Master of the Revels by Andrew Grey

Master of the Revels by Andrew Grey
Stars: 1/5

Overall
Having previously enjoyed Grey's work, I felt confident in picking up this book when I happened to find it in a bookstore on sale. I started reading it on the train ride home and wasn't impressed. The writing felt amateur, the dialogue stiff and the characters flat. At home I checked on GoodReads and saw it had over 4 stars, so I had the glimmer of hope that things would improve--some stories just have rough beginnings.

It didn't. While there was potential for a good story, it was destroyed by straw men conflicts and poor writing that left me finishing the novel only because I can't give a proper review without giving it a proper read first. I struggled through and had to skim the last half to a third just to get it over with.

While this book was a complete dud, it wouldn't keep me from reading more of Grey's works in the future since I'm already familiar with his other, better, works.

Strengths
Plot. While I wouldn't necessarily say this is a strength, it is the strongest part of the book. A lot happens (see below why this can be bad), opening up the potential for character growth and deeper understanding that I don't feel was ever realized.

Weaknesses
Writing. While my previous exposure to Grey's writing never left me amazed at his talent, this book left me in amazement at its difference compared to his other works. It felt like it was porn, even when it wasn't describing sex, as the dialogue was stiff, the actions were listed instead of described (often with unnecessary information) and the tenses changed from past to present any time a constant was described (eg, "My house is blue" while the story was "I sucked his lip into my mouth"). My only concession to the writing is that maybe Grey was trying to imitate the narrator's voice--but if that was the goal, it wasn't successful.

Characters. This suffered from two problems: Insta-love and flat characterization. Bill and Tom meet, fall in love, face some problems and everything is okay. While I can handle some Insta-love, this felt almost too instant. Part of this could be due to the flat characters not lending themselves to forming a bond with the reader. I wasn't involved when they fell in love, had lots of sex, or had fights.

Plot. There was "too much" plot and all of it was easily resolved. The start of the book (Tom going to The Room, getting caged and defeating the previous master of the revels to be the new master) sets up how every challenge is faced. Problems are resolved quickly (within the chapter in most cases) and sometimes in unrealistic ways, often with people doing whatever they can to help Tom and Bill. The couple faces plenty of challenges, which would seem like a great way to develop character and make this an action-packed book. Sadly, it only ended up making it feel very fake and unrealistic.

"Paying Forfeits" by Angelia Sparrow and Naomi Brooks

"Paying Forfeits" by Angelia Sparrow and Naomi Brooks
Stars: 1/5

Maybe this just isn't my type of book, but I enjoyed nothing about it. The basic premise is two lovers (Sam and William) have a game they play every Friday. Every Friday it's a different game, and each week they place forfeits--what they get if they win and what they'll give if they lose. I can get around that, it's fun and makes for plenty of sex.

But I didn't enjoy the sex. It was PWP and it wasn't written well enough to be enjoyable for me. And that's just the beginning. I was willing to give it a chance, because sometimes stories just start off rough. And then a third man (Billy, William's nephew) is introduced.

While threesomes are difficult for me to understand, if well written, I can accept them. But here Billy is thrown into the mix without a moment's thought, he forces Sam to have sex with him while he's in a Sub position (not that Sam couldn't have said 'No') and then Sam gets punished far more thoroughly than Billy. (Regardless if he "enjoys" it or not.) First point of contention. Sam is jealous (I would be too), but begins to cope with these feelings, although they never really seem to leave. Even by the end there is a fight between Sam and William! Finally, facing the drama! But no, Billy threatens to leave, Sam says it's his fault that he's jealous and he'll work through it and thus ends the story.

In addition to not enjoying the "storyline," I also found the writing to be awkward, clunky and more what you'd find in porn than erotica. I really didn't enjoy this piece, but I'm still going to give "Thigh to Thigh" a chance, both because I already have it and because maybe I'll find some of the resolution I'm looking for. If you're interested in reading "Paying Forfeits," you can have my copy.

Got Mistletoe? by Andi Anderson

Got Mistletoe? by Andi Anderson
Stars: 1.5/5

Overall
I hate saying it but, "Don't waste your money." That was my first reaction.

However, books I don't like I give the benefit of the doubt and re-read. So I sat down and started reading it again--it's not too long, so not big deal. Immediately I thought I had misjudged this book on first read: the beginning isn't bad. Okay, it wasn't amazing writing or anything, but it was cute and fun and acceptable. My rank when up to a 2 or 3.

And then I hit chapter 5.

In chapter 5, the switching PoVs go from changing after several pages to changing every paragraph, just about. Annoying (and odd) but bearable. But the writing takes a sharp turn for the worse as the character's emotions are stated outright, the dynamic of the characters is forced (the characters would go well together, but they felt forced because they both had an OMG feeling toward the other), and cliched writing becomes unbearable.

If you want a story about two men who fall in love immediately, face no challenges and are written poorly, then you might enjoy this.