crtsjffrsn's review
4.0
[Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.]
Eryn knows he is not worthy of love. He lives a life of "perversion" and people like him can't ever be happy. It isn't just that he desires other men, it's how he desires them: rough, domineering, and even a bit degrading. But when he meets Prince Wyn--who is in a far off land and might be in danger--in a dream, he sets out on an adventure that he hopes might end in the love he desires, even if he still doesn't believe he deserves it. What follows is a journey of personal challenges and self-discovery that might just help him see that "[e]veryone has worth."
The idea of reading a BDSM fantasy tale is one that honestly sort of surprised me--it's not something I think I would normally pick up. But I'm honestly glad I read this one. The fantastic setting is wonderfully constructed with all the trappings of a fairy tale (though definitely racier than anything you read in your youth). There's royalty, magic, a witch, a demon, and a curse which must be broken. And some real heat to go with it.
I will say the content here is not for everyone. This definitely pushes some people would see as boundaries. There are dubious consent (and perhaps less-than-dubious consent) elements, bondage scenes, and 'public' humiliation.
Eryn knows he is not worthy of love. He lives a life of "perversion" and people like him can't ever be happy. It isn't just that he desires other men, it's how he desires them: rough, domineering, and even a bit degrading. But when he meets Prince Wyn--who is in a far off land and might be in danger--in a dream, he sets out on an adventure that he hopes might end in the love he desires, even if he still doesn't believe he deserves it. What follows is a journey of personal challenges and self-discovery that might just help him see that "[e]veryone has worth."
The idea of reading a BDSM fantasy tale is one that honestly sort of surprised me--it's not something I think I would normally pick up. But I'm honestly glad I read this one. The fantastic setting is wonderfully constructed with all the trappings of a fairy tale (though definitely racier than anything you read in your youth). There's royalty, magic, a witch, a demon, and a curse which must be broken. And some real heat to go with it.
I will say the content here is not for everyone. This definitely pushes some people would see as boundaries. There are dubious consent (and perhaps less-than-dubious consent) elements, bondage scenes, and 'public' humiliation.
enchantressofbooks's review
3.0
This was a quick and interesting read! While I have read a lot of books in the BDSM genre, this was the first time humiliation kink was the main type. One of the reasons I like Heidi as an author is she does her research and dives 110% into the subject matter!
I'm new to this level of humiliation kink and I'm still trying to process how I feel about it as I'm writing this review, but here is where Heidi stands out as an author - for me, this wasn't so much about the humiliation kink as it was about the main character accepting who he was and how he was and that it was okay and that he was deserving of respect and worthy of love! THAT is what I took away from this book! I already KNEW this of course. I know that the activities we like to partake in the privacy (or not so private) of our bedrooms (or living rooms, kitchen, where ever, you get the idea) is our choice and we are all human being deserving of love and respect.
At first, I found it hard to connect with Eryn, it almost felt like you started reading a quarter into the book and you missed something. The connection evolved the further you read into the story. Or maybe it was trying to connect with the fantasy... merchant, sailors, slave, mystical dreams, a prince, a witch, god parents... there's a lot going on in that realm and for a novella, the world building wasn't so much there until the end. Speaking of the end... the ending action scene... there was SO MUCH going on all at once that I had to re-read it and was like "o k a y...". Again, because this is a novella, this sort of thing tends to happen. Trying to pack a lot of info all at once. For some, it may be a no big deal, for other a tad bit much.
Then there was all the sex... here is Eryn, supposedly trying to find his true love and he's having sex with just about everyone. So if you're looking for that "romance" part, doesn't happen. This is a DARK erotic fantasy novel with romantic elements. Without giving away much, I will say there is that 'instant love' that occurs in romance between the two heroes. Not a big fan of those but hey, that's a romance trope, right?! Right!
I will say, I did like Eryn's and Wyn interactions with each other. From the beginning, they bantered but yet had a connection. And once they finally were together, how they accepted each other for who they were, completely, made it awesome! They totally complimented each other!
Overall, an interesting read. If you're not into group sex or have issues with humiliation kink, this isn't the book for you. Considered yourself warned. Heidi is a great author who has a way with words and does a great job of tell you a story! I wish there would have been more world building to make the story line of the fantasy smoother, but then again, this could be me, wishing there was more story! LOL!
I'm new to this level of humiliation kink and I'm still trying to process how I feel about it as I'm writing this review, but here is where Heidi stands out as an author - for me, this wasn't so much about the humiliation kink as it was about the main character accepting who he was and how he was and that it was okay and that he was deserving of respect and worthy of love! THAT is what I took away from this book! I already KNEW this of course. I know that the activities we like to partake in the privacy (or not so private) of our bedrooms (or living rooms, kitchen, where ever, you get the idea) is our choice and we are all human being deserving of love and respect.
At first, I found it hard to connect with Eryn, it almost felt like you started reading a quarter into the book and you missed something. The connection evolved the further you read into the story. Or maybe it was trying to connect with the fantasy... merchant, sailors, slave, mystical dreams, a prince, a witch, god parents... there's a lot going on in that realm and for a novella, the world building wasn't so much there until the end. Speaking of the end... the ending action scene... there was SO MUCH going on all at once that I had to re-read it and was like "o k a y...". Again, because this is a novella, this sort of thing tends to happen. Trying to pack a lot of info all at once. For some, it may be a no big deal, for other a tad bit much.
Then there was all the sex... here is Eryn, supposedly trying to find his true love and he's having sex with just about everyone. So if you're looking for that "romance" part, doesn't happen. This is a DARK erotic fantasy novel with romantic elements. Without giving away much, I will say there is that 'instant love' that occurs in romance between the two heroes. Not a big fan of those but hey, that's a romance trope, right?! Right!
I will say, I did like Eryn's and Wyn interactions with each other. From the beginning, they bantered but yet had a connection. And once they finally were together, how they accepted each other for who they were, completely, made it awesome! They totally complimented each other!
Overall, an interesting read. If you're not into group sex or have issues with humiliation kink, this isn't the book for you. Considered yourself warned. Heidi is a great author who has a way with words and does a great job of tell you a story! I wish there would have been more world building to make the story line of the fantasy smoother, but then again, this could be me, wishing there was more story! LOL!
atheresa's review
1.0
PWP. Eryn spent more time enjoying having kinky sex with other men than with his true love Wyn.
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