To prepare myself for writing a character who is into BDSM, I asked my Goodreads buddy, Kate, what were the best BDSM books she’d read. She named a few, half of which I already had, but one I hadn’t was “Chaos Magic” by Jay Lygon.Crappy cover, no headless torso or hunky guys to perv over, just lots of purple and yellow and what looked like a shrine.I started reading.By page 3, I had emailed Kate to say that the book rocked. Well, actually the comment was “…love it already. That's what subs are like, horny as fuck. Hope the standard stays that high.”By page 24, I was searching the web to find out who Jay Lygon was.By page 65, I was searching for my credit card and hoping Torquere Press’s 15% off offer was still valid so I could buy everything else he/she had written. You can never be sure nowadays. Doesn’t matter. At least there was no giggling gerties, chicks with dicks or any of the other things that put me off when I’m reading m/m.By page 150, things started to turn sour. From now on I’d be judging all my attempts at humor against this and mine would come up wanting.By the end, I was ready to hand in my Writer’s Union Card. Sometimes for an author there is nothing more depressing than coming across one who does all the things you’re trying to do, but, oh, so much better.You’re laughing but you’re crying.According to its hero, Sam, mirth pours from the outside corners of people’s eyes, sorrow from the inside. Mine were watering from both ends.Why? Because this book does another thing I’ve been trying to do and does it brilliantly, ie deal with difficult subjects in a way that ensures the reader appreciates the message while still being entertained.At first glance, the book might be about BDSM, at second glance it might be about a weird sort of real world ‘magic’, but underlying all this is an incredibly powerful story about fear, depression, loss of control, lack of self worth and most of all domestic violence.I’d read advertisements and articles in gay newspapers about support groups for victims, quoting stats that say the incidence is much higher in the LGBT community but often because of various factors is never reported. It’s a subject that’s rarely if ever included in m/m romances which is understandable in a way. Yet this difficult but real problem is at the heart of “Chaos Magic” just as it is at the heart of its hero, Sammy.Jay Lygon uses humor, like the white ropes that Sammy loves so much to wrap that subject up. Winding it around and around with cunning knots, exposing just the vulnerable parts. Making the process bearable and at the same time increasing the intensity when the harsh reality is inflicted.The main ropes are the Gods that Sammy sees. Like Angelena the God of traffic:“From Simi Valley to south of Tijuana is a solid band of humanity, probably 20 million people, and every single soul, no matter what religion they think they follow, prays to the Goddess every time they hit the road. That’s an impressive power base. I mean, think about it.” This Ducati restoring God is aided by Deal, the God of Negotiation, and the Thai born Crash, the God of computers. These beings take on a life of their own as they look after Sam and try to steer him on the right course. Mind you even they argue amongst themselves much as the Gods on Olympus used to: “You pray to the Goddess of Traffic every day,” the Lotto God complained. “No one thinks of me until the pot reaches thirty million.” But at the heart of the story are Sam and his new Master. The question is, will the past continue to haunt Sam or will he be able to overcome his fear and find out who he truly is.Okay, maybe it’s a case of ‘What rock have you been hiding under, AB?’ because everyone else has heard of “Chaos Magic” and read it. But if you haven’t and you love reading a story where the sex scenes are an integral part, and if you want an emotionally satisfying read that packs a punch, get on the back of Jay Lygon’s bike, hang on for grim death and let him take you on the ride of your life.I’d give it six stars if I could, failing that I’m happy to take one off every review I’ve ever had for one of my stories, just to put this one up that little bit higher. Jay Lygon is the God of writing.
