One day a shadow is cast on the Mechanical Circus, a rollicking seaside carnival where imagination meets machinery, when a tall, cloaked figure approaches the stand of Will Marchman, a young patent-medicine salesman. Thus begins the adventures of Will; Fanule Perfidor, commonly known as the Dog King; vampire Clancy Marrowbone; and Clancy's former lover, the mortal Simon Bentcross.
I really liked the first two books but got a mixed feelings about the third one. Good writing, interesting world and very likable both MC couples. I'm sure I've read book one years ago but did not remember anything about it but the name, so it was like reading the entire trilogy for a first time. I think this trilogy will appeal to lovers of fantasy and paranormal romances.
I enjoyed the world-building and the flawed yet appealing protagonists. They have some creepy villains to face in this series. Some things the villains did pushed at my gore tolerance, but my gore tolerance is low, and I don't think my m/m reading friends would have a problem with it.
4.5 Stars ~ I remember when I became aware of KZ Snow’s Mongrel Trilogy. The second book, Merman, had just been released, but at the time I was still in my contemporary romance bubble, so it just seemed too “out there” for me. I know. Lame. However, I did go check out the info on Mongrel, and it was definitely intriguing. That cover, right? And, the blurb: Hunzinger’s Mechanical Circus…Fanule Perfidor—how cool is that name?—Purinton vs Taintwell…Sooo much intrigue. BUT, I still held off. Fast forward to last spring, when Dreamspinner was releasing the trilogy bundle. I said to Lisa, “Hey, I’m thinking about jumping on this Mongrel Trilogy Bundle…” Before I could even get all the words out, she said, “DO IT!” So, I did it. And, then last week I did it again.