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The Prince and the Practitioner
Eliot has been seeing ghosts since he was six, talking to the dead since he was eleven, casting spells since he was fifteen and summoning daemons since… well, never. Until now.
When a malevolent spirit from a kingdom long-dead makes its new home inside Eliot’s body, the young wizard is faced with only one choice. Pass it on.
Dean seems like the perfect candidate, and is all too eager to get Eliot into his bed. But Dean is not your everyday piece of hot bar trade, and if Eliot wants to learn a thing or two about the fine lines between sex, magick and power, he’s come to the right place...
When a malevolent spirit from a kingdom long-dead makes its new home inside Eliot’s body, the young wizard is faced with only one choice. Pass it on.
Dean seems like the perfect candidate, and is all too eager to get Eliot into his bed. But Dean is not your everyday piece of hot bar trade, and if Eliot wants to learn a thing or two about the fine lines between sex, magick and power, he’s come to the right place...
ebook
First published January 15, 2014
60 people want to read
About the author
Christian Baines
17 books151 followersWriting quirky queer horror and dark fantasy, Christian Baines is an awkward nerd turned slightly less awkward author. Raised on dark humour and powered by New Zealand wine, he is the author of nine novels including gay paranormal series The Arcadia Trust, Puppet Boy, Skin, and My Cat’s Guide to Online Dating. Born in Australia, he now travels the world whenever possible, living and writing in Toronto, Canada between trips.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 21, 2014
Full Review on Prism Book Alliance
2.75 Stars
This story started out in a pretty promising way, what with a young, hot wizard trying to expel a demon from his own body at the expense of a very old fellow wizard. The sex is nearly immediate but it actually fits the story, it didn’t feel out of place or smack me in the face. We learned some things about each of these two characters, their motivations, and the groundwork was laid for some subterfuge in regards to turns and changes that occur.
Eliot (our young wizard) has chosen Dean on which to attempt an exorcism of sorts in order to rid himself of a demon named Prynthius. Some sexy ensues, some surprises pop up and the story gets going. Sounds good, right? And it was. I was curious and ready to see what was going to happen with these three.
About half way through, this turns from a fun, silly and possibly very interesting and entertaining story to Dean and Eliot having their every which way with Prynthius. Now, I love me some surprises and shocking turns in my stories as long as they work. Make me work for the story, and you’ve got me. Here, however, everyone’s motivations change without much explanation. Their treatment of Prynthius is such a turn-around from where things started and there were no reasons provided. The story and the characters became scattershot. This is unfortunate because there is talent here, it’s scratching at the edges and of that I wanted much more. This felt like a mismatch between style and story. If the story had been further fleshed out, it may have lined up with the modern sounding dialogue, seemingly ancient wizard, the young buck and a demon turned servant. See? It sounds like an intriguing mix, right?
So, the first half held much promise, had humor and hotness and definitely had me curious. The second half rather lost its way and started becoming nonsensical and was nothing but sex and all things sex with little mention of the story and its confines. The story did not match the talent. This would normally mean a right down the middle 2.5 rating. However, as I stated, there is talent here and clearly tendrils of creativity that, if fostered, could have led to something rather rollicking. Extra points for the creativity and teasing effort.
2.75 Stars
This story started out in a pretty promising way, what with a young, hot wizard trying to expel a demon from his own body at the expense of a very old fellow wizard. The sex is nearly immediate but it actually fits the story, it didn’t feel out of place or smack me in the face. We learned some things about each of these two characters, their motivations, and the groundwork was laid for some subterfuge in regards to turns and changes that occur.
Eliot (our young wizard) has chosen Dean on which to attempt an exorcism of sorts in order to rid himself of a demon named Prynthius. Some sexy ensues, some surprises pop up and the story gets going. Sounds good, right? And it was. I was curious and ready to see what was going to happen with these three.
About half way through, this turns from a fun, silly and possibly very interesting and entertaining story to Dean and Eliot having their every which way with Prynthius. Now, I love me some surprises and shocking turns in my stories as long as they work. Make me work for the story, and you’ve got me. Here, however, everyone’s motivations change without much explanation. Their treatment of Prynthius is such a turn-around from where things started and there were no reasons provided. The story and the characters became scattershot. This is unfortunate because there is talent here, it’s scratching at the edges and of that I wanted much more. This felt like a mismatch between style and story. If the story had been further fleshed out, it may have lined up with the modern sounding dialogue, seemingly ancient wizard, the young buck and a demon turned servant. See? It sounds like an intriguing mix, right?
So, the first half held much promise, had humor and hotness and definitely had me curious. The second half rather lost its way and started becoming nonsensical and was nothing but sex and all things sex with little mention of the story and its confines. The story did not match the talent. This would normally mean a right down the middle 2.5 rating. However, as I stated, there is talent here and clearly tendrils of creativity that, if fostered, could have led to something rather rollicking. Extra points for the creativity and teasing effort.
February 11, 2017
This is an...unusual read. Not of the same calibre of The Beast Without
Full review to come shortly.
Full review to come shortly.
February 13, 2014
2.5-3 stars
Daemons, sex and magick. What a volatile combination.
Eliot is an unskilled Practitioner that has trifled with the wrong Daemon. Prynthius is not just any Daemon, he is a Daemon Prince, and Eliot has unwittingly given his own body as a host. In an effort to rid his body of the presence within, he picks up Dean at the bar, intent on transferring the spirit. But Dean is no mere mortal, he is a skilled Practitioner, and the Daemon Prince may have just met his match.
I am a huge fan of any storyline that includes paranormal aspects. And while this book seemed to fit the bill, at the times the story was more than I could comprehend. Eliot is a novice at best who has basically been possessed by the Daemon Prince. His plan is to not only get his rocks off, but to transfer the unwanted spirit to another, Dean. Dean is way smarter than he seems and soon enough figures out exactly what is happening. I was completely engrossed in the story up to this point.
Now the story bends at an odd angle and a three way ensues between Eliot, Dean and Prynthius. Some of the descriptives start to border on crude and I lost interest. Now at the end another little twist piqued my interest and the story ended on a higher note than the meat in the middle. This was just an okay read for me. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. If you are a fan of sex magick and crude dirty talk that borders brutish on the explicit side of m/m reading, you may well enjoy this little story more so than me.
Daemons, sex and magick. What a volatile combination.
Eliot is an unskilled Practitioner that has trifled with the wrong Daemon. Prynthius is not just any Daemon, he is a Daemon Prince, and Eliot has unwittingly given his own body as a host. In an effort to rid his body of the presence within, he picks up Dean at the bar, intent on transferring the spirit. But Dean is no mere mortal, he is a skilled Practitioner, and the Daemon Prince may have just met his match.
I am a huge fan of any storyline that includes paranormal aspects. And while this book seemed to fit the bill, at the times the story was more than I could comprehend. Eliot is a novice at best who has basically been possessed by the Daemon Prince. His plan is to not only get his rocks off, but to transfer the unwanted spirit to another, Dean. Dean is way smarter than he seems and soon enough figures out exactly what is happening. I was completely engrossed in the story up to this point.
Now the story bends at an odd angle and a three way ensues between Eliot, Dean and Prynthius. Some of the descriptives start to border on crude and I lost interest. Now at the end another little twist piqued my interest and the story ended on a higher note than the meat in the middle. This was just an okay read for me. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. If you are a fan of sex magick and crude dirty talk that borders brutish on the explicit side of m/m reading, you may well enjoy this little story more so than me.
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June 29, 2015Not rated - DNF
I think I should have read some reviews first. It just didn't work for me and I was feeling bad for the demon from what I read skimming through. I should not be feeling sorry for the bad guy I don't think. So depends on your taste, but it wasn't for me theme/story-wise.
I think I should have read some reviews first. It just didn't work for me and I was feeling bad for the demon from what I read skimming through. I should not be feeling sorry for the bad guy I don't think. So depends on your taste, but it wasn't for me theme/story-wise.
May 10, 2014
I feel like I should point out my biases first - I'm going to be on a panel with Christian Baines in New Orleans at the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival next week, and I don't like to step into a panel without knowing at least one piece by the author - and luckily, my enjoyment of short fiction meant I could nab this title and allow myself to savor The Beast Without without worrying if I wasn't done by the time I got to Louisiana.
Second bias? I adore contemporary supernatural and short fiction both. So, for me, this was a lot of fun with a healthy dash of wild and sweaty (and none the worse for that). The precis had me thinking the direction the tale was headed was one way, and in the space of this short piece, Baines managed to twist not once, and not twice, but three times. I liked that - sometimes short fiction isn't narratively challenging - and that's not to say a short piece without three twists isn't good, it was just a welcome surprise.
So, if you go into the story thinking it will be about the demon problem the young practitioner has, you'll be surprised by how quickly that evolves into something else. That evolution, however, is worthwhile. I'd also love to have more from this world, and these characters - you get a slice of the setting, and it's a taste that leaves you wondering.
Second bias? I adore contemporary supernatural and short fiction both. So, for me, this was a lot of fun with a healthy dash of wild and sweaty (and none the worse for that). The precis had me thinking the direction the tale was headed was one way, and in the space of this short piece, Baines managed to twist not once, and not twice, but three times. I liked that - sometimes short fiction isn't narratively challenging - and that's not to say a short piece without three twists isn't good, it was just a welcome surprise.
So, if you go into the story thinking it will be about the demon problem the young practitioner has, you'll be surprised by how quickly that evolves into something else. That evolution, however, is worthwhile. I'd also love to have more from this world, and these characters - you get a slice of the setting, and it's a taste that leaves you wondering.
February 17, 2014
Definite Recommendation for The Prince and the Practitioner by Christian Baines.
My reading time is my time and I like to make it count! You know - long awaited cold weather afternoon, grab the blanket, and your favorite hot drink and curl up with a good book. The Prince and the Practitioner was exactly that! Fast action, fun and smart dialogue, and my favorite thing is the surprise ending. Sometimes you can be reading or watching a movie and just know the inevitable conclusion. When I completed this story, I was thinking to myself .... I never would have thought of that...how cool. And I loved it! Combination of wizards, demons, and the hot man action was perfect!
My reading time is my time and I like to make it count! You know - long awaited cold weather afternoon, grab the blanket, and your favorite hot drink and curl up with a good book. The Prince and the Practitioner was exactly that! Fast action, fun and smart dialogue, and my favorite thing is the surprise ending. Sometimes you can be reading or watching a movie and just know the inevitable conclusion. When I completed this story, I was thinking to myself .... I never would have thought of that...how cool. And I loved it! Combination of wizards, demons, and the hot man action was perfect!
March 21, 2021
Thankfully, it was only 39 pages because I never would have made it through more. It sounded like it should be a bit softer than it was. There was dubious consent in parts, and felt really awkward as it took a Master/slave type turn to it...especially with a third party. Totally not my cup of tea.
March 1, 2014
Hard to rate. Maybe somewhere around 3 stars.
June 8, 2014
A very sexy, fun read! :))
February 4, 2016
Captivating and oh too short :-)
Another good example of Christian's craft.
Another good example of Christian's craft.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews