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notbeforebreakfast's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.5
This was a solid read and I loved how faerie politics were weaved into the story. The fantasy elements weren’t too overwhelming either. The leads got together a bit too quickly for my liking - I wanted a bit more pining and angst, but despite that, loved them together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
geeknb's review
5.0
Loved this.
Excellent world-building. Well plotted. Likeable characters and a believable relationship with plenty of chemistry.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Excellent world-building. Well plotted. Likeable characters and a believable relationship with plenty of chemistry.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
teenykins's review
4.0
First things first, this is the 2nd book I'm reading by this author and I have to say that their writing style is solid. Their story-telling might need some tweaking though from a very good editor. It felt at times long-winded with no reason.
Second if I'm reading Fantasy, Urban-Fantasy, PNR or SPN, I NEED WORLD-BUILDING!!! I need info given to me in tasteful doses so I can retain a portion of it. Here there's very, very little and most had to do with what Parker or Nick were doing at the moment. Time wise I guess it could be present time but it was never explicitly mentioned. The how and whys of magic, fae, werewolves, alchemists, witches, warlocks, vampires and zombies were totally missing and/or what was mentioned was confusing as hell because there was no explanation or more info given. For example:
"...'Some vampires are still mentally acute, but they've lost the ability to speak,' Nick said..."
"...The thing was, some vamps could blend. It seemed to depend on how long they'd been alive, but I wasn't an expert..."
So what do I understand from this? Are vampires made and go crazy or lose mental capacity little by little as the years go by because they are long lived? Are they born? They can blend if they are long lived? Meaning they gain mental capacity?This is so confusing!
Third which can be connected with the 2nd point, Parker is supposed to be powerful, but by which standards? Human magic or Fae magic? Is he as powerful as Thistle was portrayed to be and not able to use the magic like him because of his limited teachings?
Fourth Nick and Parker's relationship. @33% (chapter 24) Parker says that Nick was he's type and too good to bother with the likes of him. It felt like I was missing a part of the story I should know, and only after I reached the end of the book I found out that there's a prequel of how Nick and Parker met.
@51% (chapter 21) The use the term Boyfriend for the first time. For 2 people that only before had met while working, never went on a date and had sex a couple of times, isn't labeling what they are like that a bit premature?
@55% (chapter 23) "... He didn't seem like a guy who'd follow the three-day rule..." Parker thought about Nick. They already said they are boyfriends, so isn't that out of the window?
Despite that though I did love Parker with Nick. They were good together (although not so much explosive on the chemistry department) and they balance each other. Parker's moral compass becomes a bit straighter and he's growing as a person and Nick unbends a bit.
Lastly the mystery and the action. They were both very well done although given the same amount of info as Parker, I figured at the 55% who the culprit was and put it better together than Parker did when caught by the Five Dragons which he's explanation and piecing everything together to Torres was sounding a bit thin to me and not substantiated.
Anyways it was a really good read, with some points being slow and some growing pains but I'll definitely keep reading this series!
I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
Second if I'm reading Fantasy, Urban-Fantasy, PNR or SPN, I NEED WORLD-BUILDING!!! I need info given to me in tasteful doses so I can retain a portion of it. Here there's very, very little and most had to do with what Parker or Nick were doing at the moment. Time wise I guess it could be present time but it was never explicitly mentioned. The how and whys of magic, fae, werewolves, alchemists, witches, warlocks, vampires and zombies were totally missing and/or what was mentioned was confusing as hell because there was no explanation or more info given. For example:
"...'Some vampires are still mentally acute, but they've lost the ability to speak,' Nick said..."
"...The thing was, some vamps could blend. It seemed to depend on how long they'd been alive, but I wasn't an expert..."
So what do I understand from this? Are vampires made and go crazy or lose mental capacity little by little as the years go by because they are long lived? Are they born? They can blend if they are long lived? Meaning they gain mental capacity?This is so confusing!
Third which can be connected with the 2nd point, Parker is supposed to be powerful, but by which standards? Human magic or Fae magic? Is he as powerful as Thistle was portrayed to be and not able to use the magic like him because of his limited teachings?
Fourth Nick and Parker's relationship. @33% (chapter 24) Parker says that Nick was he's type and too good to bother with the likes of him. It felt like I was missing a part of the story I should know, and only after I reached the end of the book I found out that there's a prequel of how Nick and Parker met.
@51% (chapter 21) The use the term Boyfriend for the first time. For 2 people that only before had met while working, never went on a date and had sex a couple of times, isn't labeling what they are like that a bit premature?
@55% (chapter 23) "... He didn't seem like a guy who'd follow the three-day rule..." Parker thought about Nick. They already said they are boyfriends, so isn't that out of the window?
Despite that though I did love Parker with Nick. They were good together (although not so much explosive on the chemistry department) and they balance each other. Parker's moral compass becomes a bit straighter and he's growing as a person and Nick unbends a bit.
Lastly the mystery and the action. They were both very well done although given the same amount of info as Parker, I figured at the 55% who the culprit was and put it better together than Parker did when caught by the Five Dragons which he's explanation and piecing everything together to Torres was sounding a bit thin to me and not substantiated.
Anyways it was a really good read, with some points being slow and some growing pains but I'll definitely keep reading this series!
I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
jordanw96's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
qutir111's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kaity_b's review
4.0
Reread 3.5-4 stars
This read was so much more enjoyable than the first go around.
Can’t wait for book two!
3-3.5 stars
okay when i saw this got an audiobook i went so fast to audible to see who narrated it and it was a shock to see Greg Tremblay (aka Boudreaux) was the narrator so you best believe i one clicked that.
I think going in to this book you need to read the 0.5 and 0.75 novellas, i didn't and it felt as though it was hinted at throughout the book which made me feel like i was missing something big. it was also the start of Nick and Parker, how they met and what happened. While i didn't read those first two books i think that is why i didn't give this a higher rating than a 3.
Overall it was a good start to a series, but knowing what i do about fae from other books this book didn't follow some of the "rules" that they are suppose to follow but it is authors liberties since they are the one bringing these worlds to life.
I would recommend reading the first two novellas before this one if you want to enjoy this story but it can be read without it, you will be a tad confused like i was but overall you will still enjoy it.
This read was so much more enjoyable than the first go around.
Can’t wait for book two!
3-3.5 stars
okay when i saw this got an audiobook i went so fast to audible to see who narrated it and it was a shock to see Greg Tremblay (aka Boudreaux) was the narrator so you best believe i one clicked that.
I think going in to this book you need to read the 0.5 and 0.75 novellas, i didn't and it felt as though it was hinted at throughout the book which made me feel like i was missing something big. it was also the start of Nick and Parker, how they met and what happened. While i didn't read those first two books i think that is why i didn't give this a higher rating than a 3.
Overall it was a good start to a series, but knowing what i do about fae from other books this book didn't follow some of the "rules" that they are suppose to follow but it is authors liberties since they are the one bringing these worlds to life.
I would recommend reading the first two novellas before this one if you want to enjoy this story but it can be read without it, you will be a tad confused like i was but overall you will still enjoy it.
heabooknerd's review
4.0
WORMWOOD SUMMER was so much fun! Filled with action, lots of magic, a really cute romance, and an interesting world. Parker Ferro is a private investigator known for handling...unusual...cases in San Amaro but what no one knows is that he's also a fae who owes his life to the Summer Queen. When Nicholas King, an alchemist and Detective, asks Parker for help on a case the two finally give into the heat that's been simmering between them. Between a killer draining its victims of magic, a missing fae, and an impending paranormal war things are getting complicated.
I really enjoyed this one and Parker was a great narrator. He's irreverent, easy going, but also a bit of a mess. Even though paranormals are public knowledge, being fae is not something you want people to know so Parker is used to keeping that side of himself a secret. I loved the way Butler describes Parker's magic and how he communicates with the spirits that inhabit all parts of the natural world. There was a lot in the worldbuilding to grab onto and I can't wait to get more in future books.
I loved Parker and Nick's romance and they were great together; especially the way Nick is always trying to take care of Parker. The by-the-book Detective has his hands full with Parker, the opposite of a rule follower, but they both make each other better. Their relationship moves quickly and feels a bit sudden but these two have a history so they are not strangers. I would highly recommend reading the free prequel novella, A HAUNTING AT MIDWINTER, which shows how Nick and Parker first meet as it enhances the romance.
There were a few things that didn't land as strongly -- the plot is a bit overly complicated, Parker seems very unrushed considering all the deadlines he's under, and the handling of Parker's non-responsive foster mother toward the end was incredibly neglectful. Those things aside, this was an interesting start to a series and I can't wait to read more about Parker, Nick and their adventures.
Content Warning: on page torture; Parker's foster mother is in a care facility and non-responsive
I really enjoyed this one and Parker was a great narrator. He's irreverent, easy going, but also a bit of a mess. Even though paranormals are public knowledge, being fae is not something you want people to know so Parker is used to keeping that side of himself a secret. I loved the way Butler describes Parker's magic and how he communicates with the spirits that inhabit all parts of the natural world. There was a lot in the worldbuilding to grab onto and I can't wait to get more in future books.
I loved Parker and Nick's romance and they were great together; especially the way Nick is always trying to take care of Parker. The by-the-book Detective has his hands full with Parker, the opposite of a rule follower, but they both make each other better. Their relationship moves quickly and feels a bit sudden but these two have a history so they are not strangers. I would highly recommend reading the free prequel novella, A HAUNTING AT MIDWINTER, which shows how Nick and Parker first meet as it enhances the romance.
There were a few things that didn't land as strongly -- the plot is a bit overly complicated, Parker seems very unrushed considering all the deadlines he's under, and the handling of Parker's non-responsive foster mother toward the end was incredibly neglectful. Those things aside, this was an interesting start to a series and I can't wait to read more about Parker, Nick and their adventures.
Content Warning: on page torture; Parker's foster mother is in a care facility and non-responsive
cassi_370's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
alice_yali's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-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
3.75