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emilyrpf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
teresab78's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this fantasy romp! It was gritty in just the right way with a romance I could get behind. Though I had my suspicions as to the perpetrators, the mystery was well done. There is tons of action and great characters. The sex is very light but it fit the story well.
I loved Davith and Jory as characters and together. They were well rounded and interesting with flaws and strengths. I really appreciated that Davith Blyd wasn’t a big strong man, but rather thin and awkward. He didn’t fit any stereotypes. Jory, though pretty and sweet voiced, had a ruthlessness and cunning about him.
The ending wasn’t what I expected but it was happy nonetheless. I had a hard time putting the book down and was happy/sad that it was finished - happy because of the ending sad because there was no more story.
I definitely recommend this to mm fantasy lovers.
missawn's review against another edition
3.0
This was just okay for me. I had trouble getting into this story and felt that there was very little chemistry. I usually struggle with characters that seem to fall in love the instant that they meet, in this case they seem to instantly get married to each other and actually commented about that as part of the narrative. I found the relationship between the two MCs unusual and difficult to comprehend.
It took me awhile to finish this book and I found I needed to step away at about the midpoint just because I had lost interest. I did come back to it and manage to finish the book. I just couldn't seem to get into this one in the way I wanted ...
The world building was actually quite spectacular and I admire this writer's versatility and skill. The setting was vivid and engaging - at times dark but not morbidly so. I just think that this was perhaps a case of wrong book at the wrong time for me.
It took me awhile to finish this book and I found I needed to step away at about the midpoint just because I had lost interest. I did come back to it and manage to finish the book. I just couldn't seem to get into this one in the way I wanted ...
The world building was actually quite spectacular and I admire this writer's versatility and skill. The setting was vivid and engaging - at times dark but not morbidly so. I just think that this was perhaps a case of wrong book at the wrong time for me.
vagaybond's review against another edition
3.0
there's a lot of nice sentiments about sex workers in this despite there being whorephobic slurs nonstop. same for class I would say except the slurs part.
I think I'm tired of characters being like, "I'm not a good person uwu why could you like me" but I think this was only said like twice or thrice. and in function it doesn't make much difference. the reasons Jory does kind things is out of a sense of compassion. the reason Daveth does kind things is out of a sense of logic and sense. I do kind of like that this seems to be an undercurrent because I'm tired of people thinking doing good things is only about feelings. it makes total sense to do good things in general. this isn't a huge thing in the book but it felt like a better take on the whole "I'm not a good person" thing. to be like, well, I'm not doing this out of feeling, I have loads other reasons to do something. it could have been worded better but I mean, that's a lot to expect from dialogue
all in all this was enjoyable and I would enjoy reading more in this setting.
I especially liked the scene that involved slight-of-hand "magic" in a setting with actual magic, trying to pass off stage magician tricks as real magic.
I think I'm tired of characters being like, "I'm not a good person uwu why could you like me" but I think this was only said like twice or thrice. and in function it doesn't make much difference. the reasons Jory does kind things is out of a sense of compassion. the reason Daveth does kind things is out of a sense of logic and sense. I do kind of like that this seems to be an undercurrent because I'm tired of people thinking doing good things is only about feelings. it makes total sense to do good things in general. this isn't a huge thing in the book but it felt like a better take on the whole "I'm not a good person" thing. to be like, well, I'm not doing this out of feeling, I have loads other reasons to do something. it could have been worded better but I mean, that's a lot to expect from dialogue
all in all this was enjoyable and I would enjoy reading more in this setting.
I especially liked the scene that involved slight-of-hand "magic" in a setting with actual magic, trying to pass off stage magician tricks as real magic.
cakereads's review against another edition
3.0
they could have tried harder with the title, but the book is still a fairly good read. enjoyed the world-building and plot was a fairly fast one.
silverbear's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
the_novel_approach's review against another edition
5.0
~ 4.5 Stars ~
I am a sucker for a good spec fic. With a mystery, a touch of fantasy, a dash of romance, and a noir feel, Blyd and Pearce quickly grabbed my attention and kept me enthralled in the events unfolding. Kim Fielding has a gift for unique world building. Her descriptions of the city of Tangye in all its different factions, from the poverty of the lows to the opulence of the of the Royal Quarter and all that lies between, are vivid and riveting in their exquisite detail. With magic expertly woven into the setting, and plot, it is a remarkable and compelling story.
Daveth Blyd is a lowler, born and raised. He spent his childhood surviving in a place that has no compassion. In the lows, everyone is just trying to stay afloat and alive and look out for themselves. Nothing comes without a cost. The things he saw, and did to survive, caused him to become jaded and hard. He honed skills that eventually gave him the opportunity to claw his way out of the lows and into the city guard. But after being accused of theft, his position is ripped away and along with it, any hope he had held. He trusts no one. He lives his life keeping everyone at a distance and taking cases to keep food in his belly and a roof over his head. No more, no less. A nobleman arrives on his doorstep offering an obscene amount of money and weaving a tale of theft; all Blyd must do is return the ring and the entertainer who took it. Sounds easy? Its becomes anything but.
Jory Pearce may be an entertainer, but he is many other things: possible thief, liar, whore, beautiful, captivating. While Blyd had no ill will towards the latter of these, the thief and liar part keeps him on his guard as to exactly what Jory did and why. While there are hints of a truth, it is clear Jory is hiding something big. Despite his best efforts to remain detached, there is something about the man that grabs Blyd’s attention. With a need to know more about the intriguing and complex man, as well as a desire to protect Jory, Daveth soon finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that makes no sense.
I wouldn’t consider Daveth and Jory’s romance as sweet in the traditional sense, but a romance it was nonetheless. They both have pasts which have hardened them, neither trust each other completely, and both have preconceived notions and expectations. They begin their journey on opposite sides, then become allies of sorts. While searching for answers, they eventually find a refuge in each other as the world around them spirals out of control. They each find someone who sees them and understands them. With one another there is at least one person that finds the other is not someone to be used and discarded for personal gain. Blyd sees strength and determination in Jory, not his choice of making a living. Jory sees someone who is loyal and heroic in his own way, not a street rat son of a whore that everyone else has labeled Daveth. Their pasts don’t define them when they are together.
With corruption everywhere, sword-fights, murders, magic, wraiths, betrayals, and several twists and turns, I found myself unable to put the story down. The ending, like many noirs, leaves as many questions as answers. It was unexpected yet somehow fit. Should it end here it is a complete story, but there is enough to continue with Blyd and Pearce on the next chapter in their adventure together.
While Blyd and Pearce hit the spot for me, it may not be for those looking for a sweet fantasy romance with a bit of crime and suspense. Blyd and Jory’s romance has sweet elements, but is on the gritty side as it develops through tragic events. It is first a crime and suspense fantasy with a sprinkling of an unlikely romance, which I found to be fascinating and right up my alley.
Reviewed by Lindsey for The Novel Approach
I am a sucker for a good spec fic. With a mystery, a touch of fantasy, a dash of romance, and a noir feel, Blyd and Pearce quickly grabbed my attention and kept me enthralled in the events unfolding. Kim Fielding has a gift for unique world building. Her descriptions of the city of Tangye in all its different factions, from the poverty of the lows to the opulence of the of the Royal Quarter and all that lies between, are vivid and riveting in their exquisite detail. With magic expertly woven into the setting, and plot, it is a remarkable and compelling story.
Daveth Blyd is a lowler, born and raised. He spent his childhood surviving in a place that has no compassion. In the lows, everyone is just trying to stay afloat and alive and look out for themselves. Nothing comes without a cost. The things he saw, and did to survive, caused him to become jaded and hard. He honed skills that eventually gave him the opportunity to claw his way out of the lows and into the city guard. But after being accused of theft, his position is ripped away and along with it, any hope he had held. He trusts no one. He lives his life keeping everyone at a distance and taking cases to keep food in his belly and a roof over his head. No more, no less. A nobleman arrives on his doorstep offering an obscene amount of money and weaving a tale of theft; all Blyd must do is return the ring and the entertainer who took it. Sounds easy? Its becomes anything but.
Jory Pearce may be an entertainer, but he is many other things: possible thief, liar, whore, beautiful, captivating. While Blyd had no ill will towards the latter of these, the thief and liar part keeps him on his guard as to exactly what Jory did and why. While there are hints of a truth, it is clear Jory is hiding something big. Despite his best efforts to remain detached, there is something about the man that grabs Blyd’s attention. With a need to know more about the intriguing and complex man, as well as a desire to protect Jory, Daveth soon finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that makes no sense.
I wouldn’t consider Daveth and Jory’s romance as sweet in the traditional sense, but a romance it was nonetheless. They both have pasts which have hardened them, neither trust each other completely, and both have preconceived notions and expectations. They begin their journey on opposite sides, then become allies of sorts. While searching for answers, they eventually find a refuge in each other as the world around them spirals out of control. They each find someone who sees them and understands them. With one another there is at least one person that finds the other is not someone to be used and discarded for personal gain. Blyd sees strength and determination in Jory, not his choice of making a living. Jory sees someone who is loyal and heroic in his own way, not a street rat son of a whore that everyone else has labeled Daveth. Their pasts don’t define them when they are together.
With corruption everywhere, sword-fights, murders, magic, wraiths, betrayals, and several twists and turns, I found myself unable to put the story down. The ending, like many noirs, leaves as many questions as answers. It was unexpected yet somehow fit. Should it end here it is a complete story, but there is enough to continue with Blyd and Pearce on the next chapter in their adventure together.
While Blyd and Pearce hit the spot for me, it may not be for those looking for a sweet fantasy romance with a bit of crime and suspense. Blyd and Jory’s romance has sweet elements, but is on the gritty side as it develops through tragic events. It is first a crime and suspense fantasy with a sprinkling of an unlikely romance, which I found to be fascinating and right up my alley.
Reviewed by Lindsey for The Novel Approach
zicon's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0