To celebrate being all caught up, here's my thoughts on what I've read this week (disclaimer: I haven't taken notes as I went, so the stories near the top of the list will be fresher in my mind).
Accidental Hypnosis Turn Good (mc mf md in)
(new) by
armored.dragon132Eric takes the opportunity to enslave his mom when she falls into a trance.It's never a good sign when the title is badly written. I mean, I've read worse, and from authors who've been around long enough to know better, and I've seen authors improve a lot with practice, so, for a first effort, it's passable. If you're looking for a story where a controlling mother gets accidentally hypnotised and her horny teenage son takes full advantage, this does fit that outline. To its credit, the hypnosis is not immediately absolute control - at least initially, the mother does things like wake up and protest when things go too far too quickly, and suggestions fade overnight - but the trigger is always effective, so resistance or backsliding only lasts a short time. Definite room for improvement.
Alterations: Bryan’s Dance (mc mf)
(new) by
Scalar SeventhBryan reluctantly takes a friend to a very peculiar quasi-legal club.The first solo story from this author, and sharing the same universe as last week's collaborative Alterations: Kathryn's Confidence. I liked the characters, setting and premise, and would be interested in a direct continuation/sequel as well as others in the setting.
The Bank (Roboman127) (mc ff rb) (3 new chapters) by
Roboman127Robberies, kidnappings and Assassinations are being done by strange shiny black PVC women. Two women going to the bank have their lives changed forever.This author has a lot of repetition and reuse of names, events, backstories, characters, and other details between their various stories, and I've resorted to skimming waiting for something to grab my attention. At some point, I'll probably give up entirely.
Betsy Visits River City (mc mf ff mm md fd ds bd gr be rb ts sc cb hu) (1 new chapter) by
Betsy LeohtarBetsy finds herself in River City and is shocked to discover it’s infested with super heroes who will try to stop her doing her own lawful work.This story continues to be crazy, but in interesting ways.
Bimbo-Midas (mc mf ff md gr)
(new) by
Doctor MC, Mad ScientistA leprechaun gives Jimmy a ring that turns any woman whom Jimmy touches into a bimbo.I'm not a fan of traditional bimbos, but, while the setup for this doesn't lay down the exact rules, and this installment is too early in the story to spell out the effect that way either, the actual "wish" only specifies hot, horny, and jealousy-free, not dumb, so my main objection may not apply. Either way, I look forward to reading about how Jimmy discovers what's happened to him, and finding out how he copes.
Blizzard (mc mf ff) (1 new chapter) by
RedsliverWhen Gene treats a strange visitor to better hospitality than she thinks she’s worth, she overcompensates him with three beautiful co-ed princesses. Auditors have been notified of the discrepancy.I've been enjoying this one a lot too, though I have a feeling more drama is on the way, even without the new time limit.
Editing Reality Book One: Naughty Fantasies Created (mc mf gr in ts) (1 new chapter) by
mypenname3000Steve gets a phone app that lets him edit other people.This one continues to hold my interest, though I'm not entirely sold on the number of viewpoint characters and the amount of replaying the same events from different perspectives that's going on. Some of it helps the story, but I'm not sure how much is too much here.
Gabby the Gray (mc ff mf) (3 new chapters) by
SoVeryFascinatedAt nineteen years old, Queen Gabrielle de Vess fears she is too young to assume her mother’s crown. But a chance encounter with a mysterious hypnotist will change her perceptions forever.A story I'm almost sorry to see end, particularly considering that certain characters have a possible fate hinted at late on, but never actually explored.
The Goddess, the Stars, and Ice Cream (mc ff)
(new) by
Trixie AdaraSandra’s new VR headset has a strange effect on Masy.I don't know if there will be a part 2 of this - it stands alone well enough - but I'd like to see Sandra's reaction to Masy's experience.
Goldgirl in Trancetown (mc mf md cb)
(new) by
WitchmanA superheroine tries to intervene when she spies a stripper being hypnotized against her will.This one, I could take or leave a continuation - I'd read it (and expect to enjoy it) but I don't want it the same way as the previous story.
The Hash (mc ma md ds ex) (1 new chapter) by
Angel RaymondJen likes to explore, using the chaos of a hash function to visit random places. But this game becomes more interesting than just mathematics when it leads her to meet a mysterious hypnotist on a small island.I'm enjoying this. And it's always nice to see a hypnotist being more of a nice guy than they need to.
Her Mother’s Daughter (mc ff in)
(new) by
Writer345A mother seeks help dealing with an abusive daughter.Another setup for a new story. The scenario has caught my interest, and I'm looking forward to the continuation.
In A Dark Place (mc ff cb) (1 new chapter) by
Madam KistulotMidnight’s goals are accomplished as Miss Blake’s empire crumbles around her. As the shadow weaving heroine takes the chance to relax, a new threat may be looming on the edges of her awareness. This one may have no escape...The pieces are in place to allow a happy ending for this one, but they're also there for it to go to a very dark place, either on the way, or permanently. Still early days for this one, and I'm waiting to see which way it ends up going. And in the back of my mind, there's the knowledge that this is all taking place in the dark timeline that spawned the Domina Argenti, so I can't help hoping that, somewhere down the line, either these characters, or their prime-timeline equivalents, get their happy endings.
It Rings for Thee (mc ff) (1 new chapter) by
Doctor D.Things are tedious but predictable in the thriving city-state of Saltpotter. Until a couple of visitors come looking for something they’ve lost, something Saltpotter might have. And if not? They can replace it.The one major problem with writing from a victim's POV is that it gets hard to follow what's actually happening. Being in a non-traditional setting, with only background world-building, and exposition coming from unreliable sources, it gets even harder. Reading this whole story in one go, it probably wouldn't be a problem. Reading with several weeks' break between installments, with many other stories in between, doesn't do it any favours either. And, as a personal peeve, calling a forest the "Wodd" keeps making my brain flag it as a typo, which also doesn't help matters.
All that said, there's enough depth to the world, characters and story that I want to keep following this one - it's just a shame the format and delivery work against it.
Living Dead Girl (mc ff cb hu)
(new) by
J. DarksongRiver City is home to a number of unusual residents, all with strange and unique powers and abilities. Now everyone is a hero or villain, however. Some just wish to be left alone to live their lives. But when Gwen crosses paths with two of the city’s young heroines, it seems that she’ll be drawn off the sidelines and into the adventure, whether she wants to or not.A good start from a reliable author. Looking forward to more.
Mad Monday (mc mf in) (2 new chapters) by
PanAfter swapping bodies with their teenage daughter, Andrew’s wife finds it hard to handle the hormones.This one feels like it's starting to drag a bit (at least in serialised form) - I wouldn't mind getting to the end a bit faster.
Marital Strain (mc mf gr) (1 new chapter) by
LimerickAmanda and Joseph’s new marriage comes under pressure when they move to a new town.I'm not a fan of the whole Calving Signs version of Stepford, so while this story has its moments, the basic premise is a miss for me.
Night Time Nudging (mc mf md in) (1 new chapter) by
MindSparkWhen a brother learns that his sister uses ASMR to sleep at night, an idea sparks in his head. What if he replaced the audio-files his sister listens to with hypnotic recordings?I do like this general premise though, and I'm continuing to enjoy this story.
Passengers (mc ff ft)
(new) by
blackbladder1Two passengers are entranced by the driver’s smoke on a long cab ride.Smoking and effortless serial conversion are another miss for me.
Perfect for One Another (mc)
(new) by
S. B.After many months getting to know each other online, Sam and Annabelle finally decide to meet but he has something else in mind...I have to agree, it does seem like they are exactly what the title says. While exploring the relationship dynamic further in a continuation could be interesting, considering the author's usual taste, I may be better quitting while I'm ahead rather than wishing for more.
Perfect Gift (mc ff)
(new) by
whatlookslikeWhile shopping for a Valentine’s Day present for her girlfriend, Holly walks right into the clutches of a vampire who has her own idea of what the perfect gift might be.Another standalone where a follow-up could be interesting but is not needed. I may need to start keeping an eye on this author after this and Rare Encounter last month.
Positive Outcomes (mc mf md gr cb)
(new) by
TheHandsThatLeadAt Positive Outcomes, a company dedicated to client satisfaction, the staff work relentlessly to fulfill each and every request they get.I much preferred the recent Three Crates from the same author. This one gets a little too stuck on telling us about the process and the (cunningly disguised) comic book characters affected and ends up less engaging as a result.
The Signal (mc mf ff mc md in bd ds ex ft)
(new) by
Raptor4d4One day it happened. “The Signal” everyone calls it. A mysterious figure appeared on every TV and computer screen, followed by a brilliant display of lights and sound. After that...nothing. Ask anyone and they’ll swear up and down that the world is just as it has always been. Not a single thing changed. Not...one...thing...The synopsis has the best aspect of this story - the new world itself isn't one that interests me, but the business-as-usual air, despite the events described being unusual by our standards, puts a new twist on it.
Spellthief Stolen (mc mf ff md fd) (1 new chapter) by
Meleva and
Scalar SeventhAll she has to do is cross a garden, climb a tower, steal some spells, and get out. Just another job. Nothing simpler.I'm in two minds about this one. On the one hand, the ethical debates are genuinely interesting; on the other, attempts to claim the moral high ground are a lot more convincing when you aren't systematically breaking your given word. Since it looks like the arcanist is inevitably going to win (based on the setup, he would have been the favourite even if he wasn't cheating with both hands), it would be nice if he were someone I could root for. As it is, I'm not sure I want either to win...
Stop Watch (mc mf md in ts) (1 new chapter) by
SidiaA power that is too good to be true becomes a corrupting influence on a man and leads him into temptations he’d never thought possible.Still enjoying this one.
Study Buddy (mc mf md in) (1 new chapter) by
PanA son claims that hypnotizing his Mom will help him to study better.Another story about exploring how hypnosis (or at least the fictional version of it) works, and how to leverage that to achieve the inevitable goal. Unsurprisingly, considering the author, this is going well, and I'm looking forward to the rest of it as it comes along.
Subroutine (Kallie) (mc ff) (1 new chapter) by
KallieLori, a college student, discovers she has a hypnotic trigger that turns her into a mindless, obedient drone. How? Why? And what’s going to happen when her roommate finds out?Very much enjoying this one.
Taming Tess (mc mf md in) (1 new chapter) by
MindSparkA father using hypnosis to treat his daughter’s bad behavior slowly succumbs to temptation.This is another one that may be losing some momentum as it lines up for the finish - it's shifting emphasis away from changing Tess, and more toward using her, and my interest is flagging as a result.
This Is Our Story (mc mf md) (1 new chapter) by
Ice BearConnor, the editor-in-chief of the high school yearbook, discovers that edits he makes to the yearbook come true in real life.It's still early days for this story, but the premise has promise, and I await further developments.
Time Manipulation Mind Control (mc mf md ts in) (2 new chapters) by
mypenname3000A young college student discovers he has the ability to stop time and implant suggestions.I've enjoyed this one so far, and it feels like it may be drawing to a close, barring any new revelations being added in.
Without A Sound (mc ff)
(new) by
HypnoticHarlequinWhile working in a coffee shop Beth meets a strange and silent girl who dresses like a mime. Could a mutual love of silence help them both find something more?:thumbup:
