Trapped in a necromancer’s tower on the longest night of the year.
Merek is a pillar of his country community and a confirmed bachelor. He had his chance at love, and he let it slip away. But he’s got friends, a faithful dog, and a snug home. Holidays can be difficult, but Merek knows how to handle loneliness.
When he volunteers to house-sit for a necromancer on the day before Solstice, Merek expects to be doing the job with no companion apart from his dog. He’s displeased to be trapped in the tower overnight by a sudden snow storm. However, everything changes when his old lover shows up on the doorstep.
Ian is cold and clearly afraid of something. Merek lets him in. That was his first mistake.
I loved going back to the Knight & the Necromancer’s world with this novella featuring Merek, Sairis’s friend that we first met in Putting the Romance in Necromancy, and to have confirmation that he’s indeed the nice guy he seemed to be. The love interest wasn’t quite as well fleshed out, but between the page time and the backstory of , it was enough to make me invested in the relationship. I guessed part of the reason behind but not so much that I wasn’t surprised when the full picture was revealed, and the writing flew so well that I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with these characters. I also appreciated Sairis and Roland’s appearance, their role was marginal enough that it didn’t overshadow the actual MCs, but it was still good to see them and learn about their lives 5 years after the ending of the main series. Honorable mention for Pumpernickel and Master Wiggles.
It' was good to revisit this world, and just what I needed at the moment. I liked Merek a lot when we met him in Putting the Romance in Necromancy, and I liked him here. It was good to see Sairis and Roland again too, and know how their lives have changed and how they've influenced others lives for the best.
I liked Merek immediately upon reading Putting the Romance in Necromancy so I was happy when I saw this new short story was about him. I wasn't sure where this was going at first, but I was mostly happy with where it ended. There are a couple of mysteries here. I was meandering close to the right track on one, and figured out the other pretty quickly. I'm not sure if I think there was a cheat near the end or not. But that aside, I really enjoyed this. And Pumpernickel and Master Wiggles were adorable. Wiggles is totally the dad, isn't he? LOL
This probably more of a really high 3, like 3.85 or something, but I'm not going to do the math today, so 4 stars it is.
A story like this is why I like freebies! I got a glimpse of a new-to-me author and I enjoyed this novella so much that I want to check out the connected series.
This is best read after the series but you could still read it alone.
I loved this book. It had me doubting myself at times even knowing it had a hea.
My favourite quote:
“There were skeletons everywhere, mostly animals, but also people. Some of the humans were still wearing bits of armor or weapons. Roland had assured Merek that they were all bounty hunters who’d tried to kill Sairis at one time or another—knights mostly. Merek believed it, but thought privately that decorating a room with the bones of your enemies was what gave necromancers a bad name.”
Merek tidies up the necromancer's tower when a snow storm moves in and keeps him from going home for the night. When an old friend knocks at the door he isn't sure if he should let him in .... Actually - me neither, which cost the story one star, other than that I love A.H. Lee's story telling and the romance. This story is being set in the world of The Capital and it's two following books and is not exactly a standalone. Without the background knowledge of the world too much of the story would get lost to enjoy the whole reading experience to the max.
For a sneak peak on the full series I would highly recommend Putting the Romance in Necromancy which is a 17 pages novella introducing the necromancer and free on Amazon. Or jump straight to The Capital, free on kindle unlimited, if you like fantasy, knights, kings, sorcerers and a romance that is build on a lot of trust.
Aww, this was lovely! Follows a character, Merek, from the prequel in this series, Putting the Romance in Necromancy and it was fun to see this character again, along with cameos from Roland and Sairis. I liked the plot and felt it worked well as a short story, but I didn't totally fall for Ian and Merek, partially because we're told of their connection but we don't really get to see it develop and something about Ian's introduction as the love interest felt quite random, though I still enjoyed overall!
I am really very sad that this series is finished. It was right up my alley with it being high fantasy with political intrigue.
This short was excellent and a great addition to the series. Marek deserved a happy ending because he was so kind especially to Seris early in the series when no one else was.
I do really wish we could find out if Pumpernickel's puppies were sired by Master Wiggles though. 😍🐶
I loved reading that Merek and Sairis continued their friendship. I missed Merek in the main trilogy after reading about him in the “prologue” book. So happy that he got his HEA.
Little side story about Merek, Sairis’s friend, the village knacker and keeper of the tower. At thirty seven, he is getting older and lonely, and wish to find a companion. During a snowstorm, he Is visited by an old friend and occasionally lover, Ian.
Stranges things happen, Ian is keeping a secret and wait for Sairis to come back.
Emotional reunions, slow-burn tension, and a dash of magical danger, and is guaranteed that Enthralled by A.H. Lee will capture my heart. As part of The Knight and the Necromancer series, this book delivers a captivating mix of romance and mystery, all wrapped up in the haunting atmosphere of a necromancer’s tower on Solstice night.
Merek, a kind-hearted bachelor who has long given up on love, finds himself volunteering to house-sit for a necromancer in a snowstorm. Expecting nothing more than a quiet night with his faithful dog, Merek’s world is turned upside down when his old flame, Ian, arrives on the doorstep—cold, frightened, and clearly hiding something. What follows is an intense and passionate reunion between two men with unresolved feelings, all while they’re trapped in the eerie tower overnight.
The tension between Merek and Ian is beautifully written, filled with moments of regret, longing, and temptation. Their kiss rekindles a love that never truly died, and author masterfully draws out the emotional complexity of their relationship. The setting - a necromancer’s tower in the midst of a snowstorm - adds a layer of magic and mystery that heightens the stakes, making their encounter all the more thrilling.
While the romance is the heart of the story, Enthralled also delves into the dangers lurking in the background. The magical elements and the sense of something ominous outside the tower give the book a subtle, suspenseful edge that keeps you turning the pages.
The only reason I’m giving this book 4 stars instead of 5 is that I wished for a bit more depth in exploring the backstory between Merek and Ian, but that’s a minor critique for an otherwise enchanting and emotional story.
Overall, Enthralled is a perfect read for anyone who loves second-chance romance with a side of magic and danger. A.H. Lee does a fantastic job creating chemistry and atmosphere, making this a great addition to The Knight and the Necromancer series.
An excellent short set 5 years after the end of the series!
Sairis always thought he had no friends even as he went to Merek for help back at the beginning of the series. Now we get to see things from Merek's point of view. Merek was afraid to go to Sairis the first time, but quickly found that Sairis was kind and curious. In Merek's eyes the fearful necromancer was in fact someone who could do good and who deserved so much more, so when he helped the kingdom and fell in love with the prince Merek was the only one not surprised. Now years later the thing that is surprising to Merek is that he has Sairis' friendship and trust and a pretty good life. What also surprises him is that while his has built a life he loves, he is very lonely. When the man he imagined one day building a life with shows up at the door of Sairis' tower and says there is trouble after him, it is clear that this trouble may be the end of everything Merek has built.
It was an amazing testament to the man that Merek is how everything went in this short. Clearly he is someone who is more open, what with his willingness to see more in Sairis in the first place. Now, when it is clear that his friend/lover Ian is in trouble and has brought trouble with him, Merek is only willing to see a friend in need of help. It is to a damaging degree at times, what with the fact that Merek slightly turns a blind eye to Ian's actions and refuses to believe in anything wrong. But it is more so the willingness to forgive the wrongs when they have reason and to build again past what has happened.
This was a really lovely story and gave a new perspective to this world. It was great to see a bit more about how Sairis and Roland are doing, and really lovely to know how things have changed and improved as a whole. Excellent short!
Merek is guarding a necromancer’s tower on Yuletide Eve, when the walls between realities grow thin. There is a lot of creepy weirdness going on, including a library that won’t stay locked, unexplained shadows, and Ian, an old friend who’s haunted by something he won’t or can’t explain. The Old World tradition of the Christmas ghost story runs strongly through this tale.
This is also a steamy romance about second chances between old friends who might have been something more. M/m is not a type of romance I usually seek out (though I make a point to read anything A.H. Lee writes), but even I can tell that the chemistry between Merek and Ian is intense and compelling. Fans who discovered Lee through The Knight and the Necromancer should not be disappointed by the action here.
More than anything, though, it is sweetness that comes through powerfully in this story. Merek is a simple and good-hearted man, and everything from his interactions with his dog Pumpernickel to the way he patches up Ian reinforces the basic decency of the man. He’s an older character than most of Lee’s protagonists, and the reader can feel the aching loneliness of this man who has built a successful, respectable life, had deep roots in his community, but never found the courage to share his life with someone. Ian, too, has more scars in body and soul than average; he spent his youth burning the candle at both ends, and now finds there isn’t much left. The love that grows between them is a more grown-up thing than what Roland and Sairis enjoy — a tough and gnarled thing with twisted branches and roots that go down to the bedrock — but it’s all the more beautiful because it had to go through so much hardship before it could finally flower.
I seemed to come across this short story by chance...possibly because it was mentioned on the author's newsletter? I'm not really sure. Anyway, it has been a while since I was in the world of the Necromancer Saris and his beau, Prince Roland. In this story, they are only mentioned peripherally and only join the story at the end. Either way, this was an enjoyable tale of events on what happens when Saris asks one of the townspeople to take care of his tower while he is away.
I alternated between listening to this on audio and reading it - and I ended up listening to most of it. I just realized that for some reason, I've been on a Kirk Graves listening spree. Even though it has been through like 4 or 5 different authors, they have all been narrated by him. Odd. Must be the genre. Anyway, he did a good job with the narration.
While I liked the story, I had a hard time liking one of the MC's. I really liked Merek, he was a really nice guy with a GREAT dog. Ian, for some reason, I never really warmed up too. Even when all was said and done, I still didn't like him. Oh well. The tale keeps your interest because you know that something is wrong, you just don't know what....until you do.
It was so nice going back to this wonderful world. I missed Sairis so much that now I want to read everything again. Not gonna lie that I could not wait for Sairis to come back. My brain was one hundred percent sure that when he got there everything would be okay.
I'll admit to being a little freaked out though. There was no need, of course, but with a well written story like this you can't avoid being drawn into it and Sairis' tower in the middle of the night is scary as hell.
All just proof of how well written this was. And, sure, proof that I'm not the bravest out there too.
Anyways, if you just want a bit more of this incredible world here it is. The only thing that kind of fell short for me is that I wanted more at the end so I could get a better idea of Ian. Would love to read about the year after he and Merek got together but that's alright. I'm just greedy, you know?
Trapped in a necromancer’s tower on the longest night of the year. Merek is a pillar of his country community and a confirmed bachelor. He had his chance at love, and he let it slip away. But he’s got friends, a faithful dog, and a snug home. Holidays can be difficult, but Merek knows how to handle loneliness. When he volunteers to house-sit for a necromancer on the day before Solstice, Merek expects to be doing the job with no companion apart from his dog. He’s displeased to be trapped in the tower overnight by a sudden snow storm. However, everything changes when his old lover shows up on the doorstep. Ian is cold and clearly afraid of something. Merek lets him in. That was his first mistake. The kiss was his second.
Heather's Notes This was a cute little story, while I liked Merek and Ian I missed Sarius and Roland.
A great addition to the world of The Knight and the Necromancer. On a stormy winter's night, at the height of Yuletide, caretaker Merek is temporarily holed up in the Necromancer's Tower by a snow storm swirling outside. The unexpected, sudden arrival of ex flame Ian at his doorstop in the middle of a blizzard invites hot sexy snuggles, cups of cocoa, cosing up in warm beds, except ...... not. Something sinister has also arrived at the Tower seeking entrance with dire intent. The nod to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Turkish delights was delicious. Enjoyable read.
Oh, I loved to see Merek again! I really liked him in Putting the Romance in Necromancy and he didn't disappoint me here. Au contraire, I finished the book loving him a lot more :D
He's such an endearing character! And I adore Pumpernickel and Master Wiggles *laughs* I'm only sorry that we didn't get to know Ian better.
Delightful, intriguing and with a lovely future for Merek, what else could we ask for?
I devoured "The Knight and the Necromancer" series - and highly recommend it! "Entralled" not only introduces us to new character in the realm, but adds color and texture to the main protags in the K&N series, Sairis and Roland. We find out more about Sairis' past, his life in the Tower, and how his life has unfolded as the consort of a prince... along with his new sister-in-law and her husband. The story helps make sense of Sairis in ways I didn't anticipate, but found it a delightful "AHA!" experience, but loving our two new characters at the same time.
Winter Wonderland download. A short novella set in the world of the Knight and the Necromancer, this tale features Merek with his long time friend Ian, his dog Pumpernickel, with support from Mage Sairis and Prince Roland. An alt-world fantasy and romance, Lee presents a well plotted and detailed story with visits from fae and vampire. Complex, but drawn carefully, interest is never slacked. 4.5 stars.
Wow, I don't really know what to say about this. It was definitely enthralling and very enchanting. There was romance, but there were also animated skeletons, a ghost dog, a vampire and a necromancer, along with a bit of heat, mystery and much more. Ian was enthralled by a vampire when he went to find Merek who was stuck in a necromancer's tower (while house sitting) due to a snow storm. The story was well written and very imaginative (like a fairy tale). Thoroughly enjoyable.
A fun and light way to end off the world and see some of the MCs from the previous books 5 years later (as side character this time), but the plot/characters central to this novella felt a bit flat for me. They weren't quite fleshed out enough for my liking, and it was hard to get invested in the romance because of that.
Pumpernickel and Mister Wiggles the dogs have my full heart though <3
I love the abundance of "post story" material for this series.
There is the third book's epilogue (two weeks later), a bonus scene (one year later), and this short story focusing on a secondary character that takes place five years later. It gives a very nice glimpse into Roland and Sairis' lifes and paints up such a nice picture for these characters' conclusions while telling another new story that didn't disapoint either.
5 stars to A.H. Lee for the novella 5 stars to Kirt Graves for the narration
Very enjoyable novella that takes place after the events in the 3rd installment of The Knight and the Necromancer series. I only wish this one was longer in length because it was so good. Excellent narration by Kirt Graves, who narrated the whole series and really brought the characters to life. I hope A.H. Lee has more ideas for future books set in this world.
It's more of a mystery or fantasy MM novella than a traditional romance. It was still excellent. All the strong emotional impact, memorable characters and fast paced plot and suspense typical to the series tied neatly into the smaller package of a novella, which is such an impressive achievement. Bravo.
4.5 stars, and to think I almost missed out on this gem. The story is 65 pages in the first 15 pages is rambling. But once it got going it got good! Great world-building, interesting characters and Intrigue and mystery. A perfect cozy winter read and a lovely hea. Definitely going to read more by this new to me author!