Genre: Fantasy, Gay Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
A prickly mage has me under his spell, and I think I kinda like it.
The first time I met him, I knew I was in trouble, but I hadn’t known just how much. I hadn’t been looking for a relationship, hadn’t wanted one, but it seems that a stubborn little mage did it for me because he’s impossible to resist.
When the NHSO goes on a manhunt for an unregistered mage, I can tell it’s upsetting for Mads and Jude. It’s upsetting for me, too, but even more so when I find out exactly why Mads is so worried about this kid. The more I find out about Madeo’s past and his world, the more I realize how special he is. No one who’s gone through what he has should come out the other side sane, let alone as kindhearted as him. I just hope he wants this thing between us to continue as badly as I do. And I want it to. Bad.
A Kiss To Revive Me is a 30K word MM urban fantasy novella and meant to be read AFTER The Scars That Bind Us (The Magi Accounts 1). It’s from Cosmo’s perspective and takes place between books 1 and 2 of the main series. This is a companion novella, NOT a standalone or the start of a new series.
*Intended for adults only. Please read the trigger warnings at the beginning of this novella.
The Review
A Kiss to Revive Me is book 1.5 in “The Magi Accounts” series by Michele Notaro. It’s told from Cosmo Ono-Nais’s POV – he and Madeo are in a dating phase, but Cosmo wants more, and he has a plan. Cos and the Pride have made a home that is safe, protected and filled with love and happiness. He’s ready to take a big step and prove his loyalty, protection and love to Madeo and his small family of Jude and Logan.
When Madeo saved Cosmo, a unique connection developed between them. Even with this new connection, Madeo keeps many of his thoughts and emotions hidden from Cos. Cos knows Mads had been through some terrifying abuse and torture by the NHSO.
Cos has already witnessed the fallout from the death of a young mage. Now an unregistered, teenage Mage is falsely accused and hunted by the NHSO. Cos learns of the plans that Mads and Jude will put into action to save the mage and offers help from the Pride, but Mads is against the idea. He can’t risk too many knowing the secret of the Cloaked Freeway. He makes it clear to Cos the danger that will face them if they are discovered.
A Kiss to Revive Me is a novella that takes an in-depth look at alpha Cosmo Ono-Nais, his loyalty to the Pride, and the protection, shelter and understanding he provides to them all. It also fills in more of the unique relationship growing between him and Madeo, and.his understanding of the connection Madeo has with Jude and Logan.
The story is filled with emotion, banter and suspense, with a rescue effort that involves the People’s Liberation Union and the Cloaked Freeway. It also deals with the prejudice, hatred and corruption that exists In the NHSO. I’m still not sure about Captain Harriet Gray, who seems to not care about the abuse of the mages, and doesn’t always share information when she should.
All the great characters are back for this one, including The Pride: Charles, Dare, Zara, Kulani, River, Eva and Luce. And as long as there is Madeo, Jude will always be there, along with Logan. And of course Evan, who needs saving.
I enjoyed this short novella, and it leads right into book two, The Shackles That Hold Us.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.