fantasy

atthequillsmercy

WIP Wednesday: Editing!

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I’m up to three finished rough drafts, as well as parts to edit to post on Patreon. That means no real word counts of note to post. The good news is (is not having word counts ” bad news?) that I am aiming to post again on my Patreon this month. I am still tweaking my page. I’d like a better description and more art, but that’s not the most important part. The most important part is getting more books out.

Also, I’d like to thank everyone once again who has purchased my work during the Smashwords Sale. I really hope you enjoy them!

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Lenni Reviews: “Centaurs” Vol. 3, by Ryo Sumiyoshi

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

The war between centaurs and humans has ended, leading them to living side by side. But peace does not heal all wounds as Ganta cannot forgive the loss of his father, while Tanikaze – who has never experienced oppression, wants to befriend humans.

This volume does a great job at showing that just because a war is over doesn’t mean the hurt is gone. Ganta is dealing with understandable PTSD and finds Tanikaze’s curiosity dangerous. It FLIES through everything. I like the series but the pacing is too fast. Almost like it’s a race. I think this would be so much better if it took its time. This world is interesting and I think it deserves room to let it breathe. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Centaurs” Vol. 2, by Ryo Sumiyoshi

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After escaping, Matsukaze and Kohibari continue to search for a peaceful place to live and for Matsukaze’s son. But the group sent by Kohibari’s owner catches up to them and they are saved by an army of centaur orphans.

The 30 year time jump was a bit abrupt, but I get it. This volume is PACKED with plot, battles, touching moments, and dark elements. It’s very bittersweet but I like that cumulative horrors from the first volume are balanced with the happier moments. Spoilers I guess but by the end of this one Matsukaze’s son Ganta is grown and Kohibari’s son, Tanikaze, is on the cusp of adulthood as well. See what I mean about a huge time jump? It’s an engrossing read but really fast. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Centaurs” Vol. 1, by Ryo Sumiyoshi

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is suggested for mature readers.

Where centaurs were once revered as gods, now they are enslaved by humans. Matsukaze had managed to evade them until he is captured while protecting his son from human hunters. While in captivity, he meets Kohibari, who has been mutilated and tamed yet hopes Matsukaze will be his ticket to freedom.

I label this as for mature readers because of how horridly the centaurs are treated because of course weird dudes rape them. Ew, but sadly not surprising. And it’s a common practice to cut the centaur’s arms off to break them! Ugh, people just suck… While the pacing feels a bit fast, it’s beautiful and heartbreaking. It’s worth checking out if you can handle the brutality and like darker fantasy. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Song for Medusa: A Graphic Novel” by Grace Desmarais

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

While Medusa hides in her cave and defends herself against those who seek to kill her, Princess Cyrene happens upon her hiding place and since the princess is blind, she is immune to Medusa’s curse.

This was really sweet. Cyrene is great representation, being blind but certainly not weak. I will give this credit that (spoilers??) the second she does sneak out, she falls into the ocean and gets accosted by sirens. We don’t gloss over how she’s in genuine danger and not having her sight is a problem. Sometimes in cartoons, actual barriers are kinda glossed over (like in Extreme Ghostbusters where Garett’s wheelchair is just glued to him sometimes). But this is a nice love story that gives Medusa and Cyrene the happy ending they deserve. I think Perseus is a little too cartoonishly evil, though. The art is beautiful and I had so much fun reading this. 4.5 out of 5.

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WIP Wednesday: Lots of Updates!

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If you’re subscribed to my blog, you’ve probably noticed I’ve been fairly regularly posting reviews. That’s gonna continue. I have a lot to get through.

Next up is my Patreon! I’ve been editing a lot, and the next part is up! It’s on the paid tier, but the first chapters of all my WIPs that I’m working on will always be free. The first part of “Dewey” is here.

Smashwords has started their July sale! All my books are discounted or even free on that site! You can check them out here.

Now, time for the wordcounts:

  • First Brood 4: 19,914
  • Smut short story: 570 (published 2 stories last month)
  • Dewey: 17,316

I am doing my best to try to get out some good content. I need to treat it like a job if I’m going to make money from it like a job. It’s not going to be easy, I am going to be very tired, but I have debt and a kid to put through college. I gotta do what I gotta do.

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Lenni Reviews: “Taika’s Reason” Vol. 3, by Paru Itagaki

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After being tricked by crow person, Aggro, Taika must save Yoichi from his flock’s attack. Afterwards, Taika happens upon a group of humanized animals who hate humans.

There’s a one shot with a former guide dog that was humanized with his owner and Tatsunari gets some love but the biggest deal here is meeting the outcast humanized animals called “less-thans” because they are violent and don’t speak. I supposed it was inevitable since in real life not all pet owners are good people. Of course there would be abused and abandoned humanized pets. I’m betting the next volume will dig into those sadder stories and shake up Taika’s faith in humans as a whole, but I don’t see him ever betraying Ao. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “May I Have a Taste?” Vol. 3, by Amidamuku

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Now that Mei, a Progenitor Vampire, appears on the scene, Yamadera wishes to use her. When he blurts out his desire to become a vampire, he foolishly makes a contract with her.

After the deal is struck, this volume gets a little silly as Sayo tries to find a way to save Yamadera, blundering into getting a job as a host. And there are a few flashbacks to Yamdera as a child with some implications as to how he became such a manipulative bastard with a suicidal desire for power. Just aa taste, so I’m sure it’ll be explored more down the road. I like where this is going so far! 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Sunshine in Hades” Vol. 1, by Puling

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Cerberus is a slave, champion gladiator, and a prime chance for his owners to breed him out to produce more like him. But he’s a virgin. Cerberus enlists the help of Phaethon, a priest of the sun god to teach him how to please a woman, only to grow closer to the priest as time goes on.

Cerberus, of course, has total golden retriever energy in a rottweiler’s skin, while Phaethon is the “I don’t fall in love until I totally do” type. The intrigue around them makes for some interesting plot points that give what is a predictable yaoi something a bit more unique. It is VERY suggestive and the art favors the tiddies:

This dude is a cup size up from me, I swear… It’s not bad, I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on the next one. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “May I Have a Taste?” Vol. 2, by Amidamuku

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Minoru is gravely injured trying to save Yamadera after he risks his life trying to become a vampire. An older vampire, Mire, comes to assist Minoru.

I like that the world is expanding. I don’t like Yamadera, so spending time with any other character is a net positive. We do get some backstory for Mine, another new vampire, Itachi, and introduce Mei, who reminds me of Kiku from Call of the Night. I’m glad what seemed to be a predatory version of Ko annoying Minoru, who just wants to live his life, is shaping into something more. 3.9 out of 5.

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