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The Seventh Ring of Bertram Bell
Magic is the least of Bertram Bell’s mysteries . . .
Elio Peralta is a useless magician. Every morning, he brews colors into coffee, brightening the days of his cafe’s customers. Every night, he pines after his best friend, Dutch Abel, a mechanic who’s always been by his side, and never given Elio what he desires.
When Bertram Bell, a mysterious figure from his family’s past, appears to lay claim to an apprentice, Elio volunteers. Bell sweeps him into a lavish life like nothing he’s ever known, but shadows creep in the grand halls of Bellemont, and at night, ghosts whisper in his ear.
Six apprentices came before Elio, and each met a gruesome end. Uncovering what befell them may cost Elio everything. But Dutch has a secret of his own, and if they hope to survive Bertram Bell, all secrets must come out.
Childhood friends become lovers who must face down a festering evil in this retelling of Bluebeard. Expect the gruesome and macabre, a veritable handful of insidious rings, a powerful mage who is more than he seems, and a truly exceptional dog named Grim. The Seventh Ring of Bertram Bell was originally published in the Fables Retold Anthology. It has been expanded with a new epilogue.
Elio Peralta is a useless magician. Every morning, he brews colors into coffee, brightening the days of his cafe’s customers. Every night, he pines after his best friend, Dutch Abel, a mechanic who’s always been by his side, and never given Elio what he desires.
When Bertram Bell, a mysterious figure from his family’s past, appears to lay claim to an apprentice, Elio volunteers. Bell sweeps him into a lavish life like nothing he’s ever known, but shadows creep in the grand halls of Bellemont, and at night, ghosts whisper in his ear.
Six apprentices came before Elio, and each met a gruesome end. Uncovering what befell them may cost Elio everything. But Dutch has a secret of his own, and if they hope to survive Bertram Bell, all secrets must come out.
Childhood friends become lovers who must face down a festering evil in this retelling of Bluebeard. Expect the gruesome and macabre, a veritable handful of insidious rings, a powerful mage who is more than he seems, and a truly exceptional dog named Grim. The Seventh Ring of Bertram Bell was originally published in the Fables Retold Anthology. It has been expanded with a new epilogue.
179 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2021
20 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
W.M. Fawkes
59 books286 followersW.M. Fawkes is an author of LGBTQ+ urban fantasy and paranormal romance. With coauthor Sam Burns, she writes feisty Greek gods, men, and monsters in the Lords of the Underworld series. She lives with her partner in a house owned by three halloween-hued felines that dabble regularly in shadow walking.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 25, 2021
★ Read when it was part of the Fables Retold Anthology (Retelling: Bluebeard) ★
Disclaimer: My rating is based on the version published in the above mentioned anthology.
Disclaimer: My rating is based on the version published in the above mentioned anthology.
October 1, 2022
Elio has been promised to Bertram Bell as payment for Bertram saving his father’s life well before Elio was born. Unfortunately, his father ended up passing anyway – just much later. Elio was slated to become the apprentice for Bertram when he turned 18– or so the family thought. Betram didn’t show up for him on his 18th birthday so the family thought they had dodged the promise. Elio’s best friend Dutch who has a secret that he has been keeping from Elio. It is a wonderful, in the long run, secret that doesn’t change how Elio feels about him. I enjoyed the twists and turns this story took!
September 18, 2022
Low angst
Bluebeard reimagined
First person POV
Friends to lovers
This was a nice stand alone that revisits the tale of Bluebeard. I like retellings a lot but often find myself disappointed- not the case here! Bertram was portrayed as a fairly decent man who showed El patience and generosity. There was always something below the surface that El couldn't name but he could sense; something that kept him from falling for Bertram's charm. Not in a romantic way but in a "I completely trust this man" kinda way. El only had romantic feelings for his best friend, Dutch. The best friend who was always there for El and even offered to take El away to escape the debt to Bertram- but was also the same best friend who refused to flirt back or show any interest in El beyond friendship. I usually feel a bit irritated towards the main character when he pines for his best friend but this story was strangely realistic. El wished, sure, but he wasn't an emotional disaster or full of self deprecating thoughts. He just... lived with a crush he knew wasn't going anywhere and didn't really focus on it too much except when Dutch was present.
The story focused on El leaving his home to train with Bertram where he was isolated from the outside world other than the woods beyond the estate's gate. He slowly built his powers while trying to deal with his ever persistent crush on Dutch and his unease regarding Bertram. The mysterious door he wasn't allowed to open wasn't actually on his mind for a majority of the story. The way the climax unfolded was pretty smooth to be honest. My only gripe really focuses on the lack of discussion between our MCs regarding their actions with Bertram. The story was basically just over once the problem was dealt with. Otherwise, I found the story to be interesting and clever.
Bluebeard reimagined
First person POV
Friends to lovers
This was a nice stand alone that revisits the tale of Bluebeard. I like retellings a lot but often find myself disappointed- not the case here! Bertram was portrayed as a fairly decent man who showed El patience and generosity. There was always something below the surface that El couldn't name but he could sense; something that kept him from falling for Bertram's charm. Not in a romantic way but in a "I completely trust this man" kinda way. El only had romantic feelings for his best friend, Dutch. The best friend who was always there for El and even offered to take El away to escape the debt to Bertram- but was also the same best friend who refused to flirt back or show any interest in El beyond friendship. I usually feel a bit irritated towards the main character when he pines for his best friend but this story was strangely realistic. El wished, sure, but he wasn't an emotional disaster or full of self deprecating thoughts. He just... lived with a crush he knew wasn't going anywhere and didn't really focus on it too much except when Dutch was present.
The story focused on El leaving his home to train with Bertram where he was isolated from the outside world other than the woods beyond the estate's gate. He slowly built his powers while trying to deal with his ever persistent crush on Dutch and his unease regarding Bertram. The mysterious door he wasn't allowed to open wasn't actually on his mind for a majority of the story. The way the climax unfolded was pretty smooth to be honest. My only gripe really focuses on the lack of discussion between our MCs regarding their actions with Bertram. The story was basically just over once the problem was dealt with. Otherwise, I found the story to be interesting and clever.
April 11, 2022
This is a Bluebeard retelling, with more magic and werewolves.
I enjoyed this overall, but I thought the stinger at the end
Bluebeard is one of my least-favorite fairy tales, so while I enjoyed the m/m spin and the added werewolves, this didn't work as well for me as a retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales.
(I do think this points to Fawkes and I having different tastes overall, because I like Sam Burns' stuff, but I don't like Fawkes' solo stuff as much, and I definitely don't like Fawkes-and-Burns' duo stuff as much either. Fawkes isn't a bad writer and these stories are well-written - I just don't think we like the same tropes/themes/types of characters! ;) )
I enjoyed this overall, but I thought the stinger at the end
Bluebeard is one of my least-favorite fairy tales, so while I enjoyed the m/m spin and the added werewolves, this didn't work as well for me as a retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales.
(I do think this points to Fawkes and I having different tastes overall, because I like Sam Burns' stuff, but I don't like Fawkes' solo stuff as much, and I definitely don't like Fawkes-and-Burns' duo stuff as much either. Fawkes isn't a bad writer and these stories are well-written - I just don't think we like the same tropes/themes/types of characters! ;) )
November 2, 2021
Bertram Bell is the slimiest villain. I read this short story in the anthology and the creepy feeling of having to wash my skin just by reading about him was just as powerful this time around.
Dutch is the bestest tho.
Dutch is the bestest tho.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2022
This was a weird, creepy and a fascinating read. Bertram Bell comes to collect Elio for a debt paid. There is a creepy mine, a dog that won't come on the house grounds, a werewolf and magic, earned and taken.
November 1, 2021
Just in time for spooky season!
What a sweet love story with a creepy mystery, a spooky mansion, a lonely villain, a fun surprise, and a loyal AF dog! Love it! 10/10 do recommend.
What a sweet love story with a creepy mystery, a spooky mansion, a lonely villain, a fun surprise, and a loyal AF dog! Love it! 10/10 do recommend.
January 1, 2022
Interesting
Such an interesting read, love the twists it took. I’m glad the main character was able to claim his own life.
Such an interesting read, love the twists it took. I’m glad the main character was able to claim his own life.
January 1, 2022
Should villains get a happy ending?
May 26, 2022
Alright, y'all this was fun. I went in blind b/c I didn't read the description. (Def went in on those book cover vibes... like it's so pretty ha). At one point I was like... what did I get myself in to?? b/c for a hot second I def thought it was gonna be the creepy af Bell (he gave me succhhh creepy vibes!) and El together and I was like no thank you. I legit screamed at my kindle at one point ha. That's when I went to read the deception haha. B/c I was def shipping El and Dutch hard and if they weren't endgame I was gonna have to stop. El and Dutch have such great chemistry and I was rooting for them from the beginning. I mostly love that everyone gets a HEA (side-eyes Bell though). Ha okay anyway, it was a fun fast paced book. Def recommend.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews