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Darshian Tales #1
Kei's Gift
Darshian is a vast land, inhabited by a peaceful, rational society where people with extraordinary Gifts are common, and life is lived according to strong ethical principles. Kuprij is made up of a thousand crowded islands – thrusting, ambitious, war-like, driven by a booming population and a desire to bring its religion and its laws to the whole world. Twenty years ago, it conquered south Darshian, now it has greedy eyes on the north. The war brings Kei, a gentle, fun-loving healer from an isolated village, into collision with Arman, an embittered, honourable general, a man trapped in a loveless marriage and joylessly wedded to duty. The fate of two nations will rest on these two men–and somehow they must not only learn to overcome their own personal difficulties, but bring peace with honour to their countries. If they fail...many innocents will die.
Words: 305,966 (approximate)
Words: 305,966 (approximate)
771 pages, ebook
First published February 18, 2007
About the author
Ann Somerville
55 books275 followersAnn Somerville grew up in one of Australia’s prettiest small cities. In 1989, she left Australia with a BA and a burning ambition to see more of the world and its people, and to discover this ‘culture’ thing people kept telling her about. In 2006, she returned home to Southeast Queensland with two more degrees (this time in science and IT), an English husband and a staggering case of homesickness, vowing never to leave Australia again.
Her long, plot-driven fiction featuring gay and bisexual characters has been published by Samhain Publishing and elsewhere.
Her long, plot-driven fiction featuring gay and bisexual characters has been published by Samhain Publishing and elsewhere.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
April 12, 2015
This novel has left me floundering in the best of ways. This is truly a remarkable novel with sweeping breadth and depth in all areas - a voyage of self-discovery, pain, death, war, politics, prejudice, bigotry, honor, joy, and love. To call this merely a romance would be denying the strength of the characters, the writing and the plot. It literally made me sob at times with the despair and pain of the characters, weeping softly in sorrow, grin at the smart-alec dialogue and smile with happiness. To me, any book that can inspire so many emotions is pure gold, and this is definitely a keeper.
March 9, 2012
The best word I can think of to describe Kei’s Gift is "epic" – in the very classical sense of the word. This is a broad tale of the clash of two cultures, set in an alternate world not far removed from Earth’s ancient antiquity. The ‘clash’ is actually an all out war, and against this background our two heroes struggle to find peace, and each other.
On the one side, we have Arman, a general in the Prij army. The Prij seemed to be loosely based on the ancient Romans, a militaristic society with a thirst for expansion by conquest, ruled by a capricious young monarch advised by a senate of decrepit old men. The Prij believe they are the only civilized society, and that the peoples they conquer are all barbarians. Arman is an intelligent and honorable man, whose life, especially his evil bitch of a wife, brings him no happiness.
Kei is a gentle healer in a small village in Darshian. He has what the Darshianese call a ‘gift’, the ability to see into people’s souls and know what they’re feeling. People with gifts are rare and highly respected, but the gifts are not always a blessing to the person that has them.
The two men are enemies, on opposite sides of a very unjust war, yet it seems like they are somehow destined to be together. But circumstances, their differences, and their honor, seems to be constantly pulling them apart. At times, it really looks like they will never find happiness.
This is what I would call a very ‘dense’ book, and by that I don’t mean it’s difficult to read. It’s actually quite readable, and at more than 700 pages in the print version, it needs to be. But unlike many other books of such length, there’s no fluff of unnecessary prose, no lengthy tirades. There are plenty of tirades, against war and stupidity for the most part, but they’re short and to the point. Every word on every page is important and adds to the story. It’s a very rich tale, with sadness, humor, and some real tear-jerking moments near the end.
On the one side, we have Arman, a general in the Prij army. The Prij seemed to be loosely based on the ancient Romans, a militaristic society with a thirst for expansion by conquest, ruled by a capricious young monarch advised by a senate of decrepit old men. The Prij believe they are the only civilized society, and that the peoples they conquer are all barbarians. Arman is an intelligent and honorable man, whose life, especially his evil bitch of a wife, brings him no happiness.
Kei is a gentle healer in a small village in Darshian. He has what the Darshianese call a ‘gift’, the ability to see into people’s souls and know what they’re feeling. People with gifts are rare and highly respected, but the gifts are not always a blessing to the person that has them.
The two men are enemies, on opposite sides of a very unjust war, yet it seems like they are somehow destined to be together. But circumstances, their differences, and their honor, seems to be constantly pulling them apart. At times, it really looks like they will never find happiness.
This is what I would call a very ‘dense’ book, and by that I don’t mean it’s difficult to read. It’s actually quite readable, and at more than 700 pages in the print version, it needs to be. But unlike many other books of such length, there’s no fluff of unnecessary prose, no lengthy tirades. There are plenty of tirades, against war and stupidity for the most part, but they’re short and to the point. Every word on every page is important and adds to the story. It’s a very rich tale, with sadness, humor, and some real tear-jerking moments near the end.
November 27, 2011
This book started out 4 stars for me. Kei was a bit saintly, but Arman was a nice character and the events were interesting. As Kei started falling apart it briefly reached the 5 star range. Nothing like tortured MCs to pique the interest. Then, when Kei and Arman get together and Kei starts healing it becomes a long, almost interminable slog. Arman wallows in guilt and atonement to the point of ridiculousness, Kei turns into a wisecracking 'brat' (hate that word) who bears very little resemblance to the Kei at the beginning or the middle of the book. I would expect his experiences to change him, but not this way, really. The Darshians are portrayed as annoyingly wise and noble and non-violent. There is barely any conflict in the second part of the book, it reads like one big, giant epilogue.
There are so many names of minor characters, animals, plants and places that it gets pretty confusing at times. We seriously have a Lord Meki and a Senator Mekus. Not to mention a Myka, Misek (also known as Mis), Mayl, Mara and a Meis. A Reji and a Reis. A town called Utuk and a town called Urshek. Twenty-six letters in the alphabet, why only use so few of them as capitals? Why we need urs beasts, jombekers and jesigs, instead of oxen, cows and horses (or whatever they are) isn't clear to me either and it doesn't make the story any clearer either.
It says the paperback has 342 pages (it's 19500 locations on my kindle). I find that hard to believe. It feels like 600 at least. This book needs a great editor to have about 1/3 cut out of it. And to tell the author to pick another letter to start the next person's name.
There are so many names of minor characters, animals, plants and places that it gets pretty confusing at times. We seriously have a Lord Meki and a Senator Mekus. Not to mention a Myka, Misek (also known as Mis), Mayl, Mara and a Meis. A Reji and a Reis. A town called Utuk and a town called Urshek. Twenty-six letters in the alphabet, why only use so few of them as capitals? Why we need urs beasts, jombekers and jesigs, instead of oxen, cows and horses (or whatever they are) isn't clear to me either and it doesn't make the story any clearer either.
It says the paperback has 342 pages (it's 19500 locations on my kindle). I find that hard to believe. It feels like 600 at least. This book needs a great editor to have about 1/3 cut out of it. And to tell the author to pick another letter to start the next person's name.
December 26, 2018
After reading "Remastering Jerna" and then this, I can only conclude that this author either does not like/respect/or truly understand her gay, male audience or that she simply does not trust our level of intelligence. And, furthermore, what makes an author think that a reader picks up an MM themed story only to read about graphic heterosexual intercourse??? There's an infinite amount of MF erotica out there. I didn't pick up a gay book by mistake honey....Pretty sure this is the last thing I will read by her.
September 5, 2015
This was beautiful. A real slow burn romance, which I love and the world building was amazing, very well thought out. It was a huge book though, I'll need a bit of a break before moving onto the next one.
January 3, 2012
Let me preface my opinion (with another opinion) by saying that I think Somerville is a fantastic writer. I LOVED the Pindone Files, and Remastering Jerna was beautiful.
However, I had major problems with this book. Well, one major problem, really: her characters are too virtuous. They're so sweet and amazing that they give me the moral equivalent of a toothache. One or two paragons I could deal with, but all of the "good guys" in this book are such freaking pinnacles of perfection that I almost wanted to side with the "bad guys" (but, they too were so clumsily maligned that they ended up being laughable - and while I can side with evil, I cannot side with stupid). So that leaves my loyalties orphaned, which is never a comfortable thing. Arman, especially, I feel had the capacity to be a bit of a (lovable) bastard, but this is never capitalized on.
And what's up with the weird animal names? I know it's meant to lend the world-building some depth, but Jombeker? Really? Call it a fucking goat or horse (or whatever it is) so that I spend less time grinding my teeth in frustration trying picture it and more time actually enjoying the book.
However, I had major problems with this book. Well, one major problem, really: her characters are too virtuous. They're so sweet and amazing that they give me the moral equivalent of a toothache. One or two paragons I could deal with, but all of the "good guys" in this book are such freaking pinnacles of perfection that I almost wanted to side with the "bad guys" (but, they too were so clumsily maligned that they ended up being laughable - and while I can side with evil, I cannot side with stupid). So that leaves my loyalties orphaned, which is never a comfortable thing. Arman, especially, I feel had the capacity to be a bit of a (lovable) bastard, but this is never capitalized on.
And what's up with the weird animal names? I know it's meant to lend the world-building some depth, but Jombeker? Really? Call it a fucking goat or horse (or whatever it is) so that I spend less time grinding my teeth in frustration trying picture it and more time actually enjoying the book.
March 16, 2014
У этой истории были все предпосылки, чтобы стать отличными романом: воющие цивилизации с различным устоем жизни и мировоззрением, сверхъестественные способности, отношения завоеватель-пленник, длинные волосы у мужчин :))
Но жирных минусов слишком много, чтобы этой историей насладиться.
1. Наивная черно-белая утопия.
Что мы имеем? Агрессивная раса Придж (Prij) очень-очень плохая, за редким исключением. Все плохие - отец ГГ Армана, жена ГГ, его слуги, правительница его страны и ее Совет и т.д. Каким-то чудом только старый учитель Армана да еще паж-слуга оказываются добрейшей души человеками.
У расы Даршиан (Darshian), естественно, все наоборот. Все добрые и хорошие, честные и милые. За всю книгу только один Даршианин попался ..ну не очень хороший. И все настолько допропорядочные, что, по моему
понятию, у них нет тюрем, нет разбойников на дорогах, да и казнь запрещена. Все равны между собой - по социальному, половому, возрастному признаку.
Избранная народом восьмерка Правителей правит.. нет! СЛУЖИТ любимому народу - демократия! Даршиане настолько миролюбивы, что когда 20 лет назад Придж отхватили у них южные территории, те ничего не предпринимали дабы не пострадало мирное население!
Кстати, генерал армии захватчиков Придж в итоге стал таким же сахарно-милым.
2. Объем книги.
Этот толмуд из 900 с лишним страниц разбит на 4 абсолютно неравнозначных части. При этом первые три вместе взятые совсем чуточку меньше единственной четвертой части, ради которой я и читала всю эту первую половину только для того, чтобы последние страниц 200 просто пролистать.
Допустим, пролистала я по другой причине (о ней позже), но из книги спокойно и без вреда сюжету можно выкинуть треть! Почему? Потому что автор заставляла героев повторять одни и те же действия по десять раз, каждый раз подробно описывая (я не преувеличиваю). Например, извиняться за что-то перед каждым встречным Даршианином (а их очень там много). Кроме того, было много действий и событий, которые можно было просто упомянуть, а не расписывать так детально.
3. Названия и Имена.
Придуманный автором мир обусловливает новые имена и необычные названия животных, растений и т.д. Но даже англоязычные читатели подивились глупости звучания таких животных как Jombeker, например. А с именами я вообще часто путалась - второ- и третьестепенных героев тьма, а вот разнообразить имена автор не пыталась (Myka, Misek, Mayl, Meki, Mekus и т.д.). Часто я только по контексту догадывалась, о ком речь.
4. Любовная линия.
65% книги я ждала ХОТЬ ЧЕГО-НИБУДЬ. Еще в первой главе уже были интимные сцены между ГГ Кеем и его любовником, а также между Арманом и его женой. Все. Потом ни страсти, ни романтики, ни развития любовных чувств. И вдруг в одной главе я получаю разгон с 0 до 100: со словами "Я тебя люблю" Кей прыгает из постели любовника в не менее любящие объятия Армана. Сразу мы получаем и истинную любовь между двумя назначенными половинками, и эротика возвращается, и вообще, оказывается, чувства-то давно вспыхнули.
Только как я должна была это понять, не ясно. Кей такой вселюбящий (в платоническом плане, как Христос, прости Господи), так сильно он любит людей, что не понятно, когда это любовь дружеская, а когда влюбленность романтическая. После этого оставшиеся 35% я уже листала.
Кстати, мне показалось странным, что почти девственный Арман, дитя ханжеской цивилизации, только-только познакомившийся с радостями секса, с такой легкостью (с подачи Кея) обменялся с ним блоуджобами прилюдно при свете ��ня (ну нормально это у Даршиан, естественно же). А А Кей потом ходил и обижался, что лезут в их личную жизнь.
Первые 2 части были удачной приманкой. Особенно, когда Кей, такой весь белый и пушистый, страдал от рук жестоких Придж. Но в итоге - детская наивная сказка, в кот��рой пришли хорошие добрые охотники и чудесным образом спасли бабушку с внучкой из живота злого плохого волка.
К прочтению не советую.
П.С.Хочу отметить, что из всех придуманных автором слов отдельно мне понравилось слово "tuktuk". У них там такое животное есть, но не в нем дело. Кей предложил его в качестве заменителя слову "fucking" - tuktukking :)))))
Но жирных минусов слишком много, чтобы этой историей насладиться.
1. Наивная черно-белая утопия.
Что мы имеем? Агрессивная раса Придж (Prij) очень-очень плохая, за редким исключением. Все плохие - отец ГГ Армана, жена ГГ, его слуги, правительница его страны и ее Совет и т.д. Каким-то чудом только старый учитель Армана да еще паж-слуга оказываются добрейшей души человеками.
У расы Даршиан (Darshian), естественно, все наоборот. Все добрые и хорошие, честные и милые. За всю книгу только один Даршианин попался ..ну не очень хороший. И все настолько допропорядочные, что, по моему
понятию, у них нет тюрем, нет разбойников на дорогах, да и казнь запрещена. Все равны между собой - по социальному, половому, возрастному признаку.
Избранная народом восьмерка Правителей правит.. нет! СЛУЖИТ любимому народу - демократия! Даршиане настолько миролюбивы, что когда 20 лет назад Придж отхватили у них южные территории, те ничего не предпринимали дабы не пострадало мирное население!
Кстати, генерал армии захватчиков Придж в итоге стал таким же сахарно-милым.
2. Объем книги.
Этот толмуд из 900 с лишним страниц разбит на 4 абсолютно неравнозначных части. При этом первые три вместе взятые совсем чуточку меньше единственной четвертой части, ради которой я и читала всю эту первую половину только для того, чтобы последние страниц 200 просто пролистать.
Допустим, пролистала я по другой причине (о ней позже), но из книги спокойно и без вреда сюжету можно выкинуть треть! Почему? Потому что автор заставляла героев повторять одни и те же действия по десять раз, каждый раз подробно описывая (я не преувеличиваю). Например, извиняться за что-то перед каждым встречным Даршианином (а их очень там много). Кроме того, было много действий и событий, которые можно было просто упомянуть, а не расписывать так детально.
3. Названия и Имена.
Придуманный автором мир обусловливает новые имена и необычные названия животных, растений и т.д. Но даже англоязычные читатели подивились глупости звучания таких животных как Jombeker, например. А с именами я вообще часто путалась - второ- и третьестепенных героев тьма, а вот разнообразить имена автор не пыталась (Myka, Misek, Mayl, Meki, Mekus и т.д.). Часто я только по контексту догадывалась, о ком речь.
4. Любовная линия.
65% книги я ждала ХОТЬ ЧЕГО-НИБУДЬ. Еще в первой главе уже были интимные сцены между ГГ Кеем и его любовником, а также между Арманом и его женой. Все. Потом ни страсти, ни романтики, ни развития любовных чувств. И вдруг в одной главе я получаю разгон с 0 до 100: со словами "Я тебя люблю" Кей прыгает из постели любовника в не менее любящие объятия Армана. Сразу мы получаем и истинную любовь между двумя назначенными половинками, и эротика возвращается, и вообще, оказывается, чувства-то давно вспыхнули.
Только как я должна была это понять, не ясно. Кей такой вселюбящий (в платоническом плане, как Христос, прости Господи), так сильно он любит людей, что не понятно, когда это любовь дружеская, а когда влюбленность романтическая. После этого оставшиеся 35% я уже листала.
Кстати, мне показалось странным, что почти девственный Арман, дитя ханжеской цивилизации, только-только познакомившийся с радостями секса, с такой легкостью (с подачи Кея) обменялся с ним блоуджобами прилюдно при свете ��ня (ну нормально это у Даршиан, естественно же). А А Кей потом ходил и обижался, что лезут в их личную жизнь.
Первые 2 части были удачной приманкой. Особенно, когда Кей, такой весь белый и пушистый, страдал от рук жестоких Придж. Но в итоге - детская наивная сказка, в кот��рой пришли хорошие добрые охотники и чудесным образом спасли бабушку с внучкой из живота злого плохого волка.
К прочтению не советую.
П.С.Хочу отметить, что из всех придуманных автором слов отдельно мне понравилось слово "tuktuk". У них там такое животное есть, но не в нем дело. Кей предложил его в качестве заменителя слову "fucking" - tuktukking :)))))
August 15, 2011
There were times in my reading of Kei's Gift when I thought I'd give this book four stars. There were times when I thought I'd give it two stars. The truth is that the first half is far superior to the second half. I am an extremely fast reader but it took me a full week to finish Kei's Gift, and I had to force myself to the final page.
I really do have to give the author Kudos for her world-building and for her ability to construct unique, memorable characters. Excellent work there.
This book desperately needed a strong editor. For me, it is really too long, has too many named-characters, and too many place names. I also had a problem with the fact that the second half of the book lacks real conflict. There's plenty of uncertainty -- will the peace mission work, for instance -- but no genuine conflict. It's mainly a recital of events.
I had a very strange reaction to the relationship between Arman and Kei. I read a lot of m/m romance, and I expect a sexual relationship with all that implies. But... I found the *friendship* between Arman and Kei to be far stronger than the lovers' relationship. Once the two make love, it seemed to me that their relationship degenerated into the cliched. I especially winced every time the word "brat" was used. And it seemed that the friendship disappeared somehow. For me, the initial sex scene seemed to introduce two new people, as I barely recognized Arman, and especially a suddenly cavalier Kei. I missed the Kei I had gotten to know earlier in the novel!
And I feel that the author really over-wrote Arman's guilt over his actions during the war as well as his willingness to atone for his actions. I don't know a single man who would have talked about it... endlessly.
There's no doubt that Kei's Gift is an impressive accomplishment, simply for the imagination that thought up the world, the social innovation, and sheer length. Anybody who can do all that deserves a lot of credit. But it just didn't work for me.
I really do have to give the author Kudos for her world-building and for her ability to construct unique, memorable characters. Excellent work there.
This book desperately needed a strong editor. For me, it is really too long, has too many named-characters, and too many place names. I also had a problem with the fact that the second half of the book lacks real conflict. There's plenty of uncertainty -- will the peace mission work, for instance -- but no genuine conflict. It's mainly a recital of events.
I had a very strange reaction to the relationship between Arman and Kei. I read a lot of m/m romance, and I expect a sexual relationship with all that implies. But... I found the *friendship* between Arman and Kei to be far stronger than the lovers' relationship. Once the two make love, it seemed to me that their relationship degenerated into the cliched. I especially winced every time the word "brat" was used. And it seemed that the friendship disappeared somehow. For me, the initial sex scene seemed to introduce two new people, as I barely recognized Arman, and especially a suddenly cavalier Kei. I missed the Kei I had gotten to know earlier in the novel!
And I feel that the author really over-wrote Arman's guilt over his actions during the war as well as his willingness to atone for his actions. I don't know a single man who would have talked about it... endlessly.
There's no doubt that Kei's Gift is an impressive accomplishment, simply for the imagination that thought up the world, the social innovation, and sheer length. Anybody who can do all that deserves a lot of credit. But it just didn't work for me.
March 25, 2014
Extremely strong recommendation. This is an excellent book all around: characters, world-building, plot are all superlative. I adored Kei, adored Arman--their story is beautiful and deeply satisfying. The book is very long, but it earns it.
But given the extraordinary quality of the novel, this feels like a quibble. Seriously, I cannot recommend it enough.
But given the extraordinary quality of the novel, this feels like a quibble. Seriously, I cannot recommend it enough.
October 30, 2010
I loved this book. It's such an amazing story with so much information and so many characters it's sometimes hard to catch them all, but the in the end it is what makes it so rich and overwhelming. I loved the gifts and the passion and the ending was very much worth the invested time.
March 8, 2017
I throughly enjoyed this high fantasy, it's an epic though but a great read.
September 4, 2019
Kei’s Gift is an adult military fantasy featuring multiple queer characters, opposites attract, a war( though not really a war. It’s hard to explain without spoiling), slow burn romance and enemies to lovers.
All in all - I thought this was brilliant but not perfect. I adored both of the MCs and loved watching their growth. Yes I wanted to punch Arman in the beginning but as all good character growth goes: I loved him by the end.
I’m too lazy to do a full in-depth review so allow me to present bullet points:
What I loved:
•Kei and Arman’s romance develops over the course of the book and it was glorious. The mutual pinning and slowburn- topped with the soul mate trope. Ahhh I adored it!!!
•I loved Kei’s relationship with Reji and how they stay friends even after the break up. Also Reji basically becomes Kei and Arman’s number one shipper and I loved that.
•Found family and blood family feels all round!
•Bisexual Rep, Gay Rep, and side polyamorous romances
• I really loved that we see a side romance between Reji and a certain women, who I fucking loved! ( spoilers) develop at the end. It’s nice to see queer m/f representation.
•I love the fantasy elements that come into the book.
The reasons I didn’t find this perfect:
•The book is very long and could do with some more editing; there’s so many chapters at the end that could have been cut.
•This one is more personal but it really irked me that a book with multiple m/m, m/f and polyamorous romances has absolutely no f/f romances. :/
•Arman’s relationship with his “wife” was shocking, no matter how evil she may have been I didn’t like how he constantly referred to her as the bitch. Another personal one, the bitch word just gets to me!!
Overall: I may have skimmed some of it- especially the useless chapters at the end- but I don’t think I’ll ever forget this book. I truthfully enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to continuing on with the series someday.
All in all - I thought this was brilliant but not perfect. I adored both of the MCs and loved watching their growth. Yes I wanted to punch Arman in the beginning but as all good character growth goes: I loved him by the end.
I’m too lazy to do a full in-depth review so allow me to present bullet points:
What I loved:
•Kei and Arman’s romance develops over the course of the book and it was glorious. The mutual pinning and slowburn- topped with the soul mate trope. Ahhh I adored it!!!
•I loved Kei’s relationship with Reji and how they stay friends even after the break up. Also Reji basically becomes Kei and Arman’s number one shipper and I loved that.
•Found family and blood family feels all round!
•Bisexual Rep, Gay Rep, and side polyamorous romances
• I really loved that we see a side romance between Reji and a certain women, who I fucking loved! ( spoilers) develop at the end. It’s nice to see queer m/f representation.
•I love the fantasy elements that come into the book.
The reasons I didn’t find this perfect:
•The book is very long and could do with some more editing; there’s so many chapters at the end that could have been cut.
•This one is more personal but it really irked me that a book with multiple m/m, m/f and polyamorous romances has absolutely no f/f romances. :/
•Arman’s relationship with his “wife” was shocking, no matter how evil she may have been I didn’t like how he constantly referred to her as the bitch. Another personal one, the bitch word just gets to me!!
Overall: I may have skimmed some of it- especially the useless chapters at the end- but I don’t think I’ll ever forget this book. I truthfully enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to continuing on with the series someday.
April 14, 2011
Damn, I enjoyed this one! :) It started off a little slow as we got to know the characters, Kei and Arman as well as their friends and family who will play a big part in the coming story, but that was okay because this is really the story of how two young men grow into mature men. I only had two little problems with the story. The first was that I wanted to know more about Arman's father and brother. And the second was that I kept reading Arman as older than he was. I believe his stated age was around 24 or 25, but he read to me like a man closer to 30. Of course that might be due to the life he lead up to the point where the story begins.
Now some might find that Kei, the gentle healer and Arman, the honourable young general, were a bit too good to be true, but you know, this is a romance and the characters NEED to be a little bigger and better than life. Both men DO have their faults and Ms Somerville explores them in depth. And the romance takes time to develop. This is sort of momentous for me, because most of the m/m romance novels I have read seem to be fast and quick and done with in little more than 100 pages. This book is a hefty, juicy read. No novelette here, my friends. And I love that about it.
And the sex scenes... the intimate scenes... OMG, they were lovely! Y'all know that this is a major part of the reason we read romance/erotic romance novels, and in my opinion, Ms. Somerville does a TERRIFIC job. Arman's fixation with Kei's hair, for instance; even when it wasn't supposed to be hot, it was. :) And as always, my mind tends to cast actors in the major roles, so all the while I was reading, I was seeing Chris Hemsworth (who will be starring as Thor in the new movie) as Arman and Jesse Williams (Dr. Jackson Avery from Grey's Anatomy) as Kei.
In conclusion, I really loved this book and would recommend it highly to anyone who's looking for a juicy, m/m romance - the fantasy angle of it, while important, doesn't overpower the lovely character studies or the love story. I will definitely be reading more of Ann Somerville's work, I can tell you that!
Now some might find that Kei, the gentle healer and Arman, the honourable young general, were a bit too good to be true, but you know, this is a romance and the characters NEED to be a little bigger and better than life. Both men DO have their faults and Ms Somerville explores them in depth. And the romance takes time to develop. This is sort of momentous for me, because most of the m/m romance novels I have read seem to be fast and quick and done with in little more than 100 pages. This book is a hefty, juicy read. No novelette here, my friends. And I love that about it.
And the sex scenes... the intimate scenes... OMG, they were lovely! Y'all know that this is a major part of the reason we read romance/erotic romance novels, and in my opinion, Ms. Somerville does a TERRIFIC job. Arman's fixation with Kei's hair, for instance; even when it wasn't supposed to be hot, it was. :) And as always, my mind tends to cast actors in the major roles, so all the while I was reading, I was seeing Chris Hemsworth (who will be starring as Thor in the new movie) as Arman and Jesse Williams (Dr. Jackson Avery from Grey's Anatomy) as Kei.
In conclusion, I really loved this book and would recommend it highly to anyone who's looking for a juicy, m/m romance - the fantasy angle of it, while important, doesn't overpower the lovely character studies or the love story. I will definitely be reading more of Ann Somerville's work, I can tell you that!
August 16, 2011
What would like, to have an impressive power...
...an impressive but unwanted power?
Kei is a Darshianese and a healer and the clan head´s "son". He must help, because it´s his gift, heal and be part of someone soul. His life is his clan, his family, and his dream is be the best healer his clan can have. Nothing out of the ordinary should happen, but life is not fair, and Kei will be obligated to give up everything he love, to save everyone he love.
Armand is a bitter General of the Prij army. he must fight, in the name of a cold Queen, ignore a manipulative wife, and deal with the hate of his father.
War will bring both men together, and war was teach both that though suffering real love can blossom, to save lost souls.
I recommend this book to readers searching a perfect fantasy world, full of remarkable characters and unexpected events. Incredible, how a long book was so short... I would read more and more... because I was mesmerized by all narrators, and their amazing world.
Perfect, it´s my way to describe this book.
...an impressive but unwanted power?
Kei is a Darshianese and a healer and the clan head´s "son". He must help, because it´s his gift, heal and be part of someone soul. His life is his clan, his family, and his dream is be the best healer his clan can have. Nothing out of the ordinary should happen, but life is not fair, and Kei will be obligated to give up everything he love, to save everyone he love.
Armand is a bitter General of the Prij army. he must fight, in the name of a cold Queen, ignore a manipulative wife, and deal with the hate of his father.
War will bring both men together, and war was teach both that though suffering real love can blossom, to save lost souls.
I recommend this book to readers searching a perfect fantasy world, full of remarkable characters and unexpected events. Incredible, how a long book was so short... I would read more and more... because I was mesmerized by all narrators, and their amazing world.
Perfect, it´s my way to describe this book.
March 10, 2017
*Updated review*
2 stars. I took back the half star after finishing the epilogue. If I'd only read the last three chapters and not the epilogue, I'd probably have given 2.25 stars. Sooo boring, and the one bit I was interested in wasn't even there. I actually flipped back and forth a bit to see if I'd skipped something, but no. And this is was a shock given how many words there were repeating and reemphasizing everything else...
**Original review**
2.5 stars. I probably should have rounded down instead of up, but I'm feeling generous atm. If 2/3 of the words were removed I'd likely rate it 4 stars. This book was very long. And most of it didn't add anything. So much was shown that didn't need to be, while there were many things that weren't shown that could have been. As it was, there was a lot of skimming. Including most of the sex. Sex scenes became relief - I knew I'd be able to skip at least the next 10 pages. I still have 3 chapters left but I'm so bored of reading rn I thought I'd get the review out of the way.
2 stars. I took back the half star after finishing the epilogue. If I'd only read the last three chapters and not the epilogue, I'd probably have given 2.25 stars. Sooo boring, and the one bit I was interested in wasn't even there. I actually flipped back and forth a bit to see if I'd skipped something, but no. And this is was a shock given how many words there were repeating and reemphasizing everything else...
**Original review**
2.5 stars. I probably should have rounded down instead of up, but I'm feeling generous atm. If 2/3 of the words were removed I'd likely rate it 4 stars. This book was very long. And most of it didn't add anything. So much was shown that didn't need to be, while there were many things that weren't shown that could have been. As it was, there was a lot of skimming. Including most of the sex. Sex scenes became relief - I knew I'd be able to skip at least the next 10 pages. I still have 3 chapters left but I'm so bored of reading rn I thought I'd get the review out of the way.
March 21, 2010
Since I read the Nightrunner series I've been looking for a good fantasy book with gay/bisexual main characters. It seems I've finally found it.
This book has almost everything I like about fantasy books: a good plot with riveting twists,
appealing characters, who aren't just puppets in the hands of an author, but very believable and who have strong personalities,
a lovely setting and an interesting world building (this one wasn't really the strongest point of this book, but still)
and a nice promise for the next books of the series.
I also liked that being a little too fast-paced this book doesn't appear to be shallow. And a slow development of the relationship between the main characters was exactly what I needed.
The only thing that left me a little bit unsettled sometimes was that from time to time I felt that Kei's attitude towards Arman (these are the two main characters) was of a consumer nature.
All in all this book was a very pleasant and fast read.
This book has almost everything I like about fantasy books: a good plot with riveting twists,
appealing characters, who aren't just puppets in the hands of an author, but very believable and who have strong personalities,
a lovely setting and an interesting world building (this one wasn't really the strongest point of this book, but still)
and a nice promise for the next books of the series.
I also liked that being a little too fast-paced this book doesn't appear to be shallow. And a slow development of the relationship between the main characters was exactly what I needed.
The only thing that left me a little bit unsettled sometimes was that from time to time I felt that Kei's attitude towards Arman (these are the two main characters) was of a consumer nature.
All in all this book was a very pleasant and fast read.
November 5, 2010
Possibly my favorite m/m book ever. So incredibly fantastic, just like the rest of this author's work. The story is beautifully written, intricately detailed, satisfying long, and appropriately both heart-wrenching and joyful. Absolutely exquisite. It's a bit of an epic tale, and luckily just the beginning for this wonderful series.
"All this hate is very tiring, isn’t it?"
- Jena, page 698
"All this hate is very tiring, isn’t it?"
- Jena, page 698
March 23, 2011
This is a nice book that could use an editor. Not for proofreading for grammar or typos, but for content. It's a nice story, but it has too many extra characters related to the main ones and telling those stories in details are not advancing the stories.
April 11, 2016
Okay, okay, enough!
I tried—I really, really tried to finish. I don't like leaving books unfinished. But enough is enough.
D. N. F.
This is a story of Kei (a Gifted healer) and Arman (an army general) and their completely boring ass relationship. And their completely boring ass interactions. And their beyond naive outlook on life. Oh, my God, can they be anymore altruistic? Spoiler: they can!
Jesus Christ, do they have any moral dilemmas? Any at all? Are they capable of feeling contrite feelings? I honestly cannot believe they don't have a single immoral thought inside those brains of theirs.
While the book starts off great—don't get me wrong: phenomenal writing, interesting set up, a whole pot of potential problems brewing—it dwindles really fast. Which, wow, because that book is 700 pages long. Slow, exhausting 700 pages of slug dialogue and snail pace developments: both character and plot.
I should have realized something was wrong when I opened the book and it began with round-the-point descriptions (god, like ten pages of the same description) of Kei in his healing element. Kei, a character I have not had time to be introduced to, much less develop any semblance of care for his inner turmoil. Place him in a middle of a scene in which I was supposed to care about the survival of his patients—three equally un-introduced characters for which I honestly could not care less . . . well.
It's a miracle I continued.
But I did. And then I was introduced to the other, equally uninteresting character right in the middle of his equally uninteresting inner turmoil.
Would you let a girl breathe. Slow down (I know, ironic), and let me get to know these characters first, goddamn.
And then, within the confines of the first couple of pages, one of the most influential and the most entertaining characters up and does something unforgivable.
Like, listen to this fucker: " . . . Honestly, Arman, and you want me to let you go on a campaign on your own, when you can’t even look after yourself in your own home.” Like, precious. Such preciousness, needed to be protected at all costs.
Aaaaaaaand halt. That's it. There's nothing else. Ex-nei.
Fuck. We know. Everyone knows it's the general's house. We all know it's the general. We knoooow. We've been led on this merry goose chase for a shitton of pages. You're not being coy or secretive. You're being annoying and painful. It's in the fucking summary. You could not make it more obvious. Just let them fucking meet already.
And . . . as soon as Arman meets his littleslave, excuse me, servant, all his conviction flies right out the window. Such a shame, since it seemed to take all of his personality with it.
And holy mother-fucker, but Sommerville could not have made her aversion to drama any plainer.
And . . . oh boy do I have feelings about that nasty little wife of his. Nothing against the character as a person—everything to do with the caricature of what she represents in this story. The epitome of everything that her society stands and evil. She's malicious and manipulative and cruel with not a single merciful bone in her body. Which, really endeared me to her in the beginning, as she was the only one to have any negative characteristics. And, you know, just how I like my women: venomous and powerful. But then watch as she's reduced to this shell of a character . . . It made me a lil angry.
Sure, her relationship is tense with her husband. Sure, she's an utter bitch. Sure, she's conniving. And I couldn't care less. Because there was no human to care for. (And I don't mean humanity the emotion.) No substance, that girl, much to my grief.
Okay, whatever. Characters sucked.
So I thought, surely, the world-building makes up for it? Ha ha, was I sorely disappointed.
Not only do the two societies fit the black and white mold perfectly, I could not, for the life of me, understand why the fuck is it so. And then it clicked.
Kuprij is the epitome of an irrational, inflexible society that only wishes to spread its empire and its tyrannical rule. But I wonder how it is so, when their medicine is inferior (laughably so) to that of Darshian, and so is their religion and their rulers, and their social structure and their public executions and a shitton of a other stuff. There was nothing good even mentioned about this society, except, perhaps their female ruler (whom I also have many questions about, least of all, she's twenty-two? and in charge? where the fuck did she get the experience for that kind of position? not that I'm complaining (I am) but what the fuck? Is no one confused? They all just . . . defer to her rule?) but that may just be my inner feminist talking. Like, my people . . . that does not a country make.
Darshian culture, on the other hand, is all rainbow and sunshine? They have vast knowledge, people with Gifts, an iron sense of morality and great military strategy. Everyone is happy and could hope for nothing else in their happiness. This is the Ideal, the brazen Utopia. Everyone loves each other and they would never, ever, for as long as they live, harm another human being.
. . . yes, well. You can see why I'm having a little trouble digesting this.
Mind you, this is the first half of the book.
The other half . . . is one gigantic snooze button. No further character development. No drama. No tension. There is no conflict. None between characters, none between Kei and Armen in their relationship (nothing but a long, drawn out, tug of war of Armen being "I just want you to be happy" and Kai "pulling away and coming back because he could not live without the comfort of Armen's touch and then pulling away again to make it, ah, easier"). And their unwavering goodness. The rot-your-teeth morality. My friends, if I was captured, badly abused, scorned, had people I loved cruelly murdered in front of me, taken from my home, reduced to a slave, and fucked every which way but literally (which, fucking shame, the only thing I was looking forward to), I would not be so forgiving. Not so altruistic. Not so intent on the perpetrators' health and safety. (Kei? Get a realistic personality please. You're not fooling anyone.)
I'm saddened by this unfortunate development. I was looking forward to enjoying this story. Because the idea is there. There's so much potential. So much that could have been further developed if none of it was staunched by boring prose and mind-numbing dialogue.
I'm just sad that I wasted so many hours trying to slug through it, keep giving it the benefit of the doubt, hoping it'd improve because I was sucked in by the summary. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
I tried—I really, really tried to finish. I don't like leaving books unfinished. But enough is enough.
D. N. F.
This is a story of Kei (a Gifted healer) and Arman (an army general) and their completely boring ass relationship. And their completely boring ass interactions. And their beyond naive outlook on life. Oh, my God, can they be anymore altruistic? Spoiler: they can!
Jesus Christ, do they have any moral dilemmas? Any at all? Are they capable of feeling contrite feelings? I honestly cannot believe they don't have a single immoral thought inside those brains of theirs.
While the book starts off great—don't get me wrong: phenomenal writing, interesting set up, a whole pot of potential problems brewing—it dwindles really fast. Which, wow, because that book is 700 pages long. Slow, exhausting 700 pages of slug dialogue and snail pace developments: both character and plot.
I should have realized something was wrong when I opened the book and it began with round-the-point descriptions (god, like ten pages of the same description) of Kei in his healing element. Kei, a character I have not had time to be introduced to, much less develop any semblance of care for his inner turmoil. Place him in a middle of a scene in which I was supposed to care about the survival of his patients—three equally un-introduced characters for which I honestly could not care less . . . well.
It's a miracle I continued.
But I did. And then I was introduced to the other, equally uninteresting character right in the middle of his equally uninteresting inner turmoil.
Would you let a girl breathe. Slow down (I know, ironic), and let me get to know these characters first, goddamn.
And then, within the confines of the first couple of pages, one of the most influential and the most entertaining characters up and does something unforgivable.
Like, listen to this fucker: " . . . Honestly, Arman, and you want me to let you go on a campaign on your own, when you can’t even look after yourself in your own home.” Like, precious. Such preciousness, needed to be protected at all costs.
Aaaaaaaand halt. That's it. There's nothing else. Ex-nei.
Fuck. We know. Everyone knows it's the general's house. We all know it's the general. We knoooow. We've been led on this merry goose chase for a shitton of pages. You're not being coy or secretive. You're being annoying and painful. It's in the fucking summary. You could not make it more obvious. Just let them fucking meet already.
And . . . as soon as Arman meets his little
And holy mother-fucker, but Sommerville could not have made her aversion to drama any plainer.
And . . . oh boy do I have feelings about that nasty little wife of his. Nothing against the character as a person—everything to do with the caricature of what she represents in this story. The epitome of everything that her society stands and evil. She's malicious and manipulative and cruel with not a single merciful bone in her body. Which, really endeared me to her in the beginning, as she was the only one to have any negative characteristics. And, you know, just how I like my women: venomous and powerful. But then watch as she's reduced to this shell of a character . . . It made me a lil angry.
Sure, her relationship is tense with her husband. Sure, she's an utter bitch. Sure, she's conniving. And I couldn't care less. Because there was no human to care for. (And I don't mean humanity the emotion.) No substance, that girl, much to my grief.
Okay, whatever. Characters sucked.
So I thought, surely, the world-building makes up for it? Ha ha, was I sorely disappointed.
Not only do the two societies fit the black and white mold perfectly, I could not, for the life of me, understand why the fuck is it so. And then it clicked.
Kuprij is the epitome of an irrational, inflexible society that only wishes to spread its empire and its tyrannical rule. But I wonder how it is so, when their medicine is inferior (laughably so) to that of Darshian, and so is their religion and their rulers, and their social structure and their public executions and a shitton of a other stuff. There was nothing good even mentioned about this society, except, perhaps their female ruler (whom I also have many questions about, least of all, she's twenty-two? and in charge? where the fuck did she get the experience for that kind of position? not that I'm complaining (I am) but what the fuck? Is no one confused? They all just . . . defer to her rule?) but that may just be my inner feminist talking. Like, my people . . . that does not a country make.
Darshian culture, on the other hand, is all rainbow and sunshine? They have vast knowledge, people with Gifts, an iron sense of morality and great military strategy. Everyone is happy and could hope for nothing else in their happiness. This is the Ideal, the brazen Utopia. Everyone loves each other and they would never, ever, for as long as they live, harm another human being.
. . . yes, well. You can see why I'm having a little trouble digesting this.
Mind you, this is the first half of the book.
The other half . . . is one gigantic snooze button. No further character development. No drama. No tension. There is no conflict. None between characters, none between Kei and Armen in their relationship (nothing but a long, drawn out, tug of war of Armen being "I just want you to be happy" and Kai "pulling away and coming back because he could not live without the comfort of Armen's touch and then pulling away again to make it, ah, easier"). And their unwavering goodness. The rot-your-teeth morality. My friends, if I was captured, badly abused, scorned, had people I loved cruelly murdered in front of me, taken from my home, reduced to a slave, and fucked every which way but literally (which, fucking shame, the only thing I was looking forward to), I would not be so forgiving. Not so altruistic. Not so intent on the perpetrators' health and safety. (Kei? Get a realistic personality please. You're not fooling anyone.)
I'm saddened by this unfortunate development. I was looking forward to enjoying this story. Because the idea is there. There's so much potential. So much that could have been further developed if none of it was staunched by boring prose and mind-numbing dialogue.
I'm just sad that I wasted so many hours trying to slug through it, keep giving it the benefit of the doubt, hoping it'd improve because I was sucked in by the summary. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
May 9, 2019
Reread 2019.
I forgot how long this book is. Strap yourself for a long journey, because Kei's Gift is a time investment (aka: slow burn). I will say that the pacing of the story does suffer in certain parts. And while the weakest part of the novel was the last part, it wasn't by means bad (I can't really say more without spoiling).
The characters are enjoyable and the circumstances of the story does a good job in bringing on the man pain (man pain being a great motivator for Character Development). The world building is interesting enough, though I wished there was more exploration in the gifts of this world.
Overall, an enjoyable, and very long read.
I forgot how long this book is. Strap yourself for a long journey, because Kei's Gift is a time investment (aka: slow burn). I will say that the pacing of the story does suffer in certain parts. And while the weakest part of the novel was the last part, it wasn't by means bad (I can't really say more without spoiling).
The characters are enjoyable and the circumstances of the story does a good job in bringing on the man pain (man pain being a great motivator for Character Development). The world building is interesting enough, though I wished there was more exploration in the gifts of this world.
Overall, an enjoyable, and very long read.
March 9, 2019
772... no wonder it took so long to read!
But what a pleasant surprise! Four stars, no doubt about it. Even thinking about five...
I'd tell you all about how amazing it was but there is much to tell. It was long but what it really meant that the beginning might as well have been in another world, for how much everything changed. It was pleasantly "real" in the passage of time department. First, you got the feel for Kei's and Arman's life before the conflict, then the conflict, then their life in the city and so on.
It was the perfect definition - as well as an example - of a high fantasy, a good high fantasy.
Large set of characters whose lives change and intertwine and just make a great tale.
One of the things that struck me was the careful handle it had on emotions and consequences - everyone was given their due, it felt, somehow, almost more observant then the characters would permit but then, it was Kei and he can actually feel other people's emotions. It just had this great character development space - for many people.
Could it have been shorter? Yes, but then, I have read some other books where it was boring or annoying to read "the fluff" while here, everything felt like it was given the proper care and consideration, every event was given the space it needed so emotions can run their course and relationships can be tested and mended and strengthened or broken.
And yet it was still nicely paced. As I said, a lot of happened.
A warning maybe? The beginning is not the best for a very simple reason - you get to see inside the head of a general preparing to invade a land of what he considers barbarians, under orders not just from his ruler (Her Serenity, a woman) but also from Lord Nikko - his "god". As in, it's a religiously backed up and you can feel it in his attitude.
This part was not exactly pleasant, made my blood boil but I am very glad I stuck out.
If nothing else, there was Locke.
The romance was great for so many reasons - one of them it was such a slow-burn you could roll in those little sparks and still be cold. They say greatest love comes from friendship - this was another level entirely.
From absolute enemies on the opposite sides of a bigger conflict to being in love - it was a long journey and it almost made me feel like other tales with enemies-to-lovers are actually wrong not to take as much time as this book did.
I enjoyed basically every stage of their relationship, even if it was not always pleasant.
The conflict of conquered/conquerors. The shift of power. Living as a forced servant. Very well handled motifs.
And I could now probably go on and on about everything great about this book. But let's just keep it simple and say that if you like great epic tales of great nations, friendships, enemies, war, politics, love, science... and even if you don't like epic tales with drawn-out content - because this was not the case here and if you, of course, enjoy truly and deservedly complicated and emotionally and morally conflicted relationship - oh blast it, even if you don't like these things, this a great book and you should read it.
It's really amazing world with amazing characters and I was very happy to find out there are more.
The only thing I would like to use this review for is to rant about that one thing that I feel was portrayed unjustly - mostly because everything else was portrayed with such fairness:
The Prij.
A great nation and yet, as the book progressed, they became more and more villainized. Unfairly.
(A little note from my inner humble writer:) What I consider to be one of the theories on which any book or film or such is based on is the idea of us vs. them. Every book is based on conflict, of course, but this also means bad things have to happen and someone has to be blamed. Romantic books sometimes use parents or exes as a target for the reader's frustration and anger. Readers/authors? like to be angry and blame someone. It gives you this warm righteous feeling to be able to complain about them. Then there are bigger "characters" - like institutions and nations, in books that play on such a large scale. It's the government or those elitists/aristocrats or whoever it is that restricts the hero's freedom or love or something.
And I feel some books just go to far. This book was doing so great with showing both sides of the conflict (eve if it was giving me a headache) but over the course of the book, it became much more black-and-white than I would have liked. It became too forcefull in inforcing the image of Prijans as bad people that have done bad things and are, simply, bad.
That's BS. The author seems to know this. But somehow, the book shifting the blame around until it felt like Prijans are evil and Arman wants to be the opposite of them. Her Serenity was ridiculed, their religion was repeatedly made fun of, Arman's father, his superiors, the senators, the public were all shown to be petty and arrogant and bad... it felt childish (even more so by the standards the book set!).
Arman's wife was at first, a tool for the plot, which was okay. She still did not have to be so absolutely villainized. At least his father - there was some nice change but even that was small compared to everything else. What I most disliked was the religion talk - look, I am so anti-religious as I can get, I have my own beliefs, not unlike the Darshians, and organized religion is something I was turned off of for years - but this was too much. It felt very disrespectful to me, almost like it was very personal and important to "expose" the religion to be a fraud and foolish thing, made by greedy, power-hungry people (as a grudge against one of our religion that was transferred here).
The more I know and the more I read, the more I realize how everything is so complex and nothing should be dismissed. So few people are simply "evil", everyone is the hero in their own story. That is what books taught me, among other things.
Mayans or Incas (sorry, I am not sure which) I know sacrificed people. Like, killing them in the name of their religion. Hearing this, you are supposed to be outraged and disgusted and call them barbaric but the truth is (the truth as it was explained to me in very scientific terms) was that they believed these sacrifices were keeping the world alive! I am not going to say more but let me just say that it made perfect sense in their world. When you believe in something, it's normal to act according to this even if this age is more and more atheistic and we are told to be all "logical" and realize that we were all created by the accidental Big Bang that just happened and somehow resulted in having this entire endless universe.
Arranged marriages are villainized. Monarchy and other very powerful rules are also villainized (or romanticised).
This book has done this with Prijans and it felt wrong and blind. Conquering was a normal part of history. No, it was not pleasant but the Roman Empire also conquered and it did, in fact, done what Prijans wanted - bettered the lives of people. Our world would look different without conquering. It was a part of the development. And even now, there are wars and armed conflicts going on, let's not pretend we are so civilized we're over it.
That's all I wanted to say and it had relatively little impact on my enjoyment of the book but the writer in me would not - could not forget to mention this.
Again - recommend this with all my heart.
But what a pleasant surprise! Four stars, no doubt about it. Even thinking about five...
I'd tell you all about how amazing it was but there is much to tell. It was long but what it really meant that the beginning might as well have been in another world, for how much everything changed. It was pleasantly "real" in the passage of time department. First, you got the feel for Kei's and Arman's life before the conflict, then the conflict, then their life in the city and so on.
It was the perfect definition - as well as an example - of a high fantasy, a good high fantasy.
Large set of characters whose lives change and intertwine and just make a great tale.
One of the things that struck me was the careful handle it had on emotions and consequences - everyone was given their due, it felt, somehow, almost more observant then the characters would permit but then, it was Kei and he can actually feel other people's emotions. It just had this great character development space - for many people.
Could it have been shorter? Yes, but then, I have read some other books where it was boring or annoying to read "the fluff" while here, everything felt like it was given the proper care and consideration, every event was given the space it needed so emotions can run their course and relationships can be tested and mended and strengthened or broken.
And yet it was still nicely paced. As I said, a lot of happened.
A warning maybe? The beginning is not the best for a very simple reason - you get to see inside the head of a general preparing to invade a land of what he considers barbarians, under orders not just from his ruler (Her Serenity, a woman) but also from Lord Nikko - his "god". As in, it's a religiously backed up and you can feel it in his attitude.
This part was not exactly pleasant, made my blood boil but I am very glad I stuck out.
If nothing else, there was Locke.
The romance was great for so many reasons - one of them it was such a slow-burn you could roll in those little sparks and still be cold. They say greatest love comes from friendship - this was another level entirely.
From absolute enemies on the opposite sides of a bigger conflict to being in love - it was a long journey and it almost made me feel like other tales with enemies-to-lovers are actually wrong not to take as much time as this book did.
I enjoyed basically every stage of their relationship, even if it was not always pleasant.
The conflict of conquered/conquerors. The shift of power. Living as a forced servant. Very well handled motifs.
And I could now probably go on and on about everything great about this book. But let's just keep it simple and say that if you like great epic tales of great nations, friendships, enemies, war, politics, love, science... and even if you don't like epic tales with drawn-out content - because this was not the case here and if you, of course, enjoy truly and deservedly complicated and emotionally and morally conflicted relationship - oh blast it, even if you don't like these things, this a great book and you should read it.
It's really amazing world with amazing characters and I was very happy to find out there are more.
The only thing I would like to use this review for is to rant about that one thing that I feel was portrayed unjustly - mostly because everything else was portrayed with such fairness:
The Prij.
A great nation and yet, as the book progressed, they became more and more villainized. Unfairly.
(A little note from my inner humble writer:) What I consider to be one of the theories on which any book or film or such is based on is the idea of us vs. them. Every book is based on conflict, of course, but this also means bad things have to happen and someone has to be blamed. Romantic books sometimes use parents or exes as a target for the reader's frustration and anger. Readers/authors? like to be angry and blame someone. It gives you this warm righteous feeling to be able to complain about them. Then there are bigger "characters" - like institutions and nations, in books that play on such a large scale. It's the government or those elitists/aristocrats or whoever it is that restricts the hero's freedom or love or something.
And I feel some books just go to far. This book was doing so great with showing both sides of the conflict (eve if it was giving me a headache) but over the course of the book, it became much more black-and-white than I would have liked. It became too forcefull in inforcing the image of Prijans as bad people that have done bad things and are, simply, bad.
That's BS. The author seems to know this. But somehow, the book shifting the blame around until it felt like Prijans are evil and Arman wants to be the opposite of them. Her Serenity was ridiculed, their religion was repeatedly made fun of, Arman's father, his superiors, the senators, the public were all shown to be petty and arrogant and bad... it felt childish (even more so by the standards the book set!).
Arman's wife was at first, a tool for the plot, which was okay. She still did not have to be so absolutely villainized. At least his father - there was some nice change but even that was small compared to everything else. What I most disliked was the religion talk - look, I am so anti-religious as I can get, I have my own beliefs, not unlike the Darshians, and organized religion is something I was turned off of for years - but this was too much. It felt very disrespectful to me, almost like it was very personal and important to "expose" the religion to be a fraud and foolish thing, made by greedy, power-hungry people (as a grudge against one of our religion that was transferred here).
The more I know and the more I read, the more I realize how everything is so complex and nothing should be dismissed. So few people are simply "evil", everyone is the hero in their own story. That is what books taught me, among other things.
Mayans or Incas (sorry, I am not sure which) I know sacrificed people. Like, killing them in the name of their religion. Hearing this, you are supposed to be outraged and disgusted and call them barbaric but the truth is (the truth as it was explained to me in very scientific terms) was that they believed these sacrifices were keeping the world alive! I am not going to say more but let me just say that it made perfect sense in their world. When you believe in something, it's normal to act according to this even if this age is more and more atheistic and we are told to be all "logical" and realize that we were all created by the accidental Big Bang that just happened and somehow resulted in having this entire endless universe.
Arranged marriages are villainized. Monarchy and other very powerful rules are also villainized (or romanticised).
This book has done this with Prijans and it felt wrong and blind. Conquering was a normal part of history. No, it was not pleasant but the Roman Empire also conquered and it did, in fact, done what Prijans wanted - bettered the lives of people. Our world would look different without conquering. It was a part of the development. And even now, there are wars and armed conflicts going on, let's not pretend we are so civilized we're over it.
That's all I wanted to say and it had relatively little impact on my enjoyment of the book but the writer in me would not - could not forget to mention this.
Again - recommend this with all my heart.
August 10, 2013
This book was beautiful in its intricate and breathtaking imagery and characterization. I absolutely adored the way this book read. It is read smoothly and with a sense of being not so much as an objective third party reader but as a reader invested in the happenings of the characters in the novel because they are included in it too. Sound silly? well call me silly then because that is how it was for me when I read this novel. I felt totally attached to the characters and I absolutely cherished Kei. If you are looking for a good read with great characterization and a story that isnt thrust upon you but is actually woven to seduce you into its plot then you should read this book. This is not a quick read this is a book to be dissected and read slowly in order to get the most out of it. But it is so worth the while. Just plain wow. read it.
November 10, 2018
The first 300 pages of this were 5 stars, but the last 467 were like 2-3 stars.
It really is like two different books. Not that there's a clear split, but the pacing just suddenly goes from excellent to unbelievably dragging. Even having read reviews and being prepared for the second half to be slower, I was not prepared.
I think the book is just seriously in need of an edit--those last 467 pages could easily be compressed into 100-150 pages, so much is described that I felt I didn't need to hear as a reader (e.g. days and days of journeying from one place to the next; visiting a bunch of villages; about 100 pages worth of political negotiations; a whole ton of fancy dinners; all while somehow most plot points seemed to be resolved... There was still the war and the hostages, but since Kei and Arman were now more distant players, I think I'd stopped really caring). It kind of read like the author didn't really know how to end the book so just kept writing.
It's disappointing, because I really loved the characters and the worldbuilding. I liked the contrast between the two cultures, and the dynamic Kei and Arman had, and their character development. But the second half just really loses all forward drive, even in terms of their relationship, and became such a slog, that I can't justify rating this higher, even though parts of it were absolutely outstanding, and at times I really was considering giving it 5 stars.
It really is like two different books. Not that there's a clear split, but the pacing just suddenly goes from excellent to unbelievably dragging. Even having read reviews and being prepared for the second half to be slower, I was not prepared.
I think the book is just seriously in need of an edit--those last 467 pages could easily be compressed into 100-150 pages, so much is described that I felt I didn't need to hear as a reader (e.g. days and days of journeying from one place to the next; visiting a bunch of villages; about 100 pages worth of political negotiations; a whole ton of fancy dinners; all while somehow most plot points seemed to be resolved... There was still the war and the hostages, but since Kei and Arman were now more distant players, I think I'd stopped really caring). It kind of read like the author didn't really know how to end the book so just kept writing.
It's disappointing, because I really loved the characters and the worldbuilding. I liked the contrast between the two cultures, and the dynamic Kei and Arman had, and their character development. But the second half just really loses all forward drive, even in terms of their relationship, and became such a slog, that I can't justify rating this higher, even though parts of it were absolutely outstanding, and at times I really was considering giving it 5 stars.
December 1, 2020
I read a large number of M/M ebooks on my Nook. This series by Ann Somerville is one I've read twice, something I seldom do. The story is a fantasy, filled with some astounding abilities that only appear in fantasy stories. This particular book is the start of a 4 volume series that traces the relationship of Kei and the former enemy that becomes his life's partner. The character development is thoughtful and detailed. It is also a celebration of love and devotion. Like so many fantasies, there are morals to be found, be they honor and integrity, courage and the capacity to remain faithful in times of great hardship. There is also a theme of redemption, as a once feared enemy and scourge of a people becomes a beloved leader. Fantasy literature, like so many myths and legends, tends to be conflicts between stark representations of deeply opposing values. Kei's Gift and the entire series is a well-crafted contribution to that tradition.
June 16, 2017
Reading a book that's nearly 800 pages in 3 days is no small feat, but if it's this good, I doubt 700+ pages is enough.
I feel like this was just the introduction of such a good story, and one that is very unique. It has it's own culture in it that I would love to know more about, people and places that are still unknown. It's like this is the foundation of the next books.
I superbly love it, and that's not something I give easily to such a long story because I tend to get bored easily. This didn't make me feel that way... not to mention the image in my mind about the characters... Ha! I'd read more. xD
P. S. The humour is perfect for me. I just kept laughing at one point because... ooopppsss spoilers. But seriously, the humour gets me everytime. xD
I feel like this was just the introduction of such a good story, and one that is very unique. It has it's own culture in it that I would love to know more about, people and places that are still unknown. It's like this is the foundation of the next books.
I superbly love it, and that's not something I give easily to such a long story because I tend to get bored easily. This didn't make me feel that way... not to mention the image in my mind about the characters... Ha! I'd read more. xD
P. S. The humour is perfect for me. I just kept laughing at one point because... ooopppsss spoilers. But seriously, the humour gets me everytime. xD
October 14, 2017
Epic fantasy, great world building, animals, people, cultures, interesting MCs with their issues, and the longest slowest romance ever. Could of probably been wrapped up a bit quicker as i did skim a few bits nearer the end, but the beauty of this book are the thoughts and development of the MCs and the style of writing suited this
February 4, 2022
3.5 rounded up
One hell of a marathon read. Lots of dawdling around but I still enjoyed it.
One hell of a marathon read. Lots of dawdling around but I still enjoyed it.
December 19, 2017
12 December 2017
Just finished rereading Bound by Megan Derr yesterday, and I'm so in the mood for UST and fantasy right now. For the most frustrating UST with almost 800 pages, this one is the best choice to entertain me through the last days of 2017. I have another new series waiting for me though, but aside from craving for UST with many brakes, I truly miss the world building of this and the magic, that I don't mind at all to reread 771 pages again, happily even! Albeit the lake of tears that undoubtedly I will create later...lol...
So...you first, Kei my sweet Empath!
Robin Hood, Viking, and Time traveller will have to wait their turn! ;)
21 October 2016
Fiuhh... kelar juga akhirnya baca buku yg tebalnya hampir 1000 halaman ini. 6 hari aku dibuat nangis terus selama baca buku ini. Cukup satu kata buat plot, world building, character development-nya : AMAZING!
Tapi....aku kurang puas sama romance-nya. Terutama pada Kei. Tidak perlu kujelaskan karena bisa spoiler. Tapi kurasa cuma aku yg kurang sreg sama gaya Kei dalam urusan asmara di part 4 (buku ini terbagi jadi 4 arc), karena kulihat di review lain rata-rata oke-oke saja sama adegan tertentu yg bikin aku kurang nyaman. Aku ga masalah sama kepribadian Kei yg begitu saintly (seperti yg diprotes naysayers), cuma tidak sepaham sama pandangannya soal asmara dan relationship.
Tapi yah, ini sebenarnya masalah sepele dan personal sih karena pada dasarnya walaupun ini ada romance-nya, dibilang ini cuma romance rasanya terlalu meremehkan kualitas plotnya yg luar biasa. Jadi yah, biarpun kurang suka gaya Kei di part 4, aku tetap merasa ini fantasi yg benar-benar jauh lebih berkualitas dan berbobot dari sebagian besar fantasi yg klasik dan itulah kenapa kuberi 5 stars. Tapi karena asmara 'kurang', aku tak jadi memberikan 5++ stars.
In the end, aku merasa senang karena sudah memilih buku ini sebagai comeback ke dunia fantasi setelah hampir 2 bulan baca yg kontemporer terus. Tapi karena Kei dan Arman bukan lagi tokoh utama di 3 buku berikutnya dalam seri ini, aku masih mikir-mikir apakah bakal lanjut baca sekuelnya. Karena jujur saja, aku lelah sama yg menguras air mata terus-terusan selama 1000 halaman. Butuh yg comedy dan ringan habis ini.
Just finished rereading Bound by Megan Derr yesterday, and I'm so in the mood for UST and fantasy right now. For the most frustrating UST with almost 800 pages, this one is the best choice to entertain me through the last days of 2017. I have another new series waiting for me though, but aside from craving for UST with many brakes, I truly miss the world building of this and the magic, that I don't mind at all to reread 771 pages again, happily even! Albeit the lake of tears that undoubtedly I will create later...lol...
So...you first, Kei my sweet Empath!
Robin Hood, Viking, and Time traveller will have to wait their turn! ;)
21 October 2016
Fiuhh... kelar juga akhirnya baca buku yg tebalnya hampir 1000 halaman ini. 6 hari aku dibuat nangis terus selama baca buku ini. Cukup satu kata buat plot, world building, character development-nya : AMAZING!
Tapi....aku kurang puas sama romance-nya. Terutama pada Kei. Tidak perlu kujelaskan karena bisa spoiler. Tapi kurasa cuma aku yg kurang sreg sama gaya Kei dalam urusan asmara di part 4 (buku ini terbagi jadi 4 arc), karena kulihat di review lain rata-rata oke-oke saja sama adegan tertentu yg bikin aku kurang nyaman. Aku ga masalah sama kepribadian Kei yg begitu saintly (seperti yg diprotes naysayers), cuma tidak sepaham sama pandangannya soal asmara dan relationship.
Tapi yah, ini sebenarnya masalah sepele dan personal sih karena pada dasarnya walaupun ini ada romance-nya, dibilang ini cuma romance rasanya terlalu meremehkan kualitas plotnya yg luar biasa. Jadi yah, biarpun kurang suka gaya Kei di part 4, aku tetap merasa ini fantasi yg benar-benar jauh lebih berkualitas dan berbobot dari sebagian besar fantasi yg klasik dan itulah kenapa kuberi 5 stars. Tapi karena asmara 'kurang', aku tak jadi memberikan 5++ stars.
In the end, aku merasa senang karena sudah memilih buku ini sebagai comeback ke dunia fantasi setelah hampir 2 bulan baca yg kontemporer terus. Tapi karena Kei dan Arman bukan lagi tokoh utama di 3 buku berikutnya dalam seri ini, aku masih mikir-mikir apakah bakal lanjut baca sekuelnya. Karena jujur saja, aku lelah sama yg menguras air mata terus-terusan selama 1000 halaman. Butuh yg comedy dan ringan habis ini.
December 9, 2012
An interesting read, but I found it willfully naive in many aspects of its social understanding. Egalitarian social structures are perfectly reasonable and acceptable, but it is painfully obvious that Somerville either doesn't understand the development of state-level societies or wishes to impart a Utopian ideal that cannot be maintained by anything other than willful ignorance and the direct intervention of Gods--or, as she calls them, the Gifted. The Gifted are an element of God-like power that solve all problems while managing to operate from the short bus of human intellect. Seriously, they're so disgustingly ignorant and naive that they're simply two dimensional characters, not the charming innocent pariahs they're obviously intended to be. They claim personal pain, but exhibit none of the affects. This is a systemic problem within the book. Deep pains are covered up by our dear author with a blitheness that borders on ignorance and unintentional cruelty--a sin no author should be guilty of in good conscience. I realize her goal was to foil the societies, but for that to work the Prijian and Darshianese societies would have to both be considered human constructs. The Prij are human, if quite base and unseemly. The Darshianese are ironically god-like pretenders to the throne of humanity, borrowing a few humans for show. It's not effective to attempt a social dichotomy if both aren't thoroughly human in representation.
There are many other problems with characterization and character interaction at the top of the list, but the entire list boils down to one thing: There is a failure to depict humanity's truth, as is every author's job.
I regret to say that, for I didn't find it a disgusting read, and I was engaged and entertained. Yet, such is the book.
There are many other problems with characterization and character interaction at the top of the list, but the entire list boils down to one thing: There is a failure to depict humanity's truth, as is every author's job.
I regret to say that, for I didn't find it a disgusting read, and I was engaged and entertained. Yet, such is the book.
April 5, 2013
I really loved this series. It started out slow and I couldn't understand where and when the two side collided but after Kei meets Arman it went really really fast.
I suppose this could be categorized as romance but I think it is more of a fantasy with the core characters being (falling) in love. The story addresses loss and how that might affect people and consequences of those acts. I first thought those were somewhat resolved in this first book but after reading all the books, I am impressed that the author took a different route. For Arman it took a long long time to heal and most of the healing took in book three which is 17 yrs later from the first book. It is just amazing how real and fallible, thus lovable those characters are!
I suppose this could be categorized as romance but I think it is more of a fantasy with the core characters being (falling) in love. The story addresses loss and how that might affect people and consequences of those acts. I first thought those were somewhat resolved in this first book but after reading all the books, I am impressed that the author took a different route. For Arman it took a long long time to heal and most of the healing took in book three which is 17 yrs later from the first book. It is just amazing how real and fallible, thus lovable those characters are!
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