I think the only reason I gave this 4 stars was because the premise is so interesting and I love hearing about the different gods and pantheons. Marlow drove me crazy until the 80% mark. Fauna seemed meaner in this one and not as much fun. Calaban, Azramis, and Silas were the saving grace. And yes I said that on purpose since it is basically a book about a battle between heaven and hell.

The apocalypse begins with love and a lie...

With Caliban and Azremas being held captive by the Phoenicians, Marlow and Fauna recruit some of the most formidable beings in Norse and Greek mythology to aid in the prince/damsel in distress role reversal rescue mission of a lifetime.

Marlow and Fauna are the dynamic duo of my dreams. Fauna continues to be the moment, while poor Marlow is hanging on by a thread. Her backstory is greatly expanded upon and you get a deep understanding of her previous trauma and the events that shaped her.

The expansion of the worlds and cast was an absolutely captivating delight. This is my official request for a Poppy & Dorian novella because they have me by the throat.

A truly phenomenal sequel that left me desperate for the third instalment

This was an interesting sequel. I really enjoyed the Deer and the Dragon especially for its unique story structure and approach to the romance, so I was really excited to see what would happen in this book now that we have more information about the long standing love story. I liked the book but I will say that it felt a bit slow in pacing in the first 30%. The opening was very intense and sexy and emotional, and then it felt like it took a while for her and Fauna to really *do* anything that move the plot along, so I couldn’t stay as invested as I wanted, even though I was eager to move forward and figure out what was going on with Caliban. Once we got there, I was enraptured again. I do really appreciate the strong friendship threads in this story, though, and don’t mean to discount them because they are important, but it felt a bit like the flashback scenes were necessary because Caliban was out of the picture for so long in the present timeline that the past was carrying the present in terms of plot line/reader interest, if that makes sense? But overall it was enjoyable and I am really glad I got to read an early copy of this.

My jaw is on the floor. Piper CJ hits it out of the park, with this contemporary fantasy romance. This book has a unique spin on the inner workings of different dieties. Marlow's career hangs in the balance when a dirty politician attempts to ruin her reputation. Her publishers request she take a vacation, away from the gossip. So what better place is there to visit but a different realm? With Fauna by her side, they go on a mission to get their men back from Phoenicians. Their plan includes gods and other mythological beings. I love the inclusion of these different religions. The portrayal of fear Piper instills into Marlow and Fauna when their lovers' lives are on the line is utter perfection. The big plot twist at the end leaves me wanting to dive into book 3 immediately! Thank you Piper and Bloom for providing me with a early copy of The Fox and The Falcon, my review is based solely on own opinions.

This book, similarly to the first, includes co-existing pantheons in a modern setting, which I enjoyed. As someone who is super interested in different belief systems, I really enjoyed all of the info sprinkled in and the personalities of the different deities. That being said even I felt like there was a slower start than with the first book. Also, I did start to get annoyed with Marlow and her lack of growth. I'm really hoping she kicks it into high gear in the next book. The last 30-40% was where it got good and the ending really got me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Fox and the Falcon by Piper CJ. Overall, I was underwhelmed by the story, but I do hope to see more from her in the future!

I want to be friends with these characters and live in this magic space. Piper never disappoints with her books. I usually end up owning them in several forms: audio, physical arc, physical book with sprayed edges. If you grew up with religious trauma, these books are especially healing and amazing. I highly recommend them! I can’t wait for the next one in this series, but I may just reread some of her others while I wait.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

this book is such a great sequel to book one! i think the first half struggled a little with the pacing BUT learning more about the different pantheons and meeting new characters was great. the last 40% is wild and so fun! the characters continue to be awesome and am just SO excited to see what happens in book three!!

Thank you to Bloom and Netgalley for the ARC!

Overall, I am really into this concept of co-existing pantheons and the overarching plotline. I greatly enjoyed the first book of the series. Unfortunately, I think this one just needed more, and that makes me sad to say because I was excited about this book. I was torn, and have gone back and forth about my thoughts.

I liked the introduction of the new pantheons, and how they interact with each other. I liked the lore that was featured. There were comedic moments, and some lines that resonated with me. Pretty good plot twists.

A lot of it felt repetitive of book one. Different scenarios, but same conflicts. I would have expected some more growth from Marlow. It felt like she was just kind of along for the ride in her own story. Though new side characters were introduced, most of the book followed only 2 of the 5 major players, and I really felt a bit of a lull where the other characters were missing from the story. I was most interested in the last 30-40% of the book, which was where a lot of the action happened.

I will likely still read the next book, and hope for the best.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was an excellent follow up to the first book and I loved continuing Fauna’s journey! While I did find the first portion of the book a bit slow to start, I loved learning about the different pantheons and visiting more realms. And the ending left me reeling! So glad this is not the end.

Piper CJ does it again. Book one really took me on a mental journey. What I thought was reality was twisted so beautifully. Heading in to book two I thought I was connected to the characters already, now I’m living in these pages. Is it because I come from childhood, religious, and adulthood traumas? Maybe. But these characters bring me the nostalgia of growing up wishing for other gods than the only one shoved down my throat. The journey these characters are on is beautiful and captivating. Keep me in hell, thanks!

Piper CJ did it again. I have so many indescribable feelings about this book and what I've read, its hard for me to say much without spoilers. I can't same much more but OH MY GODS
I need book three immediately, and this is my favorite series.

Piper Piper Piper. Announcing book 3 in the week before book 2. And it’s an understatement to say we NEED book 3.
I still cannot properly comprehend my thoughts and it’s a jumble of emotions. Piper did it again. The middle grade might not be her genre but let it be said that SHE IS MADE FOR FANTASY. Epic, gripping, and wonderfully creative. I am obsessed with everything in this world. The characters are familiar (I still don’t like Fauna blegh)
It tends to be a bit confusing with all the mythology and I couldn’t get into it after a long day, but the hard work of reading this is worth it!!

That ending was ROUGH! Tears are still rolling down my cheeks as I’m writing this so apologies for any typos.

Why do I love and want to throttle every single character? I mean I LOVE them but oh my gods. I still want more and will be DEVOURING the next book as soon as I can get my grabby hands on it!!

Also CANNOT WAIT to see how everything spirals, interlocks, falls apart and rebuilds. Or who we see.

I LOVED Dorian and Poppy too! (I won’t spoil them for you but they are well loved from my side)

“Consider this my rebirth. Here the fuck I am”

Thank you to Sourcebooks Bloom for the earc. All opinions are my own.

The second book in this series starts up right where the previous one ends. We have Marlow and Fauna trying to save Caliban and Az. There was a whole lot of information in this book, different Gods and so much back story. The flip flopping of the earlier chapters got confusing, but I realized as I went the information was necessary. I do feel this could have been edited down a bit, as I wasn’t really hooked until around 70% of the book. Definitely an unexpected twist at the end and ending on a cliffhanger.

This book made me laugh, cry, and gave me emotional goosebumps.

I LOVE the various pantheons Piper explores and how personal and religious trauma are translated.

This was a highly anticipated read and it definitely stood up and surpassed my initial expectations.

Rating: 3.5

There was a lot to love in this book – the characters are excellent, the author has a great sense of humor and I loved how modern language and examples tied in with mythology and theology. I think I just was hoping that more would happen in this book, and it felt a little slow paced to me and there were times that felt like a bit of an info dump.

That said, this is the most unique series I've ever read, and I look forward to the next book. This book definitely set up for some big things to come and I think readers will see payoff from everything learned in Fox and the Falcon.

Oh my god! ….I mean oh the other gods!!…. This book was amazing! If you are willing to have your mind opened and challenged while having fun reading, this is the book for you!

A well written sequel.
I loved the plot and the characters.
I loved the first book.
Highly recommend.