Sex scene took a huge chunk of this story. Tho I loved the whole thing well enough for four stars, I think it needs more pages. More on MCs, more on prominent secondary characters, more on universe in general before any sex happens. Not enough sex for erotica, not enough plot for a good romance.

Similar books: Lord Mouse, Thick as Thieves

This book is a light humorous adventure/quest. 

Brandsome the Unicorn lost his horn. He hires a PI named Twig, half-dragon/half-elf, who takes the job and promises to find the horn in question and bring it back. 

Being put down as a collateral for down payment, Quinn, the unicorn's human sex slave, takes on the role of a side-kick to Twig.

After three years of slavery and abuse, Quinn is happy for a short break, even more so because he adores his handsome new (if temporary) master. Of course, there are flashbacks and discussions of slavery under unicorn's hoof, but Quinn is living in the moment and enjoying his short freedom, not wanting to dwell on his misery. Twig treats him like an equal, at the same time being a bit on over-protective side due to his dragon-half mating surges. Twig Starfig is tough and rough, but knows firsthand how the rest of the world treats those who don't fit in it perfectly. 

The odd couple - a plain non-magical human pet and a half-breed - travels around the realm, playing dangerous card games with elves, boarding ghost ships, fighting zombies, drinking tea with cyclopes and making acquaintances with demons in penis-shaped castles (yep, that's a thing!). 

There is a bit of angst in the end, seeing how Quinn can't go back to Brandsome-the-Unicorn, not if Twig has any say in it, but mostly this book is about adventure and how it brings two odd creatures together. Love conquers all, they say =) Well, that and a very influential father-elf ;)

he loses his horn...well, he goes to a private detective of course and not just any private detective but one who's the offspring of a dragon and a fairy and when he can't pay the P.I.'s fee of course you offer up your sex slave who just happens to be a wizard who well...can't wizard because he can't seem to find a familiar...it's a long story and if you want to make this even more fun you listen to it on audio.

So right about now you're probably wondering 'Seriously Karen are you for real?' and in answer to that question...Yes I am, is this book...no, it's total fantasy and humor from start to finish and of all the things in existence humor is probably the most subjective thing going and honestly what's funny for one person this week may not be funny to that same person next week but for me this week, this one was funny. Some parts were obviously funnier than others and the parts that I found funny may not be what amuses someone else...although there was a pretty epic magic carpet ride that happened.

'By Fairy Means or Foul' is an amusing, tongue in cheek adventure set in the world of the fae and other mystical creatures. It's tongue in cheek humor that's over the top and I have to admit I'm not sure I would have found it as entertaining if I hadn't been listening to the audio book. Greg Boudreaux (also known as Greg Tremblay) was the narrator for this story and as always he did an excellent job with this one offering up a variety of very entertaining voices.

'By Fairy Means or Foul' is a story that's pure fun and entertainment and seriously when you have a story that starts with a unicorn who's lost his horn and has a non-wizard wizard sex slave going to a dragon/fairy PI to hire him to retrieve said horn and leaves his aforementioned sex-slave as payment, not to mention that said unicorn is just not a nice dude add in an epic magic carpet ride, knitting trolls, cross-stitching dwarves and other creatures of dubious origins who our PI also known as Twig and the non-wizard wizard known as Quinn encounter in their efforts to retrieve the missing unicorn horn and well really there's no serious moments here but you can be prepared for some fun and maybe even some sexy times.

This may not be everyone's cup of tea but it worked for me and I have to admit this story on audio was purely delightful and I was laughing out loud on more than one occasion.

An audio copy of this book was gifted to me by my awesome friend Jewel who won a copy generously provided by the author at GRL this year. Thank you to both of these lovely people for providing me with hours of listening fun.

FIVE HEARTS--Where are my honey badger lovers at?

This story by new author Megan Maslow shows why honey badgers are DA SHIT. (I heard of a honey badger but didn't know of their ferociousness - seriously, if you don't know - Google it)

This story was damaged hero catnip aka my type of story. Triggers: off page rape, implied child abuse

Set in Libya, Jiri is an abused cobra shifter held captive in a human collector's shifter prison. Various shifters, predator and prey are kept for the greedy human collector, Demetrius's amusement. And Jiri is his coveted prize. Captured at eleven years old and now in his early twenties, orphan Jiri doesn't remember what it's like to be free and doesn't dream. He's been beaten down, made to wear a hood to cover his mesmerizing eyes and doesn't realize he's a predator too.

Miksa, is a vicious honey badge and Demetrius's latest acquisition. But the collector gets more than he bargains for in Miksa. Honey badgers aren't called tenacious for a reason. Miksa is made to fight but he catches Jiri's eyes. And more importantly, Jiri catches Miksa's.

Belly dancing Jiri can get in my pocket and stay there forever and ever.

The writing? Consider me impressed. The writing was great, the setup even great and the way it's written? Didn't seem like a first timer. The setting read authentic and more importantly the little details made the difference. You can tell the author made the effort. An example, Miksa is an American who is fluent in Arabic. But his Arabic was different to local Jiri. And...he SAID so.

Miksa is adamant in not caring for or about Jiri, but he can't help his protective instincts. And a protective, fierce warrior who cares for a damaged hero is awesome. But when the damaged hero proves he can take care of his own just as fiercely? Why that makes it the best. You can't keep predators locked up for long. Trust. ;)

Loved the ending and the revenge. It just read sweeter to me. My lusty self was satisfied.

"A Cobra's Charm" didn't even feel short, it's a complete story. Doesn't mean I wouldn't love to revisit this world, maybe starring Miksa's feline opponents? There are options for more in the future. *bats lashes*  #hopeful

This is definitely in my top three of the anthology. I'll be rereading this shortly (a testament as to how much I enjoyed this story)

Highly recommended to unusual shifter lovers - this is the ultimate treasure trove: natural animal enemies who find a HEA. Ms. Maslow, can't wait to read what you write next.

A copy provided for an honest review.