Wow, that was a ride and a half! What amazing worldbuilding! What amazing twists and turns! And all of this from a debut author.

I never know what to expect from debut authors, but generally it's really freaking good. I mean, there's a reason that their first book has been picked up out of the pile of manuscripts, isn't there?

This novel was no different, and I'm so glad that it's the first part of a series. This world definitely deserves more to be written in it.

In this novel, we are swiftly introduced to Mio through flashback. We soon find out that he is a natural castrati, but I think my favourite moment regarding his gender comes much later when Rhodry asks him his preferred gendered words. Mio is soft hearted and, though he's incredibly close to his brother, Tibario, his mother is unkind enough to him that she eventually drives him away.

Into the waiting arms of Rhodry! But Rhodry isn't an uncomplicated figure himself. As the immortal central element of a curse that lays on his house, he's incredibly unsure about having Mio come to stay with him, even temporarily. But, as it turns out, Mio's ability with both singing and silence makes him powerful in his own right, once he's not under his mother's thumb.

This novel is so complex, there are so many plot elements going on and therefore multiple foes that Rhodry and Mio have to battle (both together and separately) to achieve their happily ever after. This is not an easy, cozy read, but it's worth it all the same.

A good fantasy, engrossing and entertaining.
I appreciated the world building, the character development (I rooted for them) and the plot that kept me interested till the end.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

May Peterson’s début novel, Lord of the Last Heartbeat, is an intricately constructed gothic fantasy with an intriguing storyline, set in a world that reminded me somewhat of eighteenth century Italy where dark secrets lurk behind the scenes, political backstabbing is rife and influential families jostle for power.  Adding to that particular vibe is the fact that one of the main characters is an opera singer, and I loved the way his vocal talent is incorporated into the fabric of the world the author has created.  In fact, I liked almost all the different elements that went to make up the novel – the worldbuilding, the characters, the plot – but ‘almost’ is the key word there, because there are two fairly major problems I couldn’t overlook.  Firstly, Ms. Peterson’s writing style just didn’t work for me – which I recognise is entirely subjective; and secondly – and this might be related the issues I had with the writing – there wasn’t a great deal of chemistry between the leads, which – for a book positioned as a romance – is problematic.

Mio is the son of Serafina Gianbellici, a powerful witch whose ambition is to control the government of the city of Vermagna, which she does by learning the secrets of its members and using that knowledge to keep them in line. In this world, a mage’s magical power lies in a specific part of the body, and Mio’s lies in his beautiful voice, which he can use to enter someone’s mind and soul to uncover their deepest, darkest secrets – which his mother then uses against them. Mio hates doing what amounts to mind-rape, and hates himself for helping Serafina, but he does it nonetheless, partly because he fears her power and partly because, well… she’s his mother.  On the night the story opens, Mio is pretending to be a footman at the house of Pater Donatelli, Serafina’s latest target, waiting until she calls him inside to sing, when he is accosted by a drunken guest (who mistakes him for a pretty girl) who tries to drag him away.  Mio has barely begun to try to free himself when the man is pulled off him and dunked into a nearby fountain by a large, dark gentleman Mio quickly realises must be a moon-soul, someone brought back from the dead and invested with the spirit of a noble beast (in this case a bear).  Once upon a time, these shape-changing elite had been numerous but now, they are very small in number and coming across one is rare. Feeling unexpectedly comfortable in the man’s presence, Mio decides to take a chance to escape his mother’s machinations once and for all.  Before he is summoned inside, he presses a note into the man’s hand which says just three words: Stop me. Please.

From that intriguing beginning unfolds a story of mystery and magic that builds slowly and kept me guessing as it moves towards a shattering climax.  When Mio finally breaks free of his mother’s control, he runs to the one person ever to make him feel safe  – Rhodry, the moon-soul , who bears a terrible curse he can never escape.  Twists and turns abound as Mio and Rhodry gradually begin to understand the nature of the curse and the dark forces at work in Rhodry’s home; it’s an engrossing story and unlike anything else I’ve read recently.  I liked Mio’s strength and determination - even in the face of his greatest fears - and Rhodry’s dry (sometimes naughty) sense of humour.  I even liked (well, liked to hate!) Mio’s mother, a complex character intent on dominating a world set against her kind who is prepared to use her children while also loving them quite fiercely.

As I said at the beginning of this review, the book has a lot going for it.  The worldbuilding, the plot, the characters, and the inclusion of a non-binary, femme character in a main role and Rhodry’s unconditional acceptance of Mio for the person he is. But I had problems with the prose, which was overly flowery for my taste; so much so that it often got in the way of the story and the storytelling.  And...er... then there was this:

He fondled my chest, as if feeling the shape of my muscles. Maybe it was good to be so firm. Speaking of firm—he jumped slightly as I took a liberty. Heavens, did he have a bouncy little plum. Sweet cleft, muscle tensing under my grasp—damn, I could hold on to that forever.

A bouncy little plum?!  (I’m sorry, but once an author has made me laugh (and not in the good way), during a love scene, they’ve lost me.)  Not only is it ridiculous, it’s so out of character for Rhodry; he’s a big, dark, brooding presence who knocks back whisky like it’s water and swears like a trooper… and he takes "a liberty" and thinks “Heavens!” ?  But it's also an illustration of the point I was making about language getting in the way and obscuring meaning.  What exactly is Rhodry grasping?  Is the bouncy little plum in question Mio's arse?  Mio's cock? A nearby  fruit bowl?

I also had some problems with the way the romance progressed. There’s no doubt that by the time Mio and Rhodry are on the same page romantically they care for each other deeply and that they’re both prepared to make extreme sacrifices – their lives if need be – in order to keep the other safe.  But there wasn’t a great deal of chemistry between them, which meant that the movement from initial attraction to full-blown love was weak and I really missed the build-up of romantic and sexual tension that is the hallmark of a really well-developed romance.

Writing this review and grading this novel has been difficult.  Lord of the Last Heartbeat has a lot to offer, and I fully admit that the problems I had with it are very subjective.  Ultimately, however,  I can’t quite bring myself to wholeheartedly and honestly recommend a book in which the writing so often gets in the way of the story - although I’m sure there are many readers for whom Ms. Peterson’s writing style will work better than it did for me.

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I grabbed this one totally because of the cover. I didnt know anything about this title other than I loved the cover and the title sounded right up my alley. Well what I found was an M/M Romance with Fantasy, and I fell in love with it. I have to say other than a few books having men being in love as side characters this is the first title I have read where this was the main characters. And I can tell you know it will not be the last. I have dived head first into the LGBT titles even though I am 100% straight I hold a special place in my heart for these. Ever since I read another title called Girl of Paper and Fire I have loved every second of LGBT characters!!

The story to this one was well paced with amazing writing and fabulous characters. This story is full of twists, turns, and magic on every page! The mystery came in a slow burn that worked well for this title. I followed Mio and Rhodry throughout the pages to discover what in the world was going in this world of ghosts and curses. And I could not put it down!! I would love to try this one in an Audio book. As I would love to hear all of the characters!

If you are new or old to MM Romance with Fantasy check this one out it won't do you wrong!!

This was a haunting tale that combined gothic and fantasy themes bound together with a melody that has the power to reach inside and uncover hidden secrets. Although the cast of characters was small they were vividly written and very engaging. I was drawn in from the first page and I couldn't stop reading until the very end, I really enjoyed this very unique reaf.

A heartwarming tale, Lord of the Last Heartbeat follows Mio - a reluctant sorcerer with the power to control people with his singing - and Rhodry - an immortal under a terrible curse. The worldbuilding and characters were both nicely fleshed out and I came to care quite a bit for our main characters. The romance was steamy without edging into the instalove trope, and while the ending was nicely wrapped up it still left enough open for the sequel. A great debut!

A special thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lord of the Last Heartbeat is a detailed fantasy story focused around Mio, a sorcerer whose power lies in his voice. When pushed to his limits by his power hungry mother, Mio escapes to the first place they would look, but the one he would be safest – the house of Rhodry, a cursed Moon Soul.

Focusing on Mio and Rhodry the story follows of the pair as they fight their attraction to each other and the mysterious force at work within the house. Expect twists and turns as the intricately weaved love story of Lord of the Last Heartbeat takes you on a journey filled with mystery and magic.

The novel jumps right into things with an exchange between Mio and Rhodry that had me intrigued and wanting to find out more about these two mysterious figures. As the story continues I began to understand more about this world filled with ghosts and curses. Chapter by chapter the larger mystery was chipped away as Mio and readers come to truly understand the nature of the curse surrounding Rhodry. I really enjoyed Lord of the Last Heartbeat as not only was I emotionally invested in Mio and Rhodry but I was kept guessing until the very end.

Outside of this intricate plot, Lord of the Last Heartbeat is filled with interesting characters that played upon my heart. While painted in a tough light, Mio’s mother none the less played on my emotions, eliciting conflicting feelings about taking control of a world set against her, to that of her love for her children. Maybe conflicting is too soft of a word because the ending had me wanting to know more about this character and the repercussions of their actions.

The full cast of the novel were all varied and unique and I am very interested to see where the second book in the series goes. I am hopeful Mio’s brother, Tibario (or Ginger Snap as he is also known) makes another appearance as I quickly fell in love with this nuanced character.

Without spoiling anything, what I really loved about Lord of the Last Heartbeat were the gender and sexuality discussions by and about Mio. It was really refreshing reading such an honest and real discussion about a characters genderqueer feelings. In light of all of this, I cannot wait to read more of May Peterson’s series and find out more about this world!

RECOMMENDATIONS

I really enjoyed Lord of the Last Heartbeat and found Peterson’s writing style to be engaging and interesting. The main draw card of this book was not only the amazing story but the characters. I found myself really invested in each of the characters and can’t want to return to this series.

I would recommend this for anyone who is a fan of the fantasy romance genre because it is an amazing example of excellent and unique world-building.

I would also recommend Lord of the Last Heartbeat for anyone looking for a intricate and detailed QUILTBAG fantasy novel. Or anyone wishing to read a romance featuring a genuine and positive representation of a genderqueer character.

Please note: I received a copy of Lord of the Last Heartbeat from NetGalley.

OUTSTANDING. A lord and an opera singer. Unique and wonderful. Heed the trigger warnings set forth by the author. I am super ready for more from this author.