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mattdoylemedia's review against another edition
5.0
I’m a fan of Urban Fantasy. I tend to like the mash-up of a modern setting with older mythologies, as it makes those old fantastical stories seem more current and real. I also really enjoyed E.M. Hamill’s previous title, Dali. As such, I went into this one with high hopes. In short, I wasn’t disappointed.
E.M. Hamill’s writing is as smooth as ever, and the move from a science fiction setting to something more contemporary is handled with ease. And all the while drawing on what must have been a hefty amount of research into all manner of deities. From Christianity to the Greek pantheon, the Fae to the Sidhe, they all make an appearance in one for another. While given a new lick of paint to fit the modern world they venture into, each has clear motivations that tie into their roots too. I think that what perhaps impressed me the most though was the way that the large cast was dealt with. Sure, some characters get more time on page than others, but each one has a distinct feel to them. Even when dealing with deities that you don’t have major knowledge of, you get a real sense of their current state of mind and goals. The revelation of their origins was also fun.
In terms of the characters we get to spend the most time with, I was happy to see our protagonist Callie being so likable. She starts the book on the run and stumbles into a mysterious bar in an effort to escape the monster that’s hunting her. Through the course of the book, we get plenty of little glimpses into her life, and the way she adapts to her changing situation feels natural. She’s upbeat, and willing to throw caution aside when needed, but not without doubts and worries.
Her romantic interest, Florian, is also an interesting one to get to grips with. His backstory leaves him trapped within the confines of the bar, but also unaged from the day of his incarceration. He’s far older than Callie, but due to the aging part of his sentence, they fit well as a couple. He’s sweet in the way he approaches romance. That he’s more than capable of keeping his otherworldly patrons in check is an added bonus.
And of course, who doesn’t love a good Puck? The trickster is present throughout the novel and plays a fairly large part in the overall arc. Here, Hamill presents him in a way that balances out the positives of his personality with the potential negative edge to the way he naturally behaves.
In terms of the story, how much you enjoy it will depend entirely on how you feel about Urban Fantasy as a genre. We get a scene-setting opening, then a lot of world-building, and finally a quick build to a more frenetic ending. Throughout the book, the romance builds steadily, and we get an HFN for the couple. As a fan of the genre, I enjoyed it, but if you prefer your books to be fast paced and action heavy, this won’t necessarily be your cup of tea. From a personal standpoint though, the only real criticism I have is that Florian wasn’t aware that his bisexuality would be better received now than in his days of freedom. His bar is always full of deities that walk among the world, and he knows who they’ve taken the form of, so I kinda figured he’d understand some of the changes in the outside world. This is a minor gripe though, and one that is more than balanced out by the interesting use of the various Gods instead of the standard vampires and shifters.
In all, this is a book that fits well within the Urban Fantasy genre and has a really interesting premise to boot. Throw in a likable lead and you’ve got a fun read. This is an easy 5 out of 5.
E.M. Hamill’s writing is as smooth as ever, and the move from a science fiction setting to something more contemporary is handled with ease. And all the while drawing on what must have been a hefty amount of research into all manner of deities. From Christianity to the Greek pantheon, the Fae to the Sidhe, they all make an appearance in one for another. While given a new lick of paint to fit the modern world they venture into, each has clear motivations that tie into their roots too. I think that what perhaps impressed me the most though was the way that the large cast was dealt with. Sure, some characters get more time on page than others, but each one has a distinct feel to them. Even when dealing with deities that you don’t have major knowledge of, you get a real sense of their current state of mind and goals. The revelation of their origins was also fun.
In terms of the characters we get to spend the most time with, I was happy to see our protagonist Callie being so likable. She starts the book on the run and stumbles into a mysterious bar in an effort to escape the monster that’s hunting her. Through the course of the book, we get plenty of little glimpses into her life, and the way she adapts to her changing situation feels natural. She’s upbeat, and willing to throw caution aside when needed, but not without doubts and worries.
Her romantic interest, Florian, is also an interesting one to get to grips with. His backstory leaves him trapped within the confines of the bar, but also unaged from the day of his incarceration. He’s far older than Callie, but due to the aging part of his sentence, they fit well as a couple. He’s sweet in the way he approaches romance. That he’s more than capable of keeping his otherworldly patrons in check is an added bonus.
And of course, who doesn’t love a good Puck? The trickster is present throughout the novel and plays a fairly large part in the overall arc. Here, Hamill presents him in a way that balances out the positives of his personality with the potential negative edge to the way he naturally behaves.
In terms of the story, how much you enjoy it will depend entirely on how you feel about Urban Fantasy as a genre. We get a scene-setting opening, then a lot of world-building, and finally a quick build to a more frenetic ending. Throughout the book, the romance builds steadily, and we get an HFN for the couple. As a fan of the genre, I enjoyed it, but if you prefer your books to be fast paced and action heavy, this won’t necessarily be your cup of tea. From a personal standpoint though, the only real criticism I have is that Florian wasn’t aware that his bisexuality would be better received now than in his days of freedom. His bar is always full of deities that walk among the world, and he knows who they’ve taken the form of, so I kinda figured he’d understand some of the changes in the outside world. This is a minor gripe though, and one that is more than balanced out by the interesting use of the various Gods instead of the standard vampires and shifters.
In all, this is a book that fits well within the Urban Fantasy genre and has a really interesting premise to boot. Throw in a likable lead and you’ve got a fun read. This is an easy 5 out of 5.
iam's review against another edition
DNF @ 31%
This sadly failed to engage me at all. The premise, characters and plot all felt predictable and like something I've seen before. I tried getting back into it several times and just... couldn't. Might pick it up again sometime in the future, but for now I'm putting it on hold
This sadly failed to engage me at all. The premise, characters and plot all felt predictable and like something I've seen before. I tried getting back into it several times and just... couldn't. Might pick it up again sometime in the future, but for now I'm putting it on hold
nikkiethereader's review against another edition
5.0
My boyfriend and I listened to this together. I was originally intending to listen to it alone, but I listened to it for a bit without headphones and he loved what he was hearing. We started it over so we could hear it all together. Therefore, I'm giving him permission to have this review on his page. Especially since we are writing it together.
He feels that it was incredible that the only actual god in the book was Hera. The rest of the gods aren't actually gods. They are aliens. He felt that made the story very unique. I loved the take on the whole thing. It reminded me of two series that I have read before that I rather enjoyed.
The story was the perfect balance of serious and suspenseful and hilarious. There was romance in it, but it didn't overshadow the actual point of the story. That's really refreshing. It was a very clean book. I think that's something my boyfriend liked best of all!
Overall, we fully recommend. I'm not sure if I've listened to this narrator before, but either way, she was fantastic! I was very impressed with her. I believe my boyfriend was too.
He feels that it was incredible that the only actual god in the book was Hera. The rest of the gods aren't actually gods. They are aliens. He felt that made the story very unique. I loved the take on the whole thing. It reminded me of two series that I have read before that I rather enjoyed.
The story was the perfect balance of serious and suspenseful and hilarious. There was romance in it, but it didn't overshadow the actual point of the story. That's really refreshing. It was a very clean book. I think that's something my boyfriend liked best of all!
Overall, we fully recommend. I'm not sure if I've listened to this narrator before, but either way, she was fantastic! I was very impressed with her. I believe my boyfriend was too.
anexuberantraccoon's review against another edition
4.0
Unique, fun, and full of twists and thrills. Weaving together mythology, current religion, and aspects of light sci-fi, Nectar and Ambrosia will take you on an adventure like none you've experienced before. And then? You’ll want more.
Plot
You’re thrown into this world without any knowledge or preconceptions. Luckily for us, so is Callie. Being able to learn the ropes with the protagonist was a massive bonus, and helped things feel natural instead of info-dumpy.
Considering the scale of this piece, pacing novel should have been difficult. Hamill made it look easy. There’s time for mystery, tension, and breathless attempts to halt the apocalypse, but there’s also time for love and laughter. I was always itching for the next clue or a deeper glimpse of the characters. It draws you in and doesn’t let go until the final words.
Setting
The world in Nectar and Ambrosia is beautiful and ornate. I already want to return to Florian’s bar and mingle with its immortal patrons. Everything here was crafted with love and attention; details made the piece shine and brought the characters to life in a rich, satisfying way.
Characters
Like everything else in this novel, characters were created with considerable care. I loved so many gods, so many Sidhe, so many. Even ones that were questionable. Even ones I knew I shouldn’t. I would read individual stories about them all right now. Florian also stole my heart immediately—his quiet and caring nature made me long for an inter-dimensional hug. I wish I had more time with some of the side characters. I realize the cast was large and the plot was a tall order. Perhaps I'm greedy, but I blame Hamill for making me attach to them in the first place.
Strangely, the only one I had trouble connecting to was Callie. This felt like a very “it’s me, not the book” type of situation. All the aspects were there, all the details and character building, but I couldn’t align with her as wholly as I often do. I finally grew more attached as the book went on, and I have a feeling we’ll fit together better if there’s a sequel. Who knows why brains work the way they do? Mine’s a mystery.
It feels very difficult to discuss aspects of this piece without giving things away. Every character and set piece has its role, every scene and interaction. Sometimes I forget about the subtle Chekhov’s Gun aspect of Hamill’s work, but that’s probably her intention, isn’t? Just trust me on this: Nectar and Ambrosia will transport you somewhere amazing, and when it’s over you’re going to want to go back. If you’re having trouble believing me, Hamill offers the first three chapters for free on her site. Go, be convinced.
Plot
You’re thrown into this world without any knowledge or preconceptions. Luckily for us, so is Callie. Being able to learn the ropes with the protagonist was a massive bonus, and helped things feel natural instead of info-dumpy.
Considering the scale of this piece, pacing novel should have been difficult. Hamill made it look easy. There’s time for mystery, tension, and breathless attempts to halt the apocalypse, but there’s also time for love and laughter. I was always itching for the next clue or a deeper glimpse of the characters. It draws you in and doesn’t let go until the final words.
Setting
The world in Nectar and Ambrosia is beautiful and ornate. I already want to return to Florian’s bar and mingle with its immortal patrons. Everything here was crafted with love and attention; details made the piece shine and brought the characters to life in a rich, satisfying way.
Characters
Like everything else in this novel, characters were created with considerable care. I loved so many gods, so many Sidhe, so many. Even ones that were questionable. Even ones I knew I shouldn’t. I would read individual stories about them all right now. Florian also stole my heart immediately—his quiet and caring nature made me long for an inter-dimensional hug. I wish I had more time with some of the side characters. I realize the cast was large and the plot was a tall order. Perhaps I'm greedy, but I blame Hamill for making me attach to them in the first place.
Strangely, the only one I had trouble connecting to was Callie. This felt like a very “it’s me, not the book” type of situation. All the aspects were there, all the details and character building, but I couldn’t align with her as wholly as I often do. I finally grew more attached as the book went on, and I have a feeling we’ll fit together better if there’s a sequel. Who knows why brains work the way they do? Mine’s a mystery.
It feels very difficult to discuss aspects of this piece without giving things away. Every character and set piece has its role, every scene and interaction. Sometimes I forget about the subtle Chekhov’s Gun aspect of Hamill’s work, but that’s probably her intention, isn’t? Just trust me on this: Nectar and Ambrosia will transport you somewhere amazing, and when it’s over you’re going to want to go back. If you’re having trouble believing me, Hamill offers the first three chapters for free on her site. Go, be convinced.
catsluvcoffee's review against another edition
4.0
Nectar and Ambrosia starts out pretty simply for urban fantasy. Callie, our protagonist, is fleeing home to protect her family from a monster that only she can hear or see. Pushed onward by her intuition, she finds a help wanted sign in the window of a building that looks abandoned.
"If you can read this, find the door."
When she stumbles through the door in terror, she realizes that she has found sanctuary, at least for the time being. The proprietor immediately gives her the job and a place to stay. There's more going on than she realizes though, and she will quickly see that it's quite another world inside.
Read more at Cats Luv Coffee
"If you can read this, find the door."
When she stumbles through the door in terror, she realizes that she has found sanctuary, at least for the time being. The proprietor immediately gives her the job and a place to stay. There's more going on than she realizes though, and she will quickly see that it's quite another world inside.
Read more at Cats Luv Coffee
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