Mind Fuck by Manna Francis – review

Title: Mind Fuck (Book One of the Administration Series)
Author: Manna Francis
Genre: Dystopian future, Mystery, Romance, Crime, Science Fiction, D/s, (oh and lots of hot gay sex).
URL: Casperian Books
Price: US $15  (or you can try the story for FREE at the authors website)
Warnings: NC-17
Summary: From the byline – There are no bad guys or good guys. There are only better guys and worse guys.
My review: This is a fantastic read, in fact it is one of only a few hardcopy books I have read that has managed to give me the same emotional impact of a great slash fanfiction story in something totally original. (And boy is it original!)

There is so much to love about this story.
If you are into Sci-fi, the awesome tech of the Sim is well written and clever, it is just those few steps ahead of what we have now and is seamlessly realistic. If you are into Mystery, there is a fascinating locked room mystery to solve, one with unexpected twists but a clear internal logic that ensures the the eventual resolution is thrilling. If you are into relationships and character driven plot, Toreth and Warrick provide. Both characters are flawed in there own ways and Manna uses this in the story to constantly shift the dynamic. I found the powerplay absolutely fascinating, neither character is pigeon-holed into a particular role and therefore the story is edgier and more realistic. And of course with all that powerplay and character interaction going on, the sex is very, very hot.

The writing overall is tight and stylish. Manna manages to move from the plot heavy sections of the story to emotional content smoothly, never jarring from one scene to the next. She is skilled in creating wonderful settings, not just in the imaginative Sim universe but in the little details of office life, even down to the dodgy office plants and secretarial politics. There are so many little details of ordinary life blended with the extraordinary that it is very easy to fall into the story and be taken on an awesome ride.

And last but not least, I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, (but admit it, we all do!) and this cover is just stunning. This was a book I was perfectly happy to take on the bus to work and so long as the stick beak behind me couldn’t read the title, I could read my hot gay porn in peace. Really go and check it out, its a very pretty book.

I first read this story online a few years ago (where it is still available thanks to Manna, if you would like to try before you buy), and was overjoyed when I was given a copy of the hard cover for my birthday this year. Manna has a second book in the works, Quid Pro Quo, which includes a new original piece and I seriously hope goes on to write more so I can curl up in bed with more good books like Mind Fuck.

And if you would like a second or third opinion, here are some other reviews:

http://topandbottomreviews.wordpress.com/2007/11/24/mind-fuck/

http://morethan.evilmonkeycult.com/booklist/#mindfuck