Rating: 4.5🌈
I have to admit that early on, my thoughts were that Slay Ride was just one more story about a group of psycho revenge killing brothers, a trope gaining popularity in LGBTQIA romance. The elements haven’t varied enough, 5 brothers, killing, torture, etc, so that only one or two authors have made it really fascinating.
But Slay Ride turns into something else that is side adjacent but still makes this storyline its own. The brothers here have a compelling history that King eventually weaves further into a larger plot line that gives the characters and this book a different feel and direction emotionally.
King does surprise me with the choices that are made narratively with the romances and themes. Mason, a vulnerable man whose attack begins the novel, starts a sexual relationship immediately with Gabe, one of the brothers. For me, that was problematic. Except that King starts to roll it back with more focus on the actual storyline, action, and finally, when Mason’s deep trauma over his ordeal surfaces, the real need for just contact and then therapy is recognized.
King has an Authors note at the beginning stating that this fiction is perhaps more in a gray area, than that of actually being dark fiction. After reading this, that’s pretty accurate. Any discussion of childhood trauma, sexual abuse, assault is off page, left to the reader’s mind, as well as any real torture is along those same lines.
I have included King’s trigger warnings below.
Slay Ride was a real surprise for me. It took my narrative expectations and gave them a great twist with the characters and plot. I connected with all the characters, I found myself invested in the multiple storylines, and, although I could have wished for a worse ending for the villains, I was satisfied with that ending.
Now I’m wondering if the next book will feature all of them or just one couple. Either way, I’ll be there to find out.
This is a definite yes !
Saint Brothers:
✓ Slay Ride #1
“TRIGGER WARNING This book contains on-page violence, torture, attempted rape, and off page mention of child abuse.”
Buy link
Slay Ride (Saint Brothers Book 1)
Blurb:
Christmas is a time for joy, family, and friends to gather around the tree and fill their hearts with love. Unfortunately, there are some people who don’t deserve happiness during the holidays.
Mason keeps to himself. His best friend, JJ, is the only one he chooses to be close to, plus his job keeps him busy. Excitement isn’t something he needs or wants in his life. One night, that all changes when he’s cornered, and his life is threatened. His saviors? Well, they turn out to be just as dangerous, and the mysteries surrounding them soon flip Mason’s world upside down.
Gabe and his brothers spend their lives making sure those who deserve death get what’s coming to them. The one person they never see coming is Mason. What for them should have been a simple rescue turns into even more chaos than they ever thought possible.
Enter the Saint brothers’ dark and twisted world on a slay ride that will have you on the edge of your seat, swooning for the bad boys, and trying to survive the fall of revenge.
**This was originally a short story that was part of the Christmas Anthology O Deadly Night Vol 1. It has since been expanded to a full-length novel. No Cliffhanger!
— Slay Ride (Saint Brothers Book 1) by Davidson King
• Publisher: (October 4, 2023)
• Publication date: October 4, 2023
• Print length: 220 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 