| Genre | Gay / Fantasy / Mythological Creatures / Gods/Godesses / Immortals / Romance / Humor/Comedy / Mystery/Suspense/Thriller / Action/Adventure |
| Reviewed by | Serena Yates on 21-May-2016 |
When humans forsake the temples, the gods need to find other employment. Hades opens Brandywine Investigations after his divorce and his subsequent move to the modern world. If he was hoping for boring infidelity cases and lost dogs, he’s sorely mistaken as murder and mayhem find his agency and his extended family at an astonishing rate.
Includes:
Canines, Crosshairs & Corpses: Brandywine Investigations #1
No Enemy But Time: Brandywine Investigations #2
Dragons, Diamonds & Discord: Brandywine Investigations #3
Please note: The stories in this omnibus have been reedited, and expanded by about 18K (total). The majority of the expansions were in No Enemy But Time.
It has been a while since I read the three original stories that make up this new, updated edition, and it was such a treat to return to this amazing world of Greek gods trying to survive in the modern world. But it turned out to be more than just a return to a world and characters I liked. The stories have all been expanded – mostly No Enemy But Time - with spectacular results. They are now more like one longer novel with parts that link really well, and the significant additions have answered more than one question I had.
Canines, Crosshairs, and Corpses
The idea behind this series is a look at what the old Greek gods would do if they were real, still around today, and forced to evolve with the times. At one point early on Hestia says to Hades that “Modern gods don’t simply sit about and eat ambrosia. That would be disgraceful.” – and that pretty much sums up the premise of the series as well as the tone. I love the idea of gods having to do what humans have been struggling with ever since we came down from the trees. Finding your own way in life is not easy, and if this first story is any indication, this series will not just be very cleverly designed but highly entertaining. Hades’s story fascinated me since I wanted to find out what he would decide, how he would deal with modern life, but it also made me laugh because much of what he goes through is so true and so “human” – and that makes it really funny.
Hades has a tough lesson to learn in this first installment, and from the moment he begins his journey into thinking for himself rather than accepting the role he was given, he discovers a side to himself he was never aware of. For a Lord of the Dead, finding out he may have feelings is a revelation. Figuring out a job is easy for him, and seeing him becoming a badass PI is pretty funny. He has a way to “speak to the dead” that gives him an advantage, and his problem-solving skills are excellent, so he’s pretty good at solving cases. It’s the more human side of things he struggles with, but Ti is there to guide him, even though neither of them realize that it’s happening. I did though, and I loved watching them.
Ti, short for Tiberius, has fallen on hard times, pretty much due to making some stupid decisions and a few idiotic mistakes. He ends up an alcoholic and homeless, and that’s when his life becomes endangered without him even realizing it. Hades figures it out and rescues him, and Ti cannot believe his luck. But then Hades tells him the truth of who he is, and Ti thinks he’s crazy – at least until Hades shows him a few things. That’s when Ti begins a journey to a different world view and becoming more mature. His emotional involvement may sneak up on him, but when he gets the message, he will do anything to protect Hades.
If you like stories with a great supernatural component, if you want to see not just an old Greek god deal with modern life, but watch him fall in love, and if you’re looking for a story that is as fantastical as it is funny and romantic, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did. I loved the characters, the way they deal with their relationship (once they notice they have one!), and the whole setup.
No Enemy But Time
Just like the first story in this collection, ‘No Enemy But Time’ had a profound effect on me – both times I read it. Yet its tone and the emotions it made me feel could not be more different. Yes, the sense of humor is the same, with the gods of old trying to deal with modern life, even some of the characters return for an encore. But the essence of the story is far more serious and darker. I guess that is what happens when a fallen angel and a son of Hades get together, trying to make a life for themselves. With the added material, the context becomes clearer and the additional information made everything more poignant. And despite the fact that it lacks an explicit happy ending, something I am a huge fan of, I have to say it is an outstanding story. Probably because the ending is so in line with the story’s theme.
Zack and Michael must be one of the oddest couples ever. Zack may be the son of Hades, but he moved out of the Underworld to make a life for himself. He doesn’t go around torturing small children or killing anything, he gets involved in animal rescue. In short, he is a really nice guy. Michael being around must have something to do with that, so when sinister events begin to happen, and even his father begins to worry, Zack is understandably perturbed. Worry changes into iron determination when he figures out that Michael is threatened yet again. What Zack ends up having to do to save Michael almost destroys both of them.
I hate to admit it, but sometimes love really is not enough. What Angel Martinez has shown in this story is actually far more powerful. In Zack and Michael’s case, love requires Zack to do something horrible and painful, and while it is the only way to save Michael, it is a heavy price to have to pay. But nothing other than love could have made him do it and then live with the consequences. A very powerful message indeed!
If you like stories that challenge accepted wisdom about what a love story should look like, if you believe it is always darkest before the sun rises once again, and if you’re looking for a read that will put you through an emotional roller coaster before spitting you out and making you wonder what just happened, then you will probably like this one. I certainly won’t forget it anytime soon!
Dragons, Diamonds, and Discord
‘Dragons, Diamonds, and Discord’ is yet another fantastic story in the ‘Brandywine Investigations’ series with its Greek and other gods, supernatural beings from various myths and legends, and amorous problems set in today’s world. One of its most fun elements is the sense of humor around the gods of old trying to deal with modern life and having adapted rather well to the needs of the 21st century. But the aspects that attract me even more are the unusual pairings, deeply emotional love stories, and uniquely creative elements of the Brandywine universe. In this third story the focus is on Hermes, the god of commerce, communications, and thieves (among others) – who is, of course, the CEO of a vast international corporation and a few jewelry stores. The second main character is Fafnir, a centuries-old dragon with a lot of secrets and a deep desire to be left alone. Combine those two men, and you can be assured the sparks will fly.
Hermes, once he has drafted several family members to help solve the mystery of who is stealing from him, is stunned. But he is equally fascinated by Fafnir, and is determined to figure out what is going on. He does not believe in fate, and will not rest before he solves the mystery. In that way he is a lot like his Uncle Hades – who now lives as a PI and, I am happy to report, is back in several wonderful scenes of “the Greek gods” versus “assorted bad guys”. Hermes is exactly as I imagine he would be in today’s world. Fast, stubborn, scheming, always full of ideas, and talking like there is no tomorrow (god of communication, remember?). Luckily for everyone involved he is also loyal and doesn’t scare easily.
Fafnir is a dragon who has been killed countless times, but keeps returning to life as long as even one piece of his body is big enough for him to come back. He hates the eternal cycle; every time the hoarding fever starts, humans notice and subsequently kill him. And something is setting him off now, which is strange since he’s had the longest cycle ever and everything seems to be under control. He is also the complete opposite of Hermes: he likes solitude, is gruff and grumpy, and hates talking. You can imagine how much Hermes irritates him. But there is also a considerable attraction between the two men, and Fafnir is curious.
If you like stories with creative interpretations of the mythological world, if you enjoy opposite characters feeling attracted and figuring out how to deal with each other, and if you’re looking for a read that is as funny as it is emotional and romantic, then you will probably like this novel as much as I do. The characters are fascinating, the mystery around what’s happening kept me interested, and the solution to Fafnir’s issue is brilliant and a wonderfully romantic interpretation of dragon lore. Bravo, Angel! Please keep these books coming!
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the author for the purpose of a review.
| Format | ebook and print |
| Length | Anthology/3 novels, 376 pages/125662 words |
| Heat Level | |
| Publication Date | 27-April-2016 |
| Price | $6.99 ebook, %15.99 paperback |
| Buy Link | http://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/store/p98/Brandywine_Investigations%3A_Open_for_Business.html |
