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11:59
Asuka Kawashima is a man without dreams.Nightmares plague humanity and cross into the waking world—chasing after their dreamers and transforming them into hideous monsters that haunt New York City at night. When Asuka is faced with the choice of either dying or selling his soul to the Devil, he offers it in exchange for the chance to continue protecting people. But the Devil is sly, and while he takes Asuka’s ability to dream, making him immune to nightmares, it also removed Asuka’s abstract sense of dreaming. Now life is gray, hopeless, and without wishes.A chance meeting five years later leads Asuka to Merrick Grace, a man who, despite the dismal world around them, still believes there will be a day when monsters cease to exist. When the Devil reappears, asking for a favor in return for his soul, Asuka must make another difficult decision�.If the chance to dream again—to share a life with Merrick, full of hope and happiness—is worth the risk of almost certain death.Previously featured in the Devil Take Me anthology.
64 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2020
4 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
C.S. Poe
45Ìýbooks1,150ÌýfollowersC.S. Poe is an author of gay mystery, romance, and speculative fiction. She is a winner of the FAPA, Next Generation, and e-Lit book awards, as well as a finalist of the Lambda Literary and EPIC awards.
She resides in New York City, but has also called Key West and Ibaraki, Japan, home. She’s a Gilded Age New York historian, loves Romanticism artwork, the films of Buster Keaton, coffee in the morning and whiskey in the evening, true crime, and cats. She’s rescued two cats—Milo and Kasper do their best to distract her from work on a daily basis.
C.S. is an alumna of the School of Visual Arts.
Her debut novel, The Mystery of Nevermore, was published 2016.
cspoe.com
She resides in New York City, but has also called Key West and Ibaraki, Japan, home. She’s a Gilded Age New York historian, loves Romanticism artwork, the films of Buster Keaton, coffee in the morning and whiskey in the evening, true crime, and cats. She’s rescued two cats—Milo and Kasper do their best to distract her from work on a daily basis.
C.S. is an alumna of the School of Visual Arts.
Her debut novel, The Mystery of Nevermore, was published 2016.
cspoe.com
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 12, 2023
The first time Asuka Kawashima met the Devil, he had been falling headfirst from the thirty-third floor of One Penn Plaza.
“Want to make a deal?�
*3.5* Incredibly unique, end of the world, monster hunting, gay romance. Unfortunately, it’s fade-to-black the intimacy side. Still, for only 67 pages, it packs quite a punch.
Love this cover!
“Want to make a deal?�
*3.5* Incredibly unique, end of the world, monster hunting, gay romance. Unfortunately, it’s fade-to-black the intimacy side. Still, for only 67 pages, it packs quite a punch.
Love this cover!
November 29, 2021
I may have written this author off too quickly when her debut novel was a ripoff an homage of Adrien English. This was actually pretty good. Heck, this is 3rd-person present-tense and it barely even bothered me. There could have been more world building, but for a short story, it gives you the information you need and gets the job done. The romance was pretty tame with some cute moments, but definitely not central to the plot. Everything else was pretty well done. I'll have to check out more of her books and see if she can up her world building game for a longer story. (Just not the AE-inspired ones, lol.)
May 13, 2022
Audiobook Review
Story: 3.75 stars
Narration: 4.5 stars
This was a very interesting concept that I would have loved if it had been longer. The entire idea of dreams being taken over by monsters is terrifying. I loved the devil and Wyatt Baker did such a great job with his voice and personality! I really have enjoyed his audiobooks so far.
Story: 3.75 stars
Narration: 4.5 stars
This was a very interesting concept that I would have loved if it had been longer. The entire idea of dreams being taken over by monsters is terrifying. I loved the devil and Wyatt Baker did such a great job with his voice and personality! I really have enjoyed his audiobooks so far.
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October 22, 2024Buy Links:
audio narrated by Wyatt Baker
audio narrated by Wyatt Baker
December 10, 2023
Selling your soul to the devil!
Interesting novella, the plot was a bit more intriguing than the romance, but overall a quick listen. Bleak as heck though.
Interesting novella, the plot was a bit more intriguing than the romance, but overall a quick listen. Bleak as heck though.
July 29, 2024
"11:59" by C.S. Poe was an enjoyable read. Asuka is 40 years old and spends his night fighting monsters. He sold his soul and has no feelings, but he sees his redheaded neighbor, Merrick, and wants to feel something. Merrick starts leaving notes under Asuka's door, seeing if he wants to grab coffee or go out sometime. Asuka doesn't want Merrick out at night because of the monsters and evil stuff. Asuka sees the devil at a bar, and the devil tells Asuka to question Merrick about Phobetor. He is told to go to the library, and while there, he wants to fight Phobetor to save everyone from the nightmares. I enjoyed Asuka and Merricks' characters. I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but I really did enjoy it.
June 21, 2024
4â�
I read this short story the first time 5 years ago and I remembered it pretty well, so I can say it has an impact. I think the story is very cinematic, it could make an excellent movie with the right kind of cinematography and sound work.
11:59 is bleak, dives right into the action, doesn't explain the world a lot but gets the necessary points across. Then it does kind of delve into the mystery and the mythology of it all. It's interesting and good, but still I feel it's missing the final oomph to make me really love it. The movie could be super cool, though.
Read this as a part of anthology.
I read this short story the first time 5 years ago and I remembered it pretty well, so I can say it has an impact. I think the story is very cinematic, it could make an excellent movie with the right kind of cinematography and sound work.
11:59 is bleak, dives right into the action, doesn't explain the world a lot but gets the necessary points across. Then it does kind of delve into the mystery and the mythology of it all. It's interesting and good, but still I feel it's missing the final oomph to make me really love it. The movie could be super cool, though.
Read this as a part of anthology.
May 2, 2021
I read this as a short in the Devil Take Me anthology. A cop sells his soul to the Devil to avoid death and help others escape nightmares that become monsters. Of course, there is no such thing as a simple deal with the Devil, as Asuka finds out! It's a darkish, but good story - lots of atmosphere, a hint of menace and a solid ending.
Audio:
Speaking of atmosphere, Wyatt Baker is a great choice - he had me seeing NYC the way CS Poe had written it - a little dark during the day and menacing at night. I could hear Asuka's weariness before he met Merrick, and the hint of hope for a HEA after meeting him. Oh, and the way he voiced the Devil, not sure I wouldn't have made a deal with him as well!
Audio:
Speaking of atmosphere, Wyatt Baker is a great choice - he had me seeing NYC the way CS Poe had written it - a little dark during the day and menacing at night. I could hear Asuka's weariness before he met Merrick, and the hint of hope for a HEA after meeting him. Oh, and the way he voiced the Devil, not sure I wouldn't have made a deal with him as well!
June 24, 2021
11:59 by C.S. Poe was given to me in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book. I have read the print version prior and listening to it really brought the nightmares and the devil to life. Wyatt Baker was fantastic as the narrator. The world building was so realistic I could hear the tap tap tap of the woman’s shoes on tile, I could feel the bright soul of a Merrick when he smiled and the despair of the city caught in a nightmare.
December 31, 2024
Dystopian MM romance fantasy. A dying policeman makes a deal with the Devil in order to save himself and protect humanity, at the cost of his soul, his hopes, and his dreams. He meets a persistent attractive young man, and then the Devil promises to return his soul in exchange for a favor.
Typos: "fewer inhabitants...less lights." Both should be "fewer, as they are both finite. "...is like a Polaroid was taken..." should be "is AS IF a."
Typos: "fewer inhabitants...less lights." Both should be "fewer, as they are both finite. "...is like a Polaroid was taken..." should be "is AS IF a."
January 11, 2025
An interesting tale of monsters and a monster hunter. Asuka has been spending his days killing monsters to keep people safe. In the beginning of his mission, he almost dies and makes a deal with the devil. Everything is fine until he meets Merrick. Merrick makes him want more from life. Merrick is full of home and dreams � something that has been missing from Asuka’s life. The devil pops into his life again with another deal � one that Asuka can’t turn down. Great story telling!
May 22, 2020
Below is from my "Devil Take Me" anthology review:
"11:59" by C.S. Poe was a nice fantasy on a shorter side but very satisfying. I loved all the homage to Greek mythology, crossover between the realities and strong romance between the MCs who are complete opposites to each other.
It was one of the shortest stories in the anthology, so not a full 5 star rating but definitely memorable.
"11:59" by C.S. Poe was a nice fantasy on a shorter side but very satisfying. I loved all the homage to Greek mythology, crossover between the realities and strong romance between the MCs who are complete opposites to each other.
It was one of the shortest stories in the anthology, so not a full 5 star rating but definitely memorable.
May 27, 2020
This short story packs a punch. C.S. Poe’s 11:59 has wonderful world-building. The mythology is one I have not read much of before, which gave this story an extra edge for me. Be warned, Poe throws you into the action immediately and will keep you hooked.
* I received an ARC of this book for my honest review. *
* I received an ARC of this book for my honest review. *
November 30, 2023
Dazzling! An imaginative tour de force from C.S. Poe. I loved the combination of ancient myth and urban fantasy that transformed New York City into the stuff of nightmares.
I was rapt by Asuka's quest to reclaim his soul and find love with Merrick and really felt that sense of high-stakes risk throughout. I couldn't stop reading! Another fabulous read from this outstanding author.
I was rapt by Asuka's quest to reclaim his soul and find love with Merrick and really felt that sense of high-stakes risk throughout. I couldn't stop reading! Another fabulous read from this outstanding author.
May 18, 2020
This book is a light and quick read that flows perfectly from scene to scene. Theres no moment where i felt bored or like i didnt care about the story or characters.
The world is believable and the hell and the devil were written are just rly different and interesting.
The world is believable and the hell and the devil were written are just rly different and interesting.
May 29, 2020
A diferent and kinda creepy story.
I love how C.S. can build a world that keeps me interested and is kind of spooky. I can picture both so clearly.
I really enjoyed this book. I wonder if we'll see Asuka and Merrick again.
I love how C.S. can build a world that keeps me interested and is kind of spooky. I can picture both so clearly.
I really enjoyed this book. I wonder if we'll see Asuka and Merrick again.
April 26, 2021
A remarkable achievement, this reads like a contemporary myth. The Devil, nightmares, dreams, hopes all caught up in a hero's voyage to save humanity. The individual ingredients, poppies, black feathers, a ferryman across a New York Styx, combine in the present tense. An American Dreamtime.
February 9, 2024
Es una historia corta sobre un héroe y las pesadillas de la gente que se vuelven reales, me llamo la atención la sinopsis, pero al final no me gustó como se llevó a cabo todo para solucionarlo, se lee rápido, pero la verdad no me importaba tanto el protagonista.
June 24, 2024
Audiobook Review:
Overall � 4
Performance � 4
Story � 4
I’m not sure how I feel about this story. I admit to being confused for a lot of it. The ending seemed to indicate that everything turned out okay. This was my first book by this author so I'm going to try another one.
Overall � 4
Performance � 4
Story � 4
I’m not sure how I feel about this story. I admit to being confused for a lot of it. The ending seemed to indicate that everything turned out okay. This was my first book by this author so I'm going to try another one.
February 17, 2023
Great short story about nightmares come to life and a reluctant hero who gives up everything to save the world.
June 6, 2023
I'm not sure why, but this book didn't speak to me. To be precise it was pointless.
June 27, 2023
This was an interesting story, but the third person present tense narration was kind of jarring.
May 9, 2024
Short story. I thought this was interesting with a unique end of the world storyline. I was hoping for more from the romance but overall it kept my attention.
October 14, 2024
In a world where nightmares have become real, one man has given up his soul to save people. Now, he has the chance to feel again, but at what price?
December 2, 2023
November 2023. Short story paranormal MM romance about a man who has to travel to the underworld to defeat the villain and stop nightmare beings from invading the world. This had some cool ideas about using mythology related to dreams but didn’t quite come together for me.
I wish that aspect had been part of the initial framing as I was a bit thrown by the other supernatural elements of a deal with the devil and freezing time that were first introduced, and later mixed with Greek mythology related to dreams the underworld.
I may try to revisit it in print at some point, I was genuinely distracted by the narrator’s pronunciation of the main character’s name; going so hard with a New York accent of Oscar as “Ahh-Skahh.� Turns out that it was Asuka (didn’t realize until after I was done with the audio, when I saw the name in writing). My bad.
Borrowed on Hoopla with my library card. Generally enjoy this author’s work quite a bit, this one just didn’t land for me.
�11:59� by C.S. Poe.
June 24, 2021
11:59 by C.S. Poe is a great twist on Greek mythology. Asuka Kawashima gave up his soul to save other humans from the nightmares and monsters and finds out he is the only one who can save the underworld and the Devil. Merrick Grace knows what is happening and is trying to find someone who can help stop the nightmares coming to life when he runs into Asuka. To Asuka, Merrick is everything he wants in life before he gives his soul away and in order to get his back he must travel to the underworld and save there. I really enjoyed this story of how your soul is what helps you live a great life as well as showing a side of the Devil not many people would believe.
September 29, 2020
It seems that C. S. Poe has mastered captivating my attention with the very first sentence. It never fails to blow my mind! We see the protagonist, one Asuka Kawashima, on his way down..., literally. What a heart-stopper! With a 'serve and protect' mentality, he makes a deal with the devil to continue his battle of ridding New York City of its dream-generated monsters. And as one would expect, there is a catch. Thank goodness for the bright ray of hope and sunshine, in a dark and dismal world, that takes the form of Merrick Grace. He makes the hero want to 'dream' again! Oh, man! You're going to love this one, folks! Enjoy, dear friends!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
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