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Utopia X #1
Looking for Some Touch
Utopia X; Next Seeking Something Wicked
LGBT Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Suspense
Pablo Creed--amateur poet, bisexual whore, and upstanding citizen of the Utopian Metroplex of Regenerie--wants a new job. The all-male Coven of Three--a trio of mismatched wonder-workers who live in Regenerie's subterranean Undercity--needs a "Touch" to sexually spark its collective energy.
In danger of being assigned to a sadistic VIP client, Pablo applies for the position instead. He knows his way around the human body. He can do what they need. What he doesn't count on is his immediate, intense attraction to the gorgeous Win, one of the Coven's members. Or the immediate, intense hostility of Tole, another member, who resents that attraction. And he certainly didn't expect to be drawn into the center of a bizarre missing-person investigation that threatens his life.
It turns out the Coven of Three are not the magicians they seem to be. That revelation will either send him fleeing to the desolate Interzone...or taking a chance on the sublimely sensual Win, who's more unusual than anybody Pablo has ever known.
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Anal play/intercourse, bondage, dubious consent, male/male sexual practices, menage/multiple partners, whipping/flogging.
LGBT Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Suspense
Pablo Creed--amateur poet, bisexual whore, and upstanding citizen of the Utopian Metroplex of Regenerie--wants a new job. The all-male Coven of Three--a trio of mismatched wonder-workers who live in Regenerie's subterranean Undercity--needs a "Touch" to sexually spark its collective energy.
In danger of being assigned to a sadistic VIP client, Pablo applies for the position instead. He knows his way around the human body. He can do what they need. What he doesn't count on is his immediate, intense attraction to the gorgeous Win, one of the Coven's members. Or the immediate, intense hostility of Tole, another member, who resents that attraction. And he certainly didn't expect to be drawn into the center of a bizarre missing-person investigation that threatens his life.
It turns out the Coven of Three are not the magicians they seem to be. That revelation will either send him fleeing to the desolate Interzone...or taking a chance on the sublimely sensual Win, who's more unusual than anybody Pablo has ever known.
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Anal play/intercourse, bondage, dubious consent, male/male sexual practices, menage/multiple partners, whipping/flogging.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2008
1 person is currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
K.Z. Snow
57 books273 followersThis says it all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH7rt4...
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 3, 2010
At first, I was a bit leery in reading this because the summary does say about The Coven of Three in addition to Pablo, the young bi-sexual whore. So I figure, oh, no, menage! I'm not a huge fan of that. However, my curiosity over Ms. Snow's stories won me over.
And boy, am I glad that I did read it. This book is amazing! The world of Utopian Metroplex of Regenerie that Ms. Snow pens out is so well-crafted and wonderfully layered. In addition to that, Ms. Snow writes rich characters, in Pablo and the three magicians (Win, Tole, and Zee) who actually not just as simple as they seem to be. In addition to that, Ms. Snow has an excellent style of writing, her vocabularies are at times poetic and other times just plain mesmerizing. I'm easily drawn into the world of the Utopian, from the Overcity or the Undercity and its citizens ... and I can't wait to get my hand on book #2.
Well done, Ms. Snow ... once again.
And boy, am I glad that I did read it. This book is amazing! The world of Utopian Metroplex of Regenerie that Ms. Snow pens out is so well-crafted and wonderfully layered. In addition to that, Ms. Snow writes rich characters, in Pablo and the three magicians (Win, Tole, and Zee) who actually not just as simple as they seem to be. In addition to that, Ms. Snow has an excellent style of writing, her vocabularies are at times poetic and other times just plain mesmerizing. I'm easily drawn into the world of the Utopian, from the Overcity or the Undercity and its citizens ... and I can't wait to get my hand on book #2.
Well done, Ms. Snow ... once again.
December 5, 2013
I really enjoyed this sci fi/fantasy story. It is the first in a series of four. The world building is brilliant. The story has both a touch of romance and a mystery although as the first book in the series it doesnt go to deep into either the romance or the mystery. There is enough for it to be a satisfying read and enough to set the scene for future stories.
I really liked the different characters and their attraction to each other and the way they need to enhance their attraction in order to make their magic powerful. The main characters are set within a society that is advanced but complex with deeply hidden secrets, and it is a society in which humans and paranormal beings co-exist. I am not going to provide a detailed review because there are plenty of really great reviews that provide the background to the story. All I can say is that I was surprised that i hadnt come across this story before especially given how great it is. Made me realise that i have to explore KZ Snow's back catalogue. I may well have missed some other great stories.
December 29, 2014
I like to return to books that I read some time ago to see if they stand up to the test of time. (first read October 2011)
This PNR romance stands out for the sensual connection between two of the main characters and to a slightly lesser degree, its ambitious world building. In the almost utopian society of Regenerie, humans are separated in the above ground Overcity from the paranormal ‘otherbeings’ of the below-ground Undercity. Otherbeings are various paranormals: vamps, angels, demons, hybrids, and those who have magical ability. They live apart mostly for their own protection. Tensions can run rampant between the two disparate societies and there are those who work very hard to keep the peace and those who want to fuck with it. While a great start, unfortunately you have to read further into this series to get the full effect of this world.
A conduit between these two worlds is young Pablo Creed, exquisite, vulnerable and looking for a way out of his job as a rentboy for the Givers Agency. In this world of legalized prostitution Pablo specializes as a bi-giver -- he’s not picky about who he services because it brings in more cash. But he is tired of giving himself away and desperately needs some connection, some ‘touch.’
When Pablo answers an ad placed by a coven of male magicians in the Undercity, the action kicks into gear. This ‘coven of three’ works in concert to keep balance in the world. But they’ve lost that spark which enhances their magic and they are in need of someone who can reignite their connection, keep them attuned to common demand, and act as a liaison with the Overcity. Pablo seems well suited for the job, he is sensitive, street-smart, honest, and ambitious. Just how this ‘spark’ is actually accomplished is what makes this dish so delicious ‘cause you know that this stimulator, this energy spike, is of course, provided by sexual arousal and climax. Pablo really wants this job but what he steps into is a relationship between three men in dysfunction, who’ve had a strong psychic and physical link with each other that is no longer working for them. So the sexual frustration and jealousy ramps up when lovely Pablo joins the team.
In general the writing is a little rougher here than with Snow’s later work. If I have one little, teensy, tinesy nit-pick it’s that I really wanted more smutty four-way action in the magic circle. Just as things start heating up with regard to that, the story ends. Love intervenes a little too quickly and interferes a little too much, dammit. Oh well, it is love after all and in the romance genre once the lovers have found each other there can be no one else. Because this is still an engrossing read and because of Snow’s ability to spin sweet, sensual tension, this one is hanging onto its five stars.
This PNR romance stands out for the sensual connection between two of the main characters and to a slightly lesser degree, its ambitious world building. In the almost utopian society of Regenerie, humans are separated in the above ground Overcity from the paranormal ‘otherbeings’ of the below-ground Undercity. Otherbeings are various paranormals: vamps, angels, demons, hybrids, and those who have magical ability. They live apart mostly for their own protection. Tensions can run rampant between the two disparate societies and there are those who work very hard to keep the peace and those who want to fuck with it. While a great start, unfortunately you have to read further into this series to get the full effect of this world.
A conduit between these two worlds is young Pablo Creed, exquisite, vulnerable and looking for a way out of his job as a rentboy for the Givers Agency. In this world of legalized prostitution Pablo specializes as a bi-giver -- he’s not picky about who he services because it brings in more cash. But he is tired of giving himself away and desperately needs some connection, some ‘touch.’
When Pablo answers an ad placed by a coven of male magicians in the Undercity, the action kicks into gear. This ‘coven of three’ works in concert to keep balance in the world. But they’ve lost that spark which enhances their magic and they are in need of someone who can reignite their connection, keep them attuned to common demand, and act as a liaison with the Overcity. Pablo seems well suited for the job, he is sensitive, street-smart, honest, and ambitious. Just how this ‘spark’ is actually accomplished is what makes this dish so delicious ‘cause you know that this stimulator, this energy spike, is of course, provided by sexual arousal and climax. Pablo really wants this job but what he steps into is a relationship between three men in dysfunction, who’ve had a strong psychic and physical link with each other that is no longer working for them. So the sexual frustration and jealousy ramps up when lovely Pablo joins the team.
In general the writing is a little rougher here than with Snow’s later work. If I have one little, teensy, tinesy nit-pick it’s that I really wanted more smutty four-way action in the magic circle. Just as things start heating up with regard to that, the story ends. Love intervenes a little too quickly and interferes a little too much, dammit. Oh well, it is love after all and in the romance genre once the lovers have found each other there can be no one else. Because this is still an engrossing read and because of Snow’s ability to spin sweet, sensual tension, this one is hanging onto its five stars.
January 23, 2011
2,5 stars... this book confused me too much
It's a great premise, different and in some way magic alternative reality, with a city divided between "normal" and "supernatural" beings... but the writer lost me at half of the book.
Pablo is a 24 old whore in a place called Regenerie, and considered a perfect place. It's hospitable, almost crime-free, with complete health care... but as you notice some persons is doing a degraded job, as him... so well, the "utopia" is not so perfect, no? Anyway, This city is "above" while the underground, The Undercity, is the place for vampires, faeries, magicians etc.
To run from a violent client Pablo get the courage to answer a job offering (something I really never get... this job available being posted like nothing serious) in the Undercity. There the Coven of Three will accept Pablo. They are 3 magicians Tole, Zee and Win.
Win and Pablo will start to get veeeeery close, and things can get ugly, because the Coven need energy from Pablo, and he can't do it if his heart and mind is in just one of the three components of the coven.
So, the idea is fabulous, but I hate what happened, so I'm giving 2,5 stars.
In a spoiler the reasons of my low vote, but I'll talk about the end and why I didn't like it.
so 2,5 stars and I don't want to read more of this serie
.
It's a great premise, different and in some way magic alternative reality, with a city divided between "normal" and "supernatural" beings... but the writer lost me at half of the book.
Pablo is a 24 old whore in a place called Regenerie, and considered a perfect place. It's hospitable, almost crime-free, with complete health care... but as you notice some persons is doing a degraded job, as him... so well, the "utopia" is not so perfect, no? Anyway, This city is "above" while the underground, The Undercity, is the place for vampires, faeries, magicians etc.
To run from a violent client Pablo get the courage to answer a job offering (something I really never get... this job available being posted like nothing serious) in the Undercity. There the Coven of Three will accept Pablo. They are 3 magicians Tole, Zee and Win.
Win and Pablo will start to get veeeeery close, and things can get ugly, because the Coven need energy from Pablo, and he can't do it if his heart and mind is in just one of the three components of the coven.
So, the idea is fabulous, but I hate what happened, so I'm giving 2,5 stars.
In a spoiler the reasons of my low vote, but I'll talk about the end and why I didn't like it.
so 2,5 stars and I don't want to read more of this serie
.
Read
May 14, 2009The title has a double meaning: Pablo is an hustler in a futuristic world. In this apocalyptic setting, the profession of whore is centrally controlled as every other profession, but obviously is not a revered one. There are different level of prostitution, and Pablo unfortunately is on a low level, he walks the street by night. When one of his clients expresses a bit too much of interest in him, bordering on violence, Pablo knows that it's time to change line of work.
He replies to an ad by a coven of three magicians in search of a Touch: here the first meaning of the title, a Touch is a human being able to arise and direct sexual powers; obviously this could imply physical contact and maybe also sex, but Pablo is not worried of that. Better being an independent worker with the possibility of choice, than depending on the will of strangers night after night. And here is the second meaning of the title, since Pablo is looking for some touch, but not a physical ones, he wants a connection with someone, something that goes beyond the merely sex act.
The three of the coven are quite different: Zee is gentle and caring, always with a tender touch for Pablo; Tole is brisk and rude, not violent, but he almost seems to despise Pablo; and finally Win, the man from which Pablo wants more touch of everyone else. He can't resist to the beautiful man, but it's not only a physical reaction: Win is among the few who, seeing Pablo, are not only seeing a whore. He is actually interested in what Pablo likes and wants, and put Pablo's needs and desires in front of his own.
The story has a paranormal turn almost at the end, and maybe all the question is not so well explained. In the story there is far less sex than expected and this maybe is not even a bad thing, but above all it's not the multiple menages it was hinted in the blurb. There are only three sex scene, and one you can forget since it's Pablo's work before meeting the coven, the second is the only full and for me interesting one, and the third is more or less a making out with multiple partners but with not full sex included. So, strange to say, the book is more my cup of tea than expected.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002BY789E/?...
He replies to an ad by a coven of three magicians in search of a Touch: here the first meaning of the title, a Touch is a human being able to arise and direct sexual powers; obviously this could imply physical contact and maybe also sex, but Pablo is not worried of that. Better being an independent worker with the possibility of choice, than depending on the will of strangers night after night. And here is the second meaning of the title, since Pablo is looking for some touch, but not a physical ones, he wants a connection with someone, something that goes beyond the merely sex act.
The three of the coven are quite different: Zee is gentle and caring, always with a tender touch for Pablo; Tole is brisk and rude, not violent, but he almost seems to despise Pablo; and finally Win, the man from which Pablo wants more touch of everyone else. He can't resist to the beautiful man, but it's not only a physical reaction: Win is among the few who, seeing Pablo, are not only seeing a whore. He is actually interested in what Pablo likes and wants, and put Pablo's needs and desires in front of his own.
The story has a paranormal turn almost at the end, and maybe all the question is not so well explained. In the story there is far less sex than expected and this maybe is not even a bad thing, but above all it's not the multiple menages it was hinted in the blurb. There are only three sex scene, and one you can forget since it's Pablo's work before meeting the coven, the second is the only full and for me interesting one, and the third is more or less a making out with multiple partners but with not full sex included. So, strange to say, the book is more my cup of tea than expected.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002BY789E/?...
Read
December 10, 2013The description for this book is misleading on so many levels. It is not a BDSM mage to the rescue story. Good thing that I didn’t read the description before I read the book otherwise I would have had a whole different set of exceptions instead of the blank slate that I was.
The city Regenerie, also known as Overcity, is a utopian metroplex governed by The Powers. Crime rate is low, cures for diseases are just around the corner and Pablo Creed is a Giver, a legal prostitute, just trying to eeck out a living, not really enjoying what he is doing or even how his life is going. All he wants is just an opportunity to be more.
When Pablo is picked up by the VIP, something doesn't feel right but he rolls with it and be professional that he is. When he walks away from the encounter he knows that he has only a short time to find a way out of his current employment with the Giver Agency and the only way to do that is to find another job immediately or to leave the city. Answering an employment ad for a Touch for a coven in Under City, Pablo can only hope that this will be his ticket out of the Givers Agency and away from the VIP who can get his way. But did Pablo jump from the frying pan into the fire? Now he struggles with wants and desires that he hasn't had before, hasn't allowed himself to have before. His mere presence sends the whole coven in turmoil exposing an emotional vulnerability that he wasn't aware he had. Now the question becomes will Pablo stay and weather the storm brewing in the coven or is he too emotionally raw and leave the coven and the city to find a new beginning.
This futuristic fantasy/sci-fi is in some ways, is not a light or easy read. The beginning was a little choppy for me but smoothed out as I came to understand the rules of the world that Snow built. Once I got halfway through I couldn’t put it down because I was so hoping to at least a ‘happy for now’ ending for Pablo. There are many unanswered questions at the end of this, lucky for me that all four books are already out.
The city Regenerie, also known as Overcity, is a utopian metroplex governed by The Powers. Crime rate is low, cures for diseases are just around the corner and Pablo Creed is a Giver, a legal prostitute, just trying to eeck out a living, not really enjoying what he is doing or even how his life is going. All he wants is just an opportunity to be more.
When Pablo is picked up by the VIP, something doesn't feel right but he rolls with it and be professional that he is. When he walks away from the encounter he knows that he has only a short time to find a way out of his current employment with the Giver Agency and the only way to do that is to find another job immediately or to leave the city. Answering an employment ad for a Touch for a coven in Under City, Pablo can only hope that this will be his ticket out of the Givers Agency and away from the VIP who can get his way. But did Pablo jump from the frying pan into the fire? Now he struggles with wants and desires that he hasn't had before, hasn't allowed himself to have before. His mere presence sends the whole coven in turmoil exposing an emotional vulnerability that he wasn't aware he had. Now the question becomes will Pablo stay and weather the storm brewing in the coven or is he too emotionally raw and leave the coven and the city to find a new beginning.
This futuristic fantasy/sci-fi is in some ways, is not a light or easy read. The beginning was a little choppy for me but smoothed out as I came to understand the rules of the world that Snow built. Once I got halfway through I couldn’t put it down because I was so hoping to at least a ‘happy for now’ ending for Pablo. There are many unanswered questions at the end of this, lucky for me that all four books are already out.
February 19, 2011
3.5 stars.
I really liked the world building, but it was like it was crammed in too little space. The world where Pablo, the main character, lives is very complex: it's divided between a overcity and an undercity; there are humans and paranormal creatures of various kinds; the humans seems to be divided into social classes that rarely mingle.
Everything is almost perfect, but there are bad things happening in that world: people being kidnapped, supernatural beings being attached, Pablo himself, a licensed hustler, is victim of a sadist at the beginning of the book. When Pablo decides to take the chance of a different job in the undercity to escape from his sadist client, he meets three magicians, the Coven of the Three. He should help them spark their magic especially with his sexual energy, but he is immediately attracted to one of them, Win, causing a bit of trouble in the Coven.
The Coven of the Three are more than magicians and I liked their mixed and imbalanced nature. Only at the end of the book, when they reveal their true identities, it becomes a little clearer why they need Pablo: their combined energy is fading and they need someone to spark it to be able to intervene in the city and make what's wrong right.
I think it was a very interesting setting, but maybe because it's the first book of the series, there was so much information to process that I was confused and a little perplexed for a lot of time.
I really liked the world building, but it was like it was crammed in too little space. The world where Pablo, the main character, lives is very complex: it's divided between a overcity and an undercity; there are humans and paranormal creatures of various kinds; the humans seems to be divided into social classes that rarely mingle.
Everything is almost perfect, but there are bad things happening in that world: people being kidnapped, supernatural beings being attached, Pablo himself, a licensed hustler, is victim of a sadist at the beginning of the book. When Pablo decides to take the chance of a different job in the undercity to escape from his sadist client, he meets three magicians, the Coven of the Three. He should help them spark their magic especially with his sexual energy, but he is immediately attracted to one of them, Win, causing a bit of trouble in the Coven.
The Coven of the Three are more than magicians and I liked their mixed and imbalanced nature. Only at the end of the book, when they reveal their true identities, it becomes a little clearer why they need Pablo: their combined energy is fading and they need someone to spark it to be able to intervene in the city and make what's wrong right.
I think it was a very interesting setting, but maybe because it's the first book of the series, there was so much information to process that I was confused and a little perplexed for a lot of time.
August 21, 2009
Nice story with an interesting "utopian" universe (am i creating a new word again?)
Too bad some great aspects of the story were not fully exploited.
A real 3,5 but i'll put 4 because i really liked Pablo's character.
Too bad some great aspects of the story were not fully exploited.
A real 3,5 but i'll put 4 because i really liked Pablo's character.
August 30, 2012
I can't believe I've had this book in my TBR for so long without reading it. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading the rest of the series.
January 6, 2014
...actually surprisingly good. Then again, Snow tends to be one of the better authors of the genre. I thought the universe was actually quite interestingly constructed, because there really does seem to be a true utopia, but utopia in the sense that there's equilibrium. The character creation wasn't bad, although I thought Tole got oddly...caricature-ish at times. I actually quite liked the moral complexity with the main "Big Bad" of this book. It does sort of feel like it ends on a cliffy/non-ending, though.
While I thought this installment wasn't bad, I don't entirely know if I'm interested in reading on. There was a very clear series seed posed, but I felt like I was more interested in seeing what happened with the four of them together, as was implied for most of the story. That had some interesting potential that seems mostly ignored.
While I thought this installment wasn't bad, I don't entirely know if I'm interested in reading on. There was a very clear series seed posed, but I felt like I was more interested in seeing what happened with the four of them together, as was implied for most of the story. That had some interesting potential that seems mostly ignored.
February 4, 2012
I'm not the biggest fan of paranormal (mainly due to the large amount of it that is available) but this is a good starter. It features a character who's trying to get by but needs a better gig who finds himself taking a shot at a job for a coven of three rather mysterious but hunky men. The fantastic job requires him to help build sexual tension but he can't keep his eyes off of Win, the most flirtatious and captivating of the bunch.
It's a solid story, but the universe is a bit of a mish mash of different magical themes with no central focus. It's still a good love story, and the characters are interesting enough to get you by. I'm definitely interested in reading on to the next of the series to find out how the rest find their love.
It's a solid story, but the universe is a bit of a mish mash of different magical themes with no central focus. It's still a good love story, and the characters are interesting enough to get you by. I'm definitely interested in reading on to the next of the series to find out how the rest find their love.
September 15, 2011
This is more of a scifi fantasy mystery type of a book. The word building is fantastic. There are two main words in this book the human world above where everything looks futuristic and the Supernatural beings below or underground where everything looks magical . However the emotions and the evolution of relationships is somewhat lacking. I would like that the author explain more what attracted Pablo, the protagonist, to Win aside from that he is drop dead gorgeous. There is no mention on the inner attributes that attracted them to each other.
This is an ok book to read. Its neither bad or good. Just so so.
This is an ok book to read. Its neither bad or good. Just so so.
October 24, 2016
Pablo is an amateur poet, as well as a bisexual whore, who is endangered of being assigned to a sadistic VIP. He applies for a new position as a Touch for a set of three alters, he doesn't expect the attraction to Win.
I really enjoyed this story, Pablo was put into a situations that he didn't fully understand but he did the best he could do in the situations that the had been put in. He stuck up for himself and didn't allow others to walk over him. I was expecting this to be menage, but there wasn't any of it in this story, not sure if it will happen in the later stories or not. Great quick read that was fun.
I really enjoyed this story, Pablo was put into a situations that he didn't fully understand but he did the best he could do in the situations that the had been put in. He stuck up for himself and didn't allow others to walk over him. I was expecting this to be menage, but there wasn't any of it in this story, not sure if it will happen in the later stories or not. Great quick read that was fun.
January 20, 2011
I really liked this first book. We get a glimpse of something new, something fresh. The starting plot of this series is totally interesting and it did keep me fully focused on the story. The main couple in this story Win and Pablo are hot together. It will be great to see them in next book.
Recommended story...
Recommended story...
August 20, 2009
This blew me away. Fabulous, sexy, vivid characters and her trademark sensual, lyrical style. Every character is a fully formed book in himself. Great worldbuilding, too, I could imagine myself actually there, without any boring info dumps.
February 24, 2016
4.25 out of 5
Originally read 8/6/09.
The re-read was just as good as the first!
Originally read 8/6/09.
The re-read was just as good as the first!
October 30, 2011
3.5 stars
Want to read
September 19, 2012$5.09 on Nook
March 1, 2015
3.5* +
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews