Book Review: ‘Rhapsodic' by Laura Thalassa
Kindle Unlimited strikes again. I've had ‘Rhapsodic' on my watchlist for a while, it's one of those books that consistently appears on Romantasy and Spicy Booktok lists and so finally, I decided it was time.
I didn't go in with any real expectations of ‘Rhapsodic', only that I already had a book by Laura Thalassa, ‘Pestilence' which I haven't read yet but I love the vibe (and absolutely you better believe I have the older cover because it reminded me of that classic PNR/romantic fantasy era).
“The King of the Night always collects his debts...
Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she's been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she's received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear.
Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He's a man who can get you anything you want... at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.
But for one of his clients, he's never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Callie finds the Bargainer in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first, it's just a chaste kiss - a single bead's worth - and a promise for more.
For the Bargainer, it's more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to their breast. And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that's been awoken.
If the Bargainer has any hope to save his people, he'll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. Only, his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one.”
Speaking of classic PNR… ‘Rhapsodic' reads like every PNR/Urban fantasy I read maybe 10-15 years ago and I LIVE for it. There is something so very comforting to me about any book that makes me nostalgic for this period. I'm talking reminiscent of Richelle Mead, early Kelly Armstrong, J R Ward. Give it to me, in spades.
First things first with Rhapsodic, we're just going to have to get over the fact that the main love interest is called Des. Does it make me chuckle every time I notice it? Yes. Does it take away from the enjoyment of the book? No. (But it is silly).
I don't think I've read a book where the central protagonist is a siren so I was really interested to see how that played out. Callie is an agreeable main character. I liked her enough to keep reading, and I found the growing tension and budding relationship between her and the Bargainer compelling.
Does this book do anything new? No, but it doesn't need to. What it does do is blend all of your favourite tropes into one delicious pie and I gobbled it up.
I think it's going to continue to be a fun series to read. There is a good balance between relationship drama, plot drama and fantasy action that I didn't feel bored at any point. It's paced well, and even though the “big reveal” was a bit obvious to me, I thought it was handled well. I do think the we needed more time with our big bad villain to truly understand his motivations and personality, but that's my only gripe where that's concerned.
You know what? This book is absolutely fine. It's perfectly enjoyable, and I am intrigued to see where the series goes. Oh, spice level? It's a Nando's medium. Just enough, but not overbearing. Spicy booktok fans won't be disappointed, and regular romantasy fans won't feel overwhelmed.
Written by Sarah
