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Scarred: Four Novellas
Four new novellas by the author of Operation Starseed:
In a future where pleasure is bought in virtual reality parlors, one man creates the perfect lover. Spun from binary code, everything he could want in a boy except real... or is he?
Dane is destined for greatness, his boyfriend Krish just knows it. But first he needs to break into the local music scene, and Krish doesn't trust the singer who's offered to help.
Thom's through with men after his last lover cheated on him, but the new boy who buys the house next door hopes he'll reconsider. The only problem? He's not too sure about Bradley's promiscuous ways.
Biker gangs known as regulators rule the streets of a war-torn city with hate and pain; their cruelty is etched into every inch of Dae's battered body. He has never known anything but hurt from the hands of men...until he meets Coby.
In a future where pleasure is bought in virtual reality parlors, one man creates the perfect lover. Spun from binary code, everything he could want in a boy except real... or is he?
Dane is destined for greatness, his boyfriend Krish just knows it. But first he needs to break into the local music scene, and Krish doesn't trust the singer who's offered to help.
Thom's through with men after his last lover cheated on him, but the new boy who buys the house next door hopes he'll reconsider. The only problem? He's not too sure about Bradley's promiscuous ways.
Biker gangs known as regulators rule the streets of a war-torn city with hate and pain; their cruelty is etched into every inch of Dae's battered body. He has never known anything but hurt from the hands of men...until he meets Coby.
259 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2002
11 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Snyder
302 books567 followersAn author of gay erotic/romantic fiction, J.M. Snyder began in self-publishing and worked with Amber Allure, Aspen Mountain, eXcessica, and Torquere Presses.
Snyder's highly erotic short gay fiction has been published online at Amazon Shorts, Eros Monthly, Ruthie's Club, and Tit-Elation, as well as in anthologies by Alyson Books, Aspen Mountain, Cleis Press, eXcessica Publishing, Lethe Press, and Ravenous Romance.
In 2010, Snyder founded JMS Books LLC, a royalty-paying queer small press that publishes in both electronic and print format. For more information on newest releases and submission guidelines, please visit JMS Books LLC online.
Snyder's highly erotic short gay fiction has been published online at Amazon Shorts, Eros Monthly, Ruthie's Club, and Tit-Elation, as well as in anthologies by Alyson Books, Aspen Mountain, Cleis Press, eXcessica Publishing, Lethe Press, and Ravenous Romance.
In 2010, Snyder founded JMS Books LLC, a royalty-paying queer small press that publishes in both electronic and print format. For more information on newest releases and submission guidelines, please visit JMS Books LLC online.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 11, 2014
Others have already written my exact review, but I'll add my version here anyway.
Five-star writing that sucked me in, only for the structure, characterization, and premise to abandon me.
Delia. Started out believable, became annoying, and then O_o
The biker brawl climax . . . no.
The name McBane? Very no.
So. Much. Sweeping.
Snyder 5-starring their own book: pet peeve.
Five-star writing that sucked me in, only for the structure, characterization, and premise to abandon me.
Delia. Started out believable, became annoying, and then O_o
The biker brawl climax . . . no.
The name McBane? Very no.
So. Much. Sweeping.
Snyder 5-starring their own book: pet peeve.
April 24, 2013
So disappointed in what promised to be a great story. I loved the premise, but the execution falls flat.
The age gap between the MC's doesn't work for me.
Coby doesn't work for me: a boy who commands a group of lawless hardcore regulators. How? ... Why?
After the first 35% I skimmed just about everything. I got bored with Dae's inner monologue and irritated with his ridiculously selfish sister. The final confrontation was ridiculous, and I'm still scratching my head over it all.
The age gap between the MC's doesn't work for me.
Coby doesn't work for me: a boy who commands a group of lawless hardcore regulators. How? ... Why?
After the first 35% I skimmed just about everything. I got bored with Dae's inner monologue and irritated with his ridiculously selfish sister. The final confrontation was ridiculous, and I'm still scratching my head over it all.
August 28, 2017
2.5 stars
The story felt incomplete and under developed. I enjoyed it while I was reading it but I kept expecting more. More never came.
There was only one pov given and that involved a lot of repetitive internal musing.
The story felt incomplete and under developed. I enjoyed it while I was reading it but I kept expecting more. More never came.
There was only one pov given and that involved a lot of repetitive internal musing.
January 22, 2015
2.5 Stars
This is REALLY hard for me to rate/review. Did I like it? I think? I want to, but there's certain things I had issues with. Let me start with those:
I loved Dae's voice. I GOT him. I got why he did things. I got why he accepted what happened.
So, ummm....what now? I can see there being a sequel.
Another thing? I have now had Warren G's 'Regulate' in my head for over 24 hours. Whenever I read the word 'regulators' I kept saying "mount up". HA!
This is REALLY hard for me to rate/review. Did I like it? I think? I want to, but there's certain things I had issues with. Let me start with those:
I loved Dae's voice. I GOT him. I got why he did things. I got why he accepted what happened.
So, ummm....what now? I can see there being a sequel.
Another thing? I have now had Warren G's 'Regulate' in my head for over 24 hours. Whenever I read the word 'regulators' I kept saying "mount up". HA!
July 17, 2007
A couple of weeks ago, I finished reading this amazing book: "Scarred" by J. M. Snyder. This book is self-published (though there are no tons of mistakes or bad grammar or similar things that you sometimes find in such books) and it contains four gay stories, two sci-fi and two set in our present time.
"VR Palace" tells the story of a man who falls in love with a boy from virtual reality. The main part of the plot is about how real virtual reality can be because suddenly, the boy doesn't react as the program tells him to...
The whole story is told from the 2nd person POV (you go, you are...) and it's quite interesting, hot and gentle, sad and happy and confusing...
"His Song" tells the story of the shy Dane and his boyfriend Krish who is convinced that Dane has everything necessary to become a big star singer. But when the local bar singer Randy offers to help Dane, Krish is not sure what his real motives are.
This was my least favorite story. It dragged a bit and nothing actually happened, only Dane lost his illusions. Fortunately, he didn't lose Krish :)
"Windows" tells a hot story about Thom who gets a new neighbor, the queeny gay Bradley. But Thom's last boyfriend hurt him terribly by cheating on him and so Thom is not sure if he could ever accept Bradley's his promiscuous lifestyle. Or if Bradley would ever change.
This was quite an interesting story because these days, the authors usually accentuate how manly a gay man can be. Here, Bradley is the cliché of a gay character and Thom likes it :) Cute.
"Scarred" is the novella take gave this book its title. It's the longest and also the best story. It's set in the near future where after a war, the streets of the town are controlled by the so called Regulators, biker gangs. The main hero, Dae, owns a little bistro with his sister. And to protect her from the Regulators, he lets them do anything they want to him. One of the leaders, McBane, takes liking to him and he abuses him and hurts him terribly, leaving terrible scars on his body. But then the young Coby with his gang appears and he wants everything: McBane's district, his men and his "Bitch" Dae. But what starts as a contest turns into love.
That was my most favorite story out of these four. Dae is scarred and terrified but he longs for love so much that your heart simply aches. Another thing that I adored was that Coby was like five years Dae's junior :D Yes, I love my bottoms older - in fics that is :P
"VR Palace" tells the story of a man who falls in love with a boy from virtual reality. The main part of the plot is about how real virtual reality can be because suddenly, the boy doesn't react as the program tells him to...
The whole story is told from the 2nd person POV (you go, you are...) and it's quite interesting, hot and gentle, sad and happy and confusing...
"His Song" tells the story of the shy Dane and his boyfriend Krish who is convinced that Dane has everything necessary to become a big star singer. But when the local bar singer Randy offers to help Dane, Krish is not sure what his real motives are.
This was my least favorite story. It dragged a bit and nothing actually happened, only Dane lost his illusions. Fortunately, he didn't lose Krish :)
"Windows" tells a hot story about Thom who gets a new neighbor, the queeny gay Bradley. But Thom's last boyfriend hurt him terribly by cheating on him and so Thom is not sure if he could ever accept Bradley's his promiscuous lifestyle. Or if Bradley would ever change.
This was quite an interesting story because these days, the authors usually accentuate how manly a gay man can be. Here, Bradley is the cliché of a gay character and Thom likes it :) Cute.
"Scarred" is the novella take gave this book its title. It's the longest and also the best story. It's set in the near future where after a war, the streets of the town are controlled by the so called Regulators, biker gangs. The main hero, Dae, owns a little bistro with his sister. And to protect her from the Regulators, he lets them do anything they want to him. One of the leaders, McBane, takes liking to him and he abuses him and hurts him terribly, leaving terrible scars on his body. But then the young Coby with his gang appears and he wants everything: McBane's district, his men and his "Bitch" Dae. But what starts as a contest turns into love.
That was my most favorite story out of these four. Dae is scarred and terrified but he longs for love so much that your heart simply aches. Another thing that I adored was that Coby was like five years Dae's junior :D Yes, I love my bottoms older - in fics that is :P
June 14, 2016
4.3 Stars
See, the last book I read by Snyder was barely over a 2 star story IMHO but this one is so much better. I almost loved it, which shocked me, because there's some mention of way non-consensual non-con, with a couple family-sized sides of evil sadism. Glad that wasn't actually on the page. (And anyone that says just because he didn't fight it, just because he let it happen to protect it from being his sister getting abused, that it isn't rape -- I will fucking cut a bitch.) (Just sayin'.) (Seriously, don't do it.)
After all that he suffered, Dae deserved a little happiness. Even if it's not everyone's idea of romance (Deliah) or a HEA, it was an offer of protection, it was gentle, it was his choice. Even if the circumstances of being there was originally to thumb his nose at McBane, Coby wanted more from Dae...chose him, fought for him, killed for him, and just wanted to love him. Not hurt him. A little caveman-like (expected given the post-war world as it was painted in this), but I would be happy to settle for someone like Coby were I Dae.
See, the last book I read by Snyder was barely over a 2 star story IMHO but this one is so much better. I almost loved it, which shocked me, because there's some mention of way non-consensual non-con, with a couple family-sized sides of evil sadism. Glad that wasn't actually on the page. (And anyone that says just because he didn't fight it, just because he let it happen to protect it from being his sister getting abused, that it isn't rape -- I will fucking cut a bitch.) (Just sayin'.) (Seriously, don't do it.)
After all that he suffered, Dae deserved a little happiness. Even if it's not everyone's idea of romance (Deliah) or a HEA, it was an offer of protection, it was gentle, it was his choice. Even if the circumstances of being there was originally to thumb his nose at McBane, Coby wanted more from Dae...chose him, fought for him, killed for him, and just wanted to love him. Not hurt him. A little caveman-like (expected given the post-war world as it was painted in this), but I would be happy to settle for someone like Coby were I Dae.
October 12, 2010
This is such a great story. It isn't warm and fuzzy, and it's not about love in the sense many m/m romances talk about it. But man, it sure pulls a punch.
Dae lives in a post apocalyptic world of cruelty and survival of the strongest. He suffers enormous humiliation and torture so his sister will be safe. He thinks he's a coward, but the inner strength he needs to get through several ordeals is more than I can imagine.
Coby seems to be one of the tough gang leaders at first. But there is an undeniable streak of warmth in him as he gets to know Dae, then starts to protect him.
The two together manage to create a small island of hope and care between them. It gives Dae the courage to finally stand up to his tormentor. This isn't a 'fluffy love story', but one of great power that I won't quickly forget.
Dae lives in a post apocalyptic world of cruelty and survival of the strongest. He suffers enormous humiliation and torture so his sister will be safe. He thinks he's a coward, but the inner strength he needs to get through several ordeals is more than I can imagine.
Coby seems to be one of the tough gang leaders at first. But there is an undeniable streak of warmth in him as he gets to know Dae, then starts to protect him.
The two together manage to create a small island of hope and care between them. It gives Dae the courage to finally stand up to his tormentor. This isn't a 'fluffy love story', but one of great power that I won't quickly forget.
July 2, 2013
✰✰✰½
In this post-apocalyptic world, regulators who ride around in biker gangs are the law and with that power comes abuse. Dae and his sister, Delia and and orphan Maeve they took in are just struggling to survive in this new world order and keep their lives and diner together. Delia is young and pretty and always catches the eyes of these rough men so Dae takes her place and is abused in all kinds of different ways and has the scars to prove it. He has been the toy of an especially abusive regulator, McBane who is the leader of their particular strip of neighborhood. One night, Coby and his band of regulators ride up and Dae's life is about to change.
Dae and Coby's relationship is gentle and sweet and respectful of the abuse Dae has suffered. Will Coby protect Dae against McBane?
In this post-apocalyptic world, regulators who ride around in biker gangs are the law and with that power comes abuse. Dae and his sister, Delia and and orphan Maeve they took in are just struggling to survive in this new world order and keep their lives and diner together. Delia is young and pretty and always catches the eyes of these rough men so Dae takes her place and is abused in all kinds of different ways and has the scars to prove it. He has been the toy of an especially abusive regulator, McBane who is the leader of their particular strip of neighborhood. One night, Coby and his band of regulators ride up and Dae's life is about to change.
Dae and Coby's relationship is gentle and sweet and respectful of the abuse Dae has suffered. Will Coby protect Dae against McBane?
April 3, 2014
I expected a great book but it was mearly ok.
I liked biker-gang's leader, even thought it was rather strange how a boy managed to step on top of the band of lawless men. I think THAT might have been an interesting story to tell.
Dae was irritating allong with his sister. He forgot just like that years of abuse and fell head over heels in love? Very unrealistic. Dealia was more convincing, at least for a while. Later on, her selfishness and cuting remarks became simply tiring.
The final showdown wasn't thought through I suppose, since there were many ridiculous and annoying details that forced me to abbandon story more that one just to ask myself "what the hell?!".
Overall, it was a story with a potential that didn't deliver what it promised. I finished it, but won't be coming back to reread it.
I liked biker-gang's leader, even thought it was rather strange how a boy managed to step on top of the band of lawless men. I think THAT might have been an interesting story to tell.
Dae was irritating allong with his sister. He forgot just like that years of abuse and fell head over heels in love? Very unrealistic. Dealia was more convincing, at least for a while. Later on, her selfishness and cuting remarks became simply tiring.
The final showdown wasn't thought through I suppose, since there were many ridiculous and annoying details that forced me to abbandon story more that one just to ask myself "what the hell?!".
Overall, it was a story with a potential that didn't deliver what it promised. I finished it, but won't be coming back to reread it.
October 27, 2014
The beginning was good, and I was hooked.
Dae and Colby started off great, but, didn't quite follow through with making a solid connection, but at least the foundation was started.
The fight was off...or maybe I missed something. My issues were
All that being said, I did enjoy the book. It was worth the read, and I would be interested in reading more about the world, because there were a lot of things left unexplained.
Dae and Colby started off great, but, didn't quite follow through with making a solid connection, but at least the foundation was started.
The fight was off...or maybe I missed something. My issues were
All that being said, I did enjoy the book. It was worth the read, and I would be interested in reading more about the world, because there were a lot of things left unexplained.
September 20, 2011
Have you ever wondered what life would be like if your world wasn't as organized and civilized as it probably is now? Would there be chaos or would a new kind ruler take over? Scarred provides some very disconcerting answers to those questions.
In a world where there appears to be no central government after a devastating war, things are run by the Regulators. They're nomadic, motorcycle gangs who, while they do roam, claim territory. Any people who live in that territory are also property of the Regulators. It's unsettling, sad and dangerous.
This new world, this is the world that Dae lives in. He's a young man, with an even younger sister, who runs a diner. The area Dae's diner is in is run by a regulator named McBane. Dae is covered in the scars left behind by McBane's sexual torture. McBane has left Dae half dead more than once and Dae takes it because if he doesn't McBane will turn to Dae's sister Delia.
The whole story happens in Dae's diner. I got the feeling that it was worn down but clean while everything outside of the diner was covered in dust and dirt. I liked Dae right from the beginning and believed in his strength. What he was doing to protect his sister was tragic but in a way it was beautiful, the love that he had for her.
Dae's routine is broken when new regulators show up. These new regulators are an unknown factor and while McBane is the devil, he's at least a devil that Dae knows.
Enter Cody. Cody looks young, he's smaller than the other regulators who've come into the diner and he almost looks like any young guy you'd see around. The thing is that once you look into Cody's eyes you know what he's about. Cody is the head of these new regulators and the hardness in his eyes warns people that he's done more than every regulator under him put together.
Cody wants Dae but Dae belongs to McBane and no one messes with what belongs to McBane. Cody's changing that. Here's where I fell in love with Cody. JM Snyder wrote his character in such a way that he doesn't seem like some reckless kid posturing and posing. Cody's calm. He's the kind of calm that people don't want to meet in a dark alley. Actually, I wouldn't want to meet someone like that on a sunny day in the middle of the street.
The relationship that starts between Cody and Dae is surprisingly sweet. Don't get me wrong; it's not sweet in the way romances usually are. There's still a kind of sorrow to what they share but they want to be together and Dae deserves to be with someone. Cody isn't softened by the romance either. Standing between Cody and Dae is flirting with death.
This book doesn't end on a sweet note. It ends on a bloody one but in it's own way it's hopeful. This story is my favorite by JM Snyder and I would recommend it to anyone.
In a world where there appears to be no central government after a devastating war, things are run by the Regulators. They're nomadic, motorcycle gangs who, while they do roam, claim territory. Any people who live in that territory are also property of the Regulators. It's unsettling, sad and dangerous.
This new world, this is the world that Dae lives in. He's a young man, with an even younger sister, who runs a diner. The area Dae's diner is in is run by a regulator named McBane. Dae is covered in the scars left behind by McBane's sexual torture. McBane has left Dae half dead more than once and Dae takes it because if he doesn't McBane will turn to Dae's sister Delia.
The whole story happens in Dae's diner. I got the feeling that it was worn down but clean while everything outside of the diner was covered in dust and dirt. I liked Dae right from the beginning and believed in his strength. What he was doing to protect his sister was tragic but in a way it was beautiful, the love that he had for her.
Dae's routine is broken when new regulators show up. These new regulators are an unknown factor and while McBane is the devil, he's at least a devil that Dae knows.
Enter Cody. Cody looks young, he's smaller than the other regulators who've come into the diner and he almost looks like any young guy you'd see around. The thing is that once you look into Cody's eyes you know what he's about. Cody is the head of these new regulators and the hardness in his eyes warns people that he's done more than every regulator under him put together.
Cody wants Dae but Dae belongs to McBane and no one messes with what belongs to McBane. Cody's changing that. Here's where I fell in love with Cody. JM Snyder wrote his character in such a way that he doesn't seem like some reckless kid posturing and posing. Cody's calm. He's the kind of calm that people don't want to meet in a dark alley. Actually, I wouldn't want to meet someone like that on a sunny day in the middle of the street.
The relationship that starts between Cody and Dae is surprisingly sweet. Don't get me wrong; it's not sweet in the way romances usually are. There's still a kind of sorrow to what they share but they want to be together and Dae deserves to be with someone. Cody isn't softened by the romance either. Standing between Cody and Dae is flirting with death.
This book doesn't end on a sweet note. It ends on a bloody one but in it's own way it's hopeful. This story is my favorite by JM Snyder and I would recommend it to anyone.
September 18, 2016
Loved! This was an intense and beautifully written novella about a diner owner in a post apocalyptic world falling for the leader of one of the biker gangs that terrorize the town. From the beginning though Coby, biker, is gentle, kind and unlike the other biker who physically abuses Dae (diner owner). I was drawn in right from the beginning by the simple but immensely evocative writing and the physical awakening of Dae's sexual urges. He actually wanted Coby, which was something he'd never experienced before. He was more used to 'the grit your teeth and bear it' routine.
In terms of negatives, if I chose to dig a bit deeper, something could be said about occupiers and the occupied and whether there was real consent. Dae didn't really have a choice the first time he let Coby sleep in the same bed with him (no sex). There is also the question of ownership (being passed from one biker to the next) and never really being his own person, though he does make a significant play towards the end...but that's if I chose to dig. Instead, I am in a surface-y mood tonight and I will stick with the warm feeling left by this couple at the end. I was also tickled by that hint of Tarn/Delia at the end.
In terms of negatives, if I chose to dig a bit deeper, something could be said about occupiers and the occupied and whether there was real consent. Dae didn't really have a choice the first time he let Coby sleep in the same bed with him (no sex). There is also the question of ownership (being passed from one biker to the next) and never really being his own person, though he does make a significant play towards the end...but that's if I chose to dig. Instead, I am in a surface-y mood tonight and I will stick with the warm feeling left by this couple at the end. I was also tickled by that hint of Tarn/Delia at the end.
December 8, 2014
This was a non con relationship. Coby came to possess McBane's boy toy Dae in a territory take-over. First Coby extorted and then he manipulated Dae in a physical relationship. Dae was so abused that any kind of gentle attention by Coby made him fall in love with him. Dae didn't even realize the gold necklace was a collar. And for all of her protests, Delia fell for the same personal attention from a biker as her brother. Stockholm syndrome was the relationship theme of this book.
Coby was so young he was unrealistic as a gang leader. Logistics of fight with McBane at end did not make sense at all. The Mad Max world building had holes in it - how did they have electricity, water, gasoline, food supplies, etc without law and order? There were obviously no medical supplies and antibiotics - so it was stupid to not use soap and water and not sterilize the sewing thread and needles. These three issues made this book difficult to recommend. I would like to see the author do a rewrite because I love the storyline. Unfortunately the author thinks it does not need improvement because she rated it 5 stars.
Coby was so young he was unrealistic as a gang leader. Logistics of fight with McBane at end did not make sense at all. The Mad Max world building had holes in it - how did they have electricity, water, gasoline, food supplies, etc without law and order? There were obviously no medical supplies and antibiotics - so it was stupid to not use soap and water and not sterilize the sewing thread and needles. These three issues made this book difficult to recommend. I would like to see the author do a rewrite because I love the storyline. Unfortunately the author thinks it does not need improvement because she rated it 5 stars.
Read
March 24, 2009In an post apocalyptic world, Dae owns a diner in an almost abandoned city. No law reigns unless the regulators' law, biker gang who patrolling the zone.
Dae must protect his younger sister and so he takes on him all the brutality of the gangs member, in particular of the leader. So now Dae is alive but his body is scarred, like his soul. He no more has hope.
But one day a new regulater arrives in the city: Coby is younger but he is also a born leader. But when he is with Dae, he has a gentle touch. He promises not to hurt Dae. He says he will return to Dae every night, and every night he returns. So maybe Dae can find some hope inside him.
This is a wonderful story, of a love who blossoms among the pain. Cody is so tender and caring, Dae, even if he is older, is like a baby who reborns with the gentle touch of Cody. It is also an over romantic story, and of passion, even if you will not find the mere act of sex: the passion is all in the magic touch of Cody, and a kiss will be the ultimate gift.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/059523111X/?...
Dae must protect his younger sister and so he takes on him all the brutality of the gangs member, in particular of the leader. So now Dae is alive but his body is scarred, like his soul. He no more has hope.
But one day a new regulater arrives in the city: Coby is younger but he is also a born leader. But when he is with Dae, he has a gentle touch. He promises not to hurt Dae. He says he will return to Dae every night, and every night he returns. So maybe Dae can find some hope inside him.
This is a wonderful story, of a love who blossoms among the pain. Cody is so tender and caring, Dae, even if he is older, is like a baby who reborns with the gentle touch of Cody. It is also an over romantic story, and of passion, even if you will not find the mere act of sex: the passion is all in the magic touch of Cody, and a kiss will be the ultimate gift.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/059523111X/?...
January 22, 2015
This is the third story by J.M. Snyder that I read and I am very impressed with the emotion that she can evoke with her writing. In the world where biker gangs are the regulators who rule the city, Dae must protect his younger sister, so he takes all the brutality that comes to him in order to let her sister away from all that. He has been raped, tortured, used like nothing -- he has scars and bruises and broken bones as constant reminders. His life is constant loneliness . Until one day, a new regulator comes into the restaurants, and he gives what Dae is afraid that he has lost. He gives Dae hope.
I love this story so much. It can be painful to read, when Dae narrates the things that he has been through. But Coby's tender love and care, like when he kisses Dae's scars, is so beautiful to read, it squeezes my heart and makes me believe that love prevails. Even in the darkest hours ...
I love this story so much. It can be painful to read, when Dae narrates the things that he has been through. But Coby's tender love and care, like when he kisses Dae's scars, is so beautiful to read, it squeezes my heart and makes me believe that love prevails. Even in the darkest hours ...
October 5, 2010
I was probably a bit hesitant when starting this book (recommended for me); not really sure if it would suit my interest. It didn't take long and I was completely drawn in. There's such a raw element to the story because of the violence (past and present), but also because of the emotion. I desperately wanted Dae to be cherished and experience love - man did he deserve it! I don't usually enjoy a book written from a 1st person POV, but this one had so much going for it that it didn't matter. My only two wishes were to get Coby's perspective and for a bit more at the end (perhaps an epilogue) - otherwise fantastic!
November 11, 2012
Wow. This book is intense. It's heavily about rape and abuse -- so if those are triggers, avoid this book!
Yet it was sweet.
The problem was the relationship ran the line of being coerced. He says he wants it, but there's no out. I had problems with this (of course), but it was so well done that I forgave huge leaps that I otherwise wouldn't have.
The ending was dumb. The fight scene needed work. :)
Otherwise it was a great short novel.
Yet it was sweet.
The problem was the relationship ran the line of being coerced. He says he wants it, but there's no out. I had problems with this (of course), but it was so well done that I forgave huge leaps that I otherwise wouldn't have.
The ending was dumb. The fight scene needed work. :)
Otherwise it was a great short novel.
August 7, 2010
This book was like a train wreck for me, it was disturbing, but I just couldn't stop reading it. I saw some Stephen King influence in the book which I found interesting, and it was consistently well done.
If you're looking for happy fluffy, this book isn't it and I appreciate the author all the more for that. If you're looking for a raw and emotionally charged read - then dive right in.
If you're looking for happy fluffy, this book isn't it and I appreciate the author all the more for that. If you're looking for a raw and emotionally charged read - then dive right in.
August 29, 2010
Hands-down, a solid 5-star read. Warnings for references to noncon/rape, violence, blood (and worse).
This one is more post-apocalyptic futuristic fiction than the conventional "science fiction" genre. Still, those details are minor. The world-building is secondary, but still strong and well-woven.
Best aspect of this book is by far the character development. Dae and Coby are both beautiful creatures, despite the circumstances that have forged them into something other than what they would've chosen to be.
It's a sappy romance with a dark twist, and a wicked edge. There's not a single randy sex scene -- more's the pity -- but this story doesn't notice the lack of it, given its length. I wanted more of these two, much more, but the story works well and leaves the reader happy and satisfied at the end.
The five-star rating for this one is not simply a function of the well-crafted story, plot development and character depth. The prose are clean, without grammatical or spelling errors; the language is smooth, and flows throughout. A quick read, but one that definitely won't disappoint.
This one is more post-apocalyptic futuristic fiction than the conventional "science fiction" genre. Still, those details are minor. The world-building is secondary, but still strong and well-woven.
Best aspect of this book is by far the character development. Dae and Coby are both beautiful creatures, despite the circumstances that have forged them into something other than what they would've chosen to be.
It's a sappy romance with a dark twist, and a wicked edge. There's not a single randy sex scene -- more's the pity -- but this story doesn't notice the lack of it, given its length. I wanted more of these two, much more, but the story works well and leaves the reader happy and satisfied at the end.
The five-star rating for this one is not simply a function of the well-crafted story, plot development and character depth. The prose are clean, without grammatical or spelling errors; the language is smooth, and flows throughout. A quick read, but one that definitely won't disappoint.
August 13, 2013
Well that was an intense little read. I couldn't figure out the time period or the country in took place in. I'm pretty sure it was modern times and it felt like Ireland or somewhere like that. It was a war torn little town where bikers ruled and basically terrorized everyone. Until....a new group came to town. The things that Dae's had to endure were just horrific but there's light at the end of that painful tunnel. His sister drove me a little crazy with her bitchiness but I understood it for the most part. Hard to imagine a love story among all the wreckage but there it was. And really, really well told.
September 1, 2013
The world is lawless and teams of regulators roam the streets on their motorbikes taking what they want. To protect his sister from the hands of McBane a truly nasty regulator he is frequently raped and tortured and his body is covered in scars. When Coby arrives one night he is almost too good to be true. Dae has never come across a regulator like him. He is softly spoken, gently and seems to care. He returns nightly - the outcome being that he wants to claim Dae as his lover but in order to do this he must take down McBane. I really would have liked to know what happened after the fight at the end and whether Tarn and Delia got together.
December 18, 2009
I have a massive collection of m/m books, and this is one of my favorites. In a post apocalyptic world, a man persists, holding on to life as best he can amidst a hostile environment. Even in such a place, heroes exist...
Though some may not, I love hurt/comfort if handled properly. J.M. Snyder does just that. Though painful to read because of the raw emotion it evokes, Scarred tugs at your heartstrings, and makes you believe that even in hard time and in hard people, decency exists.
Though some may not, I love hurt/comfort if handled properly. J.M. Snyder does just that. Though painful to read because of the raw emotion it evokes, Scarred tugs at your heartstrings, and makes you believe that even in hard time and in hard people, decency exists.
August 11, 2013
This gets a solid 2.5 stars for me☆☆
(-｡-;
I enjoyed the premise of the story but not how it was slowly being unfolded and laid out. It sort of started to fall apart for me about less than half way through the book.（；￣ェ￣）
Its too bad too because this had such promise if it was executed better. But I will try to check other books by this author.
(=￣ ρ￣=) ..zzZZ BLAH
(-｡-;
I enjoyed the premise of the story but not how it was slowly being unfolded and laid out. It sort of started to fall apart for me about less than half way through the book.（；￣ェ￣）
Its too bad too because this had such promise if it was executed better. But I will try to check other books by this author.
(=￣ ρ￣=) ..zzZZ BLAH
June 27, 2009
This is my book so I'm not going to write a review.
Contains the following stories:
• His Song
• Scarred
• VR Palace
• Windows
Contains the following stories:
• His Song
• Scarred
• VR Palace
• Windows
September 1, 2016
The kindle version of this ebook on Amazon just contains the main novella, "Scarred" not 4 stories as some other reviewers have found in the paperback. That said, it is a very nice story.
November 28, 2018
I love it. I've read it before but every now and then it needs a revisit.
February 27, 2014
Loved it...I'm a sucker for the broken victim rescued by the bad boy :)
November 6, 2010
No sex, just some cuddling
December 11, 2024
Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Kind of dark but I enjoyed listening to it.
This story is a bit dark and not exactly a romance but I loved listening to it. Nick Johnson did a great job performing it. This is only the third book I’ve read by JM Snyder. Even though I have a bunch of her books in my digital library I didn’t get around to reading any of them until I was offered a review copy of the audiobook of Waylaid, also performed by Nick Johnson, and I quickly became a fan of this author/performer combination.
While stories like Scarred aren’t my normal go-to books, I’m learning to branch out and stretch myself by reading things that I wouldn’t usually pick up. Scarred held my attention throughout and I even made it through the darker/bloodier portions without having to take a break. 😊
I can recommend this audiobook to anyone who likes darker stories set in a post-apocalyptic-type world.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Kind of dark but I enjoyed listening to it.
This story is a bit dark and not exactly a romance but I loved listening to it. Nick Johnson did a great job performing it. This is only the third book I’ve read by JM Snyder. Even though I have a bunch of her books in my digital library I didn’t get around to reading any of them until I was offered a review copy of the audiobook of Waylaid, also performed by Nick Johnson, and I quickly became a fan of this author/performer combination.
While stories like Scarred aren’t my normal go-to books, I’m learning to branch out and stretch myself by reading things that I wouldn’t usually pick up. Scarred held my attention throughout and I even made it through the darker/bloodier portions without having to take a break. 😊
I can recommend this audiobook to anyone who likes darker stories set in a post-apocalyptic-type world.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
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