The Horse Mistress: Book 2 (30-DAY AUDIOBOOK RENTAL, LGBT)

I read book 1 yesterday and it was interesting but book 2? It wrecked me emotionally. I cried along with Carivel and worried over her lovers and what the future would hold for them. The care and love these three share is just... beautiful. There are no other words. The beauty of this love is nigh earth-shattering in the end. I won’t give it away but I will warn you I had to stop and sob for a little bit before continuing on. This book was an emotional roller coaster and I truly felt what the author was intending me to.

This book pushed the characters' relationship even farther and includes themes I love - hurt/comfort, PTSD, and consensual kink. This series is remarkably well written, with characters and a world I adore and want to learn more about. I can't wait to read the next one!

* I received a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. *As with book 1, I devoured the sequel in one sitting, relishing the same careful treatment of gender and power roles that I'd come to love from the first book in the series. It's really refreshing to see Carivel's gender identity handled so well (or at all, really--not many authors seem to like tackling gender identity themes), and combined with a delicious mix of D/s needs being met within a complex poly relationship, this series hits all of my buttons and then some. Steffan builds a convincingly harsh historical fantasy world: a village in the midst of war, caught between patriarchal traditions and a rival group's egalitarian way of thinking, with a religion and set of cultural traditions that weave the story and setting together perfectly.I can't recommend this series enough if you're looking for some complicated but deftly handled and sizzling hot poly romance! There may be a few spots where the relationship dynamics get spelled out a little too bluntly for the reader, and there are definitely several very difficult situations in book 2 that may be triggering for some, but at its core it's a rewarding story about struggling for acceptance and the importance of self-care/after-care. It's three broken people learning how to love themselves, and accepting that sometimes relying on others when you need them can make you a stronger and more independent person in the long run. Each of the main characters goes through the wringer, but together they find ways to balance their mental and physical states as they deal with very human fears and desires.I can't wait to see what's in store for Carivel, Andoc, and Senovo as the series continues... and I can't wait for our lovely Horse Mistress to get more riding done with her shiny new harness! ;)

Character whumpThe characters I grew to like in book one are back and still (again) getting themselves in all kinds of trouble, most of it not their faults. They deal with events and issues as best they can, and find help in some places they don't expect. Well, I didn't expect the help that Senovo got early and mid-book. It felt like especially Carivel got forced into some rough choices and took some of the events hard, but ze did the best ze could with the choices ze had. It was made clear that Carivel isn't a warrior. Ze just doesn't think like that. But Carivel is learning what will be useful in warfare. Ze's kind of getting a crash course. Andoc already has that mindset, and Senovo has a good sense of strategy. Carivel had to deal with a lot that didn't have to do with horses.Edited to add: I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

After reading the first book, I couldn't wait for the second one to come out—and I'm happy to say it exceeded my expectations, which were high already. What makes this story better than other books I've read, is not its rich world building, or the professional quality of the writing, or even the captivating plot, although all of those things already set the story apart. It is the 3 main characters, who are complex and flawed and really interesting, and their relationship with each other. First of all, the characters are unlike any other I've encountered in the few years I've been reading in similar genres. For instance, ***SPOILER ALERT*** I've never read a book where the characters burn up the sheets (trust me, it's wow!), where one of them is a eunuch. Or where the woman in the relationship does not feel empowered by her "female body" and the conventional way a woman is supposed to have **** with a man (most stories tend to celebrate a woman's sexual faculty), so when her partners ultimately releases her sexually, it is indescribable, and I simply couldn't get enough of this story! The author treats these topics (like gender, sexuality, and intimacy) and the characters themselves, with great empathy and skill, and that made the interactions as well as the intimate scenes between them some of the most memorable I've ever read.In this book, the relationship between Carivel, Andoc, and Senovo deepens and shifts, and she and Senovo start to bond outside their relationship with Andoc. But things happen in the overarching plot of the story that create unforeseen trauma for Carivel (although it also involved Senovo, it affected him differently), and this has a huge impact on the trio. The way the story unfolds—how the two men band together to protect and care for her and each other, even while preparing to fight a much bigger enemy—was a beautiful, heart wrenching, and ultimately unforgettable climax to an already unforgettable book. Of course the overall story carries on, raising the stakes even higher with an impending war, so I can yet again not wait for the next book to come out!If you enjoy sizzling MMF polyamory and are open to gender fluidity, I absolutely guarantee you will love this series. It has a great plot with amazing characters, the **** scenes will have you blushing for days (and laying awake at night ;) ) and you will wish for your own insightful yet light-hearted warrior, and vulnerable, passionate priest (who, ***SPOILER ALERT***, are like **** coaches to couples who get married, so they KNOW stuff. Oh boy, does he KNOW stuff... I seriously want one for Christmas). I received a free advance copy of this book with no expectation for a review. This review is my own honest opinion.

I have read every one in the series and love them all!!

I really like these books. The story is deep and immersive and the characters are all so very different. Great writing as well!

'ACCIDENTALLY' Ordered this! BEWARE OF CURSOR "HOVERING OVER 'BUY'!!"

Another great book!

I love this series. I can’t wait to read all of the books!! Andoc, Senovo & Carivel are perfect together

I don't have the elegant words that some reviewers have to describe the The Horse Mistresses journey. I'm really enjoying it thus far, although I struggle with some of her sexual aversion but hey the love they have for each other is smoking! I leave you now to start part three. Good night

After I finished reading The Horse Mistress: Book 1 I started this one right away as I wanted to read more about this world, see where the story went next and spend more time with the characters. This was such a good sequel, it goes deeper and develops things more and brings the danger and other plot liens into more focus too. And there are some great side characters too. It was awesome. I hope I can read book 3 and 4 soon too.In The Horse Mistress: Book 2, the characters are ready to leave the village of Meren to return to their own village Dreabard. They have news regarding the treaty, but also will have to reveal Carivel and Senovo's secrets in the process. They are all a bit hesitant to return and afraid how their village will react. This book deals a lot with the fallout of their secrets, some politics in their village and a decision they are sort of forced into. There is some danger as the conflict with the mainland people looms closer.It was interesting to see how the village reacted to Carivel's secret that she is actually a women and Senovo being a shapeshifter. Carivel has to content with a lot of different reactions and I thought it was interesting to see how the different characters reacted and was pleasantly surprised by one of the side characters. But the more negative responses felt quite realistic too, even tough it made me sad. She is forced into a certain decisions to make the village accept her more as a female and the part made me a bit sad, even tough they really didn't have a choice. And I did like how they handled it in the way that worked for them.This book was quite a bit longer than book 2 and there is quite a lot that happens. Again the author masterfully balances the different aspects of the book. There is enough focus on the story, scenes with the horses, scenes with other characters and events and scenes with the 3 main characters and their romance. This book also has some more difficult and sad parts toward the end and I felt so sorry for what they had to go through. I did like how it ends on a hopeful note, but it's also clear there is more danger to come.There were so many great parts of this book. The story kept my attention and I liked seeing certain topics get explored more. There are some great developments. I also liked how we get to see more of Senovo and his wolf. There were some great scenes there and I do think Carivel has the right idea on how to handle this. Carivel's struggle with her gender/ her gender fluidity also is part of the story again and we keep seeing how this impacts her and how she experiences things. I feel like this book developed and explored parts of the characters even more, which was great.There are also some great scenes with Carivel and the horses. With the new horse she got in Meren and how she interacts with them, as well as her own horse and the herd of horses she cares for in Dreabard.The romance again is one of my favorite parts. I just love how these 3 are together. They clearly love each other and care for each other a great deal. I like how they're there for each other in whatever way they need. And also how sometimes they get a bit angry at the others when necessary, but it all comes from a good place and gets resolved quickly. And the way these 3 of them are together is just beautiful. And the gift Senovo gives Carivel was so perfect for her.There are some **** scenes again in multiple parts of the book, nicely sprinkled throughout the story and they are some of the more happy and uplifting moments. It is pretty impressive how the author continues to vary things up and keep the **** scenes pretty unique and I enjoyed seeing how the 3 of them worked together in and outside of the bedroom. How they work with everyone's preferences and likes and dislikes when it comes to the **** is great to read.There is a bit more we learn about the world and people for the mainland, but the focus is more on the story than the world building. Nevertheless I enjoy the new pieces we learn and having a feel for the world. It was interesting to see how the people from the mainland thought of the Eburosi and the differences in their religions.To summarize: this was an awesome sequel. Plot lines are continued, we learn more about the main and side characters and the romance continues to be awesome. I liked seeing how the story continued and how the people of their village reacted to the reveals surrounding Carivel and Senovo. There are some sad parts in this book with some of the events that happen. I also liked how we get to see more of Senovo's wolf. And there are some great scenes with Carivel and her horses too. I also liked seeing the actions of some of the side characters and how they reacted to Carivel being a female. The romance continues to be one of my favorite parts as these 3 are just so awesome together, I love how caring they are. There are some **** scenes again in this book and I like how the author keeps varying things up and adds some uniq...

Oh just when I think the previous series by this author couldn’t be topped I’m proven wrong!!!! I love these characters, especially Senovo , I love him so much. Please pardon my spelling. About read the third installment!

Fantastic. I love this series. It has great relationships, and interesting plot, lots of complex side characters who get their own stories and plenty of spice.

The plot thickens! Having a wonderful time getting to know the characters and their daily lives. Enjoying all the insight into their world, the village processes, the horse work, and especially loving the religion the author has created for the book. I am intrigued by the priests and their work and almost feel like this sort of society could be helpful to many in the real, modern world! Really admiring the originality of this story, not your usual hero/heroine romance plot line, so much more relatable and really reads in a natural, believable way.

Yes, I am older and have my favorite genres but I am an eclectic reader and refused to be labeled as only liking certain things. Yes, some scenes are beyond graphic but as explicit as they are, they seem to be centered on love and compassion. The story line is incredible and I really enjoy Bronze Age themes. I am enjoying watching these characters come into their own.

The series is interesting. I like how the author is transitioning from one book to another. I love the way the other introduces new trouples in the Eburosi Chronicles.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.Personal rating: 4 starsI read Book One a month ago and was quite impressed by the originality of the plot (in comparison to quite a few books that I have read in this genre), so, naturally, I jumped at the opportunity to read and review Book Two - for which I am quite grateful to the author.Book Two starts exactly where Book One left off - that is with Carivel, Andoc and Senovo exploring their new relationship. There are a lot of challenges ahead of them, the main being whether Carivel and Senovo will be accepted back in their home village, with their secrets in the open. But it turns out that facing village elders or neighbours gossips is not the only trouble ahead of them.I feel that this book is a way more solid read than book one. There is more in-depth exploration of the relationship between the characters. I like the way the authors goes about describing their insecurities, letting her characters talk through their emotions, have their fights and makeups. I often find that those books that fall under a wide umbrella of adult or mature romance focus mostly on physical aspect of relationship and fall short in terms of an actual plot.But not this book.This book is set into a retrograde fantasy world which has enough of substance for the story on its own. The series focuses not only on the relationship between characters (who each on their own is unique), but also on the impending war, society structure and discrimination. There wasn't a moment while I was reading a book when I knew exactly where it was going. Which is as best compliment as it can get.I have read few books with believable menage a trois relationships, even less - books with intersex characters in the said relationships that do not focus solely on whatever is happening in the bedroom. (The series also features elements of BDSM which are very light and few, so that they do not really deserve a particular mention. But I want to say that those moments are also written very well.) Every character has a purpose and their own part in the story. I particularly enjoy parts that deal with training and tending to horses. Those moments are written with amazing attention to details, which obviously speaks of experience. (I have read only one other series that would have that much detail and it warms my heart that I have another series like that.) The relationship between the characters is so loving and tender that it is just a pure pleasure to read.I really liked this book. It explores unconventional relationships, discrimination against women and queer relationships, ****, communication in relationships, dealing with abuse, gender fluidity. I want to applaud the author for managing to tick off all of the things that I usually seek for in (queer) fiction. (There was a moment in the book when I was really worried that this might go down a conventional road, but it did not, thank goodness.)I admit, I am hooked, but I have been hooked from the very first book. Book Two simply solidified my opinion. I am incredibly pleased that there will be another book in the series. And I cannot wait.p.s. If I have to pick my favourite character in the series, I would choose Senovo, because he managed to preserve a very tender heart in spite of everything that he had been through. Although it is a tough pick as I can't imagine Senovo without Andoc, and I liked Carivel way more than in Book One. By the way, if you sign up for the author's newsletter, you can get a short prequel to Book One. The only in which Senovo and Andoc meet. Believe me, you want to read that!

The epic fantasy world of Eburosi deepens, along with the relationship between Carivel, Senovo, and Andoc, in this second installment of The Horse Mistress. Many of the quibbles I had about the first book are addressed here, such as external conflicts that stand in the way of their relationship and more extensive world-building.Along with learning more about horse care, which never feels like an info dump, Steffan also includes a fantastic look at the religion she has created for this world. It is not "perfect" by any means, but it works perfectly to support the environment she has created for her characters. I also appreciated that this book builds on Carivel's character development while also extending to Senovo. Andoc continues to be a rock for both of them in a way that is loving and supportive.Issues taking place in the broader world beyond their village are also developed, and Steffan doesn't shy away from realism even when it's not pretty. I also appreciate authors who take the time to explore how characters don't just bounce back from tragedy the moment they are rescued.I'm falling deeper in love with this world and these characters, and I can't wait to read more.

I ended the first volume of the Horse Mistress a fan of RA Steffan ready to read more adventures with Carivel, Andoc and Senovo. In this part of the story, we get more of Carivel and Senovo together, and the world in general expands as the adventure takes shape.The plot moves along that the trio will help smooth the way for the two villages to work together, but they also have to live with the consequences of the first book. Both Carivel’s and Senovo’s secrets are out, and life isn’t easy for them. They have to deal with fear and hate as well as new friendships from unexpected quarters. We get more time with them discovering their places in the world at large while still finding their part in a poly trio. We also get a significant battle at the end.The **** scenes in this story further character development, and that is not something I ever expected to write in a review for a novel with romance elements in it. Carivel as an intersex person is discovering her limits mentally and physically. She needs to know, and it’s important for her self-acceptance and the role she will play in this trio.We get more time with Senovo’s wolf as Carivel is good at coaxing him out of hiding. I hope that one of the next two books will show a Senovo who has accepted that side of himself. The wolf is gentle to those he loves, and unleashing him brings relief to the guilt-ridden priest.I will say that Steffan had me fooled about the wolves. In one scene, a changed Senovo meets other wolves who howl with him as pack before departing. Then later there are men on horseback on the horizon. I they were shape-shifting wolves like Senovo, but I found out later that I was really wrong about that!While Carivel is the main character in the series, I did miss Andoc on the page. He’s there, but he’s also busy preparing for war as a First Warrior does. We still have two more books, though, so I hope the next volumes bring more of him, too, so we can learn more of him.I read and listen to a lot of indie books, and the quality can often be middling at its best. This book didn’t suffer the typical problems found in self-published works. This has polish and continuity all the way through.To the potentially interested reader: This is a character-based fantasy. Each character is distinct, and they form a believable trio. It’s not all **** and romance. They live in their world, interacting with others and being affected by it. If those elements appeal to you, definitely pick this book up.