The Hidden Slave

I read all other Kyle Stone's books I could get, and though The Initiation of Pb500 and its sequel The Citadel belong to my absolute favorites, surprisingly, I liked this very different book, "The Hidden Slave", very much as well. "The Hidden Slave" breaks many patterns and cliches present in the current sub-genre (gay or m/m BDSM). First of all, there is no romanticized and often over-the-top "magical" bonding between the submissive (main character and protagonist) and his Master(s) that can be found in most books of this genre. There is no "love" (in the way most understand it) or any other real affection (or maybe just few very rare moments of it). This is first and foremost a tale about a journey of one man to his self-discovery. It's also a story about one SM "experiment" going really wrong, but with no apparent fault by any of the participants - the book reminds how accidents can change everything in life. Quoting from the cover of the previous edition (as it describes the plot fairly well): "Hot fantasy leads to chilling nightmare and then twists back again" (by Lars Eighner). Because of more "regular" and prosaic settings as well as a number of subtle nuances picked up by the author, the book felt quite real, and thus disturbing and even terrifying in places. Kyle Stone could write masterfully well. That's why extreme BDSM scenes he describes felt even more extreme, as the author knew how to "get into a reader's head" (though, overall, BDSM scenes are less extreme than in another author's book, "Citadel"). There are no "safe words" discussed before the scenes, but nonetheless, all what happened was mostly consensual and the extremity of BDSM scenes was exactly what the main character chose for himself. As mentioned by previous reviewers, the book's settings are contemporary. Despite all gruesome realism, the ending of the book is optimistic and positive. Just like a warrior in ancient times who passed life-threatening initiation rites, so did the protagonist feel in the end: wiser, stronger, more self-aware. I'm glad this book made it back in print, and only wish they'd pick up "The Rituals" as well. Highly recommended to the right fan, especially those who enjoyed other Kyle Stone's books. It also reminds me the best of John Preston's classics, as this book is also exceptionally well-written. Just expect this book to be quite different from all other novels the author (Kyle Stone) wrote.

From the cover: Bleary-eyed with drink and fatigue, Lonny brought Master XTC's home page up on his screen and started to read... He felt the excitement build as he read, even though part of him recoiled in horror. He came to the Slave Training Application form.He filled it out without hesitation.His fingers flew over the keys as he spilled out his soul. Sir: I want to belong to a master, to go out on weekends on a leash and tour the bars in my new leather harness. I want to belong-body,soul,mind..Let me live in a cage,lie under your bed,eat from the floor. I was a bit disappointed in this book because I had just come off the high of reading Stone's previous novels,The Initiation of PB500 and The Citadel. I WANTED MORE! So although this is probably a good story, it didn't measure up for me.

Sure, this is not Stone's best novel (see Rituals or The Initiation of PB 500). But that is not by far the worst SM book I have read lately. Try the two other novels first. If you liked them, then go for this one too.