A review by morebedsidebooks
Initiation: Sex Wizards, Book 1 by Alethea Faust
3.0
“I don’t understand it, but somehow, we’ve made magic.”
Initiation by Alethea Faust is the first volume of an erotic fantasy series pitched as if Harry Potter was gayer, not transphobic, and full of kinky sex featuring emotionally mature adults.
From a rural mountain village Dominai (pansexual) never expected he’d have magic in his lineage when it’s the purview of the wealthy. Or go to Crux, the centre of magical study in the kingdom. He still can’t seem to believe he belongs in the wizards’ towers. Even as a complete novice he shows more and more talent, open and willing to try anything twice.
Focusing on risk-aware kink, consent is a pillar of the magic system’s foundation. However, this isn’t an ideal world. Characters run afoul, make errors or questionable decisions. From the start the personalities are very human, even if some of the characters are not. I rather love how Dominai doesn’t let his anxiety disorder hold him back from experimenting. Though, he does need to seriously figure out and express his limits.
Faust most cleverly integrates content warnings, veiling them in descriptions regarding the schools of magic and casting methods following the chapters titles. I really appreciate the detailed breakdown. Though it unfortunately leaves something to be desired. Information presented only at the chapter mark does prevent a potential reader when initially browsing from having the full content list before purchasing. (The book preview available online does not show a full CW as otherwise claimed.) If an author is hesitant because retailers can be fickle and arbitrary about CW and content guidelines, CW could also be put somewhere else. Authors choose personal websites, social cataloging websites, etc. I check multiple places when researching a book. So, besides my own notes, I made the decision to copy out the chapter descriptions for the content section below.
Once a reader can open up Initiation, well… First there were a few instances of content I would have offered a note for that the author doesn’t (see below). Then there are repeated references to Enchantment, one school of magic, first being worked in chapter four. Yet, what this school entails isn’t part of the chapter description. Context is instead piecemealed in the text up till the last chapter devoted to Enchantment where the description occurs. Too in particular, around 60% into the book there is a shift with a subplot coming to the forefront involving kidnapping, abuse, torture, sexual assault and rape. There’s a lot of possibility to explore these subjects, justice, survivorship, and these characters’ relationship with plus the potential of BDSM. However, Dominai’s perspective, despite being close to two of the wizards affected, barely provides such in the pages of the first volume. Plus, not just regarding trauma, while there are physical methods for healing described, the emotional care available is unclear. Which is honestly disappointing because aspects then come off as shallow. I do not believe that was the intention. But there’s a disconnect.
Know if a reader decides to skip over chapter(s), it will depend if that works so well because each can naturally build on another some more so than others. Unfortunately picking up book two, Mastery, again leaves largely the same questions until it is in one’s hands. (Since I did later get book two, which is longer, know there is a whole thread near throughout about trauma.)
All in all, I really love many of the ideas Faust makes use of in this first book. Yet the execution does leave one wanting, in the wrong way, with this debut novel.
Content Warnings
Note the chapter Diving into Divination also includes brief panic, vision of confinement against a person’s will, and mentions of abandonment and death of a parent. The chapter The Devilish Boar includes alcohol, injury and animal death occurring in the past. The chapter Creating a Conjuration also includes Enchantment (please see below) a domination spell. The Black Burrows includes death of a familiar.
From the author:
This queer erotic fantasy novel has a kink-based magic system, and as such, contains explicit adult content. As this story crosses a wide range of kinks of varying degrees of intensity, applicable chapters will have a description at the top showing what type of play is included in the chapter as well as any other applicable warnings.
Welcome to the Crux— Abjuration: The school of magic that blocks, banishes, or protects. Casting methods include rope bondage, domination, and submission.
Introduction to Evocation— Evocation: The school of magic that taps into and manipulates energy. Casting methods include impact play, sensation play, and pain play.
Diving Into Divination— Divination: The school of magic that can discern the truths of the past, present, or future. Casting methods include full sensory deprivation, body worship, and edging.
Playing Assistant— While casting, a wizard is not constrained to any one school. Some of the most effective spells come from combining casting methods. Combining elements of abjuration, evocation, and enchantment can create powerful and effective spells.
Creating a Conjuration— Conjuration: The school of magic that creates matter out of thin air. Casting methods include periods of chastity and masturbation.
Courage and Corpimancy— Corpimancy: The school of magic that controls the forces of life, death, and healing. Casting methods include piercing and bloodplay.
Training in Transmutation— Transmutation: The school of magic that transforms and modifies
matter. Casting methods include objectification and role-playing such as pony play.
Breakthrough— Longer periods of sensory deprivation in the silver can potentially increase the chances of a successful divining. Please note that this chapter contains mentions of rape.
Revelations— Please note that this chapter contains brief mentions of sexual assault.
On the Road— Illusion: The school of magic that controls and manipulates the senses. Casting methods include sensory play and deprivation.
The Cave— Wizards of the Crux base all of their magical studies and practices around the concept of consent. Rape or coercion are anathema and grounds for immediate expulsion. Please note that this chapter contains allusions to rape, brief visual of sexual assault, mention of non-consensual drugging and brief violence.
Target— Enchantment: The school of magic that can entrance or beguile others. Casting methods include humiliation, degradation, and other forms of mental manipulation.