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The Flesh Cartel #8
Loyalties
With a wedge at last driven between Mat and Dougie Carmichael, courtesy of Nikolai Petrovic’s expert manipulations, the brothers must each accept their new path Dougie, a perfect slave, sweet and obedient and loving. Mat, a tightly reined dog, snarling and snapping but never allowed to bite.Unfortunately, no transformation, however well planned, is without its growing pains. Mat’s leash is so tight it’s choking him. Dougie is tormented by a little voice inside his head — a fragment of his former self — that he cannot silence.And Nikolai’s most difficult tests for the brothers are still to come.The critical question isn’t whether they can pass those tests, but whether they even want to. Without each other to lean on and live for, a bleak future has become bleaker still. But Nikolai’s too good to let his slaves slip through his fingers — by death or by despair.Reader discretion advised.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2013
9 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Haimowitz
41 books722 followersM/M erotic romance author, freelance writer and editor, sadist with a pesky conscience, shamelessly silly, proudly pervish. I'm a twitter addict (@rachelhaimowitz), and I blog every M/W/F at Fantasy Unbound. To learn all about my current and upcoming projects, please stop by my website. I love to hear from folks, so feel free to drop me a line anytime at metarachel (at) gmail (dot) com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 28, 2013
I haven’t got a clue what the fuck is going on anymore… I am a mess, blubbering with the hopelessness of it all.
Gone are the sickening tortures that quite frankly had my stomach in my throat and my blood boiling in anger. We have had the sick and twisted mind games from the master manipulator… but through it all I held on to the belief that that spark of hope would stay true, but after this episode I am left with a slight glow of embers that are slowly fading.
Dougie is psychologically a broken man, he has turned into the mindless pet that Nikolai demands of him. Wanting and needing to please his master… he loves him!!! HE LOVES a man that has systematically abused and tortured and fractured his mind, manipulating him in the worse way possible, with his will no longer his own but his masters. Nikolai consumes his every thought, he spends his waking hours analysing and trying to anticipate his master and what he requires of him. He is conflicted, no longer knowing or understanding what is right or wrong. Dougie is all about the logic, but there is no logic here right is wrong, wrong is right… but hey, just suck it up Dougie… you are here to PLEASE!!!
In the last book with THAT ending! We saw Mat at his lowest point, no amount of torture or mind games could be used to bend his will because he wanted it, he wanted all the pain and hurt he felt he deserved. The tenuous thread that had kept him alive and fighting had been completely severed when that monster abused Dougie and without him he had nothing and Nikolai knows this… and so begins the next stage and he will use whatever means necessary to get what he wants… and in steps Roger, who is only too willing to help! WHY? Ohhh…lets just torture them with kindness now, yes, play the empathy card with Mat and the jealousy card with Dougie… and it was this that finally broke me!
Right now, I feel like Mat. No hope. How can this get better? How can they come out of this the other side sane? …Has Nikolai won? With Dougie he has what he wants, the adoration of a pliant pet, happy to be his whipping boy or fuck toy… anything to please Nikolai for just a little love and kindness.
This episode… that’s it!!! I see no way back now, the bastard has won! He is not adverse to playing any dirty trick in the book and quite frankly his are so bad they probably never made it to that book. This has so far been one helluva journey with these boys… and I love them both, but right now I feel as broken as them. Where is my sliver of hope? …gone I say, shattered and currently running down my face at an alarming rate… They made me cry, damn it! Really cry snot nose tears and that is so not attractive, this episode has fucked with my head, my heart and my emotions.
I feel like giving up, throwing my hands up and saying “you win, I give up” I’m not putting my heart through this anymore! But no… how can I? someone has to believe it will be alright in the end, keep the lines running, fight another day… these boys need me, someone has to have hope, right?!?
YES, I say… try your best ladies, I’m not giving up… BRING IT ON!!!
On a coherent note… These two authors are driving me crazy but they are amazingly talented, my emotions for this series is testament to that fact. The Flesh Cartel is a series that will consume you, their writing is such that they draw you in and like a cat they dig their claws in and they ain’t letting go ‘till they are good and ready, then I am sure they will come in with their band aid and make it all better.
If you haven’t read this series and you like the darker side of m/m fiction… I urge you to start at Episode 1 and enjoy the ride… it is excellent, not to be missed and certainly never forgotten!
This book was provided by Riptide publishing for a fair and honest review
Gone are the sickening tortures that quite frankly had my stomach in my throat and my blood boiling in anger. We have had the sick and twisted mind games from the master manipulator… but through it all I held on to the belief that that spark of hope would stay true, but after this episode I am left with a slight glow of embers that are slowly fading.
Dougie is psychologically a broken man, he has turned into the mindless pet that Nikolai demands of him. Wanting and needing to please his master… he loves him!!! HE LOVES a man that has systematically abused and tortured and fractured his mind, manipulating him in the worse way possible, with his will no longer his own but his masters. Nikolai consumes his every thought, he spends his waking hours analysing and trying to anticipate his master and what he requires of him. He is conflicted, no longer knowing or understanding what is right or wrong. Dougie is all about the logic, but there is no logic here right is wrong, wrong is right… but hey, just suck it up Dougie… you are here to PLEASE!!!
In the last book with THAT ending! We saw Mat at his lowest point, no amount of torture or mind games could be used to bend his will because he wanted it, he wanted all the pain and hurt he felt he deserved. The tenuous thread that had kept him alive and fighting had been completely severed when that monster abused Dougie and without him he had nothing and Nikolai knows this… and so begins the next stage and he will use whatever means necessary to get what he wants… and in steps Roger, who is only too willing to help! WHY? Ohhh…lets just torture them with kindness now, yes, play the empathy card with Mat and the jealousy card with Dougie… and it was this that finally broke me!
Right now, I feel like Mat. No hope. How can this get better? How can they come out of this the other side sane? …Has Nikolai won? With Dougie he has what he wants, the adoration of a pliant pet, happy to be his whipping boy or fuck toy… anything to please Nikolai for just a little love and kindness.
This episode… that’s it!!! I see no way back now, the bastard has won! He is not adverse to playing any dirty trick in the book and quite frankly his are so bad they probably never made it to that book. This has so far been one helluva journey with these boys… and I love them both, but right now I feel as broken as them. Where is my sliver of hope? …gone I say, shattered and currently running down my face at an alarming rate… They made me cry, damn it! Really cry snot nose tears and that is so not attractive, this episode has fucked with my head, my heart and my emotions.
I feel like giving up, throwing my hands up and saying “you win, I give up” I’m not putting my heart through this anymore! But no… how can I? someone has to believe it will be alright in the end, keep the lines running, fight another day… these boys need me, someone has to have hope, right?!?
YES, I say… try your best ladies, I’m not giving up… BRING IT ON!!!
On a coherent note… These two authors are driving me crazy but they are amazingly talented, my emotions for this series is testament to that fact. The Flesh Cartel is a series that will consume you, their writing is such that they draw you in and like a cat they dig their claws in and they ain’t letting go ‘till they are good and ready, then I am sure they will come in with their band aid and make it all better.
If you haven’t read this series and you like the darker side of m/m fiction… I urge you to start at Episode 1 and enjoy the ride… it is excellent, not to be missed and certainly never forgotten!
This book was provided by Riptide publishing for a fair and honest review
July 29, 2018
This series is so fucked up but i will continue reading it.
“I should beat you for taking liberties,” Nikolai panted, and Dougie’s whine at that was pure instinctive fear, but of course it felt great against Roger’s cock and Roger just ground against Nikolai harder. “But I think—” Whatever he was thinking, Dougie (well, Roger) drove it right out of his head for a moment. “—I think you’ll learn your lesson well enough by the time this day is through.”
This is season 3 and the beating, torture is gone and now we have the Twisted, Sick Mind games.
Nikolai has managed to turn Dougie into something else, an obedient little pet with no say at all. He now thinks he is in love with Nikolai.
Dougie
Nikolai is a master manipulator, he uses Roger to get Matt to do his bid. I want to kill him, but then again i want to see what he will do next.
Dougie is broken, broken to a point when NikolaiConvincing himself that he is being a good boy.
“Punish me,” Dougie croaked. “Punish me, sir. Hurt me like you hurt Roger. I can take it, sir. I deserve it. I want to give it to you.”
“Good boy,” Nikolai said
Mat has decided to play Nikolai games, and i am interested to see if he succeeds in beating Nikolai at his own game.
Dougie is gone lost forever so Matt you are our Saviour now.
“I should beat you for taking liberties,” Nikolai panted, and Dougie’s whine at that was pure instinctive fear, but of course it felt great against Roger’s cock and Roger just ground against Nikolai harder. “But I think—” Whatever he was thinking, Dougie (well, Roger) drove it right out of his head for a moment. “—I think you’ll learn your lesson well enough by the time this day is through.”
This is season 3 and the beating, torture is gone and now we have the Twisted, Sick Mind games.
Nikolai has managed to turn Dougie into something else, an obedient little pet with no say at all. He now thinks he is in love with Nikolai.
Dougie
Nikolai is a master manipulator, he uses Roger to get Matt to do his bid. I want to kill him, but then again i want to see what he will do next.
Dougie is broken, broken to a point when NikolaiConvincing himself that he is being a good boy.
“Punish me,” Dougie croaked. “Punish me, sir. Hurt me like you hurt Roger. I can take it, sir. I deserve it. I want to give it to you.”
“Good boy,” Nikolai said
Mat has decided to play Nikolai games, and i am interested to see if he succeeds in beating Nikolai at his own game.
Dougie is gone lost forever so Matt you are our Saviour now.
August 3, 2016
Nikolai, you're really getting on my fucking nerves!
There are no spoilers from Loyalties, but there will inevitably be some from Captured, Auction, Choices, Consequences, Wins and Losses, Brotherhood, and Homecoming. (Contains cussing and explicit scenes.)
Part of him desperately wanted to be wrapped back up in Nikolai’s arms, in Nikolai’s private inner sanctum, borrowing Nikolai’s strength and conviction and basking in his love.
Me: Wow, was he always that cruel?
Book: Mhmm!
Me: Well damn. It did work though
Book: Aye
Mat's determined to starve to death, and nothing will change his mind. Well, except, maybe, one thing. Something he didn't expect.
Under Nikolai’s guidance, Dougie thrives. Or at least he thinks he does, thoughts of his past and Mat still plague his thoughts...
I thankfully avoided reading the blurb, as it still heavily contains spoilers.
One day, you’re gonna walk out those doors and wind up at the feet of another man, and you’re gonna spend five, ten, maybe fifteen years there missing Nikolai for every fucking second of it, like your heart’s torn out of your goddamn chest.”
The characters had separate paragraphs, so it was easy to tell who it was talking about. The few sentences from Nikolai and Roger's POV was really good, and unexpected.
The series is an emotional roller coaster, and I don't regret any of it.
To see my previous reviews and my next review for The Flesh Cartel, please click the links below.
Capture (The Flesh Cartel #1) - HERE
Auction (The Flesh Cartel #2) - HERE
Choices (The Flesh Cartel #3) - HERE
Consequences (The Flesh Cartel #4) - HERE
Wins and Losses (The Flesh Cartel #5) - HERE
Brotherhood (The Flesh Cartel #6) - HERE
Homecoming (The Flesh Cartel #7) - HERE
-----------------------------------------------------------
Trials and Errors (The Flesh Cartel #9) - HERE
There are no spoilers from Loyalties, but there will inevitably be some from Captured, Auction, Choices, Consequences, Wins and Losses, Brotherhood, and Homecoming. (Contains cussing and explicit scenes.)
4 Nikolai could knock him to the mat, but he couldn’t make him stay down. Stars.(the goal is clear: kill nikolai)
Part of him desperately wanted to be wrapped back up in Nikolai’s arms, in Nikolai’s private inner sanctum, borrowing Nikolai’s strength and conviction and basking in his love.
Me: Wow, was he always that cruel?
Book: Mhmm!
Me: Well damn. It did work though
Book: Aye
Mat's determined to starve to death, and nothing will change his mind. Well, except, maybe, one thing. Something he didn't expect.
Under Nikolai’s guidance, Dougie thrives. Or at least he thinks he does, thoughts of his past and Mat still plague his thoughts...
I thankfully avoided reading the blurb, as it still heavily contains spoilers.
One day, you’re gonna walk out those doors and wind up at the feet of another man, and you’re gonna spend five, ten, maybe fifteen years there missing Nikolai for every fucking second of it, like your heart’s torn out of your goddamn chest.”
The characters had separate paragraphs, so it was easy to tell who it was talking about. The few sentences from Nikolai and Roger's POV was really good, and unexpected.
The series is an emotional roller coaster, and I don't regret any of it.
To see my previous reviews and my next review for The Flesh Cartel, please click the links below.
Capture (The Flesh Cartel #1) - HERE
Auction (The Flesh Cartel #2) - HERE
Choices (The Flesh Cartel #3) - HERE
Consequences (The Flesh Cartel #4) - HERE
Wins and Losses (The Flesh Cartel #5) - HERE
Brotherhood (The Flesh Cartel #6) - HERE
Homecoming (The Flesh Cartel #7) - HERE
-----------------------------------------------------------
Trials and Errors (The Flesh Cartel #9) - HERE
July 14, 2023
Después de todo lo que han pasado Doguie y Mat, todavía tendrán alguna esperanza?
Nikolai va a intentar otra jugada que espere le que toda la esperanza a los hermanos, o por lo menos a Doguie.
Cada libro es cada vez más fuerte de leer, más difícil de ver la transformación de Doguie y como va siendo moldeado.
Quisiera poder abandonar aquí e ir a los últimos libros, dónde me imagino que son rescatados, pero hay que leerlos como calma para poder entender, realmente, su mentalidad en esos últimos libros.
Ahí que si, voy a seguir leyendo, aunque sufra bastante en esta fase.
Nikolai va a intentar otra jugada que espere le que toda la esperanza a los hermanos, o por lo menos a Doguie.
Cada libro es cada vez más fuerte de leer, más difícil de ver la transformación de Doguie y como va siendo moldeado.
Quisiera poder abandonar aquí e ir a los últimos libros, dónde me imagino que son rescatados, pero hay que leerlos como calma para poder entender, realmente, su mentalidad en esos últimos libros.
Ahí que si, voy a seguir leyendo, aunque sufra bastante en esta fase.
July 25, 2015
I keep thinking about Nikolai. I hate what he does and he's a sociopath to be sure. He's manipulative and seemingly lacks remorse for his sinister machinations, but then there are flashes of humanity.
He clearly feels something for Roger. They call it love. It's certainly a fucked up relationship but it makes me think maybe just maybe Nikolai has redeemable qualities. Maybe just a singular redeemable quality. Possibly.
I'm in all likelihood giving him far too much credit and it'll come back to bite me on the ass. Perhaps his commupence will be delivered by either Mat or Dougie or some combined effort. Although Dougie has taken a surprising 180 that I didn't foresee coming this quickly, so who the fuck knows.
Mat, I'm counting on you, buddy. Use your head.
He clearly feels something for Roger. They call it love. It's certainly a fucked up relationship but it makes me think maybe just maybe Nikolai has redeemable qualities. Maybe just a singular redeemable quality. Possibly.
I'm in all likelihood giving him far too much credit and it'll come back to bite me on the ass. Perhaps his commupence will be delivered by either Mat or Dougie or some combined effort. Although Dougie has taken a surprising 180 that I didn't foresee coming this quickly, so who the fuck knows.
Mat, I'm counting on you, buddy. Use your head.
May 21, 2014
I am not even sure what I just read...
Here is what I know -
Dougie...WHY??? You keep disappointing me more and more!
Mat...I am so SORRY you stepped up for your brother!! I love you more each book!
Niko...WTF!!! I am so confused by you!!
Loved reading this with my girl Em...
Here is what I know -
Dougie...WHY??? You keep disappointing me more and more!
Mat...I am so SORRY you stepped up for your brother!! I love you more each book!
Niko...WTF!!! I am so confused by you!!
Loved reading this with my girl Em...
May 12, 2017
Wow. This was an especially hard read. Even more so than at the beginning of this ordeal, it seems the only way out would be suicide, but Douglas is way too far gone, desperately searching for some meaning in his new slave life that he doesn't even see the wrongness of it all anymore.
HOWEVER, I seriously doubt the realism of Nikolai's household. A dozen slaves who run the place? And not one of them would ever come to the realization that Nikolai tortures people and needs to be sent to prison? It would just take one phone call.
Nikolai can't be everywhere at once, controlling a DOZEN people at the same time - not to mention the jealousy among them. I just don't believe that.
Accepting this kind of power and influence as the framework of this plot makes the story even scarier and more hopeless.
If someone just killed Nikolai they'd ALL be free!! Don't they see that?!?
Damn, I'm not even halfway through the series, but I'm more than halfway on the path to insanity, LOL.
5 stars!
(Btw, some sex scenes here are spectacular, *cough*)
HOWEVER, I seriously doubt the realism of Nikolai's household. A dozen slaves who run the place? And not one of them would ever come to the realization that Nikolai tortures people and needs to be sent to prison? It would just take one phone call.
Nikolai can't be everywhere at once, controlling a DOZEN people at the same time - not to mention the jealousy among them. I just don't believe that.
Accepting this kind of power and influence as the framework of this plot makes the story even scarier and more hopeless.
If someone just killed Nikolai they'd ALL be free!! Don't they see that?!?
Damn, I'm not even halfway through the series, but I'm more than halfway on the path to insanity, LOL.
5 stars!
(Btw, some sex scenes here are spectacular, *cough*)
September 5, 2013
Torture - check; killing with kindness - check; non-stop mind manipulations - full speed ahead. Roger steps in now to console Dougie and offer clarity of his situation. It was very sad to see Dougie giving in and actually seeing himself wanting to please and serve Nikolai, as opposed to just doing it to avoid consequences, just as Nikolai promised would happen. He truly seems to have broken down mentally, as, at this point, he doesn't seem to be able to figure out the right from the wrong and seems to have given in and begun to actually care about Nikolai. It was inevitable, we knew it was going to happen eventually, but it is still heartbreaking when it comes to fruition.
Unfortunately, we have the same going on with Mat only for opposite reasons. He had finally given up, hadn't eaten for 10 days and was on the brink of suicide. Again, cue Nikolai's favorite pet, Roger, who has been caring for Mat, attempting to get him to eat, etc. After the almost suicide attempt, Roger knows it is time to kick it up a notch, and Nikolai puts the final plan into place. All I will say about this is that Roger is just as effed up in the head as any of the pets, and I was sad and disappointed to see this side of him. Nikolai uses him against both Mat and Dougie though in different ways.
We also meet another pet here, Jeremy, who was quite candid with Dougie, but I'm afraid he could be a real trouble maker in the future. He explains/reminds/warns Dougie of what the future could hold with being sold to another master and the potential for coming back to be "saved" by Nikolai.
These are such quick reads, though I can honestly say, they are just about the right length. Small doses of Nikolai are probably best, though waiting for the next episodes is a tin bit of torture in itself.
Unfortunately, we have the same going on with Mat only for opposite reasons. He had finally given up, hadn't eaten for 10 days and was on the brink of suicide. Again, cue Nikolai's favorite pet, Roger, who has been caring for Mat, attempting to get him to eat, etc. After the almost suicide attempt, Roger knows it is time to kick it up a notch, and Nikolai puts the final plan into place. All I will say about this is that Roger is just as effed up in the head as any of the pets, and I was sad and disappointed to see this side of him. Nikolai uses him against both Mat and Dougie though in different ways.
We also meet another pet here, Jeremy, who was quite candid with Dougie, but I'm afraid he could be a real trouble maker in the future. He explains/reminds/warns Dougie of what the future could hold with being sold to another master and the potential for coming back to be "saved" by Nikolai.
These are such quick reads, though I can honestly say, they are just about the right length. Small doses of Nikolai are probably best, though waiting for the next episodes is a tin bit of torture in itself.
February 19, 2014
Sorry, but they're both dumb fucks.
Mat gets a bye, but Dougie's too stupid to be a graduate student in psychology. So basic are these techniques that an observant child could have figured it out. Of course, Dougie provides some hot, slutty action, but other than that this episode just proves how long the serial will drag out and I really despise just about everyone right now. Character empathy is at a nadir.
Mat gets a bye, but Dougie's too stupid to be a graduate student in psychology. So basic are these techniques that an observant child could have figured it out. Of course, Dougie provides some hot, slutty action, but other than that this episode just proves how long the serial will drag out and I really despise just about everyone right now. Character empathy is at a nadir.
July 10, 2017
4.5 stars, rounded up!
Even if Mat (again) didn't play the main role in this instalment, I still think he's the hero...
I love him more and more...
Mat would obey, but he wouldn’t cower.
Obey, and bide his time, but Nikolai didn’t need to know the second part. Or maybe he already knew the second part, but thought he could still come out on top in the end.
Yes, Mat was done underestimating Nikolai. But Nikolai had always underestimated Mat, and that would be his downfall. All in good time.
“I’m ready to do what you want. I’m ready to be who you want.”
Nikolai nodded, not smiling, not showing any emotion at all, not even victory. Just acknowledgment. “Let’s begin, then.”
You and me. You versus me.
Mat nodded, too. “Yes, let’s.”
I can't wait to see what happens next between Mat and Nikolai and how long Mat still can fight...
And I still don't like Dougie... :(
Get a grip, boy!
Even if Mat (again) didn't play the main role in this instalment, I still think he's the hero...
I love him more and more...
Mat would obey, but he wouldn’t cower.
Obey, and bide his time, but Nikolai didn’t need to know the second part. Or maybe he already knew the second part, but thought he could still come out on top in the end.
Yes, Mat was done underestimating Nikolai. But Nikolai had always underestimated Mat, and that would be his downfall. All in good time.
“I’m ready to do what you want. I’m ready to be who you want.”
Nikolai nodded, not smiling, not showing any emotion at all, not even victory. Just acknowledgment. “Let’s begin, then.”
You and me. You versus me.
Mat nodded, too. “Yes, let’s.”
I can't wait to see what happens next between Mat and Nikolai and how long Mat still can fight...
And I still don't like Dougie... :(
Get a grip, boy!
November 12, 2014
Just devoured the next chilling episode of Mat and Dougie's story. Nikolai is as manipulative as ever, he fools Mat into eating again by threatening Roger this time. Dougie is transforming into the mindless, devoted slave that Nikolai desires. The aura of hopelessness and inevitability pervading these books is so intense. I just hope that Mat is correct in believing that Nikolai underestimates him.
"You think too much, Douglas. You say you know your place but you don't. It's not your place to worry about the future, and it's not your place to ask questions, and it's not your place to wonder about your place. In the world. In this house. In my heart. Your place is just. To. Accept."
"You think too much, Douglas. You say you know your place but you don't. It's not your place to worry about the future, and it's not your place to ask questions, and it's not your place to wonder about your place. In the world. In this house. In my heart. Your place is just. To. Accept."
June 29, 2013
Okay, I'm just really - "What the fuck, Dougie?". I mean, seriously - it's way past time that Dougie grows some balls. This is beginning to lose me. At some point my mind knows it's past the time for day in and day out(book after book) of the same humiliation, dread, abuse and acceptance. Even a broken dog will eventually bite and fight for what he needs. It is now to the unbelievable part and down right tiring. Yes, I said it. The queen of dark reads is doing the, "Ho hum," because nothing is progressing this tale forward and hasn't in a couple of books. The authors are better than this. JMHO
September 9, 2016
I have to be honest and say I loved this! I fucking loved it. Not sure if I have been manipulated or not and I simply do not care. I am beyond caring about how I should feel while reading this series and am just gong to feel everything as it comes my way.
I have had a secret crush on Nikolai from Episode #3 when he revealed that he loved Roger. I have always had a fetish with Masters who can actually love for the pleasure of loving and I do believe he loves Roger in the full meaning of the word. I also have a fetish for Doms/Masters and their names for their subs/slaves and the fact that Nikolai only refers to Dougie and Douglas and Mat as Mathais has also hit a button for me. Is Nikolia worthy of my crush? Who the hell knows? Have any of the crushes I have had been worth my time? Probably not but I can't seem to toss the feelings I have away for him. Does that make me jaded? Possibly. But I have been called much worse.
This was again more of Dougie and that is fine with me. While I like Mat, I have been drawn more to Dougie from the beginning. I guess I can feel Dougie's willingness to submit to live more than Mat's fight to just be beat again? I mean, if you are in such a fucked up situation, if I were in such a fucked up situation I would think I would go for self preservation and not self...whatever it is that Mat is doing. Anyway, this more about Dougie learning his place, actually accepting that this very well is his fate/future and choosing to be the best at it. With the insertion of Roger front and center being Dougie's confidant, things get a bit more intense and I will admit a bit hot. I can't lie. I will not say there wasn't a time in Episode #7 where I thought "Damn, that is...um, hot" and a couple times in this where I thought the same thing and then some. For one, I have a picture tucked away in a safe spot *cough* Tumblr *cough* of an act that was performed and holy shit, it's hot. There is no way around admitting that.
Mat, okay dude. Glad to see what you were planning to do at the end of Episode #7 didn't happen and the scene after it, you did in fact make me stick out my bottom lip and pout for you. I think sometimes you are more heartbreaking than your brother but we haven't seen much of you lately and what we have seen...dude? Though I happen to like your brother more, I still want you to be okay. I have no idea what is going on in your head or how this will play out for you but I do hope you come out okay. I want both of you to come out okay. I just don't know how that will actually happen. Ya know?
Dougie, your wanting to please Nikolai...I like it and I hate it. I guess I am still screwed up about how I feel about that but I will say what was done in this Episode, I liked. I really liked it. I finally am at a point where I am not cringing and gagging every few pages from the first books where I have settled into the roles. Will that be ripped from me in the next episode? Maybe but I am ready for it.
I have had a secret crush on Nikolai from Episode #3 when he revealed that he loved Roger. I have always had a fetish with Masters who can actually love for the pleasure of loving and I do believe he loves Roger in the full meaning of the word. I also have a fetish for Doms/Masters and their names for their subs/slaves and the fact that Nikolai only refers to Dougie and Douglas and Mat as Mathais has also hit a button for me. Is Nikolia worthy of my crush? Who the hell knows? Have any of the crushes I have had been worth my time? Probably not but I can't seem to toss the feelings I have away for him. Does that make me jaded? Possibly. But I have been called much worse.
This was again more of Dougie and that is fine with me. While I like Mat, I have been drawn more to Dougie from the beginning. I guess I can feel Dougie's willingness to submit to live more than Mat's fight to just be beat again? I mean, if you are in such a fucked up situation, if I were in such a fucked up situation I would think I would go for self preservation and not self...whatever it is that Mat is doing. Anyway, this more about Dougie learning his place, actually accepting that this very well is his fate/future and choosing to be the best at it. With the insertion of Roger front and center being Dougie's confidant, things get a bit more intense and I will admit a bit hot. I can't lie. I will not say there wasn't a time in Episode #7 where I thought "Damn, that is...um, hot" and a couple times in this where I thought the same thing and then some. For one, I have a picture tucked away in a safe spot *cough* Tumblr *cough* of an act that was performed and holy shit, it's hot. There is no way around admitting that.
Mat, okay dude. Glad to see what you were planning to do at the end of Episode #7 didn't happen and the scene after it, you did in fact make me stick out my bottom lip and pout for you. I think sometimes you are more heartbreaking than your brother but we haven't seen much of you lately and what we have seen...dude? Though I happen to like your brother more, I still want you to be okay. I have no idea what is going on in your head or how this will play out for you but I do hope you come out okay. I want both of you to come out okay. I just don't know how that will actually happen. Ya know?
Dougie, your wanting to please Nikolai...I like it and I hate it. I guess I am still screwed up about how I feel about that but I will say what was done in this Episode, I liked. I really liked it. I finally am at a point where I am not cringing and gagging every few pages from the first books where I have settled into the roles. Will that be ripped from me in the next episode? Maybe but I am ready for it.
July 6, 2013
It was with my usual trepidation that I started this. How much pain and suffering was I going to go through with this story? Could my poor little heart take it? Would I get enough Mat this time?
The answers to these questions vary. I survived the little bit of time it took to read this episode, but my heart did feel the pain that these books always put it through. I did not get enough Mat, but I never do, and I just have to accept that the focus is Doug, if I like it that way or not.
We did get a chance to see more of Roger, and he fascinates me. I would love a chance to wander around in his mind. How easily he seems to accept his place makes me want to know more about him.
I really do wish that I had never started reading these little serial stories. The constant waiting for more, and the fact that the end price is probably going to be quiet high annoys me. I should have waited until the end and read them as one long story. I know that this series fiction seems to be more prevalent now, but I prefer to surrender myself to a longer journey at one time, and I would of preferred the chance to follow this from beginning to end in one (or maybe two) book.
The answers to these questions vary. I survived the little bit of time it took to read this episode, but my heart did feel the pain that these books always put it through. I did not get enough Mat, but I never do, and I just have to accept that the focus is Doug, if I like it that way or not.
We did get a chance to see more of Roger, and he fascinates me. I would love a chance to wander around in his mind. How easily he seems to accept his place makes me want to know more about him.
I really do wish that I had never started reading these little serial stories. The constant waiting for more, and the fact that the end price is probably going to be quiet high annoys me. I should have waited until the end and read them as one long story. I know that this series fiction seems to be more prevalent now, but I prefer to surrender myself to a longer journey at one time, and I would of preferred the chance to follow this from beginning to end in one (or maybe two) book.
July 5, 2013
Excellent, if short, chapter where the enigmatic and intriguing Roger has a starring role. Nikolai makes expert use of him as a tool in his handling of problems with both brothers. He is permitted to talk to each of them, and it’s good to see them having an opportunity for substantive conversation with someone other than their captor. We get a good deal more backstory and our understanding of the potential fates of the brothers is expanded.
The story is becoming more complex as the cast of speaking characters grows, and the relationship between Nikolai and Douglas continues to evolve. Mat, too, has more to do and think about. The pace is faster this season, and the reader is easily caught up in wanting to know what happens next, as opposed to reading with one eye closed waiting for the torture scenes to end. That is not to say that the agony is over for anyone--it’s just taking new and interesting forms. The emotional hooks, also, are being set deeper and more surely. I’m definitely along for the ride.
The story is becoming more complex as the cast of speaking characters grows, and the relationship between Nikolai and Douglas continues to evolve. Mat, too, has more to do and think about. The pace is faster this season, and the reader is easily caught up in wanting to know what happens next, as opposed to reading with one eye closed waiting for the torture scenes to end. That is not to say that the agony is over for anyone--it’s just taking new and interesting forms. The emotional hooks, also, are being set deeper and more surely. I’m definitely along for the ride.
September 5, 2013
It has gotten so drawn out that Ive lost interest. I'm throwing in the towel on the whole mess. I'm with Monique.
August 6, 2014
Oh Roger! This book is killing me. This series will break me.
April 16, 2020
I was slightly disappointed to how the outcome of Mat's story from the previous cliffhanger ending turned out. I expected a little more thrill and excitement from it, but it turned out to be quite anticlimactic. Mat's felt contrived, and could have been more convincing had the book spent more time developing it.
There's more manipulation and both brothers seem to be completely under Nikolai's thumb at this point. I'm not sure why Dougie is delusional to such a state when even the reality of the whole situation presented to him isn't even enough to wake him up.
I do enjoy this book slightly than the few previous ones, but I'm still waiting for something exciting to happen.
4 Stars!
There's more manipulation and both brothers seem to be completely under Nikolai's thumb at this point. I'm not sure why Dougie is delusional to such a state when even the reality of the whole situation presented to him isn't even enough to wake him up.
I do enjoy this book slightly than the few previous ones, but I'm still waiting for something exciting to happen.
4 Stars!
Read
November 24, 2025alright friends if you're wondering if things have started to get better yet at book 8 out of 19, the answer is ~no~ and also, nothing good even in sight.
reading this is like exposure therapy if you have a kidnapping OCD theme.
reading this is like exposure therapy if you have a kidnapping OCD theme.
March 3, 2014
No physical torture the boys this time - just more mental which Doug falls for. Wasn't he a grad student in psychology in his previous life? How could he fall for this crap.
Roger is the tool that Nikolai uses to manipulate the brothers this time. Mat sees Rogers battered and bruised body and starts to eat again to stop Roger from the consequences of Mat's action. Doug sees Rogers battered and bruised body and marvels at how far Roger would go for Nikolai's happiness.
Sick - just sick - and I can't wait for more.
Roger is the tool that Nikolai uses to manipulate the brothers this time. Mat sees Rogers battered and bruised body and starts to eat again to stop Roger from the consequences of Mat's action. Doug sees Rogers battered and bruised body and marvels at how far Roger would go for Nikolai's happiness.
Sick - just sick - and I can't wait for more.
December 2, 2015
A little bit more about Mat in this part, however the focus still lies on Dougie. In some aspects it's hard to understand him and I would like to grip him by his shoulders and shake him, make him get back his mind. I definitively liked the fact that this part is presenting Robert and Jeremy more closely, painting a bigger picture!
August 25, 2016
Nikolai is again up to his cruel mind games.
He uses Roger to convince Mat to want to live. It works and he starts eating and training again.
As a reward, Roger gets to spend some quality time with Nikolai. When Douglas is asked to participate, he gets a bit jealous and confused...
He uses Roger to convince Mat to want to live. It works and he starts eating and training again.
As a reward, Roger gets to spend some quality time with Nikolai. When Douglas is asked to participate, he gets a bit jealous and confused...
March 14, 2014
Poor Mat. I hated everyone but Mat in this one.
June 18, 2018
Just when you think you’ve got you head wrapped around where this is going...
But good grief did this one include some tasty scenes. Hot Hot Hot.
July 5, 2017
Reviewed under a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... 3 - The Flesh Cartel
5 deviant, depraved, sadistic, mind-fuckery Stars!!
Check the warnings - 8/10 on Darkeness Scale
5 deviant, depraved, sadistic, mind-fuckery Stars!!
Check the warnings - 8/10 on Darkeness Scale
January 12, 2017
Review for the whole series:
I'm torn as to call these books a scam or not.
These "books" cost $3 per 50 pages, but it's actually $3 for a lot less than 50 pages of story. Let me break down the books for you:
Unlike other books, this one had THREE pages about copyright stuff. Most books have one page.
This book had one dedicated page telling people not to pirate stuff.
A multi-page review of the previous books (fair enough).
A multi-page preview of what would happen in this book.
After the story, a multiple page "about the author" section for each of the two authors.
For each of the two authors, a page about other books they wrote.
5-6 pages of advertisements for other books by this publisher.
I'm surprised there was room for story at all.
Unsurprisingly, when being paid $3/a few pages of story, the plot moved glacially slow. Around book three some progress was made, but by the end the characters all went through a backslide and things ended up where they had been. That same thing happened three or four times. It wasn't until book eight that some (real?) progress was made. Would the characters backslide once more? No idea; I wouldn't continue with this series even if I got the books for free.
I loved the idea, characters, storylines, etc. However, in the authors' assumed effort to keep things moving slowly, things stopped making sense. I started laughing at things the characters said or did, which is a bad sign for a book. (I also mentioned loving the writing, and on that point I can't change my mind. Good, straightforward style, very good grammar/editing.)
So, to sum up: If one bought the first eight books, they would have paid $24 for 320 pages of story (assuming a very generous 40 pages of story per book). Story that goes no where, story where the authors have a financial interest in keeping the plot from making progress.
If you're familiar with fanfic writing, this was basically one big PWP. (PWP = Porn, what plot?) The authors seemed to have a laundry list of kinks, and made sure to cover at least one major one per book (including distasteful-to-me watersports and incest -- not exactly things I want to see in sexytime books).
So, all in all: Not recommended. If you're interested in slash/adult writing, there's just as good to be found online for free.
That not bad enough? If you bought the first 17 books, for about 675 pages of story, you're going to spend $51 (and not even get the complete series!).
Stephen King's The Stand has 1,153 pages and sells for $5. A more modern example? His Under the Dome has 897 pages and sells for $8.
Okay, I know it's not really a scam, they don't hide the price or the page count, but still. Their pricing scheme is wrong and unfair. I'm sorry to say that I did buy the first three or four books, but the rest I won't read unless I borrow them from someone else. I already gave the authors $9 or $12, so I feel more than covered on payment.
Anyway. The first eleven or so books in the series are basically PWP (Porn, What Plot?). Two brothers get kidnapped by modern day slavers and we see the whole slavery system through their experiences. That sounds more plotty then it is -- there was just enough framework of a story to justify all the adult stuff.
Around book twelve, everything changed. There was a whole book with nearly no sex. As much as I like plot over porn, this wasn't a good shift as the plot was not believable at all. The whole story took a left turn, one of the brothers escaped and met two ~dreamy~ people from the FBI who decided to take down the cartel because the male ~dreamy~ agent was in love with the escaped brother.
The following books, thirteen through sixteen, were all plot about planning to destroy the slavery ring. Next to no sex, and totally unbelievable plot. It felt like a bait and switch -- PWP to gen (fanfic written for general audiences) with no warning.
Worse than the plot being bad, I was annoyed that all the characters we knew were now getting their lives ruined. Some innocent ones (men who had been slaves for nearly their whole lives and were now up there in years and didn't want something else), some not so innocent (the main character slave trainer, though he was still a good guy, as much as that profession allowed.). I guess we were supposed to be happy to see them get their comeuppance, but we had spent all these books getting to know them, so I was more annoyed than anything else to see what would happen to them.
I'm glad to be done with the series. In the beginning I did enjoy it ('breaking and rebuilding people' is probably my most favorite story element ever), but in the end it turned out to be nothing but a disappointing conclusion and a money-grab.
I'm torn as to call these books a scam or not.
These "books" cost $3 per 50 pages, but it's actually $3 for a lot less than 50 pages of story. Let me break down the books for you:
Unlike other books, this one had THREE pages about copyright stuff. Most books have one page.
This book had one dedicated page telling people not to pirate stuff.
A multi-page review of the previous books (fair enough).
A multi-page preview of what would happen in this book.
After the story, a multiple page "about the author" section for each of the two authors.
For each of the two authors, a page about other books they wrote.
5-6 pages of advertisements for other books by this publisher.
I'm surprised there was room for story at all.
Unsurprisingly, when being paid $3/a few pages of story, the plot moved glacially slow. Around book three some progress was made, but by the end the characters all went through a backslide and things ended up where they had been. That same thing happened three or four times. It wasn't until book eight that some (real?) progress was made. Would the characters backslide once more? No idea; I wouldn't continue with this series even if I got the books for free.
I loved the idea, characters, storylines, etc. However, in the authors' assumed effort to keep things moving slowly, things stopped making sense. I started laughing at things the characters said or did, which is a bad sign for a book. (I also mentioned loving the writing, and on that point I can't change my mind. Good, straightforward style, very good grammar/editing.)
So, to sum up: If one bought the first eight books, they would have paid $24 for 320 pages of story (assuming a very generous 40 pages of story per book). Story that goes no where, story where the authors have a financial interest in keeping the plot from making progress.
If you're familiar with fanfic writing, this was basically one big PWP. (PWP = Porn, what plot?) The authors seemed to have a laundry list of kinks, and made sure to cover at least one major one per book (including distasteful-to-me watersports and incest -- not exactly things I want to see in sexytime books).
So, all in all: Not recommended. If you're interested in slash/adult writing, there's just as good to be found online for free.
That not bad enough? If you bought the first 17 books, for about 675 pages of story, you're going to spend $51 (and not even get the complete series!).
Stephen King's The Stand has 1,153 pages and sells for $5. A more modern example? His Under the Dome has 897 pages and sells for $8.
Okay, I know it's not really a scam, they don't hide the price or the page count, but still. Their pricing scheme is wrong and unfair. I'm sorry to say that I did buy the first three or four books, but the rest I won't read unless I borrow them from someone else. I already gave the authors $9 or $12, so I feel more than covered on payment.
Anyway. The first eleven or so books in the series are basically PWP (Porn, What Plot?). Two brothers get kidnapped by modern day slavers and we see the whole slavery system through their experiences. That sounds more plotty then it is -- there was just enough framework of a story to justify all the adult stuff.
Around book twelve, everything changed. There was a whole book with nearly no sex. As much as I like plot over porn, this wasn't a good shift as the plot was not believable at all. The whole story took a left turn, one of the brothers escaped and met two ~dreamy~ people from the FBI who decided to take down the cartel because the male ~dreamy~ agent was in love with the escaped brother.
The following books, thirteen through sixteen, were all plot about planning to destroy the slavery ring. Next to no sex, and totally unbelievable plot. It felt like a bait and switch -- PWP to gen (fanfic written for general audiences) with no warning.
Worse than the plot being bad, I was annoyed that all the characters we knew were now getting their lives ruined. Some innocent ones (men who had been slaves for nearly their whole lives and were now up there in years and didn't want something else), some not so innocent (the main character slave trainer, though he was still a good guy, as much as that profession allowed.). I guess we were supposed to be happy to see them get their comeuppance, but we had spent all these books getting to know them, so I was more annoyed than anything else to see what would happen to them.
I'm glad to be done with the series. In the beginning I did enjoy it ('breaking and rebuilding people' is probably my most favorite story element ever), but in the end it turned out to be nothing but a disappointing conclusion and a money-grab.
September 16, 2013
This episode showed me that I'm an idiot. (surprise!?)
Even after so many episodes I'm still too naive or I would have seen this one coming. I noticed that something was off, I didn't quite understand the interactions because somehow it wasn't smooth. Anyway, when the light bulb went on I wanted to put my fist through a wall.
Apart from revealing my naivety this episode also revealed some interesting things about Nikolai, his household, the business, and Roger. Oh Roger, you are breaking my heart here.
Dougie's breaking my heart, too. Even worse, I can understand why he's doing what he's doing. And isn't that a perfect mindfuck for the reader, too, and not just for Dougie? I hate you, Nikolai, I really do. And then, I pity you. Do you love Roger? Or do you love the results of your work?
Whatever. Mat's back in the ring, trying to do the Phoenix from the Ashes thing. I hope it won't stop the second Nikolai does his auto-injector shit.
Let's begin, then.
Yeah, let's.
July 8, 2013
Well first off, I think readers might be losing sight of what this series is. It's NOT romance, it's NOT erotica, it's a mind-fucking psycho-sexual story. For either - never mind both - Mat and Dougie to emerge from this as anything approaching who they were at the beginning would be a fairy tale of the most huge proportions. That being said, the most interesting thing about this installment was the step into the starring limelight that our quiet right-hand man, Roger, takes. VERY intersting. Jeremy the cook, as well, had some interesting tidbits to add to the picture. Nikoai... what will he do next. Mat... Dougie... what will their next decisions be and will THEY be making them or having them made for them. Fascinating... utterly fascinating.
July 31, 2013
4.25 stars
I thought this was a fairly strong episode. In #7 and now again in #8, the focus has been on Dougie with only a few minutes devoted to Mat. Likewise, there has been none of the brutal physical torture focused on the two brothers. The mental machinations, well, that's a whole different matter....
Oh, Dougie, what has he done to you? ...and Roger, are you really that content? ...and Mat, are you truly taking back control of your mind and soul?
Oh my, Nikolai, you are one sick bastard!
I thought this was a fairly strong episode. In #7 and now again in #8, the focus has been on Dougie with only a few minutes devoted to Mat. Likewise, there has been none of the brutal physical torture focused on the two brothers. The mental machinations, well, that's a whole different matter....
Oh, Dougie, what has he done to you? ...and Roger, are you really that content? ...and Mat, are you truly taking back control of your mind and soul?
Oh my, Nikolai, you are one sick bastard!
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