Reviewed by Elizabetta

TITLE: Prince of Tricks

SERIES: Demons of Elysium, #1

AUTHOR: Jane Kindred

PUBLISHER: Samhain Publishing

LENGTH: 375 pages

BLURB: When desire rises, angels will fall. One, by one, by one…

Demons of Elysium, Book 1

Over the past century, Belphagor has made a name for himself in Heaven’s Demon District as a cardsharp, thief, and charming rogue.

Though the airspirit is content with his own company, he enjoys applying the sweet sting of discipline to a willing backside. Angel, demon, even the occasional human. He’s not particular. Until a hotheaded young firespirit steals his purse—and his heart. Now he’s not sure who owns whom.

A former rent boy and cutpurse from the streets of Raqia, Vasily has never felt safer than in the arms—and at the feet—of the Prince of Tricks. He’s just not sure if Belphagor returns those feelings. There’s only one way to find out, but using a handsome, angelic duke to stir Belphagor’s jealousy backfires on them both.

When the duke frames Vasily for an attempted assassination as part of a revolutionary conspiracy, Belphagor will do whatever it takes to clear his boy’s name and expose the real traitor. Because for the first time in his life, the Prince of Tricks has something to lose.

Product Warnings

Contains erotic sex: m/m, m/m/m, m/m/m/m…oh hell. Let’s just say “mmmmmm!” and be done with it. Also one m/f scene. Smart discipline meted out with a great deal of love and charm. Erotic sex acts requiring copious amounts of elbow grease.

REVIEW:

Belphagor (Beli) is a very young-looking, old demon. He’s a fallen angel living in the Celestial Empire (aka. Heaven) where aging is slowed down. But there’s nothing slow about Beli. He’s a former rent-boy, now a gifted gambler with magic skills on the side. In fact, his skill with wingcasting, a game of rolled dice, earns him the title ‘Prince of Tricks’ and lots of heavenly cash. His fame precedes him.

Beli has other tricks up his sleeve; he is a gifted lover, a self-assured alpha who can suss just what his partners need, and deliver it with authority and tenderness. He is also newly-in-love with Vasily (Vasy), a young, fire demon. They have it hot for each other. In fact, Beli’s undeniable D/s prowess has all the demons and angels slobbering for him. It’s what keeps Vasy enthralled… and confused.

I’d decided long ago that if the conventional belief were true — that Heaven is filled with saints, sycophants and suck-ups — I wouldn’t be much interested in joining the club. Hell would be a hell of a lot more fun.

But this Heaven is a lusty, gritty place, where the citizens are divided into oppressed demons (fallen angels), and privileged angels. And where anything goes. Demons gamble and sell themselves, angels debauch and act like snots, sex is used for barter, and political conniving for power instigates revolutions. This is one happening party after all.

The author sets up a world, this heavenly sphere, that exists in parallel to the ‘world of Man’ and with many similarities to Soviet Russia. There are other connections — Beli uses a lot of Russian phrases and endearments (damn-me, what do half of them mean?!). And there are comparisons to the Russia of about one hundred years ago when Beli lived through that revolution and the overthrow of Tsar Nicolas. In Prince of Tricks, he uncovers a similar plot to overthrow heaven’s head angel, the Principality, Helison.

When Vasy is falsely implicated in a plot to kill Helison, Beli seeks the help of Phaleg, an angel in the principality’s guard. And things start to heat up.

The writing overall is a bit turgid for my taste, there is a lot of explaining vs. showing; going over stuff we already know is particularly irritating (it’s the ‘splaining, Lucy!!). But the action picks up towards the middle… so I like the second half better than the first.

And, My God, the sex scenes are hot. Mostly for their unique perversions. Big Note: It’s interesting that the scenes between Beli and the angel, Phaleg, are my favorites. They are not lovers, merely two men who need something from one another. It’s Phaleg’s discovery of his particular kink and his unquestioning lust for Beli that is so… compelling. Beli gets his number right away and has the poor angel begging for it. Yum.

“Phaleg,” said Belphagor. “I imagine you’ll want to take off your clothes. I have a feeling this is going to get messy.” 

“I don’t know how you’ve done this to me,” he (Phaleg) said mournfully. Belphagor brushed the golden hair away from the damp eyes and kissed the angel’s temple. “That’s all right, dear boy. No one ever does.”

So, yeah, Beli and Phaleg tear it up. It doesn’t help, either, that Vasy comes off as a bit dense throughout the story, he’s kind of a big lug. But there is an affection and tenderness between Beli and Vasi that is sweet.

Again, anything goes, here. Whooplah! There are different groupings of  m/m action… two, three, four men, or more, you got ’em! Hell, there’s even some m/f action, some light f/f action, and transgendered action… (you have to read it). The author clearly has no problem with throwing everything into the stew. And with gusto.

Unfortunately all this action-smacktion causes problems for Vasy, who loves Beli and already feels insecure about where he stands with him.  So be warned, if the main couple having other sexual partners is an issue, this may not be for you. For me, it’s no holds barred fantasy fun, and bring it on. It’s clear that Beli and Vasy are a couple who like kinky play and the playing is oh so very good.

Prince of Tricks has some creative world building. This looks to be the same world as the author’s previous House of Arkhangel’sk (m/f) series where Vasily and Belphagor have supporting roles. In Prince, though, it really is all about guy love. And while there is a sweet, sweet ending for Beli and Vasy, I have to say… at one point, Beli very considerately advises Phaleg to find someone to love, someone who will give him what he needs. I really want that story. I’d go for that in a hot minute.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: Samhain