Never Hollowed By The Stare

boys love manga | MM romance | indie music | giveaways and more

Never Hollowed By The Stare
  • Home
  • REVIEWS+RECS
    • MANGA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • SOUNDTRACK
    • QUOTE
    • TRAILER
    • DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS
    • BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
    • Reviews A-Z
    • MINI MOVIE REVIEWS
  • MEMES+TAGS
    • MUSIC MONDAY
    • LAST YEAR I WAS READING
    • FLICKer FADE SUNDAY
    • TAGS
    • MISC POSTS
    • PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
    • FIRST LINES FRIDAY 56
  • TOURS & BLITZES
    • COVER REVEAL
    • GIVEAWAYS
  • About + Ratings
    • ABOUT + RATINGS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • Policy + Contact
  • Home
  • REVIEWS+RECS
    • MANGA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • SOUNDTRACK
    • QUOTE
    • TRAILER
    • DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS
    • BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
    • Reviews A-Z
    • MINI MOVIE REVIEWS
  • MEMES+TAGS
    • MUSIC MONDAY
    • LAST YEAR I WAS READING
    • FLICKer FADE SUNDAY
    • TAGS
    • MISC POSTS
    • PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
    • FIRST LINES FRIDAY 56
  • TOURS & BLITZES
    • COVER REVEAL
    • GIVEAWAYS
  • About + Ratings
    • ABOUT + RATINGS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • Policy + Contact

Archives

  • June 2025 (39)
  • May 2025 (84)
  • April 2025 (71)
  • March 2025 (83)
  • February 2025 (72)
  • January 2025 (75)
  • December 2024 (90)
  • November 2024 (82)
  • October 2024 (96)
  • September 2024 (71)
  • August 2024 (99)
  • July 2024 (96)
  • June 2024 (94)
  • May 2024 (94)
  • April 2024 (93)
  • March 2024 (100)
  • February 2024 (94)
  • January 2024 (85)
  • December 2023 (85)
  • November 2023 (84)
  • October 2023 (97)
  • September 2023 (93)
  • August 2023 (100)
  • July 2023 (100)
  • June 2023 (97)
  • May 2023 (100)
  • April 2023 (76)
  • March 2023 (106)
  • February 2023 (104)
  • January 2023 (109)
  • December 2022 (118)
  • November 2022 (128)
  • October 2022 (122)
  • September 2022 (107)
  • August 2022 (118)
  • July 2022 (104)
  • June 2022 (112)
  • May 2022 (114)
  • April 2022 (61)
  • March 2022 (115)
  • February 2022 (88)
  • January 2022 (92)
  • December 2021 (90)
  • November 2021 (114)
  • October 2021 (118)
  • September 2021 (127)
  • August 2021 (84)
  • July 2021 (114)
  • June 2021 (113)
  • May 2021 (119)
  • April 2021 (112)
  • March 2021 (122)
  • February 2021 (101)
  • January 2021 (90)
  • December 2020 (121)
  • November 2020 (127)
  • October 2020 (129)
  • September 2020 (120)
  • August 2020 (131)
  • July 2020 (131)
  • June 2020 (138)
  • May 2020 (118)
  • April 2020 (109)
  • March 2020 (105)
  • February 2020 (99)
  • January 2020 (111)
  • December 2019 (112)
  • November 2019 (94)
  • October 2019 (74)
  • September 2019 (54)
  • August 2019 (51)
  • July 2019 (54)
  • June 2019 (47)
  • May 2019 (43)
  • April 2019 (53)
  • March 2019 (41)
  • February 2019 (41)
  • January 2019 (47)
  • December 2018 (52)
  • November 2018 (51)
  • October 2018 (56)
  • September 2018 (61)
  • August 2018 (55)
  • July 2018 (59)
  • June 2018 (90)
  • May 2018 (60)
  • April 2018 (60)
  • March 2018 (57)
  • February 2018 (51)
  • January 2018 (50)
  • December 2017 (45)
  • November 2017 (50)
  • October 2017 (52)
  • September 2017 (35)
  • August 2017 (50)
  • July 2017 (12)
  • June 2017 (12)
  • May 2017 (21)
  • April 2017 (87)
  • March 2017 (16)
  • January 2017 (5)
  • December 2016 (4)
  • November 2016 (25)
  • October 2014 (67)
  • September 2014 (109)
  • July 2011 (7)
  • June 2011 (14)
  • May 2011 (77)
  • April 2011 (25)
  • March 2011 (5)
  • Uncategorized

    COVER REVEAL: Nine-Tenths by J.M. Frey

    May 14, 2025 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    BOOK BLITZ: Protecting Prince by Jessica Frances (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    February 10, 2021

    RELEASE BLITZ: No More Secrets by Becca Seymour

    March 16, 2022

    BOOK BLITZ: Whatever He Needs by Mia Kerick (Excerpt & Giveaway)7

    August 25, 2021
  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Immortal Heat by Kira Stone (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    May 7, 2025 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    AUDIO TOUR: Save Me by Beck Grey (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    December 16, 2021

    RELEASE BLITZ: Like You Hate Me by Bethany Winters (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 31, 2023

    BOOK TOUR: Strike Three: You’re In Love by Anna Denisch (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    October 18, 2024
  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Earth’s Passion by Emily Carrington (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    April 18, 2025 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    RELEASE BLITZ: The Realist by Riley Hart (Giveaway)

    May 17, 2023

    RELEASE BLITZ: A Case For Christmas by J.A. Rock & Lisa Henry (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    July 13, 2021

    MUSIC MONDAY: Beautiful People (Stay High) by The Black Keys

    January 22, 2024
  • Uncategorized

    RELEASE TOUR: Whisper Woods by Ali Woods (Excerpt)

    March 17, 2025 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    RELEASE BLITZ: Sapphire Spring by C. Travis Rice

    September 6, 2022

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Behind the Sun, Above the Moon: A Non-Binary Science Fiction & Fantasy Anthology (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    February 18, 2020

    RELEASE BLITZ: Our First & Last by Becca Seymour (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    May 24, 2021
  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Earth’s Craving by Emily Carrington (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    February 22, 2025 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    BOOK BLAST: Happy Holidays! The Charlie Barnes Experience, Volume 1 by C.R. Barnes (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    September 9, 2024

    RELEASE BLITZ: Winter Blues by Nicole Dykes in Snowed In Anthology

    November 18, 2024

    RELEASE BLITZ: God of Fury by Rina Kent

    December 6, 2023
  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE: Distinctly Daray by Jessamyn Kingley (Excerpt)

    February 6, 2025 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    FIRST LINES FRIDAY 56: There’s A Name For This

    August 20, 2020

    RELEASE BLITZ: The Pro vs The Fan by Nicole Dykes

    February 29, 2024

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Sons of Rome by Karrie Roman (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    October 29, 2019
  • Uncategorized

    BOOK TOUR: P.O.O.F. Please by D.G. Carothers (Giveaway)

    January 23, 2025 / 3 Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    RELEASE BLITZ: C*cked Blocked by K.C. Kassidy (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    June 24, 2021

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Ponyboy by A.E. Lister (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    April 17, 2021

    RELEASE BLITZ: Life on Mars by Patricia Logan (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    June 13, 2023
  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Fae-ry Tales by Mychael Black (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    January 19, 2025 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    COVER REVEAL: Secondhand Skin by Hailey Turner

    July 17, 2024

    NEW RELEASE: Cloud Nine by Fearne Hill

    April 27, 2023

    COVER REVEAL: Grayality by Carey PW (Giveaway)

    May 12, 2022
  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Elixir of Strife by Nazri Noor

    January 4, 2025 / 1 Comment

    Stolen Hearts: Elixir of Strife – Nazri Noor

    Water, water, everywhere.

    Leon Alcantara and Maximilian Drake have barely caught their breath after saving the city from an untimely fate. Now the Jade Spider has a new assignment. A local magical plant shop has requested a strange elixir, the liquid essence of purest water.

    In pursuit of the ocean potion, Max stumbles upon a tormentor from his past. Leon faces the challenge of hosting a second dragon, a legend much closer to home. And the mysterious Masques are more watchful than ever, shadowing the boys at every turn.

    But strangest of all is a fresh spate of elemental anomalies in Dos Lunas. Life or death, sink or swim, Leon and Max must rise to the challenge — or drown under a tide of wicked magic.


    Nazri Noor’s stories are full of cocky but lovable magical boys and their misadventures. Stolen Hearts is another urban fantasy series featuring two witches, Max Drake of the prominent Brilliante clan and Leon Alcantara, son of a Filipino immigrant and last of the long line of Alcantara bruhas. They partnered to work as finders of magical artifacts in Dos Lunas.

    In the second book, Elixir of Strife, the two witches were commissioned to find the Essence of Water. This magical elixir can be added to a potion, making it more potent while multiplying it infinite times. Their clients were Daniel de Lion from the de Lion clan and a demon hag who called herself Edelweiss. The two were agriculturists or, in Edel’s case, “hagriculturist.”

    Dan de Lion is the more difficult of the two, arrogant and impatient. I thought he might be connected to Leon since their names are too similar. Edel turned out to be a potential ally. She’s growing the “evil olive,” a magical olive so potent that a drop of its oil could have some interesting, if dire, results.

    This part piqued my interest, and I really thought the evil olive would have a more significant effect on the proceedings. Sadly, it was underutilized. I’m hoping it will reappear in future books because some events and characters from the first book were referenced or made their reappearance.

    The humor is one of my favorite aspect of the writing. The internal dialogues, particularly Leon’s, amused me to no end. Leon, like many Filipinos, is extra scrappy and resourceful, able to repurpose any handy material for his magic. Most of his education came from his late bruha mother and, not born with a silver spoon, learned to be exceptionally creative with limited magical ingredients.

    I loved how the author incorporated Filipino culture and lore into the story. There were moments when Leon would be reminded of his native country, and his reflections were often both nostalgic and humorous. It was also fitting for him to finally acquire a water dragon from the Philippines.

    In the original Filipino lore, Bakunawa is a dragon who swallows the sun or moon, causing the eclipse. In this context, he becomes a powerful water dragon who swallowed the ocean. I’m excited to see more dragons in future books! I’m living for the anime vibes!

    Max is no slouch either with his badass diamond-based magic. So far, he relies on his tried-and-tested spells, but I’d love to see his magic evolve. This rich boy knows he has looks, power, and resources, and while he’s not pretending to be humble, he isn’t one to brag unnecessarily. As one of the old magical families, Max has connections and friends he shares with Leon.

    Guillotina is Max’s bodyguard and best friend. She packs one heck of a punch! Johnny Slivers is a bar owner and music geek. Loved his powers! He can manifest deadly pins, hence the name. Roscoe is Johnny’s boyfriend and is equally powerful, able to create hexes.

    The most intriguing characters will always be the Jade Spider and the Mask. Spiders are information mongers, and there are several kinds. The ones we know are the Quartz Spider, who was a bad guy, and the Jade Spider, who is currently a sort of handler for Max and Leon. She may be allied to them now, but she pinged my “spidey senses.”

    The Masks are magical police, seemingly omniscient and always mysterious. Their masks have a crescent design, and they appear and disappear like the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. They have taken a particular interest in our boys. I want a book about the Masks!

    I have always loved that the author’s works are action-packed, as they remind me of anime fight scenes. This installment is more subdued in terms of action and the plot was a bit too expected, but there was enough spells and sass to satisfy my otaku self.

    Elixir of Strife explores the intriguing world of liquids, encompassing everything from water manipulation to perfumes, potions, cocktails, salt water, and even urine. While the author’s style is already recognizable, leading to a sense of predictability, one thing’s for sure: it’s hella fun and solidly entertaining!

    Rating:
    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: Something in the Water
    Artist: Kami Kehoe
    Album: Something in the Water

    P.S.

    Even if each book has a different mission, Stolen Hearts should be read in order. Dos Lunas is where it’s at and Max and Leon’s (mis)adventures start in Hex and the City.


    If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to buy your copy of Elixir of Strife. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.

    ELIXIR OF STRIFE: Kindle | Audiobook

    If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi or PayPal. Your donations will help keep this website going. Thank you so much!

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    RELEASE BLITZ: Just Jack by Christina Lee

    January 9, 2025

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Someone To Watch Over Me by Libby Simone (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    January 16, 2022

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Dances Long Forgotten by Ruby Moone (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    December 21, 2019
  • Uncategorized

    COVER REVEAL: P.O.O.F Please by D.G. Carothers (Giveaway)

    December 13, 2024 / 2 Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    BOOK BLITZ: The Unlikely Pair by Jax Calder (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 13, 2024

    BLOG TOUR: The Lake House Massacre by Chris Bedell (Excerpt & Giveaway + Q&A with Author)

    March 21, 2025

    RELEASE BLITZ: Pines and Violets by V.L. Locey (Giveaway)

    September 15, 2021
Load More

You can never have too much MM romance or indie music. Welcome and enjoy your stay!

FOLLOW NEVER HOLLOWED BY THE STARE

Follow Never Hollowed By The Stare on WordPress.com

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Me

June 2025
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« May    

If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links to get a copy of your favorite MM romance & yaoi manga. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.

As a more ethical alternative, you can also use Bookshop.org to buy paperbacks and MP3 CD audiobooks and help support independent bookstores.

Rakuten Kobo UK
Alibris: Books, Music, & Movies

DISCLAIMER

Book images and promotional materials are from Goodreads or media kits provided for blog tours, cover reveals and release blitzes. Manga covers and other images are sourced through Google image search. The two dorks in the header image is from a manga by TogaQ & Kikuchi Neko. The cat logo is my own design. Reviews and other writings found in the blog are mine unless otherwise stated. All Buy Links to Amazon and Bookshop in my posts contain affiliate links.

Support This Site

If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi. Your donations will help keep this website going. Thank you so much!

Never Hollowed By The Stare Follow

🌈boy's love manga | MM romance | music | giveaways and more 🐾

neverhollowed
neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
10 Jun

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲—𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬.

COVER REVEAL: Shaken and Stirred by Lilly Atlas



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/10/cover-reveal-shaken-and-stirred-by-lilly-atlas/

Reply on Twitter 1932501164781605184 Retweet on Twitter 1932501164781605184 Like on Twitter 1932501164781605184 Twitter 1932501164781605184
neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
10 Jun

NEW RELEASE BLITZ: The Spy by Mell Eight (Excerpt & #Giveaway)


https://books2read.com/the-spy

https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/10/new-release-blitz-the-spy-by-mell-eight-excerpt-giveaway/

Reply on Twitter 1932500571094986813 Retweet on Twitter 1932500571094986813 Like on Twitter 1932500571094986813 Twitter 1932500571094986813
neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
9 Jun

Unrequited love can make you blind.

COVER REVEAL: Doink by Crea Reitan



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/09/cover-reveal-doink-by-crea-reitan/

Reply on Twitter 1932149586279162358 Retweet on Twitter 1932149586279162358 Like on Twitter 1932149586279162358 Twitter 1932149586279162358
neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
9 Jun

Sometimes growing up means growing apart in this queer take on As You Like It featuring first loves and friend breakups, from award-winning author Julia Drake.

BOOK TOUR: Lovesick Falls by Julia Drake



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/09/book-tour-lovesick-falls-by-julia-drake/

Reply on Twitter 1932149225539932351 Retweet on Twitter 1932149225539932351 Like on Twitter 1932149225539932351 Twitter 1932149225539932351
Load More
Rakuten Kobo UK
SEARCH NOW:
by title
by author
2025©Never Hollowed By The Stare