Thicker Than Water

Summoner Sisters #3

by Allison Hurd

For the dead shall be raised.

So reads the inscription across the gate to the local cemetery. They like putting terrible things on gates in this part of the world, which certainly does nothing to encourage Summer and Lia to visit more than is necessary. Alas, they need time to recover from the endless fights of the past month, the better to stem the tides of magic that still threaten them. But back amid reminders of a past they wish could be rewritten, the sisters realize that their lives have taken an unexpected toll on their loved ones. And their cousin, fellow black sheep seeking redemption, is the one who has paid.

In order to square their debts, Summer and Lia must decide whether blood ties or their covenants are stronger. The longer they stall, the harder it is to keep their promises and deny old desires. Want is a powerful motivator—so much so, its calls can be heard from beyond the grave.

Genres: Fantasy

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2024

About the author

I mostly use Goodreads as a reader. I love talking books, cracking jokes (some say too many), and trying to invoke The Once And Future King all the time always. Send me a friend request! I avoid sending them as many expect indie authors to be very aggressive and I don't want to start a friendship with a shudder at the thought of incoming bookwhacking from an author. (Which I do not do!) **I will not message you about any blog or promotional activities**

A quick list of negatives:

-I won't add your book to my group, as that's not how my group works.
-I don't work for Goodreads or Amazon and can't fix your technical issues.
-I'm not looking for romantic connections

Sorry if that crushes your hopes! I hate being the bearer of bad news, but I also think it's better we're upfront with each other :)

If you are here to learn about my books, the third book in The Summoner Sisters, is expected next year, and I have three other series and two stand-alone books I'm slowly writing. I write fiction--strong emphasis on urban fantasy and mythic fantasy.

If you're looking for The First One's Free it's presently free! Sign up here for your free short story!

Hope to chat with you here or in a group!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Reviews

[Allison Hurd]

As usual, I won't rate my own book, but I wanted to talk about this one a little. It was written just in time for the pandemic to hit and sap all my creative energy. I know many used the enforced time at home to get a lot of creative work done, but for me, it was a season of depression. This is the darkest book in the series, I believe. It still has jokes and wit and moments of (what I hope are) joy, but it is also about the holidays, and the performative aspect of them, and, of course, an insidious monster on the prowl, and, like with so much after the pandemic, I found myself in a different frame of mind.

I also had delays with the cover and finally said "fuck it" and put something out myself. Eventually I'll have my pro get back to it, but life be lifin', and I'm ready to see this one stand on its own.

It was a lot of fun to write, when writing was fun, and finally reveals a lot of what has so far been hinted at. I'm hoping to get back into book 4 now that this is officially out of my brain, and continue with the wacky shenanigans of two sisters who just cannot catch a break.

I hope you read it in good health, in the knowledge that someone loves you like the people in this book love each other. (And no, the aunts in this book are not based on my aunts. My aunts rock.)

[Hank · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the author noted a bit darker than the previous two. Darker in the emotional trauma department not the scary, lots of gore entry although there is lots of blowing things up which appeals to my male brain.

The sisters are a bit in conflict with each other this go around and we get some very good back story on how they end up summoners. Summer takes the brunt of the collateral physical and emotional damage and finishes the book in a tough but somehow satisfying place.

All three book have had very different vibes to them. This one is a bit more Harry Dresden like with the world seemingly completely against the sisters with new friends appearing to help.

Will read the next if it exists in the future