Mort

by Loki Renard

Self destructive. Self loathing. Self harming.
Tristan is at the end of his rope.
Ready to meet his end.
But the reaper who comes for him does not take his soul.
He saves his life.

Gifted. Precious. Beautiful.
The moment Mort lays his empty eyes on Tristan, the reaper of souls knows he must save this one.
Tristan is a hot mess.
Mort is a cool, calm dominant.
Tristan can see demons…
Wait. Tristan can see demons? Tristan is the only mortal Mort has ever met with such a gift, and Mort soon becomes fascinated with this uncontrollably reckless, sensitive, wonderful, awful mortal man. Tristan is shocked to have met someone who can stand being around him for more than five minutes, someone who seems to find him not only interesting, but actually lovable. Not to mention, someone who can take him in hand and tame him down when he needs it.

There’s just one problem.
Besides Tristan’s many, many problems.
Tristan is marked.
You could say cursed.
He bears the seal of a secret god.
To possess his mortal mate, Mort must eliminate that claim before he can fully take Tristan as his own.
No amount of supernatural interference will be enough to stop a very grim reaper willing to do anything to possess his chosen mate.

Mort has taken millions of lives. The next one will belong to a god.

(Mort is a dark romance with themes of dominance, punishment, possession, and matters of mental health. Please consider the first four sentences of the blurb a trigger warning.)

Genres: M M Romance, Dark Romance, Fantasy, Dark, Paranormal

196 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2023

About the author

Amazon Top 100, USA Today bestselling, and #1 bestselling author in multiple Amazon categories, Loki Renard writes sizzling hot, occasionally dark and twisted stories of dominance, submission and discipline.

Reviews

[m · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk fam. Did I like this: yes? Was it strange and chaotic: also yes.

I wouldn’t say it’s esp gothic.. essentially Mort aka The Grim Reaper falls in love with a mortal who can see demons. Unfortunately that mortal has been marked by a god. So naturally Mort plans to kill a god so he can claim his human.

It’s such a fun premise but didn’t quite deliver what I was hoping for esp when I read there were BDSM elements. It’s not particularly spicy. Kind of instalove. Very jumpy and chaotic. Anubis shows up a fair bit. And Loki too. The characters and dialogue super fun though. It was a interesting ride (and a short one) but ultimately I’m not fully satisfied.

[Shelba · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 19%.

This doesn’t feel particularly gothic. It feels like a parody, though I felt that way about the other “dark” romance I read from Renard. And while I felt that book was entertaining, this is just too dry for me.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

**********Contains Spoilers**********

This is the first book that I’ve read by Loki Renard and I enjoyed it. Please make sure to take note of the trigger warnings in the blurb, considering Tristan is planning on ending it all when Mort stops him. Mort is a reaper but has decided to quit. He doesn’t know why Tristan doesn’t fall under his sway like other mortals. When Mort finds out that Tristan can see demons, and has been able to since he was a child he wants to get to the bottom of the reason why that is. Mort soon becomes fascinated with the reckless mortal man, and tries to get him to see value in his life. The more time they spend together, the closer they get.

The dominance and submission part of their relationship works beautifully for them. The moment Mort offers Tristan his submission when he lost his powers after taking on the God who marked Tristan so he can mark Tristan as his own. Now that Mort is mortal Tristan is stronger than him. Mort realises that his submission isn’t an act of weakness but one of strength, as it shows Tristan how much he trusts him to take care of his needs and that he loves him. This book has a HFN ending and I’m looking forward to reading the next book when it’s released, so we can see how Mort and Tristan cope with their new realities. I’d recommend this book and author to everyone.

[Cyn's Bookshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Journey of Self Discovery
This book brings all the feels. It is touchingly endearing and poignant at times, and down and dirty at other times. It is beautifully maudlin and heartbreakingly hopeful, creating a tension throughout that keeps the reader turning pages to its enjoyable conclusion. This is the first in series, so the ending is HFN. Both characters are at a turning point in their existences, both ready for a change, both being proactive to achieve that change, both vulnerable in their uncertainty. The dominance and submission played out brilliantly, each taking the other’s measure and feeling truly seen, known, and loved for the first time.
I purchased this book, and I am leaving a review because I loved it.

[Lisa Tobleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read and an Interesting take on a dominant and submissive relationship. I sort of wish it had been not a romance though and just Leaned into the fascinating world created. Reminded me a Lot of the Mercy novels. Loved how all the pantheons existed in this story. Loved the interactions between gods and lesser immortals. What I sort of didn’t like was the romance if I’m being honest. The rest of the story was so much more interesting, and if I’m getting into the nitty gritty of it all…the house was filthy, and How are they making money to keep the water and electricity on? I get Mort had wads of cash on hand but they just kind of existed, and plotted punishing each other and wearing dirty clothes…and smashing bottles on the old car…and being weird towards the former bully Tom.

[Delta Auri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m…disappointed? The beginning was promising. The middle had such a encouraging build up. The world building was decent. I’m not the biggest fan of BDSM but I like it here. It was sweet and fluffy. I love that there’s healing and growth from both characters. The ending (as in the last five chapters) however, feels like it was glued together by my kindergarteners. It feels rushed, incomplete, and unfulfilling. The bowling scene particularly feels like an afterthought. I don’t know how I would fix it but I wish this book lived up to its potential. I feel like I wasted time reading this because the conclusion just left much to be desired. All in all, don’t see myself picking up any more books by this author.

[Chlo3th · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I thought it would be a heavier read but it was actually quite light and easy to read, with not a lot of depth.

I liked the characters a bunch. Especially Tristan 🥰 but I was pretty confused about a few things. I would have liked to see more of mort and his powers or his job before and the same for tris after. Instead of just the dick waving that was mort challenging Loki and tris threatening Anubis.

All in all my main complaint is I wanted more! Which isn't really all that negative.

[Petra]

DNF at 30 %. (I think? Can't remember, but the book was not on GR for such a long time... weird.)

The writing was a bit weird: there was so much missing from the world building and actual characterization. The human MC just lets a stranger live in his house... and then we have a fricking demon appear, he punishes the human and the MCs start this weird kinky sex? I just had to stop. I was so so interested in the book but it felt like chunks of the story telling are missing and so the build up is too jarring.

[Mystisith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book contains some of the truest descriptions of the human condition I've ever read. What real love and soulmate are all about. This emotional rollercoaster managed to make me cry twice.
Probably not a wise read if you are in a dark place in your life, or maybe that could be the kick in the pants you need, I don't know... HFN or HEA, I guess it depends on your point of view.
I for sure will stay tuned for the next installments in that series.

[Kelly Gress · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the author's writing style and couldn't put the book down. I enjoyed reading the MCs POV, especially Mort as he tried to navigate as an immortal learning about human struggles.

********Spoilers ahead*********

I didn't like the ending. I wanted to see more of life with Mort and Tris in their HEA. I didn't want to see Mort hand off his immortality to Tris. I wanted to see their lives as both immortals.

[D.L. Tillery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but not really Gothic Romance.

I enjoyed the plot and story and the characters' relationship. If you like supernatural romance, get a copy for sure. One issue for me was that this is under gothic romance, and it is not. It has no gothic elements. Having dark undertones does make gothic, but it was a good Paranormal/supernatural romance. Enjoy.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what, but something is missing in that book. From the beginning, it's the feeling i have.

[Tash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just meh, this disappointed me.

This had so much promise but I just wasn’t feeling the writing or the execution of the whole thing

[JILL Stock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read really good in a unexpected twist ending.

[teddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was good!! quick, fun read <3

[Thurman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird story.
angst 2/5
heat 3/5
story 3/5
POV dual