Shadows of London Boxed Set

Books 1-3

By: Ariana Nash

Narrated by: Cornell Collins

Twisted Pretty Things: In the glitzy underground world of illegal auctions, fast cars, and stolen magical artifacts, John "Dom" Domenici knows he's out of his depth. But he needs the job at Kempthorne & Co. So when his boss, Alexander Kempthorne, wants him on a special case to track down an illegal artifact dealer, Dom can't say no.

It shouldn't matter that the billionaire is sexy as sin, and it really shouldn't matter that there's an American agent stalking Dom, an agent who knows more than he should about Dom's case.

Tide of Tricks: Forced to lie for Kempthorne, the unthinkable happens: Dom fails the latent competency test. One more strike and the life he's come to love at Kempthorne & Co will be over. If that weren't bad enough, someone is stalking him, taunting him. Someone who knows what Dom did all those years ago.

Trial by Fire: Time is running out for Dom. Outmaneuvered at every turn by the figure known as "M", only Kempthorne can free Dom, but juggling the horrors of his own past, containing a rising preternatural threat, and the twisted machinations of "M" might just be too much, even for Kempthorne. Can Kage Mitchell be trusted to help?

Contains mature themes.

©2021, 2022 Ariana Nash (P)2024 Tantor

Good for background listening

The story is adequate with occasional bits of entertainment. Not the best out there for gay M/M urban fantasy, but not the worst either. While the plot runs into some issues of contrivance during the second and third books, the most perplexing element is the main character’s barely recognized or examined attraction to toxic relationships. The introduction of multiple suitors is a welcome change of pace, but it feels strange that one lover can betray his trust and merely be reprimanded while another lover’s betrayal makes him persona non grata. What could be a fascinating look at a complicated character wrestling with Stockholm syndrome instead relinquishes itself to accept abuse because the abuser is “hot”.

Really Wanted to Like it...

I liked the first book even though I was a bit confused as to how an ex special forces man with lantent abilities couldn't seem to ever win a single one-on-one fight, I didn't mind the characters themselves. Book 2 is where the story lost me, I just can't sympathize with Dom, he's whinning and complaining about Alex keeping secrets (secrets that seem to be very much based in a long history that you wouldn't just tell anyone) whilst withhold information from everyone that is actively threatening to them? And the general hatred for latents to the point where it seems like no one who isn't a latent cares about latents at all and even then, only "crazy" latents seem to be fighting while harming more latents... it is just... hard to take seriously, like the entirety of the world just does not care that human beings are being senseless targetted for an ability they are born with that can affect anyone even if they don't have latents in their family????
I'm not sure if I'll finish it... but it's in my library now, I guess. :/

Story path

Stayed fresh. Narration gave feeling that I was included in the action and strategy for all sides of the story.

The Narator was the WRONG choice.

I bought the boxed set, and had high hopes for a good story.. I really tried, but the MC sounds like a stuffy old butler and does not match the character at all. It could be a good story, but I cannot listen to it.. quit after an hour.

An Excellent story!

A different world, an interesting take, good guys, bad guys, people you care about... excellent!