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Archive for the ‘Horror’ Category

Miami Moon: Vampire’s Lair Book 1 by Geoffrey Knight

Posted in Authors: J-L, B, Erotica, Horror, Paranormal, Series, tagged , on May 8, 2013 | 3 Comments »

Miami Moon (1)Title: Miami Moon: Vampire’s Lair Book 1
Author: Geoffrey Knight
Length: 13,000 words (60 pdf pages)
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Genre: m/m erotica paranormal horror
Rating: B

Blurb:

Some of us are gatherers. Some are hunters. Some are healers.

Jason Cain ran away to Miami not only to escape his past, but to escape his future as well. He left behind a pretty girlfriend, a college education, and a promising career in the shadow of his father, a prominent Chicago surgeon. He also left behind a haunting tragedy, something that stopped him from becoming the man he was destined to be. But all that is about to change.

Under the Miami moon, Jason Cain is about to be chosen to fulfill his destiny—to become a healer.

Drawn into a forbidden world, plucked from the streets of Miami and taken to a mansion filled with danger and debauchery in the middle of a Florida bayou, Jason is about to experience male love, lust and longing like he has never known before. Here, the Vampire Xavier—the muscular, dominant master of his own lair—will give Jason the redemption and healing that he so desperately craves. The price—his mortality.

Review:

This book is the first in a series, and is part of a special line at Wilde City which given it’s endorsed by a popular adult entertainer, I’m presuming will be smuttier and less “romantic” than some stories out there. It definitely fits the bill, as this first book, a set-up for Jason’s story falls into the erotica/horror side of the genre.

As noted, this is the set-up, with Jason seeming to have “run away” from home, from a domineering father who had set Jason’s path in life, a girl friend who seems more impressed in being with a future doctor, and some kind of traumatic event that happened in an alley, which seemed to trigger his flight. While searching for a job, he’s sent to a mysterious door, and is tempted inside by a man who seems to know about his past. The next thing he knows, he is drugged and taken to a mansion where a variety of men are engaged in random sex acts, and he’s about to meet Xavier, the naked owner who has a pet alligator. (It was a nice touch.)

It seems that Jason never really considered himself gay, given the girlfriend and all, but before long he’s naked and Xavier is telling him he’s a vampire. Right. Jason doesn’t believe that until Xavier reveals himself and sends Jason running into the swamp, where he is promptly attacked by gators (silly northern boys who forget about such things). He rescued by Xavier who heals him and he accepts becoming a vampire, and hot dungeon public sex occurs on an alter.

This sets up for Jason to be a type of vigilante, as he gets revenge for what happened to himself in the alley, and then reveals that he also has healing power like Xavier did. I’m assuming there will be a series of adventures with Jason having hot smutty sex, and saving random people while taking revenge on evil-doers. It’s gritty and dark with some blood and gore, and Xavier’s got more of the horror edge to him than the typical romantic vampire hero. So if that’s what you are looking for, it certainly fits the bill and I’ll be curious to see how Jason does as he gets his life (or non-life) together following his conversion.

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Blood Bonds by Kayla Bain-Vrba

Posted in Authors: A-C, C, Futuristic, Horror, Romance, tagged , on April 22, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

choclTitle: Blood Bonds
Author: Kayla Bain-Vrba
Length: 8,200 words (33 pdf pages)
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m futuristic horror
Rating: C

Blurb:

Two years after a virus began turning the population into zombies, the survivors are hearing rumors of a safe city — Sean Doberman and his newly reunited lover, Aaron Cambelle, among them. However, their years apart have changed them. Is the bond between them strong enough to overcome any obstacle — including blood?

Review:

This was an interesting concept that I felt kind of got muddled at the end and a bit lost. As the blurb notes, after a virus starts destroying civilization, people are wandering trying to find a mythical city of safety. Sean is a loner surviving by killing zombies when he’s assisted in a group attack by another man. He’s stunned and thrilled to find it is his lover whom he was sure died sometime in the last two years like most people. However Aaron has formed a small band of others like him and they are moving northward and Sean joins them. The others are a bit sceptical at first and Sean tries to figure out who Aaron is now.

It seems they were “normal” college kids preparing to marry when the virus hit. But now Aaron appears to be a player and a con-man, willing to do anything to anyone to gain an advantage. Sean isn’t sure he likes this new version of Aaron and it doesn’t help that Aaron’s comrades keep feeding him information which makes him doubt their reunion.

I liked the set-up of the new civilization (or sorts). The reunion between the two men was smoking hot and I wasn’t sure which way it was going to go when Sean was starting to get to know Aaron again. There was a lot of tension between what he remembered and who the man was now. But it seems as the story drew to a close, there was a bit of a rush and I felt it was muddled as to why some things happened.

I also wasn’t sure if this was set in a futuristic earth as we know it, or something a bit alternate universe. The two men had been about to marry, but then they make a blood bond under a full moon which is stronger than even a marriage. I don’t know very many people who would even think of such a thing today, and this all happened only two years after the virus hit, so I was just a bit confused as to where that came from.

Still, if you like zombie stories, it’s an interesting take on the theme and as I said, the sex between the two men was pretty steamy. I just think it either needed a little more time to flesh out, as it’s left kind of hanging as to what happens next.

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Loki’s Curse by Cameron Lawton

Posted in Authors: J-L, B, Fantasy, Historical, Horror, tagged , on April 9, 2013 | 2 Comments »

Lokis_CurseTitle: Loki’s Curse
Author: Cameron Lawton
Length: 8,000 words
Publisher: MLR Press
Genre: m/m historical fantasy horror
Grade: B

Blurb:
Set in ninth century Ireland, when Haakon’s son, the finest warrior in the village, dies in his bed and so is excluded from Valhalla, a blood oath is made. Nobody but the village witch, the Gytha, can foresee the catastrophic consequences. Even she is not sure how they will resolve it.

Review:
This historical fantasy horror short, set in the time of the Vikings, managed to strike a good balance between a solid setting and chills.  It tells of Thorkell, a bard in a Viking village. His best friend and protector, Ivar, contracted a disease/virus and died in agony. Unfortunately, because Ivar didn’t die in battle his soul would not be taken to Valhalla. Ivar’s Father is stricken with grief about this and forces the village witch to bring Ivar back – a spell which has terrible consequences for Thorkell.

The story pulls you in immediately through Thorkell’s grief. He is distraught over the death of his friend, who he secretly loved, and willing to do anything to bring him back. During these first few pages the author does a good job of showing us snippets of life in the Viking village – the superstitions, religion, hierarchy and beliefs which make up their lives – but this never felt forced. Instead a clear picture is built up within a few paragraphs of why Ivar’s father would want to bring back his son, and the hidden feelings of Thorkell.

I also liked that the issue of Thorkell’s homosexuality is dealt with in a realistic way from the start. He knows he can never tell anyone and when Ivar returns and discovers Thorkell’s feelings, Ivar uses that to manipulate Thorkell, exchanging brutal sex for Thorkell’s blood. This is no romance, despite Thorkell’s devotion, instead it’s a chilling horror.  It does have a happy ending, but not before poor Thorkell is forced to see his friend turned into a monster.

Overall, this was a clever story with a strong setting and characters. If you like horror and stories set within Viking times, then this one will be for you and I would recommend it.

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Playing with Food by K.A. Merikan

Posted in Authors: M-O, C, Fantasy, Horror, tagged , on April 3, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

17610557Title: Playing with Food
Author: K.A. Merikan
Length: 22 pdf pages
Publisher: Smashwords
Genre: m/m horror fantasy
Rating: C

Blurb:

Just days ago, Llawan was taken from his underwater dwellings by Ossentharian slavers. Left in a tank with other merpeople, he awaits his death on a spit roast, but the arrival of an unusual customer might change his fate. To win his freedom back, he must enter a pact with the stranger, but what if the price is too much to bear?

Review:

If you are in the mood for something completely different and “out there”, this little freebie is just the thing for you. It starts right off with a horrific scene as Llawan watches one of his fellow merpeople being carved up at the buffet. He hides well enough when the traps are lowered, realizing what is happening but finally decides he needs to be brave and get it over with, since there are even worse magical fates which could befall him than just being eaten.

He’s distracted by an odd man tapping at the class, and when he’s captured, he’s unsure if he’s to be consumed immediately, or alive or taken somewhere else to be eaten. However the man releases him into a pool and makes him a deal. In exchange for his freedom, he must do something for the man (I’m using the term loosely) which remains unclear, but perhaps a type of reconnaissance or spying. In return, the man must eat a part of his body. Llawan is unsure, and the unclear task set to him could be dangerous, but freedom beckons so he agrees. After his finger is consumed (painlessly), there is some fondling of Llawan’s privates by the man, and he is released to the sea.

It ends there, with little clarity as to the task the man wants him to perform. I assumed the consuming of part of Llawn’s body meant the man will have a tie to him, allowing him to command him when needed since the ocean is a big place. I have to confess, and this may well be personal, that I have trouble at times when the characters are too un-human like. In this case the other man has 4 arms and a mouth resembling the cover (which I love because it is, or is based on West Coast aboriginal art). There seem to be a great many unusual creatures/people and some references made to them being created, perhaps a mad-scientist type of operation, or magic. Tables are made of bones which can be commanded to move, table cloths of skin and what appear to be living breathing walls.

The setting is very rich and vivid for such a short story, but that’s just it. It’s so short you end up with more questions than answers. What or who is the man who rescued Llawan? What does he want him to do exactly? What is the story with the magic and the who world they live in? It’s certainly not romantic, but it is intriguing and if you are looking for something quite outside the norm of m/m (without being gruesomely horrific – no blood and guts spraying around), it might work for you. I’m not sure it’s for me, but I am curious about what is expected of Llawan.

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ZA: Run & Gun by I.D. Locke

Posted in Authors: J-L, B-, Horror, Romance, Science Fiction, tagged , on March 5, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

zarunandgun185Title: ZA: Run and Gun
Author: I.D. Locke
Length: 12,600 words
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m science fiction horror romance
Rating: B-

Blurb:
The world has gone to hell in a hand basket with the dead shambling in the streets and attacking the living. Konrad and Jase have a Plan for the ZA, because, who doesn’t? Something that was just for fun is frighteningly real now. The married couple is separated by a hundred kilometers of zombie infested roadway. Konrad is at their condo and Jase is at the military base he’s assigned to. Neither one is going to let that stop them from reuniting with each other.

What follows is running and gunning that surpasses anything available in video games.

Review:
It’s the Zombie Apocalypse and Konrad is stuck in his apartment. Fortunately, he and his husband, Jase, have been planning for years for this eventuality and have a watertight plan ready-made for survival. Unfortunately the ZA hit when they were apart. Jase is on the military base 90 minute’s drive away and Konrad has no way of knowing whether he is safe.

This action packed story hit the ground running and didn’t stop the whole time. The first part follows Konrad as he sits in his apartment, looking out at the zombies and picking off those he can get a clear shot at. He’s got a plan and he’s sticking with it. Meanwhile, he’s missing his husband and hoping Jase is OK. It was a nice mix of romance/pathos, tense claustrophic scenes and thrills as we see the difficulties Konrad has in surviving when stepping out of his door would be almost certain death.

There’s an almost cinematic feel to the section from Jase’s point of view. It’s a trifle overblown as we see Jase attempt to get to his helicopter so he can fly back to Konrad. You may even say that it was tongue in cheek. However, it was also tightly written and included some nice detail about the military base and the helicopter so I could forgive the rest.

This wasn’t a perfect story, for example, there was a huge blank on how the ZA started and Konrad been left with permanent damage after suffering a type of stroke which is supposed to only have symptoms for about 24 hours which seemed odd, but it was still very entertaining nonetheless. The romance is a nice touch of sweetness amongst the gore and I liked that both men are loving and committed to each other.

If you like apocalyptic stories and want something fairly lighthearted but in keeping with the horror genre, then this could be the story for you.

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Perfection by Clare London

Posted in Authors: J-L, B, Horror, tagged , on February 15, 2013 | 2 Comments »

perfectionTitle: Perfection
Author: Clare London
Length: 8,350 words
Publisher: JMS Books
Genre: m/m Horror
Rating: B

Blurb: James is surprised when co-worker Vic disappears, but even more so when Vic shows up months later as James’s manager. As a single gay man with few responsibilities, James takes his fun wherever and whenever he can. He’d even played around with Vic a few times. But now something’s changed, something James can’t quite put his finger on. In fact, almost everything about Vic is subtly different — and maybe not so subtly, when it comes to them resuming their affair. James never used to think Vic was hot, but now Vic’s like a new man and he wants James. James should be flattered, shouldn’t he?

Unfortunately, things don’t develop quite the way James hopes. He’s just out for a good time, but Vic wants something more than mutually satisfactory sexual games. He’s obsessed with finding out James’s idea of a perfect man. And what’s more, Vic seems determined to do whatever’s necessary to become that person — whether James is a willing participant or not.

Review: I’ve been meaning to read and review this little short for a while now, but I was in the mood for horror this week, so it was perfect timing. And this is definitely horror, without romance and complete with a horrifying, non-HEA ending.

James is a bit full of himself, but he doesn’t mince words and he knows what he wants. He’s a fit guy who likes to have a lot of sex and doesn’t care much who they are. He befriends a co-worker, Vic, who seems to have a bit of a crush on him. As they become friends, Vic’s feelings seem to grow. Soon, James finds himself without a partner for the night, and though Vic is probably the last person he’d choose to have sex with, well, he isn’t very picky. But the newfound intimacy seems to give Vic the wrong message, and after James is forced to tell him that he’s only looking for a good time, Vic disappears.

It is now several months later, and Vic has shown up again. Only, things are different — he carries himself differently, he looks different — he’s changed.

This is really a great story, and one of the best Halloween tales I’ve read because it really is spooky. It isn’t blood and gore that are really scary, but sociopathic and obsessive characters that can really make you squirm, and what I think Clare does so well in this story is show the reader the changes in Vic through James’ point of view. James is quite egocentric, and because of that he only really sees their “relationship” (whatever it is) from anyone’s point of view but his own, nor does he really seem to care for others’ feelings. At the same time, it makes us less caring of James’ ultimate downfall, and it creates a natural suspense, where the reader can see the slow progression into madness and James cannot.

So, if you’re looking for a short read of something a little different, make sure to check this one out!

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Charming Monsters by Kannan Feng

Posted in Authors: D-F, B-, BDSM, Contemporary, Erotica, Horror, tagged , on February 5, 2013 | 2 Comments »

charmingmonsters185Title: Charming Monsters
Author: Kannan Feng
Length: 45 pdf pages, 12,000 words.
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m BDSM erotic horror
Rating: B-

Blurb:

Wesley is a college professor with a deep and unhealthy fascination the darker side of things. When he starts writing a book on a series of serial murders, he comes to the attention of some very dangerous people. Jack is sent to silence Wesley, but discovers that he is far more interested in Wesley himself.

When Wesley looks up after his first class of the semester, he notices a very avid, very handsome student who asks all the right questions. When Jack follows him to an isolated study room in the library, it is only the beginning of a journey that will have unexpected consequences for both of them.

Publisher’s Note: This book contains strong elements of erotic horror or what is commonly called “darkfic”.

Review:

I have to admit, after reading the publisher’s note it was with some trepidation that I picked this one up, but the blurb did hook me in. However, in the end the story wasn’t as unpleasantly dark as I’d feared, and there is certainly a strong  “happy for now” , possibly even a faint “happy ever after”, at the end.

The story is mostly told from the point of view of Dr. Wesley Barton, a college professor who teaches courses on the history of crime in Chicago. He’s obsessive about his work, staying up all night looking at grisly crime scene photographs for his research. He also happens to be very young—only ten years older than his students—but unlike them doesn’t appear to have any kind of social life whatsoever.

Like Wesley, the enigmatic Jack Denali is also very youthful in appearance, although he has that handy attribute (for criminals anyway) of a  forgettable face—that is, until he smiles. We are introduced to him when he breaks into Wesley’s empty apartment and starts searching through his stuff looking for reasearch on a series of historical murders Wesley is writing a book about. We discover that this is at the behest of a rather creepy client known to us only as “Easter”. At this early stage Jack also stumbles across Wesley’s secret porn stash, which involves photographs of young men, bound and fearful. It is this discovery that sets the tone for all their future interactions.

The first interaction between the two men is flirtatious, with Jack posing as a student wanting to sit in on Wesley’s classes. However, even in this innocent seeming conversation, Wesley has the disquieting notion that he needs to be careful, as Jack has “teeth”. We soon discover just how sharp these are when Jack corners Wesley in a caged archive cubicle. Jack is predatory and commanding, and Wesley willingly submits, although not without a certain amount of protest.

Those accustomed to reading safe, sane and consensual BDSM might find the sex in this story hard to stomach. It is violent, menacing and rough, with Wesley genuinely fearing for his safety at times (and with good reason considering the kind of man Jack is and what he’s been sent to do). However, although Wesley is never given a safeword, Jack does give him opt outs of a sort, so it remains just on the border with dubious consent. I was in no doubt that Wesley genuinely desired the kind of treatment Jack metes out, but I did find myself wondering why.

The ending wasn’t entirely unexpected and actually rather sweeter than I’d dared hope for, but there were definitely some moments along the way where I feared for Wesley’s safety. This definitely kept me turning the pages quickly. Indeed, my main criticism of this rather intense and dark story is that we find out so little about Jack and Wesley they just didn’t come across as rounded individuals. If you’re just reading for the violent sex or thriller elements then this needn’t be a problem, but it made it rather a stretch to believe there was any chance of a workable relationship developing between these two men.

In summary, avoid if you’re at all squeamish about dubious consent or violent sadomasochism, but those who enjoy a more edgy story will find much to recommend this little tale.

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The Lake of Fire by G.S. Wiley

Posted in Authors: V-Z, B, Historical, Horror, Romance, tagged , on October 18, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Title: The Lake of Fire
Author: G.S. Wiley
Length: 4,000 words
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m Paranormal romance
Rating: B

Blurb:
As a child in a monastery in England at the end of the 10th century, Brother Alric witnessed a Viking attack that killed his abbot and many of his brothers. He thinks he has survived the worst experience possible, but years later, a mysterious illness strikes the nearby village, turning the villagers into flesh-eating monsters. Alric and a fellow monk, Brother Wilfrid, holed up together, are forced to contemplate a horrible death they’d never considered, and come to terms with a secret longing that has remained unspoken.

Review:
This chilling story by G.S. Wiley is only a short one but it packs quite a punch for the word limit. It’s set in a monastery during the time of Viking raids. Alaric is a brother at the monastery and the story is structured like a written account of the events which leads to him being trapped inside the library with another brother, Wilfred.

The first part of the story is that of surprise and action as the monks are attacked by villagers who have been turned into zombie-like creatures. The descriptions are almost matter of fact, but even more chilling for it, as Alaric describes what happens to him and his fellow monks. The second half of the story is quieter with Wilfred giving confession of his feelings for Alaric. There’s a melancholy to the tone of this part, which fit well with an ending of quiet hopelessness. There’s no HEA or HFN, in fact the ending is entirely left in the hands of the reader. I chose to believe that the two men escape and ultimately find a future together, but that is probably just the romantic in me.

Overall, this wasn’t a cheerful story but perhaps a fitting one for Halloween. For such a short story I really got a good feel for the narrator, Alaric, and whilst Wilfred remains a little on the shadowy side, it was to be expected with the length and focus of the story being on the events and Alaric’s reactions to that, rather than on lengthy interaction between the two. The links between Alaric’s experiences with the Viking raiders and the events of the day were nicely done and had the result of  placing the setting at a particular point in history.

If you’re looking for a Halloween story with a bit of a difference, and you like historicals – this one certainly had an unusual historical setting – then I would recommend you read this story.

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Swarm by Jordan Castillo Price

Posted in A+, Authors: P-R, Horror, Paranormal, tagged , on September 25, 2012 | 2 Comments »

Title: Swarm
Author: Jordan Castillo Price
Length: 65 pdf pages, 19,000 words.
Publisher: JCP Books
Genre: m/m paranormal
Rating: A+

Blurb:

Enigmatic guys are hot. Michael is of the opinion, though, that Wild Bill manages to take it to an entirely new level.

For some time, Michael has suspected that Bill has done more than just dabble in art. As with every other piece of his personal history, Bill plays his cards close to his chest. But when he lets on that a mural he painted before his change might still exist, Michael is dying to see it—and Bill has never been good at saying no.

Only fragments of the building remain, but it’s possible Wild Bill’s painting is still there. Unfortunately, there’s a lot more in the ruins than Bill and Michael bargained for.

Review:

I have to admit, I was a bit wary of reading this story again as I remember having a really strong reaction to it the first time around. Along with Manikin, this is probably one of the instalments in the Channeling Morpheus series that most fits the term “horror”, and I remember finding various incidents unsettling, creepy and sickening. However, I’m really glad now that I read it again because that gut reaction wasn’t so overpowering this time around, and I was able to concentrate more on the story and the writing. I’m now happy to say that this is probably my favourite out of the latter half of the series!

Swarm is narrated by Michael, and it opens with him getting a tattoo from an ancient vampire. The atmosphere is gritty and tense from the start, with Michael observing the dodgy electrics in her studio and worried about the straight razor she uses to shave his arm. But Wild Bill is there with him, and it’s one of his designs that Michael is having inked permanently. And of course, this being Channeling Morpheus, it doesn’t take long before the two men’s thoughts have turned to sex. Wild Bill ponders getting a Prince Albert piercing, and Michael finds himself getting turned on by the presence of his “triumvirate of kinks”: blood, pain and vampire. However, Bill does show his usually well concealed romantic side too, and there are moments that made me feel warm inside.

Michael and Bill are now living, temporarily at least, in the city, and Michael has a job as a vet’s assistant. He tells us this is purely to help score drugs to hunt rogue vamps with, but it’s clear from his actions that he’s a talented worker who could make a career out of it. However, unfortunately for Michael the animals no longer like him, seeming to sense that he’s now part vampire, and his colleagues aren’t much friendlier. One of the most gory, horrific scenes in the entire series is set in the operating theatre with Michael assisting in an operation on a dog. When blood begins haemorrhaging everywhere, he is almost overpowered by hunger and realises just how much of a vampire he’s become.

There’s a real sadness to Michael’s life, and this is the first book where I really started to understand just what he’s giving up to live his “half-life” with Bill. While he has the love and acceptance of one man, he’s losing all ability to interact with the wider world of “normal” people. Despite him having always been a loner, this is still a bitter realisation for him to have to come to.

The sex in this book is off the scale in terms of heat. Michael’s depression over the incident at his workplace feeds Bill’s lust–something Bill is refreshingly frank about–and this time they take a wander further into kinky territory. There’s a strong D/s dynamic that Michael craves, and Bill’s dirty talk is even filthier than usual.

Of course, as the blurb suggests, the theme that ties this whole story together is that of Bill’s art, and Michael gently trying to prise more information about his past. This time we really do get to find out more about the elusive pre-vamp Bill, but in doing so the two of them take a journey into an incredibly dangerous place. I don’t want to give any more spoilers, but suffice to say there was one moment that made me physically jump with shock the first time I read it, and my heart was racing as I tore through the book to reach the end.

In a sense there’s almost not much point reviewing a book this far into a series as you can’t start the series at this point (not without major confusion, anyway), and those who are already reading it will know themselves whether they want to carry on. However, I’m keen to talk about well written books that move me, and Jordan Castillo Price’s Swarm definitely fits that description. If you haven’t yet taken a chance on Michael and Wild Bill, I urge you to give them a chance. This is a vampire road trip like no other, vividly written and utterly compelling.

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Ame by Missouri Dalton

Posted in Authors: D-F, C+, Contemporary, Horror, Paranormal, tagged , on August 9, 2012 | 4 Comments »

Title: Ame
Author: Missouri Dalton
Length: 3,900 words (16 pdf pages)
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m paranormal horror
Rating: C+

Blurb:
Takashi Matsumoto has spent his entire life in Tokyo. He’s seen terrible things working for the yakuza, but when an encounter with something straight out of folklore leaves him nearly dead he has to revise everything he thought he knew.

After he recovers, he runs into an old flame, Daisuke. Can Takashi have a relationship knowing what he does? Or will his past catch up to both of them?

Review:

I’ve determined that I quite enjoy stories with Japanese paranormal creatures and this is no exception. Takashi has one last assassination job and the yakuza have promised that his debt is paid. He’s waiting on a woman and when she arrives, he’s in for a surprise. She is not just a woman, she is some kind of two mouthed creature whose hair resembles Medusa, and she ends up slitting his throat. However he doesn’t die, he’s rescued by an unknown supernatural creature and is told in exchange for his life he must kill the woman. He’s quite happy to do so.

While recovering, he meets Daisuke who he had a thing with in high school and is now in university studying medicine. They quickly fall back into old habits for that evening, ending up in bed, but Takashi knows there is no future for them. He’s then approached by the mystery woman who saved his life and given a sword with which to battle the woman who tried to kill him, and a method to find her. However before he can do her in, she gets in a good swipe with a knife and he nearly dies again, although ends up in Daisuke’s hospital.

I loved the whole atmosphere of this story. Dark, wet, cold, filthy back streets of Tokyo, danger and grit of the organized crime life, combined with the Japanese creatures. You aren’t given a lot of detail about the creature who attacked him, nor the one who rescued him and sadly the ending left me searching for the electronic next page. What? How can it just end with that teaser from Daisuke? There is much more to this story and I was rather annoyed that it just ended abruptly. I’m presuming the author has more in store, I sincerely hope so, but I also hope it’s not doled out to me in 3,000 word sound bites. I think there is great potential here for a very interesting world and the relationship between Daisuke and Takashi with their banter would lend itself to a story with much more detail about the creatures and the world they inhabit.

So if you find the Japanese culture interesting and don’t mind that this is less of a romance than a bit of a paranormal horror tale, it’s well written and interesting, I’m afraid I marked it down slightly for leaving me feel a bit cheated at the end when I was left hanging with nothing really resolved or explained.

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