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Dale Bruyer #3
The Watcher's Son
Once upon a time when they were young and inexperienced, Dale and James made a lot of mistakes. Sometimes innocent people paid the price.
Christmas morning, one of the mistakes from their past comes back to haunt Dale.
Tyler Gillian was a little boy when James destroyed his life. With James officially dead, his vengeance turns upon Dale and the people he cares about. In the years since Dale last saw him, Tyler has become a powerful practitioner of magic; strange magic that Dale knows almost nothing about.
Every spell has a counter and every curse can be broken, at least that is what he has always believed, but this time things are different. Tyler wants Dale’s power and his life and if Dale wants to save his friend, he may have to give up everything.
Christmas morning, one of the mistakes from their past comes back to haunt Dale.
Tyler Gillian was a little boy when James destroyed his life. With James officially dead, his vengeance turns upon Dale and the people he cares about. In the years since Dale last saw him, Tyler has become a powerful practitioner of magic; strange magic that Dale knows almost nothing about.
Every spell has a counter and every curse can be broken, at least that is what he has always believed, but this time things are different. Tyler wants Dale’s power and his life and if Dale wants to save his friend, he may have to give up everything.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2016
About the author
J.L. Aarne
16 books114 followersJ.L. Aarne currently lives in the Northwest United States. She was born in Washington, but she has moved around a lot and lived in many other places. She has two cats, Jack and Wally, and she is a compulsive collector of notebooks and coffee mugs, which she drinks tea out of. Aarne studied English and literature at the University of New Orleans. Her favorite fictional characters always seem to be the villains.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 19, 2018
4 Stars
Review:
In my review of Book 1, I talked about one particular incident that was mentioned in a flashback because, well, it was pretty terrible. And that incident was pretty much what this book was about. Or rather, it was about the child affected in that incident wanting revenge. And I liked that, that instead of just being brushed aside as backstory, the incident was brought forward and that there were consequences for it. And also, because I already knew the story and felt for the child who became the villain in this book, I could understand where he was coming from; while I didn't agree with his actions, I did feel that he had been wronged.
Another thing I mentioned in my review of Book 1 was that I wasn't sure how I felt about James (the MC's---Dale's---partner), not as a character, but rather as a person. He came off as being not a good person, someone who could be cold and do terrible things without remorse, and that was brought up in this book too. I particularly loved this quote from Dale's POV about James and the time he spent in Hell:
I love when later books in series end up acknowledging things I had already been thinking in the previous books.
Then there was the fight between Dale and James. It was serious and intense, much more so than most fights between couples in books. And again, I could see both sides. I didn't agree with James's actions at all, but I also felt like maybe it wasn't right for Dale to have control over him.
I really felt for Dale though because he just had people angry at him on all sides---the villain taking revenge on him even though Dale wasn't even the one who killed his father, James blowing up at him over the spell thing, Coyote threatening him because of how Dale and James put Daphne in danger. I could feel everything spiraling down around him, pressing in on him. Things got quite dark. But the sadistic part of me that likes to suffer through characters loved it because it was the kind of feeling that really sucked me into the story.
But ah, something happier now, Lloyd was back! He's such a wonderful friend to Dale. I want a friend like Lloyd. Everyone should have a friend like Lloyd.
Last but not least was the Coyote-Daphne relationship. I'm glad their relationship is getting some attention in the series because they're so cute together, and they're likeable characters, and I do care about them and their relationship.
I still had a few little issues though, pretty much the same issues I've had in all the books: the head hopping/omniscience thing that happens on occasion and too much villain backstory. It's great that the villains do have motives and backstories, that they had lives before becoming a villain, but I feel like those sections don't always add to the story (e.g. how the villain met their significant other), and usually I just want to get back to Dale's POV already.
But even though I do sometimes get frustrated by certain things in these books, the characters are so well-written, and that's the most important thing. I'm invested in them. Even James, despite his actions. And I thought this book was even better than the others because of the struggles and intensity and unpredictability. I'm definitely interested in what might happen next!
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1 and 2 in J.L. Aarne's Dale Bruyer series. Anyone who likes M/M urban fantasy, humor, a bit of mystery, and imperfect but mostly likeable characters.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
--------------------
Initial Thoughts:
Even better than the first two books! I could feel everything spiraling out of control for poor Dale. Full review soon.
Review:
In my review of Book 1, I talked about one particular incident that was mentioned in a flashback because, well, it was pretty terrible. And that incident was pretty much what this book was about. Or rather, it was about the child affected in that incident wanting revenge. And I liked that, that instead of just being brushed aside as backstory, the incident was brought forward and that there were consequences for it. And also, because I already knew the story and felt for the child who became the villain in this book, I could understand where he was coming from; while I didn't agree with his actions, I did feel that he had been wronged.
Another thing I mentioned in my review of Book 1 was that I wasn't sure how I felt about James (the MC's---Dale's---partner), not as a character, but rather as a person. He came off as being not a good person, someone who could be cold and do terrible things without remorse, and that was brought up in this book too. I particularly loved this quote from Dale's POV about James and the time he spent in Hell:
The suspicion that [James] had been changed for the worst by the experience had been slow growing, but [Dale] saw more and more evidence of it all the time.
That wasn't even the scariest part though---the really scary part was, Dale had to wonder if Hell had changed [James] much at all.
I love when later books in series end up acknowledging things I had already been thinking in the previous books.
Then there was the fight between Dale and James. It was serious and intense, much more so than most fights between couples in books. And again, I could see both sides. I didn't agree with James's actions at all, but I also felt like maybe it wasn't right for Dale to have control over him.
I really felt for Dale though because he just had people angry at him on all sides---the villain taking revenge on him even though Dale wasn't even the one who killed his father, James blowing up at him over the spell thing, Coyote threatening him because of how Dale and James put Daphne in danger. I could feel everything spiraling down around him, pressing in on him. Things got quite dark. But the sadistic part of me that likes to suffer through characters loved it because it was the kind of feeling that really sucked me into the story.
But ah, something happier now, Lloyd was back! He's such a wonderful friend to Dale. I want a friend like Lloyd. Everyone should have a friend like Lloyd.
Last but not least was the Coyote-Daphne relationship. I'm glad their relationship is getting some attention in the series because they're so cute together, and they're likeable characters, and I do care about them and their relationship.
I still had a few little issues though, pretty much the same issues I've had in all the books: the head hopping/omniscience thing that happens on occasion and too much villain backstory. It's great that the villains do have motives and backstories, that they had lives before becoming a villain, but I feel like those sections don't always add to the story (e.g. how the villain met their significant other), and usually I just want to get back to Dale's POV already.
But even though I do sometimes get frustrated by certain things in these books, the characters are so well-written, and that's the most important thing. I'm invested in them. Even James, despite his actions. And I thought this book was even better than the others because of the struggles and intensity and unpredictability. I'm definitely interested in what might happen next!
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1 and 2 in J.L. Aarne's Dale Bruyer series. Anyone who likes M/M urban fantasy, humor, a bit of mystery, and imperfect but mostly likeable characters.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
--------------------
Initial Thoughts:
Even better than the first two books! I could feel everything spiraling out of control for poor Dale. Full review soon.
August 15, 2018
I don’t know where to begin.
Revenge.
In this story Dale comes face to face with the consequences of his earlier actions. Well, the actions James took but that Dale is being held responsible for.
In this, the third book in the Dale Bruyer series. The author takes us to some dark places. The dark soul of a child left behind as collateral damage, twisted by revenge. The dark soul of a man after spending a year in Hell. But, did Hell really change him?
The character development here is amazing. We are taken down deep into the heart and soul of Dale as he struggles not only with his conscious over long ago events but with his love for James.
There are moral questions here. How far would you go to get revenge over the death of a loved one? How far would you go to protect someone you love? Even betray them?
I cannot seem to let this book go. I’m still struggling to accept some of the events that took place, the utter destruction, choices made and the devastation Dale must struggle with if he is to survive.
Many readers, myself included, are going to be unhappy with the ending. I’m still realing. There are so many things I want to discuss, dissect and ruminate over here but am trying very hard not to delve into spoiler territory.
I have to say that so far this is my favorite in the series but not for the reasons you may think. Aarne doesn’t go easy here. There isn’t a happily ever after here. There are hard choices, heartbreak down to the soul and the devastation of a man left with nothing.
J.L. if you are checking reviews, we need Book 4. Dale needs book 4.
Revenge.
In this story Dale comes face to face with the consequences of his earlier actions. Well, the actions James took but that Dale is being held responsible for.
In this, the third book in the Dale Bruyer series. The author takes us to some dark places. The dark soul of a child left behind as collateral damage, twisted by revenge. The dark soul of a man after spending a year in Hell. But, did Hell really change him?
The character development here is amazing. We are taken down deep into the heart and soul of Dale as he struggles not only with his conscious over long ago events but with his love for James.
There are moral questions here. How far would you go to get revenge over the death of a loved one? How far would you go to protect someone you love? Even betray them?
I cannot seem to let this book go. I’m still struggling to accept some of the events that took place, the utter destruction, choices made and the devastation Dale must struggle with if he is to survive.
Many readers, myself included, are going to be unhappy with the ending. I’m still realing. There are so many things I want to discuss, dissect and ruminate over here but am trying very hard not to delve into spoiler territory.
I have to say that so far this is my favorite in the series but not for the reasons you may think. Aarne doesn’t go easy here. There isn’t a happily ever after here. There are hard choices, heartbreak down to the soul and the devastation of a man left with nothing.
J.L. if you are checking reviews, we need Book 4. Dale needs book 4.
May 13, 2017
4.5 STARS
July 22, 2017
I’m not sure how I feel about this book. On the one hand, I did enjoy parts of it. I liked the paranormal part, I kept wondering how Dale was going to solve the problem they were in. On the other hand, there were things I didn’t like. To be honest, I didn’t really feel for Tyler, and I believe we spent too long in the flashbacks relating his story. The actual solving of the problem was a bit of a downer, because I was expecting Dale to come up with a clever solution. But what really bothered me was what the author did to James. Granted, he was always a bit extreme, but to suddenly make him into an evil guy… and is it me, or is she pushing Lloyd as a new love interest for Dale? I don’t like it. I like James and I really liked the relationship he had with Dale. I’m a bit disappointed with the way things are going…
November 20, 2016
Wow! Amazing and intense and just wow.
May 30, 2019
Shorter than the other two but interesting and very dark. A sad book with a few rays of light. Hope for more of the story. A few unanswered questions.
December 31, 2018
This book deals about consequences for actions, and Dale is being targeted for revenge for something he did not even do. James is being reduced to a psychotic nutcase, and
So, yeah, I do not know if there will be a book 4 or even if I will read it. The plot was good, but I read books for the relationships, and I do not think my heart can take anymore of the drama of book 3.
So, yeah, I do not know if there will be a book 4 or even if I will read it. The plot was good, but I read books for the relationships, and I do not think my heart can take anymore of the drama of book 3.
June 29, 2018
Aarne plays with the familiar concepts of paranormal/supernatural fiction and adds a few new twists to the genre.
If you're a fan of the Supernatural series, then the Dale Bruyer series will definitely be appealing.
If you're a fan of the Supernatural series, then the Dale Bruyer series will definitely be appealing.
January 18, 2020
It just doesn't feel over yet....
March 15, 2017
The ending made me sad :(
February 2, 2017
Not my favorite, but still pretty decent
This isn't my favorite of the books in the series. It calls in some tropes that I'm not fond of, like "guy finds out he is a masochist while being beaten bloody" and "self sacrifice over common sense."
But the end turned out better than I expected, and overall it was still a pretty good read.
This isn't my favorite of the books in the series. It calls in some tropes that I'm not fond of, like "guy finds out he is a masochist while being beaten bloody" and "self sacrifice over common sense."
But the end turned out better than I expected, and overall it was still a pretty good read.
Did Not Finish
January 3, 2019Dnf- try again later
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews