Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Night-Blooming Hearts
SERIES: Carnival of Mysteries
AUTHOR: Megan Derr
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 200 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 2, 2023
BLURB:
Phoenix sacrificed everything to become one of the greatest necromancers in nightwalker history—including his beauty, though that was by accident rather than design. As beauty is everything to vampires, he has been a pariah ever since, disowned, discarded, and largely forgotten by everyone he once called family and friend.
Nowadays, he lends his skills to sorcerer Jackie Black and the notorious Clan Mordred. If he still feels lonely and isolated, and rejected by the man he’d been stupid enough to think returned his interest, that’s his own problem, no one else’s. He’s used to rejection anyway.
Then his brother shows up on his doorstep begging for help with a blackmail problem—and offering the one thing Phoenix cannot refuse as payment. But if there’s one thing he’s learned about nightwalkers, it’s that nothing is ever as it seems, and problems always get worse before they get better…
Night-blooming Hearts is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains a lonely vampire convinced he’s unloveable, a pining cowboy who wants to prove him wrong, and a guaranteed HEA.
REVIEW:
Phoenix was the rare spare child to his vampire parents. When an experiment gone wrong scarred and nearly killed him, well they tossed him out. With nothing. His lover did the same. Now hundreds of years later, his brother appears out of the blue asking him for help. It seems recently he’s become engaged. He’s also been subjected to blackmail and he needs to get that sorted before the marriage. Turns out he has several other secrets he’s not disclosed.
Jebb Black, rather of his best friend Jackie and the last of the Blacks is one of Phoenix’s few close friends. He’s hoped for more, but just before all this business, Jedd abruptly left him just as he thought they were moving from friends to lovers. Well Phoenix has survived rejection for centuries and he can certainly survive this one too. But it does make him even more sad and lonely.
As Phoenix agrees to look for the blackmailers, he’s nearly killed multiple times. The first time, he seeks refuge in Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries where he’s forced to view his ruined fact over and over. He’s not happy. Then he’s attacked again at home, but thankfully Jebb, who he hasn’t seen in some time, saves him. Jebb and Jackie and their other friends insist on helping Phoenix solve this case so that they can go back to life as they knew it.
Phoenix is still unhappy with Jedd and convinced that he left because of his scars and general undesirability. It take some time for him to let Jedd explain as things become clearer in the investigation. Phoenix knows who the blackmailer is but he doesn’t know why. He certainly doesn’t agree with Jedd’s idea. Phoenix’s family is still problematic for him and as they get closer, both Jedd and Phoenix are definitely in danger.
Wow! This was so different to the other takes in this Carnival series. What a fascinating fantasy world this author has given us here. I was completely blown away by the intricate character and the world building here. The vampires are quite unusual here and the sorcerers, demons, necromancers, dragons, et al were fascinating. Poor Phoenix had really been through it! He was such a strong and solid character despite being cast out. Jebb was a cool cat and he realizes his mistakes and wants to make things right. The two of them were perfectly suited. I was thrilled to see how things worked out for them, despite a lot harrowing moments! So well done. Highly recommended. Fans of fantasy will love this!
RATING: 
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