7 Books Like Hexes of Bronze

Heart of Dust starts out with a bang, and although there are places to rest along the way, it carries you through the story like a heat-seeking missile. The slow burn relationship between Nathaniel and Doran is completely believable, somewhat tragic, and not entirely resolved by the end of the story, leaving the reader craving more. And truly unexpected revelations rock his world – I love it when an author’s plot can truly surprise me.

Although there’s no actual magic, the world itself is magical and fantastic – the bright city of Iole behind the roar of the waterfall. The dark mines that threaten to swallow parts of it whole. And the fragile coalition of miners and their secret helper in the palace who dream of the possibility of something better.

The only thing I hated about the book was that it ended.

I’ve wanted to read it ever since… show more.

At 182 pages, it’s a fairly short read, but man is it packed full of stuff. The backdrop to the story is a culture where it’s possible to change your sex drive, your body from one sex to another, and even into something like a devil or a porcupine or any other of thousands of different forms. Not unlike today, people find themselves divided and unsure where the future is headed. It’s fascinating watching this group of young men navigating their biases and their own bullshit, and figuring out how to become a team that can survive on the harsh colony world.

At the same time, James undergoing his own personal evolution, feeling like José is his family but also very unsure about how they could ever live a life together. It’s a fascinating look at the male gender, and how men relate to one another in our culture. Themes… show more.

I always enjoy K.L. Noone’s stories, whether in a contemporary or historical fantasy setting, so reading a strictly historical Regency romance from this author was a delight. I enjoyed the Regency London setting and the combination of contrasting characters and their emotional dynamics. 

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know intrepid explorer Ash, masterful medical doctor Blake, and shy scholar Ashley. There were lovely period touches, such as mutual pining, sickbed scenes, and classical references. I relished the burgeoning romance dynamic between the three main characters in K.L. Noone's luscious prose. 

I have a passion for social history, so I was immediately drawn to the premise of this book by Alexandra Caluen. This MMM Regency story concerns the social pressures and expectations surrounding the three upper-class characters, Nick, Charlie, and Stephen, all in their early thirties. This close-knit trio has been friends since school and lovers in adulthood.

I enjoyed how the private country setting of the hunting box of the title allowed all three men to be themselves, freely showing their affection and passion for each other before returning to the conventional duties and restrictions of public life. This made the book a poignant and rewarding read.

In my next pick, I love the way Ruby Moone plunges us into the racy setting of Regency London in this short but sumptuous MM romance. When Jasper Black, the owner of the Perdition Club, an exclusive gaming hell, comes across Alexander White, desperate to win some money by gambling, sparks fly, and misunderstandings abound. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the richly drawn setting, the central romance (with a touch of kink), and the wonderful supporting cast, especially Alexander’s adorable younger brothers. This was an emotionally engrossing read that ticked all the boxes for a Regency romance. 

Regency romances tend to focus on the privileged and titled, so I was drawn to this gorgeous story by Annick Trent because it features a romance between two working-class men. I loved the dramatic opening where the surgeon and radical George first encounter Noah, valet to an earl who has been injured in a duel.

I really appreciated Annick Trent’s sure handling of the complex social nuances of Georgian England, where, after the French Revolution, any group of working people meeting in a self-improvement or reading group could come under suspicion by the authorities. This sense of threat and risk informed the story and brought tension and realism to the prohibited love story between George and Noah. I found this a deeply satisfying read.

As a teenager, I galloped through Georgette Heyer’s charming and witty Regency romances, and these days, I’m a huge fan of KJ Charles’ MM historical romances. So when this author wrote a Georgette Heyer-influenced MM Regency romance, I had to read it! 

I found this a delightful blend of light and bright (from Georgette Heyer’s influence) and more serious social realism. This made the romance between Sir Phillip Rookwood, the local rake, and shy farmer Guy utterly irresistible to this reader. Together with a richly drawn and disparate supporting cast, I couldn't help but love these characters!