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Tales of Tavamara #3
The Harem Master
Lord Demir has spent his life trying to appease a brutal, selfish king, and keep the concubines under his care alive—and now he is on the verge of losing everything. The council wants to abolish the harems, there are no heirs to the throne, and the foreigners control the Steward. One wrong move will tip tensions into civil war.
Crown Prince Ihsan returns to find his home in turmoil, and the royal court so full of vipers it's impossible to say which of them will strike first. Removing his father from the throne, one way or another, should be a simple matter. Staying alive and proving himself a worthy king will be far more difficult.
Crown Princess Euren has spent the last five years in hiding so that she could not be used against her father or Ihsan. But she is the daughter of a soldier, never meant to wear a crown, never trained to fight battles where words are the weapon of choice. If she hopes to keep herself and her loved ones alive, she'll have to learn fast.
Note: This story contains polyamory
Crown Prince Ihsan returns to find his home in turmoil, and the royal court so full of vipers it's impossible to say which of them will strike first. Removing his father from the throne, one way or another, should be a simple matter. Staying alive and proving himself a worthy king will be far more difficult.
Crown Princess Euren has spent the last five years in hiding so that she could not be used against her father or Ihsan. But she is the daughter of a soldier, never meant to wear a crown, never trained to fight battles where words are the weapon of choice. If she hopes to keep herself and her loved ones alive, she'll have to learn fast.
Note: This story contains polyamory
454 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2014
20 people are currently reading
549 people want to read
About the author
Megan Derr
284 books2,948 followersMegan is a long time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.
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facebook.com/meganaprilderr
meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 25, 2018
I enjoyed reading this, though the execution of the plot was lacking in some areas.
Content warnings include:
There were many things I enjoyed about The Harem Master.
It has a vast cast of interesting characters, the main ones between who the POV switches being Demir, who is the harem master and does his best to prevail and protect the concubines in a corrupt court, Ihsan, the crown prince who ran away to war and now returns after a five-year absence to set things right, and Euren, the daughter of a guard turned princess who does not feel ready to rule but who is determined to do her best.
Just as important are Ihsan and Euren's harems, Ihsan's featuring a noble, a guard and a playful foreigner who also happens to be a legendary assassin, and Euren's the noblewoman who was supposed to marry the prince before he fell in love with Euren, her tutor for all things queenly and a priestress.
I adored the casual and omnipresent polyamory between all these characters. There is love between the Ihsan and Euren, love between them and their respective harems, love within the harem, and between prince, princess, their harem and outsiders. There are gentle, loving and sexually explicit scenes of all possible combinations between various pairs, triads and more.
I also enjoyed the age of all the main characters. They were all at least in their mid twenties, and Demir is thirty-eight, which I especially liked given that the social role he takes on in most interactions is one that is mostly reserved for characters who are very young/barely adult, which was a great twist not just as a contrast to other media but also for my peace of mind.
The political intrigues and court plays were not overly complicated or convoluted, which was fine, except they didn't always feel neatly implemented. Some things seemed to have no clear purpose or didn't really make sense; arguments used both by protagonists and antagonists lacked reasoning and some events didn't add up - it didn't distract but was noticeable.
One of the plot points of The Harem Master is that foreign countries are discomfited with the Tavamaran tradition of harems and concubines. In Tavamara, sex work is respected and concubines are revered, the Harems a show of devotion and prove that the royals are worth following. While I'm not so certain about the whole harem thing (especially given how some people treat the harem in this book) I liked how clear the book was on its stance towards sex workers.
The Harem Master is the third book in the Tales of Tavamara series, but plays several generations before The King's Harem and Sandstorm and explains how the Harems in those books were established, so it stands entirely on its own and it's not necessary to read the two before this one.
Content warnings include:
There were many things I enjoyed about The Harem Master.
It has a vast cast of interesting characters, the main ones between who the POV switches being Demir, who is the harem master and does his best to prevail and protect the concubines in a corrupt court, Ihsan, the crown prince who ran away to war and now returns after a five-year absence to set things right, and Euren, the daughter of a guard turned princess who does not feel ready to rule but who is determined to do her best.
Just as important are Ihsan and Euren's harems, Ihsan's featuring a noble, a guard and a playful foreigner who also happens to be a legendary assassin, and Euren's the noblewoman who was supposed to marry the prince before he fell in love with Euren, her tutor for all things queenly and a priestress.
I adored the casual and omnipresent polyamory between all these characters. There is love between the Ihsan and Euren, love between them and their respective harems, love within the harem, and between prince, princess, their harem and outsiders. There are gentle, loving and sexually explicit scenes of all possible combinations between various pairs, triads and more.
I also enjoyed the age of all the main characters. They were all at least in their mid twenties, and Demir is thirty-eight, which I especially liked given that the social role he takes on in most interactions is one that is mostly reserved for characters who are very young/barely adult, which was a great twist not just as a contrast to other media but also for my peace of mind.
The political intrigues and court plays were not overly complicated or convoluted, which was fine, except they didn't always feel neatly implemented. Some things seemed to have no clear purpose or didn't really make sense; arguments used both by protagonists and antagonists lacked reasoning and some events didn't add up - it didn't distract but was noticeable.
One of the plot points of The Harem Master is that foreign countries are discomfited with the Tavamaran tradition of harems and concubines. In Tavamara, sex work is respected and concubines are revered, the Harems a show of devotion and prove that the royals are worth following. While I'm not so certain about the whole harem thing (especially given how some people treat the harem in this book) I liked how clear the book was on its stance towards sex workers.
The Harem Master is the third book in the Tales of Tavamara series, but plays several generations before The King's Harem and Sandstorm and explains how the Harems in those books were established, so it stands entirely on its own and it's not necessary to read the two before this one.
February 1, 2016
Totally enjoyable if occasionally ridiculous read. I loved all the characters, especially Kitt and Demir, appreciated that the female characters were given their share of agency and satisfying group sex, and found the over-the-top aspect refreshing.
There is a lot of sex here, as in TONS--almost all of it group orgies--which gives the book a decadent, hedonistic vibe which jars a little with the occasionally brutal dynastic/fantasy/murder/kidnapping/disinheritance etc. plotline. The harem theme has its lurid attractions, but I liked how Derr created an entire royal/religious culture around it, trying to imagine and sympathize with an unfamiliar sexual arrangement that is usually exotified or reviled.
That being said, there is something of a rose glow over the whole, and other than the dangers posed by Kagan's abuse, the book doesn't acknowledge much in the way of downsides to the system, whether individually or socially. The smut-lover in me felt more intrigued than engaged by the sex scenes: one problem with large groups getting it on is the dilution of interpersonal dynamic, and the above-mentioned 'rose glow' muted almost anything in the way of conflict or emotions other than affection and lust. In fact, by the end I found Kitt's teasing and defiance--really anything he said or did--more interesting and hence hotter than the orgy scenes.
Bottom line: One of Derr's stronger offerings, with her usual solid fantasy set up and likable characters, who really, really like to have sex A LOT. I think I can safely recommend this to anyone who likes the blurb.
There is a lot of sex here, as in TONS--almost all of it group orgies--which gives the book a decadent, hedonistic vibe which jars a little with the occasionally brutal dynastic/fantasy/murder/kidnapping/disinheritance etc. plotline. The harem theme has its lurid attractions, but I liked how Derr created an entire royal/religious culture around it, trying to imagine and sympathize with an unfamiliar sexual arrangement that is usually exotified or reviled.
That being said, there is something of a rose glow over the whole, and other than the dangers posed by Kagan's abuse, the book doesn't acknowledge much in the way of downsides to the system, whether individually or socially. The smut-lover in me felt more intrigued than engaged by the sex scenes: one problem with large groups getting it on is the dilution of interpersonal dynamic, and the above-mentioned 'rose glow' muted almost anything in the way of conflict or emotions other than affection and lust. In fact, by the end I found Kitt's teasing and defiance--really anything he said or did--more interesting and hence hotter than the orgy scenes.
Bottom line: One of Derr's stronger offerings, with her usual solid fantasy set up and likable characters, who really, really like to have sex A LOT. I think I can safely recommend this to anyone who likes the blurb.
September 19, 2022
Not the best. Nobody in this one had any wooing game. Just went "oh that person's hot" and kissed. Kinda wrecked the fun. Also the plot was held together by threads. Would have worked out much better just murdering people from the start.
April 15, 2022
First read 22-04-2015
I know what you are probably thinking with a title like Harem Master. No, get your mind out of the gutter. Despite the title suggesting lots and lots of hot man sex- 1001 Arabian Nights man on man style – this is not a porn without a plot. Hell, there isn’t even a lot of sex despite the length of the book.
No, Harem Master is a story full of political intrigue, friendship, mystery and even some action in a fantasy setting reminiscent of 1001 Arabian Nights with an in-depth setting and strong and well developed characters. Some of which you want to keep!
Harem Master is a story set in the Tales of Tavamara series that include Sandstorm, The King’s Harem and a short story on the website of the author called Heydar. You can read the Harem Master without having read the other books in the series, but it’s more fun with the others! According to the author, Harem Master is set several generations before the other stories.
Harem Master has several plot lines. Mainly it is the story of Harem Master Demir. The profession of Harem Master is a sacred and traditional profession that Demir holds with a lot of honor and duty. He cares for the harems, in a way he can be viewed as a manager, teacher and mentor. His life is not made easy by the crazy king Kagan – who likes to kill his concubines – and the sharks of the court – who want to abolish the tradition.
Parallel and intertwined to the story of Demir is that of Prince Ihsan and his harem: Kitt, Sabah and Haluk, who return from war and imprisonment to a court in a lot of chaos and a Harem Master in need of love and maybe a bit of rescue.
Third there is the story of Ihsan’s wife Euren. Now here’s a girl who can kick some butt. Hard. She also returns with her harem less than welcome and is soon drawn into the trouble.
Tying these plot lines together is the mystery of a murder and an intrigue in the court that can cause quite a lot of damage, especially to Demir.
---See the rest of the review on BookWinked---
***ARC-copy via Netgalley
I know what you are probably thinking with a title like Harem Master. No, get your mind out of the gutter. Despite the title suggesting lots and lots of hot man sex- 1001 Arabian Nights man on man style – this is not a porn without a plot. Hell, there isn’t even a lot of sex despite the length of the book.
No, Harem Master is a story full of political intrigue, friendship, mystery and even some action in a fantasy setting reminiscent of 1001 Arabian Nights with an in-depth setting and strong and well developed characters. Some of which you want to keep!
Harem Master is a story set in the Tales of Tavamara series that include Sandstorm, The King’s Harem and a short story on the website of the author called Heydar. You can read the Harem Master without having read the other books in the series, but it’s more fun with the others! According to the author, Harem Master is set several generations before the other stories.
Harem Master has several plot lines. Mainly it is the story of Harem Master Demir. The profession of Harem Master is a sacred and traditional profession that Demir holds with a lot of honor and duty. He cares for the harems, in a way he can be viewed as a manager, teacher and mentor. His life is not made easy by the crazy king Kagan – who likes to kill his concubines – and the sharks of the court – who want to abolish the tradition.
Parallel and intertwined to the story of Demir is that of Prince Ihsan and his harem: Kitt, Sabah and Haluk, who return from war and imprisonment to a court in a lot of chaos and a Harem Master in need of love and maybe a bit of rescue.
Third there is the story of Ihsan’s wife Euren. Now here’s a girl who can kick some butt. Hard. She also returns with her harem less than welcome and is soon drawn into the trouble.
Tying these plot lines together is the mystery of a murder and an intrigue in the court that can cause quite a lot of damage, especially to Demir.
---See the rest of the review on BookWinked---
***ARC-copy via Netgalley
June 3, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Preconceptions about stories set within a harem should definitely be cast aside as you read this. Though there’s polyamory, this isn’t a simple excuse for glorifying orgies. The harem is portrayed as a sacred and honorable tradition, with a proud history as a shining example of civilization, now corrupted by a cruel, ruthless king. That aspect in itself shows that the harems aren’t all about sex. In fact, with great kings the harems thrived. Demir is proud to uphold the tradition and mentor and take care of the concubines, be they male or female.
Demir is the central character, with the others playing important parts in his life and how it evolves from a beautiful figurehead to a man able to love and be loved, and by more than one man. Ihsan already has a flock of male concubines, but seeing Demir again, having grown into a fine man, sets his desires aflame. The palace intrigue is an obstacle as much as the harem master’s role of being unobtainable, a man destined to be adored but only from afar. Plus, one of the courtiers, Bulut, is a total creep, advocating the abolishing of the harem tradition–mostly to get his hands on Demir without contention. Another devious plot twist that adds layers of dimension to this intricate fantasy story.
Read Susan’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Preconceptions about stories set within a harem should definitely be cast aside as you read this. Though there’s polyamory, this isn’t a simple excuse for glorifying orgies. The harem is portrayed as a sacred and honorable tradition, with a proud history as a shining example of civilization, now corrupted by a cruel, ruthless king. That aspect in itself shows that the harems aren’t all about sex. In fact, with great kings the harems thrived. Demir is proud to uphold the tradition and mentor and take care of the concubines, be they male or female.
Demir is the central character, with the others playing important parts in his life and how it evolves from a beautiful figurehead to a man able to love and be loved, and by more than one man. Ihsan already has a flock of male concubines, but seeing Demir again, having grown into a fine man, sets his desires aflame. The palace intrigue is an obstacle as much as the harem master’s role of being unobtainable, a man destined to be adored but only from afar. Plus, one of the courtiers, Bulut, is a total creep, advocating the abolishing of the harem tradition–mostly to get his hands on Demir without contention. Another devious plot twist that adds layers of dimension to this intricate fantasy story.
Read Susan’s review in its entirety here.
June 3, 2015
4.75 stars. Preconceptions about stories set within a harem should definitely be cast aside as you read this.
This is fantasy at its finest, the perfect mesh of fantasy, adventure, and erotic romance. Though part of a series, according to Derr this is a prequel to those stories, so this can be read as standalone.
What makes this story stand out from the fantasy genre is the polyamory. Derr depicts this practice as something that makes cultural and social sense, as it’s normal for the Tavamaran people to be bisexual, so its tied to larger constructs. Thus it never feels out of place, and it always serves a larger purpose. It’s simply a part of an excellent narrative, titillating and exciting to be sure.
Read the full review at Joyfully Jay.
This is fantasy at its finest, the perfect mesh of fantasy, adventure, and erotic romance. Though part of a series, according to Derr this is a prequel to those stories, so this can be read as standalone.
What makes this story stand out from the fantasy genre is the polyamory. Derr depicts this practice as something that makes cultural and social sense, as it’s normal for the Tavamaran people to be bisexual, so its tied to larger constructs. Thus it never feels out of place, and it always serves a larger purpose. It’s simply a part of an excellent narrative, titillating and exciting to be sure.
Read the full review at Joyfully Jay.
October 18, 2021
Is this one generation away from Sandstorm? Meaning, is Shahjahan Ikham's son? Is Ikram one of Emre's people and why wasn't it mentioned if he stayed? [I reread Sandstorm and this one got answered. He didn't come with Emre, left the desert on his own.] Did Emre stay to become a part of Altan's harem? Ehhh, so many questions.
April 26, 2022
So many annoyances so little time. I was hoping for more Demir and Kitt, those two were definitely my favorites. So much corruption and yet the one that still creeped me out the most was Balut. I liked that the queen could hold her own and how her harem got a focus as well. I also liked that Demir didn't really need a rescue. Not with Sab right there. Curious about Altan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2025
This story kept me entertained from the first page to the last. As the story begins, Lord Demir is the Harem Master, reporting to a brutal, incompetent king who is responsible for various deaths in the harem. The kingdom itself suffers from corruption and a dangerous plot for greater harm seems to be unfolding. Demir loves his position, but he's very unhappy in current circumstances.
Then, Prince Ihsan returns home after a five year absence when many thought him dead in war. Ihsan is not welcomed warmly by his father, a distant, cold man. Ihsan, badly scarred, comes with three men in his harem and his beloved wife, hiding in exile and expected within weeks. Ihsan quickly notices the handsome and graceful Demir, but knows that he is strictly off-limits. Ihsan has other priorities to work surreptitiously to get the kingdom on a better path.
This story is perfectly paced with a good mix of political intrigue, action, danger and passion. Some of the characters from the desert make an appearance in this story. This story kept me fully engaged and not bored for a second. I look forward to reading more from this series!
Then, Prince Ihsan returns home after a five year absence when many thought him dead in war. Ihsan is not welcomed warmly by his father, a distant, cold man. Ihsan, badly scarred, comes with three men in his harem and his beloved wife, hiding in exile and expected within weeks. Ihsan quickly notices the handsome and graceful Demir, but knows that he is strictly off-limits. Ihsan has other priorities to work surreptitiously to get the kingdom on a better path.
This story is perfectly paced with a good mix of political intrigue, action, danger and passion. Some of the characters from the desert make an appearance in this story. This story kept me fully engaged and not bored for a second. I look forward to reading more from this series!
September 6, 2022
this author needs an award. buying the book is not enough I need to gift the author a villa for their amazing spectacular work. their brain is genuinely so big for this. is 100% what it says on the tin, which is perfect
November 2, 2015
A wonderful addition to the Tavamara world
I have always loved Megan's books, and her Tavamara series is a personal favorite of mine. When I heard that this book serves as a prequel to the other books in the series, I had to read it. As a prequel to some of her earlier books, it shows how the harem system seen in those books came to be, something I found fascinating.
Derr's writing is as phenomenal as ever. For example, there are multiple first person POVs that she switches between. I’m not usually a fan of multiple POV switches because they can confuse the story and because authors overuse them. Yet with Derr, the multiple POVs allow the reader to experience the events through different angles, allowing the various plots to be told and then seamlessly come together. This also allowed the reader to learn more about the characters and to form a deeper connection with them. All of the character were phenomenal, but my particular favorite was Lord Demir. Living in a precarious position, yet loyally fulfilling his duty as Harem Master, both master and servant…he is now one of my all-time favorite characters.
The plot was also fantastic. When I started reading, several side plots were introduced along with the main overall plot. I was confused, since I didn’t know how the author could possibly manage to tie them all together to get to a HEA…yet she did. Once I made it to the end of the story I saw how it all came together, even when I didn’t think it was possible.
The only downside about the book were all the grammar and editing mistakes. Usually Derr’s books are edited better than this, so I’m not sure if this is because I received a review copy or if that is present in the final book. All in all though, this is a wonderful story that I highly recommend. You can read it as a standalone novel, though I would recommend reading books 1 and 2 of the Tales of Tavamara series first, as you would get more out of this book if you read those two first.
*Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.*
I have always loved Megan's books, and her Tavamara series is a personal favorite of mine. When I heard that this book serves as a prequel to the other books in the series, I had to read it. As a prequel to some of her earlier books, it shows how the harem system seen in those books came to be, something I found fascinating.
Derr's writing is as phenomenal as ever. For example, there are multiple first person POVs that she switches between. I’m not usually a fan of multiple POV switches because they can confuse the story and because authors overuse them. Yet with Derr, the multiple POVs allow the reader to experience the events through different angles, allowing the various plots to be told and then seamlessly come together. This also allowed the reader to learn more about the characters and to form a deeper connection with them. All of the character were phenomenal, but my particular favorite was Lord Demir. Living in a precarious position, yet loyally fulfilling his duty as Harem Master, both master and servant…he is now one of my all-time favorite characters.
The plot was also fantastic. When I started reading, several side plots were introduced along with the main overall plot. I was confused, since I didn’t know how the author could possibly manage to tie them all together to get to a HEA…yet she did. Once I made it to the end of the story I saw how it all came together, even when I didn’t think it was possible.
The only downside about the book were all the grammar and editing mistakes. Usually Derr’s books are edited better than this, so I’m not sure if this is because I received a review copy or if that is present in the final book. All in all though, this is a wonderful story that I highly recommend. You can read it as a standalone novel, though I would recommend reading books 1 and 2 of the Tales of Tavamara series first, as you would get more out of this book if you read those two first.
*Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.*
March 9, 2016
Okay, so this book surprised me.
Honestly, I expected threesome and lot of smexy times. Like, mostly smut, maybe there would be some plot, but not much of it.
Booooooy, I was wrong on both acounts.
First of all, not only there is plot, but majority of the book is plot. And the plot is fairly good? Like, while there are sexy times, there is a small amount of them. (even when compared to some other m/m books)
Plot could be summed up by "this kingdom is in hella trouble and someone should solve it". All characters are interesting and while I was kinda confused at the start who is who, I oriented quickly. The book is divided in three POVs - POV of harem master Derim, POV of prince Ishan and POV of his wife, princess Euran. At first, I didn't much like Euran's POV, but she grew on me and her POVs were one of the most interesting in the book in the end.
As for the polyamory, well... It's not three characters. It's more characters. It makes sense concerning the setting, but it's definitely not your standard polyamory story. However, the relatioships seems genuine and while it takes some time to get used to it, it's obvious that the characters love each other and that it works for them.
I will probably read the next book in series, because I am really curious in what direction author takes it...
Honestly, I expected threesome and lot of smexy times. Like, mostly smut, maybe there would be some plot, but not much of it.
Booooooy, I was wrong on both acounts.
First of all, not only there is plot, but majority of the book is plot. And the plot is fairly good? Like, while there are sexy times, there is a small amount of them. (even when compared to some other m/m books)
Plot could be summed up by "this kingdom is in hella trouble and someone should solve it". All characters are interesting and while I was kinda confused at the start who is who, I oriented quickly. The book is divided in three POVs - POV of harem master Derim, POV of prince Ishan and POV of his wife, princess Euran. At first, I didn't much like Euran's POV, but she grew on me and her POVs were one of the most interesting in the book in the end.
As for the polyamory, well... It's not three characters. It's more characters. It makes sense concerning the setting, but it's definitely not your standard polyamory story. However, the relatioships seems genuine and while it takes some time to get used to it, it's obvious that the characters love each other and that it works for them.
I will probably read the next book in series, because I am really curious in what direction author takes it...
December 4, 2024
This is my favorite one! Gosh, Demir just sounded so sexy!!!
And i also liked how we saw how the harem culture could go wrong. Its a fantasy, but I like how Derr made sure the characters had to fight against corruption in a system that really goes wrong so often. It made the win a lot sweeter.
Also, for anyone confused, this is kind of the first book chronologically. You go back in time. Think Star Wars. But its still best to read these in order.
And i also liked how we saw how the harem culture could go wrong. Its a fantasy, but I like how Derr made sure the characters had to fight against corruption in a system that really goes wrong so often. It made the win a lot sweeter.
Also, for anyone confused, this is kind of the first book chronologically. You go back in time. Think Star Wars. But its still best to read these in order.
January 3, 2018
Fantastic read!
June 2, 2015
This is an epic, sweeping fantasy that reminded me a great deal of Jacqueline Carey’s books. I love them and absolutely loved this book too.
The story: Set in a far away desert land, The Harem Master has almost every element of story telling you could imagine – court intrigue, murder, a tyrant of a king and at its heart a passionate love story. Demir is the harem master, a role passed down through the generations of his family and one he takes great pride and joy in. The ruling King is a tyrant and it is Demir’s unfortunate position to try to protect the harem from the whims of the King.
In this land, the ruling class has harems made up of people who are meant to be truly loved and a treasured inner circle. The King has made a mockery of this and used his harem to take out his frustrations and anger. The King’s harem is made up solely of men, the Prince’s harem is also men, and the Princess’s harem is made up of women. It is an abomination for a married man or woman to sleep with someone other than their husband or wife, but bisexuality is the norm.
The characters: Demir is the crown jewel in a harem full of beautiful, talented men. He is desired by many, but his position keeps him safe for the most part. It also keeps him lonely. He is privy to the innermost secrets of the kingdom and guards those secrets well. He is tormented by the fact that is beloved harem is not a place filled with devotion and love, but a place for a petulant King to play.
Crown Prince Ihsan is the ruling King’s son and heir to the throne. He and his harem return to the kingdom after being away for years in an attempt to right the wrongs of his father. He brings with him his own harem of three unlikely men; a soldier, an aristocrat, and an assassin who are all devoted to each other.
Crown Princess Euren is Ihsan’s wife. No pampered princess, she is a soldier’s daughter and a soldier in her own right. She returns to the kingdom with her harem of three women.
What I liked: The polyamory and sex in this story is such an integral part of the story that it flows naturally. There is no feeling of a gratuitous sex scene for the sake of sex. It’s a part of all the relationships in the story, and colors everything that each character does. Beautifully done.
The story unfolds slowly but I feel we need that to build to the conclusion of the story. I didn’t find it tedious even when Derr goes into lineage when we are reading about lesser court nobles in the kingdom. This reads like historical fiction even though it is a fantasy. This is such a well done epic fantasy, it was hard to put down.
What I didn’t like: Princess Euren and her harem almost seemed like an afterthought. While the sex scenes between the women were very done, they lacked some of the passion and detail that the scenes between the men did.
This is an amazing book. I’ve never seen polyamory written so well. I gave it 5 stars, which I do only for the books that I loved and can reread again and again.
ARC Provided by NetGalley
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The story: Set in a far away desert land, The Harem Master has almost every element of story telling you could imagine – court intrigue, murder, a tyrant of a king and at its heart a passionate love story. Demir is the harem master, a role passed down through the generations of his family and one he takes great pride and joy in. The ruling King is a tyrant and it is Demir’s unfortunate position to try to protect the harem from the whims of the King.
In this land, the ruling class has harems made up of people who are meant to be truly loved and a treasured inner circle. The King has made a mockery of this and used his harem to take out his frustrations and anger. The King’s harem is made up solely of men, the Prince’s harem is also men, and the Princess’s harem is made up of women. It is an abomination for a married man or woman to sleep with someone other than their husband or wife, but bisexuality is the norm.
The characters: Demir is the crown jewel in a harem full of beautiful, talented men. He is desired by many, but his position keeps him safe for the most part. It also keeps him lonely. He is privy to the innermost secrets of the kingdom and guards those secrets well. He is tormented by the fact that is beloved harem is not a place filled with devotion and love, but a place for a petulant King to play.
Crown Prince Ihsan is the ruling King’s son and heir to the throne. He and his harem return to the kingdom after being away for years in an attempt to right the wrongs of his father. He brings with him his own harem of three unlikely men; a soldier, an aristocrat, and an assassin who are all devoted to each other.
Crown Princess Euren is Ihsan’s wife. No pampered princess, she is a soldier’s daughter and a soldier in her own right. She returns to the kingdom with her harem of three women.
What I liked: The polyamory and sex in this story is such an integral part of the story that it flows naturally. There is no feeling of a gratuitous sex scene for the sake of sex. It’s a part of all the relationships in the story, and colors everything that each character does. Beautifully done.
The story unfolds slowly but I feel we need that to build to the conclusion of the story. I didn’t find it tedious even when Derr goes into lineage when we are reading about lesser court nobles in the kingdom. This reads like historical fiction even though it is a fantasy. This is such a well done epic fantasy, it was hard to put down.
What I didn’t like: Princess Euren and her harem almost seemed like an afterthought. While the sex scenes between the women were very done, they lacked some of the passion and detail that the scenes between the men did.
This is an amazing book. I’ve never seen polyamory written so well. I gave it 5 stars, which I do only for the books that I loved and can reread again and again.
ARC Provided by NetGalley
https://readingfemme.wordpress.com/20...
April 1, 2017
I received a free copy of this book via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Polyamory done right!
Let me start off by saying that I haven't read the first two books in this series but after reading this, I certainly plan to! From what I gather, this is kind of a prequel to the first two books, showing how the harem system was set up, and I didn't have any trouble understanding the world or how things worked in it. There are three main characters in this book: Ihsan, Euren, and Demer, and the story flips between their points of view though they do intersect throughout the book. There is also a large group of secondary characters that just worked SO WELL they could have books in their own rights.
I loved Demer; seriously, I spent the entire book wanting him to get what he needed and deserved and while it took longer than I wanted, he got it in spades. Far from being a 'humble Harem Master' Demer goes above and beyond in order to try and make things right in a situation gone so very, very wrong. When Ihsan shows up it makes things both better and worse for all those involved though he is also trying to make things right. I never did care for Euren until about 60% through the book when she stepped up and showed she was more than a pretty face or naive girl elevated to royalty; then she kicked butt. There is also sex of all kinds in this book, M/F, F/F, M/M, and the scenes showcasing polyamory were done so well that I didn't for a second believe the characters didn't belong together. Also, the amount of sex for the size of the book was perfect; I expected a great deal more with their being concubines and harems, but this book was more about the characters and story than about time in between the sheets.
I thought the pacing in this was perfect; there was time through the slower start for me to acclimate to the world and how things are done there before the really heavy events started and once they did, I didn't want to put it down! I found myself so invested in the characters and what was happening that I resented anything that required I stop reading. I can't wait to read the first two books in this series so I can go back and read this again to see if anything makes more sense to me. The only complaint I have is that, now that the book is done, I can't read more about Demer, Ihsan and the Harem. Seriously, I need more of these characters!
Polyamory done right!
Let me start off by saying that I haven't read the first two books in this series but after reading this, I certainly plan to! From what I gather, this is kind of a prequel to the first two books, showing how the harem system was set up, and I didn't have any trouble understanding the world or how things worked in it. There are three main characters in this book: Ihsan, Euren, and Demer, and the story flips between their points of view though they do intersect throughout the book. There is also a large group of secondary characters that just worked SO WELL they could have books in their own rights.
I loved Demer; seriously, I spent the entire book wanting him to get what he needed and deserved and while it took longer than I wanted, he got it in spades. Far from being a 'humble Harem Master' Demer goes above and beyond in order to try and make things right in a situation gone so very, very wrong. When Ihsan shows up it makes things both better and worse for all those involved though he is also trying to make things right. I never did care for Euren until about 60% through the book when she stepped up and showed she was more than a pretty face or naive girl elevated to royalty; then she kicked butt. There is also sex of all kinds in this book, M/F, F/F, M/M, and the scenes showcasing polyamory were done so well that I didn't for a second believe the characters didn't belong together. Also, the amount of sex for the size of the book was perfect; I expected a great deal more with their being concubines and harems, but this book was more about the characters and story than about time in between the sheets.
I thought the pacing in this was perfect; there was time through the slower start for me to acclimate to the world and how things are done there before the really heavy events started and once they did, I didn't want to put it down! I found myself so invested in the characters and what was happening that I resented anything that required I stop reading. I can't wait to read the first two books in this series so I can go back and read this again to see if anything makes more sense to me. The only complaint I have is that, now that the book is done, I can't read more about Demer, Ihsan and the Harem. Seriously, I need more of these characters!
May 27, 2015
So many languorous kisses between beautiful, exotic, and dangerous lovers. I never imagined I could become enamored with a love story between five men, but I would have been happy to hang out in Ihsan’s harem well past the end of the political intrigue.
The Harem Master is set in a long ago desert landscape, filled with vibrant colors, jewels and pleasurable delights. The most coveted of delights is the king’s harem, where the harem master Demir, is the most precious and desired jewel of them all. The story begins in dark times when the ruling king abuses and often kills his concubines. Although Demir does his best to protect the harem, political powers in the kingdom are working to abolish the long honored tradition. When it appears that the political situation is about to go south, Prince Ihsan returns to the palace, but his return does not come in time to ward off traitorous plots and keep chaos from erupting in the royal court. While Prince Ihsan and Princess Euren work to uncover the plots and stabilize the situation, an intense romantic attraction forms between Demir, Prince Ihsan, and his three gorgeous but dangerous concubines.
Never before have I read a book that pulls off polyamory as well as in this book. I often find romance between more than two characters lacking. However, the attraction and romantic longing between each of the five men that grows throughout the book is very moving, and by the end, the love scenes are extremely passionate, emotional, and easy to follow. I was actually quite upset when the book ended since there were still so many possibilities between each of the men that I would love to have explored. If the author were ever to write a book based on their nightly exploits alone, I would be the first to read it. As it is, this is the first book I’ve read by Megan Derr, so I have a lot of catching up to do.
The Harem Master is set in a long ago desert landscape, filled with vibrant colors, jewels and pleasurable delights. The most coveted of delights is the king’s harem, where the harem master Demir, is the most precious and desired jewel of them all. The story begins in dark times when the ruling king abuses and often kills his concubines. Although Demir does his best to protect the harem, political powers in the kingdom are working to abolish the long honored tradition. When it appears that the political situation is about to go south, Prince Ihsan returns to the palace, but his return does not come in time to ward off traitorous plots and keep chaos from erupting in the royal court. While Prince Ihsan and Princess Euren work to uncover the plots and stabilize the situation, an intense romantic attraction forms between Demir, Prince Ihsan, and his three gorgeous but dangerous concubines.
Never before have I read a book that pulls off polyamory as well as in this book. I often find romance between more than two characters lacking. However, the attraction and romantic longing between each of the five men that grows throughout the book is very moving, and by the end, the love scenes are extremely passionate, emotional, and easy to follow. I was actually quite upset when the book ended since there were still so many possibilities between each of the men that I would love to have explored. If the author were ever to write a book based on their nightly exploits alone, I would be the first to read it. As it is, this is the first book I’ve read by Megan Derr, so I have a lot of catching up to do.
May 30, 2015
Okay. It's nearly 2 in the morning but whatever.
This book is freaking AMAZING! I love M. Derr (♥) and it's no secret that I adore her works, especially the short ones.
However, and I can't stop smiling like an idiot right now, The Harem Master is one of the best books I've read so far! (And I'm not even kidding)
It's full of politics (kudos for keeping an overview btw), full of betrayal, full of underlying hatred... but most of all love. Or rather: Devotion!
I'm always hesistating to read poly, especially if women are involved. (Mostly because I haven't read a lot of books without jealousy etc) however, rest assured.
Yes, there is kissing between husband and wife but the rest is not explicit between them. It just fit - and I love the fact that there was never any reason to doubt their feelings.
Ah~~~ I know that the book is long but it didn't feel like it was. I couldn't put it down and I couldn't predict the end. I mean, apart from the obvious.
I can only write this: If you're a fan of M. Derr (shame on you, if you're not) then give this book a try. It will reel you in, captivite you completely and leave you a satisfied mess. It's everything I wanted it to be - great story, great, strong characters and so much love and devotion... Perfect!
It's definitly worth its prize and I promise :D Still... can I be No 5? :P
This book is freaking AMAZING! I love M. Derr (♥) and it's no secret that I adore her works, especially the short ones.
However, and I can't stop smiling like an idiot right now, The Harem Master is one of the best books I've read so far! (And I'm not even kidding)
It's full of politics (kudos for keeping an overview btw), full of betrayal, full of underlying hatred... but most of all love. Or rather: Devotion!
I'm always hesistating to read poly, especially if women are involved. (Mostly because I haven't read a lot of books without jealousy etc) however, rest assured.
Yes, there is kissing between husband and wife but the rest is not explicit between them. It just fit - and I love the fact that there was never any reason to doubt their feelings.
Ah~~~ I know that the book is long but it didn't feel like it was. I couldn't put it down and I couldn't predict the end. I mean, apart from the obvious.
I can only write this: If you're a fan of M. Derr (shame on you, if you're not) then give this book a try. It will reel you in, captivite you completely and leave you a satisfied mess. It's everything I wanted it to be - great story, great, strong characters and so much love and devotion... Perfect!
It's definitly worth its prize and I promise :D Still... can I be No 5? :P
July 20, 2015
This is book three in the series, and I’ve not read the first two. I’m not sure I was missing anything by not reading the first two (although I read you don’t have to) or just in general the story was missing too much back story for me to completely understand what was going on? Or maybe it’s because we had way too much going on at one time.
While reading this story you’ll find you’ve got a several stories going on a once, which I find confusing. And just takes too much consecration for me to actual enjoy a book. The main one that starts the book is Demir the Harem Master, he’s trying to protect he’s women from being killed. Then we have a political/court drama of Princes showing back up after years being away story, then last we have the lost princesses (wife) shows up with a less then welcoming homecoming.
The descriptions of the tattoo’s cloths, etc was beautifully done and the writing itself was well crafted. You can feel the anguish that Demir feels for these women and what they are going through. But overall this wasn’t my cup of tea. Just too much going on, couldn’t hold my interest and I found myself wondering in thoughts and wanting to skim read pages.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Crystals Many Reviews
While reading this story you’ll find you’ve got a several stories going on a once, which I find confusing. And just takes too much consecration for me to actual enjoy a book. The main one that starts the book is Demir the Harem Master, he’s trying to protect he’s women from being killed. Then we have a political/court drama of Princes showing back up after years being away story, then last we have the lost princesses (wife) shows up with a less then welcoming homecoming.
The descriptions of the tattoo’s cloths, etc was beautifully done and the writing itself was well crafted. You can feel the anguish that Demir feels for these women and what they are going through. But overall this wasn’t my cup of tea. Just too much going on, couldn’t hold my interest and I found myself wondering in thoughts and wanting to skim read pages.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Crystals Many Reviews
June 10, 2015
Beautifully written
I love books where the sexual content is actually part of the story, serves a purpose, and is not just gratuitous titillation. The love scenes between the prince and his harem are beautifully and elegantly portrayed and a true pleasure to read. I only wish the same were true of the princess and her harem, these scenes, while still being elegantly written, were very brief and felt a bit like an afterthought. I was also very disappointed that the prince and princess (the married couple in this story) had no sexual content at all and that, to me, is a tragic wasted opportunity.
Despite harems being the prime topic of this book, don't be fool into thinking that sex is all there is to "The Harem Master", there is deception, smuggling, kidnapping and intrigue aplenty. Well worth the read.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
I love books where the sexual content is actually part of the story, serves a purpose, and is not just gratuitous titillation. The love scenes between the prince and his harem are beautifully and elegantly portrayed and a true pleasure to read. I only wish the same were true of the princess and her harem, these scenes, while still being elegantly written, were very brief and felt a bit like an afterthought. I was also very disappointed that the prince and princess (the married couple in this story) had no sexual content at all and that, to me, is a tragic wasted opportunity.
Despite harems being the prime topic of this book, don't be fool into thinking that sex is all there is to "The Harem Master", there is deception, smuggling, kidnapping and intrigue aplenty. Well worth the read.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2015
Another jewel from Megan Derr. This is a "prequel" that shows how the harems came to be and is really delightful.
I have to say I'm not a fan of poly. There are few books written in the genre that make the "idea" of poly, work. Most of all, I dislike authors that for whatever reasons they deside to add a lover in the next installment when they never gave a clue or a hint that it was something it was going to happen.
Ofcourse that is not an issue with this book. Poly, the way Megan Derr writes it, is trully about devotion and love as she says in her book. I like the fact that there is a core that binds all the others together. I think this is the key element of these books.
I have to say I'm not a fan of poly. There are few books written in the genre that make the "idea" of poly, work. Most of all, I dislike authors that for whatever reasons they deside to add a lover in the next installment when they never gave a clue or a hint that it was something it was going to happen.
Ofcourse that is not an issue with this book. Poly, the way Megan Derr writes it, is trully about devotion and love as she says in her book. I like the fact that there is a core that binds all the others together. I think this is the key element of these books.
December 30, 2015
A Whole New Kingdom
Ms. Deer has done it again. she has given us a new Kingdom to explore complete with different political and sexual beliefs. In Tavamara trade is what drives the kingdom, and corruption is what is destroying it, from the King on down. Can the Crown Prince and Princess save the kingdom? Can the they even save themselves and their concubines? Why is the King killing his own concubines and h0w long can the Harem Master protect them? A great read! Great romance and sex, real people!
Ms. Deer has done it again. she has given us a new Kingdom to explore complete with different political and sexual beliefs. In Tavamara trade is what drives the kingdom, and corruption is what is destroying it, from the King on down. Can the Crown Prince and Princess save the kingdom? Can the they even save themselves and their concubines? Why is the King killing his own concubines and h0w long can the Harem Master protect them? A great read! Great romance and sex, real people!
July 30, 2020
Similar to Sandstorm in many aspects, taking place centuries before and a bit more explicit with sex. Next to more explicit scenes, the female harem gets more attention, though the main focus is still the male harem.
Can be read as a standalone.
Can be read as a standalone.
May 2, 2022
Ugh, this is just too good. I have no idea why it took me this long to read. I love, love, LOVE this series. (Although CHRIST if this one wasn't bad for my heart.)
Fair warning: never try to read "just one more chapter" before bed. You will fail miserably and be up until past 3 in the am.
Fair warning: never try to read "just one more chapter" before bed. You will fail miserably and be up until past 3 in the am.
May 11, 2015
great read. filled with steamy scenes and great political plot.
July 19, 2015
Loved the political intrigue and the individuality of all the characters.
December 16, 2015
The Harem Master by Megan Derr: http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwid... 2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
December 9, 2015
Beautiful plot, I love these oriental atmospheres.
Really well-written, great descriptions, charming and engaging. One of the best books I read.
Now I need to read the first two ones.
Really well-written, great descriptions, charming and engaging. One of the best books I read.
Now I need to read the first two ones.
October 8, 2018
Glorious—could not put it down once I started, to the point that I snatched paragraphs at traffic stops.
July 12, 2024
The Harem Master
Awesome characters in a desert setting. It almost seeming like it is in the Middle East. The characters were so believable. Could not put the book down.
Awesome characters in a desert setting. It almost seeming like it is in the Middle East. The characters were so believable. Could not put the book down.
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