The Night Realm (Spell Weaver #1)

So, I’ve finished the trilogy and while there were moments, particularly in this first book, where I thought this was going to be an amazing paranormal/ fantasy romance, that potential was never realized. The action scenes were numerous and mostly well done, but main character, Clio, was too self-sacrificing, too demure, too wishy washy at times. She would become a badass in most of the fight scenes, but this girl would be debillitatingly disabled from that many close calls, last minute miracles, and hail marys.

The other main character, Lyre, was also pretty interesting at first. But, for a grown man, he seemed occasionally immature with thoughts and actions implying more depth than was really there once the plot moved along. This trend toward a more juvenile social and romantic interaction was thoroughly cemented by the complete lack of description of any of the love scenes. Despite extreme sexual tension throughout books 1 and 2, when the sex finally happens in book 3, I felt like I was watching a 1950s movie where we *literally* go from some heavy petting to someone getting breakfast in the morning. So, while the entire thing could have been an amazing and serious trilogy, and even with the very deadly violence, threats of sexual assault, and some *almost* interesting commentary on consent and female power, ultimately this was just too juvenile, and with its weird way of providing more protection for virgins from the incubus magic, too reinforcing of women being punished for having adult sexuality. So, what the author should have done is label the characters as the 17 and 18 year olds that they seem and just market it as a young adult set of books.

So, 3 stars for making an entertaining PG-rated teen drama.

I read this after reading the whole Steel & Stone series, so my perspective and expectations for this book were likely influenced by that since the love interest in this one, Lyre, was an important character in the other series. I think I fell for Lyre’s playful incubus act at the start of S&S, but I could also see how loyal he was as a friend, and I just wanted to be best friends with him. As the series went on, it became more and more clear that there was more to him than it first seemed, that he was actually very clever and cunning and dangerous, and then he became even more interesting to me and quite possibly my favorite character in the series. So I was really looking forward to getting to know more about his past (since this series takes place before S&S).

Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find out this book had Lyre’s POV as well as Clio’s! It was a great way to finally really get to know him more, and it also allowed the reader to see important things. We even got to see how his friendship with Ash started.

I liked Clio too. Sometimes I found her to be kind of inept, stumbling through her entire mission haphazardly, really not being very good at the spying or the deception required, but then I reminded myself that she was just out of her league, and I would most definitely be even more of a mess in that situation than she was. And I realized that I liked that part of her because it was relatable. Often times characters are super confident and smooth and competent and not at all freaked out by going into dangerous situations, so Clio was realistic in this regard. And when it really came down to it, she pulled herself together and managed to handle herself really well.

I also like how Annette Marie has made the incubi in this world truly dangerous and powerful in their own way. Well, I mean, Lyre’s family are especially dangerous because of their weaving skills, but even normal incubi have that aphrodesia magic that can take away a woman’s will (and maybe even a man’s if the incubus is powerful enough—I would still like to know about that time mentioned in one of the other books when Lyre apparently proved that to Ash lol). It’s also impressive how the author doesn’t shy away from the fact that incubi are all about sex, yet she still manages to keep it YA (albeit a kind of older YA).

The weaving, that was very cool too. This author always does a great job describing magic and making it super interesting.

The plot and pacing were where I had a couple minor issues. I thought this book was kind of slow until it got near the end, but I might just feel that way because I was expecting this to be more like the S&S books, which were often fast-paced and action-packed from start to finish. This was also different from S&S in that it seemed pretty romance-focused, and I guess that kind of threw me off a bit too. But neither of these things made the book bad, they just weren’t what I was expecting.

If anyone who hasn’t read either series yet is now wondering which one they should start with, I’d say either probably works. Both series stand on their own. However, I think Steel & Stone might do a better job of world-building and explaining everything about the daemons, so it might be helpful to read that one first for that reason.

But overall, I really enjoyed being back in this unique world that Annette Marie has created, I liked getting to experience Lyre’s POV, I liked Clio as a main character, and I thought all the magic was incredible!

Rating: 4 Stars

Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight (link in profile)

Clio has spent the last two years living in exile on earth at the request of her half-brother Bastian, the Prince of her people, due to her secret abilities of seeing how magic is made. While performing tasks for him that are important to the well being of her people, Clio longs to go home but will never refuse her brother’s tasks. When his latest assignment gives her hope that if she accomplishes it she can return home, Clio overlooks the fact she will be sent into the most dangerous place in the worlds- the Chrysalis company in the Underworld. And that just so happens to be exactly where Lyre needs her to be.

So I will admit that I saw this was a book about Lyre and I reached out my grabby hands to take it, no questions asked. I had no idea that this was a prequel Lyre story, I just assumed that it was after the end of the Steel & Stone Series. But let’s be honest here, I would have read anything with Lyre in it regardless of the timeline and I will read anything Annette wants to write- I have never met a book by her I was not totally in love with, so her stories are an insta-need for me.

Ah, how I have missed this world, where humans and Daemons walk together since the humans were made aware of their otherworldly presence- this is such a cool urban fantasy world that Annette has so delicately created. Be it creatures that could only come from the depths of her imagination or worlds with a nine hour eclipse and a great view of other planets, no detail is left unmentioned. Magic and danger fill the pages as well as developed, relatable, fallible and interesting characters. I connect to these people even though they are not human, but their emotions and desires resonate within me. I may sound like I am gushing… well, I am. I also may be in lurv with Lyre… Oh, and ASH! I did not expect to see him in these pages once I realized this was a prequel, but fortunately he showed his dangerous beguiling face! (I cherish each encounter between him and Lyre, watching them on their way to the bromance I know and love).

The dynamic between Lyre and Clio was perfect- a mix of humor, sarcasm, affection, exasperation, and curiosity. The two could not have been more opposite (yes, I am fully aware they come from opposite realms but I mean personality wise) yet the dynamic between them was the best balance. Clio was spunky, yet shy and eager to please and so very naive, wanting nothing but her brother’s attention and to go home. Lyre is jaded, confident and longs to escape the manipulative world be was born into yet doesn’t belong. The two should never even met, yet here they are battling their interest and attempting to save the world (sorta).

This is just the first in a series (of how many you ask?- I have no idea) with the start to an epic adventure but with so much left unsaid and undone. I seriously can’t wait for The Shadow Weave aka book 2 in the series to see what becomes of Clio and Lyre. Lesson learned- don’t mess with Hades. This is a must read for any urban fantasy fans as well as Annette Marie lovers.

The start of this book was very slow and I was wondering if I would even bother with any of the subsequent books however once it got going about 40 pages in I was hooked. I’m halfway through the third book and still hooked. Good characters, good world detail without being too much and story has a good pace.

WOW!!! I was pulled in from the beginning! Fabulous fantasy world, I absolutely love this series of books, the action starts straight away, and the characters are well defined early on and blossom throughout the series, you can feel the tension building between the main characters and each book always leaves you wanting more. The sub plots plus twists and turns keep you surprised and intrigued. Be warned though once you start reading this series you wont be able to put the books down so be prepared for some binge reading.

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