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Kingdom of Night #1
Pendulum
Remus Black is still reeling from an abusive relationship that stripped him of everything -- including his desire for love. Now all he wants is a fresh start halfway across the country, but his new roommate is determined to draw him into his strange world of chains, half-naked men and the infamous Lodge, a BDSM club as lavish as it is secretive.
When Remus is entered into the Lodge's annual Alpha's Pet contest against his will, he finds himself thrown to the Wolf Pack, the very type of men he needs to avoid. What's worse is that the wolves immediately label him a submissive, something he swore he would never be again. Things get even stranger when "wolf" turns out to be far more literal than Remus ever imagined. When both the next-in-line for Alpha and his outcast brother claim Remus as their own, the entire pack is thrown into chaos.
Can Remus learn to embrace the power of submission and choose between the brothers before their rivalry tears the pack apart, or will the tension between them unravel his own sordid past?
When Remus is entered into the Lodge's annual Alpha's Pet contest against his will, he finds himself thrown to the Wolf Pack, the very type of men he needs to avoid. What's worse is that the wolves immediately label him a submissive, something he swore he would never be again. Things get even stranger when "wolf" turns out to be far more literal than Remus ever imagined. When both the next-in-line for Alpha and his outcast brother claim Remus as their own, the entire pack is thrown into chaos.
Can Remus learn to embrace the power of submission and choose between the brothers before their rivalry tears the pack apart, or will the tension between them unravel his own sordid past?
421 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2016
29 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
L.C. Davis
54 books1,276 followersHi! I'm L.C. Davis, author of The Mountain Shifters Series, Queer Magick and the upcoming Great Plains Shifters series. I write MPREG and M/M fantasy.
I love hearing from readers, so feel free to reach out here on Goodreads or via email at author@lcdavisbooks.com!
I love hearing from readers, so feel free to reach out here on Goodreads or via email at author@lcdavisbooks.com!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 25, 2018
Realistic BDSM play in a PNR that blows past safeguards too much for me to enjoy
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
One positive thing I can say about this book: the deep diving portrayals of dangerous/unsafe/non-consensual BDSM/humiliation play are realistic enough that it can clearly trigger me.
This is a paranormal story about a vampire clawing through to an injured human, using BDSM techniques to break the human down in order to save him. On one hand, as a paranormal fantasy book, one can argue that the activities in this story should not have to be judged on real-life BDSM standards. However, while the vampire drew directly on his experience as a Dominant in the BDSM scene while employing many common BDSM activities, he applied them in ways I find to be extremely dangerous and/or abusive. While the vampire needed to "break" the human to save him, I found the application of standard, potentially sane and safe BDSM practices to be implemented in a warped and dangerous manner, in a way that I hope no real-life Dom would ever do. (In particular, the (mis)-use of safewords and the extreme, over-the-top anger are extremely dangerous in real BDSM practice.)
Let me state clearly I am no BDSM prude, even (and perhaps especially) when it comes to the (often derided and misunderstood) humiliation kink. My problems with the particular, introductory BDSM scene in this book is how non-consensual and dangerous it was while being given a veneer of BDSM consent/safety measures, measures that seemed to me to be twisted as to make the unsafe, non-consensual nature even worse. The more a story employs real-life BDSM techniques and safety measures (contracts, safewords, limits, emphasizing the importance of trust), I guess the more I expect the scene to adhere to consent and safety, and not to cross into abusive or endangering activities.
About 40% of the way through the book, Remus (the human protagonist) is introduced to his first BDSM scene in a solidly non-consensual manner, something that I find very troublesome in any semi-realistic portrayal of BDSM. If I had not agreed to review the work, I would have simply stopped reading and deleted the book from my tablet and moved to another title. However, since I received a free copy, I felt I should shoulder on. I have read plenty of extreme stories in the past, including scenes that would make this display appear to be very tame, so I thought I could easily finish the book to provide a complete review. The events of the next pages just became continually more non-consensual and abusive to my eyes, until one event made me physically ill. I am providing my honest reaction based on the first 53% of the work.
Throughout the entire beginning of the book, the protagonist repeatedly indicated he was not interested in pursuing BDSM, insisting time and again that he wasn't a submissive. Remus had previously been the victim of very extreme abuse, leaving him to be a very damaged and endangered victim and survivor. He especially was not interested in pursuing anything with Victor, a man whose violent reactions and anger scared him witless. The immediate lead-up to the initial BDSM scene included many reiterations of his lack of desire and his rejection of submitting to Victor. Victor did not tell Remus they were headed to the dungeon, but had to lead him there on false pretenses, tricking him and manipulating Remus to get to the BDSM scening room in the first place. Trickery and manipulation (and the supernatural threats behind the situation) to get an abuse survivor to submit to something he doesn't want goes against everything that makes BDSM safe, sane and consensual.
The pressure by Victor and the rejection by Remus continued:
"Try to keep an open mind," said Victor. I shook my head. "No, I can't. Please."
Remus clearly said no.
"I just think it's a bad idea." "Do you think it's a bad idea, or is it the person still living inside your head?" I struggled to find an answer and came up empty. "Only one way to find out, you know."
Remus clearly said it was a bad idea, but Victor took advantage of Remus's vulnerable and abused situation, pressuring him with basically a lie ("there is only one way to find out" - not true).
"I still don't know how you tying me up and putting me in a blindfold is going to help," I muttered. He arched an eyebrow. "Well, at least now I know where to start. The most fundamental element of any dominant-submissive relationship is trust. If I can get you to trust me, and I know you're already starting to, I can slip past your mind's defenses and begin to work on the foreign ones set up by the vampire." I still wasn't completely on board with the theory that a vampire had laid some crazy schematics in my mind, but at least I could think about it now without having a panic attack.
The character gets one thing correct - trust is central to a BDSM relationship. Remus's feelings and thoughts about Victor had been so incredibly far from trusting before that point, the Dom's assumptions about Remus's repeated assertions to the contrary were manipulative at best, not indicative of someone who should be trusted. Thinking about it without having a panic attack is so incredibly far from true trust that it's mind blowing to me.
As much as part of me wanted to resist, there was also part of me that knew this might be exactly what I needed.
This was the first hint of consent that came across to me. It made no sense based on Remus's very often repeated previous fear and distrust of Victor, and was an extraordinarily weak indication of willingness given Remus's attitudes.
After tricking, manipulating, and basically threatening an abuse survivor with death, the first thing Victor says to Remus as a Dom is:
"A pup doesn't speak unless his master speaks to him. When you're in my room, you don't walk. You crawl on all fours. When I ask you a question, the only acceptable answers are almost always going to be 'Yes, Master' and 'No, Master.' Do you understand?"
Yes, that's absolutely the first thing an abuse survivor who has not really consented to a scene needs to hear. For a newbie who is consenting to and desirous of utterly submitting, this establishment of dominance and humiliation of a new submissive would at best be borderline for me. For someone who has been abused and really doesn't want to participate, this humiliation makes me sick. (And I'm one of those rare folks who really appreciates a good humiliation scene.)
On the one hand, the breaking of the human is clearly the point. On the other, the fact that potentially/normally safe, sane and consensual BDSM techniques are being applied to a non-consenting, manipulated abuse-survivor turned my stomach.
Within seconds or minutes of starting this non-consensual scene, Victor pressures Remus to sign a "Contract of Ownership." Ownership? Within minutes of being forced into a scene and situation he really didn't want? Ownership is very severe, very serious, and not something to be entered into too quickly, and it has no place being asserted in such a negative way over an abused and extremely reluctant new participant.
He took out a pen and scrawled something in a few blank lines, then handed it to me. "Read it over carefully and tell me if you have any questions or changes before you sign." His eyes locked on mine. "This is the last time I'm bound to accept requests from you. After this, you're mine."
No, a Dom is always bound to respect the submissive's safeword and their limits. Always. Otherwise, it's not legal BDSM, but abuse and rape.
I doubted any of this would work, but I also didn't want to die as a victim of vampire mind control. If Victor's methods provided a way out and satisfied my curiosity about Sebastian's lifestyle at the same time, so be it.
Another clear indication that Remus did not truly accept this, but was falling to another Dominant's manipulations, which is what he did with his abusive, former boyfriend. Charitable readers could take this as a form of a consent - a manipulated and tricked (and threatened upon pain of death) consent, so at this point I could barely choke it down. I tried to keep reading by stretching my credulity and treating it as extraordinarily reluctant, dubious consent in the best interests of an injured, possibly dying human.
"Didn't like that, did you?" He brought the end of the crop towards me and I flinched, but he only used it to tilt my chin towards him.
One of Remus's limits was no hitting, yet almost immediately in the first scene for an extremely reluctant, dubiously consenting man with a history of abuse is to tease him about breaking his hard limits. A crop is a tool for hitting, for beating, and Victor teases Remus with it right off the bat even though it clearly threatened a hard limit for Remus. This "experienced" Dom can't even start a scene with someone who really didn't want to be there without basically threatening to blow past one of the very few restrictions Remus had said was essential to his participation.
"I'm the beginning and end of all authority and you will treat me with respect."
Except respect is earned. Even among Doms, for a Dom/Domme, respect is earned by basic conduct. Victor's actions to this point earned him my extreme derision and disdain, not respect.
"R-red," I gasped. He glared furiously. I'd never seen him so angry, not even in the dream after he learned about Sebastian's mark. "Red?" he snarled. "Red is for ending a session. Red is for when you're past your breaking point. It is not for you to throw around when you're simply uncomfortable or something has annoyed you. Do you understand?"
No. Hell no. Hell the goddamned-fuck NO!
Reading Victor's diatribe against a scared, threatened, tricked, forced, and non-consenting newbie literally made me physically ill. It took me a week and a half to even be able to return to write about it (for the review I committed to write upon receiving a free copy of the work).
As far as I'm concerned, Victor's safeword spiel should never, ever be used. I have heard of something similar very occasionally threatened for a very experienced submissive, and even then hearing such an admonition against using a safeword provoked universal derision in the BDSM clubs and networks I was a part of for a decade.
Safewords should be respected at all times for all submissives, otherwise BDSM really isn't safe or consensual, and it becomes abuse, assault and rape. But even if one buys the underlying attitude (only use your safeword when you're ready to give up everything about the scene and/or relationship with the Dom), it might possibly work in advanced scenes by a sub who deeply trusted and had experience with the Dom, and so I find it utterly out of place in this situation.
If you ever misuse a safe word again, I will end more than just our session. It's too crucial to the dynamic between master and submissive. At the very least, I demand that my submissives are capable of telling me when they truly can't handle something. If you ever cry wolf in my dungeon again, it had damn well better be with your legs wrapped around my waist and your nails dug into my back begging me to fuck you harder. Do you understand?
I couldn't believe it would get worse, but it did. It is Victor that is misusing his position as Dom and misusing the safeword. Remus wouldn't have to use it if Victor wasn't so ham-handed and immediately threatened limits of a extraordinarily reluctant sub at the start of their first session. His continued bluster about crying wolf and begging to fuck (crossing another hard limit) can do nothing but shut down the sub's ability to use a safeword when needed. (It's much, much more dangerous for a sub to use a safeword too little rather than too often, especially, especially, especially when a clueless Dom like this one thinks they are so all-knowing and powerful.)
I'm not angry, not anymore. You've simply got to learn to be a good boy.
No, Victor as a Dom needs to learn about to properly train and pace his sub, and not let such extreme anger out in a scene.
"The question is, do you trust me, pup?"
Yes, Master." Who else was there? Sebastian was still in my heart, but in my mind he seemed like a distant memory. In that dungeon room, there was only Victor and I."
Translation: Your sane brother, whom I like and may love, isn't here to protect me, and I'm trapped in a room with a raving, angry, lunatic, so I'd better the fuck say yes if I want to get out of here in one piece.
Remus has a history of extreme abuse. He was manipulated and tricked into the BDSM dungeon. (He was told he would lose his life if he did not agree to participate.) Immediately on reluctantly agreeing, he is treated like utter dirt, pressured into giving up ownership of himself, but also told there were limits that would be respected, and a safeword to protect himself. When those limits were immediately threatened (first teased with a crop, and then told his limit of no sex might be disregarded), he quite reasonably used his safeword.
If Victor did not want Remus to use his safeword so soon, he shouldn't have immediately threatened the very few limits the abused man had set. Even then, Victor could have had a more safe and rational discussion about the role of the safeword, rather than becoming so incredibly angry. Remus had experienced and been so repulsed by Victor's previous anger that he greatly feared the man. According to the story, Victor's level of anger at the mere mention of the safeword was beyond his previous display that Remus found to be so incredibly frightening. A Dom should never channel that type of anger into a scene with a submissive, as it's a sign he is out of control and unable to safely execute any BDSM activities with an edge.
I realize this story is about werewolves and vampires, and normal BDSM rules might not apply in such a "life and death" situation. However, Victor's skill as a Dom (or, in my mind, utter lack thereof) in combination with incomplete and undermined attempts to "follow" some essential BDSM consent and safety practices just ruined any suspension of disbelief for me, and any trust I as a reader might have that he could navigate Remus's abuse and danger in any kind of a constructive way.
I realize this critique can fall into "my way is good/right/correct" and your practice is "incorrect/wrong/bad" so derided in sex/fantasy/relationship reviews and discussions. In a fantasy setting (where Remus's life was on the line), standard safety measures need not apply, but in that case I would have appreciated a bit more interest on Remus's part (making it closer to truly consensual) and/or reluctance or at least understanding on Victor's part.
For example, even a scintilla of rumination by the Dom of the following would have made Victor much more trustworthy to me: Normally, I wouldn't trick/manipulate/force an abuse survivor into submitting so quickly, or immediately humiliate him and threaten his limits, and then let my anger loose on him when he exercises the one right I said he has, but I need to press him beyond normal safety and consent issues to save his life.
However, even if Remus had gladly consented, the angry reaction to the use of the safeword would have just sickened me. If a Dom is that angry, he has no business in being in control of a scene. Of course, I don't believe Victor should be a Dom for many reasons, but the safeword tantrum was the last straw for me, and I couldn't read any more, despite having a "free" book that I needed to review.
I have occasionally read about an "old school" BDSM crowd that formerly practiced this kink in a manner similar to some of the ways described in the book. All I can say to that is if the submissive is truly consenting to that type of treatment, I can see how it could theoretically work. But if a Dom forced such submission on a person, and that person went along not because they wanted it or found it fulfilling at some level, but simply were so weakened and abused they submitted to an angry, strong hand, to me it would abuse and assault. I don't know any Dom who could be so omniscient to tell the difference without some kind of deep and true trust developed and some kind of true safety measures in place.
After the worst scene, there was a little "After Care," but the story is soon back to the non-consensual nature of the relationship, this time outside of the "dungeon contract."
No," I growled. "Stay out of my head." "That's him talking, not you. I know it hurts."
He took the syringe from the night stand and loaded it with a fresh vial that seemed darker than the others. "This will help." Even though I knew it would, something caused me to panic. "No!" I tried to pull away but he caught me and plunged the needle into my neck."
And then finally the "break-through" after another non-consensual assault:
"It's okay. I'm not afraid of you anymore.".
My reaction: I guess exposing a past abuser's worst deeds allows the tormented one to "trust" the one currently manipulating him.
That was 53% of the way through, and as far as I could make it, as unless someone was about to put a stake through an abusive Dom's heart, I had no interest in (and literally not the stomach for) reading further.
Plenty of other readers found the story to be entertaining, so clearly those who are not as invested in BDSM safety parameters (or my experience with them) were engaged by the necessary breaking and rebuilding of the endangered protagonist. (And one bad review won't warp the overall rating of this book.) However, as someone who was a long time practitioner of the kink essential to a crucial scene in the book, I am sharing my honest experience and reaction (even if it is of utter abhorrence).
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
One positive thing I can say about this book: the deep diving portrayals of dangerous/unsafe/non-consensual BDSM/humiliation play are realistic enough that it can clearly trigger me.
This is a paranormal story about a vampire clawing through to an injured human, using BDSM techniques to break the human down in order to save him. On one hand, as a paranormal fantasy book, one can argue that the activities in this story should not have to be judged on real-life BDSM standards. However, while the vampire drew directly on his experience as a Dominant in the BDSM scene while employing many common BDSM activities, he applied them in ways I find to be extremely dangerous and/or abusive. While the vampire needed to "break" the human to save him, I found the application of standard, potentially sane and safe BDSM practices to be implemented in a warped and dangerous manner, in a way that I hope no real-life Dom would ever do. (In particular, the (mis)-use of safewords and the extreme, over-the-top anger are extremely dangerous in real BDSM practice.)
Let me state clearly I am no BDSM prude, even (and perhaps especially) when it comes to the (often derided and misunderstood) humiliation kink. My problems with the particular, introductory BDSM scene in this book is how non-consensual and dangerous it was while being given a veneer of BDSM consent/safety measures, measures that seemed to me to be twisted as to make the unsafe, non-consensual nature even worse. The more a story employs real-life BDSM techniques and safety measures (contracts, safewords, limits, emphasizing the importance of trust), I guess the more I expect the scene to adhere to consent and safety, and not to cross into abusive or endangering activities.
About 40% of the way through the book, Remus (the human protagonist) is introduced to his first BDSM scene in a solidly non-consensual manner, something that I find very troublesome in any semi-realistic portrayal of BDSM. If I had not agreed to review the work, I would have simply stopped reading and deleted the book from my tablet and moved to another title. However, since I received a free copy, I felt I should shoulder on. I have read plenty of extreme stories in the past, including scenes that would make this display appear to be very tame, so I thought I could easily finish the book to provide a complete review. The events of the next pages just became continually more non-consensual and abusive to my eyes, until one event made me physically ill. I am providing my honest reaction based on the first 53% of the work.
Throughout the entire beginning of the book, the protagonist repeatedly indicated he was not interested in pursuing BDSM, insisting time and again that he wasn't a submissive. Remus had previously been the victim of very extreme abuse, leaving him to be a very damaged and endangered victim and survivor. He especially was not interested in pursuing anything with Victor, a man whose violent reactions and anger scared him witless. The immediate lead-up to the initial BDSM scene included many reiterations of his lack of desire and his rejection of submitting to Victor. Victor did not tell Remus they were headed to the dungeon, but had to lead him there on false pretenses, tricking him and manipulating Remus to get to the BDSM scening room in the first place. Trickery and manipulation (and the supernatural threats behind the situation) to get an abuse survivor to submit to something he doesn't want goes against everything that makes BDSM safe, sane and consensual.
The pressure by Victor and the rejection by Remus continued:
"Try to keep an open mind," said Victor. I shook my head. "No, I can't. Please."
Remus clearly said no.
"I just think it's a bad idea." "Do you think it's a bad idea, or is it the person still living inside your head?" I struggled to find an answer and came up empty. "Only one way to find out, you know."
Remus clearly said it was a bad idea, but Victor took advantage of Remus's vulnerable and abused situation, pressuring him with basically a lie ("there is only one way to find out" - not true).
"I still don't know how you tying me up and putting me in a blindfold is going to help," I muttered. He arched an eyebrow. "Well, at least now I know where to start. The most fundamental element of any dominant-submissive relationship is trust. If I can get you to trust me, and I know you're already starting to, I can slip past your mind's defenses and begin to work on the foreign ones set up by the vampire." I still wasn't completely on board with the theory that a vampire had laid some crazy schematics in my mind, but at least I could think about it now without having a panic attack.
The character gets one thing correct - trust is central to a BDSM relationship. Remus's feelings and thoughts about Victor had been so incredibly far from trusting before that point, the Dom's assumptions about Remus's repeated assertions to the contrary were manipulative at best, not indicative of someone who should be trusted. Thinking about it without having a panic attack is so incredibly far from true trust that it's mind blowing to me.
As much as part of me wanted to resist, there was also part of me that knew this might be exactly what I needed.
This was the first hint of consent that came across to me. It made no sense based on Remus's very often repeated previous fear and distrust of Victor, and was an extraordinarily weak indication of willingness given Remus's attitudes.
After tricking, manipulating, and basically threatening an abuse survivor with death, the first thing Victor says to Remus as a Dom is:
"A pup doesn't speak unless his master speaks to him. When you're in my room, you don't walk. You crawl on all fours. When I ask you a question, the only acceptable answers are almost always going to be 'Yes, Master' and 'No, Master.' Do you understand?"
Yes, that's absolutely the first thing an abuse survivor who has not really consented to a scene needs to hear. For a newbie who is consenting to and desirous of utterly submitting, this establishment of dominance and humiliation of a new submissive would at best be borderline for me. For someone who has been abused and really doesn't want to participate, this humiliation makes me sick. (And I'm one of those rare folks who really appreciates a good humiliation scene.)
On the one hand, the breaking of the human is clearly the point. On the other, the fact that potentially/normally safe, sane and consensual BDSM techniques are being applied to a non-consenting, manipulated abuse-survivor turned my stomach.
Within seconds or minutes of starting this non-consensual scene, Victor pressures Remus to sign a "Contract of Ownership." Ownership? Within minutes of being forced into a scene and situation he really didn't want? Ownership is very severe, very serious, and not something to be entered into too quickly, and it has no place being asserted in such a negative way over an abused and extremely reluctant new participant.
He took out a pen and scrawled something in a few blank lines, then handed it to me. "Read it over carefully and tell me if you have any questions or changes before you sign." His eyes locked on mine. "This is the last time I'm bound to accept requests from you. After this, you're mine."
No, a Dom is always bound to respect the submissive's safeword and their limits. Always. Otherwise, it's not legal BDSM, but abuse and rape.
I doubted any of this would work, but I also didn't want to die as a victim of vampire mind control. If Victor's methods provided a way out and satisfied my curiosity about Sebastian's lifestyle at the same time, so be it.
Another clear indication that Remus did not truly accept this, but was falling to another Dominant's manipulations, which is what he did with his abusive, former boyfriend. Charitable readers could take this as a form of a consent - a manipulated and tricked (and threatened upon pain of death) consent, so at this point I could barely choke it down. I tried to keep reading by stretching my credulity and treating it as extraordinarily reluctant, dubious consent in the best interests of an injured, possibly dying human.
"Didn't like that, did you?" He brought the end of the crop towards me and I flinched, but he only used it to tilt my chin towards him.
One of Remus's limits was no hitting, yet almost immediately in the first scene for an extremely reluctant, dubiously consenting man with a history of abuse is to tease him about breaking his hard limits. A crop is a tool for hitting, for beating, and Victor teases Remus with it right off the bat even though it clearly threatened a hard limit for Remus. This "experienced" Dom can't even start a scene with someone who really didn't want to be there without basically threatening to blow past one of the very few restrictions Remus had said was essential to his participation.
"I'm the beginning and end of all authority and you will treat me with respect."
Except respect is earned. Even among Doms, for a Dom/Domme, respect is earned by basic conduct. Victor's actions to this point earned him my extreme derision and disdain, not respect.
"R-red," I gasped. He glared furiously. I'd never seen him so angry, not even in the dream after he learned about Sebastian's mark. "Red?" he snarled. "Red is for ending a session. Red is for when you're past your breaking point. It is not for you to throw around when you're simply uncomfortable or something has annoyed you. Do you understand?"
No. Hell no. Hell the goddamned-fuck NO!
Reading Victor's diatribe against a scared, threatened, tricked, forced, and non-consenting newbie literally made me physically ill. It took me a week and a half to even be able to return to write about it (for the review I committed to write upon receiving a free copy of the work).
As far as I'm concerned, Victor's safeword spiel should never, ever be used. I have heard of something similar very occasionally threatened for a very experienced submissive, and even then hearing such an admonition against using a safeword provoked universal derision in the BDSM clubs and networks I was a part of for a decade.
Safewords should be respected at all times for all submissives, otherwise BDSM really isn't safe or consensual, and it becomes abuse, assault and rape. But even if one buys the underlying attitude (only use your safeword when you're ready to give up everything about the scene and/or relationship with the Dom), it might possibly work in advanced scenes by a sub who deeply trusted and had experience with the Dom, and so I find it utterly out of place in this situation.
If you ever misuse a safe word again, I will end more than just our session. It's too crucial to the dynamic between master and submissive. At the very least, I demand that my submissives are capable of telling me when they truly can't handle something. If you ever cry wolf in my dungeon again, it had damn well better be with your legs wrapped around my waist and your nails dug into my back begging me to fuck you harder. Do you understand?
I couldn't believe it would get worse, but it did. It is Victor that is misusing his position as Dom and misusing the safeword. Remus wouldn't have to use it if Victor wasn't so ham-handed and immediately threatened limits of a extraordinarily reluctant sub at the start of their first session. His continued bluster about crying wolf and begging to fuck (crossing another hard limit) can do nothing but shut down the sub's ability to use a safeword when needed. (It's much, much more dangerous for a sub to use a safeword too little rather than too often, especially, especially, especially when a clueless Dom like this one thinks they are so all-knowing and powerful.)
I'm not angry, not anymore. You've simply got to learn to be a good boy.
No, Victor as a Dom needs to learn about to properly train and pace his sub, and not let such extreme anger out in a scene.
"The question is, do you trust me, pup?"
Yes, Master." Who else was there? Sebastian was still in my heart, but in my mind he seemed like a distant memory. In that dungeon room, there was only Victor and I."
Translation: Your sane brother, whom I like and may love, isn't here to protect me, and I'm trapped in a room with a raving, angry, lunatic, so I'd better the fuck say yes if I want to get out of here in one piece.
Remus has a history of extreme abuse. He was manipulated and tricked into the BDSM dungeon. (He was told he would lose his life if he did not agree to participate.) Immediately on reluctantly agreeing, he is treated like utter dirt, pressured into giving up ownership of himself, but also told there were limits that would be respected, and a safeword to protect himself. When those limits were immediately threatened (first teased with a crop, and then told his limit of no sex might be disregarded), he quite reasonably used his safeword.
If Victor did not want Remus to use his safeword so soon, he shouldn't have immediately threatened the very few limits the abused man had set. Even then, Victor could have had a more safe and rational discussion about the role of the safeword, rather than becoming so incredibly angry. Remus had experienced and been so repulsed by Victor's previous anger that he greatly feared the man. According to the story, Victor's level of anger at the mere mention of the safeword was beyond his previous display that Remus found to be so incredibly frightening. A Dom should never channel that type of anger into a scene with a submissive, as it's a sign he is out of control and unable to safely execute any BDSM activities with an edge.
I realize this story is about werewolves and vampires, and normal BDSM rules might not apply in such a "life and death" situation. However, Victor's skill as a Dom (or, in my mind, utter lack thereof) in combination with incomplete and undermined attempts to "follow" some essential BDSM consent and safety practices just ruined any suspension of disbelief for me, and any trust I as a reader might have that he could navigate Remus's abuse and danger in any kind of a constructive way.
I realize this critique can fall into "my way is good/right/correct" and your practice is "incorrect/wrong/bad" so derided in sex/fantasy/relationship reviews and discussions. In a fantasy setting (where Remus's life was on the line), standard safety measures need not apply, but in that case I would have appreciated a bit more interest on Remus's part (making it closer to truly consensual) and/or reluctance or at least understanding on Victor's part.
For example, even a scintilla of rumination by the Dom of the following would have made Victor much more trustworthy to me: Normally, I wouldn't trick/manipulate/force an abuse survivor into submitting so quickly, or immediately humiliate him and threaten his limits, and then let my anger loose on him when he exercises the one right I said he has, but I need to press him beyond normal safety and consent issues to save his life.
However, even if Remus had gladly consented, the angry reaction to the use of the safeword would have just sickened me. If a Dom is that angry, he has no business in being in control of a scene. Of course, I don't believe Victor should be a Dom for many reasons, but the safeword tantrum was the last straw for me, and I couldn't read any more, despite having a "free" book that I needed to review.
I have occasionally read about an "old school" BDSM crowd that formerly practiced this kink in a manner similar to some of the ways described in the book. All I can say to that is if the submissive is truly consenting to that type of treatment, I can see how it could theoretically work. But if a Dom forced such submission on a person, and that person went along not because they wanted it or found it fulfilling at some level, but simply were so weakened and abused they submitted to an angry, strong hand, to me it would abuse and assault. I don't know any Dom who could be so omniscient to tell the difference without some kind of deep and true trust developed and some kind of true safety measures in place.
After the worst scene, there was a little "After Care," but the story is soon back to the non-consensual nature of the relationship, this time outside of the "dungeon contract."
No," I growled. "Stay out of my head." "That's him talking, not you. I know it hurts."
He took the syringe from the night stand and loaded it with a fresh vial that seemed darker than the others. "This will help." Even though I knew it would, something caused me to panic. "No!" I tried to pull away but he caught me and plunged the needle into my neck."
And then finally the "break-through" after another non-consensual assault:
"It's okay. I'm not afraid of you anymore.".
My reaction: I guess exposing a past abuser's worst deeds allows the tormented one to "trust" the one currently manipulating him.
That was 53% of the way through, and as far as I could make it, as unless someone was about to put a stake through an abusive Dom's heart, I had no interest in (and literally not the stomach for) reading further.
Plenty of other readers found the story to be entertaining, so clearly those who are not as invested in BDSM safety parameters (or my experience with them) were engaged by the necessary breaking and rebuilding of the endangered protagonist. (And one bad review won't warp the overall rating of this book.) However, as someone who was a long time practitioner of the kink essential to a crucial scene in the book, I am sharing my honest experience and reaction (even if it is of utter abhorrence).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2017
I loved this book until the end. It was a new take on paranormal vampire/werewolf Romance and even though I read some MM I haven't actually picked one up with a femme MC. So it was new and interesting but in the end 2 out if the 3 MCs were completely different people. Even though I understand why, I didn't like it. It's made Remus somewhat unlikable and Sebastion turns into an asshole and then what happens after... I just wish it had played out differently.
Team Victor! ( I don't think I've ever claimed a team before, haha.) Though I'm pretty sure enough hints were dropped about the final outcome. Could be wrong!
I'm about 25%into book 2 and I'm drawn back in but still don't like any of them as much as I had before all that. Book 2 also skips forward several months and I think that time was critical to understanding the new and old relationships. Anyway I'm going to keep going but not completely sure I'll finish it.
Team Victor! ( I don't think I've ever claimed a team before, haha.) Though I'm pretty sure enough hints were dropped about the final outcome. Could be wrong!
I'm about 25%into book 2 and I'm drawn back in but still don't like any of them as much as I had before all that. Book 2 also skips forward several months and I think that time was critical to understanding the new and old relationships. Anyway I'm going to keep going but not completely sure I'll finish it.
June 19, 2016
Ok so I wasn't sure about this book and was busting for a resolution at the end - but NO !!! Damn another book required. So I need to know what will happen with Remus, Sebastian and Victor - guess it's book 2 for this paranormal adventure
December 11, 2016
Bad D/s. Dom doesn't walk his talk. He manipulates and lies to his sub. No trust. Cliffhanger.
March 29, 2017
This was recommended to me by a fellow reviewer and friend, and boy am I glad I listened! It wasn’t anything like what I was expecting, but I ended up enthralled just the same. All is definitely not as it seems from pretty much every direction and it made for quite an interesting story.
There is actually very little BDSM in this story. The wolves run a club and are doms, and Remus is tricked into participating in one of the club’s rituals, but that’s pretty much the extent of it. The story quickly moves past that to the paranormal aspects.
Poor Remus is just trying to lay low and start over after escaping the clutches of his abusive ex. He is drawn into a whole other world when his roommate talks him into accompanying him to a secret club where he is quickly recognized by twin wolves, Sebastian and Victor. Remus ends up being thrust into the contest for the Alpha’s Pet, and not surprisingly, he wins. It takes quite a while for him to realize it isn’t all games and that the wolves are actually real, but after Sebastian recognizes Remus as his soulmate, things get even more complicated for Remus, as Sebastian has accidentally marked him which causes all sorts of problems that play out throughout the rest of the story.
In the midst of this is Victor, who also believes Remus is his soulmate, though he concedes he has been marked by Sebastian and somewhat steps aside. That is, until circumstances force otherwise. There is a lot of back and forth with Victor about whether he is good or evil, though I was with Remus most of the time wanting to trust him. There is a lot going on in this story, with a lot more to Remus’ background and issues that slowly become more clear. Suffice to say there are a lot of complications in the way of Remus and his finding happiness.
I’m still not sure where this story is headed. Will Remus and Sebastian work out or will the events that occurred have caused irreparable harm? Will sweet Victor, who has spent most of his life trying to ease things for Sebastian, finally get his own piece of happiness? Will they end up in some sort of triad? It definitely feels as though the three are intertwined and all need each other, so I’ll keep my fingers crossed for all of them.
While this is a long story, I was turning pages so fast that I never noticed and was definitely not ready for it to be over. It has been quite a while since I was this engrossed in a story that I was left with little desire to start something different. I can’t wait to jump into the next installment and hope it is as fulfilling as this one turned out to be!
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
July 1, 2016
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
4.5 Stars
This is a really difficult book to both review and rate.
If I took into account the editing my rating would have been far lower but the story was fresh, brought a new twist to the shifter/vampire theme and it really pulled me in from the start so my rating is based on the story. This will be a short review so I don’t give too much away.
The story concentrates on Remus, a young man who has moved across the country to flee his abusive boyfriend, and is starting over at a new University. Immediately he acquires a new roommate, Arthur, who appears friendly and is determined to take Remus to a local BDSM club called The Lodge. This all happens very quickly at the start of the story but that one night has some major repercussions and life for Remus as he knew it will never be the same.
The Lodge is run by a group of men who are referred to as wolves, there is even an Alpha in charge, but it takes a bit of time for Remus to realise they are actual wolves, as in shape shifters, and he has been dropped right into their den. On top of that Victor and Sebastian, twin brothers who are wolves at The Lodge, both seem to have a claim on Remus but its Sebastian that gets there first and claims him as his mate.
The problems that Remus finds himself having to deal with can be traced back to his birth. Sebastian and Victor know far more about him than he first realises as his own memory doesn’t always recall everything that it should. The twins are very different in personality and they call to Remus in different ways but nothing good can come of two brothers fighting over the same man.
I loved all the characters and even though the book is over 400 pages long I wasn’t at all surprised when there was no resolution at the end. Remus finds himself in a difficult position, he has changed beyond recognition and it would appear he needs both men to have any chance of a future. I’m excited to start the next book in the series, especially after the events in the epilogue. There are exciting times ahead for sure.
As a side note – ignore the link on Amazon that points to this book being MMM and containing BDSM. There is no menage at all and only one very light BDSM scene that is relevant to the story line.
4.5 Stars
This is a really difficult book to both review and rate.
If I took into account the editing my rating would have been far lower but the story was fresh, brought a new twist to the shifter/vampire theme and it really pulled me in from the start so my rating is based on the story. This will be a short review so I don’t give too much away.
The story concentrates on Remus, a young man who has moved across the country to flee his abusive boyfriend, and is starting over at a new University. Immediately he acquires a new roommate, Arthur, who appears friendly and is determined to take Remus to a local BDSM club called The Lodge. This all happens very quickly at the start of the story but that one night has some major repercussions and life for Remus as he knew it will never be the same.
The Lodge is run by a group of men who are referred to as wolves, there is even an Alpha in charge, but it takes a bit of time for Remus to realise they are actual wolves, as in shape shifters, and he has been dropped right into their den. On top of that Victor and Sebastian, twin brothers who are wolves at The Lodge, both seem to have a claim on Remus but its Sebastian that gets there first and claims him as his mate.
The problems that Remus finds himself having to deal with can be traced back to his birth. Sebastian and Victor know far more about him than he first realises as his own memory doesn’t always recall everything that it should. The twins are very different in personality and they call to Remus in different ways but nothing good can come of two brothers fighting over the same man.
I loved all the characters and even though the book is over 400 pages long I wasn’t at all surprised when there was no resolution at the end. Remus finds himself in a difficult position, he has changed beyond recognition and it would appear he needs both men to have any chance of a future. I’m excited to start the next book in the series, especially after the events in the epilogue. There are exciting times ahead for sure.
As a side note – ignore the link on Amazon that points to this book being MMM and containing BDSM. There is no menage at all and only one very light BDSM scene that is relevant to the story line.
August 18, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Overall, this is Remus’ story. The book is told entirely from his POV and while so much of it is also Sebastian and Victor’s story, everything is filtered through Remus. At the beginning, Remus is looking forward to starting over and he’s wary but he’s still trying to please everyone. This includes his new roommate who convinces Remus to attend an exclusive club where Remus’ story truly begins. The club is run by a group of mysterious guys know as the Wolf Pack and stating that the title is literal isn’t giving anything away. Remus immediately catches the attention of Sebastian and Victor and in no time Sebastian marks Remus and claims him, which sends Victor into a rage. But nothing is at it seems at all and Victor’s reaction involves years of longing and waiting.
Also here, and a large component of the book, are the relationships between Remus and Sebastian and Remus and Victor. While Sebastian claims Remus as his mate, Remus does spend more time with Victor. It’s all fated mates love and I would have liked to have seen more relationship development past the we-are-just-meant-to-be-together, especially where Remus and Sebastian are concerned. There is nothing traditional about these relationships from any aspect, which completely worked for me and was one area that made this book even better for me. But this is billed as a love triangle and who Remus will ultimately wind up with is still left open as he develops a relationship with both brothers.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Overall, this is Remus’ story. The book is told entirely from his POV and while so much of it is also Sebastian and Victor’s story, everything is filtered through Remus. At the beginning, Remus is looking forward to starting over and he’s wary but he’s still trying to please everyone. This includes his new roommate who convinces Remus to attend an exclusive club where Remus’ story truly begins. The club is run by a group of mysterious guys know as the Wolf Pack and stating that the title is literal isn’t giving anything away. Remus immediately catches the attention of Sebastian and Victor and in no time Sebastian marks Remus and claims him, which sends Victor into a rage. But nothing is at it seems at all and Victor’s reaction involves years of longing and waiting.
Also here, and a large component of the book, are the relationships between Remus and Sebastian and Remus and Victor. While Sebastian claims Remus as his mate, Remus does spend more time with Victor. It’s all fated mates love and I would have liked to have seen more relationship development past the we-are-just-meant-to-be-together, especially where Remus and Sebastian are concerned. There is nothing traditional about these relationships from any aspect, which completely worked for me and was one area that made this book even better for me. But this is billed as a love triangle and who Remus will ultimately wind up with is still left open as he develops a relationship with both brothers.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
Read
April 23, 2019Not for me
August 22, 2016
* This book has been given to me in exchange for an honest review *
This is the first book in the series and it ended with a cliffhanger (one that I really didn't like).
This is a story about a young, feminine looking guy - college student who after changing his uni and moving to another city gets in the middle of the world full of supernatural creatures. I wouldn't call this book a romance, not really. Love is obviously very important here since everything starts due to the idea of mates and everything here is more or less connected with being a soulmate, choosing Your mate and falling in love, but it is just a glue, a background for everything else. This also not a BDSM story , so don't worry. There is only one scene that might be called BDSM but it wasn't anything hardcore . For me this book was a nice shifter story, full of adventures and making choices.
I was really excited after reading blurb because it sounded like super hot and interesting book. I got sucked in from the beginning, but somewhere near 40% I got a little bit bored - I didn't feel ANY connection or chemistry between Remus and Sebastian. Hell, I didn't see anything between Remus and Victor either :( They were just fighting and talking and some things that were probably supposed to be some kind of a shock were quite predictable and obvious from the beginning. Later it all got better, I read the second half of the book in one sitting! It was kinda incredible that L.C. Davis were able to explain everything that happened in the past and connect all of those things with Remus' present problems. Honestly, I was impressed.
The way of writing was good, this book really needs some editing because sometimes it was confusing. The pace of the story is fast at the beginning - the first 10-15% it seems like everything is happening all at once, than it felt like he did nothing but slept, talked and dreamed about wolves. The closer to the end it is the more action we get, the last 30% goes so fast I didn't even realize I was almost finished.
As much as I really liked the world created here and I absolutely adored this old legend told by the Alpha, it lacked some real feelings and emotions. All I saw was desperation and fear and there is so much more I wanted to read about. Ugggh.
MCs are likable, especially Sebastian with his sense of humor and open heart. What is surprising I LOVED the worse character here - I think Remus' mother was perfectly described and she was the most believable person in the whole story! I didn't understand Remus' actions and sometimes he was acting like a lunatic . He is immature and seems like he doesn't know what he wants. Same goes to Victor, who betrays his own brother but in the same time says he loves him and would die for him.
Apart from all of these, it was a good story, it was nice to spend time in this supernatural world and I want to read part #2. I will read part #2 because I am curious and I hate cliffhanger.
This is the first book in the series and it ended with a cliffhanger (one that I really didn't like).
This is a story about a young, feminine looking guy - college student who after changing his uni and moving to another city gets in the middle of the world full of supernatural creatures. I wouldn't call this book a romance, not really. Love is obviously very important here since everything starts due to the idea of mates and everything here is more or less connected with being a soulmate, choosing Your mate and falling in love, but it is just a glue, a background for everything else. This also not a BDSM story , so don't worry. There is only one scene that might be called BDSM but it wasn't anything hardcore . For me this book was a nice shifter story, full of adventures and making choices.
I was really excited after reading blurb because it sounded like super hot and interesting book. I got sucked in from the beginning, but somewhere near 40% I got a little bit bored - I didn't feel ANY connection or chemistry between Remus and Sebastian. Hell, I didn't see anything between Remus and Victor either :( They were just fighting and talking and some things that were probably supposed to be some kind of a shock were quite predictable and obvious from the beginning. Later it all got better, I read the second half of the book in one sitting! It was kinda incredible that L.C. Davis were able to explain everything that happened in the past and connect all of those things with Remus' present problems. Honestly, I was impressed.
The way of writing was good, this book really needs some editing because sometimes it was confusing. The pace of the story is fast at the beginning - the first 10-15% it seems like everything is happening all at once, than it felt like he did nothing but slept, talked and dreamed about wolves. The closer to the end it is the more action we get, the last 30% goes so fast I didn't even realize I was almost finished.
As much as I really liked the world created here and I absolutely adored this old legend told by the Alpha, it lacked some real feelings and emotions. All I saw was desperation and fear and there is so much more I wanted to read about. Ugggh.
MCs are likable, especially Sebastian with his sense of humor and open heart. What is surprising I LOVED the worse character here - I think Remus' mother was perfectly described and she was the most believable person in the whole story! I didn't understand Remus' actions and sometimes he was acting like a lunatic . He is immature and seems like he doesn't know what he wants. Same goes to Victor, who betrays his own brother but in the same time says he loves him and would die for him.
Apart from all of these, it was a good story, it was nice to spend time in this supernatural world and I want to read part #2. I will read part #2 because I am curious and I hate cliffhanger.
December 31, 2016
3.5 Hearts
A lot happened in this story which deviated from the blurb. Don’t get me wrong, what is in the blurb is definitely in the story, but there is so much more.
This intricately plotted out story seems to have many threads to follow. If you’re looking for a paranormal BDSM story, you will not find it here. Yes, there is some BDSM in a dungeon setting, but it seems to take a back seat to the broader story line. I wouldn’t even call this a BDSM erotica story. I would say that there is a minimal amount, and it really doesn’t have much to do with anything. It was a catch, to get Remus to where he needed to be. I think this could have been achieved another way, but obviously, this was the author’s choice. Once there, the story opened up into a world of Werewolves, Vampires, and the secrets buried deep within Remus’ mind. It was definitely a fascinating read. It certainly kept me in its grasp throughout. There were a few plot holes, and I didn’t really get a good image of what the werewolves looked like, but it was otherwise a good start to a series.
Gritty and a little bit dub-con, Remus has been caught between twins, both for whom Remus is their mate. This isn’t stated, but is pretty obvious from the beginning. I’m not giving anything away, I promise.
Remus’ personality grows into something more than the skittish human whom we first meet on his first day at a new university. He’s run from his abusive ex, and is understandably trying to regain his footing. Brought up in a revolving door of foster families, Remus second guesses himself often, is deeply scarred, both emotionally, and physically. With his meeting of his new classmate cum roommate, Sebastian, and Victor, this story turns into a maze of interconnectedness that made my mind spin at times, but showed that the author has a great imagination.
I enjoyed the development of Remus. I enjoyed the development of his friendship with Victor. I wasn’t totally convinced on his relationship with Sebastian. I didn’t really feel it. There was more time spent with Remus and Victor, and the development was much stronger. I’m more interested in how they progress through this series, and think that maybe Sebastian should look for someone else.
There are a few nice twists in this story, and I’m very interested in continuing this journey. There were some grammar issues, which I think needs a re-edit. They didn’t detract too much from the overall enjoyment of the story, but there were more than there should be, and it did pull me out of the story at times.
I would recommend this to those who enjoy Werewolf and vampire erotic love stories. This is a little darker and less fluffy than standard, which I prefer. A lot of the character’s have questionable morals. I like this grey area.
I will say, I need a bit more detail on the fundamentals of the pack, vampire politics, and overall world building, but I’m hoping those gaps will be filled along the way. There’ a nice blend of author’s imagination and common folklore to make this a unique reading experience.
A lot happened in this story which deviated from the blurb. Don’t get me wrong, what is in the blurb is definitely in the story, but there is so much more.
This intricately plotted out story seems to have many threads to follow. If you’re looking for a paranormal BDSM story, you will not find it here. Yes, there is some BDSM in a dungeon setting, but it seems to take a back seat to the broader story line. I wouldn’t even call this a BDSM erotica story. I would say that there is a minimal amount, and it really doesn’t have much to do with anything. It was a catch, to get Remus to where he needed to be. I think this could have been achieved another way, but obviously, this was the author’s choice. Once there, the story opened up into a world of Werewolves, Vampires, and the secrets buried deep within Remus’ mind. It was definitely a fascinating read. It certainly kept me in its grasp throughout. There were a few plot holes, and I didn’t really get a good image of what the werewolves looked like, but it was otherwise a good start to a series.
Gritty and a little bit dub-con, Remus has been caught between twins, both for whom Remus is their mate. This isn’t stated, but is pretty obvious from the beginning. I’m not giving anything away, I promise.
Remus’ personality grows into something more than the skittish human whom we first meet on his first day at a new university. He’s run from his abusive ex, and is understandably trying to regain his footing. Brought up in a revolving door of foster families, Remus second guesses himself often, is deeply scarred, both emotionally, and physically. With his meeting of his new classmate cum roommate, Sebastian, and Victor, this story turns into a maze of interconnectedness that made my mind spin at times, but showed that the author has a great imagination.
I enjoyed the development of Remus. I enjoyed the development of his friendship with Victor. I wasn’t totally convinced on his relationship with Sebastian. I didn’t really feel it. There was more time spent with Remus and Victor, and the development was much stronger. I’m more interested in how they progress through this series, and think that maybe Sebastian should look for someone else.
There are a few nice twists in this story, and I’m very interested in continuing this journey. There were some grammar issues, which I think needs a re-edit. They didn’t detract too much from the overall enjoyment of the story, but there were more than there should be, and it did pull me out of the story at times.
I would recommend this to those who enjoy Werewolf and vampire erotic love stories. This is a little darker and less fluffy than standard, which I prefer. A lot of the character’s have questionable morals. I like this grey area.
I will say, I need a bit more detail on the fundamentals of the pack, vampire politics, and overall world building, but I’m hoping those gaps will be filled along the way. There’ a nice blend of author’s imagination and common folklore to make this a unique reading experience.
September 4, 2022
3⭐️
No debería ser etiquetado como BDSM, hell no. Si la historia no tuviera esa parte no habría hecho ninguna diferencia. No, me corrijo, siento que si no hubiera existido esa parte del BDSM algunas partes de la historia que se sienten poco creíbles no hubieran existido. En síntesis, la historia hubiese estado mejor.
Porque la historia está bien. El argumento, la trama y el plot están bien. Un poco de cliché aquí y allá, condimentados con un poco de frustración típica de un triángulo amoroso y algunas decisiones estúpidamente ridículas, pero está bien. La historia es entretenida y adictiva.
Los personajes son frustrantes, pero al mismo tiempo amo a los tres. Remus, Víctor y Sebastian.
El triángulo amoroso... uhm, para mi Remus debería de tener a ambos y listo. Para qué elegir 🤣 Sin embargo, tengo a mi favorito. Víctor, obvio. Aunque Sebastian con su síndrome de Husky también quiere hacerse lugar en mi corazón en ocasiones.
En fin, obviamente voy a leer la segunda historia porque estoy enganchadísima.
PD: ni siquiera quiero recomendar esta novela a mis amigas por vergüenza a que vean la capa, o sea por yeezus. La portada es horrible.
No debería ser etiquetado como BDSM, hell no. Si la historia no tuviera esa parte no habría hecho ninguna diferencia. No, me corrijo, siento que si no hubiera existido esa parte del BDSM algunas partes de la historia que se sienten poco creíbles no hubieran existido. En síntesis, la historia hubiese estado mejor.
Porque la historia está bien. El argumento, la trama y el plot están bien. Un poco de cliché aquí y allá, condimentados con un poco de frustración típica de un triángulo amoroso y algunas decisiones estúpidamente ridículas, pero está bien. La historia es entretenida y adictiva.
Los personajes son frustrantes, pero al mismo tiempo amo a los tres. Remus, Víctor y Sebastian.
El triángulo amoroso... uhm, para mi Remus debería de tener a ambos y listo. Para qué elegir 🤣 Sin embargo, tengo a mi favorito. Víctor, obvio. Aunque Sebastian con su síndrome de Husky también quiere hacerse lugar en mi corazón en ocasiones.
En fin, obviamente voy a leer la segunda historia porque estoy enganchadísima.
PD: ni siquiera quiero recomendar esta novela a mis amigas por vergüenza a que vean la capa, o sea por yeezus. La portada es horrible.
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September 2, 2019My rating for this book is all over the place. It ranges from four stars to two to three and a half and so on. I have to say this is a fresh take on the Paranormal genre so that I enjoyed. And the author did a nice job of keeping us guessing about which of the two brothers our MC would choose. I've just finished the book and I still don't know who I prefer for Remus. There are times when story dragged a bit and other times when it downright made me mad like when Remus blatantly stupidly lied to Sebastian. At the End of This Book I'm sort of leaning towards Victor but I still don't know for sure. I will say this book sure needs a good editor, you can expect a lot of improbable acts such as someone biting their own neck or somebody's hands tied by somebody else's back. Still I do think overall this was pretty good and I did get caught up and managed to finish this so I'll probably continue it. Just not sure if I'm up for more right now.
October 4, 2022
Sentí que esta historia era más de Joel que de Davis, odio los triángulos, tal vez eso me influye en la calificación, amo tanto a Joel como Davis pero Joel siempre es más oscuro y denso que Davis y acá esta historia se me hizo algo pesada. Espero que el segundo libro sea más llevadero y se resuelva ese triangulo en trío 🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2016
"'We're kind of out in the open here,' he laughed coming up for air. I didn't care. My fear of him was fading with every moment that passed. The moon's rays streaming through the trees were warm and encouraging."
4 mark me stars!! Dirty, dirty hot!
Remus is recovering slowly from a past abusive relationship. Looking for a new start on life his roommate convinces him to join him at the Lodge, a upscale & secretive BDSM club. It's here he's thrown into the Wolf Pack and they class him as a submissive, which is the last thing Remus wants. He's also surprised to find out the Wolf Pack is just that, a pack of wolves, shifters if you will. And things get even stranger when the two Alpha brothers both claim Remus as theirs.
This book isn't my usual genre, but it sounded interesting. I enjoyed the book overall, it definitely kept me intrigued as I read. The chemistry is sexy and the story is more unique than I've read in awhile. Great start to the series and I can't wait to see where it goes next!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
4 mark me stars!! Dirty, dirty hot!
Remus is recovering slowly from a past abusive relationship. Looking for a new start on life his roommate convinces him to join him at the Lodge, a upscale & secretive BDSM club. It's here he's thrown into the Wolf Pack and they class him as a submissive, which is the last thing Remus wants. He's also surprised to find out the Wolf Pack is just that, a pack of wolves, shifters if you will. And things get even stranger when the two Alpha brothers both claim Remus as theirs.
This book isn't my usual genre, but it sounded interesting. I enjoyed the book overall, it definitely kept me intrigued as I read. The chemistry is sexy and the story is more unique than I've read in awhile. Great start to the series and I can't wait to see where it goes next!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
April 14, 2016
While I really liked this book, I would have held off reading it until the next book was out. It's 400 pages to read and get invested in the story and characters, just to be disappointed with how it ends. I like HEA endings and this ending was definitely not that. I really hope that Remus gets a HEA with both brothers, it is well deserved for the three of them. Hoping it doesn't take to long for the next book. I also hope the author puts what kind of ending it has in the synopsis!
June 16, 2017
KU
Absolutely fantastic if you can get past the need for proofing. The blurb is accurate and all I'll add is that after reading this, I immediately grabbed the others in the series. No cliffhanger but also not a HEA. !st book of a series but all should be read and in order.
Absolutely fantastic if you can get past the need for proofing. The blurb is accurate and all I'll add is that after reading this, I immediately grabbed the others in the series. No cliffhanger but also not a HEA. !st book of a series but all should be read and in order.
June 18, 2017
I am giving up on this. I really can't read anymore and I've only gotten to 28%. There hasn't been any BDSM scenes yet but I really cannot continue reading.
You see, it is mentioned over and over and over, beating that dead horse, that the main character, Remus Black, had just transferred from a college in Austin, Texas. I go to college in Austin, Texas. As far as I know there are only two colleges, Austin Community College (ACC) and the University of Texas at Austin (UT), but in this story the college is Austin University (AU). Fine, the actual colleges in the city don't have to be used, in fact, that is probably better, but I'm still going to compare the schools fiction vs. reality.
I've lived in Texas my whole life. To some, little references about their home state might be cute and fun, but to me, it is annoying, especially when I disagree with the reference and stereotype. Every reference just left me confused. Remus refers to Austin like it is some sort of tiny town when in reality Austin has a very large population, over a million people. He also paints the city like it is very conservative or at least demographically lacking in diversity when in reality, Austin is not only a very diverse place, it is a sanctuary city where ethnic minorities are actual a majority and UT also has a very large non-white population. UT itself has a student population of around 60,000 people, large enough to rival a small city.
In addition to being demographically diverse, Austin also has a very large "hipster" crowd, which is something I have to point out since it is mentioned so often that the people of Washington in this new college are super hipsters and Remus acts like he's never seen one before. Being a college town, Austin is very liberal and geared towards young people. Remus also acts like he was sort of closeted gay in Texas because they didn't recognize it. Remus, you idiot, Austin has a huge LGBT population and your homosexuality would not have gone unnoticed (and would have been perfectly accepted). Again, Austin is super liberal and the contrast Remus tries to paint does not fit.
Remus frequently, to the point of it being infuriating, tries to make these comparisons between Austin and Texas to his new college and Washington. No, sweetie, you would find Washington to be boring, tame, too conservative, and too small all because Austin is ridiculously different from how the author describes it.
And that was just my first issue. The second one was Remus himself. He is described to have an unusual name that people always remember, but Remus Black is in no way unusual. Unique, sure, but not strange or weird. Remus was a name from Harry Potter, people his age would at least recognize that, especially since Remus was a werewolf! Then he is also seems to be very attractive, to the point of winning a random submissive contest essentially on his looks alone. And he is the perfect student, making good grades, working, tutoring, etc. How unrelatable. He also acts one part one part like an abuse victim and one part like a stupid social idiot. Yet every conversation he has sounds like flirty which I just found annoying.
The plot itself feels very forced even though nothing significant has happened. The timeline is hard to grasp as it starts with the first day of class when Remus conveniently meets Arthur, another gay guy who is super friendly, and Arthur somehow fucks things up with his roommate the very first day and needs a new roommate. Remus and Arthur conveniently become roommates and at some point Arthur convinces Remus to go to a BDSM club with him. Time seems to go by, like a week? Not sure, nothing is clear. Arthur forces Remus to wear submissive clothing, forces him to come along, and Remus ends up entering a submissive competition and winning (for no reason).
Deus Ex Machina story telling aside, the interactions between Remus and Sebastian and Victor have been cringe to read and I can't be bothered to read any more of this. I find myself rolling my eyes more often than not. I don't care for any of the characters, my interest in the plot is paper thin, and my disdain for every time Austin or Texas magnifies my dislike.
No thank you. I will not.
You see, it is mentioned over and over and over, beating that dead horse, that the main character, Remus Black, had just transferred from a college in Austin, Texas. I go to college in Austin, Texas. As far as I know there are only two colleges, Austin Community College (ACC) and the University of Texas at Austin (UT), but in this story the college is Austin University (AU). Fine, the actual colleges in the city don't have to be used, in fact, that is probably better, but I'm still going to compare the schools fiction vs. reality.
I've lived in Texas my whole life. To some, little references about their home state might be cute and fun, but to me, it is annoying, especially when I disagree with the reference and stereotype. Every reference just left me confused. Remus refers to Austin like it is some sort of tiny town when in reality Austin has a very large population, over a million people. He also paints the city like it is very conservative or at least demographically lacking in diversity when in reality, Austin is not only a very diverse place, it is a sanctuary city where ethnic minorities are actual a majority and UT also has a very large non-white population. UT itself has a student population of around 60,000 people, large enough to rival a small city.
In addition to being demographically diverse, Austin also has a very large "hipster" crowd, which is something I have to point out since it is mentioned so often that the people of Washington in this new college are super hipsters and Remus acts like he's never seen one before. Being a college town, Austin is very liberal and geared towards young people. Remus also acts like he was sort of closeted gay in Texas because they didn't recognize it. Remus, you idiot, Austin has a huge LGBT population and your homosexuality would not have gone unnoticed (and would have been perfectly accepted). Again, Austin is super liberal and the contrast Remus tries to paint does not fit.
Remus frequently, to the point of it being infuriating, tries to make these comparisons between Austin and Texas to his new college and Washington. No, sweetie, you would find Washington to be boring, tame, too conservative, and too small all because Austin is ridiculously different from how the author describes it.
And that was just my first issue. The second one was Remus himself. He is described to have an unusual name that people always remember, but Remus Black is in no way unusual. Unique, sure, but not strange or weird. Remus was a name from Harry Potter, people his age would at least recognize that, especially since Remus was a werewolf! Then he is also seems to be very attractive, to the point of winning a random submissive contest essentially on his looks alone. And he is the perfect student, making good grades, working, tutoring, etc. How unrelatable. He also acts one part one part like an abuse victim and one part like a stupid social idiot. Yet every conversation he has sounds like flirty which I just found annoying.
The plot itself feels very forced even though nothing significant has happened. The timeline is hard to grasp as it starts with the first day of class when Remus conveniently meets Arthur, another gay guy who is super friendly, and Arthur somehow fucks things up with his roommate the very first day and needs a new roommate. Remus and Arthur conveniently become roommates and at some point Arthur convinces Remus to go to a BDSM club with him. Time seems to go by, like a week? Not sure, nothing is clear. Arthur forces Remus to wear submissive clothing, forces him to come along, and Remus ends up entering a submissive competition and winning (for no reason).
Deus Ex Machina story telling aside, the interactions between Remus and Sebastian and Victor have been cringe to read and I can't be bothered to read any more of this. I find myself rolling my eyes more often than not. I don't care for any of the characters, my interest in the plot is paper thin, and my disdain for every time Austin or Texas magnifies my dislike.
No thank you. I will not.
April 3, 2019
Knowing this was a cliffhanger story was good so the end wasn’t a surprise. Very strong characters, good story, many moments of intensity and a looking forward to book two is what this book delivers. Seeing Remus put forward into the game, without his consent and seeing the treatment he was subjected to, was a little disconcerting so I kept my head around the fantasy concept throughout the reading. Watching him trying to come to grips with himself and seeing the power struggles around him was definitely moving. Remus was easily liked, both from the sympathy perspective and just because he was so lost. The brothers, Victor and Sebastian, had their moments of agreeableness 🤗, but they both, also, had moments where I wasn’t particularly fond of them or their actions. The evil we see here is something that keeps the story hopping and gives life to the reading. I’m looking forward to book Two just to see Remus succeed. I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.
February 1, 2019
Once again, Joel Abernathy/LC Davis has left me speechless. Sebastian and Viktor were both frightening and endearing. Remus was, in turns, so delightfully clueless and remarkably well adjusted for someone who just found out that the supernatural was real.
This book was just amazing, and I can't wait for the next book to learn more about this world. Does Sebastian know what Viktor has done to his mind? Will Remus be able to survive gabbing his wolf awakened (the answer is probably yes, but at what cost)? What will the Hunters do as all of these events unfold? How do the Hunters even know that Remus is the hybrid?
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
This book was just amazing, and I can't wait for the next book to learn more about this world. Does Sebastian know what Viktor has done to his mind? Will Remus be able to survive gabbing his wolf awakened (the answer is probably yes, but at what cost)? What will the Hunters do as all of these events unfold? How do the Hunters even know that Remus is the hybrid?
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
March 5, 2017
I have no words
This is just too big for words. I went in expecting some cheesy story but came out at the end of it with my mind blown by both the writing and the story it wove.
The blurb was frustratingly vague and I was a little skeptical of it at first but have come to appreciate its vagueness because it certainly is so much more than advertised.
This is just too big for words. I went in expecting some cheesy story but came out at the end of it with my mind blown by both the writing and the story it wove.
The blurb was frustratingly vague and I was a little skeptical of it at first but have come to appreciate its vagueness because it certainly is so much more than advertised.
October 23, 2017
Great story but far too many editing errors.
May 24, 2018
Intriguing start to a series. Must read the others.
July 14, 2018
You had me right up until the ending. Then the epilogue came and ruined it. It seemed like a bit of a reach or a forgotten last minute addition that was just mushed in at the end.
May 12, 2020
Esta historia está realmente interesante aunque por momento Remus era exasperante, y todo ese rollo de la indecisión entre los hermanos... arg.
March 13, 2017
I loved the world building and the relationships but the editing was horrible. It took me out of the story several times. There were mixed up names, choppy sentences, and incomplete thoughts. Had this book been edited better, I would've given it another star. There is a good book in there but without good editing, it's getting lost in the weeds, which is unfortunate for such a unique and promising book.
December 2, 2016
Book – Pendulum (Kingdom of Night #1)
Author – L.C. Davis
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 434
Cover – Nice
POV – 1st person, 1 character
Would I read it again – Yes
Genre – LGBT, Dark, Paranormal, Vampire, Shifter, Wolf, Romance, BDSM
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
*Warnings (from the author): contains violence, BDSM, historic sexual assault
My own – cheating, love triangle, mind control*
Wow! This was a rollercoaster of a ride. Highs, lows, f'd up moments where I couldn't even figure out how I felt and a very hot, spicy love triangle.
Sure, this was an unedited, unformatted ARC, so there were some editing issues, but I am sure that the skill of this writer would have them cut out during the final editing process, with no problem. Because this author has skill! Through the world-building, the plotting of events that seemed innocuous or unimportant at the time, to the complex emotions that we the reader are put through as well as the main character, it's all a mass of genius!
Normally, 1st person POV isn't my thing. I admit that up front. It takes a special kind of indefinable something to make me fall into a 1st POV. This book managed that. I was hooked right from page one, intrigued by Remus as a main character. I loved him immediately for his charm, his shy nature, his wit and the sweet way that he was so oblivious to things that should have been obvious. Arthur was a great character, too. I loved him from the start, because he was Remus' friend and had a great sense of humour. That didn't change, even after the big revelation at the end of the book. Which I am most definitely NOT telling you about.
I was intrigued by Prentice, as a character, who I thought might have been another love interest at first, but then because suspiciously absent from the story early on, so that never happened. When the reveal came at the end, it all suddenly made sense and I was pleased to know that at least my suspicion of how important he would be turned out right.
As for the twins – Gosh! – they were something. Right from the start of the story, I liked Victor more. I found Sebastian to be a little creep, stalkerish and loved the way that Victor took a step back whenever things got tense. For me, the love triangle was a little Vampire Diaries – the bad brother is by far the more intriguing and attractive, but he gives up everything to his brother, even the love interest, despite having the “I got there first” argument in the bag. I think that only made me love Victor more. Sebastian, for me, had that innocent, childlike quality for a while. He was charming and fun, as he and Remus were friends and hanging out, but as soon as their “mate” connection was presumed (as I saw no real proof that it was secure). If these guys weren't twin brothers, I'd definitely have been waiting for a threesome, because together these two guys make up the one perfect guy.
There was great tension and anticipation throughout the story, alongside the great writing. It was in the way that Remus told the story, by letting us see the real struggle of which brother he liked best, through the dreams, the thought process and even the awkward interactions with both. The way they lived in the BDSM house and interacted with the other Wolves and family there was a great addition, giving Remus a little more company but another side to the story.
~
Overall, it was a fantastic paranormal romance, with tension and some super sexy hot scenes. Though it's only the first in a series, that didn't bother me at all. It had everything I wanted from a novel in this genre.
~
Favourite Quote
““You can be the brains, I'll be the brawn.”
“Brawn?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.
He patted his slightly pudgy stomach. “Hey, there's a lot of it under here. Underneath this flab beats the heart of a warrior.””
““And here I thought werewolves were all about howling at the moon and running around the forest. Who knew your real passion was bureaucracy?”
Author – L.C. Davis
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 434
Cover – Nice
POV – 1st person, 1 character
Would I read it again – Yes
Genre – LGBT, Dark, Paranormal, Vampire, Shifter, Wolf, Romance, BDSM
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
*Warnings (from the author): contains violence, BDSM, historic sexual assault
My own – cheating, love triangle, mind control*
Wow! This was a rollercoaster of a ride. Highs, lows, f'd up moments where I couldn't even figure out how I felt and a very hot, spicy love triangle.
Sure, this was an unedited, unformatted ARC, so there were some editing issues, but I am sure that the skill of this writer would have them cut out during the final editing process, with no problem. Because this author has skill! Through the world-building, the plotting of events that seemed innocuous or unimportant at the time, to the complex emotions that we the reader are put through as well as the main character, it's all a mass of genius!
Normally, 1st person POV isn't my thing. I admit that up front. It takes a special kind of indefinable something to make me fall into a 1st POV. This book managed that. I was hooked right from page one, intrigued by Remus as a main character. I loved him immediately for his charm, his shy nature, his wit and the sweet way that he was so oblivious to things that should have been obvious. Arthur was a great character, too. I loved him from the start, because he was Remus' friend and had a great sense of humour. That didn't change, even after the big revelation at the end of the book. Which I am most definitely NOT telling you about.
I was intrigued by Prentice, as a character, who I thought might have been another love interest at first, but then because suspiciously absent from the story early on, so that never happened. When the reveal came at the end, it all suddenly made sense and I was pleased to know that at least my suspicion of how important he would be turned out right.
As for the twins – Gosh! – they were something. Right from the start of the story, I liked Victor more. I found Sebastian to be a little creep, stalkerish and loved the way that Victor took a step back whenever things got tense. For me, the love triangle was a little Vampire Diaries – the bad brother is by far the more intriguing and attractive, but he gives up everything to his brother, even the love interest, despite having the “I got there first” argument in the bag. I think that only made me love Victor more. Sebastian, for me, had that innocent, childlike quality for a while. He was charming and fun, as he and Remus were friends and hanging out, but as soon as their “mate” connection was presumed (as I saw no real proof that it was secure). If these guys weren't twin brothers, I'd definitely have been waiting for a threesome, because together these two guys make up the one perfect guy.
There was great tension and anticipation throughout the story, alongside the great writing. It was in the way that Remus told the story, by letting us see the real struggle of which brother he liked best, through the dreams, the thought process and even the awkward interactions with both. The way they lived in the BDSM house and interacted with the other Wolves and family there was a great addition, giving Remus a little more company but another side to the story.
~
Overall, it was a fantastic paranormal romance, with tension and some super sexy hot scenes. Though it's only the first in a series, that didn't bother me at all. It had everything I wanted from a novel in this genre.
~
Favourite Quote
““You can be the brains, I'll be the brawn.”
“Brawn?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.
He patted his slightly pudgy stomach. “Hey, there's a lot of it under here. Underneath this flab beats the heart of a warrior.””
““And here I thought werewolves were all about howling at the moon and running around the forest. Who knew your real passion was bureaucracy?”
October 31, 2016
3.5 stars
I feel conflicted about this story because while I loved it, I also had some serious issues with it. First, I enjoyed the characters a lot in this story. Remus was my favorite, and it was so much fun getting to see his evolution as a character, which is still changing and shows a lot of promise. I’m still warming up to Sebastain. The ending didn’t help his image in my mind, and I’m pretty irritated with him. I understand his reservations and why he’s acting the way he is, but he supposedly loved Remus so much and yet when that love is challenged, he sinks. So yeah, not too happy with Sebastian right now.
Victor though…Victor just broke my heart. He went from being a character I didn’t really connect with to one of my favorites. He is loyal to a fault and I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2 now that he’s got his shot (though with all the angst going on at the end of the book, he’s going to have to work for it).
Several of the secondary characters are interesting as well, particularly Foster. I loved his cryptic messages ‘cause I’m just a sucker for slow reveals like that, and I can’t wait to see what comes of them. I’m also really interested in what’s going to happen with Arthur as I can see it going one of two ways, both of which would be extremely interesting and have huge consequences.
The plot was also really interesting. I have to admit, I did not see where this story was going, and I can’t wait to see where it’ll go from here. However, I wasn’t a big fan of the ending. I don’t really know how to describe it. It doesn’t really end on even an HFN, but it’s not a total cliffhanger either. In fact, it doesn’t feel like there was really any resolution at all. I’m not a big fan of these types of endings as it feels like a tease, and not a good one. The last line is literally “Remus Black was dead, and I was the thing that killed him.” At least warn me that the book is going to end without an HFN or without much of a resolution at all. I mean, I kind of saw an ending like this coming once I got near the end of the book and it does fit where the story is at that point, but I was not expecting it at all going in to the book, which again, both good and bad. The epilogue is then basically a big plot twist at the very end of the book. I actually liked this, as it helps set up the conflict in book 2 and was a real “oh snap” moment. I enjoy books that tease little hooks at the end. However, I don’t like that we don’t really have a satisfying resolution whatsoever before the epilogue.
My biggest issue was that the book could have used some major edits. Not only were there quite a few spelling and grammar errors, which kept pulling me out of the story, there was a lot of extraneous information and scenes that could have been cut down to improve the flow and the plot. Some of these scenes actually hampered the overall story and there were some continuity errors.
Even with its flaws, I absolutely loved this book. I really enjoyed the characters and the plot, and am very interested in finding out what happens next in Liminality. So if you can put aside the lack of editing, I highly recommend giving Pendulum a read as it is a great adventure and the start of a promising series.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I feel conflicted about this story because while I loved it, I also had some serious issues with it. First, I enjoyed the characters a lot in this story. Remus was my favorite, and it was so much fun getting to see his evolution as a character, which is still changing and shows a lot of promise. I’m still warming up to Sebastain. The ending didn’t help his image in my mind, and I’m pretty irritated with him. I understand his reservations and why he’s acting the way he is, but he supposedly loved Remus so much and yet when that love is challenged, he sinks. So yeah, not too happy with Sebastian right now.
Victor though…Victor just broke my heart. He went from being a character I didn’t really connect with to one of my favorites. He is loyal to a fault and I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2 now that he’s got his shot (though with all the angst going on at the end of the book, he’s going to have to work for it).
Several of the secondary characters are interesting as well, particularly Foster. I loved his cryptic messages ‘cause I’m just a sucker for slow reveals like that, and I can’t wait to see what comes of them. I’m also really interested in what’s going to happen with Arthur as I can see it going one of two ways, both of which would be extremely interesting and have huge consequences.
The plot was also really interesting. I have to admit, I did not see where this story was going, and I can’t wait to see where it’ll go from here. However, I wasn’t a big fan of the ending. I don’t really know how to describe it. It doesn’t really end on even an HFN, but it’s not a total cliffhanger either. In fact, it doesn’t feel like there was really any resolution at all. I’m not a big fan of these types of endings as it feels like a tease, and not a good one. The last line is literally “Remus Black was dead, and I was the thing that killed him.” At least warn me that the book is going to end without an HFN or without much of a resolution at all. I mean, I kind of saw an ending like this coming once I got near the end of the book and it does fit where the story is at that point, but I was not expecting it at all going in to the book, which again, both good and bad. The epilogue is then basically a big plot twist at the very end of the book. I actually liked this, as it helps set up the conflict in book 2 and was a real “oh snap” moment. I enjoy books that tease little hooks at the end. However, I don’t like that we don’t really have a satisfying resolution whatsoever before the epilogue.
My biggest issue was that the book could have used some major edits. Not only were there quite a few spelling and grammar errors, which kept pulling me out of the story, there was a lot of extraneous information and scenes that could have been cut down to improve the flow and the plot. Some of these scenes actually hampered the overall story and there were some continuity errors.
Even with its flaws, I absolutely loved this book. I really enjoyed the characters and the plot, and am very interested in finding out what happens next in Liminality. So if you can put aside the lack of editing, I highly recommend giving Pendulum a read as it is a great adventure and the start of a promising series.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
March 7, 2017
Remus (red hair character) escaped from an abusive ex who pretty much screwed up his college career. Only to fall into a love triangle between two estranged brothers. One of which is the next-in-line Alpha. The whole story dragged for me. I couldn't get into it. Maybe it's because the whole ex and triangle angles.
October 2, 2016
Remus Black is ready to star fresh at a new College after escaping an abusive relationship that destroyed not only his confidence in relationships and love but also his education. Upon making a new friend and offering to let him become his roommate he starts to feel like things might be okay. But when Arthur convinces him to accompany him to the infamous Lodge, a "wolf" owned BDSM club Remus knows his life is going to change, for better or worse.
After too his horror Remus is mysteriously entered into the Lodge's Alpha's Pet contest without his consent he questions who would do this to him and why. Doubting he'll win after meeting his competition he's stunned when they announce him as the lucky winner. Now he finds himself in the arms of a wolf and the bed of his twin waiting until he can speak to the Alpha and explain why he will have to give up his prize. The mysterious and intimidating Wolf Pack have labeled him a submissive, something he can't wrap his head around and the last thing he wants is to end up in anyone's dungeon.
When Remus is finally back on campus having not gotten the chance to speak with the Alpha things begin to get strange. Dreams, nightmares, a weird physical ache he can't get rid of. And when "wolf" turns out to be something out of a horror movie Remus is left with no one to turn to other than the wolf's brother. But what happens to the pack when brothers both claim the same mate?
*
This is a hard one to rate because while I truly enjoyed this story and did not want to put it down, had I known it was basically a "part one" of a much bigger story I would have passed until I got the entire thing. However taking that into account I will try to not let it color my opinion of this particular book.
Like I stated before I really enjoyed the story, Remus is an interesting character. I wasn't quite sure what to think of him but he truly grew on me. I absolutely loved the two men/wolves that were vying for Remus (I don't want to give it away because it's part of the story). I'm not going to lie though I had a very strong opinion on who I wanted Remus to be with and as the story went on it became harder and harder to not get mad at him and his brother for various reasons.
I absolutely can't stand love triangles, they stress me out. I always have one person I want the MC to be with and it drives me insane when they can't make decisions, or maybe it's because they aren't making the decision I want them to make. Either way I'm not a huge fan of that particular part. I just hope that when all is said and done I'm happy with the outcome.
I like the different take on Vampires and Werewolves and finding out how all the characters fit into the story. It was different but entertaining and definitely makes me crave more. I would definitely recommend it although I warn you you'll need the next book as well.
4.5 Stars!
***A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for an honest and fair review***
After too his horror Remus is mysteriously entered into the Lodge's Alpha's Pet contest without his consent he questions who would do this to him and why. Doubting he'll win after meeting his competition he's stunned when they announce him as the lucky winner. Now he finds himself in the arms of a wolf and the bed of his twin waiting until he can speak to the Alpha and explain why he will have to give up his prize. The mysterious and intimidating Wolf Pack have labeled him a submissive, something he can't wrap his head around and the last thing he wants is to end up in anyone's dungeon.
When Remus is finally back on campus having not gotten the chance to speak with the Alpha things begin to get strange. Dreams, nightmares, a weird physical ache he can't get rid of. And when "wolf" turns out to be something out of a horror movie Remus is left with no one to turn to other than the wolf's brother. But what happens to the pack when brothers both claim the same mate?
*
This is a hard one to rate because while I truly enjoyed this story and did not want to put it down, had I known it was basically a "part one" of a much bigger story I would have passed until I got the entire thing. However taking that into account I will try to not let it color my opinion of this particular book.
Like I stated before I really enjoyed the story, Remus is an interesting character. I wasn't quite sure what to think of him but he truly grew on me. I absolutely loved the two men/wolves that were vying for Remus (I don't want to give it away because it's part of the story). I'm not going to lie though I had a very strong opinion on who I wanted Remus to be with and as the story went on it became harder and harder to not get mad at him and his brother for various reasons.
I absolutely can't stand love triangles, they stress me out. I always have one person I want the MC to be with and it drives me insane when they can't make decisions, or maybe it's because they aren't making the decision I want them to make. Either way I'm not a huge fan of that particular part. I just hope that when all is said and done I'm happy with the outcome.
I like the different take on Vampires and Werewolves and finding out how all the characters fit into the story. It was different but entertaining and definitely makes me crave more. I would definitely recommend it although I warn you you'll need the next book as well.
4.5 Stars!
***A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for an honest and fair review***
December 18, 2016
Original review on Molly Lolly
Four and a half stars!
Holy. Moly. This was such a fascinating story. I was sucked into this world of shifters and vampires and completely crazy family dynamics and I couldn’t stop reading. The characters came to life on the page. I loved the lore and how it applies to the characters in the story. The intricate web of ties between everyone is just beginning to unravel in this story but you can tell there’s deep thought put into them and there are more surprises in store as I continue reading the series. The love triangle in the story is quite tragic but masterfully woven into the story. You start to pull for one, then something happens that makes you root for the other. I have my own personal wishes for how the romance element will end. But at this point it could go in a variety of ways with all kinds of possible things changing the course of their relationships.
Remus was someone that pulled my heartstrings right from the beginning. His tragic past was something that clearly defined him and it does all the way through the story. The way it does just changed as the story progressed. I love how he stays true to himself for most of the story. His drastic change towards the end because of outside forces and his own innate send of self preservation was sad yet understandable. I do have faith that his core sense of right and wrong is still there and will surface again. The way he handles his feelings for Sebastian and Victor is interesting. The push and pull on his feelings and what he should do was so well written. You can feel Remus’ tangled emotions with him
My feelings for Victor and Sebastian grew and changed as the story progressed. Right from the beginning I could tell there was more to Victor than initially meets the eye. I love how he treats Remus from the beginning and he continued to impress me right through the end of the book. After reading, I’m happy with how my predictions came out, but I also think Victor has more secrets and surprises in store. I can’t wait to see how he grows in the next book. Sebastian was a total sweetheart in the beginning. He was willing to do whatever it took for a chance with Remus. That friends first attitude and his core values that don’t waver even when faced with hard realities made me love him and then be disappointed by him. Despite my disappointment, I also wasn’t surprised by his actions. His outlook of things is skewed by Victor’s constant need to protect him.
The book ends in a serious cliffhanger but I expected it so I wasn’t surprised. I am fascinated by where the story and characters are going to go in the next book. There are some threads I’d like to explore and pull to see how they unravel and what they’re connected to. But I am definitely along for the right in this series. I just hope the last book, however many of them there will be, doesn’t have me throwing my Kindle at whatever the last sentence will be.
Four and a half stars!
Holy. Moly. This was such a fascinating story. I was sucked into this world of shifters and vampires and completely crazy family dynamics and I couldn’t stop reading. The characters came to life on the page. I loved the lore and how it applies to the characters in the story. The intricate web of ties between everyone is just beginning to unravel in this story but you can tell there’s deep thought put into them and there are more surprises in store as I continue reading the series. The love triangle in the story is quite tragic but masterfully woven into the story. You start to pull for one, then something happens that makes you root for the other. I have my own personal wishes for how the romance element will end. But at this point it could go in a variety of ways with all kinds of possible things changing the course of their relationships.
Remus was someone that pulled my heartstrings right from the beginning. His tragic past was something that clearly defined him and it does all the way through the story. The way it does just changed as the story progressed. I love how he stays true to himself for most of the story. His drastic change towards the end because of outside forces and his own innate send of self preservation was sad yet understandable. I do have faith that his core sense of right and wrong is still there and will surface again. The way he handles his feelings for Sebastian and Victor is interesting. The push and pull on his feelings and what he should do was so well written. You can feel Remus’ tangled emotions with him
My feelings for Victor and Sebastian grew and changed as the story progressed. Right from the beginning I could tell there was more to Victor than initially meets the eye. I love how he treats Remus from the beginning and he continued to impress me right through the end of the book. After reading, I’m happy with how my predictions came out, but I also think Victor has more secrets and surprises in store. I can’t wait to see how he grows in the next book. Sebastian was a total sweetheart in the beginning. He was willing to do whatever it took for a chance with Remus. That friends first attitude and his core values that don’t waver even when faced with hard realities made me love him and then be disappointed by him. Despite my disappointment, I also wasn’t surprised by his actions. His outlook of things is skewed by Victor’s constant need to protect him.
The book ends in a serious cliffhanger but I expected it so I wasn’t surprised. I am fascinated by where the story and characters are going to go in the next book. There are some threads I’d like to explore and pull to see how they unravel and what they’re connected to. But I am definitely along for the right in this series. I just hope the last book, however many of them there will be, doesn’t have me throwing my Kindle at whatever the last sentence will be.
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