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Shattered Pawns #4
Shah Mat
Den:
What does one do when they're responsible for the death of their chosen mate? Kill a god, steal his powers, and reset the timeline, of course. What does one do when their chosen mate keeps throwing away his life to save the universe? Reset the timeline forty two times, obviously. I’m not letting Monet sacrifice himself because I made a mistake that ended the universe. I’m not letting any of my family sacrifice themselves to save the universe, and if I have to kill a thousand gods to save them from their hero-complexes? Done. I might be on the verge of villainy, but I have my priorities in line.
Slean:
What does a diviner do when the love of his mate’s life dies in the apocalypse? Kill three gods, steal their powers, and change the fate of the world, of course. What does he do when his mate’s the one responsible for starting the apocalypse? Everything he can to fix it, obviously. I’m not going to let the universe end. I’m not going to watch my family die because of my mate’s choices, and if I have to create a few new Aquinos to do it? Done. It might make me insane, but I’ll do anything for Den’s happiness, even if that means becoming the villain in my own story.
Shah Mat is a 105k word MMMM paranormal romance.
In the Aquino family, the boys all have tragic backstories; Den isn’t an exception. Content warning: Child imprisonment/harm, violence, consensual sharing and sex outside of the main relationship (open relationship), exhibitionism, voyeurism, light BDSM including rope bondage, horror descriptions (i.e. zombies).
This book is number four in the Shattered Pawns series. THIS SERIES MUST BE READ IN ORDER.
What does one do when they're responsible for the death of their chosen mate? Kill a god, steal his powers, and reset the timeline, of course. What does one do when their chosen mate keeps throwing away his life to save the universe? Reset the timeline forty two times, obviously. I’m not letting Monet sacrifice himself because I made a mistake that ended the universe. I’m not letting any of my family sacrifice themselves to save the universe, and if I have to kill a thousand gods to save them from their hero-complexes? Done. I might be on the verge of villainy, but I have my priorities in line.
Slean:
What does a diviner do when the love of his mate’s life dies in the apocalypse? Kill three gods, steal their powers, and change the fate of the world, of course. What does he do when his mate’s the one responsible for starting the apocalypse? Everything he can to fix it, obviously. I’m not going to let the universe end. I’m not going to watch my family die because of my mate’s choices, and if I have to create a few new Aquinos to do it? Done. It might make me insane, but I’ll do anything for Den’s happiness, even if that means becoming the villain in my own story.
Shah Mat is a 105k word MMMM paranormal romance.
In the Aquino family, the boys all have tragic backstories; Den isn’t an exception. Content warning: Child imprisonment/harm, violence, consensual sharing and sex outside of the main relationship (open relationship), exhibitionism, voyeurism, light BDSM including rope bondage, horror descriptions (i.e. zombies).
This book is number four in the Shattered Pawns series. THIS SERIES MUST BE READ IN ORDER.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2022
38 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Cody
47 books713 followersJennifer Cody lives in Small Midwestern Town, USA, aka the sticks of Kansas. She has three kids and a Beardo she loves. Her sleep schedule is weird, so messages sent at midnight usually get answered relatively promptly. She reads all kinds of mm romance and urban fantasy, but her favorites are gay-for-you, small-town romances and over the top urban fantasy romances. Her own writing doesn’t always reflect her reading preferences, but mostly it does. She writes what she wants to read and reads extensively because she’s an addict. To books, obviously. And caffeine because sleep is for other people.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
November 14, 2022
Some books are easy to review, no matter the genre. These things happened, the characters were like this, and this is how I felt about it. Some books, on the other hand, are the culmination of half a dozen previous works and involve multiple storylines, nonlinear storytelling, and multi-dimensional characters. And while I loved pretty much every bit of this book, including the difficult parts, I feel like it’s cheating to just stick a Kermit flail GIF here and call it done.
Honestly, don’t try reading this book without reading the main novels set in this world first, starting with the Diviner’s Game trilogy. I was already impressed by how Cody overlaps multiple events while always revealing new surprises, and this epic finale kicks everything up a notch. I was satisfied by the endings for each character involved, and every hero more than deserved the happily ever after they finally got. Especially Den and Slean, who might have been the original instigators of everything that went down, but never quite turn into the villains they think they are. A difference exists between villainy and pragmatism, and I understood their desire to lean into the former to deal with the emotional impacts of the latter.
Slean was more of a new character here for all of us, but I’m fascinated by how Den’s character develops from what we see of him from Monet’s manipulated perspective and again from how we experience his convoluted and difficult past. If Qis was my favorite character before, Den more than supersedes him. After all, Den is basically a TARDIS, and I do collect them.
Now that I have the full story, I can’t wait to go back to the very beginning in a few months and read everything all over again. Cody may have made up everything as she went along, but it’s a fascinating way to experience the storytelling process of a truly creative mind. Meanwhile, I can’t wait to dive back into one of the other worlds by this author I’ve also grown to love.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Honestly, don’t try reading this book without reading the main novels set in this world first, starting with the Diviner’s Game trilogy. I was already impressed by how Cody overlaps multiple events while always revealing new surprises, and this epic finale kicks everything up a notch. I was satisfied by the endings for each character involved, and every hero more than deserved the happily ever after they finally got. Especially Den and Slean, who might have been the original instigators of everything that went down, but never quite turn into the villains they think they are. A difference exists between villainy and pragmatism, and I understood their desire to lean into the former to deal with the emotional impacts of the latter.
Slean was more of a new character here for all of us, but I’m fascinated by how Den’s character develops from what we see of him from Monet’s manipulated perspective and again from how we experience his convoluted and difficult past. If Qis was my favorite character before, Den more than supersedes him. After all, Den is basically a TARDIS, and I do collect them.
Now that I have the full story, I can’t wait to go back to the very beginning in a few months and read everything all over again. Cody may have made up everything as she went along, but it’s a fascinating way to experience the storytelling process of a truly creative mind. Meanwhile, I can’t wait to dive back into one of the other worlds by this author I’ve also grown to love.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
November 15, 2022
Seriously, you absolutely must read this series in order, and you REALLY should read the Diviner's Game series first to truly have any idea just what the heck is going on. If I didn't admire Jennifer Cody's devious little mind prior to reading this book, I'm full-blown fangirl in love with it now. How the heck anyone could even plot out a storyline with this many twists, turns, about-faces, oops-try-agains, hills, valleys, dead ends, cul-de-sacs, and every other imaginable deviation from the straight path is beyond me, but holy hells, is it fun to read the end result! Bring a notebook to keep the relationships straight, and don't get squicked out by the potential for a teeny tiny bit of...weeelllll.....you'll see. This may possibly be the hardest fought-for HEA ever in the history of writing. The journey is long, but when you put the book down at the end of your travels, a small tear may just trickle down your cheek, as the realization that this series is done, and you can never have your first time reading it back again. This book is one of my top 5 reads on my life. I'm not 100% sure it will ever fall out of there. Amazing job, Ms Cody!
November 10, 2022
This entire series is a masterpiece.
Seriously, I don’t know how Jennifer Cody wrote this but I’m in awe of the skill it takes to write essentially 7 books with an interwoven plot. It’s hands down one of the best series’s I’ve ever read and I real a ridiculous amount. If you haven’t read the diviner’s game and the first three books in shattered pawns do *not* read this yet. Start at the beginning because Shah Mat spoils all of them. It’s the culmination of the entire story and it really does the end justice. No disappointment here (unlike certain other books that I won’t name), it truly is a satisfying ending.
The first third of the book or so (aka all of part one) is chaos, both boys are insane, the timelines overlap and they each interact at different iterations of the timeline so don’t expect to have any real clarity until part 2 where it all starts getting put together. The relationship between Den and Slean is adorable, they’re so sweet together and adding their other two mates makes it even better. This books isn’t quite as spicy as some of the other ones, mostly because they’re trying to save the universe and that takes a lot of time, but it’s still hot and exactly the kind of kinky you’d expect from this series.
If you’re a fan of fated mates, extremely possessive men willing to do literally anything to save their family, found family, multiple mates, and complicated stories with satisfying resolutions read this book. But only after you’ve read the rest of the series.
Seriously, I don’t know how Jennifer Cody wrote this but I’m in awe of the skill it takes to write essentially 7 books with an interwoven plot. It’s hands down one of the best series’s I’ve ever read and I real a ridiculous amount. If you haven’t read the diviner’s game and the first three books in shattered pawns do *not* read this yet. Start at the beginning because Shah Mat spoils all of them. It’s the culmination of the entire story and it really does the end justice. No disappointment here (unlike certain other books that I won’t name), it truly is a satisfying ending.
The first third of the book or so (aka all of part one) is chaos, both boys are insane, the timelines overlap and they each interact at different iterations of the timeline so don’t expect to have any real clarity until part 2 where it all starts getting put together. The relationship between Den and Slean is adorable, they’re so sweet together and adding their other two mates makes it even better. This books isn’t quite as spicy as some of the other ones, mostly because they’re trying to save the universe and that takes a lot of time, but it’s still hot and exactly the kind of kinky you’d expect from this series.
If you’re a fan of fated mates, extremely possessive men willing to do literally anything to save their family, found family, multiple mates, and complicated stories with satisfying resolutions read this book. But only after you’ve read the rest of the series.
November 18, 2022
To be fair, every single book in the Diviners Game and Shattered Pawns series is awesome. This book encompasses all of them and wraps everything up in a satisfying, exciting, sexy, and at times confusing ending. Beginning. Maybe the middle?
Particularly in the 1st 3rd of the book, things are pretty all over the place but in a purposeful way - the characters describing what's going on are insane, but the story moves forward in a kind of logical way. It's all "wibbly wobbly timey wimey", so we don't learn some important things until later on in the book. And then they change. And then they change again. And sometimes they change what happened in previous books (although that's pretty well signposted). So it IS pretty important to have read all the other stories in order to a) understand what's going on in this one and b)understand why some things in this story are significant.
The characters are, as always, complex. The personal growth of both, as well as their own relationship and relationships with others, is really lovely. If you're not into MMMM, voyeurism or exhibitionism, this book is not for you - and the BDSM aspects from Monet's story (Capture) remain. I liked the idea of fated mates and chosen mates, and unlearning selfishness and anger. Found family continues to be an important theme, along with unconditional love. As well, different kinds of love and what love is or means - familial, romantic, and platonic.
10/10 do recommend.
Particularly in the 1st 3rd of the book, things are pretty all over the place but in a purposeful way - the characters describing what's going on are insane, but the story moves forward in a kind of logical way. It's all "wibbly wobbly timey wimey", so we don't learn some important things until later on in the book. And then they change. And then they change again. And sometimes they change what happened in previous books (although that's pretty well signposted). So it IS pretty important to have read all the other stories in order to a) understand what's going on in this one and b)understand why some things in this story are significant.
The characters are, as always, complex. The personal growth of both, as well as their own relationship and relationships with others, is really lovely. If you're not into MMMM, voyeurism or exhibitionism, this book is not for you - and the BDSM aspects from Monet's story (Capture) remain. I liked the idea of fated mates and chosen mates, and unlearning selfishness and anger. Found family continues to be an important theme, along with unconditional love. As well, different kinds of love and what love is or means - familial, romantic, and platonic.
10/10 do recommend.
November 17, 2022
Shah Mat is the end game in the Shattered Pawns series. Freaking fantastic! This book is a combination and end game. Multiple storylines with complex characters that are multi-dimensional! You must read the Diviner’s Game trilogy first, or you’ll be lost. This story wraps up the Shattered Pawns and the Diviner’s Games series up. The story was all over the place in the beginning, things happen and change quickly, I had to reread several times. My heart was in my throat several times! I have read and loved every single book previous to this one and I’m so glad I got to go on the reading ride with this story. Overall, a phenomenal read!! Well written with pacing that is addicting and engaging. I was hooked and it didn’t let me go very easily.
November 17, 2022
Absolutely Brilliant
I have no idea how Jennifer Cody comes up with these stories but they are always amazing and this is ending to this series is absolutely brilliant.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
I have no idea how Jennifer Cody comes up with these stories but they are always amazing and this is ending to this series is absolutely brilliant.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
November 16, 2022
Ever since I read my first book in the Diviner's Game series I was completely hooked on the world Jennifer Cody had created. When the Shattered Pawns series began I couldn't have read them quickly enough, each book is partly written in the same timeline but adds so much information with each book and each new couple. After reading Promote (book 3), I knew that book 4 was going to get seriously crazy before it all made sense and that somehow she would work out how they could win the unwinnable war that they have all been working towards winning. None more so than Slean and Den whose story Shah Mat finally gets to tell and wow, I have to say I was not disappointed. As always I am in awe of how Jennifer Cody's mind works, I can only hope she keeps on creating.
This isn't a book you can pick up and understand without having read the previous 3 in this series (personally I'd recommend you also read the Diviner's Game series too as you will meet many of the characters), you really do need all of the contexts from those books to understand what is going on in Shah Mat.
The first 3rd of the book is madness that slowly becomes completely clear as you keep reading. I already knew that Slean was mad, I just had no idea that Den was mad too, but it all made sense when it all made sense (now I sound like Slean and Den). Jennifer puts her characters, all of them, through some extremely terrible and trying situations, but I rode along with them, with my heart in my throat at times, knowing that there would be a HEA at the end of the journey.
I love the relationship between Slean & Den and I loved the relationship between Monet and Qis in the previous book, but I really loved the relationship that they eventually create between all of them, I knew it was coming and have been anticipating it for months.
I hope we get at least one more series set in this world, but I have no idea where Jennifer could take us after the ride that has been Shattered Pawns.
This isn't a book you can pick up and understand without having read the previous 3 in this series (personally I'd recommend you also read the Diviner's Game series too as you will meet many of the characters), you really do need all of the contexts from those books to understand what is going on in Shah Mat.
The first 3rd of the book is madness that slowly becomes completely clear as you keep reading. I already knew that Slean was mad, I just had no idea that Den was mad too, but it all made sense when it all made sense (now I sound like Slean and Den). Jennifer puts her characters, all of them, through some extremely terrible and trying situations, but I rode along with them, with my heart in my throat at times, knowing that there would be a HEA at the end of the journey.
I love the relationship between Slean & Den and I loved the relationship between Monet and Qis in the previous book, but I really loved the relationship that they eventually create between all of them, I knew it was coming and have been anticipating it for months.
I hope we get at least one more series set in this world, but I have no idea where Jennifer could take us after the ride that has been Shattered Pawns.
December 10, 2022
whoa
What a crazy ride this has been! I enjoyed all of it, even when I wasn't sure what was going on. The puzzle was fun though. In the first part of this book, we get bits of Slean's madness in the Void where he's been manipulating the story all along. It was fun to take time and piece together how the insanity fit into the current and previous books in this series.
Considering how Den and Slean manipulate time and fate, the author did an amazing job not contradicting herself and keeping it all together. If you're up for a bit of a mindf**k and have the time and curiosity to see what happens, I definitely recommend this series.
Most romance books follow the same basic outline: 2 or more people meet, resist their attraction for meaningless reasons, get together, have a big fallout, then live happily ever after. This world is such a break from the tired monotony of what you expect from the romance genre that it will be difficult to find something to read next! HEA guaranteed.
What a crazy ride this has been! I enjoyed all of it, even when I wasn't sure what was going on. The puzzle was fun though. In the first part of this book, we get bits of Slean's madness in the Void where he's been manipulating the story all along. It was fun to take time and piece together how the insanity fit into the current and previous books in this series.
Considering how Den and Slean manipulate time and fate, the author did an amazing job not contradicting herself and keeping it all together. If you're up for a bit of a mindf**k and have the time and curiosity to see what happens, I definitely recommend this series.
Most romance books follow the same basic outline: 2 or more people meet, resist their attraction for meaningless reasons, get together, have a big fallout, then live happily ever after. This world is such a break from the tired monotony of what you expect from the romance genre that it will be difficult to find something to read next! HEA guaranteed.
November 14, 2022
ARC received from the author for an honest review.
This is the end of the shattered pawns series and it ends well. Most of the book is a back and forth meeting of the two MCs while they're trying to set up the coming war in their favor. At times this was confusing to me and I found myself re-reading pages over. As the book got toward the end and the family members find out who Den's mate is I didn't feel like there was as much happiness to have him back as there would've been IRL. I can understand having an open relationship but when one of the MCs is having sex to maneuver a pawn and isn't enjoying it, it was uncomfortable to read. That's on me so I'm not holding that against the author. I wanted more time at the end of the book when the war was settled and the foursome could work out their relationship and the dynamics. Otherwise it's a really thought out story, great world and character building and chemistry between the characters.
This is the end of the shattered pawns series and it ends well. Most of the book is a back and forth meeting of the two MCs while they're trying to set up the coming war in their favor. At times this was confusing to me and I found myself re-reading pages over. As the book got toward the end and the family members find out who Den's mate is I didn't feel like there was as much happiness to have him back as there would've been IRL. I can understand having an open relationship but when one of the MCs is having sex to maneuver a pawn and isn't enjoying it, it was uncomfortable to read. That's on me so I'm not holding that against the author. I wanted more time at the end of the book when the war was settled and the foursome could work out their relationship and the dynamics. Otherwise it's a really thought out story, great world and character building and chemistry between the characters.
November 20, 2022
It took me a few days to review this after reading it. That's because it took me that long to process my feelings about the book and what happened in it.
If you haven't read the other books in this series, you will never understand what is happening in this book. Even if you have read them, there may be a few times when you stop and go back to re-read something so that you make sure that you saw what you really saw.
Den and Slean's story isn't necessarily told in a straight line manner. There are a lot of time jumps going on, and that affects how the story is told. It's all timey-wimey, wibbly-wobbly jelly anyway, so it works.
This story really does tie up all the strings and answer all the questions really well. You get to see answers to things you didn't even realize were questions from all the way through the first book. It's fabulous. And I'm kind of a little mad I can't read it for the first time again.
If you haven't read the other books in this series, you will never understand what is happening in this book. Even if you have read them, there may be a few times when you stop and go back to re-read something so that you make sure that you saw what you really saw.
Den and Slean's story isn't necessarily told in a straight line manner. There are a lot of time jumps going on, and that affects how the story is told. It's all timey-wimey, wibbly-wobbly jelly anyway, so it works.
This story really does tie up all the strings and answer all the questions really well. You get to see answers to things you didn't even realize were questions from all the way through the first book. It's fabulous. And I'm kind of a little mad I can't read it for the first time again.
January 12, 2024
What a trip! As complicated and wibbly-wobbly timey wimey (I always love a Doctor Who fan) the story completed very well. Slean and Den timeline reminded me of River Song and the Doctor, meeting in different points of their lives. I liked how they moved the pieces to win over their enemy. Their dynamic-along with Monet and Qis and their dom/sub power exchange is more natural and organic than the d/s between Ryan and Kim. After reading this book, I realized why: Ryan, perhaps because of his inexperience, kept putting his own needs before Kim. He treated Kim as one of the subs in the club instead of a partner. Monet, on the other hand, along with Slean, treats their partner with respect and knows when to dominate or when to make love - different mental spaces required for each moment.
The one thing I wanted to see was the aftermath of the war and the Aquinos in these six years afterwards.
The one thing I wanted to see was the aftermath of the war and the Aquinos in these six years afterwards.
November 15, 2022
I really don't know what to say with the conclusion to the dg/sp worlds, it was an epic journey to get here and I am happy I got taken along for the ride. An amazingly intricate world which has so many twists, turns, what the heck just happened moments it will leave you dizzy and unsure of everything. Such wonderful characters that leave you questioning what side they are on. I honestly wasn't sure how certain relationships or meetings were going to happen as the path seemed blocked, the author managed to find a way to smash through in her complicated yet quite frankly endearing charm. Heartbreaking at times, immense world building, complex to the hilt characters but it is pulled off with such joyful aplomb you will wonder why it took you so long to jump in.
This is not a standalone under any circumstances and you will need to start at the beginning with Bishop to Knight One.
This is not a standalone under any circumstances and you will need to start at the beginning with Bishop to Knight One.
November 15, 2022
I've loved all the books in the Shattered Pawns series so far, and I was excited to see where Jennifer was going to go with the finale. This is a real onion of a book, with layer upon layer (and reset upon reset), but it's unlike anything else that I've ever read. I read the whole book in one sitting, as I couldn't stop as soon as I'd started back into the amazing DG/SP world.
You must have read (and re-read!) the first 3 books in the series before you start this one. Part 1 of this book jumps around a lot of scenes from previous books, and you will be massively lost if you don't. It gets slightly confusing at times but keep reading as it eventually explains a lot of what has happened throughout the series. Part 2 is more straightforward, and gives the conclusion that we've all been waiting on, although with a good helping of plot twists along the way!
You must have read (and re-read!) the first 3 books in the series before you start this one. Part 1 of this book jumps around a lot of scenes from previous books, and you will be massively lost if you don't. It gets slightly confusing at times but keep reading as it eventually explains a lot of what has happened throughout the series. Part 2 is more straightforward, and gives the conclusion that we've all been waiting on, although with a good helping of plot twists along the way!
November 18, 2022
4.5 stars
You definitely have to read the first three books in this series to understand some of what is going on here. Reading the Diviner's Game and a few of the novellas will also help to know who some of the people are. The story is filled with twists and turns, and, just when you think you know where things are going, another twist occurs. I'm not a chess player so I had to look it up: the term shah mat ("checkmate") means, literally, "the king is frozen".
Congratulations to the author on blending the story through four books covering "the same" time frame. She even manages to get activities from the novellas mentioned so you know where they fit in the timeline. Overall, this is a very fun and creative world, and I would highly recommend it.
The ARC only had a few proofreading issues, mostly missing commas.
You definitely have to read the first three books in this series to understand some of what is going on here. Reading the Diviner's Game and a few of the novellas will also help to know who some of the people are. The story is filled with twists and turns, and, just when you think you know where things are going, another twist occurs. I'm not a chess player so I had to look it up: the term shah mat ("checkmate") means, literally, "the king is frozen".
Congratulations to the author on blending the story through four books covering "the same" time frame. She even manages to get activities from the novellas mentioned so you know where they fit in the timeline. Overall, this is a very fun and creative world, and I would highly recommend it.
The ARC only had a few proofreading issues, mostly missing commas.
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November 11, 2022I love this author and that hasn't changed upon reading this book. It was harder to start than any other in this series because of the mind "d"uckery going on but it was also really nice to see these glimpses into how and why the events happened. The second part was easier and well worth getting to if the first part was hard to read. I just really like her writing and the story is fascinating and even reading events that happened in other books in the series was fresh because of the perspective used and just the little details that really bring the stories to life.
Please, please don't leave this world you created dear author. it is awesome.
Please, please don't leave this world you created dear author. it is awesome.
November 18, 2022
What an ending!
I can only imagine that when writing this series the author had a set of chess pieces with the names of all the characters written on them. Because this was an absolute master class in tying up loose ends (and if any are missed its the jelly's fault!) I loved this book, all of the books, all of the characters. Each book builds another layer on the last so that what you thought was happening probably wasn't. And this really is the icing on top of that multi layered cake book. Go read them all. And then I think we will have to read them again, maybe even 42 times!
I can only imagine that when writing this series the author had a set of chess pieces with the names of all the characters written on them. Because this was an absolute master class in tying up loose ends (and if any are missed its the jelly's fault!) I loved this book, all of the books, all of the characters. Each book builds another layer on the last so that what you thought was happening probably wasn't. And this really is the icing on top of that multi layered cake book. Go read them all. And then I think we will have to read them again, maybe even 42 times!
August 24, 2023
Utterly speachless
I don't know what to say. This was definitely the perfect end of for this series' section (as I began referring to it). The Diviner Games was just as amazing. But I consider that series and this connected. So I now call them sections. I do hope to see more from this universe (whether in short stories or another section to these series). As always, I recommend reading Jennifer Cody's books, but I also advise to start at the beginning.
Thank you, again, Jennifer Cody for sharing your work with the world. If you haven't already realized you are definitely one of my favorite authors of all time.
I don't know what to say. This was definitely the perfect end of for this series' section (as I began referring to it). The Diviner Games was just as amazing. But I consider that series and this connected. So I now call them sections. I do hope to see more from this universe (whether in short stories or another section to these series). As always, I recommend reading Jennifer Cody's books, but I also advise to start at the beginning.
Thank you, again, Jennifer Cody for sharing your work with the world. If you haven't already realized you are definitely one of my favorite authors of all time.
July 5, 2024
Freaking amazing!
I just finished the book and part of me wants to read it again with all the knowledge of what the neck was happening in the insane Part 1 of it. My mind is blown. I love Jennifer Cody's books and normally they aren't very serious so I didn't know if I'd like this series but wow I think this might be their best work.
I will say that the entire book but especially the beginning takes a bit more focus to read than I'm used to because it's so jumbled and confusing. Very similar to Alice in Wonderland. Who is Time and what time is it is 42. I assume the 42 is a nod to Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
I just finished the book and part of me wants to read it again with all the knowledge of what the neck was happening in the insane Part 1 of it. My mind is blown. I love Jennifer Cody's books and normally they aren't very serious so I didn't know if I'd like this series but wow I think this might be their best work.
I will say that the entire book but especially the beginning takes a bit more focus to read than I'm used to because it's so jumbled and confusing. Very similar to Alice in Wonderland. Who is Time and what time is it is 42. I assume the 42 is a nod to Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
November 15, 2022
Shah Mat is a perfect ending to an epic series. This series must be read in order.
Full of wonderful world building and beautifully complex characters this book will keep you turning page after page.
Buckle up and get ready for the ride of your life.
So much takes place that your head will be spinning but it's all worth it for the outcome that is achieved.
I love all the different types of love represented in this story, found family, romantic love, platonic love and most importantly unconditional love.
Well done!
Full of wonderful world building and beautifully complex characters this book will keep you turning page after page.
Buckle up and get ready for the ride of your life.
So much takes place that your head will be spinning but it's all worth it for the outcome that is achieved.
I love all the different types of love represented in this story, found family, romantic love, platonic love and most importantly unconditional love.
Well done!
November 16, 2022
I knew from the the books in the beginning of the series that this final book might be hard to follow, and I did have a hard tune following at first, but I stuck with it and am so glad I did. Even through the insanity that plagues Slean Jennifer manages to make it sensible and logical. All the pieces from the previous books are answered and love how she takes things that may not have been put together before and links it all so our questions get answered. I love Qis and the voyeurism in the story. I also like the villiany Slean and Den take on. 10/10, would read again.
November 17, 2022
This ending was worth the wait. When I got to the end of the last one, I couldn't believe that Den had been taken in by the bad guy, and now I know it was nothing like that. Part 1 is a little confusing at first, but it's necessary to understanding how we got here. It all works, though, and I love how all of the pieces finally come together. It's the ultimate game of chess and I loved every minute of it. Definitely make sure you read the books that came before it, though. It won't make sense without all of the information. Enjoy the ride!
October 9, 2023
This is how it happens
We get to watch the journey in which Den and Slean move through time and manipulate the strings of fate in order to win the War and stop the apocalypse. Which is good and challenging but the problem with this book is every other scene is sex, then more sex. Its just over flowing with sex even as they were children, basically sadistic. Add in Monet and Qis and it just way over the top and disruptive of the importance of the story. I put of reading this story because I knew where we were heading and now wish that I did.
We get to watch the journey in which Den and Slean move through time and manipulate the strings of fate in order to win the War and stop the apocalypse. Which is good and challenging but the problem with this book is every other scene is sex, then more sex. Its just over flowing with sex even as they were children, basically sadistic. Add in Monet and Qis and it just way over the top and disruptive of the importance of the story. I put of reading this story because I knew where we were heading and now wish that I did.
November 15, 2022
The final book in the series and long awaited! Fantastic page turner, lovely tropes and so much more. Set up into two part this book lived up to all my expectations for a Jennifer Cody book. Absolutely love Den and Slean these two are unique and fascinating. If you have not read the previous books in the series you will be lost and confused. I do not recommend starting here. But I do recommend binge reading the entire series. What an epic end to a fantastic series!
November 15, 2022
If you like your books with a crew of characters well written, an original take in the paranormal I heartily recommend this. You need to read the three previous books and I suggest you read the Diviner`s Game series also. This is the story of Denver and his HEA. I loved both series and this is the perfect ending for them, not only well written, but I didn´t find any typos and that is rare these days.
Go and enjoy this, really
Go and enjoy this, really
November 18, 2022
Holy smokes that was a ton of wrap up and major insight of why and what, lol. Hope that makes sense. This author has yet to disappoint me with her stories. I have loved every single title. I loved how the hea went. It was definitely a long journey worth gaining family and love for. Super glad there will eventually be more books with other characters. Amazing wild series you should definitely read.
November 18, 2022
I can’t believe it’s over. I was so excited for this book and so sad to see it all finish. I need to go binge read the series from start to finish now. You will never be disappointed with this author!
This series was a whirlwind from start to finish. The character and world building is amazing. There are constant surprises. You are never sure how it’s going to end. Be prepared for a major book hangover.
This series was a whirlwind from start to finish. The character and world building is amazing. There are constant surprises. You are never sure how it’s going to end. Be prepared for a major book hangover.
December 13, 2022
have read all the installments leading up to this climatic ending!
I want to go back and reread them again!
I thought I would be lost, was contemplating making a map or family tree.. but it wasn't necessary! I enjoyed every word in this book! Jennifer is such a wonderful story teller!
I had such a mix of emotions! Took me a complete day to read it! I can't wait to read future books about this universe!
Thank you!
I want to go back and reread them again!
I thought I would be lost, was contemplating making a map or family tree.. but it wasn't necessary! I enjoyed every word in this book! Jennifer is such a wonderful story teller!
I had such a mix of emotions! Took me a complete day to read it! I can't wait to read future books about this universe!
Thank you!
March 25, 2023
tying loose strings
Not bad, though it had to do a lot of contortions to wrap the time travel story up, and shoehorn a kinky MMMM polycule into the mix.
Still not sold on the adversary, and the whole diviner game, where two a-holes who can manipulate fate use people as tokens to prove who has the best skill seems totally counter to the DS element, where consent and power exchange guide all good kinksters.
Not bad, though it had to do a lot of contortions to wrap the time travel story up, and shoehorn a kinky MMMM polycule into the mix.
Still not sold on the adversary, and the whole diviner game, where two a-holes who can manipulate fate use people as tokens to prove who has the best skill seems totally counter to the DS element, where consent and power exchange guide all good kinksters.
May 31, 2023
This book is so weird! If it's been a while since you read 1-3, you might want to re-read them first. Or re-read them after. I'm not sure which would be best. This book tells the "behind the scenes" of the other books. Kind of. That's a way to say it without spoiling anything. When the author says that the last 2/3 is less crazy than the first 1/3 - it's true. Although you still have to like your time travel complicated in the extreme.
March 4, 2024
Hoe. Lee. CRAP! Yes, more twists than a loop de loop roller coaster. Lots of sex. (I mean LOTS. All sorts, both BD and SM, whoda thunk?!) And at the same time, some parts really dragged. Did I mention this thing is hella long?? Glad I read it, but I think I'll be leaving this universe for a little while. Although I am interested to see how that kraken story goes. And who Jensen ends up with...
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