saphirablue's review against another edition
5.0
Spoiler
♥ I love these characters so much!
Wonderful glimpses into the past of these characters. To see a young, sad, hurt and maybe a bit broken Seregil during his first months/years in Skala? To see how Alec's parents met and how Alec grew up? Their first night as lovers? ♥ ♥ ♥
And, as much as I love all of these stories - I adore "By the River". The story in which Seregil and Micum meet. This story hits so many buttons of mine. A hurt, depressed, broken Seregil on the end of his rope and Micum seeing him sitting against the tree and wanting to help him? Seregil being scared of Micum and hiding and Micum slowly but surely drawing him out and manages to get him to trust at least a little bit? Hook. Line. Sinker. ♥
I also like that a mystery (at least to me it was a mystery) got a bit cleared up. I wondered while "Traitors Moon" why Prince Korathan would be inclined to listen to Seregil. Well, now that I know that they've been lovers... :)
eb00kie's review
2.0
Well, I suppose it's obvious why the author kept some scenes out of the book, clearly not her style. Apart from that, the difference between the quality and style of the pictures was annoying and off-putting, but it did bring some perspective into the series.
solalari's review against another edition
4.0
Good old fluff to give a little more background to the stories.
elderlingfool's review
3.0
This collection of five short stories expands on events that were mentioned in the first two books in the series. To be honest, I found it just alright and I think I would have preferred those scenes to have remained a bit of a mystery. My favourite part was the inclusion of so many illustrations created by fans. That was really cute. This seems to have been just a fun project that should be read differently from the rest of the books that have more plot, care and intent behind them.
In the introduction the author mentions that it was her first time writing smut. I have to say that it shows, but I am also really picky about those scenes. There are three sex scenes and the best of them, to me, was in the first short story. In the main series, as far as I have read (just finished book 4), the sex scenes are all fade to black and I find that better than the ones in here.
The book includes the following:
1 - A story about Seregil at court and how he became Nysander's apprentice. Plus his first sexual encounter after his exile;
2 - How Alec's parents met and a little bit about his childhood of constantly moving around and hiding with his father;
3 - Seregil and Micum's first encounter;
4 - Alec and Seregil's first time. This one was odd because the first pages are taken directly from the end of book 2. Only after, something new is added.
5 - Honestly, it seemed just like a random event in Rhíminee that I couldn't quite place.
Overall, it was fine, but I would only recommended it for super fans of the series. Otherwise, any reader can take it or leave it. It is just a nice little extra for those looking for it.
In the introduction the author mentions that it was her first time writing smut. I have to say that it shows, but I am also really picky about those scenes. There are three sex scenes and the best of them, to me, was in the first short story. In the main series, as far as I have read (just finished book 4), the sex scenes are all fade to black and I find that better than the ones in here.
The book includes the following:
1 - A story about Seregil at court and how he became Nysander's apprentice. Plus his first sexual encounter after his exile;
2 - How Alec's parents met and a little bit about his childhood of constantly moving around and hiding with his father;
3 - Seregil and Micum's first encounter;
4 - Alec and Seregil's first time. This one was odd because the first pages are taken directly from the end of book 2. Only after, something new is added.
5 - Honestly, it seemed just like a random event in Rhíminee that I couldn't quite place.
Overall, it was fine, but I would only recommended it for super fans of the series. Otherwise, any reader can take it or leave it. It is just a nice little extra for those looking for it.
straciehniezdo's review against another edition
4.0
Dve poviedky priemerné, dve skvelé. Teda jedna skvelá a druhá absolútne dokonalá, chápete. Alec so Seregilom mi už tak moc chýbali, zlatíčka moje ❤❤❤
,,Ty jsi taky můj talí.'' - najkrajšia veta ever. ❤
,,Ty jsi taky můj talí.'' - najkrajšia veta ever. ❤
kanej_'s review
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
linark's review
lighthearted
Extremely cute little story collection. What a nice thing to do for the fans. Massive respect to Lynn Flewelling.
Personally first published erotica I have read; it was interesting. I did giggle. Somewhat funny to read about Alec's innocent kisses and heartfelt love and then there's "COCK" on my screen. (What am I, five years old? Likely.)
Alec's dad was so cool. I feel bad for him.
Also a nice insight to Seregil's mind. He feels a lot younger and lost with this background in mind. Not such an adult with all his shit together as it seems from our limited perspective in the first two books. I liked that.
Not gonna rate it—doesn't feel fair. It would be a rating coming completely from happy indulgence rather than a critical viewpoint—and really, frankly, this cannot be at the same tier as Anna Karenina despite the difference in genre. But it's a must-read if you've read the first two books. Very nice.
Personally first published erotica I have read; it was interesting. I did giggle. Somewhat funny to read about Alec's innocent kisses and heartfelt love and then there's "COCK" on my screen. (What am I, five years old? Likely.)
Alec's dad was so cool. I feel bad for him.
Also a nice insight to Seregil's mind. He feels a lot younger and lost with this background in mind. Not such an adult with all his shit together as it seems from our limited perspective in the first two books. I liked that.
Not gonna rate it—doesn't feel fair. It would be a rating coming completely from happy indulgence rather than a critical viewpoint—and really, frankly, this cannot be at the same tier as Anna Karenina despite the difference in genre. But it's a must-read if you've read the first two books. Very nice.
rosebrown's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️
It’s an Anthology consisting of 4 short stories. “Misfit” is about To fill in blank of How Seregil came to Skala, his friendship with prince and feud with Phoria and met Nysender. I enjoyed it enough. Then second short is “The Wild” which is about Alec and how his parents met. Tbh I didn’t like it much. Third short story is “By the river” which is how Micum and Seregil met. And fourth one is “The bond”. Which explains the night Seregil left after Nysender’ death and how alec came after him and confessed his feelings and what came after it
It’s an Anthology consisting of 4 short stories. “Misfit” is about To fill in blank of How Seregil came to Skala, his friendship with prince and feud with Phoria and met Nysender. I enjoyed it enough. Then second short is “The Wild” which is about Alec and how his parents met. Tbh I didn’t like it much. Third short story is “By the river” which is how Micum and Seregil met. And fourth one is “The bond”. Which explains the night Seregil left after Nysender’ death and how alec came after him and confessed his feelings and what came after it
jennykeery's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
yak_attak's review against another edition
2.0
Fun vignettes with sex, plus featured fan art? Cool! Kinda more interesting for their novelty that they exist than any of the writing in them. They're kinda bad even. But I'm glad she did them. I almost wish she'd just argued for the explicit sex in the actual books.