Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my open and honest review.

The Prince of Air and Darkness is a book with a lot of promise. It felt like in much of the story the author was getting a feel for their characters and the story up unto the end where it all fused into a coherent story.
The story centers around two men at a college for otherworldy non-humans. Both the fairy courts young people attend this college in hopes of making friends and fostering diplomacy. The first man is named Phineas; he is a rare person indeed. He is one of the few humans in history who can channel a ley line though himself and wield power, or die trying. Previous humans that could use a ley line snuffed themselves out like a roman candle. His roommate and frenemy is Prince Roark, son of Queen Mab and all around pain in Phineas's ass. Phineas has lived longer than all of his predecessors but is starting to wear down from the barrage of attacks from supernatural beings and the strain of the simmering energy always coursing through his veins. After six years of sharing a space, the men have come to a bit of a detent, although Roark feels compelled to save Finn repeatedly from monsters frequently putting himself at significant personal risk. Finn feels compelled to be around Roark as much as he can. Their back and forth and sexual tension culminates in a great love story between the two of them.

On a very positive note, I love that the writer wrote the two lead gentlemen as people rather than stereotypes or tropes. The Author's attention to detail about their personality shaped the two leads and built them as well-rounded people which helped solidify their relationship for me. Also, The authors use of dialog was well done. It helped with the plodding pacing and kept the story moving forward. Additionally, I enjoyed the supporting characters and would like to see more of them; the leads' roommates included a sensitive bridge troll and a satyr. That is fun! I hope that in the future the author gives them more story time. I think it would enrich the often confusing setting and pacing.

I found myself getting lost often in the beginning to the middle of the story. The jumping back and forth through personal past moments betwixt both main characters was difficult to understand in parts. As the story progressed, though, it smoothed itself out as the reader obtained more background information. The pacing was also languid and plodding in the beginning and middle of the story, and it felt too drawn out — too much dancing around each other. Many times I felt like shaking the damn characters and shouting at them. The dancing around each other did add a certain degree of tension between the two leads that eventually led to a beautifully done romance, but till that point it was frustrating. Because of this, I lost my connection to the characters at a few points.

M/M romance is not often written, should be written more, and should be done this well. Pacing and point of view issues notwithstanding this is a well-done love story. It is an excellent first book that is shaping up to be an even better series.

3.5☆

ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for a review. All of my opinions are my own, and are in no way affected by the exchange.

I had a rocky start with this book. The premise sounded super interesting which is why I requested it. I'm always down for an LGBTQIA+ fantasy novel. The Fae arent always my cup of tea but I liked that it wasnt super technical and over the top. I liked that the story tales place mostly at a graduate level college. I thought that the age range was a pleasant change of scenery from other novels. I really enjoyed Phineas as a main character. I thought that he had good potential and I loved his devotion and love for his family and friends. I liked Roark as well and tended to find him to be the sullen type which I always enjoy. The friend group the Finn has was sweet but we dont really get a chance to know them, like at all.

My biggest issue with this book was the writing, I think. The two main characters didnt have much difference in their voice so i frequently found myself turning back several pages to figure out whose perspective I was in, which was annoying. The transitions were very choppy as well. I tended to not know what was happening or how characters got from one place to another.

This book does have some explicit sex scenes in it, so if that isnt your jam I'd probably steer clear. In addition to that, there are a few torture scenes/flashbacks and extensive talk of death and violence. There is a ton of blood as well. Just as a general TW heads up.

“Everything we do is a disaster. Yet here we are.”

I loved EVERYTHING about this book. Everything. I need more Roark and Finn in my life. *sigh*

This was an excellent pseudo enemies-to-lovers tale that was done very well. I say “pseudo” because you don’t ever get the feeling that they are really, truly enemies. They are two (desperately adorable)idiots pining for each other while thinking the other one hates them.

The only ‘complaint’ I have is that the author assumes you are well versed in magical universes. So there is little to no explanation of magical terms (such as Seelie, Unseelie, hob, redcap) - as this is pretty much the first book in the magic genre that I’ve read, I had to do a lot of googling.

Other than that, I absolutely ADORED this book and these characters. The author did such a good job of making you really root for this couple and really care about them. It made my heart ache with how much Roark was willing to sacrifice for Finn, and what lengths he was willing to go to for him. (The same is true of Finn in regards to Roark, too!).

I don’t want to say too much, but this is part of Harlequin’s Carina Press line, which promises a Happily Ever After/Happily For Now. And with this book, we definitely get what we were promised.

5 Stars! I can’t wait for the next book, even though it looks like it will focus on other characters. I’m sure I’ll come to love them just as much, and maybe we’ll get to see more Roark and Finn on the side lines! I will definitely be keeping my fingers crossed that I can get an early copy of that one, too!!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Books/Carina Press for providing me with a free advance review copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

Prince of Air and Darkness is a unique take of the fae and a war is brewing between the Seelie and Unseelie courts. Phineas is a human able to access the ley line, an uncommon ability that usually burns humans out by the time they’re twenty. Roark is the middle son of Mab, queen of the Unseelie court, and known as the Prince of Air and Darkness. Finny and Roark are roommates at Mathers, a special school for magickal beings, but unknown to Finny, Roark has loved him for years.

There were definitely elements to this I loved and there is some incredible world building with the magic, especially around the ley line, but I don’t think this worked for me as much as I hoped. I tried reading this about a month ago and had to put it down because I wasn’t prepared for just how dark this story would be. The opening scene is a graphic recollection of Finny being tortured by Mab several years prior to the main story because she wants his power.

This is a really interesting book and I’m glad to have read it, and if you’re a fan of the darker fairy tales this would probably be right up your alley. The revealing of information and background is well done, though almost frustrating at times.

As for the romance, in some aspects it felt abrupt, but I did love the ending. There is years of animosity because of what Mab did to Finny, but under that animosity has always been an interest and attraction towards Roark. As for Roark, he fell in love with Finny years ago because he was tasked with observing him for his mother, and interest grew from that observation.

Overall, while I did enjoy this book and would recommend it, it was just a bit too dark for me; there are several graphic depictions of torture and it got to be a bit much very quickly. I’m not sure if I will continue the series because I am curious about the characters following books will follow, but War is coming and I’m not sure I’m interested in that kind of setting.

This book was a lovely surprise. It’s rare to find a fantasy romance with such an original world set up. Roark is a great character, very interesting – Finn is interesting too, brave but sometimes annoying when he jumps to conclusions. I love following Finn last-ditch attempt to master his powers, Roark navigating between Court politics, school politics and his mother’s machinations. I couldn’t but down the book, I really wanted them to get together, and I really wanted them to stay together and for Finn to finally trust wholly in Roark.

I really hope we see more of them in the next book because it felt like their life together (and the war) was just beginning. The universe feels rich enough to expand their story in another book, they both have roles to play in that war that would justify it.
Roark’s younger brother could be an interesting main character, I’m not so sure about the older one – seeing how much he was trashed in that one. About the brothers – I’m not sure I really understand the rule of succession in the Unseelie Court: Roark is the more powerful of the three, he is the second born but he is after both of them in the line to ascend to the throne.

The beginning was a bit laborious: too many characters, it felt as we were thrown in the middle of the story, but after a few pages, I got the hang of it. But still, the thing I enjoyed less was that we didn’t fully see how the relationship between Finn and Roark developed. The story begins 6 years after their first meeting when the dynamics between them is already set. They already love each other – even if the other doesn’t know it.

I really want to see what the author has in store for these characters in the next books.

I grew up loving the tales of the Irish fairies, the Tuatha de Danaan, the Sidhe, boggarts, brownies, and anything and everything to do with the fae. I love most stories featuring them, and of course most of them are the author's take on the tales, rather than lifting them straight from the tales themselves.

That is the case with Prince of Air and Darkness as well. We have a university of magic setting, think Harry Potter after he grew up, but instead of young human wizards and witches pretty much every student there is some sort of magical creature. Not all of them are from the Seelie and Unseelie court. There are creatures from other Pantheons as well, although they don't really feature too much in this book.

Then you have our main character, Phineas Smith, who is a human with access to the magical lee lines that run through the world. This power is phenomenal but he can't access it properly and if he does he is in danger of it burning him to ash like many previous incarnations of human wizards. His roommate is Roarke Lynn, the son of Mab, queen of the Unseelie fae, who is supposedly looking after him.

The sexual tension is fairly low, but the book makes up for it with plot driven action, wonderful world building, and genuinely high danger for the main character.

This book is for lovers of paranormals and urban fantasy. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

The Prince of Air and Darkness is an urban fantasy about Phineas Smith, farm raised football player and ley line host and Prince Roark Lyne of the Unseelie court of fae. This already sounds amazing, right? It is friends! Phineas struggles to control the ley line, lest it consume him. Roark struggles to help Phineas and protect him from all the baddies that want a taste of that power. They can't stand each other but also they really want to kiss each other and let me tell you. That's super on brand for this reviewer.

The story and world building was fantastic. This take on the faerie courts and their magick was super fun to read. Our two main characters are at a university for magically gifted students, so we get to meet a lot of mythological creatures in a modern college setting, which is so fun to imagine.

The relationship between Phineas and Roark develops beautifully. It's classic enemies to lovers trope that resolves itself into something so sweet and pure. Both these boys are just so well meaning.

This book is fun and exciting and just a little bit heartbreaking at times. I would definitely recommend!

This was great! Different to what I initially expected it to be like but SO good. Will write a proper Reviews once I've sorted my thoughts and feelings for this. Really enjoyed it!

I felt like this was decent. Not the complete best but I enjoyed it. The storyline felt dragged and the fantasy elements just were not hitting it right for me. I loved both main characters and think it was a solid book overall.

At a Glance
Overall: 3/5
Characterization: 4/5
World building: 2/5
Diversity: 2/5

My Personal Summary: Finn, an all American boy from a small town in Iowa, who has powers beyond his control.
Roark, the prince of the unseelie court, struggling to be true to himself under the weight of the thrown.
Roark and Finn both attend Mather’s School of Magick together and have been uneasy roommates for several years. Finn, is constantly being targeted for his powers and Roark is constantly helping him. This is both their final year at Mather’s and tensions are running high. There’s a war brewing and their growing feelings for each other could be what saves them or the very thing that destroys them both.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I love the premise of the book. I was highly intrigued by the idea of Finn having a power that was a bit beyond his control. What a flaw, right? I loved the characterization of Roark and Finn. They were obviously very different people with different dialogue and tone patterns which is something a lot of books I’ve been reading recently sometimes struggle with. So, I was very pleased with that. I think their behaviors also speak well to their backgrounds and personal histories. But, the world building was sorely lacking. There’s fae and even other patheons all at Mather’s, but it didn’t really play into the story in any major way that I was hoping for. I wanted a lush fae culture that somehow managed to stay hidden in the human world with the help of magic, but really if you took out the fact that Roark was a fae and made him human it wouldn’t make much of a difference if any to his character. He was basically a human with powers. Now, there were tiny bits of world building in the novel with the concept of the knight of the winter court. I thought that was a really interesting idea. The pacing of this book is kinda shaky, but the end of the book the plot definitely picks up and things start falling into place. I enjoyed the last part of this novel way more than I enjoyed the beginning so if you pick up this book I recommend sticking with it until the end. With a note to diversity, our main diversity in this book is the two main characters are gay, but that’s all the diversity we get. Both characters are young white males.

In conclusion, it was an enjoyable, light fantasy read with two enjoyable main characters, but if you’re looking for something new spin on the fae and/or a deep, gritty story then this is not the book for you. If you would like to check out The Prince of Air and Darkness you can find it here.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Phineas Smith has been cursed with a power no one could control.

Roark Lyne is his worst enemy and his only hope.

The only human student at Mather’s School of Magick, Phineas Smith has a target on his back. Born with the rare ability to tap into unlimited magick, he finds both Faerie Courts want his allegiance—and will do anything to get it.

They don’t realize he can’t levitate a feather, much less defend the Faerie Realm as it slips into civil war.

Unseelie Prince Roark Lyne, Phineas’s roommate—and self-proclaimed arch nemesis—is beautiful and brave and a pain in the ass. Phineas can’t begin to sort through their six years of sexual tension masquerading as mutual dislike. But Roark is also the only one able to help Finn tame his magick.

Trusting Roark’s mysterious motives may be foolish; not accepting his temporary protection would be deadly.

Caught in the middle of the impending war, Phineas and Roark forge a dangerous alliance. And as the walls between them crumble, Phineas realizes that Roark isn’t the monster he’d imagined. But their growing intimacy threatens to expose a secret that could either turn the tide of the war…or destroy them both.

As a lover of fantasy, I had two thoughts upon finishing this story.  First, I wanted to immediately tell Free Dreamer she had another story to read and secondly, I bemoaned the fact that I had to wait for the next book in the series to come out.  What a gripping story!  I can't wait to see where this saga is going because if the next tale is anywhere half as amazing as Prince of Air and Darkness, then this series is going to be one whopping adventure!

There is several elements and a couple of twists I adore here with the Fae courts that the author plays with.  While not a twist, Grant's Fae aren't the lovely faeries you might expect.  Instead they harken back to the Fae of old Irish mythology.  Those you don't make bargains with, with little use for humans other than as pets.  Cruel, manipulative, beautiful, and layered.  These are the Fae of M.A. Grant and I love them.  Furthermore, in most novels the Seelie of the Summer courts tend to sway towards the "good/light" side and the Unseelie of the Winter Court towards the "bad/dark" side, here the waters are murkier.  It's more about balance and individuals, than black and white, good and evil.

Even the torture done might not have had all the ramifications known, even to those doling out the torture.

The ley lines too, which are a common element in fantasy tales, here get a special Grant treatment which I need much more of.

With all of this as a foundation and framework, the heart of the first story is the convoluted relationship between the Prince of Air and Darkness, one of the three sons of the Queen of the Unseelie,Roark Lyne, and a  magical human, Phineas Smith.  Phin is fighting hard to learn to control his power over the ley lines, something he must do to graduate.  If he doesn't, the consequences are dire.  For himself and his family.  Mostly for himself.

I won't go further because that ventures into areas that give away too much information.  This is such a complicated tale that twists back on itself, with layers upon layers of secrets, that it's such a pleasure to read and discover it for yourself.  The characters are so well done, the writing tightly constructed, so full of elements that even as you are pulled along by the events, you want to stop and go  back to examine tiny bits and pieces strewn along the way.  But of course, the pace is quick, the action wild and exhilarating.

And it all leaves you wanting more.  From what I can tell, there's two more stories in the works.  One at least for this year.  Maybe one for each brother of the Unseelie court. That would make sense to bring the balance back into place.  However many books there will be,  I will be waiting.  If you are a lover of fantasy fiction,  pick this one up and wait with me.  I highly recommend it. Prince of Air and Darkness (The Darkest Court #1) by M.A. Grant is just fantastic!

 Cover art by Carina Press art department.  I wish Carina Press would give credit to its artists but here I think parts of this cover is a miss because it's ravens that play a major part in the story.

Although I tried to get into this title, I couldn't but it has more to do with my general dislike of fantasy rather than the book itself. The writing was good as was the character development; I just didn't like the plot. DNF @ roughly 35%.

WOW! Oh man, I was not expecting to love this as much as I did. I honestly don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this.

<b>Phineas Smith</b> or Finny (or Finn as only Roark calls him) is a human in a magic world, as he can tap into the ley lines on earth and conjure magic, even if he can rarely, if ever, control it and it can be explosive when he can get it to even work in the first place.

And his nemesis is Fae prince <b>Roark Lyne</b>, has been for the past 6 years, even as he can't help but be attracted and drawn to him (not that he would ever admit it to himself). Except, Finn doesn't know everything, because Roark doesn't exactly hate Finn, at all. He has just pretended to, and has taken what Finn thinks is rightful hate, because he doesn't remember what Finn did to protect him from Roark's Queen Faery mother, Mab, who tortured Finn five years prior for something Finn can not remember.

The only thing that I didn't quite understand is at the end, so don't read because of spoilers if you don't wish to - <spoiler>when Finn accepts the Knighthood to be with Roark and serve Queen Mab and such...I thought the reason Roark fought so hard against Finn agreeing to it - and keeping him ignorant to it existing - and why he was dreading becoming it himself and saying he wouldn't be able to see Finn ever again, was because being a Knight like takes away part of you, or slowly like...breaks you apart? Or whatever? Like I don't know how it could be a good or okay thing if this could happen to Finn? Unless it wouldn't happen to him as he's human and has the ley line power...and if that's the case, the book should have said that, imo. Because their HEA was a little spoiled by that. Not totally, if I just ignore that, and it was sweet and awesome and lovely, but yeah...would Finn becoming the Knight do things to him or not? Or could he stay himself and be with Roark for like...ever? I dunno. It baffled me a little.</spoiler>

But other than that small confusion, this was so amazing. Finn and Roark had such great chemistry - and it had more, sex wise, than I thought there would be. It's still not like crazy detailed, and focuses more on their emotions than the physical act, and there are few sex scenes, but they are there, and they were good and their love was sooo apparent and it was so good I just...I didn't care that it was just somewhat moderate in steam because we still go so much with these two.

Finn and Roark obviously loved each other, they couldn't stop kissing each other (and other things ;)) once they really started until shit happened and got in the way of their happiness, but they work through it eventually and get to have their happy ending.

These two were dumb idiots at times throughout this book, with like the not communicating thing (UGH) or not letting the other explain, or the other not explaining when given the chance...it was just a whole mess. These men needed to get their heads out of their asses sometimes. Thankfully they did and it all worked out.

I was worried at times that these two wouldn't get to have their happy ending, especially as the next book is about Finn's friend, Sebastian, not more story with these two at front and center. But it works out - <spoiler>Mostly. Just wish that Knighthood thing had been better explain or shown that Finn would be okay</spoiler> - and they get their happy ending and it was wonderful.

I loved this book, and I could not put it down. It's about 450 pages and I read it all in about a day. I just couldn't stop reading, it was hard to put it down to do mundane everyday things, I just was riveted.

I HIGHLY recommend this book, it's got fun fantasy and magical elements and two awesome main characters who fall head over heals for each other and have great chemistry. Two MASSIVE thumbs up from me!

Many people have liked this – I’m not one of them.

It just didn’t hit me right and I found myself only half-heartedly reading along. I’m not super big on fantasy to begin with and maybe this is too much for a “light” fantasy reader.

I didn’t feel the connection between Roark and Phineas like I wanted and the opposites attract/enemies to lovers thing was the only thing I liked about this.

Really enjoyed this one. Magic and royalty. Young men coming into their own. Slow burn. Hot moments. A good mystery.
Also, a few bad guys. This book has all the things I like .
You could call this an YA. But that didn't even register to me.
Finn and the"PAD" make a hard won couple.
Ley Lines are all Finn. Then working with his roommate to learn control.
This tale goes in a few different directions. Well written and entertaining.
(Given a copy for an honest review)
(Thanks)
(NetGalley)

I do believe this is my first MA Grant book and it's a great find.

The idea that this powerful magical "let line" finds a human host and usually burns through them by a young age but Finny (Phineas) has already passed up that age and is at a magical school tryin to learn how to control it.

His roommate, Roarke, and him don't seem to get on. Roarke is constantly saving Fin from all kinds of monsters that are seeking out his power but then he insults Fin immediately after to put some distance between them. Seems a vicious cycle until their last year and Finn really needs to clamp down on controlling his powers. It isn't until there's unrest between the Seelie and Unseelie courts and he has to save Roarke's life that things really click into place.

There's a lot of games played in this story, political and otherwise, but you can't expect anything less from the fae.

This book is also not a standalone. While the MCs do get a HFN, there's still a war brewing.

I highly recommend this book if you're big into magic, fae and otherworldly creatures, enemies to lovers, secrecy and a little bit of blood and torture.

Title: Prince of Air and Darkness (The Darkest Court Book One)

Publisher: Carina Press

Author: MA Grant

Pages: 310pp

Price: $3.99 (ebook)

Phineas Smith is a human freak: as the only mortal in existence who can access the magical ley lines which underlay creation, he has been allowed to attend Mather's School of Magick. Unfortunately, Finn has never learned to control the ley lines; every spell he attempts results in an explosion or a fire or bodily injury. Plus, his power is attractive to all the wrong sorts of magical beings; as a result, he gets kidnapped or almost kidnapped or attacked or almost eaten at least once a month. Oh, and did I mention that his roommate is Roark Lyne, the son of Queen Mab herself? Probably a good thing that Finn is unaware that Roark is hopelessly in love with him .... Because that would just take things awkward .... Also, there is the whole matter of the coming war between the Summer and Winter Courts ....

I admit to having a soft spot for paranormal romance. I haven't read any featuring fae characters, though, so I wasn't sure what to expect with Prince of Air and Darkness. Happily, I was in for a pleasant surprise.

Grant does a great job of building and exploring the relationship between Finn and Roark, allowing the reader to see it through both their points of view. Finn can't deny that Roark is attractive, but stubbornly refuses to admit that there might ever be anything more; after all, Roark is an immortal fae prince and Finn is the mortal son of farmers from Iowa; they are -- literally -- from different worlds. Roark, for his part, fell hard and fast for Finn, and is angry at himself for doing so; he was sent by his mother to spy on Finn and make him the Knight of the Winter Court; but becoming the Knight would mean the end of Finn as Finn, and so Roark finds himself torn between love and duty.

The world Grant has created, and the relationship between the two Courts and between the ruling monarchs and their children, is also quite interesting. Mather's School of Magick, for instance, exists behind a glamour in the mortal realm; it is neutral territory, allowing the children of the many pantheons and both fae Courts to mingle, get to know one another, and hopefully help turn a tenuous peace into something more lasting.

The Summer and Winter Courts exist in a precarious balance. Each holds sway over the mortal world for a set period of time, and is then supposed to transfer that power to the other Court. But it turns out that the Summer Court has been withholding some of that power each time, gradually weakening the Winter Court. Additionally, Mab -- as Queen of the Winter Court -- is the caretaker of magic for her realm; the power flows from her, down through her children, and then to all of her subjects. But her eldest son has defected to the Summer Court, she has less power now than she has held in centuries, war is coming, her people are under siege, and the one person who might save them all -- Finn -- is being kept away by Roark.

I do have a few small complaints. Primarily, it feels like chunks of the story are told out of order. Pieces of information that should have appeared earlier in the story (to better orient the reader) don't appear until much later; for example, what happened when Mab kidnapped Finn and Roark came to his rescue. That incident had huge ramifications for all three characters and their relationships, but, instead of just showing the reader what happened, Grant dribbles out information bit by bit through the whole book. Rather than making me curious, that approach just left me frustrated.

Nonetheless, Prince of Air and Darkness is a fun, entertaining (occasionally heart-breaking) and sexy first entry in a new series. I look forward to reading more of Grant's work in the future.

Recommended to fans of KJ Charles, Jordan L Hawk, and TJ Klune.

ARC provided via netgalley

I absolutely loved this Rourk and Finn were so cute dancing around each other like they were. The story around the war with the fae was well written. I could not put this down and devoured it.

My only issue or two would be the prolouge of the world and Finn. I didn't quite get how he came to his power or the world in which the story took place. I felt like it needed more set up and disposition because Finn is supposed to be human to some extent, but at the same time wield magic of the most ancient kind.


I cannot wait for book two of the series though. This was a really great and engrossing read for me.

I love a good M/M romantic fantasy and, for the most part, this one delivered.

Phineas Smith, Finn to his friends, Smith to his annoyingly frustrating and critical arch nemesis, was a human studying at Mather's School of Magick, about to graduate, but still unable to control his connection to a powerful and dangerous ley line.

Previous humans able to access the ley line had all burned out like a roman candle, not enough of them left even to bury, so as he's in his final year at college, he'd already outlived all of his predecessors. Yay!?! Small victories, right?

After being roommates for six years, Finn and Unseelie Prince Roark Lynne have come to an understanding. Finn didn't trust or like Roark and the feeling was mutual.

Yet, why did Roark continually save Finn from a host of real-life monsters from the underworld? And from Finn himself, when the ley line was close to incinerating him like so much dry kindling.

The lady doth protest too much, methinks. ;- )

I have to admit that quite a few times while reading, I felt slightly lost, as their past history trickled out to the reader in a pretty non-linear fashion. The reader was immediately told that Roark's mother, Queen Mab, kidnapped and tortured Finn, but only later found out how Finn escaped. And at what personal cost to Roark.

Yes, waiting for droplets of information was frustrating as hell, but ultimately so very worth the wait, as the book kept me feeling desperate to find out the why's behind certain aspects of the story.

However, one drawback was that the pacing of the book felt kind of slow and drawn out, when I didn't necessarily feel that it needed to be. Slightly retooled, I thought that this 310 page read could've been cut down by a good 50 pages, with a positive impact on the finished story.

That would've also left room for MORE MAGIC, which was there, but for a story about a magickal college, felt a low on the "OMG, he just turned that annoying asshole into a toad!" quotient.

Don't get me wrong, though. When the Big Bads did go bump in the night, trying to literally *eat* Finn to consume his powers, those were some damn good, exciting pages, where I found it impossible to put the book down.

I did thoroughly enjoy the Yin and Yang mix of fae intrigue and romance, which I thought shared the right amount of page time, without ever neglecting either aspect of the story.

As the story progressed, I liked how Finn's dislike of Roark began to change, but not without some protest and snarky shade thrown back and forth.

“Six years, and you still can’t control your magick. They should have expelled you after the hydra.”

“Sorry I and the rest of the student population at the stadium didn’t have the forethought to rip apart an ancient monster with ice spears so it couldn’t regenerate, ”

“Or ability,” Roark interrupts. “Forethought or ability.”

But once their developing feelings were out in the open and One Huge Event happened, I was freaking giddy when it seemed as though Finn's ley line began to 'like' Roark, wanting him for their very own.

Three dark speckles in the dust. Roark’s blood. Probably from the blow to his head. He was injured. I press my fingertips to them and the ley line bays like a hound, flinging itself forward. It wants me to let it loose. It wants to hunt and chase and find Roark. It wants to rub against his glamour because nothing else in the world feels as good, and it wants me to be happy.

The ending (and the whole mantle of Knighthood thing), while turning out almost exactly as I'd expected, was still totally epic and a thrill a minute. Let me tell you, you do not want to mess with a guy finally at one with his explosive ley line, but some scheming assholes never learn -- until it's too late.

The steam level in this NA story was fairly mild, and the angst was kept to manageable levels, but I was more than fine with both. I wasn't hoping for an angsty dick-fest, anyway. :- P

The story did end with an HEA for the guys, but this story was the beginning of a new series, with a massive Unseelie vs. Seelie war on the near horizon, so I'm dying to see where Ms. Grant takes the story from here.

Book 2 will be about Finn's best friend, Sebastian, who the reader didn't get to know extremely well, even though he was peppered into the plot line here and there in this book.

Overall, I found this story to be an extremely enjoyable read, with a couple of issues here and there, so I'd rate it at around 3.75 stars and wait with bated breath for the rest of the books in the series.

This was a 4-star read for me.
It was just what I needed to read at the moment.


What can I say about this book?
I loved it, from the very beginning until the end, and it left me craving for the next book.
The synopsis gave me Carry On (by Rainbow Rowell) vibes, the story had a similar vibe but the story itself was completely different.
I was never bored with this book and I enjoyed every second of it. The plot was really enjoyable and the characters were just fantastic (I had a big crush on both the main characters).

So let's talk about the two main characters.

Phineas
*Like Roark, I wanted to protect him.
*I had a soft spot for him.
*I found this character brave and someone who tried his best even when he knew that the ending could be bad.
*Loved, loved, loved the fact that he had a good relationship with his family and in one conversation with his family we could see that they got along and loved each other.
*Sometimes he acted (and misunderstood) before thinking and talking about it, and that frustrated me sometimes.

Roark
*Very protective of Phineas (he puts Phineas above everything, and everyone... he was just something else).
*Strong and loyal character.
*He was kind (not something that he shows, but through his actions, we could see his kindness and it was so endearing).
*I came to love him a lot.
*Did I already say that I love him?! I wanted to say so many things about him, but I don't want to spoil the story for you.

If you like MxM romance and like fairies and magic, I would recommend picking up this one.
It was a fast read and I couldn't put it down. It was FOR ME a really good story. I really enjoyed.

This is review is posted on: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2634731032?book_show_action=false