I really struggled with this and just did not enjoy the writing.
The Characters just did not engage with me and the story was extremely violent.
The violence felt gratuitous and excessive adding nothing to the story in my opinion.
It is not my sort of Fantasy.

Severed is a unique and interesting book. The writing is good and the characters are interesting. This is a unique storyline.

Wounded and able to fly, Halle Ish is an elite police arrow in enemy territory, knowing that if she is found by the gangs her wings will be severed. Avin Lenit was once a promising med student, but now he’s the doctor to one of the biggest gangs in Precinct One. He’s been deep under cover for over year, Jarro Cobli has to find a way to get them all out of Precinct One before the Sect and the gangs bring the full wrath of the Veilli on Precinct One.

The characters are strong, compelling and easily pull readers into their story as they try to survive in some grueling circumstances. The relationship between Avin and Jarro is well established, sweet and super-hot, but the relationship between the two men and Halle ups the chemistry level to explosive but the romance is slow growing due to trust issues and secrets which keeps the outcome of the ménage romance in suspense until the very end.

The plot is fast paced and while thrilling and full of excitement, it also is full of violence and drug use which makes the story a bit on the dark side adds a bit of dangerous appeal to readers. The author adds these dark elements to the story in a way that gets the point across without going into graphic details that could potentially be off-putting. Although, the story could have been a bit more informative in regards to the culture, the world is fascinating with some unique elements that have a kind of cross between a post-apocalyptic world and futuristic world and readers can’t help but become completely caught up its thrilling debut story.

Nop, nop, nop. That's the kind of book that try to make a point shoving it in your troath. And I don't like that, not even when I maybe concurr with the point in another scenario. Really, that wasn't fun, that wasn't cute, that wasn't interesting. I did not finish reading.

4.5 ++++ I really enjoyed this novel, I found the world Shona Husk has imagined to be fresh and interesting. The women being able to fly, while the men are grounded, the way family groups and marriages are formed, generally one woman and two men, and the way blood is used and is part of conception. I liked the three main characters a lot and enjoyed uncovering their layers, especially Jarro as he kept so much hidden due to the danger involved in anyone finding out who he really was. The relationship between Jarro and Avin was complicated due to their circumstances, but I really enjoyed discovering the different aspects of it and how the introduction of Halle into their lives changed things for all three of them. The criminal underworld that they are tangled up in is one that takes no prisoners and there were scenes where I was on edge wondering what was going to happen. I can't wait for book 2.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ninestar Press for a digital copy in return for an honest review.

Every now and then I start perusing Netgalley for any interesting, upcoming titles. Inevitably I end up with a huge list sitting in my to-review pile (on top of all my other books) but I can’t help it, especially when I come across an intriguing paranormal romance book while searching for books with angels in them (it’s a thing, you know).

Severed is not a long book, but it does set up an interesting world – one where men and women have evolved differently. It’s our world, but not: women have wings and can fly, men don’t. Women live up high, and men live on the ground, bound there without wings of their own. Interactions between the sexes can end up dangerous or deadly, and relationships usually involve two men and a woman as a result.

There are some explanations for all of these things, but for the most part it’s built into the world building and it becomes accepted fact for the story, which begins with Avin and Jarro, two men living together, both of whom work for one of the local gangs. One works as a medic, albeit one with a drug habit, and the other as an enforcer. There are regular riots in their part of town, and the city’s police force often raid their area, using the elite Arrows – women who can fly – as point guards to the attacks. After once such attack, Halle – an Arrow – is injured and discovered by Jarro. Instead of turning her in to his boss, Jarrow enlists Avin’s help to heal her and the two hide Halle in their home, which causes quite a few complications.

I enjoyed the world that Husk built up in this story – it’s very different to what I would normally pick up. Not only is the world complex, but so are it’s characters and I enjoyed the interactions between Jarro, Avin and Halle who are all very different, are all flawed and trying to protect others. The secrets they keep aid in building the tension, but also bring them closer together.

This is a dark, gritty paranormal romance that discusses violence against women, street wars and class hierarchy. I’m very glad to have had the opportunity to read it.

I honestly am not sure what to do with this - I love darker fantasies, which this certainly qualified as, and the leads were compelling enough to keep me wanting to read. However, I was disappointed in the world building, I thought it came a little too fast, and there's the little hiccup with how women - who're all born with wings- who lose the ability to fly. Women are literally above men in the social hierarchy here, as they actually live in areas above men in the city they all inhabit. But If a woman can't fly, they're effectively treated as chattel for men's pleasure. That really bugged me. Once women's wings are clipped, the men are given the excuse to do horrible things to them.

And that's why I kind of felt a little hinky about the inclusion of Halle into Jarro and Avin's relationship at the beginning. Mostly because the two men effectively treated her as a thing to play with at first. Even though they talked about consent and stuff before any sexual activity, the start of their relationship still sat at the back of my mind.

Overall though, this is a steamy poly romance with some fun leads and set against a neat, if roughly executed, dark fantasy backdrop. Recommended for erotica fans.

A pretty good start to a new series. The author did a good job developing the characters and the plot. It transitioned smoothly and was entertaining and easy to read. I am excited to read book 2. Thank you NetGalley for this chance to read and write about this book.

setting aside at 28%. This has some interesting world building and I am curious about the story, but right now I’m not feeling in the right headspace to enjoy this darker story. Hoping to come back to it at a later date.

This book is something that falls in many places in my mind. It goes from sci-fi/fantasy (woman FLY! and there are other traits).
I liked characters -none of those is one-dimensional. There will be scorching sexy times as both main male characters are lovers, but are they only interested in men? Well, time will tell when a wounded woman shows on the scene. They take her and help to heal her. There will be lots going on in their minds an everything will go deeper than you will think at first!
Sounds good? If yes - dive in this great steamy story full of secrets and scenes that would fall into... hmmm... erotica section probably. There will mm scenes as well as mmf scenes. Be warned!

Severed was a hard book to put in a category. It is science fiction that flows over into erotica, There is a lot of sex and much of it male/male. Then it goes to a triad for two males and one female. Both are the norm for this world that Shona Husk has built. I loved the three main characters. All are strong but have very human weaknesses. The world building is unique as women fly and men walk. Halle Ish, Avin Lent, and Jarro Coblic end up together while facing danger. Their reactions to each other drive the story. This is the start of a new series and I look forward to seeing what happens next in the very fascinating world.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.