Fiendish Delights—An Urban Fantasy Adventure with Magic, Mystery, and a Treasure Hunt

If you’ve been following my reviews for a while, you’ll know that Helen Harper has become one of my favorite authors. After reading Tattered Huntress, the first book in The Thrill of The Hunt series last year, I was eager to continue the journey. Now, I’m catching up with the rest of the books, and Fiendish Delights did not disappoint. Magic, mystery, dragons, brownies, vampires, and more make this book a fantastic addition to the series.

What I Loved

First, I have to give praise to the author for including a recap of the previous book. As a binge-reader, I typically read series back to back, but this time I picked up book two nearly a year after reading book one. The recap was incredibly useful in refreshing my memory and setting the stage for this installment.

Fiendish Delights picks up right where Tattered Huntress left off. Daisy Carter is now a treasure hunter, chasing the thrill of the hunt, though she’s still waiting for her first big job. What starts as a seemingly simple hunt for a stolen doll quickly escalates into a cross-country trek, life-threatening encounters, and a mission to protect her beloved brownie friends, Hester and Otis. Along for the ride is Lord Hugo Pemberville, whose reluctant involvement in Daisy’s quest leads to some of the most entertaining moments in the book. His reaction to sharing the commission for the hunt? Absolutely priceless. Their interactions are packed with humor, snark, and growing romantic tension, making the slow burn between them even more compelling.

Hester and Otis are adorable secondary characters. Their antics had me laughing out loud more times than I can count. The journey across Wales, and particularly the sighting of the last female dragon, was another highlight—I sincerely hope we get to see more of the dragons in future books!

Daisy continues to evolve as a character. Her wild magic is becoming more unpredictable, leading her into greater danger, and her addiction is an ever-growing concern. This book also digs deeper into Hugo’s past, offering Daisy (and the reader) a chance to reassess their judgments about him. Their dynamic is shifting in fascinating ways, adding depth to both characters and the overarching story.

Themes & Tropes

🏴‍☠️ Treasure Hunting: Daisy’s journey revolves around seeking magical artifacts, leading to thrilling quests.
🌆 Urban Fantasy: A contemporary setting infused with magic, dragons, vampires, and fiends.
🔮 Magical Artifacts: The search for powerful relics drives the adventure and conflict.
❤️ Slow-Burn Romance: Daisy and Hugo’s snarky chemistry builds over time, adding tension and depth.
🤝 Found Family/Teamwork: Daisy is learning to trust and work with others, marking major character growth.
📈 Character Development: Daisy struggles with her past, her wild magic, and her spider-silk addiction.
😂 Humor and Wit: Helen Harper’s signature sarcastic humor keeps the tone light and engaging.
⚔️ Dangerous Magic and Creatures: High-stakes encounters with powerful magic and dangerous creatures.
🕵️ Mystery and Intrigue: Twists and turns keep readers engaged and guessing until the end.

Writing & Pacing

The writing in Fiendish Delights is clean, fluid, and evenly paced. The dialogue feels natural and is laced with humor, making it easy to get sucked into the story. I'm a big fan of the way dry humor is naturally incorporated into the characters. I also appreciate a cast of intelligent characters that have a justifiable confidence in their abilities. As for the story, the mix of adventure, mystery, and character-driven moments keeps the book engaging from start to finish.

Final Thoughts

With a fun and likable cast, a subplot that keeps you guessing, and a slow-burn romance that’s heating up, Fiendish Delights is an incredibly fun and enjoyable read. I’m eager to see what the big revelation at the end means for Daisy and Hugo, and I can’t wait to start reading the next book in the series. Whether you’re a contemporary fantasy fan or a lover of traditional fantasy elements, this series is a crowd pleaser!