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Villains & Virtues #2
Summoned to the Wilds
Win a free print copy of this book!
1 day and 05:29:07
25 copies available
U.S. only
She's promised to be loyal, dutiful, and obedient, but to whom?
Lady Ammalie Avington, Baroness of Faebarrow, has discovered the truth, and it should not come as a surprise: the blood mage who threatened, spellbound, and abducted her intends to bring ruin to the realm--the very one she is sworn to serve. It's just a terribly inconvenient fact to learn because, well...he's rather cute.
But it's not safe to pine after the son of a demon, especially not whilst locked up in a tower surrounded by infernal beings and a rival for your affection, nor trapped below ground in a den of beguiling vampires, nor even in the heart of a wild jungle under the tutelage of esoteric witches. Amma just can't help herself around Damien Maleficus Bloodthorne, danger be damned, but, truly, what danger is there? Damien's heart, the one he swears to not have, has been softening right before her eyes. Nevermind the weird smoke that sometimes unwittingly emanates from his hands or that faraway look he gets to his eyes, and a voice she can't hear telling him that he's meant to be a vessel? Surely it's all just a bad dream.
After finally tasting freedom and learning that Amma may have ancient, innate magical powers of her own, why not use them to do exactly as she pleases?
Lady Ammalie Avington, Baroness of Faebarrow, has discovered the truth, and it should not come as a surprise: the blood mage who threatened, spellbound, and abducted her intends to bring ruin to the realm--the very one she is sworn to serve. It's just a terribly inconvenient fact to learn because, well...he's rather cute.
But it's not safe to pine after the son of a demon, especially not whilst locked up in a tower surrounded by infernal beings and a rival for your affection, nor trapped below ground in a den of beguiling vampires, nor even in the heart of a wild jungle under the tutelage of esoteric witches. Amma just can't help herself around Damien Maleficus Bloodthorne, danger be damned, but, truly, what danger is there? Damien's heart, the one he swears to not have, has been softening right before her eyes. Nevermind the weird smoke that sometimes unwittingly emanates from his hands or that faraway look he gets to his eyes, and a voice she can't hear telling him that he's meant to be a vessel? Surely it's all just a bad dream.
After finally tasting freedom and learning that Amma may have ancient, innate magical powers of her own, why not use them to do exactly as she pleases?
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2022
11440 people want to read
About the author
A.K. Caggiano
23 books1,805 followersAshley is an indie author who likes to write silly little stories that hopefully bring readers joy. She likes cats, guacamole, feminism, and the internet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,452 reviews
March 10, 2025
✩ 3.85 stars ✩
What to Expect:
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Mutual Pining
➼ Human x Half Demon Mage
➼ Magical Quest
➼ Opposites Attract
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Vampires, Fae, etc.
➼ Fantasy Rom-Com
➼ Third Person Multi POV
I love Damien and Amma! I enjoyed this one almost as much as the first, but the first half felt a little dry. In this genre, the comedy ratio is so important and the beginning felt a little too serious which had me worried that this might be headed for a lower rating. Thankfully it picked up and the second half mostly made up for it. Her teaching the Fae how to have fun in the snow was my personal favorite. 😅
I also think the sexual tension between Damien and Amma could have been upped a bit, more just for my own personal preference. Since he’s supposed to be evil though, it kind of works that he’s so gentlemanly towards her and can’t fathom that she could reciprocate his feelings. Based on where the book ended, I think the next one will be good! I fully expect her to infiltrate the demon realm with her sweetness next. ☺️
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: Book 1 was so fun that I couldn’t wait to jump into book 2! The ratings are very promising so I’m really hopeful that I’ll like this one just as much! 🖤
What to Expect:
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Mutual Pining
➼ Human x Half Demon Mage
➼ Magical Quest
➼ Opposites Attract
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Vampires, Fae, etc.
➼ Fantasy Rom-Com
➼ Third Person Multi POV
I love Damien and Amma! I enjoyed this one almost as much as the first, but the first half felt a little dry. In this genre, the comedy ratio is so important and the beginning felt a little too serious which had me worried that this might be headed for a lower rating. Thankfully it picked up and the second half mostly made up for it. Her teaching the Fae how to have fun in the snow was my personal favorite. 😅
I also think the sexual tension between Damien and Amma could have been upped a bit, more just for my own personal preference. Since he’s supposed to be evil though, it kind of works that he’s so gentlemanly towards her and can’t fathom that she could reciprocate his feelings. Based on where the book ended, I think the next one will be good! I fully expect her to infiltrate the demon realm with her sweetness next. ☺️
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: Book 1 was so fun that I couldn’t wait to jump into book 2! The ratings are very promising so I’m really hopeful that I’ll like this one just as much! 🖤
July 8, 2024
I know it might sound funny, but these audios/books are just so comforting to me?
September 10, 2023
4.5/5
"Because he did care, and he did feel, and he was going to bloody well prove it to her."
i just want to scream into an endless void about how amazing this book is. i love amma and damien and i love kaz, the world, the realms, the bad parts, the good parts, the infuriating parts, the satisfying parts, everything. there is so much to be said with nothing but positive words of affirmation but i would be here all day and i want to go read the 3rd book literally right now so i'm not going to delve too much on this review
however
once again, i am blown away by a.k. caggiano and her brilliant brain. the quests and journeys that the characters go through and the way she writes them are so gripping and thrilling like i have no clue how i read anything else up to this point until then. the tropes she throws in there are chef's kiss like sign me up for literally everything and anything. feelings realization? one bed? slow burn that's burning so incredibly slow but it being so deliciously patient at the same time? yes please, thank you very much 💖
i'm filling my entire heart with this (insert a long list of synonyms for the word incredible here) series
"Because he did care, and he did feel, and he was going to bloody well prove it to her."
i just want to scream into an endless void about how amazing this book is. i love amma and damien and i love kaz, the world, the realms, the bad parts, the good parts, the infuriating parts, the satisfying parts, everything. there is so much to be said with nothing but positive words of affirmation but i would be here all day and i want to go read the 3rd book literally right now so i'm not going to delve too much on this review
however
once again, i am blown away by a.k. caggiano and her brilliant brain. the quests and journeys that the characters go through and the way she writes them are so gripping and thrilling like i have no clue how i read anything else up to this point until then. the tropes she throws in there are chef's kiss like sign me up for literally everything and anything. feelings realization? one bed? slow burn that's burning so incredibly slow but it being so deliciously patient at the same time? yes please, thank you very much 💖
i'm filling my entire heart with this (insert a long list of synonyms for the word incredible here) series
February 1, 2026
✅ 2 POVs
✅ Grumpy x Sunshine dynamic
✅ Slow burn / Sexual tension
✅ Good banter
✅ Rom-com vibe in a fantasy setting
✅ Magic and action
✅ Half demons, imps, mages, and other creatures
✅ Only one bed
✅ Pace and plot
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: mentions of past sexual abuse (no details, only mentioned), death of a loved one, abduction
🔥 Spice level : 🌶️🌶️ / 5
4.5 stars
While this sequel is very engaging and entertaining, the main plot or quest is getting lost under all the side quests. I do not mind, because I had a good time reading this book; it was cute and funny, but at times, I also felt that there was no endgame for Amma and Damien. Sure, Damien needs to free his father and is looking for a way to do it that does not require him to kill Amma, but I didn’t feel that it was their big quest in this book. Rather, they just jumped from one situation (that was more or less random) to another and just went along with it. So if you prefer books and series that are really plot-driven, this one might not be the best choice for you.
Like the first book, this sequel is a cute, fantasy rom-com, full of magic, action, and funny moments. I never know where the story is going. I think I know what to expect, but every time, something random happens, and I am surprised, but amused by what happens to Amma and Damien. The time they spent in the Everdarque, where Amma taught faes how to enjoy snow, feels so random now that I think about it, but it was just wholesome and somehow fit perfectly in this series. The vampire lair part was awesome, too, and I adore Lycoris. She needs a spinoff, too.
The fact that the plot always seems ready to go off the rails is what gives this series its appeal and addictiveness. A lot happens in this series. As I said previously, the main quest has dissolved into many side plots, and every time one of these side plots would come to an end, I would be surprised to see that I was only halfway through the book, or that I still had 7 chapters left. Amma and Damien can’t catch a break, and that, mixed with the multiple points of view, made it so easy to fly through this book.
I like the fact that even though this series is light and even silly at times, the characters grow and develop well. Both Amma and Damien gained depth in this sequel, and they also changed a lot since they met. Amma has embraced her slightly darker side and is more willing to take what she wants in life. while Damien is at war with himself, because he still claims to be a villain, even though he has been anything but villainous to Amma. Even worse, it seems that he cares about her and her wellbeing, even though he’s been told all his life that demons and half-demons couldn’t feel love.
The slow burn is deliciously torturous. We all know it’s going to happen eventually, but after 2 books, they are still pining after each other, still stealing kisses and touches here and there. Still, there always seems to be something in the way… Or they impose limitations on themselves to protect their feelings. Damien is slowly admitting to his feelings, though, and it is only a question of time before Amma manages to convince him that he will not ruin her and that she truly wants him, too, so he should take her.
The yearning and banter between Amma and Damien are delicious. Damien is still trying to do the right thing for Amma and to keep her at arm’s length, while she is trying her best to seduce him and convince him to give in to his attraction. When it finally happens, sparks will fly between those two. That being said, the sexual tension still could have been upped a bit in this sequel. It was good, but it could have been even more intense with the situations they found themselves in. Thankfully, the delightful banter was there throughout the book, and it was still smooth and natural. It didn’t feel forced or cringey, as is sometimes the case with this type of dynamic between main characters.
I liked Xander, but I expected to love him more. He is an intriguing character, and I know he has his spinoff book, so he will surely remain important to the story, but I was hoping for a little more. He is funny, unpredictable, and ruthless, but I still feel that something was missing for me to really care about him, despite his role as a “bad guy”.
I am happy that this series is completed, so I don’t have to wait to read the third book. I can’t wait to see where the author will take Amma and Damien, and what crazy plot twists they will encounter before they finally manage to complete (or try to complete) their quest.
1.Throne in the Dark ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
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✅ Grumpy x Sunshine dynamic
✅ Slow burn / Sexual tension
✅ Good banter
✅ Rom-com vibe in a fantasy setting
✅ Magic and action
✅ Half demons, imps, mages, and other creatures
✅ Only one bed
✅ Pace and plot
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: mentions of past sexual abuse (no details, only mentioned), death of a loved one, abduction
🔥 Spice level : 🌶️🌶️ / 5
4.5 stars
To come to her rescue yet again at great peril to himself and everything he’d worked for? He would surely be sick of how abductable she was by now—she was certainly sick of it.
While this sequel is very engaging and entertaining, the main plot or quest is getting lost under all the side quests. I do not mind, because I had a good time reading this book; it was cute and funny, but at times, I also felt that there was no endgame for Amma and Damien. Sure, Damien needs to free his father and is looking for a way to do it that does not require him to kill Amma, but I didn’t feel that it was their big quest in this book. Rather, they just jumped from one situation (that was more or less random) to another and just went along with it. So if you prefer books and series that are really plot-driven, this one might not be the best choice for you.
Like the first book, this sequel is a cute, fantasy rom-com, full of magic, action, and funny moments. I never know where the story is going. I think I know what to expect, but every time, something random happens, and I am surprised, but amused by what happens to Amma and Damien. The time they spent in the Everdarque, where Amma taught faes how to enjoy snow, feels so random now that I think about it, but it was just wholesome and somehow fit perfectly in this series. The vampire lair part was awesome, too, and I adore Lycoris. She needs a spinoff, too.
"Fuck off", said the tree, and Amma actually gasped, eyes popping open.
“What happened, dear?”
“The tree told me to fuck off.”
The fact that the plot always seems ready to go off the rails is what gives this series its appeal and addictiveness. A lot happens in this series. As I said previously, the main quest has dissolved into many side plots, and every time one of these side plots would come to an end, I would be surprised to see that I was only halfway through the book, or that I still had 7 chapters left. Amma and Damien can’t catch a break, and that, mixed with the multiple points of view, made it so easy to fly through this book.
In just a moon, your painfully sweet voice has challenged all of my darkest thoughts, your wildly inaccurate yet optimistic outlook has clouded my sight, and your incessant kindness to me—to someone who deserves not a drop of your patience and affection and good will—has undone twenty-seven years of training to be evil.
I like the fact that even though this series is light and even silly at times, the characters grow and develop well. Both Amma and Damien gained depth in this sequel, and they also changed a lot since they met. Amma has embraced her slightly darker side and is more willing to take what she wants in life. while Damien is at war with himself, because he still claims to be a villain, even though he has been anything but villainous to Amma. Even worse, it seems that he cares about her and her wellbeing, even though he’s been told all his life that demons and half-demons couldn’t feel love.
“You came for me,” she whispered up against his mouth. His fingertips grazed her temple, smoothing away hair that had fallen in her face, and he pressed another kiss to her lips.
“You called. How could I not?”
She thrashed against the bindings around her wrists in a useless effort to escape them and cried out, “Gods, Damien, for goodness’s sake, that’s so stupid and noble! Please just take advantage of me!”
The slow burn is deliciously torturous. We all know it’s going to happen eventually, but after 2 books, they are still pining after each other, still stealing kisses and touches here and there. Still, there always seems to be something in the way… Or they impose limitations on themselves to protect their feelings. Damien is slowly admitting to his feelings, though, and it is only a question of time before Amma manages to convince him that he will not ruin her and that she truly wants him, too, so he should take her.
“If I do to you what you want me to do, you’re not going to be able to walk for at least a week, and I’m not carrying you through The Wilds.”
“Is that supposed to be discouraging?” she squealed, squeezing her thighs together, all the relief she could get with her hands tied. “I can’t believe it—you really are evil.”
“I know,” he droned. “I do keep saying.”
Amma couldn’t help but grin up at the ceiling.
The yearning and banter between Amma and Damien are delicious. Damien is still trying to do the right thing for Amma and to keep her at arm’s length, while she is trying her best to seduce him and convince him to give in to his attraction. When it finally happens, sparks will fly between those two. That being said, the sexual tension still could have been upped a bit in this sequel. It was good, but it could have been even more intense with the situations they found themselves in. Thankfully, the delightful banter was there throughout the book, and it was still smooth and natural. It didn’t feel forced or cringey, as is sometimes the case with this type of dynamic between main characters.
I liked Xander, but I expected to love him more. He is an intriguing character, and I know he has his spinoff book, so he will surely remain important to the story, but I was hoping for a little more. He is funny, unpredictable, and ruthless, but I still feel that something was missing for me to really care about him, despite his role as a “bad guy”.
I am happy that this series is completed, so I don’t have to wait to read the third book. I can’t wait to see where the author will take Amma and Damien, and what crazy plot twists they will encounter before they finally manage to complete (or try to complete) their quest.
1.Throne in the Dark ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
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June 22, 2024
“What happened?” she asked, voice a whisper as she touched his cheek.
He turned ever so slightly into her palm. “Oh, nothing, only a bit of banishment,” he said, voice a rumble. “Have they been good to you here?”
The threat in his tone sent a shiver through her.
"Yes, of course. And were they kind to you, or do I need to put a crossbow bolt between someone’s eyes?”
He let out a single, low laugh. “Darkness, no, but be careful with those offers—I might concoct some falsehood just to see you do it.”
I want nothing but the best for these two and if they don't get it, I will cry.
Grumbling, she fidgeted on the bed, the linens shuffling. “Well, did she stop when you told her to?”
"Yes, of course she did.” He snorted, grinning wider. “Do you intend to defend my honor, Baroness?”
Amma’s shadow fell still, and then she shifted to lay back down, her form disappearing from the drapes. “Well, someone should if need be.”
Just fucking tear out my heart and use it as a chew toy. I CANNOT.
And that ending? 👀 A.K. Caggiano, you fucking tease. I'll be seeing you in that third installation and I'll be expecting some things.
He turned ever so slightly into her palm. “Oh, nothing, only a bit of banishment,” he said, voice a rumble. “Have they been good to you here?”
The threat in his tone sent a shiver through her.
"Yes, of course. And were they kind to you, or do I need to put a crossbow bolt between someone’s eyes?”
He let out a single, low laugh. “Darkness, no, but be careful with those offers—I might concoct some falsehood just to see you do it.”
I want nothing but the best for these two and if they don't get it, I will cry.
Grumbling, she fidgeted on the bed, the linens shuffling. “Well, did she stop when you told her to?”
"Yes, of course she did.” He snorted, grinning wider. “Do you intend to defend my honor, Baroness?”
Amma’s shadow fell still, and then she shifted to lay back down, her form disappearing from the drapes. “Well, someone should if need be.”
Just fucking tear out my heart and use it as a chew toy. I CANNOT.
And that ending? 👀 A.K. Caggiano, you fucking tease. I'll be seeing you in that third installation and I'll be expecting some things.
December 5, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
“You came for me,” she whispered up against his mouth. His fingertips grazed her temple, smoothing away hair that had fallen in her face, and he pressed another kiss to her lips. “You called. How could I not?”
While I very much enjoyed the continuation of this story and look forward to the third and final book, I do feel like it suffered a bit of middle book syndrome. The slow burn is exquisitely done, to the point it’s quite agonizing. I do appreciate the overarching theme of consent.
“You came for me,” she whispered up against his mouth. His fingertips grazed her temple, smoothing away hair that had fallen in her face, and he pressed another kiss to her lips. “You called. How could I not?”
While I very much enjoyed the continuation of this story and look forward to the third and final book, I do feel like it suffered a bit of middle book syndrome. The slow burn is exquisitely done, to the point it’s quite agonizing. I do appreciate the overarching theme of consent.
November 30, 2022
I loved the back and forth between Amma and Damien. How they both had these feelings for each other but didn’t know to express themselves
I cheered when they finally kissed and then cursed when it was forgotten to just a dream. And cheered so loudly when it truly happened. Such a slow burn- so much tension.
Damien wants to be the villain but being with Amma has soften him. And it is really the sweetest thing to witness that change.
Amma is becoming such a bassass. No spoilers- but I couldn’t be more happy than how things turned out with a certain loser.
My heart goes out to Kaz! I loved that he had a choice (but not really) and he chose so wisely.
I can’t wait to hear more about Damien’s past and mother.
(You need to read book 1 first to better understand this book)
I will continue to think about Damien and Amma until book three comes out.
I cheered when they finally kissed and then cursed when it was forgotten to just a dream. And cheered so loudly when it truly happened. Such a slow burn- so much tension.
Damien wants to be the villain but being with Amma has soften him. And it is really the sweetest thing to witness that change.
Amma is becoming such a bassass. No spoilers- but I couldn’t be more happy than how things turned out with a certain loser.
My heart goes out to Kaz! I loved that he had a choice (but not really) and he chose so wisely.
I can’t wait to hear more about Damien’s past and mother.
(You need to read book 1 first to better understand this book)
I will continue to think about Damien and Amma until book three comes out.
November 17, 2024
The humor was top-tier. Damian and Amma were everything.
July 31, 2024
This continues the journey of Amma and her irresistibly intriguing former-captor, Damien. In this sequel, Amma finds herself navigating a maze of dangerous situations, all while continuing to grapple with her unexpected attraction to Damien, the son of a demon.
And she's not the only one.
The tension between them is palpable, and Caggiano masterfully balances the humor and seriousness of their relationship. Amma’s internal struggle between duty and desire adds depth to her character, making her relatable and endearing. Damien, with his mysterious aura and hints of vulnerability, complements Amma perfectly, creating a dynamic that is both compelling and heartwarming. These two are everything and this is going to absolutely be a comfort read for me. It remains the slowest of burns, but seriously - you won't care because the banter and yearning are so amazing.
The humor is spot on, providing a delightful counterpoint to the darker elements of the story. And even when the plot seems to be going off the rails, it only ADDS to the charm of this story. Caggiano's storytelling shines with its blend of wit and seriousness. The humor is spot on, providing a delightful counterpoint to the darker elements of the narrative. The world-building is rich and immersive, drawing readers into a realm filled with magic, danger, and intrigue. The supporting characters, too, are well-crafted, adding layers to the story and sometimes even stealing the show.
One of the standout aspects of this book is its ability to maintain a delicate balance between the fantastical elements and the very human emotions of its characters. Amma’s journey is captivating, and her growth throughout the story is satisfying to witness. Overall, Summoned to the Wilds is a delightful continuation of a charming series. It’s a perfect comfort read, blending humor, romance, and adventure in a way that feels both fresh and familiar. If you loved the first book, you’ll find this sequel just as enchanting, if not more so. It’s a tale of love, magic, and self-discovery that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next.
And she's not the only one.
The tension between them is palpable, and Caggiano masterfully balances the humor and seriousness of their relationship. Amma’s internal struggle between duty and desire adds depth to her character, making her relatable and endearing. Damien, with his mysterious aura and hints of vulnerability, complements Amma perfectly, creating a dynamic that is both compelling and heartwarming. These two are everything and this is going to absolutely be a comfort read for me. It remains the slowest of burns, but seriously - you won't care because the banter and yearning are so amazing.
The humor is spot on, providing a delightful counterpoint to the darker elements of the story. And even when the plot seems to be going off the rails, it only ADDS to the charm of this story. Caggiano's storytelling shines with its blend of wit and seriousness. The humor is spot on, providing a delightful counterpoint to the darker elements of the narrative. The world-building is rich and immersive, drawing readers into a realm filled with magic, danger, and intrigue. The supporting characters, too, are well-crafted, adding layers to the story and sometimes even stealing the show.
One of the standout aspects of this book is its ability to maintain a delicate balance between the fantastical elements and the very human emotions of its characters. Amma’s journey is captivating, and her growth throughout the story is satisfying to witness. Overall, Summoned to the Wilds is a delightful continuation of a charming series. It’s a perfect comfort read, blending humor, romance, and adventure in a way that feels both fresh and familiar. If you loved the first book, you’ll find this sequel just as enchanting, if not more so. It’s a tale of love, magic, and self-discovery that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next.
June 7, 2024
The second book was better in every way than the first one, and much more fun too. Their banter, in particular, made me laugh. I am enjoying this series more than I expected.
October 16, 2023
Please. Give me peace.
August 7, 2024
I never want this series to end.
September 13, 2025
How if feels to finish a 5 star sequel to a 5 star first book
Telling your long time demon acquaintance that you might be interested in the concept of friendship
Matriarcal vampire lair!
Planning a party for Wil
Ready for Yvlcon
Telling your long time demon acquaintance that you might be interested in the concept of friendship
Matriarcal vampire lair!
Planning a party for Wil
Ready for Yvlcon
December 8, 2022
Summoned to the Wilds is such a delightful read! I haven't read a good slow burn book in a while and this certainly is a well written one. The sexual tension between Damien and Amma 😍 We got to be introduced to new characters and planes in this book and I'm so excited for the third book! I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a good slow burn romance with the tropes grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity and one bed etc!
September 15, 2025
Forse un po' troppo episodico e filler, ma mi sorbirei 59 episodi filler di questi personaggi che imbiancano casa. Il tira e molla e lo slow burn potrebbe portarvi a sbattere ripetutamente la testa contro al muro. Eccellente, proprio quello che cerco io.
November 13, 2024
I struggled through the first one but the cliffhanger ending was enough to compel me to read the second book. I will not, however, be reading the third.
• There is NO consistent scenery or characters outside of Damien and Amma. These two flit about from place to place, always with a new setting and new cast of characters. I can’t remember anyone’s names. There is hardly enough time to give them any true qualities. As soon as we start to get invested in someone, Damien and Amma are off to another location.
• So much telling, not showing about how Damien is evil. He put the talisman into Amma to free his father. This shackled them together and put the pressure on Damien to eventually kill Amma. A true recipe for enemies to lovers. But Damien’s father is BARELY mentioned at all in this book, let alone the concern that he has to kill her. Damien spends the entire book trying to help Amma master her powers and/or remove the talisman from her.
• Speaking of powers—Amma spends like 3 chapters studying under the witches before moving on to the next location. We see almost no training. No struggle with her power. She climbs a big tree and that’s about it. I still don’t fully understand her powers. The power to control plants???
• I love a good heroine who is soft and gentle and privileged and thrust into a dark and rough world, and uses her kindness and privileged upbringing for good. Amma is not that. She is suddenly skilled with a crossbow after one training session. Yet repeatedly calls herself a damsel in distress? I don’t understand her character arc.
• The romance went past slow burn and into boring territory. If this is a fantasy romance I need the main characters to do more than just kiss. And what is up with Amma constantly throwing herself at Damien whenever she’s under the influence of something? It gave me the ick for sure.
• Is nobody going to talk about how the ending of this book is Damien going to Yvlcon (pronounced EVIL-CON) what is this, comic con for demons?!
• There is NO consistent scenery or characters outside of Damien and Amma. These two flit about from place to place, always with a new setting and new cast of characters. I can’t remember anyone’s names. There is hardly enough time to give them any true qualities. As soon as we start to get invested in someone, Damien and Amma are off to another location.
• So much telling, not showing about how Damien is evil. He put the talisman into Amma to free his father. This shackled them together and put the pressure on Damien to eventually kill Amma. A true recipe for enemies to lovers. But Damien’s father is BARELY mentioned at all in this book, let alone the concern that he has to kill her. Damien spends the entire book trying to help Amma master her powers and/or remove the talisman from her.
• Speaking of powers—Amma spends like 3 chapters studying under the witches before moving on to the next location. We see almost no training. No struggle with her power. She climbs a big tree and that’s about it. I still don’t fully understand her powers. The power to control plants???
• I love a good heroine who is soft and gentle and privileged and thrust into a dark and rough world, and uses her kindness and privileged upbringing for good. Amma is not that. She is suddenly skilled with a crossbow after one training session. Yet repeatedly calls herself a damsel in distress? I don’t understand her character arc.
• The romance went past slow burn and into boring territory. If this is a fantasy romance I need the main characters to do more than just kiss. And what is up with Amma constantly throwing herself at Damien whenever she’s under the influence of something? It gave me the ick for sure.
• Is nobody going to talk about how the ending of this book is Damien going to Yvlcon (pronounced EVIL-CON) what is this, comic con for demons?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2025
“In just a moon, your painfully sweet voice has challenged all of my darkest thoughts, your wildly inaccurate yet optimistic outlook has clouded my sight, and your incessant kindness to me – to someone who deserves not a drop of your patience and affection and good will – has undone twenty-seven years of training to be evil. For darkness’s sake, woman, you’ve made me good.”
That’s it. That’s the tweet.
JK.
A.K. Caggiano, how dare you!! I’m already itching to start book 3 because of that ending.
While I enjoyed this less than book 1, Amma and Damien’s relationship continues to be the strongest part of these books. They are the definition of a true forbidden love and slow burn couple that spans across two books.
I enjoyed Amma a lot more in this one. She’s feistier, more assertive and domineering. But besides that, her feelings and outbursts felt really valid. I genuinely felt sorry for her with how vulnerable she thinks she is around Damien, and it led to a lot of angst between them that broke my heart.
And Damien, oh my grumpy lil blood mage, how soft you’ve become. Quoting Damien himself – man is utterly and unconditionally in love with Amma, and I am a FAN. Evil and villainous blood mage, who? He’s just a little cutie patootie who becomes a little softie and awkward lil puppy when it comes to love. No, seriously though, Damien’s character development has been so amazing. I can easily see this series becoming a comfort read. Caggiano really handles these characters with care and she knows how to progress character relationships organically.
My favorite part of their relationship is that they don’t have to say, “I love you” to prove their love when it’s so visibly present in their actions that show just how much they care for each other. The slow burn is so good it doesn’t rely on them making out, but showcases their love in the more tender moments; growing comfortable in each other’s company, comforting one another through a lot of hurt/comfort, as well as the tender touching of hands, and fond, gentle glances. The unsaid words between them are so much more powerful than them confessing how they really feel. They bring out the best in each other and the most vulnerable parts of themselves, too. Especially DAMIEN. The way he becomes a kid again with Amma because he’s never had anyone that cared for him, MY SHAYLA. This is genuinely the best pining and longing I’ve read about in a long time. Amma and Damien might be the new blueprint for slow burn. This book broke my heart and stitched it back together in the best way possible.
I wasn’t expecting this book to have so much angst. I don’t think I’ve felt this way since Once Upon a Broken Heart with EvaJacks, but the forbidden love was off the charts. I just want Amma and Damien to be happy, they truly deserve the world.
So, what didn’t I like about this book?? Unfortunately, while I loved the romance as usual, the plot was all over the place in this one. The plot was super messy and lacked direction. It felt like Amma and Damien were going from location to location, but it felt like a lot of filler and I wasn’t sure how it progressed the plot. I could feel my attention waning from time to time and definitely felt the pacing drag for this one. I wanted things to get to the point quicker. I do think it picked up in the second half, though, and enjoyed the fae plotline since it led to some really great characterisation between Amma and Damien. That, to me, felt purposeful.
I also did miss the electrifying banter between Amma and Damien from the first book. This Damien is definitely a lot sweeter, so even though I adore sweet!Damien and loved the wholesome vibes to this one, I missed how entertaining it was when they used to bicker and banter all the time in the first book, but I think that is definitely personal preference.
That’s it. That’s the tweet.
JK.
A.K. Caggiano, how dare you!! I’m already itching to start book 3 because of that ending.
While I enjoyed this less than book 1, Amma and Damien’s relationship continues to be the strongest part of these books. They are the definition of a true forbidden love and slow burn couple that spans across two books.
I enjoyed Amma a lot more in this one. She’s feistier, more assertive and domineering. But besides that, her feelings and outbursts felt really valid. I genuinely felt sorry for her with how vulnerable she thinks she is around Damien, and it led to a lot of angst between them that broke my heart.
And Damien, oh my grumpy lil blood mage, how soft you’ve become. Quoting Damien himself – man is utterly and unconditionally in love with Amma, and I am a FAN. Evil and villainous blood mage, who? He’s just a little cutie patootie who becomes a little softie and awkward lil puppy when it comes to love. No, seriously though, Damien’s character development has been so amazing. I can easily see this series becoming a comfort read. Caggiano really handles these characters with care and she knows how to progress character relationships organically.
My favorite part of their relationship is that they don’t have to say, “I love you” to prove their love when it’s so visibly present in their actions that show just how much they care for each other. The slow burn is so good it doesn’t rely on them making out, but showcases their love in the more tender moments; growing comfortable in each other’s company, comforting one another through a lot of hurt/comfort, as well as the tender touching of hands, and fond, gentle glances. The unsaid words between them are so much more powerful than them confessing how they really feel. They bring out the best in each other and the most vulnerable parts of themselves, too. Especially DAMIEN. The way he becomes a kid again with Amma because he’s never had anyone that cared for him, MY SHAYLA. This is genuinely the best pining and longing I’ve read about in a long time. Amma and Damien might be the new blueprint for slow burn. This book broke my heart and stitched it back together in the best way possible.
I wasn’t expecting this book to have so much angst. I don’t think I’ve felt this way since Once Upon a Broken Heart with EvaJacks, but the forbidden love was off the charts. I just want Amma and Damien to be happy, they truly deserve the world.
So, what didn’t I like about this book?? Unfortunately, while I loved the romance as usual, the plot was all over the place in this one. The plot was super messy and lacked direction. It felt like Amma and Damien were going from location to location, but it felt like a lot of filler and I wasn’t sure how it progressed the plot. I could feel my attention waning from time to time and definitely felt the pacing drag for this one. I wanted things to get to the point quicker. I do think it picked up in the second half, though, and enjoyed the fae plotline since it led to some really great characterisation between Amma and Damien. That, to me, felt purposeful.
I also did miss the electrifying banter between Amma and Damien from the first book. This Damien is definitely a lot sweeter, so even though I adore sweet!Damien and loved the wholesome vibes to this one, I missed how entertaining it was when they used to bicker and banter all the time in the first book, but I think that is definitely personal preference.
November 18, 2023
4.5 stars, they are a great couple. But this hellish slow burn is ruining my investment in the series. There is so much going on and I appreciate the humor but the spice is disappearing fast since I skim over every "almost" love scene because I know it gets rudely interrupted. Its the worst kind of edging! LOL.
Anyway- highlights and spoilers ahead. This is the middle book of 3 and it is a strong one that carries the story on. Damien keeps trying to find a solution to retrieve the talisman without killing Amma and so it keeps delaying everything. Amma gets a chance to experiment with her powers and Cedric eventually gets his due.
After all they have been thru, Amma has no problem saying what she needs to:
What in the Abyss were they doing?
“I can’t take it anymore!” Amma squeaked, and both men jerked toward her, thrown from their ridiculous game. “Someone say something!” (Villains, sheesh)
Damien has to explain to his Dad (who sounds like a super chill dude for the Demon Lord) about the situation:
“What’s wrong, son? Did that little Shadowhart prick drug you?”
Damien tugged the corners of his mouth down, eyes flicking to the plate of food and back. “No, Dad, I’m not that stupid.”
“Huh, well I’ve never seen you look so cheery, so I thought—”
“Nevermind. I just needed to explain that I’m off schedule.”
They have to shelter with Xander in order to translate the tome:
“Oh, no.” Damien cut through the air with his hand. “I’ve seen your Chthonic, it’s abysmal.”
“Of course it’s Abyssal,” Xander snapped. “That’s where it comes from.”
“Abysmal,” Damien stressed. “Terrible, illegible, bad. I’ll do the translations, and you take a turn at dictation.”
Kaz still tries to resist Amma's charm:
Left alone with Kaz, Amma sighed. “Kaz, I don’t want to hurt anybody, especially not Damien, I just want to understand.”
“That is what they all say,” Kaz grumbled, and then added, “trollop,” for good measure before stalking out into the parlor.
Damien is turning "good" and Amma is becoming a bit "bad" and that is very desirable to Damien:
Damien followed, disappointed that how he felt was distracting him from fully appreciating her willingness to misbehave.
They had to steal an artifact which turned out to be a baby:
Amma’s hands fell back to her sides, and all the anxiety went out of her voice. “Why would I know, Damien?”
He glanced back to the chamber through the door’s crack, still empty, but for how long with the spawn’s cries rising? “Because you’re, you know, kind and…and nurturing? Also you happen to have breasts.”
Amma glared at him and poked herself in the chest. “These aren’t working, they’re just for show!”
“I just, I mean—” Damien rubbed his forehead, the child’s cries, the temple’s aura, and his own stupid words making him as inarticulate as he’d ever been. “They’re warm and nice to be pressed against. That’s what spawn are fond of, no?”
One of the infamous "almost" sex scenes:
“No, you’re wrong,” she said, shaking her head vigorously, and then she snickered. “Come on, Damien, show me if you have a tail or not.”
------------
She thrashed against the bindings around her wrists in a useless effort to escape them and cried out, “Gods, Damien, for goodness’s sake, that’s so stupid and noble! Please just take advantage of me!”
-----------
"In just a moon, your painfully sweet voice has challenged all of my darkest thoughts, your wildly inaccurate yet optimistic outlook has clouded my sight, and your incessant kindness to me—to someone who deserves not a drop of your patience and affection and good will—has undone twenty-seven years of training to be evil. For darkness’s sake, woman, you’ve made me good, and believe when I say that it feels like falling interminably through the Abyss every moment I am not burying my cock in you, but I could not bear it if you woke tomorrow and thought I had hurt you.” Amma’s eyes went wide, breath refusing to come. And then a giggle broke out of her without permission.
-------------
“If I do to you what you want me to do, you’re not going to be able to walk for at least a week, and I’m not carrying you through The Wilds.”
“Is that supposed to be discouraging?” she squealed, squeezing her thighs together, all the relief she could get with her hands tied. “I can’t believe it—you really are evil.”
“I know,” he droned. “I do keep saying.” Amma couldn’t help but grin up at the ceiling.
They make a visit to the ever running joke "Everdark/Everdarque":
“They seemed fairly obvious to me, but sort of extraordinary to him, so I thought, at first, he had gone a little mad with no other fae around since all he does is sit around playing with himself.”
The copper mug in Damien’s hand almost gave way under his grip. “He told you that?”
And his realization smack in his face:
Her voice broke back into the quiet. “I’m sorry I was weak.”
“Do not be sorry, Amma,” he said with none of the usual exasperation of that sentiment, pushing himself up to sit as a distraction from the other things, the syrupy, heartfelt things, that he wanted perilously to say.
“But you still don’t have the talisman.”
“I would rather have—” Damien cut himself off, eyes wide and staring into the darkness of the room. You.
Damien orders her unthinkingly and the repercussions is bad:
With no cutting words from the imp about how they should both be glad to be free of Amma’s presence, Damien knew he had truly fucked up.
She gets captured and taken to Cedric, her worst fears, and it leads to the loss of our beloved Kaz:
To come to her rescue yet again at great peril to himself and everything he’d worked for?
He would surely be sick of how abductable she was by now—she was certainly sick of it.
-----------
“You came for me,” she whispered up against his mouth. His fingertips grazed her temple, smoothing away hair that had fallen in her face, and he pressed another kiss to her lips. “You called. How could I not?”
Cliffhanger ending, at Yvolcon:
do not even speak, without my permission.”
“What? How am I—”
“Ah, no, stop.” His voice lowered, colder, darker, as he leaned down, the blue light shining upward and casting eerie shadows over his face. “What did I just say?”
She opened her mouth then clamped it back shut, glaring at him.
He waited a moment, and then the corner of his mouth twitched up with just the ghost of a smirk. “Exactly.”
“You must be feeling better.”
“Amma,” he snapped, and she quieted again, crossing her arms and twisting her features up into a snarl. He took a patient if irritated breath.
And on to the next book where the *might* have sex but it is not high on my expectations list. I just want to wrap the series at this point and move on!
Anyway- highlights and spoilers ahead. This is the middle book of 3 and it is a strong one that carries the story on. Damien keeps trying to find a solution to retrieve the talisman without killing Amma and so it keeps delaying everything. Amma gets a chance to experiment with her powers and Cedric eventually gets his due.
After all they have been thru, Amma has no problem saying what she needs to:
What in the Abyss were they doing?
“I can’t take it anymore!” Amma squeaked, and both men jerked toward her, thrown from their ridiculous game. “Someone say something!” (Villains, sheesh)
Damien has to explain to his Dad (who sounds like a super chill dude for the Demon Lord) about the situation:
“What’s wrong, son? Did that little Shadowhart prick drug you?”
Damien tugged the corners of his mouth down, eyes flicking to the plate of food and back. “No, Dad, I’m not that stupid.”
“Huh, well I’ve never seen you look so cheery, so I thought—”
“Nevermind. I just needed to explain that I’m off schedule.”
They have to shelter with Xander in order to translate the tome:
“Oh, no.” Damien cut through the air with his hand. “I’ve seen your Chthonic, it’s abysmal.”
“Of course it’s Abyssal,” Xander snapped. “That’s where it comes from.”
“Abysmal,” Damien stressed. “Terrible, illegible, bad. I’ll do the translations, and you take a turn at dictation.”
Kaz still tries to resist Amma's charm:
Left alone with Kaz, Amma sighed. “Kaz, I don’t want to hurt anybody, especially not Damien, I just want to understand.”
“That is what they all say,” Kaz grumbled, and then added, “trollop,” for good measure before stalking out into the parlor.
Damien is turning "good" and Amma is becoming a bit "bad" and that is very desirable to Damien:
Damien followed, disappointed that how he felt was distracting him from fully appreciating her willingness to misbehave.
They had to steal an artifact which turned out to be a baby:
Amma’s hands fell back to her sides, and all the anxiety went out of her voice. “Why would I know, Damien?”
He glanced back to the chamber through the door’s crack, still empty, but for how long with the spawn’s cries rising? “Because you’re, you know, kind and…and nurturing? Also you happen to have breasts.”
Amma glared at him and poked herself in the chest. “These aren’t working, they’re just for show!”
“I just, I mean—” Damien rubbed his forehead, the child’s cries, the temple’s aura, and his own stupid words making him as inarticulate as he’d ever been. “They’re warm and nice to be pressed against. That’s what spawn are fond of, no?”
One of the infamous "almost" sex scenes:
“No, you’re wrong,” she said, shaking her head vigorously, and then she snickered. “Come on, Damien, show me if you have a tail or not.”
------------
She thrashed against the bindings around her wrists in a useless effort to escape them and cried out, “Gods, Damien, for goodness’s sake, that’s so stupid and noble! Please just take advantage of me!”
-----------
"In just a moon, your painfully sweet voice has challenged all of my darkest thoughts, your wildly inaccurate yet optimistic outlook has clouded my sight, and your incessant kindness to me—to someone who deserves not a drop of your patience and affection and good will—has undone twenty-seven years of training to be evil. For darkness’s sake, woman, you’ve made me good, and believe when I say that it feels like falling interminably through the Abyss every moment I am not burying my cock in you, but I could not bear it if you woke tomorrow and thought I had hurt you.” Amma’s eyes went wide, breath refusing to come. And then a giggle broke out of her without permission.
-------------
“If I do to you what you want me to do, you’re not going to be able to walk for at least a week, and I’m not carrying you through The Wilds.”
“Is that supposed to be discouraging?” she squealed, squeezing her thighs together, all the relief she could get with her hands tied. “I can’t believe it—you really are evil.”
“I know,” he droned. “I do keep saying.” Amma couldn’t help but grin up at the ceiling.
They make a visit to the ever running joke "Everdark/Everdarque":
“They seemed fairly obvious to me, but sort of extraordinary to him, so I thought, at first, he had gone a little mad with no other fae around since all he does is sit around playing with himself.”
The copper mug in Damien’s hand almost gave way under his grip. “He told you that?”
And his realization smack in his face:
Her voice broke back into the quiet. “I’m sorry I was weak.”
“Do not be sorry, Amma,” he said with none of the usual exasperation of that sentiment, pushing himself up to sit as a distraction from the other things, the syrupy, heartfelt things, that he wanted perilously to say.
“But you still don’t have the talisman.”
“I would rather have—” Damien cut himself off, eyes wide and staring into the darkness of the room. You.
Damien orders her unthinkingly and the repercussions is bad:
With no cutting words from the imp about how they should both be glad to be free of Amma’s presence, Damien knew he had truly fucked up.
She gets captured and taken to Cedric, her worst fears, and it leads to the loss of our beloved Kaz:
To come to her rescue yet again at great peril to himself and everything he’d worked for?
He would surely be sick of how abductable she was by now—she was certainly sick of it.
-----------
“You came for me,” she whispered up against his mouth. His fingertips grazed her temple, smoothing away hair that had fallen in her face, and he pressed another kiss to her lips. “You called. How could I not?”
Cliffhanger ending, at Yvolcon:
do not even speak, without my permission.”
“What? How am I—”
“Ah, no, stop.” His voice lowered, colder, darker, as he leaned down, the blue light shining upward and casting eerie shadows over his face. “What did I just say?”
She opened her mouth then clamped it back shut, glaring at him.
He waited a moment, and then the corner of his mouth twitched up with just the ghost of a smirk. “Exactly.”
“You must be feeling better.”
“Amma,” he snapped, and she quieted again, crossing her arms and twisting her features up into a snarl. He took a patient if irritated breath.
And on to the next book where the *might* have sex but it is not high on my expectations list. I just want to wrap the series at this point and move on!
September 7, 2024
I wasn’t expecting very much from this book after my slightly better-than-lukewarm feelings about book one, and I got exactly what I thought I was getting with Summoned to the Wilds. Book 1, Throne in the Dark, had an interesting set-up, but ultimately failed to wow me in any way. I enjoyed the characters, but found everything else about the story very lackluster. That’s exactly how I felt about this sequel. In fact, this book took me a good half a month to read because the story was just not captivating enough. I didn’t care much for where the plot was going, and I still find the world and magic system completely one-dimensional. My one big thing is that I do really like the characters as well as the two MC’s romance. I love how much Amma influences Damien to be better, and how utterly obsessed he is with her. So I will probably end up reading the last book just to finish off the series. The ending was interesting enough, and I’m kind of excited for this couple to finally get it on (because the slow burn was slowwww burning). But this is definitely not a fantasy romance series to write home about.
January 4, 2025
“There is a certain unkindness to our duties in life, isn’t there. ”
Esta va a ser una reseña corta porque poco he de decir sin destripar la historia. Me ha gustado de igual manera que el primero de la trilogía. Siento que es mucho más consistente que el primero y me lo he pasado en grande. No he podido parar de leerlo.
Completamente recomendado.
Esta va a ser una reseña corta porque poco he de decir sin destripar la historia. Me ha gustado de igual manera que el primero de la trilogía. Siento que es mucho más consistente que el primero y me lo he pasado en grande. No he podido parar de leerlo.
Completamente recomendado.
May 18, 2023
AMIGAAAAS ESTE LIBRO 😍 NO SABEN DE LO QUE SE ESTÁN PERDIENDO SI AÚN NO LO LEEN... LÉANLO POR FAVOR 🙏🏼
Lo mucho que fangirleé con este libro, amé cada segundo leyéndolo ✨
Lo mucho que fangirleé con este libro, amé cada segundo leyéndolo ✨
November 10, 2024
Another potentially wonderful KU novel bogged down by being entirely too long. It's hard to slog through parts of this to get to the real meat. Frankly, there's not much story here that seems to matter. Much of this is a retread of the plot and themes from the first book and the most important parts of this installment are barely given room to breathe under the weight of all the filler. The main storylines here should be Amma's discovery and and Damien's desperation to find a way to but they're the tiniest fraction of this.
Damien is so passive in this book that he comes off as kind of pathetic. Does he His motivations and feelings are weak. It's hard to believe he's ever been evil or that he was working passionately towards any kind of goal before the novels began. Instead of actively doing the things they need to do, the characters visit some other supernatural creatures. These guys might be important eventually but are here for no reason in particular. All of the stuff Amma contemplates with them could have been contemplated when she visits
I skimmed huge chunks of this and was annoyed by the end. This could have been an amazing 325 page book, but it's so bloated and overstuffed that the big moments feel small. There's two major threats to Amma, but there's no sense of danger. Damien has worked his whole life towards one goal, but there's no torn loyalty here or guilt or stress over his sudden change in priorities. These two just faff around making moon eyes at each other and the moment they make any actual progress on their relationship the author magics it away. Why are we treading water in the love story? That should be a driving force, but it absolutely isn't.
I'm undecided as to whether or not to continue. There's something really fun buried in this, but digging it out makes it a chore and not a pleasure to read.
Damien is so passive in this book that he comes off as kind of pathetic. Does he His motivations and feelings are weak. It's hard to believe he's ever been evil or that he was working passionately towards any kind of goal before the novels began. Instead of actively doing the things they need to do, the characters visit some other supernatural creatures. These guys might be important eventually but are here for no reason in particular. All of the stuff Amma contemplates with them could have been contemplated when she visits
I skimmed huge chunks of this and was annoyed by the end. This could have been an amazing 325 page book, but it's so bloated and overstuffed that the big moments feel small. There's two major threats to Amma, but there's no sense of danger. Damien has worked his whole life towards one goal, but there's no torn loyalty here or guilt or stress over his sudden change in priorities. These two just faff around making moon eyes at each other and the moment they make any actual progress on their relationship the author magics it away. Why are we treading water in the love story? That should be a driving force, but it absolutely isn't.
I'm undecided as to whether or not to continue. There's something really fun buried in this, but digging it out makes it a chore and not a pleasure to read.
August 15, 2024
This was a solid second instalment in AK Cagginacio’s Villains & Virtues series. The series feels like a fun blend of YA adventure fantasy, slow burn romantasy, and Disney movie parody. There is romance, humour, adventure, and a ton of magic and over the top fantasy creatures and characters!
The story was just a continuation of what we got in the first book. Now that Amma has troubled Damien with pesky emotions he decides that trying to get his talisman out of her without killing her is the preferable option. We got a series of quests with the goal of freeing the talisman from Amma without it killing her. We met a bunch of new characters and creatures along the way.
It was not quite as much fun as the first instalment but it was still enjoyable enough. Some of the setup novelty has worn off, and the quests were so-so, but the slow burn romance remains very strong and the characters are still a ton of fun.
I still really like both Damien and Amma as characters. They are easy to like as individuals and their slow burn romance is super easy to root for as the duo have great chemistry and feel like they both genuinely like each other and benefit from having each other in their lives.
The tone of this series is usually light and fun but there is always a hint of darkness just under the surface in this over the top fantasy world.
This instalment felt less like an romantasy version of Ella Enchanted than the first book but still retained the feel of a slightly dark and much more romance focused Disney parody. Which is something I actually quite enjoy about this series!
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: This was performed by Ellen Quay and Seth Podowitz. I felt like both narrators did a good job. I’m still not a giant fan of duel narration when the production does not utilised consistent narration for all the dialogue regardless of which character is the POV lead. It feels like a waste of having multiple narrators.
The story was just a continuation of what we got in the first book. Now that Amma has troubled Damien with pesky emotions he decides that trying to get his talisman out of her without killing her is the preferable option. We got a series of quests with the goal of freeing the talisman from Amma without it killing her. We met a bunch of new characters and creatures along the way.
It was not quite as much fun as the first instalment but it was still enjoyable enough. Some of the setup novelty has worn off, and the quests were so-so, but the slow burn romance remains very strong and the characters are still a ton of fun.
I still really like both Damien and Amma as characters. They are easy to like as individuals and their slow burn romance is super easy to root for as the duo have great chemistry and feel like they both genuinely like each other and benefit from having each other in their lives.
The tone of this series is usually light and fun but there is always a hint of darkness just under the surface in this over the top fantasy world.
This instalment felt less like an romantasy version of Ella Enchanted than the first book but still retained the feel of a slightly dark and much more romance focused Disney parody. Which is something I actually quite enjoy about this series!
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: This was performed by Ellen Quay and Seth Podowitz. I felt like both narrators did a good job. I’m still not a giant fan of duel narration when the production does not utilised consistent narration for all the dialogue regardless of which character is the POV lead. It feels like a waste of having multiple narrators.
March 30, 2023
The slow burn continues and it is excruciatingly beautiful 🤗
“You came for me,” she whispered up against his mouth.
His fingertips grazed her temple, smoothing away hair that had fallen in her face, and he pressed another kiss to her lips. “You called. How could I not?”
“I thought…”
“You thought what?” He rested his forehead on hers, a husk to his voice as a crooked smile grew over his mouth. “That I wouldn’t? That I could possibly bare to lose you? That I am not utterly and unconditionally—"
Damien and Amma have my whole heart - the level of devotion and ease and sweetness these two share... and the yearning, gods THE YEARNING. And tgey are both trying to ignore it in fear of ending things as they are but sometimes... sometimes there are a precious few moments where they both give in and it is BEAUTIFUL 🥰
The humour is still top notch, there are also many aide quests with interesting new characters and situations but I think the abduction of a goddess incarnate baby from a temple full of zeloths in the middle of a jungle was definitely the best of them! Oh and the Everdarque shenaningans with the fae! Xander was wickedly fun as I had expected him to be; unpredictable and ruthless but gosh isn't his tentative bromance with Damien delicious! That moment where he finds Damien alone and tells him he is ready to pursuit whatever THIS is between them, no matter how disgusting the idea of fondeness and friendship is to him? Yeah, priceless. Just their nom-existent level of emotional knowledge and the ingrained yuckiness toward any so called feelings is amusing af 👌😂
Oh and Kaz... He deserved so much matter. THAT ENTIRE SCENE MADE ME SOB!
I'm so not ready for the Yvlcon and this story to end 👀
“You came for me,” she whispered up against his mouth.
His fingertips grazed her temple, smoothing away hair that had fallen in her face, and he pressed another kiss to her lips. “You called. How could I not?”
“I thought…”
“You thought what?” He rested his forehead on hers, a husk to his voice as a crooked smile grew over his mouth. “That I wouldn’t? That I could possibly bare to lose you? That I am not utterly and unconditionally—"
Damien and Amma have my whole heart - the level of devotion and ease and sweetness these two share... and the yearning, gods THE YEARNING. And tgey are both trying to ignore it in fear of ending things as they are but sometimes... sometimes there are a precious few moments where they both give in and it is BEAUTIFUL 🥰
The humour is still top notch, there are also many aide quests with interesting new characters and situations but I think the abduction of a goddess incarnate baby from a temple full of zeloths in the middle of a jungle was definitely the best of them! Oh and the Everdarque shenaningans with the fae! Xander was wickedly fun as I had expected him to be; unpredictable and ruthless but gosh isn't his tentative bromance with Damien delicious! That moment where he finds Damien alone and tells him he is ready to pursuit whatever THIS is between them, no matter how disgusting the idea of fondeness and friendship is to him? Yeah, priceless. Just their nom-existent level of emotional knowledge and the ingrained yuckiness toward any so called feelings is amusing af 👌😂
Oh and Kaz... He deserved so much matter. THAT ENTIRE SCENE MADE ME SOB!
I'm so not ready for the Yvlcon and this story to end 👀
April 17, 2024
5 stars
Although I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope, these two are so stinking gone for each other, it's cute, even if a bit frustrating. Adventure about and I can't wait to see how they are going to get out of this scrape.
Although I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope, these two are so stinking gone for each other, it's cute, even if a bit frustrating. Adventure about and I can't wait to see how they are going to get out of this scrape.
June 15, 2023
5 liathau stars
The sloooow burn continues while Amma and Damien go on their quest(s). I love them so much. This series is just perfect.
The sloooow burn continues while Amma and Damien go on their quest(s). I love them so much. This series is just perfect.
October 31, 2024
This author should win an award for the amount of times she can cockblock.
A lighthearted, easy to read adventure with extreme pining.
A lighthearted, easy to read adventure with extreme pining.
June 5, 2025
CUTEEEE STUNNING SPECTACULAR GIVE ME 14 OF THEM RIGHT NOW
November 25, 2025
this kind of slow burn is what I need in my books life as well😭
February 15, 2023
I want to scream about this series from the rooftops. Even though the slow burn might literally kill me, I’m obsessed. I love these characters and their stories so much. The story is so whimsical and fun but also covers more serious topics. I haven’t been this excited about reading in a very long time.
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