Rhapsodic (The Bargainer, 1)

It was a tad slow at the beginning but then you get wrapped up so quickly in the turmoil of Callie’s life it doesn’t much matter. Des & Callie just awesome together… and I have to say, I do feel bad for Eli.

1str book is really good, but the second one gets weird don't recommend.

Full of twists and turns, and the slow burn is real.

So... I've gotta say though, that despite that 2 stars, the concept is pretty interesting. However, if it was executed in a different manner, maybe I would have enjoyed this a little more.

Callypso Lillis is a siren in big trouble... which is why at age sixteen, she decides to call the Bargainer for help, knowing all too well that when the Bargainer makes a deal with you, it has to be repaid. She's ready for it, but then as it turns out, she becomes an exception. A year after of asking for deals over and over, her wrist is ladened with black beads, favours that she owes him. One night, he disappears... and all of a sudden, seven years later, he's come back into her life. And this time, he's asked for his payment. At first, it's a kiss. Then it's something more. The fae king has also come to ask her for help, for his kingdom is experiencing multiple disappearances. Fae warriors are taken one by one, and only the women are returned — not dead, but not alive either. And in each of their caskets, there is a child... as it turns out, Callie finds herself a target as well. After all, she is an exotic creature that very much suits the taste of their enemy.

Doesn't it sound intriguing? When I got to the part where the caskets are revealed, I really got a chill. It's all very creepy, all very original. I would so love to have more of it, but the author decided to write a book full of angsty romance and sexual frustrations. There was so much of it that all of those just overshadowed the main plot, and it became slow and draggy. There was a moment I thought a confrontation would occur when Des received a clue to who this terrible kidnapper may be, but nothing was done, and I felt that it drifted away from the main point of it all: him trying to solve the mystery and halt the disappearances. While the characters weren't stupid per se (as is apparent in many YA fantasy), this New Adult fantasy book went to a whole new level of dumb. I mean, hello, it's all right there for you, fae king of the night, so why didn't you take it? Why didn't Callie push it? They've been too busy touching each other, is why.

I also don't really understand the point of Callie being a siren, because surprise surprise, her powers are quite useless. It's cool, but oh, throughout most of the book, it was just... there for show. At the most it only drove the plot towards the direction of her catching the attention of the kidnapper, because she's something pretty, and he loves pretty things, but that's about it.

Romance parts were very cliche. Des' eyes softening when he looks at her... Des' eyes darkening with lust at the sight of her... I didn't enjoy it, although I did think the lengths that Des go for her is pretty romantic. But I feel Laura's characters are pretty much similar. The males are all quite alpha-ish, the females tough and weak at the same time. I didn't feel much for any of them. And I'd have liked it if the author made Callie just a little bit stronger instead of having to rely on Des all the time to be saved. Des has already rescued her from a horrific past. Why couldn't Callie be given more of a spotlight now that she's older and, supposedly, stronger?

by A Floret's Breath

Audiobook listen. This has been one of my favorite non-SJM Romantasy picks so far. It’s more of an Urban Fantasy setting for part of the book, which I enjoy. There are lots of bargains and a morally grey “Shadow Daddy” with a good level of spice. I’m a fan!