Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.
I’ve been such a big fan of the Roaring Twenties Magic series by Allie Therin. A Probibition setting + Magic + a relationship that develops emotionally over the course of three books is a guaranteed good time in my book.
While book 3, Viscounts & Villainy, isn’t my fave in the series—that honor goes to book 2—this is another very satisfying installment in a series that delivers delicious PNR.
Wesley & Sebastian’s relationship has grown so much over three books, & their sunshine & the grump relationship is *so* well done. Wesley never even stood a chance 😂.
4.5 ⭐️, out 07/01.
CWs: murder, attempted murder
I’ve been such a big fan of the Roaring Twenties Magic series by Allie Therin. A Probibition setting + Magic + a relationship that develops emotionally over the course of three books is a guaranteed good time in my book.
While book 3, Viscounts & Villainy, isn’t my fave in the series—that honor goes to book 2—this is another very satisfying installment in a series that delivers delicious PNR.
Wesley & Sebastian’s relationship has grown so much over three books, & their sunshine & the grump relationship is *so* well done. Wesley never even stood a chance 😂.
4.5 ⭐️, out 07/01.
CWs: murder, attempted murder
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Likewise. 😍
Great conclusion to a great series.
I have loved Sebastian and Wesley’s characters, maybe even more than Arthur and Rory. They feel more real with their insecurities.
The plot very much followed on from the previous books of both series, but I’m not sure it felt completely resolved. I would have wanted more closure in regard to whatis to be done with the relics now that they have them all. Surely there is still danger there.
Great conclusion to a great series.
I have loved Sebastian and Wesley’s characters, maybe even more than Arthur and Rory. They feel more real with their insecurities.
The plot very much followed on from the previous books of both series, but I’m not sure it felt completely resolved. I would have wanted more closure in regard to what
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
Allie Therin's Magic in Manhattan trilogy introduced us to Rory, Arthur, and an alternate 1920s paranormal New York. It ended on a solid HEA but with a lot of unresolved plotlines, and kicked off the Roaring Twenties Magic trilogy, which follows Arthur's ex, Lord Fine, and takes up the overarching story of dangerous magical artifacts stolen by nefarious villains.
In the final novel in that trilogy, we find Wesley (Lord Fine) still romantically entangled with the paranormal but no longer magical Sebastian. They're hunting for the last two De Leon family artifacts, but instead of being largely on their own, we finally get the whole gang back together, with substantial appearances from Rory, Arthur, Jade, Zhang, and more. There are also ocean voyages and house parties, aristocrats and attempted murder, and (gasp!) a lot of emotions.
Therin's plots are fun, and her dialogue is terrific, but the central romances are where she really shines. In Roaring Twenties Magic, both Wesley and Sebastian have been been through significant trauma, either pressured (the former) or forced (the latter) to commit violence and even atrocities. Wesley is an angry and lonely misanthrope; Sebastian is ravaged by guilt and lingering fears. How these two find their way to each other is beautifully written, with humor and heart. As in Magic in Manhattan, the romantic relationship is thoughtful, well-paced, and worth the journey.
Final installments are a tough thing to write, and this one carries the weight of wrapping up not just one series, but two. It was a delight to see old friends again, after Once a Rogue almost exclusively followed Wesley and Sebastian, and Therin did an excellent job of weaving all the threads together for a satisfying conclusion. I'm so glad to see this cast of characters get the HEAs they deserve.
In the final novel in that trilogy, we find Wesley (Lord Fine) still romantically entangled with the paranormal but no longer magical Sebastian. They're hunting for the last two De Leon family artifacts, but instead of being largely on their own, we finally get the whole gang back together, with substantial appearances from Rory, Arthur, Jade, Zhang, and more. There are also ocean voyages and house parties, aristocrats and attempted murder, and (gasp!) a lot of emotions.
Therin's plots are fun, and her dialogue is terrific, but the central romances are where she really shines. In Roaring Twenties Magic, both Wesley and Sebastian have been been through significant trauma, either pressured (the former) or forced (the latter) to commit violence and even atrocities. Wesley is an angry and lonely misanthrope; Sebastian is ravaged by guilt and lingering fears. How these two find their way to each other is beautifully written, with humor and heart. As in Magic in Manhattan, the romantic relationship is thoughtful, well-paced, and worth the journey.
Final installments are a tough thing to write, and this one carries the weight of wrapping up not just one series, but two. It was a delight to see old friends again, after Once a Rogue almost exclusively followed Wesley and Sebastian, and Therin did an excellent job of weaving all the threads together for a satisfying conclusion. I'm so glad to see this cast of characters get the HEAs they deserve.
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
i am upset bc this flew by and before i knew it i was at the end of not just sebastian and wes’ story but rory and arthur and jade and zhang, and every one else in their very queer paranormal relic-hunting, world-saving family. (for now? unless more spin-offs are in the future but this felt quite complete and i’m also super fine with that.)
the development of wes’ character i’ve particularly loved. i just like angsty, grumpy, assholes who are soft (in their way) for the select few who get past their defenses. and sebastian’s light of wes’ life, who has gone through so much and still braves through with kindness and hope (and the ability to level you, dangerous marshmallow that he is).
the development of wes’ character i’ve particularly loved. i just like angsty, grumpy, assholes who are soft (in their way) for the select few who get past their defenses. and sebastian’s light of wes’ life, who has gone through so much and still braves through with kindness and hope (and the ability to level you, dangerous marshmallow that he is).
this was a great conclusion to not just this trilogy but also Magic in Manhattan where all this began - seeing everyone’s happy endings (this is a category romance), and where all the various threads and overarching mysteries have tied up. can’t wait to reread from SPELLBOUND bc i really loved this world and the characters. therin had me with her debut and i’ve loved every book she’s come out with.
thank you @harlequinbooks for the review copy.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
I read the NetGalley eARC, and this is my honest review:
What a great end to the second trilogy of this series! I'm so very glad that I "met" the author via Twitter and gave her work a try. *happy sigh*
What a great end to the second trilogy of this series! I'm so very glad that I "met" the author via Twitter and gave her work a try. *happy sigh*
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Thank yout to Netgalley and Carina Press for the eARC
This is the conclusion of a trilogy, itself being the spinn off of another trilogy. Both of which I LOVED. Somehow, I was less hooked with 'Viscounts and Villainy'. I felt like thing were repeated a little too much for my liking, with a very straighforward plot. Which, let me be clear, was already present in the previous book, I was simply less bothered by it, being in a better mood. I suspect that when I reread this last book of Wesley and Sebastian's adventures, I might have a different opinion, and so I will try to write the rest of this review with that in mind.
In this tome, Wesley learns to be more vulnerable while still being his viscounty self, especially since their chase for the artefacts lead them back to England, among Wesley's peers. Sebastian, for his part, also need to compose with his own new vulnerabily after the events of book 2, even though it is quite clear since the beginning that things will get better. They both struggle, and yet never their relationship is questionned, only strengthened. It is nice to read, in a hopeful cosy way.
Jade and Zhang, as well as Arthur and Rory really play a sidekick role, either going on their own chase in another part of Europe or staying back in a village. Fair enough, it is Wesley and Sebastian's story after all.
The mystery/paranormal plot is all right. By that I mean that it works for its purpose of adding something to the romantic tension and moving the story forward by giving the characters something to do. Nothing too complicated, still enternaining.
Overall, a nice read and fair conclusion to the trilogy. I hope I will enjoy more once I reread it in a better headspace.
This is the conclusion of a trilogy, itself being the spinn off of another trilogy. Both of which I LOVED. Somehow, I was less hooked with 'Viscounts and Villainy'. I felt like thing were repeated a little too much for my liking, with a very straighforward plot. Which, let me be clear, was already present in the previous book, I was simply less bothered by it, being in a better mood. I suspect that when I reread this last book of Wesley and Sebastian's adventures, I might have a different opinion, and so I will try to write the rest of this review with that in mind.
In this tome, Wesley learns to be more vulnerable while still being his viscounty self, especially since their chase for the artefacts lead them back to England, among Wesley's peers. Sebastian, for his part, also need to compose with his own new vulnerabily after the events of book 2, even though it is quite clear since the beginning that things will get better. They both struggle, and yet never their relationship is questionned, only strengthened. It is nice to read, in a hopeful cosy way.
Jade and Zhang, as well as Arthur and Rory really play a sidekick role, either going on their own chase in another part of Europe or staying back in a village. Fair enough, it is Wesley and Sebastian's story after all.
The mystery/paranormal plot is all right. By that I mean that it works for its purpose of adding something to the romantic tension and moving the story forward by giving the characters something to do. Nothing too complicated, still enternaining.
Overall, a nice read and fair conclusion to the trilogy. I hope I will enjoy more once I reread it in a better headspace.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
So here’s my problem when it comes to reading and reviewing Allie Therin books. I love them so much and live in that world so completely that when I finish the book, I am absolutely unable to have a response that isn’t simply just me yelling “I LOVE THEM” and “VIBES” and “Pero mira!” with a million exclamation marks but I’m going to give it a go.
I’ve been looking forward to this book since these characters were introduced four books ago and this book absolutely lived up to expectations. As many of you know, Wesley is one of my favorite characters of all time. He is snarky and witty and a little bit terrible and a lot of bit mean and he is absolutely perfect in his imperfection. I want to just fold him up and put him in my pocket for always.
As always, Allie Therin’s world building is top-notch and the character development is beautiful. The arc of the story absolutely keeps you turning the page from beginning to end. I cannot - CANNOT - recommend this book enough. I will miss these lovely babies so much.
I’ve been looking forward to this book since these characters were introduced four books ago and this book absolutely lived up to expectations. As many of you know, Wesley is one of my favorite characters of all time. He is snarky and witty and a little bit terrible and a lot of bit mean and he is absolutely perfect in his imperfection. I want to just fold him up and put him in my pocket for always.
As always, Allie Therin’s world building is top-notch and the character development is beautiful. The arc of the story absolutely keeps you turning the page from beginning to end. I cannot - CANNOT - recommend this book enough. I will miss these lovely babies so much.