I read this book as a 'pick for me challenge' in the m/m group. I am not a huge fan of fantasy as often the world building involved is just too much information for me, and honestly I lose track of this thing and that place and what is what, and I feel like telling the writer to just get on with story and stop describing everything. So something I really liked about this book was the world building really was just part of the story, and was not all this 'extra' information. I liked that the time wasn't taken to tell you this and this and this, but rather it was just presented as the story developed.The character development in this story was wonderful. The time was taken to really explore them, but it never felt slow. I loved Stefn, and the growth he went through, the changes, his strength. As for Michael I could have adored him, if only for a bit more 'sorry'. This is related to the violence and rape that others have warned about in this book. This is often a no go for me, but within this story it did make sense - although I have to admit that personally I would have liked Michael to have had a bit more remorse about it, and to have actually questioned it just a bit more. However, I do not think it was over the top, and I would have to say that for anyone not reading this book due to that I would say give it a go. So regardless of Michael's faults I did find him redeemable, but he would have been amazing if only he actually questioned his actions more and used the word sorry.But what I did find odd was the rushed ending. What happened there? This book had a great flow to it, and then the last 8% was bang, this this and this happened and it is all over. I was reading this book thinking there is no way everything can be wrapped up, it must have a sequel, and then everything just got wrapped up. I kind of would have liked it less rushed. So that rushed ending and me needing Michael to be a little more remorseful dropped this from 5 stars to 4.5. I think this was rather interesting. This is nothing light hearted - there will be rape, abuse, death, etc.. I think the story overall was alright. I was more interested in the characters. It's hard to say much without giving too much away. //SPOILERS//Prince Severyn is my favorite character. I would also say he is one of the 3 main characters. With the ending, I actually felt quite sad even though it was a happy ending for Michael and his cethe. It just felt like Severyn has lost too much, and the person who he loves the most, he can't be with. It was a sad ending in a way though, because the last few pages were in the point of view of Severyn. So you got to read how Severyn had high hopes one moment, and it was dashed the next and so he has to settle for "having the kingdom". I dont know, I just felt too bad for him :/
What do You think about Cethe (2009)?
Amazing...would love to read more about sev though
—pedrop
