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The Everchanging Dilemma
Captured at Dread Fortress Paine, Isabel Soto lies helpless and comatose, but the sedative controlling her quickly grows ineffective and its limited supply shrinks by the hour.
She has already escaped the Cleansing Sphere of Reform, the only prison with a chance at holding her. Pregnant with the Curator's child, killing her is an option only the heartless can stomach. Most troubling, inside her broken mind are precious secrets about Obadiah Paine's clandestine network, information that might save lives, bring the fugitive Three Queens to justice, and destroy their stolen Wilder Army.
Yet she remains one of the deadliest beings on the the Maximus of the Body, the Queen of Temptation, the Everchanging.
How do you hold her, how to you convince her, and . . . can you save her?
This is THE EVERCHANGING DILEMMA.
Follow Evelyn Strange, Eva Reti, Ceinwyn Dale, and others in this new KING HENRY TAPES side novel as Richard Raley marks his return from illness and grief, let's get the MancyVerse back on track!
THE KING HENRY TAPES
Book 1 - "The Foul Mouth and the Fanged Lady" (released)
Book 2 - "The Foul Mouth and the Cat Killing Coyotes" (released)
Book 3 - "The Foul Mouth and the Troubled Boomworm" (released)
Book 4 - "The Foul Mouth and the Headless Hunny" (released)
Book 5 - "The Foul Mouth and the Mancy Martial Artist" (released)
Book 6 - "The Foul Mouth and the Pit of No Return" (released)
Book 7 - "The Foul Mouth and the War to End All Wars (forthcoming)
Book 8 - "The Foul Mouth and the Most Obvious Trap" (forthcoming)
MancyVerse Moments
King Henry and the Three Little Trips (released)
Assault on Dread Fortress Paine (released)
Glassbreaker Goes Home (released)
The Everchanging Dilemma (released)
Vicky von Welf and the Mancy Masquerade (forthcoming)
She has already escaped the Cleansing Sphere of Reform, the only prison with a chance at holding her. Pregnant with the Curator's child, killing her is an option only the heartless can stomach. Most troubling, inside her broken mind are precious secrets about Obadiah Paine's clandestine network, information that might save lives, bring the fugitive Three Queens to justice, and destroy their stolen Wilder Army.
Yet she remains one of the deadliest beings on the the Maximus of the Body, the Queen of Temptation, the Everchanging.
How do you hold her, how to you convince her, and . . . can you save her?
This is THE EVERCHANGING DILEMMA.
Follow Evelyn Strange, Eva Reti, Ceinwyn Dale, and others in this new KING HENRY TAPES side novel as Richard Raley marks his return from illness and grief, let's get the MancyVerse back on track!
THE KING HENRY TAPES
Book 1 - "The Foul Mouth and the Fanged Lady" (released)
Book 2 - "The Foul Mouth and the Cat Killing Coyotes" (released)
Book 3 - "The Foul Mouth and the Troubled Boomworm" (released)
Book 4 - "The Foul Mouth and the Headless Hunny" (released)
Book 5 - "The Foul Mouth and the Mancy Martial Artist" (released)
Book 6 - "The Foul Mouth and the Pit of No Return" (released)
Book 7 - "The Foul Mouth and the War to End All Wars (forthcoming)
Book 8 - "The Foul Mouth and the Most Obvious Trap" (forthcoming)
MancyVerse Moments
King Henry and the Three Little Trips (released)
Assault on Dread Fortress Paine (released)
Glassbreaker Goes Home (released)
The Everchanging Dilemma (released)
Vicky von Welf and the Mancy Masquerade (forthcoming)
- GenresUrban Fantasy
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2022
16 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Richard Raley
22 books192 followersRichard Raley was born and raised in Fresno, California and even still lives there on account of the city being an evil vortex you can't escape. He grew up on Star Wars, Transformers, Legos, and Everquest--he never escaped them either. His rise to fame/infamy began with "The Foul Mouth and the Fanged Lady", the first book of THE KING HENRY TAPES, an Urban Fantasy Series that has been described as "Harry Potter meets Pulp Fiction".
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 20, 2022
OMG: Bursting With Plot!
In this small and truly excellent story Raley shifts the overall plot of the series forward several meters. Not only do we get an incredibly enjoyable new POV from a beloved (and slightly ignored) character, but it is used to open up whole new vistas into the lives of well known (and slightly mysterious) female characters. We even get to see these characters at their emotional worst, making their rich builds even more human. Even the villain is multiply exposed, showing she’s not quite what you think. (In a number of ways.) The whole thing is fabulously written, with exquisitely detailed care taken even down to the cat and the treats. (Both cat and human.) So expertly described you could be watching a video. Really (Raley?) well done. Awesome. Can’t recommend it enough, especially if you’re a KHP fan. Buy it. Buy it now.
In this small and truly excellent story Raley shifts the overall plot of the series forward several meters. Not only do we get an incredibly enjoyable new POV from a beloved (and slightly ignored) character, but it is used to open up whole new vistas into the lives of well known (and slightly mysterious) female characters. We even get to see these characters at their emotional worst, making their rich builds even more human. Even the villain is multiply exposed, showing she’s not quite what you think. (In a number of ways.) The whole thing is fabulously written, with exquisitely detailed care taken even down to the cat and the treats. (Both cat and human.) So expertly described you could be watching a video. Really (Raley?) well done. Awesome. Can’t recommend it enough, especially if you’re a KHP fan. Buy it. Buy it now.
February 18, 2022
Raley returns with yet another amazing installment. I don't want to spoil anything that isn't already said in the cover blurb, but wow! The ramifications of this book are going to be huge going forward into future books. You wouldn't think too much can happen given the premise, but you would be just as wrong as I was. I hate to be the guy that says this is a must-read, but it really is. You'll be sorry if you miss out on this one.
January 3, 2026
4.5/5.0
Ok. Evelyn Strange was never a POV character...
but now I want more from her
She's amazing,
love the relationship of the "older" women in the series.
Ceiwin and Lynn were the hardcore sisters we never knew we wanted. and the Lady, the crazy old mom that knows it all
it was a beautiful book IF we get the details of what the actual fuck happened.
but ok I guess
waiting for more KHP books
Ok. Evelyn Strange was never a POV character...
but now I want more from her
She's amazing,
love the relationship of the "older" women in the series.
Ceiwin and Lynn were the hardcore sisters we never knew we wanted. and the Lady, the crazy old mom that knows it all
it was a beautiful book IF we get the details of what the actual fuck happened.
but ok I guess
waiting for more KHP books
March 2, 2026
Richard Raley, what else do you need to know?!!!
King Henry's stomping ground, but he's only a tidbit. Ended predictably, but all fiction is formulaic if you can see it. , but very well written and the character building lives up to the King Henry novels. Still no the Dresden Files or the Amber series, but so damned close. If you read all of the Foul Mouth adventures, reading this is a no brainer. Do yourself a favor, buy it, you WILL want to read it again!!!
King Henry's stomping ground, but he's only a tidbit. Ended predictably, but all fiction is formulaic if you can see it. , but very well written and the character building lives up to the King Henry novels. Still no the Dresden Files or the Amber series, but so damned close. If you read all of the Foul Mouth adventures, reading this is a no brainer. Do yourself a favor, buy it, you WILL want to read it again!!!
February 26, 2022
curse word curse word awesome!!!
Reading this series is like hearing jazz and then, after getting older, going back and HEARING jazz and finally getting it. There’s a pitch, a tonality that reverberates, oscillations over a counterbalanced beat that is masterful and humbling. More, just more.
Reading this series is like hearing jazz and then, after getting older, going back and HEARING jazz and finally getting it. There’s a pitch, a tonality that reverberates, oscillations over a counterbalanced beat that is masterful and humbling. More, just more.
March 3, 2022
Always leave them wanting more
Well I waited a long time for the next installment (well worth the wait) and R.R. did not disappoint. I know it's very Veruca Salt, but I want the next one now. Prime membership notwithstanding, I will buy the next book in The series. Mr. Raley seams to be a bard worth supporting.
Well I waited a long time for the next installment (well worth the wait) and R.R. did not disappoint. I know it's very Veruca Salt, but I want the next one now. Prime membership notwithstanding, I will buy the next book in The series. Mr. Raley seams to be a bard worth supporting.
February 20, 2022
Another fantastic read
I've been a fan of the series from day one. It was neat following a relatively obscure character getting very fleshed out and interested. Thank you for another great book Mr Raley
I've been a fan of the series from day one. It was neat following a relatively obscure character getting very fleshed out and interested. Thank you for another great book Mr Raley
February 24, 2022
it’s been a while
But I’m so glad they’re back.
This short story occurs deep into the main series. It’s good as far as short stories go, but it’s much better if you have read the main series.
Very eager for the next full novel now.
But I’m so glad they’re back.
This short story occurs deep into the main series. It’s good as far as short stories go, but it’s much better if you have read the main series.
Very eager for the next full novel now.
February 27, 2022
Side novel of The King Henry Tapes
Mistakes: Well written and edited, though a bit slow. I only found one mistake and posted it on Goodreads.
Plot: The truth about why Soto is so crazy.
Characters: I prefer King Henry, however all of the characters are well done.
8/10
Mistakes: Well written and edited, though a bit slow. I only found one mistake and posted it on Goodreads.
Plot: The truth about why Soto is so crazy.
Characters: I prefer King Henry, however all of the characters are well done.
8/10
July 27, 2022
Evelyn Strange and the Very Bad, Horrible, No Good, Bad Day
A great novella in the King Henry Tapes series that deftly moves the plot forward. Evelyn Strange - the doctor at the school - deals with A Situation. This story takes place in the present, not a school years flashback.
A great novella in the King Henry Tapes series that deftly moves the plot forward. Evelyn Strange - the doctor at the school - deals with A Situation. This story takes place in the present, not a school years flashback.
February 17, 2022
Another great book in the series
Another great book in the series. He creates some of my favorite characters. I look forward to the rest of the series.
Another great book in the series. He creates some of my favorite characters. I look forward to the rest of the series.
March 2, 2022
Great Addition
I can’t properly portray how happy I am that this series is back! I plowed through this like it was grass-fed prime rib. Can’t wait for the next installment.
I can’t properly portray how happy I am that this series is back! I plowed through this like it was grass-fed prime rib. Can’t wait for the next installment.
March 4, 2022
I liked it. Not really like the other books, and almost felt more like an informational filler short story than a book in and of itself. Definitely doesn't stand alone well.
March 16, 2025
A rollercoaster read
This novella has brought me to the brink of tears with both comedy and tragedy and provided fantastic insight into the world of the Mancy.
This novella has brought me to the brink of tears with both comedy and tragedy and provided fantastic insight into the world of the Mancy.
July 26, 2025
Much better than the rest of the side books I've read so far, as the characters behave as actual adults and not just an extension of King Henry.
July 26, 2022
A novella that is part of the larger King Henry Tapes series, but really deserves its own shoutout.
Can't really discuss it in detail without huge insane spoilers for everything else in the series, including some of the best moments. But this is by far the best novella / short story alongside the main books (and there have been a Lot, maybe too many, hah).
This one features one of the longest, best, most intricate and well-done fight scenes I've ever read. It's so, so great, and earns this novella the shoutout and independent ranking. And if you've read the main series, you'll know how good some of the action scenes in there are--which hopefully gives you an idea of just how good this one has to be to compete.
Can't really discuss it in detail without huge insane spoilers for everything else in the series, including some of the best moments. But this is by far the best novella / short story alongside the main books (and there have been a Lot, maybe too many, hah).
This one features one of the longest, best, most intricate and well-done fight scenes I've ever read. It's so, so great, and earns this novella the shoutout and independent ranking. And if you've read the main series, you'll know how good some of the action scenes in there are--which hopefully gives you an idea of just how good this one has to be to compete.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews