Reviewed by Cheryl K
TITLE: Better Off Dead: an MM Urban Fantasy Romance
SERIES: The Second Awakening #2
AUTHOR: Alexander C. Eberhart
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 423 Pages
RELEASE DATE: October 28, 2025
BLURB:
Tobias Greene is alive. But how long can that last?
I’d been given a second chance. Death wasn’t the end it was touted to be, more like a bump in the road. After countless trials, we’d found my sister, Lynette. More importantly, we found the plot layered beneath many of the terrible things my family had done over the years. And we put an end to them.
With the help of Bastien, my ex-boyfriend and recently discovered Reviled necromancer, Cirian, the Acolyte to the Hallowed Church who prophesied my untimely death, and Azrael, my childhood best friend and leader of the Unseen Rebellion, my second life had been saved from a grisly end. But the ones responsible were still at large, and that meant any chance of returning to a life of normalcy was out the window.
Now the monsters of my nightmares had transcended to reality, and no one was safe from the Distortion that sought to bring about The Second Awakening. What’s more, the strange tethers that tied me to Bastien, Cirian, and Azrael were only getting stronger. With every touch, every kiss, every lingering glance, those connections burned brighter till they were impossible to ignore.
I was gifted a second life. But as the shadows of my past continued to rise to the surface, seeding doubts between me and the men to whom I’m connected, the more I wondered if I’m really worth the chance at redemption? Or if I’d be…
BETTER OFF DEAD
BETTER OFF DEAD is a plot-driven, magical realism, polyamorous M/M romance with plenty of action, lots of magical men, and just the right amount of spice. It is the second book in the SECOND AWAKENING series
REVIEW:
Disclaimer: I warned you – book 2 of The Second Awakening series is now out… Better Off Dead is a brilliant addition to this series and since this is a series and not a bunch of standalones, you MUST read this series in order. This book is a MUST read as we get to explore even more of the world Alexander has created.
Speaking of world building, the world Alexander started creating in the first book is masterfully continued in this book. The urban fantasy of this world becomes more and more detailed and complex as we dive further into this storyline. The magical aspect of this realm is woven into the world, as if it is a living breathing entity.
As with the first book, character development is extremely well done. With the intricacies of the main and side characters continue to be detailed and plentiful. Alexander does not skimp on the details. Going so far as to promote previous side characters to main characters. Which creates the potential for a poly relationship. I will warn you that not all the characters are safe from harm, and I might have cried several times along the way. **Side eyes Alexander** As the relationships between Tobias, Bastian, Cirian and Azrael ebb and flow, we are treated to a cacophony of attachments and illusions between these four men.
When creating a story and world from scratch, the depth of detail can be daunting, but Alexander’s use of memories to catch the reader up on past events is nothing short of genius. We get to see through these glimpses into the past how the bonds for each man with Tobias formed and how they become magical tethers to keep Tobias grounded even during the most trying and destructive times. Of course, there are more intense sexy times in this story as our four men navigate their burgeoning relationship. What I really enjoyed about this story is the expansion of the psychological and political machinations going on. We get lots of action adventures with this one, I mean jumping off a moving train…. What were these boys thinking?
Will all our main characters survive? Will they accept each other as a burgeoning polycule? Will Lynette survive? Who is the master behind the puppet? Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not going to spill the tea. As if it’s not completely evident, I highly recommend this book and series and I insist you run to your favorite eBook purchasing site and grab this brilliant book from Alexander C Eberhart. You will not regret your choices. Also, I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Till next time….
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