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Hellflowers #2
Welcome to Hell
Zeno finally made it to Hell.
He had certain expectations of how Hell should look like and how his citizens should behave, but the endless stream of parties, balls and orgies was not it.
Hell is a fairy tale place with beautiful people, magnificent palaces, childlike flower demons to grand you every wish, strange food and never-ending entertainment.
But the longer he stays there, under the roof of Lotem Palace undergoing training to become a Seed, the more he wonders. About the beautiful and enigmatic Lord Lotem himself, about the curfew and everyone's fear of the dark... why elusive beasts roam the streets and forests as night falls.
Hell has secrets, and he’s not the only one who wants to uncover them. But once he finds out what the pretty surface hides, what will happen to Zeno?
He had certain expectations of how Hell should look like and how his citizens should behave, but the endless stream of parties, balls and orgies was not it.
Hell is a fairy tale place with beautiful people, magnificent palaces, childlike flower demons to grand you every wish, strange food and never-ending entertainment.
But the longer he stays there, under the roof of Lotem Palace undergoing training to become a Seed, the more he wonders. About the beautiful and enigmatic Lord Lotem himself, about the curfew and everyone's fear of the dark... why elusive beasts roam the streets and forests as night falls.
Hell has secrets, and he’s not the only one who wants to uncover them. But once he finds out what the pretty surface hides, what will happen to Zeno?
- GenresM M Romance
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2023
About the author
J. Tomala
36 books12 followersWriter of (queer) fiction and sometimes artist.
Lover of books, baked goods, plants, art and tentacled things.
Enjoys a bit of horror too.
Gives away review copies (ebooks only).
Lover of books, baked goods, plants, art and tentacled things.
Enjoys a bit of horror too.
Gives away review copies (ebooks only).
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 28, 2023
Zeno’s story was nothing like I thought it would be, but still amazing. Where Corpseflower started with a bang, this one slowly blossomed.
Contrary to how this is titled, a “paranormal gothic romance”, it isn’t really a genre romance. There is romance. But a HEA? If you squint. I’m happy with the ending, but if you are looking for strict adherence to the requirements of the romance genre, this ain’t it.
Zeno does get involved with two different people. Exclusive relationships are not the norm in Hell, and Zeno is encouraged to do what and who he wants.
Zeno has on-page sex with both these people (not at the same time). There is also a brief MMF scene… Zeno does not touch the female character, but his partner does (kissing, nipple play, and receiving oral sex and anal fingering from the female character). It’s not overly descriptive, not overly long, and not necessary to the plot if MMF is not your thing.
I definitely preferred Corpseflower to this (GR just wouldn’t let me give it 6 stars, lol). Though, while I did think to myself that this one was rather slow with not a lot seeming to happen, I couldn’t put it down. I was just as curious to know ‘why’ as Zeno.
I loved the mystery of Lotem and the forestborn.
This did have a few typos. Not enough to affect my enjoyment. Though Flax is misspelt as both “Flaxx” and “Flask”.
The worst part about this book? I’ll have to patiently wait for the 3rd book to come out.
Contrary to how this is titled, a “paranormal gothic romance”, it isn’t really a genre romance. There is romance. But a HEA? If you squint. I’m happy with the ending, but if you are looking for strict adherence to the requirements of the romance genre, this ain’t it.
Zeno does get involved with two different people. Exclusive relationships are not the norm in Hell, and Zeno is encouraged to do what and who he wants.
Zeno has on-page sex with both these people (not at the same time). There is also a brief MMF scene… Zeno does not touch the female character, but his partner does (kissing, nipple play, and receiving oral sex and anal fingering from the female character). It’s not overly descriptive, not overly long, and not necessary to the plot if MMF is not your thing.
I definitely preferred Corpseflower to this (GR just wouldn’t let me give it 6 stars, lol). Though, while I did think to myself that this one was rather slow with not a lot seeming to happen, I couldn’t put it down. I was just as curious to know ‘why’ as Zeno.
I loved the mystery of Lotem and the forestborn.
This did have a few typos. Not enough to affect my enjoyment. Though Flax is misspelt as both “Flaxx” and “Flask”.
The worst part about this book? I’ll have to patiently wait for the 3rd book to come out.
October 29, 2023
I loved Corpseflower and this one too, although it is quite different. The first book was action packed, with alot going on, this one was more of a gentle voyage of discovery for Zeno, who had gone to Hell to learn how to be a Seed. A Seed can find a body that has a tortured soul in it and grow into that body and become a corpseflower.
The whole place was weird and dreamy with an emphasis on flowers. Flowers decorated people, buildings, the grounds and Zeno had to learn to communicate with them.
Zeno had to grow, both into his body and his thought processes and he had lots of questions about everything. There was the mysterious Lord Lotem, the terrifying monsters who appeared in the dark, there were the loose relationships the inhabitants had, that Zeno was encouraged to join in as well. He discovered his sexuality, with 2 separate and different men and a MMF scene, but there was no interaction with the female for Zeno.
The hell realm was dreamlike and very seductive and Zeno had to weigh it all up and find the answer for himself and by extention - us.
The ending wasn't a traditional HEA romance ending - but a very satisfying one and now I have to wait with baited breath for the 3rd book to see what happens next.
I loved the flowery hell setting and riding along with Zeno as he tries to find out the big "why"
It is so weird that Hell is full of flowers. Loved it
I received and ARC of this book - I had pestered the author for it as I was so keen after reading Corpseflower and wasn't disappointed.
The whole place was weird and dreamy with an emphasis on flowers. Flowers decorated people, buildings, the grounds and Zeno had to learn to communicate with them.
Zeno had to grow, both into his body and his thought processes and he had lots of questions about everything. There was the mysterious Lord Lotem, the terrifying monsters who appeared in the dark, there were the loose relationships the inhabitants had, that Zeno was encouraged to join in as well. He discovered his sexuality, with 2 separate and different men and a MMF scene, but there was no interaction with the female for Zeno.
The hell realm was dreamlike and very seductive and Zeno had to weigh it all up and find the answer for himself and by extention - us.
The ending wasn't a traditional HEA romance ending - but a very satisfying one and now I have to wait with baited breath for the 3rd book to see what happens next.
I loved the flowery hell setting and riding along with Zeno as he tries to find out the big "why"
It is so weird that Hell is full of flowers. Loved it
I received and ARC of this book - I had pestered the author for it as I was so keen after reading Corpseflower and wasn't disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews