Perfectly Perplexing Zombie: Wendall's Story

Perfect Pixie #4

by M.J. May

Blessed with eternal fire, Hellfire Rayburn is Fairy Queen Silvidia’s most trusted and feared warrior. In a world living under fairy rule, Ray’s accustomed to serving his queen by upholding the law. Now, Queen Silvidia wants more.

Wendall Galen never expected to wake up reanimated as a zombie. Then again, he never expected to be murdered either. Wendall’s second life is far better than his past human life. Unfortunately, the diluted bit of fairy DNA he didn’t know existed interferes with his reanimation. With his body deteriorating, Wendall’s second life is destined to be a short one.

Queen Silvidia might have discovered Wendall’s living life too late, but she won’t let the last remaining descendant of her beloved, deceased brother perish. A fairy bond is needed to preserve Wendall, and Hellfire Rayburn still has his to give away. Wendall just needs to accept the eternal bond. Too bad he’s a zombie with a conscience.

Wendall won’t condemn Ray to an eternity bonded to someone Ray doesn’t care for, let alone love. He would rather perish than do that. Despite Wendall’s refusal, or perhaps because of it, Ray’s smitten with the human-turned-zombie and can’t imagine a life without him.

But Wendall’s deteriorating body isn’t the only threat. His murderer is still out there and fearful Wendall will reveal his secret. Power breeds paranoia, and Wendall’s murderer is oozing with one and being taken over by the other. Having awakened one of the most dangerous and feared creatures alive, Wendall’s murderer is willing to wield that power no matter the cost.

Wendall’s good nature calls to Ray, but that same sacrificial nature threatens to steal him away. Hellfire Rayburn never dreamed a day could come when his eternal fire failed him, his queen, and his love.

Perfectly Perplexing Zombie is the forth book in the Perfect Pixie Series. Each book relates to previous installments but can be read as a stand alone. They are more enjoyable if read in order. This book follows Hellfire Rayburn and Wendall Galen's paths to their HEA

Perfectly Perplexing Zombie contains a zombie that didn't follow the rulebook for creation, a millennia old fairy warrior, a human with delusions of grandeur, a powerful djinn that just wants to be left alone, a power hungry alpha werewolf, witches, priestesses, warlocks, vampires, a faun, and good old fashioned interspecies teamwork. It is a slow burn novel that focuses on finding and acknowledging love in unexpected places.

Genres: Fantasy, M M Romance, Romance, Magic, Paranormal, Fae, Vampires

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 22, 2023

About the author

I've been a veterinarian for almost twenty years and have recently added published author to my resume. I've been writing for over fifteen years, most of those stories languishing on my computer. A couple of years ago my fear of never trying to publish my stories overcame my fear of failure. The result is my first book, "Sow What You Reap". It is the first in the Reaping Covetous series. The next book, "Dead Women Tell Tales" should be out by the end of October 2021.

I love supernatural, urban fantasy, paranormal, and mystery genres. I write both M/F and M/M oriented stories.

Please don't hesitate to ask me a question or two.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy my stories. I know I love telling them.

MJ May

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, lovable characters and a good plot, but needed more “fleshing” out (gross, after this book) of the characters to make me like it more. Everyone was too perfect, Wendell was too virtuous, and too much of the romance was put on Ray. And honestly, considering Wendell was literally decomposing, there wasn’t much romance. There was also zero steam which I struggle with, and they didn’t even bond by the end :(

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pairing the absolute sweetest with the absolute scariest just HITS DIFFERENT *chef's kiss*

I HAVE BEEN DYINGGG for Hellfire Rayburn's chance at love and MJ did not disappoint.

Even though he's the literal embodiment of all things hot fire flames, Ray is ICE. COLD. And who better to melt his chilly fairy heart than the cutest, sweetest, most selfless zombie boi to ever exist.

Guys, I wanna live in this world sooo bad. The fact that I don't have a scuttlebutt perched on my shoulder at all times of the day is truly a travesty. I loved that Trinket was basically a living personification of their relationship: absolutely adorable meets terrifying as hell. Didn't think I'd ever yell "GOOD GIRL" as a fictional fuzzball rips out a grown man's throat but here we are.

MY ONLY QUALM...I feel like the spice kind of flip-flops in these books? It kind of seemed like they were increasing in spice level as the series went on (like the author was getting more adventurous in adding in spicy elements) but, for how much Wendall talks about wanting to be intimate with Ray, the spice is virtually nonexistent and we're kind of just left imagining what it WOULD be like. Idk, I just feel like if you're gonna have the characters talk/think about intimacy a lot and frequently use the word "cock" in the writing, it teases the idea that we'll have closure in the form of a spicy scene. But instead, we're blue-balled to the point of pain.

BUT, with that said, I feel like docking an entire star just because I'm a horny, horny goblin monster is mildly extreme (PLUS I reeeeally loved everything else) so...

Rating: 4.5 rounded up to 5!

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Omggg this totally broke my heart!! I adore Wendall. I've been weirdly attached to him ever since he popped up in book two, and what he has to go through was just so sad!!

Ray falling in love was probably my favourite thing in this whole series and he and Wendall are definitely my favourite couple....so far anyway because I have a sneaky suspicion that I'm going to love Leon more 😂

I loved the drama with the djinn and how it involved almost the whole cast. I seriously cannot wait for Arie Belview to be eliminated - I hate him so much!! He's a really good and believable villain though and he definitely provides that underlying current of tension throughout the series.

I did find the resolution for Wendall's situation to be just a little too convenient though...

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HRCYED2: Spooky Creatures

[Ronie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

You always find them. That person. So much affection. They don't even know you are alive. That's the kind of situation, this book reminds me of...unrequited love.

Lust at first sight. Wouldn't do for these pixies. Especially when pixie bonds are in danger. Well from the last book. That sore loser Alpha Wolf wants revenge. Dude takes out his own daughter, for her children, fathered by a guy he couldn't stand. Dude gets away with it. Even with the Fae keeping an eye on him. He still gunning for them kids. I don't see how he is short sighted. What makes him think he could control them kids?

Oh yeah your favorite grumpy lawyer is ordered to woo the zombie. Let the angst begin!

[notachance]

DNF 15% - All of these books seem to be about an older, gruff, powerful bloke who spends his time doing man business, and a weaker, pretty/homely/innocent character who needs to be saved and isn’t party to any of big discussions. Not a great vibe.

[Heather♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Wendall was sweet and all, but there seemed to be zero chemistry between him and Ray. And to be honest I wasn't really expecting there to be a whole lot, with the numerous amount of times Wendall's decaying skin and rotting smell were described along with the eating of brains. Not to mention the fact that without a beating heart and blood flow, Wendall couldn't exactly have a passionate love life. With Wendall immediately refusing Ray's bond and Ray being awkward and unfamiliar with how to woo someone I just wasn't feeling the typical relationship growth like the other couples had in previous books and it felt like there was still a lot unknown in their individual back stories too.

I liked Wendall's scuttlebutt pet Trinket that Ray gave him, even if at times it felt like there was more emotion portrayed by Wendall toward Trinket than toward Ray. It was also great to see a lot of the other characters again and how Wendall's new circle of friends closed ranks and showed their loyalty and willingness to help him without a second thought even if some of the activities were dangerous and potentially life-threatening. I did miss my darling Phil though. Can never have enough Phil.

Unfortunately there were also a few questions running through my OCD brain. (1) If Wendall was hit hard enough by a car that he actually died, wouldn't he have broken bones and/or other bloody injuries that would still be evident when people looked at him in his reanimated state? I wouldn't think those kinds of things just disappeared or suddenly became healed when reanimated. (2) What kind of screening process did Muriel use before deciding which bodies would be reainimated as zombies? She seemed upset that Wendall's aunt and uncle tricked her by telling her Wendall had done horrible things and deserved to be a zombie. Without proof, I'd think the potential would be pretty high that some humans would unjustly be turned into zombies, especially if Muriel paid some unscrupulous people for those bodies. (3) If Queen Silvidia was unaware of Wendall while he was alive, what was it about his death and subsequent reanimation that made her say hey this kid must be a long lost descendant of my brother? There were other humans around with minuscule traces of fairy blood and no one even knew that Wendall had any, so how did he come across her radar? (4) How did djinns even amass such enormous levels of power upon their creation by witches, so much so that they could be considered a threat to the most powerful of magical species like fairies? And if they weren't really able to use that power for themselves unless they had a master controlling them, why was everyone so worried about Aurelia or other djinns being untethered from their objects of attachment and roaming free in the world? (5) Why didn't Queen Silvidia intervene when it was apparent that Wendall's (and by extension Ray's) life was in danger from a djinn being forced to follow her master's orders? She just showed up after the fact when all the chaos was over, saying Hamish filled her in on everything. How was that possible when Hamish left before things with Wendall were even resolved?

I'm curious who the next couple will be, unless it returns full circle to Phil and Sedrick because of Arie Belview's renewed threats. Looking forward to it (but nobody better hurt Phil) :)

[˗ˏˋ⟡ ݁₊ [sophie] ෆ ꒱ྀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Kimbot the Destroyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got the story I needed for both characters I've been curious about. Now do Leon!
I actually loved the slow romance and lack of awkward sex scenes. Beats instalust any day.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary storytelling, amazing

Rating: 5🌈

Honestly, I finish each story thinking this is the best yet of the series. Then the next surpasses it, building on the complex storylines and characters relationships the author is creating and linking together in an epic as yet unfinished fantasy tapestry.

Each new couple incorporates a deeply unique perspective on love and relationships. While May has bright humor , magical wonder, and so much lively personality floating through the narrative, the darker side is never far away.

There’s so many serious elements included with each being, most to do with their history but not always. With Phil, it’s his outsize physique as a pixie, or Parsnip, whose horrific past of capture and permanent damage adds a dark series thread, as well as a dramatic well developed emotional plot for his book. Each character’s aspect of their life that has caused them pain and or sorrow has to be revealed, investigated, emotionally developed , and, fully explored in every possible aspect before the ending.

So many serious themes and topics. Slavery, addiction, low self esteem, bullying, self harm, the list goes on as to what May has narratively tackled in this series. And done a spectacular job of it.

Now comes Wendell. A lovely, kind, warmhearted human being who was cold heartedly murdered and turned into a zombie. Only Muriel, a powerful witch intervened, and Wendell became conscious, still a zombie but himself still. Unique in many ways.

A incredibly special way. Which brings Hellfire Rayburn, Fairy Queen Silvidia’s most trusted and feared warrior, into the role of main character after being a wildly popular secondary character in the preceding books.

The zombie and the fiery fairy warrior walk into the bar. It would be a joke if it wasn’t a tragedy in itself. May makes the reader feel every bit of the emotional pain and suffering every character is undergoing here.

The author has managed to make Wendell such a bright, engaging, and vulnerable young man, however dead he may be. As he’s falling apart, the reader is provided a window into his thoughts and feelings, which not only serves to connect us further but breaks our hearts. Wendell feels alive inside but is very much aware he isn’t. He wants to cry but can’t, he wants to blush, but a dead, rotting body betrays him. May quietly makes the reader cry when Wendell can’t.

Then comes Hellfire Rayburn, or Ray, who himself undergoes a huge mental and emotional transformation . Exposure to Wendell does that. Listening to Ray’s ancient inner voice, his arguments about Wendell with himself, then his growing sense of affection for the zombie, then mounting fear and anguish, it mirrors our own thoughts and feelings.

This author’s has such a superb gift for writing highly emotional scenes that escalates the anguish that the reader and the characters are feeling, as bit by bit, necrotic patch of skin by skin, Wendall’s time to a final death approaches.

She encapsulates all the details of the deteriorating flesh, Wendell’s emotional state, and his friends hope and horror as they scramble for some means to stop it.

What May also does so extraordinarily well is subtly continue to run darker plot threads through the current storylines. So that as you’re reading and totally aware of the scenes before you, lurking on the edges are the barest of mentions of what the author has to come.

The pixie dust addiction and slavery thread is there as a small topic. A hint of something that needs to be addressed in the near future. The most evil villain I’ve encountered is suddenly invigorated by events here. Please someone help get his comeuppance.

There’s no listed title for the next story but I have a guess which I’ll keep to myself.

It says in the descriptions these books can be read as standalones No they cannot. They are absolutely narrative building bricks for each other, which eventually leads to the next one, and finally a magical whole.

This series and each book is at the top of my TB recommended list. A must read/must have if you will.

Wendell and Ray gave me so many heartbreaking moments but so many more beautiful ones. What a special gift.

Again, another gorgeous cover in a series of them.

[P-san~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this whole book for no love making? Im really annoyed.

I liked the plot, except the zombie factor did stress me out a lot. Loved Ray and Wendall, but Ray seemed too soft in here. I wanted him a little high strung and intense.

Wendall was a cutie !! Him eating Ray was really wild and shocking though…

[Fearne Hill]

My least favourite in the series, which means I still enjoyed it because I love this world. I wonder if it was a little rushed coming so soon after bk 3? It was difficult to feel the romance with Wendell being smelly and deteriorating - a brave narrative choice.
Nonetheless, can't wait for the next.

[... · Rating 5 out of 5]

RE-READ 5-2-24: Although it wasn't *really* a re-read. More like a re-skim. 🥰 I just finished the 5th book in the series and it reminded me how much I loved Wendell, so I came back to this one. I skipped most of the plot parts because they're still too fresh in my memory to enjoy again quite yet. I mostly just wanted to find and read the bits where Hellfire falls for him, and that slow progression was just as lovely as I remembered from my first read through. Still probably my fave in the series! (Although now I feel the need to go back to my *other* might-be-my-fave and skim through parts of that as well, so we'll see! 🤣)

ORIGINAL 5-STAR REVIEW 01-30-24: I love this series, and I'm not sure if this is my *favorite* in it so far, but only because it's been a while since I read each of the previous installments for comparison... I'm pretty sure it might be, though. 🥰 Wendell is truly lovely, seeing Ray fall for him was wonderful, and the ending (NOT counting the epilogue 🤣) was as satisfying as I'd hoped for. Well... 95% at least. But the missing 5% just leaves room for all the future stories still to be told in this world. 😁 I can't wait!

[Angelena · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Fairy Stars
Wow this was an emotional Rollercoaster, I smiled, laughed, cried, and smiled some more. The characters, as always, were intriguing and well written. We didn't have a pixie as a main lead this go around but Wendall was just as sweet and I honestly loved seeming the unshakable Hellfire Rayburn fall in love. Truly my only gribe is the repeated fact that the epilogues haven't been true epilogues. Aside from the first book, the epilogues have just served as an teaser for the next book and are from the POV of one of the future leads. My main complaint with that is that I crave more couple time as the books always seem to end just as our couples truly form. However for me this 'epilogue' was worse than prior as, without giving anything away, it felt rather ominous and overall left a bitter taste in my mouth. Not exactly how I like ending my reads. I hope the next book will come out soon, I'm intrigued on who the leads will be and sincerely hope it won't be as angsty as this epilogue implied.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance: 20-year-old zombie (turned fairy) dishwasher MMC with fairy lawyer MMC
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Ratings - completed series:
#1 Perfectly Imperfect Pixie: ★★★★☆
#2 Perfectly Perfect Pixie: Peaches's Story: ★★★★☆
#3 Perfectly Charmed Pixie: Parsnip's Story: ★★★★☆
#4 Perfectly Perplexing Zombie: Wendall's Story (this book): ★★★★☆
#5 Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox's Story: ★★★☆☆

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 rounded down

Sadly, this is my least favorite of the series so far, which is a shame. Wendall was sweet, but kind of boringly so, the one interesting thing about him being that he was a zombie. I appreciated the author's attempt at something different, but zombies are just... not hot. He was literally decomposing and smelled like rotting flesh, and at one point tries to actually eat his love interest.... not my kink. Ray was also kind of bland here, just too restrained and boring. There was zero chemistry, or steam, and I just didn't buy them as a couple at all. I also found the plot to be pretty meh and sort of OTT. I enjoyed the additional world building, but I think the deviation from the pixies didn't work well.

[Kirsten · Rating 2 out of 5]

His body’s rotting!
That’s not sexy. Weirdly sweet
romantasy fluff.

2.5 rounded down… because his skin is falling off, he’s decomposing, and he smells.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. God.


This book was as close to perfection as they come.

We met Wendall two books ago and fell head over heels with the world’s kindest zombie. And Ray? Ugh. The hellfire fairy? Stick a fork in me I’m done.

I cried. My palms sweat. I was stressed. AND THAT EPILOGUE?! Why is the last audio not out yet?! 😭

Again. If you’re looking for smut this isn’t the series. But if you’re look for a captivating overarching storyline and characters to fall in love with this is the series for you.

[Jessica Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story. Wendall was such an incredible character. I loved him so hard. Ray was also brilliant, and seeing these two fall in love was wonderful. This one has all the same heart and amazing writing of the first three books. I wholeheartedly recommend this book (and the first three) to anyone looking for some well-written paranormal m/m romance. With the way this ended I need the next book pronto!

[moonydew · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars…
Hmmm… I have very mixed feelings about this one. For starters I really like both Ray the elf and Wendall the zombie. The conflict was interesting and a good idea but wow did I get bored around 75% with it. Like… yeah I get it and I like it but move on. I want to actually get a chance to see Wendall and Ray together. I really feel like so much of this story wasn’t revolving around their story and their love and it sucked.

The concept of Wendall not feeling good enough or whole enough for Ray was a good plot point but I think Wendall shouldn’t have had to change to be finally be with Ray.

Also I read all the previous books and loved them and even I was confused by all the people and the names. I like the little family they are making but I think making all the pixies have P names really makes it harder than it should be to follow who is who.

1/5 on spice. 1/5 on kink. 1/5 on tears. I feel like this was missing too much romance for me to enjoy it.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY FAVORITE BY FAR I WISH IT WAS WAY LONGER

[Kristi Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly Perfect

Although I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the three previous books in this series they all paled compared to this one. It deserves seven out of five stars. I don’t normally like stories that include zombies so that is truly saying something as is the fact that it was the perplexing zombie that made the book so enjoyable. If the next book improves even more upon this one I can’t wait to read it. It’s already preordered. I thoroughly recommend you read the whole series. It is excellent.

[Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was the slowest burn ever 😭✨

I think this series just keep testing how slow burn it can get for each book 🥲😂👏🏼 not complaining it just make it more sweet & genuine love 💕 instead of the usual full on smut or lusting involved. I cry reading the moment Wendall start to decaying 😭😭 he is such a sweet innocent person, which make me glad they found a way to save him & Djinn cleverness save the day 🥹

From this book for the first time i notice how little things in life that we taken granted of without realizing it are actually a huge thing if didn’t exist. Such as the ability to laugh, cry basically have normal function emotion & get to express them properly. Reading this make me realize the relief that tears actually bring and i am grateful for everything i have and thankful to god for it all ❤️

I also love the added little cute pet involved in the story wish to have one myself🥺

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“So,” I started, needing perfect clarification, “I can say no to your…generous offer, and there won’t be any consequences to me or anyone else I know. Correct?”

Ray’s jaw worked as if he were chewing rocks. “That is true.”

I gave a firm nod. “Then, with all due respect, I decline your offer of an eternal bond. If it’s all the same with you and your queen, I think I’ll live out my reanimated time and let Muriel cut the cord.”

Ray’s words were deathly quiet. “You would rather die?”

I shrugged. “I’m already dead. Maybe it’s time my mind caught up with the rest of my body. And yes, just so we’re clear, I would rather die than bond with someone who obviously detests the idea of spending eternity with me. Thank you for the offer, but you can shove it up your perfect fairy ass.”
€

Knife back in hand, Muriel took a couple of steps closer, her eyes narrowed and lips little more than a thin line. Raising the knife, she tilted its business end toward my chest, where she assumed my heart was. I had no idea if she knew two hearts thrummed beneath the tip of her blade.

“Just one thing, Hellfire Rayburn.” Muriel used my full name, making certain I was listening. “I love that boy like he is my own, and, in a way, that’s not far off. I want him to live, but living a long life don’t mean shit if that life is full of pain. If you don’t plan on caring for him—and I mean really caring—then give this up right now. Don’t bind Wendall to your soul just because it’s what your queen wants. Do it because it’s what you want. Do it because Wendall is the best damn catch out there. Do it because you truly like Wendall. Do it because it’s what Wendall deserves. I don’t expect you to start spouting poetry and words of love. That takes time we don’t have. What I do expect is for you to treat Wendall like he’s the most precious creature in the world. If you just intend to bond and then run off and hide away in Fairy, then leave him to his fate. Bein’ dead is kinder than bein’ ignored, unloved, and unwanted.”

Finished with her threat, Muriel went back to her chopping block. The chunk of meat lying there didn’t stand a chance.
€

“It is good to see you happy,” Ray softly said, breaking the stillness.

Sitting back up, I allowed my swing to softly still until I was barely moving. “It’s good to feel this happy,” I answered with a genuine smile. “It’s easy to forget what living is really like, what it was to be young and without a care in the world.” I was still chronologically young, but being murdered and reanimated into a zombie sort of tarnished my shiny, youthful worldview.
€

“You are a unique individual, Wendall. When my queen ordered me to bond with you, I had not thought I would like you so much. I saw it as a task and duty that I would fulfill just like every other request she has ever made of me. I was surprised and…upset when you declined my offer. I thought I had failed my queen.”

“And now?”

“And now, I find myself less upset about failing Queen Silvidia and more dismayed at failing you. I also believe I will miss your company when you are gone.”

Imaginary warmth bloomed within my chest, and my gaze became fixated on my feet. “I don’t know about all of that. I’m sure you could find someone else that—”

“Not possible,” Ray interrupted. “You forget how many centuries I’ve been alive, Wendall. Trust me when I say you are very special. Your second death will be everyone’s loss.”
€

“You might scare the shit out of most, but so does Muriel, and I’m not afraid of her. Just like I’m no longer afraid of you. But I am afraid for you.”

I balked, rearing back into the love seat cushion. “Afraid? For me?” The idea was beyond ludicrous that a human-turned-zombie would be fearful for me. Maybe Wendall’s mind hadn’t survived reanimation as well as Muriel thought.

“Not physically,” Wendall reassured. “I’ve only seen a fraction of what you can do, and I know you’re more than capable of physically taking care of yourself. What I’m talking about is in here.” Wendall leaned forward and laid his palm over my twin beating hearts. As his eyes slipped closed, his soft expression pinched into one of pain. “It’s so steady, like a never-ending song.” Grabbing my hand, Wendall brought my palm to his chest, a lonely echo of nothingness below. “That’s something my heart will never do again, Ray. Even when bonded, it won’t bring my body back to life. All the bond will do is stabilize and hopefully repair my reanimation. Blood doesn’t flow through my veins. While I can feel love and affection, my body can’t react to those emotions. I can’t cry. I can’t blush. I can’t get hard. I can’t be the lover you deserve, and that is why I can’t accept your bond. I won’t do that to you, Ray. I won’t sentence you to that endless eternity. I care about you too much to do that.”

I sat there, completely dumbfounded. My once-thickening cock lost interest. I had not considered all the implications of Wendall’s zombie status. He, on the other hand, had removed his blinders and looked the problem in the eye.
€

Leaning against my bedroom door, I waited until I heard my apartment door close. My eyes squeezed, and I slid down the door until I sat on the floor. Trinket slid with me, her fluffy body cradled within my lap. I’d never wanted to cry so badly and been so incapable. I’d rarely hated my zombie body as much as I did then. I craved the release crying would bring. Would it solve anything? No. Would it make me feel better? Maybe.

It was bizarre, knowing the reaction that should be there and expecting it to happen when nothing manifested. There was no buildup of pressure, no stinging eyes, no damp face, no snot collecting in my nose. My eyes were as dry as a bone, and nothing I did short of dumping water in them would change that fact.
€

tears filled his eyes, dripping down his face. Wendall touched the wetness and stared disbelievingly at his damp fingers. “Tears.” Awe filled his voice. “I can make tears.”

“Never seen somebody that happy about crying,” Muriel said, her own tears running down her cheeks.

[Fredicka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you come across a series that is so good that you wish. There was an infinite amount of book, so that you could live in the series longer. This series is one of those. I often find that the further along an author gets in a series, the worst the books get, but I am finding the opposite to be true with each book in this case. M.J. May has been able to build a masterful world that you can get lost in four hours.
My only complaint is now I am stuck waiting for the next book.

[JB · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok as a fantasy but not as romance. There was no chemistry between the two main characters.

[Giulia]

dnfed at 16%

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am baffled by the choice to give one of the main love interests literal rotting flesh. It was nice otherwise but .... ick.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enthusiastic 4 stars.

There's no way I should have enjoyed this book as much as I did, but . . . I found it delightful. I'm actually surprised that there are "meh" reviews, as I found this book to be the best of the series so far.

I did start with some reason to expect to like it because I've always been drawn by how the fairy characters are portrayed in this series. Here's what I wrote from my review of book 1:

And I actually really liked how the fairies were characterized - that was so different from most takes on the fairy/fae trope and it was pretty fascinating. I wouldn't mind seeing them explored in more depth. (Say, if Ray and Hamish got together . . . )

Ray continued to get more interesting as the series went on, so I was looking forward to him having a book of his own while being very curious as to how the author would create a sense of passion and desire in this character. I was feeling pretty leery about it when it was revealed at the end of book 3 that Ray would be matched up with not only a new character that we didn't know much about yet, but a character who was a zombie to boot. Zombies are really not anywhere on my must read list anyway, much less as romantic characters. So I approached this book with a weird mix of high expectations (because, well, Ray) and a large dollop of very uncertain hmmmm . . .

Turns out that (for me) the author not only pulled it off, but did so with great results. If I'm being truthful, I can see why some readers might not be crazy about it (although it still has me scratching my head at how anyone who enjoyed any of the previous books could dislike this one to any real extent), but the author really sold it for me. I went from not knowing Wendall at all to thinking that his character was just lovely. I don't really do "sweet" (at least, not if I can avoid it), but Wendall was sweet in a way that wasn't cloying or annoying - he just is a really beautiful, kind soul (ironically, because do zombies even have souls?) who I easily fell in love with.

I will agree with readers who felt there wasn't a lot of passion on display from either Wendall or Ray, but I don't have an issue with that because not all successful relationships require fireworks or insane libidos. I think the way that the author had Ray open up to being more vulnerable in the only way he knew how was so true to the character as presented up until this book. Ray's gestures and actions might seem to some to be insufficient to indicate passion or even love, but when I viewed it in context with who - and more importantly, what - he is, they felt like seismic shifts. His feelings for and attachment to Wendall were built up slowly but surely in a way that was just as swoony as any grand declarations or obvious lust. There's a place in romance for both avenues, and in this case, subtle but persistent was a perfect trajectory. I would even point out that Lucroy and Peaches' overall story had a similar cadence to it, which fit with Lucroy's temperament and personality.

As I mentioned about the first book, I really love the author's take on what fairies are like au natural, and it was so cool to see that really expounded on in this book. To quote Wendall:

I had a feeling there wasn’t anything in the world more amazingly glorious than Hellfire Rayburn in his full fairy wonder.

You better believe it, bub 😈 Ray remains my favorite character (and I'm kinda hopeful that Hamish gets more attention as well.) The overall fairy zeitgeist the author creates continues to fascinate me.

I was really engaged during the whole book due to the story as well - at first it seemed like the author might be overdoing all the overlapping plot lines/dangers, but I ended up really enjoying how everything ultimately tied together and I felt the new/newer characters were a great addition to the mix. As for existing/long-term characters, I will admit that Peaches was not a favorite in book 1 and I wasn't over the moon 😉about book 2, but now I love him as the author has given him some much-needed sharp edges and mouthiness:

“Well, shit,” Peaches properly summed the situation up when I’d finished.

I also love the bits when Peaches gets worked up and Lucroy has to gently but firmly pull him back both emotionally and physically - it's just a hoot to see how militant Peaches can be when his dander is up.

The scuttlebutt is brilliant. I was thinking cat, but this works even better. What a great addition.

And, despite knowing that everything would end up alright, I will freely admit that the last part made me cry. So there.

My personal take is that if you liked/loved the previous books, you should definitely read this. If you're looking for real heat and/or more typical romantic/sexual gestures, you won't get that here, but I find that it works beautifully on its own terms and more particularly for the characters involved. YMMV.

[Sarinha M · Rating 2 out of 5]

With the first story, I'd mistakenly believed that I'd found that very elusive treasure find that is a good author that writes compelling stories.

Sadly as the series has progressed, I've come to realise that this author is cut from the same cloth as many other M/M romance writers.

It's chock full of internalised misogyny... it's one of those things that once you see (realise) it, you can't unsee it!

After the last instalment in the series with the TSTL Pixie MC, I was (am) dreading this instalment... I want to see how they're finally (& I'm hoping this IS) the final instalment where Ari gets his comeuppance... he should've been dealt with in the first book, why anyone believed a leopard would change its spots is beyond me...

However, I've now realised that this author also suffers from the TEENAGED CHILD as an MC in a NON-YA novel trope!

It honestly should be studied WHY female authors AND female readers seem to love writing & reading about TEENAGED CHILDREN as MCs so much!

Women often complain that men have an unnatural fixation with youth, but clearly women also suffer with the same affliction!

Wendell did make an appearance in Peaches & Lucroy's story & he was the only MC so far whose ACTUAL age was disclosed. I did find it odd as I still don't know Philodendron's, Peaches' or Parsnip's actual ages. We were told that Sedrick wasn't in his 30s, but no specifics, that Lucroy was around a 1000 years old, but again no specifics & that Vander was in his 40s, but no fixed age!

I then read the synopsis for this book & I'd assumed that it would be a few years down the line when he & Ray, who is OVER 2000 years old would get together.

After the first book, this author's storytelling skills have progressively gotten worse & into extremely generic territory with every instalment in the series, so I've got NO idea WHY I was expecting better!

Maybe it really is a me thing, but I genuinely don't understand WHY so many MCs in ADULT novels NOT YA, ( which if I wanted to read about teenagers I'd be reading YA novels, which I don't as I have no interest whatsoever in reading a novel about teenagers having sex...) are nineTEEN, especially (massive) age gaps, which is another thing that female readers are so fond of, but that I find really disturbing both IRL & in literature!

I've yet to read (I usually end up DNF'ing if there's a sex scene in these kind of TEENAGED children as MCs novels, so I'm really hoping that the author reverts to her writing style from the first book... NO SEX!) a book with a TEENAGED MC that there would be ANY reason why the MC is not a fully consenting ADULT, 21 years old or preferably OLDER than that even, but a TEENAGER?!? It NEVER serves ANY purpose to the story beyond fulfilling some clearly teleiophilic tendencies! That's a special kind of disgusting!

There's no reason why this MC couldn't have been in his late 20s... he could've been walking to work rather than school when he was murdered! The other MC is over 2000 years old, I'm pretty sure he could've waited until he was 2010 years old to "find" his mate...

Also, let's be realistic here & this is something that always gets my crow a bit in M/M stories about royalty! Most royalties (read all of them) are primogeniture dynasties... meaning the first (ideally male which was changed in the UK by the Queen in 2015, TEN years ago... let that sink in) child becomes the heir apparent!

In royalty, adoption does not confer the same rights as biological children, hence the heir & spare mentality! It was only until recently that the Queen refused to have her children's births witnessed by the Prime Minister to ensure that there wasn't any child switching if the baby was stillborn & to ensure that the biological lineage was legitimate!

So, it doesn't really make ANY sense for the Fairy Queen to charge her male warrior with marrying her nephew. Even if Fairies aren't that fertile, efforts need to be made to produce heirs & an heir has to be a direct descendant & that's only achieved by an M/F pairing.

Is she going to give the Fairy crown to a zombie?!? 🤔

So, I kinda wish that the author had clarified, if that was her intent, that the Queen KNEW that Wendell was gay, so naturally she wouldn't try to pair him up with a woman, as it stands it's kinda of an (illogically) arbitrary decision for a reigning Monarch WITHOUT a living heir to make 🤷‍♀️

Both her father & brother were murdered, so who's gonna take the throne if she's murdered too?!? Which is personally why I'm not a fan of M/M romance stories about royalty, specifically when it concerns the line of succession where there's no heir apparent!

I'm fascinated both by history & monarchy as a system to a certain degree & very rarely do these stories make any logical sense!

[Errantknight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I have a lot of feelings about this book, some positive but...also not. Gonna start with the fact that it was a brave choice for the author to break virtually every convention of what's required in a romance, and MJ May did that well. Wendall is in a seemingly hopeless situation in every respect, which is pretty much like painting yourself into a writing corner at the start and having to write yourself out. Not easy and I give the author kudos for that. To me, this was a super interesting idea that was only partially developed.

That being said, I was too busy being disgusted to feel much for the romance other than grossed out. I much prefer that romance characters not be, you know, rotting and eating brains. Note: this may not be an issue for people who don't picture what they're reading vividly. It would have worked a lot better for me if the book had started at the end and then moved forward while examining the choices and actions of all of the characters is a more critical way (especially Muriel and the Queen, who both get passes they shouldn't). The examination is half hearted in a real time story context and there's a lot of stuff in here that's not great, including Fairy Law allowing the creation of zombies at all. Very convenient that it's only humans that make workable zombie slaves....

Wendall is both saintly and a martyr and there's no exploration as to why being abused led him to that. It's approached more as him being so innately pure that he's incorruptible by any ill-treatment or adversity. In other words, he's not portrayed as being the 20 year old human that we're told he is. Even as his body rots, he remains entirely devoid of the most mild of selfish thoughts. If he'd been allowed to be more human and had difficult or ugly emotions as well as perfectly saintly ones, he would have been more interesting, more believable and easier to relate to. This level of physical struggle without corresponding emotional struggle makes that aspect of the plot less strong than it could have been. If living up to his ideals had been more difficult, it would have meant more when it was crucial.

Making Wendall more of a well rounded person would have gone a long way toward making the relationship more believable, as well. Hellfire Rayburn had to be nerfed a lot to make the romance happen at all. He had to become not just loyal to the Queen, but slavishly obedient. Biases up front, I don't love the 'Ray is completely ruthless, ancient, terrifyingly intelligent, and the most dangerous being that we know of besides the Queen, so of course he needs someone young, sweet, innocent, pure and utterly accepting'. Wouldn't it have been more interesting if neither were as self sacrificing, if both had more of a range of feelings, if Ray was capable of resentment and disgust, and Wendall was capable of wanting things for himself, even less admirable things?

This book put me in a place of wanting a lot more from it, because I really do think this was an interesting plot choice with likable characters. I just wanted a lot more in terms of character development, consequences, explanation in terms of lore and fairy law, and examination in that light of the behavior of Muriel and the Queen specifically. It's a lot harder to see Arie Belview as the ultimate Big Bad once you think much about zombies and the Queen's hands off but also way too involved manipulative behavior--especially when her behavior is entirely unchecked and unlimited, and with her having sole responsibility for Fairy law and its repercussions.

All of this being said, you should definitely read this if you want a truly different romance with high stakes--and to see if you agree or disagree with me, of course. ;) Some of this is definitely my own biases.