Genie and the Shadow Kings

Claimed by Three, Book 1

By: Gina Manis

Narrated by: Clare Silver

Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Nothing ever happens in a genie lamp.

I get my kicks watching the parallel worlds that I am thrown in and out of as I serve my masters. All their wishes are the same. Wealth. Power. Fame. I give it to them and move on because my freedom is never their wish.

These newest three masters are different, and it isn’t because they are half-vampire. They did not mean to rub my bottle and have no desire to collect their wishes. Instead, they want to give them to someone else. Who does that? They drag me through their world, and for the first time, I am in one place long enough to feel human. A desire for a true life awakens in me, and I can taste my freedom in their touch.

What would it be like to be claimed by three? I will use every trick I know to find out.

©2021 Gina Manis (P)2022 Gina Manis

Great adventure!

I haven’t read a good adventure story in a while, so that aspect of this book really hit the spot. I loved Genie’s whimsical and fun attitude, her innocence and desire to learn & love without being too naive (like a young FMC might be) was refreshing too. The three Shadow Knights were similar in the right ways but not cookie cutter cutouts. Cain was my absolute favorite, the mute more-vampire-than-most-Shadows that everyone gives a wide berth but is actually a dirty-minded sweetheart. Kris came in close second, I have a major soft spot for healers and he was the good listener and sweet friend when Genie needed him. Jade was my least favorite but I still liked him in the end; he was hard@ss out of what he believed to be necessity but he was also fiercely loyal and in the end he apologized in ways most men, even fictional, don’t.

I really enjoyed the dynamics between the three men too — there’s a brief kiss shared during bloodlust but I would not consider this an RH with M/M. It’s also pretty tame for an RH, I would even go so far to say that this was a reverse harem fantasy, with a romantic subplot. There is plenty of sexual tension and the slow burn build up is done *really* well, but there’s very little actual intimacy. (It’s also written fairly chastely, with alluding to the acts, polite euphemism, etc.)

I also have to mention there was some stuff toward the end that made me cry. Which doesn’t happen often when reading but sometimes things move me and let’s just say Genie begging them <no specific spoilers here> broke me a little bit. I felt her pain and her grief, which I give the author major kudos for.

Honestly it’s 4 stars because when I read RH I am looking for more steam. 🤷‍♀️ Otherwise, no notes!

Slow burn with endearing characters

This was a really sweet story. Slow burn and loved the ending. I smiled a lot. Totally recommend the story telling was great and the characters endearing.

Fun

Such a fun audio book to listen to. The story is creative and full of adventure and discovery, self and other wise. each voice even though voice by the same person is distinct. There are very interesting surprises and twists throughout.

Fun story and looking forward to the next one!

I was pleasantly surprised with this book. This was a new author for me and she didn't disappoint. I hope there will be another one soon!

I had great hopes... however

This is such a great idea for a fun listen but was so very boring that I didn't even finish. I kept skipping chapters HOPING it would get better but not so much.

Wow

This story keeps you guessing. Vampires are the evil version. However, Shadows are half breeds and become the protectors of the humans. Down to 3 Shadow Knights, the human city in jeopardy the hope for the Crystal City rests in the Genie prophecy. The 3 Shadow Knights must find them and bring them to the Queen before all is lost.
From the minute they find her nothing goes as planned. Twists turns and finally a startling ending if his adventure of unexpected fun tale of a genie and her Shadows.

Fun and entertaining

I won this Audible in a contest. This was a unique retelling of Aladdin...kinda? It was a high heat, medium spice (if that makes sense), RH romance. Focusing on the Genie who has traveled through alternative universes and her three half-vampire love interests. I wouldn't say that there is M/M content per say...but potential for M/M activities in future books should Gina decide to continue their story.
I like that one of the love interests is mute and used sign language. Writing a character like this can be difficult, but how Cain was portrayed was done very well. It took me a while to get used to the concept, with the Genie having knowledge about modern-day items and bringing them into a Sasanid-like era. But once I got used to the clashing of the different time periods, I found that I really enjoyed this book. There were a few times while listening to the book where I had to stop and thought, "Oh my God! I'm crying!" So I do feel it is fair to say I got emotionally invested in these characters.
The narrator has a great voice. She had a great tone and portrayed the attitudes of the characters nicely. My only feedback would be that while speaking for different characters, to try to differentiate the voices a little more.
All in all, this was a fun read and had a plot twist I didn't expect. I was pleasantly surprised.

Not for me

There are books that you might enjoy if you read them and there are books you might enjoy if you listen to them.
I may have liked this if I read it.