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Hidden Places #1
Cat's Quill
Tomas Kemp has two successful novels to his name and the true belief that a successful sequel is only a matter of a little inspiration. When Tomas meets a mysterious stranger under the branches of an old oak tree, he feels compelled to tell him about a book he holds dear and the sequel he wants to read. But Cathal doesn’t share that deep belief that the sequel Tomas seeks ends happily. Cathal has seen enough of a world where stories are real to know that happy ever after is sometimes the dream that won’t come true.
But stories have never let Tomas down, and as he follows Cathal across the reality shift between their worlds, he learns that Cathal is right: Happy ever after is never just given—but sometimes, it can be fought for and won.
But stories have never let Tomas down, and as he follows Cathal across the reality shift between their worlds, he learns that Cathal is right: Happy ever after is never just given—but sometimes, it can be fought for and won.
350 pages, Paperback
First published May 30, 2011
About the author
Anne Barwell
24 books108 followersAnne Barwell lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She shares her home with two cats who are convinced that the house is run to suit them; this is an ongoing "discussion," and to date it appears as though the cats may be winning.
In 2008 she completed her conjoint BA in English Literature and Music/Bachelor of Teaching. She has worked as a music teacher, a primary school teacher, and now works in a library. She is a member of the Upper Hutt Science Fiction Club and plays violin for Hutt Valley Orchestra.
She is an avid reader across a wide range of genres and a watcher of far too many TV series and movies, although it can be argued that there is no such thing as "too many." These, of course, are best enjoyed with a decent cup of tea and further the continuing argument that the concept of "spare time" is really just a myth.
In 2008 she completed her conjoint BA in English Literature and Music/Bachelor of Teaching. She has worked as a music teacher, a primary school teacher, and now works in a library. She is a member of the Upper Hutt Science Fiction Club and plays violin for Hutt Valley Orchestra.
She is an avid reader across a wide range of genres and a watcher of far too many TV series and movies, although it can be argued that there is no such thing as "too many." These, of course, are best enjoyed with a decent cup of tea and further the continuing argument that the concept of "spare time" is really just a myth.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 22, 2011
This contemporary fantasy isn't like anything else I've read or skimmed or heard about in the M/M genre. I gave Cat's Quill a 5 star rating, and I'll tell you why, but first a brief description (devoid of all spoilers).
Author Tomas Kemp needs a vacation, or more correctly a writer's retreat—at least his older sister Kathleen thinks so. Accordingly, the book opens with Tomas's train pulling out of the station, headed for a tiny village in the English countryside where, apparently, nothing and no one is quite as they seem. Although the idea is for him to break through writer's block, he only hopes the sojourn will help him stay off his editor's radar. To his surprise, though, he does find his muse, hanging around an exceptional tree. But he's also on a quest to find the sequel to a rare book—a sequel that seems not to exist. The most important quest for closeted Tomas is for love. (Well, this is romance, right?)
Anne Barwell knows her way around the language, and as such she has been able to pull off prose that is as beautiful as it is unassuming. The words and phrases never get in the way of the tale, and that's how it should be. Her locations are well-realized with mostly active description, although there are descriptive passages that wander on a bit too long for my taste. As I read, I found myself unsure of the characters at times, because they did seem to change characteristics. I couldn't quite decide, for instance, whether Tomas was morose and angry or terribly afraid of blundering, hurting, or being hurt. Could be both, I know, but the point is it wasn't clear. That said, somehow by the time I'd read 1/4 of the book, I was invested in Tomas's needs. I wanted to see him "win," didn't want him hurt—even though I didn't always like him. And that's what a protagonist is supposed to do, so kudos to Barwell.
The novel has literary roots and revisits an old, well-used and well-loved model: dual planes of existence and that place between where things are glimpsed that aren't of the mundane. The story itself is tight—Barwell has left no loose ends. Pacing is a hiccup, I think, but I'll admit that might be only due to my reading habits these days. I'm always in a hurry (no, that's not a good thing), and most of the books I've read recently have moved along at a tidy clip. Cat's Quill pulls out of the station slowly, picks up speed in tiny increments. About 2/3 of the way into the book, suddenly, stuff is happening. When I got to this point putting the book down was very, very difficult—which was responsible for me being late to work one day! Earlier, I admit to skipping/skimming paragraphs. (sorry) But even during the slow movements, I always wanted to move forward, always wanted to know what would happen next, always wanted to know what was coming up for Tomas and Cat—and that's the reason the pacing and the character breaks didn't keep me from giving the book a five-star rating. The surprises later in the book are superb: Falcons, nursing home residents, cats, tiny little flutes...
I definitely recommend this book for lovers of old-style fantasy, quest-tales, and fairy tales. Sexy heat gets a 2 of 5, barely, but then that's not the novel Barwell wanted to write, I would guess. It's sweet, though; Tomas is sweet as much as he'd rather be gruff. It's kind of cute. Good book.
Author Tomas Kemp needs a vacation, or more correctly a writer's retreat—at least his older sister Kathleen thinks so. Accordingly, the book opens with Tomas's train pulling out of the station, headed for a tiny village in the English countryside where, apparently, nothing and no one is quite as they seem. Although the idea is for him to break through writer's block, he only hopes the sojourn will help him stay off his editor's radar. To his surprise, though, he does find his muse, hanging around an exceptional tree. But he's also on a quest to find the sequel to a rare book—a sequel that seems not to exist. The most important quest for closeted Tomas is for love. (Well, this is romance, right?)
Anne Barwell knows her way around the language, and as such she has been able to pull off prose that is as beautiful as it is unassuming. The words and phrases never get in the way of the tale, and that's how it should be. Her locations are well-realized with mostly active description, although there are descriptive passages that wander on a bit too long for my taste. As I read, I found myself unsure of the characters at times, because they did seem to change characteristics. I couldn't quite decide, for instance, whether Tomas was morose and angry or terribly afraid of blundering, hurting, or being hurt. Could be both, I know, but the point is it wasn't clear. That said, somehow by the time I'd read 1/4 of the book, I was invested in Tomas's needs. I wanted to see him "win," didn't want him hurt—even though I didn't always like him. And that's what a protagonist is supposed to do, so kudos to Barwell.
The novel has literary roots and revisits an old, well-used and well-loved model: dual planes of existence and that place between where things are glimpsed that aren't of the mundane. The story itself is tight—Barwell has left no loose ends. Pacing is a hiccup, I think, but I'll admit that might be only due to my reading habits these days. I'm always in a hurry (no, that's not a good thing), and most of the books I've read recently have moved along at a tidy clip. Cat's Quill pulls out of the station slowly, picks up speed in tiny increments. About 2/3 of the way into the book, suddenly, stuff is happening. When I got to this point putting the book down was very, very difficult—which was responsible for me being late to work one day! Earlier, I admit to skipping/skimming paragraphs. (sorry) But even during the slow movements, I always wanted to move forward, always wanted to know what would happen next, always wanted to know what was coming up for Tomas and Cat—and that's the reason the pacing and the character breaks didn't keep me from giving the book a five-star rating. The surprises later in the book are superb: Falcons, nursing home residents, cats, tiny little flutes...
I definitely recommend this book for lovers of old-style fantasy, quest-tales, and fairy tales. Sexy heat gets a 2 of 5, barely, but then that's not the novel Barwell wanted to write, I would guess. It's sweet, though; Tomas is sweet as much as he'd rather be gruff. It's kind of cute. Good book.
November 2, 2011
“Love me now, love me never, but if you love me, love me forever.”
Really pretty verse from the book!
This was truly well written story. The mystery around Cathal was pulling and really interesting. I liked Tomas as a moody character. He was unique that way. Cathal was like a small puppy around books which was funny and cute. Some aspects in this plot were annoying, but hey enjoyable enough. Overall I enjoyed this story and recommend it on!
Really pretty verse from the book!
This was truly well written story. The mystery around Cathal was pulling and really interesting. I liked Tomas as a moody character. He was unique that way. Cathal was like a small puppy around books which was funny and cute. Some aspects in this plot were annoying, but hey enjoyable enough. Overall I enjoyed this story and recommend it on!
April 22, 2016
Reading this in paper was a whole new experience. There were so many wonderful details I had forgotten and they came to life in this read. I would always picture the characters a certain way (*winkwink*) but somehow both visions seem to mesh in my head perfectly. The bes thing about reading this book was remembering when it was written. And of course, I too believe in dragons.
November 3, 2012
If I'm honest the first half of the book was far too slow for my taste but had enough mystery to keep me reading. The second half grabbed my attention and I couldn't put it down and led me straight into reading the sequel Magic's Muse.
October 31, 2011
Surprisingly very interesting plot.
November 15, 2011
It was simply magical. I'd definitely be reading this again.
September 2, 2011
Just enchanting.
May 20, 2015
OK I had a problem with this book.
For some reason, every character insisted on telling the protagonist that he was rude, even when he was being completely polite and sometimes even when they were the ones who were being rude to him. It was infuriating and it kept distracting me from the story.
Despite that, I liked the story. It was sweet and intriguing, and I liked Cathal's mysterious and quirky personality and how it contrasted whit Tom's.
For some reason, every character insisted on telling the protagonist that he was rude, even when he was being completely polite and sometimes even when they were the ones who were being rude to him. It was infuriating and it kept distracting me from the story.
Despite that, I liked the story. It was sweet and intriguing, and I liked Cathal's mysterious and quirky personality and how it contrasted whit Tom's.
May 23, 2017
I drug reading this one out. I wanted to keep the characters fresh in my mind, and I was dreading the story ending. When I did get to the end, I was counting down the days to the sequel. The ending left me craving the more, not just for myself, but for the characters as well. I absolutely love this series.
September 18, 2012
The story was to drawn out, and slow moving. Yet they fell in love very quickly. I was disappointed, I really wanted to like this book.
lurking-in-kindleland
October 12, 2012trick or treat freebie from Dreamspinner
September 27, 2015
DNF after a few chapters. The writing style bugged me, as well as lots of other things. Oh well.
October 25, 2015
2011 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
May 21, 2016
Review at Prism Book Alliance
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2016...
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2016...
January 12, 2016
Very high quality writing, great characters and a wonderful world. Definitely reading this again.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews