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The tech Senth is about to claim will make him invisible. Finally, the young halfbreed thief will be out of sight and far from the taunts humans throw at him. But when that tech reveals he has a human half-brother who's bound by a cruel slaver, Senth must find a way to win his brother's freedom and save him from abuse -- even though Senth is a slave himself.
What if invisibility wasn't magic? What if it was tech? When you can make yourself invisible, you reveal invisible truth.
What if invisibility wasn't magic? What if it was tech? When you can make yourself invisible, you reveal invisible truth.
- GenresFantasy
70 pages, ebook
Published April 1, 2019
9 people want to read
About the author
Kayelle Allen
41 books279 followersKayelle Allen creates MM sci-fi romance featuring mythic heroes, immortal gamers, and fierce warriors who purr. Explore the Empire and embrace your immortality. With eternity on your side, romance lives forever.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 14, 2019
Half-human/half-Kin master thief Senthys Antonello has grown up with a chip on his shoulder. He’s tired of being under-estimated due to his small stature. He winces every time his peers ridicule him for his part-feline heritage. And as much as he admires his adoptive father, the all-powerful Luc St. Cyr, he fears he can never win the approval of the stern and distant head of the Thieves’ Guild.
Khyffen Antonello has more serious problems. Bound into slavery as a child, abused by his owner, he’s forced to provide sexual service to both men and women as an alternative to prison. He’s saving every penny in an effort to buy his freedom, but that goal is many years in the future. Meanwhile, he survives by suppressing his emotions and not trusting anyone.
Senth and Khyff are half-brothers, Khyff the elder by two years, but neither knows of the other’s existence. In Bro, the prequel to Ms. Allen’s novels At the Mercy of Her Pleasure and For Women Only, they meet for the first time. Needless to say, given their emotional baggage as well as their real-world issues, the encounter is fraught with suspicion and pain. That’s one reason why St. Cyr has avoided telling Senth about his brother for so long. However, the immortal St. Cyr judges that the time is right to bring the two young men together. Each had thought he was alone in the world; the revelation of that they are family helps overcomes the many factors that divide them.
Bro is a dramatic, complex introduction to the two characters – perhaps too complex for such a short tale. I felt a bit as though I was drowning in detail, not only about Senth’s and Khyff’s backgrounds, but also about the history and society in which the characters live. Of course the author knows a great deal about her fictional world, since she has penned (at least) two novels set in the Tarthian empire, but Bro would have been an easier read if she’d held back some of this knowledge.
Nevertheless, if you focus on the characters and let the intricacies of the world building wash over you, Bro is an engaging and enjoyable read. It sets up some major conflicts, which I expect are explored and resolved in the novels that follow. (Long ago I read at least one of them, but I believe Ms. Allen has substantially revised them since.) And yes, I’m curious enough, especially about who Luc St. Cyr really is, to consider reading further – which is, I guess, the test of a prequel’s effectiveness.
Khyffen Antonello has more serious problems. Bound into slavery as a child, abused by his owner, he’s forced to provide sexual service to both men and women as an alternative to prison. He’s saving every penny in an effort to buy his freedom, but that goal is many years in the future. Meanwhile, he survives by suppressing his emotions and not trusting anyone.
Senth and Khyff are half-brothers, Khyff the elder by two years, but neither knows of the other’s existence. In Bro, the prequel to Ms. Allen’s novels At the Mercy of Her Pleasure and For Women Only, they meet for the first time. Needless to say, given their emotional baggage as well as their real-world issues, the encounter is fraught with suspicion and pain. That’s one reason why St. Cyr has avoided telling Senth about his brother for so long. However, the immortal St. Cyr judges that the time is right to bring the two young men together. Each had thought he was alone in the world; the revelation of that they are family helps overcomes the many factors that divide them.
Bro is a dramatic, complex introduction to the two characters – perhaps too complex for such a short tale. I felt a bit as though I was drowning in detail, not only about Senth’s and Khyff’s backgrounds, but also about the history and society in which the characters live. Of course the author knows a great deal about her fictional world, since she has penned (at least) two novels set in the Tarthian empire, but Bro would have been an easier read if she’d held back some of this knowledge.
Nevertheless, if you focus on the characters and let the intricacies of the world building wash over you, Bro is an engaging and enjoyable read. It sets up some major conflicts, which I expect are explored and resolved in the novels that follow. (Long ago I read at least one of them, but I believe Ms. Allen has substantially revised them since.) And yes, I’m curious enough, especially about who Luc St. Cyr really is, to consider reading further – which is, I guess, the test of a prequel’s effectiveness.
June 28, 2019
Exciting prequel to a series, about two brothers, one a thief and the other a slave. Great world-building and an intriguing situation set up.
July 10, 2019
“Bro: Antonello Brothers 0” by Kayelle Allen introduces the two males who are living very different lives and who have significantly opposing goals for their futures. Senth has had to deal with the prejudice against half-Kin, but at least has a powerful bulwark to fall back on whereas his half-brother Khyff is fueled by hatred to help him survive as a pleasure slave. Their meeting may be explosive…or fatal.
This adult science fiction novella establishes an intriguing society with nice twists and turns. I was immediately drawn to the main character (and the fascinating tech) and the unique elements that have shaped his development. The multi-level challenges such as needing an injection to keep his feral side at bay, lacking claws, and the drawback of a youthful appearance piqued my interest but the sharp contrast with Khyff’s horrific circumstances made me even more curious about these two. I love the emotion that is evoked when actions speak louder than words between Senth and his adoptive father. This is a great story to whet one’s appetite about the rest of the series and I look forward to reading more about these delicious characters.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
This adult science fiction novella establishes an intriguing society with nice twists and turns. I was immediately drawn to the main character (and the fascinating tech) and the unique elements that have shaped his development. The multi-level challenges such as needing an injection to keep his feral side at bay, lacking claws, and the drawback of a youthful appearance piqued my interest but the sharp contrast with Khyff’s horrific circumstances made me even more curious about these two. I love the emotion that is evoked when actions speak louder than words between Senth and his adoptive father. This is a great story to whet one’s appetite about the rest of the series and I look forward to reading more about these delicious characters.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
June 27, 2019
This book reads more like a highly intriguing YA than a romance and is definitely a worthwhile read. Senth is a master thief in training and wants nothing more than to be like his adoptive dad. His half brother, Khyff, is a slave and has been since a very early age. Khyff has revenge on his mind, believing that Senth is the reason his life has been so miserable but once the brothers met, an unbreakable bond is formed. If you are a more conservative reader, don’t be scared off by the cover. I’m not sure if there are graphic scenes in the other books in the series, but this one is a light read that will stimulate the mind and warm the heart, not heat up the blood. The heartwarming scenes between father and son were the best to me, although I can’t wait to see how the relationship between brothers pans out. It’s hard to pick a favorite because they are both so charming in their own way, but if pushed, I’d have to lean on Khyff. His backstory is much more tragic. I’m looking forward to what this author will do next.
****This book was provided via Netgalley in exchange for a free review****
****This book was provided via Netgalley in exchange for a free review****
February 3, 2020
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
This is a really good introduction into the Antonello Brothers series.
I found it to be well paced with the characters entertaining.
I will certainly read more.
This is a really good introduction into the Antonello Brothers series.
I found it to be well paced with the characters entertaining.
I will certainly read more.
July 3, 2019
It starts out strong, but about 3/4ths of the way through I felt that the story started to lose steam, rather than picking up pace like I think it should have. Also, the meeting for the first time between the brother's was awkward and I think a missed opportunity on the author's part to really deepen the story.
With all that being said, I'm still intrigued by this world and probably will check out the next book, which this is a prequel for.
I did absolutely love the half human/half kin thing. It was very interesting and really made the whole story fun and exciting for me.
With all that being said, I'm still intrigued by this world and probably will check out the next book, which this is a prequel for.
I did absolutely love the half human/half kin thing. It was very interesting and really made the whole story fun and exciting for me.
August 4, 2019
I will be the first to admit I don't have much if an imagination in the Sifi/Fantasy aspect of reading, I like my stories close to what I know as reality; but this was a great start to a new world and new adventures for me.
While this is a short prequel it opened the door for an interesting world and new characters. I liked the idea that these characters were only half human (I mean I do love Spock like creatures, moral ambiguity and all) and it gives the author more room to “play” with the ideas within the story. The story is great and I would be interested in the next book. I would have liked a bit more character and plot development but that might come in the next one. The story certainly grabbed my attention. I also liked that this was a book about brothers, that some how made it richer and more relatable then a lover or a stranger.
While this is a short prequel it opened the door for an interesting world and new characters. I liked the idea that these characters were only half human (I mean I do love Spock like creatures, moral ambiguity and all) and it gives the author more room to “play” with the ideas within the story. The story is great and I would be interested in the next book. I would have liked a bit more character and plot development but that might come in the next one. The story certainly grabbed my attention. I also liked that this was a book about brothers, that some how made it richer and more relatable then a lover or a stranger.
August 7, 2019
A beautifully woven prequel
Author Kayelle Allen showcases her unique style and talent in this beautifully woven prequel saga about two brothers and the power of a familial connection. Senth is set to claim a tech that will make him invisible, which will protect him, but when he finds out he has an enslaved half-brother, he vows to save him.
This is not my typical genre, but I am so glad a reader challenge group listed this book. Allen’s story is a quick read, laced with heartfelt emotion and a brilliant way to introduce her series. I’m definitely interested in following the story deeper in book one. I rate this book a well-deserved 4.5 stars and look forward to reading more from this author.
Author Kayelle Allen showcases her unique style and talent in this beautifully woven prequel saga about two brothers and the power of a familial connection. Senth is set to claim a tech that will make him invisible, which will protect him, but when he finds out he has an enslaved half-brother, he vows to save him.
This is not my typical genre, but I am so glad a reader challenge group listed this book. Allen’s story is a quick read, laced with heartfelt emotion and a brilliant way to introduce her series. I’m definitely interested in following the story deeper in book one. I rate this book a well-deserved 4.5 stars and look forward to reading more from this author.
August 14, 2019
I will be the first to admit I stepped out of my usual genre to read this book. Also the cover made me think it was another genre entirely! It was an interesting surprise to find a book about brothers who are half human. I like that one of the brothers is on a quest to free his brother and we will see where the adventure takes them in the next books. I know it is only a prequel but a bit more character development would have been appreciated. Though I believe we will get to know the brothers well in the next book of the series.
November 19, 2022
A prequel, not a book.
I was disappointed in the length of this 'book'. I know it was written after the following books in the series but it could have been expanded to give greater depth.
The story explains so much about the origins of Senth and his half-brother and how their lives were affected by the decisions of various people filled with hate and greed. The trauma of abuse to a body from childhood to adulthood and what a person does to survive.
It is an integral part of the series but needed more than a novella/short story.
I was disappointed in the length of this 'book'. I know it was written after the following books in the series but it could have been expanded to give greater depth.
The story explains so much about the origins of Senth and his half-brother and how their lives were affected by the decisions of various people filled with hate and greed. The trauma of abuse to a body from childhood to adulthood and what a person does to survive.
It is an integral part of the series but needed more than a novella/short story.
August 5, 2019
A good prequel to the series
Kayelle Allen’s prequel to Antonella Brothers series takes care of the back stories, but leaves you wondering about the details you’ll get in the novels that follow. Character development is strong enough in this short read to give you a firm understanding as to who the main characters are, what their relationships are with each other and where they will go in subsequent novels. Nice job.
Kayelle Allen’s prequel to Antonella Brothers series takes care of the back stories, but leaves you wondering about the details you’ll get in the novels that follow. Character development is strong enough in this short read to give you a firm understanding as to who the main characters are, what their relationships are with each other and where they will go in subsequent novels. Nice job.
July 31, 2019
A short prequel but wow it packed a punch. Bro was jam-packed full of everything I needed to know leading me into book 1 of this series, I was hooked from the synopsis, I was intrigued by the end of the first chapter and I knew by the end of this prequel I'd be rushing back to get more books by this author I just love her writing style.
July 30, 2019
Interesting start.
This is an interesting start to a new series. It's a great set up with characters defined for their own books and stories. This is a short story that can be read under an hour.
This is an interesting start to a new series. It's a great set up with characters defined for their own books and stories. This is a short story that can be read under an hour.
August 5, 2019
i had a real hard time with this book! there was no real story line. its a short read for those that like to read fast. he finally gets his wish to become invisible. only to find out he has a brother who he must save.
August 11, 2019
Great introduction to a Sci Fi romance series. Centering on two brothers and family relationships, this quick read is full of twists and turns in a truly interesting world. Character development was good for a novella and I am looking forward to getting to know them better in future books.
October 7, 2020
Short but sweet
The story of a lost brother and having a new family. Felt a bit rushed and empty but held my attention making me want to read the next one for some more answers hopefully. Not sure I like the older Senthys though. Time will tell.
The story of a lost brother and having a new family. Felt a bit rushed and empty but held my attention making me want to read the next one for some more answers hopefully. Not sure I like the older Senthys though. Time will tell.
July 25, 2019
A good introduction to a series. Not much world-building, the time was spent on establishing the relationships and their complexities. I would absolutely read the first book in the series.
August 13, 2019
I had a very difficult time reading this book. Its like as soon as you step in your confused. I was ultimately unable to finish the book!
April 10, 2022
Senth meets his half brother, Khyff.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews