A Strange Hymn by Laura Thalassa (The Bargainers, 2 of 4)

She survived the mad king, but the nightmare isn’t over. The Bargainers series continues with Callypso Lillis still carrying the marks of Karnon’s captivity, even as she reunites with Desmond Flynn, her soulmate and the King of Night. Healing isn’t linear, and Thalassa doesn’t pretend otherwise — the emotional weight of what Callie endured runs underneath every page of this second installment, giving the romance between her and Des a depth and urgency that the first book built toward.

The investigation into the Thief of Souls leads Callie and Des to the Kingdom of Flora for the annual Solstice celebration, a glittering gathering of fae courts that turns dangerous almost immediately. Warriors begin disappearing from the celebration, and whispers start circulating that Des himself may be responsible. In the dazzling courts of the fae, nothing is as it seems, and trust is a dangerous game. Barnes & Noble

A Strange Hymn is The Bargainers series at full stride — the romantasy world expanding, the stakes rising, and the relationship between Callie and Des growing more layered and consuming with every chapter. Readers who loved Rhapsodic will find everything they came back for and then some.

This series contains mature themes, dark fantasy elements, and content intended for readers 18+.

Tropes: Fated Mates · Fae Romance · Siren Heroine · Morally Grey MMC · Hurt/Comfort · Court Intrigue · Dark Fantasy · Paranormal Romance · Slow Burn