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Blood Red
Aedan, a whoreslave used to reward victorious gladiators, has spent his whole life trying to hide his untrained gift of sorcery. When the new gladiator brought to the arena proves to be a beastman captive with magic of his own, Aedan's secret is put in jeopardy – as is his life.
Complete, approx. 125,713 words
Complete, approx. 125,713 words
377 pages, ebook
First published January 12, 2013
202 people are currently reading
6934 people want to read
About the author
Cordelia Kingsbridge
32 books1,232 followersCordelia Kingsbridge has a master's degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh, but quickly discovered that direct practice in the field was not for her. Having written novels as a hobby throughout graduate school, she decided to turn her focus to writing as a full-time career. Now she explores her fascination with human behavior, motivation, and psychopathology through fiction. Her weaknesses include opposites-attract pairings and snarky banter.
Away from her desk, Cordelia is a fitness fanatic, and can be found strength training, cycling, and practicing Krav Maga. She lives in South Florida but spends most of her time indoors with the air conditioning on full blast!
Away from her desk, Cordelia is a fitness fanatic, and can be found strength training, cycling, and practicing Krav Maga. She lives in South Florida but spends most of her time indoors with the air conditioning on full blast!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
July 21, 2017
Multiple times I've admitted my CK fangirldom so mine is prolly not the most reliable review you'll read of this.
Here's a couple criticisms I can muster up:
Could this have been streamlined? Yep.
Did it meander at times? Yep.
Did I care? Nope.
We've all had those reads where you get to the end and are like, "man, I wish that were longer". This thing is over 100K words and I got to the end and thought that! I woke up in the middle of the night and picked it up. I picked it up first thing in the morning. It was my reward after having read 'x' number of chapters of whatever book I'm "supposed" to be reading, so I think those things alone merit the stars I'm giving it but the story itself is pretty terrific IMO too.
Aedan is a whoreslave in Ormere when first we meet him and he's the narrator of this story. He's slight, femme and beautiful. He's also got a gift that he doesn't fully understand; he's an untrained sorcerer which is why his hair's blood red. He can heal himself and others, among other things. However, he's been a slave his entire life and raised with humans so he has no sense of his abilities. Slavery is all he knows. He's a good slave too-highly sought out, desired and well behaved for Master Griffiths who rules Ormere and loves his games.
He has gladiator slaves as well that he captures from all over and they fight to the death in his arena. To the victor go the spoils-the whoreslaves, in the arena, in front of everyone. *blinks*
This has always been something to be tolerated, never enjoyed by Aedan. Until Demitrios is brought in.
Demitrios doesn't treat him like a slave and their connection is clear to see, so Griffiths in an effort to keep his star fighter happy arranges for them to be spend extra time together and their connection grows. All the while Aedan can sense that there is something different about Demitrios and it turns out he's a thirianthroi, a beastman. Yep, a shifter. A wolf shifter.
You know what that means, kids. KNOTTING and BITING!
And all the growling, possessive, protective stuff I like. *clappy hands*
It also means there's a pack out there a man down and when they arrive there is some heavy duty carnage because the beastmen aren't just wolves. There's a tiger, a bear, a hawk, a cobra... A COBRA!!!! HOLY SHIT!!! *squeaks* I thought I was going to piss myself. Cupcake is not a fan of snakes. At all.
So Ormere is toast and Demitrios asks Aedan to come back with him and since Aedan fears being alone, fears being unable to care or provide for himself he goes. Plus, he likes Demitrios and their sex is on FIYAH!!!
Their relationship and the world building are terrific. CK really developed these two characters and their insecurities. Both have flaws and their relationship is not without it's ups and downs. And the sex is... it's CK we're talking about here. Do I really need to say anything more? At one point they made a river boil. The end. However there are some triggers that I should warn you about: Aedan is raped on page by another sorcerer, sometimes Demitrios is partially to almost fully shifted when they go to Pound Town so... beastiality, the beastmen's community is polyamorous, though Aedan and Demitrios do not have sex with others while they are together, they do separate for a length of time during which Aedan is raped by the other sorcerer. Again. That fucker. AND then he wends up in a gang bang while under a magical potion that makes him insatiable. All thanks to the fucktard. So exercise caution. I had some hardcore hate building up over the villain.
You can see the conflict coming from a mile away and I still was a little heartbroken by it and their miscommunication which made their separation harder. But Aedan does what he feels is right and sacrifices himself for the greater good, but during this time he learns a lot about himself and his capabilities which bodes well for his future with Demitrios.
There's a fair amount of violence during the battles which were hella satisfying since the bad guys were getting theirs. *fist pump* *waves inappropriate finger*
The ending is a strong HFN which is typical for CK, but the community is so loving and accepting that they'll be ok even if they don't make it. I know she wrote this a coon's age ago but I wish she's write a follow up maybe with Kimon. Because cocky tiger shifter.
Recommend to shifter and fantasy fans.
Here's a couple criticisms I can muster up:
Could this have been streamlined? Yep.
Did it meander at times? Yep.
Did I care? Nope.
We've all had those reads where you get to the end and are like, "man, I wish that were longer". This thing is over 100K words and I got to the end and thought that! I woke up in the middle of the night and picked it up. I picked it up first thing in the morning. It was my reward after having read 'x' number of chapters of whatever book I'm "supposed" to be reading, so I think those things alone merit the stars I'm giving it but the story itself is pretty terrific IMO too.
Aedan is a whoreslave in Ormere when first we meet him and he's the narrator of this story. He's slight, femme and beautiful. He's also got a gift that he doesn't fully understand; he's an untrained sorcerer which is why his hair's blood red. He can heal himself and others, among other things. However, he's been a slave his entire life and raised with humans so he has no sense of his abilities. Slavery is all he knows. He's a good slave too-highly sought out, desired and well behaved for Master Griffiths who rules Ormere and loves his games.
He has gladiator slaves as well that he captures from all over and they fight to the death in his arena. To the victor go the spoils-the whoreslaves, in the arena, in front of everyone. *blinks*
This has always been something to be tolerated, never enjoyed by Aedan. Until Demitrios is brought in.
Demitrios doesn't treat him like a slave and their connection is clear to see, so Griffiths in an effort to keep his star fighter happy arranges for them to be spend extra time together and their connection grows. All the while Aedan can sense that there is something different about Demitrios and it turns out he's a thirianthroi, a beastman. Yep, a shifter. A wolf shifter.
You know what that means, kids. KNOTTING and BITING!
And all the growling, possessive, protective stuff I like. *clappy hands*
It also means there's a pack out there a man down and when they arrive there is some heavy duty carnage because the beastmen aren't just wolves. There's a tiger, a bear, a hawk, a cobra... A COBRA!!!! HOLY SHIT!!! *squeaks* I thought I was going to piss myself. Cupcake is not a fan of snakes. At all.
So Ormere is toast and Demitrios asks Aedan to come back with him and since Aedan fears being alone, fears being unable to care or provide for himself he goes. Plus, he likes Demitrios and their sex is on FIYAH!!!
Every bruise, every bite, every sore inch inside his body was evidence that Demitrios wanted him.
Their relationship and the world building are terrific. CK really developed these two characters and their insecurities. Both have flaws and their relationship is not without it's ups and downs. And the sex is... it's CK we're talking about here. Do I really need to say anything more? At one point they made a river boil. The end. However there are some triggers that I should warn you about: Aedan is raped on page by another sorcerer, sometimes Demitrios is partially to almost fully shifted when they go to Pound Town so... beastiality, the beastmen's community is polyamorous, though Aedan and Demitrios do not have sex with others while they are together, they do separate for a length of time during which Aedan is raped by the other sorcerer. Again. That fucker. AND then he wends up in a gang bang while under a magical potion that makes him insatiable. All thanks to the fucktard. So exercise caution. I had some hardcore hate building up over the villain.
You can see the conflict coming from a mile away and I still was a little heartbroken by it and their miscommunication which made their separation harder. But Aedan does what he feels is right and sacrifices himself for the greater good, but during this time he learns a lot about himself and his capabilities which bodes well for his future with Demitrios.
There's a fair amount of violence during the battles which were hella satisfying since the bad guys were getting theirs. *fist pump* *waves inappropriate finger*
The ending is a strong HFN which is typical for CK, but the community is so loving and accepting that they'll be ok even if they don't make it. I know she wrote this a coon's age ago but I wish she's write a follow up maybe with Kimon. Because cocky tiger shifter.
Recommend to shifter and fantasy fans.
July 10, 2014
I feel like Kingsbridge, author of the mammoth bodyguard free fiction Close Protection, the currently ongoing work-in-progress sci-fi story Control, and this free fantasy novel Blood Red, epitomizes what it is to write erotic romance.
It’s not just that each story has in-detail sexual encounters, (and for Blood Red, a lot of them), but sex and sexuality are key parts of the story and of the characters, and how they interact and grow. And through these novels, whether it’s set at a modern day high school where a stalked teenage uses his body to control others, or if it’s in the future, where a young man has had the control over who uses his body stolen from him, the author inserts plot and sex together like tab A into slot B, and so thoroughly entwines them, you cannot separate the two and have a story. (Blood Red with fade-to-black sex would be a much different reading experience, almost nulling the main character’s struggle by removing the way that he copes, survives, and eventually, how he learns to live fully and freely. It would also probably be about 150 pages shorter.)
Blood Red is set in a fantasy world where things like magic and “beastman” shifters exist, although not where Aedan is. At least, he’s not supposed to have magic there since it’s feared by humans, so the fact that he can perform it is a secret he keeps from his masters as they force him to sexually service the gladiators in the fighting arena where he lives. Beastmen are also a fearful myth, until he meets one, a captured man who can sense his secret magic, and has the feeling of something much more powerful beneath his skin. Aedan’s life of survival by any means necessary, including compartmentalizing his many daily encounters servicing the fighters (as well as not always successfully avoiding the molesting guards) is about to change in a way he never imagined. But it’s that new idea, of life beyond bondage, a reality he has never experienced, that has him reeling and questioning who he is.
Kingsbridge is a very good writer—lots of imagination, and can write plot and sex and more plot and more sex like a champ. (Someone give her a really phallic trophy.) Blood Red is long, at over 120,000 words, but is very readable, interesting, and engaging as Aedan struggles to understand his new life, a new language, and his complicated feelings for Demitrios, the beastman from the arena. Kingsbridge here does a great job of drawing out Aedan’s internal struggle to feel safe and secure, which for him is to be “owned”, and how that feeling is in direct conflict with Demitrios’ desire for Aedan to fully accept his free life.
Does all that philosophy sound dull? Well, don’t worry—the author breaks up all that internal turmoil with a lot of sex, since that’s something Aedan understands so it’s how he operates. And unfortunately, not all the times are willing, especially in the beginning.
I hate non-con, and even though there is dub-con and non-con in this story, I was able to read it and not feel as traumatized as I was with, say, Flesh Cartel 1, which I couldn’t make past the free excerpt. For those who have a hard time with dub-con or non-con, the feel is somewhat “softened” because Aedan has, by this time in his life, shifted into a survival mode where often his body is used by others, so he checks out and endures though. The problem here also is a lot of his worth is tied to being a sex slave, so that becomes one more thing he has to work though, including realizing his body is his own, and he has the right to refuse access to it.
Are you afraid of mpreg? Well, if you are, you don’t need to worry for this novel. This world HAS mpreg, but Aedan is just as thrown by it as some readers are, so, just to alleviate those that won’t go near this if the “m” word is mentioned, you’re safe. (For now—the author is exploring mpreg more in her free side stories, but it’s not in this one.)
Did I mention the sex? Seriously, there is a lot in this one, and heads-up, Demitrios is a beastman so some of the encounters are when he is partially shifted. It didn’t deter me, but for those who have a hard time with fantasy or shifters, this one may not be for you.
Story-wise, I enjoyed Blood Red. The story’s pacing dips in the middle as our MCs shift into a new environment. I partly understand this pacing change because Aedan needed the space to face these new realities and truths, but it did slow things down a little. Aedan’s fear of revealing some of his secrets also meant it was easy to forecast certain conflicts, but then again, this fear felt akin to his character, and how he would react, even if I wasn’t a fan of it.
But if you like fantasy and are okay with lots of sex with your shifters and thrilling escapes, this free novel may be up your alley.
Out of the three stories, I think Close Protection is still my favorite, followed by the current WIP Control, but Blood Red is a satisfying and engaging read, and pretty stellar for being a freely given novel. Kingsbridge has mentioned that after Control wraps up, she’s going to focus on reworking her novels, starting with Close Protection, for publication, and I think that’s a keen idea. She’s an interesting, thoughtful voice who writes very sexy stories, and as much as I like reading them for free, I think she should definitely give herself the time to shape them for publication and earn some much needed rewards.
But for now, you can enjoy all of it for free. For those wondering how to get these long works on an ereader, I like Storymaster.
It’s not just that each story has in-detail sexual encounters, (and for Blood Red, a lot of them), but sex and sexuality are key parts of the story and of the characters, and how they interact and grow. And through these novels, whether it’s set at a modern day high school where a stalked teenage uses his body to control others, or if it’s in the future, where a young man has had the control over who uses his body stolen from him, the author inserts plot and sex together like tab A into slot B, and so thoroughly entwines them, you cannot separate the two and have a story. (Blood Red with fade-to-black sex would be a much different reading experience, almost nulling the main character’s struggle by removing the way that he copes, survives, and eventually, how he learns to live fully and freely. It would also probably be about 150 pages shorter.)
Blood Red is set in a fantasy world where things like magic and “beastman” shifters exist, although not where Aedan is. At least, he’s not supposed to have magic there since it’s feared by humans, so the fact that he can perform it is a secret he keeps from his masters as they force him to sexually service the gladiators in the fighting arena where he lives. Beastmen are also a fearful myth, until he meets one, a captured man who can sense his secret magic, and has the feeling of something much more powerful beneath his skin. Aedan’s life of survival by any means necessary, including compartmentalizing his many daily encounters servicing the fighters (as well as not always successfully avoiding the molesting guards) is about to change in a way he never imagined. But it’s that new idea, of life beyond bondage, a reality he has never experienced, that has him reeling and questioning who he is.
Kingsbridge is a very good writer—lots of imagination, and can write plot and sex and more plot and more sex like a champ. (Someone give her a really phallic trophy.) Blood Red is long, at over 120,000 words, but is very readable, interesting, and engaging as Aedan struggles to understand his new life, a new language, and his complicated feelings for Demitrios, the beastman from the arena. Kingsbridge here does a great job of drawing out Aedan’s internal struggle to feel safe and secure, which for him is to be “owned”, and how that feeling is in direct conflict with Demitrios’ desire for Aedan to fully accept his free life.
Does all that philosophy sound dull? Well, don’t worry—the author breaks up all that internal turmoil with a lot of sex, since that’s something Aedan understands so it’s how he operates. And unfortunately, not all the times are willing, especially in the beginning.
I hate non-con, and even though there is dub-con and non-con in this story, I was able to read it and not feel as traumatized as I was with, say, Flesh Cartel 1, which I couldn’t make past the free excerpt. For those who have a hard time with dub-con or non-con, the feel is somewhat “softened” because Aedan has, by this time in his life, shifted into a survival mode where often his body is used by others, so he checks out and endures though. The problem here also is a lot of his worth is tied to being a sex slave, so that becomes one more thing he has to work though, including realizing his body is his own, and he has the right to refuse access to it.
Are you afraid of mpreg? Well, if you are, you don’t need to worry for this novel. This world HAS mpreg, but Aedan is just as thrown by it as some readers are, so, just to alleviate those that won’t go near this if the “m” word is mentioned, you’re safe. (For now—the author is exploring mpreg more in her free side stories, but it’s not in this one.)
Did I mention the sex? Seriously, there is a lot in this one, and heads-up, Demitrios is a beastman so some of the encounters are when he is partially shifted. It didn’t deter me, but for those who have a hard time with fantasy or shifters, this one may not be for you.
Story-wise, I enjoyed Blood Red. The story’s pacing dips in the middle as our MCs shift into a new environment. I partly understand this pacing change because Aedan needed the space to face these new realities and truths, but it did slow things down a little. Aedan’s fear of revealing some of his secrets also meant it was easy to forecast certain conflicts, but then again, this fear felt akin to his character, and how he would react, even if I wasn’t a fan of it.
But if you like fantasy and are okay with lots of sex with your shifters and thrilling escapes, this free novel may be up your alley.
Out of the three stories, I think Close Protection is still my favorite, followed by the current WIP Control, but Blood Red is a satisfying and engaging read, and pretty stellar for being a freely given novel. Kingsbridge has mentioned that after Control wraps up, she’s going to focus on reworking her novels, starting with Close Protection, for publication, and I think that’s a keen idea. She’s an interesting, thoughtful voice who writes very sexy stories, and as much as I like reading them for free, I think she should definitely give herself the time to shape them for publication and earn some much needed rewards.
But for now, you can enjoy all of it for free. For those wondering how to get these long works on an ereader, I like Storymaster.
May 12, 2015
Warning: non-con, sex galore, violence, knotting, and reference to mpreg (which made my eyes twitched)
But I enjoyed it nonetheless -- hey, some of those non-con scenes were hot...
Personally, Blood Red will not be a story that I read by my own curiosity. I have this weird brain that separates romance and porn -- and most of the free online stories I read would be, well, porn *cough*. I also have a stance of not reading WIPs -- which most of online stories started as. What I'm trying to say is because this is an online free story that started as WIPs, and it is swarmed with non-con sex, it will not fall into my radar. The reason that I read it is because the book is one of this month's challenge books at Indonesian M/M Reader Group.
First of all, the writing was VERY accessible for me -- please note, that I'm not a fan of straight-up/pure fantasy, I prefer urban setting. From the beginning, I was immediately drawn to the world of gladiators, Beastman, and slavery. The arena setting was full of violent (in between the sex galore considering that Aedan is a sex-slave) but it provides quick read because it is full of action.
The story dragged in the middle, after Aedan and Demetrios left the Arena and returned to the Beastmen village. . This phase was an important time for Aedan to learn about himself, his sorcery power, and to get a sense of the beastmen community. This phase was probably the one where I thought the sex could be trimmed in order to make progress for the relationship. Although the Lunacy chapter totally made me wet my panties.
Aedan was quite appealing as a character. I liked the character insight that Kingsbridge gave for him. Aedan only knows the way of slave. He never experience being a free man. He learns not to say no. So he thinks he needs Demetrios to be his master because that's how Aedan feels safe. But Demetrios will not look at it that way; that is not how sorcerers, humans, and beastman live. It was a dynamic dilemma, if I could say so myself.
So bottom line, it is a great built-up towards the climax and it ends in a satisfactory manner.
Indonesian M/M Readers' Monthly Challenge -- May
But I enjoyed it nonetheless -- hey, some of those non-con scenes were hot...
Personally, Blood Red will not be a story that I read by my own curiosity. I have this weird brain that separates romance and porn -- and most of the free online stories I read would be, well, porn *cough*. I also have a stance of not reading WIPs -- which most of online stories started as. What I'm trying to say is because this is an online free story that started as WIPs, and it is swarmed with non-con sex, it will not fall into my radar. The reason that I read it is because the book is one of this month's challenge books at Indonesian M/M Reader Group.
First of all, the writing was VERY accessible for me -- please note, that I'm not a fan of straight-up/pure fantasy, I prefer urban setting. From the beginning, I was immediately drawn to the world of gladiators, Beastman, and slavery. The arena setting was full of violent (in between the sex galore considering that Aedan is a sex-slave) but it provides quick read because it is full of action.
The story dragged in the middle, after Aedan and Demetrios left the Arena and returned to the Beastmen village. . This phase was an important time for Aedan to learn about himself, his sorcery power, and to get a sense of the beastmen community. This phase was probably the one where I thought the sex could be trimmed in order to make progress for the relationship. Although the Lunacy chapter totally made me wet my panties.
Aedan was quite appealing as a character. I liked the character insight that Kingsbridge gave for him. Aedan only knows the way of slave. He never experience being a free man. He learns not to say no. So he thinks he needs Demetrios to be his master because that's how Aedan feels safe. But Demetrios will not look at it that way; that is not how sorcerers, humans, and beastman live. It was a dynamic dilemma, if I could say so myself.
So bottom line, it is a great built-up towards the climax and it ends in a satisfactory manner.
Indonesian M/M Readers' Monthly Challenge -- May
June 8, 2016
Cordelia Kingsbridge doesn’t beat around the bush, and I love that in her. That’s why she’s my favorite to read during the exam periods, when I have very little time and her writing manages to trap me and hold my interest for long. Even when her books are sooooo looooong. Her rhythm is enviable.
At first I was a little confused, because each chapter has like a “warning” of pet peeves. I really appreciated that, although none of those “limits” was a problem for me. There also was a short summary of how the author’s life was going, with her exams and moving in and out of houses. I know it’s not important but I liked how this author sounds like. Anyway, I’m aware this is kind of a “serialized novel” and because of that, I waited until it was complete, so now was the perfect time for it.
I liked everything here, the plot, the characters, the fantastic universe, the “rules”. People compare this book with Bloodraven and yes, there is a certain parallelism: a brutish big barbarian, a long-haired wizard, and a bad/shady powerful wizard who pulls the strings, more or less. It also has a certain similarity to Captive Prince, with a kinky and shameless society ruling here, too.
It's set in a Roman-kind of era, with gladiators and slaves, in fact the story begins in an amphitheater. Aedan is a sex slave who serves gladiators, and Demitrios is a “beastman” captured by Aedan's owner.
Aedan has spent his whole life hiding his magic, and as far as his memory goes, he has always never been free. He has been forced to serve with his body all his life, and he doesn't know any better. Demitrios notices instantly he's a wizard, and he wants to protect and honor Aedan, but his attitude can put Aedan in jeopardy, so he has to go against his instincts and use Aedan as a slave. And Demitrios can't forgive himself for it afterwards.
I loved Demitrios, he wants to mark Aedan but he know he's not good enough for him, so he holds himself during the story. Aedan doesn't know how do deal with that situation. He wants Demitrios, but he has never learnt how to live by himself, so he wants Demitrios as his master. At first it's for convenience, but little by little, he realizes he truly desires to be bonded to Demitrios, in the truest sense of the word.
But first they have to face the powerful wizard that doesn't let them be. Because he has other plans...
It was a compelling read, with lots of kinky sex and Lunacy periods (I won't explain it here hehehehe), and with an appealing plot-line and a few turn of events. Exactly what I needed at the moment.
At first I was a little confused, because each chapter has like a “warning” of pet peeves. I really appreciated that, although none of those “limits” was a problem for me. There also was a short summary of how the author’s life was going, with her exams and moving in and out of houses. I know it’s not important but I liked how this author sounds like. Anyway, I’m aware this is kind of a “serialized novel” and because of that, I waited until it was complete, so now was the perfect time for it.
I liked everything here, the plot, the characters, the fantastic universe, the “rules”. People compare this book with Bloodraven and yes, there is a certain parallelism: a brutish big barbarian, a long-haired wizard, and a bad/shady powerful wizard who pulls the strings, more or less. It also has a certain similarity to Captive Prince, with a kinky and shameless society ruling here, too.
It's set in a Roman-kind of era, with gladiators and slaves, in fact the story begins in an amphitheater. Aedan is a sex slave who serves gladiators, and Demitrios is a “beastman” captured by Aedan's owner.
Aedan has spent his whole life hiding his magic, and as far as his memory goes, he has always never been free. He has been forced to serve with his body all his life, and he doesn't know any better. Demitrios notices instantly he's a wizard, and he wants to protect and honor Aedan, but his attitude can put Aedan in jeopardy, so he has to go against his instincts and use Aedan as a slave. And Demitrios can't forgive himself for it afterwards.
I loved Demitrios, he wants to mark Aedan but he know he's not good enough for him, so he holds himself during the story. Aedan doesn't know how do deal with that situation. He wants Demitrios, but he has never learnt how to live by himself, so he wants Demitrios as his master. At first it's for convenience, but little by little, he realizes he truly desires to be bonded to Demitrios, in the truest sense of the word.
But first they have to face the powerful wizard that doesn't let them be. Because he has other plans...
It was a compelling read, with lots of kinky sex and Lunacy periods (I won't explain it here hehehehe), and with an appealing plot-line and a few turn of events. Exactly what I needed at the moment.
May 5, 2014
pornyay!
August 25, 2016
Loved it! I'm feeling lazy, and there are a lot of other in-depth reviews, so this is going to be one of those check-mark reviews.
Here's why 'Blood Red' is a really good read:
✔ An easy-to-connect-to main character
✔ A hot-as-hell love interest
✔ A sweet romance that grows slowly
✔ Lots of hot sex
✔ KNOTTING
✔ A very entertaining plot
✔ Great world-building and good writing
✔ Great secondary characters
✔ Free
I've read this author's Boston Verse ficlets, and those are hot doses of porny goodness. My first full-length read of hers was just as fun and entertaining.
Here's why 'Blood Red' is a really good read:
✔ An easy-to-connect-to main character
✔ A hot-as-hell love interest
✔ A sweet romance that grows slowly
✔ Lots of hot sex
✔ KNOTTING
✔ A very entertaining plot
✔ Great world-building and good writing
✔ Great secondary characters
✔ Free
I've read this author's Boston Verse ficlets, and those are hot doses of porny goodness. My first full-length read of hers was just as fun and entertaining.
October 7, 2015
Honestly? I think this book was written just for my enjoyment alone - nobody elses - just mine.
Okay, this is obviously not true because other readers have loved it too, but few haven't - as is the case with most stories. But this one just ticked all my boxes.
I just LOVE slave slash fiction, especially the really smutty porny type with a pretty sparkly bottom who desperately needs rescuing. I LOVE fantasy - especially when there's magic and sorcery involved. I LOVE porn with purpose even if a lot of it wasn't particularly necessary the author gave me enough to pretend that it was okay. I LOVE the whole tortured hero with dub con thing, and here there is oodles of it. I LOVE a dark evil villain who takes, not just threatens to. I also LOVE a well written story, especially a FREE one!
Now it's not perfect but all of the above is more than enough for me to ignore some regular issues I may have otherwise had, like: part of me wants to say it's not actually a romance, but I won't, because it is. In the end. I might have deemed some of the sex icky or a step too far in terms of how close we get to beastiality, but it doesn't. Not if you don't count all the licking - which I thought was really adorable. The plot is loosely based around mpreg which would normally send me running for the hills, but thank goodness, it's not.
Overall I wish there was more like this out there.
Okay, this is obviously not true because other readers have loved it too, but few haven't - as is the case with most stories. But this one just ticked all my boxes.
I just LOVE slave slash fiction, especially the really smutty porny type with a pretty sparkly bottom who desperately needs rescuing. I LOVE fantasy - especially when there's magic and sorcery involved. I LOVE porn with purpose even if a lot of it wasn't particularly necessary the author gave me enough to pretend that it was okay. I LOVE the whole tortured hero with dub con thing, and here there is oodles of it. I LOVE a dark evil villain who takes, not just threatens to. I also LOVE a well written story, especially a FREE one!
Now it's not perfect but all of the above is more than enough for me to ignore some regular issues I may have otherwise had, like: part of me wants to say it's not actually a romance, but I won't, because it is. In the end. I might have deemed some of the sex icky or a step too far in terms of how close we get to beastiality, but it doesn't. Not if you don't count all the licking - which I thought was really adorable. The plot is loosely based around mpreg which would normally send me running for the hills, but thank goodness, it's not.
Overall I wish there was more like this out there.
May 12, 2015
Indonesian M/M Readers Group challenge for May.
Bring the popcorn !!
ATTENTION !*D.R.I.P (don't read in public)
This book come with D.R.I.P WARNING !!!
This book come with lots of WARNING that shrunk my guts ~ at first, but...once I started to read the first line, I can't put it down.
I cringe, I frowned, feel sick, I gasped, some scenes makes my jaws drop, squeezed my heart at some part, even crying....
Some scenes ~ YES ~ make me BURNING inside ~ oh hell yeah, I need to fanning myself so many times !!
Especially that LUNACY scenes...
GOSH !! I'm....
It's like my inner wolf wanna do that "howling to the moon" scene !
I didn't expect to have all those feelings when I decided to took the challenge.
But yes...here I am now...being hypnotized by the magic spell that spread throughout the book and ended captivated by the story...
I enjoying almost every moments that happened in this book.
I enjoying the interaction between Aedan and Demitrios, how they build their bond from the start, how they sacrifice to each other, how both of them trying to understand each other, how their trust being tested so many times, on how interaction between Aedan and the packs (this part really touched me), it's all written in interesting way.
Like I've said so many times in my reviews that YES ~ I can't denied that I LOVE sex scenes, but again, too much sex scenes without good storyline will be boring.
And this book, unexpectedly....has quite good storyline and believable enough for my "unlogic-brain" to follow.
Just so you know, I've read quite a lot kinky books, but this is the first time I read about the "knotting" things ~ grins ~ and I think it's kinda "hot" (in strange way, lol).
I think I need to "expand" my "knowledge" about things like this in the future when I choose the read more PNR~shapeshifter stuff.
Well, the most important things here is....I'd took the challenge....
And survived ! *do the sexy hippo dance*
My last note.....
I LIKE this story and recommended it to my MM readers fellows !
July 11, 2014
1.5* rounded up for being a freebie.
I expected more of this after reading so many glowing reviews. There was nothing erotic about the sex, not even anything truly transgressive or emotional.
The sex was, like the violence, written just for the shock value, yet left me bored instead. Part of the reason for that may be the formulaic language in which it was written. After a set number of m/m and slash stories there are descriptions which actively switch me off. This here had dozens of that within the first few chapters.
The plot was nothing I haven't read before either, and with more emotional engagement at that. Somehow everything stayed at arm's length distance and all that grimicky dark splatter was, as usual, entirely lost on me. I am so over splatter and violence. It's the disease of far too much US centric fiction/media. Boring. Superfluous. Manipulative.
Let me phrase it like this: the Conan the Barbarian novels at least contained some unintentional humour.
I expected more of this after reading so many glowing reviews. There was nothing erotic about the sex, not even anything truly transgressive or emotional.
The sex was, like the violence, written just for the shock value, yet left me bored instead. Part of the reason for that may be the formulaic language in which it was written. After a set number of m/m and slash stories there are descriptions which actively switch me off. This here had dozens of that within the first few chapters.
The plot was nothing I haven't read before either, and with more emotional engagement at that. Somehow everything stayed at arm's length distance and all that grim
Let me phrase it like this: the Conan the Barbarian novels at least contained some unintentional humour.
September 12, 2013
A gladitorial whoreslave meets something more than the average arena combatant and things go sideways from there.
Liked the worldbuilding with the pseudo Graeco-Roman locations mixed with mages and shapeshifters. Nice job and very believable. Rough spot? The drag after the arena where Demetrios and Aenad keep going at it like energizer bunnies, but not progressing in a relationship. Overall, entertaining. Probably would have been driven nuts if I read this as a serial, but since I was forewarned by a kind friend--thanks, Bree--I waited before commencing.
Favorite quote:
Liked the worldbuilding with the pseudo Graeco-Roman locations mixed with mages and shapeshifters. Nice job and very believable. Rough spot? The drag after the arena where Demetrios and Aenad keep going at it like energizer bunnies, but not progressing in a relationship. Overall, entertaining. Probably would have been driven nuts if I read this as a serial, but since I was forewarned by a kind friend--thanks, Bree--I waited before commencing.
Favorite quote:
He was blushing even as he said it. It was ridiculous, considering the lewd obscenities he was accustomed to spouting with little thought, but that had always been for other men's pleasure, not his own. Laying himself bare by expressing his true desires made him uncomfortable.
April 17, 2017
An excellent darkly erotic m/m fantasy. Extremely well written for a free online work. Diminutive redhead Aedan is a whoreslave (and a secret sorcerer) serving the gladiators condemned to fight in the arena. Demetrios is the new gladiator - a 'Beastman' who treats Aedan differently from his previous abusers.
'Aedan's eyes were open, but he might as well have been blind. He saw only through his magic, and it was staggering - colors he had never imagined, sensations he had never known existed...
Rhiannon swiped away the tears with her thumb. "This is your birthright as a sorcerer Aedan. This is what you have been denied, but I swear to you, no one will ever take this away from you again. This is where you belong."'
'Aedan's eyes were open, but he might as well have been blind. He saw only through his magic, and it was staggering - colors he had never imagined, sensations he had never known existed...
Rhiannon swiped away the tears with her thumb. "This is your birthright as a sorcerer Aedan. This is what you have been denied, but I swear to you, no one will ever take this away from you again. This is where you belong."'
August 6, 2013
An excellent story. Aedan and Demitrio are perfect main characters surrounded by a good sized cast of secondary characters. Fantasy, magic, shifters and red hot sex, a nasty villain and a HEA ending what's not to love? This story was written from the heart and will be thoroughly enjoyed by any fantasy lover.
January 14, 2019
If you are following my reviews, which I’m sure you are not, you might have realized that I am in CK roll and loving the ride. Since I’m a HUGE FAN, this probably isn’t the most impartial review you will read, but...ah well.
I will read anything at least once to see if it’s my jam and USUALLY shifters are not my thing, but this one is on the exception list because HOLY SHIT I WANT A WOLF SHIFTER TO CALL MINE.
Aedan is a whoreslave in a far away land (yeah I forgot the name) but he’s also an untrained sorcerer with magical healing powers and plus. He has been a whoreslave his whole life and he doesn’t know how to be another thing. He’s used to being man handled and raped and he’s used to not enjoy sex until comes Demetrios, our wolf shifter.
Demetrios is part of a pack of “beastman”, they are called something else that I also forgot. Demetrios is captured to fight in the arena where Aedan “works” and Aedan is Demetrios prize every time he wins. Since Demetrios is our hero, he’s obviously a bad boy who is also a very nice guy. He knows he has to have sex with Aedan (oh THE SACRIFICE) because if he doesn’t, Aedan gets punished so he goes out of his way to make it good. And boy did he ever. 🔥🔥🔥
The story is pretty cool, the magic and pack of shifters stuff and I would not have mind for more. I was hoping CK would take pity on me and right a book about Kimos, one of the others shifters (a FUCKING TIGER) on Demetrios pack. The sex is out of the chatters hot. I mean, it’s Cordelia writing a wolf shifter book. You have no idea what you are in for. Yes, I mean claws and bites and licking and knots. Just trust me on this. IT’S HOT!
This is my last of CK book and I am about to go sit on a corner and cry till her next release in June.
Edit: just read this for the 2nd time and it’s still just as good. I keep wishing and sending happy thoughts to the Universe so forces unknown will fall upon Cordelia and she will feel this irresistible need to write a sequel to this. IT WILL HAPPEN. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I will read anything at least once to see if it’s my jam and USUALLY shifters are not my thing, but this one is on the exception list because HOLY SHIT I WANT A WOLF SHIFTER TO CALL MINE.
Aedan is a whoreslave in a far away land (yeah I forgot the name) but he’s also an untrained sorcerer with magical healing powers and plus. He has been a whoreslave his whole life and he doesn’t know how to be another thing. He’s used to being man handled and raped and he’s used to not enjoy sex until comes Demetrios, our wolf shifter.
Demetrios is part of a pack of “beastman”, they are called something else that I also forgot. Demetrios is captured to fight in the arena where Aedan “works” and Aedan is Demetrios prize every time he wins. Since Demetrios is our hero, he’s obviously a bad boy who is also a very nice guy. He knows he has to have sex with Aedan (oh THE SACRIFICE) because if he doesn’t, Aedan gets punished so he goes out of his way to make it good. And boy did he ever. 🔥🔥🔥
The story is pretty cool, the magic and pack of shifters stuff and I would not have mind for more. I was hoping CK would take pity on me and right a book about Kimos, one of the others shifters (a FUCKING TIGER) on Demetrios pack. The sex is out of the chatters hot. I mean, it’s Cordelia writing a wolf shifter book. You have no idea what you are in for. Yes, I mean claws and bites and licking and knots. Just trust me on this. IT’S HOT!
This is my last of CK book and I am about to go sit on a corner and cry till her next release in June.
Edit: just read this for the 2nd time and it’s still just as good. I keep wishing and sending happy thoughts to the Universe so forces unknown will fall upon Cordelia and she will feel this irresistible need to write a sequel to this. IT WILL HAPPEN. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
October 21, 2013
Excellent, in every way. This is one of those times when I'm left scratching my head, wondering why this is not published, when so much drivel is.
The characters, primary and secondary, come alive from page one, and continue to grow in the reader's regard as the story progresses. Aedan and Demitrios are unforgettable. I was sad to see Kimon at the end of the story, and truly wish I could have stayed around long enough to meet Rhiannon and Christo's .
The plot is skillfully developed and the pacing is superb. Even though there were really no surprises, it was still a joy to read through Aedan's growth and transformation. He went from a hopeless existence to empowerment, and true love. Same for Demitrios' journey from loneliness and isolation within his pack, to the happiness of mated bliss. The pilgrimage was not an easy one for either of them, but was certainly worth it.
And finally, the love scenes? Incandescent. I've bookmarked the Lunacy chapter. For future reference, of course. And the chapter right after that is the most romantic thing I've read in a long, long time. *sigh*
A word of warning: this is not a story for the squeamish, or those who don't like dub-con, non-con, and shifter sex. There is plenty of that, and more. Otherwise? Dive right in. You won't regret it.
The characters, primary and secondary, come alive from page one, and continue to grow in the reader's regard as the story progresses. Aedan and Demitrios are unforgettable. I was sad to see Kimon at the end of the story, and truly wish I could have stayed around long enough to meet Rhiannon and Christo's .
The plot is skillfully developed and the pacing is superb. Even though there were really no surprises, it was still a joy to read through Aedan's growth and transformation. He went from a hopeless existence to empowerment, and true love. Same for Demitrios' journey from loneliness and isolation within his pack, to the happiness of mated bliss. The pilgrimage was not an easy one for either of them, but was certainly worth it.
And finally, the love scenes? Incandescent. I've bookmarked the Lunacy chapter. For future reference, of course. And the chapter right after that is the most romantic thing I've read in a long, long time. *sigh*
A word of warning: this is not a story for the squeamish, or those who don't like dub-con, non-con, and shifter sex. There is plenty of that, and more. Otherwise? Dive right in. You won't regret it.
January 11, 2015
4.5, rounded up
- Awesome world building, although some parts in the beginning were too harsh for me. The rules the shifters and sorcerers lived by, and how they functioned within the community, created an intriguing backdrop to the story.
- Wonderfully complex characters. Aedan fought years of ingrained obedience to make his preferences known, and struggled with his fear of being left unprotected, without a master. Demitrios had his own battles, loving Aedan, wanting to protect him, but needing to be sure of Aedan's love, not wanting to be used for protection.
I loved how all those intense emotions showed in the chemistry, tension, vulnerability, and tenderness between Aedan and Demitrios.
- Uninhibited, earthy sex with some nice D/s action during the Lunacy.
...biting, knotting are not sold separately ;)
- Creepy, intense, action-packed story climax.
- Awesome world building, although some parts in the beginning were too harsh for me. The rules the shifters and sorcerers lived by, and how they functioned within the community, created an intriguing backdrop to the story.
- Wonderfully complex characters. Aedan fought years of ingrained obedience to make his preferences known, and struggled with his fear of being left unprotected, without a master. Demitrios had his own battles, loving Aedan, wanting to protect him, but needing to be sure of Aedan's love, not wanting to be used for protection.
I loved how all those intense emotions showed in the chemistry, tension, vulnerability, and tenderness between Aedan and Demitrios.
- Uninhibited, earthy sex with some nice D/s action during the Lunacy.
...biting, knotting are not sold separately ;)
- Creepy, intense, action-packed story climax.
August 21, 2015
Despite the warning tags that alarmed me when I read the blurb, I found that I so enjoy reading this book. Yes, those tags are all true: slavery, non-con, violence, multiple partners, brutal sex... you name it. But the way the author wrote the story had me hook from start to finish.
The story line wasn't so kind on our main character, Aedan a sorcerer born in orphanage and sold into whorehood... (yes, I cringed typing the word down).
All his life Aedan hid the fact that he's a sorcerer from everyone for fear of his life. Then came Demitrios, a captured Beastman to fight as gladiator in the arena Aedan kept as whoreslave. The unlikely alliance formed between them. Shortly, a rogue sorcerer took notice of Aeden and seek to reveal his true nature as untrained sorcerer. He planned to take Aedan away for his own advantage, but before that happened the cavalry arrive to rescue Demitrios and Aedan from their forced imprisonment.
Being owned and mastered most of his life, Aedan struggled to live as a free man. This dilemma of his and the turn of his relationship with Demitrios were touching and exasperating at the same time. Added to that were the new friendships Aedan built with other people of the pack and in the village, while Demitrios was a loner who kept others at a distance for his own reasons. Those were recipe of complicated in the making!
But I loved how they all unveiled, even through quite a long-endured suffering (forced bonding, gang-bang, and not a little of blood, sweat and tears spilled, and so on) and the quite close final battle to get to the happy ending. That's something to look forward to here. After all those abuses, our heroes finally grabbed their Happy Beginning! ;D
The story line wasn't so kind on our main character, Aedan a sorcerer born in orphanage and sold into whorehood... (yes, I cringed typing the word down).
All his life Aedan hid the fact that he's a sorcerer from everyone for fear of his life. Then came Demitrios, a captured Beastman to fight as gladiator in the arena Aedan kept as whoreslave. The unlikely alliance formed between them. Shortly, a rogue sorcerer took notice of Aeden and seek to reveal his true nature as untrained sorcerer. He planned to take Aedan away for his own advantage, but before that happened the cavalry arrive to rescue Demitrios and Aedan from their forced imprisonment.
Being owned and mastered most of his life, Aedan struggled to live as a free man. This dilemma of his and the turn of his relationship with Demitrios were touching and exasperating at the same time. Added to that were the new friendships Aedan built with other people of the pack and in the village, while Demitrios was a loner who kept others at a distance for his own reasons. Those were recipe of complicated in the making!
But I loved how they all unveiled, even through quite a long-endured suffering (forced bonding, gang-bang, and not a little of blood, sweat and tears spilled, and so on) and the quite close final battle to get to the happy ending. That's something to look forward to here. After all those abuses, our heroes finally grabbed their Happy Beginning! ;D
Read
April 18, 2022dnf @ 50%. might come back to this one day, but for now, i have completely lost interest.
August 17, 2013
Fantastic... Incredible... Unforgettable!!!
October 17, 2013
Where to start? How to review this one? Its rating is a mix between the 4.5 stars of the first half of the story and the 2 stars for the other half.
April 14, 2018
3.9 Stars
I think I should have waited to read this one; coming on the heels of Bloodraven, it just felt like there was less world-building & emotional connection. (I hate to draw comparisons but even the forced sex wasn't as hard to read; which means I need to back up from that for a while if I'm becoming desensitized.)
I know that Aeden trained himself from childhood NOT to say no, not to question, not to make waves (and I can totally see how it would be an effective, protective defense mechanism) but it still irritated me when he wouldn't talk with Demitrios. Who was also entirely too uncommunicative. So much not talking! Very frustrating to say the least.
The middle dragged a bit but is filled with ridiculously hot sex (that Lunacy night alone? Whew!) And less believable relationships in fiction have been built on less...so most of it did feel necessary, especially given Aeden's fear of being set aside, of being abandoned, and him knowing only how to offer himself as a way to keep someone interested. (There are some RL implications in that with people who don't know their own value so...yeah, very introspective.)
I did appreciate the character growth, though. Aeden was basically a doll/puppet, letting himself be used, abused and degraded because 1) he didn't know anything else and 2) he had to protect that Sorcery secret. So, I loved how he learned to stand up for himself (including his desire for sex) and became more independent...while still wanting to "belong" - not as in ownership but to a community, a family.
Also, nice job on the parallel "martyr" situations. Knowing that Aeden sacrificed his own freedom because it was something Demitrios himself would do? Making it easier for them to recognize the action for what it was, build a plan and rescue the boy...I really liked that part.
Overall, I enjoyed this (which I expected because I've liked everything else I've read by CK) but I wasn't as wowed as I expected to be.
I think I should have waited to read this one; coming on the heels of Bloodraven, it just felt like there was less world-building & emotional connection. (I hate to draw comparisons but even the forced sex wasn't as hard to read; which means I need to back up from that for a while if I'm becoming desensitized.)
I know that Aeden trained himself from childhood NOT to say no, not to question, not to make waves (and I can totally see how it would be an effective, protective defense mechanism) but it still irritated me when he wouldn't talk with Demitrios. Who was also entirely too uncommunicative. So much not talking! Very frustrating to say the least.
The middle dragged a bit but is filled with ridiculously hot sex (that Lunacy night alone? Whew!) And less believable relationships in fiction have been built on less...so most of it did feel necessary, especially given Aeden's fear of being set aside, of being abandoned, and him knowing only how to offer himself as a way to keep someone interested. (There are some RL implications in that with people who don't know their own value so...yeah, very introspective.)
I did appreciate the character growth, though. Aeden was basically a doll/puppet, letting himself be used, abused and degraded because 1) he didn't know anything else and 2) he had to protect that Sorcery secret. So, I loved how he learned to stand up for himself (including his desire for sex) and became more independent...while still wanting to "belong" - not as in ownership but to a community, a family.
Also, nice job on the parallel "martyr" situations. Knowing that Aeden sacrificed his own freedom because it was something Demitrios himself would do? Making it easier for them to recognize the action for what it was, build a plan and rescue the boy...I really liked that part.
Overall, I enjoyed this (which I expected because I've liked everything else I've read by CK) but I wasn't as wowed as I expected to be.
December 7, 2017
4 stars !
---Review now posted---
WARNING : This book contained rape, slavery, knotting, sex in animal form of the beastman, brutality, and hot as f*** !
Avoid it if you're not into this kind of story.
May reading challenge. It's going to be one hell of a ride!
And....
Demitrios
Aedan
and at 14% I'm already bleeding...
But the sex. A consent and non-consent, were definitely NOT disappointed, especially the Lunacy scene, when Demitrios was "in need"...FAINT !.
WARNING : Do NOT open the spoiler if you're don't want to see what happened on Lunacy period.
This book is definitely out of the box, out of my comfort zone as well, with all the rape, non-consent sex, multiple sex partner, knotting, and most of all, it's fantasy, I rarely read fantasy, but I gave this one a chance, and I liked it.
I's like watching Game of Thrones, The Gladiator and reading Sherrylin Kenyon books.
It has a fast patch, interesting plot, intensely hot at all time, and left me panting...like a wolf. LOL.
Overall, this month reading challenge is good. I even missed Aedan and Demitrios already.
Good pick.
---Review now posted---
WARNING : This book contained rape, slavery, knotting, sex in animal form of the beastman, brutality, and hot as f*** !
Avoid it if you're not into this kind of story.
May reading challenge. It's going to be one hell of a ride!
And....
Demitrios
Aedan
and at 14% I'm already bleeding...
But the sex. A consent and non-consent, were definitely NOT disappointed, especially the Lunacy scene, when Demitrios was "in need"...FAINT !.
WARNING : Do NOT open the spoiler if you're don't want to see what happened on Lunacy period.
This book is definitely out of the box, out of my comfort zone as well, with all the rape, non-consent sex, multiple sex partner, knotting, and most of all, it's fantasy, I rarely read fantasy, but I gave this one a chance, and I liked it.
I's like watching Game of Thrones, The Gladiator and reading Sherrylin Kenyon books.
It has a fast patch, interesting plot, intensely hot at all time, and left me panting...like a wolf. LOL.
Overall, this month reading challenge is good. I even missed Aedan and Demitrios already.
Good pick.
September 30, 2013
3.5 stars. Review to come.
Blood Red (BR) is a fantasy and shape-shifter story that I’ve mentally divided into three parts: 1) The Coliseum, 2) The Beastmen Village and 3) The Capture. Aidan is a whoreslave and closeted sorcerer who uses his magic to heal wounds obtained from his “occupation,” a survival instinct required when sorcerers are persecuted out of fear. Aedan eventually meets a beastman (another term for shapeshifter) who is held captive as a gladiator - his name is Demitrios.
The first and third parts of the story were the most interesting. In the beginning, we see a lot of rape, though not very graphic in detail. If anything, everything is described in a distant and apathetic sort of way, which makes sense since the story is told from Aedan’s POV, and he’s been doing this most of his life. Aedan is an interesting person to understand from many perspectives: as a sorcerer, as a whoreslave, and as a “lover.” When the concept of freedom was laid at his feet, we see the gears turning in his head. While he may have ulterior motives for his actions, we at least understand WHY he has them. When he does make mistakes, he’s not afraid to own up to them. For that reason, I can tolerate his cringe-worthy moments.
During the second part of the story, the plot becomes very static. There’s a lot of sex, a lot of explanation, and a lot of self-exploring. It was kind of boring, but had some entertaining moments. But the story finally picks up during the third part.
So overall: lots of sex, quite a bit of magic, add some shape-shifters, a village with a lot of nakedness, and an average plot (nothing ground-breaking). It’s definitely worth a shot!
Blood Red (BR) is a fantasy and shape-shifter story that I’ve mentally divided into three parts: 1) The Coliseum, 2) The Beastmen Village and 3) The Capture. Aidan is a whoreslave and closeted sorcerer who uses his magic to heal wounds obtained from his “occupation,” a survival instinct required when sorcerers are persecuted out of fear. Aedan eventually meets a beastman (another term for shapeshifter) who is held captive as a gladiator - his name is Demitrios.
The first and third parts of the story were the most interesting. In the beginning, we see a lot of rape, though not very graphic in detail. If anything, everything is described in a distant and apathetic sort of way, which makes sense since the story is told from Aedan’s POV, and he’s been doing this most of his life. Aedan is an interesting person to understand from many perspectives: as a sorcerer, as a whoreslave, and as a “lover.” When the concept of freedom was laid at his feet, we see the gears turning in his head. While he may have ulterior motives for his actions, we at least understand WHY he has them. When he does make mistakes, he’s not afraid to own up to them. For that reason, I can tolerate his cringe-worthy moments.
During the second part of the story, the plot becomes very static. There’s a lot of sex, a lot of explanation, and a lot of self-exploring. It was kind of boring, but had some entertaining moments. But the story finally picks up during the third part.
So overall: lots of sex, quite a bit of magic, add some shape-shifters, a village with a lot of nakedness, and an average plot (nothing ground-breaking). It’s definitely worth a shot!
July 19, 2014
I missed not reading Cordelia Kingsbridge's book but this one just filled the vacant place after Close Protection.What I love about her story is that even the submissive MC have lots of fire in them and not a real doormat kind.Though I truly don't enjoy weak Dominant MC but touch of vulnerability here and there doesn't really hurt.Her last story had lots of spice in it and this one didn't disappoint either,with lots of fight,unnecessary stubbornness,grumpy hero and hot steamy sex with a tinge of Mine attitude, it was a very entertaining read.
So story of Blood Red was interesting which takes place in a fantasy world of Shape shifter and Sorcerers. Aedan the whoreslave/MC will at times get into your nerves but author did a fine job of describing his predicament through out the book.The other Mc/ Demitrios/shape shifter the lone wolf was awesome and very hard to resist.It equally had very interesting and lovable side characters and I would love to read more of them.
So why the 4 star and not 5 cause nothing in this book was so remarkable that would make your mind linger in it for long, nothing out of the way or nothing horrible or incredible enough that would leave a mark for long and that minuses a star for me.Even paced,gory but soft fantasy romance for those who seek such genre.
So story of Blood Red was interesting which takes place in a fantasy world of Shape shifter and Sorcerers. Aedan the whoreslave/MC will at times get into your nerves but author did a fine job of describing his predicament through out the book.The other Mc/ Demitrios/shape shifter the lone wolf was awesome and very hard to resist.It equally had very interesting and lovable side characters and I would love to read more of them.
So why the 4 star and not 5 cause nothing in this book was so remarkable that would make your mind linger in it for long, nothing out of the way or nothing horrible or incredible enough that would leave a mark for long and that minuses a star for me.Even paced,gory but soft fantasy romance for those who seek such genre.
August 11, 2014
Argh...
I always feel rather disappointed with Cordelia Kingsbridge - conceptually I'm drawn in but her writing is just so mechanical and... dull.
Yes, I admit that some of the scenes were rather hot *fans self* but what - for me - was fundamentally lacking was any real emotion or magic in her writing. It feels as though she ticks a load of boxes (villain - check, hot kinky sex - check, brooding male - check, denouement - check) but misses the ultimate component to it all: a little sparkle and soul in amongst it all.
I always feel rather disappointed with Cordelia Kingsbridge - conceptually I'm drawn in but her writing is just so mechanical and... dull.
Yes, I admit that some of the scenes were rather hot *fans self* but what - for me - was fundamentally lacking was any real emotion or magic in her writing. It feels as though she ticks a load of boxes (villain - check, hot kinky sex - check, brooding male - check, denouement - check) but misses the ultimate component to it all: a little sparkle and soul in amongst it all.
February 13, 2017
02/12/17 Another reread and this till remains a five star story for me!
Fanfuckingtastic. I have been reading this since January and couldn't wait for Saturday to come so I could read the newest chapter of Aeden and Demitrios. The story is now complete and I have to say that I really loved it. Fair warning, there is non-con and dub-con and gruesome bloody fights. Awesomeness.
Fanfuckingtastic. I have been reading this since January and couldn't wait for Saturday to come so I could read the newest chapter of Aeden and Demitrios. The story is now complete and I have to say that I really loved it. Fair warning, there is non-con and dub-con and gruesome bloody fights. Awesomeness.
May 9, 2015
Full on non con, violence and slavedom.
But the world building and the character development is well written, and the MCs sympathetic and noble.
So, I was totally absorbed and enthralled. Builds to a monumental conclusion and concludes most satisfactorily.
But the world building and the character development is well written, and the MCs sympathetic and noble.
So, I was totally absorbed and enthralled. Builds to a monumental conclusion and concludes most satisfactorily.
August 9, 2015
alas! a disappointment, creampie-lapping or no.
December 29, 2015
Sooo, this felt a bit like Bloodraven, the light-version. Which I am totally fine with, being a Bloodraven lover and all!
The comparisons to Bloodraven asides, there were a lot of things to like. Especially the knotting. Oh yes, the knotting. And the "pseudo-bestiality" was not bad either, for those so inclined (like me, apparently, beast men are hot!)
I did not feel very connected with Aedan though, and was therefore not very upset when reading about his hardships. But the story was well written (and free!), so totally worth the time spent reading.
The comparisons to Bloodraven asides, there were a lot of things to like. Especially the knotting. Oh yes, the knotting. And the "pseudo-bestiality" was not bad either, for those so inclined (like me, apparently, beast men are hot!)
I did not feel very connected with Aedan though, and was therefore not very upset when reading about his hardships. But the story was well written (and free!), so totally worth the time spent reading.
May 9, 2015
I started reading... And couldn't stop until I was finished. It had a riveting plot, excellent world building, plenty of feelz, MC'c I liked, a villian that I hated real bad, and it was dark enough to be interesting, but not depressing. And it was FREE. This writer should seriously start to publish her work.
May 16, 2015
fiuhhh...akhirnya selesai juga *usap perut #eh
aku sudah tidak suci lagi......
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