Dubiously Canon – Rukis

Synopsis: Tales from Red Lantern (that may or may not have happened)

A collection of stories chronicling the lives of charactes in the Red Lantern universe, and their sexy misadventures.

Every story in this collection is “Dubiously Canon,” meaning whether or not it actually happened is up to you. Choose your ship, or just read ’em all because they’re naughty. Reader’s choice.

Written and illustrated by Rukis

Published by Furplanet Productions

Having been a lover of Rukis’ writing ever since Off the Beaten Path, I knew that I had to add this anthology to my collection. And, boy, was I glad I did!

The stories in this collection all revolve around the characters in the Red Lantern Universe, and they aren’t limited to characters from the Off the Beaten Path trilogy, but also include characters from Heretic and the Legacy books.

The stories possibly fill in some of the rather erotic blanks Rukis left open in her books for us to fill in ourselves, and, leaving us wondering, she cleverly states that these events may or may not have happened.

I can fully recommend Dubiously Canon to all who have enjoyed Rukis’ other books, for it is a fine addition to the world she has so wonderfully created.

Intimate Little Secrets – Rechan

Synopsis: From just a fleeting spark to the last burning coals, relationships burn our fingers and set our passions aflame. Even when extinguished, the embers can still smolder and scorch.

When Luis’s ex comes back into his life, the cost of what he wants might mean the loss of something more. Jacob needs peace with his family, an order perhaps too tall for Desiree to provide. Marjani must make amends for an indiscretion. A confession falls apart, leaving Janine caught in the gears of a messy arrangement. Strait-laced Conner has to navigate a new world both confusing and rife with hurt feelings.

In these nine stories, imperfect people brave the fire for moments of perfection.

All stories by Rechan, cover art by Teagan Gavet

Whew! This is one hot little anthology that Rechan has managed to put together for us! Some of these stories were so steamy that it made reading it on the train a somewhat…awkward experience, especially since one of the nine takes place in one.

Rechan has a very lovely writing style that I can’t help but appreciate. There’s a certain flair apparent in every story that Rechan so carefully weaved together so that the characters in each story have the chance to succesfully communicate their feelings to the readers, making them feel real. The stories, as well as the characters, are very believable, which is another great plus.

The only thing I found that I was entirely happy with, was the last story in the book, as it left a somewhat dark and uneasy aftertaste in my mouth after reading it. It was a good story, but I personally wouldn’t have put it last.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Intimate Little Secrets, and I’m looking forward to reading more of Rechan’s work, be it another solo anthology or a novel.

– Faolan

 

Legacy: Dawn – Rukis

Synopsis: Kadar was born into one of the lowest castes in his society—the laborers. That is, until a series of unfortunate events trapped him in the only life worse, that of an indentured servant.

Literally collared by the powerful hyena clan that holds his contract, Kadar now finds himself facing a dangerous decision.

Live as a slave, or fight for freedom.

Joined by a hyena held captive by his own kind, a guard with a grudge against the very people he works for, and an indomitable cheetah, Kadar faces an uncertain future in a land where centuries of dependence on slavery and warfare make real freedom of any kind, for any caste, a dream that might be worth dying for.

From the world of “Red Lantern”

Written and illustrated by Rukis

Published by FurPlanet Productions

As soon as I saw that Rukis had published yet another book, I knew I just had to have it, convinced that I would thoroughly enjoy it again. The world of “Red Lantern” has managed to captivate me ever since the graphic novel, and my enjoyment grows stronger with every book or series set in this world.

Legacy: Dawn features strong characters with interesting backgrounds that are sure to capture your heart in one way or another. The main character, Kadar, is a jackal that I absolutely loved to follow through the story. I did not always agree with the choices he made or the way he behaved, but everything he does fits in perfectly with his personality. This character grows a lot the more the story progresses. The same goes for Ahsan, the other main character. If there’s anything Rukis excels at, it would be character development. Few writers of furry literature manage to do the same at this level.

While the story is relatively simple, it is a very effective one. It also leaves a lot of space for Kadar’s “flashbacks” as well as other characters’ stories, making the setting feel complete instead of like a speed run of a video game. There were many moments that were so incredibly satisfying in this book, that I probably won’t forget about them for a long time.

Legacy: Dusk is already out, and while I am very eager to get it, I am still waiting for it to be published as a hardcover book.  I guess I’ll just have to be patient.

I would recommend Legacy: Dawn and any of her other books, for she is a phenomenal writer deserving of all the recognition and attention for her books she could possibly get.

– Faolan

 

The Goldenlea – Rose LaCroix

Synopsis:  Faol Carric was born to rule, inheriting the dukedom upon the passing of his father. Immediately tested by the conspiracy of the usurper Virgil Dol, Faol will need to prove his worth as a leader, a fighter, and a strategist if he is to survive—much less regain his place as the rightful ruler of the Goldenlea.

Written by Rose LaCroix

Cover art and interior illustrations by Kobi LaCroix

Published by FurPlanet Productions

 

Fast-paced and realistic, the Goldenlea is a novel that I really enjoyed reading. The characters are interesting to follow, even though their personalities are pretty basic, while the author sometimes chooses to reveal more interesting aspects to them at times.

The action in the book is quite aptly described, and the events follow each other in rapid tempo, making sure that a story that could’ve been set in a story that could cover multiple novels is contained in just over 300 pages. This ensures that there’s almost no time to get bored while reading this book.

I was a little disappointed with the romantical developments in this book. As the rest was fast-paced, the romance followed suit, which was a shame in this case. I feel that the blooming romance between the characters could have been explored more and over a longer time, to make it possible for the reader to identify with the situation more.

I’d love to recommend this book to lovers of medieval fantasy.

– Faolan

Summerhill – Kevin Frane

Synopsis:  Summerhill is a dog with a problem: he isn’t exactly sure who he is. Living alone in a desolate world as its only inhabitant, he has no memories of his previous life—only the tantalizing clue that the answers he seeks may lie with a mysterious woman named Katherine, the hostess on a cruise ship that sails between dimensions.

But Katherine has problems of her own, and if Summerhill wants her help in unlocking the secrets of his past, he’ll have to help Katherine deal with hers.

Together, the two will travel to different worlds, different times, and different universes in a journey where the possible and impossible can be tough to separate, and where the rules of reality can change as easily as weather.

Published by Argyll Productions

This has to be one of the most confusing books I’ve ever read. Here we have a character with no background trapped in an empty world all by himself, trying to somehow find out who he is, with the power to make plants grow and travel time and space. In these other worlds, Summerhill encounters characters far more interesting than himself, that he keeps causing trouble for, which he eventually tries to solve again.

Because of his lack of background or clear personality, Summerhill is a character I found impossible to identify with. The fact that he kept making, in my eyes, wrong decisions time and again, only pushed me further away from him, turning me into a spectator watching a catastrophe unfold. It wasn’t a pleasant experience.

I had certain expectations after reading Frane’s the Seventh Chakra, but Summerhill turned out to be an extremely annoying read, and I was glad it was over.

I cannot recommend this book, sorry.

 

Love Match – Kyell Gold

Synopsis: Rocky N’Guwe thought tennis would be the hardest thing he’d have to learn at Palm Gables Tennis Academy. But the young jackal finds himself navigating a new culture as well as his own sexuality and the volatile relationships of any high school, all while keeping himself focused on the professional career that will allow him to rescue his sister from an undesirable marriage back home. And looming in his future is Palm Gables alum and rising tennis star Braden Longacre, an abrasive cross fox whose path keeps crossing Rocky’s no matter how much the jackal tries to avoid him…

The first novel in a new series by Kyell Gold, with artwork by Rukis.

Published by Furplanet Productions

Yes! Another series by Kyell Gold! As soon as I came across this little fact on the internet, I immediately knew I needed to read it, Gold being one of my favourite authors.

It’s another series revolving around romance and sports, though tennis this time instead of American football. It is clear from the way that Gold writes about this sport, that he’s done a lot of research on the subject before attempting to write a novel about it, which is something I, as a reader, always deeply enjoy.

Love Match is basically a slice-of-life story about an immigrant boy with a talent for tennis, who needs to keep getting better, in order to stay there, while he’s wrestling with romantic feelings he has never felt before. However, this simple formula combined with Gold’s writing make for a very enjoyable story. The story is realistic, and so are the characters and situations that we find in this story.

Aside from the characters being realistic, they are also very likeable, which makes certain plot twists involving certain characters hit harder. I especially liked Rocky’s mother, who was portrayed as a strong independent woman, who had a strong hold on whatever situation she was in.

I had a lot of trouble keeping track of which species everyone was though. It was especially hard remembering Rocky’s friends. There was little to nothing that made certain species stand out, which was kind of a shame. I feel that more attention could have gone into this.

I’m already looking forward to the next installment in this series, knowing that things will probably only get more interesting.

– Faolan

By the Silver Wind – Jess E. Owen

Shard is a gryfon with a great destiny, and desperate to stop a war. He is hampered on his path to peace by would-be allies, old enmities and grudges between clans of creatures, and the ever-looming threat of the fear mongering wyrms.

Everyone believes that Shard is the legendary Summer King, that he alone can make the wyrms see reason and stop their violent marauding before more lives are sacrificed. But when he uses newfound powers to try communicating with their leader, he only ends up making things worse.

When the wyrms make a surprising move by attacking where Shard least expects it, he knows he must be willing to sacrifice anything-and everything-to stop them once and for all.

Cover art by: Jennifer Miller
Published by: Five Elements Press

Wow! Just…wow! That was all. Bye.

In all honesty though, By the Silver Wind, is the final installment that the Summer King Chronicles so righteously deserved. Never before have I read a series in which the level of character development was so ridiculously high. Not only the main characters develop into entirely new and improved characters throughout the series, but the supporting characters also get their fair share.

Owen once again managed to weave a story that pulled me in right from the start of the book, and even though final installments can be really difficult to write, Owen makes it seem so easy. With references to the previous books and events that are the result of previous actions, she neatly ties all the books together into one big cohesive story. Not a single one of the four books have disappointed me in any way, and it’s a story that’ll stay with me for the rest of my life.

Nothing I write here will even come close to doing this series justice, so I’d like to end this by saying that Owen has quickly grown to be one of my favourite authors, and that I’d highly recommend any of her books or short stories that she has written so far, and whatever she’ll write in the future.

Jess, thank you.

– Faolan

#GryfonPride

Exposure – Tagenar

Synopsis:  Gale is a lynx with a big problem.

For years, he’s admired the men he finds most attractive from afar. The few times he tried to approach a muscular canine, he finds himself frozen by his insecurities. If only he could find a way to break the ice and get things moving…

Now Gale is about to find out what happens when that introduction gets made for him. He may have been unhappy being hidden, but how will he deal with finding himself exposed?

Written by Tagenar

Published by Furplanet Productions

Having read a book written by Tagenar before, I was quite certain of which direction the story would take, and I wasn’t surprised to find out that I was right. Tagenar likes his men big and their appendages bigger. However, the story wasn’t something I expected.

Exposure made me grin and chuckle good-heartedly while reading it, because the events in the story are so incredibly improbable, that they are downright funny. Saying this, I don’t mean to insult Tagenar’s writing abilities in any way, as I fully expect him to have written this story with the intention of writing a humourous, as well as steamy, story. While Tagenar’s preference in men doesn’t reflect my own, his story was definitely hot. A job well done.

I would like to recommend this story to those into big men, humour, and steamy scenes.

– Faolan

Taboo – Rechan

Synopsis:

Teacher and Student
Commander and Private
Rich and Poor
Soldier and Prisoner
Fantasy and Reality
Client and Professional
Life and Death

Every society has taboos, from sacred vows which must never be broken to the limitations of sexual expression.
These and more make up thirteen scandalous stories answering the question, “Which line would you cross?”

Taboo is an anthology for an adult audience only and includes the following stories:

“That Red Panda Girl” by Tarl “Voice” Hoch
Tour of Duty by Huskyteer
The Rising of the Moon Over the Atlantic by NightEyes DaySpring
Aid and Comfort by StormKitty
Exit Stage Left by Robert Baird
Odd Man Out by Whyte Yoté
The Joys of Parenting by Roland Jovaik
Promises by Yannarra Cheena
The Dog Star Miracle by Kandrel
Dates by Tony Greyfox
Binding the Heart by Rechan
Complete by H. A. Kirsch
Lessons by Ianus J. Wolf
Scent of Heaven by Tarl “Voice” Hoch

Cover art by Kadath

Published by FurPlanet Productions

I knew exactly what I was getting into when I picked up this book, and I loved every second of it. While some of the taboos were not necessarily my thing, the stories were well-written and intruiging. I would have loved seeing more artwork in the interior of the book though. The book felt like a dirty little secret while it sat inside of my bag during the day.

The story that impressed me most was Odd Man Out by Whyte Yoté. Yoté managed to sketch a world with a modern-day setting that is unlike any other story I have ever read before. In a time where it’s very hard to write a completely original story at times, Yoté definitely managed to do just that. The stereotypes in the story were ones we often joke about in the furry fandom, but to actually see it “realized” in a story like this was absolutely great. Definitely a story to remember.

I would love to recommend this anthology to all you pervs out there looking for a good time and perhaps some inspiration.

– Faolan

 

The Ursa Major Awards Anthology – Fred Patten

Synopsis:

A Tenth Anniversary Celebration

Since 2001, the Ursa Major Awards have been awarded every year to the best writers, artists, and creators of anthropomorphic media. Voted on by the community at large, they honor the best in every field of artistic endeavor. This anthology is a celebration of the first ten years of anthropomorphic short fiction, collecting both winners and nominees from across the years to provide readers with a sample of the best authors the furry community has to offer.

So read, enjoy, and then help decide the next winners of this fine award by voting for the next ten years of Ursa Major Awards.

http://www.ursamajorawards.org/

Features the following stories:

Beneath the Crystal Sea by Brock Hoagland
Familiars by Michael H. Payne
In the Line of Duty by M.C.A. Hogarth
Felicia and the Tailcutter’s Curse by Charles P. A. Melville
In His Own Country by Kristin Fontaine
Jacks to Open by Kyell Gold
Don’t Blink by Kyell Gold
Six by Samuel C. Conway
Drifting by Kyell Gold
Ailoura by Paul Di Filippo
St. Ailbe’s Hall by Naomi Kritzer

Published by: FurPlanet Productions

You can hardly go wrong with an anthology comprised entirely of winners of and those nominated for an Ursa Major Award. Combining the crème de la crème of ten years of furry fiction has ensured that this anthology is one of the strongest I have read thus far. Lacking a certain theme, the book takes you from one world to the next, making you experience a plethora of different emotions. Absolutely wonderful.

I felt that some stories were overly long when compared to others in the novel. However, I don’t know the reasoning for this, so it might as well be because the authors sent in shorter stories than others. It just felt a bit off-balance at times.

The story that impressed me most was Six by Samuel C. Conway. His story got me hooked right from the start, as it played with fantasies and dreams I’ve had numerous times. If one were to find an anthropomorphic animal, what would one do? Conway made sure that the emotions felt by the story’s main character were delivered quite aptly, and the ending was absolutely perfect. It’s definitely a story I’ll never forget.

I’d love to recommend this anthology to all lovers of well-written anthropomorphic fiction.

– Faolan