Phantom and Rook

Adventures in Levena, Book 1

By: Aelina Isaacs

Narrated by: Kirt Graves

Length: 13 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Arlo Rook has decided it’s time to move out of Garren Castle, home for orphans of all races, magical or not, at 100 years old. It’s not the first time he’s left home, but after a setback that landed the Hedge Witch in the hospital a year ago, he ended up right back at square one.

But now he’s ready to strike out on his own, despite his friend’s worries that he’s not ready for the real world.

Thatch Phantom is an immortal, the last of his kind and perpetually bored. When he’s not closing inter-dimensional rifts and corralling demons, he’s visiting his favorite city of all, Levena.

Centuries ago, when life was particularly dull, he set up a scavenger hunt for a starving village, providing them with a year’s worth of supplies. Once again, Thatch is listless, and has decided to throw a wild card into this year’s game. Whoever discovers him will win one wish of their choice, no restrictions. Aside from the obvious, such as no falling in love, murder, or resurrection.

What he didn’t anticipate was crashing into the one person whose soul mark flares like a beacon when Thatch is around, teasing the immortal with the one thing he wants most: someone to call home.

What follows is a wild chain of events filled with magical coffee shops, villains with vendettas against cheese makers, moving tattoos, grand puzzles, and second chances at love and life.

©2022 Aelina Isaacs (P)2023 Aelina Isaacs

excellent

Yes this book is complicated yes it's long but it's excellent. I love the detail and I loved how the story slowly wove together. I honestly felt like I got a lot of backstory as the story happened. No you didn't get it clearly and all in one piece it happened slowly and you need to pay attention but it was there. Don't listen for a cheap thrill. Lsten if you like detailed queer science fiction with some romance and lovely characters and fabulous World building.

Home!

"The Game is almost upon Levena and I am filled with a giddiness that has nothing to do with my grandest scheme yet." - Thatch

Thatch's an immortal who enjoys coming to Levena when he isn't busy with other dimensional duties. Levena being a place he wishes he could call home but because of what he is he cannot. Making the most of his time he has created a Game, but shh no one knows he's the one behind it! Only this Game. . .this Game is going to be different, and the prize will be a wish granted!

Thatch doesn't know how special this week will really be until he crashes into the one person, he wishes would remember him the most! Arlo Rook. Never in all his years of living would Thatch have been able to predict the twists and turns the festival week is about to take. Being the last of your kind is harder than anyone can imagine and being what he is Thatch has to follow some painful rules. Is there such a thing as a happily ever after for Thatch Phantom?

"And maybe, just maybe, he'll remember me." - Thatch

I was able to read this book when it came out and then I heard an audiobook was being made. . ! Kirt Graves being the narrator for this amazing book! So of course, I had to snatch it up and I was NOT disappointed. I love how Kirt can go from an intimidating character to one who seems intimidate by everything. His voice was perfect for this read and helping to bring Arlo and Thatch to life! Honestly, want to listen to everything that Kirt narrates.

When I read this book, I was instantly bombarded with feelings of home. Then to be able to have this audiobook playing on a speaker as I just sat and listened was beyond phenomenal. I usually do not sit still when I am listening to an audiobook, but I was so engrossed in the story and the voice of the narrator. Home. A very calming and peaceful feeling as I listened to this book being read to me for the first time. Audiobooks are a way for me to enjoy a book all over again like I had never read it before.

Now, this book is not a fluffy and peaceful read. This book is about two broken souls who believe they don't deserve happiness or love. Thatch has a side effect, and this may be a spoiler, but people forget him. Remembering him as one would a blurry dream. . . Causing him to throw up walls around his heart and to keep his distance from people and things he wishes he could be closer to.

Arlo, I could relate to Arlo more than I would like to admit. The male witch has had to deal with a lot in his short years of living, some choices were not the best. Struggling with mental illness and trying to find his place in the world again. He's surrounded by a group of wonderful friends but sometimes he feels like a stranger amongst them. Arlo wants to find his purpose in life and how he wants to pursue his future.

The two literally crash into each other and neither are ready for what's about to transpire! I absolutely loved listening to this scene and how things started. The chemistry between the two is amazing and they are definitely idiots to lovers. Both trying to keep the other at a distance for various reasons but not succeeding in the least! Dual POVs help to really showcase how the two guarded individuals are really feeling.

I loved listening to the others in Arlo's Misfits group! The different personalities and how they all somehow meshed together! Showcasing different backgrounds, races, s*xualities, and so much more. I really want to know more about the character's and how they came about. Also, another one of my favorite characters would have to be Felix! There's a bit of an arc with him and the ending had me breaking down in tears of happiness! Kitt can also give me a tattoo any day of the week!

I really appreciated the take on immortality and some of the downsides of it, including a physical downside that's well written. This book does contain language, some violence, and past dealings with physical cruelty. The MCs both have a rough past that touches on some heavier material. Mention of mental health issues, attempted suicide, and scenes with panic attacks. The crew of mismatched characters like to enjoy recreational herbs and we get a closeup of getting a tattoo!

The romance is a slow burn! The two fools are trying to hold their grounds, but something keeps pulling them toward one another. We do get some yummy, passionate, and intimate scenes of MM action. I also really loved the romance between the two and how they got closer. Hurt/comfort is portrayed in this read.

I could go ON about this book! I want to pack my bags and leave for Levena ASAP! We do get a HEA but there are hints of more stories to come! This book includes so much, and I am completely hooked on Aelina Isaacs' work. If you get the eBook or the physical copy you'll be spoiled with a map, definitions of words, and a list of the different races you can find within Levena. Amazing world building presented in this read.

Do enjoy the fantasy whether you read it with your eyes or listen to it! Don't forget to give the author some stars!

Platter of romance with a side of magic

While I was led here by BokTok with what I believed to be a promise of magical action and a side of romance, I was instead served up a beautiful queer romance that doesn't shy away from reality while glittering with magic and fantasy.

If the warning of a spicy scene may scare you off please note it is at almost the very end of the book and easy to skip if you really don't enjoy that type of thing.
If you do enjoy that type of thing, it's gooood.

I hope in the next book we get to dig in more into the world building and action

A lot and nothing at all

This book confused me more than any other book I have ever listened thru. There are a LOT of hints to characters doing bad things but they never even appeared in this book, like Arlos old lover that apparently turned super villan, died and during two insignificant events in the book was mentioned by ghosts that he wasn't done yet, but he never appeared. The main cast are trying to solv a puzzle to figure out who the phantom is, but with all the clues from Thatch; no one is the wiser... it's basically a lot going on, but at the same time nothing is happening! The phase of the book is so slow it just get annoying that the story isn't getting anywhere, it really didn't need to be this long because it's just the same repeating over and over. I was waiting for the flashback or something to explain what the Taking was all about and how Arlo became a hero, (that no one seam to know is a hero?) but no one talks about it! This felt like book 2 in a series and I'm sure if it was I would have liked it... a little bit more at least, but this just made no sense.
Kort Graves did a good job with the narrating, but since my interest wasnt in it I kept confusing the huge main cast of like 10 people!
I'm sad to say I don't recommend this book.