|
Bastian is a “second son of a second
son” of a former king in a kingdom conquered by villains.
He is also a highly trained and desirable sexual partner,
referred to as “Beloveds” sent on a mission to kill the
current overlord. Vashi is the best friend of the
overlord’s son. Political intrigue, sex, and power are
mixed and woven into Bastian completing is mission
successfully or losing the love of his life.
The Devil You Know has
all the elements for escaping into an enjoyable read on a
slow summer afternoon. There’s the sexual power Bastian can
wield making any sexual experience with him ten times better
than any experience with anyone else. There’s demon
possession, rebellions, slave traders, magic, love, lust,
and hot sexual encounters to enjoy.
The overall flow of The Devil You
Know was sometimes disjointed and complicated. I
didn’t mind so much the switching from Vashi’s point of view
to Bastian’s, but some of the dialogue, action, and plot
happened without me understanding the background. For
instance, there’s a scene early on where Vashi detects a
presence in Erasas bedroom, and I’m not sure that presence
was ever really explained. Also, Vashi has a weird dream
experience that leads him to discover the slave ship in the
harbor and his first sexual encounter with Bastian.
I admit to being surprised by the suddenness of the
connection between Vashi and Bastian. It was almost like,
they met, experienced oral sex, and viola we have ever
lasting love. Vashi and his friendship with the overlord’s
son, Erasas, set me on edge. Vashi and Erasas loved each
other like brothers but slept together almost like lovers.
(Were they lovers? No, I don’t think so) I also disagreed
with Erasas’ behavior regarding Vashi and Bastian’s
relationship, as it seemed too overboard and unforgiving.
But maybe that was the author’s intent, for the reader not
to like or feel sympathy for Erasas’ uncaring attitude
towards the kingdoms citizens? The world created in
The Devil You Know was interesting and the concept
of a “Beloved” fascinating. |
