Genres: Historical, Urban Fantasy, Romance
LGBTQ+ Identities: Gay, Bi
Reviewer: Maryann
Amazon | Universal Buy Link
About the Book:
What’s one more deadline?
Ulysses Lenkov is on the verge of finishing his PhD when his ex-girlfriend shows up with a problem. It’s been six month since the murder of her husband, Hugh, and Livia is plagued by strange noises in the night, poor sleep, and a magic book that may or may not be cursed. The more Ulysses delves into the events that led her back to Madison, the more concerned he becomes.
Sam Sterling, jealous and unhappy about Livia’s return, suspects that she may not be telling them the whole truth. In the meantime, he’s starting to worry that he may not have left Dionysus as far behind as he thought—with odd effects for him and Ulysses.
When Ulysses’s advisor suggests their relationship might become a problem, magically speaking, he’s suddenly forced to make decisions he never wanted to face: break up with Ulysses to keep him safe, or stay together despite the risks.
As Ulysses’s defense bears down on them, the questions start to stack up. What really happened to Hugh? Does his death tie in to secrets from deep in Sam’s family’s past? And will Ulysses be able to figure it all out before he winds up a victim?
The Review:
A year has passed since the events of Dionysus in Wisconsin, and it’s now 1970. Ulysses Lenkov is about to turn thirty. He lives in a Wisconsin household of Russian and Bohemian culture, with his Babushka Ekaterina and his father Virgil and Aunt Cass. His mother Mariah moved back to Paris, as she and Virgil never really got along. He has two siblings. Celeste is married to Obe and owns her own shop. His younger brother Lazurus wanted to fly and joined the Air Force Academy and then the Air Force.
Ulysses does well for himself. He teaches in the Department of Magic Studies at UW. After his and Sam’s harrowing and terrifying experience, he changed his dissertation to demi-gods, hoping to get a Doctorate degree. After all that they’ve been through together, Ulysses can’t believe that Sam is still with him. He also has doubts about himself, still living at home, and if he would ever find a job with his dissertation.
Sitting behind the Student Union, his thoughts are disturbed by a familiar voice. He can’t believe it’s his ex Livia. All the bad feelings run through him: anger, sorrow, anxiety, and then a strange calm. She tells him she’s moved back to Madison and has a job at the hospital, and is looking for an apartment. Livia had also been staying with his sister Celeste, which doesn’t surprise him, as they were friends way before he and Livia had a relationship.
Livia is very domineering and sneaky. She wants to take Ulysses to dinner, but he already has plans with Sam to celebrate his birthday. Ulysses makes a big mistake and lies to Sam. The situation doesn’t get better, and Sam is very suspicious of Livia.
At dinner, Livia pleads her case. She fell in love with Hugh Pwyll and they married. They were together two years, but felt like they were being watched, and she suspected that someone – or something – had been in their apartment. After Hugh died, Livia found a book of magic spells, along with a mysterious note.
Sam became a young professor at the age of twenty-five. He worked hard to get where he is now. He’s very much disliked, and never got support by his family. The only one he seems to get along with is his younger half-brother, Troy, who travels with his band. His Mother Diana died at the age of twenty-six.
Sam has two very good friends in Harry and Ellen. They both teach at UW, and have plays that they produce in the evenings. They are life savers for Sam. He has also changed physically, after his encounter with Dionysus. He always believed that he didn’t have any magic like Ulysses, but there’s an odd connection between them.
What will Sam and Ulysses face this time? What of the mysterious book, and the dangerous blood magic? What of Ulysses’ nightmares of the strange man? Is Livia being truthful or just using Ulysses?
Lupton doesn’t miss a beat with Old Time Religion, the second book of the “Wisconsin Gothic” series. This epic novel blends 1970’s culture, magic, and Greek, Welsh, Latin and English mythology. There are sigils, ghosts, demons, and creepy creatures in abundance. The research that went into these books is amazing.
I love the relationship between Ulysses and Sam. The intimate moments are so beautifully written and it brings out the sincerity of both characters.
I highly recommend Old Time Religion (and be sure to read Dionysus of Wisconsin first). The “Wisconsin Gothic” series is outstanding. I hope there’s another book coming.
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.