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Mytho Collapse #1

Minotaurs and other Magic

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Come for the minotaur and stay for the magic.

When a hiking trip in the human world goes wrong, Nate Lee finds himself in another world, stealing to survive. His crimes land him at the hooves of Prince minotaur, musician, and massive...

While his brother rules the city, Rohan de Calla concerns himself with smaller matters, like cute human thieves who don't belong there. Rohan pays off Nate’s debt, now Nate owes him.

And Nate soon realizes the size of his predicament…

Visit Tariko before the collapse of the mythological world into ours.

Unknown Binding

Published January 28, 2025

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About the author

T.J. Nichols

97 books351 followers
TJ Nichols (they/them) is the author of the Studies in Demonology and Familiar Mates series. They write mostly gay fantasy and paranormal romance, but sometimes gay action/horror as Toby J. Nichols.

After traveling all over the world and Australia, TJ now lives in Perth, Western Australia.

Free gay shifter novella when you join TJ's newsletter: http://tjnichols-author.com/lp/

You can find TJ on
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TJNichols
Ream: https://reamstories.com/tjnichols
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TJNichols.au...
follow me on Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/tjnichols or Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tj-ni...

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5 stars
74 (39%)
4 stars
61 (32%)
3 stars
32 (16%)
2 stars
18 (9%)
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4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Profile Image for Joscelyn.
112 reviews5 followers
November 3, 2025
This was a fun surprise. I found it on Hoopla randomly looking for something fast to listen to and now I want more of this world please and thank you. Will have to check out the other Mytho series! What a treat.
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
9,313 reviews526 followers
January 28, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.

4 stars


Minotaurs and Other Magic is the first book in T.J. Nichols’ Mytho Collapse series, a prequel to the fabulous Mytho Investigations series. That series focuses on the aftermath of the world of Tariko collapsing into the human world, bringing mythological beings (or mythos) into the human realm. As we learn in that series, things don’t go well initially for the mythos, and part of that series plot follows their plight as they fight for their rights and to be recognized as people. So this series takes us back to Tariko before the collapse to see what life is like as things begin to fall apart. I think this book would work for new readers, as it is really setting the stage for upcoming events, but I also think fans of the main series are going to get more out of this one.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

Profile Image for Cynthia M Brow.
1,463 reviews20 followers
January 13, 2025
Minotaurs and other Magic is the first book in the Mytho Collapse series. This is a spinoff from the Mytho series where we get to see Tariko before the collapse. This is the story of Nate a human and Rohan a minotaur. I loved these two so much. The characters and world building are amazing. I loved seeing Tariko and the it's values. I loved the chemistry and steam between Nate and Rohan. I do wish the book was longer but I still loved it. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book.
Profile Image for ash-reads-romance.
277 reviews6 followers
February 6, 2025
Hot Minotaur erotica coming and coming and coming! Smoking hot little novella where Nate, our hapless elementary school teacher, gets tossed into a mythical world where mythical greek creatures and gods are real! And he’s in danger! but then isn’t! Because a super hot Minotaur Prince buys his debt and takes him captive and has him live in a fancy castle with him. Attraction and friendship take hold and wham bam thank you ma’am, he’s banged the super hot Minotaur with the BIGGEST 🍆
And the naughtiest tail in the smexiest of ways.

The fantasy world that TJ creates has a ton of wonderful concepts and sets us up for a great second book, can’t wait!
Profile Image for Elaine White.
Author 45 books263 followers
February 16, 2025
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **

~

Minotaurs and Other Magic
Mytho Collapse, 01
by T.J. Nichols
★★★★★


Minotaurs and Other Magic is the first book in the spin-off series from Mytho: Mytho Collapse. In this series, we go back to before the collapse that brought Earth and Tariko crashing into each other.

The first story takes place months before the collapse, when no one is aware there's even a risk to Tariko's future. Nate is a human, who is hiking through Wales when a rockslide leaves him stumbling into Tariko, with no idea where he is or any way to communicate. He manages to survive a few days on his hiking supplies, then resorts to stealing clothes and food, which lands him in hot water. He's chased by guards into a local inn, where Rohan is playing the harp.
Rohan is the prince of Callo, a kingdom/city in Tariko. His brother is the king, so Rohan mingles with the people often to make sure everyone is happy. When he sees Nate being captured by vampire guards, he intervenes on behalf of the Strega, who had warned him to be on the lookout for anything unusual. A human man in jeans and boots is very unusual, so Rohan buys his debt, incurred from his theft, and takes Nate home as a sort of protective detail prisoner.

Together, Nate and Rohan are an interest, fiery combination. Rohan is a minotaur, with a bull's head and horns, but Nate manages to look past that, and the hooves!, to see the kind man within. He's also *very* flirtatious and spicy with Nate, who finds himself reciprocating.

The story is basically all about Nate finding his footing in Tariko, learning about the customs and finding a place to belong. It's mostly about his relationship with Rohan, as there's a definite forced proximity going on which limits how many people Nate interacts with. So a lot of the book is just spicy sexy time between Nate and Rohan until the end.

The Epilogue does feature the collapse in real time and both Nate and Rohan ending up in Earth because of it. My only wish would have been to see them finding safety or hiding in Earth, because I can only imagine that a human and minotaur pair would have been separated or hunted pretty quickly during the chaos of the collapse. Hopefully that will be explained in Pan's story, which is next, or I'm just going to believe they ran into the forest and took shelter until the internment camps protected them from the human riots.

Overall, I really loved it. It was a snippet of insight into the world that we know so well from the Mytho Investigations series, while adding in some interesting new facts, such as what we learn about the Strega, the implication Nate's fall into Tariko wasn't quite an accident but more a preparation for what was to happen later. I'm intrigued to see how this spin-off series continues to reveal more.

~

Favourite Quote

“I’m not going anywhere.”
“They might offer you jewels.”
Nate shook his head. “I don’t want them.”
“Elvish princes.”
“Not interested.”
“A pack of werewolves to serve you.”
Nate pretended to consider that for a moment.
Rohan tickled his ribs. “One minotaur is not enough? You need a pack of werewolves?”
Nate laughed and squirmed. “You’re more than enough.”
3,173 reviews21 followers
January 31, 2025
​Nate went out for a hike with friends, there was thunder, a rockslide and he woke up in another world alone. He had some supplies so that he could take care of his wounds and eat for a couple of days. Then to survive he has to steal. He is not happy about that but he does what he needs to. Until he is caught and since he does not speak the language he fears what will happen to him. He is fortunate that he was arrested in the place where Rohan, a prince and a minotaur, happened to be playing his harp. Rohan purchases Nate's debt for what he stole and takes Nate home with him. They didn't have the best start. Nate's appearance is an oddity that Rohan has been asked to look out for and until they look into what brought him to their world it takes them a while to really start building their emotional bond. But the attraction is there from the start. As it becomes clear that Nate is not a threat, they learn about one another and allow their courtship of one another to commence. Nate comes to not only like where he is but see it as home and Rohan as his beloved. Their story is rather sweet and a little startling at the end. But it made me want to know what happens next to them.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Anna.
70 reviews
August 3, 2025
This was good, like really, really good. Short but a slice of perfection. I was in the mood for some spicy monster romance and I got so much more. Love the whole concept of the story. Didn’t even realize this was essentially like the prequel to the story. Which is a bummer because tf..I love Nate and Rohan and the way this book ends…..really? I love a good cliffhanger but c’mon at least follow up with some answers. We get new characters in the next book. (Which, yeah okay is fine & it seems like a good book) BUT I have questions that need answers like wtf happens with Nate and Rohan?! I need details! THEN I read in another review that this is a spinoff of another series! ((Mythos Investigations)Which I immediately had to add to my TBR but that’s besides the point).
Too much, man. I just came for a little spicy monster love and yes there was that but ffs I’m feeling a little overwhelmed rn. I wasn’t mentally prepared for all this.
3.8/🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Scatteredashes.
465 reviews5 followers
January 15, 2025
I absolutely loved the Mythos series and was happy to get this insight in to what happened before the collapse. While it could be read before you dive in, I do think there's a weight to reading this story if you know what happens in the aftermath of the collapse. Nate was out hiking with some friends when he slips into another world. Without knowledge of the customs or language he is caught stealing food and clothing that he needs. Rohan is a minotaur and has been looking out for some strange events. He counts this as strange and takes Nate with him. These two form a really nice bond, and though it's a quick read, it's also a sweet one. It's hard at the end knowing what's about to happen and I do feel that it's a little abrupt. Yet, the ending feels appropriate for the length and knowing that we get to see the rest from others' POV through the Mythos series.
Profile Image for Jeanette Waters.
2,191 reviews5 followers
January 29, 2025
This story is a prequel to TJ Nichols Mythos series. For those of us who haven't read the series, it's a wonderful introduction. Other reviewers, who are familiar, have said it's nice to see how the collapse of dimensional gates happened.
Nate arrives in Tariko, predicted by the Strega. Not sure if he's dreaming or in a coma, he meets a Minotaur, Prince Rohan. Tied together for a year and a day by a debt, the two are attracted. And they are hot together. Rohan is almost two feet taller and all around, larger. There's a size difference, sexy times with a tail, and cultures clashing. It doesn't stop the two from falling in love.
This is an excellent start to a new series. Great worldbuilding. A bit of excitement towards the story's end. Looking forward to the next part of the story.
Fun quick read.
I received an advanced copy of this book from GRR, and this is my review.
5,053 reviews19 followers
February 2, 2025
Exciting new world! Nate, a human, was on an ordinary hike when after a fall, he finds himself in a new land of the formerly unbelievable. Rohan, is a minotaur of the people while his brother, rules the city. Nate, is caught stealing and Rohan buys his debt. Nate, didn't realize repayment of the debt would take a year and a day's obligation. As they get to know each other and learn each other's culture and language, a sweet bond develops. Great story about learning one's truth, learning acceptance and tolerance with a bit of unexpected action thrown in. The author does an excellent job with the world building and introducing Nate to his new reality. Nate and Rohan are really nice characters and supporting charaters are fun too. Very enjoyable and excellent start to a new series. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
780 reviews6 followers
February 1, 2025
This fluffy, low angst book is a fun ride from beginning to end. It's a page-turner that's original and well written, and what a cliffhanger! I really can't wait to read about the fallout (this is a prequel to the Mythos series). The MCs are very likable and they are attracted to each other from the get-go. Poor Nate is on a hike and find himself on a different world.  He definitely makes the best of things, although he's thrown for a loop to begin with. Rohan is a minotaur who is kind and loving, and he takes good care of Nate. I enjoyed the world building, the humour and spice, as well as the side characters. I haven't read the Mythos series yet, but I most certainly will now, to see what the consequences are of the collapse.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Fran.
1,065 reviews11 followers
January 25, 2025
This first book of Mythos Collapse is a great read. We meet human Nate Lee who on a hike with friends unfortunately enters Tariko unannounced and unprepared after being thrown through a portal. He resorts to thievery to remain alive. Once captured he falls to the feet or hooves as the case may be of Minotaur prince Rohan. Intrigued by Nate Rohan pays his bounty price and becomes Nate's owner for the next year and one month. The chemistry between these two is both magical and steamy. Reading about Tariko and its cultural norms and rules before its disintegration just adds to the whole spinoff element of the Mythos series. For the ARC I received I'm giving an honest and voluntary opinion.
Profile Image for AshPenny37 .
1,059 reviews5 followers
January 29, 2025
I loved the Mythos series by this author so I was intrigued to hear a prequel series was on the horizon, showing life and love in Tariko before the great collapse that led to the mytho characters in the other series being on earth.

Nate and Rowan's tale is a short story but manages to pack in enough world building goodness and relationship interest to satisfy. I liked how Nate’s arrival in Tariko and the subsequent meeting with Rohan were handled. The journey from mistrust to curiosity to being together was sweet and spicy.

I also enjoyed getting a bit more of the ways of life on Tariko and the mystery around the Strega's power, too. Yes, I'm definitely looking forward to more in the Mytho Collapse series. 4*

An ARC was provided by GRR. This is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Anne Barwell.
Author 23 books107 followers
December 23, 2025
I’m already a huge fan of the author’s Mytho series, and loved seeing Tariko before the collapse. One of my favourite tropes is fish out of water, and Nate had a lot of adjusting to do when he’s ripped from our world into another. I hope we see more of Nate and Rohan in this new series.

I loved Nate and Rohan’s connection, and how curiosity soon turns to more as they get to know each other. I liked how the differences between worlds were addressed, with not just culture, but clothing and language too. I enjoyed seeing the Mythos in their own world, and their society, with magic functioning properly, and the stark difference with how they treat anyone different compared to what is waiting for them on our world.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
879 reviews4 followers
November 25, 2024
4.5⭐️ I absolutely loved the Mytho series and was really excited to learn we were going to get this spinoff Mytho Collapse series. It was interesting to see the other side before the collapse and how much different their world was. I do wish the story was longer but even as short as it was it was a great story. There was plenty of heat! I found it interesting to see a glimpse of another part of the world as well. This group doesn’t end up in the US and it appears their preparation contributed with their easier integration. I’m looking forward to seeing more from this world and fingers crossed we run into some old friends.
277 reviews6 followers
February 1, 2025
Oh I had so much fun reading this. I am not a giant PNR but I took a chance on this and loved it. Nate was shocked that he started out hiking with his friends and ended up in a strange land called Tariko. He ended up stealing clothes and food after his supplies ran out, and unfortunately it ended up he stole from vampires. Wait, this land has vampires and a Minotaur named Rohan who saved him by buying his debt. The journey for Nate was hard(pun intended) but in the end(oops another one) it had chariots, a big big bathtub, comfy sleeping arrangements and a chance to be the talented teacher he was back on Earth. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in May.
Profile Image for Juniper.
3,463 reviews24 followers
February 1, 2025
This story is the first in a series that serves as a prequel to the author’s Mytho Investigation books, and while it can stand alone in terms of both romance and world building, as a fan of the previous works I deeply appreciated the depth and nuance that this story adds to a universe I thought I already knew really well– as well as a fair amount of deftly interwoven foreshadowing of things to come. Rohan (minotaur) and Nate (human) have enough chemistry to make their connection interesting, and I’d definitely love to see more of them in future stories– main characters or not, it feels like they have further to go. 4.5 stars.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Profile Image for Tony Farnden.
240 reviews2 followers
February 25, 2025
This a story set on Tariko in the months leading up to the Earth caused collapse. Nate Lee falls through a 'gateway into Tariko and has to steal to survive until he is caught. He ends up in the care of Prince Rohan de Calla, a minotaur. The story follows them as they build trust and something more.

Whatever life they are building has the shadow of the collapse over it but they do not know that. This is a lushious tale with love and chases around a maze to satisfy most readers. A short but wonderful read.
Profile Image for Tenshisonnet.
158 reviews
March 23, 2025
This books serves as a great introduction to this universe as much as it highlights the physical opposites attract dynamic. Rohan, the minotaur, teaches Nate just as much about his world and a different POV as Nate teaches Rohan about Earth. Minotaurs and Other Magic is a minimal drama, fish out of water, isekai story with a relatable MC, an intriguing mythical beau. The smut scenes are as plentiful as they could be in such a short read. This is a good choice for a fantasy read that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome, but hooks you into a larger, not far from our own universe.
Profile Image for Bianca.
1,106 reviews7 followers
November 14, 2024
Nate and Rohan story brings to us the world of Tariko, their struggles and challenges as they fall in love and discover new things.
I liked the world, the values and concept of living, as well as the way Nate adapted to the unknown.
Their chemistry was off the charts, and I liked their moments together.
It was interesting to see the way they assimilated the new knowledge, their way of life, and their principles.
I liked the experience and I’m looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Jeanine Beaulieu St Pierre.
1,223 reviews3 followers
January 26, 2025
This is the first book I read in this series and I got to say I liked it,Nate Lee is walking on a hiking trail with his friends and suddenly finds himself in a different world so he has to survive by stealing food and clothes but gets caught,,a Princess Minotaur Rohan sees the human and saves him but as they both try to understand each other love blossoms but all not over because they decide to stay together earthshaking and sinkhole appear and they have to figure out what is happening,,,I read this book for this author through BookFunnel for my honest opinion
1,669 reviews12 followers
January 29, 2025
Nate finds himself in another world/dimension and as much as he doesn't from that point it's hard to even see Rohan as any kind of monster. He has no choice but to steal to survive. Prince Rohan buys his debt, because he can't do anything else once he sees Nate. The end of this book is not the end to their story, however their love is undeniable. The world literally comes crumbling down. I really enjoyed it! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Profile Image for Lisa.
3,609 reviews143 followers
January 29, 2025
As a first book in the series it did set the world. However, I thought the ending was strange. I am not sure if the arc will continue in the next book or that was it.
Nate whilst hiking is knocked down and he wakes up in a mythological world. He commits and crime and the crime is bought by a minotaur, Rohan. Nate has 1 year and a day to pay off his debt.
The 2 naturally get into a relationship and then 6 weeks later, the 2 are dumped back on earth and thats the end.
Profile Image for Joanne Mccorkell.
1,667 reviews15 followers
January 30, 2025
My poor poor human. Nate somehow manages to save himself from a rockslide, by sliding into a world full of mythical creatures. Here he doesnt know the language or customs and accidentally ends up in servitude to the Minotaur prince. Luckily Rohan finds him intriging enough to buy his debt.
Nates persuaded to teach english as a way to pay his debt, not a hardship, he speaks and reads the language, but the mythos must foresee huge change and make to most of using Nates skills


An easy read,
Profile Image for Deb Kel.
2,791 reviews8 followers
January 31, 2025
I just love TJ's imagination! A new series spin off from the Mytho series (which i highly recommend). We step back to Tariko before the collapse. We meet Nate (who is a human) and Rohan (a minotaur Prince). I thoroughly enjoyed following their journey and thought the word building and relationship development were just perfect! Such brilliant chemistry between them and some intense steamy moments. All of this and a plot that kept me hooked until the end and now I need the next one!
Profile Image for Nori H.
242 reviews37 followers
March 1, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this book that takes place in the 6 months before the collapse of Tariko, magical realm, into human Earth. You really need to read the first book in the Mythos series, if not all 8 books, in order to fully enjoy the way this story reveals Tariko’s culture and magic. All the Mythos books are great so enjoy the fantastic world TJ Nichols created. I especially enjoy the steamy scenes intertwined with fabulous stories.
Profile Image for Alan Wilson.
146 reviews
May 26, 2025
A fun, frivolous, frolic in a world I’ve not been to, but would be happy to find myself in. I didn’t realise this was a prequel, and there’s a whole series of books to go. It’s my first from TJ Nichols, and is unlikely to be my last.
This was a novella, and the audiobook I listened to was very well performed. Give it a go, maybe you’ll find something that you like, that you never knew you needed.
Profile Image for Gerald Sessions.
1,560 reviews6 followers
June 16, 2025
parallel worlds.

Nate went on a walk a rock side happened and he found himself in another world where Minotaur and vampires were normal. Nate was excepted in this world and enjoyed learning about it and teaching about earth. He fell in love with his Minotaur Rohan. The reverse is now happened and there’s somewhere on earth, but Nate doesn’t think earth people will be as excepting of them as they were of him. Fantastic story I can’t wait to get into the next volume.
Profile Image for Melissa.
670 reviews1 follower
December 7, 2024
This was a fascinating introduction to how the Mytho world becomes the Mytho world. Watching Nate grow as he comes to love the world he has fallen into was sweet with some spice. I will say that even though this is book 1 it felt a lot like a prequel... but that could be that the series is a prequel series.
2,472 reviews16 followers
January 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this story and liked Rohan and Nate together. I have seen that this is a spinoff series and that there is another one about Mytho’s but I think this is set before that one so I’m not sure whether to read it yet or leave it until I read more from this series which I’m really looking forward to doing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews