READING: The Rook by Daniel O'Malley

Publication date: January 11 2012
Published by: Little, Brown 
Genre: Adult, Dystopian, Mystery, Suspense, Horror, Sci Fi, Paranormal
Rating: 

"The body you are wearing used to be mine." So begins the letter Myfanwy Thomas is holding when she awakes in a London park surrounded by bodies all wearing latex gloves. With no recollection of who she is, Myfanwy must follow the instructions her former self left behind to discover her identity and track down the agents who want to destroy her.

She soon learns that she is a Rook, a high-ranking member of a secret organization called the Chequy that battles the many supernatural forces at work in Britain. She also discovers that she possesses a rare, potentially deadly supernatural ability of her own. 

In her quest to uncover which member of the Chequy betrayed her and why, Myfanwy encounters a person with four bodies, an aristocratic woman who can enter her dreams, a secret training facility where children are transformed into deadly fighters, and a conspiracy more vast than she ever could have imagined.

I haven't given birth, but I'm sure it can't be more agonizing than reading this book 😫

Don't get me wrong-this book was not all bad. Overrated maybe? Sure, but not bad.
First of all, I guarantee it is unlike anything you've read before, especially if you're a noob in sci fi like myself. The story in the Rook is very intricate, definitely not a breezy beach read, and I truly appreciate the amount of thought and detail that went into it.
So much detail.
Oh my God, so much detail.

I don't think I've ever complained about a book having too much plot, usually it's the other way around. I'm all for making interesting and unique stories, but this one went overboard. Like, it's surpassed the "over the top" limit by a lot. It is so densely written that its 496 pages felt like 1,000 to me. I kept reading and reading and I was not even half way through! Every sentence is packed with so much information, 90% of which was not even necessary for the progression of the story, I forgot it 10 minutes later and it didn't make any difference.
O'Malley's writing was very clever and sarcastic yes, but it also felt arrogant to me, like he wanted to prove how smart he was and how well he has planned this whole thing out, when we was mostly spewing unnecessary, boring prose.
Also, I hate to say it, but there was a lot of body shaming in this book. Didn't really see that coming, right? Body shaming in a sci fi mystery, what? I know! It's true though:

[this is just a sample, there was actually way more in the book]

"massively fat"

"The fattest man she’d ever seen"

"an extremely fat woman"

"His kilt could have been used as a tartan slipcover for a settee" wtf?

Myfanwe was a pretty bland heroine; not bad, but not necessarily great either. It was a bit strange to me how a person with no memories whatsoever suddenly finds herself in a weird, secret paranormal world and she just slides right into it like no one's business. I mean, couldn't you have spent a bigger part of the book explaining that, and cut from literally anywhere else?

By the time of the final reveal, I was so exhausted and so ready for it to be over that I just didn't care anymore. There is not a huge list of characters anyway, so I pretty much suspected everyone.
Also, it turned out that it didn't really much mattered in the end because the whole situation was wrapped up in a pretty little bow in the last 15 pages or so...
I know! So frustrating. After 10 days of weaving though massive amounts of information thinking that it is all going to come together in the end and I will be rewarded for my patience, the ending was not at all satisfying. It was so rushed and it totally negated the importance of what happened before it, leaving me feeling like: "All that ⬅️ for this ➡️ ??"

For all the brave souls out there that want to spend an insane amount of time on a book which is only half good, I applaud you and respect you.
The rest of you, just watch the TV show. Way easier. 

READING: The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

Publication date: October 8 2019
Published by: Wednesday Books
Genre: New Adult, Dystopian, Violence, Mystery, Suspense, Dark, Romance
Rating: 

No one speaks of the grace year. It’s forbidden.

Girls are told they have the power to lure grown men from their beds, drive women mad with jealousy. They believe their very skin emits a powerful aphrodisiac, the potent essence of youth, of a girl on the edge of womanhood. That’s why they’re banished for their sixteenth year, to release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. But not all of them will make it home alive.

Sixteen-year-old Tierney James dreams of a better life—a society that doesn’t pit friend against friend or woman against woman, but as her own grace year draws near, she quickly realizes that it’s not just the brutal elements they must fear. It’s not even the poachers in the woods, men who are waiting for their chance to grab one of the girls in order to make their fortune on the black market. Their greatest threat may very well be each other.

To be at odds with your nature, what everyone expects from you, is a life of constant struggle. 

The Grace Year is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated YA dystopian books of the year. With its Handmaid Tale-ish feel, both of them being, more or less, feminist manifestos, it has definitely managed to create a buzz around it, and for good reason.

Make no mistake: The Grace Year is advertised and marketed as a YA book, but it is brutal, raw and chock full of violence.

The story is about Tierney and her Grace Year-an annual ceremony all the 16 year old girls of the county must go through in order to cleanse themselves of their magic that has been known to affect men, and come back a year later purified and ready to wed. They are sent off to a remote campground, forced to live under disgusting conditions, very few resources, and the fear that if they step out, they will get grabbed by poachers, who would kill them, skin them alive and sell their magic-soaked parts for a small fortune.
Doesn't that sound horrifying?

The whole concept of the Grace Year is a symbolism of the absolute disregard and pure hatred the men of the county, the pious and upstanding citizens, have for the women's existence, their daughters', their nieces', their friends'. They want them out of their sight so they are not tempted to have them near during puberty, only to return (if they return), already someone else's property. It is obvious that the men fear the women's strength and power and they are doing everything they can to constantly put them down and make them turn against each other.
In other words, welcome to planet Earth 2019.

Plot wise, The Grace Year was simply amazing. Even though it was a difficult story to get through and it made me feel dirty and disgusting throughout, I loved its originality and I wholeheartedly felt all the rage and heart break Liggett poured into it. Her writing and use of symbolisms and allegories were spot on (the use of flowers to express emotions even in a dreary and awful place such as the county was brilliant).
If I had one tiny complaint it would be about how fast paced the book was, especially in the beginning. Parts that were important and they should have been focused on more, got kinda swept under the rug, and I found myself getting whiplash from how quickly the scenes changed.
Also, apart from four big chapters and an epilogue, the book doesn't have any other breaks in between which made it hard to read at times. I got confused when the story went from here to there, day to night, with no indication of a change. 
More paragraphs would have been great and less ellipses even greater!
That being said, this is an ARC, so I hope the final book will be more carefully edited before it gets published. 

Tierney I liked enough but definitely not a huge fan. I was all for what she was representing and her loyalty and self sacrificing nature, but not being privy to much information about her before the Grace Year, it was hard for me to understand where her martyr syndrome came from. Yes, I got that she always had a rebellious side but how come, all of a sudden from day one, did she decide to save all the girls and change the status quo in the county, when she hadn't spared the girls one thought before the Grace Year? Also, for all her talk of a revolution, she was too quick to ride off to the sunset with Ryker when it suited her, and not only leave the Grace Year girls behind, but leave all her family behind and risk them getting severely punished for her desertion. I thought it was very selfish of her and very out of character, when she was presented as nothing but incredibly altruistic up until then.

I didn't really have any problem with the rest of the characters, I liked them all. All the Grace Year girls were fantastic, Tierney's mom, Ryker, but mostly Michael, representing the 1% of the male population supportive of the change, which I think is pretty accurate, if not optimistic. A meager percentage, but we'll take what we can get.

The Grace Year speaks to the heart of all the women who just have had enough. Women who have been wronged, put down, repressed and silenced for way too long. 
Even though its start is bleak, there is a clear and very optimistic message in its heartbreaking ending: if we stand together, there is nothing we can't accomplish. Things can and will change.
It's as simple as that.

Snatched it from NetGalley when it was up for grabs for like a day or two. I DID NOT request it.

READING: Corpora Delicti (The Administration #9) by Manna Francis

Publication date: March 1 2017
Published by: Casperian Books
Genre: MM, Adult, Dark, BDSM, Dystopian, Mystery, Sci Fi
Rating: 

On the surface, stability has returned to Europe. According to all the official metrics released to news feeds, the Administration and the corporations are stronger and more united than ever. Only in the most secret of government surveillance departments and corporate security divisions would anyone suggest otherwise.

On the surface, Senior Para-investigator Toreth’s year is ending badly. His boss hates him, his junior is looking for a way out, and his new case seems like a dud. Even the upcoming holidays bring more unwelcome news. But the new year starts him down a trail that will lead him from an unpromising beginning, via an unappetizing corpse, right into the financial heart of the Administration and the highest-stakes investigation of his career.

On the surface, corporate director Keir Warrick’s life is on the up. His virtual reality corporation SimTech has weathered the storm of the revolt, and new opportunities are appearing. Away from work, though, more clouds are gathering. What should be good family news brings concerns for the future. With so many secrets to keep, where can he turn to finally guarantee the safety of his family and corporation? And what will the consequences of his choices be for his relationship with Toreth?

For all the reviews of the Administration series books, including short stories, please visit my page on Goodreads:

The Administration by Manna Francis

Not bad-story was easier to get into than Innocent Blood but not quite as interesting.
Except for Warrick's shenanigans with Cit Surveillance, I found myself mostly in anticipation of his and Toreth's bet-it did not disappoint!

--------

For the last couple of months I have been exclusively reading this series, and have completely immersed myself in Toreth and Warrick's world. The Administration is undoubtedly a very unique series with exceptional writing until the very end.
The mystery part is so well crafted and incredibly detailed, something you don't see often (or rather never) in predominantly "romance" books. Although Francis's best work is with her characters; Toreth and Warrick are so complex and intriguing, that I feel there is still so much to learn about them and their relationship even after 9 books-haven't even scratched the surface (whole book with Toreth's background, please!)

Don't get me wrong, they are very difficult books to get into. I mean, reading 9 almost complete books from a sociopath's POV can be exhausting and a lot of times I found Toreth hideous and disgusting. But for some reason (called "Francis's magical writing") also alluring, highly addictive and dangerously charming. I might have hated myself a little for it, but I did, and that's what makes this series so damn good. My hat's off to you, Mrs Francis.

Now, where is book 10??

READING: First Against The Wall (The Administration #6) by Manna Francis

Publication date: May 1 2010
Published by: Casperian Books
Genre: MM, Adult, Dark, BDSM, Dystopian, Mystery, Sci Fi
Rating: 

Who is leading the rabble to victory?

The systems were failing.

Something had gone badly wrong, and had continued to go wrong for so long that he'd been forced unwillingly to conclude that it had to have hit more than I&I. Revolution has come to the Administration, as the citizens rise up against government and corporate oppression. With old and new enemies all around them, what will the new future hold for despised para-investigator Val Toreth, and corporate highflier Keir Warrick? And how long will that future last? 

I was left speechless from the very first page. 

The revolt happens

 

and there is no explanation, no preamble, no pages and pages of mundane flashbacks. Plus, tortured Toreth? Extra bonus!

I suspect a lot of people loathe Carnac and I totally get it.
Personally, I think he's all kinds of awesome, and he just makes everything so much better! He's an asshole, sure, but isn't Toreth, and we all root for him? Carnac is exactly like Toreth, and I guess that's why he can't stomach the idea of Toreth having two people completely devoted to him (one of them Warrick) whereas he is completely unlovable. He hates that Toreth, the scum of the earth that he is, has the love of Warrick, someone that Carnac respects and let's face it, is in love with. That's why he has made it his life goal to completely destroy Toreth. Yes, his motives were selfish and misguided, but other than that, who can blame him for wanting to eliminate I&I? Only dum dum Warrick who, even though believes the same, he will do anything to save Toreth, even if that means helping the Administration and prolonging its existence.

Speaking of dum dum Warrick, I can't believe he took Toreth in that easily in the end :( Well yes I can, because he's madly in love with him but still! I was also upset by the fact that we were shown Toreth's turmoil over 

losing Warrick, but he was the one who left him! Because why? Carnac said a few words? Does Toreth really think so little of Warrick to not realise that Warrick knows all that already and still loves him? Carnac said Toreth wants Warrick to love him, and he does, but he has done absolutely nothing to earn that love. I guess as soon as Warrick took him back, he would go back to screwing half of New London again because that's just what Toreth does. I was also upset with Sara for being so willing to have sex with Toreth to "ease his pain". Ugh, no wonder Carnac hates Toreth so much, how the hell did he manage to earn this kind of love and loyalty by being such a monster?

Loved it, but it frustrated me sooo much!!

READING: Control (The Administration #4) by Manna Francis

Publication date: May 1 2009
Published by: Casperian Books
Genre: MM, Adult, Dark, BDSM, Dystopian, Mystery, Sci Fi
Rating: 

Gaining it, keeping it, or losing it, control is more than just a game--it's a critical tool for survival. No more so than in the Administration, where the Investigation and Interrogation Division's Val Toreth faces professional and personal hazards every day. And when an attack on one of the most loyal and valued members of his investigative team makes the professional very personal indeed, Toreth finds himself entangled once more in the darker side of corporate life and crime. He'll need help, not just from his colleagues but from his "regular fuck" Keir Warrick, to make it out the other end safely.

Even away from their offices, Toreth and Warrick find that their jobs create challenges and tensions that threaten their relationship, because finding a balance is all about knowing when to keep control and when to let it go.

Love seeing Toreth scared, it's my new favourite thing! Although I have to admit, he wasn't nearly as terrified as he was in Mindfuck. In Control he was more pissed off and humiliated (They made me kneel) resigned to the idea that he was going to die because of something he did, as opposed to Mindfuck which totally took him by surprise and it was through no fault of his own. 

What surprised me though is that all this time he was kept prisoner, from the moment he was taken, to the moment he was certain they would kill him, to the moment he arrived at Warrick's, not once did he think of him. Not that he loved him and he regretted so many things he didn't say or do, no, none of that. But maybe a "I wish I could fuck Warrick one last time before I die" or something like that. Nope, not even that.
I was a bit disappointed, I'm not gonna lie but it's all my fault for expecting "romantic" like thoughts from Toreth. I should know better by now.

READING: Quid Pro Quo (The Administration #2) by Manna Francis

Publication date: May 27 2008
Published by: Casperian Books
Genre: MM, Adult, Dark, BDSM, Dystopian, Mystery, Sci Fi
Rating: 

When he agrees to do a favor for his old friend Liz Carey in Corporate Fraud, Para-investigator Val Toreth is hoping for a simple case. After all, kidnapping and dismemberment are all in a day's work for the Investigation and Interrogation Division. But in the European Administration, simplicity is often a dangerous illusion, and anyone who goes looking for trouble in the corporate world is certain to find more than they bargained for. Fraud, sabotage, espionage, blackmail, decades-long vendettas, and murder--the more powerful the corporations, the darker their secrets. Corporate insiders and innocent bystanders alike are all too easily caught up in the conflicts, but when suspects can hide behind money and power, what chance is there of any justice?

And on top of everything else, Toreth also has to deal with Keir Warrick. But that's easy. That's just sex.

The main story of the second book is Quid Pro Quo and that's what I'm going to review here, since I rated the short stories individually

QPQ is about a corporate daughter's kidnapping and how Toreth and his team are trying to solve the case . The very careful and precise structure of the story and the amount of detail that went in it, is astonishing. Every character has a reason for being there contributing to the story, as very evidence and fact of the case is important. With no romantic reprieve (Toreth's has almost no interaction with Warrick in this one) you are constantly learning new facts about the kidnapping that usually come from Toreth's team brainstorming scenes. 

For me personally it got a tad tiring in the middle, with no break from the case and most importantly no break from Toreth! The book is entirely told from his POV and let's just say it is not the easiest thing reading such a convoluted book through a sociopath's eyes. His constant false sense of superiority and the way he regards and measures other people up, is sometimes very hard to overlook. Sometimes he is such an asshole that I found it unpleasant (to say the least) being in his head all the time. 

Other than that, mystery and suspense were all there, albeit a bit clinical, but then again that's how The Administration and the corporate world is, which the more I learn about, the more disgusting I found.
I missed Warrick, I'm not going to lie, mostly because through him, Toreth looks a bit saner. Knowing that someone actually likes him and have feelings for him, makes him slightly more human. Only slightly!

READING: Mind Fuck (The Administration #1) by Manna Francis

Publication date: October 29 2007
Published by: Casperian Books
Genre: MM, Adult, Dark, BDSM, Dystopian, Mystery, Sci Fi
Rating: 

There are no bad guys or good guys. There are only better guys and worse guys.

One of the worse guys is Val Toreth. In a world in which torture is a legitimate part of the investigative process, he works for the Investigation and Interrogation Division, where his colleagues can be more dangerous than the criminals he investigates.

One of the better guys is Keir Warrick. His small corporation, SimTech, is developing a "sim" system that places users in a fully immersive virtual reality. A minnow in a murky and dangerous pond, he is only beginning to discover how many compromises may be required for success.

Their home is the dark future dystopia of New London. A totalitarian bureaucracy controls the European Administration, sharing political power with the corporations. The government uses violence and the many divisions of the feared Department of Internal Security to maintain control and crush resistance. The corporations fight among themselves, using lethal force under the euphemism of "corporate sabotage," uniting only to resist attempts by the Administration to extend its influence over them.

Toreth and Warrick are more natural enemies than allies. But mutual attraction and the fight for survival can create unlikely bonds. 

It took me a while to hop on the Administration train, but I'm glad I did!

Mindfuck is so unlike any other mm I've read; it's basically a sci fi/dystopian whodunnit with a splash of romance, if you can call whatever Toreth and Warrick have "romance". Even though it is very high techy and futuristic, it reads more like a crime noir book, or rather a regency crime.

Mindfuck is written almost to perfection. The story is so dense and detailed but never ever boring. It has a lot of scientific terms (neuroscience, psychology) and you have to pay very close attention because they are all pertinent to the case, you need them to understand the kind of world these people live in, and they are also very interesting and fascinating. Simulated reality makes for a very compelling and terrifying notion that adds to the whole murder/mystery vibe.
I hope we see more of it in the future. 

Toreth is a senior investigator and interrogator which in the world of Administration means he is a sociopath.
He leaves by a strict and specific set of moral rules mostly because their application would serve and benefit him. He's driven by self interest only, hates incompetence and has a total disregard for human life if it means ending it will help him in any way. He interrogates and tortures people for a living. "I fuck minds" he very proudly declares to Warrick when they first meet. 
The only real and close relationship he has is with his personal assistant Sara, who, it's evident, he cares for deeply. Why is that and how it all works with his twisted and evil personality? I guess we'll find out in later books. We only have tiny flashes of the characters' back stories but I've bee assured we'll get more later, there are 9 books after all.

Warrick is a tough one to figure out. He is not as straightforwardly monstrous as Toreth but there is a dormant darkness inside him and the only reason it doesn't come out is that his morality is stronger than Toreth's and he more easily distinguishes good from bad. And even if he doesn't sometimes, he at least exhibits some kind of remorse, as opposed to Toreth. Still, his arrogance can only match Toreth's and they always try to one up each other, right until Toreth realises what Warrick truely is after in their "relationship". Then the games start. 

Absolutely fascinating read, can't wait to see how it all plays out!