Succession

Demoted #3

by Alicia Cameron

Novel (105,000)
Genres: New Adult, Science Fiction, Slavefic, Romance
After the news breaks about Cashiel Michaud’s involvement in research to undermine the Demoted system, he and Sascha find themselves detained as a legal case develops. Separated, they work from both sides to get released, making sacrifices and arrangements along the way. If they do reunite, will they be the same?

Sascha and Cash face a number of threats from the outside world, and some from the people closest to them. When they don’t know who to trust, their plans and their relationship are put to the test. And the results of this test could affect the world. (M/M+ - See publisher's website for content labels.)

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Romance, Dark, Menage, Dystopia, Abuse

ebook

First published November 3, 2015

Reviews

[Kazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

E-freaking-gads.!! How do I review this without spoilers?

Review in full (treat as a spoiler review) at -



So -

Love these guys.

Love this god-awful world.

Love the emotions I experience when reading it - they're all over the place.

KM. You shady bitch.

Love the rough sex. Lots of good sex. Oh yeah. Smoking cigarette type sex.

Oh, hell, Sy. You're all man. Also gorgeous but uptight.

Got to see a house drop on a head but nowhere near enough payback for this payback kind of reader. I wanted more... because I'm nasty like that.

While Alicia Cameron wrapped it up, there's more. Has To. Be. She has a great platform to expand upon further. As in a full length book - or two - further. I'll send pictures of sexy, naked men to inspire you - or alcohol. Whatever works to get more on these guys and this (messed up) system and this world. I'm prepared.

Go in to the Demoted series knowing it is a sci-fantasy, with an emphasis on the fantasy. That it's rough going, on more than a few occasions, and there is a power-imbalance master/slave relationship at the core. It's well written, with a lot of passion and spirit, Ms Cameron's obvious love of her characters is contagious. It is very much about the characters and their interactions with one another, as well as others - who are pretty flawed. Everyone is a product of these dystopian times and the System bought into place to "help." It's pretty much like people in this world, now - dark, light, shades of grey.

Some of my commentary as I status updated on Goodreads -

(Oh gah - Die, bitch! Die!)

'I feel my skin crawl.'
(Mine too.)

(Fucking bastard arsehole.)

(I need payback!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

(Some characters should be real people.)




I'm so glad I started this series. It ticks so many of my required boxes and had me feeling everything from anger - family staying away type anger - to feeling those tears - family looking at me weird type emotions. I really like books making me feel. Making me angry. Happy, yeah, I like happy as well. Sad. On edge, and every other feeling there is. For that, 5 'Pretty Boy' Stars!

Full review later today (Down Under time) at On Top Down Under Book Reviews.

[Reflection · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am completely enchanted by the Demoted series, and the books are in my view never predictable and always full of passion, angst and moral dilemmas. I love them.

That said, this book failed to engage me quite as much as the other two because of the vast amount of sex contained amongst its pages, and so I am deducting one star for when my eyes glazed over and I was tempted to skip the sex scenes that seemed to increase with the introduction of another potential lover into the already passionate mix between Sascha and his master and lover Cashiel.

The final instalment begins where the climax of book two leaves off. The danger appears omnipresent. Cashiel and Sascha find themselves separated from each other and taken away from the safety of their home.

Some potential plot spoilers ahead, read at your peril: Sascha is sent into custody where he and other slaves await in limbo once their masters are sent to prison. The slaves are held until their masters future is determined. Once the master is released so is their slave, or if they are imprisoned the slave is either sold or disposed of. The holding system is both brutal and harsh with very little opportunity for a slave to know what is happening. Sascha makes an alliance with Sylas a slave who has been in the system for some time and who has a physical presence that belies his intelligence.

Sylas knows as the slave of a disgraced criminal from a small-time gang his life is almost certainly forfeit. Recognising Sascha, he hopes that he might become a useful bargaining chip to keep Sy alive at least a while longer. Their alliance provides an interesting new power-play dynamic. Sascha is completely reliant on Sy to keep him safe and negotiate between inmates and staff until Cashiel can find freedom.

Once Cashiel is released Sascha prevails on his master to purchase Sy and keep him safe under Cashiel's patronage. Sy has been a slave for over 20 years. He is smart and principled and disappointed at the outcome of his life.

It seems prudent for Cashiel and Sascha to bring a new slave and bodyguard into their household, however they need to assess just how trustworthy their new companion actually is, and his presence puts strain on their relationship.

With Sy a new slave in their household the dynamic changes once more, and requires re-negotiation of roles and boundaries beyond master slave dynamic. Plus Sascha and Cash face the quandary of whether Sy can be anything more than slave and bodyguard.

Meanwhile Cashiel has found new alliances with a powerful family that has many connections in politics and on the 'grey market' too. The intrigue continues and deception and duplicity abound. The danger is palpable, it is difficult to know whom to trust - betrayal seems to be the most likely outcome either from new allies or old.

Both Cashiel find themselves Sy protective towards Sascha who in turn feels loyal to both men. The relationship between all three in a time of danger is fraught with uncertainty, and it tests Cash and Sascha's commitment to each other as well.

Sy has a different approach and personality from either Cash or Sascha and he brings new insight into the role of slavery and subterfuge. His presence makes Sascha consider aspects of submission, trust and the dynamics of power not previously appreciated and it is uncomfortable learning for him.

The overthrow of the Miller Demoted system begins to finally seem possible amongst contrasting support and opposition. Danger lurks around every corner and interaction, whilst undercurrents of passion and integrity remain a feast for the senses as ethical dilemmas abound.

This final book rounds up many of the threads that have been woven throughout the Demoted trilogy. The ending is not predictable and holds a satisfying conclusion to rollercoaster events in the previous books and sees some of the more villainous characters receive their comeuppance whilst others are mere pawns, and some are rewarded for their nefarious deeds.

I loved the plot, the ethical dilemmas the passion and the angst. I could have done with a little less sex, for me it got in the way of the rest of the final book, but it is a small complaint within an excellent series that has had me gripped and enthralled and hoping for more.

Luckily there is space for further books in the Demoted universe and I will be looking out for them as an automatic purchase whenever they become available.

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 star review by The Blogger Girls.

This picks up right where Sedition left off, with Cash now under arrest and Sascha being held at the detention center. With no communication, they are both on their own and must each find their own way to get through.

Sascha does that with the help of Sy, another slave who quickly sees an opportunity and cashes in on his one big favor to take Sascha under his protection. Sy clearly has his own agenda, and it is difficult to completely trust him given his own set of circumstances. But he was a wonderful addition to this story, and he becomes a pretty big player as things move forward.

Cash, on the other hand, has caught the attention of a big crime family who wants to help him out. They seem rather friendly and helpful, but it is clear they don’t expect to be refused. With his mother and Torenze his only other options anyway, Cash accepts their offer.

I really liked the addition of Sy into Cash and Sascha’s lives. He adds a totally different element and acts as a pretty good mediator between the two. Their relationship is a tricky one with Sascha being a demoted slave, yet so important to and involved in Cash’s plan. As previously, Cash walks a fine line with Sascha in regards to their private and public lives. Unfortunately for Sascha, his treatment in private has softened him somewhat to the realities of life as a demoted slave.

The evil Torenze is as despicable as ever, although there is light at the end of that tunnel. You never know who to truly trust in this story, but there is never any doubt about Cash and Sascha’s commitment to one another. Everything comes to a head here as their plan unfolds, and while it ends on a happy note, it is left open for more possibilities as everything is implemented. I sure hope we get to see more of these guys again.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.5 stars

Succession is the final book in the Demoted series by Alicia Cameron and it provides a fitting end for our heroes, while leaving the door open for possible future novels. The same technical issues that have plagued the series up until now continue, but by this point, I’ve gotten used to them and suspect most readers will as well. They are irritations and nothing more. The characters are the driving force behind the Demoted series and there are some big character shifts in Succession. While they generally added to the story in a positive way, there was one character that actually disappointed me for the first time.

I found myself becoming annoyed with Sascha. His stubborn determination, which has been so endearing in the previous books, became something of a liability in Succession. I’m not actually sure if this was the intention of the author or if I was simply reading about Sascha in a different light, but the result wasn’t particularly flattering. I found him to be rather petty and immature and his irresponsibility resulted in injuries to other people on several occasions. He does feel guilt about his actions of course, but he doesn’t necessarily change his ways and I actually found his character to be a little disappointing this time around.

Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.

[Katerina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars

The last book of Demoted series was amazing. This story is little bit different than first two books. Or at least for me it was. Maybe it was because I got "used to" the violence and slavery or maybe it was because there were less stuff like this. I don't want to write any spoilers here. So let me say that the series ended in the best way it could in the world like this. Alicia Cameron summed it up in this quote:
You fail the Assessment, you get Demoted, your master rules the rest of your life. You pass it, the state rules you, but at least you have the illusion that you're free.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was an awesome trilogy, I think I gave each book 4 stars so it's a sold read throughout the series. It's hard to explain, whether it's UF or dystopian but what ever category you decide on, remember they're NASTY, just the way I like it. The MC's are so well written and if you don't like slave books with extreme violence then just don't go there.

I go through phases where I can't read books like this but when you feel like something dark to read I think these are great.

[Caroline Brand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance

4.5 Stars

This is the first time in forever that I have started a book and had no idea how it was going to end and I was really worried about it. If you have followed the Demoted series I think you will understand when I say there was no easy resolution to Cashiel and Sasha’s relationship. Cashiel is a free man who skates very close to the laws of the land with the secret project he is working on and Sascha is a slave, a demoted citizen with no rights, but he is also the brains behind the work and the man Cashiel has fallen in love with. The very fact that Cashiel loves him puts Sascha in more danger than ever.

Succession starts where Sedition left off and see Cash in prison and Sascha in a slave detention centre. Within their confines they each find very different ways to keep their heads above water – for Cash this is a way to get out but for Sascha it is all about surviving. Sascha finds a saviour in Sy but as with everyone in this series the man has his own agenda.

I found myself hoping for the best all the way through. Sascha has been so abused previously that I had everything crossed that he would survive being locked away once again. The author did a great job on keeping you guessing until almost the end of the story. One minute I was convinced I knew who was behind the data leaks and all the problems that they caused and then the story would suddenly turn and I would find myself guessing again.

When they do finally get home things are stressful. The weeks apart from each other and Sascha’s new reliance on Sy puts their relationship to the test. Cash seems much calmer in Succession and Sascha seemed much more of a brat at times. I liked Sy a lot and thought his introduction to the story and to their lives worked well.

The ending resolves a lot of things but also left the story quite open for continuation and I for one would be pleased to hear more from these characters.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

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After the turbulent and stressful way Sedition ended, I couldn’t wait to read the last part of the trilogy and finally see what happened to Sascha and Cashiel.

I must confess Alicia surprised me with all the turns and new events in this book, I was really pleasantly surprised. Especially by some secondary characters that became really important to the story and that captivated me from the start!

Cash and Sascha were detained at the beginning of the book, so each of them had to take their own measures to try and save the other. Cash’s only concern was to release Sascha, he was his first priority, and it’s heartwarming to see how far their relationship progressed from the first time they met.

This book is the perfect closure to their story, to everything they went through, all their struggles, battles, hurts, fights, to finally have their time together… their hea.

Thanks Alicia for a wonderful series – I enjoyed the ride so very much!

[Juxian · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book was such a disappointment! Well, it was not horrible, it was just... meh. I actually liked Sy very much, he is such an appealing character, but adding him as the third part into Cash and Sascha's relations ruined everything for me. All the passion, all the intensity of feelings between Cash and Sascha was diluted. It's like they are not enough for each other, don't satisfy each other if they need a third person in their relationship. While in the first two books the chemistry between them was mind-blowing, now there is only sex. Oh, and Sascha pouting at any and every reason. Really, Sascha spent most part of the book being angry with Cash. And Cash lost his intensity, he is so sedated about everything.
There was actually not a single emotional scene that would stick in my mind in this book, unlike in two previous ones. When Cash said "I love you" to Sascha in the second book, it made me gasp in delight. In this book it sounded... empty, and Sascha's reaction was practically non-reaction at all.

[Agony Tate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cameron continues to surprise and dismay me with her ability draw me into the world she’s created and keep me hooked. With several new levels of intrigue and some exciting new characters, Succession is an exceptional read, and I can’t wait to see what Cameron has planned next. Read the full review here: https://agonytate.wordpress.com/2015/...

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

(Review of the entire series)

I’m not even going to pretend that this is a review, because at this point I am too pissed off by the turn of events to bother being calm and objective. I was so upset I just flipped through most of the third installment despite practically wolfing down the first two books in less than twenty-four hours.

I really thought I found a gem of a series when I found Demoted. It had all the ingredients for a good read: dystopia, impudent slaves, unwilling masters, lots of politicking and intrigue. Of course, even in the beginning, I wasn’t very convinced by the whole Assessment business – I mean, look:


1. If they were so advance and smart, why the fuck would they want to keep using pen and paper to administer the exams when they have, oh, I don’t know, computers? It’s something I would have expected from an environment that already has access to hover cars and has already gone through the Fourth World War.

2. If Sascha were half as brilliant as he was made out to be, why the fuck didn’t he just make himself and his brother pass? It wasn't even necessary for one of them to fail. That’s like taking a bullet for someone when you can just get both of you out of the bullet’s way instead.

3. If it was such a matter of life and death (well, close to it), why do they administer the exams like you would... a normal finals? Why is it so easy to change the names in the answer sheet?? And they claim people spend billions in researching this test so it’s standardized? Are you fucking kidding me? IT’S SO DUMB. I CAN’T EVEN SUSPEND MY DISBELIEF. TOEFL and IELTS are both standardized tests administered across the globe for non-native speakers of English, and they’re handled better than this so-called Assessment. And those are just English proficiency tests that won’t send you off to slave school if you fail!!

Admittedly, despite my original qualms about reading from the first person point of view, I thought it was nicely done. I admit it was a bit confusing to have to switch from Sascha’s perspective to Cash’s, but I got used to it easily. The flashbacks in the first book were also very well done; the transition was very smooth without making the quality of storytelling suffer.

I also appreciated how in the second book Sascha didn’t pull the punches when he called Cash out on his shit. It was a very realistic, very detached standpoint that he took – at least he wasn’t clouded by his little crush on Cash to have some illusions about some fairytale romance thing going on between them.

But of course, it’s not as if that matters by the third book. In Succession (Book 3), the development of Sascha and Cash and their relationship in the first two books all gets thrown out the window. See, instead of concluding the story, Alicia Cameron introduces us to tonload of new characters that facilitate the plot.

So you say, hey, that’s okay, right? New characters as plot device, that’s cool?

Unfortunately, Cameron doesn’t stop at plot devices. Instead, she introduces us to Syrus (“Sy”). For some unfathomable reason, the author decides it will be brilliant to introduce a new main character in the third book – in the last book. If that’s not bad enough, we suddenly have – surprise! – menage! Cash, who goes through so much internal battle to send Sasha to that sleazy Torenze guy even for the sake of their research (the one thing that probably matters to him more than his own life), is suddenly okay with a third guy in their relationship. He suddenly finds it hot.

?????????????

Guys, this is the same Cash who dumps his best friend ever since childhood because Bobby won’t stop pawing on Sascha. And that was in the beginning, when he wasn’t even in love with Sascha yet. WHAT THE FUCK? Are we even talking about the same person here?

Cash’s character, which develops in the past two books, is suddenly in a downward spiral in book three. He’s not himself – he’s all over the place, he keeps power tripping to prove himself (and failing), and his lack of preparation for spontaneous, adverse events makes him look absolutely stupid. Is this the same guy who actually came up with a way to destroy the Miller System? He acts so brainless it almost makes it look like he owes everything to Sascha.

On the other hand, Sascha, for all his so-called proclaimed intelligence, keeps making dumbass decisions, like falling forr Torenze’s tricks. He gets ridiculously clingy to Sy even when he claims in the beginning that he feels like he will be betraying Cash by even thinking of Sy that way. In the last book, Sascha acts like a whiny, clingy, melodramatic little bitch who can’t keep it in his pants because hey, it’s menage now and he has his choice of boys. He gets this… I don’t know, diva attitude I can’t even reconcile with the character he was in the second book. Then again, why do I ask for continuity when I’m obviously not going to get that from this series?

Consequently, we’re treated to pointless, unnecessary scenes of blowjobs, fake rape, actual rape, more forced blowjobs and ultimately a freaking threesome because – uhm, I don’t actually know? In the first two books, Sascha and Cash are able to work out their differences in status and age and overall viewpoints in life without any external help; I really don’t understand why Alicia Cameron decided it would be a good idea to throw in an extra main character. And so late in the series!

Overall, I am extremely disappointed. And more than that, I am so mad. I got really invested in the relationship between Sascha and Cash and I was looking forward to seeing how their story as master and slave would conclude. Instead, I get a surprise menage out of nowhere, and some… silly plot twist beneath a bunch of senseless, gratuitous sex scenes that really shouldn’t have taken over 200 pages to tell. The addition of Sy in the third book felt like an afterthought that shouldn’t have made it past the editors because it’s so dumb and late and completely unnecessary. His addition cheapened all the struggles, all the heartaches that Sascha and Cash went through in the first two books by themselves. He doesn't even contribute to anything, and he's in fact the biggest reason why Sascha and Cash argue a lot in the third book.

And can I just say how silly it is that Sy is the one who conveniently finds out about Torenze's betrayal? Deus ex machina much? What, so they can give their walking sex toy a "significant" role? It's stupid and I'm not laughing.

When I was first drafting my review for this series, I was impressed by the book covers. The characters are obviously Sascha and Cash, and we see their transition as the story is told. After reading the last installment, I’ve decided that the third book cover is a bad joke, because obviously instead of just Sasha and Cash, there’s also Sy. Wherever he fits. Seriously. Wherever.

Really, if they wanted to go for menage, they should have started another series with that theme in the first place. Not randomly inserted it somewhere in a series that’s going so well. They just ruined the entire thing.

Demoted majorly sucked. What a total waste of time.

[Macky · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.5/4⭐️

[Lucien · Rating 3 out of 5]

rating: 3.25 / 5

finished the entire series and every single one of my notes in my ebook app is about how i want to stab cashiel in the throat

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very engaging series
Great storyline and well developed MCs
I really hope this is not the end for Cash and Sascha