Brimstone Manor
By Frances Pauli
Nicki takes your hand and you start down the star-shaped walk. According to the directions Darien has written out for you, the zoo should be just on the other side of the huge park near Brimstone Manor. The day has proved bright and warm, with sunlight turning the grass a brilliant green and the shadows cast by trees planted in various yards offering welcome patches of shade. The fresh air only accents how stuffy the interior of the manor is, and you breathe in deep lungfuls and let your body relax.
This title came out in a time when I was concerned that much of the Heart’s Choice titles weren’t going to really land with me as a reader. I am mostly going to want to be able to self-insert and that is going to mean I want to play a heterosexual male character. I prefer multiple options of romanceable characters of course, but I have read plenty of titles where there was one very well done option due to the sheer focus that is provided to developing that…
Unfair or not, this title kept me from coming back to Heart’s Choice for a very long time.
General Story:
Your past has brought you to the doorstep (well, back gate) of Brimstone Manor. Are you ready to settle into the position of nanny to the cutest demon child? Can you brave his hellhound protector and keep from falling for the head of the house? There is plenty of intrigue to be found amid the sleepless nights. Is the truth more important than your charge?
Nothing in this title shines more than the relationship between you and little Nicki. You will find yourself imitating Rosa Diaz with Arlo at a speed that is frankly amazing. For me, this is almost enough to carry the story from beginning to end but the title is touted as a romance novel. You’ll need to find substance in the romances to keep your attention. This, I believe, will be the largest draw to many. There are four options… two of which are probably meant to be the largest focus, one of which is a serviceable alternate… And one I found particularly disappointing…
I was drawn in originally to this title because, while it very much seemed tilted towards those seeking male companionship in the main Angel and Demon, there was an option for a female love interest. Honestly, though, this is one of the most lacking options within the title. In a supernatural romance novel, the only female love interest is a gender-variable human who is technically working against the main theme within the title as they are trying to spy on the family you’ve opted to protect and care for and expose the supernatural world.
Format and Typos:
No typos, and good readability.
Game Mechanics and Stats:
Opposed personality pairs and skills. Your standard fare. A few side stats that track your current job security, just how hidden the supernatural is, and where your position on the quarrel of heaven and hell stands. Never really ran into any difficulty with determining which skill applies to which option, but some of the side attributes were a bit confusing.
Replayability:
Depending on your romantic preferences, you may be able to find a good two to three play-throughs of the title… or you might end up with one disappointing one unless you are willing to avoid playing as a self-insert.
Dislikes:
- The title feels very short and a bit break-neck in where it wants to go.
- The supernatural reveal in this title felt a little flat, and had almost no real exploration of what that meant for the main character.
- Some romance options feel like they were meant more for the bullet-points and not for the readers.
Likes:
- The showdown at the end of the title was interesting, and fully utilized the supernatural theme.
- Very few other titles have made me feel as protective of a character as quickly. This relationship alone could have carried the entire title.
- I can readily see that both Darien and Michael would appeal to someone more interested in pursuing a male romance option.