The Forest Bull by Terry Maggert

Title: The Forest Bull
Author: Terry Maggert
Series: The Fearless Book 1
Publish Date: December 2, 2013
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher’s Description: Three lovers. Two immortals. One mystery.

When Ring Hardigan isn’t making sandwiches for, and with, his two partners, Waleska and Risa (they’re cool like that), he’s got a busy schedule doing the dirty work of sending immortals to the ever after. Wally and Risa provide linguistics, logistics, and finding the right place for him and his knife.

A reclusive Baron from the timelost forests of Europe asks for their help—find a stolen collection of jewelry, and find the thief—his daughter Elizabeth, an immortal of purest evil who wants nothing less than control of Hell itself. With the help of a 2400 year old succubus hooker named Delphine, they might just live long enough to discover what is evil, who is human, and exactly who wants to reign in hell.

Nervous Nellie’s nervousness necessitates knowledge of the novel (in other words, SPOILERS!).

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Nervous Nellie says…

This book reeled me in because of the description of the non traditional family of two women and one man.  You might be thinking I was in it for the sex, but really, wipe that notion from your brain.  Geez – can’t get away with anything around here.  Anyway, this story focuses on the family relationship of the three instead of the sex part.  In fact, I wasn’t even sure they were lovers until Ring flat out announced over half way into the story.  That’s how subtle the relationship is with these three.

The story started by showing what the three did for a living and that is dispatching immortals.  I was a little morally shy when I found out that Risa, Wally & Ring killed the immortals and stole all of their “stuff” to keep the checkbook balanced.  I had to stop and do a slap upside the head moment and remember that these creatures are all terrible and have no regard for human life. With that moment passed, I really got into the book. The author used chapters to create the divisions of present day, past occurrences and the horror each individual immortal forced upon their unwitting prey. I was never confused as to where or when I was in the story which I appreciated.

In it’s very simplest form, the whole story boils down to how each immortal hunts it’s prey and out maneuvers the other immortals while fobbing off the threat of the three partners who will do anything in their power to stop the killing.  There is a competition between the immortals (I counted 2 or 3 serious contenders, but you may distinguish more-depends your rating as to threat) as to who can rule hell.  Elizabeth is a claimant and Delphine is a challenger to Elizabeth, though they are both scary as hell. Their qualifications are psychopathy, viciousness and general disregard of human life.  The immortals play the long game (one of them is 24 centuries old) and it’s easy to believe that they think they are firmly in the driver’s seat. The threesome have their own networks of information and sometimes I feel they believe they are invincible.  Ring is the assassin where as Risa and Wally are in the information division.  By the end of the book, they find themselves challenged physically and emotionally and if you aren’t careful-and even if you are-they’ll reel you in hook, line and sinker. (Nod to Ring’s suburb fishing skill-now pass me a beer )

I listened to the book in audio as well as read it on my Kindle.  Some things are lost with audio while others are gained.  I must tell you, though, that the narrator, Rebecca Cook, is so talented.  It was an absolute delight to get swallowed up with her characterizations.  No character sounded the same and they all had their own personality and voice inflections.  With kudos given to Ms. Cook, props also go the author for he is the one that gave these characters their personalities.  Each character was a well rounded person.  None were shallow shells and his descriptions of the simplest scene was artistic.  Oh, and no cliffhanger, just a lead up to Book 2.

Would I suggest you take a chance on this book?  Hell, yes.  Duh! I’ve already started book 2!

Okay, okay! Ivana is chastising me for using my blue collar language, so for her sake of propriety, how about this?  If you like paranormal fantasy with the slightest amount of sex thrown in, then please click on over to your favorite bookseller run it through on your favorite credit card.  It’s soooo worth it.

I nearly forgot a rating.  I give it a 4.  If you are at all like me, keep your dictionary handy because some of the words used in the story were over my head.  Anyway, I’m sure that as I grow more attached to the characters, I could definitely see these books moving up to 5 star category with top shelf go-to quality.

Other reviews:

• Audiobook Reviewer
• Review Books and More

If you like this book…

Look into the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter or the Raine Benares series by Lisa Shearin.  I also suggest looking into The Demon Accords by John Conroe.