A review by crin_d1nk
Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

In Rhapsodic, the first book in The Bargainer series, we follow Callypso Lillis—Callie for short—who, at the age of sixteen, makes a life-altering mistake. The siren inside her is beginning to emerge, and one fateful night, she defends herself against her abusive stepfather. With nowhere to turn and no one to call, she calls upon The Bargainer, a dangerous Fae known for granting favors at a steep price—one he can collect at any time.

Once Callie receives her first favor, she finds herself unable to stop asking for more, despite knowing the cost. Seven years later, and with many favors granted, The Bargainer returns to collect what he’s owed, leaving Callie to wonder why he disappeared seven years ago, what he truly wants from her, and whether he’s—surprisingly—flirting with her. As they work together to solve a mystery plaguing his kingdom, Callie realizes that what she once thought was a simple crush might not have been so trivial after all.

Right from the start, I should note that this book features an age gap romance. The narrative alternates between Callie's initial meeting with The Bargainer and their present-day interactions. As many reviewers have pointed out, this can feel a little strange, but I personally didn’t find it problematic. Their relationship is primarily built on friendship, with The Bargainer helping Callie process her trauma. That said, in the present-day storyline, I found some of their conversations about the past cringeworthy. I wish certain elements of their relationship felt more natural and centered around growth rather than destiny.

One of the strongest aspects of the book is its world-building. I loved the concept of characters having alternate personas that represent their basic human instincts. Callie, for instance, must control her siren side to prevent it from harming others. I also found Callie to be a compelling character. Her pain, her sense of being an outcast, and her longing to be seen as "normal" resonated with me.
Despite the age gap, it was the slow-burn romance between Callie and The Bargainer that kept me hooked. The way their relationship evolved felt believable, and the anticipation of when they’d finally get together made it hard to put this book down.

That said, this book felt a bit like fast food: quick and satisfying in the moment, but not something I’d return to again or crave more of. As a reader, I wanted more depth—both in the world and with the side characters. The ending, in particular, left me feeling unsatisfied. I found myself thinking, You don’t need a man to fix you! It felt like the resolution leaned a little too heavily on a romantic fix rather than Callie finding her own strength.

Overall, I’d recommend this book as a quick, light read—more of a snack before diving into something with a bit more substance. While it offers a fun, slow-burn romance, it doesn't quite dig deep enough to make me want to continue the series.

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