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House of Maedoc #3
His Realm
On their first meeting, Varic Maedoc, prince of the vampyrs, told Jason Thorpe that loving him was not for the faint of heart. He wasn’t kidding. In the past two years, Jason has been kidnapped, lived through several attempts on his life, and foiled a coup. Now, his new life as the prince’s consort and adviser to the king is made even harder by Varic’s prolonged absence. With his prince off hunting down a traitor, Jason must fend for himself.
While the separation doesn’t last, even Varic’s return won’t stave off the wicked plotting of others, and Jason soon finds himself—again—fighting for his life while navigating ancient betrayals and revenge put in motion before he was even born. And he must prevail because his prince needs him to bring a place without honor back into his realm.
But what festers in rage and bitterness is something Jason never expected, and nothing he’s experienced in his human life, or in the decadent court of the king, could’ve prepared him for the wrath that’s about to be unleashed.
Varic needs both his crown and his consort to be the king he’s always wanted to be, and it’s up to Jason to make sure their bond never breaks.
While the separation doesn’t last, even Varic’s return won’t stave off the wicked plotting of others, and Jason soon finds himself—again—fighting for his life while navigating ancient betrayals and revenge put in motion before he was even born. And he must prevail because his prince needs him to bring a place without honor back into his realm.
But what festers in rage and bitterness is something Jason never expected, and nothing he’s experienced in his human life, or in the decadent court of the king, could’ve prepared him for the wrath that’s about to be unleashed.
Varic needs both his crown and his consort to be the king he’s always wanted to be, and it’s up to Jason to make sure their bond never breaks.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2024
174 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Mary Calmes
127 books5,024 followersMary Calmes believes in romance, happily ever afters, and the faith it takes for her characters to get there. She bleeds coffee, thinks chocolate should be its own food group, and currently lives in Kentucky with a six-pound furry ninja that protects her from baby birds, spiders and the neighbor’s dogs. To stay up to date on her ponderings and pandemonium (as well as the adventures of the ninja) follow her on Twitter @MaryCalmes, connect with her on Facebook, and subscribe to her Mary’s Mob newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
November 19, 2024
Estou me sentindo triste e feliz ao mesmo tempo. Triste porque me despedi de personagens tão bons como teve nessa trilogia. Feliz porque o final foi maravilhoso, depois de quase ser morto várias vezes nessa história, finalmente Jason casou com sei príncipe vampiro, aleluiaaa, é pra glorificar igrejaaa🙏🏼🤣🙏🏼🤣Vou sentir muita falta de Varic e Jason, um dos melhores casais de humano X vampiro que conheci, Varic foi um vampiro de verdade e sem frescuras nessa trilogia, amei🤩❤️🔥😘✨👋🏽AH.. Dae jun e Zev foi algo que almejei, preciso de um livro desses dois 🙏🏼
April 21, 2024
3.5
Have to admit House of Maedoc is not my favorite Calmes series so I don't remember much details about the previous books but in the end that didn't matter much because it's more important that you're familiar with Mary's kind of magic. If that's the case you feel immediately at home in the first part of this book. She does what she does best: rambling about the every-day life of an empathetic, nice guy who's a odd combination of grounded and airhead with the ability to create a found family from scratch. Doesn't matter if this every-day life is being the only nearly-human being and seneschal at the court of the vampyr king. That adds only a little exotic to the Mary magic. Of course he's only in that position because he became the mate and consort of the crown-prince but if you expect the get a romance you would be wrong because in the first part Varic, the vampyr prince, is mainly there on the phone and even later before the start of the 2nd part of the book he's easily to be confused as a support character, an important one but nevertheless. I don't know how I feel about their relationship anyway: after Varic confessed that he hid a life changing information from him, Jason is only shrugging it off and that wasn't the only case he went over nonchalantly.
Then there is the 2nd part of the book and action/adventure is added but what can I say: I got confused and didn't understand what it's all about or why. A North Korean like vampire enclave at Greenland with normal normal digesting vampires and a century old obsession? Regardless of my doubts about reasoning or intrinsic logic it got emotional and I could shed some tears, so I was reconciled somehow. Then I expected a short wrap-up and the postponed marriage as the end, maybe followed by an epilogue where they hold their newborn twins. Unfortunately the wrap-up wasn't anything but short. Somehow it reminded me of the last part of Lord of the Rings where there was an end after an end after the next end. Wasn't the best part of that movie and wasn't the best decision for this book. An epilogue with kids would have been better.
Have to admit House of Maedoc is not my favorite Calmes series so I don't remember much details about the previous books but in the end that didn't matter much because it's more important that you're familiar with Mary's kind of magic. If that's the case you feel immediately at home in the first part of this book. She does what she does best: rambling about the every-day life of an empathetic, nice guy who's a odd combination of grounded and airhead with the ability to create a found family from scratch. Doesn't matter if this every-day life is being the only nearly-human being and seneschal at the court of the vampyr king. That adds only a little exotic to the Mary magic. Of course he's only in that position because he became the mate and consort of the crown-prince but if you expect the get a romance you would be wrong because in the first part Varic, the vampyr prince, is mainly there on the phone and even later before the start of the 2nd part of the book he's easily to be confused as a support character, an important one but nevertheless. I don't know how I feel about their relationship anyway: after Varic confessed that he hid a life changing information from him, Jason is only shrugging it off and that wasn't the only case he went over nonchalantly.
Then there is the 2nd part of the book and action/adventure is added but what can I say: I got confused and didn't understand what it's all about or why. A North Korean like vampire enclave at Greenland with normal normal digesting vampires and a century old obsession? Regardless of my doubts about reasoning or intrinsic logic it got emotional and I could shed some tears, so I was reconciled somehow. Then I expected a short wrap-up and the postponed marriage as the end, maybe followed by an epilogue where they hold their newborn twins. Unfortunately the wrap-up wasn't anything but short. Somehow it reminded me of the last part of Lord of the Rings where there was an end after an end after the next end. Wasn't the best part of that movie and wasn't the best decision for this book. An epilogue with kids would have been better.
May 16, 2024
Jason and Varic finally get their much-deserved and earned HEA. I love every adventure with these two. Jason being a trouble magnet never ceases to amaze me. His huge heart and endless kindness center so many amazing moments as those around him are constantly befuddled and shocked at his continuous optimism in the face of endless peril.
I love every adventure Jason has embarked upon in this story, which includes his separation from Varic, their reunion, and finally, the planning of their wedding are all wonderful character-building moments that I could not get enough of.
These characters, their growth, and the constant surprises made for a grand finale that I am very sad is over. I will miss reading Jason's adventures, but love that I can always go back and return to this wonderful world.
I love every adventure Jason has embarked upon in this story, which includes his separation from Varic, their reunion, and finally, the planning of their wedding are all wonderful character-building moments that I could not get enough of.
These characters, their growth, and the constant surprises made for a grand finale that I am very sad is over. I will miss reading Jason's adventures, but love that I can always go back and return to this wonderful world.
April 17, 2024
3.5
A bit disappointing. Varec is mostly absent and Jason makes the same mistakes time and again.
A bit disappointing. Varec is mostly absent and Jason makes the same mistakes time and again.
April 18, 2024
character and plot development issues dragged it down for me
Rating: 3🌈
As much as I’ve enjoyed the previous books in the series, His Realm was just a disconnect for me in many ways. From certain aspects of the character of Jason specifically to moments in the plot that weakens the couple and their dynamic, I just found I had issues here.
Which is a shame because I do enjoy so many of the scenes that the author has created here for the main characters and between others just as important.
House of Maedoc is an entertaining series that, in books one and two, creates a unique world and populates it with dynamic characters. It’s been wonderful to go along with Jason and Varic throughout their journey from their first meeting to their current position in their relationship. It’s been a tumultuous journey with both individuals undergoing major changes in their lives and their personal emotional development.
I’ve loved watching them. Up to now. Because it’s worked til now. Each story has contained huge amounts of dramatic elements and forward momentum in the vampire world and relationships. Even with characters who are not readily likable or beings seen as worthy of emotional connection, like the King himself.
It is Jason who should anchor his own story alongside his Prince, Varic. But Calmes makes some interesting choices for the story and characters that , for me as a reader, dilutes their impact as a strong couple and for their personalities, which spend so much time apart.
Here, Jason’s emotional responses to various highly complex or tragic situations just seem off. These ‘light hearted’ sort of particular personality traits are ones we’ve seen before in other Mary Calmes characters. But usually they were contemporary characters and the events that caused some of the same reactions were less likely to be as violent or extreme as the events that occurred here.
A grin or teasing comment from Jason when one would necessarily or reasonably expect a serious, thoughtful response to a question or situation where it’s been a an ongoing tragedy or people have lost their lives or subjected to loss.
It’s so jarring that it causes the reader to question whether the character’s actions are credible and think how shattered you’d be in the same situation.
There’s more. Repeatedly, Jason warns of serious threats and is dismissed. Even after being informed his advice won’t be ignored anymore. But Jason himself is a major problem. He,as the consort of the Prince, and therefore a member of the royal household, refuses to adhere to security measures and protocols. He constantly goes out without his guards, not reflecting on the ramifications of this for Varic and his staff.
He’s become an inconsistent character. As has Varic in relation with communication with Jason, what distance does to their relationship, etc.
It’s one element after another which weakens them, the story, their relationship, for the sake of a narrative drama that involves so many frustrating scenes and dysfunctional dynamics that it’s hard to care at times how it ends.
With a wedding and more things that just are pulled together quickly enough for the sake of the series rather than in keeping with everything that’s gone on before, with all the threads and characters’ personalities.
I like this author and feel that she has other, stronger series and characters to choose from.
Read this if you’re a fan, and to finish this series.
House of Maedoc :
- [x] His Consort #1
- [x] His Prince #2
- [x] His Realm #3
Rating: 3🌈
As much as I’ve enjoyed the previous books in the series, His Realm was just a disconnect for me in many ways. From certain aspects of the character of Jason specifically to moments in the plot that weakens the couple and their dynamic, I just found I had issues here.
Which is a shame because I do enjoy so many of the scenes that the author has created here for the main characters and between others just as important.
House of Maedoc is an entertaining series that, in books one and two, creates a unique world and populates it with dynamic characters. It’s been wonderful to go along with Jason and Varic throughout their journey from their first meeting to their current position in their relationship. It’s been a tumultuous journey with both individuals undergoing major changes in their lives and their personal emotional development.
I’ve loved watching them. Up to now. Because it’s worked til now. Each story has contained huge amounts of dramatic elements and forward momentum in the vampire world and relationships. Even with characters who are not readily likable or beings seen as worthy of emotional connection, like the King himself.
It is Jason who should anchor his own story alongside his Prince, Varic. But Calmes makes some interesting choices for the story and characters that , for me as a reader, dilutes their impact as a strong couple and for their personalities, which spend so much time apart.
Here, Jason’s emotional responses to various highly complex or tragic situations just seem off. These ‘light hearted’ sort of particular personality traits are ones we’ve seen before in other Mary Calmes characters. But usually they were contemporary characters and the events that caused some of the same reactions were less likely to be as violent or extreme as the events that occurred here.
A grin or teasing comment from Jason when one would necessarily or reasonably expect a serious, thoughtful response to a question or situation where it’s been a an ongoing tragedy or people have lost their lives or subjected to loss.
It’s so jarring that it causes the reader to question whether the character’s actions are credible and think how shattered you’d be in the same situation.
There’s more. Repeatedly, Jason warns of serious threats and is dismissed. Even after being informed his advice won’t be ignored anymore. But Jason himself is a major problem. He,as the consort of the Prince, and therefore a member of the royal household, refuses to adhere to security measures and protocols. He constantly goes out without his guards, not reflecting on the ramifications of this for Varic and his staff.
He’s become an inconsistent character. As has Varic in relation with communication with Jason, what distance does to their relationship, etc.
It’s one element after another which weakens them, the story, their relationship, for the sake of a narrative drama that involves so many frustrating scenes and dysfunctional dynamics that it’s hard to care at times how it ends.
With a wedding and more things that just are pulled together quickly enough for the sake of the series rather than in keeping with everything that’s gone on before, with all the threads and characters’ personalities.
I like this author and feel that she has other, stronger series and characters to choose from.
Read this if you’re a fan, and to finish this series.
House of Maedoc :
- [x] His Consort #1
- [x] His Prince #2
- [x] His Realm #3
August 1, 2025
Absolutely insane conclusion to this series
I mean, Jason's basically too stupid to live throughout most of this book!
However, there's something about this series that's entertained me so much that I don't care how utterly insane the plotline got at times.
Varic is still Mr Uber Possessive Man and Jason still loves it. The rest of the gang are still doing their best to keep him alive when he goes off to do stupid things in spite of the plots to kill him, and there's boatload of deaths again.
Still, I can't put it down once I start reading, in spite of all the times it makes me roll my eyes, and that's why it gets 5*.
I mean, Jason's basically too stupid to live throughout most of this book!
However, there's something about this series that's entertained me so much that I don't care how utterly insane the plotline got at times.
Varic is still Mr Uber Possessive Man and Jason still loves it. The rest of the gang are still doing their best to keep him alive when he goes off to do stupid things in spite of the plots to kill him, and there's boatload of deaths again.
Still, I can't put it down once I start reading, in spite of all the times it makes me roll my eyes, and that's why it gets 5*.
May 30, 2024
Weeeeeeellllllll...I'm going to round up with my rating but I am just not sure exactly how I feel about this one.
Jason is still unprotected and getting kidnapped or protected and sneaking out. Varic is still gone and not communicating. Oh, and they never got married.
I'm not sure exactly how much time has passed since the last book but I was very surprised this didn't start with a wedding.
I am again sad. There was again a lot of loss.
The King's betrayal was to me, unforgivable and where his storyline goes at the end made me sort of sick to my stomach. He should have been executed. Sorry!
I wonder if this is the last one?
I don't know. I mostly liked it and it had some exciting moments. The Greenland vamps were nasty! I guess overall it was good and maybe reading three in a row was Jason overkill.
I'm also a little pissed this never made its way back to New Orleans.
Jason is still unprotected and getting kidnapped or protected and sneaking out. Varic is still gone and not communicating. Oh, and they never got married.
I'm not sure exactly how much time has passed since the last book but I was very surprised this didn't start with a wedding.
I am again sad. There was again a lot of loss.
The King's betrayal was to me, unforgivable and where his storyline goes at the end made me sort of sick to my stomach. He should have been executed. Sorry!
I wonder if this is the last one?
I don't know. I mostly liked it and it had some exciting moments. The Greenland vamps were nasty! I guess overall it was good and maybe reading three in a row was Jason overkill.
I'm also a little pissed this never made its way back to New Orleans.
April 15, 2025
(reread) I don't think I need to say any more than I already did in my previous review. This really was one good finale. I especially loved that the story didn't just end with a little epilogue after the big climax. No, we got the whole happily ever after, with all the bells and whistles. I couldn't be happier.
———
previous review:
4.5/5.
I am so incredibly glad I kept going even though book one wasn’t that great. This was one fantastic series. I loved this final part almost just as much as part two.
Although every book had a different plot (with the same kind of idea anyway) I loved how this final part just brought it all together. The end was heartbreaking but beautiful, with just as much action as the other books had and with just as much cheesy romance (even more so to be honest).
I’m really just rather sad this has come to an end.
———
previous review:
“Thank you for clarifying why the rules don’t apply to me. I love being your consort more than anything, and it’s good to know that the law doesn’t apply to mates.”
“No, it does not. Love eclipses all else.”
4.5/5.
I am so incredibly glad I kept going even though book one wasn’t that great. This was one fantastic series. I loved this final part almost just as much as part two.
Although every book had a different plot (with the same kind of idea anyway) I loved how this final part just brought it all together. The end was heartbreaking but beautiful, with just as much action as the other books had and with just as much cheesy romance (even more so to be honest).
I’m really just rather sad this has come to an end.
April 19, 2024
Too much 'splainin.
April 19, 2024
Rating: 3.5⭐
I just was so excited for this to come out, I love Jason and Varic. This series so so rich with found family, h/c, and the love between Jason and Varic is so epic. But this just did not hit the way I thought it would.
I think my expectations were too high or skewed maybe. The end of His Consort they were supposed to get married like the next day then this book starts out like a year later (I think? The timeline was a littleeeee unclear to me) and they still aren't married, and Varic is MIA.
Varic is actually MIA for like 87% of this book. Which is another point of disappointment for me. I love J & V together so much and you'd think after the 700 attempts on his consort's life that Varic wouldn't leave Jason in that palace alone for any period of time.
I understand Jason is supposed to be this like calm and understanding guy, but if your fiance left you in a palace where you're the only human for 5 months, you're father in-law doesn't seem to appreciate the endless effort you give and then cancels your vacation, which you later find out was him trying to MARRY YOU OFF TO HIS UNCLE.....I think some more emotion would be applicable. I've never wanted a character to have a lil breakdown more, like babe just snap a little bit, go crazy for 5 minutes, I'm begging. I just feel like Jason's flippancy about everything felt a little.....stupid. It was cute in His Prince, but now you've been In It for 2 years(???), I would think a trained soldier would get it into his brain not to go out alone when someone was just plotting to ship you off to Greenland less than 48 hours ago.
Things I wish were lingered on a bit more:
• Varic and Jason as rulers
• the kings betrayal
• the fact that Jason actually knows when something bad is about to happen and everyone just pats him on the head and is like silly human do you need a snack?
• CAN JASON PLEASE GO BACK TO NEW ORLEANS?
I just was so excited for this to come out, I love Jason and Varic. This series so so rich with found family, h/c, and the love between Jason and Varic is so epic. But this just did not hit the way I thought it would.
I think my expectations were too high or skewed maybe. The end of His Consort they were supposed to get married like the next day then this book starts out like a year later (I think? The timeline was a littleeeee unclear to me) and they still aren't married, and Varic is MIA.
Varic is actually MIA for like 87% of this book. Which is another point of disappointment for me. I love J & V together so much and you'd think after the 700 attempts on his consort's life that Varic wouldn't leave Jason in that palace alone for any period of time.
I understand Jason is supposed to be this like calm and understanding guy, but if your fiance left you in a palace where you're the only human for 5 months, you're father in-law doesn't seem to appreciate the endless effort you give and then cancels your vacation, which you later find out was him trying to MARRY YOU OFF TO HIS UNCLE.....I think some more emotion would be applicable. I've never wanted a character to have a lil breakdown more, like babe just snap a little bit, go crazy for 5 minutes, I'm begging. I just feel like Jason's flippancy about everything felt a little.....stupid. It was cute in His Prince, but now you've been In It for 2 years(???), I would think a trained soldier would get it into his brain not to go out alone when someone was just plotting to ship you off to Greenland less than 48 hours ago.
Things I wish were lingered on a bit more:
• Varic and Jason as rulers
• the kings betrayal
• the fact that Jason actually knows when something bad is about to happen and everyone just pats him on the head and is like silly human do you need a snack?
• CAN JASON PLEASE GO BACK TO NEW ORLEANS?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2024
His Realm is the trilogy third in House of Maedoc. HEA. MM Paranormal Romance. PNR. Royals. Vampires. Action. Kidnapping.
1POV, 1st person, past tense. This kindle edition 334 pages, April 16, 2024.
Now this was a fitting trilogy third! Whoa!
Everything got properly wrapped up into a fitting HEA.
Very dramatic! Exciting. I fell hard also for this one but no surprise there 😍
I love the good story. And I love HEA. I can only sigh the happy sigh of a fan of the series that's completely happy with what I got! I only wish for the series to GO ON!
Recommended!
1POV, 1st person, past tense. This kindle edition 334 pages, April 16, 2024.
Now this was a fitting trilogy third! Whoa!
Everything got properly wrapped up into a fitting HEA.
Very dramatic! Exciting. I fell hard also for this one but no surprise there 😍
I love the good story. And I love HEA. I can only sigh the happy sigh of a fan of the series that's completely happy with what I got! I only wish for the series to GO ON!
Recommended!
April 24, 2024
I’m about 56% in and I know I *will* finish, but I needed to get this out now. Honestly, was Jason dropped on his head as a child?
The plot devices used to keep this book moving are mostly annoying and dumb. Seriously, no one is that dumb. So Jason’s life choices just yank me out of the story immediately.
He’s in danger, but instead of being worried/scared, he’s admiring the view, he’s thinking about random nonsense, he’s asking random unnecessary questions that have nothing to do with anything. It’s like he can’t keep his brain on topic. And his eternal optimism is grating.
I’m supposed to believe that this man was a combat marine? I mean, how? He’s like an annoying puppy that’s incapable of self preservation or logical thought. And he just loves and forgives everyone, even when they’re absolutely horrible beings.
It just feels over the top and the emotions don’t connect with the actions actually happening in the story.
Ok back. All finished now.
The whole book just had a very weird tone. Actions and reasons for things that happen never really make any sense. Everything just lacks logic. And the whole twist to the baddies motives seems very convoluted.
Also, at one point towards the end, Jason thinks “I got the feeling he (Hadrien) thought I doubted Varic’s devotion or worry.” Dude, *I* doubt his devotion and worry. Varic is NEVER there. He turns up, does some saving, sprinkles pretty words, they have sex, then Varic is back off doing everything but ensuring his mate’s safety. That is until he needs to show up again to do a little more saving. I mean, after the events of book 2, you’d think the guy would be around a bit more to make sure no more shenanigans were gonna be happening. But, there’s really very little interaction between them. Jason spends more time with a new character named Cirillo throughout this book than he does his mate.
It, all in all, was a very weird conclusion to the series.
The plot devices used to keep this book moving are mostly annoying and dumb. Seriously, no one is that dumb. So Jason’s life choices just yank me out of the story immediately.
He’s in danger, but instead of being worried/scared, he’s admiring the view, he’s thinking about random nonsense, he’s asking random unnecessary questions that have nothing to do with anything. It’s like he can’t keep his brain on topic. And his eternal optimism is grating.
I’m supposed to believe that this man was a combat marine? I mean, how? He’s like an annoying puppy that’s incapable of self preservation or logical thought. And he just loves and forgives everyone, even when they’re absolutely horrible beings.
It just feels over the top and the emotions don’t connect with the actions actually happening in the story.
Ok back. All finished now.
The whole book just had a very weird tone. Actions and reasons for things that happen never really make any sense. Everything just lacks logic. And the whole twist to the baddies motives seems very convoluted.
Also, at one point towards the end, Jason thinks “I got the feeling he (Hadrien) thought I doubted Varic’s devotion or worry.” Dude, *I* doubt his devotion and worry. Varic is NEVER there. He turns up, does some saving, sprinkles pretty words, they have sex, then Varic is back off doing everything but ensuring his mate’s safety. That is until he needs to show up again to do a little more saving. I mean, after the events of book 2, you’d think the guy would be around a bit more to make sure no more shenanigans were gonna be happening. But, there’s really very little interaction between them. Jason spends more time with a new character named Cirillo throughout this book than he does his mate.
It, all in all, was a very weird conclusion to the series.
November 20, 2024
5 stars. What a fantastic series, three books total, all following the same couple, reviewed as a whole as it’s really just one big story. Starts with some delightful misconceptions when a human stumbles into a paranormal situation. The conclusions he draws are great and watching him piece together and figure out what he’s seeing and hearing is a treat. This excellent beginning is followed by a fantastic cat and mouse chase, an eventual meet-up and then romance and adventure. This couple gets together early in the series and stays together in an us-against-the-world, bad-things-around-every-corner, someone-is-out-to-get-me story. Excellent writing, excellent character development, fantastic trove of found-family and friends makes a rich story that hurts when the bad-things happen. And there are bad things, there is sadness and grief as everyone does not make it through this story unscathed. It is an HEA, rest assured there, but we suffer with the characters to get there.
Excellent world building, loved that we changed scenery, spent an entire book in the human world and then the next two books were in the vampire world. Intrigue, plotting and light royalty/court drama. This court/courtier drama was perfect, a bit catty but not OTT, with much more page space devoted to the running, escaping adventure parts of the story.
Well done, brilliant. I love this author, her style and story telling just DO IT for me. Sweet, sexy, spicy, interesting with some possessiveness. Mmm,mmm, good.
Vampire, human, fated mates, m/m, prince/commoner, contemporary, paranormal, series, t/b roles, really spicy.
Excellent world building, loved that we changed scenery, spent an entire book in the human world and then the next two books were in the vampire world. Intrigue, plotting and light royalty/court drama. This court/courtier drama was perfect, a bit catty but not OTT, with much more page space devoted to the running, escaping adventure parts of the story.
Well done, brilliant. I love this author, her style and story telling just DO IT for me. Sweet, sexy, spicy, interesting with some possessiveness. Mmm,mmm, good.
Vampire, human, fated mates, m/m, prince/commoner, contemporary, paranormal, series, t/b roles, really spicy.
June 9, 2025
3.5 stars
I love Jason and Varic, I love all the courtiers and courtesans, I love the action, and I mostly enjoyed the story.
There were 2 reasons why I'm not rating this higher:
The first is how a pivotal moment is handled. Because the story is told from Jason's sole POV, when he wakes up is when we pick up the story and the reader misses so much that happens. And the result is the whole final quarter and end feels very rushed and, if this is the last in this series which I really hope it's not, I would've liked an epilogue in the future when they have their kids and Ode's kids playing together and Varic has been king for a while...
I guess they're both really just "but I want more!" complaints. 🤔
I recommend the series, especially if you enjoy fantasy, vampires, shapeshifters.
A note for audio lovers like myself: The first two books are on audio narrated by Scott R. Smith, but Mary wrote in her group that he's stepping away from voice acting for a bit and the third audio, if it's made, might be with a different narrator. 🥺
I love Jason and Varic, I love all the courtiers and courtesans, I love the action, and I mostly enjoyed the story.
There were 2 reasons why I'm not rating this higher:
The first is how a pivotal moment is handled. Because the story is told from Jason's sole POV, when he wakes up is when we pick up the story and the reader misses so much that happens. And the result is the whole final quarter and end feels very rushed and, if this is the last in this series which I really hope it's not, I would've liked an epilogue in the future when they have their kids and Ode's kids playing together and Varic has been king for a while...
I guess they're both really just "but I want more!" complaints. 🤔
I recommend the series, especially if you enjoy fantasy, vampires, shapeshifters.
A note for audio lovers like myself: The first two books are on audio narrated by Scott R. Smith, but Mary wrote in her group that he's stepping away from voice acting for a bit and the third audio, if it's made, might be with a different narrator. 🥺
April 17, 2024
Hmmm - I probably won't read this one again. Unlike the first two, which I've read/listen to repeatedly. Storyline doesn't really change from the first two. Jason is chased/attacked/kidnapped, Varic saves him. Rinse and repeat.
January 19, 2025
4 stars
I have enjoyed b this world built by Calmes. Sometimes Jason was a bit too heroic to be believed, but overall, I really did like reading about this slightly OTT relationship journey. I absolutely loved some of the secondary characters in this novel.
I have enjoyed b this world built by Calmes. Sometimes Jason was a bit too heroic to be believed, but overall, I really did like reading about this slightly OTT relationship journey. I absolutely loved some of the secondary characters in this novel.
April 22, 2024
While I really liked the last book, this one felt underwhelming. There’s no character development here, the plot is weak and repetitive. There’s a time lapse between books 2 and 3 and they’re not married yet. Instead of focusing on that and thr upcoming coronation, we have a new villain, of course.
Jason gets himself kidnapped-again- because he did not listen to Varic and Zed -again and decided to go frolicking into the town alone -again, so Varic had to go rescue him -again.
Varic is absent for most of the book and Jason is still in this annoying flippant/unworried self. Varic is away for 5 months and they’re barely talking on the phone. Instead of taking charge of the situation, Jason simply goes with the motions. When people disrespects him, he doesn’t do anything despite his position. When he finally talks to Varic, and finds out the separation is slowly killing him and that Varic knew about it, the only thing he does is demand an apology. Groveling? Remind Varic he is not a toy? Of course not.
When the king tries to send him off as slave and bring Varic’s old lover to replace him, there’s no extra angst or discussion about that. He mentions he’s sad about the situation given he did so much work for the king and everyone was “yes, he is like that, don’t take it personally”.
The gaslighting with the vampires dismissing his security concerns was infuriating. He would point at the problems and everyone was like “it’s ok, weak human. You don’t know what you’re talking about. Have some snacks”.
The book ends with the wedding and we don’t see the coronation. Why is that? It felt unfinished and rushed since we don’t know if there will be a 4th book.
Jason gets himself kidnapped-again- because he did not listen to Varic and Zed -again and decided to go frolicking into the town alone -again, so Varic had to go rescue him -again.
Varic is absent for most of the book and Jason is still in this annoying flippant/unworried self. Varic is away for 5 months and they’re barely talking on the phone. Instead of taking charge of the situation, Jason simply goes with the motions. When people disrespects him, he doesn’t do anything despite his position. When he finally talks to Varic, and finds out the separation is slowly killing him and that Varic knew about it, the only thing he does is demand an apology. Groveling? Remind Varic he is not a toy? Of course not.
When the king tries to send him off as slave and bring Varic’s old lover to replace him, there’s no extra angst or discussion about that. He mentions he’s sad about the situation given he did so much work for the king and everyone was “yes, he is like that, don’t take it personally”.
The gaslighting with the vampires dismissing his security concerns was infuriating. He would point at the problems and everyone was like “it’s ok, weak human. You don’t know what you’re talking about. Have some snacks”.
The book ends with the wedding and we don’t see the coronation. Why is that? It felt unfinished and rushed since we don’t know if there will be a 4th book.
March 16, 2025
Oh how I missed Sean Crisden narrating!!! He was amazing and I think it elevated the story to what I'd have felt for it if I've just read it.
I have to say that it has been some time since I read the 2nd book, so I have forgotten most of the changes in statuses of the people surrounding Jason but nothing that would make following the story difficult. Well except one thing! The last third of the story, along with Jason there are 3 other people with him, two of which have such similar names that I couldn't figure out who was who EVERY SINGLE TIME! Come on Mary! There are a million names out there and you decided on 2 female names that are so similar there's no way to differentiate between them when someone is listening to the story.
Varic and Jason had very little time together, and the story was a roller coaster of happenings that were contradicting themselves -aka Jason noticing that there might be spies and a plot afoot but he goes wherever he pleases without his guards, no cellphone no nothing, Isabella knowing that Decimus wants her d*@d but she decided to waltz into his castle that they had no idea what was going on for the last couple of centuries or so, and I'm not sure if this will be the last book in the series, but if it is, it's kinda missing the epilogue (if it isn't, I think the story will lose its focus and go off the rails, which is something that can happen to Mary's writing).
All and all, I enjoyed it and it was a fun way to do some chores, but only if you don't look closely and examine the characters actions.
I have to say that it has been some time since I read the 2nd book, so I have forgotten most of the changes in statuses of the people surrounding Jason but nothing that would make following the story difficult. Well except one thing! The last third of the story, along with Jason there are 3 other people with him, two of which have such similar names that I couldn't figure out who was who EVERY SINGLE TIME! Come on Mary! There are a million names out there and you decided on 2 female names that are so similar there's no way to differentiate between them when someone is listening to the story.
Varic and Jason had very little time together, and the story was a roller coaster of happenings that were contradicting themselves -aka Jason noticing that there might be spies and a plot afoot but he goes wherever he pleases without his guards, no cellphone no nothing, Isabella knowing that Decimus wants her d*@d but she decided to waltz into his castle that they had no idea what was going on for the last couple of centuries or so, and I'm not sure if this will be the last book in the series, but if it is, it's kinda missing the epilogue (if it isn't, I think the story will lose its focus and go off the rails, which is something that can happen to Mary's writing).
All and all, I enjoyed it and it was a fun way to do some chores, but only if you don't look closely and examine the characters actions.
April 20, 2024
I was super excited to see another House of Maedoc story! I love Varic and Jason. However, I was really disappointed that Varic was missing for a good chunk of the story. Then the fact he had been gone for 5 WHOLE MONTHS? That seemed hard to believe when he told Jason over and over again how he couldn’t live without him. Then he wasn’t even calling. Hard to believe in this deep love when they’re not even speaking. It was better when they got together.
Plus, as much as I love Jason, sometimes he is TSTL. How on earth has he not learned his lesson to trust no one and always have his guard with him? 🤦🏽♀️
The king can rot and I will never forgive him no matter how much the queen and Varic love him. I’m also not going to forgive Carice no matter how pretty she is (or if Nerilla’s ghost tells me it’s okay). 🙄 I did like Varic’s former lover when I honestly thought I wouldn’t. It made me laugh how Varic just completely only had eyes for Jason even when the FL was around.
It did bother me that they hadn’t gotten married yet. At the end of Book 2, Varic said they were getting married like in two days. Yet when the book opens 2 years later they still hadn’t married? That was frustrating.
Still miss Nerilla. She totally deserved someone who would love just her. Cassius was a jerk and it’s hard to like someone who threw Nerilla aside for his courtesan, Carice.
I will miss these characters. Even Jason who I sometimes want to throttle for his stupid decisions. 😆
Plus, as much as I love Jason, sometimes he is TSTL. How on earth has he not learned his lesson to trust no one and always have his guard with him? 🤦🏽♀️
The king can rot and I will never forgive him no matter how much the queen and Varic love him. I’m also not going to forgive Carice no matter how pretty she is (or if Nerilla’s ghost tells me it’s okay). 🙄 I did like Varic’s former lover when I honestly thought I wouldn’t. It made me laugh how Varic just completely only had eyes for Jason even when the FL was around.
It did bother me that they hadn’t gotten married yet. At the end of Book 2, Varic said they were getting married like in two days. Yet when the book opens 2 years later they still hadn’t married? That was frustrating.
Still miss Nerilla. She totally deserved someone who would love just her. Cassius was a jerk and it’s hard to like someone who threw Nerilla aside for his courtesan, Carice.
I will miss these characters. Even Jason who I sometimes want to throttle for his stupid decisions. 😆
April 21, 2024
This book was exhausting. There was so much discussion about what they were going to do, then something chnages, then they change plans, then something else happens and they have to plan all over again. Plus, the premise of being separated for five months was idiotic. Varic is supposed to go insane if he is separated from his Matan. The flip flopping of characters from good guy to bad guy to good guy was infuriating. Jason (like so many of this author's MCs) thinks he is invincible and such a good judge of character but he never learn from the times he misjudges situations and people.
April 17, 2024
Rating: 4.5 stars
I love this series and really loved this book. I must say that the series as a whole is very violent but this book in particular was extremely so. My one complaint is the author keeps trying to give the king a redemption arc and I'm just not buying it. I don't think he can make up for his actions. I really hope the author writes more in this series. Overall, a wonderful book.
I love this series and really loved this book. I must say that the series as a whole is very violent but this book in particular was extremely so. My one complaint is the author keeps trying to give the king a redemption arc and I'm just not buying it. I don't think he can make up for his actions. I really hope the author writes more in this series. Overall, a wonderful book.
April 16, 2024
A fitting end
I was a little scared to read this thinking that it would be full of angst and conflic. But I should have trusted Mary as she delivered a wonderful story that tied up every loose end inn a beautiful big red bow or sash!
I was a little scared to read this thinking that it would be full of angst and conflic. But I should have trusted Mary as she delivered a wonderful story that tied up every loose end inn a beautiful big red bow or sash!
April 16, 2024
Loved this series
I have loved this series, and I will really miss the characters. I would love to see a novella or two showing Jason, Varic, and the fam with the potential children. Great ending though.
I have loved this series, and I will really miss the characters. I would love to see a novella or two showing Jason, Varic, and the fam with the potential children. Great ending though.
June 8, 2024
10 stars and I need a whole lot more! I need to see all the babies and the passage of time! *Heavy Sigh*
April 18, 2024
I would have loved an epilogue or bonus scene
A bonus scene 100 years later or something. Featuring the children, and Ode etc would have been wonderful and would have finished this better.
A bonus scene 100 years later or something. Featuring the children, and Ode etc would have been wonderful and would have finished this better.
March 30, 2025
Another excellent Calmes read. Hope there will be more.
May 21, 2024
2.5 Stars, rounded up because Mary Calmes. Wow, this book was not for me. More to follow….
July 28, 2024
Mary Calmes has a distinct style that I typically enjoy. It is not for everyone, but for me she's a comfort read. This last story in the Maedoc series was good, a solid 3.5 stars. It just wasn't as good as the previous 2. For me, it didn't flow as well. Part of that was, I had to keep checking on the roles of all the multitudes of characters. Thank goodness for the ability to search names within books on the Kindle. There were small things like in the final battle that just didn't quite make sense to me; the lack of the Wolf of Maedoc making an appearance (for one example). There are lots of reviews. I still enjoyed it. Mary Calmes is Mary Calmes.
December 7, 2025
3.25⭐️
The king is once again not being a king and shoving responsibilities into Jason's hands that he has no clue about. Jason has fortunately found allies bc he’s become somewhat isolated. Varic has been MIA for almost 6 months, and Jason's personal household treats him like a stupid, crazy, and fragile child who can't cope without his partner. That's the quick setup then it's off to the races as he's locked into some centuries old mess.
Calmes is good with action set pieces and the additional vampire enclave/way of life is intriguing. I'm basically a die-hard fan, and her odd blend of ridiculousness, non-sequiturs, OTT action/lust and strong friendships almost ensures I'm going to like the book despite all the things that irritate me. This one is no exception, but I really felt some type of way about major elements:
- Jason and Varic spend no time together. At least in the second book Jason got to bond with Varic's mother and began building a supportive family with his staff, but that's absent here. So too is what little growth Varic had as he's once again making decisions for his own needs without telling Jason, who also once again has to deal with the repercussions of Varic's selfishness.
- Broad picture, the story is kinda nonsensical, but the climax is dumb as hell. It had no reason to happen, full stop. Logic isn't part of her brand but sometimes its absence is too painful.
- The proficiency Jason was introduced with keeps eroding away; he spends the entire time imperiled with even fewer shows of his competence. You'd think with everyone harping about his humanity and millennia worth of combined combat experience at their disposal, someone would equip him to better take care of himself in case of separation from his guards. There's a very easy solution that crops up and plays a crucial role, but that particular protection is typically ascribed to women so it’s probably not manly enough.
- the killer piece: The king fucking SUCKS. Apparently, it doesn't matter that his bff and advisor and led him around like a baby duckling who was fed nubile bodies instead of bread crumbs. He is CONSTANTLY indulged and given a pass for even the most heinous shit. His selfishness and cowardice led him to basically cause He does ONE good thing to and is rewarded with everything he could have wanted with no repercussions. He's the ‘[king/man] Varic always knew he could be'. HOW?!?!?!???
I'm tired of Calmes’ almost irrational need to let people off the hook for terrible, sometimes egregious behavior bc they're family and/or for "closure". None of the closure comes with real accountability, simply the MC graciously pardoning them which may or may not lead to apologies. The submissive MCs in many of her pairings are constantly apologizing to ppl for something (even when they did nothing wrong). While the "alpha" or those actually behaving badly get the 'oh it's not in their nature to apologize/they're too proud/they don't know how' excuses for things that aren't minor.
Just let them apologize for whatever it is without excuses! I'm sorry I abandoned you to abuse. I'm sorry I hospitalized you. I'm sorry I horrifically betrayed your trust. I'm sorry I handed you over to be killed, and so many others from her books. Let them say that, not blame the MC in some way, THEN go for forgiveness.
She's starting to tip over the line between really oversimplifying for quick forgiveness and the feels and being an unintentional abuse apologist.
The king is once again not being a king and shoving responsibilities into Jason's hands that he has no clue about. Jason has fortunately found allies bc he’s become somewhat isolated. Varic has been MIA for almost 6 months, and Jason's personal household treats him like a stupid, crazy, and fragile child who can't cope without his partner. That's the quick setup then it's off to the races as he's locked into some centuries old mess.
Calmes is good with action set pieces and the additional vampire enclave/way of life is intriguing. I'm basically a die-hard fan, and her odd blend of ridiculousness, non-sequiturs, OTT action/lust and strong friendships almost ensures I'm going to like the book despite all the things that irritate me. This one is no exception, but I really felt some type of way about major elements:
- Jason and Varic spend no time together. At least in the second book Jason got to bond with Varic's mother and began building a supportive family with his staff, but that's absent here. So too is what little growth Varic had as he's once again making decisions for his own needs without telling Jason, who also once again has to deal with the repercussions of Varic's selfishness.
- Broad picture, the story is kinda nonsensical, but the climax is dumb as hell. It had no reason to happen, full stop. Logic isn't part of her brand but sometimes its absence is too painful.
- The proficiency Jason was introduced with keeps eroding away; he spends the entire time imperiled with even fewer shows of his competence. You'd think with everyone harping about his humanity and millennia worth of combined combat experience at their disposal, someone would equip him to better take care of himself in case of separation from his guards. There's a very easy solution that crops up and plays a crucial role, but that particular protection is typically ascribed to women so it’s probably not manly enough.
- the killer piece: The king fucking SUCKS. Apparently, it doesn't matter that his bff and advisor and led him around like a baby duckling who was fed nubile bodies instead of bread crumbs. He is CONSTANTLY indulged and given a pass for even the most heinous shit. His selfishness and cowardice led him to basically cause He does ONE good thing to and is rewarded with everything he could have wanted with no repercussions. He's the ‘[king/man] Varic always knew he could be'. HOW?!?!?!???
I'm tired of Calmes’ almost irrational need to let people off the hook for terrible, sometimes egregious behavior bc they're family and/or for "closure". None of the closure comes with real accountability, simply the MC graciously pardoning them which may or may not lead to apologies. The submissive MCs in many of her pairings are constantly apologizing to ppl for something (even when they did nothing wrong). While the "alpha" or those actually behaving badly get the 'oh it's not in their nature to apologize/they're too proud/they don't know how' excuses for things that aren't minor.
Just let them apologize for whatever it is without excuses! I'm sorry I abandoned you to abuse. I'm sorry I hospitalized you. I'm sorry I horrifically betrayed your trust. I'm sorry I handed you over to be killed, and so many others from her books. Let them say that, not blame the MC in some way, THEN go for forgiveness.
She's starting to tip over the line between really oversimplifying for quick forgiveness and the feels and being an unintentional abuse apologist.
April 27, 2025
Jason and Varic
I’m not a big fan of this one.
once again varic goes away and leaves Jason in life or death situations.
once again nobody believes Jason that bad things are happening.
once again, Jason runs willy-nilly into danger, leaving his guards and protection behind
shenanigans happen.
it seems like it all could be avoided with a little more communication and a little more respect for his bodyguards.
Drama
Violence
Stupid decisions
Betrayal
Closure
I’m not a big fan of this one.
once again varic goes away and leaves Jason in life or death situations.
once again nobody believes Jason that bad things are happening.
once again, Jason runs willy-nilly into danger, leaving his guards and protection behind
shenanigans happen.
it seems like it all could be avoided with a little more communication and a little more respect for his bodyguards.
Drama
Violence
Stupid decisions
Betrayal
Closure
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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