[ARC] Review: Dark Harmony by Laura Thalassa

Review of Dark Harmony by Laura Thalassa

(Book #3 in The Bargainer series)

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

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DESCRIPTION

There are worse things than death. Things that lurk in the shadows and slip into your dreams. Things that have no business existing. Things that once slept … but have now awoken.

For Callypso Lillis, the fae magic that now runs through her veins is equal parts curse and good fortune. For the very thing that bonds her to Desmond Flynn, the King of the Night, also makes her vulnerable to the Thief of Souls, a man who wants to break the world … and Callie along with it.

But it’s not just the Thief whose shadow looms over the Otherworld. Des’s father is back from the dead, and he wants revenge on the son who sent him to the grave in the first place.

Des and Callie must figure out how to stop both men, and time is running out. Because there are forces at play working to tear the lovers apart once and for all … and unfortunately for them, death is no longer the worst thing to fear.

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REVIEW

“I have a secret.”

Let me preface this by saying that The Bargainer series is one of my all-time favorite series (we’re talking like top three guys, these books are a big deal to me) so I had a lot of expectations going into this. Let me respond to that by saying that it did not disappoint. Seriously, I cannot get over how perfectly Laura has wrapped up Callie and Des’ story.

“There will always be bad men, and they will take and take and take. But so will I. People like us are not victims. We’re someone’s nightmare.”

After the explosive and emotional ending of A Strange Hymn, the Thief of Souls still plagues Callie’s dreams and Des’ kingdom is under the greatest threat it has ever faced. Callie and Des must piece together the clues they’ve been given to track down the Thief of Souls and put an end to his torments.

Now for the part of the review you’re all waiting for: HOLY. GODS. This was a wild-ride! This book has everything I’ve come to expect from Laura Thalassa: witty comebacks, an air of mystery, shameless sensuality (LOTS OF IT), heartwarming romance, emotional turmoil, fiery and utterly terrifying women and villains that make your skin crawl.

I truly loved how much this story focused on Callie’s siren nature and her learning to embrace her powers. YASSSS GURL. Callie’s character ARC completes itself in this story and she truly becomes a force to be reckoned with, a nightmare, everything she was made to be. I’ve always loved how Des has willed Callie to welcome who she is and has never let his presence overshadow her. They have always felt like partners to me and it was no different in this book. While many of us are here for the ever charismatic Desmond Flynn, it is Callie’s character that shines in this.

That said, Des is as satisfying as ever. I swear every time he uttered the words “ah, ah, ah” or asked one of his rhetorical questions I melted a little inside. Who needs a book boyfriend when you can kidnap Desmond Flynn and make him your book husband? Hah. Kidnap Desmond Flynn. Sure. You should be forewarned that Des gets a little feral and extra carnal in this, his fae nature is being pressured and he does rule over the night and everything that happens within it, after all. That said, I loved every little bit of it.

Furthermore, one of the BEST parts of this story is Temper. Get yourself a best friend that’s a crazy sorceress who will help you take down your enemies. I have always loved Temper’s character and there were subtle hints that there is more to her story. Fingers crossed that Laura gives us more of Temper AND Malaki. (Also: Malaki, looks like he could kill you but is really a cinnamon roll, just saying…)

“Even shadows can deceive and gods can die.”

By the end of this story we are reminded once again that behind his crown Des is the ever-calculating Bargainer. For every secret you hold, he has a dozen. Nothing gets past him and he has a plan for every scenario. Seriously, there is a part near the end that will probably have you flying out of your seat and cheering with delight.

I’d also like to just say: the Thief of Souls … I KNEW IT. He has worn many faces but he was also exactly who I thought he would be! I was freaking out a little when his identity started piecing itself together more because all of my theories were totally validated.

Also – have you read Laura’s The Unearthly series? These two series take place in the same world and there was a juicy little Easter egg dropped about that story as well!

In finality, an epic conclusion to an epic series. How will I go on with my life knowing I’m no longer waiting for more books about Callie and Des? The only thing that shall tide me over is knowing Laura Thalassa is out there, writing more stories with wonderfully devastating characters such as these. Excuse me while I super glue this to my favorites shelf because it’s never allowed to leave.

AND THAT PROLOGUE YO.

View Review on Goodreads

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