What do you think?
Rate this book
Forsaken Fae #1-3
Forsaken Fae #1-3
There's an unconscious Fae drooling on Len's couch.
That's not even the weirdest thing to happen to him this week.
Len's been told that not all Fae are scheming, manipulative pricks. A moot point, since this one definitely is—he knows that much from bitter experience.
So, when his vampire ex-coworker dumps Albigard of the Unseelie on Len's doorstep, he gives her two hours to find a better hiding place for the Fae fugitive before tossing him straight to the curb with the rest of the garbage.
He should have known better, of course. Because if there's one thing Len's learned since being thrown into the deep end of the seedy paranormal underworld, it's that nothing is ever so simple.
Now he's on the run from a cataclysmic primal force trying to tear its way into the human realm, stuck with an annoying bastard who already knows way too much about the inside of Len's messed-up head. The first time he met Albigard, Len punched the Fae in his too-perfect face. This time, they'll have to learn to work together—or risk having their souls torn apart and consigned to the void, with the rest of humanity facing the same fate soon after.
The Wild Hunt has slipped its chains.
Darkness is coming for the world.
* * *
Forsaken Fae is a slow-burn M/M urban fantasy trilogy. It's set in the same world as the bestselling series The Last Vampire and its other spinoff, Vampire Bound. Download the complete series boxset today, and enter a world shared by humans, fae, demons, and vampires. It’s a place where the supernatural threatens the mundane, nothing is as it seems, and enemies must overcome their tangled pasts in order to save the future.
That's not even the weirdest thing to happen to him this week.
Len's been told that not all Fae are scheming, manipulative pricks. A moot point, since this one definitely is—he knows that much from bitter experience.
So, when his vampire ex-coworker dumps Albigard of the Unseelie on Len's doorstep, he gives her two hours to find a better hiding place for the Fae fugitive before tossing him straight to the curb with the rest of the garbage.
He should have known better, of course. Because if there's one thing Len's learned since being thrown into the deep end of the seedy paranormal underworld, it's that nothing is ever so simple.
Now he's on the run from a cataclysmic primal force trying to tear its way into the human realm, stuck with an annoying bastard who already knows way too much about the inside of Len's messed-up head. The first time he met Albigard, Len punched the Fae in his too-perfect face. This time, they'll have to learn to work together—or risk having their souls torn apart and consigned to the void, with the rest of humanity facing the same fate soon after.
The Wild Hunt has slipped its chains.
Darkness is coming for the world.
* * *
Forsaken Fae is a slow-burn M/M urban fantasy trilogy. It's set in the same world as the bestselling series The Last Vampire and its other spinoff, Vampire Bound. Download the complete series boxset today, and enter a world shared by humans, fae, demons, and vampires. It’s a place where the supernatural threatens the mundane, nothing is as it seems, and enemies must overcome their tangled pasts in order to save the future.
640 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2021
107 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
R.A. Steffan
85 books501 followersUSA Today bestselling author R. A. Steffan lives in New Mexico, where the sunsets paint the mountains purple, and roadrunners roam the desert endlessly in search of their coyote victims. When she’s not busy writing stories about people loving each other in all sorts of different and interesting ways, she can be found taking care of her small menagerie of critters.
A rebel to the core, she is currently sticking it to the man by illegally harvesting graywater from the kitchen and bathroom sinks to water trees outside. This fearless disregard for societal norms extends to her writing, as well. There, you will find polyamory along with straight, gay, bisexual, and non-gender conforming love of all flavors. You will also find families of choice, profound friendships, adventure, danger, and good triumphing over evil.
That, and sex. Lots of sex. Most of which is not the vanilla variety.
If any of that appeals, sign up at http://www.rasteffan.com/ to get a free starter library featuring the first books in several of her series. You can also follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RASteffanAut..., or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RA_Steffan.
A rebel to the core, she is currently sticking it to the man by illegally harvesting graywater from the kitchen and bathroom sinks to water trees outside. This fearless disregard for societal norms extends to her writing, as well. There, you will find polyamory along with straight, gay, bisexual, and non-gender conforming love of all flavors. You will also find families of choice, profound friendships, adventure, danger, and good triumphing over evil.
That, and sex. Lots of sex. Most of which is not the vanilla variety.
If any of that appeals, sign up at http://www.rasteffan.com/ to get a free starter library featuring the first books in several of her series. You can also follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RASteffanAut..., or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RA_Steffan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 1, 2021
Epic.... this romance was just right i dont normaly love m/m books because very often there citchy or over powerd by sex, but this was an epic romace to last through time i loved hearing about old and new friemds i loved tinkerbell and the way he opend homself to the love of an amazing guy lile len, i cried sad and happy tears for them in this truely unforgetable story. i dont even know what more to say on my part i loved it so much i'm going in for a second listen right away i just cant let go of them yet and i cant wait for the next masterpiece R.A Steffen comes up with.
Audio review.
Audio review.
October 24, 2021
Made me roll my eyes too much in the first 12% of the book
I lasted 12% of this trilogy....I cannot even tell you how many pages that is, but I could read no further. I cannot say I don’t recommend this book as I haven’t read enough, but what I did read did not hold my interest. I have read some very long books like the war of kings and lord of the rings trilogy that propel you forward, but have a beginning, but this book seems to plop you right in the middle of action with a significant backstory, that has its own backstory, if that makes sense.
I was already annoyed by the “human”. Are you really telling me you are aware of the paranormal world, you see dead people thinking it’s ptsd from a past job and yet when a members of said paranormal world tells you you reek of death and mentions that you may have traces of necromancy you freak out and refuse to mention that it may be true and the reason why you are being tormented by the dead??? Roll my eyes. Drama for what reason, the sake of extending a book? 90% of what I just read in the 12% of the three books can be deleted or summed up in another way. OR I think if the first part of the first book was maybe in the middle and how he was thrust into the world of the paranormal was in the beginning I may have stayed to read more of this book, but as it stands I have no interest in finding out how this haters to lovers story pans out or how this story as a whole evolves. My time is too precious.
I lasted 12% of this trilogy....I cannot even tell you how many pages that is, but I could read no further. I cannot say I don’t recommend this book as I haven’t read enough, but what I did read did not hold my interest. I have read some very long books like the war of kings and lord of the rings trilogy that propel you forward, but have a beginning, but this book seems to plop you right in the middle of action with a significant backstory, that has its own backstory, if that makes sense.
I was already annoyed by the “human”. Are you really telling me you are aware of the paranormal world, you see dead people thinking it’s ptsd from a past job and yet when a members of said paranormal world tells you you reek of death and mentions that you may have traces of necromancy you freak out and refuse to mention that it may be true and the reason why you are being tormented by the dead??? Roll my eyes. Drama for what reason, the sake of extending a book? 90% of what I just read in the 12% of the three books can be deleted or summed up in another way. OR I think if the first part of the first book was maybe in the middle and how he was thrust into the world of the paranormal was in the beginning I may have stayed to read more of this book, but as it stands I have no interest in finding out how this haters to lovers story pans out or how this story as a whole evolves. My time is too precious.
October 25, 2021
DNF at 18%
This is one of those stories that didn't work for me in any way.
The MC that we follow, despite what his blue fauxhawk and piercings initially suggested to me, is dull, completely risk-averse, and seems to hate any and all forms of adventure... as the protagonist of a PNR/UFR series. He's surrounded by a lot of weird and concerning situations, death, and supernatural creatures, but mostly his reactions are really muted towards everything. He'll ask a question or two here or there, or heave a put-upon sigh when he hears about some supernatural crisis or monster attack, but that was mostly the extent of his interactions in the story and with the other characters.
We learn that he has some of his own issues to deal with, some of them pretty serious, but even that just feels like a dry recital of a few tropes applied to his character, because we don't really experience the MC feeling very deeply about most of these issues overall.
By the point I stopped reading, the other MC/ML has appeared on page very rarely and spoken even less than that. He used most of those words to insult the other MC, or to act superior and insufferable. I didn't get much of an impression of him at all, though what little I did see I didn't like. At all.
Probably the biggest issues I had with this story was actually the worldbuilding and plot, though. There is apocalyptic stuff going on in both the background and present time of the characters, and yet there isn't any real sense of urgency from either the story or the characters. Everyone just kind of floats around, and when they see death and destruction they kind of have the attitude of 'well that sucks, but the world is a bad place, so it's not too surprising.' and then they'll kind of discuss that maybe they might be able to figure out a way to stop more death and destruction, but then again who knows? But there's definitely enough free time to follow the MC around town on errands and to buy pot, then to go back to the house to roll and smoke a blunt with the stuck up ML. True plot urgency, right there.
This is one of those stories that didn't work for me in any way.
The MC that we follow, despite what his blue fauxhawk and piercings initially suggested to me, is dull, completely risk-averse, and seems to hate any and all forms of adventure... as the protagonist of a PNR/UFR series. He's surrounded by a lot of weird and concerning situations, death, and supernatural creatures, but mostly his reactions are really muted towards everything. He'll ask a question or two here or there, or heave a put-upon sigh when he hears about some supernatural crisis or monster attack, but that was mostly the extent of his interactions in the story and with the other characters.
We learn that he has some of his own issues to deal with, some of them pretty serious, but even that just feels like a dry recital of a few tropes applied to his character, because we don't really experience the MC feeling very deeply about most of these issues overall.
By the point I stopped reading, the other MC/ML has appeared on page very rarely and spoken even less than that. He used most of those words to insult the other MC, or to act superior and insufferable. I didn't get much of an impression of him at all, though what little I did see I didn't like. At all.
Probably the biggest issues I had with this story was actually the worldbuilding and plot, though. There is apocalyptic stuff going on in both the background and present time of the characters, and yet there isn't any real sense of urgency from either the story or the characters. Everyone just kind of floats around, and when they see death and destruction they kind of have the attitude of 'well that sucks, but the world is a bad place, so it's not too surprising.' and then they'll kind of discuss that maybe they might be able to figure out a way to stop more death and destruction, but then again who knows? But there's definitely enough free time to follow the MC around town on errands and to buy pot, then to go back to the house to roll and smoke a blunt with the stuck up ML. True plot urgency, right there.
July 2, 2023
incredible. this is going to be kinda long and rambly but i've got a lot to say about this series. it's also not going to be formatted or edited bc idc.
obviously major spoilers, if you're reading this and haven't finished please for the love of reading click off and open the books themselves. probably will talk about the third book the most as well as the series overall.
Albigard has been my favorite character since his introduction in The Last Vampire: Book One. Every single appearance since then, I basically pumped my fist in the air in excitement over him. Having him finally as a lead, and a ROMANTIC INTEREST... oh my goodness. extremely exciting to see more of him and see walls come down. Princeling. Woahg
Len has always been awesome too, also introduced in the very first Last Vampire book. I was equally excited to have Len be the star for once as well.
Their relationship over the course of their series starts off extremely slowly (especially as they Do Not Like Each Other, Len even hates Albigard kinda) and I think I'm coming to realize that that's what I prefer in a story. I hate when characters get together quickly. First came their allyship, and then their tentative acquaintanceship. communion over food, pot brownies or possum stew. Len finding an appreciation for nature. They care for each other-- Albigard seems definitely to be into gifts (what would you assume of a fae? lol) and acts of service, and Len more words of affirmation and physical touch. Think Albigard hunting the possum and also that creature in Dhuinne, using the latter to boost Len's power at the same time as providing them sustenance. Albigard's replacement of the pimpmobile, to a severe degree of accuracy-- he provided the bullet marks himself! And for Len, think of all the times he reached out to comfort Albigard, and helped talk him down and also provide assurance to him. I think they work insanely well together. Much more than any other couple in this series, in my opinion, they formed their very own language of love. Like.. I feel like they LIKE EACH OTHER LOL. I didn't connect with Rans and Zorah (i cried when they died, and were brought back as well, however. i do love them.) OR with Vonnie and Guthrie (i kinda dislike vonnie though, to be fair.) So I know my opinion of them "working well together" is bolstered by my adoration for both characters.
oughh albigard hugging rans upon him waking in the third book aoguuhh. everything surrounding albigard and rans though honestly. couldn't imagine losing someone who was supposed to be immortal while still in the prime of my potentially millennia spanning life. even if they fought even if they weren't friends, to the point where Albigard could say that without lying. Enemies, allies, brothers. albigard, who has not been known throughout the series for exactly reveling in physical contact with others (other than with Len. but that is entirely different and took at least one and half books.) hugging him when he woke up from being dead... my heart !!!
Oren and his effects on Albigard as his father. Albigard is some sort of Fae royalty, the head of the Unseelie Court his father. Also, his family has a propensity for producing twins. That's a lot of pressure to live up to, especially as he was supposed to be a twin (but his sister died in the womb and he absorbed her magic). Albigard was a disappointment for that, even with the miracle of absorbing her magic. And then, after his twin siblings were used as a weapon (their lives used, burnt up as their magic was used so intensely that they burnt out. literally) to destroy all vampires (sans Ransley Thorpe.).. yeah. There are few sets of twins in Dhuinne- there's a lot of pressure for him to reproduce and that sucks for obvious reasons, and he refuses to do it. Not only due to sex (99% sure only with Seelie, but perhaps extended overall to sex that did not encompass his kinks) not being "to his taste," but also because he saw what happened to his twin siblings-- he did not wish to have children whom were subjected to the same fate. On the topic, labeling his sexuality feels extraneous except for the fact that he does love (pretty sure exclusively) men and would be/was ostracized for that by larger fae society. Oren makes it clear several times throughout the series, even before the Forsaken Fae Trilogy, that Albigard's exile and/or death would be a nuisance he'd no longer have to deal with, and I'm sure that most likely had at least a little bit to do with it :( (A connection he has with Len, as well, as Len was kicked out at 16 for being gay). Ough and Oren's reference to Albigard's "keeping of pets" or whatever ohh god he KNOWS. i felt so sick with every interaction Albigard had with oren. His capacity for cruelness exceeds that of any other characters in the series, except for, I'd say, Myrial. but we've known quite a few terrible fae-- Caspian was one of Oren's lackeys, for example. I think at least? Anyways ummmm yeah I hate Oren Fuck Oren. His death was deserved but it brought such anticlimax-- i wanted him to suffer. idk it feels personal. BUT albigard climbing the steps to push his father's body from his spot at the court and take it himself, standing-- jesus christ.
i have gripes with this series just like any other series that this author writes just because the style isn't exactly my thing and like small nitpicks too in dialogue choices (god i hate when the author tries to be super witty and it falls flat. even when it's on purpose to produce a faux pas oh please god stop it!! (this means it's working. i guess). and also when they raise their finger to start speaking like... they are literally 🤓 LMFAOOO i hate it !!!!!... biggest dialogue gripe would just be EVERY SINGLE WOMAN CALLING EVERY SINGLE OTHER CHARACTER "BABE" i was ripping out my hair. so fine with people calling each other babe in a platonic context but dear god every other sentence from every other character lol.) BUT ........... i literally cannot be forced to care about those anymore because of how much this series blew me out of the water
cannot believe that i had such insanely high expectations for this series due to who the leads were, even going in with slight trepidation due to my opinion of the author's style: more than making "slogging" (i quite enjoyed them, obviously.) through those 10 books absolutely worth it, this series has retroactively improved my opinion of them. There is one review of Forsaken Fae: Book One, regarding Rans and Zorah's deaths' at the end of the book, in which the reviewer says that while they did not know how the author would resolve that plot point, they trusted her to handle it well. that review stuck with me as i read through Forsaken Fae books two and three, and like. yeah. R. A. Steffan has time and time again shown that she knows how to resolve stories neatly and satisfyingly. Which is probably one of the harder things to get right.
the stakes were so high in this trilogy and the pace much quicker (especially after the first half of Forsaken Fae: Book One) than the rest of the series and i VERY MUCH enjoyed it. One review on the third book said that it was tiring that the leads just seemed to keep losing, but for me that kept the tension high enough to keep me interested. more than interested-- i read book two in one sitting, and book three over the course of about three sittings, only pausing to sleep and go to work.
enjoyed the choice of keeping Len untrained, though I do think that TRYING to train him in necromancy would have required a lot of plot and character string-pulling. However, I still enjoy that the focus of his powers is not figuring out how to use them and finding his power ceiling/trying to become more powerful at all, it's more just... a shield. a shell around him that he learns how to cope with (the specters, once he understands what they are, no longer hold fear for him. through learning about his power, embracing it even (by talking to the specters, consciously aware of it acting as a shield and using it so, etc...)) and that's so cool to me. He doesn't exactly reject his power-- but it is not one he asked for, nor one he chooses to nurture once he understands it. Maybe this sounds stupid, but it's reassuring and also empowering(?) that that is how he comes to view it. <3
augh i feel like i have a lot more to say but it's just gushing about albigard and len LIKE OH MY GOD IN THE END BEFORE ALBIGARD COMES BACK TO EARTH TO ASK LEN IF HE WANTS TO LIVE WITH HIM IN DHUINNE (periodically) LEN STARTS TAKING LONG WALKS... a habit that began while staying at Albigard's Chicago House. just aoughhhh my heart. my soul even. len appreciating nature and albigard's defenses falling. chef's kiss muah muah muah voila this series definitely did it for me LOL
I'm glad I stuck with The Last Vampire when I initially disliked it. I am so glad because these three books have wrung me out basically, but in the way a series should. I'm glad it has a happy ending. I've come to expect those at the end of arcs from this author, thank goodness. Sometimes a shitty ending is good, but R. A. Steffan knows how to write a happy ending that doesn't feel fake or cloying. and it was really good.
feel like a broken record but anyways ummmm really good books. yeah .
obviously major spoilers, if you're reading this and haven't finished please for the love of reading click off and open the books themselves. probably will talk about the third book the most as well as the series overall.
Albigard has been my favorite character since his introduction in The Last Vampire: Book One. Every single appearance since then, I basically pumped my fist in the air in excitement over him. Having him finally as a lead, and a ROMANTIC INTEREST... oh my goodness. extremely exciting to see more of him and see walls come down. Princeling. Woahg
Len has always been awesome too, also introduced in the very first Last Vampire book. I was equally excited to have Len be the star for once as well.
Their relationship over the course of their series starts off extremely slowly (especially as they Do Not Like Each Other, Len even hates Albigard kinda) and I think I'm coming to realize that that's what I prefer in a story. I hate when characters get together quickly. First came their allyship, and then their tentative acquaintanceship. communion over food, pot brownies or possum stew. Len finding an appreciation for nature. They care for each other-- Albigard seems definitely to be into gifts (what would you assume of a fae? lol) and acts of service, and Len more words of affirmation and physical touch. Think Albigard hunting the possum and also that creature in Dhuinne, using the latter to boost Len's power at the same time as providing them sustenance. Albigard's replacement of the pimpmobile, to a severe degree of accuracy-- he provided the bullet marks himself! And for Len, think of all the times he reached out to comfort Albigard, and helped talk him down and also provide assurance to him. I think they work insanely well together. Much more than any other couple in this series, in my opinion, they formed their very own language of love. Like.. I feel like they LIKE EACH OTHER LOL. I didn't connect with Rans and Zorah (i cried when they died, and were brought back as well, however. i do love them.) OR with Vonnie and Guthrie (i kinda dislike vonnie though, to be fair.) So I know my opinion of them "working well together" is bolstered by my adoration for both characters.
oughh albigard hugging rans upon him waking in the third book aoguuhh. everything surrounding albigard and rans though honestly. couldn't imagine losing someone who was supposed to be immortal while still in the prime of my potentially millennia spanning life. even if they fought even if they weren't friends, to the point where Albigard could say that without lying. Enemies, allies, brothers. albigard, who has not been known throughout the series for exactly reveling in physical contact with others (other than with Len. but that is entirely different and took at least one and half books.) hugging him when he woke up from being dead... my heart !!!
Oren and his effects on Albigard as his father. Albigard is some sort of Fae royalty, the head of the Unseelie Court his father. Also, his family has a propensity for producing twins. That's a lot of pressure to live up to, especially as he was supposed to be a twin (but his sister died in the womb and he absorbed her magic). Albigard was a disappointment for that, even with the miracle of absorbing her magic. And then, after his twin siblings were used as a weapon (their lives used, burnt up as their magic was used so intensely that they burnt out. literally) to destroy all vampires (sans Ransley Thorpe.).. yeah. There are few sets of twins in Dhuinne- there's a lot of pressure for him to reproduce and that sucks for obvious reasons, and he refuses to do it. Not only due to sex (99% sure only with Seelie, but perhaps extended overall to sex that did not encompass his kinks) not being "to his taste," but also because he saw what happened to his twin siblings-- he did not wish to have children whom were subjected to the same fate. On the topic, labeling his sexuality feels extraneous except for the fact that he does love (pretty sure exclusively) men and would be/was ostracized for that by larger fae society. Oren makes it clear several times throughout the series, even before the Forsaken Fae Trilogy, that Albigard's exile and/or death would be a nuisance he'd no longer have to deal with, and I'm sure that most likely had at least a little bit to do with it :( (A connection he has with Len, as well, as Len was kicked out at 16 for being gay). Ough and Oren's reference to Albigard's "keeping of pets" or whatever ohh god he KNOWS. i felt so sick with every interaction Albigard had with oren. His capacity for cruelness exceeds that of any other characters in the series, except for, I'd say, Myrial. but we've known quite a few terrible fae-- Caspian was one of Oren's lackeys, for example. I think at least? Anyways ummmm yeah I hate Oren Fuck Oren. His death was deserved but it brought such anticlimax-- i wanted him to suffer. idk it feels personal. BUT albigard climbing the steps to push his father's body from his spot at the court and take it himself, standing-- jesus christ.
i have gripes with this series just like any other series that this author writes just because the style isn't exactly my thing and like small nitpicks too in dialogue choices (god i hate when the author tries to be super witty and it falls flat. even when it's on purpose to produce a faux pas oh please god stop it!! (this means it's working. i guess). and also when they raise their finger to start speaking like... they are literally 🤓 LMFAOOO i hate it !!!!!... biggest dialogue gripe would just be EVERY SINGLE WOMAN CALLING EVERY SINGLE OTHER CHARACTER "BABE" i was ripping out my hair. so fine with people calling each other babe in a platonic context but dear god every other sentence from every other character lol.) BUT ........... i literally cannot be forced to care about those anymore because of how much this series blew me out of the water
cannot believe that i had such insanely high expectations for this series due to who the leads were, even going in with slight trepidation due to my opinion of the author's style: more than making "slogging" (i quite enjoyed them, obviously.) through those 10 books absolutely worth it, this series has retroactively improved my opinion of them. There is one review of Forsaken Fae: Book One, regarding Rans and Zorah's deaths' at the end of the book, in which the reviewer says that while they did not know how the author would resolve that plot point, they trusted her to handle it well. that review stuck with me as i read through Forsaken Fae books two and three, and like. yeah. R. A. Steffan has time and time again shown that she knows how to resolve stories neatly and satisfyingly. Which is probably one of the harder things to get right.
the stakes were so high in this trilogy and the pace much quicker (especially after the first half of Forsaken Fae: Book One) than the rest of the series and i VERY MUCH enjoyed it. One review on the third book said that it was tiring that the leads just seemed to keep losing, but for me that kept the tension high enough to keep me interested. more than interested-- i read book two in one sitting, and book three over the course of about three sittings, only pausing to sleep and go to work.
enjoyed the choice of keeping Len untrained, though I do think that TRYING to train him in necromancy would have required a lot of plot and character string-pulling. However, I still enjoy that the focus of his powers is not figuring out how to use them and finding his power ceiling/trying to become more powerful at all, it's more just... a shield. a shell around him that he learns how to cope with (the specters, once he understands what they are, no longer hold fear for him. through learning about his power, embracing it even (by talking to the specters, consciously aware of it acting as a shield and using it so, etc...)) and that's so cool to me. He doesn't exactly reject his power-- but it is not one he asked for, nor one he chooses to nurture once he understands it. Maybe this sounds stupid, but it's reassuring and also empowering(?) that that is how he comes to view it. <3
augh i feel like i have a lot more to say but it's just gushing about albigard and len LIKE OH MY GOD IN THE END BEFORE ALBIGARD COMES BACK TO EARTH TO ASK LEN IF HE WANTS TO LIVE WITH HIM IN DHUINNE (periodically) LEN STARTS TAKING LONG WALKS... a habit that began while staying at Albigard's Chicago House. just aoughhhh my heart. my soul even. len appreciating nature and albigard's defenses falling. chef's kiss muah muah muah voila this series definitely did it for me LOL
I'm glad I stuck with The Last Vampire when I initially disliked it. I am so glad because these three books have wrung me out basically, but in the way a series should. I'm glad it has a happy ending. I've come to expect those at the end of arcs from this author, thank goodness. Sometimes a shitty ending is good, but R. A. Steffan knows how to write a happy ending that doesn't feel fake or cloying. and it was really good.
feel like a broken record but anyways ummmm really good books. yeah .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2024
Not nearly enough romance for a genre romance book trilogy. Not even a romantasy. It's best described as an urban fantasy with a subtle extremely slowburn romantic subplot.
An extremely slow burn (nothing happens in the first book at all) and even then it's left simmering - not the feelings, the emotional connection feels strong, honest and authentic. But there's not enough focus on the relationship - not in the beginning, not during high stress suspense and certainly not after all the commotion.
The payoff is not good enough for such a long series and I'm left with a bad aftertaste and disappointed, since I think this author is rather exceptional in conveying real emotions, flawed characters, real angst and hardwon love.
The fantasy worldbuilding part was the kind that throws the reader in the middle of everything, with previous happenings referred to often, but very little explained. I suspect this is mainly because this is a connected/ spinoff series - a fact I didn't know going in since that info is not told in the synopsis of the audiobook I listened to through Storytel. This doesn't read well as a standalone series and I'm not willing to read a separate MF series to get the necessary backstory for this. Not my favorite type of storytelling, especially as it never really dawned on me why there was such animosity between the MCs in the first place.
Rating breakdown:
Book 1 - 1 star⭐
Book 2 - 3 stars ⭐⭐⭐
Book 3 - 2 stars ⭐⭐
Evens out to 2/5 stars
An extremely slow burn (nothing happens in the first book at all) and even then it's left simmering - not the feelings, the emotional connection feels strong, honest and authentic. But there's not enough focus on the relationship - not in the beginning, not during high stress suspense and certainly not after all the commotion.
The payoff is not good enough for such a long series and I'm left with a bad aftertaste and disappointed, since I think this author is rather exceptional in conveying real emotions, flawed characters, real angst and hardwon love.
The fantasy worldbuilding part was the kind that throws the reader in the middle of everything, with previous happenings referred to often, but very little explained. I suspect this is mainly because this is a connected/ spinoff series - a fact I didn't know going in since that info is not told in the synopsis of the audiobook I listened to through Storytel. This doesn't read well as a standalone series and I'm not willing to read a separate MF series to get the necessary backstory for this. Not my favorite type of storytelling, especially as it never really dawned on me why there was such animosity between the MCs in the first place.
Rating breakdown:
Book 1 - 1 star⭐
Book 2 - 3 stars ⭐⭐⭐
Book 3 - 2 stars ⭐⭐
Evens out to 2/5 stars
October 2, 2023
3/5
First off, this trilogy is not a really trilogy to me at least. It's more a chunky book which has been cut in 3 parts-for no good reason and I really dislike that kind of "series". Second the story in itself was kind of a mixed bag. Having not read the previous series in the same universe, I was clearly missing some worldbuilding and backstory. On one hand, it was fine enough since I could follow the story but on the other hand, it wasn't since there were too many characters and events mentioned liked I should have known or cared about.
Then this "series" is a (Urban) Fantasy story with a side of romance-and I personally would not even call that a romance. The main characters learnt to appreciate each other, they grew fond of each other but that's it. They went through traumatic events together so it made sense. But did they really love each other? My answer would be: I don't think so.
Speaking about the "romance". I was anxious about the BDSM tag because there is this fine line where I appreciate and sometimes even love BDSM stories. Here wasn't the case. It was bondage, and bdsm scenes and a lot a things for which I didn't care.
First off, this trilogy is not a really trilogy to me at least. It's more a chunky book which has been cut in 3 parts-for no good reason and I really dislike that kind of "series". Second the story in itself was kind of a mixed bag. Having not read the previous series in the same universe, I was clearly missing some worldbuilding and backstory. On one hand, it was fine enough since I could follow the story but on the other hand, it wasn't since there were too many characters and events mentioned liked I should have known or cared about.
Then this "series" is a (Urban) Fantasy story with a side of romance-and I personally would not even call that a romance. The main characters learnt to appreciate each other, they grew fond of each other but that's it. They went through traumatic events together so it made sense. But did they really love each other? My answer would be: I don't think so.
Speaking about the "romance". I was anxious about the BDSM tag because there is this fine line where I appreciate and sometimes even love BDSM stories. Here wasn't the case. It was bondage, and bdsm scenes and a lot a things for which I didn't care.
May 19, 2022
Great Read
This was a great series of three books. I thoroughly enjoyed them all. I loved the flawed characters and snark that came through nicely plotted storyline. The idea of a gay fae also appealed to me. I liked that the court roles were reversed in that it was the unseelie that were having the most to do with the human not the Seelie as is the accepted spiel. I hadn’t read the author’s earlier series about the other characters. I’m going to do so straight after reading the freebie I got at the end of this one. I can truthfully say that not having read them did not diminish my enjoyment or comprehension of these books at all. So if like me you haven’t read those don’t let that put you off these books are too good to pass by. Better still read them first then read these. Enjoy them all.
This was a great series of three books. I thoroughly enjoyed them all. I loved the flawed characters and snark that came through nicely plotted storyline. The idea of a gay fae also appealed to me. I liked that the court roles were reversed in that it was the unseelie that were having the most to do with the human not the Seelie as is the accepted spiel. I hadn’t read the author’s earlier series about the other characters. I’m going to do so straight after reading the freebie I got at the end of this one. I can truthfully say that not having read them did not diminish my enjoyment or comprehension of these books at all. So if like me you haven’t read those don’t let that put you off these books are too good to pass by. Better still read them first then read these. Enjoy them all.
February 4, 2022
Surprising acceptable sexual exploration well written in excellent fantasy
Never have I read stories with frequent homosexual content. Imagine my surprise, during reading R A Steffan's continued series, of very well written interactions and relationship development between two of my favorite characters. There are same gender sexual scenarios that add to the story without leading to the readers discomfort. I enjoyed the past development and resolution of issues. Great read.
Never have I read stories with frequent homosexual content. Imagine my surprise, during reading R A Steffan's continued series, of very well written interactions and relationship development between two of my favorite characters. There are same gender sexual scenarios that add to the story without leading to the readers discomfort. I enjoyed the past development and resolution of issues. Great read.
March 9, 2022
I really loved the voice of the protagonist in this series. So snarky and tough and still vulnerable all at once.
I liked the worldbuilding and the plot/action of the series. If you want to read them piecemeal, read them in order for certain. There's a lot of references to what's obviously a previous series, and I could have done with a little less of that, but it didn't detract too much.
The relationship between Len and Albigard is a slow burn, but their antagonism and banter is really quite fun, and I really loved the way it progressed.
Highly recommend this series.
I liked the worldbuilding and the plot/action of the series. If you want to read them piecemeal, read them in order for certain. There's a lot of references to what's obviously a previous series, and I could have done with a little less of that, but it didn't detract too much.
The relationship between Len and Albigard is a slow burn, but their antagonism and banter is really quite fun, and I really loved the way it progressed.
Highly recommend this series.
June 28, 2022
Very good story with well-developed characters. I would advise anyone who is interested in these books to read all of them. These books are an incredible slow burn. Like it said in some of the reviews that it was a slow burn. But we are talking like no relationship develops until the end of book two slow burn. I can't see reading any one of these books by themselves as being fulfilling. But the complete effect was quite good. A very compelling fantasy story with a romance on the side. I really enjoyed it.
August 22, 2023
Another nice re...listen instead of re-read. And it's clear why. The series has this very interesting mix of "both" worlds - it's a romance that doesn't feel romance-y, with plenty of action that doesn't overcrowd the story, enough paranormal stuff to make "reality" more interesting and while the main character is a shibari expert and a chef, the kink stuff is rare and feels like a culmination of other events rather than a distraction. There are some books I enjoyed more but overall, this is a great read and I still recommend it heartily.
July 27, 2021
Forsaken
I really enjoyed this series. While it's fantasy it also brings to light a lot of political stigma and how judgement can really effect people who are different. It's depressing at times but it's a really good read. It's full of action, there's romance in a sense but it's more akin to two folks who desperately need each other coming together. I'd recommend it as long as you are into m/m action or really don't care either way.
I really enjoyed this series. While it's fantasy it also brings to light a lot of political stigma and how judgement can really effect people who are different. It's depressing at times but it's a really good read. It's full of action, there's romance in a sense but it's more akin to two folks who desperately need each other coming together. I'd recommend it as long as you are into m/m action or really don't care either way.
August 6, 2021
Like enemies to lovers with your grumpy sexy fae and save the world tropes? Then this series is a good one to read. The relationship between Len and Albigard develops organically and isn’t some insta-love deal. All the action, misadventure, and drama you could possibly want, with a satisfying resolution.
I highly recommend this series. Though I wasn’t overly fond of the narrator, so next time I’ll most likely just read the books instead.
I highly recommend this series. Though I wasn’t overly fond of the narrator, so next time I’ll most likely just read the books instead.
November 4, 2021
Action-packed. Drama packed. Great plot.Awesome world-building. This story has a lot to like. I'm glad the author sent out the entire series, though, because the first two books end on a cliffhanger and that's something I really despise. This is an enjoyable read that'll keep you hooked all the way to the end. So, if you like fantasy, drama, action, demons, vampires, Oh, My! This book is definitely worth reading.
March 2, 2022
Since it's not a spoiler to the story, I was quite surprised to hear BDSM themes as they were not mentioned in the blurb. I would have skipped if I'd known since I prefer to not read those elements. I did stick with the series though and the scenes weren't overly frequent. The books were more adventure than romance and I'm glad I listened. I enjoyed the narration and will be looking for other books by him.
September 3, 2021
HEA
I didn’t know how to feel about reading a male on male love story but this book did not disgust me as I first thought it would. It was actually quite thrilling with moments of heart ache, sadness, as well as completely action packed as all the other stories! Can’t wait to read up on our Demon….
I didn’t know how to feel about reading a male on male love story but this book did not disgust me as I first thought it would. It was actually quite thrilling with moments of heart ache, sadness, as well as completely action packed as all the other stories! Can’t wait to read up on our Demon….
March 7, 2022
so good
I love these two characters. One is so standoffish and rude and the other is just so bad at self preservation. And then the way their relationship progresses… excellent. And also, the way they solve the crisis and then some is done well. Definitely emotional.
I love these two characters. One is so standoffish and rude and the other is just so bad at self preservation. And then the way their relationship progresses… excellent. And also, the way they solve the crisis and then some is done well. Definitely emotional.
August 26, 2021
Absolutely loved everything about this series!
February 24, 2022
soooo good.
I am super glad the author did a little epilog after. Make sure you click on it to read it! It’s pretty good.
I am super glad the author did a little epilog after. Make sure you click on it to read it! It’s pretty good.
June 6, 2022
imaginative
Another wonderful read from R A Steffan. Easy to read, realistic, and quite a page turner. Definitely worth the read on so many levels.
Another wonderful read from R A Steffan. Easy to read, realistic, and quite a page turner. Definitely worth the read on so many levels.
November 27, 2023
fun read
A Very engaging series it was hard to put down. It was easy to follow the characters. I would recommend this series.
A Very engaging series it was hard to put down. It was easy to follow the characters. I would recommend this series.
Read
January 5, 2024Reread of a fave, one of the authors I can’t be objective about, lol.
August 28, 2023
Enjoyable paranormal fantasy, well written with likable characters, narration is good too.
March 25, 2024
3.5⭐️
May 20, 2025
Loved the two main characters. Their bickering is great! I love the slow build up and how they end up great together. Love this trilogy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews