CONFLICTED - GAY IS NOT A FETISH!

As a gay man I have been looking for a world that I could get lost in that was for once exclusively gay but also very much fantasy/sci fi! This ticked all those boxes!

The author has created an enjoyable erotic tale set in a captivating and exotic world. The Krie in particular are very intriguing. As is the world that surrounds them. Both of these elements serve to elevate this story beyond a typical smut novel. I found myself caring about the krie characters and the world they occupied. I want to know more of their world and their people, beyond that of the erotic!

However my conflict in this story lies in the characterization of the humans. The only likable human for me was Noah - as he is the only gay human amongst them. The other human characters feel lacking in individuality. Simply just pretty boys who feel like nothing more than empty vessels for straight female readers to fetishize gay men. I admit that this is an assumption on my part, however considering more then 90% of the reviews are from blatantly female readers. I'd say it's an accurate assumption to make.

I did very much enjoy the erotic scenes in the book and they were very well written. However my conflict and accusations stem from the language and mannerisms of the "straight" characters. Just the fact the author has to keep mentioning they're straight, or how these characters have to vocalize in someway how the gay sex acts they are fantasizing and performing are "messed up" serves to show that this was written through the gaze of a woman who fetishizes gay men...or at the least caters to women who do.

So as much as I have enjoyed the world the author has created. I also feel I must broach this praise with a statement that us gay men are NOT a fetish. Our sexual orientation and our bedroom activities are NOT something for female consumption and never will be. To be frank it is very creepy and disturbing to think that there are women out there who fetishize gay men the same way straight men fetishize lesbians....it's just very wrong. I must stress that this may not be the authors intention by any means. I am merely saying that the way in which certain characters are portrayed opens this world up to more insidious agendas than the support of gay focused fiction.

In the end though I would like to see more of this series come to Audible as I would like to continue the adventures in this world and perhaps see if the human characters gain more depth. I'd very much like for the human characters to at least come to terms with the fact they clearly aren't "straight" and totally ditch the use of referring to themselves as such. This would allow the story to move away from the "straight guy turning temporarily gay" trope, because in all honesty there is NOTHING attractive about a guy who tries to assert himself as "straight" whilst at the same time happily engaging in hardcore gay sex....Just make all the human characters gay/bi and be done with it.

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2 people found this helpful

Not for the faint of heart

Wow… What a wild ride that was! I’m not sure what I was expecting but I don’t think it was what I got… That’s not to say I wasn’t impressed with what I got!
This was a well written, hot series opener! Building the foundation for what’s to come!
Along with the hot dialogue was a epic performance… Zane Daniels is a new to me narrator but one I will seek out in the future! His character definition, energy and just general engagement was top notch! Perfection!

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interesting!

ok I'm really intrigued! I'm definitely going to continue with the next book. I loved the narrator, he was amazing.

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Hot as fire, fabulous audio performance!

This is a really hot, erotic story but be warned that it contains dubcon. The best thing about this audiobook is the more than fabulous audio performance by Zane Daniels. I don’t know if this is the first audiobook that he’s done but it’s the first one under this name on Audible (there are several more now).

The story is very erotic and I did enjoy listening to it but I was a bit bothered by the dubcon aspect, especially for the characters who aren’t gay. Like I said, the best thing is the audiobook performer.

A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.

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Enjoyed it!

It was fascinating! I really liked to listening to this audio, the narrator did a really good job with the voices. The story was awesome too but too short. I need the next one!
Alien gay romance, I love uniqe stories. The author created a really interesting scenario, love the world, can't wait the next book.

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Amazing audible book

I had an amazing time listening to this book full of hot and steamy parts best listen I’ve had in awhile hopefully there add book 2

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Wow. Interesting

Ok. I wasn't expecting this to be such an interesting story. This author is new to me but I am glad I was given this in a FB group after I requested because I liked the cover.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and wish book 2 was already on audio. However I can't wait. I purchased the ebook and will read it as soon as I get a minute.

This book has adult situations and like it says in the blurb, minor subcon. So it may trigger some who may be sensitive to such things.

All in all a good listen and great start to a series.

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Worth The Wait!

I remember reading this ebook a couple of years ago and book 2, Zercy, and I absolutely loved it! I remembered then thinking it would make a great audiobook and here it is!
You can’t get any different from Kora Knight’s other available audiobooks, The UpEnding Tad series, but her writing is just as imaginative and hot 🔥
Zane Daniels is a ‘new to me’ narrator, and I have to say he was awesome. I would definitely like to hear me from him in the future

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What a surprise listen!

I enjoyed this book. It has an interesting world building. Humans emergency land on Nira, where Kries live and are taken by these aliens to be sold. There’s sexy situations, some dubcon which might trigger some but was good for me. I listened in one go. Great narrator! What an awesome gift I received.

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Kaptivating

🎧 Zane. Zane. Zane! Mr Daniels played with his deep, rich, vibrant voice like a fine-tuned cello. The Krie had full on chesty basses with rumbles at the end of sentences when speaking English. When speaking Krie, ZD added huskiness. My favourite aspect of Zane’s performance was his interpretation of the Krie language: he made it sound alien yet appealing and obviously relished drawing out the monosyllabic words. I cannot articulate how he imbued sexy so just listen out for Gesh’s ‘meesha’. The Astrum Team generally had baritones with smoothened vocals but ZD distinguished them wonderfully - Noah's posh sound and Zaden's accent were standouts. A final comment on the pacing?! Exuberant yet unhurried, it was flawless.

I loved the species - Krie, Water Nomads, Taloned Dragons. I soaked up the lush jungle, soaring mountain sides, multi-alien market and a Gothic Castle! I adored the Krie culture and laughed at the idealised and idolised male form. Then a language?! Yes! Though Ms. Knight obviously created a human sextet to appeal to different folk, Gesh and Zercy of the Krie were my absolute favourite characters!

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