While Alec is an overgrown, clueless child, Morgan is a lying, pushy weasle with a sharp set of claws he is desperately trying to sink into Alec. 

Both characters are chaotic and prone to contradictions. Alec is petrified he'll end up in hell because of his "madness", but has no problem doing other stupid things that might land him in that particular place. The whole Penny/Morgan's sister story is so messy, that I am afraid to say more, lest the whole thing sucks me down like quicksand and I end up with a small novel for a review.

From the moment we meet the little fox, the story becomes predictable, the lies and excuses transparent. The plot calls for Alec to remain in the dark, but to the readers the whole affaire is blatantly clear, which makes it a frustrating read. 

When Morgan came out to Alec, the scene was so anticlimactic I almost DNF-ed right there and then. Actually, to be honest, I did stop reading and started skimming, doing my best impersonation of Dr. Spencer Reid.

Sorry, but I can't give this more than 2 stars.

I am not sure what to say about this book. Let me think here for a second...



So. Hmmm... OK. Ugh....

Paranormal aspect. 
I have no idea why it is even mentioned, to tell you the truth, unless it's relevant somewhere down the line in book 5. I just don't see it playing a significant role in incubus-turned-dirt-poor-rentboy setup in the near future. There are no superpowers. There is not a sniff of something dark or magical in the air. Any talented and eager rentboy with years of experience on top of it should know how to satisfy and manipulate clients. 

Language.
I do like and read historicals/classics. But still I managed to get tangled in pinks, flats, culls and what have you.

Time Setting.
There are no references to the historical period, except for the opening sentence. There is no (paranormal) world building. MC's world is tight. So tight, in fact, I feel claustrophobic. This whole affair could be happening on Alpha Centauri 1649 years from now it's so bland where the environment is concerned.

Positive.
The story turned around close to the middle and allowed for interesting developing which I did not anticipate at all. A star for that. 

However, I don't believe I will be continuing this series. Unless I am in dire need of a super quick read.

2 stars for the first 40-50%, 4 for the rest of it.

Maybe it's because I just finished reading the "Enlightenment" Series, but I can't make myself read another word of "Groom..."  

Why even bother pretending it's an m/m romance at this point? It should have been M/F from the beginning.

Gender fluidity? There are men, women and hermaphrodites. No need to make it complicated.

35% in and still to find any trace of real abuse or steampunk in this book O.o

This is beyond overwhelming..........

From the complexity of 4 or 5 different genders to paragraphs of endless noble titles. From various painfully detailed dress descriptions to even more painful lists of brothers, sisters and cousins, their spouses, lovers, butlers and children.
Lucien is referred to as a man, a boy, a husband, a groom, a lady, a girl, a young woman, sometimes both genders crammed into the same sentence.

@.@

I need aspirin and a shot of vodka.

Zis is getting out of control....