Sir's Rise (The Rise Series Book One) Kindle Edition

I read this book as an Advanced Reading Copy, but I also had it pre-ordered, as I usually do with Red Phoenix's books. I really like this author because she treats the world of BDSM with respect and clarity. She understands where the lines are drawn between BDSM and abuse and isn't afraid to defend the lifestyle. I applaud her writing. I believe she is one of the bravest of authors because she manages to crush the "Christian Grey" syndrome in its tracks. What Red writes about is real.So this book....I had looked forward to this because it was going to be the backstory of Sir Thane Davis - the history that we didn't know. How he met the "other" guys - Durov and Anderson. And how they became good friends. I already had this book written in my head, I thought I knew what it would be. Ha! Wrong again. This book was FAR BETTER than anything I could have EVER imagined in my little brain. This book left me speechless (and trust me, the people who know me will tell you that just doesn't happen EVER).Let me start with the technical. This book begins shortly after Thane Davis' father has died and Thane (aka Sir in future books) comes to California to go to college, supported by his Uncle and Aunt. We knew some of this story from previous books. Sir's background has been mentioned in more than one of Red's books, so most of the background of this story wasn't a surprise. The arc of this story is even and it flows very well throughout. Not one time was I left wondering what happened, not once did I think something had been missed. The pacing was perfect for this book and was made that much more interesting during the interaction of the characters. And then we have the character development, which was PERFECT. We already knew these characters from the series, and their own books, but we never met them at 18 or 19 years old. OMG. And now for the rest of the review.....I don't believe I've ever laughed so hard at a book until Durov did the same thing to Sir at 18 that he did to Bri 15 years later (approximately). He pretended to not know English. And as soon as he did it, shades of Bri's meeting with him came into my mind, and viola! I was laughing like a crazy person. And then I had to chuckle when the future Mrs. Davis meets the young Mr. Davis and said future Mrs. Davis's father is ready to tear Sir's head off. And I laughed again when Brad Anderson, probably my favorite Dom of the entire series because of his sense of humor, met Thane Davis for the first time. Looking at these two side by side, two less likely friends you'd never find. But friends they are. Through thick and thin, these two men became the family that the young Thane Davis had lost. But the most important part of this book is the undercurrent of Thane Davis becoming Sir. He learns that Durov's "dungeon retreat" is perfect for him, although it is filled with Sadists and Masochists. He learns control and he learns his true calling there. He learns how to be the man he was destined to grow up to be and he rises from the ashes of his father's suicide and his mother's mental illness to embrace the man he is.I will say it again in case you missed it - this is the best book by Red Phoenix yet. I already knew she could write about BDSM. I already knew she could develop these characters so her readers loved them. I already knew she could tell a good story. And above all, I knew she could write about BDSM in a way that made people understand it better. And I also knew she could write erotica very, very well. What I didn't know was that she could pull heart-throbbingly real emotions out of the three Dominants that we've all read about and thought we understood. This book, the start of the Rise of The Dominants, made me realize I'd underestimated the power of the Red Phoenix pen. Kudos, Red. You keep writing, I'll keep reading. You've turned me into a Super-fan, and I'm loving it.

Sir Thane Davis is one of most charismatic characters I've ever met. His elegance and refinement show through even in his Dominance even on its early stages. Learning about his introduction to college life and the forging of lifelong friendships was both insightful and interesting. His relationship flashbacks with his father were poignant and enlightening.This newest book by Red Phoenix is yet another example of her creativity and talent. She gives us strong, dynamic characters set in page-turning storylines that hard to put down until the last word has been read.

There are times when I feel like I have used every superlative known to man when reviewing books by Red Phoenix. And here I am again, having read this newest book, trying to think of how to review it with words that equal my enthusiasm.There have been many hints and story bits during the storyline of Brie and Sir, indicating what his life was like before Brie. But here, in Sir's Rise, we are beginning to learn first hand about Sir. I was drawn in from the very beginning of the book, and couldn't put it down!We meet a college-aged Sir, as well as Brad Anderson, Rytsar Durov, and Samantha Clark! I loved reading now they all met. And I loved seeing the beginning of things we know already, but we didn't know the details before. I am reminded of the wedding toast Master Anderson made saying that Thane was a real nerd in college. In this book, we get to read about it! And that's just one example. So many things click now.And just as a storyline, this book has it all. The emotions are so real. And the sex scenes are super hot! The friendships grow. And so many things influence life. The introduction to BDSM was fabulous! Rytsar is always a winner in my mind, and him taking Thane and Brad to the club for the first time was great! Thank goodness he did!I had heard there were readers who were worried about -not- liking this book due to it feeling like Sir was cheating on Brie. But I'm here to say that it is not the case! Everyone has a past before meeting that special someone. A past that shapes who we are and how we see life. Sir is not cheating on Brie when he has not met the adult version of her. Sir's BDSM experiences, starting in college, have shaped the man he became when he met Brie. And because of the experience he gained, he became the perfect man for Brie, just as Brie grew up to be the perfect submissive and wife for Sir. It's so fun to know where all of this is leading up to!To the doubters, I say "Try it!" To those who have read and loved it, I'm with you! An outstanding book by Red Phoenix!

OMG......If you love Sir, Master Anderson and Rytsar, then you will absolutely love this book! This book has all the usual hotness that Red usually brings in her books and you get the behind the scenes look at how their relationships and bonds got started. I read this book in one sitting because I could not put it down. If you love the Brie's submission series you will love this book. I am excited to see what comes next in book two! I highly recommend this book.

Red Phoenix never disappoints her readers, each story is built until it reaches that final crescendo and this one is of no exception. There are many powerful scenes which play out in this book, and we the reader get a better insight and understanding of who Thane Davis really is. From meeting new friends and his introduction into the BDSM lifestyle. We find out to a greater degree why he has fought so hard over the years to keep people at arms length to his final revenge, and oh boy that was so sweet.I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 18 due to some very hot scenes.

So I am a BIG fan of the Guild Hunter Books and I love Raphael and Elli, however, I felt this book took a while to really get going. I'm not sure if that was because we were all hanging on tender hooks after the previous book or what. Initially I was worried that it was going to fall flat under the pressure of expectation, however it did pick up and thee second half redeemed the book enough to bring it back up to 4 stars.I do not want to give any of the plot away but things get real dangerous fast once the story takes off. Maybe I'm a sap but I did need tissues.Not my favourite of the series, however if you are already a fan of the series this is one not to be missed.

Loved this from start to finish, once started i could not put it down.Thane came across as a lonely, headstrong but determined young man. His caring character shone through as it has done throughout the other books. Always thinking of others and being protective towards his friends. I had forgotten about the beast and what an evil vile woman she was.I smiled at the first meeting of "young" Brie and Sir.......obviously i remembered it from his other storyline but it still made me smile.I will be onto the next book immediately. Can't wait.

With every book, I fall deeper in love with Red's characters. Meeting Sir at the start of his dominant journey and his new forged friendships was great. I was worried I wouldn't like life pre Brie, but Red drew me in and captivated me all over again. Can't wait for the next one.

Loved going back and meeting Sir Thane Davis prior to Brie as an 18 year old man. The Beast is just despicable and it was good to see her taken down in this book but it obviously doesn’t last considering she reappears in Brie’s Submission.It was good to see the 4 Dominants coming together as friends from the beginning especially knowing who and where they are now.