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A Project

So, for one reason or another I decided it would be FUN to go through all of @jukeboxemcsa ‘s stories from before he started posting to ReadOnlyMind, as there are some true gems on the EMCSA but it can be ... difficult ... to go by publication date, and Jukebox has rather a number of stories there - 535, by my count, from before he started posting to ROM. If you want to see them, a full list of his EMCSA stories can be found here, sorted alphabetically.

I’ll be reviewing them ... probably 10 at a time? With posts scheduled to go out twice a week, as long as I stay ahead of what’s posting. Once I finish reviewing them all, I may increase that frequency because otherwise this will be going until ... sometime in May, I think. Some caveats on my reviewing: I’m grey ace, so the sex part doesn’t actually do much for me. I *much* prefer seeing the control happen to any sex, though I can enjoy a charge of sex through the brainwashing/hypnosis/other control. I also much prefer consensual scenes to non-consensual, though no judgement on folk who prefer other things. My ratings will skew towards the sweet and romantic ones, as a result, though I’ll try to highlight what stands out to me in any given story since I know others have different preferences.

With that said, let’s start! I’m putting these under a readmore, and I”ll do my best to remember to tag my posts with #jukebox reviews so they’re easy to find.

#jukebox reviews #emcsa

Jukebox reviews part 3! For context, see my post “A Project” under this same tag. If you want to see a full list of his EMCSA stories, they can be found here, sorted alphabetically. And if you want to see his drabbles, you can find those at @jukeboxemcsa

867-5309

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12/9/2007 mc ff

This story is campy and tropy in ways that ... don't work for me in erotic fiction. That, plus things I don't want to address in public, leads to this story to being almost a squick for me without actually hitting on any of my usual squicks. 0/10 spirals.

Take My Breath Away

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12/16/2007 mc ff mf fd

Oh, this story! This is the first one that I'd really consider *truly* consenual hypnokink as we could see it practiced by anyone in the hypnokink community today. ("Mickey" comes close, but there are a few beats in it that make it not quite work there). I think the negotiation is lacking by modern standards, but it *is* a ficiton story so I can forgive that. It's cute and adorable, and I love these three so much already, and I want nothing more than for Ruth, Tara, and Jon to have a happy polyamorous relationship of some flavor that works for all three of them. I think it's more sweet than hot? But that's ok, I like sweet hypnokink. 10/10

Winter Wonderland (Jukebox)

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1/6/2008 mc

Ah, the first of the inductions Jukebox has written. This one is ... fine, though it occurs to me that the induction specifically tells the reader to close their eyes, which is hard to do in text. It reads more like an induction that's meant to be read aloud or recorded than one that's meant for a text archive. That said, it's a *solid* induction. 7/10 spirals in text form, though I'm sure if I heard it I'd drop like ... well, a snowflake :P

Funeral of a Good Girl

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1/13/2008 mc mf md

I love the approach of this one. I can't say too much of why without spoiling something, but it is good. Though I'm left wondering at just how low this guy's wisdom stat is, given he's making his life difficult and eventually the wrong someone is going to come asking questions. (I know, I know, it's erotica, stop overthinking it. But overthinking's what I DO.) I appreciate the sheer guts and bravado, though! Still a bit too much focus on sex though, for my personal preferences. 7/10 spirals

I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On

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1/20/2008 mc ff mf fd md

Heh, I think Mikal granted my wish, too, for more of him and Susan (from Simply Irresistable). This is another story about Mikal and the folk to whom he grants wishes, and Susan makes an appearance. And Susan and a new character, Janice, seem extremely happy with each other. This is still a "be careful what you wish for" kind of story, though, with all that implies. Sweet, though, in a way. 8/10 spirals

Tainted Love

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1/27/2008 mc mf fd

This is another story that feels outside the genre of erotica. I find a world wherein this sort of character and business exist to be one that could lead to some really interesting spec fic. But it never quite gets me engaged with the heat of the story. It's too, well, magical. The characters are wonderful, and the world feels real in a very "our world but just a half step to the left" sort of way. 10/10 for the idea and execution, but the lack of the things that I enjoy most in my mind control erotica gives it a 5/10 spirals.

Glory Days

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2/3/2008 mc mf ff md

Is this sweet? Huh. Kind of? In a warped sort of way? Much like my one complaint with "I Touch Myself," it really feels like a betrayal of a friendship that makes me like this story less than I would otherwise. The back and forth between their college days and the present is effective, though, even if there's more of a focus on the sex than on the hot parts. 6/10 spirals, simply because it's not really to my tastes.

The Stranger

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2/9/2008 mc mf md

If we put the ethics to one side, this is ... it hits that tender, sweet mind control space I really like, and there's plenty in it that's REALLY good. But it's also ... tragic? more than bittersweet, at least, and the whole ethics of hypnotherapy thing looms large, and it just leaves me feeling more heartbroken for everyone involved than into the erotic parts. Poor Annalisa, is all I can say. 3/10 spirals

Our House

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2/17/2008 mc ff

This one creeped me TF out. It's evocative, descriptive, immersive, and CREEPY. Definitely not what I want in my erotica - the sameness is *eerie* - but if folk being transformed into carbon copies of each other is your cup of tea, y'all should like this quite a lot. 3/10 spirals

Sometimes a Fantasy

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2/24/2008 mc ff

This is a sequel to "The Stranger," a year later - and it makes that story somewhat less tragic. I'm glad to see Annalisa so much happier and sure of herself now, but I do hope she got some *proper* therapy in the intervening year. This one is pure heat, though, with the only bit of tragic being that Sam is unfortunately stuck out of town and having to get ... shall we say "creative"? It's still a tiny bit sex-heavy for me, though that's helped by the hypnosis/control/etc being threaded throughout the sex parts in a very convincing way. And the characters clearly have happy, healthy, deep relationships with each other, and that makes the story even better. 9/10 spirals

#jukebox reviews

Jukebox reviews part 14! For context, see my post “A Project” under this same tag. If you want to see a full list of his EMCSA stories, they can be found here, sorted alphabetically.And if you want to see some of his drabbles, check out his blog at @jukeboxemcsa

Sharp Dressed Man

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4/10/2010 mc mf md

Trust someone in marketing to care more about the presentation of something than the content. And, as a scientist, I do resent the way Nina just acts as though scientists don't know how to dress. Just because I get to wear street clothes to the lab (look, you don't want synthetic fabrics around chemicals. You just don't. Cotton all the way, folks! Or linen or wool, depending) doesn't mean I don't know how to dress up and look stunning when I want to. Or, at least, my partners have used stunning to describe me, but I suppose they may just be biased. REGARDLESS, Nina's being a bit catty here, and that definitely makes me feel like she deserves what she gets. But the control isn't ... it isn't a style I enjoy in my kink stories, so on a lot of levels this is just a miss for me. If you like someone being overwhelmed with ... well, ok, in this universe it's science but no, that isn’t how any of this works, so it's magic. You might just enjoy this. 3/10 spirals.

Show Don’t Tell

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4/17/2010 mc ff cb

Given who Adventure Girl makes me think of, it's WEEIRD to see her juxtaposed with Venus Ascendant, given who Venus makes me think of. (Look, her age says Supergirl, but her origin says Ms. Marvel. And I'm a Carol Danvers fan.) But holding that aside, because it isn't really important, gosh this is a Good Story. The Girdle of Minerva works so well, and watching Adventure Girl grapple with the same sorts of "but good girls don't!" that I too had to unlearn is ... cathartic? Kind of? It doesn't hit my hot buttons exactly - too much magic, which if y'all have been following my reviews won't come as a surprise - but it's still really good. 7/10 spirals

Closer to the Heart

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4/25/2010 mc mf fd

How can I even *start* to review this one? This isn't just my favourite Jukebox story - my favourite story on the EMCSA *other* than one my spouse wrote for and dedicated to me! - but it was FORMATIVE to my hypnokink, to my sense of what I might possibly *find* in a relationship. I didn't know what healthy, happy romantic relationships looked like when I was as young as I was when I read this story, back when it was first posted. Not *really.* My parents were always so very private about their relationship, and I knew enough to know that media wasn't ... it just wasn't. Add in the "I'm not really interested in sex itself" with the strong hypnokink, and I was so adrift. Sure, there were, like, 2 book series I read that had Healthy Relationships, but they didn't have any of the kink nuance, so that didn't help.But this story. This story has so many moments that I read and my brain went "that. I want *THAT.*" The mix of romance and fun kinky things in this story became my measuring stick for relationships I was in, and if I realized that a partner wasn't living up to that? That they weren't showing me the respect Lynn shows Michael? I was done. And I needed that, more than once, unfortunately. But it also helped me internalize that I *could* have that kind of relationship. And now I do - 4 times over! I've mentioned before on my blog how a line from this story became a guiding benchmark for me, the idea of "everything we do comes from love." Whether love of community, love of a friend, or romantic love, that central tenant has helped me know when to stop doing something I was no longer doing for the right reasons, and to grow into an adult who knows when to - and how to! - say no.That's a LOT to put into a story, I realize, and it isn't just this story that did it. But it was absolutely a catalyst for so much of that. I would not be who I am today if it weren't for this story. I probably wouldn't have even felt like I belonged in this community without this story, and a few others (one by Jukebox, and a couple by Wiseguy).So all that said, let's get into the actual text of the story, shall we?

While we start with sexual stuff immediately, it's also instantly clearly part of the conditioning/brainwashing process, so that's all good by my standards. There's such obvious love and connection between Michael and Lynn, and she so gently and tenderly reinforcing her control as she moves through the chakras. And then, when we get to the heart chakra, and Michael stops being passive because he loves Lynn so much, and has such a need to communicate that to her... it melts my heart. The way she drops out of pet names and just uses his name in that moment, the mantra... so much good here. And then the moment where we see Michael is so aware of how much Lynn loves him in return is so tender... to me, that's the true climax of this story, the sharing in love that has been well tended and grown by *both* of them. It's just tender and sweet and lovely and I am so very fond of both Michael and Lynn, here and in every story we see with them. 9001/10 spirals.

Already Gone

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5/2/2010 mc ff

There's a really interesting suggestion in here, and it's one I definitely plan to use for (short-term) shenanigans with a partner at some point. The idea of them being consumed by curiosity, focusing entirely on a fixation object as it sucks their thoughts away? Oh yes, I'm using that. The rest of this story? It's good enough, but doesn't quite get me invested the way other stories have and do. Some of that is the contrast to Closer to the Heart, of course; I remember 12 years ago, reading this one the week after Closer to the Heart and wishing that this had been closer to that - and I still do. But this one stands well on its own, if I make myself stop comparing it to Closer to the Heart. Seeing how Cat's mind changes in response to the control is *delightful,* and it's well thought out. It's just a bit impersonal for me, is all. 8/10 spirals.

I Ran So Far Away

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5/8/2010 mc mf md

Hmm, another one of those stories that never quite feels erotic - surreal horror, maybe? Still really good for what it is, just a bit ... not quite fitting amongst the rest of the stories on the archive. But it's well written, we really, TRULY get a sense of what Monica was running from and why she's scared, and it fits so very well. Though I have to wonder how nobody's noticed this before now. Surely enough folk gathered by those who serve would have people who miss them! 7/10 spirals

Zombie

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5/15/2010 mc mf md

I feel bad for Addison here; he's mostly an innocent bystander in this one. Wouldn't it have made more sense to just tell him to forget the secrets involved and only have to worry about one person - a seemingly not well-liked one! - disappearing? Ah well, leaving my opinions on what makes sense aside, this is a bit ... clinical? which is the point, of course, but it makes it hard for me to see it as erotic, personally. But the method works, and I enjoy the (entirely too brief) description of the experience Addison has. If you like more detatched/clinical control, you'll likely enjoy this one? 6/10 spirals

Talking In Your Sleep

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5/22/2010 mc ff

This ends the only way it possibly could, and I don't think that's inherently a bad thing? Because the *how* we end up where it ends up is a bigger draw than the "where is this going?" sentiment would be. It's fun to watch how Alicia slowly brainwashes herself with Holly's voice, though I can't help but shake my head at her not realising she was doing that. Ah well, hopefully it will work out for the best and they can be a happy trio; I've seen well how two subby gals can be in love and reinforcing their submission to a shared dominant partner; it can be *super* cute. Though that does involve more consenting submsision, but what can you do, I suppose? I do have to wonder just how much actual rest Holly was getting, but it seemed to work for her? 8/10 spirals

You’re the Inspiration

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5/30/2010 mc

Another of the inductions Jukebox has written, and one very not to my taste; a central image of it is, effectively, serial recruitment, which is a hard limit for me. So it's not an induction I can rate well, though the technique is as solid as always.

Common People

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6/5/2010 mc mf md fd

I feel like the last part of this sort of skews away from what would be - to me! - a much more interesting story. But it ends up more or less exactly where I expected it to - after 139 stories, I think I'm getting a sense of where Jukebox is going with these pretty quickly from the tone. The first two thirds of the story is good - the approach of a telepath who's trying not to give into her powers is fun! But the cruel ending to it, caused by another telepath, is less my vibe. 6/10 spirals.

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

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6/12/2010 mc ff

Honestly, do people not understand the idea of too good to be true? I suppose there would be fewer good stories if they did, and after all it can be hard to resist temptation. And to be fair, Isabelle did speak truly, for all she left significant details out. It's a fun story, and the sense of how Sylvia is overwhelmed and conditioned and brainwashed is wonderful. Having said that, I don't actually like the light and sound machines - unless I'm already SUPER fractionated, they just give me a wicked headache (I should know, I experimented with them once upon a time, thanks to Wiseguy) - so I do wince a little at the idea of waking from sleep right into one. But that's a me thing - plenty of folk really like light and sound machines, and I know from friends' testimonies that they can be amazingly hypnotic for a lot of folk! So that just makes all of this feel more real, and more personal. It's just all around a good story that hits a lot of things I like. 9/10 spirals.

#jukebox reviews

Jukebox reviews part 25! For context, see my post “A Project” under this same tag. If you want to see a full list of his EMCSA stories, they can be found here, sorted alphabetically.And if you want to see some of his drabbles, check out his blog at @jukeboxemcsa

Turn the Page

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1/4/2014 mc ff

Oh, this one is ... *chef's kiss.* It's WONDERFUL. The idea of photography capturing a moment so well... of losing yourself in a photo like that... and then when Olivia steps in it's just perfect timing. I have to wonder how long she was there, watching, picking her moment. I can't do this story justice in words, just ... go read it. Seriously. It's *good.* (Ok, ok, maybe I'm slightly biased by having some lovely photos from a play session with a partner that I treasure, but still.) 10/10 spirals

Back and Forth (Jukebox)

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5/30/2015 mc mf fd

Yeah, I'm just not grooving with stories that straight up ignore someone trying to say no tonight. This is fine if you like a hypnotist pushing past attempts to say no, but I just can't with it right now. *shrug*

Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend

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6/6/2015 mc mf ff fd

Whelp, now we see what a malfunctioning Girl(tm) can do. It's a good thing that the Girls(tm) have a solid QC team that handles in-the-field problems. I do hope Adele enjoys having her own Girl(tm), since it sure seems like she's destined to have one now. It's a good view into the world of the Girls(tm), and I really enjoyed it! 9/10 spirals

Fadin’ In and Fadin’ Out

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6/13/2015 mc mf md

I don't like drugs as a method of control, personally, so this one is a pretty strong miss for me - between the drugs and the very obvious non-con, it just isn't my taste. But if you like drugs as a method of control, you might like this one pretty well. The change in how she thinks because of the drug and the brainwashing is well done, as far as I care, too. 5/10 spirals

Everybody Wants To Rule the World

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6/20/2015 mc mf ff md fd cb

Oh, this one is just FUN, and silly, and wonderful. Also, the title reminds me of a quip from a Thunderbolts comic: "Rule the world? Who wants to do that much WORK?!" (or something to that effect, anyway.) Seeing the clash of personalities and styles on display here, how they never think to *coordinate,* is just... it FEELS like a comic book in the best of ways. Which I suppose is the goal, given the setting. And seeing inside Adventure Girl's head here? It's lovely. 9/10 spirals

Naturally

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6/27/2015 mc mf md

Hey, now, Aaron, that's hardly proper care of an antique magnifying glass! That aside, this is a clever story; I wish we knew *how* he came to have this power over her; is it a spell? A powerful hypnotic trigger? something else? Clearly it's attached to the word "Naturally," that much is obvious, but what's the mechanism!? Inquiring minds want to know! This is a well done story, if it leaves me asking questions, and the control flows smoothly. 8/10 spirals.

One Thing Leads to Another

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7/4/2015 mc ff

That's either extremely well targeted, or Carol gets lucky every time she tries that trick. Because it'd only take one sex-repulsed ace gal to get Carol in trouble for sexual harassment. That said, the control in this one is so smooth I got halfway through before realizing there *was* any - and that takes doing when I'm reading a story I know has mind control in it! I'm not sure I entirely *like* this story, but it's got good heat. I just ... don't enjoy how Carol steamrolls Sophie the way she does. 7/10 spirals

Back Where You Belong

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7/11/2015 mc ff

Ooooh, this is fun, the way the pressure to remember something she believes she couldn't have remembered leads to the cognitive dissonance that pushes her into trance.... very cleverly done! Babbling out mantras, mindlessly reinforcing her programming... all top notch. I don't have a ton to say about this one other than I enjoyed it, it was Very Good. 9/10 spirals

Smoke From an Old Flame

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7/18/2015 mc ff

... this one is NOT FAIR for many, MANY reasons. Like the (extended) sex scene is fine, lots of hypnosis mixed in making it fine for me, but me being me that isn't the highlight of this story. No, no, the highlight is just how we're introduced to Dawn, to her sheer presence and charisma and control. She's a force of nature to Amy, that's so clear, and ... well. Jukebox, that introduction made me think *immediately* of a redheaded lass I love so very much, so thank you for that. Even if that strong association made me do a double-take at the use of "Mistress Dawn" - my brain kept editing it to "Miss Dawn" for *reasons*. And the moment going to the parking ramp, with the "Follow."? ;lkhadsghkl;adsgfhkl;adsghkl;agdshkl;gadshkladsgfhkl;adsghkl;adsghkl; That's A MOMENT. But this story is so good, and it feels like it could be real, in all the little ways.I hope that this is a start of them either having a solid long-distance relationship, or one of them moving to live with the other, because gosh they make such a sweet couple. And clearly they have all the chemistry in the world 10/10 spirals

The Quiet Type

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8/1/2015 mc ff

I wish we knew what Emily was saying at any point, here. I get why we don't; it is, after all, a story from a third-person limited narrative PoV, so we only get to know what Brandy knows, but like... not seeing how the control is flexed does take some of the heat away for me. But it's still a really good view inside Brandy's head as she rationalizes her behaviour to Emily's prompting. And the end result feels nicely inevitable for Brandy. 7/10 spirals

#jukebox reviews

Jukebox reviews part 36! For context, see my post “A Project” under this same tag. If you want to see a full list of his EMCSA stories, they can be found here, sorted alphabetically.And if you want to see some of his drabbles, check out his blog at @jukeboxemcsa

King Pleasure Time

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7/8/2017 mc ma

I'd say this isn't how humans work, but then, "I can haz cheezburger" was a thing for *ages* so maybe it IS how humans work, just on a different scale. While we do see how Caitlin is effected by the brainwashing here, it just ... isn't in a spectrum that speaks to me? There's absolutely nothing I *dislike* here, just nothing that I find particularly to my personal erotica tastes. But if you're the sort to enjoy someone's opinion on a thing being changed by regular exposure to other people treating using one as just normal, of seeing snippets of a world that's changing by something "off-screen"? Give this one a go. 6/10 spirals.

Just Dumb

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7/15/2017 mc mf md

If ever I needed evidence that Jukebox is not as big of a Rush fan as LadyR, this story sure provides it. (If you're dropping astrophysics/astronomy that 99% of your audience is just going to take as "ah, that's ... some sort of thing in space?" and you don't go for HDE 226868/Cygnus X-1, I can make the not-at-all shocking conclusion that you aren't a Rush fan). Off of the topic of me being both a bit of an astronomy nerd (though I did need to look up the binary system Jukebox named, I only just dabble really) and having an ever growing love of Rush, well. This story feels perfectly grounded in something that could have happened at any hypnocon I've been to. It's lovely and sweet and hot in all the right ways. Though now I want to send Eden to a class on bimbo play so she can both be reassured that plenty of smart, clever folk enjoy the temporary reprieve from *having* to be smart and also learn the language she needs to express what she wants to other potential partners. 9/10 spirals.

Even the Stars Fall 4 U

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7/22/2017 mc mf ff fd

Another story with 4U, a heavily-brainwashed human. I still want to see how she got quite so thoroughly conditioned. And to learn more about these Masters. And just *everything* about this world. The constant narration of 4U, even as she talks about how perfectly she assumes a different role/persona is ... jarring, a little, though it *works* in the flow of the story. I just want more of the how and why. Especially in this story, where the conditioning of someone else is more a tag at the end than anything. 7/10 spirals.

Girls With Guns (Jukebox)

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7/29/2017 mc mf fd rb

Oh, this is an interesting one, and I'm left with more questions than answers about the Girls(tm), though I suppose that isnt' really the point of this story, though I'm sure the epilogue will have Implications. I ... am extremely put off by Ethan, by his posturing and aggression and just all of it - I've been on the receiving end of enough aggression from men who were just enough like Ethan, and have friends who have been hurt even *more* by men who reacted to discomfort with violence that I just ... I can't. I know what JB's going for here, and I"m sure it'll be cathartic for some folk, and just plain hot for others, but for me it just isn't. 3/10 spirals.

Head Games

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8/5/2017 mc mf fd

Ian, this is why I have a board game carrying backpack. Look into them, they're worth the investment. Also, Madison's place sounds like the house of a SCAdian Duchess I know... ANYWAY. I *love* the name Brian Shaw for a game company, A+ on cleverness there, Jukebox, and the game sounds like one that would be entertaining to throw together for a switch fight type game at a con sometime. And I appreciate Madison checking in before doing any sex-things, especially given we already had Ian's thoughts about caring so much about not being a creep making assumptions. it makes this all work, mostly, for all the consent could be better. I love the sense of how Ian's getting more and more caught by the game, too. 9/10 spirals

P. T. A.

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8/12/2017 mc mf ff md

Nope, I've known too many military wives - mothers! - over the years to not connect this to those folk, parents of friends, wives of my parents' coworkers... NOPE. I'm just not doing this >.> My brain is sometimes too good at connecting unrelated things

Opal Mantra

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8/19/2017 mc ff

Oh hey, it's the hypnotic opal ring back! We get to see Piper and her unnamed Mistress from "Doesn't Really Matter" (and wasn't that rather a number of stories ago, it was posted almost 2 full years before this story was!) as they get inside an unsuspecting traveler's head. This one's in 2nd person narration, which is a little trippy given just how hypnotic opals are - there's a reason one of my partners gifted me an opal necklace for Christmas last year, the fire of it just catches the eye... *anyway.* If you're like me and have a pre-existing association with opals being hypnotic, the 2nd person narration may, um, have an Effect (tm). But it's a good story over all. 8/10 spirals.

Up All Night

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8/26/2017 mc mf md

The step-by-step process here is fun to see, even if I tend to prefer less disjointed steps myself. "Some of it was things she knew even before he told her" is just such a good line, and the way she seems completely oblivious to the changes being induced before that line is so good. Even if Dylan is rather taking a lot of advantage. But having had those "I have to get this sewing done" nights, even if it wasn't for a grade, I wish I'd had someone to make my hands go on autopilot! (also between this story and Head Games, gosh, I'm getting the itch to do more sewing. Thanks, Jukebox, I think? :P I do have some linen waiting for me to get around to washing and ironing it...) 8/10 spirals

More Than a Feeling

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9/2/2017 mc ff cb

This is sweet in a slightly twisted way. Like, it completely goes against my view of the universe entirely, the idea that the universe could want to pair anyone like this, but still. Accepting that the world of Jukebox's superheroes and villains operates on a different logic than the world I know, sure, ok, I can work with it. The reality of a power cutting both ways is so good here, and I enjoy the reality of Ursula's instincts warring against Epiphany's mystical instincts. It's a lovely story, however Dilettante tries to warp things. 8/10 spirals.

Notepad

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9/9/2017 mc mf md

Sneaky sneaky, Kevin. Poor Sandy, getting caught up in that, though hopefully it can be happy for her. And the fact that seh's woken herself up before helps me believe her subconscious will still keep her safe; that said, I have Opinions(tm) about suggestions to trust a hypnotist. Trust should be earned, not taken like that. Still, the suggestions otherwise are HOT, and the concept of the words spilling onto the page and into her mind is. um. *yes.* Also something I've done and very much enjoyed before. 9/10 spirals.

#jukebox reviews

Jukebox reviews part 7! For context, see my post “A Project” under this same tag. If you want to see a full list of his EMCSA stories, they can be found here, sorted alphabetically.And if you want to see some of his drabbles, check out his blog at @jukeboxemcsa

Video Killed the Radio Star

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10/19/2008 mc mf fd

This is a solid, clever induction. It's well paced, and I love the focus on the process. I would caution readers to be careful - it's written well enough that I could see it catching a reader up in the induction, if they're particularly visual or a skilled enough hypnotee. But having said that, I really enjoy the story. The framing is solid, and makes sense for the song title, and sets our intrepid reporter up for exactly this sort of thing. 9/10 spirals.

Tempted

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10/26/2008 mc mf ff fd

"Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely" - A British Lord (Acton? I think?) said this a long time ago, and this story really digs into that whole concept. It's an interesting premise, and I like the Professor's way of convincing the Devil to actually take the gift back - or to invert it, I suppose. It brings up rather a large number of philosophical quesitons, but now I also want to use this as a suggestion sometime for a particular partner. 8/10 spirals, and thanks for the inspiration, Jukebox!

Love Bites

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11/2/2008 mc ff

*grins* Have I mentioned that vampires are one of my favourite tropes yet? Because they ARE. And this? The twisting, the command and domination and just all of it? It helps that I have a soft spot for Milwaukee, where this story is set, but even without that, the flavor of role play for magic domination, an induction I could let myself get lost in if I wanted, and relating to that whole "being too shy to approach a cute girl without adding in hypnosis/mind control" thing makes this an easy 10/10 spirals. (also, I totally stole inspiration to melt one of my girlfriends into a blissed out, Dominated puddle, which was DELIGHTFUL, so thanks, Jukebox!)

Shiny Happy People

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11/9/2008 mc ma rb

This is a fascinating setup! It'd be really cool to see an expansion on this world, as the metal spreads and people learn how to fight it. I find myself invested in Leigh, and cheering her on the whole way. And the logic in play, the conclusions drawn, and what's being ignored/forgotten all work together really well to drive this story on. It doesn't hit me as super erotic, outside the temptation Leigh deals with, the I love it all the same. 10/10 for world/plot/story, 2/10 for erotica; I'll give it overall 8/10 spirals.

Say It

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11/16/2008 mc mf ff fd

Judy is clever, and handles no-verbal cues so well. Unethical AF, of course, but still. I appreciate the show of her skill, how she uses "you" in a clever way, the use of a hypnotized person as a focus just makes it even easier, because it's a convincer and seeing someone be hypnotized can nudge someone into hypnosis, or help anyway, just the technique here is solid. And the idea of having three brainwashed hypnoslaves... well, I have enough of a dominant side to see why that could be quite fun, yes - especially when Jukebox gives all the little signs of them falling into Judy's power and control. 9/10 spirals

Soft and Wet

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11/22/2008 mc mf fd

Aww, this story is sweet, and for all there's a lot of sex within it, the way the sex is used for the purpose of brainwashing our POV character makes it work for me in a way it might not otherwise. There's such clear affection between these two, and the way he just melts for her and lets all her words control him in so many ways is absolutely delightful. This is the sort of story that feels just a bit fictionalized but could be (mostly) true in a way I really enjoy, too. 10/10 spirals.

Rescue Me

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11/29/2008 mc mf

Nope, this one's a squick enough I'm not even trying to rate it fairly.

Voices Carry

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12/7/2008 mc mf ff fd

On the one hand, this feels just sufficiently voyeuristic that I feel a bit ... something? reading it. On the other hand, it's *so sweet* and I can HEAR people I care about in James and - especially! - Thea. The sense of connection, of happy chance to meet for even just a little while, is also one I relate to, having had quite a lot of experience with long-distance relationships. And it makes the story so good for me, because gosh I *can* hear the reality of hypnokinksters doing it. That all said, I *do* hope Thea gave Amber a proper lecture on the etiquette of inserting oneself in another's scene and some basic safety around hypnokink. >.> 7/10 spirals.

Xanadu

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12/14/2008 mc mf ff md fd bd ds

This is another one of those Jukebox stories that don't really feel like erotic mind control stories as much as just *really solid* short stories. It hits me less as mind control and more (very) long term conditioning, which ok, fine, at some point the line between those two things is flimsy at best, but still. Having said that, the world in which this Xanadu exists is fascinating, and I'm intrigued by a lot of the questions posted by the existance of the magic air here. As a story, 10/10. As an *erotic mind control* story? 6/10 spirals.

Ok, secondary note after having properly listened to Rush's song Xanadu, from which I assume this story takes its name. Miriam really ought to have listened to Xanadu herself before she went searching for Xanadu - she might have thought better of it, had she sat with the song a while, seeing as how the song itself calls Xanadu a prison at the end. With the context of the Rush song? This jumps up to 8/10 spirals for me.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

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12/21/2008 mc ff cb

Oh, there's SO MUCH in this story I like. I'd somehow completely missed it in the past, and ... I kind of regret it, but I don't think I would have appreciated it the way I do now. The idea of a scent as a hypnotic focus is a newer thing for me, and the moment of teasing the concept adds to the "how exactly is this going to go?" moment in a way that wouldn't have stuck with me in years previous. The focus in play is all the better for being surprised by what it is, and that's easier to be surprised by when so many things are given as options. And the last part of the story - which I shan't spoil! - is absolutely delightful. 9/10 spirals

#jukebox reviews

Jukebox reviews part 51! For context, see my post “A Project” under this same tag. If you want to see a full list of his EMCSA stories, they can be found here, sorted alphabetically.And if you want to see some of his drabbles, check out his blog at @jukeboxemcsa

Boy Problems

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5/23/2020 mc mf md rb

Nope. NOPE. The *moment* a Boy pushes on a gal who's ace I'm out. I can't. (Compare this to the story "A Kind of Girl I Could Love," and ... oof.)

The Ultimate Vacation

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5/30/2020 mc mf ff md fd

This is an interesting way to tell the story, and their screening process is thorough and clever, but also. The sheer sameness isn't a thing I enjoy and it's something that I honestly find to be a turnoff. But the narrative, the approach, is super cool and fun even if the outcome is more than a little meh to me. Give it a read just for the style, if nothing else! 7/10 spirals

Chant of the Ever-Circling Skeletal Family

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6/6/2020 mc

... Jukebox likes horror. I don't. That flavors my opinion on stories such as this one that are as much horror as erotica, if not moreso. This isn't for me, it just isn't. But if you like the vibe of folk being hunted by a cult or ... something like a cult? I guess? I dunno, whatever they are... you'd probably enjoy this one much more than I did. 4/10 spirals

Keep Your Eyes Open

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6/13/2020 mc mf md

I appreciate this post highlighting some of the myths about hypnosis that people like to believe, for all of course the hypnotist doing so has his own nefarious motivations for doing so. I do think he pushes it a way I don't like so much, but I can go past that because I enjoy the basic set up so much. But the poor cop who just wants to help this one arrested gal so much, falling into this trap.... it's a good story with seriously good hypnotic language and double bind set-ups. 8/10 spirals

Dream Girl (Jukebox)

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6/27/2020 mc ff rb

CHARITY! Oh, yay! I like her! (So not only is this another Girls(tm) story, but a direct sequel to "You're not an Ordinary Girl") I love how she's so invested in this entire everything, and it's just so FUN to see the reality of A Hypnokinkster in this world where the Girls(tm) are all hypnotists. I don't get the Nagaina thing, that's never been my kink, but it doesn't matter. Charity's enthusiasm is all the connection I need to this story. 10/10 spirals

Mindless Self Indulgence

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6/27/2020 mc mf md ma

This is another story that starts withh someone trying to break up with a hypnotist/mind controller/etc, the exact role doesn't matter for the trope and it's a trope I'm just not fond of. The control being used to overwhelm someone's attempt to advocate for themselves just turns my stomach and I can't give it a fair rating, But hey, if you like that trope, it's a story for you.

You’re My Temptation

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7/4/2020 mc

.... Narrator, friend, there are literal hypnokink conventions you could go to and find brilliant, clever ladies to melt into a puddle with their consent. I know *multiple* people who would love most if not all of that fantasy. Though I understand the temptation, and as I remind my girlfriend on a regular basis, you can learn to resist anything but temptation. (I mean, I used to be a good Catholic, I know you can resist temptation, but the longer you think of it as a temptation the harder it is to resist, so ... anyway). I don't know that I like the ending - though my brain has decided that she was asking about the pendant as a way of flirting with someone she thought was a hypnotist, because then I enjoy the story more, so y'know, reader's choice there. It's a lovely sort of story that's a lovely series of fantasies and the importance of language, and I really enjoyed it. 9/10 spirals

The Abduction of Margaret

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7/11/2020 mc ff ma

This one is dark in ways that are absolute turnoffs for me. The cold, dispassionate approach, the threats of killing her if she isn't useful... all of it just puts me off. But if you like cold and dispassionate, you might like this one?

Plain Gold Ring

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7/18/2020 mc mf md

Ahhhhh these two are so cute and shy and I like them so much!!! Rosita and Mateo just feel real in that way some of Jukebox's best (to me) stories do, including the adorable bits of awkwardness that never tip into secondhand embarassment somehow. And seeing Mateo be so very respectful and ethical, even when Rosita blurts out something while entranced that she never meant to share ... well. They're cute and I hope there's more stories involving them in the future, that's all. 10/10 spirals

It’s All About Feeling Good

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7/25/2020 mc

I don't think I've mentioned how much I appreciate how JB prefaces these inductions - a clear statement of what's to be included, and a clear statement that the reader/listener can choose to ignore any suggestions they don't feel safe and comfortable accepting. It's a really nice preface. And this induction also includes a permissive definition of pleasure - sexual, sure, but not necessarily; quite explicitly it could just be "happiness or joy" or any other sort of way the listener wants to interpret pleasure. This isn't a set of suggestions I get much out of - I'm quite good at the skill it's trying to teach, personally, after years of practice - but for folk who are less skilled at feeling that pleasure on command? It's a lovely file and as always, technically solid. 10/10 spirals

#Jukebox Reviews #I know I know it's been ages since the last one I'd apologize but like Tears of the Kingdom came out and I had priorities ok?

Jukebox reviews part 22! For context, see my post “A Project” under this same tag. If you want to see a full list of his EMCSA stories, they can be found here, sorted alphabetically.And if you want to see some of his drabbles, check out his blog at @jukeboxemcsa

Nothing Too Serious

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12/10/2011 mc ff

I have complicated feelings on this one. The whole "medical professional abusing a patient's trust" trope just isn't one I like. But outside of this trope, there's so much I like. The sense of the process, the progressive shifting, is really good. Though I don't usually like drigs, as a rule, I can't say I dislike them - they just can't be the *only* thing to get me into a story. So this one works mostly, even if it's never going to be my favourite, and hopefully the doc takes reasonable care of her patient. 7/10 spirals.

Fever

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12/17/2011 mc ff

... Jukebox, I love you, but retroviruses insert their RNA into *DNA,* not RNA. RNA is easily degraded and inserting RNA into RNA wouldn't have much in the way of long-term effects. (Which I assume, in an era of mRNA vaccines, you probably have learned by now :P). Also RNA as a main part of memory is at best a somewhat-supported hypothesis right now, not even truly a THEORY in science terms. RNA has *a role* of some sort, we know that, but we don't know exactly what that role is. AND Even if it is, getting a virus to effect the brain isn't that easy, and geting that RNA to the right cells..... *anyway,* I'm a science nerd. I did my capstone in college on RNA, it's a bit of a soapbox. So my soapbox aside, the mechanism of control just ... doesn't work? Besides that, though, the evil scientist controlling others is fine, I guess. It's just not my thing, and the control is so sudden... meh. This isn't to my taste, and the science flaws aren't great for me. 4/10 spirals.

Nobody Does It Better

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12/31/2011 mc ff

The end of this makes it perfect, in so many ways. Though I do wish more of the story was on the *how,* not on the end result. Like, the end result is *fine,* and I do enjoy the "this is an unprovable hypothesis" thing, but ... meh, it's mostly sex and little enough process of control, and that doesn't quite work for me. I'm sure folk who care more about the control than the process will enjoy this more than I do. 6/10 spirals.

Paralyzer

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1/21/2012 mc ff

Nope, this is too mean-spirited for me. The gal should have been less rude about not being into ladies, but also the ladies should have left her well enough alone and moved on with their lives. This isn't my sort of thing.

Since U Been Gone

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2/5/2012 mc mf md

Ow this hurts my eyes and my brain and I can't actually read it. Sorry, Jukebox, but I just can't.

True to Life

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2/12/2012 mc mf ff fd hu

So is this a case of someone who's unconsciously manipulating the world aroud her? A mind controller? Reality warper? Does she KNOW she's doing it? Or does it just happen around/to her? I have SO MANY QUESTIONS. But it's more sex, not process, so it's not super to my tastes. 6/10 spirals.

The Weakness In Me

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2/18/2012 mc ff

Betrayal will never be one of my preferred tropes. It just won't. But one of Jukebox's skills is finding ways to put amazing stories into tropes that I wouldn't normally enjoy. It's tempered by the betrayal, of course, but it helps that our narrator doesn't view it as betrayal, but as something that Lucy will love as much as she does. The process is effective and clearly done, and it's easy to imagine one's own will crumbling under such an onslaught. 7/10 spirals.

Paradise By the Dashboard Light

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2/26/2012 mc mf fd

Heh, this one is entertaining. Such a clever way to get home safely, without a prideful guy being awful about it. That's a heck of a long drive, depending on where in MN they started from! Also, if the dude's fishtailing on the road, he *seriously* needs to practice driving in slick weather - why are they even making the drive if the road's that icy? Pull over for a few hours and let the salt trucks do their work! C'mon folks! OK, ok, moving to the *actual* story - I know hazard lights well, and I can't imagine them as hypnotic at ALL. Annoying AF, but not hypnotic. Also the imagery used here ... not my style at all. I actually had to skim a fair bit of it 'cause the language didn't work for me. it was fine, just ... not imagery I enjoyed. 6/10 spirals.

Deeper and Deeper

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3/3/2012 mc

This is yet another induction to be read aloud - and I want to pair it with the MMM, though that may require different colors mentioned, depending on the spiral options in that? I'd have to look back into which colors there are. It definitely feels like a pairing that would melt some folks' brains into absolute *mush* - in the best of ways! For that, it's an easy 9/10 spirals.

Ophidiophobia

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3/10/2012 mc be

Eh, snakes/etc don't do anything for me, so I have no idea where to start. Kaa wasn't one of my starting points, so meeeeeeeeh. If you like snakes, though, give this one a try.

#jukebox reviews

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