the downtrodden parts of town? Is Rhodry's haunted mansion in the upscale quarter or out of the city completely? It's that absence of an anchor that leaves me unable to be hooked to the story at all.
I was already questioning all of the above when the insta-love first kiss happened at page 100. Nope bye. Worth mentioning too that the romance is aggressively reminiscent of an early 2000's seme/uke pair - other reviews say the power imbalance in the dynamic is worked through in-text, but it's just... too bold of a display of the author's id for me.
Because I'm mean, I wondered why I have been constantly seeing this aggressively mediocre book reviewed and recommended for years now and found out it's because Peterson is the mod of the KJ Charles community group I'm a member of. Yay, networking. Peterson has also apparently doctored a few Charles books, which *tilts head* ...how?
December 23, 2019
This is an incredible book. It is so unique and so thrilling in many way. There are these fantastic layers of world-building and myth making that are just done profoundly well. That's the only way I can describe it. The world and the rules and the creatures that are created are so unique, but are woven into the fabric of the story so deeply, it all seems just natural and right.
The conflict was beautifully done. I didn't want to know more, I HAD to know more, had to figure out who was behind the curse and how to win, because I really needed them to win.
The characters Mio and Rhodry make a wonderful couple, their wounds complimenting each other and their arcs, just so perfect and meaningful, you felt all of it so deeply, especially the growth and the learning to live with instead of being choked by the guilt. I adored their HEA and the little family they created however unconventional it is. A special shout-out to Eirlys, no one kicks-butt like she does.
But yes, I absolutely adored this book, the beautiful writing, the world I got to hang-out in, and all the mysteries that got to be solved. Just fantastic.
The conflict was beautifully done. I didn't want to know more, I HAD to know more, had to figure out who was behind the curse and how to win, because I really needed them to win.
The characters Mio and Rhodry make a wonderful couple, their wounds complimenting each other and their arcs, just so perfect and meaningful, you felt all of it so deeply, especially the growth and the learning to live with instead of being choked by the guilt. I adored their HEA and the little family they created however unconventional it is. A special shout-out to Eirlys, no one kicks-butt like she does.
But yes, I absolutely adored this book, the beautiful writing, the world I got to hang-out in, and all the mysteries that got to be solved. Just fantastic.
June 25, 2020
I am perplexed by this book. I'm fully confident it was good but what I'm not sure about is whether I enjoyed it.
The world building is intriguing, some of the scenes were genuonely moving, the writing was lyrical. But the prose were so dense and so heavy in metaphor that I honestly spent a lot of the book just... not quite sure what was happening.
Very little of the lore gets explained, and show don't tell gets taken to such an extent that I was just left confused. Please do at least SOME telling.
I loved all the secondary characters, but I feel like I know them better than Rhodry or Mio even though the book was split between their POVs.
Will I read the next in the series? No idea! Maybe that one will be written in a way that doesn't make me feel confused and stupid. I hope so because sometimes the high level language dropped away and Rhodry was a sarcastic bastard, which was funny and my favourite part by far.
ALSO this book needs a lot of warnings for both suicide and suicidal thoughts/ ideation.
The world building is intriguing, some of the scenes were genuonely moving, the writing was lyrical. But the prose were so dense and so heavy in metaphor that I honestly spent a lot of the book just... not quite sure what was happening.
Very little of the lore gets explained, and show don't tell gets taken to such an extent that I was just left confused. Please do at least SOME telling.
I loved all the secondary characters, but I feel like I know them better than Rhodry or Mio even though the book was split between their POVs.
Will I read the next in the series? No idea! Maybe that one will be written in a way that doesn't make me feel confused and stupid. I hope so because sometimes the high level language dropped away and Rhodry was a sarcastic bastard, which was funny and my favourite part by far.
ALSO this book needs a lot of warnings for both suicide and suicidal thoughts/ ideation.
September 14, 2020
I'm really not sure what to make of this one. I saw people talk about it on Twitter, and really felt like reading a fantasy/romance, so I gave it a shot.
I was surprisingly into the paranormal aspects of the book, maybe because the setting was historical rather than contemporary. The book had a Beauty and the Beast style romance which I am always a fan of. I also really liked Eirlys, Rhodry's (ex?)-wife. The world was interesting, but the world-building is really hard to follow. I feel like I ended up confused most of the time because the delivery didn't work for me. I also found the plot pretty repetitive at times (Seriously, how many times were there attempts to drag someone to hell?) It's a shame because I really wanted to like the book, but it just didn't work for me.
CW: suicide, homophobia, violence, death
I was surprisingly into the paranormal aspects of the book, maybe because the setting was historical rather than contemporary. The book had a Beauty and the Beast style romance which I am always a fan of. I also really liked Eirlys, Rhodry's (ex?)-wife. The world was interesting, but the world-building is really hard to follow. I feel like I ended up confused most of the time because the delivery didn't work for me. I also found the plot pretty repetitive at times (Seriously, how many times were there attempts to drag someone to hell?) It's a shame because I really wanted to like the book, but it just didn't work for me.
CW: suicide, homophobia, violence, death
September 10, 2019
It took a while to figure out what was happening, then it seemed to drag. I was interested enough to want to find out what happens, but I found it a bit overwrought and frustrating. The characters were a bit two dimensional so I didn't particularly connect with any of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2021
Not my cup of tea. Too melodramatic and not enough clarity in how the magic and curses work.
February 8, 2024
More a 3.2...
I will have to share the opinion of the readers who found this confusing. To me, the issue was how so many things were happening, so many paranormal details mattered, but the final result was one of constant new revelations about the same thing over and over, and from a certain point on I was only interested in seeing when it would end.
The romance was not very... well, romantic. Sure, I liked they ended up together, but I don't feel emotionally invested in them as a couple.
I really don't see myself re-reading any part of this book. I can appreciate the author's imagination, a few elements, but the overall result was not one I'll remember that much.
I will have to share the opinion of the readers who found this confusing. To me, the issue was how so many things were happening, so many paranormal details mattered, but the final result was one of constant new revelations about the same thing over and over, and from a certain point on I was only interested in seeing when it would end.
The romance was not very... well, romantic. Sure, I liked they ended up together, but I don't feel emotionally invested in them as a couple.
I really don't see myself re-reading any part of this book. I can appreciate the author's imagination, a few elements, but the overall result was not one I'll remember that much.
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