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The Administration #4
Control
Power Writes Its Own Rules
Gaining it, keeping it, or losing it, control is more than just a game--it's a critical tool for survival. No more so than in the Administration, where the Investigation and Interrogation Division's Val Toreth faces professional and personal hazards every day. And when an attack on one of the most loyal and valued members of his investigative team makes the professional very personal indeed, Toreth finds himself entangled once more in the darker side of corporate life and crime. He'll need help, not just from his colleagues but from his "regular fuck" Keir Warrick, to make it out the other end safely.
Even away from their offices, Toreth and Warrick find that their jobs create challenges and tensions that threaten their relationship, because finding a balance is all about knowing when to keep control and when to let it go.
The fourth book in the Administration series contains the novellas Control and Coming from America and six other short stories, continuing the lives, loves, and occasionally intricate problems of dedicated and opportunistic para-investigator Val Toreth and up-and-coming corporate Keir Warrick in the near-future dystopia of the European Administration.
Gaining it, keeping it, or losing it, control is more than just a game--it's a critical tool for survival. No more so than in the Administration, where the Investigation and Interrogation Division's Val Toreth faces professional and personal hazards every day. And when an attack on one of the most loyal and valued members of his investigative team makes the professional very personal indeed, Toreth finds himself entangled once more in the darker side of corporate life and crime. He'll need help, not just from his colleagues but from his "regular fuck" Keir Warrick, to make it out the other end safely.
Even away from their offices, Toreth and Warrick find that their jobs create challenges and tensions that threaten their relationship, because finding a balance is all about knowing when to keep control and when to let it go.
The fourth book in the Administration series contains the novellas Control and Coming from America and six other short stories, continuing the lives, loves, and occasionally intricate problems of dedicated and opportunistic para-investigator Val Toreth and up-and-coming corporate Keir Warrick in the near-future dystopia of the European Administration.
220 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2009
12 people are currently reading
733 people want to read
About the author
Manna Francis
46 books635 followersI'm the author of The Administration Series, a near-future SF dystopia published by Casperian Books. You can find the series in paperback, e-book, or (partly) on line at the Mannazone website.
I've been writing original slash since 2002 — or homoerotic fiction, m/m romance, yaoi, as you prefer. Original slash is my personal term of choice because I feel it best represents my writing in terms of style and what readers can expect to find there. Individual stories may or may nor be sexually explicit.
I've been writing original slash since 2002 — or homoerotic fiction, m/m romance, yaoi, as you prefer. Original slash is my personal term of choice because I feel it best represents my writing in terms of style and what readers can expect to find there. Individual stories may or may nor be sexually explicit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
May 26, 2020
this book reminds me of that old nursery rhyme:
When it was porn it was very, very porn
and when it was not, it was boring.
which is how i remember the rhyme, anyway.
kind of a letdown. this is my fourth book in the series, so it's not like i was surprised by the lovemaking: "wait, what is happening!! these are two MEN!!! they can't be doing that with their AAAAACK!!'
but usually, the dirrrrrty stuff is paired with good character development and interesting stories, because i tend to skim sex scenes when i read, to get to the hot character development. i'm reading for the articles, here...
this collection had two novellas, both of which were pretty boring to me, and then one story that just made me hate toreth, which is not a good thing if i am to read the next three books... there were moments that i liked, and was hoping they would blossom into a good story, but most of them remained moments - sparkling but isolated like dewdrops on kittens or whatever. overall, i thought the collection was pretty weak. i am hoping this is just a whoopsie dip, because dana assures me that number 6 is the best of them, and if anyone knows the M/M genre, it is her.
i still love warrick and toreth (even though i am making angry squinty eyes at you toreth: i don't care if it's your job - that was a shitty thing to do, man...) and i just hope they can work it all out.
but in more interesting ways, please, volume 5.
come to my blog!
When it was porn it was very, very porn
and when it was not, it was boring.
which is how i remember the rhyme, anyway.
kind of a letdown. this is my fourth book in the series, so it's not like i was surprised by the lovemaking: "wait, what is happening!! these are two MEN!!! they can't be doing that with their AAAAACK!!'
but usually, the dirrrrrty stuff is paired with good character development and interesting stories, because i tend to skim sex scenes when i read, to get to the hot character development. i'm reading for the articles, here...
this collection had two novellas, both of which were pretty boring to me, and then one story that just made me hate toreth, which is not a good thing if i am to read the next three books... there were moments that i liked, and was hoping they would blossom into a good story, but most of them remained moments - sparkling but isolated like dewdrops on kittens or whatever. overall, i thought the collection was pretty weak. i am hoping this is just a whoopsie dip, because dana assures me that number 6 is the best of them, and if anyone knows the M/M genre, it is her.
i still love warrick and toreth (even though i am making angry squinty eyes at you toreth: i don't care if it's your job - that was a shitty thing to do, man...) and i just hope they can work it all out.
but in more interesting ways, please, volume 5.
come to my blog!
October 8, 2019
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*I Don't Like It, I Just Don't*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
We're back with Senior Para-investigator Valantin ‘Val’ Toreth (35) and Doctor Keir Warrick (36), the head of the minor corporation (SimTech). This time we're getting to see Toreth and Warrick getting a tiny bit closer. I liked the last scene in Control. The one where Toreth slips into Warrick's bed and just sleeps. That felt... good. The timeline from the first book to now is three years, so Warrick has been Toreth's “regular fuck” for those years. A record for the para.
I also liked that Toreth was defensiveness over what he had done twelve years ago. In a way, trying to justify what he'd done so that Warrick wouldn't leave him. That's my take on it. Don't get me wrong, Toreth's not bothered by what he's done, only “personal consequences — that Warrick might be driven away — and nothing more than that.”
Overall, I seriously don't know why I continued with this series. I don't like Toreth, nor am I getting any closer to liking him. Warrick is just there. There sex doesn't it for me. I'm not into pain at all. So I mostly skip those. Hell, I skimmed most of this series to be honest. I feel like we aren't getting anywhere with these two. They don't talk to each other, and everything is about sex. Sure, you see hints (TINY ones) that it could be deeper, but since they refuse to take that step, the relationship just stays where it is: regular fucks.
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Science Fiction/Dystopia
Series: - Series, Book Three.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - None.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Unsure.
Would I recommend this book/series? -Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 1.5/2 stars.
April 18, 2019
This review is divided in two parts: About the novella, and about the short-stories.
About the Novella “Control”:
Rating 3 stars
Just like with Mind Fuck (The Administration, #1) , I wasn't really interested in the investigation, there was too much of it for my taste. I liked that this time we had more about Warrick and Toreth, but still, I would have liked the main story-line to revolve around Toreth and Warrick, not about the investigation plot.
It’s the novella what made me gave this book 4 stars instead of 5.
About the Short-Stories:
Rating 5 stars
As before, I enjoyed the short stories much more. They are fresh, very entertaining, fun to read and emotional. They are mainly about Toreth and Warrick’s relationship, which is exactly what I like. Once again there were very insightful and deep moments (like with the panther), very endearing moments (like with the curtains), and moments full of angst (like with Toreth’s jealousy). They might be short, but truly fantastic.
I do think that even though Warrick and Toreth know each other remarkably well, they need more non-sexual blunt communication. They never vocalize any sentiments that they may have towards each other, even if they are somewhat clear trough their action; I think a relationship also needs words. They don’t only need communication about their feelings for each other and their relationship, it seems to me that they also need to discus themselves and their behaviors. But alas, it’s just my opinion.
I am getting very impatient; I need things to progress faster or at this rate I am going to grow old without them arriving somewhere.
This series has made me fall in love with Warrick and Toreth, so as far as there is something to read about them, I’ll keep reading.
My reviews of The Administration series’ books:
Book 1: Mind Fuck - 3 Stars
Book 2: Quid Pro Quo
Book 2.1: Unlucky Break - 2 Stars
Book 2.2: Friday - 3 Stars
Book 2.3: Pancakes - 5 Stars
Book 2.4: Surprises - 4 Stars
Book 2.5: Family - 4 Stars
Book 2.6: Mirror Mirror - 4 Stars
Book 3: Games & Players - 5 Stars
Book 3.1: Game, Set - 4 Stars
Book 3.2: As Long As It Lasted - 3 Stars
Book 3.3:Fuck of the Day - 3 Stars
Book 3.4: Wine, Women and Cushions - 2 Stars
Book 3.5: Playing with Fire - 5 Stars
Book 3.6: All Work and no Play - 3 Stars
Book 3.7: Gee - 2 Stars
Book 3.8:Shopping & Fucking - 5 Stars
Book 3.9: Pool School - 3 Stars
Book 3.95: Without the Game - 4 Stars
Book 4: Control - 4 Stars
Book 4.2: Wait For It - 4 Stars
Book 4.3: Caged - 5 Stars
Book 4.4: Unaccustomed as I Am... - 3 Stars
Book 4.5: Helen - 4 Stars
Book 4.6: Shopping, No Fucking - 4 Stars
Book 4.7: Losing It - 4 Stars
Book 4.8: Coming from America
Book 5: Quis Custodiet - 3.5 Stars
Book 5.2: Gratuitous Kink - 4 Stars
Book 5.3: Then and Now - 4 Stars
Book 5.4: Friends in the Right Places - 2 Stars
Book 5.5: Smoke & Cameras - 4 Stars
Book 5.6: Sunday - 3 Stars
Book 6: First Against the Wall - 4 Stars
Book 7: For Certain Values
Book 7.1: Family Values
Book 7.2: Boy's Toys - 3 Stars
Book 7.3: Make it a Surprise
Book 7.4: Prodigal
Book 8: Blood & Circuses
Book 9: Corpora Delicti
Gratuitous Epilogue
About the Novella “Control”:
Rating 3 stars
Just like with Mind Fuck (The Administration, #1) , I wasn't really interested in the investigation, there was too much of it for my taste. I liked that this time we had more about Warrick and Toreth, but still, I would have liked the main story-line to revolve around Toreth and Warrick, not about the investigation plot.
It’s the novella what made me gave this book 4 stars instead of 5.
About the Short-Stories:
Rating 5 stars
As before, I enjoyed the short stories much more. They are fresh, very entertaining, fun to read and emotional. They are mainly about Toreth and Warrick’s relationship, which is exactly what I like. Once again there were very insightful and deep moments (like with the panther), very endearing moments (like with the curtains), and moments full of angst (like with Toreth’s jealousy). They might be short, but truly fantastic.
I do think that even though Warrick and Toreth know each other remarkably well, they need more non-sexual blunt communication. They never vocalize any sentiments that they may have towards each other, even if they are somewhat clear trough their action; I think a relationship also needs words. They don’t only need communication about their feelings for each other and their relationship, it seems to me that they also need to discus themselves and their behaviors. But alas, it’s just my opinion.
I am getting very impatient; I need things to progress faster or at this rate I am going to grow old without them arriving somewhere.
This series has made me fall in love with Warrick and Toreth, so as far as there is something to read about them, I’ll keep reading.
My reviews of The Administration series’ books:
Book 1: Mind Fuck - 3 Stars
Book 2: Quid Pro Quo
Book 2.1: Unlucky Break - 2 Stars
Book 2.2: Friday - 3 Stars
Book 2.3: Pancakes - 5 Stars
Book 2.4: Surprises - 4 Stars
Book 2.5: Family - 4 Stars
Book 2.6: Mirror Mirror - 4 Stars
Book 3: Games & Players - 5 Stars
Book 3.1: Game, Set - 4 Stars
Book 3.2: As Long As It Lasted - 3 Stars
Book 3.3:Fuck of the Day - 3 Stars
Book 3.4: Wine, Women and Cushions - 2 Stars
Book 3.5: Playing with Fire - 5 Stars
Book 3.6: All Work and no Play - 3 Stars
Book 3.7: Gee - 2 Stars
Book 3.8:Shopping & Fucking - 5 Stars
Book 3.9: Pool School - 3 Stars
Book 3.95: Without the Game - 4 Stars
Book 4: Control - 4 Stars
Book 4.2: Wait For It - 4 Stars
Book 4.3: Caged - 5 Stars
Book 4.4: Unaccustomed as I Am... - 3 Stars
Book 4.5: Helen - 4 Stars
Book 4.6: Shopping, No Fucking - 4 Stars
Book 4.7: Losing It - 4 Stars
Book 4.8: Coming from America
Book 5: Quis Custodiet - 3.5 Stars
Book 5.2: Gratuitous Kink - 4 Stars
Book 5.3: Then and Now - 4 Stars
Book 5.4: Friends in the Right Places - 2 Stars
Book 5.5: Smoke & Cameras - 4 Stars
Book 5.6: Sunday - 3 Stars
Book 6: First Against the Wall - 4 Stars
Book 7: For Certain Values
Book 7.1: Family Values
Book 7.2: Boy's Toys - 3 Stars
Book 7.3: Make it a Surprise
Book 7.4: Prodigal
Book 8: Blood & Circuses
Book 9: Corpora Delicti
Gratuitous Epilogue
October 6, 2022
**February 2015 Re-read** And again October 2022!
Have I mentioned yet how much this series takes over my…everything? Everything else in my life falls away. My thoughts constantly stray back to Toreth and Warrick. I’m in it. All in! I wonder and examine every word said or unsaid, every touch and look. So addictive! Toreth and Warrick are so addictive!
What struck me most about Control this time out was how unguarded and vulnerable Toreth and Warrick felt to me. Both men struggled to maintain control through exhaustion, pain and worry. Their feelings are usually hidden behind logic, arrogance, and small smiles. But here in these pages they reveal so much. So much emotion seeps through their cracks in control. I drank it all in! Toreth was scared and uncertain. Warrick exhibited “uncharacteristic, uncomfortable openness”. Haha…Oh, how I love this story. Every move brought Warrick and Toreth closer together—their power, influence, and lives came together. For me, it was one of the more intimate stories in the bunch. They supported and cared and comforted each other. *sigh* I’ll shut up now. I can go on and on when it comes to Toreth and Warrick. But before I go…..some of my favorite parts.
I loved watching Warrick make pot after pot of tea trying so hard to control his fears and anger.
I loved discovering Toreth has a “mental database of Warrick fantasies” to flip through.
I loved watching Toreth struggle with his fear and need for Warrick. He wanted to say things to Warrick. He wanted to share things with Warrick.
And I LOVED that Toreth is just realizing he’s been in a sort of relationship with a something like a partner for years now. Haha…not weeks or months—YEARS!
Favorite Line:
”Why, he wondered, couldn’t Warrick hold conversations in the same way as other people?”
Hmm…I wonder. :)
************************
Under control. Losing control. Gaining control.
Toreth, Warrick, Sara, and others all face, experience, and lose different degrees of control with brutal and surprising consequences.
After Sara is viciously beaten by her boyfriend, Toreth hunts down the man for a round of alls fair in vengeance and pain. But the tables soon turn when the scumbag’s corporate father gets involved putting Toreth in danger. I really enjoyed watching Toreth work here—dishing out payback and compiling a case with intelligence and force. You can tell I&I is Toreth’s world. The way he maneuvered through the investigation was impressive and yes, pretty damn hot! Haha…That last part could be just me though. ;)
There is so much to love here—the writing, chemistry, suspense, and humor! Toreth can make me laugh even in pain and chained to a wall:
”He concentrated, cataloging his body, trying to find something that didn’t ache. His eyelids felt pretty good. His tongue, although he was thirsty as hell. And no one had kicked him in the bollocks yet…” hehe…
My favorite part of this story though….and at first I was going to say Warrick, but it was more the chemistry and energy of both men. Warrick’s concern was a big part of what made this story beat for me—gave it life and heart. But for the first time, Warrick and Toreth felt like a “we”, a couple to me. They acted, reacted, and worked as a team. And the words! They said so much out loud and to each other! Like…”Just be careful.” or “We’ll fix it.” The line that made my heart beat jump, skip, and stutter though was this declaration from Warrick:
”After due consideration, I decided to take what happened to you personally. I don’t appreciate having my…having you assaulted and threatened. It annoyed me.”
Now if that wasn’t Warrick speak for….well a perfectly corporate way of declaring…oh hell…you know what he meant! :D
April 6, 2015
The fourth in a row and I see no signs of stopping. Caught up in this just like they are.
BR with Irina - onwards
Read Online version:
Control
Wait for It
Caged
Unaccustomed as I Am
Helen
Shopping, No Fucking
Losing It
missing:
Coming from America - ebook version (BC pov)
October 17, 2025
Re-read 02/2015; 04/2017
Control - 5 Stars
Wait For It - 4 Stars
Caged - 5 Stars
Unaccustomed As I Am - 3 Stars
Helen - 5 Stars
Shopping, No Fucking - 3.5 Stars
Losing It - 4.5 Stars
Coming From America (paperback only) - 4 Stars
Control - 5 Stars
Wait For It - 4 Stars
Caged - 5 Stars
Unaccustomed As I Am - 3 Stars
Helen - 5 Stars
Shopping, No Fucking - 3.5 Stars
Losing It - 4.5 Stars
Coming From America (paperback only) - 4 Stars
April 6, 2015
Another great instalment in the series that is quickly becoming my favourite.
To me, the most memorable story here was Caged. It was simply beautiful.
***4.3 stars***
To me, the most memorable story here was Caged. It was simply beautiful.
***4.3 stars***
September 2, 2013
Review written by hand, so as not to wake up sleeping people in my house with the tic-ticking of my fingers on the keyboard. *self-mindblown*
Also, I took a one-day break from TA, and this story had me feeling as if I were taking my first breath of fresh air in weeks. Not to mention the fact that it put a stop to my jitters and twitching eyelids. Talk about addiction.
Anyhow, on to the story.
Basically, Sara's boyfriend beats her up (this is in no way a spoiler, I promise) and Toreth gets all protective-big-brother. Which is awfully sweet.
And then naturally it gets suspenseful and scary and full of tension and shady corporate activities, while still leaving space for heartbreakingly tender moments between Toreth and Warrick - we do know the drill, right? They try so desperately to stay in control, yet they can't help but let go. And the connection only gets stronger.
I love how this story, despite having me a trembling ball of nerves sat on the edge of a seat, was very relaxing as far as the relationship is concerned; I think I need some happy TA times before FAtW, as I hear it's going to be brutal.
Guys, read this story and be surprised and gnaw on your nails and pace around the room, don't go looking for summary type reviews. It would be pretty hard to find one, anyway, because I added this one to GR a couple days ago - it wasn't listed individually on the TA series page, even though it's one of the free stories. Weird shit.
Also, I took a one-day break from TA, and this story had me feeling as if I were taking my first breath of fresh air in weeks. Not to mention the fact that it put a stop to my jitters and twitching eyelids. Talk about addiction.
Anyhow, on to the story.
Basically, Sara's boyfriend beats her up (this is in no way a spoiler, I promise) and Toreth gets all protective-big-brother. Which is awfully sweet.
And then naturally it gets suspenseful and scary and full of tension and shady corporate activities, while still leaving space for heartbreakingly tender moments between Toreth and Warrick - we do know the drill, right? They try so desperately to stay in control, yet they can't help but let go. And the connection only gets stronger.
I love how this story, despite having me a trembling ball of nerves sat on the edge of a seat, was very relaxing as far as the relationship is concerned; I think I need some happy TA times before FAtW, as I hear it's going to be brutal.
Guys, read this story and be surprised and gnaw on your nails and pace around the room, don't go looking for summary type reviews. It would be pretty hard to find one, anyway, because I added this one to GR a couple days ago - it wasn't listed individually on the TA series page, even though it's one of the free stories. Weird shit.
January 2, 2021
RE-READ 2021
Years have passed since Toreth and Warrick started their...thing. And it's getting deeper and better. This meaty story had my heart in my throat more than once.
The iron-grip control might be...slipping.
INTENSE INTENSE INTENSE
Sara is beaten and battered by a piece of shit boyfriend. There are two people Toreth's world in which people do not fuck with..Sara is one of them.
"A spoiled corporate brat who'd find out that he'd picked the wrong fucking woman this time."
Unexpectedly, this brat craves a death wish because he kidnaps Toreth and it gets ugly, really ugly.
Taste of your own medicine Toreth? I didn't like it, hated it actually. Warrick please save him!
"It's all right. You're safe. I'm here," Warrick mumbled
thank you, Warrick, I love you
Years have passed since Toreth and Warrick started their...thing. And it's getting deeper and better. This meaty story had my heart in my throat more than once.
The iron-grip control might be...slipping.
INTENSE INTENSE INTENSE
Sara is beaten and battered by a piece of shit boyfriend. There are two people Toreth's world in which people do not fuck with..Sara is one of them.
"A spoiled corporate brat who'd find out that he'd picked the wrong fucking woman this time."
Unexpectedly, this brat craves a death wish because he kidnaps Toreth and it gets ugly, really ugly.
Taste of your own medicine Toreth? I didn't like it, hated it actually. Warrick please save him!
"It's all right. You're safe. I'm here," Warrick mumbled
thank you, Warrick, I love you
July 18, 2020
3.5 stars
So the only story in this one that's not free on the website is Coming From America, which is told solely from B-C's POV.
It was interesting to see Toreth from B-C's non-interrogator perspective, but I found his perspective as a whole to be kinda boring! Which is annoying, because there's so much more world-building in this one that you really don't want to skip it.
I was thoroughly entertained by the Europeans' reaction to the religion conversations. And the concept of free speech. (To sum that one up: "...Your bad." 😂)
I haven't talked much about the world-building in these because I'm just so fascinated by Toreth and Warrick, but it's almost refreshing how up-front and transparent the Europeans are about "corporate privilege". Almost, because obviously it's all still very fucked up, but let's just call a spade a spade and then at least I'll have one less thing to be mad about. I just have a thing for brutal honestly. Probably why I like Toreth and Warrick so much.
So the only story in this one that's not free on the website is Coming From America, which is told solely from B-C's POV.
It was interesting to see Toreth from B-C's non-interrogator perspective, but I found his perspective as a whole to be kinda boring! Which is annoying, because there's so much more world-building in this one that you really don't want to skip it.
I was thoroughly entertained by the Europeans' reaction to the religion conversations. And the concept of free speech. (To sum that one up: "...Your bad." 😂)
I haven't talked much about the world-building in these because I'm just so fascinated by Toreth and Warrick, but it's almost refreshing how up-front and transparent the Europeans are about "corporate privilege". Almost, because obviously it's all still very fucked up, but let's just call a spade a spade and then at least I'll have one less thing to be mad about. I just have a thing for brutal honestly. Probably why I like Toreth and Warrick so much.
January 8, 2023
Every time Toreth's vulnerable (physically or emotionally) side makes a rare, rare appearance, I want to protect him. Which is silly, but completely beyond my control.
Read
September 7, 2012Excellent book that made a long inter-continental flight bearable. Thank you, Manna. The book contains two novellas and a number of short stories, ranging from light-hearted to pretty damn dark. It's a testament to Francis' skill as a writer that she pulls both off with the same effortlessness. I look forward to reading the last two books on the business trip/flight back.
January 26, 2015
Having finished my third reading of CONTROL I can honestly say this is one of my favorite stories in the wonderful ADMINISTRATION series--
CONTROL--watching Toreth have total control of a situation--lose it and how he regains it---"An illusion of action, nothing more than killing time. Amazing how many metaphors used that word, when he thought about it."
WAIT FOR IT--one of the best lines in all the book--- "He looked at Warrick sidelong, then grinned again. Because that was as long as I could stand it."
CAGED--excellent story--Toreth--so like the panther
UNACCUSTOMED AS I AM--ok
HELEN--read so much more into the story this time--Warrick's justification "I fuck Toreth, not his job---"
SHOPPING,NO FUCKING--cute
LOSING IT--Toreth jealous--almost losing control
COMING TO AMERICA--ok story--learned more of the Administration
December 26, 2012
"He wasn't helpless, he couldn't be"
Toreth always makes me think of a highly specialized predator, like those species which ultra-specialized to survive and stay on top of the food chain.
April 4, 2011
CONTROL
Toreth where I like him best - working a case.
Sara's got herself another scumbag for a boyfriend and Toreth goes into uber-protective mode when he sees her all beaten up. Unlike Rules of Engagement where Rick made a quiet exit from Sara's life and the story, Jonny Kemp proves a little more problematic.
I enjoyed this story as it gave me a breather from T & W's relationship. When, after the case is finished and Toreth catches a taxi to Warrick's home and climbs in to bed next to his lover (it's past 3am) they seem like any normal couple.
I got to meet Chevril's wife, Elena. I'd previously read that Chev was supposed to have a really hot wife. Toreth thought so. Did he fuck her?
Stupid question.
WAIT FOR IT
Toreth and Warrick start off with sex in this short story. He's trying something with Warrick that he'd done with another anonymous fuck just on Monday. The wardrobe is out because Toreth insists that Warrick wait out the full six weeks to heal. Imagine that - Toreth extoling the benefits of delayed gratification.
Warrick comes up with a game. A waiting game. He tells Toreth to go home and not stay the night. In fact, to make him wait for their next session. When Toreth asks how long a wait, Warrick tells him “As long as you can stand it.”
What ensues kept me riveted through all 35 pages of my reader but I have to admit that when I saw Toreth with that man at the bar, I really, really felt for Warrick. Things aren't what I was led to think, however, so the evening ends on a high note.
But it's Toreth so that should last all of five minutes.
CAGED
Excellent mirror for Toreth. Nice play, Warrick. Wonder if it's just water off a flamingo's back for Toreth...but then, flamingos have some significance for Toreth so maybe...
-----------------
Even though Toreth surprised me in Wait For It, I feel as if I've reached my limit with him. It's partly why I didn't even feel like giving star ratings for each individual story anymore. I don't even know if I'll do that in the next book. If I were to give stars, Wait For It would be a 5 for the story and Caged would be a 5 for Warrick. The jury's still out on Toreth...
But it's Toreth and he'd just throw the 5 stars in my face. For the first two books, Mind Fuck and Quid Pro Quo, each story was still distinct enough for me to rate. Even Book 3, Games & Players was "rateable" but by the time I got to the end of that book, I felt like this 'Toreth problem' and the Toreth-Warrick game had been drawn out too long. I could no longer see each story as a separate piece of writing. It's all just good writing and Toreth is - just Toreth. I'm reaching a point with Toreth where, as Dan would say, "I couldn't be arsed."
In the powerful Caged, my defense mechanisms are in full mode. I don't want to turn into a Warrick and I would have to, to survive Toreth. This is the dilemma I'm facing now: do I do as I would, and have, in RL and walk away or do I stay the course out of curiosity? In RL I'd have to live with the FEB so the smart thing to do was to quit while I could still look at myself in the mirror and it wouldn't crack in disgust. I don't owe it to the FEB to stay the course in the hope that the True-Love-Transforms belief isn't a load of crap.
In Readerland, I feel at times, pressured into staying the course no matter what. (I'm not talking about my ability or freedom to stop reading a book so if you think that's what I'm talking about, don't.) The pressure doesn't come so much from other readers as from the authors. In TA's case, or SF's, for example, I don't have a choice where the characters are concerned (Manna will do as Manna wants) and if I already face that shit in RL, I don't really want to deal with that in my romance-reading. But since I've made a choice to read the story, I am bound by some unspoken literary rule or something, to see it through to the end no matter how the character turns out.
Now, I'm referring only to good writing, good authors. Like Manna Francis. Give me any other author, any other book and it would be in the trashbin after three pages if I didn't like it.
I'll be starting Unaccustomed As I Am tonight. No idea what Toreth will be up to - aside from fucking some stranger while he's on the way to Warrick.
UNACCUSTOMED AS I AM
Just 6 pages and covers a party Toreth organized for Sara's ten-year service party.
HELEN
After the uneventful snippet on Sara's party, Helen was rather unnerving. I got to see Toreth's cold, dispassionate side here - a side that, if I had merely heard about and not gotten to know the man as Sara and Warrick do, would have me making the sign of the cross every time he crossed my path. And I'm not even Catholic.
Helen is the wife of a resister Toreth interrogated. I'm not going to say what was done to her, what Toreth ordered to have done to her, but suffice to say, it was bad enough and to learn later that he fucked her after the interrogation, after the trial, left me unsettled. It's no surprise the woman has gone completely nutzoid, not that Toreth cares. To him, it was all just another day in the office. What he's pissed about is that this crazed woman (she believes they belong together) manages to find him and the encounter happens when Warrick is there to witness it.
It's happening slowly but there're enough changes going on in the two men's relationship, in the way they relate to one another and more so in Toreth. Sometimes, it's subtle, though still noticeable, and at times they are major milestones. It's the reason why, if you want to read the series, don't just settle for the free ebooks on the website. The stories in the paperback version not available on the website do add significantly to our understanding of this love affair and our appreciation of every step forward that these two men take.
SHOPPING, NO FUCKING
This is one of those major milestones I mentioned. Sara had once predicted, to Toreth's horror, that he and Warrick would end up buying curtains together before long. Shopping, No Fucking covers this momentous event. Just the thought of Toreth in such a shop was jaw-dropping enough. Good thing he gave me back my equilibrium by trying to sneak in a fuck while they were browsing. He didn't get it but at least he acted true to form.
LOSING IT
Delicious. Let's have more of these. Toreth's reached a point where he can no longer deny he gets jealous if Warrick so much as talks to anyone for more than a minute. Before this, Toreth still got jealous, of course, but he'd honed denial down to an art so it didn't bother him too much. Lately, though, he can no longer just swat it away like a pesky fly.
This time Toreth can't deny he's losing it when, at a Sim-Tech function, he can't keep the green-eyed monster at bay - and ends up embarrassed when certain facts come to light. Before this, however, his jealousy does lead him to go further than Warrick is comfortable with and while I can rejoice that Toreth is being made to confront his jealous streak (and how irrational it must seem, in the light of his chronic infidelity), I can't help but also feel for him as he realizes how pathetic he is in the face of Warrick's sangfroid.
A fitting - and promising? - end to Book 4.
COMING FROM AMERICA
[i]Belated review[/i]: I forgot all about this short story because I'm reading the online versions via my reader and this last story in the book is in the paperback. (This difference is such a pain and i wish Manna had published with Carina instead!)
CFA was a bore. It's about B-C, Barret-Connor the investigator. Since he never made much of an impression with me this story, told from his 1st Person POV didn't do it for me. It's about Toreth having to locate some college boy (I think) who's sneaked into New London (or Europe) from the US and two American guys from some US agency (I think) are here to get him back.
Not Toreth's usual type of case. He can't be bothered and neither could I. I closed the book without knowing wtf this was about.
Oh, I think Toreth sneaked in a blow-job with BC somewhere (as BC recounts to us). I fear this short story was nothing more than filler to justify a paperback version.
Toreth where I like him best - working a case.
Sara's got herself another scumbag for a boyfriend and Toreth goes into uber-protective mode when he sees her all beaten up. Unlike Rules of Engagement where Rick made a quiet exit from Sara's life and the story, Jonny Kemp proves a little more problematic.
I enjoyed this story as it gave me a breather from T & W's relationship. When, after the case is finished and Toreth catches a taxi to Warrick's home and climbs in to bed next to his lover (it's past 3am) they seem like any normal couple.
I got to meet Chevril's wife, Elena. I'd previously read that Chev was supposed to have a really hot wife. Toreth thought so. Did he fuck her?
Stupid question.
WAIT FOR IT
Toreth and Warrick start off with sex in this short story. He's trying something with Warrick that he'd done with another anonymous fuck just on Monday. The wardrobe is out because Toreth insists that Warrick wait out the full six weeks to heal. Imagine that - Toreth extoling the benefits of delayed gratification.
Warrick comes up with a game. A waiting game. He tells Toreth to go home and not stay the night. In fact, to make him wait for their next session. When Toreth asks how long a wait, Warrick tells him “As long as you can stand it.”
What ensues kept me riveted through all 35 pages of my reader but I have to admit that when I saw Toreth with that man at the bar, I really, really felt for Warrick. Things aren't what I was led to think, however, so the evening ends on a high note.
But it's Toreth so that should last all of five minutes.
CAGED
Excellent mirror for Toreth. Nice play, Warrick. Wonder if it's just water off a flamingo's back for Toreth...but then, flamingos have some significance for Toreth so maybe...
-----------------
Even though Toreth surprised me in Wait For It, I feel as if I've reached my limit with him. It's partly why I didn't even feel like giving star ratings for each individual story anymore. I don't even know if I'll do that in the next book. If I were to give stars, Wait For It would be a 5 for the story and Caged would be a 5 for Warrick. The jury's still out on Toreth...
But it's Toreth and he'd just throw the 5 stars in my face. For the first two books, Mind Fuck and Quid Pro Quo, each story was still distinct enough for me to rate. Even Book 3, Games & Players was "rateable" but by the time I got to the end of that book, I felt like this 'Toreth problem' and the Toreth-Warrick game had been drawn out too long. I could no longer see each story as a separate piece of writing. It's all just good writing and Toreth is - just Toreth. I'm reaching a point with Toreth where, as Dan would say, "I couldn't be arsed."
In the powerful Caged, my defense mechanisms are in full mode. I don't want to turn into a Warrick and I would have to, to survive Toreth. This is the dilemma I'm facing now: do I do as I would, and have, in RL and walk away or do I stay the course out of curiosity? In RL I'd have to live with the FEB so the smart thing to do was to quit while I could still look at myself in the mirror and it wouldn't crack in disgust. I don't owe it to the FEB to stay the course in the hope that the True-Love-Transforms belief isn't a load of crap.
In Readerland, I feel at times, pressured into staying the course no matter what. (I'm not talking about my ability or freedom to stop reading a book so if you think that's what I'm talking about, don't.) The pressure doesn't come so much from other readers as from the authors. In TA's case, or SF's, for example, I don't have a choice where the characters are concerned (Manna will do as Manna wants) and if I already face that shit in RL, I don't really want to deal with that in my romance-reading. But since I've made a choice to read the story, I am bound by some unspoken literary rule or something, to see it through to the end no matter how the character turns out.
Now, I'm referring only to good writing, good authors. Like Manna Francis. Give me any other author, any other book and it would be in the trashbin after three pages if I didn't like it.
I'll be starting Unaccustomed As I Am tonight. No idea what Toreth will be up to - aside from fucking some stranger while he's on the way to Warrick.
UNACCUSTOMED AS I AM
Just 6 pages and covers a party Toreth organized for Sara's ten-year service party.
HELEN
After the uneventful snippet on Sara's party, Helen was rather unnerving. I got to see Toreth's cold, dispassionate side here - a side that, if I had merely heard about and not gotten to know the man as Sara and Warrick do, would have me making the sign of the cross every time he crossed my path. And I'm not even Catholic.
Helen is the wife of a resister Toreth interrogated. I'm not going to say what was done to her, what Toreth ordered to have done to her, but suffice to say, it was bad enough and to learn later that he fucked her after the interrogation, after the trial, left me unsettled. It's no surprise the woman has gone completely nutzoid, not that Toreth cares. To him, it was all just another day in the office. What he's pissed about is that this crazed woman (she believes they belong together) manages to find him and the encounter happens when Warrick is there to witness it.
It's happening slowly but there're enough changes going on in the two men's relationship, in the way they relate to one another and more so in Toreth. Sometimes, it's subtle, though still noticeable, and at times they are major milestones. It's the reason why, if you want to read the series, don't just settle for the free ebooks on the website. The stories in the paperback version not available on the website do add significantly to our understanding of this love affair and our appreciation of every step forward that these two men take.
SHOPPING, NO FUCKING
This is one of those major milestones I mentioned. Sara had once predicted, to Toreth's horror, that he and Warrick would end up buying curtains together before long. Shopping, No Fucking covers this momentous event. Just the thought of Toreth in such a shop was jaw-dropping enough. Good thing he gave me back my equilibrium by trying to sneak in a fuck while they were browsing. He didn't get it but at least he acted true to form.
LOSING IT
Delicious. Let's have more of these. Toreth's reached a point where he can no longer deny he gets jealous if Warrick so much as talks to anyone for more than a minute. Before this, Toreth still got jealous, of course, but he'd honed denial down to an art so it didn't bother him too much. Lately, though, he can no longer just swat it away like a pesky fly.
This time Toreth can't deny he's losing it when, at a Sim-Tech function, he can't keep the green-eyed monster at bay - and ends up embarrassed when certain facts come to light. Before this, however, his jealousy does lead him to go further than Warrick is comfortable with and while I can rejoice that Toreth is being made to confront his jealous streak (and how irrational it must seem, in the light of his chronic infidelity), I can't help but also feel for him as he realizes how pathetic he is in the face of Warrick's sangfroid.
A fitting - and promising? - end to Book 4.
COMING FROM AMERICA
[i]Belated review[/i]: I forgot all about this short story because I'm reading the online versions via my reader and this last story in the book is in the paperback. (This difference is such a pain and i wish Manna had published with Carina instead!)
CFA was a bore. It's about B-C, Barret-Connor the investigator. Since he never made much of an impression with me this story, told from his 1st Person POV didn't do it for me. It's about Toreth having to locate some college boy (I think) who's sneaked into New London (or Europe) from the US and two American guys from some US agency (I think) are here to get him back.
Not Toreth's usual type of case. He can't be bothered and neither could I. I closed the book without knowing wtf this was about.
Oh, I think Toreth sneaked in a blow-job with BC somewhere (as BC recounts to us). I fear this short story was nothing more than filler to justify a paperback version.
March 8, 2018
Toreth to the rescue! Well, ok, Warrick helped him a little bit by tinkering away in the background, but Toreth was the muscle! Loved it!
November 11, 2012
As far as a stand-alone read, this would be really interesting. The whole “going-after-a-shady-evil-powerful-man” storyline can be quite entertaining.
But, as part of this series, it was a bit too Warrick-less for my liking. The few-and-far-between parts with Toreth and Warrick, however, were really telling of how far their relationship has come and I savored them.
I love how Warrick knows how to make it all ok for Toreth. God, I want a man to put up with all my shit and idiosyncrasies and my crazies and just figure out how to deal with me.
Warrick…call me?!
May 1, 2011
Control is the 4th book in this series, and there are 8 short/shorter stories in it.
First story is Control. (Not available online)
Review:
This short (although a bit longer) is about Toreth, once again, beating up one of Saras bf's. This one had beaten her up, so Toreth decided to punish him for that.. Of course.. Its Toreth after all.. Anywho. Sadly for Toreth, the kid he beat up had a powerful Dad, and Toreth ends up beaten and chained to a wall, in a basement somewhere.. The plan is to kill Toreth, and it comes close, but thankfully everything works out..
Love, Love, Loved, that Toreth went home to Warrick, and slid under the duvet, while Warrick was sleeping!!
Yayyy, Toreth! So much progress!!
5 Stars
-------------------------------------------------
2nd story is Wait For It
Review:
LOVED IT!!!
This was a short, where Warrick, without wanting to, challenged Toreth to wait until "he couldnt stand it anymore." And the waiting was for sex. How long he could wait to have Warrick..
And it proved almost unbearable for Warrick, but what an amazing end!!
Yayyy, Toreth!! Thats why I love you, you SOB!
5 stars
-------------------------------------------------
3rd story is Caged
Review:
Love!! Just pure Love!
This was a trip to the zoo for Warrick and Toreth. First time for Toreth, and it ended up being a beautiful trip..
I just love Toreth more and more with every story!!
5 stars
-------------------------------------------------
4th story is Unaccustomed As I Am...
Review:
Yayyy!! Go Warrick!!
This is a cute, very short story, about Warrick telling Toreth, what he wants him to do to him, yes sexually speaking, right before Toreth has to go up on stage and give a speech to Sara, at her 10 year anniversary party, working for him!
And apparently, Warrick, also stole Toreth's notes for the speech! Yayy, Warrick! Love it!
5 stars
-------------------------------------------------
5th story is Helen
Review:
In this short, we meet Helen, who is a woman, Toreth did some bad things to, 12 years ago..
Warrick and Toreth are out on a date, when she appears in front of them.. of course Warrick is a bit shocked, but Toreth leaves, and goes home drinking, thinking that the meeting with Helen, will make Warrick leave him (not that they are a couple or anything, nooo of course not ;)
but Warrick lets himself into Toreth's flat, and tells him he's not going anywhere.. Anywho.. Toreth is too drunk to have sex, but asks Warrick not to leave... Awww...
Yayyyy, Toreth!!!
5 stars
-------------------------------------------------
6th story is Shopping, No Fucking
Review:
A cute short, where Toreth and Warrick, finally do go out shoppring for those curtains.. Just not for the windows.. :)
5 stars
-------------------------------------------------
7th story is Losing It
Review:
Losing it, is a short about Toreth "losing it" because of jealousy..
Cant help it, but I love the sick SOB.. What does that make me, though? Hmmm..
5 stars
-------------------------------------------------
8th story is 'Coming From America' (Not available online)
Review
I thought this was kinda weird.. We got a little longer short, from B-C's POV.. One of the guys on Toreths team. They get a strange case, about a guy from America, who's missing in Europe.. Anywho. We find out that in America, everything is run by faith, and that being gay is against the law.. Hmmm.. Where did the Author get that idea from? ;)
Anywho.. Yeah, so its´about finding the kid, and a way to get him home to America, so that Europe doesnt have to deal with him, I guess..
3 stars
-------------------------------------------------
All in all, this was a fantastic book!!! Getting better and better, the more Toreth opens up.. Aww, I love that guy.. Crazy, but I cant help it.. Now on to book 5!
First story is Control. (Not available online)
Review:
This short (although a bit longer) is about Toreth, once again, beating up one of Saras bf's. This one had beaten her up, so Toreth decided to punish him for that.. Of course.. Its Toreth after all.. Anywho. Sadly for Toreth, the kid he beat up had a powerful Dad, and Toreth ends up beaten and chained to a wall, in a basement somewhere.. The plan is to kill Toreth, and it comes close, but thankfully everything works out..
Love, Love, Loved, that Toreth went home to Warrick, and slid under the duvet, while Warrick was sleeping!!
Yayyy, Toreth! So much progress!!
5 Stars
-------------------------------------------------
2nd story is Wait For It
Review:
LOVED IT!!!
This was a short, where Warrick, without wanting to, challenged Toreth to wait until "he couldnt stand it anymore." And the waiting was for sex. How long he could wait to have Warrick..
And it proved almost unbearable for Warrick, but what an amazing end!!
Yayyy, Toreth!! Thats why I love you, you SOB!
5 stars
-------------------------------------------------
3rd story is Caged
Review:
Love!! Just pure Love!
This was a trip to the zoo for Warrick and Toreth. First time for Toreth, and it ended up being a beautiful trip..
I just love Toreth more and more with every story!!
5 stars
-------------------------------------------------
4th story is Unaccustomed As I Am...
Review:
Yayyy!! Go Warrick!!
This is a cute, very short story, about Warrick telling Toreth, what he wants him to do to him, yes sexually speaking, right before Toreth has to go up on stage and give a speech to Sara, at her 10 year anniversary party, working for him!
And apparently, Warrick, also stole Toreth's notes for the speech! Yayy, Warrick! Love it!
5 stars
-------------------------------------------------
5th story is Helen
Review:
In this short, we meet Helen, who is a woman, Toreth did some bad things to, 12 years ago..
Warrick and Toreth are out on a date, when she appears in front of them.. of course Warrick is a bit shocked, but Toreth leaves, and goes home drinking, thinking that the meeting with Helen, will make Warrick leave him (not that they are a couple or anything, nooo of course not ;)
but Warrick lets himself into Toreth's flat, and tells him he's not going anywhere.. Anywho.. Toreth is too drunk to have sex, but asks Warrick not to leave... Awww...
Yayyyy, Toreth!!!
5 stars
-------------------------------------------------
6th story is Shopping, No Fucking
Review:
A cute short, where Toreth and Warrick, finally do go out shoppring for those curtains.. Just not for the windows.. :)
5 stars
-------------------------------------------------
7th story is Losing It
Review:
Losing it, is a short about Toreth "losing it" because of jealousy..
Cant help it, but I love the sick SOB.. What does that make me, though? Hmmm..
5 stars
-------------------------------------------------
8th story is 'Coming From America' (Not available online)
Review
I thought this was kinda weird.. We got a little longer short, from B-C's POV.. One of the guys on Toreths team. They get a strange case, about a guy from America, who's missing in Europe.. Anywho. We find out that in America, everything is run by faith, and that being gay is against the law.. Hmmm.. Where did the Author get that idea from? ;)
Anywho.. Yeah, so its´about finding the kid, and a way to get him home to America, so that Europe doesnt have to deal with him, I guess..
3 stars
-------------------------------------------------
All in all, this was a fantastic book!!! Getting better and better, the more Toreth opens up.. Aww, I love that guy.. Crazy, but I cant help it.. Now on to book 5!
May 26, 2016
This is my rating for this particular story, not the whole book, as I'm reading the e-versions. This was my second favorite Administration story. My favorite is Without The Game the story right before this one where Toreth is really freaked out about Warrick and can't even admit it to himself.
In this one we get more action and adventure and characterization like we got in the first novel. I really like that kind of thing. The plot whips along, there's danger and suspense, and it's nice to see Toreth showing he cares about someone even if he can't show his feelings like a normal human being.
For my take on Toreth's personality disorder/sociopathy, see my review of Without the Game.
In this one we get more action and adventure and characterization like we got in the first novel. I really like that kind of thing. The plot whips along, there's danger and suspense, and it's nice to see Toreth showing he cares about someone even if he can't show his feelings like a normal human being.
For my take on Toreth's personality disorder/sociopathy, see my review of Without the Game.
March 8, 2017
just perfect
I loved "Caged", truly anything from Warrick's pov is always fantastic but this was just excellent. It comes at just the right time in the progression of their relationship too. When he's pondering where to take Torreth and just playing him so carefully, and then thinking about wanting children some day (imagine Torreth as a dad... uh, yeah). Then the whole thing about comparing Torreth to a panther who has been caged his whole life and how Torreth reacts when he realizes Warrick is making this comparison.
All the stories were excellent but my favorites are always the ones between Warrick and Torreth.
I loved "Caged", truly anything from Warrick's pov is always fantastic but this was just excellent. It comes at just the right time in the progression of their relationship too. When he's pondering where to take Torreth and just playing him so carefully, and then thinking about wanting children some day (imagine Torreth as a dad... uh, yeah). Then the whole thing about comparing Torreth to a panther who has been caged his whole life and how Torreth reacts when he realizes Warrick is making this comparison.
All the stories were excellent but my favorites are always the ones between Warrick and Torreth.
September 11, 2011
This is only four stars because I am comparing with the other Administration books and I have to make a distinction between the merely great ones and the utterly awesome ones (i.e. First Against the Wall). If I were to compare with other m/m, this would probably end up with 7 stars out of 5 or so.
July 11, 2016
Control 4.0 (5 stars)
Wait For It 4.2 (5 stars)
Caged 4.3 (5 stars)
Unaccustomed As I Am... 4.4 (4 stars)
Helen 4.5 (5 stars)
Shopping, No Fucking 4.6 (3.5 stars)
Losing It 4.7 (5 stars)
Wait For It 4.2 (5 stars)
Caged 4.3 (5 stars)
Unaccustomed As I Am... 4.4 (4 stars)
Helen 4.5 (5 stars)
Shopping, No Fucking 4.6 (3.5 stars)
Losing It 4.7 (5 stars)
November 20, 2012
Control was very, very good. I love how Toreth's mind works, and I liked that he lost his control for once - he's just human, eh. I liked how Warrick helped him more than once.
The final statement of Wait for it: "Because that was as long as I could stand it" was simply perfect.
Caged - I love Toreth being bored and stubborn. Just saying.
I loved how Warrick played Toreth in Unaccustomed as I am.
Helen was rough read - it hurt to see Helen so broken and I understood how one's mind could be fucked. JFC.
Shopping, no Fucking was just fine. All I remember was:
Oh, and jealous Toreth in Losing It...
B-C's POV in Coming from America seemed naiive, I don't know why. At least I learned more about The Administration's world.
5 stars, even more.
The final statement of Wait for it: "Because that was as long as I could stand it" was simply perfect.
Caged - I love Toreth being bored and stubborn. Just saying.
I loved how Warrick played Toreth in Unaccustomed as I am.
Helen was rough read - it hurt to see Helen so broken and I understood how one's mind could be fucked. JFC.
Shopping, no Fucking was just fine. All I remember was:
Oh, and jealous Toreth in Losing It...
B-C's POV in Coming from America seemed naiive, I don't know why. At least I learned more about The Administration's world.
5 stars, even more.
January 29, 2015
The book was good, but not as good as the previous ones, and the novella's - i skimmed through the second one.
I really dislike Toreth, and maybe thats one of the reasons i am loosing interest in this, can't seem to reconcile cold blooded psychopaths as one of the main characters, i just once want him to show a tiny bit of empathy and hence have hope for him, but thats never going to happen
I really dislike Toreth, and maybe thats one of the reasons i am loosing interest in this, can't seem to reconcile cold blooded psychopaths as one of the main characters, i just once want him to show a tiny bit of empathy and hence have hope for him, but thats never going to happen
June 4, 2016
Read 7 of the 8 stories (all the free ones). Just love these boys, gotta keep reading the whole series..
'The shock of a sober Toreth turning over and saying anything like 'hold me' would probably kill him.' - Warrick
'The shock of a sober Toreth turning over and saying anything like 'hold me' would probably kill him.' - Warrick
October 26, 2014
3.5 stars
A good suspense plot although requires a bit of voluntary credulity for the speed it'ss resolved with.
Another layer from that future society —corporative, bureaucratic and perverse— disclosed.
A new kind of intimacy between Warrick and Toreth.
NEXT!
A good suspense plot although requires a bit of voluntary credulity for the speed it'ss resolved with.
Another layer from that future society —corporative, bureaucratic and perverse— disclosed.
A new kind of intimacy between Warrick and Toreth.
NEXT!
June 4, 2010
This series is like crack.
October 27, 2012
I liked the characters better in this than in Book 1
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Disclaimer: I have read the first volume of the Administration series, Mind F* [Amazon doesn’t allow profanity in reviews], but I didn’t find the characters terribly appealing, so I skipped ahead to this book, Volume 4, in order to see whether the characters had evolved. As a result, I can’t comment on how well this volume fits into the series as a whole.
Rating: 8/10
PROS:
- Continued excellence in the portrayal of a well-developed futuristic dystopian society. Very well done.
- Likeable characters (yay). After reading Book 1, I found neither of the main characters likeable enough to really care about how the story ended. After having read this volume, however, I consider both of them “good guys” and am a good deal more interested in them.
- I enjoyed the added insight into the characters (rather than a strong focus on plot) provided by the vignette-style format of the book. (see cons below also)
- Some brilliant political jabs at the current state of homosexuality vs. religion in the United States as depicted in a futuristic America parallel to the series’ New London.
CONS:
- The relationship between the two men is still frustrating. Both of them refrain from admitting (even to themselves) the depth of their feelings for each other, although there are moments of self-awareness that I found encouraging—as though at the end of say, Volume 6, the two leads MIGHT acknowledge the POSSIBILITY that they could…someday…perhaps…fall in love with each other. The nature of the relationship is at least treated with humor, as is evident when Warrick refers to Toreth at one point as his “something-like-a-partner.”
- The story is not as compelling as Book 1. This is to be expected, though, since the book’s format is several shorter segments (2 novellas and a few short stories) as opposed to a novel with a single story arc.
Overall comments: If you’ve read others of the Administration books, this is a good follow-up, particularly if you have been frustrated in the lack of emotional connection between Warrick and Toreth. If you’re not familiar with the series, I’m not sure this is the place to start.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Disclaimer: I have read the first volume of the Administration series, Mind F* [Amazon doesn’t allow profanity in reviews], but I didn’t find the characters terribly appealing, so I skipped ahead to this book, Volume 4, in order to see whether the characters had evolved. As a result, I can’t comment on how well this volume fits into the series as a whole.
Rating: 8/10
PROS:
- Continued excellence in the portrayal of a well-developed futuristic dystopian society. Very well done.
- Likeable characters (yay). After reading Book 1, I found neither of the main characters likeable enough to really care about how the story ended. After having read this volume, however, I consider both of them “good guys” and am a good deal more interested in them.
- I enjoyed the added insight into the characters (rather than a strong focus on plot) provided by the vignette-style format of the book. (see cons below also)
- Some brilliant political jabs at the current state of homosexuality vs. religion in the United States as depicted in a futuristic America parallel to the series’ New London.
CONS:
- The relationship between the two men is still frustrating. Both of them refrain from admitting (even to themselves) the depth of their feelings for each other, although there are moments of self-awareness that I found encouraging—as though at the end of say, Volume 6, the two leads MIGHT acknowledge the POSSIBILITY that they could…someday…perhaps…fall in love with each other. The nature of the relationship is at least treated with humor, as is evident when Warrick refers to Toreth at one point as his “something-like-a-partner.”
- The story is not as compelling as Book 1. This is to be expected, though, since the book’s format is several shorter segments (2 novellas and a few short stories) as opposed to a novel with a single story arc.
Overall comments: If you’ve read others of the Administration books, this is a good follow-up, particularly if you have been frustrated in the lack of emotional connection between Warrick and Toreth. If you’re not familiar with the series, I’m not sure this is the place to start.
February 4, 2013
Way to keep me strung all throughout the story!
Everything happening in the story seems to be for a reason, though not apparent at first. Foundation blocks that strengthen the story later on. And despite the cruelty sometimes displayed, sooner or later you end up attached to the characters. Very good read! Off to the next one!
Everything happening in the story seems to be for a reason, though not apparent at first. Foundation blocks that strengthen the story later on. And despite the cruelty sometimes displayed, sooner or later you end up attached to the characters. Very good read! Off to the next one!
June 26, 2009
Finding out actual facts about the Administration that previously were only hinted at was really nice, learning more about B-C was...well.
Fact is, B-C was one of my favourite supporting characters and I don't know if that can still hold true for me after Coming from America.
I love that he hooked up with Toreth and then was horrified by it.
I hate that he conforms to the Administration so mindlessly--Warrick may conform as well, but he sure does his best to bend rules for what he thinks right and he most certainly doesn't do it mindlessly.
I love that he's straight with really no prejudice.
In light of that, I hate even more what he did to that gay couple, because I am not so sure Toreth would have chosen this route to get out of the bad spot they were in.
B-C is just a product of his society, I know, but still. Makes me disappointed, unreasonably so, but still disappointed.
Fact is, B-C was one of my favourite supporting characters and I don't know if that can still hold true for me after Coming from America.
I love that he hooked up with Toreth and then was horrified by it.
I hate that he conforms to the Administration so mindlessly--Warrick may conform as well, but he sure does his best to bend rules for what he thinks right and he most certainly doesn't do it mindlessly.
I love that he's straight with really no prejudice.
In light of that, I hate even more what he did to that gay couple, because I am not so sure Toreth would have chosen this route to get out of the bad spot they were in.
B-C is just a product of his society, I know, but still. Makes me disappointed, unreasonably so, but still disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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