Volatile Bonds

Prospero's War #4

by Jaye Wells

When the Magic Enforcement Agency is called out to the scene of a dirty magic explosion, a body with a bullet wound is found in the smoldering ruins. As Detective Kate Prospero and her partner, Special Agent Drew Morales, hunt down the killer, they uncover evidence that a dangerous new coven may be operating in the Cauldron.

It's not long before the bodies start piling up, and the heat is on for the team to make an arrest. Solving the murders will require unraveling dangerous alliances between the city's dirty magic covens. And if they're not careful, the new complexities of Morales and Prospero's own partnership threaten to make a volatile situation downright deadly.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal, Mystery, Audiobook, Romance

276 pages, Nook

First published September 12, 2017

About the author

Jaye Wells is a former magazine editor whose award-winning speculative fiction novels have hit several bestseller lists. She holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, and is a sought-after speaker on the craft of writing. When she’s not writing or teaching, she loves to travel to exotic locales, experiment in her kitchen like a mad scientist, and try things that scare her so she can write about them in her books. She lives in Texas.

Want free fiction from Jaye? Check out www.jayewells.com for details!

Reviews

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual, actual rating: 3 stars. My original 3.45-star rating? I must have been slightly high when I came up with it. Or drunk. Or both.

Sooooooooo. Time for some Prospero's War Maths (PWM™):

① I bloody shrimping lurves this world.
It's darkish. It's dirty. It's messy. It's populated by delightfully assholish characters. And total bastards. And cagey criminal types. And a most exquisite array of untrustworthy low lives. And a whole bunch of colourful nutcases: LM is an obnoxious, crass dream in diapers come true (don't ask), I want to adopt Sweet Ray the pigeon psychic (don't ask) and Yü Nü gives new meaning to the expression "crazy cat horned lady" (don't ask). This world. It really is a thing of fished up beauty and stuff.

+/-

② Cupcake and Macho. I lurves them, too.
Then again maybe not. I mean, Macho (aka Morales) is still one of my Favorite Lickable Boyfriends (FLB™) ever in case you were wondering: YES, he is safely locked up in my High Security Harem. You're welcome but Cupcake (aka Kate)? The chick is seriously starting to get on my nerves pincers. I mean, GROW UP! How long will we have to deal with your blooding shrimping issues and insecurities?! This is getting really old and you're obviously in serious need of some Critical Emergency Character Development (CECD™). I'm getting viciously pissed off by your slightly irritating behavior, so you better try and do something about it. Like tell some of your supposed friends to fish the hell off, for example. I mean, that's what normal people do when their supposed friends betray their trust, and constantly scheme behind their bloody shrimping back, because they think they know much better than them. Well fish them, and fish that!



You got that right, fishy.

Also: Macho is the only one who's always got your back and supports you, especially when your supposed friends behave likes assholes. So stop lashing out at him, treating him like shit and getting all offended by what he did/failed to do. You're not the exactly perfection personified either, so cut him some slack. Unless you want me to unleash my homicidal babies on you, that is. But if that happens to be the case, then by all means, do go on. My murderous children have been quite restless lately, and will be more than happy to go all slaughterish on you and stuff.



It's a serial killing shrimp, my dear.

Also, also: John Bloody Shrimping Volos. You do NOT want to go there. NO. YOU. DON'T. Because non-TSTL heroines are NOT supposed to spoiler spoiler spoiler, behave like annoying schoolgirls and have spoiler spoiler spoiler when it comes to bloody shrimping unlikable (choose all that apply) assholes/bastards/jackasses/pricks/asses/sobs. Damn, girl, it really feels like you want me release the kraken crustaceans or something. So you might want to call the UN and ask if they can deploy the Blue Helmets in the Babylon area, just in case. It never hurts to plan ahead and stuff.

+/-

③ The not too bad but not too good either plot I didn't lurve.
Okay, so the plot doesn't suck. It's fairly entertaining, too. But you get to the end of the book and think to your amazing little self, "errr, that's it? That's what this was all about? Okay then. Now let's try and read something a little more scintillating, shall we?" I mean, much ado about naught and stuff. But I guess what really bothered me here is the way some secondary characters' personalities seem to have changed from the previous instalments in order to fit the plot. What the fish happened to Aphrodite, my mostest favouritest hermaphrodite ever? Where did that spoiler spoiler spoiler thing come from? I didn't get it when I was reading the book, and I still don't get it now. Despite my dazzling intellect. My dear (and slightly fabulous) wife Maria, whom I had the delicious pleasure just kidding, it was a total pain to buddy read this not so delectable book with, says in her wondrously spot-on review that "it's like Ms.Wells has been away from these characters for too long and now they feel slightly off." Dear Slightly Fabulous Wife, you nailed it indeed. That's exactly what it feels like, and Aphrodite is the perfect example of how out of character some of the cast act in this instalment. Ugh ugh and ugh and stuff.

-
-
-
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④ The Incoming Bloody Shrimping Love Triangle of Doom and Destruction (BSLToDaD™).

So it hasn't happened yet. But it's coming at us like a bunch of supersonic, rabid barnacles on acid. And I fully expect the next book in the series to be a disaster of epic proportions. At least. If not worse. So. Dear Kate Prospero. You know how much I lurves you. Well I guess you know I much I lurved you until you started irritating the hell out of me. But anyway. I still almost lurves you and stuff. BUT. Ditch my boyfriend Morales to frolic with the Bloody Shrimping King of Bloody Shrimping Deceitful Assholes (BSKoBSDA™) and you're dead. But hey, no pressure and stuff.



Sense a recurring theme here? Clever, clever Little Barnacles.

Time to recap.

① +/- ② +/- ③ - - - - ④ =



Okay, so maybe it wasn't that bad. But I've been waiting for this instalment to be published for two fishing years, so I think I'm entitled to some slightly dramatic manufactured drama and stuff. You're welcome.

➽ And the moral of this Saying that this Installment was Somewhat Underwhelming and a Little Unnerving would Be Putting it Somewhat Mildly and a Little Gently and Stuff Crappy Non Review (SttIwSUaaLUwBPiSMaaLGaSCNR™) is: I'm going down on my knees pincers and praying my shrimpy gods that book 5 won't be the total and complete train wreck I'm expecting it to be. Come to think of it, I might sacrifice a few puny humans, too. Pretty sure it would help. And that Jaye Wells would appreciate the kind gesture and stuff.

P.S. I want a Macho spin-off.
P.P.S. I want a Shadi spin-off.
P.P.P.S.S.S. Pen, I can't stand you.
P.P.P.P.S.S.S.S. Volos needs to die. NOW. Thank you.

· Book 0.5: Fire Water ★★★★
· Book 1: Dirty Magic ★★★★★
· Book 2: Cursed Moon ★★★★★
· Book 3: Deadly Spells ★★★★★



[Pre-review nonsense]

Actual rating: 3.45 stars. Maybe. If I'm a good mood when I write the full crappy non-review.

Ugh, ugh and UGH.

My utter lurve for Kate Prospero and her dirty world makes me want to rate this book 4+ stars. Its anticlimactic ending and the looming shadow of a Bloody Shrimping Love Triangle of Doom and Destruction (BSLToDaD™), combined with the unavoidable relationship drama BS it entails makes me want to rate this book 3- pathetic stars. Decisions, decisions and stuff. I shall have to brainstorm with myself. It shall hurt. But I shall survive. And come back with what will undoubtedly be a gloriously fascinating review thing for you to read blatantly ignore. Now excuse me while I go shake my inner monkey two remaining grey cells into cogitative motion and stuff.



➽ Full This Suspiciously Smells Like a Train Wreck of a Next Instalment is on the Way So I Shall Go Down on my Pincers and Pray my Shrimpy Gods that Jaye Wells Won't Go There or Else… Crappy Non Review (TSSLaTWoaNIiotWSISGDomPaPmSGtJWWGtoRCNR™) to come.



It's not like I want to read this book or anything. I mean, it is naught but the fourth instalment in one of my mostest favouritest series ever. And it's not like I have been waiting for TWO BLOODY SHRIMPING YEARS for Jaye Wells to write it or anything. Nah. Absolutely not.

[Maria Dimitrova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buddy read with the MacHalos. Or rather with Sarah since no one else joined us at the time.

Prospero's War used to be one of the best UF series out there. So when I learned that we're finally getting a new instalment I was ecstatic. The reality however was underwhelming. It's like Ms. Wells has been away from these characters for too long and now they feel slightly off.

Warning - spoilers ahead!

I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for most of the book. 4 because I really enjoyed being back with Kate and co. 3 because of the lack of character growth. For a while in the previous book I thought that maybe Kate will finally start to work on her issues but in VB she is still stuck in a rut with Danny, with Morales and worst of all with Pen. I know that it's hard to be a parent and that all teens are pain in the ass but Danny is the epitome of spoiled brat. He would go behind Kate's back and then act like he is the injured party when the inevitable consequences come around. But in a way his behaviour can be forgiven. It's the way the adults around him acted that's inexcusable. Baba and Mez actively helped him go behind the back of his legal guardian. While I've rarely had trouble with my folks regarding permission to go somewhere there've been times when I would cajole and try to get other adults to talk to my folks on my behalf. Talk not help me to do something without my parents permission. And what responsible adult would do that? And while Baba's behavior can be chalked off to senility Mez has no excuse. To make matters worse Pen gets involved and on the totally wrong side. Time and again Kate says that Pen is her best friend and maybe I have strange ideas about what that means but I expect my BF to back me up whatever the case. If she disagrees with me she can pull me away and say her piece but in front of someone else we stick together. Pen helps ambush Kate because she thinks she knows better what's good for Danny. Not only that but she doesn't even tries to find out what Kate thinks or plans about it. It's like as if no one believes that Kate will do what's best for the spoiled brat regardless of her personal feelings. Kate has done an exceptional job as a parent especially considering that she was basically still a teen when she assumed guardianship, had no job or steady income, no home and the worst possible role models. So all of this really pissed me off. Than we had the moment when Kate went to apologize to Pen for biting her head off regarding said ambush and I saw red. i understand why Kate acts this way but I still think she should have just cut Pen off of her life like the tumour she is.

The drama surrounding Danny also shed some light on the troubles in Kate and Morales relationship. Macho was the only one who backed Kate during all of this and what was her reaction - bite his head off. Morales is trying so hard to make things work, to move this relationship past the fuck buddies status but Kate keeps him at an arm's length. And then has the audacity to be upset that Morales has secrets from her. It's only natural not to reveal all your dirty laundry to someone who makes it clear that your relationship is nothing serious.

The plot was interesting and while my review so far might make you think that this book is all about domestic drama I can assure you it is not the case. It's just that these were the things that ticked me off. Up until the very end I had 3 major suspects and while Aphrodite was in the lead I wasn't sure until the truth was revealed. And while the showdown was in full progress I was sure VB will get the 4 star rating. It was what happened after and the future implication of a possible love triangle in the purest sense of the phrase with Mr. Asshole Mayor that I decided to go with a 3. I hate love triangles on the best of days and to have one with Volos, a man who's made Kate's life miserable from the start of the series, is repugnant. Morales is the better man and always will be but if Kate is dumb enough to break up with him and go to Volos than this series will be forever ruined. I know this will probably sound like an overreaction but if that do happen I believe it would have been better if this book and any that follow it hadn't been published at all. It's not only about my partiality to Morales but also the integrity of Kate Prospero's character and what she stood for at the beginning of this series.

[Denisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

All in all, not a bad series, but I expected so much more form the infamous Prospero's War series.

[Elena Linville-Abdo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stars: 3 out of 5.

Well, this book was a big disappointment, especially compared to book 3. Don't get me wrong. It started strong with a murder and an explosion and a new actor trying to take over Babylon (again). It's fast paced and a lot of things happen, and good guys win in the end, well sort of... but it just doesn't hit the same as previous books.

Problem is, this series is starting to get formulistic. In every book, something happens and Kate looks for clues, but finds nothing. So they go visit Little Man, who gives them some clues. Then they hit a dead and again, so they go talk to Abe in prison... again, and get insulted and not learn much at all. Honestly, what's the point visiting Uncle Abe in every book apart from reminding the reader what a horrible human being he is? Then by the end of the book Volos swoops in to help save the day... again. No matter which book in the series you pick up, the order of events is exactly the same. 

Are you telling me that Kate doesn't have any informants other than Little Man? And if Little Man is so knowledgeable in all underground Babylon affairs, why is he living in squalor? Why isn't he brokering this information better? Also, why do we have to go talk to Abe all the time? Honestly, at this point, you give the creepy guy in prison more intel by showing up there than you are getting from him. Not to mention, it's getting boring.

My biggest pet peeve though is that the author is trying to push Kate and Volos together by making us believe that Volos can be good for her, or that she still has romantic feelings for him. Erm, bad idea. The author spent three previous books showing us that Volos is ruthless, domineering, cruel at times, and not above using blackmail to get what he wants from anyone, including Kate. He constantly tries to insert himself into her life and dominate it. Their relationship is toxic to the Nth degree. WHY are we all of a sudden trying to put him into the status of love interest? No, just no.

Especially when it's done to the detriment of Morales's character. In order to push Kate towards Volos, the author had to paint Morales in less than flattering light, so she makes him shifty and cowardly about telling their superiors about his involvement in the murder of an undercover cop. Problem is, this behavior goes against everything we learned about Morales's character in the past books. It's like he had a case of identity switch. And it's only done so that Kate can't trust him anymore and would be pushed away. Sorry, but that's lazy writing. If you absolutely want Kate and Volos together, find an organic way to make that happen. Don't bring down another character just for that.

I really hope that there is another book in this series coming out soon and it will explain some of the treads left hanging at the end of this one. Like who is the real leader of the Votaries? But more importantly, I hope we get better character development on everybody's part. 

PS: Loved the guys with the pigeons though.

If you liked this review, check out my blog.

[Lana *Best left alone with books and snacks* · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I am honestly sad that the author abandoned this series so early. So much could be done with it, the groundwork laid out. I hope someday we get more but I'm not holding my breath. Either way, I enjoyed this world and its characters a great deal. Also, I am satisfied in my belief that in the end Kate would make a right choise for her heart. I saw the signs, I know the truth.

Over and out

[Melliane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mon avis en Français

My English review

Since the release of the third volume, the author had left this series on the side. Finally, she took it in hand to propose us a new fourth volume and I confess that I was eager to read it!

So we find our heroine, as well as Morales on a new investigation. Aphrodite’s nephew died, shot and then burned by an explosion in one of the magic laboratories. Although Kate is against the idea of ​​taking the case, she does not really have a choice. This affair will once again put them in danger when they face a new group in town: dangerous people that would not be against bringing down Morales. But on top of that, Abe seems to continue to manage the Votaries by far, Volos of course is not really clear, and Danny has decided to put all the chances on his side so that Kate agrees to let him go to a special school… But when on top of that, Kate is no longer sure to be able to trust her partner, everything becomes even more explosive.

This new investigation was interesting and I confess that I was really wondering what was going on. I did not see the turnaround coming and I was quite surprised about it. Of course, I always have several questions and am curious to find out what is going to happen now. I will never say it enough, but yes I am “team Volos” so it is true that I liked to see him in this novel and to attend his exchanges with Kate. It is true that it is very difficult to rule on him but he is always there when she needs him. As for Morales, I confess that I was quite surprised and I did not expect that from him.

In short a fourth volume very nice and I now wait for volume 5 with curiosity.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

I really love this series. Kate Prospero is a great character. She’s a detective for the Babylon Police Department, working as a liaison for MEA (Magical Enforcement Agency). She has a unique background. She was raised in the magical version of the mafia. Her uncle was the head of one of the covens. She cooked dirty magic and showed a lot of promise. Until her mother died. Then she left the coven and worked to become a cop. She’s also raising her younger brother.

In this book, Kate is trying to solve a murder. The victim happens to be the cousin of the leader of the sex coven, who happens to be a hermaphrodite, like literally half male and half female. They (in the previous books the pronoun was he/she until you knew which half you were actually talking to, but they decided to go to the plural because of the marriage) are also marrying each other. It was supposed to make them immortal.

While Kate is trying to solve this case, she’s also still got to deal with being a single guardian to her teenage brother. She was trying to keep him completely away from magic because of her history. But she has recently given in to let him learn clean magic from one of her teammates on the MEA. Now he’s gone behind her back to join a private school with magic.

I love this series. It has some really weird characters (besides the hermaphrodite there are also a set of conjoined twins. One is a perpetual baby who has the mind and voice of man. The other is a large woman with a very undeveloped mind). I also love the more normal characters. Kate is great, as is her younger brother. There is also Baba, a witch (she doesn’t have magic, but practices Wiccan and makes some herbal remedies). She used to live next door until she had some financial issues and moved in with Kate. There is also the MEA team, one of which is her friend with benefits, but she won’t call him a boyfriend. There’s also the mayor, the first adept or magic using mayor, who also happens to be Kate’s ex-boyfriend who was also in the illegal dirty magic coven. They are all great characters.

I also like mysteries in this series. I was really caught off guard on this one. I love all the police procedure. The world is extremely interesting. I love all the different magics that are used in this series. It is a very unique world. My earbuds are glued to my ears from start to finish.

Narration
Morgan Hallett does a great job with the narration. There are a lot of weird characters in this series, and she does a wonderful job with all of these voices. I love both her voices for male and females. I really have to call her out for her great narration of Mary, the large female half of the conjoined twin. If you haven’t given her a try, I do recommend her.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good addition to this series about a police detective attached to a Federal unit focusing on crime in the city's supernatural community.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Jaye Wells for this 4th book in Prospero's War, it was worth the wait! Exciting on the edge of my seat writing all the way through. The dynamics between Prospero, Morales, and Volos are evolved and detailed. Prospero continues to have personal growth, understanding, and development. I can't wait for a 5th installment!

[Zen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really did love this series. There are so many great characters and they are so human. No one dimensional characters. I know it's a long shot, but I still hold out hope that we will get another book in this series.

[Jennifer Jamieson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Kate Prospero is still working with the Magical Enforcement Agency, because life never stops being crazy in the Cauldron. When a house explodes, the MEA learns there's a new player in town slinging a dangerous potion that kills the people who use it. Between the potion and a potential clash between covens, bodies could start piling up.

I've always liked this series, and I'd been disappointed that there hadn't been a new one in some time. It's an interesting world--one where magic is a normal part of life, with both legal and illegal uses. Prospero is the black sheep of her family, being a cop from a family of drug cartel/mobster style potion slingers. She can easily spot and read potions when she sees them, as she used to cook potions herself.

It's best to enter into reading the series at the first book, Dirty Magic. Volatile Bonds is the fourth book in the series, and they were a quick read for me because I find them quite diverting. Wells has written over 25+ books, and it shows. Her characters are interesting, three-dimensional people, and her worlds have depth and development that leave you with entertaining reads that you'll finish all too quickly.

[Cardyn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volatile Bonds ended up being another reading gem discovered during a browse of the library shelves. even without having read books 1 - 3 in this Prospero's War series, the characters, conflicts, and rules of engagement were inviting and easy to understand. Kate's complicated professional and personal relationships with everyone, especially with Drew and the mayor reminded me of the interpersonal dynamics in the Blood Singer series by Cat Adams. Lots of action and intrigue, too.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great installment, after 2 years. It was as if I never left this world.

And finally, I feel some progress with Kate and John. I do love that flawed man.

[Amy A · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Originally posted at Vampire Book Club

It’s been slow going for the Magic Enforcement Agency in Babylon. There’s pressure coming down from the top to get more cases closed, more arrests made. So, when Detective Kate Prospero and Special Agent Drew Morales are called out to a house explosion, they know things are only going to get worse from there when they encounter a dead body and loads and loads of dirty potions. When the potions are linked to a possible new coven in town, Kate and Morales will have to confront some very deep buried secrets in order to get the job done.

To say I was super excited when I heard about this fourth book in the series, is putting it mildly. Prospero’s War has been one of my favorites and now after two excruciatingly long years we’ve finally got another installment.

I picked up Volatile Bonds and was able to get right back into the goings on in Babylon. I was really happy with the way Jaye Wells seamlessly weaves background information from the first three books into this one.

In the previous books, I’ve really felt like everything was coming down on Kate’s shoulders, like she just couldn’t catch a break and, honestly, she didn’t handle some situations in the best way (i.e. the way she deals with her younger brother Danny). In Volatile Bonds, however, I felt like the tables were turned. Kate seems to have found her footing and she’s better about thinking things through before just jumping in with decisions. In fact, it was almost everyone else around her that was having the troubling times this go around. So much so that it was almost too much.

Her relationship with Morales is a good example. The new threat in town has apparent ties to a case Morales worked in LA years ago. A case that had some terrible personal repercussions for Morales that he’s not ready to share with anyone. It puts a strain not only on their personal relationship (what other secrets could he be keeping from her?), but also in their professional relationship in that it forces Kate to step up when it becomes apparent that Morales is out to protect his own ass in some instances than solve the case. I really like them together, and I wish there was more personal development for them in the book, but I think that was a deliberate choice on Jaye Wells part, and I’m interested to see where their relationship moves from here.

Of course on the other side of that relationship we have the undeniable connection between Kate and Mayor John Volos. Theirs has been a supremely interesting relationship due not only to the fact that they’ve got history between them, but because he’s such a shady character, at least we’re made to believe he is. I haven’t gotten a steady beat on him yet, and I don’t think Kate has either which makes their interactions ones I look forward to.

I figured out the mystery aspect of the story pretty easily. I was a little disappointed that Kate and Morales didn’t put the pieces of the puzzle together as quickly as I did because I thought it was pretty apparent who was behind the mess this time around.

Regardless, I was so excited to be back on the streets of Babylon on a case with Kate. I hope we won’t have to wait another two years for another book, either way, if this is what we’re waiting for, it doesn’t disappoint.

[Michaela Kollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last time I read a book in this series was when I was a teenager, so I wasn’t sure it’d hold up. Luckily, it did. The world of Babylon is as pulpy and creative as ever, and Jaye Wells still manages to avoid letting the inherent potential for silliness of the magic-as-drugs allegory undercut the hard-boiled detective novel tone. I wish there’d been more books in this series, but since there aren’t, I’m glad we at least got this last one.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a definite improvement over the last book, with far less whining and hypocrisy. Kate still at times gets angry with the wrong people and is forgiving when she shouldn’t be Pen deserved a major smackdown for that stunt with Danny, not an apology., but she seems to be making a little progress on her personal issues. I’m hoping the improvement will continue in the next book,

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing tale from the Cauldron. Kate Prospero is the kick arse hero most women dream to be.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of the book gets a 3, but the last a 4, so overall 3.5 stars.

[Bambikai · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded down

[Joo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a lot disappointed by this installment, simply because the others have been so fabulous in comparison. That love triangle that was looming in the horizon has become a somewhat solid thing, and I am seeing two very toxic relationships forming, please Kate, don't do it to yourself, don't go to Volos, don't let stuff fester between you and Morales, please please please, fucking talk to him and to be honest, I just want the train to stop so I can get off before we reach the inevitable wreck that is coming. I just want them to be adults and fucking talk, is that too much to ask?

Plot-wise, I feel especially let down. The ending was so anticlimactic and simultaneously gave me a wtf-just-happened and fuck-that-was-obvious vibe. I thought it would be someone like the power-hungry sexy cousin from Atlanta or Abe or even John Volos, but Aphrodite themself seemed a little weak. First, Aphrodite has always seemed a little to clever/rational to get themself wrapped up in this type of shit. Second, what was the point of engineering that whole shebang at the end? I just don't see any of that as true to the character. Also, Kate was getting a little TSTL for me towards the end...and frankly, I'm a lot disappointed. Pen wasn't as awesome as I thought she was. Neither was Gardner (who I've frankly fucking loved since the start, and I really enjoyed the ambiguous morality in the last installment, but then she had to be so unreasonable in this book and now I just can't). Or Morales. John Volos has just become a complete asshole (and I can't believe Kate is still considering him after all the shit he pulled in the last book and after he fucking blackmailed her). Can you believe I actually thought he was a decent soul at the beginning of the series?

I hope the series gets better in the future, because I really enjoyed the first three installments; I'm feeling like the characters aren't staying true to who they are and I'm not really getting why they're making the decisions they do half the time.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as an entertaining, light read, but I agree with other reviewers that it seems very similar to the other installments. For a fourth book, I'm underwhelmed that the series doesn't seem much more fleshed out. I wanted more development of the characters and the overarching plot. It feels like the the author is promising us a big picture later, but "later" doesn't seem to be coming, even in incremental bits in each book.

[Agnieszka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am SO DONE with heroines masochistic tendencies and seeing, reading and NOT believing that 'this one' oh-so-god-damn-it-NOT-acceptable voice of her heart!!! I mean... SURE... someone is treating you like shit, lieing, decieving, fu*king BLACKMAILING and TERRORISING you and bringing 4 books worth of causing murders and almost a war so SURE love him but the hot, suportive guy who puts up with most of your shit? yea you feel oh such a partnerly, brotherly, friendly love for him! I am going to try book nr 5 if it ever shows up but if she doesn't leave this sadist john and declare some major eye-opening statement and preferably say 'I FEEL NOTHING FOR HIM' and MEAN it than I'm changing from 5 stars for the series (which WAS becoming one of my favourites) to HATE IT !! 5* for 98% of the book and -2 for being such a demaged, uncaring bitch that for the first time I pity the poor guy who is unlucky anough to somehow end up being partners with her and actually feel anything for her.

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

For some reason I had a hard time reading this one. I should have been able to read it in one sitting but it took me almost a week, reading 25-50 pages at a time, not sure why.

The crime that Kate was investigating seemed to be more on the back burner as everyone was more interested in Kate dating her partner. Then there was the issue of Kate's partner's jealousy of the mayor and Kate's past with him. Then we have the issues of Kate's brother trying to manipulate her in getting to go to a new magic school. Sure it was a good one, but Kate being Kate she had to look into things first.

By the time we got to the end and all the excitement I was ready for the book to be done and didn't care who was behind things. Although the talk with Kate and Duffy was slightly interesting, gave Kate a bit of validation.

[bt678de · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost carbon copy of previous books

I'm following the series from book one which was really good. After that the quality goes down with every book. This one being the usual love triangle, cops bullying their way through a case while spouting weak moral arguments justifying their actions and of course the mandatory visit to uncle Abe and forced cookout found towards the end of every one of these books. All in all unoriginal but decent enough entertainment for a few hours and the price of the book is ok.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I wish she'd get her head on straight where John is concerned but still..... Interesting plots and characters.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to see a new book in the Prospero's War series! Police procedural meets urban fantasy with its own take on magic!
There is clean magic out in the open and in common use (complete with Big Magic, instead of Big Pharma, because everyone takes prescribed potions for their ills instead of our world's pharmaceuticals).
Then there is dirty magic, the kind of illegal, unlicensed street potions that can get you killed.
Kate Prospero had grown up in a coven (her uncle was the coven leader) but turned her back on that life when she was seventeen. In book one Dirty Magic she's a beat cop but she is soon taken off the street and assigned to the MEA (Magic Enforcement Agency), where she finds herself put on a
special taskforce.
There was a gap after book three Deadly Spells because the author went back to school to get her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction (from Seton Hill University). I had really enjoyed the first three books (as well as the prequel Fire Water) and wanted to read some more in this world with these
characters. So I was thrilled to see her at a local science fiction convention recently and find out not only has Ms. Wells returned to the Prospero's War series but there will be a few more after Volatile Bonds!
I also particularly enjoy police procedurals (yes, I do love both the Rivers of London series with young wizard Peter Grant and the Chronicles of Elantra series with Private Kaylin Neya [aka the magic-user Chosen]) with my urban fantasy.
And I prefer character-driven stories with excellent worldbuilding.
So I highly recommend Volatile Bonds, book 4 in the Prospero's War series, even if you had not read the first three books, if you enjoy a well-told story in an interesting urban fantasy setting with cops and strong characters!

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy that we received a 4th novel after the long break, but am rather disappointed with the character development regarding some of my favorite characters. I'm not happy with most of Kate's so-called friends and co-workers conspiring behind her back. I am also disappointed that Kate seems to be romantically headed into the stupid direction of a love triangle or possibly choosing the (recognized!) manipulative dude over the one who always has her back. Why would she regress like over a lie of omission -- in a relationship that she's not willing to fully commit to and has done exactly the same to him - hypocritical much?! -- when she's obviously making maturity strides everywhere else?

Hopefully, this is a fleeting devolution of bad boy attraction that only takes up a small portion of Book #5 and is not the bulk subplot (although I fear it is). In other words, that she quickly realizes her mistake and self-corrects.

Aside from all that (IMO) unnecessary subplot drama, I was pretty satisfied with the main plot's case, even if I was disappointed with the big bad. And by disappointed, I mean that I liked the character and wished we could still read more of them. They definitely deserved their fate given that the overarching theme of the series that dirty magic always burns the mage in some way. More so than in the previous installments, it's literally the punishment several characters face. On the plus side, I never thought I'd adore a pigeon-channeling, potion-addicted, homeless dude, but not so surprising a feat from Wells given that I still miss Giguhl, my very favorite mischief demon minion, regardless of which form he's taken!

Here's hoping that Books #5, 6 & 7 are more satisfying. I have faith that Wells will turn things around, it's only a concern whether we get it in the next book or much later.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like so many things were left up in the air. I still have so many questions about what is happening next.

Question
1. Who is actually running the Cauldron? The comments Abe made it seem like Kate was wrong and it wasn't Crystal.
2. What is next for Kate with the MEA?
3. All the issues they've had is because of John, when is she going to expose him? Why was he meeting with the republican senator?
4. How will Danny do in school and what will he do when he grows up?
5. Why is Harry always getting his butt kicked? Will he just give up and leave, he's the only one left of the original running the coven.
6. What is going to happen to Morales? Now that his boss knows that he killed a dirty cop.
7. Is this the end of the Aphrodite's coven?
8. Will Kate break up with Morales, now that she realized she is not in love with him.

Overall
I like the direction the series is going, but wish there was more to the series. After this book my thoughts on Morales changed so much. He tell her to trust him, ask how can you ask me if I killed someone but then 30 seconds later says yes, he did it. It was all about saving himself no matter who had to go down for it. He was willing to sacrifice Kate to save himself.

I think Kate is finally maturing and growing up. She is really figuring out what she wants out of life and how to get it. She is finally being more proactive than reactive.

[Marsha Hubbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate’s back! And urban fantasy bestselling author Jaye Wells has another hit. “Volatile Bonds” has all the familiar and outrageous characters we love in the Prospero’s War series, as well as some unique and treacherous newcomers.

In book four, Detective Kate Prospero and her partner, Special Agent Drew Morales, members of the Magic Enforcement Agency (MEA), have a new foe. A dangerous coven has arrived in the Cauldron, a new potion is on the street, and former beau, now mayor, John Volos appears to be in the thick of it.

Wells is a master at creating flawed characters filled with secrets and guilt. In this latest tale, we learn what some of those secrets are and the guilt behind them. Battling dirty magic, murder, evil and powerful adversaries, time is not on their side, and Kate, Drew and the MEA are again pushed to the breaking point. Can relationships survive? Can Kate move forward? Or will her past as a former family member of a powerful dirty magic cartel prove too much?

This series draws you in, and unlike some fantasy, life in Prospero’s War seems all too real. Great characters. Snarky and sarcastic wit. Fast pace. Twists and turns. It’s a book that’s hard to put down, and one you can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Amyiw · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a little above a 3 for me.

I really love some of these characters though there was some that changed (Aphrodite I didn't particularly like Aphrodite it the previous novels but I thought he/she were interesting, they as Aphrodite is called now in this book, has a flat and not interesting character and it almost points to Aphrodite as the antagonist, which from past books, doesn't flow. ), Sweet Ray was definitely my favorite in this one, his crazy pidgeon channeling mind definitely added humor, and the normal crew was good as always. But then we come to the 3 main character, Volos, Morales, and Prospero, which have dragged out to here and leaves the ever going question of will Kate choose the Bad bad boy in the end or the Good bad boy. This was something I really really disliked, at the very end we get her questioning thoughts....AGAIN, end of 4th book. Well. F that. I was hoping for some sort of closure there, it is the 4th book of the series, and doesn't really look like there will be a 5th anytime soon.

I ended up liking this but more for the world and the the characters than the main characters and their drama or even the plot. The plot was not bad, it just wasn't all that interesting either and only furthers Kate's story a little more.