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City of Magic #2
Brittle Midnight
Who ever thought that life after an apocalyptic event would be easy?
Charley is under pressure. The demands of her new community are piling on stress after stress and, even with her developing magical skills, she's finding it hard to cope. Things aren't any better for Monroe - his grief and guilt over what happened to his werewolf pack are overwhelming him. When dead bodies start to appear across the city, they're going to have to work together to prevent more killings. But whether they'll be able to survive together too is anyone's guess.
This is the second book in the City of Magic series.
Charley is under pressure. The demands of her new community are piling on stress after stress and, even with her developing magical skills, she's finding it hard to cope. Things aren't any better for Monroe - his grief and guilt over what happened to his werewolf pack are overwhelming him. When dead bodies start to appear across the city, they're going to have to work together to prevent more killings. But whether they'll be able to survive together too is anyone's guess.
This is the second book in the City of Magic series.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2019
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November 27, 2020
This is second in an Urban Fantasy series and characters and emotional arcs build over the span of the series. I recommend reading in order.
I'd say you know more or less what to expect from the first book. But that's completely not true because Monroe is a moron. And that persisted through the book until he finally got his head on straight in the end. Mostly, anyway. But really, I kind of wanted to smack him through the whole thing and that never went away. It was particularly bad when Harper lucked into the killer combo of self-flagellation and negative motivation*. So he's all "poor me, I'm bad and don't deserve anything good so I'll just deny any developments with Charley because I don't deserve it and she deserves better." It was paaaiinful.
And it doesn't help that the whole story is what Melissa calls "beads on a string". A thing happens. Then another thing. And I didn't care about any of the things because I was busy grousing about developments between Charley and Monroe.
So this is three stars. Barely. The setting is still interesting and I like what Harper is doing with communities and people looking out for one another. Also, I'm glad to see her getting the gritty bits right about disparate people trying to live together. Yeah, frustrating, but that's because they're people and people are irrational and irritating. Or is that just me?
A note about Chaste: Monroe is busy being a butt through the whole story so although there's a knock-out kiss, there's nothing more. The story ends on .
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
I'd say you know more or less what to expect from the first book. But that's completely not true because Monroe is a moron. And that persisted through the book until he finally got his head on straight in the end. Mostly, anyway. But really, I kind of wanted to smack him through the whole thing and that never went away. It was particularly bad when Harper lucked into the killer combo of self-flagellation and negative motivation*. So he's all "poor me, I'm bad and don't deserve anything good so I'll just deny any developments with Charley because I don't deserve it and she deserves better." It was paaaiinful.
And it doesn't help that the whole story is what Melissa calls "beads on a string". A thing happens. Then another thing. And I didn't care about any of the things because I was busy grousing about developments between Charley and Monroe.
So this is three stars. Barely. The setting is still interesting and I like what Harper is doing with communities and people looking out for one another. Also, I'm glad to see her getting the gritty bits right about disparate people trying to live together. Yeah, frustrating, but that's because they're people and people are irrational and irritating. Or is that just me?
A note about Chaste: Monroe is busy being a butt through the whole story so although there's a knock-out kiss, there's nothing more. The story ends on .
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
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July 19, 2019Rating: 5 amazball stars
This second installment rocked my world! Despite the grisly murders and societal issues, this is promising with Charlie and Monroe at the forefront. Also, the kooky supporting characters and quirky--sometimes viciously brittle-- humor I associate with Helen Harper's books.
Loved it and can't wait to enjoy the next audio book.
This second installment rocked my world! Despite the grisly murders and societal issues, this is promising with Charlie and Monroe at the forefront. Also, the kooky supporting characters and quirky--sometimes viciously brittle-- humor I associate with Helen Harper's books.
Loved it and can't wait to enjoy the next audio book.
September 23, 2023
Manchester is divided, but dead bodies are popping up. Monroe and Charlie have to work together to solve the mystery before chaos descends. A new race of magical beings is discovered, and the team has to work hard to maintain the delicate balance between human and magical beings.
January 25, 2024
2.5/5.0
The problem with not liking a book that has a great core story, is how to rate all the things that don’t work against the things that do. In this instance, the overarching world, the characters and plotline are great. It is in the specifics that it falls apart. Monroe, who in the first book, was a strong, self-assured alpha, turned into a whiny, insecure defeatist who let everyone beat him up (literally!) That just didn’t make any sense!
And Charlie is no better! She weirdly changed from the optimistic, give everyone the benefit of the doubt (to the point of overkill) in the first book, to a cranky, short-tempered crab who jumps to the wildest of conclusions and condemns people repeatedly - even when there is little evidence to support her judgements.
What the heck happened?!? If it weren’t for my eternal optimism that the great basis for this trilogy might somehow be salvaged in the final book, I would just hit the two star button and be done.
The problem with not liking a book that has a great core story, is how to rate all the things that don’t work against the things that do. In this instance, the overarching world, the characters and plotline are great. It is in the specifics that it falls apart. Monroe, who in the first book, was a strong, self-assured alpha, turned into a whiny, insecure defeatist who let everyone beat him up (literally!) That just didn’t make any sense!
And Charlie is no better! She weirdly changed from the optimistic, give everyone the benefit of the doubt (to the point of overkill) in the first book, to a cranky, short-tempered crab who jumps to the wildest of conclusions and condemns people repeatedly - even when there is little evidence to support her judgements.
What the heck happened?!? If it weren’t for my eternal optimism that the great basis for this trilogy might somehow be salvaged in the final book, I would just hit the two star button and be done.
March 21, 2019
Charlie, having become the de facto leader of the human community in post-Mancopalypse Manchester, is, understandably, frazzled. Monroe, titular leader of the freaky part of town, is in psychological melt-down. Will they recover their equilibrium? Will they have mad passionate sex together? Will they save Manchester from the serial killer in the shadows? Anyone who knows Helen Harper's book can have a good guess at the answers to those questions. The fun is in the getting there, in taking in all the daft decisions and contorted logic that the heroine wafts through, and the equally dumb reactions of all the other characters, and in enjoying the jokes. There seem to be less jokes than there used to be, or maybe I've become desensitized over time. On the other hand, the male lead is less awful than in some of her other books. I rather enjoyed the blood-thirsty mermaid, and wish we had seen more of her. Perhaps next time.
Another quick read - and quite pleasant
Another quick read - and quite pleasant
March 1, 2019
Harper always does a great job of making her characters quirky yet relatable, and Charley and Monroe are no different, nor all the side characters. This book builds on the magical apocalyptic world that started in the Fractured Fairy trilogy. Charley's struggles to learn her new magical abilities and her role as a leader of southern Manchester and coordinate with werewolf Monroe--with romantic tension combating--in the north... all while murders are appearing among her people. It's a somewhat cozy mystery style of following clues and overcoming obstacles, be they physical, mental or other people, to find the killer before things get worse. Another light, humorous yet dark magical urban fantasy mystery--and more proof of why Harper is one of my favorite authors!
March 2, 2019
The second book in the series begins with Monroe having some issues with his guilt, but when he is forced to check on Charley he realizes that he is not the only one having problems. Now, there seems to be a murderer on the loose, and no one is sure who it is or why they are doing it. Monroe and Charley must team up to figure it out before it is too late.
These two make a great team, and you also see them start to form more of a bond due to working together again. This book was really good, and really funny! And it sort of ended making you wonder what will happen next, so I can't wait for more.
These two make a great team, and you also see them start to form more of a bond due to working together again. This book was really good, and really funny! And it sort of ended making you wonder what will happen next, so I can't wait for more.
November 26, 2020
Okay
I like this book just fine but got over the self pity Monroe had. Yes he had a deep loss and all that but his self destruction was just to much. I will continue with the series though as I do love it.
I like this book just fine but got over the self pity Monroe had. Yes he had a deep loss and all that but his self destruction was just to much. I will continue with the series though as I do love it.
February 23, 2020
This second book of the series definitely picks up its pace and has a more interesting plot. It is definitely an improvement over Book 1.
In Brittle Midnight, the magical apocalypse has happened and Manchester has been blockaded from the rest of England, the survivors left to their own devices.
In Shrill Dusk, Charley was known as The Enchantress having absorbed magical powers from a powerful item which almost caused the destruction of the planet. But as time passes, many of the other survivors stuck in Manchester are starting to absorb some of the magic in the atmosphere.
The werewolves and vampires have moved to the North of Manchester and segregated several blocks to themselves while Charley and her people are taking up residences to the South. Charley has been nominated as their Ad Hoc leader which means everyone runs to her with every gripe and complaint whether that means there is a problem with the water or they ran out of their favorite snack food. Charley is at the end of her rope but she is determined to make a success of their little community.
When she heads to their local water supply to see why the water has turned red, yet again, she meets up with her old frenemy, the sexy werewolf Monroe, who is still deep in survivor's guilt for losing his entire pack during the apocalypse and while he and Charley have never seen eye-to-eye on how the new Manchester should be run, he is worried about how rundown and despondent the usually uber-sunny,-everything-is-wonderful Charley is acting. When he takes her on a mini-vacation from her responsibilities to the only hotel still existing in Manchester which is located between the two groups, they find a murder has been committed and it looks like a vampire has gone on a killing spree.
With everyone very wary about having vampires living with them in Manchester, finding out one is draining humans will be like taking a match to gasoline. So Monroe and Charley hook up to find the vampire and find much more than that when the locate their killer -- dead, and at the hands of a werewolf who can't remember what happened.
Their investigation is bringing them to something more vile than just vampire vs werewolf vs human politics. It looks like someone is killing their victims and using their greatest fear as the weapon. They have to find the killer before the news goes public and their small survivor camps going into their own panic-fueled, us vs them war.
This story was much more exciting than Book 1, which included a whole lot of set up which went no where and seemed pretty unimportant. We run into more magical monsters which need to be dealt with including a whiny mermaid who isn't as sweet and kind as Disney would have you believe. There are a lot of sparks between Monroe and Charley but he needs to get past his guilt about getting his pack killed.
This was an enjoyable story and still more light-hearted for an Urban Fantasy series.
Received an ARC from Tantor in exchange for an honest review.
See more at EBookObsessed.com
In Brittle Midnight, the magical apocalypse has happened and Manchester has been blockaded from the rest of England, the survivors left to their own devices.
In Shrill Dusk, Charley was known as The Enchantress having absorbed magical powers from a powerful item which almost caused the destruction of the planet. But as time passes, many of the other survivors stuck in Manchester are starting to absorb some of the magic in the atmosphere.
The werewolves and vampires have moved to the North of Manchester and segregated several blocks to themselves while Charley and her people are taking up residences to the South. Charley has been nominated as their Ad Hoc leader which means everyone runs to her with every gripe and complaint whether that means there is a problem with the water or they ran out of their favorite snack food. Charley is at the end of her rope but she is determined to make a success of their little community.
When she heads to their local water supply to see why the water has turned red, yet again, she meets up with her old frenemy, the sexy werewolf Monroe, who is still deep in survivor's guilt for losing his entire pack during the apocalypse and while he and Charley have never seen eye-to-eye on how the new Manchester should be run, he is worried about how rundown and despondent the usually uber-sunny,-everything-is-wonderful Charley is acting. When he takes her on a mini-vacation from her responsibilities to the only hotel still existing in Manchester which is located between the two groups, they find a murder has been committed and it looks like a vampire has gone on a killing spree.
With everyone very wary about having vampires living with them in Manchester, finding out one is draining humans will be like taking a match to gasoline. So Monroe and Charley hook up to find the vampire and find much more than that when the locate their killer -- dead, and at the hands of a werewolf who can't remember what happened.
Their investigation is bringing them to something more vile than just vampire vs werewolf vs human politics. It looks like someone is killing their victims and using their greatest fear as the weapon. They have to find the killer before the news goes public and their small survivor camps going into their own panic-fueled, us vs them war.
This story was much more exciting than Book 1, which included a whole lot of set up which went no where and seemed pretty unimportant. We run into more magical monsters which need to be dealt with including a whiny mermaid who isn't as sweet and kind as Disney would have you believe. There are a lot of sparks between Monroe and Charley but he needs to get past his guilt about getting his pack killed.
This was an enjoyable story and still more light-hearted for an Urban Fantasy series.
Received an ARC from Tantor in exchange for an honest review.
See more at EBookObsessed.com
October 2, 2025
Helen Harper’s books are just so fun. We return to the Manpocalypse (magical apocalypse that only affects Manchester) a few months after the end of Shrill Dusk. Charlie and Monroe have each set up their own communities of survivors, it things haven’t worked out exactly as hoped. Charlie is overwhelmed and relied on too much to solve every issue, and Monroe has imploded in his own grief without a truly life threatening task to deal with. This book was light and fun to read but nothing life changing- there weren’t any scenes that I’m likely to remember as being overly impactful or hilarious a week from now. So I’d give it a 3.5, either way the .5 being for the interesting world Harper has created in Manchester.
Pros: We continue to explore Manchester and some of the changes to the city. This is probably my favorite world of Helen’s since it feels the most explored and developed with the most potential to offer more. I could easily have seen this being a 5-7 or even 10 book series if she’d wanted to go that way.
I appreciated that Monroe hadn’t just gotten over the loss of his pack. That’s a major life altering event, and it would have felt disingenuous to have him not feel majorly affected by it even a few months later. It may not have made for the most entertaining dialogue at times, but I’d rather appreciate what feels like a genuine realistic character than what makes for light reading.
I was blindsided by the villain of this whodunit, which I appreciated.
Cons:
Although there wasn’t anything glaringly wrong with the book, there also wasn’t anything that made me want to stand up and cheer and go “yippee this is so hilariously fun”. It was just easy listening and enjoyable.
Content Notes:
There are a few non sexual nudity scenes when shifters turn human again. Other than that, things are kept very chaste between our leads with what is probably intended as a fade to black scene at the very end.
Pros: We continue to explore Manchester and some of the changes to the city. This is probably my favorite world of Helen’s since it feels the most explored and developed with the most potential to offer more. I could easily have seen this being a 5-7 or even 10 book series if she’d wanted to go that way.
I appreciated that Monroe hadn’t just gotten over the loss of his pack. That’s a major life altering event, and it would have felt disingenuous to have him not feel majorly affected by it even a few months later. It may not have made for the most entertaining dialogue at times, but I’d rather appreciate what feels like a genuine realistic character than what makes for light reading.
I was blindsided by the villain of this whodunit, which I appreciated.
Cons:
Although there wasn’t anything glaringly wrong with the book, there also wasn’t anything that made me want to stand up and cheer and go “yippee this is so hilariously fun”. It was just easy listening and enjoyable.
Content Notes:
There are a few non sexual nudity scenes when shifters turn human again. Other than that, things are kept very chaste between our leads with what is probably intended as a fade to black scene at the very end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2019
I received this book as an ARC form the author but this review is all mine!
I loved this book and this take on a magical apocalypse is brilliant. Charley has her own little community in the south of Manchester, while Monroe, the werewolf, has his in the north, but they are both struggling with their new lives. Charley is constantly inundated with complaints and requests from the residents in her area, while Monroe is still grief stricken following the loss of his entire pack in the magical battle that brought on the apocalypse. Separately they are both unable to deal with everything, but together they have a better chance, if only they would give themselves that chance to be together.
When a human is found completely drained of blood, Charley takes it upon herself to find the vampire responsible, but this investigation is not as quick and easy as first thought and when other bodies turn up dead or uncontrollable, Monroe and Charley, along with Anna, the police officer, have to work quickly to find the perpetrator before it is too late....
I love Charley and Monroe and am so happy about the ending! They are both vulnerable, yet strong and powerful at the same time. You can really relate to them in the situations they find themselves in. I love the introduction of other magical creatures in this book too and hope we get to see more of the bogles in the next book.
Another great story in this series - I can't wait for the next one to be released in May. Thank you Helen for sending me a copy to read!
I loved this book and this take on a magical apocalypse is brilliant. Charley has her own little community in the south of Manchester, while Monroe, the werewolf, has his in the north, but they are both struggling with their new lives. Charley is constantly inundated with complaints and requests from the residents in her area, while Monroe is still grief stricken following the loss of his entire pack in the magical battle that brought on the apocalypse. Separately they are both unable to deal with everything, but together they have a better chance, if only they would give themselves that chance to be together.
When a human is found completely drained of blood, Charley takes it upon herself to find the vampire responsible, but this investigation is not as quick and easy as first thought and when other bodies turn up dead or uncontrollable, Monroe and Charley, along with Anna, the police officer, have to work quickly to find the perpetrator before it is too late....
I love Charley and Monroe and am so happy about the ending! They are both vulnerable, yet strong and powerful at the same time. You can really relate to them in the situations they find themselves in. I love the introduction of other magical creatures in this book too and hope we get to see more of the bogles in the next book.
Another great story in this series - I can't wait for the next one to be released in May. Thank you Helen for sending me a copy to read!
June 18, 2021
Overall: 3/5
Plot and themes: 3/5
Characters: 2/5
Writing style: 3/5
Attention-grabbing: 4/5
Brittle Midnight is the second book in the City of Magic series by Helen Harper following the adventures of Charley and Monroe in a post-apocalyptic version of Manchester. They've both sort of adopted separate perspectives on survival and what needs to be done to create a thriving society, but their two halves of the city can't really stay separate for long.
I'm taking a star off only for the characters because other than that it was pretty consistent with the first and exactly what you would expect. I'm mad at only the character development because like what the heck we're going to get the culmination of all the romantic build-up without the revelation scene where she exposes her guilt for that whole plot-line with her brother? What was the point of that if not for the dramatic tragic backstory? If we don't get that in the finale of this trilogy I'm really going to be angry, right now it just feels like we missed a critical stepping stone.
But yeah, other than that the magic has been pretty standard and it's just kind of a nice follow-up to the first book. I said previously that I liked how it was fusion of kind of dystopia and urban fantasy and that stands. It's really just a fun read that could probably use some more exposition but is just fine as it is.
This review and all my others can be found at: https://aworldshapedbybooks.blogspot....
April 20, 2021
This is review is a rundown of what happens at the end of the book: I'm too anxious to deal with ambiguity these days and if you are too then enjoy:
This was pretty fun, Charley and Monroe finally get together and their interactions are pretty cute. Everyone is dealing with trauma and anxiety in this book. Monroe blames himself for the loss of his pack still and is going through a whole masochistic streak where he does that obnoxious "must protect you from myself" thing.
It was interesting to watch Charley deal with her stress and anxiety. It affected her realistically and made her short tempered.
At the end:
The bad guy is the old psychologist dude who has been using people's secret fears and urges to hypnotize them into murder. He makes the gambler give herself to the vampire and forces him to drain her dry then forces the werewolf to rip the vampire apart. Luckily somehow Monroe resists him which also solves his obsessing about accidentally hurting Charley and clears the way for their love. Anyway, he is eaten by the mermaid and everything ends happily.
This was pretty fun, Charley and Monroe finally get together and their interactions are pretty cute. Everyone is dealing with trauma and anxiety in this book. Monroe blames himself for the loss of his pack still and is going through a whole masochistic streak where he does that obnoxious "must protect you from myself" thing.
It was interesting to watch Charley deal with her stress and anxiety. It affected her realistically and made her short tempered.
At the end:
The bad guy is the old psychologist dude who has been using people's secret fears and urges to hypnotize them into murder. He makes the gambler give herself to the vampire and forces him to drain her dry then forces the werewolf to rip the vampire apart. Luckily somehow Monroe resists him which also solves his obsessing about accidentally hurting Charley and clears the way for their love. Anyway, he is eaten by the mermaid and everything ends happily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2022
This was better than the first book for most of it then the ending was rushed and the build-up with Charley and Monroe had an annoying conclusion. Look, I think some authors put in intimate scenes to fulfill some sort of quota that ends up being overkill. I am normally on board with letting my imagination do the heavy lifting, but THIS was cruel. Also, I would really implore this author to have our love interests spend more time together and allow readers to see their relationship build. Series after series the love interests seem like kids on a playground pulling each other’s hair, with a few sensitive moments thrown in for good measure, then all of a sudden they are all in lurve. It isn’t very fluid. What usually makes it seem plausible is the leads generally work together very well, make each other their best selves, or feel safe. It just isn’t often enough. Even after they are together they aren’t in the books together when the characters being together are the best parts of the books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2023
Everybody’s messed up. That should be the tagline of this book. In the post-apocalyptic Manchester, life is slowly finding its normalcy–and normalcy in this case is things like blood coming out of the water taps, bars where vampires will suck blood from humans because it’s a high for the humans, and there isn’t quite enough food for everyone.
Our MC Charley finds herself trying to solve every problem for her little enclave of people, while Monroe the hot werewolf tries to solve his own problems by getting beaten up. No one is particularly happy, but then there is a murder and the little problems get to take a backseat.
Charley and Monroe keep developing their semi-antagonistic relationship. There are a bunch of more-or-less sketchy side characters, some more interesting than others. Overall, this is another fast paced adventure for those who enjoy dystopian societies with werewolves, vampires, and lots of magic. It’s not quite dark and gritty, though it sometimes feels like it tries to be.
Our MC Charley finds herself trying to solve every problem for her little enclave of people, while Monroe the hot werewolf tries to solve his own problems by getting beaten up. No one is particularly happy, but then there is a murder and the little problems get to take a backseat.
Charley and Monroe keep developing their semi-antagonistic relationship. There are a bunch of more-or-less sketchy side characters, some more interesting than others. Overall, this is another fast paced adventure for those who enjoy dystopian societies with werewolves, vampires, and lots of magic. It’s not quite dark and gritty, though it sometimes feels like it tries to be.
April 23, 2019
Brittle Midnight by Helen Harper a five-star read that you would stay up after midnight to read. This is the second novel in the City of Magic series and you are best reading them in order as otherwise you may not know where in Manchester you are, and depending on your natural persuasion, that could lead to dangerous problems, if Monroe isn’t up on his game at least, will his grief be too much for him or will he be the best underdog there is (I know, I know he’s not technically a dog). This has been a great series, watching as he city and the country come to terms with the post-apocalyptic events and being left with magic in the air. If you have read the first book in this series then you need to go get this one stat, as the next one is coming and will be here soon. I know I am eagerly awaiting it.
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October 24, 2025Who ever thought that life after an apocalyptic event would be easy?
Charley is under pressure. The demands of her new community are piling on stress after stress and, even with her developing magical skills, she's finding it hard to cope. Things aren't any better for Monroe - his grief and guilt over what happened to his werewolf pack are overwhelming him. When dead bodies start to appear across the city, they're going to have to work together to prevent more killings. But whether they'll be able to survive together too is anyone's guess.
Heather's Notes
This was not a bad story. I don't usually care for apocalyptic stories, but I do like HH's books. I will definitely be reading the next one.
Charley is under pressure. The demands of her new community are piling on stress after stress and, even with her developing magical skills, she's finding it hard to cope. Things aren't any better for Monroe - his grief and guilt over what happened to his werewolf pack are overwhelming him. When dead bodies start to appear across the city, they're going to have to work together to prevent more killings. But whether they'll be able to survive together too is anyone's guess.
Heather's Notes
This was not a bad story. I don't usually care for apocalyptic stories, but I do like HH's books. I will definitely be reading the next one.
May 17, 2019
Being in charge of post-apocalyptic Manchester was never going to be an easy job but Charley was coping with it- just. Everyone wanted her attention on the most trivial of matters at times. But they all had to wait when people started turning up murdered.
Charley and Monroe come together to investigate the killing spree on behalf of both the north and south of the city. But there are simply no clues to be found. No motives. No witnesses. Nothing except for one of the killers that's still alive.
Can they both sort out their problems while trying to solve the murders? Or are they doomed to fail again?
A good read that i'd recommend.
Charley and Monroe come together to investigate the killing spree on behalf of both the north and south of the city. But there are simply no clues to be found. No motives. No witnesses. Nothing except for one of the killers that's still alive.
Can they both sort out their problems while trying to solve the murders? Or are they doomed to fail again?
A good read that i'd recommend.
January 5, 2024
This entire book was a case of who’s done it!
It takes place 3 months after their city was cut off my the military from the rest of the world because of all the magic & magical creatures.
Our lead characters were living in their own areas (north & south) but hardly ever saw each other even though they were both miserable.
Then they started working together to try to figure out who killed a women in the faes hotel, fingers were pointed at lots of people and a few ended up dying but the case ended up bringing our people together both romantically & agreeing to help each other’s communities
It takes place 3 months after their city was cut off my the military from the rest of the world because of all the magic & magical creatures.
Our lead characters were living in their own areas (north & south) but hardly ever saw each other even though they were both miserable.
Then they started working together to try to figure out who killed a women in the faes hotel, fingers were pointed at lots of people and a few ended up dying but the case ended up bringing our people together both romantically & agreeing to help each other’s communities
March 5, 2019
Apocalyptic
Not normally what I like. But stuck with and I must say it was a all round really excellent book. I'm a big fan and have enjoyed most of your books. Except I don't do row mance. Not the hot steamy main topic kind. A romance as a side plot, sure. Since I haven't read yours I can't say. I may even be confusing you with another authors as far as romances not read. But I truly despise them. But I love the rest of your books. Thank you for sharing a part of yourself. I love your voice
Not normally what I like. But stuck with and I must say it was a all round really excellent book. I'm a big fan and have enjoyed most of your books. Except I don't do row mance. Not the hot steamy main topic kind. A romance as a side plot, sure. Since I haven't read yours I can't say. I may even be confusing you with another authors as far as romances not read. But I truly despise them. But I love the rest of your books. Thank you for sharing a part of yourself. I love your voice
February 6, 2022
Helen Harper is popping out so many babie- I mean books, she’s popping out so many books that they’re not getting the tender love and care or nurturing they require to grow into something of any substance. I loved her older stuff but the newer content is boring and bland and sometimes just plain dumb.
From Charlotte announcing her address to a crowd of people while hiding from the guy who just stepped outside to her telling an entire community they have secret magic powers when she knows there’s multiple killers on the loose in that same community.. I’ve reached my threshold for TSTL.
From Charlotte announcing her address to a crowd of people while hiding from the guy who just stepped outside to her telling an entire community they have secret magic powers when she knows there’s multiple killers on the loose in that same community.. I’ve reached my threshold for TSTL.
November 25, 2022
Charlie solves a murder mystery involving a mermaid, some random green people, Maggie the werewolf, Albert the scott and Phillip the vampire.
It was not a great story. I liked it kinda sorta. But it was just to short to be of any significance. I dont think I will remember anything about it next year. Felt like a waste of time. I liked the Madrona stories a lot more. They were random, funnier and unpredictable. This one tries to hard to be a proper, dark and serious urban fantasy and it just does not fit into that category. And its to short.
It was not a great story. I liked it kinda sorta. But it was just to short to be of any significance. I dont think I will remember anything about it next year. Felt like a waste of time. I liked the Madrona stories a lot more. They were random, funnier and unpredictable. This one tries to hard to be a proper, dark and serious urban fantasy and it just does not fit into that category. And its to short.
March 1, 2019
This series is just... Oh, so good. I love how the author has developed the characters so well and made them so relatable, while still keeping the magical quality the same. Charlie and Monroe are quickly becoming two of my all-time favorite story book characters. Their stories are so heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time, which isn't always an easy task to do when writing. I'm just in love with this series and I can not wait to see what the author does next.
March 6, 2019
I hate waiting for the next installment
I like these book and spoiler alert I am pleased Charley and Monroe got together. This book was ok but I'm more interested in the societies being built than complex murders. I didn't take to the fractured fairy series, this is much better but I'm not a fan of waiting on books as I read a LOT of books so don't remember where I'm up to when it finally appears but that's my cross to bear.
I like these book and spoiler alert I am pleased Charley and Monroe got together. This book was ok but I'm more interested in the societies being built than complex murders. I didn't take to the fractured fairy series, this is much better but I'm not a fan of waiting on books as I read a LOT of books so don't remember where I'm up to when it finally appears but that's my cross to bear.
May 24, 2020
RATING: 4⭐
AGE: Pg-16
(no sex but adult
situations-alcohol,
language..ect.)
NOTES: It's a good solid series read...attention catching at times..slow at times. Great leading lady. Funny at times which I love when an author uses humor in stories. End of series didn't leave me desperately wanting more like some series but thats not a bad thing. Great
solid Read.
Mrs. C. 💋 approved
AGE: Pg-16
(no sex but adult
situations-alcohol,
language..ect.)
NOTES: It's a good solid series read...attention catching at times..slow at times. Great leading lady. Funny at times which I love when an author uses humor in stories. End of series didn't leave me desperately wanting more like some series but thats not a bad thing. Great
solid Read.
Mrs. C. 💋 approved
March 7, 2021
This was a good story in a post apocalyptic world, or at least city which was cut off from the outside world. However I spent the bulk questioning why crucial details were glossed over. I couldn't stop asking how they had so much food...I mean months after they were cut off from the world, how could they have so much food and alcohol. It was a distracting thought for the bulk of the book for me.
Overall the story was still engrossing enough if I didn't dwell on pesky details.
Overall the story was still engrossing enough if I didn't dwell on pesky details.
December 26, 2023
In the first book we saw the main characters not at their best due to the unprecedented circumstances they were facing, so I was willing to make allowances for that. Here they are still stressed, but in a more mundane way, so I would expect them to behave more like themselves, even if it's their stressed selves. Unfortunately, their selves are also self-indulgent pompous posturing idiots. And that's the end of my patience.
March 4, 2019
Love this series 💘
I absolutely love this series. The characters are fantastic! The storyline flows effortlessly and the suspense and mystery keeps you enthralled until the last word. I can't wait for the next book and hopefully Charley and Monroe will finally take it to the next level.
I absolutely love this series. The characters are fantastic! The storyline flows effortlessly and the suspense and mystery keeps you enthralled until the last word. I can't wait for the next book and hopefully Charley and Monroe will finally take it to the next level.
March 15, 2019
Good reading
Another good book by this author. I love reading about the effects of magic on Manchester. However, I did find it a bit slow in places and found it easy to walk away from and come back to later. So for that reason it only got four stars. It won’t stop me reading more by Helen and I look forward to the next book.
Another good book by this author. I love reading about the effects of magic on Manchester. However, I did find it a bit slow in places and found it easy to walk away from and come back to later. So for that reason it only got four stars. It won’t stop me reading more by Helen and I look forward to the next book.
May 16, 2019
Rare 2nd book in series still entriguing
It’s rare these days for a paranormal book series to be unique. The premise for this series is quirky, and just different enough to be draw you in. I especially appreciate the fact that so far both book 1 and 2 has had a plot that began and ended within the book. So many books these days are really just chapters… Well done.
It’s rare these days for a paranormal book series to be unique. The premise for this series is quirky, and just different enough to be draw you in. I especially appreciate the fact that so far both book 1 and 2 has had a plot that began and ended within the book. So many books these days are really just chapters… Well done.
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