Tuesday, 4 March 2014

[REVIEW] Fear (The Copper Horse #1) by K.A. Merikan

Fear (The Copper Horse #1)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Recommended by: ARC
Recommended for: A must read for all ponyplay/animal role play fans
Read from February 24 to 27, 2014 — I own a copy, read count: 1

5 Thrilled Stars cos I love this fuck-horse-slave-thing. It makes me tingly all over!

I am pleased that Fear is not some cocktease ponyplay book. The human pony here is for real not the kind of dom/sub play session to get each other off. Fear comes with all sorts of delightful pony get-ups like tail plugs, halter, harnesses, bit gag and a horse mane haircut and various other pony training devices. What's more exciting is the presence of a groom and a firm owner who wasn't shy on dishing out punishments to a deserving pony. The story has subjugation of a young man with mild humiliation and degradation. And the protagonist had to endure whole lot of torments on his body and soul to be transformed into a mere pet, a plaything of a wealthy tyrannic crime lord. 

THE STORY & CHARACTERS
Reuben was a down on his luck poor baker's son who was gradually reduced to the status of a pet horse by a manipulative man he was now forced to call his master. No matter how hard he resisted, Erik always has the right punishment to cure him of his disobedience. Erik is a fascinating character to me. I think he is a very good psychological manipulator (check out the link, he ticks almost all the boxes). He is such an eccentric, he baffles both Reuben aka Copper (his pet name now) and me. Copper struggles to understand his master in his effort to avoid those devious punishments he fears so much. Unfortunately this is a tough thing to do as Erik is much like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Poor Copper, his days are spent tip-toeing around his master.

Copper's master has a strong kink for all things equestrian. The choice of an equine themed home decor in his house is a great example aside from his deviant habit of keeping humans as pet horses. He is a shameless debaucher who derives his sexual fulfillment through bedding two-legged horses. On the other hand, Reuben was a closeted gay feeling shameful of his sexual orientation and would try his best to repress it. Which is why he found being stuck as a pet to a perverted handsome master has its own merits. It was liberating to be able to enjoy his guilty pleasure minus the guilt factor since he has no say in whatsoever perverted games his master forced upon him. Besides that he does enjoys being pampered, have his every needs taken care of and receiving praises lavished upon him which felt real good. His master is actually kind and fair when he is a good horse. He was cherished as a prized stallion and was doted on by both his master and groom. Only all these good things comes with a hefty price -- his total lost of freedom and his dignity as a man is at risk. Could he give up all this for a taste of luxury? 

As days goes by, Copper learned that the best way to stay pain-free and enjoy more guilt-free sex is to act like a real horse his master had wanted him to be. He would whinny and nuzzle his master affectionately to gain his approval and hope for rewards. I love it when he does that.  
"I don't! I never lie! I am a very honest horse!" Reuben tried being funny again and nuzzled Erik's cheek. His master's expression softened at the caress, and Reuben felt Erik's hands circling his waist.

Me thinks Copper is damn cute when he is a fine and obedient horse. I would want him for myself if I could. I'll dote on him and give him all the sugar cubes he could eat then make him run on the treadmill till he drop. ∋━━o(`∀´oメ)~→


WHAT I LIKE MOST

★ I adore the angst and the hurt-comfort thing going on with Copper and his master and also with Jack his groom who dotes on him.

 I love that the author knows how to dish out exciting sexual tension. Copper was so torn between liking the sexual attention and loathing his positive reactions to it. He felt ashamed of his weakness. Erik is such a beast when it comes to feeding his carnal urges, he has no qualms advertising his sexual desire for his male pet horse even with an audience. I applaud him for embracing his kink so proudly. I heart Erik (。♥‿♥。)

 Ample focus on the ponyplay part. I enjoyed Copper's pony training very much and loves how firm and authoritative his master was throughout his training. Copper's master may be strict but he does not neglect Copper's pleasures. I also like how Copper gradually adapts to his pet status in Erik's household. His reluctance and angst was a divine feast to me.


OVERVIEW
Fear was a bravely written ponyplay erotica that is very much dedicate to pet play. It was truly fascinating to watch the bonding of this pair of master and pet. They seemed to be made for each other. The story was rather sweet and funny. Most importantly, it was hot as hell. My body and mind took much pleasure in reading it. No kidding, I was tingly all over and loving every moment of it. *bliss*

I admit that there are some minor editing issues here and there maybe because mine was an advance review copy. Yet I am glad it did not affect my level of enjoyment. I am very proud of the K.A. Merikan team for nailing this theme perfectly and I can't wait for the next installment of this thrilling ponyplay trilogy. I need to know if Reuben has truly submitted to his tyrannic master. Please don't make me wait too long.

Lastly I wish to commend the authors for not skimping on the word count just because the book was part of a serialization. In my humble opinion, Fear is a full-fledged novel and worthy of it's price tag.

If you are a true fan of ponyplay and had always wished to get more than a glimpse of it from the books you read, then you will love this one for sure. Not only did it not shy away from the subject, it stays focused on it as well. This point alone already made it a rare gem.


THESE ALL MY LOVELY STALLIONS!


Ain't he ravishing?


He takes me places in exchange for sugar cubes.


Giddy-Up! *cracks whip on a defenseless firm buttock*


He's all cosy in his new stable with lots of soft hay to bounce on.


Meet Stallion Bond. Such a gorgeous stud.


Save the best for the last... a Unicorn-play! Such a sexy stud.

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This pair of fabulous authors has great taste in book covers.


BOOK DETAILS:

Title: Fear
Author: K.A. Merikan

Publication Date: March 7th, 2014
Publisher:  Storm Moon Press
Type: Novel, 97,606 words (approximate)
Genre: M/M, Gay Fiction, Erotica, Dystopia, Alternate World
Tags/Keywords: Ponyplay, Animal Role Playing, Gay, Master & Pet, Groom, Pony Training, D/S, Dominance-Submission, Forced Submission, Mild Humiliation & Degradation, Zombies, Dystopia, Erotica, Noncon-Dubcon, Restraints/Bondage, Horse halter, Horse Bit, Bridle, Horse Harness, Carting, Rape, Caning, Flogging, Corporal Punishments, Smaller Top/Dominant, Profound Physical Size Difference, Captive-Captivity, Kidnapped, Slave, Enslavement, Restricted Freedom, Horse Grooming, Stables, Hay, Haystack, Alternative Victorian London

Description:

London
1907, twenty years into the zombie Plague

Reuben is a baker living in the slums of London, sharing a room with his father and an extended family of cockroaches. Poor, uneducated, and repressing all his sexual desires, he leads a life of misery, only sometimes sprinkled with gin and a rough tumble in a filthy back alley.

But when he is abducted into Bylondon to be the slave of a wealthy crime family member named Erik Dal, his values are put to the test. His new master is obsessed with all things equestrian, and Reuben soon learns that if he obeys and performs well as Erik's horse, he might just get everything he yearns for: pampering, foods he never even dreamed of, and shameless sex with a demonically handsome young man in leather riding boots.

As Copper, Erik's treasured dun stallion, Reuben must submit to his new master's obscene fancy of possessing another man completely. That is, if he yearns for treats and not the lick of a riding crop. Fake tails, harnesses, and a new haircut to his ginger mane help Reuben transform into Copper, but the fear of losing his dignity in the eyes of society might just prove to be a bigger restraint than any bit, bridle, or handcuffs.

All that for the small price of his freedom. Though at times, Reuben feels it's his soul that Erik is after instead.



This review has also been cross-posted on my blogs:
  




WHERE TO BUY:




* Reviewed on March 4th, 2014


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NOTE: This is an ARC (Review Copy) extended to me for reviewing purpose.






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Monday, 3 March 2014

[REVIEW] Alien vs Pooh by Giant Hamburger

Alien vs Pooh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Read from March 03 to 04, 2014, read count: 1
Read online here: http://godxiliary.com/alienvspooh/



4 Stars for the Chest-busting Cuteness!

Aliens infestation mayhem started when Pooh and his bestie, Piglet took a stroll in their beloved woods. Pooh's inquisitive nature got the better of him when he found pods that looked so much like tasty pots of honey he adores.

Giant Hamburger brought to you a mashup of Winnie the Pooh with the Aliens vs Predator movie. Lots of silliness and disturbing imagery. You'll surely be satisfied with the amount of face hugging, chest bursting fun in this warped but brilliant piece of webcomic.

Hundred Acre Wood aliens infestation! Come find out how Pooh and friends deal with it. Have a tea party in the garden perhaps? Maybe a gun toting Tigger in his exoskeleton suit would save the day?

It's super short so no worries of not having enough time to waste on it. This parody of Aliens vs Predator is certainly warped but it is tons of fun!


Dontcha love this book cover? Quite lovely and tasteful really.

*For more morbid/zany webcomics from Giant Hamburger, visit this link.


Monday, 24 February 2014

[REVIEW] Buried by Matt Shaw


Buried
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Read from February 21 to 23, 2014 - I own a copy, read count: 1




Would my family betray me? Am I worthy enough to be saved? I am scared. Is this really the end of me? But I don't want to die now.

These are the questions that kept playing on Todd's mind. His disorientated mind made him question his parent's love for him and his sister's loyalty to him. He regrets the things he didn't do enough to be loved and cherished by them when he was free and able.

As he lay confined in his small restrictive box, he tried to piece together why is he trapped here. His memories was fragmented and poisoned by wild hallucinations which only thickens the longer he stays in the box. What is true and what is merely his cruel mind playing games with him? Even so, Todd cherished these broken memories however twisted they are as they are his sole companion to get his mind off his suffocating situation.

What I Liked
The author did a great job with the flashbacks. The flashbacks was infused with twisted hallucinations which projects the protagonist's helplessness and the his claustrophobic experience really well. So well that I started having morbid thoughts myself: like keeping a sharp tool hidden on my body just in case what happened to Todd happened to me. This book gives me cold sweat as I do have phobia of being buried alive. Such a sick way to go you know. Worst possible way really. I was all jittery even before I started reading it. I am hopeless I know.

Was I Spooked?
Maybe it's because of me having high expectation before reading it and I was fully expecting to be incapacitated by fear after reading it, that's why I was pretty surprised that this isn't the case for me at all. I am not saying that I wasn't the least affected by the sufferings of the poor guy crammed into a small box. I am, hence the earlier morbid thoughts. It could be that it was told in first person's view and the environment wasn't detailed enough to rub more of the fear factor in or something.

Overview
In terms of plotting, this book nailed it. It kept me speculating throughout the story and I am glad to say I kept getting it wrong. Now that's a good thing especially when it comes to story with a mystery to solve. I also love all the mindfuckings this book dealt me and it is a good read that kept me turning the pages. I just expect a little more on the fear factor. So this is more like a 3.8 rounded up to 4 stars for me.

About the Ending and in Answer to Author's Note
I am much relieved the author didn't go with his initial idea of having a silly ending. The current ending was a good pick as it brought a whole new meaning to the story and includes some moral values as well. I liked the twist where..
Spoiler:
Kayla was actually dead and just a figment of Todd's imagination in his desperation to escape his wretched reality. She is much like a guardian angel eventhough at first I thought she's a vengeful ghost wanting to claim her brother's soul to accompany her in the netherworld. Hey, it's a horror book, one would understandably expect scary stuff like that right? Aside from that Kayla twist, I also think that Todd's grief over her beloved sister's dead leading him to self-destruction habits fits really well with the story and it left a chance of redemption in the eyes of the readers when they eventually found out what actually happened to him at the end of the story.

Yes I liked the current ending although I don't mind...
Spoiler:
a 'darker ending' like the one where the Todd didn't make it. I wouldn't be upset with it - just make it a memorable one is all I ask for. *the dark side of me in control at the moment* This is horror after all so HEA can go fuck itself! When you strike, you strike hard and make it count. I would rather have a memorable ending than one that doesn't fit well with the entire story just because of wanting to conform with the demands of the general request for silver-lining. Just my 2-cents and I am in no way saying the current ending suck kay. It works too.

Side Note
Thanks to this book, little-moth-me have found several films featuring this morbid theme of live burials. I am going to list them here just in case they pique your interest too:

Knowing a curious cat like me, I couldn't say no to these wicked films and will absolutely be watching them slowly. I know that this wouldn't be a good idea to dispel my fear of live burials, I just can't stop myself from wanting to know more. >_<; 


I am reading this book because of this image and its blurb....
The image disturbed me a lot. Yet I couldn't help but to find it mesmerizingly beautiful.
Image Credit: yd84 @ Deviantart.com


BOOK DETAILS:
Title: Buried
Author: Matt Shaw
Publication Date: August 4th, 2012
Publisher: Indie publishing
Type: Short Story, 12,840 words (approximate)
Genre: Horror Mystery Fiction, Psychological Thriller
Tags/Keywords: coffin, buried alive, box, confinement, captivity, claustrophobia, claustrophobic, young man, suffocating, unstable mind, hallucination, cramped, mindfuck

Description:
I've stopped panicking now. Not because I'm not scared. I just know panicking won't help the situation. It'll only serve to make it worse. Need to try and remain calm for as long as possible. Control my breathing. Save my oxygen. I breathed in and coughed. The air in here is stale. I hope I'm not in here for long. Please, dad. Don't let me be here for long. Please. I started to cry. Helpless.

* * * * *

The day after his 21st Birthday Party, Todd woke to find himself trapped in a box with nothing but broken memories for company. Told through his eyes, live his fear and feel his claustrophobia as he frantically tries to piece together what happened, who buried him and why in Matt Shaw's new horror novella.

Cover Design: Yaryshev Evgeny (www.yd84.deviantart.com)(less)



* Reviewed on February 24th, 2014


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Friday, 21 February 2014

[REVIEW] Cursed Blessings by Lynn Kelling


Cursed Blessings
Recommended for: Mpreg aficionados

Read from February 20 to 21, 2014 — I own a copy, read count: 1
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cursed Blessings has full frontal on-page male birth scene in vivid colors. So unlike many other mpreg books that usually safely employs an off-page birth scene (boo). To date I have only read one that has on-page birth scenes (yes in plural) and that was a quirky M/M scifi book called Acquainted with the Night by Tymber Dalton of which I adored to bits as it has everything my deviant little mind could ever ask for - (Check out my checklist here).

The difference between the two is that the birth scenes in Acquainted has an arousing aspect to it unlike this book plus it wasn't anything as intense or graphic as what that poor guy in this book has gone through. The birth here was very traumatic and somewhat gruesome. I really have to salute the protagonist for his balls of steel in his brave attempt to save a life and his remaining male pride knowing the macabre he has to face to achieving his goal. That tub scene is going to stay put in my mind and I shall replay it whenever I felt I need a bit of morbidity in my M/M books.

Nope. This IS NOT an erotica as I don't think what happened is meant to arouse someone unless that someone gets off on morbid stuff. I am not sure what it really is. What I know is that it contains bit of male romance and a shot of the paranormal forces. Whatever it is, I liked it. I liked the author's brave take on mpreg and it is really well written. The pregnancy and birth has a touch of realism in it although it IS an impossible feat for a male's body to perform unless he magically grew a womb, which isn't too far of a stretch here with the presence of paranormal elements in the story. I guess the author pulled it off successfully. I loved it and it left me wanting more.


I love this cover. So daring.

BOOK DETAILS:
Author: Lynn Kelling
Publication Date: December 19th, 2013
Publisher: Fantastic Fiction Publishing
Type: Short Story, 5,300 words (approximate)
Genre: Gay/Bi Mpreg Paranormal Fiction
Tags/Keywords: gay, bisexual, paranormal, mpreg, pregnancy, birthing, birth, home birth, self-mutilation, horror, gore, pain, trauma

Description:
Lev Baxter’s life has been spent searching for the truth of the world’s dark mysteries, and hiding from his own secrets. Burdened by love and lust for his married best friend, Shaw Montgomery, Lev escapes into the arms of countless, unnamed women in foreign lands, far from his true temptation. But Shaw seeks him out and Lev succumbs. The price he pays lies in a Romanian demon’s curse, and his guilt drives him into hiding. When the curse comes to fruition and Lev has no choice but to carve it from his body, no amount of running or hiding can save him from the truths which find him at last. (M/M)


* Reviewed on February 21st, 2014


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Wednesday, 12 February 2014

[REVIEW] Maverick's Mate [Brac Pack Manga Book 1] by Lynn Hagen

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Read from February 11 to 13, 2014 — I own a copy, read count: 1




2 Stars for the Story Massacre and Mood Killing Effect

I am going to be very frank as usual. Here goes...

The artwork was substandard. It was unrefined and unprofessionally done - typeface too small, non-standardized font size plus bad choice of font type. Besides that, I have also caught a few typos. >_<

I have actually read the novel version of this story and happened to loved it. I have a soft spot for bratty mates with their growly domineering wolves. I am sad to say that this manga has marred the original story and everything I ever held dear in it.

Weak storyline presentation with appalling paneling skill made the story confusing and frustrating to read. On top of that, the dialogue was annoying - it was like kids speech pattern. Another thing that I hated most about it was the way parts of the story was recklessly chopped off which only further the confusion. New readers of this story would undoubtedly be lost and annoyed. I could still follow it all because I have read the novel version of it prior to tackling this manga adaptation.

What about the sex scenes? Well I... cringe a lot during the sex scenes. Nothing erotic or sexy about it. Errr there's much drool exchange too. Ugh.

Yes, I am very disappointed and wouldn't be recommending this manga to anyone especially the manga fans. I hope there will be vast improvement in the next installment of this series. For Lynn Hagen, I would add another star since I loved the original story of hers (not the mutilated version in this manga). I wish I could go beyond that but I am having a hard time finding redeeming features within its pages.

Honestly, I am grateful and happy that the author and publisher of this series has decided to produce a manga adaptation, yet I am disheartened by their selection of an inexperienced manga artist for such an important project. Not only would this compromise the project, it would also reflect badly upon the author's work.


A book cover comparison between the manga and the novel version:
I am quite fond of the novel cover. I liked how Cecil looked.



BOOK DETAILS:

Title: Maverick's Mate Brac Pack Manga Book 1 - Explicit Version
Author: Lynn Hagen
Cover Design: Emma Nicole
Art Design: Nekito-ototo
Publication Date: January 7th, 2014
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Type: Manga
Genre: Yaoi, Boys Love, Gay, Contemporary, Romance, Supernatural/Paranormal Fantasy
Tags/Keywords: wolf shifters, wolf mate, mating, biting, claiming, anal sex, oral sex, possessive lover, domineering loving seme, rebellious uke, bikers, insta-love

Description:
[Siren Everlasting Classic ManLove: Erotic Alternative Paranormal Romance, M/M, werewolves] EXPERIENCE THE START OF LYNN HAGEN'S CLASSIC SERIES IN A WHOLE NEW WAY!

Maverick Brac has formed a pack of his own, naming them the Brac Pack. With fourteen men under him, they all have one thing in common, the preference for men.

Cecil Walter was living a life no one would wish on their enemy in an abusive relationship with his partner with no way out. Getting away from pack problems and a migraine, Maverick indulges in his one secret love, Chai tea. While in the coffee shop trying to forget the world outside exists for five minutes, Maverick has found what he never thought to have, his mate, his very human mate.

Rescuing Cecil from his abusive boyfriend to finding out who in his pack is trying to take Cecil’s life, Maverick has his work cut out for him, but the largest challenge is getting Cecil to come out of his shell and be the man he once was. ** A Siren Erotic Romance.




* Reviewed on February 12th, 2014


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