What do you think?
Rate this book
Gaslamp Faeries Series #1
There's No Such Thing As Monsters: Gaslamp Faeries Series, Book 1
Audible Audiobook
Listening Length: 5 hours and 57 minutes
Monsters come in all shapes and sizes, and not all of them have sharp teeth and beady red eyes.
New London. A thriving metropolis at the forefront of technological advancement and a shining gem of civilization.
Faeries. Whether they come off cute and cuddly or downright predatory, they all bring misfortune or are heralds of it.
Experience is a harsh taskmistress, but her lessons sink the deepest. Having been taught the lesson at great cost, Kal's rules for dealing with faeries are simple: don't talk to them, don't look at them, don't give them the time of day.
So when the Other Side comes knocking one fateful, stormy day, Kal, at first, pretends not to notice. Was forgetting this rule his folly?
His way of life is in great danger. His little sister, Sammie, a natural mage, is taken by Ouroboros, a criminal organization made up of raving lunatics that profit off the misery and suffering of others, and have everything to do with all the crimes of magic in New London.
Kal will go to any lengths to save his sister, even to his death. Accompanied by his sylph companion, a mischievous pest, Kal dives deep into the dark underbelly of the city, but are his hands enough to dig his sister out from the muck?
Listening Length: 5 hours and 57 minutes
Monsters come in all shapes and sizes, and not all of them have sharp teeth and beady red eyes.
New London. A thriving metropolis at the forefront of technological advancement and a shining gem of civilization.
Faeries. Whether they come off cute and cuddly or downright predatory, they all bring misfortune or are heralds of it.
Experience is a harsh taskmistress, but her lessons sink the deepest. Having been taught the lesson at great cost, Kal's rules for dealing with faeries are simple: don't talk to them, don't look at them, don't give them the time of day.
So when the Other Side comes knocking one fateful, stormy day, Kal, at first, pretends not to notice. Was forgetting this rule his folly?
His way of life is in great danger. His little sister, Sammie, a natural mage, is taken by Ouroboros, a criminal organization made up of raving lunatics that profit off the misery and suffering of others, and have everything to do with all the crimes of magic in New London.
Kal will go to any lengths to save his sister, even to his death. Accompanied by his sylph companion, a mischievous pest, Kal dives deep into the dark underbelly of the city, but are his hands enough to dig his sister out from the muck?
212 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2019
99 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Ren Ryder
6 books228 followersMy name is Ren Ryder. I'm twenty-six years old, sober, a neurodivergent Aquarius-introvert with a ton of anxiety, and my truest passion in life is writing. Since I wrote There's No Such Thing As Monsters, I rescued six cats, got my first tattoos, and dyed my hair crazy colors. When I was younger, Fantasy gave me as many worlds as I needed to escape to until I could come back to face the world again. Now I hope my own writing shines a light for others, a light carried by my characters and the worlds they live in.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
March 13, 2020
Ok.... I tried to like this book. But I just couldn't get into it. I felt like the plot was all over the place and the writing was a bit in need of some 'caution' tape to prepare for the many bumps and potholes I encountered. There was so much disjointed reality happening here that I just can't wrap my head around how exactly this story is supposed to make any sort of sense. I'm all for trippy books yet I found this one to be unbelievable.
*I received a free audio copy and have voluntarily left this review
*I received a free audio copy and have voluntarily left this review
June 10, 2021
Received a arc copy for a honest review.
Kal and Sammie, orphans living with a priest in New London are trying to make do when the father was killed by a gang that is trying to take over the city. Kal finds the dead priest and knows something is wrong so goes running back to the small house they all shared to find Sammie had been kidnapped. Using his growing magic he tracks her down to a building owned by the gang. Inside are several other people and many magical creatures including a sylth (a small air fairy). Kal makes a deal with the sylth named Bell, so he can rescue all inside the building.
He wakes up unsure of where he is, only to find out that he and Sammie are in the home of a Duke, who is friends with one of the people who he rescued.
Having decided that he wants to put a stop to the gang once and for all. He leaves Sammie with the Duke, promising to be back soon. But it seems like that just isn't in the near future for Kal, as nearly 15 years go by when Kal ends up in the land of the forest folk.
Kal and Sammie, orphans living with a priest in New London are trying to make do when the father was killed by a gang that is trying to take over the city. Kal finds the dead priest and knows something is wrong so goes running back to the small house they all shared to find Sammie had been kidnapped. Using his growing magic he tracks her down to a building owned by the gang. Inside are several other people and many magical creatures including a sylth (a small air fairy). Kal makes a deal with the sylth named Bell, so he can rescue all inside the building.
He wakes up unsure of where he is, only to find out that he and Sammie are in the home of a Duke, who is friends with one of the people who he rescued.
Having decided that he wants to put a stop to the gang once and for all. He leaves Sammie with the Duke, promising to be back soon. But it seems like that just isn't in the near future for Kal, as nearly 15 years go by when Kal ends up in the land of the forest folk.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2021
Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Gaslight Faeries series. I borrowed this book through Kindle Unlimited.
Thoughts: DNF
I got about 25% of the way through this book and just stopped because it was very poorly written. The writing has no flow to it, it is very jerky and abrupt and it was hard to get an idea of what was going on. The world building was awful too, very hard to picture this New London that is introduced.
This seems to be about a young man named Kal and his sister who are struggling to make ends meet in New London. When Kal’s sister, Sammie, is kidnapped Kal has to save her. That’s what I got from the first quarter of the book or so, and let me tell you it was a struggle to get that far...this is written in such an uneven way.
The style of writing also does not match the tone of the story. The story is written in an almost child-like style (poor flow, simple language) but the content ends up being very bloody. I couldn't figure out if I was reading a poorly written middle grade novel or a poorly written adult novel.
This was just flat out poorly written (I feel like I am repeating that over and over but it was just sooo awkward). A lot more editing would be needed to make this a good story. The idea seems to be an interesting one but is just very poorly executed. I was drawn in by the cool book cover, the interesting description, and the fairly positive reviews...I shouldn't have been...this was a waste of time.
My Summary (2/5): Overall this feels like a very unpolished and amateur attempt at a novel. It is just so awkward to read and jumps around in fits and starts. I like the idea behind this but this book needs a lot of editing and needs to have better story flow and description.
Thoughts: DNF
I got about 25% of the way through this book and just stopped because it was very poorly written. The writing has no flow to it, it is very jerky and abrupt and it was hard to get an idea of what was going on. The world building was awful too, very hard to picture this New London that is introduced.
This seems to be about a young man named Kal and his sister who are struggling to make ends meet in New London. When Kal’s sister, Sammie, is kidnapped Kal has to save her. That’s what I got from the first quarter of the book or so, and let me tell you it was a struggle to get that far...this is written in such an uneven way.
The style of writing also does not match the tone of the story. The story is written in an almost child-like style (poor flow, simple language) but the content ends up being very bloody. I couldn't figure out if I was reading a poorly written middle grade novel or a poorly written adult novel.
This was just flat out poorly written (I feel like I am repeating that over and over but it was just sooo awkward). A lot more editing would be needed to make this a good story. The idea seems to be an interesting one but is just very poorly executed. I was drawn in by the cool book cover, the interesting description, and the fairly positive reviews...I shouldn't have been...this was a waste of time.
My Summary (2/5): Overall this feels like a very unpolished and amateur attempt at a novel. It is just so awkward to read and jumps around in fits and starts. I like the idea behind this but this book needs a lot of editing and needs to have better story flow and description.
December 19, 2020
There's No Such Thing As Monsters is a marvelous introduction to the Gaslamp Faeries Series by Ren Ryder. The is a new to me author with a unique take on faeries and monsters in general. It is a fantasy with lots of action, magic, and a little suspicious fairy. All of this takes place within a rich, complicated world starting in New London with an underworld murder and kidnapping. There are colorful, complex, and flawed characters in which Kal comes into contact with on his journey.
An interesting plot which shows a writer with an incredible imagination. The narrative is mostly smooth with some surprising turn of events. The ending being the most unexpected of all. This is a fantasy author to watch.
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
An interesting plot which shows a writer with an incredible imagination. The narrative is mostly smooth with some surprising turn of events. The ending being the most unexpected of all. This is a fantasy author to watch.
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 2, 2019
Incredibly written, intriguing magical book. Great plot with well written characters and awesome plot twists. I loved this book.
May 11, 2021
While this was an interesting start to this series, I had a hard time really getting into the story and following the plot. The plot and characters started off a bit confusing for me and, by the time I found my footing with them, I was already well into the story. As I neared the end, I felt that the book started to redeem itself for me, especially with the plot twists we were thrown into. I think that, if the characters were more relatable for me, and if the plot was set more clearly at the beginning of the book, I could’ve liked this story a lot more. As it is, it’s simply a decent read, not something I’ll come back to or a series I’ll continue reading.
I received a free copy of this story from Hidden Gems and am choosing to leave an honest review of it.
I received a free copy of this story from Hidden Gems and am choosing to leave an honest review of it.
December 13, 2019
This is a very entertaining book, with some interesting twists and turns, especially the surprise ending. The one main problem that kept me from giving it five stars was that the back story explaining why the main character had such an initial antipathy against magical beings was never given, and this became more troubling as the book concluded. I also did not like how his benefactor changed so radically without adequate rationale. Otherwise, a good book and quite entertaining.
December 22, 2020
This is an interesting, fast-paced, fantasy novel. There were several interesting twists and a well designed plot overall. I thought the book was very well written for the most part but there is some areas where I felt the flow staggered. I am not sure what I expected from this story but I was pleasantly surprised.
I recieved an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
I recieved an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
October 20, 2019
This is a great fantasy read! I loved the incredible world this author has built, the storyline and the characters. Well written this entertaining read is action packed and full of twists and turns and faeries which are not all cute and cuddly and I can’t wait to read more! A great first book!
January 29, 2021
by and1515
Learning to accept one's self...
It was one thing to tell my little sister something it's was another to wish it was true.
And boy could I tell colder weather was moving in but one most at least attempt to keep one's appearance on the cleaner side.
Schedules and routines were quite nessessary to keep one on track and hopefully out of trouble.
My little sister and I were very fortunate with or living arrangements with the good Father and I wanted to put my best foot forward as much as possible.
Now my day really began and that meant looking for jobs any and all jobs I wasn't picky.
My first stop was the Bakery especially since today was such a blustery one and went to work.
But for some reason my mind began to wonder here and there
until finally it dawned on me I was whool gathering again.
As I made my way through township there area was growing in leaps and bounds with street lamps and such.
However I wasn't looking to bring home any strays today but what I want and what really happens aren't always the same thing.
And of course my idea didn't pan out this time.
Okay Bell might be kind of cute however you never know when they might change to something more sinister.
But I decided to introduce her to my little sister and smiled as the two of them hit it off in a big way.
However something wasn't right the good Father wasn't here and then my world spun out of control neither was my sister.
Frantically I searched for her while single-handedly dealing with thugs when I finally stumbled across the dwelling where my sister's was.
No I wasn't about to just waltz off and leave all these poor unfortunate creatures to suffer.
I was also trying to deal with my own feelings but more importantly the tremendous guilt I felt.
I knew my little sister wouldn't be so keen to stay somewhere without me but at the moment that was the best I could do for her.
Nevertheless my journey will end up taking me further away than I could ever imagine.
In the blink of an eye
everything I knew is gone and what I see know has been forever changed.
Learning to accept one's self...
It was one thing to tell my little sister something it's was another to wish it was true.
And boy could I tell colder weather was moving in but one most at least attempt to keep one's appearance on the cleaner side.
Schedules and routines were quite nessessary to keep one on track and hopefully out of trouble.
My little sister and I were very fortunate with or living arrangements with the good Father and I wanted to put my best foot forward as much as possible.
Now my day really began and that meant looking for jobs any and all jobs I wasn't picky.
My first stop was the Bakery especially since today was such a blustery one and went to work.
But for some reason my mind began to wonder here and there
until finally it dawned on me I was whool gathering again.
As I made my way through township there area was growing in leaps and bounds with street lamps and such.
However I wasn't looking to bring home any strays today but what I want and what really happens aren't always the same thing.
And of course my idea didn't pan out this time.
Okay Bell might be kind of cute however you never know when they might change to something more sinister.
But I decided to introduce her to my little sister and smiled as the two of them hit it off in a big way.
However something wasn't right the good Father wasn't here and then my world spun out of control neither was my sister.
Frantically I searched for her while single-handedly dealing with thugs when I finally stumbled across the dwelling where my sister's was.
No I wasn't about to just waltz off and leave all these poor unfortunate creatures to suffer.
I was also trying to deal with my own feelings but more importantly the tremendous guilt I felt.
I knew my little sister wouldn't be so keen to stay somewhere without me but at the moment that was the best I could do for her.
Nevertheless my journey will end up taking me further away than I could ever imagine.
In the blink of an eye
everything I knew is gone and what I see know has been forever changed.
December 8, 2020
The book was action-packed, and a joy to read. There are five main things I usually focus on when rating a book. Ryder managed to hit most of these quite well.
Style: I found Ryder's style to be engaging, well written, and funny. He painted a clear picture for me.
Story: The story was wonderful! I was enveloped in a tale of magic, Faeries, and humans. I always wanted to know what was coming next.
Setting: Ryder's worldbuilding was delightful. The place he presented was beautifully complex, and I loved exploring it. My only regret was that not everything was explained fully. I understand that we did not need to know some things, and perhaps this is just me, but I would have loved to be given more information on how his world worked! That said, I was still drawn in by the world he built.
Flow: This is the area I found a bit wanting. The flow in each chapter was beautiful, but I felt the action jolted to a stop at the beginning and end of each chapter. I found myself a little confused each time, and occasionally needed to look back in the book so I could understand. I would also have liked it if the big events had a little more foreshadowing, so they wouldn't be quite so out of the blue.
Understandability: The understandability was mostly good, but like I said above, the jolting to a stop was sometimes a problem. There were a few sections with dialogue where it was unclear who was speaking. I would also have liked a bigger exploration of how and why Sammie did what she did (no spoilers here. If you know, you know, if you don't, you will), because I found myself a little bit confused as to her motives. This might be cleared up in the next book; I haven't read it yet. But other than that, everything made sense to me.
To conclude, this book is a wonderful book if you're willing to pay attention and check what's going on once in a while. It can be a little confusing, but if you're willing to invest yourself in it, it pays off. I certainly enjoyed the read!
(I received a free copy of this book, but I voluntarily chose to review it. The opinions given here are mine and mine alone.)
Style: I found Ryder's style to be engaging, well written, and funny. He painted a clear picture for me.
Story: The story was wonderful! I was enveloped in a tale of magic, Faeries, and humans. I always wanted to know what was coming next.
Setting: Ryder's worldbuilding was delightful. The place he presented was beautifully complex, and I loved exploring it. My only regret was that not everything was explained fully. I understand that we did not need to know some things, and perhaps this is just me, but I would have loved to be given more information on how his world worked! That said, I was still drawn in by the world he built.
Flow: This is the area I found a bit wanting. The flow in each chapter was beautiful, but I felt the action jolted to a stop at the beginning and end of each chapter. I found myself a little confused each time, and occasionally needed to look back in the book so I could understand. I would also have liked it if the big events had a little more foreshadowing, so they wouldn't be quite so out of the blue.
Understandability: The understandability was mostly good, but like I said above, the jolting to a stop was sometimes a problem. There were a few sections with dialogue where it was unclear who was speaking. I would also have liked a bigger exploration of how and why Sammie did what she did (no spoilers here. If you know, you know, if you don't, you will), because I found myself a little bit confused as to her motives. This might be cleared up in the next book; I haven't read it yet. But other than that, everything made sense to me.
To conclude, this book is a wonderful book if you're willing to pay attention and check what's going on once in a while. It can be a little confusing, but if you're willing to invest yourself in it, it pays off. I certainly enjoyed the read!
(I received a free copy of this book, but I voluntarily chose to review it. The opinions given here are mine and mine alone.)
December 23, 2020
I received this book through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this book. I think it has a solid plot, and characters who have caught my interest. I really enjoyed the authors style for the most part. There are parts though that I think could use a little more oven time to make it ‘WOW!’. That said, the ideas are great and the action scenes are super!
I will absolutely be reading more by Ren Ryder.
I liked this book. I think it has a solid plot, and characters who have caught my interest. I really enjoyed the authors style for the most part. There are parts though that I think could use a little more oven time to make it ‘WOW!’. That said, the ideas are great and the action scenes are super!
I will absolutely be reading more by Ren Ryder.
December 20, 2020
This story has adventure, humor, magic, family and plot twists. Everything needed to make it a must read. I can't wait to start the next adventure.
January 28, 2021
Surprising
There are several surprises in this book. Some of the surprises are heartbreaking and others are just wow. It is a well developed story with some great characters. I got and ARC for this book and the next but have bought both. They are worth it.
There are several surprises in this book. Some of the surprises are heartbreaking and others are just wow. It is a well developed story with some great characters. I got and ARC for this book and the next but have bought both. They are worth it.
February 22, 2021
I received this book through Voracious Readers
I was intrigued by the idea of this book and when I read it I really enjoyed it.
I did get a little lost along the way as the book jumped about a little bit, but the story was easy to stick with because I liked it and the characters I was following.
I liked the story and the world it was set in, I already have the next book and am looking forward to reading it.
I was intrigued by the idea of this book and when I read it I really enjoyed it.
I did get a little lost along the way as the book jumped about a little bit, but the story was easy to stick with because I liked it and the characters I was following.
I liked the story and the world it was set in, I already have the next book and am looking forward to reading it.
May 17, 2021
This is a great story, full of magic, quite gritty in parts but also with a comic touch. Great characters and a fast moving story keep the reader enthralled in the world Ren has created. I liked the alternative London with its technology and magic mix, the Victorian feel with its alleys, watchmen and gangs but with the fae and magic thrown in. A story of revenge and family. Loved Belle the fairy. Greg Patmore is the perfect narrator with a wonderful range of voices.
I received a complimentary copy via StoryOrigin and am leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I received a complimentary copy via StoryOrigin and am leaving a voluntary and honest review.
May 3, 2021
“There’s No Such Thing As Monsters: Gaslamp Faeries Series, Book 1 reminded me of the “Dresden Files” by Jim Butcher. The author’s writing skills however needed a little more polishing, but the world building was spot on. This paranormal novel was filled with bad guy bullies, a damsel in destress and a feisty, loud-mouth faerie 🧚 who says she can’t wait for her contractor’s corpse so she can have all you can eat buffet night just like the Sizzler.
Kal, the protagonist tries to save his toddler sister, Sammie from things that go bump in the night in New London; but despite his best efforts Sammie is kidnapped by the Ouroboros. A psychotic group of raving lunatics that are mainly responsible for all the crimes of magic in New London.
Kal is aided by Duke Regulus Maddox, The duke’s friend, Greaves, a famed scholar, Koji and Bell, a nuisance faerie that becomes Kal’s unpredictable side-kick.
The story was witty, entertaining and over before I knew it. I was really bothered that the tale was concluded so soon. But what really ticked me off is that it ended on a cliffhanger. I needed to know where did Sammie and Kal come from??? Why were they orphaned? What is going on between Bell and the faerie queen? What is the Otherworld about? Does Sammie have magic powers?
I guess these questions won’t be answered until I read the next book in the series, “ The Monsters in the Details”. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.
Kal, the protagonist tries to save his toddler sister, Sammie from things that go bump in the night in New London; but despite his best efforts Sammie is kidnapped by the Ouroboros. A psychotic group of raving lunatics that are mainly responsible for all the crimes of magic in New London.
Kal is aided by Duke Regulus Maddox, The duke’s friend, Greaves, a famed scholar, Koji and Bell, a nuisance faerie that becomes Kal’s unpredictable side-kick.
The story was witty, entertaining and over before I knew it. I was really bothered that the tale was concluded so soon. But what really ticked me off is that it ended on a cliffhanger. I needed to know where did Sammie and Kal come from??? Why were they orphaned? What is going on between Bell and the faerie queen? What is the Otherworld about? Does Sammie have magic powers?
I guess these questions won’t be answered until I read the next book in the series, “ The Monsters in the Details”. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.
May 11, 2021
Definitely a darker fantasy but a great story nonetheless. It’s full of action and I didn’t see the twist at the end coming!
Ren Ryder did a great job with this book. I loved the interactions between the characters and the storyline is intriguing. Yes, I’ll be continuing on with the next book in the series!
I was so impressed with Greg Patmore’s narration. With all the different character voices he performed I forgot that there was only one narrator. A very entertaining performance.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
Ren Ryder did a great job with this book. I loved the interactions between the characters and the storyline is intriguing. Yes, I’ll be continuing on with the next book in the series!
I was so impressed with Greg Patmore’s narration. With all the different character voices he performed I forgot that there was only one narrator. A very entertaining performance.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
May 15, 2021
Excellent read wonderful start for this Series. Wish I did not have to wait so long for book 2. Can not wait to find out where the story is going to go.
May 3, 2021
There's No "Such thing As Monsters: Gaslamp Faeries Series, Book 1 The title lets us know we are about to enter a world with faeries and monsters. Magic is probably a given. What we wake up to seems to be a normal world at the start of the industrial revolution where our MC, Kal, can see these nefarious beings but pretends not to see them lest they discover that he can see them. Trying to act normal when you have pointed ears and see things no one else does isn't easy. Dirt poor, Kal has learned to hide and fend for himself and his beloved sister. Being naive doesn't help as Kal finds that the bad guys are eviler than he imagined, and they know magic. Kal learns quickly when he has too and now that a big gang has kidnapped his sister, Kal must make alliances that he rather not. Throughout the rest of the book, we learn that Kal doesn't know who or what he really is. This road is lined with strife, heartache and misery, and lots of arse-kicking. Ren Ryder did a good job at bringing me into this faeryland world. The abrupt ending has me wanting more, looking forward to book 2, The Monster's in the Details. I scored an ARC copy and this is an honest review.
May 12, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I love that this urban fantasy is set across the pond; the narrator's accent is fun and gives the character a lot of personality. This is reminiscent of Harry Dresden and there is good humor. The main character does grow into his own in this book making it stand out from The Dresden Files.
I can't wait to read/listen to the next one.
I received an audio copy from the author; all opinions are my own.
I can't wait to read/listen to the next one.
I received an audio copy from the author; all opinions are my own.
May 13, 2021
I liked this story! I did enjoy it! Something a little different. Good ideas & plot interesting characters. I will look forward to the next part to the series!
May 10, 2021
A great engrossing read. The character interactions are wonderful. Filled with twists, turns and surprises to peak your interest. Bell adds a lot of humor to an already intriguing story. It's a quick read which makes it fast ..although you will wish it lasted longer.
December 22, 2020
Fantastic. ❤️. 📚. 👍
May 6, 2021
Ren Ryder is a wonderful new author & the narrator is perfect for this audiobook!
The world building is dynamic, the characters are fantastic & the story is top notch.
There are many surprises along the way as well. Some awesome & some truly heartbreaking. It's a story worth listening to or reading, without a doubt.
I can't wait to listen to audiobook 2 & then audiobook 3!!! 5 stars just is not enough.
The world building is dynamic, the characters are fantastic & the story is top notch.
There are many surprises along the way as well. Some awesome & some truly heartbreaking. It's a story worth listening to or reading, without a doubt.
I can't wait to listen to audiobook 2 & then audiobook 3!!! 5 stars just is not enough.
May 2, 2021
I received a complimentary copy of the book through vivacious reads from the author .
This is a great story in the fantasy genre.
I love the world of faeries he creates and the characters are easy to like.
I do think that from chapter to chapter the flow of the story can be difficult to follow.
This is a great story in the fantasy genre.
I love the world of faeries he creates and the characters are easy to like.
I do think that from chapter to chapter the flow of the story can be difficult to follow.
July 24, 2020
I'm not sure where to start with this book. 90% of why give books less than five stars is the ending. And telling why the ending didn't work for me, usually involves spoilers. So you can see my dilemma.
I'll start with what I liked.
The main character Kal is a good honest boy who will do anything for his little sister. He can also see Fae, elemental spirits. Kal spends the first part of the book looking after his sister, coming to grips with his powers, and becoming bonded with the Sylph, wind fairy, who follows him home.
This fairy is Bell who is simultaneously cute and creepy. She is mischievous and snarky but also drinks blood and constantly talks about eating people as if it's the funniest thing in the world. Her only redeeming quality is how much Kal grows to care for her.
There is zero romance in this book, which I found refreshing. The magic system was interesting, and made for interesting action scenes to keep the pace flowing.
But the world building threw me off a lot. The main city of New London is described as a dark, gritty, urban environment. There is Steam tech but it's not really steampunk. More like Carnival Gothic. They talk about guns like they are a new invention, and even though there are Churches and Kal was raised by a priest who talks about God there are people who worship multiple gods.
The ending was a real slap in the face though and just hit me out of nowhere. The cliff hanger, if it can be called that, doesn't leave me wanting more. it leaves me wondering what was the point?
*I was given an electronic copy of this book by Hidden gems Reviews. I was not obligated to leave a review or to make it favorable. All opinions are my own.*
I'll start with what I liked.
The main character Kal is a good honest boy who will do anything for his little sister. He can also see Fae, elemental spirits. Kal spends the first part of the book looking after his sister, coming to grips with his powers, and becoming bonded with the Sylph, wind fairy, who follows him home.
This fairy is Bell who is simultaneously cute and creepy. She is mischievous and snarky but also drinks blood and constantly talks about eating people as if it's the funniest thing in the world. Her only redeeming quality is how much Kal grows to care for her.
There is zero romance in this book, which I found refreshing. The magic system was interesting, and made for interesting action scenes to keep the pace flowing.
But the world building threw me off a lot. The main city of New London is described as a dark, gritty, urban environment. There is Steam tech but it's not really steampunk. More like Carnival Gothic. They talk about guns like they are a new invention, and even though there are Churches and Kal was raised by a priest who talks about God there are people who worship multiple gods.
The ending was a real slap in the face though and just hit me out of nowhere. The cliff hanger, if it can be called that, doesn't leave me wanting more. it leaves me wondering what was the point?
*I was given an electronic copy of this book by Hidden gems Reviews. I was not obligated to leave a review or to make it favorable. All opinions are my own.*
October 18, 2019
Monsters come in all shapes and sizes, and not all of them have sharp teeth and beady red eyes.
New London. A thriving metropolis at the forefront of technological advancement and a shining gem of civilization.
Faeries. Whether they come off cute and cuddly or downright predatory, they all bring misfortune or are heralds of it.
Experience is a harsh taskmistress, but her lessons sink the deepest.
Having been taught the lesson at great cost, Kal's rules for dealing with faeries are simple: don't talk to them, don't look at them, don't give them the time of day.
So when the Other Side comes knocking one fateful, stormy day, Kal, at first, pretends not to notice. Was forgetting this rule his folly?
His way of life is in great danger.
His little sister, Sammie, a natural mage, is taken by Ouroboros, a criminal organization made up of raving lunatics that profit off the misery and suffering of others, and have everything to do with all the crimes of magic in New London.
Kal will go to any lengths to save his sister, even to his death.
Accompanied by his sylph companion, a mischievous pest, Kal dives deep into the dark underbelly of the city, but are his hands enough to dig his sister out from the muck?
This was such a fun enjoyable read.
Well written plot and story line that engaged me from the start.
Love the well written characters and they are so fun to read about.
I can't wait to read more about them in the next adventures.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
New London. A thriving metropolis at the forefront of technological advancement and a shining gem of civilization.
Faeries. Whether they come off cute and cuddly or downright predatory, they all bring misfortune or are heralds of it.
Experience is a harsh taskmistress, but her lessons sink the deepest.
Having been taught the lesson at great cost, Kal's rules for dealing with faeries are simple: don't talk to them, don't look at them, don't give them the time of day.
So when the Other Side comes knocking one fateful, stormy day, Kal, at first, pretends not to notice. Was forgetting this rule his folly?
His way of life is in great danger.
His little sister, Sammie, a natural mage, is taken by Ouroboros, a criminal organization made up of raving lunatics that profit off the misery and suffering of others, and have everything to do with all the crimes of magic in New London.
Kal will go to any lengths to save his sister, even to his death.
Accompanied by his sylph companion, a mischievous pest, Kal dives deep into the dark underbelly of the city, but are his hands enough to dig his sister out from the muck?
This was such a fun enjoyable read.
Well written plot and story line that engaged me from the start.
Love the well written characters and they are so fun to read about.
I can't wait to read more about them in the next adventures.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
April 13, 2021
I had never read a Gaslamp faerie novel but I sure fell in love with this one! The first book I have read by this author but it definitely will not be my last as I really enjoyed his style of writing and his feisty characters. Kal considered himself to be just a street rat, doing his best to survive whilst protecting his little sister Sammie, in New London Town. Father Gregory gives them a roof over their heads when they were at their wits end, but Kal soon found out that whoever entered his life ended up badly and so did the kindly priest's life. The Ouroboros clan, a group of thugs had set their eyes on him and in order to capture him they kidnapped his little sister, using her as bait to lure Kal to their warehouse. However Kal had powers, he could see fae creatures which he made it a point to always ignore, knowing these only led to trouble, till Bell a sylph came into his life. She ended up becoming his familiar and mostly getting on his nerves with her back chat, but she had her uses too. Kal vows to free Sammie and is out for vengeance. What he didn't realise was that his magical powers were more than he knew about and when he is taken to the other world, things take a turn for the worse because everyone knows that time between world works differently, everyone that is except Kal. I love this very thrilling adventure story, full of so called monsters and magic, a lot of love but more of betrayal and finding out that the real monsters are human! This book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so I am off to read book 2 right away, dying to see what happens next.
January 10, 2020
So I'm going to start out with my morality rating on this one - in terms of movie ratings, I would place it as a PG13. There's a lot of violence bordering on graphic, there is some bad language although happily no f-bombs, and the overall tone of the book is pretty dark. That being said it really was a lot of fun. I found it an imaginative and fun mix of magic, faerie, magical mafia, and some monsters. It starts with two orphans, Kal and his little sister Sammie who are being housed by a local priest. Kal and Sammie are among the few that can see faeries and monsters and Kal has learned to avoid them and pretend he can't see them. Through a series of bad events Kal tries to protect his sister but they end up separated and he finds himself depending on a sylph (dark faerie) that craves his blood and although she is in a contract to help and protect him, she is constantly looking forward to if he doesn't survive then she'll be able to feast on his body. This unlikely pair does offer the much needed comic relief and at other times the little faerie was both annoying and a bit disturbing. The book finishes pretty abruptly (not really a cliffhanger) and is definitely setting up for this to be a pretty intense series that leaves you wanting the next book. The narrator was top notch! He did all the voices and his overall acting skills really added to the fun of listening.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews