Night-blooming Hearts

Carnival of Mysteries

by Megan Derr

Phoenix sacrificed everything to become one of the greatest necromancers in nightwalker history—including his beauty, though that was by accident rather than design. As beauty is everything to vampires, he has been a pariah ever since, disowned, discarded, and largely forgotten by everyone he once called family and friend.

Nowadays, he lends his skills to sorcerer Jackie Black and the notorious Clan Mordred. If he still feels lonely and isolated, and rejected by the man he'd been stupid enough to think returned his interest, that's his own problem, no one else's. He's used to rejection anyway.

Then his brother shows up on his doorstep begging for help with a blackmail problem—and offering the one thing Phoenix cannot refuse as payment. But if there's one thing he's learned about nightwalkers, it's that nothing is ever as it seems, and problems always get worse before they get better…

Night-blooming Hearts is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains a lonely vampire convinced he's unloveable, a pining cowboy who wants to prove him wrong, and a guaranteed HEA.

Genres: Fantasy, M M Romance, Magic, Mystery, Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Romance

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 2, 2023

About the author

Megan is a long time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.

meganderr.com
patreon.com/meganderr
meganderr.blogspot.com
facebook.com/meganaprilderr
meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF ~55%

This was awful. Firstly, this in no way reads like a standalone. We're dropped in the middle of a universe with no explanation, surrounded by characters and context we're clearly supposed to know from somewhere--I assume one of the authors' other series. Even this specific book starts at what feels like well into the romance narrative, to the point where I had to check if I accidentally started several chapters in. The MCs have all of this recent history and context that the author acts like we should be familiar with and it was incredibly infuriating and distracting. Add to that repetitive writing, way too many characters, a whiny main character who is supposedly the best necromancer in the world but shows absolutely zero skills at all, and poor world-building, and I honestly am shocked I lasted as long as I did.

[Ami]

DNF at 20%

I was excited when I saw Megan Derr to be part of this series. I hadn't read her stories for quite a while now because the plot didn't excite me (I am not into menage - either MMM or MMF). I thought this would be straight MM, plus it involved the circus...

ALAS, THAT wasn't my issue with this one. This book DIDN'T do well as stand-alone. It was strongly related to Derr's Dance with the Devil series. And unfortunately, I stopped that series after book #4 and it had been probably a decade since I read those 🤷 .

When this book started, it name dropped characters and event that happened before. Event I didn't knew. I even backtracked my Kindle, to check whether I missed a chapter or two. And as I continued for the next several chapters, it kept going like so. I thought I recognized few names, but I still felt very lost. It wasn't a good reading experience.

Plus, when Phoenix discovered that circus early (I stopped at 20% so I wouldn't know if he saw the circus again), it felt more like a passing thought. Like, even if that scene wasn't there, it wouldn't really matter to the plot.

Yeah, I couldn't keep powering through. Sorry, book. I guess I still have to look for Derr's future book that fits my reading preference better. The waiting game continues...

[Verdant]

I was intrigued by the author's entry of Carnival Mysteries as she seldom do collaborations lately...

So, I read the blurb and said okay, let's check it out.

I was not familiar with the MC at first... and then boomed mentions Jebediah Black, a name that somehow rings a bell but still not familiar enough. I had to go through the whole catalogue of books I had read of Ms. Derr to point the name. And lo and behold. Black is actually the name of one of her Dance with the Devil series protagonist, Jackie Black and this is his Father's story. Interesting?

Nah. I struggled with character reference at first even though having read previous series this belongst to. (I actually saw later that this book is Dance with the Devil 8.1). As it was yeaaarrs since I last read them. I was like who was Phoenix? was there previous story where they were hinted to be a couple or was there any way Jackie was reference to be interested with someone else. Given that the last book *cough* Twilight *cough* didn't actually endear me to it. I didn't fancy going through a re-read with what was I'm sure to be a painful experience again.. So no, alone at this. I struggled through...

There was a fact that Phoenix Fairchild was dubbed to be the best Necromancer in the universe this series belongs in. And as per character in the U.S. only as UK is being held by Caedda (whom is gonna have a brief intro towards the end - who earned the title by helping Devlin create Midnight. - yes I searched through! sue me.).

So, after getting familiarize with the other much welcome characters (Jackie, Ned, Wyatt, Deacon, even Ontoniel and Jackie) I felt better about the story but not by much as this is not their story. It is about Phoenix and who he truly was. Or where he came from.

Him accepting his brother's case and going on detective-y stuffs are reminiscent with her other books plot. What is only lacking into this is, while previous books don't have a problem with showing why they are the bad-ass that they are, Phoenix struggles with living the name "best Necromancer in the US". Firstly, what does a Necromancer entails?. Their abilities, limits and why is he the best?. Jackie was the best sorcerer because his mother was the best witch and his father is one of the notorious Black family who have a reputation back in the day. This was for his book. There are other characters who share the trait and we as readers don't have problem believing it. Save for Phoenix...

There was no point of reference about what he did, how he did it to earn the monicker. Only that he sold books. and was friends with Jackie after helping them (reference to Jackie's story) he decided to live nearby and through the years has been successful with his craft and earn him money enough to buy himself a Victorian home.

I came to the conclusion that Necromancer is only (perhaps) the ability to wield magic if you are a vampire. So if you're human like Jackie he is called witch or Necromacer..

As pointed out with her Dance only for me series, there was a brief description about witch and sorcerer Runes were generally witch work, their power more in line with the wild, mercurial nature of runes, and sorcerers were powerful enough that rune casting hindered their full power. Rune casting was also extremely old-fashioned—near obsolete. Jackie hadn't seen anyone rune cast since his mama's mother and she'd passed away when he was still wet behind the ears.

and this is the only explanation for necromancy Unlike human magic, vampires were not born with a particular affinity that led them to witchcraft or sorcery or alchemy. Necromancy had to be trained from the ground up, the power absorbed from the blood they consumed, practiced in a way that humans didn't really need to. On the other hand, it didn't have the divide that human magic did. It was necromancy or nothing.

so, yeah, and I still didn't get it at first. I honestly expected Phoenix to do some Necromancer thing when they were searching the messengers house and found them dead. I thought maybe he's gonna hex them temporarily to rise from the dead or speak with them or something like some Necromancer ability I have read with other books. Welp, this is not that book. 😐

He comes from the wealthy Vampire family who threw him out because he accidentally damaged his own face after a botch spell. But the one and only time i read him use a spell is when he drew a transportation circle to travel. He was not even prepared to get beat up after following a lead on hos brothers case. If not for Jebediah being at the right place, there would be no story. And that was not only once in the book but multiple times. even on his own house!

So much reference to past hurts, but Phoenix it seems has not learn his lesson. and it was too much...

also the plot about blackmail is weak at best.so many round-arounds to everywhere and not an answer.. And the loosely tied up killing at the end.. Shhh. A best necromancer in the world and killed his enemy with a handkerchief stolen or borrowed by the other victims... And the enemy not noticing it..

Good thing about that is somehow, he was able to save his own self... all the rest? No, thank you.

and this is why I am not leaving any rates for this book.

[Renée · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Katrina Passick Lumsden · Rating 2 out of 5]

I normally enjoy Megan Derr's writing, and I applaud her imagination. Her execution, however, needs work. This book is riddled with typos. Missing words, incorrect words, transposed words, incorrect punctuation, run-on sentences... you name it, it's there. I would think that, given how prolific a writer Derr is, she'd have an editor. At the very least, I would assume she had a trusted friend who could proofread her manuscripts for her. If this was run by another person before it was published, someone needs to be yelled at. Because this is shoddy work.

I would recommend reading for three different reasons, and their various overlaps. 1. You're a fan of Derr's and don't mind that this is a little messy. 2. You want to read the entire Carnival of Mysteries series. 3. You've read the rest of Derr's Dance with the Devil series, and you want to know what's happening with Phoenix and Jebb.

[Kandice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did finish it but it does not read well as a standalone. It's clear the world and characters are from other books. The reader is dumped into a world with no introductions and I'm still very lost about who they all are.

[Light · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 star. Not my kindda story. Book starts midway of an ongoing Romance … guess there was a prev book.. MC was too self pitying. Plot was meh.

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished reading this, but resorted to skimming in more than a few places, primarily to get past the rather exorbitant amount of repetition the obtuse MC indulges in. I didn't like him. IMHO, his lover would've made a much better MC. The ending was anticlimactic. That was just sad. Additionally, this is obviously part of a series I've never read any of. That was a bit confusing. And, last but not least, the manuscript is an unmitigated mess of typos, clunky sentences, repetitions, and missing words.

I expected a better story. Sigh.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phoenix is asked by his brother to investigate who is blackmailing him. Phoenix doesn't really want to get involved as after a nasty accident he was banished from the family home and he now has a great bunch of friends and home.
Another enjoyable story. However in this one I felt the carnival was shoehorned in, because it has to appear at least once in the story and really didn't make a lot of sense.

[Natalie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

September 2025
Kindle edition

It took a while to clock the characters, when I did it just really made me want to re-read Ned's story. There was a lot of cameos and it did get confusing, so a series re-read is probably on the cards. Jeb was an idiot walking out like that. The miscommunication was painful. The carnival felt creepier than the other books and had a solemn feel throughout. Defo requires a re-read.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

far too many issues, starting with the main character

Rating: 2🌈

I’m astonished. I adore this author and her stories rank among the many of my favorites and most rec’d.

But you can’t like everything someone writes. And at the top of my lists of problematic elements in stories these days is a TSTL character, even if he’s a dead one. In this case a Vampire . That’s a character that will have me wondering what an author is thinking because their actions are so inconceivably idiotic that a reader is smacking their head in disbelief as well as putting a DNF to a book that’s coming across as too poorly constructed to continue to.

But before that aspect is addressed, what needs to be talked about is a multitude of characters and a flawed base compiled from a complicated series and related universe that appear here with no solid foundation.

Such a jumble. All the beings and their incomplete series information that’s constantly thrown at a reader. Mind Boggling.

So if you are feeling lost, that’s very legitimate.

So cut loose from a firm foundation with vague mentions of the city and bits of how the past and present sort of operate, the reader then has to dwell on the dubious details and main characters of the story.

This is not a positive thing.

Starting with someone we desperately need to connect with. That’s the traumatized, wounded, thrown away vampire Phoenix.

Now Phoenix came from a German royal household, the wealthy Grimmelshausens, but a magical experiment/explosion gone awry that almost cost him his undead life (don’t think about that too hard) did destroy his beauty. It’s the loss of his gorgeous face and body that gets him tossed out of castle, family, and fiancé as vampires trade on their looks for survival ( although money , power and prestige seems to be more important here). So many conflicting elements.

Phoenix , centuries old Phoenix, who survived on the streets doing what it took to survive. Because the other vampires were mean and ignored him. He couldn’t even get blood. This perplexed me to no end. He was a vampire, correct? But he got fat and had muscles, which is abhorrent? That was never a fully explained element. Just another fact in this character’s history which is full of such “huh “ moments.

But present day, he now has powerful friends on high , dragons, demons, beings we have no idea who they are but live in high rises, Phoenix is a powerful necromancer, world class apparently.
So our expectations are that the characterization that follows meets with those elements of his history and trauma.
But time and time, that’s not what we get. Instead, in almost every case, Phoenix presents himself as someone who has the emotional and physical skill set of a bunny rabbit. Survival abilities too. The “task “ he’s asked to take on in exchange for a family heirloom comes from his brother, a murderous, repulsive sort of man/vampire. One who turned on him, reviled him, all but personally stomped his broken body into the ground. So what does Phoenix do? Repeatedly? Trust the brother, go out of his way to accommodate him, and poorly investigate said task. Keep in mind, this main character is a centuries old world renowned necromancer who was bitterly betrayed by his family, including this awful brother. Yeah, why not go with it.

That’s the mildest of how poorly this character is written. It gets so much worse that you want to beat your head against whatever reader you’re using.

And the other main character is just a cardboard outline used to hold up the romance. We’ve no firm idea who this magical cowboy is, other than a widowed healer with a son. There’s obviously a huge backstory . It’s just not here in this narrative. But he’s not a whole lot brighter than Phoenix in some respects.
Unfortunately, I kept on reading and ended up in a disaster of a storyline. I just started flipping through to the finale. If you’re a fan of this author, take a pass. If you’re a fan of this trope and series, do the same. Unless you’re someone invested in the connected series and knows who and what all these people are and what they’re talking about. Then maybe you should read it. Not a recommendation otherwise.

Final note. The author indicated this story as a Dance with the Devil 8.1 , then a Carnival of Mysteries. That made more sense as the Carnival of Mysteries definitely feels like a forced element into an established universe. One that doesn’t really fit.

Other authors can use established elements, characters, and even a foundation in a series with a central theme but it can’t be to the point no one can understand the concept or context. Which is what happens here. Too bad.

[Sadonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars

This review and much more can be found at Love Bytes Reveiws

Phoenix was the rare spare child to his vampire parents. When an experiment gone wrong scarred and nearly killed him, well they tossed him out. With nothing. His lover did the same. Now hundreds of years later, his brother appears out of the blue asking him for help. It seems recently he’s become engaged. He’s also been subjected to blackmail and he needs to get that sorted before the marriage. Turns out he has several other secrets he’s not disclosed.

Jebb Black, rather of his best friend Jackie and the last of the Blacks is one of Phoenix’s few close friends. He’s hoped for more, but just before all this business, Jedd abruptly left him just as he thought they were moving from friends to lovers. Well Phoenix has survived rejection for centuries and he can certainly survive this one too. But it does make him even more sad and lonely.

As Phoenix agrees to look for the blackmailers, he’s nearly killed multiple times. The first time, he seeks refuge in Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries where he’s forced to view his ruined fact over and over. He’s not happy. Then he’s attacked again at home, but thankfully Jebb, who he hasn’t seen in some time, saves him. Jebb and Jackie and their other friends insist on helping Phoenix solve this case so that they can go back to life as they knew it.

Phoenix is still unhappy with Jedd and convinced that he left because of his scars and general undesirability. It take some time for him to let Jedd explain as things become clearer in the investigation. Phoenix knows who the blackmailer is but he doesn’t know why. He certainly doesn’t agree with Jedd’s idea. Phoenix’s family is still problematic for him and as they get closer, both Jedd and Phoenix are definitely in danger.

Wow! This was so different to the other takes in this Carnival series. What a fascinating fantasy world this author has given us here. I was completely blown away by the intricate character and the world building here. The vampires are quite unusual here and the sorcerers, demons, necromancers, dragons, et al were fascinating. Poor Phoenix had really been through it! He was such a strong and solid character despite being cast out. Jebb was a cool cat and he realizes his mistakes and wants to make things right. The two of them were perfectly suited. I was thrilled to see how things worked out for them, despite a lot harrowing moments! So well done. Highly recommended. Fans of fantasy will love this!

[Pete W · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoy this book quite a bit for the continuation of the Dance With Devils universe, I questioned some of the choices in this book.

I liked the atmosphere and overall "vibe" of the book. However, I feel the circus was underused. Perhaps this might be more fitting to the series if the core plot was more involve with a circus. But it did serve as a backdrop for the romance. Although, I would have to reread the second visit as Jebb seems to disappear when Phoenix was lead toward the mirror funhouse again. Did they enter together? I only remember that Phoenix exited out to his house alone.

This time I had a hard time gauging Phoenix's power. While he was exposition as a magic wielder type. People around him said and act liked he could take care of himself. But he was ambushed twice, got surprised attacked once, and almost died twice. So was he actually capable of taking care of himself? Because, by all accounts, it seems that he wasn't use to fighting and didn't seems that proficient in protecting himself. Plus I don't think I saw what Phoenix could actually do as a necromancer that make him unique than other magic users on the page. I mostly remember he drew teleportation circles and helped Caedda dismantled the wards at the end of the book.

I also think that Phoenix should have consulted Johnnie with the letter as well as Vampire related matter right from the get go. Since Johnnie was a renown translator and detective. He should be able to see through things right away. Perhaps it's because they weren't as close as Phoenix was with Jackie and Mordred. Or perhaps it would progress things too quickly and diminish the roles of the romance partner for Phoenix.

Another point of contention for me was, this was the second secret big bad female Necromancer in the series. I wonder if this count as bad representation. This felt like ICoN would be foolish to not suspect any scheming female vampires to be necromancer at this point.

But, I do enjoy the story overall. It was nice to see various characters dropped in at various points in the book as the story called for. I am game for more stories from this universe.

[Regina Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was heartily sick of Phoenix complaining about his family throwing him out by the end of the first chapter. Now, I understand that being rejected by everyone who you thought loved you just because you became ugly is traumatic. However, it had been at least 200 years, probably more and Phoenix was not demonstrating any attempts to heal or change his ways of thinking. I think that’s an improbably long time to keep the same perspective that everything that went wrong is somehow your fault. Phoenix spent a lot of time self flagellating with memories of how he was rejected by his family and lover. For someone who named himself Phoenix, I was expecting more fighting spirit. I also saw very little evidence of the claims he is one of the foremost skilled necromancers. Phoenix rarely took the initiative to do magic.

When Phoenix and Jedd got together, he started to show more personality and backbone. I really appreciated the growth he demonstrated after the second round at the circus. However, I think it’s troubling that his mental state was so dependent on being in a reciprocated loving relationship. Jedd is a great partner and they are a lovely couple, but the timing makes me wonder if all that growth is dependent on Jedd being present. I also would have felt more reassured that everything will work out if the epilogue included Phoenix’s decisions on what to do with his new money and influence.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

MM paranormal mystery and romance. Some sex scenes that I skipped over.
This is a continuation of the author's "Dance with the Devil" series. I've read enough of that series to be familiar with it, but I haven't finished, so some of the past events referred to here are new to me.
I'd recommend waiting to read this until you finish "Dance with the Devil."
As with another "Carnival" book by a different author, the carnival plays only a minor part in this book.
Disfigured vampire Phoenix has been rejected by his family and his lovers. He's feeling very sorry for himself.
Along comes his estranged brother asking for a favor: find out who's blackmailing him. The investigation leads to several deaths, and a few attacks. Poor Phoenix has to revisit his past.
All works out in the end.
I was disappointed that the dragons had no speaking parts here. They talk in an amusing and child-like manner in previous books.
Typos: several mixed up phrases and punctuation marks. Two apostrophe S plurals (unforgivable to me), and "might" for "mite." The author made this same error in previous books. You'd think someone would have caught on by now.

[DayDreamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not familiar with the Circus series this is part of, but I liked the ties it has with the series.

I missed that Ontoniel has a lover. Is it Phil? It has to be Phil, right? Was it in book 8? In book 7? In one of the short stories I have not read?

I'm not familiar with Wyatt and Deacon, and at this point I have no idea what Ned's other name is and who the third name-dropped demon even is, but all of that doesn’t matter. The reconnecting with Amr and Ken, with Devlin and Neirin, with Ontoniel and Johnnie was greatly appreciated. And I am - very, very patiently - waiting for the story of Ceadda and Ash, hopefully with some happy Midnight and jealous Devlin on the side.

As for this story itself: kinda meh, to be honest. Phoenix and his subzero self worth were not my jam. Jebb was okay bur like... not interesting. The circus... I don’t even know.

[Grace]

This book is clearly not a standalone, but there's no indication of that anywhere. According to other reviewers it's a continuation of Derr's Dance with the Devil series, but unless you've already read that series you have no way of knowing this. When most authors write a book that isn't part of a series but intersects with other existing books, they'll either include something at the end of the book directing readers to the existing books ("Curious about X? Read Y.") or will add a subtitle note ("A Dance with the Devil Story"). This book desperately needs something like that.

I consider myself a fan of Megan Derr, but because Night-Blooming Hearts is so intertwined with a series I haven't read, it's difficult to give this book a fair rating. I enjoyed it as much as I could given the circumstances, but it was also extremely confusing, like I'd opened a good book to a random page and just started reading.

[Sonja J Westhassel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, but…

The story on it’s on would have been easier to follow if I’d known going in that it was part of a larger world, with the main character and his love interest specifically being part of a much wider universe. Many names were dropped suddenly with no real background information provided. As someone not familiar with the world in question, I found that very confusing. One star off for that. Many typos also exist throughout the work that are also quite jarring. Half a star off there, too. Overall, a fairly rich and detailed story. Just would’ve liked that heads up going in so there wouldn’t be the risk of a dnf. (I did finish.) Three point five stars out of five.

[Suzanne]

1 star

I usually like Megan Derr. This story was ok, not up to some of her more recent works. Heart of a Dragon Slayer comes to mind.

Low rating b/c this was supposed to be a stand alone in the carnival anthology and instead was a side story in her Devil series. I have no idea who any of these characters are or what in the heck is going on in this world.

Proofreading and editing would have helped the kindle version of this story.

Phoenix was kind of a drag. Yes, his family was awful. Yes, it was bad. It’s been 200 years - seek help.

The Black family is in possession of the Sorcerer’s Stone. Maybe that is explained elsewhere in the devil series, but someone should tell J K Rowling where it is.

[Rissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I missed this author's works!

When I started reading, it was such a pleasant surprise to see that it was characters from the author's Dance with the Devil series, WHICH I ADORE. I agree and disagree, there are a lot of characters introduced that it would definitely be hard to say that it's a "standalone" but I think if you just read it for what it is, it'll work as well. *shrugs*

It worked for me (but then I read all the books in that series so I'm a bit biased, lol). But it worked and I missed this. This was what I loved about this author's works. The pining, the mystery, the betrayal, the chosen family, the love, ALL OF THEM.

This book made me happy. And clever use of the carnival theme! ;)

[Nix Buttons]

I am very disappointed, based on the blurb I thought this would be a standalone read. It is not. It takes place in the Dance with the Devil world and in the first pages a number of characters and events from that series are mentioned and it feels like one should have read those books to really get to enjoy this one. Years ago I read some of the books and I couldn't really get into the series.
I won't continue this book right now.

[Drianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this is actually in the author's Dance series, and it was much less weird than many of the recent books, so that was good. I didn't like the main character much; his insecurity, while understandable, was really, really tiresome to read about. And I do not care AT ALL about his love interest (or anyone in those parts of the series). But! The plot was enjoyable (if not a fair mystery in any way) and I had no idea the series was continuing, so I was pleased to discover that.

Tiny cameo by my beloved Johnnie towards the end, yay!

[Hayley · Rating 2 out of 5]

What is going on here? A hot mess. I kept thinking i was missing something in the story. Alas, I was. 8 books in another series by Megan Derr. WTH. This was supposed to be a standalone in the Carnival of Mysteries universe. Besides that it was poorly edited, repetitive and Phoenix was a sad excuse for an MC. He was whiny and for someone who is supposed to be the strongest of his kind he seems pretty talentless. I did not enjoy this at all. I only finished it because i was reading it for a book group challenge.

[Deeze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the type of Megan Derr stories I love.

I was captured right from the start. Phoenix was so lovable and I hurt for the way he was treated. The romance was sweet and enjoyable.

The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing, wrongly as usual lol.

the climax was again the kind I love from this author.

the carnival part was again not really needed but it was interesting.

Now I just want to reread the Dance with the Devil series to remind myself of all the others people we met.

[Rocken]

I'm at 30% and it feels pointless trying to comprehend it as a stand alone. It seems all of the characters were introduced in the previous books, including the main protagonists. We get no info whatsoever about the love interest of the main character, we just get thrown into the middle of some kind of established non-relationship between them.
Maybe I will try reading the previous books, but I'm not sure it's worth it

[Mark Lucas-Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Night-blooming Hearts

This is now book 4 in the series which I have read. They are addictive. It’s become so that I’m starting one and not stopping until I’ve furnished it. What makes this one so engrossing is that it is obviously built onto a previous history bringing together characters that the reader would recognise yet it still works as a standalone novel in its own right.

[Angelica Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I found this story to be quite good. The characters were likable and the plot fascinating. The only part I had a small issue with is there are a couple of times where they reference thing that feel like they expect me to know about them already. I can only guess that this is a continuation of another series the author is working on as well that I am just unaware of.

[Jenn (not Lily) · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I had known this was actually book 8.1 in a series I hadn't started yet, I never would've put it on my list to be picked. Oh well, damage done now. It was a decent story, for all that I had no idea who the MCs kept referring to and interacting with. I wasn't deep enough into the story to not be bothered by the author's tendency toward typos, which was unfortunate. Satisfactory ending, but I'll be rethinking starting the series in the first place.

[FridaMia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Megan Derr is a good writer, but this book seems to have been intended to be the next installment in a different series, Dance with the Devil, and changed at the last minute. It makes little sense unless you've read the rest of that series. I have not, and should just have stopped, I guess. 3 stars mostly for Jebb.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

you got your side character in my multiverse

Fans of the Dance With the Devil series get a nice side character romance with a sprinkling of magic carnival.

Super competent old vampire with deep insecurities and trauma gets pulled back into a web of magical high society, confronts family, former lovers and resolves misunderstandings with future lovers.