I've actually thoroughly enjoyed both volumes 1 and 2 in this series. Dare I say, I may like these collected stories even more so than the main 24690 storyline?
I love the glimpses we get of different people, both masters and slaves, that are part of this complex secret society. The levels of depravity vary and cover a broad spectrum of personalities and important players. Each "book" has alternating chapters of the master/mistress POV and the slave's POV.
Book 1: B0042 tells the tale of a mistress who has been in the Gardens for some time. She's a former model turned rockstar and we bare witness to her insecurities as well as her darker predilections.
"No one was safe with me. Rage and blood had been all I'd ever known. It was the answer..and my curse"
The other main focus of the story is on one of her slaves...a male blank slate, which as previous stories have alluded to...do not always function as intended.
I tend to really enjoy this dynamic the most apparently. I believe, if I remember correctly, that I rated a similar storyline in volume 1 high as well. (Mistress x blank slate) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book 2. Couple B0019: This was a total mindfuck. Here, we had two twin mistresses. There were moments I questioned what was actually going on due to their dynamic. There was definitely a twist to the storyline and I loved how I was kept in suspense and guessing. These girls liked to play games...with their male slaves and, apparently, each other. ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️
"We're going to fuck, covered in your blood. Show me your life is mine without me having to take it. Give this to me and you'll live. It's that simple"
Book 3. B0491: is a prestigious judge in the outside world. I can, without a doubt, say that I loathed this master above all else. His level of sick and twisted was almost bottomless. I appreciated this particular storyline because it showed a side of the Gardens that gave us full transparency. It doesn't sugarcoat what the Gardens are all about. On some level, we are already aware of how bad it can truly be in this environment and this story just gives voice to that.
The slave involved is what is classified as female W...or virgin/pure. Once again, I like how each storyline visits the different classifications and different scenarios that are possible. ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️
"The way the intensity held me captive, I wasn't sure whether to be mesmerized or on alert. There was something...off. I couldn't put my finger on it and wasn't even sure the feeling had merit other than intuition"
"The monster inside of me was my true other half. He ruled me. Made me stronger. And thanks to the Gardens, he was here to stay"
Book 4. B0113: Here, the master is a pastor. He and his church are main recruiters for the Gardens... kidnapping the down and destitute and transporting them to the Gardens to be sold. The slave in this story is a female B. Non virgin. She was actually brought there by his church. Her complex history includes drug addiction and prostitution but is slowly revealed to be layered with so much more backstory...making it truly suspenseful.
I really really liked this one because it was the first instance that paranormal elements were laced into the plot. It ended up going in a different direction than any of the others and I was definitely fascinated by that. ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫🌶️🌶️🌶️
"I got lured into my secret fantasies. I began to explore all sides of faith until...no sides at all"
Book 5. B0005: the master in this one is a board member...so very high up in the chain. He purchases a "breeder" which is typically the cheapest..but in this particular instance, the female is exceptionally important. He's contracted to produce an heir, as a member of the board and the main master has very specific plans in mind. This story was definitely complex. A lot of hidden agendas by all parties involved and a definite opening at the very end for another massive storyline involving the next generations of the Gardens. ⭐⭐⭐💫🌶️🌶️
"Play the role and feed me my fantasy. I'll give you a child. Be good to me and I'll give you as many as you want"