I enjoyed this, even though I had a slight culture shock. For a while I thought that the author had incongruously enough created a second world with werewolves, separate from her first. Turns out that it's sort of the same world after all (that's not what the book is about, so I don't think that's much of a spoiler), although it's different enough that it might as well be a completely different one. The world building was a bit unclear, I have to say. I'm not quite sure how the magic of the old world relates to this one, and I only vaguely understand how this one works. The different types of magic and mages are not really explained. Some of it becomes clear over time, but not all. Didn't matter too much to me, though. You can follow the story without it.

I gave this only 3 stars mostly because I didn't like Max. Well, I was ok with him up until that asshole move in the last quarter of the book. It didn't make any sense to me. Issues, sure, the guy had issues, I get that. But he also supposedly worked on them before, and to not even try to find a better solution, make just a bit of an effort? No.

Also, just a loose thought, I imagine certain sexual acts would be a whole lot more pleasurable to perform if everyone's skin tasted like rum and caramel, or whatever wildly unlikely flavour combination it was again. Particularly those parts of the body that are usually associated with a different type of fragrance. (And I'm sorry, Max acted offended when Bryan wanted him to shower before touching said body parts with his tongue? What, no basic hygiene in this world?) ( )

To my vast amusement apparently I am reading a lot of books with explicit gay wolf sex lately. This one is a were-magician romance with a lot of snarky yet tender dialogue and a wicked damaged drama queen working out his issues. The world is good, the dialogue is funny and well done, the characters are appealing and the magic is very interesting. I had, as it turns out, read the short story that preceded this book and was quite delighted to read the further adventures of the San Andreas pack. Also, let's hear it for kitsune!

Holds up well to second reading, and I love the connection to the previous parasol world, however mildly referred to. ( )

The author has created a fun, amazing, world with the start of this series. The supernatural is commonplace occurrence with shifters...magicians...and kitsune all sharing space in a modern-day San Francisco. We learn about the laws that bind the place and how magic works as we go along. Not a lot of time is wasted on exposition. The ending is telegraphed far ahead, but this was a case where even if you knew where you're going...I guarantee that you're still going to enjoy the ride. This is a wonderful book that doesn't take itself too seriously and I hope the rest of the series is the same. In spite of the “shifter/fantasy” theme, the reader needs to be aware that they are gay shifters. ( )

Not sure why I haven't read this one earlier. One the one hand I've been missing out, so I'm kicking myself, but on the other... with the next one in the series not scheduled until late this year, at least I don't have to wait quite as long for the sequel. And that should tell you something.

This is a very cleverly written story. It contains it all: strong characters, fantastic story telling, understated humour and outright snark. It gives us "fizzy" and "spicy like hot sauce" jizz. However, it's not all just silly writing; there is a fantastic story being told, in such a way as to grab hold of you and not let go. There is a depth to the writing and the characters that doesn't necessarily seem to be there at first glance. But as you get to know these boys you learn about what they have had to endure to get where they are and to grow into the men they are supposed to be.

There is a lot going on, a lot of information being thrown at you, and at times you could have a "what the" kind of feeling, but in the end you learn about the world and what has happened to it. There is always a balance that needs to be found between throwing all the world building at a reader first and not about the characters, or as in this case, giving us information when it needs to be given. Or explaining things after the fact to help the story itself along. I don't mind this style, but I can understand that others feel differently.

This is one of those books that leave you, well at least it's left me, with a book hangover. I can't wait for the next one to come out! ( )

Please know that this is a different book that Gail Carriger's previous works. It's a m|m paranormal romance and while I recommend it on the strength of Carriger's previous works alone, if that's not your cup of tea then don't read it. Please don't read this book and then rate it poorly because you don't like what it's about. Also, do not assume that this is the same universe as her previous works. I'm not going to spoil it and say whether it is or not but if you're paying attention when you read you'll understand.

I've been waiting for this book since it was announced. I will admit that I found Marine Biology, the prequel to this new series, lacking. When I read it, it felt like I was being dropped into the middle of a story and I didn't have the context needed to understand where the story was going. However, I'm a Carriger fan so I was willing to give this series a chance. I'm glad I did!

One of my favorite things about Carriger's work is the humor. She does snark so well and it doesn't get old. Character development is well under way and I can't wait to see what happens with the rest of the characters introduced in this book. I liked the contradiction between who Bryan is and the name he typically goes by, Biff. It's like that "don't judge a book by its cover" maxim - Biff creates a certain image but you find out that he's really more than what you might think. Relationships are another hallmark of Carriger's work and there's definitely a lot of that happening. You have the pack, especially Alex and Bryan, Max and his work colleagues, Max and Bryan, and Max and his father as the key relationships in this book. The groundwork is there for more pack relationships that I assume will be worked out in future works based on how Carriger wrote The Finishing School Series/Parasol Protectorate/Custard Protocol.

World building is there but it might be the weakest I've seen in any of Carriger's other work. I think there was a lot introduced that wasn't quite explained. I suspect that things that might not have been as well developed will be picked up in later books. This is a series after all, even if some key aspects of the universe could have been better explained in this book. Reading Carriger's works pay off in the end - things that show up in book one might not click until a later book, etc. I love that about The Finishing School Series/Parasol Protectorate/Custard Protocol series (and the related novellas) so I'm looking forward to that being true for this series. ( )