I listened to this book on Audible and Greg Boudreaux did a wonderful job narrating it. I like him and Michael Ferraiuolo because they really try and I listened to this book on Audible and Greg Boudreaux did a wonderful job narrating it. I like him and Michael Ferraiuolo because they really try and make the different characters sound different, even with accents and don't make women sound like crows or an old hag... like Michael Lesley does in A Villain for Christmas.
That being said I enjoyed the experience even though I'm not quite sure what actually happened in the book. I really have to applaude authors who are able to fill a complete book with so little action happening. That is why I (at the moment of writing this review) giving it 3*. It started off strong even though in retrospective am a bit confused as to when Matt was injured. He left for one reason on behest of I think his brother only to end up in hospital nowhere near there and on an unrelated job? But maybe I remember wrongly. There is another one of just such an incident when Dylan thinks about how Matt "insists" on driving in separate cars to a location only for Dylan to sit in the passenger seat next to Matt in the next scene... Also in the age of technology, why did Matt have to wait to see and talk to Marc? Why did he not call him or ask to teleport in for a quick chat if it had to be in person? Why drag it out for weeks complicating the situation further?
I thought that there would be a chase of some sort or some cloak-and-dagger operation going on but neither happened. Instead most of the time they were in one apartment or another. Only venturing out beyond the threshold right at the beginning and the end of the book.
So yeah, I enjoyed the banter, I enjoyed the cameos, I even liked the characters but even though I just finished the book I could not tell you about anything of significance happening that lead them to solve the introduced problem. A problem that confused me a bit I have to say in how it came about when the characters tried to reason its point of genesis or birth if you will. (view spoiler)[ The crux was that Dylan, aka. the hacker, got identified and they actually thought that he would what, not look into them further if they did not even attack him directly? Dylan is not even the only tech savvy person in the organisation as far as I remember and if he were it would be highly irresponsible. So a reasonable person would assume that a colleague would pick up where another has left of. (hide spoiler)]
I don't know if this book wants to be character or mystery driven and the indecision makes me question it too. As I enjoyed previous series by this author and I find Marc hilarious I will pick up the next in the series for now. But as usual, do not let my review deter you from picking up the book. Everyone is different. I have read not so glowing reviews about books I love with all my heart and sometimes you also have to be in the mood for more or less action. And many seem to love it. ...more
People of the internet, please don't get mad at me, it is just my opinion.
So that being said. I feel old even though I'm not yet 40. This is how my gPeople of the internet, please don't get mad at me, it is just my opinion.
So that being said. I feel old even though I'm not yet 40. This is how my great-grandmother must have felt like when not only the internet but mobile phones and apps were invented. When I started this book I wasn't aware that this series is a "they-series". What I mean is, hardly any characters are just regular plain people/demons. Everyone is queer or gay, which makes me question how their society is still functioning. Every other character is not only a they but has their own set of pronouns. This makes it so hard to read for me. Not because English isn't my first language (I've been reading and watching and browsing neigh exclusively in English for years now), but I just simply couldn't keep up with all the pronouns. Yes, there aren't sooo many, but it is not natural in my reading or daily life and thus jarring. I constantly thought back if I misunderstood just now, missed something, if it was a word I didn't know before realizing that it was a pronoun for somebody. Apaje - ce, ceir, cerself Mekkest - fae Gavven - e, eir, eirself Gaele - they Some god - they one of the kings mothers - they some random demon the left - they? some random demon the right- they? And these were just from the top of my head in a 121 page book. Not to mention it sometimes is not plausible for a character. I common trait for a queer person, as widely documented in our society, is that a person creating their own pronouns seeks to be special, stand out of the crowd, be acknowledged, be seen. So how would it ever be possible for such a person to become a spy, if people can't even stand for some random person from the internet to call them not by how they see themselves? How could Apaje ever become a spy "And Apaje?" Braelin prompted. "Was recruited into our spy network by Vajur's parent and predecessor, Faeor," the King replied, "As I understand it, ce found the work better suited to cer temperament." If pronouns are so special and suited to the one person, wouldn't it be counter productive to spywork where the whole point is to be nobody and anybody and especially not stand out of the crowd? Well, in that sense, while writing, maybe they would actually stand out if they were a regular Joe or Jane.
The story as a whole still is cosy and fluffy and nice, but I'm questioning if I'm the right audience for that author and if, after finishing the series, I will look up other works from that author. It simply is too much for me....more
Well, isn't the king a thoughtful demon, even if he portrays a bit dim while he seemed to be anything but. Maybe it is just how he is approaching datiWell, isn't the king a thoughtful demon, even if he portrays a bit dim while he seemed to be anything but. Maybe it is just how he is approaching dating that makes him act thus. ...more
Sigh, I just write a whole review only for the app to shut down at the end. So I'm sorry if I'm not that eloquent the second time around...
I loved thiSigh, I just write a whole review only for the app to shut down at the end. So I'm sorry if I'm not that eloquent the second time around...
I loved this sweet love story between the fae and the wolf shifter. It was also a blast to meet up with some beloved characters once more. This is a huge benefit to your setting being in a fantasy world where people live hundreds of years ...more
This is nice. A bit confusing as there is a character that uses eir pronouns. Having the book read to you makes me mentally stumble every time this deThis is nice. A bit confusing as there is a character that uses eir pronouns. Having the book read to you makes me mentally stumble every time this demon is mentioned. It is also very confusing as reading is about mental imagery as much as enjoying the story and plot. I seem to not be able to picture those kinds of non-binary characters. What are their features? What are their mannerisms? Being more feminine tends to go with more fluidity in the movements oftentimes... or a background in dance. Or are they more expressive and on point? Also, if they are non-binary, how high is the chance of them getting their own book? If they are a female I am less likely to read their book. The story is quite an interesting one. A completely different setting but still so human in the end. I loved the thinking garden concept. The intimate garden parts were... weird to say the least, but I guess there are young boys out their having their experiences with melons or carrots, so it doesn't shock me or turn me off as much as other things would. Both characters are peculiar and sweet and make me want to know more about their story and what will happen next. It is not a very exciting read, no explosions or demon battles, but rather soft with an almost cloudy/fluffy feel to it. What I can't make up my mind about is, do I like it or do I enjoy it. ...more
First of all – I loved the book as much as I loved every other in this series. It is truly a roller coaster ride of emotions. You know how there are iFirst of all – I loved the book as much as I loved every other in this series. It is truly a roller coaster ride of emotions. You know how there are inquiries out there by readers and authors alike asking you in which universe they would like to live if they had the chance to jump into a book. Well, I can tell you now, this would not be the world. Man is it brutal and even more unequal and bigoted than our reality. Reading books is my escape from reality, my haven so to speak. Michele Notaro did a good job balancing the worst with some light hearted moments, cuddles and family. If it were any less so I wouldn't be able to read it.
Only Unity Will Spare Us starts off mellow and grows in intensity until you reach the moment where you sit in the parking lot of your supermarket waiting for your eyes to not look so puffy so the cashier won't look at you funny. I loved it all, I loved every sweet, precious moment between Madeo and Cosmo and every interaction within the pride. I loved how much Logan has grown into his own and how confident sweet Wren got. Most beautiful were these intimate moments that felt like a glimpse into a life normally hidden from view. ""I don't want to take a shower. I don't have enough energy. I just want to sleep." "I know, baby, but you're covered in a lot of digusting things, and I know you. You'll wake up in a few hours and be horrified and make us shower and change our sheets. And I want to just sleep, straight through the night, with you in my arms. I'm not changing the sheets at three in the morning again." I closed my eyes and let my forehead fall to Cosmo's chest with a sigh. He was right. I would totally do that and had obviously done it to him in the past. These scenes might not seem that important or extraordinary to many but I think they are such a treat. They give you a real feel for their dynamic for their personality and character.
Even though living in Madeo's reality and head must be difficult and I truly don't know how he made it to adulthood with his sanity intact – probably because Jude and him had each other, otherwise I'm not sure either would be sane TBH – I really enjoy his inner monologue. He is such a sarcastic person with a big big heart he whose presence he even denies to himself that he has.
Even after all this time, he was still afraid of riding in a helicopter. Despite myself, a wave of fondness for him ran through me, and I couldn't help but send that fondness through our bond so he'd feel it. Maybe I could combat his fear with love. Geez, thank the goddess no one else could hear that sappiness in my head. I'd never live it down. Blech.
So all that being said I have to agree with some reviews that said that they felt that the series felt unfinished and they were a bit disappointed at the ending. I wouldn't go so far to say I was disappointed, but there are quite some unanswered questions and I felt as though there were some personal issues not concluded. At the very beginning of the series, when Madeo and Cosmo were first intimate with one another Madeo said that because of the rape he endured growing up and abuse he wasn't ready for anything putting him in a vulnerable position. Quite understandable and sad. I would have thought at the very end of the book that this would also be a last character development reaching its conclusion. Not because of the sex per se but I would think that this would be about intimacy, last barriers falling between Cosmo and Madeo, mental health, ridding himself from the past etc. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to minimize what Cosmo and Madeo have to only the physical and there were a lot of beautiful moments, touching and more intimate because of the emotions felt, like the one I mentioned above. But Anderson and what he did to both Jude and Madeo was such a big part of this whole series and in my mind this was the final hold he had on Madeo. A perfect moment would have been (view spoiler)[ during their vacation (hide spoiler)].
Maybe I can't remember and someone can educate me but other questions I still have also concern the world itself. Are people coming back to the US after things seem to get better? What caused the initial tear? Were there ever any consequences for how the Magi were treated? How was it possible for so many people to disappear and be slaughtered without anyone knowing? People turned up dead left, right and center in this book. I cannot imagine this not causing any kind of uproar. I also cannot imagine people knowingly joining this cult or leaving/turning whistleblower after hearing in the news how they (view spoiler)[ indiscriminately slaughtered a whole mall full of parents with children, human and shifter alike (hide spoiler)]. Did Madeo and Jude ever find any other relatives? I would think that people would try and find their offspring or siblings now that they were able to. Wasn't Madeo looking into that in one of the last books and this is how he initially found Jude's sibling? How is it that the same persons were kept in charge of the TRD and the magi after it became known how they treated the Magi to begin with. Madeo even said himself that the one above Director Dipshit was the one overseeing or knowing about the Magi compounds. How is it possible for a person like that to still be in charge? (view spoiler)[How did Anderson get so powerful in their battles by only licking blood? Was the knife he used linked to some sort of magic? Don't all their victims have to be dead for witches to be able to absorb their energy? Aren't they afraid of all kinds of infections if they truly have to ingest the blood like Anderson did? If Andersons family were the initiators or the original witches and leaders of the Red Cloth what was the connection to the European witches? Why aren't there any children of Madeo or Jude running around? (hide spoiler)] These are just from the top of my head questions after just finishing the book. Does anyone know the answer to any of them and can tell me what passage I should reread?
In the end the series is an incredible ride and I'm very glad I read it and will reread it in the future for sure. ...more
***3.5⭐️*** Sweet and interesting with quite the emotional baggage dumped on us readers right at the beginning. You can't help but root for them both. ***3.5⭐️*** Sweet and interesting with quite the emotional baggage dumped on us readers right at the beginning. You can't help but root for them both. The story felt rushed at times and I would have loved to explore this strange and dangerous world a little more but alas. Loved all the small things they did for one another, all those thoughtful gifts and the underlying message that in the end what really matters is not material but the presence of someone you trust and love....more
My god. I have to settle first. This one hit home pretty hard for me. This author must have at least some experience with depression and anxiety becauMy god. I have to settle first. This one hit home pretty hard for me. This author must have at least some experience with depression and anxiety because it made my heart bleed for sure.
***
Okay, so I loved the read, even though I had a hard time with the language they used in their dialogues. Do people really talk like that nowadays? And I don't mean kids, the characters are in their mid to late 20s. (You dig?, It's why I dig meditation. , Word = as in really or ok or yes or true or or or, Word was used every other time, like "You got a boner." "Word?"; "There's a photo online covering my hickey," I tell him as he kisses the spot. "Word? Seeing it on you at the game did it for me. I've officially devolved into a caveman."; "I'm hungry. Can we order grub?" "I cooked.""Word?") It felt a little juvenile for me. Another thing I could have done without is (view spoiler)[the 3rd act not exactly break-up but going no-contact (hide spoiler)].
The mind is a strange place. While reading the book I questioned Ty's love for fast cars and racing when (view spoiler)[his parents were killed in a car crash (hide spoiler)]. But I suppose the brain can go ether way. His brain probably disregarded the cause in favor or fixating on the sport.
Okay with that out of the way I really enjoyed this book. Loved how much they supported one another and you really felt how much they loved one another. I could see both sides and how peoples experiences can have conscious and unconscious impact on your relationships. In some situations you are so immersed in your own drama and mindset that you completely forget that other people have feelings and experiences too. This was made abundantly clear in the above mentioned third act when Sid and Ty (view spoiler)[ had their quarrel that lead to Ty leaving their home and going no-contact for weeks on end, and also finally seeking the help he so dearly needed. Ty was so distraught that Sid seemingly thought that Ty didn't have his back and didn't see him as a partner and seemed to pull away from him while Sid was reliving past hurts with Ty and feeling as though he now had a front row seat to watching someone he loves self-destruct without being able to stop it (hide spoiler)]. So yeah, from personal experience I can totally understand Ty but Sid has his own bag to carry and made me want to hug him close. Their love felt so real somehow, but was also a bit destructive tbh. We went from Sid this based guy whos life-goal was to enjoy every moment and be happy to a guy constantly worried about his lovers mental health and losing him.
Sid in his own words near the beginning of the book: "So, you take supplements, eat clean, meditate, and see a therapist. I'm impressed," I confess. "It's just how I'm wired. I like to feel good," he says.
What I'm extraordinarily thankful for is that the book never and I mean never made me question their loyalty to one another and question if they would cheat or had cheated. I have to concede to having flashbacks to a book that could have been great but left such a bitter taste in my mouth because they supposed love for the ages was tarnished by them being made to (as well as anybody can really be made to do things) sleep with women to keep up appearances. I'm not exaggerating when saying I dislike remembering this book with a passion, because it made me love the main couple only to destroy my heart. For reference this is the book to avoid: The Locker Room
It is still strange to me that I felt so much about them and their relationship and thought I knew them even though a lot of the time their interactions started or ended with them horizontally. Especially their quarrels felt raw to me and gave them so much depth and the reader so much insight into their dynamic, personality and relationship. I could have done with less horizontal tango tbh. The first time they kissed was just explosive and every touch gave me goose bumps but after a time it lost its shine because the impact and the cause was missing. That is why renown authors lecturing on writing sex-scenes always tell you to not write intimate scenes just because, that they have to have a reason and move the story forward or have some sort of impact. Case in point, one time that really got me was in the third act when they finally reconnected again after their separation.
Retrospectively there were many small things that showed their love for one another though. Oftentimes small gestures like these are overlooked in the grand scheme of things or cast aside in favor of telling more than showing. This is exactly what makes a reader feel a connection to the mail characters and "the spark" so to speak. Things like secret signals to one another, calling someone up to see if they are ok, remembering them being alone on a holiday and inviting them, asking questions to things important in the others life ((view spoiler)[like which cemetery his parents are buried in to send flowers, or which hospital his uncle lies in so he can send support from afar (hide spoiler)]).
Another aspect I really liked and is always a plus in my book is when the MC's or at least one MC has supportive and loving side-characters in friends and family by their side. I loved the relationship between Ty and Adam and how they evolved and became even closer over time as well. You also cannot forget Sid's mum who was a force to be reckoned with, caring for Ty while also supporting her son and giving Ty some perspective. There are many more but they stood out to me the most.
The end also came waaaayyyy too quickly after this long of a read and especially after that third act! My god man I needed more after that emotional turmoil. I was still reeling from that when everything was fine again and "the end". My heart didn't have time to catch up to the fluffy feelings of everything being lovey dovey roses again and was quite distressed after having finished the book.
In conclusion, I really appreciated the realism of how depression/anxiety etc. can impact every aspect of your life. It was also interesting to read that no relationship is perfect and one has to work on having a HEA, I could have done without the separation tbh. This is just me, but life is hard enough, in my books I want to flee reality and enjoy the couples to work through everything together. Hard won victories are the best in life and are often a goal in literature, I only hope that this author will not take it further in future books adding drama just to break the readers hearts. One might wait and see i suppose. There certainly is an audience out there who enjoys an angsty read. I'm not one of them, my reading temperature lies between no- to mild angst. All in all it was a great read and a strong couple and I am curious to see what is going to happen next....more
***3.6*** I liked it. It was emotional at times. Somehow I'm even glad that what happened happened at that point in time as I could handle it because I***3.6*** I liked it. It was emotional at times. Somehow I'm even glad that what happened happened at that point in time as I could handle it because I knew that there was quite some book left and so everything had to end well....more
![The Wolf's [Un]Lucky Fae (Fortune Favors the Fae, #2)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1716898127l/213181479._SY75_.jpg)
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