Call for Action (My Poison Jewel Series Book 8) – Book Review

by James Boston 

The storm has returned—and this time, it’s famous.

Dysnomia, the frenzied heroine of the My Poison Jewel Series, must traverse uncharted territory in A Call for Action: fame. Our clouded fée, whose abilities, fortitude, and sass have seen her through seven more intense installments, has earned an unexpected but well-deserved change. However, celebrity comes with its own set of challenges, and in typical Dysnomia form, chaos, enchantment, and mesmerization ensue.

Even though there is a lot of action in this last chapter, it isn’t the only thing that makes it so captivating. Instead, it’s the emotional and psychological underpinnings that author James Boston contributes. Dysnomia is struggling with herself in addition to battling evildoers and avoiding peril. It is both intriguing and heartbreaking to see her struggle with the spotlight, fan expectations, and the unsettling creep of solitude since fame has a way of distorting the soul.

You get a suspenseful and paranoid thriller when you combine that with a string of enigmatic phone calls from an unidentified stranger whose motives are still unclear. What is this voice—a danger, a guide, or something else? With well-timed revelations and enigmatic suspense that never feels forced, Boston keeps us guessing right up until the very end.

A Call for Action brilliantly carries on the series’ legacy of boldly fusing the wicked with the humorous, which is what I’ve always liked about it. The witty banter, sardonic humor, and those amazing fight scenes that seem like magical choreography are all still present. However, there is also seriousness to this, one that emphasizes the price of power in a society that is always trying to make you into a commodity.

The novel, which is 160 pages long, doesn’t spend any time in getting readers immersed in the action while yet providing opportunities for introspection and personal development. Readers who return will see how much Dysnomia has changed. She is more self-reflective but still unabashedly brave – a fée who has persevered through darkness and emerged shining, even when broken.

Not to be overlooked is Bryce. His timeless charm and vintage elegance make him the ideal counterpoint to Dysnomia’s more turbulent arc. His presence raises the mood without lowering the stakes.

A Call for Action is undoubtedly worth reading on its own, but it has an even greater impact when viewed as the pinnacle of Dysnomia’s journey. This climax packs an emotional blow for readers who have followed her since Heavenly Aroma’s aroma-filled beginnings. The world has evolved. Dysnomia is now different. Her fiery, imperfect, and fiercely loyal spirit, however, is unflinching.

Final Thoughts:
A Call for Action is a powerful, emotionally charged ending that demonstrates James Boston’s mastery of series finales. Dysnomia excels as the multifaceted, captivating protagonist we have grown to know, the mystery is intriguing, and the stakes seem genuine. This is a must-read for readers who enjoy magical realism, supernatural suspense, and incredibly human individuals encased in peril and clouds.

See my reviews on the rest of the series:

Heavenly Aroma (My Poison Jewel Series Book 1)

Moon Rose Scent (My Poison Jewel Series Book 2) Book Review

Essential Dreams Scent (My Poison Jewel Series Book 3) – Review

Evening Cake Surprise (My Poison Jewel Series Book 4)

My Secret Boudoir (My Poison Jewel Series Book 5)

Hidden Behind the Gift Wrap (My Poison Jewel Series Book 6) – My Review

Malevolent Metal (My Poison Jewel Series Book 7) – Book Review