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Garden of Fiends #2
Sleepwalkers
My immortal ex was the last person I wanted to be stuck in a coffin with, and yet here we were.
Broken up for over a century, I stayed in touch with Bonifacio out of necessity only. An amoral horndog and possessive leech, Bonifacio was toxic beyond words, but there was no one better at eradicating vampire hunters. I needed him.
But it was Bonifacio who slayed the wrong vampire hunter, Bonifacio that freed the evil spirit, and Bonifacio who forced us to flee to the only safe place we knew… the catacombs.
In those deep, treacherous tunnels under the city, I’m trapped with the man I hate most of all… and want more than anything.
With dreams reminding me of the Bonifacio I fell for and my waking moments tortured with his presence, I fight a war on two fronts. I must not only survive the catacombs’ secret, but also withstand my hunger, as old longing rears its head.
Bonifacio possessed me once. I must not let him possess me again.
Sleepwalkers is an MM paranormal romance with fantasy elements. Set in the same universe as Crimson Halo, it can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Broken up for over a century, I stayed in touch with Bonifacio out of necessity only. An amoral horndog and possessive leech, Bonifacio was toxic beyond words, but there was no one better at eradicating vampire hunters. I needed him.
But it was Bonifacio who slayed the wrong vampire hunter, Bonifacio that freed the evil spirit, and Bonifacio who forced us to flee to the only safe place we knew… the catacombs.
In those deep, treacherous tunnels under the city, I’m trapped with the man I hate most of all… and want more than anything.
With dreams reminding me of the Bonifacio I fell for and my waking moments tortured with his presence, I fight a war on two fronts. I must not only survive the catacombs’ secret, but also withstand my hunger, as old longing rears its head.
Bonifacio possessed me once. I must not let him possess me again.
Sleepwalkers is an MM paranormal romance with fantasy elements. Set in the same universe as Crimson Halo, it can be enjoyed as a standalone.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2023
41 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
Daniel May
52 books646 followersDaniel May writes MM romance and erotica with a focus on dark contemporary, kink, and BDSM. Originally a lover of sci-fi and fantasy, he turned his sights on the erotic as a joke that went over surprisingly well.
Completed series: The Taste of Ink (rereleased as A Fresh Taste of Ink trilogy)
Ongoing series: Hanged Men
Facebook group, the Daniel May Maelstrom:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/23035...
Sign up for the newsletter at danielmayauthor.com to receive free bonus content, news, and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks at upcoming works.-
Completed series: The Taste of Ink (rereleased as A Fresh Taste of Ink trilogy)
Ongoing series: Hanged Men
Facebook group, the Daniel May Maelstrom:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/23035...
Sign up for the newsletter at danielmayauthor.com to receive free bonus content, news, and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks at upcoming works.-
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
January 11, 2023
Tags: Lovers to enemies to lovers, somno, yes he's a monster but he's MY monster, grumpy / grumpy, cave exploration, adventure
If I wrote the blurb for this book it would say "Journey to the Center of the Earth, but with gay horny murder vampires who love/hate each other."
I wasn't quite sold at the start of this book. Animosity to lovers isn't usually my favorite, and these two really, really dislike each other - especially Cassio, who blames Bonifacio for all sorts of rough treatment over the years. Very hissing spitting cats, while also running from danger.
But then! They descend into the caves beyond the underground crypts under the city, and it becomes an adventure story more than anything else. Cave exploration! Monsters! Secrets! I adore this stuff. Give me a cave exploration any day, where the MC's are barely escaping certain doom and one heroically saves the other because he's secretly in love but *no he won't tell other MC that!* while also sort of hoping that other MC gets it, and sees him. Gah. So good.
There are definite dubcon elements here, arguably noncon, so mind the CW's. There is a page of them at the start of the book if you'd like to read in more detail before deciding.
Overally I'd recommend.
**I received an ARC copy of this book but the thoughts here are my own.**
If I wrote the blurb for this book it would say "Journey to the Center of the Earth, but with gay horny murder vampires who love/hate each other."
I wasn't quite sold at the start of this book. Animosity to lovers isn't usually my favorite, and these two really, really dislike each other - especially Cassio, who blames Bonifacio for all sorts of rough treatment over the years. Very hissing spitting cats, while also running from danger.
But then! They descend into the caves beyond the underground crypts under the city, and it becomes an adventure story more than anything else. Cave exploration! Monsters! Secrets! I adore this stuff. Give me a cave exploration any day, where the MC's are barely escaping certain doom and one heroically saves the other because he's secretly in love but *no he won't tell other MC that!* while also sort of hoping that other MC gets it, and sees him. Gah. So good.
There are definite dubcon elements here, arguably noncon, so mind the CW's. There is a page of them at the start of the book if you'd like to read in more detail before deciding.
Overally I'd recommend.
**I received an ARC copy of this book but the thoughts here are my own.**
February 4, 2023
OK, suppose you have a blender, and into that blender you put Matthew Lewis's The Monk, Charles Brockden Brown's Wieland, Mr. Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" and "The Fall of the House of Usher," top it off with a bunch of H.P. Lovecraft from which you've stripped away the racism, and add a heaping cup of bloody, kinky, not-always-entirely-consensual sex ...
You'd end up with something like Sleepwalkers. Assuming, of course, that you were Daniel May and prodigiously imaginative.
Truth be told, I wasn't much into this at first -- my taste in DM's narrative style runs more to the Taste of Ink series and Last Man Standing -- but at some point I realized what DM was up to and just sat back and let him drive, and from then on Sleepwalkers was goggle-eyed fun. The love story was even (rather to my surprise) touching. Also, apart from anything else, it's interesting to consider murderous vampires as also being capable of selflessness and love. Yeah, don't read Daniel May if you're looking for moral lessons. But if you like being disconcerted, he's your man.
Also, if the Consecrat doesn't get his own book I'm going to throw a tantrum.
Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC!
You'd end up with something like Sleepwalkers. Assuming, of course, that you were Daniel May and prodigiously imaginative.
Truth be told, I wasn't much into this at first -- my taste in DM's narrative style runs more to the Taste of Ink series and Last Man Standing -- but at some point I realized what DM was up to and just sat back and let him drive, and from then on Sleepwalkers was goggle-eyed fun. The love story was even (rather to my surprise) touching. Also, apart from anything else, it's interesting to consider murderous vampires as also being capable of selflessness and love. Yeah, don't read Daniel May if you're looking for moral lessons. But if you like being disconcerted, he's your man.
Also, if the Consecrat doesn't get his own book I'm going to throw a tantrum.
Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC!
January 16, 2023
A strange, fantastical, different kind of vampire romance, written with Daniel May's characteristic directness and verve. This is the second in his Garden of Fiends series, and they are both standalones (I haven't yet read book 1, though it is on my TBR; Seth, the vampire MC in book 1, makes a brief cameo in this one).
Bonifacio and Cassiodorus are estranged vampire mates. Bonifacio turned Cassiodorus 200+ years ago and they carried on a torrid love affair for decades, but by the time the story starts, they have been apart for even longer than they were together. The split was prompted by Cassiodorus; and now they warily circle each other, living in the same city, unable to be together but also unable to fully sever the link that binds them. They meet up again to deal with (i.e. kill) a vampire hunter, but this seemingly straightforward task unleashes a baffling, terrifying chain of events that finds them pursued through the crypts and catacombs of their city by a mysterious, unkillable creature known as the slake. Add mystical dream sequences (or are they?); a powerful, equally mysterious figure called the Consecrat; and the hate-you/ want-you/ despise-myself-for-lusting-after-you dynamic of Cassiodorus and Bonifacio, and you've got quite the tale.
I really liked how the relationship between Bonifacio and Cassiodorus played out. Part of the fun of second-chance romances is getting the reveal of what happened the first time around: what horrible fight or fuck-up caused the initial rupture? In this case, there is no one event: what led to their estrangement was everything and nothing, a seed of discontent and betrayal that grew over many decades, that Bonifacio probably never even knew he planted. Which seems very true to life and estranged relationships, actually. While Bonifacio is clearly still hung up on and devoted to Cassiodorus -- a devotion that he masks through a performance of glib snideness -- Cassiodorus is infuriated and shamed by his inability to leave Bonifacio in the past. All of this culminates in a wrenching, angry, necessary confrontation that ultimately enables them to move forward on new footing. It's really well done, as is the way they renegotiate a new understanding and relationship on more sustainable, empathetic, forgiving terms. It makes the HEA feel earned.
The hunting of Bonifacio and Cassiodorus is simultaneously suspenseful and confusing, as we the reader are no more in the know about what's going on than the two endangered vampires. There is peril, but there is also this kind of hallucinatory dreamscape that they're moving through, so it's a funny mix. I found the relationship stuff more compelling than the action, but that's true pretty much regardless of what I'm reading. I will say that if you hope to end the story with more clarity on the slake and the Consecrat than you started with, you may be disappointed. This is not a "explain everything that's happening" story, this is a "that is some weird shit and you just have to go with it" story (à la murderhorses). It seems we are getting more slake and Consecrat in the next installment, so whatever clarity there might be will probably emerge there. I didn't really miss it here -- like I said, I'm really more invested in the relationship than the action -- but YMMV.
Finally, props to Daniel May for his commitment to informing readers in the front material of what they're getting into: both in terms of how the story is situated with respect to an ongoing series/ world, and also, more importantly, in terms of CWs and potential triggers. This is something I've never noted in my reviews before, but he does it with all his stuff and it's incredibly useful and thoughtful towards his readers. Something I wish more authors would emulate.
In sum -- an absorbing, unusual, second-chance, hatesex-to-love vampire romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I got an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews, thanks! This is my honest review.
Bonifacio and Cassiodorus are estranged vampire mates. Bonifacio turned Cassiodorus 200+ years ago and they carried on a torrid love affair for decades, but by the time the story starts, they have been apart for even longer than they were together. The split was prompted by Cassiodorus; and now they warily circle each other, living in the same city, unable to be together but also unable to fully sever the link that binds them. They meet up again to deal with (i.e. kill) a vampire hunter, but this seemingly straightforward task unleashes a baffling, terrifying chain of events that finds them pursued through the crypts and catacombs of their city by a mysterious, unkillable creature known as the slake. Add mystical dream sequences (or are they?); a powerful, equally mysterious figure called the Consecrat; and the hate-you/ want-you/ despise-myself-for-lusting-after-you dynamic of Cassiodorus and Bonifacio, and you've got quite the tale.
I really liked how the relationship between Bonifacio and Cassiodorus played out. Part of the fun of second-chance romances is getting the reveal of what happened the first time around: what horrible fight or fuck-up caused the initial rupture? In this case, there is no one event: what led to their estrangement was everything and nothing, a seed of discontent and betrayal that grew over many decades, that Bonifacio probably never even knew he planted. Which seems very true to life and estranged relationships, actually. While Bonifacio is clearly still hung up on and devoted to Cassiodorus -- a devotion that he masks through a performance of glib snideness -- Cassiodorus is infuriated and shamed by his inability to leave Bonifacio in the past. All of this culminates in a wrenching, angry, necessary confrontation that ultimately enables them to move forward on new footing. It's really well done, as is the way they renegotiate a new understanding and relationship on more sustainable, empathetic, forgiving terms. It makes the HEA feel earned.
The hunting of Bonifacio and Cassiodorus is simultaneously suspenseful and confusing, as we the reader are no more in the know about what's going on than the two endangered vampires. There is peril, but there is also this kind of hallucinatory dreamscape that they're moving through, so it's a funny mix. I found the relationship stuff more compelling than the action, but that's true pretty much regardless of what I'm reading. I will say that if you hope to end the story with more clarity on the slake and the Consecrat than you started with, you may be disappointed. This is not a "explain everything that's happening" story, this is a "that is some weird shit and you just have to go with it" story (à la murderhorses). It seems we are getting more slake and Consecrat in the next installment, so whatever clarity there might be will probably emerge there. I didn't really miss it here -- like I said, I'm really more invested in the relationship than the action -- but YMMV.
Finally, props to Daniel May for his commitment to informing readers in the front material of what they're getting into: both in terms of how the story is situated with respect to an ongoing series/ world, and also, more importantly, in terms of CWs and potential triggers. This is something I've never noted in my reviews before, but he does it with all his stuff and it's incredibly useful and thoughtful towards his readers. Something I wish more authors would emulate.
In sum -- an absorbing, unusual, second-chance, hatesex-to-love vampire romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I got an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews, thanks! This is my honest review.
January 27, 2023
adventurous dark
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was such an interesting story in multiple ways:
1. I loved the way both MCs spoke in this "I'm hundreds of years old, and no matter how I witnessed the change in the world, I still think and talk how I'm used to" (if that makes sense)
2. The animosity turns love
There was always this desire and hate that fit the e2l 100%
3. There was this super crazy lucid dream world thing going on while I was reading.
It felt like some kind of fever dream but not in a bad way :D
4. I love that the author took some time to write an extended foreword, compared this book to his previous works, added content tags&warnings as well as an explanation why it's impossible to "track all the TW" and i appreciate this!!
I can't rate this 5stars because I loved the story & concept but I kinda thought it would go a bit more explicit (and/or) darker in some scenes (but that's because I kinda expected it based on his description in the foreword)
I'm more used to read DM's contemporary work and I think I enjoy his way of 3rd person view more than the first person view, but this is a totally personal opinion (I didn't put this in my rating)
I applied for an arc via gayromancereviews bc I enjoy in general the work from the author.
This is my honest opinion
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was such an interesting story in multiple ways:
1. I loved the way both MCs spoke in this "I'm hundreds of years old, and no matter how I witnessed the change in the world, I still think and talk how I'm used to" (if that makes sense)
2. The animosity turns love
There was always this desire and hate that fit the e2l 100%
3. There was this super crazy lucid dream world thing going on while I was reading.
It felt like some kind of fever dream but not in a bad way :D
4. I love that the author took some time to write an extended foreword, compared this book to his previous works, added content tags&warnings as well as an explanation why it's impossible to "track all the TW" and i appreciate this!!
I can't rate this 5stars because I loved the story & concept but I kinda thought it would go a bit more explicit (and/or) darker in some scenes (but that's because I kinda expected it based on his description in the foreword)
I'm more used to read DM's contemporary work and I think I enjoy his way of 3rd person view more than the first person view, but this is a totally personal opinion (I didn't put this in my rating)
I applied for an arc via gayromancereviews bc I enjoy in general the work from the author.
This is my honest opinion
July 4, 2024
4 ⚰⚰⚰⚰ (love capsules)
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS
Bonifacio = Bonifa
Cassiodorus - CassioWW (CassioWristWatch)
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS
Bonifacio = Bonifa
Cassiodorus - CassioWW (CassioWristWatch)
January 12, 2023
Bitterness, hatred, longing, confessions. All of of which are told through the journey of Cass and Boni as they tread deep into the crypts that sit below their rainy city.
This book feels like a flicker of a soft warm candlelight that roars and dims. I’m so deeply impressed by Daniel’s writing, characters and poetry.
But nonetheless it was outrageously hilarious at times, how seriously Cass and Boni take themselves. And clearly their priorities scream “horny”.
A perfect read to start the new year~
This book feels like a flicker of a soft warm candlelight that roars and dims. I’m so deeply impressed by Daniel’s writing, characters and poetry.
But nonetheless it was outrageously hilarious at times, how seriously Cass and Boni take themselves. And clearly their priorities scream “horny”.
A perfect read to start the new year~
January 15, 2023
I finished this book two days ago and I still don’t know how to rate it. When I finished I thought 3 stars. But I can’t stop thinking about it and remembering little details so now it’s closer to a 4?. Don’t ask me next week cause it will probably be different once again.
I’m a big fan of Daniel May and I will read everything he writes. Even when he writes things that aren’t my thing. Like this book. I don’t do horror because I’m the biggest chicken and I tend to avoid books in 1st person POV because I much prefer third person. But this is May so I turned on all the lights and read.
Set in the same world as Crimson Halo, we meet Cassio and Bonifacio, two very dramatic vampires. They carry a lot of history and a lot of hurt. But nothing like having to escape some monsters underground to make you realize that the line between hate and love is easily crossed.
While Crimson Halo had a more contained world building here it expands. It’s not just vampires anymore and the fantasy aspects are a lot more developed. Here is where the book lost me a bit. The POV works best when developing the characters. They are extremely dramatic and being in their heads is a lot of fun. But when explaining the world building I got a bit lost. The prose is more flowery than I enjoy, and it felt a bit complicated at times.
One of my favorite things May does is give me bad guys to root for. Bad guys I end up loving. I don’t know how he does it and it makes me question everything.
If you are a fan of vampires, fantasy with some horror I really recommend this book. If you are a chicken like me I suggest reading it during the day. While it’s part of a series it’s a standalone.
I’m a big fan of Daniel May and I will read everything he writes. Even when he writes things that aren’t my thing. Like this book. I don’t do horror because I’m the biggest chicken and I tend to avoid books in 1st person POV because I much prefer third person. But this is May so I turned on all the lights and read.
Set in the same world as Crimson Halo, we meet Cassio and Bonifacio, two very dramatic vampires. They carry a lot of history and a lot of hurt. But nothing like having to escape some monsters underground to make you realize that the line between hate and love is easily crossed.
While Crimson Halo had a more contained world building here it expands. It’s not just vampires anymore and the fantasy aspects are a lot more developed. Here is where the book lost me a bit. The POV works best when developing the characters. They are extremely dramatic and being in their heads is a lot of fun. But when explaining the world building I got a bit lost. The prose is more flowery than I enjoy, and it felt a bit complicated at times.
One of my favorite things May does is give me bad guys to root for. Bad guys I end up loving. I don’t know how he does it and it makes me question everything.
If you are a fan of vampires, fantasy with some horror I really recommend this book. If you are a chicken like me I suggest reading it during the day. While it’s part of a series it’s a standalone.
June 10, 2023
4.5⭐️ Daniel May’s writing is always fantastic and I love how each one of his books is vastly different from the rest.
This story was unlike any I’ve read. On the surface it’s a second-chance/forced-proximity romance between two centuries-old vampires who drifted apart long ago but are now brought back together, trapped in the underground catacombs, hunted by an unknown dangerous force.
Their personal story and renewed romance slowly unfolds in a very bizarre, dream-like way, shrouded in the horror of their surroundings with monsters and creatures.
I loved the constant push and pull of their anger/resentment toward one another mashed with their obvious underlying love that never truly went away. Just a beautiful, hauntingly-creepy story.
“As we walked — ascending from the narrow, cobbled avenues of the old market to the brutal face of the city proper, the blare of modern streets assailing us — I was as much thankful for Bonifacio’s presence as I yearned to fling him into traffic.”
“As far as my other options, well, I supposed there was loneliness, suicide, or imprisoning Cassio in an oversized birdcage and begging him to take me back until the seas rose, the sun burst, and hell froze over, for I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that no force on earth could compel my Cassiodorus to do that which he did not perform of his own volition. Damn him…
What if I bought him a pony?”
This story was unlike any I’ve read. On the surface it’s a second-chance/forced-proximity romance between two centuries-old vampires who drifted apart long ago but are now brought back together, trapped in the underground catacombs, hunted by an unknown dangerous force.
Their personal story and renewed romance slowly unfolds in a very bizarre, dream-like way, shrouded in the horror of their surroundings with monsters and creatures.
I loved the constant push and pull of their anger/resentment toward one another mashed with their obvious underlying love that never truly went away. Just a beautiful, hauntingly-creepy story.
“As we walked — ascending from the narrow, cobbled avenues of the old market to the brutal face of the city proper, the blare of modern streets assailing us — I was as much thankful for Bonifacio’s presence as I yearned to fling him into traffic.”
“As far as my other options, well, I supposed there was loneliness, suicide, or imprisoning Cassio in an oversized birdcage and begging him to take me back until the seas rose, the sun burst, and hell froze over, for I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that no force on earth could compel my Cassiodorus to do that which he did not perform of his own volition. Damn him…
What if I bought him a pony?”
September 3, 2023
Hilarious, super fun, tonally delightful - loved the vampire ex drama, was freaked out by the big bad(s), and cackled at the apparent Daniel May cameo as an author who’s clearly having a hard time with his current book (and who has a vampire roommate, look, we’ve all been there).
Very funny to have accidentally stumbled (back?) into my queer vampire phase as I ended up reading this and The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez simultaneously. They do not have much in common (The Gilda Stories is very naturalistic and this is uh not lol) but were both great reads.
Very funny to have accidentally stumbled (back?) into my queer vampire phase as I ended up reading this and The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez simultaneously. They do not have much in common (The Gilda Stories is very naturalistic and this is uh not lol) but were both great reads.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2023
Another hit!!!
This is the second book in the Garden of Fiends series.
What to say about this book... I have no words, I'm all out of them, and I've been wrung dry. Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. I'm not sure if I liked it as much as the first book in the series, Crimson Halo, but geez Louise it's something else. And yes, you can read this as a standalone, which I believe is stated in the blurb, but don't, just don't.
I loved the cameo appearance of Seth and Drew, I wish they'd gotten to spend a little more time with Cassiodorus and Bonifacio.
My favorite line from the book: 'I lounged in the hot water, putting on unaffected airs, while wondering to myself why the hell it had never occurred to me to wash with hot water.' This is so Bonifacio. 😂
All the books I've read by Daniel May have blown my mind. His storylines are always so original. I really like that in an author.
There is a long list of content warnings, so if you're a squeamish reader then you should probably read them first. I'm always so shocked when a reader gives a bad review on an author's book because they didn't like the theme of said book. I'm always like 'say what?'. Don't be reading books where you don't like the theme, duh!
To sum it up; dark themes, dark characters, dark romance. Loved it!!!
This is the second book in the Garden of Fiends series.
What to say about this book... I have no words, I'm all out of them, and I've been wrung dry. Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. I'm not sure if I liked it as much as the first book in the series, Crimson Halo, but geez Louise it's something else. And yes, you can read this as a standalone, which I believe is stated in the blurb, but don't, just don't.
I loved the cameo appearance of Seth and Drew, I wish they'd gotten to spend a little more time with Cassiodorus and Bonifacio.
My favorite line from the book: 'I lounged in the hot water, putting on unaffected airs, while wondering to myself why the hell it had never occurred to me to wash with hot water.' This is so Bonifacio. 😂
All the books I've read by Daniel May have blown my mind. His storylines are always so original. I really like that in an author.
There is a long list of content warnings, so if you're a squeamish reader then you should probably read them first. I'm always so shocked when a reader gives a bad review on an author's book because they didn't like the theme of said book. I'm always like 'say what?'. Don't be reading books where you don't like the theme, duh!
To sum it up; dark themes, dark characters, dark romance. Loved it!!!
January 14, 2023
There is dark romance and then there is Daniel May. As in all Daniel's writings, there was a lot of darkness, cruelty and torment. Bonifacio, as a vampire, made Cassiodorus years ago but they have drifted apart through not understanding the depths of their feelings for each other. In this story, we see deep emotions, obsessions and possessiveness through a paranormal filter. I did get a little lost in the spiritualism and dreams however. This is another Daniel May original written in his unique way with a happy ending for the MCs. I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion.
January 13, 2024
I've read half a dozen Daniel May novels by now, and while it's much darker fare than my usual fare, his writing is just irresistible. All the stars for originality, great dialogue, dark humor, a small cameo by Seth from book #1, and of course a wonderful HEA. For an author with so many dark tropes, I always appreciate his impeccable romantic endings.
If I have any nitpicks, it's that book #1 still deserves about 10 different epilogues or codas.
If I have any nitpicks, it's that book #1 still deserves about 10 different epilogues or codas.
January 8, 2025
Too little romance. Too many poems and cryptic dialogues. Their enmity makes little sense. Little was revealed about their pasts as a couple. I have problem believing all their issues of over decades spending together would just go away with one revelation.
December 16, 2023
PLEASE GIVE THE CONSECRAT HIS OWN BOOK DO NOT MAKE ME BEG BUT I WILL
February 25, 2023
I really enjoyed the first book in this series but I kept putting off reading this one because the blurb had me worried it wouldn't work as well for me. Thankfully, I was wrong, and I ended up quite enjoying it! The author's usual somewhat fucked up relationship dynamics, but that was definitely what I signed up for! Interesting plot, and a fun and subtle cameo from the first book's couple--this can definitely be read as a stand-alone. My main issue here was that it was never entirely clear to me why Cassio left and hated Bonifacio so much in the first place. At first it seemed implied that there was a big ~event~ that happened that Cassio couldn't forgive, but eventually it becomes clear that isn't the case, and none of Bonifacio's terrible qualities seemed to really bug Cassio now or in the past, so it just was never super clear what actually drove him away originally. But other than that bit of confusion, I did very much enjoy, and I'm definitely hoping we get more in this 'verse!
January 13, 2023
Wow, that was an unexpectedly fun story. So very different from DM's previous smutty and kinky books.
It's far more adventurous and action-filled than the blurb suggests, like a Jules Verne book, I'd say. The writing is full of details and I could actually picture the MCs in the darkness and humidity of those catacombs, though a few scenes were maybe overly complex and I ended up skimming through.
The plot is well done and the growth of both MCs well explored. I love grumpy vampires and these two guys did not disappoint.
Though it wasn't as dark as I had expected, there are dark elements. Read the TW.
It's far more adventurous and action-filled than the blurb suggests, like a Jules Verne book, I'd say. The writing is full of details and I could actually picture the MCs in the darkness and humidity of those catacombs, though a few scenes were maybe overly complex and I ended up skimming through.
The plot is well done and the growth of both MCs well explored. I love grumpy vampires and these two guys did not disappoint.
Though it wasn't as dark as I had expected, there are dark elements. Read the TW.
January 22, 2023
A beautifully and poetically written vampire horror/romance.
A vampire and his sire are brought back together to take down a hunter but accidentally unleash a monster neither can kill. They flee to the catacombs and hide; pressed close together in tombs where despite a lingering (and completely understandable grudge) neither can ignore the reminder of their previous coupling. Tensions continue to get higher as they slowly navigate their way down and discover possibly an even worse monster.
I was on the edge of my seat with this one! I expected the brutal and not-entirely-consensual nature of two monsters and former lovers in a confined space with each other, but the horror aspect completely caught me off guard and gripped me! I think this aspect of the story was actually more successful than the romance or erotica portion was. It was lacking somewhat in vulnerability or emotional connection, a lot happens in their internal dialogue that just doesn’t get said.
It lost a star for me with the frequent references to SA and the romanticising of those memories. Also they never used any kind of lubricant. 😳
I definitely want to read more by this author and I think I’ll dip my toe into horror soon since I enjoyed this so much.
Thanks to the author and Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC - all opinions are my own.
A vampire and his sire are brought back together to take down a hunter but accidentally unleash a monster neither can kill. They flee to the catacombs and hide; pressed close together in tombs where despite a lingering (and completely understandable grudge) neither can ignore the reminder of their previous coupling. Tensions continue to get higher as they slowly navigate their way down and discover possibly an even worse monster.
I was on the edge of my seat with this one! I expected the brutal and not-entirely-consensual nature of two monsters and former lovers in a confined space with each other, but the horror aspect completely caught me off guard and gripped me! I think this aspect of the story was actually more successful than the romance or erotica portion was. It was lacking somewhat in vulnerability or emotional connection, a lot happens in their internal dialogue that just doesn’t get said.
It lost a star for me with the frequent references to SA and the romanticising of those memories. Also they never used any kind of lubricant. 😳
I definitely want to read more by this author and I think I’ll dip my toe into horror soon since I enjoyed this so much.
Thanks to the author and Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC - all opinions are my own.
March 26, 2024
I wish we stayed more in the world built in the first book, I felt like we were introduced to a whole lot of characters but didn't go anywhere with them. This book had less characters and the two MCs were very interesting, and I was fully invested in the relationship. We did spend too much time in crypts though, I liked the city setting in book one.
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February 8, 2025Really popular paranormal mm book, with vampires with an old dubcon relationship needing to ally to confront a new threat. And it's flawed in the layout of information, in the really complex worlbuilding but where you are not quite sure where you are sometimes, and, this is the most important for me, the past relationship is not fully laid out, not to my taste. This is not a story which is told perfectly, that is flawless..
But it is original, it feels fresh, different, not cookie cutter, and there is a twist which is crazily romantic, when you get to that, wow, yes, and it made me cry in a good way, even if the setup of it all is kind of inconsistent. But that is the more important part for me, the emotional pay-off.
But it is original, it feels fresh, different, not cookie cutter, and there is a twist which is crazily romantic, when you get to that, wow, yes, and it made me cry in a good way, even if the setup of it all is kind of inconsistent. But that is the more important part for me, the emotional pay-off.
January 16, 2023
Speaking of style, I really like Daniel May's writing style. This particular book is poetically dark. It has that dreamy mysterious feel and setting that I cannot get enough of. Let's just say that Bonifacio and Cassiodorus have had quite a few years of being separated and somewhat avoiding each other that has built up into some difficult feelings. These two felt like real vampires to me. Their emotions and intenseness fit what I would think could build up over centuries! Their story is dark and emotional with a lot of action, but my favorite part is how truly possessive they actually are of each other.
February 28, 2023
While there were parts that I enjoyed (namely the slake, and Larkspur), overall, I found this contained too much poetry, too much sex, too little romance and too little character. Cassio felt like his only defining trait was his emotions towards Bonifacio. Bonifacio showed more character, but every time I get like I was going to see more from him, Cassio interrupted. I would have targeted this had just been Bonifacio getting up to not good and going on this adventure solo.
January 15, 2023
I LOVE Daniel May's writing..
He is probably one of my favourite authors - of all time!
And I was so stoked by the premise of this tale.. Everything from the blurb to the tags, sounded exactly like my dream masterpiece come true?!
But I hated this book. Like.. Hated it! ☺️
I couldn't stand the convoluted, old timey language, nigh incomprehensible in it's purple prose and twisted diction.
Why couldn't they talk and think normally?! Everything was so wrought, and the language curlicued unnecessarily, into an almost hard to understand, 300-year old, vocabulary soup.
Two enemies to lovers, sometimes battling, and sometimes fleeing evil, and then getting it on in a crypt..
That is my crack!
And yet I couldn't get into this book, even if I had used a crowbar to get past the barrier of the decrepit text.
I'm so dissapointed I hardly know what to do with myself.. I had looked forward to this book, with maybe unreasonable expectations and hopes, of possibly finding my favorite book of the year..
But even if I didn't love it, I thought that I would at least like it?!
But no, I just couldn't get past how they talked to eachother; - so unnecessarily complicated!
It distanced me from the story and characters, that I should have otherwise loved. This is exactly the kind of adventure I favour, and the kind of characters I usually love!
But all the flowery language, unnecessarily filigreed, the poetic musings, architectual descriptions and existential ponderings, completly turned me off.
Just talk, think, and describe normally.. Please?
This could've been the book of the year, but instead I had to force myself to not DNF this heaping pile of garbage.
I only finished it, because I wanted to finally read all the hot sex that was teased in the blurb, and I know for a fact, that no one in the world writes hotter fucking scenes than Mr.May.
But even that was a disappointment.
It wasn't graphic enough, there wasn't any dirty talk, there wasn't any real D/s, or really any kind of domination.
They didn't do any exciting positions, and again the language barrier kept me completely separated from the action.
And
the moment of penetration, was somehow glossed over, and not really described, it just "happened" and I felt totally robbed of what is usually my favourite part.
I couldn't feel what they felt, I didn't feel the need, urgency or obsession, that usually makes his scenes so hot, and overall I was just sad, detached, and deeply disappointed.
I sincerely hope that he chooses to write something similar in the future, but with contemporary language.
(And hotter sex, with domination, submission, humiliation, and overall addicting need.)
I would buy that in a heartbeat!
But just because I didn't like this, 😜doesn't mean that you wont love this tale, so please take it for a spin, regardless of my negative musings.😎
And if this is your first book by Daniel, and if it similarly doesn't fall in your tastes, please try other books by this author, because even if this one was a miss for me, he has written some of my favourite books of all time, who are very different from this one!
Well.. That's all folks! Bye bye! 😁
He is probably one of my favourite authors - of all time!
And I was so stoked by the premise of this tale.. Everything from the blurb to the tags, sounded exactly like my dream masterpiece come true?!
But I hated this book. Like.. Hated it! ☺️
I couldn't stand the convoluted, old timey language, nigh incomprehensible in it's purple prose and twisted diction.
Why couldn't they talk and think normally?! Everything was so wrought, and the language curlicued unnecessarily, into an almost hard to understand, 300-year old, vocabulary soup.
Two enemies to lovers, sometimes battling, and sometimes fleeing evil, and then getting it on in a crypt..
That is my crack!
And yet I couldn't get into this book, even if I had used a crowbar to get past the barrier of the decrepit text.
I'm so dissapointed I hardly know what to do with myself.. I had looked forward to this book, with maybe unreasonable expectations and hopes, of possibly finding my favorite book of the year..
But even if I didn't love it, I thought that I would at least like it?!
But no, I just couldn't get past how they talked to eachother; - so unnecessarily complicated!
It distanced me from the story and characters, that I should have otherwise loved. This is exactly the kind of adventure I favour, and the kind of characters I usually love!
But all the flowery language, unnecessarily filigreed, the poetic musings, architectual descriptions and existential ponderings, completly turned me off.
Just talk, think, and describe normally.. Please?
This could've been the book of the year, but instead I had to force myself to not DNF this heaping pile of garbage.
I only finished it, because I wanted to finally read all the hot sex that was teased in the blurb, and I know for a fact, that no one in the world writes hotter fucking scenes than Mr.May.
But even that was a disappointment.
It wasn't graphic enough, there wasn't any dirty talk, there wasn't any real D/s, or really any kind of domination.
They didn't do any exciting positions, and again the language barrier kept me completely separated from the action.
And
the moment of penetration, was somehow glossed over, and not really described, it just "happened" and I felt totally robbed of what is usually my favourite part.
I couldn't feel what they felt, I didn't feel the need, urgency or obsession, that usually makes his scenes so hot, and overall I was just sad, detached, and deeply disappointed.
I sincerely hope that he chooses to write something similar in the future, but with contemporary language.
(And hotter sex, with domination, submission, humiliation, and overall addicting need.)
I would buy that in a heartbeat!
But just because I didn't like this, 😜doesn't mean that you wont love this tale, so please take it for a spin, regardless of my negative musings.😎
And if this is your first book by Daniel, and if it similarly doesn't fall in your tastes, please try other books by this author, because even if this one was a miss for me, he has written some of my favourite books of all time, who are very different from this one!
Well.. That's all folks! Bye bye! 😁
January 16, 2023
ARC Review: “Sleepwalkers”, by Daniel May. Book 2 of the Garden of Fiends series (following “Crimson Halo”). Though you don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one, it would help set the scene and there are some characters that carry over.
This story captured me completely. Initially steeped in sadness and hatred and longing, brighter words and feelings bloom the more you delve into the book.
@danielmaywrites has such a poetic way with words. I get lost in their stories, their characters, the feelings and emotions swamp me in the best ways.
I really enjoyed Crimson Halo, but this story took me to new heights. The dark, foreboding, mysterious creature - I had chills, and I had to read with a light on!
This long hide-and-seek journey culminates in otherworldly dream lands, ancient tombs, forgotten creatures, terrifying and horny monsters (such a wild addition), crystal cave labyrinths, and steamy dreamies. As the truths are uncovered and mysteries deciphered, our jaded and harsh MCs discover more understanding along the way. Understanding of themselves, each other, and others of their kind.
I really can’t recommend these books enough. This one especially moved me, turned me introspective. Daniel May has such a way of peeling back the onion layers of a character, revealing such intense humanity and feeling in such a beautifully poetic way.
I’ll be diving further into their other books, because I’m addicted to this style now!
Be sure to check the CWs at the beginning of the book, and be sure to check this book out next!
*thanks to @gay.romance.reviews for the ARC*
This story captured me completely. Initially steeped in sadness and hatred and longing, brighter words and feelings bloom the more you delve into the book.
@danielmaywrites has such a poetic way with words. I get lost in their stories, their characters, the feelings and emotions swamp me in the best ways.
I really enjoyed Crimson Halo, but this story took me to new heights. The dark, foreboding, mysterious creature - I had chills, and I had to read with a light on!
This long hide-and-seek journey culminates in otherworldly dream lands, ancient tombs, forgotten creatures, terrifying and horny monsters (such a wild addition), crystal cave labyrinths, and steamy dreamies. As the truths are uncovered and mysteries deciphered, our jaded and harsh MCs discover more understanding along the way. Understanding of themselves, each other, and others of their kind.
I really can’t recommend these books enough. This one especially moved me, turned me introspective. Daniel May has such a way of peeling back the onion layers of a character, revealing such intense humanity and feeling in such a beautifully poetic way.
I’ll be diving further into their other books, because I’m addicted to this style now!
Be sure to check the CWs at the beginning of the book, and be sure to check this book out next!
*thanks to @gay.romance.reviews for the ARC*
January 27, 2023
Sleepwalkers is the second book in the Garden of Fiends series, but it can be read as a standalone. However, it’s my opinion that this book is best read after Crimson Halo to get a better sense of the paranormal world that these vampires inhabit and an understanding of the characters. There was a brief appearance from some of the main characters from book one.
Oh my goodness, what can I say about Sleepwalkers except that I was blown away by it and could not put it down. Daniel May has worked his way into becoming one of my favorite authors. He has such an interesting and fascinating way of creating stories that leave me in awe of his creativity. But this book is not for everyone – be careful and read the content warnings so you know what you are getting into and don’t pick up a book that isn’t for you. I love the toxic and intoxicating relationship between Cassiodorus and Bonifacio - estranged lovers who can’t help but feel the pull of attraction and sexual tension between the two of them. I loved the balance between horror, suspense, and romance that was throughout the book. There was action, great characterization, and of course, spicy, steamy moments. I want to know more about this world (what is this mysterious and deadly creature called a Slake?) and I hope there will be another book in this universe soon.
Oh my goodness, what can I say about Sleepwalkers except that I was blown away by it and could not put it down. Daniel May has worked his way into becoming one of my favorite authors. He has such an interesting and fascinating way of creating stories that leave me in awe of his creativity. But this book is not for everyone – be careful and read the content warnings so you know what you are getting into and don’t pick up a book that isn’t for you. I love the toxic and intoxicating relationship between Cassiodorus and Bonifacio - estranged lovers who can’t help but feel the pull of attraction and sexual tension between the two of them. I loved the balance between horror, suspense, and romance that was throughout the book. There was action, great characterization, and of course, spicy, steamy moments. I want to know more about this world (what is this mysterious and deadly creature called a Slake?) and I hope there will be another book in this universe soon.
January 18, 2023
Deliciously dark and full of hate filled angst that hides a love unacknowledged.
Bonifaciso, sharp, sarcastic, revels in his vampirism. Cassiodorus … angry, hate filled, despising his maker.. for many things… mostly for highlighting his own desires. a side of Cassio that he himself dislikes.
Theirs is a complicated relationship that is written with quite the poetic language that gives you the true feeling that these men have lived centuries ago… and are clearly vampires. No fluff.. no fated mates here. Just complex emotions that at the end.. they realise that they can only be one way forward. And that’s together.. but only if they survive what lies hidden in the crypts
I’m loving the world created by the author. That TBR side character’s or protagonists have as much depth and flavour as the main characters. Those that have read Crimson Halo.. you get a little snippet of a cameo. Seth and Drew make an appearance.
As always, I’m very intrigued by the ‘enemy’ the Consecrant… will there be a story there? I hope so.
Bonifaciso, sharp, sarcastic, revels in his vampirism. Cassiodorus … angry, hate filled, despising his maker.. for many things… mostly for highlighting his own desires. a side of Cassio that he himself dislikes.
Theirs is a complicated relationship that is written with quite the poetic language that gives you the true feeling that these men have lived centuries ago… and are clearly vampires. No fluff.. no fated mates here. Just complex emotions that at the end.. they realise that they can only be one way forward. And that’s together.. but only if they survive what lies hidden in the crypts
I’m loving the world created by the author. That TBR side character’s or protagonists have as much depth and flavour as the main characters. Those that have read Crimson Halo.. you get a little snippet of a cameo. Seth and Drew make an appearance.
As always, I’m very intrigued by the ‘enemy’ the Consecrant… will there be a story there? I hope so.
January 24, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up.
This was a surprisingly fun story to read! Sleepwalkers has a great fast-paced, heavy action storyline that is perfectly gripping.
Cassiodorus (aka Cass) and Bonifacio (aka Bonbon) are both no fuss characters; they have a prior relationship which was beneficial as this is a very short book. Long story short - Bonbon is not a great guy but he has so much going for him that Cass can’t help but want him.
Definitely some triggers here - check them before you start reading. The r@pe element of this book didn’t throw me off at all, in fact I thought it was very fitting to the storyline. The fact that Bonbon could behave like such a monster and Cass could still pine for him is just so fitting for them as characters.
The storyline (albeit a little confusing at times) was great; two vamps seek answers to an impossible creature which they aim to destroy. The writing was a little clunky at times but overall it worked.
I’m interested to see May’s writing style in a non PNR. Will definitely be sniffing them out to read more from him.
This was a surprisingly fun story to read! Sleepwalkers has a great fast-paced, heavy action storyline that is perfectly gripping.
Cassiodorus (aka Cass) and Bonifacio (aka Bonbon) are both no fuss characters; they have a prior relationship which was beneficial as this is a very short book. Long story short - Bonbon is not a great guy but he has so much going for him that Cass can’t help but want him.
Definitely some triggers here - check them before you start reading. The r@pe element of this book didn’t throw me off at all, in fact I thought it was very fitting to the storyline. The fact that Bonbon could behave like such a monster and Cass could still pine for him is just so fitting for them as characters.
The storyline (albeit a little confusing at times) was great; two vamps seek answers to an impossible creature which they aim to destroy. The writing was a little clunky at times but overall it worked.
I’m interested to see May’s writing style in a non PNR. Will definitely be sniffing them out to read more from him.
January 28, 2023
Otherworldly, fantastical, thrilling M/M vampire fantasy
Quote from Bonifacio, “Even in this fantastical, unreal realm where all was possible, it was still not possible that Cassiodorus should love me.” Or will he? This story was so out there it reminded me of some of the essays friends of mine wrote “back in the day” after having indulged. Wink. But it kept me reading to find out what would happen next. I’m not sure what made me want to read this book initially, having never read anything by Daniel May before, but it was quite entertaining. It’s appropriate that it has snippets of poetry in it because it was much like reading poetry. You had to pay attention and begin to feel the vibe. I felt like I was invited along on Bonifacio’s and Cassiodorus’ great adventure. Some is dreamy, some is very much nightmarish but all of it will be enjoyable if you like vampire M/M romance in a fantastical world. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Gay Romance Reviews.
Quote from Bonifacio, “Even in this fantastical, unreal realm where all was possible, it was still not possible that Cassiodorus should love me.” Or will he? This story was so out there it reminded me of some of the essays friends of mine wrote “back in the day” after having indulged. Wink. But it kept me reading to find out what would happen next. I’m not sure what made me want to read this book initially, having never read anything by Daniel May before, but it was quite entertaining. It’s appropriate that it has snippets of poetry in it because it was much like reading poetry. You had to pay attention and begin to feel the vibe. I felt like I was invited along on Bonifacio’s and Cassiodorus’ great adventure. Some is dreamy, some is very much nightmarish but all of it will be enjoyable if you like vampire M/M romance in a fantastical world. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Gay Romance Reviews.
January 18, 2023
I really enjoyed this book - it's very well written, and Daniel May does a fantastic job in having the writing style really reflect a more formal, "old fashioned" voice that is totally consistent with vampire protagonists who are hundreds of years old. I haven't seen that done before, and it really added to the ambience and to getting to know the characters. There's a lot of action, both physical and within each MC's head, and their journeys to know themselves and their feelings about their relationship was also unique and really well done. Not your typical PNR! I haven't read a lot of Daniel May before (including not having read Crimson Halo, the first Garden of Fiends book), and this is really different from his shorter contemporary stories that I have read. It definitely makes me want to go back and read more.
February 4, 2023
This is the story of Bonifacio and Cassiodorus(Cassio), it is the 2nd book in the Garden of Fiends series. Please read the trigger warnings. This is not a light and fluffy romance. I adore this story. It is written wonderfully creatively with amazing characters. It is unique and original, filled with passion, torment and a happy ending. Definitely recommended.
I received this book as an Arc and I am happily reviewing it voluntarily.
I received this book as an Arc and I am happily reviewing it voluntarily.
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