Review: Overture: Shadow from the Past

Overture: Shadow from the Past by S.L. Armstrong
My rating: Unrated

I’ve come to the conclusion this series just isn’t for me. I never really connected to it and though I’m curious about what happens, I don’t actually want to read about these characters anymore. This installment fits very well with the series and it’s definitely well written. I just struggle to engage with the characters, as I dislike them all. This part turns up the heat on the relationship between Gabriel and Dorian and they go off in an entirely new and erotic direction. It remains to be seen how they will eventually fit together and what role Michael the ghost will play but the story is setting up all the elements.

Review: Heir of Starlight

Heir of Starlight by Nicole Kimberling
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I honestly can’t think of a better treat than a Nicole Kimberling sci-fi book. I was of two minds to read this because it’s a sequel to a book that was published four years ago so although I read that book I can’t remember a single detail about it sadly. While I was really excited to delve into this, I worried that I’d be lost since I couldn’t remember anything from the previous book. Thankfully I don’t think you need to since the story flows easily enough without encountering any big gaps. No doubt reading and remembering the previous book will enhance enjoyment and understanding of this one, I think anyone new to the series can read it just fine. I certainly enjoyed it immensely despite my lack of remembered knowledge.

Review: Dark Around the Edges: Put the Gun Down

Dark Around the Edges: Put the Gun Down by Cari Z.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 4 of Cari Z’s Cambion series is electric. Devon is back in action and Steven becomes an important minor player. Action ramps up with some interesting twists and the relationship between Rio and Devon starts to emerge on another level. You know an episode is good when you immediately want more. I read through this in record speed and was sorry to reach the end. It honestly just keeps getting better and better.

Review: Overture: Ghost in the Closet

Overture: Ghost in the Closet by S.L. Armstrong
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’m very torn about this serial. On the one hand I think it’s very well written with some clever twists and a touch for drama. There are so many intriguing and absorbing aspects about this story that I get sucked in just when I think I’m done. This installment created more questions and I’m too intrigued and caught to give up now. At the same time, however, I actively dislike both Gabriel and Dorian as characters and find them insufferable. Thankfully this part focuses more on the secondary characters and flashes into Dorian’s past so I could enjoy it more, but I still can’t stand either protagonist and actively wish bad things happen to them.

Review: Dark Around the Edges: We Are Family

Dark Around the Edges: We Are Family by Cari Z.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Episode 3 of the serial picks up exactly where the last series left off. Devon has given away his sense of touch to a witch in exchange for information about their target. The information seems good but Devon is horrified when he realizes the true cost of the bargain. Losing his sense of touch plagues him in ways he had no way of knowing. Distraught and scared, Devon and Rio head to Devon’s hometown and his dads to wait out the remaining few days before getting his full ability back. Once there though, revelations, complications, and intense emotion are just a few of the things waiting for them.

Review: Dark Around the Edges: Black Magic Woman

Dark Around the Edges: Black Magic Woman by Cari Z.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Episode 2 of Cambion hits a bit harder and a bit edgier than the first. It’s just as good, if not better, than the first episode as the action becomes more involved and deeper. The characters aren’t really given any more depth and the supernatural world they operate in isn’t any weightier than the brief outline of the previous book. Despite this, the tone of this story is darker and more insidious, leading to potential new dangers.

Review: Dark Around the Edges: Heaven’s On Fire

Dark Around the Edges: Heaven’s On Fire by Cari Z.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Episode 1 of Cari Z’s new serial Cambion is an explosive start. Heavens on Fire is a quick introduction to a new world and set of characters. It’s short, filled with bite, and intriguing. It definitely left me wanting to read what happens next so this is a great first foray.

Review: Overture: Life of the Party

Overture: Life of the Party by S.L. Armstrong
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Episode 2, Life of the Party, of the Immortal Symphony serial is intense and slightly uncomfortable. I had a hard time enjoying the story, since it’s mostly one extended orgy scene, as it just felt wrong for the main character Gabriel. I didn’t feel like he had any comprehension what he was doing and furthermore, he kind of came off pretty innocent, naïve, and frankly stupid. I didn’t particularly like his character or his choices and thus I didn’t like this episode. It’s likely to be a highly personal choice I realize and I’m curious enough about the story to continue on even if I’m left feeling unsettled after this offering.

Review: Overture: A Meeting of Fate

Overture: A Meeting of Fate by S.L. Armstrong
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Overture is episode 1 of the new serial Immortal Symphony by K Piet and SL Armstrong. The story is a twist on the classic Dorian Gray tale and definitely explores the sexual side. Dorian never ages, but instead the portrait of him ages. Over the centuries Dorian has indulged in base pleasures to banish the tedium of his life. Using the sexual power he has over others is the best drug he’s ever experienced. Dorian’s interest is piqued by an American named Gabriel and two chance meetings lead to a possible future.

Review: The Bacchi

The Bacchi by Belinda McBride
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5-4 stars

I’m a fan of this author’s alternate world stories and was excited to see another one. The Bacchi is peripherally associated with An Uncommon Whore and When I Fall but can easily be read as a stand-alone book. The world building and occasional character from the previous books shows up but I think the author offers enough details to understand this one on it’s own. The writing is clean and engaging and the characters draw you in from the start. The world building is creative and interesting even as it draws on so me considered taboos. There is some m/f but really it’s minor and I honestly wouldn’t think it would bother a lot of readers. This is definitely an m/m romance with some hermaphrodite and other species kinkiness added in.