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The Hidden Talents Trilogy #1
Rebel Hell
DEAR READER: "Rebel Hell" is no longer available. "Hidden Talents: A deliciously twisted m/m trilogy" is the recently published, full trilogy.
Klaus Gadamer Academy has made a fortune by enslaving Talents and peddling their psychic skills to the global elite. But not all Talents can be tamed: Jackson Gadamer, KGA’s top precognitive, has been scheming to take them down. With the help of his trusted subordinate, the mischievous telepath Jin, Jackson is ready to set those plans in motion.
When Jin makes contact with a group of rogue Talents in Paris, he finds more drama than he bargained for. But there’s one who instantly captures his attention: Ken, a mysterious boy with a dark past, a surly attitude, and an aura of power Jin can’t decipher. Now all he wants is to figure Ken out…whether Ken likes it or not.
But Ken’s icy glares aren’t the only challenge. Jin is surprised to find an old acquaintance of his among the Paris Talents: Sky, a beautiful blond empath and former yakuza consort, is furious to see him, and not just because Jin knows how to get under his skin. It turns out Ken is Sky’s younger brother…and Sky is determined to stand between them.
Klaus Gadamer Academy has made a fortune by enslaving Talents and peddling their psychic skills to the global elite. But not all Talents can be tamed: Jackson Gadamer, KGA’s top precognitive, has been scheming to take them down. With the help of his trusted subordinate, the mischievous telepath Jin, Jackson is ready to set those plans in motion.
When Jin makes contact with a group of rogue Talents in Paris, he finds more drama than he bargained for. But there’s one who instantly captures his attention: Ken, a mysterious boy with a dark past, a surly attitude, and an aura of power Jin can’t decipher. Now all he wants is to figure Ken out…whether Ken likes it or not.
But Ken’s icy glares aren’t the only challenge. Jin is surprised to find an old acquaintance of his among the Paris Talents: Sky, a beautiful blond empath and former yakuza consort, is furious to see him, and not just because Jin knows how to get under his skin. It turns out Ken is Sky’s younger brother…and Sky is determined to stand between them.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2015
1 person is currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Claire Cray
21 books180 followersClaire Cray writes M/M Romance featuring hot, complicated men in weird situations. Offbeat and character-driven with a Gothic bent, her work is often described as atmospheric and a little strange.
Born and raised in the rural Pacific Northwest, Claire takes inspiration from its wild, moody vibes. Her stories often combine vivid natural settings with steamy sensuality and psychological drama.
Claire lives, writes, and independently publishes in Portland, Oregon, USA.
Born and raised in the rural Pacific Northwest, Claire takes inspiration from its wild, moody vibes. Her stories often combine vivid natural settings with steamy sensuality and psychological drama.
Claire lives, writes, and independently publishes in Portland, Oregon, USA.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 15, 2020
3.5 ⭐️
December 13, 2015
I love this story so much. It's very entertaining. One of the things i love the most is the humorous tone that is set from Jin, which i believe is a great character. I realy like that the story is told from the point of view of several characters wich make the reader get to know each of them, and that, to me, is one of the strongest parts of the book, the development of the characters, how the reader get to connect with each of them and get to love them or hate them. It has a little bit of everything, action, humor, passion, and transmit a lot of emotions. As the story goes it start to give away some of the back stories the reader wants to know so it keeps realy amazing. I find few bad aspects of this book, maybe one of them is the fact that would not work as a stand alone and the end keeps the reader wanting more, but the good part of this is that book#2 is already out. I definetly recomend this book, i have so far enjoy it so much.
My favourite part are the characters, but before talking of them i'm warning this might bring some SPOLER ALERT from this point on.
I love Sky and and i guess he wasn't made to be a very lovable person but i cant help to love him so much, and it makes me very angry when the rest of the characters give him a hard time (excluding Jin because becuase he at least is mostly joking). Besides Sky i think Jin is the other character i care for the most, maybe because every time his on chapter he make me smile and i love his interaction with Sky, also Jackson is for me one of the most intriguing characters and that makes him great. The other characters are very likable and i belieave every reader might be able to feel in touch with the emotions of at least one of them.
My favourite part are the characters, but before talking of them i'm warning this might bring some SPOLER ALERT from this point on.
I love Sky and and i guess he wasn't made to be a very lovable person but i cant help to love him so much, and it makes me very angry when the rest of the characters give him a hard time (excluding Jin because becuase he at least is mostly joking). Besides Sky i think Jin is the other character i care for the most, maybe because every time his on chapter he make me smile and i love his interaction with Sky, also Jackson is for me one of the most intriguing characters and that makes him great. The other characters are very likable and i belieave every reader might be able to feel in touch with the emotions of at least one of them.
June 13, 2018
i liked it... its more than i expected and all but. -2 stars bc everyone is so rude to sky and sky's my fucking favorite yall show him some respect my boy doesnt deserve this. except for ken, he has a valid reason to dislike him. everyone else can fuck off! sorry i'll probably write a better review after i finished all of this... i hope sky will get a better arc bc rn all i care about is him. (and jackson)
June 28, 2016
I was immediately hooked when I started reading this book, which doesn't happen all that often and I really enjoyed. This is a fascinating world with a ton of really interesting characters!
As the book goes along and we learn more about this world and the people in it, and I got more than half way into the book I started to wonder where the story was going and how there would be any resolution to what's going on. I knew it was a trilogy, but I still feel like there should be some storyline in the first book that can be resolved... there is ONE factor that gets a slight answer... that's all. I'm not sure if the next book will pick up right where this left off or not, as I haven't started it yet. But you should know before going into it that you better set aside time to read more than one book because this doesn't stand on it's own AT ALL. It's just essentially an intro to the characters. I still definitely enjoyed it and I am intrigued and I'm going to read the next book, I just feel that there should have been more of a storyline that could be resolved within the book... or you should just write a 600 page book... it just feels very incomplete and that's unsatisfying, and that's why I'm only giving this 3 stars.
**I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.**
As the book goes along and we learn more about this world and the people in it, and I got more than half way into the book I started to wonder where the story was going and how there would be any resolution to what's going on. I knew it was a trilogy, but I still feel like there should be some storyline in the first book that can be resolved... there is ONE factor that gets a slight answer... that's all. I'm not sure if the next book will pick up right where this left off or not, as I haven't started it yet. But you should know before going into it that you better set aside time to read more than one book because this doesn't stand on it's own AT ALL. It's just essentially an intro to the characters. I still definitely enjoyed it and I am intrigued and I'm going to read the next book, I just feel that there should have been more of a storyline that could be resolved within the book... or you should just write a 600 page book... it just feels very incomplete and that's unsatisfying, and that's why I'm only giving this 3 stars.
**I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.**
January 26, 2016
I received this novel in exchange for a non-biased review. I was initially intrigued by the concept behind this book, as I have always had a fascination for the paranormal and the idea of things like psychic and telepathic people. I was not disappointed, as the world that was painted in this story was really interesting and different, while also being believable. I also found myself really enjoying the different characters, with Ken and Jin becoming my favorites pretty quickly. The only thing I found myself slightly disappointed with was the lack of any real female presence. While this is clearly a story that focuses on a gay main character, I still think a female character of some sort would have made me enjoy the story a little more (just my personal opinion, I am sure other people would feel differently). With that said, I would also like to add that this story had some very steamy sex scenes, which I found quite enjoyable, although I did feel like there was more of them than was entirely necessary for the plot. Overall, the story really piqued my interest, and I can definitely say I would be interested in reading more works by this author in the future. I'm giving this one a four out of five star rating.
April 18, 2016
Four Hearts
Jin is on the run from the KGA, an organisation that farms Talents for their psychic and physical abilities, making billions of dollars from what they perceive is a disposable resource. A change of leadership within the organisation, has prompted the grandson of the founder, Jackson Gadamar, the most powerful precognitive alive, to enact his plan to take down the organisation, and Jin is an important player.
Jin has been told he will find a group of hybrid-Talents, those with combined physical and psychic abilities, in Paris, and he is to join with them as the first step of the plan in taking down KGA.
The hybrids’ are a group of broken men, struggling with death and destruction within their group. Grieving for not only those who died, but the one who betrayed them all.
This story is told from multiple points of view, but don’t let that deter you. This is an important part of building the story, and understanding each member of the group.
Read my complete review on the blog
Jin is on the run from the KGA, an organisation that farms Talents for their psychic and physical abilities, making billions of dollars from what they perceive is a disposable resource. A change of leadership within the organisation, has prompted the grandson of the founder, Jackson Gadamar, the most powerful precognitive alive, to enact his plan to take down the organisation, and Jin is an important player.
Jin has been told he will find a group of hybrid-Talents, those with combined physical and psychic abilities, in Paris, and he is to join with them as the first step of the plan in taking down KGA.
The hybrids’ are a group of broken men, struggling with death and destruction within their group. Grieving for not only those who died, but the one who betrayed them all.
This story is told from multiple points of view, but don’t let that deter you. This is an important part of building the story, and understanding each member of the group.
Read my complete review on the blog
December 11, 2015
The blurb is accurate but the book's better.
This is the first book of a trilogy and you have to read them all in order to get the complete story. Rebel Hell does not end with a cliffhanger but it's obvious there's more to come. Fortunately, you don't have to wait for the rest of the story. The last book will be released on the 15th and completely wraps it all up.
Claire Cray has a quiet writing style that produces powerful stories and characters. I wish I could express how much I love this little group of rogues and their story but I'm a reader and have no gift for words at all other than appreciating an author's work. The only think I can say is that this is a great book and I'll be reading it again.
The one thing that niggles is that I would have liked more information about the beginning of the rogue group. There are two dead people when the book begins and I'd love to have known them when they were alive since they seem to be important to the plot. Hopefully I'll find out more in the next 2 books.
This is the first book of a trilogy and you have to read them all in order to get the complete story. Rebel Hell does not end with a cliffhanger but it's obvious there's more to come. Fortunately, you don't have to wait for the rest of the story. The last book will be released on the 15th and completely wraps it all up.
Claire Cray has a quiet writing style that produces powerful stories and characters. I wish I could express how much I love this little group of rogues and their story but I'm a reader and have no gift for words at all other than appreciating an author's work. The only think I can say is that this is a great book and I'll be reading it again.
The one thing that niggles is that I would have liked more information about the beginning of the rogue group. There are two dead people when the book begins and I'd love to have known them when they were alive since they seem to be important to the plot. Hopefully I'll find out more in the next 2 books.
April 17, 2016
I originally read the short story versions of the Hidden Talents Series and feel in love with these crazy, mix-up, gay paranormal talents. I thoroughly enjoyed what Claire did combining several of the first short stories into this first book of the new trilogy. The new bridges between events really help the story move along & explain some of the gaps in the original story line.
I still love these tormented, beautiful souls & their struggles. These young men are trying to sort through there place in their strange world after a drastic encounter with an old friend. While they work through their new reality a talent shows up to bring his own kind of chaos!
If you like paranormal books and don't mind some diverse sex with your paranormal reading this is a good book. It is entertaining, fun and hot & sweaty all at the same time.... enjoy!! I look forward to reading the second book 'wind change' to see how our friends fair.
I still love these tormented, beautiful souls & their struggles. These young men are trying to sort through there place in their strange world after a drastic encounter with an old friend. While they work through their new reality a talent shows up to bring his own kind of chaos!
If you like paranormal books and don't mind some diverse sex with your paranormal reading this is a good book. It is entertaining, fun and hot & sweaty all at the same time.... enjoy!! I look forward to reading the second book 'wind change' to see how our friends fair.
February 11, 2016
Klaus Gadamer Academy is known for it's Talents, people with special abilities like healing, mind reading, and telekinesis . Jackson Gadamer is very powerful in the world but knows that if KGA isn't stopped it will be the end of humanity for all time. Jackson's Key Prophesy ensures that he send is best agent Jin Jackson to find The Key. Jin makes his way to Paris and discovers a boy named Ken that he can't explain away how or why he needs protection. Will Jackson's plan work? What will Jin learn about Ken? What makes Ken so special? Find out in Rebel Hell.
This author is new to me but clearly has a solid story to share with the rest of the world. I think my two favorite characters are Jin and Ken. Just not sure how to explain the how's and why's of it yet. The story and characters are really intriguing, compelling, flawed in a good way, and a bit selfish too. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
This author is new to me but clearly has a solid story to share with the rest of the world. I think my two favorite characters are Jin and Ken. Just not sure how to explain the how's and why's of it yet. The story and characters are really intriguing, compelling, flawed in a good way, and a bit selfish too. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
May 14, 2020
I really enjoyed this book - the characters are all distinct and well written with an engaging plot. The idea is somewhat similar to X-Men but they call themselves Talents, each gifted with a different psychic or physical superhuman ability. However, it's a little more realistic in that Talents tend to go insane the stronger their ability is because the human mind isn't equipped to sustain the kind of strength or abuse it gets from the Talent use. The group this book centers around (hilariously nicknamed the Butterscotch Squad by Jin) are sheltered-in-place in central Paris and each have their own distinct past, usually rife with abuse, but work together to hide themselves from the ominous KGA, a shadow organisation that collects and uses Talents for nefarious purposes. However, as the action ramps up, who is actually working against the KGA becomes a little more muddled and it ends with them on the run.
March 21, 2016
Its hard to get a grasp on the characters at the beginning, as your introduced to a slew from the get go. And then there's 2 dead that you really dont get a good background on.
But once you get into the story you start realizing whose who and seeing the developing relationships/ and not relationships. It has many different types of people all thrown into one group and it makes for an interesting read. I don't want to give any spoilers away so I will just say its a good read once you get the hang of whose who. And the talents they have and how these talents go together or explode.
i received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
But once you get into the story you start realizing whose who and seeing the developing relationships/ and not relationships. It has many different types of people all thrown into one group and it makes for an interesting read. I don't want to give any spoilers away so I will just say its a good read once you get the hang of whose who. And the talents they have and how these talents go together or explode.
i received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2016
This was a very interesting book filled with broken people who somehow still manage to function effectively, at least most of the time. This world, where Talents exist and are used and abused for the entertainment and profit of sadistic masters, is totally engrossing. In this first book, you get just enough information about the main characters to want to know more. Everything you learn keeps you riveted, waiting to see what comes next. The end of the book is like a curtain going down before the second act.
I received an ARC in return for an honest review.
I received an ARC in return for an honest review.
January 4, 2017
Wow - I really enjoyed this. I loved the precis but the earlier novella that this book was created from hadn't received high ratings, and some quite mixed reviews, so I had wondered...
There's no real romance and there's no resolution in this book. It essentially sets up the situation/s for the next two books I think. But I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters, learning of their talents and the issues with Strauss and KGA. Jin is a hoot and the other key MCs are all very interesting. Looking forward to book 2!
There's no real romance and there's no resolution in this book. It essentially sets up the situation/s for the next two books I think. But I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters, learning of their talents and the issues with Strauss and KGA. Jin is a hoot and the other key MCs are all very interesting. Looking forward to book 2!
March 16, 2016
I loved this whole series and I'm glad I picked it up. The characters were all likeable, even Jackson, who was a big know-it-all. But I guess that comes with being a precog :)
I was really worried about Ken and Jin. It seemed to take so long for Jin to break through but FINALLY, whew :)
It seems like Ken is the ONE!!! I hope he continues to be strong enough for his band or his "family".
Recommended
=============================================
1st read - Mar 12, 2016
I was really worried about Ken and Jin. It seemed to take so long for Jin to break through but FINALLY, whew :)
It seems like Ken is the ONE!!! I hope he continues to be strong enough for his band or his "family".
Recommended
=============================================
1st read - Mar 12, 2016
June 4, 2016
Received a free copy for an honest review.
Ok. It took a bit for me to get into this, but I am so glad I did! The characters are all complex, each having their own takes to tell and roles to play in this book. The storyline itself unfolds in a fantastic way and it's not until the end of this book you even begin to get a clear picture of how Jin really operates...I cannot wait to see how this all plays out!
It is no light read, but it really is the kind of book that just sucks you in!
Ok. It took a bit for me to get into this, but I am so glad I did! The characters are all complex, each having their own takes to tell and roles to play in this book. The storyline itself unfolds in a fantastic way and it's not until the end of this book you even begin to get a clear picture of how Jin really operates...I cannot wait to see how this all plays out!
It is no light read, but it really is the kind of book that just sucks you in!
June 10, 2016
"Rebel Hell" is a very interesting read. Mysteries abound and intricately woven I found myself completely engaged in the plot. The characters who very powerful have this vulnerability that keeps them right on the edge of sanity. I love Jin's wicked sexiness and sense of humor and Ken's stoic innocence. I'm getting ready to read book 2, "Wind Change" and I hope I enjoy it as much as I did this one.
I realize this book in exchange for an honest review.
I realize this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2016
This was very interesting. Some parts got a bit confusing because I kept forgetting who each character was but I really enjoyed it. One of the characters was a bit of a man whore though wow. lol. Very good and I'm glad I got to review it
December 10, 2015
Hot, riveting. Love the chapter titles.
June 17, 2016
I. bought these books in their original seriel form and loved them, couldn't resist revisiting the entire story again in this trilogy of books. Awesome read!
September 10, 2019
Interesting read with a ton of characters.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews