Fear by K.A. Merikan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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. <3

"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: 

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.



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* 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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