Dark Citadel: Masters of the Shadowlands 2

Hope we're not getting into a rut...

Book 1 sets up the series, introducing us to Master Z, the other masters, and Shadowlands in general. Here in this book, we're exploring the beginnings of Master Dan's and Kari's relationship, Master Dan having lost his wife and still mourns her while Kari wonders if she is a failure in the sex department because she can't really get off. She and a dom wannabe by the name of Buck are taking an intro-to-BDSM at Shadowlands to see if they want to get involve in the kink. Buck really is quite immature, and after meeting mature and solid doms like Master Z, Master Dan, and Master Raoul, she realizes she hates Buck's whininess and selfishness and jumps ship, siding with Master Dan who is only willing to demonstrate what it is to be a real sub... but only for one night. Since the death of his wife, he can't get over her, but it is always more than just that. Kari recognizes the genius that is Master Dan as a superb dom, but she is disappointed when told by others that he never takes on a sub for more than one night. Maybe he needs to relook at himself in a more-than-honest light as he demands of her. The sub isn't the only one that must be honest in a dom/sub relationship.

Nice story... but I get this feeling that I will be seeing repeats of the same over and over again in subsequent books in this series. That's my fear. I'm already seeing repeat descriptive phrases and responses in Book 2 that were rather original in Book 1. What does that bode for me in Book 3? If I see more of the same, Book 3 might be the furthest I'll go in this series. I can't stand repeats, even with TV series, let alone book series.

One of the reviewers of Book 1 complained about the lack of consent. I did not find that to be a problem because we are talking about someone who could be thought of as a mind reader (technically not as clear as a telepath, mind you). But the writer prepared me for that tug on my suspension of disbelief. I didn't find that as a problem. I have met a few counselors who could do it to a certain extent, so it's nothing knew. However, Master Dan does not even brag of telepathy, only that he is quite observant as he should be being that he is a detective. The good ones know how to interpret human body language and understand motives hidden behind behavior. There were some extremely grey areas in which the reviewer was more correct but about Book 2, not Book 1. I don't mind a little nonconsensual behavior, but as Master Dan pointed out more than once, if Kari didn't want to do something, all she had to do was to say her safe word which had not been forthcoming. Weirdly enough, the only time she used it was to call over DMs when Buck was trying to beat the crap out of Master Dan. So I still don't see a problem regarding lack of consent. Perhaps the reviewer has his/her own version of what s/he allows in his/her world of BSDM. Makes me wonder if s/he truly is a practitioner of BSDM rather than just a reader of BSDM. There is a difference.

The above begs for me to question a weakness in the choice of protagonists. Are they always going to be some obnoxious dom who doesn't care to follow the rules of Shadowlands? And why are these rule breakers being allowed in Shadowlands in the first place if Master Z can read minds and intents? Okay, so Buck was too immature, but there was that dreadful creep in Book 1 that groped Jessica inappropriately, even according to Shadowlands' rules. Don't know.

One of the things I never thought I'd encounter was a novel in which the POV switches over like craaaaazy! AUGH!! Even in the same paragraph!! I couldn't believe it! I knew there were some irregularities in Book 1, but that can be just a person's style. Well, in this book, it was a real grammatical error of the worst kind. If this continues in Book 3, then I won't be reading any further in this series.

So... I guess it all hinges on Book 3 now whether or not I'll continue the series. I'll let you know.

This was a reread.. (actually more than once) and I love Dan and Kari story and how they met.. Whew!!

OMG! What a great love story..... just to short! Loved this book❣️ ❤️