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Duty & Magic #1
Lord Garrington's Vessel
It's 2022. Magic isn't supposed to be real. Arranged marriages aren't supposed to exist.
How are gay arranged marriages for the purpose of magic a thing?
Fen has grown up all alone in boarding schools. Never meeting any of his family. At his graduation, his older brother turns up to take him home. Except Fen discovers he is the result of a shameful affair and not actually related to Lord Garrington at all. Yet, for appearance’s sake, everyone must continue to believe they are brothers.
To make matters worse, an indiscretion reveals that Fen is a vessel. Someone who grows magic but cannot wield it. Magic can only escape his body and not kill him by regularly submitting his body to a mage. Hence the crazy arranged marriage idea.
It's a shame the only mage he wants is his arrogant and obnoxious fake brother.
Lord Xander Garrington, like all British nobility, is secretly a mage.
He was only supposed to pay the boy off, but Fen turned out to be outrageously pretty. Then he turns out to be a vessel. The opportunity is too great to miss.
He needs to pretend Fen is his brother and sell his stepmother’s bastard to the highest bidder. Securing the best possible match to advance the family’s fortunes.
If only Xander's emotions would obey.
He is supposed to sell his fake brother, not fall for him.
How are gay arranged marriages for the purpose of magic a thing?
Fen has grown up all alone in boarding schools. Never meeting any of his family. At his graduation, his older brother turns up to take him home. Except Fen discovers he is the result of a shameful affair and not actually related to Lord Garrington at all. Yet, for appearance’s sake, everyone must continue to believe they are brothers.
To make matters worse, an indiscretion reveals that Fen is a vessel. Someone who grows magic but cannot wield it. Magic can only escape his body and not kill him by regularly submitting his body to a mage. Hence the crazy arranged marriage idea.
It's a shame the only mage he wants is his arrogant and obnoxious fake brother.
Lord Xander Garrington, like all British nobility, is secretly a mage.
He was only supposed to pay the boy off, but Fen turned out to be outrageously pretty. Then he turns out to be a vessel. The opportunity is too great to miss.
He needs to pretend Fen is his brother and sell his stepmother’s bastard to the highest bidder. Securing the best possible match to advance the family’s fortunes.
If only Xander's emotions would obey.
He is supposed to sell his fake brother, not fall for him.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2022
212 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
S. Rodman
37 books313 followersI love characters who are battered and broken by life, who through the course of finding love, discover they are strong.
Despite everything, because of everything, I will always believe that love conquers all.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
May 16, 2022
DNF @ 16%.
The blurb was intriguing and I feel like this had a lot of potential that the author’s writing just didn’t live up to. The characters are juvenile and one dimensional. The writing is awkward. Who writes out the year 2022 as twenty, twenty-two? Sentence structure is odd with punctuation placement seemingly placed a random… one sentence is often broken up into two and comes off odd.
The blurb was intriguing and I feel like this had a lot of potential that the author’s writing just didn’t live up to. The characters are juvenile and one dimensional. The writing is awkward. Who writes out the year 2022 as twenty, twenty-two? Sentence structure is odd with punctuation placement seemingly placed a random… one sentence is often broken up into two and comes off odd.
November 22, 2022
A somewhat shallow but enjoyable and slightly self-indulgent read. Bonus points for the fun twist on the fake relationship trope with the fake sibling relationship. The world building is sparse and the characterization very archetypal, but it also had some tropes I really liked so it all balanced out.
August 22, 2022
The writing style, which is actually not a style, but butchered punctuation, drove me crazy.
“His full c*ck bouncing.” is not a sentence. Neither is “His grey eyes unreadable.”
“Whilst” is another annoying favorite of S.Rodman.
The characters are simplistic and twirl and dance to S.R.’s whim, having no will or character of their own.
DNFing at 35%.
1 star.
“His full c*ck bouncing.” is not a sentence. Neither is “His grey eyes unreadable.”
“Whilst” is another annoying favorite of S.Rodman.
The characters are simplistic and twirl and dance to S.R.’s whim, having no will or character of their own.
DNFing at 35%.
1 star.
December 8, 2023
Yelp! It started out as a , "bodice ripper." Well what I assume! Cause I've not found any re published in digital eReader yet. It ended as any dreaming modern boomer view on romance.
March 27, 2022
That was a fun, if kind of superficial read. It's contemporary fantasy of the Harry Potter variety - an ordinary young man (Fen) finds out he actually belongs in a hidden magical world. He is brought in the fold by what he assumes is his half-brother (Xander), but is actually no blood relation at all - this means that they can fuck, which they do. It's pretty hot. Anyway, the plot revolves around Fen's family trying to find a good match to marry him off to. I found the book quite anachronistic - it's set in 2022 with TikTok and video calls but most of the story feels very regency to me. We are also introduced to this magical world in the most superficial way, by the end we know almost nothing about it, the world-building is pretty weak. I was entertained but not riveted.
March 24, 2022
I thought this book would be kinky and like, taboo-adjacent. It has a decent-enough concept that I thought would be interesting and kind of dark.
I spent most of my time rolling my eyes, and then I DNF'd at 65% because I couldn't take it anymore.
Fen has just graduated college and his brother, Xander, comes to pick him up. Originally intending to buy him off, since Fen is actually an illegitimate child and not related to Xander or his earl father, Xander instead decides to arrange a marriage to the highest bidder. When Fen is revealed to be a vessel, basically a rechargeable magic battery for the secret aristocratic mages, his value skyrockets.
But Xander wants Fen for himself, even though everyone thinks they're blood brothers. Fen is drawn to the cold and brooding Xander despite himself, and when he learns to the only way to siphon off his magic is sex with a mage, he's not exactly complaining about getting laid regularly by Xander.
Except ... it's all so juvenile. Fen is kind of a brat, which I can enjoy, but he swings back and forth on how he feels about Xander and folds so easily in times when he really should be sticking up for himself. Xander is supposedly this mid-30s powerful mage who doesn't care about people at all, but he just inexplicably starts to care for Fen. He says he's learning to like him beyond his looks and the lust he feels for him, but the pair haven't had any sort of heart-to-heart that didn't end in a grievous insult on Xander's part and deep hurt on Fen's.
Fen doesn't ask questions about the mage world and then walks into danger, but then it's all brushed to the side. It was so, so frustrating. It felt like the same cycle: Xander is an ass, Fen gets hurt (maybe snaps back) and retreats. Xander seduces Fen, and Fen folds like wet cardboard, brushing aside the hurt that Xander caused in half a page. Neither were growing or learning, and it was a LOT of telling and hardly any showing.
The subject matter is really too dark for any of it to be light-hearted, but then the serious issues are introduced and resolved pretty quickly. Like, we learn that Xander's father's vessel is abused by him. Fen takes him to a clinic to do a rape kit, but Xander tracks them down and Fen runs away after being scolded and locked in a room. When Xander retrieves him, he tells Fen that he has helped his father's vessel escape. That Fen "gave him the courage" to do so and stop turning a blind eye. It was SO contrived. Fen didn't even ask the vessel if he wanted to report a crime or be examined and railroads him and then tosses him some money to help him escape himself if he wants (saying the decision not to bring him along, too, would "haunt him forever.") But it's all resolved a chapter or so later and so there's no emotional connection or resonance on any end. The other vessel is a cheap plot point and I couldn't do it anymore, and that's where I stopped reading.
There was a lot of potential here, but I couldn't do it. I was too annoyed, and while I actually kind of liked Fen, I just couldn't like this book.
| I received an ARC, and this is my honest, freely given review. |
I spent most of my time rolling my eyes, and then I DNF'd at 65% because I couldn't take it anymore.
Fen has just graduated college and his brother, Xander, comes to pick him up. Originally intending to buy him off, since Fen is actually an illegitimate child and not related to Xander or his earl father, Xander instead decides to arrange a marriage to the highest bidder. When Fen is revealed to be a vessel, basically a rechargeable magic battery for the secret aristocratic mages, his value skyrockets.
But Xander wants Fen for himself, even though everyone thinks they're blood brothers. Fen is drawn to the cold and brooding Xander despite himself, and when he learns to the only way to siphon off his magic is sex with a mage, he's not exactly complaining about getting laid regularly by Xander.
Except ... it's all so juvenile. Fen is kind of a brat, which I can enjoy, but he swings back and forth on how he feels about Xander and folds so easily in times when he really should be sticking up for himself. Xander is supposedly this mid-30s powerful mage who doesn't care about people at all, but he just inexplicably starts to care for Fen. He says he's learning to like him beyond his looks and the lust he feels for him, but the pair haven't had any sort of heart-to-heart that didn't end in a grievous insult on Xander's part and deep hurt on Fen's.
Fen doesn't ask questions about the mage world and then walks into danger, but then it's all brushed to the side. It was so, so frustrating. It felt like the same cycle: Xander is an ass, Fen gets hurt (maybe snaps back) and retreats. Xander seduces Fen, and Fen folds like wet cardboard, brushing aside the hurt that Xander caused in half a page. Neither were growing or learning, and it was a LOT of telling and hardly any showing.
The subject matter is really too dark for any of it to be light-hearted, but then the serious issues are introduced and resolved pretty quickly. Like, we learn that Xander's father's vessel is abused by him. Fen takes him to a clinic to do a rape kit, but Xander tracks them down and Fen runs away after being scolded and locked in a room. When Xander retrieves him, he tells Fen that he has helped his father's vessel escape. That Fen "gave him the courage" to do so and stop turning a blind eye. It was SO contrived. Fen didn't even ask the vessel if he wanted to report a crime or be examined and railroads him and then tosses him some money to help him escape himself if he wants (saying the decision not to bring him along, too, would "haunt him forever.") But it's all resolved a chapter or so later and so there's no emotional connection or resonance on any end. The other vessel is a cheap plot point and I couldn't do it anymore, and that's where I stopped reading.
There was a lot of potential here, but I couldn't do it. I was too annoyed, and while I actually kind of liked Fen, I just couldn't like this book.
| I received an ARC, and this is my honest, freely given review. |
May 18, 2022
S. Rodman is a new to me author but I'm afraid that their writing style doesn't work for me.
I was drawn by the title, the blurb and the cover but the story didn't quite deliver. To be completely honest I skimmed the ending (from the last ball onward).
There was limited world building and there were opportunities for it to happen but just like Fen we have the bare minimum of info and that frustrated me because we could only figure out things at surface level. There was chemistry between Fen and Xander, although their first time together was quite convoluted, but it got drowned from the casual cruelty and dismissal with which he was treated and everyone that was thought beneath the mages. No matter how much it was supposed to convince us that Xander was Fen's "obnoxious asshole" and how he changed his ways, it doesn't change the fact that the whole Mage and Vessel system is corrupt.
What got to me more though was the infinite use of the word "whilst", the too short sentences that felt like the story and characters started and stopped every 3 seconds and the numerous uses of the MCs names in those sentences. In 50 words paragraph having 10 of those words be the MCs names just doesn't make for a smooth read. At some point I just stopped reading the names whenever possible and substituted the name with he/him pronouns.
The read felt endless at times, thus the skimming in the end.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I was drawn by the title, the blurb and the cover but the story didn't quite deliver. To be completely honest I skimmed the ending (from the last ball onward).
There was limited world building and there were opportunities for it to happen but just like Fen we have the bare minimum of info and that frustrated me because we could only figure out things at surface level. There was chemistry between Fen and Xander, although their first time together was quite convoluted, but it got drowned from the casual cruelty and dismissal with which he was treated and everyone that was thought beneath the mages. No matter how much it was supposed to convince us that Xander was Fen's "obnoxious asshole" and how he changed his ways, it doesn't change the fact that the whole Mage and Vessel system is corrupt.
What got to me more though was the infinite use of the word "whilst", the too short sentences that felt like the story and characters started and stopped every 3 seconds and the numerous uses of the MCs names in those sentences. In 50 words paragraph having 10 of those words be the MCs names just doesn't make for a smooth read. At some point I just stopped reading the names whenever possible and substituted the name with he/him pronouns.
The read felt endless at times, thus the skimming in the end.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
March 23, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.75 stars
The premise of Lord Garrington’s Vessel struck me as intriguing and initially brought me on board. Unfortunately, the book fails to establish relatable characters or a particularly engaging plot.
Xander and Fen are rather single dimension caricatures. Fen has more depth than Xander, but only just. I did appreciate the author’s attempt to give Fen enough spine and spirit to fight against the system he was trapped in, but it wasn’t enough to elevate his character above the mundane. The whole idea that Fen must have sex in order to manage the magic he produces gives his relationship with Xander an uneven and, frankly, uncomfortable balance that never quite resolves. Plus, it leaves Fen in the position of being treated like so much meat, there to be fought over but never fully respected.
The plot reads as more contrived than usual for this sort of romance and I often felt as though Fen and Xander were together as a matter of convenience rather than actual affection for one another.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
2.75 stars
The premise of Lord Garrington’s Vessel struck me as intriguing and initially brought me on board. Unfortunately, the book fails to establish relatable characters or a particularly engaging plot.
Xander and Fen are rather single dimension caricatures. Fen has more depth than Xander, but only just. I did appreciate the author’s attempt to give Fen enough spine and spirit to fight against the system he was trapped in, but it wasn’t enough to elevate his character above the mundane. The whole idea that Fen must have sex in order to manage the magic he produces gives his relationship with Xander an uneven and, frankly, uncomfortable balance that never quite resolves. Plus, it leaves Fen in the position of being treated like so much meat, there to be fought over but never fully respected.
The plot reads as more contrived than usual for this sort of romance and I often felt as though Fen and Xander were together as a matter of convenience rather than actual affection for one another.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
April 18, 2022
M/M romance, HEA, magic but make it 2022, brother/brother incest (not blood related)
Characters:
Ren - graduated from the college of arts, loves to dance, loves music, will charm the pants right off you
Xander - an asshole, likes to be right, has many unresolved issues, has probably stolen candy from a baby, also likes horses
The plot - Ren has never met his father or brother but as he graduates college, here is his brother ready to take him "home". Upon arriving at this "home" it becomes abundantly clear that his brother, Xander, hates him and is only being civil to him because he has a use for him, even if that use is marrying him off to literally anyone who will give their family the best deal. Ren is more than he seems and suddenly he is worth way more than his brother previously thought.
My opinion:
Xander is an ass, but becomes an okay person by the end of the story. There is quite a bit of waffling in the middle where, of course, Xander and Ren dance around their feelings. However, I enjoyed the story especially since there is a somewhat similar manga I read that I enjoy (it's called Dear Sister, I've Become a Blessed Maiden). How could this have gotten a higher rating from me? I wanted more about the weird magical world. How things were done because there is apparently some method to the madness. More explanation on what makes one a vessel or, hell, how someone becomes a mage. Basically more in depth which this is lacking and given the length of the story is understandably lacking.
Characters:
Ren - graduated from the college of arts, loves to dance, loves music, will charm the pants right off you
Xander - an asshole, likes to be right, has many unresolved issues, has probably stolen candy from a baby, also likes horses
The plot - Ren has never met his father or brother but as he graduates college, here is his brother ready to take him "home". Upon arriving at this "home" it becomes abundantly clear that his brother, Xander, hates him and is only being civil to him because he has a use for him, even if that use is marrying him off to literally anyone who will give their family the best deal. Ren is more than he seems and suddenly he is worth way more than his brother previously thought.
My opinion:
Xander is an ass, but becomes an okay person by the end of the story. There is quite a bit of waffling in the middle where, of course, Xander and Ren dance around their feelings. However, I enjoyed the story especially since there is a somewhat similar manga I read that I enjoy (it's called Dear Sister, I've Become a Blessed Maiden). How could this have gotten a higher rating from me? I wanted more about the weird magical world. How things were done because there is apparently some method to the madness. More explanation on what makes one a vessel or, hell, how someone becomes a mage. Basically more in depth which this is lacking and given the length of the story is understandably lacking.
May 2, 2022
This was a read-in-one-sit story, I just had to read on and on until I finished, and then I was sad I did finish. I wanted more and more!
So what’s this all about? Fen is a beautiful boy, all alone, who grew up in boarding schools, yearning for a family who never showed up. Until, at his graduation, Xander, Lord Garrington, Fen’s older brother arrives to take him home. It seems it’s not his real brother, still, they have to act as if.
Xander has to sell the pretty boy off for a marriage to the highest bidder among all nobility. When Xander takes advantage of Fen, Fen reveals as a vessel. He has to be emptied of his magic regularly, only a mage can do that. Oh, boy, watching their high heat encounters was everything!
Guess what, Xander is a powerful mage. They present as brothers, the outside world can never know what Xander and Fen do, it would be a shame for the family name.
Fen is a sweet, elegant, graceful but also, on any front, inexperienced boy, who wants to despise Xander.
Xander is a cruel man, a dark, demanding, brooding Lord, he uses Fen for his own pleasure with as only goal to pass him on. Right! Dream on…!
What a great read, a bit on the dark side, clearly outlined written, focused, no grey noise that distracts you from the main course. It was a strongly written, straight forwarding, enough developed ride, I love that in a story.
The magic was greatly present. The sexual encounters were hot af! The hurt comfort was very pleasurable. Obsessed and possessive Xander struggling with sweet, innocent, and emotional Fen, awesomeness!
Overall a pleasantly written, piquant story I hugely enjoyed!!
Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews
So what’s this all about? Fen is a beautiful boy, all alone, who grew up in boarding schools, yearning for a family who never showed up. Until, at his graduation, Xander, Lord Garrington, Fen’s older brother arrives to take him home. It seems it’s not his real brother, still, they have to act as if.
Xander has to sell the pretty boy off for a marriage to the highest bidder among all nobility. When Xander takes advantage of Fen, Fen reveals as a vessel. He has to be emptied of his magic regularly, only a mage can do that. Oh, boy, watching their high heat encounters was everything!
Guess what, Xander is a powerful mage. They present as brothers, the outside world can never know what Xander and Fen do, it would be a shame for the family name.
Fen is a sweet, elegant, graceful but also, on any front, inexperienced boy, who wants to despise Xander.
Xander is a cruel man, a dark, demanding, brooding Lord, he uses Fen for his own pleasure with as only goal to pass him on. Right! Dream on…!
What a great read, a bit on the dark side, clearly outlined written, focused, no grey noise that distracts you from the main course. It was a strongly written, straight forwarding, enough developed ride, I love that in a story.
The magic was greatly present. The sexual encounters were hot af! The hurt comfort was very pleasurable. Obsessed and possessive Xander struggling with sweet, innocent, and emotional Fen, awesomeness!
Overall a pleasantly written, piquant story I hugely enjoyed!!
Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews
March 15, 2022
Ok so, I chose this book assuming it was arranged marriage – which I am a complete sucker for…but it kinda wasn't... 🙈
Instead, I found a story about a rich, cold and authoritative Alexander Montfort (Xander) who has to arrange the marriage of a very sexy and graceful dancer, Fennrick – who society knows is Xander’s brother.
I loved what a firecracker Fen turned out to be – always standing up to Xander.
Newly introduced to a world of magic, Fen had no idea what was in store for him.
The attraction between Xander and Fen was immediate and hot.
Xander being a powerful mage only adds to his stoic appeal – even though you want to slap him silly sometimes…🤦🏻♀️
I enjoyed Fen slowly melting Xander’s cold-heartedness and Xander being completely baffled by his need to protect Fen and keep him safe... 💙💙
Instead, I found a story about a rich, cold and authoritative Alexander Montfort (Xander) who has to arrange the marriage of a very sexy and graceful dancer, Fennrick – who society knows is Xander’s brother.
I loved what a firecracker Fen turned out to be – always standing up to Xander.
Newly introduced to a world of magic, Fen had no idea what was in store for him.
The attraction between Xander and Fen was immediate and hot.
Xander being a powerful mage only adds to his stoic appeal – even though you want to slap him silly sometimes…🤦🏻♀️
I enjoyed Fen slowly melting Xander’s cold-heartedness and Xander being completely baffled by his need to protect Fen and keep him safe... 💙💙
February 11, 2024
This was... not great. One hero is a classic alpha-hole, and the other waffles between "strong-willed heroine" and wet tissue. They each think the other is hot, but there's no sense of connection. Magic was central to the story, and yet there was very little magic performed in the book.
March 21, 2022
Fun mm magic romance
This is a fun book that has a very different take on magic. I did enjoy and it’s a nice low angst read but I had a few problems with it. The ending is rather abrupt and there were not many instances of magic use except for a duel and some tricks. It would have been nice to see some of what the magic community did on a regular basis with their magic. The relationship between the two main characters is the best part of the book for me as they go from enemies to lovers to friends. The bedroom scenes are hot but I would have liked more as per the extra bits on Lord Carrington’s bed. Overall good but could have been better.
This is a fun book that has a very different take on magic. I did enjoy and it’s a nice low angst read but I had a few problems with it. The ending is rather abrupt and there were not many instances of magic use except for a duel and some tricks. It would have been nice to see some of what the magic community did on a regular basis with their magic. The relationship between the two main characters is the best part of the book for me as they go from enemies to lovers to friends. The bedroom scenes are hot but I would have liked more as per the extra bits on Lord Carrington’s bed. Overall good but could have been better.
March 10, 2022
A Vessel builds and holds magic that must be drained by a Mage, of course this involves very intimate moments.
Xander was exactly Fin’s type. Too bad Xander is his brother…well his supposed brother. Xander is mean, controlling, rude and oh so difficult. Fin is innocent, sheltered, determined, and trouble. Not a match made in heaven but it was just what they needed if they could just see it.
I enjoyed the way the author took two disparate characters and made them indispensable to each other. Their journey was both sweet and very steamy. A few other characters wandered through the story but it was mostly just Xander and Fin. I really liked these men and their story.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
Xander was exactly Fin’s type. Too bad Xander is his brother…well his supposed brother. Xander is mean, controlling, rude and oh so difficult. Fin is innocent, sheltered, determined, and trouble. Not a match made in heaven but it was just what they needed if they could just see it.
I enjoyed the way the author took two disparate characters and made them indispensable to each other. Their journey was both sweet and very steamy. A few other characters wandered through the story but it was mostly just Xander and Fin. I really liked these men and their story.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
March 14, 2022
This is one of those odd books where I'm not sure how much I actually enjoyed it, but at the same time I could not put it down. I don't mind books where there is societal norms that put the MCs at uneven levels, but I really don't like when one of the main characters also sees the other as lesser and almost subhuman. I believe we were supposed to see that Xander had "changed" and didn't feel that way in the end, but that just never quite wrung true for me. The magic and world was interesting, but it was all very surface level. I would've definitely liked a little more world building and character development. Yet, again, I devoured this book. So I'm left very conflicted on this one.
March 24, 2022
Fen was taken care of nannies and sent away to boarding schools straight from birth. He has never spent any time at all with his family. In fact, he's spent so little time with his family that when his brother shows up at his graduation, Fen doesn't know who he is.
Xander is just there for one reason. Fen is an illigetimate child of his step-mother, and the family is tired of supporting him. Xander is going to pay him off, tell him to quite using the family name, and get lost. But then Xander discovers how beautiful Fen is, which means that he is now of use to the family. Xander's plan is to sell Fen into an arranged marriage.
But then, Xander finds out that Fen is a vessel, a highly desired container for magic that any mage might want. A mage like, oh, Xander.
Xander really just pisses me right tf off sometimes. Fen literally had zero choice in being born and had absolutely zero responsibility for anything going on. But that doesn't stop Xander from hating Fen and wanting to punish him.
I felt sorry for Fen, because he really just had no clue what was happening. He had a happy life until Xander stepped in, and he got stuck with this horrible crap to deal with. I think that Fen was really strong though, and very determined.
Xander is just there for one reason. Fen is an illigetimate child of his step-mother, and the family is tired of supporting him. Xander is going to pay him off, tell him to quite using the family name, and get lost. But then Xander discovers how beautiful Fen is, which means that he is now of use to the family. Xander's plan is to sell Fen into an arranged marriage.
But then, Xander finds out that Fen is a vessel, a highly desired container for magic that any mage might want. A mage like, oh, Xander.
Xander really just pisses me right tf off sometimes. Fen literally had zero choice in being born and had absolutely zero responsibility for anything going on. But that doesn't stop Xander from hating Fen and wanting to punish him.
I felt sorry for Fen, because he really just had no clue what was happening. He had a happy life until Xander stepped in, and he got stuck with this horrible crap to deal with. I think that Fen was really strong though, and very determined.
March 14, 2022
This is one juicy read!
It's the MM equivalent of an old fashioned bodice ripper, and it's delightfully clichéd and smutty.
I loved it!
It's a story set in an alternate reality. It's 2022, but there's a secret world of magic embedded in our regular, "mundane", society. Fen has been raised in boarding schools with no actual contact with his noble family, the Garringtons. He knows nothing of magic and is totally unprepared when his brother Xander snatches him back to the Garrington estate to be auctioned off in an arranged marriage.
But Fen is beautiful, and the attraction between him and Xander is intense. When Xander, who is a mage, turns out to not actually be Fen's brother, they jump into bed. Or rather, Fen gets bent over a desk.
That's when the fun starts. Fen turns out to be a "vessel", a human magic collector of sorts. One who - after having had sex for the first time - must be shagged on the reg by a mage. Unless he wants to implode. Or explode. Whatever it was, it would be bad.
So Fen and Xander find themselves in a bit of a predicament. Fen needs regular sex. Xander who's officially Fen's brother was the one who turned Fen's vessel status on. Now Fen needs 'emptying', but there's really no one acceptable to provide that service. So Xander keeps banging Fen while also looking for a mage/spouse to foist Fen off to. Only, they both sort of catch feelings along the way.
Deliciously juicy indeed.
Now. The read is short which limits everything from world building to character development. But honestly, it doesn't matter. The story itself is everything. And I'm willing to overlook a whole bunch of stuff as long as the entertainment value is high. Still though, I think Rodman did a great job writing. They kept the story together nicely, much more so than in their earlier books.
So I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick smut fix with a HEA.
* A free e-copy of this book was kindly provided by Gay Romance Reviews *
https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blo...
It's the MM equivalent of an old fashioned bodice ripper, and it's delightfully clichéd and smutty.
I loved it!
It's a story set in an alternate reality. It's 2022, but there's a secret world of magic embedded in our regular, "mundane", society. Fen has been raised in boarding schools with no actual contact with his noble family, the Garringtons. He knows nothing of magic and is totally unprepared when his brother Xander snatches him back to the Garrington estate to be auctioned off in an arranged marriage.
But Fen is beautiful, and the attraction between him and Xander is intense. When Xander, who is a mage, turns out to not actually be Fen's brother, they jump into bed. Or rather, Fen gets bent over a desk.
That's when the fun starts. Fen turns out to be a "vessel", a human magic collector of sorts. One who - after having had sex for the first time - must be shagged on the reg by a mage. Unless he wants to implode. Or explode. Whatever it was, it would be bad.
So Fen and Xander find themselves in a bit of a predicament. Fen needs regular sex. Xander who's officially Fen's brother was the one who turned Fen's vessel status on. Now Fen needs 'emptying', but there's really no one acceptable to provide that service. So Xander keeps banging Fen while also looking for a mage/spouse to foist Fen off to. Only, they both sort of catch feelings along the way.
Deliciously juicy indeed.
Now. The read is short which limits everything from world building to character development. But honestly, it doesn't matter. The story itself is everything. And I'm willing to overlook a whole bunch of stuff as long as the entertainment value is high. Still though, I think Rodman did a great job writing. They kept the story together nicely, much more so than in their earlier books.
So I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick smut fix with a HEA.
* A free e-copy of this book was kindly provided by Gay Romance Reviews *
https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blo...
March 20, 2022
Alright Book - Light on Plot, Decent Sex
Lord Garrington's Vessel was alright.
It had an interesting premise – an illegitimate son, Fen, raised apart from the family, growing up not knowing about the magical world. The family intends to cut ties after graduation but his fake brother, Xander, sees him and thinks “wow, he’s so pretty a mage will totally buy him” so Xander brings Fen back to the family estate.
I didn’t buy the initial premise of “you’re pretty let’s sell you” and Fen’s acceptance of this. He periodically insists that it’s 2022 and the world doesn’t work this way, but only attempts to leave after it’s way too late.
The language occasionally threw me out of the story – it felt very stilted at times, and it was usually modern but then sometimes formal and old timey.
It’s an alright read for a reader who likes light magic world building, angst, and classic alpha/ brat relations with decent sex scenes.
Lord Garrington's Vessel was alright.
It had an interesting premise – an illegitimate son, Fen, raised apart from the family, growing up not knowing about the magical world. The family intends to cut ties after graduation but his fake brother, Xander, sees him and thinks “wow, he’s so pretty a mage will totally buy him” so Xander brings Fen back to the family estate.
I didn’t buy the initial premise of “you’re pretty let’s sell you” and Fen’s acceptance of this. He periodically insists that it’s 2022 and the world doesn’t work this way, but only attempts to leave after it’s way too late.
The language occasionally threw me out of the story – it felt very stilted at times, and it was usually modern but then sometimes formal and old timey.
It’s an alright read for a reader who likes light magic world building, angst, and classic alpha/ brat relations with decent sex scenes.
December 26, 2022
He liked Fen, as a person. Far too much. And you don’t make people you like cry, unless you are five years old and on the school playground.
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My Rating : 3.5/5 🌟🌟🌟✨
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Okay, first, the magic system and the way mages and magic users depend on each other was intriguing. Next, the forced family situation and the proximity added a lot of angst and tension to the story and I kinda liked it ! It's a quick, cliched uet fun read with some Dom/sub dynamic (not a dom/sub role) and steamy scenes with magic and electricity 😂 Definitely going to pick up more by the author!
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Thank you GRR for the gifted review copy!
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Book 81 - March 2022 / Arc / Grr
Tags : MM Paranormal Romance, Forced Proximity
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My Rating : 3.5/5 🌟🌟🌟✨
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Okay, first, the magic system and the way mages and magic users depend on each other was intriguing. Next, the forced family situation and the proximity added a lot of angst and tension to the story and I kinda liked it ! It's a quick, cliched uet fun read with some Dom/sub dynamic (not a dom/sub role) and steamy scenes with magic and electricity 😂 Definitely going to pick up more by the author!
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Thank you GRR for the gifted review copy!
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Book 81 - March 2022 / Arc / Grr
Tags : MM Paranormal Romance, Forced Proximity
October 21, 2024
Entretenida. Hasta ahí nomas.
La dinamica de ""rivales"" ("Me caes mal, pero ¡ayyy gorda me la ponés!" 🫦) con proximidad forzada y """parentezco""", entre los personajes me pareció divertida, hasta que... se enamoran y todo se puso monótono.
El hecho de que el primero que se la ponga y se enamore de él es un negativo. PARA MI.
Esa dinámica de antaño (virgen hasta conocer al "amor de mi vida" con el que comparto todas mis primeras veces) ya cansa en el homoerotismo con una cierta perspectiva hetero y un poco ignorante...
Ay me puse serio de repente 🥴 ¿por qué ladró el perro? 🐶
En fin, me pareció interesante el mundo mágico planteado, así es que planeo seguir la saga para ir leyendo más nopor con un poco de historia 🥰👍🏼🫏
La dinamica de ""rivales"" ("Me caes mal, pero ¡ayyy gorda me la ponés!" 🫦) con proximidad forzada y """parentezco""", entre los personajes me pareció divertida, hasta que... se enamoran y todo se puso monótono.
El hecho de que el primero que se la ponga y se enamore de él es un negativo. PARA MI.
Esa dinámica de antaño (virgen hasta conocer al "amor de mi vida" con el que comparto todas mis primeras veces) ya cansa en el homoerotismo con una cierta perspectiva hetero y un poco ignorante...
Ay me puse serio de repente 🥴 ¿por qué ladró el perro? 🐶
En fin, me pareció interesante el mundo mágico planteado, así es que planeo seguir la saga para ir leyendo más nopor con un poco de historia 🥰👍🏼🫏
March 12, 2022
Xander was supposed to pay off his brother but one look at him he was attracted to him, Fen is a charming, funny and pretty and also Xander discover that he Fen is a vessel, someone who can possess magic but only a mage can used it, Xander is a powerful mage but he is rude and controlling, he knows that Fen really isn’t his brother and wants to arrange a marriage for Fen, but they start to developed feelings for each other’s. I like the story and how this two fall for each other and get their HEA.
March 21, 2022
I found the mage/vessel concept very interesting and different and thought it was well planned to lead the plot in the direction of a forced marriage. I am a sucker for the dark, brooding character who is set on a certain path for all the best, logical reasons who finds his emotions totally getting in the way. Xander perfectly fits the bill (and that cover is swoon worthy). Fen and Xander have to work themselves out of a number of traps both emotional, magical and societal for their HEA and I enjoyed seeing these two steam up the page while doing it.
March 13, 2022
Im a bit torn on this one. The writing stile of the author was great and overall id say it was a good read, but there were a lot off small things that kinda added up preventing it to be great.
We are in a magic world, where vessels are traded or sold in arranged marriages to improve the family status and well ofc get money. Even though we are in a magic world, the author didn’t spend much time on world building. It could easily have been an alpha/omega book with just some simple changes and magic wasn’t much of a topic. In general i had the feeling the author touched on several themes/topics but never really deepened them. One example would be the „relationship“ between the brothers where i got the feeling was supposed to add a lil dark and forbidden touch, but at the same time it was made clear very early that they aren’t related at all, same with BDSM. There were some very faint edges, but the author never went deeper into it. So this issue mixed with the great writing stile made it hard for me to rate it.
We are in a magic world, where vessels are traded or sold in arranged marriages to improve the family status and well ofc get money. Even though we are in a magic world, the author didn’t spend much time on world building. It could easily have been an alpha/omega book with just some simple changes and magic wasn’t much of a topic. In general i had the feeling the author touched on several themes/topics but never really deepened them. One example would be the „relationship“ between the brothers where i got the feeling was supposed to add a lil dark and forbidden touch, but at the same time it was made clear very early that they aren’t related at all, same with BDSM. There were some very faint edges, but the author never went deeper into it. So this issue mixed with the great writing stile made it hard for me to rate it.
March 18, 2022
This is my second book by S. Rodman and I am a little on the fence. The plot reminds me a little bit of Beauty and the Beast meets regency arranged marriage contracts that go awry. I enjoy the concept but the execution was bit of a miss. Fen and Xander were a nice match, kindness vs callousness, dominance vs submission etc. Both characters hit those notes, but I wasn’t feeling it. The different conflicts that hinder their relationship feel forced. What saved this read for me was the chemistry and quiet moments between the MCs. Even though I had some issues with plot, I would recommend for a light read. I will continue to read other books by this author
I received an arc from Gay Romance Reviews. This is my review.
I received an arc from Gay Romance Reviews. This is my review.
March 20, 2022
Forbidden and enemies to lovers
This book was fun and serious at the same time with the beginning animosity between Xander and fin turning slowly into a more caring relationship and the dangerous world fin has found himself jerked into made more dangerous for him by being a vessel as vessels are treated horribly by this society I’m glad Xander fell for fin and decided to keep him safe even though Xander started out as a rude and cruel person
This book was fun and serious at the same time with the beginning animosity between Xander and fin turning slowly into a more caring relationship and the dangerous world fin has found himself jerked into made more dangerous for him by being a vessel as vessels are treated horribly by this society I’m glad Xander fell for fin and decided to keep him safe even though Xander started out as a rude and cruel person
March 14, 2022
I have to say, this is one of the stranger books that I have read. It took me a minute to get into the story and I strongly disliked Xander for about 70% of the story. It's redeeming features are the heat between the two men, the secretive and strangely intriguing world of mages and Fen. He really brings heart and sweetness to the story. He goes with the flow when Xander arrives to whisk him off to the "family" mansion that it turns out he's not actually apart of and then when he discovers that he's a vessel, someone who is basically a well of magic that can be released to another mage during sex.
Xander is attracted to Fen before he even knows who he is and it goes downhill from there, finding it so hard to stay away from the gorgeous younger man and their attraction sparks and ignites, just getting more intense when Fen's discovery is made. He is rude, arrogant, demanding and expects to get his own way. It's so much fun to read when Fen stands up to him, both for fun and the important things. There is one section that made for a hard read that is following a side character being abused though Fen truly steps up and takes care of him.
It's a very up/down, swings and roundabouts story as these non stepbrothers unwittingly grow closer whilst Xander looks for another mage to buy Fen. Hard hitting but hot and heavy too. Not a story for everyone but those who read it will enjoy it overall.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Xander is attracted to Fen before he even knows who he is and it goes downhill from there, finding it so hard to stay away from the gorgeous younger man and their attraction sparks and ignites, just getting more intense when Fen's discovery is made. He is rude, arrogant, demanding and expects to get his own way. It's so much fun to read when Fen stands up to him, both for fun and the important things. There is one section that made for a hard read that is following a side character being abused though Fen truly steps up and takes care of him.
It's a very up/down, swings and roundabouts story as these non stepbrothers unwittingly grow closer whilst Xander looks for another mage to buy Fen. Hard hitting but hot and heavy too. Not a story for everyone but those who read it will enjoy it overall.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
March 22, 2022
Lord Xander and Fen. The story sounds q bit taboo, two brothers falling for each other but it’s really the Mage and the Vessel. They need each other and it’s strong and hot. Fen is fun and graceful while Xander is a grouch and they complement each other. Couldn’t put the book down.
August 19, 2022
Maybe a bit contrived plot wise and the ending was abrupt, but I liked the MCs and I enjoyed the story.
March 15, 2022
I liked this story and couldnt put the book down. However I cant pin point what it was I liked.
Xander was so cold and aloof. Heartless almost. Yes he was 15 when Fen was born but as Fen pointed out, he personally was innocent of any wrongdoing.
Was Xanders teenage attitude to do with his own mother... Fen gives the impression of sunshine and flowers everything bright and happy.
Id loved to have seen another scene of Charlie and Fen at the end
Xander was so cold and aloof. Heartless almost. Yes he was 15 when Fen was born but as Fen pointed out, he personally was innocent of any wrongdoing.
Was Xanders teenage attitude to do with his own mother... Fen gives the impression of sunshine and flowers everything bright and happy.
Id loved to have seen another scene of Charlie and Fen at the end
March 14, 2022
So, that happened!
Lord Carrington, an arrogant, spoiled, cruel hot guy and a Mage!
The Vessel aka Fen, a cute, innocent, sweet virgin boy.
You get the gist...
A vessel in this universe, that magic is real, is a person that gathers magic from their surroundings and the only way to get rid of it is by being intimate (I'm being PG-13 here) with a Mage.
I found the story fun and unique if I may. The rating is more of a 3,5 stars because Lord Carrington was really a hard-headed guy that couldn't fathom that he can care about others.
They kept doing their thing without so much progress in their relationship.
There is a satisfying HEA, so keep reading!
Lord Carrington, an arrogant, spoiled, cruel hot guy and a Mage!
The Vessel aka Fen, a cute, innocent, sweet virgin boy.
You get the gist...
A vessel in this universe, that magic is real, is a person that gathers magic from their surroundings and the only way to get rid of it is by being intimate (I'm being PG-13 here) with a Mage.
I found the story fun and unique if I may. The rating is more of a 3,5 stars because Lord Carrington was really a hard-headed guy that couldn't fathom that he can care about others.
They kept doing their thing without so much progress in their relationship.
There is a satisfying HEA, so keep reading!
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