Review: The Book of Myth by Qui

Genre: Fantasy
Elements: BDSM, threesomes, harem, naga, djinn, incubus, faeries, dragon, satyr, kitsune, demon

Rating:

• Characters - 3 - The characters here are cute, but really, they are only devices for the smut in each chapter, so they are molded by what the author needs to make that smut work. Cute, but not characters that stand on their own.
• Setting - 4 - Good for the type of story this is, but not overly detailed either.
• Plot - 3 - While not quite PWP, it definitely comes close.
• Genre Elements - 5 - This is where the story excels. Not only does the author have one fantasy creature to decide the details for, but practically one per chapter, and manages to give us insight into each beautifully. And on top of that, finds a way to twist that difference into smut each and every chapter.
• Voice - 3 - The voices get a bit muddy at times, but mostly because there's not a lot of thought past how to get to the smut.
• Romance Elements - 3 - There is an element of romance here between the two main characters, but it's minimal as they spend most of the story apart from one another.
• Overall - 3.5 - Cute and fun, especially for a free online read.

Basic story -

In a far away kingdom, there is a dangerous book that has drawn many to their doom. This is one such tale; of a young prince waiting for an ambassador to arrive, and finding a book to pass the time.

My thoughts -
A cute story with very little plot, and at least one chapter most smut-readers will find enjoyable, depending on their kink. Most of the well-known kinks are represented at one point. The characters are really secondary to the story, which is just about using the most kinks possible inherent in mythical creatures. It's fun and mostly light, and a fun way to pass a few hours.

The flow of the story is random so as to cover all the kinks it does, but each chapter works fairly well on its own, if you don't care for the larger story. Despite the randomness, there is an overall plot, if you read through the entire thing, and it is shockingly sweet for a smut piece like this one.

This one's definitely for anime/manga fans, as the ideas in it represent that sort of take on smut and romance. Also, several of the creatures involved are the Japanese or Oriental versions of these myths.

The best reason to read this aside from smut and variety is that it's free to read online. It's fairly well edited, though there are a few errors here and there, as there are on most Fiction Press or AO3 stories.

Overall, I enjoyed reading it, but I probably won't be looking for more from this author, as I tend to prefer more realistic worlds, even in my fantasy.

Warnings -
Dub-con, but only in the lightest of senses. Most of the smut is pretty consensual, really. A bit of bestiality, so stay away if that bothers you, but even that is minor.

Overall Recommendation -
Cute. Not for those who don't appreciate yaoi, as this is basically yaoi in text form, rather than as a manga. But fun to read for all the different creatures she writes about. 

Link to the story - Book of Myth (on Fiction Press)
Author Link - Qui (on Fiction Press)
If you liked this story, try -

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

Review: Sorcerer's Knot by Tali Spencer

Genre: Fantasy
Elements: magic, Cthulhu

Rating:

• Characters - 4 - The characters themselves are a little stock, but Spencer uses them to great effect, especially once she's established the world a little.
• Setting - 5 - The setting is pretty unique. This is dark fantasy, and very well written, and the world reflects that excellently.
• Plot - 4 - The plot is pretty much standard. This is a smut story, but she does a good job of making it be about more than just smut.
• Genre Elements - 5 - As with the setting, the details of the magic of this world are very well-crafted, and it makes the story that much more believable. The Cthulhu element...well, that's very believable and horribly creepy, so do be warned.
• Voice - 4 - The characters are pretty distinct, and well-written so that each is easy to tell from the others.
• Romance Elements - 2 - Here's one of the places the story loses me. I'm a sucker for romance, and it's almost not there at all in this story. Really, the story is more about sex than romance. I will say that there is a seed of a romance here, in a very believable way. This story just doesn't focus on it.
• Overall - 4 - Not a Cthulhu fan myself, so between that and the lack of romance, this one lost me. But overall, it's an excellently written book.

Basic story -
Cian has been searching for the key to all magics, but when he goes looking for water magic, he finds himself in far deeper than he anticipated.

My thoughts -
As soon as I started reading this one, I knew it wouldn't be something I would enjoy. While the story is very well written, enough so to keep me reading, the subject matter was a bit out of my usual realm of enjoyment.

The story itself is very well-crafted, and the smut (aside from one scene--see the warning below) was very enjoyable. If you like tentacle porn, this is probably a good one, but Cthulhu stuff freaks me out. I can't really enjoy the thought of a non-humanoid with such vast intelligence doing that to anyone. Nor am I fond of rape scenes in any form.

I think for me, I might have enjoyed it more if Cian and the sorcerer who has been hiding the Cthulhu (and there I'm using the wrong term, but it's simpler for me than to go seeking the exact creature she used) really had fallen in love. They do to some extent, but it's more of a meeting of equals--two men who know they're trapped and want what the other has.

At some point, I may check out what else Spencer has written, but just knowing that she writes Cthulhu fantasy makes me pretty wary of her stuff. I do think she's an excellent writer, I just don't think her writing is for me.

Warnings -
Cthulhu. Physical and mind-rape. And it does get a little graphic, so if just reading those is too much, definitely stay away from this one.

Overall Recommendation -
This was not really my thing, though it is well written, but if you like smut and Cthulhu, this may be the book for you.

Link to the story - Sorcerer's Knot (on Goodreads)
Author Link - Tali Spencer (on Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -

• The Adorned by John Tristan (Goodreads) (read my review here)  
• Soulless by T Baggins (on Goodreads) (read my review here)
• Undesirable by Velvet Mace (LJ) 
• The Ennik Series by Kim Fielding (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• The Book of Myth by Qui (Fiction Press) (read my review here)

Review: Fireflies by Ally Blue

Genre: Fantasy
Elements: magic, faeries

Rating:

• Characters - 3 -The characters are overly archetypal, though there's a seed there of something that could be interesting, if more had been put into them.
• Setting - 4 - It's an interesting idea, though we don't get near enough details of either world for them to feel fully realized.
• Plot - 4 - The story is interesting enough, though Blue doesn't take it quite deep enough. I would have liked more details of Joseph's life before, and of Braeden's time watching him grow. I also would have loved to see more in the way of training before and between attacks.
• Genre Elements - 5 - The idea for this world is fabulous, and I would have loved a much longer look at both sides of this world and how they live alongside each other.
• Voice - 4 - The character voices are unique, but not particularly special.
• Romance Elements - 3 - Too fast. Especially for a character who has been watching Joseph since he was an infant. It would take time, regardless of everything else.
• Overall - 3.5 - Interesting story, but needed a lot of work to be a great story.

Basic story -
Joseph grew up in the South, but there always something a little odd about him. He finds out what the day he comes into his magic. The day he meets Braeden.

My thoughts -
The story here isn't bad, it just isn't great. The idea of a half-fae growing up in the modern human world seems fascinating to me, but it was almost completely ignored once Joseph met Braeden. I wanted to feel the conflict in him between his old world and new. I wanted him to hurt more for having to leave his friends and mother behind. I wanted to enjoy it more than I was able because it just never felt like enough. And worse, the faery world felt almost more a tool to propel the story than an actual world that exists next to ours. That, too, needed a lot of detail.

The romance borders on uncomfortable with how quickly they come together. Just a few extra sentences here would have helped. Something about the sexual nature of fae, or of how they saw a dividing line between children and adults, or...something. And Joseph, just getting used to the idea of magic, seemed to accept it all far too easily. Accepting comfort from Braeden, sure, but magic and love all in one blow? Too much too fast. I wanted more time getting used to the idea of each separately.

The ending felt wrong, too. I'm not sure how to explain why, but it just ended too quickly, and everything was just too pat in the end. I really did want to enjoy this story more than I did. It needed a lot of work to make it more enjoyable to me.

Warnings -
Mostly implications of violence and rape. Nothing that will make post readers uncomfortable for more than a moment or two.

Overall Recommendation -
If you can find it on sale, it's not horrible, but it's not worth the average price for an e-book.

Link to the story - Fireflies (on Goodreads)
Author Link - Ally Blue (on Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -

• Blood and Ash by Kate Aaron (Goodreads)
• The Fall of the Dragon King by MomsDarkSecret (Fiction Press) (read my review here)
• The Dream of a Thousand Nights by Shira Anthony (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• The Mist Behind and the Light Before by Cathalin (AO3)
• The Quartz Key by Lianne Burwell (Online link)  

Review: The Quartz Key by Lianne Burwell

Genre: Fantasy
Elements: magic, soulmates, gods

Rating:

• Characters - 5 - From the beginning, the characters are interesting and unique, and they only get better over the course of the story.
• Setting - 5 - The basic setting seems your traditional middle eastern setting at first, but it quickly becomes so much more, and the author adds so many details that it's something very unique and special.
• Plot - 4 - An intriguing plot, though it starts out a bit cliched. It grows into itself and eventually becomes something very different from anything I've read.
• Genre Elements - 5 - Great details. Both the world details, the distinctness of villain, and the avatar aspects to the story. Each lends something to the overall story and makes it that much more intriguing.
• Voice - 4 - The two main characters are very unique, though there's a bit of muddiness at first, and some of the early secondary characters are a little difficult to tell apart.
• Romance Elements - 4 - The boys' story is slow and believable, and definitely never easy, though some of the situations they are thrown into are a bit cliched.
• Overall - 4.5 - Definitely a great story, and well worth a read for Fantasy lovers.

Basic story -
The love story of a slave and a prince, and tale of a kingdom at war.

My thoughts -
This one really snuck up on me. Though it seems cliched at first, it grew on me very quickly. Particularly Judas, who is not your typical slave-who-does-not-wish-to-be. Each has their own worries, and despite everything, the two characters begin to grow together. And then everything falls apart. Though the story appears to take a few cliched turns, each trope is taken and molded by Burwell to make it a far more unique part of a rather intriguing whole. Rarely did I feel bored or confused by what was going on. And when I was confused, quite often it was followed by curiosity about how she would manage to right things again for her two characters. The ending is quite satisfying, and more than lives up to the premise of her story.

To me, Judas is the true center of this piece. While Namir is interesting, he is fairly typical of his sort--at least without Judas, or the events that follow Judas's arrival at their castle. Judas, on the other hand, is special from the start. Marked as different even by his own people, and gotten rid of for just that reason. More importantly, he seems to be touched by destiny, though what that destiny is, even he is uncertain. At least, until he and Namir begin to grow close.

Their flight from the castle to save Namir's people is what really sets the plot in motion, and it is this that changes both boys for good. Through it they become something more than what they were before. Both apart and together.

Though this did not get my highest rating, I will say that I enjoyed it very much. I hope some day to find more by this author, as I found it well worth the time it took to read. Though it's quite long, the length of the story only made it that much better, as it just gave me that much more to enjoy.

Warnings -
Violence and near-rape, several assassination attempts of various sorts. Lots of anguish, both mental and physical. But nothing too horrific, and certainly nothing lasting.

Overall Recommendation -
Definitely worth a read for any fantasy lover. I highly recommend it.

Link to the story - The Quartz Key (Author's site)
Author Link - Lianne Burwell (on Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -

• The Fall of the Dragon King by MomsDarkSecret (Fiction Press) (read my review here)
• The Dream of a Thousand Nights by Shira Anthony (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• The Adorned by John Tristan (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• The Prince's Boy by Cecilia Tan (Publisher's site) (read my review here)
• The Ennik Series by Kim Fielding (Goodreads) (read my review here)

Review: Dream of a Thousand Nights by Shira Anthony

Genre: Fantasy
Elements: Jinn, magic

Rating:

• Characters - 4 - A good selection, though I would have liked a few more female characters. I was pleased the one main female character at least had a good role in the story.
• Setting - 5 - Excellent setting. I would have loved to spend more time in this world.
• Plot - 3 - Needed a lot of work. It's fairly cliched, and there's a rather large gap. I think we either didn't need to see their first meeting except in flashbacks, or I would have liked to have seen a lot more of the intervening time.
• Genre Elements - 5 - A fabulous take on the Jinn mythos. I loved the rules regarding them and how their society works. Very nicely done.
• Voice - 4 - Quite good. Few difficulties determining who's speaking.
• Romance Elements - 4 - Sweet romance, though as I said, it felt a bit saggy in the middle, and I would have preferred a more consistent flow to their romance, instead of the choppiness we got.
• Overall - 4 - A good story with a few flaws, but overall quite enjoyable.

Basic story -
Neriah, crown prince, manages to escape an assassination attempt with the help of a Jinn. Many years later, when their paths cross again, the memories the Jinn took from him of their one night together, begin to complicate his attempt to regain his place in the kingdom.

My thoughts -
I enjoyed this. It is flawed, but in a good-writing way that just suggests it needed a different flow to make it work better. The characters are interesting, though there's only one major female character, which is a problem on its own. The two main characters are interesting, but their romance was problematic. All in all, I would read this again, but I do wish that a few of the flaws weren't there.

I have a fondness for folklore and fable, so I love anything that touches on those themes, and Jinn are one that I've not seen done much, and would love to read more. Obviously Anthony has a fondness for them as well, as she gives the Jinn society a great deal of detail that works very well with what we all know from tales like Aladdin and other tales of Jinn out there, while still being very distinctly hers. I would have loved more detail on their society and the rules they have on serving humans. Tamir is an interesting character, and I would have loved to read more about him before this or others like him.

Really, for me the biggest flaw in this story is the jump in time from the prologue to the main part of the story. I understand why it was there--she wanted us to see them together for their one night--but I think it would have worked better as a flashback from Tamir, and then later from Neriah's point of view. Either that, or I would have loved to see some of the time they lived between that moment and when they met up again. Got some of those characters around them fleshed out a good deal more.

So given that my biggest complaint about this is that I want more, I'd say it's definitely a good buy. I may have to see what else Anthony has written, because she definitely has a great grasp on middle eastern culture and folklore.

Warnings -
Slavery in a very mild sense, threat of rape, and unequal society. Nothing huge, but they are there, so if you are especially sensitive to those aspects, to be cautious.

Overall Recommendation -
Definitely worth a read, especially if you like middle eastern folklore.


Link to the story - Dream of a Thousand Nights (on Goodreads)
Author Link - Shira Anthony (on Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -

•  Brendan and the Beast by Czarina Kodora (AO3) (read my review here)
• The Mist Behind and the Light Before by Cathalin (AO3)
• Soulless by T Baggins (on Goodreads) (read my review here)
• The Quartz Key by Lianne Burwell (Online link) (read my review here) 
• The Fall of the Dragon King by MomsDarkSecret (Fiction Press) (read my review here)

Review: Cinder by Marie Sexton

Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale
Elements: magic

Rating:

• Characters - 3 - Pretty typical for this story, aside from Cinder and the Prince. The Prince's attitude is a little odd for someone of his class, really, but they're enjoyable enough to read.
• Setting - 4 - Very typical for this story, but well-described and believable.
• Plot - 4 - Cinderella with a guy, exactly as it says on the box.
• Genre Elements - 5 - This is one of the two places this story shines. Obviously Sexton knows and loves this fairy tale well, as the elements are all there and work quite well.
• Voice - 4 - Again, pretty typical for this story, no problem telling each character apart.
• Romance Elements - 5 - The other place this story shines. The boys are drawn to each other from the beginning, but it's not an easy road, and it's a satisfying ending once they get there.
• Overall - 4 - A very enjoyable version of the Cinderella story, but not the best one out there.

Basic story -
Cinder lives with his stepmother and her two daughters as little more than a servant. But a chance encounter with a young man in the woods changes everything.

My thoughts -
This is a very nice male/male version of the Cinderella fairy tale, but I probably would have enjoyed it a whole lot more if I had not already fallen so hard for Gryvon's version. This one's definitely for a wider audience than Gryvon's, though, as there are no BDSM elements, and the abuse is very minor at best. The ending is excellent, and will definitely please most readers. Really, aside from the fact that Cinder is male instead of female, this really is basically the classic story. It even includes the three balls aspect, which is something I am very fond of.

I will say that from the moment the Prince decides to wed Cinder's sister, that's when the story really takes off, because then it's quite a bit different from the classic tale we are all so familiar with. Between the already-growing friendship between Cinder and the Prince and the journey that brings them closer than ever before, you can't help but root for Cinder and hope things will turn out right.

As a fan of fairy tales, this one definitely pleased me, it just wasn't as great as others I'd read. Worth a read for those who prefer things on the lighter side.

Warnings -
Nothing, really. There is minor abuse mentioned, but in the Disney way--neglect or dislike more than horrible physical abuse.

Overall Recommendation -
A good read for those who love fairy tales, especially those who might shy away from the Gryvon version of this story.

Link to the story - Cinder (on Goodreads)
Author Link - Marie Sexton (on Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -

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

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: The Prince's Boy by Cecilia Tan

Genre: Fantasy
Elements: magic, magical bonding, BDSM
Rating:

• Characters - 4 - The archetypes Cecilia uses are very familiar to me, and make the characters that much easier to love. She's got a great selection of characters, all of which are unique and interesting.
• Setting - 5 - Cecilia's world is quite extensive and fascinating. Kenet and Jorin's journeys take them all over this kingdom, and each location feels real to me, both in level of detail and in relation to what has come before.
• Plot - 5 - The story she has written keeps you reading, and when it's over, you just want to read it all over again.
• Genre Elements - 5 - Cecilia is a master of BDSM, as well as fantasy, and she doesn't skimp in detail of either.
• Voice - 5 - All of the characters' voices are distinct and unique, and never once did I get them confused, regardless of how long it had been since I read the previous chapter.
• Romance Elements - 5 - Kenet and Jorin's love is lovely to watch grow. You root for them from beginning to end.
• Overall - 4.5 - One of my favorites, and highly recommended for those who love long romance and fantasy.

Basic story -
Prince Kenet is heir to the throne, and as such, untouchable. So he has a whipping boy. One he has chosen for himself. As he and Jorin grow older, and Kenet learns what a whipping boy is for, the two boys grow closer. But can a prince and a low-level servant truly be allowed to stay so close, or will the world conspire to tear them apart?

My thoughts -
I have known of Cecilia Tan for some time now, but this was her first original work that I had read. I was in no way disappointed. The characters were  immediately appealing and only grew more interesting as the story progressed. Never once did I feel bored while reading. She has a great touch for pulling you along, and knows just when to cut off a scene to keep you reading.

There are so many great characters in this story, and each of them has an important role. Even better, each has journies of their own and not one of them is quite the same in the end. Truly, you never quite know where the story will take you next, or how it could possibly end well, but it does.

One thing I love about Cecilia is how involved she is with her readers. She posts her stories on her blog first, so you can read as the story goes along. In fact, I have been meaning to buy myself this series so that I can read it on Kindle. I look forward to meeting Kenet and Jorin again, and discovering the things I have now forgotten, not to mention finding new things I missed the first time.

I'm certain it will be well worth the money, as soon as I can afford the expense.

Warnings -
BDSM; dubious consent in places, including a near rape; slavery and near-slavery, and abuse.

Overall Recommendation -
If you're a fan of strong fantasy, especially fantasy with BDSM elements, this is the story for you. It's great fun to read, and you will just fall in love with the characters.

Link to the story -The Prince's Boy (Goodreads) (Circlet Press - online for free, but buy it, guys, it's worth it)
Author Link - Cecilia Tan (Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -

• Brendan and the Beast by Czarina Kodora (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)
• Slavebreakers by Maculategiraffe (free online) (read my review here)
• Cinder by Gryvon (AO3) (read my review here)

Review: Cinder by Gryvon

Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tales
Elements: magic, bonding, magical beings, BDSM

Rating:

• Characters - 4 - I very much enjoyed the characters in this, though they are a bit archetypal. The main character and his love interest are the true stand-out characters in the piece.
• Setting - 4 - The setting is a little murky, but not horribly so, and once Cinder is at the celebrations, the location is elaborately detailed.
• Plot - 5 - An excellent take on a story that's been done to death, which really does a fantastic job of making the story its own.
• Genre Elements - 5 - The story features a great deal of detail when it comes to the fairy tale aspects of the story, and the BDSM elements are quite well done.
• Voice - 4 - Only a little muddy, but the main voice we hear is the main character, so the overall detriment to the story is minimal at best, and Cinder's voice is very consistent.
• Romance Elements - 4 - A little quick for my tastes, but then given this is Cinderella, there has to be an aspect of quick to it. The three nights definitely helps the growing attraction seem more natural.
• Overall - 4 - One of my favorite fairy tale slash tales. Well worth reading.

Basic story -
Cinderella is a boy named Cinder who is horribly abused by his step family. When a prince comes to town to find a suitable mate, magic and cunning help Cinder escape his family's clutches and win the prince's heart.
My thoughts -
I know, another fairy tale. But even though my first review was one as well, this one definitely deserved to be one of the first I reviewed. I promise a very different type of story next time.

Cinder is one of those stories that makes me wonder why it has not been polished and sent to a publisher. It's a (generally) light story, but one that has a lot of great detail to it. I definitely think, given the right publisher, it could be sold.

Cinder's story at the beginning is not a happy one, but that's true of all Cinderella stories. I loved the twist on the fairy godmother, and how limited her power was to help him, which is important to understand, given that Cinder has had to endure quite a lot of abuse in his life. If she had helped him then, she could not have given him this now. And, if I recall correctly (it has been a little while since I read the actual story), she actually gives him a choice as to how she should help him. It's much more than a lot of Cinderella stories do.

The Prince is intriguing as well. Here I would have loved a lot more detail. What exactly the Dragon Prince is, and his powers, and where his people came from. I'd also have loved more time with the two of them talking together, getting to know one another, though of course that would have meant less smut...

Mostly, what I loved about this story was that it used the classic three balls instead of the Disney single ball. It gave us time to get to know the two characters, gave Cinder time to realize what he wants, and time for the Prince to decide that Cinder is the right choice.

Gryvon is someone you will see on this blog a few times, as I went through their catalog of stories back when I first started looking for slash tales. But this is my favorite of their stories overall. I definitely recommend it to those who like BDSM and fairy tales.
Warnings -
This story comes with some pretty heavy warnings. Cinder's step-brothers do rape him, and there is a fairy graphic scene at the beginning showing it. And anyone who has issues with BDSM should also stay away from this story, as the Prince's tastes are definitely not light BDSM.
Overall Recommendation -
This one is great for fans of fairy tales and BDSM, though I think if you're not into the latter, this isn't one for you. The reverse is not true, though. I think anyone who likes fantasy and BDSM would enjoy this story. Strongly recommended.  

Link to the story - Cinder (free on AO3)
Author Link - Gryvon @ AO3
If you liked this story, try -

• 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)
• Under Contract by Helen Saito  (Goodreads Page) (read my review here)
• The Violet and the Tom by Ocotillo (Fiction Press) (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)