Rhapsodic
Author: Laura Thalassa
Trope: Fated Mates, Slow Burn
Point of view: Single, First person
Relationship: MF
Type of series: Trilogy
In a nutshell: Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favours she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfil the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear. Everyone knows that if you need a favour, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want…at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.
But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Callie finds the fae king of the night in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s just a chaste kiss - a single bead’s worth - and a promise for more. For the Bargainer, it’s more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to their breast. And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that’s been awoken.
If the Bargainer has any hope to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. Only, his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one.
Content warning: Sexual violence, violence
What I thought: Loved this tale of friends turned enemies (on one side) to lovers. This was a very addictive read with a mystery that definitely hit the creepy factor. The book can be quite dark at times, take the content warning into account but I found I can sufficiently distance myself from that content and it not over power my thoughts. In addition to the mystery narrative of the present time, the story features flashbacks to Callie as a teenager where we can see how the friendship develops between Callie and Des, which forms some of my favourite parts of this book. I loved this read, I love Callie and Des is everything!
