A Strange Hymn (The Bargainer Book 2)

Amazing story! I love that I get to follow my two favorite love birds into the next book. Definitely kept me on the edge of my seat and giggling to myself in public. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because I’ve had two pages fall out while simply turning the page. Not roughly or anything. They just popped right out as I turned the page. I know it’s not the authors fault though, so on to the next book!

A Strange Hymn picks up right where Rhapsodic left off, following Callie and Desmond as they continue to try to solve the mystery of the sleeping female soldiers and their children. While it’s a solid book, it has all the markings of a typical middle installment, including a cliffhanger meant to keep you interested enough to pick up the third book.There is a lot I love about this series. I adore Callie and Temper’s friendship, and the strength they each possess. Des is the perfect dark romantic lead, and the fact that he is a winged male fae just adds to that (apparently I have a type). The villain isn’t obvious, which I also liked, as it came as a surprise when I neared the end. However, there is a part of me that wishes I knew more about the friendlier side character, like Malaki or any Aetherial. They pass in and out of Callie’s orbit quickly and add so little to the story. I feel like there’s a missed opportunity there.I also found I’m not a fan of modern slang in first person narration. While I get that as the reader we are inside Callie’s head, at times it took me out of the story a bit. IIt felt more like sitting with a friend at a bar listening to her talk then it did reading a novel. This is purely personal preference, but this style of writing is not my favorite.Overall though, I enjoyed the book. It’s spicy, there is growth in the main characters, and the plot moves along at a good pace. I will definitely be reading the remainder of the series.

Darker, Dirtier and even more Delicious.***Our relationship was forged on bloodshed and solidified through deception. I am the dark creature that craves sex and destruction, and he is the king of it. ***In Rhapsodic we had flashbacks to a teenage Callie and how she and the Bargainer built a bond together. But A Strange Hymm is all set in the present and since there are no children about anymore it gives the author free ranges to delve into some more sinfully delightful debauchery with the adult all the time Callie.Desmond, “He tastes like fairy wine and dirty thoughts.” Flynn is in fantastic form. He might be mostly sweet to Callie unless he is being delightfully wicked but he is King of Night and enemies beware he can and will be brutal.Callie is dealing with the changes forced on her by Karnon in Rhapsodic. While some would be so happy to have wings and wouldn’t mind so much the beautiful scales on her forarms that lead to some talons she is struggling a bit with it.***“Rather than making lemonade out of lemons, I’m pretty much cutting open those lemons and squeezing them into my eyes.” ***There was a very small period of time in the story where I wanted to slap her and tell her to get over it. I mean WINGS…Hello embrace the change. Des loves them so her insecurities don’t last long.Temperance who we only got a little taste of in the last book really shines in this one. Every girl should have such a devoted friend that they would blast their way into Faery to get you. I really loved seeing Callie with her bestie especially since we follow them to the Solstice celebration in the land of Flora and with a Queen who has never met a woman she didn’t want to try to demean and subjugate. Plus, in the land of Flora humans are still treated as slaves and since both Callie and Temperance are human it is going to be a bumpy ride.Don’t forget though we still have sleeping women, creepy children and missing male soldiers and this plot line is going to get us a little closer to the Thief of Souls and what his end game might be.A Strange Hymm was darker than the first book of the series just because the Fae are a bit cruel in nature and get them all together that is bound to come out in spades. I loved the progress we made on the main plot of the series and it is creepy indeed.Callie, once she got over her initial pity party is fantastic and Des…well Des I want to sweep away to be my own Nightmare. I get so caught up in them as a couple, I love the way they trade secrets for beads and play truth or dare. The growth of their relationship is captivating and I love being in a world where Desmond can make a bargain with the stars so they spend an evening in Callie’s hair. Sure it is a love story first and a mystery second but it is the best of both worlds.***“You were everything I never knew I wanted. You were chaos. You were desperation. You were the most mysterious secret I’d ever come across. Everything about you drew me in—your innocence, your vulnerability, hell, even your tragic life. You were the most captivating creature I’d ever come across.” ***This was a fantastic follow-up to Rhapsodic.

The book left me wanting more. I can not wait to continue the series and see what is in store for Des and Callie

I would have liked to give the book five stars because I enjoy the series overall. However, the way Temper is written is uncomfortable to say the least. From her name to the way she speaks, everything about is screams caricature. I actually found myself skipping past parts where she speaks because it is embarrassing to read. I have been supporting Laura Thalassa for going on a decade first purchase in 2015, and I've read all her books save for one so I was looking forward to a black female character. SO with all that being said if you can not write a black woman.... just don't, write about what you know you, because that display honestly made me want to stop supporting. The only reason I still am is because I am working under the assumption that intentions were good, but you know what they say about good intentions....

Didn’t think I would like it as much as the 1st. The unrequited love in book 1 was addictive. The author was able to get you excited all the more. Can’t wait to start book 3.

A lovely balance of plot and spice.The mystery is even more engaging in this second book which leaves me feeling excited to read more.Our male and female leads feel so well matched on most levels in a way that keeps me engaged in the relationships development. Both twisted and messed up and loving every bit of that about each other.I took my time reading this, resisting the urge to binge read it in a day, because I wanted to enjoy the tension, the mystery, the world that was being built. At times it felt like I was able to escape into the Otherworld that she is building for her readers.I’m officially a Laura Thalassa fan!Things keeping it from being a 5 star:- A big need for a decent editor. Grammar aside there are a few details that need to be held accountable.- A better best friend. I think there is an acceptable base for the best friend character I just found her to be a bit boring and predictable.

The second book in the series picks up where Rhapsodic left off. I won’t say too much for fear of spoiling things but as well follow Callie and Des on the quest to solve the mystery of the Thief of Souls we get to explore more of the Otherworld. The worldbuilding is exquisite the Otherworld and it’s realms of Night, Day, Flora and Fauna are everything I had hoped for. Laura’s take on the Fae is one of my favourite, I love that they are so beguiling and yet so other and so very very dark.I always wonder how I could love Callie more, but after each book I realise that I do. She is such an incredible character and underneath her sassiness there is a raw vulnerability about her that makes her so very relatable. We are also given the most wonderful gift in this series, the friendship between Callie and Temper – it is, honestly, so refreshing to see such a wonderful friendship between two female characters – without a hint of competition or backstabbing. Temper is the best friend that we all need – one who always has our back (and would totally blow up a portal for us) she is there for Callie and Callie is there for her. I would love to read more about Temper – and about her powers.We are left with a cliffhanger at the end of A Strange Hymn and the wait for Dark Harmony was a long one (but it was totally worth it!) Whilst waiting for Dark Harmony I read The Emperor of Evening Stars which is book 2.5 and is a novella, which gives us some background on the elusive Desmond Flynn.

The book start was a bit slow but damn the second half of the story went from O to 100!I love the whole Thief of Souls plot twist,he's such an interesting and elusive character. Love seeing Callie growing and becoming more confident with herself and her body.I wish (again)we could have see more of the friendship between Callie and Temper. Des was so supportive, so sweet and the scandal among scandals,he is a romantic. He empowered Callie all throughout andnever let her feel like she was beneath anyone because she was human and not a fairy. I like how the author give us so much details about the fae world.

Some spoilers.GAAAAHH!!!! The thief of souls is so giving me the creeps!!! I thought that ended with Karnons death but no!! Body snatcher.. It was great to see Des and Callie's relationship see more action and move up a notch, but man! The Flora kingdom makes the Night Kingdom feel like a safe haven. This book literally kept me up all night, could not put it down. I thought Mara knew the secret about her mate the Green Man, but... Who knows? And Janus? I defo thought he was in on it. Then I thought Des's "ghost" was a sibling who did survive like he did.... But seriously, what's so bad about the lilac wine? But oh, there's always something big that happens to poor Callie, but it turns out for the better. I hope that's the case with the next book.

I’ve really been enjoying this series, I love Des and Callie and the world that the author has created. However I found it slightly irritating that the big revelations that came at the end of chapters in this book, were things that had been made obvious in the previous book. It made Callie out to be quite slow, and had me saying “well duh” out loud a few times!There were some hot and steamy scenes that made up for this annoyance though 😄4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Recommend ✅

Ok the name of the main male character somehow doesn't seem quite right for hero, love interest. However his love is truly Epic & so beautifully articulated. It reminds me of the love Aragorn has for Arwen in LOTR but is the focus of the story and so beautifully expressed. I read many pnr books but Des may have just stolen the spot for favourite all time hero. He is far from perfect but his love is so honest and true.