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A review by readyforit
A Strange Hymn by Laura Thalassa
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4⭐️2.5🌶️(a few fade to black scenes and a couple graphic scenes, overall spicier than book 1)
I didn’t like this one as much as the first book but we do get introduced to the fae Otherworld and a lot of new fae characters! This book exclusively takes place in the otherworld, whereas book 1 was mostly in the human realm. We learn a lot of backstory about des, his parents, and his childhood.
The first part of the story is des helping Callie come to terms with the fact that she doesn’t look human anymore and can’t return to earth. He takes her on a tour of his kingdom and begins the Training™ that is in every fantasy book. She slowly learns to love her body again because des loves her, regardless of what she looks like. She could probably transform fully into a bird and he would still be obsessed with her lol.
Temper storms her way into the otherworld looking for Callie so we get a lot more of their friendship in this book. Most of the story takes place over the course of a weeklong Solstice celebration in the Flora realm. We meet the flora queen and her weirdass mate. Rulers of the different realms clash, alliances are formed, and trust is broken. Des punches and murders people who cross Callie. We get a lot of “don’t even look at my mate” moments! All the while the thief of souls is back and kidnapping male soldiers this time. It’s a pretty good mystery and twist at the end!
This book had a lot more world-building in it and a lot less of des and Callie’s relationship. I would say that romance isn’t the forefront of this book. It’s still there, but it’s more about how Callie settles into the fae world and then the mystery of the thief of souls.
I am going to continue the series but probably won’t reread unless I forget the plot in the future!
I didn’t like this one as much as the first book but we do get introduced to the fae Otherworld and a lot of new fae characters! This book exclusively takes place in the otherworld, whereas book 1 was mostly in the human realm. We learn a lot of backstory about des, his parents, and his childhood.
The first part of the story is des helping Callie come to terms with the fact that she doesn’t look human anymore and can’t return to earth. He takes her on a tour of his kingdom and begins the Training™ that is in every fantasy book. She slowly learns to love her body again because des loves her, regardless of what she looks like. She could probably transform fully into a bird and he would still be obsessed with her lol.
Temper storms her way into the otherworld looking for Callie so we get a lot more of their friendship in this book. Most of the story takes place over the course of a weeklong Solstice celebration in the Flora realm. We meet the flora queen and her weirdass mate. Rulers of the different realms clash, alliances are formed, and trust is broken. Des punches and murders people who cross Callie. We get a lot of “don’t even look at my mate” moments! All the while the thief of souls is back and kidnapping male soldiers this time. It’s a pretty good mystery and twist at the end!
This book had a lot more world-building in it and a lot less of des and Callie’s relationship. I would say that romance isn’t the forefront of this book. It’s still there, but it’s more about how Callie settles into the fae world and then the mystery of the thief of souls.
I am going to continue the series but probably won’t reread unless I forget the plot in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: Classism and Rape
Minor: Alcohol and Pregnancy
One scene where rape is mentioned in the past