Yes this was looooonnngg and slloooooow, but sooooooo whhaaaaaatt!? It was a beautiful love story between two enemies, a Christian monk and aBeautiful
Yes this was looooonnngg and slloooooow, but sooooooo whhaaaaaatt!? It was a beautiful love story between two enemies, a Christian monk and a Viking. How can loving someone and expressing that love ever be wrong? ...more
This book was so intense. I really don't want to even think right now, but I think I'll feel better once I review.
1. There were no numerical chaptersThis book was so intense. I really don't want to even think right now, but I think I'll feel better once I review.
1. There were no numerical chapters. Each new section started off with the day, time and character from whose POV that section was told. It was a little confusing in the beginning but I quickly became used to it.
2. There are many characters. In the beginning I was having trouble keeping up with who was human and who was what type of creature and if they were straight, gay or bi. Once I had it figured out, more characters would be introduced. I also think because there were so many characters I was only able to connect to a few of them. Most of them I didn't care if they lived or died.
3. This is fantasy not romance. There are humans and lots of other creatures: an elf, a zombie, seers, vampires, wereleopards, a demon. Most of the sex was fade to black; (view spoiler)[excluding a m/f shifter sex scene and a tranny prostitute BJ scene (hide spoiler)] There were a few romances that evolved throughout the book, though.
4. I had an interesting mystery. I'm so thankful I read this with Bubbles (Dane) and we were able to share theories and ideas with each other. There were so many details and things going on that I needed help remembering.
5. I'm still confused. (view spoiler)[I want to know what happened to Val. I know we find out more in Blood Wine, but right now I'm just hanging. I want to know how Charlie got into the hotel room with Anthony. Was the fancy hotel just an illusion?? If not, how was he moved during the day?? Who is David? Was Peter madhatter, Blue Tiger, and Dark Gesture? What was Kiernan? None of that was ever clearly stated (hide spoiler)]
Overall, I couldn't put the book down and was totally engrossed in the story....more
This book was picked for me to read as a challenge and I dove in without reading the blurb or any reviews. I really OH.MY.GODS!!! I loved this book!!!
This book was picked for me to read as a challenge and I dove in without reading the blurb or any reviews. I really didn't know what to expect other than that this was m/m fantasy and it had a cliffhanger. It also has one of the most beautiful covers I have ever seen.
I found the World very interesting with the song and abilities of the elven people, the barbarism and prejudices of the humans, and the madness of the Ferals/Darkers. There was a bit of world building in the beginning and it took me only about two chapters to get used to the lyrical language. I was confused for a while about the Surge and what it was exactly. But thankfully it was explained at the appropriate moment. I found the contrast between the beliefs of the humans compared to Ayden’s memory of the Great Betrayal fascinating. It makes me curious about how inaccurate our own histories are. I loved this line Ayden speaks to the humans: “Now you die while we live on, and you’ve no one to blame but your selves. So do not speak of betrayal behind my back, humans. For the Great Betrayal is your shame, not mine.”
I absolutely loved Freyrík and Ayden. Enemies-to-lovers has always been one of my favorite themes. Freyrík was torn between what he believed and what was his duty. Its sad, but I understand his dilemma with how he wanted to treat Ayden and the things he was forced to do. I hope to see him make a few more sacrifices in the next book, but he did prove is love of Ayden many times over, in my opinion. I couldn’t find the words to say what I loved about Ayden, so I’m going to have to agree with why Freyrík loved him: “that clever mind, that sharp tongue and droll wit. His love for Ella, manifested in sacrifice and secret smiles; his sense of honor and duty; his pride in the face of unceasing subjugation. His joy of nature, his respect for all things living, his skill with . . . well, everything.”
Oh, man! The sexual tension in this book was torture!!! I was dying by the time Ayden and Freyrík finally kissed. It was really powerful and beautiful and I felt like I could actually hear it and feel it myself. Also, there were not many explicit sex scenes. I found the sex between Freyrík and Ayden equal and not like that of a captor and his slave. In the bedroom, Freyrík treated Ayden as his equal partner, lover, and friend. Unfortunately, this was not the case around others’ eyes and ears.
There are a few brutal beating scenes that were painful to read. Also, there is NO non-consensual sex, so don’t be worried about reading this book for fear of rape. Be aware that this isn't a light, happy book. It is very heavy and epic. Although I did find myself frequently laughing out loud at the snarky banter between Ayden and Freyrík.
This is for Rachel and her cliffhanger: [image] Just kidding!! The cliffhanger really isn't that bad. It just kicks off the story arc for next book in the series. October is too far away!! Can't wait for the release of Crescendo on 10/07/11! ...more
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