Important books to the character/world but not the easiest to get through.

I got into this series via my husband who grew up with them. Book one may be a masterwork, so if haven't read it do. But this set made me work for it.

The first book is a slog, I love the writer but it is. It actually reminded me of the tone of WW1. "well, we lost another round and had to retreat, but it only lost TWO flanks this time!" Yay? I mean, it's progress, but still.

The second book introduced Rod's alter self and Father Jackass (Al). The first is a clever enough thing, one realm influencing the other. But the second had me raging. Father Jackass actually tried to convince a nymph, an NYMPH I tell you, that sex is bad. The man has an IQ of 5. If that. His influence on Rob is even worse. Men like him are why you don't go to non-family men for family issues. Period.

So at the start of the third book, I was ready to give this whole mess up and read something else, but the husband swore it got good and would be worth it. He tends to be right so I read on. And for much of the third book at least his family is calling him on his BS. An improvement. But the influence of Father Jackass continues. (The magical control thing I really found secondary. It was Father Jackass's idea of the man's importance that really made things toxic). Once again I was about to give up as Rob JUST DIDN'T GET IT. Until Simon showed up. An older warlock and father/husband Simon, ever so gently, calls BS on Rod's enlarged ego and forces him to see that it's not about him, but about everyone. Both as a unit and as individuals. I wish I could plaster his dialogue on facebook and make people read it. Advice not from a "Father" but from an ACTUAL father brings Rod back to reality and he even gives credit fo his wife, which is long overdue. Long, long, long overdue.

So series looks good going forward, but I really had to work to get through this one. ( )