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The imPerfect Cathar #1-3
imPerfect Beginnings: The First imPerfect Cathar Trilogy Omnibus
After hundreds of years of dying, you'd think I would've perfected it by now.
.
One moment I'm a heretical priest in the twelfth century, hunted, hated...The next, I'm waking up in the nearest corpse. Stuck in a cycle of instant reincarnation, popping back up like a tarnished penny.
Fast forward eight hundred years, and you might think I've learned a thing or two. Nope. All I've learned is how to die far too easily, far too often.
Now my territory in the South of France is under threat and I find myself trapped by impossible angel-made runes. If the angels have gone full red lightsaber evil, it might not only be my territory in danger, but the whole of reality itself...
I need to stop whoever is behind this, and now. After all, you can't come back to life, if there's nothing left to come back to.
This omnibus collects the first three books of the award-winning "imPerfect Cathar series" - "imPerfect Magic", "imPerfect Curse" & "imPerfect Fae" - as well as the never-before published short story "The Dark Of The Water's Edge".
If you can't wisecrack while death is on the line? Well... perhaps you're not dying right." The best debut novel I've ever read!" - Heather G Harris, Best-Selling Author of the Other Realm Series" Pretty close to perfect" - Fantasy-Faction. com
Winner "Best Supernatural Thriller Series" at the Audiobook Reviewer Awards 2023. Current Finalist (judging ongoing) - The Foreword Indie Award (Fantasy), The Indie Ink Awards (13 categories) & The Wishing Shelf Awards (Adult Fiction)
One moment I'm a heretical priest in the twelfth century, hunted, hated...The next, I'm waking up in the nearest corpse. Stuck in a cycle of instant reincarnation, popping back up like a tarnished penny.
Fast forward eight hundred years, and you might think I've learned a thing or two. Nope. All I've learned is how to die far too easily, far too often.
Now my territory in the South of France is under threat and I find myself trapped by impossible angel-made runes. If the angels have gone full red lightsaber evil, it might not only be my territory in danger, but the whole of reality itself...
I need to stop whoever is behind this, and now. After all, you can't come back to life, if there's nothing left to come back to.
This omnibus collects the first three books of the award-winning "imPerfect Cathar series" - "imPerfect Magic", "imPerfect Curse" & "imPerfect Fae" - as well as the never-before published short story "The Dark Of The Water's Edge".
If you can't wisecrack while death is on the line? Well... perhaps you're not dying right." The best debut novel I've ever read!" - Heather G Harris, Best-Selling Author of the Other Realm Series" Pretty close to perfect" - Fantasy-Faction. com
Winner "Best Supernatural Thriller Series" at the Audiobook Reviewer Awards 2023. Current Finalist (judging ongoing) - The Foreword Indie Award (Fantasy), The Indie Ink Awards (13 categories) & The Wishing Shelf Awards (Adult Fiction)
761 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 23, 2023
145 people are currently reading
808 people want to read
About the author
C.N. Rowan
28 books133 followersIt’s been a strange, unbelievable journey to arrive at the point where these books are going to be released into the wild, like rare, near-extinct animals being returned to their natural habitat, already wondering where they’re going to nick cigarettes from on the plains of Africa, the way they used to from the zookeeper’s overalls. C.N. Rowan (“Call me C.N., Mr. Rowan was my father”) came originally from Leicester, England. Somehow escaping its terrible, terrible clutches (only joking, he’s a proud Midlander really), he has wound up living in the South-West of France for his sins. Only, not for his sins. Otherwise, he’d have ended up living somewhere really dreadful. Like Leicester. (Again – joking, he really does love Leicester. He knows Leicester can take a joke. Unlike some of those other cities. Looking at you, Slough.)
With multiple weird strings to his bow, all of which are made of tooth-floss and liable to snap if you tried to use them to do anything as adventurous as shooting an arrow, he’s done all sorts of odd things, from running a hiphop record label (including featuring himself as rapper) to hustling disability living aids on the mean streets of Syston. He’s particularly proud of the work he’s done managing and recording several French hiphop acts, and is currently awaiting confirmation of wild rumours he might get a Gold Disc for a song he recorded and mixed.
With multiple weird strings to his bow, all of which are made of tooth-floss and liable to snap if you tried to use them to do anything as adventurous as shooting an arrow, he’s done all sorts of odd things, from running a hiphop record label (including featuring himself as rapper) to hustling disability living aids on the mean streets of Syston. He’s particularly proud of the work he’s done managing and recording several French hiphop acts, and is currently awaiting confirmation of wild rumours he might get a Gold Disc for a song he recorded and mixed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 29, 2023
I read these books as stand alone a, and thoroughly enjoyed them. Rowan has a passion for the history and the folklore of France, and little dark alleys in each come out in his writing. Places you've never visited before. Places you can get a dodgy trinket, or just get mugged and left for dead. That sort of history and folklore.
The supporting cast is stellar, with a found family vibe, and absolutely zero will-they-won't-they (they won't), so no bogging down the story with those tired tropes.
And the humor is spot on, with a mix of junior high, pop culture references, and some real zippy reparte.
But wending between the action, which is tremendous, is a through line of trauma and healing from it, which hits me in the feels every time.
Although it doesn't come out and say it Care Bears style, the support of friendship is the moral of this series, and it resonated with me deeply.
Read these stories! You'll thank me!
The supporting cast is stellar, with a found family vibe, and absolutely zero will-they-won't-they (they won't), so no bogging down the story with those tired tropes.
And the humor is spot on, with a mix of junior high, pop culture references, and some real zippy reparte.
But wending between the action, which is tremendous, is a through line of trauma and healing from it, which hits me in the feels every time.
Although it doesn't come out and say it Care Bears style, the support of friendship is the moral of this series, and it resonated with me deeply.
Read these stories! You'll thank me!
April 1, 2024
This boxset contains the first three books in the imPerfect Cathar series and the short story, The Dark of The Water’s Edge.
Imperfect Magic
In book one of The imperfect Cathar, the main characters are Paul Bonhomme, a Good Man (Prefect of the Good People), and his colleague and companion Aicha Kandicha, a Druze Queen and undying warrior and so much more. There is also Isaac, a rabbi he met in 1209, near Toulouse, who helps Paul and his follower Benedict, to survive a possible attack from a brigand. Isaac warns them that the holy artefact Paul is carrying is putting out a strong signal many can follow and he is in danger whilst transporting it. Luckily he is only going to the keep at Foix and his responsibilities for it will be over. The Good People are being hunted down by the Catholic Church and he and others are declared as heretics, to be burned alive or hung. Events that occur soon after his interaction with Isaac, change his life forever, as he cannot die, not for long anyway. Each time he is killed, he comes to in the nearest dead body and slowly his body and face appear. He has lived over eight centuries by the time events in his city of Toulouse are threatened by someone from his past. Isaac was the creator of the Kabbalah along with his brother Jakob, and they eventually bonded and joined with the Bene Elohim, Nithael and Nanael, who we would call angels.
Nothing has been heard of Jakob or Nanael for a very long time. When trying to stop an evil wizard, Paul finds himself stuck in a prison of Elohim runes, which no one other than Isaac or Jakob should even know. Finally getting released from that, Paul gets an unexpected phone call, from a man saying he has Jakob and Nanael as prisoners and needs Paul and his team to find the holy relic, the Veil of Veronica. Nobody knows where it went after soldiers form the Crusades brought it to France. He is charged with finding it and bringing it to this man he nicknames PD, but while they are trying to plan what to do, this man pre-empts their actions and forces them to do as he wills, rather than try to figure out how to rescue Jakob and Nithael, as Isaac and they might want to do. PD takes great satisfaction in killing or forcing them to kill innocents, made to fight against Paul, Aicha and Isaac, just to protect their own families. All of these deaths he piles on Paul and tells him that everything that has happened is all his fault. Paul and his friends must find the veil, but wonder what this man will do with it and how dangerous it would be in his hands. They will not have an easy time and he will need to remember what happened to him and his fellow Good People back in the day and what started his ability to resurrect. But he and Aicha will not have an easy time, first dealing with Franc, a water dwelling creature Paul shares Toulouse with, then the enormous snail creature, Lou Carcoilh, who holds the secret of the Veil, before they end up in PD’s clutches and absolute torture before finally coming out of it all in one piece, sort of.
Imperfect Curse
In book two of The ImPerfect Cathar series and the main characters are Paul Bonhomme a Cathar, Franc a water dwelling creature, and Paul’s best friend Aicha Kandicha, a Druze Queen and undying warrior. She has gotten him out of many dangerous situations and is fed up having to help him clear things up. This time, Paul has been summoned by Franc, who needs a favour from him after finding himself cursed by the Sistren Coven of Bordeaux, who sent it through the waters of Garonne. Unfortunately, because Paul made a deal with Franc hundreds of years ago and needs to ensure he survives this. At the moment it looks like he is dying and if he does, then all of his pretty boys and girls, who have sold their souls to him, will also die and that isn’t something Paul wants on his soul. Because of their deal, Paul is going to have to visit the coven to find out what Franc has done to offend them, as they have sure used a lot of power to curse him and affect him in this manner, as Franc is a very powerful being! He drags his best friend Aicha with him, leaving behind friend Isaac who now shares his body with his angel, but now also Jakob and his angel, since the actions of his former best friend Ben, who turned into his worst enemy after being reborn multiple times.
The trip to Bordeaux brings some life changing shocks to Paul, which Aicha is at his side to avenge on his behalf. The Mother of the Sistren Coven has a story to tell him, that affects him personally, bringing sense to painful events of his past even if he can’t really cope with what he is being told! Franc told him that he feeds on the misery of his pretty lads and lasses, when they made their deal all those years ago, but that may not be completely true. Paul is to get back the magic which was stolen, eaten by Franc, but that may not be quite as easy as he hoped. Can he just let all these young people die, by doing nothing? Instead, he has to open his big mouth and ask another question of the almost unintelligible and verbose Franc, who I have to say is not my favourite parts of the story. I find myself having to just skim them over and ignore the majority of it, unlike other reviewers, as it just annoys me too much. It nearly had me giving up on the book altogether, as I came across the first section of this style of speech. Finding it again when they get back to Toulose, from Bordeaux, is too much. His only option now is to go to the one place he may not make it back from, especially all in one piece! I loved Aicha’s character, her fierce warrior style and the knowledge of a very long life to do as she wishes now. Once I ignore Franc’s speech and pages and pages of his talking only to mean very little, parts of the rest of the story can draw you in. Just not enough to fully enjoy the experience for me though.
Imperfect Fae
So much has gone wrong for Paul Bonhomme at the end of the previous book, and this one starts with him trying to drink all his sorrows away. He has split with his best friend and companion for ages, Aicha, for her decision to kill Franc, the water creature who owned the bodies of loads of the homeless in Toulouse and elsewhere. His death meant the death of all those he controlled as well, which had stopped Paul from killing him himself! Franc had killed one of the daughters of the Mother of the Sistren coven of Bordeaux and taken her magic. Messed up by the betrayal of his ex-wife and the child he long thought dead, have messed him up completely. But the worst situation was killing the demi-goddess Melusine, pretending to be the Lady of Lourdes, who managed to eat most of his magic first! His wife Susane double-crossed him and was working with his son instead, not the coven who had her watching him interact with Franc. She clearly fears her own son for some reason and Paul can’t stand that. He gave Melusine’s heart to the daughter of the Mother of the Sistren coven, so they could get her magic back. He hadn’t even thought about getting his own magic back from it first. Getting drunk now, is so much quicker an experience than it used to be when he had magic. Isaac and Jakob find Paul as he drunkenly tries to stop a group of yobs attacking a woman and he ends up almost ding for his attempts at helping. He gets told to call Isaac this time, like he was supposed to the previous time, when he comes to in another body in the morgue. Isaac and co are there to help track down his wife with him, but he will need to be sober to do so. Isaac and Jakob (and Nithael and Nanael as well) have clues to where his wife Susane’s mother Gwendolyne is, which Paul will bite at, but he can’t face asking about his son, who is apparently a powerful and evil fae, just yet. He wants to face both his wife and son, to ask for Melusine’s wish granting sceptre back!
Isaac was the one who knew Gwendolyne and introduce Paul to her daughter, so she is unlikely to have forgiven him yet, especially since her daughter was killed. Which means she will want to see Paul even less. His son has probably escaped back to Fae and the only one who can tell them anything is Gwendolyne. She is a Cagot, cursed by the Fae king Oberon, to live in exile from Faerie. She cannot get back into Faerie while still living her first life, nor can Isaac or Jakob with their angel like inner selves. Gwendolyne states the Fae Courts came together when the angels tried to attack, beating them back and closing all the gates bar one, only the one for the Cagot, who either work as slaves as such, for the Fae, or work their way up in the Fae realm, leaving their humanity behind. The Fae don’t want Earth and its iron poisoned lands and waters to be part of their realm anymore. There is only one Fae who can travel through the portal to the Winter Court, ruled by Maeve, and that is the Cagot mercenary, Half-Marred Jack, or Jack of Plate, who Paul has certainly heard about! He once had to hunt him down to protect another who heard a contract had been taken out on him, but ended up as the first one of his team to be killed, finding the rest dead in horrible circumstances once he came back in a new body. Rumours of Jack doing so much more, the worst of which was free travel back and forth to Maeve doing as she wished, the main one to bring children to her! He stops every twenty years or so in one place, and numbers of children somehow disappear. He has just settled in Lyon and so Paul and Isaac/Jakob need to leave.
Paul makes Isaac/Jakob stop off to allow him to see Lou Carcoilh, the enormous snail who lives under a mountain, feared by the locals. Paul needs one of the skulls he left for safe-keeping with Lou, that of Arnaud Almeric. He will use it to track Half-Marred Jack and try to find where he is stashing the kids he has stolen from their beds, before he has enough to pass them onto Maeve. Jack manages to sense Paul stalking him and catches him unaware, managing to slit his throat yet again. Isaac isn’t happy that Paul has set off so many of Jack’s alarms, making Jack hide away and it will be even harder to put a stop to what he is doing. If they fail, then Paul will be the Tarrasque’s slave for the next year! He needs to work with Gwendolyne, the Queen of the Cagots, who has been the King of the Summer Court, Oberon’s puppet for eons, to find a way into Fae with Isaac and Jakob’s assistance of course. He needs to take over a fae body on his next resurrection and taking down Half-Marred Jack, would give him that, whilst also taking out a dangerous enemy. Paul thought he only had to worry about Arnaud coming back to life, as he found out earlier that he wasn’t the only one affected by him destroying the Holy Grail. Hunting down his former dead wife Susane and what he believed was his son, is soon going to bring the bad memories of Simon De Montfort to mind and find he has been followed and tricked by more than just his former student Benedict! His time in Faerie will not go well for him and he will need to be rescued from a fate worse than death, by the only one he could always rely upon in a pinch.
The Dark of The Water’s Edge
A short tale of a young man call Gil, who awakes in a hospital suffering from yet another chesty infection. It brings memories of his childhood and the strange things he could see all around him. He was sent to be cured and that took an unpleasant nature, more akin to torture and he suffered even more. Escaping his homelike was the only choice, but that didn’t exactly bring him peace and only a drug addict lover, whom he tried to please and did things he never wanted to, just to get what his lover needed the most. Even that doesn’t bring anything good for him and he continues to follow the waterways as he meanders through the country. Doing so brings him to the sight of the water bound creature Franc, who rises form the water and offers him a different kind or role and a lessening of pain perhaps. He is told the truth of what an agreement would mean, none of which are great, but may well be better than the life he currently leads. He will have to allow Franc to use his body to view his area and gather information for him, but he seems this might be a better life ad allows Franc to draw him below the water’s surface! Just a small glimpse into Franc’s recruitment system and the kind of people he claims as hi.
Still more to come from the imPerfect Cathar world and from Paul Bonhomme, Isaac/Jakob and even Aicha. Lots more dangerous adventures no doubt, with Paul jumping in headfirst and it being left to Isaac and Aicha to save him and make some plans on what to do next. The enemies form his past have been coming for Paul and have managed to hide their presence from Paul and others for centuries. Many have learnt what happens to Paul whenever he is killed and leave him in an undying prison of their making. Now without most of his magic, he is ever more in danger and liable when they have to stop dangerous foes. I will have to wait and see if he ever gets this magic back in one of the next books of the series.
I received an ARC copy of this boxset and I have freely given my own opinion of the books above.
4 ½ - 5 stars
Imperfect Magic
In book one of The imperfect Cathar, the main characters are Paul Bonhomme, a Good Man (Prefect of the Good People), and his colleague and companion Aicha Kandicha, a Druze Queen and undying warrior and so much more. There is also Isaac, a rabbi he met in 1209, near Toulouse, who helps Paul and his follower Benedict, to survive a possible attack from a brigand. Isaac warns them that the holy artefact Paul is carrying is putting out a strong signal many can follow and he is in danger whilst transporting it. Luckily he is only going to the keep at Foix and his responsibilities for it will be over. The Good People are being hunted down by the Catholic Church and he and others are declared as heretics, to be burned alive or hung. Events that occur soon after his interaction with Isaac, change his life forever, as he cannot die, not for long anyway. Each time he is killed, he comes to in the nearest dead body and slowly his body and face appear. He has lived over eight centuries by the time events in his city of Toulouse are threatened by someone from his past. Isaac was the creator of the Kabbalah along with his brother Jakob, and they eventually bonded and joined with the Bene Elohim, Nithael and Nanael, who we would call angels.
Nothing has been heard of Jakob or Nanael for a very long time. When trying to stop an evil wizard, Paul finds himself stuck in a prison of Elohim runes, which no one other than Isaac or Jakob should even know. Finally getting released from that, Paul gets an unexpected phone call, from a man saying he has Jakob and Nanael as prisoners and needs Paul and his team to find the holy relic, the Veil of Veronica. Nobody knows where it went after soldiers form the Crusades brought it to France. He is charged with finding it and bringing it to this man he nicknames PD, but while they are trying to plan what to do, this man pre-empts their actions and forces them to do as he wills, rather than try to figure out how to rescue Jakob and Nithael, as Isaac and they might want to do. PD takes great satisfaction in killing or forcing them to kill innocents, made to fight against Paul, Aicha and Isaac, just to protect their own families. All of these deaths he piles on Paul and tells him that everything that has happened is all his fault. Paul and his friends must find the veil, but wonder what this man will do with it and how dangerous it would be in his hands. They will not have an easy time and he will need to remember what happened to him and his fellow Good People back in the day and what started his ability to resurrect. But he and Aicha will not have an easy time, first dealing with Franc, a water dwelling creature Paul shares Toulouse with, then the enormous snail creature, Lou Carcoilh, who holds the secret of the Veil, before they end up in PD’s clutches and absolute torture before finally coming out of it all in one piece, sort of.
Imperfect Curse
In book two of The ImPerfect Cathar series and the main characters are Paul Bonhomme a Cathar, Franc a water dwelling creature, and Paul’s best friend Aicha Kandicha, a Druze Queen and undying warrior. She has gotten him out of many dangerous situations and is fed up having to help him clear things up. This time, Paul has been summoned by Franc, who needs a favour from him after finding himself cursed by the Sistren Coven of Bordeaux, who sent it through the waters of Garonne. Unfortunately, because Paul made a deal with Franc hundreds of years ago and needs to ensure he survives this. At the moment it looks like he is dying and if he does, then all of his pretty boys and girls, who have sold their souls to him, will also die and that isn’t something Paul wants on his soul. Because of their deal, Paul is going to have to visit the coven to find out what Franc has done to offend them, as they have sure used a lot of power to curse him and affect him in this manner, as Franc is a very powerful being! He drags his best friend Aicha with him, leaving behind friend Isaac who now shares his body with his angel, but now also Jakob and his angel, since the actions of his former best friend Ben, who turned into his worst enemy after being reborn multiple times.
The trip to Bordeaux brings some life changing shocks to Paul, which Aicha is at his side to avenge on his behalf. The Mother of the Sistren Coven has a story to tell him, that affects him personally, bringing sense to painful events of his past even if he can’t really cope with what he is being told! Franc told him that he feeds on the misery of his pretty lads and lasses, when they made their deal all those years ago, but that may not be completely true. Paul is to get back the magic which was stolen, eaten by Franc, but that may not be quite as easy as he hoped. Can he just let all these young people die, by doing nothing? Instead, he has to open his big mouth and ask another question of the almost unintelligible and verbose Franc, who I have to say is not my favourite parts of the story. I find myself having to just skim them over and ignore the majority of it, unlike other reviewers, as it just annoys me too much. It nearly had me giving up on the book altogether, as I came across the first section of this style of speech. Finding it again when they get back to Toulose, from Bordeaux, is too much. His only option now is to go to the one place he may not make it back from, especially all in one piece! I loved Aicha’s character, her fierce warrior style and the knowledge of a very long life to do as she wishes now. Once I ignore Franc’s speech and pages and pages of his talking only to mean very little, parts of the rest of the story can draw you in. Just not enough to fully enjoy the experience for me though.
Imperfect Fae
So much has gone wrong for Paul Bonhomme at the end of the previous book, and this one starts with him trying to drink all his sorrows away. He has split with his best friend and companion for ages, Aicha, for her decision to kill Franc, the water creature who owned the bodies of loads of the homeless in Toulouse and elsewhere. His death meant the death of all those he controlled as well, which had stopped Paul from killing him himself! Franc had killed one of the daughters of the Mother of the Sistren coven of Bordeaux and taken her magic. Messed up by the betrayal of his ex-wife and the child he long thought dead, have messed him up completely. But the worst situation was killing the demi-goddess Melusine, pretending to be the Lady of Lourdes, who managed to eat most of his magic first! His wife Susane double-crossed him and was working with his son instead, not the coven who had her watching him interact with Franc. She clearly fears her own son for some reason and Paul can’t stand that. He gave Melusine’s heart to the daughter of the Mother of the Sistren coven, so they could get her magic back. He hadn’t even thought about getting his own magic back from it first. Getting drunk now, is so much quicker an experience than it used to be when he had magic. Isaac and Jakob find Paul as he drunkenly tries to stop a group of yobs attacking a woman and he ends up almost ding for his attempts at helping. He gets told to call Isaac this time, like he was supposed to the previous time, when he comes to in another body in the morgue. Isaac and co are there to help track down his wife with him, but he will need to be sober to do so. Isaac and Jakob (and Nithael and Nanael as well) have clues to where his wife Susane’s mother Gwendolyne is, which Paul will bite at, but he can’t face asking about his son, who is apparently a powerful and evil fae, just yet. He wants to face both his wife and son, to ask for Melusine’s wish granting sceptre back!
Isaac was the one who knew Gwendolyne and introduce Paul to her daughter, so she is unlikely to have forgiven him yet, especially since her daughter was killed. Which means she will want to see Paul even less. His son has probably escaped back to Fae and the only one who can tell them anything is Gwendolyne. She is a Cagot, cursed by the Fae king Oberon, to live in exile from Faerie. She cannot get back into Faerie while still living her first life, nor can Isaac or Jakob with their angel like inner selves. Gwendolyne states the Fae Courts came together when the angels tried to attack, beating them back and closing all the gates bar one, only the one for the Cagot, who either work as slaves as such, for the Fae, or work their way up in the Fae realm, leaving their humanity behind. The Fae don’t want Earth and its iron poisoned lands and waters to be part of their realm anymore. There is only one Fae who can travel through the portal to the Winter Court, ruled by Maeve, and that is the Cagot mercenary, Half-Marred Jack, or Jack of Plate, who Paul has certainly heard about! He once had to hunt him down to protect another who heard a contract had been taken out on him, but ended up as the first one of his team to be killed, finding the rest dead in horrible circumstances once he came back in a new body. Rumours of Jack doing so much more, the worst of which was free travel back and forth to Maeve doing as she wished, the main one to bring children to her! He stops every twenty years or so in one place, and numbers of children somehow disappear. He has just settled in Lyon and so Paul and Isaac/Jakob need to leave.
Paul makes Isaac/Jakob stop off to allow him to see Lou Carcoilh, the enormous snail who lives under a mountain, feared by the locals. Paul needs one of the skulls he left for safe-keeping with Lou, that of Arnaud Almeric. He will use it to track Half-Marred Jack and try to find where he is stashing the kids he has stolen from their beds, before he has enough to pass them onto Maeve. Jack manages to sense Paul stalking him and catches him unaware, managing to slit his throat yet again. Isaac isn’t happy that Paul has set off so many of Jack’s alarms, making Jack hide away and it will be even harder to put a stop to what he is doing. If they fail, then Paul will be the Tarrasque’s slave for the next year! He needs to work with Gwendolyne, the Queen of the Cagots, who has been the King of the Summer Court, Oberon’s puppet for eons, to find a way into Fae with Isaac and Jakob’s assistance of course. He needs to take over a fae body on his next resurrection and taking down Half-Marred Jack, would give him that, whilst also taking out a dangerous enemy. Paul thought he only had to worry about Arnaud coming back to life, as he found out earlier that he wasn’t the only one affected by him destroying the Holy Grail. Hunting down his former dead wife Susane and what he believed was his son, is soon going to bring the bad memories of Simon De Montfort to mind and find he has been followed and tricked by more than just his former student Benedict! His time in Faerie will not go well for him and he will need to be rescued from a fate worse than death, by the only one he could always rely upon in a pinch.
The Dark of The Water’s Edge
A short tale of a young man call Gil, who awakes in a hospital suffering from yet another chesty infection. It brings memories of his childhood and the strange things he could see all around him. He was sent to be cured and that took an unpleasant nature, more akin to torture and he suffered even more. Escaping his homelike was the only choice, but that didn’t exactly bring him peace and only a drug addict lover, whom he tried to please and did things he never wanted to, just to get what his lover needed the most. Even that doesn’t bring anything good for him and he continues to follow the waterways as he meanders through the country. Doing so brings him to the sight of the water bound creature Franc, who rises form the water and offers him a different kind or role and a lessening of pain perhaps. He is told the truth of what an agreement would mean, none of which are great, but may well be better than the life he currently leads. He will have to allow Franc to use his body to view his area and gather information for him, but he seems this might be a better life ad allows Franc to draw him below the water’s surface! Just a small glimpse into Franc’s recruitment system and the kind of people he claims as hi.
Still more to come from the imPerfect Cathar world and from Paul Bonhomme, Isaac/Jakob and even Aicha. Lots more dangerous adventures no doubt, with Paul jumping in headfirst and it being left to Isaac and Aicha to save him and make some plans on what to do next. The enemies form his past have been coming for Paul and have managed to hide their presence from Paul and others for centuries. Many have learnt what happens to Paul whenever he is killed and leave him in an undying prison of their making. Now without most of his magic, he is ever more in danger and liable when they have to stop dangerous foes. I will have to wait and see if he ever gets this magic back in one of the next books of the series.
I received an ARC copy of this boxset and I have freely given my own opinion of the books above.
4 ½ - 5 stars
July 8, 2024
I loved the first. Book2 got a bit wangsty and 0.01% Aicha in the last book.
I'm not entirely sure I'll continue 😌 I'll put it aside for a bit and maybe try later.
I'm not entirely sure I'll continue 😌 I'll put it aside for a bit and maybe try later.
January 31, 2024
Cumulatively, this omnibus is a great starting point for a series with 6 current titles (plus 2 novellas). See below for individual reviews.
“imPerfect Magic”
4/5
CW: torture, gore, references to drugs, some others
Did I know how to pronounce any of the locations mentioned in this book? Absolutely not; my mental French sounds like I’m choking on a frog. But did it stop me from relishing in the adventure? Also no; this book was so good!
Paul Bonhomme cannot die. Well, that’s not technically true. He can die…he just doesn’t *stay* dead. It’s semantics, really. But someone or something incredibly powerful is targeting Paul, and it’s going to take more than just functional immortality to stop them.
If I had to sum up the entire book in one word, it would be ‘sass.’ Paul is the sassiest, snarkiest man I’ve ever had the pleasure to read about, and I love it. It’s this dry, cynical humor layered on top of some pretty decent brain power and an incredible amount of magical power. And Aicha, his badass bestie? Amazing. Terrifying. Can do no wrong in my eyes. Their dynamic with each other and with the outside world is so much fun to read about, and I’m really excited to read about their next adventure.
Having never been to France, I can’t tell you whether the author’s depictions of the locales are accurate. What I can tell you, though, is that they’re solid. It’s enough framework to give you a sense of the place, and Paul’s attachment to it, without losing you in the nitty gritty details. Even for those locations that the MC doesn’t have a strong connection, the pictures are vivid enough to make them feel real (whether that’s a good thing or not is really going to depend on how much you like the place; small cafes? Good. Holes in the ground and questionable waterfronts? Not so much).
Last but not least, the plot. Reasonably paced with a moderate amount of side characters tossed it, I stayed engaged pretty much the whole time. I only found one or two spots where I got a little distracted, but honestly I’m going to chalk that up to work being more draining than usual, and not as a fault of the book itself. Paul and Aicha are OP as all hell, which could have easily made some of the scenes feel unimportant or pointless, but the banter and the writing itself made them every bit as entertaining as the big finale, just in a different way.
In the end, this was a really fun book that’s been on my list for a hot minute, and it didn’t disappoint. If you like urban fantasy, foul-mouthed sarcasm, and characters with a surprising amount of heart, then you need to check out this book immediately.
“An imPerfect Curse”
4/5
CW: gore, violence, attempted r@pe, some others
The number of Princess Bride references in the first half of this book alone earned it an excessive amount of praise in my opinion.
(Summary redacted for potential spoilers)
Holy plot twists, Batman! What the second installment of the imPerfect Cathar series lacked in breakneck pacing it more than made up for with ‘hold up, whaaaaat?!’ moments. I’m still reeling. The author’s delivered yet another heaping helping of sarcastic humor and foul-mouthed fun, and it was glorious. Paul and Aicha’s relationship? Amazing found-family goals. The storyline itself? Entertaining; I’m already chomping at the bit to get into book 3. The scenery, the writing, and the overall vibes? Immaculate.
This is now the third work I’ve read in the Cathar series and it’s all been so consistently humorous and engaging that I’m 100% confident I would enjoy anything else this man writes. If you’ve got a weak stomach or you don’t enjoy reading books with potty-mouthed characters, this isn’t going to be your jam. But If those things don’t bother you, and you want a series that’s equal parts historical fantasy, urban fantasy, and dark fantasy? Congratulations, you’ve found it. Go start with book 1 immediately.
“imPerfect Fae”
4/5
CW: violence, gore, references to r@pe, self harm/suicide, some others
Seriously, the number of gloriously delivered literary references in this series should be illegal.
(Summary redacted for potential spoilers)
How can a book be both faster and slower than its predecessors? More specifically, how can it be both *while still being a good book*? Because this one has managed to do just that. My theory is that the pacing works because, when there’s action, it’s really, really good. It’s engaging and fast and it keeps you at the edge of your seat. When there’s no action, there’s humor. Little moments of snark and commentary that keep you engaged and lighten an otherwise tense mood.
If you’ve read this far in the series, you’ll know by now whether or not you enjoy Rowan’s style. Personally, I adore it, but it definitely won’t be a fit for every reader. His settings are, as always, descriptive enough to keep you grounded without drowning in excessive visuals. Paul travels a lot more in this installment, but I didn’t have any difficulty keeping up with his whereabouts because a) enough information, as stated above, and b) location wasn’t really the point. This book was a lot more of Paul being in his own head about things, and while it occasionally got a little excessive, those moments were always perfectly cut by someone reminding him that he had things to do, and he could finish moping later.
As it stands, I’ve already decided that the next book in the series has risen on my bookish shopping list. I need to know what happens next, and I need to know soon. If snarky heroes, urban and historical fantasy blends, and ridiculous humor set over violent action is your sort of book, then this is the series for you. Go grab book 1 and catch up already!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“imPerfect Magic”
4/5
CW: torture, gore, references to drugs, some others
Did I know how to pronounce any of the locations mentioned in this book? Absolutely not; my mental French sounds like I’m choking on a frog. But did it stop me from relishing in the adventure? Also no; this book was so good!
Paul Bonhomme cannot die. Well, that’s not technically true. He can die…he just doesn’t *stay* dead. It’s semantics, really. But someone or something incredibly powerful is targeting Paul, and it’s going to take more than just functional immortality to stop them.
If I had to sum up the entire book in one word, it would be ‘sass.’ Paul is the sassiest, snarkiest man I’ve ever had the pleasure to read about, and I love it. It’s this dry, cynical humor layered on top of some pretty decent brain power and an incredible amount of magical power. And Aicha, his badass bestie? Amazing. Terrifying. Can do no wrong in my eyes. Their dynamic with each other and with the outside world is so much fun to read about, and I’m really excited to read about their next adventure.
Having never been to France, I can’t tell you whether the author’s depictions of the locales are accurate. What I can tell you, though, is that they’re solid. It’s enough framework to give you a sense of the place, and Paul’s attachment to it, without losing you in the nitty gritty details. Even for those locations that the MC doesn’t have a strong connection, the pictures are vivid enough to make them feel real (whether that’s a good thing or not is really going to depend on how much you like the place; small cafes? Good. Holes in the ground and questionable waterfronts? Not so much).
Last but not least, the plot. Reasonably paced with a moderate amount of side characters tossed it, I stayed engaged pretty much the whole time. I only found one or two spots where I got a little distracted, but honestly I’m going to chalk that up to work being more draining than usual, and not as a fault of the book itself. Paul and Aicha are OP as all hell, which could have easily made some of the scenes feel unimportant or pointless, but the banter and the writing itself made them every bit as entertaining as the big finale, just in a different way.
In the end, this was a really fun book that’s been on my list for a hot minute, and it didn’t disappoint. If you like urban fantasy, foul-mouthed sarcasm, and characters with a surprising amount of heart, then you need to check out this book immediately.
“An imPerfect Curse”
4/5
CW: gore, violence, attempted r@pe, some others
The number of Princess Bride references in the first half of this book alone earned it an excessive amount of praise in my opinion.
(Summary redacted for potential spoilers)
Holy plot twists, Batman! What the second installment of the imPerfect Cathar series lacked in breakneck pacing it more than made up for with ‘hold up, whaaaaat?!’ moments. I’m still reeling. The author’s delivered yet another heaping helping of sarcastic humor and foul-mouthed fun, and it was glorious. Paul and Aicha’s relationship? Amazing found-family goals. The storyline itself? Entertaining; I’m already chomping at the bit to get into book 3. The scenery, the writing, and the overall vibes? Immaculate.
This is now the third work I’ve read in the Cathar series and it’s all been so consistently humorous and engaging that I’m 100% confident I would enjoy anything else this man writes. If you’ve got a weak stomach or you don’t enjoy reading books with potty-mouthed characters, this isn’t going to be your jam. But If those things don’t bother you, and you want a series that’s equal parts historical fantasy, urban fantasy, and dark fantasy? Congratulations, you’ve found it. Go start with book 1 immediately.
“imPerfect Fae”
4/5
CW: violence, gore, references to r@pe, self harm/suicide, some others
Seriously, the number of gloriously delivered literary references in this series should be illegal.
(Summary redacted for potential spoilers)
How can a book be both faster and slower than its predecessors? More specifically, how can it be both *while still being a good book*? Because this one has managed to do just that. My theory is that the pacing works because, when there’s action, it’s really, really good. It’s engaging and fast and it keeps you at the edge of your seat. When there’s no action, there’s humor. Little moments of snark and commentary that keep you engaged and lighten an otherwise tense mood.
If you’ve read this far in the series, you’ll know by now whether or not you enjoy Rowan’s style. Personally, I adore it, but it definitely won’t be a fit for every reader. His settings are, as always, descriptive enough to keep you grounded without drowning in excessive visuals. Paul travels a lot more in this installment, but I didn’t have any difficulty keeping up with his whereabouts because a) enough information, as stated above, and b) location wasn’t really the point. This book was a lot more of Paul being in his own head about things, and while it occasionally got a little excessive, those moments were always perfectly cut by someone reminding him that he had things to do, and he could finish moping later.
As it stands, I’ve already decided that the next book in the series has risen on my bookish shopping list. I need to know what happens next, and I need to know soon. If snarky heroes, urban and historical fantasy blends, and ridiculous humor set over violent action is your sort of book, then this is the series for you. Go grab book 1 and catch up already!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 31, 2023
Insanity? Possibly, but what does that say about me? I like, really enjoyed these books, so the natural conclusion is, yep, I'm definitely in the insane ranks! Although, isn't it true that true genius is akin to insanity? Just saying...There are a few prerequisites to reading these book, besides insanity, one: a strong sense of humour, black humour would do perfectly, two: a vivid imagination because this author paints an incredible portrait that needs an active imagination, three: a very strong stomach, yeah, the gore, the gore, but most importantly, an open mind, because, quite frankly, without one, you'll lose the essence of the brilliant prose and storytelling. A world of Magic, Angels, Demons and more, portrayed in a way one could never have imagined, if not for the prowess of CN Rowan!
There are few authors who can get to the core (or is it gore?) of a story with such panache, Chris excels at it! His command of the English language is truely superb, the way he wraps his words so succinctly, easy to sink ones teeth into, relish and devour every word, much like a tightly wrapped burrito, savouring every bite. Oh and excuse me, but "bite" is soooo appropriate, you'll see, you'll get it, once you've partaken of this deliciously bizarrely unique meal. This is an adventure I eagerly embarked on, through twists and turns and the unlikely, it all became extremely likely, and exciting, and wacky and emotional and a mental feast! The wacky sense of humour is strewn throughout, eliciting barks of laughter from me. The play on words is skilful, the prose intelligent, the plot unique, VERY UNIQUE, giving me an overall sense of admiration and reverence for the author's talent. So, after carefully packing my entrails back into my laughter abused body, I can only confirm what I stated at the beginning of this review, insanity has overcome me in the best possible way.
His characters are unlike any I've read before, so much oomph to them, so easy to love. I adore Paul, I sympathise with Paul, I cry for Paul, I cheer for Paul but there's something special about Aicha. Is it her fearless attitude? Is it her snark? Is it her badassed fighting skills? Is it her utter dedication to Paul? It's all the above and more!
The visual delights are just that, delights. Almost impossibly vivid and so imaginative, my own imagination was going into overdrive, like battering ram, exposing my vista beyond, well, beyond my imagination! I love the references to movies, igniting the visuals in my head and superimposing these on Paul's current situation. Which is usually a rather dire one as he goes from one calamity to the next, all the while trying to stay intact in his current form and try to save the populace from evil doers. He's in a good position to do so, what with Isaac and Jacob and Nithial and Aicha at his side but the foe is sly, the foe is heartless, the foe has no remorse at throwing lives away to achieve their goal. New foes, old foes, persistent foes throw themselves at Paul, heck it seems the entire universe is out to get Paul!
What I do know is this, whatever CN Rowan deigns to write next, will have me laughing and crying and cringing all at once. I strongly suggest you embark on this superb journey!
There are few authors who can get to the core (or is it gore?) of a story with such panache, Chris excels at it! His command of the English language is truely superb, the way he wraps his words so succinctly, easy to sink ones teeth into, relish and devour every word, much like a tightly wrapped burrito, savouring every bite. Oh and excuse me, but "bite" is soooo appropriate, you'll see, you'll get it, once you've partaken of this deliciously bizarrely unique meal. This is an adventure I eagerly embarked on, through twists and turns and the unlikely, it all became extremely likely, and exciting, and wacky and emotional and a mental feast! The wacky sense of humour is strewn throughout, eliciting barks of laughter from me. The play on words is skilful, the prose intelligent, the plot unique, VERY UNIQUE, giving me an overall sense of admiration and reverence for the author's talent. So, after carefully packing my entrails back into my laughter abused body, I can only confirm what I stated at the beginning of this review, insanity has overcome me in the best possible way.
His characters are unlike any I've read before, so much oomph to them, so easy to love. I adore Paul, I sympathise with Paul, I cry for Paul, I cheer for Paul but there's something special about Aicha. Is it her fearless attitude? Is it her snark? Is it her badassed fighting skills? Is it her utter dedication to Paul? It's all the above and more!
The visual delights are just that, delights. Almost impossibly vivid and so imaginative, my own imagination was going into overdrive, like battering ram, exposing my vista beyond, well, beyond my imagination! I love the references to movies, igniting the visuals in my head and superimposing these on Paul's current situation. Which is usually a rather dire one as he goes from one calamity to the next, all the while trying to stay intact in his current form and try to save the populace from evil doers. He's in a good position to do so, what with Isaac and Jacob and Nithial and Aicha at his side but the foe is sly, the foe is heartless, the foe has no remorse at throwing lives away to achieve their goal. New foes, old foes, persistent foes throw themselves at Paul, heck it seems the entire universe is out to get Paul!
What I do know is this, whatever CN Rowan deigns to write next, will have me laughing and crying and cringing all at once. I strongly suggest you embark on this superb journey!
January 5, 2024
The start and time shifts were a bit strange, and along with the strong language, they had me questioning where the author was going. Even though the terms used are not ones I experience, the meaning of each is universal. So I sat on my educated reader's throne and judged. Was this a rough draft lacking direction or something even worth sticking with until the end of book one? I was certain it would go nowhere, but where was the harm in finishing the book? So I magnanimously committed to holding off a firm dismissal of not only the series but also the author until I finished Book 2. And this crafty author wrote unconcernedly. He had a plan for the fly, and that was the reader. And the warning at the beginning was all part of it. I had reached the midpoint of book 2 before I realized he had suckered me. The strong language was not deterring from the story but adding to the reality of the characters. Yes, many people go through life without uttering a foul word, but could they realistically never use a vulgar word across their lifetimes? Lifetimes of being yourself. Knowing yourself. Not a reincarnation “I am seeking my past selves” series of lifetimes. No, lifetimes encompassing centuries where you remain "you" and personally witness history. Think about it. Consider not only medieval times but living through every world war. Living through ages of amazing creation and horrible destruction. Watching young and old fight, live, and die, knowing that the same release would not be given to you. You are destined to bear witness and yet to never partake of the lasting release. After centuries of watching the best and worst of humanity, I imagine death would assuredly be a release. Thus, I read on and came to realize that the language warning at the beginning was nothing more than a red herring to be ignored. Because it is merely offered as an appeasement to those who prefer not to acknowledge this aspect of mankind. When I put that aside, he had me hooked. I was now a leaf, following the current. I was a voyeur for not only the characters actions but also their emotions. How did this happen? These are not books building lush worlds to get lost in. Who was this author to think he could capture my attention by weaving this tale, these experiences, and these lives through modern times? But weave he did. He snuck into my mind and spun a fine web of understanding and companionship. And by the last book, he had me hooked. I could no longer choose to not finish. To say this series, particularly the last book, will stay with me is an understatement. It is such a deeply amazing summation of what I truly believe must be the core thought path of every soul. I cannot do justice to what is written. I cannot say I would have ever seen the story arc end that was coming. It is worthy of dissection. A masterclass in what is at the heart of all art. If you read nothing else in life, read this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 5, 2024
The start and time shifts were a bit strange, and along with the strong language, they had me questioning where the author was going. Even though the terms used are not ones I experience, the meaning of each is universal. So I sat on my educated reader's throne and judged. Was this a rough draft lacking direction or something even worth sticking with until the end of book one? I was certain it would go nowhere, but where was the harm in finishing the book? So I magnanimously committed to holding off a firm dismissal of not only the series but also the author until I finished Book 2. And this crafty author wrote unconcernedly. He had a plan for the fly, and that was the reader. And the warning at the beginning was all part of it. I had reached the midpoint of book 2 before I realized he had suckered me. The strong language was not deterring from the story but adding to the reality of the characters. Yes, many people go through life without uttering a foul word, but could they realistically never use a vulgar word across their lifetimes? Lifetimes of being yourself. Knowing yourself. Not a reincarnation “I am seeking my past selves” series of lifetimes. No, lifetimes encompassing centuries where you remain "you" and personally witness history. Think about it. Consider not only medieval times but living through every world war. Living through ages of amazing creation and horrible destruction. Watching young and old fight, live, and die, knowing that the same release would not be given to you. You are destined to bear witness and yet to never partake of the lasting release. After centuries of watching the best and worst of humanity, I imagine death would assuredly be a release. Thus, I read on and came to realize that the language warning at the beginning was nothing more than a red herring to be ignored. Because it is merely offered as an appeasement to those who prefer not to acknowledge this aspect of mankind. When I put that aside, he had me hooked. I was now a leaf, following the current. I was a voyeur for not only the characters actions but also their emotions. How did this happen? These are not books building lush worlds to get lost in. Who was this author to think he could capture my attention by weaving this tale, these experiences, and these lives through modern times? But weave he did. He snuck into my mind and spun a fine web of understanding and companionship. And by the last book, he had me hooked. I could no longer choose to not finish. To say this series, particularly the last book, will stay with me is an understatement. It is such a deeply amazing summation of what I truly believe must be the core thought path of every soul. I cannot do justice to what is written. I cannot say I would have ever seen the story arc end that was coming. It is worthy of dissection. A masterclass in what is at the heart of all art. If you read nothing else in life, read this series.
May 26, 2024
We all know the typical urban fantasy world, right? Shifters, vampires, magic etc. Well, take that hallowed scenario then add some imaginative ingredients: intriguing religions, plenty of pop culture, a unique and strong voice, not to mention a dash of obscure French folklore. And there you have it, imPerfect Magic is a completely fresh and compelling novel, and a formidable start to a new series.
Paul is a fallen holy man destined to reincarnate again and again…. and again. This is great if he’s being tortured by some evil critter—temporary death is the perfect escape, but on the other hand, eight hundred years is a long time to live. Over the centuries, Paul has developed powerful magic and become the guardian of his city, Toulouse in France. Up against the worst kind of villains, and willing to do what it takes to protect his patch and those he loves, Paul is a complete badass. This is not a book for the fainthearted. Think blood and gore and violence… and did I mention the blood?
Rowan has given Paul one of the best voices I’ve read in a while. He’s snarky and fun, taking the reader by the hand with wonderful banter and the best pop culture references going. And he’s accompanied by a band of loveable heros, each with their own well-crafted characters.
But the inclusion of curious religions was, for me, the icing on the cake. This book is in no way religious or preachy, it’s dynamic, deep-thinking, and balanced with a healthy dose of humour and irreverence. The novel features Catharism, a little-know form of Christianity that was wiped out by the Catholic church and the French state, and the Kabbalah, an esoteric discipline of Jewish mysticism. Both are shrouded in myth and mystery, and they form an intriguing basis for the story, weaving in ancient magic and even the grail legend.
To top it off, this novel is ideal for any armchair travellers out there. Not only does Rowan do setting really well, but the locations are great for a google. I felt I’d been right there with Paul and the gang. Add this to fluid writing and a captivating plot with a delicious fully-formed ending, and you get a book not to be missed.
I received an ARC copy. My review is freely given and my own opinion.
Paul is a fallen holy man destined to reincarnate again and again…. and again. This is great if he’s being tortured by some evil critter—temporary death is the perfect escape, but on the other hand, eight hundred years is a long time to live. Over the centuries, Paul has developed powerful magic and become the guardian of his city, Toulouse in France. Up against the worst kind of villains, and willing to do what it takes to protect his patch and those he loves, Paul is a complete badass. This is not a book for the fainthearted. Think blood and gore and violence… and did I mention the blood?
Rowan has given Paul one of the best voices I’ve read in a while. He’s snarky and fun, taking the reader by the hand with wonderful banter and the best pop culture references going. And he’s accompanied by a band of loveable heros, each with their own well-crafted characters.
But the inclusion of curious religions was, for me, the icing on the cake. This book is in no way religious or preachy, it’s dynamic, deep-thinking, and balanced with a healthy dose of humour and irreverence. The novel features Catharism, a little-know form of Christianity that was wiped out by the Catholic church and the French state, and the Kabbalah, an esoteric discipline of Jewish mysticism. Both are shrouded in myth and mystery, and they form an intriguing basis for the story, weaving in ancient magic and even the grail legend.
To top it off, this novel is ideal for any armchair travellers out there. Not only does Rowan do setting really well, but the locations are great for a google. I felt I’d been right there with Paul and the gang. Add this to fluid writing and a captivating plot with a delicious fully-formed ending, and you get a book not to be missed.
I received an ARC copy. My review is freely given and my own opinion.
February 2, 2024
imPerfect Magic
Luke, Isaac and Aicha are on the hunt for an artifact that can bring the dead back. Luke discovered a lead to it when he went after a mage who did take him prisoner then proceeded to try to carve sigils/symbols in his skin. When he escapes he and Aicha go back to the building. There they find sigils/sybols that should not be. Now they are on the path to find who did the carving and the answer is exciting as well as scarey. World destroying scarey!
imPerfect Curse
Paul is back. In Toulouse. Again. He's ready for real rest. He can almost taste it until he finds a body waiting for him. One of Franc's minions. Only there's something off about him. He follows him to Franc and finds him not himself. Then Franc tells him he's dying from a curse. Now Paul is on another adventure. One which takes him to the Sistren and the Mother and an undead wife. The journey the he thought would be short now turns into an improbable mission. Will he even survive? Will Franc? Too many unknowns and legends to unravel.
Fascinating story that draws the reader in and enthralls said reader in a story that twists and turns and is better than any mystery this reader has read!!!.
imPerfect Fae
After the shocking surprises in book 2, Paul is now on his way to faerie. But he isn't himself. He's a shell of a man whose had his life disrupted so badly. Will he be able to become what he once was or will his life be totally over?
Each book builds upon the other. I loved this series...imperfect describes it so well and has us thinking if the hero is imperfect and still a hero, why can't we be imperfect and still be heroes in our own way!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Luke, Isaac and Aicha are on the hunt for an artifact that can bring the dead back. Luke discovered a lead to it when he went after a mage who did take him prisoner then proceeded to try to carve sigils/symbols in his skin. When he escapes he and Aicha go back to the building. There they find sigils/sybols that should not be. Now they are on the path to find who did the carving and the answer is exciting as well as scarey. World destroying scarey!
imPerfect Curse
Paul is back. In Toulouse. Again. He's ready for real rest. He can almost taste it until he finds a body waiting for him. One of Franc's minions. Only there's something off about him. He follows him to Franc and finds him not himself. Then Franc tells him he's dying from a curse. Now Paul is on another adventure. One which takes him to the Sistren and the Mother and an undead wife. The journey the he thought would be short now turns into an improbable mission. Will he even survive? Will Franc? Too many unknowns and legends to unravel.
Fascinating story that draws the reader in and enthralls said reader in a story that twists and turns and is better than any mystery this reader has read!!!.
imPerfect Fae
After the shocking surprises in book 2, Paul is now on his way to faerie. But he isn't himself. He's a shell of a man whose had his life disrupted so badly. Will he be able to become what he once was or will his life be totally over?
Each book builds upon the other. I loved this series...imperfect describes it so well and has us thinking if the hero is imperfect and still a hero, why can't we be imperfect and still be heroes in our own way!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 20, 2024
This has to be the best sale-impluse buy I have ever made with maybe, possibly, only one other exception. In all honesty, to do this justice I would be writing an essay for each of the three books included. I'm sorry my brain capacity and energy is lacking at the moment.
This series subverted all the cynical expectations I had going in. I've been burned more than once picking up books with male leads that can easily slip into dude-bro- action-of-all-sorts-and-how-can-i-make-my-lead-godly type attitudes. But the greatest thing is that our protagonist embraces that he is angry, he is talented, he can kick ass.... and turn around and admit he'd messed up, acted rashly, has no clue what he's doing, ASKS FOR HELP, and is a guy who is good but does bad things in a completely non-egotistical honest to goodness assessment way.
Stir in with that some actually brilliant ties in to history, unapologetic wit and pop culture references, and side characters I am absolutely IN LOVE with and BAM. I am so here for the whole series. Even when you pick up on where one element is going, even when you have faith that things will at least partially work out, there is always a little nugget that makes you go: "Ooooh". On top of that, this is an author-narrated book for those listening. normally this can be very bad or very good. C.N. Rowan elevates his work to a completely different level. I cannot recommend it enough.
I will say that this hits the ground running, I felt a little lag in book two, but the twists to the usual pattern of things that allowed other characters to step up felt worth it for book three. I can't wait to see where this journey goes.
This series subverted all the cynical expectations I had going in. I've been burned more than once picking up books with male leads that can easily slip into dude-bro- action-of-all-sorts-and-how-can-i-make-my-lead-godly type attitudes. But the greatest thing is that our protagonist embraces that he is angry, he is talented, he can kick ass.... and turn around and admit he'd messed up, acted rashly, has no clue what he's doing, ASKS FOR HELP, and is a guy who is good but does bad things in a completely non-egotistical honest to goodness assessment way.
Stir in with that some actually brilliant ties in to history, unapologetic wit and pop culture references, and side characters I am absolutely IN LOVE with and BAM. I am so here for the whole series. Even when you pick up on where one element is going, even when you have faith that things will at least partially work out, there is always a little nugget that makes you go: "Ooooh". On top of that, this is an author-narrated book for those listening. normally this can be very bad or very good. C.N. Rowan elevates his work to a completely different level. I cannot recommend it enough.
I will say that this hits the ground running, I felt a little lag in book two, but the twists to the usual pattern of things that allowed other characters to step up felt worth it for book three. I can't wait to see where this journey goes.
January 1, 2024
Imperfect Magic
I was promised swearing…
And was not disappointed lol! A great blend of humor and seriousness in this tale over the ages. Paul has been living (and dying repeatedly) for over 800 years. In the present, he is trying to stop a possible angel. Then you get flashbacks to his past and the trauma he lives with. It’s a great blend of history and the magical. And the plot twists, I didn’t see coming! And you can't forget the giant snail dragon! Lou becomes one of my favorite characters!
Imperfect Curse
I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first. Paul is out in the middle of 2 powers, one who is an ally of sorts. And again he is kicked in the balls by fate with someone he thought long gone coming back. There’s snark, action, humor and so many references to 80’s and 90’s. It’s not the warm and fuzzy story I usually read and poor Paul can never get his happily ever after. All he can do is try to save who he can at the cost to himself. I will definitely be getting the next book to see where life and fate take him.
Imperfect Fae
This is book 3 in the imperfect series and it is another great book! Paul is right where he left off in the last book, looking for his “dead” wife and son. He must go get help from his mother in law while Aisha is still gone. Isaac/Jakob are ready to jump in and enjoy being a part of the action this time. While I did miss Aisha, I also really enjoyed the relationship between Paul and the brothers. So many plot twists and turns and things you can’t see coming. I’m looking forward to book 4!
I was promised swearing…
And was not disappointed lol! A great blend of humor and seriousness in this tale over the ages. Paul has been living (and dying repeatedly) for over 800 years. In the present, he is trying to stop a possible angel. Then you get flashbacks to his past and the trauma he lives with. It’s a great blend of history and the magical. And the plot twists, I didn’t see coming! And you can't forget the giant snail dragon! Lou becomes one of my favorite characters!
Imperfect Curse
I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first. Paul is out in the middle of 2 powers, one who is an ally of sorts. And again he is kicked in the balls by fate with someone he thought long gone coming back. There’s snark, action, humor and so many references to 80’s and 90’s. It’s not the warm and fuzzy story I usually read and poor Paul can never get his happily ever after. All he can do is try to save who he can at the cost to himself. I will definitely be getting the next book to see where life and fate take him.
Imperfect Fae
This is book 3 in the imperfect series and it is another great book! Paul is right where he left off in the last book, looking for his “dead” wife and son. He must go get help from his mother in law while Aisha is still gone. Isaac/Jakob are ready to jump in and enjoy being a part of the action this time. While I did miss Aisha, I also really enjoyed the relationship between Paul and the brothers. So many plot twists and turns and things you can’t see coming. I’m looking forward to book 4!
December 29, 2023
This collection is an absolute romp through the present-tense adventures of the last Cathar on earth, Paul Bonhomme, while looking back in the past for world-building, character definition, and hints about the big bad. The humor is all over the place with modern cultural references as well as throwbacks to stuff older and *older*. The peeks back to Paul Bonhomme's (the main character's) recent past and further-past-past provide insight, and character depth, and allow the connections between the characters to be revealed smoothly without "Oh, hey, remember when we met back in the 13th century, wow that sure was an adventure!" that some novels (especially those with extremely long-lived characters) suffer from. The characters are believable, fun, hilarious, and have a genuine chemistry that makes this book, the collected first three of the first story arc (yes, I said FIRST! As in, of MULTIPLE) a MUST-READ! 12/10, HIGHLY recommend it! I really cannot recommend it enough!
**If you're interested in learning more about the imPerfectverse, meeting fellow imPs, and getting to know a gentleman who's proven to be both a standup individual and a good friend, come join the imPs in our Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/cnrow... **
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
**If you're interested in learning more about the imPerfectverse, meeting fellow imPs, and getting to know a gentleman who's proven to be both a standup individual and a good friend, come join the imPs in our Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/cnrow... **
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 20, 2024
This three book collection is a stroll through the present adventures of the last Cathar on earth, Paul Bonhomme, it also shifts through memories back in the past for world-building, character definition, and hints about the big bad. The voice of the story is all over the place with modern cultural references as well as throwbacks to older and even ancient references that give glimpses back to Paul Bonhomme's past which at first is a bit jarring but you get used to it. The beginning of book one is especially jarring with Paul’s death with no reference or much explanation other then he just cones back to life. That gets explained later but it remains a bit convoluted as if even the character himself doesn’t fully understand other than he doesn’t want to ever be too perfect least he not resurrect. No worries there but seriously it is an interesting idea m.
The characters and world flow and work in an interesting way as you follow the last cathar forward and back for lessons learned and new challenges always emerging. Mysterious and unexpected events that keep you reading give it a shot.
The characters and world flow and work in an interesting way as you follow the last cathar forward and back for lessons learned and new challenges always emerging. Mysterious and unexpected events that keep you reading give it a shot.
April 27, 2024
Nit what I was expecting.
When I first got notification from Goodreads that I won this set in a giveaway, my first thought was “when did I enter for this?” I’m not really into magical books so I’m not sure why I entered the giveaway.
That said, this was an incredibly entertaining read. There are two kinds of books I find myself with: the kind where I just can’t get into it and it ends up being a time waster for waiting in waiting rooms in dr offices (I’m one who can never give up on a book once I start reading it no matter how horrible) and the kind where I read it during breaks and lunch at work and as soon as I get home from work and any free time, really. This series was the latter
And I’m pleased to have been introduced to it.
Not just entertaining, but it introduced me to French folklore I never knew (shame on me since, if you can’t tell from my name, I’m French) and I found myself googling the different creatures to get their picture in my head. (I think Lou in this series is my favorite).
Paul and Aicha and friends are all entertainingly sarcastic and full of humor and love for each other. Of course now I’m going to have to buy the next set to find out what happens!
When I first got notification from Goodreads that I won this set in a giveaway, my first thought was “when did I enter for this?” I’m not really into magical books so I’m not sure why I entered the giveaway.
That said, this was an incredibly entertaining read. There are two kinds of books I find myself with: the kind where I just can’t get into it and it ends up being a time waster for waiting in waiting rooms in dr offices (I’m one who can never give up on a book once I start reading it no matter how horrible) and the kind where I read it during breaks and lunch at work and as soon as I get home from work and any free time, really. This series was the latter
And I’m pleased to have been introduced to it.
Not just entertaining, but it introduced me to French folklore I never knew (shame on me since, if you can’t tell from my name, I’m French) and I found myself googling the different creatures to get their picture in my head. (I think Lou in this series is my favorite).
Paul and Aicha and friends are all entertainingly sarcastic and full of humor and love for each other. Of course now I’m going to have to buy the next set to find out what happens!
January 11, 2024
This omnibus edition is a great way to discover the imPerfect Cathar series. It includes the first three full-length novels and a bonus, very interesting short story from a side character’s viewpoint.
From get-go, we have a powerful main character (Paul Bonhomme), with powerful friends (and enemies), which makes an interesting change from most urban fantasy series.
Paul's past is revealed in flashbacks, reminiscent of my favourite-ever TV show, Highlander. I really enjoyed this parallel storylines approach.
Paul’s self-deprecation, wittiness, depth of character and love for his friends and humanity shine through as each story unfolds in parallel with another tale from the past – one which echoes through to the present. Each story is perfectly crafted and filled with despair, humour, horror, love, friendship and hope.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
From get-go, we have a powerful main character (Paul Bonhomme), with powerful friends (and enemies), which makes an interesting change from most urban fantasy series.
Paul's past is revealed in flashbacks, reminiscent of my favourite-ever TV show, Highlander. I really enjoyed this parallel storylines approach.
Paul’s self-deprecation, wittiness, depth of character and love for his friends and humanity shine through as each story unfolds in parallel with another tale from the past – one which echoes through to the present. Each story is perfectly crafted and filled with despair, humour, horror, love, friendship and hope.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 21, 2024
The ImPerfect Cathar world is a dark, violent, tormented place but the relationship between Paul, Isaac and Aicha is the safe centre of it. The familial jibes, the unquestioning support and the ready self-sacrifice all make this an incredible example of the found family trope I so enjoy.
The world-building is next level. The author uses a foundation of historical fact and local mythology to fix our MC's in a magic riddled version of modern day Toulouse. Cuts between the past and present are used to show how our trio have become the people we know and how they formed the strong bonds that have kept their connection alive over their many years of life. Through them we also meet many fascinating, often obscure, creatures and folk of legend.
These books are highly immersive, cerebral, spectacularly well-crafted and often unpredictable. If you thought the world of UF could no longer surprise you, then these are the stories and author you need.
The world-building is next level. The author uses a foundation of historical fact and local mythology to fix our MC's in a magic riddled version of modern day Toulouse. Cuts between the past and present are used to show how our trio have become the people we know and how they formed the strong bonds that have kept their connection alive over their many years of life. Through them we also meet many fascinating, often obscure, creatures and folk of legend.
These books are highly immersive, cerebral, spectacularly well-crafted and often unpredictable. If you thought the world of UF could no longer surprise you, then these are the stories and author you need.
January 2, 2024
This collection is an absolute romp through the present-tense adventures of the last Cathar on earth, Paul Bonhomme, while looking back in the past for world-building, character definition, and hints about the big bad. The humor is all over the place with modern cultural references as well as throwbacks to stuff older and older. The peeks back to Paul Bonhomme's (the main character's) recent past and further-past-past provide insight, and character depth, and allow the connections between the characters to be revealed smoothly without "Oh, hey, remember when we met back in the 13th century, wow that sure was an adventure!" that some novels (especially those with extremely long-lived characters) suffer from. The characters are believable, fun, hilarious, and have a genuine chemistry that makes this book, the collected first three of the first story arc (yes, I said FIRST! As in, of MULTIPLE) a MUST-READ! 12/10, HIGHLY recommend it! I really cannot recommend it enough!
*If you're interested in learning more about the imPerfectverse, meeting fellow imPs, and getting to know a gentleman who's proven to be both a standup individual and a good friend, come join the imPs in our Facebook group! C. N. Rowan's imPerfect imPs*.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*If you're interested in learning more about the imPerfectverse, meeting fellow imPs, and getting to know a gentleman who's proven to be both a standup individual and a good friend, come join the imPs in our Facebook group! C. N. Rowan's imPerfect imPs*.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2023
This is clearly just the beginning of a brilliant and hilarious urban fantasy series. Using French paranormal beings is a refreshing break from the everyday paranormal creatures. Historical references also give the story a Highlander feel in the best way, the reminiscing being either important plot wise or emotionally.
The characters are brilliant. Just absolutely brilliant. They're all written so differently, it's easy to believe you're witnessing real people (and monsters).
For those who enjoy audiobooks, this series is fantastic! CN Rowan is not only a great author but also a talented narrator. My teenage son also agrees, he says he's his second favorite narrator.
The characters are brilliant. Just absolutely brilliant. They're all written so differently, it's easy to believe you're witnessing real people (and monsters).
For those who enjoy audiobooks, this series is fantastic! CN Rowan is not only a great author but also a talented narrator. My teenage son also agrees, he says he's his second favorite narrator.
December 30, 2023
This fantasy series is a complicated and compelling interweaving of past and present. The characters are strong and dynamic, the plot intricate...but beware, this is for the strong of stomach! It is very funny, with an interesting mix of absolute seriousness and tongue-in-cheek hilarity. A lot of the gore is presented with great humor. It is interesting to learn about some of the religious strife during the time of the Cathars, and to see how Mr. Rowan converts this past into immortal people's lives in the present day. I was given an audiobook version by the author, and am very impressed that he does such a terrific job narrating.
December 29, 2023
These books are the beginning of the ImPerfect Cathar Series, with a special bonus story included.
The world building in this series is unique in being highly grounded in actual historical happenings while overlaying it with mythology and magic while creating a realism among the fantastic elements.
The characters have that same blend of myth, magic and realism that makes them utterly compelling to read about.
It will be a snarky, horrifying and thrilling read, so be prepared for anything. You'll still be surprised.
Welcome to the adventure.
The world building in this series is unique in being highly grounded in actual historical happenings while overlaying it with mythology and magic while creating a realism among the fantastic elements.
The characters have that same blend of myth, magic and realism that makes them utterly compelling to read about.
It will be a snarky, horrifying and thrilling read, so be prepared for anything. You'll still be surprised.
Welcome to the adventure.
January 29, 2024
If you're looking for a Perfect man, you're about 800 years too late. In the first full book of the Imperfect Cather series we became acquainted with Paul, Aicha, and Isaac- 3 individuals who refuse to stop living. This book is packed with historical references and pop culture references. It is told both in the present and the past. The characters are well structured and have rich internal lives and histories. The relationships are real and laced with understanding only true friend share. The first 3 books in this series are poignant and full of ImPerfect fun.
February 4, 2024
I loved this book. All three books in one is a good deal, especially when the books are as fantastic as these! Aicha is fast becoming my most favourite character in the series and Paul is truly lost without her.
I don't want to spoil much, but this is an adventure that would make you laugh and cry. It's dark and funny, and the dark parts get very dark indeed, though Rowan's prose does a lot to mitigate the heaviness of the themes, adding a lighter touch.
If you love fantasy, urban fantasy, alternate history, and magic, you will love these books!
I don't want to spoil much, but this is an adventure that would make you laugh and cry. It's dark and funny, and the dark parts get very dark indeed, though Rowan's prose does a lot to mitigate the heaviness of the themes, adding a lighter touch.
If you love fantasy, urban fantasy, alternate history, and magic, you will love these books!
February 12, 2024
I just loved this trilogy! The story is well written, as we follow Paul Bonhomme on his adventures as a reincarnating prefect from the 12th centaury. Armed with his snarky wit, Paul and other immortal Aicha, save the world from Paul's past mistakes. All of the pop-culture references make these books so much fun! I just love the CN Rowan's descriptions of France - it makes me feel like I'm there. This is a great adventure series!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 21, 2024
This book was much more than expected, riding a line that dipped into, Urban Fantasy, and Historical Epic Fantasy (new genre I just made up), and did it well! Intricate, exciting, fun, tragic and sometimes moody. The MC uses an acerbic wit to cope with the strains and extreme circumstances of his incredibly long life. The supporting characters are just as vivid and integral to the storyline as MC.
I'm definitely moving on to the next in series
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I'm definitely moving on to the next in series
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 31, 2023
I enjoyed this series and in this collection you get the first three books in this series that introduce the main characters that end up on a modern day quest-like journey. But it was a riot to read as the characters are irreverent and cracking jokes along the way. The series that starts with a bang and things go crazy from there. A mix of a mystery or two with magic and mayhem added to make it more fun. Hilarious situations along with trouble and danger and magic .
February 3, 2024
This series was something else and that something else was a story I totally was entranced by. I am so totally glad that I got to read this series and I really hope that the author decides to take this even further. I am so totally thrilled with the world created. Fantastic series, don't miss it!
March 8, 2024
I feel in love with the story line, the characters. I read/listen to the books and it's full of emotions: laughter, anger, sadness, why's... The end just made me says: What! I need to know more. C.N. Rowan narrating the books is amazing, the voices he gives each character is cool. Bravo 😊, Cannot wait to read/listen book 4-5-6-7.....
January 20, 2025
Once vested in Paul,
Vested in Paul, allows you to get past the infinitely slow parts of the story and enjoy his tale. Great characters and the fact Paul dies and comes back time and time again, gives a broader view of the others involved and their growth as well as Paul’s. I will keep reading to see how this all ends.
Vested in Paul, allows you to get past the infinitely slow parts of the story and enjoy his tale. Great characters and the fact Paul dies and comes back time and time again, gives a broader view of the others involved and their growth as well as Paul’s. I will keep reading to see how this all ends.
September 10, 2024
I just finished listening to the trilogy read by the author and really enjoyed it. It's the first time I've listened to an author reading their own books so successfully. I found the combination of magic and both modern and historical France worked really well.
May 29, 2025
CN Rowan's lyrical writing will suck you in. It's sometimes rather dark and disturbing but also funny and hopeful. A rollercoaster ride, for sure.
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