From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

A Mage's Guide to Human Familiars (R'iyah Family Archives #1)

A.J. Sherwood

Start date: April 1, 2022

Finish date: May 1, 2022

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

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Book of the Month Club

* Candidates for Next Month's Read
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What Members Thought

Jan 11, 2022 Anne Barwell rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ebook, wish-list-print-copy, mmm

I loved this m/m/m story, and wanted Bel, Nico, and Garen to get together as soon as Garen showed up on the page. They all complement each other well, and someone has to be the sane one amongst all the crazy. This was a fun read with fabulous world building and characters, and I’m already hanging out for more.

I like how different Bel, Nico, and Garen are, and how they’re all stronger and have found what they’re missing in their lives by not only being together, but having purpose and working to ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 11, 2021 ReviewerLarissa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: lgbtq-stories, series, gay-urban-fantasy, gay-paranormal-romance, omgwtfbbq-good

This book is made of awesome!

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 25, 2022 Antonella rated it liked it

2.5
The blurb sounded good, and I liked title and cover.
I didn’t like:
- the humor: the author is trying too hard to be funny, all the time;
- the repetitions: yes, I got that Bel was rejected by his first familiar, and that he has to use most of his magic to ward his eyes, and that Nico needs to run, and so on; no need to repeat those facts/scenes every now and then;
- lots of tell-don’t-show and gratuitous details;
- the boring missions;
- the gaming references;
- the cheesiness, especially in ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 24, 2022 Jordan Lombard rated it liked it

Shelves: a-own, a-own-ebook, g-fantasy, bom-jl-group, g-romance-poly, y-2022reads

A great premise, but it does need some work. I wish there’d been an editor on board for this one. I was getting info dumped with info I’d already gotten at least once, if not more. So much extra verbiage that could have been cut for a smoother, less annoying read! Also, less telling, more showing. It took me longer to read this than it should have because I was bored with the unnecessary repetition!

I’d like to know when Bel, in his 19 years, had time for a medical degree and an architectural de ...more

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Nov 09, 2021 Kate rated it it was amazing

A fun page turner!

I’m really looking forward to sequels -I hope there will be more fun, magic-in-real-world adventures to come. The premise of a human familiar works great, the logic behind the need for things to be the way they are is smooth and unobtrusive, and the three end up in a poly relationship over some necessary obstacles but without stupid misunderstandings. Gran a D-20 and roll a save to see whether this book will keep you up through the night!

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Dec 29, 2021 Didi added it

Shelves: new-to-me-author, series, comedy-humor, romance, arc-netgalley-edelweiss, men-in-uniform-law-enforcement, paranormal-shifter-supernatural, fantasy-fairy-tale-magic, alternate-universe-steampunk, mmf-mmm-multiple-partner

A mad fun and enjoyable ride. Love Bel, Gareb, and Nico and their friends. Although the alternate POVs - imho - weren’t spread equally between the men, and some of the (protagonists’) antics could be over the top, it’s an entertaining tale to follow. Looking forward to more of the guys’ adventures and shenanigans.

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May 07, 2022 Jonathan Treadway rated it it was amazing

such a fun book!

Loved the story, the humor, the angst of the three men as they tried to figure out how to be together. Can’t wait to read more stories in the series!

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