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The Witchstone Amulet
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Protect it at all costs.
That’s what rugby player Hunter Best’s mother told him before she died. But when Hunter surprises an intruder in his Chicago apartment, he discovers her amulet stolen. Hunter pursues the thief—all the way through a strange vortex. He wakes in a bizarre and violent world, a benighted realm on the threshold of civil war.
The queen has become a ruthle ...more
That’s what rugby player Hunter Best’s mother told him before she died. But when Hunter surprises an intruder in his Chicago apartment, he discovers her amulet stolen. Hunter pursues the thief—all the way through a strange vortex. He wakes in a bizarre and violent world, a benighted realm on the threshold of civil war.
The queen has become a ruthle ...more
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**3.5 stars**
Still on my discovery of the MM fantasy genre. I’m warming up to this trope and this book is a good addition to my reading belt.
On his way home, Hunter surprises in his apartment a thief who has just stolen his dead mother’s broach. Pursuing him to get his possession back, he ends up in a “vortex” and then in a parallel medieval-type world with a kingdom, some strange creatures, some geo-political tensions and a rebellion brewing.
Without any way to come back to his “world”, Hunter ...more
Still on my discovery of the MM fantasy genre. I’m warming up to this trope and this book is a good addition to my reading belt.
On his way home, Hunter surprises in his apartment a thief who has just stolen his dead mother’s broach. Pursuing him to get his possession back, he ends up in a “vortex” and then in a parallel medieval-type world with a kingdom, some strange creatures, some geo-political tensions and a rebellion brewing.
Without any way to come back to his “world”, Hunter ...more
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3.5 stars
First of all, as a romance reader, I’m slightly reluctant to call this fantasy romance. Mainly because the focus of The Witchstone Amulet is how Hunter Best being transported into a different world – then involves in a rebellion’s group and their attempt to overthrow a tyrant queen.
Yes, there’s a love interest for Hunter, a former spy who is responsible for Hunter being in this new world in the first place, but the romantic development is rather slow and not exactly the center piece of ...more
First of all, as a romance reader, I’m slightly reluctant to call this fantasy romance. Mainly because the focus of The Witchstone Amulet is how Hunter Best being transported into a different world – then involves in a rebellion’s group and their attempt to overthrow a tyrant queen.
Yes, there’s a love interest for Hunter, a former spy who is responsible for Hunter being in this new world in the first place, but the romantic development is rather slow and not exactly the center piece of ...more
3.5 stars
When you begin a book with the expectation that you're really going to like it, disappointment can really throw you for a loop. This isn't going to be a well constructed, let alone thorough, review as I feel a bit melancholic as I try to gather my thoughts.
I liked the book, but I did not love it. It was a chore to get through the first half of the book, even though in retrospect the storyline was quite clever. The author couldn't quite add that easily flowing, thrilling edge to his pro ...more
When you begin a book with the expectation that you're really going to like it, disappointment can really throw you for a loop. This isn't going to be a well constructed, let alone thorough, review as I feel a bit melancholic as I try to gather my thoughts.
I liked the book, but I did not love it. It was a chore to get through the first half of the book, even though in retrospect the storyline was quite clever. The author couldn't quite add that easily flowing, thrilling edge to his pro ...more
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
The Witchstone Amulet is an incredibly engaging and highly exciting fantasy that kept me drawn in from the very start. The book begins in our contemporary world and we meet Hunter in the aftermath of one of his rugby games. Thomas does a really nice job here of giving us a sense of Hunter, a strong and confident man who has always worked to fit in as a gay athlete and who thrives as part of a group and a team. Suddenly, Hunter is thrust into this alternate world w ...more
4.5 stars
The Witchstone Amulet is an incredibly engaging and highly exciting fantasy that kept me drawn in from the very start. The book begins in our contemporary world and we meet Hunter in the aftermath of one of his rugby games. Thomas does a really nice job here of giving us a sense of Hunter, a strong and confident man who has always worked to fit in as a gay athlete and who thrives as part of a group and a team. Suddenly, Hunter is thrust into this alternate world w ...more
I really enjoyed this book. I've read the other two the author has published, and he just keeps delivering fun fantasy stories. I feel like I'm reading my D&D campaign (but with more romance!). I really liked the main characters and I love stories where you jump in and learn the world with the main character. It really makes Hunter relatable in his confusion. The romance between Dax and Hunter just built really well and I found myself pouting at a character relationship reveal (won't spoil it) t
...more
4.5 stars
The Witchstone Amulet was imaginative and full of action. I really liked the characters and the plot. I got a good sense of place and could easily see this as a movie. The romance wasn’t as strong for me but in the end I could see them together. I look forward to more from this author.
The Witchstone Amulet was imaginative and full of action. I really liked the characters and the plot. I got a good sense of place and could easily see this as a movie. The romance wasn’t as strong for me but in the end I could see them together. I look forward to more from this author.
This needs a sequel.
Review coming for Gay Book Reviews
he Witchstone Amulet is a fantasy story by new-to-me author Mason Thomas. It’s a fast paced, stand-alone story with an intriguing plot and characters.
I was surprised by how much I liked The Witchstone Amulet. Going into the story I expected a romance and adventure. While there was a romance, this story is predominantly a fantasy adventure story.
Witchstone Amulet starts with a celebration, but ends with our main character Hunter falling through a portal into ...more
he Witchstone Amulet is a fantasy story by new-to-me author Mason Thomas. It’s a fast paced, stand-alone story with an intriguing plot and characters.
I was surprised by how much I liked The Witchstone Amulet. Going into the story I expected a romance and adventure. While there was a romance, this story is predominantly a fantasy adventure story.
Witchstone Amulet starts with a celebration, but ends with our main character Hunter falling through a portal into ...more
Well done!
I first got hooked on Mason Thomas by reading Lord Mouse. I absolutely loved it so when I had a chance to get my hands on The Witchstone Amulet I grabbed it without a second thought.
I'm very glad I did so.
One might worry that the "Normal everyday guy getting pulled into another world" trope might be a little overdone. I mean if you enjoy any manga or anime that describes about half of them. But the way Mason Thomas handles it is really well done. Poor Hunter is completely in over hi ...more
I first got hooked on Mason Thomas by reading Lord Mouse. I absolutely loved it so when I had a chance to get my hands on The Witchstone Amulet I grabbed it without a second thought.
I'm very glad I did so.
One might worry that the "Normal everyday guy getting pulled into another world" trope might be a little overdone. I mean if you enjoy any manga or anime that describes about half of them. But the way Mason Thomas handles it is really well done. Poor Hunter is completely in over hi ...more
4 1/2 💖💖💖💖💖 Hearts Reviewed by Shorty for MM Good Book Reviews
Hunter Best has his mothers amulet stolen from him one night. Not one to sit around and do nothing he takes off in hot pursuit of the thief only to follow the man into another world he never knew existed. Dax is the man that steals the amulet. Dax and his fellow rebellion members need it to make the impostor queen reveal her true self.
Hunter soon realizes this world has many dangers. He's not trusted but as time goes by without gettin ...more
Hunter Best has his mothers amulet stolen from him one night. Not one to sit around and do nothing he takes off in hot pursuit of the thief only to follow the man into another world he never knew existed. Dax is the man that steals the amulet. Dax and his fellow rebellion members need it to make the impostor queen reveal her true self.
Hunter soon realizes this world has many dangers. He's not trusted but as time goes by without gettin ...more
This is the third book I've read by Mason Thomas, and as much as I've loved his other two, this one is my favorite. Thomas always creates strong characters, but I knew who Hunter was on the first page, and I became very attached to him as he navigates his journey. I loved the relationship between Dax and Hunter—the slow burn romance and their undeniable chemistry. They also seemed to compliment each other in the best way- each of them had characteristics the other needed in his life. (I love tha
...more
I enjoyed the story.
The plot is good, world building done well & character growth believable.
I just never connected with Hunter. I don’t know why, he is the hero of the story.
Could be me. I know others will love him. Overall I’d recommend this to others I know enjoy the genre.
The plot is good, world building done well & character growth believable.
I just never connected with Hunter. I don’t know why, he is the hero of the story.
Could be me. I know others will love him. Overall I’d recommend this to others I know enjoy the genre.
I would rate this 4.25 stars.
What helps makes this successful for me is that Hunter is well established as a character, and the reader is immersed in his POV, before anything extraordinary happens. Hunter's choices, based on who he is as a person, lead him to another realm after he follows a thief stealing his mother's brooch. This is a typical portal story of moving between worlds, but it's very well written. Thrown into action in the enemy territory of the Heneran lands, a tense truce is forme ...more
What helps makes this successful for me is that Hunter is well established as a character, and the reader is immersed in his POV, before anything extraordinary happens. Hunter's choices, based on who he is as a person, lead him to another realm after he follows a thief stealing his mother's brooch. This is a typical portal story of moving between worlds, but it's very well written. Thrown into action in the enemy territory of the Heneran lands, a tense truce is forme ...more
I've recently learned that the holiday season puts me in a reading slump, hence why it took me so damn long to finish this book. I struggled to finish this, but not because of any fault of the book itself. I've just been insanely distracted mentally.
CONS:
▪ Maybe its just me, but I felt Hunter adapted way too quickly and way to easily to the time period he was thrust in. We never really see him struggle with the differences between his time period and Dax's. Imagine going from our modern time per ...more
CONS:
▪ Maybe its just me, but I felt Hunter adapted way too quickly and way to easily to the time period he was thrust in. We never really see him struggle with the differences between his time period and Dax's. Imagine going from our modern time per ...more
3.5 Stars
This is the first book of Mason Thomas’ I read and I grabbed at the chance to read it on account of the blurb. It’s quite a fun and engaging adventure, in a savage sort of way.. 😉
The lead character - and the sole POV of the book - is gay rugby player Hunter Best, thrown into a strange and alien world when chasing a thief who ransack his apartment in modern world Chicago world. To survive in that violent world and find his way home, Hunter found himself a reluctant ally to the resistanc ...more
This is the first book of Mason Thomas’ I read and I grabbed at the chance to read it on account of the blurb. It’s quite a fun and engaging adventure, in a savage sort of way.. 😉
The lead character - and the sole POV of the book - is gay rugby player Hunter Best, thrown into a strange and alien world when chasing a thief who ransack his apartment in modern world Chicago world. To survive in that violent world and find his way home, Hunter found himself a reluctant ally to the resistanc ...more
ARC received for an honest review.
Hunter is a Rugby player who has finally received acceptance from his teammates and he's high on life. After celebrating with his teammates he goes home to find his apartment ransacked and the thief still there. When Hunter notices that the thief has his mother's amulet he gives chase to get it back. During the chase Hunter sees that the thief is literally jumping through a wall and follows him through.
Dax is a resistance fighter in Andreya, which is another dim ...more
Hunter is a Rugby player who has finally received acceptance from his teammates and he's high on life. After celebrating with his teammates he goes home to find his apartment ransacked and the thief still there. When Hunter notices that the thief has his mother's amulet he gives chase to get it back. During the chase Hunter sees that the thief is literally jumping through a wall and follows him through.
Dax is a resistance fighter in Andreya, which is another dim ...more
4.5 stars
Magic is what you read about in fairly tales...or is it?
Hunter Best never imagined other worlds existed, until the day he landed in one. Completely out of his depth, he has to rely on the man he was chasing, a slippery thief named Dax, for protection. While trying to survive the dangers of this new world, Hunter discovers things he did not know about his family, and himself.
Action driven, fast paced, the Witchstone Amulet is one of those books you cannot put down. We accompany Hunter i ...more
Magic is what you read about in fairly tales...or is it?
Hunter Best never imagined other worlds existed, until the day he landed in one. Completely out of his depth, he has to rely on the man he was chasing, a slippery thief named Dax, for protection. While trying to survive the dangers of this new world, Hunter discovers things he did not know about his family, and himself.
Action driven, fast paced, the Witchstone Amulet is one of those books you cannot put down. We accompany Hunter i ...more
This is first and foremost an adventure story, set in a dangerous medieval-like world full of magic and peril. The romance comes in a close second, very much a slow-burn, though it still carries a punch emotionally.
Dax is a very enigmatic character, trying hard to remain aloof and save the day all by himself, driven by guilt and loss. It’s great to see him, ever so slowly, open up to Hunter. What I love most about Hunter, is how persistent he is and how driven to make a place for himself, first ...more
Dax is a very enigmatic character, trying hard to remain aloof and save the day all by himself, driven by guilt and loss. It’s great to see him, ever so slowly, open up to Hunter. What I love most about Hunter, is how persistent he is and how driven to make a place for himself, first ...more
4.5 stars
I'm very fond of Mason Thomas. His first book was a 3/5(for me). His second is a homerun (highly recommended). This is somewhere in between. Knowing the pattern in his series, this will be a stand-alone story which is disappointing because this book needs more of less 250 more pages (or another book) in order to be fully satisfying. In fact, I wish this is a new series all together because the whole plot theme is so fun. I would love to see how our MC struggles and thrives in his n ...more
I'm very fond of Mason Thomas. His first book was a 3/5(for me). His second is a homerun (highly recommended). This is somewhere in between. Knowing the pattern in his series, this will be a stand-alone story which is disappointing because this book needs more of less 250 more pages (or another book) in order to be fully satisfying. In fact, I wish this is a new series all together because the whole plot theme is so fun. I would love to see how our MC struggles and thrives in his n ...more
I truly enjoyed the world building in this book. The story is interesting and engaging and a delight to read. It was a one sit read because I couldn’t put it down. I could have handled more about Dax though! I would like to read more in this world and hopefully there will be further books set in it.
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review, which was very easy to do since I enjoyed it so much. The only thing that bothered me was a character being forgiven for the unforgivable. But I g ...more
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review, which was very easy to do since I enjoyed it so much. The only thing that bothered me was a character being forgiven for the unforgivable. But I g ...more
I loved Lords of Davenia series and could not wait for this book to be released. I liked it a lot, fantasy is my cup of tea and the author can write a great fantasy with well build characters and a fascinating AR universe.
I liked everything but the ending - too many loose ends left, too much uncertainty about the future of the kingdom with such a powerful enemy at the boarders.
I could not find any reference of this book being first in the series, so I can't help with being disappointed with such ...more
I liked everything but the ending - too many loose ends left, too much uncertainty about the future of the kingdom with such a powerful enemy at the boarders.
I could not find any reference of this book being first in the series, so I can't help with being disappointed with such ...more
Mason Thomas writes believable m/m fantasy set in a medieval based world, with fully rounded characters and exciting plot lines, and this story follows that outline. I really enjoyed it - particularly as it included one of my favourite tropes, time travel. His writing is so full of life and colour, that you can almost smell and taste the the scenes he sets. I really appreciated the way he brings the action to a close and provides a believable future for some of the characters we have grown to ca
...more
The Witchstone Amulet by Mason Thomas was given in exchange for an honest review. I am one of those who likes time travel but doesn’t read to many of this genre. The story was wonderful in world building where you could just step into Dax’s world. From trying to find a way back home with the last piece of his mother Hunter never expected to find his place in the new world he finds himself stuck in. If you like intrigue, time travel and witchcraft you will enjoy this book as much as I did.
This is the first I have read by Mason Thomas and it definitely isn't going to be my last. This is such a great adventure story that I just couldn't stop reading. With the world building and action in this story I just couldn't stop read. Then we have a slow burn relationship with Hunter and Dax. I love their chemistry together. Definitely recommend this one.
...more
There was nothing wrong with it. There were even things I liked, like how Hunter uses his abilities as a Rugby player to adapt and survive in the new situation. But the romance seemed very rushed, they went from I hate you to Let's have sex to Let's stay together forever very quickly. So I didn't really love it.
...more
Having read and enjoyed the author's Davenia series, I thought I'd give this standalone title a try. I liked both of the MCs and the dramatic tension/attraction between Hunter and Dax was nicely drawn out and developed. Overall - a decent 3.5 star read.
...more
Well Crafted
Nice world building. Great characters, especially Hunter. The loose ends on the final chapter were a wee bit rushed, but otherwise the pacing was good.
Nice world building. Great characters, especially Hunter. The loose ends on the final chapter were a wee bit rushed, but otherwise the pacing was good.
Great read
I liked Dax and the other resistance fighters. As always I loved his attention to detail which made the story come alive but I did have one issue with the ending.
I liked Dax and the other resistance fighters. As always I loved his attention to detail which made the story come alive but I did have one issue with the ending.
Not much MM romance in the book and only one sex scene (though one decent one is way better than a boring sex scene on every other page). Otherwise, I really liked the book. 3.5 Stars!
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