The Seelie Palace was destroyed, and the royal family is in danger.
But the Unstained Souls aren’t done with us.
Fortunately, the guys are willing to put their differences aside to search for the princess—and the Queen herself is ready to go on the warpath and destroy all mortals living in the Fae lands.
But if we don’t find her in time… this might be the end of everything we know.
Kiss of Smoke is the third and final book in Dark and Wicked Fae, an urban fantasy Fae romance where the heroine doesn’t have to choose.
Cate is a USA Today Bestselling Author who loves all things passionate and paranormal with a side of horror. She lives in the South with her family and pets, and loves every kind of coffee, horror and fantasy movies, and cats. Reading is her favorite hobby when she’s not writing.
Overall, I really enjoyed this series. I think the author did a good job introducing these characters to us and making them real in the time she had while giving a well rounded story. I also like that she used the heroine's nature to the advantage of the story to give a slight twist in the end.
I only had a couple of small complaints, thus the 4.5 star ending. I had some confusion about what court her father was actually the right hand, but that was probably a me issue. The other was the open end. I understand that it was to symbolize the start of a new life, this adventure, but I was really intrigued by the lead in and would have really enjoyed a story about the autumn King and his court.
This has been a really fun and interesting read for me. While I’m not normally a fan of the Fae, I have enjoyed the authors RH in the past. It was like a sign that the entire series was available on audio via Hoopla and I’m glad I gave it a shot. The fate of the entire kingdom rests in the balance. The book opens right after the end of the last when it’s unclear who is alive, who is missing and most of all who is responsible! It’s not been very long since the Fae realm and the human world created the peace accords. As is our unfortunate nature, extremist humans seek to end all Fae and will do so by any means. Briallen and her guys are right in the thick of it working secretly with the Queen. Their relationship did seem to take a side seat here as there was a lot more action with ending the threat to the Fae and finding the Ghosthand killer. Though they do still find time to themselves, Briallen finally gets the full harem treatment in the end. Good series, pretty quick reads.
4.6 stars. Ok. So. I had a good time. The vibe is pretty much the same through the whole series, and I really enjoyed it. It was sort of a mix of fantasy, magical, detective sort of thing, that I loved.
Unfortunately, this was my least favorite series from this author that I’ve read so far.
It had some of the things that I really enjoyed about her other books. Like the mystery and intrigue and secrets that are kept close until the perfect moment of revelation. But some of the other things that I liked about her other books were just a bit diminished in this series. Like the relationship building between characters. They just weren’t as flushed out in this series as I would’ve liked. Really, Jack and Briallen never actually talked about anything at All. They had a private moment at a ball type thing, and then they just silently decided somehow that that made them a couple. Gwyn and Briallen’s relationship started to grow first but then trickled off after she met Robin, and then they only had a short time for themselves at the very end. Really the only one who got even half as much as he should have is Robin. Their relationship went hot pretty fast, and then cut off abruptly and created a fiery tension throughout until he got jealous of Gwyn and decided to bring the walls down again.
I just don’t feel like any of the relationships were truly given their due.
Then the sex. It was just ok. It felt sort of like an after thought or some sort of weird consolation prize for the reader. I don’t know. It just wasn’t what I’ve come to love from this author.
Plus, of course, the single POV. All the other books I’ve read from her had multi POV, even though they were mainly from the FMC.
Really what kept this whole series together was the plot and my own curiosity in seeing how everything would end.
And I liked the ending. I just didn’t really enjoy the very very end because it ended on an open cliffhanger. I mean it makes sense with the detective vibes, that they’re on to another case. But I would’ve preferred to just have that be an assumption rather than an actual thing. I would’ve liked it better if they had talked about other cases, but we left them just relaxing at home together, is what I’m trying to say.
Still. Overall I had a good time, so I can’t complain too much. I was just expecting more since I Loved other books from this author so much, and I only liked this one.
Oh my stars, I absolutely loved Kiss of Smoke and could not be happier with Briallen and her Gentry beaus’ story.
KoS was a super emotional read for me—Ghosthand’s reveal and storyline absolutely wrecked me and I ended up sobbing for a hot minute, and then how Cate chose to wrap up Bri & boos story gave me all the warm fuzzies 😍😍
Cate never disappoints and I seriously loved this series. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last we see of these characters 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
Overall review of the series: The first book intrigued me because of the mystery with the Ghosthand, but unfortunately, I found the romance aspect to be severely lacking. There wasn't much development in the relationships, so most things felt a little forced. Briallen was annoyingly stupid in the second book and the plot with the Unstained Souls didn't make any sense. I felt like the series had potential, but it just didn't meet my expectations.
I didn't enjoy this one as much as book one and two. Not sure why but just something missing that made the book feel superficial instead of a good deep dive into the story. I didn't feel any emotion reading this last installment which was disappointing cause I really loved book one and two.
Honestly, I had fun with this series. It’s definitely on the less serious side (even though some kinda heavy stuff does happen) but these books were an easy read, fun and overall enjoyable.
The Gwyn focus on this one really had me, as he's been my favorite mc since book one. Something about him gives me the happy warm and fuzzies.
I really appreciate that none of the guys really fought each other for dominance. They never machoed up and tried to one up or beat out the other guys. It just was. They cared about her and that was that.
I liked the conclusion of the Ghosthand plot well enough. There wasn’t really a big bang, or a twist though. We kind of just ended up there, and got our explanation and our closure, and the story just kind of wrapped up nicely, with a little caveat of Briallen and her guys going off to solve more cases. While I liked this series, I’m not sure if I would commit to a spin-off series.
This was truly a one of a kind series and Cate knocked it out of the park. This was such a fun and exciting read. It had some smexy times but not over the top at all. I absolutely loved these guys and I'm sad to see it end.
3.5 Stars Disclaimer: Please remember that these are my opinions and if you feel differently, that’s okay. Thanks!
Notes: POV = 1st person, FMC Main Characters: I really like seeing Briallen (FMC) using her magic in this final book. All four of the main characters stayed pretty consistent throughout the story. Gwyn (MMC #3) is my favourite, though.
Plot/Story: The story was really easy to follow. Gotta stop the Unstained Souls. The conclusion was a little… anticlimactic. It all ends with a teaser; I wouldn’t call it a cliffhanger. We don’t get the story that it’s hinting at and that’s why I feel like it’s more of a teaser, because we see what their lives will be like even if we won’t be reading about those lives.
Romance: I like how well they all transition into the harem, it just is and they’re all perfectly happy like that.
Quotes I Really Like:
Overall: I enjoyed this series but I’d say, honestly, it’s kind of neutral on a scale of whether ‘good’ to ‘bad’.
So we get the final book of the Dark and Wicked Fae Series and let me tell you, this series is amazing. Cate Corvin will not disappoint you. If you want mystery, action, slow burn, tragedy and emotional then you need to check this out. So we pick up from where book two ends which is picking up the pieces of an explosion. So now the hunt is really on trying to find the Unstained souls and the Ghosthand. We also need to find out if the Queen and the princess were harmed. Things get pretty intense and we see more emotions from the guys. Jack, Robbin and Gwyn are trying help Briallen solve the mystery. The death tolls are ramping up and treaties are voided. The humans are no longer safe. Then Briallen sees something that changes the tides. Now all the pieces of this puzzle start to click in place and it gets hectic. I sure as heck did not see it coming. However, I can say that when everything starts to go down, it gets crazy. Will Braillen be able to do what she needs to do to stop the ghosthand. Get ready for some tears to fall because I was not prepared. So pick up this series to find out who the ghosthand is and how it all ends.
Briallen, Robin, Jack and Gwen are back for the final book in the series. In the last book Bri was attacked by Hellekin, and severely injured, when she went off on her own. Then after the death of a beloved royal, the fae are out for blood and Bri and the guys are hot on the trail of the Ghosthand killer.
Well now this is the way to finish this series off. Briallen (Bri FMC) was a fab character. Full of sass, wit and sarcasm. The guys Robin, Gwyn and Jack were brilliant opposites to her too. Kiss of Smoke the last book in this series had it all. Secrets, Underhand characters, murder but also love. That ending just didnt feel like it was though. Is there more to come in this world or maybe more from Briallen?? Id definitely read it if there was. This was a cracking read
The mystery is good but why does the FMC have to be one of those who doesn’t know better. Like in a movie where u go into a dark alley all by urself. Ur just asking to die or get hurt. That’s her thru the whole damn series. Ugh! Slow burn..
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC for this book. I love everything Cate's written so far and I was super excited to finish this particular series. I've enjoyed Briallen from the get-go as a heroine who was still in the process of learning just about everything from the world around her. I thought it was fun that she consistently got her ass kicked instead of being this secret badass. Don't get me wrong, she's still a badass, but she's not a "give me a sword and I'm a natural" kind of girl. I thought the book was well-written but slightly rushed. After waiting for it expectantly and enjoying the whole story including the conclusion for the big bad (Ghosthand), I still felt like I was left hanging. Like there were so many other questions that still needed to be answered. That being said, I love that it doesn't end in an epilogue full of babies and a happy ending. I think it's great that she gets to have a career that she enjoys so much and still be with the people she loves. Other than the answers to some curiosity-based questions, I would have loved to see more of her guys. They are wonderful! Seriously perfect for the character! Could there be novellas in the future?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Well I am not ready to say good by to these characters and I fill like I need more. The way everything ended kind of made me fill like there will be more books. Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed the read and I am glad she got all her men but there was to many things left unanswered but answered at the same time. This is why I wish for another book.
Remember Briallen’s boyfriend that she saw from a distance in the first book kissing a nymph outside the coffee shop in chapter 1 of the first book that was released about 6 months ago? The boyfriend she had before she started sleeping with her employer/direct supervisor, the guy she met at the same coffee shop on the same day that she saw her boyfriend kissing someone else, and her other boss? What about the picture that she saw of a young woman? The one in the coma?
This is the problem that I have with mysteries that are part of an ongoing series. Authors are occasionally so circumspect that they don’t give enough information for the big reveal to make much sense. Here we have 3 books that make for nearly a 1000 pages of writing and I don’t know much of anything about any of the characters except the main character and the big reveal is a big…huh? What? Who?
That being said, I rated all of the books at a 4 because the AU is excellent, when Briallen is being clever - and not tantruming or being carried around like a toddler - she is a great character, and the individual mysteries of each book are really good and could have been great, if the author hadn’t been splitting her attention with the Ghosthand
Very lopsided relationships, with Gwyn being favoured at every turn. Not only unfair to Robin and Jack, but would end up ruining the relationships. And the conflict was resolved too easily!
1. She is not the High fae.. a Nymph 2. In the end there is no harmony, humans are separated ki||ed 3. All the characters are unseelie but stays in seelie place 4. Did not meet mother Bri till the end 5. Is a RH but has the least spice and action. I could take a slow burn but there was noooo burn 6. Goes to stop the unseelie queen be unalived but has time to dresss up..goes to a ball..dance with strangers.. has spice with Jack ??? Like wtf Just came back from something awful.. has nothing to do.. alone with Gwyn.. has spice with him.. 7. Jack is completely different person, we have no idea of his family and background or more on Snow palace 8. Shadow ring ? One time use only throughout the series coz we have Jack to snow uss 9. Again comes to stop Unseelie queen being unalived... Callsss Jackk.. drop me here.. i want to go to the ball immediately.. Jack doesn't even ask questionssss Just yes mam lets bam.. leaves her for a drink... Sees The blue guy.. whispers Jack Problem solved but she won't do it.... She owes him a favor from left hand and not her.. i thought it would be some clever thing she thought of and can easily get away noooooo !!! Gets ki||ed 10. Ion is in captive of the big bad robin who fertilizes his yard with beings but heyyyyyy he's unharmed in the climax lihe whatt?? 11. Two knights goes to Apple island for some spiritual worthiness.. Mama apple bangss one and boom is pregnant in a island full of women Nymphs.. wow 12. Has a stove but is fired by a salamander.. has fridge but has ice spirit.. has phone but uses pixies 13. Seelie queen has two heirs.. bam now they are no more.. court gossips on who will be the next one.. Unseelie queen.. Hold my beer.. where is her children?? 14. Unseelies are big and baddd.. Has balls and Tea partiesss while Seelie land has a ghosthand??
I cannot with this book ya'll It is not unconventional.. it has so many plot holes and logic errors and i wouldn't even mind if it has good spiceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.. its a why choose ffs!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Dark and Wicked Fae is a series I will never forget! This final installment was the best conclusion I would have wished for Briallen and her guys. Even though it was a rough ride to get there, with several unexpected twists and obstacles, this group deserves to finally have some time where everything isn't up in the air and people aren't trying to constantly kill them.
I absolutely loved how Briallen came into her nymph powers in this final book. With self acceptance and the right emotions, she was able to so do much more than I previously thought her capable of. It's a good thing that she kept some nymph tricks close to her chest because they blew my mind over and over again. If only her mom could see her now.
The reveal of Ghosthand (because how could we be left hanging in the final book) was shocking to say the least and probably more on the emotional side for multiple reasons. I have to say that I did not see this twist coming and I felt just as confused as Briallen. It was heartwrenching to see the affect it had on some characters but I suppose it was satisfying as well. The way Corvin handled Briallen's reactions were so relatable and kept her closer to Briallen the nymph and not Briallen the girl training to be an agent. I feel like anyone other than Briallen would have handled it differently, making the outcome much worse than it needed to be.
This series has so many up and downs. I'm sad to see it end, but it was such an amazing journey to be a part of. I'm eager to see what Corvin has in store for us next and fingers crossed that this world will possibly have some more books involving some of these characters.
Good 1) The homey scenes were an enjoyable read 2) The after confrontation wrap-up was an enjoyable and fun read 3) Gwyn's shift in ambition was presented well
Bad 1) Story was all over the map until the final confrontation began 2) Queen's choices just seem to happen to move the plot and create distress 3) 4) 5) Too many contrivances during the final confrontation 6) A character in the seelie dungeon reappears as a free person with no explanation 7) Mother/daughter dynamics feature quite heavily in this book, but there is no final scene involving the female lead and her mother 8) What happened to Jack Frost's people was never explained 9) And the big one:
I really enjoy reading Cate Corvin's books and I think it mainly has to do with her female leads. I love how she describes them. They are all strong women who can look after themselves but also don't have a problem showing their softer, vulnerable side to their men. They are gutsy and brave and very likable. Her men are drool-worthy Alpha men who have no problem taking the lead but also stopping and listening to what the women have to say.
The reason I'm not reviewing the books in this series individually but rather in its entirety is for the simple fact that I believe this could have been published as one thick book. Book 2 and 3 start exactly where the previous books left off and there is no way you can read these books out of order or skip a book. Thankfully all the books in the series are available.
I loved the detective story that runs throughout the 3 books and how Bri spends equal time with the 3 men getting to know them. I did feel like Jack was a bit of a peripheral character and as much as I liked him, I don't think he was as integral to the group as the other 2 men. I would say that this was more of a slowburn and simmering series and I enjoyed it more for the world building and mystery then for the spiciness.
I really enjoyed Kiss of Smoke, the third book in Cate Corvin’s Dark and Wicked Fae series. What stood out to me was how the three male leads—Robin, Jack, and Gwyn—weren’t close friends from the start. They had their own histories and tensions, which made their dynamic with Briallen more complex and engaging. It wasn’t the typical “dating a group of best friends” setup, and that added a refreshing layer to the story. The plot kept me hooked, especially with the unexpected twists. I was genuinely surprised by the reveal of the antagonist's identity—it was a twist I didn't see coming. The story picks up right after the events of Breath of Frost, with the Seelie Palace destroyed and the royal family in danger, adding urgency to the narrative. While some readers felt that the relationships between Briallen and her men could have been more deeply explored, I found the character development satisfying overall. The blend of action, romance, and fantasy elements made it a compelling read. Overall, Kiss of Smoke delivered a satisfying conclusion to the series, wrapping up major plot arcs while leaving room for potential future stories. If you're into urban fantasy with strong characters and intricate relationships, this series is worth checking out.
We pick up right where we last left off and Briallen and her men are in more trouble than ever. The Unstained Souls made a direct attack on the Seelie Palace and kidnapped the last heir of Seelie. Queen Titania has declared that the Veil will come back down and the humans are to leave or become free game if they stay behind. The team are doing their best to find the Princess before it's too late. Will they succeed or will there be war?
This was the best way to end this trilogy (though I selfishly always hope for more). It felt almost more of a happily ever after *for now* which you'll find no complaints from me. The resolution had a twist I didn't expect at all and life has changed for all the characters. I loved this adventure with Briallen and her guys. The book was way too short; I wish it was longer just so I can enjoy more adventure! Thank you for the fantastic finale!
I enjoyed this series. It was more about the relationship building and mysteries, not just sexy times. I like each of the men: Gwyn, Robin and Jack. They all give her a little something different. I love that her dad Noctifer and Aunt Ashera are so loving and supportive. This book wraps up the different loose ends and gives a little glimpse in the epilogue of what their lives together will look like moving forward. I was shocked at the reveal of the Ghosthand. I'm this book she has all the men at the same time, which hadn't happened previously. No m/m. This series was well done. This is an intriguing yet quick series you cam get lost in for a bit.
I absolutely love Cate Corvin's books, and this was no exception! It was an amazing journey that I'm sad to see ending. I hadn't yet read book 1 and 2, so I hurriedly read those before starting this one so I wouldn't be lost. I ❤ Briallen, Jack, Robin, and Gwyn together... whew are they ever soooo sweet together! 😉😘
This book starts right after the events in Breath of Frost and we finally get to see what happens with Ghosthand! The story is sooooo seamless in its journey... action, romance, mystery, and more. I loved it from start to finish!
This book (and series!) definitely deserves ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!!
I think this final book wrapped up the Dark and Wicked Fae Trilogy perfectly. Not going to lie the the last bit had me extremely emotional.
I think Briallen is one of my favorite female main characters ever. She’s funny and brave and just an all around amazing character. I loved her men. I think Gywn was my favorite. I feel like it’s always hard to choose a favorite. I wish she had so much more time with Jack. They both deserved and needed that but I still think everything wrapped up so perfectly.
The author did leave it kind of open ended so I wonder if she’s going to write a spin-off series.
The third and final book of the Dark and Wicked Fae series (though the author leaves room to come back to Bri and her guys). It is a fast-paced conclusion that ties up most of the plot arcs. The story and the world-building are incredibly rich and I would love to read more. However, I decreased the rating for this book because I felt that how the guys came together to form Bri's harem was not really explained. Somehow they are just okay with setting their rivalries aside and forming one happy family. I also felt the collaboration between the Ghosthand and the Souls was not really well explained.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Book three was definitely no where near as satisfying a read as the first two in the series
This one felt rushed but also too drawn out. There is no real spice except in the last chapter, and that just feels awkward and tacked on with no gain to the book. Jack gets left to the wayside, and only has intimacy/contact with the FMC at the end of the book in the awkward smexy scene
The story was good though, not stupidly predictable but suupppeeerrr predictable
An over the top HEA which is okay - nothing special