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Pitch & Sickle #1
The Bandalore
His second chance at life will be the bloody death of him.
Silas Mercer is a dead man. Or at least...he was.
Upon waking in his grave, he finds himself without a single memory of the life he once lived. Silas is bewildered and lost, and apparently, now in the employ of the mysterious Order of the Golden Dawn. A secretive organisation who specialise in all things supernatural.
To begin with, their plans for him seem to involve nothing more than making a spectacle of himself in front of London society, with his terrible dancing skills and inept attempts to host the occasional séance.
But Silas’s odd new life takes a startling turn when the Order partners him with the scandalous rake, Tobias Astaroth. A quick-tempered, dangerously beautiful man who harbours some hellish secrets.
Their unlikely, and infuriating, partnership soon faces its first terrifying challenge.
A monster straight out of a nightmare is haunting the woods of Leicester, and the Order want Silas and Tobias to end its rampage.
But nothing in this world is as it seems. Not the Order. Not Silas himself, and certainly not the incorrigible and utterly beguiling Mr Astaroth.
For Silas, the perils that lie ahead are many.
But few are as dangerous as the bewitching man at his side.
A slow-burn, opposites attract, MM Historical Fantasy series.
Contains: Sexual content, violence and rather a lot of cursing.
This is the first book in the thrilling Historical Fantasy series, The Diabolus Chronicles (8 Book Series):
The Verderer - Pitch & Sickle Book Two
The Skriker - Pitch & Sickle Book Three
The Greensward - Pitch & Sickle Book Four
The Fulbourn - Pitch & Sickle Book Five
The Herlequin - Pitch & Sickle Book Six (Preorder now - April 27 Release)
Silas Mercer is a dead man. Or at least...he was.
Upon waking in his grave, he finds himself without a single memory of the life he once lived. Silas is bewildered and lost, and apparently, now in the employ of the mysterious Order of the Golden Dawn. A secretive organisation who specialise in all things supernatural.
To begin with, their plans for him seem to involve nothing more than making a spectacle of himself in front of London society, with his terrible dancing skills and inept attempts to host the occasional séance.
But Silas’s odd new life takes a startling turn when the Order partners him with the scandalous rake, Tobias Astaroth. A quick-tempered, dangerously beautiful man who harbours some hellish secrets.
Their unlikely, and infuriating, partnership soon faces its first terrifying challenge.
A monster straight out of a nightmare is haunting the woods of Leicester, and the Order want Silas and Tobias to end its rampage.
But nothing in this world is as it seems. Not the Order. Not Silas himself, and certainly not the incorrigible and utterly beguiling Mr Astaroth.
For Silas, the perils that lie ahead are many.
But few are as dangerous as the bewitching man at his side.
A slow-burn, opposites attract, MM Historical Fantasy series.
Contains: Sexual content, violence and rather a lot of cursing.
This is the first book in the thrilling Historical Fantasy series, The Diabolus Chronicles (8 Book Series):
The Verderer - Pitch & Sickle Book Two
The Skriker - Pitch & Sickle Book Three
The Greensward - Pitch & Sickle Book Four
The Fulbourn - Pitch & Sickle Book Five
The Herlequin - Pitch & Sickle Book Six (Preorder now - April 27 Release)
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2021
225 people are currently reading
754 people want to read
About the author
D.K. Girl
13 books13 followersDanielle K Girl is an Aussie who lives in stunning Tasmania with her three furkids, cats Luffy, Sweetie and Ren, and feathered fowl; hens, Calliope and Hyacinth.
Located at the very bottom of the world, Tassie, with its ancient forests and sea battered coasts, is the perfect location for writing fantasy with a darker edge.
When she's not listening to Kpop, D K Girl is dreaming of travelling to the UK and exploring all the haunted castles she can find.
Come say Hello on the socials!
instagram - daniellekgirl
facebook - DKGirlbooks
Located at the very bottom of the world, Tassie, with its ancient forests and sea battered coasts, is the perfect location for writing fantasy with a darker edge.
When she's not listening to Kpop, D K Girl is dreaming of travelling to the UK and exploring all the haunted castles she can find.
Come say Hello on the socials!
instagram - daniellekgirl
facebook - DKGirlbooks
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 25, 2021
3 stars because the writing is good, but I didn’t enjoy the slow pace at which info is doled out or the fact that a romantic element is non-existent. (Is it going to be the mysterious lieutenant mentioned in the blurb who’s only in one scene? Or is it going to be Tobias who is fairly obnoxious so far?) Overall it was just too much time in Silas’ head for my taste. I prefer more dialogue.
April 14, 2022
I can see how the slower pace and lack of romance might bother some people, but slow burn is my jam. I don't mind slow pace either so long as it's building up to something.
I really liked this. Good writing and unique take on myths. Definitely reading the second.
I really liked this. Good writing and unique take on myths. Definitely reading the second.
February 28, 2022
***minor spoilers ahead***
I wanted to like this, I really did but it was like wading through molasses. The 279pgs were just endless. From the 24% I was checking my progress because I was reading and reading and reading and it felt like I was going nowhere fast and let me tell you the previous day I devoured a 450pg book in a day.
I don't mind the slow burn or the lack of romance but I'd be hard pressed to find anything I liked in either of our MCs. And the only reason I knew Tobias (after his nickname was revealed) was an MC is because his nickname is on the cover! Up to the 80% I was wondering who or what Sickle was.
I don't know how Silas passed the test Mr Ahari and Lady Satine set out for him since his shock, horror and grief had him completely unresponsive and sinking in a bog before Tobias wrenched him out of it. So that I would have considered as a fail since if he was alone he would have sunk.
Tobias was vulgar and cruel. Silas... I understood his fears. I understood and appreciated that he would have appreciated a guideline or something as to what to do, how to be more than a push in deep waters and a sink or swim ultimatum, seriously I felt for the guy. But when it was time to DO something, take action, the dude he was second guessing everything and at a times acted cowardly.
For all the going around we did from Silas musings, the world building when it came to the supernatural elements was in a need to know bases, since in that kind of dose things were revealed to Silas.
I wish we had more info on the timeline as well because based on what was said Silas died in New Years Eve but he got his sight in October.... so there is a gap of 10 months there. Anyways I don't think I'll be continuing with the series not only because of the slow pace in unfolding the story and going places but because as I said I really don't like the MCs.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I wanted to like this, I really did but it was like wading through molasses. The 279pgs were just endless. From the 24% I was checking my progress because I was reading and reading and reading and it felt like I was going nowhere fast and let me tell you the previous day I devoured a 450pg book in a day.
I don't mind the slow burn or the lack of romance but I'd be hard pressed to find anything I liked in either of our MCs. And the only reason I knew Tobias (after his nickname was revealed) was an MC is because his nickname is on the cover! Up to the 80% I was wondering who or what Sickle was.
I don't know how Silas passed the test Mr Ahari and Lady Satine set out for him since his shock, horror and grief had him completely unresponsive and sinking in a bog before Tobias wrenched him out of it. So that I would have considered as a fail since if he was alone he would have sunk.
Tobias was vulgar and cruel. Silas... I understood his fears. I understood and appreciated that he would have appreciated a guideline or something as to what to do, how to be more than a push in deep waters and a sink or swim ultimatum, seriously I felt for the guy. But when it was time to DO something, take action, the dude he was second guessing everything and at a times acted cowardly.
For all the going around we did from Silas musings, the world building when it came to the supernatural elements was in a need to know bases, since in that kind of dose things were revealed to Silas.
I wish we had more info on the timeline as well because based on what was said Silas died in New Years Eve but he got his sight in October.... so there is a gap of 10 months there. Anyways I don't think I'll be continuing with the series not only because of the slow pace in unfolding the story and going places but because as I said I really don't like the MCs.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
June 30, 2024
A historic paranormal series that's gay as possible? Count me in! This is literally so exciting to me, not enough reads or reviews to usually tempt me but the setting and premise was way too enticing to pass up. And I'm glad I didn't.
Though a little slow at some parts the writing was better than I expected. A complex world, that only gets more complex throughout. I love the characters. Silas was such a shy boy, while Pitch is most definitely not.
Though a little slow at some parts the writing was better than I expected. A complex world, that only gets more complex throughout. I love the characters. Silas was such a shy boy, while Pitch is most definitely not.
August 11, 2021
3.5 stars
Very interesting premise. I like the world and the concept. We'll see how things develop between the main characters.
Very interesting premise. I like the world and the concept. We'll see how things develop between the main characters.
January 4, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
The Bandalore is a historical paranormal adventure and the first installment in the Pitch & Sickle series. Set in 1885 London, the world is as sumptuous as Silas’ situation is suspenseful. Though the narration is in third person, we still get a great sense of Silas’ puzzlement and frustration with waking up in a grave, having no recollection of his life before and no clear understanding of how or why the Order wants him to work for them. The balance between building Silas’ world and developing the lost soul/teratism plot was struck well. Everything is new and unfamiliar for Silas as he adjusts to learning not only is there a whole separate world full of magic and mythical beings, but that he is supposed to take an active part in it. The wonder and enormous trepidation he feels about this filled me with equal emotion.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
The Bandalore is a historical paranormal adventure and the first installment in the Pitch & Sickle series. Set in 1885 London, the world is as sumptuous as Silas’ situation is suspenseful. Though the narration is in third person, we still get a great sense of Silas’ puzzlement and frustration with waking up in a grave, having no recollection of his life before and no clear understanding of how or why the Order wants him to work for them. The balance between building Silas’ world and developing the lost soul/teratism plot was struck well. Everything is new and unfamiliar for Silas as he adjusts to learning not only is there a whole separate world full of magic and mythical beings, but that he is supposed to take an active part in it. The wonder and enormous trepidation he feels about this filled me with equal emotion.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
June 17, 2021
I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. The author grabbed my attention from the start and kept me interested/intrigued from thereon; this reading experience reminded me of my earliest exposures to Diana Wynne Jones back in my childhood in the mid-1970s. I cannot wait to get back to these fantastic characters situated in a well-developed gaslight paranormal/fantasy world. BTW - the titular bandalore is just another name for the yo-yo. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
November 4, 2022
Well, I made it to 50%, but I am bored with the saggy middle as well as with the overly-wordy prose, so it's time to stop.
I'm unimpressed with the worldbuilding, so that's no help with my impatience with the prose. The MC is okay, but halfway through this book I should care more, and I just don't. And if Pitch is the love interest, I'm not feeling that at all. Quite the opposite. I wish I'd recognized sooner how much this book is not for me. Oh well.
I'm unimpressed with the worldbuilding, so that's no help with my impatience with the prose. The MC is okay, but halfway through this book I should care more, and I just don't. And if Pitch is the love interest, I'm not feeling that at all. Quite the opposite. I wish I'd recognized sooner how much this book is not for me. Oh well.
not-for-me
August 2, 2021DNFed at 40%. It’s well enough written and vividly described. I’m just not a big fan of the supernatural or Victoriana, the hero keeps drinking more than I like, and none of the characters particularly appeal to me.
September 18, 2023
2.5 stars
I really wanted to like this one, but it didn't work for me. The premise is interesting - a man is brought back to life by a mysterious Order that specialises in "all things supernatural" and tasked with hunting down a nightmarish monster. But the execution is lacking. The main character - Silas - is a bit dim, and just as he has no idea what is going on at the beginning, neither does the reader, and while I understand this may have been an attempt to create an air of mystery and suspense, it was instead incredibly frustrating. Nobody actually explains anything to Silas and yet he's expected to go out into the world to hold séances and hunt ghosts without knowing what the hell he's doing! I could see no advantage for the other members of the Order in doing that, and Jane, who seemed to be the person tasked with helping him to understand his new world, only offered him crypic, sometimes risqué, comments. She drove me nuts.
I gather from the blurb that this is a "slow burn, opposites attract, MM historical fantasy series" - I love a good slow burn and don't mind things developing slowly over several books (I mean, I'm a Gregory Ashe fan, FFS!) but there is not even the most basic hint of romance in this story and even worse, there's no chemistry whatsoever between the leads. I don't mind waiting for a kiss, or for characters to do the deed, but a slow-burn means they have to have some chemistry, and there's none here.
There are lots of 4 and 5 stars around here, but for me, the book is poorly paced, the characters are ill-defined (and I didn't care for either of them) and I didn't enjoy the writing.
I really wanted to like this one, but it didn't work for me. The premise is interesting - a man is brought back to life by a mysterious Order that specialises in "all things supernatural" and tasked with hunting down a nightmarish monster. But the execution is lacking. The main character - Silas - is a bit dim, and just as he has no idea what is going on at the beginning, neither does the reader, and while I understand this may have been an attempt to create an air of mystery and suspense, it was instead incredibly frustrating. Nobody actually explains anything to Silas and yet he's expected to go out into the world to hold séances and hunt ghosts without knowing what the hell he's doing! I could see no advantage for the other members of the Order in doing that, and Jane, who seemed to be the person tasked with helping him to understand his new world, only offered him crypic, sometimes risqué, comments. She drove me nuts.
I gather from the blurb that this is a "slow burn, opposites attract, MM historical fantasy series" - I love a good slow burn and don't mind things developing slowly over several books (I mean, I'm a Gregory Ashe fan, FFS!) but there is not even the most basic hint of romance in this story and even worse, there's no chemistry whatsoever between the leads. I don't mind waiting for a kiss, or for characters to do the deed, but a slow-burn means they have to have some chemistry, and there's none here.
There are lots of 4 and 5 stars around here, but for me, the book is poorly paced, the characters are ill-defined (and I didn't care for either of them) and I didn't enjoy the writing.
December 12, 2022
Well, that was disappointing. I stopped reading at 96% it got so worthless at the end.
The drama was not there in the big battle. I'd need to analyze just why. I feel it's because the hero MC (Sickle) is written without sufficient character growth to bring heft to his surmount of the Big Bad.
He's still questioning his new reality as much at the end as in the early pages, and it makes him a lightweight -- a bit of an idiot. Clearly the author thinks it should be a permanent feature -- charming ingenuousness or something. But no way in Hell am I going to continue a series with a pairing of a hero-idiot and an unamusingling rude ass.
The drama was not there in the big battle. I'd need to analyze just why. I feel it's because the hero MC (Sickle) is written without sufficient character growth to bring heft to his surmount of the Big Bad.
He's still questioning his new reality as much at the end as in the early pages, and it makes him a lightweight -- a bit of an idiot. Clearly the author thinks it should be a permanent feature -- charming ingenuousness or something. But no way in Hell am I going to continue a series with a pairing of a hero-idiot and an unamusingling rude ass.
June 26, 2021
3.5 stars
A little slow to start but with an interesting premise that will likely have me reading the next book in the series. I’m down for a slow burn romance over a couple of books so long as the payoff makes it worth it, so I’m hoping for good things because right now, Silas seems like a bit of a stick in the mud. Lighten up dude! I know you’re kind of undead, but live a little why doncha?
A little slow to start but with an interesting premise that will likely have me reading the next book in the series. I’m down for a slow burn romance over a couple of books so long as the payoff makes it worth it, so I’m hoping for good things because right now, Silas seems like a bit of a stick in the mud. Lighten up dude! I know you’re kind of undead, but live a little why doncha?
Read
March 22, 2024Look. A book I read.
July 15, 2021
Quite good!
Silas is a dead man walking. Brought back to life by the Order of the Golden Dawn, for what purpose he does not fully know. This was an enjoyable read with plenty of chills that left enough unanswered questions that I look forward to the next book. Highly recommended.
Silas is a dead man walking. Brought back to life by the Order of the Golden Dawn, for what purpose he does not fully know. This was an enjoyable read with plenty of chills that left enough unanswered questions that I look forward to the next book. Highly recommended.
February 24, 2022
Oh my goodness what an absolutely delightful read. The Bandalore, by Danielle K. Girl (aka DK Girl) is just spot on brilliant. Even more exciting....this is the beginning of a series that to date has three books with a fourth due out in April of this year (2022). By the way, for those of us who haven't the foggiest what a bandalore is....it's basically a yo-yo. One will just have to read to find out why an old-fashioned yo yo merits the book title.
I remember reading somewhere that Ms. Girl pens a great read and all I can say is yes she most certainly does. The author teases the reader with bits and pieces of a puzzle. A puzzle that changes as the book progresses. What you might think a character to be is not necessarily who they are. You think the story is going one way but that is not necessarily true. With great finesse Ms. Girl grabs and keeps the reader's attention until the last page is turned. To a bibliophile this skill merits a hop, skip, and a big twirl. My dog was the only witness.
The characters in the book are ridiculously fun but I most certainly would not want to annoy any of them. As a matter of fact, most have absolutely no sense of humor. Tobias, whose smile is creepy at
best, is one of the protagonists...I think. His only redeeming quality is that he can out-snark anyone. Actually he should be nominated for snarker of the year. Silas, bless his heart, the other protagonist and the one who is telling the story, is pretty much clueless. Of course being dead one day and alive the next and then being told to go do his thing but he has not the foggiest idea what his thing is...well that might have something to do with said cluelessness.
Take all of above, add some of the funniest scenes you will ever read, some of the scariest, a couple of the saddest, and an extremely slow burn romance between Tobias and Silas and there you have it. Oh...and some really awesome horses. Brava and a job well done to the author.
I remember reading somewhere that Ms. Girl pens a great read and all I can say is yes she most certainly does. The author teases the reader with bits and pieces of a puzzle. A puzzle that changes as the book progresses. What you might think a character to be is not necessarily who they are. You think the story is going one way but that is not necessarily true. With great finesse Ms. Girl grabs and keeps the reader's attention until the last page is turned. To a bibliophile this skill merits a hop, skip, and a big twirl. My dog was the only witness.
The characters in the book are ridiculously fun but I most certainly would not want to annoy any of them. As a matter of fact, most have absolutely no sense of humor. Tobias, whose smile is creepy at
best, is one of the protagonists...I think. His only redeeming quality is that he can out-snark anyone. Actually he should be nominated for snarker of the year. Silas, bless his heart, the other protagonist and the one who is telling the story, is pretty much clueless. Of course being dead one day and alive the next and then being told to go do his thing but he has not the foggiest idea what his thing is...well that might have something to do with said cluelessness.
Take all of above, add some of the funniest scenes you will ever read, some of the scariest, a couple of the saddest, and an extremely slow burn romance between Tobias and Silas and there you have it. Oh...and some really awesome horses. Brava and a job well done to the author.
October 3, 2023
THE BANDALORE is the first book in the Pitch & Sickle series. It begins with Silas dying and coming back to life in a coffin, and no, he's not a vampire. He isn't sure what he is now and has no idea who he was before. His memory of his previous life has disappeared, leaving him uncertain in a world full of uncertainties.
This is slow-burn - so slow there is no romance at all in this first book. That isn't an issue as I can see there is so much to this world, I am happy to take in all the details first and then move on to the romance.
Silas and Tobias are two very different souls. Silas is trusting, caring, and almost naïve. Tobias is obnoxious, and harsh, with a rather bitter view of the world. Is it justified? I think so, but I still have so much more to learn about his past.
I loved the addition of Black Annis being as I'm Leicestershire born and bred! It was very descriptive but remained true to the myths and legends surrounding her.
An intriguing start to a series where nothing is as it seems and you can't even trust the 'good' guys - if they are indeed good. I can't wait to continue with this series and see where it goes from here. Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 21, 2022
This is slow-burn - so slow there is no romance at all in this first book. That isn't an issue as I can see there is so much to this world, I am happy to take in all the details first and then move on to the romance.
Silas and Tobias are two very different souls. Silas is trusting, caring, and almost naïve. Tobias is obnoxious, and harsh, with a rather bitter view of the world. Is it justified? I think so, but I still have so much more to learn about his past.
I loved the addition of Black Annis being as I'm Leicestershire born and bred! It was very descriptive but remained true to the myths and legends surrounding her.
An intriguing start to a series where nothing is as it seems and you can't even trust the 'good' guys - if they are indeed good. I can't wait to continue with this series and see where it goes from here. Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 21, 2022
March 7, 2022
As a long-time fan of fiction set in this time period, steampunk and gaslight fantasy as well as m/m romance this book was right up my alley. Silas and Tobias have to have a slow burn romance, because these two are something else (both literally and figuratively). I can't wait to see how they learn to work together more effectively, what kind of challenges this world still has to throw at them and what other real world characters will show up to mix with these fictional ones. Fans of the Newbury and Hobbes, Burton and Swinburne, and Rivers of London might want to sample this.
March 6, 2022
Marvelously lyrical novel
The writing in this book is very lyrical, poetic almost, which may make it sound too artsy but it’s not. It’s fascinating. Right from the opening line D K Girl draws you in and takes you on an adventure of monstrous proportions. I mean it starts with the hero drowning! Yes! Really! From there we only find out what is going on as he learns it. Silas blunders about but you can’t help rooting for him even as you don’t know what to wish for him. Honestly if I could I would give this book more than five stars. It’s amazing. Enjoy.
The writing in this book is very lyrical, poetic almost, which may make it sound too artsy but it’s not. It’s fascinating. Right from the opening line D K Girl draws you in and takes you on an adventure of monstrous proportions. I mean it starts with the hero drowning! Yes! Really! From there we only find out what is going on as he learns it. Silas blunders about but you can’t help rooting for him even as you don’t know what to wish for him. Honestly if I could I would give this book more than five stars. It’s amazing. Enjoy.
March 9, 2022
My heart goes out to Silas– waking up in a grave, your only memory your brutal death, is no easy way to start a new adventure, and the supernatural world he’s been thrust into is full of sharp edges, hidden perils, and expectations– many, many, expectations. The learning curve is steep, the explanations non-existent, and the most kindness Silas is ever shown is a kind of tolerant indifference. While there are wonders aplenty in his new life (I’ll never look at an umbrella the same way again) there’s precious little to anchor himself to, except, perhaps the beginnings of a destiny? I can’t wait to see what happens next, and I’m living in hope that the mystery of Tobias is eventually going to yield a slightly less caustic traveling companion. The world building, character development, and beginnings of an epic plot arc are all beautifully drawn here, and well worth picking up this book for.
March 16, 2021
Wow! What a fantastic start to this series with two completely different and interesting characters. Silas and Pitch are thrown together against both their better judgements. If they don’t kill each other in the process, they will make a formidable team as they deal with supernatural evils that plague humanity, often without their knowledge. Silas is adorable and his efforts to find out who he is, and what he is, makes for an engrossing and often humorous read. Pitch is… Pitch – entirely unpredictable, often mysterious, and more than willing to shatter social norms and customs in the stiff-upper-lip of this Victorian setting. I loved the mystery and the gaslamp atmosphere of this story. There is a sense of much more to come with the novel’s end, both with the mythic expanse of the world and with Silas and Pitch, and I can’t wait to learn more!
April 18, 2021
Such a great read. "Upon his unexpected return to the world of the living Silas finds himself in the hands of the mysterious Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. A peculiar organisation claiming skills of the supernatural persuasion." I loved that we, along with Silas, have no idea why he has been brought back to life and what his purpose will be, and that this is slowly revealed to us alongside Silas. It's gritty and it's dark. I'm a huge fan of the supernatural genre and this does not disappoint. The characters, and the settings, are beautifully brought to life by Danielle K. Girl. I love Silas, and at first (just like Silas), I loathe Pitch, but this changes as the story comes to life and I find myself getting attached to the two, very different, lead characters. Highly recommended. I can't wait for book 2.
Read
December 25, 2021DNF and I'm actually quite unhappy about it as the world, the story itself and the side characters are fun and intriguing. However, 70% of the book so far are detailed descriptions of how the utterly spineless MC is feeling anxious and hesitant, or him having a drink.
September 4, 2023
Underwhelming
If this is a slow burn, it is the slowest burn ever.
I came into reading this because it was tagged M/M genre. Nothing of the sort has taken place in the entire book. Well, not with the main characters anyway. There is mention of other action throughout the book, but it’s just mention and assumptions drawn in some cases.
The story itself finds an MC who, in the beginning, seems to be at a loss of memory or something to regular knowledge due to his reanimation. But that is not the case. The guy is utterly stupid. Something could be said to him plainly or with enough context clues to figure it out and his response is always, “I don’t understand”. Once he is giving the go ahead to find out more via the mysterious Jane, his neighbor, he doesn’t seek her out to ask any of the questions we are plagued to endure constantly in his inner monologue.
Then there’s the “magic” of his bandalore. After he has been shown that he can call it to him, he constantly panics when he is without it! And what’s worst than that, he leaves it in his coat pocket when he takes it off to hang it. So why even keep it in there instead of your pants pocket if you’re going to freak out when it’s not on your person? That was truly annoying to endure.
It seemed that the author intended him to be dumb because throughout the story he’s called an imbecile, stupid, inept and slow etc by other characters, but that doesn’t help anything at all.
They story itself is slow and you still really don’t have a grasp on what the purpose of it all is. There are many different supernaturals in the story, not none of them are elaborated on, very rarely named as to what they are, just hints that would cause you to have to stop to look them up because they sound familiar. For example, I thought Pitch might be an Incubus or Sucubbus (much debate about whether either is strictly male or female so it fits), but then other information is involved that makes you think that’s not it. There was a very interesting start of a story about a Lieutenant and his lack of sleep and a very sexual like visitor hunting his dreams, but then the story moves on without us finding out what happened to him or what was plaguing him, even though that was basically the start of where the MC realizes the supernatural exist. The guy was even linked to Pitch as well and seemed to be more than a fling to him. But we get no more information.
The world building is non existent. They are in London, with reference to the Americas and other supernaturals there causing problems, assuming nine-tail fox sisters since it only says the Fox Sisters and Silas, the MC is dumb. He probably doesn’t even realize that much and never questioned it.
I will not be moving on to the next installment because there was not enough story here to snag me into seeing what happens next. Nothing was resolved. The MC was still clueless to the very end even into the intro of book two provided at the end of this one. Granted only ten days had passed between the two books, but still. It was not a good sign.
See my notes, highlights and commentary on Goodreads. Happy reading!
If this is a slow burn, it is the slowest burn ever.
I came into reading this because it was tagged M/M genre. Nothing of the sort has taken place in the entire book. Well, not with the main characters anyway. There is mention of other action throughout the book, but it’s just mention and assumptions drawn in some cases.
The story itself finds an MC who, in the beginning, seems to be at a loss of memory or something to regular knowledge due to his reanimation. But that is not the case. The guy is utterly stupid. Something could be said to him plainly or with enough context clues to figure it out and his response is always, “I don’t understand”. Once he is giving the go ahead to find out more via the mysterious Jane, his neighbor, he doesn’t seek her out to ask any of the questions we are plagued to endure constantly in his inner monologue.
Then there’s the “magic” of his bandalore. After he has been shown that he can call it to him, he constantly panics when he is without it! And what’s worst than that, he leaves it in his coat pocket when he takes it off to hang it. So why even keep it in there instead of your pants pocket if you’re going to freak out when it’s not on your person? That was truly annoying to endure.
It seemed that the author intended him to be dumb because throughout the story he’s called an imbecile, stupid, inept and slow etc by other characters, but that doesn’t help anything at all.
They story itself is slow and you still really don’t have a grasp on what the purpose of it all is. There are many different supernaturals in the story, not none of them are elaborated on, very rarely named as to what they are, just hints that would cause you to have to stop to look them up because they sound familiar. For example, I thought Pitch might be an Incubus or Sucubbus (much debate about whether either is strictly male or female so it fits), but then other information is involved that makes you think that’s not it. There was a very interesting start of a story about a Lieutenant and his lack of sleep and a very sexual like visitor hunting his dreams, but then the story moves on without us finding out what happened to him or what was plaguing him, even though that was basically the start of where the MC realizes the supernatural exist. The guy was even linked to Pitch as well and seemed to be more than a fling to him. But we get no more information.
The world building is non existent. They are in London, with reference to the Americas and other supernaturals there causing problems, assuming nine-tail fox sisters since it only says the Fox Sisters and Silas, the MC is dumb. He probably doesn’t even realize that much and never questioned it.
I will not be moving on to the next installment because there was not enough story here to snag me into seeing what happens next. Nothing was resolved. The MC was still clueless to the very end even into the intro of book two provided at the end of this one. Granted only ten days had passed between the two books, but still. It was not a good sign.
See my notes, highlights and commentary on Goodreads. Happy reading!
March 1, 2022
I'm giving this one 4.5 ★, and am SO excited to see where this series goes.
So first off, if you are looking for a romance, you aren't going to find it in this book. Jury is still out on if the 2 MCs will be together in the end or not, but it is fun to watch them interact. Silas is a giant of a man, and is as proper and gentle as any stereotypical English noble would be. Except I highly doubt he was noble born, since he didn't have a name on the cross at the head of his grave. That's not a spoiler, you find out he is (was?) dead in the first chapter. Basically, given his newly risen status, the chains of societal proprietary are still about him and it is fun to watch him squirm among his new acquaintances who have long shed societies expectations. I believe it shows that Silas is a good man at his core and it isn't a façade.
It takes awhile in the story to get introduced to Tobias, but you know there is more under the sarcastic blasé attitude he flaunts around from his fist moments on the page. And he is the exact opposite of Silas in basically every way. Not only does Tobias participate in the "darker" parts of life (drinking, fighting, adult fun times), he flaunts his life style choices unabashedly and does everything possible to go against the norms. While he is definitely not the good man Silas is, I don't believe he is all bad either, and I'm excited to see how his inner self is revealed to us.
The reason for Silas' prudish behavior, is because this story is set in Victorian England, mostly in London to be exact. You have 2 types of people, humans and not humans. Humans are basically incapable of hearing or seeing anything about the supernatural, you can have conversations about daemons and elementals right beside them and they don't hear a thing. While humans know of a supernatural order, it is believed they are mostly charlatans and frauds, a party trick for entertainment. The reader gets exposed to this world as Silas does, since he was brought back to life and is now no longer human but doesn't really know what that means. We follow him on this journey of not only discovering this other part of the world, but how Silas will now fit into it. And this is what knocked my rating down, because I thoroughly enjoyed this complimentary copy of the book I was given. As I mentioned, it takes awhile to be introduced to Tobias (Chapter 6), so the advancement of the story moves quite slowly for the first 30% or so, which was hard for me to get past. But the quicker pace and thrill towards the end of the book really make up for it.
So let's check off some boxes: gentle giant ✓, opposites ✓, snarky bad boy ✓, paranormal ✓, period piece ✓, action ✓, thrill ✓, series ✓.
So first off, if you are looking for a romance, you aren't going to find it in this book. Jury is still out on if the 2 MCs will be together in the end or not, but it is fun to watch them interact. Silas is a giant of a man, and is as proper and gentle as any stereotypical English noble would be. Except I highly doubt he was noble born, since he didn't have a name on the cross at the head of his grave. That's not a spoiler, you find out he is (was?) dead in the first chapter. Basically, given his newly risen status, the chains of societal proprietary are still about him and it is fun to watch him squirm among his new acquaintances who have long shed societies expectations. I believe it shows that Silas is a good man at his core and it isn't a façade.
It takes awhile in the story to get introduced to Tobias, but you know there is more under the sarcastic blasé attitude he flaunts around from his fist moments on the page. And he is the exact opposite of Silas in basically every way. Not only does Tobias participate in the "darker" parts of life (drinking, fighting, adult fun times), he flaunts his life style choices unabashedly and does everything possible to go against the norms. While he is definitely not the good man Silas is, I don't believe he is all bad either, and I'm excited to see how his inner self is revealed to us.
The reason for Silas' prudish behavior, is because this story is set in Victorian England, mostly in London to be exact. You have 2 types of people, humans and not humans. Humans are basically incapable of hearing or seeing anything about the supernatural, you can have conversations about daemons and elementals right beside them and they don't hear a thing. While humans know of a supernatural order, it is believed they are mostly charlatans and frauds, a party trick for entertainment. The reader gets exposed to this world as Silas does, since he was brought back to life and is now no longer human but doesn't really know what that means. We follow him on this journey of not only discovering this other part of the world, but how Silas will now fit into it. And this is what knocked my rating down, because I thoroughly enjoyed this complimentary copy of the book I was given. As I mentioned, it takes awhile to be introduced to Tobias (Chapter 6), so the advancement of the story moves quite slowly for the first 30% or so, which was hard for me to get past. But the quicker pace and thrill towards the end of the book really make up for it.
So let's check off some boxes: gentle giant ✓, opposites ✓, snarky bad boy ✓, paranormal ✓, period piece ✓, action ✓, thrill ✓, series ✓.
March 7, 2022
Silas (the main character) is awesome! I mean holy crow the guy dies and then is thrown into a completely unknown world. He handles it like any of us would, better actually.
As the book progresses Silas grows into his new roll, finding his place, and becoming stronger. The entire book is from his perspective, so we learn about this unseen and fabulous new world right along with him. I loved it. Instead of an info dump at the beginning we are given bits and pieces throughout the book. It hooked me, I couldn’t put it down, I needed to know what would be revealed next!
The author did a great job writing this book. The language and writing style perfectly matched the period, I felt like I was actually there. It was third person past tense, my preferred style. I couldn’t find any editing errors, nothing pulled me out of the story.
As we meet the paranormal people/creatures information is given to help us understand their nature. Their thinking is similar to humans but also foreign, as it should be. Like Jane is a perfect Victorian lady, with a bit of a “wild” side (wink wink). Then there is Tobias, or Pitch as he’s called, he lets his true nature lead the way. He’s the reason I gained 5 pounds reading this book darn it! Always eating the most mouthwatering cakes and desserts! I started craving them too! And let me tell you, pink Snowballs do NOT taste like strawberry tarts with cream. Pitch is such a wonderfully deep character, I started out wanting to punch him in the face. By the end I wanted to give him a hug…while punching him in the face. So well written!
There are no smexy times on the page, but there is a whole bunch alluded to! Poor Silas, or Sickle as Pitch calls him, he’s Victorian in thinking and gets embarrassed by the topic. It made me laugh every time.
I fell in love with this world. You just have to give it a chance. Read the entire thing, experience learning so many new things with Silas, you’ll love it too. There are some really good twists in there that I did not see coming, don’t miss out.
I’m definitely reading these chronicles to the very end!
As the book progresses Silas grows into his new roll, finding his place, and becoming stronger. The entire book is from his perspective, so we learn about this unseen and fabulous new world right along with him. I loved it. Instead of an info dump at the beginning we are given bits and pieces throughout the book. It hooked me, I couldn’t put it down, I needed to know what would be revealed next!
The author did a great job writing this book. The language and writing style perfectly matched the period, I felt like I was actually there. It was third person past tense, my preferred style. I couldn’t find any editing errors, nothing pulled me out of the story.
As we meet the paranormal people/creatures information is given to help us understand their nature. Their thinking is similar to humans but also foreign, as it should be. Like Jane is a perfect Victorian lady, with a bit of a “wild” side (wink wink). Then there is Tobias, or Pitch as he’s called, he lets his true nature lead the way. He’s the reason I gained 5 pounds reading this book darn it! Always eating the most mouthwatering cakes and desserts! I started craving them too! And let me tell you, pink Snowballs do NOT taste like strawberry tarts with cream. Pitch is such a wonderfully deep character, I started out wanting to punch him in the face. By the end I wanted to give him a hug…while punching him in the face. So well written!
There are no smexy times on the page, but there is a whole bunch alluded to! Poor Silas, or Sickle as Pitch calls him, he’s Victorian in thinking and gets embarrassed by the topic. It made me laugh every time.
I fell in love with this world. You just have to give it a chance. Read the entire thing, experience learning so many new things with Silas, you’ll love it too. There are some really good twists in there that I did not see coming, don’t miss out.
I’m definitely reading these chronicles to the very end!
October 4, 2023
I should have known better, especially after three instances of contemplating putting this book down. In my opinion, 'The Bandalore' turned out to be a regrettable investment of time, and I definitely cannot recommend it. Well, let's be honest, nothing much can be expected from a book where main character magical focus is literally a bandalore, right?
The initial idea had some promise—an individual resurrected with no memories of their past life, forced to acclimate to a world teeming with supernatural beings. The main plot, while not groundbreaking, had potential: a mysterious organization striving to maintain the balance between humans and supernaturals, all while facing a growing threat from a dark force. However, it failed to deliver on these possibilities.
Silas, the main character, comes across as a bland and foolish person, lacking any real charm. While it could have been intriguing to follow his journey of questioning this new world, he never addresses the important queries. Despite having many questions, he rarely asks them and almost never questions why he's expected to do certain things or if he has any option. He just goes along with whatever is demanded, becoming a servant, with minimal complaints, as if it were the most natural response. Following so many of his unexamined thoughts makes the character feel lifeless.
When Tobias enters the picture, it briefly sparks hope. I genuinely believed the story might become more engaging and better developed. Unfortunately, that hope was short-lived. Tobias quickly reveals himself to be shallow, with a personality akin to a spoiled bully.
While there are some intriguing secondary characters and an interesting setting, these aspects alone cannot salvage the book.
Ultimately, I regret the time I spent on this book. It's a missed opportunity; even without introducing anything truly groundbreaking, it could have been an engaging series. However, with underdeveloped characters, contrived situations, uneven writing, and, of course, a bandalore, it's a recipe for disaster.
The initial idea had some promise—an individual resurrected with no memories of their past life, forced to acclimate to a world teeming with supernatural beings. The main plot, while not groundbreaking, had potential: a mysterious organization striving to maintain the balance between humans and supernaturals, all while facing a growing threat from a dark force. However, it failed to deliver on these possibilities.
Silas, the main character, comes across as a bland and foolish person, lacking any real charm. While it could have been intriguing to follow his journey of questioning this new world, he never addresses the important queries. Despite having many questions, he rarely asks them and almost never questions why he's expected to do certain things or if he has any option. He just goes along with whatever is demanded, becoming a servant, with minimal complaints, as if it were the most natural response. Following so many of his unexamined thoughts makes the character feel lifeless.
When Tobias enters the picture, it briefly sparks hope. I genuinely believed the story might become more engaging and better developed. Unfortunately, that hope was short-lived. Tobias quickly reveals himself to be shallow, with a personality akin to a spoiled bully.
While there are some intriguing secondary characters and an interesting setting, these aspects alone cannot salvage the book.
Ultimately, I regret the time I spent on this book. It's a missed opportunity; even without introducing anything truly groundbreaking, it could have been an engaging series. However, with underdeveloped characters, contrived situations, uneven writing, and, of course, a bandalore, it's a recipe for disaster.
March 6, 2022
Silas Mercer returns to the land of the living in the hands of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. He is made aware that he is to become part of the Order and help provide London with seances and exorcisms as well as anything else as part of the Arcane specialties. While Silas does not remember his old life, he knows it was no doing this. He finds himself thrown into action with little to no training and must learn everything as he proceeds. After his first assignment, he is paired with Tobias Astaroth who makes his life more than a little difficult. He may Survive the Order but he is not sure about Tobias.
Both these men are quite intriguing. Silas is a large man with no knowledge of the Arcane. He is learning as he goes and is feeling less than capable as he proceeds. He does have the bandalore to help him and quite a help it is. Tobias is hard to like. He has no filter and says the most inappropriate things. He life seems to center on two things – sex and sweets. He can be charming and Silas is one of the few who resist him. The assignments given Silas are thrilling and keep you glued to the pages after a slow start. He does manage to survive everything thrown at him but he does struggle. Tobias, when not insulting him, does manage to help. This promises to be a very exciting series. The sexual tension between the two is off the charts. The historical setting adds an extra delight. The new realistic terms used catch your attention and make you know that this will be exciting, compelling and sensational series. I know I can’t wait for the next one.
Both these men are quite intriguing. Silas is a large man with no knowledge of the Arcane. He is learning as he goes and is feeling less than capable as he proceeds. He does have the bandalore to help him and quite a help it is. Tobias is hard to like. He has no filter and says the most inappropriate things. He life seems to center on two things – sex and sweets. He can be charming and Silas is one of the few who resist him. The assignments given Silas are thrilling and keep you glued to the pages after a slow start. He does manage to survive everything thrown at him but he does struggle. Tobias, when not insulting him, does manage to help. This promises to be a very exciting series. The sexual tension between the two is off the charts. The historical setting adds an extra delight. The new realistic terms used catch your attention and make you know that this will be exciting, compelling and sensational series. I know I can’t wait for the next one.
September 21, 2022
*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*
When Silas Mercer is rescued from death, he soon learns that his saviours brought him back for a purpose. He is to join the mysterious Order of the Golden Dawn and assist them in their otherworldly activities. With no memory of his past life, Silas must not only put together who he was as a man and who he is now, but the new world around him that is such a departure from everything that he has ever known. When he is partnered with the seemingly obnoxious and non-human Tobias Astaroth, Silas learns that his role in The Order is much more important than he could ever have imagined.
The Bandalore is a great read and introduction to the version of 1800s London that the author has created. They have combined many different lores and cultures (including Japanese!) to flesh out this unique world. Taking place from Silas’ POV we learn about The Order at the same pace as the protagonist, which I preferred as it avoids an information dump and things are revealed naturally and in pace with the story.
I enjoyed meeting the characters that inhabit the world and their unique abilities. Tobias seems to do his best to alienate all those around him, but you occasionally see another side to him. A side that is in pain and is the reason for much of his behaviour. The romance is very much slow burn and there only subtle hints in this first novel. Again, due to the complexity of the series and characters, I feel this pacing is right and I look forward to seeing how their relationship develops, as well as what secrets Tobias is forbidden from speaking of.
The Bandalore is a great first installment of the series and I am very much looking forward to reading book 2.
When Silas Mercer is rescued from death, he soon learns that his saviours brought him back for a purpose. He is to join the mysterious Order of the Golden Dawn and assist them in their otherworldly activities. With no memory of his past life, Silas must not only put together who he was as a man and who he is now, but the new world around him that is such a departure from everything that he has ever known. When he is partnered with the seemingly obnoxious and non-human Tobias Astaroth, Silas learns that his role in The Order is much more important than he could ever have imagined.
The Bandalore is a great read and introduction to the version of 1800s London that the author has created. They have combined many different lores and cultures (including Japanese!) to flesh out this unique world. Taking place from Silas’ POV we learn about The Order at the same pace as the protagonist, which I preferred as it avoids an information dump and things are revealed naturally and in pace with the story.
I enjoyed meeting the characters that inhabit the world and their unique abilities. Tobias seems to do his best to alienate all those around him, but you occasionally see another side to him. A side that is in pain and is the reason for much of his behaviour. The romance is very much slow burn and there only subtle hints in this first novel. Again, due to the complexity of the series and characters, I feel this pacing is right and I look forward to seeing how their relationship develops, as well as what secrets Tobias is forbidden from speaking of.
The Bandalore is a great first installment of the series and I am very much looking forward to reading book 2.
June 18, 2023
Good start to what I’m hoping will be a very good series. Well written and great world building - a nice set up to the characters, and world without giving too much away.
The last 55% was fantastic and very exciting to read but the first 45% was a little too slow. I do understand we were setting everything up but it was a little too much info dumpy and Silas( one part of our main duo) just bumbled around the village not really doing anything.
The story really did pick up with the introduction of Pitch (our second half of the duo) he was such a character. Arrogant and an out right a hole. He’s the kind of character who loves himself so much if he was chocolate he’d eat himself. He flirts and cares for no one. I’m already so EXCITED to see him whipped for Silas.
So far in terms of romance… there’s none. However if squint you can see their set up for one epic slow burn and I am TREMBLING. I’m talking Captive Prince epic!!! If a slow burn romance/ annoyances to lovers does not have me doubting whether the characters will actually get together or how it could possible happen.. than I don’t want it.
Luckily that’s not the case for Sickle & Pitch. I have absolutely no idea how these will work as an eventual couple but I CANNOT wait to find out.
It’s been a very long time since I’ve wanted to drop everything a binge a series but bravo to the author because that’s exactly what I’m going to do!
The last 55% was fantastic and very exciting to read but the first 45% was a little too slow. I do understand we were setting everything up but it was a little too much info dumpy and Silas( one part of our main duo) just bumbled around the village not really doing anything.
The story really did pick up with the introduction of Pitch (our second half of the duo) he was such a character. Arrogant and an out right a hole. He’s the kind of character who loves himself so much if he was chocolate he’d eat himself. He flirts and cares for no one. I’m already so EXCITED to see him whipped for Silas.
So far in terms of romance… there’s none. However if squint you can see their set up for one epic slow burn and I am TREMBLING. I’m talking Captive Prince epic!!! If a slow burn romance/ annoyances to lovers does not have me doubting whether the characters will actually get together or how it could possible happen.. than I don’t want it.
Luckily that’s not the case for Sickle & Pitch. I have absolutely no idea how these will work as an eventual couple but I CANNOT wait to find out.
It’s been a very long time since I’ve wanted to drop everything a binge a series but bravo to the author because that’s exactly what I’m going to do!
March 7, 2022
The Bandalore ended up being quite an original and interesting read. I was really impressed as I kept getting sucked in, but the problem was in the beginning it was slow and confusing. The writing was designed to leave the reader feeling the journey to discover what was going on, but that leaves a lot of confusion as the book gets going. Eventually things piece together and the little bits and pieces of information that are revealed go a long way endearing both the world and the characters. However, impatience makes the start of the book very difficult to get through. Then Pitch and Silas are frustrating. They are a bit like oil and water and in a very, very slow burn romance. I suspect the payoff will eventually come in future books but this book was very much only the beginning of their relationship. This is a romance that will spread over the series, not wrap up in one book. I really did enjoy the book and will be reading the rest of the series, but also was left with a lot of questions. Considering the way the author slowly reveals information, I suspect those questions will be answered later in the series. So the Bandalore was confusing in the beginning, interesting and highly engaging as a whole, has some extremely dynamic leads with (hopefully) a promising romance, and will leave you with quite a few questions by the end of the book.
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