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cynt's review
3.0
This was a really varied collection. But since tastes will differ, especially on things like food and sex, I can say there'll probably be something for everyone in here. These stories, they were made for me, and reviewed here in a most informal fashion:
Advisedly and Soberly ****
I’m quite the historical novel lover, but I’m often disappointed at the “fade to blacks” or sex scenes that make me wish they’d faded to black. So this one made me very happy! Happy couple having happy sex, yay. And going back into self-insight mode: all the historical (romance) novels I’ve read served as back-up warm-up.
Tempestuous ***
Oooh, pirates! And this time, the excitement held, and the characters also gripped my attention. This put me a tiny bit in mind of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, what with magic in a … colonial history setting. And how can I oppose sex magic. Sadly, I felt the description of the act itself wavered between magical and carnal too much. The magic setting kind of lifted it above wank fodder, while certain descriptions brought it back down again, which brought me out of my reading rhythm.
The author’s note, which I do feel should have gone into the biographies, did impress me and make me curious for more.
Leap of Faith ****
Very yes. I really really like love stories that are played out slowly, where that first hand-holding is described just as lovingly as the first orgasm. The characters were very charming and very real, and I fell in love with them very quickly. The harsher sex talk did jar me a bit, as it often does (I’m an old maid, bear with me), but it didn’t take away my enjoyment.
The Light at the End ****
This was way more on the magic-realism side than on the hot porn side, so maybe the seekers of tittilation will walk away disappointed - but I loved it. It’s a great example of what sex in literature should be - unapologetically there, but also woven into the fabric of the story. It’s also the one story here that I felt like quoting- always a plus.
Tryst ****
Great build-up, nice but not too in-your-face use of symbolism, and very vivid dialogue. My only point of critique would be that the pacing was too linear - I feel like flashbacks would have worked better, contrasting the characters’ later relationship with their past one. Of course, some of the tension could have been lost then. Anyway, really enjoyed getting submerged in this one.
The Dressing Room ****
The only reason this is actually closer to 3.5 that 4 stars is because the whole story revolves around ballet/dancing/theatre, a world I have 0% feeling with. But during the course of this story, my interests managed to get jammed up to about 2%. Yet it doesn’t matter much - sure, I felt a bit detached and lost when the story it delved into dancing themes, but it so made up for it through the characters. Slow build and burn, that’s what I’m here for. A great closure for a solid collection.
Advisedly and Soberly ****
I’m quite the historical novel lover, but I’m often disappointed at the “fade to blacks” or sex scenes that make me wish they’d faded to black. So this one made me very happy! Happy couple having happy sex, yay. And going back into self-insight mode: all the historical (romance) novels I’ve read served as back-up warm-up.
Tempestuous ***
Oooh, pirates! And this time, the excitement held, and the characters also gripped my attention. This put me a tiny bit in mind of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, what with magic in a … colonial history setting. And how can I oppose sex magic. Sadly, I felt the description of the act itself wavered between magical and carnal too much. The magic setting kind of lifted it above wank fodder, while certain descriptions brought it back down again, which brought me out of my reading rhythm.
The author’s note, which I do feel should have gone into the biographies, did impress me and make me curious for more.
Leap of Faith ****
Very yes. I really really like love stories that are played out slowly, where that first hand-holding is described just as lovingly as the first orgasm. The characters were very charming and very real, and I fell in love with them very quickly. The harsher sex talk did jar me a bit, as it often does (I’m an old maid, bear with me), but it didn’t take away my enjoyment.
The Light at the End ****
This was way more on the magic-realism side than on the hot porn side, so maybe the seekers of tittilation will walk away disappointed - but I loved it. It’s a great example of what sex in literature should be - unapologetically there, but also woven into the fabric of the story. It’s also the one story here that I felt like quoting- always a plus.
Tryst ****
Great build-up, nice but not too in-your-face use of symbolism, and very vivid dialogue. My only point of critique would be that the pacing was too linear - I feel like flashbacks would have worked better, contrasting the characters’ later relationship with their past one. Of course, some of the tension could have been lost then. Anyway, really enjoyed getting submerged in this one.
The Dressing Room ****
The only reason this is actually closer to 3.5 that 4 stars is because the whole story revolves around ballet/dancing/theatre, a world I have 0% feeling with. But during the course of this story, my interests managed to get jammed up to about 2%. Yet it doesn’t matter much - sure, I felt a bit detached and lost when the story it delved into dancing themes, but it so made up for it through the characters. Slow build and burn, that’s what I’m here for. A great closure for a solid collection.
shoekins's review
4.0
I went on a liveblogging spree on tumblr, so I just copy-pasted my posts here. That way, I've said something about every story, and you get my immediate reactions to them.
Heart Body Soul: Close Pairs
FRANCIS I LOVED THIS I laughed so much at “The Oxford comma may not be entirely useless!” ^^ I loooove the “no sex until you admit my superior grasp of grammar thing” it’s hilarious. And David and Eva are so sweet and GOD this was hot holy fUCK I think I died a bit
Heart Body Soul: Very Impulsive, Very Angry
I loved the “there is no ‘kind of girl’” message, and also the fact that this story stresses that sex with a person you don’t particularly like is not necessarily a bad idea and can still be about the person. The “I feel awkward but I’m going to act determined” thing really struck a chord too
Heart Body Soul: The Simpler Solution
The very first sentence sets the tone - magical and funny - and God does it not disappoint. I also loved the bits of backstory that were seamlessly blended with the plot, they added a lot of depth to the story and the characters (also sexy, but that goes without saying for pretty much every single one of these stories)
Heart Body Soul: Advisedly and Soberly
WHAT A GOOD! My inner Austen fan is doing cartwheels in excitement (which is admirable bc I couldn’t do a cartwheel to save my life). I LOVE practical level-headed heroines I LOVE equal partnerships based on common interests I LOVE marriages of reason with the partners getting along in and out of bed I LOVE this
Heart Body Soul: Territories
I’m very happy about submissive women staying equal outside of sex (doesn’t happen enough in erotica…) and also about sex and seduction treated as a game, because it sometimes is!
Heart Body Soul: Tempestuous
Lesbian pirate witches!!! Sex magic is always fun and historical magical realism appeals to me immensely. The world building and backstory elements were really well done too
Heart Body Soul: Leap of Faith
I AM IN ACTUAL PASSIONATE LOVE WITH THIS STORY OH MY GOD
Older queer disabled people! Soldiers in discharge! (my inner Watson stan is swooning obv) Impressive research that shines through in a very subtle way! A super sweet and fun and sexy developing relationship! So realistic and well written and well characterised! So GOOD!!!
Heart Body Soul: Mr.
I liked the fact that the protagonist is a confused drifting college student and that the man she’s had a latent crush on for years doesn’t actually live up to her expectations but still does, in some way. Feels very human.
Heart Body Soul: Dr. Charles Cleans House
This story is a bit confusing at first, which is the entire point - the author does a very good job at representing Stan’s confusion and memory loss. I liked Boo a lot, too, liked the fact that sex work is represented as pragmatic and even enjoyable.
Heart Body Soul: Kinbaku For Beginners
Guess who still has a GIANT thing for subspace? Guess who loves pov depictions of topspace? Guess who has a huge soft spot for insecure fumbling Doms who gain confidence during a scene (partly because their sub is trusting and patient)? Guess who adores descriptions of pretty bondage on pretty boys and of making knots? Guess who dies for good dirty talk? *waves* Well, this story has all of those!
Heart Body Soul: The Light at the End
One day, Kat is going to be a great writer and everyone will be able to tell that a story is hers, purely because of the atmosphere - a bit like Sarah Waters or Murakami. I loved the details, the symbolism, the concept of literally chasing ghosts and actually catching one. Then again, how could I not - I have yet to read something by Kat that I don’t adore.
Heart Body Soul: Red, Right, Returning
An excellent depiction of coming home to a place that’s maybe not exactly home anymore, but to a person who is.
Heart Body Soul: Mistress of Victories
It’s a modern-except-not-really!AU of several mythologies with Sygin domming the everloving fuck out of bratty sub extraordinaire Loki and saving the day this is so up my alley you have no idea. Also the worldbuilding is sublime and the sex is scorching.
Heart Body Soul: Creatures of the Night
Well I’m not going to review my own story (I think this is the seventeenth time I’ve read it, the only thing I can do is go “oh no” at formulations I could have done better :p) but I’m still very fond of my characters and there are a few details I’m rather proud of (salmon walls at an occult gathering, dildoes peeking out from underneath dress shirts, scissors!, wonderings about vampire-werewolves.)
Heart Body Soul: Tryst
WHY IS EVERYONE SO BRILLIANT AT DISTINCTIVE STYLE
All the best Pasi-things!!! Super hot sex, lots of snark, earnestness, all the realism, and a setting so vivid that it can only be eclipsed by even more vivid characters. I would be jealous except I’m too busy grinning in awe. (for the TVD fans out there: I know you like snarky queer seductive soldier boys written by Pasi pls get on this)
Heart Body Soul: Enjoy The Present
Genuinely hilarious at times, and does a very good job at portraying things as sexy that are not generally considered sexy, but in a non-gross-fetishising way. Yay for fat older women who get the hot young boy!
Heart Body Soul: Judith and Eleanor
Roaring Twenties lesbians being bold and mocking in the faces of their family and thoroughly defiling about every room in a manor - how could I not love this?
Heart Body Soul: The World Turned Upside Down
Historical spy fiction featuring Thomas Jefferson, his lady-doctor lover, and guest appearance of the Chevalière d’Eon! Really vivid imagery and description, and fascinating incorporation if the social debates and oppositions of the late 18th century.
Heart Body Soul: The Dressing Room
I had no idea I wanted a story about a trans ballerino and a bigmouthed pansexual modern dancer having intensely hot make-out + hands-down-pants sessions in the dressing room but GOD I apparently wanted it really badly. The dialogue is fantastically entertaining, and the dance parts are about as hot as the sex parts.
Heart Body Soul: Close Pairs
FRANCIS I LOVED THIS I laughed so much at “The Oxford comma may not be entirely useless!” ^^ I loooove the “no sex until you admit my superior grasp of grammar thing” it’s hilarious. And David and Eva are so sweet and GOD this was hot holy fUCK I think I died a bit
Heart Body Soul: Very Impulsive, Very Angry
I loved the “there is no ‘kind of girl’” message, and also the fact that this story stresses that sex with a person you don’t particularly like is not necessarily a bad idea and can still be about the person. The “I feel awkward but I’m going to act determined” thing really struck a chord too
Heart Body Soul: The Simpler Solution
The very first sentence sets the tone - magical and funny - and God does it not disappoint. I also loved the bits of backstory that were seamlessly blended with the plot, they added a lot of depth to the story and the characters (also sexy, but that goes without saying for pretty much every single one of these stories)
Heart Body Soul: Advisedly and Soberly
WHAT A GOOD! My inner Austen fan is doing cartwheels in excitement (which is admirable bc I couldn’t do a cartwheel to save my life). I LOVE practical level-headed heroines I LOVE equal partnerships based on common interests I LOVE marriages of reason with the partners getting along in and out of bed I LOVE this
Heart Body Soul: Territories
I’m very happy about submissive women staying equal outside of sex (doesn’t happen enough in erotica…) and also about sex and seduction treated as a game, because it sometimes is!
Heart Body Soul: Tempestuous
Lesbian pirate witches!!! Sex magic is always fun and historical magical realism appeals to me immensely. The world building and backstory elements were really well done too
Heart Body Soul: Leap of Faith
I AM IN ACTUAL PASSIONATE LOVE WITH THIS STORY OH MY GOD
Older queer disabled people! Soldiers in discharge! (my inner Watson stan is swooning obv) Impressive research that shines through in a very subtle way! A super sweet and fun and sexy developing relationship! So realistic and well written and well characterised! So GOOD!!!
Heart Body Soul: Mr.
I liked the fact that the protagonist is a confused drifting college student and that the man she’s had a latent crush on for years doesn’t actually live up to her expectations but still does, in some way. Feels very human.
Heart Body Soul: Dr. Charles Cleans House
This story is a bit confusing at first, which is the entire point - the author does a very good job at representing Stan’s confusion and memory loss. I liked Boo a lot, too, liked the fact that sex work is represented as pragmatic and even enjoyable.
Heart Body Soul: Kinbaku For Beginners
Guess who still has a GIANT thing for subspace? Guess who loves pov depictions of topspace? Guess who has a huge soft spot for insecure fumbling Doms who gain confidence during a scene (partly because their sub is trusting and patient)? Guess who adores descriptions of pretty bondage on pretty boys and of making knots? Guess who dies for good dirty talk? *waves* Well, this story has all of those!
Heart Body Soul: The Light at the End
One day, Kat is going to be a great writer and everyone will be able to tell that a story is hers, purely because of the atmosphere - a bit like Sarah Waters or Murakami. I loved the details, the symbolism, the concept of literally chasing ghosts and actually catching one. Then again, how could I not - I have yet to read something by Kat that I don’t adore.
Heart Body Soul: Red, Right, Returning
An excellent depiction of coming home to a place that’s maybe not exactly home anymore, but to a person who is.
Heart Body Soul: Mistress of Victories
It’s a modern-except-not-really!AU of several mythologies with Sygin domming the everloving fuck out of bratty sub extraordinaire Loki and saving the day this is so up my alley you have no idea. Also the worldbuilding is sublime and the sex is scorching.
Heart Body Soul: Creatures of the Night
Well I’m not going to review my own story (I think this is the seventeenth time I’ve read it, the only thing I can do is go “oh no” at formulations I could have done better :p) but I’m still very fond of my characters and there are a few details I’m rather proud of (salmon walls at an occult gathering, dildoes peeking out from underneath dress shirts, scissors!, wonderings about vampire-werewolves.)
Heart Body Soul: Tryst
WHY IS EVERYONE SO BRILLIANT AT DISTINCTIVE STYLE
All the best Pasi-things!!! Super hot sex, lots of snark, earnestness, all the realism, and a setting so vivid that it can only be eclipsed by even more vivid characters. I would be jealous except I’m too busy grinning in awe. (for the TVD fans out there: I know you like snarky queer seductive soldier boys written by Pasi pls get on this)
Heart Body Soul: Enjoy The Present
Genuinely hilarious at times, and does a very good job at portraying things as sexy that are not generally considered sexy, but in a non-gross-fetishising way. Yay for fat older women who get the hot young boy!
Heart Body Soul: Judith and Eleanor
Roaring Twenties lesbians being bold and mocking in the faces of their family and thoroughly defiling about every room in a manor - how could I not love this?
Heart Body Soul: The World Turned Upside Down
Historical spy fiction featuring Thomas Jefferson, his lady-doctor lover, and guest appearance of the Chevalière d’Eon! Really vivid imagery and description, and fascinating incorporation if the social debates and oppositions of the late 18th century.
Heart Body Soul: The Dressing Room
I had no idea I wanted a story about a trans ballerino and a bigmouthed pansexual modern dancer having intensely hot make-out + hands-down-pants sessions in the dressing room but GOD I apparently wanted it really badly. The dialogue is fantastically entertaining, and the dance parts are about as hot as the sex parts.
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