[Book Review] Mercy’s Prisoner

Mercy’s Prisoner

(Life Prison, Volume 1)

Dusk Peterson

What rating would you give it?
4.5 of 5 Stars

Where can you buy or borrow the book?

[Amazon] [Gumroad] [All Romance]
[Smashwords]

Borrow the ebook: [Scribd]

 

Give us a summary.
(Provided by Author)

“‘You have committed a vile and savage act, one that any other nation would punish with death. Our punishment, on the other hand, will only be to give you what you want. You have sought to live in a world without boundaries of civilization, and such a world shall henceforth be your dwelling place.'”

A cold-hearted murderer. A vicious abuser. A young man hiding a shameful secret. A bewildered immigrant. A pure-minded spy.

All of these men have found their appointed places at Mercy Life Prison, where it is easy to tell who your enemies are. But a new visitor to Mercy is about to challenge decades-old customs. Now these men’s worst enemies may be hiding behind masks… and so may their closest allies.

A runner-up in the Rainbow Awards 2014, the book bundle “Mercy’s Prisoner” can be read on its own or as the first volume in the Life Prison series. Friendship, desire between men, and the costs of corruption and integrity are examined in this multicultural speculative fiction series, which is inspired by prison life at the end of the nineteenth century.

What did you think of the book?

Alright. So, I may have gotten a little over-excited reading this book.

Also, just FYI, this volume is a collection of five novellas/short stories all taking place with the Life Prisoner series. A second volume (possibly also a collection) is said to be published in the summer. Do not confuse this title with the novella Life Prison (as it is just first story/novella in this collection).

I was SO unsure of it originally… hoping beyond hope that it would blow my socks off, or at least not be a complete flop. I even had hopes of another Under Grand Hotel situation going on –which it wasn’t, by the way, but still. No UGH, but I might have just gotten something even better. (Or at least on par.)

This historical speculative fiction novel easily captures the minds of any reader, even those who might not think this to be “their thing,” with its dark setting and even darker themes. But there is a point to all this seemingly unnecessary suffering and pain. Reformation is at hand and with it comes a serious call to action, to the re-examination one’s own sense of morality and of right and wrong. Believe you-me, this book makes you THINK – about topics of discussion most would prefer never to think about or take into account. To consider the circumstances of those everyone prefers to not even think of. To ponder the basic human rights denied to those who violate others’ rights with their actions and deeds.

To consider that a murderer is also a human being too… and does that not mean they, too, deserve to be treated as such with basic human rights?

There’s a lot of philosophy and activism going on in here, a lot of moral discussion that doesn’t really have easy answers. I can’t say I believe prisoners – especially those that have done truly horrible things for selfish or unthinkable reasons – should be allowed to go free or be treated kindly, but I do believe they have the right to be treated with some decency and the basic human rights that no one should be denied.

This book makes you think about the hard questions no one wants to ask or bring to light in discussion, and I AB-SO-LUTELY LOVE IT.

I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!

Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?

The stories are dark. I think I explained that already, so expect DARK THINGS. XD Other than that, the third of the five stories in the volume showcases some BDSM. It’s not too intense, as it is more of master/slave story than anything else. Other things that occur either in passing (not detailed) or minorly: non-con, rape, blood, some torture, lots of punishment, sickness & illness, and otherwise horrible living conditions.

Does it count towards any reading challenges?

Yep! A whole bunch~

• 2015 GoodReads Reading Challenge
• 2015 LGBT Challenge (MM/OTHER)
• You Read How Many Books?
• 52 Books in 52 Weeks
• Read A Million Pages
• 105 Reading Challenge (Category 14, 12)
• 2015 New To You Reading Challenge (Brand New Author To Me; New Series)

Would you recommend this book?

Hell YEAH! Though, of course, I would absolutely warn whoever I recommend it to about just how dark and violent this book can be at times. It’s not alarmingly graphic, detailing every vicious act… but it IS still disarming and poignant in a way that might leave the reader who is more inclined to the visually graphic quite disturbed, so it might be best to read it, knowing full well how disturbing some imaginary within can be.

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher: Love in Dark Settings Press Publication Date: August 2014, reissue December 2014 Format: eBook, ARC Pages: 229 Genre: Historical Speculative Fiction, Crime Fiction, M/M “Romance,” Prison / Prison Life, BDSM, Master/Slave, Reformation, Penal Code, Love Mates, Punishment, Whipping, Non-con, Torture, Consumption, Fair Treatment, QUILTBAG / LGBTQUIA, Friendship, Corruption, Morality, Integrity, Nineteenth Century Fiction

Age: Adult Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Provided by Author in exchange for an honest review Award(s): Runner-up, Gay Fantasy category, in the Rainbow Awards 2014. Honorable Mention in the Rainbow Awards 2014. Challenge:  2015 Good Reads Reading Challenge (9), 52 Books in 52 Weeks, You Read How Many Books?, 2015 LGBT Reading Challenge, Read A Million Pages, 105 Reading Challenge, New To You