Reviewed by JustJen
Title: Release
Author: A.M. Sexton
Series: Davlova #1
Heroes: Misha
Genre: M/M
Length: 280 Pages
Publisher: Marie Sexton
Release Date: June 24, 2014
Available at: Marie Sexton, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo and Smashwords
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Davlova: a poverty-ridden city-state ruled by a tyrannical upper class. Resources are scarce and technology is illegal. But in the slums, revolution is brewing.
Misha is a common pickpocket until his boss gives him a new job. Disguised as a whore, Misha is sent to work for one of the most powerful men in the city. But his real task is far more dangerous: get close to Miguel Donato, and find something – anything – that will help topple Davlova’s corrupt government.
Misha is plunged into the decadent world of the upper class, where slaves are common and even the most perverse pleasure can be found. Although he’s sure Davlova’s elite is involved in something horrific, proof is hard to come by, and Misha begins to fall in love with the man he’s supposed to betray. Then Misha meets Ayo – a sex slave forced by the neural implant in his brain to take pleasure from pain – and everything changes. As the lower class pushes toward a bloody revolution, Misha will find himself caught between his surprising feelings for Donato, his obligations to his clan, and his determination to save Ayo
Review: This story called to me immediately. I don’t think I even associated this with the author’s other work, but it wouldn’t have mattered either way because this just sounded interesting from the cover to the title and right down to the blurb.
Davlova is a dark and gritty world. There are two sides, the rich or elite people running the government on one side of the wall, and the peasants or lesser people on the other. Those same people are on the verge of rebellion, just waiting for that extra push to make it happen. There are some working to gain proof of the elite/government atrocities to help with that cause.
Misha was a clever pickpocket (a popular profession) until his boss convinced him to become the exclusive rent boy of one of the elite in order to gain inside information. Things get pretty harsh between Misha and Donato. He is used pretty hard and quite often beaten, though he hangs in there for the cause. Then Donato makes a change and shows an entirely different side. Donato is quite horrible, but then his personality splits and we meet Miguel, sweet and caring. Misha is so conflicted between the two and seeing a chance at something good, only to have it quashed when Donato reappears. Donato is fully aware of his issues and warns Misha of them as well, but that doesn’t make it any easier to accept.
Then there is Ayo. Sweet, sweet Ayo. He is a dollhouse slave, or a slave reconditioned and reprogrammed to be just what the client needs. In his case, he needs pain to feel pleasure and he cannot find release unless or until a trigger word is spoken, though that word is not known to any but the owner. Donato is ruthless where Ayo is concerned. Truly horrible. But Misha doesn’t give up wanting to help him. So, Misha is once again torn into different directions.
There is a lot going on here with the slaves and the government and with Misha in general. While it seems as though Misha isn’t getting anywhere information-wise where Donato is concerned, there is stuff happening all around and he is able to learn enough details here and there to set things in motion.
This has quite the exciting ending, though it wasn’t nearly what I was expecting and certainly didn’t see it coming. I was riveted to every page of this though I did have some questions along the way and was a bit confused here and there about why certain things were happening. There isn’t a typical relationship or romance here, but the characters will win you over regardless. Things are a little bit up in the air which I assume is the lead in to the next book in this series, which I am really looking forward to reading.
Overall Impression: I loved it
*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*
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