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Davlova #1
Release
a poverty-ridden city-state ruled by a tyrannical upper class. Resources are scarce and technology is illegal. But in the slums, revolution is brewing. Misha is a common pickpocket until his boss gives him a new job. Disguised as a whore, Misha is sent to work for one of the most powerful men in the city. But his real task is far more get close to Miguel Donato, and find something – anything – that will help topple Davlova’s corrupt government. Misha is plunged into the decadent world of the upper class, where slaves are common and even the most perverse pleasure can be found. Although he’s sure Davlova’s elite is involved in something horrific, proof is hard to come by, and Misha begins to fall in love with the man he’s supposed to betray. Then Misha meets Ayo – a sex slave forced by the neural implant in his brain to take pleasure from pain – and everything changes. As the lower class pushes toward a bloody revolution, Misha will find himself caught between his surprising feelings for Donato, his obligations to his clan, and his determination to save Ayo. This book contains graphic descriptions of violent sexual acts of questionable consent that may be disturbing to some readers. Previously published under the pen name A.M. Sexton.
257 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2014
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December 26, 2017
Never thought I'd read a Marie Sexton due to the reason pictured below...
But will you look at this! Marie Sexton goes dark and creepy, you guys! She even adopted a new pen name, A.M. Sexton, for what she calls a “dark, kinky, semi-cyberpunk novel”. It’s a shame I can’t make comparisons to Sexton’s ‘fluffier’ works, as I haven’t read any of those yet. But what I can do, is comment on the promised darkness of this story. Was it really necessary to adopt a new pen name for this book? For the fans of her earlier work; perhaps so. Release will probably throw you if you pick it up expecting a romantic stroll in the park. At the same time, the overall tone and atmosphere of this book aren’t THAT grim. This is not your average romance, but with the exception of maybe two uncomfortable scenes, neither is this book a stomach-churning or chilling experience.
More than anything, Sexton takes you on an adventure against the backdrop of a society that’s on the verge of collapse. When MC Misha agrees to spy on a highly positioned member of the despised elite by becoming his exclusive rent boy, he accepts a dangerous double role. And with a revolution brewing, there’s always the inevitable risk of getting caught on the wrong side in the heat of the moment.
Most interesting I found the confusing relationship Misha develops with his dangerous client Donato. Now, it’s probably only logical that lines tend to get blurry when your existence revolves around being a rich man’s favorite, spoiled fuck toy. More exciting is the seeming complexity Sexton provides Donato with. He is not a cookie-cutter villain, nor is he the knight in shining armor in what could easily have become a Pretty Woman trope. Think of him as a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. You could say that he, too, suffers from a multiple-personality disorder, with the difference that he is well aware of both his personalities. While I basically enjoyed the anguish and the potential for heartbreak Donato’s character offered, I would have preferred a less cut-out psychological disorder. An undercurrent of continued unpredictability and creepiness would’ve packed more of a punch than a character who, let’s say, announces his Mr. Hyde in advance, after which the author simply turns the switch, et voilà.
As I mentioned, I have no idea what Sexton’s other works are like, but I found Release to be stronger plot-wise than character-wise. In fact, despite the first person past tense narrative, that usually allows you as a reader to form an intimate bond with the MC, Misha was surprisingly forgettable. Though his exotic looks and afro hairdo deserve special mention. Add to that Donato, a man in his forties with gray temples, and I feel the urge to rave a little. To be presented with not one, but two MCs who don’t fit the popular Ken doll mold, woah!
For Release’s world, characters and plot to convince this should’ve been a much longer book. It’s nearly impossible to not rush creating a complex society and highlight and flesh out its various key players, incorporate an espionage act that has the potential to evolve into either a Stockholm Syndrome-ish or romantic connection, rough sex scenes and, on top of that, include an storyline involving an abused sex doll (a technological masterpiece whose existence is a mystery on its own) in only 220 (ebook) pages! No wonder that several somethings have to give. Most noticeably; depth in general. Release is therefore a successful exploration of multiple interesting darker ideas, but it doesn’t completely satisfy. I guess it’s up to the sequel to come up with answers and wrap up a number of loose threads. I’m looking forward to it!
Check out the blog tour and giveaway!
But will you look at this! Marie Sexton goes dark and creepy, you guys! She even adopted a new pen name, A.M. Sexton, for what she calls a “dark, kinky, semi-cyberpunk novel”. It’s a shame I can’t make comparisons to Sexton’s ‘fluffier’ works, as I haven’t read any of those yet. But what I can do, is comment on the promised darkness of this story. Was it really necessary to adopt a new pen name for this book? For the fans of her earlier work; perhaps so. Release will probably throw you if you pick it up expecting a romantic stroll in the park. At the same time, the overall tone and atmosphere of this book aren’t THAT grim. This is not your average romance, but with the exception of maybe two uncomfortable scenes, neither is this book a stomach-churning or chilling experience.
More than anything, Sexton takes you on an adventure against the backdrop of a society that’s on the verge of collapse. When MC Misha agrees to spy on a highly positioned member of the despised elite by becoming his exclusive rent boy, he accepts a dangerous double role. And with a revolution brewing, there’s always the inevitable risk of getting caught on the wrong side in the heat of the moment.
Most interesting I found the confusing relationship Misha develops with his dangerous client Donato. Now, it’s probably only logical that lines tend to get blurry when your existence revolves around being a rich man’s favorite, spoiled fuck toy. More exciting is the seeming complexity Sexton provides Donato with. He is not a cookie-cutter villain, nor is he the knight in shining armor in what could easily have become a Pretty Woman trope. Think of him as a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. You could say that he, too, suffers from a multiple-personality disorder, with the difference that he is well aware of both his personalities. While I basically enjoyed the anguish and the potential for heartbreak Donato’s character offered, I would have preferred a less cut-out psychological disorder. An undercurrent of continued unpredictability and creepiness would’ve packed more of a punch than a character who, let’s say, announces his Mr. Hyde in advance, after which the author simply turns the switch, et voilà.
As I mentioned, I have no idea what Sexton’s other works are like, but I found Release to be stronger plot-wise than character-wise. In fact, despite the first person past tense narrative, that usually allows you as a reader to form an intimate bond with the MC, Misha was surprisingly forgettable. Though his exotic looks and afro hairdo deserve special mention. Add to that Donato, a man in his forties with gray temples, and I feel the urge to rave a little. To be presented with not one, but two MCs who don’t fit the popular Ken doll mold, woah!
For Release’s world, characters and plot to convince this should’ve been a much longer book. It’s nearly impossible to not rush creating a complex society and highlight and flesh out its various key players, incorporate an espionage act that has the potential to evolve into either a Stockholm Syndrome-ish or romantic connection, rough sex scenes and, on top of that, include an storyline involving an abused sex doll (a technological masterpiece whose existence is a mystery on its own) in only 220 (ebook) pages! No wonder that several somethings have to give. Most noticeably; depth in general. Release is therefore a successful exploration of multiple interesting darker ideas, but it doesn’t completely satisfy. I guess it’s up to the sequel to come up with answers and wrap up a number of loose threads. I’m looking forward to it!
Check out the blog tour and giveaway!
September 1, 2015
OMG YOU GUYYYYZZZZZZZ. THIS BOOK IS FREE ON AMAZON RIGHT NOW AND IT'S SO GOOD.
The most lush and enchanting violence I've ever had the pleasure of reading.
The most lush and enchanting violence I've ever had the pleasure of reading.
July 4, 2014
Holy-fuck-me-sideways this book was good!
I can't even!
How can I both adore and loathe a character at the same time? I mean, this character, this villain captured my heart yet I was also driven to rage at what he'd done - numerous times. Over and over and OVER again.
I picked this book up on a whim. I read the blurb and thought it would be an interesting read. Boy was it ever! It grabbed hold of me from the first word and didn't let go until the end.
There's no way I can even begin to give a proper review. I'm still in tears after finishing. The ending was absolutely perfect in my opinion.
This is a dark book. It's twisted and violent and wrong. But I couldn't stop reading it to save my life. My life was put on hold while I read this. I didn't eat. I didn't speak to my family. I had to finish this book.
The author said at the beginning of the book that it took her two years to write this. Consider it two years well spent.
BRAVO!
September 6, 2015
I treasure books, I don't use a bookmark, turn pages, I'm careful not to break the spine. If this was book not an ebook I'd have hurled it at the wall then stamped on it!
The start is well written, amazing sense of place; weight of the air, every sense engaged, Misha an appealing niave narrator. There's no doubt Sexton can write. I was drawn in.
Then. Nothing. The world instead of expanding narrows to Misha's headspace, world-building is forgotten. It's like looking at an oil painting; I can tell you what Misha is wearing and the texture of the fabrics, but beyond that - nothing.
Sex happens. It happens a lot. I thought it would be brutal and have me turning away but Misha is drugged for maybe 98% of the book so it just is. It happens. No reactions.
Ayo - wired to like pain. He looks 18 - lets forget he's been there for at least 3years and looks 14! I got the impression ability to make him cum was more important than actually saving him. I'm not convinced the mix of genetic/implant science makes any sense at all.
Donato - FUCK THAT SHIT - An abuser is an abuser. The end. There's no dual personalities and someone to love in there. Was Sexton aiming to evoke Stockholm horror or writing a dark romance? - I don't know or care. It horrified me - not the darkness but the 'love'. It's the lie abused people kid themselves with over and over. It is not acceptable.
As a reader it's impossible to know where we're being lead. The world so narrowed down to these two characters there's no clue.
For a non-romance the story is all Misha's time with Donato, little beyond that. His purpose there is forgotten along with any pretense of plot.
I struggled to half-way feeling mostly indifferent, from there was torn between anger and the desire to hurl,I gave up at 70something% insomnia - I skimmed to the end - it did not endear me
This was a freebie. I'd not read the sequel if paid to!
The start is well written, amazing sense of place; weight of the air, every sense engaged, Misha an appealing niave narrator. There's no doubt Sexton can write. I was drawn in.
Then. Nothing. The world instead of expanding narrows to Misha's headspace, world-building is forgotten. It's like looking at an oil painting; I can tell you what Misha is wearing and the texture of the fabrics, but beyond that - nothing.
Sex happens. It happens a lot. I thought it would be brutal and have me turning away but Misha is drugged for maybe 98% of the book so it just is. It happens. No reactions.
Ayo - wired to like pain. He looks 18 - lets forget he's been there for at least 3years and looks 14! I got the impression ability to make him cum was more important than actually saving him. I'm not convinced the mix of genetic/implant science makes any sense at all.
Donato - FUCK THAT SHIT - An abuser is an abuser. The end. There's no dual personalities and someone to love in there. Was Sexton aiming to evoke Stockholm horror or writing a dark romance? - I don't know or care. It horrified me - not the darkness but the 'love'. It's the lie abused people kid themselves with over and over. It is not acceptable.
As a reader it's impossible to know where we're being lead. The world so narrowed down to these two characters there's no clue.
For a non-romance the story is all Misha's time with Donato, little beyond that. His purpose there is forgotten along with any pretense of plot.
I struggled to half-way feeling mostly indifferent, from there was torn between anger and the desire to hurl,
This was a freebie. I'd not read the sequel if paid to!
Read
September 5, 2015DNF 56%
I really wanted to like this one but my reaction can be summed up as
Except for when I read the words "Oh, Miguel. Don't make me love you again." And then my reaction was
It's not that I actively disliked it, it's just that I felt like I couldn't connect to it in any way. Not my thing, I guess.
Want to read
March 13, 2019Kindle freebie 3/13/19
September 6, 2015
This was technically very well written, only it had no story. It bored me quickly, even though the first pages drew me in.
I usually enjoy scifi or spec tortureporn, but to do so I need to be in on the emotions of the violence, Misha was so completely and regularly drugged out of it, that there was nothing to titillate me. It was just boring.
Then, I am really the wrong addressee for hebephilia fodder. I know it's a thing for many readers, but I am simply disgusted by it. Teenagers made to look more like teenagers or younger teenagers and sex with them, forced or not, doesn't do a thing for me either.
Which would have left the worldbuilding, but there wasn't much there after the first few pages. Meep says it best in her review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
So, well-written prose, but the je-ne-sais-quoi is missing.
I usually enjoy scifi or spec tortureporn, but to do so I need to be in on the emotions of the violence, Misha was so completely and regularly drugged out of it, that there was nothing to titillate me. It was just boring.
Then, I am really the wrong addressee for hebephilia fodder. I know it's a thing for many readers, but I am simply disgusted by it. Teenagers made to look more like teenagers or younger teenagers and sex with them, forced or not, doesn't do a thing for me either.
Which would have left the worldbuilding, but there wasn't much there after the first few pages. Meep says it best in her review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
So, well-written prose, but the je-ne-sais-quoi is missing.
July 13, 2015
4.5 stars. Wow, I devoured this one! The abusive relationship is a bit frustrating, but the end is perfect. Highly recommend this dark, lush novel to dystopian lovers.
March 18, 2015
4.5 stars
I find myself wanting to read fewer fantasies these days because I just don’t find many of them that well done. Or, at least, of interest to me.
Not so, this one.
I was hooked from the start; the world building is engrossing, the writing is excellent. Written under another pseudonym, I guessed that Ms Sexton would still deliver something entertaining and sensual. But herein lies a darker tale than the usual.
This is a dystopian fantasy set in an island world physically divided by a white wall with the aristocracy living uphill and the peons down. So, the rich are very, very rich and the poor… well, things aren’t going well at all, and a rebellion might be brewing in the trenches.
We get to see this world through young Misha’s eyes. He’s a street hustler, working for his clan of grifters, willing to run whatever con will get him ahead. He’s also very clever and physically beautiful, exotic, and tending towards androgynous. When Misha’s services are bought by the wealthy aristo and council member, Miguel Donato, he is tasked to do some spying. It’s dangerous work, but Misha may finally have that chance at a better life for himself and his clan.
Trouble starts when Misha starts developing feelings for Donato. And that’s when the real fun begins. This Donato is a kind of Jekyll/Hyde character… sometimes he’s the generous and tender Miguel, but most days he’s the cold and sadistic Donato. When Misha meets Donato’s live-in slave, Ayo, things get further complicated. Ayo has been engineered for pain. He gets off on it. Kind of. The sexual violence is extreme and disturbing (heed the tags). But Misha’s gentler sensibilities start taking over and he feels a responsibility for the younger boy.
While I really enjoyed this story, it didn’t read as a romance. It leans more towards dark erotica. Donato is a sadistic abuser and Misha is paid to go along with it. He and Donato do have some sweet moments (the sensual depravity is succulent) but these are too overshadowed by all the evil. We never get inside Donato’s head and I really want to know where this split personality comes from. So we know him simply as an abuser and my sympathies are never engaged for Misha and Donato as a couple. And Misha’s feelings for Ayo, at this point, are more protective than anything else.
This is the first in a series and it’s a great start. I will definitely be reading more. Hopefully we'll get more about the bioengineering/brainwashing. (Aside… Release reminded me a bit of another book, The Adorned by John Tristan, with similarities in the class structure and tensions and the importance of tattoos in the story, yet in a different way.) At the end of Release we are left with our heroes ‘out to sea’ literally and figuratively. The book’s title is so apt in different ways, but what are Misha and Ayo released to?
July 24, 2015
This review has been cross-posted atReviews By Jessewave
4.6 Stars
I will start by saying that Release is a dark read and won't be for everyone. It was an intense book to read and it's taken me a while to get my thoughts together regarding it. Even if you normally like Marie Sexton's writing, this book is very different than her norm, hence the pseudonym. You'll likely either love it or hate it. I loved it. Heed the book warning, though; some of the content is difficult to read. It's dark and pulls no punches. It's graphic and violent but also beautiful. The main and supporting characters can't be described in just a couple words, but rather they are complex creatures in complex situations. Release certainly pushed a boundary or two for me. I like to read books, every now and again, that push my boundaries, because it keeps my reading from becoming stale. But before you delve into the Davlova universe, just know that it isn't pretty. In fact, it's a pretty barbaric place. A.M. Sexton said it took her two years to write Release. The result was well worth the wait.
There is such a disparity between the rich and the poor, in Davlova, and the way the rich treat the poor is not comforting. Whores and slaves are often used and discarded and all too often abused horribly, I suspect. Children are abandoned only to be taken in by clans of thieves. Life doesn't seem mean a whole lot. And in Davlova, the only people allowed to use precious electricity are the nobles. They have all the money and all the power (literally and figuratively). And Davlova, being an island, is isolated from whatever lies beyond. It's not an easy place to be.
Misha is a thief, working for one of the largest clans in the city. He's worked for Anzhéla for 13 years, since he was orphaned at 10. Though Misha does occasionally turn tricks, it's mostly to set up marks for his fellow thieves to pick-pocket later. He does not consider himself a whore. So, when Anzhéla summons him to take a job at a whorehouse in order to get close to a particular client, he's not happy about it. Anzhéla won't force him to do it, but she does heavily encourage it. I don't think Misha was really equipped to refuse her. He credits her with saving his life many times over and even if she doesn't hold it over his head, he sure does.
Anzhéla runs the clan with her transgender partner Frey. I rather liked Frey. He got more page time than Anzhéla and was a sympathetic character. He was kind of a father figure to Misha. Frey comes from the wealth of the inner city and was meant to be a doctor, but the fact that he could not conform to societies expectations, set him on a different path. Anzhéla is a pragmatic woman. She does care a great deal for her charges and takes as good of care of them as she possibly can, but she also looks at the big picture and she's got an endgame in mind and it isn't until midway through the story that I figured out what some of it meant. Anzhéla has her hands in a lot of pies and I don't think anyone other than Frey really knows all the things that Anzhéla is involved in.
It isn't often that an author can write a character, much less an MC, that I both like and loathe. A.M. Sexton managed to do that here, though. Miguel Donato is not only one of the city's pureborn elite, he is the city's judge, jury and executioner. His reputation does not speak of a nice man, or even a compassionate one. No, Donato's reputation speaks of a cruel man, sick with power. However, he is a complicated man. He can be cruel, yes, especially to Ayo, but he can also be loving and giving. Most of the time he is demanding and a bit forceful, but neither cruel nor loving. I wouldn't say he's a good man. Not at all. He does feel guilt for letting his temper get away from him, but many abusers do. But sometimes he shows a vulnerability that makes it hard to hate him and that is what Misha struggles with the most. I struggled with it, too. Donato hated himself, probably more than anyone else could hate him, but, in many ways, he was trapped in the life he led.
And Ayo, Donato's slave - my heart hurt so much for him. He doesn't know, exactly, how old he is. He estimates he's somewhere between 17 and 20, but his memories from before he came to live with Donato are really fuzzy. He has a neural implant that makes thinking about certain things impossible and also controls certain responses. He cannot kill himself, though he has often wished to die. Also, he is conditioned to respond sexually to pain. He hates it and he cries and begs for more. The begging fills him with shame, but he literally cannot help it. And he's never allowed to come. Only one a certain word can trigger it and it's never been uttered. That poor boy. Looking at the cover for the next book, Return, it would appear that we'll be seeing a lot more of Ayo. I'm glad that's so. And I hope he is able to find some happiness. More than anyone in Release, he deserves it.
I do think that Release ended exactly the way it needed to end, even though that last chapter brought me to full on tears, and just thinking about it threatens to do so again. It was heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. And the story is, most definitely, not done. There is no resolution, and in fact, things are left at a very uncertain place. Tragic and hopeful, but still uncertain.
And for those readers that require an HEA, well, you won't actually find that here. Release is not that kind of story. It's dark and at times cruel and punishing. But the story isn't actually complete, so we'll see what the conclusion brings when Return is released in August. I have my hopes about how it will end, but I don't dare give them light.
4.6 Stars
I will start by saying that Release is a dark read and won't be for everyone. It was an intense book to read and it's taken me a while to get my thoughts together regarding it. Even if you normally like Marie Sexton's writing, this book is very different than her norm, hence the pseudonym. You'll likely either love it or hate it. I loved it. Heed the book warning, though; some of the content is difficult to read. It's dark and pulls no punches. It's graphic and violent but also beautiful. The main and supporting characters can't be described in just a couple words, but rather they are complex creatures in complex situations. Release certainly pushed a boundary or two for me. I like to read books, every now and again, that push my boundaries, because it keeps my reading from becoming stale. But before you delve into the Davlova universe, just know that it isn't pretty. In fact, it's a pretty barbaric place. A.M. Sexton said it took her two years to write Release. The result was well worth the wait.
There is such a disparity between the rich and the poor, in Davlova, and the way the rich treat the poor is not comforting. Whores and slaves are often used and discarded and all too often abused horribly, I suspect. Children are abandoned only to be taken in by clans of thieves. Life doesn't seem mean a whole lot. And in Davlova, the only people allowed to use precious electricity are the nobles. They have all the money and all the power (literally and figuratively). And Davlova, being an island, is isolated from whatever lies beyond. It's not an easy place to be.
Misha is a thief, working for one of the largest clans in the city. He's worked for Anzhéla for 13 years, since he was orphaned at 10. Though Misha does occasionally turn tricks, it's mostly to set up marks for his fellow thieves to pick-pocket later. He does not consider himself a whore. So, when Anzhéla summons him to take a job at a whorehouse in order to get close to a particular client, he's not happy about it. Anzhéla won't force him to do it, but she does heavily encourage it. I don't think Misha was really equipped to refuse her. He credits her with saving his life many times over and even if she doesn't hold it over his head, he sure does.
Anzhéla runs the clan with her transgender partner Frey. I rather liked Frey. He got more page time than Anzhéla and was a sympathetic character. He was kind of a father figure to Misha. Frey comes from the wealth of the inner city and was meant to be a doctor, but the fact that he could not conform to societies expectations, set him on a different path. Anzhéla is a pragmatic woman. She does care a great deal for her charges and takes as good of care of them as she possibly can, but she also looks at the big picture and she's got an endgame in mind and it isn't until midway through the story that I figured out what some of it meant. Anzhéla has her hands in a lot of pies and I don't think anyone other than Frey really knows all the things that Anzhéla is involved in.
It isn't often that an author can write a character, much less an MC, that I both like and loathe. A.M. Sexton managed to do that here, though. Miguel Donato is not only one of the city's pureborn elite, he is the city's judge, jury and executioner. His reputation does not speak of a nice man, or even a compassionate one. No, Donato's reputation speaks of a cruel man, sick with power. However, he is a complicated man. He can be cruel, yes, especially to Ayo, but he can also be loving and giving. Most of the time he is demanding and a bit forceful, but neither cruel nor loving. I wouldn't say he's a good man. Not at all. He does feel guilt for letting his temper get away from him, but many abusers do. But sometimes he shows a vulnerability that makes it hard to hate him and that is what Misha struggles with the most. I struggled with it, too. Donato hated himself, probably more than anyone else could hate him, but, in many ways, he was trapped in the life he led.
And Ayo, Donato's slave - my heart hurt so much for him. He doesn't know, exactly, how old he is. He estimates he's somewhere between 17 and 20, but his memories from before he came to live with Donato are really fuzzy. He has a neural implant that makes thinking about certain things impossible and also controls certain responses. He cannot kill himself, though he has often wished to die. Also, he is conditioned to respond sexually to pain. He hates it and he cries and begs for more. The begging fills him with shame, but he literally cannot help it. And he's never allowed to come. Only one a certain word can trigger it and it's never been uttered. That poor boy. Looking at the cover for the next book, Return, it would appear that we'll be seeing a lot more of Ayo. I'm glad that's so. And I hope he is able to find some happiness. More than anyone in Release, he deserves it.
I do think that Release ended exactly the way it needed to end, even though that last chapter brought me to full on tears, and just thinking about it threatens to do so again. It was heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. And the story is, most definitely, not done. There is no resolution, and in fact, things are left at a very uncertain place. Tragic and hopeful, but still uncertain.
And for those readers that require an HEA, well, you won't actually find that here. Release is not that kind of story. It's dark and at times cruel and punishing. But the story isn't actually complete, so we'll see what the conclusion brings when Return is released in August. I have my hopes about how it will end, but I don't dare give them light.
July 20, 2014
Marie Sexton is pretty much hit and miss for me and frankly, there were more misses. :\
But dystopian setting and the fact that this was marketed as her "venture into darker waters" piqued my interest enough to give it a try.
Ok, I'll start with world-building. The story is set in Davlova and in a way, the city is another character because it plays a huge role by the end. Davlova reminded me very much of maritime republics, medieval itallian city-states. It's self-governing, it's a port-city and overseas trade seems to be a huge deal. I really liked the look of Davlova, but social structure was somewhat lazily delivered, in my opinion, which I realized only when I finished reading. Rich people, aristocrats live up on the hill, poor people are down in trenches. At first look, it seems it's two-class society, clearly divided, but Sexton tried in one scene where Misha walks around Davlova to convince us there are more layers, but frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if you miss it, since they never really come into play. There is a full-on segregation going on- people on the hill hold every productive resource in their hands and they have force to back all that up. They are even physically separated by huge wall. At one point Misha said that festival (opening scene) is the only day that money from the hill pours into trenches in any volume. Combining that with the fact that rich doesn't have to pay, only take what they want (Benedict as Thalia's) I am surprised Davlova managed to keep that kind of status quo for years. There are also few things mentioned along the way without any real reason... like for example, aristocrats are called pureborn and they have blue "spidery" tattoo on their face written in ancient language. Pureborn as in...what? What makes them pureborn; who would be their descendents? It didn't resemble in any way to monarchy so we can make some kind of connection to nobility...and tattoos are completely unexplained. They just are. Gah, obviously I put too much effort and thinking into this; I don't think we were supposed to.-__-
Some of you this may seem as exaggerating, but you can see from the blurb that revolution is kind of a big deal. And I was excited about that, I paid attention, wanted to know what made these people going bonkers (Davlova is the name of series, ffs), especially since author insisted this is not a mm romance.
This ties perfectly to another thing. Revolution is important for everyone except our hero. He is sent to be a whore for this rich, aristocrat guy so he can gather important information, but I swear, he was the worst valentine spy I ever read. For a non-romantic book we are spending a hell of a lot of time on his relationship with Donato. i am not talking just about page time- we are in Misha's head for entirety of this novel and even I forgot few times why was he sent to Donato in the first place. All Misha does is dwelling on his conflicting feelings toward this guy. I swear, I was reading and in a crucial scene I was like "Oh, yeah, he is supposed to dig for info..." :\
Now all of this is not a big deal and I would not give it that much importance if Sexton didn't do one thing I simply can not overlook.
I was thinking that maybe Sexton insisted that this is not a mm romance because Donato is not a "romance hero" material. Donato is dark. Like really, really dark. He likes to humiliate and beat up and torture and call Misha whore and other cute names like filth and scum, but that's not anything new I read. So, yeah, Donato is bad news. In true abuser fashion, he even beats Misha up and tries to make amends after with gifts and being all gentle and sweet... And here is where I go mad.
Sexton wrote sentences like these:
"It's the beast in me. I can't help it."
"These meetings I’ll be attending, it’s a foul business. When I return, the beast is always tugging at his leash.”
and even worse is what Misha is thinking:
"But the man who’d kicked me in the stomach wasn’t the man I’d spent the night with. That was some other person. Some thing. It was the beast that ruled him when he lost control. But the man I’d been with on the yacht, Miguel, was somebody else entirely. Generous and passionate."
"I hate Donato, but not you, Miguel. I love you with all my heart.”
To be abusive toward someone is not a matter of beast, it's not uncontrollable and it is not a split personality thing. Abusers are abusive by choice, and the fact that Sexton tried to justify this thing about Donato pissed me off. There is no Miguel and Donato, it's all one man and he tortured and beat Misha not because he couldn't help it, but because he is an abuser. And the fact that his victim (and we were supposed to as well, by him as proxy) is making excuses for him is more horrifying and despicable thing than abuse itself.
Just no.
I would respect Sexton more if she stuck to her guns and showed Donato for what he is. I know it takes guts to write a story about a boy whose first love is a truly bad guy and whose relationship is toxic and doomed and it just can't end up well. But this.... just no.
June 22, 2014
4.5 star review by The Blogger Girls.
This story called to me immediately. I don’t think I even associated this with the author’s other work, but it wouldn’t have mattered either way because this just sounded interesting from the cover to the title and right down to the blurb.
Davlova is a dark and gritty world. There are two sides, the rich or elite people running the government on one side of the wall, and the peasants or lesser people on the other. Those same people are on the verge of rebellion, just waiting for that extra push to make it happen. There are some working to gain proof of the elite/government atrocities to help with that cause.
Misha was a clever pickpocket (a popular profession) until his boss convinced him to become the exclusive rent boy of one of the elite in order to gain inside information. Things get pretty harsh between Misha and Donato. He is used pretty hard and quite often beaten, though he hangs in there for the cause. Then Donato makes a change and shows an entirely different side. Donato is quite horrible, but then his personality splits and we meet Miguel, sweet and caring. Misha is so conflicted between the two and seeing a chance at something good, only to have it quashed when Donato reappears. Donato is fully aware of his issues and warns Misha of them as well, but that doesn’t make it any easier to accept.
Then there is Ayo. Sweet, sweet Ayo. He is a dollhouse slave, or a slave reconditioned and reprogrammed to be just what the client needs. In his case, he needs pain to feel pleasure and he cannot find release unless or until a trigger word is spoken, though that word is not known to any but the owner. Donato is ruthless where Ayo is concerned. Truly horrible. But Misha doesn’t give up wanting to help him. So, Misha is once again torn into different directions.
There is a lot going on here with the slaves and the government and with Misha in general. While it seems as though Misha isn’t getting anywhere information-wise where Donato is concerned, there is stuff happening all around and he is able to learn enough details here and there to set things in motion.
This has quite the exciting ending, though it wasn’t nearly what I was expecting and certainly didn’t see it coming. I was riveted to every page of this though I did have some questions along the way and was a bit confused here and there about why certain things were happening. There isn’t a typical relationship or romance here, but the characters will win you over regardless. Things are a little bit up in the air which I assume is the lead in to the next book in this series, which I am really looking forward to reading.
This story called to me immediately. I don’t think I even associated this with the author’s other work, but it wouldn’t have mattered either way because this just sounded interesting from the cover to the title and right down to the blurb.
Davlova is a dark and gritty world. There are two sides, the rich or elite people running the government on one side of the wall, and the peasants or lesser people on the other. Those same people are on the verge of rebellion, just waiting for that extra push to make it happen. There are some working to gain proof of the elite/government atrocities to help with that cause.
Misha was a clever pickpocket (a popular profession) until his boss convinced him to become the exclusive rent boy of one of the elite in order to gain inside information. Things get pretty harsh between Misha and Donato. He is used pretty hard and quite often beaten, though he hangs in there for the cause. Then Donato makes a change and shows an entirely different side. Donato is quite horrible, but then his personality splits and we meet Miguel, sweet and caring. Misha is so conflicted between the two and seeing a chance at something good, only to have it quashed when Donato reappears. Donato is fully aware of his issues and warns Misha of them as well, but that doesn’t make it any easier to accept.
Then there is Ayo. Sweet, sweet Ayo. He is a dollhouse slave, or a slave reconditioned and reprogrammed to be just what the client needs. In his case, he needs pain to feel pleasure and he cannot find release unless or until a trigger word is spoken, though that word is not known to any but the owner. Donato is ruthless where Ayo is concerned. Truly horrible. But Misha doesn’t give up wanting to help him. So, Misha is once again torn into different directions.
There is a lot going on here with the slaves and the government and with Misha in general. While it seems as though Misha isn’t getting anywhere information-wise where Donato is concerned, there is stuff happening all around and he is able to learn enough details here and there to set things in motion.
This has quite the exciting ending, though it wasn’t nearly what I was expecting and certainly didn’t see it coming. I was riveted to every page of this though I did have some questions along the way and was a bit confused here and there about why certain things were happening. There isn’t a typical relationship or romance here, but the characters will win you over regardless. Things are a little bit up in the air which I assume is the lead in to the next book in this series, which I am really looking forward to reading.
February 28, 2015
I am very surprised there are so few reviews for this novel here.
I went looking for a kind of dystopian feeling novel - and didn't much care if there was romance or sex or whatever. I wanted some great world building, a kind of victory of the masses, and some great characters who I get behind when they kicked but. I got so much more than that. The world created here was very rich, very vibrant. True to the dystopian genre it contrasts the "have's" with the "have not's" by exploiting the type of creature comforts that differentiate the two. I love the juxtaposition of modern technology on what feels like hundreds of years old society - it makes it flavorful and fun.
The main characters are spell binding and so dang interesting that you will not want to stop reading. The bad guy's are suitably gray - and there is love with pain. Up and down you go as you live life through the MC's view - and no one is all good or all bad. I was very engaged in this - and read it straight through on a long flight. I highly recommend it - but don't go into this thinking it's a romance. There are romantic elements (and, yes, sex) but it's not the focus. The metaphorical sunset occurs but who's riding off is not what you might think. I'm very anxious to see what happens with Book Two!
I went looking for a kind of dystopian feeling novel - and didn't much care if there was romance or sex or whatever. I wanted some great world building, a kind of victory of the masses, and some great characters who I get behind when they kicked but. I got so much more than that. The world created here was very rich, very vibrant. True to the dystopian genre it contrasts the "have's" with the "have not's" by exploiting the type of creature comforts that differentiate the two. I love the juxtaposition of modern technology on what feels like hundreds of years old society - it makes it flavorful and fun.
The main characters are spell binding and so dang interesting that you will not want to stop reading. The bad guy's are suitably gray - and there is love with pain. Up and down you go as you live life through the MC's view - and no one is all good or all bad. I was very engaged in this - and read it straight through on a long flight. I highly recommend it - but don't go into this thinking it's a romance. There are romantic elements (and, yes, sex) but it's not the focus. The metaphorical sunset occurs but who's riding off is not what you might think. I'm very anxious to see what happens with Book Two!
September 2, 2015
Highly recommended to anyone who likes their dark fics. I can't believe it took me months to finally read this...! This book was basically unputdownable for me the entire day. It was a discomfittingly darkly sensual, violent, and exhilarating read with morally complex characters. My feelings towards the three main characters, Misha, Donato, and Ayo were definitely conflicted...It just all became a delicious twisted mess. Though all the way, my sympathies stayed with Misha and poor, sad Ayo. I'm just so upset that I reached the end of the book and I can only hope to see more from the author from this universe...!
March 5, 2015
****Reviewd for Prism Book Alliance****
4.75 Stars
I don’t usually ask for much from my mm fiction. I want entertainment, I want resolution and satisfaction, I want sexy times. I usually read happier HEA stories and I don’t expect deep meaningful metaphors or commentary on society and the nature of love. However, every once and a while I like delving into something darker, and when I find that commentary, and it can make me think and question without taking me out of the story, I call that a win.
That being said, Release is not for the faint of heart. The characters are flawed and living in a harsh world. I found Misha to be someone you could empathize with but his choices are hard and he is hurt repeatedly. Donato is an evil, sadistic bastard who is easy to hate and yet you want to love Miguel; Ayo just breaks your heart. It was hard to read about the abuse against Misha but almost harder to see, were the times he was loved.
This was not a romance and there was no mistaking that. There was love if you looked, not all of it healthy and none of it easy. Sex was plentiful, and sometimes even loving, though most often brutal. However the story was gripping and powerful and I had a hard time putting it down. It is not a happy story, but it has a hopeful beginning for an end.
There were a few questions I had about the background of the world and the motivations of certain actions that were confusing. There were also a few threads left to be picked up in the next book, but it wasn’t what I would call a cliffhanger ending. I can’t wait for book two to see how things play out.
I would like to thank A. M. Sexton for providing me with the eARC of this title in exchange for my honest opinion.
4.75 Stars
I don’t usually ask for much from my mm fiction. I want entertainment, I want resolution and satisfaction, I want sexy times. I usually read happier HEA stories and I don’t expect deep meaningful metaphors or commentary on society and the nature of love. However, every once and a while I like delving into something darker, and when I find that commentary, and it can make me think and question without taking me out of the story, I call that a win.
That being said, Release is not for the faint of heart. The characters are flawed and living in a harsh world. I found Misha to be someone you could empathize with but his choices are hard and he is hurt repeatedly. Donato is an evil, sadistic bastard who is easy to hate and yet you want to love Miguel; Ayo just breaks your heart. It was hard to read about the abuse against Misha but almost harder to see, were the times he was loved.
This was not a romance and there was no mistaking that. There was love if you looked, not all of it healthy and none of it easy. Sex was plentiful, and sometimes even loving, though most often brutal. However the story was gripping and powerful and I had a hard time putting it down. It is not a happy story, but it has a hopeful beginning for an end.
There were a few questions I had about the background of the world and the motivations of certain actions that were confusing. There were also a few threads left to be picked up in the next book, but it wasn’t what I would call a cliffhanger ending. I can’t wait for book two to see how things play out.
I would like to thank A. M. Sexton for providing me with the eARC of this title in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 5, 2014
Review to come. Bold and ballsy showing. Skipped lunch and made excuses to go to bed early so I could keep reading.
Edited to add: 4.5 stars for me. I was very impressed by the fact that Sexton didn't pull any punches with this book, diving right into darkness and following it down. The world building was well-done, the conundrum the character faces was great, and I decided to give it the full five stars in my rating because, as I said, I was so impressed by the fact that Sexton really went there in some pretty brave ways. The only reason I'd give it a 4.5 in my head is because while I believed what she was writing, I didn't fall in love along with Misha. I think Sexton is fully capable of making me fall in love with a madman, too, and so I wanted to go there with Misha...and I didn't. Otherwise, I found the sex scenes challenging and exciting, the world detailed enough that I could see it clearly, and the relationships understandable. I look forward to #2! Hope it comes out soon!
Edited to add: 4.5 stars for me. I was very impressed by the fact that Sexton didn't pull any punches with this book, diving right into darkness and following it down. The world building was well-done, the conundrum the character faces was great, and I decided to give it the full five stars in my rating because, as I said, I was so impressed by the fact that Sexton really went there in some pretty brave ways. The only reason I'd give it a 4.5 in my head is because while I believed what she was writing, I didn't fall in love along with Misha. I think Sexton is fully capable of making me fall in love with a madman, too, and so I wanted to go there with Misha...and I didn't. Otherwise, I found the sex scenes challenging and exciting, the world detailed enough that I could see it clearly, and the relationships understandable. I look forward to #2! Hope it comes out soon!
September 21, 2015
A dystopian type fantasy with not only one but two slaves and their master. Well, this book is my dream come true! The world building is really different and believable and you never quite know where the story is headed. Considering some of the books I've read I actually found the abusive element to Miguel Donato and Misha and Ayo's relationship a bit difficult to read at times. I appreciate it was all a necessary part of the story though and of course Donato was an absolute darling after one of his rages. The only sad part for me is that I've already moved onto Return
September 6, 2015
Deep and dark and totally immersive. Release is the story of Misha a young man who has grown up under harsh circumstances in a dystopian world where the poor live at the bottom of the hill in a ghetto area, whilst the elite and governing classes live beyond the walls with luxury at their fingertips.
Misha works for his clan as a pickpocket turning occasional tricks. An opportunity presents for Misha to gather information on Miguel Donato one of Davlova's most powerful and dangerous men. Misha assumes the role of a prostitute to grow closer to Donato to gather any information that may help the revolution. The sex is passionate and full of changes. Drugs fuel the uncertainty. The dynamic and power exchange throw his emotions into flux.
Misha's growing attraction for the mercurial Donato puzzle him. His lover can switch from caring to monstrous and potentially everything Misha is looking for or his worst nightmare. When Misha encounters Ayo a slave kept in desperate circumstances by Donato he is determined to save him and everything else becomes uncertain including his own judgement. Misha's allies and his obligations to self, to clan and to others in desperate need are questioned.
With revolution brewing Misha knows that there is little time and death or discovery may lie just around the corner.
'Release' is a clever name for the sophisticated and multi dimensional story.
Release has myriad meanings, from the physical to the emotional and esoteric level. I finished reading this story a while ago, and yet I find myself thinking over the plot, the characters and their motivation. That is surely the sign of a really great read.
The plot is complex, the characters are engaging and believable, the writing is fast paced and intense. At the heart of the story is the celebration of strength and determination in the face of adversity - a fantastically dark and beautiful tale that keeps you guessing right to the end about the outcome - whether release can be found and at what cost.
Really tricky working out star ratings, this is so close to 5 stars, but the ending felt rushed.
Misha works for his clan as a pickpocket turning occasional tricks. An opportunity presents for Misha to gather information on Miguel Donato one of Davlova's most powerful and dangerous men. Misha assumes the role of a prostitute to grow closer to Donato to gather any information that may help the revolution. The sex is passionate and full of changes. Drugs fuel the uncertainty. The dynamic and power exchange throw his emotions into flux.
Misha's growing attraction for the mercurial Donato puzzle him. His lover can switch from caring to monstrous and potentially everything Misha is looking for or his worst nightmare. When Misha encounters Ayo a slave kept in desperate circumstances by Donato he is determined to save him and everything else becomes uncertain including his own judgement. Misha's allies and his obligations to self, to clan and to others in desperate need are questioned.
With revolution brewing Misha knows that there is little time and death or discovery may lie just around the corner.
'Release' is a clever name for the sophisticated and multi dimensional story.
Release has myriad meanings, from the physical to the emotional and esoteric level. I finished reading this story a while ago, and yet I find myself thinking over the plot, the characters and their motivation. That is surely the sign of a really great read.
The plot is complex, the characters are engaging and believable, the writing is fast paced and intense. At the heart of the story is the celebration of strength and determination in the face of adversity - a fantastically dark and beautiful tale that keeps you guessing right to the end about the outcome - whether release can be found and at what cost.
Really tricky working out star ratings, this is so close to 5 stars, but the ending felt rushed.
November 27, 2015
Misha is a thief-turned-whore who's doing a spy job on an elite member of the upper class. This is very well written, compelling, and dark.
The relationship Misha forms with Donato is a roller-coaster, and I'm pleased it wasn't forced into an HEA. Fact is, Donato is abusive. Even when he's being overly sweet and apologetic, he's being abusive That's not something to be overlooked, and I'm glad it wasn't.
What irked me, and made me take a star away, is how self-indulgent Misha becomes with Donato's sweet side Besides this, Misha is an interesting character and a good choice of perspective on the whole dystopian class system.
The relationship Misha forms with Donato is a roller-coaster, and I'm pleased it wasn't forced into an HEA. Fact is, Donato is abusive. Even when he's being overly sweet and apologetic, he's being abusive That's not something to be overlooked, and I'm glad it wasn't.
What irked me, and made me take a star away, is how self-indulgent Misha becomes with Donato's sweet side Besides this, Misha is an interesting character and a good choice of perspective on the whole dystopian class system.
October 17, 2014
HOLY FUCK!!!!
That was a wild ride! A future where technology is banned for the poor and only the wealthy have the luxury of electricity! Slaves, neural implants, genetically engineered sex slaves, transgender guys, whores and pickpockets....the list could go on! Misha was perfect, he was conflicted Conflicted in his loyalties and his emotions. He loved Miguel and hated Donato...and I did too!!
The biggest fucking fuck.....that ending.......F U C K!!!!!
I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!!!!!
Awesome book......Marie Sexton who?
That was a wild ride! A future where technology is banned for the poor and only the wealthy have the luxury of electricity! Slaves, neural implants, genetically engineered sex slaves, transgender guys, whores and pickpockets....the list could go on! Misha was perfect, he was conflicted Conflicted in his loyalties and his emotions. He loved Miguel and hated Donato...and I did too!!
The biggest fucking fuck.....that ending.......F U C K!!!!!
I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!!!!!
Awesome book......Marie Sexton who?
September 7, 2015
An engrossing master/slave page-turner centered around an unambiguously abusive and unhealthy relationship. The story is full of emotion and heart, but there is no sugar-coating what is really going on here, though Misha, in his denial, does try.
Donato is shown as having two sides to his nature. There is the vicious, brutal master who assaults his paid whore both physically and verbally. And there is “Miguel” (Donato’s first name), who treats Misha lovingly and claims to feel remorse for his abusive actions. When a friend compares Misha’s situation to that of a battered wife he knew, Misha considers the comparison, but cannot fully accept it.
There is an interesting distinction between Donato’s behavior and that of most abusers: , but that difference is ultimately immaterial. Abuse is abuse, even if there is also love between the abuser and his victim.
That said, I found this an enjoyable read. The horrific interludes were not belabored, and they were alternated with plot development, and healing and comfort offered by friends. All three main characters were compelling. MAJOR HONKIN’ SPOILER, DO NOT CLICK UNLESS YOU’VE READ THE BOOK:
The world-building is on the “light” side, with some of the rules of society left unexplained. There is sufficient backdrop to place the characters in a colorful and intriguing setting as the interpersonal angst plays out. The narrative was paced well. I also enjoyed Misha’s dark-skinned beauty, and wish a bit more had been made of that. We didn’t get a chance to “see” him through any other characters’ eyes.
4.5 stars
Donato is shown as having two sides to his nature. There is the vicious, brutal master who assaults his paid whore both physically and verbally. And there is “Miguel” (Donato’s first name), who treats Misha lovingly and claims to feel remorse for his abusive actions. When a friend compares Misha’s situation to that of a battered wife he knew, Misha considers the comparison, but cannot fully accept it.
There is an interesting distinction between Donato’s behavior and that of most abusers: , but that difference is ultimately immaterial. Abuse is abuse, even if there is also love between the abuser and his victim.
That said, I found this an enjoyable read. The horrific interludes were not belabored, and they were alternated with plot development, and healing and comfort offered by friends. All three main characters were compelling. MAJOR HONKIN’ SPOILER, DO NOT CLICK UNLESS YOU’VE READ THE BOOK:
The world-building is on the “light” side, with some of the rules of society left unexplained. There is sufficient backdrop to place the characters in a colorful and intriguing setting as the interpersonal angst plays out. The narrative was paced well. I also enjoyed Misha’s dark-skinned beauty, and wish a bit more had been made of that. We didn’t get a chance to “see” him through any other characters’ eyes.
4.5 stars
October 31, 2016
I strongly disliked this book. I'm not particularly sensitive to dark themes and/or violence in a book. If it serves a purpose in the plot or feeling uncomfortable is a part of the storytelling, I can respect that. I thought this might be more like Carrie Waites' Gamble Everything or Adrienne Wilder's Bound Gods, but it's not.
The most prominent theme of this book, to me at least, was the cycle of abuse. Just to be clear, is NOT a BDSM book. It's one character lashing out and beating the "whore" he loves within an inch of his life, begging/receiving forgiveness, and claiming he really does love Misha. Repeatedly. He just can't control "the beast inside."
Then there's Ayo. He is a genetically engineered slave with a mental implant to control him. He's engineered to maintain the appearance of a pubescent boy, but don't worry, he's totally legal. *nudge wink* It read very creepily.
Now I get that this is supposed to be a dark themed book, and feeling uncomfortable is part of the experience. But if I'm going to read something that makes me squirm like this, it needs to matter. This just read like abuse porn dressing up as dystopian, not-quite-sci-fi. The actual plot of the book was painfully boring. I was at least hoping for an exciting viva la resistance moment at the end, but that was a letdown too. This ain't Les Miserables, folks (or even the South Park movie, for that matter). Instead, we just get a sort of depressing ending, which is a step up from being bored and pissed, I guess.
I can't say I'd recommend this and won't read the other books in the series. But then again, I saw plenty of glowing reviews on this too. This is a love it or hate it thing, I think.
The most prominent theme of this book, to me at least, was the cycle of abuse. Just to be clear, is NOT a BDSM book. It's one character lashing out and beating the "whore" he loves within an inch of his life, begging/receiving forgiveness, and claiming he really does love Misha. Repeatedly. He just can't control "the beast inside."
Then there's Ayo. He is a genetically engineered slave with a mental implant to control him. He's engineered to maintain the appearance of a pubescent boy, but don't worry, he's totally legal. *nudge wink* It read very creepily.
Now I get that this is supposed to be a dark themed book, and feeling uncomfortable is part of the experience. But if I'm going to read something that makes me squirm like this, it needs to matter. This just read like abuse porn dressing up as dystopian, not-quite-sci-fi. The actual plot of the book was painfully boring. I was at least hoping for an exciting viva la resistance moment at the end, but that was a letdown too. This ain't Les Miserables, folks (or even the South Park movie, for that matter). Instead, we just get a sort of depressing ending, which is a step up from being bored and pissed, I guess.
I can't say I'd recommend this and won't read the other books in the series. But then again, I saw plenty of glowing reviews on this too. This is a love it or hate it thing, I think.
September 23, 2015
DNF @ 64%
I haven't come back to this one, and can't bring myself to finish it. I think I only got as far as I did as I was reading it for a BR!
Technically this was well-written and initially the whole premise and the main character Misha drew me in until around about a third in, but after a while I felt that really nothing at all was happening. And then lots of things that I really hated were happening, repeatedly...sooooo, it's a DNF with 1 star as I really didn't like this at all.
Full review to follow from my comments in our BR discussion, but for now, Meep pretty much says it all in her review!
I haven't come back to this one, and can't bring myself to finish it. I think I only got as far as I did as I was reading it for a BR!
Technically this was well-written and initially the whole premise and the main character Misha drew me in until around about a third in, but after a while I felt that really nothing at all was happening. And then lots of things that I really hated were happening, repeatedly...sooooo, it's a DNF with 1 star as I really didn't like this at all.
Full review to follow from my comments in our BR discussion, but for now, Meep pretty much says it all in her review!
July 24, 2014
It's late - short review. I liked this, though it felt a bit slow at times. I wanted more action on the main mystery plot, but I can look back and see that everything in the relationship between Donato and Misha needed to be there and take center stage before the story could move on to the "big revolution" and "release" that was brewing.
An interesting sci-fi world where the haves and have-nots clash. Though no one said "Let them eat cake," the end result was the same. The abusive/loving romance made you think, and I was not surprised by how it ended. Good read!
An interesting sci-fi world where the haves and have-nots clash. Though no one said "Let them eat cake," the end result was the same. The abusive/loving romance made you think, and I was not surprised by how it ended. Good read!
Want to read
June 17, 2014As soon as I have time to read more than the back of a cereal box, I am ALL OVER THIS.
May 28, 2018
3.5 Stars
I'm not sure why I didn't connect with this one as much as I expected to; it had all the right ingredients for a book I would love, but I didn't.
Well, I mean, I know part of it was my horror at how every time Donato would beat Misha bloody, black & blue...he'd just forgive him. Yes, at first it was so that he could continue to infiltrate Donato's life, in an effort to get the information his boss needed, info only he could scrounge up as someone who could get close to Donato, info to help fuel a possible revolution, and didn't want to jeopardize his assignment. But later, as he fell in love with the "Miguel" aspect of Donato, he would rationalize the behavior. Would write it off as a reaction to his stressful "job" circumstances, or some other bullshit.
That's the kind of thing a battered partner does.
And I know I should have more empathy for Misha's emotional involvement, but I don't.
Because I have been there and even though it took a long while to get out that relationship, I knew it wasn't anyone's fault but the asshole who beat me; I stayed because I was scared & didn't have access to the resources I needed to fight, but I never rationalized his actions or blamed my circumstance on anyone else. And when I saw a way out - and could do so safely - I ran...and ran far.
Misha and Ayo also ran, but from the revolution, from how they would be seen as possible collaborators with Donato and his ilk, no matter how innocent Ayo was, or how it was (originally) only a job for Misha (and that he helped bring everything down)...because that was going to be (and turned out to be) a bloody revolution and no one was safe. I actually hated that Misha gave Donato an easy out like that...
I do have to say that Donato made the whole book more intriguing, more sinister, and I would have probably been bored to tears without that kind of antagonist. But between the beatings, and what Donato did to Ayo? Yeah, I had no sympathy for anyone BUT Ayo, who was a genetically designed and behaviorally conditioned programmed human slave. HE was interesting, and I'd love to read more about him, about how he adjusts to being free, finally, after years of even more cruel, inhumane, sadistic torture at the hands of Donato than even Misha suffered. I was basically reading the book to see what happened to Ayo once he was introduced.
Also, I'm still unsure about this setting; while the physical aspects of this island were well described (and the book came with an illustrated map, for reference) I feel like I don't know why it's isolated like it is, what happened to make it so economically stratified & segregated, where and when it is set. The bit about the High Priestess explained the power struggle and new hierarchy, but there was just something missing from the what & why of the whole story. Was it an alternate timeline/universe for Earth, set in the future with new country names, or another world altogether?
Maybe I need to read the sequel to close the gaps? IDK. I'm not all that inclined at the moment, but I will put the second book on the back-burner in case I need it for a challenge.
I'm not sure why I didn't connect with this one as much as I expected to; it had all the right ingredients for a book I would love, but I didn't.
Well, I mean, I know part of it was my horror at how every time Donato would beat Misha bloody, black & blue...he'd just forgive him. Yes, at first it was so that he could continue to infiltrate Donato's life, in an effort to get the information his boss needed, info only he could scrounge up as someone who could get close to Donato, info to help fuel a possible revolution, and didn't want to jeopardize his assignment. But later, as he fell in love with the "Miguel" aspect of Donato, he would rationalize the behavior. Would write it off as a reaction to his stressful "job" circumstances, or some other bullshit.
That's the kind of thing a battered partner does.
And I know I should have more empathy for Misha's emotional involvement, but I don't.
Because I have been there and even though it took a long while to get out that relationship, I knew it wasn't anyone's fault but the asshole who beat me; I stayed because I was scared & didn't have access to the resources I needed to fight, but I never rationalized his actions or blamed my circumstance on anyone else. And when I saw a way out - and could do so safely - I ran...and ran far.
Misha and Ayo also ran, but from the revolution, from how they would be seen as possible collaborators with Donato and his ilk, no matter how innocent Ayo was, or how it was (originally) only a job for Misha (and that he helped bring everything down)...because that was going to be (and turned out to be) a bloody revolution and no one was safe. I actually hated that Misha gave Donato an easy out like that...
I do have to say that Donato made the whole book more intriguing, more sinister, and I would have probably been bored to tears without that kind of antagonist. But between the beatings, and what Donato did to Ayo? Yeah, I had no sympathy for anyone BUT Ayo, who was a genetically designed and behaviorally conditioned programmed human slave. HE was interesting, and I'd love to read more about him, about how he adjusts to being free, finally, after years of even more cruel, inhumane, sadistic torture at the hands of Donato than even Misha suffered. I was basically reading the book to see what happened to Ayo once he was introduced.
Also, I'm still unsure about this setting; while the physical aspects of this island were well described (and the book came with an illustrated map, for reference) I feel like I don't know why it's isolated like it is, what happened to make it so economically stratified & segregated, where and when it is set. The bit about the High Priestess explained the power struggle and new hierarchy, but there was just something missing from the what & why of the whole story. Was it an alternate timeline/universe for Earth, set in the future with new country names, or another world altogether?
Maybe I need to read the sequel to close the gaps? IDK. I'm not all that inclined at the moment, but I will put the second book on the back-burner in case I need it for a challenge.
September 14, 2014
This had so much potential but ultimately it fell short for me.
The novel takes place in the city of Davlova, a city on the brink of revolution. The rich live on the hill, while the poor live in the trenches. The rebels use Misha to spy on powerful aristocrat Miguel Donato by being his whore.
Now my biggest problem was with the main character, Misha. Worst.Spy.Ever. Within two days Misha is already half in love with his mark. In two seconds flat Misha goes from hail the revolution to what revolution? All he cares about is getting off with Donato nevermind that Donato is a sadistic bastard who beats and humiliates him. Misha falls under some type of "wife battered syndrome". Donato beats him, Misha gets upset, Donato apologizes, Misha forgives and is in love with him again, repeat cycle. Even after Donato almost beats him to death, Misha is still waxing poetically about the love "Miguel" has for him.
The character of Ayo, the sex slave, didn't work for me at all. I would have liked it better if he didn't exist. First of all I was creeped out by
Donato was actually the best part of the novel and So kudos to the author for creating such a nasty but very compelling character.
The novel takes place in the city of Davlova, a city on the brink of revolution. The rich live on the hill, while the poor live in the trenches. The rebels use Misha to spy on powerful aristocrat Miguel Donato by being his whore.
Now my biggest problem was with the main character, Misha. Worst.Spy.Ever. Within two days Misha is already half in love with his mark. In two seconds flat Misha goes from hail the revolution to what revolution? All he cares about is getting off with Donato nevermind that Donato is a sadistic bastard who beats and humiliates him. Misha falls under some type of "wife battered syndrome". Donato beats him, Misha gets upset, Donato apologizes, Misha forgives and is in love with him again, repeat cycle. Even after Donato almost beats him to death, Misha is still waxing poetically about the love "Miguel" has for him.
The character of Ayo, the sex slave, didn't work for me at all. I would have liked it better if he didn't exist. First of all I was creeped out by
Donato was actually the best part of the novel and So kudos to the author for creating such a nasty but very compelling character.
February 7, 2017
2.5 звезды
Прекрасная иллюстрация тех случаев, когда авторы пытаются писать о том, что им не близко и попросту неприятно. Увы, и в этом случае нетленки не получилось.
Жанр: смесь стимпанка и киберпанка. Миростроение минимальное.
Сюжет: уличного парнишку Мишу отправляют на важное политическое задание - поработать мальчиком по вызову у одного благородного судьи и выведать как можно больше тайной информации. Судья оказался непрост - садист с чем-то вроде раздвоения личности: то люблю - не могу, то лупит и насилует почем зря. Миша в итоге в положительную сторону личности влюбляется, а отрицательную - ненавидит. А тут еще из загашника судья притаскивает шедевр генной инженерии - нестареющего мальчика-раба, который невероятно тащится от боли - и периодически устраивает тройнички с ним и Мишей.
Полкниги - это секс, чему я была крайне удивлена, так как эротическими сценами Мэри Секстон никогда не славилась. Тут вам и фистинг, и двойное проникновение, и изнасилования, и кроссдрессинг, и секс под воздействием наркотиков.
В чем моя претензия: нулевое эмоциональное воздействие на читателя. Секстон писала, что эта книга далась ей невероятно тяжело, и это видно. Книга, что называется, на отъ*бись, как будто черновик читаешь. Ну не твои кинки - не пиши, зачем мучиться? В конечном счете автор просто отстранилась от происходящего, персонажи получились плоскими и искусственными, неблизкими читателю. На страницах всякие ужасы происходят, а ты зеваешь.
Прекрасная иллюстрация тех случаев, когда авторы пытаются писать о том, что им не близко и попросту неприятно. Увы, и в этом случае нетленки не получилось.
Жанр: смесь стимпанка и киберпанка. Миростроение минимальное.
Сюжет: уличного парнишку Мишу отправляют на важное политическое задание - поработать мальчиком по вызову у одного благородного судьи и выведать как можно больше тайной информации. Судья оказался непрост - садист с чем-то вроде раздвоения личности: то люблю - не могу, то лупит и насилует почем зря. Миша в итоге в положительную сторону личности влюбляется, а отрицательную - ненавидит. А тут еще из загашника судья притаскивает шедевр генной инженерии - нестареющего мальчика-раба, который невероятно тащится от боли - и периодически устраивает тройнички с ним и Мишей.
Полкниги - это секс, чему я была крайне удивлена, так как эротическими сценами Мэри Секстон никогда не славилась. Тут вам и фистинг, и двойное проникновение, и изнасилования, и кроссдрессинг, и секс под воздействием наркотиков.
В чем моя претензия: нулевое эмоциональное воздействие на читателя. Секстон писала, что эта книга далась ей невероятно тяжело, и это видно. Книга, что называется, на отъ*бись, как будто черновик читаешь. Ну не твои кинки - не пиши, зачем мучиться? В конечном счете автор просто отстранилась от происходящего, персонажи получились плоскими и искусственными, неблизкими читателю. На страницах всякие ужасы происходят, а ты зеваешь.
July 30, 2018
4.5*
Primo libro di una duologia, dico subito che non lascia in sospeso, ha una sua conclusione e non c'è il colpo di scena finale che lascia col fiato sospeso (e la voglia di strozzare l'autrice). Ho lo stesso voglia di leggere il seguito e lo farò presto.
È un libro distopico e di quelli tosti. Posso definirlo duro, crudo, violento e direi finalmente! Mi è piaciuto tantissimo il worldbuilding, anche se il mezzo punto in meno è dovuto proprio al bisogno di qualche informazione in più riguardo. Funziona lo stesso e bene e pian piano sono stata trasportata nelle strade di Davlova con Misha, il protagonista.
La caratterizzazione dei personaggi è forse il punto di forza maggiore. Fatta magistralmente, non solo quella di Misha. Ho amato tantissimo i vari rapporti fra loro, soprattutto quello tra Misha e Donato. L'autrice è riuscita a trasmettere tutta la gamma di emozioni, giuste e sbagliate, che intercorrono tra loro e spesso ho proprio sofferto insieme a loro, tutti e due.
Personaggi non semplici e dalle mille sfaccettature, descritti talmente bene da figurarmeli reali, tutti quanti anche i secondari.
Le scene di sesso sono intense e concordi con questa storia così particolare ma dura. Forse non adatto a tutti, essendo pure un mm, ma decisamente d'impatto.
Mi è piaciuto, molto, anche lo stile dell'autrice, non si perde in particolari inutili e pone l'accento sui personaggi, sulle loro emozioni.
Un libro che consiglio a chi ama i distopici ma quelli molto crudi e a chi vuole buttarsi su una storia fuori dal comune ma molto molto avvincente.
Primo libro di una duologia, dico subito che non lascia in sospeso, ha una sua conclusione e non c'è il colpo di scena finale che lascia col fiato sospeso (e la voglia di strozzare l'autrice). Ho lo stesso voglia di leggere il seguito e lo farò presto.
È un libro distopico e di quelli tosti. Posso definirlo duro, crudo, violento e direi finalmente! Mi è piaciuto tantissimo il worldbuilding, anche se il mezzo punto in meno è dovuto proprio al bisogno di qualche informazione in più riguardo. Funziona lo stesso e bene e pian piano sono stata trasportata nelle strade di Davlova con Misha, il protagonista.
La caratterizzazione dei personaggi è forse il punto di forza maggiore. Fatta magistralmente, non solo quella di Misha. Ho amato tantissimo i vari rapporti fra loro, soprattutto quello tra Misha e Donato. L'autrice è riuscita a trasmettere tutta la gamma di emozioni, giuste e sbagliate, che intercorrono tra loro e spesso ho proprio sofferto insieme a loro, tutti e due.
Personaggi non semplici e dalle mille sfaccettature, descritti talmente bene da figurarmeli reali, tutti quanti anche i secondari.
Le scene di sesso sono intense e concordi con questa storia così particolare ma dura. Forse non adatto a tutti, essendo pure un mm, ma decisamente d'impatto.
Mi è piaciuto, molto, anche lo stile dell'autrice, non si perde in particolari inutili e pone l'accento sui personaggi, sulle loro emozioni.
Un libro che consiglio a chi ama i distopici ma quelli molto crudi e a chi vuole buttarsi su una storia fuori dal comune ma molto molto avvincente.
July 9, 2014
I really liked this dark, violent departure from Marie Sexton. A new pseudonym was probably a good choice; other than generally good writing, it bears little resemblance to the author's other works, and it's really not a romance. Lots of good stuff here: interesting world building, memorable characters, and one hell of an ending. I have no idea where the sequel might go, but I'm curious to find out.
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