3.5, decently entertaining in spite of a certain amount of recapping of what went on in the previous series. I like the fairly consistent mutual animosity between the MCs and the fact that it has barely even thawed by the end of book 1. Just keep being jerks, boys, that's what I like! The main downside is the two modern-day characters having some annoying sitcom-snark style dialogue, but the relentlessly aloof contempt of the scornful, probably-clinically-depressed fae is some consolation.

The first instalment in the latest Last Vampire spin-off series has... teeth
If you like me have been waiting anxiously for this book ever since the Vampire Bound series first started, you won't be disappointed. This is classic R. A. Steffan at its best: punchy dialogue, excellent group dynamics and exposition that manages to feel organic despite having a ton of ground to cover. Len, predictably, is an amazing character to build a series around — as is Albigard. The ...thing between them (not quite sexual tension but budding attraction for sure) is indeed a very slow burn but it would have felt weird if it wasn't given how these two characters started off and everything else that's happening.
Without giving too much away, I will say this:
a) the revelation about Len and what's unique about him is BRILLIANT
b) that cliffhanger was totally unexpected and brutal and I can see people freaking out but I know (hope?) it will probably be fixed SOMEHOW in the next books. Right? RIGHT?
Anyway, go get this book. And then join me in waiting for the next instalment.

Not necessarily a review of the book itself, but more one of the summary and genres attached... which are slacking quite a lot!

I hate bondage and any BDSM, and I really try to check the genres first to make sure not to get such a book - to avoid disappointment (I do not judge others for reading them, it is just not for me).

And not so tragic but extremely annoying: nowhere is mentioned that this is a spin-off or follow up series or what so ever. I read the first two chapters and it was mostly references to stuff I did not understand. Again, something that I try to avoid - or at least I want to be aware of it before reading.

Amazing

Almost better than The Last Vampire. I really love tinker bell and was hoping for his story, I can't believe I got my wish and it's a MM novel, my favorite!

5/5, Incredible.
Best book BY FAR in this ip, and also the 11th book. Very surprising for such a strong contender to come out so far in a series, but I do think the previous lore and character dynamics and growth all are what lead to such a satisfying read. I am definitely continuing this series and am more excited than I have been about reading in a long time.
Maybe it has something to do with my two favorite characters being the leads-- Len and Albigard are by far more intriguing characters than the previous books have presented. Albigard was my instant fav in the first book of The Last Vampire series: my adoration for him has continued. And Len was always cool. But, oh, my god. This book was amazing. I was excited to read it, more than just... reading it to read something.

Major End of Book Spoilers. DO NOT READ unless you have completed the book <3

Spoiler

Rans and Zorah dying and not being able to be brought back due to the nature of what killed them is absolutely an insane but such a thrilling, satisfying choice. It made me cry. I felt so sick all throughout the climax and falling action, eyes burning, but it was... Good. What a choice to make. Definitely interesting. And the new side of Albigard we get to see in this book is just. oh my god. oughhh ughhh oughhh i'm dying bc i love this book so much

honest to god i still have some gripes with its writing LOL but it's entirely overshadowed by how much i enjoyed this book, particularly the last 60% of it. Almost all of the first half I was grumbling about, though. I've obviously enjoyed these books enough to keep reading them, but I have to say that if there were any book thus far that made all my gripes abt this series just... fade away, make it all worth it, it's this book. very very good!!

Unwilling to wait, I began book 2 before reviewing book 1 and have now finished the sequel in one day flat (a rare feat for me).
While book 1 is all about the groundwork, and is, therefore, wandering at times, book 2 brings it all together and makes every minute of book 1 worth it.
Ok, now that I've raved for a hot second, on to Book 1's review.

Trigger Warnings for Forsaken Fae: Book 1 at the bottom of the review

While Forsaken Fae: book 1 started out with a bang, the excitement waned quickly, leaving the characters somewhat adrift from time to time. This, however, did create a lot of little spaces for the beginnings of character shaping and development where we learn a lot more about Len's past in bits and pieces through his relationships with his friends as well as his own thoughts. Meanwhile, the plot was slowly becoming more and more unavoidable.
As for the romance, there were a lot of characters in this book, and Len, the main character, wasn't ready to be in what will come to be his love interest's, Albigard's, orbit yet, especially since Len and Albigard have a mild distaste for one another for much of this book.

Which is an interesting concept - a romance novel in which zero romance happens the entirety of the book. This is really more a slow burn series as, so far, this trilogy seems more like one giant book that's been sliced into three. Which I actually love. One continuing, thrilling story that picks up exactly where the last left off, for the overarcing plot is too much and too big to be solved in one or even two books.
While it was unexpected that the main characters showed little more than tolerance towards one another - in the rare times they were actually in the same room together - I didn't mind the slow burn, and was curious how characters with a minimum of chemistry would grow in the second book. I was not disappointed.

Len and Albigard actually have a lot more interactions with the other characters in this book, of which there are many, than with each other. While at times it felt a bit overwhelming and an interesting challenge to keep track of everyone, they're all wonderfully developed characters with lives, pasts, and motivations. I've rarely seen an author, especially a romance author, build such life-like people that feel real and react in believable ways. They remain true to their characters, while growing throughout this book and the next, especially Len and Albigard, in an incredibly life-like and beautiful way, to the point I feel like I know them and I definitely adore them.
I honestly have no idea how Steffan can create so many strong characters with entire lives and keep track of them all. It's a wonder of character study.

Which is just part of why this book is so well written. It feels as though Steffan writes dialogue as easily as she breathes, with conversations that flow effortlessly. Characters talk in ways that make sense for them, and through their conversations you can feel them slowly forming bonds.
Not only am I impressed with the way Steffan writes, she is now one of my favorite authors for her ability to make an entire world with people living in it and the tandled web of their relationships while somehow, somewhere, despite all odds, two of them manage to fall in love with each other.

While The Forsaken Fae: Book 1 had a couple of soft spots, it set the foreground for an incredible, 5-star sequal that made it all worth it and then some.
Absolutely in love with these characters now and can't wait to get into book 3. Even without yet having read the 3rd book, I already couldn't recommend this series enough to anyone who enjoys a plotty fantasy with M/M romance. If you're patient, in for a story and prepared to wait through the slow burn, you'll find the wait pays off.


The Forsaken Fae: Book 1 Trigger Warnings (possible mild spoilers ahead):

~Past suicidal thoughts
~Past drug addict/recovering drug addict
~Muarajuana
~Past homophobia (Len was kicked out by his dad when he was 16 for being gay)
~Destruction of a neighborhood, including the deaths of many people, off-screen

Just a weird book that I would recommend to exactly no one.