Reviewed by True

TITLE:  A Touch of Fever

SERIES: Arcane Hearts #1

AUTHOR: Nazri Noor

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 252 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 10, 2021

BLURB:

What do you do when you can’t cast spells? You make your own magic.

Jackson Pryde was never great at wielding magic. Instead, he works as an artificer, crafting enchanted devices in the Black Market, a shadowy bazaar of wonders. But Xander Wright, the mouthy, pretentious mage next door, hates all the hammering in Jackson’s workshop.

When a chance assignment forces them to team up, they discover a terrifying predicament. Something is driving members of the magical community into murderous rages. Jackson and Xander must combine might and magic to find the source of the Fever and stop it. Can they put aside their differences long enough to end the Fever, or will they succumb to its bloodthirsty curse?

A Touch of Fever is a 70,000-word M/M urban fantasy romance with a HFN ending. Join a fast-talking artificer and a snarky sorcerer, best friends turned bitter enemies, as they navigate an adventure filled with strange flora, mythical fauna, and magical murders. If you like your urban fantasy with humor, horror, and a whole lot of heart, you’ve come to the right place. Experience A Touch of Fever today.

REVIEW:

What an enthralling story! It felt like a movie, I enjoyed the entertainment and magnificent scenery.

The Black Market offers everything, tarts, silks, pet dragons, Jackson can’t afford any of it, he needs food, that’s what’s most important.
So he trades gryphon feathers at the Black Market for good prices. He’s an artificer and wields magic, he’s not great at it. He’s no wizard or mage and has just a little magic to channel into the devices.
Among being a Market, the place is also a portal to many destinations.

Jackson lost his parents in an accident, he’s lonely with just a few friends, actually two, Beatrice and Preston. Well maybe three, there’s also the big gryphon, Zephyr.

Xander and Jackson were best friends until Xander left to study and returned educated, as a decorated spellcaster, haughty, who looks down his nose at Jackson. When they are close they want to kill each other. Behind it all there’s something else, itching, hot, waiting to explode.

Xander has magic and spells, unlike Jackson. Using them changes him. Wait for it!
Jackson developed a Gauntlet, it doesn’t perform properly, yet.
Jackson and Xander have to work together on a case to find the Chrysanthemyst. They are very sensitive around each other, while Jackson finds delicate Xander beautiful, he hates his attitude.
Zephyr will fly them to their destination. They have to fight elements.

There is a mysterious Fever running around, popping up here and there, and combust people, leaving them to nothing but ashes.
After Preston’s dear friend Sedgewick got accused and caught by SEER, the protectors of the Black Market, the small circle of friends collaborate to save him.
Jackson is afraid to lose Xander, it seems he will, he’s desperate, angry, and immensely sad. How cruel, he’ll lose the love before he even had him.

At first, it looks like there are a few separate storylines, but it all comes together. While reading it was a bit distracting, but afterward, I must conclude it was quite cleverly done.
Everything was wonderfully detailed described, I could imagine it easily, I look around and saw many different things.
It’s the first book of three, so far the characters were nicely developed Jackson more than Xander. I hope to get to know them better in the coming books.
The tension between the two men was palpable. There are emotional moments, humor, and fun.
The story was entertaining, the attention balanced and detailed, nothing rushed, rather fine and explicit developed.
We get to experience beautiful and especially diverse kinds of magic and creatures, I loved it all hard.
The characters are funny, witty, sexy, and… dangerous, lol.
This was my first read from this author, it was a wonderful experience. The writing was pleasant, smooth, lively detailed and clear, the story itself fascinating, charming, and quite engaging.
Overall a recommendation worthy!

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon