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Freelance Familiars #3
High Steaks
When the dice are loaded, the claws come out.
Rudy and Thomas have landed in Sin City, but not on all four paws. The Talking Animal Union is determined to trip up the Freelance Familiars and entangle Thomas in a game where Death holds all the cards.
But Thomas can’t focus merely on saving himself. A vampire stalks the refugees of Grantsville, and to save his friends — and his own neck — Thomas has to put more than just himself on the line.
The odds are raw and bloody in Vegas...
Rudy and Thomas have landed in Sin City, but not on all four paws. The Talking Animal Union is determined to trip up the Freelance Familiars and entangle Thomas in a game where Death holds all the cards.
But Thomas can’t focus merely on saving himself. A vampire stalks the refugees of Grantsville, and to save his friends — and his own neck — Thomas has to put more than just himself on the line.
The odds are raw and bloody in Vegas...
- GenresFantasyUrban Fantasy
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2017
67 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Potter
20 books71 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Daniel Potter has always been inspired by the mysteries of the world. His early interest lead him to become avid researcher as well as gamer and writer. After obtaining his PhD in vascular biology, he began exploring fictional magic and spiritualism using his own particular scientific lense. Daniel published the webcomic Walking the Lethe from 2010-2012 and is an active member of the East Bay Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Meet-up group. His debut novel, Off Leash, is just the first in his Freelance Familiar series.
When he's not chasing his imagination, Daniel works as a vascular biologist in the Bay Area. He shares an apartment with his wife, two cats, and a large collection of video games.
Daniel Potter has always been inspired by the mysteries of the world. His early interest lead him to become avid researcher as well as gamer and writer. After obtaining his PhD in vascular biology, he began exploring fictional magic and spiritualism using his own particular scientific lense. Daniel published the webcomic Walking the Lethe from 2010-2012 and is an active member of the East Bay Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Meet-up group. His debut novel, Off Leash, is just the first in his Freelance Familiar series.
When he's not chasing his imagination, Daniel works as a vascular biologist in the Bay Area. He shares an apartment with his wife, two cats, and a large collection of video games.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 2, 2022
I ended up liking this a lot more than book 2. Hopefully the series will stay in 4 star territory. Intrigued to start the next book soon
December 11, 2017
The third instalment of the Freelance Familiars series is even more action-packed and hilarious than the others. Thomas, Rudy, O'Meara and co. never fail to disappoint - and this time they're in Vegas, baby!
I'm so grateful to last year's SPFBO for introducing me to these ridiculously fun books. Keep 'em coming!
I'm so grateful to last year's SPFBO for introducing me to these ridiculously fun books. Keep 'em coming!
August 7, 2018
Best of the series so far, I think. These books are a blast, I hope there's more to come from this series :)
July 10, 2020
Jet
My Thoughts:
This book picks up where the last one ended. And tells us how the story went after the fall out after our hero saved his town. I liked that, because I did wonder how the people of Grantsville is going to cope afterwards... the clean-up work of that cluster-fuck just seemed so daunting... because we are not talking about straightening out the life of a person or a few people. We're talking about a whole town! And I like the way the story panned out. So much so that now I am apprehensive about reading the next book in this series because then I might be disappointed! I guess I'll know soon enough if I am being silly about it or not.
Like the first book, I love this story! Champion of the underdogs! Iron-clad sense of right and wrong! And an HEA ( happily ever after ) ending!
I like the way Jonathan Waters reads Jet (the goat)'s lines with a bit of a wobble to his voice, mimicking that of a goat's, if goats could talk.
Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 4.5
World building = 5
Cover art = 5
Pace = (10 hrs & 17 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 5
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5
July 25, 2018
This is so fun that I couldn't put it down and time just flew while I was reading.
August 7, 2018
Freelance fun
What can I say, I'm hooked on this menagerie. Magic, talking barnyard animals, and a pyrotechnic loving squirrel. I hate squirrels. They eat my garden. Never mind, it's a fun book. Have a good read.
What can I say, I'm hooked on this menagerie. Magic, talking barnyard animals, and a pyrotechnic loving squirrel. I hate squirrels. They eat my garden. Never mind, it's a fun book. Have a good read.
August 10, 2018
I like the series I'm just too lazy to enter text on all of them. Was a fun, easy read with a pretty satisfying ending. More of this would be fun, love the characters, and the squirrel is really pretty perfect.
March 2, 2018
Cute title, enjoyable book
If you’re going to read fluff, this is an example of one that you can feel glad you spent time with. Even throwaway lines have a sense of humor, and twisted thought. You even get, at no additional charge, a credible magical universe, along with the requisite “rubber science”, and “rubber magic.
Fortunately the book ends with a wide-open door for further stories. This is not a spoiler, because it’s so minor, but I can see Thomas developing a sideline of custom-made “service animal” carry harnesses for quadruped familiars. After all, even magi and familiars are learning how handy, and inexpensive, certain mundane items can be, and let the familiar do his share of the lifting.
If you’re going to read fluff, this is an example of one that you can feel glad you spent time with. Even throwaway lines have a sense of humor, and twisted thought. You even get, at no additional charge, a credible magical universe, along with the requisite “rubber science”, and “rubber magic.
Fortunately the book ends with a wide-open door for further stories. This is not a spoiler, because it’s so minor, but I can see Thomas developing a sideline of custom-made “service animal” carry harnesses for quadruped familiars. After all, even magi and familiars are learning how handy, and inexpensive, certain mundane items can be, and let the familiar do his share of the lifting.
July 24, 2018
Vegas. Cougar, Squirrel & one perpetually angry Fire Mage.
I really hope, even though it seems like this is a very good conclusion, that I’ll get to see Thomas, Rudy, O’Meara and all the other Grantsville refugees, again.
Freelance Familiars ends up in Vegas, protecting or maybe just visiting the refugees from Grantsville.
And boy do they get to know the magic users a Vegas and not always in a good way. A bounty on Thomas‘s head, O’Meara’s innards try to take a trip out, and Rudy’s history gets exposed.
And Thomas inns up getting something that is needed but didn’t always want: permanence.
I really hope, even though it seems like this is a very good conclusion, that I’ll get to see Thomas, Rudy, O’Meara and all the other Grantsville refugees, again.
Freelance Familiars ends up in Vegas, protecting or maybe just visiting the refugees from Grantsville.
And boy do they get to know the magic users a Vegas and not always in a good way. A bounty on Thomas‘s head, O’Meara’s innards try to take a trip out, and Rudy’s history gets exposed.
And Thomas inns up getting something that is needed but didn’t always want: permanence.
September 11, 2020
I loved that this book was set in Las Vegas! We do get some scenes that make it feel like we're really there, so I appreciated that. We meet our first vampire in this world, and I really enjoyed this particular storyline. I liked seeing the residents try to adapt to their new lives after the events of the second book. The discussions on animals that make good familiars was simultaneously amusing and a bit sad. I liked seeing Rudy and Thomas continue to develop Freelance Familiars!
I think there was a bit of a time skip between the second book and this one, but I was a bit unsure about how Thomas was suddenly a pro at magic. There are some confusing character actions that occur in this book as well.
I received a copy of this from the author for review - thank you! All opinions are my own.
I think there was a bit of a time skip between the second book and this one, but I was a bit unsure about how Thomas was suddenly a pro at magic. There are some confusing character actions that occur in this book as well.
I received a copy of this from the author for review - thank you! All opinions are my own.
June 12, 2025
Mind blowing!
As with everything that I have read so far from Daniel Potter, I can't conjure up the proper words to express how fulfilling and thought-provoking these stories have been. A lot of stories satisfy me but these were the most to do so. Especially when the characters are relatable and lovable. Especially when the plots are thrilling, consequential, and unpredictable! Especially when, like the familiars in this series, I bond with these stories and characters. Out of all that I have read, nothing has affected, influenced, and inspired me this much. And I look forward to what happens next!
As with everything that I have read so far from Daniel Potter, I can't conjure up the proper words to express how fulfilling and thought-provoking these stories have been. A lot of stories satisfy me but these were the most to do so. Especially when the characters are relatable and lovable. Especially when the plots are thrilling, consequential, and unpredictable! Especially when, like the familiars in this series, I bond with these stories and characters. Out of all that I have read, nothing has affected, influenced, and inspired me this much. And I look forward to what happens next!
July 29, 2022
Thomas, O'Meara and Rudy in Las Vegas, looking after the survivors from Grantsville. Las Vegas, where the Veil does not exist. Explains so much about Vegas. Citizens start dying and the culprits appear to be vampires. Our heros (?) spring into action and once again find themselves in the crosshairs of the magi. The stakes are much higher now, Thomas' head, and the villains more deadly. This is a fantastic series and I hate that, because now I'm hooked and have to continue reading.
April 28, 2020
Exciting!
In which our heroes have even more adventures, now in Las Vegas. Daniel has really done his research, both about Vegas and about the behaviors of various animals, creating a world that really draws the reader into it. I'll be interested to see what happens next.
In which our heroes have even more adventures, now in Las Vegas. Daniel has really done his research, both about Vegas and about the behaviors of various animals, creating a world that really draws the reader into it. I'll be interested to see what happens next.
June 5, 2020
Wow! I kept picking this one up and putting it down. I couldn’t stop reading and I didn’t want it to end. There is a lot of emotional baggage because we all carry different trauma. I am looking forward to more with Thomas, O’Meara, and Rudy. What will happen next?
June 28, 2021
Great series!
I have enjoyed the first three books of this series. Each book drew me into Thomas’ world making it hard to put the books down and do mundane chores.
I could see this series as either a series of movies or even a TV series!
I have enjoyed the first three books of this series. Each book drew me into Thomas’ world making it hard to put the books down and do mundane chores.
I could see this series as either a series of movies or even a TV series!
May 16, 2022
Still fun
I'm highly enjoying this entire series. Thomas's sense of humor nicely balances his sense of honor; this ends up with a complete feel-good set of stories. On to of that, it's well written and engaging. Highly recommend.
I'm highly enjoying this entire series. Thomas's sense of humor nicely balances his sense of honor; this ends up with a complete feel-good set of stories. On to of that, it's well written and engaging. Highly recommend.
May 23, 2023
High Steaks, A Review
The author has a great imagination. There's a lot of action in this story. The characters are by now, old friends. Thomas is an idealist, O'Meara is a fireball, and Rudy is a total nut case. What's not to love?
The author has a great imagination. There's a lot of action in this story. The characters are by now, old friends. Thomas is an idealist, O'Meara is a fireball, and Rudy is a total nut case. What's not to love?
June 3, 2021
This series just keeps getting better! So well written you believe in Thomas’s works! Familiars are real and should be free to choose.
January 8, 2022
Beginning was slow, but the end was quite epic.
December 20, 2023
I think this series so far has been a super fun read with a very interesting twist on the "secret magic society" backdrop. I also definitely feel like it is a very original concept, and that alone has made it such a fresh and fascinating world to get sucked into.
June 17, 2020
So, a squirrel, a cougar, and a mage walk into Death's Casino.
That's the set up. What follows is definitely not a punchline; it's more akin to a magical thermonuclear war with vampires and a ninja cow (Holstein to be specific).
Being the third book in a series; it is best to read the two preceding books before diving into this intriguing novel.
That's the set up. What follows is definitely not a punchline; it's more akin to a magical thermonuclear war with vampires and a ninja cow (Holstein to be specific).
Being the third book in a series; it is best to read the two preceding books before diving into this intriguing novel.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews