Scan barcode
mousegoddess's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Perfectly adequate, did get my emotions a bit with the epilogue.
chloeinbooksland's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.5
- 2nd: 21/05/23
2,5/5
It was excruciating. With my increased narration speed, the book was a little bit under 3hrs and so should have been a quick re-read. I kept falling asleep though and no matter at what hour I started listening (9pm or 11.30pm), I fell asleep each time after 25-30min in.
After that, I can't beleive I still will read the second book! Why, you ask? Because I need a book with "Z" in the title (and desperate times call for desperate measures!!)
- 1st: 31/01/23
2,75/5
I listened to the audiobook narrated by John York.
If you like all fluff and (very) low angst romance, this one is for you!
Unfortunately, I don’t think it was quite for me.
2,5/5
It was excruciating. With my increased narration speed, the book was a little bit under 3hrs and so should have been a quick re-read. I kept falling asleep though and no matter at what hour I started listening (9pm or 11.30pm), I fell asleep each time after 25-30min in.
After that, I can't beleive I still will read the second book! Why, you ask? Because I need a book with "Z" in the title (and desperate times call for desperate measures!!)
- 1st: 31/01/23
2,75/5
I listened to the audiobook narrated by John York.
If you like all fluff and (very) low angst romance, this one is for you!
Unfortunately, I don’t think it was quite for me.
roguesmith's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first novel from this author, I was in the mood for something paranormal and as this was the first of a series I thought I'd pick it up and give it a go. I didn't realise it was part of a shared universe though, and while I did enjoy it going in I was more than a little lost at times and had to keep going back to see if I'd missed something (I didn't, but I just felt like it was assumed I should know how this book world should work).
I really liked this book at the start, I was intrigued by Max and Kym - the whole thing about Max being a soul collector and from another realm was great, I loved getting to know him and his world and the people in it. I do feel like some have appeared in other books already though, it felt established and I did think I missed out a little not being familiar with this world already. I loved the idea of Max being supernatural police almost, and looking after Kym in the aftermath of what happened to his Uncle.
I liked Kym too at the start, he took no nonsense and he came across as such a strong character, I loved the initial interactions between him and Max and them getting to know each other. I was so looking forward to finding out about Kym and his magic and what he was or could do.
It moved along at a great pace and I was there with it, I couldn't wait to get back to it to see what happened next. But I was kind of disappointed in the final third of the book. The ending was a bit of a disappointment too, it just kind of ... stopped. I realise it's an ongoing series so the mystery will continue in the next one but I felt unfulfilled with it all. I also wasn't a fan of Kym instantly dropping everything in his life after a couple of weeks just to go be with Max, honestly that's a pet hate of mine, one character walking away from their life they love just for someone else on a whim, almost. I was also a little disappointed that the whole driving thread of the story at the start was what happened to Kym's uncle, (that's why Max was there in the first place, after all), and Kym's desire to see his uncle again in the afterworld was part of why he went there in the first place. Then it all happened off the page, almost brushed aside and I felt a little cheated, got to be honest.
It seemed like that thread was dropped in favour of the children and Mistvale and I was a little disappointed but overall I enjoyed the book enough that I will likely pick up the next one as I kind of want to know what's behind everything that happened.
I received an ARC from GRR and this is my honest review.
I really liked this book at the start, I was intrigued by Max and Kym - the whole thing about Max being a soul collector and from another realm was great, I loved getting to know him and his world and the people in it. I do feel like some have appeared in other books already though, it felt established and I did think I missed out a little not being familiar with this world already. I loved the idea of Max being supernatural police almost, and looking after Kym in the aftermath of what happened to his Uncle.
I liked Kym too at the start, he took no nonsense and he came across as such a strong character, I loved the initial interactions between him and Max and them getting to know each other. I was so looking forward to finding out about Kym and his magic and what he was or could do.
It moved along at a great pace and I was there with it, I couldn't wait to get back to it to see what happened next. But I was kind of disappointed in the final third of the book. The ending was a bit of a disappointment too, it just kind of ... stopped. I realise it's an ongoing series so the mystery will continue in the next one but I felt unfulfilled with it all. I also wasn't a fan of Kym instantly dropping everything in his life after a couple of weeks just to go be with Max, honestly that's a pet hate of mine, one character walking away from their life they love just for someone else on a whim, almost. I was also a little disappointed that the whole driving thread of the story at the start was what happened to Kym's uncle, (that's why Max was there in the first place, after all), and Kym's desire to see his uncle again in the afterworld was part of why he went there in the first place. Then it all happened off the page, almost brushed aside and I felt a little cheated, got to be honest.
It seemed like that thread was dropped in favour of the children and Mistvale and I was a little disappointed but overall I enjoyed the book enough that I will likely pick up the next one as I kind of want to know what's behind everything that happened.
I received an ARC from GRR and this is my honest review.
xanthe87's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first book from the paranormal universe that Stella has created and I'll definitely be checking out the other series that include some of the characters that appear in this one (Fate's Gambit, Mages of Ravenshire, Misfits of Mistvale).
I enjoyed how there is a slightly different look on Otherworld which is where souls go after death and then either go on to Afterworld, stay in Otherworld to work off their sins, or the truly awful go down into the Chasm forever. Maximus is a team leader of soul collectors and has been keeping an eye on Kym since his uncle died several months ago in suspicious circumstances. He's not as sneaky as he thinks as Kym has noticed him and soon confronts him. It's a roller-coaster ride from there as Kym needs protection, Maximus works to keep him safe whilst introducing him to this whole new supernatural world, and investigating/trying to save a group of missing children that's possibly involved with an ongoing case. You can feel the weight that Maximus carries when it comes to his work and finding those responsible for the missing children as well as an ongoing case that I think will span the series. I enjoyed the relationship between Maximus and Kym, they have fun and light moments that balance out the dark moments that they experience in the story. Kym is quick to accept the different world that he gets pulled into and I was expecting more time/thinking about his best friend considering the talk of how close they are but it was good how well he fit into the family and group of soul collectors and it will be interesting to see how he develops.
This story has a good mix of sweet, heated, action, drama, and quality time with family and friends. I enjoyed the different take on the supernatural world that Maximus is from, portraying demons, "the devil", heaven and hell in a different light. There is a real sense of found family among the group and I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the Lords of Otherworld finding their mates, especially Zane who's mate we glimpse in this book.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
I enjoyed how there is a slightly different look on Otherworld which is where souls go after death and then either go on to Afterworld, stay in Otherworld to work off their sins, or the truly awful go down into the Chasm forever. Maximus is a team leader of soul collectors and has been keeping an eye on Kym since his uncle died several months ago in suspicious circumstances. He's not as sneaky as he thinks as Kym has noticed him and soon confronts him. It's a roller-coaster ride from there as Kym needs protection, Maximus works to keep him safe whilst introducing him to this whole new supernatural world, and investigating/trying to save a group of missing children that's possibly involved with an ongoing case. You can feel the weight that Maximus carries when it comes to his work and finding those responsible for the missing children as well as an ongoing case that I think will span the series. I enjoyed the relationship between Maximus and Kym, they have fun and light moments that balance out the dark moments that they experience in the story. Kym is quick to accept the different world that he gets pulled into and I was expecting more time/thinking about his best friend considering the talk of how close they are but it was good how well he fit into the family and group of soul collectors and it will be interesting to see how he develops.
This story has a good mix of sweet, heated, action, drama, and quality time with family and friends. I enjoyed the different take on the supernatural world that Maximus is from, portraying demons, "the devil", heaven and hell in a different light. There is a real sense of found family among the group and I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the Lords of Otherworld finding their mates, especially Zane who's mate we glimpse in this book.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
jessie_h's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
I really really wish that authors (especially KU authors) would put a note in the front of book like this simply saying, "This is the first book of a spin-off of a spin-off series. Book x is where you should start with this book universe." Despite being thrown into a well-established universe with no explanation, I enjoyed this book. I probably would have enjoyed it better if I had read the previous series this one is a spin-off of but what can you do. I'm intrigued enough to back up and read the previous series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Sexual content, Stalking, Violence, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
aligroen's review
3.0
This was an interesting story and while I am interested in seeing what continues to happen I often felt like I was missing information as I didn't know this was a spin-off of another series I had not read. Maximus and Kym were great for each other and I liked their relationship. Though at times it felt like the book was dragging on and it wasn't keeping my attention.
vicki_williams's review
4.0
I wasn’t aware that this was a spin off series until I’d started reading but it didn’t detract from this book at all - no moments of confusion, just interest in the characters.
Maximus and Kym are really likeable main characters who are fated mates. Maximus is a soul collector from Otherworld who appears intimidating but is actually a bit of a softie. Kym is a tattoo artist, loves a bit of lace and very quickly gets his head around the whole fated mates, other realms information when told. The chemistry between them is fairly obvious and they soon get together as fated mates do.
The overall story arc is a good versus evil scenario which I gathered is connected to the previous series. All works out in this instalment but the battle is far from over and there’s some very interesting side characters left to get their own HEA. This is a very enjoyable read with great characters and the world building is very well done.
Maximus and Kym are really likeable main characters who are fated mates. Maximus is a soul collector from Otherworld who appears intimidating but is actually a bit of a softie. Kym is a tattoo artist, loves a bit of lace and very quickly gets his head around the whole fated mates, other realms information when told. The chemistry between them is fairly obvious and they soon get together as fated mates do.
The overall story arc is a good versus evil scenario which I gathered is connected to the previous series. All works out in this instalment but the battle is far from over and there’s some very interesting side characters left to get their own HEA. This is a very enjoyable read with great characters and the world building is very well done.
moonechika's review against another edition
3.0
i like how its soulmates, yet not insta love. it actually took some time, even though it felt lacking, in terms of "pursuing."
this felt... like ykno, you ate a free buffet, you're so full, but you still want to eat more.. yes yes. i was too full with information and i was introduced to 18 characters for the first 30 pages, and 15± characters at 80%. and they all seemed.. so important, I HAD TO remember them, it was exhausting but i can't put it down, i was even taking notes! ((i honestly felt if i wasn't cramped so badly at the start, it would be more enjoyable.)) it felt like... not only characters wise, but the author was trying to fit in every thing into this story. it.. felt crowded.. too much.
- Kym wearing lace and makeups, but.. his insecurities wasn't brought up to Max at all?
- why does he have to cut off Killian? why cant they just maintain a... far distant rs like how its been?
- i wanted to experience a reunion with Ichiro and Kym..
also.. Nox... my heart is just breaking for him :(
this felt... like ykno, you ate a free buffet, you're so full, but you still want to eat more.. yes yes. i was too full with information and i was introduced to 18 characters for the first 30 pages, and 15± characters at 80%. and they all seemed.. so important, I HAD TO remember them, it was exhausting but i can't put it down, i was even taking notes! ((i honestly felt if i wasn't cramped so badly at the start, it would be more enjoyable.)) it felt like... not only characters wise, but the author was trying to fit in every thing into this story. it.. felt crowded.. too much.
Spoiler
things that... (are they important?)- Kym wearing lace and makeups, but.. his insecurities wasn't brought up to Max at all?
- why does he have to cut off Killian? why cant they just maintain a... far distant rs like how its been?
- i wanted to experience a reunion with Ichiro and Kym..
also.. Nox... my heart is just breaking for him :(
mal_bookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
Wait...what? That's all I thought for the first couple of chapters then just gave up.
Look, it's a great premise. Characters are fun.
How'm'ever....there's obviously more books that crossover with this one. And as a reader who wants the full world building experience that would have been great to know in the blurb.
So, if you've read the other books by this other, I'm sure you're going to enjoy this.
If you haven't...well turn around bestie and go back to the beginning or you're going to be throwing your kindle across the room. And in this economy, who can afford that?
Look, it's a great premise. Characters are fun.
How'm'ever....there's obviously more books that crossover with this one. And as a reader who wants the full world building experience that would have been great to know in the blurb.
So, if you've read the other books by this other, I'm sure you're going to enjoy this.
If you haven't...well turn around bestie and go back to the beginning or you're going to be throwing your kindle across the room. And in this economy, who can afford that?
snakeyghost's review against another edition
3.0
RTC but I quite enjoyed this one, it had all of the flavours that I love in a book but sadly I just had a hard time getting into the book. It felt like I was missing a lot of background information about the book’s story, as this is set in another series that I haven’t read yet, so it was a little confusing to follow through the story for me. And there was a little too much telling for me, I wish I was shown what happened more often. But I did have a fun time reading this book and the romance was quite sweet.
I received a copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
I received a copy of this book, and this is my honest review.