Blessed Odds: An Urban Fantasy Thriller

Riftborn, Book 2

By: Steve McHugh

Narrated by: Matthew Wolf

Lucas Rurik confronts a cult determined to remake the world—no matter the cost—in this urban fantasy noir from the author of the Hellequin Chronicles.

Lucas Rurik is no stranger to navigating the tricky territory between humans and those touched by the rift. After all, as the last surviving member of the Raven Guild, protecting the peace is his job. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

As much as Lucas would like to be out hunting for Dr. Callie Mitchell—a deranged scientist with a bad habit of experimenting on the rift-fused—his friends at the Rift-Crime Unit require his expertise on a perilous case. It seems a mysterious kingpin known as the Croupier has been making some shady deals, and revenants, riftborn, and humans alike are winding up dead in the process. Now, with the help of chained revenant Nadia and FBI-agent-turned-revenant Emily West, it’s up to Lucas to track down the anonymous crime lord before anyone else is hurt.

But as Lucas gets closer to his target, he discovers this is no ordinary manhunt. The Croupier is leading a dangerous group of zealots who want to destroy both the rift and humanity—and they’ll stop at nothing to make their so-called Blessed plans a reality . . .

©2023 Steve McHugh (P)2023 Podium Audio

5 Stars

Blessed Odds is well written with engaging characters and a fast moving plot. I look forward to the next book.

Even better than the first book :)

4.5 Stars 🌟

This is the second book in this series in which Mr. McHugh has created a very unique world. In the first book, we were introduced to this world with the "Rift" and all of the new types of characters that have been introduced because of it. We also met Lucas Rurik - a Riftborn Guild Member, last surviving member of his Guild - the Raven Guild. He ended up chasing after Dr. Callie Mitchell - a psychotic crazy lady determined to create a serum that could turn humans into monsters.

This book takes up exactly where the first book left off. Lucas is chasing after Callie and the serum that has been sold on the black market when he realizes that Callie may not be the actual "Big Bad". He then discovers that there is another REALLY bad guy who calls himself "The Croupier" who has been leading this new cult-like group called the "Blessed". They have teamed up with Callie but things are even more complicated than previously thought for Lucas and his friends at the RCU.

This book is very Lucas centered and we follow him as he returns to the Rift to investigate what is going on. This case seems to involve bad guys (lots of people playing both ends) both on Earth and in the Rift and the good guys seem to be just one step behind as they begin to learn the truth of what is really going on.

I enjoyed this book, maybe just a little bit more than the first book because the world building was already established, and the characters were already developed. We got to focus more on the "story" in this book. Plus, I REALLY enjoyed the narration by Matthew Wolf and just the Englishness (is that a word) of the story. The narrator Matthew's accents (and there were many) were done brilliantly and there were many wonderful odd differences between American items and British things (trunk vs boot, and tea....always tea) always made me smile.

I did have a problem though with the culmination. It seemed as if the moment that Lucas and the gang discovered exactly "who" The Croupier was, everything hit the fan. Like the EXACT MOMENT. Lucas had just returned from the Rift, how would anyone know what he had discovered yet? The thing that I kept thinking in my head was how in the world did the bad guy even know what Lucas had figured out? And the when....it just didn't exactly compute.

But other than that, I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book which is going to keep us moving forward as we try to figure out exactly what is going on. As I said before. Lots of people playing both sides against the middle. Things are going to get interesting......

Consistently excellent

Every series, every time. This trilogy took a bit more work to really get into, but so worth it by the midpoint of the 2nd book. A mark of a great audiobook is the random lunatic smile or bray of laughter. Happened in a restaurant on my lunch break when I was dining alone. Worth it.

Blessed McHugh

Mr. McHugh continues to write books that draw you in and keep you there. His imagination and creative character building entwines you in the lives of those characters so you feel emotional highs and lows. The Audible performers were fantastic, which also helps you feel like part of the story.

Interesting and engaging

When a story moves you unexpectedly to laughter(or a snort) then I consider it a good one. I do not like juvenile humor or jokes though I love quirky characters that are unpredictable and this delivers that.

Another great story

I love this author. Strong characters, interesting storytelling, and a good narrator. If you like paranormal stories listen to the first book in the series first.

Kicks the 1st books @$$

Well book 1 appears to be a warm up! This book is full throttle action and more world building with in the rift!

I

Series Continues To Deliver

Much as I enjoyed Mchugh’s Helliquin Universe, enjoying The Tales of The Rift. Matthew Wolf has done a great job in bringing the tale to life.

Greatness all around.

Great story (of course), and great narration voice. Can't wait to hear where the journey goes next.

Another great series!

If you love Hellaquin…… read this series as well. Book 2 was as intriguing as book 1. Lucas is a new fav