“You aren’t happy with me, you aren’t happy without me, so why the fuck should I leave you alone?”APATHY. DEPRESSION. EMOTIONAL NUMBNESS.Thrown out of captivity and into long-awaited freedom, Kuon is in limbo, left with the ashes of the future Yugo destroyed. Unable to cope with the shards of his former life, he enlists to serve in Afghanistan. Two years later, back in Vienna, he’s once again … back in Vienna, he’s once again stuck in nothingness, except instead of the white room, he is trapped inside his damaged body.
ICE. BLOOD. FROZEN PIER.
Made Yugo seethe with a thirst for vengeance he can never quench. If punishing Mio left him bitter, giving up Kuon wrenched his soul. Determined to let the past go, he concentrates on his future. Until their paths cross again.
Damaged. Aggressive. Hurt. Kuon still attracts him. Haunted by the memories, Yugo wavers. But when another man takes Kuon’s hand, Yugo decides to take back what belongs to him.
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I have to say this book while it was so worth the wait it kinda didn’t have that extra bite like the first book, but it still was good and had me glued to the pages trying to find out what was going to happen next. I believe these new character’s that are introduced in this book are like chess pieces on a board leading up to the 3rd book. Will Kuon and Yugo finally get their happily ever after? We’ll just have to wait and see what happens next.
Obsession of the Egoist, is one highly sought after book! But the wait was so worth it!
The story continues were we left off in book 1, Love if the Egoist. Biggest cliffhanger ever, btw!!
“You aren’t happy with me, you aren’t happy without me, so why the fuck should I leave you alone? You have nothing to give me? Fine. I have many things I want to give you. I came for you, and you will be mine again whether you like it or not.”
Huh, but is it really that simple? Read to find out!
I had a few thoughts about what this book would contain…I wasn’t even close!
“Breaking a beast was easy, but what about gaining his trust and acceptance?”
It’s a dark story, but not as dark as the previous book. And we get more of … yeah, I wanted to write some of my thoughts..but if I did, I would give major spoilers and I won’t do that!
All I can say is; I love the chemistry and connection between Yugo and Kuon!!
Went in a totally different direction than I thought it would
And far exceeded my expectations!
First
Mio… you really need to pull your head out of your backside and what are you thinking? Do you believe that whatever your doing is going to change how Yugo sees you? You are going to hurt the ones you love!
Rick… sit-stay
Yugo … you’re learning! See even old junkyard dogs can be tamed
Kuon… my heart to you. I’m truly not sure how you kept your sanity over the last couple of years. I know you were angry, hurt and confused and what you were doing at the time felt like the only choice left for you but it’s time to let go and be happy. Know in my eyes you never failed. You were and still are the hero you always set out to be.
This ends not really on a cliff hanger but with so many questions and possibilities just hanging out there – right beyond our reach.
Betrayals? I’m thinking yes
New allies? You know it
* relationships and bloodlines were revealed in this episode that are game-changers *
Past choices coming back to bite a certain someone in the backside? You know it
I am still in a bit of a tailspin as I write down my thoughts here. Yugo IMO might have placed himself in a dangerous position. He was so obsessed with Kaun and I think angry at himself for the true depth of his feelings for him that he may have missed the signs of betrayal by those who he kept close to him.
Kaun .. You need to give him a break he deserves a bit of happiness (this is directed at the fingers that are crafting his future!). His life went from one void of sound and touch to one that relied on sound and touch – I think his sanity is a bit tattered.
I need to know what happens next!!!
In this second Egoist, Kuon is not the only one struggling. Its ANGST (yep in capitals so it must be true).
How do you go on when you’re no longer useful in the world? This is Kuon’s dilemma, his cross to bear and he’s crumbling despite trying to maintain the stoic facade Yugo occasionally managed ripped from him.
But he is still wanted, by family, by an obsessive former colleague, by Yugo, even though the Black Duke released him to save his life.
These characters are realistic, not heroes. Some wear ‘grey’ hats rather than black, but no one gets a white hat.
After Love of the Egoist, I was on #TeamMio because I felt sorry for the poor misguided soul…
Mr Seal, you did it to me again. Good job!
I do not want this to be over!! I want more for sure. Finally there is a bit of a shining spot on this series at the end. It is actually really great to see. It is still dark, but this book was really about finding oneself and trying to come to terms with what you want. There are still sooo many things I want to know and so many things left hanging. I still whole-heartedly think this is a wonderful series and am about to read the shorts. I found that I understood Yugo a lot more in this one, and I liked him a lot better. I also still loved Kuon and thought the addition of both Kristina and Rick were a nice touch. I liked that you got a bit more of Mio and even Tabias. It was just a great read. I hope this series does continue. I will definitely be the first to pick it up.
OMG how can you do this to me Nero? Obsession of the Egoist was the most anticipated book I have ever waited for due to the huge cliffhanger it ended on. Biggest cliffhanger ever! We get thrown back to where the first book ended. No spoilers. Kuon and Yugo have the most damaged relationship I have ever seen due to it starting out by being Stockholm Syndrome. I loved every minute of it, I love forced “interactions”. This book is more of a slow burn romance. Other characters are involved in Kuon and Yugo’s story this time. The second book has story lines in it that I never even would have thought to be, since the first book was so focused on Kuon and Yugo. And yes I am still on #teamkuon, Mio is a little punk.
The continuing of the story between Kuon and Yugo is softer than it’s predecessor. It follows Kuon as he struggles to cope with being let go and to live while having lost direction and purpose.
As it shows a more patient side of Yugo, it is slow building, and it lacks the edge and heat that ruled the first book. I did miss it, the raw state you are left in when the two collide together. But I got a taste, it simmered under the surface and I just wanted to let it burn me.
With the added characters and building plot lines, it felt like an intermission for the next book, the build up until the detonation. And I look forward to seeing it happen.
It’s filled with angst, anger, confusion and internal struggles as both have a difficulty coming to terms with their own desires.
Puppy love
I don’t like Mio, but who knows what the future holds and cover writers have a way. Well, well, well, what twists you add, Nero Seal. Well done. I absolutely adore this series.
“You’re mine.” The lengths that Yugo will go to help Kuon, happy sighs, even if he may take things too far. The depth of Kuon’s heart floors me and I just love him. He may be one of my favorite characters. My favorite part about this book is the level of trust that evolves between Kuon and Yugo. I love these two and wow are they hot together. I am so happy to share in their journey. Although, I am super curious about others in this series. You need to read these books.
Obsession of the Egoist delved back into the world created by Nero Seal. I appreciated the moments of brilliance that stood out with this book. While these moments shined, the overall book felt more like a transition within an overall story arc and didn’t capture me as much as the first book.
I felt the character development could have been stronger. The chemistry between Kuon and Yugo still was there, and would at times ignite the pages. However, there felt to be inconsistencies within the characters that lessened my connection to them. It also felt like the secondary characters took over the book and left me wanting. Due to the weaker character development, I reduced by half a star. The author did deliver on world building, as always that felt immersive.
Overall, the majority of the story itself moved rather slow and felt like some of it was unnecessary. As a transition, the storyline worked but would have been improved in my opinion by streamlining it. I deducted half a star due to what felt like a weaker, chaotic plot. Towards the end it did pick up and it felt like the magic was recaptured. The last couple chapters gave me some of the connection I had been missing for this book. It just took a bit to get there. Although it felt like a rougher journey this time, I will still continue the series. Nero Seal has successfully enticed me, a credit to his work.
4 stars for a slow-burn read.