Tatterdemalion by Anah Crow and Dianne Fox

Title: Tatterdemalion  
Author: Anah Crow and Dianne Fox
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Length: 185 pages
Buy the book: Publisher

Blurb:

Deep runs the world of magic—and desire.

Lindsay Carrington is a prisoner of his life—first in the mundane world, then in the military testing facility where his parents sent him to have his magic dissected, studied and “fixed”. When he finally escapes, freedom comes at great cost. The man who rescues him from near death in a dark alley is far from a savior. He’s a feral mage nearly as broken as Lindsay himself.

Dane knows better than to argue with the wind that summoned him to Lindsay’s rescue, but playing nursemaid isn’t the role he envisioned for himself in the battle to end the human campaign to control his people. In spite of his resistance, he is bound to the delicate, skittish mage who unwittingly harbors one of the greatest magical powers ever known.

Lindsay desperately hides his growing desire, sure that Dane could never reciprocate. Yet Dane lays his life on the line to protect him, restoring the one thing Lindsay thought was gone forever: hope.

But true freedom to live—and to love—will elude Lindsay until he can regain his magic and win Dane’s complete devotion. And survive long enough to do both.

Review:

Tatterdemalion apparently means a person wearing ragged or tattered clothes, which is an apt description of the rather large main character Dane. Here the book plays on a really beloved pairing of the physically big, grunting man that is surprisingly tender and gentle with the tiny, cuddling but stubborn boy turned man. This is a combo that’s been used and abused so poorly in the past that the characters have been bad stereotypes in many, many novels. Yet here the great writing and really skillful handling shines through in creating a fabulously entertaining and incredibly satisfying start to what has to be a series.

The plot sets up the urban fantasy setting with mostly a modern atmosphere but with the inclusion of magic and mages. There are several kinds of mages and whenever there is something different, there is the evil group that is doing medical experiments on them. Thankfully the story kept this element both realistic and interesting by showing Lindsay at the beginning of the story as he is subjected to the experiments of his captors while they attempt to subdue his magic ability. This is just a quick scene and shouldn’t bother readers but will definitely accomplish its goal in quickly immersing the reader into the setting and creating sympathy for the broken, tortured young man in Lindsay. This thread is carried throughout the book as the group attempts to re-capture Lindsay while he and the misfit group he’s joined are trying to heal Lindsay’s magic.

The quick pace is not always even and trips in a few places. For example, the first excursion into the forest slows the pace and I actually put the book down, somewhat bored, but after that the story picks up pretty quickly again. There are a few more stumbles as the plot makes some odd twists and turns and throws details in during odd scenes but the engaging narrator and great characters carry the story and keep it interesting regardless. This is helped with the solid world building that is really good yet creates noticeable holes and some confusion. Part of this is the inherent difficulty in trying to explain magic and how certain events can happen so the story takes the right road in not even trying. This may require you to simply go with the flow of things but it’s worth it.

The characters are really engaging and as I said at the start, they play on well known types that could have been horrible but with the excellent writing and deft touch, they come across as fabulous. Lindsay is the tortured young illusion mage from the beginning, lost and weak but he gradually grows mental and physical strength. In some ways he’s the classic small bottom character as he’s constantly snuggling, cuddling, tucking up against Dane’s larger presence. Lindsay’s tiny stature is emphasized frequently against Dane’s physically imposing body just as Lindsay’s quiet pout is often shown with Dane’s tender care and gruff affection. A nice change from predictable men is that Lindsey is definitely the sexual instigator. Dane is not shy at all but Lindsey goes after what he wants, which leads to some incredibly hot and squirm making sex scenes.

Some of this could be over the top and may annoy some since it happens almost all the time. Dane is frequently comforting and touching Lindsay, who seeks Dane out for their connection and feeling of safety. I found it really likable and adorable, even as Dane is not meant to be cute in that way. I liked Dane’s gruff, standoffish manner but protective and considerate of Lindsay. They may not be the most exciting and new of characters at their core but there is something incredibly satisfying and enjoyable about both of them plus with just enough new details to keep them interesting. There are no declarations of undying love either but quiet confidence that they’ll be together. As seen in the following snippet when Lindsay sees Dane’s room for the first time:

It was so different from the room they’d given to Lindsay. Where Lindsay’s room was furnished and ornate, with a large fireplace to keep it warm, Dane’s was spartan. It was definitely Dane’s, though. Lindsay’s room could have been mistaken for anyone’s—there were no personal items but his clothes. In Dane’s room, the books and the furniture had obviously been gathered over years, each thing kept because it mattered. And here Lindsay was, with all the rest of the things Dane wanted to keep.

The ending is left somewhat hanging with the threat from the military organization still present and the colorful cast of characters creates a great start for more stories. Dane shines as the incredibly stubborn, tortured mage with his own redemption on the horizon while Lindsay will no doubt charm readers and wiggle his way into their hearts. It doesn’t really matter that this may not be perfect because it’s that much fun to read with a satisfying and pretty romantic ending. The gritty urban fantasy setting is detailed enough to engage fans of the genre while the mixture of romance, action, magic, and hot sex delivers a simply great story. Get this as soon as it’s available.