Rhapsodic (The Bargainer #1) by Laura Thalassa - Restarting April 4th 2022

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear.

Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want... at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.

But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Callie finds the fae king of the night in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s just a chaste kiss—a single bead’s worth—and a promise for more.

For the Bargainer, it’s more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to their breast. And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that’s been awoken.

If the Bargainer has any hope to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. Only, his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one.

[Dannii]

I'd love to join you for this one :)

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

21% (view spoiler)[I swear so many books lately have had a siren heroine. Honestly for Callie it doesn't seem to control her like most. Can't believe she has like 300+ favors though smh (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

62% (view spoiler)[Aww look at the big bad Bargainer watching Harry Potter with her while snuggling. I really think she's something special to him and he's just not letting on. There's no other reason someone like him would stick around her life like that. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

79% (view spoiler)[OMG he brought her to the prom, how sweet. Don't get why she has 0 friends though aside from him. I mean not one? (at least while she was young, I know she has Temper now) (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Finished (view spoiler)[This was good. So glad there was no cliffy. I knew she was something 'more' to him. And holy hell I did not see her being the reason for him staying away so long. I really thought it was some chivalrous act on his part wanting her to experience life and live a bit before claiming her. But damn she caused this by saying what she did. Love that. Curious how the rest will play out. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

I'm going to start this one the weekend. I look forward to catching up with your thoughts :) Do you think you'll continue on with the series?

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Dannii wrote: "I'm going to start this one the weekend. I look forward to catching up with your thoughts :) Do you think you'll continue on with the series?"

Most certainly, it was a very good read and I'm curious where the author will take it. Really different and totally not what I expected. It wasn't a cliffhanger end so while I do want to read more there's not that urgent I'm gonna die feeling lol.

[Autumn]

30%
(view spoiler)[ I can't wait for the plot to unravel. The women and babies in the glass coffins, and why Desmond became the Bargainer. I hope Temper is involved in the book because I loveeee her. (hide spoiler)]

[Autumn]

50%
(view spoiler)[ Oooo vampire like children, a man with antlers, and a ex-boyfriend werewolf trying to claim Callie. So much drama lol (hide spoiler)]

[Autumn]

74%
(view spoiler)[ I'm so intrigued on who the villain is, and I love the anticipation of Callie and Desmond together. The sexual tension is HEAVY (hide spoiler)]

[Autumn]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ I should've picked it up earlier when they mentioned the MAD KING. Ugh lol. I really hope the girl Callie was talking to in the prison is alive and shows up :((( (hide spoiler)]

[Autumn]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "62% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yeah, the past POV chapters were so adorable and really showed a different side of Desmond. I respected him tremendously when they kissed and he stopped since she was young (even though she's legally an adult in the magical world).

I think he hung out with her because she was relentless and broke his walls down. (hide spoiler)]

[Autumn]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yeah! I didn't really understand why specifically seven years was the cut off before he could see her again. But, I did like that they were separated as Callie needed to grow into her own person and made her independent. I hate when the main character is dependent on another person for everythingggg (hide spoiler)]

[Autumn]

I'm totally ready for the second book whenever Dannii finishes it :)

[Dannii]

You guys are so speedy and your ratings have me eager to jump into this one soon. I'll finish up my current read and start this one tonight. I feel sure I'll enjoy it as it has been compared to ACOTAR so much (or at least Rhysand from the series) so should be good to continue on with the series if/whenever you want to :)

[Dannii]

Okay, I'm starting this one now :)

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Autumn wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "62% [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, the past POV chapters were so adorable and really showed a different side of Desmond. I respected him tremendously when they kissed and he stop..."

Relentless is right lol. (view spoiler)[The flashbacks worked out really well especially the way past and present lined up so really showcase their relationship. I hate when we’re supposed to just accept characters have a past together but no context. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Autumn wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Yeah she definitely lived her life well and (view spoiler)[without him for awhile and did become independent. The seven years doesn’t really make sense but I’m just glad it was another reason than him just doing it for some lame reason. Her being the one at fault was shocking and all that time she had no idea lol oops. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Dannii wrote: "Okay, I'm starting this one now :)"

Enjoy. Can’t wait to see if u feel the same as us 🤓🧐

[Dannii]

First quarter - (view spoiler)[This is such an easy book to fly through. I usually prefer more traditional and medieval fantasy settings to urban ones, but I'm enjoying this one, so far. There seems to be a large power imbalance going on, which I am dubious about but I can totally see the Rhysand comparisons! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "21% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ For me it's the exact opposite as i can only recall a handful of siren books I've read, and they were read years ago. It's interesting how she isn't totally associated with the sea (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Autumn wrote: "30%
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(view spoiler)[That was such a grim scene to envusage! I'm hoping for more Temper, too (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Autumn wrote: "50%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I loved how inventive this was with the fantastical/supernatural beings! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "62% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I was dubious about the age and power difference between them initially but the author did a really good job of introducing different sides to their characters and not making the entirety of their relationship sexual. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

Such a great, tense ending!

[Dannii]

Final thoughts - (view spoiler)[I planned to update quarterly, like I usually do, but binged through the last three quarters whilst lying in bed last night instead, lol.

I didn't quite love this as much as I thought I would and I can't really pinpoint why. I think the brooding sexual tension got old pretty quickly for me (which is odd as this was the whole reason why I wanted to read the series) and I started to way prefer the scenes that showed Desmond and Callie's sweeter sides together. The author did a great job of showing their vulnerabilities and not just creating Desmond as this impenetrable night king.

I also really liked the throwback scenes to eight yeas ago as it made me root for their relationship even more.

I really enjoyed Temper and Callie's job descriptions, as well, and could happily read a whole series or a string of short stories that follow them on the jobs they undertake and the bad guys they put under their spells. They were a great duo!

I really can't find anything to truly fault with this book and yet it ended it feeling a little 'meh' and not as eager to dive into the rest of the series as I thought I would be. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Dannii wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "21% [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[That's a good point about the sea though, I didn't even stop to think about that. I just kept wondering if she sang lol. Her love of sex though read more like a succubus than a siren but I didn't care lol (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Dannii wrote: "Final thoughts - I planned to update quarterly, like I usually do, but binged through the last three quarters whilst lying in bed last night instead, lol.

I didn't quite love this as much as I tho..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah there isn't that urgent need to read on even though I want to as well. I think the flashbacks actually helped the book for me as it built their characters and at least gave us insight into their relationship. I do hope we get more of her and her BFF, the idea of them running a PI business sounds like a book all on it's own lol (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Dannii wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "21% [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I've never heard of a succubus before but I just looked them up and I want to read ALL the books about them! I liked how the author created a siren recognisable from folklore, but also her own unique creation by distancing her from the sea. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Dannii wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Dannii wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "21% [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Lol wish I could think of a good one with some succubi but I'm blanking. The author really did make it her own interpretation. And who knows maybe next books she'll explore her siren side more especially if they spend more time in the Otherworld. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

I did a quick Google and all I could find for fiction featuring succubus is Treasure Box and Storm Front. I kinda really want to read them both, now.

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Dannii wrote: "I did a quick Google and all I could find for fiction featuring succubus is Treasure Box and Storm Front. I kinda really want to read them both, now."

I’ve heard of the Dresden Files, actually read books by his wife but never checked this series out. Here are a few diff. lists if you wanna check them out. https://www.goodreads.com/genres/succ... I think the ones I’ve read recently were reverse harem so not sure if that’s your thing but now watch your gonna find succubi and sirens everywhere lol

[Dannii]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I did a quick Google and all I could find for fiction featuring succubus is Treasure Box and Storm Front. I kinda really want to read them both, now."

I’ve..."

Thank you so much! I don't think I've ever read any reverse harem as well as any succubus fiction so it'll be interesting to check them both out :)

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

31%

(view spoiler)[ this is interesting so far. i like the feel of the writing and I'm liking how it's not sweet and fluffy. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

51%

(view spoiler)[ The humor is good in this. Please don't make him into a coat, this part cracked me up. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

83%

(view spoiler)[ Well that soul mates and wish talk was nice and sweet. I can't believe she never figured it out. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Finished

(view spoiler)[ I liked this. It was a good story and I like the way she had to endure heart ache to get the ever lasting love part. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "62% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ yeah i think she has to know somewhere that he likes her and as a potter fan I did squeal at this part. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "79% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yeah I didn't notice that until i read your comment but it is always him and no one else really. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Autumn wrote: "50%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ yeah I felt at times she was didn't really notice other people around her at times. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Autumn wrote: "Finished
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yeah I want to read more to see what happens next. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Dannii wrote: "Final thoughts - I planned to update quarterly, like I usually do, but binged through the last three quarters whilst lying in bed last night instead, lol.

I didn't quite love this as much as I tho..."


(view spoiler)[ yeah I think the author did a good job of making the characters relatable more then cold hearted. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "51%

[spoilers removed]"

It did have great moments of witty banter. I love characters who can drily interact like these two.

[Danique]

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Date changed. Restarting April 19th 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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[Danique]

7%
I am enjoying this so much!!
(view spoiler)[ I don’t know if you’ve ever read A Court of Thorns and Roses, but I just realized that Ded reminds me sooo much of Rhys! He’s the King of the Night (Rhys was the lord of the nightcourt), he had bat wings (just like the guys from the inner circle), she said something about his wingspan (teehee) and he makes bargains with people and gives them tattoos for it! It’s like the same person lol (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

26%
(view spoiler)[ I love the throwbacks, because it’s sloooowly showing ya their past. The banter between Des and Callie is great, I’m loving it! He’s clearly into her, can’t believe that she doesn’t realize it (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

46%
Last update for the night hihi
(view spoiler)[ Those children.. holy crap they were scary. Damn, I’m not looking forward to meeting this Thief of Souls, if his spawn is this bloody scary. Great, good luck to me after reading such a greaaaat chapter to go to sleep. Please don’t kill me in my sleep you scary things.
Also, I feel like the pixies and his whole kingdom realized she’ll probably be his queen or something, they all seemed so excited to me. The way he treats her; it just screams mate in my opinion aaaah (hide spoiler)]

[njumpty]

15%

(view spoiler)[ I'm on chapter 5 and I like what I've read so far. The flashback scenes were cute and I like how it shows the contrast between the interactions with Dez and past Callie versus Dez and the present Callie. I'm kinda curious to know what happened that made Dez leave for 7 years. Like why so long?

I love that he takes her out to a furniture store of all places. I wonder if Dez plans to give that guest bedroom to her.

also:

Dez: "don't ruin your life owing me."
Callie: (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Njumpty wrote: "15%
[spoilers removed]."

Exactly! Can’t wait to find out what happend. I am laughing way too hard at your professor layton pic hahaha😂