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The Slave Breakers ##1
Bran's Story
Imagine a modern society parallel to our own where impoverished peasants are legally permitted to sell their children into slavery starting at age 15. The upper class households in this world demonstrate their wealth by buying the best cars, largest houses and the most attractive people.
Bran is a "pleasure slave" and when he tries to run away one too many times, his master sells him to a married couple known as the "slave breakers". While in their possession, Bran learns new definitions for love, family and his place in this world.
Note: This book originally appeared as posts on LiveJournal and still contains some editing notes. The text is sexually explicit (including m/m and polyamorous situations) and is intended for adult readers.
Bran is a "pleasure slave" and when he tries to run away one too many times, his master sells him to a married couple known as the "slave breakers". While in their possession, Bran learns new definitions for love, family and his place in this world.
Note: This book originally appeared as posts on LiveJournal and still contains some editing notes. The text is sexually explicit (including m/m and polyamorous situations) and is intended for adult readers.
188 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2007
84 people are currently reading
3777 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
October 27, 2012
What a pleasant surprise this book was, loved it...
Bran is a "Pleasure Slave" undisciplined in the eyes of his Master, for continuously trying to run away. His solution was to sell him to the the "Slave Breakers" to be re-educated and re-trained. His body damaged and his spirit broken, by the abuse of Dunear and his cronies, Bran fears he may be swapping one bad Master for another when the handsome man in his forties, Holden and his wife, Alix arrive to pick him up. Instead, he is confused when his new Master treats him with kindness, he is caring and gentle with him, which only makes Bran more fearful as he knows not what to expect!
What Holden was expecting, was not this frightened 18 year old boy, wide eyed, scared and trembling, unsure of what was expected of him. Bran had been sold into slavery at the age of 15 and had ended up with two Master's that used fear and punishment to try and control him. So when Holden was nothing but kind, caring and affectionate, something so unfamiliar, he was confused! yet his body responded in the only way it knew how, as a submissive, wanting only to please his Master.
The story is told from Bran's POV, he almost comes across as younger than his 18 years, he is so innocent and gentle, his character and disposition so well defined as sweet and caring, desperate to please and straining for physical affection, just comfort of any kind and with Holden being the first man to show any tenderness and compassion towards him, Bran's adoration for his master turns into a kind of "Hero Worship"! or is it love? he certainly thinks so!
Only, in this world, or should I say in this household, all is not what it seems and gets a little complicated but exciting, we were almost getting into soap opera territory! I won't go into the family dynamics as it is a giggle to discover it all as you go along, but suffice to say, that Bran is not the only man or woman, slave or master that is in love with Holden! Damn... I think I am also in love with Holden!
A friend recommended this book/series today, it's a free download so I thought I would have a little peek to get the feel of the book, well... I couldn't put it down and here I am a few hours later writing the review. It is not great world building, in fact there is none. The world in which they live is is focused on Holden, but all about Bran and the relationship they build together, with some really well developed secondary characters, whom I love... except for the daughter - Valor, spoilt, petulant and just plain rude! she got on my very last nerve! There were times I felt uncomfortable reading this and not because it was graphic or hardcore in any way, but simply because of the circumstances of the relationship and Bran, he just broke my poor little heart, absolutely, adorable he is.
Would I recommend this book... Ohhh Yes! It's free to download you have nothing to lose. It's not a great literary masterpiece, the world building as I said, is really non existent, but it is a compelling read, got the emotions going as did the sex scenes HOT, HOT, HOT and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This book is the first in the series and is a HFN, but I can see with the other books also free downloads in the series there is more fun ahead... in fact that is where I am going. Off to start Jesse's Story
Bran is a "Pleasure Slave" undisciplined in the eyes of his Master, for continuously trying to run away. His solution was to sell him to the the "Slave Breakers" to be re-educated and re-trained. His body damaged and his spirit broken, by the abuse of Dunear and his cronies, Bran fears he may be swapping one bad Master for another when the handsome man in his forties, Holden and his wife, Alix arrive to pick him up. Instead, he is confused when his new Master treats him with kindness, he is caring and gentle with him, which only makes Bran more fearful as he knows not what to expect!
What Holden was expecting, was not this frightened 18 year old boy, wide eyed, scared and trembling, unsure of what was expected of him. Bran had been sold into slavery at the age of 15 and had ended up with two Master's that used fear and punishment to try and control him. So when Holden was nothing but kind, caring and affectionate, something so unfamiliar, he was confused! yet his body responded in the only way it knew how, as a submissive, wanting only to please his Master.
The story is told from Bran's POV, he almost comes across as younger than his 18 years, he is so innocent and gentle, his character and disposition so well defined as sweet and caring, desperate to please and straining for physical affection, just comfort of any kind and with Holden being the first man to show any tenderness and compassion towards him, Bran's adoration for his master turns into a kind of "Hero Worship"! or is it love? he certainly thinks so!
Only, in this world, or should I say in this household, all is not what it seems and gets a little complicated but exciting, we were almost getting into soap opera territory! I won't go into the family dynamics as it is a giggle to discover it all as you go along, but suffice to say, that Bran is not the only man or woman, slave or master that is in love with Holden! Damn... I think I am also in love with Holden!
A friend recommended this book/series today, it's a free download so I thought I would have a little peek to get the feel of the book, well... I couldn't put it down and here I am a few hours later writing the review. It is not great world building, in fact there is none. The world in which they live is is focused on Holden, but all about Bran and the relationship they build together, with some really well developed secondary characters, whom I love... except for the daughter - Valor, spoilt, petulant and just plain rude! she got on my very last nerve! There were times I felt uncomfortable reading this and not because it was graphic or hardcore in any way, but simply because of the circumstances of the relationship and Bran, he just broke my poor little heart, absolutely, adorable he is.
Would I recommend this book... Ohhh Yes! It's free to download you have nothing to lose. It's not a great literary masterpiece, the world building as I said, is really non existent, but it is a compelling read, got the emotions going as did the sex scenes HOT, HOT, HOT and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This book is the first in the series and is a HFN, but I can see with the other books also free downloads in the series there is more fun ahead... in fact that is where I am going. Off to start Jesse's Story
February 28, 2011
I won't bore you with the details of what I would expect from a book called 'Slave Breakers' but I can tell you that this ain't it. Apparently slaves get broken by being nice to them. Rationally, I am sure this is better for all parties concerned, and I am happy for them, it just doesn't make for very titillating reading. Even when we get to the 'pain training' the author makes sure everybody knows that we're all still friends, really. We wouldn't want to hurt your feelings while we flog you. Seriously, I've read a far more gripping description of caning in a children's book (Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl).
I think this book should be renamed. I suggest 'Everybody Loves Holden', or 'Holden's Harem'.
As for Bran, our delicate and needy teenage protagonist, he mainly stirs motherly concern in me. Not sexy.
I think this book should be renamed. I suggest 'Everybody Loves Holden', or 'Holden's Harem'.
As for Bran, our delicate and needy teenage protagonist, he mainly stirs motherly concern in me. Not sexy.
January 27, 2015
The only reason I'm writing this review at all is because I didn't find anything like this when I checked out the reviews, and I want to warn any curious minds like my own exactly what they're getting into. Otherwise I would just have read five pages, deleted it, and went about my lovely way because hey, I didn't pay for it, and it's not my goal in life to pollute the internet with bad vibes.
However, I don't wish anyone to experience the disbelief, anger, and offense I did when reading this story. I'll say it now I didn't finish the thing. I read maybe half before I just could not anymore. I really tried to finish it. I did. I don't like writing reviews of things I don't finish, but I couldn't take it anymore, and I just had to quit.
For those of you who expect a nuanced and sensitive exploration of sexual slavery that does not require huge suspension of disbelief, this story is not for you. For people who are deep in the BDSM sex slave community and who have built up a tolerance for this sort of thing, maybe it's normal. It was deeply upsetting and offensive to me, and I'm not one to clutch pearls. I enjoy BDSM stories, and I've written my own stories about slavery (I avoid sex slavery, for the very reasons this book illustrates), so it's not about being easily scandalized or that I think the scenario's perverted or whatever it is that people accuse naysayers of being whenever they provide critique.
The one good thing about the story is that it's well written. The grammar and spelling is fine, and the author is technically talented. What was not so good was, like I mentioned before, the suspension of disbelief required. The whole premise is flawed, because it's based upon the belief that if you are nice to a person-- a slave--they will want to have sex with you. And that sexual slavery is totes okay as long as you are kind and fair, sexual compatibility will come out of that.
Let me tell you something. If all that was required for gratifying sex was "being nice", then all these Nice Guys ™ who complain about women not sleeping with them because they're too "nice" would get laid and we wouldn't have to listen to them whine. The fact is that in the history of mankind, slaves have not been happy being slaves, even if their owners are chill and cool and maybe even smokin' hot. The world shown to us in Slave Breakers is divergent from the reality of sexual slavery-- the reality being that 99% percent of those in sexual slavery want to GET OUT out of sexual slavery, regardless of whether their owner at the moment is cute and treats them well.
The foundation of a strong sexual relationship is a) trust and b) equality. None of the masters in this story treat their slaves like their equals. Oh, sure, they don't require "master" after every sentence and they'll give them certain freedoms, and they don't beat them for stupid shit (oh, how nice!). But at the end of the day, the master still knows he's master, and from what I saw, he had no issue whatsoever being so, even AFTER he's been a slave himself (which required another HUGE suspension of disbelief). How can you call any relationship consensual when you lack the very ability to say "no"? Because that's what constitutes consent. Saying "yes" does not equal consent. The ability to say NO constitutes consent. (Hence why the message has changed from "no means no" to "yes means yes" these days, since passed out people can't say no). And unless it's a very special slave relationship in which the master makes it EXPLICITLY CLEAR there will NEVER be punishment for refusing him in any situation, it's rape. Judging by the character interactions, I couldn't see such a scenario taking place. Maybe it does later. By this point I've lost all respect for the characters, and even if at the end it turns out they're undermining the system with some Underground Railroad bullshit, it still fails at its purpose because people like me already gave up on it.
I mean Jesus Christ, the Val's MOTHER is a slave, and Val's still totes cool with it? What? How? I can't even-- what? That's so... I can't even wrap my MIND around that. Your mother is a sex slave but hey, that's fine, she's HAPPY so why don't I ask for my OWN sex slave, who lacks the power to tell me no and must go crawling back to Master to beg me to stop. Holden even says it's not Yves's place to say no, it's Val's place to know when to stop (which is oh my goooood, so rapey). It's all played off as very "ha ha so funny!" but no, it's not. It's really, really not funny. (This was actually the scene I quit with, because I couldn't read anymore without hurting someone).
Maybe I'm being a feminist killjoy here, but I expect a basic understanding of consent in my BDSM stories. To those who expect at least that, please don't go through the trouble of reading this story. It's triggering, it's upsetting, and it's offensive.
However, I don't wish anyone to experience the disbelief, anger, and offense I did when reading this story. I'll say it now I didn't finish the thing. I read maybe half before I just could not anymore. I really tried to finish it. I did. I don't like writing reviews of things I don't finish, but I couldn't take it anymore, and I just had to quit.
For those of you who expect a nuanced and sensitive exploration of sexual slavery that does not require huge suspension of disbelief, this story is not for you. For people who are deep in the BDSM sex slave community and who have built up a tolerance for this sort of thing, maybe it's normal. It was deeply upsetting and offensive to me, and I'm not one to clutch pearls. I enjoy BDSM stories, and I've written my own stories about slavery (I avoid sex slavery, for the very reasons this book illustrates), so it's not about being easily scandalized or that I think the scenario's perverted or whatever it is that people accuse naysayers of being whenever they provide critique.
The one good thing about the story is that it's well written. The grammar and spelling is fine, and the author is technically talented. What was not so good was, like I mentioned before, the suspension of disbelief required. The whole premise is flawed, because it's based upon the belief that if you are nice to a person-- a slave--they will want to have sex with you. And that sexual slavery is totes okay as long as you are kind and fair, sexual compatibility will come out of that.
Let me tell you something. If all that was required for gratifying sex was "being nice", then all these Nice Guys ™ who complain about women not sleeping with them because they're too "nice" would get laid and we wouldn't have to listen to them whine. The fact is that in the history of mankind, slaves have not been happy being slaves, even if their owners are chill and cool and maybe even smokin' hot. The world shown to us in Slave Breakers is divergent from the reality of sexual slavery-- the reality being that 99% percent of those in sexual slavery want to GET OUT out of sexual slavery, regardless of whether their owner at the moment is cute and treats them well.
The foundation of a strong sexual relationship is a) trust and b) equality. None of the masters in this story treat their slaves like their equals. Oh, sure, they don't require "master" after every sentence and they'll give them certain freedoms, and they don't beat them for stupid shit (oh, how nice!). But at the end of the day, the master still knows he's master, and from what I saw, he had no issue whatsoever being so, even AFTER he's been a slave himself (which required another HUGE suspension of disbelief). How can you call any relationship consensual when you lack the very ability to say "no"? Because that's what constitutes consent. Saying "yes" does not equal consent. The ability to say NO constitutes consent. (Hence why the message has changed from "no means no" to "yes means yes" these days, since passed out people can't say no). And unless it's a very special slave relationship in which the master makes it EXPLICITLY CLEAR there will NEVER be punishment for refusing him in any situation, it's rape. Judging by the character interactions, I couldn't see such a scenario taking place. Maybe it does later. By this point I've lost all respect for the characters, and even if at the end it turns out they're undermining the system with some Underground Railroad bullshit, it still fails at its purpose because people like me already gave up on it.
I mean Jesus Christ, the Val's MOTHER is a slave, and Val's still totes cool with it? What? How? I can't even-- what? That's so... I can't even wrap my MIND around that. Your mother is a sex slave but hey, that's fine, she's HAPPY so why don't I ask for my OWN sex slave, who lacks the power to tell me no and must go crawling back to Master to beg me to stop. Holden even says it's not Yves's place to say no, it's Val's place to know when to stop (which is oh my goooood, so rapey). It's all played off as very "ha ha so funny!" but no, it's not. It's really, really not funny. (This was actually the scene I quit with, because I couldn't read anymore without hurting someone).
Maybe I'm being a feminist killjoy here, but I expect a basic understanding of consent in my BDSM stories. To those who expect at least that, please don't go through the trouble of reading this story. It's triggering, it's upsetting, and it's offensive.
January 3, 2020
Truly not into slave-fics anymore.
November 17, 2014
A challenge BR with my friend Cupcake. :)
Warning: This review contains spoilers.
A true "Slaves of our lives" dystopian saga. Bran is an excessively handsome and highly troubled slave. He tends to run away when abused. "Ohhh, no!!111" you'd say. The answer to such irresponsible behavior is for him to be sold to the so called "slave breakers". They are in the business of rehabilitating and reeducating troublemaking slaves and then send them, now all 'happy-go-lucky', improved and thankful, on their way to their next fair masters.
Bran's trainer's is Master Holden. As we learn soon enough, he is an ex-slave himself and currently a family man with an, apparently, heart of gold. He is extremely successful, respected and recognized in the slave dealing business, but, at the same time, he is a major player in an Underground Railroad slave saving network (wow and WOW!!). Yes, Holden is a keeper. I was totally and completely mesmerized and floored. And, to add to that, the author's writing style and the MC's unquestionable bravery to pick his own master in life won me over completely. Final verdict four big, vibrant, 'I'm-out-of-my-mind' stars.
Warning: This review contains spoilers.
A true "Slaves of our lives" dystopian saga. Bran is an excessively handsome and highly troubled slave. He tends to run away when abused. "Ohhh, no!!111" you'd say. The answer to such irresponsible behavior is for him to be sold to the so called "slave breakers". They are in the business of rehabilitating and reeducating troublemaking slaves and then send them, now all 'happy-go-lucky', improved and thankful, on their way to their next fair masters.
Bran's trainer's is Master Holden. As we learn soon enough, he is an ex-slave himself and currently a family man with an, apparently, heart of gold. He is extremely successful, respected and recognized in the slave dealing business, but, at the same time, he is a major player in an Underground Railroad slave saving network (wow and WOW!!). Yes, Holden is a keeper. I was totally and completely mesmerized and floored. And, to add to that, the author's writing style and the MC's unquestionable bravery to pick his own master in life won me over completely. Final verdict four big, vibrant, 'I'm-out-of-my-mind' stars.
December 24, 2013
A fantastic start to The Slave Breakers series. The story is set in a world similar to ours but where slavery is legal. Bran, is a young pleasure slave who has just been sold from an abusive owner, into the home of a Slave Breaker. He soon falls in love with his new master, Holden and is determined not to be sold on again. I was happy with the way things turned out in the end and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
August 6, 2014
Bran's Story: What an excellent start to a series!
I really didn't know what to expect with a name like The Slave Breakers. I was just praying it didn't hurt my feelings. Well, not only did it not hurt my feelings but I was engrossed. I would describe this as The Beauty Trilogy + the Deviations Series by Chris Owen divided by The Hunger Games.
It's a dystopian society sometime in the future called Tenarus which I'm guessing is somewhere former Eastern Europe because of the last names. At any rate, the society is arranged so that if parents cannot afford to raise their child then they can put them up for sale to offset the cost of raising them at 15.
Bran was sold to two prior Masters who were less than loving and his most recent master treated him abominably. Because of his treatment Bran has run away twice and thus has been sold to "the slave breakers" as they're known. Bran is 18 when he's taken in by Holden and Alix. He's surprisingly self-aware. He shows a great ability towards introspection and expresses himself well. He's also so sweet, I feared I'd get a cavity. I wanted to put him in my pocket and carry him around with me. He's so skittish and innocent I think he would bring out the protective instincts in Satan himself; yet, he's utterly and completely magnanimous. As he becomes more comfortable he does begin to show some lighthearted mischief which only made him more endearing to me.
Holden and Alix offer both training and retraining of slaves to ready them for sale. They have two personal slaves, Yves and Greta, which have been with them for quite some time and Holden has a hellion of a daughter, Valor, who provides the comic relief. Needless to say they have a full household already but soon Bran becomes attached which could upset the balance.
I really didn't know what to expect with a name like The Slave Breakers. I was just praying it didn't hurt my feelings. Well, not only did it not hurt my feelings but I was engrossed. I would describe this as The Beauty Trilogy + the Deviations Series by Chris Owen divided by The Hunger Games.
It's a dystopian society sometime in the future called Tenarus which I'm guessing is somewhere former Eastern Europe because of the last names. At any rate, the society is arranged so that if parents cannot afford to raise their child then they can put them up for sale to offset the cost of raising them at 15.
Bran was sold to two prior Masters who were less than loving and his most recent master treated him abominably. Because of his treatment Bran has run away twice and thus has been sold to "the slave breakers" as they're known. Bran is 18 when he's taken in by Holden and Alix. He's surprisingly self-aware. He shows a great ability towards introspection and expresses himself well. He's also so sweet, I feared I'd get a cavity. I wanted to put him in my pocket and carry him around with me. He's so skittish and innocent I think he would bring out the protective instincts in Satan himself; yet, he's utterly and completely magnanimous. As he becomes more comfortable he does begin to show some lighthearted mischief which only made him more endearing to me.
Holden and Alix offer both training and retraining of slaves to ready them for sale. They have two personal slaves, Yves and Greta, which have been with them for quite some time and Holden has a hellion of a daughter, Valor, who provides the comic relief. Needless to say they have a full household already but soon Bran becomes attached which could upset the balance.
July 2, 2017
In Bran’s Story, author Maculategiraffe transports readers to Tenarus, a contemporary dystopian society where slavery – both domestic and sexual – is a legal and thriving practice. Though many slaves enjoy mutually satisfying relationships with their upper-class masters, others are not quite so lucky. Some slaves are faced with harsh conditions, horrific abuse, or even abject neglect at the hands of their owners. And there is no recourse for these slaves; they can only endure.
It is within the context of this parallel universe that readers are introduced to Bran, a beautiful young pleasure slave who has displeased his owners for the last time. After a second failed escape attempt, Bran is sold by his master to the infamous “slave breakers” – a middle-aged couple notorious for their ability to correct the behavior of an unruly slave. It is rumoured that Holden and Alix’s training methods are unmerciful and that those slaves whose behavior can’t be fixed are never heard from again…
As a lead character, Bran was one of the most shy, sweet, loving characters that I have come across in the romance genre. I just wanted to gather him close and give him a snuggle. Made to feel unworthy by his previous owners, he is heartbreakingly eager to please Holden and be loved by him. But as sweet and fragile as Bran is, every now and then you would get a glimmer of his inner strength which allowed you to respect him as well as like him.
As much as I loved Bran’s character, Holden had my heart fluttering from the moment he bent down to pick Bran up and whisk him away from his cruel master. A sexy older man (I was picturing a Dominant George Clooney-type), Holden was only made sexier by his displays of kindness, compassion, and honesty. Ultimately, his character was driven by his need to protect and care for those around him (even if his actions went against their wishes and his own desires). Holden’s continual refusal to lie to Bran about his feelings provided for more than one gut-wrenching scene that caused a lump in my throat.
From the first sentence to the last, I thought that this story was fantastic! The book’s concept was wonderfully original, the parallel universe was richly imagined, the writing style was clear and descriptive, and every character had distinct voices, personalities, and motivations.
One word of caution: As the first in a series, Bran’s Story doesn’t provide any real closure for the reader. If you’re looking for a book that ties up the romance with a big red bow at the end and gives everyone their happily ever after, this is not the book for you. Instead, this story’s ambiguous ending drives home the fact that sometimes life is messy and that you need to settle for Happily For Now while you work for your Happily Ever After.
Verdict: A concept that could have easily gone dark and cringe-worthy, Bran’s Story was an incredibly moving tale with a lot of heart. It’s available FREE on Goodreads, so get yourself over to Maculategiraffe’s author page and get yourself a copy… now!
It is within the context of this parallel universe that readers are introduced to Bran, a beautiful young pleasure slave who has displeased his owners for the last time. After a second failed escape attempt, Bran is sold by his master to the infamous “slave breakers” – a middle-aged couple notorious for their ability to correct the behavior of an unruly slave. It is rumoured that Holden and Alix’s training methods are unmerciful and that those slaves whose behavior can’t be fixed are never heard from again…
As a lead character, Bran was one of the most shy, sweet, loving characters that I have come across in the romance genre. I just wanted to gather him close and give him a snuggle. Made to feel unworthy by his previous owners, he is heartbreakingly eager to please Holden and be loved by him. But as sweet and fragile as Bran is, every now and then you would get a glimmer of his inner strength which allowed you to respect him as well as like him.
As much as I loved Bran’s character, Holden had my heart fluttering from the moment he bent down to pick Bran up and whisk him away from his cruel master. A sexy older man (I was picturing a Dominant George Clooney-type), Holden was only made sexier by his displays of kindness, compassion, and honesty. Ultimately, his character was driven by his need to protect and care for those around him (even if his actions went against their wishes and his own desires). Holden’s continual refusal to lie to Bran about his feelings provided for more than one gut-wrenching scene that caused a lump in my throat.
From the first sentence to the last, I thought that this story was fantastic! The book’s concept was wonderfully original, the parallel universe was richly imagined, the writing style was clear and descriptive, and every character had distinct voices, personalities, and motivations.
One word of caution: As the first in a series, Bran’s Story doesn’t provide any real closure for the reader. If you’re looking for a book that ties up the romance with a big red bow at the end and gives everyone their happily ever after, this is not the book for you. Instead, this story’s ambiguous ending drives home the fact that sometimes life is messy and that you need to settle for Happily For Now while you work for your Happily Ever After.
Verdict: A concept that could have easily gone dark and cringe-worthy, Bran’s Story was an incredibly moving tale with a lot of heart. It’s available FREE on Goodreads, so get yourself over to Maculategiraffe’s author page and get yourself a copy… now!
July 28, 2016
Welcome to a dystopian universe where peasants can sell their children into slavery, as pleasure slaves, the day they turn fifteen...
Bran is an eighteen year old pleasure slave. He has been sold to "the slave breakers" because his current master thinks that he's too unresponsive and he tried to run away. Holden and Alix, Bran's new master and mistress, take him to their house, where Holden begins to train Bran about how to be comfortable and trusting. Over time, Bran comes to love Holden, even though Holden holds to the story that he can never love Bran the way he wants him to.
Being sold to another master or mistress after Holden has always been a rather distant prospect, until the day a prospective buyer comes to the house to meet Bran. That night, he runs away and actually makes it to the forest where, it's reported, there is a couple who helps runaways. Once he is found and brought there, he is faced with the unpleasant reality that they are Holden and Alix's friends and return him to them. Holden decides not to sell Bran and Bran lives with Holden, Alix, and their three other slaves in a state of bliss.
At first, I wondered how much I was going to like this story. When I saw what it was about, I was a little hesitant to read it, but it was recommended by a good friend of mine so I had faith that it had to be a good story. And it was. In some ways, this story reminded me of The Hunger Games with how depressingly, destructively beautiful it was. Also, this was my first real foray into m/m (aside from Qhuinn and Blay's relationship in BDB and a few random short stories), and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed it.
One thing I wasn't sure I was going to like in the beginning was the idea that a forty-four year old man would be having sex with an eighteen year old, but in another surprise, it really didn't bother me too much.
This was a really beautiful story and I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read the next installment, Jesse's Story. So, thanks, Alli, I really appreciate the rec!
Read Oct. 24, 2010-Oct. 25, 2010
Read Oct. 10, 2012-Oct. 11, 2012
Bran is an eighteen year old pleasure slave. He has been sold to "the slave breakers" because his current master thinks that he's too unresponsive and he tried to run away. Holden and Alix, Bran's new master and mistress, take him to their house, where Holden begins to train Bran about how to be comfortable and trusting. Over time, Bran comes to love Holden, even though Holden holds to the story that he can never love Bran the way he wants him to.
Being sold to another master or mistress after Holden has always been a rather distant prospect, until the day a prospective buyer comes to the house to meet Bran. That night, he runs away and actually makes it to the forest where, it's reported, there is a couple who helps runaways. Once he is found and brought there, he is faced with the unpleasant reality that they are Holden and Alix's friends and return him to them. Holden decides not to sell Bran and Bran lives with Holden, Alix, and their three other slaves in a state of bliss.
At first, I wondered how much I was going to like this story. When I saw what it was about, I was a little hesitant to read it, but it was recommended by a good friend of mine so I had faith that it had to be a good story. And it was. In some ways, this story reminded me of The Hunger Games with how depressingly, destructively beautiful it was. Also, this was my first real foray into m/m (aside from Qhuinn and Blay's relationship in BDB and a few random short stories), and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed it.
One thing I wasn't sure I was going to like in the beginning was the idea that a forty-four year old man would be having sex with an eighteen year old, but in another surprise, it really didn't bother me too much.
This was a really beautiful story and I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read the next installment, Jesse's Story. So, thanks, Alli, I really appreciate the rec!
Read Oct. 24, 2010-Oct. 25, 2010
Read Oct. 10, 2012-Oct. 11, 2012
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2015
Great read that continually surprised me, delving deeper and more emotionally into the situation of all the characters, not just Bran. I've never read a slave-fic quite like this. A lot of what makes it so unexpected is that the slave breakers of the title, Holden and Alix, were both slaves themselves. Holden especially is such a strange but also believable mix of contradictory impulses--the qualities that make him so good at his job--so good at getting into the head of a broken slave and figuring out how to fix him--also make it hard for him to get the emotional distance he needs to actually train them. His ridiculously chaotic household and messy relationships are an expression of his chaotic relationship with his own past and the current slaves who remind him of it. Though I was hoping for more on the "slave-breaking" or maybe "slave-whispering" aspects suggested by the premise, I can't really complain when what the author did deliver was so original and insightful.
As slave stories go, I did not find this a dark or upsetting read--especially compared with others boasting a similar premise such as At His Throat, A Promise or Anchored. Mostly, it's a beautifully written, emotionally sensitive exploration of a complex man and the people he loves.
As slave stories go, I did not find this a dark or upsetting read--especially compared with others boasting a similar premise such as At His Throat, A Promise or Anchored. Mostly, it's a beautifully written, emotionally sensitive exploration of a complex man and the people he loves.
October 12, 2016
Review is for the overall series rather than individual books.
Can't even say how much I'm crushing on these characters and this universe. Fucking LOVE it! Sooo damn good! If you're a fan of slave stories (and free reads), this is one you won't want to miss!
Can't even say how much I'm crushing on these characters and this universe. Fucking LOVE it! Sooo damn good! If you're a fan of slave stories (and free reads), this is one you won't want to miss!
March 4, 2010
Just beautiful!
March 4, 2010
If the Brady Bunch were an m/m slave novel.
February 16, 2015
I read all the books in the Slave Breakers series. I think the author did not like slavery at all. She does not really believe that it may be good for anyone. One could describe Holden, the main character, as a master who has a velvet hand in a velvet glove.
I understand that the author has created a situation where the retrainers are literally saving the lives of slaves cruelly abused by their former masters. We could not bring a broken slave back to life by hitting him, even gently. So her context is well suited to the nature of the dominant -- not so dominant.
As for her slaves, although they are 16 or 17 years-old, they behave like lost 11-12 years old children, always snuggling against everyone and sitting on every adult's lap. It's charming but unrealistic. 16-17-year-old teenagers I know have a different story. And even in the context of slavery, since they are first sold when they are 15 years old, they should rebel against the cruelty of their masters. But no, they all crash, let themselves be destroyed. The only ex-slave who is said having been resisting is Holden himself, but the author does not describe (or very little) that part of his life.
As I was about to read this first book of the series, because of the title, I imagined a couple being visited by masters discouraged by their slaves' rebellious and unacceptable behavior and the retrainers finding a way to "break" theses slaves into the perfect ones that any master would dream of. But no, this is the story of loving dominants with already broken slaves.
I understand that the author has created a situation where the retrainers are literally saving the lives of slaves cruelly abused by their former masters. We could not bring a broken slave back to life by hitting him, even gently. So her context is well suited to the nature of the dominant -- not so dominant.
As for her slaves, although they are 16 or 17 years-old, they behave like lost 11-12 years old children, always snuggling against everyone and sitting on every adult's lap. It's charming but unrealistic. 16-17-year-old teenagers I know have a different story. And even in the context of slavery, since they are first sold when they are 15 years old, they should rebel against the cruelty of their masters. But no, they all crash, let themselves be destroyed. The only ex-slave who is said having been resisting is Holden himself, but the author does not describe (or very little) that part of his life.
As I was about to read this first book of the series, because of the title, I imagined a couple being visited by masters discouraged by their slaves' rebellious and unacceptable behavior and the retrainers finding a way to "break" theses slaves into the perfect ones that any master would dream of. But no, this is the story of loving dominants with already broken slaves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2010
I read this because Darling Jason told me to, and I'm glad he did. I really did like the book, and I'll continue to read the others. Bran really stole my heart, and I liked Holden a lot too. I enjoyed the alternate world setting, and actually I really liked how sparse the world-building was, though I could see others disliking that. For me, it let me imagine a lot, and I was good with that.
My only niggle was I had a hard time accepting that characters I liked so well were cool with owning people against their will. I'm funny because I have no issue with voluntary slavery at all, in fiction or real life, but involuntary really chafes me. I don't mind reading it, but I don't like it condoned. It's not so much that it was, but it was too close to "this is no big deal; it's just the way it is here" for me to let go. But even given this, I very much enjoyed it. For me the greatest draw was that it was different than anything I'd ever read before and very accessible in style. And even with my complaint, I also liked that it pushed buttons. So I recommend it very much.
I also recommend that the author start submitting stuff for publication. Nothing wrong with getting paid for quality work.
My only niggle was I had a hard time accepting that characters I liked so well were cool with owning people against their will. I'm funny because I have no issue with voluntary slavery at all, in fiction or real life, but involuntary really chafes me. I don't mind reading it, but I don't like it condoned. It's not so much that it was, but it was too close to "this is no big deal; it's just the way it is here" for me to let go. But even given this, I very much enjoyed it. For me the greatest draw was that it was different than anything I'd ever read before and very accessible in style. And even with my complaint, I also liked that it pushed buttons. So I recommend it very much.
I also recommend that the author start submitting stuff for publication. Nothing wrong with getting paid for quality work.
July 27, 2010
Bran, a repeat runaway slave owned by a viscious master, is purchased by the Slave Breakers. Holden and Alix,retrain the slaves with kindness and care. Bran is a beautiful 19 year old slave who is being retrained by Holden. As Bran comes to trust the gentle kindness of Holden, he falls in love with his master and will do anything to br kept.
September 13, 2010
This was a reasonably well-written book that pushes a lot of my happy buttons, and the author has some real raw talent that needs a few years and a good editor to polish up to five-star material, but I do think she (he?) will get there at some point.
A big part of my problem with this book was the lack of worldbuilding--and the inconsistency of what little worldbuilding there was. For instance, they had cars and telephones but wore tunics and wrote letters to invite people to dinner. I couldn't reconcile the touches of technology with the touches of medievalism, and the author took no time to explain it or almost anything else that happened outside the four walls in which the protagonist spent most of his time. I also wondered about the book's central conceit, which is that children of poor peasants can be sold into slavery at the age of 15. By the time you're 15, you can leave home and live on your own; why would you permit yourself to be enslaved, especially if there's no love lost for your family? The author did make an attempt to show slavery as an often-good thing for the slave, and maybe this world and its culture is set up to propagate that concept for the to-be-enslaved, but because of said lack of worldbuilding, there was no way to tell and thus the whole thing was very hard to swallow.
I also found Bran's initial fear/thought processes overdone and a bit forced to serve the needs of the plot, though the love story the book turned into felt very organic and worked very well. What made less sense for me, though, was why the daughter of Bran's master, who is also the daughter of a slave, would be so eager to have a slave of her own. She's seen the destructive power of slavery--as have Bran's master and mistress--so to choose to propagate a system they know firsthand can be so destructive fell a little flat to me. Some of the language fell flat to me too: the casual cursing in the oddest places, the random and sudden use of "sweetheart" from the master's mouth, and the way that far too many of the characters all shared the exact same voice in dialog.
All that being said, I did enjoy the book enough consider reading further into the series. For a short novel, it took a very long time for anything to really happen plot-wise, but once it did it got pretty interesting. The author did a great job of showing a VERY difficult-to-swallow concept--that of the slave genuinely falling in love with his master--though I got the impression, as Bran's master so often said, that he was simply in love with the firs person to be kind to him. It's not quite romance, but it did feel good :)
A big part of my problem with this book was the lack of worldbuilding--and the inconsistency of what little worldbuilding there was. For instance, they had cars and telephones but wore tunics and wrote letters to invite people to dinner. I couldn't reconcile the touches of technology with the touches of medievalism, and the author took no time to explain it or almost anything else that happened outside the four walls in which the protagonist spent most of his time. I also wondered about the book's central conceit, which is that children of poor peasants can be sold into slavery at the age of 15. By the time you're 15, you can leave home and live on your own; why would you permit yourself to be enslaved, especially if there's no love lost for your family? The author did make an attempt to show slavery as an often-good thing for the slave, and maybe this world and its culture is set up to propagate that concept for the to-be-enslaved, but because of said lack of worldbuilding, there was no way to tell and thus the whole thing was very hard to swallow.
I also found Bran's initial fear/thought processes overdone and a bit forced to serve the needs of the plot, though the love story the book turned into felt very organic and worked very well. What made less sense for me, though, was why the daughter of Bran's master, who is also the daughter of a slave, would be so eager to have a slave of her own. She's seen the destructive power of slavery--as have Bran's master and mistress--so to choose to propagate a system they know firsthand can be so destructive fell a little flat to me. Some of the language fell flat to me too: the casual cursing in the oddest places, the random and sudden use of "sweetheart" from the master's mouth, and the way that far too many of the characters all shared the exact same voice in dialog.
All that being said, I did enjoy the book enough consider reading further into the series. For a short novel, it took a very long time for anything to really happen plot-wise, but once it did it got pretty interesting. The author did a great job of showing a VERY difficult-to-swallow concept--that of the slave genuinely falling in love with his master--though I got the impression, as Bran's master so often said, that he was simply in love with the firs person to be kind to him. It's not quite romance, but it did feel good :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2016
From the blurb this didn't really sound like my kind of read, but after talking to a friend I decided that maybe I was pre judging so I took a chance. Sadly I was right the first time. This really wasn't for me.
Thats not to say I found fault with the story or the writing. I even found the characters mostly sweet and adorable, and even interesting.
But slave fics that don't end in compete freedom do not make me feel all warm and gooey inside.
My biggest issue apart from the whole sex pleasure slave thing was Holden. I think we are meant to see him as this awesome caring guy who can't help loving or caring for slaves, and tries to help as many as he can. But after just his first scene I disliked him.
While I was interested enough in Bran and later Yves and Jer to keep reading, I was also a little squicked out later on. I just didn't enjoy those parts at all.
Its kinda sad in a way because this story would have been perfect for me if only it wasn't a slave fic. I just can't take a liking to anyone that takes pleasure in owning other people.
So this is really hard to rate as the story is good it's just my tastes that don't agree with it. I also find I am curious enough to try the other stories in this series. So I think I'm gonna go with a 3 as I didn't hate it and at times I was invested.
Thats not to say I found fault with the story or the writing. I even found the characters mostly sweet and adorable, and even interesting.
But slave fics that don't end in compete freedom do not make me feel all warm and gooey inside.
My biggest issue apart from the whole sex pleasure slave thing was Holden. I think we are meant to see him as this awesome caring guy who can't help loving or caring for slaves, and tries to help as many as he can. But after just his first scene I disliked him.
While I was interested enough in Bran and later Yves and Jer to keep reading, I was also a little squicked out later on. I just didn't enjoy those parts at all.
Its kinda sad in a way because this story would have been perfect for me if only it wasn't a slave fic. I just can't take a liking to anyone that takes pleasure in owning other people.
So this is really hard to rate as the story is good it's just my tastes that don't agree with it. I also find I am curious enough to try the other stories in this series. So I think I'm gonna go with a 3 as I didn't hate it and at times I was invested.
April 20, 2011
Despite the subject matter this was quite a nice story with the sweet and endearing but ever-fearful Bran as its protagonist and the kind and patient Holden as his new master acting as his re-trainer.
The writing was excellent, so insightful and descriptive. The world-building was enough for me to envision this disturbing re-introduction of slavery and prompt me to ask myself whether I could make it as a slave. Sterilisation, a submissive nature, being a possession to be used by anyone your master or mistress wished, a high pain tolerance, the risk of suffering the abuse Bran had in the past, and the list goes on. Nope, I don't see it happening. I'd end up dead or if I'm lucky being freed. I don't think I could own slaves either, well not for very long anyway. I'd probably buy them just to free them.
Even though I enjoyed reading Bran's Story I'm not sure I'll continue reading because the society described makes me decidedly uncomfortable.
"Even when we were first bringing you home, when you were frozen stiff and stupid with fear of whatever shit Dunaev had told you about where you were going-- when I touched you gently, you responded. You've got this innocence about you, Bran, this strange-- hope, that just comes leaping out at the slightest provocation. You still don't smile alot, but when you do you look so damn happy, it's like the sun coming out. And that little sigh you give when I hold you, like--[...] like everything's okay." ~Holden (Slave Breaker)
"Oh, yes, you make me ridiculously happy," said Holden, sounding more angry than happy at the moment. "I can't ignore you, don't you understand, I'd be wanting to be with you all the time, you're so- and the sound of your voice and the way you look at me, like right now, you look like a damn sunrise, all hope and dawn and light and- fuck, Bran--" He laughed. "I can't think straight, not with you looking at me like that.[...}" ~Holden (Slave Breaker)
The writing was excellent, so insightful and descriptive. The world-building was enough for me to envision this disturbing re-introduction of slavery and prompt me to ask myself whether I could make it as a slave. Sterilisation, a submissive nature, being a possession to be used by anyone your master or mistress wished, a high pain tolerance, the risk of suffering the abuse Bran had in the past, and the list goes on. Nope, I don't see it happening. I'd end up dead or if I'm lucky being freed. I don't think I could own slaves either, well not for very long anyway. I'd probably buy them just to free them.
Even though I enjoyed reading Bran's Story I'm not sure I'll continue reading because the society described makes me decidedly uncomfortable.
January 11, 2015
Haha, what in the glorious fuck did I just read? A wonderfully debauched erotic slavefic, that's what. For those of you who don't know, I'm easily offended by slave stories (or other relationships with extreme power differentials) that parade as HEA romances. Not the case with The Slave Breakers!! This story walks a fine line, and it does so splendidly.
In this completely twisted society, chronic runaway Bran is sold to the family business Jameson and Larssen Slave Training and Retraining, where Alix and Holden, his new masters, slowly repurpose him as a docile sex slave. Aided by some great supporting characters through a series of sexy "training" sessions - and with the help of few hilarious confrontations - the author writes a fun, ridiculous, deliciously fucked-up erotic novella.
The world building here is exquisite, from the pseudo-Russian nomenclature to the hierarchical social strata. The characters are equally intriguing and flawed, their web of relationships at once touching and deplorable.
My one gripe? It didn't go far enough. I would have appreciated a bit more bitter in the sweet - because there was plenty of fluff. It could have been more layered and I wish it explored the dichotomy of using affection to hurt/break someone (like in The Last Rebellion). This is the fluffiest mind-fuck I've ever come across. At one point the family is described as "a three ring circus," and isn't that the truth! No one in this family can even imagine the words 'healthy relationship.' Oh, this is a mind-fuck to be sure: a strangely non-violent, unapologetic Stockholm Syndrome slavefic love story.
Warnings if you don't like menage, polyamory or vaguely incestuous love affairs. Fuck it, in this universe, bring it on.
**Thanks to KatieMc for the recommendation!**
In this completely twisted society, chronic runaway Bran is sold to the family business Jameson and Larssen Slave Training and Retraining, where Alix and Holden, his new masters, slowly repurpose him as a docile sex slave. Aided by some great supporting characters through a series of sexy "training" sessions - and with the help of few hilarious confrontations - the author writes a fun, ridiculous, deliciously fucked-up erotic novella.
The world building here is exquisite, from the pseudo-Russian nomenclature to the hierarchical social strata. The characters are equally intriguing and flawed, their web of relationships at once touching and deplorable.
My one gripe? It didn't go far enough. I would have appreciated a bit more bitter in the sweet - because there was plenty of fluff. It could have been more layered and I wish it explored the dichotomy of using affection to hurt/break someone (like in The Last Rebellion). This is the fluffiest mind-fuck I've ever come across. At one point the family is described as "a three ring circus," and isn't that the truth! No one in this family can even imagine the words 'healthy relationship.' Oh, this is a mind-fuck to be sure: a strangely non-violent, unapologetic Stockholm Syndrome slavefic love story.
Warnings if you don't like menage, polyamory or vaguely incestuous love affairs. Fuck it, in this universe, bring it on.
**Thanks to KatieMc for the recommendation!**
April 27, 2012
Bran is a sweet eighteen year old who's a bad slave. He's now been sold off to the Slave Breakers who will fix him. Bran's already tried to run away twice from his different masters.
When we finally see Bran's personality emerge from his catatonic like state, I'm close to weeping for the poor bugger. I have an inkling how he became sold into slavery; it's not pretty. This world Maculategiraffe created is interesting and I don't fully understand how the world works. I have a pretty good idea, but it feels as if quite a bit of it is left to our imagination. This book is focused more on the relationship and Bran's journey.
I have to say, his journey is one that moves pretty fast. Within a few months, he's almost an ideal slave. He's responsive, adorable and quite thoughtful, even if he isn't thinking exactly straight. Holden, his trainer, now his story is filled with angst and heart-break. At 41, he's had the love of his life, been sold off, given away and married a woman who loves him but isn't the love of his life, or is she?
Maculategiraffe does an excellent job of showing all the different ways to love a person. The different reasons and how love can come about. I'm really quite impressed while I'm wiping tears off my face as each new hurt is revealed. I've lived a charmed life compared to these people. I don't know if I could handle being relegated to unwanted status once I'm old. Hell, I'm already on the shelf compared to these guys in the story.
The BDSM in this book is rather light. The focus is more on a D/s relationship and building trust which I find delightful. There is close to no impact play. This is definitely a book I'd recommend to all m/m readers who enjoy BDSM. This is a winner.
When we finally see Bran's personality emerge from his catatonic like state, I'm close to weeping for the poor bugger. I have an inkling how he became sold into slavery; it's not pretty. This world Maculategiraffe created is interesting and I don't fully understand how the world works. I have a pretty good idea, but it feels as if quite a bit of it is left to our imagination. This book is focused more on the relationship and Bran's journey.
I have to say, his journey is one that moves pretty fast. Within a few months, he's almost an ideal slave. He's responsive, adorable and quite thoughtful, even if he isn't thinking exactly straight. Holden, his trainer, now his story is filled with angst and heart-break. At 41, he's had the love of his life, been sold off, given away and married a woman who loves him but isn't the love of his life, or is she?
Maculategiraffe does an excellent job of showing all the different ways to love a person. The different reasons and how love can come about. I'm really quite impressed while I'm wiping tears off my face as each new hurt is revealed. I've lived a charmed life compared to these people. I don't know if I could handle being relegated to unwanted status once I'm old. Hell, I'm already on the shelf compared to these guys in the story.
The BDSM in this book is rather light. The focus is more on a D/s relationship and building trust which I find delightful. There is close to no impact play. This is definitely a book I'd recommend to all m/m readers who enjoy BDSM. This is a winner.
March 25, 2016
**4.5 Stars
I'm ashamed to say this series has been sitting on my Kindle since 2012!!! *red faced* Maybe it was the less than inspiring covers(even though I knew this was an online journal type series) or the fact that I thought this would be the typical master/slave story and those type of stories aren't my first choice of reading material. I don't know but I do know that after having read Bran's Story I'm sooo looking forward to the rest of the series!
As far as me thinking this was going to be your typical master/slave story, well.....I was wrong. Boy, was I wrong. There isn't any BDSM, there isn't even any really graphic on page sex but somehow the author was able to make this story sexually charged. The first few pages broke my heart and I thought I was in for a tearful read but that never happened either. What I got was a loving, very sweet story about acceptance, trust and eventually love that takes place in a world that is complete fantasy.
Beautifully done!!!!
***Don't let the blurb put you off if you're not into master/slave stories especially the pleasure slave ones. This isn't a book full of sex, there is very little and what is there has nothing to do with the master/slave type relationship.
I think readers will pleasantly surprised by this series.
January 4, 2020
This story is very different from your "normal" gay romance. It is slavefiction and includes m/m storylines. Actually it is not really romance either, the story unfolds in a parallel universe, where parents are able to sell their kids as slaves, once they turn 15.
For me it was oddly addictive, I didn't really like it, it was too strange and disgusting, really, but still I couldn't put it down. It was quite fascinating and at the same time really disturbing.
The story is about a couple, educating or training slaves, who caused troubles with their former owners.
Bran, their latest "project" seems to be brave and obedient, settling in very nicely, before complicating things by falling in love with his new and supposedly temporary master.
If this sounds sweet, be aware that it is not really a love story, everyone literally has sex with everyone here, male or female and the whole story is really unnerving.
Still it was a quite interesting read, 3.5 stars from me, but not generally recommended, as it is far too specific and special to please everyone....
For me it was oddly addictive, I didn't really like it, it was too strange and disgusting, really, but still I couldn't put it down. It was quite fascinating and at the same time really disturbing.
The story is about a couple, educating or training slaves, who caused troubles with their former owners.
Bran, their latest "project" seems to be brave and obedient, settling in very nicely, before complicating things by falling in love with his new and supposedly temporary master.
If this sounds sweet, be aware that it is not really a love story, everyone literally has sex with everyone here, male or female and the whole story is really unnerving.
Still it was a quite interesting read, 3.5 stars from me, but not generally recommended, as it is far too specific and special to please everyone....
July 13, 2012
Honestly, I'm not sure what to make of this book. I was hoping to feed my m/m romance habit on the cheap by reading through Maculategiraffe's free Slave Breaker series, but Bran's Story wasn't quite what I was expecting. It wasn't even a romance, really. And while I have enjoyed some master/slave stories in the past, this one didn't sit well with me. I was too jealous on Bran's behalf, since every other character in the book seemed more important to Holden (the object of Bran's devotion) than Bran was. Polyamorous relationships only work for me when all parties are on an equal footing, and that definitely wasn't the case here. I spent most of the book resenting Holden and wishing Bran would get a new master who wasn't such a bastard. Maculategiraffe is a decent writer, but I was too frustrated by her characters and plot to appreciate her skill. I probably won't read any further in the series.
March 4, 2016
This romance exemplarifies the disconnect I feel with the majority of romance and a large part of erotica. I don't mind unrealistic situations and fantasy worlds. I do mind unrealistic behaviour and handwaving abuse and slavery. I don't even know where to start. These pretty much nail it:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4...
I'm not wired (to) like this. To me it feels as if written for someone with a severe case of hebephilia.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4...
I'm not wired (to) like this. To me it feels as if written for someone with a severe case of hebephilia.
September 15, 2010
2.75 Stars~~ It was better than "Okay" ~~
I was compelled to read this from other reviews and suggestions, but I have to say that I got nothing out of it, not even from an educational standpoint. No jumping for joy, no rooting for the under-dog, no tearing up from heartbreak or angst. It was just a story of a man who retrains slaves, has a dysfunctional family, and adores his newest slave, but already has too much on his plate to juggle. It was interesting, but there was never anything solid for me to grasp onto.
I was compelled to read this from other reviews and suggestions, but I have to say that I got nothing out of it, not even from an educational standpoint. No jumping for joy, no rooting for the under-dog, no tearing up from heartbreak or angst. It was just a story of a man who retrains slaves, has a dysfunctional family, and adores his newest slave, but already has too much on his plate to juggle. It was interesting, but there was never anything solid for me to grasp onto.
November 28, 2010
Probably this is not a perfect book, but I loved it.
Bran lives in a society where slavery is legal. The world depicted in the book is not explained, neither why there are slaves, so the readers have to gather all information by themselves to have an idea of where Bran is living. I liked this. The fact is that this is not a book about an alternate reality, it's a book about a boy who is 18 and he is being sold from his former owner to "slave breakers".
Bran is the focus of the story. It's impossible not to feel for Bran, he was abused and still he's looking for a human contact. At the beginning a touch is enough to make him feel a human being again, but then the relationship with his master becomes, at least on Bran's part, love. It's a love Bran wants to be acknowledged no matter what the reaction of his master is. While I was reading, I couldn't help feeling like Bran's master: that it was the kind of love you feel when someone saves your life, a love heightened because it's the first gesture of kindness after a life of abuse.
I couldn't really understand Holden's decisions. We don't have his point of view, so it's impossible to know his inner turmoil. There's a paragraph in the book where the slaves are talking about manipulation as the best ability of a slave. Given Holden's behavior toward Bran, I think it's true. I think the pivotal change in Bran was the realization of his own power over the people around him.
The other two male slaves, Jer and Yves, are the most interesting secondary character, because they seem extremely aware of what's happening. I think the female characters were a bit out of focus (and Valor, the master's daughter, was incredibly annoying).
The world building is so complex that the book could have been twice as long.
As I said in the beginning, the book is not perfect, but it was original (for me) and Bran blew me away.
Bran lives in a society where slavery is legal. The world depicted in the book is not explained, neither why there are slaves, so the readers have to gather all information by themselves to have an idea of where Bran is living. I liked this. The fact is that this is not a book about an alternate reality, it's a book about a boy who is 18 and he is being sold from his former owner to "slave breakers".
Bran is the focus of the story. It's impossible not to feel for Bran, he was abused and still he's looking for a human contact. At the beginning a touch is enough to make him feel a human being again, but then the relationship with his master becomes, at least on Bran's part, love. It's a love Bran wants to be acknowledged no matter what the reaction of his master is. While I was reading, I couldn't help feeling like Bran's master: that it was the kind of love you feel when someone saves your life, a love heightened because it's the first gesture of kindness after a life of abuse.
I couldn't really understand Holden's decisions. We don't have his point of view, so it's impossible to know his inner turmoil. There's a paragraph in the book where the slaves are talking about manipulation as the best ability of a slave. Given Holden's behavior toward Bran, I think it's true. I think the pivotal change in Bran was the realization of his own power over the people around him.
The other two male slaves, Jer and Yves, are the most interesting secondary character, because they seem extremely aware of what's happening. I think the female characters were a bit out of focus (and Valor, the master's daughter, was incredibly annoying).
The world building is so complex that the book could have been twice as long.
As I said in the beginning, the book is not perfect, but it was original (for me) and Bran blew me away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2013
Very sweet and thought-provoking story of a near-future parallel Earth in which slavery is legal. Bran, lovely young pleasure slave, runs away from two placements for reasons he can’t articulate. He is sold as a last resort to Holden and his wife Alix, who specialize in handling this kind of problem.
What seems to be simply a setup for a rebellious slave to be “broken” by a patient and worthy Master turns out to have a complex, soap-opera-ish plot. As Bran learns the history of Holden and Alix, the other slaves in the household, and friends and associates of the family, very intriguing side stories and relationships are revealed and developed.
The book is both sweet and angsty. Bran is soon smitten with his kind and attractive new Master, but Holden’s feelings are less clear. In getting to know others in his position, Bran gains insight into his own possible future and tries to figure out what he truly hopes for. There is very little on-page sex; what there is is enjoyable. The book’s focus is on Bran’s adjustment to the changes in his life and the relationship he wants to have with the hard to pin down Holden. This book ends with a happy-for-now and sets up the next volume in the series.
Grammatically and editorially excellent for free fiction, with bonus convenience points for being able to download it directly from Goodreads. Four stars.
November 24, 2014
It was a nice book. But somehow, I was expecting more.
The rating is subjective, so hope the more avid readers won't dislike it. [spoiler ahead]I expected that the first 1/3 of the book would construct the background of the story and set in place the main characters. But that was not the case. It was a mingle of all (or almost all the characters) that appear in the book and an even more confusing history of how they came to be. This kind of elaboration for supporting characters would have worked for a larger story, where each had their 15 minutes glory. In such a short story, it seemed rushed. And Holden's emotional trail throughout the story pretty much left me baffled. With only 10 pages or so before the end, I get a glimpse that he is in love/denial with Bran and therefore, decides to keep him. By that time, I was already expecting Bran to runaway and find his actual true love.
But Bran's emotions were well portrayed. Each character was nicely drawn, each with their own quirks that made for a nice read. I was glad the story had a HEA, though not exactly the kind that I imagined.[end spoiler]
The rating is subjective, so hope the more avid readers won't dislike it. [spoiler ahead]I expected that the first 1/3 of the book would construct the background of the story and set in place the main characters. But that was not the case. It was a mingle of all (or almost all the characters) that appear in the book and an even more confusing history of how they came to be. This kind of elaboration for supporting characters would have worked for a larger story, where each had their 15 minutes glory. In such a short story, it seemed rushed. And Holden's emotional trail throughout the story pretty much left me baffled. With only 10 pages or so before the end, I get a glimpse that he is in love/denial with Bran and therefore, decides to keep him. By that time, I was already expecting Bran to runaway and find his actual true love.
But Bran's emotions were well portrayed. Each character was nicely drawn, each with their own quirks that made for a nice read. I was glad the story had a HEA, though not exactly the kind that I imagined.[end spoiler]
December 31, 2015
2.75 stars
This is rather slow moving and starts as a character study of a young slave, Bran, and his issues -- he’s only known abuse and keeps running away from his masters. Imagine that, seems like a good common sense reaction to me but...he is eventually bought by Holden, a slave reformer or ‘breaker’ who’s job it is to fix Bran but who quickly figures out that a little kindness goes a long way.
I’m reminded a lot of Lilith Grey’s ‘At His Throat, A Promise’ but I liked that one a bit more because there was more world-building and conflict there; here, the world seems a bit smaller. Everything moves fairly smoothly and sweetly, love is all around. Well, if you don’t count Holden’s crazy-assed, attention-sucking histrionics which add to the drama-rama and, I swear, become more trying over the course of the story. I almost wish for some evil, nasty, Snidely Whiplash-y slave owner to come in and smack him upside the head and wreak some dark havoc. There is a smidgen of conflict towards the end but all’s well that end’s well rather abruptly in la-la land. I will read the next one if only to see what happens to poor Bran.
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