Devon’s review of Future Found (The Singer Series, Book 1) by Mima
Futuristic Erotic Romance Novella ebook released by Samhain 1 Nov 08

I’d better admit up front that when reading the blurb I zeroed in on two phrases: “cybernetic elites”and “he has always loved her from afar.” Technologically enhanced male + slightly obsessed but hopefully not stalkerish=Yes, please! I’ll take it. Then I took a second look, and Tree singer? Shay-non? Tree chi? Mima? Was this really good idea? Given its shorter length, Future Found actually packs quite a bit in, and a lot of it, I liked. Other aspects I found confusing and/or silly. Let’s take a closer look shall we?

This is what I gleaned about the future as it is written in this book. At some point there was a Cataclysm of some sort which had devastating consequences for humanity and the planet. In order to survive and rebuild, humans had to rely heavily on technology, eventually developing an elite ruling class who can survive cybernetic augmentation. Their augmentations help them do all sorts of things. There is also another class, the tree singers, who have an affinity with what little natural resources are left. They use their talents to coax life out of the trees. There are also plain old humans, or nulls, but we don’t find out much about them.

Shay-non (or Shay) is the best tree singer around. She really doesn’t like the Elites, but since they control the trees, she has to work with them. She shows up at Elite Sandor’s compound to sing to his oak, but he tricks her into 24 hours of sex. It has something to do with the fact that sex between tree singers and Elites somehow strengthens their respective chi. Sandor has had his eye on Shay for quite some time, as the key to a bigger plan for bringing faith back to the people. He’s also fallen in love with her, although it is not quite as clear as the blurb would have you believe.

I liked Sandor a lot. He was a strong, talented and thoughtful individual. Shay was a bit of a bitch, but she grew on me. Their romance worked too. I believed in their feelings, despite the brief time frame. However, I found some of the writing and concepts hard to follow. Some of the sex scenes were great, others I had to re-read several times to figure out exactly what was going on.

Sandor’s big plan regarding his tree, as well as how it came to be in his possession, was revealed slowly. It involved his two best buddies and seemed kinda confusing and silly to me, like when they were jerking off on the tree and stuff. Maybe it’s just me. There were definitely some themes going with faith, the environment and life, but it comes down to a six-way in front of a tree. Huh. Huh?

There is an open ending, and I assume this is the first of three connected stories as Sandor finds his friends their partners for the big tree ceremony. I liked the main characters, the romance, and the basics of the setting. Unfortunately, some of the other stuff escaped me. Perhaps a longer length would’ve worked better? I’d love to hear from some one else about Future Found. Although there were issues, I think it may be of interest to fans of the futuristic.

Grade: C+

The Summary:

Tending the Spirit has never been so sexy.

A Claimed story

As a tree singer, it is Shay-non’s duty—and pleasure—to tend the chi of the few remaining trees left after the Cataclysm. Even if it means enduring the life-sucking presence of the greedy cybernetic elites who own them.

But the moment she steps into Elite Sandor’s compound, he throws her world into disarray. Instantly, she finds herself tricked into twenty-four hours as his sexual “guest”, an infuriating prospect. Then he lets her see, but not touch, the magnificent oak in his possession. An oak that shouldn’t exist. For one moment with the tree, she’ll do anything—even submit to Sandor’s attentions.

Sand has waited years for Shay’s unmet sexual needs to weaken her defenses enough to make his move. The time is ripe to begin a spiritual revolution, plus convince the lovely singer he has always loved her from afar—all in one day’s time. A daunting task, especially since her earthy sexuality has him making all sorts of deviations from his plan.

Now that he has her captive, he can only pray. That she’ll agree to help him defy the Council and raise an illegal forest temple.

And that she’ll see past his sensual blackmail into his heart.

Warning: This book includes brief references to m/m and ménage relationships. Some readers may be disturbed by references to a death during sex. There’s also sex involving a tree that will forever make you smile when you hear the term “tree-hugger”.

Read an excerpt.