The Hanged Man

So, let me preface this review with: this is, within a day, easily my favorite book of the year. I mean… no offense, other books, but you really can’t beat Rune and Brand. Or Rune and Addam. Or… well, you get the idea.This is the continuing story of Rune Saint John, the last scion of the ruined Sun Throne. Rune is Atlantean (yep, that Atlantis). With their home destroyed in a war with humans, Atlanteans now call New Atlantis home. New Atlantis is located on the island of Nantucket, off the coast of Massachusetts, under accords with the American government. They have magically displaced abandoned buildings and sunken ships and such from around the world, and created their own land, ruled over by the Arcana: powerful and nearly god-like Atlanteans with a host of magical powers and a ton of money. At least… most of the Arcana are super rich and powerful. There are exceptions. The court of the Lovers was brought down for corruption, the court of the Emperor died in the war that destroyed Atlantis, and the Sun court hasn’t recovered from a brutal and mysterious assault on them years before. Rune and his Companion Brand are the last of their house, unable to even enter the Sun Estate without a host of angry undead creatures attacking. So, they do what they can with what they have… which is admittedly not a lot.Rune’s ward, Matthias ‘Max’ Saint Valentine was entered into a marriage contract with the Hanged Man by his grandmother Lady Lovers before the ruin of her court. Now that he is a ward of the Sun Throne, and under their protection, it’s up to Rune and Brand to stop the Hanged Man from coming to collect on that contract. And the Hanged Man really, really wants to come and collect on that debt. It’ll take every magical shenanigan Rune knows, every combat skill Brand has, and a lotta bit of help from their friends to stop him.This book was phenomenally written, and it gave me the entire gamut of emotions throughout its course. This is one of those books where I come for the characters but stay for the action. I love the characters in this series. Brand and Rune have one of the best relationships ever. Brand is Rune’s Companion, which is somewhat like a bodyguard, but one that has been bonded to you since infancy. So, they are more than best friends and more than brothers. They rarely fight in earnest, but it occasionally happens. I was in tears for the two of them more than once, and yet laughing for most of the book. The Banter between them is the stuff of legends. In fact, I think I came to the realization at some point during this book that Brandon Saint John may well be my favorite literary character ever. Everyone needs a Brand. The snark that comes out of this guy’s mouth, my dudes. I have like 1/4 of the dialogue in this book highlighted because it’s Brand being a hilarious jerk, and I was here for it, and will continue to be here for it.My other favorite relationship is that of Rune and his boyfriend Addam. Being the son of Lady Justice, and a scion of another court, it is not always politically favorable for Addam to get involved in Rune’s shenanigans. Addam and his brother Quinn are friends of Rune, Max, and Brand though, and they don’t let something like house politics stop them from helping their friends. Especially Quinn, who is both Max’s best friend, and a prophet, constantly seeing the future in probabilities. Addam does spend a lot of time worrying over Quinn, but he is also there for Rune when he needs him, even as Rune feels guilty for getting them roped into his trouble. He is a very patient lover too, as Rune is understandably triggered at times by physical intimacy. Addam never complains, he never pushes, and he always understands, and he lets Rune go at his own pace. I was in tears for them too. Most adorable couple ever. Relationship goals.The masculinity in Rune’s circle is more non-toxic than Elmer’s glue, which is admittedly rather unexpected in fantasy in general in my experience, and I honestly find it heartwarming AF. Rune can literally set things on fire (including himself). He can incinerate a horde of zombies if motivated enough. Brand is trained in like 108 different martial arts and usually has at least 10 weapons hidden upon his person. They still hugged it out and talked about their feelings, because that is what needed to happen. It’s what they do.This series is not scared to take your emotions and kick them in the face. K.D. Edwards presents a world much like ours, where horrible things happen. As much as I will squee about how adorable this series is, it is set in a world in which very bad things happen to good people. That said, this is also a book in which there is love, and support, and hope for the future. That’s why it makes me smile as much as it makes me cry. It presents me with characters so endearing that I can’t help but want the very best for them, gives them backstories or puts them in situations that smush my emotions, and then rounds it all out by having other characters be there for them; ready and willing to love and support them, snark and all.If I could give this book all of the stars in the night sky, I would do it. That’s how special it was to me.

I don't know how on Earth I am going to put together coherent thoughts on this book but I need to talk about it????- Brand and Rune's relationship is EVERYTHING TO ME and they actually made me CRY thank you- Addam? So understanding and supportive- The Hanged Man creeeeeepy as all hell and <spoiler> thank god he got what was coming to him </spoiler>- The worldbuilding? Is incredible. I'm always surprised when they talk about cell phones and laptops after all the magic but it feels so well integrated? (Bonus points for Rune being not tech-savvy lmao)- I felt like the stakes went up in this one but also I could feel Rune's growth and ability to take them on.- Lady Death... amazing I love her already?- The ending? Made me cry at least 3x how dare u- Look can everyone just read these books so I can rant about them? I haven't been this immersed in a set of characters in years!

I can’t remember the last time I got this excited about urban fantasy. The world building is great and the Major Arcana as Atlantean powers is inspired.This is not the review this book deserves, but I wanted to put down a few thoughts before I got busy and forgot. The Hanged Man is action packed, but at the heart of it, it’s about family and acceptance. I can’t wait for the next book!

I do hope to continue the series. Love the tarot sequences it’s brilliant. I highly recommend this book and everyone should support such a talented author.

This series is amazing. Usually, a second book in a series is a letdown, an in-between stop. This is not those books; the characters have grown, the friendships have solidified, and the action remains exhilirating. Amazing representation of lgbtq+ plus characters dealing with trauma. This series is the future of fantasy, and it deserves attention.

I finished reading this second installment in planned series a couple of days ago but simply could not put it down yet and choose to re-read the last few chapters and epilogue again -that's how much I enjoyed this story. The characters are wonderful and complex- even the secondary characters. Story pulls you right in from the beginning and you truly care what's happens to them. Rune is one of the most noble characters I've ever read without being insufferable because everything he does is motivated by love. There is plenty of heart wrenching action and magic and truly dangerous situations our heroes find themselves in but it's the relationships that leave you holding your breath and shipping some like crazy! I highly recommend this very entertaining urban fantasy and hope to not have to wait too long for the third book...

Rune St John is the sole survivor and last scion of his dead father’s court, the Sun Throne. A role that has left him destitute and something of a maverick among New Atlantean society.But he gets by, and together with his Companion, Brand, they make ends meet by serving as super-efficient/superpowered private eyes. And they’re good at what they do.Just as well, really.Remember, this is New Atlantis, a place where the old gods and new world reside in an uneasy alliance. So, when a new threat emerges – one that could possibly destroy the fragile balance between the two societies – Rune and Brand have to pull out all the stops to ensure chaos doesn’t ensue.And as is so often the case, it starts so innocuously.The Hanged Man has set his sights on Rune’s ward, Max, and attempts to assert a marriage claim on the young man initiated at a time when Max’s family – the Heart Throne – were still a power to be reckoned with. But the Heart Throne is no more. Max has no house, no wealth, no sigils of power, and no real assets. So why is the Hanged Man so fixated on him? Fixated enough to try and kidnap him in broad daylight? It doesn’t add up.Rune sets out to investigate, because the Hanged Man is known to be something of a sadist, a member of the Arcanum who surrounds himself with necromancy and mutilation magic. And just as ominously, those who refuse him always go missing, be they child or adult.As you can imagine, things get down and dirty very, very quickly.And that’s what I enjoyed about The Hanged Man, the second book in the Tarot Sequence by K.D. Edwards. Not only is it a wonderful combination of noir chic, living legends come to life, and urban fantasy, but it leaps out to grab your attention from the off, and doesn’t let go until the very end. And no wonder. Relatable characters, well-crafted dialogue, superb imagery, and one of the most believably engaging magic systems you will ever see, create an overall helter-skelter ride that you won’t want to end.Try this series out. You won’t regret it.

***Audio Review ***Absolutely brilliant!! Not only was the narration stupendous [again], this terrific fantasy magic story [with a side of political intrigue] made so much more sense to me this time around...and I will admit to having done a little googling about Tarot and what it all means. If you're looking for a story with sex and romance, then I politely suggest you look elsewhere I'm afraid...there is a romance 💜, but it's very low-key and any sex is off-page and behind closed doors 😉.Quinn remains my favourite but Max, Corby, Ciaran and Addam are quickly catching him up. Brand is...well, still Brand 😍 and Rune?? He's growing in stature with every decision, every person to whom he gives his protection and that of the newly restored Sun Court and in every chapter. Actually, EVERYONE grows in stature and maturity in this story.I have to say the authors imagination is pretty mind-blowing, and I know that there are bound to be some rough times ahead for everyone BUT the sooner we get to the bottom of the Atlantean treachery concerning Rune's rape attack, and the murder of his father and numerous subjects, the better I and no doubt every other reader, will be.

Loved it so much! I only wish there was some more space dedicated to Rune's and Addam's romance. But I loved all the characters, and the banter is hilarious! Rune's deadpan humor is just my cup of tea. And he has such a big heart and doesn't even realise it. I can't wait the series' next piece!!!

If you haven't bought it buy it now deffinitly worth the money and time to read it's brilliant can not wait for the next installment

Really enjoyed this book. Great characters and a good story. Can’t wait for the next one!