Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Akira
SERIES: Black Cat Circus: Pearl of Fate
AUTHOR: Kota Quinn
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 227 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 26, 2024
BLURB:
Akira is a rare Kitsune Fae who is being hunted for his fur. When he takes refuge at the Black Cat Circus, the last thing he expects to find is a tempting human who makes him feel alive.
Akira has always planned on returning to Faerie, but how can he when there is a magical pull telling him that this is his home? For the first time, Akira is experiencing what it feels like to have a family, feel safe, and fall in love.
For almost a decade, River has been searching for the fae who took his brother. But now that he knows the truth behind Indy’s disappearance, River is at a loss for what to do next.
Eager for a fresh start, River joins the magical circus, despite his skeptical feelings about paranormal creatures. When he helps the charming Kitsune find his place in the circus, River discovers there’s more to Akira than his flirtatious smiles. There’s intense power and passion that River can’t help but be drawn to.
Can love be enough to keep two lost souls together, or will each of their pasts pull them apart?
Akira is a grumpy/sunshine, fated mates, paranormal MM romance. It features light tail play and light sensation play. The Black Cat Circus: Pearl of Fate is a multi-author series and season two of the Black Cat Circus World that features found family and a magical cast of characters. Each book can be read as a standalone but is better enjoyed as a series.
REVIEW:
I just knew I was going to love River and Akita’s story. We got our first glimpse of them and their interaction in Seven and Indy’s story at their bonding celebration. When River noticed the beautiful man enter with Seven’s brother Sorren.
Akita has been battling along side his best friend Sorren in Faerie for over a century. They both have each others back. But it is time for Sorren to keep his best friend safe from the hunters that seek to kill him his uniquely colored and highly prized Kitsune fur. And where better to give him safety and refuge than at his little brother Seven’s Black Cat Circus hiding in plain sight (behind a bit of glamour and magic of course) in the human realm? A place of safety for both humans and paranormals like Akita. And if there is a gorgeous human that catchers the half fae/half kitsune warrior’s eye? So much the better!
I loved how we got to see Indy and River continue connect and strengthen their bonding after being apart for ten years. Ten years of River searching for his big brother that simply vanished on day! I can’t even imagine the toll that would have on you. The fact that, in his dreams when he was the lowest and loosing faith, a brightly colored kitsune would come and encourage him was inspiring. And it encouraged him so much to not give up his search, even though his jaded Uncle Harris told him he was a fool, that he even had the dream tattooed on his back! Him as a little Fox frolicking with his kitsune dream partner.
I love how fate brought these together. I know it was super hard for River to absorb all the magic and paranormal shifters around him and then to be thrust into literally living in the same trailer with Akira in such a short time period. This book takes place two months after their first encounter. But the patience Akira had for his little Fox was perfect. And the timing really worked for me. He allowed River the time to continue his curiosity without calling him out. And he never rushed him but went at River’s pace. They say that Japanese legend that
“The more tails a kitsune has—they may have as many as nine—the older, wiser, and more powerful it is.” (Wikipedia)
The fact that Akira had nine tails means he s very wise, 120 years old and his power shone through. River is one very lucky man indeed!
Author Kota Quinn wove a story of love, resilience and family, both blood and found family. It shows a love of two brothers that lost everything when they were so young but, through an ancient folklore, the power of dreams to keep propelling you forward and not give up. I love how the dreams became reality and River and Akira truly were fated mates destine to become one when the time was right and both were more than ready to accept it.
I am loving this season and am already starting to beg for the next season. Black Cat Circus, and its unique and loving found family, has drawn me unto their universe and I simply never want to leave! I do recommend reading last year’s series in order first and then read this new season next. You won’t be disappointed.
RATING: 
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