David's Reviews > Secrets & Spires

Book three! Oh, no! Is this going to be the grand finale? It is the third book of a Fantasy series, so... is this a trilogy or something longer?

Well, I'll answer those questions first. It appears the first two books are something of a duology, both from David's perspective. Now, this one's from Khazak's and I suspect the next will be as well. Don't get me, wrong. It's all one big story, in episodes. Just like a comic book. [I'd love to see this series get a graphic novel adaption.] And I'm willing to bet that there's more to come. Or, at least, that's what I am hoping!

I'm a huge fan of Dominic N. Ashen. I devoured the first two books within 36 hours. I just couldn't put them down. When I was done, I realized I'd found two of the best books I've ever read. I've read a ton of Fantasy as I've been reading it since the 1970s. I've even gone back and re-read books one and two, twice! Plus, I've heard the audiobooks too. [Also, highly recommended!] As I've said previously, there are very few books that I've gone through three times.

Mr. Ashen had a winning formula: A fully-realized Fantasy world peopled with a broad cast of characters I fell in love with. Ragnar. Nylan. Brull. Khazak's three dads. Adam. Liss. There is propulsive pacing and plotting. A pair of MM romantic leads I cared deeply about. And, some of the hottest sex scenes I've ever come across, which included light BDSM (Yay!).

It all fit my tastes to a T. I am a huge fan of Orcs. For some reason, they just really turn me on. I've read just about every Orc/Human MM erotica story I can get my hands on. So, yes, I am a connoisseur of gay orc fiction. Ashen's books are absolutely the pinnacle of this sub-genre. The next best competitor doesn't even come close.

But with book three, he's thrown a wrench into my perfect formula. David is no longer the lead point of view character! [#$%@#!] They've left the orc city and the orc culture behind! [Curses, again!] He's added a bunch of straight people to the cast. Damnit, this book is just going to suck. I just know it.

I love Khazak. I fell head over heels in love with the orc. But as the new point of view lead? Can he really replace David? I had serious doubts. There's just no way he can be as funny or as interesting as my beloved endearing and hilarious David.

I'm very happy to say, that my misgivings were way off-base. I was utterly and completely wrong!

I love Secrets & Spires every bit as much as I loved the first two books. And I can't wait to see where book four will take us. (Please, tell me there's going to be a book four, Mr. Ashen.)

Khazak is a very entertaining lead and it deepens the reading experience to see things from his point of view. His life has had a major shake-up. After the big conclusion to book two, he gives up everything he has ever known to be with the love of his life. He's good with that decision and makes the best of it. That, in fact, made me love him all the more.

His life, and David's, is thrown into a difficult situation by the appearance of some new characters and new situations. It's fascinating, exciting, and fun. And very funny. Though the author has greatly changed everything up, all the parts still work together perfectly. This author has now completely won my trust and I will now follow him wherever he leads me.

Mr. Ashen's skill as a writer broadens and improves with every new publication and I am beyond delighted with the results.

This is a fantasy series that works beautifully from the painted cover (best one yet) to the map (which you'll find in the hardcover of book one), to the ongoing episodic story-telling, to the romance and the sex and the adventure and the characters and the pacing.

I just cannot recommend this sweet book, and the whole series, highly enough. Even if BDSM is not your thing, you'll find plenty to love in Mr. Ashen's brilliantly realized creation. By the ending, you'll be anticipating the author's next release, just as much as I am. There's some great gay genre fiction being made these days (something I've waited my whole life for) and Mr. Ashen is solidly one of the best. Trust me. You will love these books.

Here are a couple of links if you are interested in this author:
https://www.dominicashen.com/
https://www.patreon.com/dominicashen/...
https://archiveofourown.org/users/Dom...