Rec: Judgement, Part 1: Bag of Tools (Series)
Title: Judgement, Part 1: Bag of Tools Author: Mexta (AO3), Mexta (Blogspot, complete list of her other original works) Format: Novel (Book one of planned trilogy) Published/Free: Free Length: 85,368 words (24 chapters) Status: Finished Rating: Mature Warnings: Violence. Abuse, including underage. Noncon and dubcon. Voluntary submission, masochism, D/s. Large age gap. Sex, mainly implied. Dubious morality. Slavery too (but weirdly consensual, just read it, you’ll understand) Link: AO3 for book 1, index of complete works (except the third book) Summary: This is Tom’s story. Born in the near-future and growing up on the desolate streets of one of the last inner city neighborhoods, he’s a local kingpin before he reaches adolescence. Facing a bleak future, he looks for a way out – and finds it when he’s adopted by a wealthy, well-known family. But what happens when a boy who’s never known innocence gets a second chance at childhood?
Review: Absolutely engaging story.
It’s such an exquisite writing with really advanced characterization and character development. In terms of plot, it’s not grandeur or larger-than-life, but the pacing and the story gradual transformation is so gripping and it’s just pulling you in. The world-building is also absolutely grounded and realistic but also elaborate and creative at the same time. It doesn’t feel like the writer is trying to make an explosive or huge-deal world, but it’s intricate in its own way.
This isn’t exactly “slash” or LGBTQ+ centered story, but I think that’s the best part of it. It’s so normalized in the universe (including polyamory and everything) that it’s not taking you away from the core message of the story. Being queer here isn’t queer.
It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you’re into morality conflict story, this is the one for you. It definitely deserves much bigger recognition.
