Date of Publication: May 23, 2016
Genre and Themes: Fantasy, Triad, LGBT/QUILTBAG, Slavery
Format: 426 pages, ebook
Publisher: Bey Deckard
ASIN: Fantasy, Triad, LGBT/QUILTBAG
Characters: Kestrel, Talon, Grimma
Kestrel’s a soldier sold into slavery after his own country did not buy his freedom back because he was defiled during his time as a war prisoner. Abused and dehumanized as a pleasure slave, Kestrel didn’t think that he could still escape his agonizing existence until he found himself being sold – yet again – to a fellow slave named Talon and its master, Count Strade.
I didn’t think that I’d enjoy this book immensely given that this was my first book from the author and it is 400-pages plus long. So I was a bit wary because of that but since it was highly recommended to me by a friend, I thought I’d give it a try and I’m sure glad I did because it is without question one of the best books I’ve read this year!
I loved the details in this book. You can really see as you go along with the story how the author thought about every minute detail with each character. There are three main characters here given that this was a triad and the chemistry between them was just spot on. One problem I always seem to encounter in stories with ménage à trois is the lack of chemistry between one other character from the other two. There are only few stories with similar arrangement whose characters really jived together and this is definitely one of them.
Out of the three though, Talon has got to be my favorite. I really loved his youthful characterization and his voice just left me yearning for more narrative from his perspective. There’s sweet innocence combined with wickedness about his character. Perhaps, it’s because he was never treated a slave by Grim and bears a very useful “gift?” I also loved that he’s selfless with just about everyone he considers family. I just loved him.
There’s Kestrel of course. I feel for what he’s been through but at times, he makes me feel a tad bit uncomfortable when he’s being rough with Talon. Although Talon’s okay with it, I find myself internally cringing whenever he’s being that way.
Then there’s Grimma! Oh, how I adore this guy! All the history behind his character was well-crafted and I just loved reading his POV!
Together, they make a very beautiful triad! Plus, the sexy time between them was just beyond!
As for the side characters, there are some I totally loved (Moller, Ghost, Hessa) and some whom I want to see in the next installment and hope that they will have a gruesome death (Scalt and Kes’s prisonmate whose name I forgot).
As for the story development, I loved how fast the pacing was and the upcoming plot points for the next book clearly established at the latter part of the story was nothing short of exciting and I am very much hoping for a grittier sequel.
I think I covered everything in this review and atm, I am dying with anticipation for the next book! I seriously need to read more of Bey’s works while waiting for it!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
About The Author
Born and raised in a small coastal town in northern Québec, Bey spent his early summers on his uncle’s boat and running wild on the beaches of the surrounding islands, lighting fires and building huts out of driftwood and fishermen’s nets. As an adult, he eventually made his way to university and earned a degree in Art History with a strong focus on Anthropology. Primarily a portrait painter and graphic artist, Bey sat down one day and decided to start writing.
Bey currently lives in the wilds of Montréal with his best buddy, a ridiculous, spotty pit bull named Murphy.
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