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Hellhound Shifters #1
Hellspawn
Hellhound shifter. Hardcore gamer.
I’ve been in hellhound training with my brothers all my life. Now I’m ready to step outside of my bubble at the academy and actually implement my training for real—even if my boyfriend just broke up with me.
Whatever. Time to level up!
There are cracks in the world. Condemned souls are slipping out of Hell through those weak points, coming out to play in the realm of the living. As a hellhound shifter assigned the role of Protector, it’s my job to keep the streets safe. No problem. I’m happy to jump into the fray, even if it’ll be a real drain on the gaming time.
Also, someone or something is trying to get into Hell. Weird. I mean, who would actually want to go there? Souls always want out, not in.
Busy days ahead.
Throw into the mix an extremely flirty human bartender I can’t get out of my head, along with a fellow hellhound setting my pulse racing, and the chances of ever getting my elf wizard to level 50 are slipping away.
Hellspawn is the first volume in an Urban Fantasy series packed with action, adventure, and a slow-burn MM Ménage Romance. Get ready to meet a buff and geeky hellhound shifter, a delicious human barman, and a tempting hellhound colleague with muscles for days. There's a whole host of nasties causing drama, and not enough gaming going on.
This book is not a standalone.
I’ve been in hellhound training with my brothers all my life. Now I’m ready to step outside of my bubble at the academy and actually implement my training for real—even if my boyfriend just broke up with me.
Whatever. Time to level up!
There are cracks in the world. Condemned souls are slipping out of Hell through those weak points, coming out to play in the realm of the living. As a hellhound shifter assigned the role of Protector, it’s my job to keep the streets safe. No problem. I’m happy to jump into the fray, even if it’ll be a real drain on the gaming time.
Also, someone or something is trying to get into Hell. Weird. I mean, who would actually want to go there? Souls always want out, not in.
Busy days ahead.
Throw into the mix an extremely flirty human bartender I can’t get out of my head, along with a fellow hellhound setting my pulse racing, and the chances of ever getting my elf wizard to level 50 are slipping away.
Hellspawn is the first volume in an Urban Fantasy series packed with action, adventure, and a slow-burn MM Ménage Romance. Get ready to meet a buff and geeky hellhound shifter, a delicious human barman, and a tempting hellhound colleague with muscles for days. There's a whole host of nasties causing drama, and not enough gaming going on.
This book is not a standalone.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2021
238 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Richard Amos
67 books383 followersRichard Amos is an author from England who is constantly lost in the worlds he writes about, and the ones in the queue yet to be written. He also has more books in his house than anything else, and is never without a book (and chocolate) in his hands when he's not writing. He’s a proud nerd who loves to dance. Hard.
Richard writes M/M Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance, all with tons of kick-ass action, adventure, twisty plots, and yummy times.
🔗 https://linktr.ee/richardamosauthor
Richard writes M/M Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance, all with tons of kick-ass action, adventure, twisty plots, and yummy times.
🔗 https://linktr.ee/richardamosauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
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September 7, 2021DNF @30%
I wanted to like this. It sounded awesome......hellhound shifters, urban fantasy, slow burn ménage.
Unfortunately it didn’t live up to my hopes. It’s told from Dravon’s POV and it’s just a rambling, dude bro, stream of consciousness . Weak character development, all over the place plot. It could do with some better editing too. So! Many! Ex! Cla! Mation !! mark’s! 🙄
I wanted to like this. It sounded awesome......hellhound shifters, urban fantasy, slow burn ménage.
Unfortunately it didn’t live up to my hopes. It’s told from Dravon’s POV and it’s just a rambling, dude bro, stream of consciousness . Weak character development, all over the place plot. It could do with some better editing too. So! Many! Ex! Cla! Mation !! mark’s! 🙄
January 30, 2022
DNF at 19%
This just isn't working for me.
1. The MC, a literal hellhound, only says "crap" (as in, "crapheads", "crap!") and doesn't swear otherwise. Using crap like this makes me think of Anastasia from 50SoG which is not a comparison you want for your book. It makes the MC feel very young and almost childish. It's fine not to swear, but there's thousands of words in the English language. Call them jerks instead of crapheads? Same energy, really.
2. The characters are so young. I thought they were all 18. They read like they're 18. They're supposed to be 25.
3. I'll give credit to Amos for trying to dodge the infodumping of new worldbuilding, but it wasn't successful. The info segments are worked in somewhat to the story, but there's so much information and not all of it relevant that it ends up being an infodump anyway. I don't need a huge amount of detail on the hellhounds hellish abode, unless it's relevant to the plot. Which it isn't, because they're going to earth. This goes for a lot of the details described in the beginning. It's hard to remember all of the information when you don't know what matters.
Overall, the premise sounded intriguing, but it stalled on takeoff.
This just isn't working for me.
1. The MC, a literal hellhound, only says "crap" (as in, "crapheads", "crap!") and doesn't swear otherwise. Using crap like this makes me think of Anastasia from 50SoG which is not a comparison you want for your book. It makes the MC feel very young and almost childish. It's fine not to swear, but there's thousands of words in the English language. Call them jerks instead of crapheads? Same energy, really.
2. The characters are so young. I thought they were all 18. They read like they're 18. They're supposed to be 25.
3. I'll give credit to Amos for trying to dodge the infodumping of new worldbuilding, but it wasn't successful. The info segments are worked in somewhat to the story, but there's so much information and not all of it relevant that it ends up being an infodump anyway. I don't need a huge amount of detail on the hellhounds hellish abode, unless it's relevant to the plot. Which it isn't, because they're going to earth. This goes for a lot of the details described in the beginning. It's hard to remember all of the information when you don't know what matters.
Overall, the premise sounded intriguing, but it stalled on takeoff.
March 24, 2023
I feel like this authors books are like trashy horror movies where they are super addicting to watch but not a lot of oomph? This is the second book I’ve read and just like a decent way to spend 4 hours I guess? 😂 it was alright. Entertaining. Not sold on a second book though. I wanted more smooches. GIMME THE SMOOCHES
August 15, 2021
Go with the flow
Narrative style takes some getting used to, stream of consciousness of a not-so-bright jock comes to mind. Some choices and actions appear forced and plot-serving rather than growing from the people and the circumstances. (Why is D picked as beta? Why was it unexpected? What leadership training or potential did he show?)
Narrative style takes some getting used to, stream of consciousness of a not-so-bright jock comes to mind. Some choices and actions appear forced and plot-serving rather than growing from the people and the circumstances. (Why is D picked as beta? Why was it unexpected? What leadership training or potential did he show?)
July 18, 2021
This is off to a great start! A fab mystery to which we meet Draven, Drake and Dren, our hellhound shifter triplets. It’s a fascinating and entertaining story with incredible world building and a colourful description of our characters. Mystery and intrigue, romance and snark, magic and twists and turns will hook you and not let go.
July 9, 2021
Hellspawn is the first book ive read by this writer and its also the first book ive read that was completely MM. I have to say i actually really liked it and i now have a new writer to add to my never ending list of ones that i like. Im not sure what i was expecting when i read the blurb for this book to be honest. Any mention of hellhounds and it brings up thoughts of Lucifer and Hell but i kinda liked that this wasnt about that.
Draven and his brothers (hes part of a triplet) Drake and Dren are part of a 7 strong hellhound task force that are sent to protect humans from the Hellspawn. Things get complicated for Draven with an influx of Hellspawn, a cute bartender - Lyle and one of his troupe - Micah. Which brings a sort of tentative love triangle starting between the three of them. I found i really liked Draven, Lyle and Micah. There was a bit of steam in this book but it wasnt the main focus and i liked that it wasnt. It meant that we got to know each character more before we were drawn into that. There was also a few laughs and one snarky Axe - Eclair. I thought this was a great start to this series and with that ending im looking forward to the next book
Draven and his brothers (hes part of a triplet) Drake and Dren are part of a 7 strong hellhound task force that are sent to protect humans from the Hellspawn. Things get complicated for Draven with an influx of Hellspawn, a cute bartender - Lyle and one of his troupe - Micah. Which brings a sort of tentative love triangle starting between the three of them. I found i really liked Draven, Lyle and Micah. There was a bit of steam in this book but it wasnt the main focus and i liked that it wasnt. It meant that we got to know each character more before we were drawn into that. There was also a few laughs and one snarky Axe - Eclair. I thought this was a great start to this series and with that ending im looking forward to the next book
August 25, 2022
This is building to be promising. I get the feeling I will suffer plenty, jf my previous experience with Richard proves to keep steady. I'm looking forward to it
August 10, 2023
This was a trying read. The main character is way too repetitive and the dialogue is a bit unbelievable. Towards the end I was getting super frustrated, and then it ended suddenly. I am going to start the second book and hope it goes better.
July 9, 2022
I noticed Richard Amos a while ago. Watched the books… admired the covers then concluded anyone who chugs out books with such rapid pace is probably just recycling his ideas over and over – “names and location has been changed to disguise the fact” style. Covers may bring all the readers to the yard, but that’s not what keeps us reading.
Honestly, if I’ve done one of those things where I scout the book by reading the excerpt (the first few pages), I would not have come to this point at all. The book, despite somewhat rapid face, still has a bit uneven information distribution and we all (should) know how info dumps at the beginning can ruin even the best books. I think we (generation-wise) or just as a society have come to a point where this style is just so out-of-style. We’re used to sifting through a lot of information and discard the unwanted ones as efficiently as possible and while some may scoff at these new habits, they’re just… adapting. Once a point a time you could start a book with a quaint winded description of a town… the general area… a street… a house… a family… another poetic monologue about the main character, just to be sure. We don’t do that here. I am sure your worldbuilding skills are… great. But unless this specific information is not going to be immediately relevant, you’re just ruining your flow.
And there was a flow. This book is… well, it surprisingly doesn’t suck, may I say even provides some enjoyment, even though the general style feels a bit… twitchy? Like a Duracell bunny or hummingbird, floating through thoughts (sometimes) in a rapid fashion and while that certainly has its uses, it means you don’t always have time to soak up the sights and, more importantly, your reader doesn’t have time to soak up the emotions, the impact of the scene.
So while I can appreciate, once I stop and think about it, the whole system of hellhounds and alchemists and consider it a job well done, reading in the thick of it makes me feel scattered at times and with both POVs exhibiting those self-doubting inner critics, it’s not always the nicest place and I admit to skipping a paragraph or two when needed.
The gaming element helped a bit, I don’t play MMORPGs (which is what the game sounds like), but the gamer troubles are still relatable enough for me. And the axe… yummy. Ever since God of War, I have a thing for returning weapons and while it’s not as impressive, it still added a nice layer. Unlike the… relationship troubles that bordered with its random and super intense boners on erotica. I mean, in some romance books, a person sees a person and thinks about their nice hair and smile. In others, a person sees a person and they image bending (/them) over and naked and all the rest.
So I am ready to get the author another chance here (after dropping that Dylan thing and getting bored of that other detective thing). I am not expecting to have my mind blown but at this point, I’ll take a book that’s good over something I want to drop after a few pages.
Honestly, if I’ve done one of those things where I scout the book by reading the excerpt (the first few pages), I would not have come to this point at all. The book, despite somewhat rapid face, still has a bit uneven information distribution and we all (should) know how info dumps at the beginning can ruin even the best books. I think we (generation-wise) or just as a society have come to a point where this style is just so out-of-style. We’re used to sifting through a lot of information and discard the unwanted ones as efficiently as possible and while some may scoff at these new habits, they’re just… adapting. Once a point a time you could start a book with a quaint winded description of a town… the general area… a street… a house… a family… another poetic monologue about the main character, just to be sure. We don’t do that here. I am sure your worldbuilding skills are… great. But unless this specific information is not going to be immediately relevant, you’re just ruining your flow.
And there was a flow. This book is… well, it surprisingly doesn’t suck, may I say even provides some enjoyment, even though the general style feels a bit… twitchy? Like a Duracell bunny or hummingbird, floating through thoughts (sometimes) in a rapid fashion and while that certainly has its uses, it means you don’t always have time to soak up the sights and, more importantly, your reader doesn’t have time to soak up the emotions, the impact of the scene.
So while I can appreciate, once I stop and think about it, the whole system of hellhounds and alchemists and consider it a job well done, reading in the thick of it makes me feel scattered at times and with both POVs exhibiting those self-doubting inner critics, it’s not always the nicest place and I admit to skipping a paragraph or two when needed.
The gaming element helped a bit, I don’t play MMORPGs (which is what the game sounds like), but the gamer troubles are still relatable enough for me. And the axe… yummy. Ever since God of War, I have a thing for returning weapons and while it’s not as impressive, it still added a nice layer. Unlike the… relationship troubles that bordered with its random and super intense boners on erotica. I mean, in some romance books, a person sees a person and thinks about their nice hair and smile. In others, a person sees a person and they image bending (/them) over and naked and all the rest.
So I am ready to get the author another chance here (after dropping that Dylan thing and getting bored of that other detective thing). I am not expecting to have my mind blown but at this point, I’ll take a book that’s good over something I want to drop after a few pages.
July 27, 2021
Hellspawn is the first book in Richard Amos's new series and I am here for this series! I was immediately swept away with this storyline and I couldn't put this book down. Hellhounds, hellspawn, danger, thrills, siblings, and drama! I ate this book up!
I have read another series by this author and while that series had it's good moments, it failed to really capture me, but this book grabbed me and didn't let go. Draven is such an interesting character and while he's not perfect he does a great job keeping me page-turning. I loved his imperfections. LOL! He's in a relationship at the beginning of the book, but...it seems that his heart "truly" belongs to his games since that's where his focus was on. The relationship tanks, but the author does an excellent job having Draven point out the issues that were a parade of red flags. I love the drama and danger with the mysterious hellspawn and other characters in this book.
There isn't much that I don't like about this book. The characters, especially Draven are very close/true to life and it really helps keep me engaged in the storyline. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. I'm rating this book 5 out of 5 stars.
I have read another series by this author and while that series had it's good moments, it failed to really capture me, but this book grabbed me and didn't let go. Draven is such an interesting character and while he's not perfect he does a great job keeping me page-turning. I loved his imperfections. LOL! He's in a relationship at the beginning of the book, but...it seems that his heart "truly" belongs to his games since that's where his focus was on. The relationship tanks, but the author does an excellent job having Draven point out the issues that were a parade of red flags. I love the drama and danger with the mysterious hellspawn and other characters in this book.
There isn't much that I don't like about this book. The characters, especially Draven are very close/true to life and it really helps keep me engaged in the storyline. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. I'm rating this book 5 out of 5 stars.
July 16, 2021
This new series is off to a great start with interesting characters, fabulous worldbuilding, and a mystery threaded through the intriguing plot. I’m enjoying the setting of the UK, yet not, with humans existing with paranormals including hellhounds, clairvoyants, other shifters and hellspawn.
I’m happy that Draven isn’t going to have to choose between the two men he’s interested in, but I’m curious to see how it’s going to pan out. I like slow burn romance, and this one feels like it’s going to take several books for that part of the story to be resolved. I liked all of the MCs, and how different they are. I’m still trying to figure out Micah’s long game, although he does strike me as very much one of the good guys. I loved the quirky details like hellhounds smelling fear as their favourite food which in Draven’s case is apricot jam on toast. Lyle’s ability being glitchy is a nice touch.
I also liked how the triplets have very different personalities, and hope they get a HEA from this series too. Although with this author’s penchant for each book ending in a cliffhanger, and not everyone surviving to the end of the series, I’m not that sure that’s going to happen. I love Simon, Lyle’s flatmate and best friend, and hope he gets to the end of the series mostly intact too. His ex sounds like a self absorbed idiot.
The magical driven technology is great, and very inventive. I like the addition of alchemy in the mix. I’m now wondering how much of what the hellhounds have been told is the truth, and who is really behind everything going on. The plot pulled me in and kept me guessing long after I finished reading. It’s a good set up for the characters and series, yet left me with more questions than answers, so looking forward to reading book 2 ASAP.
I’m happy that Draven isn’t going to have to choose between the two men he’s interested in, but I’m curious to see how it’s going to pan out. I like slow burn romance, and this one feels like it’s going to take several books for that part of the story to be resolved. I liked all of the MCs, and how different they are. I’m still trying to figure out Micah’s long game, although he does strike me as very much one of the good guys. I loved the quirky details like hellhounds smelling fear as their favourite food which in Draven’s case is apricot jam on toast. Lyle’s ability being glitchy is a nice touch.
I also liked how the triplets have very different personalities, and hope they get a HEA from this series too. Although with this author’s penchant for each book ending in a cliffhanger, and not everyone surviving to the end of the series, I’m not that sure that’s going to happen. I love Simon, Lyle’s flatmate and best friend, and hope he gets to the end of the series mostly intact too. His ex sounds like a self absorbed idiot.
The magical driven technology is great, and very inventive. I like the addition of alchemy in the mix. I’m now wondering how much of what the hellhounds have been told is the truth, and who is really behind everything going on. The plot pulled me in and kept me guessing long after I finished reading. It’s a good set up for the characters and series, yet left me with more questions than answers, so looking forward to reading book 2 ASAP.
January 22, 2023
I didn’t like this story. There’s a crap load of world building that’s unnecessary and kinda hits you like a sledgehammer. Just paragraphs of erroneous info. I don’t care that your brother spilled beans on your bed. Also, the characters didn’t make sense. They’d be bickering and saying some hurtful stuff and then move on like nbd. Lastly, the plot and writing were just meh to me.
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January 15, 2022DNF @ 42%. Gave up trying to finish it.
It was so annoying with lot's "crap" and "blimey", like an old granny getting upset over a spilt cup of tea, when they're supposed to be kickarse hellspawn hunters.
It was so annoying with lot's "crap" and "blimey", like an old granny getting upset over a spilt cup of tea, when they're supposed to be kickarse hellspawn hunters.
February 20, 2022
Loved it.
The ending picked it up a notch. Starting to see the meat of the story come in.
I'm liking both love interests.
Most series that I've read by Richard Amos has left me reaching for the next book right away.
This one's no different. I need to know what happens next.
The ending picked it up a notch. Starting to see the meat of the story come in.
I'm liking both love interests.
Most series that I've read by Richard Amos has left me reaching for the next book right away.
This one's no different. I need to know what happens next.
Read
August 23, 2022DNF @ 14%.
I couldn't put down the Fallen Fire series and read those back to back but I'm not interested in seeing this through. The MCs read like very young frat bros and the gaming + pop culture references are too much for me.
I couldn't put down the Fallen Fire series and read those back to back but I'm not interested in seeing this through. The MCs read like very young frat bros and the gaming + pop culture references are too much for me.
Read
October 7, 2021Not rating because I finished this very, very, very early on.
Can’t stand the dude bro, Hardcore Gamer™️ way of talking of the MC (whatever his name was). Felt like I was reading a Reddit post.
Can’t stand the dude bro, Hardcore Gamer™️ way of talking of the MC (whatever his name was). Felt like I was reading a Reddit post.
October 25, 2022
Annoyingly juvenile main character
The plot has some interesting ideas, but the main character is written as a childish moron, mostly interested in gaming and sex (in that order). This guy is supposed to be a team leader (chosen by a goddess, no less) but can't get his head out of his ass (or the gutter) long enough to actually lead his team effectively.
Also, the sophomoric "craphead" and "blimey" epithets he throws around scream silly child, not dangerous hellhound. Every time I read "crap" -something, I thought, "a hellhound would know how to swear properly, not like a 5-year-old who wants to swear without getting in trouble from his parents.
The sex scenes are mediocre at best, and that's no "romance" to speak of—just some furtive rough play between the MC and one of his teammates, and even more furtive lusting for a pretty human, which goes basically nowhere during the course of the first book.
Very annoying, and I'm unlikely to read the rest of the series. There are far better M/M hellhound stories out there.
The plot has some interesting ideas, but the main character is written as a childish moron, mostly interested in gaming and sex (in that order). This guy is supposed to be a team leader (chosen by a goddess, no less) but can't get his head out of his ass (or the gutter) long enough to actually lead his team effectively.
Also, the sophomoric "craphead" and "blimey" epithets he throws around scream silly child, not dangerous hellhound. Every time I read "crap" -something, I thought, "a hellhound would know how to swear properly, not like a 5-year-old who wants to swear without getting in trouble from his parents.
The sex scenes are mediocre at best, and that's no "romance" to speak of—just some furtive rough play between the MC and one of his teammates, and even more furtive lusting for a pretty human, which goes basically nowhere during the course of the first book.
Very annoying, and I'm unlikely to read the rest of the series. There are far better M/M hellhound stories out there.
July 10, 2021
A different play on the concept of hellhounds.
Triple the threat. Guys whose job it is to protect humans from the hellspawns who've escaped thru The Ring of Hell to destroy humans. The familial play btw the triplets, Draven, Dren, Drake, was, in itself, worth the read. Even the secondary characters, from Micah, to Draven's trusty sword Éclair, held my interest. For me this was a fascinating and vigorous turning of pages within a great criminal framework. The cover gave my imagination a striking picture of hellhounds. I also found that the humans in this world weren't afraid of hellhounds but looked on them as saviors of their lives and not as a threat to their safety. The additional allure of human Lyle to both Draven's hellhound and human sides added the allure of the forbidden to the magic of the plot. The ending left open a promising hint into the next book of this series. This is an ARC given to me by the author for my unbiased, honest, and voluntary review.
Triple the threat. Guys whose job it is to protect humans from the hellspawns who've escaped thru The Ring of Hell to destroy humans. The familial play btw the triplets, Draven, Dren, Drake, was, in itself, worth the read. Even the secondary characters, from Micah, to Draven's trusty sword Éclair, held my interest. For me this was a fascinating and vigorous turning of pages within a great criminal framework. The cover gave my imagination a striking picture of hellhounds. I also found that the humans in this world weren't afraid of hellhounds but looked on them as saviors of their lives and not as a threat to their safety. The additional allure of human Lyle to both Draven's hellhound and human sides added the allure of the forbidden to the magic of the plot. The ending left open a promising hint into the next book of this series. This is an ARC given to me by the author for my unbiased, honest, and voluntary review.
July 21, 2022
Fabulous Book 1 in Series!
Richard Amos lays the groundwork for his next series, Hellbound Shifters, with book 1 Hellspawn.
We meet a group of hellhounds who, after completing their academy studies, move into the magical human realm in the center of London. These 7 are tasked with gathering, destroying, and sending hellspawn back to where they belong.
As triplets, Draven, Dren, and Drake are handsome protectors who work together to rid Midgrove of the multiplying numbers of hellspawn attacking humans. Each has his own relationship dilemma.
Draven’s story is the focal point of this fast-paced action fantasy. Wondering if he will find his mate amongst the terrorized population, he meets Lyle, but doesn’t believe he could ever have a relationship with a human.
A wonderfully constructed M/M romance that, I am sure (because I have read Richard Amos before) will lead us into lots of fun, fear, and feistiness!
Richard Amos lays the groundwork for his next series, Hellbound Shifters, with book 1 Hellspawn.
We meet a group of hellhounds who, after completing their academy studies, move into the magical human realm in the center of London. These 7 are tasked with gathering, destroying, and sending hellspawn back to where they belong.
As triplets, Draven, Dren, and Drake are handsome protectors who work together to rid Midgrove of the multiplying numbers of hellspawn attacking humans. Each has his own relationship dilemma.
Draven’s story is the focal point of this fast-paced action fantasy. Wondering if he will find his mate amongst the terrorized population, he meets Lyle, but doesn’t believe he could ever have a relationship with a human.
A wonderfully constructed M/M romance that, I am sure (because I have read Richard Amos before) will lead us into lots of fun, fear, and feistiness!
June 21, 2021
This was an intense book, with non-stop action from start to finish. Fueled by his anger, but constantly arguing with his more level-headed side, Draven is hard set to become someone worthy. With graduation, comes a new job in his world, but his new job is more than he expected it to. And with one overwhelming thing after another, he’s losing track of the optimism he started with. As things escalate beyond control, and more Hellhounds are getting sick when it should be impossible, he’s determined to find the cause of all these problems, hopefully one step at a time. Yet, when everything comes crashing down around him, and he realizes all his problems may be tied together, it’s a terror and pain filled panic to try and sort everything out without any of the answers he needs. Will he survive long enough to do it? Or will the ones he needs answers from perish before he finds them?
October 11, 2022
Well, I wasn't sure what I expected. I think I was thinking it would be darker :/ Anyway the beginning is slow and very hard to get into. The MC talks a lot like a college student, which all things considered, he is. It is just hard to really take anything about him seriously because he sounds really "bro" like. As the story rolls on I did get into the story. By the end of the book it was getting pretty good.
Now, worldbuilding wasn't great. It took a long time for me to figure things out and I still am unsure if I understood the world. Also there is some editing issues. Sentences at times were confusing or ordered incorrectly, which does detract from the story.
In the end I went with 4 stars in the rating but in reality it was more 3.5. It has some really strong points and some not so good.
Now, worldbuilding wasn't great. It took a long time for me to figure things out and I still am unsure if I understood the world. Also there is some editing issues. Sentences at times were confusing or ordered incorrectly, which does detract from the story.
In the end I went with 4 stars in the rating but in reality it was more 3.5. It has some really strong points and some not so good.
July 31, 2021
Another very promising MM series from this author, this time starring a geeky triplet Draven, hellhound warrior and a passionate gamer. His social skills especially when it comes to new relationships are a bit lacking, but I found it very endearing and easy to connect with the guy. In the current situation, Draven is sent to human realm on a mission, leading a group of hellhounds that call for trouble - and meets a flirty human bartender that calls for even more trouble with the sparks flying between them. Nevertheless, there is something shady going on with the Hellspawn leaking to the human realm, where magic and alchemy is involved, and the mystery is a challenge to solve. I really enjoyed the book.
May 15, 2023
Is this supposed to be YA? The writing and the word choices skew very junior. For example:
"We weren’t allowed to give out any details, answer any questions about any gods or whatever. But we were allowed to make the suggestion to try and not be a total craphead. You’d have to be a pretty awful person to end up in Hell. To the point of irredeemable.
One day a clairvoyant might spill all the beans, though.
Drake had spilled beans on my bed once. Gaia! What a mess!"
One one hand, it's written for a thirteen year old but, on the other hand, the sex scenes make it completely inappropriate for a thirteen year old.
I don't know what to do with that. This was my second attempt at reading Richard Amos and I'm pretty sure my last.
"We weren’t allowed to give out any details, answer any questions about any gods or whatever. But we were allowed to make the suggestion to try and not be a total craphead. You’d have to be a pretty awful person to end up in Hell. To the point of irredeemable.
One day a clairvoyant might spill all the beans, though.
Drake had spilled beans on my bed once. Gaia! What a mess!"
One one hand, it's written for a thirteen year old but, on the other hand, the sex scenes make it completely inappropriate for a thirteen year old.
I don't know what to do with that. This was my second attempt at reading Richard Amos and I'm pretty sure my last.
July 9, 2021
I am a fan of this author, and I love when authors start a new series…well, I both love and hate it because what if I don’t like it?!? LOL! I dived into this book, and I enjoyed getting to know Draven and his triplet brothers. They are really nothing alike, which I appreciated, and this universe is interesting and unique. The beginning was a tad uneven, but that definitely didn’t last long after the world-building got out of the way. The only other thing that was a little annoying was that Draven’s inner monologues were almost too much. Poor guy needs to chill out. LOL! Anyway, this is a great start to what is sure to be a great series. Looking forward to the next one. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
July 13, 2021
I don't know how he does it, Amos never manages to disappoint (I'm sure every book gets better)!
This is a brilliant start to a new series with once again comprehensive world-building that drives my soul into heaven!
The characters are brilliant and although there is romance it's not the main focus and acts as the cherry
on top of a novel that is just awesome!
I am sure this series is going to have a plot that keeps me hooked the entire time judging by this first one, and I am loving the completely different take on hell and hellhounds, which keeps the trope from feeling repetitive!
Cannot wait for the next book, I want to see where the characters' journey takes them!
This is a brilliant start to a new series with once again comprehensive world-building that drives my soul into heaven!
The characters are brilliant and although there is romance it's not the main focus and acts as the cherry
on top of a novel that is just awesome!
I am sure this series is going to have a plot that keeps me hooked the entire time judging by this first one, and I am loving the completely different take on hell and hellhounds, which keeps the trope from feeling repetitive!
Cannot wait for the next book, I want to see where the characters' journey takes them!
July 18, 2021
I'm really enjoying this story. The world building is interesting and explained really well.
Draven and his brothers are hellhounds who have been trained to eliminate hellspawn. Once they join their team in the human world, it should have been straight forward, but strange things start to happen.
Draven has two love interests, neither have led to much yet, but both are on the radar so will be interesting to see where either of them go.
There's a mystery to be solved, why the hellspawn have started to act differently, and then there is quite a twist at the end that I was not expecting.
I'm looking forward to the next book to see where it all may lead.
Draven and his brothers are hellhounds who have been trained to eliminate hellspawn. Once they join their team in the human world, it should have been straight forward, but strange things start to happen.
Draven has two love interests, neither have led to much yet, but both are on the radar so will be interesting to see where either of them go.
There's a mystery to be solved, why the hellspawn have started to act differently, and then there is quite a twist at the end that I was not expecting.
I'm looking forward to the next book to see where it all may lead.
June 27, 2021
I love jumping into a new series and Hellspawn, the first of the Hellhound Shifters books, doesn't disappoint in the slightest. It comes from an author with proven MM urban fantasy chops and our introduction to Draven, his hellhound siblings, his work unit and potential love-interests is an absolute treat of excellent world-building and characterisation. For me it's a brilliant example of show, not tell - there's plenty of action and character interaction to set the scene both for an ongoing story arc as Draven and his team battle hellspawn in Midgrove City (an alternative English Midlands); and for the slow-burn romance between Draven and the two men tempting him (Micah, his teammate, and Lyle, a human bartender).
Long story short, Hellspawn is another amazing start to what's shaping up to be another imaginative & intriguing series from this author. 5* - bring on book two!
An ARC was provided by the author. This is my honest review.
Long story short, Hellspawn is another amazing start to what's shaping up to be another imaginative & intriguing series from this author. 5* - bring on book two!
An ARC was provided by the author. This is my honest review.
June 26, 2021
Hmmm this book good. For me, it did not drag at all. Draven is one of a set of triplets that are hellhound shifters. These hellhounds guard humans against creatures (hellspawn) coming from hell. So yes they are the good guys. There is something going on with the the hellspawn because more are getting coming and they are stronger. Draven saves the life of Lyle who is human. Lyle is someone involved in this and does not know how. It seems confusing but it works for a good story! I want to read the next one in the series.
July 9, 2021
What an incredible start to a series read it
Wow totally in love with this book. A completely different perspective on hell. Draven is awesome although he thinks otherwise most of the time. Plus he’s a triplet which adds another dimension to the story. I feel that factor will play a part in the future. Lyle is funny, flirty and full of life but will he continue on his spate of bad luck? What’s with Micah? Can’t wait for the next book. A great beginning full of detail allowing the reader to fall into the story.
Wow totally in love with this book. A completely different perspective on hell. Draven is awesome although he thinks otherwise most of the time. Plus he’s a triplet which adds another dimension to the story. I feel that factor will play a part in the future. Lyle is funny, flirty and full of life but will he continue on his spate of bad luck? What’s with Micah? Can’t wait for the next book. A great beginning full of detail allowing the reader to fall into the story.
July 16, 2021
Leads the reader into a new adventure
Draven, a hellhound, and his two brothers are looing forward to graduating from academy and gaining a permanent post. As the story progresses personal relationships take a dive, a change in procedure could lead them to thrive, and just as they find one culprit a bigger mystery comes alive. Richard Amos leads the reader into a new adventure in Hellspawn that will keep them coming back for more.
I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Draven, a hellhound, and his two brothers are looing forward to graduating from academy and gaining a permanent post. As the story progresses personal relationships take a dive, a change in procedure could lead them to thrive, and just as they find one culprit a bigger mystery comes alive. Richard Amos leads the reader into a new adventure in Hellspawn that will keep them coming back for more.
I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
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