Reviewed by Cheryl
TITLE: Phantom Master
SERIES: Romanian Chronicles #5
AUTHOR: Crawford Rhine
PUBLISHER: eXtasy Books
LENGTH: 275 Pages
RELEASE DATE: February 7, 2020
BLURB:
Nic had completed his years of Service and was now a wealthy independent marked man. He had grand plans to re-invent the take The Service had on delivering sex to non-marked men. He bought an old theater in Nashville and refurbished it into a sex club with live shows and Master-Servant experiences. It became apparent quickly that the theater was haunted and dangerous, but Nic felt safer there than anywhere. The day before the Grand Opening, Nic appealed to the ghost for a safe performance. He received a reply, but wasn’t sure if his deal was accepted or not. The opening goes off without a hitch. He begins to feel a pull towards the Phantom that was unlike any he had ever felt before. Together they seek answers to questions that are only found when Nic gives up total control to the Phantom.
REVIEW:
This book is definitely not a romance. There was little to no romancing going on, it was hard sex all the way.
Nic moved rapidly from man to man, sometimes more than one at a time, sometimes more than once. He then meets the Phantom and becomes a one ghost kind of guy, submitting himself entirely to his ghostly master.
For me, there was way too much gratuitous sex, which is not at all my cup of tea. I know that this part of the review will be the very thing that has many people rushing to buy it, but the review is mine so it stands as a criticism. There was a good, strong story that was spoiled by sex at least once in every chapter, usually more than once. That was too much for me.
The writing was fluid (possibly from the sea of cum) but it was often as stiff as a man’s cock, and I ended up skipping over parts. Grammatically it was virtually flawless, but I would have liked more emotional depth. I didn’t feel it, even when Nic was with the Phantom. It felt somewhat clinical with no real emotional depth, almost as if they were describing their emotions to someone else, rather than really feeling them.
The paranormal elements were well handled and subtle. I liked how it all felt perfectly normal and natural. I suppose that in a world with no women, where some men are marked as sex slaves at thirteen, a little magic can be taken in your stride. On the whole, the world building was seamless.
The characters were the best part of the story. There were so many of them that it would have been easy to lose some of them, but the author managed to keep them all distinct. I have my favourites, Wagner being one of them. I was disappointed Nic didn’t end up with him. I liked him.
I’m not so sure I liked the Phantom, even when he showed vulnerability at the end. One of my least favourite aspects of the book was the way in which the Phantom ensnared Nic. It doesn’t feel at all like a true BDSM M/s or D/s relationship. There was no proper discussion, no out, no safe word and the whole idea of a “one true Master” is awkward, and doesn’t really explain why Nic was so…stupid and reckless in his acceptance of everything his Master said and did. I don’t buy that it’s an accurate depiction of the lifestyle, or a safe one.
It might appear that I don’t like this book but that’s not entirely true. I did enjoy it and I’m certain there are many out there who will enjoy it a great deal more. I’m simply disappointed because the book could have been so much more.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS: