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Blood Nation #1
Cake
To be loved by a vampire… I've been called many names in my day. Most of them weren't flattering but they were true. I was a right unholy bastard.
Eighteen months ago, I was a fat, nasty, legally blind, computer programmer who decided to try his chubby hand at industrial espionage. I wasn't good at it. I caught the attention of a Vampire Assassin, Marcus. He was just supposed to kill me; but he wanted me instead. I became his toy for a year. During which time he reshaped my body; fixed my vision and broke me psychologically into three pieces.
On the anniversary of my kidnapping, he gave me the choice to become an equal or remain a toy. Little did we know that he would never be my equal.
Eighteen months ago, I was a fat, nasty, legally blind, computer programmer who decided to try his chubby hand at industrial espionage. I wasn't good at it. I caught the attention of a Vampire Assassin, Marcus. He was just supposed to kill me; but he wanted me instead. I became his toy for a year. During which time he reshaped my body; fixed my vision and broke me psychologically into three pieces.
On the anniversary of my kidnapping, he gave me the choice to become an equal or remain a toy. Little did we know that he would never be my equal.
468 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
39 people are currently reading
2081 people want to read
About the author
Derekica Snake
24 books404 followersGreetings, gentle readers. My name is Derekica Snake aka kiix. This is the part where I write about myself. It is harder than it looks. It is so much easier to write about fictional characters…hummm. Wait. I have a light blub moment.
On a dark and quiet evening in the month of April, a little girl child came into the world in St. Joesph General Hospital. Upon seeing the little girl with the little curl in the middle of her forehead, the father was heard to remark…why does she have red hair? At that moment I’ve been known as the milkman’s kid, oops, I meant she’s been known as the milkman’s kid. See, this is why I write in first person. If it works for you, stick with it.
My favorite book was “Green eggs and ham”. Apparently my mother got so annoyed with me reciting it that it accidently on purpose got tossed out the window of a moving car. So I guess I started writing my own stories once I was taught to print. I’ve always loved writing fiction. In elementary and secondary school we were required to keep a journal. I didn’t want to. I love to write but not about myself. I just wrote little ideas down and handed them in. I graduated so I guess it was good.
I thought I was in deep fascination with a boy in grade seven who was very into Star Trek. I had no clue what he was talking about so I started learning about Star Trek and now it was what was his name? Sci-fi segued into Fantasy and from there I never looked back. I was a big Star Wars geek (pre-episode 1) and wrote pastiche Han Solo adventures as a teenager.
My writing began to lean towards my current selection of offerings. I initially was a little distressed. I thought I was off – way off. I was uncomfortable with the content and toned it down or cut it out completely on second draft attempts. However, it kept cropping back up and I thought I was going to have to pull my hair out to make it stop but then…on May 6, 2006 at 9:15 a.m. I discovered “Ai No Kusabi” on youtube.
That was also the same time that I realized that what I had been writing and hiding away for years had a name. Yaoi. If it had a name others were reading and writing it so I wasn’t the lone pervert out in the world. I took my hands out of my hair and put my fingers on the keyboard and embraced the world of Yaoi.
It only took me six months to figure out how to start posting stories on the Internet on www.adultfanfiction.net. It wasn’t long before I moved from writing AnK fan fiction to posting my own original Yaoi writing under the pseudonym kiix.
I started writing daily. I found a continuing education course on Professional Creative Writing in a local city and started taking courses. There were some tips and facts that were good but the social networking was the key. It was after this that I started actively exploring getting my works published. That expensive piece of paper honed my confidence enough to start sending out queries and posting my first drafts right to the net.
While I had to pony up time and money to self publish once the rejection e-mails came in, I didn’t mind. I think it was the start of something good. I think? I know it was the start of something good.
Welcome to my version of the world of Yaoi. I look forward to leaving my touch in your mind.
On a dark and quiet evening in the month of April, a little girl child came into the world in St. Joesph General Hospital. Upon seeing the little girl with the little curl in the middle of her forehead, the father was heard to remark…why does she have red hair? At that moment I’ve been known as the milkman’s kid, oops, I meant she’s been known as the milkman’s kid. See, this is why I write in first person. If it works for you, stick with it.
My favorite book was “Green eggs and ham”. Apparently my mother got so annoyed with me reciting it that it accidently on purpose got tossed out the window of a moving car. So I guess I started writing my own stories once I was taught to print. I’ve always loved writing fiction. In elementary and secondary school we were required to keep a journal. I didn’t want to. I love to write but not about myself. I just wrote little ideas down and handed them in. I graduated so I guess it was good.
I thought I was in deep fascination with a boy in grade seven who was very into Star Trek. I had no clue what he was talking about so I started learning about Star Trek and now it was what was his name? Sci-fi segued into Fantasy and from there I never looked back. I was a big Star Wars geek (pre-episode 1) and wrote pastiche Han Solo adventures as a teenager.
My writing began to lean towards my current selection of offerings. I initially was a little distressed. I thought I was off – way off. I was uncomfortable with the content and toned it down or cut it out completely on second draft attempts. However, it kept cropping back up and I thought I was going to have to pull my hair out to make it stop but then…on May 6, 2006 at 9:15 a.m. I discovered “Ai No Kusabi” on youtube.
That was also the same time that I realized that what I had been writing and hiding away for years had a name. Yaoi. If it had a name others were reading and writing it so I wasn’t the lone pervert out in the world. I took my hands out of my hair and put my fingers on the keyboard and embraced the world of Yaoi.
It only took me six months to figure out how to start posting stories on the Internet on www.adultfanfiction.net. It wasn’t long before I moved from writing AnK fan fiction to posting my own original Yaoi writing under the pseudonym kiix.
I started writing daily. I found a continuing education course on Professional Creative Writing in a local city and started taking courses. There were some tips and facts that were good but the social networking was the key. It was after this that I started actively exploring getting my works published. That expensive piece of paper honed my confidence enough to start sending out queries and posting my first drafts right to the net.
While I had to pony up time and money to self publish once the rejection e-mails came in, I didn’t mind. I think it was the start of something good. I think? I know it was the start of something good.
Welcome to my version of the world of Yaoi. I look forward to leaving my touch in your mind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
July 27, 2023
I did manage to survive another 10%, totaling 60%, just for the pleasure of giving it 1 star.
***
Eighteen months ago, I was a fat, nasty, legally blind, computer programmer who decided to try his chubby hand at industrial espionage.
Is it just me who feels a little uncomfortable, reading this part? You, know... me being "fat and chubby" and "legally blind" computer geek... Interesting how nasty it sounds in this sentence, especially being put together with "nasty" - he-he ~:/ Clear as day, the author herself has some major issues with self-image..... Is this what the book is all about? Unless ...politically incorrect much? *snicker*
During which time he reshaped my body; fixed my vision and broke me psychologically into three pieces.
Read "continuously raped" instead "reshaped"; "forced" instead of "fixed" (oh, don't get me wrong, there WAS a choice - be a vampire and a vampire's sex toy or be brain-dead and a vampire's sex toy); "broke me..." that one is true, considering all the abuse and mindf*ck that's going on.
No respect for English language, either. Grammar, spelling, punctuation... - you name it, it's all subject to abuse as well.
PS
My english isn't perfect, but I don't publish crap I charge people 10 bucks for.
***
Eighteen months ago, I was a fat, nasty, legally blind, computer programmer who decided to try his chubby hand at industrial espionage.
Is it just me who feels a little uncomfortable, reading this part? You, know... me being "fat and chubby" and "legally blind" computer geek... Interesting how nasty it sounds in this sentence, especially being put together with "nasty" - he-he ~:/ Clear as day, the author herself has some major issues with self-image..... Is this what the book is all about? Unless ...politically incorrect much? *snicker*
During which time he reshaped my body; fixed my vision and broke me psychologically into three pieces.
Read "continuously raped" instead "reshaped"; "forced" instead of "fixed" (oh, don't get me wrong, there WAS a choice - be a vampire and a vampire's sex toy or be brain-dead and a vampire's sex toy); "broke me..." that one is true, considering all the abuse and mindf*ck that's going on.
No respect for English language, either. Grammar, spelling, punctuation... - you name it, it's all subject to abuse as well.
PS
My english isn't perfect, but I don't publish crap I charge people 10 bucks for.
October 3, 2011
Not rating. I had a whole lot of problems with this. I just couldn't buy that the main character, sometimes named Sex and other times Xavier, could fall in love with Marcus who brutally raped him to the point of injury while he kept him prisoner for a year. At one point Marcus bragged that he had raped him 800 times.At one point he head-butted him unconscious and raped him, there was nothing, nothing sexy about it! Even after their in love, supposedly, Xavier is still scared of Marcus and he continues to force himself on him and abuse him, sexually, emotionally, psychically and even by mind-raping him. Xavier continues to think of Marcus as his rapist. Add to that the plot was pretty minimal, more sex scenes strung together than anything else, and I just lost interest early on. Also, the author uses that tired cliche you often see in shifter books: that while Xavier is coming into his power, he "has" to have sex all the time to use up the residual energy. Really tired of that excuse. The world and some of the concepts relating to the vampires were unique and interesting, but the very unlikable protagonist Marcus and Xavier's unrealistic fondness for him ruined everything else. This is just my opinion, but I don't know what other people saw in this book to rate it so highly, aside from the pretty cover art. Also, it is full of typographical errors :(
Overall, I want my money back.
Overall, I want my money back.
August 11, 2020
HOT.
MM story with forced seduction and ruthless cruel vampires.
The story is pretty good with nonstop action.
I loved the transformation of the computer geek to a devastatingly attractive new vampire.
Awesome book cover.
MM story with forced seduction and ruthless cruel vampires.
The story is pretty good with nonstop action.
I loved the transformation of the computer geek to a devastatingly attractive new vampire.
Awesome book cover.
October 29, 2011
I had put this book on the side because I had thought it would be a great story. I finally realized that I had let it sit for too long waiting to enjoy it and pulled it off the shelf to read. It was such a disappointment. Despite the lovely cover that can suck you in, the three characters depicted are not nearly as lovely in personality.
Xavier is kidnapped by Marcus, a vampire, and proceeds to be tortured and raped for a year. Marcus forces him to exercise, eat only what he deems as good for him, fixes his eyesight, and assaults him every chance he gets. After a year of this, according to some vampire law, Marcus is forced to let Xavier go or turn him. He can't bear to release Xavier of course, so he turns him and marvelously discovers that Xavier is a rare breed of vampire.
The simple fact that Xavier doesn't run away nor take any revenge against Marcus was shocking enough but that he actually chooses to stay with him and continue their relationship was beyond what I could believe. He'd make out with Marcus one second and the next hate him for the year of rape and torture! Meanwhile Marcus thinks he's done only wonderful things for Xavier by turning him into the beautiful person he is now.
So much is stressed in this story about physical beauty and there were too many parallels between the "awful" person Xavier was while he was fat and ugly and how, now that he's beautiful, his life is so much better and even his choices and attitude is more pure and great. So much about Xavier was fake and commercial which plays into the themes that people work against all the time; that beauty means greatness and that "ugliness" means evilness or bad choices.
These repeated themes alone made it impossible for me to even finish the book, though I forced myself to read until there were only 2-3 chapters left.
Xavier is kidnapped by Marcus, a vampire, and proceeds to be tortured and raped for a year. Marcus forces him to exercise, eat only what he deems as good for him, fixes his eyesight, and assaults him every chance he gets. After a year of this, according to some vampire law, Marcus is forced to let Xavier go or turn him. He can't bear to release Xavier of course, so he turns him and marvelously discovers that Xavier is a rare breed of vampire.
The simple fact that Xavier doesn't run away nor take any revenge against Marcus was shocking enough but that he actually chooses to stay with him and continue their relationship was beyond what I could believe. He'd make out with Marcus one second and the next hate him for the year of rape and torture! Meanwhile Marcus thinks he's done only wonderful things for Xavier by turning him into the beautiful person he is now.
So much is stressed in this story about physical beauty and there were too many parallels between the "awful" person Xavier was while he was fat and ugly and how, now that he's beautiful, his life is so much better and even his choices and attitude is more pure and great. So much about Xavier was fake and commercial which plays into the themes that people work against all the time; that beauty means greatness and that "ugliness" means evilness or bad choices.
These repeated themes alone made it impossible for me to even finish the book, though I forced myself to read until there were only 2-3 chapters left.
August 10, 2016
4.25 I was Edward Xavier, the man. Not Sex, the slut. Marcus was going to find out that I couldn’t be manipulated anymore. Stars.
I knew my parents believed in this crap, but I thought I knew better. Vampires were only legends. They weren’t real. They couldn’t be real. Right?
Edward was a cruel man, caring about nothing but himself. That is until he is kidnapped and tortured for a year of his life, his last year of life.
I was initially put off, as the writing seemed juvenile and his captor had a British accent, and Edward came off as very feminine. But I stuck with it and I ended up enjoying it!
Even though there was a lot of drama, I still enjoyed it. I must have just been in a super happy mood because if I had read this earlier (or later) I would have probably hated it.
The characters didn't stick with an emotion or action, and changed constantly, which I must say was annoying.
But I did enjoy the spin on Vampires. And clearly other stuff which I cannot bring to mind at this very second, (other than that Edward was really funny and I enjoyed his comebacks) otherwise I wouldn't have given it such a high rating, would I?
It was written well and wasn't boring. I felt for Edward, but it wasn't as dark as I was expecting.
A copy of Cake was kindly provided to me by Derekica Snake, in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2022
Edward fue secuestrado por lo que despues supo que era un vampiro, quien lo viola y brutaliza diariamente, su odio a su secuestrador solo cambia por "amor" cuando se da cuenta que lo unico que hizo fue salvarle la vida, una vida infeliz y llena de rencor. Sin embargo, ese "amor" llega condicionado a mantenerse a su lado despues que lo convierte en vampiro y empieza a darse cuenta que lo que habia vivido no tenia nada que ver con lo que es el mundo vampiro en la realidad. Cuando una serie de sucesos lo obligan a tomar una decision fuera de lo normal, tendra que aprender pronto como manejarse en un mundo del que no sabe nada y donde todos ocultan algo o tratan de utilizarlo para su beneficio.
Al comienzo el universo me gusto, romance, vampiros, gay, casi todo lo que me gusta, pero poco a poco el autor comenzo a enredar la trama, a cambiar a capricho las acciones de los personajes haciendo que comenzaran a sentirse desconectados. El prota principal, cambia de nombre como tres veces, ademas de verse envuelto en unos dramas mas tontos cada vez, pudo entender que este "enamorado" de su secuestrador (Tipico Sindrome de Estocolmo) pero eso no explica por que unas veces "entiende y acepta" su conducta, cuando otras veces hace lo mismo y se lo recrimina.
Otra cosa es la descripcion del universo, a veces dan tantos detalles que lo enredan demasiado y mas adelante contradicen lo que dice antes, y eso ocurre varias veces. En algun momento senti que el libro deberia haber sido divido por lo menos en 2, ya que hay por lo menos 2 finales diferentes en este, me imagino que fue escrito para wattpad o algo parecido, porque cada par de capitulos se siente como si el autor llegara a donde queria, y en el proximo capitulo lo echa todo a perder.
En fin, voy a darle el beneficio de la duda y leer el siguiente, esperando que el autor haya aprendido de algunos de los errores de edicion de este y el otro sea mas claro y definido.
Al comienzo el universo me gusto, romance, vampiros, gay, casi todo lo que me gusta, pero poco a poco el autor comenzo a enredar la trama, a cambiar a capricho las acciones de los personajes haciendo que comenzaran a sentirse desconectados. El prota principal, cambia de nombre como tres veces, ademas de verse envuelto en unos dramas mas tontos cada vez, pudo entender que este "enamorado" de su secuestrador (Tipico Sindrome de Estocolmo) pero eso no explica por que unas veces "entiende y acepta" su conducta, cuando otras veces hace lo mismo y se lo recrimina.
Otra cosa es la descripcion del universo, a veces dan tantos detalles que lo enredan demasiado y mas adelante contradicen lo que dice antes, y eso ocurre varias veces. En algun momento senti que el libro deberia haber sido divido por lo menos en 2, ya que hay por lo menos 2 finales diferentes en este, me imagino que fue escrito para wattpad o algo parecido, porque cada par de capitulos se siente como si el autor llegara a donde queria, y en el proximo capitulo lo echa todo a perder.
En fin, voy a darle el beneficio de la duda y leer el siguiente, esperando que el autor haya aprendido de algunos de los errores de edicion de este y el otro sea mas claro y definido.
June 29, 2011
4.5...
I'm still a little shell shocked after reading this book and have no idea how to categorise my feelings when it comes to the characters and their relationships. So i'm not going to think - i'm just gonna write what comes to mind... no filter... (god, this should be interesting).
Firstly, I don't think i've ever seen (or read) so much rape in the storyline of a book as i did in this... It's for that reason that the way i view the characters is so confusing... And don't crucify me for this, but after you got over the initial shock and their relationship started to build, it kind of became okay... well, not okay... just... i don't know... less wrong? Because of the reasons behind it, you feel sorry for both the "victim" and the captor in a sick, kinda twisted way... you'll have to read it to see what I mean...
I really liked the idea behind it... the social structure, the world within a world (umm "underworld" i suppose you could call it) and of course, the superpowers :D. Oh god, the SUPERPOWERS! :D and ACTION! :D SO MUCH DEATH AND DESTRUCTION! ~ Much better than Twilight... I mean, come on - this has gay sex practically every second page and it's not even as gay as twilight.
The only thing that had me willing to put this book down at around 75%, was the fact that there are apparantly 3 relationships in the book (obviously between 6 characters) but the messed up part is that only 3 actual bodies are involved - but i don't consider it menage (oh yeah... and they call eachother grandfather, father, son and brother *ewwwwwwwww*). Yeah, multiple personalities. There's Xavier (Edward) who is also Sex and Azriel. There's Marcus who is also Armour. And then there's Claudius who is just, well, claudius.... that is some fucked. up. shit. haha and you need to keep your wits about you to determine who is who sometimes. Even the fact that I remembered their names is a testament to how much i liked the book despite it's many obscurities... so if you want, take a chance, it has so much going for it that can make up for the bits that are oh so wrong, if you let it and keep your mind open.
So much to talk about, so little brain space at the moment... All in all... my vote shifted from 5 at the start to 4 to 3 back to 4 and now it's staying on 4.5 :D
I'm still a little shell shocked after reading this book and have no idea how to categorise my feelings when it comes to the characters and their relationships. So i'm not going to think - i'm just gonna write what comes to mind... no filter... (god, this should be interesting).
Firstly, I don't think i've ever seen (or read) so much rape in the storyline of a book as i did in this... It's for that reason that the way i view the characters is so confusing... And don't crucify me for this, but after you got over the initial shock and their relationship started to build, it kind of became okay... well, not okay... just... i don't know... less wrong? Because of the reasons behind it, you feel sorry for both the "victim" and the captor in a sick, kinda twisted way... you'll have to read it to see what I mean...
I really liked the idea behind it... the social structure, the world within a world (umm "underworld" i suppose you could call it) and of course, the superpowers :D. Oh god, the SUPERPOWERS! :D and ACTION! :D SO MUCH DEATH AND DESTRUCTION! ~ Much better than Twilight... I mean, come on - this has gay sex practically every second page and it's not even as gay as twilight.
The only thing that had me willing to put this book down at around 75%, was the fact that there are apparantly 3 relationships in the book (obviously between 6 characters) but the messed up part is that only 3 actual bodies are involved - but i don't consider it menage (oh yeah... and they call eachother grandfather, father, son and brother *ewwwwwwwww*). Yeah, multiple personalities. There's Xavier (Edward) who is also Sex and Azriel. There's Marcus who is also Armour. And then there's Claudius who is just, well, claudius.... that is some fucked. up. shit. haha and you need to keep your wits about you to determine who is who sometimes. Even the fact that I remembered their names is a testament to how much i liked the book despite it's many obscurities... so if you want, take a chance, it has so much going for it that can make up for the bits that are oh so wrong, if you let it and keep your mind open.
So much to talk about, so little brain space at the moment... All in all... my vote shifted from 5 at the start to 4 to 3 back to 4 and now it's staying on 4.5 :D
November 9, 2011
^^CAKE IS YUMMY, YUMMY IN MY TUMMY!^^
4.5
More of my reviews and ramblings at PANTS OFF REVIEWS
Cake is yummy, yummy goodness. I have a serious crush on Derekica Snake; I would love to be a voyeur in her head. I first read an online fic by the author that was recommend by a friend and I fell in love. Tentacles for the Bride Bouquet is no longer available to read online, because I think it will be released as a book (yay). In the author, I found all my perve, come true. She writes sexy, mixed in with the unconventional and some very pretty men. Cake is one of those, and with this one also comes some warning. It seems that whenever I read a Snake book there has to be a warning list.
Avoid if you do not like:
- No-Con/Dub-Con
- Blood/Gore
- Ménage
- Pretty Pretty Men
- The Anti-Hero
- Hot Man Love
This book had me at its opening line “I was a slut”, and from there on, I just fell in love. Edward aka Sex/Xavier was once a bitter man shaped by being overweight and almost blind. Then on his birthday, a beautiful man corners him in a bar and calls him beautiful, which Edward finds very hard to believe. At almost three hundred pounds, there is no way in hell this hot man would want him. That is until Edward wakes up with a pain in his ass (literally) and realizes that he is about to become the plaything of a man he will come know as Marcus.
Eighteen months later, we have a new Edward, his vision is no longer impaired and he is about half his size. It seems as if he has it made, but for those months Edward has been living as a toy, used and abused by Marcus and now is called Sex. That’s what he is needed for sex and the blood that flows through his veins. Sex realizes that Marcus is more than a man, and it amplifies his fears tenfold.
I will honestly say that as reader, you will either love or hate this book. There is just so much that pushes conventional relationships out the window. Edward/Sex/Xavier was tortured, raped and whole bunch of other things by Marcus. Yet Marcus is his lifeline, the true holder of his heart and if that isn’t a “What the Fuck”, I don’t know what is. The relationship is complex and effed up and I freaking love it.
The twists and turns of this book are truly entertaining and I have serious feelings in my heart for all the characters. I love Sex (teehee); he is truly awesome and feisty. Marcus I have a sneaking suspicion that I should hate his guts but I totally love him he is he anti-hero in every sense of the meaning. I loved their relationship, a mixture of hot/cold and molten lava (where is my pants?). This is every bit a Yaoi book, and if you are a fan of yaoi you will love it, if you don’t like yaoi then ‘Stay Clear’.
Apart from the annoying word 'portal' (is this some sort of space-time continuum), just say ass/hole just anything but that. This book is super cool, and I am excited to read the second in the series. I cannot get enough of my pretty men.
Side Note- That cover is gorgeous, and I have lascivious thoughts when I look at it. Lurve!
Side Note 2- I would love a signed copy of this book (hint, hint)
4.5
More of my reviews and ramblings at PANTS OFF REVIEWS
Cake is yummy, yummy goodness. I have a serious crush on Derekica Snake; I would love to be a voyeur in her head. I first read an online fic by the author that was recommend by a friend and I fell in love. Tentacles for the Bride Bouquet is no longer available to read online, because I think it will be released as a book (yay). In the author, I found all my perve, come true. She writes sexy, mixed in with the unconventional and some very pretty men. Cake is one of those, and with this one also comes some warning. It seems that whenever I read a Snake book there has to be a warning list.
Avoid if you do not like:
- No-Con/Dub-Con
- Blood/Gore
- Ménage
- Pretty Pretty Men
- The Anti-Hero
- Hot Man Love
This book had me at its opening line “I was a slut”, and from there on, I just fell in love. Edward aka Sex/Xavier was once a bitter man shaped by being overweight and almost blind. Then on his birthday, a beautiful man corners him in a bar and calls him beautiful, which Edward finds very hard to believe. At almost three hundred pounds, there is no way in hell this hot man would want him. That is until Edward wakes up with a pain in his ass (literally) and realizes that he is about to become the plaything of a man he will come know as Marcus.
Eighteen months later, we have a new Edward, his vision is no longer impaired and he is about half his size. It seems as if he has it made, but for those months Edward has been living as a toy, used and abused by Marcus and now is called Sex. That’s what he is needed for sex and the blood that flows through his veins. Sex realizes that Marcus is more than a man, and it amplifies his fears tenfold.
I will honestly say that as reader, you will either love or hate this book. There is just so much that pushes conventional relationships out the window. Edward/Sex/Xavier was tortured, raped and whole bunch of other things by Marcus. Yet Marcus is his lifeline, the true holder of his heart and if that isn’t a “What the Fuck”, I don’t know what is. The relationship is complex and effed up and I freaking love it.
The twists and turns of this book are truly entertaining and I have serious feelings in my heart for all the characters. I love Sex (teehee); he is truly awesome and feisty. Marcus I have a sneaking suspicion that I should hate his guts but I totally love him he is he anti-hero in every sense of the meaning. I loved their relationship, a mixture of hot/cold and molten lava (where is my pants?). This is every bit a Yaoi book, and if you are a fan of yaoi you will love it, if you don’t like yaoi then ‘Stay Clear’.
Apart from the annoying word 'portal' (is this some sort of space-time continuum), just say ass/hole just anything but that. This book is super cool, and I am excited to read the second in the series. I cannot get enough of my pretty men.
Side Note- That cover is gorgeous, and I have lascivious thoughts when I look at it. Lurve!
Side Note 2- I would love a signed copy of this book (hint, hint)
February 22, 2015
★★★★★
ETA: 2.17.15 - Rereading again for BR in M/M Romance group. Blood Nation stories, how do I love thee.
I will say that it's not without its flaws but this is my third time reading and I can not put it down.
********
ETA: 9.18.2013 - Rereading for group - still loving. Will probably go ahead and reread
since I picked up
- Yay, it's finally out!
********
2012 Original Reading
✰✰✰✰½ - Xavier was abducted and raped/trained by Marcus for a year, yet I was rooting for an HEA with Marcus. Looking forward to this story continuing in
.
ETA: 2.17.15 - Rereading again for BR in M/M Romance group. Blood Nation stories, how do I love thee.
I will say that it's not without its flaws but this is my third time reading and I can not put it down.
********
ETA: 9.18.2013 - Rereading for group - still loving. Will probably go ahead and reread
since I picked up
- Yay, it's finally out!********
2012 Original Reading
✰✰✰✰½ - Xavier was abducted and raped/trained by Marcus for a year, yet I was rooting for an HEA with Marcus. Looking forward to this story continuing in
.
February 24, 2015
I was surprised by the nonstop action in this book. Very entertaining. The main characters are interesting and sexy, the story is strong. Lots of rough wild sex involved too. :)
August 18, 2011
Portal...giggle.
May 21, 2015
~DISTURBINGLY BRILLIANT~
I can see how this novel would clearly piss off a mass of people. It's made in a way that will leave you no moral gratification at the end. It is comprised completely out of antiheroes and they do not experience a magical epiphany throughout the novel, leaving them repentant for their twisted, wicked ways.
This is a story about a stolen life, abuse, and forceful warping of the mind to suit the captor's needs. At the end it was about acceptance. Here's the thing – it goes against the grain. It really does. We as a society of readers more often then not find happy endings, and see bad characters getting exactly what they deserve. We pursue that witch we see as morally correct. We demand it even. Life doesn't often happen that way, in fact it doesn't happen like that in general, but we always seem to find some form of justification to get us trough. Sort of glossing over the grey bits if you would.
Xavier's capture was brutal, his year in confinement harsh and hard. He was fat and legally blind. In that year his sight was restored and he was made to run two hours a day on the treadmill to get in shape. Some would call that body shaming. The author presented it this way – His captor Marcus said to him from day one that he is beautiful. All of him. That he saw what was underneath and wanted to raise him to his full potential. Marcus didn't treat him any differently because of his weight – he still used him exactly the same. A year later and Xavier found himself being happy because he was healthy, not because of vanity. In absolutely no way am I saying that the end justifies the means in this case, but I personally find that harsh truths and tough realities benefit us more then sweet lies and paths of less resistance. For example if you had a person you cared about and you saw they were unhappy and unhealthy because of their weight, would you keep quiet because it's the polite thing to do, or get your hands dirty and help them no matter what?
The confusion of sexual identity was constant and well placed. Xavier was only with women prior to his capture. In fact he was very inexperienced sexually, but was convinced he was straight. Throughout his confinement his body has learned to accept Marcus' touch, confusing the life out of him. He was in limbo asking himself was he gay to begin with. Is he becoming gay because of the forced treatment by Marcus. Or has he simply gone insane. The thought process was realistic. It was logical and understandable. It made you care for him.
Finally the breaking of mental barriers after Xavier has been turned. During his capture he was called by his initials, Sigmund Edward Xavier. Sex. He was a slut and a whore, even if he only had one master. Now he is an equal. Marcus is kind, caring and most importantly asks for permission to touch. Slowly Xavier analyses his time with Marcus and starts noticing small things, small mercies and gentleness where he before only saw cruelty. He notices his growing feelings for his captor. He by no means asks for justifications nor Marcus ever offers any. The balance has shifted with Xavier not being food or a toy anymore, and Marcus gave him the ultimate gift, himself, to be ruled by his once prisoner. He is equal. The vampires in here weren't apologetic. Humans are food, and useful tools, nothing more. In fact here's a quote that explains their relationship quite well.
“I do have another particular vice that I like to wallow in. You see, I have, from time to time, been known to kidnap, ravish, and mate with my victim.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Are you calling me a victim?”
“No. I am calling you mine.”
In a sense morality is subject of this novel, but not in a classic black and white sense. You have started at one point, and that starting point is now gone. It's in the past. Experience changes us, and shapes us in different ways. Whether you see this as wrong or right sometimes you just simply accept the cards you've been dealt and make the best of it you can.
I honestly wasn't expecting this when I picked it up.
For M/M this was ballsy and deep – pun may, or may not have been intended.....
I can see how this novel would clearly piss off a mass of people. It's made in a way that will leave you no moral gratification at the end. It is comprised completely out of antiheroes and they do not experience a magical epiphany throughout the novel, leaving them repentant for their twisted, wicked ways.
This is a story about a stolen life, abuse, and forceful warping of the mind to suit the captor's needs. At the end it was about acceptance. Here's the thing – it goes against the grain. It really does. We as a society of readers more often then not find happy endings, and see bad characters getting exactly what they deserve. We pursue that witch we see as morally correct. We demand it even. Life doesn't often happen that way, in fact it doesn't happen like that in general, but we always seem to find some form of justification to get us trough. Sort of glossing over the grey bits if you would.
Xavier's capture was brutal, his year in confinement harsh and hard. He was fat and legally blind. In that year his sight was restored and he was made to run two hours a day on the treadmill to get in shape. Some would call that body shaming. The author presented it this way – His captor Marcus said to him from day one that he is beautiful. All of him. That he saw what was underneath and wanted to raise him to his full potential. Marcus didn't treat him any differently because of his weight – he still used him exactly the same. A year later and Xavier found himself being happy because he was healthy, not because of vanity. In absolutely no way am I saying that the end justifies the means in this case, but I personally find that harsh truths and tough realities benefit us more then sweet lies and paths of less resistance. For example if you had a person you cared about and you saw they were unhappy and unhealthy because of their weight, would you keep quiet because it's the polite thing to do, or get your hands dirty and help them no matter what?
The confusion of sexual identity was constant and well placed. Xavier was only with women prior to his capture. In fact he was very inexperienced sexually, but was convinced he was straight. Throughout his confinement his body has learned to accept Marcus' touch, confusing the life out of him. He was in limbo asking himself was he gay to begin with. Is he becoming gay because of the forced treatment by Marcus. Or has he simply gone insane. The thought process was realistic. It was logical and understandable. It made you care for him.
Finally the breaking of mental barriers after Xavier has been turned. During his capture he was called by his initials, Sigmund Edward Xavier. Sex. He was a slut and a whore, even if he only had one master. Now he is an equal. Marcus is kind, caring and most importantly asks for permission to touch. Slowly Xavier analyses his time with Marcus and starts noticing small things, small mercies and gentleness where he before only saw cruelty. He notices his growing feelings for his captor. He by no means asks for justifications nor Marcus ever offers any. The balance has shifted with Xavier not being food or a toy anymore, and Marcus gave him the ultimate gift, himself, to be ruled by his once prisoner. He is equal. The vampires in here weren't apologetic. Humans are food, and useful tools, nothing more. In fact here's a quote that explains their relationship quite well.
“I do have another particular vice that I like to wallow in. You see, I have, from time to time, been known to kidnap, ravish, and mate with my victim.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Are you calling me a victim?”
“No. I am calling you mine.”
In a sense morality is subject of this novel, but not in a classic black and white sense. You have started at one point, and that starting point is now gone. It's in the past. Experience changes us, and shapes us in different ways. Whether you see this as wrong or right sometimes you just simply accept the cards you've been dealt and make the best of it you can.
I honestly wasn't expecting this when I picked it up.
For M/M this was ballsy and deep – pun may, or may not have been intended.....
September 28, 2019
Dark, gritty, and full of dry humour.
Xavier has been kidnapped and held captive for a year, before he is given the 'choice' to become a vampire.
His relationship with his captor, Marcus is twisted and broken, and Stockholm-y. They are trying to make it work, with Claudius as the buffer between this distructive and abusive pair.
I loved the wit in this story. It turned it into more than just another vampire story.
The world building was good. The characters were all well rounded, and there were plenty of fun surprises.
I look forward to reading the next one.
Recommended for those who enjoy twisted, with a side of funny, and plenty of sexy.
Trigger warnings in spoilers:
Xavier has been kidnapped and held captive for a year, before he is given the 'choice' to become a vampire.
His relationship with his captor, Marcus is twisted and broken, and Stockholm-y. They are trying to make it work, with Claudius as the buffer between this distructive and abusive pair.
I loved the wit in this story. It turned it into more than just another vampire story.
The world building was good. The characters were all well rounded, and there were plenty of fun surprises.
I look forward to reading the next one.
Recommended for those who enjoy twisted, with a side of funny, and plenty of sexy.
Trigger warnings in spoilers:
August 24, 2012
This book is so fucked but I couldn't bring myself to stop reading. Why couldn't it have a HEA? No. It didn't even have a HFN. More like a "sorry for the ending. . . to be continued. lol on you.". It was a pretty hard read, and not at the beginning either, when he was abused. More near the end. I kept wishing for a HEA.
I don't know if I can handle the next book.
After reading this book I don't exactly feel "sick". I just feel very. . . slimy. This weird feeling in my stomach and heart. It doesn't feel good to be honest.
I don't know if I can handle the next book.
After reading this book I don't exactly feel "sick". I just feel very. . . slimy. This weird feeling in my stomach and heart. It doesn't feel good to be honest.
February 20, 2015
BR with friends on 16th Feb More the merrier,so feel free to join us.
Review coming soon!
Review coming soon!
April 10, 2011
Why don't the number of stars go higher than 5? This book should be a 10! I LOVED IT!! Please please hurry with part2!
November 26, 2012
Fun vampire tale. Okay, some have had issues with it, but after all the diatribes about it I expected a harder read. Yes, there are multiple instances of non-con, but they are described impersonally and in retrospect from the victim's POV after he's moved beyond it. While this isn't rainbows and unicorns, it ain't terrifying either and I'm eager to read Book 2, Cinder.
August 25, 2012
Darkly delicious !!! Keep's you on the edge of your seat right until the very last page and leaves you wanting more....thank god there is 'Cinder' :)
November 26, 2015
So, hmmm. I'll fix this later but initial thoughts.
This was quite the ride. Took a bit for me to get into it (about 120 pages) mostly because I couldn't deal with the MC's erratic emotions. Yes, he had been kidnapped and raped, but there was no logical sequence of emotions. They were just all over the place. The world building needed work. I wasn't sure what timeline we were in. Were we back to when he'd first been kidnapped, or were we in the present time (when he'd fallen off the treadmill?) The ridiculous name 'Sex' made me roll my eyes, and I couldn't take either of the MCs seriously. Also, because we never actually witnessed the rapes (not that I wanted to) Xavier's constant whining about how badly he'd been raped, felt like exactly that - constant whining. Also, for about the first 50 pages I had no idea where the story was going. It was just random rambling about juice and cheese. Honestly, if someone hadn't sent this to me as a kindle loan I would have thrown in the towel. Stick with it. It gets MUCH better.
Marcus turns Xavier(into a vampire) and he starts to come into his own. Now we're cooking with gas! This author has a very vivid imagination and the world building after Xavier is turned is much stronger. I was intrigued by the idea of the blue bloods an my heart did a happy dance as Xavier starts to realize that he does love Marcus and that he belongs to him. Honestly, I really loved the Marcus/Xavier dynamic. Their relationship is not perfect. Marcus is a very flawed character who makes many mistakes, but through it all his all consuming love for Xavier resonates and, in time, Xavier returns that love, even when he shouldn't. Claudius is a welcome buffer for them and a source of wisdom and guidance.
Loved the twists and turns and though the book is almost 500 pages, nothing seems superfluous. The ending seemed a bit off to me. The sequence of events didn't make sense, but I guess certain things needed to happen to get us to Book 2, which I am off to read NOW.
All in all, a very good read albeit with a shaky start.
This was quite the ride. Took a bit for me to get into it (about 120 pages) mostly because I couldn't deal with the MC's erratic emotions. Yes, he had been kidnapped and raped, but there was no logical sequence of emotions. They were just all over the place. The world building needed work. I wasn't sure what timeline we were in. Were we back to when he'd first been kidnapped, or were we in the present time (when he'd fallen off the treadmill?) The ridiculous name 'Sex' made me roll my eyes, and I couldn't take either of the MCs seriously. Also, because we never actually witnessed the rapes (not that I wanted to) Xavier's constant whining about how badly he'd been raped, felt like exactly that - constant whining. Also, for about the first 50 pages I had no idea where the story was going. It was just random rambling about juice and cheese. Honestly, if someone hadn't sent this to me as a kindle loan I would have thrown in the towel. Stick with it. It gets MUCH better.
Marcus turns Xavier(into a vampire) and he starts to come into his own. Now we're cooking with gas! This author has a very vivid imagination and the world building after Xavier is turned is much stronger. I was intrigued by the idea of the blue bloods an my heart did a happy dance as Xavier starts to realize that he does love Marcus and that he belongs to him. Honestly, I really loved the Marcus/Xavier dynamic. Their relationship is not perfect. Marcus is a very flawed character who makes many mistakes, but through it all his all consuming love for Xavier resonates and, in time, Xavier returns that love, even when he shouldn't. Claudius is a welcome buffer for them and a source of wisdom and guidance.
Loved the twists and turns and though the book is almost 500 pages, nothing seems superfluous. The ending seemed a bit off to me. The sequence of events didn't make sense, but I guess certain things needed to happen to get us to Book 2, which I am off to read NOW.
All in all, a very good read albeit with a shaky start.
March 30, 2013
30/3/2013 edit: So a friend pestered me to give this a chance, (and by pester I mean complain really loudly that I am an unfair, negative dragon who clearly worships anti-gods with dead unicorn foals) so I have now finished this.
My opinion is that you can condense everything in this book into a song:
http://youtu.be/LvEwLfRGcT8
And no. The 27% review still holds true.
------------------------------------------------------------------
27%, and I give up. Can't even imagine HOW this can be stretched into three - or was that five? - books. It's just one big excuse for lots of sex. The first couple of chapters were all about telling with barely any showing.
It fails on two front: it provides a terribly uninteresting story - some loose thread of it so punctuated by instances of sex that you can barely see any plot - and then it fails again in the sex department, because it's neither graphic, erotic, or intense. It's fade to black without fading to black, about as descriptive as those het romance novels with earls and viscounts where everything is referred to as a 'hard staff'.
Sadly, no hard staffs were described. The most anatomy you're going to learn from this book is the overused word 'portal', by which they mean the anus of the MC, which you can hopefully use to deliver yourself to a better world where you're not reading this book. Half the time I'm not even sure who is doing what. I don't care about sex in romance novels - it's not what I'm here for - but this is dismal even by my standards.
My opinion is that you can condense everything in this book into a song:
http://youtu.be/LvEwLfRGcT8
And no. The 27% review still holds true.
------------------------------------------------------------------
27%, and I give up. Can't even imagine HOW this can be stretched into three - or was that five? - books. It's just one big excuse for lots of sex. The first couple of chapters were all about telling with barely any showing.
It fails on two front: it provides a terribly uninteresting story - some loose thread of it so punctuated by instances of sex that you can barely see any plot - and then it fails again in the sex department, because it's neither graphic, erotic, or intense. It's fade to black without fading to black, about as descriptive as those het romance novels with earls and viscounts where everything is referred to as a 'hard staff'.
Sadly, no hard staffs were described. The most anatomy you're going to learn from this book is the overused word 'portal', by which they mean the anus of the MC, which you can hopefully use to deliver yourself to a better world where you're not reading this book. Half the time I'm not even sure who is doing what. I don't care about sex in romance novels - it's not what I'm here for - but this is dismal even by my standards.
October 1, 2011
Overall, the positive reviews of this book are well deserved and I would have given it 5 stars but for the introduction of a superfluous character taking the form of a talking female feline....and a shifter, at that. Obviously designed to be a witty sparring partner for the MC, she, in fact only serves to dilute his clever quips and individual voice by guilding the lily. Suddenly his character becomes not so unique. The witticisms coming out of their mouths could come from either character and eventually their banter becomes groan inducing. Snake is a clever writer and creates a compelling story, with a fine mix of D/s sexuality, plot, intrigue and interesting characters (except for the above mentioned). Unfortunately, there’s also a switch involved, which automatically removes the bloom from the rose for me at least, so I won’t be going on to volume II (especially not at $9.99 per volume). Come on now, the recent and brilliantly researched, bestselling autobiography of Mark Twain: The Complete and Authoritative Edition, Volume I, is only $9.97! Does anyone else think this is getting ridiculous?
September 29, 2013
Can I just simply say that I really liked this book without analyzing why? Enjoyed the suspense, relationships, dry humor, and even the paranormal aspects. I didn't find it harsh and the non-con storyline wasn't really very dark at all from my POV. It kept my attention and left me wanting to read Cinder right away. 4.5 stars
July 8, 2012
Weird weirder weirdest...
Haven't got the stomach to read the sequels, which by the sound of it is even more absurd than the first installment.
Haven't got the stomach to read the sequels, which by the sound of it is even more absurd than the first installment.
November 25, 2015
I READ THIS TWICE which shows how much I loved this book. THIS WHOLE SERIES! I LOVE these vamps so much. Be still my beating heart. Give me more!!!
May 8, 2016
I have had this book on my tbr list for over a year and because of the price I was a little put off by it, but I must say that this was a really good book. Edward was a fat nearly blind mean person who got caught stealing from his job as a computer programmer when his boss put a hit on him. Marcus is a sexy vampire assassin who was hired to kill him. Marcus was mean a sadistic dominate male who used Edward or Sex as he called him for his own sick pleasure. Marcus fixed his eyesight and forced him to exercise and loss weight. At the end of one year Sex was fit and trim and could see and he was offered a choice of dying and being turned or dying for good, but neither of them knew that Sex was a hybred blue blood vampire who had wings. This was a really good hot sexy vampire m/m the sex scenes where hot as hell. This book also had action people trying to kill both of them I felt bad by the way that Marcus treated Sex at times, but I also believed that he loved him. I also liked Marcus sire who I believed that he loved them both. This book was also funny at times especially the hellcat who taught Sex how to be a vampire. This was my first time reading this author this book was well written and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, because this book left off with a cliffhanger I am not looking forward to the price, but this book to me was worth it. If you like hot sexy vampires m/m style than I would recommend reading this book.
August 1, 2013
Okay first you must remember this is fiction. Second its over-to-top vampire fiction and vampires are not all like the new modern all-I-need-is-my-mate-and-I'll-be-a-good-guy vampires that are out there. Derekica Snake created vampire who are capable of great cruelty and intense, chaotic love.
Marcus is a wonderful mess. Learning to know him is interesting.
Claudius was kinda yummy.
Xavier annoying TO ME in the first half of the book but the stronger he got the more I enjoyed him.
Shade was a strange smartass.
I hated the cliffhanger thing but I had fun with the story. Yes, there were some silly, bordering on ridiculous sections but I didn't take it all so serious and had a fun read.
Marcus is a wonderful mess. Learning to know him is interesting.
Claudius was kinda yummy.
Xavier annoying TO ME in the first half of the book but the stronger he got the more I enjoyed him.
Shade was a strange smartass.
I hated the cliffhanger thing but I had fun with the story. Yes, there were some silly, bordering on ridiculous sections but I didn't take it all so serious and had a fun read.
September 6, 2015
Definitely not a light read. Quite brutal and sometimes confusing but never boring. I was captured from the start and could hardly put it down. Edward is the main character and he is not a nice man in his human life. Marcus is a vampire and no one can doubt he is not nice. After getting to know him you do kinda like him in a very strange love/hate relationship, sorta like poor Edward. Edward never gets a break though. Being abused, dying, turning, feeding, killing, etc...he just has stuff keep happening. When you finish you don't really know how you feel about it all but I know I want to read the next one;)
June 3, 2011
I don't I have much more to say compared to the other reviews for this book. This book was addictive and not being able to pick up book two immediately afterwards was like going through withdrawals. Nothing else would do for several days afterwards. There is no "downtime" where you can comfortably set it down and do something else. It is an amazing story and I can't wait for the next one to come out.
January 2, 2012
The best I can muster is WOW! Cake was almost 500 pages but I already crave more. Future readers beware: you'll need water, snacks, tissues, ibuprofen....and a Xanax or two before you finish Cake. The ending confused the hell out of me but this is the kind of book in which you'll relish rereading & reliving Derekica's twisted prose.
January 31, 2013
This wasn't nearly as depraved as I thought it would be. I really enjoyed their story. Yes, I was confused some of the time but mainly I just could not stop reading. Even when I was pissed and disgusted, I couldn't stop. The whole daddy/mate thing kind of squicked me out but I got over it! Way to leave me hanging, now I have to read the second one. :D
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