A close-knit group of psychically gifted friends tussle with Nazi demigods in this installment of Faulkner’s long-running SF/fantasy series.

Love and romance brought Laurence Riley and Quentin d’Arcy together, but tragedy has shaped much of their lives. They now care for seven live-in teenagers in a California-based “weirdo home for wayward psychics.” Most of their wards struggle to overcome such traumas as abusive and otherwise cruel family members. The past catches up to Mel, their home’s newest addition, when one of her father’s associates somehow finds her. She refuses to go back to her dad, Nate Anderson, a Nazi with the blood of a god in his veins. But Nate won’t take no for an answer; he surrounds himself with fellow demigods and most certainly aims to grab Laurence, who harbors power from two gods, for his collection. Laurence, Quentin, and the others don’t quite realize the danger they’re in until they follow up a Disneyland outing with a helicopter ride to the desert and run afoul of Mel’s father. Nate (who can generate electricity and storms) and his powerful comrades are able to track down the weirdo-home residents with ease. Fortunately, the friends are willing and able to defend themselves and each other with gifts of their own: Psychic teen Estelita has an enhanced hearing ability, Laurence uses magic to summon a long-bladed knife, and Quentin has telekinesis and can fly (though he’s really telekinetically “lifting” himself). Vanquishing the formidable baddies may demand a fight to the death.

As was the case in the series’ preceding entries, Faulkner excels at character development. Laurence, for example, is still reeling from an ordeal he previously suffered, which made him, a recovering addict, once again crave heroin. Everyone living in the San Diego home is proudly queer and has also experienced various types of hatred and discrimination. Their psychic gifts make for exciting action scenes, which the author masterfully incorporates into the plot. The powers are thematically apt: In Quentin’s case, the ability to move things without touching them is perfect for a man who avoids bodily contact with most people. Another character, Alex, who uses they/them pronouns, is a shape-shifter who stays in the form of a man only to appease others while not truly being themself. While the villains are unmistakably abhorrent (they’re Nazis, after all), they’re just as vibrantly detailed, sporting powers such as enhanced healing and incredible speed. This installment boasts taut, dynamic combat sequences: “A touch as cold as death caressed his skin, passing through his clothes as though they didn’t exist, and it set off sparks of false nerve endings and ticklish twitches across his scarred body… His telekinesis found nothing to hold, and fire had nothing but his own energy to burn.” The plot takes a few shocking turns, from character deaths to the teenaged Soraya’s secret newfound gift. Series regulars Laurence and Quentin shine, as always; Windsor, a bright, talking raven (and Laurence’s familiar) steals numerous scenes. A gleefully ambiguous epilogue hints at more to come.

Another profound and exhilarating entry in this queer urban fantasy series.

A search for lost memories pits lovers against an immensely powerful force in this eighth urban-fantasy installment.

Laurence Riley and Quentin d’Arcy make the most of their shared life in San Diego, where they live with and care for a mansion full of youngsters who, like the couple, are “gifted” with supernatural abilities. Quentin, for example, is telekinetic, and Laurence is a witch, although he’s not as skilled or formidable as his mentor, Rufus. As a trade-off for this mentorship, Laurence uses his gift to gaze into Rufus’ memories—specifically, his family’s fatal car accident from 10 years before. Rufus wants to find out who killed his parents, believing that it was more than a mere accidental collision. But as Laurence surprisingly discovers, no one who was at the scene on that particular day—including himself as a boy—remembers much about what happened. So he turns to Quentin’s telepathic twin, Frederick, who’s already at work making amends for startling transgressions, real or perceived, against his brother and Laurence. Frederick’s deep dive into someone else’s mind, however, only deepens the mystery, as he spots missing memories, or “blips,” during his exploration. Identifying the reason why those blips exist will ultimately put Laurence, Quentin, and their family members and friends in the company of warlocks and sorcerers, with some more intimidating than others. The heroes will use their gifts and whatever spells they can get their hands on to somehow restore the missing memories and maybe unmask a killer along the way.

This latest offering retains the somber tone and understated humor that Faulkner mastered in previous volumes in the series. Most characters have dark pasts that weigh heavily on them in the present day. This sequel explores familiar territory, with copious nods to earlier events throughout the series. Still, the mystery this time around is thoroughly engaging, and the cast is, as always, fascinating. Series staple Frederick is especially memorable as a sublimely complicated telepath who’s easy to like despite his unquestionable capacity to do some awful things. Laurence and Quentin, too, are shown to struggle with the effects of past traumas, including Laurence’s former heroin addiction and Quentin’s father’s abuse. In this novel, Quentin shows his own paternal side, as the gifted youth are akin to his and Laurence’s children, and he even runs into an intriguing potential addition to their household. As the story continues, the author steers readers through numerous plot turns, including the heroes getting an unexpected helping hand and one character facing sudden peril. The main mystery also gets a satisfying resolution. Moreover, Faulkner’s prose is as sharp and concise as ever, smoothly alternating between close third-person narrative perspectives, although Laurence most often takes the narrative reins. Notwithstanding all the backstory, this focused installment rarely strays from the main plot; this makes for a thrilling tale that culminates with not one, but three rousing scenes that set the stage for another series installment.

A well-developed cast fuels the latest entry in a consistently absorbing paranormal series.

This seventh installment of an urban fantasy series finds lovers with supernatural powers surprisingly helpless when mysterious abductors grab one of them.

Quentin d’Arcy may finally be able to work through some things. Long-buried memories of his father’s unimaginable abuse have resurfaced and plagued him with nightmares. But now, Quentin, a wealthy British earl, is back at his San Diego home with his beloved American lover, Laurence Riley. He’s seeing therapists, hoping he can be honest about his psychokinesis. But while Quentin has faced the likes of dark creatures and fiendish sociopaths, he may now be up against his greatest threat—a meddlesome YouTuber. Cameron Delaney believes incidents Quentin has been involved in prove the spirit of the earl’s mother has been haunting him. This internet ghost hunter even stirs up a horde of paranormal fanatics who crowd around Quentin and Laurence’s La Jolla mansion like paparazzi. Surely Delaney will be the first person Laurence suspects when kidnappers get their hands on Quentin. But Laurence should be able to see psychically where his lover is—so why can’t he? Quentin, too, has been having trouble controlling his psychokinesis, which he now can’t access at all. While Quentin tries throwing light on his captors’ motives, Laurence’s search becomes desperate, as most of his friends’ special gifts are useless. He has no choice but to turn to a relative stranger, who may be wielding dark magic, and an enemy whom Laurence probably shouldn’t trust. Answers to the kidnapping plot along with a possible escape may lie in Quentin’s sordid past.

This ostensibly simple caper follows Rites of Winter (2019), which explored the land of the dead. While it seems as if Faulkner has taken a lighthearted detour, this book aptly delves into dark themes that shroud the entire series. Quentin, for example, is a prisoner of familial ties, and Laurence has long represented his freedom. This installment is likewise a prime example of how strongly the author links each volume. There are endless references to past events and characters, from a question in Book 6 that’s still lingering to the name-dropping of an antagonist from the very first novel. Readers will best enjoy this series from the beginning and in sequential order, as they may otherwise find themselves lost. Elsewhere, Faulkner takes a satirical stab at amateur newshounds. Delaney’s desire to inflate his million subscribers on YouTube propels him to frightening lengths and to forgo common sense and decency. At the same time, it’s a welcome sight when characters display skills outside the supernatural. Rodger, one of the superpowered teens that Quentin and Laurence mentor, excels at some old-fashioned detective work that uses his computer expertise, which, rather hilariously, bewilders Laurence. The cast shines, including despicable Delaney; a villain who pops up halfway through the story; and a bevy of returning characters. While the protagonists are, as always, an indelible, series-worthy couple, others stand out as well, such as Laurence’s familiar, Windsor, a charming raven with whom he often communicates telepathically. The ending hints at an evil that the heroes may not have encountered yet.

This enthralling, sensational tale further bolsters a series about love and superpowers.

Armed with supernatural skills and new allies, a man sets out to rescue his lover from the land of the dead in this sixth volume of an urban fantasy series.

After surviving a harrowing ordeal, Laurence Riley and Quentin d’Arcy decide to leave London for sunny San Diego, where they first met. But Quentin’s psychokinesis turns his recurring nightmares into rather destructive affairs. To ease his stress, the couple first take a shorter flight to New York City and grab a hotel just as a blizzard hits. The West Coast can wait; they’ll just enjoy themselves and each other until the weather lets up. But when the two men briefly separate, a shadowy monster suddenly attacks and devours Quentin, who winds up in Otherworld—the land of the dead. Getting back to his lover necessitates Quentin making a bargain with Arawn, the God of the Dead. Arawn merely wants Quentin to kill fairy king Gwyn ap Nudd, something that the deity, for whatever reason, can’t do. Arawn pairs Quentin with a Hunter to guide him; surprisingly, it’s Eric, Laurence’s deceased father, who’s capable of magic like his son. Back in the real world, Laurence’s psychic vision shows him Quentin’s apparent demise. Luckily, Laurence has just made some new friends, including a necromancer, who have the know-how to glean where Quentin is and devise a plan for bringing him home. But even if they can make their way to Otherworld, they’ll still likely have to face Gwyn, whose power may be greater than whatever Laurence, Quentin, and the others can throw at him.

While Faulkner introduces new threats for each installment, numerous story threads flow throughout this series. In previous entries, for example, Quentin’s wicked father has been a central character. In this book, Quentin is tormented by the man’s past abuse, and he fears that he has darkness in himself as well. The highlighted romance likewise progresses, as the two lovers become more comfortable with each other and their increasing sexual appetites. While a generally somber tone blankets this series, Book 6 sports a more comedic approach, though it’s markedly understated. For starters, Quentin must suffer Eric’s string of delightfully banal dad jokes, including why two elephants can’t go for a swim together: “Because they’ve only got one pair of trunks!” But the main plot comes across as a frenzied, almost haphazard plan to defeat Gwyn and save Quentin. The scheme entails ever changing theories; someone’s power that no one can adequately explain (“He can, like…I dunno. Kill himself at will, kinda”); and Eric’s strategy that he derives from “Dungeons & Dragons.” The peril nevertheless takes center stage as the good guys face off against a formidable foe and his dark, vicious army and a few characters are not what they appear to be. Best of all, Laurence and Quentin’s passionate relationship continues to drive the series, showcasing a profound, unwavering love even if the former seems perpetually primed for sex. The final act is a superpowered battle resulting in deaths and near deaths, culminating in an ending that once again teases the next volume.

A sprightly, engaging paranormal series installment with magic-infused action and character evolution.

An English earl fights to save his beloved American boyfriend by confronting his powerful, abusive father in the continuation of Faulkner’s paranormal series.

When Quentin d’Arcy left London several years ago, he was certain his duke father murdered his mother. Now he’s living in San Diego with the man he loves, Laurence Riley. All seems to be going well until Quentin’s twin brother, Frederick, somehow tricks Laurence into traveling to London. Freddy holds Laurence hostage via his telepathic abilities. This forces Quentin to return to England, although the real mastermind behind this plan is the twins’ father. Quentin and Laurence both have supernatural powers like Freddy, but the duke has long strived for Quentin to inherit his magic as well. Passing down this ability evidently required the duke to savagely abuse his young son for more than a decade—abuse that 20-something Quentin has effectively repressed. Freddy, however, knows what the duke has done, as does Laurence, who can see into others’ pasts. As Quentin rushes to London to rescue his lover, Laurence searches for a way to protect himself from Freddy’s mental dominance. Though he’s capable of magic, Laurence is still practicing and most assuredly needs help, like from his raven familiar, Windsor. But time is fleeting, as the duke’s goal of “breaking” Quentin to his will includes reintroducing heroin into Laurence’s now-sober life. Facing off against his father, Quentin may decide that killing the duke is the only way to save himself and Laurence.

Throughout the series, Faulkner has successfully fused supernatural events with Quentin and Laurence’s budding romance. This fifth installment adds much more action and suspense to the mix, and there’s a noticeably swifter pace as Quentin scours London in search of Laurence and answers. Bolstering that is a bevy of vibrant characters, like magician Rufus, who’s been mentoring Laurence, and the twins’ grandfather, who may have committed acts as vile as their father. Along with showcasing superpowers, such as Quentin’s ability to generate fire, the series excels at providing psychological insights into its cast. Quentin, for one, is prone to blackouts, which may result from learning about the abuse he endured. But though the series has ably solidified Quentin and Laurence’s endearing relationship, Freddy is perhaps this book’s most indelible character. He has the earmarks of a merciless villain. He’s also smooth and confident; he responds to Laurence’s threat to kill him with, “Possibly. But not yet.” The likelihood that the duke has leverage over Freddy provides the latter with sympathy, as does a flashback to 12 years prior when he was protective of Quentin. While this is not the series’ conclusion, the inevitable clash between Quentin and his father is satisfying, particularly as preceding books have teased it. And sure enough, the ending hints at an entirely new danger for the lovers.

Perpetually engrossing characters populate this invigorating installment.

In this fourth volume of a paranormal series, a Londoner tracks down his aristocratic twin to learn why his brother believes their father committed murder.

Frederick d’Arcy finally finds his brother, Quentin, who fled England for San Diego, California. Though the 25-year-olds are fraternal twins, Quentin, a few hours older, is heir apparent to their duke father’s estate. Quentin has fallen in love with Laurence Riley, who runs a flower shop with his mother. Both lovers have supernatural abilities, from Laurence’s precognition to Quentin’s telekinesis. Frederick has an ability as well, though he stays mum about his telepathy. He plans to use it to resolve his mother’s mysterious death. Six years ago, Quentin accused their father of killing their mother at her funeral. Quentin had an apparent telekinetic fit and then passed out, evidently forgetting the incident afterward. To get answers, Frederick tries diving into Laurence’s mind, with the hope that the man will be able to see into the d’Arcys’ past. At the same time, Frederick’s background check on Laurence—partly to ensure he’s not a gold digger —includes looking into the Californian’s former drug dealer, Mikey Brennan. Despite Mikey’s sordid profession, Frederick finds himself sympathizing with him, as he’s suffered abuse throughout his life. The two men’s mental connection, courtesy of Frederick’s telepathy, leads to a physical bond. Meanwhile, there’s another threat: Kane Wilson wants Laurence and Quentin to join his superpowered group for a rescue. But digging further into Wilson’s history—or mind—may reveal he’s much more sinister than he appears.

After centering on Laurence and Quentin in the first three volumes, Faulkner shifts narrative perspective to Frederick and sometimes Mikey. This isn’t an introduction for either character, as they’ve both had prior appearances. Frederick, in particular, had a sizable role in the second book; in fact, much of this novel takes place during the same time as the earlier installment. Accordingly, there are prolonged scenes directly from Book 2, and while this time they come from Frederick’s perspective, the abundant dialogue is verbatim. Even a climactic scene from the earlier work reappears, which will surely have a lessened impact for readers familiar with the series. Still, it’s intriguing to see Laurence and Quentin from Frederick’s viewpoint. As he’s refined his ability more than the other two, Frederick reads most people’s minds with ease and judges them on their genuine thoughts. This makes Laurence even more likable, as, dissimilar to most, his thoughts closely match what he voices. Frederick, too, is an appealing protagonist; his powers entail implanting suggestions into others’ minds, which he uses to his benefit but also to help people. Wilson is an effective, albeit returning, menace while the mystery of the twins’ mother’s death, which may not have been murder, remains captivating. Fans of the series anticipating the author’s typically sublime passages will be more than satiated: “Frederick ran imaginary fingers over illusory skin and resolved to do all of this for real as soon as possible.”

A thoroughly riveting installment of a supernatural saga.

Two lovers discover new paranormal gifts and enemies in this third installment of a series.

Things seem to be looking up for Laurence Riley in San Diego, California. The god Herne the Hunter appears before him and tells him that, along with other abilities like precognition, Laurence is capable of magic. Actually learning magic will necessitate seeking out a man named Rufus Grant, whom Laurence first saw in a vision. Meanwhile, Laurence’s romantic relationship with British Earl Quentin d’Arcy has become decidedly more fervent. Unfortunately, the earl has an unwelcome encounter with his own father, the Duke of Oxford, who Quentin is convinced killed his mother. The duke demands his son return home, and Quentin, who has essentially been hiding out in the United States, suspects his father tracked him down via magic. Sadly, the duke’s presence casts a dark cloud over the lives of both lovers. Laurence subsequently has a glimpse of the past involving 5-year-old Quentin suffering his father’s abuse. The vision is so horrifying it nearly sends Laurence back to his heroin habit. Soon, Black Annis, a “blue-tinged” creature, threatens the youngsters with special abilities whom Quentin has befriended and cares for. Alarmingly, the creature vows to eat the children. In order to defeat Black Annis, Laurence will have to acquire a weapon from the Otherworld, a place outside of the mortal realm. But as he can only use the weapon for a specific purpose, Laurence must resist the temptation to slay both the blue-tinged creature and Quentin’s depraved father with it.

Faulkner (Knight of Flames, 2019, etc.) excels at creating individual stories within a cohesive urban fantasy series arc. For example, this book spotlights Quentin’s frayed connection to his father. But earlier installments had teased this with Quentin’s outburst at his mother’s funeral (which Laurence also sees in a vision in this story) and the earl’s scars, courtesy of the duke. As in the preceding novel, the couple’s relationship and shared intimacy show progress, having begun with virginal Quentin’s hesitancy. This time their scenes are unmitigated erotica, as they’re much more explicit than before. The author beefs up the pages with characters from folklore (including Black Annis) while Laurence’s trek through the Otherworld features a few recognizable faces (and objects) from Arthurian legend. Despite the story’s overall grimness, there are occasional lighter touches, like periodic appearances of the couple’s loyal dogs, Pepper and Grace. Similarly, Herne’s gift to Laurence is a raven egg. The resultant “bald little pink baby” raven, named Windsor, is like a child, as Laurence regularly feeds him and sometimes needs others to birdsit. Eventually, the raven, Laurence’s familiar, will be able to relay messages to the god. Readers anticipating the author’s knack for indelible prose won’t be disappointed: Laurence “lowered his hand to the pendant as he spoke the final word, and the universe became a vacuum….His life flashed from heart to fingertips, and he saw whorls of green flow from his fingers and into the pentagram.”

A grand entry in a consistently gripping and remarkable urban fantasy saga.

Two lovers with supernatural powers meet others with similar abilities in this sequel. 

British Earl Quentin d’Arcy, who’s convinced his father killed his mother six years ago, fled his home country. The 25-year-old has kept a low profile in San Diego, California, which has recently proved rewarding. He’s now dating and in love with Laurence Riley, who lives and works at a flower shop with his mother, Myriam. Laurence, the more sexually experienced of the two, is taking things slowly. Physical intensity tends to spike Quentin’s anxiety, which causes him to lose control of his telekinesis and potentially put Laurence in danger. Laurence has talents as well, including precognition, but Quentin soon realizes they aren’t the only people with superpowers. He catches the attention of Kane Wilson, who wants to know why his mind control doesn’t work on Quentin. Wilson has been “liberating” teens with special abilities and helping them learn to control them. Quentin’s association with Wilson’s group leads to his discovery of another power: creating fire. This unfortunately ties to Laurence’s cryptic vision of the future—Quentin in his arms and both men seemingly on the verge of a fiery demise. Laurence and Quentin begin to suspect Wilson isn’t so much charitably aiding youngsters as he is amassing a team of superpowered fighters. Quentin then takes a risk by accepting Wilson’s offer to join them, with the hope of staying close and uncovering what the man is truly planning. In Book 2 of this lively urban-fantasy series, Faulkner (Jack of Thorns, 2019) immediately depicts Laurence and Quentin basking in an already established romance. This sets a consistent pace from the beginning, which the author maintains by providing expository bits to catch up new readers. The couple’s relationship shows signs of evolving, as they continue to learn about each other’s families and personal histories and occasionally suffer pangs of jealousy. Though their intimate scenes of exclusively kissing may seem straight out of a YA novel, they progressively turn steamier: Quentin “pressed himself against Laurence’s body, stifling his panic against the other man’s flesh, biting down on his shoulder to keep himself from tipping over the edge.” These scenes deftly showcase two men who are savoring their romance. But Myriam, who shined brightly in the series opener, has disappointingly few appearances. Picking up the slack is Quentin’s twin, Freddy, who manages to find his brother in San Diego. Freddy is both smart and helpful as well as a standout character thanks to his affectionate nickname for Quentin: Icky (an abbreviation of his middle name, Ichabod). The supernatural element, as in the preceding book, never completely monopolizes the narrative. Nevertheless, there are plenty of new, intriguing characters in Wilson’s group, who sport varying powers, from electrokinesis to an uncanny stealth capability. Laurence and Quentin, meanwhile, hone their formidable skills, including the former’s attempt to induce a vision that reveals a past, rather than a future, event. The effective final act boasts action, characters in peril, and a denouement that, not surprisingly, teases the next volume.

An energetic urban-fantasy sequel that skillfully expands the saga’s worldbuilding and cast.

In Faulkner’s series-launching urban fantasy debut, two men with untapped superpowers face off against a god with sinister intentions.

Bambi Laurence Riley, who goes by his middle name, can see the future. The first sign of his ability came three years ago during a heroin overdose. He saw snippets of upcoming events, including his father’s death and his own failed stints in rehab. Today, Laurence lives above a San Diego flower shop that his mother, Myriam, runs. He’s inherited her apparent powers of precognition as well as a supernatural ability to grow and heal plants. But although she’s mastered the former gift, Laurence only sees random glimpses of things to come. One involves a handsome man, whom Laurence soon encounters in real life. He’s Quentin Ichabod d’Arcy, a British earl who’s currently in the United States to evade his fame in London. The two have a mutual attraction—which Laurence’s stalker ex-boyfriend, Dan, unfortunately notices immediately. Laurence’s problems get worse when he forgoes his usual prayer for a blessing from the fertility god Cernunnos, and simply asks the Celtic deity for direct help and guidance in his life. Cernunnos responds by manifesting as an emerald-eyed human who insists that Laurence call him Jack. The newcomer’s persistent demands for sexual sustenance lead to him to force a kiss on Quentin, and the latter defends himself with apparent telekinesis. Quentin, like Laurence, can’t control his gift, but both try to hone their skills to combat Jack, who’s cooking up a scheme that could prove devastating. Faulkner’s first series installment offers a commendable introduction to his characters. Laurence and Quentin are flawed but enthralling; the story alternates between the two characters’ points of view, but readers learn a little more about Laurence. His fight against addiction is realistically constant, and triggers such as alcohol sometimes cause stumbles. But his respect for his mother makes him sympathetic from the beginning. Myriam earns this respect as the novel’s best character—a woman who knows the future but wisely doesn’t reveal too much of it to her son. Readers may take longer to warm up to Quentin; he’s initially pretentious, with a palpable animosity toward American customs and vernacular. His background remains somewhat mysterious, but Faulkner makes clear that Quentin has never lived anywhere without a butler before. Stretches of the story concentrate on the two men and their prospective lovers, and they offer sound character development but minimal romance; Laurence’s attraction to the virginal Quentin doesn’t seem to be much more than physical. Along the way, Faulkner’s lustrous passages turn basic scenery into beautiful imagery: “The branches waved lazily in a light breeze and, in parting, revealed a hanging rope, from which was suspended what appeared to be a vast tire from some industrial vehicle.” The story also generates a fair amount of suspense after Jack’s nefarious plan begins to unfold and lives are threatened, and the ending aptly sets up a second book.

Striking prose and characters make this opening fantasy installment worthwhile.