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Discordant Cultivation
Romance that rhymes with ruin;
obsession's a song they're both fluent in.
Vale tastes potential like other men taste wine—notes of desperation, hints of untapped brilliance, the full-bodied flavor of someone ripe for unmaking. Kieran plays for spare change in subway filth, that stuttering voice transforming into something holy only when he sings. Sick. Abandoned. Already intimate with the architecture of suffering.
Exquisite.
In Vale's remote studio, lessons in music become lessons in metamorphosis. The basement grows familiar with the symphony of Kieran's breaking—canvas bags and careful suffocation, fingers that teach through calculated trauma, the wet percussion of tears against concrete.
Each session strips another layer. Each perfectly placed touch rewrites the boundaries between salvation and damnation.
In the space between breaths, between the hand that holds the throat and the mouth that gasps for air, something hungry awakens. Kieran writes "Poison Saviors" with blood under his fingernails, not knowing he's penning their wedding vows. Not understanding that when he finally kisses back, he's teaching Vale a new kind of suffocation.
And Vale, collector of broken beautiful things, discovers too late that some possessions hollow you out from the inside—leaving you desperate for the very poison you've been feeding.
{So sleep now in my burning bed;
dream of chains that feel like silk;
I'll feed you poison honey;
and bitter, burning milk.
And when you wake,
you'll understand what I have always known
Love isn't meant to set you free—
love claims you as its own. }
18+ ONLY. captivity, psychological manipulation, medical control, violence, dubious consent, and explicit sexual content within an abusive power dynamic. This is a dark romance that may disturb. Please read responsibly.
obsession's a song they're both fluent in.
Vale tastes potential like other men taste wine—notes of desperation, hints of untapped brilliance, the full-bodied flavor of someone ripe for unmaking. Kieran plays for spare change in subway filth, that stuttering voice transforming into something holy only when he sings. Sick. Abandoned. Already intimate with the architecture of suffering.
Exquisite.
In Vale's remote studio, lessons in music become lessons in metamorphosis. The basement grows familiar with the symphony of Kieran's breaking—canvas bags and careful suffocation, fingers that teach through calculated trauma, the wet percussion of tears against concrete.
Each session strips another layer. Each perfectly placed touch rewrites the boundaries between salvation and damnation.
In the space between breaths, between the hand that holds the throat and the mouth that gasps for air, something hungry awakens. Kieran writes "Poison Saviors" with blood under his fingernails, not knowing he's penning their wedding vows. Not understanding that when he finally kisses back, he's teaching Vale a new kind of suffocation.
And Vale, collector of broken beautiful things, discovers too late that some possessions hollow you out from the inside—leaving you desperate for the very poison you've been feeding.
{So sleep now in my burning bed;
dream of chains that feel like silk;
I'll feed you poison honey;
and bitter, burning milk.
And when you wake,
you'll understand what I have always known
Love isn't meant to set you free—
love claims you as its own. }
18+ ONLY. captivity, psychological manipulation, medical control, violence, dubious consent, and explicit sexual content within an abusive power dynamic. This is a dark romance that may disturb. Please read responsibly.
593 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 26, 2025
78 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
Gale Ian Tate
9 books98 followersGale writes the kind of mm dark/gray romance that makes you question your life choices in the best possible way. When not crafting morally questionable characters doing questionable things, she can be found buried in a book, rolling dice in yet another D&D campaign, or frantically crocheting while binge-watching whatever series has stolen her soul.
She is a gaming enthusiast, horror movie aficionado, and BL manhwa collector who believes the best stories live in those deliciously gray areas. Between wrangling her four kids and making elaborate to-do lists (that will definitely be ignored), she is always down to geek out over a good book rec or debate which problematic character deserves more love.
She is a gaming enthusiast, horror movie aficionado, and BL manhwa collector who believes the best stories live in those deliciously gray areas. Between wrangling her four kids and making elaborate to-do lists (that will definitely be ignored), she is always down to geek out over a good book rec or debate which problematic character deserves more love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
January 6, 2026
⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️
♪ 𝚂𝙾𝙽𝙶 𝙼𝙰𝚃𝙲𝙷 — 𝙻𝙴𝚃 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙻𝙳 𝙱𝚄𝚁𝙽 𝚋𝚢 𝙲𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚜 𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚢 ♪
// And I know you think you can run
You're scared to believe I'm the one
But I just can't let you go //
Complete mind-break and a bit of a mind-fuck.
Is this a love story? Absolutely not, but it’s addicting, messy, wrong on all the right levels.
If I thought IMMERSED was dark, DISCORDANT CULTIVATION is pitch black.
Like the author says in the final note, it’s ‘psychological horror masquerading as romance.’
A downwards spiral of trauma bonding, confusing obsession for love, pain being used to create art.
It was…uncomfortable, to say the least. Not yet triggering (for me personally), but definitely walking the line. It’s NON-CON pretty much the whole way through, so be sure to check trigger warnings.
There is no redemption arc. They actually become worse in the end.
But for how much I didn’t like Vale, I can’t resist a SADBOI, and Kieran made me feel both uncomfortably seen and protective.
I can’t decide if I liked this story or not. What I can’t deny, is that it’s written so beautifully.
Just the amount of research Gale Ian Tate put into it — she wrote an entire album for Kieran, that’s insane — the songwriting, the rose cultivation, the characters, the medical background. It’s so well thought-out, for that alone it deserves the five.
A somewhat romantic, deeply disturbing, confusingly hot, I-can’t-look-away, captor/captive ‘love’ story.
Read it if you want to hurt real good and toxic is your middle name. But more importantly, take care of yourself.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Kidnapping
- References to past child physical abuse
- Mention of past parental death & foster care
- Age gap? (I think 37 vs circa 20)
- Third-party assault (attempted)
- Death/murder
- Systematic torture
- Stockholm syndrome
- Self harm
- Non-con & dub-con
- Sexual abuse & coercion
- Physical violence
- MC w/ epilepsy
- MC w/ a stutter
- Anxiety & panic attacks
- Restraints
- Choking
- Top/bottom
- Face-fucking
- Rough sex
- Spit as lube
- Erotic drowning (bonus short)
- Lingerie (bonus short)
♪ 𝚂𝙾𝙽𝙶 𝙼𝙰𝚃𝙲𝙷 — 𝙻𝙴𝚃 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙻𝙳 𝙱𝚄𝚁𝙽 𝚋𝚢 𝙲𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚜 𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚢 ♪
// And I know you think you can run
You're scared to believe I'm the one
But I just can't let you go //
We’re going to make beautiful music together, Kieran. Whether you want to or not.
Complete mind-break and a bit of a mind-fuck.
Is this a love story? Absolutely not, but it’s addicting, messy, wrong on all the right levels.
If I thought IMMERSED was dark, DISCORDANT CULTIVATION is pitch black.
Like the author says in the final note, it’s ‘psychological horror masquerading as romance.’
He had always known he was wired wrong, but it seemed like Vale rewired him into a worse configuration. Or was it better? Did it matter which?
A downwards spiral of trauma bonding, confusing obsession for love, pain being used to create art.
It was…uncomfortable, to say the least. Not yet triggering (for me personally), but definitely walking the line. It’s NON-CON pretty much the whole way through, so be sure to check trigger warnings.
“There’s my good boy,” he said softly. “Are you ready to stop lying to both of us about what you actually want?”
There is no redemption arc. They actually become worse in the end.
But for how much I didn’t like Vale, I can’t resist a SADBOI, and Kieran made me feel both uncomfortably seen and protective.
The hands that used to hurt him now feel tender on his skin, and he's grateful for the darkness that he's learned to live within…
I can’t decide if I liked this story or not. What I can’t deny, is that it’s written so beautifully.
Just the amount of research Gale Ian Tate put into it — she wrote an entire album for Kieran, that’s insane — the songwriting, the rose cultivation, the characters, the medical background. It’s so well thought-out, for that alone it deserves the five.
He’d deal with the contradictions later, when he had the strength to untangle what it meant that the person who’d hurt him most was also the only one holding him together.
A somewhat romantic, deeply disturbing, confusingly hot, I-can’t-look-away, captor/captive ‘love’ story.
Read it if you want to hurt real good and toxic is your middle name. But more importantly, take care of yourself.
“Love isn’t meant to set you free—love claims you as its own.”
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Kidnapping
- References to past child physical abuse
- Mention of past parental death & foster care
- Age gap? (I think 37 vs circa 20)
- Third-party assault (attempted)
- Death/murder
- Systematic torture
- Stockholm syndrome
- Self harm
- Non-con & dub-con
- Sexual abuse & coercion
- Physical violence
- MC w/ epilepsy
- MC w/ a stutter
- Anxiety & panic attacks
- Restraints
- Choking
- Top/bottom
- Face-fucking
- Rough sex
- Spit as lube
- Erotic drowning (bonus short)
- Lingerie (bonus short)
January 12, 2026
Well. I enjoyed this book a lot, which honestly probably says a lot more about me than I’d like it to but ok. I loved it. All of it. Every single fucked up and depraved thing that Vale did for and to Kieran. Every reaction, every tear, everything from Kieran. He's so broken; he really just never had a chance when Vale found him. He was always going to be his. This book is so dark, so sad, so heartbreaking, so so GOOD. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The author did a tremendous job writing this twisted, traumatic story. I am unwell after reading this. Book slump here I come.
Read
January 2, 2026dnf @ 55%
i'm going to start off by saying my review is probably pretty mean. if you're not into that or you're the author or looking for something positive, maybe don't read this. people seem to be loving this book (which is great! give it a shot if you're interested!) and my opinions really don't matter. 🤷♀️
a lot of this didn't work for me. a whooole lot didn't work for me, which sucks because i tossed myself at this book with high hopes and expectations.
before you even get into the story, there's a "dear reader" letter from the author warning how dark and pretentious this book is. we're talking eight pages of content warnings. and while that's wonderful and very useful to those who would need it, everything led me to believe i'd be getting something a whole lot... more?
maybe i'm picky. maybe i'm desensitized. maybe i didn't stick around long enough to truly be affected. but when the going started getting rough for the mc and the abuse began, i didn't bat an eye. if anyone has played the game "room no. 9", a whole lot of this book was reminiscent of that. the main character is put in a situation where he essentially has to choose between physical/violent abuse, or sexual abuse. with each step of his lessons, the abuse magnifies.
now--i'm not at all claiming/suspecting the author ripped the game off, but it just felt like i was eating reheated nachos.
even beyond that, the book has too many issues for me. the characters feel like husks of real people, wrung out and dressed up in whatever magnified traits they're supposed to exemplify. things started feeling so empty that i literally, without really meaning to, started imagining vale and kieran were actually jhin and hwei from league of legends lmao. that provided a little bit of flavor to the mess, but couldn't get me through to the end.
there’s also a notable lack of description for how kieran’s music is supposed to sound, which feels like an oversight to me. maybe i missed it? there are plenty of lyrics, but not much else to go on outside of "pained", "broken", and "beautiful". i bounced between imagining evanescence, lewis capaldi, and eminem for a while once someone mentioned him rapping. idk. i even threw in a little country just to try it on for size, but that was a quick no-go.
i tried. i really tried. what ultimately did me in was what i was warned about in the beginning; the book really is pretentious. but i thought that was okay! i'm not opposed to pretentious. but there's pretentious in a self-aware manner, wielding it like satire, and a claim of pretentiousness used to brag.
so much of discordant cultivation feels grandiose. self-important. the book tries so hard to be profound that it trips over itself and just sounds ridiculous. it's unintentional comedy disguised as literary depth. what finally made me hit that big red dnf button was a moment that was clearly intended to be poetic and captivating made me literally laugh out loud. my chest hurt a little from how hard i wheezed.
i really wanted to love this. maybe i'm just not the correct audience, yknow? i think someone who considers 'killing stalking' a romance would love this book. people who appreciate the vibes of a freshman in drama class performing a monologue they wrote about the moon's beauty reflecting their pain. armand from interview with a vampire would definitely love this book.
but hey, maybe you will! try it out and roll your eyes at how picky and critical i'm being
i'm going to start off by saying my review is probably pretty mean. if you're not into that or you're the author or looking for something positive, maybe don't read this. people seem to be loving this book (which is great! give it a shot if you're interested!) and my opinions really don't matter. 🤷♀️
a lot of this didn't work for me. a whooole lot didn't work for me, which sucks because i tossed myself at this book with high hopes and expectations.
before you even get into the story, there's a "dear reader" letter from the author warning how dark and pretentious this book is. we're talking eight pages of content warnings. and while that's wonderful and very useful to those who would need it, everything led me to believe i'd be getting something a whole lot... more?
maybe i'm picky. maybe i'm desensitized. maybe i didn't stick around long enough to truly be affected. but when the going started getting rough for the mc and the abuse began, i didn't bat an eye. if anyone has played the game "room no. 9", a whole lot of this book was reminiscent of that. the main character is put in a situation where he essentially has to choose between physical/violent abuse, or sexual abuse. with each step of his lessons, the abuse magnifies.
now--i'm not at all claiming/suspecting the author ripped the game off, but it just felt like i was eating reheated nachos.
even beyond that, the book has too many issues for me. the characters feel like husks of real people, wrung out and dressed up in whatever magnified traits they're supposed to exemplify. things started feeling so empty that i literally, without really meaning to, started imagining vale and kieran were actually jhin and hwei from league of legends lmao. that provided a little bit of flavor to the mess, but couldn't get me through to the end.
there’s also a notable lack of description for how kieran’s music is supposed to sound, which feels like an oversight to me. maybe i missed it? there are plenty of lyrics, but not much else to go on outside of "pained", "broken", and "beautiful". i bounced between imagining evanescence, lewis capaldi, and eminem for a while once someone mentioned him rapping. idk. i even threw in a little country just to try it on for size, but that was a quick no-go.
i tried. i really tried. what ultimately did me in was what i was warned about in the beginning; the book really is pretentious. but i thought that was okay! i'm not opposed to pretentious. but there's pretentious in a self-aware manner, wielding it like satire, and a claim of pretentiousness used to brag.
so much of discordant cultivation feels grandiose. self-important. the book tries so hard to be profound that it trips over itself and just sounds ridiculous. it's unintentional comedy disguised as literary depth. what finally made me hit that big red dnf button was a moment that was clearly intended to be poetic and captivating made me literally laugh out loud. my chest hurt a little from how hard i wheezed.
i really wanted to love this. maybe i'm just not the correct audience, yknow? i think someone who considers 'killing stalking' a romance would love this book. people who appreciate the vibes of a freshman in drama class performing a monologue they wrote about the moon's beauty reflecting their pain. armand from interview with a vampire would definitely love this book.
but hey, maybe you will! try it out and roll your eyes at how picky and critical i'm being
January 24, 2026
Pitch-black fucked-up toxic romance.
It's like if Echo by Chani Lynn Feener and Princess by Daniel May had a fucked up love child.
Kieran is a self-taught but highly talented street busker and Vale is a music producer known for having extreme methods. He quite literally tortures his artists for their art but he produces stars so seemingly gets away with it. Kieran is flattered by his attention but also overwhelmed and immediately wary of the red flags. Vale doesn't care. He drugs and kidnaps Kieran and tortures him physically, emotionally, and sexually.
This is a DARK romance with a mindbreak HEA. Not everyone is going to enjoy that and truly as someone who is a fan of this genre even I was frowning quite a bit in the first 25-50%. That said, Gale's writing is gloriously beautiful and descriptive. It was fascinating watching Kieran's behavior and personality shift to align with Vale. And much like Immersed, this book is going to stay with me for a long time.
It's like if Echo by Chani Lynn Feener and Princess by Daniel May had a fucked up love child.
Kieran is a self-taught but highly talented street busker and Vale is a music producer known for having extreme methods. He quite literally tortures his artists for their art but he produces stars so seemingly gets away with it. Kieran is flattered by his attention but also overwhelmed and immediately wary of the red flags. Vale doesn't care. He drugs and kidnaps Kieran and tortures him physically, emotionally, and sexually.
This is a DARK romance with a mindbreak HEA. Not everyone is going to enjoy that and truly as someone who is a fan of this genre even I was frowning quite a bit in the first 25-50%. That said, Gale's writing is gloriously beautiful and descriptive. It was fascinating watching Kieran's behavior and personality shift to align with Vale. And much like Immersed, this book is going to stay with me for a long time.
January 7, 2026
this was not an easy read for me, mentally or emotionally.
please, for the sake of your mental health, take the trigger warnings in this book very seriously.
i almost dnf’d it at 1% after reading the warnings, but I still went in.
the book wasted no time with pointless filler and moved straight into the plot, which was impressive. the depth the author invests in the characters is remarkable, arguably the only truly strong aspect of this book.
this is not your average dark romance where the mc turns out to be soft and cute beneath a hardened exterior. no. absolutely not. the mc is morally grey to the core-not misunderstood, not redeemable, but violently unhinged:a predator.
he was raised in a very strict environment, conditioned to obey rigid rules and brutal methods in order to achieve results. to him, his actions are normalized- “necessary artistic intervention.”so? so what? a predator is still a predator.
some sections were so graphic and disturbing that they were extremely difficult to get through.
by around 12%, i was deeply uncomfortable; the horror felt almost tangible.
the author clearly laid out everything readers should expect from this story, so i don’t blame her either.
i’ve read my share of dark romances, but this veered into something far more vile. vale’s actions were unjustifiable. i couldn’t continue while carrying the level of disgust and revulsion i felt toward his conduct. he deeply unsettled me. r*****, drugging, and relentlessly torturing someone is not hot, and it is not justifiable in any way. there is a line i won’t cross, even as someone who reads with an open mind.
also, one thing i found unintentionally funny was how absurdly stretched kieran’s popularity was, all from a single YT video.
overall, the story itself also needed a lot more work and refinement.
------------------‐----------------
I have time today. let's see if it's good. 😄🙏
please, for the sake of your mental health, take the trigger warnings in this book very seriously.
i almost dnf’d it at 1% after reading the warnings, but I still went in.
the book wasted no time with pointless filler and moved straight into the plot, which was impressive. the depth the author invests in the characters is remarkable, arguably the only truly strong aspect of this book.
this is not your average dark romance where the mc turns out to be soft and cute beneath a hardened exterior. no. absolutely not. the mc is morally grey to the core-not misunderstood, not redeemable, but violently unhinged:a predator.
he was raised in a very strict environment, conditioned to obey rigid rules and brutal methods in order to achieve results. to him, his actions are normalized- “necessary artistic intervention.”so? so what? a predator is still a predator.
some sections were so graphic and disturbing that they were extremely difficult to get through.
by around 12%, i was deeply uncomfortable; the horror felt almost tangible.
the author clearly laid out everything readers should expect from this story, so i don’t blame her either.
i’ve read my share of dark romances, but this veered into something far more vile. vale’s actions were unjustifiable. i couldn’t continue while carrying the level of disgust and revulsion i felt toward his conduct. he deeply unsettled me. r*****, drugging, and relentlessly torturing someone is not hot, and it is not justifiable in any way. there is a line i won’t cross, even as someone who reads with an open mind.
also, one thing i found unintentionally funny was how absurdly stretched kieran’s popularity was, all from a single YT video.
overall, the story itself also needed a lot more work and refinement.
------------------‐----------------
I have time today. let's see if it's good. 😄🙏
Review of advance copy received from Author
Definitely check your triggers. Even if you have read any of Gale's previous works, this is not like them. It is even darker and more fucked than Immersed. Seriously, be careful.
Besides all that, I LOVED this one! It is emotional and intense, sometimes heartbreaking, but with it comes this love between Vale and Thorn that everyone around them just can't understand. And it doesn't matter if they can't, because what those two have transcends any "normal" type of relationship.
Vale is manipulative, at times strict and unyielding, but behind it all he does everything with care and love.
I felt for Thorn. This broken young man just trying to survive. You see his progression of coming into his authentic self.
Some of y'all might not like it.
I am definitely not like y'all 😂
There will be tears, and by the end, if you are not bawling from the culmination of everything that has happened, then I don't know what to say.
AND there are original songs in here that I don't know how Gale came up with, but damn are they powerful and work so well.
Gale, your writing is magnificent. Keep doing it. If you ever need me again, you know where to find me.
I received a beta copy from the author as well as an ARC from Book Sirens for my honest review.
Besides all that, I LOVED this one! It is emotional and intense, sometimes heartbreaking, but with it comes this love between Vale and Thorn that everyone around them just can't understand. And it doesn't matter if they can't, because what those two have transcends any "normal" type of relationship.
Vale is manipulative, at times strict and unyielding, but behind it all he does everything with care and love.
I felt for Thorn. This broken young man just trying to survive. You see his progression of coming into his authentic self.
Some of y'all might not like it.
I am definitely not like y'all 😂
There will be tears, and by the end, if you are not bawling from the culmination of everything that has happened, then I don't know what to say.
AND there are original songs in here that I don't know how Gale came up with, but damn are they powerful and work so well.
Gale, your writing is magnificent. Keep doing it. If you ever need me again, you know where to find me.
I received a beta copy from the author as well as an ARC from Book Sirens for my honest review.
January 4, 2026
I LOVE a dark romance, and usually, while some come with a lot of warnings, they still leave me thinking "Oh, this was just a romance but with a bad guy". And usually, the bad guy isn't bad to their chosen person.
But wow, did this hit EXACTLY where dark romance is MEANT to hit!
Vale is not a good guy. Kieran is his chosen person. And Vale is even worse to him! It gave me exactly what I've been wanting in a dark romance - those tense moments that make me hope that Keiran gets away and escapes this person while simultaneously wanting to see what the hell Vale was going to do to him next.
Some of this stuff was next-level twisted. Salt in the wounds? He's a literal psycho. And I couldn't put it down!
I also thought the attention to detail with Keiran having epilepsy was well done. He didn't have only one type of seizure, and acknowledging how dangerous and life-threatening they can be was good to see. Some authors will use a seizure as a plot point - waiting until they can 'use' the situation for their own benefit to move the story along. But this was treated tenderly and with care. Keiran had seizures throughout the book, differing in severity, and was treated as normal.
I also enjoyed that when it was caught on camera, some people came in to fake claim him. I see this all over the internet now, and it was sadly started because some people were starting to fake disabilities. I enjoyed it because it was so realistic, as now people are starting to doubt everyone who shows their disability. It was a nice touch to show how social media really reacts to things like this.
I loved Vale and Keiran together. I hope the author continues to write this kind of dark romance because they have a really great knack for it!
But wow, did this hit EXACTLY where dark romance is MEANT to hit!
Vale is not a good guy. Kieran is his chosen person. And Vale is even worse to him! It gave me exactly what I've been wanting in a dark romance - those tense moments that make me hope that Keiran gets away and escapes this person while simultaneously wanting to see what the hell Vale was going to do to him next.
Some of this stuff was next-level twisted. Salt in the wounds? He's a literal psycho. And I couldn't put it down!
I also thought the attention to detail with Keiran having epilepsy was well done. He didn't have only one type of seizure, and acknowledging how dangerous and life-threatening they can be was good to see. Some authors will use a seizure as a plot point - waiting until they can 'use' the situation for their own benefit to move the story along. But this was treated tenderly and with care. Keiran had seizures throughout the book, differing in severity, and was treated as normal.
I also enjoyed that when it was caught on camera, some people came in to fake claim him. I see this all over the internet now, and it was sadly started because some people were starting to fake disabilities. I enjoyed it because it was so realistic, as now people are starting to doubt everyone who shows their disability. It was a nice touch to show how social media really reacts to things like this.
I loved Vale and Keiran together. I hope the author continues to write this kind of dark romance because they have a really great knack for it!
January 2, 2026
What do you get if you cross the most unhinged music producer, the saddest musician, and a sound proof basement? That's right, Stockholm Syndrome! Yay!
This book is one of the darkest things I've ever read. Their relationship is completely fucked. They both need therapy and possibly a lot of time in a padded cell to think about what they've done.
Don't expect much consensual spice or happiness in this book - that's not what their story is about. It's about obsession, devastating need, and harm in the name of love.
Is this a long ass book? Yes. Did it need to be this long? Actually, yes. Because this isn't a story where we get the mindbreak over with to get to the good bit. This is a person being slowwwwwly and methodically taken apart and rebuilt into this beautifully fractured thing that can't survive without its torturer. The mindbreak is the point here and it's done in depth and realistically.
The genius thing about Gale Ian Tate's writing - apart from how hauntingly beautiful it is - is that we get a dual POV that might be third person but is very much limited to what each character thinks and feels. We get to see their pain, their fears and most interestingly their delusions.
The way Gale writes her POVs so that we get to see the resistance give way to implanted thoughts and can feel the doubt hidden behind the false certainty without it needing to be spelled out for us is so cleverly done. You really get a sense of Keiran's mind fighting back against the conditioning he is receiving from Vale and the way he lies to himself to cope with his situation. And for Vale's POV you hear the insecurity and doubt beneath the way he is convincing himself that what he is doing is necessary and beneficial.
This book is uncomfortable, occasionally stressful, and totally gripping. You know you should hope someone rescues Keiran from Vale's grasp, but all you want is for them to get their HEA together. You'll find yourself sympathising with someone who has no excuse for his actions and you'll find yourself craving more of them together even though you know their relationship is deeply wrong.
I can't explain to you how much I loved this book. I am going to be thinking about Vale and Keiran for a long time. Don't read this if you can't handle one MC sexually assaulting the other or physically (and psychologically) harming the other. But if you can? It's an incredibly compelling, stunningly lyrical read and deserves your time. Get ready for a RIDE and remember, Vale knows best.
This book is one of the darkest things I've ever read. Their relationship is completely fucked. They both need therapy and possibly a lot of time in a padded cell to think about what they've done.
Don't expect much consensual spice or happiness in this book - that's not what their story is about. It's about obsession, devastating need, and harm in the name of love.
Is this a long ass book? Yes. Did it need to be this long? Actually, yes. Because this isn't a story where we get the mindbreak over with to get to the good bit. This is a person being slowwwwwly and methodically taken apart and rebuilt into this beautifully fractured thing that can't survive without its torturer. The mindbreak is the point here and it's done in depth and realistically.
The genius thing about Gale Ian Tate's writing - apart from how hauntingly beautiful it is - is that we get a dual POV that might be third person but is very much limited to what each character thinks and feels. We get to see their pain, their fears and most interestingly their delusions.
The way Gale writes her POVs so that we get to see the resistance give way to implanted thoughts and can feel the doubt hidden behind the false certainty without it needing to be spelled out for us is so cleverly done. You really get a sense of Keiran's mind fighting back against the conditioning he is receiving from Vale and the way he lies to himself to cope with his situation. And for Vale's POV you hear the insecurity and doubt beneath the way he is convincing himself that what he is doing is necessary and beneficial.
This book is uncomfortable, occasionally stressful, and totally gripping. You know you should hope someone rescues Keiran from Vale's grasp, but all you want is for them to get their HEA together. You'll find yourself sympathising with someone who has no excuse for his actions and you'll find yourself craving more of them together even though you know their relationship is deeply wrong.
I can't explain to you how much I loved this book. I am going to be thinking about Vale and Keiran for a long time. Don't read this if you can't handle one MC sexually assaulting the other or physically (and psychologically) harming the other. But if you can? It's an incredibly compelling, stunningly lyrical read and deserves your time. Get ready for a RIDE and remember, Vale knows best.
January 3, 2026
"You’ve made me whole in ways I didn’t know I was fractured."
In case you somehow missed the memo that this is a DARK romance, let me reiterate. This book portrays an insanely unhealthy dynamic. Depraved. Toxic. Heartwrenching. Devastating. Twisted beyond belief for most...
And so fucking beautiful it literally hurts... JFC, what the hell did I just read (IYKYK), and when am I getting more?? No, really. As someone with a background of trauma, for me, there are times when reading an unapologetically f*cked up book about unapologetically f*cked up characters who know exactly how messed up they are and somehow find ways to make those broken pieces fit together and work for them is relieving. Cathartic. This was a journey. An almost impossible one to navigate. However, the writing...? The prose of Kieran's lyrics, and Vale's inner monologues, are often breath stealing in their ability to carve themselves under your skin. The relatability of the emotions and struggles from both MCs despite the horrific nature of much of the book is, honestly, brilliant writing.
So, I'll once again remind you that this book is NOT going to be for everyone. Or even, maybe, most people. I'll beg you to pay attention to and take all the trigger warnings seriously before you attempt reading.
That said, this was an incredibly f*cked up 5⭐ read for me, and one heck of a way to start out the year.
In case you somehow missed the memo that this is a DARK romance, let me reiterate. This book portrays an insanely unhealthy dynamic. Depraved. Toxic. Heartwrenching. Devastating. Twisted beyond belief for most...
And so fucking beautiful it literally hurts... JFC, what the hell did I just read (IYKYK), and when am I getting more?? No, really. As someone with a background of trauma, for me, there are times when reading an unapologetically f*cked up book about unapologetically f*cked up characters who know exactly how messed up they are and somehow find ways to make those broken pieces fit together and work for them is relieving. Cathartic. This was a journey. An almost impossible one to navigate. However, the writing...? The prose of Kieran's lyrics, and Vale's inner monologues, are often breath stealing in their ability to carve themselves under your skin. The relatability of the emotions and struggles from both MCs despite the horrific nature of much of the book is, honestly, brilliant writing.
So, I'll once again remind you that this book is NOT going to be for everyone. Or even, maybe, most people. I'll beg you to pay attention to and take all the trigger warnings seriously before you attempt reading.
That said, this was an incredibly f*cked up 5⭐ read for me, and one heck of a way to start out the year.
December 27, 2025
Tate aptly calls this book "psychological horror masquerading as romance." I tend to go into books as blind as possible...but this piece warrants a more careful approach. Please make sure you're in an okay headspace to tackle that CW list.
With that warning out of the way, let me tell you how beautiful this book is.
Discordant Cultivation stands out in its nuanced portrayal of abuse and survival. There are no pretenses about what kind of relationship this is: the evidence is written in blood. Yet I had to keep reminding myself that Vale is a terrible person and, even now, part of me aches to forgive him. In a world where kind words cut and Kieran cannot trust his own body, there's safety in honest, predictable violence.
I've seen firsthand how well-intentioned people turn their backs on someone experiencing abuse for not responding "properly." For standing with their abuser, loving them, grieving them. This isn't a black and white issue and I really, really appreciate how this book leans into these grey areas.
I also loved seeing the grimy underbelly of the music industry laid bare. These predatory producers reminded me of conservators who disguise exploitation as looking out for an artist's best interests.
The writing blew me away. I heard each song in my head, saw every step of Kieran's choreography. I'm a big fan of chapter titles with the eloquence of prog rock song names. Even the length of the book felt intentional, drawing me into Kieran's head where time distorts and disorients.
In sum, this book unlocked whole new levels of emotional devastation and left me grateful for it. Thanks for reading my essay, this book deserves every word.
Thanks so so much to the author for sending an advance copy my way. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
With that warning out of the way, let me tell you how beautiful this book is.
Discordant Cultivation stands out in its nuanced portrayal of abuse and survival. There are no pretenses about what kind of relationship this is: the evidence is written in blood. Yet I had to keep reminding myself that Vale is a terrible person and, even now, part of me aches to forgive him. In a world where kind words cut and Kieran cannot trust his own body, there's safety in honest, predictable violence.
I've seen firsthand how well-intentioned people turn their backs on someone experiencing abuse for not responding "properly." For standing with their abuser, loving them, grieving them. This isn't a black and white issue and I really, really appreciate how this book leans into these grey areas.
I also loved seeing the grimy underbelly of the music industry laid bare. These predatory producers reminded me of conservators who disguise exploitation as looking out for an artist's best interests.
The writing blew me away. I heard each song in my head, saw every step of Kieran's choreography. I'm a big fan of chapter titles with the eloquence of prog rock song names. Even the length of the book felt intentional, drawing me into Kieran's head where time distorts and disorients.
In sum, this book unlocked whole new levels of emotional devastation and left me grateful for it. Thanks for reading my essay, this book deserves every word.
Thanks so so much to the author for sending an advance copy my way. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
December 28, 2025
”I can’t de-decide,” Kieran whispered, “if I should r-run as fast as I c-can while screaming for help, or if I should n-never leave your side again.”
5++ 🌟!!
This was like a psychological thriller + dark romance. Vale is a music producer with unconventional methods and Kieran is a struggling street musician. Vale becomes obsessed with the potential he sees in Kieran. He scoops him off the street and away to his home, where he keeps him captive so he can break him down and make him better.
Vale is surprised by his attraction to Kieran; usually his projects are strictly professional. He becomes obsessively devoted in a dark, romantic way. He does terrible things to Kieran but then he’s sweet and attentive. I love it when the powerful, controlled character is so overcome with desire that they lose control and get all pathetic and begging.
”Vale felt like he was becoming Kieran’s as much as Kieran was his. It terrified him. It thrilled him. Mutual possession.”
The slow mind break of Kieran’s character was done exceptionally well. Pacing can be a problem in these types of stories but this was gradual. You know the author did a good job when you feel conflicted at the end. Yes the HEA is sweet and the characters seem happy and in love.. but at what cost???
5++ 🌟!!
This was like a psychological thriller + dark romance. Vale is a music producer with unconventional methods and Kieran is a struggling street musician. Vale becomes obsessed with the potential he sees in Kieran. He scoops him off the street and away to his home, where he keeps him captive so he can break him down and make him better.
Vale is surprised by his attraction to Kieran; usually his projects are strictly professional. He becomes obsessively devoted in a dark, romantic way. He does terrible things to Kieran but then he’s sweet and attentive. I love it when the powerful, controlled character is so overcome with desire that they lose control and get all pathetic and begging.
”Vale felt like he was becoming Kieran’s as much as Kieran was his. It terrified him. It thrilled him. Mutual possession.”
The slow mind break of Kieran’s character was done exceptionally well. Pacing can be a problem in these types of stories but this was gradual. You know the author did a good job when you feel conflicted at the end. Yes the HEA is sweet and the characters seem happy and in love.. but at what cost???
December 27, 2025
DISCORDANT CULTIVATION is the story of Vale and Kieran. First and foremost, please Read the trigger warnings as this is a very dark story. This is my first book by Gale Ian Tate and I don't think it will be my last. I have always enjoyed dark morally gray characters but I haven't seen this level in a while. This book was filled with emotional rollercoaster ride. The characters were interesting and I would think Vale is a bit crazy or a psycho/sociopath. It was interesting watching sweet Kieran be changed and molded into the person Vale wanted him to be. It was also interesting seeing Stockholm Syndrome beginning and changing the relationship. This is not your typical love story, it is so much more toxic but still believable. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Gale Ian Tate. I would definitely recommend this book.
January 27, 2026
the dove is very dead in this one.
this is not a “dark romance” in the flirty, fun, morally gray way. it's VERY bleak, obsessive, and deeply uncomfortable, so please don’t go in expecting any redeemable dynamics.
even with all that, i really enjoyed the story and the writing. it’s so immersive and haunting, and watching the mc slowly break down and adapt was so uncomfortable yet compelling. i found myself split between wanting him to escape and being unable to look away from what was happening next, deadass like a train wreck. a random fun part was learning about music/the music industry even while the most diabolical things were going on with the two of them.
it is long and heavy given the topics it deals with, and there were moments where it dragged a bit for me, which is the main reason this isn’t a full five stars. but i’ll definitely be reading more from this author. overall, if you’re into very dark romance that serves something disturbing, intense, and memorable, i’d 100% dig into this (absolutely take the trigger warnings seriously).
thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC — opinions expressed in this review are my own.
this is not a “dark romance” in the flirty, fun, morally gray way. it's VERY bleak, obsessive, and deeply uncomfortable, so please don’t go in expecting any redeemable dynamics.
even with all that, i really enjoyed the story and the writing. it’s so immersive and haunting, and watching the mc slowly break down and adapt was so uncomfortable yet compelling. i found myself split between wanting him to escape and being unable to look away from what was happening next, deadass like a train wreck. a random fun part was learning about music/the music industry even while the most diabolical things were going on with the two of them.
it is long and heavy given the topics it deals with, and there were moments where it dragged a bit for me, which is the main reason this isn’t a full five stars. but i’ll definitely be reading more from this author. overall, if you’re into very dark romance that serves something disturbing, intense, and memorable, i’d 100% dig into this (absolutely take the trigger warnings seriously).
thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC — opinions expressed in this review are my own.
December 30, 2025
arc review
This was my first psychological dark romance and my first book from Gale, and I was really impressed. I'm going to admit I was a little bit scared lmao but I enjoyed it pretty much. The characaters and the world building were very interesting to read. Even though I found some parts repetitive, Gale’s writing is beautiful, and I loved the little song snippets included throughout.
Please, do check the trigger warnings! Your mental health is more important than anything ❤️🩹
"He wanted to devour him. Worship him. Remake him from the inside out until Kieran couldn't tell where Vale's desired ended and his own began."
This was my first psychological dark romance and my first book from Gale, and I was really impressed. I'm going to admit I was a little bit scared lmao but I enjoyed it pretty much. The characaters and the world building were very interesting to read. Even though I found some parts repetitive, Gale’s writing is beautiful, and I loved the little song snippets included throughout.
Please, do check the trigger warnings! Your mental health is more important than anything ❤️🩹
"He wanted to devour him. Worship him. Remake him from the inside out until Kieran couldn't tell where Vale's desired ended and his own began."
December 29, 2025
okay i really enjoyed this book. it was long, yes, but it didn’t feel overly so and i thought the pacing worked really well for the total destruction and rebuilding of keiran’s being.
i’m also kind of obsessed with vale’s metaphors and how he just wants to be fused to keiran in every way possible. unhinged obsession will always earn points with me.
of course darkness is subjective, but this book deals with very dark themes and situations that could be extremely triggering. please read the trigger warnings before starting and if you’re good to go, enjoy because you’re in for a hell of a ride.
i’m also kind of obsessed with vale’s metaphors and how he just wants to be fused to keiran in every way possible. unhinged obsession will always earn points with me.
of course darkness is subjective, but this book deals with very dark themes and situations that could be extremely triggering. please read the trigger warnings before starting and if you’re good to go, enjoy because you’re in for a hell of a ride.
January 9, 2026
And when you wake, you’ll understand what I have always known:
Love isn’t meant to set you free—love claims you as its own
let me just say this real quick: for a book so heavily focused on art and artistic expression, its cover does it a huge disservice. while i genuinely appreciate the decision to feature a human-made artwork rather than a generic — or worse, ai — design, the execution doesn’t quite match the care and depth found within the story itself. which is a shame, because the narrative deserves a presentation that reflects its strengths. a book that cares about art should not be sabotaged by its own cover like that, c'mon :( ну але менше з тим
as a whole, this novel was honestly quite a ride for me. for the first ~300 pages, i was completely obsessed — the details, the atmosphere, the slow accumulation of tension all worked beautifully. i genuinely thought this was heading towards a five-star read!
stories built on this kind of premise — dark dynamics, broken sad boys, pretentious and overly complicated mentors, twisted relationships, and even messier, obsessive approaches to art-making — are notoriously hard to pull off. keeping the writing tight and organic, without letting it slip into outright cringe, is really quite a challenge. the balance between intensity and believability can be so damn fragile! surprisingly, for at least the first half of the book, it held perfectly. the writing felt organic, vivid and remarkably compelling.
and then that performance with jericho happened. it hit me with such heavy secondhand embarrassment that i had to put the book down for a couple of days before i could continue. unfortunately,
but back to the point! this is a book about a man who took the sentiment "art requires sacrifice" and ran with it — which, honestly, i’m glad he did, lol — and the un/fortunate guy who got to experience the full extent of that dedication and tutelage firsthand. following vale’s thought process behind every decision, kieran’s responses, and the whole intricate dynamic between them was genuinely intriguing. i loved everything about it: the fucked-up and violent moments as much as the loving, gentle ones; the conditioning and overt manipulation alongside genuine care; the obsessive devotion, the hesitant surrender, the hazy acceptance — and all the smaller elements that resist easy categorization. they were all completely mesmerizing!
i also particularly enjoyed the author’s inclusion of characters’ direct thoughts scattered throughout their povs. it added so much depth to their interactions! and the lyrics? while i didn’t love all of them, it’s genuinely impressive that we actually got to see them (kudos to the author for the dedication). and some of them were actually amazing! the inclusion of epilepsy/seizures rep was great as well!
i guess, my main (and only — apart from that jericho perfomance fiasco, sigh) gripe with the story is that i struggled to imagine what kind of songs kieran actually played/created. there weren’t enough concrete, factual descriptions to fully anchor that part of the narrative for me. though that might just be on me! i also tend to struggle with stories centered around genius prodigy protagonists, who seemingly understand everything, it all works for them... the level of recognition they get, the popularity. like, all the critical acclaim kieran's music/lyrics/performance were getting, deep analyses, intricate interviews, reactions, attention--- it was hard for me to fully buy into. and yet, i was willing fo suspend my disbelief. somehow, in the end, it all worked.
p.s. having finished this book, i’d be perfectly happy never to hear the words "raw, honest, and vulnerable" ever again. vale really did a number on me with all his lofty speeches 🤭
honorable mentions: roses, basement voice, kieran's instructions for alex
(3.75)
January 8, 2026
Thank you so much GRR for the arc!
Long story short: this was probably the darkest romance I have read to date.
It was fucked up and I'm still not 100% what I read, but what I do know is that once the story started, it gripped me and didn't let go until the end.
Give your girl a minute while I try to formulate a review.
Please read the content warnings, because it can be triggering and upsetting to others.This isn't a book that many will enjoy.
It brings a whole new meaning to "suffering artists", with pitch black characters without redeeming qualities.
-------
AITA for adopting a stray?
I was making my way to work one morning, and I heard this sound, turns out it was a stray musician playing his guitar in the rain.
I've been looking for a new project for ages, and he seemed perfect.
I unfortunately came on too strong and scared him away, but after a few days he came back to the same spot.
This second attempt also did not go too well either. I came on too strong (I'm working on it) and he had a seizure.
However. this was a blessing in disguise. I decided that it would be best if I brought him to my house to take care of him.
He's been acting out for the past few weeks, not adjusting well to his new surroundings and routine. I make sure that he gets nutritious meals and take his medicine to lessen his seizures. He has plenty of enrichment in the way of a guitar, and a state of the art recording studio.
He said he doesn't want this, but doesn't see that his newer songs have gained millions of views.
This brings me to the question: am I the asshole for adopting him in the first place?
-VR
-------------
Valerian Rose is a famous music producer who is shrouded in secrecy. He's been known to have a talent for discovering new stars, and bringing out the raw talent of his clients. Everybody wants to know: how does he do it?
It's simple: he breaks and rebuilds them into something new. He peels away the layers until he finds the raw emotions simmering beneath their crafted facades.
It's an intense process, and not everyone can survive it.
Kieran is already fragile, and not a willing client, but he can't deny that Valerian gets results.
What follows is a very toxic, messy, power imbalanced possessive love that is a total mindfuck.
Long story short: this was probably the darkest romance I have read to date.
It was fucked up and I'm still not 100% what I read, but what I do know is that once the story started, it gripped me and didn't let go until the end.
Give your girl a minute while I try to formulate a review.
Please read the content warnings, because it can be triggering and upsetting to others.This isn't a book that many will enjoy.
It brings a whole new meaning to "suffering artists", with pitch black characters without redeeming qualities.
-------
AITA for adopting a stray?
I was making my way to work one morning, and I heard this sound, turns out it was a stray musician playing his guitar in the rain.
I've been looking for a new project for ages, and he seemed perfect.
I unfortunately came on too strong and scared him away, but after a few days he came back to the same spot.
This second attempt also did not go too well either. I came on too strong (I'm working on it) and he had a seizure.
However. this was a blessing in disguise. I decided that it would be best if I brought him to my house to take care of him.
He's been acting out for the past few weeks, not adjusting well to his new surroundings and routine. I make sure that he gets nutritious meals and take his medicine to lessen his seizures. He has plenty of enrichment in the way of a guitar, and a state of the art recording studio.
He said he doesn't want this, but doesn't see that his newer songs have gained millions of views.
This brings me to the question: am I the asshole for adopting him in the first place?
-VR
-------------
Valerian Rose is a famous music producer who is shrouded in secrecy. He's been known to have a talent for discovering new stars, and bringing out the raw talent of his clients. Everybody wants to know: how does he do it?
It's simple: he breaks and rebuilds them into something new. He peels away the layers until he finds the raw emotions simmering beneath their crafted facades.
It's an intense process, and not everyone can survive it.
Kieran is already fragile, and not a willing client, but he can't deny that Valerian gets results.
What follows is a very toxic, messy, power imbalanced possessive love that is a total mindfuck.
January 10, 2026
This book is dark. Please heed the content warnings and take them seriously. Probably one of the darkest books I’ve ever read. That being said, Vale and Kieran are going to be with me for years to come. It feels like their story has been etched into my being.
Before I get into the messy stuff and try to make my brain make sense.. I want to say that this book is so beautifully written. It is emotional, melodic and really beyond what I’m able to articulate at this moment, haha.
I’ve never read a book that has had so many emotions warring with each other before. It was complex and complicated and I had no idea how I was truly feeling half the time, except for the fact that I couldn’t put the book down.
Kieran- I latched on to him right away (much like Vale). Give me an emotional broken boy any day, it’s like crack to me. There were times I felt sad for him, I felt frustrated by him, I wanted to save him, I wanted him to just give in and do what Vale wanted. I wanted him to be happy, but also to be able to achieve his dreams. I wanted him safe and happy watching Anime and eating pizza, but I also wanted more of that emotion that showed through when he was kicking books and singing angrily at the camera.
Vale- … Vale is not a good guy. But he is also broken. Abused and unloved and just.. sooo broken. And I hated him for breaking Kieran, but I also melted every time he was overcome with fear when Kieran seized. I wanted him to stop his abuse, but also wanted him to feel Kieran’s love.
The ending broke me. My brain wanted it to be neat and tidy, and have it be black and white. But it wasn’t. It was messy and complicated and so beautifully written that i couldn’t decide if I wanted to smile or cry.
I feel raw. Like… flayed open. Like I keep starting to cry and then stopping and idk why. Part of me misses them already even though I just finished the book. Like I wish it didn’t have to end but also part of me wants to reread False Comeback just so I can laugh at something.
Before I get into the messy stuff and try to make my brain make sense.. I want to say that this book is so beautifully written. It is emotional, melodic and really beyond what I’m able to articulate at this moment, haha.
I’ve never read a book that has had so many emotions warring with each other before. It was complex and complicated and I had no idea how I was truly feeling half the time, except for the fact that I couldn’t put the book down.
Kieran- I latched on to him right away (much like Vale). Give me an emotional broken boy any day, it’s like crack to me. There were times I felt sad for him, I felt frustrated by him, I wanted to save him, I wanted him to just give in and do what Vale wanted. I wanted him to be happy, but also to be able to achieve his dreams. I wanted him safe and happy watching Anime and eating pizza, but I also wanted more of that emotion that showed through when he was kicking books and singing angrily at the camera.
Vale- … Vale is not a good guy. But he is also broken. Abused and unloved and just.. sooo broken. And I hated him for breaking Kieran, but I also melted every time he was overcome with fear when Kieran seized. I wanted him to stop his abuse, but also wanted him to feel Kieran’s love.
The ending broke me. My brain wanted it to be neat and tidy, and have it be black and white. But it wasn’t. It was messy and complicated and so beautifully written that i couldn’t decide if I wanted to smile or cry.
I feel raw. Like… flayed open. Like I keep starting to cry and then stopping and idk why. Part of me misses them already even though I just finished the book. Like I wish it didn’t have to end but also part of me wants to reread False Comeback just so I can laugh at something.
January 16, 2026
”The one where the characters are flawed, morally questionable, and probably need therapy more than they need each other.”
”This is not "he's bad but love fixes him." This is "he's bad and gets worse, and somehow that's the point."”
These are the authors words at the beginning and the book delivered. Vale gaslighted me just as much as he did Kieran, and I was here for it.
I'm not going to lie, it took me a moment to get fully into this book. It started off interesting, but pretty quickly I started to wonder if it was as good as I expected, and in the end it was so much more.
I think what bothered me most in the beginning was Kieran and how he reacted to the situation and Vale—Kieran was somehow very passive, and that frustrated me. But as the book progressed, I got completely hooked, and it kept me there until the very end. I think the book just got better and better as it progressed and I was so immersed in it and Vale’s and Kieran’s relationship. Both characters are so different from each other and unique in their own way.
The book wasn't as dark as I originally thought it would be (after reading reviews). Or perhaps it’s because Vale is so good at manipulating that it confused me as well. But still, don't get me wrong, it is _dark_. Even though it's dark, the writing is incredibly beautiful. Every moment between Kieran and Vale was just.. and Vale’s words -I was drinking it all up. And also how the author brought out the lyrics, especially at the end, that left me speechless.
I don't even know what else to say about this. I fell in love with the author's writing style and I will definitely reread this and read other works by her.
________
”He’d live inside the glass house that was Kieran and shatter him every day for the privilege of piecing him back together with bloody fingers, satisfied with the knowledge that his DNA lived in the cracks.”
’ ”Your artistry, your breakthroughs, your ability to transform pain into beauty—it all flows through me. You are mine, Kieran. And mine doesn’t get to choose death without permission.” ’
”This is not "he's bad but love fixes him." This is "he's bad and gets worse, and somehow that's the point."”
These are the authors words at the beginning and the book delivered. Vale gaslighted me just as much as he did Kieran, and I was here for it.
I'm not going to lie, it took me a moment to get fully into this book. It started off interesting, but pretty quickly I started to wonder if it was as good as I expected, and in the end it was so much more.
I think what bothered me most in the beginning was Kieran and how he reacted to the situation and Vale—Kieran was somehow very passive, and that frustrated me. But as the book progressed, I got completely hooked, and it kept me there until the very end. I think the book just got better and better as it progressed and I was so immersed in it and Vale’s and Kieran’s relationship. Both characters are so different from each other and unique in their own way.
The book wasn't as dark as I originally thought it would be (after reading reviews). Or perhaps it’s because Vale is so good at manipulating that it confused me as well. But still, don't get me wrong, it is _dark_. Even though it's dark, the writing is incredibly beautiful. Every moment between Kieran and Vale was just.. and Vale’s words -I was drinking it all up. And also how the author brought out the lyrics, especially at the end, that left me speechless.
I don't even know what else to say about this. I fell in love with the author's writing style and I will definitely reread this and read other works by her.
________
”He’d live inside the glass house that was Kieran and shatter him every day for the privilege of piecing him back together with bloody fingers, satisfied with the knowledge that his DNA lived in the cracks.”
’ ”Your artistry, your breakthroughs, your ability to transform pain into beauty—it all flows through me. You are mine, Kieran. And mine doesn’t get to choose death without permission.” ’
December 31, 2025
Read to me by Alexa.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 - for what is there. This book is not what I would call a super spicy book. There is spice. But it’s kind of a slow burn. And once the spice does start happening it’s not the main event. It’s enough I think for people who need spice in a book. But that’s not why you should read this. I gave it 3 🌶️ because there is some kink, even though it is poorly negotiated kink.
This was a dark romance that was actually dark. Which is really refreshing. Especially in M/M romance. I have always found that finding truly dark M/M romance is always harder. So this was fantastic.
I don’t feel the need to say a lot about the plot because the summary given by the author is actually pretty spot on. And the trigger warnings are very spot on. All I will say is that you should heed them.
Vale is not a nice person. And if you need a “ villain” that is only villainous to other people other than his love interest… This is not the book for you. The author does not make Vale palatable for the reader. And I love that. Somehow I still rooted for this couple. Which to me always marks a good dark romance writer. Because if you are going to make a villain, your love interest then you have to give me a reason to root for the villain. And this author does that wonderfully. There is no doubt that Kieran needs saving. And yet when people finally do come to save him from Vale…. I don’t actually want him to be saved. And like Kieran… I found myself asking what is wrong with me? Why don’t I want this character to be saved from what is very clearly a toxic relationship. And the only real answer is, that the author did their job really well. They had me rooting for a couple that really should not have worked.
So if you want a dark romance that is dark because the relationship between the main couple is messed up…. Then yeah you’re gonna like this book.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 - for what is there. This book is not what I would call a super spicy book. There is spice. But it’s kind of a slow burn. And once the spice does start happening it’s not the main event. It’s enough I think for people who need spice in a book. But that’s not why you should read this. I gave it 3 🌶️ because there is some kink, even though it is poorly negotiated kink.
This was a dark romance that was actually dark. Which is really refreshing. Especially in M/M romance. I have always found that finding truly dark M/M romance is always harder. So this was fantastic.
I don’t feel the need to say a lot about the plot because the summary given by the author is actually pretty spot on. And the trigger warnings are very spot on. All I will say is that you should heed them.
Vale is not a nice person. And if you need a “ villain” that is only villainous to other people other than his love interest… This is not the book for you. The author does not make Vale palatable for the reader. And I love that. Somehow I still rooted for this couple. Which to me always marks a good dark romance writer. Because if you are going to make a villain, your love interest then you have to give me a reason to root for the villain. And this author does that wonderfully. There is no doubt that Kieran needs saving. And yet when people finally do come to save him from Vale…. I don’t actually want him to be saved. And like Kieran… I found myself asking what is wrong with me? Why don’t I want this character to be saved from what is very clearly a toxic relationship. And the only real answer is, that the author did their job really well. They had me rooting for a couple that really should not have worked.
So if you want a dark romance that is dark because the relationship between the main couple is messed up…. Then yeah you’re gonna like this book.
January 27, 2026
This book was not for me.
I don't say that to mean it's bad. I read a TON of dark romance, and this is one of the best ones I've encountered so far. I say it wasn't for me because I'm the person who was called out in the author's notes at the beginning as someone who should skip this one. I have the same medical condition as a main character, possibly even the same subtype, based on descriptions. I've been in relationships like this, have heard someone I thought I loved remind me that I was worthless without them, have felt the suffocating, wet panic that Kieran experiences throughout this story.
It was a hard read for me. This story was so *real*, so well written, that it grabbed my heart as I read and squeezed. It pushed me to keep going, even when I felt a little sick to my stomach.
This is a good thing.
I spent most of the book hoping Kieran would get out, honestly. Nobody needs the type of "care" that Vale offers. Nobody should have to experience being torn between terror and the desperate seeking of a gentle touch, and I wanted K to get his own happy ending where he could move past what had been done to him.
The ending I got instead was sharp and metallic on the tongue -- just like the rest of it. It wasn't the optimal outcome for everyone, but it was the right thing for this story, for these characters.
Good art makes you feel. Great art rips you apart.
Reading this made me ache, deep in my heart. Reading made me a part of the performance just as much as Vale and Kieran were. And it healed something inside me, despite the pain. It helped me to understand and forgive myself a little bit.
Also, Gale, if you read these reviews -- Everything was great, but I want to highlight your depiction of epilepsy. I've never seen a book acknowledge the fear of dying in your sleep or encountered a fictional character who, like me, will ignore and brush off the "little seizures" in an effort to not worry others. I've never seen my experience reflected in a character like this, and it made it hit so much harder. Excellent work.
I don't say that to mean it's bad. I read a TON of dark romance, and this is one of the best ones I've encountered so far. I say it wasn't for me because I'm the person who was called out in the author's notes at the beginning as someone who should skip this one. I have the same medical condition as a main character, possibly even the same subtype, based on descriptions. I've been in relationships like this, have heard someone I thought I loved remind me that I was worthless without them, have felt the suffocating, wet panic that Kieran experiences throughout this story.
It was a hard read for me. This story was so *real*, so well written, that it grabbed my heart as I read and squeezed. It pushed me to keep going, even when I felt a little sick to my stomach.
This is a good thing.
I spent most of the book hoping Kieran would get out, honestly. Nobody needs the type of "care" that Vale offers. Nobody should have to experience being torn between terror and the desperate seeking of a gentle touch, and I wanted K to get his own happy ending where he could move past what had been done to him.
The ending I got instead was sharp and metallic on the tongue -- just like the rest of it. It wasn't the optimal outcome for everyone, but it was the right thing for this story, for these characters.
Good art makes you feel. Great art rips you apart.
Reading this made me ache, deep in my heart. Reading made me a part of the performance just as much as Vale and Kieran were. And it healed something inside me, despite the pain. It helped me to understand and forgive myself a little bit.
Also, Gale, if you read these reviews -- Everything was great, but I want to highlight your depiction of epilepsy. I've never seen a book acknowledge the fear of dying in your sleep or encountered a fictional character who, like me, will ignore and brush off the "little seizures" in an effort to not worry others. I've never seen my experience reflected in a character like this, and it made it hit so much harder. Excellent work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 11, 2026This is an MM Horror story. It is NOT a romance read.
I suggest (which I normally don't) that, prior to reading, you check the triggers the author has listed. I can guarantee that if you have any, this book contains them.
Vale, who is the villain in this tale, is a psychopath and a bit of a narcissist. He believes that the only way to achieve true art is through experiencing varied emotions. Negative and positive.
How he is such a high profile tutor/mentor, I have no idea! Anyway, neither he nor there.
He comes across Kieran is who is playing for change in the subway.
Vale sees what he wants to see, and that is untapped potential in Kieran that he believes he can bring forth.
What began as an observation has become an obsession
I am not going to recap the story. I will again warn you, this is a dark tale.
In a psychological horror such as the author has given us here, personal perspective is going to make a large impact on how we judge the events, and if we can even be observers to Kieran’s metamorphosis.
The characters themselves were well written. The story needed a bit more overall to allow me the connection I seek when reading. I found areas that I would have liked a bit more depth and/or details regarding scenes/events
I enjoyed that we got both perspectives.
How Vale truly believed what he was doing was in Kieran’s best interest. A look into his very warped perceptions of reality
And Kieran’s mental responses to the manipulation and how they changed as his captivity and torture progressed
I suggest (which I normally don't) that, prior to reading, you check the triggers the author has listed. I can guarantee that if you have any, this book contains them.
Vale, who is the villain in this tale, is a psychopath and a bit of a narcissist. He believes that the only way to achieve true art is through experiencing varied emotions. Negative and positive.
How he is such a high profile tutor/mentor, I have no idea! Anyway, neither he nor there.
He comes across Kieran is who is playing for change in the subway.
Vale sees what he wants to see, and that is untapped potential in Kieran that he believes he can bring forth.
What began as an observation has become an obsession
I am not going to recap the story. I will again warn you, this is a dark tale.
In a psychological horror such as the author has given us here, personal perspective is going to make a large impact on how we judge the events, and if we can even be observers to Kieran’s metamorphosis.
The characters themselves were well written. The story needed a bit more overall to allow me the connection I seek when reading. I found areas that I would have liked a bit more depth and/or details regarding scenes/events
I enjoyed that we got both perspectives.
How Vale truly believed what he was doing was in Kieran’s best interest. A look into his very warped perceptions of reality
And Kieran’s mental responses to the manipulation and how they changed as his captivity and torture progressed
December 28, 2025
Thank you to GRR and the author for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
I had originally DNF'd this book at 30% because some of the content was affecting my mental health. However, I woke up today feeling mentally good so I decided to try again. I then read the book in one sitting. I was too curious to know how Kieran's story would end. Something about his character really stuck with me.
This is an incredibly dark romance but the payoff ended up being worth it. Also the author is one of the loveliest individuals I've ever had the fortune of speaking to, so I truly hope you all support her and give her books a chance.
Previous review: Okay let me start this off by saying that I have read and LOVED other works by this author so I truly think this was a one-off for me. I read the triggers and prepared myself but I guess it was darker than I thought I could truly handle. That is not the book or authors fault, that is strictly my own fault. I was deeply uncomfortable during certain scenes. I can definitely see where the character development would have came into play and how the story could have ended with a HEA. I just don't think I have the mental capacity right now to get there, and that's okay. But yeah if you love dark romance, and the trigger warnings don't scare you, definitely give this a shot. Gale's writing is superb and the original songs she wrote in this book were so good and added another layer to the story!
I had originally DNF'd this book at 30% because some of the content was affecting my mental health. However, I woke up today feeling mentally good so I decided to try again. I then read the book in one sitting. I was too curious to know how Kieran's story would end. Something about his character really stuck with me.
This is an incredibly dark romance but the payoff ended up being worth it. Also the author is one of the loveliest individuals I've ever had the fortune of speaking to, so I truly hope you all support her and give her books a chance.
Previous review: Okay let me start this off by saying that I have read and LOVED other works by this author so I truly think this was a one-off for me. I read the triggers and prepared myself but I guess it was darker than I thought I could truly handle. That is not the book or authors fault, that is strictly my own fault. I was deeply uncomfortable during certain scenes. I can definitely see where the character development would have came into play and how the story could have ended with a HEA. I just don't think I have the mental capacity right now to get there, and that's okay. But yeah if you love dark romance, and the trigger warnings don't scare you, definitely give this a shot. Gale's writing is superb and the original songs she wrote in this book were so good and added another layer to the story!
December 26, 2025
This is a dark and intriguing read, and, as much as you may need to keep the trigger warnings in mind, the main pairing of a tortured musician and his agent who carries out the torture is a compelling one.
The progression of Kieran’s character is shown throughout, the gain in confidence at Vane’s behest and the subsequent reshaping of himself because of Vane’s wishes; it’s an intense character choice and one that leans well with the overall plot. It’s very much a dark romance that sweeps the reader along with it, from the coercion to the Stockholm syndrome and unreliable narrator of it all. The dual POV highlights all the best bits as both characters view the world entirely differently and neither emerge fully unscathed.
For the plot, there’s a good amount of foreshadowing for the turns it takes, but the main focus is very much the relationship unfolding and the music on display. It’s not something I know a lot about so can’t speak to the accuracy, but the technical knowledge displayed was very interesting and felt natural to the story as a whole.
There’s the potential for more within this universe, but the story functions well as a standalone. Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC!
The progression of Kieran’s character is shown throughout, the gain in confidence at Vane’s behest and the subsequent reshaping of himself because of Vane’s wishes; it’s an intense character choice and one that leans well with the overall plot. It’s very much a dark romance that sweeps the reader along with it, from the coercion to the Stockholm syndrome and unreliable narrator of it all. The dual POV highlights all the best bits as both characters view the world entirely differently and neither emerge fully unscathed.
For the plot, there’s a good amount of foreshadowing for the turns it takes, but the main focus is very much the relationship unfolding and the music on display. It’s not something I know a lot about so can’t speak to the accuracy, but the technical knowledge displayed was very interesting and felt natural to the story as a whole.
There’s the potential for more within this universe, but the story functions well as a standalone. Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC!
December 29, 2025
This was dark, and painful, and horrible, and traumatic, and extremely satisfying. Their sick love, their toxic, twisted relationship is like a train wreck you cannot tear your eyes away from, and you have to watch them suffer in pain, scream, and nearly die, and you just sit there and watch. I wouldn’t qualify this as a HEA, maybe a MHEA (mental hospital ever after). Kieran is hurt, and broken, and Vale swoops in to destroy him even more, and in destroying him, makes him dependent on him. It’s a sickly twisted relationship, but strangely beautiful. It was interesting to see a horrible person destroy a hopeless one, and they both come out worse for the wear, but sickeningly close. It’s fascinating. And the TW at the beginning of the book make so much sense, so please, beware and tread carefully. I tend to identify with characters, and this book wasn’t any different, and it was great to see how different choices made us different people. I loved it. Fascinating read. Dark, very dark, but somehow healing in a way that makes you think “I’m so glad that’s not me”. Totally recommend it, but be careful and heed the TW, they’re there for very good reasons. And if you can read it… yeah, it’s that good.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 5, 2026
Rounding up from a 3.5 ⭐️
Let me get started by saying that I might be a bit desensitised to dark “romance” cos some of the lower reviews on here seemed to not know what they signing up to (despite multiple warnings by the author, so I’m not sure how that happened 😂😂). I didn’t think it was unbearably dark, I enjoyed the level and I think most of the dark romance girlies would enjoy this too.
Not my fave book ever, but I thought the writing was good. I do have a personal issue with reading the lyrics for songs cos it just doesn’t vibe with me too much (they were actually good tho tbf haha) 😅
I always enjoy when at some point during a dark romance, the villains and heroes seem to swap over and I definitely felt this happening later on during the book.
Overall, if this is your vibe - I’d recommend.
Also, love to learn the author works full time doing other things. As someone who enjoys writing but does it in my spare time around work, I loveeeeee hearing authors managing to do it 🫶
Reviewed as part of an ARC from NetGalley
Let me get started by saying that I might be a bit desensitised to dark “romance” cos some of the lower reviews on here seemed to not know what they signing up to (despite multiple warnings by the author, so I’m not sure how that happened 😂😂). I didn’t think it was unbearably dark, I enjoyed the level and I think most of the dark romance girlies would enjoy this too.
Not my fave book ever, but I thought the writing was good. I do have a personal issue with reading the lyrics for songs cos it just doesn’t vibe with me too much (they were actually good tho tbf haha) 😅
I always enjoy when at some point during a dark romance, the villains and heroes seem to swap over and I definitely felt this happening later on during the book.
Overall, if this is your vibe - I’d recommend.
Also, love to learn the author works full time doing other things. As someone who enjoys writing but does it in my spare time around work, I loveeeeee hearing authors managing to do it 🫶
Reviewed as part of an ARC from NetGalley
January 1, 2026
Woooooooh Chile. What a journey. What a ride. This is dark and every trigger warning Gale Ian Tate gives should be heeded because this story is not for the faint of heart nor is it for people who want a "good" transformation. Everything is so visceral, so please take care of yourself. It starts dark and ends darker, but man was I enthralled. I literally couldn't put the book down. My heart broke for Kieran, but I also respect that he did the best that he could with the tools at his disposal. Vale reminds me so much of Adam from Sk8 Infinity, where I see that he's a monster, but I'm also so aware of the why and that he doesn't truly see why what he's doing is wrong. Not a justification, just an understanding. Also, the original songs pieces that we get in here are incredible and add even more depth to the story. Yeah. Woooh again, what a ride, and what a way to end 2025.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 27, 2025
This book gives new meaning to the phrase “tortured artist”. This is a truly dark book and should be avoided if you have any triggers. To the rest of you - read it! I read it all in one day, which is rare for me for not-audio books. It was emotional, raw, gripping, compelling, twisted, and toxic. I loved every minute of it. Had some Phantom of the Opera vibes, and parts reminded me of Sweet by Howl Avery and the Fallocaust series by Quil Carter.
December 31, 2025
“Discordant Cultivation,” by Gale Ian Tate
Wild ride. This book was a twist of toxic relationships, abuse, and psychological trauma. Lots of things in the book that would be a spoiler lol. I liked this dark romance being about rock stars, which was a unique plot than other dark romances I’ve seen. I absolutely adored that the main character has epilepsy, I love the disability rep that was pretty significant in the book. All in all, I really enjoyed the book and will give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
-M/M
-Rock Star
-Psychological
-Captivity/ Kidnapping/ Abuse/ Toxic
-Epilepsy
-Rich X Poor
Thank you for the ARC, Booksirens.
Wild ride. This book was a twist of toxic relationships, abuse, and psychological trauma. Lots of things in the book that would be a spoiler lol. I liked this dark romance being about rock stars, which was a unique plot than other dark romances I’ve seen. I absolutely adored that the main character has epilepsy, I love the disability rep that was pretty significant in the book. All in all, I really enjoyed the book and will give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
-M/M
-Rock Star
-Psychological
-Captivity/ Kidnapping/ Abuse/ Toxic
-Epilepsy
-Rich X Poor
Thank you for the ARC, Booksirens.
December 28, 2025
Gale describes this as psychological horror masquerading as romance, and all I can say is she’s right. This book made me uncomfortable in the best ways, which is exactly what I want from a dark romance! It’s so hard to find good dark romances with a focus on slow, mind break.
Also, Gale is the master of writing sad boys! Poor Kieran. I guess he thinks he’s happy, so we’ll take that as a win.
Also, Gale is the master of writing sad boys! Poor Kieran. I guess he thinks he’s happy, so we’ll take that as a win.
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