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Miles and the Magic Flute
When the forest behind a Minnesota pawn shop turns out to be the doorway into a faerie paradise, Miles Larson doesn't see any reason to complain. He's bankrupt, single, and living in a trailer in his backwoods hometown after being laid off from his big city he could use a little downtime in a homoerotic dreamland.
But Miles soon learns that in the faerie world, nothing is quite as simple as it seems. The beautiful faerie man who has captured Miles's heart might also be after Miles's soul. The frightening beast who chases him through the forest is actually a noble-hearted human under a terrible curse. And at the center of it all is the deathly beautiful Lord of Dreams, a faerie so powerful that if Miles so much as looks at his face, he will be lost in dreamland forever.
The only hope for Miles's escape is a magic flute, an enchanted instrument that holds the answer to the faerie lord's defeat. But even if Miles is smart and strong enough to wield it, will he dare? When the cold light of truth dawns, if there is no reality beneath the love he's found in the faerie realm, Miles will have to return to his own world—alone.
But Miles soon learns that in the faerie world, nothing is quite as simple as it seems. The beautiful faerie man who has captured Miles's heart might also be after Miles's soul. The frightening beast who chases him through the forest is actually a noble-hearted human under a terrible curse. And at the center of it all is the deathly beautiful Lord of Dreams, a faerie so powerful that if Miles so much as looks at his face, he will be lost in dreamland forever.
The only hope for Miles's escape is a magic flute, an enchanted instrument that holds the answer to the faerie lord's defeat. But even if Miles is smart and strong enough to wield it, will he dare? When the cold light of truth dawns, if there is no reality beneath the love he's found in the faerie realm, Miles will have to return to his own world—alone.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2010
10 people are currently reading
638 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Cullinan
50 books2,878 followersAuthor of over thirty novels, Midwest-native Heidi Cullinan writes positive-outcome romances for LGBT characters struggling against insurmountable odds because they believe there’s no such thing as too much happy ever after. Heidi’s books have been recommended by Library Journal, USA Today, RT Magazine, and Publishers Weekly. When Heidi isn’t writing, they enjoy gaming, reading manga, manhua, and danmei, playing with cats, and watching too much anime.
Heidi goes by Jun when being spoken to in person or online, and Jun’s pronouns are they/them.
Heidi goes by Jun when being spoken to in person or online, and Jun’s pronouns are they/them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
May 8, 2024
Oh dear, what a mess. Up until now I thought I loved Heidi Cullinan's writing, but now I'm tempted to say I'm never touching another book by this author.
Here come some spoilers, just a warning, I don't want to hide them because I can't recommend the book in good conscience anyway.
Miles is super sad and depressed about what cards life has dealt him lately. Completely understandable and even though many might be annoyed by his weepiness, I wasn't. I actually liked him as a character, even when he was too stupid to understand the simplest things later on.
Anyway, Miles eventually ends up in Faerie because of his whining and is hunted by a beast (yes that's based on Beauty and the Beast) and is rescued by a faerie prince. He takes him to his castle, which is not his castle at all but that of the Lord of Dreams (yes, that sounds suspiciously like the Sandman).
Anyway, all is not as it seems and Miles is constantly jumping back and forth between the faerie world and the real world. He gradually goes mad and his friends, a lesbian couple he lives with and an annoying woman who is supposed to be a witch but doesn't believe him, try to help him.
There are incantations and the cards are laid for him.
Nothing helps and to make matters worse, there's a magic flute (yes, it's not quite what it's supposed to be either). There is silver that is poisonous and a silver dildo that Miles is supposed to wear, for whatever reason, because it doesn't really have a function. Of course there is magic lube and a dungeon. And the beast rapes Miles, but not really, because Miles can only heal the beast that way.
OH MY GOD 🤯🤯🤯... I wanted to scream at the pointless annoying string of things you can read in any book about magical worlds and beings.
And yes, dreams are the core story here, but even reading it you feel like you're in a never-ending bad joke of a dream.
And I don't mean a nightmare, because if it was scary I could have understood, but no, it really was like a fever dream.
You know, I once, back when I had my wild phase, I had a White Russian night with the Dude and various nice substances that you can smoke ... Cough ... it was a fun night until it wasn't ... I can't remember much, just that I couldn't find my way out of the shitty dorm I was having fun in and somehow ended up climbing over fences.
The bad thing is, I spent a good three hours this week looking up mm romances with fairies and adding various books to my list of ones I was happy to have found. This was the first of those. You might say it can only get better, but Miles said, No. No. Don't hope. It's dangerous, and it will hurt. 😕☹️😖
Here come some spoilers, just a warning, I don't want to hide them because I can't recommend the book in good conscience anyway.
Miles is super sad and depressed about what cards life has dealt him lately. Completely understandable and even though many might be annoyed by his weepiness, I wasn't. I actually liked him as a character, even when he was too stupid to understand the simplest things later on.
Anyway, Miles eventually ends up in Faerie because of his whining and is hunted by a beast (yes that's based on Beauty and the Beast) and is rescued by a faerie prince. He takes him to his castle, which is not his castle at all but that of the Lord of Dreams (yes, that sounds suspiciously like the Sandman).
Anyway, all is not as it seems and Miles is constantly jumping back and forth between the faerie world and the real world. He gradually goes mad and his friends, a lesbian couple he lives with and an annoying woman who is supposed to be a witch but doesn't believe him, try to help him.
There are incantations and the cards are laid for him.
Nothing helps and to make matters worse, there's a magic flute (yes, it's not quite what it's supposed to be either). There is silver that is poisonous and a silver dildo that Miles is supposed to wear, for whatever reason, because it doesn't really have a function. Of course there is magic lube and a dungeon. And the beast rapes Miles, but not really, because Miles can only heal the beast that way.
OH MY GOD 🤯🤯🤯... I wanted to scream at the pointless annoying string of things you can read in any book about magical worlds and beings.
And yes, dreams are the core story here, but even reading it you feel like you're in a never-ending bad joke of a dream.
And I don't mean a nightmare, because if it was scary I could have understood, but no, it really was like a fever dream.
You know, I once, back when I had my wild phase, I had a White Russian night with the Dude and various nice substances that you can smoke ... Cough ... it was a fun night until it wasn't ... I can't remember much, just that I couldn't find my way out of the shitty dorm I was having fun in and somehow ended up climbing over fences.
The bad thing is, I spent a good three hours this week looking up mm romances with fairies and adding various books to my list of ones I was happy to have found. This was the first of those. You might say it can only get better, but Miles said, No. No. Don't hope. It's dangerous, and it will hurt. 😕☹️😖
May 19, 2010
I love the way Heidi always keeps the reader guessing at where her stories are going. There are no cookie cutter plots in her books where you can nod knowingly as the bad guy enters from stage left. This book had more twists and turns than Mr Toad's Wild Ride! :) The characters are beautifully shaped and real...even when they have horns and cloven hooves.
August 11, 2016
I worship Heidi Cullinan. I have given 4 or 5 stars to every Cullian book I've read (and I've read them all, or nearly so).
Miles and the Magic Flute is a beautifully written, dark faerie tale; a fantastical, creative, homoerotic story seeped in a stark, evocative landscape.
But it left me cold.
Miles, the narrator and MC, is weak. He whines and pouts, and loathes his life. When he finds a magic flute, he is transported into a faerie forest, a sort of alternate plane, a surreal dimension. There he meets various creates, including the Lord of Dreams and Harry, a beast/human, who is cursed to fall in love with every human he meets.
Miles has sex with various magical creatures, including Harry, but Harry becomes his one and only. But if Miles dies, does the dream die or does the body? And which story is the dream?
The sex was plentiful and kinky, but it had an ethereal quality that lacked passion. There is such a detached quality to the narrative, and so many ideas are brushed aside with an explanation of "It's magic so believe." I wanted to FEEL but couldn't.
Ultimately, I didn't connect with the narrative or characters, and left feeling strangely unsettled and vaguely unhappy. But if you love erotic, dark stories that make you squirm, this one's for you.
Miles and the Magic Flute is a beautifully written, dark faerie tale; a fantastical, creative, homoerotic story seeped in a stark, evocative landscape.
But it left me cold.
Miles, the narrator and MC, is weak. He whines and pouts, and loathes his life. When he finds a magic flute, he is transported into a faerie forest, a sort of alternate plane, a surreal dimension. There he meets various creates, including the Lord of Dreams and Harry, a beast/human, who is cursed to fall in love with every human he meets.
Miles has sex with various magical creatures, including Harry, but Harry becomes his one and only. But if Miles dies, does the dream die or does the body? And which story is the dream?
The sex was plentiful and kinky, but it had an ethereal quality that lacked passion. There is such a detached quality to the narrative, and so many ideas are brushed aside with an explanation of "It's magic so believe." I wanted to FEEL but couldn't.
Ultimately, I didn't connect with the narrative or characters, and left feeling strangely unsettled and vaguely unhappy. But if you love erotic, dark stories that make you squirm, this one's for you.
March 8, 2023
This was ridiculous, and just a little bit disgusting. It should’ve been a fast dnf for me, because from the very beginning, I couldn’t stand Miles the Idiot and his whining, but it was just SO absurd that I kept on reading as my eyebrows climbed higher and higher. I admit, I had a few good laughs reading this!
That’s only some of the gems you’ll find in this book. 😌 If you’re in the mood for a story that should’ve been titled Idiot and the Beast in Gay Wonderland, go for it!
The great silver phallus glowed too, hidden deep within the nest of his clean underwear. […] The pieces of silver lifted up from their places and began to drift toward the center of the room. […] The phallus drifted eerily toward him, then without pausing made a turn at Miles’s hip, heading for the not-yet sewn gap in his silver trousers.
Miles backed away from it, waving his hands. […]
“You must wear it for your own protection, and for his. […] You must take the silver from this room—your sacred space—inside of you. It will protect you […].”
“I have to take a phallus into my ass to protect myself?” Miles snapped.
[…] here he was, with a half-faerie, half-human’s enchanted fist buried deep within him, greased by magic lube.
That’s only some of the gems you’ll find in this book. 😌 If you’re in the mood for a story that should’ve been titled Idiot and the Beast in Gay Wonderland, go for it!
February 26, 2011
This book just was not for me.
July 14, 2015
This looks like another one where I'm going to be in the minority opinion.
There were aspects of this story I really liked, and then there were parts that just didn't work for me. I have always been a sucker for a good fairy tale, and this story did a good job delving into the darker, more traditional aspects of the genre. For all his faults, I even liked Miles. I understand how frustrated his must feel by the direction his life took. Being set back to the place he desperately wanted to escape from was his worst nightmare. I think his growth over the course of the book was a little too forced, and something about the progression felt off to me.
I liked most of the arc with the Lord of Dreams, but Harry's part didn't work for me. I didn't feel the connection between he and Miles like I was supposed to. The scene in the circle struck me as unnecessary, and didn't add anything to their relationship for me. Then when I found out about Harry's nature made that aspect even less believable. I think if they had more time to get to know each other, or understand each other it wouldn't have bothered me. I actually liked that
The ending also didn't really work for me. The final battle felt anti-climatic, and the resolution with Harry felt like an excuse for some pretty heavy smut rather than a natural part of the story. I also felt like she tried a little too hard not to have a perfect happy ending, but the obstacles she talks about seem small in light of the magic that was worked.
There were aspects of this story I really liked, and then there were parts that just didn't work for me. I have always been a sucker for a good fairy tale, and this story did a good job delving into the darker, more traditional aspects of the genre. For all his faults, I even liked Miles. I understand how frustrated his must feel by the direction his life took. Being set back to the place he desperately wanted to escape from was his worst nightmare. I think his growth over the course of the book was a little too forced, and something about the progression felt off to me.
I liked most of the arc with the Lord of Dreams, but Harry's part didn't work for me. I didn't feel the connection between he and Miles like I was supposed to. The scene in the circle struck me as unnecessary, and didn't add anything to their relationship for me. Then when I found out about Harry's nature made that aspect even less believable. I think if they had more time to get to know each other, or understand each other it wouldn't have bothered me. I actually liked that
The ending also didn't really work for me. The final battle felt anti-climatic, and the resolution with Harry felt like an excuse for some pretty heavy smut rather than a natural part of the story. I also felt like she tried a little too hard not to have a perfect happy ending, but the obstacles she talks about seem small in light of the magic that was worked.
January 1, 2011
One word: magic... this book is not about magic, but IT'S magic itself!
The enchanted story
Miles, the only narrator of this book, is broken in more than one meaning. He lost his work, and don't have money, but he is also broken in a more sad way... his soul is broken. Without hope, hating the world, and leaving with childhood friends he can't go on. He beg for something more, he deserve more, and want to do anything to have that... more... and something answer... The Lord of the Dreams.
The spellbinding characters
About Miles there is little or nothing I can say. He is the personification of despair. But please do not think he is suicide or something like that. He is only what we all are... tired of fight after so many destroyed dreams.
Harry is a beast. It isn't his true name, but Miles decided to call him Harry... and Harry he was after that. This book is in my "Beauty-and-Beast" shelf because of this character. Miles will not see the beast, but something more... someone... and that someone he can love with all his heart.
Terris made me cry. Yes, I'm not ashamed to admit it. I DO cry when some character is so heartbreaking like him. What he is and what he want is something you must discover reading the book. I refuse to spoil your fun telling more. Just one thing: do not hate him right away... give him the benefit of the doubt... he will surprise you.
The Lord of Dreams will haunt and hunt Miles. His appalling call will be constant, and his terrifying presence too. Fear him like Miles do... and hide, he is invincible... or not?
Julie, Patty and Katie are the 3 feminine amazing characters that will try to help Miles during his terrible moments. I love them... truly love them.
The flute oh yes, it's a presence in this story... read it... and you will discover it's importance... and that in magic nothing is what it should be.
Do I recommend this book?
Certainly YES, to all addicted of fantasy like me, but also to everyone searching a sweet love story, with suspense and mystery too. It's not a short story, but I certainly did not feel the weight of the pages. The writing is superb, and you will read it in one breath. It's just impossible to stop.
A little footnote: there is a fisting scene. A lot of readers (including myself) could be uncomfortable reading it, but it's so quick and not in an abuse context. So even if i knew about this scene, I would read this book without blink. Just loved it... and I think you should not waste this great opportunity. Read it, and then tell me.
5 stars
And the HEA is there... under another most important message: Life is suffering and also love, but that's why it's such a miracle... nothing is perfect, why should your life be?
Give up search for it... and you will be much more happy.
"Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
* Leonard Cohen
June 26, 2010
I won this book in a good reads giveaway. The cover looked
interesting.. and after reading the first few sentences of the
description, I figured, what the hell! And clicked enter..
After I won, I read the description fully and realized this was a
M/M romance themed book. Not something I would pick off a shelf at
borders to read, but I'm far from homophobic, so I didn't see that
being much of an issue. It certianly puts a funny spin on the title though.
"Miles and the Magic Flute" my first thought was.. (cheesy gay porno),
and honestly.. I wasn't far off! The only thing missing was the corny music.
I'm gonna be honest in saying.. I was not blown away by this book. I really did hope it was going to better. I dont think the writing was all that great. it wasn't horrible, the actual writing style itself wasn't too bad.. it just seemed so misplaced.. I think it jumped around to much. One minute I think there is gonna be some story... some backround as to who everyone is.. and it's interupted by Miles masterbating.. or getting his dick sucked.. or something along the lines of that..
Dont get me wrong.. I'm not prude at all.. and i'm definately not knocking on it because it's two men.. If it was men with women it would annoy me too. I have read many straight romances.. and very few of them have had this much sex in it.. lol.
I"m gonna quote a couple of my fav lines from this.. because they are too funny to resist...
"Is this some sort of super-faerie lube?"
"I have to take a phallus into my ass to protect myself?"
Too funny. lol
Seriously though, to me it seemed the sex scenes were all written and then tied together with as little plot as possible to connect them. Then to have life lessons thrown in there too... Lets face it.. the main focus of this book was about being fucked, sucked and fisted. The only thing about Miles that I really saw grow... was his asshole.
Overall, I dont think it was a bad book, I just dont think it was the book for me.. Just not what I was expecting.. I was thinking it would be a fantasy book with a love story between a man and another man. this was more like a gay porno on paper. Which is fine.. if that's what your looking for, but it wasn't what I was looking for...
so it was just okay for me.. but she did use the word spunk, so that earned it an extra star!
One last complaint... I was kinda hoping the magic flute would end up in his ass.. I mean.. pretty much everything else did.. so that was a tiny disappointment. lmao.
interesting.. and after reading the first few sentences of the
description, I figured, what the hell! And clicked enter..
After I won, I read the description fully and realized this was a
M/M romance themed book. Not something I would pick off a shelf at
borders to read, but I'm far from homophobic, so I didn't see that
being much of an issue. It certianly puts a funny spin on the title though.
"Miles and the Magic Flute" my first thought was.. (cheesy gay porno),
and honestly.. I wasn't far off! The only thing missing was the corny music.
I'm gonna be honest in saying.. I was not blown away by this book. I really did hope it was going to better. I dont think the writing was all that great. it wasn't horrible, the actual writing style itself wasn't too bad.. it just seemed so misplaced.. I think it jumped around to much. One minute I think there is gonna be some story... some backround as to who everyone is.. and it's interupted by Miles masterbating.. or getting his dick sucked.. or something along the lines of that..
Dont get me wrong.. I'm not prude at all.. and i'm definately not knocking on it because it's two men.. If it was men with women it would annoy me too. I have read many straight romances.. and very few of them have had this much sex in it.. lol.
I"m gonna quote a couple of my fav lines from this.. because they are too funny to resist...
"Is this some sort of super-faerie lube?"
"I have to take a phallus into my ass to protect myself?"
Too funny. lol
Seriously though, to me it seemed the sex scenes were all written and then tied together with as little plot as possible to connect them. Then to have life lessons thrown in there too... Lets face it.. the main focus of this book was about being fucked, sucked and fisted. The only thing about Miles that I really saw grow... was his asshole.
Overall, I dont think it was a bad book, I just dont think it was the book for me.. Just not what I was expecting.. I was thinking it would be a fantasy book with a love story between a man and another man. this was more like a gay porno on paper. Which is fine.. if that's what your looking for, but it wasn't what I was looking for...
so it was just okay for me.. but she did use the word spunk, so that earned it an extra star!
One last complaint... I was kinda hoping the magic flute would end up in his ass.. I mean.. pretty much everything else did.. so that was a tiny disappointment. lmao.
July 3, 2014
Life is a fairytale, both tragedy and happiness await. But living means there is no end, no HEA rather a HFN that needs constant attention.
Miles is sullen and unhappy. He spews what he feels and it isn't until he starts to see beyond himself that he sees himself--and the metamorphosis begins. His journey is filled with doubt, of himself and by others. Aid is given, but he must act and his fate hinges on what he does.
There is a mystery to solve. Who Miles should trust. What he should do. And in the end it is his decision to make. There is nice trickery and deception as befits a fae story. Like Miles, the reader is wondering how much to believe at any one time. I liked the characterizations of the four principles and enjoyed the storyline additions provided by the secondary characters. It was a rich reading experience.
Ending was a whirlwind summary and drawn out so that all the "t"s were crossed and "i"s dotted. I would have been happy with that cord cut sooner and left it without all the tidy wrapping up.
3.5 Stars
Favorite quote:
~~A copy was provided to me for a No Glitter Blown review~~
~~~Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews~~~
Nothing the human heart does is rational.
Miles is sullen and unhappy. He spews what he feels and it isn't until he starts to see beyond himself that he sees himself--and the metamorphosis begins. His journey is filled with doubt, of himself and by others. Aid is given, but he must act and his fate hinges on what he does.
There is a mystery to solve. Who Miles should trust. What he should do. And in the end it is his decision to make. There is nice trickery and deception as befits a fae story. Like Miles, the reader is wondering how much to believe at any one time. I liked the characterizations of the four principles and enjoyed the storyline additions provided by the secondary characters. It was a rich reading experience.
Ending was a whirlwind summary and drawn out so that all the "t"s were crossed and "i"s dotted. I would have been happy with that cord cut sooner and left it without all the tidy wrapping up.
3.5 Stars
Favorite quote:
Life is beauty, but it must be pain, too, and humans deal with that by choosing what they wish to see.
~~A copy was provided to me for a No Glitter Blown review~~
~~~Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews~~~
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March 26, 2014This is the correct edition and cover for this book and should be set as the primary. Please don't change it. (I'm the author, and I approved this message.)
September 9, 2011
3.5. This is a little difficult to review because I admit some of my personal preferences influenced my enjoyment. I really like fantasy and I love, LOVE faeries. (Go ahead and make jokes at my expense, I know you want to, LOL) When I first met Miles, the protagonist, I really didn't like him because he was whining, entitled, and basically just wallowing in self pity after he lost his job. I realized as I read further that the author made him that way on purpose, to show a contrast as he gradually became less selfish and less inclined to complain that life isn't fair and he deserves better. Miles is staying with friends and working at a pawn shop. He feels pulled to the woods nearby, where he eventually meets a beautiful fey named Terris and a beastly creature that Miles names Harry. He's given a choice between them, and of course he chooses the pretty faerie over the nasty, stinky creature intent on catching and raping him. This begins a series of odd events that take Miles to various dream and nightmare like realms as he tries to discover what is happening to him and how he can save himself from the Lord of Dreams.
Terris is great. I loved him. He's a true faerie: cold, manipulative, deceitful, vain and selfish. I know that doesn't sound very likable, but he's really well done, has some tragic back story to explain his motivations and...I really like faeries. Harry I couldn't understand. We're told he's good and noble, but I never saw it. I never understood why Miles fell so in love with him so fast, to the point where he's thinking about Harry while having amazing sex with perfect, beautiful Terris. I though Harry was just gross. He's hideous, smells bad, and wants to rape Miles. Eventually Miles decides he wants to save Harry and Terris from the Dream Lord, though he eventually sort of abandons Terris and focuses on Harry. To do so, he enlists the help of his friends, three lesbian witches who started out kind of cliched but eventually ended up fleshed-out and likable. He also must learn how to use the magic flute he finds in the pawn shop, and that's an interesting, intricate plot thread.
Unfortunately, at least for me, Miles has to do some pretty bizarre sexual stuff in his quest to save Harry. Some of this stuff is clap your hand over your mouth awful, especially when he has sex with Harry in his beast form. It was awful, I almost stopped reading. There are ginormous, magical sex toys, too much fisting, and magic faerie lube that facilitates the fisting. While I like the story, the interesting and inventive plot, the creative conflicts and unpredictability of it all, the sex was just not hot. Not at all, after the initial Terris scene, which wasn't romantic, but was at least pretty. After that I felt like I was watching a train wreck. This is just my opinion of course, but it was way outside my comfort zone.
Also, it wraps up a little too neatly in the end, and the last battle was a let down. Other than that, I did enjoy the story, some of the characters, and the fantasy setting. Just not the sex. Still, it deserves a good rating for an inventive story that I really did want to see resolved, and an interesting world, and some very cool characters.
Terris is great. I loved him. He's a true faerie: cold, manipulative, deceitful, vain and selfish. I know that doesn't sound very likable, but he's really well done, has some tragic back story to explain his motivations and...I really like faeries. Harry I couldn't understand. We're told he's good and noble, but I never saw it. I never understood why Miles fell so in love with him so fast, to the point where he's thinking about Harry while having amazing sex with perfect, beautiful Terris. I though Harry was just gross. He's hideous, smells bad, and wants to rape Miles. Eventually Miles decides he wants to save Harry and Terris from the Dream Lord, though he eventually sort of abandons Terris and focuses on Harry. To do so, he enlists the help of his friends, three lesbian witches who started out kind of cliched but eventually ended up fleshed-out and likable. He also must learn how to use the magic flute he finds in the pawn shop, and that's an interesting, intricate plot thread.
Unfortunately, at least for me, Miles has to do some pretty bizarre sexual stuff in his quest to save Harry. Some of this stuff is clap your hand over your mouth awful, especially when he has sex with Harry in his beast form. It was awful, I almost stopped reading. There are ginormous, magical sex toys, too much fisting, and magic faerie lube that facilitates the fisting. While I like the story, the interesting and inventive plot, the creative conflicts and unpredictability of it all, the sex was just not hot. Not at all, after the initial Terris scene, which wasn't romantic, but was at least pretty. After that I felt like I was watching a train wreck. This is just my opinion of course, but it was way outside my comfort zone.
Also, it wraps up a little too neatly in the end, and the last battle was a let down. Other than that, I did enjoy the story, some of the characters, and the fantasy setting. Just not the sex. Still, it deserves a good rating for an inventive story that I really did want to see resolved, and an interesting world, and some very cool characters.
June 27, 2010
This is my favorite book of Heidi’s to date. I have a few personal reasons for this. For one, the idea for Miles came to Heidi mere days before NANO last year, and rather than shelve it for later, she dove right in, determined to capture the magic and momentum of the story. I admire that sort of dedication and tenacity.
For many writers, this whirlwind of creativity might have given birth to a decent if sketchy story—because just how many novels get written in three weeks?—but rather than scratch the surface of something deep and serpentine and emotive, Miles delivers the whole package. I’ve said it before,and I'll say it again: Heidi’s characters are so damn real. They’re you and me and everybody else we know, beaten down by a bad economy and betrayed by lovers, settling for less than what they want, but dreaming for more. Imperfect, but bursting with potential.
The faerie world that Miles discovers drips with beauty. It is as rich as the frigid Minnesota landscape of reality is stark and unforgiving. These settings strike an appropriate parallel to Mile’s quest. They open his eyes to the true difference between dreams and reality—differences that have little to do with magic.
I must mention the colorful cast of supporting characters. They breathe so much life into the narrative that you know, upon finishing the book, that the story wouldn’t have been the same without them.
I heartily recommend this one, friends. And congratulations, Heidi! You should be very proud.
For many writers, this whirlwind of creativity might have given birth to a decent if sketchy story—because just how many novels get written in three weeks?—but rather than scratch the surface of something deep and serpentine and emotive, Miles delivers the whole package. I’ve said it before,and I'll say it again: Heidi’s characters are so damn real. They’re you and me and everybody else we know, beaten down by a bad economy and betrayed by lovers, settling for less than what they want, but dreaming for more. Imperfect, but bursting with potential.
The faerie world that Miles discovers drips with beauty. It is as rich as the frigid Minnesota landscape of reality is stark and unforgiving. These settings strike an appropriate parallel to Mile’s quest. They open his eyes to the true difference between dreams and reality—differences that have little to do with magic.
I must mention the colorful cast of supporting characters. They breathe so much life into the narrative that you know, upon finishing the book, that the story wouldn’t have been the same without them.
I heartily recommend this one, friends. And congratulations, Heidi! You should be very proud.
March 5, 2015
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance****
3.75 Stars
Miles and the Magic Flute was a beautifully written fairytale complete with a moral and a happily ever after.
Miles himself, though not terribly likeable at first, was wholly relatable. I think we would be lying to ourselves if we didn’t acknowledge feeling the same way at some point in our lives, if only for a moment. His journey of self discovery was difficult and heart wrenching but necessary. It made me think and reflect on my own life.
The sex was plentiful and kinky, but skirted the edge of uncomfortable for me. To be honest, I didn’t really feel the connection between Miles and his eventual love match. I got Miles feelings to a degree but questioned the returned affection. However, in the confines of a fairytale, I was willing to buy into it.
The story was enthralling and magical, but not without its flaws. However, worth the read!
I would like to thank Wilde City Press for providing me with the eRC of this title in exchange for my honest opinion.
3.75 Stars
Miles and the Magic Flute was a beautifully written fairytale complete with a moral and a happily ever after.
Miles himself, though not terribly likeable at first, was wholly relatable. I think we would be lying to ourselves if we didn’t acknowledge feeling the same way at some point in our lives, if only for a moment. His journey of self discovery was difficult and heart wrenching but necessary. It made me think and reflect on my own life.
The sex was plentiful and kinky, but skirted the edge of uncomfortable for me. To be honest, I didn’t really feel the connection between Miles and his eventual love match. I got Miles feelings to a degree but questioned the returned affection. However, in the confines of a fairytale, I was willing to buy into it.
The story was enthralling and magical, but not without its flaws. However, worth the read!
I would like to thank Wilde City Press for providing me with the eRC of this title in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 13, 2022
What an ending! That climactic scene was better than I could've ever dreamed up (ha ha ha, I'm so funny...), but it was absolutely perfect. I think part of me was prepared for some of it, since, after all, fairies lie, even if they aren't telling lies, but drawing everything together with all the lovers was beautiful. And painful. And perfect, of course. For those of my friends who like dark dark stories, I have to warn you that, although there's a bit of brutality to these faeries, it probably won't be enough for you -- this isn't Avril Ashton, so if you're craving super dark, this probably isn't gonna be your jam. For my friends who love light-hearted fae/shifter/vampire stories (you know I adore E.J. Russell!), this might be just a touch too much despair for you. For me, this hit the Goldilocks zone precisely. I'm not quite sure why it's taken me so long to read this, but I'm so very glad that it's available again now.
June 27, 2010
Excellent dark fantasy m/m romance about a man who's lost his job and his dream life and been forced to return to his small home town in Minnesota. When he finds a mysterious silver flute in the pawn shop where he now works, he becomes caught in a series of fantastical events he could not have predicted... or have believed.
May 31, 2012
The moralizing at the end seemed pretty heavy-handed. I agreed with it, but didn't appreciate being hit over the head with it. A bit more subtlety would have been nice. Still, a nice story and enjoyable read.
January 28, 2016
This was a nice surprise. Very different from Heidi Cullinan's usual stuff (though the kink was familiar :)). The story had a dream-like quality and the ending was perhaps a bit cheesy but it still grabbed me from the moment I started and left me with a big grin.
July 9, 2010
I’m going to say that judging by the positive reviews scattered around for this title, it must just be me that didn’t connect with this unfortunately. While I’m a fan of the author’s writing, especially fantasy elements, several aspects of Miles and the Magic Flute just didn’t work for me and left me uneasy at the end. It seems to be just me since the issues I had are rarely mentioned by others so perhaps judge for yourself with the book. It is a dark fantasy, faerie tale that isn’t afraid to delve into the shadows and give an edgy fear to the romance and erotica.
The story is one of many from the publisher based on old fashioned fairy tales. The idea is clearly to incorporate a modern, fantasy twist on the old tale while keeping the life lessons that are at the core. Here Miles is taught that life is not about what you deserve but more so what you make of it when he discovers a magical flute in the pawn shop he’s working in. When the magic turns dark and threatens Miles with tough choices, he has to examine his life up to now and the direction he’s going. True love is not always easy or beautiful.
The plot feels clunky and awkward to me, which is a huge departure from previous works by this author. On the one hand the setting is crafted with trademark authenticity and the barren, freezing wasteland of Minnesota is translated incredibly well. The despair and anger Miles feels at his life and what has become of it is incredibly stark and vivid. This creates an edgy, dark tone to the story that works well. Unfortunately the plot also tries incredibly hard to create a fantasy setting in keeping with the Fey but leaves so many questions unanswered I was pretty frustrated. Whenever Miles would ask a bunch of questions, I asked those same questions as the reader. Unfortunately both Miles and the reader are put off with the bland, generic explanation that everything is Magic.
This explanation feels weak and over used as the background and essential skeleton of the plot is not really explained. It’s merely Magic and that is used to leap from action to action without worrying about how and why. I could have followed that but since Miles is stuck in the how and why for the entirety of the book, so as the reader I was too. Thus I was equally as confused, frustrated, and angry when nothing is explained or makes sense. Miles only lets go of his cling to logic at the very end and by then I couldn’t follow sadly. Additionally the life lesson, which is always incorporated in fairy tales, here feels as though it’s beating the reader over the head. Miles and the characters repeat frequently that life is not about what you deserve. This isn’t a bad lesson but by the end, I felt clobbered with a metal pipe beating this into my head.
The other issue that compounded the problems is that the erotica scenes felt well, not sexy at all. They feel empty of emotion and the real lack of connection between the participants made me not want to read these scenes. I can see why each are included, mostly, but they feel rote and without the spark of chemistry and interest that have hallmarked earlier works of Cullinan’s. Instead these scenes feel dark, graphic, and I actually cringed at one point to have to read yet another fisting scene that feels creepy. This could just be me but I had a tough time seeing a deep, romantic connection between Miles and Harry. Thus when combined with sex scenes between Miles and several other Fey creatures, nothing seemed to have the sense of excitement and pleasure that I was expecting. Oh and a word to readers there is beast-human sex so some may be bothered by that.
The characters are decently developed but the real failure for me came with the final romantic couple of Miles and Harry. I actually felt more of a connection between Tarris and Murali. Since Harry is cursed to fall in love with anyone and everyone, his ultimate love for Miles feels shallow and unimportant. Miles is just the latest in a long line and happens to care for Harry so match made. I realize this is a simplification but that’s how the story read for me. The high points are the characterization of the Lord of Dreams, the scenes where he is present lend a fabulous dark element to the fantasy. The final culmination is one of the best scenes of the book with a lot of emotion, drama, and suspense even while the reader knows a happy ending is coming.
While I really like this author, I didn't particularly enjoy this offering. It has the bare bones of a good story that never quite materialized for me. It's straddling the fence of being an erotic romance and a dark fantasy and the combination just didn’t work. I wished it had committed to one way or the other and likely been more successful. But again that’s just my opinion and many others really enjoyed the darker take on fantasy and faerie tales.
The story is one of many from the publisher based on old fashioned fairy tales. The idea is clearly to incorporate a modern, fantasy twist on the old tale while keeping the life lessons that are at the core. Here Miles is taught that life is not about what you deserve but more so what you make of it when he discovers a magical flute in the pawn shop he’s working in. When the magic turns dark and threatens Miles with tough choices, he has to examine his life up to now and the direction he’s going. True love is not always easy or beautiful.
The plot feels clunky and awkward to me, which is a huge departure from previous works by this author. On the one hand the setting is crafted with trademark authenticity and the barren, freezing wasteland of Minnesota is translated incredibly well. The despair and anger Miles feels at his life and what has become of it is incredibly stark and vivid. This creates an edgy, dark tone to the story that works well. Unfortunately the plot also tries incredibly hard to create a fantasy setting in keeping with the Fey but leaves so many questions unanswered I was pretty frustrated. Whenever Miles would ask a bunch of questions, I asked those same questions as the reader. Unfortunately both Miles and the reader are put off with the bland, generic explanation that everything is Magic.
This explanation feels weak and over used as the background and essential skeleton of the plot is not really explained. It’s merely Magic and that is used to leap from action to action without worrying about how and why. I could have followed that but since Miles is stuck in the how and why for the entirety of the book, so as the reader I was too. Thus I was equally as confused, frustrated, and angry when nothing is explained or makes sense. Miles only lets go of his cling to logic at the very end and by then I couldn’t follow sadly. Additionally the life lesson, which is always incorporated in fairy tales, here feels as though it’s beating the reader over the head. Miles and the characters repeat frequently that life is not about what you deserve. This isn’t a bad lesson but by the end, I felt clobbered with a metal pipe beating this into my head.
The other issue that compounded the problems is that the erotica scenes felt well, not sexy at all. They feel empty of emotion and the real lack of connection between the participants made me not want to read these scenes. I can see why each are included, mostly, but they feel rote and without the spark of chemistry and interest that have hallmarked earlier works of Cullinan’s. Instead these scenes feel dark, graphic, and I actually cringed at one point to have to read yet another fisting scene that feels creepy. This could just be me but I had a tough time seeing a deep, romantic connection between Miles and Harry. Thus when combined with sex scenes between Miles and several other Fey creatures, nothing seemed to have the sense of excitement and pleasure that I was expecting. Oh and a word to readers there is beast-human sex so some may be bothered by that.
The characters are decently developed but the real failure for me came with the final romantic couple of Miles and Harry. I actually felt more of a connection between Tarris and Murali. Since Harry is cursed to fall in love with anyone and everyone, his ultimate love for Miles feels shallow and unimportant. Miles is just the latest in a long line and happens to care for Harry so match made. I realize this is a simplification but that’s how the story read for me. The high points are the characterization of the Lord of Dreams, the scenes where he is present lend a fabulous dark element to the fantasy. The final culmination is one of the best scenes of the book with a lot of emotion, drama, and suspense even while the reader knows a happy ending is coming.
While I really like this author, I didn't particularly enjoy this offering. It has the bare bones of a good story that never quite materialized for me. It's straddling the fence of being an erotic romance and a dark fantasy and the combination just didn’t work. I wished it had committed to one way or the other and likely been more successful. But again that’s just my opinion and many others really enjoyed the darker take on fantasy and faerie tales.
July 14, 2010
This story is part character study, part fairy tale and part dream. It was apparently written during a NANO within three weeks. Although the author did pretty well with her NANO novels Special Delivery and Double blind, she didn't achieve the same level with this. It's got all the possibilities for a really gripping dark fantasy, but sadly didn't make much out of it.
What worked for me:
The secondary cast. Julie, the vegan fairy-spotter and Patty, the butchiest of butchs were hilarious and very vivid. Terris was wonderful in his coldhearted calculation and twisted sense of honor. The descriptions of the landscape of wintery Minnesota was masterful, creating a dark, depressive winter-grey feeling which fit the story just fine.
What didn't:
Miles. A prick, single minded, arrogant, stupid and pathetic. He was quite flat, despite the fact he's the narrator. Well, I needn't like every main character of the books I read, but I need to understand what drives them to be what they are and to act how they do. Miles just didn't. He had all those things happen to him; they were supposed to make him stronger, to forward his character, but in the end he's just the same. He was supposed to be able to control his life and "fix things" in the end, but did he? I think he didn't.
Harry. We are told he's a honorable man, stronger than any who fell into the pranks of the Lord of Dreams, but in the end, he's still just a beast. For the life of me I didn't get why Miles would fall in love with him
The sex. Although the sex scenes were necessary for the story, there wasn't any emotion in any of them. They felt cold, rattled out and right away boring despite the gruesome details. And really, super-special fairy lube appearing out of thin air? A man walking around with a child's arm-thick silver phallus shoved up his ass? Fairy tale or not, this was a bit much.
The plot: There was a beginnig section which ran almost one-third of the book during which Miles is lured in by the forest but shies away from it. When this happened for the first time, I appreciated it, for who's so foolish as to act on such a whim? When it happened for the second time, it was okay, even for the third time, for three is the magic number. But when Miles rambled on and on about whethere he had or hadn't seen someting there and whether or not he should follow the urge to go into the forest, it became boring. Felt like upping the word count.
I get it a dream and fairy tale don't need as much logic as say, a mystery. But no logic at all, things just happening with the only explanation like "Well, this is magic, isn't it?"
No, sorry it is not. It's cheating.
It's not a bad read, don't get me wrong. It#S Heidi Cullinan, after all. But she can do so much better, and I was disappointed.
What worked for me:
The secondary cast. Julie, the vegan fairy-spotter and Patty, the butchiest of butchs were hilarious and very vivid. Terris was wonderful in his coldhearted calculation and twisted sense of honor. The descriptions of the landscape of wintery Minnesota was masterful, creating a dark, depressive winter-grey feeling which fit the story just fine.
What didn't:
Miles. A prick, single minded, arrogant, stupid and pathetic. He was quite flat, despite the fact he's the narrator. Well, I needn't like every main character of the books I read, but I need to understand what drives them to be what they are and to act how they do. Miles just didn't. He had all those things happen to him; they were supposed to make him stronger, to forward his character, but in the end he's just the same. He was supposed to be able to control his life and "fix things" in the end, but did he? I think he didn't.
Harry. We are told he's a honorable man, stronger than any who fell into the pranks of the Lord of Dreams, but in the end, he's still just a beast. For the life of me I didn't get why Miles would fall in love with him
The sex. Although the sex scenes were necessary for the story, there wasn't any emotion in any of them. They felt cold, rattled out and right away boring despite the gruesome details. And really, super-special fairy lube appearing out of thin air? A man walking around with a child's arm-thick silver phallus shoved up his ass? Fairy tale or not, this was a bit much.
The plot: There was a beginnig section which ran almost one-third of the book during which Miles is lured in by the forest but shies away from it. When this happened for the first time, I appreciated it, for who's so foolish as to act on such a whim? When it happened for the second time, it was okay, even for the third time, for three is the magic number. But when Miles rambled on and on about whethere he had or hadn't seen someting there and whether or not he should follow the urge to go into the forest, it became boring. Felt like upping the word count.
I get it a dream and fairy tale don't need as much logic as say, a mystery. But no logic at all, things just happening with the only explanation like "Well, this is magic, isn't it?"
No, sorry it is not. It's cheating.
It's not a bad read, don't get me wrong. It#S Heidi Cullinan, after all. But she can do so much better, and I was disappointed.
January 20, 2013
I've been thinking of trying my hand at writing LGBT romantic fiction, but when I started reading this book, I found myself thinking meekly, "Okay, never mind, my idea isn't cool enough." I love faery lore, especially the dark, weird, dream-and-nightmare-like stories (which is what true faery tales are like), and this certainly delivers. If you're easily put off by a few graphic erotic scenes with some strange shape-shifting-type characters, or occasional gruesome injuries, you might not like it, but they didn't detract from the story for me.
Miles is a central character we can relate to, if we've ever been in a grumpy "my life sucks" phase, and who hasn't? It's easy to see why he dives into the faery world when given the chance, and also easy to see why he gets utterly freaked out when it turns out to be not quite as he expected. Too late by then--he's been claimed by some otherworldly interested parties, who aren't about to let him go. And there's no Giles (loved the Buffy reference) to look the rules up for him and tell him how to fix it.
In fact, the plotting was so full of interesting magical twists and turns that I wound up a bit confused about who had which curse put upon him and why, and by whom. But the ending satisfied me well enough all the same. Will be happy to read more of Cullinan's work!
Miles is a central character we can relate to, if we've ever been in a grumpy "my life sucks" phase, and who hasn't? It's easy to see why he dives into the faery world when given the chance, and also easy to see why he gets utterly freaked out when it turns out to be not quite as he expected. Too late by then--he's been claimed by some otherworldly interested parties, who aren't about to let him go. And there's no Giles (loved the Buffy reference) to look the rules up for him and tell him how to fix it.
In fact, the plotting was so full of interesting magical twists and turns that I wound up a bit confused about who had which curse put upon him and why, and by whom. But the ending satisfied me well enough all the same. Will be happy to read more of Cullinan's work!
May 14, 2011
I would be surprised if someone actually liked Miles at the beginning of this story. He's sulky and childish and borders on being a bad friend. He wears his arrogance and entitlement like a shroud. He surrounds himself with people who practice and believe in the supernatural and barely controls sneering in contempt at them.
This is who Miles is when the book starts. You are not supposed to like him. I search for some miniscule, redeeming quality to hold onto to get me through the first part of the book and found nothing. In fact, I almost dropped it altogether. I couldn't make myself feel any kind of compassion for Miles and believed that he deserved what was going to happen to him.
Then the beast was introduced, so horribly terrifying and pitiful at the same time. I read the rest of the book because I wanted to know what happened to the beast. I am so glad that I didn't stop because Miles transformed and grew into a true hero. (I even got a little misty eyed.)
This is who Miles is when the book starts. You are not supposed to like him. I search for some miniscule, redeeming quality to hold onto to get me through the first part of the book and found nothing. In fact, I almost dropped it altogether. I couldn't make myself feel any kind of compassion for Miles and believed that he deserved what was going to happen to him.
Then the beast was introduced, so horribly terrifying and pitiful at the same time. I read the rest of the book because I wanted to know what happened to the beast. I am so glad that I didn't stop because Miles transformed and grew into a true hero. (I even got a little misty eyed.)
November 8, 2010
I wouldn't have read this if it wasn't for the fact that I've loved some of Heidi's other books. Fantasy is not really my favourite genre, and I was uneasy about reading a faery land story (although intrigued by the idea of a gay faery land, I must admit).
Miles is not a likeable character, as other reviewers have commented, but I didn't find this too much of a problem. He starts changing soon enough. I have slight issues with the nature of his relationships with the various faery folk, and the ending seemed a little forced, but it was a fascinating plot. Heidi manages to weave a fair amount of sex into the tale, and all in the service of the plot.
It's interesting - dark and uncomfortable at times. If you're a fan of Heidi's writing and/or you love dark fantasy tales then I'd recommend it, but it's not like her other works, that's for sure.
Miles is not a likeable character, as other reviewers have commented, but I didn't find this too much of a problem. He starts changing soon enough. I have slight issues with the nature of his relationships with the various faery folk, and the ending seemed a little forced, but it was a fascinating plot. Heidi manages to weave a fair amount of sex into the tale, and all in the service of the plot.
It's interesting - dark and uncomfortable at times. If you're a fan of Heidi's writing and/or you love dark fantasy tales then I'd recommend it, but it's not like her other works, that's for sure.
October 14, 2012
I really wanted to like this more than I did in the end.
There were the usual really good writing skills from Heidi Cullinan, but the plot made me feel a bit like I'd eaten some dodgy mushrooms...
What with the dreamscape and Miles jumping from one reality to another quite frequently, it made my head spin at times. It was a bit reminiscent of watching Inception.
I love the fairy tale and fantasy sub-genres, and must admit I was expecting something like Amy Lane's 'Truth in the Dark', but this was far edgier, less lyrical writing. Plus I felt Miles was a bit of a man-whore, LOL.
Another lovely cover by Anne Cain :) Her covers really tempt me to buy a lot of books. Dreamspinner really should hold onto her, put her in shackles or something! She's a great asset.
There were the usual really good writing skills from Heidi Cullinan, but the plot made me feel a bit like I'd eaten some dodgy mushrooms...
What with the dreamscape and Miles jumping from one reality to another quite frequently, it made my head spin at times. It was a bit reminiscent of watching Inception.
I love the fairy tale and fantasy sub-genres, and must admit I was expecting something like Amy Lane's 'Truth in the Dark', but this was far edgier, less lyrical writing. Plus I felt Miles was a bit of a man-whore, LOL.
Another lovely cover by Anne Cain :) Her covers really tempt me to buy a lot of books. Dreamspinner really should hold onto her, put her in shackles or something! She's a great asset.
April 20, 2015
This seemed a very different kind of story from Cullinan. It was a bit of a twisted fairy tale, with the fae acting very cruelly indeed. I found Miles a bit unsympathetic at the outset, but then, there was good reason for that, and he realized it himself as the story progressed. The alternate world of dreams he was drawn into was nicely fleshed out, as insubstantial as it was, and the various characters, both fae and human, were distinct and interesting.
I ended up finding all of the characters engaging, and the outcome seemed quite fitting the fairly tale nature of the story.
I ended up finding all of the characters engaging, and the outcome seemed quite fitting the fairly tale nature of the story.
August 4, 2011
I liked the setup and the premise but everything else was very blah. The romance was a bit ridiculous because it's hard to say exactly how Miles "falls in love with" Harry when they had so few scenes together.
However, there were a few interesting bits. The surprise regarding Terris was one, as was the one regarding the flute.
Cullinan is one of the better gay romance writer's I've come across, I just wish she had spent a little more time on this one.
However, there were a few interesting bits. The surprise regarding Terris was one, as was the one regarding the flute.
Cullinan is one of the better gay romance writer's I've come across, I just wish she had spent a little more time on this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
September 6, 2015Very well written, the world creation was outstanding. I just couldn't connect with the story. It was too...philosophical and poetic. I could appreciate the writing, world building, character development, and the moral imbedded in the story but could not really enjoy the story.
September 2, 2021
What's with me picking up instalove romances recently? I wasn't aware this was one when I checked it out, so I find myself disappointed. Combined with rushed development, uninteresting sex scenes, and a plot that tried for complex but landed on convoluted, I was happy to have this one out of the way. Just kinda meh!
December 26, 2017
I've really enjoyed books from Heidi Cullinan but for some reason I've found that I just cannot get in to her paranormal romances. I had a hard time connecting with the world building so it made it harder to enjoy. I'll continue to enjoy titles from Ms. Cullinan but probably not her paranormals.
December 10, 2010
I've had this book in my "to-read" pile for months and I must say I was rather frustrated with my schedule for not allowing me the opportunity to just dive in and escape into this story. I decided that I would make this book my "reward" for getting my work done and I'm so very glad that I did!
What I liked about this book: Can I say "everything" and leave it at that? No? Oh, all right! One of the things I love about Heidi Cullinan's works is the "message in the song". Her stories are never without purpose and the tales always speak to your heart and leave you feeling like you've learned something about yourself and the world we live in. She does it with such grace and fluidity that you don't even realize it until you're sitting in front of a computer monitor about to write a review.
This is the story Narnia couldn't tell. It's the fairy tale we all wish would come true with its nightmarish moments woven into a mythical world the purest of hearts believe in. I wasn't just reading Miles' story, I was living it and experiencing it, and like Miles, being transformed by it. This tale is not for the faint of heart. It has its dark and sinister moments filled with gore and every creepy thing you've ever thought could exist in the dark but the beauty of the world Heidi Cullinan creates and the emotions she pulls from you as you read it, stick with you far longer than the scary elements will.
There's a reason this book won an award for Best Fantasy in Elisa's Rainbow Awards. It's just that damn good!
Summary: When the forest behind a Minnesota pawn shop turns out to be the doorway into a faerie paradise, Miles Larson doesn't see any reason to complain. He's bankrupt, single, and living in a trailer in his backwoods hometown after being laid off from his big city job: yes, he could use a little downtime in a homoerotic dreamland.
But Miles soon learns that in the faerie world nothing is quite as simple as it seems. The beautiful faerie man who has captured Miles's heart might also be after Miles's soul. The frightening beast-man who chases him through the forest is actually a noble-hearted human under a terrible curse. And at the center of it all is the deathly beautiful Lord of Dreams, a faerie so powerful that if Miles so much as looks at his face, he will be lost in dreamland forever.
The only hope for Miles's escape lies in a magic silver flute, an enchanted instrument that holds the answer to the faerie lord's defeat. But even if Miles is smart and strong enough to wield it, will he dare? All dreams must stay in dreamland, and when the cold light of truth dawns, if there is no reality beneath the love he's found in the faerie realm, Miles will have to return to his own world—alone.
What I liked about this book: Can I say "everything" and leave it at that? No? Oh, all right! One of the things I love about Heidi Cullinan's works is the "message in the song". Her stories are never without purpose and the tales always speak to your heart and leave you feeling like you've learned something about yourself and the world we live in. She does it with such grace and fluidity that you don't even realize it until you're sitting in front of a computer monitor about to write a review.
This is the story Narnia couldn't tell. It's the fairy tale we all wish would come true with its nightmarish moments woven into a mythical world the purest of hearts believe in. I wasn't just reading Miles' story, I was living it and experiencing it, and like Miles, being transformed by it. This tale is not for the faint of heart. It has its dark and sinister moments filled with gore and every creepy thing you've ever thought could exist in the dark but the beauty of the world Heidi Cullinan creates and the emotions she pulls from you as you read it, stick with you far longer than the scary elements will.
There's a reason this book won an award for Best Fantasy in Elisa's Rainbow Awards. It's just that damn good!
December 3, 2012
Just finished a rather unusual fantasy titled "Miles and the Magic Flute" by Heidi Cullinan. I've come across very few gay-themed urban fantasy titles in the Charles de Lint vein, so I was eager to check this one out. And it’s a rather bizarre tale, to be sure!
I wasn't overly taken with Miles to begin with, as he didn't exactly come across as a particularly likable individual. Oh, no doubt he had his troubles---he’d been made redundant and was basically penniless, forced to live in the spare bedroom of an old childhood friend while he doing odd jobs for her pawn shop. But his attitude was more than a little grating---filled with anger and regret and self-pity at his current situation, he kept whinging on in a most irritating manner. But one day as he articulated his frustration, something heard him in the wood behind the shop, and he found himself drawn into the faerie realm, with typically disastrous and frightening results. (Oldest rule in the book---you simply don’t mess around with faeries, who tend to be cold and capricious and without human pity or other emotions.)
However, these fantastic experiences do help to bring out the long-hidden good qualities of Miles’ character, and as the story progresses he begins to change for the better, even as his situation becomes ever more dire.
This story would by no means be classified as erotica, but it’s true enough that the book contains a number of fairly explicit passages. This can be either a plus or a negative, depending on the reader’s taste. As for me, personally, I didn't find these portions of the text to be particularly appealing (due to the nature of the encounters), and I would have been quite happy if they had been scaled back considerably. In movie terms, I would have preferred the book to have the equivalent of a PG-13 rating, rather than an R. But that’s just me; I daresay there are others for whom this wouldn't be an issue at all.
So, a slightly mixed rating from me---loved the inventiveness of the story and the plotting, but could have done without some of the sex. If the urban fantasy genre appeals to you, by all means give it a try.
I’m not at all adverse to checking out some of the author’s other work in the future, and in fact (looking through her Amazon listings) I see I have actually already read one of her other books, the Regency "A Private Gentleman." Boy, this story couldn't be more different that that one!
I wasn't overly taken with Miles to begin with, as he didn't exactly come across as a particularly likable individual. Oh, no doubt he had his troubles---he’d been made redundant and was basically penniless, forced to live in the spare bedroom of an old childhood friend while he doing odd jobs for her pawn shop. But his attitude was more than a little grating---filled with anger and regret and self-pity at his current situation, he kept whinging on in a most irritating manner. But one day as he articulated his frustration, something heard him in the wood behind the shop, and he found himself drawn into the faerie realm, with typically disastrous and frightening results. (Oldest rule in the book---you simply don’t mess around with faeries, who tend to be cold and capricious and without human pity or other emotions.)
However, these fantastic experiences do help to bring out the long-hidden good qualities of Miles’ character, and as the story progresses he begins to change for the better, even as his situation becomes ever more dire.
This story would by no means be classified as erotica, but it’s true enough that the book contains a number of fairly explicit passages. This can be either a plus or a negative, depending on the reader’s taste. As for me, personally, I didn't find these portions of the text to be particularly appealing (due to the nature of the encounters), and I would have been quite happy if they had been scaled back considerably. In movie terms, I would have preferred the book to have the equivalent of a PG-13 rating, rather than an R. But that’s just me; I daresay there are others for whom this wouldn't be an issue at all.
So, a slightly mixed rating from me---loved the inventiveness of the story and the plotting, but could have done without some of the sex. If the urban fantasy genre appeals to you, by all means give it a try.
I’m not at all adverse to checking out some of the author’s other work in the future, and in fact (looking through her Amazon listings) I see I have actually already read one of her other books, the Regency "A Private Gentleman." Boy, this story couldn't be more different that that one!
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