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Malicious Gods: Egypt
Shezmu
Shezmu - Malicious Gods: Egypt.
Tau Shez is a complicated man.
He was no longer the young man who had crouched at his father’s grave and wept, nor was he the young man who had left a broken hearted mother in tears. Tau was a man driven to reinvent himself in order to find what had been stolen from him, and he left everything behind for his cause.
His pathway to hell was not so swift, neither was it painless, and years in the making. Nothing else mattered.
Tau scoured the ends of the earth, walking dark streets, invisible to most. Slinking in the shadows, he’d wait until the time was right. With a Khopesh in one hand, his heart in the other, Tau would deliver his deadly blow on the cusp of an affliction he had no desire to temper.
Going back to Egypt changed the way Tau saw his life.
Bruce Bensen is a simple man.
He wasn’t looking for salvation, nor was he looking for a partner. He wanted a way to live his life without the constant nightmares plaguing his sleep. Finding Tau had been a beautiful coincidence. Among the sea of red clouding Tau’s vision, and a chord which simply just struck, Bruce thought he might have found salvation anyway.
Answering Tau’s call changed the way Bruce saw his life.
They were monsters in the dark, a terrifying alliance, searching for the same thing. They watched each other bleed, Bruce revelling in Tau’s depraved sense of morality, his sadistic mindset capturing Bruce and holding him fast. Bruce wasn’t willing to let Tau go.
As one, they were formidable. Together they caused chaos.
Their mutual goal?
A Ghost.
*Please note - this book is intended for mature audiences and contains graphic themes. It is not a fluffy romance.
Tau Shez is a complicated man.
He was no longer the young man who had crouched at his father’s grave and wept, nor was he the young man who had left a broken hearted mother in tears. Tau was a man driven to reinvent himself in order to find what had been stolen from him, and he left everything behind for his cause.
His pathway to hell was not so swift, neither was it painless, and years in the making. Nothing else mattered.
Tau scoured the ends of the earth, walking dark streets, invisible to most. Slinking in the shadows, he’d wait until the time was right. With a Khopesh in one hand, his heart in the other, Tau would deliver his deadly blow on the cusp of an affliction he had no desire to temper.
Going back to Egypt changed the way Tau saw his life.
Bruce Bensen is a simple man.
He wasn’t looking for salvation, nor was he looking for a partner. He wanted a way to live his life without the constant nightmares plaguing his sleep. Finding Tau had been a beautiful coincidence. Among the sea of red clouding Tau’s vision, and a chord which simply just struck, Bruce thought he might have found salvation anyway.
Answering Tau’s call changed the way Bruce saw his life.
They were monsters in the dark, a terrifying alliance, searching for the same thing. They watched each other bleed, Bruce revelling in Tau’s depraved sense of morality, his sadistic mindset capturing Bruce and holding him fast. Bruce wasn’t willing to let Tau go.
As one, they were formidable. Together they caused chaos.
Their mutual goal?
A Ghost.
*Please note - this book is intended for mature audiences and contains graphic themes. It is not a fluffy romance.
- GenresM M RomanceDark
ebook
First published July 9, 2021
10 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Sands
23 books73 followersKlaire is a multi genre author who has a passion for reading and more often than not, can be found with her nose stuck in a book. She loves angsty, dark reads but is not averse to the fun, light hearted side either. Typically, a romance reader, of most genres/sub genres, her passion for literature and written words goes back to her childhood when she always dreamed of writing and telling the world her stories.
Not quite a stay at home mum, Klaire has a busy life which she shares with her husband of twenty-five years and her little monkey boy. Her adult children have flown the coop already, but still manage to come home for ‘mama’s lasagne.’ EOL Nurse and business owner are her daytime realities.
Avid eater of mayonnaise and chips, anti-get fitter, lover of cheesy music and a fierce advocate of things close to her heart. She has a bucket list as long as her arm, which includes sky diving and visiting Cambodia. And wants to travel the world.
Great believer in second chances, insta-love (because her love is a product of that), fairy tales and monsters… Klaire just wants to write all the words for you.
Not quite a stay at home mum, Klaire has a busy life which she shares with her husband of twenty-five years and her little monkey boy. Her adult children have flown the coop already, but still manage to come home for ‘mama’s lasagne.’ EOL Nurse and business owner are her daytime realities.
Avid eater of mayonnaise and chips, anti-get fitter, lover of cheesy music and a fierce advocate of things close to her heart. She has a bucket list as long as her arm, which includes sky diving and visiting Cambodia. And wants to travel the world.
Great believer in second chances, insta-love (because her love is a product of that), fairy tales and monsters… Klaire just wants to write all the words for you.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 7, 2021
First and foremost I would say that this isn't just mm, it is mmm and this won't be for everyone hence putting it at the top of my review. The main "romance" is between 2 guys but there is a third and each main guy loves him in their own way.
This is pretty dark, perhaps not as dark as Shai which still messes with my mind, but probably as dark as Hapi
Tau is messed up, he needs blood with sex and some of the things he and Bruce do are pretty depraved.
Tau, inspired by the god Shezmu, is more of an anti-hero figure, killing the worst of the worst.
I really liked where it left off and can't wait for more Osha as he is fascinating
This is pretty dark, perhaps not as dark as Shai which still messes with my mind, but probably as dark as Hapi
Tau is messed up, he needs blood with sex and some of the things he and Bruce do are pretty depraved.
Tau, inspired by the god Shezmu, is more of an anti-hero figure, killing the worst of the worst.
I really liked where it left off and can't wait for more Osha as he is fascinating
July 11, 2021
4.5 stars. On his journey to find his brother and even more his brother’s keeper Ghost, Tau who acts like god Shezmu, walks the sadistic path of dark and depraved. It’s sometimes bloody so here’s the warning!
London, all directions point to London.
The delicious hairy bear at the bar is the one he needs... they end up in Bruce’s apartment and have a bloody good time. Tau is content with how much Bruce can handle. Bruce is mesmerized by intriguing Tau.
Sadistic Tau is everything Bruce wants. He understands the drive of Tau and wants to help him find his brother and Ghost.
From London to Egypt, whatever needed, Tau will succeed
On the path of destruction, Tau finds something precious.
This is where I’ll stop because I don’t wanna spoil.
What a great story, the way it’s built was more than wonderful. There are thrilling turns I didn’t expect at all.
Don’t expect sweetness or a romance, you will not find it. There’s a lot of explosive fucking. There’s blood play and harsh brutality. Don’t ignore the warnings, it’s not the faint-hearted!
It’s a cruel journey but has also some endearing moments. The characters are, just as the whole story, extraordinary. The story was captivating AF and awesomely written!
London, all directions point to London.
The delicious hairy bear at the bar is the one he needs... they end up in Bruce’s apartment and have a bloody good time. Tau is content with how much Bruce can handle. Bruce is mesmerized by intriguing Tau.
Sadistic Tau is everything Bruce wants. He understands the drive of Tau and wants to help him find his brother and Ghost.
From London to Egypt, whatever needed, Tau will succeed
On the path of destruction, Tau finds something precious.
This is where I’ll stop because I don’t wanna spoil.
What a great story, the way it’s built was more than wonderful. There are thrilling turns I didn’t expect at all.
Don’t expect sweetness or a romance, you will not find it. There’s a lot of explosive fucking. There’s blood play and harsh brutality. Don’t ignore the warnings, it’s not the faint-hearted!
It’s a cruel journey but has also some endearing moments. The characters are, just as the whole story, extraordinary. The story was captivating AF and awesomely written!
July 5, 2021
Wow. What did I just read?
This book is a lot to process and it is in-your-face the entire way through. There are spots where you get a breather to let your shoulders drop back down to their normal place, but then boom! It all comes back again.
There are a lot of strong themes here. Kidnapping, human trafficking, torture, murder; also, sexual knife-play and blood-play by one of the MC’s. Even the romance part of it is in your face!
Somehow, it all works. “It is not a fluffy romance” is the last sentence in the “about this book” section and it’s an understatement. But it is a romance. Two men who are affected by the same kidnapper/trafficker cross paths and realize how they can help each other find the guy. They’re both morally ambiguous enough that the lack of consent isn’t a big deal, and they become attached to each other through their sexual adventures and their common goal of finding “The Ghost.”
The book is well paced, definitely slow burn on the romance side. The detail is superb, you won’t be left guessing anything. The plot itself is oddly believable, though almost impossible to imagine yourself in the characters’ shoes.
Read the warnings. Be ready for a rough, violent journey. And also be ready to be completely engrossed by something you’ve likely never read before.
This book is a lot to process and it is in-your-face the entire way through. There are spots where you get a breather to let your shoulders drop back down to their normal place, but then boom! It all comes back again.
There are a lot of strong themes here. Kidnapping, human trafficking, torture, murder; also, sexual knife-play and blood-play by one of the MC’s. Even the romance part of it is in your face!
Somehow, it all works. “It is not a fluffy romance” is the last sentence in the “about this book” section and it’s an understatement. But it is a romance. Two men who are affected by the same kidnapper/trafficker cross paths and realize how they can help each other find the guy. They’re both morally ambiguous enough that the lack of consent isn’t a big deal, and they become attached to each other through their sexual adventures and their common goal of finding “The Ghost.”
The book is well paced, definitely slow burn on the romance side. The detail is superb, you won’t be left guessing anything. The plot itself is oddly believable, though almost impossible to imagine yourself in the characters’ shoes.
Read the warnings. Be ready for a rough, violent journey. And also be ready to be completely engrossed by something you’ve likely never read before.
July 4, 2021
Wow what can I say.
If you like your books with the main men dark and brooding. Add some violence, blood and MM (occasionally all at the same time) then this is certainly a book worth diving into. And you may just find yourself hooked.
Tau maybe one twisted character, but you can't help but like him. The things that some people survive its no wonder their world is tilted. Bruce and Osha bring different layers to the story.
This is not the usual KA story, but if you want something different then its for you
If you like your books with the main men dark and brooding. Add some violence, blood and MM (occasionally all at the same time) then this is certainly a book worth diving into. And you may just find yourself hooked.
Tau maybe one twisted character, but you can't help but like him. The things that some people survive its no wonder their world is tilted. Bruce and Osha bring different layers to the story.
This is not the usual KA story, but if you want something different then its for you
July 5, 2021
3,5☆
ARC - blog review later
ARC - blog review later
July 11, 2021
The first thing I will say is that before you read this book, then please, please read the trigger warnings as it contains violence, abuse, blood play, cutting, sex trafficking, MMM and much more! However, if you aren't triggered then please don't let the warning put you off reading what is a very engrossing story with lots of twists and turns.
Tau is a very disturbed and complex man who is constantly searching for his brother who was taken some years before. He has a contact who feeds him information, sometimes dubious, that will hopefully lead one day to catching and killing The Ghost who he is sure abducted his brother, but who is always one step in front of him. When he meets Bruce, the two connect and Tau realises that he has found someone that can take the punishing desires that Tau needs to fulfill his sexual desires and the fact that they both can give what the other needs in a relationship. Bruce also has a similar agenda and understands Tau's need to find out and punish the person or people who abducted his brother, as his own sister had been murdered.
The journey to find The Ghost takes them from London to Egypt where some very violet and bloody things take place. After one very disturbing evening, they find Osha who is the sole survivor of a sex trafficking ring. Osha is a scared, mute, but very beautiful soul and Tau takes him under his wing. He was also Tau's brothers friend. As the story unfolds, the three of them finally come to an understanding where they can thrive with each other for the time being. As this book ends it paves the way for the next book in the series where hopefully we will find out much more about Osha and the horrors that he has gone through, as well as following him as he starts to thrive again.
I definitely recommend reading this book if you like a very dark and engrossing read. I was gifted an ARC for an honest review
Tau is a very disturbed and complex man who is constantly searching for his brother who was taken some years before. He has a contact who feeds him information, sometimes dubious, that will hopefully lead one day to catching and killing The Ghost who he is sure abducted his brother, but who is always one step in front of him. When he meets Bruce, the two connect and Tau realises that he has found someone that can take the punishing desires that Tau needs to fulfill his sexual desires and the fact that they both can give what the other needs in a relationship. Bruce also has a similar agenda and understands Tau's need to find out and punish the person or people who abducted his brother, as his own sister had been murdered.
The journey to find The Ghost takes them from London to Egypt where some very violet and bloody things take place. After one very disturbing evening, they find Osha who is the sole survivor of a sex trafficking ring. Osha is a scared, mute, but very beautiful soul and Tau takes him under his wing. He was also Tau's brothers friend. As the story unfolds, the three of them finally come to an understanding where they can thrive with each other for the time being. As this book ends it paves the way for the next book in the series where hopefully we will find out much more about Osha and the horrors that he has gone through, as well as following him as he starts to thrive again.
I definitely recommend reading this book if you like a very dark and engrossing read. I was gifted an ARC for an honest review
July 7, 2021
I’m a huge fan of K.A. Sands’ work - I’ve read everything she has published. Shezmu is different to her other stories and it is one not to be missed!
The first difference is that it is written in the third person and it actually took me a number of chapters for that to register as I was so engrossed in the story. For me, it was a refreshing change from reading books penned in the first person. Another is that the author isn’t afraid to write darker scenes, and this is the darkest book (I feel) she’s written to date – and I loved it!
K.A. Sands writes incredible MM romance. Tau has certain sexual needs which the author portrayed brilliantly. I absolutely love the connection that Tau and Bruce share. They both surprised me somewhat, and I love that my thoughts and expectations of them changed as the story progressed – those regarding Tau in particular. Then there is Osha who brings something different to the story, which I found to be perfect.
This story is dark. There are scenes that some readers may shy away from but I absolutely loved them - although there are some that broke my heart too. There is more of this story to follow which excites me. I feel that Shezmu has laid the groundwork for the next book to follow on from perfectly. We have learned the background stories and the reasons behind those closing scenes. I can’t deny that Tau and Bruce’s actions have left me desperate for more!
The first difference is that it is written in the third person and it actually took me a number of chapters for that to register as I was so engrossed in the story. For me, it was a refreshing change from reading books penned in the first person. Another is that the author isn’t afraid to write darker scenes, and this is the darkest book (I feel) she’s written to date – and I loved it!
K.A. Sands writes incredible MM romance. Tau has certain sexual needs which the author portrayed brilliantly. I absolutely love the connection that Tau and Bruce share. They both surprised me somewhat, and I love that my thoughts and expectations of them changed as the story progressed – those regarding Tau in particular. Then there is Osha who brings something different to the story, which I found to be perfect.
This story is dark. There are scenes that some readers may shy away from but I absolutely loved them - although there are some that broke my heart too. There is more of this story to follow which excites me. I feel that Shezmu has laid the groundwork for the next book to follow on from perfectly. We have learned the background stories and the reasons behind those closing scenes. I can’t deny that Tau and Bruce’s actions have left me desperate for more!
July 4, 2021
Bloody brilliant! (Pun intended). This book was so twisty.
I loved every second of it.
This book was incredibly angsty however, the ending was so satisfying.
This story was tied together so well and while parts were absolutely heartbreaking, the author wrote these scenes beautifully.
Definitely a re-read for sure!
I loved every second of it.
This book was incredibly angsty however, the ending was so satisfying.
This story was tied together so well and while parts were absolutely heartbreaking, the author wrote these scenes beautifully.
Definitely a re-read for sure!
July 18, 2021
Shezmu delivers on its name, with a story befitting the ancient deity of wine and slaughter. Tau had someone taken from him, and he will stop at nothing to recover his loss and exact his revenge. He finds a kindred body and soul in Bruce, who both satisfies Tau's rapacious appetite and shares Tau's desire for their brand of justice. But bloodlust is a both an intoxicant and an aphrodisiac for Tau, and it becomes harder for the men to control where the man ends and the monster begins. Shezmu is perfect for fans of Dexter in both its portrayal of a bad guy who hunts bad guys and also in its nightmare-inducing levels of gore. But if you have the stomach for it, the psychological musings of the men and their relationship progression offer a fascinating glimpse into the potential for the monster to be contained.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy for free and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions are my own.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy for free and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions are my own.
July 18, 2021
I liked this one but ut had some uos sand downs that didn't allow me to love it.
What I liked about it was Tau and Bruce. They were both captivating main characters, not particularly charming but with nice backgrounds and fascinatimg minds. They also deliver some intense and high heat scenes that kept me hook to the book.
What I didn't liked about it had also a lot to do with the main characters. They were so perfect for each other but they kept running in circles, to a point they became frustrating for me. They keep messing up things and I just wanted to scream, which is actually a good thing because the book made me geel something but I was mad at them all the time.
As for the main subject of the series, it fit it well and it had the kind of darkness I love.
What I liked about it was Tau and Bruce. They were both captivating main characters, not particularly charming but with nice backgrounds and fascinatimg minds. They also deliver some intense and high heat scenes that kept me hook to the book.
What I didn't liked about it had also a lot to do with the main characters. They were so perfect for each other but they kept running in circles, to a point they became frustrating for me. They keep messing up things and I just wanted to scream, which is actually a good thing because the book made me geel something but I was mad at them all the time.
As for the main subject of the series, it fit it well and it had the kind of darkness I love.
August 14, 2021
3.5 ⭐
August 6, 2021
"Not for the fainthearted" - definitely an understatement!
More than dark, with very extreme kink, in a disastrous setting, but so very well put together in almost every scenario, however gruesome.
Perhaps a slight questioning of just how a survivor of trafficking would fit into a part of the story I won't describe, to avoid spoilers, but definitely well plotted, as a whole.
Very difficult to settle on a star valuation, given the extremes depicted, but in validation of the author allowing even the very protagonists to question themselves, while also considering the not quite complete storyline, I arbitrarily chose a middle ground between 2 (for exaggeration and slight lack of credibility in the case of the survivor) and 5 (for the particularly convoluted story).
More than dark, with very extreme kink, in a disastrous setting, but so very well put together in almost every scenario, however gruesome.
Perhaps a slight questioning of just how a survivor of trafficking would fit into a part of the story I won't describe, to avoid spoilers, but definitely well plotted, as a whole.
Very difficult to settle on a star valuation, given the extremes depicted, but in validation of the author allowing even the very protagonists to question themselves, while also considering the not quite complete storyline, I arbitrarily chose a middle ground between 2 (for exaggeration and slight lack of credibility in the case of the survivor) and 5 (for the particularly convoluted story).
July 14, 2021
Soo dark and twisty!
Blood play, knife play, this novel said dark and it delivered in a big way. I’m so glad the author plans to continue because I don’t want to let these characters go!
Blood play, knife play, this novel said dark and it delivered in a big way. I’m so glad the author plans to continue because I don’t want to let these characters go!
August 11, 2021
Bloody, brutal, intense and oh, sooooo good. Really fantastic story.
Read
July 14, 2021DNF
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews