The Emperor's Wolf

May 23, 2012 Vio rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Vio by: Simsala*is getting slow*

Shelves: fantasy, loved-it, really-really-good, sexy, touching, wonderful, highly-recommended

Enthralling is one of the many words to describe this intense slave fic and hey I am not a fan but dammit I have to admit this was bloody good the fantasy is smoothly written, easy to follow and lures you in. Standout MC's, a beautiful blend of fierceness and tenderness which made the story so much more believable for me, a good thing too as I was expecting the worst. Jaden and Dersai sexy to the extreme their relationship builds slowly and what develops is a loving and lasting partnership. Angs...more

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Nov 25, 2012 Vladimir rated it 3 of 5 stars

I admire the world building that the author constructed to breathe life to this story. For the most part, though the story was written in narrative style, the focused was mostly on Jaden's thoughts. Jaden's insights interspersed with suspicion as he warmed up to the Emperor's tender approach was very entertaining. His mind indeed held a lot of angst, trepidation and anxiety to keep my interest but I would've like to have known how the Emperor Dersai's kind and loving nature became marred with hi...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Charly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Unusual setting and quite a few sex scenes

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 7/10

PROS:
- I like the idea of growing to love someone you initially hate, and I like it even more when that hatred is born out of fear. Jaden has SUCH intense fear of Dersai at the beginning that watching Dersai woo him was interesting (see cons below also). Jaden’s gradual change in attitude toward Dersai is very well done, too. With each scene, he’s a little more accepting...more Unusual setting and quite a few sex scenes

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 7/10

PROS:
- I like the idea of growing to love someone you initially hate, and I like it even more when that hatred is born out of fear. Jaden has SUCH intense fear of Dersai at the beginning that watching Dersai woo him was interesting (see cons below also). Jaden’s gradual change in attitude toward Dersai is very well done, too. With each scene, he’s a little more accepting of the man, a little more eager to be touched by him.
- Owens does a great job of showing Jaden’s natural tendency to trust and submit to Dersai warring with the cynicism Jaden has learned during his years of imprisonment.
- I liked how both Dersai and Jaden have a possessive streak. This is a good example of a story in which one character is much larger and more powerful than the other but the smaller man is neither helpless nor effeminate.
- I enjoyed the plot just fine from the start, but about halfway through there’s a slight supernatural tilt to the story, which made it even more interesting to me.

CONS:
- Some of the early sex scenes are a little disturbing. Yes, Jaden enjoys the touches and is aroused by them. But he fears and dislikes Dersai so intensely that some of the early scenes had a borderline rape feeling to me. The descriptions in those scenes are hot, and the emperor’s actions are gentle enough; I just couldn’t quite get past Jaden’s mental block.
- The whole story is told from Jaden’s perspective, and I really wanted access to Dersai’s thoughts on several occasions. I didn’t hate him, but I didn’t love him, either. He isn’t cruel or malicious, but he behaves with single-minded arrogance. I think some scenes from his perspective would have gone a long way toward making him more likeable to me.
- The connection between Jaden and Dersai lacks a bit of depth simply because the story’s length prevents too many meaningful conversations from taking place. There are sentences like this, for example--“They found they had quite a few interests in common. Jaden became more open with Dersai, more able to argue a point without fear of retribution, and Dersai seemed to like that”--but there’s not much detail about WHAT precisely they had in common.

Overall comments: I’m not a huge fan of angsty stories (well, I’m not a fan AT ALL of angsty stories), and this one has a decent amount of it right up front. It doesn’t last too long, though, so if you’re like me and don’t enjoy reading about suffering, don’t give up after reading only the first chapter. It turns out to be quite a sweet story about unconditional love.(less)

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Apr 17, 2013 Phaney rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: oh-yes, m-m

2012 Review:

Hah! I really should start at the beginning here.

I checked on the author’s website before deciding on which of her books to try. It turns out she has an affinity for fantasy/medieval style settings and what is so smoothly termed “doubtful consent”. Well, that is better than non-consensual, although I admit I was doubtful as to the difference it would make in application.

In this case? Well, the whole slave position muddies the issue a bit. If your body is not your own, it becomes diff...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Ayanna rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Inside the spoiler is a part commentary as I read the thing (I read the last half away from my computer, so I couldn't comment as I went). It's probably out of order and not very coherent/cohesive. Oh, well.

(view spoiler)...more Inside the spoiler is a part commentary as I read the thing (I read the last half away from my computer, so I couldn't comment as I went). It's probably out of order and not very coherent/cohesive. Oh, well.

(view spoiler)

There wasn't enough actual tension. It's like the author wanted to, but was afraid to delve too deeply into it for fear of either falling into a pit that she can't climb back out of or of insulting someone.

Anyway, this is creating some rather odd Twilight parallels for me, but I think it's more because this book has me speaking in tropes, which, though amusing for me (very exasperating at times), is by no means a good sign for this book.

I'd be more inclined, I think to rate this a 2.5, because it was slightly amusing, albeit not the way the author intended (as in, in a sort of...farcical comedy way...).

(Anyway, the above is why I usually wait until AFTER I'm done reading to review [and then I just go on vague memory and whatever residual impression I have left] and any comments I might have I comment to friends through chat who have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about :D)(less)

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Oct 09, 2011 Top 2 Bottom Reviews Interviews and More rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. JC Owens has put together a story that is guaranteed to grab you and hold you and keep you there until it’s done with you. The Emperor’s Wolf is a story of war, of slavery, of loss, and of acceptance. Jaden, who is referred to as Black in the beginning of the story, is a slave to Mistress Mailyn, a terribly short tempered immoral woman who should have been hit by a bus at birth. Nothing about her, as written in the story can make me like her just a tiny bit no matter what she suffers. And sadly,...more

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Dec 06, 2010 Kassa rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

Emperor’s Wolf is a pretty typical JC Owens book. Like Gaven, Gaven 2, and Wings, this story takes place in a fantasy world that resembles ancient civilizations. Similar to ancient Greece or Rome mixed with some modern technology, the fantasy world revolves around fighting and a healthy dose of BDSM. The slave is not so much submissive as an intelligent, articulate, active man placed in slavery due to circumstance. Emperor’s Wolf doesn’t deviate from this format much but the story is s...more 3.5 stars

Emperor’s Wolf is a pretty typical JC Owens book. Like Gaven, Gaven 2, and Wings, this story takes place in a fantasy world that resembles ancient civilizations. Similar to ancient Greece or Rome mixed with some modern technology, the fantasy world revolves around fighting and a healthy dose of BDSM. The slave is not so much submissive as an intelligent, articulate, active man placed in slavery due to circumstance. Emperor’s Wolf doesn’t deviate from this format much but the story is still enjoyable to read.

The story follows Jaden, a soldier that’s been sold into slavery after his country was defeated in battle. Four years in sexual servitude to a sadistic woman has left Jaden a very angry, scared young man. His will to live and find his younger sister is what keeps him going despite the treatment and desolation. When he encounters the emperor of the country that had defeated his years ago, Jaden is convinced the man is a monster. Yet the emperor’s actions speak of fairness tempered with kindness and Jaden can’t help falling in love with the strong, gruff leader.

As I’ve said the plot isn’t terribly original. It’s very similar to the other books written by this author and fans of those will likely be pleased with this new couple and their antics. The sex scenes are as hot as always and the edge of rough, D/s adds a good spice to two very strong personalities. There are moments of tenderness and the love blooms slowly but surely between the two. The story definitely wants the reader to like Dersai, the emperor. Jaden constantly questions his preconceived notions with endless rhetorical questions in his mind so the reader is meant to like Dersai as well. That’s fine, if obvious, and is a theme that’s very familiar with Owens’ writing.

Both men are nicely developed and richly complex. Dersai shines as a strong, compassionate man who bears a heavy price for leadership. His treatment of Jaden is of course always caring and considerate while Jaden slowly comes to trust and desire Dersai. Their connection is immediate and the story plays this up with a good pace so their relationship makes sense while the reader understands why Jaden falls in love. The story follows their relationship the most with only a few outside influences and issues so there is low level conflict and tension. There is always the difference in their positions and the opposing alliances – Dersai to his country while Jaden struggles with alliance to his – but overall there’s no doubt these two will work things out.

The final tension is kind of obvious but still decently done. There are a few stumbles that didn’t make much sense, such as why the mystery and then the location of Jaden’s missing sister (sold back to their own country to live as a slave? That doesn’t make sense). But these are just details since the main focus is on the emotional and dramatic resolution and happy ending. I could suspend disbelief enough to go with the story easily.

The writing is pretty clean with an ease that makes these stories fun and fast to read. The descriptive quality is good, even if the world isn’t totally defined. It has a classic feel of mythology stories and I’m starting to recognize familiar elements and qualities of this author from novel to novel. I still like Gaven and Gaven 2 better but this is a very hot, entertaining story that I’d read again.
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Apr 01, 2011 Shira Anthony rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: captor-captive, m-m-slash, smut, to-re-read

Good lord, just thinking about this story gets me all hot and bothered! Yeah, I know, it's one of MANY slash fics with a captive protagonist falling in love with his captor, but this was better than just about any others I've read. So incredibly hot, angsty and wonderful - like that molten chocolate cake covered with chocolate sauce and...yummy! Deep? Well, maybe at times, but I didn't care one bit if it wasn't!

MILD SPOILERS FOLLOW: (view spoiler)...more Good lord, just thinking about this story gets me all hot and bothered! Yeah, I know, it's one of MANY slash fics with a captive protagonist falling in love with his captor, but this was better than just about any others I've read. So incredibly hot, angsty and wonderful - like that molten chocolate cake covered with chocolate sauce and...yummy! Deep? Well, maybe at times, but I didn't care one bit if it wasn't!

MILD SPOILERS FOLLOW: (view spoiler)

I've read J.C. Owens' "Gaven" books Gaven and The Bonding [Gaven 2], and I had very mixed feelings about them, partly because I felt they should have been one single book, not two shorter reads. But I had no such qualms about "The Emperor's Wolf" - this was a substantial read and very well-done. Minor editing mistakes here and there, but nothing that turned me off.

Well-written, and incredibly sexy (very, very hot sex scenes -warning, some are dub-con, at least at the beginning of Dersai and Jaden's relationship). The world-building here is good, with strong descriptions of surroundings that really lent the story a warmth and realism not often found in M/M slash. Great angst, although I'd love to have gotten a bit more of Dersai's character coming through (one of the downsides of first person narratives, in my opinion). Indulgent read? Yes, totally! Just like a really good dessert. One I'll be eating...I mean, reading again.

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Apr 13, 2012 Nicole rated it 2 of 5 stars

*sigh*.

I won't go into plot--I never do, since I'm never the first to read and review a book.

I wasn't disappointed in this book, since I wasn't expecting much, but it was just okay to me. My opinion of it may have suffered because the other slave book I read simultaneously was just so much better, but here goes my list.

The story was okay. Not original, but not overplayed for me yet. The downfall, for me, was the writing. The proofing was surprisingly good for the genre--it wasn't full of missp...more *sigh*.

I won't go into plot--I never do, since I'm never the first to read and review a book.

I wasn't disappointed in this book, since I wasn't expecting much, but it was just okay to me. My opinion of it may have suffered because the other slave book I read simultaneously was just so much better, but here goes my list.

The story was okay. Not original, but not overplayed for me yet. The downfall, for me, was the writing. The proofing was surprisingly good for the genre--it wasn't full of misspelled words. There were a couple of words that just don't exist and really didn't need to be coined--like 'trepidant', which is a Latin word; or 'incomprehensively', which should probably just have been 'wordlessly'. Then there was the misplaced 'undetermined age', instead of 'indeterminate age'. So editing is a problem, if not proofing.

But still, what really got me was the awkwardness of the prose. It didn't flow, it wasn't beautiful, and it was in the way. It brought attention to itself with its ungainliness. And by the time I got to the story's climax, I didn't want to read anymore. I finished because I hate to review a book I haven't finished; but only because of that. And I don't feel the finishing added anything to my experience, except the unambiguously happy ending that I knew was coming anyway.

The sex was really good and made it worth reading...until the sex stopped.

Once the problems were resolved, this book became so sappy, I no longer felt like I was reading about men. That's a pet peeve of mine, so I won't dwell on it--either it's a problem for you, too, or it's not. For most women, I have a feeling it's not.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to people who need their m/m to be well-written. If you're willing to overlook prose for some good sex and a happy ending, though, you could do worse. I wish I felt comfortable rating the myriad stories I start but can't even be bothered to finish, as they would lend some perspective to this review. But to temper this review, I'll only say, at least I could finish the book.(less)

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Nov 16, 2012 Jenre rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, fantasy, m-m, romance

I've no idea why I pulled this out of the TBR pile. JC Owens writes pretty decent master/slave fantasy romances which have enough in terms of emotion but are, on the whole, quite tame in terms of the slavery aspect. In this book Jaden has been captured, separated from his young sister and forced into slavery. On a diplomatic mission, his warlord (warlady?) mistress approaches the Emperor, Dersai, and asks for access through his lands which he grants as long as Jaden will remain as his slave. As...more

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Oct 20, 2011 Nile Princess rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: couldn-t-finish, d-s, fantasy-magic, m-m-romance, spoils-of-war, reviewed

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Over the last couple days, I have been on a J.C. Owens kick. I have read and LOVED Gaven, The Bonding and Wings and really liked Taken. This book though, I just couldn't get into. It's typical JC fare. Captured slave turn trusted lover..but it didn't work here.

Jaden, the slave, is presented as a strong, no nonsense character in the first few pages. He is muscular and brave and all the other sex slaves in the harem are afraid of him. Then he is captured by the Emperor (Dersai) and he turns into a...more Over the last couple days, I have been on a J.C. Owens kick. I have read and LOVED Gaven, The Bonding and Wings and really liked Taken. This book though, I just couldn't get into. It's typical JC fare. Captured slave turn trusted lover..but it didn't work here.

Jaden, the slave, is presented as a strong, no nonsense character in the first few pages. He is muscular and brave and all the other sex slaves in the harem are afraid of him. Then he is captured by the Emperor (Dersai) and he turns into a meek caricature of himself. I had a had time reconciling the two in my head. Dersai would also do things like pull Jaden into his lap...I thought Jaden was a big guy! The gratuitous sex throws things off from the start. In the other books, the sex is woven into the advancement of the slave's status so it works. Not so here. I found myself skimming early on, something that would never have happened with the first four stories.

The world building needed work. I was halfway through the book before the reasoning behind Dersai calling Jaden his wolf was made clear. Up until then you're just confused. We're constantly told that Dersai is feared and Jaden makes certain references that leads you to believe that Dersai is a shapeshifter, not to mention the fact that Dersai has wolf motifs incoroporated into his decor, but because DERSAI is the one calling JADEN his wolf, I kept thinking, 'Is Dersai the wolf? Is Jaden a wolf with latent powers? What the heck is going on??'

Believability was another issue. Jaden is brought in as a slave but in no time flat he's sleeping in Dersai's bed, being taught to read,given free reign of the training room, eating at the table and discussing politics. Really??

Issue 1. Though we later find out that Dersai saw Jaden in a dream and knows that Jaden is the one to help him control his beast, at the time, you're just thinking the pacing doesn't work because Jaden is given priveleges way too quickly. Also, Jaden's internal dialogue doesn't work as well as previous characters.

Issue 2. We're told that this is not Dersai and Jaden's first encounter. They met briefly during a prior battle between their homelands. Jaden was captured by Dersai but things got confused and Jaden was sold to another slave owner. Ok, so we already know that upon seeing Jaden even that first time, Dersai knew this was the man from this dreams - the one to tame his curse. So, knowing this, KNOWING that Jaden is somehow pre-destined to be his mate or salve to his curse or whatever, and knowing that Jaden was originally a soldier, not a harem slave, it doesn't make sense that Dersai treats Jaden like a slave in the first place! Dersai later has the gall, when Jaden helps him snap out of his demonic phase faster than anyone else ever managed before, to boohoo that he had seen it in a dream and searched all over for Jaden once he realized he had lost him after the previous battle....to make him kneel at Dersai's table?? Argh.

At 60% I couldn't take anymore. I was bored to tears and just annoyed that this book didn't live up to the caliber of the others.

Off now to read Dominion Of The Eth. I was warned that it will be an emotional read but I'm praying it'll be worth it in the end.(less)

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Oct 20, 2010 Nikyta rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-favs, cruelty-abuse, demons, scifi-fantasy, friends-or-enemies-to-lovers, injury-recovery, kidnapped-hostage-taken, m-m, master-slave, mates, military, royalty, warriors, bubbles-safe, loose-id, deception-betrayal-lies-omissions

One of the reasons I love J.C. Owen’s books so much is because she writes about all the stuff I love to read about: Master/slave relationships that turn into more, forced slavery, fantasy stories, mates and royalty with just a dash of cruelty/abuse and a happy ending.

The Emperor’s Wolf has all of those and coupled with the way J.C. can drag you into the story made this an instant must read to me. Add into it a possessive, cruel alpha that has a soft side and I just fell in love with this book.

F...more

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Nov 15, 2010 Feliz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, m-m

Jaden, a former soldier and prisoner of war, has been a slave in the harem of a wealthy woman for four years, his fighting spirit almost tortured out of him by his cruel mistress. The only thing that keeps him going is his determination to find a way to free his little sister who was captured together with him but torn from his side on the slave market. Jaden makes it through humiliation and disgust by taking his pride in his emotionlessness. But when Dersai, Emperor of Trenaden, claims Jaden as...more Jaden, a former soldier and prisoner of war, has been a slave in the harem of a wealthy woman for four years, his fighting spirit almost tortured out of him by his cruel mistress. The only thing that keeps him going is his determination to find a way to free his little sister who was captured together with him but torn from his side on the slave market. Jaden makes it through humiliation and disgust by taking his pride in his emotionlessness. But when Dersai, Emperor of Trenaden, claims Jaden as his tithe, Jaden's last resort threatens to fall to pieces. Although Dersai was the one who originally captivated Jaden, and although the Emperor is said to be demonic, cruel and beastly, Jaden finds himself inevitably drawn towards his new master. Slowly, the reluctant submission Dersai forces from his slave turns into something entirely different.

There was a lot to like about this fantasy story. The way Dersai, whom Jaden had looked upon as his nemesis, turned out so much more human than his former mistress, the way how Jaden found back from his almost animalistic vegetating to a full life by Dersai's care, it was simply heartwarming. On the other hand, Dersai had his own demon to fight (literally), and he had to learn to trust in someone. The courage and the foresight it took for the emperor to put this trust in a mere slave made Dersai a very likeable character. In fact, by the end of the story both Dersai and Jaden have grown, changed and turned to a new humanity which makes their HEA completely believable within the framework of their world.

The worldbuilding was another forte of this story. The background was a roughly medieval world with a feudal system and a mostly peasant population. When Trenaden's huge, robot-like war machines that run on some kind of fuel and automobile-like cars first came into play, it was some kind of "huh, what?" moment for me, which nevertheless added to the uniqueness of this world. Many aspects of it are not elaborated, like how people communicate or what kind of energy they use or whether there's some kind of industry or not, but this non elaborating is very skillfully done. The end result is some kind of medieval steampunk feeling with some supernatural elements thrown in.

The writing is flawless, very emotional at times, and the sex scenes are very, very hot. Jaden's and Dersai's relationship changes from Master/ slave to D/s to a loving partnership between equals. Also within the framework of their world, they always keep inherently consistent, true to their characters and believable. Both were very likeable too.

Even five-star reads have their niggles. This one used a big misunderstanding as means of conflict, and a quite far-fetched one to booth, but since it resulted in the most heartbreaking hurt/comfort resolution, it was forgiveable, in the end.

A story with lots of angst, featuring loveable, growing characters in an artfully sketched medieval fantasy world. Very entertaining, emotionally gripping and seriously recommended.-

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Oct 23, 2010 Wren rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, m-m

This book had a lot of potential, and I do love me some capture/slavery biz. It was a lovely story, and maybe that's the problem, as when it started out I expected more grit.

The progression of Jaden from slave to partner was slow and sweet, and his angst at ending up on the side of the "enemy" was appropriate. The resolution was broadcast well ahead of time, though, and carried out through the Big Misunderstanding, which I'm not fond of.

I had one pop-me-out-of-the-story moment where a characte...more

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Aug 24, 2012 BTina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, m-m-romance, prisoner-slave, length-2-short-10k-49k, read-2012, zz-mm-read, science-fiction

The story could have been really good but there were some discrepancies I didn't like.
(view spoiler)...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

An interesting, unique story that I greatly enjoyed. The sex scenes were hot and I loved seeing how Dersai and Jaden’s feelings for each other changed and grew. The only downside would be the lack of scenes with Rem. (view spoiler) I didn’t get what Rem’s purpose was at all whic...more

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Nov 05, 2010 Staceyr rated it 5 of 5 stars

In a battle between kingdoms good intentions go horribly wrong and a man has to find the strength and peace of mind to mend his shattered spirit and fractured dignity so he can fulfill his destiny; to control a demon and discover a love worthy of the fight…with the enemy.

I loved this book. A story of healing and hope, and finding the inner strength to face impossible odds, all of which lead to a sigh-worthy HEA. Told entirely in Jaden’s point of view, the reader is as much on edge about the Empe...more

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Mar 03, 2011 Deviant Divas rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: loose-id

A high-quality read, made me want to meet the character this novel is built on. The Emperor's Wolf is a story of coming to terms with manhood and love of service. Very clearly a 4 Diva Read. Hot sex and real human emotions built on a story of an interracial male relationship run through this novel of love and redemption
Reviewed by Charst46

The Emperor's Wolf is a decent read. It takes a bit to get into it and the last few chapters seemed rushed but the story of Jaden and Dersai is not a bad one....more

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Oct 28, 2010 Seregil rated it 3 of 5 stars

Interesting book, with a very NOT submisive slave, despite him being abused into perfect obedience.
It's set in a strange land which sounds like a mix of medieval times and mecha anime. I wish it was a bit more clear because the slavery and feudal system made me imediately imagine a clasic middle age like fantasy setting, but then it became clear I was very wrong.
I liked the fact that the romance evolved gradually and reasonably motivated (not out of the blue "I love you"). Even the emperor's in...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Kazza rated it 3 of 5 stars

This story was an easy, although not very well fleshed out, read.

The sex was pretty good. I do love a slave book or two, so it fit into that category, at first anyway.

The characters were not three dimensional, they just didn't quite fill out or develop enough. I felt I was being told things rather than shown, for example, I don't know how they retrieved his sister with the casualties that were sustained. She was just there in someone's arms. How did they know she was in Astoria, why did Dersai k...more

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Oct 22, 2011 Sammy2006 rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Emperor's Wolf is the first book I have read by author J.S. Owens. The story relates the fate of Jaiden, a soldier captured by a seemingly heartless emperor who has invaded Jaiden's homeland and destroyed much of it, killing the current King. Both Jaiden and his young sister Yamina are taken captive and we discover, through a short series of flashbacks that they are later separated at a slave auction and Jaiden is sent to a live a tortured life as a sex slave to the mistress Mailyn. She is a...more The Emperor's Wolf is the first book I have read by author J.S. Owens. The story relates the fate of Jaiden, a soldier captured by a seemingly heartless emperor who has invaded Jaiden's homeland and destroyed much of it, killing the current King. Both Jaiden and his young sister Yamina are taken captive and we discover, through a short series of flashbacks that they are later separated at a slave auction and Jaiden is sent to a live a tortured life as a sex slave to the mistress Mailyn. She is a cruel and heartless woman who rules her own army, using slaves for her pleasure and perverse torture. I was relieved that J.C. Owens opted not to have us dwell in the torture of the MC but rather reveal it to us through minor decriptive passages of Jaiden's various bruises and scars. Scars that were both physical and mental. It is these mental scars that he would have to overcome if he was to forgive the very emperor who he blamed for the selling of his sister and his horrid life as a slave. For you see the great plot twist is that in order to pay passage across the emperor's land for herself and her army Mailyn must give the emperor a gift and that would be Jaiden himself.

Thus follows the story of a slave who becomes consort...of a damaged soul who finds love and healing at the hands of a man who himself is tortured in mind and soul. They heal each other, all the while falling more and more deeply in love.

I liked this story a great deal. As it evolved I found myself learning more and more about Jaiden not only through the clever use of flashbacks toward the beginning of the story but through his own subconscious dialogue. The more he revealed about himself and his life, the more I fell in love. The reason I could not give this one 5 stars is because I did not come away feeling as though I had read a complete story. To me, important pieces were missing--more of Jaiden's younger life, more of his city's down fall and how his captain was captured and killed. His sister who reappears seemingly unscathed after several years as a slave at the end of the story was a little to neat of a tie-up for me--where had she been? I needed more than those few sentences saying she was okay--I wanted her story as well. And then there was Dersai, the emperor, and the inner demon that tortured him. Owens did a masterful job unpacking his legacy and the reason for the demon's existence throughout the generations in this family but I wanted to hear more about Dersai--feel his pain, understand what his life was like. Simply put, I wanted a longer story because this one was so damn good it left me needing to know more! So I leave this story with a 4.5 rating and I hope that Owens decides to do a pre-quel and a sequel so I can get just a bit more of these two and their incredible love story.(less)

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May 02, 2012 Paisley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: do-me-soldier, faves-mm-stories, type-mm-fantasy-hotness, mm-stories, do-me-your-majesty, so-hot-my-kindle-imploded, do-me-slave, faves-read-repeatedly, lendable-kindle

I really liked this story - I highly recommend reading the short, free prequel to it on JC Owens' website. It is a section from the beginning of the book that was edited out and gives a bit more depth to the story.

I like smutty tales of capture, love and destiny - they are one of my guilty pleasures in reading. I also enjoy tales that are a bit sappy and sweet too. This one has both in it. It has all the elements of a slave story but with a much better HEA than I have read in many of them - whic...more

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Jul 10, 2011 Lynnebaby rated it 3 of 5 stars

2.5 stars. On the fence about this one. The world they existed in was a bit confusing, with the technology being somewhat advanced and the caste/social structure seeming a lot less advanced. I also didn't get much of a sense who Dersai was. Everyone seemed to love him, but know one really knew him. I didn't believe that Jaden ever really got to know him on equal footing since he came in from the slave who was never treated with any kindness until now position. Just didn't all work well for me. I...more

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Jul 12, 2012 L.E.Olteano rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-review, reviewed

Fluttering Thoughts:

World Building: Interesting, but not overly detailed. We have a high fantasy sort of world, kingdoms, war, slave trade, curses and a demon.
Characters: Jaden was cool but he didn't reach me a lot. I was sympathetic to his situation of course, but we didn't much connect beyond that. When Dersai showed up their chemistry really won me over, and as a character I think I found Dersai more interesting and charismatic. But them, as a couple, I really liked.
Plot: Fun but not overly a...more

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Dec 06, 2011 The UHQ Nasanta rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-revise, read-books-2011, bleh, could-have-been-better, e-books, e-books-fictionwise, erotic-a, erotic-a-dub-con, erotic-a-m-m, erotic-a-sci-fi-or-fantasy, erotic-a-slaves, form-short-story-novella, m-m-0-romance, m-m-enemies-to-lovers, m-m-fantasy-sci-fi, own, not-quite-the-story-i-want, genre-fantasy-steampunk

2.5 stars

Review in progress

Despite my disappointment with Gaven, I ended up really liking Wings which is why when I approached this book, I was hopeful that I would enjoy it as much. I'm not sure what it was exactly but this book didn't work for me. "Wings" managed to draw me in so well that, while I had been aware of its defects, they nevertheless failed to distract me from the story. In "The Emperor's Wolf", all those same defects came crashing down on me, leaving me wincing and reluctant to c...more

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Sep 27, 2011 Dee Wy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, m-m-paranormal, slave-captive-prisoner

As a soldier, Jaden is defeated in battle and witness to Dersai, Emperor of Tranaden, killing Jaden's fellow soldier with a single bare hand around his throat and his black eyes glittering with evil.

Shortly after, Jaden is taken along with his 6 year-old sister to a slave auction where they are sold to different households. After years of abusive treatment by his mistress, Jaden suddenly finds himself owned by the feared enemy that ruined his life. Fear and hatred consume him and he looks for ev...more

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Apr 21, 2012 Wendy (wluvsbooks) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: sex-bdsm-kink, app-ereader, 5stars, genre-paranormal, sex-partner-mm, sex-dubcon-noncon, genre-fantasy

This one hit just a few (okay…, many:) hot buttons and I’d gladly read it all over again! I admit, I’m a bit of a fan for the slave/captive storyline. I really loved the progression of the relationship between Jaden and Dersai and how they ultimately helped one another. For one, it was in overcoming the years of pain and degradation to become a man again, and for the other, it was in overcoming a demon determined to destroy his very essence. The fact that the intimate scenes between them were sc...more

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Oct 11, 2011 Michele Montgomery added it

Shelves: m-m, for-review-bog

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. JC Owens has put together a story that is guaranteed to grab you and hold you and keep you there until it’s done with you. The Emperor’s Wolf is a story of war, of slavery, of loss, and of acceptance. Jaden, who is referred to as Black in the beginning of the story, is a slave to Mistress Mailyn, a terribly short tempered immoral woman who should have been hit by a bus at birth. Nothing about her, as written in the story can make me like her just a tiny bit no matter what she suffers. And sadly,...more

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May 17, 2013 Teetee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book! This was a reread, and it i noticed a few things in the second reading that i missed in the first but only because it was so good the first time i read it that i sped through! Great story, great romance, Dersai and Jaden compliment each other so well, Jaden is someone that Dersai can be himself with and not just the all powerful emperor. I love Jaden's protectivness towards Dersai and loved Dersai's 'gentling' of his wolf in the beginning. Really great book and great worldbuildi...more

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Sep 03, 2011 Antonella rated it 3 of 5 stars

I did like the two MCs, they were not flat.
I will give a try to the other series of this author, seeing that everybody says it is (even) better...

The negative points IMO:
- Jaden's internal dialog is not always believable
- the world building is quite non-existent: I don't mean I wanted explanations, but more bits woven into the
story for a better understanding of this world
- there is too much gratuitous sex
- the story is weak in the end, starting with the ''misunderstanding''.

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