BLACKMONT BITTERS By Tracy Cooper-Posey

I liked this one. Actually to say I liked it is not quite right, I really enjoyed reading this. I was caught by the first noisy scene in that cafe right up until the last page. My favorite character was Melina, an interesting character who got more interesting as you learned more about her. Thought provoking, unique in its Norse world building setup, and a great satisfying read. This author always leaves me wanting more, more, more.

I've just finished it and for my life I didn't expect the emotional rollercoaster... how I was ending crying should not be a surprise to me as it is snippet of what is the incredibly detailed world Tracy built for The Branded Rose Prophesy, all packed with slow-burning emotional intensity that left you thinking about life for an hour or two. I admit The Branded Rose Prophecy has been sitting on my ereader for a couple of years now, and I now have no other choice but to read it, of course. And the next sequels, those, too. And so will you, so go and buy the bundle, our next summer read is fixed 😉

From the beginning in a noisy Alaskan café, through an astounding series of events experienced by the main character, I found myself glued to my e-reader until the very end of this book. Every time I read a new book by this author I promise myself that I will keep pencil and paper at hand and faithfully make notes of the parts of the story that truly captivate me. I failed in that effort, once again, though I did have the paper and pencil. Why no notes? I was immediately pulled into the story (that part is my normal for books by this author), and I didn’t move or even look up until I’d finished reading the entire book. Blackmont Bitters is Just That Good. I enjoyed it very much, and am eagerly looking forward to more stories in this series.

I had been jealously hoarding The Branded Rose Prophecy, the first book in the series, keeping it in reserve for a day when I would feel a desperate need for an excellent read. When I saw that Blackmont Bitters was the next story in this series, I made it a point to read The Branded Rose Prophecy first. Yes, it is a long book. But I cut my teeth on James Michener sagas (Centennial, anyone?), and I was more than ready for the deep dive into the history and mythology of the Kine. With that lush background it was a very short walk to falling in love with Blackmont Bitters and being fully invested in the story right away. Blackmont Bitters stands on its own perfectly well, and it is not necessary to have read The Branded Rose Prophecy. But, if you want a fuller experience, I’d highly recommend reading them both. I am certainly glad that I did. Read this book, and you, too, will be champing at the bit for more stories in this imaginative and wonderfully described universe. This series is unlike anything I’ve read before. That’s very high praise!

Blackmont Bitters, by Tracy Cooper-Posey, is a sequel to her epic tome, The Branded Rose Prophecy. Set in the same universe created in The Branded Rose Prophecy, we are introduced to the aftermath of Valhalla and the loved ones left behind. The war is over, and life goes on. For some. For others, it’s a downward spiral of despair created by the Kine. The story culminates with a HEA, but the journey is worth walking. I’m already looking forward to the next installment in this great tale of portals, great halls, and immortal warriors.