Potions and Punishments (Prisoners of Nightstone, #1)

by Helen Scott

[Berls]

Something drew me to this book, despite it being a reverse harem - something I've read a few times but never truly loved. I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised so far.

I think the reason this is better than the other reverse harems I've read is that, while there's definitely the relationships going on, there's a magical world that's really fascinating and a plot line that compels. I wish I better understood this magical world, now that I've finished book 1 I feel like I should have a fuller sense of it. But, what I do understand I really like. Magical people/creatures are recently out to humans (past couple decades?), but they have very strict laws that govern them in the US and it's very easy to compile strikes and end up in prison.

The heroine, Nasima, has complied enough strikes to be a wanted criminal and Bane, a bounty hunter, is after her - - but they have a flirtatious (and more) game of cat and mouse going.

It's very interesting and the more I see of the world the more I'm pulled in. So I'm really hoping to see more plot development in the next book. The sex works well enough and there were some particularly good steamy moments. But for the most part, it's what you'd expect.

The narration is quite good - May Dawson and Troy Duran complement each other well. And Troy Duran has a very deep, seductive voice that plays well for the male characters and somehow still does a good female voice.

Looking forward to seeing where the series goes.