Today we have a Mini Review from Carrie – the 4th book in the Urban Fantasy Romance Arcane Hearts series.
Narrated by Zachary Johnson
Jackson Pryde is too cool for school.
In the middle of shearing talking sheep, Jackson Pryde and Xander Wright are visited by Hecate and Freyja, queens of magical might within their pantheons. The goddesses have summoned Jackson for a meeting among immortals, a convocation of entities who wish to study the strange nature of his prismatic powers.
Jackson’s busy enough already. Work is underway for the rebuilding of the artificers’ guild. Rumors abound that his childhood hero is searching for a suitable assistant. And a chance assignment sees the boys visiting the heart of where their bitter rivalry truly began: the elite academy of Grayhaven.
Good thing a visit to Xander’s alma mater won’t unearth old grudges and ancient insecurities.
A Velvet Glove is another exciting story in the Arcane Hearts series. We finally get to visit Greyhaven (where Xander shows Jackson a very special room *wink*) and learn more about the chrysanthemist crystals. Amid shearing snarky sheep, meeting Jackson’s role model and continuing interference from Hecate, the boys and their band of friends battle fractures and learn about the fae’s plans. Jackson is also working to get the Artificers Guild restored while learning to understand and control his power. This book pulls a lot of threads together instead of having one BIG problem to solve, and that works well to move the story and the romance forward.
Zachary Johnson’s narration is excellent as always. All the characters from previous books are clearly differentiated and consistent, and new characters are equally well voiced and distinct. Johnson’s energetic delivery conveys all the humor and emotions, especially for Jackson, the PoV character. He nails Jackson’s personality which is in turns brash, reckless, enthusiastic, fierce and at times, insecure.
The Arcane Hearts series continues to charm and entertain with this installment. Recommended on audio.
Carrie
Buy A Velvet Glove by Nazri Noor on Amazon
I really liked this one, too – best in the series so far. And that opening scene with the sassy sheep has to be one of the funniest!
I agree it’s the best one to date!