I really wanted to like this!

I saw this book recommended and immediately tried to listen to it. I know it sounds unfair to compare an author’s book to another author but I couldn’t help but notice the similarities of Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series. It’s almost like this is the MM version of Mercy Thompson series. Which that would have been an okay move. However, Sebastian’s dark cloud of self doubt and negativity was just weighing on almost every chapter of the book. It was exhausting. There was so much going on with him (even he admits it) but it was also just too much. He’d survive an awful trauma and tough upbringing. His sense of self worth is also very problematic, because he’s of mixed heritage, he calls himself a mutt and wishes he wasn’t. I didn’t like Seb’s mindset.

The world building was great. Establishing the characters were well done, however, the pacing.. it felt too slow. It was dragging. It felt like so much was all over the place. 11 hours was way too long when it felt like it was dragging so I switched back and forth between audio and the ebook. I really wanted to like this, but it’s a nope for me.

17 people found this helpful

Plot errors

I DNF this book. It intrigued me from the beginning since it has a different storyline from other mm paranormal books that could've been more urban fantasy but... it fell short in a lot of ways. There were major plot errors (were longevity, political stuff, even issues among pack) and, the MC drove me insane with his thought processes. I did not like him at all. also, there were plot points (too many of them to count actually!) that reminded me of Patricia Briggs, and that's frustrating. The flaws of this book were not on the narrator he did a great job. it was wholly the writing, unfortunately.

7 people found this helpful

uggh...

I really wanted to like this book but spending 11hrs in the MC self absorbed head is asking waaay to much. If the author has switched between Liam and Sebastian it would have been a lot easier to listen to.
I really don't get all the love, its just a REALLY bad copy of the Mercy Thomas books. so much wasn't explained or just completely glossed over. for example they don't explain how or why a werewolf basically changes into a emaciated walking corps with claws and fangs when they go mad. But the Breaking point for me is when Sebastian is literally standing there watching liam get the shit kicked out of him and all Sebastian can think about is himself. its supposed to be some touching sene where Sebastian figures out how much liam means to him but comes across as a bitch fest for how "he cant live without him" this inner monologue lasts 15min. and only stops when another character steps in.

5 people found this helpful

Most Intriguing

4 Blue Roses
4 Blue Flames

Narrator Tyler Kent ended up giving a marvelous enchanted performance. It sneaked up on me like the freaky Cheshire Cat. Bloody grinning at me from ear to ear.

“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked.

“Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cat: “we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”

“How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice.

“You must be,” said the Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.”

The narrator is new to me, I was reluctant to start listening to the audiobook, as the sound blurb did not sound very promising to me. I continued listening after a recommendation and pushed through almost white-knuckling it, but the book just got better and more interesting. He was able to give distinguishable voices to the characters. I had to increase the speed to 1.4, then when both of us got to know each other I started to spit out WTF’s, ending up being amazed by the rich unpredictable storyline. The secondary characters were well rounded and unusual. I loved the concept of the Fae and the fresh approach to shifters.

Sebastian is a pretty boy, wanted for his magic. Liam is the typical alpha shifter male, but with a softer side. He is almost too good to be true, but after I got over the cliche’ I started to like his personality and dedication to Sebastian, and all that is good.

The plot is chock-a-block full of story. Lots are happening and I will definitely listen to the next book in the series. Some of the scenes are graphic, contributing to tension and the most intriguing paranormal M/M audiobooks I heard this year, once I pushed through the rocky start.

I definitely recommend this audiobook, especially when you are in the mood for paranormal with a supernatural or magical twist.

Happy Listening

2 people found this helpful

I loved the story, new narrator did nice job

This was really good!

This is a fated mates story with a “cinderfella” feel in that Sebastian doesn’t know all his potential and Liam’s mating with Sebastian is an untapped source of power as well. There are plenty of bad guys and some guys you don’t know on which side they fall. There is some hot smexy times, but lots of gory violence.

There are some parts I didn’t love: The reference to past lovers in ways that didn’t seem to be completely “settled”. The violence. Sometimes I wasn’t always clear on the world building.

But in general I loved the magic, the romance, the fated mates, the unconscious drive towards his mate and the HEA was amazing!

I can’t wait for more from the series!

Audio

Tyler Kent is a new to me narrator and he did a nice job with this. There were some flubs and he is not as smooth as some narrators, but he did a good job with the different characters.

4 star

1 person found this helpful

What about Nicky?

I liked the overall story and characters. I am struggling with the little boy being the catalyst for Sebastians actions in saving him and moving the story along only for Seb to become SO self involved to forget all about the kid. If it’s addressed in the next book I will follow up, but its a discordant character flaw when he wanted to save the boy initially making the boy a key character only for Seb to basically not really care in the end. Also there was never any conclusive proof or reasoning why Seb automatically assumed his dad or his 2nd would be chasing him and want him dead? Like why? What’s the reasoning fear?

1 person found this helpful

Great read of a fun, sexy book!

Chockfull of plot and characters, Lissa Kasey has created a magical world in the every day that comes to life under Tyler Kent's expert narration. At nearly 12 hours, it's long... but, the length also helps submerge the listener into a world both strange and familiar at the same time. I enjoyed it immensely!

1 person found this helpful

This book is amazing

The story is long and wordy and the character does have a tendency to get side tracked with self deprecation during important moments, I can see why it wouldn't appeal to certain readers, especially older ones, and why some might find it annoying, but I didn't mind.

To me, the character feels modern with old world influences of magic and I enjoy that. This shifter universe is certainly unique and this version of a Kitsune is more original than most others.

The narration was surprisingly enthralling, easy to follow along with and did great with emotional voice inflections.

I personally can't wait until the next book in the series. I'm very excited to see what's next.

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful

This is the first time I have ever heard Tyler Kent narrate a book and he did a wonderful job. He took a book I loved to a higher level. I didn't think I could love Seb more but I did. Well worth a credit. Lissa Kasey has written another winner!

1 person found this helpful

I tried.... I really tried....

The overall concept and story was really appealing unfortunately it was poorly executed.It is almost impossible to follow the story line. just when you think there is going to be a development something random happens and we are dragged along on another overly descriptive tangent. TBH it really feels like the author took what could have been a great short story and in true high school last minute English paper form filled the pages with nonsense descriptions about things that didn't even relate to the story line he was on just to fill up space. I did follow the story to the midpoint and then gave up.