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Our Satyr Prince
Fear the Beast. Crave the Beast.
Aurelius Savair, twenty-one, can have any man he wants. Disinherited for his deviant lifestyle, the former heir to the throne of Mestibes has schemed and screwed his way back to prominence. But it isn’t enough – he yearns for all the power that was stolen from him. And suddenly, an opportunity comes to get it. War is looming, and the only man who can save his city is Calix Viralis, the mysterious crown prince of Ardora, the distant land of passion. Now, Aurelius must put his skills of seduction to the test. But in doing so, he will uncover Calix’s monstrous secret. And discover that his own ashen heart can burn once more.
Teigra Cosmin, eighteen, is living a wasted life. The best pegasus rider in Mestibes' history, she has been reduced to a grovelling bachelorette by her power-hungry mother. Worse, she is plagued by the life-destroying mistake that she can never allow herself to forget. But this all changes when she is sent with her cousin, Aurelius, on a dangerous mission. Now, she must take control of her own destiny, and make the soul-wrenching decision between saving her family’s legacy, or the powerful woman who fills her with forbidden desire.
Our Satyr Prince is a queer fantasy romance inspired by Ancient Greece, with a fresh twist on werewolves and where people aren't turning into werewolves on the moon, but satyrs, sirens, gorgons, phoenixes, and eidolons.
Aurelius Savair, twenty-one, can have any man he wants. Disinherited for his deviant lifestyle, the former heir to the throne of Mestibes has schemed and screwed his way back to prominence. But it isn’t enough – he yearns for all the power that was stolen from him. And suddenly, an opportunity comes to get it. War is looming, and the only man who can save his city is Calix Viralis, the mysterious crown prince of Ardora, the distant land of passion. Now, Aurelius must put his skills of seduction to the test. But in doing so, he will uncover Calix’s monstrous secret. And discover that his own ashen heart can burn once more.
Teigra Cosmin, eighteen, is living a wasted life. The best pegasus rider in Mestibes' history, she has been reduced to a grovelling bachelorette by her power-hungry mother. Worse, she is plagued by the life-destroying mistake that she can never allow herself to forget. But this all changes when she is sent with her cousin, Aurelius, on a dangerous mission. Now, she must take control of her own destiny, and make the soul-wrenching decision between saving her family’s legacy, or the powerful woman who fills her with forbidden desire.
Our Satyr Prince is a queer fantasy romance inspired by Ancient Greece, with a fresh twist on werewolves and where people aren't turning into werewolves on the moon, but satyrs, sirens, gorgons, phoenixes, and eidolons.
542 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2023
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July 4, 2023I’m on BookTube now! You can find my channel here! =)
Oh, WOW!
It’s been a while an author was able to get me THAT invested in their characters and plot!
I was so on board with all those intrigues and character arcs! Also hot damn! The plot twists! Some of them hit me like a brick! O_o
This was good! I want more! When can we get book two?!
Full RTC soon! I’ll have fun writing this one. ;-)
________________________________
It’s finally time to start reading Dylan’s baby and I’m so pumped for this, you have no idea!
I waited months to get this book into my hands and now I’m going to read the hell out of it. *lol*
And to give you a couple of pointers what it is about:
- Inspired by ancient Greece
- m/m relationship
- f/f relationship
- lots of LGBTQIA+ reps
- satyrs, gorgons, sirens, phoenixes and many more
- character growth and good character arcs
There are probably even more things I could have added but I just want to start reading this book so you’ll have to wait for my updates and bear with me. ;-P
Let’s go!!! (the excitement is real!!)
Find me on:
My Blog
Instagram
Oh, WOW!
It’s been a while an author was able to get me THAT invested in their characters and plot!
I was so on board with all those intrigues and character arcs! Also hot damn! The plot twists! Some of them hit me like a brick! O_o
This was good! I want more! When can we get book two?!
Full RTC soon! I’ll have fun writing this one. ;-)
________________________________
It’s finally time to start reading Dylan’s baby and I’m so pumped for this, you have no idea!
I waited months to get this book into my hands and now I’m going to read the hell out of it. *lol*
And to give you a couple of pointers what it is about:
- Inspired by ancient Greece
- m/m relationship
- f/f relationship
- lots of LGBTQIA+ reps
- satyrs, gorgons, sirens, phoenixes and many more
- character growth and good character arcs
There are probably even more things I could have added but I just want to start reading this book so you’ll have to wait for my updates and bear with me. ;-P
Let’s go!!! (the excitement is real!!)
Find me on:
My Blog
April 24, 2023
A tour de force in queer fantasy storytelling. The author -- charming, handsome and deeply, DEEPLY humble -- is clearly a master at constructing his Ancient Greek inspired world, while weaving in a good serving of plot-relevant spice, and characters who grow and change believably over the course of the romance-laced story.
The fresh twist of mixing vampire and werewolf tropes with Ancient Greek mythology is utterly inspired. It must have been a stroke of genius that led me . . . I MEAN HIM . . . to first develop this groundbreaking and pioneering series. I can't wait for the next book to be done already. Indeed, I am positively tumescent with anticipation.
The fresh twist of mixing vampire and werewolf tropes with Ancient Greek mythology is utterly inspired. It must have been a stroke of genius that led me . . . I MEAN HIM . . . to first develop this groundbreaking and pioneering series. I can't wait for the next book to be done already. Indeed, I am positively tumescent with anticipation.
February 11, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial. Honest review ahead!
If you like queer romance and fantasy settings, this book is for you. Some mythological stuff thrown into the mix (who doesn't love Greek mythology??), doused in spice.
All in all, be prepared for a spicy adventure with some great character development.
My only gripe (even with the lady stuff that's really not my jam) was how long it took for things to happen at the beginning. It felt long and slow to me. I know there is a lot of world building and set up, especially for a fantasy with so much political scheming and plotting, but I just struggled to get into it at the beginning.
Recommended for queer romantasy readers who aren't afraid of all the spice. 3.5 stars rounded up.
If you like queer romance and fantasy settings, this book is for you. Some mythological stuff thrown into the mix (who doesn't love Greek mythology??), doused in spice.
All in all, be prepared for a spicy adventure with some great character development.
My only gripe (even with the lady stuff that's really not my jam) was how long it took for things to happen at the beginning. It felt long and slow to me. I know there is a lot of world building and set up, especially for a fantasy with so much political scheming and plotting, but I just struggled to get into it at the beginning.
Recommended for queer romantasy readers who aren't afraid of all the spice. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Read
June 26, 2023The author snagged my attention directly from the start! Opening with an action packed chapter that dangled just a morsel of intrigue. Great pacing with short digestiabke chapters made the reading experience so enjoyable. Dylan’s writing is very atmospheric and his descriptions really dropped me into this world he’s created. I can’t wait to see where he takes us with this series and with his other writing endeavors.
May 18, 2023
3.75 / 5
I am a complete sucker for queer fantasy, and as soon as I saw the cover for this one, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Add onto that the fact that Our Satyr Prince is heavily inspired by Greek mythology, has queer central characters and relationships, and a fully fleshed out world that Dylan Drakes created with detailed politics and motivations (just look at that map), I was so ready to dive in.
Synopsis ⤐
Our Satyr Prince being a debut (I think?), I was naturally curious as to see how well Drakes could tackle the entry to what appeared to be a sprawling fantasy series. In my readerly opinion (lol), I think he established his world quite well and laid down the foundations for what could be an epic saga, and also invested me in his characters too. We follow Aurelius, a cunning and brazen viper who trades in sex and secrets in the court of Mestibes, and Teigra, a skittish but compassionate young woman who just wants to do good by her family. Together, Aurelius and Teigra must travel north to a foreign polity to try and stave off an impending war that has the chance to wipe out Mestibes for good.
My Thoughts ⤐
To begin with: I think that Dylan Drakes truly shines in his character work. Aurelius is such a fascinating main character, I loved how absolutely awful he is. He is purely selfish, and while he is certainly highly intelligent, his flaws are made apparent as the book goes on. He borders on being a villain, and in some parts I really do think he is a villain of this story, but he still has shreds of good that I think will be really interesting to see explored in the following books. Teigra is a character who deserves the world but gets beaten down time and time again by forces out of her control, and I yearned for her to just find herself and feel love for the first time so badly. Drakes really put his heart into these characters and made them captivating protagonists that stand out from many in the genre.
Where I feel like I personally was left wanting was with Aurelius and Prince Calix of Ardora, and I think I might be in the minority for this one. I'm someone who loves a slow burn romance with lots of tension, which I didn't really feel for this couple personally. This isn't a critique of the work, just my own personal preference, but I was back and forth with the passion I felt for these two. It wasn't really insta-love but I didn't think they had as much moments together as I wanted going into the third act.
With the stage established, and the rising political unease throughout Dynosia, I am absolutely PRIMED for what is to come next. I think Drakes has a lot of potential with this first installment to really go interesting places with these characters and this world.
A big thank you to Mr. Dylan Drakes for giving me an ARC of Our Satyr Prince - all opinions are my own.
I am a complete sucker for queer fantasy, and as soon as I saw the cover for this one, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Add onto that the fact that Our Satyr Prince is heavily inspired by Greek mythology, has queer central characters and relationships, and a fully fleshed out world that Dylan Drakes created with detailed politics and motivations (just look at that map), I was so ready to dive in.
Synopsis ⤐
Our Satyr Prince being a debut (I think?), I was naturally curious as to see how well Drakes could tackle the entry to what appeared to be a sprawling fantasy series. In my readerly opinion (lol), I think he established his world quite well and laid down the foundations for what could be an epic saga, and also invested me in his characters too. We follow Aurelius, a cunning and brazen viper who trades in sex and secrets in the court of Mestibes, and Teigra, a skittish but compassionate young woman who just wants to do good by her family. Together, Aurelius and Teigra must travel north to a foreign polity to try and stave off an impending war that has the chance to wipe out Mestibes for good.
My Thoughts ⤐
To begin with: I think that Dylan Drakes truly shines in his character work. Aurelius is such a fascinating main character, I loved how absolutely awful he is. He is purely selfish, and while he is certainly highly intelligent, his flaws are made apparent as the book goes on. He borders on being a villain, and in some parts I really do think he is a villain of this story, but he still has shreds of good that I think will be really interesting to see explored in the following books. Teigra is a character who deserves the world but gets beaten down time and time again by forces out of her control, and I yearned for her to just find herself and feel love for the first time so badly. Drakes really put his heart into these characters and made them captivating protagonists that stand out from many in the genre.
Where I feel like I personally was left wanting was with Aurelius and Prince Calix of Ardora, and I think I might be in the minority for this one. I'm someone who loves a slow burn romance with lots of tension, which I didn't really feel for this couple personally. This isn't a critique of the work, just my own personal preference, but I was back and forth with the passion I felt for these two. It wasn't really insta-love but I didn't think they had as much moments together as I wanted going into the third act.
With the stage established, and the rising political unease throughout Dynosia, I am absolutely PRIMED for what is to come next. I think Drakes has a lot of potential with this first installment to really go interesting places with these characters and this world.
A big thank you to Mr. Dylan Drakes for giving me an ARC of Our Satyr Prince - all opinions are my own.
June 12, 2023
Aurelius Savair, branded as a deviant and disowned, has been making his way through life in the city of Mestibes by trading in secrets and sex. He is cunning and will use every little morsel of information to get what he wants. After the death of his aunt, the previous herald to Ardora, Aurelius finds himself with an opportunity; seduce the prince of Arora (Calix) and convince them to aid Mestibes in fighting off an approaching military threat and, in exchange, he will be made the proper heir and welcomed back into his family. With his cousin Teigra along for the ride as the low envoy to Ardora, the pair will find themselves making decisions for their own interests rather than each others as infighting and intrigue threaten to dismantle their plans.
While I was eager to read this book because I've grown to be fairly good friends with the author, I was worried about how I would feel about it. While I enjoy a good fantasy novel they're not my first pick (I sometimes get frustrated when being dumped into a world with all those made up words I'm expected to inherently know). While Our Satyr Prince does do a bit of that, Drakes does a phenomenal job of mitigating that overwhelming feeling by explaining things as they become pertinent. I learned quickly to trust him to lead me through the narrative. I love Greek mythology so that portion of the premise really intrigued me and this delivers. A fresh take on some of the mythological creatures that have always interested me. Plus, my favorite character, Jaspar Accola, the, honestly, adorable bumbling minotaur should be in everything ever and be the happiest boy.
The world feels lived in and obviously the history is very well thought out. Drakes created some very interesting characters all of whom feel unique. There is an interesting dichotomy between how I felt about Tiegra and Aurelius through various parts of the book. I sorta hated Aurelius at the beginning of the book and loved meek little Tiegra and this affection wavered all through the book for both of them. In the end both are sympathetic and both have grown. Calix is very much the standard "buff-dude-hot-prince-struggling-with-something-internal" archetype but I wouldn't change that at all. I still love Jaspar the most. :P
The story is long but doesn't feel dense or overwritten. The ENDING. I cannot. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series and am really excited to read the prequel novella that is releasing on the same day as this.
4.5/5 stars rounded up
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
While I was eager to read this book because I've grown to be fairly good friends with the author, I was worried about how I would feel about it. While I enjoy a good fantasy novel they're not my first pick (I sometimes get frustrated when being dumped into a world with all those made up words I'm expected to inherently know). While Our Satyr Prince does do a bit of that, Drakes does a phenomenal job of mitigating that overwhelming feeling by explaining things as they become pertinent. I learned quickly to trust him to lead me through the narrative. I love Greek mythology so that portion of the premise really intrigued me and this delivers. A fresh take on some of the mythological creatures that have always interested me. Plus, my favorite character, Jaspar Accola, the, honestly, adorable bumbling minotaur should be in everything ever and be the happiest boy.
The world feels lived in and obviously the history is very well thought out. Drakes created some very interesting characters all of whom feel unique. There is an interesting dichotomy between how I felt about Tiegra and Aurelius through various parts of the book. I sorta hated Aurelius at the beginning of the book and loved meek little Tiegra and this affection wavered all through the book for both of them. In the end both are sympathetic and both have grown. Calix is very much the standard "buff-dude-hot-prince-struggling-with-something-internal" archetype but I wouldn't change that at all. I still love Jaspar the most. :P
The story is long but doesn't feel dense or overwritten. The ENDING. I cannot. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series and am really excited to read the prequel novella that is releasing on the same day as this.
4.5/5 stars rounded up
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 28, 2023
I won't trust any more "ancient Greece inspired" books, thanks Dylan.
This book's marketing is as misleading as it could be, and I'm basing my statement on the little I've read, because no, I won't be finishing it. It only took 4% of the book (even though I got a lot farther than that, it did not get better) to understand not only that I hated it, but that the "ancient Greece" inspiration in this book was actually "ancient Rome" inspiration mixed with a few ancient grecian elements and lot of "yeah this is a fantasy book with a lot of world building that will eventually make sense, probably, but probably not!"; a lot of names are Latin, main character's name included; togas and stolas were worn in, you guessed it, ancient Rome; patricians were... yeah, not Greek. There were so many of these little but notable inaccuracies that I'm sure I missed a lot of them.
This superficiality also affects the poor world building, which consists of a painful rewriting of Greek mythology with names and stories that have no business sounding so dumb and the most incomprehensible disregard for the only thing that an "ancient Greece inspired" book with a queer cast could have both gone away with and benefited from: queernormativity. I haven't even read the whole book, but the amount of times I've had to read that the main character is a "pervert" or "degenerate" made me uncomfortable, even though I absolutely despise the main character; he might not be a "pervert" because of his preference of partners, but he is a classist, manipulative, xenophobic, opportunist and coward bastard, and the only thing that would make me finish the book is the possibility of seeing him suffer. I'm not sorry. But I am grateful for not having to watch unfold what seems to be an instalust relationship between the main character and the himbo that the love interest is.
Lastly, the writing is...something. I haven't seen such an abuse of exclamation points since I've flipped through a children's book, and the amount of infodumps, anachronistic terms, uselessly long descriptions, and almost indecipherable paragraphs that require a few readings to be understood made the read even more... embarrassing? I can't explain how, but this book made me feel both indignified rage and second hand embarrassment due to how the characters seem more like caricatures than actual human beings.
This book was not for me and had this accurately been marketed as "generic pre-industrial fantasy world with a queer cast in a heteronormative society" I would have stayed away from it.
I received an eARC of the book from the author and this represents my honest opinion.
This book's marketing is as misleading as it could be, and I'm basing my statement on the little I've read, because no, I won't be finishing it. It only took 4% of the book (even though I got a lot farther than that, it did not get better) to understand not only that I hated it, but that the "ancient Greece" inspiration in this book was actually "ancient Rome" inspiration mixed with a few ancient grecian elements and lot of "yeah this is a fantasy book with a lot of world building that will eventually make sense, probably, but probably not!"; a lot of names are Latin, main character's name included; togas and stolas were worn in, you guessed it, ancient Rome; patricians were... yeah, not Greek. There were so many of these little but notable inaccuracies that I'm sure I missed a lot of them.
This superficiality also affects the poor world building, which consists of a painful rewriting of Greek mythology with names and stories that have no business sounding so dumb and the most incomprehensible disregard for the only thing that an "ancient Greece inspired" book with a queer cast could have both gone away with and benefited from: queernormativity. I haven't even read the whole book, but the amount of times I've had to read that the main character is a "pervert" or "degenerate" made me uncomfortable, even though I absolutely despise the main character; he might not be a "pervert" because of his preference of partners, but he is a classist, manipulative, xenophobic, opportunist and coward bastard, and the only thing that would make me finish the book is the possibility of seeing him suffer. I'm not sorry. But I am grateful for not having to watch unfold what seems to be an instalust relationship between the main character and the himbo that the love interest is.
Lastly, the writing is...something. I haven't seen such an abuse of exclamation points since I've flipped through a children's book, and the amount of infodumps, anachronistic terms, uselessly long descriptions, and almost indecipherable paragraphs that require a few readings to be understood made the read even more... embarrassing? I can't explain how, but this book made me feel both indignified rage and second hand embarrassment due to how the characters seem more like caricatures than actual human beings.
This book was not for me and had this accurately been marketed as "generic pre-industrial fantasy world with a queer cast in a heteronormative society" I would have stayed away from it.
I received an eARC of the book from the author and this represents my honest opinion.
June 22, 2023
I’ve just finished the book and wow!! I’ve got a lot of things to say!!
I didn’t really like it unfortunately… 😕
The plot wasn't really interesting and the characters were a bit meh
The very start of the book was really gripping, even if a sex scene in the very first chapter is a bit offputting! The story was not what I was expecting but what I didn’t really like were the characters…why would they say and do the things they did?? The Main Character, DD, at like…20% in made a ngl story, and a secondary character, whom I really relate to decided to ask a genuine question on the main character’s choice of means for promoting his activity, which is very harmful to the group of background characters called the Artists, since it scrapes from their own art. The secondary character knew that the topic was very ‘controversial’, because usually people that don’t know much about it get defensive, and was counting on the anonymity to avoid being attacked. At this point in the book I was kind of enjoying myself, since I had been very curious to witness the main character’s product of his hard work! However, DD decided to treat the secondary character that asked the genuine question in such a petty way…why would he do that?? And then (we’re at like…60% of the book here) DD reveals that he knew who really was behind the question! What a plot twist! He decided to let the secondary character know about it in a sort of…threatening way maybe? And decided to give the secondary character more petty attitude! Again, why would the Main Character do this? And then he blocks all type of communication with the secondary character!! Imagine my surprise when the secondary character then finds out that DD had once made his opinion on the matter public in the past!! Whew, what a rollercoaster of emotions…
The worldbuilding was really something!
And that ending…wow
The main character has lots of friends though, it's funny how they're such loyal dogs! The fact that there were sooo many characters was also a bit much in terms of remembering the names but oh well
I didn’t really like it unfortunately… 😕
The plot wasn't really interesting and the characters were a bit meh
The very start of the book was really gripping, even if a sex scene in the very first chapter is a bit offputting! The story was not what I was expecting but what I didn’t really like were the characters…why would they say and do the things they did?? The Main Character, DD, at like…20% in made a ngl story, and a secondary character, whom I really relate to decided to ask a genuine question on the main character’s choice of means for promoting his activity, which is very harmful to the group of background characters called the Artists, since it scrapes from their own art. The secondary character knew that the topic was very ‘controversial’, because usually people that don’t know much about it get defensive, and was counting on the anonymity to avoid being attacked. At this point in the book I was kind of enjoying myself, since I had been very curious to witness the main character’s product of his hard work! However, DD decided to treat the secondary character that asked the genuine question in such a petty way…why would he do that?? And then (we’re at like…60% of the book here) DD reveals that he knew who really was behind the question! What a plot twist! He decided to let the secondary character know about it in a sort of…threatening way maybe? And decided to give the secondary character more petty attitude! Again, why would the Main Character do this? And then he blocks all type of communication with the secondary character!! Imagine my surprise when the secondary character then finds out that DD had once made his opinion on the matter public in the past!! Whew, what a rollercoaster of emotions…
The worldbuilding was really something!
And that ending…wow
The main character has lots of friends though, it's funny how they're such loyal dogs! The fact that there were sooo many characters was also a bit much in terms of remembering the names but oh well
June 18, 2023
A bunch of reviews saying there's an ff romance and like y'all WHERE!? Did we read the same book, because there was NOT one. Teigra is so far up comp hets ass, idk if she would even ever admit she was queer. There is one single kiss between Teigra and another woman and she didn't like it. Maybe she'll get a romance in the series, but there definitely wasn't one in this installment.
The MMC calls himself a pervert in his first chapter and for a minute I was like bc you’re gay?? Or was that kid who just gave you a blowjob like an actual child? (The giver was the same age ultimately) but it was weird. I thought I was getting queer-normative Greek fantasy, but this was almost the exact opposite. There was so much homophobia! Also Aurelius at one point thinks about using his love interests queerness to blackmail him and idk it was not a comfy feeling!
If y'all like political intrigue and betrayal, this is the book for you because both the MCs make so many stupid decisions. And they betray one another more than once! Especially Aurelius! He fucks Teigra over more than once just because he can and he's petty. Sure he isn't winning by the end of the book, but it felt so unbalanced towards Teigra.
IDK about this one y'all.
Rep: white gay cis male MC, white unsure cis female MC (she is so far up comp het I have no idea) with anxiety, white homoromantic bisexual cis male side character, sapphic cis female side character (maybe? hard to say), Greek world.
The MMC calls himself a pervert in his first chapter and for a minute I was like bc you’re gay?? Or was that kid who just gave you a blowjob like an actual child? (The giver was the same age ultimately) but it was weird. I thought I was getting queer-normative Greek fantasy, but this was almost the exact opposite. There was so much homophobia! Also Aurelius at one point thinks about using his love interests queerness to blackmail him and idk it was not a comfy feeling!
If y'all like political intrigue and betrayal, this is the book for you because both the MCs make so many stupid decisions. And they betray one another more than once! Especially Aurelius! He fucks Teigra over more than once just because he can and he's petty. Sure he isn't winning by the end of the book, but it felt so unbalanced towards Teigra.
IDK about this one y'all.
Rep: white gay cis male MC, white unsure cis female MC (she is so far up comp het I have no idea) with anxiety, white homoromantic bisexual cis male side character, sapphic cis female side character (maybe? hard to say), Greek world.
May 28, 2023
4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ARC Review - I feel so honored to have been accepted as one of the pixies for the ARC readers!
TW: racial/religious prejudice, homophobia, trauma, domestic violence, gore, sexual harm, and explicit sexual content
Politics, scandals, and betrayal - oh my! I always find these stories fascinating! The characters all have their own motives and reasonings to get what they want, even if it means betraying those around them. Family or not, no one is safe when it comes to rebuilding ones reputation and status.
The characters are all charming. I don't want to go into detail about what I thought of many of them because I don't want to spoil anything, but I will say... Jaspar has my heart, I want to protect that boy with all of my might.
Also I loved that it had a full queer spectrum of characters represented in it! The queerer the better, I say. ;)
When it comes to the worldbuilding, I love that Dylan took inspiration from ancient Greece and mythologies but was able to make his own world and lore that felt new and fresh. I have always been a fan of Greek mythology and retellings, so I really enjoyed reading a book that had the atmosphere of those beloved stories.
So in conclusion, I absolutely loved this book and was sad when I read the words "the end." I can't wait for book 2!
ARC Review - I feel so honored to have been accepted as one of the pixies for the ARC readers!
TW: racial/religious prejudice, homophobia, trauma, domestic violence, gore, sexual harm, and explicit sexual content
Politics, scandals, and betrayal - oh my! I always find these stories fascinating! The characters all have their own motives and reasonings to get what they want, even if it means betraying those around them. Family or not, no one is safe when it comes to rebuilding ones reputation and status.
The characters are all charming. I don't want to go into detail about what I thought of many of them because I don't want to spoil anything, but I will say... Jaspar has my heart, I want to protect that boy with all of my might.
Also I loved that it had a full queer spectrum of characters represented in it! The queerer the better, I say. ;)
When it comes to the worldbuilding, I love that Dylan took inspiration from ancient Greece and mythologies but was able to make his own world and lore that felt new and fresh. I have always been a fan of Greek mythology and retellings, so I really enjoyed reading a book that had the atmosphere of those beloved stories.
So in conclusion, I absolutely loved this book and was sad when I read the words "the end." I can't wait for book 2!
May 1, 2023
An amazing debut by Dylan! Quite frankly, I'm shocked that it took me less than 2 days to finish the book... I was obsessed with the story and couldn't put the book down.
The synopsis was very promising and had elements of things I love: fantasy, queer romance, Ancient Greece vibes. An excellent start in the beginning of the book was TWs list, always a huge help for those who are sensitive to certain topics.
I don't want to go into the story itself(the synopsis covers that quite well), but let me just tell you that it was captivating. Sure, there are many names & places, some words that might not be so well known/used by non-English speakers. However, I enjoyed the beauty of Dylan's world building, the descriptions of cities & characters. The text was almost poetic, so lovely to read and it really sucks you in.
What a great start of the series! Very excited to see what comes next.
Thank you for the ARC!
The synopsis was very promising and had elements of things I love: fantasy, queer romance, Ancient Greece vibes. An excellent start in the beginning of the book was TWs list, always a huge help for those who are sensitive to certain topics.
I don't want to go into the story itself(the synopsis covers that quite well), but let me just tell you that it was captivating. Sure, there are many names & places, some words that might not be so well known/used by non-English speakers. However, I enjoyed the beauty of Dylan's world building, the descriptions of cities & characters. The text was almost poetic, so lovely to read and it really sucks you in.
What a great start of the series! Very excited to see what comes next.
Thank you for the ARC!
July 25, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley for the book.
I found it very hard to read and finish this book. The main characters are the worst and in general I found I was rooting for no one. The main male lead is manipulative, a terrible person and just meh. The female lead seems to be in the story to basically be a stomping post for all the other characters.
This was very much a finish to be done rather than enjoying the book.
I saw that there was a few LGBTQIA+ characters and was hard pressed to find them. I’m also a bit tired of fantasy stories including real world issues and not allowing these worlds that have been created to be better than what’s happening IRL.
The book ends on what I assume is meant to be a cliffhanger which leads into a sequel but I personally won’t be looking out for it.
I found it very hard to read and finish this book. The main characters are the worst and in general I found I was rooting for no one. The main male lead is manipulative, a terrible person and just meh. The female lead seems to be in the story to basically be a stomping post for all the other characters.
This was very much a finish to be done rather than enjoying the book.
I saw that there was a few LGBTQIA+ characters and was hard pressed to find them. I’m also a bit tired of fantasy stories including real world issues and not allowing these worlds that have been created to be better than what’s happening IRL.
The book ends on what I assume is meant to be a cliffhanger which leads into a sequel but I personally won’t be looking out for it.
Shelved as 'on-hiatus'
May 6, 2023I mean, Greek mythology with mm AND ff romance? Sign me up. I only wish it was already June!
June 13, 2023
ARC BOOK REVIEW/ Our Satyr Prince (Myth Shifters #1) by Dylan Drakes
DATES READ; 2nd - 13th June 2023
STAR RATING; ★★★.5
GENRE; Adult Fantasy
REP; Lgbtqia+ & mental illness
FORMAT; Ebook
PUBLISHED DATE; 13th June 2023 (today)
TW/CW’s; sexual harm, dubious consent, toxic familial & past romantic relationships, abuse (physical, child & verbal), gaslighting, coercion, blackmail, mind control, explicit sexual content & nudity, murder & attempted murder, death & animal death, grief & loss, war themes, violence, physical assault, blood & gore, near-death experience, drowning, injury & injury details, threatening behaviour, discrimination & prejudiced language, homophobia, bi-erasure, classism, bullying, anxiety, PTSD, trauma, infidelity and alcohol consumption (𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬!)
“𝐼 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑥,” 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝐴𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑢𝑠, 𝑎𝑠 ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒. “𝐼 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜𝑜, 𝐴𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑢𝑠,” 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑟.
THOUGHTS
I was gifted this book by the author in return for an honest review. As their debut novel I can say that this book leaves you wanting to know more about the characters and what happens next. It’s mysterious, spicy, has amazing world-building, a little angsty, political & familial drama and while the romance was a little fast-paced than I expected and I wished we got to see it develop a little slower, the amount of LGBTQIA+ rep in this book made up for it.
The book is told from two POV’s; Aurelius & his younger cousin Teigra. Aurelius comes across quite selfish, whereas Teigra is more thoughtful and wants to help her family. Throughout the book these two characters, have many disagreements, go through betrayals, learn secrets about one another and themselves, whilst also trying to stop a war from occurring.
If you enjoy Greek mythology, that have queer characters and lots of spice then this will be a book for you!! It is now available for purchase on Amazon so grab yourself a copy now! Thank you so much Dylan for allowing me the chance to read your book!
DATES READ; 2nd - 13th June 2023
STAR RATING; ★★★.5
GENRE; Adult Fantasy
REP; Lgbtqia+ & mental illness
FORMAT; Ebook
PUBLISHED DATE; 13th June 2023 (today)
TW/CW’s; sexual harm, dubious consent, toxic familial & past romantic relationships, abuse (physical, child & verbal), gaslighting, coercion, blackmail, mind control, explicit sexual content & nudity, murder & attempted murder, death & animal death, grief & loss, war themes, violence, physical assault, blood & gore, near-death experience, drowning, injury & injury details, threatening behaviour, discrimination & prejudiced language, homophobia, bi-erasure, classism, bullying, anxiety, PTSD, trauma, infidelity and alcohol consumption (𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬!)
“𝐼 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑥,” 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝐴𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑢𝑠, 𝑎𝑠 ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒. “𝐼 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜𝑜, 𝐴𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑢𝑠,” 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑟.
THOUGHTS
I was gifted this book by the author in return for an honest review. As their debut novel I can say that this book leaves you wanting to know more about the characters and what happens next. It’s mysterious, spicy, has amazing world-building, a little angsty, political & familial drama and while the romance was a little fast-paced than I expected and I wished we got to see it develop a little slower, the amount of LGBTQIA+ rep in this book made up for it.
The book is told from two POV’s; Aurelius & his younger cousin Teigra. Aurelius comes across quite selfish, whereas Teigra is more thoughtful and wants to help her family. Throughout the book these two characters, have many disagreements, go through betrayals, learn secrets about one another and themselves, whilst also trying to stop a war from occurring.
If you enjoy Greek mythology, that have queer characters and lots of spice then this will be a book for you!! It is now available for purchase on Amazon so grab yourself a copy now! Thank you so much Dylan for allowing me the chance to read your book!
May 29, 2023
I want to say thank you first up for allowing me an arc.
This book has LGBTQIA+ representation with mm and ff, the spice scenes are amazing, Greek mythology, the author is fantastic at world building. If any of these things interest you the book is currently for preorder for just 0.99 USD. Pick it up asap.
This book has LGBTQIA+ representation with mm and ff, the spice scenes are amazing, Greek mythology, the author is fantastic at world building. If any of these things interest you the book is currently for preorder for just 0.99 USD. Pick it up asap.
June 11, 2023
An Ancient Greece inspired novel with both mlm and wlw romances, amazing storytelling, a refreshing take on fantasy, queer characters, and SPICE. All while centering around royalty, power, family, and love. From debut author Dylan Drakes— who by the way is one of the nicest people I have ever interacted with— Our Satyr Prince truly has something for everyone.
As I mentioned, Drakes is one of the kindest people I have worked with and put so much dedication into promoting this book and interacting with the people reviewing it— pixies! You would never tell from reading that this is his debut novel as his style is so amazing to read. Each character gets their own unique voice that just adds so much to the complex world he has developed.
I’m gonna be honest, Greek Mythology is my Thing… but spice is not. I can confidently say I read this book for the plot. However, I was not mad at the spice. In fact, I think it added a lot to some of the characters! I highlight this because I think this book is amazing but it is definitely only for an older audience. If you’re over 18 and whether you love spice or you hate it, this book can be for you.
Lastly, as a lesbian reader that loves Ancient Greece, romance, fantasy, and reading in general— there is never enough wlw representation. Drakes says in his introduction for Teigra that she shaped the whole narrative to make it more inclusive for all queer people. That made this novel much more special to me as it may not have been as easily marketable, but is much more inclusive. It was definitely the right choice to include her, and shows just how much love was put into this book!
Our Satyr Prince is queer inclusive and Ancient Greek inspired, filled with family drama, fights for power, oh and have I mentioned spice? Definitely worth the read and thank you to Drakes for including me in the ARC for his first book. I look forward to reading what he comes out with next :)
As I mentioned, Drakes is one of the kindest people I have worked with and put so much dedication into promoting this book and interacting with the people reviewing it— pixies! You would never tell from reading that this is his debut novel as his style is so amazing to read. Each character gets their own unique voice that just adds so much to the complex world he has developed.
I’m gonna be honest, Greek Mythology is my Thing… but spice is not. I can confidently say I read this book for the plot. However, I was not mad at the spice. In fact, I think it added a lot to some of the characters! I highlight this because I think this book is amazing but it is definitely only for an older audience. If you’re over 18 and whether you love spice or you hate it, this book can be for you.
Lastly, as a lesbian reader that loves Ancient Greece, romance, fantasy, and reading in general— there is never enough wlw representation. Drakes says in his introduction for Teigra that she shaped the whole narrative to make it more inclusive for all queer people. That made this novel much more special to me as it may not have been as easily marketable, but is much more inclusive. It was definitely the right choice to include her, and shows just how much love was put into this book!
Our Satyr Prince is queer inclusive and Ancient Greek inspired, filled with family drama, fights for power, oh and have I mentioned spice? Definitely worth the read and thank you to Drakes for including me in the ARC for his first book. I look forward to reading what he comes out with next :)
June 19, 2023
3.75 rounded up to 4 stars.
This book blends the richness of the ancient Greek world with the addictive allure of a more nuanced reality television show.
This is a Greek-inspired fantasy that offers a refreshing take on monstrous creatures, fusing werewolves and vampires with ancient monsters. The well-crafted world, intertwined with familiar elements, immerses readers in a richly developed setting. The political intrigue, scandals, and frequent betrayals intertwine to create a narrative that keeps readers on their toes. Each character harbors their own motives and desires, often at the expense of others, resulting in a tantalizing web of intricate relationships and power dynamics. While the pacing of the story may falter slightly towards the end, with plot-relevant events occurring in rapid succession without sufficient time for reflection, the story's enthralling political dynamics and flawed yet captivating protagonists make it an engaging read.
The characters within this tale are beautifully flawed, existing in a morally ambiguous realm that adds depth and complexity to the overall narrative. From selfishness to charm, their multifaceted nature and sometimes disconcerting actions lend an authenticity that breathes life into their realistic portrayal. While the intricate depiction of these characters greatly fascinated me, I acknowledge that their multitude of flaws might pose a challenge for some readers when it comes to fully embracing and championing them.
Ultimately, this book offers a quick yet immersive reading experience, enriched by good queer representation and a compelling MM romance filled with palpable yearning.
I received an arc copy from the author and this is my honest review.
This book blends the richness of the ancient Greek world with the addictive allure of a more nuanced reality television show.
This is a Greek-inspired fantasy that offers a refreshing take on monstrous creatures, fusing werewolves and vampires with ancient monsters. The well-crafted world, intertwined with familiar elements, immerses readers in a richly developed setting. The political intrigue, scandals, and frequent betrayals intertwine to create a narrative that keeps readers on their toes. Each character harbors their own motives and desires, often at the expense of others, resulting in a tantalizing web of intricate relationships and power dynamics. While the pacing of the story may falter slightly towards the end, with plot-relevant events occurring in rapid succession without sufficient time for reflection, the story's enthralling political dynamics and flawed yet captivating protagonists make it an engaging read.
The characters within this tale are beautifully flawed, existing in a morally ambiguous realm that adds depth and complexity to the overall narrative. From selfishness to charm, their multifaceted nature and sometimes disconcerting actions lend an authenticity that breathes life into their realistic portrayal. While the intricate depiction of these characters greatly fascinated me, I acknowledge that their multitude of flaws might pose a challenge for some readers when it comes to fully embracing and championing them.
Ultimately, this book offers a quick yet immersive reading experience, enriched by good queer representation and a compelling MM romance filled with palpable yearning.
I received an arc copy from the author and this is my honest review.
June 12, 2023
Our Satyr Prince – Dylan Drakes ARC Review
4/5 🌟 OUT JUNE 13
First of all, I want to thank Dylan Drakes for letting me read this book as an ARC.
This book is a queer adult fantasy romance in a world inspired by ancient Greece.
It follows the cousins Aurelius and Teigra and their place in the politics of their country.
I would recommend checking the TWs before reading this book as it deals with heavy topics, among other things.
I liked the characters a lot because they were pretty dynamic and had a lot of different sides to them. The storyline was really interesting and I would say the second half sucked me in to the point I had a hard time putting the book down. The many twists and turns kept me reading for hours, as some of them was really unexpected. The spice was enjoyable, but not the reason I wanted to read it and it was plot-relevant. I liked the romance and the pining a lot. I think my favorite scene is when Aurelius opens up about his past relationship.
The first third of this is dedicated to the world building, which is understandable since this is the first book of a series, but it was a bit slow, and since I'm not super informed about Greek mythology of ancient Greece, I had a hard time wrapping my head around the politics and such. This part was also kind of slow, but the pace definitely picked up as a book went on. This is also why it didn't reach a full 5 stars for me.
It ends on a tense cliffhanger and I'm already looking forward to reading the next book and see what happens next.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy spicy queer fantasy and Greek mythology.
4/5 🌟 OUT JUNE 13
First of all, I want to thank Dylan Drakes for letting me read this book as an ARC.
This book is a queer adult fantasy romance in a world inspired by ancient Greece.
It follows the cousins Aurelius and Teigra and their place in the politics of their country.
I would recommend checking the TWs before reading this book as it deals with heavy topics, among other things.
I liked the characters a lot because they were pretty dynamic and had a lot of different sides to them. The storyline was really interesting and I would say the second half sucked me in to the point I had a hard time putting the book down. The many twists and turns kept me reading for hours, as some of them was really unexpected. The spice was enjoyable, but not the reason I wanted to read it and it was plot-relevant. I liked the romance and the pining a lot. I think my favorite scene is when Aurelius opens up about his past relationship.
The first third of this is dedicated to the world building, which is understandable since this is the first book of a series, but it was a bit slow, and since I'm not super informed about Greek mythology of ancient Greece, I had a hard time wrapping my head around the politics and such. This part was also kind of slow, but the pace definitely picked up as a book went on. This is also why it didn't reach a full 5 stars for me.
It ends on a tense cliffhanger and I'm already looking forward to reading the next book and see what happens next.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy spicy queer fantasy and Greek mythology.
September 13, 2023
Dylan has created such an expensive world here with very detailed characters that you will find yourself actually caring about. I am in love with the titular Saytr Prince in question. These pages got STEAMY. Highly recommend.
May 30, 2023
ARC REVIEW
I liked it
OUR SATYR PRINCE
by @thedylandrakes
esp. towards the end because the world was more familiar by then and implied character traits started to make more sense
What I found most interesting:
+world building
+intrigues
+some twists
I found the Teigra's conflicts/plot line most intriguing
Some things about her didn't make sense until she opened her eyes 😅 Gosh, that girl made me roll my eyes and shake my head (figuratively)
She and her cousin: When you read it, be prepared for some petty and impulsive choices 🥲
I mean, the narrator said the cousins can trust eo and they love eo unconditionally (or sth along the lines) but I started to think it's a big fat lie 😅
Tiggy, even the narrator lies to you 🥲
I liked how the female erotic scenes were written btw (actually, more than the male once 😅)
I find the writing/phrasing interesting but a few times it didn't go well with the limitation of pov narration - as I understand it
Romance: I like Calix and Aurie together in the latter part of the book. Only I'd have wished for a more elaborate build up to their romance...
Humor: The parts that made me smile/smirk (not in a mocking way - those came way earlier) started to appear more often in the latter part of the book
Romance again: Calix & Aurie are funny/cute together ☺️
To sum up:
I liked it more with every chapter and now I'm commited to follow their journey
I liked it
OUR SATYR PRINCE
by @thedylandrakes
esp. towards the end because the world was more familiar by then and implied character traits started to make more sense
What I found most interesting:
+world building
+intrigues
+some twists
I found the Teigra's conflicts/plot line most intriguing
Some things about her didn't make sense until she opened her eyes 😅 Gosh, that girl made me roll my eyes and shake my head (figuratively)
She and her cousin: When you read it, be prepared for some petty and impulsive choices 🥲
I mean, the narrator said the cousins can trust eo and they love eo unconditionally (or sth along the lines) but I started to think it's a big fat lie 😅
Tiggy, even the narrator lies to you 🥲
I liked how the female erotic scenes were written btw (actually, more than the male once 😅)
I find the writing/phrasing interesting but a few times it didn't go well with the limitation of pov narration - as I understand it
Romance: I like Calix and Aurie together in the latter part of the book. Only I'd have wished for a more elaborate build up to their romance...
Humor: The parts that made me smile/smirk (not in a mocking way - those came way earlier) started to appear more often in the latter part of the book
Romance again: Calix & Aurie are funny/cute together ☺️
To sum up:
I liked it more with every chapter and now I'm commited to follow their journey
May 5, 2023
Oooft you know those stories you never want to end? Well this is one of them.
War is coming. And Mestibes is a polity with no army and no way to defend against attack. Enter Aurelius, no stranger to using his manly wiles to gather information, he is sent on a mission to broker a military alliance with Ardora in exchange for being welcomed back into his family’s good graces.
The world building in this was just phenomenal. I want to visit all of the places and experience all of the different cultures. But not only that, the way that each chapter takes on the POV of Aurelius and his cousin Tiegra as they constantly help and hinder each other on this mission brought me much joy and entertainment.
Look I’ll be honest and say I was expecting a bit more spice, but what was there was more than enough (I think Aurelius would agree 😉), and I do greatly enjoy the varying positions of the sexual spectrum that have been written into this book, it is refreshing.
This was honestly the first fantasy book that I have read in a while, and it may have brought back my love for a good fantasy saga. Now bring on the next book in the series!
Thanks aplenty to @thedylandrakes for allowing me to read an ARC and Our Satyr Prince is out June 13, 2023 and is now available on pre-order from Amazon for less than a sip of coffee!
War is coming. And Mestibes is a polity with no army and no way to defend against attack. Enter Aurelius, no stranger to using his manly wiles to gather information, he is sent on a mission to broker a military alliance with Ardora in exchange for being welcomed back into his family’s good graces.
The world building in this was just phenomenal. I want to visit all of the places and experience all of the different cultures. But not only that, the way that each chapter takes on the POV of Aurelius and his cousin Tiegra as they constantly help and hinder each other on this mission brought me much joy and entertainment.
Look I’ll be honest and say I was expecting a bit more spice, but what was there was more than enough (I think Aurelius would agree 😉), and I do greatly enjoy the varying positions of the sexual spectrum that have been written into this book, it is refreshing.
This was honestly the first fantasy book that I have read in a while, and it may have brought back my love for a good fantasy saga. Now bring on the next book in the series!
Thanks aplenty to @thedylandrakes for allowing me to read an ARC and Our Satyr Prince is out June 13, 2023 and is now available on pre-order from Amazon for less than a sip of coffee!
July 4, 2023
Cousins Aurelius and Teigra are leaving their home of Mestibes to attempt an alliance with Ardora. With war on the horizon, and both of them attempting to save their names, so much is on the line. When Aurelius discovers that there is a way to win over Ardora, he is willing to “sacrifice” himself, by seducing the crown prince, Calix.
Calix has secrets he’s tried to bury deep. His sister, Zosime, seems to be his ally in keeping his secrets covered. But Zosime may be more foe than friend, working behind his back to move all the pieces into her favor.
There’s also the hidden depths of these lands, under all the political intrigue, that haunts everyone…myths that may be more real than anyone thinks.
This is an Ancient Greek inspired story, with a fascinating new world created by Drakes.
You’ll find:
-A full spectrum of queer characters
-Political plots
-Magical creatures
-Mythology and deities
-A cunning yet heartbroken Twink
-A sexy prince with secrets
-Amazing characters!
And an explosive ending!!! 💥💥💥💥💥
Calix has secrets he’s tried to bury deep. His sister, Zosime, seems to be his ally in keeping his secrets covered. But Zosime may be more foe than friend, working behind his back to move all the pieces into her favor.
There’s also the hidden depths of these lands, under all the political intrigue, that haunts everyone…myths that may be more real than anyone thinks.
This is an Ancient Greek inspired story, with a fascinating new world created by Drakes.
You’ll find:
-A full spectrum of queer characters
-Political plots
-Magical creatures
-Mythology and deities
-A cunning yet heartbroken Twink
-A sexy prince with secrets
-Amazing characters!
And an explosive ending!!! 💥💥💥💥💥
June 10, 2023
I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of this book that will be published June 13!
I loved this book! It took me on a roller coaster of emotions.
I won't spoil anything, so I will just share my thoughts on this book. It's a spicy queer fantasy inspired by Ancient Greece.
To say that the MMC frustrated me at times is an understatement. Aurelius was a spoiled brat at the beginning, but as the story evolved, so did he.
Teigra, his cousin, started out as a person that did everything she was told to do. But she found herself throughout the book and I loved it!
The story was well written, I liked the plot and the slow burn was killing me. It kept me interested, wanting to know more, keeping me on my toes.
Dual POV. Short chapters
The world building was a little heavy, but hey, it needed to be there.
The ending of the book almost tore me apart because I NEED to know what happens RIGHT NOW!😂
I'm not good at reviews, so I will stop here, but I will read this book again.
If you like queer fantasy set in Ancient Greece with slow burn, I highly suggest this book!
I loved this book! It took me on a roller coaster of emotions.
I won't spoil anything, so I will just share my thoughts on this book. It's a spicy queer fantasy inspired by Ancient Greece.
To say that the MMC frustrated me at times is an understatement. Aurelius was a spoiled brat at the beginning, but as the story evolved, so did he.
Teigra, his cousin, started out as a person that did everything she was told to do. But she found herself throughout the book and I loved it!
The story was well written, I liked the plot and the slow burn was killing me. It kept me interested, wanting to know more, keeping me on my toes.
Dual POV. Short chapters
The world building was a little heavy, but hey, it needed to be there.
The ending of the book almost tore me apart because I NEED to know what happens RIGHT NOW!😂
I'm not good at reviews, so I will stop here, but I will read this book again.
If you like queer fantasy set in Ancient Greece with slow burn, I highly suggest this book!
August 25, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and Dylan Drakes for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
.
Our Satyr Prince is a spicy, queer, mythological fantasy, with a base in Greek myth but plenty of original spin. With all the political scheming and plotting that we love in a good high fantasy, the deep, real connections to characters, and some damn good sex scenes, this book is a treat and a dream for the queer lover of fantasy who longs for a bit of smut in their world. Calix is a swoon worthy beast of a man, Aurelius is a fun character, with a real undercurrent of turmoil and sadness, and every other character felt fleshed out and real, with their own personality and motivations.
.
I am so glad I read this, and I absolutely devoured it in a single day. I can't wait for more from this series, and from what I can tell, the author does have an awful lot more to come for us (phrasing). I can not recommend this book highly enough, and I'll be buying myself a physical copy!
.
Our Satyr Prince is a spicy, queer, mythological fantasy, with a base in Greek myth but plenty of original spin. With all the political scheming and plotting that we love in a good high fantasy, the deep, real connections to characters, and some damn good sex scenes, this book is a treat and a dream for the queer lover of fantasy who longs for a bit of smut in their world. Calix is a swoon worthy beast of a man, Aurelius is a fun character, with a real undercurrent of turmoil and sadness, and every other character felt fleshed out and real, with their own personality and motivations.
.
I am so glad I read this, and I absolutely devoured it in a single day. I can't wait for more from this series, and from what I can tell, the author does have an awful lot more to come for us (phrasing). I can not recommend this book highly enough, and I'll be buying myself a physical copy!
July 14, 2023
Let me start off by saying this is a ME thing, not a book thing.
The Good:
The plot was engaging and interesting. This is Dylan Drakes debut novel and his world-building rivals experts in the fantasy genre. Detailed, unique, and vivid landscapes and cultures were thoroughly flushed out. The characters were well developed and flawed naturally in ways that complimented the plot. Overall, I enjoyed everything in the “background.”
The Not-So-Good:
I though this was a mm romance. It DOES have some mlm going on, but there’s also some vague wlw in some scenes. Neither are completely developed in my opinion. I think if this had been advertised more of fantasy with “some” romantic elements, I would’ve been more prepared. But I thought I was getting into a mm romance and that’s definitely not what I got.
Bravo, though, on Dylan’s debut because for those who enjoy this genre, it’s perfect!
Arc provided to me from NetGalley and the publisher.
The Good:
The plot was engaging and interesting. This is Dylan Drakes debut novel and his world-building rivals experts in the fantasy genre. Detailed, unique, and vivid landscapes and cultures were thoroughly flushed out. The characters were well developed and flawed naturally in ways that complimented the plot. Overall, I enjoyed everything in the “background.”
The Not-So-Good:
I though this was a mm romance. It DOES have some mlm going on, but there’s also some vague wlw in some scenes. Neither are completely developed in my opinion. I think if this had been advertised more of fantasy with “some” romantic elements, I would’ve been more prepared. But I thought I was getting into a mm romance and that’s definitely not what I got.
Bravo, though, on Dylan’s debut because for those who enjoy this genre, it’s perfect!
Arc provided to me from NetGalley and the publisher.
April 27, 2023
I had the absolute joy to be an advance reader for this book. And boy, oh boy... it was a journey.
First of all, the wonderful Dylan is self-publishing this book. And you can pre-order it through the links on his socials. Go get this one. You won't be disappointed.
I enjoyed this book very much. It actually got me out of my reading slump. It is a fast-paced Queer Adult High Fantasy with alternating chapters between the main characters. 😁
First, we meet Aurelius, an over the top gay person who is not afraid to work for what he wants. 💁♂️
Then we meet Tiegra (sexuality not confirmed), the absolute counterpart to Aurelius. 🙅♀️
Set in a world that feels in Roman times, we travel to the beautiful country of Adora, where many adventures between the two happened.
This book is an absolute treasure, and I can't wait for part two.
First of all, the wonderful Dylan is self-publishing this book. And you can pre-order it through the links on his socials. Go get this one. You won't be disappointed.
I enjoyed this book very much. It actually got me out of my reading slump. It is a fast-paced Queer Adult High Fantasy with alternating chapters between the main characters. 😁
First, we meet Aurelius, an over the top gay person who is not afraid to work for what he wants. 💁♂️
Then we meet Tiegra (sexuality not confirmed), the absolute counterpart to Aurelius. 🙅♀️
Set in a world that feels in Roman times, we travel to the beautiful country of Adora, where many adventures between the two happened.
This book is an absolute treasure, and I can't wait for part two.
June 15, 2023
This was one hell of a debut novel! Well done Dylan. Right from chapter one I was hooked! The writing is so nice, it made it very easy to read the book. The only thing that I needed to get into was all the different names.
The worldbuilding was very well done I could see the places very well in my mind. It's always a great extra if a writer takes the time to really build his world and describes the things so great.
And I loved that the book was in duo POV. You'll get to know Aurelius and Teigra so well.
If you like the Ancient Greek, an amazing worldbuilding story, fantasy and good smut this is definitely the story you need to pick up! I can't wait for book 2!
Thank you author for the ARC to read. I left this review voluntarily.
Check the Trigger warnings before reading.
The worldbuilding was very well done I could see the places very well in my mind. It's always a great extra if a writer takes the time to really build his world and describes the things so great.
And I loved that the book was in duo POV. You'll get to know Aurelius and Teigra so well.
If you like the Ancient Greek, an amazing worldbuilding story, fantasy and good smut this is definitely the story you need to pick up! I can't wait for book 2!
Thank you author for the ARC to read. I left this review voluntarily.
Check the Trigger warnings before reading.
May 10, 2023
*Thank you to Dylan Drakes for the arc in exchange of an honest review*
TW: Homophobia, PTSD, Explicit sex, Death of a parent, Domestic violence, gore
That book was the a queer adult fantasy book at it's finest. Ancient Greece never seemed better. I loved the plot, I loved all the characters even those I hated (you know who you are-no spoilers though!).
With excellent plot and a magical system to die for this immersive experience will not let you put the book down.
And that ending? What? I need book 2 NOW.
Also, as a Greek myself, double cudos for writer Dylan Drakes, for not butchering the language.
Read it, my fellow #bookworms. You won't be dissapointed.
TW: Homophobia, PTSD, Explicit sex, Death of a parent, Domestic violence, gore
That book was the a queer adult fantasy book at it's finest. Ancient Greece never seemed better. I loved the plot, I loved all the characters even those I hated (you know who you are-no spoilers though!).
With excellent plot and a magical system to die for this immersive experience will not let you put the book down.
And that ending? What? I need book 2 NOW.
Also, as a Greek myself, double cudos for writer Dylan Drakes, for not butchering the language.
Read it, my fellow #bookworms. You won't be dissapointed.
July 3, 2023
I was drawn in by the queer fantasy with elements of mythology. The worldbuilding here was decent, I was actually interested in the political structure from the varying regions. The lore was rich as well, full of mythological creatures (representation!!🤩🤩) seen as part of society in broad daylight and not just regarded as stories or legends.
However the plot was not very engaging, but it was passable. Mostly because half of it was just the self-serving political ambitions that one of the MCs were trying to achieve, which didn't garner a lot of sympathy from me, but that could just be me personally. The younger cousin tagging along was a fairly random occurrence. She didn't even have a strong story arc to follow and was mostly just a pawn to be played in the larger plot.
Speaking of the MCs, I didn't like both. Aurelius is manipulative and cocky. He's well written if that's the goal of him, but you can understand that those aren't the most shining qualities you would want your main driving force of the plot to have for the entire story. We see a bit of his past which gives the readers some insights to him as a person, but it comes too late and by then I was already quite done with it.
Teigra was just...bad. I can't blame her for being the epitome of a young and dumb 18 year old. Just consistently dumb throughout the story, I felt bad for her but at some point her weakness just got annoying.
The good news is this is part of a series and there's a lot of room for improvement for these characters. The ending implies teigra getting a new arc after the events that happened (yass grow bitch🙄🥱), and Aurelius can probably stop being so..him.. now that he's with Calix.
However the plot was not very engaging, but it was passable. Mostly because half of it was just the self-serving political ambitions that one of the MCs were trying to achieve, which didn't garner a lot of sympathy from me, but that could just be me personally. The younger cousin tagging along was a fairly random occurrence. She didn't even have a strong story arc to follow and was mostly just a pawn to be played in the larger plot.
Speaking of the MCs, I didn't like both. Aurelius is manipulative and cocky. He's well written if that's the goal of him, but you can understand that those aren't the most shining qualities you would want your main driving force of the plot to have for the entire story. We see a bit of his past which gives the readers some insights to him as a person, but it comes too late and by then I was already quite done with it.
Teigra was just...bad. I can't blame her for being the epitome of a young and dumb 18 year old. Just consistently dumb throughout the story, I felt bad for her but at some point her weakness just got annoying.
The good news is this is part of a series and there's a lot of room for improvement for these characters. The ending implies teigra getting a new arc after the events that happened (yass grow bitch🙄🥱), and Aurelius can probably stop being so..him.. now that he's with Calix.
July 5, 2023
When I first heard of Our Satyr Prince and its premise, I knew I had to have my hands on it.
I tend to stray away from high fantasy and romance as they are not my cup of tea; however, Dylan Drakes did a great job in deflecting all my usual issues with them. The world-building is something that evolves with the story instead of it being an info dump of everything, which tends to be a huge turn-off for me.
For most romances I have read, the climax scenes take forever and a half to come around, but Our Satyr Prince starts off running with chapter one and keeps the roll going. That's something I appreciated, as it didn't start dying down.
I liked the characters a lot because they were pretty dynamic and had a lot of different sides to them. I thoroughly enjoyed it when the main character had his background scene. It opened up the character to further understanding. This assisted in
The spice was enjoyable and what I expected, and it was plot-relevant.
I liked the romance and the pining a lot.
Overall I give it a 4.5 out of 5.
TAGS. Racial/religious prejudice, homophobia, trauma, domestic violence, gore, sexual harm, and explicit sexual content
I tend to stray away from high fantasy and romance as they are not my cup of tea; however, Dylan Drakes did a great job in deflecting all my usual issues with them. The world-building is something that evolves with the story instead of it being an info dump of everything, which tends to be a huge turn-off for me.
For most romances I have read, the climax scenes take forever and a half to come around, but Our Satyr Prince starts off running with chapter one and keeps the roll going. That's something I appreciated, as it didn't start dying down.
I liked the characters a lot because they were pretty dynamic and had a lot of different sides to them. I thoroughly enjoyed it when the main character had his background scene. It opened up the character to further understanding. This assisted in
The spice was enjoyable and what I expected, and it was plot-relevant.
I liked the romance and the pining a lot.
Overall I give it a 4.5 out of 5.
TAGS. Racial/religious prejudice, homophobia, trauma, domestic violence, gore, sexual harm, and explicit sexual content
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