I have a feeling some people might think I posted this review for the wrong book when I say what I'm going to say, seeing as the title is "Fear", it's set in an apocalyptic world and to top it all off, it features pony play very prominently... But this was actually really cute. As in, huge grins and surprised laughter kind of cute. I'm not crazy, I promise. 

There's something about reading a slave being trained into submission that makes me all tingly and happy inside.

That's depravity for you.


Rating: 4 - 4.25 stars

P.S The only qualms I have is how long it took for the story to truly begin and engage me (at 17%).

NB:  Review originally posted on GR @ Fall 2012.  Minor edits/clean-up after import to BL.

NB: This is a dark epic fantasy + paranormal.  220,735 words @ 300/pg = nearly 736 pages.

Simply put, BLOODRAVEN is one of the most riveting books I've read in a long, long time (1st read @ Jan 2009), and it came to me out of the blue. Having second thoughts after buying it, my friend asked me to "test" it first. At the time, P.L. Nunn was completely unknown to me but my friend described the book as a LOTR-type epic fantasy involving ogres and fey. (Yeah, he forgot to mention the graphic aspects of the book, as well as the M/M relationship.) After multiple re-reads, my only major complaint remains the same: the ending begs for a sequel. Hell, I'm begging for a sequel, even after all these years.

Reviews already discussed the plot, characters, and the graphic nature of this book so I'll just lay out my reading experience. I didn't look up the book so I blindly stepped into the unfamiliar realm of M/M, graphic violence and torture (including rape), and other firsts... and immediately fell into the abyss of Nunn's incredible world. Within a few pages, I'm mumbling holy sh*t and reaching for my drink and then a non-existent cigarette, as I proceeded to literally devour the pages until I fell asleep. Woke up the next morning, made coffee, and promptly hid until I finished the book.

BLOODRAVEN is a throwback to the old days of books; at 600+ ebook pages, it's hefty and meaty. But Nunn's vivid narrative, a potpourri of multi-layered characters, and near effortless storytelling combined to achieve that rare occurrence—transporting a reader into the story. I was too busy journeying with Yhalen and Bloodraven (and squirming a bit uneasily at times) to notice the rapidly passing pages and hours until I finally reached the end and sat back exhausted.

Did I have a few "whaaa?" and "nooooo" moments? Yeah. So my advice to future readers: If you're squeamish and/or have an inviolable comfort zone, this book may not be for you (yet). If you've never read M/M before, this book may not be the one to pop your cherry. (But then again, if you're familiar with present-day erotica... although I have a hard time considering this book as erotica per se, even though the sex scenes are erotic, helping to make BLOODRAVEN one of my personal best enemies-to-lovers stories). Also, BLOODRAVEN could seriously spoil you vis à vis other dark/erotic fantasy books, even Nunn's other works.

If you do decide to try this book, plan accordingly. Don't start it on a weeknight; you may not get much sleep. Don't think you can do your laundry while you read, and above all, don't try to cook up a meal somewhere in-between. Be safe and order take-out. Oh, and don't read it when children may be about; choice words may well fly out of your mouth at certain points. :)

I, Omega is an interesting enough character-driven novel, however with very little substance in the actual plot-- something that was lost in the fast pacing. 

I wish there was more development of not only the setting and back-story, but also of the (intriguing and endearing) secondary characters. The novel is very much centered on Gabriel and Cal and their romantic development, however I feel that a little more elaboration and detail on the surrounding environment and world would have ultimately benefited the story (and wouldn't have detracted much of the fast pace). I would've loved to know more about, for one, Gabriel and what being a human omega really entails (and why other packs are so eager to get their hands on one), pack life, Gabriel's father (who definitely piqued my interest), Cal , and also Gabriel's role in the pack. Thinking on it, we actually know next to nothing about Cal, except maybe his sexual preference and his adoration for Gabriel. And that he's a packleader (though I don't even know if that was explicitly mentioned).

Typical of those of the shifter-subgenre, I, Omega features amate-bond=love-4-eva-n-eva formula. The romantic development (as I dubbed it earlier) usually entailed fucking, fucking, spanking, fucking and very little romance. Even so, their love is still quite... sweet, if a bit illogical. Blame it on themate bond *snort*.

Overall I, Omega is a nice read, especially if you're looking for a smutty read that's light on details but good heart heart.

Rating: 2.75 - 3