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)

Happy Birthday to me

So a slightly off-topic post about my birthday today. I got a few gift cards for Amazon, so I made sure to buy a book I've wanted ever since I first heard about it: Blood Bathory. I know the two authors from Harry Potter fandom, and know the story that was the origin of this story, so I've been looking forward to having the money to buy it. I'm looking forward to reading it, because they're wonderful writers, and I know it will be quite the treat.

I also got a cardgame that fits the theme of this blog, even though it's not a book: Slash the card game. We didn't get a chance to play it, but we did get to glance through the four giant stacks of cards and see the names on them. The mix of characters is amazing--historical, animation, book, movie...if you can think of a generic fandom, there's probably a handful of cards from that genre in the pack. I can't wait to play. :)

So happy birthday to me. And I hope everyone's looking forward to the review on Blood Bathory once I've finished it.

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: His Client by Ava March

Genre: Historical, Regency
Elements: BDSM, prostitution

Rating:

• Characters - 5 - The characters themselves are quite nice, if a little typical for this sort of story.
• Setting - 4 - Quite typical of this sort of story, though I do like the addition of how Jasper tries to reestablish himself in the country.
• Plot - 4 - Again, quite typical, though with the lovely addition of BDSM elements that I particularly approve of.
• Genre Elements - 4 - Nicely thought out, the characters fit into this world without bending credulity too much.
• Voice - 5 -  Both characters are quite distinct from each other, as are the others they speak with.
• Romance Elements - 5 - Slow-building enough to make me smile, though on occasion, I do want to smack Nathaniel for how dense he is.
• Overall - 4 - A great book for those who enjoy historical romance.

Basic story -
Jasper has broken the one rule all whores try to abide by. Never fall in love with a customer.

My thoughts -
Though this doesn't rank as high as some of the others I have posted reviews for here, this book truly started an obsession for me. Ava March creates lovely characters, and her details of a more formal world where homosexuality could only ever be a secret are always perfect. I highly recommend all her stories, if you prefer Regency or Victorian stories.

This story in particular appealed to me for two reasons. The first is that Jasper and Nathaniel play with both bondage and cross-dressing, both of which I have a great fondness for. The other is the angst inherent in their story. Nathaniel has had a passion for his very straight best friend since school, while Jasper only has eyes for Nathaniel. It is only when Nathaniel realizes he is gone that things change. A truly lovely angsty romance with a distinctly happy ending.

The great thing about this story is that they each fix themselves. Jasper chooses to leave rather than waiting until Nathaniel rescues him, and Nathaniel realizes things on his own terms, rather than being forced into falling for Jasper. Both of them grow up, and grow back together, and that's the brilliance of March's works--she's good at letting the characters learn on their own, rather than forcing a couple into love. Every time, it's believable and right.

Warnings -
Only very minor ones here for the BDSM, which itself is very mild.

Overall Recommendation -
A great historical novel, and well worth the price to buy.

Link to the story - His Client (on Goodreads)
Related stories - His Request (Sequel - on Goodreads)
Author Link - Ava March (on Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -

• Blood and Roses by Aislinn Kerry (on Goodreads)
• Object of His Desire by Ava March (on Goodreads)
• Seducing Stephen by Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon (on Goodreads) (read my review here)
• All in with the Duke by Ava March (on Goodreads)
• Soulless by T Baggins (on Goodreads) (read my review here)

How to find good stories online for free

It can be difficult to find good books to read in the M/M genre, especially when you are looking for genre-style stories, so I thought I'd offer a few good links for places to look for that sort of story. The best three sites I've found are Goodreads, Fiction Press, and Archive of Our Own, though there are many others out there.

Goodreads

Goodreads is a lovely site with so many things to offer. There are special groups for you to chat about specific genres or even specific authors or books, and then there are the lists. All help you connect to others who enjoyed the same book you did, and which might have lists of other books of the same sort for you to try. Obviously, not all the books you will find here are free, but there are many that are, and even if they're not, you can always put them on your Amazon wishlist for later.

Some good places to check on Goodreads:

• M/M Romance group -- you will need to request to become a member, but they're usually pretty good about adding new members.
• M/M Books that are/were available online list
• Favorite Unpublished M/M Stories list
• Unpublished or Free M/M - Scifi/Fantasy Edition list
• Online M/M Stories That Deserve To Be Published list
• Great M/M Webcomics list (not strictly books here, but definitely worth looking at)
• LGBT Webcomics list (ditto above)

Obviously, this is in no way a comprehensive list, but it'll give you a good place to start.

Fiction Press

Fiction Press is the original work sister site to Fanfiction.net, and works in basically the same way as the fanfiction site, up to and including groups. Obviously, groups can include anything the moderator decides, and there are many groups that focus on slash stories.

Some groups to look into:

• - slash stories -
• Slash, Slash, And Then Some More Slash!
• Slash Love
• Slash Fantasy
• Completed Slash
• Human Prisms
• Slash: Completed Works and Oneshots

Again, nowhere near a comprehensive list, but all of the above lists have over a hundred story links each. Certainly plenty to choose from.

Archive of Our Own (AO3)

Though AO3 mainly has Fanfiction, some original stories do make it onto the archive.

Some tags good for finding original stories:

• Original Work
• Celtic Mythology
• Greek and Roman Mythology
• Norse Religion and Lore
• Religion & Lore
• Ancient Egyptian Religion
• Arthurian Mythology
• Christian Lore
• Fairy Tales and Related Fandoms

Most of these will be generally filled with fanfiction, so you will have to do a lot more digging than at the other two sites (unless you don't mind fanfiction, which is fine, too), but there's still plenty there to be found, and it's well worth looking.

Other Sites

There are plenty of other sites out there as well. You never know what you might find.

Some places I've found other works:

• Gay Authors - a forum that specifically hosts stories about LGBT characters.
• Smashwords - has books for free as well as those for a price.
• Adult Fan Fiction - lots of stories here, though the quality is not always the best.
• Nifty Archive - featuring all sorts of LGBT stories.

There are others out there, but those are the main ones. There's always Amazon, too, though that can be tough given the filters they have in place. But hopefully that will give everyone a good list to pull from. Good luck, and happy reading!

Review: The Fall of the Dragon King by MomsDarkSecret

Genre: Fantasy, Dystopia
Elements: Dragonkin

Rating:

• Characters - 4 - A bit overly dependent on archetypes at first, but once the story starts flowing, they're quite interesting.
• Setting - 5 - Pretty unique. The world feels like it's been well-planned out, and has some fascinating details I don't think I've seen put together in quite this way.
• Plot - 5 - A great story that pulls you along from the beginning, even when you're so frustrated with the characters you want to smack them.
• Genre Elements - 5 - Lots of fantasy aspects used in a new and interesting way.
• Voice - 4 - Good, though the characters outside the main two get quite muffled or overly archetypal after the initial chapters.
• Romance Elements - 5 - Excellent and believable. I like that their romance is neither easy nor swift. You root for them to the very end.
• Overall - 4.5 - A high recommendation here. Some imperfections, but overall a very enjoyable read.

Basic story -
An ancient legend and a dying land leads a cleric to sacrifice himself in a unique way--and a prince to agree to the sacrifice in hopes of saving his land.

My thoughts -
This story drew me in from the beginning. It was very different from what the description suggested--a forced marriage story. Instead, what this is is a story about two men trying to do the best they can for their world, and the consequences of it. The two main characters are fascinating. Mora and Hadrin both seem typical of their sort. The cleric who will do anything to protect his people, and the Prince who must live up to his father's expectations and defend the land. And yet, together, they become so much more. The endgame was not at all what I expected, and so surprising that I can't wait to read it again to see if it is really as out of the blue as it felt reading it the first time. Either way, the ending is satisfying and just what the story needed.

The world is interesting, particularly the mythos of the Dragon King. The prophesy that his line will eventually destroy the world makes for an intriguing plot as you try to decide if it is nothing more than myth or if there really is something more to it as Mora truly believes. The constant tries to pull the two young men apart only makes you root for them more, and ache for the difficulties they are going through. Particularly once they truly fall for each other.

There are some minor spelling and grammar issues, as well as some writing issues, but once you start reading, these vanish beneath the interest of the story itself, and given that it is a free online story, it's really one of the better ones I've read, despite these issues.

Warnings -
Some violence and assassination attempts against the main characters.

Overall Recommendation -
A high recommendation here for those interested in fantasy worlds.

Link to the story - The Fall of the Dragon King (at Fiction Press)
Author Link - MomsDarkSecret (at Fiction Press)
If you liked this story, try -

• The Adorned by John Tristan (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• The Quartz Key by Lianne Burwell (Online link)  (read my review here)
• Undesirable by Velvet Mace (LJ) 
• The Ennik Series by Kim Fielding (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• The Prince's Boy by Cecilia Tan (Publisher's site) (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: Under Contract by Helen Saito

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

Rating:

• Characters - 5 - The characters in this story are quite believable, and each have their own little bit to contribute to the larger story. There are even a couple stories I wish we'd hear more about.
• Setting - 4 - Though the world is interesting, we don't get quite enough detail for my tastes to tell us how all this came about, where they are, and what the world is like now.
• Plot - 5 - The plot very much lives up to the premise, and pulls you along, keeping you guessing as to how it will all end.
• Genre Elements - 5 - The BDSM aspects of this story are excellent. There's something for just about all BDSM lovers.
• Voice - 5 - Never once do I get any of the three main characters confused, even when they are not initially named in voice-shifts. They're all quite unique.
• Romance Elements - 4 - Both the romance of Gavin and Alex and Gavin and Sam are quite good, though they never quite reach the level of "can't-live-without-you" romance.
• Overall - 4.5 -Very highly recommended. After Slave Breakers, probably my favorite BDSM story. Definitely one of my all-time favorites so far.

Basic story -
Gavin is a trainer at Cascade. He very much enjoys his job. Far more than he ever liked being a slave. But when he meets Alex, he finds that perhaps being a slave isn't entirely a bad thing. At least, for Alex. As Gavin's attraction to Alex grows, he struggles with truths he's been convinced of for a very long time. Can he find a place in his life for Alex, or should he let him go?

My thoughts -
I'm a big fan of BDSM stories, especially when well written, and this one definitely is. You get various points of view when it comes to how this system works, and each person has their own preferences and kinks. Saito gives us a great glimpse into a world where this is the norm for this group, and each little detail just makes it that much more real.

The two central characters show us a great cross-section, especially. Gavin as the long-time practitioner, who only indulges at work or with his partner, Sam, and Alex as the newcomer who barely knows what he wants. Gavin's experiences as a slave leave him wary of letting anyone who doesn't have experience in this world become a slave, but he also makes sure to give Alex a good grounding.

The plot builds from Gavin's doubts about Alex, and also his attraction to him. There's no real jealousy between he and Sam--their agreement allows for some flexibility, given Gavin's job. The real tension comes from the fact that it is Gavin's job to train Alex to be sold, but he's not sure he wants Alex to fall into the same trap he felt he himself was in as a slave. And, of course, the question of whether he wants to save him from himself, or save him for himself.

What follows is a very satisfying story. Between the characters, setting, and the BDSM elements, this story will keep you reading from beginning to end.

Warnings -
Slavery and heavy BDSM elements.

Overall Recommendation -
Definitely for anyone who loves reading BDSM. 

Link to the story - Under Contract (at Goodreads)
Author Link - Helen Saito (at Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -

• The Adorned by John Tristan (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• Slavebreakers by Maculategiraffe (free online) (read my review here)
• The Violet and the Tom by Eve Ocitillo (Fiction Press) (read my review here)
• The Ennik Series by Kim Fielding (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• Undesirable by Velvet Mace (LJ)

Review: Soulless by T Baggins

Genre: Regency, Supernatural
Elements: BDSM, Vampires, Reincarnation
Rating:

• Characters - 5 - There's a huge variety of characters in this story, some character types of which are rather startling, as I can't say I've seen them written in this way before, if I've seen them at all.
• Setting - 4 - The setting is pretty usual for a Regency story--a Lord and his people, the small town he is lord of, his manor. It's nicely detailed, but there isn't much that stands out until you get the details of the True Vampires and their secrets.
• Plot - 5 - Though it seems a simple, typical setup for a male romance regency story, it quickly becomes so much more. When Nicholas and Bancroft meet, everything changes. It's a great story with a lot of twists and turns that you might never predict.
• Genre Elements - 5 - Subtle at first, but lots of details that really make the story come to life.
• Voice - 5 - Both characters are very distinct, and each of the other characters as well. Never once are they in the least similar.
• Romance Elements - 4 - You can't help but root for Nicky and Ban through all the twists and turns of their romance. it's really quite sweet.
• Overall - 4.5 - One of my favorites, and highly recommended.

Basic story -
Nicholas Robinson, Lord of Grantley, is a man obsesses with science in a world that still relies more on spirituality. So when he meets Bancroft Ulwin, he's not sure how to deal with something he is sure should not exist.

My thoughts -
What starts as an incredibly typical set-up changes the moment the character of Ban meets Nicholas. Suddenly everything goes out the window. Between the vampire mythos, which is very unique and quite well-thought-out, and the reincarnation aspect (which works well when combined with vampire mythos), this story becomes something entirely new.

Nicholas is mostly quiet, and the people who surround him love him, but seem content to just let him suffer as he is, knowing they can't cure what ails him. The only ones who seem to challenge him at all before Ban's appearance are his failing grandmother and a young housemaid he's taken under his wing to teach the science he so loves.

Ban, on the other hand, lives large, and even though he's not exactly a great person, you can't help but fall for him. Especially since, underneath it all, he's not a bad person. Even if he is a vampire. His backstory helps the reader feel for him, and you can't help but hope that in the end, he will live happily ever after.

The story takes he and Nicholas on quite the journey, and you never truly know how it will end until it does. I won't spoil those who are about to read it, except to say that I loved this book, and I hope to god I find more like it. T Baggins has really created an amazing story.

Warnings -
BDSM, some dub- and non-con, and severe emotional and physical abuse. Particularly the latter. Most of it is glossed over, but there are a few particularly horrific scenes in the book, so just be aware that they are there.

Overall Recommendation -
If you like vampires and reincarnation, this one is a must-read. This one definitely goes on my top recommendations list.

Link to the story - Soulless (on Goodreads)
Author Link - T Baggins (on Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -

• Blood and Roses by Aislinn Kerry (Goodreads)
• Undesirable by Velvet Mace (on LJ)
• From Afar by Ava March (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• Club Trinity by Minxie (AO3) (read my review here)
• Blood Bathory: Like the Night by Ari McKay (Goodreads)

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)