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Bright Water, Dark Sky
Dear Author,
We’re a fun loving people, a little blood thirsty, but what race isn’t? We’ve discovered some humans have landed on our planet, not sure what they’re expecting to find or what they’re looking for. We guard our treasure well and the fun loving part notwithstanding we’ll fight to defend what’s ours. Amidst all this I’m trying to find my mate. He has to be somewhere.
Photo Description:
A digital painting of a very fit, moonlit man submerged to the waist in the ocean and with tentacles emerging around him.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
We’re a fun loving people, a little blood thirsty, but what race isn’t? We’ve discovered some humans have landed on our planet, not sure what they’re expecting to find or what they’re looking for. We guard our treasure well and the fun loving part notwithstanding we’ll fight to defend what’s ours. Amidst all this I’m trying to find my mate. He has to be somewhere.
Photo Description:
A digital painting of a very fit, moonlit man submerged to the waist in the ocean and with tentacles emerging around him.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
101 pages, ebook
First published July 8, 2014
3 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Augusta Li
39 books124 followersGus's Books are available at Dreamspinner Press, Silver Publishing, , Yaoi Press, and Storm Moon Press.
Gus has much love for readers and book enthusiasts. Communication and friendship is encouraged!
Website: www.BooksByEonandGus.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 13, 2014
4.5 stars
Augusta Li's novella is astonishing, one of my favorite reads of the LL event thus far.
Sora, a scientist of human Japanese decent, is part of a mission to explore a new planet, Varuna. Separated from his colleagues thanks to a storm and his own unquenchable curiosity, Sora is rescued by Ch'Marsam-muk, one of Verona's people, all of whom live under the water.
Ch'Marsam-muk, a craftsman and a warrior, is a sort of merman with tentacles instead of a tale. He recognizes Sora as his mate, but how can a creature of the sea and a creature of the sky live together, particularly when a contingent of the sky people wants to exploit Verona's mineral resources?
This story is beautifully written and has a sweeping, lush tone, a feeling of endlessness and possibilities. Set during the distant future where intergalactic travel is possible and humans have discovered that they are one of many species occupying the galaxies, Bright Water, Dark Sky is at once a sci-fi/fantasy novel of political intrigue and a timeless romance.
If you read this book for kinky tentacle sex, you'll be disappointed. By the time the MCs come together, I was so wrapped up in August Li's novella that the sex felt necessary, a culmination of emotions and tenderness, not kink but a sweet, sexual dance of discovery and love: steamy, yes, but also beautiful, selfless, giving, all consuming.
This book has it all: two complex MCs, a well-developed world where many species work together toward advancement and peace(except for those motivated by greed and power; some things never change), strong secondary characters (kudos to having so many powerful women in the story; I loved reading about a future mostly lacking sexism, racism, and homophobia!), star-crossed lovers, space travel, adventure, serious feels, sensual mating, and a perfect epilogue.
Li took the prompt and blew it out of the park, although I do think the prompt image conveys the feel of the story better than the cover; pure deliciousness:
Augusta Li's novella is astonishing, one of my favorite reads of the LL event thus far.
Sora, a scientist of human Japanese decent, is part of a mission to explore a new planet, Varuna. Separated from his colleagues thanks to a storm and his own unquenchable curiosity, Sora is rescued by Ch'Marsam-muk, one of Verona's people, all of whom live under the water.
Ch'Marsam-muk, a craftsman and a warrior, is a sort of merman with tentacles instead of a tale. He recognizes Sora as his mate, but how can a creature of the sea and a creature of the sky live together, particularly when a contingent of the sky people wants to exploit Verona's mineral resources?
This story is beautifully written and has a sweeping, lush tone, a feeling of endlessness and possibilities. Set during the distant future where intergalactic travel is possible and humans have discovered that they are one of many species occupying the galaxies, Bright Water, Dark Sky is at once a sci-fi/fantasy novel of political intrigue and a timeless romance.
If you read this book for kinky tentacle sex, you'll be disappointed. By the time the MCs come together, I was so wrapped up in August Li's novella that the sex felt necessary, a culmination of emotions and tenderness, not kink but a sweet, sexual dance of discovery and love: steamy, yes, but also beautiful, selfless, giving, all consuming.
This book has it all: two complex MCs, a well-developed world where many species work together toward advancement and peace(except for those motivated by greed and power; some things never change), strong secondary characters (kudos to having so many powerful women in the story; I loved reading about a future mostly lacking sexism, racism, and homophobia!), star-crossed lovers, space travel, adventure, serious feels, sensual mating, and a perfect epilogue.
Li took the prompt and blew it out of the park, although I do think the prompt image conveys the feel of the story better than the cover; pure deliciousness:
His body shimmered with light and energy, and then he let it go, giving it to Sora, to the sky and the universe, seeing bursts of color in his head, feeling nothing but Sora against him, their hearts hammering together, lips entangled, breath mingling.
July 8, 2014
Sweetly erotic, tentacle sex.
SOLD! Seriously, between the tentacles and the suckers on this guy... yeah, I'd be all in. So, in this one you've joined the away team. Grab your red shirt. Some nice world building on the aquatic planet of Varuna. Good conflict. Overall, diverting with slithery probing, intrigue, double crossing and we finally see how far one man will go in the name of science.
SOLD! Seriously, between the tentacles and the suckers on this guy... yeah, I'd be all in. So, in this one you've joined the away team. Grab your red shirt. Some nice world building on the aquatic planet of Varuna. Good conflict. Overall, diverting with slithery probing, intrigue, double crossing and we finally see how far one man will go in the name of science.
October 3, 2015
This was a book of extremes for me: I loved a lot of it and was beyond irritated with a lot of it, too. But the good outweighed the bad for me.
Good
Strong females and people of color throughout book, including MC.
Interesting characters and world. I could have spent a lot more time in this world, both on ship and on planet.
Good plot. Not particularly original but it kept me engaged.
Excellent pacing except for the slow and long sex scenes. But there were only a couple and they were moderately hot. I couldn't put the book down and wasn't aware of the passage of time.
Had planet have really long days (about a month) which is good. Many SF stories only have planetary days slightly longer or shorter than ours.
I like the interspecies mating.
I think Sora's reaction to the whole mating thing was really good and plausible.
There were good and not so good characters on both sides. It wasn't a case of evil humans and a sweet, peace-loving species that gets overrun.
Awesome epilogue: (mega spoiler)
The tentacle sex was actually pretty good and fit within the context of the story. I didn't feel it was just added for titillation.
Bad
Sizes are off, like a spear almost as long as his body, but then something else three times as long as his body doesn't fit with that. Are the tentacles not included?
There was a rare round gem that just barely fit in a big man's palm that was carved into a pendant that a small man wore always. Either the stone was whittled down in which made no sense given that it was rare, or he had a grapefruit hanging from him all the time (along with six stones surrounding it).
Switched POV twice in one scene at least.
Sora learned .
Near the end there was a chapter wear the big guy kept thinking of the other guy as "his little mate." That just took it to those trashy shifter series level.
Instalove
Described the beautiful colors of a planet when the sun was behind it. It would be black, a partial solar eclipse. Talked about how much time they had until "night falls on the planet below." Um, the whole planet? And why did they have to land on that part of the planet when they were interested in a substance on the whole planet?
The planet was 109 degrees at a minimum with 80-90 percent humidity (which would literally kill me), but the MC never complains about the heat, even when he's naked and not in his climate controlled clothing. (It's almost entirely a water planet and still that heat so how hot is the water? Scalding?) But twice on the spaceship and/or space station he is too warm.
The water people have tridents. Really.
Both
Described the massive pain he must have felt (but got over it too quickly and what he had to accommodate was ridiculous).
The couple were only together for maybe a third of the book and didn't really think of each other a whole lot during the separation. But it was okay with me because they got together close to the beginning, and I knew where it was going.
Sometimes small important details were added that many books wouldn't such as (mild spoiler) . But then they'd do something totally ridiculous like (major spoiler) There's more. That whole section was a mess.
I'd definitely read more from this author.
5 stars for story and writing, minus one for all the inconsistencies and messed up stuff.
Good
Strong females and people of color throughout book, including MC.
Interesting characters and world. I could have spent a lot more time in this world, both on ship and on planet.
Good plot. Not particularly original but it kept me engaged.
Excellent pacing except for the slow and long sex scenes. But there were only a couple and they were moderately hot. I couldn't put the book down and wasn't aware of the passage of time.
Had planet have really long days (about a month) which is good. Many SF stories only have planetary days slightly longer or shorter than ours.
I like the interspecies mating.
I think Sora's reaction to the whole mating thing was really good and plausible.
There were good and not so good characters on both sides. It wasn't a case of evil humans and a sweet, peace-loving species that gets overrun.
Awesome epilogue: (mega spoiler)
The tentacle sex was actually pretty good and fit within the context of the story. I didn't feel it was just added for titillation.
Bad
Sizes are off, like a spear almost as long as his body, but then something else three times as long as his body doesn't fit with that. Are the tentacles not included?
There was a rare round gem that just barely fit in a big man's palm that was carved into a pendant that a small man wore always. Either the stone was whittled down in which made no sense given that it was rare, or he had a grapefruit hanging from him all the time (along with six stones surrounding it).
Switched POV twice in one scene at least.
Sora learned .
Near the end there was a chapter wear the big guy kept thinking of the other guy as "his little mate." That just took it to those trashy shifter series level.
Instalove
Described the beautiful colors of a planet when the sun was behind it. It would be black, a partial solar eclipse. Talked about how much time they had until "night falls on the planet below." Um, the whole planet? And why did they have to land on that part of the planet when they were interested in a substance on the whole planet?
The planet was 109 degrees at a minimum with 80-90 percent humidity (which would literally kill me), but the MC never complains about the heat, even when he's naked and not in his climate controlled clothing. (It's almost entirely a water planet and still that heat so how hot is the water? Scalding?) But twice on the spaceship and/or space station he is too warm.
The water people have tridents. Really.
Both
Described the massive pain he must have felt (but got over it too quickly and what he had to accommodate was ridiculous).
The couple were only together for maybe a third of the book and didn't really think of each other a whole lot during the separation. But it was okay with me because they got together close to the beginning, and I knew where it was going.
Sometimes small important details were added that many books wouldn't such as (mild spoiler) . But then they'd do something totally ridiculous like (major spoiler) There's more. That whole section was a mess.
I'd definitely read more from this author.
5 stars for story and writing, minus one for all the inconsistencies and messed up stuff.
July 15, 2014
Creative, with good character diversity, and, importantly, nice tentsex. Thank you, Augusta Li.
May 17, 2018
So I got curious. Decided to read some tentacle erotica. 😂 Fans of erotica gotta push their limits sometimes. So this ended up having a lot more of a story than I had expected. But I should have since it was part of the Love’s Landscapes event and they are usually pretty good. But I was a bit disappointed that the sex was not more inventive. Why else have all those arms if not for inventive sex?! 😏 I’m gonna have to look for something a little sexier next time. Or kinkier. Or more tentacley.
April 13, 2017
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love's Landscapes event. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
I liked this, and I think it had a lot of potential. I thought the human parts with Sora got a little boring, and could have been cleaned up some. Same with plot as a whole, tighten things up a bit. Tentacle sex was obviously super sexy, although I didn't entirely appreciate the way Sora treated him . On the one hand, I wished the plot was a little more relationship based than worlds-clashing based. That being said, it's a pet peeve of mine when characters disappear during dire situations to go screw, effectively abandoning their friends in an uncertain situation.
While I'm at it, I might as well let my hippie show... it was really starting to annoy me how everyone talked like the sea people owned absolutely everything on the planet. Sora even went so far as to say, "everything on this world belongs to you!" I kinda wanted to bust out some Disney's Pocahontas out at 'em, "You can own the Earth and still, all you'll own is Earth until, you can paint with all the colors of the wind." Or, the colors of the tides, I guess... whatever, you get the point.
And lastly, got a bit cheesy at times. But that may have been me, I couldn't totally get into the prose cuz I kept getting distracted by the TV my hubby had on.
P.S. I loved all the strong women, and that they fought and sometimes died right along with the men, and no one batted an eye. And one guy called out for sexist behavior of calling a mixed gender group "ladies" and for saying "don't be a pussy." YAY for galactic feminism!
But, they never acknowledged any sort of a time constraint of deep space travel. Since they just found Verona(?) I would expect it's far, but they seemed to come and go as they pleased without worry of traveling the distance. Even one mention of a deep space jump or worm hole or whatever sci-fy-ish term would have alleviated this problem.
November 15, 2014
I really liked the world-building in this short story. The descriptive passages of Varuna, a water-planet at the center of this sci-fi plot, are lovely and worth the read. I felt like I got to know Sora, too. He’s the brilliant, methodical scientist, and a loner in his space-lab facility, who could use a little ‘action’ in his life. On a scientific mission to explore the beautiful blue Varuna, Sora feels a very strong pull to the place.
Ch’Maram-muk is also beautiful— a man/cephalopod hybrid, a warrior-water creature who falls for Sora. He is a leader and fierce warrior in his clan. Yet, when he meets Sora, Ch’Maram-muk shows great curiosity for his culture and a growing tenderness for the man.
When Sora uncovers a nefarious plot by some of his people to take over Varuna in order to basically strip-mine an important natural resource there, he realizes the great harm that will come not only to the planet, but to Ch’Maram-muk and his people. Sora will do whatever he can to protect this beautiful planet and his lover.
While he at times seems feckless in his actions, Sora’s experience on planet Varuna can almost be taken as a cautionary tale for environmental protection on our own.
There are some nice action sequences and, of course, some very hot tentacle loving. All good fun. And I love the title, evocative and fitting to the story.
For this and other great reviews, author interviews, and general fabulousness, visit Love Bytes:
July 8, 2014
Ch’Marsam-muk is a race that has tentacles. They live on a planet that is covered mostly by water. They also, if they are lucky, find a mate; their one and only. He finds his in the name of a human named Sora.
Sora, is sent to the Varuna, Ch’Marsam-muk’s planet, because it is rich and plentiful of a special ore that is the best they ever had set their eyes on. Sora and his group were sent to find out more about the planet and to see if there are intelligent beings that live their already. When they meet, their is a strong attraction to one another. But it isn’t that easy. They are separated for longs period of time as they both work on trying to find a balance between their races. There are those who don’t approve of the ‘sky people’ and there are some ‘sky people’ who want to annihilate all life on the planet so they can come in and take whatever they want.
Even if they get a balance between them, they come from two different worlds: land and water. They will have to fight and work together for them to stay together.
This was an overall great story. The world/s were pretty well detailed and it had a good plot to it. I was happy with the ending and would love to see more of our couple.
Sora, is sent to the Varuna, Ch’Marsam-muk’s planet, because it is rich and plentiful of a special ore that is the best they ever had set their eyes on. Sora and his group were sent to find out more about the planet and to see if there are intelligent beings that live their already. When they meet, their is a strong attraction to one another. But it isn’t that easy. They are separated for longs period of time as they both work on trying to find a balance between their races. There are those who don’t approve of the ‘sky people’ and there are some ‘sky people’ who want to annihilate all life on the planet so they can come in and take whatever they want.
Even if they get a balance between them, they come from two different worlds: land and water. They will have to fight and work together for them to stay together.
This was an overall great story. The world/s were pretty well detailed and it had a good plot to it. I was happy with the ending and would love to see more of our couple.
April 7, 2015
So this book was a bet. And I lost. Except I won because I wasn't the one going through the tentacles yeah! list to find no non con tentacles books. Mwahahaha.
Evil laugh aside, that was a nice novella, there was an interesting plot, the MCs were adorable and of course tentacles sex. Full of details tentacles sex. Now I know things. And I kind of like tentacles books. I may need another one to be sure.
Evil laugh aside, that was a nice novella, there was an interesting plot, the MCs were adorable and of course tentacles sex. Full of details tentacles sex. Now I know things. And I kind of like tentacles books. I may need another one to be sure.
February 2, 2016
I am rating the first 40% only.
Couldn't take any more of this dry toast, it reads like a combination of a science text book, Yoda (tho not as colorful) and Leo Tolstoy (however his long sentences are much easier to follow).
As for romance? So far: two creatures from different worlds, a human named Sora, and a merpus? man'o'pus? - what do you call a merman with tentacles instead of a tail? - meet on an alien beach for half an hour or so. They spend time building up a vocabulary by pointing at random things. After running out of things to point at, they get busy with some light groping, that is until Sora's CO suddenly screams "break!" from his wrist computer and in a 5 minute time comes over to scoop up her human, and ....and that's the end of that adventure.
Now Sora is back home, waiting to be court martialed for breaking a scooter against a 9-meter ocean wave and almost dying from a hostile alien weather. But in the meantime, while waiting that is, he is visiting seedy establishments and pining after his alien merpus.
At the same time, I hear, there is some very evil plan is in progress, especially evil because of the vicious verbal gay-bashing ...since plain evil doesn't seem to quite cut it. And that, ladies and gents, is where I almost threw my very brand new iPad into the wall. The End.
Couldn't take any more of this dry toast, it reads like a combination of a science text book, Yoda (tho not as colorful) and Leo Tolstoy (however his long sentences are much easier to follow).
As for romance? So far: two creatures from different worlds, a human named Sora, and a merpus? man'o'pus? - what do you call a merman with tentacles instead of a tail? - meet on an alien beach for half an hour or so. They spend time building up a vocabulary by pointing at random things. After running out of things to point at, they get busy with some light groping, that is until Sora's CO suddenly screams "break!" from his wrist computer and in a 5 minute time comes over to scoop up her human, and ....and that's the end of that adventure.
Now Sora is back home, waiting to be court martialed for breaking a scooter against a 9-meter ocean wave and almost dying from a hostile alien weather. But in the meantime, while waiting that is, he is visiting seedy establishments and pining after his alien merpus.
At the same time, I hear, there is some very evil plan is in progress, especially evil because of the vicious verbal gay-bashing ...since plain evil doesn't seem to quite cut it. And that, ladies and gents, is where I almost threw my very brand new iPad into the wall. The End.
July 17, 2014
I do love me some tentacles!
I am a kinky, kinky girl. ;D
I have no idea why I find tentacles so hot. But they are, and this book is hot. But there is also a really good story around all that hot tentacley sexiness. I really liked that the humans and other beings in this story were not automatically greedy little evil bastards. Yeah, there were some rotten apples, but I didn't feel like I was reading yet another scifi based on how fucked up humanity was/is. The bad parts, the greed and disregard for life, is still there, but so are the good parts. I've only read a few of the LL stories so far, but this one is probably going to stick out of the pack no matter what.
I am a kinky, kinky girl. ;D
I have no idea why I find tentacles so hot. But they are, and this book is hot. But there is also a really good story around all that hot tentacley sexiness. I really liked that the humans and other beings in this story were not automatically greedy little evil bastards. Yeah, there were some rotten apples, but I didn't feel like I was reading yet another scifi based on how fucked up humanity was/is. The bad parts, the greed and disregard for life, is still there, but so are the good parts. I've only read a few of the LL stories so far, but this one is probably going to stick out of the pack no matter what.
September 28, 2014
Engaging SciFi novel - great premise and really well done world building. I could vividly "see" the landscape of the planet in my mind. I appreciated the amount of visceral descriptions that were provided - I enjoy "feeling" a story with all my senses and here this was front and center. I'm not so sure the chemistry flowed as well between the MC's as the world did - it was almost secondary to it. Little bit of morality here - not in a preachy way - but clearly corollaries from our current world.
July 11, 2014
Just fantastic. My LL prompt story. Yay for tentacle love.
July 10, 2014
very solid 4.5 stars
Sci-fi/mermen(ish) adventure (with tentacles)
Sora is a scientific officer who is part of a crew going to investigate a new planet, which is mostly covered in water, for a particular element that appears to be abundant there. Separated from his crew-mate, and knocked into the water, he is rescued by Ch'Marsam-muk, a native of the planet, of mermen type but with tentacles rather than a fish tail. There is a bond between them immediately but no time to act on it. When it's agreed that they will return to the planet, Sora having persuaded the governing body that they can't just take over the planet because of the indigenous life there, things don't go smoothly and whilst Sora and Ch'Marsam-muk are reunited traitors take the rest of the crew captive with a view to taking over the planet for the element they need.
This is an excellently written novella length story, with some exceptional world building and despite some misunderstandings between them on the way, a lovely ending for the MCs.
Sci-fi/mermen(ish) adventure (with tentacles)
Sora is a scientific officer who is part of a crew going to investigate a new planet, which is mostly covered in water, for a particular element that appears to be abundant there. Separated from his crew-mate, and knocked into the water, he is rescued by Ch'Marsam-muk, a native of the planet, of mermen type but with tentacles rather than a fish tail. There is a bond between them immediately but no time to act on it. When it's agreed that they will return to the planet, Sora having persuaded the governing body that they can't just take over the planet because of the indigenous life there, things don't go smoothly and whilst Sora and Ch'Marsam-muk are reunited traitors take the rest of the crew captive with a view to taking over the planet for the element they need.
This is an excellently written novella length story, with some exceptional world building and despite some misunderstandings between them on the way, a lovely ending for the MCs.
August 4, 2014
I have a great time reading it but... It's not a 5 stars because I sort of lost my attention in the middle. It's hard to say a short story should be shorter, but that's my impression... It should has less "serious" stuff, like complots and intrigues to present me better the MCs. I like Sera and Ch’Marsam-muk so much I was almost bored because .
BUT praise to Augusta Li story! It's a freebie,sexy, and Ch’Marsam-muk behaving like an octopus (like sleeping in a small cozy cave! Awwwwwwww) was a terrific idea and... Looking forward for more. I hope there will be more :)
BUT praise to Augusta Li story! It's a freebie,sexy, and Ch’Marsam-muk behaving like an octopus (like sleeping in a small cozy cave! Awwwwwwww) was a terrific idea and... Looking forward for more. I hope there will be more :)
December 5, 2014
Wow! Who would have thought that tentacle sex could be hot? I was quite skeptical when I started, but this author captured me immediately. There's excellent world-building, action, adventure and intrigue, and best of all a sweet interspecies romance with hot, tentacle sex. Or maybe best of all is the fact that it's free! Thank you Ms. Li for creating a terrific story and giving us the gift of your wonderful imagination.
If my Goodreads friends read this review, all I can say is that if you want something different that's well-written, interesting, and hot, download your copy now. Don't miss out.
If my Goodreads friends read this review, all I can say is that if you want something different that's well-written, interesting, and hot, download your copy now. Don't miss out.
October 5, 2014
Not quite sure I’m all in on the whole tentacle sex team, but this was strangely interesting at the same time. I liked the strange new worlds element and the purpose they were trying to achieve. I will say Sora’s facility with language and basically picking it up with little problem was a bit of a stretch for me, but in the end I did enjoy this story. I appreciated the way that the social issues were handled and there was just enough threat to keep things interesting.
Sora is incredibly excited to be part of the team exploring this new planet they've discovered. While most of the planet is covered in water it has one of the largest deposits of a particular mineral coveted in the galaxy. As a researcher Sora is more interested in the scientific possibilities than the financial though. When one of the severe storms that plagues the planet hits and tosses Sora into the sea he never expected to be rescued by any sort of intelligent life, let alone one he could fall for.
Ch'Marsam-muk is intrigued by the strange alien he rescued from the sea. He knows that these off worlders cannot survive under the surface of his water and have two hard sticks instead of the multitude of tentacles that help him through the water. When the man he rescues wakes up and attempts to communicate rather than attack a bond is forged. Feelings quickly develop between the two men before their respective worlds intrude in their little bubble.
The corporate greed that drives the nastiness in this story is all to familiar. I can absolutely picture this entire situation being the case, but I loved how open to everything Sora was. Not sure how it all works out really with the two separate worlds, and well tentacles, but I liked the two men together. The story is well put together for a short and the descriptions of the world were very complete. I really got to understand the world around these two men. Very nicely done!
Sora is incredibly excited to be part of the team exploring this new planet they've discovered. While most of the planet is covered in water it has one of the largest deposits of a particular mineral coveted in the galaxy. As a researcher Sora is more interested in the scientific possibilities than the financial though. When one of the severe storms that plagues the planet hits and tosses Sora into the sea he never expected to be rescued by any sort of intelligent life, let alone one he could fall for.
Ch'Marsam-muk is intrigued by the strange alien he rescued from the sea. He knows that these off worlders cannot survive under the surface of his water and have two hard sticks instead of the multitude of tentacles that help him through the water. When the man he rescues wakes up and attempts to communicate rather than attack a bond is forged. Feelings quickly develop between the two men before their respective worlds intrude in their little bubble.
The corporate greed that drives the nastiness in this story is all to familiar. I can absolutely picture this entire situation being the case, but I loved how open to everything Sora was. Not sure how it all works out really with the two separate worlds, and well tentacles, but I liked the two men together. The story is well put together for a short and the descriptions of the world were very complete. I really got to understand the world around these two men. Very nicely done!
September 1, 2014
Sexy, sweet tentacle sex! No way I could have resisted this story!
I liked this story. Good world building for this story and I found the aquatic world fascinating to read.
The story's flow faltered near the end and the way certain events played out seemed forced. The conclusion was a little too rushed and I think the story would have benefited a little more if the main characters had more time to get to know each other.
The tentacle sex was very splendidly done and I heartily enjoyed every moment of it.
I liked this story. Good world building for this story and I found the aquatic world fascinating to read.
The story's flow faltered near the end and the way certain events played out seemed forced. The conclusion was a little too rushed and I think the story would have benefited a little more if the main characters had more time to get to know each other.
The tentacle sex was very splendidly done and I heartily enjoyed every moment of it.
July 16, 2014
What I liked:
The set up for the story, the basic plot
Very nice world building, I loved Varuna
The tentacle action was well done
Characters like Ch'Marsam-Muk and Nualyin were awesome :D
What kept it from 4 stars:
The story/plot felt a bit too ambitious at times
Sometimes too much telling, summing up
Dialogue often felt stilted, awkward
Sora- I just didn't like how he acted near the end
The set up for the story, the basic plot
Very nice world building, I loved Varuna
The tentacle action was well done
Characters like Ch'Marsam-Muk and Nualyin were awesome :D
What kept it from 4 stars:
The story/plot felt a bit too ambitious at times
Sometimes too much telling, summing up
Dialogue often felt stilted, awkward
Sora- I just didn't like how he acted near the end
August 2, 2014
Interesting read. I don't have any major complaints. But also nothing really to rave about. I did feel the connection between the MCs, it's believable in that aspect. I feel like a lot of the resolution to the big conflict happened off page and we only get a "by the way" wrap up. It's just "*shrugs* good".
January 21, 2024
This was incredible.
Tentacles is definitely one of my guilty pleasures.
I wasn't expecting what I got with this, the majority of tentacle stories I've read have been very dark, it was nice to read one that was a lot sweeter.
Tentacles is definitely one of my guilty pleasures.
I wasn't expecting what I got with this, the majority of tentacle stories I've read have been very dark, it was nice to read one that was a lot sweeter.
July 9, 2014
Ohh I love it! Not enough great merman(-ish) stories out there, but this was brilliant!
June 16, 2015
4.5 Stars - Very entertaining and imaginative. Quite the adventure, plus tentacle sex!
not-for-me
July 13, 2014Not even tentacles could salvage this for me.
May 19, 2018
I originally decided to read this book because it fulfilled more than one challenge I was doing. I usually don't find books with tentacles all that thrilling. I've read a couple and can give or take them. I have to say this book was pretty good though. Basically, I like both the plot and the characters. Sure, I would love to have had the book be a bit longer. I think I wish that for all shorter books though. I just had fun reading.
February 8, 2018
I read this for a merman MC and I got some awesome tentacle sex. Interesting concept for water world and for mermen with tentacles, it actually made sense.
October 20, 2015
This book has the best of intentions and it is kind of unique especially in the world that this story paints it is fascinating. Unfortunately it is a dull story set in a fascinating world.
The world is a highly advanced human civilization working in association with other alien species (only one was ever mentioned but the impression I got was that there were more). But the Silica that makes up the majority of their spaceships is rapidly depleting, right at the time that a new element is Francesium is discovered whose profile makes it a better than good replacement for the lost Silica. But the only known place with large deposits of Francesium to make it's mining viable is Varuna, a so far unexplored planet.
Varuna turns out to be inhabited by intelligent life making things difficult for people who want to plunder the planet for its good and our hero Sora is left to set things right. It reminded me of the plot of Avatar.
I took an instant dislike to Sora, which was subconscious on my part because the moment I started reading the first few paragraphs of this story I just had a feeling I won't like him but I persisted because I knew it wasn't right to make such an instinctual decision based on no reasoning but alas I could never quite get behind Sora.
Ch'Marsum-muk is one of the indigenous species on Varuna (they are a pretty peaceful species and when compared to how bloodthirsty the humans in this story were, they were downright tranquil). Obviously their species has cool alien features but Ch'Marsum-muk won me by his simplicity. I liked his demeanour and his ideals, he gave me a feeling of purity and strength, but we don't see much from his perspective but what we do is pretty good.
Their dynamic worked for their first two visits but after that Sora just grated on my nerves. I mean their relationship needed more work and the conclusion at the end was just a but too sudden for me.
All in all I guess the story didn't live up to its potential, but I urge everyone to make their own opinion regarding this one since it is a quite different storyline with an awesome world, and you might not have the bias I had against Sora since the beginning.
The world is a highly advanced human civilization working in association with other alien species (only one was ever mentioned but the impression I got was that there were more). But the Silica that makes up the majority of their spaceships is rapidly depleting, right at the time that a new element is Francesium is discovered whose profile makes it a better than good replacement for the lost Silica. But the only known place with large deposits of Francesium to make it's mining viable is Varuna, a so far unexplored planet.
Varuna turns out to be inhabited by intelligent life making things difficult for people who want to plunder the planet for its good and our hero Sora is left to set things right. It reminded me of the plot of Avatar.
I took an instant dislike to Sora, which was subconscious on my part because the moment I started reading the first few paragraphs of this story I just had a feeling I won't like him but I persisted because I knew it wasn't right to make such an instinctual decision based on no reasoning but alas I could never quite get behind Sora.
Ch'Marsum-muk is one of the indigenous species on Varuna (they are a pretty peaceful species and when compared to how bloodthirsty the humans in this story were, they were downright tranquil). Obviously their species has cool alien features but Ch'Marsum-muk won me by his simplicity. I liked his demeanour and his ideals, he gave me a feeling of purity and strength, but we don't see much from his perspective but what we do is pretty good.
Their dynamic worked for their first two visits but after that Sora just grated on my nerves. I mean their relationship needed more work and the conclusion at the end was just a but too sudden for me.
All in all I guess the story didn't live up to its potential, but I urge everyone to make their own opinion regarding this one since it is a quite different storyline with an awesome world, and you might not have the bias I had against Sora since the beginning.
July 18, 2014
So, tentacle sex. This was my first attempt at it, and I think the last too. *shudders*
Storywise, we have the scientist Sora, on a mission with a team from the Earth-Alliance. They want a rare metal that they have found on the planet Varuna. But when Sora discovers that the planet is inhabited by intelligent beings (basically mermen with tentacles), some wants to take the metal by force, and Sora has to stop them, together with Ch’Marsam-muk, that he met on the planet first time there.
Sora is Ch'Marsam-muk's mate, and they have some obstacles to overcome before they can get their happily-ever-after.
The plot felt very predictable, and like it wanted too much. The problems that arose was resolved a bit too easily, and the thing that was most fleshed out was the tentacle-sex-scene, which I just found weird. So, not a book for me.
Storywise, we have the scientist Sora, on a mission with a team from the Earth-Alliance. They want a rare metal that they have found on the planet Varuna. But when Sora discovers that the planet is inhabited by intelligent beings (basically mermen with tentacles), some wants to take the metal by force, and Sora has to stop them, together with Ch’Marsam-muk, that he met on the planet first time there.
Sora is Ch'Marsam-muk's mate, and they have some obstacles to overcome before they can get their happily-ever-after.
The plot felt very predictable, and like it wanted too much. The problems that arose was resolved a bit too easily, and the thing that was most fleshed out was the tentacle-sex-scene, which I just found weird. So, not a book for me.
July 16, 2015
This was all right. Only “all right” because it’s no secret how I feel about premature love. I need chemistry and evidence to back it up. Otherwise a story feels like an excuse for smut. The characters even admit they moved too fast and that they could barely talk. I didn’t really care if they reunited because there wasn’t much between them. This means some plot elements fell a bit weak since romance was the main support.
I did like the political dynamics between the two worlds, though. A little Pocahontas / Avatar, but it’s nice to have an m/m twist on it. The concept of a planet made only of water was innovative. It’s a pretty cool setting. I don’t think I’ve seen alien merfolk before, so it gets points for creativity.
I just wish the main character had more motivation to drive his stance. The story would have come to life with that extra push.
I did like the political dynamics between the two worlds, though. A little Pocahontas / Avatar, but it’s nice to have an m/m twist on it. The concept of a planet made only of water was innovative. It’s a pretty cool setting. I don’t think I’ve seen alien merfolk before, so it gets points for creativity.
I just wish the main character had more motivation to drive his stance. The story would have come to life with that extra push.
September 13, 2014
I liked the world building of this story, both Sora's and his tentacled lover's. The different species were interesting, as was the premise of exploration and acquisition. It was a bit too insta-love, but given it's a short story, I'm a bit more forgiving of this. I did like that Sora had a realistic hesitation regarding any relationship between them, given their physiological differences.
There were a few plot holes/inconsistencies when it got to the threat brought along to the planet, and the fact that it seemed to be suggested that the whole planet was either in day or night, but overall it was an engaging story with engaging and well fleshed out characters. I'd love to read more from this author.
There were a few plot holes/inconsistencies when it got to the threat brought along to the planet, and the fact that it seemed to be suggested that the whole planet was either in day or night, but overall it was an engaging story with engaging and well fleshed out characters. I'd love to read more from this author.
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