A rollicking blend of noir detective story and offbeat erotica with a twist of magic.
A bounty hunter who happens to be a dragon chases down demonic ne’er-do-wells in this erotic fantasy romance.
Wright, the author of Lucifer’s Daughter (2019), sets his tale in a world where legendary magical beings, appalled by environmental destruction, have emerged from hiding to put mankind in its place. As a result, humans are a marginalized underclass on the bottom rung of a society riven by class and ethnic conflict, featuring thuggish goblin gangsters, elf sex workers, and a ruling elite of bigoted fairies under the cruel Queen Velocity. Policing things is Sin, a San Francisco bounty hunter who looks like a 5-foot-3-inch, redheaded, green-skinned, attractive human woman, but she’s also a tough-talking dragon with unobtrusive wings, a 9mm handgun for when talking won’t do, and a relatively good heart, which is rare among “supernaturals.” Velocity hires Sin and her partner, Sebastian, a 6-inch-tall imp, to investigate the case of a murdered werewolf found in a sealed chamber. Their sleuthing leads to the succubus Aezriane, who enters the dreams of men to collect their semen; she does so by means so pleasurable that they don’t mind much when she offs them afterward. The paranormal investigators also uncover a plot to breed a race of superdemons and overthrow fairy supremacism. Complicating the case is Sin’s affair with Velocity’s son Fallon and the presence of Fallon’s fiancee, Rose, a haughty noble-fairy who tags along. Wright’s yarn feels a bit like a reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as written by Mickey Spillane, with lots of grungy atmosphere, brutal but piquant characters, a beguiling femme fatale, and punchy dialogue, as when Sebastian says, “Oh gross. Dog meat. We could have gone to a nice place that served cat or even human.” Sin also gets explicit sex scenes—“I rode from one orgasm to another screaming out each one as he wrapped his arms around me, refusing to let me escape from the crests that racked my body”—in which her blithe wantonness clashes somewhat with her usual hard-boiled, wisecracking cynicism. However, Wright’s skillful prose and storytelling hold things together to deliver an imaginative page-turner.
A rollicking blend of noir detective story and offbeat erotica with a twist of magic.Pub Date: July 14, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-08-038384-9
Page Count: 221
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.
A reluctant princess is thrust into deadly political intrigue in Perry’s sweeping, high-stakes romantasy.
Odessa is the overlooked and underestimated princess of Quentis, whose life takes an unexpected turn when a deal is struck between her father and the formidable Turan warriors force her into an arranged marriage with their enigmatic prince, Zavier Wolfe. Intended as a mere formality to secure trade routes and military alliances, the betrothal spirals into something far more dangerous when ancient magic, a ruthless Guardian, and a looming war threaten to upend everything she knows. Finally emerging from the shadow of her seemingly perfect half sister, Mae, Odessa must navigate court politics, monstrous creatures, and her own uncertain place in a world where survival often depends on strategy rather than strength. As tensions rise, she finds herself entangled with the dangerous, enigmatic Guardian—a man whose silver eyes hold secrets of their own. Perry’s worldbuilding is lush and immersive, crafting a kingdom rife with old magic, deadly beasts, and political machinations that add depth. The pacing is relentless, carrying Odessa from one life-altering event to another as she grapples with duty, defiance, and a destiny she never chose. Her internal conflict is compelling, torn between the expectations placed upon her and the fierce independence that threatens to make her an outcast in her own kingdom. Romance simmers as Odessa struggles to reconcile her obligations with her growing attraction to the Guardian, whose past is as shadowed as his reputation. Mae is introduced as Odessa’s political foil, and although her presence drives much of Odessa’s internal drama—being constantly overshadowed or underestimated—she’s mostly seen through Odessa’s perspective. Her motivations, ambitions, and political maneuverings might have benefited from deeper exploration to give more nuance to the power dynamics. However, Perry’s evocative prose and intricate plotting make for a gripping tale. Readers looking for a slow-burn romantasy with rich political intrigue and a protagonist forced to create her own fate will find much to enjoy.
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9781649378514
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A playful romp and ode to all who believe in true love and happily-ever-afters.
A romantasy fanatic wants to find her own true love.
By day, Joonie works as a copywriter in the small seaside town of Mystic, Connecticut, but online she has a vibrant other life as a viral creator of fanfiction inspired by the popular romantasy A Tale of Salt Water & Secrets. She craves a partner as dedicated and passionate as merman Ryke, but men in the real world aren’t living up to that standard. When the book’s author reveals that Ryke is inspired by a friend of hers, Joonie sets out to meet him. That requires a trip to New York City, and her brother’s best friend, Nico—whose pessimism grates on Joonie’s optimistic nature—insists on tagging along. Growing up, Joonie had a huge crush on Nico, but she’s resented him since he broke her heart in high school. Now, as their road trip takes them in unexpected directions—physically and emotionally—Joonie has to figure out what her heart truly desires. Interspersed are excerpts from the romantasy book about Ryke and his human love interest, Merriah, who finds herself in the middle of a war between mer and sirens after she blows a special conch and finds her own power. While this 2-in-1 book means a double happily-ever-after, the real love story here is between a book and its reader. Hariri-Kia affectionately satirizes the romance genre and its tropes through use of absurd, over-the-top plotlines while also genuinely extolling how wonderful and empowering romance stories can be. Joonie’s first-person narration is downright hilarious while the romantasy sections purposely employ a vaguely formal, old-timey purple prose. The whole thing is ridiculous in the best ways while also being seriously addictive reading, with engaging, swoonworthy characters and well-developed worldbuilding.
A playful romp and ode to all who believe in true love and happily-ever-afters.Pub Date: Oct. 14, 2025
ISBN: 9781728270647
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Cosmo Reads
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
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