Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: Fluke and the Fantastic Finale

SERIES: The Fantastic Fluke, Book 5

AUTHOR: Sam Burns

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 241 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 25, 2022

BLURB: 

For centuries, the Believer cult has preyed on arcane mages from their place in the shadows. Now, for better or worse, Sage has taken arcane magic public, and all eyes are on him. While he’s not comfortable in the spotlight, neither is the cult that wants him dead.

But the Believers aren’t quite ready to give up yet.

In this fifth and final book in The Fantastic Fluke series, they’ll take their shot at burning down Sage’s whole network of friends and associates, by whatever means necessary.

REVIEW: 

It’s both a happy day and a sad day … the fifth and final The Fantastic Fluke adventure, Fluke and the Fantastic Finale, is here.  This book presents the age-old dilemma of whether to read quickly to get to the end or to read slowly because it’s coming to an end, and we want to prolong the experience (and postpone the inevitable).  Indeed, bidding farewell to Sage, Gideon, and furry, frisky, fabulous Fluke, Sage’s faithful, fox familiar, is bittersweet.  I’ve loved all five of the adventures in this series – which you must read in order – and Sam Burns delivers a terrific send-off for Fluke and friends.  

Fluke and the Fantastic Finale wraps everything up with a bow and gives us mystery, action, adventure, magic, found family, and of course, sweet love between Sage and Gideon along the way. Burns unwittingly answers the read-fast-or-slow question by creating such a compelling story, one that you’ll need to have exceptional discipline to resist completing in one sitting.  Once I started, I certainly couldn’t, and didn’t, put it down. I may have even adopted Fluke’s snarl to keep the family members at bay while reading. 

As noted, this is a continuing storyline, so you need to have read the first four books before this one.  Fluke and the Fantastic Finale brings us full circle, hearkening back to the very first book, with mysterious people trying to kill Sage and Sage struggling with acknowledging his powers.  Now, there’s no doubt of Sage’s power, even to him, but he still struggles to accept his importance and significance to the magical community.  He has trouble accepting his place as a role model of sorts as a powerful arcane mage, the first arcane mage people have known about in decades, if not a century.  

Surprisingly, this story focuses on Sage and Fluke, and a fairly new character, Quinn Pike, a quaesitor introduced in the previous book, Fluke and the Frontier Farce. There’s much less of Iris, Anson, Freddy, and even Gideon, than in the other books. The romance aspect is also minimal, but at this point, Sage and Gideon are a well-established couple, so it makes sense in context, … I guess (*grumbles*).  I just would have liked a bit more of their one-on-one interactions.

That being said, Burns’ ever-present snark, sarcasm, and humor, particularly for Sage, the sole narrator, is top-notch, and Fluke is beyond adorable in this story, showing off that he is indeed fantastic in so many ways.  We are constantly reminded why he is at the center of this series as Sage’s familiar, and his every appearance makes you smile.  This final book solidifies that Fluke is indeed no fluke – fully and completely meant to be with Sage with whom he shares a tight, tender, touching bond.

If you haven’t read The Fantastic Fluke series, it should be on the top of your TBR, if it’s not already.  Fluke and the Fantastic Finale delivers on its title. If you are looking for exceptionally crafted and executed, absorbing content, you’ll find that here in a well-balanced mix of story elements that will have you eager for more.  My only complaint about this book is that there isn’t more … it’s the last one.  But alas, I suppose all good things must come to an end.  I’ll miss you, Fluke.  😭

🦊  🦊  🦊

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon