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Delta Underground Operatives
Puppet Master
A half-orc discarded at birth, a fairy-elf part of neither world they both long to belong.
They just want lives where they matter.
They are worlds apart in everything.
But together Nyc and Stel are a wrecking ball that is almost unstoppable.
Part-time agents with Delta Underground Operatives they never expect more than the occasional job, until someone starts killing agents.
Nyc:
Offered a chance to shine, how could I refuse?
I'm no one, but when our magics click my ability to fight goes to the next level.
He is so elegant, intelligent, competent; why would he ever want me as a partner?
Now Alder has someone killing other agents? And he is sending us?
Do I celebrate working with Stel or accept we are about to die?
Stel:
My dad's an elf meaning tall, elegant, noble. Mom's a fairy, small, bubbly, with wings. I'm the worst of both.
I'm a mage who is petite, fragile, wingless, and an eternal disappointment to both sides of my families, though they'll never actually say admit it.
But I'm a decent transfiguration mage, then Alder introduces me to Nyc.
Smart, powerful, intimidating, she is everything I could never be and our magics click to create a gestalt I could never imagine.
However, we aren't skilled at investigations; but Alder has no one else. Hence we are going to investigate murders. But at least I'll have Nyc.
Small and magical matched with strength and weapons. Someone is eliminating agents, and Alder has no one else.
Can they catch the killer before they become the next victims?
They just want lives where they matter.
They are worlds apart in everything.
But together Nyc and Stel are a wrecking ball that is almost unstoppable.
Part-time agents with Delta Underground Operatives they never expect more than the occasional job, until someone starts killing agents.
Nyc:
Offered a chance to shine, how could I refuse?
I'm no one, but when our magics click my ability to fight goes to the next level.
He is so elegant, intelligent, competent; why would he ever want me as a partner?
Now Alder has someone killing other agents? And he is sending us?
Do I celebrate working with Stel or accept we are about to die?
Stel:
My dad's an elf meaning tall, elegant, noble. Mom's a fairy, small, bubbly, with wings. I'm the worst of both.
I'm a mage who is petite, fragile, wingless, and an eternal disappointment to both sides of my families, though they'll never actually say admit it.
But I'm a decent transfiguration mage, then Alder introduces me to Nyc.
Smart, powerful, intimidating, she is everything I could never be and our magics click to create a gestalt I could never imagine.
However, we aren't skilled at investigations; but Alder has no one else. Hence we are going to investigate murders. But at least I'll have Nyc.
Small and magical matched with strength and weapons. Someone is eliminating agents, and Alder has no one else.
Can they catch the killer before they become the next victims?
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2023
30 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Mel Todd
82 books210 followersHey everyone! I'm Mel Todd and I live in Atlanta, Georgia at this moment. I write mostly romance free urban fantasy, urban science fiction, and soon fantasy.
Here are 4 truths and one lie about myself.
1 - I know how to milk a goat.
2- I once propositioned Dean Cain.
3 - I had my picture taken with Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner.
4 - I have driven across the US.
5 - I have a library with over 2000 RPG books.
I'm working on the next book in the Twisted Luck series and have an duology I'm planning on writing for Nanowrimo in 2021.
Here are 4 truths and one lie about myself.
1 - I know how to milk a goat.
2- I once propositioned Dean Cain.
3 - I had my picture taken with Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner.
4 - I have driven across the US.
5 - I have a library with over 2000 RPG books.
I'm working on the next book in the Twisted Luck series and have an duology I'm planning on writing for Nanowrimo in 2021.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 19, 2023
One of the best DUO novels, yet!
I won’t play favorites in public, it’s unfair to those who aren’t so recognized, since really all of these authors are top-notch, too-shelf writers who excel at their craft.
This, however, was a very interesting approach to the entire concept. Absent a trip to Midnight Crossing, all of the usual trappings and elements of the DUO world can be found here. Unlike most of the other books in the series, however, THEIR dual-casting abilities really aren’t the focus at all.
I SO love fantasy novels, that are simply just NOVELS that happen to be set in a fantasy setting, and this most definitely qualifies. This is a story about pain and anguish, and the lengths to which one might go to put those feelings to rest. Truly, truly, it’s a phenomenal story.
Do yourself a favor, and pick up this book. You won’t regret it.
I won’t play favorites in public, it’s unfair to those who aren’t so recognized, since really all of these authors are top-notch, too-shelf writers who excel at their craft.
This, however, was a very interesting approach to the entire concept. Absent a trip to Midnight Crossing, all of the usual trappings and elements of the DUO world can be found here. Unlike most of the other books in the series, however, THEIR dual-casting abilities really aren’t the focus at all.
I SO love fantasy novels, that are simply just NOVELS that happen to be set in a fantasy setting, and this most definitely qualifies. This is a story about pain and anguish, and the lengths to which one might go to put those feelings to rest. Truly, truly, it’s a phenomenal story.
Do yourself a favor, and pick up this book. You won’t regret it.
November 14, 2024
This was pretty good. Nyx and Stel are great characters if they’re not the best agents to start with. They have a lot of emotional baggage to overcome along the way but their magic connect making them stronger and better together working together to find the killer of other agents is a perfect avenue to have them grow as characters and agents. Need book 2
June 27, 2023
This book was totally awesome!
Alder has teamed up a half-Orc, Nyc, who is six foot seven in height, and is a Berserker once her joined coin with er partner is turned, leaving Stel, a half-fairy/Elf, and much smaller than his Elf Father, to be the cool one, who directs Nyc.
Stel is a transformer, something he considers to be a minor thing. Both of them think they aren't good enough for their Partner, and neither of them feel able to talk to each other about their feelings.
When Alder suddenly calls them up to do a job, they are both amazed but, when Alder tells them what they need to do, they step up to the plate, to serve in whatever way they can.
Agents of DUO were dying in circumstances that, due to their training, didn't seem possible. But each death had a message for Alder, hinting at something so big, that Alder was at his wit's end.
Because the agents who would normally investigate these deaths were already assigned other jobs, Nyc and Stel are called in to do everything they can to stop this madman.
Despite living on opposite sides of the US, Nyc and Stel are determined to do their best to find the killer, but they realise that they need to train more together.
Despite this, once they start on the trail of the killer, Stel's contacts are of enormous help in their finding a place to start.
What happens next is a race against time, for Nyc and Stel. They need to put all the clues that they are slowly gathering together, to make a starting point in this race.
Because it becomes a race, when the killer threatens not just DUO lives, but the lives of millions of people!
I really love this DUO pair. They are both very vulnerable, emotionally, having grown up in circumstances that robbed them of their confidence, in themselves.
They might be opposites physically, but their strengths, together, can move mountains.
It takes having to fight for their lives, and the lives of so many more, before they realise this though.
I can't wait for the second book in this series, though, sadly, I know I'll have to, but I really want to see these two extraordinary people really come into their own, and to have their confidence in themselves grow, as it should do, after saving half a continent!
I really love these DUO series within a series, as I get to see so many different ways that an author can think up partnerships of every stripe.
Each author has a unique way of looking at the same basics, and brining to the reader some wonderfully funny, but often scary, scenarios.
If you get a chance, grab the ones already published, then pre-book the ones not published yet, because you'll want to guarantee that you don't miss any of them!
Well, now that this book is read (they're never long enough for me - but then, I'm greedy! ), I'll be turning back to the ZOO series that I started.
This time, as I'm reading them chronologically, I need to go to the series: Birth of Heavy Metal. Book One is: He Was Not Prepared, so I'll be starting there.
So, I'll catch you on the flip side, to let you know what I think of this new series!
Alder has teamed up a half-Orc, Nyc, who is six foot seven in height, and is a Berserker once her joined coin with er partner is turned, leaving Stel, a half-fairy/Elf, and much smaller than his Elf Father, to be the cool one, who directs Nyc.
Stel is a transformer, something he considers to be a minor thing. Both of them think they aren't good enough for their Partner, and neither of them feel able to talk to each other about their feelings.
When Alder suddenly calls them up to do a job, they are both amazed but, when Alder tells them what they need to do, they step up to the plate, to serve in whatever way they can.
Agents of DUO were dying in circumstances that, due to their training, didn't seem possible. But each death had a message for Alder, hinting at something so big, that Alder was at his wit's end.
Because the agents who would normally investigate these deaths were already assigned other jobs, Nyc and Stel are called in to do everything they can to stop this madman.
Despite living on opposite sides of the US, Nyc and Stel are determined to do their best to find the killer, but they realise that they need to train more together.
Despite this, once they start on the trail of the killer, Stel's contacts are of enormous help in their finding a place to start.
What happens next is a race against time, for Nyc and Stel. They need to put all the clues that they are slowly gathering together, to make a starting point in this race.
Because it becomes a race, when the killer threatens not just DUO lives, but the lives of millions of people!
I really love this DUO pair. They are both very vulnerable, emotionally, having grown up in circumstances that robbed them of their confidence, in themselves.
They might be opposites physically, but their strengths, together, can move mountains.
It takes having to fight for their lives, and the lives of so many more, before they realise this though.
I can't wait for the second book in this series, though, sadly, I know I'll have to, but I really want to see these two extraordinary people really come into their own, and to have their confidence in themselves grow, as it should do, after saving half a continent!
I really love these DUO series within a series, as I get to see so many different ways that an author can think up partnerships of every stripe.
Each author has a unique way of looking at the same basics, and brining to the reader some wonderfully funny, but often scary, scenarios.
If you get a chance, grab the ones already published, then pre-book the ones not published yet, because you'll want to guarantee that you don't miss any of them!
Well, now that this book is read (they're never long enough for me - but then, I'm greedy! ), I'll be turning back to the ZOO series that I started.
This time, as I'm reading them chronologically, I need to go to the series: Birth of Heavy Metal. Book One is: He Was Not Prepared, so I'll be starting there.
So, I'll catch you on the flip side, to let you know what I think of this new series!
August 12, 2023
Favorite Duo of the series so far. The emotional insight into the individuals and their interactions with each other is on a whole other level. Eagerly hoping for and awaiting the continuation of their story. This was my first time reading this author's work and I will be looking into their other books/series.
November 2, 2023
Fantastic tale, exciting, intriguing and enjoyable!!!!!!
Congratulations to Mel Todd for another amazing story in this series. It’s extremely hard to find such an interesting and exciting author who not only writes intelligently but also provides top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories.
Congratulations to Mel Todd for another amazing story in this series. It’s extremely hard to find such an interesting and exciting author who not only writes intelligently but also provides top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories.
June 17, 2023
Great addition to the DUOverse!
Loved Nyc and Stel & the plot. The spelling errors were a bit distracting but nothing another good editing can’t fix.
I would LOVE to read and origin story of these two!!
Loved Nyc and Stel & the plot. The spelling errors were a bit distracting but nothing another good editing can’t fix.
I would LOVE to read and origin story of these two!!
August 29, 2023
Another entertaining tale in The DUO franchise
NYC and Stel the newest pair of dualcasters are an intriguing match. The story moves right along as they try to find out who is killing agents and why
NYC and Stel the newest pair of dualcasters are an intriguing match. The story moves right along as they try to find out who is killing agents and why
August 21, 2025
I picked this up at Dragoncon last year and really enjoyed it. I’d love to know more about how the two main characters progress. Here’s hoping for a book 2 for them. For now, I’m going to go see what else this author has written that may interest me.
October 26, 2023
Great characters
I liked the story and the pacing. I am looking forward to reading more books with these characters in them. There were some continuity typos that should be fixed.
I liked the story and the pacing. I am looking forward to reading more books with these characters in them. There were some continuity typos that should be fixed.
October 29, 2023
Great read
NYC and Stel are sent out to find who is killing agents. They finally feel like they have an idea who is behind it but they are supposed to be dead!
NYC and Stel are sent out to find who is killing agents. They finally feel like they have an idea who is behind it but they are supposed to be dead!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews