A review by cece_rants_raves_reviews
Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

5.0

“‘Bargainer, I would like to make a deal.’”

FAST FORWARD SEVEN YEARS

“I know why he’s here. This is it, the moment I’ve been waiting seven years for.
I exhale. “You’re finally here to collect.”

HOLY SHIT THAT WAS AN AMAZING START!!!


We go from past teenage Callie~trying to survive AfTeR MURDERING HER STEP DAD to present Callie~ badass detective who basically owes her life to the Bargainer.... *and I oop*

The Bargainer aka Des is a LEGEND within the supernatural world. Speak his name and you can bargain for what you want most in the world. But the bill must be paid.

Enter present-day Callie owes 322 debts so as she be struggling thru that, we get sneak peaks of the past and how she ended up with so many debts

“In response I slam my door shut in his face. Probably not the wisest way to deal with the King of the Night, but right now I don’t really care too much.”

And now our heroine Callie. Oh Callie, what shall I say about you.

Shes just so flippant about everything ! And it was amazing to notice such a distinct and definite change between her past and present POVS

“I lean in close to his ear, shifting my hips until I hear him groan. “Seven years, you f*cker,” I say—or rather, the siren says, since she’s leading the show at this point.”

Something I absolutely ADORED about this book was, there was such a strong sense of time passing and this made her world building 100000000X better. We knew exactly what time frame we were in, what events to focus on, AND it all worked to really create the book world itself so we felt like we were in it! Witnessing the past Callie first learning about Des's world and then present Callie mastering the rules to play her own game.

My favorite FAVORITE thing about this book was you totally saw how their dynamic changed from the years- both characters obviously changed and developed.

They went from indifferent strangers, to tentative friends, to best friends, to distant enemies, to friends, to lovers. You read about the present with scenes in the past just wAiTiNg and hoping to figure out what FUCKING changed!?

Now the comedic side-kick, Temper Darling:
Little disappointed in the "bestie" who's entire existence rested on giving advice and info to move the plot along. At first, the girls had a cool dynamic and she seems really powerful ! But she kinda fades away sadly. * RIP Temper Screentime* Maybe more in book 2? Show some of her badass witchery stuff?

“She answers on the first ring. “Where the fuck are you girl?” she says, panicked.
“I’m back at home.”
“Home? Home?” Her voice rises. “Your house was ransacked, there’s a bounty out for your capture, and you’re home?”

And now Des the Bargainer. My Des
I would actually KILL for another book of these events but from Des's perspective. Just so so so good.


His character really evolves from the original arrogant prick who first sees a 16 year old asking him to get rid of a dead body and simply responds with ~i don't work with minors~

"What are you doing?” Stan demands. I can see the whites of his eyes.
“We’re going to visit the Otherworld.” Des unlocks the driver’s side door. “And once we get there, I’m going to feed you to the scariest motherfuckers I know.”

I love him so much, he is a total morally grey character that embraces his monster tendencies in the most wickedly delicious ways. His relationship with Callie is so well developed. He knows Callie as a victim, killer, broken girl, self-sufficient woman, detective, and general badass. He's seen it alll and he keeps coming back for her.

Oh, and Des is also

Spoiler

a King of the Fey?

(To be perfectly honest I just wanted him to be the Bargainer. It seemed like a way more interestinng unique position within the world but whatever)


The best part of this book was the unique TWIST to the cliche fey world For fey, when they meet their mate, their wings more uncontrollable and just keep popping out something about a sign of trust

SO THEN

Spoiler

DES "FORGOT" TO MENTION THIS PIECE OF INFO. So when Callie later calls her friend Temper and casually mentions THIS WINGS ARE ALWAYS OUT.

TEMPER LOSES HER SHIT AND WASLIKE SERIOUS CALLIE !!

Spoiler

“About your wings,” I say. “Is it true that you’ve been flashing them to let everyone know not to touch me? That I belong to you?” He freezes.
“You bastard,” I say. “Were you ever going to tell me?”

He stops in front of me, looking a little menacing. And I don’t give two shits. I poke him in the chest. “Were. You?”



Are you telling me theres character development, interesting relationships, and a motherfucking intense plot to go with it?!? Its must be my birthday!

“Gaelia shakes her head manically. “He’s just a shadow … just a shadow.”
“Where is he?” Des asks.
She shivers, not even bothering to fight our questions anymore. “Everywhere.”
Her words raise my gooseflesh.
“Do you know his name?” I ask.
“Thief of Souls,” she mutters. “Thief of Souls.”
“What does he want?” the Bargainer growls.
Her eyes meet ours. “Everything.”

I totally recommend checking out this book especially if you are a fan of hot alpha types with wings paired up with equally violent sassy heroine.

Callie justs got her whole world turned upside down and is no longer the most powerful. At least for now.

“He dips his mouth close to my ear. “Cherub, people like us are not victims. We’re someone’s nightmare.”
I’m not a victim.
I’m not a victim.
How had I forgotten this? Because, somewhere along the way, I had forgotten. And it nearly broke me.
My eyes move to Des. “Teach me again how to be someone’s nightmare.”

LITERARLLY WHAT A FREAKING FUCKING BOOK ALL THIS AMAZING SHIT ALL FOR ME????? GOD IM SO EXCITED FOR BOOK 2!!!