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The Asylum Tales #2
Dead Man's Deal
The dark and dangerous follow-up that continues the adventures of a magical tattoo artist begun in Angel's Ink
In a world where elves, faeries, trolls, werewolves, and vampires swim free in a sea of humanity, sometimes you need an edge. Looking for a little love? Need some luck? Desperate for revenge? Gage can give you what you need. The most talented tattoo artist in town, he knows the right symbol and the right mix of ingredients and ink to achieve your heart's desire. One tattoo is all it takes. But remember, everything has its price. . . .
Gage learned that lesson long ago, in ways he'd rather not remember. But the cruel and powerful wizards in the dreaded Ivory Towers he escaped aren't about to let him forget. Though Gage has managed to stay out of sight, he can't outrun the past forever.
The wizards know Gage is using forbidden magic, and they intend to punish him for his transgressions. Too bad if innocent humans and monsters-entire cities-get in the way. They will quell a nascent magical uprising and Gage will be the sacrifice they need. First, though, they have to find him . . .
In a world where elves, faeries, trolls, werewolves, and vampires swim free in a sea of humanity, sometimes you need an edge. Looking for a little love? Need some luck? Desperate for revenge? Gage can give you what you need. The most talented tattoo artist in town, he knows the right symbol and the right mix of ingredients and ink to achieve your heart's desire. One tattoo is all it takes. But remember, everything has its price. . . .
Gage learned that lesson long ago, in ways he'd rather not remember. But the cruel and powerful wizards in the dreaded Ivory Towers he escaped aren't about to let him forget. Though Gage has managed to stay out of sight, he can't outrun the past forever.
The wizards know Gage is using forbidden magic, and they intend to punish him for his transgressions. Too bad if innocent humans and monsters-entire cities-get in the way. They will quell a nascent magical uprising and Gage will be the sacrifice they need. First, though, they have to find him . . .
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First published May 7, 2013
54 people are currently reading
1252 people want to read
About the author
Jocelynn Drake
142 books2,898 followersNew York Times Bestselling author Jocelynn Drake loves a good story, whether she is reading it or writing one of her own. Over the years, her stories have allowed her to explore space, talk to dragons, dodge bullets with assassins, hang with vampires, and fall in love again and again.
This former Kentucky girl has moved up, down, and across the U.S. with her husband. Recently, they’ve settled near the Rockies.
When she is not hammering away at her keyboard or curled up with a book, she can be
walking her dog Ace, or playing video games. She loves Bruce Wayne, Ezio Auditore, travel, tattoos, explosions, and fast cars.
She is the author of the urban fantasy books: The Dark Days series and the Asylum Tales. For gay romance, she has completed The Exit Strategy and Shadow Elite series, and is now working on a spin-off of her MM paranormal series, Lords of Discord. She has also co-authored with Rinda Elliot the following series: Unbreakable Bonds, Ward Security, Pineapple Grove, the Weavers Circle. In addition, she has co-authored with AJ Sherwood the following series: Scales 'N' Spell and Wings 'N' Wands. She can be found at JocelynnDrake.com.
This former Kentucky girl has moved up, down, and across the U.S. with her husband. Recently, they’ve settled near the Rockies.
When she is not hammering away at her keyboard or curled up with a book, she can be
walking her dog Ace, or playing video games. She loves Bruce Wayne, Ezio Auditore, travel, tattoos, explosions, and fast cars.
She is the author of the urban fantasy books: The Dark Days series and the Asylum Tales. For gay romance, she has completed The Exit Strategy and Shadow Elite series, and is now working on a spin-off of her MM paranormal series, Lords of Discord. She has also co-authored with Rinda Elliot the following series: Unbreakable Bonds, Ward Security, Pineapple Grove, the Weavers Circle. In addition, she has co-authored with AJ Sherwood the following series: Scales 'N' Spell and Wings 'N' Wands. She can be found at JocelynnDrake.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
October 23, 2012
Ha, ha! I got to read it already! One of the perks for having the same editor as Jocelynn. :-)
November 26, 2013
4.5 stars
Originally reviewed on Romancing the Dark Side:
Gage stole my heart! Another fabulous installment to The Asylum Tales!
Fairies, trolls, elves, vampires and werewolves are just a few of the residents of Low Town, where warlock Gage Powell owns his tattoo parlor, Asylum. Unable to use his magic for anything other than self defense, he tries his best to live under the magical radar and earn a decent living tattooing alongside his friend Bronx and elven girlfriend Trixie, but his troubled past always finds a way back to his front door. His latest trouble comes in the form of Reave, a dangerous mob boss and dark elf who knows his secret and is now blackmailing Gage and his friend Bronx, enlisting their services in exchange for his silence. Reave’s plans to take on the witches and warlocks of the Ivory Towers is soon unveiled, putting Gage in the middle of a magical war that puts him face to face with the demons of his past and with some unlikely alliances.
An alpha hero in a story is always great, but an imperfect anti-hero is sometimes even better! Gage doesn’t fit the mold of your typical male protagonist and that’s one of his best qualities. He’s never trying to be the hero, just wants to do the right thing and his rogue status gives him a bad-boy edge that makes his character easy to root for. His time spent training in the Ivory Towers has taught him to keep others at a distance, but Gage has managed to keep a circle of close friends despite his loner tendencies.
Just when you think things are looking up for Gage all hell breaks loose for him in Dead Man’s Deal.He must find a way to stop Reave from fulfilling his plan to reveal the Ivory Towers secrets, help save Bronx’s life and rescue Trixie from her destiny with the elven Summer Court, all while avoiding the witches and warlocks who want him dead! Gage has a lot to deal with in this second installment and we get to see more emotion from his character as well as a look into his childhood and family. I love his moments of vulnerability and strength, especially when it comes to his girlfriend Trixie. I always enjoy a dash of romance in my books and although this is an urban fantasy, the author does a phenomenal job of incorporating a bit of smexiness without diverting from the plot. Just when I think he can’t get any sexier, Gage surprises me with a baby in his arms, I won’t say any more but needless to say he was swoon-worthy at that moment!
Dead Man’s Deal delivers another exciting look into the dark world Ms. Drake has created in the Asylum Tales! There’s never a dull moment and the constant threat of danger keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters you’ve come to love are back with more secrets, intriguing back stories and charming personalities. While some may not label him an alpha, Gage is definitely worthy of the hero title. Jocelynn Drake weaves a gritty tale of fast-paced suspense with magical characters, fantastic world-building and a stand-up hero that will make any fantasy lover an instant fan!
Originally reviewed on Romancing the Dark Side:
Gage stole my heart! Another fabulous installment to The Asylum Tales!
Fairies, trolls, elves, vampires and werewolves are just a few of the residents of Low Town, where warlock Gage Powell owns his tattoo parlor, Asylum. Unable to use his magic for anything other than self defense, he tries his best to live under the magical radar and earn a decent living tattooing alongside his friend Bronx and elven girlfriend Trixie, but his troubled past always finds a way back to his front door. His latest trouble comes in the form of Reave, a dangerous mob boss and dark elf who knows his secret and is now blackmailing Gage and his friend Bronx, enlisting their services in exchange for his silence. Reave’s plans to take on the witches and warlocks of the Ivory Towers is soon unveiled, putting Gage in the middle of a magical war that puts him face to face with the demons of his past and with some unlikely alliances.
An alpha hero in a story is always great, but an imperfect anti-hero is sometimes even better! Gage doesn’t fit the mold of your typical male protagonist and that’s one of his best qualities. He’s never trying to be the hero, just wants to do the right thing and his rogue status gives him a bad-boy edge that makes his character easy to root for. His time spent training in the Ivory Towers has taught him to keep others at a distance, but Gage has managed to keep a circle of close friends despite his loner tendencies.
Just when you think things are looking up for Gage all hell breaks loose for him in Dead Man’s Deal.He must find a way to stop Reave from fulfilling his plan to reveal the Ivory Towers secrets, help save Bronx’s life and rescue Trixie from her destiny with the elven Summer Court, all while avoiding the witches and warlocks who want him dead! Gage has a lot to deal with in this second installment and we get to see more emotion from his character as well as a look into his childhood and family. I love his moments of vulnerability and strength, especially when it comes to his girlfriend Trixie. I always enjoy a dash of romance in my books and although this is an urban fantasy, the author does a phenomenal job of incorporating a bit of smexiness without diverting from the plot. Just when I think he can’t get any sexier, Gage surprises me with a baby in his arms, I won’t say any more but needless to say he was swoon-worthy at that moment!
Dead Man’s Deal delivers another exciting look into the dark world Ms. Drake has created in the Asylum Tales! There’s never a dull moment and the constant threat of danger keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters you’ve come to love are back with more secrets, intriguing back stories and charming personalities. While some may not label him an alpha, Gage is definitely worthy of the hero title. Jocelynn Drake weaves a gritty tale of fast-paced suspense with magical characters, fantastic world-building and a stand-up hero that will make any fantasy lover an instant fan!
September 25, 2025
First Thought:
Still loving this world!
The Set Up:
Gage was outted to his friends as a warlock in Angel's Ink and now not only is Gage in danger of the White Tower but so is his friends and family.
Reaver, the dark fae mobster in Low Town is blackmailing Gage with the threat of doing harm to Bronx so that he has to work for him. So not only does Gage have to worry about the witches and warlocks he has the glorified thug on his back too.
Then there's Trixie's pass that comes to town and the Elves' of the Summer Court is threatening to take Trixie back home so she can be the King's baby maker.
Gage is doing is best to run his tattoo shop, The Asylum, keep himself alive and protecting his loved ones. All while trying to solve the Elves' of the Summer Court's baby making problem. It's just another Tuesday, what could go wrong?
Gage really steps up his game in the magic using way. He already owes one year of his life because he killed someone with magic in the last book. How many years can he rack up?
Issue(s) I had:
NONE! I'm loving this world and these characters.
The Narration:
It took me a little while to get into Urie's narration of the first book, Angel's Ink. But now I can't see anyone else doing the narration. He does a great job with pinch, timing and he is Gage! I still wish he would do something a little different with Trixie's voice but she is the only character that's not perfect IMO.
Final Thought(s):
I've really enjoyed seeing a story through Gage's POV. I'm going to seek out more UF series with male main characters. I think I'll revisit the Sandman Slim series and give Harry Dresden a go while I want for the next book in The Asylum Tales series by Drake.
Will I continue this series?
YES! I can't wait for the next book. Really, when's the next one coming out? I know that Dead Man's Deal was just release but I need more Gage!!
Looking for Recommendations
Do you guys have any favorite series with a male main character? Let me know in the comments.
January 11, 2016
We first met Gage, a wizard in hiding turned tattoo artist, in Drake's prequels (The Asylum Interviews: Bronx & The Asylum Interviews: Trixie). In those shorts, we meet his fellow artists, Trixie (elf) and Bronx (troll). In the first full-length novel of the series, Angel's Ink, Gage tattoos angel wings on a woman dying of cancer. Not long after he learned the dire consequences of his decision to add a little extra something to the ink.
Now, in Dead Man's Deal, Gage is faced with figuring out how to correct his mistake before the clock runs out. This task is made all the more difficult when his recent acts of magic have attracted the attention of the local dark fae thug and the Ivory Towers. He's also drawn into the war he knew was coming. Things are changing quickly and he'll do whatever it takes to protect those he loves.
As a fan of Drake's Dark Days series, I was so excited when I heard she was starting another series. I came to the party a little late. But, the benefit of doing so is the ability to read all of the books at once without the wait. My hubby & I listened to both Angel's Ink and Dead Man's Deal while on a road trip. The narrator does an amazing job of grabbing your attention and not letting go until the end. The characters are all well-written. The plot is intriguing. The magically fought battles are fascinating. I'm anxiously awaiting news about book 3. I hope Drake will offer us many more Asylum Tales.
(Hubby recommends this series to fans of Kevin Hearne's 'Iron Druid' series.)
Now, in Dead Man's Deal, Gage is faced with figuring out how to correct his mistake before the clock runs out. This task is made all the more difficult when his recent acts of magic have attracted the attention of the local dark fae thug and the Ivory Towers. He's also drawn into the war he knew was coming. Things are changing quickly and he'll do whatever it takes to protect those he loves.
As a fan of Drake's Dark Days series, I was so excited when I heard she was starting another series. I came to the party a little late. But, the benefit of doing so is the ability to read all of the books at once without the wait. My hubby & I listened to both Angel's Ink and Dead Man's Deal while on a road trip. The narrator does an amazing job of grabbing your attention and not letting go until the end. The characters are all well-written. The plot is intriguing. The magically fought battles are fascinating. I'm anxiously awaiting news about book 3. I hope Drake will offer us many more Asylum Tales.
(Hubby recommends this series to fans of Kevin Hearne's 'Iron Druid' series.)
November 30, 2025
At an early age, Gage was found to possess magic and was thrust into the world of the Ivory Towers, the ruling class of witches and wizards. Discovering quickly that it was a kill-or-be-killed world, Gage left the Towers at age 15, giving up his right to use magic. Living every day in a mortal world, Gage makes his way as a tattoo artist. But someone is threatening the secrets of the Ivory Towers and the council has declared war especially targeting Gage. Now he must balance on a razor edge and pick the better of two evils to save the ones he has come to love. On the lam from the Towers, Gage and his band of unlikely friends traverse this precarious world showing kindness where many others covet power at any cost.
Jocelynn Drake created an extraordinary world of magic where light and dark elves, shifters, wizards and witches popped off her pages and invaded my senses...immersing me completely into this fabulous plot. This book pulled me in slowly till I was completely riveted, anxiously clinging to Gage’s plight. By the end Drake had me completely emotionally vested, 5 Stars!
This ARC copy of Dead Man's Deal was given to me by Harper Voyager in exchange for an honest review. Publish Date May 7, 2013.
Jocelynn Drake created an extraordinary world of magic where light and dark elves, shifters, wizards and witches popped off her pages and invaded my senses...immersing me completely into this fabulous plot. This book pulled me in slowly till I was completely riveted, anxiously clinging to Gage’s plight. By the end Drake had me completely emotionally vested, 5 Stars!
This ARC copy of Dead Man's Deal was given to me by Harper Voyager in exchange for an honest review. Publish Date May 7, 2013.
July 26, 2024
The first book was pretty good, but I found that with this one there were way too many plot threads that Gage was for some reason the centre of. I also just don’t really find him to be a particularly likeable character and I’m not rooting for him to be honest. The writing style is pretty good though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2023
This is a great paranormal series with all manner of supernatural creatures! This is not paranormal romance. Lots of action & magic
May 28, 2013
I liked Angel's Ink, as well as the two novellas published so far in this series. But I'll tell you, this story is where the series really hits its stride. Maybe it's because we've gotten past all the introductions and establishing the characters. But more than that, it features a fast moving plot and unpredictable course of events. With great world building and a fantastic sympathetic hero, it's a book I didn't want to put down.
As the story begins, Gage is being forced to work for Reave, the Dark Fae crime boss. Reave knows Gage is a warlock and is using the information to blackmail him. That's problem number one. Problem number two: the Summer Court is in town, putting Trixie in danger. The Light Fae king still wants her as his consort; now the Queen is demanding a meeting. Problem three: someone has figured out the locations of the Dark Towers, putting the warlocks in kill-mode, and painting a huge target on Gage, a rouge who knows all their secrets.
All three problems not only put Gage in great danger, they threaten the people he loves as well. Reave uses Bronx as leverage. The Fae are a threat to Trixie. And the Towers, well... the Towers are a threat to everyone. Poor Gage is being pulled in so many directions, it's a wonder that he can remember his own name, yet he rises to the challenge. He makes tough decisions. He shows he is resourceful, loyal, powerful, fallible, and brave. You couldn't ask for a better hero.
One of my biggest issues with Angel's Ink was that I found the romance too easy --kind of anticlimactic. I worried the Gage/ Trixie relationship would be a lame plot point this time around. Jocelynn Drake avoids this by not making it a plot point at all. Gage and Trixie simply are a given. And making it a non-issue was the best possible course of action. So many other things were going on, I didn't have time to bemoan a lack of romantic tension. The book is filled with too many other kinds of tension. The kind that kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what life would throw at Gage next.
Beyond that, I really enjoyed learning more about Gage's backstory and his family. I loved, loved, loved Gideon. (What a treat to see how his character has developed!) I think my female hormones went in overdrive reading about Gage and his connection to the baby Squall. I suffered watching him struggle with all he had to sacrifice for the greater good. And the ending --while not really a cliffhanger-- has me itching to see where the story will go next.
Very well done. Would definitely recommend. (While this may work ok as a standalone, it would be better if you read Angel's Ink first, if you haven't already.)
Rating: B+
*ARC Provided by Harper Collins
As the story begins, Gage is being forced to work for Reave, the Dark Fae crime boss. Reave knows Gage is a warlock and is using the information to blackmail him. That's problem number one. Problem number two: the Summer Court is in town, putting Trixie in danger. The Light Fae king still wants her as his consort; now the Queen is demanding a meeting. Problem three: someone has figured out the locations of the Dark Towers, putting the warlocks in kill-mode, and painting a huge target on Gage, a rouge who knows all their secrets.
All three problems not only put Gage in great danger, they threaten the people he loves as well. Reave uses Bronx as leverage. The Fae are a threat to Trixie. And the Towers, well... the Towers are a threat to everyone. Poor Gage is being pulled in so many directions, it's a wonder that he can remember his own name, yet he rises to the challenge. He makes tough decisions. He shows he is resourceful, loyal, powerful, fallible, and brave. You couldn't ask for a better hero.
One of my biggest issues with Angel's Ink was that I found the romance too easy --kind of anticlimactic. I worried the Gage/ Trixie relationship would be a lame plot point this time around. Jocelynn Drake avoids this by not making it a plot point at all. Gage and Trixie simply are a given. And making it a non-issue was the best possible course of action. So many other things were going on, I didn't have time to bemoan a lack of romantic tension. The book is filled with too many other kinds of tension. The kind that kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what life would throw at Gage next.
Beyond that, I really enjoyed learning more about Gage's backstory and his family. I loved, loved, loved Gideon. (What a treat to see how his character has developed!) I think my female hormones went in overdrive reading about Gage and his connection to the baby Squall. I suffered watching him struggle with all he had to sacrifice for the greater good. And the ending --while not really a cliffhanger-- has me itching to see where the story will go next.
Very well done. Would definitely recommend. (While this may work ok as a standalone, it would be better if you read Angel's Ink first, if you haven't already.)
Rating: B+
*ARC Provided by Harper Collins
April 22, 2013
I liked the first book in this series but I didn't love it. For some reason I never connected with Gage and that made it a little hard to really fall in love with it. But, I did like the plot and the writing and the fact that it was in Gage's POV. Especially since that is pretty rare in the Urban Fantasy genre right now.
So I was a little hesitant going into this one because I really did want to fall in love with it. I really did want to like Gage more.
Thankfully, this second installment blew me away. I loved everything about it. I connected with Gage better, I fell more in love with Trixie and Bronx, heck I even liked Gideon and Chang more.
I loved the way this flowed. We learn so much more about not only Gage's past but about the world he lives in (something I thought was slightly lacking in the first book), we get more info on the elusive Towers, the fey, elves, more about Sofie's past and even some new people and creatures I wasn't expecting. I have to say, I loved Gaia and the spin the story took with her appearance. The scene Gage had with her, or rather Squall, was super sweet and showed a side of Gage I fell in love with. His character and personality come out so much more in this one. His loving and protective side, two sides we didn't get as much of in the first book, was a huge improvement on how I viewed Gage and therefore I found myself connecting with him more.
There is a lot going on in this, really a war is starting to brew once again between the Towers and the rest of the world and once again Gage and his loved ones are caught right in the middle of it. The sacrifices Gage was willing to make to protect those he loved and the ones he did have to make, added so much depth to his character and the story as well. Gage was a strong character, he didn't always have the knowledge or the answers but he did what needed to be done without blinking twice about the consequences of those actions on him. Only one thing mattered to him throughout this book, to keep others safe and correct past wrongs.
There was a lot more action in this one and because of it a few bloody scenes that had me cringing a little at times but nothing overly dramatic or done up. All appropriate to the way the witches and warlocks are perceived in Gage's world.
Really this was a fabulous second book in the series and I am so glad I took a chance on it and read it, especially considering I was so up in the air about the first book and almost didn't want to bother with this one. I can definitely see myself continuing with this series now and really falling in love with it.
So I was a little hesitant going into this one because I really did want to fall in love with it. I really did want to like Gage more.
Thankfully, this second installment blew me away. I loved everything about it. I connected with Gage better, I fell more in love with Trixie and Bronx, heck I even liked Gideon and Chang more.
I loved the way this flowed. We learn so much more about not only Gage's past but about the world he lives in (something I thought was slightly lacking in the first book), we get more info on the elusive Towers, the fey, elves, more about Sofie's past and even some new people and creatures I wasn't expecting. I have to say, I loved Gaia and the spin the story took with her appearance. The scene Gage had with her, or rather Squall, was super sweet and showed a side of Gage I fell in love with. His character and personality come out so much more in this one. His loving and protective side, two sides we didn't get as much of in the first book, was a huge improvement on how I viewed Gage and therefore I found myself connecting with him more.
There is a lot going on in this, really a war is starting to brew once again between the Towers and the rest of the world and once again Gage and his loved ones are caught right in the middle of it. The sacrifices Gage was willing to make to protect those he loved and the ones he did have to make, added so much depth to his character and the story as well. Gage was a strong character, he didn't always have the knowledge or the answers but he did what needed to be done without blinking twice about the consequences of those actions on him. Only one thing mattered to him throughout this book, to keep others safe and correct past wrongs.
There was a lot more action in this one and because of it a few bloody scenes that had me cringing a little at times but nothing overly dramatic or done up. All appropriate to the way the witches and warlocks are perceived in Gage's world.
Really this was a fabulous second book in the series and I am so glad I took a chance on it and read it, especially considering I was so up in the air about the first book and almost didn't want to bother with this one. I can definitely see myself continuing with this series now and really falling in love with it.
May 15, 2013
I had hoped to get my hands on a copy of Angel's Ink before reading this, the next book in Drake's Asylum Tales series but I didn't quite manage it. Thankfully Dead Man's Deal worked surprisingly well as a stand alone and I gratefully escaped into a world of magic, monsters and mayhem.
Dead Man's Deal features Gage Powell, a wizard who turned his back on his training in order to escape the horrifying politics of his fellow magic wielders in the Ivory Towers. He makes his living as a tattoo artist in Low Town whilst forced to submit to strict conditions laid down by the Towers upon the threat of execution. Gage works hard to keep his head down but when the ruling class hears rumours of a rebellion amongst the general population that even leveling an entire city doesn't quell, they are eager to blame Gage and now he, and everyone he cares about, is under threat unless he can survive long enough to strike a deal.
In Drake's world, wizards and witches rule with sadistic impunity while humanity and other races suffer their whims. Children who exhibit magic skills, like Gage did, are forcibly removed from their parents with all further contact denied and are brought up amongst their own kind, apprenticed to mature wizards and witches. It's a competitive, cut throat environment which breeds arrogance, entitlement and casual viciousness and in Dead Man's Deal, Drake shares snippets of Gage's past to reveal the horror of his childhood.
Gage's determination to overthrow his destiny is his prime motivator but not at the cost of another's life if he can avoid it. While Gage would like nothing more than to dismantle the Ivory Towers, in Dead Man's Deal he is forced to stop the rebellion led by the Dark Elf, knowing that his brethren will destroy everything to suppress the dissemination of the coordinates of their towers. As Gage tries to capture the Elf he also has to deal with Tower assassins, jealous fae and the surprise arrival of his long lost brother. It's a fast paced, action packed plot mired in magic and violence relieved by Drake's wicked sense of humour and his passionate romance with his girlfriend, Trixie, an elf.
I really enjoyed Dead Man's Deal and Drake's creation of her gritty, unique world. Gage is a great hero with many admirable traits and he is supported by a cast of interesting characters and the story has may eager to know what happens next. This series is a must for fans of urban fantasy.
May 18, 2013
I absolutely loved the latest story from Jocelynn Drake, "Dead Man's Deal", The Asylum Tales. As usual I became involved with the characters. Gage, our hero, Trixie the hiding Elf and Bronx the troll all become family. Even in real life sometimes friends that are not blood become closer than real family. I find that element intriguing in this story.
I like how the hated Guardian Gideon becomes an almost friend. Enjoyed the emotion of Gage meeting up with his family.
This story is chocked full of friend new characters. Gia, Mother Nature, pixies, a hobgoblin, and a talking cat that was at one time a human witch. In this story we get to learn more about Trixie. Bronx is the steadfast troll friend and the voice of reason for Gage. Well sometimes, Gage might lesson.
Gage wants to save everyone. He takes on the world with all it issues. And despite all the personal issues he does good. Then the story ends....leave me wanting more. Sigh! Now I have to wait for the next exciting segment.
I highly recommend this story. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Ms Drake for this exciting,and whirlwind story. Keep writing so I can keep reading.
I like how the hated Guardian Gideon becomes an almost friend. Enjoyed the emotion of Gage meeting up with his family.
This story is chocked full of friend new characters. Gia, Mother Nature, pixies, a hobgoblin, and a talking cat that was at one time a human witch. In this story we get to learn more about Trixie. Bronx is the steadfast troll friend and the voice of reason for Gage. Well sometimes, Gage might lesson.
Gage wants to save everyone. He takes on the world with all it issues. And despite all the personal issues he does good. Then the story ends....leave me wanting more. Sigh! Now I have to wait for the next exciting segment.
I highly recommend this story. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Ms Drake for this exciting,and whirlwind story. Keep writing so I can keep reading.
December 29, 2014
I liked Dead Man's Deal every bit as much as I did the first book. There is still a Dredenesque feel to the series - both star outcast mages who are good guys - but I don't mind that. This time Gage is between a rock and a hard place, having been blackmailed into working for a dark elf mob boss and having the mages of the Towers out for his blood since they think that Gage is giving away their secrets. So Gage manages to win in the no win scenario, but ends up having to make some concessions in the end - and those concessions offer to an interesting dimension to the next books. I look forward to the next one.
January 4, 2016
This book was certainly better than the first book. I'm still not feeling the relationship between Gage and Trixie. There was a bit less going on in this book and that was my main gripe about Angel's Ink. I did enjoy Gage more as well since his character wasn't being pulled in a thousand different directions. I hope Bronx has more of a role in the next book. I felt like he and Trixie's character's were after thoughts with this installment.
April 23, 2015
Very much worth the read! Even though this book can be a stand alone, please please please!! take the time to read ALL the earlier books. You will not be dissapointed :D
May 16, 2013
I loved this! Even though a lot of Gage's problems have been now solved, there's a whole other can of worms waiting for him!
October 16, 2020
Gage is rogue warlock that runs the local tattoo shop, The Asylum Tattoo. Only allowed to use magic in self-defense, the longer he's away from the Ivory Tower, the looser his definition of self-defense becomes. Gage's tattoos are special and sometimes contain magical ingredients.
Dead Man’s Deal dives headfirst into all things Gage. He escaped the Ivory Tower and the cruel wizards living there. He’s hidden himself in plain sight but eventually his luck will run out. The wizards from the Ivory Towers will stop at nothing to take him down. Even if taking him down means destroying everything in their path to him.
Gage is currently being blackmailed by a dark elf mob boss. Reave knows who Gage is and, in order to keep his secret, Gage and his friend Bronx must perform jobs for Reave. Then Gage discovers one of the jobs involves going head-to-head with the witches and warlocks in the Ivory Towers. Gage’s past now collides head-on with his present – and that’s not a good thing.
I enjoyed Dead Man’s Deal. The book flowed along well and was full of action, never a dull moment to be had. The story line is unique and the setting well created. If you’re looking for an anti-hero who just wants to do what’s right in a well-crafted fantasy, look no further. The Asylum Tales are for you!
Review copy courtesy of my local library.
Dead Man’s Deal dives headfirst into all things Gage. He escaped the Ivory Tower and the cruel wizards living there. He’s hidden himself in plain sight but eventually his luck will run out. The wizards from the Ivory Towers will stop at nothing to take him down. Even if taking him down means destroying everything in their path to him.
Gage is currently being blackmailed by a dark elf mob boss. Reave knows who Gage is and, in order to keep his secret, Gage and his friend Bronx must perform jobs for Reave. Then Gage discovers one of the jobs involves going head-to-head with the witches and warlocks in the Ivory Towers. Gage’s past now collides head-on with his present – and that’s not a good thing.
I enjoyed Dead Man’s Deal. The book flowed along well and was full of action, never a dull moment to be had. The story line is unique and the setting well created. If you’re looking for an anti-hero who just wants to do what’s right in a well-crafted fantasy, look no further. The Asylum Tales are for you!
Review copy courtesy of my local library.
September 28, 2013
Originally posted at http://smexybooks.com/2013/05/review-...
Favorite Quote: “A smart man would keep his mouth shut. I wasn’t always a smart man.”
In Low Town, where elves, fairies, trolls, werewolves, vampires and other manners of supernatural life are happily walking among humanity, everything has its price. Gage Powell just wants to run his tattoo parlor and live a quiet fuss free life with his girlfriend, but Gage has learned that the warlocks and witches who command the Ivory Towers are never going to leave him in peace. Gage was allowed to leave the towers only if he never used his magic for anything but self defense. However, circumstances cause Gage to break this rule time and time again.
Now, Gage is back and neck deep in trouble. Gage has managed to indebt himself and his employee Bronx to the dark elf mob boss, Reave. Reave has discovered Gage’s big secret and demands Gage’s help in exchange for not selling him out to the highest bidder. When Gage has problems with Reave’s latest request, Gage rebels, causing a chain reaction that leads Reave to include someone from Gage’s past in his plan to bring down the Towers. Now the Towers are after Gage, figuring his sacrifice is enough to quell any uprisings. But Gage isn’t one to hide when the going gets tough. With the help of some surprising allies, Gage finds himself once again having to make the choice between himself and the world.
Reluctant heroes are a favorite trope of mine and Gage Powell is the ultimate reluctant hero. The sole proprietor of the Asylum Tattoo Parlor and magical tattoo artist, Gage is forced to live under strict conditions. A former apprentice warlock who didn’t agree with the cruel indicts of the warlock/witch community, he escaped that world only to find himself under a death sentence. His life is contingent upon his promise to never use his magic in any shape or form except for self defense. As Gage struggles to remain under their radar, his altruistic nature often places him on the path of no return. He has a strong moral compass. He will fight to his last breath (which he proved in Angel’s Ink) to keep his friends and the world safe from injustice.
Dead Man’s Deal is the second installment in Ms. Drake’s Asylum Tales series. Similar to Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden series, Ms. Drake pens an interesting story revolving around Gage Powell, a warlock whose life choices has left him persona non grata in the wizarding world. Fast pacing keeps the story moving at a brisk pace as Drake continues to expand upon her modern magical world and the characters inhibiting it. Plenty of action and mystery will keep you guessing as Gage once again finds himself stuck between saving himself or saving his friends.
“It’s amazing what we will do for love.”
Gage is an interesting protagonist. Somewhat of a loner, his time spent in the Tower taught him not to form lasting attachments to anyone. Yet he has managed in spite of that to gather a group of friends who mean the world to him. He has to keep a low profile yet is constantly placing his life on the line. As a former warlock, he feels responsible for the horrors the Ivory Towers have inflicted on the human and supernatural world. He has absorbed their crimes and seeks to make amends in the best ways he can.
“Despite my pretty claims of leaving the Towers and turning my back on that lot, I was still a warlock. If we went to war, I wouldn’t side with the Towers, but what could one warlock-in-training do against them? And would the rest of the world even welcome my help if we went to war?”
Though we are only in the second installment, I found Gage more open both emotionally and mentally. We are given a deeper look at his pain and suffering from his childhood and the vulnerabilities he carries inside of him. I also enjoyed the continuing romance between him and Trixie. It’s not emotional soul sucker that manipulates the reader into making it more then it is. They are stable, secure and it remains a small subplot, even when Gage makes a magnanimous gesture to insure Trixie remains out of the Summer King’s hands.
A strong personable cast continues to provide us with an eclectic mixture of good and evil personas. A group whose intentions are well hidden behind a devious mask of indifference, greed, and self interest. Drake is slowly drawing out their intentions through the arc, leaving Gage struggling to expose their true motivations. From Gage’s unsympathetic warden, Gideon, to a mercenary collector of magical properties, Gage is learning he has allies in the most unusual places. But Gage’s greatest asset continues to be his friends. Though Gage feels he doesn’t have many in his corner, he has more power guarding his back then he ever imagined.
Tears still streaked his cheeks, but there was a coldness in his eyes that made me glad he was on my side.
“We will end this.”
I still have concerns with the overwhelming amount of conflict surrounding Gage. It’s hard to stay focused at times with the onslaught of new and recurring situations. I also can’t help but wonder why more aren’t stepping up to the plate in a visible manner to combat those in the Towers.
Dry humor and wit is sprinkled throughout the book as we learn more about Sophia’s state of being and meet some new friends. As stated earlier, there is a plethora of subplots in here that continuously cascade over you. As the story progresses, I feel Drake does a better job in this installment of tying them all together in a manner that makes sense. The world building is expanded upon and more background information about Gage’s childhood and the inhabitants of the Ivory Towers is given. The ending wraps up the main conflict nicely, leaving us with the next book’s storyline and faint feelings of dismay and hope mixed together.
Regardless of any misgivings, Jocelynn Drake’s newest Urban Fantasy series continues to be a whirlwind of action, intrigue, and suspense with a strong base of hope, love, and humor to keep readers firmly engaged in this adventure. I look forward to book three, title and release date to be announced.
Overall Rating: B
Favorite Quote: “A smart man would keep his mouth shut. I wasn’t always a smart man.”
In Low Town, where elves, fairies, trolls, werewolves, vampires and other manners of supernatural life are happily walking among humanity, everything has its price. Gage Powell just wants to run his tattoo parlor and live a quiet fuss free life with his girlfriend, but Gage has learned that the warlocks and witches who command the Ivory Towers are never going to leave him in peace. Gage was allowed to leave the towers only if he never used his magic for anything but self defense. However, circumstances cause Gage to break this rule time and time again.
Now, Gage is back and neck deep in trouble. Gage has managed to indebt himself and his employee Bronx to the dark elf mob boss, Reave. Reave has discovered Gage’s big secret and demands Gage’s help in exchange for not selling him out to the highest bidder. When Gage has problems with Reave’s latest request, Gage rebels, causing a chain reaction that leads Reave to include someone from Gage’s past in his plan to bring down the Towers. Now the Towers are after Gage, figuring his sacrifice is enough to quell any uprisings. But Gage isn’t one to hide when the going gets tough. With the help of some surprising allies, Gage finds himself once again having to make the choice between himself and the world.
Reluctant heroes are a favorite trope of mine and Gage Powell is the ultimate reluctant hero. The sole proprietor of the Asylum Tattoo Parlor and magical tattoo artist, Gage is forced to live under strict conditions. A former apprentice warlock who didn’t agree with the cruel indicts of the warlock/witch community, he escaped that world only to find himself under a death sentence. His life is contingent upon his promise to never use his magic in any shape or form except for self defense. As Gage struggles to remain under their radar, his altruistic nature often places him on the path of no return. He has a strong moral compass. He will fight to his last breath (which he proved in Angel’s Ink) to keep his friends and the world safe from injustice.
Dead Man’s Deal is the second installment in Ms. Drake’s Asylum Tales series. Similar to Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden series, Ms. Drake pens an interesting story revolving around Gage Powell, a warlock whose life choices has left him persona non grata in the wizarding world. Fast pacing keeps the story moving at a brisk pace as Drake continues to expand upon her modern magical world and the characters inhibiting it. Plenty of action and mystery will keep you guessing as Gage once again finds himself stuck between saving himself or saving his friends.
“It’s amazing what we will do for love.”
Gage is an interesting protagonist. Somewhat of a loner, his time spent in the Tower taught him not to form lasting attachments to anyone. Yet he has managed in spite of that to gather a group of friends who mean the world to him. He has to keep a low profile yet is constantly placing his life on the line. As a former warlock, he feels responsible for the horrors the Ivory Towers have inflicted on the human and supernatural world. He has absorbed their crimes and seeks to make amends in the best ways he can.
“Despite my pretty claims of leaving the Towers and turning my back on that lot, I was still a warlock. If we went to war, I wouldn’t side with the Towers, but what could one warlock-in-training do against them? And would the rest of the world even welcome my help if we went to war?”
Though we are only in the second installment, I found Gage more open both emotionally and mentally. We are given a deeper look at his pain and suffering from his childhood and the vulnerabilities he carries inside of him. I also enjoyed the continuing romance between him and Trixie. It’s not emotional soul sucker that manipulates the reader into making it more then it is. They are stable, secure and it remains a small subplot, even when Gage makes a magnanimous gesture to insure Trixie remains out of the Summer King’s hands.
A strong personable cast continues to provide us with an eclectic mixture of good and evil personas. A group whose intentions are well hidden behind a devious mask of indifference, greed, and self interest. Drake is slowly drawing out their intentions through the arc, leaving Gage struggling to expose their true motivations. From Gage’s unsympathetic warden, Gideon, to a mercenary collector of magical properties, Gage is learning he has allies in the most unusual places. But Gage’s greatest asset continues to be his friends. Though Gage feels he doesn’t have many in his corner, he has more power guarding his back then he ever imagined.
Tears still streaked his cheeks, but there was a coldness in his eyes that made me glad he was on my side.
“We will end this.”
I still have concerns with the overwhelming amount of conflict surrounding Gage. It’s hard to stay focused at times with the onslaught of new and recurring situations. I also can’t help but wonder why more aren’t stepping up to the plate in a visible manner to combat those in the Towers.
Dry humor and wit is sprinkled throughout the book as we learn more about Sophia’s state of being and meet some new friends. As stated earlier, there is a plethora of subplots in here that continuously cascade over you. As the story progresses, I feel Drake does a better job in this installment of tying them all together in a manner that makes sense. The world building is expanded upon and more background information about Gage’s childhood and the inhabitants of the Ivory Towers is given. The ending wraps up the main conflict nicely, leaving us with the next book’s storyline and faint feelings of dismay and hope mixed together.
Regardless of any misgivings, Jocelynn Drake’s newest Urban Fantasy series continues to be a whirlwind of action, intrigue, and suspense with a strong base of hope, love, and humor to keep readers firmly engaged in this adventure. I look forward to book three, title and release date to be announced.
Overall Rating: B
April 14, 2019
Wow, Ms. jocelynn Drake did something pretty rare among the trilogies I've been reading for the past half decade - she made a second book in the trilogy that doesn't end on a cliffhanger. My memories of books I read when I was younger have this happening more often. But I know I have written many, many reviews on Goodreads where I talk about how hard it is to rate the second book because it's a setup for the third. So it was nice and refreshing to have a second book in a series where if Ms. Drake had never continued, we'd be satisfied with the ending. That said, she certainly provided enough change in the status quo that I'm curious to read the next book and find out what happened.
This book picks up a couple months after the last one, but I was getting back to it a year or so later so it took me a couple chapters to remember all the details of what was now going on in Gage's life. Once I did, I often found myself unable to stop reading. While things may sometimes seem to be getting hyperbolically bad for Gage, the constant stake-raising makes sense given what he got himself into last book. If you enjoyed the last one, you'll enjoy this one.
Just a reminder, there are some very explicit scenes, so I'd keep away from minors.
This book picks up a couple months after the last one, but I was getting back to it a year or so later so it took me a couple chapters to remember all the details of what was now going on in Gage's life. Once I did, I often found myself unable to stop reading. While things may sometimes seem to be getting hyperbolically bad for Gage, the constant stake-raising makes sense given what he got himself into last book. If you enjoyed the last one, you'll enjoy this one.
Just a reminder, there are some very explicit scenes, so I'd keep away from minors.
February 17, 2014
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Fast paced dark urban fantasy with multiple stories interweaving into one final surprising outcome.
Opening Sentence: They were killing pixies.
The Review:
Gage Powell returns with a whole new set of troubles in Dead Man’s Deal. A dark elf has learned Gage’s secret and has been using him to do his dirty work, even forcing Gage into using his magic which he has been forbidden to use. If Gage uses his magic then his time as a free man is running out even though the witch assigned to Gage has known about Gage’s little magic indiscretions, he won’t turn Gage in unless he uses some powerful magic.
The world that has been created in The Asylum Tales is quite dark and depressing. The witches/warlocks/mages or whatever they prefer to be called (there doesn’t seem to be a name that they prefer to go by, even the males associate themselves as witches or at least from what I can tell or maybe I just missed something…) dominate over everyone from their Ivory Towers. They are a law unto themselves but they will take out their anger on anyone without much backlash. If the wizards kill a human it’s not a problem but if a human kills one of them there will be a manhunt that doesn’t end until that person is tortured and killed (presumably with many bodies that have fallen during that search). They even kill everyone in a major mid-western city because they don’t want one person with a secret so huge to get out that they burn the entire city to the ground.
Gage knows the secret and in order to save himself and everyone in Low Town from being destroyed he must make a deal that could potentially change his life forever. In the midst of all the chaos, Gage also wants to help lift a curse off of the elves in order for his girlfriend Trixie to be safe in case he doesn’t make it out of this “mission” alive.
Gage is a tricky fellow and sadly not much seems to go his way. I enjoy very much how Jocelynn Drake just seems to keep adding to Gage’s stress factor every few pages and keeps it a mystery as to how he is going to get out of this mess with the least amount of collateral damage possible before the puzzle starts to slowly unravel one piece at a time. Gage could so easily use magic to solve all his problems but the one where the Ivory Towers comes after his hide is very much entertaining to see what he does to get around using magic. A huge factor in the story is how if a mage kills someone using magic they will lose a year off of their lives so Gage has to come up with some interesting ways to defeat his enemies.
Dead Man’s Deal could be read as a standalone in the series. The ending of the first novel pretty much summarizes the position that Gage is in at the beginning of this novel. The only thing that readers would miss out on is the depth of the friendships that Gage has with Trixie and Bronx. They are in this novel but don’t really have much page time since a bulk of Gage’s problems are left a secret from the two of them and he has to work on his own. Although Gage does spend a lot of time with the mages Gideon and Sofie. I really enjoyed learning more about the background on those two mages. Overall, Dead Man’s Deal is a fast paced read because of all the action, so much kept happening and I couldn’t wait to find out what was next. If you like dark urban fantasy novels and a male lead character, I would highly recommend this series.
Notable Scene:
Widening my stance to keep my balance, I blanked my mind while shoving. down the nausea rising in my stomach. Adrenaline bubbled in my veins until it felt like my hair was standing on end. In a breath, I pulled up a swell of energy, and I slammed it into Greasy and Fox. I couldn’t manage all three at once. Greasy was a nuisance and Fox was dangerous. Brownie was somewhere in the middle.
Narrowing my eyes, I could feel Brownie summoning up a shield, but it wouldn’t work. With only the smallest push, I directed the energy toward him but my only thought was of peeling an apple. I was vaguely aware of him jerking one arm sharply and twisting, looking around for whatever was attacking him. His face was a mask of confusion as he stubbornly held on to his magical barrier while straining to figure out what I was doing. A second later, his scream rang out, sending shards of glass cutting through my soul. His body twisted and writhed in pain. I tapped down the revulsion while my brain locked on the vision of a small paring knife sliding around a bright red apple as it cut away the skin in a single, long coil.
With the spell in place, I turned to find Greasy staring in horror. He seemed to have forgotten about me. I lifted one hand and extended one finger, pointed down. I slowly spun it in place, imagining that I was stirring a cup of coffee. The warlock gave a surprised shout as he began to spin in place as well, but his shouts and flailing arms were quickly replaced with pain-filled shrieks.
When I took the time to magically stir my coffee, I also heated it. I should have been feeling horror, revulsion. I should have been throwing up the contents of my stomach, but I felt detached and numb as I killed them. My mind desperately clung to the images of an apple and coffee because if I thought about what I was doing, I’d go mad.
FTC Advisory: Harper Voyager/HarperCollins provided me with a copy of Dead Man’s Deal. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Fast paced dark urban fantasy with multiple stories interweaving into one final surprising outcome.
Opening Sentence: They were killing pixies.
The Review:
Gage Powell returns with a whole new set of troubles in Dead Man’s Deal. A dark elf has learned Gage’s secret and has been using him to do his dirty work, even forcing Gage into using his magic which he has been forbidden to use. If Gage uses his magic then his time as a free man is running out even though the witch assigned to Gage has known about Gage’s little magic indiscretions, he won’t turn Gage in unless he uses some powerful magic.
The world that has been created in The Asylum Tales is quite dark and depressing. The witches/warlocks/mages or whatever they prefer to be called (there doesn’t seem to be a name that they prefer to go by, even the males associate themselves as witches or at least from what I can tell or maybe I just missed something…) dominate over everyone from their Ivory Towers. They are a law unto themselves but they will take out their anger on anyone without much backlash. If the wizards kill a human it’s not a problem but if a human kills one of them there will be a manhunt that doesn’t end until that person is tortured and killed (presumably with many bodies that have fallen during that search). They even kill everyone in a major mid-western city because they don’t want one person with a secret so huge to get out that they burn the entire city to the ground.
Gage knows the secret and in order to save himself and everyone in Low Town from being destroyed he must make a deal that could potentially change his life forever. In the midst of all the chaos, Gage also wants to help lift a curse off of the elves in order for his girlfriend Trixie to be safe in case he doesn’t make it out of this “mission” alive.
Gage is a tricky fellow and sadly not much seems to go his way. I enjoy very much how Jocelynn Drake just seems to keep adding to Gage’s stress factor every few pages and keeps it a mystery as to how he is going to get out of this mess with the least amount of collateral damage possible before the puzzle starts to slowly unravel one piece at a time. Gage could so easily use magic to solve all his problems but the one where the Ivory Towers comes after his hide is very much entertaining to see what he does to get around using magic. A huge factor in the story is how if a mage kills someone using magic they will lose a year off of their lives so Gage has to come up with some interesting ways to defeat his enemies.
Dead Man’s Deal could be read as a standalone in the series. The ending of the first novel pretty much summarizes the position that Gage is in at the beginning of this novel. The only thing that readers would miss out on is the depth of the friendships that Gage has with Trixie and Bronx. They are in this novel but don’t really have much page time since a bulk of Gage’s problems are left a secret from the two of them and he has to work on his own. Although Gage does spend a lot of time with the mages Gideon and Sofie. I really enjoyed learning more about the background on those two mages. Overall, Dead Man’s Deal is a fast paced read because of all the action, so much kept happening and I couldn’t wait to find out what was next. If you like dark urban fantasy novels and a male lead character, I would highly recommend this series.
Notable Scene:
Widening my stance to keep my balance, I blanked my mind while shoving. down the nausea rising in my stomach. Adrenaline bubbled in my veins until it felt like my hair was standing on end. In a breath, I pulled up a swell of energy, and I slammed it into Greasy and Fox. I couldn’t manage all three at once. Greasy was a nuisance and Fox was dangerous. Brownie was somewhere in the middle.
Narrowing my eyes, I could feel Brownie summoning up a shield, but it wouldn’t work. With only the smallest push, I directed the energy toward him but my only thought was of peeling an apple. I was vaguely aware of him jerking one arm sharply and twisting, looking around for whatever was attacking him. His face was a mask of confusion as he stubbornly held on to his magical barrier while straining to figure out what I was doing. A second later, his scream rang out, sending shards of glass cutting through my soul. His body twisted and writhed in pain. I tapped down the revulsion while my brain locked on the vision of a small paring knife sliding around a bright red apple as it cut away the skin in a single, long coil.
With the spell in place, I turned to find Greasy staring in horror. He seemed to have forgotten about me. I lifted one hand and extended one finger, pointed down. I slowly spun it in place, imagining that I was stirring a cup of coffee. The warlock gave a surprised shout as he began to spin in place as well, but his shouts and flailing arms were quickly replaced with pain-filled shrieks.
When I took the time to magically stir my coffee, I also heated it. I should have been feeling horror, revulsion. I should have been throwing up the contents of my stomach, but I felt detached and numb as I killed them. My mind desperately clung to the images of an apple and coffee because if I thought about what I was doing, I’d go mad.
FTC Advisory: Harper Voyager/HarperCollins provided me with a copy of Dead Man’s Deal. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
June 26, 2018
Sometimes I just want a paranormal romance, but Drake delivers much more with this one--lots of action and adventure, moral dilemmas, solid plotting, and fun characters. The romance isn't just an excuse for sex, but a story about love as well as survival as outsiders struggle to live in a world not of their choosing. Really good listen
November 26, 2025
I really loved the progression in this sequel but I wish there were more balancing moments of the main character tattooing people like in the first novel. It’s understandable that there isn’t as many tattoos in the sequel because the main character has more to deal with in this story.
January 25, 2018
Love
I love reading this series, I wish there was another after this. Tattoos, warlocks, elves, hobgoblins, what more could in want?
I love reading this series, I wish there was another after this. Tattoos, warlocks, elves, hobgoblins, what more could in want?
July 16, 2018
The shit Gauge got himself into, pshhh, but he came out of it all shining.
It was a cute and enjoyable little story :]
It was a cute and enjoyable little story :]
October 13, 2018
Another great book. Lots of layers, great world building, intriguing characters.
December 18, 2018
Oooh I love this hero. Gage is brilliant and I love the way his character is written - unique voice, interesting plot twists...good stuff.
February 14, 2019
Really wanted to like this series - good concept but weak bones, and, apparently, no editing allowed. Lots of redundant descriptions, childishly-simple sentence structures...you get the drift
August 7, 2019
Jocelyn's writing in these stories is incredibly cheesy but I don't mind it! The descriptions and emotions are so spot on and riveting that I couldn't stop reading and I felt every emotion!
August 30, 2022
I feel so sorry for him. Although now I am wondering whether or not Ms. Darkness will snatch him while he is in service to the towers and how in the hell he is going to get out of that contract.
September 25, 2022
Long
Another take on the magical education of the young - but very dark. What a backstabbing group of people. Gage tries to live his life in the best way possible.
Another take on the magical education of the young - but very dark. What a backstabbing group of people. Gage tries to live his life in the best way possible.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews