Tristan may as well be a siren, because his voice absolutely seduces me from page one. Descriptive, wry, and utterly distinct, as I highlighted more and more quotes to enjoy later it was clear that it really didn't matter what this story held, so long as I could enjoy it through his eyes. The author managed to set the hook for both romance and fantasy hard on the heels of Tristan's own debut, guaranteeing that I was going to live this book before I was barely through the first few chapters.

I love them all. Layla with her fists, Maddy with her broken heart, Angelo and his father thanking God for girls in short shorts... Every character is vivid and love able and elegantly sketched, just the perfect details for them to bloom on the page.

Tristan is the charming guy you want to believe has a good heart, made all the more irresistible through our ring side seats to his mistakes. His love for Layla is lined up right next to his rakish ways, we get the Lothario Tristan, warts and all.

There is enough snark and hormones to keep things grounded, which makes it all the more breathtaking when Cordova's rhythm slips poetry into the pages. She loves me not, indeed.

More Nevernever Land than Hogwarta, THE VICIOUS DEEP is a mix of the poetic and profane that would do Shakespeare proud, ribald banter alongside lyrical imagery. Tristan faces challenges that range from a centuries old sea witch to a heartbroken ex girlfriend, and this blend of epic and ordinary creates a flavor I couldn't resist.

Full review to follow.

Sexual Content: Kissing, references to sex and oral sex.