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Special Forces #2 part 2
Special Forces - Mercenaries Part II
Special Forces is the story of a Scottish SAS soldier and a Soviet spetsnaz soldier. Two enemies who meet in the line of duty during the early days of the Soviet Union's last war in Afghanistan. Behind enemy lines respect and finally love grow ... but that's only the official version. This epic spans across over twenty-five years of their lives. It's harsh and violent, but life is cruel and they just do what they need to survive.
Special Forces - Mercenaries is the second cycle of the Special Forces epic, which consists of three cycles and about a million words. The Mercenaries cycle is so large, it is available in two parts, of which this is the second part. The first cycle is Soldiers and the third one is Veterans.
This print version is the original version of Special Forces, as it was edited by the authors of the time of first publication on Marquesate’s website. The Mercenaries cycle was published between May 2007 and November 2008. This is the only version that is authorised by Marquesate.
This print version of Special Forces is strictly non-profit and print cost only. The paperback of this original version is available from Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback...
The ebook version is available for free download, and the original chapters remain as a free read on Marquesate’s website: http://www.marquesate.org/special-for...
Special Forces - Mercenaries is the second cycle of the Special Forces epic, which consists of three cycles and about a million words. The Mercenaries cycle is so large, it is available in two parts, of which this is the second part. The first cycle is Soldiers and the third one is Veterans.
This print version is the original version of Special Forces, as it was edited by the authors of the time of first publication on Marquesate’s website. The Mercenaries cycle was published between May 2007 and November 2008. This is the only version that is authorised by Marquesate.
This print version of Special Forces is strictly non-profit and print cost only. The paperback of this original version is available from Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback...
The ebook version is available for free download, and the original chapters remain as a free read on Marquesate’s website: http://www.marquesate.org/special-for...
565 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2010
30 people are currently reading
622 people want to read
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October 11, 2016
4.5 Stars.
BR with my lovely Andrea.
I've never read a book before when I hated two prominent characters so much but rated it highly.To be fair I've got a love/hate thing going on with Dan but it's definitely a hate thing with Jean.
I've put this review in a spoiler because I know it's been around for ages and lots of reviews have touched on what happens but I really don't want to give too much away to anyone who's considering reading this series.
Review Rant over but I absolutely LOVE this series!!
BR with my lovely Andrea.
I've never read a book before when I hated two prominent characters so much but rated it highly.To be fair I've got a love/hate thing going on with Dan but it's definitely a hate thing with Jean.
I've put this review in a spoiler because I know it's been around for ages and lots of reviews have touched on what happens but I really don't want to give too much away to anyone who's considering reading this series.
November 6, 2016
“I love you.” Murmured when his left cheek touched Vadim's. “Whatever happens.” His right touched, and then his left again. “I'll always love you.”
I think this is the longest I've read a book. And I kinda hate that, cause I have absolutely no clue what I've read for the past few days right now, only the last chapter is in my mind, and now I have to write a review?
Ok I'lltry to keep this short, and just do the characters, without the story. I know, now you're thinking, why not tell us the story from this book Blacky? Well dear readers, the story is basically SEX and more sex, so unless you want a manual for it, you don't need my re-telling
Dan
I guess I'm the weird one here, but I still don't hate him
. Yeah, don't kick me for it, I just don't. There were times where I wanted to kick the sh*t out of him, yes, but that's as far as it went.
Anyway, even after getting back together with Vadim, Dan still wants to have sex with other people. He likes c*ck, and wants more of it. Hmm. OK, good for him
Is that fair to Vadim, who gave up everything just to be with him? Uuhhhh HELL NO!
Moving on. Dan has sex with Jean and decides not to tell Vadim. Well, THAT's the thing that most bugged me about the whole thing. Yeah sure, if they BOTH decide to have an open relationship, sure, go ahead, but this? That's called lying and cheating.
Dan's relationship with Jean - they both try to pass it as just friendship, but it's not. It just isn't. I know Dan loves Vadim, but the sex with Jean, it isn't all innocent. There are feelings involved. He's just too blind to see it.
Dan's jealousy of Hooch - well that's justified. And it's his own damn fault if you ask me. He wanted to sleep around and felt he had to push Vadim to do it so he wouldn't feel guilty. Yeah, way to go pal
You really f*cked it up now.
I still want him together with Vadim, if he could just get his head out of his ass and realise what's important. Indefinite source of c*cks, or Vadim?
Vadim
It was just so difficult to watch Vadim, still kind of broken
Even though Dan's presence helps him, a lot, there are times when the torturer comes back in his mind, and he's just so insecure and vulnerable... I just felt so bad for him.
After getting back together with Dan, he's willing to do anything to stay with him forever, but he's still jealous of Jean and Dan's other "mates". Luckily, Dan invites him to "play" with his mates, so it all kind of gets into their relationship, instead of being just Dan+loads of guys and Vadim looking from the outside.
Vadim apologized to Matt
that was a great scene and I'm glad he did it, even though a simple apology wouldn't cut it with me, don't think anything could, but ok never mind that.
He even managed to form a sort of bond with Jean too, that billiards/snooker/whatever it is game scene was great! I'm surprised I liked it so much
His relationship with Hooch. Well, that's a bit more complicated, and I understand what attracts him about the guy. He can give him back the power he lost within himself after the torture. He isn't vulnerable anymore, and I think it helps him fight the torturer in his head, so of course, he'd want to keep Hooch in his life. He can't do that sort of thing with Dan, because (mostly)whenever they do the hardcore stuff, Dan ends up being the dominant guy, and Vadim the submissive.
Anyway, what I don't get is where the sudden for Hooch came? I mean, I like the guy, VERY much, but I don't know. Maybe it was just too fast? Hmm. I'll still ponder on that one.
And Vadim not knowing if
What. The. F*ck? I mean, where did THAT come from? All this time I was reading about how much they loved each other, and would do anything, and now he doesn't know if it's
Vadim, I think you need to get your head out of your ass too!
Jean
Him, I really don't like anymore. He doesn't get on my nerves at all, in fact, the menages with him and Dan/Vadim were really hot, and interesting, and he has a weird relationship with both Dan and Vadim, and that's ok, because he gives Dan something Vadim can't, uncomplicated and relaxed. I understand why Dan wants to be with Jean too, but hey, make a choice man! Gah sorry now I'm ranting about Dan again :( back to Jean!
I think he's in love with Dan. He doesn't get it, and yeah, he probably loves his wife too, but not the same way. They always keep saying it's just friendship, but hell. It just can't be. And I wish there was a bit of POV from his side, I wonder how he suddenly forgave Vadim about the assault? I mean, he was REALLY great when Vadim first appeared in camp, and I thought there was going to be something between those two, but no. And now he even has some tender moments with him? I'd like to know what happened in his head that he suddenly likes Vadim again.
So, Jean was OK to me through this entire book, until the last scene with him and Dan. Hmm. Not very big on cheating. Yeah, the excuse was stupid too, as in, Vadim's married and Dan has sex with him, so what's the big deal? Well, dude, the big deal is that Vadim's wife knew that he was gay and he didn't hide anything from her, and that's not counting the fact that they're separated, been for years! Jean on the other hand, married such a great, sweet woman (from what I could tell), and continued f*cking other people behind her back, THAT's the difference dude!
Hooch and Matt
Oh I really like those two
Matt seems like a really sweet guy, and Hooch so intense, OMG! I have no idea how their relationship will work, but I'm looking forward to their book
Just one more thing
I just couldn't help myself and made a list of all the people in the book that had sex with each other
Every letter is for a different person, and some had repeat performances 
A is Vadim and B is Dan, that's all you need to know :)
A + B
B + C
A + B + C
A + B + D
E + D
B + E
E + A
B + A + F + G
B + A + C + H
B + H
B + A + H
I + B
I + J
B + K
I + K
I may have missed someone so forgive me for that ahahah XD
All in all, this was a long journey, far from over, and the ending just hints of all the trouble waiting ahead. Oh joy I kind of know this will be the worst of them all, but I know it'll be worth it in the end 
The rating? 3,5 stars
*I read this book along with the last chapters of Mercs 1 and considered it all as one piece*
I think this is the longest I've read a book. And I kinda hate that, cause I have absolutely no clue what I've read for the past few days right now, only the last chapter is in my mind, and now I have to write a review?
Ok I'll
Dan
I guess I'm the weird one here, but I still don't hate him
. Yeah, don't kick me for it, I just don't. There were times where I wanted to kick the sh*t out of him, yes, but that's as far as it went.Anyway, even after getting back together with Vadim, Dan still wants to have sex with other people. He likes c*ck, and wants more of it. Hmm. OK, good for him
Is that fair to Vadim, who gave up everything just to be with him? Uuhhhh HELL NO!Moving on. Dan has sex with Jean and decides not to tell Vadim. Well, THAT's the thing that most bugged me about the whole thing. Yeah sure, if they BOTH decide to have an open relationship, sure, go ahead, but this? That's called lying and cheating.
Dan's relationship with Jean - they both try to pass it as just friendship, but it's not. It just isn't. I know Dan loves Vadim, but the sex with Jean, it isn't all innocent. There are feelings involved. He's just too blind to see it.
Dan's jealousy of Hooch - well that's justified. And it's his own damn fault if you ask me. He wanted to sleep around and felt he had to push Vadim to do it so he wouldn't feel guilty. Yeah, way to go pal
You really f*cked it up now.
I still want him together with Vadim, if he could just get his head out of his ass and realise what's important. Indefinite source of c*cks, or Vadim?“It's a very bloody, somewhat crazy comedy, really. Dan fucked me up, I fucked him up, and while torturing and wounding and cutting each other, we discovered we were in love.”
Vadim
It was just so difficult to watch Vadim, still kind of broken
Even though Dan's presence helps him, a lot, there are times when the torturer comes back in his mind, and he's just so insecure and vulnerable... I just felt so bad for him.
After getting back together with Dan, he's willing to do anything to stay with him forever, but he's still jealous of Jean and Dan's other "mates". Luckily, Dan invites him to "play" with his mates, so it all kind of gets into their relationship, instead of being just Dan+loads of guys and Vadim looking from the outside.
Vadim apologized to Matt
that was a great scene and I'm glad he did it, even though a simple apology wouldn't cut it with me, don't think anything could, but ok never mind that.He even managed to form a sort of bond with Jean too, that billiards/snooker/whatever it is game scene was great! I'm surprised I liked it so much
His relationship with Hooch. Well, that's a bit more complicated, and I understand what attracts him about the guy. He can give him back the power he lost within himself after the torture. He isn't vulnerable anymore, and I think it helps him fight the torturer in his head, so of course, he'd want to keep Hooch in his life. He can't do that sort of thing with Dan, because (mostly)whenever they do the hardcore stuff, Dan ends up being the dominant guy, and Vadim the submissive.
Anyway, what I don't get is where the sudden for Hooch came? I mean, I like the guy, VERY much, but I don't know. Maybe it was just too fast? Hmm. I'll still ponder on that one.
And Vadim not knowing if
What. The. F*ck? I mean, where did THAT come from? All this time I was reading about how much they loved each other, and would do anything, and now he doesn't know if it's
Vadim, I think you need to get your head out of your ass too!
Jean
Him, I really don't like anymore. He doesn't get on my nerves at all, in fact, the menages with him and Dan/Vadim were really hot, and interesting, and he has a weird relationship with both Dan and Vadim, and that's ok, because he gives Dan something Vadim can't, uncomplicated and relaxed. I understand why Dan wants to be with Jean too, but hey, make a choice man! Gah sorry now I'm ranting about Dan again :( back to Jean!
I think he's in love with Dan. He doesn't get it, and yeah, he probably loves his wife too, but not the same way. They always keep saying it's just friendship, but hell. It just can't be. And I wish there was a bit of POV from his side, I wonder how he suddenly forgave Vadim about the assault? I mean, he was REALLY great when Vadim first appeared in camp, and I thought there was going to be something between those two, but no. And now he even has some tender moments with him? I'd like to know what happened in his head that he suddenly likes Vadim again.
So, Jean was OK to me through this entire book, until the last scene with him and Dan. Hmm. Not very big on cheating. Yeah, the excuse was stupid too, as in, Vadim's married and Dan has sex with him, so what's the big deal? Well, dude, the big deal is that Vadim's wife knew that he was gay and he didn't hide anything from her, and that's not counting the fact that they're separated, been for years! Jean on the other hand, married such a great, sweet woman (from what I could tell), and continued f*cking other people behind her back, THAT's the difference dude!
Hooch and Matt
Oh I really like those two
Matt seems like a really sweet guy, and Hooch so intense, OMG! I have no idea how their relationship will work, but I'm looking forward to their book
Just one more thing
I just couldn't help myself and made a list of all the people in the book that had sex with each other
Every letter is for a different person, and some had repeat performances 
A is Vadim and B is Dan, that's all you need to know :)
A + B
B + C
A + B + C
A + B + D
E + D
B + E
E + A
B + A + F + G
B + A + C + H
B + H
B + A + H
I + B
I + J
B + K
I + K
I may have missed someone so forgive me for that ahahah XD
All in all, this was a long journey, far from over, and the ending just hints of all the trouble waiting ahead. Oh joy
I kind of know this will be the worst of them all, but I know it'll be worth it in the end 
The rating? 3,5 stars
*I read this book along with the last chapters of Mercs 1 and considered it all as one piece*
February 21, 2019
Upgrading my rate to 5 Stars 21/02/2019
Don't even peek at this if you haven't read this series.
You'll need therapy.
I more or less had in mind this was an emotionally "minefield". Therefore, I decided to embrace this series open-minded, navigating through this open sea of possibilities with an open heart, willing to be part of Vadim and Dan's journey following the twisted direction the authors have taken in book 2, starting from the beginning again.
In other words, this time around I was refraining myself from judging characters behaviour
and enjoying the hell out of what these authors gave to us, after all, it was their story to tell.
This is not a review but a completely different perspective of the most controversial topics in this series: Betrayal x Violence. It also helps readers to understand, from my perspective, why SF has been a tremendous success with me.
What's coming next is basically a compilation of all my thoughts from my BR with my girls Shile and Moony and a few other friends, where I was trying to show my point. And that's why some of the sentences are under quotations.
Brace yourselves and mind the overload of spoilers.
Our complex characters:
Vadim, the rapist.
"Vadim in the first book, as a sniper, killed children first to make the mothers show their faces, he took advantage of his position as an officer to abuse and rape soldiers under him. In the second book, Vadim assaulted Jean in the very beginning of the story and did despicable things to Matt "the kid". Two more books to go and we think, the character can still redeem himself, but the third book starts, and we see Vadim going insane in the Balkans, killing people and raping Dima. **Attention, nothing, but nothing happens by chance in this series, the violence is really well crafted, and there is always a motive behind actions. In the Balkans, something triggered Vadim's mad behaviour, and as readers, we are right there with him. But my point is, Vadim did awful things. Did I mention he raped Dan?
Enter the other MC.
Dan, The Irreverent Bastard and Cheater.
Dan's worst flaw would be cheating and selfishness. Period. Whereas Vadim was a rapist and a murder.
"Yet, it seems that cheating is what speaks loud to readers in general, and a few others, his selfishness. Now, the interesting thing is, this is the point where the story was ruined for many, not when Vadim goes mad raping and killing."
"Readers who loved book one didn’t judge Vadim for being a murder and a rapist, they also didn't stop reading it or gave low rates because of it, yet they condemned Dan’s slutty behaviour in the second book."
"And it really puzzles me. It looks like a twisted double moral standard. How people can forgive and brush off violence so quickly but not flaws common as betrayal or selfishness?"
"In this fictional world, Dan has been condoned for cheating and selfishness by readers, whereas Vadim was absolved for being a rapist and a murder. "
I also have quite a few friends who think characterisation failed when Dan changed, but Mad Dog made so much sense to me.
"In book 1 Dan was just a soldier more tough than smart, reckless, with a flair for languages. A simple farmer guy who was looking to escape a boring life that wasn’t for him, who liked booze, adrenaline, girls with big tits and that at some point fell in love with a Spetsnaz."
As the story progresses, "that Dan" starts to fade more and more until Mad Dog is born.
But opposite from other readers and my friends, his character transformation made total sense to me. It doesn't mean I liked who he became. But I do get where Mag Dog was coming from. He was born as a reflection of what happened to him.
"Course, the Dan from the first book wouldn’t do the same things! That Dan is dead. Mrs Mad Shades Dog is a new version of that man. This "new" Dan is the result of that “mock execution”, one of the most poignant points of this book, where we saw old Dan trashing a room, brought to his knees by his pain. --------> This scene was everything.
This new Dan is also a result of what Katya did to him. Because that, was just another rape, right? The second one, I must point out.
"fucking Krasnoradas and just taking what they want. Aye?" ----->> This hurt like a motherfucker.
He lost something precious that they. His integrity and his honour. He sold his soul, his body and his pride in exchange for a love letter.
And finally, the new Dan is the result of Vadim living without a word. Why? Because he was never a very bright guy, indeed not the intellectual one, and couldn’t understand the repercussions of what happened to Vadim in the two years KGB kept him in confinement. Dan spent two years fighting to get Vadim back to then be left without a word and with nothing. Clueless in his ignorance, anger and resentment.
So, feck me sideways if he didn't have enough reasons to change. Sadly, not for a better person. His sex scenes with Jean put me through the wringer. I was extremely uncomfortable reading them because like every other person I wanted Vadim and Dan be enough for each other.
But hey, I am not judging remember? And to be honest, IMO, that worked in Vadim's favour.
Many readers and a few of my friends wanted the story to end before KGB. Others after Thai. However, if the authors had opted for giving us a HEA soon after India, ignoring Vadim and Dan's 12 years of unfulfilled relationship, it would have dismissed the most fucked up love story I have ever read in its essence.
But this is me. I am aware that I am a non-conventional Romance reader, and on that thought, I would have been very disappointed if the few moments they had in their 12 years history based on fucked up encounters four times a year, was bushed off so easily for the sake of a painless HEA.
Back to the controversial topic, SF shows how much of what is acceptable in fiction can differ from person to person from a moral perspective. It's like readers wear pink glasses when reading "Romance" making somehow moral and ethical lines go all blurry. Summing up, what society condemn in real life, can be easily forgiven in fiction.
**I want to thank from the bottom of my heart all friends who gave me their time of the day listening all my crap (Moony, Shile, Xia, Elena, Ariana, and B ) and still giving me support when I think I am losing it. Thank you also to the ones who popped in my updates to leave their 2 cents. It has been a real pleasure and a cathartic experience.
A friend said to me: "The difference between you and me is that you found a way to appreciate and accept the way in which their characters changed." She couldn't be more right, my romantic heart could have done without Jean alright, but that was not the story the authors wanted to tell us, and I respect that.
And on that note, I am getting the fuck out of here to find a safe place where I can hide from the tomatoes!
Peace!
Don't even peek at this if you haven't read this series.
You'll need therapy.
I more or less had in mind this was an emotionally "minefield". Therefore, I decided to embrace this series open-minded, navigating through this open sea of possibilities with an open heart, willing to be part of Vadim and Dan's journey following the twisted direction the authors have taken in book 2, starting from the beginning again.
In other words, this time around I was refraining myself from judging characters behaviour
and enjoying the hell out of what these authors gave to us, after all, it was their story to tell.
This is not a review but a completely different perspective of the most controversial topics in this series: Betrayal x Violence. It also helps readers to understand, from my perspective, why SF has been a tremendous success with me.
What's coming next is basically a compilation of all my thoughts from my BR with my girls Shile and Moony and a few other friends, where I was trying to show my point. And that's why some of the sentences are under quotations.
Brace yourselves and mind the overload of spoilers.
Our complex characters:
Vadim, the rapist.
"Vadim in the first book, as a sniper, killed children first to make the mothers show their faces, he took advantage of his position as an officer to abuse and rape soldiers under him. In the second book, Vadim assaulted Jean in the very beginning of the story and did despicable things to Matt "the kid". Two more books to go and we think, the character can still redeem himself, but the third book starts, and we see Vadim going insane in the Balkans, killing people and raping Dima. **Attention, nothing, but nothing happens by chance in this series, the violence is really well crafted, and there is always a motive behind actions. In the Balkans, something triggered Vadim's mad behaviour, and as readers, we are right there with him. But my point is, Vadim did awful things. Did I mention he raped Dan?
Enter the other MC.
Dan, The Irreverent Bastard and Cheater.
Dan's worst flaw would be cheating and selfishness. Period. Whereas Vadim was a rapist and a murder.
"Yet, it seems that cheating is what speaks loud to readers in general, and a few others, his selfishness. Now, the interesting thing is, this is the point where the story was ruined for many, not when Vadim goes mad raping and killing."
"Readers who loved book one didn’t judge Vadim for being a murder and a rapist, they also didn't stop reading it or gave low rates because of it, yet they condemned Dan’s slutty behaviour in the second book."
"And it really puzzles me. It looks like a twisted double moral standard. How people can forgive and brush off violence so quickly but not flaws common as betrayal or selfishness?"
"In this fictional world, Dan has been condoned for cheating and selfishness by readers, whereas Vadim was absolved for being a rapist and a murder. "
I also have quite a few friends who think characterisation failed when Dan changed, but Mad Dog made so much sense to me.
"In book 1 Dan was just a soldier more tough than smart, reckless, with a flair for languages. A simple farmer guy who was looking to escape a boring life that wasn’t for him, who liked booze, adrenaline, girls with big tits and that at some point fell in love with a Spetsnaz."
As the story progresses, "that Dan" starts to fade more and more until Mad Dog is born.
But opposite from other readers and my friends, his character transformation made total sense to me. It doesn't mean I liked who he became. But I do get where Mag Dog was coming from. He was born as a reflection of what happened to him.
"Course, the Dan from the first book wouldn’t do the same things! That Dan is dead. Mrs Mad Shades Dog is a new version of that man. This "new" Dan is the result of that “mock execution”, one of the most poignant points of this book, where we saw old Dan trashing a room, brought to his knees by his pain. --------> This scene was everything.
This new Dan is also a result of what Katya did to him. Because that, was just another rape, right? The second one, I must point out.
"fucking Krasnoradas and just taking what they want. Aye?" ----->> This hurt like a motherfucker.
He lost something precious that they. His integrity and his honour. He sold his soul, his body and his pride in exchange for a love letter.
And finally, the new Dan is the result of Vadim living without a word. Why? Because he was never a very bright guy, indeed not the intellectual one, and couldn’t understand the repercussions of what happened to Vadim in the two years KGB kept him in confinement. Dan spent two years fighting to get Vadim back to then be left without a word and with nothing. Clueless in his ignorance, anger and resentment.
So, feck me sideways if he didn't have enough reasons to change. Sadly, not for a better person. His sex scenes with Jean put me through the wringer. I was extremely uncomfortable reading them because like every other person I wanted Vadim and Dan be enough for each other.
But hey, I am not judging remember? And to be honest, IMO, that worked in Vadim's favour.
Many readers and a few of my friends wanted the story to end before KGB. Others after Thai. However, if the authors had opted for giving us a HEA soon after India, ignoring Vadim and Dan's 12 years of unfulfilled relationship, it would have dismissed the most fucked up love story I have ever read in its essence.
But this is me. I am aware that I am a non-conventional Romance reader, and on that thought, I would have been very disappointed if the few moments they had in their 12 years history based on fucked up encounters four times a year, was bushed off so easily for the sake of a painless HEA.
Back to the controversial topic, SF shows how much of what is acceptable in fiction can differ from person to person from a moral perspective. It's like readers wear pink glasses when reading "Romance" making somehow moral and ethical lines go all blurry. Summing up, what society condemn in real life, can be easily forgiven in fiction.
**I want to thank from the bottom of my heart all friends who gave me their time of the day listening all my crap (Moony, Shile, Xia, Elena, Ariana, and B ) and still giving me support when I think I am losing it. Thank you also to the ones who popped in my updates to leave their 2 cents. It has been a real pleasure and a cathartic experience.
A friend said to me: "The difference between you and me is that you found a way to appreciate and accept the way in which their characters changed." She couldn't be more right, my romantic heart could have done without Jean alright, but that was not the story the authors wanted to tell us, and I respect that.
And on that note, I am getting the fuck out of here to find a safe place where I can hide from the tomatoes!
Peace!
October 1, 2012
I will start this review with 3 words:
I HATE DAN.
I find him to be selfish, simple-minded, inconsiderate, and he hurts my heart over and over again...
Now, despite all those reasons, I am CONFLICTED about him. When he’s vulnerable, when he’s not “Mad Dog”, when he loves and cherishes Vadim…I want to like him…and gosh darnit, I sometimes do. Damn you, Dan.
Now, on with the review:
I had a hard time with Mercenaries Part 2. It felt like one long orgy and I just got SO TIRED of the sex and Dan (and Vadim) taking on all these wayward gays who needed direction. I’m wondering WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING!???!!!
But, what I came to realize at the end, is that, just like in Soldiers and in Merc Pt 1, the authors are making you EARN it. They want you to go through it all, sift through every grain, to find the flakes, and if you’re lucky, nuggets of gold. And when you find them, you realize the VALUE and the TREASURE you attained! It feels tedious, it feels repetitive, it feels frustrating, but the reward feels WORTH it.
Yes, the story got to be annoying, but in it all, what remained true and tested and the base of everything – Vadim’s & Dan’s love. As always. A love I might not entirely understand, played out in a way I obviously don't always agree with...but stronger than anything I've ever experienced in any book before.
Nothing I have ever read before this series has made me feel so intimately attached to characters and their lives and their love…and that’s the ultimate reward EARNED.
PS - One full star for HOOCH! Hooooooooch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On to Veterans…
I HATE DAN.
I find him to be selfish, simple-minded, inconsiderate, and he hurts my heart over and over again...
Now, despite all those reasons, I am CONFLICTED about him. When he’s vulnerable, when he’s not “Mad Dog”, when he loves and cherishes Vadim…I want to like him…and gosh darnit, I sometimes do. Damn you, Dan.
Now, on with the review:
I had a hard time with Mercenaries Part 2. It felt like one long orgy and I just got SO TIRED of the sex and Dan (and Vadim) taking on all these wayward gays who needed direction. I’m wondering WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING!???!!!
But, what I came to realize at the end, is that, just like in Soldiers and in Merc Pt 1, the authors are making you EARN it. They want you to go through it all, sift through every grain, to find the flakes, and if you’re lucky, nuggets of gold. And when you find them, you realize the VALUE and the TREASURE you attained! It feels tedious, it feels repetitive, it feels frustrating, but the reward feels WORTH it.
Yes, the story got to be annoying, but in it all, what remained true and tested and the base of everything – Vadim’s & Dan’s love. As always. A love I might not entirely understand, played out in a way I obviously don't always agree with...but stronger than anything I've ever experienced in any book before.
Nothing I have ever read before this series has made me feel so intimately attached to characters and their lives and their love…and that’s the ultimate reward EARNED.
PS - One full star for HOOCH! Hooooooooch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On to Veterans…
December 9, 2012
Frustrating.
When it's good, it's bloody brilliant. There's some lovely symmetry in character development between the various menz, a thrilling sequence in the Balkans, loads of sex... and a good 300 pages of people talking about how they feel.
Mercs I and II, taken as a whole: flawed.
Some really exciting and suspenseful set pieces and riveting character work, but the story is ultimately undermined by the conspicuous absence of the restraint that made Soldiers so comprehensively, spectacularly excellent. Where Soldiers gripped me by the throat and didn't let me go until everything was blown to hell, Mercenaries unfolds in fits and starts, pausing for very long stretches of tedious discussion that don't drive the plot forward. Granted, these relationship peace-summits occur in fabulous settings, but as a story, it falls short of the dark poetry of Soldiers.
A GR friend suggested I'd be able to skip huge chunks of it and not miss anything, but I reserved judgement until I'd read it for myself.
She was right.
But—fuck me: when it goes all amazeballs, and you can't stop yelling at your e-reader, and your friends are sniggering at your anguished GR updates?
So worth it.
When it's good, it's bloody brilliant. There's some lovely symmetry in character development between the various menz, a thrilling sequence in the Balkans, loads of sex... and a good 300 pages of people talking about how they feel.
Mercs I and II, taken as a whole: flawed.
Some really exciting and suspenseful set pieces and riveting character work, but the story is ultimately undermined by the conspicuous absence of the restraint that made Soldiers so comprehensively, spectacularly excellent. Where Soldiers gripped me by the throat and didn't let me go until everything was blown to hell, Mercenaries unfolds in fits and starts, pausing for very long stretches of tedious discussion that don't drive the plot forward. Granted, these relationship peace-summits occur in fabulous settings, but as a story, it falls short of the dark poetry of Soldiers.
A GR friend suggested I'd be able to skip huge chunks of it and not miss anything, but I reserved judgement until I'd read it for myself.
She was right.
But—fuck me: when it goes all amazeballs, and you can't stop yelling at your e-reader, and your friends are sniggering at your anguished GR updates?
So worth it.
July 15, 2016
It took me 10 months to read this book. 10 months! I had to read lots and lots of *normal* m/m romances in between just to stomach the rest of this story. There were times when I wanted to just forget about the whole story completely, but Dan and Vadim are certainly the most intense couple in m/m romance (although, let's be honest, ever since 'Soldiers' their books have changed towards m/m erotica. It *is* exceptional erotic fiction - the bachelor party at Jean's wedding, OMG - but for a romantic heart, it's hard to digest).
Much like with the previous book, I had a huge problem with Dan. Again and again he keeps tormenting Vadim with his attitude of "I am your lover, not your keeper." "You cannot love me if you don't love yourself." "Variety is the spice of life" (as in: "I want to fuck with whomever I please at any given time") instead of telling Vadim "I will take care of you BECAUSE I love you."
Vadim is still broken. He is in fact probably my favorite character in fiction ever, but I can easily say that after following him and Dan over 13 years. Longer than any character in any book I've read before. And not just the time, but actually the millions of scenes they have.
The cruel aggressive, but passionate Vadim from the first book was replaced by a contemplative, shy and insecure guy who stays close to his partner Dan, because he feels that he cannot function on his own anymore. Dan is annoyed by that and obviously tries to compensate by having and sharing as many lovers as possible with Vadim, even though Vadim doesn't actually care about an open relationship.
He only has Dan, the guys that Dan shares with him ... and Hooch, who is Vadim's only "special friend" that he no longer shares with Dan. And Dan... is jealous. Of course.
I totally dislike Dan, but even more I dislike Jean, who openly commits adultery since he is married (to a woman *cough* *cough*)
I would give Dan maybe 2 stars and Vadim 5, but by the end of the book, two new characters were introduced: Dima and Markus (a fellow Austrian, how cool is that?) and I came to like them immensely (they are a monogamous gay couple in Dan and Vadim's world, can you believe that?!)
Needless to say: I love them.
So 4 stars in total and one big hug to Vadim. I love you, Russkie :-)
Much like with the previous book, I had a huge problem with Dan. Again and again he keeps tormenting Vadim with his attitude of "I am your lover, not your keeper." "You cannot love me if you don't love yourself." "Variety is the spice of life" (as in: "I want to fuck with whomever I please at any given time") instead of telling Vadim "I will take care of you BECAUSE I love you."
Vadim is still broken. He is in fact probably my favorite character in fiction ever, but I can easily say that after following him and Dan over 13 years. Longer than any character in any book I've read before. And not just the time, but actually the millions of scenes they have.
The cruel aggressive, but passionate Vadim from the first book was replaced by a contemplative, shy and insecure guy who stays close to his partner Dan, because he feels that he cannot function on his own anymore. Dan is annoyed by that and obviously tries to compensate by having and sharing as many lovers as possible with Vadim, even though Vadim doesn't actually care about an open relationship.
He only has Dan, the guys that Dan shares with him ... and Hooch, who is Vadim's only "special friend" that he no longer shares with Dan. And Dan... is jealous. Of course.
I totally dislike Dan, but even more I dislike Jean, who openly commits adultery since he is married (to a woman *cough* *cough*)
I would give Dan maybe 2 stars and Vadim 5, but by the end of the book, two new characters were introduced: Dima and Markus (a fellow Austrian, how cool is that?) and I came to like them immensely (they are a monogamous gay couple in Dan and Vadim's world, can you believe that?!)
Needless to say: I love them.
So 4 stars in total and one big hug to Vadim. I love you, Russkie :-)
January 15, 2015
This review is for both parts of Mercenaries.
There is a five star book in these thousand or so pages, but that five star book is only about 300 pages long. I love the story of Dan and Vadim, it really is what everyone says - Epic. What is not epic for me are the hundreds and hundreds of pages of violent sex that give me the heebie jeebies.
Aside from the endless sex scenes, this is another great book. It was exciting, frustrating, and I loved it. I'm looking forward to the next book.
There is a five star book in these thousand or so pages, but that five star book is only about 300 pages long. I love the story of Dan and Vadim, it really is what everyone says - Epic. What is not epic for me are the hundreds and hundreds of pages of violent sex that give me the heebie jeebies.
Aside from the endless sex scenes, this is another great book. It was exciting, frustrating, and I loved it. I'm looking forward to the next book.
November 23, 2010
"Vadim wanted to move away and keep touching Dan, wanted to claw into him, wanted to be held, wanted to break his neck and just rest his head against his shoulder."
Mercenaries Part II is the third book in the Special Forces saga about ex SAS soldier Dan McFadyen and ex Spetznaz Vadim Krasnorada. An epic love story which mixes violence, lust, torture, love, heart ache and friendship, as the quote above beautifully underlines.
The Special Forces series makes for a truly exhilarating reading experience. It’s a wild rollercoaster ride with a wide range of emotions. It’s often hard, sometimes brutal, but so very rewarding. Mercenaries Part II was no exception.
This book follows roughly a year in the lives of Dan and Vadim. A year full of travels, friends, the horrible war in the Balkans and most important of all: revelations.
There are a lot of very explosive moments in the book, but thankfully also some really emotional and intimate scenes. The men’s love for each other is deep, ever prominent and palpable, but there are so many outside problems and inner demons to deal with. It’s horrible to see Dan and Vadim making the same mistakes over and over again. Their incapability to talk openly to each other is frustrating and heartrending.
A lot of people might disagree with me, but I feel like Dan redeemed himself in this book. Soldiers made me fall in love with Dan, the always resourceful SAS soldier, quick on his feet and with a great sense of humor. In Mercenaries Part I we lost Dan to Mad Dog, his ever smoking, ever grinning and ever promiscuous alter ego. Dan seemed indifferent and downright superficial at times. Combined with the fact that we hardly got to really be in Dan’s head anymore, there was just no understanding him.
In this book he is back! Dan finally shows some real emotion! And strength, character and a great deal of sacrifice!
My heart goes out to him, to both men, and I can’t wait to start the last part of this ever engaging rollercoaster ride,Veterans.
Mercenaries Part II is the third book in the Special Forces saga about ex SAS soldier Dan McFadyen and ex Spetznaz Vadim Krasnorada. An epic love story which mixes violence, lust, torture, love, heart ache and friendship, as the quote above beautifully underlines.
The Special Forces series makes for a truly exhilarating reading experience. It’s a wild rollercoaster ride with a wide range of emotions. It’s often hard, sometimes brutal, but so very rewarding. Mercenaries Part II was no exception.
This book follows roughly a year in the lives of Dan and Vadim. A year full of travels, friends, the horrible war in the Balkans and most important of all: revelations.
There are a lot of very explosive moments in the book, but thankfully also some really emotional and intimate scenes. The men’s love for each other is deep, ever prominent and palpable, but there are so many outside problems and inner demons to deal with. It’s horrible to see Dan and Vadim making the same mistakes over and over again. Their incapability to talk openly to each other is frustrating and heartrending.
A lot of people might disagree with me, but I feel like Dan redeemed himself in this book. Soldiers made me fall in love with Dan, the always resourceful SAS soldier, quick on his feet and with a great sense of humor. In Mercenaries Part I we lost Dan to Mad Dog, his ever smoking, ever grinning and ever promiscuous alter ego. Dan seemed indifferent and downright superficial at times. Combined with the fact that we hardly got to really be in Dan’s head anymore, there was just no understanding him.
In this book he is back! Dan finally shows some real emotion! And strength, character and a great deal of sacrifice!
My heart goes out to him, to both men, and I can’t wait to start the last part of this ever engaging rollercoaster ride,Veterans.
October 11, 2016
More fun with one of my favorite couples, D & V! The B-R continues with the jewel-like Judith.
October 18, 2012
* If you haven't read Mercs1 please turn back, don't read on, this will contain mild spoilers for you*
What do I think? Well? That's the question isn't it? But I don't have a clue, no, not really. This has kept me awake at night, not just to read, but to ponder. Oh good God, have I pondered, worried, obsessed and debated this book in my head to the point of near insanity. I feel shattered, hopeless, defeated and slightly screwy.
But, and I have to apologise in advance for all the 'buts' to follow,but I still want more. I have become an emotional sadist.
My thoughts and feelings toward Dan have gone back and forth so many times I thought I became the tennis ball in five hour game at a masters final. I hated him and his monogamous views, just sucked! Makes me feel physically ill!
But then I loved Dan again. He lets down his shield and allows some of his insecurities to show through and it was heart breaking, but made me see him for what he was again, not the irreverent man-whore, but the Dan I loved and respected. To see him with needs other than sucking and fucking was like a balm to my soul. But then, he does something to upset me again and I am just back to where I started! Whiplash!
Vadim...oh my V. My fucked-up Vadim. With all his need, darkness, pain, terrors and torturous insecurities that never leave him. This broken, needful man will always be Dan's only love, but I wish Dan could see what he is doing to him.
He leaves no single physical act that is theirs alone. Can there be nothing sexually sacred between Dan and Vadim, without Dan giving it away? I don't mean the love, I know that,that will always be the one sacred thing that Vadim will always have of Dan's. I don't think anyone will take that. But still!
Vadim is an emotional mess so if you look at it from Dan's POV the perspective changes again. I feel for Dan, that he can't get what he sometimes needs from Vadim, the fun, joy and affection. The conflict that lies within each of them, holds them back and pushes them forward, both their own worst enemy, both taking for themselves and not giving enough back.
It's insanely intense, and deep, but I think it is fading, going stale. I even feel that at this point, if it wasn't for that need, they should go their own ways, it might be for the best. I know, I say that with the heaviest of hearts, my hope has dissipated and I cannot go on. I just want to give up and say..
But...and there it is again, the but. I will go on, I will soldier forth, it's what they would want. They haven't given up yet, so I wont either.
Now I have to say that while the first two books in this series where the very best for me. I mean the very best of the best! This one has left me disappointed.
New characters have been introduced, which is so very refreshing and I was happy for a breather from Dan and Vadim's intensity, but on the other hand... I felt the voice and POV of Dima was a distraction and unnecessary. Why? I didn't get it. Who the hell is Dima to get his own POV? And do I care about him? No, I'm sorry, I have no emotional attachment to him, not from the past or anything.
I also felt this book was lacking in the beautiful almost poetic telling that the last two had. I might be pushed to say that it was almost written by somebody else. I didn't breathe and live the settings like I did when we where in Afghanistan or even Kuwait. The dialog was difficult to establish who said what. Although that might be the conversion layout for my kindle.
All the way through I wondered how to rate it. My rating system has been completely screwed after reading the last two books, which have left everything else I've ever read in the dust.
I have gone from loving this book to hating it and then feeling ambiguous and then hate, love all over again.
So I have decided to go bang in the middle with 3 Stars! Which now means I liked it:)
I am invested in these characters, the story, every-bloody-thing! I am sucked in completely. This will always be my Gone with the Wind, my Casablanca.
What do I think? Well? That's the question isn't it? But I don't have a clue, no, not really. This has kept me awake at night, not just to read, but to ponder. Oh good God, have I pondered, worried, obsessed and debated this book in my head to the point of near insanity. I feel shattered, hopeless, defeated and slightly screwy.
But, and I have to apologise in advance for all the 'buts' to follow,but I still want more. I have become an emotional sadist.
My thoughts and feelings toward Dan have gone back and forth so many times I thought I became the tennis ball in five hour game at a masters final. I hated him and his monogamous views, just sucked! Makes me feel physically ill!
But then I loved Dan again. He lets down his shield and allows some of his insecurities to show through and it was heart breaking, but made me see him for what he was again, not the irreverent man-whore, but the Dan I loved and respected. To see him with needs other than sucking and fucking was like a balm to my soul. But then, he does something to upset me again and I am just back to where I started! Whiplash!
Vadim...oh my V. My fucked-up Vadim. With all his need, darkness, pain, terrors and torturous insecurities that never leave him. This broken, needful man will always be Dan's only love, but I wish Dan could see what he is doing to him.
He leaves no single physical act that is theirs alone. Can there be nothing sexually sacred between Dan and Vadim, without Dan giving it away? I don't mean the love, I know that,that will always be the one sacred thing that Vadim will always have of Dan's. I don't think anyone will take that. But still!
Vadim is an emotional mess so if you look at it from Dan's POV the perspective changes again. I feel for Dan, that he can't get what he sometimes needs from Vadim, the fun, joy and affection. The conflict that lies within each of them, holds them back and pushes them forward, both their own worst enemy, both taking for themselves and not giving enough back.
It's insanely intense, and deep, but I think it is fading, going stale. I even feel that at this point, if it wasn't for that need, they should go their own ways, it might be for the best. I know, I say that with the heaviest of hearts, my hope has dissipated and I cannot go on. I just want to give up and say..
But...and there it is again, the but. I will go on, I will soldier forth, it's what they would want. They haven't given up yet, so I wont either.
Now I have to say that while the first two books in this series where the very best for me. I mean the very best of the best! This one has left me disappointed.
New characters have been introduced, which is so very refreshing and I was happy for a breather from Dan and Vadim's intensity, but on the other hand... I felt the voice and POV of Dima was a distraction and unnecessary. Why? I didn't get it. Who the hell is Dima to get his own POV? And do I care about him? No, I'm sorry, I have no emotional attachment to him, not from the past or anything.
I also felt this book was lacking in the beautiful almost poetic telling that the last two had. I might be pushed to say that it was almost written by somebody else. I didn't breathe and live the settings like I did when we where in Afghanistan or even Kuwait. The dialog was difficult to establish who said what. Although that might be the conversion layout for my kindle.
All the way through I wondered how to rate it. My rating system has been completely screwed after reading the last two books, which have left everything else I've ever read in the dust.
I have gone from loving this book to hating it and then feeling ambiguous and then hate, love all over again.
So I have decided to go bang in the middle with 3 Stars! Which now means I liked it:)
I am invested in these characters, the story, every-bloody-thing! I am sucked in completely. This will always be my Gone with the Wind, my Casablanca.
August 27, 2013
Well...
I would like to go back and to re-write my review of Mercenaries Part I, because I was too busy with my fears about the next part than with my thoughts and emotions of the Part I.
How stupid I was!
I LOVE Mercenaries Part II MAYBE EVEN MORE THAN THE FIRST PART!
It was....far beyond all my expectations...
And they were very high...
March 21, 2011
Ok, lets do this..
Book 3 in the Special Forces series..
And I’ve actually had a day to calm down, so I doubt there will be as many curse words in this, like there has been in the first 2 reviews. I wrote those, 2 minutes after finishing the books, so all my emotions and stress went into them.. I couldn’t do that this time though, because the second I finished book 3? I started reading book 4, but more on that in another review..
Book 3.. Shit! (Ok, sorry, apparently this book just makes me want to curse!)
This was definitely the hardest book for me to read.. My emotions were in complete and utter turmoil.. It started out great.. Just Dan and Vadim.. And they even made me laugh! That hasn’t happened in, like, forever!
This book was like living with an abusive boyfriend for me, I think.. And I’m sorry if that’s offensive to anyone, but that was kinda what I was feeling.. Like explaining to your friends why you won’t leave someone who makes you angry, and sad (is there a word which translates to sad x 150? If yes, then that’s the word I should use) exhausted and hurt, and you wont leave because you still “love him.” I feel like this book is my abusive boyfriend.. I started out with a smile, then I got hit, a slap, and I cried, and I cried, I cried and then cried some more the next 90% of the book, then I got a hug, and a bit of comfort, then I got slapped again!
That’s kinda the rollercoaster ride I got from this book.. They just kept slapping me, then a small hug, and then another slap..
For some reason, Dan has the ability to make me cry, without even saying a word.. And fuck me, this book should have come with at least 5 boxes of Kleenex.. I have never cried so much in my life, not even when I lost my favorite pet when I was 10..
And Dan was the reason why.. Dan and all his freaking men.. Fuck him.. Seriously.. I wanted to rip his throat out, wanted to scream at him why Vadim wasn’t enough for him.. What the eff he was doing with Jean (Grrr.. Don’t even let me get started with Jean, or I’ll never stop.. Fuck I hate that dude.. I mean.. Is it not cheating if you’re having sex with another man, Jean? Huh?? Cheating bastard!)
Anywho.. If you’ve read my review of the second book, you know how I feel about ‘sharing’! I fucking hate that shit! Its soooo far from my personal beliefs that I just cant accept it.. Except if its just a casual thing.. Then I have no probs about reading it (would still not accept it in RL, hell no, but I can accept it in a book) but there were feelings involved when it came to Dan and
Again I have to say that if I had been “into” sharing, I doubt I would have been so emotionally involved, because then it would have been OK for them to do this, you know? But as it was, I couldn’t stop thinking “what are you doing Dan? What the fuck are you doing?” And I was so exhausted and stressed out by these intense books, that when it came down to it, I just couldn’t stop crying.. I think at one point I cried through an entire chapter.. The worst Dan chapter, and I just couldn’t stop.. And that kinda explains my “abusive boyfriend” comment, no? Dan made me cry, like no other ever has, and I hated him, and I screamed at him (I really did) but fuck, I couldn’t just stop loving him either.. Bastard!
Shit I’m rambling here.. Sorry for that, but these books are freaking intense, and I feel like I could write about them forever..
Anyway.. Dan and Vadim goes through a lot in this book.. You literally want to kill them both at some point (at a lot of points) during the book. There is just no way I can do a “normal” review though.. These books are all about feelings for me, and I want my reviews to be a statement to what I felt at the time of finishing the book..
Hmm.. How to give stars.. Shit, once again, I wish I could give it -150 stars, because fuck I hated them, I hated Dan, I hated Jean, I hated everything they did, but it got me.. Made me stay up, reading till 2 -3 – 5 in the morning some nights, and even though there were some moments I wanted to put it down and never read again, we all know that that would never have happened, because these books are addictive, they keep luring you back, with a tiny hug and a few comforting words..
October 2, 2014
Four "Is this the same series?" stars!
Well, I still really liked this installment but I have to admit I often felt 1). Lost and 2). Annoyed. I read the free PDF versions that are generously provided on Mr. Voinov's website. From the ending of Mercenaries 1 to the start of this one, I feel I lost a huge chunk of "happenings." In fact, I know I did as there was references in this book to events in the last book that I didn't read. So that, in a nutshell, confused me. Secondly, I feel like this book was written by a different person all together, and the heroes of the series are not the same men...their relationship not the same. I missed their love story. What did we get in Merc II?
Screwing. A lot of sex. No monogamy. Several scenes of interludes with other characters...not always Dan or Vadim. Some scenes very intense...BDSM, fisting, ménage. Fuckhot. (did I say that). Dan and Vadim start this series back together, as they ended the last, but suddenly they're "swingers." I missed their insanely intense, palpable chemistry and love story. Instead Dan is a glorified man whore. I mean, they're back together! Mad Dog Dan can be retired. I guess not. Call me a hopeless romantic, I guess.
I still liked this book a lot. Dan and Vadim, at least, are back together, yet experience more relationship "issues," due to complete, annoying lack of communication, I might add. The first half is mainly steam and less action/war. The second half, they're stationed as mercenaries in the Balkans. We get our action and suspense back, which I needed.
I'm looking forward to Special Forces- Veterans. Hoping for their HEA...and each of them to pull their heads out of their asses and commit to each other...only each other. I better get it or I'm gonna cut a b&tch!
And I thank you!
Well, I still really liked this installment but I have to admit I often felt 1). Lost and 2). Annoyed. I read the free PDF versions that are generously provided on Mr. Voinov's website. From the ending of Mercenaries 1 to the start of this one, I feel I lost a huge chunk of "happenings." In fact, I know I did as there was references in this book to events in the last book that I didn't read. So that, in a nutshell, confused me. Secondly, I feel like this book was written by a different person all together, and the heroes of the series are not the same men...their relationship not the same. I missed their love story. What did we get in Merc II?
Screwing. A lot of sex. No monogamy. Several scenes of interludes with other characters...not always Dan or Vadim. Some scenes very intense...BDSM, fisting, ménage. Fuckhot. (did I say that). Dan and Vadim start this series back together, as they ended the last, but suddenly they're "swingers." I missed their insanely intense, palpable chemistry and love story. Instead Dan is a glorified man whore. I mean, they're back together! Mad Dog Dan can be retired. I guess not. Call me a hopeless romantic, I guess.
I still liked this book a lot. Dan and Vadim, at least, are back together, yet experience more relationship "issues," due to complete, annoying lack of communication, I might add. The first half is mainly steam and less action/war. The second half, they're stationed as mercenaries in the Balkans. We get our action and suspense back, which I needed.
I'm looking forward to Special Forces- Veterans. Hoping for their HEA...and each of them to pull their heads out of their asses and commit to each other...only each other. I better get it or I'm gonna cut a b&tch!
And I thank you!
August 25, 2016
Ok, so I made it through the third instalment unscathed.
I still loved this book, don't get me wrong, but I will admit that it was my least favourite. I'll try to explain without ranting but I might not succeed. LOL
*****Spoilers ahead, so only read this review if you have read the book*****
I will start by talking about something I loved about this book, and that was Duncan. I adored the way he was shocked, couldn't believe the things he was hearing, but silently accepted it all and loving his brother all the more. It was amazing, but he also doesn't take any shit. I just loved him for the stability and care he provides for Dan.
"What are you actually sorry for? For being best known for your absence in our lives, or for getting yourself almost killed far too regularly and too spectacularly, without us even realising how close we were to losing you, or for turning up here, making me want to hold you and keep you so that you goddamned motherfucker won't be able to leave before we get to know each other properly? Or are you trying to tell me, you sad son of a bitch, that you are sorry for being gay?"
We see in the beginning of this book that Dan has, like always, taken everything in his stride. He has accepted that he is gay and has no problem letting everyone know about it. But on the other hand we see that thanks to the KBG, poor Vadim is terrified of people judging them, looking at them with disgust in their eyes and Dan just isn't getting it.
I thought that Dan embracing his sexuality would make me happy, but instead Dan just seems to have changed. He uses their past, their incredible journey, to lure other men into their bed. Okay, so Vadim doesn't protest, but you can tell that he is just doing whatever Dan wants him to do and that makes me uncomfortable. The way Dan laughs his arse off at the thought of monogamy, it just feels like he is laughing at Vadim. At what they have. He managed to only sleep with Vadim for over a decade, why is he doing this now?
More on that later, but moving on to Jean. We got to meet Solange briefly in this book and the fact that she seems really wonderful just pisses me off even more. I truly hate cheating, of any kind, so I struggled in the previous book knowing that Jean had a girlfriend. But this time Jean was messing around, outside their home, whilst guests are arriving for their wedding, the next day! I just felt like Jean was rubbing it in her face.
In my updates I said that I didn't know if the irony was hilarious or just tragic, but I finally decided on tragic. Dan just sums it up perfectly.
"...he's about to marry, the last thing he needs is to be off whack because he's just discovered he likes to get fucked up the arse by a bloke, while his wife has had her bits chopped off to be what he thought he's always wanted - and what she always wanted to be."
It's awful and to be honest, Jean shouldn't be sleeping with anyone but Solange. The fact that he still sleeps with Dan, even after the wedding didn't surprise me, just annoyed me even more. I actually quite liked Jean in the previous book, but most of that faded in this one.
Now Hooch, who we established before that I am head over heels in love with, even though his kinky side scares the shit out of me. Being hunted out in the woods? No thanks.
Vadim and Hooch's connection only intensifies in this book. So much so that we actually see Dan's jelous side come to life, double standards much? To be perfectly honest, my favourite scenes were between Vadim and Hooch. The suit fitting was hilarious and the way Hooch keeps saying he wants to marry Vadim for the way he prepares food for him was really sweet. Also getting drunk and Hooch feeling him up in front of an old couple because they were looking at them funny, just really made me laugh. I really enjoyed them spending time together.
I think it works because Vadim isn't terrified of scaring Hooch, or about the consequences of his actions or the things he says. He can relax with Hooch and give into some of his darkest desires. I think that he loves his time with Hooch, he really cares for him. But I don't think he's actually in love with him, like he thinks he is.
Mmm, Katya. I know your disgusting plan actually worked, even though I prayed that it wouldn't. But that wasn't enough? No, you had to rub it in Vadim's face. That, yes, you've had another one of his lovers and that you've taken something from him that you had no right to have. Seeing Vadim finally give you a dressing down, but I still wanted someone to give you a good slap.
I really liked Dima, and the other guy Markus, was really sweet. But I felt like they were unnecessary to this story. There was no need for Dan to have sex with Dima. Then Dan giving Markus a blowjob in the Embassy and playing match-maker between them both? I don't know, it was just a bit weird, for me anyway.
Back to Dan and Vadim,
After this horrendous argument between them, I think there was a very deep whole left in their relationship.
"...if you hate yourself there is no fucking way you can love me. And you don't, or do you? I don't think you do. Not like you used to." Dan's eyes were almost black. "Or you would have never reacted the way you did, back in camp. Beating the shit out of me. And Hooch, fuck, falling in love with him?..."
I just can't understand how they are pretending like it never happened. Things just feel, false now. Like they're forcing things to work and I can't stand it.
The way this book ended has left me feeling angry and confused, but I am dying to get to the next one, even though I know it will hurt just as much as the others.
I still loved this book, don't get me wrong, but I will admit that it was my least favourite. I'll try to explain without ranting but I might not succeed. LOL
*****Spoilers ahead, so only read this review if you have read the book*****
I will start by talking about something I loved about this book, and that was Duncan. I adored the way he was shocked, couldn't believe the things he was hearing, but silently accepted it all and loving his brother all the more. It was amazing, but he also doesn't take any shit. I just loved him for the stability and care he provides for Dan.
"What are you actually sorry for? For being best known for your absence in our lives, or for getting yourself almost killed far too regularly and too spectacularly, without us even realising how close we were to losing you, or for turning up here, making me want to hold you and keep you so that you goddamned motherfucker won't be able to leave before we get to know each other properly? Or are you trying to tell me, you sad son of a bitch, that you are sorry for being gay?"
We see in the beginning of this book that Dan has, like always, taken everything in his stride. He has accepted that he is gay and has no problem letting everyone know about it. But on the other hand we see that thanks to the KBG, poor Vadim is terrified of people judging them, looking at them with disgust in their eyes and Dan just isn't getting it.
I thought that Dan embracing his sexuality would make me happy, but instead Dan just seems to have changed. He uses their past, their incredible journey, to lure other men into their bed. Okay, so Vadim doesn't protest, but you can tell that he is just doing whatever Dan wants him to do and that makes me uncomfortable. The way Dan laughs his arse off at the thought of monogamy, it just feels like he is laughing at Vadim. At what they have. He managed to only sleep with Vadim for over a decade, why is he doing this now?
More on that later, but moving on to Jean. We got to meet Solange briefly in this book and the fact that she seems really wonderful just pisses me off even more. I truly hate cheating, of any kind, so I struggled in the previous book knowing that Jean had a girlfriend. But this time Jean was messing around, outside their home, whilst guests are arriving for their wedding, the next day! I just felt like Jean was rubbing it in her face.
In my updates I said that I didn't know if the irony was hilarious or just tragic, but I finally decided on tragic. Dan just sums it up perfectly.
"...he's about to marry, the last thing he needs is to be off whack because he's just discovered he likes to get fucked up the arse by a bloke, while his wife has had her bits chopped off to be what he thought he's always wanted - and what she always wanted to be."
It's awful and to be honest, Jean shouldn't be sleeping with anyone but Solange. The fact that he still sleeps with Dan, even after the wedding didn't surprise me, just annoyed me even more. I actually quite liked Jean in the previous book, but most of that faded in this one.
Now Hooch, who we established before that I am head over heels in love with, even though his kinky side scares the shit out of me. Being hunted out in the woods? No thanks.
Vadim and Hooch's connection only intensifies in this book. So much so that we actually see Dan's jelous side come to life, double standards much? To be perfectly honest, my favourite scenes were between Vadim and Hooch. The suit fitting was hilarious and the way Hooch keeps saying he wants to marry Vadim for the way he prepares food for him was really sweet. Also getting drunk and Hooch feeling him up in front of an old couple because they were looking at them funny, just really made me laugh. I really enjoyed them spending time together.
I think it works because Vadim isn't terrified of scaring Hooch, or about the consequences of his actions or the things he says. He can relax with Hooch and give into some of his darkest desires. I think that he loves his time with Hooch, he really cares for him. But I don't think he's actually in love with him, like he thinks he is.
Mmm, Katya. I know your disgusting plan actually worked, even though I prayed that it wouldn't. But that wasn't enough? No, you had to rub it in Vadim's face. That, yes, you've had another one of his lovers and that you've taken something from him that you had no right to have. Seeing Vadim finally give you a dressing down, but I still wanted someone to give you a good slap.
I really liked Dima, and the other guy Markus, was really sweet. But I felt like they were unnecessary to this story. There was no need for Dan to have sex with Dima. Then Dan giving Markus a blowjob in the Embassy and playing match-maker between them both? I don't know, it was just a bit weird, for me anyway.
Back to Dan and Vadim,
After this horrendous argument between them, I think there was a very deep whole left in their relationship.
"...if you hate yourself there is no fucking way you can love me. And you don't, or do you? I don't think you do. Not like you used to." Dan's eyes were almost black. "Or you would have never reacted the way you did, back in camp. Beating the shit out of me. And Hooch, fuck, falling in love with him?..."
I just can't understand how they are pretending like it never happened. Things just feel, false now. Like they're forcing things to work and I can't stand it.
The way this book ended has left me feeling angry and confused, but I am dying to get to the next one, even though I know it will hurt just as much as the others.
August 26, 2012
Many of my GR friends are prolific writers in their own right. Their reviews are sometimes more entertaining than the book in review. My point is there are so many great reviews on this series that I say just read their reviews and enjoy---the fighting in the Balkins is so damn intense that I had to stop reading to cry. Merc II is a wonderful continuation of this series but can I please bitchslap Vadim and Dan and tell them to talk to each other??
November 10, 2013
Another magnificent book of this series, though I must say that I was able keep my feelings more stable than on the previous one. And that happened mostly because of the too much sex, too much partners... on the first part of the book. I understand Dan and Vadim's need, specially Dan, but I would be more pleased if there were more devotion for each other...
I want so much that they find happiness and peace, together. I would like to not hear more about Jean or Hooch, I would like to feel that their love is bullet proof and not something volatile like I felt in this book.
Veterans here I go... with hope!
I want so much that they find happiness and peace, together. I would like to not hear more about Jean or Hooch, I would like to feel that their love is bullet proof and not something volatile like I felt in this book.
Veterans here I go... with hope!
June 27, 2020
ABSOLUTELY NOT. After reading one of my GR friends' reviews that outlined just how many sex partners each of the MCs have and how Dan continues to be a complete f*ckwad, nope, I just know if I read it will be 1 star.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May 17, 2012
”I just won’t let this place kill me. Whatever it takes.”
People are made up of so many different pieces that somehow come together to make us individuals. Family, friends, love, home, work, nationality, culture, lust, sexuality, passion, and strength—it all forms and adds to who we are in life. But what really keeps us going from day to day? What keeps you alive? What happens when we lose pieces of ourselves along the way? Pieces lost or taken? Can we change, adapt, and form something or someone new and remain alive inside?
These are just some of the thoughts and questions that swirled around my head and heart while reading part two of Mercenaries in the Special Forces series about the life and love of Vadim and Dan. Mercenaries I inspired and pushed me to feel. This leg of the journey and love affair wrapped around my head, made me think, and examine the pieces in my life. Losing myself in life remains my biggest fear. The line between giving too much and opening up yourself to love is a line that can blur for me. How much do we give without losing oneself in passion, monotony, work, or love? I have lost the battle once before and fear I am losing it again. But we have to keep fighting. Holding on. Looking in our own hearts for strength. Vadim and Dan battle and question the difference between love and need; control and power; darkness and lust throughout this story. Is there a difference between love and need? Can one take too much control or give up too much power? Don’t we all want to be needed and loved? I don’t know. Still looking for the answers right along with Dan and Vadim right now.
Vadim Krasnorada and Dan McFadyen are working, living, and loving together with the ever present darkness right there to tempt and push them to the edge. I am loving the battle within them and with the people they surround themselves with in life. This book really does have it all. Love, lust, pain, tears, fun, action, humor, warm and witty banter, Molotovs, Jimi Hendrix, and the two most complicated, frustrating, dark, and sexy characters ever created in fiction! All these pieces and more fit right into my heart! This story combines tenderness and power with such skill and allure—it all just takes my breath away.
I do hope you get a chance to meet Vadim and Dan. They reveal, share, love and experience life like no on else! An inspiring, fun, sexy ride that has made a home in my heart and soul. I recently discovered just how hard I had fallen and how deep these words had embedded themselves in my everything when I called the “almost-shoved-me-down-to-get-on-the-train-one-second-faster woman a—“suka”! hehe…It was the first word that popped in my head! Russian swears sound so elegant to my ears. Anywho…
I really do not want to give too much away here. Reviews for series get SO difficult as they move along. But just know, Vadim and Dan continue to cause chills, admiration, joy, shudders, and a deep love that has settled into all of my pieces.
Just A Few Bits:
So many favorites:
Just everything---the touches, the love, the spooning, the fighting, the passion! It all adds up to one hell of a reading experience. One I am savoring!
People are made up of so many different pieces that somehow come together to make us individuals. Family, friends, love, home, work, nationality, culture, lust, sexuality, passion, and strength—it all forms and adds to who we are in life. But what really keeps us going from day to day? What keeps you alive? What happens when we lose pieces of ourselves along the way? Pieces lost or taken? Can we change, adapt, and form something or someone new and remain alive inside?
These are just some of the thoughts and questions that swirled around my head and heart while reading part two of Mercenaries in the Special Forces series about the life and love of Vadim and Dan. Mercenaries I inspired and pushed me to feel. This leg of the journey and love affair wrapped around my head, made me think, and examine the pieces in my life. Losing myself in life remains my biggest fear. The line between giving too much and opening up yourself to love is a line that can blur for me. How much do we give without losing oneself in passion, monotony, work, or love? I have lost the battle once before and fear I am losing it again. But we have to keep fighting. Holding on. Looking in our own hearts for strength. Vadim and Dan battle and question the difference between love and need; control and power; darkness and lust throughout this story. Is there a difference between love and need? Can one take too much control or give up too much power? Don’t we all want to be needed and loved? I don’t know. Still looking for the answers right along with Dan and Vadim right now.
Vadim Krasnorada and Dan McFadyen are working, living, and loving together with the ever present darkness right there to tempt and push them to the edge. I am loving the battle within them and with the people they surround themselves with in life. This book really does have it all. Love, lust, pain, tears, fun, action, humor, warm and witty banter, Molotovs, Jimi Hendrix, and the two most complicated, frustrating, dark, and sexy characters ever created in fiction! All these pieces and more fit right into my heart! This story combines tenderness and power with such skill and allure—it all just takes my breath away.
I do hope you get a chance to meet Vadim and Dan. They reveal, share, love and experience life like no on else! An inspiring, fun, sexy ride that has made a home in my heart and soul. I recently discovered just how hard I had fallen and how deep these words had embedded themselves in my everything when I called the “almost-shoved-me-down-to-get-on-the-train-one-second-faster woman a—“suka”! hehe…It was the first word that popped in my head! Russian swears sound so elegant to my ears. Anywho…
I really do not want to give too much away here. Reviews for series get SO difficult as they move along. But just know, Vadim and Dan continue to cause chills, admiration, joy, shudders, and a deep love that has settled into all of my pieces.
Just A Few Bits:
So many favorites:
Just everything---the touches, the love, the spooning, the fighting, the passion! It all adds up to one hell of a reading experience. One I am savoring!
March 14, 2012
Dan's and Vadim's adventures in war and peace continues
In Mercs II, Dan and Vadim tries to get their mutual life in order for their ever nearing retirement, but of course nothing happens the easy way. Again the story alternates between frustrating relationship events, hot rescue and covert plots and even hotter sex scenes. The sex scenes are mostly kept fresh with the help of their common and new "mates". Especially, the hard and rough play between Hooch and Vadim kept my interest up.
The relationship between Dan and Vadim is still an emotional roller coaster that never seems to stop. Their relationship is without a doubt the most interesting part of the book, and it divides most readers to side with either Dan or Vadim. Damaged and faulty people make a most interesting read! The cliffhanger ending ensures you to continue to the last book in the SF series,Veterans. As most reviews cover their relationship thoroughly, I jump to the next best thing "the unforgettable one-liners". The whole series is full of remarkable "words of wisdom", and Mercs is certainly no exception. Here are a few of my favourites:
But you are my favourite peasant, Dan. Too much culture would spoil you, and make you moody, like I am.
Instead of finding strength in your partner, you need to find it in yourself.
Many people masturbate when they're bored, not because they're aroused.
Well, fictional people have better reasons to do something than real people. Most people just run around on autopilot all their lives, which would make for boring reading in any case.
Mercs II is long (but still slightly shorter than Mercs I). It took me ages to read it properly. Occasionally after short reading breaks, I had problems with the dialogue (like who said what), so it got me rereading quite a lot. Partially it was my fault, as it seems I am no master at converting PDFs to Kindle ebooks (thus I had a few layout problems), but I still believe more editing and condensing would have served its purpose here.
In Mercs II, Dan and Vadim tries to get their mutual life in order for their ever nearing retirement, but of course nothing happens the easy way. Again the story alternates between frustrating relationship events, hot rescue and covert plots and even hotter sex scenes. The sex scenes are mostly kept fresh with the help of their common and new "mates". Especially, the hard and rough play between Hooch and Vadim kept my interest up.
The relationship between Dan and Vadim is still an emotional roller coaster that never seems to stop. Their relationship is without a doubt the most interesting part of the book, and it divides most readers to side with either Dan or Vadim. Damaged and faulty people make a most interesting read! The cliffhanger ending ensures you to continue to the last book in the SF series,Veterans. As most reviews cover their relationship thoroughly, I jump to the next best thing "the unforgettable one-liners". The whole series is full of remarkable "words of wisdom", and Mercs is certainly no exception. Here are a few of my favourites:
But you are my favourite peasant, Dan. Too much culture would spoil you, and make you moody, like I am.
Instead of finding strength in your partner, you need to find it in yourself.
Many people masturbate when they're bored, not because they're aroused.
Well, fictional people have better reasons to do something than real people. Most people just run around on autopilot all their lives, which would make for boring reading in any case.
Mercs II is long (but still slightly shorter than Mercs I). It took me ages to read it properly. Occasionally after short reading breaks, I had problems with the dialogue (like who said what), so it got me rereading quite a lot. Partially it was my fault, as it seems I am no master at converting PDFs to Kindle ebooks (thus I had a few layout problems), but I still believe more editing and condensing would have served its purpose here.
August 28, 2016
Read in November 2012
The intensity continues with this book, and what a place for it to end! I don't know if it's the fact that there is only Veterans to go, and I'm worried all the mess won't get sorted out before it ends, but for some reason this book hit me really hard. Not the first part, all the sex in various places, with various partners, but the last section.
As always, an amazing book and looking forward with trepidation to
Special Forces - Veterans
Re-read August 2016
The great thing about re-reading this book again is that I'd forgotten most of it, so it was like new!
It's a big book and it took me a while to get through but is still as amazing as ever.
The intensity continues with this book, and what a place for it to end! I don't know if it's the fact that there is only Veterans to go, and I'm worried all the mess won't get sorted out before it ends, but for some reason this book hit me really hard. Not the first part, all the sex in various places, with various partners, but the last section.
As always, an amazing book and looking forward with trepidation to
Special Forces - Veterans
Re-read August 2016
The great thing about re-reading this book again is that I'd forgotten most of it, so it was like new!
It's a big book and it took me a while to get through but is still as amazing as ever.
March 15, 2016
“What a fucked up love-affair of violence we are”
In terms of angst I actually found Mercenaries II a much easier read than what came before. Now don’t get me wrong. Dan and Vadim still manage to hurt each other in many different ways but throughout whatever ordeal they encounter in this cycle you don’t get the overwhelming sense that all is lost like has happened previously. Finally they have stopped running from each other and even though they still have no idea how to communicate they stick around. Dan and Vadim’s biggest downfall seems to be their inability to talk to each other. I guess that’s not really surprising, they are after all two wilful and extremely stubborn Ex-Special Forces soldiers. They might love each other deeply but neither one seems willing to share their pain or their fears.
Mercenaries II for me was about revelations and learning. We begin to really see the men behind the warriors. Seeing them with family and friends. Seeing them learning how the world outside all they have ever known really works and seeing them deal with forces outside of war that could potentially destroy them.
As with ‘Mercenaries I’ Vadim’s mind is not what it should be. Vadim without a shadow of a doubt needs help but he is absolutely terrified to get it. In turn we begin to see his outlook on things become very warped. Be it with his views on dealing with the events taking place in the Balkans, how he interprets ‘helping an old friend’, his involvement with Hooch or how he sees his feelings about Dan. It becomes more and more clear that Vadim is in trouble.
“What if he was back in Moscow? Everything else was just a dream. Just an illusion. One of the many dreams. A hallucination?”
"I don’t want to be needed. I want to be loved, for fuck sake”
As seems to be the norm with these men working out the major problems they have tends to go hand in hand with mortal danger.
“If I’m too slow, you got a second map in your kit.”
Vadim shuddered, jaw muscles tightening.
“Say that again and I break your body.”
And in this case the major problems get worked out while on the ground in a War that I think most people still don’t fully understand. As with the War in Afghanistan where they both met I was very young when the events in the Balkans unfolded, that being said I still remember the pictures on the news from this time. It wasn’t until years later though that I understood the true horror that unfolded there and the fact that genocide was taking place while the people in a position to help did little to nothing. One of the reasons I know I will continue to love these books is that they have given me an insight to wars that were either forgotten or ignored. The situation that Dan and Vadim found themselves in was a unique and ingenious way of showing what was happening there at the time, like the description of the noises coming from the camps or the glimpses of the camps themselves, the siege of a town and the look in the eyes of its inhabitants. The chapters set in Balkans not only gave us some important events in Dan and Vadim’s relationship but also offered an account of the horrors that occurred in this War.
“A sad truth of human nature is that it is hard to care for people when they are abstractions, hard to care when it is not you or somebody close to you. Unless the world community can stop finding ways to dither in the face of this monstrous threat to humanity those words Never Again will persist in being one of the most abused phrases in the English language and one of the greatest lies of our time.”
Paul Rusesabagina
This is an over analysis warning.
The most important and interesting aspect of this book for me was the resounding theme of pain that seemed to be woven into it. It really feels like it is everywhere. The emotional pain that Vadim and Dan put each other through, the physical pain that Dan suffers in silence with and the mental pain that Vadim suffers after his torture. And then there was a pain that I found more difficult to understand. Now as some people might be aware I have developed quite the crush on a certain American Delta. Hooch grabbed my attention from the very second he appeared on page. Hooch needs pain. He craves it. Vadim is very similar, he talks about "being drunk on pain” with Dan. For both of them pain seems to be away of escape.
I have suffered from chronic pain (due to some missing bits and bobs at the end of my spine) since I was 12. Every day I wake up with it, go to school/college/work with it, live life and then go home and go to sleep with it. Now I have been incredibly lucky in that for the last 7 years most days that pain is more of a low level hum in the background but there are still days that are less low level hum and more screaming banshee but in the grand scheme of things it is manageable and for that I am grateful.
I would absolutely never judge a person for the things that they need to do to feel good, as long as those things involve consenting adults all is fine by me. But I have found it hard to wrap my head around the fact that people crave pain. I read books that involve BDSM and I have enjoyed the majority of them but I just could never really understand the relationship the people who needed it had with pain. For me it has always been a very unwelcome interloper. So why invite it? Is the pain that they feel somehow different? Is it more welcome because it will go away therefore the results are different? I understand that the need for it is mostly mental, but what positive benefits to the mind can there be when all I have ever known are negative ones? I have given this thought and the only answer I was ever able to come up with was that in the end we are all different and everyone needs and craves something different. So therefore I thought I was just very different from Vadim and Hooch and people like them. Like other end of the spectrum different. Until that is I read this line:
“If pain makes you feel alive, it also means you’re not invincible.”
Why did that give me pause? Because the times in my life where I have hitched a ride on the floaty cloud of ‘the good stuff’ have probably been the scariest times of my life. I have lived this way for so long that on the occasions that I have not felt any pain I was convinced that I was dying. I’m pretty sure that I take one thing from that sentence and people like Hooch and Vadim take another and I’m sure that my views of pain reassuring me that I am alive are also very different from theirs. But it has made me realise that we are not at such different ends of the spectrum after all. I guess pain is just more subjective than I have always thought and I think for the first time I have a better understanding of the need for it. I won’t be joining any BDSM clubs but I’m glad that I have developed a slightly better understanding of it. Well to my mind anyway.
An ‘Open Relationship’ rant:
In case it is not clear from my updates and other reviews, I am loving this series. Even though it is ripping me to shreds and messing with my head the journey so far has been astounding. This cycle is probably the worst edited so far but I know that it's a work in progress and even though at times it does take away from it in the end it really doesn't feel like it matters that much.
In terms of angst I actually found Mercenaries II a much easier read than what came before. Now don’t get me wrong. Dan and Vadim still manage to hurt each other in many different ways but throughout whatever ordeal they encounter in this cycle you don’t get the overwhelming sense that all is lost like has happened previously. Finally they have stopped running from each other and even though they still have no idea how to communicate they stick around. Dan and Vadim’s biggest downfall seems to be their inability to talk to each other. I guess that’s not really surprising, they are after all two wilful and extremely stubborn Ex-Special Forces soldiers. They might love each other deeply but neither one seems willing to share their pain or their fears.
Mercenaries II for me was about revelations and learning. We begin to really see the men behind the warriors. Seeing them with family and friends. Seeing them learning how the world outside all they have ever known really works and seeing them deal with forces outside of war that could potentially destroy them.
As with ‘Mercenaries I’ Vadim’s mind is not what it should be. Vadim without a shadow of a doubt needs help but he is absolutely terrified to get it. In turn we begin to see his outlook on things become very warped. Be it with his views on dealing with the events taking place in the Balkans, how he interprets ‘helping an old friend’, his involvement with Hooch or how he sees his feelings about Dan. It becomes more and more clear that Vadim is in trouble.
“What if he was back in Moscow? Everything else was just a dream. Just an illusion. One of the many dreams. A hallucination?”
"I don’t want to be needed. I want to be loved, for fuck sake”
As seems to be the norm with these men working out the major problems they have tends to go hand in hand with mortal danger.
“If I’m too slow, you got a second map in your kit.”
Vadim shuddered, jaw muscles tightening.
“Say that again and I break your body.”
And in this case the major problems get worked out while on the ground in a War that I think most people still don’t fully understand. As with the War in Afghanistan where they both met I was very young when the events in the Balkans unfolded, that being said I still remember the pictures on the news from this time. It wasn’t until years later though that I understood the true horror that unfolded there and the fact that genocide was taking place while the people in a position to help did little to nothing. One of the reasons I know I will continue to love these books is that they have given me an insight to wars that were either forgotten or ignored. The situation that Dan and Vadim found themselves in was a unique and ingenious way of showing what was happening there at the time, like the description of the noises coming from the camps or the glimpses of the camps themselves, the siege of a town and the look in the eyes of its inhabitants. The chapters set in Balkans not only gave us some important events in Dan and Vadim’s relationship but also offered an account of the horrors that occurred in this War.
“A sad truth of human nature is that it is hard to care for people when they are abstractions, hard to care when it is not you or somebody close to you. Unless the world community can stop finding ways to dither in the face of this monstrous threat to humanity those words Never Again will persist in being one of the most abused phrases in the English language and one of the greatest lies of our time.”
Paul Rusesabagina
This is an over analysis warning.
The most important and interesting aspect of this book for me was the resounding theme of pain that seemed to be woven into it. It really feels like it is everywhere. The emotional pain that Vadim and Dan put each other through, the physical pain that Dan suffers in silence with and the mental pain that Vadim suffers after his torture. And then there was a pain that I found more difficult to understand. Now as some people might be aware I have developed quite the crush on a certain American Delta. Hooch grabbed my attention from the very second he appeared on page. Hooch needs pain. He craves it. Vadim is very similar, he talks about "being drunk on pain” with Dan. For both of them pain seems to be away of escape.
I have suffered from chronic pain (due to some missing bits and bobs at the end of my spine) since I was 12. Every day I wake up with it, go to school/college/work with it, live life and then go home and go to sleep with it. Now I have been incredibly lucky in that for the last 7 years most days that pain is more of a low level hum in the background but there are still days that are less low level hum and more screaming banshee but in the grand scheme of things it is manageable and for that I am grateful.
I would absolutely never judge a person for the things that they need to do to feel good, as long as those things involve consenting adults all is fine by me. But I have found it hard to wrap my head around the fact that people crave pain. I read books that involve BDSM and I have enjoyed the majority of them but I just could never really understand the relationship the people who needed it had with pain. For me it has always been a very unwelcome interloper. So why invite it? Is the pain that they feel somehow different? Is it more welcome because it will go away therefore the results are different? I understand that the need for it is mostly mental, but what positive benefits to the mind can there be when all I have ever known are negative ones? I have given this thought and the only answer I was ever able to come up with was that in the end we are all different and everyone needs and craves something different. So therefore I thought I was just very different from Vadim and Hooch and people like them. Like other end of the spectrum different. Until that is I read this line:
“If pain makes you feel alive, it also means you’re not invincible.”
Why did that give me pause? Because the times in my life where I have hitched a ride on the floaty cloud of ‘the good stuff’ have probably been the scariest times of my life. I have lived this way for so long that on the occasions that I have not felt any pain I was convinced that I was dying. I’m pretty sure that I take one thing from that sentence and people like Hooch and Vadim take another and I’m sure that my views of pain reassuring me that I am alive are also very different from theirs. But it has made me realise that we are not at such different ends of the spectrum after all. I guess pain is just more subjective than I have always thought and I think for the first time I have a better understanding of the need for it. I won’t be joining any BDSM clubs but I’m glad that I have developed a slightly better understanding of it. Well to my mind anyway.
An ‘Open Relationship’ rant:
In case it is not clear from my updates and other reviews, I am loving this series. Even though it is ripping me to shreds and messing with my head the journey so far has been astounding. This cycle is probably the worst edited so far but I know that it's a work in progress and even though at times it does take away from it in the end it really doesn't feel like it matters that much.
February 22, 2012
3 STARS
To say this installment was a disappointment to me would be an understatement. I feel like all of the depth, growth and intimacy that had been forged between these two characters in Soldiers has become greatly diminished to the point where I wish the Author’s would have left it with just the first book and ended it with a HEA instead of the cliffhanger. Let me elaborate:
As of now, like I said, I wish the writers would have left Dan and Vadim at book 1 because they have ruined their epic love story for me and I am very sad about that.
To say this installment was a disappointment to me would be an understatement. I feel like all of the depth, growth and intimacy that had been forged between these two characters in Soldiers has become greatly diminished to the point where I wish the Author’s would have left it with just the first book and ended it with a HEA instead of the cliffhanger. Let me elaborate:
As of now, like I said, I wish the writers would have left Dan and Vadim at book 1 because they have ruined their epic love story for me and I am very sad about that.
April 23, 2018
***DNF 44%***
I think it's about time I DNF this.
After coming back from the holidays in the beach in that faraway country, which I touched and felt the definition of 'perfect', they come back to the Middle East to have adventures.
Which spoiled it all.
It means sex. With each other, yes. But mostly with other people. If you don't like open relationships, don't read this book. I think I can consider myself a person with an open mind as long as the author really convinces me in the book. But here they go too far.
I ended up tired of the situation.
Because it was so boring and repetitive. It's sex-sex-sex. And then sex-sex-sex again.
I want to understand this, I really do. I do know Dan and Vadim LOVE each other. Capital letters.
But I needed more, I craved more.
And I hate Jean. I do really hate him. I cannot understand his motives, his hypocrisy, he's the most dishonest character I have ever read, I hate him even more than most baddies. I cannot understand what Dan sees in him. He deserves a slap, he really does. I speak the truth.
So I wanted to give this a chance, I heard a friend telling me this improves, that I shouldn't quit now because it would give me a bad taste.
But I'm sorry, I can't go on. It's stronger than me.
*****
Pics:
I think it's about time I DNF this.
After coming back from the holidays in the beach in that faraway country, which I touched and felt the definition of 'perfect', they come back to the Middle East to have adventures.
Which spoiled it all.
It means sex. With each other, yes. But mostly with other people. If you don't like open relationships, don't read this book. I think I can consider myself a person with an open mind as long as the author really convinces me in the book. But here they go too far.
I ended up tired of the situation.
Because it was so boring and repetitive. It's sex-sex-sex. And then sex-sex-sex again.
I want to understand this, I really do. I do know Dan and Vadim LOVE each other. Capital letters.
But I needed more, I craved more.
And I hate Jean. I do really hate him. I cannot understand his motives, his hypocrisy, he's the most dishonest character I have ever read, I hate him even more than most baddies. I cannot understand what Dan sees in him. He deserves a slap, he really does. I speak the truth.
So I wanted to give this a chance, I heard a friend telling me this improves, that I shouldn't quit now because it would give me a bad taste.
But I'm sorry, I can't go on. It's stronger than me.
*****
Pics:
June 29, 2014
This was pretty much out of sight and out of mind..
That is, until I saw the initials "SF". Just those two letters. I think this shows the extent of the psychological mindfucking that occurred in the last two books. I believe an alternate term would be trauma. Thoughts of reading this maybe maybe not will haunt me for a while. Sigh.
----------------------------------------------------------
It has taken me two months after reading this book to finally get around to writing a review. Partially because I have avoided Goodreads like the plague, and partially because every time I glance at this book I feel a little part of my happiness -- and possibly, my soul-- die a little. Every. Single. Time.
Now, I won't lie to anyone by saying I precisely remember what happened in this book. But reading the updates and matching it to vague memories is telling enough. From this book (or more accurately, my status updates) I have come to realise three profound truths:
1. Dan, god bless his uncontrollable dick with chlamydia, should die a vicious, and painful death
2. Dan, unfortunately, cannot die due to the sheer amount of TLC I have invested in this fucking series
3. Hooch is my fucking god
If I was responsible for writing the blurb for this book, my status update would most definitely take the cake:
Dan and Vadim: sex therapists fucking their way through every lost, questioning or plain horny homosexual
And as much as I would love to say that I'm being melodramatic -- as is my tendency-- that is actually one of the most outstanding features of this novel. Sex scene after sex scene of irrelevant, idiotic, douchebag characters who had little to no purpose. If there was a plot, I clearly don't remember it, which is telling enough. I have always admired this author and series, but this book did not work for me at all. It read like those shitty American -- or god forbid, Australian-- hospital dramas, except if you inserted lots of gay boys.
Highlight of the book? When Vadim went bonkers (okay fine, maybe I remember a teeny bit of the plot now...) and I wanted to lovingly slap him even as he set my panties on fire.
And okay, fine, maybe a small sliver of this book is actually mind blowingly good --namely, Vadim-goes-bonkers part and the ensuing madness... And maybe I did forget to take that into account in my above rant. But: meaningless, irrelevant, vivian-is-angry-and-bored plot lines well and truly dominated the majority of book, making it a read that was almost not worth the pain of digging for real treasure beneath shit filled mud. Almost.
Will I continue the series? If I'm feeling masochistic enough. I may not have conveyed this through my flippant remarks about the uncountable number of sex scenes, but each time Dan the Dick fucked this person or this person, I felt like puking.
Verdict: I don't know why I'm going to bother saying this, since nearly every follower of this series is a diehard fan (go hard or go home), but my advice? Skip all the shit-filled-mud parts. Take advantage of all the hard work your predecessors (AKA me & other wise beings) have gone through, and do yourself a favour.
Rating: an uncertain 2.5 STARS (how do you rate something you both loved and hated?)
That is, until I saw the initials "SF". Just those two letters. I think this shows the extent of the psychological mindfucking that occurred in the last two books. I believe an alternate term would be trauma. Thoughts of reading this maybe maybe not will haunt me for a while. Sigh.
----------------------------------------------------------
It has taken me two months after reading this book to finally get around to writing a review. Partially because I have avoided Goodreads like the plague, and partially because every time I glance at this book I feel a little part of my happiness -- and possibly, my soul-- die a little. Every. Single. Time.
Now, I won't lie to anyone by saying I precisely remember what happened in this book. But reading the updates and matching it to vague memories is telling enough. From this book (or more accurately, my status updates) I have come to realise three profound truths:
1. Dan, god bless his uncontrollable dick with chlamydia, should die a vicious, and painful death
2. Dan, unfortunately, cannot die due to the sheer amount of TLC I have invested in this fucking series
3. Hooch is my fucking god
If I was responsible for writing the blurb for this book, my status update would most definitely take the cake:
Dan and Vadim: sex therapists fucking their way through every lost, questioning or plain horny homosexual
And as much as I would love to say that I'm being melodramatic -- as is my tendency-- that is actually one of the most outstanding features of this novel. Sex scene after sex scene of irrelevant, idiotic, douchebag characters who had little to no purpose. If there was a plot, I clearly don't remember it, which is telling enough. I have always admired this author and series, but this book did not work for me at all. It read like those shitty American -- or god forbid, Australian-- hospital dramas, except if you inserted lots of gay boys.
Highlight of the book? When Vadim went bonkers (okay fine, maybe I remember a teeny bit of the plot now...) and I wanted to lovingly slap him even as he set my panties on fire.
And okay, fine, maybe a small sliver of this book is actually mind blowingly good --namely, Vadim-goes-bonkers part and the ensuing madness... And maybe I did forget to take that into account in my above rant. But: meaningless, irrelevant, vivian-is-angry-and-bored plot lines well and truly dominated the majority of book, making it a read that was almost not worth the pain of digging for real treasure beneath shit filled mud. Almost.
Will I continue the series? If I'm feeling masochistic enough. I may not have conveyed this through my flippant remarks about the uncountable number of sex scenes, but each time Dan the Dick fucked this person or this person, I felt like puking.
Verdict: I don't know why I'm going to bother saying this, since nearly every follower of this series is a diehard fan (go hard or go home), but my advice? Skip all the shit-filled-mud parts. Take advantage of all the hard work your predecessors (AKA me & other wise beings) have gone through, and do yourself a favour.
Rating: an uncertain 2.5 STARS (how do you rate something you both loved and hated?)
October 21, 2012
This book was an emotional roller coaster from beginning until the very end. At the beginning I was close to forgiving Dan all the shit the pulled in part 1 and at the end I was back to hating him.
I was so disappointed with him during part 1 because he wouldn't drop his harem and conquest habits, when he had gotten back together with Vadim. I still had major issues with this fact during part 2.
One thing is that Dan & Vadim has agreed to live in an open relationship which allows them to be with others. Dan seeks out every opportunity to be with someone else and on some level it bothers Vadim, who doesn't have the same urge to be with others than Dan. He enjoys sharing lovers with Dan and I don't have problems with the sex they share as a couple with other guys.
On some level I still felt like Dan was cheating when he was with Dima (after Dan & Vadim had the huge fight and stopped communicating because of the news about Kisa) and again when he hooked up with Markus. It feels wrong when Dan goes off alone looking for sex.
I enjoyed reading about Vadim & Hooch. Much later Dan learns that Vadim has fallen in love with Hooch. Vadim instantly felt a connection back when Dan first threw him into the arms of Hooch in part 1 and their time in Berlin in part 2 only makes this connection stronger.
Dan struggles with the fact that Vadim can fall for someone else, when he himself only loves Vadim and has sex "with friends" on the side. It's just about getting some cock without any romantic emotions.
Dan has brought this on to himself with his egocentric way of behaving and trying to get Vadim to act like him. When it blows up into his face I really think he deserves it.
And the end of the story "my ship" was almost broken and I found myself wishing that Vadim would leave Dan and go to Hooch for a while, so that he could agonize over Vadim being happy with someone else.
There were parts of this book that could have been left out. Some of Vadim and Dan's travel stories especially. The trip to Austria wasn't even worth mentioning for one.
I loved the part about Markus and Dima getting together. I wan't to read more about them! :D
I was so disappointed with him during part 1 because he wouldn't drop his harem and conquest habits, when he had gotten back together with Vadim. I still had major issues with this fact during part 2.
One thing is that Dan & Vadim has agreed to live in an open relationship which allows them to be with others. Dan seeks out every opportunity to be with someone else and on some level it bothers Vadim, who doesn't have the same urge to be with others than Dan. He enjoys sharing lovers with Dan and I don't have problems with the sex they share as a couple with other guys.
On some level I still felt like Dan was cheating when he was with Dima (after Dan & Vadim had the huge fight and stopped communicating because of the news about Kisa) and again when he hooked up with Markus. It feels wrong when Dan goes off alone looking for sex.
I enjoyed reading about Vadim & Hooch. Much later Dan learns that Vadim has fallen in love with Hooch. Vadim instantly felt a connection back when Dan first threw him into the arms of Hooch in part 1 and their time in Berlin in part 2 only makes this connection stronger.
Dan struggles with the fact that Vadim can fall for someone else, when he himself only loves Vadim and has sex "with friends" on the side. It's just about getting some cock without any romantic emotions.
Dan has brought this on to himself with his egocentric way of behaving and trying to get Vadim to act like him. When it blows up into his face I really think he deserves it.
And the end of the story "my ship" was almost broken and I found myself wishing that Vadim would leave Dan and go to Hooch for a while, so that he could agonize over Vadim being happy with someone else.
There were parts of this book that could have been left out. Some of Vadim and Dan's travel stories especially. The trip to Austria wasn't even worth mentioning for one.
I loved the part about Markus and Dima getting together. I wan't to read more about them! :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2011
Spoilers following be warned).
What can I say about this book? I really don't know what to review.....
I hated most part of this book (that’s why it took me so long to finish it) and I hated Dan very much. I found flaws in his every step. He was selfish, he was greedy, he was a total hypocrite (God I still feel so angry with him).
I still cannot understand what draws him in all those men (Jean, Matt, Hooch, Beauvais and later on Dima, Markus) I do not understand Dan anymore.
But on the contrary I loved the trip to Scotland and Dan’s family reunion, the war in the Balkans which is so familiar to me (I lived through that war and I remember feeling fear and repulsion) even the event with Katya set a new base to their relationship even though they haven’t addressed it yet.
Best moment: after Vadim’s “meeting” with Hootch in Germany Dan is starting to wear his bullet again!!!!! That’s what jealousy and real fear is about dear Dan.
And Vadim after all this history, after all this pain and passion he acknowledged that he doesn’t accept Dan’s fucking around just on page 641!!!!!! Too late for my taste, too late…….
I was determined to finally finish this book last night and I regret it now because I’ve spent an entire night feeling Dan’s pain for his knee, feeling Vadim’s desperation for not getting news from the hospital and his panic in returning as quickly as possible and the echo of Dan’s question “Will I be a cripple?”
What can I say about this book? I really don't know what to review.....
I hated most part of this book (that’s why it took me so long to finish it) and I hated Dan very much. I found flaws in his every step. He was selfish, he was greedy, he was a total hypocrite (God I still feel so angry with him).
I still cannot understand what draws him in all those men (Jean, Matt, Hooch, Beauvais and later on Dima, Markus) I do not understand Dan anymore.
But on the contrary I loved the trip to Scotland and Dan’s family reunion, the war in the Balkans which is so familiar to me (I lived through that war and I remember feeling fear and repulsion) even the event with Katya set a new base to their relationship even though they haven’t addressed it yet.
Best moment: after Vadim’s “meeting” with Hootch in Germany Dan is starting to wear his bullet again!!!!! That’s what jealousy and real fear is about dear Dan.
And Vadim after all this history, after all this pain and passion he acknowledged that he doesn’t accept Dan’s fucking around just on page 641!!!!!! Too late for my taste, too late…….
I was determined to finally finish this book last night and I regret it now because I’ve spent an entire night feeling Dan’s pain for his knee, feeling Vadim’s desperation for not getting news from the hospital and his panic in returning as quickly as possible and the echo of Dan’s question “Will I be a cripple?”
October 4, 2012
Ah been a few days, time to reflect. These books ripped me in two, on one part I wanted to scream and cry and throw a fit and break my tablet and some heads. On another part I was like a junkie wanting my fix and could not put it down, I lost two nights where I didn't sleep at all, just read.
The writing is fantastic, the KGB torturer has NOTHING on these guys on getting inside your mind. A truly astounding talent as an author I think is to reduce your readers to gibbering drooling shadows rocking in a corner whilst still have them worship the ground you walk on!
I've given this one 3 stars purely due to the fact that some parts were a bit too heavy on the meaningless orgies which made it painful in a not so good way. When it's gotten the directors cut treatment I'm sure it'll be a 4 star, I will just never go there again. My poor old heart could not take another beating like this.
However, I'd recommend everyone to read these, even if it hurts it's one of those things that belongs on a bucket list. There are support groups and a whole stable of fantastic people here to catch you when you're done :)
The writing is fantastic, the KGB torturer has NOTHING on these guys on getting inside your mind. A truly astounding talent as an author I think is to reduce your readers to gibbering drooling shadows rocking in a corner whilst still have them worship the ground you walk on!
I've given this one 3 stars purely due to the fact that some parts were a bit too heavy on the meaningless orgies which made it painful in a not so good way. When it's gotten the directors cut treatment I'm sure it'll be a 4 star, I will just never go there again. My poor old heart could not take another beating like this.
However, I'd recommend everyone to read these, even if it hurts it's one of those things that belongs on a bucket list. There are support groups and a whole stable of fantastic people here to catch you when you're done :)
April 23, 2012
Wow!
What a roller coaster ride...I really expected Dan & Vadim to slow it down a bit with the covorting with mates and strangers(-to friends). But of course Dan being who he is, I quickly reconciled the notion. The fact that the past kept coming up and between them is no surprise. Are they any different from another couple with history issues? Sure the issues are much more complex than the average military type to be sure, but at their respective ages I was surprised at the lack of interpersonally growth.
Dan: found myself wanting to body slam him every other page & then kick him in the "bad" knee just to get his attention. Totally going against medical advice that could jeopardize not only any future mission he and his mates might be on but Vadim most of all...Mos Def a kick to the knee!. I have a particular aversion to patients going AMA (against medical advice).
The "Nameless One"- she who holds Dan & her own child hostage over both Dan and Vadim's head...this is a public review so I'll skip my personal opinion as NSFOT (NOT SAFE FOR OTHER READERS). The only small bit of karma that gave me a sense of balance was Vadim's subtle "not a cool move on your part" conversation with her. Total class act on his part. Score! For Vadim!
Hooch & Vadim: Hmmm, mixed felling here...while I wanted Vadim to get as much satisfaction as Dan on issue of their
"open relationship", I'd felt Vadim was only doing it begrudgingly and out of his love of Dan...(until Hooch).
Like most men, Vadim is challenged to compartmentalize his emotions from sex outside his primary relationship.
Dan it seemed after all their years together didn't have a clue or just didn't give a rip...as long as he can get off regularly with whomever struck his fancy. Talk about a selfish bastard! All his talk bout how much he loved Vadim would have been believable, IF he'd but his money where his mouth was.( i.e. your lover shuts down when you go on a "Jeanfest" and you blow it off as a causal nothing but... to ask Vadim if he's got feelings for a man that he himself (Dan) set him up with and then to verbally attack him after he admits he does...thereby sending him into an emotional & physical downward spiral but for the fact of your own jealously?) I felt like Dan had become a different person or a worst written against type. I would find out later that the two authors had written separate parts of the stories). It was clear that there was a disconnect.
Dan the match maker was somewhat of a reprieve for me from the emotional ups and downs. It was refreshing to see Dima & Markus get together and make a go of it. It didn't completely redeem Dan but showed a side to him that we had come to know and love about him in "Special Forces" and "Mercenaries" (part 1).
I've mentioned Dan's foolish disregard for his own health concerning his knee by going AMA so the ending was expected. I don't feel good about what he'll have to endure emotinally or physically because knee replacement is NO JOKE, so I'll close Mercs II with a bittersweet feeling that there's more angst to come.
I enjoyed this book and series because it is unlike any m/m novels I've read. Mercenaries Part II has taken me out of my comfort zone...and for that alone I'd give it 5 stars and a "good read" recommend.
A.
What a roller coaster ride...I really expected Dan & Vadim to slow it down a bit with the covorting with mates and strangers(-to friends). But of course Dan being who he is, I quickly reconciled the notion. The fact that the past kept coming up and between them is no surprise. Are they any different from another couple with history issues? Sure the issues are much more complex than the average military type to be sure, but at their respective ages I was surprised at the lack of interpersonally growth.
Dan: found myself wanting to body slam him every other page & then kick him in the "bad" knee just to get his attention. Totally going against medical advice that could jeopardize not only any future mission he and his mates might be on but Vadim most of all...Mos Def a kick to the knee!. I have a particular aversion to patients going AMA (against medical advice).
The "Nameless One"- she who holds Dan & her own child hostage over both Dan and Vadim's head...this is a public review so I'll skip my personal opinion as NSFOT (NOT SAFE FOR OTHER READERS). The only small bit of karma that gave me a sense of balance was Vadim's subtle "not a cool move on your part" conversation with her. Total class act on his part. Score! For Vadim!
Hooch & Vadim: Hmmm, mixed felling here...while I wanted Vadim to get as much satisfaction as Dan on issue of their
"open relationship", I'd felt Vadim was only doing it begrudgingly and out of his love of Dan...(until Hooch).
Like most men, Vadim is challenged to compartmentalize his emotions from sex outside his primary relationship.
Dan it seemed after all their years together didn't have a clue or just didn't give a rip...as long as he can get off regularly with whomever struck his fancy. Talk about a selfish bastard! All his talk bout how much he loved Vadim would have been believable, IF he'd but his money where his mouth was.( i.e. your lover shuts down when you go on a "Jeanfest" and you blow it off as a causal nothing but... to ask Vadim if he's got feelings for a man that he himself (Dan) set him up with and then to verbally attack him after he admits he does...thereby sending him into an emotional & physical downward spiral but for the fact of your own jealously?) I felt like Dan had become a different person or a worst written against type. I would find out later that the two authors had written separate parts of the stories). It was clear that there was a disconnect.
Dan the match maker was somewhat of a reprieve for me from the emotional ups and downs. It was refreshing to see Dima & Markus get together and make a go of it. It didn't completely redeem Dan but showed a side to him that we had come to know and love about him in "Special Forces" and "Mercenaries" (part 1).
I've mentioned Dan's foolish disregard for his own health concerning his knee by going AMA so the ending was expected. I don't feel good about what he'll have to endure emotinally or physically because knee replacement is NO JOKE, so I'll close Mercs II with a bittersweet feeling that there's more angst to come.
I enjoyed this book and series because it is unlike any m/m novels I've read. Mercenaries Part II has taken me out of my comfort zone...and for that alone I'd give it 5 stars and a "good read" recommend.
A.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2012
This story still has me trapped, enthralled, and generally neglecting real life to pursue it.
This installment is a little less focused than the first two. Some of the sex, although still scorching, feels gratuitous, especially when it doesn't involve either MC. Even some that does involve Vadim and/or Dan is not revealing in any plot sense. There are also moments here and there when the language usage doesn't sound like a native English speaker. But that doesn't keep this from being among the most addictive stories I have read.
As the story moves back and forth, there are shifts between the characters related to who is focused on their partner and who is lost in their own head. This results in a constant tension. In this book, Dan regains some of the depth he was lacking through much of Mercenaries I, as he tried to be Mad Dog, the uber-soldier and opportunistic cocksucker. The darkness in Vadim, which was clearly just suppressed and never healed in the previous book, breaks loose and its depth is shocking to both Dan and the reader. These guys don't talk to each other about the things that matter most, both apparently afraid that opening up the dark places in their relationship and in their psyches might break them apart. Ironically that means they hurt each other again and again, in ways large and small. Those wounds they inflict on each other are often bandaged over with apologies and let's-move-on rather than discussed, lanced and healed. But the degree to which these very different men are bound together at their core is also clear.
This book has some great action sequences, and some of the secondary characters become more fascinating and nuanced, although occasionally their stories intrude a little on the main thrust of the book and the MC's. The ending is a partial cliff-hanger, and propels the reader into Veterans, with a deep foreboding about dark and murky waters ahead.
This installment is a little less focused than the first two. Some of the sex, although still scorching, feels gratuitous, especially when it doesn't involve either MC. Even some that does involve Vadim and/or Dan is not revealing in any plot sense. There are also moments here and there when the language usage doesn't sound like a native English speaker. But that doesn't keep this from being among the most addictive stories I have read.
As the story moves back and forth, there are shifts between the characters related to who is focused on their partner and who is lost in their own head. This results in a constant tension. In this book, Dan regains some of the depth he was lacking through much of Mercenaries I, as he tried to be Mad Dog, the uber-soldier and opportunistic cocksucker. The darkness in Vadim, which was clearly just suppressed and never healed in the previous book, breaks loose and its depth is shocking to both Dan and the reader. These guys don't talk to each other about the things that matter most, both apparently afraid that opening up the dark places in their relationship and in their psyches might break them apart. Ironically that means they hurt each other again and again, in ways large and small. Those wounds they inflict on each other are often bandaged over with apologies and let's-move-on rather than discussed, lanced and healed. But the degree to which these very different men are bound together at their core is also clear.
This book has some great action sequences, and some of the secondary characters become more fascinating and nuanced, although occasionally their stories intrude a little on the main thrust of the book and the MC's. The ending is a partial cliff-hanger, and propels the reader into Veterans, with a deep foreboding about dark and murky waters ahead.
November 16, 2019
Oh God!!!!
So this installment was not up to the level the other 2 books were...it had parts that bored me and in the end got me to care less for the characters...not cos of their flaws...god knows everyone has them...but they keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again...and then we get told they are getting older and more mellow...well it does not look like that to me...Dan is actually losing IQ every time we get into his head and reverting to a 16 year old horny fuck who has become incredibly shallow...and Vadim is just a shadow...there for the ride.
It's like the books focus has changed from what it was in the first two books...from those two and what THEY go trough to what other people think of them and how they are in the bed.
So this installment was not up to the level the other 2 books were...it had parts that bored me and in the end got me to care less for the characters...not cos of their flaws...god knows everyone has them...but they keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again...and then we get told they are getting older and more mellow...well it does not look like that to me...Dan is actually losing IQ every time we get into his head and reverting to a 16 year old horny fuck who has become incredibly shallow...and Vadim is just a shadow...there for the ride.
It's like the books focus has changed from what it was in the first two books...from those two and what THEY go trough to what other people think of them and how they are in the bed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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