Review: Dark Harmony

Title: Dark Harmony
Series: Bargainer series
Author: Laura Thalassa

Blurb:

There are worse things than death. Things that lurk in the shadows and slip into your dreams. Things that have no business existing. Things that once slept … but have now awoken.

For Callypso Lillis, the fae magic that now runs through her veins is equal parts curse and good fortune. For the very thing that bonds her to Desmond Flynn, the King of the Night, also makes her vulnerable to the Thief of Souls, a man who wants to break the world … and Callie along with it.

But it’s not just the Thief whose shadow looms over the Otherworld. Des’s father is back from the dead, and he wants revenge on the son who sent him to the grave in the first place.

Des and Callie must figure out how to stop both men, and time is running out. Because there are forces at play working to tear the lovers apart once and for all … and unfortunately for them, death is no longer the worst thing to fear.

Review:
You MUST Read books 1 & 2 in the Bargainer series before reading this book!
There are worse things then death- which Callypso realizes when she awakes with far magic running through her veins. The very same magic is both a curse, and a blessing. She is now bonded to her mate King of Night Desmond, but she is also vulnerable to the Thief of Souls magic, which is exactly what he wanted all along. And the Thief isn't the only one hunting Des and Callie, but Des' father is back from the dead, and he's our for blood.
Des and Callie must figure out how to stop both men before time runs out. And Death is no longer the worse thing to fear...
I couldn't get enough of Des and Callie's story. It seems that there had always been forced driving these two apart, every time they defeat the odds something else is gunning for them. Desmond is King of the Night, and the Bargainer. He rules over sex and corruption. He is one of the strongest and most cunning Fae. Always scheming, and making deals. He was always viewed as weak. Especially by his father- and more so after he became mated to a human. Callie isn't just any normal human though. She is a siren. And she spent her whole life being weak- a victim. But not any more. Her past makes her strong. Overcoming it makes her her enemies worst nightmares. And she will do whatever it takes to save those she loves most- even if it means subcoming to the darkness. She shows that it doesn't matter what she has been through, only who she is now- which is brave, resilant, and strong. She will never again be someone's victim.
I'm sad this series is over after it consumed me over the past few days. It was spell binding and memorizing. It showed me that we are all more than what we went through, and the only things that define us our ourselves. I fell in love with Desmond's and Callypo's story and the magic within. 5 nightmare ⭐ out of 5⭐

Review: the Emperor of Evening Stars

Title: the Emperor of Evening Stars
Series: Bargainer series
Author: Laura Thalassa

Blurb:

In the beginning, there was darkness.
Before he met Callie, before he became the Bargainer, there was Desmond Flynn, the bastard son of a scribe. A boy born to a weak mother, cursed with little magic, and destined to marry a slave.

But fate had something else in mind.

Till darkness dies.
From the barren caves of Arestys to the palace of Somnia to the streets of earth, this is how Desmond Flynn, a fairy who began with nothing, became the Emperor of Evening Stars.

Review:

This novella is in Desmond's POV, and a lot of it is his life before he met Callie. How he became the Bargainer, how he became the King of Night and Emperor of Stars. This is Desmond's story, from his life in Arestys until the events of book 2- a Strange Hymn.
I LOVED Des throughout the first two books, and always wanted more, more, more of him. And even though this was a novella- it delivered giving me exactly what I wanted. To know more of Desmond Flynn. His past, and his present. How he thinks, what he feels. I got to learn more from Desmond- and it wasn't enough, nothing will ever be enough. But I loved every single second of it. This is a must read for any Bargainer and/or Desmond fans! (Must have read the first two books before reading this one!) 4.5⭐ out of 5⭐.

Review: a Strange Hymn

Title: A Strange Hymn
Series: the Bargainer series
Author: Laura Thalassa

Blurb:

Siren and soulmate to the King of Night, Callypso Lillis survived the clutches of Karnon, the mad king, and his twisted prison. But the nightmare isn’t over. Callie wears the physical reminders of her time as a captive, and mounting evidence suggests the Thief of Souls is still out there.

When a fae celebration thrusts Callie and her mate, Desmond Flynn, into the Kingdom of Flora, they take their investigation with them. But under the bright lights and striking blooms of the realm, they find there are more immediate issues to deal with. No place is more uniquely savage than the great fae halls, and no amount of bargains can save Callie from royal intrigues.

Fairies play dangerous games. Some want love, some want vengeance, some want flesh, and some want things too unspeakable to utter. One thing is for sure: no one is who they appear to be. Not even Des, who only grows more enigmatic with every passing secret.

But the Kingdom of Flora has its own secrets, from bleeding trees to branded slaves and missing guards. Something is stirring in the land of all that grows, and if Callie isn’t careful, it will claim everything and everyone she loves—and her along with it.

Review:
You MUST read book One Rhapsodic first before reading a Strange Hymn. The events of this book take place immediately following the events of book 1.
So admittedly it's been a little bit since I read book one, but I needed a change in genres so I picked up this book.
Callypso, is a human siren and mate to the Fae King of Night Desmond. And after he saved her from Karon another Fae king's evil clutches she is grappling with the changes she has endured. But that's not the only thing. Besides trying to solve the mystery of the sleeping woman, missing soldiers, and creepy mysterious children, she now is also undergoing training against Des, while learning as much as she can, not only about Desmond himself, but the court he rules over- and the rest of the otherworld. Especially since they are invited to the week long Solstice party in the kingdom of of Flora- one of the kingdoms that allow human slaves, which Callie still is. But that's not the only issue- all the courts will be gathered, including those of of Fauna- the same Court's King that Desmond murdered. On top of it all, Flora has bleeding trees, and soldiers from each court in attendance going missing. Something sinister is going on in the land that grows, and if Callie isn't careful, it will claim everything and everyone she loves, including herself.
As with the first book, I LOVED Desmond, King of Night. I loved how protective he was of Callie, but how he didn't coddle her and let her make her own decisions even if he didn't agree with them. Callie was struggling with everything she had been through, and the changes that happened. But instead of shying away from anything, she stood up and fought. She was still strong willed, and didn't let what happened to her define her. Her and Desmond's bond is stronger than ever- but still not perfect. He is still King of secrets, and she is still human. And they still have many unsolved mysteries to solve. It seems when one answer presents itself many more questions appear in it's place. Can Callie and Des bond hold true? Can Des and Callie survive being in the Flora court for a week with so many Fae at odds with one another, and list of missing people growing more the longer they are there? Or will going to the Solstice doom them all? Find out these answers and more in this magical world of Fae that had me spell bound from beginning to end. 5 fantastical ⭐ out of 5⭐.

Review: Rhapsodic

Title: Rhapsodic
Series: the Bargainer
Author: Laura Thalassa

Blurb:

Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear.

Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want... at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.

But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Callie finds the fae king of the night in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s just a chaste kiss—a single bead’s worth—and a promise for more.

For the Bargainer, it’s more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to their breast. And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that’s been awoken.

If the Bargainer has any hope to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. Only, his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one.

Review:

First off, I have been in a reading slump for awhile now. I have been DNF'ing books, and books from authors I normally love- haven't been having that WOW factor. Don't get me wrong -book they are amazing books. But I just haven't been feeling any of it. So I searched through my books. Nothing grabbing my attention. I decided on Rhapsodic. I have been reading a lot of romance, lately- and thought to get out of it and into something else. Rhapsodic is more... New Adult Fantasy I think. And while I may not be 100% out of my slump- after a day or twoof slow reading, it finally caught my attention. And now I want more.
Callypso is not your normal teenager. After calling upon the Bargainer, she now has insurmountable debt to be paid- but after seven long years, he has finally come to ask for her help with his world- and collect.
Callypso is a siren for the taste of chaos and sex.
The Bargainer is a fae king.
But there is a mystery that is bigger than the two of them in the Otherworld that has been going on for a decade- that has yet to be solved.
Could the Siren and the Bargainer solve it in time? And would a Siren and Fae working so closely together get a rise in their carnal desires?
The Bargainer Desmond "Des" was what you would expect from a fae king- powerful, ruthless, cunning, wicked- and even what you wouldn't expect- sweet, caring. Artistic. "Callie" Callypso isn't your normal teenager- she is a siren who was just coming into her powers- which also attracts much unwanted attention. But she learns to control them. And is intruiged by the Bargainer who saves her from a life-altering decision. But then she calls upon him again and again- her debt racking up higher and higher. Until one day he disappears. Seven years later, she runs a business with her best friend... And Des shows up ready to collect upon her debt. To help solve the mystery of the underworld.
This book was filled with angst. Drama, love, heartache, mystery, adventure. I was taken to another world, and smitten with the characters. I loved Des. And how he had helped Callie through so much. And loved Callie. She may have been a victim once- but she fought each day to not be a victim again. She wasn't perfect, but she was strong, and a fighter. And I can't wait to see where the story takes these characters next. 4⭐ out of 5⭐.