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Needed an editor

Reviewed: 03-17-25

The premise is great, but almost DNF. The fmc is annoying. I felt like I heard the same argument 20 times. The most interesting things happened in the last 40 minutes.

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Just as sweet as it is spicy

Reviewed: 02-13-25

Realistic portrayals of consent/baby kink, lovable MC’s, cameos from our favorite Stanford bio faculty… what’s not to love? Maybe just slightly triggering (in a totally NON SEXUAL way) for any premed perfectionists in recovery :)

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When is the next one?

Reviewed: 11-25-24

As others have said, perfect narration. Amazing world building, excellent action, lovely enemies-to-lovers romance. What more could you want?
Now, when’s the next book?!

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Whoah

Reviewed: 05-14-24

Buckle up. No, this is not high brow literature, but it’s a fun and wild ride with a believably bad*ss heroine, a little mysticism, lots of archeology (some of it quite real), and some good Machiavellian camp dynamics. Great for a southwest roadtrip, but a little creepy to listen to before bed in our tent way out in the desert at night 🫣

***trigger warning***: some very graphic violence including death of animals (horses, described in detail in multiple scenes; dog, not the killing but the aftermath)

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Prequel was better

Reviewed: 05-14-24

*spoilers* …vague but read with caution

It’s fine, but Nora was way smarter and more bad*as in the prequel (which was a far more entertaining and better narrated tale than this book in general). Seems a little unbelievable and inconsistent with her character for her to be such a brat about shutting down the camp for a murder investigation after all that went down in Thunderhead…also weird for her to be so gullible/not suspicious of people close to her being snakes. NORA DID YOU LEARN NOTHING FROM THAT CRAZINESS IN THE DESERT?? Had I not read that book first I probably wouldn’t like her much as a character just from this showing in the Sierra Nevada.
If people at least somewhat enjoyed the eeriness, archeology, and last little bit of action of this book, you will enjoy the prequel lots more….and as I alluded to, it’s a different narrator…and does not involve the FBI at all.

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Just right.

Reviewed: 02-21-24

…but seriously, the Goldilocks of paranormal romance: Believable/likable main characters, little bit of intrigue, a couple nice reveals, and “magical” species re-created through a biologist’s imagination. The plot isn’t solely driven by poor communication (gasp). It’s exciting without being too intense/doom-and-gloom/“the fate of the world is in balance”…yes, I love fantasy, but sometimes a girl just needs escapism that isn’t so high stakes or overly complicated. I feel like Misery would back me on this.

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Downgrade

Reviewed: 12-29-23

Liked the first book of the series. This installment could have used some heavy editing; author has created this actually very interesting world and system of magic, all embroiled in a larger conflict, and yet all we hear about is “OMG but he LIED TO ME!” for half the book, followed by a second half of gratuitous sex scenes that add nothing to the characters or the plot. You could just listen to the last 40 min.

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Nice

Reviewed: 11-22-23

Nice, spicy little romantic fantasy. Lots to like here: Dark webs of destiny, enemies-to-lovers, a loveably savage and damaged anti-heroine, and nice world building in the vein of SJM’s Crescent City series (but not an imitation, just a similarly modern and urban feeling kingdom/society). I like that it’s going to be a duology instead of a drawn-out saga; sometimes I just don’t have the patience for the slow burn or for the villain to get what’s coming to them. Glad this author didn’t make me wait too long for the first wave of both in this first installment.

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1 person found this helpful

Not as preachy as advertised

Reviewed: 11-14-23

Basically I disagree with every other review.
1) The only reference to BLM and the protests following George Floyd’s murder was in the author’s note at the end. The book itself is focused on fictional white supremacy groups in the PNW trying to undermine tribal rights and treaties, and it was one of the author’s more more masterfully crafted plots, I thought, in terms of who was actually pulling the strings. There is no demonization of police or promotion of looting/rioting. Triggered much?
2) The bisexual piece does actually further the plot; it allows for resolution of a specific insecurity/jealousy that threatens the budding relationship between the lovers and allows meaningful conversation between Maddie and Eva.
I have read plenty of this author’s work and yes, sometimes it gets preachy. This particular book was actually very subdued in that regard, I thought. It is otherwise classic Grant with some real archeology, punchable bad guys, emotionally intelligent heroes, and hot military guys that generally skip the toxic masculinity. Enjoy.

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5 people found this helpful

Might be my favorite Bardugo…

Reviewed: 01-07-23

Yes, the Six of Crows Duology is classic, but it’s young at its heart and intended for a young audience. The narration of this is obviously excellent— Fortang never disappoints, and the dude wasn’t bad at all—and this author’s style/prose are among my favorite. The pacing was lovely, the twists were actually twisted, and it contained just the right amount of social commentary alongside the magic. I will disagree with many reviews by saying that the structure/timeline is quite easy to follow. I think the tone and expectations are appropriately set by starting with Alex at rock-bottom, and then learning what led there. If you attended the hallowed halls of any prestigious college/university in the Northeast, this will resonate deeply, for better or for worse.

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