I try to group my quick review posts around a theme (or a series) as much as possible, so this time I’ve got four m/m fantasy romance books! One is historical fantasy set in our world, the rest are high fantasy set in made-up worlds. But all of these have a kind of similar vibe, especially Witchmark, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, and Ever After. So if you like any of those, you may like the others! I’ll admit none of these left a big impression on me, but I didn’t dislike them either. So maybe you all will like them!
*Quick Reviews are posts where I share summaries and links for reviews I’ve recently posted to Goodreads and Amazon but don’t plan to make full review posts for here on the blog. Tag links are at the end.*
Witchmark (The Kingston Cycle Book 1) by C.L. Polk [Audiobook]
In Witchmark, a doctor with healing powers sets out to solve the mystery of the ailment causing returned soldiers to turn violent and kill their families.
Kind of instalove-y romance, but a well-thought out plot with magic, a mystery to solve, a nice main character and love interest, and a bit of family struggle.
*Rating: 3 Stars // Read Date: 2020 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes magic, mystery, and m/m romance.
Tags:
Fantasy, High Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Publisher: Tor.com, Standalone within a Series(?), Gay (Main Character), Mancers/Mages, M/M Romance, No Explicit Sex, Audiobook
My Full Review:
Goodreads | Amazon
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street (The Watchmaker of Filigree Street Book 1) by Natasha Pulley [Audiobook]
In The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, an ordinary man’s life is changed when his life is saved by a watch made by a clairvoyant watchmaker.
A lightly magical, slow-paced, subdued kind of story with an interesting take on clairvoyance. The romance was jarring for me though with no hint of feelings or romantic chemistry.
*Rating: 3 Stars // Read Date: 2020 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes interesting psychic powers, Victorian London, subtle m/m romance, and slow-paced, subdued stories.
Tags:
Fantasy, Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Publisher: Bloomsbury USA, Part of a Series, Gay (Main Character), Gay (Love Interest), POC, Asian, Japanese, Neurodiversity, Synesthesia, Psychics/Telepaths, M/M Romance, No Explicit Sex, Audiobook
My Full Review:
Goodreads | Amazon
Treasure (Greynox to the Sea Book 1) by Kim Fielding [Audiobook]
In Treasure, a young man on holiday finds a man washed up on the beach after a storm and falls in love.
This was a cute, light, fluffy romance, but my issue is that it really forsook a lot of realism, depth, and world-building to be so. Enjoyable for a quick, light read though.
*Rating: 3 Stars // Read Date: 2020 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who like light and fluffy mlm romance and worlds with a touch of magic.
Tags:
Fantasy, High Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Standalone within a Series, Gay (Main Character), Gay (Love Interest), M/M Romance, M/M Explicit Sex, Audiobook
My Full Review:
Goodreads | Amazon
Ever After (Forbidden Love Book 1) by Riley Hart & Christina Lee [Audiobook]
In Ever After, a prince and his valet fall in love, despite knowing the prince is expected to marry a woman.
This was a cute, light fantasy romance. There was some angst, but mostly because of obstacles that came from outside the relationship. The characters were sweet and kind.
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Read Date: 2020 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes light, sweet m/m romance, kind characters, and HEAs with princes.
Tags:
Fantasy, High Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Standalone within a Series, Gay (Main Character), Gay (Love Interest), M/M Romance, M/M Explicit Sex, Cover Love, Audiobook
Sounds like they were mostly ok reads.
Yep, pretty middle of the road.
Aw bummer these were just okay. I do like the cover of thatfirst one. and the fourth one sounds kind of fun 🙂
Books just be like that sometimes 😁 I did like fourth one best!
Sorry none of these were rated higher for you, but it does sound like you found some enjoyment from them all the same. I did kind of want to read The Watchmaker of Filigree Street but ultimately found I couldn’t get into it. I do like the sound of Witchmark, though. It sounds like the perfect light easy read.
Yeah, some books are just like that. Somewhat enjoyable, but not super impressive. I can definitely understand why you couldn’t get into Watchmaker.
I’ve only read Witchmark here and I agree it didn’t leave a big impression on me but I did love the world-building
Yeah it had some cool stuff at least!