This was a surprise. As someone who is very into horror, it was very enjoyable overall. It cost me a little bit to get into it at the beginning, since the story doesn't give much explanation about the universe, instead it tells most of it through little details. This is a world full of "beast-kins", basically humans with animalistic traits in their body (ears and tails). In my head I compared it to hybrids from fanfiction. Once I got it, I was ready to fully immerse myself into the ride.

The plot is about Loukas. He feels a lot of self-hatred, shame and guilt over his desires, not explicitedly told which ones until much later. He works at a library, where he meets Hide, a fellow beast-kin, a goat. Hide acts like a bully and treats Loukas as someone unworthy at first. Despite this, Loukas feels infactuated by the older guy, while Hide becomes curious and wants to play with him a little. Their dynamic transforms through the story, and soon Loukas is confronted between giving up to his true self or stay behind his mask.

The characters are definitely something I don't see often. Loukas is introverted, inexperienced in his world and anxious. Hide is the total opposite, rude, loud and annoying. Personally, Hide was never a likeable character to me (mostly due to his

Spoiler

misogyny

), but this isn't something that takes me out from a book. I find fascinating and even daring when an author sticks to making their characters human, and some humans are despicable and/or just not likeable at all. The mystery around Loukas and the reason he feels so ashamed keep the story interesting, and I even found myself rooting for him. Even at the end, which I feel is tied to

Spoiler

internalized homophobia and accepting yourself

.

About the dynamic, I enjoyed that it developed past the bully-bullied, which I am fine with to begin with, but it's more intriguing to see a dynamic evolve. Loukas isn't solely a victim of bad pranks and rude comments, and Hide isn't solely a crass and rough guy. He has his vulnerable moments, while Loukas manages to go out of his shell. This balances out considering Loukas is bigger, taller and stronger, contrary to Hide who is much older and small. The fun part is when at the end,

Spoiler

Hide becomes the prey, and Loukas is now a predator

.

I also felt that the writting style was great, and the story had a nice pacing. It tells no more than it needs, and the big reveal feels earned due to the good build up. It's important to mention that this series goes slow in regards the relationship, so it's best not to expect a lot to happen between the main characters, especially because they

Spoiler

barely have "romantic" interactions

through the plot. As a fan of slow burn, that was perfect considering the type of story it wants to tell. I'm hoping to see more chemistry between both in the next book.

-This was an ARC review.

Tags: (might miss some of them)
-POV: third person
-Content warnings:

Spoiler

gore/blood, cannibalism, violence, mutilation, self-harm, starvation, internalized homophobia (mild, nothing too bad), misogyny from a main character, past abuse, stalking between MCs, toxic dynamics, self-destructive tendencies

-Elements:

Spoiler

size difference, age gap, horror

-Kinks:

Spoiler

voyeurism, breath play (not on page, but one MC wishes this to happen to him, chastity device, gags

-Sexual act(s):

Spoiler

none of these are between the MCs, on page sexual acts between one MC and side characters include: double ended dildo, blowjobs, toys

-Dynamic:

Spoiler

unbalanced power dynamics, bully/bullied, predator/prey, it's known that Hide exclusively bottoms