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Mechanical Universe #2
Duende
Famed opera singer Aimé has a lot in common with Badri, the Royal Ballet Company's most popular male lead. They have both dedicated their entire lives to their art, and struggle to be taken seriously among the Empire's elite. And both harbor a secret admiration and desire for the other.
This year for his birthday Aimé treats himself to a night at the ballet seeing Badri perform, and after the show decides to meet Badri and confess his admiration for Badri's skill. But when that first awkward meeting turns to more, they are left wondering if there is room in their lives for both career and romance...
This year for his birthday Aimé treats himself to a night at the ballet seeing Badri perform, and after the show decides to meet Badri and confess his admiration for Badri's skill. But when that first awkward meeting turns to more, they are left wondering if there is room in their lives for both career and romance...
50 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2014
2 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
E.E. Ottoman
29 books347 followerswrites romance novels, wears pretty clothes, does history stuff.
he/him/his
he/him/his
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 12, 2016
"He looked me in the eye and said my performance—my dancing—touched him, and he meant it. I've never had a lover who knew, who understood before, what it is like to create art with your body and nothing else."
Another beautiful love story in the Mechanical Universe.
I especially like how there is a set of rules and roles in this steampunk universe that is different to ours. It's like a mixture of our past and a future that is hopefully to come. I love how E.E. Ottoman plays with that.
Okay, and I had to look up the word castrato. I know, this is like very obvious, but come on, nothing that you read of everyday. Aimé was castrated as a child to create this unique voice when singing. And while it made me cringe, like a lot, when I found out, it was just the way he was, and he was proud of it. And the best thing of all, it didn't matter to Badril, at all. He thought he was desirable, and that's how it should be!
Kudos to a superb arousing sex scene that was both very passionate and so fascinatingly different and inventive. Loved that! We need more of this, more variety.
I would have liked to read more about these two artists. I think there wasn't really something missing, but I would have liked to spend more time with them.
Another beautiful love story in the Mechanical Universe.
I especially like how there is a set of rules and roles in this steampunk universe that is different to ours. It's like a mixture of our past and a future that is hopefully to come. I love how E.E. Ottoman plays with that.
Okay, and I had to look up the word castrato. I know, this is like very obvious, but come on, nothing that you read of everyday. Aimé was castrated as a child to create this unique voice when singing. And while it made me cringe, like a lot, when I found out, it was just the way he was, and he was proud of it. And the best thing of all, it didn't matter to Badril, at all. He thought he was desirable, and that's how it should be!
Kudos to a superb arousing sex scene that was both very passionate and so fascinatingly different and inventive. Loved that! We need more of this, more variety.
I would have liked to read more about these two artists. I think there wasn't really something missing, but I would have liked to spend more time with them.
February 14, 2018
This charming steam punk novella is a well built world between two heroes who work very hard at their art forms and struggle to make time for love is so worth your time.
The details of the clothing are devine as is the the love of both ballet and opera or really all performing arts shown here. Both heroes are complex and engaging and there are interesting little twists in the tale of love that are moving.
The details of the clothing are devine as is the the love of both ballet and opera or really all performing arts shown here. Both heroes are complex and engaging and there are interesting little twists in the tale of love that are moving.
April 16, 2022
Not my thing/genre, but if you like steampunky romance, it might be yours! In any case, I'm interested enough to read the rest of the series.
May 4, 2016
For his birthday, Aimé takes the day off from his job at the opera to go see the Royal Ballet Company perform. But while he loves the ballet, he will admit (to himself at least) that is not the ballet that he came to watch…but Badri, one of the top performers. Aimé has had a bit of a crush on the dancer, and tonight he might just screw up the courage to talk to the man. And who knows, maybe if he is lucky, Badri might just want to talk to him as well.
From what I can tell, this book takes place before the first book in the series, A Matter of Disagreement. But the stories are only loosely connected, so I don’t think it matters what order you read them in.
I found I quite enjoyed this short story. I loved the multi-ethnic aspect (though heaven knows I’ll never be able to pronounce all those names) and once again Ottoman has given us unique characters to read about. Aimé is a castrato, which I admit made me wince and cross my legs, but I quite liked reading about something that has never shown up in my stories before. Personally think the practice is a bit barbaric, but it did make for an interesting character.
For a short story, these characters certainly had lots and lots of chemistry. And that scene with that rocking-chair thing…omg, so freaking hot. I liked how similar the characters were, but they each felt like there were not mirror copies of each other, but they just fit so well together.
My one big complaint about this book is I can never pin down where it is happening. I was pretty sure it was a fantasy story…but then it went and mentioned China, so I guess not. I have no idea in what country or what time period this happens, if it is in fact on earth, and the ambiguity is just frustrating.
Overall it was a hot story, with some interesting characters. I would have loved to hear more about the guys in the first book, but since this happens before those events even occur, I guess that would be a bit difficult. I hope there are more stories in this series, because while the world building is a bit frustrating at times, the characters are unique and refreshing.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
From what I can tell, this book takes place before the first book in the series, A Matter of Disagreement. But the stories are only loosely connected, so I don’t think it matters what order you read them in.
I found I quite enjoyed this short story. I loved the multi-ethnic aspect (though heaven knows I’ll never be able to pronounce all those names) and once again Ottoman has given us unique characters to read about. Aimé is a castrato, which I admit made me wince and cross my legs, but I quite liked reading about something that has never shown up in my stories before. Personally think the practice is a bit barbaric, but it did make for an interesting character.
For a short story, these characters certainly had lots and lots of chemistry. And that scene with that rocking-chair thing…omg, so freaking hot. I liked how similar the characters were, but they each felt like there were not mirror copies of each other, but they just fit so well together.
My one big complaint about this book is I can never pin down where it is happening. I was pretty sure it was a fantasy story…but then it went and mentioned China, so I guess not. I have no idea in what country or what time period this happens, if it is in fact on earth, and the ambiguity is just frustrating.
Overall it was a hot story, with some interesting characters. I would have loved to hear more about the guys in the first book, but since this happens before those events even occur, I guess that would be a bit difficult. I hope there are more stories in this series, because while the world building is a bit frustrating at times, the characters are unique and refreshing.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
September 13, 2014
Review on Prism Book Alliance
There is a slow start to this one, more telling than showing. My focus wandered a bit now and then. However, the characters are intriguing and are what make this story.
This could probably be labeled steampunk lite, as magic and spells are mentioned but nothing is practiced on page. They make their way around in carriages, wear breeches and long coats, and live in a world with Commanders (Collette is fab, we need more of her) and Counts, and even a Marquis here and there.
The story was best served when Aimé and Badri were interacting, whether with each other or other characters. A good amount of time, especially in the first half, is spent inside their heads. It gave me the feeling of connections that very much wanted to be made and strengthened but were restrained instead.
Some roughly constructed sentences slowed down my read a few times. However, there is much promise and much to like about this writing: obvious passion, fantastic character names, clearly research had been done, and no apologies were made for the characters by the characters. Undercutting your own characters defeats the ultimate purpose and leaves both them and the readers feeling wronged. Bravo to Aimé and Badri for displaying nary an ounce of this. This was most evident in the way gender and behavior expectations were defined, or rather not. Fluidity in sexuality and suffering no self-judgment for what is right for oneself are definitely a part of these two characters.
Continuing, I like that both Aimé and Badri have been around the block. They aren’t spring chickens and have had their experiences, know what they like and won’t tolerate. They are each in a place in which they want more in life. More than a profession and practices filling their days and nights.
The intimacy these two achieve and share is beautiful and erotic. Lovely. Scrumptious.
Whether it be more Aimé and Badri or another cast of characters, I would and will read more by this author. There is room for growth and there is much potential, all starting from an enjoyable base. This one lands in the recommend pile for me. :)
There is a slow start to this one, more telling than showing. My focus wandered a bit now and then. However, the characters are intriguing and are what make this story.
This could probably be labeled steampunk lite, as magic and spells are mentioned but nothing is practiced on page. They make their way around in carriages, wear breeches and long coats, and live in a world with Commanders (Collette is fab, we need more of her) and Counts, and even a Marquis here and there.
The story was best served when Aimé and Badri were interacting, whether with each other or other characters. A good amount of time, especially in the first half, is spent inside their heads. It gave me the feeling of connections that very much wanted to be made and strengthened but were restrained instead.
Some roughly constructed sentences slowed down my read a few times. However, there is much promise and much to like about this writing: obvious passion, fantastic character names, clearly research had been done, and no apologies were made for the characters by the characters. Undercutting your own characters defeats the ultimate purpose and leaves both them and the readers feeling wronged. Bravo to Aimé and Badri for displaying nary an ounce of this. This was most evident in the way gender and behavior expectations were defined, or rather not. Fluidity in sexuality and suffering no self-judgment for what is right for oneself are definitely a part of these two characters.
Continuing, I like that both Aimé and Badri have been around the block. They aren’t spring chickens and have had their experiences, know what they like and won’t tolerate. They are each in a place in which they want more in life. More than a profession and practices filling their days and nights.
The intimacy these two achieve and share is beautiful and erotic. Lovely. Scrumptious.
Whether it be more Aimé and Badri or another cast of characters, I would and will read more by this author. There is room for growth and there is much potential, all starting from an enjoyable base. This one lands in the recommend pile for me. :)
April 10, 2016
Okay, I really liked this. I was prepared to be disappointed, as I have many times before by this publisher, but this one was great.
It tells the story of two artists, a ballet dancer and an opera singer, as they try to find each other. They're both great admirers of each others' work and have had a crush on each other for years, until finally one makes a move and they begin a relationship.
I really appreciated the frank discussion of racism and microaggressions, and how Aime's being a castrato was handled. I wish we got a better understanding of the world these take place in... Aime's roommate being the commander of an army (who lives in an apt? Idk it seems that position should have more prestige), as well as how magic fits into the world. I was really surprised 3/4 of the way through when magic was offhandedly mentioned. Maybe it's because I'm reading the 2nd in a series... but since it otherwise works as a standalone novel... idk.
I also felt the characters didn't have strong personalities. Besides being very passionate about their art, I had no real sense of who these guys were. And their relationship is largely based on "finally! someone who cares about their art as much as I do!" which is supposedly very rare, but I feel like... what they're describing is fairly common? Surely if they opened up to their fellow dancers or singers or musicians, they'd meet people who agree? The microaggressions might have something to do with that, although i wish their relationship had been based on more, or we saw more chemistry beyond the art.
It tells the story of two artists, a ballet dancer and an opera singer, as they try to find each other. They're both great admirers of each others' work and have had a crush on each other for years, until finally one makes a move and they begin a relationship.
I really appreciated the frank discussion of racism and microaggressions, and how Aime's being a castrato was handled. I wish we got a better understanding of the world these take place in... Aime's roommate being the commander of an army (who lives in an apt? Idk it seems that position should have more prestige), as well as how magic fits into the world. I was really surprised 3/4 of the way through when magic was offhandedly mentioned. Maybe it's because I'm reading the 2nd in a series... but since it otherwise works as a standalone novel... idk.
I also felt the characters didn't have strong personalities. Besides being very passionate about their art, I had no real sense of who these guys were. And their relationship is largely based on "finally! someone who cares about their art as much as I do!" which is supposedly very rare, but I feel like... what they're describing is fairly common? Surely if they opened up to their fellow dancers or singers or musicians, they'd meet people who agree? The microaggressions might have something to do with that, although i wish their relationship had been based on more, or we saw more chemistry beyond the art.
October 25, 2019
Due to the lack of both male and female hormones, castrato bones took a long time to fuse and as a result castrati were incredibly tall. Their genitalia would usually have the girth of an intact male, with just over half the length. Their arms and fingers would be unnaturally long, and they would be prone to excessive weight gain. For some reason, whether consciously or subconsciously, the author has chosen to give the castrato character the height, build, hands and genitalia of a prepubescent child, then proceeded to write an explicit sex scene about him. (although I admit I was too sickened to read it). Proper physical depictions of castrati can be found in Game of Thrones, The Name of the Rose, and Anne Rice's Cry to Heaven, to name a few. The information isn't hard to find. The author brags at the end of the book about how much research he does for his books. I'm guessing this is completely false.
April 30, 2018
I'll be honest with you, I have no culture. I've never been to the opera or the ballet, will probably never go to either and know nothing about them. That being said, even though this book is about one opera singer and one ballet dancer, I wasn't terribly lost.
(Side note: *snicker*snort* Victorian sex toys.)
While this book might have skewed a little closer to a three star for me, (the aforementioned lack of culture was doubtless in play here) Aime deserves a star of his own for his pride is wearing makeup offstage, his appreciation of his own, more curvy body, but him remaining firm in not liking being called feminine. And I love and adore that in this book doesn't default to 'penetration is the only real sex'. (And the sex scenes were kind of hot...)
(Side note: *snicker*snort* Victorian sex toys.)
While this book might have skewed a little closer to a three star for me, (the aforementioned lack of culture was doubtless in play here) Aime deserves a star of his own for his pride is wearing makeup offstage, his appreciation of his own, more curvy body, but him remaining firm in not liking being called feminine. And I love and adore that in this book doesn't default to 'penetration is the only real sex'. (And the sex scenes were kind of hot...)
July 14, 2025
I think I enjoyed the overall world more than I connected with these particular characters. This one is shorter than the others, so it just felt a little rushed, and because we don’t get as much time to see the characters interact beforehand, the spice felt a bit sudden. Not a problem in itself, but it didn’t land quite as well for me because of the pacing.
January 6, 2024
This was very cute. Needed more ballet though.
June 12, 2017
The series is set in sort of alternative (?) world where magic and steam technology exist; and the culture is quire acceptive and diverse. I couldn’t figure the intended period, E.E. Ottoman uses French names, British customs and mentality, Austrian empire political atmosphere, so I suppose the general feeling somewhat Regency–like. The second one – Duende is the shortest of the 3 and unfortunately a bit repetitive. The romance was very nice and I liked that both main characters had admiration for another previous to their meeting. I liked how the story balances between their devotion to art and each other. But the world building is in lack, but this is romance, so it’s kind of forgivable.
September 8, 2014
Badri is the male lead in the city’s ballet company. Aime is a famous opera singer. They secretly each like the other. On his birthday, Aime goes to see Badri dance, and then goes backstage to introduce himself. Amidst all the other fans, Aime is very embarrassed and leaves quickly after meeting Badri. However, that small act is enough to get Badri interested in Aime.
This is a very short story and it was enjoyable. I see that it’s part of the “Mechanical Universe” series, but it had a very historical feeling to it. That was fine with me – a historical may as well be a fantasy when I read it. I enjoyed seeing these men slowly but surely get to know each other.
Unfortunately, I found the cast of secondary characters confusing. I would have enjoyed it more if it had concentrated fully on Aime and Badri. It may be that reading the series in order would have made this one less confusing. It did leave me interested in checking out the first book in the series, though.
This is a very short story and it was enjoyable. I see that it’s part of the “Mechanical Universe” series, but it had a very historical feeling to it. That was fine with me – a historical may as well be a fantasy when I read it. I enjoyed seeing these men slowly but surely get to know each other.
Unfortunately, I found the cast of secondary characters confusing. I would have enjoyed it more if it had concentrated fully on Aime and Badri. It may be that reading the series in order would have made this one less confusing. It did leave me interested in checking out the first book in the series, though.
February 5, 2015
Really digging this universe of Ottoman's, and I liked the little references to the characters in "A Matter of Disagreement." This one didn't resonate as deeply as that one, but it was still an enjoyable read.
February 11, 2015
The first book I've read with a castrati and I found it interesting (and yes, I had to go look them up after this). I enjoy this world very much, though the steampunk aspect was much less present here than the previous book.
March 26, 2015
I've never read a book with a castrato present in it and I was taken by surprise about what that meant in terms of physicality. The story was shorter than the first in the series and in a way suffered because of it. The characters were likable but there was no time to get attached to them.
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September 12, 2014This book was reviewed by Carissa at Love Bytes Reviews!
November 11, 2014
A sweet little romance.
February 17, 2015
2.4 stars. A nice short story, but it lacked engaging characters like in the previous instalment.
August 19, 2015
Sweet love story in the mechanical universe.
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October 29, 2015i had no expectations going in but i am pleasantly surprised at how filthy this was
June 27, 2021
Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2017/05/18/...
Rating: 2 Stars – it’s a struggle to finish the damn book
Rating: 2 Stars – it’s a struggle to finish the damn book
May 15, 2018
Good companion
In this one we get to see more of the world that was started in 'A Matter
of Disagreements'. With each story set in this world, I'm loving it more and more.
In this one we get to see more of the world that was started in 'A Matter
of Disagreements'. With each story set in this world, I'm loving it more and more.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews