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Monsters of Faery #4
Caught in the Basilisk's Gaze: Monsters of Faery
My fated mate doesn't want me—but if he doesn't claim me, I die.
I risked my life to help fae flee a tyrant king. When my own escape goes wrong, I'm left stranded in the wilderness with an injured, arrogant fae mercenary. The last thing he wants is to claim his mortal soulmate, but we have to rely on each other, or die.
Unfortunately, he's half-basilisk, and a single glance will kill me. Unless we mate . . . every three days.
He's cocky, aloof, and far too aware of what his venom does to me. From the wilderness to the fae High Court, he's my unwilling companion—and devoted, deadly protector. I can't help being drawn to his passion and the playfulness he only shows me.
I'm hunted by a king and cursed with deadly magic I can barely control. He's haunted by a past he refuses to acknowledge and secrets he can't avoid.
Alone, we don't stand a chance . . . but together, we might bring a kingdom to its knees.
Contains mature themes.
I risked my life to help fae flee a tyrant king. When my own escape goes wrong, I'm left stranded in the wilderness with an injured, arrogant fae mercenary. The last thing he wants is to claim his mortal soulmate, but we have to rely on each other, or die.
Unfortunately, he's half-basilisk, and a single glance will kill me. Unless we mate . . . every three days.
He's cocky, aloof, and far too aware of what his venom does to me. From the wilderness to the fae High Court, he's my unwilling companion—and devoted, deadly protector. I can't help being drawn to his passion and the playfulness he only shows me.
I'm hunted by a king and cursed with deadly magic I can barely control. He's haunted by a past he refuses to acknowledge and secrets he can't avoid.
Alone, we don't stand a chance . . . but together, we might bring a kingdom to its knees.
Contains mature themes.
Audible Audio
First published February 29, 2024
659 people are currently reading
2254 people want to read
About the author
Mallory Dunlin
17 books373 followersMallory Dunlin is a certified monster lover who cut her reader eyeteeth on fantasy epics. She combines her reading passions into writing romantasy novels with powerful women and traumatized, dangerous, non-human male leads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
February 25, 2024
ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
“People get to change… you get to choose. Sometimes what we need is to burn who we were to the ground and start over.”
I adored this book! I don’t think it was my absolute favourite of Mallory Dunlin’s books, just because it took me a little longer to warm up to the main character than usual, but I really grew to love the story. Dunlin’s stories are usually fairly character driven, but also have an overarching plot that’s fairly interesting, and this book was no different. I was simultaneously captivated by the political intrigue and minor murder-mystery vibes, and the flourishing relationship between our two MCs. And, as always, Dunlin put so much effort into the worldbuilding, with clothing designs that work for our darling amalgam, and fascinating magic.
“I’d make mistakes. Of course I would. But when I did, I knew a healer and an amalgam mage. Maybe they could help me put the world back together, and I could try again.”
Both our main characters had the most beautiful growth, and I loved the way Dunlin wrote the development of her characters and relationships – mistakes were made, because the characters were truly human (metaphorically 🤭), but they also communicated and learnt from their mistakes. It was all just so… mature and adult and realistic! I loved it.
“If you’re a ghost, haunt me. Let me hold you when your nightmares leave you screaming. Water the ash with tears and watch the wildflowers bloom with me… I always loved ghost stories. I can love yours too.”
Our heroine in this novel was quite different to Dunlin’s usual – she was less confident with her sexuality or body, which was a change. But it was all demonstrated and explained so well, and I loved watching her embrace her needs and physicality with Vaduin.
“I missed you… isn’t that strange? I didn’t know I could miss people anymore, but I missed you.”
Vaduin was almost the complete opposite, and had such a strong aversion to meaningful connections with others – but his development was equally gorgeous. And the way they grew together while attempting to find their soulmate balance? I was obsessed.
“We were soulmates. Not in the future, and not some better versions of ourselves. We were soulmates now, broken and scarred and fucked-up as we were.”
Overall, this was just such an enjoyable and fun read – with a wonderful mix of plot-twists, humour, romance, and a bit of monster smut (less than usual for Mallory Dunlin, tbh). So good! Thank you so much to the author and Booksprout for the review copy 🥰.
“People get to change… you get to choose. Sometimes what we need is to burn who we were to the ground and start over.”
I adored this book! I don’t think it was my absolute favourite of Mallory Dunlin’s books, just because it took me a little longer to warm up to the main character than usual, but I really grew to love the story. Dunlin’s stories are usually fairly character driven, but also have an overarching plot that’s fairly interesting, and this book was no different. I was simultaneously captivated by the political intrigue and minor murder-mystery vibes, and the flourishing relationship between our two MCs. And, as always, Dunlin put so much effort into the worldbuilding, with clothing designs that work for our darling amalgam, and fascinating magic.
“I’d make mistakes. Of course I would. But when I did, I knew a healer and an amalgam mage. Maybe they could help me put the world back together, and I could try again.”
Both our main characters had the most beautiful growth, and I loved the way Dunlin wrote the development of her characters and relationships – mistakes were made, because the characters were truly human (metaphorically 🤭), but they also communicated and learnt from their mistakes. It was all just so… mature and adult and realistic! I loved it.
“If you’re a ghost, haunt me. Let me hold you when your nightmares leave you screaming. Water the ash with tears and watch the wildflowers bloom with me… I always loved ghost stories. I can love yours too.”
Our heroine in this novel was quite different to Dunlin’s usual – she was less confident with her sexuality or body, which was a change. But it was all demonstrated and explained so well, and I loved watching her embrace her needs and physicality with Vaduin.
“I missed you… isn’t that strange? I didn’t know I could miss people anymore, but I missed you.”
Vaduin was almost the complete opposite, and had such a strong aversion to meaningful connections with others – but his development was equally gorgeous. And the way they grew together while attempting to find their soulmate balance? I was obsessed.
“We were soulmates. Not in the future, and not some better versions of ourselves. We were soulmates now, broken and scarred and fucked-up as we were.”
Overall, this was just such an enjoyable and fun read – with a wonderful mix of plot-twists, humour, romance, and a bit of monster smut (less than usual for Mallory Dunlin, tbh). So good! Thank you so much to the author and Booksprout for the review copy 🥰.
February 21, 2024
Can I just simp a lil but for Dunlin? This version of Faery is amazing. It was deadly, incorporated classic lore with an original twist, and had all the political machinations one would expect from immortal fae. The soulmate bonds are so unique. Instead of just being “fated mates”, the main characters can fall into dynamics ranging from nemeses or rivals to true loves or devotees, depending on how they build their relationships after meeting.
Both Vaduin and Danica were severely traumatized by their pasts and thrown into being soul mates while in a life or death situation in forced proximity. Every decision was high stakes and difficult to make. There were also plot twists galore.
The book was thicc AF but engaging and fast paced. It was also very smutty and filled with tender moments during those scenes. The slow burn romance was messy and tender.
There was one significant plot point that wasn’t wrapped up, but I’m assuming it will be a part of the next book.
Highly recommend!
Spice: 5/5
SPOILERS IN TRIGGER WARNINGS
Triggers: PTSD, flashbacks, SA (off page), involuntary dr*g use, discussion of child abuse, domestic abuse (off page), torture, violence, severe injury of child, gore, dismemberment, kidnapping, captivity, poisoning, falling from sky, grief, coma.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Both Vaduin and Danica were severely traumatized by their pasts and thrown into being soul mates while in a life or death situation in forced proximity. Every decision was high stakes and difficult to make. There were also plot twists galore.
The book was thicc AF but engaging and fast paced. It was also very smutty and filled with tender moments during those scenes. The slow burn romance was messy and tender.
There was one significant plot point that wasn’t wrapped up, but I’m assuming it will be a part of the next book.
Highly recommend!
Spice: 5/5
SPOILERS IN TRIGGER WARNINGS
Triggers: PTSD, flashbacks, SA (off page), involuntary dr*g use, discussion of child abuse, domestic abuse (off page), torture, violence, severe injury of child, gore, dismemberment, kidnapping, captivity, poisoning, falling from sky, grief, coma.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 27, 2024
This was sooooo long and sooooo boring.
June 26, 2024
I have so many thoughts about this story, both positive and negative alike.
Starting with the positives:
- I like how both Danica and Vaduin had very real trauma and issues about themselves that they had to work through. Their hangups weren't superficial, but rather deeply embedded that made them as people seem more realistic.
- There was quite a lot of banter between the two which I really appreciated because it made them both fun to read and enjoy.
- I like how nearly at every point I couldn't guess what was going to happen. No outcome was predictable, yet simultaneously, it wasn't sloppy and random... it was all well thought out, and pleasantly surprising.
- The steam was very good and well thought out, there was no point where I questioned what was going on and it always sent such good vibes rather than icky ones.
Now into the negatives:
- Honestly, I really hated how as a standalone that's part of a world based series it was just assumed that there was information that you as the reader would know (that I assume was explained in previous books in the series). Like it took me quite a wild to understand how she's a human from Earth that's in the Faery world, their knowledge of modern human things, etc. while being in a world that had medieval vibes because it was just spoken so casually that it was clearly assumed you would already know that it's because humans who die on earth that make a bargain to live get sent to the Fae world. It's a standalone, so I shouldn't have to read the other books in the series to understand plot points, it should just be explained to begin with and not in subtle passing later on.
- To piggyback off the first point, the beginning of the book was a bit weird in that it kinda just threw you into the fact that Danica did some vigilante justice, but didn't actually explain anything. Like she stamped fake ID cards and pardons for people in one court and that was obviously illegal so she had to flee... but there was no lead up to it, it was kinda just brushed aside. The same things goes with how she made it to Faery to begin with... like she had a car accident and died, but there's not much talk about the event.
- Also, I thought the soul mate complexity was super interesting but at the same time found it to be super convoluted too. It was really hard to follow how and why the soul mates fell into their categories along with their polarity. I appreciate the little guide at the end of the book, but I still think that it was overly complex especially when most didn't apply to the hero/heroine. Simultaneously, it's would assume that you could potentially have a soulmate from each category. Considering that in Vaduin's case, Danica was Empathetic in alignment for true love while Ellys was Playful in opposition for rival, which regardless of polarity are different categories altogether. Also posses the question that can you have both at the same time or was Danica only brought about because Ellys died. See, it's all convoluted.
- Furthermore... absolutely do not like how Cass didn't end up with them. They all had such good chemistry the entire way through the book that I was just waiting for them all to join together as a power throuple. It almost seems like such a disservice to their dynamic for it not to have a thing.
- To add onto that last point a bit, that ending wasn't expected at all, and I honestly wasn't a fan. It seemed like such a cop out rather than an interesting plot twist when it comes to the Court of Mercy. I love Cass, but that was just bullshit honestly.
Overall, I did like the book, but there are definitely some points that just annoyed the shit out of me.
Starting with the positives:
- I like how both Danica and Vaduin had very real trauma and issues about themselves that they had to work through. Their hangups weren't superficial, but rather deeply embedded that made them as people seem more realistic.
- There was quite a lot of banter between the two which I really appreciated because it made them both fun to read and enjoy.
- I like how nearly at every point I couldn't guess what was going to happen. No outcome was predictable, yet simultaneously, it wasn't sloppy and random... it was all well thought out, and pleasantly surprising.
- The steam was very good and well thought out, there was no point where I questioned what was going on and it always sent such good vibes rather than icky ones.
Now into the negatives:
- Honestly, I really hated how as a standalone that's part of a world based series it was just assumed that there was information that you as the reader would know (that I assume was explained in previous books in the series). Like it took me quite a wild to understand how she's a human from Earth that's in the Faery world, their knowledge of modern human things, etc. while being in a world that had medieval vibes because it was just spoken so casually that it was clearly assumed you would already know that it's because humans who die on earth that make a bargain to live get sent to the Fae world. It's a standalone, so I shouldn't have to read the other books in the series to understand plot points, it should just be explained to begin with and not in subtle passing later on.
- To piggyback off the first point, the beginning of the book was a bit weird in that it kinda just threw you into the fact that Danica did some vigilante justice, but didn't actually explain anything. Like she stamped fake ID cards and pardons for people in one court and that was obviously illegal so she had to flee... but there was no lead up to it, it was kinda just brushed aside. The same things goes with how she made it to Faery to begin with... like she had a car accident and died, but there's not much talk about the event.
- Also, I thought the soul mate complexity was super interesting but at the same time found it to be super convoluted too. It was really hard to follow how and why the soul mates fell into their categories along with their polarity. I appreciate the little guide at the end of the book, but I still think that it was overly complex especially when most didn't apply to the hero/heroine. Simultaneously, it's would assume that you could potentially have a soulmate from each category. Considering that in Vaduin's case, Danica was Empathetic in alignment for true love while Ellys was Playful in opposition for rival, which regardless of polarity are different categories altogether. Also posses the question that can you have both at the same time or was Danica only brought about because Ellys died. See, it's all convoluted.
- Furthermore... absolutely do not like how Cass didn't end up with them. They all had such good chemistry the entire way through the book that I was just waiting for them all to join together as a power throuple. It almost seems like such a disservice to their dynamic for it not to have a thing.
- To add onto that last point a bit, that ending wasn't expected at all, and I honestly wasn't a fan. It seemed like such a cop out rather than an interesting plot twist when it comes to the Court of Mercy. I love Cass, but that was just bullshit honestly.
Overall, I did like the book, but there are definitely some points that just annoyed the shit out of me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2024
The world building is fine but there is only one likeable character and it’s not either one of the main ones. The plot also had a lot of holes in it and felt disjointed at times. The “tension” between the characters felt more like high school dramatics than a slow burn.
March 1, 2024
" Would you like me to find and kill him? I can make it hurt very badly."
----------------------—
Story rating: 5.0⭐️
Romance lvl: 5.0⭐️
Spice lvl: 3.75🌶️
Smut frequency: 3.5⏳
----------------------—
Tropes:
🔗 Forced proximity
💫 Soulmates
💔 Emotional scars
✨ Hurt/ comfort
👀 Political intrigues
🤫 Full of discoveries & secrets
TW (spoilers): drug usage without consent, violence, blood, parent and partner abuse, talk of trauma, PTSD, result of torture, murder
----------------------—
~ STORY & PLOT 📝 ~
This book is just... excellent. The writing is intelligent and has great pacing so even if the story takes time to unfold, it's never boring. Quite the contrary actually.
The world-building is incredible, all the decors felt so tangible throughout the story it was very easy to be immersed in all of them. And I say this a lot in my reviews, but I really am a sucker for good world-building.
The storyline is not quite what I'm accustomed to, and the change was very welcome; and even with the novelty of it, it felt natural to read. Everything felt right. ✨
The banters, and sometimes inner dialogs, were funny, the drama was angsty, and the romance was swoony and heartfelt. Truly, I loved it. The characters are AWESOME. Their backstory, their personality, their character development. ON POINT!!❤️🔥
I fell deeply for Danica and Vaduin, it's just impossible not to. 🫶🏽💘✨
I don't want to say too much in this review because I really feel like only a few things are not spoilers here, and this is a story worth discovering. 😂
Let's just say this:
👉 If you like a fantasy story with a very resilient, driven FMC who has the sweetest heart and a cat-behavior Baslisk full of temper, wits, and love to be petted this is for you.
👉 If you love a story where the MCs have to truly work on their relationship for it to work, love a relationship where they truly are equal in their need & care of each other, and love to see a VERY WELL-DESERVED HEA, this is for you.
👉 If you love a monster romance with a great balance between the actual romance, the steam, and the plot, this is really for you.
~ SPICE 🌶️ ~
Spice comes quickly but the meaning of it heightens with the storyline hence the level of steam too (in my humble opinion at least)
WARNING: LIGHT SPOILER IN THE SPICE TROPES
If you read Caught in the Basilisk's Gaze, you'll be in for:
🐍 basilisk with 2 peens
🐍 they're rigged and have bumps
🐍 they're self-lubricating
🐍 his poison's an amplifier of emotion
🐍 he's a moaner
🐍 love bites
🐍 serious scent fetish
🐍 textured and long tongue
---------------------—
This is an arc review. Thanks to the author for the advanced ebook copy 🙏💖
---------------------—
----------------------—
Story rating: 5.0⭐️
Romance lvl: 5.0⭐️
Spice lvl: 3.75🌶️
Smut frequency: 3.5⏳
----------------------—
Tropes:
🔗 Forced proximity
💫 Soulmates
💔 Emotional scars
✨ Hurt/ comfort
👀 Political intrigues
🤫 Full of discoveries & secrets
TW (spoilers): drug usage without consent, violence, blood, parent and partner abuse, talk of trauma, PTSD, result of torture, murder
----------------------—
~ STORY & PLOT 📝 ~
This book is just... excellent. The writing is intelligent and has great pacing so even if the story takes time to unfold, it's never boring. Quite the contrary actually.
The world-building is incredible, all the decors felt so tangible throughout the story it was very easy to be immersed in all of them. And I say this a lot in my reviews, but I really am a sucker for good world-building.
The storyline is not quite what I'm accustomed to, and the change was very welcome; and even with the novelty of it, it felt natural to read. Everything felt right. ✨
The banters, and sometimes inner dialogs, were funny, the drama was angsty, and the romance was swoony and heartfelt. Truly, I loved it. The characters are AWESOME. Their backstory, their personality, their character development. ON POINT!!❤️🔥
I fell deeply for Danica and Vaduin, it's just impossible not to. 🫶🏽💘✨
I don't want to say too much in this review because I really feel like only a few things are not spoilers here, and this is a story worth discovering. 😂
Let's just say this:
👉 If you like a fantasy story with a very resilient, driven FMC who has the sweetest heart and a cat-behavior Baslisk full of temper, wits, and love to be petted this is for you.
👉 If you love a story where the MCs have to truly work on their relationship for it to work, love a relationship where they truly are equal in their need & care of each other, and love to see a VERY WELL-DESERVED HEA, this is for you.
👉 If you love a monster romance with a great balance between the actual romance, the steam, and the plot, this is really for you.
~ SPICE 🌶️ ~
Spice comes quickly but the meaning of it heightens with the storyline hence the level of steam too (in my humble opinion at least)
WARNING: LIGHT SPOILER IN THE SPICE TROPES
If you read Caught in the Basilisk's Gaze, you'll be in for:
🐍 basilisk with 2 peens
🐍 they're rigged and have bumps
🐍 they're self-lubricating
🐍 his poison's an amplifier of emotion
🐍 he's a moaner
🐍 love bites
🐍 serious scent fetish
🐍 textured and long tongue
---------------------—
This is an arc review. Thanks to the author for the advanced ebook copy 🙏💖
---------------------—
July 25, 2024
"If you're a ghost, haunt me. Let me hold you when your nightmares leave you screaming... I always loved ghost stories. I can love yours, too."
4.5 stars
Even though this book turned out to be different than I expected, I still found myself obsessed with it and unwilling to stop reading. Mainly, I was not expecting how much trauma and loss Vaduin has suffered in his eternal life. He projected a fun and sex-crazed playboy, but underneath his charming persona, he was so vulnerable and afraid to move forward with Danica without surrendering what little control he had over his life. I would have loved to have gotten at least a few chapters from his POV as I think it would have helped to understand him better, but I adored how Danica was the strength in their relationship as it's not something we usually see in romantasy.
Even though their sexy sessions were so freaking HOTT, I loved their quiet cuddle moments more as it's one of the few times Vad would truly let his guard slip a little. Overall, there were so many unexpected twists that veered from the usual romantasy, but after I let go of my expectations, I honestly ended up loving Vaduin and Danica. I cannot wait to continue Cass's story next and see him brought to his knees by his mate!🖤
Tropes: fated mates, hate-to-love-you, charming but tortured hero, shy but badass heroine, monster romance, double peen🍆, hurt/comfort, 'who hurt you' vibes, f*ck or die, fae political intrigue, opposites attract, age-gap, 'touch him and die' vibes, hidden past, she falls first/he falls harder, found family, STEAMY🔥🔥
October 18, 2024
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
I had an absolutely fantastic time reading this book. Soulmates at 2%?! Sign me the fuck up!
Oh he can only look in someone's eyes if he fucks them?! ABSOLUTELY YES. 2 DICKS?!?!?! (Stop now or ill combust)
But is this just some super spicy monster romance....NO. Mallory is over hear tackling topics of PTSD, purity culture shame, abuse, neglect, AND MORE. Its just done so fucking good I can't and don't think I will ever get over it.
Was there a miscommunication trope? Yes
Do I even care? NO
BECAUSE IT WAS DONE SO FUCKING WELL and warrented and literally progressed the story perfectly.
Danica is literally everything Vaduin needs and her inherent ability to just KNOW what he needs to feel safe, put him at ease, rattle his traumatic past loose....is absolutely breathtaking to read about.
I love the two tortured souls healing each other Story. I'm a simp for it.
So even though this story was spicy AF I cannot in good faith give it 5 chili peppers because it was just as good of plot as Spice. But yup there is DVP, DP, A THREESOME (faints) the spice was so good.
Everyone pick this book up and everyone read it.
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
I had an absolutely fantastic time reading this book. Soulmates at 2%?! Sign me the fuck up!
Oh he can only look in someone's eyes if he fucks them?! ABSOLUTELY YES. 2 DICKS?!?!?! (Stop now or ill combust)
But is this just some super spicy monster romance....NO. Mallory is over hear tackling topics of PTSD, purity culture shame, abuse, neglect, AND MORE. Its just done so fucking good I can't and don't think I will ever get over it.
Was there a miscommunication trope? Yes
Do I even care? NO
BECAUSE IT WAS DONE SO FUCKING WELL and warrented and literally progressed the story perfectly.
Danica is literally everything Vaduin needs and her inherent ability to just KNOW what he needs to feel safe, put him at ease, rattle his traumatic past loose....is absolutely breathtaking to read about.
I love the two tortured souls healing each other Story. I'm a simp for it.
So even though this story was spicy AF I cannot in good faith give it 5 chili peppers because it was just as good of plot as Spice. But yup there is DVP, DP, A THREESOME (faints) the spice was so good.
Everyone pick this book up and everyone read it.
July 24, 2024
I feel like I just read someone’s self-insert fanfiction with the names changed.
July 27, 2024
This was a phenomenal read and I loved every moment of it. It reminded me of A.K. Larkwood's The Unspoken Name even though Larkwood's book isn't strictly a romance because both it and Caught in the Basilisk's Gaze have similar plot styles: there are clusters of high action, and then the heroes move to (or are forced to) a different setting. They grow familiar with the new setting, and then things get complicated and exciting again without things becoming repetitive--the emotional arcs are perfectly calibrated to continue their forward momentum.
I loved Danica and Vaduin and how they both had to work through their baggage before coming together. I was skeptical of the novel's length, but it was the exact number of pages needed for them to heal and then meet each other on the same level. I also loved how respectful they were of each other, and of the faith they each put in the other.
Oh, right, and it's hot af, too.
My only critique is the unsteady worldbuilding at the beginning of the book--when Danica first mentioned she was from Los Angeles I nearly dropped my ereader on my face, and then spent the next couple hundred pages wondering if I would better understand how humans ended up in Faery if I'd read the earlier books in the series. (I still don't know, but I intend to read them all and find out.) I didn't let it bother me overmuch, because it's all explained in drips and drabs throughout the rest of the book. It's just the initial worldbuilding that tripped me up.
Overall, I can't recommend this one enough.
I loved Danica and Vaduin and how they both had to work through their baggage before coming together. I was skeptical of the novel's length, but it was the exact number of pages needed for them to heal and then meet each other on the same level. I also loved how respectful they were of each other, and of the faith they each put in the other.
Oh, right, and it's hot af, too.
My only critique is the unsteady worldbuilding at the beginning of the book--when Danica first mentioned she was from Los Angeles I nearly dropped my ereader on my face, and then spent the next couple hundred pages wondering if I would better understand how humans ended up in Faery if I'd read the earlier books in the series. (I still don't know, but I intend to read them all and find out.) I didn't let it bother me overmuch, because it's all explained in drips and drabs throughout the rest of the book. It's just the initial worldbuilding that tripped me up.
Overall, I can't recommend this one enough.
November 29, 2024
a 0 star read
-too much mention of past lovers hated it
-MMC literally slept around with everyone and everything and i was reminded about it all throughout the book
-also had a soulmate before the FMC (A BIG NO FOR ME)
-too much mention of past lovers hated it
-MMC literally slept around with everyone and everything and i was reminded about it all throughout the book
-also had a soulmate before the FMC (A BIG NO FOR ME)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2024
This was my first time reading a book by this author, as well as this genre, and I really enjoyed it. This was a darker and more dangerous Fae vibe than what I'm used to reading, but it wasn't overwhelming. We were made aware of the risks and the dangers you'd face when travelling through Faery and just how tricky the Fae can be without it taking from the romantic aspects and the relationships that were made throughout the story. There were bargains, revels, politics, monsters, and considering that this was over 600 pages long to fit all that in, it didn't feel like it while I was reading it.
There is some miscommunication in this book, but they both have their reasons for their distance towards each other. Seeing how they navigate their relationship, that came on so suddenly due to their bond, I was left smiling and pulling out my hair all at the same time, but they found a rhythm what works for them despite their differences. They healed and supported each other, and I am now obsessed with them both.
The book started off strong as we were introduced to Danica and found she's in quite a bit of trouble. Vaduin comes to the rescue, and the action keeps going from there. Some parts of the book were rather heavy with politics, but I personally didn't mind it, and it was crucial to the storyline and became very interesting as it went on. I could tell there were some things I was missing, especially when it was obvious that some of the other characters had a history, but I never felt out of the loop and this book is easy enough to read as a standalone.
I need more of Cass, and considering how this book ended, I can only assume we will be finding out more about him in the next one! Cass was a supportive friend to them both, and in my opinion, was a very important side character from the beginning.
There is some miscommunication in this book, but they both have their reasons for their distance towards each other. Seeing how they navigate their relationship, that came on so suddenly due to their bond, I was left smiling and pulling out my hair all at the same time, but they found a rhythm what works for them despite their differences. They healed and supported each other, and I am now obsessed with them both.
The book started off strong as we were introduced to Danica and found she's in quite a bit of trouble. Vaduin comes to the rescue, and the action keeps going from there. Some parts of the book were rather heavy with politics, but I personally didn't mind it, and it was crucial to the storyline and became very interesting as it went on. I could tell there were some things I was missing, especially when it was obvious that some of the other characters had a history, but I never felt out of the loop and this book is easy enough to read as a standalone.
I need more of Cass, and considering how this book ended, I can only assume we will be finding out more about him in the next one! Cass was a supportive friend to them both, and in my opinion, was a very important side character from the beginning.
September 23, 2025
This is one of my favorite heroines in this series. This hero feels a lot different than the others, also. I also liked that these two were not running to power, but almost away, rather.
March 12, 2024
FMC Danica begins the book in a lot of trouble. She helped refugees escape an oppressive fae court and is now on the run. When her safe house goes sideways she’s rescued by MMC Vaduin. Vaduin is a fury, a fae created during wartime to be a dangerous living weapon. Almost a mutant, he is more animal than man. And that animal is a basilisk. He is gravely injured during their escape but he continues to guide her and protect her in the wilderness. They soon discover they are soulmates. Which are super rare and apparently can become either a good or bad bond that locks in for eternity when they “balance.” The caveat here is that Vaduin doesn’t want a soul mate. And as grievously injured as he is, his animal instincts - his basilisk gaze - could kill Danica instantly albeit accidentally. Or. They could f*ck. Because anyone who has recently mated with a basilisk becomes immune to their gaze. And thus the book begins. This is barely the first 15%!
I liked the premise and was intrigued by the blurbs I’d read enough to get it. Knowing full well I’d started a series in the middle.
Of all the romantasy books I’ve read lately this one was exceptionally crafted. The pacing is perfect. The writing and editing is impeccable. I was blown away by how good this was. Ultimately, it was perfect.
I liked the premise and was intrigued by the blurbs I’d read enough to get it. Knowing full well I’d started a series in the middle.
Of all the romantasy books I’ve read lately this one was exceptionally crafted. The pacing is perfect. The writing and editing is impeccable. I was blown away by how good this was. Ultimately, it was perfect.
March 3, 2025
- 4.25 stars rounded all the way up to 5 for the emotional intimacy and the final battle. Only detracting stars because it stalled out in the middle and I had to switch books for a day which I never do
Kind of a weird read. I enjoyed the first 30% a lot… quite interesting and I liked seeing Vaduin sorta deprive himself of Danica, it reminded me of Draco. Then it stalled out for like 40%, but then it got super interesting with them leaving for Stag Court and then finally discussing her being a breaker and also having some seriously intimate questions/answers with their bargain. I guess it makes sense now… Vaduin really did not want a soulmate when he met Danica because he had already had an oppositional soulmate before who died.
Ch 50: so Cass’s blood can heal if still living, so they hooked him up to the King with like a blood transfusion, and then Vad put his basilisk stare on Cass to hurt him, and Cass healed himself and therefore healed the King with his blood
51: ahh I love how Dani calmed Vad down during his panic attack. And I always love a good shower caretaking scene… she washed his wings!
52: I don’t get how the author is doing intimacy SO well. Like I just love how vulnerable Vad gets. How did Vad getting caught jerking off with her panties turn out so intimate? I’m not even that mad about them actually having sex for fun (not so he can look at her without killing her) as being closed door because we got the super intimate scene before
53: omg he out her first clean break of a brass circle on a bracelet for him to wear
When I picked up this book, I was expecting a smutty quick read… something with a simple plot. Not something nearly this detailed or intimate. Pleasantly surprised. I still feel like this book feels really long, but I am liking it a lot.
Ch 62 Alright so if I have this straight… Dani had religious guilt about sex so didn’t want to have sex with Vad more than she was “allowed” to at the start, which was every 3 days, because they weren’t in love, she didn’t just want a friends with benefits thing. Then over time she fell in love with him, and she was hurt about how Vad seemingly would rather nose-blind himself than want to have sex with her. Vad actually wanted to have sex with her all the time, but didn’t want her to feel obligated to, thinking she was just doing the every 3 days sex so they could look at each other.l, and she wasn’t interested in other sex. And also Vad loved her but wasn’t admitting it.
This is definitely one of the best books I’ve read for intimacy… but man it feels like such a long book. I just wish there was more action/plot in between, not that it should be any less of a slow burn.
Ch 62 ||oh my goddddddd fucking finally. They FINALLY get over the misunderstanding between them re sex. Poor Vad, trying to be so careful not to pressure her and trying to hold back and not be a burden. Also omg I loooved how desperate he was. Hot.
Also he didn’t say he loved her back, so that means we will get another scene where he says it. Yay! And maybe he’ll finally get Cass to remove the nose-blind spell or whatever soon.||
Ch 65 ||😯🥵🥵🥵 oh wow… okay. Well I’m loving this dynamic where Dani is determined to make Vad feel wanted and not doubt her again. ||
Oh and I just remembered ||Dani still owes the god the favour? It was supposed to be in two years right? And only a few months have passed… are we going to time jump at some point?||
Ch 68 I looooove his vulnerability and him asking Dani for reassurance that she wants him (both physically and emotionally)
Ch 71 okay that’s so fucking cool that Cass could heal her remotely because she still has his blood in her. Fucking metal she broke her own thumb and heel to get out of the manacles.
Ch 74 okay I absolutely LOVE that she took the silver rain to make her more powerful to save Vaduin… not that she was just that powerful on her own haha.
Ch 74 end HOLY FUCK. That was intense. That was actually insane omg. I can’t believe I’m going to say this but… all that fucking build up was actually worth it. Jfc Dani was so powerful, that was such a well written chapter.
Ch 77 okay the healing was also super cool. Like… damn I really love this universe.
Epilogue lmao the ledgers of Vad and Ellys sexcapades
Okay overall… came for the fuck or die (and double peen) stayed for the intimacy. Was really not expecting that. Definitely some of the best intimacy I’ve read in a while. I love that Vad was still kinda dominant in bed, but extremely vulnerable emotionally.
Honestly the spice was pretty excellent (again, Vad being so desperate yet still kinda dominant?), but I was actually a little disappointed with the DP scenes… like no coaxing or talking her through it… it was just totally easy for her to take? lol damn.
The last ~75-80% of the book was absolutely fantastic, like 5/5 stars for me there. The first 40% was interesting getting introduced to the world, then it dragged from 40–75% for me. But somehow I still think that time in the middle was necessary for the slow burn, but I just wish there was a little bit more action there? clearly the author can write action since the battle was fucking amazing.
So yeah, LOVED bad ass Dani saving the day. Man I didn’t realize a breaker could be so powerful… and again, I love that she wasn’t innately that powerful, she had to take the silver rain to boost it.
I just feel like the author did such a good job with setting up the final battle… the silver rain, the blood healing which resulted in healing/saving Dani’s life during the battle AND making Cass the heir… like shit, I did NOT see any of that coming, it was so clever and well set up.
Also really surprised that I loved the MMF bonus scene with Cass. I normally don’t like sharing after a couple is committed, but I think I loved it here because Cass was SO amazing and such a good friend to Vad… and like Vad said, Dani was *his* soulmate so there was zero risk feelings could be developed, like it couldn’t possibly get messy, it was just straight up sexual fun. Also fae are very sexual in nature so it was like… Vad’s culture? Idk but I liked it lol.
So maybe 4.25 stars rounded all the way up to 5 because I was so fucking impressed by the intimacy and final battle?
I will probably read Cass’s book in a month or two, I hope it doesn’t feel long though.
✅ lots of feels
Kind of a weird read. I enjoyed the first 30% a lot… quite interesting and I liked seeing Vaduin sorta deprive himself of Danica, it reminded me of Draco. Then it stalled out for like 40%, but then it got super interesting with them leaving for Stag Court and then finally discussing her being a breaker and also having some seriously intimate questions/answers with their bargain. I guess it makes sense now… Vaduin really did not want a soulmate when he met Danica because he had already had an oppositional soulmate before who died.
Ch 50: so Cass’s blood can heal if still living, so they hooked him up to the King with like a blood transfusion, and then Vad put his basilisk stare on Cass to hurt him, and Cass healed himself and therefore healed the King with his blood
51: ahh I love how Dani calmed Vad down during his panic attack. And I always love a good shower caretaking scene… she washed his wings!
52: I don’t get how the author is doing intimacy SO well. Like I just love how vulnerable Vad gets. How did Vad getting caught jerking off with her panties turn out so intimate? I’m not even that mad about them actually having sex for fun (not so he can look at her without killing her) as being closed door because we got the super intimate scene before
53: omg he out her first clean break of a brass circle on a bracelet for him to wear
When I picked up this book, I was expecting a smutty quick read… something with a simple plot. Not something nearly this detailed or intimate. Pleasantly surprised. I still feel like this book feels really long, but I am liking it a lot.
Ch 62 Alright so if I have this straight… Dani had religious guilt about sex so didn’t want to have sex with Vad more than she was “allowed” to at the start, which was every 3 days, because they weren’t in love, she didn’t just want a friends with benefits thing. Then over time she fell in love with him, and she was hurt about how Vad seemingly would rather nose-blind himself than want to have sex with her. Vad actually wanted to have sex with her all the time, but didn’t want her to feel obligated to, thinking she was just doing the every 3 days sex so they could look at each other.l, and she wasn’t interested in other sex. And also Vad loved her but wasn’t admitting it.
This is definitely one of the best books I’ve read for intimacy… but man it feels like such a long book. I just wish there was more action/plot in between, not that it should be any less of a slow burn.
Ch 62 ||oh my goddddddd fucking finally. They FINALLY get over the misunderstanding between them re sex. Poor Vad, trying to be so careful not to pressure her and trying to hold back and not be a burden. Also omg I loooved how desperate he was. Hot.
Also he didn’t say he loved her back, so that means we will get another scene where he says it. Yay! And maybe he’ll finally get Cass to remove the nose-blind spell or whatever soon.||
Ch 65 ||😯🥵🥵🥵 oh wow… okay. Well I’m loving this dynamic where Dani is determined to make Vad feel wanted and not doubt her again. ||
Oh and I just remembered ||Dani still owes the god the favour? It was supposed to be in two years right? And only a few months have passed… are we going to time jump at some point?||
Ch 68 I looooove his vulnerability and him asking Dani for reassurance that she wants him (both physically and emotionally)
Ch 71 okay that’s so fucking cool that Cass could heal her remotely because she still has his blood in her. Fucking metal she broke her own thumb and heel to get out of the manacles.
Ch 74 okay I absolutely LOVE that she took the silver rain to make her more powerful to save Vaduin… not that she was just that powerful on her own haha.
Ch 74 end HOLY FUCK. That was intense. That was actually insane omg. I can’t believe I’m going to say this but… all that fucking build up was actually worth it. Jfc Dani was so powerful, that was such a well written chapter.
Ch 77 okay the healing was also super cool. Like… damn I really love this universe.
Epilogue lmao the ledgers of Vad and Ellys sexcapades
Okay overall… came for the fuck or die (and double peen) stayed for the intimacy. Was really not expecting that. Definitely some of the best intimacy I’ve read in a while. I love that Vad was still kinda dominant in bed, but extremely vulnerable emotionally.
Honestly the spice was pretty excellent (again, Vad being so desperate yet still kinda dominant?), but I was actually a little disappointed with the DP scenes… like no coaxing or talking her through it… it was just totally easy for her to take? lol damn.
The last ~75-80% of the book was absolutely fantastic, like 5/5 stars for me there. The first 40% was interesting getting introduced to the world, then it dragged from 40–75% for me. But somehow I still think that time in the middle was necessary for the slow burn, but I just wish there was a little bit more action there? clearly the author can write action since the battle was fucking amazing.
So yeah, LOVED bad ass Dani saving the day. Man I didn’t realize a breaker could be so powerful… and again, I love that she wasn’t innately that powerful, she had to take the silver rain to boost it.
I just feel like the author did such a good job with setting up the final battle… the silver rain, the blood healing which resulted in healing/saving Dani’s life during the battle AND making Cass the heir… like shit, I did NOT see any of that coming, it was so clever and well set up.
Also really surprised that I loved the MMF bonus scene with Cass. I normally don’t like sharing after a couple is committed, but I think I loved it here because Cass was SO amazing and such a good friend to Vad… and like Vad said, Dani was *his* soulmate so there was zero risk feelings could be developed, like it couldn’t possibly get messy, it was just straight up sexual fun. Also fae are very sexual in nature so it was like… Vad’s culture? Idk but I liked it lol.
So maybe 4.25 stars rounded all the way up to 5 because I was so fucking impressed by the intimacy and final battle?
I will probably read Cass’s book in a month or two, I hope it doesn’t feel long though.
✅ lots of feels
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2024
If you were a fan of ACOTAR, Crescent City, and everflame series then this book will feel like elementary level reading. I honestly DNF it was just too boring.
Someone else said it in another review, this felt like a novice fan fiction on some monster trope.
Someone else said it in another review, this felt like a novice fan fiction on some monster trope.
July 12, 2024
There are TWO of them.
And they are well used.
*giggles and kicks feet*
And they are well used.
*giggles and kicks feet*
September 1, 2025
Danica (Dani) Weller & Vaduin (Vad) Khessain.
Plus Xarcassah (Cass) Marys — Vad’s bestie & Dani’s teacher.
One of my favorite reads in some time. New-to-me author. I forgot how much I love this flavor of hurt-comfort. It’s not all simple damsel-in-distress, the leads take turns saving each other.
From the author’s website:
Danica is a human woman who bargained for a one way trip to faerie to restore her health after a near fatal car accident. She has been working as a clerk for the city guard, but she has taken to faking paperwork to help out the unfortunate. (Think helping undocumented aliens.)
When Danica is found out & is fleeing the city, she is saved by two winged Furies (“amalgams of people and winged monsters”). One is killed, the other seriously injured in the escape. The one who flew her to (relative) safety turns out to be her soulmate, a basilisk.
Soulmates in this universe are different. There are seven flavors, each of which can be balanced in alignment or in opposition. From the appendix:
No spoilers on which flavor of soulmate Vaduin & Danica are, but I will say it takes them the bulk of the book to find out.
So now Vaduin & Danica find themselves fleeing on foot through the forest, Dani pulling the weight of their journey due to Vaduin’s injuries. Adding to the complicated situation, eye contact from a basilisk is deadly and, while injured, Vaduin is not able to moderate his gaze when startled. So the cliched “only one bed” has Vaduin sleeping on top of Danica, like a dragon sits on top of his hoard.
When Danica drags Vadium back to the Windswept court, Vadium is near comatose, so their sleeping positions reverse. Danica is the dragon protecting her basilisk soulmate.
***
Other tidbits:
* Did I mention there is one way to safely look a basilick in the eyes? Lovers are immune to his gaze for three days after being fucked.
* Vaduin & his fellow Fury Cass were lovers in the past.
* Vaduin had another soulmate, Ellys, before he was transformed into a Fury.
* While traveling in the forest, Danica develops her own magic gift.
* Cass is a powerful healer.
* Slight age gap.
* The bonus chapter contains mmf.
******
On a reread, Vad & Dani & Cass are still my favorites in the series. (Haven’t read the Shadow Prince’s book yet). Also, loved the other V—, Varistan, Ayre’s cousin, the war dragon.
Plus Xarcassah (Cass) Marys — Vad’s bestie & Dani’s teacher.
One of my favorite reads in some time. New-to-me author. I forgot how much I love this flavor of hurt-comfort. It’s not all simple damsel-in-distress, the leads take turns saving each other.
From the author’s website:
A well-placed enemy arrow turns a rescue into desperate wilderness survival, stranding Danica with an injured half-basilisk Fury—her unwilling soulmate. To survive the wilds, they have to rely on each other... but the only way to survive a basilisk's gaze is to mate with him.
forced proximity, fuck or die, fated mates, touch him and die, secret identity, reluctant mate
Sexual Content:
Danica is a human woman who bargained for a one way trip to faerie to restore her health after a near fatal car accident. She has been working as a clerk for the city guard, but she has taken to faking paperwork to help out the unfortunate. (Think helping undocumented aliens.)
When Danica is found out & is fleeing the city, she is saved by two winged Furies (“amalgams of people and winged monsters”). One is killed, the other seriously injured in the escape. The one who flew her to (relative) safety turns out to be her soulmate, a basilisk.
Soulmates in this universe are different. There are seven flavors, each of which can be balanced in alignment or in opposition. From the appendix:
No spoilers on which flavor of soulmate Vaduin & Danica are, but I will say it takes them the bulk of the book to find out.
So now Vaduin & Danica find themselves fleeing on foot through the forest, Dani pulling the weight of their journey due to Vaduin’s injuries. Adding to the complicated situation, eye contact from a basilisk is deadly and, while injured, Vaduin is not able to moderate his gaze when startled. So the cliched “only one bed” has Vaduin sleeping on top of Danica, like a dragon sits on top of his hoard.
When Danica drags Vadium back to the Windswept court, Vadium is near comatose, so their sleeping positions reverse. Danica is the dragon protecting her basilisk soulmate.
***
Other tidbits:
* Did I mention there is one way to safely look a basilick in the eyes? Lovers are immune to his gaze for three days after being fucked.
* Vaduin & his fellow Fury Cass were lovers in the past.
* Vaduin had another soulmate, Ellys, before he was transformed into a Fury.
* While traveling in the forest, Danica develops her own magic gift.
* Cass is a powerful healer.
* Slight age gap.
* The bonus chapter contains mmf.
******
On a reread, Vad & Dani & Cass are still my favorites in the series. (Haven’t read the Shadow Prince’s book yet). Also, loved the other V—, Varistan, Ayre’s cousin, the war dragon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2025
Continue to be impressed with Mallory Dunlin’s character development. The way she creates real intimacy between the FMC and MMC is immaculate. I’ve read this series in the order they’ve been printed, you can read them stand alone, but I recommend to read them in order because the small connections make the world building even more interesting.
But seriously obsessed with the MMC and his growth.
But seriously obsessed with the MMC and his growth.
April 20, 2025
Damn but I loved this. And I have a new fave book boyfriend who is the epitome of a bi-king. I melt.
I’m particular about fantasy. I don’t care for the usual fare and this really nails it for me. The world building is different while keeping to some traditional and familiar aspects of fantasy and the take on soul mates is fresh. There’s engaging side characters and excellent character growth for the mains, and strong relationship development. I found myself particularly attached to this MMC. He’s delightfully arrogant while clearly battling trauma that makes you want to hold him. Which he loves by the way; the holding. And being touched in general. And sex because that’s kind of necessary to the story and you’ll have to read to find out why. Did I mention there’s thigh worship? Our FMC can’t get enough. And who can blame her really? He’s an amalgam of fae and monster with long hair, an undercut, two dix and a foot long tongue. I couldn’t get enough either. Her character arc is rather fantastic in an unexpected way. I ate it up. So did the MMC. Watching a woman who seems meek become fierce is a chef’s kiss moment every time. Highly recommend.
I’m particular about fantasy. I don’t care for the usual fare and this really nails it for me. The world building is different while keeping to some traditional and familiar aspects of fantasy and the take on soul mates is fresh. There’s engaging side characters and excellent character growth for the mains, and strong relationship development. I found myself particularly attached to this MMC. He’s delightfully arrogant while clearly battling trauma that makes you want to hold him. Which he loves by the way; the holding. And being touched in general. And sex because that’s kind of necessary to the story and you’ll have to read to find out why. Did I mention there’s thigh worship? Our FMC can’t get enough. And who can blame her really? He’s an amalgam of fae and monster with long hair, an undercut, two dix and a foot long tongue. I couldn’t get enough either. Her character arc is rather fantastic in an unexpected way. I ate it up. So did the MMC. Watching a woman who seems meek become fierce is a chef’s kiss moment every time. Highly recommend.
July 31, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
“𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘴, 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭. 𝘋𝘰 𝘐 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵?”
I’m not going to lie to you: I downloaded this book because the blurb said the MMC and FMC have to mate every 3 days or his basilisk gaze would kill her. I was like “ooh yes! Monster smüt!” And y’all. The spice was SPICY, but I was not prepared for the wild ride the plot sent me on!
Vaduin, Danica, and Cass now have a very special place in my heart. Despite his maddeningly avoidant attachment style, Vaduin is charming, sexy, and hilarious. I loved that cantankerous hissy boy immediately. Danica is relatably frustrated and anxious about her situation with Vaddy, and the way Mallory deals with her (and Vaduin’s) trauma is thoughtful and compassionate. Their relationship is a rollercoaster I didn’t want to get off, and watching them slowly come together was delightfully maddening.
And Cass! That sweet, gigantic himbo! I absolutely adore him and was so excited to see he is the MMC in the next book because I was not nearly ready to say goodbye to that cinnamon roll with razor blade wings 🥹
I really can’t recommend these books enough. Though this was 4th in the series, I quickly backtracked to start from the beginning and can’t wait for Crowned by the Fae King (releasing 8/15/24)!
𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘺 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
“𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘴, 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭. 𝘋𝘰 𝘐 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵?”
I’m not going to lie to you: I downloaded this book because the blurb said the MMC and FMC have to mate every 3 days or his basilisk gaze would kill her. I was like “ooh yes! Monster smüt!” And y’all. The spice was SPICY, but I was not prepared for the wild ride the plot sent me on!
Vaduin, Danica, and Cass now have a very special place in my heart. Despite his maddeningly avoidant attachment style, Vaduin is charming, sexy, and hilarious. I loved that cantankerous hissy boy immediately. Danica is relatably frustrated and anxious about her situation with Vaddy, and the way Mallory deals with her (and Vaduin’s) trauma is thoughtful and compassionate. Their relationship is a rollercoaster I didn’t want to get off, and watching them slowly come together was delightfully maddening.
And Cass! That sweet, gigantic himbo! I absolutely adore him and was so excited to see he is the MMC in the next book because I was not nearly ready to say goodbye to that cinnamon roll with razor blade wings 🥹
I really can’t recommend these books enough. Though this was 4th in the series, I quickly backtracked to start from the beginning and can’t wait for Crowned by the Fae King (releasing 8/15/24)!
𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘺 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦.
February 29, 2024
The hero is part basilisk. He has feathers, huge wings and can fly, a tail, a gaze that can kill or paralyze, claws, venom, and a very, very long tongue with soft barbs.
The heroine is a human who because of a clerical error was able to stamp passes and IDs for people trying to escape the fae court. She saved hundreds of lives. While trying to flee to safety after her illegal documents are discovered, she is injured. The hero shows up at the last minute to rescue her and he is shot.
There are lots of steamy scenes and the hero has two sets of genitals. This is a longer book at over 500 pages and I loved all the time we spent with the hero and heroine and their happy ending.
There is also a little bit of humor and funny moments.
I highly recommend this book. I was given an Advanced Reader Copy for my honest review.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
MAJOR SPOILERS, I SUMMARIZE MAJOR PLOT POINTS
They escape into the wilderness and try to survive. She is his soulmate. They have to find a "balance" as soulmates either they will be best friends, true loves, like family, or in constant opposition like opposing villains. The hero tells her he doesn't want a soulmate.
The hero explains as he is injured and is having trouble controlling his deadly gaze, the best way for her to be safe around him is to have sex, and then for 3 days she can look into his eyes without any danger. She is reluctant to have sex with a stranger but finally agrees after he promises he'll help her like it.
His wound is infected and he is dying. She tries desperately to find help. So she spills her blood and makes a bargain with the pagan god, Sarcaryn. In 2 years she has to do something for him and he doesn't tell her what it is. She agrees. 2 years of life is better than dying immediately.
Hero and heroine are dumped at the door of the hero's home base. He is in a coma for weeks and they don't think he'll wake up. She won't give up on him as he almost died trying to save her. She talks to him and sleeps on top of him so he will smell her and feel safe. She tells him stories and doesn't leave his side except to shower. He finally wakes up after 3 weeks.
But he doesn't want to want her. The soulmate bond makes him want her. She is horrified. They are "stuck" together and have to find a balance. She doesn't want to be enemies with him. He is constantly smelling her with his snake tongue and then embarrassed about it. He has a "scent fetish" where he can't have an orgasm unless he smells his partner's arousal.
So he has a very promiscuous past. He was a soldier so to keep the people safe around him he was constantly having sex with his fellow soldiers so they'd be safe from his gaze for 3 days.He explains he's basically slept with everyone in the castle (men and women) who has the slightest interest in men to keep them safe. Heroine does not judge him.
So the hero is very hot and cold with her. He'll beg her to let him lick her to an orgasm then immediately run away because he doesn't want a commitment. Which makes her feel sad. So she talks to him about how he's making her feel.
He does nice things for her. He finds books from earth and fills her bookshelves. He puts a note inside each book so she knows why he picked that book. They read and discuss the books together sometimes. He finds paper (very expensive in fae world) and pens and writing instruments as she used to work as a clerk and he wants her to be happy.
He doesn't want to be so obsessed with her so he has Cass, the head healer, turn off his sense of smell. Now he can't smell when the heroine is aroused. So his scent fetish is neutralized.
Because the heroine was exposed to so much magic in the fae wilderness she develops "breaking" magic. She can destroy almost anything by "breaking" it. Old wounds, buildings that were built brick by brick, glass, she can "break" things. She is very dangerous. She begs the Queen not to tell the hero. She doesn't want him to have another reason to reject her. She doesn't want to be his enemy for eternity.
They keep her secret but the head healer Cass (the hero's best friend) has to help her learn to control her magic. He's the only one who can because he can heal any damage to people she does.
She learns to mostly control her magic. There is an accident and the princess walks into her practice room without any warning. She "breaks" the princess but Cass fixes her. The Queen throws her out because her husband will kill her for hurting for their daughter. Hero agrees to be an Ambassador at a different court that he previously refused repeatedly. He'll do anything to save the heroine's life.
The hero, heroine, and Cass flee to this other court. Cass has to come to help her control her magic. The King of this other court is dying and he has no heir. The prince went missing thousands of years ago and is presumed to be dead. All the other courts want to inherit his kingdom.
The heroine starts investigating how the king was poisoned. She thinks it was "silver rain" and starts hanging out with party boys/girls to get access to drugs. The hero thinks it is dangerous but doesn't stop her.
The heroine is forced to take "silver rain" under fae guesting laws which increases her breaker magic and she attacks the guards. She flees to the hero and he saves her by telling everyone he is the long lost prince and heir. He never wanted to be heir but tells his secret to save her life.
The King never liked his son and doesn't want his son to inherit. Cass has been trying to heal the King so he has a blood bond with the King. The King kills himself so his kingdom will be inherited by Cass (and not the hero) because his blood matches the king at that moment.
The heroine is kidnapped by a duchess who wants her kingdom back and wants the king to die. The hero shows up to save her and he is blinded and tortured.
Heroine manages to free herself and borrows a war dragon to find him and rescue him. She takes a whole bunch of silver rain and "breaks" the duchess's castle and guards. She finds the hero and promises it will be fine. Even if Cass can't fix his eyes she will find him a seeing eye dog and learn braille and they will be together forever.
Cass asks the heroine to "break" the pieces of skin and muscle poisoned by iron so Cass can try to grow back healthy tissue. By working together, they give the hero his eyes back and he can see. Now his gaze is deadly or paralyzing only if he wants it to be. So he is happy he's not so dangerous to his friends anymore.
Cass is the King of the kingdom. He doesn't want to be but can't get rid of it. His healing powers healed a bunch of people and healed roads and mines so now the kingdom basically fell backwards in time 500 years. Cass was in a coma but woke up after 6 days. People are whispering and calling him "His Splendor" because they think he's a god. Nobody can heal like Cass can.
Cass doesn't want the hero and heroine to leave. They don't want to leave Cass either. They all agree to live at the Kingdom and help Cass run it. The heroine is a great clerk and auditor so she's going to get the books in order. The hero and heroine are known as "Archangels" because of the heroine's clerical work in her original court where she saved hundreds of lives.
The hero and heroine get married with fae vows which are very binding. They will be each other's only lovers and love each other no matter what.
The end of the book is a woman trying to get into the castle. Heroine sees with her breaker magic that she is Cass's soulmate. That is the end.
I really enjoyed all of the steamy scenes. The hero loves to use his tongue on her and his two sets of genitals so they have some pretty creative moments together.
The only issue I had was we don't know what the heroine needs to do in 2 years for her bargain with the pagan god that saved the hero's life. It's hanging over their heads.
The heroine is a human who because of a clerical error was able to stamp passes and IDs for people trying to escape the fae court. She saved hundreds of lives. While trying to flee to safety after her illegal documents are discovered, she is injured. The hero shows up at the last minute to rescue her and he is shot.
There are lots of steamy scenes and the hero has two sets of genitals. This is a longer book at over 500 pages and I loved all the time we spent with the hero and heroine and their happy ending.
There is also a little bit of humor and funny moments.
I highly recommend this book. I was given an Advanced Reader Copy for my honest review.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
MAJOR SPOILERS, I SUMMARIZE MAJOR PLOT POINTS
They escape into the wilderness and try to survive. She is his soulmate. They have to find a "balance" as soulmates either they will be best friends, true loves, like family, or in constant opposition like opposing villains. The hero tells her he doesn't want a soulmate.
The hero explains as he is injured and is having trouble controlling his deadly gaze, the best way for her to be safe around him is to have sex, and then for 3 days she can look into his eyes without any danger. She is reluctant to have sex with a stranger but finally agrees after he promises he'll help her like it.
His wound is infected and he is dying. She tries desperately to find help. So she spills her blood and makes a bargain with the pagan god, Sarcaryn. In 2 years she has to do something for him and he doesn't tell her what it is. She agrees. 2 years of life is better than dying immediately.
Hero and heroine are dumped at the door of the hero's home base. He is in a coma for weeks and they don't think he'll wake up. She won't give up on him as he almost died trying to save her. She talks to him and sleeps on top of him so he will smell her and feel safe. She tells him stories and doesn't leave his side except to shower. He finally wakes up after 3 weeks.
But he doesn't want to want her. The soulmate bond makes him want her. She is horrified. They are "stuck" together and have to find a balance. She doesn't want to be enemies with him. He is constantly smelling her with his snake tongue and then embarrassed about it. He has a "scent fetish" where he can't have an orgasm unless he smells his partner's arousal.
So he has a very promiscuous past. He was a soldier so to keep the people safe around him he was constantly having sex with his fellow soldiers so they'd be safe from his gaze for 3 days.He explains he's basically slept with everyone in the castle (men and women) who has the slightest interest in men to keep them safe. Heroine does not judge him.
So the hero is very hot and cold with her. He'll beg her to let him lick her to an orgasm then immediately run away because he doesn't want a commitment. Which makes her feel sad. So she talks to him about how he's making her feel.
He does nice things for her. He finds books from earth and fills her bookshelves. He puts a note inside each book so she knows why he picked that book. They read and discuss the books together sometimes. He finds paper (very expensive in fae world) and pens and writing instruments as she used to work as a clerk and he wants her to be happy.
He doesn't want to be so obsessed with her so he has Cass, the head healer, turn off his sense of smell. Now he can't smell when the heroine is aroused. So his scent fetish is neutralized.
Because the heroine was exposed to so much magic in the fae wilderness she develops "breaking" magic. She can destroy almost anything by "breaking" it. Old wounds, buildings that were built brick by brick, glass, she can "break" things. She is very dangerous. She begs the Queen not to tell the hero. She doesn't want him to have another reason to reject her. She doesn't want to be his enemy for eternity.
They keep her secret but the head healer Cass (the hero's best friend) has to help her learn to control her magic. He's the only one who can because he can heal any damage to people she does.
She learns to mostly control her magic. There is an accident and the princess walks into her practice room without any warning. She "breaks" the princess but Cass fixes her. The Queen throws her out because her husband will kill her for hurting for their daughter. Hero agrees to be an Ambassador at a different court that he previously refused repeatedly. He'll do anything to save the heroine's life.
The hero, heroine, and Cass flee to this other court. Cass has to come to help her control her magic. The King of this other court is dying and he has no heir. The prince went missing thousands of years ago and is presumed to be dead. All the other courts want to inherit his kingdom.
The heroine starts investigating how the king was poisoned. She thinks it was "silver rain" and starts hanging out with party boys/girls to get access to drugs. The hero thinks it is dangerous but doesn't stop her.
The heroine is forced to take "silver rain" under fae guesting laws which increases her breaker magic and she attacks the guards. She flees to the hero and he saves her by telling everyone he is the long lost prince and heir. He never wanted to be heir but tells his secret to save her life.
The King never liked his son and doesn't want his son to inherit. Cass has been trying to heal the King so he has a blood bond with the King. The King kills himself so his kingdom will be inherited by Cass (and not the hero) because his blood matches the king at that moment.
The heroine is kidnapped by a duchess who wants her kingdom back and wants the king to die. The hero shows up to save her and he is blinded and tortured.
Heroine manages to free herself and borrows a war dragon to find him and rescue him. She takes a whole bunch of silver rain and "breaks" the duchess's castle and guards. She finds the hero and promises it will be fine. Even if Cass can't fix his eyes she will find him a seeing eye dog and learn braille and they will be together forever.
Cass asks the heroine to "break" the pieces of skin and muscle poisoned by iron so Cass can try to grow back healthy tissue. By working together, they give the hero his eyes back and he can see. Now his gaze is deadly or paralyzing only if he wants it to be. So he is happy he's not so dangerous to his friends anymore.
Cass is the King of the kingdom. He doesn't want to be but can't get rid of it. His healing powers healed a bunch of people and healed roads and mines so now the kingdom basically fell backwards in time 500 years. Cass was in a coma but woke up after 6 days. People are whispering and calling him "His Splendor" because they think he's a god. Nobody can heal like Cass can.
Cass doesn't want the hero and heroine to leave. They don't want to leave Cass either. They all agree to live at the Kingdom and help Cass run it. The heroine is a great clerk and auditor so she's going to get the books in order. The hero and heroine are known as "Archangels" because of the heroine's clerical work in her original court where she saved hundreds of lives.
The hero and heroine get married with fae vows which are very binding. They will be each other's only lovers and love each other no matter what.
The end of the book is a woman trying to get into the castle. Heroine sees with her breaker magic that she is Cass's soulmate. That is the end.
I really enjoyed all of the steamy scenes. The hero loves to use his tongue on her and his two sets of genitals so they have some pretty creative moments together.
The only issue I had was we don't know what the heroine needs to do in 2 years for her bargain with the pagan god that saved the hero's life. It's hanging over their heads.
May 28, 2024
Update-
I skipped about 1/3 of the book and read the last chapter and epilogue.
One good thing: the mmc’s are Trueloves. That’s better than the shallow Lovers soulmates designation.
However, I’ve decided the next book isn’t gonna be for me. My main issue is the murky water possession trope. Meaning the man-whores who are possessive. I dislike that trope. I know everyone has their likes and dislikes. And that faes are fickle in a lot of books. But I have my limits. Huzzah for me to discover all my triggers in one book! =D
I’ve also discovered that I’m ok with mm, mf, ff. But bi characters in fated mates books are problematic for me because I don’t like that they are locked out of choices so how could that be HEA? Might be silly because I don’t understand the emotional dynamics, and this is me being honest. It’s like, due to fate, your preference is now set forever. Since that is a personal dislike and not an issue with the writing, I’m rating the book 3 stars instead of 2. I still disliked Vad the Cad. Glad my angst is over and I can return this to KU. Lol
————————————/———-/———————————
DNF @ 49%
The two mc’s together felt like nails on chalkboard. I was looking forward to reading this book in the series, but I think I’m going to stop reading the series for now.
The mmc is a douche, basically. Arrogant without any redeeming-enough quality, sex-addict, slept with everyone. EVERYONE. And treats the fmc like crap, except when he’s sexing her.
I have no sympathy for him, nor do I care to find out any other deeper reasons for his douchebaggery.
The fmc tried to hold it together, but she was trapped, and whatever she goes through in order to pull through I suspect is not gonna have NEARLY enough grovel at the end to make me happy.
I think this is an Omegaverse - adjacent type story, with the alpha being dismissige to the fmc and scent-sensitive about her, possessive, but doesn’t want her. I know that genre is popular, and if you like that, you might like this.
I skipped about 1/3 of the book and read the last chapter and epilogue.
One good thing: the mmc’s are Trueloves. That’s better than the shallow Lovers soulmates designation.
However, I’ve decided the next book isn’t gonna be for me. My main issue is the murky water possession trope. Meaning the man-whores who are possessive. I dislike that trope. I know everyone has their likes and dislikes. And that faes are fickle in a lot of books. But I have my limits. Huzzah for me to discover all my triggers in one book! =D
I’ve also discovered that I’m ok with mm, mf, ff. But bi characters in fated mates books are problematic for me because I don’t like that they are locked out of choices so how could that be HEA? Might be silly because I don’t understand the emotional dynamics, and this is me being honest. It’s like, due to fate, your preference is now set forever. Since that is a personal dislike and not an issue with the writing, I’m rating the book 3 stars instead of 2. I still disliked Vad the Cad. Glad my angst is over and I can return this to KU. Lol
————————————/———-/———————————
DNF @ 49%
The two mc’s together felt like nails on chalkboard. I was looking forward to reading this book in the series, but I think I’m going to stop reading the series for now.
The mmc is a douche, basically. Arrogant without any redeeming-enough quality, sex-addict, slept with everyone. EVERYONE. And treats the fmc like crap, except when he’s sexing her.
I have no sympathy for him, nor do I care to find out any other deeper reasons for his douchebaggery.
The fmc tried to hold it together, but she was trapped, and whatever she goes through in order to pull through I suspect is not gonna have NEARLY enough grovel at the end to make me happy.
I think this is an Omegaverse - adjacent type story, with the alpha being dismissige to the fmc and scent-sensitive about her, possessive, but doesn’t want her. I know that genre is popular, and if you like that, you might like this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2024
I’m a little peeved about how much I liked this book.
The good: the raw emotions between the two, vulnerability (and darkness) in the MMC, the plot, and of course the chemistry.
The bad: …I really thought they would be a trio with Cass. Instead we get a bonus chapter at the end where they have a brief scene and he’s left wanting his own soulmate (sob).
The good: the raw emotions between the two, vulnerability (and darkness) in the MMC, the plot, and of course the chemistry.
The bad: …I really thought they would be a trio with Cass. Instead we get a bonus chapter at the end where they have a brief scene and he’s left wanting his own soulmate (sob).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2025
my god, reading this felt brutally long. the story overall was good I guess, I liked the audiobook, but this felt like a marathon read.
the story itself is okay, I don't like modern stories or ties to modern life in my fantasy books, so mentions of LA / our world were disappointing (I'm trying to escape all reality here), and the pet names like "hissy kissy" were just weird and annoying.
I'm just thankful this is over, I should have probably DNFed this, but I don't hate it either
the story itself is okay, I don't like modern stories or ties to modern life in my fantasy books, so mentions of LA / our world were disappointing (I'm trying to escape all reality here), and the pet names like "hissy kissy" were just weird and annoying.
I'm just thankful this is over, I should have probably DNFed this, but I don't hate it either
February 27, 2024
Disclaimer: ARC copy provided for honest review. Minor spoilers ahead.
This is the second book in the Monsters of Faery series that I’ve read and while I didn’t enjoy Captured by the Fae Beast, I’m glad to say that wasn’t the case with Caught in the Basilisk’s Gaze! Book 4 was a big improvement from Book 1 in many ways from the writing to the characters.
Book 4 follows Danica, a human fugitive on the run after helping fae flee the grasp of the Raven Court and Vaduin, a fae turned basilisk amalgamation who is running from some secrets of his own. I really enjoyed both of our main characters and their relationship was a great change from the typical enemies-to-lovers duet we typically see. Both characters are more than capable to admit to their faults and their relationship was mature while still being fun. The book is single POV with Danica being our voice throughout the story and I think that was a great choice overall. Normally I prefer POV from both the MMC & FMC but Vaduin was written in a way that his character was shown enough through Danica that left both of them feeling developed while keeping the twists of the story obscured from the reader.
On the topic of other characters, I unfortunately have the perspective of someone who hasn’t read 2/4 books. We get a lot of what I can infer as returning characters who may not be as exciting for standalone readers. I also can see how the world may be a bit difficult to grasp if you start with this book. There are a lot of mentions of court politics and previous conflicts/events that I believe elevate the story with prior knowledge. Overall, I do still think this book works well enough on its own for anyone who doesn’t find interest in the other stories.
I can, however, speak on Xarcassah, Vaduin’s friend, who is a new addition to the cast. I LOVE HIM. He’s a great ally to both our main characters and the plot while developing a lot of intrigue. Initially, I suspected that he would become mated to Vaduin & Danica as well but I’m more than excited to know he has a mate of his own and possibly a future story!!
The world of these books have some really interesting concepts like the different kinds of ways soulmates can balance from true loves to allies to enemies. I hope in the future we can see more of these soulmate types in action (I would love to read about soul-mated enemies, multiple living soulmates with different balances or even a scenario in which an MC continues to crush on a character who ends up having a soulmate). Danica’s power of breaking was also really unique and Vaduin’s basilisk half created some unique scenarios. This world has so many potential stories and I’m excited to see where it can go.
On the topic of spice, I will say that Mallory Dunlin has it mastered. The concept of Vaduin’s basilisk’s stare needing to be neutralized every three days made for some great scenes. My only complaint is that there is almost too much spice. This is a long book and about 2/3 of the way in, it starts to drag because there’s so many chapters of spice and not all of it feels necessary. Especially when those pages could have been used to further develop the plot, which is ultimately why I don’t think this was a 5 star read. The book starts right into the action and was very strong, things slow as we enter Windswept Court but it works for establishing character and Danica’s powers. It’s when we leave for the Mercy Court that I find the pacing to fall a bit flat and the plot to lose itself under Vaduin & Danica’s relationship troubles. Another thing I was constantly wondering was…what about the bargain with Sarcaryn? It’s set up in the first few chapters leaves you under the assumption that it’s foreshadowing for the end of the book but it’s never brought up again. Now I believe it will probably come into play in a later installment but I still don’t find it plausible that Danica just never thinks about it again. Especially as she grows closer to Vaduin and learns of his origin. Like I would be terrified to know I owe a stag god a favor in two years when I have so much more to abuse (a true love, a friend who’s the King, the Mirage Court, breaking abilities, etc) but I digress.
In conclusion, this was a much welcomed surprise after my experience with the first book and I’m even inclined to give the other two a try in the future! Personal preference: I would recommend starting from book one and just skimming if any of them aren’t to your liking because I believe this world of Faery has something for everyone. I’m excited to see what Dunlin has in store for us next!
This is the second book in the Monsters of Faery series that I’ve read and while I didn’t enjoy Captured by the Fae Beast, I’m glad to say that wasn’t the case with Caught in the Basilisk’s Gaze! Book 4 was a big improvement from Book 1 in many ways from the writing to the characters.
Book 4 follows Danica, a human fugitive on the run after helping fae flee the grasp of the Raven Court and Vaduin, a fae turned basilisk amalgamation who is running from some secrets of his own. I really enjoyed both of our main characters and their relationship was a great change from the typical enemies-to-lovers duet we typically see. Both characters are more than capable to admit to their faults and their relationship was mature while still being fun. The book is single POV with Danica being our voice throughout the story and I think that was a great choice overall. Normally I prefer POV from both the MMC & FMC but Vaduin was written in a way that his character was shown enough through Danica that left both of them feeling developed while keeping the twists of the story obscured from the reader.
On the topic of other characters, I unfortunately have the perspective of someone who hasn’t read 2/4 books. We get a lot of what I can infer as returning characters who may not be as exciting for standalone readers. I also can see how the world may be a bit difficult to grasp if you start with this book. There are a lot of mentions of court politics and previous conflicts/events that I believe elevate the story with prior knowledge. Overall, I do still think this book works well enough on its own for anyone who doesn’t find interest in the other stories.
I can, however, speak on Xarcassah, Vaduin’s friend, who is a new addition to the cast. I LOVE HIM. He’s a great ally to both our main characters and the plot while developing a lot of intrigue. Initially, I suspected that he would become mated to Vaduin & Danica as well but I’m more than excited to know he has a mate of his own and possibly a future story!!
The world of these books have some really interesting concepts like the different kinds of ways soulmates can balance from true loves to allies to enemies. I hope in the future we can see more of these soulmate types in action (I would love to read about soul-mated enemies, multiple living soulmates with different balances or even a scenario in which an MC continues to crush on a character who ends up having a soulmate). Danica’s power of breaking was also really unique and Vaduin’s basilisk half created some unique scenarios. This world has so many potential stories and I’m excited to see where it can go.
On the topic of spice, I will say that Mallory Dunlin has it mastered. The concept of Vaduin’s basilisk’s stare needing to be neutralized every three days made for some great scenes. My only complaint is that there is almost too much spice. This is a long book and about 2/3 of the way in, it starts to drag because there’s so many chapters of spice and not all of it feels necessary. Especially when those pages could have been used to further develop the plot, which is ultimately why I don’t think this was a 5 star read. The book starts right into the action and was very strong, things slow as we enter Windswept Court but it works for establishing character and Danica’s powers. It’s when we leave for the Mercy Court that I find the pacing to fall a bit flat and the plot to lose itself under Vaduin & Danica’s relationship troubles. Another thing I was constantly wondering was…what about the bargain with Sarcaryn? It’s set up in the first few chapters leaves you under the assumption that it’s foreshadowing for the end of the book but it’s never brought up again. Now I believe it will probably come into play in a later installment but I still don’t find it plausible that Danica just never thinks about it again. Especially as she grows closer to Vaduin and learns of his origin. Like I would be terrified to know I owe a stag god a favor in two years when I have so much more to abuse (a true love, a friend who’s the King, the Mirage Court, breaking abilities, etc) but I digress.
In conclusion, this was a much welcomed surprise after my experience with the first book and I’m even inclined to give the other two a try in the future! Personal preference: I would recommend starting from book one and just skimming if any of them aren’t to your liking because I believe this world of Faery has something for everyone. I’m excited to see what Dunlin has in store for us next!
March 3, 2024
Gleeful Goblin Review: So in this house we adore a consent king, queen, and all outside binary royalty options. So when I read this scene I SWOONED: "Vaduin—" I squeaked out when he moved, again. Fuckíng torture. He made another low sound of pleasure, deep in his throat, and inhaled against me. "Danica," he said in a sleep-rough voice. "I was having such a lovely dream." "Yes, I'm aware," I said, a little desperately. "You're having your lovely dream right up against me." He laughed, his voice roughened by pain, and didn't move. His cócks flexed against me again, still fully hard. "You smell like you're enjoying me." I whined again, every nerve in my body feeling on fire and my pánties absolutely soaked. Fúck. Two of them. And he seemed to have no problem with being grievously injured in the woods with his fúcking morning erectíons tormenting me, which was almost worse than him being ashamed or upset about it. "Physical arousal isn't the same as consent—" I started, deathly embarrassed to discover that he could smell that. "I know," he said, cutting me off. "And if you tell me to get off of you instead of enjoying having your arousal chasing away the smell of dead bonehound, I will of course do so. But we have a bit of a conundrum that I would like to discuss, first." Right. The dead bonehounds. They were a problem. A bigger problem than him waking up hard."
This book also brought me a whole new trope I now love, or at least I love when it's done like this, which is "Fúck or death". Sounds weird I know, but the way it's presented in the story, in no small part due to them being soulmates, is perfect. For me at least it gives similar vibes like enemies to lovers but is way less dramatic and full of possible betrayal that makes me tend to avoid enemies to lovers in the first place. Something that I loved about this book journey is how our FMC has to give our MMC a reality check or take him down a notch or two since he's been this dashing fae for centuries already. And she does it SO WELL but without being awful to him which I loved: "Okay. Okay, fine. You're right," I said, closing my eyes to try to calm myself. "It's not my normal, but that doesn't matter. Blindfolding turns one of us into a liability, and we don't really have a lot of margin of survival. So we should probably…" I had to swallow, trying to call moisture to my mouth. "…mate." "Such enthusiasm," Vaduin said drily. "I'm quite good at sèx. It doesn't have to be some sort of grim duty—" "Fuckíng hell, Vaduin." I flicked him on the neck, earning myself a masculine growl that made my core tense in a way I hoped he couldn't smell. "First of all, you're brutally injured, so maybe take your imagination down a few notches on the spectacular sèx front. Second of all, I'm not the kind of girl who jumps in bed with any over-confident casanova she encounters. 'I'm a big slút' isn't exactly the ringing endorsement you seem to think it is—" He hissed at me again. "There is nothing wrong with being promiscuous—" "Third of all," I said, riding right over his protest, "we are in the middle of the woods, with almost no supplies, next to a bunch of dead bonehounds. This is maybe not the time to be showing off your sèxual prowess." Vaduin snorted, and gave me a quick nip on the neck. "Hardly the worst circumstances in which I've shown off my sèxual prowess, I'll have you know. Either way, though…" He sighed through his nose. "If we're going to do this, we should, but I'd like it to be enjoyable for you, or if not enjoyable, at least not unpleasant. If there's something you'd like from me, tell me." I closed my eyes, breathing carefully. I didn't want to think about anything to do with this, but I also didn't want to get dropped with the same cold finality as the bonehounds. If this was the only option, we would do it. "Can we… not be by the… dead bodies?" I asked, trying not to sound pathetic. I wasn't sure I succeeded. "Of course," he said gently. He gave me a little nudge with his nose. "I know I can be… difficult… to deal with, but I'm not intending to make your life harder, Danica. This is just…" He exhaled. "It's what I am. Close your eyes. Let me see if I can find a better place."
This books is beautifully long and takes us on a JOURNEY with these two so if you're down for a good, dirty adventurous time this is the book for you. 5/5 Stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book also brought me a whole new trope I now love, or at least I love when it's done like this, which is "Fúck or death". Sounds weird I know, but the way it's presented in the story, in no small part due to them being soulmates, is perfect. For me at least it gives similar vibes like enemies to lovers but is way less dramatic and full of possible betrayal that makes me tend to avoid enemies to lovers in the first place. Something that I loved about this book journey is how our FMC has to give our MMC a reality check or take him down a notch or two since he's been this dashing fae for centuries already. And she does it SO WELL but without being awful to him which I loved: "Okay. Okay, fine. You're right," I said, closing my eyes to try to calm myself. "It's not my normal, but that doesn't matter. Blindfolding turns one of us into a liability, and we don't really have a lot of margin of survival. So we should probably…" I had to swallow, trying to call moisture to my mouth. "…mate." "Such enthusiasm," Vaduin said drily. "I'm quite good at sèx. It doesn't have to be some sort of grim duty—" "Fuckíng hell, Vaduin." I flicked him on the neck, earning myself a masculine growl that made my core tense in a way I hoped he couldn't smell. "First of all, you're brutally injured, so maybe take your imagination down a few notches on the spectacular sèx front. Second of all, I'm not the kind of girl who jumps in bed with any over-confident casanova she encounters. 'I'm a big slút' isn't exactly the ringing endorsement you seem to think it is—" He hissed at me again. "There is nothing wrong with being promiscuous—" "Third of all," I said, riding right over his protest, "we are in the middle of the woods, with almost no supplies, next to a bunch of dead bonehounds. This is maybe not the time to be showing off your sèxual prowess." Vaduin snorted, and gave me a quick nip on the neck. "Hardly the worst circumstances in which I've shown off my sèxual prowess, I'll have you know. Either way, though…" He sighed through his nose. "If we're going to do this, we should, but I'd like it to be enjoyable for you, or if not enjoyable, at least not unpleasant. If there's something you'd like from me, tell me." I closed my eyes, breathing carefully. I didn't want to think about anything to do with this, but I also didn't want to get dropped with the same cold finality as the bonehounds. If this was the only option, we would do it. "Can we… not be by the… dead bodies?" I asked, trying not to sound pathetic. I wasn't sure I succeeded. "Of course," he said gently. He gave me a little nudge with his nose. "I know I can be… difficult… to deal with, but I'm not intending to make your life harder, Danica. This is just…" He exhaled. "It's what I am. Close your eyes. Let me see if I can find a better place."
This books is beautifully long and takes us on a JOURNEY with these two so if you're down for a good, dirty adventurous time this is the book for you. 5/5 Stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 4, 2024
So addictive!
I couldn’t put this book down, it kept me hooked from start to finish! The world of Faery is fantastical and rich, and the characters are wonderfully complex and multi-dimensional. It absolutely stands on its own and you’re never left in the dark, but I really enjoyed the expansions upon existing locations and characters in Faery from previous books in the series.
The pacing throughout is wonderful, both for the compelling plot and character development. There's cover-to-cover spice without being overwhelming, with lots of unique anatomy fun! While open door scenes are plentiful, I also appreciated that there were times it was glossed over instead where it didn't serve the plot. It's tricky to not make it overbearing when there's a plot element that calls for it regularly, but I felt the author balanced that really well.
This book (and series) beautifully deals with some really dark and heavy topics, be sure to check the content warnings on the author’s website if there are topics you are sensitive about.
I love all the books in this series, Faery is one of my favorite fantasy worlds. You can’t go wrong with any of them, they are all deliciously dark in their own ways as each couple finds their way to a balanced love.
**MANY SPOILERS AHEAD**
Insecurities are the undercurrent of Vaduin and Danica’s early relationship. She is afraid to embrace the potential of a dream that fate has set before her after a lifetime of painful relationships with abusive men and abusive parents. Vaduin is known as emotionally unavailable, but truly he behaves that way for self-preservation. He has been disappointed by so many in his life, it is hard to let people in. He is afraid to ask for what he wants, for fear of that disappointment he’s felt so often in his life. In their heart of hearts both characters desire true love, and they eventually make their way to it.
Soulmates are extremely rare in Faery, to even get one in a fae’s lifetime is incredible. Vaduin has received two in his lifetime and he carries deep grief about the loss of his first soulmate. In reality, he probably never should have survived the loss, but fate had other plans for him.
Vaduin and Danica’s love is really beautiful, special, and so very sweet in a way that is unique from the other books in this series. You can truly feel the tender insecurities of both characters and the emotional scars they carry. As painful as it was for the characters, I was really impressed with how beautifully written their trauma and character developments were.
I was so sad for Vaduin when I realized how much pain he had truly endured in his life, both physical and emotional. Even so, he faces the world with a smile and the desire to help where he can despite the deep burdens he carries from his past. His true tenderness is kept guarded within the core of his heart, and Danica walks a delicate and dangerous path to unearth it.
Vaduin’s words to Danica that stuck with me and summarized her perfectly, “You’ve experienced a great deal of darkness in your few years.” She came into Faery broken and traumatized. Everyone important to her betrayed her trust and giving nature where she should have only had love and support. Even with the burdens of her past, she does her best to save as many people as she can in Faery by helping strangers escape the tyrannical Raven Court with forged documents. She has nothing to gain, but she selflessly helps countless people despite the cruelty she endured in her past and the danger she places herself in for strangers.
The main characters are sometimes so similar, but they also are lovely complements to each other in both significant and fun, playful ways. In their own ways they each fear commitment, or at least the soul deep commitment of balance. Working their way towards acceptance and love is a long, but worthy road and they truly bloomed into each other.
Once again in this series, I was really impressed with the way the main characters dealt with their interpersonal conflicts with realistic maturity. It was so satisfying to see them go from a place of miscommunication and misunderstandings to identifying where they are letting their counterpart down and actually fixing it, supporting one another rather than patching over their problems with empty gestures or promises.
I really liked the simple message that you are not your past, you are who you choose to be in the moment. In a world where fate pulls a lot of strings, I like seeing how the characters are empowered to make their own choices about identity.
I’m so excited for future books in this series! Cass seems like the obvious choice for the next book given his role in this story, but I’d also love to see more from Pelleas. Danica has outstanding bargains with Pelleas and Sarcaryn, and I’d love to know whatever they end up using their bargains with her for.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I couldn’t put this book down, it kept me hooked from start to finish! The world of Faery is fantastical and rich, and the characters are wonderfully complex and multi-dimensional. It absolutely stands on its own and you’re never left in the dark, but I really enjoyed the expansions upon existing locations and characters in Faery from previous books in the series.
The pacing throughout is wonderful, both for the compelling plot and character development. There's cover-to-cover spice without being overwhelming, with lots of unique anatomy fun! While open door scenes are plentiful, I also appreciated that there were times it was glossed over instead where it didn't serve the plot. It's tricky to not make it overbearing when there's a plot element that calls for it regularly, but I felt the author balanced that really well.
This book (and series) beautifully deals with some really dark and heavy topics, be sure to check the content warnings on the author’s website if there are topics you are sensitive about.
I love all the books in this series, Faery is one of my favorite fantasy worlds. You can’t go wrong with any of them, they are all deliciously dark in their own ways as each couple finds their way to a balanced love.
**MANY SPOILERS AHEAD**
Insecurities are the undercurrent of Vaduin and Danica’s early relationship. She is afraid to embrace the potential of a dream that fate has set before her after a lifetime of painful relationships with abusive men and abusive parents. Vaduin is known as emotionally unavailable, but truly he behaves that way for self-preservation. He has been disappointed by so many in his life, it is hard to let people in. He is afraid to ask for what he wants, for fear of that disappointment he’s felt so often in his life. In their heart of hearts both characters desire true love, and they eventually make their way to it.
Soulmates are extremely rare in Faery, to even get one in a fae’s lifetime is incredible. Vaduin has received two in his lifetime and he carries deep grief about the loss of his first soulmate. In reality, he probably never should have survived the loss, but fate had other plans for him.
Vaduin and Danica’s love is really beautiful, special, and so very sweet in a way that is unique from the other books in this series. You can truly feel the tender insecurities of both characters and the emotional scars they carry. As painful as it was for the characters, I was really impressed with how beautifully written their trauma and character developments were.
I was so sad for Vaduin when I realized how much pain he had truly endured in his life, both physical and emotional. Even so, he faces the world with a smile and the desire to help where he can despite the deep burdens he carries from his past. His true tenderness is kept guarded within the core of his heart, and Danica walks a delicate and dangerous path to unearth it.
Vaduin’s words to Danica that stuck with me and summarized her perfectly, “You’ve experienced a great deal of darkness in your few years.” She came into Faery broken and traumatized. Everyone important to her betrayed her trust and giving nature where she should have only had love and support. Even with the burdens of her past, she does her best to save as many people as she can in Faery by helping strangers escape the tyrannical Raven Court with forged documents. She has nothing to gain, but she selflessly helps countless people despite the cruelty she endured in her past and the danger she places herself in for strangers.
The main characters are sometimes so similar, but they also are lovely complements to each other in both significant and fun, playful ways. In their own ways they each fear commitment, or at least the soul deep commitment of balance. Working their way towards acceptance and love is a long, but worthy road and they truly bloomed into each other.
Once again in this series, I was really impressed with the way the main characters dealt with their interpersonal conflicts with realistic maturity. It was so satisfying to see them go from a place of miscommunication and misunderstandings to identifying where they are letting their counterpart down and actually fixing it, supporting one another rather than patching over their problems with empty gestures or promises.
I really liked the simple message that you are not your past, you are who you choose to be in the moment. In a world where fate pulls a lot of strings, I like seeing how the characters are empowered to make their own choices about identity.
I’m so excited for future books in this series! Cass seems like the obvious choice for the next book given his role in this story, but I’d also love to see more from Pelleas. Danica has outstanding bargains with Pelleas and Sarcaryn, and I’d love to know whatever they end up using their bargains with her for.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 5, 2024
fantastic romance fantasy
I had zero expectations as this author was new to me.
I was shocked by how much I loved this story.
It sucked me in and kept hold of me. As in, every spare minute i was reading this book the past few days. In between teaching Pilates students, my own kids and life. 😂😂I was hooked. I normally read at day’s end. Not with this treasure.
I had no idea this was a part of a larger series of previous books but had no problem keeping up with the story.
The spice was high but so was the plot. I didn’t start to skip over scenes bc it was getting boring nor did I feel like the author repeated what they did. She kept it fresh and in tune with what the characters were doing and how they were both evolving.
A super balanced read for all that it entails and involves. So many writers want to give us a long ass story but it just devolves into a merry-go-round of same day different shit. Not this story.
Characters grow and change, different shit happens to move them along and the story was paced to MOVE not sit and give us a daily run down of the minutiae of their lives.
If you love high spice, high adventure and romance w a hea-this is for you. I would call this fast burn but not in the way you might imagine or expect. Sex may occur quickly but the building of the fmc and mc’s ultimate relationship truly takes time. I don’t want to spoil. But it was beautifully done.
High spice-good pacing✅
MF ✅
MC fae turned into half basilisk, has sex w any gender so they can make eye contact w him, very sexual being, and wants zero emotional attachments✅
Fmc non virgin but grew up in strict family and made to feel badly about sex or wanting sex, history of abuse both familial and bfs✅
World building and plot was really good✅
Kindle Unlimited ✅
HEA ✅
…..buuuuttttttt also sort of hfn bc of a hanging chad in this story, author will conclude that portion as well as start and finish a new couple in next book. I am ok with this BECAUSE the author CLEARLY STATES the issue at hand. But the ending itself is still satisfying and good.
Lastly, the author inserts a bookfunnel chapter at the end for a taste of mmf. I am so glad she did NOT put this in the story bc it would have ruined the characters love story for me. Maybe not for others. But it would have for me. I am glad she did this. So if you don’t care about that sort of stuff just ignore it. I love RH and MFM or MMF type books. But not just a scene tossed in there.
Again, this demonstrates the author’s level of writing and how she understands story plot and flow. This scene never would have worked in the book. But off side as a little maybewhatif sexy time?
Hells yeah it worked. 😂😂❤️❤️🥵🥵🥵
I had zero expectations as this author was new to me.
I was shocked by how much I loved this story.
It sucked me in and kept hold of me. As in, every spare minute i was reading this book the past few days. In between teaching Pilates students, my own kids and life. 😂😂I was hooked. I normally read at day’s end. Not with this treasure.
I had no idea this was a part of a larger series of previous books but had no problem keeping up with the story.
The spice was high but so was the plot. I didn’t start to skip over scenes bc it was getting boring nor did I feel like the author repeated what they did. She kept it fresh and in tune with what the characters were doing and how they were both evolving.
A super balanced read for all that it entails and involves. So many writers want to give us a long ass story but it just devolves into a merry-go-round of same day different shit. Not this story.
Characters grow and change, different shit happens to move them along and the story was paced to MOVE not sit and give us a daily run down of the minutiae of their lives.
If you love high spice, high adventure and romance w a hea-this is for you. I would call this fast burn but not in the way you might imagine or expect. Sex may occur quickly but the building of the fmc and mc’s ultimate relationship truly takes time. I don’t want to spoil. But it was beautifully done.
High spice-good pacing✅
MF ✅
MC fae turned into half basilisk, has sex w any gender so they can make eye contact w him, very sexual being, and wants zero emotional attachments✅
Fmc non virgin but grew up in strict family and made to feel badly about sex or wanting sex, history of abuse both familial and bfs✅
World building and plot was really good✅
Kindle Unlimited ✅
HEA ✅
…..buuuuttttttt also sort of hfn bc of a hanging chad in this story, author will conclude that portion as well as start and finish a new couple in next book. I am ok with this BECAUSE the author CLEARLY STATES the issue at hand. But the ending itself is still satisfying and good.
Lastly, the author inserts a bookfunnel chapter at the end for a taste of mmf. I am so glad she did NOT put this in the story bc it would have ruined the characters love story for me. Maybe not for others. But it would have for me. I am glad she did this. So if you don’t care about that sort of stuff just ignore it. I love RH and MFM or MMF type books. But not just a scene tossed in there.
Again, this demonstrates the author’s level of writing and how she understands story plot and flow. This scene never would have worked in the book. But off side as a little maybewhatif sexy time?
Hells yeah it worked. 😂😂❤️❤️🥵🥵🥵
August 2, 2024
I have had this series on my TBR for a couple of months now but as any avid reader knows, it’s hard to chisel that thing down so it’s manageable. I’ve never regretted not reading a series more than this one. It starts off high energy and I immediately felt thrown into a world of chaos and magic. Danica is a bit of a hero, they nickname her the Archangel, she gets caught doing stuff she shouldn’t and flees. In her escape she meets her soulmate, the freaking sexiest fae I’ve had the pleasure of reading about, Vadiun.
They go through trial after trial after they are literally shot from the sky and have to make an impossible journey back to his Court. But there’s a slight problem, only people he has coupled with can look him in the eyes with being paralyzed or killed. Imagine meeting your soul mate for the first time and he’s like by the way, either we have sex or you die???
Danica is everything that is good about female strength in fantasy novels. She’s gentle, she thinks before she speaks and not just because around fae you have to be cautious. She’s strong, she runs into quite a problem during their journey being exposed to too much wild magic and the changes it causes in her could have broken her but she didn’t allow it to. She fought tooth and nail to not let it break her. She’s dealing with traumas but she acknowledges that and gives herself grace when she’s able to. I struggle with fantasy sometimes because FMCs are damsels in distress quite often, okay occasionally but I like strong women. I could read a million books if they had even a drop of Danica’s personality. Can’t decide if I’m in love with her or if I wanna be her.
Sweet, grumpy boy Vadiun. He has my heart forever and ever. I can’t even imagine how hard it would be to not be able to truly connect with people because you literally can’t make eye contact. Especially with his love language clearly being physical touch. I loved how passionate he was. How he stood by his friends even if he didn’t acknowledge them as such. How strong he was. And how absolutely DESPERATE he is for Danica. The way he worships her? The way he literally devotes himself to her and her happiness and pleasure? I’d happily walk my ass into Faery if I could have a Vadiun of my own. I want two peens and I want to experience the tail love. 💕
Seriously. If you love the crazy politics that come with a fae world and all the deals and back stabbing. The lust and betrayal give this book a shot. For my girls like me that didn’t like ACOTAR (don’t come for me I tried, TWICE) but still want to read about fae, give this series a shot. I never got past the first book of ACOTAR but I read this in a day. Apples to oranges of course but gods I need more people reading these.
They go through trial after trial after they are literally shot from the sky and have to make an impossible journey back to his Court. But there’s a slight problem, only people he has coupled with can look him in the eyes with being paralyzed or killed. Imagine meeting your soul mate for the first time and he’s like by the way, either we have sex or you die???
Danica is everything that is good about female strength in fantasy novels. She’s gentle, she thinks before she speaks and not just because around fae you have to be cautious. She’s strong, she runs into quite a problem during their journey being exposed to too much wild magic and the changes it causes in her could have broken her but she didn’t allow it to. She fought tooth and nail to not let it break her. She’s dealing with traumas but she acknowledges that and gives herself grace when she’s able to. I struggle with fantasy sometimes because FMCs are damsels in distress quite often, okay occasionally but I like strong women. I could read a million books if they had even a drop of Danica’s personality. Can’t decide if I’m in love with her or if I wanna be her.
Sweet, grumpy boy Vadiun. He has my heart forever and ever. I can’t even imagine how hard it would be to not be able to truly connect with people because you literally can’t make eye contact. Especially with his love language clearly being physical touch. I loved how passionate he was. How he stood by his friends even if he didn’t acknowledge them as such. How strong he was. And how absolutely DESPERATE he is for Danica. The way he worships her? The way he literally devotes himself to her and her happiness and pleasure? I’d happily walk my ass into Faery if I could have a Vadiun of my own. I want two peens and I want to experience the tail love. 💕
Seriously. If you love the crazy politics that come with a fae world and all the deals and back stabbing. The lust and betrayal give this book a shot. For my girls like me that didn’t like ACOTAR (don’t come for me I tried, TWICE) but still want to read about fae, give this series a shot. I never got past the first book of ACOTAR but I read this in a day. Apples to oranges of course but gods I need more people reading these.
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