Customer Reviews

Deviations: Domination

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the sequel to Deviations: Submission. "Submission" left the reader as the two characters, Tobias and Noah, began to move beyond simple dominant and submissive--falling in love. That book explored the BDSM world with Noah, the submissive, as the focus. "Domination" switches the focus to Tobias. These two are developing a relationship, and they have issues to overcome just as any other couple does.

This series is excellent; well-written, fast paced, with fully realized characters (both supporting and main). Another book featuring some of the supporting cast as main characters would be more than welcome. I understand the third book in the series will be coming out April 07 and the fourth in Fall 07. Yeah!

I never expected a BDSM-themed book to have such a powerful love story, but there it is. Read these two books--now.

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 9/10

PROS:
- The serious, heavy BDSM actions continue in this volume, but I didn't find them as disturbing/disquieting. (Maybe I'm just used to the ways in which Noah submits to Tobias after reading the first book.) There's one scene in which Noah goes very deep into his headspace and Tobias has to coax him out of it that I found fascinating.
- The relationship has evolved so that it's no longer 100% D/s. There are some graphic D/s scenes, but far fewer than in Book 1. Other reviewers have said that they don't like how the later books in this series have fewer BDSM scenes and more vanilla sex, but I enjoyed the vanilla sex scenes in this book just as much as the kinkier ones. I see them as proof that Tobias and Noah's relationship is BASED ON domination and submission but isn't entirely ABOUT those roles. And the idea that occasionally the two can make love while looking into each other's eyes is romantic and wonderful and...sigh.
- Hot sex scenes involving various kinks. There are some sweet, passionate vanilla scenes, some sweaty, thrilling BDSM scenes (one particularly sexy one involving voyeurism to an extreme degree), and even a ménage scene that gave me a bit of a hot flash.
- I love how honest the characters are with each other and how much focus there is on conversation. Owen and Payne must either have experienced the lifestyle personally or have spoken in-depth with both Doms and subs, because the psychological needs and desires of both characters in these books are examined in detail.
- The character of Phan makes me smile. He's a wonderful friend to Tobias--and becoming one to Noah as well. (see cons below also)

CONS:
- Phan makes me want to cry too. He's not just a friend to Tobias; I get the feeling that he's still very much in love with his old master--and not just in the "we love each other but we aren't IN love" way. I think he's IN love with Tobias but is just so messed up that he can't be right for Tobias anymore nor can he move on and fall in love with anyone else. Maybe Noah and Tobias could let him be a part of their relationship...threeways work sometimes, right?
- There are two momentous, unrelated scenes at the end of the book that have been hinted at all through the story, and both of them feel rushed or a bit smoothed over. I was expecting something really explosive from at least one of them, and each one seemed to be over rather quickly.

Overall comments: I really, really enjoyed this book because of the characters--all of them. Even the small, secondary characters make an impact. It's got some BDSM elements that will make squeamish people squirm a bit, but if you made it through the first volume in the series, this one's mostly a piece of cake. And if you're interested in the characters' relationships (rather than just the kinky sex scenes), I think you'll like this one better than the first.

Boy was it good to be back reading about Tobias and Noah. I have to say, since the last book, I missed them. I actually craved to read this second book of the Deviations series because I HAD to know what happens with them. It didn't disappoint. There was a lot of hot action, a lot of hot scenes, and a lot of romance. This book was definitely more romantic than the first, and emotional in a different way. In this second book, Tobias and Noah have to find balance between having a regular romantic relationship and having a relationship based on the exchange of power. In this one, Tobias examines his weaknesses as Noah comes to terms with his. Their dynamic and struggles show that not even the best Dom in the world is infallible; no matter how strong we are, we break down, we screw up. We're not perfect. I can't wait to read number 3.

An excellent book. I enjoyed reading it. You should read the First book
Submissions first although This book can stand alone. I got attached to the characters and want to read more. If you like domination or submission
this is a good book and easy to read.

As many told me, the second books in the Deviations series tends to be a little more "public" than the previous one, but that is not necessarily a bad point. True, I don't like very much public sex scene, but the ones in Deviations: Domination are tempered by the fact that they are, in a way, a commitment: allowing Tobias to stake his claims on Noah in front of their friend is a way for Tobias to fully commit to Noah and for Noah to fully acknowledge his relationship with Tobias. If I remember well, Noah was "scarred" by a bad experience with his previous Dominant, bad not since he didn't love the man (that is still his friend) but since he couldn't completely trust him with his safety. So allowing to Tobias to be so clearly in power is at the same time admitting that he trusts Tobias; trusting to Noah doesn't come easily, not only for his past experiences, but also since, as a cop, he has to be really careful.

For Tobias, committing so fully to Noah, is also a way of healing from his past; again the previous partner, Phan, is part of the story, and his relationship with Tobias is still on, only moved to a friendship stage. Tobias doesn't hate Phan, on the contrary, I have the feeling that he is still in love with him, but now, in book 2, Tobias realizes his future is with Noah. Taking their relationship in front of people is like taking vows, a some sort of marriage, a proof that Tobias is over Phan and ready to fully love Noah; and so of course, worthy of the trust Noah wants to give him.

I'm true, as always, BDSM is not my cup of tea, and more it's intense, more I'm not so comfortable. But as I told to a friend, about the previous book, I can understand the concept behind, and I fully understand that, to some point of view, BDSM is really romantic: it's giving yourself completely to someone else, trusting that he will want only the better for you, that his love is so strong that your own good is the most important thing... if that is not unconditional love, I don't know what else could be.

I've just re-read this book (2nd in the series) and enjoyed it even more than the first time. All 4 books in the series are so rich with character development and world/lifestyle detail that each reading just brings out more treasures of understanding.

Deviations Submission
Deviations Domination
Deviations Discipline
Deviations Bondage

This is an amazing continuation of deviations:submission. I do not know how much truth there is in the BDSM world potrayed here. And it is not easy to understand anyone getting high from whipping, pain and subjugation. But I do appreciate the needs of both Subs and Doms in the story. The plot here is fascinating and charged with emotions and the characters beautifully drawn out. I wish there is more from Tobias, Noah, Bradford and Phantom and I hope both Chris and Jodi will deliver. And yes, I also like to recommend another emotionally charged M/M BDSM "Golden Boy" and "Golden Man" by Claire Thompson , e-books available from Ellora's Cave.