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Haelan #1
The Magic That Binds
All Dag Gates wants is a place to call home. (And to practice magic freely.)
All Stefan Bjorne wants is peace in his adoptive country. (And less paperwork.)
All Mikkel Vinters wants is both of them. (No, really, he could do wedding bells.)
So why, pray tell, is half the magical community set on denying them all their wishes?
Tags:
Urban fantasy anyone?, slow burn, Mikkel is dying its so slow, pray for him, age gap, millionaire CEO is loose with no limits, cinnamon roll protection squad assemble!, polyamory at its best, Dag wants to eat all the things, all, magic, healing, childhood trauma, who’s chasing who is the question, Dag’s shy, Stefan’s a little insecure, thankfully Mikkel is neither, there is far too much food in this book, short but mighty, rules are established, Mikkel’s type in men is sexy and dangerous, it hasn’t killed him yet, accidental husband acquisition, magical bindings, shenanigans shall now commence
All Stefan Bjorne wants is peace in his adoptive country. (And less paperwork.)
All Mikkel Vinters wants is both of them. (No, really, he could do wedding bells.)
So why, pray tell, is half the magical community set on denying them all their wishes?
Tags:
Urban fantasy anyone?, slow burn, Mikkel is dying its so slow, pray for him, age gap, millionaire CEO is loose with no limits, cinnamon roll protection squad assemble!, polyamory at its best, Dag wants to eat all the things, all, magic, healing, childhood trauma, who’s chasing who is the question, Dag’s shy, Stefan’s a little insecure, thankfully Mikkel is neither, there is far too much food in this book, short but mighty, rules are established, Mikkel’s type in men is sexy and dangerous, it hasn’t killed him yet, accidental husband acquisition, magical bindings, shenanigans shall now commence
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2023
326 people are currently reading
738 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Sherwood
80 books1,990 followersAJ Sherwood believes in happily ever afters, magic, dragons, good men, and dark chocolate. She often dreams at night of delectable men doing sexy things with each other. In between writing multiple books (often at the same time) she pets her cats, plays with her dogs, and attempts insane things like aerial yoga.
She currently resides in Tennessee with aforementioned cats, dogs, and her editor/best friend/sister/partner in crime.
She currently resides in Tennessee with aforementioned cats, dogs, and her editor/best friend/sister/partner in crime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
July 26, 2024
Not a fan of this one.
I struggle with the 3rd person narrative at the best of times because I prefer to get inside the characters head and experience things with them, not be told how they feel etc.
Although this had character focalisation in each chapter, I never connected to any of the three MCs, none of them had any personality to differentiate between them - every chapter could have been the same character.
There's very little dialogue throughout and no internal thoughts so you're 'told' everything that happens and how they feel. Even when one MC is at death's door I wasn't bothered and didn't feel any emotional response from the other characters either - I've had more emotional responses to iced tea 😂
I completely fail to see where any of them fell in love because they barely conversed, let alone anything else. There was one sex scene and it felt clinical rather than loving. The lack of connection to these characters and their romance was so bad I kept putting the kindle down - nothing was engaging me or making me want to keep reading, except my own stubbornness!
The sexism against women was shocking. Every female character was either in a role of servitude, a mother, or seen as lesser than males. The Domina was fine to have it assumed she had fertility issues and be treated without investigation, her husband was never considered the problem. When he was established as the cause of them not conceiving, it was all don't tell him in a way that questions his masculinity. Not a fan of this mentality, or how it's more acceptable to foist 'blame' on the woman because she carries the baby, it's just as damaging to a woman's sense of self to hear she has fertility issues.
There were so many contradictions and inconsistencies throughout that I didn't trust what the narrator was telling me, which made it even harder to care about the characters or what happened.
Don't think I'll be reading any more in this series unfortunately.
I struggle with the 3rd person narrative at the best of times because I prefer to get inside the characters head and experience things with them, not be told how they feel etc.
Although this had character focalisation in each chapter, I never connected to any of the three MCs, none of them had any personality to differentiate between them - every chapter could have been the same character.
There's very little dialogue throughout and no internal thoughts so you're 'told' everything that happens and how they feel. Even when one MC is at death's door I wasn't bothered and didn't feel any emotional response from the other characters either - I've had more emotional responses to iced tea 😂
I completely fail to see where any of them fell in love because they barely conversed, let alone anything else. There was one sex scene and it felt clinical rather than loving. The lack of connection to these characters and their romance was so bad I kept putting the kindle down - nothing was engaging me or making me want to keep reading, except my own stubbornness!
The sexism against women was shocking. Every female character was either in a role of servitude, a mother, or seen as lesser than males. The Domina was fine to have it assumed she had fertility issues and be treated without investigation, her husband was never considered the problem. When he was established as the cause of them not conceiving, it was all don't tell him in a way that questions his masculinity. Not a fan of this mentality, or how it's more acceptable to foist 'blame' on the woman because she carries the baby, it's just as damaging to a woman's sense of self to hear she has fertility issues.
There were so many contradictions and inconsistencies throughout that I didn't trust what the narrator was telling me, which made it even harder to care about the characters or what happened.
Don't think I'll be reading any more in this series unfortunately.
April 16, 2023
The good
+ Dag remaining humble and willing to help despite his enormous gift
+ Mikkel getting Dag and Stefan all the gifts
+ Mikkel taking care of his partners
+ Stefan and Mikkel creating a Dag fanclub out of revenge
+
The neutral
o Dag was able to treat conditions related to old age (like arthritis and cancer) without issue. Does this mean Dag could make people immortal?
o Ivar had no role. He was supposedly Mikkel's best friend, but all he did was tell Mikkel not to pursue happiness
o The legality of polyamory and polygamy were discussed as if they were the same thing. However, polygamy includes marriage and thus a legal acknowledgement, while polyamory needs no legal recognition and is not illegal in most places
The bad
- This book did not work as an urban fantasy at all. I wish it had been high fantasy. Many things made no sense in an urban fantasy setting
- There was a severe power imbalance between Dag and Stefan. Dag even said out loud that people only kept him as long as he was useful to them. Considering that Stefan was the only reason Dag was not in jail right then, but instead had a job and housing, meant Stefan held considerable power over Dag. Stefan himself even said "I'm not in the habit of preying on people under my protection", but that was the only time it was every mentioned (and nothing came from that statement). Dag was completely dependent on Stefan, and nobody ever batted an eye or offered Dag a way out should things go sideways
- All the important magical people lived in North-America. Stefan and Leif were Norwegian, so why did they even bother governing a random Canadian state? The Praeses was from Sri-Lanka, but instead of conducting his business anywhere in or near his home, he lived in Washington DC. And none of them had a Canadian or American passport. I don't understand how two Norwegian guys could come to Canada and make and change laws at will
- Leif and Jane were trying to have a baby, but experienced problems conceiving. For some reason, it was decided that Jane must be the one with fertility problems, and she had undergone all kinds of treatments while nobody had actually checked either her or Leif. That Leif turned out to be the one who was infertile was something Stefan couldn't fathom, because Leif "could work any man in the country into the ground and then have the energy to go drinking afterwards", like infertility was directly related to vitality. (Also, it must be noted that Stefan did not regard Jane as equally strong, or he would never have 'suspected' her of being infertile.) Then Leif was diagnosed with low sperm count, something which usually has a medical cause, and the whole business was treated like this was some kind of insult to Leif's masculinity. Dag couldn't even tell Leif what the problem was, because apparently Leif was too fragile to hear that and it would insult him (but not Jane, Jane could apparently be told she was infertile without issue all the time)
- Mikkel was from Sweden, thirty-six years old, and when he was eight years old his parents tried to sell his sister into prostitution. That would have been 28 years ago, so around 1995. Now I'm not saying there is no hunger in Sweden, but Mikkel's parents would have been eligible for financial aid and grants (both for themselves and their children), and the children would have been provided with school lunches. I found it a bit far-fetched that his parents would've sold their daughter into prostitution because they couldn't feed everyone
- "He smelled fuckalicious."
- All the POV voices were the same. They all had the same snarky inner voice with the unnecessary commentary aimed at the reader. Their voices were indistinguishable
- Multiple galdere (whatever that was supposed to mean. I thought Dag wasn't galdere and his magic worked differently?), and nothing was done about it. It wasn't even explained what the purpose of such an action was
- It was said Stefan broke the law when . But just because didn't mean it was the same thing. I don't understand why they couldn't just be ? Why did the laws have to be changed when none were broken in the first place?
I have been waiting for this book for many years, and I'm very sorry to say I'm really disappointed with the result. I wish this had been a high fantasy instead of an urban fantasy, as it would have worked so much better that way. So many things didn't make sense in a setting like this. I also wish the characters had been more fleshed-out and had distinct voices. I had expected more than this.
+ Dag remaining humble and willing to help despite his enormous gift
+ Mikkel getting Dag and Stefan all the gifts
+ Mikkel taking care of his partners
+ Stefan and Mikkel creating a Dag fanclub out of revenge
+
The neutral
o Dag was able to treat conditions related to old age (like arthritis and cancer) without issue. Does this mean Dag could make people immortal?
o Ivar had no role. He was supposedly Mikkel's best friend, but all he did was tell Mikkel not to pursue happiness
o The legality of polyamory and polygamy were discussed as if they were the same thing. However, polygamy includes marriage and thus a legal acknowledgement, while polyamory needs no legal recognition and is not illegal in most places
The bad
- This book did not work as an urban fantasy at all. I wish it had been high fantasy. Many things made no sense in an urban fantasy setting
- There was a severe power imbalance between Dag and Stefan. Dag even said out loud that people only kept him as long as he was useful to them. Considering that Stefan was the only reason Dag was not in jail right then, but instead had a job and housing, meant Stefan held considerable power over Dag. Stefan himself even said "I'm not in the habit of preying on people under my protection", but that was the only time it was every mentioned (and nothing came from that statement). Dag was completely dependent on Stefan, and nobody ever batted an eye or offered Dag a way out should things go sideways
- All the important magical people lived in North-America. Stefan and Leif were Norwegian, so why did they even bother governing a random Canadian state? The Praeses was from Sri-Lanka, but instead of conducting his business anywhere in or near his home, he lived in Washington DC. And none of them had a Canadian or American passport. I don't understand how two Norwegian guys could come to Canada and make and change laws at will
- Leif and Jane were trying to have a baby, but experienced problems conceiving. For some reason, it was decided that Jane must be the one with fertility problems, and she had undergone all kinds of treatments while nobody had actually checked either her or Leif. That Leif turned out to be the one who was infertile was something Stefan couldn't fathom, because Leif "could work any man in the country into the ground and then have the energy to go drinking afterwards", like infertility was directly related to vitality. (Also, it must be noted that Stefan did not regard Jane as equally strong, or he would never have 'suspected' her of being infertile.) Then Leif was diagnosed with low sperm count, something which usually has a medical cause, and the whole business was treated like this was some kind of insult to Leif's masculinity. Dag couldn't even tell Leif what the problem was, because apparently Leif was too fragile to hear that and it would insult him (but not Jane, Jane could apparently be told she was infertile without issue all the time)
- Mikkel was from Sweden, thirty-six years old, and when he was eight years old his parents tried to sell his sister into prostitution. That would have been 28 years ago, so around 1995. Now I'm not saying there is no hunger in Sweden, but Mikkel's parents would have been eligible for financial aid and grants (both for themselves and their children), and the children would have been provided with school lunches. I found it a bit far-fetched that his parents would've sold their daughter into prostitution because they couldn't feed everyone
- "He smelled fuckalicious."
- All the POV voices were the same. They all had the same snarky inner voice with the unnecessary commentary aimed at the reader. Their voices were indistinguishable
- Multiple galdere (whatever that was supposed to mean. I thought Dag wasn't galdere and his magic worked differently?), and nothing was done about it. It wasn't even explained what the purpose of such an action was
- It was said Stefan broke the law when . But just because didn't mean it was the same thing. I don't understand why they couldn't just be ? Why did the laws have to be changed when none were broken in the first place?
I have been waiting for this book for many years, and I'm very sorry to say I'm really disappointed with the result. I wish this had been a high fantasy instead of an urban fantasy, as it would have worked so much better that way. So many things didn't make sense in a setting like this. I also wish the characters had been more fleshed-out and had distinct voices. I had expected more than this.
January 1, 2024
This was a damn fine book.
I love poly relationships. Love them. They don’t always meet my expectations but I love them anyways. Fo instance when the characters can’t communicate. I mean, to be fair, I never like miscommunication. I don’t think many people do.
Now, this poly was a bit complicated. On one hand the characters tried their hardest to communicate but with this incredibly busy plot they just didn’t get the chance. But when they did it solved more or less all their problems.
So, I am a bit on the fence about this poly. I liked it a lot, don’t get me wrong, but it got incredibly frustrating from time to time because these three took so damn long to confess their feelings. I guess I should have expected it because it was obvious that this was going to be a slow burn considering the plot but still.
Just to be clear though I really enjoyed the characters even though they were pretty similar in terms of character traits.
Side note here: yes, Mikkel, Stefan and Dag were really rather similar but I think it makes kinda sense for the story. It would have gotten too complicated with characters being very different from each other. It would have resulted in more problems. I couldn’t have dealt with that I think.
That brings me to the plot. The story was very focused on politics. Which was fine by me though it got a little much here and there. The plot was very interesting and intriguing though. I really liked it.
The only thing that bothered me a bit was how complicated the plot and storyline was in general. There was just so much going on at all times. It was nonstop. But I guess it also kept me interested. I can’t really say it was a bad thing.
I am very much looking forward to book two since I really can’t imagine what could be happening next. The ending in this book was very satisfying. Practically an HEA. So I’m really interested in the next chapters of this series.
I love poly relationships. Love them. They don’t always meet my expectations but I love them anyways. Fo instance when the characters can’t communicate. I mean, to be fair, I never like miscommunication. I don’t think many people do.
Now, this poly was a bit complicated. On one hand the characters tried their hardest to communicate but with this incredibly busy plot they just didn’t get the chance. But when they did it solved more or less all their problems.
So, I am a bit on the fence about this poly. I liked it a lot, don’t get me wrong, but it got incredibly frustrating from time to time because these three took so damn long to confess their feelings. I guess I should have expected it because it was obvious that this was going to be a slow burn considering the plot but still.
Just to be clear though I really enjoyed the characters even though they were pretty similar in terms of character traits.
Side note here: yes, Mikkel, Stefan and Dag were really rather similar but I think it makes kinda sense for the story. It would have gotten too complicated with characters being very different from each other. It would have resulted in more problems. I couldn’t have dealt with that I think.
That brings me to the plot. The story was very focused on politics. Which was fine by me though it got a little much here and there. The plot was very interesting and intriguing though. I really liked it.
The only thing that bothered me a bit was how complicated the plot and storyline was in general. There was just so much going on at all times. It was nonstop. But I guess it also kept me interested. I can’t really say it was a bad thing.
I am very much looking forward to book two since I really can’t imagine what could be happening next. The ending in this book was very satisfying. Practically an HEA. So I’m really interested in the next chapters of this series.
April 15, 2023
Sweet but unusually simple for Sherwood
Dag is in jail. Again. For saving lives. Again. This is getting ridiculous but the system is stacked against him. Until he's dragged before the head of magic for this region. Suddenly he's out, being hailed as a hero, and even given a legitimate job. With pay and everything! But he's got almost a decade of running conditioned into him and if he can't handle a job how's he supposed to handle dating. Or, scarier, dating 2 men??
Spoilers ahead.
Ok I loved this new magical world Sherwood has created. It sounds fascinating. But we only see glimpses of it. We aren't as immersed as in other series. This one is very much character driven. But even there we don't see as much of the characters as I'd like. We see reactions but not growth, not bonding - outside of running to/from 1 calamity to the next, and we don't ever see Dag embrace his relationship. Especially as he's new to dating and barely has 1 double date before he's bonded to both. Extreme circumstances and all but we usually get more lean in and learn time with this author and I sorely missed it with this book. I think expanding this into grouped duets or trilogies would have enhanced the reading experience more. Book 1 could have been Dag being discovered, learning about his different abilities, and the very beginning of feelings for Mikkel and Stefan. Book 2 discovering their enemies and the trials they'll face establishing Dag as licensed, while also leaning in a bit more as a throuple and learning what they'll face there, too. Book 3 resolution to enemies, throuple-hood and the fun twist the head of all magic bestowed at the end. It would have paced things out better and more satisfactorily. Instead the first half is beautifully laid out but the second half feels horribly rushed with a pat ending that feels lacking. And that makes me sad because this author is a guaranteed laugh and love usually. So while I enjoyed parts of this book I can't give it the full stars I usually do. I feel all 3 were only half developed and established.
Dag is in jail. Again. For saving lives. Again. This is getting ridiculous but the system is stacked against him. Until he's dragged before the head of magic for this region. Suddenly he's out, being hailed as a hero, and even given a legitimate job. With pay and everything! But he's got almost a decade of running conditioned into him and if he can't handle a job how's he supposed to handle dating. Or, scarier, dating 2 men??
Spoilers ahead.
Ok I loved this new magical world Sherwood has created. It sounds fascinating. But we only see glimpses of it. We aren't as immersed as in other series. This one is very much character driven. But even there we don't see as much of the characters as I'd like. We see reactions but not growth, not bonding - outside of running to/from 1 calamity to the next, and we don't ever see Dag embrace his relationship. Especially as he's new to dating and barely has 1 double date before he's bonded to both. Extreme circumstances and all but we usually get more lean in and learn time with this author and I sorely missed it with this book. I think expanding this into grouped duets or trilogies would have enhanced the reading experience more. Book 1 could have been Dag being discovered, learning about his different abilities, and the very beginning of feelings for Mikkel and Stefan. Book 2 discovering their enemies and the trials they'll face establishing Dag as licensed, while also leaning in a bit more as a throuple and learning what they'll face there, too. Book 3 resolution to enemies, throuple-hood and the fun twist the head of all magic bestowed at the end. It would have paced things out better and more satisfactorily. Instead the first half is beautifully laid out but the second half feels horribly rushed with a pat ending that feels lacking. And that makes me sad because this author is a guaranteed laugh and love usually. So while I enjoyed parts of this book I can't give it the full stars I usually do. I feel all 3 were only half developed and established.
April 21, 2023
I hate to give this less than three stars, but I had that much trouble with it, and if you go look at my highlights and notes, you'll see indications of the problem areas.
I consider the ableism the worst offense, but having read that last confrontation, I must add the implication of mental illness as bad guy compulsion is no better. Overall, there is a glut of excess words, a number of grammatical fails, some very messy sentences, quite a lot of repetition, failures of research, consistency, logical action progression, and sensitivity. It's a mess. Were this any other author, I'd have DNF'd in the first three chapters. The worst plot hole is the wholly improbable dislike of Dag's super healing power. At the very least, since he'd powerful but illegal, he'd be kept as a secret weapon in a hospital, not chased out of towns.
But I liked the main characters. I know how to skim where necessary for sanity purposes, and it was used frequently to evade excess words about feelings and concerns and insecurities and so on. I could probably have crossed out a quarter of the words with zero loss of story. Although that would highlight where the guys are slow on the uptake, and how weak the bad guy compulsions are.
Anyway. Go read the author's earlier work. Hope she finds editorial help for the next thing.
I consider the ableism the worst offense, but having read that last confrontation, I must add the implication of mental illness as bad guy compulsion is no better. Overall, there is a glut of excess words, a number of grammatical fails, some very messy sentences, quite a lot of repetition, failures of research, consistency, logical action progression, and sensitivity. It's a mess. Were this any other author, I'd have DNF'd in the first three chapters. The worst plot hole is the wholly improbable dislike of Dag's super healing power. At the very least, since he'd powerful but illegal, he'd be kept as a secret weapon in a hospital, not chased out of towns.
But I liked the main characters. I know how to skim where necessary for sanity purposes, and it was used frequently to evade excess words about feelings and concerns and insecurities and so on. I could probably have crossed out a quarter of the words with zero loss of story. Although that would highlight where the guys are slow on the uptake, and how weak the bad guy compulsions are.
Anyway. Go read the author's earlier work. Hope she finds editorial help for the next thing.
May 16, 2023
At this point, I only expect good things of AJ's books. So far I have yet to be disappointed. This was good! I love the way the system works. I do wish we had more explanation on how magic itself is cast and taught, and what the different magicians can do. It is pretty much the only flaw of the book
Want to read
April 20, 2023Dag, Stephan & Mikkel are fun, I've only read a few scenes of this book but I'll definitely be reading this full soon! These 3's sexual relationship has just started & I'm hoping they get a 2nd book soon to explore it more! 😍
November 20, 2024
I was thinking 🤔 and expecting a totally different Sherwood 😅. But this was fine.
⚠️ on-screen fairly explicit M/M
Interesting world 🌎 🤔 plot more of a meet cute than adventure 😉 The comeuppance of the bad guys was kinda rushed and somewhat anticlimactic in the last chapters.
⚠️ on-screen fairly explicit M/M
Interesting world 🌎 🤔 plot more of a meet cute than adventure 😉 The comeuppance of the bad guys was kinda rushed and somewhat anticlimactic in the last chapters.
April 11, 2023
I am lucky enough to have received an ARC copy of this book and all I can say is that it’s pretty amazing.
I loved the characters. I loved that they were open to talk to each other. And that they didn’t just jump into things.
I think there were a few things that didn’t get complete resolution but it does say at the end that there would be a second book, so hopefully it will happen there.
I would also love to learn more about the characters.
Mikkel though is definitely my favourite and his threats are a thing of beauty 💜
I loved the characters. I loved that they were open to talk to each other. And that they didn’t just jump into things.
I think there were a few things that didn’t get complete resolution but it does say at the end that there would be a second book, so hopefully it will happen there.
I would also love to learn more about the characters.
Mikkel though is definitely my favourite and his threats are a thing of beauty 💜
June 21, 2023
4- stars
I was completely on board during the first few chapters, wondering if it'll be a 5 star read. Initially I thought this was some kind of alternate history scenario with magics but then I realised it's actually set in modern times. And I was 'okay, I can adjust to this', but in the end, I couldn't. Several people have mentioned the same: the story would be much better and make much more sense if it wasn't set in modern days.
There are some surprisingly outdated attitudes by friendly characters (these I could deal with if they were the only issue), several occasions where modern medicine is completely disregarded, and it's remarkably difficult to believe that these kinds of healing powers could stay secret in the age of internet and social media.
I'm not really one to nitpick, usually I can go with the flow, but there were way too many issues that I could have just waved them off. Like how Sweden in the 90s definitely had social security and no teenagers had to prostitute themselves. If it was 100 years or more in the past... probably 90% of these inconsistencies would have disappeared. And the more accepting attitudes towards homosexuality and polyamory (to an extent) could have been explained with the example of the magical leaders - which was a point in the book already.
At some points the story kind of dragged a bit and considering the length I would have wanted to read erotic scenes from several point of views. The antagonists were also super one note. But still, it's not like I was bored, and there were plenty of things I liked. I'm just a bit sad this wasn't the 5 star read I was looking forward to. Now it's a shaky four. Luckily there are plenty of titles to read from this author, maybe I'll find my 5 star story still.
I was completely on board during the first few chapters, wondering if it'll be a 5 star read. Initially I thought this was some kind of alternate history scenario with magics but then I realised it's actually set in modern times. And I was 'okay, I can adjust to this', but in the end, I couldn't. Several people have mentioned the same: the story would be much better and make much more sense if it wasn't set in modern days.
There are some surprisingly outdated attitudes by friendly characters (these I could deal with if they were the only issue), several occasions where modern medicine is completely disregarded, and it's remarkably difficult to believe that these kinds of healing powers could stay secret in the age of internet and social media.
I'm not really one to nitpick, usually I can go with the flow, but there were way too many issues that I could have just waved them off. Like how Sweden in the 90s definitely had social security and no teenagers had to prostitute themselves. If it was 100 years or more in the past... probably 90% of these inconsistencies would have disappeared. And the more accepting attitudes towards homosexuality and polyamory (to an extent) could have been explained with the example of the magical leaders - which was a point in the book already.
At some points the story kind of dragged a bit and considering the length I would have wanted to read erotic scenes from several point of views. The antagonists were also super one note. But still, it's not like I was bored, and there were plenty of things I liked. I'm just a bit sad this wasn't the 5 star read I was looking forward to. Now it's a shaky four. Luckily there are plenty of titles to read from this author, maybe I'll find my 5 star story still.
July 19, 2023
DNF 80%
I don't generally rate books I don't finish, but man, the struggle to 80% was a lot. This book deserves a one star from me. I just waited and waited for something to happen, and nothing happened! It was just so many (poorly edited) words and I didn't feel any chemistry between the characters at all. It was just will they won't they will they won't they... We all know they're going to do it, so don't spend 300 pages pretending like we don't all know what is going to happen. THREE. HUNDRED. PAGES. What was I even thinking? Why didn't I just stop? I didn't even care after the first hundred pages if they got together because the writing was so bad. I felt like I was being punished with tedium. I think...is this one of the authors I broke up with last year and then forgot about it? I'm going to have to go investigate that. OMG I think I'm having a breakdown over the terribleness of this book.
I don't generally rate books I don't finish, but man, the struggle to 80% was a lot. This book deserves a one star from me. I just waited and waited for something to happen, and nothing happened! It was just so many (poorly edited) words and I didn't feel any chemistry between the characters at all. It was just will they won't they will they won't they... We all know they're going to do it, so don't spend 300 pages pretending like we don't all know what is going to happen. THREE. HUNDRED. PAGES. What was I even thinking? Why didn't I just stop? I didn't even care after the first hundred pages if they got together because the writing was so bad. I felt like I was being punished with tedium. I think...is this one of the authors I broke up with last year and then forgot about it? I'm going to have to go investigate that. OMG I think I'm having a breakdown over the terribleness of this book.
March 2, 2024
I adored this book and had complete fun reading it.
Dag, Stefan, and Mikkel are a great trouple, and I loved how they find their way together, which definitely is not over.
This book let us see their way to each other, but they now need to find a way to stay that way.
At one point, my heart broke for one of them ... fortunately, it is only a short stint before the communication kicked in.
So why only 4,5 stars? Because somehow everything seemed a bit too easy in retrospect.
Nevertheless, I can't wait to read the next book
Dag, Stefan, and Mikkel are a great trouple, and I loved how they find their way together, which definitely is not over.
This book let us see their way to each other, but they now need to find a way to stay that way.
At one point, my heart broke for one of them ... fortunately, it is only a short stint before the communication kicked in.
So why only 4,5 stars? Because somehow everything seemed a bit too easy in retrospect.
Nevertheless, I can't wait to read the next book
November 15, 2025
A fairly lengthy book that is a thoroughly enjoyable read, slow at first but gathers momentum. I’m not sure why the bad guy mage was bad, what did he have against healers, hopefully that is fodder for future books (please).
May 10, 2023
It was a lot of things that I don't really find interesting so it was a hard read for me. It was also really slow, especially at the beginning, but overall it wasn't bad. It just wasn't really up my ally.
June 16, 2024
Little niggles stopped this from being a 5 star rating. Overall, it was entertaining. I enjoyed the world-building and magic system. I would have loved more of Bjorn performing magic. Dag's talent was incredible.
April 18, 2023
Good Read
More serious story line her other series but just as good of a read. I am very excited to see where these characters go.
More serious story line her other series but just as good of a read. I am very excited to see where these characters go.
August 17, 2023
different
I liked the take on magic and mix of dystopian with urban fantasy. The story is set in a very much current Canada, in Nova Scotia, with a different kind of government to regulate the magic. We follow through the POV of the three men who are finding out how to be in love and trust each other. Parallel to that, there are political situations trying to destabilize the current leader and Dag ends up being a fundamental piece of the game.
The reasons I didn’t give 5 stars:
1) the story relys heavily on miscommunication and non-communication. It’s a pet peeve of mine seeing a bunch of adults not being to process and explain things.
2) how chaste it was. We have three men in their mid-20s and 30s and there was barely anything on how horny they were. There are a few kisses here and there, one body touching over clothes and one single sex scene that felt incomplete. O refuse to believe that men in this age group do not constantly think of sex and are content with furtive kisses without helping themselves.
I liked the take on magic and mix of dystopian with urban fantasy. The story is set in a very much current Canada, in Nova Scotia, with a different kind of government to regulate the magic. We follow through the POV of the three men who are finding out how to be in love and trust each other. Parallel to that, there are political situations trying to destabilize the current leader and Dag ends up being a fundamental piece of the game.
The reasons I didn’t give 5 stars:
1) the story relys heavily on miscommunication and non-communication. It’s a pet peeve of mine seeing a bunch of adults not being to process and explain things.
2) how chaste it was. We have three men in their mid-20s and 30s and there was barely anything on how horny they were. There are a few kisses here and there, one body touching over clothes and one single sex scene that felt incomplete. O refuse to believe that men in this age group do not constantly think of sex and are content with furtive kisses without helping themselves.
April 21, 2023
2.5 - 3
This one was a confusing read for me in that I enjoy this author, and aspects of this story, but it left me feeling really blah.
The world building started out good. Great premise; established magical system with a a 'new' magic that didn’t fit. Dag was a great character and his magical aspect was awesome. But there was a weird merge between the magical world and the modern one that didn't seem to work. It felt like the author forgot sometimes that it wasn't high fantasy, eg; the castle, Leif and Jane, Mikkel's impoverished upbringing, Dag's childhood in an orphanage. These aspects and characters seemed medieval and didn’t fit the urban fantasy setting so they didn’t make sense. I was especially miffed with how the infertility of Leif and Jane was handled. It was so chauvinistic, so outdated. That's simply not how modern medicine works.
Mostly I just found that the story dragged. There was heaps going on, they seemed to jump from catastrophe to catastrophe and yet it was boring. I didn’t feel very invested I guess. Stefan's previous relationship was so terrible it gave him PTSD and yet we really didn't learn anything about it. Mostly he came off as an incredibly reserved and uptight guy, which was weird given he was raised by a family of theatre people whom he happily performed with as a child. Mikkel on the other hand had a good backstory and made sense as a character but just didn’t get enough time with the others I don't think. Anyways, it was not terrible but not good either. Not sure I'll read another in this series unless it's same world, new characters and then maybe it'll be better?
This one was a confusing read for me in that I enjoy this author, and aspects of this story, but it left me feeling really blah.
The world building started out good. Great premise; established magical system with a a 'new' magic that didn’t fit. Dag was a great character and his magical aspect was awesome. But there was a weird merge between the magical world and the modern one that didn't seem to work. It felt like the author forgot sometimes that it wasn't high fantasy, eg; the castle, Leif and Jane, Mikkel's impoverished upbringing, Dag's childhood in an orphanage. These aspects and characters seemed medieval and didn’t fit the urban fantasy setting so they didn’t make sense. I was especially miffed with how the infertility of Leif and Jane was handled. It was so chauvinistic, so outdated. That's simply not how modern medicine works.
Mostly I just found that the story dragged. There was heaps going on, they seemed to jump from catastrophe to catastrophe and yet it was boring. I didn’t feel very invested I guess. Stefan's previous relationship was so terrible it gave him PTSD and yet we really didn't learn anything about it. Mostly he came off as an incredibly reserved and uptight guy, which was weird given he was raised by a family of theatre people whom he happily performed with as a child. Mikkel on the other hand had a good backstory and made sense as a character but just didn’t get enough time with the others I don't think. Anyways, it was not terrible but not good either. Not sure I'll read another in this series unless it's same world, new characters and then maybe it'll be better?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2023
2.75 Stars.
Forever and a day, that's how long it has taken me to finish this book. I should have heeded the numerous reviews warning of this. But I got past chapter 6 which is usually my cut off, and then got too far in to DNF.
What a good chapter 1! So good!!! A captivating introduction with the intrigue. However, the book isn't really that intriguing. It is more a miscommunication plot, split 3 ways, with a smattering of a murderous rival who comes in time to time to break in the monotony of the characters each wondering does he love me/does he have genuine affection for me?
Chapter 22 shows Mikkel's skills.
Chapter 30 is when they all get bedroom intimate.
...Stupidity is painful. I avoid it as much as possible.”
There is dry/sardonic humour in the story. But towards the end I got frustrated with the quips/dialogue as the book relies heavily on repetition. I just wanted to get to the end.
Then, I didn't understand the mishmash of Norwegian, Swedish characters then they are in Canada, America, Sweden with an Asian/Arabian nights Praeses. I know Stefan was written as a black character, but he honestly didn't feel like it.
The book also felt like you're reading a historical romance, but set it in current times. It was more a jumble of people, places and things rather than it being a melting pot, if that is what the author was going for.
So, had my interest at first, struggle read till the end and won't be continuing with the series. However, I absolutely loved the aspect of Dag's healing abilities.
Forever and a day, that's how long it has taken me to finish this book. I should have heeded the numerous reviews warning of this. But I got past chapter 6 which is usually my cut off, and then got too far in to DNF.
What a good chapter 1! So good!!! A captivating introduction with the intrigue. However, the book isn't really that intriguing. It is more a miscommunication plot, split 3 ways, with a smattering of a murderous rival who comes in time to time to break in the monotony of the characters each wondering does he love me/does he have genuine affection for me?
Chapter 22 shows Mikkel's skills.
Chapter 30 is when they all get bedroom intimate.
...Stupidity is painful. I avoid it as much as possible.”
There is dry/sardonic humour in the story. But towards the end I got frustrated with the quips/dialogue as the book relies heavily on repetition. I just wanted to get to the end.
Then, I didn't understand the mishmash of Norwegian, Swedish characters then they are in Canada, America, Sweden with an Asian/Arabian nights Praeses. I know Stefan was written as a black character, but he honestly didn't feel like it.
The book also felt like you're reading a historical romance, but set it in current times. It was more a jumble of people, places and things rather than it being a melting pot, if that is what the author was going for.
So, had my interest at first, struggle read till the end and won't be continuing with the series. However, I absolutely loved the aspect of Dag's healing abilities.
November 27, 2023
This was a lovely start to a new series. I do enjoy A.J. Sherwood's writing so much and this was no different. This wasn't my favorite of her novels, and the relationship building felt a little rushed, but I still really enjoyed all the characters. The magic in this story was also really interesting. I liked the differences in Stefan and Dag's magic. The backstory for Dag is great. He's run for so long and Stefan is the first licensed magic practitioner who hasn't immediately tried to arrest him. He actually sees the good that Dag can do. When you add in Mikkel and his business savvy mind you get a lot of fun.
I liked the blend of these three guys together. Their strengths of set each other and really do provide a solid bases for these guys to grow together. I appreciated that everything wasn't smooth sailing between the three of them. They have issues of their own that still need to be worked through and communication hasn't always been their strength. Dag's unselfish healers heart is so sweet and Mikkel and Stefan are two great pillars on either side of him. I appreciated that this story gave us a good overview of the world here with all of the political ramifications of everything going on.
All in all I'm looking forward to more in this series and from these guys.
I liked the blend of these three guys together. Their strengths of set each other and really do provide a solid bases for these guys to grow together. I appreciated that everything wasn't smooth sailing between the three of them. They have issues of their own that still need to be worked through and communication hasn't always been their strength. Dag's unselfish healers heart is so sweet and Mikkel and Stefan are two great pillars on either side of him. I appreciated that this story gave us a good overview of the world here with all of the political ramifications of everything going on.
All in all I'm looking forward to more in this series and from these guys.
September 22, 2023
So, many things bothered me.
The story was long and oddly paced, with inconsistent characterisation, linguistic errors and a use of Scandinavian names and terms which I would term misuse.
Some examples; the Swedih "dumbom" is antiquated, the Norwegian "taitinger" likely a slur against the Romany people, Mikkel isn't a Swedish name it's a Danish and Norwegian name.
I understand wanting to use other languages and not everybody has access to native speakers to check things, but Google can be your ally as well as your enemy.
Also, sexist, ableist, fetishising (most of which other reviewers have adressed thoroughly). To summarise, no thank you.
The story was long and oddly paced, with inconsistent characterisation, linguistic errors and a use of Scandinavian names and terms which I would term misuse.
Some examples; the Swedih "dumbom" is antiquated, the Norwegian "taitinger" likely a slur against the Romany people, Mikkel isn't a Swedish name it's a Danish and Norwegian name.
I understand wanting to use other languages and not everybody has access to native speakers to check things, but Google can be your ally as well as your enemy.
Also, sexist, ableist, fetishising (most of which other reviewers have adressed thoroughly). To summarise, no thank you.
September 11, 2024
Fast-paced, funny AF, hot, humorous… must reread soonest.
But for the love of all that's holy, do not use the word "carding" when you mean "combing"! (Link to YouTube video on hand carding.)
But for the love of all that's holy, do not use the word "carding" when you mean "combing"! (Link to YouTube video on hand carding.)
May 19, 2024
Sweet love
What an interesting concept. Alternative earth with magic. A lovely throuple. Excellent story with complex characters. The author has outdone themselves.
What an interesting concept. Alternative earth with magic. A lovely throuple. Excellent story with complex characters. The author has outdone themselves.
Read
May 23, 2023DNF @55%
May come back to it. I like each individual character, but this is taking way too long to read and I feel like it hasn't gone anywhere really, and I'm over halfway through.
May come back to it. I like each individual character, but this is taking way too long to read and I feel like it hasn't gone anywhere really, and I'm over halfway through.
April 19, 2023
Fabulous Storytelling, great characters, a book I didn’t put down!
Rating: 4.75🌈
The Magic That Binds is the first in a new series by A.J. Sherwood and it’s an excellent story. By the author’s own admission, it’s been a long time coming. A fact made clear by the detailed nature of the book’s world building and the way in which Sherwood slowly creates this incredible, intimate bond between three unusual, and extremely distinct individuals.
This bond, a threefold relationship that forms from wary friendships and tenuous business/political connections then strengthens through mutual attraction, deepening connections, mysterious events, and ultimately love.
Sherwood’s beautifully plotted tale of a poly romantic journey is founded upon a backdrop of intricate magical intrigue and political power struggles. We are given a prologue as a base for our world knowledge before we jump into the high drama and mysteries that will bring the three men together in a fascinating, satisfying romantic tale.
It’s starts with Dag Gates, rogue healer, on the run in Nova Scotia, a country only recently having found peace and stability under new rule. Dag, an orphaned boy, a powerful healer, and a bit of an enigma, might start off as a favorite character. He’s all damaged soul, PTSD, and yet so bright and caring. A great character. Yet the two men coming into his life shortly after are different, in looks, backgrounds, and power. And will slide into the reader’s heart as well. Maegan Stefan Bjorne, powerful mage, of a large loving theatrical family and possessing a heart wary of affection and commitment. Dark, strong and instantly drawn to Dag.
I felt their chemistry immediately.
Then came the bad boy or man. Businessman Mikkel Vinters, with two families, of which one is his chosen found family of a less lustrous reputation. Vinters so layered , his found family so fascinating , his mind so open to the possibilities both men represent to him and the future, that you are all in where he’s concerned.
With each perspective, we get to know intimately the way each man thinks and feels, about the others and the increasingly precarious situations they find themselves in .
I just couldn’t put this book down.
They grow together, Dag ‘s new stable life lets him start to settle down emotionally, and that impacts the others. I really don’t see how Sherwood missed out on the natural progression here with the men and their poly relationship. Even the sexual scenes, which have the added element of one man being a virgin, feel believable , sexy, and loving.
I’m thrilled that Sherwood isn’t done with these men and this universe. I honestly need more . The author teases us with fabulous glimpses of family life, personal history, and castle home life. But we know that there’s so much more happening.
And we want to be a part of it. And them. Whenever we may get it.
The Magic That Binds (Haelan Book 1) by A.J. Sherwood is a fabulous book and one I’m highly recommending!
Rating: 4.75🌈
The Magic That Binds is the first in a new series by A.J. Sherwood and it’s an excellent story. By the author’s own admission, it’s been a long time coming. A fact made clear by the detailed nature of the book’s world building and the way in which Sherwood slowly creates this incredible, intimate bond between three unusual, and extremely distinct individuals.
This bond, a threefold relationship that forms from wary friendships and tenuous business/political connections then strengthens through mutual attraction, deepening connections, mysterious events, and ultimately love.
Sherwood’s beautifully plotted tale of a poly romantic journey is founded upon a backdrop of intricate magical intrigue and political power struggles. We are given a prologue as a base for our world knowledge before we jump into the high drama and mysteries that will bring the three men together in a fascinating, satisfying romantic tale.
It’s starts with Dag Gates, rogue healer, on the run in Nova Scotia, a country only recently having found peace and stability under new rule. Dag, an orphaned boy, a powerful healer, and a bit of an enigma, might start off as a favorite character. He’s all damaged soul, PTSD, and yet so bright and caring. A great character. Yet the two men coming into his life shortly after are different, in looks, backgrounds, and power. And will slide into the reader’s heart as well. Maegan Stefan Bjorne, powerful mage, of a large loving theatrical family and possessing a heart wary of affection and commitment. Dark, strong and instantly drawn to Dag.
I felt their chemistry immediately.
Then came the bad boy or man. Businessman Mikkel Vinters, with two families, of which one is his chosen found family of a less lustrous reputation. Vinters so layered , his found family so fascinating , his mind so open to the possibilities both men represent to him and the future, that you are all in where he’s concerned.
With each perspective, we get to know intimately the way each man thinks and feels, about the others and the increasingly precarious situations they find themselves in .
I just couldn’t put this book down.
They grow together, Dag ‘s new stable life lets him start to settle down emotionally, and that impacts the others. I really don’t see how Sherwood missed out on the natural progression here with the men and their poly relationship. Even the sexual scenes, which have the added element of one man being a virgin, feel believable , sexy, and loving.
I’m thrilled that Sherwood isn’t done with these men and this universe. I honestly need more . The author teases us with fabulous glimpses of family life, personal history, and castle home life. But we know that there’s so much more happening.
And we want to be a part of it. And them. Whenever we may get it.
The Magic That Binds (Haelan Book 1) by A.J. Sherwood is a fabulous book and one I’m highly recommending!
April 13, 2023
4.5 stars
Sherwood launches an imaginative and immersive urban fantasy world with this series opener featuring a delightful mix of primary and secondary characters. I was immediately intrigued by the mystery of how Dag’s “magic” isn’t allowed in this setting, especially when he is blatantly on the side of good, but I was also excited for him to find a home and safety under Stefan’s acceptance. What starts as a relatively straightforward external plot (getting formal approval for Dag to practice his version of magic) gets swept up in more convoluted large-scale political issues, but I never felt overwhelmed by the characters or their roles in the bigger picture. Luckily, Dag has both Stefan, a powerful magic user, and Mikkel, a man with plenty of other forms of power in the form of wealth and connections, in his corner.
Oh, and they’re also all crushing on each other like mad, which is both adorable and poignant at turns considering that all three have vastly different relationship histories. This baggage means that each man is a bit torn by their interest in the other two but assumes those other two likely only want (or deserve each other). The inherent goodness in each man (yes, Mikkel, even you) means that there aren’t bad feelings over this, just a sweet sort of longing.
This trio could have gone in circles forever, aside from some unconventional dating, awkward late-night kitchen conversations, and a bit of kissing (the kissing is mostly Mikkel’s fault), until a crisis forces them to jumpstart their relationship in the most dramatic way possible. This doesn’t result in “instant love” between all three of them, and they have to juggle their new circumstances with lots of external plot implications. However, Sherwood has crafted three characters who balance each other nicely, so the following emphasis on communication doesn’t seem contrived. And while this is a polyamorous relationship, the focus is more on emotions and relationship development than spice for the sake of spice.
Though I occasionally had a difficult time figuring out the interplay between the mundane and magical governments and their effect on each, I had a great time in this world and with these characters. I look forward to returning and seeing how Dag, Stefan, and Mikkel continue to upend the status quo.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Sherwood launches an imaginative and immersive urban fantasy world with this series opener featuring a delightful mix of primary and secondary characters. I was immediately intrigued by the mystery of how Dag’s “magic” isn’t allowed in this setting, especially when he is blatantly on the side of good, but I was also excited for him to find a home and safety under Stefan’s acceptance. What starts as a relatively straightforward external plot (getting formal approval for Dag to practice his version of magic) gets swept up in more convoluted large-scale political issues, but I never felt overwhelmed by the characters or their roles in the bigger picture. Luckily, Dag has both Stefan, a powerful magic user, and Mikkel, a man with plenty of other forms of power in the form of wealth and connections, in his corner.
Oh, and they’re also all crushing on each other like mad, which is both adorable and poignant at turns considering that all three have vastly different relationship histories. This baggage means that each man is a bit torn by their interest in the other two but assumes those other two likely only want (or deserve each other). The inherent goodness in each man (yes, Mikkel, even you) means that there aren’t bad feelings over this, just a sweet sort of longing.
This trio could have gone in circles forever, aside from some unconventional dating, awkward late-night kitchen conversations, and a bit of kissing (the kissing is mostly Mikkel’s fault), until a crisis forces them to jumpstart their relationship in the most dramatic way possible. This doesn’t result in “instant love” between all three of them, and they have to juggle their new circumstances with lots of external plot implications. However, Sherwood has crafted three characters who balance each other nicely, so the following emphasis on communication doesn’t seem contrived. And while this is a polyamorous relationship, the focus is more on emotions and relationship development than spice for the sake of spice.
Though I occasionally had a difficult time figuring out the interplay between the mundane and magical governments and their effect on each, I had a great time in this world and with these characters. I look forward to returning and seeing how Dag, Stefan, and Mikkel continue to upend the status quo.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
April 21, 2023
If you like Sherwood's style, you're in the right place. If you're a first-time visitor... well, let me explain how this works.
We have Dag. He is a nice man. He is special. Went through a lot. He meets Stefan. He is a nice man. Powerful. He takes him home - he lives in a castle. The cook likes him. She's nice. The head of the castle (and Canada, I guess) like him as well. They are nice people. They meet Mikkal. He is a scoundrel. A nice one. The head of security is nice. The doctor at the hospital is... hmm... what was it? Nice. Yes. The random woman on the street is, you guessed it, nice.
Now, this is an oversimplification of the story. But, as I might have mentioned in other review, it really describes the feeling - the style. It feels like seeing all these nice people make each other feel nice, especially the main characters. Why, the people in charge of the magic community are so nice and it is such a shame they are too nice to bury... I mean, get rid of these two very very not nice men that are always at the right/wrong time at the right/wrong place to cause bad things to happen to our nice people.
There's just something so nice and innocent about Sherwood's characters that seeing them suffer makes you cry inside. Like, really inside because they do give off some puppy-vibes but my point is that this is a feel-good and comfort book. It tries to make its characters dangerous. I mean, someone says the word. A few times. About one of the main characters. Because they are. Soooo dangerous. Powerful. But they're nice. Too nice. And like the proverbial puppy, you might be happy to get snuggles and licks from these "predators" but they just don't command the respect of the older dogs that can be both beautiful and capable.
The world is great, don't get me wrong. Both here and in the... the world with the anchor and... the other one, you know, that is all inter-connected, they're both well made, interesting, but it's very much overshadowed by the personal relationships that, as I said, are just too sweet. I mean, they are sweet, so awesome.
So if you are in the mood/market for a group of nice and special people getting to know each other and making stuff happen and... well, eating a lot, then Sherwood is absolutely for you. Me... ? I treat them like milk chocolate. You can take a piece. A month. But you take two? And you won¨t want to eat any for the foreseeable future.
We have Dag. He is a nice man. He is special. Went through a lot. He meets Stefan. He is a nice man. Powerful. He takes him home - he lives in a castle. The cook likes him. She's nice. The head of the castle (and Canada, I guess) like him as well. They are nice people. They meet Mikkal. He is a scoundrel. A nice one. The head of security is nice. The doctor at the hospital is... hmm... what was it? Nice. Yes. The random woman on the street is, you guessed it, nice.
Now, this is an oversimplification of the story. But, as I might have mentioned in other review, it really describes the feeling - the style. It feels like seeing all these nice people make each other feel nice, especially the main characters. Why, the people in charge of the magic community are so nice and it is such a shame they are too nice to bury... I mean, get rid of these two very very not nice men that are always at the right/wrong time at the right/wrong place to cause bad things to happen to our nice people.
There's just something so nice and innocent about Sherwood's characters that seeing them suffer makes you cry inside. Like, really inside because they do give off some puppy-vibes but my point is that this is a feel-good and comfort book. It tries to make its characters dangerous. I mean, someone says the word. A few times. About one of the main characters. Because they are. Soooo dangerous. Powerful. But they're nice. Too nice. And like the proverbial puppy, you might be happy to get snuggles and licks from these "predators" but they just don't command the respect of the older dogs that can be both beautiful and capable.
The world is great, don't get me wrong. Both here and in the... the world with the anchor and... the other one, you know, that is all inter-connected, they're both well made, interesting, but it's very much overshadowed by the personal relationships that, as I said, are just too sweet. I mean, they are sweet, so awesome.
So if you are in the mood/market for a group of nice and special people getting to know each other and making stuff happen and... well, eating a lot, then Sherwood is absolutely for you. Me... ? I treat them like milk chocolate. You can take a piece. A month. But you take two? And you won¨t want to eat any for the foreseeable future.
December 5, 2024
As much as I adore Sherwood, and it's a lot, this was just bad. Not the story itself - I liked the setting, the magic system, the MCs, and the poly-ness of it all.
But the writing! I'm not talking about the grammar either (so not a strength of mine,) but the language. The three MCs all sound the same, and that makes it difficult to get inside their heads. The dialogue is stilted and clunky, there are soo many adjectives and excess words in general, and the writer so often chooses the fanciest version of a word or expression. I mean, assiduously?!
The language here might be a conscious choice, but I hated it and was pulled out of the story again and again. I was so confused that I went back to A Mage's Guide to Human Familiars to see if I just remembered it wrong, but that's as good as ever.
I couldn't decide on just one quote:
There's also a few things that are just plain wrong:
But the writing! I'm not talking about the grammar either (so not a strength of mine,) but the language. The three MCs all sound the same, and that makes it difficult to get inside their heads. The dialogue is stilted and clunky, there are soo many adjectives and excess words in general, and the writer so often chooses the fanciest version of a word or expression. I mean, assiduously?!
The language here might be a conscious choice, but I hated it and was pulled out of the story again and again. I was so confused that I went back to A Mage's Guide to Human Familiars to see if I just remembered it wrong, but that's as good as ever.
I couldn't decide on just one quote:
To his surprise, Gates had taken the idea of having precautionary spells placed on him with aplomb. It appeared he thought little of it, trusting Stefan to a degree that seemed conversely suspicious.
If someone could untangle this relationship triangle he’d suddenly tripped into, Dag would be assiduously grateful and promptly repay the favor. Please and thank you
Birgit, bless her soul, had left all manner of food available to them, plus bowls, spoons, and some wine on the table. Both men fell on it like ravening wolves and the conversation naturally died as their mouths found another occupation.
Through the judicious method of driving like a maniac, Stefan got them to the disaster in a little under ten minutes. Which felt like a small eternity. He parked behind a fire truck, the entire street filled with emergency vehicles. Dag scrambled out of the Jeep and around the front of it, and in so doing, got his first clear view of the area.
Right now it proved handy, because having the bread calmed him down. Bread was a comfort food to him. One of the few things that could really help staunch the hunger pangs.
There's also a few things that are just plain wrong:
Both leg bones did indeed have complex fractures.
“No, you’re what I like to call ‘dry drunk’ where you’re so overextended you act like a drunk.”
June 22, 2023
A sense of duty
This book really sets the groundwork for this new series while bringing about such an interesting world and characters that you love and root for from the very beginning!
Dag has lived most of his life on the run because he can perform magic, but not the 'right' way. He can heal people, almost bring them back from death, but he is banned from doing so since he cannot do any other type of magic and that is the law of this world. Dag still heals others, called to help with this power that he has, and so always finds himself in trouble. But when in Nova Scotia he suddenly finds that the head there is interested in him and his power it looks like he might finally have a chance to stop running.
Stephan did something crazy a little while back and followed his friend to help take control of a lawless and magic held Nova Scotia. He succeeded and now helps in the running of that state. When an unusual magic user and a powerful businessman both show up in his territory at the same time he sees that they could be a boon to their growing stability. At the same time the problems they bring could be just as destabilizing as helpful.
Mikkel has worked upwards for his power and money and is rather used to getting what he wants. In his romantic life this has often meant two partners, and two men in Nova Scotia have just caught his eye. But it is clear to him that neither are used to multiple partners, and perhaps his own feelings are stronger than the flings he is used to. When both Stephan and Dag show themselves to be strong and powerful, but struggling and in need of help, Mikkel knows he wants to step in and see where this all could go.
Building up this three way relationship takes plenty of work. Each man is coming from such a different standing in life and such different abilities. What they all bring to the table helps to bring them together, but it also keeps them in danger as they work in such a fragile area and with new discoveries. There are some major changes made for the world through the book, with the series title being a big hint, and it promises to bring more work but also maybe more happiness for these men in the future. Looking forward to see where this will go!
This book really sets the groundwork for this new series while bringing about such an interesting world and characters that you love and root for from the very beginning!
Dag has lived most of his life on the run because he can perform magic, but not the 'right' way. He can heal people, almost bring them back from death, but he is banned from doing so since he cannot do any other type of magic and that is the law of this world. Dag still heals others, called to help with this power that he has, and so always finds himself in trouble. But when in Nova Scotia he suddenly finds that the head there is interested in him and his power it looks like he might finally have a chance to stop running.
Stephan did something crazy a little while back and followed his friend to help take control of a lawless and magic held Nova Scotia. He succeeded and now helps in the running of that state. When an unusual magic user and a powerful businessman both show up in his territory at the same time he sees that they could be a boon to their growing stability. At the same time the problems they bring could be just as destabilizing as helpful.
Mikkel has worked upwards for his power and money and is rather used to getting what he wants. In his romantic life this has often meant two partners, and two men in Nova Scotia have just caught his eye. But it is clear to him that neither are used to multiple partners, and perhaps his own feelings are stronger than the flings he is used to. When both Stephan and Dag show themselves to be strong and powerful, but struggling and in need of help, Mikkel knows he wants to step in and see where this all could go.
Building up this three way relationship takes plenty of work. Each man is coming from such a different standing in life and such different abilities. What they all bring to the table helps to bring them together, but it also keeps them in danger as they work in such a fragile area and with new discoveries. There are some major changes made for the world through the book, with the series title being a big hint, and it promises to bring more work but also maybe more happiness for these men in the future. Looking forward to see where this will go!
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