Jason Rimbaud

Loved the character and world building. Never did manage to like the "too perfect" Jordan. There are many issues I could raise about this series but why waste the energy. The author clearly brought the vision they had to the page, and that is a lot of hard work right there. Didn't hate it, and it gave me many hours of reading pleasure as it were. Thank you for sharing this with everyone. J

That is a frightening thing. I could never let that happen to me. I have way too many secrets.

Each author will write and bring us the vision they have in their head. And I'm okay with that and I am on the ride, where ever it takes me. But I also have my issues with the current narrative. And after multiple chapters of some good plot development and wonderful world building, the narrative is brought to a screeching halt with two chapters of pure angst seemingly for angst sake. I would have cut this chapter completely, it has done nothing to move the plot further nor gave me any more details to the narrative that wasn't covered in the first half of the last chapter. Too much sitting with knees drawn up to the chest and way too much crying from Jordan and Brandon. And as much as Brandon and Jordan talks in these last two chapters, nothing is really said that makes sense in any meaningful way. The scene where Brandon recounts his abuse at the hands of the shapeshifter, Rajar is also jarring. Not because of the themes, but because of the way it was structured. I think the scene was written back chapter five then copied and pasted here. It was written in third person though Brandon was suppose to be telling Jordan. It just took me right out of the story. That being said, there are a ton of positive things about this particular trilogy. On to the next chapter.

This is the problem with reading at work in between tasks. Thanks!

A bit more of the plot is developing...finally. I love the fact that the sex was only alluded too instead of wasting time describing it. In one way I can totally agree with Brandon wanting to jump head first in, I am much the same way. Jordan is being a bit more cautious. I do think its weird that he's only been an enabler for a brief amount of time, he seems to be quite knowledgeable about their limitations. That point could have been explored more in the previous chapters. Who else is getting a Stranger Things vibe every time Brandon says "the in-between? I know this story was out long before Stranger Things, I am not hinting that Cassie stole the idea. I think both, this one and stranger things are pretty unique, just parallel themes. Though Jordan is as annoying as all the other kids from Stranger Things combined. If Jordan knows so much about code why did Brandon have to go to Alexis to find out about the workings of code? Did I miss it? I don't have the energy to go back and find out. What does Jordan look like? Blonde, black, brown hair? Anyone?

So glad this story wasn't told entirely from Jordan's POV. That being said, They allow Jordan to stay with them, when in part one his mother told him in no uncertain terms never to have his door closed with a girl. Then they gloss over the fact that their son, who is sixteen, is dating an eighteen year old. Another story of perfect parent syndrome that are never really fleshed out. They only seem to be there when plot happens. Plus Dylan's sudden homophobia seems its only there because...angst. Not really believable. Now on to the good stuff. Enablers die if their creators die? WTF! I did not see that twist coming.

This is my first story by this author. And I did not know it was only part one of a three part story. So I am at a bit of crossroads as to whether or not I want to continue. A poster above me mentioned they did not feel like you gave enough plot but instead relied on cliffhangers and manufactured drama. I can see the point they made. There is a lot of angst in this story, and at times seems to be the only reason for this story is to write sex scenes between hot guys. Not that Jordan is hot mind you. But underneath the angst, multiple chapters of Brandon's self-destruction while everyone just seems to stand by and watch, there is a very unique plot unfolding, albeit too slowly in my opinion. Not sure if there is a reason to split up the story into three parts. Even Star Wars had a singular plotline for each installment underneath the larger narrative. That being said, I want to know more about creators/enablers and their world. I don't think they were fleshed out enough thus far, and we are seventeen chapters in. But all this is armchair quarterbacking. This is the story that you presented us and probably spent hundreds of hours agonizing over to offer us free story to read. So I will hesitantly proceed to part two. I just hope there will be more focus on plot and moving forward with the overall narrative instead of focusing solely on angst, cliffhangers, and sex scenes. Can't lie, I had fun reading this part and guessing where you were heading. And after all, isn't that the job of every author?

I have been thinking along those lines for the last few chapters. Good theory.

Well now I think the note makes sense...Keith has Leia somehow. I still think Brandon and Keith make a better couple. But I'm twisted that way.

Seems that Leia is trapped in-between realities...since this has not been mentioned before I wonder if Brandon has a different gift than other creators as he can access this other place. Still don't like Jordan, he's too nice...too perfect. Brandon is a train wreck in all the right ways. Thus far, besides a few issues I have with being to angsty, I'm enjoying this narrative muchly.

My thoughts exactly. She is the enabler and Keith is the creator. Or at least that's my theory. I just wish the plot would move quicker...I am so curious about the creators/enablers...I want to know more.

So with all the clues you are leaving for us thus far, my theory is Keith is a creator/enabler. Keith is definitely one if not the main villain . It all just fits too neatly. He wasn't attracted to Brandon until he first started creating after meeting Jordan. I do think Keith is a better character than Jordan. Jordan is pretty vanilla right now in the scheme of things.

Funny enough, Brandon's experiences are definitely ones I can relate too. I've known many people who before certain encounters were completely straight, then whammo. All of a sudden you see them in a gay club with their legs over their shoulders in a swing. Besides, in my younger days I was a straight edge Emo myself. I do wish the plot would kick in as I am interested in these creators and enablers. PS: Brandon should not be a creator, he should be an enabler.

Its funny how people cope with things differently. Some use cutting, as Brandon did, while others used self-medication. I used sex as a weapon and a tool for manipulation. Either way its broken people handling stressful situations the best they can. Interesting chapter. Can we call what happened between Keith and Brandon a rape? And I have been in situations when I was much, much, much younger, that once I achieved release, I was so self loathing. Not from any religious or moral issues, more of I can't believe I just did this with you and all my friends are going to know it kind of way. Off to chapter four.

So it doesn't take two...I like the duality of meaning of the words creating and enabling. It made me laugh. Some more intrigue with another couple with the same power. I wonder if we have met them yet in the story. I went back and didn't see anyone that might be flagged as the other creator or enabler. Maybe they will be adults. Is there a League of Creators out there with their own rules? On to chapter three.

So I will say this is one of the most interesting plots I've read in a long time. The ability to bring something to life after drawing it could be quite dangerous. Though it seemed that it took two to bring the pencil to life, Brandon and Jordan. Seems like Leia might have come into contact with someone/something from one of these other dimensions. How many "creators" will there be? I'll head into chapter two now. J

I have held my tongue about some of the religious undertones that have taken place over the last fifteen chapters or so. The callous way the President authorized the brainwashing of others to protect his sons interest pushed me to my limit. The author tries to get the reader to overlook that his hero’s are making slaves out of people and paints it in a light that they would never use it for bad. Knight is a straight male that was forced to have relations with an underage male. This just reenforces that Religious people will do whatever it takes to push their agenda. Let’s not forget that President Jacobs authorized his son to have sex with another boy to further his own agenda. I am rather disgusted by the authors attempts to normalize this behavior. I know it’s a story but damn, this is a hard pill to swallow wrapped up in I did it for the greater good rhetoric That is way too prevalent in todays times. The Jacobs are not good people.

I'm surprised that no one picked up the name Dylan Thomas, a famous poet who did not go gently into that good night. That was the first thing I noticed in chapter one. I think the differences in policy concerning the British can be chalked up to this is not set in our past/present but a version much like an alternate universe. Things are similar but not quite right.

DK loves killing off family members. Though his entire family dying in a matter of days is a bit coincidental. Henry goes from one moment acting afraid of his father and the next idolizing him as well. Wonder if that's DK's intention? I'm not sold on the fact that Pastor Jacobs is a bad man just yet. He has done or at least allowed some bad things to happen but that doesn't make him bad per se. I'll reserve judgement for now. PS: I smell like chicken wings. J

Nothing like jumping right in to the thick of things... Though the narrative seems to frame Christianity as the villain's, any extremist philosophy could be substituted in its place. Would someone who is planning on a coup let an outsider in on their plans, probably not. A father who is that laser focused on taking over the status quo wouldn't give a damn about Dylan, no matter how smart he may or may not be. Though he did mention "the file", something a normal preacher would not have on anyone. As for allowing his son to be "raped or at the very least used sexually" for blackmail, most right wing Christians would never allow such a thing to happen. As homosexually was and still is in lots of circles wrong and a sin. Depending what is in Dylan's file, a gay scandal of his own perhaps, he probably wouldn't allow his son anywhere near him. Unless the Christian thing is only a means for power. On to the next chapter

I just finished reading the first three books of DK's Do Over saga, I won't mention here why I didn't finish reading the forth, and this is my next foray into his world building. Interesting open to say the least. Quite a few bits of information that I am eager to continue reading. Though its weird that this is another story where the protagonist is twelve years old when we start. DK seems to be fixated on this age group. But he's claiming to be 140 years old so there is a lot of opportunity for time jumps so hopefully soon we'll be out of the pre-teen era quickly.

I have to give up on this story, I never liked Brian and being in his head, even worse. I'm off to another story. J

Davey just keeps James Bonding all the time...like its a compulsion. Though I think Davey mentions to Sean that he is going to tell everyone. Or the author passes it off in the narrative somewhere. A new wrinkle in this Do-Over with the addition of Jeremy. If all the time travelers are dead...I don't think they are, why would there be another Do Over. We are missing something.

I know it's a fools errand, but I'm still hoping for a Davey and Sean relationship. They are the only two that understands what the other is feeling and have now lived two lifetimes together. First as strangers, than friends, then somewhat enemies, now friends. Bye Bye Bye Brian!

Whew...out of Brian's head. I hope its not going to jump around, POV, that is. That always gets confusing to my little brain.