Binding Breath

by Adara Wolf

The only way to survive as a witch during Prohibition is to keep your head down. That's what Michael's been doing: his old ways of bending people's will to suit his whims are long over. Until notorious Mafia leader Cesare Pastore kidnaps him and binds him, all in a plot to bring a detective to his knees. Now Michael has to figure out how to fulfill Cesare's request without becoming superfluous in the process.

This 30k novella features dark themes and unhealthy relationships.

Genres: M M Romance, Dark, Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal, BDSM, Romance

113 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2020

About the author

I write almost exclusive m/m, but I have a fondness for bisexual protagonists. I enjoy a lot of darker themes, so you'll see a lot of that around here.

When I’m not writing, I’m reading, painting, playing video games, and rescuing cats. I also enjoy learning about languages and other cultures.

If you're ever curious about the contents of my works, I put content notes on my website (http://adarawolf.com)

You can also follow me on facebook and twitter. I also have a Patreon account

Reviews

[Nazanin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

I didn’t like the characters (none of them). I didn’t feel anything while reading the story; didn’t feel excited, thrilled, sad, happy, or even disgusted. It wasn’t as dark as I’d expected. The only good thing about it? It’s a short read. I read it in one sitting. Told in single POV, 3rd person, it’s a standalone novella. It’s paranormal but nothing romantic in it (or if there was it was in its own special way). And about the ending, it was a bit vague. Yes, you could guess what’s happening but I preferred a bit more explanation. All in all, it was an OK read and hope you enjoy it more than me!

[the kevin (vaguely alive) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this fun little novella! It has a cool alt-historical 1920's but magic vibe, plus a magical prohibition. Very neat, I would definitely read more in this universe.

This was lightly twisted, two people manipulating each other in different ways to get power over a third. An endless circle of manipulation. I didn't know where it was going, which made for a great read! Satisfying ending too.

Overall: awesome.



Read more reviews on my blog: 
https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/

[Shelba · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters were deplorable and I loved them. This world that was built was intriguing. The writing for this absolutely pulled me in.

I did find the ending a bit abrupt and slightly unsatisfying, but overall, I enjoyed it.

[Jenny (Nyxie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was excellent. Dark and twisty. I think I’m in the minority in that I thought it ended perfectly.

I would recommend, but don’t expect romance. Not that kind of book!

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, this didn't really worked for me. I didn't liked the characters or the story in general. The idea was good and the writing as well but just didn't got my attention. I still think the author is good and will read more of her work.

[Walford · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Creepy/Hot? Definitely neither a romance nor erotica. An exploration of consent? Felt rather slight, even for the length, and the author failed to convince me that the narrator was a recent immigrant with a limited command of English. So, not sure what this book's reason for existing might be, but it held my interest in the middle of a sleepless night and I enjoyed it enough to wonder about Wolf's other books.

[John-Torleif Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully dark

Wow, the one good person in this whole story was completely ensnared in the machinations between Michael and Cesare - I loved it.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into this one with not to many expectations and as it turned out it was just an ok read for me. I read Adara's interview where she talks about something along the lines of mind control being hot and it has been a subtle recurring theme in her novels, it was especially good in but in this one it sort of fell for me.

It take place in an alternate prohibition era but in this world there are witches and using magic use to be a common place thing until the government started banning it. Michael is a very strong witch who has the ability to control peoples mind and the very way they think and after he denies paying for protection he crosses Cesare and gets kidnapped and forced to do Cesare's will, which happens to be turning a detective who HATES his guts into the ultimate adoring slave. Cesare's is completely obsessed with this detective and goes to quite the lengths to bind Michael to his will to get his way.

I liked the magic components of the story and how their powers play a hand in their sexual and everyday desires.

This short book started strong but coming to the end I was just gunning to finish. Love her stories and looking forward to seeing more from her.

I don't normally make the distinction because I like the ranking did not like it, it was ok, liked it, really liked it & It was amazing but for this one its 2.5 stars because it was good-ish

[Angela Kocheshkova · Rating 2 out of 5]

i liked the first bit, about magic but the rest was underwhelming

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author. A deliciously dark and twisted mind! A woman after my own heart!

[L.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Binding Breath is a novella that features dark themes with an erotic edge. This story is not a romance—the relationships between all these characters is extremely unhealthy and messed up –but that’s what makes this story so interesting. I love dark and gritty books, and this book does not disappoint. Plus, the sex scenes were extremely kinky and steamy. The world building was fascinating and I hope the author revisits this world with another story. All in all, I really enjoyed this book, but it is definitely not for everyone. If you want something dark and unapologetic, then this is the book for you. If you want a happy ending, then I suggest you look elsewhere.

[Millie SK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun.

Well this was a pleasant surprise. I really love antiheroes and I can honestly read more of these guys to see how things develop between them. They are the perfect match for each other. I like what Michael said in the end that loving someone, doesn’t mean they have to be nice. I like Cesare the way he is, ahole and all. I just hope that he treats Michael a little better than before. I’m also curious about what Alphonse would think about the change of event.

[Michi · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s magic in the air! The power of suggestion, leaning very close to mind control and also the ability to control the very air that someone breathes. 

Things get tangled and twisted up. Neither character is particularly a good person. I loved how things worked out and how when one seeks to control, they wind up just as trapped as the other. 

This is not a light and fluffy read and it was perfect for resetting all the fluff I’ve been reading. 

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

The worldbuilding and character work were flimsy excuses to string together dubcon/noncon sex and since those scenes were never going to be the most compelling to me, I was agitated by the shallow treatment of every other element. That agitation was only worsened by clunky writing that neither evoked a sense of place nor character.

If you'd like a short, easy read of unlikeable dudes banging each other in vaguely alt historical setting with some risqué themes, this may be for you.

[Zuli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this story and loved the characters, but I was rooting for Cesare so hard and wanted him to win in the end, hence I couldn't really like it even though deep down I knew it would end that way 😭 Anyway, if the book had been longer and the story more developed, I would've rated it 4 stars.

[lex ❄ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was alright, just not impacting enough. It would've worked better if the plot went darker. There were elements to it that could've been used to the max, but the ending felt lackluster.

The plot is about Michael, he can use magic and it's the reason he gets kidnapped by Cesare. He can also use magic on his own, but he needs Michael's abilities so he binds him. Now Michael won't be able to breathe without Cesare's permission. Cesare's intentions is to make a police officer, Daniel, to obey him without fault since he's had interest in him for some time.

This sounds incredible, and the setting is very interesting, but it needed a twist. I liked the MMM elements, I believe it would've been hotter if Michael and Daniel ended up irrevocably trapped to Cesare and the mindbreak happened to both instead of only one. Cesare was also a bit too tame for my liking. I also thought that Michael would bind himself even more to Cesare by accident and lose his personality like Daniel. I was also expecting an actual train sex scene or prolongued threesome. The actual ending wasn't as fun or twisty.

I expect a lot from this author because even her short stories are well rounded. The more fucked up they are, the better and more impactful. One thing for sure, she knowns how to create an intriguing plot and has a good writting. This wasn't as bad as I make it sound, I actually enjoyed it but I expected more.

Tags: (can miss some, heads up that I don't tag everything)
-POV: third person
-Content warnings: coercion, dubcon, kidnapping (all of these between MCs), homophobia, mindbreak
-Elements: forced bond
-Kinks: possessiveness, chocking (breath play), body mofification (ML carves on MC's skin as part of enchantment)
-Sexual act(s): barebacking, creampie, blowjobs, humping-grinding
-Dynamic: strict top and bottom (between Cesare/Michael and Cesare/Daniel, Michael/Daniel didn't have penetrative sex), MMM (all three have sex with each other), unbalanced power dynamics

[Mimoh Njehu · Rating 5 out of 5]

That's was amazing and just beautiful.

I wish You wrote frequently cause I love reading your work so much.. Its different, unique, dark and immensely intriguing. Love it totally worth a read.

[ChiiChii · Rating 5 out of 5]

More is needed ASAP

This was amazing and I’m sad it was so short! The world was very interesting and I’m happy that Daniel was built up so much only to disappoint everyone. I only wish to see where the two will go next!

[Rena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story, but it was very short. I enjoyed the magic aspect associated with tattoo art and even though all the characters are not very likable, it was very interesting to follow their relationship development.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too short a novel to really dive into the plot and the characters but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The main character is morally grey at best and I liked how things played out.
Will read more Adara Wolf now.

[Elin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't say that at the end of the book I liked any of the characters, but it's still interesting to read and it's different.
It's mainly about who could outsmart the other and I'd call it an amicable ending with a clear looser who I wished better for.

[Kassandra Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. For some reason I sometimes love dark books but only under certain circumstances. This was one of them.
This will not be everyone’s cup of tea but you may like it.

Highly recommend.

[Jaimed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmm

This is an interesting story. It isn't cut and dry or following any of the usual story tropes. I could read another short story of these two.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Interesting read.

[Gema Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the premise of the story but I think it started a little rushed and then, when I got to really connect with the characters, it just ended.

[Bübü · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real good! As always

[Christi Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

B rating.

[Tristan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5

Weird short story. I don't like any of the characters, but I guess that's also the point?
Either way I didn't enjoy it.

[Madhu MaBookYard - · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating : 3🌟
.
Kindle/ June2020
.
It was a twistingly good story, and I weirdly enjoyed that ending.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.