The Fang and Dagger series by JS Harker

Genre: M/M Romance, Paranormal Romance

Trigger Warnings: domestic abuse (book 3)

What is it?

A romantic, sexy vampire series with great characters and worldbuilding. There are three books out so far, with a fourth (possibly more) on the way. I’m eagerly awaiting the continuation of this series. Note: book two ends on a cliffhanger!

Who’s it about?

Zack Wright comes from a prestigious family of hunters but a mistake in the past keeps him out of the field and behind a computer screen. When a job meant for his brother comes in while the whole family is away, Zack sees it as his chance to finally prove his hunting prowess.

Roger has been set-up. He’s woken from a 30-year magical coma when a young hunter tries to kill him. Roger manages to turn the tables and strike a deal. They’ll work together to take down the real enemies: Roger’s abusive sire Seamus and the necromancer Anton. They’re aided by the master vampire Nell and the supernatural denizens of Taliville.

Takashi Sato is one of Nell’s trusted sirelings, a talented mastermind, former circus performer, and an old flame of Roger’s. He joins Roger and Zack in book 2 to help take down Seamus and Anton. The spark between Roger and Takashi never fully went out and they rekindle their dynamic, now with Zack as an equal partner.

What’s it about?

Wrong Hunt introduces Zack and Roger, the hunter and vampire thrown together by conspiracy and a plot to rid the world of two of the evilest vampires in history. Their mutual attraction brings them together, despite Zack’s anti-vampire upbringing as they practice integrating in Taliville’s vampire society with help from master vampire, Nell.

Vicious Waltz adds Takashi, one of Nell’s trusted lieutenants, who joins them in their trip to Chicago, where they plan to infiltrate Seamus and Anton’s coven to take them down from within. They’re gathering allies and making plans for the big showdown, which kicks off with an unforgettable waltz.

Wicked Games features Zack and Takashi held captive by Seamus while Roger builds up a rebellion on the run. Seamus tries to convince Zack to join him while Takashi learns that Anton might not be as evil as he seems. We finally learn how Roger ended up in a coffin in Taliville and who put him there.

Why do I like it?

The enemies-to-lovers vibe gets me every time. Throw in some sexy vampires and I’m in. The world building is really well done, with a complicated vampire society full of ritual and cusstoms. The antagonists aren’t evil for evil’s sake. There’s a bigger plot going on than our main characters realize, with surprising backstabbing and betrayal and enemies turned potential allies. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book, Midnight War. (No release date yet.)

Favorite Book: Vicious Waltz – I love all the worldbuilding in this book and the development of the relationship between Zack, Roger, and Takashi. There’s so much emotion between the three of them, first learning where Zack and Roger stand with each other, then figuring out how Takashi fits in.

Quotes:

“You’re still a freaking vampire. And you bit me.”

“I bit you because you woke me up. You should have ended me when you had the chance.”

“I got distracted by how hot you are. Go back to sleep. I won’t hesitate again.”
— Some bickering between Zack and Roger from Wrong Hunt

“What we just shared was amazing. And I know letting people in means more than sex. But I’m curious. And you have all this love, and I don’t want to hog it or be the only source of it. You deserve as much love as you can handle too.”
— Zack on polyamory from Vicious Waltz

“Do you have an AO3 profile?”

“I may have heard of the site,” Takashi said.
— Zack and Takashi bonding in Wicked Games