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magikspells's review against another edition
4.0
This series is a pretty wide swing from the Parasol Protectorate and Finishing School series, but I actually really enjoyed it. Overall, it is very fluffy, but the characters are all dynamic, even the background characters feel like real people and not props. I'm still having trouble with some of the mythology with the mages and how that works, but hopefully the other books can expand on that some.
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
3.0
3 Stars
Look. I absolutely adored the [b:The 5th Gender|44554614|The 5th Gender (Tinkered Stars, #1)|G.L. Carriger|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553125392l/44554614._SY75_.jpg|66444756], and this is a very good MM romance with very little fault to it. I think it will be liked by many people (and already has) because it’s got plenty of goodies. There’s different kinds of mages, shifters, and other creatures. There’s werewolf packs and a fated mates trope with lots of varied smexy, all of which was well put together.
However, and I mean this in the nicest way, the obstacles that present themselves as challenges for Max and Brian were just… too simple, or I guess to myself, these types of roadblocks I’ve seen done many times in my very long history of reading both supernatural/paranormal/urban fantasy MF and MM, sooooo the miscommunication, the no communication, the assumptions galore and self sacrifice when no sacrifice was ever needed, just did not titillate me as much as it might've done so in the past.
Points for snark and banter and a good audible narration by Kirt Graves, this was very reminiscent of Carriger’s MF steampunk series that I enjoyed eons ago, both having a good amount of fun and lightness with this having some dark undertones of abuse and homophobia.
Again, many have loved this and no doubt will continue to do so with this series and with obvious good reasons. Sadly, my world just wasn’t as rocked as I wanted it to be.
Look. I absolutely adored the [b:The 5th Gender|44554614|The 5th Gender (Tinkered Stars, #1)|G.L. Carriger|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553125392l/44554614._SY75_.jpg|66444756], and this is a very good MM romance with very little fault to it. I think it will be liked by many people (and already has) because it’s got plenty of goodies. There’s different kinds of mages, shifters, and other creatures. There’s werewolf packs and a fated mates trope with lots of varied smexy, all of which was well put together.
However, and I mean this in the nicest way, the obstacles that present themselves as challenges for Max and Brian were just… too simple, or I guess to myself, these types of roadblocks I’ve seen done many times in my very long history of reading both supernatural/paranormal/urban fantasy MF and MM, sooooo the miscommunication, the no communication, the assumptions galore and self sacrifice when no sacrifice was ever needed, just did not titillate me as much as it might've done so in the past.
Points for snark and banter and a good audible narration by Kirt Graves, this was very reminiscent of Carriger’s MF steampunk series that I enjoyed eons ago, both having a good amount of fun and lightness with this having some dark undertones of abuse and homophobia.
Again, many have loved this and no doubt will continue to do so with this series and with obvious good reasons. Sadly, my world just wasn’t as rocked as I wanted it to be.
sofia_santana's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jessicainanook's review against another edition
5.0
I love a good paranormal romance. It's surprisingly hard to find. This was so much fun. I am in love with the San Andreas Pack. I need books for everyone.
thought_ballune's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
capnlinnius's review against another edition
2.0
2/5 because I've read all of these tropes before. Such a let-down.
Standard ABO-story, so if you've been involved in fandom you've probably seen this a million times. And if you've read any urban fantasy/paranormal/supernatural romance, you've met all of these characters before. It's not bad, but it was smooth sailing, the conflicts were more like speed bumps at low speed, the twists were predictable almost from the get-go, and I didn't jive with the majority of the cast.
I'm certain a lot of people will like this, even love this! But for me, it was forgettable.
Standard ABO-story, so if you've been involved in fandom you've probably seen this a million times. And if you've read any urban fantasy/paranormal/supernatural romance, you've met all of these characters before. It's not bad, but it was smooth sailing, the conflicts were more like speed bumps at low speed, the twists were predictable almost from the get-go, and I didn't jive with the majority of the cast.
I'm certain a lot of people will like this, even love this! But for me, it was forgettable.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
A mage with an attitude, a biker werewolf, sparks fly, what could possibly go wrong? :P
So first up, this is one of my first true M/M adult books. I have read the prequel story for this one (about Bigg and Bryan). I also read a ton of Yaoi/shounen-ai. Though nothing could have prepared me for this one. :P I am still a bit, well, unsure about reading sex scenes, especially graphic ones. Not because I am prude (well, OK, a bit), but mostly because I feel uncomfortable, like I am reading something private, something you shouldn't just read. But I still wanted to read this one. I know Gail Carriger and she writes things really well, and again I also read the prequel for this one, so I just had to try it out, and I am so happy I did. I loved this one.
Yes, I do confess again, I did skip a few scenes when it became a bit too much for me (or I just blushed so hard that it felt like I was burning up). But mostly I read them! It was *cough* very interesting, very steamy, very sexy, very WOW.
I was delighted to see that Alec and Marvin were still around, still happy and good together, and that Alec moved the pack to Sausalito.
Biff is tasked with going and get the permits and make sure that the pack can find a suitable house (because while they do have a place, it is a bit too tiny for so many werewolves). Officially the Alpha should do this, but well, it is just better if Biff does it. And thus the meeting between Biff and Max happens.
I am not one for instant love *shivers*, but for some reason I just couldn't deny that this was one instant love I didn't hate. Instead I was shipping these two immediately. I just saw them in the future, all happy and good, just like Biff's brother. Yes, shipping (and fangirling) mode was activated and didn't click off until way after I read this book. :P
These two were just too perfect for each other. The snark between them, the way neither of them backs down, the chemistry, everything. Ahhhhhhhh *swoons*
Of course this book isn't all about flowers, spice (or sparkly) jizz, buttplugs, sexy times, though yes, that is a big part of the book. It is also about Max his dark past (poor guy, he really had the worst childhood, and I can imagine him acting the way he does throughout the book, though, yes I had a few times that I just wanted to shake him for thinking those silly thoughts), about the house in his garden (enchanted, oh my), about what Max truly is (awesome, duh. :P), what happens when Max and Biff get together (it goes much deeper than one may think and that brings problems). It was a rollercoaster ride. The relationship between these two is amazing, but also filled with bumps in the road. Biff is still a bit unsure, and also worried that he may just hurt Max (human, but also because of another reason) during sexy times, Max is worried that Biff may not like him if he knew the real Max + of course the whole childhood thing and what that entails, and later there is even more trouble. But I just knew, I knew, that these two would be together, I mean come on. These two are just wonderful together, they really complement each other. Helping each other, and teaching each other (sex, though it seems Biff is a master at it).
And then there is the pack. I love how protective they are of each other. But also how well they go together, and how they will tease, make jokes, and more. They are truly a family, and that is so sweet. Plus I just had a laugh how Alec and Marvin were like the Dad and Mom and the rest of the pack were their unruly children. :P Especially Marvin behaved himself as a mom at times, soothing Alec, making sure the pack behaved, trying to help out, and much more.
There are also other characters I quite loved, like 2 amazing Kitsune characters. I hope to see both of them in the next books as they were just brilliant. I had such a laugh at Gladdy and how open she was about sex (even though no one wanted to hear it). :P Plus it was great to see how she went from grumpy + urgh, to Max's best friend and one of my favourite characters.
The ending was fabulous, I love how everything was resolved. It wasn't done in a hurry, there was enough talking over, some pushing to do the right thing. I am really happy with it, and I can't wait to see what will happen in the next book. Will it be about this couple? Or will we have a new couple?
Also plus points to the cover! At first I didn't totally get it and just thought it was a sexy cover, but now that I read the whole story? I just adore that cover, it fits with the story perfectly (and it is still a sexy cover, just now a sexy cover with a meaning).
I would highly recommend this one to everyone. Be sure to read this one. And again, very very steamy and sexy! But also hilarious, funny, and swoooooon!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
So first up, this is one of my first true M/M adult books. I have read the prequel story for this one (about Bigg and Bryan). I also read a ton of Yaoi/shounen-ai. Though nothing could have prepared me for this one. :P I am still a bit, well, unsure about reading sex scenes, especially graphic ones. Not because I am prude (well, OK, a bit), but mostly because I feel uncomfortable, like I am reading something private, something you shouldn't just read. But I still wanted to read this one. I know Gail Carriger and she writes things really well, and again I also read the prequel for this one, so I just had to try it out, and I am so happy I did. I loved this one.
Yes, I do confess again, I did skip a few scenes when it became a bit too much for me (or I just blushed so hard that it felt like I was burning up). But mostly I read them! It was *cough* very interesting, very steamy, very sexy, very WOW.
I was delighted to see that Alec and Marvin were still around, still happy and good together, and that Alec moved the pack to Sausalito.
Biff is tasked with going and get the permits and make sure that the pack can find a suitable house (because while they do have a place, it is a bit too tiny for so many werewolves). Officially the Alpha should do this, but well, it is just better if Biff does it. And thus the meeting between Biff and Max happens.
I am not one for instant love *shivers*, but for some reason I just couldn't deny that this was one instant love I didn't hate. Instead I was shipping these two immediately. I just saw them in the future, all happy and good, just like Biff's brother. Yes, shipping (and fangirling) mode was activated and didn't click off until way after I read this book. :P
These two were just too perfect for each other. The snark between them, the way neither of them backs down, the chemistry, everything. Ahhhhhhhh *swoons*
Of course this book isn't all about flowers, spice (or sparkly) jizz, buttplugs, sexy times, though yes, that is a big part of the book. It is also about Max his dark past (poor guy, he really had the worst childhood, and I can imagine him acting the way he does throughout the book, though, yes I had a few times that I just wanted to shake him for thinking those silly thoughts), about the house in his garden (enchanted, oh my), about what Max truly is (awesome, duh. :P), what happens when Max and Biff get together (it goes much deeper than one may think and that brings problems). It was a rollercoaster ride. The relationship between these two is amazing, but also filled with bumps in the road. Biff is still a bit unsure, and also worried that he may just hurt Max (human, but also because of another reason) during sexy times, Max is worried that Biff may not like him if he knew the real Max + of course the whole childhood thing and what that entails, and later there is even more trouble. But I just knew, I knew, that these two would be together, I mean come on. These two are just wonderful together, they really complement each other. Helping each other, and teaching each other (sex, though it seems Biff is a master at it).
And then there is the pack. I love how protective they are of each other. But also how well they go together, and how they will tease, make jokes, and more. They are truly a family, and that is so sweet. Plus I just had a laugh how Alec and Marvin were like the Dad and Mom and the rest of the pack were their unruly children. :P Especially Marvin behaved himself as a mom at times, soothing Alec, making sure the pack behaved, trying to help out, and much more.
There are also other characters I quite loved, like 2 amazing Kitsune characters. I hope to see both of them in the next books as they were just brilliant. I had such a laugh at Gladdy and how open she was about sex (even though no one wanted to hear it). :P Plus it was great to see how she went from grumpy + urgh, to Max's best friend and one of my favourite characters.
The ending was fabulous, I love how everything was resolved. It wasn't done in a hurry, there was enough talking over, some pushing to do the right thing. I am really happy with it, and I can't wait to see what will happen in the next book. Will it be about this couple? Or will we have a new couple?
Also plus points to the cover! At first I didn't totally get it and just thought it was a sexy cover, but now that I read the whole story? I just adore that cover, it fits with the story perfectly (and it is still a sexy cover, just now a sexy cover with a meaning).
I would highly recommend this one to everyone. Be sure to read this one. And again, very very steamy and sexy! But also hilarious, funny, and swoooooon!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
clozano94's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
whitneykelley's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book!! There’s a lot of misunderstandings between these characters, but none of them felt fabricated for the sake of tension. Fantastic world building, great characters, good story.