A (political) suspense, placed in a post-continental war contemporary world. Bastian is running against time to get to a conference in Chile to deliver his speech and defend democracy. His journey is plagued with set-backs and delays orchestrated by a political rival. Throw in an almost permanent state of confusion courtesy of above mentioned rival, a loss of his Morph® phone (Bastian's whole life was on it) and constant pondering over his multiple break-ups, and here we have a character so fractured, that you keep wondering whether he is ever going to make it to his destination. Yet there was a small token that keeps Bastian focused. In the end, I loved him for his determination and his devotion to the cause. This book is packed with humor, curious facts and cultural references. I also found it a bit on a surreal side, a cross between Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Kidnapped by R.L. Stevenson (weird, I know, but it's my impression). My only two problems with this book is the beginning, where we have a couple of pages of info dump (not too bad, but still) and the ending, which is a little bit anticlimactic. I wish there was more of an impact, a "Eureka" moment before the solution was revealed, but I guess it's OK the way it is. Bottom line, I really enjoyed the book and will definitely watch out for more of Giuseppe's books.

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 ;)

This book is all over the place. I am not even sure I am attaching correct tags here.

- Urban history, for example. This could have taken place anywhere. In the woods or in the mountains, for all I care. But there was a mentioning of some humans in cars and apartment complexes so... I guess it's on an urban-y side.

- Law enforcement, PI. Not really. Bert is a beta (read: a butler and a cook and a nanny) to an asshole who happens to be in charge of PBI (paranormal bureau of investigations).

- Secret agent, spy, politician, diplomat. Same - Bert, the PBI asshole's beta, is sent on a diplomatic mission he has no prior training for, obvisly (see "beta" definition above).

*

There is no chemistry between MC's. None. Except for Will proclaiming his undying love for Bert every couple of pages or less.

And then there is all this talking.... I am surprised the characters (all of them, except for the babies) didn't talk their heads off.

A very frustrating and disappointing read :/ 2 stars.