Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

TJ Klune

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune; Narration Kirt Graves: New Release Review/Audiobook Review

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Welcome to Charon’s Crossing.
The tea is hot, the scones are fresh, and the dead are just passing through.

When a reaper comes to collect Wallace from his own funeral, Wallace begins to suspect he might be dead.

And when Hugo, the owner of a peculiar tea shop, promises to help him cross over, Wallace decides he’s definitely dead.

But even in death he’s not ready to abandon the life he barely lived, so when Wallace is given one week to cross over, he sets about living a lifetime in seven days.

Hilarious, haunting, and kind, Under the Whispering Door is an uplifting story about a life spent at the office and a death spent building a home.

Amazon

Audible

Okay, full disclosure…I received an arc (thank you!) from the publisher for an honest review. HOWEVER, when I saw that Kirt Graves was doing the audiobook narration, I decided to wait for the audio. It’s actually the first time I’ve preordered an audiobook. I knew that I would enjoy TJ Klune’s book, but I knew I would love it even more, with Kirt’s narration. And thanks to these two men, I spent the better part of 3 hours crying…all in the name of a true HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

I’m not even sure where to start with this book. The author’s world building is so incredible, bringing life to what should be a dead place. All of the characters were rich and nuanced, not only the main characters. In fact, there really weren’t two main characters in this romance, but five total, and we learn so much about them throughout the book. Meanwhile, Wallace learns a lot about himself, who he was before he died, and who he really wanted to become. And in the end, he did all he could to redeem the wrongs that he did in life, as well as the ones that he saw after his death.

I loved that Hugo couldn’t touch Wallace…it was such a small thing, but it really spoke to what these two men were dealing with as they fell in love. Their lives were going in separate directions, they couldn’t touch, only see and talk, so Mei had to be the one to make any contact…well unless you could Nelson’s cane (haha). On top of it all, this book was hilarious. I’m still working from home, and was super glad that I was not at work listening to this book, for all the laugh out loud moments…as well as the bawling I did for the previously mentioned 3 hours.

There were so many little scenes in the book that moved it from an average book to amazing. Wallace playing with Apollo out back, or hanging out with Nelson and just talking all night. Even how much he clearly grew to respect Mei and all she did for her found family. Seeing Cameron’s life, and doing what he could to help in the tea shop. Every small step Wallace made brought him from a man everyone hated in the first chapter, to someone who you rooted to find his happy ending. Wallace built himself a family simply by being the man he wanted to be.

The narration by Kirt Graves was spot on once again. I enjoy the little inflections he adds to each and every book he narrates. He takes something mildly funny, and with just a simple pause, or a tiny gasp he turns it into a laugh out loud moment. His vocal range always allows me to know which character is speaking, even if the words don’t, something that is much appreciated. Kirt is definitely my top 3 narrators in this genre, and I’m always happy to spend a few hours in the world that he works so hard to recreate from the author’s vision.

In the end, you could not have asked for a happier ending, or a more fulfilling ride along the way. Full of humor, joy at the little things (like tea!) and so uplifting. I may have had puffy eyes for a full day after, but it was all well worth it.

Story: 4.5 pieces of eye candy

Narration: 4.5 pieces of eye candy

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: Quick Review

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Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He’s tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world.

Arthur Parnassus is the master of the orphanage. He would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn. And his secrets will come to light.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

Amazon

Audible

What can you say about this book, that likely hasn’t been said already? It is beyond sweet. The characters, not just the MC’s, but all the characters, are fantastically well written. They are very distinct, and so much fun. A bit stand-offish to begin with, but with good reason. However, their love for Linus is quick to come around, and was quickly as big as their love for Arthur.

Arthur, with his big heart, and bigger home for children that didn’t fit the mold of “normal” within the magical youth, brought such joy to everyone on the island. Eventually, he won over Linus, who clearly needed what everyone on that island so much wanted to give him.

This story was a bit of a fairytale, with it’s evil powers, and do gooders, and a sweet “monster”, but it was more than that. It was all about love, both romantic, and the love for your found family.

I absolutely loved this book, and honestly would love to take a little view in the future at what their lives are like. An epilogue of the epilogue. 🙂 Nevertheless, if you haven’t read this, sit back, be happy and just enjoy this sweet and lively romp through joy by a master world builder in the queer romance genre.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune: New Release Review – Audio and Ebook

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Some people are extraordinary. Some are just extra. TJ Klune’s YA debut, The Extraordinaries, is a queer coming-of-age story about a fanboy with ADHD and the heroes he loves.

Hardcover edition comes with an exclusive, reversible jacket!

Nick Bell? Not extraordinary. But being the most popular fanfiction writer in the Extraordinaries fandom is a superpower, right?

After a chance encounter with Shadow Star, Nova City’s mightiest hero (and Nick’s biggest crush), Nick sets out to make himself extraordinary. And he’ll do it with or without the reluctant help of Seth Gray, Nick’s best friend (and maybe the love of his life).

Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl meets Marissa Meyer’s Renegades in TJ Klune’s YA debut.

At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Amazon US

Audible US

I’m going to start this review with the things I normally don’t do. I normally don’t read YA, like really ever. I normally don’t read an ebook, and then immediately listen to the audio (Audio takes WAAAAYYYYY more time). I don’t normally read much in the superhero genre. These are the things that I normally don’t do when it comes to my reading habits. Reading Habits meet The Extraordinaries…you are about to be crushed under a mighty thumb.

This was such a sweet, but well written book. I loved the MC’s. Nick and Seth were just so perfect together, as best friends, but also as future loves of each other’s lives. The “side” characters were just a much of the story as Nick and Seth. Gibby and her cheerleader girlfriend Jazz. And Nick’s police officer father, Aaron Bell. (I do believe that TJ is going to address police issues with regards to the current unrest and Nick’s father in an upcoming book, if that is a concern). All in all, this was a fun swing through super hero worlds, finding what makes one extraordinary, and that healing wounds that no one saw coming is an ongoing process.

I didn’t want to write up a review for The Extraordinaries, after reading it, until I listened to Michael Lesley’s narration. He has a fantastic ability to get right into TJ Klune’s characters, and create small little details that the reader might not see in an MC otherwise. I just enjoyed his narration so much for this story. Michael Lesley brought these characters to life for me! It is so obvious when he narrates that he enjoys every minute of what he is doing, and what he is reading. It was great fun to enjoy the book right along with him

Overall, this was such a pleasant surprise for me, a non YA, non super hero and non back to back read/listen person, that I just didn’t want it to end. But hopefully, we will see more of what makes these characters extraordinary in the future.

Story: 4.5 pieces of eye candy

Narration: 4.5 pieces of eye candy

The Consumption of Magic by TJ Klune, Narrated by Michael Lesley: Audio Book Review * 2

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Sam of Wilds faced the Dark wizard Myrin and lived to tell the tale. Granted, the battle left him scarred, but things could be a hell of a lot worse.

It’s not until he reunites with Morgan of Shadows and Randall that he realizes just how much worse things could be.

Because the scars have meaning and hint at Myrin’s true plans for Sam and the Kingdom of Verania.

With time running out, Sam and his band of merry misfits—the unicorn Gary, the half-giant Tiggy, Knight Commander Ryan Foxheart, and the dragon known as Kevin—must travel to the snowy mountains in the North and the heart of the Dark Woods to convince the remaining dragons to stand against Myrin. Along the way, Sam learns secrets of the past that will forever change the course of the future.

A reckoning is coming for Sam of Wilds, and there is nothing he can do to stop it.

Title: The Consumption of Magic
Series: Tales From Verania: Book Three
Author: TJ Klune
Narrator: Michael Lesley
Release Date: April 30, 2018
Category: High Fantasy
Length: 18 hours, 18 minutes

Amazon

Audible

Dreamspinner Press

 

The Consumption of Magic is the 3rd third book in Klune’s The Lightening Struck Heart series. I can gush all day about how much I loved this series. It’s crazy, funny, endearing, thoughtful, and at times heartbreaking. Book 1 is really a stand alone, where we sample the delightful characters of Verania, and watch as our hero Sam of Wilds grows as a wizard (all right, apprentice) falls in love, protects his friends and generally shows us why he’s our hero. Finish that and you don’t have to read further and you’ll be so happy. But books 2, 3 and 4 tell the rest of Sam’s story, specifically how he fits into an ancient prophecy and what he can do to stop an evil force from taking over the world. So, you start book 2, you have to finish.

This time around, Sam goes on a few adventures, rounding up the remaining dragons he needs to help him win in his fight against Myrin, the dark wizard threatening Sam’s friends and Verania itself. Naturally, there are shenanigans which are as important as any plot points. You will laugh. But I’ma warn you now, you may also cry. Sam’s been warned for a long time that he will suffer a great loss, and he does. And it sucks. But this only strengthens Sam’s resolve, which sets us up for the 4th and final book in the series.

Book 3 is fantastic and I didn’t think I could love it more. Until I listened to the audio. I won’t lie. At first I was like “Wait… what? Not at all what I pictured Sam to sound like.” Not disappointing, just different from what I had in my mind. That goes for all the voices, except Gary and Ryan, I think. Anyway, Michael Lesley does an amazing job and after not a long time, I realized that’s totally what Sam sounds like. I even listened to him through all the credits. Go figure. When I saw the audio was 18 hours (18!) I couldn’t believe it but after the first few of Sam’s dramatic, pause filled inner monologues, the length started to make sense. Lesley animates the crazy/hilarious text with however many characters, all distinct, but he can also bring on the serious when Sam has his moments of introspection and analysis, whether he’s in some absurd situation or faced with heartbreak. The only downside is that I think I miss these books even more after hearing their wonderful voices.

Story: 4.5 pieces of eye candy

Narration:  4.5 pieces of eye candy

I started this series after last year’s GRL, when I heard Michael Lesley’s excerpt from book 2, and fell in love with the series immediately. I listened to all three books as soon as I was able (and am now waiting anxiously for book 4). This series is so well-written, has so many characters that don’t just touch your heart, but sneak in and steal it, as if these are real people and not characters that come to life from TJ Klune’s imagination. In some cases, it rips your heart out a little, and in this book, it truly breaks your heart, but is so well done, you know that what is ahead will bring Sam his happy ending, and restore Verania to its glory. Other times, you laugh so hard, you wonder where the heck he comes up with this stuff. Seriously, the scenes where Sam is captured, and somehow talks himself out of it, as Gary argues away are some of the funniest stuff I have read in a very long time.

However, when you add in Michael Lesley’s narration, these books just become something more. You truly feel like you are IN Verania, that you can see Ryan Foxheart’s blush when Sam says something completely inappropriate, that you can see Gary’s glitter being sprayed everywhere as he goes into a unicorn rage, and that Sam’s blue and green magic is swirling around you as he considers whether to turn someone’s nose into a penis. Michael Lesley truly takes these books to the next level, and I am so glad that I could spend the time with this book, listening to it.

That being said…book 4 isn’t out on audio yet, although I know Michael Lesley is working on it. I could not wait, though, I needed to see how Sam saves Verania and gets his happy ending, and I was not disappointed. What a great finish to this part of the series. And the best part! I heard Michael Lesley’s voice in my head the entire time I read that book. I can’t wait to hear how he makes it even better than what I heard in my head.

Amazing work to both TJ Klune and Michael Lesley.

Story: 5 pieces of eye candy

Narration:  5 pieces of eye candy

A Wish Upon the Stars by TJ Klune: Release Day Review

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Nearly a year ago, blinded by grief and betrayal, Sam of Wilds made a desperate decision to follow the Great White into the Dark Woods. Now, he emerges to a world changed.

The City of Lockes is a prison. The King has been locked away in the dungeons. The Kingdom of Verania has fallen, and the Dark wizard Myrin sits on the throne.

But soon after his return, Sam learns of a resistance fighting in his name, led by a courageous knight, a defiant prince, a pissed-off unicorn, and a half-giant who wants to smash everything in sight. If he has any hope of defeating the villains who have taken their home, Sam must face the consequences of his choices—and the friends he left behind.

Title: A Wish Upon the Stars
Series: Tales from Verania: Book 4
Author: TJ Klune
Release Date: March 27, 2018
Category: Fantasy
Pages: 440

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

It’s hard writing a review for a series-ending book. For those who’ve been reading the series all along, nothing anyone says should deter them from finishing it out. And I don’t want to spoil the series for those who haven’t read it yet. So, let me first address those who haven’t read any of the books yet:

You can read the first book, The Lightning-Struck Heart, and be happy and satisfied and a little angsty, but not really afraid of anything. And you’ll laugh and think and be happy at the end because non-HEAs make me very, very angry and that book will not make you angry at all unless you hate happiness and love and romance and unicorns and half-giants that are incredibly endearing and a delicious knight and a wizard-hero that everyone loves and is powerful and sweet but who’s full of self-doubt, yet confident, who loves his parents and friends and King and giving hugs. You can read that book and never pick up another in the series and it will be fine. I gave a brief thought to not reading the remaining books because I don’t want to fall in love with characters and they die or turn into jerks or whatever plus can I handle 3 more books of crazy people? Is it too much? But no, it’s not too much because while the 3 later books keep to the same level of insanity as the first, the higher story arc comes into play as Sam’s destiny is revealed, long buried secrets come to light and Sam and company have to figure out how to deal with it all. I would say the bantering is evenly balanced with the actual story and action. And yes, I got afraid after book 1 because I love Sam and Ryan together (I am all about the ‘ship), and things are said, and stuff happens, and visions are seen. And other characters I love are threatened, and hurt and I’m scared for everyone at some point. And I cried more than once. But I also laughed and laughed, and smiled and thought about stuff and fell in love with more than one character, and squeed with my friend who was reading this at the same time and my heart grew two sizes.

Oh … and if you’ve already read the first 3 books, I have nothing to say because what kind of weirdo wouldn’t finish?

Anyway, I really loved this series. I am such a fan now of Klune’s story telling. The characters are real; I care about most of them, while others I really don’t like because of the shit they’ve pulled. The story sucks you in and doesn’t let go. There is a lot of just crazy dialogue and situations. But there’s also serious and poignant moments and whatever the action is on the page, it all rings true for me. I love when he steps back from the straight up ridiculous and kind of weaves the words into a nice rhythm and covers a lot of ground in a short space. One thing that kept sticking out to me throughout the series is how a situation would arise, and the story zigs where you might expect it to zag.

It’s sort of a disgrace that these are the only books I’ve read so far of Klune’s, but I will be seeking out his other things right away. The one spoiler I will give is that Klune hints at **possibly** revisiting Verania to tell Justin’s story. Crossing fingers for that!!

5 pieces of eye candy for the book and series

The Lightning-Struck Heart by TJ Klune: Throwback Thursday Review

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Once upon a time, in an alleyway in the slums of the City Of Lockes, a young and somewhat lonely boy named Sam Haversford turns a group of teenage douchebags into stone completely by accident.

Of course, this catches the attention of a higher power, and Sam’s pulled from the only world he knows to become an apprentice to the King’s Wizard, Morgan of Shadows.

When Sam’s fourteen, he enters the Dark Woods and returns with Gary, the hornless gay unicorn, and a half-giant named Tiggy, earning the moniker Sam of Wilds.

At fifteen, Sam learns what love truly is when a new knight arrives at the castle—Knight Ryan Foxheart, the dreamiest dream to have ever been dreamed.

Naturally, it all goes to hell when Ryan dates the reprehensible Prince Justin, Sam can’t control his magic, a sexually aggressive dragon kidnaps the prince, and the King sends them on an epic quest to save Ryan’s boyfriend, all while Sam falls more in love with someone he can never have.

Or so he thinks.

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

This book is ridiculous. Over the top. Bananas. Bonkers. Weird. Funny. Smart. Corny. Sweet. Hilarious. Too much. Not enough. Spot on. I didn’t know what to expect with this book. I mean look at the beautiful cover: it’s unassuming and seems perfectly respectable. Who would think insanity awaits you? And on virtually every page — EVERY PAGE — I lol’d (yes, literally), snorted, and/or had to just put the book down to laugh and ponder every detail of the moment. And the craziest part is this the first time I’m reading TJ Klune. Lesson learned.

This is an odessey/adventure tale. Sam is a brilliant and promising wizard apprentice. He’s beloved by pretty much everyone. He’s fiercely loyal to his family and friends and his King. He’s resourceful, which helps since he’s captured, like, a lot and finds himself in the most absurd situations. He’s confident in his abilities, yet awkward and completely clueless when it comes to his longtime crush Knight Ryan Foxheart. Will Sam be able to find the cornerstone for his magic, survive the trek to rescue a prince and *finally* lose his flower (preferably to Knight Ryan?) The answer to those questions is almost not even the point because there’s just so much more to this book than that.

It’s not just the cursing. Or the bizzare situations Sam finds himself in. Nor is it the oversexed gay unicorn and half-giant BFFs. Or the just crazy things they all say to each other. It’s somehow all of it together that totally works for me. Pretty much every character is so well drawn, I can see and hear them. And the technical aspect to Klune’s writing just works. Sometimes he’ll walk completely away from the insanity and tell us so much about Sam with a handful of words. Klune finds a perfect rhythm and the narrative flows in a way that I just adore. I will say there are a very few times when the joke/insanity goes on just a wee bit too long, and that coupled with how much the narrative and language just does not conform to the typical fantasy/adventure/romance book, I can see this book has the potential to rub some readers the wrong way.  I get it, and that’s cool but absolutely none of that bothered me. I felt like this was a book that I could have written, actually, style and language wise …  I also realized there is not much difference between me and a 20-year-old gay wizard apprentice, maturity wise, so Sam and his travails totally resonated with me. I loved it. This book is epic, and I rec it so hard.

4.5 pieces of eye candy