Book Review

The Master by Kresley Cole

If you don’t remember, I reviewed the first book in the Game Maker series, The Professional ( A | BN | K | G | AB ) and enjoyed it with the caveat of fully committing myself to the crazy. Now that we’re another book into this strange world of erotic Russians, I was prepared. I knew what to expect and part of me was actually looking forward to seeing the ante upped in cracktastic glory.

That is not what happened, which is probably why it took me so long to collect my thoughts because of the amount of disappoint in my veins. There was no sexual activity in a cornfield or a steamy (literally and figuratively) scene in a sauna with a spanking. In fact, a bulk of the book occurs in one place: a hotel room. Cat is on the run from her crazy, murderous, money-grubbing ex-husband. She has rules, one of which is to never stay in the same place more than six months. Her time in Florida is coming to an end, and she needs money and fast. Her job cleaning houses isn’t cutting it and, thrust together by none other than serendipity, she cleans a house belonging to an escort. Cat agrees to take one escort job—just one—and then she’s blowing this popsicle stand.

I’m sure you can suss out how this works.

Cat shows up to service  escort Maksimilian, despite his preference for blondes, and he keeps her. Or rather, kidnaps her because he refuses to let her leave. Not that Cat minds, of course. See above re: crazy, murderous, money-grubbing husband. I get why she allows herself to essentially become his sex pet. There is a security in knowing that your housing, your food, your safety is guaranteed for a certain amount of time.

However, I have two main gripes with this book that left me unable to keep my arms and legs inside the moving vehicle that was this crazy train.

First, the escort plot. Admittedly, I haven’t read too many books with females playing the escort role. However, the ones I have read, the heroine is very new to escorting. Cat’s first escort job obviously leads to an HEA. And, of course, Maks doesn’t believe she isn’t a professional given her amazing skills in the sack. There’s this weird Madonna/Whore dichotomy (shout out to my undergrad term papers) about the whole thing that just gets me all rankled. The man wants someone experienced in the bedroom, or at least someone who is comfortable enough with her sexuality to participate in his own sexual proclivities. However, he doesn’t want to be reminded of his escort’s previous partners, AND he doesn’t believe Cat when she says he’s her first customer. It’s all incredibly frustrating.

If anyone has a romance where a woman is comfortable with her sexual history and the hero is too, definitely drop me a rec. Please. Because we’re all damn grown ups and sex with other people happens. GET OVER IT.

Secondly, there’s the delicate balance of sexytimes and plot. Sometimes with erotica, the story is heavily unbalanced toward the former. And that’s fine. Sometimes. I don’t think less of books that skimp on the plot in favor of some hot action. They have their purpose and I enjoy them. That being said, I like to know what I’m getting into. The crux of the second book is trying to measure up to the first one and for me, it did not.

Cat and Maks both have interesting backstories that greatly affect how their characters respond to things. However, this sort of character and plot development doesn’t really augment the sex. You get the bulk of the information at the beginning of the book. Then lots of sex. And I do mean lots. Cat is basically bound to a hotel room for Maks’ pleasure. Then the book suddenly remembers there’s a plot once Cat leaves the hotel room to accompany Maks to an event in another state.

The plot bookends the sex, and that makes me sad because I really loved the first and last quarter of the book. It’s like making a delicious sandwich with warm, artisanal bread and then using generic, store brand bologna inside.

Will I read the third book? Yes. Maybe. I don’t know? I’m interested in who will be paired with the third and most volatile Sevastyan brother. However, the only other female we’ve been introduce to in the series is Natalie’s BFF and I’m not too sure I can take an entire book of her antics.

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The Master by Kresley Cole

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  1. Trish says:

    It’s not a contemporary, but Susan Johnson’s “Brazen” has a heroine that has been around (she’s clearly based on Alice Keppel) and a hero who’s mostly okay with it–there’s a scene where he sets out all her sex toys and uses one on her. Also the heroine is five years older than the hero.

  2. A Gentleman in the Street by Alisha Rai. I definitely recommend that one.

  3. CG says:

    Yeah, I pretty much love anything Cole writes, but this one? Not so much. It’s been a while, but from what I remember of my thoughts at the time I think it felt like she threw this book together in a week and tossed in a few tropes and stereotypes, and voila–instant book. Agree with the D grade. That said, I’ll still be reading the next one.

  4. Becky says:

    Cole’s contemporaries have never grabbed me. I want her to return to the IAD series, specifically the Dacianos. But there are two things about this book specifically that I think would piss me off: the gross cigar on the cover and the annoying spelling of Maks.

  5. Ellie says:

    I hate to go off sounding self righteous, but I have a major problem with authors romanticizing the Russian mafia. I read the first book and tried to keep an open mind, but I just couldn’t get over my disgust. The Russian mafia is possibly the most dangerous organized crime syndicate in the world and one of their preferred crimes is human trafficking. I’m sorry, but I think it is irresponsible of Kresley Cole to try and make such dangerous criminals into heroes. I mean, would everyone support a hero who was an SS officer or KKK member?

  6. Valeria says:

    This is the third Kresley Cole book I’ve read – I started with the first one in this series – the Professional – and also read the first in the Immortals After Dark series. This is my favorite – and I liked the heroine in this one the best. One of my favorite heroines in ages. I didn’t mind the escort plot and I found both the backstories interesting. I thought the author conveyed the powerlessness and the vulnerability of low income people very well in this book. That’s one of the things that made the escort plot and some of Cat’s decisions work for me.

  7. Amanda says:

    @Ellie: That’s not self-righteous at all. One thing I’ve learned being part of the romance community is the difference in tolerance levels when it comes to various plot and character elements. I certainly don’t fault you for feeling disgusted. I personally didn’t have any problems with it, but I’m not as informed about the Russian mafia and its history.

    @Valeria: I definitely think that Cat’s situation and history made it easier to understand why she’d accept the arrangement. However, there was still a huge imbalance for me in terms of sex and plot progression. The latter just stalled for a good 50% of the book.

  8. Darlynne says:

    @Ellie: I feel the same way for the same reasons. Authors are welcome to write/create any character/situation they choose. My choice is whether to read it and the Russian mafia is a non-starter for me. Unless the hero is fighting his way out of the life, there is no way to make this at all sympathetic, imo.

    Amanda, ARE these erotic Russians part of the mafia? I’ve re-read your previous review and can’t tell how much or if they’re connected. I’ve enjoyed both reviews, but will probably stay away from the books.

  9. Darlynne says:

    *sigh* And by “connected” I mean with the mafia.

  10. Amanda says:

    @Darlynne: Okay, hopefully this will help!

    The Professional: The mafia background plays a big role. The hero escapes an abusive situation and is left orphaned, and is taken in by a mafia boss. The type of stuff they deal in is vaguely referenced as I can’t really recall specifically if it mentions what sort of operations they run. The hero is an enforcer/second in command type. But yes, the mafia atmosphere/lifestyle is big in The Professional and most of the book takes place on their compound.

    The Master: I would say the mafia talk is almost nonexistent in this book. The hero is affiliated with it and it’s mentioned/explained, but there’s little to no “mafia-ing” in this book at all. The hero is a businessman/politician, though honestly…we don’t really get much info on what he does now. Real estate and property development come up. But his backstory is mainly his childhood history.

    Does that help?

  11. Darlynne says:

    @Amanda: Yes, that helps, and sorry, didn’t mean to make you explain everything. I thought I should know what I’m griping about before saddling my high horse. Thanks.

  12. Amanda says:

    @Darlynne: No need to apologize! And your horse isn’t that high. 😛

  13. CP (Cordy) says:

    “erotic Russians”. I lol’d.

    I liked The Professional in spite of how crazy it was, but I found the Russian mafia sexiness very silly and basically unnecessary – it seems like it would be just as easy to make this family generically rich “because oil” or whatever.

    I’ve wondered about the second book, but this review clinched my sense that it’s probably Not For Me. Thanks!

  14. Xandi says:

    This is a historical, but the hero is not upset that the heroine has sexual experience or is passionate. The book is A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl…I love the romance in this book!

  15. Vasha says:

    Another historical: in “A Gentleman Undone” by Cecilia Grant, the heroine is a for-real courtesan* of considerable experience, who likes the job reasonably well, and has enjoyable sex with someone other than the hero during the book; and the hero is, if not exactly happy about it, at least accepting and matter-of-fact.

    (*I use the word “courtesan” because I’ve forgotten what nineteenth-century terminology the heroine uses when she draws a distiction between what she does, namely being “kept” by a series of patrons, and working by the hour.)

  16. k8899 says:

    It’s a flawed book, but Rosenthal’s Edge of Impropriety would probably fit the bill.

    This one’s a big no from me; I detest the glamorization of hideous crime or double standards about experience/history.

  17. DonnaMarie says:

    Despite my love fest in the IAD sale post, I’m staying away from this series for the same reason as many others: Russian mafioso are the antithesis of romantic hereos. There are few things more evil on the planet. It was a huge misstep as far as I’m concerned, and Cole owes me an extra IAD book to make up for it.

  18. Ellie says:

    I’m glad I’m not the only one put off by the Russian mafia element. I was on vacation in Spain with my parents sitting in a restaurant by the beach when a man standing like ten feet away from us was gunned down. We later found out the Russian mafia was responsible. I remember our waitress, who turned out to be the man’s girlfriend, cradling his head and screaming when he died in her arms. I was thirteen then and the whole incident, along with other stories I heard or read about in the news really stuck with me. I was so appalled to hear that a writer I always liked and admired made one of these ruthless thugs a romance hero. He wasn’t even apologetic about his past, and the father/ mafia boss was portrayed as a kindly old clock enthusiast. No, just no.

  19. Amanda says:

    @Ellie: That sounds horrific! I’m so sorry!

  20. SB Sarah says:

    @Ellie:

    Oh, my gosh. That is unspeakably sad. I’m so sorry.

  21. Amanda6 says:

    “If anyone has a romance where a woman is comfortable with her sexual history and the hero is too, definitely drop me a rec. Please. Because we’re all damn grown ups and sex with other people happens. GET OVER IT.”

    I am HERE FOR THIS! I think Kresley Cole does the Madonna/Whore thing pretty routinely, and it’s a big reason why her books just don’t do it for me. It’s a shame, because she’s one of the biggest out there — particularly in PNR — but her gender politics leave a lot to be desired. (Buzzkill out!)

  22. EmilyZ says:

    Wow, there really aren’t many books where both parties are sexually experienced AND both are OK with it. I read a lot of historicals, but even so. Here are a few, in order of how highly I recommend the books:

    On the Edge and Fate’s Edge by Ilona Andrews
    All of the characters have some experience and none of them have any problems with it. The setting is contemporary, but there’s a parallel magic world, which only some people can get to by passing through The Edge.

    Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook
    This is a steampunk novel about a ruthless mercenary and the dashing adventurer who tries to win her heart. They’re both sexually experienced, but it’s treated as NBD. Archimedes does hold off on having sex with Jasmin until he’s truly in love, but mostly for the novelty of that experience.

    Iron & Velvet by Alexis Hall
    Similar to the Dresden Files, but with way more lesbian sex. It seems like everyone has slept with everyone else, and while there are some bad breakups, no one is criticized for playing the field.

    The Wrong Billionare’s Bed by Jessica Clare
    Both characters are experienced and fine with it, although Audrey has some body image issues. Contemporary.

    Divorced, Desperate and Delicious by Christie Craig
    Both characters have been married, are fine with their sexual experience, although leery of emotional intimacy.

  23. JocelynZombie says:

    Most of the Christina Lauren books have heroes and heroines with experience, and no one is made to feel bad about it. There is some triggery language in some, but it’s always either teasing or (in Beautiful Bastard) during sex talk.

    If you’re not into hate fucking, skip her first.

  24. graysky says:

    I study crime and I have seen how vile the Russian mob is, and I love this book I’ve read it three times. To me it’s like La Cosa Nostra in the movies and the actual mafia. The Clockmaker reminded me the Godfather, and to me that said he doesn’t traffic women and I believe that in The Professional the say as much, the other Dons want to take over because this family won’t do what they do. I loooove Max I think he’s crazy sexy I do agree the kidnapping rubbed me a little the wrong way but she made up for it in the dialogue and sexual tension.

  25. Mary says:

    I’m never a fan of shaming someone for their sexual choices in real life or books, but I do feel it to be a fairly common human characteristic to not want to imagine your partner with someone else (unless, of course you *want* to imagine your partner with someone else, which is it’s own thing 😉 ). I think I’m probably in the minority in that I really love seeing women being strong in feminine ways, particularly within the framework of historical, where they operated under specific social guidelines. I am attracted to very strong masculine/feminine dichotomies and I actually feel that’s one of the reasons for the recent proliferation of BDSM popularity; because it draws a very pointed line with specific dominant/submissive roles that polarize similar to traditional masculine/feminine energies. I in no way endorse women (or the more feminine partner) as less than or subservient; I do think that there needs to be polarity for there to be a strong current. It is a turn-off for me when everyone just wants to lead. I love seeing a woman who knows who she is and can be soft and receive in love, sex, and life.

    I like how KC uses sex in this book to explain more emotional facets of M and ultimately how he is positively transformed by opening himself up through it.

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