“Love costs even more than power, even more than revenge or hate.”

Laura Thalassa has given me exactly what I didn’t know I needed in the Bargainer series. I have loved Callie and Desmond and their story from the very first page, but after reading The Emperor of Evening Stars, I’ve come to love them even more – Des especially. This novella (which is a pretty decent length) is told entirely in Des’s POV, from his very beginnings in the Caverns of Arestys, to his rise in becoming the King of Night, and finally, his love story with his soulmate. If you’re a fan of the series, this companion novella is a must read.

I loved everything about this novella. We learn about Des’s past, which is heartbreaking, and about his quest for revenge against his father. But what I was really dying for was the moment Des would meet Callie, his soulmate and love of his life. When he first learns that his soulmate is human – mortal – he is appalled and not too keen on her. But after experiencing loss after loss, he realizes that he’ll do anything to find the woman who will stand by him and love him. So he does.

I swear to the Undying Gods that once I’m able to, I will scour the earth for me soulmate. I’ll put my past behind me and focus on the future. And when I find her—if I find her—I won’t waste time fearing what others will think. I’ll cherish her, respect her, love her.
For all the days of her mortal life, I’ll claim her as mine.

Getting Des’s POV about his first meeting with Callie, how he fell in love with her, how he withstood being without her, was perfect. If you didn’t love him in the first two books, you will definitely fall head over heels in love with him in his novella. He has been such an enigmatic character throughout the series in Callie’s POV, but we get so much insight in how he thinks and feels. The wait for the third and final Bargainer has gotten just the tiniest bit easier thanks to this novella. And I’m hoping we get a few more chapters in Des’s POV in Dark Harmony!

Can’t she tell that she brings me to my knees? Morning, evening, and night, she’s always right there in every beat of my heart. That sweet voice of hers sings through my veins. It calls to me across worlds. Everything she is, is mine, and everything I am is hers. Always.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: The Bargainer series

#1 ~ Rhapsodic: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ A Strange Hymn: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2.5 ~ The Emperor of Evening Stars: Ebook • Goodreads

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • INSTAGRAM • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦