Review: The Emperor of Evening Stars by Laura Thalassa
“That is what it’s like to be loved. Like the universe forming from chaos. It’s lighter than air and headier than magic. It’s everything.”
The Basics
Title: The Emperor of Evening Stars (The Bargainer #2.5)
Author: Laura Thalassa
Published: 2017
Publisher: Burning Ember Press — Lavabrook Publishing Group
Pages: 207
Format: Paperback
Genres: Fiction — Fantasy, Urban fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy romance, Paranormal romance
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Book Synopsis
This novella in The Bargainer series draws back the curtains on Desmond Flynn, revealing who he was before he became the King of Night and Bargainer. His childhood and road to the crown are described, as is his centuries-long quest to find his mortal soulmate.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: If you’re reading The Bargainer series, don’t skip this novella. It’s every bit as enjoyable as the full-length novels.
There are books that prattle on, and then, there are books that are far too short. The Emperor of Evening Stars falls into that latter category. It was written as a novella, but it ought to have been a full-length novel.
Delving into the past, this book provides an overview of Des’ earliest years and his path to becoming the King of Night. We meet his mother, father (unfortunately), and even a young Malaki. In learning about his past, we come to better understand who he is as a character, with the source of many of his behaviors and values becoming apparent. Moreover, as the story is narrated by Des, we gain insight into the inner workings of his mind.
Experiencing events through Des’ eyes also adds entertainment value, particularly in the latter half of the book when Callie enters the picture. It is fun to relive events from Des’ point of view and contrast his experiences with those of Callie.
The not so good
The pacing is a bit off in the second half of the book. This latter portion covers the events from books one and two, but it rushes through them. Case and point – only the last chapter pertains to the events from book two, and even then, it only touches upon the final moments of that book. It would have been interesting to experience the Solstice and all of its drama through Des’ eyes.
Overall
The Emperor of Evening Stars is an entertaining read that provides a welcome respite between the series’ second and third books. After the ending of A Strange Hymn, it was nice to take a breather before moving on to what is sure to be a fast-paced, action-filled finale to the series. I only wish that this book could have been longer.
Have you read The Emperor of Evening Stars? If so, let me know what you thought of it in the comments section below!
