Random Double Review: Dominion and Destiny by Nicholas Bella #Review #Giveaway

Author: Nicholas Bella
Title: Dominion
Series: Gods and Slaves #1
Self Published
Publication Date: May 23, 2017
Length: 122 pages

Reviewed by Meredith

Synopsis

"Blood, lust, and passion fuel the gods."
In a world controlled by the Celestial Gods of Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water, the life of a slave is inconsequential. A relationship between the gods and humans, outside of instant gratification, is strictly forbidden. To the gods, all humans exist to serve them, but only those who have influence over the masses have been spared a certain degradation of servitude as long as they carry out the wishes of the gods. 
When Mateo is captured by bandits and taken into slavery. He has no idea what his future holds, but he knows it can't be good. He is from the badlands, places so far removed from the gods’ temples, that they are practically barren. The people of the celestial cities look upon them as blasphemers, and less than human. He is poor, he has no influence, no proper education, and no skills that he could use to elevate himself to a status deserving of the gods' mercy. So, when he's sold off to a Ludus to be trained as a gladiator if he survives the Trial of Fate, his curse and his hope for salvation become unified. Either in life or death, he will pay tribute to the gods and respect their Dominion.
Eloy is the powerful and merciless God of Fire and like the flames he controls, his temper and desires run just as hot bordering on insatiable. When he sets his eyes on Mateo for the first time, he becomes intrigued. Watching the human fight so bravely, ignited his passion in an intensity that can only be matched by his lust for blood and entertainment. Being a god with millions of humans worshiping him, he’s used to getting exactly what he wants and right now, he wants Mateo. 

WARNING: This novella series is not for sensitive eyes, as it is brutal, dark, raunchy, and in your face with its lewd, crude, and rude attitude. I'm talking no-holds-barred bloody battles and dirty, wet, messy sex with hot, animalistic men who have no inhibitions. They take what they want when they want it, and they don’t have to be nice about it. This series is intended for very mature readers who are looking for something out of this world to read.

Author: Nicholas Bella
Title: Destiny 
Series: Gods and Slaves #2
Self Published
Publication Date: July 21, 2018
Length: 162 pages

Reviewed by Meredith


Synopsis

"Favor of the gods is given to those with passion."

Mateo has quickly learned that his fate is at the mercy of the gods and the frenzied crowd at the arena. Knowing that if he has any hope of gaining his freedom, it will be through the blood he sheds on the sands. That is his destiny... or is it? When his prowess in the arena catches the eye and desires of the very same god who not only spared his life before but also took his virginity, his destiny may very well change directions. Only one problem... humans and gods aren't supposed to let their emotions get entangled. Will such a forbidden act doom him... or free him? 

​WARNING: This novella series is not for sensitive eyes, as it is brutal, dark, raunchy, and in your face with its lewd, crude, and rude attitude. I'm talking no-holds-barred bloody battles and dirty, wet, messy sex with hot, animalistic men who have no inhibitions. They take what they want when they want it, and they don’t have to be nice about it. This series is intended for very mature readers who are looking for something out of this world to read.

Buy Links

Dominion

Destiny

Reviews 

I will be reviewing both of these books but separately, as they are cross posted on Amazon and Goodreads:

Dominion:

I am a huge Nicholas Bella fan and when this book released last year I actually held off. I was nervous because it felt so different from anything else I'd seen him write. I didn't want to be heartbroken and disappointed if I didn't like it. When the second book released I said, "Okay, I'm just going to go and do it." Was I disappointed? No, thank God. I was shocked. Dominion introduces a new world, or maybe not too new from books we've read throughout our lives. It felt like what I'd expect if Spartacus went to Mount Olympus. In this case Mount Olympus came to him, and changed the world. It made it uneven, unfair, and torturous. 

Nicholas Bella brought his own naturally dark twist to the story and in my opinion made it more believable than any books I've read on Gods and Slaves. While people may be grossed out at times, or even shake their heads at the antics, I dare say slaves had it that bad, maybe worse.

There's a realism to the fantasy that this author pulls off and I loved Mateo. I loved this character because it felt like he was one of us. A regular guy trying to survive. In this book I was on the fence with Eloy, the God of Fire so I can't give a good projection of him in this book. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so I was glad I had book two to read right after. I very much recommend this.

Destiny:

Book two was outstanding! I'm just cutting right to the chase with that. It picks up where book one left off. While we aren't finished with Mateo in this book (need book three) we see him evolve even more. He's so strong, brave, and smart. Even the God of Fire, Eloy is smitten with him. Ahhh Eloy. We got to see more of him in this book and I actually love the guy... crazy! I love that he sees what Mateo has been trying to say. I am holding on to hope that Mateo makes it to the end, I won't lie I am scared. But this continuation builds this already good story arc even further. I'm totally invested and desperate to read more of Mateo and Eloy, and the rest of these questionable Gods.

You do need to realize this isn't a fluffy story. Bad things happen and the suspense is high. There's no Pegasus flying into to whisk Mateo and Eloy away. These two are going to have to fight.

I am so excited for the next book and to find out the fate of these two.

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