I tried to finish this story. I really, truly did. It's so sad because it has a huge amount of potential and a great storyline, but there were just a few things that niggled at me so badly that I couldn't go on.1) The author could really used a beta, or at least someone to check over the story. A lot of the sentences were chunky and awkward, especially in the fight scenes - it made the action lag and become bogged down in needless words, instead of being sharp and precise and conveying the heat of battle. There were also many, many mistakes with spelling, punctuation and grammar (for example, I remember the prince saying something about "I and Runner" - wut?). I'm good at ignoring these, but coupled with the awkward sentences, it killed me. However, there were quite a few lines in the prologue that were truly beautiful and made me pause for a moment - so there is definite potential!2) Some of the scenes were just in-your-face, over-dramatised, Hollywood-version. Honestly, it sometimes made me cringe. There were too many scenes where I expect Hollywood music to be playing and the reader is expected to go 'wow, he's so amazing and talented and amazing, just wow'. Will - humble, sorcerer, incredibly powerful, son-of-a-carpenter, beautiful Will, kept doing these amazingly selfless and brave things to change the fate of the war. Now, I love a character like that, but the way Will went about it just came across as cliche and wrong. It was more telling, rather than showing. Actually, when it was shown, it seemed completely improbable, especially after Will kept doing amazing feat after amazing feat. It seemed like the author was throwing how amazing Will is in my face. He can't seem to do anything wrong and he's so innocent and humble - ugh, the more I think about it, the more he's becoming the male Mary-Sue to me.I just wish there was something MORE to him. Like, it doesn't make sense to me that he comes up with these brilliant ideas when he's never even SEEN a war before, yet seasoned veterans couldn't think of it. And then when he 'selflessly' stops the soldiers from beating up the prisoners and he's so kind and loving and it's honestly just so forced. But how about how Will has blatantly disregarded his commander and usurped his authority by doing this? Well, of course he gets a talking to, but then Kell goes crazy and Will, once again, is the victim. I just... I CAN'T. WHY IS WILL BEING SUCH A VICTIM UGHHH--okay, calm down Rosie, time to move on.3) Okay, aren't these characters meant to be in their early- to mid-twenties? Kell and Will act like teenagers. They're not immature but their voices just aren't mature enough for me to take seriously. With Will, I can understand that, since he's so innocent and has been fairly sheltered growing up. But Kell? He's a prince and he's a respected leader at the war front, yet he seems impulsive and almost childish, at times. I'm trying to explain myself but not making much sense, I fear! My main point is that if you can overlook these things, I'd seriously go for it. Honestly, I'd give the book a try anyway, since it does have a great premise. I'm just not a fan of the execution. A true fantasy M/M romance story that builds slowly from the prologue through to its cliffhanger ending, as the two men slowly discover their roles in each other's life, and in the world around them.Will, a young sorcerer freshly out of his apprenticeship, is called to aid the King's Army, led by Prince Kell, in the war against a neighboring kingdom. Will's clear head for strategy as well as his power, soon thrusts him into the Prince's company, where a mutual attraction begins to smolder.While it is accepted that sorcerers are inclined to both genders, for the Prince to have an attraction to another man is not so easily accepted, especially as he is expected to conceive an heir. Thus begins a see-sawing relationship between the two men, as they hover between private desires and their public duty.At first, the story begins in a fairly predictable manner, with the bad guys being clearly identified. As the rest of the tale unfolds though, it becomes clear that the bad guys are in fact hidden, and where exactly the story is heading becomes rather murky. The effects of the unknown enemy also adds to the uncertainty in Will and Kell's relationship, particularly as feelings deepen and they strive to protect each other. I liked this story, but admit to being frustrated by where it ends, with just a glimpse of the true enemy. This story could well nudge 5 stars for me if the rest of the tale lives up to this beginning.
What do You think about Tiger And The Raven (2000)?
Planning to read it again after a the author starts updating more :)
—jmparrag
Cant wait for the next book! Loved everything about it!
—anna
