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Foxen Bloom
Season after season, hunters have attempted to capture the white-tailed stag. Local legend holds that its capture promises prosperity, and in a land that is dying—to hunger, to war; to a magical curse, some say—even a whisper of hope is a powerful lure. Yet every hunter who tries fails, never to leave the forest. Fenton, god of the forest, yet imprisoned within its borders, watches from his place in the trees as the hunters first despoil and then fall to his land, dispassionate as his deadwood heart.
Prior doesn't hope to capture the stag or secure prosperity. He has a far bolder hunt in mind: to entreat the god of the forest to save his sister from the sickness sweeping the land. It's a desperate attempt without much hope of success. He doesn't imagine he'll meet the god in person, much less that he'll find himself agreeing to a favour in turn: his sister's life will be spared, and in exchange, Prior will kill the god's sibling. And he certainly hadn't imagined that a god would be so... human.
When Fenton leaves the forest, he has little but revenge on his mind. As he spends more time with Prior, though, he discovers that the world isn't as simple as the hunt, and he's not the only hunter with teeth—but sometimes the chase is worth the risk of being caught.
Content Warnings: contagious magical illness; bloody violence; magical violence; bodily injury; death, including the death of animals for food, and magical animals in battle; abduction; vomiting; minor self-harm; bodyhorror; sex.
Cover artwork by Tiferet Design with illustration by Mar Espinosa.
Prior doesn't hope to capture the stag or secure prosperity. He has a far bolder hunt in mind: to entreat the god of the forest to save his sister from the sickness sweeping the land. It's a desperate attempt without much hope of success. He doesn't imagine he'll meet the god in person, much less that he'll find himself agreeing to a favour in turn: his sister's life will be spared, and in exchange, Prior will kill the god's sibling. And he certainly hadn't imagined that a god would be so... human.
When Fenton leaves the forest, he has little but revenge on his mind. As he spends more time with Prior, though, he discovers that the world isn't as simple as the hunt, and he's not the only hunter with teeth—but sometimes the chase is worth the risk of being caught.
Content Warnings: contagious magical illness; bloody violence; magical violence; bodily injury; death, including the death of animals for food, and magical animals in battle; abduction; vomiting; minor self-harm; bodyhorror; sex.
Cover artwork by Tiferet Design with illustration by Mar Espinosa.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2021
About the author
Parker Foye
18 books32 followersParker Foye writes queer speculative romance and believes in happily ever after, although sometimes their characters make achieving this difficult. An education in Classics nurtured a love of heroes, swords, monsters, and beautiful people doing foolish things while wearing only scraps of leather. You’ll find those things in various guises in Parker’s stories, along with kissing (very important) and explosions (very messy). And more shifters than you can shake a stick at.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
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July 3, 2023Sweet slow burn romance between a guy who needs to save his sister from a magical curse, and a somewhat Herne-ish fox/stag/forest god.
It's a likeable, engaging story. The magic is beautifully drawn with some delightful and ingenious details, and it's very tender and lyrically written, with hope and kindness. The relationship is very sweet, which honestly I regretted a tiny bit, purely because I liked its initial premise so much: Fenton (the god) is wonderfully alarming at first, all wildness and savagery and brutal killing, but that aspect seemed to switch off completely in the relationship with Prior in favour off a sweet building relationship of love and trust. Which is great in itself, and works very well: I just really enjoyed the wild inhuman aspect of the forest god, and I'd have liked that edge of threat explored more. However, that's not the story. KJ Stop Arguing With Books For Not Being Other Books 2023.
If you like eg Legends and Lattes, you'll love this.
It's a likeable, engaging story. The magic is beautifully drawn with some delightful and ingenious details, and it's very tender and lyrically written, with hope and kindness. The relationship is very sweet, which honestly I regretted a tiny bit, purely because I liked its initial premise so much: Fenton (the god) is wonderfully alarming at first, all wildness and savagery and brutal killing, but that aspect seemed to switch off completely in the relationship with Prior in favour off a sweet building relationship of love and trust. Which is great in itself, and works very well: I just really enjoyed the wild inhuman aspect of the forest god, and I'd have liked that edge of threat explored more. However, that's not the story. KJ Stop Arguing With Books For Not Being Other Books 2023.
If you like eg Legends and Lattes, you'll love this.
August 15, 2021
I absolutely loved the prose. Beautiful. Though as the story progressed and the characters' relationship changed, the writing became less poetic and more uh... conversational?
The story is based on some folklore, what exactly, I have no clue. I never heard of a folktale involving a creature. Must be the author's own creation. But it definitely has this mythological feel to it.
I loved Fenton. At times a cruel creature, other times an adorable goat-whisperer.
The beginning had some gruesome scenes, even the end actually. And I liked that, it ensured the overall story didn't end up being too sweet.
The progression of Prior's feelings toward Fenton was really realistic in their situation. From the early fear and apprehension to the eventual love and admiration.
However, I did not need that sex scene in the epilogue. To me it was unnecessary and unwanted, though in honesty it has something to do with the lack of spark, passion and sexual tension throughout the book, If there was any of those at any point, I might've not been opposed to it.
There were some interesting and I gotta say cute chapters from different characters pov. Not much just a couple and I really appreciated those. :)
3.5 stars, rounded up.
The story is based on some folklore, what exactly, I have no clue. I never heard of a folktale involving a creature. Must be the author's own creation. But it definitely has this mythological feel to it.
I loved Fenton. At times a cruel creature, other times an adorable goat-whisperer.
The beginning had some gruesome scenes, even the end actually. And I liked that, it ensured the overall story didn't end up being too sweet.
The progression of Prior's feelings toward Fenton was really realistic in their situation. From the early fear and apprehension to the eventual love and admiration.
However, I did not need that sex scene in the epilogue. To me it was unnecessary and unwanted, though in honesty it has something to do with the lack of spark, passion and sexual tension throughout the book, If there was any of those at any point, I might've not been opposed to it.
There were some interesting and I gotta say cute chapters from different characters pov. Not much just a couple and I really appreciated those. :)
3.5 stars, rounded up.
November 13, 2023
Історія про сільського хлопчину, який у відчайдушній спробі врятувати сестру і село від невідомої зарази приходить у зачарований ліс шукати оленя, що вокинує бажання, а знаходить декого помасштабніше (а також приголи і кохання, як положено)
На 3.5, прямо красиве про ліс і лісового бога, і загалом сеттинг хороший, але персонажі і їхні відносини місцями (тільки місцями) провисають, а сюжет втрачає динаміку.
Окремо відзначу фольлорну складову - вийшло дуже гарно і поетично, оуе от "у Старої Нен (референс на Пісню льоду і полум'я Мартіна?) було два сини, один для моря, інший для ліса, і ворогували вони одне з одним...", згадки казок і історій, що шерою розповідала бабуся.
На 3.5, прямо красиве про ліс і лісового бога, і загалом сеттинг хороший, але персонажі і їхні відносини місцями (тільки місцями) провисають, а сюжет втрачає динаміку.
Окремо відзначу фольлорну складову - вийшло дуже гарно і поетично, оуе от "у Старої Нен (референс на Пісню льоду і полум'я Мартіна?) було два сини, один для моря, інший для ліса, і ворогували вони одне з одним...", згадки казок і історій, що шерою розповідала бабуся.
June 27, 2021
I found this beguiling at times, and beautiful at times, but ultimately it didn’t scratch the itch I hoped it would. I skimmed the last 20% to get to the HEA payoff.
Prior, a moorland farmer, goes into the magical woods to seek help when his sister falls prey to a sleeping sickness, which is a symptom of a wider curse on the land. There he meets Fenton, a God of the forest in a man’s shape, and in return for his sister’s life Prior promises to help Fenton in his mission to kill his sibling. The two set off on a quest that involves evil mages, griffins, lots of explosions and goats.
The mood is mythopoetic with a side of wry earthy humour, and the romance that develops between Fenton and Prior is similarly mixed. It’s awkward and adorable one minute - with blushes and hand touches - and heavy with magic and portent the next. This makes it weirdly relatable and oddly alienating at the same time, which worked for me at first but paled later on. I want my MCs to talk to each other about their feelings, and to process them together, not come to unspoken magical understandings. I never felt like I knew either Prior or Fenton through the veneer of myth and fate that surrounds them.
More importantly, there is no conflict in their relationship. A lot of things happen to them, and they are often thwarted or separated, but massive interpersonal barriers were glossed over. I mean, Fenton is a God; Prior is a human man - what does that imply for them? By the second half it felt like the plot existed solely to throw things at them and see them come back together on the other side, rather than to move their relationship forwards.
Overall then, some lovely writing and heart squeezy moments, but missing something essential for me.
Prior, a moorland farmer, goes into the magical woods to seek help when his sister falls prey to a sleeping sickness, which is a symptom of a wider curse on the land. There he meets Fenton, a God of the forest in a man’s shape, and in return for his sister’s life Prior promises to help Fenton in his mission to kill his sibling. The two set off on a quest that involves evil mages, griffins, lots of explosions and goats.
The mood is mythopoetic with a side of wry earthy humour, and the romance that develops between Fenton and Prior is similarly mixed. It’s awkward and adorable one minute - with blushes and hand touches - and heavy with magic and portent the next. This makes it weirdly relatable and oddly alienating at the same time, which worked for me at first but paled later on. I want my MCs to talk to each other about their feelings, and to process them together, not come to unspoken magical understandings. I never felt like I knew either Prior or Fenton through the veneer of myth and fate that surrounds them.
More importantly, there is no conflict in their relationship. A lot of things happen to them, and they are often thwarted or separated, but massive interpersonal barriers were glossed over. I mean, Fenton is a God; Prior is a human man - what does that imply for them? By the second half it felt like the plot existed solely to throw things at them and see them come back together on the other side, rather than to move their relationship forwards.
Overall then, some lovely writing and heart squeezy moments, but missing something essential for me.
October 13, 2021
Beautifully written! I love variations on the nature magic, and Fenton was certainly one of the most beautifully portrayed nature gods I'd ever come across in fiction. Both frightening and adorable, he makes for a lovely POV character, while Prior's POV is realistically human. The novel also features mini-chapters from other characters' POVs, a great addition.
The story reads almost like a fairy tale in the best possible way: strange, absorbing, poetic, at times violent, at times romantic. My chief complaint is the epilogue: it feels tacked on and dissonant. The sex scene is incredibly hot, but it reads more like an extra scene than an organic part of the story. Given that Fenton's motivation throughout the story had been his sibling, I'd rather we got to spend more time with them (especially since the scenes with Fenton and Lorcan we do get are awesome). Maybe give some idea of what's next for them, I don't know. I'd say my biggest issue with the sex scene is that by positioning it in the epilogue and letting it take up all of it, the author makes it look like the pinnacle of the entire story. It overshadows more important things, like Fenton's relationship with his siblings and Prior's concern for his village. It makes sense as an immediate aftermath of the battle that the boys just want to relax and have at it, but it doesn't make sense (to me at least) as the story's proper ending.
Still, 4.5 stars rounded to 5 for the gorgeous imagery, inventive mythology, and lovely romance.
The story reads almost like a fairy tale in the best possible way: strange, absorbing, poetic, at times violent, at times romantic. My chief complaint is the epilogue: it feels tacked on and dissonant. The sex scene is incredibly hot, but it reads more like an extra scene than an organic part of the story. Given that Fenton's motivation throughout the story had been his sibling, I'd rather we got to spend more time with them (especially since the scenes with Fenton and Lorcan we do get are awesome). Maybe give some idea of what's next for them, I don't know. I'd say my biggest issue with the sex scene is that by positioning it in the epilogue and letting it take up all of it, the author makes it look like the pinnacle of the entire story. It overshadows more important things, like Fenton's relationship with his siblings and Prior's concern for his village. It makes sense as an immediate aftermath of the battle that the boys just want to relax and have at it, but it doesn't make sense (to me at least) as the story's proper ending.
Still, 4.5 stars rounded to 5 for the gorgeous imagery, inventive mythology, and lovely romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2022
4.5 ☆
Tbh it took me some time to get into the story. Maybe it's a language thing as English isn't my mother tongue? I don't know.
The writing style has something of a fairytale and that was quite hard for me to get into in the beginning. But then I fell in love with Fenton and Prior and later on Lorcan. They are all very interesting characters and I would love to read more of them.
Tbh it took me some time to get into the story. Maybe it's a language thing as English isn't my mother tongue? I don't know.
The writing style has something of a fairytale and that was quite hard for me to get into in the beginning. But then I fell in love with Fenton and Prior and later on Lorcan. They are all very interesting characters and I would love to read more of them.
November 24, 2021
A sweet little story! Very atmospheric and great as an autumn read. I appreciated that, while Fenton had god-level powers, the story's stakes remained fairly small and personal as opposed to large-scale. It's a refreshing take.
My only (tiny) nitpicks were a few typos/editing blips. I also felt like the ending was a bit rushed and/or shoehorned, but again, these are minor nitpicks. It was still a fun read!
My only (tiny) nitpicks were a few typos/editing blips. I also felt like the ending was a bit rushed and/or shoehorned, but again, these are minor nitpicks. It was still a fun read!
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June 2, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings:
Self harm
Blood depiction & physical injury
Body horror
Emesis
Pandemic (contagious magical illness)
Kidnapping
Animal death
Self harm
Blood depiction & physical injury
Body horror
Emesis
Pandemic (contagious magical illness)
Kidnapping
Animal death
October 28, 2021
That was so cute and the prose was chief's kiss. Although I don't remember much of the plot I really liked the relation between the two characters.
February 22, 2022
I quite enjoyed this book, however I'd say it's far from perfect. I think I much more liked the idea behind the story, not the plot and execution themselves. At times, while reading the first few chapters I felt like that was exactly what I'd have written a few years ago (for the better or the worse) and it was quite uncanny how some concepts aligned with some of my own past ideas lol. It only made me more interested to see and learn how the story and the style of writing were going to progress and where it'd lead.
I do think this book would benefit a lot if it was longer. There were many plot points that felt a bit underdeveloped or rushed or skimmed over, and I would have preferred if the romance took more time to take root. Everything just happens so fast in this book.
The villain, the cause of all the problems within the story, was very disappointing and anticlimactic to me. She was your typical cliché "with this power I can have the whole world" caricatural evil figure, very one dimensional and existing solely to be an asshole bitch with no nuance or brains, to be hated and to be defeated. How Fenton's sibling ended up in their position was quite ridiculous too. For gods described as extremely powerful, moving oceans and mountains to fight each other, this is really what happened...? This is how they got captured? Fenton himself, with his power being supposedly that of a mountain, doesn't really feel strong either. The conflict between them felt immature and grotesque, and that, depending on how you look at it, could be either very funny or very disappointing. I chose to think of it as funny, since in many mythologies gods do stupid shit all the time. I'm not sure if it was the author's intention, though. Then you have whatever happened to Prior at the end. Out of nowhere, randomly and very conveniently when it was needed to resolve the issue at hand.
Even then, with everything I don't like about this book, it's still going to live rent free in my head, solely because of the idea of an earth god that can contain a whole forest within themselves - how when Fenton chose to move, the forest that used to be there just disappeared. That was really cool.
I do think this book would benefit a lot if it was longer. There were many plot points that felt a bit underdeveloped or rushed or skimmed over, and I would have preferred if the romance took more time to take root. Everything just happens so fast in this book.
The villain, the cause of all the problems within the story, was very disappointing and anticlimactic to me. She was your typical cliché "with this power I can have the whole world" caricatural evil figure, very one dimensional and existing solely to be an asshole bitch with no nuance or brains, to be hated and to be defeated. How Fenton's sibling ended up in their position was quite ridiculous too. For gods described as extremely powerful, moving oceans and mountains to fight each other, this is really what happened...? This is how they got captured? Fenton himself, with his power being supposedly that of a mountain, doesn't really feel strong either. The conflict between them felt immature and grotesque, and that, depending on how you look at it, could be either very funny or very disappointing. I chose to think of it as funny, since in many mythologies gods do stupid shit all the time. I'm not sure if it was the author's intention, though. Then you have whatever happened to Prior at the end. Out of nowhere, randomly and very conveniently when it was needed to resolve the issue at hand.
Even then, with everything I don't like about this book, it's still going to live rent free in my head, solely because of the idea of an earth god that can contain a whole forest within themselves - how when Fenton chose to move, the forest that used to be there just disappeared. That was really cool.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2023
3.5 stars.
I haven't read much cozy fantasy, but what I often hear is that the characters and vibe are valued over plot—and that's not a bad thing. Foxen Bloom could easily fall into that genre: a light fantasy world, relatively low stakes, and some of the most unique nature magic and gods I've encountered. Seriously, how the author wrote Fenton's relationship to the green and his shapeshifting nature was such a compelling, innovative approach and inspired me in my own writing. Despite the overarching plot of Fenton and Prior trying to stop the blight and discover where Fenton's sibling is, what I most enjoyed were the quiet moments with the protagonists getting to know one another. Prior was a bit bland when it came to motivation outside of save Sylvie, stop the sleeping sickness, but I found his and Fenton's developing relationship believable as they went from distant god/weak human to something touched by the other, neither completely just one thing. The villain was...forgettable, because she wasn't built up aside from being cruel and petty and cocky, but again, I don't think this book was setting out to have a complex villain. A little more complex worldbuilding with Old Nan and the gods would have been nice though.
I haven't read much cozy fantasy, but what I often hear is that the characters and vibe are valued over plot—and that's not a bad thing. Foxen Bloom could easily fall into that genre: a light fantasy world, relatively low stakes, and some of the most unique nature magic and gods I've encountered. Seriously, how the author wrote Fenton's relationship to the green and his shapeshifting nature was such a compelling, innovative approach and inspired me in my own writing. Despite the overarching plot of Fenton and Prior trying to stop the blight and discover where Fenton's sibling is, what I most enjoyed were the quiet moments with the protagonists getting to know one another. Prior was a bit bland when it came to motivation outside of save Sylvie, stop the sleeping sickness, but I found his and Fenton's developing relationship believable as they went from distant god/weak human to something touched by the other, neither completely just one thing. The villain was...forgettable, because she wasn't built up aside from being cruel and petty and cocky, but again, I don't think this book was setting out to have a complex villain. A little more complex worldbuilding with Old Nan and the gods would have been nice though.
June 30, 2021
A magical forest that seems to kill any humans that dare enter it? A God who is partly a fox and wears a crown of living flowers? A mysterious illness that requires magical assistance? What's not to like! Okay, this book was entrancing. Fenton, our god, is a particularly interesting character because he is so wild, and so many things at the same time. Seen through his eyes, everything is new - especially things to do with humans. This was more gory than I was expecting to be honest, so be warned - there is some quite graphic bloodshed (don't make Fenton angry!), yet there is also a sweetness to the story. The sweetness especially comes through in the growing relationship between Fenton, and Prior, the human he agrees to help. Through traveling together, thus spending days in each other's company, they form a bond, and the mutual caretaking that evolves is quite tender. What I especially loved about Prior is that he never wants to change Fenton's nature, even as he realizes he is growing very attached to him, and how dangerous that attachment is (he's heard enough stories to know getting involved with a god doesn't usually end well for the human!). He doesn't wish for Fenton to be human, even though that would be safer for him, because then he wouldn't be Fenton. There is non-binary rep (Fenton's sibling Lorcan), and nobody seems to bat an eye that Prior is into men/male-presenting gods (there is also a mention of a past romantic relationship between two women and that is treated as normal), which was quite refreshing. I enjoyed the book so much that I bought a physical copy of it after I read the e-book.
February 18, 2022
This was a really interesting take on the Green Man legend but then veers off into a completely unique fantasy tale. At first, it really reminded me of Silver in the Wood, a series I definitely recommend if you're into this type of fantasy, but once they get to Prior's village, the prose changes and becomes more conversational as other readers noted. I think the author was trying to show that Fenton was becoming more human or at least remembering more of his humanity after centuries of wandering a forest alone, but it just felt like I was reading a different book. While it was one of the reasons I picked up the book, the sexual relationship between Fenton and Prior doesn't really feel natural. Besides a physical attraction (which is sus once Fenton starts literally physically changing), there's not really a reason for Prior to be so into Fenton besides a kind of worship which always makes me a little uncomfortable. The epilogue is sweet but that Fenton isn't the Fenton we first met.
Overall, I'm not sure I'm into Foye's writing style. The summaries of their other books make me really interested so I'll definitely look into those other works but this one took me a long time to get through as it just wasn't gripping.
Overall, I'm not sure I'm into Foye's writing style. The summaries of their other books make me really interested so I'll definitely look into those other works but this one took me a long time to get through as it just wasn't gripping.
April 19, 2022
I loved Fenton’s character.
Despite his harshness, occasional cruelty, and passing instances of being unreliable in supplying his origin story, he was capable of completely enriching the world he occupied in the most heartfelt ways.
Many small quirks of his saturated the story in the deepest forms of humanity. Fenton’s unconditional loyalty to his tasks, to the forest, to nature, to Prior really showed the true extent of the heart at the centre of his character.
quotes:
• p65 Prior glanced searchingly at Fenton, like he sought a safe place to land. Should Fenton spread his arms? He held a forest. What sturdier place could there be?
• p112 “To me this is a seed planted in good earth. I would grow together with you, if you wish it.”
• p176 “Do you fear falling now?”
Prior already had.
He shook his head. “I know you’ll keep me safe.”
• p193 “I had not considered the implications.”
“And you’ve considered them now?”
Implications tormented him. They threatened to consume him. Fenton swallowed. “I fear I shall be haunted by them until the day I return to the earth. This, too, is an arrangement with which I see no issue.”
• p255 Prior tasted like wine and ash, and he clung to Fenton like a tree in the heart of a storm.
Despite his harshness, occasional cruelty, and passing instances of being unreliable in supplying his origin story, he was capable of completely enriching the world he occupied in the most heartfelt ways.
Many small quirks of his saturated the story in the deepest forms of humanity. Fenton’s unconditional loyalty to his tasks, to the forest, to nature, to Prior really showed the true extent of the heart at the centre of his character.
quotes:
• p65 Prior glanced searchingly at Fenton, like he sought a safe place to land. Should Fenton spread his arms? He held a forest. What sturdier place could there be?
• p112 “To me this is a seed planted in good earth. I would grow together with you, if you wish it.”
• p176 “Do you fear falling now?”
Prior already had.
He shook his head. “I know you’ll keep me safe.”
• p193 “I had not considered the implications.”
“And you’ve considered them now?”
Implications tormented him. They threatened to consume him. Fenton swallowed. “I fear I shall be haunted by them until the day I return to the earth. This, too, is an arrangement with which I see no issue.”
• p255 Prior tasted like wine and ash, and he clung to Fenton like a tree in the heart of a storm.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2021
This was absolutely beautiful! A really gorgeous read, with magic, myth and folklore weaving through the story, creating a beautifully intricate world of nature, curses and gods. The characters are fantastic, Fenton and Prior are absolute delights to read, filled with humour, sweetness, and bone-crunching rage in almost equal parts, and I adored each and every aspect of them. I also developed an enormous crush on Lorcan, Fenton's sibling and his fantastic snarky asides.
The whole book is one of the most swooningly romantic I have read. It's a slow burn, as befits a romance between a forest god and human who are learning how to relate to each other, but the romance between them is always gorgeous, with the anticipation only increasing the delight.
This was a glimpse into a beautiful and magical world and I never wanted it to end.
CW death, of humans and animals; kidnapping; magical illness that spreads easily around people; violence
*I received a free ARC from the author and I have chosen to leave a review*
The whole book is one of the most swooningly romantic I have read. It's a slow burn, as befits a romance between a forest god and human who are learning how to relate to each other, but the romance between them is always gorgeous, with the anticipation only increasing the delight.
This was a glimpse into a beautiful and magical world and I never wanted it to end.
CW death, of humans and animals; kidnapping; magical illness that spreads easily around people; violence
*I received a free ARC from the author and I have chosen to leave a review*
July 18, 2021
Foxen Bloom is Parker Foye's best yet - and their first full length novel. It's got everything I love from a Foye fantasy romance: love, devotion, blood, some people get et, some other people are oblivious, there's pining, kissing and a dry sarcastic supporting cast. It is very soft and sweet for something with so much casual danger. It's also got handsome foxes, bodily transformations, surprises, a well crafted mystery back story, and some solid gold sibling relationship moments. Also goats. It's structured like a road-trip or a quest, and the locations are gorgeous in my head, so I assume they're good on the page too. There's - a specialty of the author that I truly appreciate - a bit where someone goes apeshit when someone else is in peril. And there is peril, and I think it's very well done. I was biting my nails (not claws) in the concluding scenes.
Recommended! The beautiful paperback is brightening up my shelf.
For context: I received an electronic advanced review copy of this book from the author - but I bought a copy of the paperback because it's cute af.
Recommended! The beautiful paperback is brightening up my shelf.
For context: I received an electronic advanced review copy of this book from the author - but I bought a copy of the paperback because it's cute af.
January 6, 2023
I think that is a pity that my first foray into the year is of a rabbid yaoi-shipper tier level because it falls in all of the traipsing of the genre.
It starts amazing, the plot, the setting, the tone, the characterization, the character themselves.... and then for what?
The problem, the big problem is that the suspension of disbelief disappears the exact moment the staples of the rabid yaoi-shipper genre became apparent, Why? because it ends reading like a revenge auto-masturbation instead of a fun fantasy romp, that's why.
Why this reads as bad fan fiction written by a cis-het teenage woman baffles me, isn't the author supposed to be queer? this reads like an awful Drarry fic in which Hermione is evulz, or a stupid Unicorn shipper wet dream in which Mineva implodes, yuck.
I'm queer myself, and this quality level of plot writing and auto-masturbatory fellatio is not a good representation, thank you, we can do better things, but I think is good to make money between the rabid yaoi-shipper cis-het teenager woman demography.
It starts amazing, the plot, the setting, the tone, the characterization, the character themselves.... and then for what?
The problem, the big problem is that the suspension of disbelief disappears the exact moment the staples of the rabid yaoi-shipper genre became apparent, Why? because it ends reading like a revenge auto-masturbation instead of a fun fantasy romp, that's why.
Why this reads as bad fan fiction written by a cis-het teenage woman baffles me, isn't the author supposed to be queer? this reads like an awful Drarry fic in which Hermione is evulz, or a stupid Unicorn shipper wet dream in which Mineva implodes, yuck.
I'm queer myself, and this quality level of plot writing and auto-masturbatory fellatio is not a good representation, thank you, we can do better things, but I think is good to make money between the rabid yaoi-shipper cis-het teenager woman demography.
July 5, 2023
The opening pages of this book are very evocative of otherworldliness — and a daring choice for a romance novel. The writing is also very good: sparse and restrained, doing a lot of work, especially in the opening. I found the climax a bit disappointing. Perhaps part of the problem was that I found it hard to like either of the central characters. The premise and world-building are certainly creative, but while I spent most of the book eager for more of the world, I also spent it wanting much more explanation than I got, especially for the relationship of the god-character’s godliness to the moral character’s mortality. This felt a little inconsistently handled at times: the sweetness of the romance was hard to buy, given Fenton’s otherwise terrifying destructive capacities and there was a lot of set-up re tension in their power dynamic that simply never found a resolution. On the whole, an interesting book, which attempts a unique story: but not one that grabbed me.
August 20, 2023
This book is not what it seems... which I ended up not minding at all.
You see, it begins with quite a bunch of death and destruction (some gore descriptions included), but once the main characters meet, it becomes this fairy tale narration that full of fluff to the point I´m still confused about how the hell did Prior not only fall in love with Fenton but survive (because all the other hunters who came before him ended up dead).
Anyway, nevermind that. The point here is that I came thinking I would read some sort of quest to break down a curse that would culminate with murder and in the end things turned out to be much more innofensive than I pictured.
I do recommend this one still, it was pretty light and enjoyable after all. Just with that warning that if you wanted to read something more, let´s say savage, you won´t find it here. This story is too sweet for that.
You see, it begins with quite a bunch of death and destruction (some gore descriptions included), but once the main characters meet, it becomes this fairy tale narration that full of fluff to the point I´m still confused about how the hell did Prior not only fall in love with Fenton but survive (because all the other hunters who came before him ended up dead).
Anyway, nevermind that. The point here is that I came thinking I would read some sort of quest to break down a curse that would culminate with murder and in the end things turned out to be much more innofensive than I pictured.
I do recommend this one still, it was pretty light and enjoyable after all. Just with that warning that if you wanted to read something more, let´s say savage, you won´t find it here. This story is too sweet for that.
June 18, 2021
I'll confess, I bought this in ebook format for the gorgeous cover. But, I was drawn in by the lyrical, absolutely gorgeous prose. Foye has a real talent for worldbuilding, scattering little hints within the plot that add up to an engaging read. Sensory details are lovingly described, each one adding to the plot. The power imbalance could have been blithely ignored, but here, too, Foye has done a lovely job of describing a building partnership. I also appreciated a book for adults, about adults. Foye is a new auto-buy for me!
January 23, 2024
3.5, rounded up. For the most part, it's a sweet fantasy romance -- though there are some gruesome bits toward the end. I'd say it's a low stakes adventure in the sense that bad situations are resolved quickly. E.g., one of the characters is kidnapped and is recovered within 10 pages no worse for wear. If you're adverse to spicy scenes, just skip the epilogue. There were a few details toward the end that suggest a sequel wouldn't be out of the question. All in all, it was a quick read that fit my mood at the time so I'm glad I came across it.
October 14, 2021
One of my favorite books of the year. The human becoming monstrous/magical... The tenderness and ferocity, moving in and out of human reference... the others (Sylvie, Burdock) questioning, testing Prior's shifts and then having it confirmed. The laughter. Makes me think on a cosmic level, all these stories I've been seeing of gods/monsters/demons with humans, our world cracking open a bit, to allow both horror and marvel.
January 22, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up.
It took me a while to really get into this book. I found the writing a bit hard to follow sometimes. But I did enjoy it at the end. The plot was good, maybe not brilliant, but good. I liked the characters and how the relationship between Fenton and Prior was progressing.
What I didn't like was the epilogue. I found it unnecessary. The sex scene felt like it was written for the sake of having one.
Overall it was a nice read.
It took me a while to really get into this book. I found the writing a bit hard to follow sometimes. But I did enjoy it at the end. The plot was good, maybe not brilliant, but good. I liked the characters and how the relationship between Fenton and Prior was progressing.
What I didn't like was the epilogue. I found it unnecessary. The sex scene felt like it was written for the sake of having one.
Overall it was a nice read.
July 16, 2023
Adrenaline took hold of Prior's tongue. "You! You're terrifying! I
thought I was going to be thorn-whipped to ribbons!"
"That— I would not. Not you," Fenton stuttered, paling and taking a
step back.
A little excerpt that's just mwah and explains why this story was just my cup of tea. Between the slow-burn romance, the shapeshifting and the edginess of 'i would hurt anyone but you and also im a god so that hurting would be Bad', it was a really fun time and I highly recommend to people who like stories like that.
Honestly, I would've loved to read a sequel, but at the same time I don't think that this story feels unfinished. Mostly it's just that I want to read more about the characters and explore the vast, vast world, but regardless I'm happy to have read this. Will definitely be checking out more books by this author!
thought I was going to be thorn-whipped to ribbons!"
"That— I would not. Not you," Fenton stuttered, paling and taking a
step back.
A little excerpt that's just mwah and explains why this story was just my cup of tea. Between the slow-burn romance, the shapeshifting and the edginess of 'i would hurt anyone but you and also im a god so that hurting would be Bad', it was a really fun time and I highly recommend to people who like stories like that.
Honestly, I would've loved to read a sequel, but at the same time I don't think that this story feels unfinished. Mostly it's just that I want to read more about the characters and explore the vast, vast world, but regardless I'm happy to have read this. Will definitely be checking out more books by this author!
February 3, 2023
wow !! this book was absolutely not what i thought it was going to be !!!!! from the first chapter i was hooked - the language and the descriptions in this book are gorgeous !!!! i loved the two characters - and overall so well executed in terms of polt, pacing and length.
this book is basically: eldritch god falls in love w just some guy. incredible. highly reccommend
this book is basically: eldritch god falls in love w just some guy. incredible. highly reccommend
May 8, 2024
This book was a delight!
I was awestruck by the writing every other page and the blooming intimacy between the two leads was beautifully described.
I particularly enjoyed how profoundly inhuman and unknowable the gods were and how the humans reacted to them.
I also liked how the author doesn’t deliver explanations on a silver platter, letting us piece things together.
I was awestruck by the writing every other page and the blooming intimacy between the two leads was beautifully described.
I particularly enjoyed how profoundly inhuman and unknowable the gods were and how the humans reacted to them.
I also liked how the author doesn’t deliver explanations on a silver platter, letting us piece things together.
March 17, 2024
Fun story and mythology. Gonna second other reviewers - kind of a tonal shift from formal fairytale language in the start to normal modern novel by the end, and then an unexpectedly graphic sex scene to make up the epilogue.
Read
July 21, 2021Quit at 50%, and then skipped to the end to get the HEA. The writing is lovely, but neither the story nor the characters engaged me.
August 20, 2021
Lovely, entertaining— well written
I loved this novel it was funny, romantic, action packed and had wonderful characters. Read it in one sitting—and enjoyed it immensely.
I loved this novel it was funny, romantic, action packed and had wonderful characters. Read it in one sitting—and enjoyed it immensely.
March 24, 2022
I liked this one. It had great writing and a whole lot of potential, but I feel like it feel a bit short? It could have been more and I wish it was.
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