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Belphegor has come to collect.

The Prince of Sloth once ordered Mason Albrecht to help awaken Florian, the enigmatic nature hybrid, now one of the nephilim’s fastest friends. With Florian fully empowered, Belphegor wants help with, of all things, gardening. Sloth’s prime hell is famed for its carnivorous Crimson Gardens, frightening advances in hagriculture, and the universe’s comfiest California king-sized bed.

But elements both infernal and celestial keep hampering Mason’s working holiday. And the son of Samyaza has also piqued the interest of another vastly powerful entity… an archangel with a missing sword and an axe to grind.

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 16, 2020

93 people are currently reading
86 people want to read

About the author

Nazri Noor

52 books393 followers
Hi, I'm Nazri, a Filipino-Malaysian author based in California. I’m trilingual, but I really only write in English. I can also speak just enough Sindarin and Valyrian to impress absolutely no one. My urban fantasy novels focus on realistic heroes who use wits, style, and their wildly unpredictable magic to (try) and save the day. Think sass and class, while kicking ass.

My influences come from horror and fantasy: HP Lovecraft, Anne Rice, George R.R. Martin, Chuck Palahniuk, Terry Pratchett, and Neil Gaiman. Growing up I was shaped by the Blood Sword, Fighting Fantasy, Lone Wolf, and Grey Star game book universes. I'm also inspired by video games, specifically the Castlevania, Final Fantasy, and Persona series.

TL;DR: I'm a huge nerd. And yes, that's my real hair. I try to donate it to the American Cancer Society as often as I can. Also, have you heard? You can get a free book at www.NazriNoor.com.

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5 stars
140 (61%)
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61 (26%)
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21 (9%)
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Connie.
442 reviews21 followers
August 4, 2020
The story continues...
Mason and Florian have to pay off a debt by working in the Carnivorous Crimson gardens of Belphegor. But trouble is brewing as the Prince of Sloth has an agenda.
Nazri Noor does it again, fast paced, action packed, with great characters.
Profile Image for Mary Enck.
Author 1 book12 followers
April 12, 2020
I am not one to discuss a storyline to a great extent as most reviewers do. Goodness knows there are enough who already do that and do not need just one more review that will write a synopsis. I leave the telling of the story to the author who does it so well. In this case, Nazri Noor is one of the best in my opinion. I feel his series Sins of the Father is getting better as he goes along from the previous Darkling Mage Series. I am eager to get the next book from Nazri's creativity. He always astounds me.

In this novel, Morning Star, there are surprises that come along once more with the impeccable timing that arrives to save the day, or night if Sterling is about. He is the most loveable vampire I have ever encountered in a story. Those who know already the identity of Morning Star will stand back and admire the trappings of his appearance. Wow. Can anyone else show up naked and have it feel perfect? He was really impressive and so worth waiting for in this particular story. Some of the things he revealed to our hero, Mason, were terrific and tantalizing. I am truly on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book in this line of happenings.

I can't say enough about this one as I tread the path on the quest of Mason in his eager action that never disappoints. What a powerful young man he is and I love him.
Profile Image for Mandy.
4,886 reviews46 followers
March 24, 2020
Belphegor (The Prince of Sloth) had ordered nephilim Mason Albrecht to help awaken nature hybrid Florian but now that is complete Belphegor seems to want help with gardening. However the carnivorous Crimson Gardens seem to contain advances in advances in hagriculture, and the universe’s comfiest California king-sized bed. However infernal and celestial elements seem determined to interfere with Mason's working holiday and he has also attracted the interest of an archangel with a missing sword and an axe to grind. Can he fix all these problems and make sure that everyone stays safe?

This was a great third book in the series that showed Mason coming into himself a bit more and dare I say growing up a bit. It laid a lot of foundations at the end which I can't wait to see how the author will explore in the next book in the series. Well written, easy to understand, this was a fitting book in the world that has been created around this great mixture of gods, mages and all sorts of magical beings. I liked the twist in the story which I hope means they get to work together more in the future. Recommended for anyone who is into paranormal stories.
501 reviews20 followers
March 18, 2020
This novel picks of where the previous installment left off, as is this author's habit. This time, Mason and Florian must save the world - which is also the usual.

All the elements I expect to find in this author's novels were present and with the usual panache: excellent pacing, sharp wit, the gradual blossoming of characters on the cusp of adulthood, excellent cameo and series crossover appearances, interesting and promising new-to-the-universe characters, and so on.

I really didn't think that there was a way to top book 2, but then this book happened. Mason, the narrator, continues to grow and evolve in a very organic and realistic way. His relationships likewise face the typical growing pains associated with young adulthood, which lend a strong element of realism to an otherwise fantastic universe.

This series has well and truly found its legs, with Mason sharply in focus - and firmly his own person. I am champing at the bit for the next entry!

I received an ARC via the author.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,005 reviews8 followers
March 20, 2020
Want a twisted tale to fill in your time? This is the one for you. Mason and Florian are once again at it with their ability to get into trouble at the drop of a ....sword? Meeting up with a new angel that is keeping an eye on him and he drags around angel thugs to make his wishes known. Mason takes an instant dislike to him...oops not so good. He finally gets the money to get his "Personal Signature Dampening Device i.e. Brace." Will it work... or not? Quilliam keeps making appearances to keep Mason's temper on edge. A new archangel is put on his case with a bunch of thugs that stirs his anger even more....oh really not so good. Prince of Sloth? Well you just will have to read the book to see the havoc that he creates. This is a bloody, twisted, snarky, evil versus good, adventuresome, downright good story...as usual. Well worth the read. Can't wait until the next one. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC book.
570 reviews
March 25, 2024
Bonus points for clever plays on words!

There is quite a bit of lighthearted humor in this installment, scattered amidst the otherwise gray and often depressing wilderness that Mason finds himself trudging across. The final sentence, itself, is actually quite clever and Noor sets it up quite perfectly.

This series will clearly not have the imperative rush of events that Dustin’s series experienced. Nonetheless , there isn’t a spare or wasted moment anywhere along this journey. Whether by accident, or intentional, Noor has managed in this book to pare away every bit of “unnecessary baggage.” The scenes are not sparse nor spare, but there is simply no wasted moment no offhand reflections that do nothing to serve the story. Every word serves to move the story forward. It’s a bit different than the last series, but as I have started to understand what he’s doing stylistically, I am liking this easily as much as the last.

Enjoy!
Profile Image for echo1440.
177 reviews5 followers
April 19, 2023
Exciting developments!

This book featured some extremely exciting developments in Mason’s life and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. I still really don’t like him but I’ve come to realize it’s because I’m almost an old lady at this point and he’s actually a child. I just want to wring his scrawny little neck sometimes. Like it is really that hard not to say the first thing that comes to mind? Granted, some of those things made me laugh (pasta sauce angel, anyone?) but most of the time I was rolling my eyes at his impulsivity.

I did not see the end of this book coming. It went off the rails in a very real way and I really enjoyed it.
11 reviews
March 23, 2020
More adventures with Mason

This is a great installment in the adventures of Mason. Just as with Nazri Mike's Darkling Mage series, the characters grow richer with each book and we care for them more and more. I love that the characters are so 3 dimensional, making errors and missteps with their decisions, relationships and lives in general. They also find themselves at the center of things beyond their control. This book features Florian heavily, who is fast becoming a favorite. Pick it up. You won't be disappointed.

145 reviews
March 21, 2020
Hagriculture and Hellaportation are a thing.

Mason, Florian and the gang are back and having to help out the demon prince Belphagore otherwise known as Sloth. What could possibly go wrong? Well let me just say it's a fantastic story. Action, mayhem and hilarity. Nazi has amazingly fun characters with flaws and some even have wings. Great story awesome characters. As always can not wait for more!
107 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2020
MORNING STAR INDEED!

Another joyously readable creation by Mr. Noor. These twists and turns were amazingly unpredictable. Most author s in my collection become ingeniously but subtlety surprising. Noor just knocks you right off you "horse" with a "WAIT! what just happened? " Morning Star becomes truly horrifying then what a surprise ending. (Must say ,though, it tracked with my religiosity.). Thank you a million times, Mr Noor.
Profile Image for Sherry Vaughan.
842 reviews10 followers
March 23, 2020
Mason is finally able to get his magical bracer to hide from all the entities who plague him. Not that it does him any good. He still owes Belphegor a favor and he and Florian set out to pay it. Mason has no idea of the havoc that Belphegor intends to unleash. Can he save Valero? Does he want to save it?
937 reviews13 followers
August 7, 2022
It's the 3rd Mason book and he is figuring out his powers and coming to grips with his future roll. More like he is seeing to potential everyone else seems to see in him. The harmless task they are set upon ends up being a whole lot more than they bargained for, and I'm curious how a new player may influence what's coming next.
Profile Image for Pedro Bonetti.
13 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2020
Liked it. Need more Mason.

I like where the storyline of Mason is going. The progression is nice and at par with how Dustin’s was, in my opinion. I want more, plus maybe Mason take the tentative steps to contact his necromancer friend? It’s good to be in Valero.
Profile Image for Bryan Werleman.
14 reviews
May 11, 2020
Fantastic

Another great take in this series. I've read both this and the darkling mage series and haven't been disappointed at all. Can't wait for the next books in both series as well as the next series!!
Profile Image for Lee Hall.
1,209 reviews7 followers
June 24, 2021
Wow!

This book was just as engaging as the others! Nazri Noor has created a series that completely astounds and mesmerized me. Highly recommended
679 reviews13 followers
March 24, 2020
I am really enjoying this story. Mason solves one problem just to end up knee deep in another. It is fun to watch him develop and grow as a person. Sure he makes mistakes, but the one thing that he always does is support his friends.
Great humor! Great story!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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