Well,
I will start with
321s Hostel, chapter two.
I have always admired 321's slowly intricate executed cerebral stories. It is something I always look forward to when reading those stories and chapters.
But this time I was ambushed. Wait, before I go on I have to get myself a nice big glass, no, make that a huge mug of freezing cold ice water.
Now that I have it let me...pour it over myself.
Ahhhhhh....that's better. Now I can continue, just have look through the steam that generated after touching me.
This chapter can best be described by one word: HOT. HOT. HOT. HOT.
321 pulls off one of the most difficult tricks. It is taking a character and switching back and forth, altering her perceptions slowly, by increments, changing what she thinks and knows to be true.
When done right, it has almost as a disorienting feel for the reader as it does to the victim.
Trilby Else, who was so good at this, and few others used that maneuver to varying effect and success in other stories and I have to say 321 did it in an inimitable way that is as great as I have ever read in any story, ever. Just masterful! That is no mean feat to pull off.
To read how Rebecca slowly changes with each snap, now accepting being at the hostel instead of the hotel, now accepting being naked in front of Alice, now understanding that she had no intention of spending vacation time with her great, best friend Emily. I mean why would she spend their vacation time together, right? Oh man, how sinister, how intricate, how sexy.
Just ridiculous. MC really can't get any better than what happened here.
And of course 321 does not rush this. It just keeps going back and fourth like some tennis ball being hit from one side to another, and with each cross of the net Rebecca changes her views. Fuck.
321 understands that the slow burn is the one that penetrates deepest. No quick case of sunburn that will fade out in a few says, this burn will last and last, the pain so exquisite and enjoyable.
I have always loved 321s slow, cerebral approach to MC stories but man, what happened here with the MC just knocked me out. 321 has always been a master of story line, plot, characters but the MC is this story, as it is applied and described is just as good at it can get. 321 is reaching new personal heights in MC depiction with this story and chapter. You really outdid yourself here 321. Thanks!
As to the story, besides the amazing MC, we see the return of Jessica, as I supposed we would. She too falls into the horrific net as Rebecca induces her. But really not, because as always, it is Alice who is calling the shots and all the rest are puppets.
In the end poor Emily, who no longer cares about spending vacation time with her best friend either finds a use for herself. Or I should say, Alice finds a use for her.
I can't wait to see where this dark, devious, so very smoking hot story goes from here. I'll have more ice on hand just to be safe.
And then we move from one budding classic right to another. Aren't we a bunch of lucky readers?
This story of course is
Fumanchu's Paperback chapter three. You know a story is special when the longer it goes on the more interesting the plot gets and the hotter, amazingly, the MC becomes. This story has that terrific double narrative, one seemingly better than the other, until you switch to the previous one and realize, hey, they are both just great so just dig in and enjoy the ride.
The narrator begins by describing some of the action in the comic. His fears that Stella is not really induced but if faking it. Yep, just as I and a thousand other MC junkies would have worried. Fumanchu is so expert and getting in our heads, knowing what his narrator, and we, would be thinking. It is just so much fun to read when he does that. Like looking at a reflection of yourself as shown by someone else. And you think...boy does he know me.
He then goes on to describe some more of life's journey, the budding genius doing some very recondite work for the government. It is here where Fumanchu does something very clever as the narrator talks about how the narrator got an idea from the comic! So not only do we have a double narrative story but Fumanchu cross pollinates them! Bravo Funmanchu! So very imaginative.
The work he is doing is a portent of the shape of things to come in his life. The other seminal moment being meeting the intelligent love of his life, Noel, and the good effect she has on him. What happens between them then one can tell will be a major driver in what becomes of him.
Now on to the comic.
Yep, in my second freezing cold water mug moment of the day I encounter the discussion of Stella and young Lindsey. The languid, lounging bed room scene, replete with bed room eyes talk about how the investigation into the De Maurier Society was a dead end. Uh huh. To see these two women who joined law enforcement to do good work so subverted is just such a freaking hot MC scene. And to see controlled young Lindsey leading controlled veteran agent around by the nose just keeps pouring the heat on. And to see Lindsey so completely embracing her dark mission of complete betrayal.
Has playing 'I'm a little tea pot' ever been so fun or sexy? No way. Not in my memory.
Keep it coming Fumanchu. You're killing this so unusual story and your'e killing me. In a good way.
Some other stores I had a chance so far to read I want to comment about, both very good with excellent MC components.
Pan's Hierarchy of Needs continues on it's wicked way and I'm so glad to see it back. Pan uses a very original style of mind control here as Jacob continues to change, corrupt and conquer preternaturally gorgeous sister Ashley.
Not only is the story unusual in its methods but the MC and slow changes going on are just top shelf. Pan is a master of this and Hierarchy is one of his better efforts at it. That's saying a lot considering his awesome body of great works.
Afternoon at the Pink Yoga Studio by Wittengenstein is a really good flat out MC story. Nataly got inducted in the last chapter and now 'decides' to share the love with Laurel. Really good MC here in both chapters. This a very fun story to read.
Night Time Nudging by Mindspark is another brother conquers sister story. These are always fun to read if done write and Mindspark knows exactly how to do it. And like any good predator, the brother has his eyes set not only on lovely sis Sammy but her gorgeous best friend Kylie. Hey, I mean why not, right? And Mindspark does it all, the plot, the story, the characters the MC perfectly.
Interesting to see Witchman come up a sequel to Hypnotic Cab Ride, one of my favorite long time stories with
Debbie's Hypnotic Cab Ride. We see Debbie years after the events with daughter in tow. One wonders what fate befell Beth. She was totally out of it by the end of Hypnotic Cab Ride. Good to see this and very fun to read.
Vacation Rental by Lightsail is another very good read. Ann and Matt are on vacation but both of them seem to be undergoing some strange changes in their views and behavior. Lightsail is taking it slow, all the more credit to that, and slow induction of the two is both very hot and adds to a mysterious plot. This story has me hooked.
Watch and Learn by Quiet Hypnotist is anther story with a very good set up, plot and characters. The slow burn, patient MC is so very well done and really smoking. I really am intrigued by where this story of a brother, his nosy sister and her friend goes.
The one complaint I have about it is the huge paragraphs, or really no paragraphs at all and how when two people are speaking to each other there is no delineation. You really have look carefully, reread sometimes to understand who is saying what. It does take away from the enjoyment of a well thought out, terrifically executed plot. It would be better if reading was easier and smoother.
