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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
I've enjoyed every book in this series. Book #6 seemed like an ending, so I was surprised to learn the series was continuing. This book is just as good as the others and I hope there will be even more.
The plot includes almost every important character from the previous books, as well as the continuing theme of ancient traditions and beliefs. I really like Pendower, especially, and he is pretty central to this story. We even got to see a little bit of his point-of-view. But, as always, it's all about Lee and Gideon.
The enemy in this book is (sort of) bigotry itself. The actual structure of the book is not completely clear-cut, even in the end. I think it serves the story, though. The relationships between the characters are messy and complicated, too, which feels realistic.
Sidenote: I've been wondering since very early in this series if someday Harper Fox might write a novel about Darren Prowse. I would love that, and the ending leaves the possibility open. But I like his role in this book a lot.
The plot includes almost every important character from the previous books, as well as the continuing theme of ancient traditions and beliefs. I really like Pendower, especially, and he is pretty central to this story. We even got to see a little bit of his point-of-view. But, as always, it's all about Lee and Gideon.
The enemy in this book is (sort of) bigotry itself.
Spoiler
Lee says,“I feel like there’s blank faces everywhere. The States, Chechnya, even here on our own bloody streets since Brexit—just a rising tide of fear and hate, and it can put on any face it wants, and strike anywhere."I'm so afraid all the time these days, and it was good to read about favorite characters facing these enemies.
Sidenote: I've been wondering since very early in this series if someday Harper Fox might write a novel about Darren Prowse. I would love that, and the ending leaves the possibility open. But I like his role in this book a lot.
3.5 Stars
A little confusing at times but I do love Gideon and Lee... and Tamzin.
They are such a cute family and the side characters are always great fun.
A little confusing at times but I do love Gideon and Lee... and Tamzin.
They are such a cute family and the side characters are always great fun.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
No
How to say this? As much as I love this series and these characters, this book did not really touch me.
Part of this is a particular pet peeve of mine
I still love the series but I didn't find this book satisfactory, and that's a shame. I'm done with the audiobooks, so the next one I'll have to read it the old-fashioned way :P Let's hope I'll find in it the old magic...
Part of this is a particular pet peeve of mine
Spoiler
the reset button! why? spoiler>, but also because the plot (or should I say plots?) was all over the place. There was too much (too many threats from old books, too many different points, too many people having a personal bit of story told) and not enough (not enough from Lee and Gideon, not enough explanation about Zeke, not enough closure for all the characters that stay for two paragraphs and then went away)I still love the series but I didn't find this book satisfactory, and that's a shame. I'm done with the audiobooks, so the next one I'll have to read it the old-fashioned way :P Let's hope I'll find in it the old magic...
Another great Lee and Gideon - they are a favourite couple so always predisposed to love!
I did get a bit confused at times, and with pretty much all the key characters from the previous books either getting a mention or making an appearance it does do to have read the whole series. This is a series where I will reread sometime as all the plot lines circle back around.
Now on this one, it did feel as if we had gone down the rabbit - or maybe it should be hare - hole. Lots of information gathered, but was it a dream or an alternate reality?
Tamsyn continues to be baby cute and as old as time all at once.
Lee was much more low key, a side kick to Gideon rather than a double bill. But still nicely Lee too.
Gideon goes through the wringer here - who and what, physically and careeer wise. Not sure anyone knows whats what. But who ever he is, he is the steadfast guardian of those he loves. Even Darren Prowse gets a HEA!
I enjoyed it despite a bit of doom and despondency politics and a nasty plot to derail the Pride march - at times it felt like too much squished in. Always hopeful of more Tyack and Frayne.
I did get a bit confused at times, and with pretty much all the key characters from the previous books either getting a mention or making an appearance it does do to have read the whole series. This is a series where I will reread sometime as all the plot lines circle back around.
Now on this one, it did feel as if we had gone down the rabbit - or maybe it should be hare - hole. Lots of information gathered, but was it a dream or an alternate reality?
Tamsyn continues to be baby cute and as old as time all at once.
Lee was much more low key, a side kick to Gideon rather than a double bill. But still nicely Lee too.
Gideon goes through the wringer here - who and what, physically and careeer wise. Not sure anyone knows whats what. But who ever he is, he is the steadfast guardian of those he loves. Even Darren Prowse gets a HEA!
I enjoyed it despite a bit of doom and despondency politics and a nasty plot to derail the Pride march - at times it felt like too much squished in. Always hopeful of more Tyack and Frayne.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Islamophobia
Minor: Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a good job. I really enjoy this stories.
Another very good entry in a favorite series. Both Lee and Gideon are firmly on my favorite characters list, and here we see them taking on a more modern evil, in a paranormally flavored way. Familiar secondary characters, from Gideon's brother and mother to the guys' little uniquely-talented daughter, make an appearance.
This book includes one plot device I'm not fond of, because it feels emotionally manipulative. But there are wonderful scenes, and the love between these two comes through the pages beautifully. This is a favorite series, and I will preorder any sequel that happens to appear. I could imagine this as the last book - it has a settled feel to the ending - but hopefully there will be more to come.
This book includes one plot device I'm not fond of, because it feels emotionally manipulative. But there are wonderful scenes, and the love between these two comes through the pages beautifully. This is a favorite series, and I will preorder any sequel that happens to appear. I could imagine this as the last book - it has a settled feel to the ending - but hopefully there will be more to come.
~ 4.5 Stars ~
God, this series. I’m running out of words to express my love for these characters and my appreciation of author Harper Fox’s gift of them to her readers. Beginning with book one, she’s crafted a homey feeling of family, friends, and townspeople who have faults and strengths, as we all do—some are just downright awful, as some humans are—but then she’s created this gorgeous romance between Lee Tyack and Gideon Frayne amongst it all, and then imbued the scenery with Cornish folklore, druidic ritual and a touch of the supernatural. Preacher, Prophet, Beast reads like a fever dream at times, often making me question what was real and what wasn’t—maybe it was both, and that unknowing is the sum of its best parts. The winds of change have blown over the Cornwall landscape, and there is a bit of prophesying at play now. What it means remains to be seen.
There is a holiday novella, Third Solstice, that precedes this installment in the series, and while it’s not imperative, in the strictest sense of the word, to read it before digging into this full-length novel, it will prepare you for what Lee and Gideon’s baby girl, Tamsyn, is fated for. Granny Ragwen, the Dark witch, also plays a part in what’s evolving, and the story is fantastic, too, so there’s that. Read it if for nothing more than it’s more time spent with this fascinating cast of characters.
Lee and Gid went through hell and back in Guardians of the Haunted Moor over their daughter, whose mother happens to be Lee’s sister, Elowen, and while their relationship with her isn’t yet repaired, Elowen plays a small but significant part in the story, too, as does Gid’s preacher brother, Zeke, who is slowly but surely proving he’s human—in the person sense, not the paranormal—which is a welcome evolution. In my review of the second novella in the series, Tinsel Fish, I said that I had high hopes for Zeke, and those hopes have come to fruition. I love him and all his stilted love and conflicted acceptance of his family: Lee and Gid in particular. I think he’s finally learning the difference between religion and faith, and I couldn’t be happier for this growing, albeit grudging, awareness. There’s not a single character in this series, in fact, who reads as mere set decoration or as a clunky and convenient device to further the story. Everyone contributes, and that’s entirely owed to Fox’s ability to layer Lee and Gid’s story and then enfold these people into it and make them important.
Plotty romance is the hallmark of the Tyack & Frayne series. We talk a lot about the happily-ever-after when we speak of books in the genre, without much tangible evidence that the HEA is solid, only what we wish for. That’s not to say I’ve never been convinced of any other couples’ growing old together, loving each other for as long as they both shall live, but perhaps not in the same way I believe in Lee and Gid’s come hell or high water, forever brand of love. Theirs is easily one of the truest and purest love stories I’ve ever read, and despite external conflict causing some internal friction in the storyline, there was never a question they wouldn’t come out stronger on the other side.
One of the undercurrents that took shape in this story, and the author capitalized on to good effect, is the current socio-political climate that is the breeding ground of hatred and chaos in the story. The pervading sense of evil is steeped in legend and is also human-borne. There is a sense of monstrous people behaving monstrously, and the realism of it lent a sad sort of helplessness to the storyline which is then offset by the hopefulness that love will always overcome hate.
There’s no way to synopsize this book and not give up spoilers. Not to mention that, at this point, there are far too many threads finessed into the whole of what it is on its surface: a gorgeous romance. And Gideon’s becoming… There is a richness to the depth of development of this series, and while it may seem intimidating to think about starting a series that has to be read in order and is already this many books into it, I can’t recommend this one highly enough.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
God, this series. I’m running out of words to express my love for these characters and my appreciation of author Harper Fox’s gift of them to her readers. Beginning with book one, she’s crafted a homey feeling of family, friends, and townspeople who have faults and strengths, as we all do—some are just downright awful, as some humans are—but then she’s created this gorgeous romance between Lee Tyack and Gideon Frayne amongst it all, and then imbued the scenery with Cornish folklore, druidic ritual and a touch of the supernatural. Preacher, Prophet, Beast reads like a fever dream at times, often making me question what was real and what wasn’t—maybe it was both, and that unknowing is the sum of its best parts. The winds of change have blown over the Cornwall landscape, and there is a bit of prophesying at play now. What it means remains to be seen.
There is a holiday novella, Third Solstice, that precedes this installment in the series, and while it’s not imperative, in the strictest sense of the word, to read it before digging into this full-length novel, it will prepare you for what Lee and Gideon’s baby girl, Tamsyn, is fated for. Granny Ragwen, the Dark witch, also plays a part in what’s evolving, and the story is fantastic, too, so there’s that. Read it if for nothing more than it’s more time spent with this fascinating cast of characters.
Lee and Gid went through hell and back in Guardians of the Haunted Moor over their daughter, whose mother happens to be Lee’s sister, Elowen, and while their relationship with her isn’t yet repaired, Elowen plays a small but significant part in the story, too, as does Gid’s preacher brother, Zeke, who is slowly but surely proving he’s human—in the person sense, not the paranormal—which is a welcome evolution. In my review of the second novella in the series, Tinsel Fish, I said that I had high hopes for Zeke, and those hopes have come to fruition. I love him and all his stilted love and conflicted acceptance of his family: Lee and Gid in particular. I think he’s finally learning the difference between religion and faith, and I couldn’t be happier for this growing, albeit grudging, awareness. There’s not a single character in this series, in fact, who reads as mere set decoration or as a clunky and convenient device to further the story. Everyone contributes, and that’s entirely owed to Fox’s ability to layer Lee and Gid’s story and then enfold these people into it and make them important.
Plotty romance is the hallmark of the Tyack & Frayne series. We talk a lot about the happily-ever-after when we speak of books in the genre, without much tangible evidence that the HEA is solid, only what we wish for. That’s not to say I’ve never been convinced of any other couples’ growing old together, loving each other for as long as they both shall live, but perhaps not in the same way I believe in Lee and Gid’s come hell or high water, forever brand of love. Theirs is easily one of the truest and purest love stories I’ve ever read, and despite external conflict causing some internal friction in the storyline, there was never a question they wouldn’t come out stronger on the other side.
One of the undercurrents that took shape in this story, and the author capitalized on to good effect, is the current socio-political climate that is the breeding ground of hatred and chaos in the story. The pervading sense of evil is steeped in legend and is also human-borne. There is a sense of monstrous people behaving monstrously, and the realism of it lent a sad sort of helplessness to the storyline which is then offset by the hopefulness that love will always overcome hate.
There’s no way to synopsize this book and not give up spoilers. Not to mention that, at this point, there are far too many threads finessed into the whole of what it is on its surface: a gorgeous romance. And Gideon’s becoming… There is a richness to the depth of development of this series, and while it may seem intimidating to think about starting a series that has to be read in order and is already this many books into it, I can’t recommend this one highly enough.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach