Review: Seducing Stephen by Bonnie Dee & Summer Devon

Genre: Historical
Elements: cross-generational romance

Rating:

• Characters - 5 - All the characters in this are distinct, regardless of whether they are main or secondary characters, and the only change in character happens when the character has cause to change. You can actually see the characters evolve over the books.
• Setting - 5 - These two know their period very well. All the details are extremely realistic and correct for the period they have chosen. It's like you could step right into that world and see it as it was then.
• Plot - 5 - Excellently presented. You feel for both characters. Stephen's hope that he's finally found someone, and Peter's worry about what will happen if he gives in to what he wants. Neither's reason feels unrealistic or overdramatic.
• Genre Elements - 5 - As I said above, the setting of their world is perfect, but so too are the attitudes of the day about those with "unnatural" proclivities. And I like that he has a pair of friends who know, but still hold their ground against this relationship, worried not because of what he wants, but that he might hurt the boy, or seduce him into something he doesn't want.
• Voice - 5 - Stephen and Peter both are completely distinct, and each truly feels the age they are presented as. Never once does Peter feel younger than he is, except when he gets truly hopeful, and even then, don't we all feel a little younger then?
• Romance Elements - 5 - Perfect. Their love story is entirely believable, and makes you root for them. And the ending is completely satisfactory.
• Overall - 5 - If you only read one Regency romance in this genre, this is the one to read.

Basic story -
When Stephen stays with a friend at his family estate, he never expects to have another man climb into his bed. He most certainly doesn't expect what follows after that initial meeting.

My thoughts -
I went into this after having read so much Ava March that I was worried it wouldn't measure up, because I was so in love with her stuff. I definitely needn't have worried. This is a brilliant story. The characters are real and true to the story. They never give in to the need to just take what they need, but actually act as a real person would have in that situation.

The details of the time period are perfect. The Lords act like Lords would, even when they are decadent layabouts. There's a real sense of danger involved in being a man attracted to other men, and never once do the authors sell that premise short. And even those who do accept the proclivities worry that Peter is pushing Stephen in the wrong direction. They don't believe that Stephen is like Peter at all, and therefore want to protect him from it.

The journey the two main characters go on is entirely real and believable for its time. Peter, an older man, having lived through a number of affairs, tends not to believe they can last,  and Stephen, the younger man, feels certain that it will. Each needs to come to terms with certain truths about life as a gay man. When they do, the ending is truly satisfying, and will leave most readers quite happy, I think. Both have grown, and you can't help cheering when they find their happy ending.

I will definitely be looking at more by these two when I can.

Warnings -
Secrets and an age difference of at least fifteen years. In other words, pretty mild. Should be safe for most readers.

Overall Recommendation -
I always smile when I think of this story. Every detail just makes me love it, and I will definitely be reading it again. If you like Regency romances, or if you are uncertain you want to read one, but would like to try, definitely check this one out. It's well worth it.

Link to the story - Seducing Stephen (on Goodreads)
Author Link - Bonnie Dee & Summer Devon (on Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -

• Swordspoint by  Ellen Kirshner (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• The Adorned by John Tristan (Goodreads) (read my review here)  
• All in with the Duke by Ava March (on Goodreads)
• The Ennik Series by Kim Fielding (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• Brendan and the Beast by Czarina Kodora (AO3) (read my review here)

Review: The Violet and the Tom by Eve Ocotillo

Genre: Historical, Roman
Elements: BDSM, slavery
Rating:

• Characters - 5 - Each character is unique and real, distinct from each other.
• Setting - 5 - Roman Europe is a fairly unique historical setting, especially as an AU history, where the Empire never fell. Excellent choices.
• Plot - 5 - Though the summary leads you to believe it will be one sort of story, it ends up being something quite different all together.
• Genre Elements - 5 - Both the historical period and the BDSM aspects are very well explored.
• Voice - 5 - Both of the main characters are very distinct in voice, and easily told apart.
• Romance Elements - 5 - The romance here is almost frustrating with how slow it builds, but once it's there, it's undeniable.
• Overall - 5 - One of my all-time favorite stories.

Basic story -
Sylvan is given to a young lord who doesn't want him. What follows is a long period of adjustment for both as they try to adjust to their new life together.

My thoughts -
This story is lovely and rich, and once I'd finished it, I didn't want to leave the world it is set in. The AU Roman setting was intriguing, as I don't read a lot of Roman History romances. I'm sure others exist out there, possibly even with Romance elements, but the AU aspect of it makes this one a little more unique. Really, the alternate history is minor in comparison to the flow of the romance between Sylvan and his owner Nyall.

The slavery is fairly true to Roman times, with a bit of sexual training added to the idea. And when you mix in the BDSM aspects, it's quite fascinating, and something that very much appeals to me. In particular the way the BDSM aspects are the big secret in this story. Especially how the young Lord prefers it. I'll keep that aspect to myself for the readers out there to discover, but trust me, it's a lovely twist on the usual Master/servant story.

Sylvan and Nyall's story as they come together is real and frustrating and beautiful. You feel Sylvan's confusion and upset as Nyall ignores him. And once Nyall starts to accept him, it's so perfect. All you want is for them to come together and be happy with each other, regardless of everything else around them.

The BDSM aspects are perfect. Never once do you get the feeling that either is being coerced or forced into what they do together. Even those moments of hesitance are shown to be a person trying to decide if they want to continue, and not someone unwilling even to try. I highly recommend this one as an interesting primer on BDSM lifestyle.

A very inspiring story, and one I'll go back to often, I think.

Warnings -
Strong BDSM aspects, as well as institutionalized slavery. Also some Romanized aspects of violence, and abuse of slaves.

Overall Recommendation -
Very highly recommended for those interested in BDSM, and for those who like a Roman setting.

Link to the story - The Violet and the Tom (on Fiction Press)
Author Link - Eve Ocotillo (on Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -

• Slavebreakers by Maculategiraffe (free online) (read my review here)
• Under Contract by Helen Saito  (Goodreads Page) (read my review here)
• Dolls and Seesaws by Menswear (AO3 - unfinished story)
• The Adorned by John Tristan (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• The Quartz Key by Lianne Burwell (Online link) (read my review here)

Review: Stasis/Flux/Equipose by Kim Fielding

Genre: Fantasy, Dystopia (though it also feels like it's only a few notches away from steampunk to me)
Elements: slavery, magic

Rating:

• Characters - 4 - There is a good variety of characters, but most of the story focuses on a very small central cast, specifically the two main characters. They're interesting characters, but it felt like they all could be so much more.
• Setting - 5 - Brilliant world, very different from our own, with a lot of great detail, and many different lands.
• Plot - 5 - Incredibly unique and rich, and I was never sure where it would go next. Excellently written.
• Genre Elements - 5 - The magic is subtle to the world, but integral, and she does an excellent job reminding us that Miner is still classified as a slave, regardless of how Ennik feels about him.
• Voice - 5 - All very incredibly unique and diverse. Especially in the second book, where she deals with a whole new culture with a completely different language.
• Romance Elements - 5 - They are subtle, but they're there, and you truly feel for Ennik and Miner, and want them to succeed.
• Overall - 5 - A high recommendation here. Well worth reading.

Basic story -
Ennik is the second son of the leader of his land, but he has never felt part of the system. The only thing that has ever stuck in his memory is the day he was taken down to see the prisoners in stasis.

My thoughts -
This was the first m/m I actually bought myself, and it was entirely worth it. I can honestly say I've never read anything like it. It's truly unique in the best definition of the word. The idea of the magic, especially as used to keep people in stasis for generations, is quite different.

The world seems to be set in some far-distant dystopian future set in and around San Francisco, or a place in a fantasy world that is very similar to San Francisco. Fielding has done an excellent job of using details from her home city and her travels to give this world far more detail. The Praesidium is one of the most prosperous city states in the land because of its port, which connects them to a greater world than other city states are able to access. In the second book, they travel across the ocean, and visit this world's version of China. Each land is quite unique, and well-detailed, Feilding's sense of detail making them as real as our own world.

Ennik and Miner are fascinating characters. Ennik's journey from lesser son to his own person feels real. From his discovery and rescue of Miner, to learning magic, to their flight from home, each event gives his journey more realism. And Miner's backstory is fascinating and horrifying. Never once does he forget what he was before and what he is during the process of the entire story. I would have loved more details about the other characters, but truly, Ennik and Miner are the center of the story.

Over all, I loved this series. Every moment is fascinating, and it just keeps you reading and rooting for them over the entire series.

Warnings -
Slavery, abuse. Minor, but still there. The slavery is rather significant.

Overall Recommendation -
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys slow love stories and magic. It's a fascinating world, and you will easily fall for Ennik and Miner.
Link to the story - The Ennik series (at Goodreads)
Author Link - Kim Fielding (at Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -

• The Adorned by John Tristan (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• Under Contract by Helen Saito  (Goodreads Page) (read my review here)
• Slavebreakers by Maculategiraffe (free online) (read my review here)
• Dolls and Seesaws by Menswear (AO3 - unfinished story)
• Undesirable by Velvet Mace (LJ)

Review: Slavebreakers by Maculategiraffe

Genre: Near-future, Dystopia
Elements: slavery, BDSM

Rating:

• Characters - 5 - A brilliant cast of dozens of characters, each as unique as the next.
• Setting - 5 - A soft setting, but well thought-out and explained to the reader in a way that makes it feel quite real.
• Plot - 5 - The sub-stories each have unique plots, and their overreaching arc just makes the world work that much better.
• Genre Elements - 5 - Between the detail of this near-future world, the slavery elements so very prominent to the story, and the BDSM concepts involved in a few of the tales, the whole series is fascinating from beginning to end.
• Voice - 5 - Never once did I get any of the characters confused. Each is unique, and very easy to tell apart.
• Romance Elements - 5 - Wonderful detail here, as well. Both for the existing romances and the ones that grow over the period of the stories. Each gets its own chance to shine.
• Overall - 5 - This one absolutely gets my top recommendation for any BDSM story anywhere.

Basic story -
In a future where slavery is commonplace once more, a couple called the Slavebreakers take Slaves from their masters that are no longer wanted and retrain them before selling them once more. But Holden and his wife Alix are more than they appear.

My thoughts -
This series hits on many of my favorite things. D/s, hurt/comfort, even slavery, when done in the right way. The world is shockingly rich for how subtle and slow the details are revealed, and the characters really pull you along in the story.

This is actually a series of stories set in this world. The first, Bran's story, is my favorite of the series, though all of the characters show in the others in the series as well. Bran's story highlights the abuses of the system. The second, Jesse is more about those who try to fight the system when they're stuck in it. And there are so many other stories in this series. Each one provides a different angle, a different insight. Never once do you feel you're rereading the same story in a different character's voice.

Even Holden and Alix have their own stories to tell, as well as their oldest slave, Yves, who is actually one of their oldest friends. Each time you think you know the full story, more is revealed. It's definitely not the kind of story that will bore anyone.

That said, I personally love Bran's story the most because it hits most of my favorite kinks about slave stories, and has an incredibly satisfying ending. I think that everyone who reads this series will be drawn to one story or another, depending on their preferences. Really, there's something here for every reader of m/m slave stories. You wouldn't think there would be broad preferences there, but there really are, and this story seems to hit on so many of them.

I do hope that someday the author gets this professionally polished and published in paper form, because it's just a gorgeous series, and deserves to be.

Warnings -
Strong warning for slavery, also for dub-con, D/s and other aspects of BDSM, and for abuse of slaves.

Overall Recommendation -
This one has my top recommendation. If you like slavery, D/s, or BDSM, this is definitely the story to read.

Link to the story - Slavebreakers (index page on dreamwidth)
Author Link - Maculategiraffe (at Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -

•  Cinder by Gryvon (AO3) (read my review here)
•  The Adorned by John Tristan (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• The Violet and the Tom by Eve Ocitillo (Fiction Press) (read my review here)
• His Client/His Request by Ava March (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• Under Contract by Helen Saito  (Goodreads Page) (read my review here)

Review: Brendan and the Beast by Czarina_Kodora

Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tales
Elements: magic, bonding

Rating:

• Characters - 5 - The characters are an excellent mix of historical and fairy tale, with just a dash of Disney thrown in. Each is interesting and unique in their own ways.
• Setting - 5 - The locations take into account not only historical France, but also the effect of previous ages on the characters' present.
• Plot - 5 - A fantastic combination of the original French folktale and the best of the Disney version, not to mention a strong sprinkling of the Author's own ideas.
• Genre Elements - 5 - There is so much here. The Classic world struggling to the modern age; magic; fairy tale elements; and of course, romance. All excellently used to effect the flow of the story.
• Voice - 5 - The only time I wasn't absolutely certain who was speaking was once toward the beginning of the story, and that very quickly resolved itself. Outside of that experience, all the character voices are incredibly distinct, and it is incredibly easy to know who is speaking.
• Romance Elements - 5 - Slow and gradual is a fondness of mine, and the way this one builds along with the unraveling of the mystery is perfect.
• Overall - 5 - Definitely an excellent story. I highly recommend it.

Basic story -
The fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast with a single change--what if Beauty's brother (a character which does exist in some versions of this tale) had taken his sister's place as the Beast's hostage/sacrifice after their father stole the rose?

My thoughts -
I love fairy tales, especially those that reflect the pre-Disney tradition. This one manages to encompass that as well as some of the changes Disney made to the tale, but still manages to make this version all its own. The change of the Main Character from Female to Male is completely natural, and unlike most slash fairy tales, actually uses a character from some of the original versions, instead of simply changing the original character to a male.

Even more, Kodora goes well beyond simply borrowing from other versions of this story. The magic of this world is all its own, and well thought out, making it one of the most unique versions of this story I have read. The mystery of how to save Beast is compounded by the slow-building homosexual love story, given that "true love's kiss" apparently needs to come from a girl. While this might strike some readers as an anti-gay sentiment, in actuality, it gives the author a chance to make a statment about acceptance from within and without.

There were a few bits toward the beginning of the story that felt a little cliched or slow, but they truly fit the world the Author builds up around these characters, and both feelings quickly faded as the story found its voice. Truly, as a fairy tale, a few cliches are to be expected, and even needed. And in this story, they are used to great effect, rendering them far less cliched than they might otherwise be.

Warnings -
This one's pretty safe for most readers, though the two main characters do struggle with depression each on their own. They also each have the tendency to show their temper, leading to a few slightly scary moments.

Overall Recommendation -
This one is perfect for those who love fairy tales, Disney or not. This is also a good one for those who like romance, but don't like it to come easily. Definitely a top recommendation.

Link to the story - Brendan and the Beast (free on AO3)
Author Link - Czarina_Kodora @ AO3
If you liked this story, try -

• Cinder by Gryvon (AO3) (read my review here) 
• Cinder by Marie Sexton (Goodreads Page) (read my review here)
• Dream of a Thousand Nights by Shira Anthony (Goodreads Page) (read my review here)
• The Mist Behind and the Light Before by Cathalin (AO3)
• The Fairest in the Land by LuccaAce (FictionPress - unfinished story)