Book – Ge-Mi (Ge-Mi #1)
Author – Mell Eight
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 97
Cover – Great!
POV – 3rd person, one character
Would I read it again – Yes
Genre – LGBT, Fantasy, Shifter/Creature


** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **



At first, I wasn't sure what to make of the story. I found Nevada interesting, but the Prologue was a little confusing, introducing all of these strange terms and ideas that weren't fully explained. Then it skipped to Chapter 1 and took four pages to tell us what time difference sat between the two chapters, which really didn't help with orientating my mind in the story. However, once I reached Chapter 2 everything fell into place.

The world building was nicely done (apart from the brief blip between the prologue/chapter 1) giving us enough detail about the world and how it functioned that I didn't feel confused or have too many questions about it. Mostly, the world was similar to our own, with some Minority Report tech added for the fantasy element (laser guns, hover cars etc) and the obvious addition of some Puss in Boots kind of creature/human hybrids. Yet, it still managed to be original and a great take on the ideas of both.

Nevada is half-snow leopard – part of the half human/animal species of Ge-Mi – and I liked that the story briefly explored his home life in the Prologue, telling us how and why he came to this new place and letting us see him giving his 'bribe' to the Lord in Kensey, Lord Reyes. It gave us an idea of how the world worked, while showing us just enough of Nevada's personality to make me care about him.

When Taylor was introduced to the story, I just knew things were going to get far more interesting, because he was such a gruff, roguish character with a softer side that only Nevada brought out.

Overall, it was a great fantasy story with great characters. The writing style was perfect, for me, giving me just what I wanted and leaving enough clues to the 'mystery' aspect that I could follow along. I liked all the characters, who were evenly explored as background characters, and loved the chemistry between Nevada and Taylor. I'd happily go buy part two right now, if it was available, but I'll be eagerly awaiting the release so that I can find out what happens next.

The concept behind this book was interesting, I enjoyed the characters and the interaction between characters. Nothing felt rushed, or like the author was trying to force things to happen faster than the characters wanted things to happen. Great story from a great author

I’ve read Mell Eight’s dragon series, so I’m familiar enough with Mell’s work to know I was in for a story with great characters facing an often dangerous conflict, but also one that would still feel like a light read. I was very surprised by the more futuristic technology in the story, since I was expecting an alternate Earth with paranormal characters, but it actually improved the plot ‘believability’.

Ge-Mi begins with a nice layer of world-building to share how human/animal hybrids come into being and what the world is like. I’d like to see more of the overall city Denver makes his home after his mom dies because I felt like the story was mainly told in microcosms of a few locations, and there is a lot more to explore. That goes for the burgeoning relationship between the main characters as well. I need more! Nevada is cute, and I love his kitty characteristics—sorry, snow leopard—but I had less distinct visual of Taylor as a Ge-mi. That was amusing, in a way, based on the fact that Nevada was hiding what he was and Taylor was not.

Fortunately, the fact Ge-Mi is part one of a longer series is highlighted, and if the dragon stories are anything to go by, there’s more of Nevada and Denver’s relationship to come because I really couldn’t get enough of them in this sweet romance—with a little mystery and action thrown in to keep the story interesting!

It's hard for me to describe my feelings for this book. When I first started it, I expected a traditional little shifter story, a nice easy read. While this was an easy read, it wasn't any kind of traditional shifter story. For one, it's about a world where Ge-Mi - genetically mutated - people are pretty much abhorred. If you are one, you're not treated as an equal so your options are either trying to hide what you are or living with people thinking you're lower than dirt. For Nevada, he's managed to hide his cat side until an explosion rocks the place he works at and his secret is threatened by a pack of wolves determined to sniff out who set the bomb. Unfortunately, cats and dogs don't mix and when Taylor sets his nose on Nevada, Nevada's life is about to go from bad to worse.

Oh my god! When I started this story, I didn't really expect much to the story. Sure, I read the blurb but once I started, I got so sucked into the story, I couldn't put it down. I loved Nevada as a character and I loved that he was so sassy. I also loved Taylor as a character. It was interesting to see the differences between them and the connection they couldn't help but developing. It was such fun to see inconspicuous Nevada try to stay away from Taylor while Taylor couldn't help sticking his nose where it didn't belong. I couldn't help loving the bickering and bantering between Taylor and Nevada and the slow progress they took on getting to know each other. By the end, I was all 'awwwww they're so cute together!' which made me have such a sappy smile, I almost couldn't take it.

I absolutely adored this story and these characters but I wished Taylor had been more fleshed out. I would have loved to see part of this story from his POV so we could have really gotten a different side than what Nevada saw and heard especially since Taylor is so vastly different.

All in all, this was an amazing story. I loved that this author put a spin on shifters while mixing a bit of scifi into it. I loved that Nevada was so reluctant to get involved in certain areas but couldn't really help himself and I also adored the connection between Nevada and Taylor. I can't wait to see what happens next because I just couldn't get enough of these two!!

A great beginning to another wonderful series written by Mell Eight.
This is about genetic mutants Ge-Mi people spliced over a hundred years ago by a Dr Mengell type doctor and he's one of many just trying to survive we meet him moving to a new city after the loss of his mother and his bribing the Lord of the area with a cat!
It transpires he's a snow leopard Ge-Mi and just wants to work hard and survive.
This is changed when he comes to the attention of the Lords grandson and also wolf Ge-Mi Taylor.
This is a slow build type read but very sweet and you can see it's going to become interesting once the series kicks in.
I'm not going to create spoilers but know that you'll always be entertained with Mell Eight books.

The cover was a little off but the story behind the cover wasn't badly written and kept me interested to the end.

Okay, so this is truly where the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” comes in handy. I for one, thought looking at the cover: "WTF?!?" However, if the author/publisher was going for eye-catching, then they did do their job. Because I did notice it and I actually stopped and read the blurb, which peaked my interest. So, the moral of this story is to give this book a chance. Oh, and don’t judge the book by the artwork on its cover.

So, now I can say this is a good and interesting start to a new series. The world and character building is good, and I am hoping that the author expands upon it further in the next book. For instance, how the author takes time to add the behavior and traits of a the particular animal to the Ge-Mi. How Nevada cannot stand water, how he purrs, eats and how his sleeping quarters is situated.

In addition, I really do enjoy the back-and-forth between Nevada and Taylor; however, if you are looking for a hot and steamy read, this is not it folks. There isn’t even any “behind the scenes” action. In the end, Nevada and Taylor are just thinking about where things can take them giving us a HFN.

I for one cannot wait to see what happens next for the two MC's given that there is still someone who has it out for Taylor's uncle, Lord Reyes. Not to mention Nevada's promotion, due to Rosto turning Restaurant Spice into a franchise. So, as you can see there is more to the story than the romance aspect. There is only one complaint I have, and that is the epilogue feels a bit rushed. IMO, it should have been just another chapter with better flow/transition.