Edmond Manning

Amazing, imaginative, and utterly spellbinding, this is a fresh look at the legend of the phoenix, with some very interesting variations. The existence and purpose of the mystical race of shifters (if that is what they are) has gained a whole new meaning for me with this story, and I found myself fascinated more and more with each new discovery. And not just that, the tone is humorous and sometimes even sarcastic, making me laugh at some of the cross-cultural misunderstandings. The world show more Edmond Manning has created here is remarkable and wonderful, as are the people, human and phoenix alike, who play a major role in it.

Gio is the main character who tells the story. He is the “broken” phoenix because, unlike other phoenix, he is not able to blaze. Since this ability (going up in flames, then reappearing) is such a huge part of phoenix society, he is eventually banished and has to live on is own. But he never gives up and makes a life for himself, not expecting to have anyone in it. Of course, when Edgar comes along and requests help with his quest, Gio is forced to tell him the truth about being broken, but Edgar will not listen. As the story develops, this belief in his abilities spurs Gio on toward true greatness.

Edgar is “banished” in his own way. As the under-under-under-secretary to the royal historian of a neighboring kingdom, he not only has no power or influence, he has been relegated to reading books for a living. In this world that is a fate fitting for murderers and the worst criminals (Gio’s fear of books confirms this and made me laugh, it is so ridiculously well done). But it has led Edgar to a discovery that requires immediate action. As an “unworthy outsider” he does not merit any help from the phoenix, so he ends up asking Gio as his last hope. His “explanation” really says it all: “It’s a quest where we find things and go to mysterious places. Questing type stuff.”

The setting is a different planet with carnivorous trees and other wonders. Revelations and obstacles abound, magic appears from the woodwork, and the society and customs of the phoenix is detailed and well thought through. If you like stories that are creative and different, if you enjoy a good adventure/quest where literally everything is at stake, and if you’re looking for a read that is as funny as it is breathtaking, then you will probably like this free novella. I totally adored it! show less

Reviewed on Hearts On Fire.. http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

I think that this may be the best book that I've read this year and I would give it six stars if I could. For those who read Mr. Manning's first book, King Perry, this book far surpasses its predecessor. King Perry spent a lot of time introducing Vin Vably, the Found King maker. In King Mai we get to see Vin weave his magical and often mind numbing manipulating of people. Vin Vably is a manipulating bastard using everything at his show more disposal to crown his Found King and that is meant as a compliment.
King Mai introduces us to Mai Kearns, a young loner living in DeKald, IL. and helping to work his family's soon to be foreclosed on farm. He loves farming but has never fit into DeKalb or it's farming community. His first and only love left him alone and somehow Mai lost his zest for life. He has been chatting online with Vin Vably for six months in an AO chat room. Vin offers Kai a King weekend and Mai accepts. We are taken on a wild ride over a weekend of deception, manipulation, laughs, love and some outright lies as Vin tries to crown the Found King of Curiosity.
This is not a romance story even though Vin and the angry, frustrated Mai love each other. It is a beautifully written story of self-rediscovery that had me laughing and crying at its sweet perfection. Written from Vin's POV, the story flows extremely well even with all of Vin's crazy stories and antics. I in awe of the way Mr. Manning pulled emotions from me so easily. At least it seemed easy to me as the reader. I was touched at how much love, hard work and planning Vin put into making Mai's weekend a success. The mantra "I Love The Corn" brought a smile to my face as Mai ever so slowly fell under Vin's spell. The story is an easy almost lyrical read that I couldn't put down once I started it. The unique HEA ending blew me away and left me with tears of happiness filling my eyes. It would help a new reader to read King Perry first but I do not believe that it is entirely necessary. I can guarantee though that after reading King Mai you will want to read King Perry. I cannot recommend this feel good book strongly enough. show less

I hesitate to call this a book; it's more like an experience. It's, as others have said, almost impossible to describe and I think every person that reads it will have a singular experience.

If you love language just for the sake of it you will find so much to love about this book. The use of words and Vin’s love of words and letters will intrigue anyone that has ever had a visceral response to language. I thought I was odd in that feeling so finding a character that actually responds that show more way made me a little giddy. I felt like Edmond Manning was painting a picture with words and sometimes they were strange or painful to look at and sometimes they were breathtaking in their beauty.

At one point Vin makes the following comment:

"It's hard to categorize the half expressions, the ones which reside in between."

I think that sums up the book as well, you can’t categorize it and large parts of the story reside in the in between.

It was an incredibly strange and wonderful ride and I know I will read it again and again. show less

I’ve been sitting on this review for over three weeks; King Perry is a book that deserves a review that will make it justice and I’ve been afraid I won’t find enough words to accomplish this.
Let’s start by saying I haven’t read anything like King Perry. When I started reading it I didn’t know what to expect from this book but I’m sure it wasn’t what I found. King Perry is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. One that almost a month later after I finish it I still show more can’t stop thinking about it.
King Perry is classified as a Bittersweet Romance but it doesn’t have anything bitter about it. It may not have a normal HEA but the end in his own way was a very beautiful end, an acceptable one that let me completely satisfied.

Vin Vanbly is a man that recognizes the lost potential in people; he has dedicated his life to find the lost queens and kings of the world and when he finds them he helps them in their personal journey to find their true self.

Despite his commitment issues Perry Mangin thinks he is happy and has a good life. Perry doesn’t know what to think when he is approached by Vin with the weird offer of a weakened of complete submission in exchange of the restoration of his kingship. Even though he is reluctant to the idea of spending a weekend with a complete stranger there is something inside of him that wants to yield to the offer and here is where this weekend adventure starts.

As I said before King Perry is a book like anything I have read before, it’s a book about a personal journey to find who you really are. At the same time Vin is helping Perry find whom he really is Mr. Edmond Manning with his beautiful writing and his florid prose is taking you on an emotional journey in which he makes you question which queen/king are you and what is stopping you to get your own kingship.
Perry’s journey is not an easy one, not for him and not for us as spectators; you will laugh, you will cry and page after page you will be questioning Vin’s real motives behind his actions. At the end, when you get to cusp of the story and when is almost time to say goodbye to its characters you will wish for the end not to arrive, you will wish to learn more about Vin and his kings and queens, you just want the story not to end, King Perry is that good.

One thing I want to make clear in my review is that the submission that Vin asks of Perry is nothing related to BDSM, it’s a submission of his spirit. Even though this book is M/M I would like to recommend it to all of you, including the ones that haven’t read anything in this genre. You should give it a chance, King Perry is not only an excellent story that will leave a mark on you but it’s also one beautifully written. I can’t wait to read more books by Mr. Edmond Manning. show less