Too bad that won’t get my arse out of this sling.
Do one—granted, uncharacteristic—good deed, and now I’m held hostage to an arrogant faerie prince, trying to track down the one who summoned him while dodging gangbangers, gun runners, and Nazis. Add the powerful mage guilds scrambling to gather firepower for some doomsday event they’re sure is around the corner, and my cushy life of leisure might be nothing but a memory. On top of that, something’s compelling me to change on my most fundamental level. I’m not sure what I’ve got myself mixed up in, but nothing will ever be the same.
Bloody hell.
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Featuring a new twist on urban fantasy combined with fast-paced action and intrigue, the Arcana Imperii series books are standalone adventures, each completely accessible to new readers.
Fantasy Living - 4 Hearts
While trying to be a good incubus, Inky has somehow tied himself to a fae prince who refuses to release him until the faerie (Let’s call him Blossom) can return home and get away from the boring human realm he hasn’t been to in centuries and doesn’t miss.
This story is told from four POV. Inky (Incubus), Blossom (Fae) and two humans, Dante (a 19 yo who works for an arms dealer) and Raf (the arms dealer).
Now that the groundwork is laid out, let’s get to the fun part. Dante’s sister has been kidnapped, and Blossom is somewhat convinced (by Inky) that the little girl somehow conjured him to the human realm (I honestly don’t know if I’m supposed to call it earth in this context so I’ll stick with realm/dimension, whatever). That would take some powerful magic, and would need skill and power to have Blossom released to return to his home. He is not wholly convinced that the girl has either, so things are looking bleak, but they are on this journey nonetheless.
Blossom is a haughty brat, and it is hilarious. He just doesn’t care, is completely into himself and finds humans, and Inky beneath his notice.
”MY DEMON servant muttered under his breath as we traversed the snowy walkways of the decrepit human settlement. What an annoying creature; I should have chosen someone better to assist me, but now I’d saddled myself with this dour being whose only motivation involved inserting his member into some mortal and imagining it was a profound act.”
Coupled with Inky’s nature of needing to fit someone’s fantasy, there is a weird dynamic that occurs that I still can’t really figure out, but someone else might be able to explain to me.
Dante’s sexuality isn’t named, but I’m pretty sure he is asexual and aromantic, which means when Inky crosses his path, all Inky can feel from him is rage, and fear for Dante’s sister, but no desire to mold him into a shape (yes, a shape shifting incubus!!). This leaves Inky feeling lost and a little frightened for the future, until he settles into a routine of just being himself.
There are a lot of interesting elements in this story. I really liked the world building. The different take on magic and the Incubus was delightful, and I did like the characters. Raf is a little out of place, and it is difficult to understand why he even has a POV until much later on. I still liked him mostly. He has a protective streak for Dante, that at some points seems to indicate some deeper feels.
There is no romantic element to this story, it is purely UF, so check expectations. Since romance is not a prerequisite for me, I didn’t miss it, but there was some alluding, which kind of irritated me because I honestly couldn’t see where the story was going in the early stages.
There were a few things my ‘parent’ lens didn’t allow me to buy into towards the end. I can’t say much about it because it’s a spoiler, but it’s one of the reasons this isn’t higher rating for me. If it is to push this world into a series, then I get it (and am totally down for this, thank you August Li) but it doesn’t make it better for me.
Overall this was definitely worth my time, and I’m pleased with this new to me author. I will definitely be keeping my eye on more of his work. Loads of fun and creativity with skilled writing. Recommended to everyone who enjoys Urban Fantasy, or wants to give it a try.
A review copy was provided for an honest opinion.
R *A Reader Obsessed* - 4 Unexpected Hearts - BR with FantasyLiving!
No good deed goes unpunished…
In an alternate universe where magic abounds furtively and all sorts of creatures exist, a self absorbed incubus takes a step out of his comfort zone and follows a mysterious pull towards an underground club. There, he surprisingly finds a fae, whose kind hasn’t been seen in nigh 2000 years, and who’s been summoned and trapped in this world against his will. Said incubus feels inclined to help this wondrous creature avoid a terrible fate, and before he knows it, he’s locked into a binding agreement with the fairy to help him find the person who has him caught. If the agreement goes unfulfilled, grave repercussions will ensue and thus, this story begins.
Of course, nothing is ever that easy or simple. What unfolds is plenty of snark and animosity, as incubus and fairy encounter mages, skinheads, arms dealers, turf wars, and dangerous magical factions, all with their own agenda that is surely sinister and most likely deadly.
Along the way, a human brother and sister get caught in the middle, and it’s a race against time (isn’t it always?) to set things right so said incubus can go back to his safe and mundane life, free of the fae who has trapped him into service. However, the incubus is irrevocably changed and influenced and is now caught up in something way bigger than himself.
Perhaps as a warning, this is not a romance. There are established couples, romantic feelings develop and are present, but an actual story about two people falling in love, this is not. As another warning, this is told from 4 different points of view, and the reader definitely gets perspective from all the main players involved.
Rolling down a hill, getting bigger and bigger, what initially looks like something small and insignificant, changes and exponentially grows into so much more as unconnected people, events, and situations converge into quite the impressive reveal.
Admittedly, this was so far from what was expected and wanted (ahem, smexy smex with a fantasy flair). Instead, respect for the world building and the complex conflict was left in its place. I look forward to one helluva future ride and hopefully a big satisfying payoff!
Thank you to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review
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