Book Review: Trading Tridents by C.M. Taylor

Reviewed by Nikyta

Title: Trading Tridents
Author: C.M. Taylor
Series: 2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers
Heroes: John & Derek
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 32 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2017
Available at: Deramspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: DecemberCon 2017. John Perlan, aka YouTuber “SmileyNibor,” has come to the con for one reason and one reason only: to see his idol, actor Derek Kitow. And since Derek has announced he’ll be dressed as the original Aquaman, Perlan decides to come as the Aquaman reboot. It helps that he already has the beard and the bod to make a convincing Momoaman.

But when Derek Kitow makes his entrance, he recognizes Perlan from his tiny YouTube channel and wants him onstage! Has Kitow been following him online? Could SmileyNibor’s hero also be a fan? And what exactly does Kitow have in mind by inviting Perlan to meet him after the panel?

Review:

So this story was a little surprising! It was also super cute. John has a massive crush on actor Derek and tries to impress him at DecemberCon as being Aquaman reboot to Derek’s original Aquaman. I liked that Derek also recognizes John as a YouTuber because it gave a little more depth to their feelings. Their first meeting was sweet and intense and I loved that John didn’t let Derek win their little fight with the tridents when they went at it. I really adored the premise of the story.

While I loved that this centered around Aquaman, I must say, it took up to 49% to learn the main guy’s name (I don’t generally read blurbs before I start a book). Granted, this is a short story but I would have at least liked to know his name before he meets the other MC. Add to that, I felt a little uncomfortable on where things headed. Not because there’s kink but because John was obviously not entirely comfortable with things and Derek kinda just bulldozed over him trying to explain that and went into why he would be a good Dom. I just didn’t appreciate that because I felt like John shouldn’t be pressured into something like that.

All in all, I still enjoyed the story. I liked John as Aquaman reboot and Derek as the original Aquaman. Their first meeting was adorable and I liked that there was a bit of kink to it even though I felt like Derek pressured him into things.

Overall Impression: I liked it

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*