An Uncommon Whore (An Uncommon Whore #1) in Read with Pride Northwest

Aug 04, 2013 Shelby rated it really liked it

Shelves: royalty-nobility, disability-injury, porn-rent-boys-strippers, deserve-additional-reads, kids-or-dependents, action-adventure, alpha-males, kidnapping-abduction, violence, angst

I was a little nervous going into re-reading this book because while I remembered enjoying it that was about the extent of my remembrance. I’m not normally a big fan of “whore” storylines so the title gave me even more pause. Boy am I glad I forged on. I’d forgotten how great this book is. Sure Helios has spent time as a slave and whore, but that’s not the focus of this story. This story is his redemption and return to his people. The connection between the two men is fantastic and I really enjo I was a little nervous going into re-reading this book because while I remembered enjoying it that was about the extent of my remembrance. I’m not normally a big fan of “whore” storylines so the title gave me even more pause. Boy am I glad I forged on. I’d forgotten how great this book is. Sure Helios has spent time as a slave and whore, but that’s not the focus of this story. This story is his redemption and return to his people. The connection between the two men is fantastic and I really enjoyed the sci-fi world created here.

Pasha has been a slave as far back as he can remember, which arguably isn’t long. He knows nothing but the life he’s been trained for and while he’s had a number of masters he’s never taken kindly to his fate often trying to escape. He’s always plotting and scheming for a different life. His current master may not be pleasant, but he’s certainly not the worst Pasha’s had either. At least they aren’t sexually compatible and Pasha’s managed to escape that fate at his master’s hands. But when the money’s short Pasha knows he’s going to be tricked out at one of the most dangerous bars in Warlan. This time, as his eyes scan for escape routes, Pasha spies a man who he drawn to for more than the potential escape. There’s something about the one-eyed man that seems like he’s just what Pasha needs.

Captain Griffin Hawke has spent years travelling the galaxy searching for the one thing that can make his people whole again. They may have been driven from their planet and the stragglers of their civilization may be clinging to life on a new planet, but they still have hope. Prince Helios Dayspring survived the final battle and he’s out there somewhere. Griffin is determined to find him and if he can bring back a little money for his planet in the meantime all the better. He hadn’t planned on picking up a whore when he sat down in the bar, but having one fall on him and getting a blow job offered in payment isn’t something he’ll turn down. Strange how one act can change everything and light can be found in the darkest of places.

I particularly enjoyed the set up of this book. I like the long lost hero’s tropes they always manage to entertain me. Who doesn’t like the idea that there really is some better secret special life out there just waiting to find you? I appreciated the fact that Helios, despite his mind wiping, hadn’t given up that fight that made him the leader of his people. He’s always resisted being a slave even when that was all he knew. He wanted out, he wanted another life for himself even if he couldn’t remember the life he was supposed to have. I’ll admit Griffin’s reason for recognizing Helios is a little farfetched but I’ll accept it and once he does I loved their reunion scene!

Mmmmmm Griffin and Helios together…yummy! I liked that these two were having to figure out what they meant to each other as a couple again. Both because of Helios’ lost memories, but also because he’s not the same arrogant youngster he used to be. His time as a slave has changed him even as he starts to get his memories back. The pain and love Griffin has for Helios though pours off the page. I never questioned his feelings for his lost sovereign. Their backstory and history together was wonderful and really added to the depth of these characters. I appreciated the fact that Helios didn’t suddenly change and become this dynamic ruler again in an instant. He’s been through too much to suddenly revert to anything. I liked the gradual changes that were taking place in his personality without the inhibitor working. He was really working to balance himself back out.

Griffin’s struggles to relegate this new version of the man he remembers were lovely. I really liked the changes in their relationship as he learned to accept the new man in front of him even as he recognized the man he loved underneath. His pain and anguish when he triggered the master protocols on the chip in Helios’ head, even when it was necessary to save Helios, made me go awwwwwwww. I really liked his stalwart nature and his commitment to his planet and his people.

I appreciated the HFN ending knowing that there is a sequel which was immediately added to my TBR and now I really want to read. I can’t wait to see where this goes both with the political intrigue sure to follow as Helios is reestablished as king and also the development of the relationship between Griffin and Helios. They’ve been a part for so long and while they’ve started to reconnect I’m sure there are many more bumps in the road for these two as Helios remembers more and more of his life and story.

This is a really interesting sci-fi world and I can’t wait to read more. < b>I would say it was a solid 4.5 stars for me over all, but doesn’t quite jump off the page enough for me to round up to the 5 stars. I really enjoyed the read and the quality of the writing. Can’t wait to come back for more.
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Jan 04, 2017 Joseph Tonlet rated it really liked it

Very enjoyable...couldn't put it down once I started!

Rating for the series as a whole, rather than the individual books. ...more

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May 30, 2010 Felicia (Ferishia) rated it really liked it

Shelves: erotica, ebook, kindle-format-ebook, m-m, lgbt-rom-susp, fantasy-futuristic-sci-fi, 01-mr-candy-pants, 2011-non-amz-purchases, fictionwise

What drew me to this book initially and made me add it to my tbr wishlist, was the cover art and the title. What prompted me to read it was choosing it as a challenge read. I was surprise to find that it was a sci-fi/fantasy m/m when I thought (judging by both the cover and the title) it would be a contemporary read. That did not detract from the story. It's not my favorite genre to read, but I don't discriminate. There was enough of smex to balance out the story, which I found bought sexy, hear ...more

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Apr 05, 2013 Kelly (Maybedog) rated it really liked it

Shelves: what-bdsm, what-sf, what-mm-read, what-mm, what-male-protagonist, how-ebook, what-lgbtqia, what-bisexuality

I'm sorry, I'm trying not to be petty, but what the hell are "cruel, sensuous lips"?

The two were in a ménage with a woman before the war, then Helios had been taken. Then she died. It worries me that there may be ménage in the series future.

Sweet story but not enough action and there were lots of missed opportunities for danger and peril.

It also ended rather suddenly with gobs of unanswered questions.

I enjoyed it quite a bit despite the boring and sudden ending.

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