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The Hanged Men #2
War Games
Sons of opposing mob bosses, secretly married when they were seventeen, Nerva Alms and Joseph Pascal were doomed from the start.
After his father's gruesome murder, Pascal was mutilated and banished, and Nerva grew to replace his own father as head of the Hanged Men. Now, ten years later, Pascal has returned.
War Games is book two in the Hanged Men series, following Blood Sports. While War Games is a standalone, the story is best understood in the context of the first book.
After his father's gruesome murder, Pascal was mutilated and banished, and Nerva grew to replace his own father as head of the Hanged Men. Now, ten years later, Pascal has returned.
War Games is book two in the Hanged Men series, following Blood Sports. While War Games is a standalone, the story is best understood in the context of the first book.
423 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2023
67 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Daniel May
52 books646 followersDaniel May writes MM romance and erotica with a focus on dark contemporary, kink, and BDSM. Originally a lover of sci-fi and fantasy, he turned his sights on the erotic as a joke that went over surprisingly well.
Completed series: The Taste of Ink (rereleased as A Fresh Taste of Ink trilogy)
Ongoing series: Hanged Men
Facebook group, the Daniel May Maelstrom:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/23035...
Sign up for the newsletter at danielmayauthor.com to receive free bonus content, news, and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks at upcoming works.-
Completed series: The Taste of Ink (rereleased as A Fresh Taste of Ink trilogy)
Ongoing series: Hanged Men
Facebook group, the Daniel May Maelstrom:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/23035...
Sign up for the newsletter at danielmayauthor.com to receive free bonus content, news, and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks at upcoming works.-
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
August 1, 2022
DNF at 20%
This was, quite honestly, unreadable.
Why use 3 word when 300 do the trick?
There is no tangible emotion here. Any point where there should be emotion, or might start to be emotion, is immediately drowned in flowery pointless prose. The over the top descriptors make all the feelings abstract and unreal.
Not everything needs a metaphor, but they sure do get them. There’s no sense of importance in this book, because absolutely everything is given three or more paragraphs of fanciful description. Simple scenes last for pages upon pages. A scene where Nerva walks into his room, gets a small bag, and leaves earns 3+ paragraphs of room decor description. Why? His room isn’t important at all. This interrupts any action or flow in the book.
This ruins the tension, where there might be some, as well. Like the Tense Reveal Scene - well, it should be tense, but I was distracted by a passing irrelevant freight train being described as a dragon so it was generally uninteresting.
This book desperately needs to focus. The descriptions are so long that sometimes I don’t remember what I was reading about to start with.
Who is even in this book:
The characters are strangely absent from themselves, like shells of a person. Nerva is a whiny brat who I do not at all believe can run a lemonade stand, let alone a mafia. The whole first chapter is him being self-loathing, I think. My eyes glazed over after he complained about doing coke under a stuffed cow head. It’s just a pile of words, again, that don’t evoke any actual emotions for me.
Pascal is …muscle? I don’t know. Also he has eyes. And an ominous nose.
Miscellany:
I hadn’t run into any actual mafia stuff by the time I quit, though that sometimes takes a bit to get started in mafia books so I’ll ignore that.
Stop using the word bitch/bitchy. Find a new word.
There was one paragraph of tension and interesting and it was about a horse. Immediately returned to nothing once we stopped talking about the mysterious horse.
I’ve got more in my highlights, but here’s two bonus quotes anyway:
It’s really tasteless to refer to an assisted living home as a charnel house. What the hell.
ok BQ Hanson
Overall, this is in dire need of editing. I’m not sure what happened in between Blood Sports and this, but damn, what a downgrade. The romance was weak to absent in Blood Sports, but at least the characters had a personality. This is just a mess.
Read more reviews on my blog:
https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
This was, quite honestly, unreadable.
Why use 3 word when 300 do the trick?
There is no tangible emotion here. Any point where there should be emotion, or might start to be emotion, is immediately drowned in flowery pointless prose. The over the top descriptors make all the feelings abstract and unreal.
Not everything needs a metaphor, but they sure do get them. There’s no sense of importance in this book, because absolutely everything is given three or more paragraphs of fanciful description. Simple scenes last for pages upon pages. A scene where Nerva walks into his room, gets a small bag, and leaves earns 3+ paragraphs of room decor description. Why? His room isn’t important at all. This interrupts any action or flow in the book.
This ruins the tension, where there might be some, as well. Like the Tense Reveal Scene - well, it should be tense, but I was distracted by a passing irrelevant freight train being described as a dragon so it was generally uninteresting.
This book desperately needs to focus. The descriptions are so long that sometimes I don’t remember what I was reading about to start with.
Who is even in this book:
The characters are strangely absent from themselves, like shells of a person. Nerva is a whiny brat who I do not at all believe can run a lemonade stand, let alone a mafia. The whole first chapter is him being self-loathing, I think. My eyes glazed over after he complained about doing coke under a stuffed cow head. It’s just a pile of words, again, that don’t evoke any actual emotions for me.
Pascal is …muscle? I don’t know. Also he has eyes. And an ominous nose.
Miscellany:
I hadn’t run into any actual mafia stuff by the time I quit, though that sometimes takes a bit to get started in mafia books so I’ll ignore that.
Stop using the word bitch/bitchy. Find a new word.
There was one paragraph of tension and interesting and it was about a horse. Immediately returned to nothing once we stopped talking about the mysterious horse.
I’ve got more in my highlights, but here’s two bonus quotes anyway:
He was filial enough to come pay his respects in this charnel house, but no longer stupid enough to hope.
It’s really tasteless to refer to an assisted living home as a charnel house. What the hell.
He had thick white brows, clenched together currently in a decisive consternation.
ok BQ Hanson
Overall, this is in dire need of editing. I’m not sure what happened in between Blood Sports and this, but damn, what a downgrade. The romance was weak to absent in Blood Sports, but at least the characters had a personality. This is just a mess.
Read more reviews on my blog:
https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
July 26, 2022
This book was amazing. I went in expecting something similar to Blood Sports - some fun dark mafia shenanigans, with a lot of humor. And of course, horse.
And while we still had the humor - Mars as a side character is brilliant, and the banter between the small gang of assassins is hilarious - I wasn't expecting the sheer heartbreak.
When we start the book, Nerva has been widowed for 10 years, after the death of his husband - son of a rival mob family, Joseph Pascal. In that time he's ascended to his father's place as head of the Hanged Men, and recent events (kidnapping, betrayal) have left him an absolute mess. When Pascal - who Nerva thought was dead- suddenly shows up looking for a horse, everything comes crashing back and crashing down around his ears.
The story is told from both Nerva and Pascal's PoV, interspersed with flashbacks to their past, growing up and becoming lovers, then husbands. It's all told in Daniel's typical sharp imagery, half lyrical and half bullshitting (describing a scrubby hillside as "that grim woodsy bullshit").
Compared to Blood Sports, there is a lot more romance. My only, small, feedback on the book is that the sad, fucked up parts are written so much better than the happy ones. There's a perfectly acceptable HEA, but it didn't hit me anywhere near as strongly as the tragic lost lovers at the beginning. Maybe at that point I was too shell-shocked for it to sink in, as I did absolutely blast through the book in one evening. Maybe the sad parts just hit closer to home for me, and I feel them more.
Overall I would definitely recommend. I finished at 2am and am already contemplating a re-read.
And while we still had the humor - Mars as a side character is brilliant, and the banter between the small gang of assassins is hilarious - I wasn't expecting the sheer heartbreak.
When we start the book, Nerva has been widowed for 10 years, after the death of his husband - son of a rival mob family, Joseph Pascal. In that time he's ascended to his father's place as head of the Hanged Men, and recent events (kidnapping, betrayal) have left him an absolute mess. When Pascal - who Nerva thought was dead- suddenly shows up looking for a horse, everything comes crashing back and crashing down around his ears.
Nerva had lost him, lost his one person, that living embodiment of whatever had been missing in his own soul, that literal other half, the completion of his being alive in another body. Joseph Pascal. Best friend. Bully and sweetheart. Rival, Lover.
The story is told from both Nerva and Pascal's PoV, interspersed with flashbacks to their past, growing up and becoming lovers, then husbands. It's all told in Daniel's typical sharp imagery, half lyrical and half bullshitting (describing a scrubby hillside as "that grim woodsy bullshit").
Compared to Blood Sports, there is a lot more romance. My only, small, feedback on the book is that the sad, fucked up parts are written so much better than the happy ones. There's a perfectly acceptable HEA, but it didn't hit me anywhere near as strongly as the tragic lost lovers at the beginning. Maybe at that point I was too shell-shocked for it to sink in, as I did absolutely blast through the book in one evening. Maybe the sad parts just hit closer to home for me, and I feel them more.
Overall I would definitely recommend. I finished at 2am and am already contemplating a re-read.
July 28, 2022
This book hits you with all the emotional feelings from the get go. The book starts out from Nerva’s POV and you quickly learn he has been morning the love of his life, best friend and deceased husband for 10 years. Because no one knew he had been married his mourning has also been all in secret. He does not know what happened to his husband and has never recovered emotionally. He has been trying to cope with his feelings in ways that aren’t necessarily healthy, but he just wants to feel something other than loneliness.
As it turns out, his husband is not dead and returns with a request from Nerva. This leads to a lot of internal doubt for Nerva, why did he disappear, why did he never come back for me, was I not worth it? Again, it is just so heartbreaking to go through those feelings with him. And this book is so well written you truly feel all those emotions.
Another theme played out throughout the book is forgiveness. How do you forgive someone whose actions literally caused your life to alter its direction? How do you forgive a situation that you played no part in, but was forced upon you?
It is not all sad though, there is an amazing cast of side characters (looking at you Lou) that truly provide a light counterbalance to the more emotional scenes. And you do get a bit more murder horses, although not nearly as much as the first book.
With all that being said, this book was a true emotional journey and I absolutely loved it. I devoured it within a day. It packs the emotional punches, but Nerva and Pascal do get their well-deserved HEA.
The one thing I would have loved is a cameo from Tobias. I can just imagine the awkward questions he would have asked Pascal about being “dead” for 10 years.
As it turns out, his husband is not dead and returns with a request from Nerva. This leads to a lot of internal doubt for Nerva, why did he disappear, why did he never come back for me, was I not worth it? Again, it is just so heartbreaking to go through those feelings with him. And this book is so well written you truly feel all those emotions.
Another theme played out throughout the book is forgiveness. How do you forgive someone whose actions literally caused your life to alter its direction? How do you forgive a situation that you played no part in, but was forced upon you?
It is not all sad though, there is an amazing cast of side characters (looking at you Lou) that truly provide a light counterbalance to the more emotional scenes. And you do get a bit more murder horses, although not nearly as much as the first book.
With all that being said, this book was a true emotional journey and I absolutely loved it. I devoured it within a day. It packs the emotional punches, but Nerva and Pascal do get their well-deserved HEA.
The one thing I would have loved is a cameo from Tobias. I can just imagine the awkward questions he would have asked Pascal about being “dead” for 10 years.
July 28, 2022
Couldn’t put it down!
I loved the first book in this series and was excited to read the next one! It took me a while to figure out exactly what was going on since information was doled out a piece at a time, but you DO get all the pieces eventually.
Like the first, this has an interesting combination of dark/gore and humorous moments. The very beginning of the book has drug use and careless s3x, but that’s more to show how much the character fell apart when he lost his husband.
I’m very intrigued by the character of the White Rabbit (maybe he’s with Hadrian?) and the combo of Mars and Dio promises to be fun if things go that way. I can’t wait for more in the series!
I loved the first book in this series and was excited to read the next one! It took me a while to figure out exactly what was going on since information was doled out a piece at a time, but you DO get all the pieces eventually.
Like the first, this has an interesting combination of dark/gore and humorous moments. The very beginning of the book has drug use and careless s3x, but that’s more to show how much the character fell apart when he lost his husband.
I’m very intrigued by the character of the White Rabbit (maybe he’s with Hadrian?) and the combo of Mars and Dio promises to be fun if things go that way. I can’t wait for more in the series!
January 13, 2023
2.5 ⭐️
The first Daniel May that didn't work for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the first installment in this series, and of course, my love for the Taste of Ink trilogy is well documented. This is in the same series/ universe as Blood Sports, but functions more-or-less as a standalone. It is childhood lovers to best friends, secret wedding, bereavement, and second-chance romance. With murderhorses.
I get Daniel May's newsletter, and there he writes a lot about his writing journey and what he's experimenting with and trying to get better at. This book is stylistically a huge departure from his other stuff, and unfortunately it wasn't to my taste. The language is flowery and over-wrought and somewhat tortured, and there are some truly wild metaphors. Pascal and Nerva's arc is heavy on drama and angst and this is reflected in the prose, which is really going for it. But for me, it was just too much.
At the same time, while I didn't dig it, I also appreciate that May as a young author is committed to playing around with different genres and styles. Taste of Ink, while a trilogy, is essentially one long book, and as such has a very consistent voice (for the most part, Trinket's) throughout; the language is extremely effective, direct but evocative, and there is an intelligence and dry wit that shines through even when there is some real pain and trauma being depicted. Princess, one of May's dark erotic romances, is super mindfucky and utterly compelling and impossible to put down. Blood Sports, by contrast, is a plot-driven, action-packed, essentially light-hearted romp, with super chemistry between Jove and Tobias and a sly sense of humor. And so it makes sense that May would want to distinguish Nerva and Pascal's more heart-wrenching journey from Jove and Tobias's arc via stylized, flowery, purple prose. My impression as a reader is that this kind of writing doesn't come naturally to May in comparison the more simple, direct prose of his other stuff. But I also like that he's giving it a go, not just chilling in a comfort zone, even if it isn't ultimately as successful.
And that's why I'm rounding up to 3 rather than down to 2 stars. Some authors find their formula and churn out endless and essentially indistinguishable books. And hey, when it works, it works: there's something to be said, as a reader, for having those authors where you pretty much know what you're going to get in terms of tone, voice, characters, and emotional beats, and you know it will scratch the itch. And of course, the economics of publishing, especially self-pub, pretty much mandates that authors develop a huge backlist if they're going to get any compensation for their work, which also mitigates against genre shifts and innovation. In this context, experimentation should be rewarded.
For newbies to May, I would recommend starting with Taste of Ink -- with the important caveat that the subject matter and content will not work for everyone, so look before you leap. Blood Sports is also a super fun introduction to his work. For my sake, this was a blip on the radar, but it will not prevent me from reading more of Daniel May's work.
The first Daniel May that didn't work for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the first installment in this series, and of course, my love for the Taste of Ink trilogy is well documented. This is in the same series/ universe as Blood Sports, but functions more-or-less as a standalone. It is childhood lovers to best friends, secret wedding, bereavement, and second-chance romance. With murderhorses.
I get Daniel May's newsletter, and there he writes a lot about his writing journey and what he's experimenting with and trying to get better at. This book is stylistically a huge departure from his other stuff, and unfortunately it wasn't to my taste. The language is flowery and over-wrought and somewhat tortured, and there are some truly wild metaphors. Pascal and Nerva's arc is heavy on drama and angst and this is reflected in the prose, which is really going for it. But for me, it was just too much.
At the same time, while I didn't dig it, I also appreciate that May as a young author is committed to playing around with different genres and styles. Taste of Ink, while a trilogy, is essentially one long book, and as such has a very consistent voice (for the most part, Trinket's) throughout; the language is extremely effective, direct but evocative, and there is an intelligence and dry wit that shines through even when there is some real pain and trauma being depicted. Princess, one of May's dark erotic romances, is super mindfucky and utterly compelling and impossible to put down. Blood Sports, by contrast, is a plot-driven, action-packed, essentially light-hearted romp, with super chemistry between Jove and Tobias and a sly sense of humor. And so it makes sense that May would want to distinguish Nerva and Pascal's more heart-wrenching journey from Jove and Tobias's arc via stylized, flowery, purple prose. My impression as a reader is that this kind of writing doesn't come naturally to May in comparison the more simple, direct prose of his other stuff. But I also like that he's giving it a go, not just chilling in a comfort zone, even if it isn't ultimately as successful.
And that's why I'm rounding up to 3 rather than down to 2 stars. Some authors find their formula and churn out endless and essentially indistinguishable books. And hey, when it works, it works: there's something to be said, as a reader, for having those authors where you pretty much know what you're going to get in terms of tone, voice, characters, and emotional beats, and you know it will scratch the itch. And of course, the economics of publishing, especially self-pub, pretty much mandates that authors develop a huge backlist if they're going to get any compensation for their work, which also mitigates against genre shifts and innovation. In this context, experimentation should be rewarded.
For newbies to May, I would recommend starting with Taste of Ink -- with the important caveat that the subject matter and content will not work for everyone, so look before you leap. Blood Sports is also a super fun introduction to his work. For my sake, this was a blip on the radar, but it will not prevent me from reading more of Daniel May's work.
July 26, 2022
The much anticipated second book in this series is finally here. This will be called MM mafia romance but it’s not like anything else you’ve read in this trope.
It’s definitely MM and they are mafia but it’s less romance and more ‘bonded by unbreakable love’.
May has a writing style that gives the book a unique voice and I just love it.
There is a mystery to unravel and a series of revelations that are shocking and a few that come from unexpected quarters. There is a fair amount of action and a bit of blood. Read the trigger warnings. The smexy times are hot hot hot.
Highly recommend.
It’s definitely MM and they are mafia but it’s less romance and more ‘bonded by unbreakable love’.
May has a writing style that gives the book a unique voice and I just love it.
There is a mystery to unravel and a series of revelations that are shocking and a few that come from unexpected quarters. There is a fair amount of action and a bit of blood. Read the trigger warnings. The smexy times are hot hot hot.
Highly recommend.
May 7, 2023
5⭐️ This book is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Daniel May brings this strange, dark, and at times desperate world to life with beautiful, introspective writing. One of my favorite reads of the year.
Nerva and Pascal, sons of rival mob bosses, were married young in secret before horrific events separated them. Now, ten years later they’re reunited under less than ideal circumstances, both hardened and destroyed by what they have endured. This story slowly unravels their history as they struggle to find their lost humanity and the love they thought they lost forever.
There is so much plot here—action, violence, dark humor, horror, betrayal, forgiveness, death—but there is also a subtle romance that is heartbreakingly beautiful.
Definitely read Blood Sports first to get the full picture of the world these men live in, and Nerva’s background. The writing is… a lot. There’s no other way to describe it. You have to love intricate plots to appreciate this series. It’s complicated and dark, but emotional, brilliant, and never boring.
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Romance ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Nerva and Pascal, sons of rival mob bosses, were married young in secret before horrific events separated them. Now, ten years later they’re reunited under less than ideal circumstances, both hardened and destroyed by what they have endured. This story slowly unravels their history as they struggle to find their lost humanity and the love they thought they lost forever.
There is so much plot here—action, violence, dark humor, horror, betrayal, forgiveness, death—but there is also a subtle romance that is heartbreakingly beautiful.
Definitely read Blood Sports first to get the full picture of the world these men live in, and Nerva’s background. The writing is… a lot. There’s no other way to describe it. You have to love intricate plots to appreciate this series. It’s complicated and dark, but emotional, brilliant, and never boring.
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Romance ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
October 23, 2022
Enjoyable sequel in a series I'm quite enjoying! Dark and fucked-up, but not too much so for me, and I'm liking the writing and the characters overall, along with the subtle paranormal twist. Unlike the first book, this one included what felt like a fairly obvious set-up for the next book/pairing--in terms of how it was integrated, I didn't find it overly pushy, but I also wasn't wildly interested in the pairing, so it does have me slightly less excited about the next book. Though it wouldn't be the first time I was skeptical about a pairing only to have an author sell me on it!
July 27, 2022
Interesting turn of events
This series has really grabbed me. Its an eclectic group of bad guys that you absolutely root for and the chemistry is off the charts. Get past the unbelievability and remember its fiction! The storylines and characters are so well written you don't want to miss out on this.
This series has really grabbed me. Its an eclectic group of bad guys that you absolutely root for and the chemistry is off the charts. Get past the unbelievability and remember its fiction! The storylines and characters are so well written you don't want to miss out on this.
August 17, 2022
Blood Sports was the first crime-lord romance I ever read; I've lived in NYC most of my life and I'm old enough to remember when certain blocks in Little Italy were the preserve of the evil John Gotti. I could never shed that awareness enough to enjoy a romance in which one of the MCs headed a criminal organization.
But, you know: Daniel May. I wound up loving Blood Sports -- never mind 5-star, it was at least a 6-star read -- and I was looking forward to War Games like whoa. Alas, it was a letdown.
The difference is in two respects.
1. War Games seems to take itself very seriously. The prose is repetitive and overwrought, as if DM didn't quite trust the characters and plot to tell the story and convey the emotional pain between Nerva and Pascal.
2., There's no leavening. I have the impression that Lou/Melissa and Dio/Mars are meant to provide that leavening, as Tobias (NOT TOBY!) did in Blood Sports with his wit and cleverness and complete lack of susceptibility to intimidation. Blood Sports is a heavy story, with its themes of loss and betrayal, and Tobias's character was kind of a life vest, keeping the reader from drowning in the violence and pain. I just didn't care enough about the secondary characters in War Games for them to work in the same way.
Daniel May is a wonderful writer and I have every confidence that he'll find his footing again. I'd just recommend taking a pass on this one.
I was supposed to get an ARC of this from Gay Romance Reviews, but Amazon is having technical problems with ARCs going to people's Kindle addresses, so I read it on KU instead. Anyway, this review is voluntary.
But, you know: Daniel May. I wound up loving Blood Sports -- never mind 5-star, it was at least a 6-star read -- and I was looking forward to War Games like whoa. Alas, it was a letdown.
The difference is in two respects.
1. War Games seems to take itself very seriously. The prose is repetitive and overwrought, as if DM didn't quite trust the characters and plot to tell the story and convey the emotional pain between Nerva and Pascal.
2., There's no leavening. I have the impression that Lou/Melissa and Dio/Mars are meant to provide that leavening, as Tobias (NOT TOBY!) did in Blood Sports with his wit and cleverness and complete lack of susceptibility to intimidation. Blood Sports is a heavy story, with its themes of loss and betrayal, and Tobias's character was kind of a life vest, keeping the reader from drowning in the violence and pain. I just didn't care enough about the secondary characters in War Games for them to work in the same way.
Daniel May is a wonderful writer and I have every confidence that he'll find his footing again. I'd just recommend taking a pass on this one.
I was supposed to get an ARC of this from Gay Romance Reviews, but Amazon is having technical problems with ARCs going to people's Kindle addresses, so I read it on KU instead. Anyway, this review is voluntary.
December 1, 2022
Another instalment of murderhorses! This time, crime boss Nerva Alms and his long-lost husband, assassin Joseph Pascal - assumed dead for 10 years - are reunited in anger, resentment and bloodshed. The pining! The yearning!! The ‘I hate you but I love you’!!! Honestly, every Daniel May book I read corrodes my moral compass just a little bit further and I love that for me.
I need a book for the white rabbit please and thank you. (If you know you know.)
I need a book for the white rabbit please and thank you. (If you know you know.)
August 16, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
This is the second book in the Hanged Man series and it’s just as good as the first. If you want humor with your violence, angry hate sex between two men who love each other, gore, redemption, reunions, family bonds, and killer horse-shaped monsters, then this is the book for you. While Nerva and his brothers made their first appearance in Blood Sports, this book is easily read as a standalone (though, really, the first book was so very good that I do suggest you take the time to enjoy it, too).
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
This is the second book in the Hanged Man series and it’s just as good as the first. If you want humor with your violence, angry hate sex between two men who love each other, gore, redemption, reunions, family bonds, and killer horse-shaped monsters, then this is the book for you. While Nerva and his brothers made their first appearance in Blood Sports, this book is easily read as a standalone (though, really, the first book was so very good that I do suggest you take the time to enjoy it, too).
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
August 10, 2022
I really enjoyed the characters in this one. I liked how emotional their story was and how emotional it made me. But I just wanted more of everything, I felt like I needed more of everything to truly connect with this book and this story.
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion
July 28, 2022
Daniel May's books are so intense and yet fascinating and absorbing. This is the second book of the series involving the "horses". Joseph and Nerva loved each other as kids and declared themselves married until one horrible night when Nerva thought Joseph was killed. Now he is back from the dead, changed but still in love with a bitter Nerva. Daniel's book is a brooding , dark story filled with violence, mystery and passion from two killers who can't forget they loved each other and are being hunted themselves. It's a shaded, unique story line you can't stop reading that stays with you. I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion.
July 16, 2023
Strange and lovely books
with dangerous men of immense
passion and horses.
with dangerous men of immense
passion and horses.
July 29, 2022
If you have read Blood Sports then you may be ready for this one. I had not, so I was not sure what to expect. However, I have enjoyed each of Daniel May's books so how different could it be? First to reassure you (and me) there is hot sex but there is also another genre-the mob life with a lot less sex. It will be hard for me to write a review without spoilers but here goes...Nerva and Pascal fell in love as teenagers and their love was full of the sweetness of first love and the experimentations of real innocence until a tragedy took Pascal away and left Nerva in a self-destructive type of mourning-he lost his will to live and numbed his emotions with strangers and coke. Neither satisfied for very long and he had already galloped towards losing his self-respect but even scarier to the Hanged Men, was that he was moving towards losing his men's respect too. Luckily Machiavelli had nothing on his loyal support person, Henry.
Then a dead man shows up and blows Nerva's life up with everyone's half spoken truths, half-spoken lies and the remains, the shell, of a once beloved figure. What is left is a predator with loyalties to no-one and nothing except killer horses. Has he come back to get rid of Nerva or Nerva’s position because he stole another man’s heritage? The man he had loved as a teen’s heritage?
The story itself is convoluted and has one twist after another as the full story comes together. Just when you think you have the answers-no you do not. You are led on a trip up and down hills, under buildings and into the ocean. All questions are answered.
Underlying all this, is what was once the sweet love of two young men who meant the world to each other and believed in happily ever after. The story comes full circle and most of the bad guys pay but not all as far as I was concerned. I understand the reasons but I would have been okay with one last kill. Enjoy.
Then a dead man shows up and blows Nerva's life up with everyone's half spoken truths, half-spoken lies and the remains, the shell, of a once beloved figure. What is left is a predator with loyalties to no-one and nothing except killer horses. Has he come back to get rid of Nerva or Nerva’s position because he stole another man’s heritage? The man he had loved as a teen’s heritage?
The story itself is convoluted and has one twist after another as the full story comes together. Just when you think you have the answers-no you do not. You are led on a trip up and down hills, under buildings and into the ocean. All questions are answered.
Underlying all this, is what was once the sweet love of two young men who meant the world to each other and believed in happily ever after. The story comes full circle and most of the bad guys pay but not all as far as I was concerned. I understand the reasons but I would have been okay with one last kill. Enjoy.
August 1, 2022
The second book in the Hanged Men series focuses on Nerva Alms (current head of the gang and oldest son of Jove, the MC in the series opener) and Joseph Pascal, the son of the former (now deceased) boss of a rival Family. It's every bit as gritty as the first book with all of the politics and violence you'd expect from this kind of environment, especially taking into account the circumstances of Nerva and Pascal’s separation 10 years previously.
I really wanted to love this book on the back of Jove and Tobias’s story, but it didn't quite make the sum of its parts for me. It's got some wonderfully dark imagery, but some really lengthy descriptions detract from its impact. There's the foundation of some delicious angst between Pascal and Nerva but it never really reaches its potential. There's humour from the side characters (Pascal’s friend Mars and Nerva’s brothers in particular) but some readers might find they stray just the wrong side of the line and become a tiny bit annoying. I really like the White Rabbit character and would have liked to see them used a little more, too. What I do still love, however, is the concept of the Saturday horses. Their savage nature coupled with intelligence is fantastic.
So, whilst the second outing in this series isn't quite as good for me, I'm still glad I read it and will see what happens next in the Hanged Men universe...3.5* rounded up.
An ARC was provided by GRR. This is my honest review.
I really wanted to love this book on the back of Jove and Tobias’s story, but it didn't quite make the sum of its parts for me. It's got some wonderfully dark imagery, but some really lengthy descriptions detract from its impact. There's the foundation of some delicious angst between Pascal and Nerva but it never really reaches its potential. There's humour from the side characters (Pascal’s friend Mars and Nerva’s brothers in particular) but some readers might find they stray just the wrong side of the line and become a tiny bit annoying. I really like the White Rabbit character and would have liked to see them used a little more, too. What I do still love, however, is the concept of the Saturday horses. Their savage nature coupled with intelligence is fantastic.
So, whilst the second outing in this series isn't quite as good for me, I'm still glad I read it and will see what happens next in the Hanged Men universe...3.5* rounded up.
An ARC was provided by GRR. This is my honest review.
July 28, 2022
I discovered that this had come out from a post on Reddit and you better believe I switched to my Amazon tab so fast I gave myself whiplash!
If book one was a laugh alongside the horror, book two is a different beast. It comes after the events of the first book, but Daniel has provided a handy recap at the beginning and it can be read as a stand-alone.
The beginning of this book was torturous – my heart broke in several places for both Nerva and Pascal. Imagine finding your person at such a young, impressionable age and then losing them – completely devastating. Which explained why Nerva appeared so cold and unfeeling to everyone. And then we met Pascal.
When people talk about a roller-coaster of emotions, this book encompasses that feeling. Sorrow, fear, confusion, hysterical laughter – all in a matter of chapters and sometimes within just one of them. There are flashbacks – some of them sweet, some painful – with an underlying story/mystery slowly unravelling for Nerva and Pascal that made me feel sick at the world they live in whilst completely enthralled.
There’s no real way to talk about this book without spoilers, but Mars is my second favourite character if only for the attitude. Hadrian remains my favourite and I need a story with him because I think it would be amazingly chaotic and astounding! The special horses make another appearance – in the background and then more and more integral to the storyline – and I still can’t decide how I feel about them. I think I’ll settle for terror and stick around Nerva’s level when it comes to the horses.
This was a fantastic read and more than satisfied my itch for the Hanged Man – for a short time anyway. A hearty 5/5 from me.
If book one was a laugh alongside the horror, book two is a different beast. It comes after the events of the first book, but Daniel has provided a handy recap at the beginning and it can be read as a stand-alone.
The beginning of this book was torturous – my heart broke in several places for both Nerva and Pascal. Imagine finding your person at such a young, impressionable age and then losing them – completely devastating. Which explained why Nerva appeared so cold and unfeeling to everyone. And then we met Pascal.
When people talk about a roller-coaster of emotions, this book encompasses that feeling. Sorrow, fear, confusion, hysterical laughter – all in a matter of chapters and sometimes within just one of them. There are flashbacks – some of them sweet, some painful – with an underlying story/mystery slowly unravelling for Nerva and Pascal that made me feel sick at the world they live in whilst completely enthralled.
There’s no real way to talk about this book without spoilers, but Mars is my second favourite character if only for the attitude. Hadrian remains my favourite and I need a story with him because I think it would be amazingly chaotic and astounding! The special horses make another appearance – in the background and then more and more integral to the storyline – and I still can’t decide how I feel about them. I think I’ll settle for terror and stick around Nerva’s level when it comes to the horses.
This was a fantastic read and more than satisfied my itch for the Hanged Man – for a short time anyway. A hearty 5/5 from me.
August 3, 2022
This is my first book from Daniel May and the first book I've read in the series.
It worked very well as a stand alone for me.
Pascal and Nerva had all the makings for a dysfunctional couple, which makes them great to read about.
Having been separated for so long, one thinking the other is dead, and the other having lived a nightmare until he could return.
It was hot, it was petty, it was filled with blood and an array of psychopaths, because the friends that kill together stay together. You just don't trust any of them.
Loved the supernatural elements thrown in there as well, giving a vibe of the real world but with something off. It has animals that resembles a crocotta only in the shape of a horse, who hungers for blood and is only tame if you don't have your back to it. It's nightmare fuel.
While I loved the book, the language could become a bit tedious at times, long sentences to explain small mundane things.
Much of the book is in the minds of our characters rather than in dialogue, which again can make it a long read.
The only thing I felt missing was the mafia element of the book. We are told Nerva is a big mafia boss but we never see him do any of the sort. Just think it would have helped to build the world a bit more.
It worked very well as a stand alone for me.
Pascal and Nerva had all the makings for a dysfunctional couple, which makes them great to read about.
Having been separated for so long, one thinking the other is dead, and the other having lived a nightmare until he could return.
It was hot, it was petty, it was filled with blood and an array of psychopaths, because the friends that kill together stay together. You just don't trust any of them.
Loved the supernatural elements thrown in there as well, giving a vibe of the real world but with something off. It has animals that resembles a crocotta only in the shape of a horse, who hungers for blood and is only tame if you don't have your back to it. It's nightmare fuel.
While I loved the book, the language could become a bit tedious at times, long sentences to explain small mundane things.
Much of the book is in the minds of our characters rather than in dialogue, which again can make it a long read.
The only thing I felt missing was the mafia element of the book. We are told Nerva is a big mafia boss but we never see him do any of the sort. Just think it would have helped to build the world a bit more.
August 3, 2022
Another book in this fantastic series about the Hanged man organisation and the men surrounding it! This can be read as a standalone, but I definitely think the reading experience is better if you’ve read the first book.
I always enjoy reading Daniel’s writing style, and the characters he writes. This book was a bit different though… I struggled a bit to get into the story at first, but then I could not put it down! Definitely a book that requires time for reading in my opinion. Not a book I can read a couple of pages of, leave it be and be right back in the story again. But this might just be me…
I love Pascal!!! All the things he’s been through breaks my heart. Luckily he found back to his “soulmate” Nerva! Love the dynamics between them. It’s not an easy ride… but a wonderful HEA.
The ending of the book was PERFECT! No loose ends, no questions left without an answer.
I really appreciate the author for writing stories that he wants to write, it really shows in his stories that he enjoys writing them.
I always enjoy reading Daniel’s writing style, and the characters he writes. This book was a bit different though… I struggled a bit to get into the story at first, but then I could not put it down! Definitely a book that requires time for reading in my opinion. Not a book I can read a couple of pages of, leave it be and be right back in the story again. But this might just be me…
I love Pascal!!! All the things he’s been through breaks my heart. Luckily he found back to his “soulmate” Nerva! Love the dynamics between them. It’s not an easy ride… but a wonderful HEA.
The ending of the book was PERFECT! No loose ends, no questions left without an answer.
I really appreciate the author for writing stories that he wants to write, it really shows in his stories that he enjoys writing them.
August 1, 2022
War Games is a completely different beast than the first book in this series, so I really found myself caught off guard (in a good way) going into it! I can't really give a lot of my thoughts and feelings in here without going into spoiler territory, but I really enjoyed this book. There are so many twists and turns in the plot, and it's such a heavily emotional ride that it left me on edge for a lot of it. I was curious about Nerva, and this delved into his depths and let everyone know exactly why he is the person he is.
Things I loved:
*The character depth. I'm a sucker for a story that plucks at my heartstrings.
*The side characters. Because what can I say? I'm a sucker for a good cast of side characters who always make me wonder when they'll pop up again.
*I know this is weird but... how sad it made me? Like, thank you, author. Evoke those emotions!
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read. Don't go into it thinking you're going to get the same bite as you did in Blood Sports. Daniel May is a multi-faceted author who can give you a different flavor with every book in a series!
Things I loved:
*The character depth. I'm a sucker for a story that plucks at my heartstrings.
*The side characters. Because what can I say? I'm a sucker for a good cast of side characters who always make me wonder when they'll pop up again.
*I know this is weird but... how sad it made me? Like, thank you, author. Evoke those emotions!
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read. Don't go into it thinking you're going to get the same bite as you did in Blood Sports. Daniel May is a multi-faceted author who can give you a different flavor with every book in a series!
July 31, 2022
This book was not an easy one to get into. The first part was agony – the writing was brilliant, the characters are, at this point, begging to be explored more; but the emotions, tension, and sheer pain in the two MCs made it so challenging to read. Thankfully, there was some injection of humor from Mars who is irreverent and sarcastic, just enough to give you a bit of a break from the general intensity of the rest.
I can’t really say what happens in the book, since it’s a spoiler minefield, but the rest of the book explores what happened to cause Pascal to disappear, what happened to Nerva after he was told this (secret) husband was dead, and a reconciliation 10 years in the making.
The story is intense; if you read the first one, I think this one is higher on the intensity scale, while lower on the terror scale. Be ready for a rough ride but, if you make it through, you’ll find you really enjoyed the story and will want to read it a second time, where you’ll be able to enjoy the details more.
I can’t really say what happens in the book, since it’s a spoiler minefield, but the rest of the book explores what happened to cause Pascal to disappear, what happened to Nerva after he was told this (secret) husband was dead, and a reconciliation 10 years in the making.
The story is intense; if you read the first one, I think this one is higher on the intensity scale, while lower on the terror scale. Be ready for a rough ride but, if you make it through, you’ll find you really enjoyed the story and will want to read it a second time, where you’ll be able to enjoy the details more.
August 1, 2022
This book has been one of my best reads of the year. It's an absolute gem 💎 Let me warn you though, this one has a completely different mood than the first one. War Games is packed with angst, so much angst. I cried many times but I am also a crybaby.
The words used, the detailed descriptions... everything was so beautifully written that I felt it so much for Nerva, Pascal and everyone else.
After the first book, I was very worried about Nerva since the poor guy had been through a lot... turned out he had it worse than I thought on this book. And of course Pascal could not be behind on the train of tragic events. Man, do these two suffer. But they do push past the darkness, slowly but surely they are able to move on.
The side characters on this book are so lovable. I adored them all and they played a great role. I wish I could see more of Toowun.
I loved the brotherly banter.
I loved the longing of Nerva and Pascal.
And I'm so happy that they got their HEA because they f*cking deserved it after being apart for so long. 💖
The words used, the detailed descriptions... everything was so beautifully written that I felt it so much for Nerva, Pascal and everyone else.
After the first book, I was very worried about Nerva since the poor guy had been through a lot... turned out he had it worse than I thought on this book. And of course Pascal could not be behind on the train of tragic events. Man, do these two suffer. But they do push past the darkness, slowly but surely they are able to move on.
The side characters on this book are so lovable. I adored them all and they played a great role. I wish I could see more of Toowun.
I loved the brotherly banter.
I loved the longing of Nerva and Pascal.
And I'm so happy that they got their HEA because they f*cking deserved it after being apart for so long. 💖
August 3, 2022
War Games is like a really good piece of dark chocolate, dark and bitter with a hint of sweetness. May does a fantastic job of developing Nerva and Joseph, and the complexity and imagination in the story made me stay up way too late to finish it. It’s brutal, violent and disturbing at times, but it also has some really tender moments and surprisingly funny moments. Joseph and Nerva are so good for each other, and it’s really gratifying to have them find their way back to each other after ten years of pain. I love all of the side characters, especially Nerva’s brothers, and can’t wait for the next book in the series.
August 7, 2022
Loved this! Though this is two-opposing-mafia faction's sons, Nerva and Pascal had been friends and lovers since they were young, so not quite enemies-to-lovers.
Nerva and Pascal's story was so tragic ughhhhh my heart. I'm so glad they got their HEA but so mad at everyone for having kept them apart for 10 years. There's slightly more smut in this than book 1 and it was hot hot hot, but it was still heavily focused on the plot and mystery.
Kinda wished that Jove and Tobias had made an appearance, try to mend the broken family bonds a bit and have some sorta father-son moments since they've all changed and also because of the ordeals of the first book.
I'm so excited for book 3. I hope it's Dios and Mars. I loved all the side character friends of Pascal from this book. Lou and David were such a hilarious couple. Mars and Dios' interactions were some of my favorites as well! Hope they all make an appearance in book 3.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by the author.
Nerva and Pascal's story was so tragic ughhhhh my heart. I'm so glad they got their HEA but so mad at everyone for having kept them apart for 10 years. There's slightly more smut in this than book 1 and it was hot hot hot, but it was still heavily focused on the plot and mystery.
Kinda wished that Jove and Tobias had made an appearance, try to mend the broken family bonds a bit and have some sorta father-son moments since they've all changed and also because of the ordeals of the first book.
I'm so excited for book 3. I hope it's Dios and Mars. I loved all the side character friends of Pascal from this book. Lou and David were such a hilarious couple. Mars and Dios' interactions were some of my favorites as well! Hope they all make an appearance in book 3.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by the author.
September 7, 2022
Espectacular!! Muy buena historia y personajes, desde el primer libro me enamoré de Hadrian y ahora se le une Mars, ansiosa por leer sus historias ❤️❤️
July 29, 2022
I’m really enjoying these guys! The plot line and characters are amazing and sometimes the words are so poetic. I can’t wait to see who’s story is next!
September 9, 2022
Daniel May managed once again to break, well more like destroy my heart, while also making me laugh.
Nerva and Pascal are soulmates. There is no better way to describe their love, but it was destined to be. Existing without the other was never a possibility. As Nerva very well says:
“Nerva had lost him, lost his one person, that living embodiment of whatever had been missing in his own soul, that literal other half, the completion of his being alive in another body. Joseph Pascal. Best friend. Bully and sweetheart. Rival, lover.”
Flashbacks and memories show us how childhood friends became lovers and then husbands. Those glimpses into the past are what made the present hurt so much more. We are shown not just told what they lost. And it hurts.
I have never wanted to hug a big scary assassin more than I wanted to hug Pascal. He would kill me but I would die happy.
The heartbreaking moments are very well balanced by a very engaging plot with some twists that I definitely did not see coming but made so much sense. As well as some of the humor that made the first book of this series an absolute riot to read. The world mob setting May is creating with this series is one I do not want to leave. And I can’t wait for the next book. The side characters are frankly hilarious and Mars is someone I can’t wait to read more about.
This is a book to be devoured and then re read slowly. I only have two minor complaints, 1. I would have loved for Tobias to made an appearance 2. I think I needed one chapter more with Pascal and Nerva just doing mundane murder mob things and just being happy. Cause they deserved it so much.
TLDR: Recommend it to everyone. Heartbreaking yet very romantic. Great plot, fantastic side characters.
Nerva and Pascal are soulmates. There is no better way to describe their love, but it was destined to be. Existing without the other was never a possibility. As Nerva very well says:
“Nerva had lost him, lost his one person, that living embodiment of whatever had been missing in his own soul, that literal other half, the completion of his being alive in another body. Joseph Pascal. Best friend. Bully and sweetheart. Rival, lover.”
Flashbacks and memories show us how childhood friends became lovers and then husbands. Those glimpses into the past are what made the present hurt so much more. We are shown not just told what they lost. And it hurts.
I have never wanted to hug a big scary assassin more than I wanted to hug Pascal. He would kill me but I would die happy.
The heartbreaking moments are very well balanced by a very engaging plot with some twists that I definitely did not see coming but made so much sense. As well as some of the humor that made the first book of this series an absolute riot to read. The world mob setting May is creating with this series is one I do not want to leave. And I can’t wait for the next book. The side characters are frankly hilarious and Mars is someone I can’t wait to read more about.
This is a book to be devoured and then re read slowly. I only have two minor complaints, 1. I would have loved for Tobias to made an appearance 2. I think I needed one chapter more with Pascal and Nerva just doing mundane murder mob things and just being happy. Cause they deserved it so much.
TLDR: Recommend it to everyone. Heartbreaking yet very romantic. Great plot, fantastic side characters.
September 12, 2022
Nervas a little bitch and I’m 100% here for it
I liked this more than Blood Sports since there’s less horse talk (I’m sorry Daniel, I know so little of horses that the last book was so overwhelming with horse facts I got lost) aaaaand it has the best side characters of all time.
Oh also I thought this was gonna be some Danny phantom fanfic in the first 3 chapters but realized no, no it’s not
But for an honest and normal review now, War Games is dark, witty, sexy, and full of horses as a good Daniel May book should be. Is it my fave? No, I’m still hungover from the Taste of Ink series, but I’m happy that Daniel is also branching out and writing about things he loves (horses) and finish writing about things he doesn’t love so much (Nerva).
I’m excited for more Hanged Man books in the series as the world is interesting and the brothers each are unique in their own ways.
So go read War Games if you haven’t yet!
💗💗💗
I liked this more than Blood Sports since there’s less horse talk (I’m sorry Daniel, I know so little of horses that the last book was so overwhelming with horse facts I got lost) aaaaand it has the best side characters of all time.
Oh also I thought this was gonna be some Danny phantom fanfic in the first 3 chapters but realized no, no it’s not
But for an honest and normal review now, War Games is dark, witty, sexy, and full of horses as a good Daniel May book should be. Is it my fave? No, I’m still hungover from the Taste of Ink series, but I’m happy that Daniel is also branching out and writing about things he loves (horses) and finish writing about things he doesn’t love so much (Nerva).
I’m excited for more Hanged Man books in the series as the world is interesting and the brothers each are unique in their own ways.
So go read War Games if you haven’t yet!
💗💗💗
December 8, 2022
4.5 stars. Daniel May has become one of my favorite discoveries of this year. (Thanks, Kathleen!) Between his prose and the sheer range of his backlist, he never ceases to astound me. This mafia romance series stands out from others in the subgenre and not just because of the murder horses. Nerva and Pascal were such striking characters.
Nerva has been a wreck of a human for the past 10 years, ever since Pascal died, shortly after they secretly got married. Until Pascal shows up in Nerva’s backyard without an explanation. Could they have a conversation that would clear things up? Sure. But there are so many understandable reasons why they don’t and it was that much more satisfying to watch them make their way back to each other.
As with all of May’s books, I could scarcely put this down. He has a gift when it comes to balancing internal and external conflicts. There’s a lot that happens here—Pascal and Nerva get ambushed and have to run for their lives at one point, which puts them on the defense for the rest of the story—but with every development, we are privy to what this means for their relationship and complicated feelings about each other. The delicious pining and angst fed my soul.
However, I have reservations about two aspects. The intent isn’t clear, hence this was still a nearly perfect read, but I wanted to mention them so other readers will be prepared.
First, Mars dresses and is perceived by the outside world as a woman but identifies as a man. But we only have Pascal’s word for it so it was jarring to get detailed descriptions of Mars presenting as very femme but then always referred to as he/him. The rep was not clear for far too long. For the first part of the book I wondered if he was perhaps genderfluid. We eventually get some clarity after Nerva’s brother calls him out for the way he talks about Mars, thinking that he’s being transphobic. I was so grateful for Dio in that moment! That’s when Mars finally tells us in his own words that he’s a man who prefers makeup and dresses. It would have helped if that whole conversation had happened much earlier on. I generally can rely on this author to push boundaries but still handle the important things with care; I don’t know that he struck the right balance here. I would love to know how Mars’s rep lands for trans and nonbinary readers, particularly because it looks like Mars will get his own book in this series.
Second, Pascal’s uncle Babel has essentially been in a catatonic state for the past decade. I wouldn’t be surprised if Babel eventually gets his own book and I guess we’ll know more then.
Characters: Nerva is a 27 year old gay white mafia boss who wears glasses. Joseph/Pascal is a 27 year old gay white hitman who is missing three fingers.
Content notes: self-harming behaviors (including rough sex and unprotected sex with strangers), drug use, alcohol abuse, suicidal ideation, anger management issues, murder, gunfight, physical assault, gunshot wounds, broken nose, scar on shoulder from past murder horse bite, choking during sex (Joseph might be contemplating killing Nerva), past whipping, past self-amputation of fingers, past kidnapping and attempted murder, past murder of Joseph’s father , cross-dressing secondary character (some questionable rep, see review), catatonic secondary character in wheelchair , past trafficking (secondary character was sole survivor of truck occupants who died from the heat), secondary character who uses a cane, secondary character with prosthetic leg (combat medic who stepped on mine), murder horse, abuse of power (Nerva has sex with employee and then fires him after), ableism, fatphobia, memory of horse in labor and delivery, vomit, secondary character with facial scar, secondary character with scars from cigarette burns, unsafe sex practices (condomless sex between MCs without discussion of STI status or prevention), on page sex, truck sex, rimming, biting, degradation (as self-harm, not a kink), alcohol, hangover, cigarettes, ableist slur , STD stigma, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialist language, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide, reference to tattoo artist who had cancer
*Buddy read with Vicky!
Nerva has been a wreck of a human for the past 10 years, ever since Pascal died, shortly after they secretly got married. Until Pascal shows up in Nerva’s backyard without an explanation. Could they have a conversation that would clear things up? Sure. But there are so many understandable reasons why they don’t and it was that much more satisfying to watch them make their way back to each other.
As with all of May’s books, I could scarcely put this down. He has a gift when it comes to balancing internal and external conflicts. There’s a lot that happens here—Pascal and Nerva get ambushed and have to run for their lives at one point, which puts them on the defense for the rest of the story—but with every development, we are privy to what this means for their relationship and complicated feelings about each other. The delicious pining and angst fed my soul.
However, I have reservations about two aspects. The intent isn’t clear, hence this was still a nearly perfect read, but I wanted to mention them so other readers will be prepared.
First, Mars dresses and is perceived by the outside world as a woman but identifies as a man. But we only have Pascal’s word for it so it was jarring to get detailed descriptions of Mars presenting as very femme but then always referred to as he/him. The rep was not clear for far too long. For the first part of the book I wondered if he was perhaps genderfluid. We eventually get some clarity after Nerva’s brother calls him out for the way he talks about Mars, thinking that he’s being transphobic. I was so grateful for Dio in that moment! That’s when Mars finally tells us in his own words that he’s a man who prefers makeup and dresses. It would have helped if that whole conversation had happened much earlier on. I generally can rely on this author to push boundaries but still handle the important things with care; I don’t know that he struck the right balance here. I would love to know how Mars’s rep lands for trans and nonbinary readers, particularly because it looks like Mars will get his own book in this series.
Second, Pascal’s uncle Babel has essentially been in a catatonic state for the past decade. I wouldn’t be surprised if Babel eventually gets his own book and I guess we’ll know more then.
Characters: Nerva is a 27 year old gay white mafia boss who wears glasses. Joseph/Pascal is a 27 year old gay white hitman who is missing three fingers.
Content notes: self-harming behaviors (including rough sex and unprotected sex with strangers), drug use, alcohol abuse, suicidal ideation, anger management issues, murder, gunfight, physical assault, gunshot wounds, broken nose, scar on shoulder from past murder horse bite, choking during sex (Joseph might be contemplating killing Nerva), past whipping, past self-amputation of fingers, past kidnapping and attempted murder, past murder of Joseph’s father , cross-dressing secondary character (some questionable rep, see review), catatonic secondary character in wheelchair , past trafficking (secondary character was sole survivor of truck occupants who died from the heat), secondary character who uses a cane, secondary character with prosthetic leg (combat medic who stepped on mine), murder horse, abuse of power (Nerva has sex with employee and then fires him after), ableism, fatphobia, memory of horse in labor and delivery, vomit, secondary character with facial scar, secondary character with scars from cigarette burns, unsafe sex practices (condomless sex between MCs without discussion of STI status or prevention), on page sex, truck sex, rimming, biting, degradation (as self-harm, not a kink), alcohol, hangover, cigarettes, ableist slur , STD stigma, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialist language, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide, reference to tattoo artist who had cancer
*Buddy read with Vicky!
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