I especially enjoyed all of the faerie politics and political scheming they added a sense of intrigue to the story.Īnother laudable aspect of this book is its attention to the plot. I loved learning about the other kingdoms and their relationships with one another. This exploration of the Otherworld and its people is my favorite part of this book. We meet old friends of Des and are introduced to his fellow fae rulers. We are able to move beyond the walls of Des’ castle to explore all corners of the Kingdom of Night, as well as the royal residence of the Kingdom of Flora. In fact, the entire story is set in the Otherworld. Fortunately, the same cannot be said of A Strange Hymn. One of my biggest criticisms of Rhapsodic was its lack of world building, as only a few chapters take place in the Otherworld. Simply put, A Strange Hymn feels more substantial and fleshed out than its predecessor. It broadens the story, shifting it from being singularly focused on Des and Callie’s relationship to encompassing world building and plot development. Whereas Rhapsodic is a romance with some fantasy sprinkled in, A Strange Hymn is a fantasy with a healthy dash of romance. It is a rare occasion indeed when I prefer a sequel to the original, but that is precisely how I feel with regard to A Strange Hymn. Only, his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one.TLDR: A sequel that is superior on all counts to Rhapsodic. If the Bargainer has any hope to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago.

And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that’s been awoken. Only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to their breast. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Something is happening in the Otherworld. At first it’s just a chaste kiss-a single bead’s worth-and a promise for more.įor the Bargainer, it’s more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. 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. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.īut for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. He’s a man who can get you anything you want … at a price.

Only then will the beads disappear.Įveryone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. For the last seven years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past.

Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa