Magician’s Chains by Michelle Polaris
Erotic M/M BDSM
June 2010
E-Book
Ellora’s Cave
Jesse is at a very low point in his life. He is in a relationship with Corrine, but for the past two years he has spiraled into a deep depression, barely able to function in his life. He blames himself for a car accident that killed his brother and seriously injured his parents. For ten long years he took care of his dependent parents, and with brain injuries, his mother was more of a vegetable and his father became extremely verbally abusive.
Jesse and Corinne find themselves in Las Vegas, grasping for anything to save their marriage. They go to a very erotic magician show and here Jesse gets the surprise of his life. The magician happens to be Savin, a man he went to high school with and a man he shared a kiss with ten years ago. Jesse has never forgot Savin and when their eyes meet, he knows Savin recognizes him.
Savin invites Jesse and Corinne up to his hotel room, and it is here Jesse realizes the extent of Savin’s BDSM lifestyle. After an eruption with Corinne, and her subsequent leaving, Savin wants Jesse to stay. He asks him to stay the weekend, knowing the small signs of submissive behavior he noticed those ten years ago would be a perfect compliment to his dominant lifestyle.
Not only does Savin want to reconnect with Jesse and show him the pleasures of submitting, but Savin is also Fae, and the Queen is demanding he and four other fae residing in the mortal world reopen the gates in four days time to come back home. Savin wants nothing to do with the Fae life anymore and his magic disgusts him. But when he realizes Jesse might be a key player in his Fae existence, he must make the hard choice.
To put it out there, I don’t read a lot of BDSM. Sure, I like a little spanky time, for example a Lilli Feisty book. But the more clamps and contraptions there are makes me a bit nervous. I had read Michelle Polaris paranormal romance book, written under Michelle Picard, Ruling Eden and really enjoyed it. Plus I love m/m books, so when she offered Magician’s Chains, I thought I would take a chance and try this one, even with the horrid cover. I’m sorry, but I don’t see how that cover is going to sell any books.
I’m glad I did because I found many things in this book that I enjoyed. Jesse is so, so broken at the beginning of this story. His anger for what happened to his parents and then their subsequent treatment of him just boils under his skin. He literally hates his wife, only staying with her because he thinks that is what his parents would have wanted. Enter Savin, and the opportunity to submit. To be stripped down to the bare, raw emotions that are at the core of his rage. The glimpse we get into how they go back and forth as dominant and servant, and how that can really address his underlying troubles was very interesting. Didn’t hurt that they had hot smex too.
I thought the paranormal aspect is brought in well, and didn’t muddle or try to overpower the emotional aspect of this story. Savin has his own issues, and his own hatred of the Fae. I thought Jesse accepted the presence of the supernatural too easily, and I also thought he accepted Savin himself too easily. He definitely had to put his trust out there completely for the D/s to work and that I liked. Although I realize he had feelings for him left over from high school, to just decide he loved him in a very short amount of time seemed a bit rushed. Especially with him in a relationship with Corrine and all the emotional baggage he dragged with him. His “therapy” sessions in my mind needed more time to evolve and mold Jesse into a better person.
Magician’s Chains has a lot to offer – m/m, BDSM, paranormal, erotic sex – and I think Michelle Polaris does a good job interweaving all aspects.
Rating: 3.5/5
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I didn't know Michelle Polaris was Michelle Picard. :) I have to agree with you on the cover. If not for your review I would run away, fast! Not the best cover at all. I'm fascinated by the complexities of the Dom/sub relationship. If I'm going to read BDSM, I need the emotional aspect. This one sounds like it might be worth trying. Nice review!
I feel for his wife if she went and he just stayed there…
That cover *turns head* hm
That just can't be comfortable;)
FV – oh yes, you get lots of emotions in this one. Just start inside the cover :)
Blodeuedd – Why I think he needed to resolve more with his wife, there relationship was done. Like, really, really done.
Jenny – LOL..welll…Savin does have some magical powers….
I love your m/m reviews. One of these days I'll break down and read a total m/m story-just not quite there yet, though I did enjoy Laid Bare.
Lovely review Mandi as usual. :)
*that cover scared me* I'm not ready to jump this hurtle yet.
Great review. That is one awful cover. I may put this one on my list, but I'm sort of off fae for now. Plus, I might have issues with the wife thing. Even if the relationship was over, he was still married.
Fab review, Mandi!
Am I the only one looking for the guys's dangly bits on the cover? He's floating, naked, face down. Wouldn't something be dangling? Yeah, he's got muscular thighs, still, I'd think there would be some dangle-age going on. ;)
Very emotional read huh. But you did a great review of it hon!!!
The cover kinda… umm… yeah… lol. Leaves me feeling like that, lol.
Hope all is well and miss ya! Hugs to ya!
Buckeye – LOL..and I still need to read Laid Bare :)
Tori – LOL…inside wasn't so bad..promise
Eyre – True about the wife…..
Ava – LOLOL..You are right..there definiely should be a dangly.
Cecile – LOL..hope you are well tooooooo!! :)
I would like to note that I made a mistake by saying Jesse and Corrine are married. They are actually only dating.
I apologize. It does make a difference when he leaves her.
Sorry for the confusion.
Interesting combination (m/m, paranormal and bdsm). I think I've never seen that before. Your review piqued my interest.
Great review Mandi – thank you!
I'm fascinated by the complexities of the Dom/sub relationship. If I'm going to read BDSM, I need the emotional aspect.
What FV said :) I love it when the emotional aspect is present and explained… Plus, m/m with fantasty elements :) It's on my list!
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