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Different Senses
Javen Ythen is an angry man. A shooting on the job triggered his genetic empathy, and as a result, he lost his career as a cop, and his lover. Now he has to find something to do with his life, while coming to terms with losing the job and the man he loved, as well as a racial heritage unsuspected by anyone in his family.He lives in a society divided by class and race. Born to privilege, nonetheless his search for a new career brings him up in repeated contact with the much despised banis race, and despite his own prejudices, he finds himself drawn towards the people and their concerns. Perhaps in working with those he knows little about, he will come to understand them – and himself.Different Senses contains eight stories.
563 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2009
1 person is currently reading
289 people want to read
About the author
Ann Somerville
52 books280 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 39 reviews
December 15, 2013
Second reading, December 2013 - I have very little to add to my previous review. This remains one of the best fictional books about racism, even if it is in the genre of speculative fiction. It has everything: from hatred, delusions and ignorance of the privileged to prejudices born from the experiences of disadvantaged. But the characters, especially Javen, are what truly shines in this book.
Original review:
It was always a mystery to me why Ann Somerville isn't more popular author, considering the quality of her writing and obvious amount of thought given to her stories. Is it the lack of fluff? The volume? Complexity? Like I said - a mystery.
Different Senses is a collection of stories revolving around Javen Ithen, former police officer, now private investigator, and interracial relationships on the continent of Medele (planet Uterden - one of many wolds colonized by humans).
Javen is a delightful, complex character, probably one of my favorite created by this author. One of my pet peeves are protagonists who are understanding, forgiving and dignified all the time. When Javen is hurt, he is really hurt, when he's angry, he is REALLY angry and he has no trouble expressing his feelings (Hello, cockface. XD). The way he reacted to his former lover and his new boyfriend made me giggle and laugh and wince at the same time. I loved him after 20 pages.
I also liked Javen's cases. Most of the time, the fiction private eyes are dealing with murder - that most hideous and most fascinating crime. However, it is hardly realistic, is it? So, Javen deals with theft, marital infidelities, insurance frauds, smuggling. His cases are skillfully integrated in the main storyline.
Born to the privileged family of Kelon colonists, Javen must deal with the loss of his job (which pretty much defined him), his new abilities and his new heritage. He must unlearn a lifetime of accumulated misconceptions and prejudices. This process is described through his interaction with his Nihani clients and colleagues as well as through his relationship with Shardul, Nihani lawyer and activist. It is clear that Javen isn't a true racist (even before he learns of his heritage), but he is ignorant and he is not the only one. So, Javen learns and it is not a straightforward process. He makes mistakes, often stumbles, behaves badly and offensively, but he learns and then teaches the others. Brilliant.
Javen's relationship with Shardul is rocky, at times volatile. There is a lot of mistrust and prejudices (on both sides) and personal issues to wade through and it takes several years for this relationship to work. Their initial banter was fabulous - Shardul is all uptight and righteous and Javen is, frankly, often a smartass. I liked that Javen didn't sit and cry over Shardul's (repeated) refusals, but tried to move on with his life. The other Javen's relationships also add to his complexity - with his brother and his family, his ex, with his parents, with his colleagues and friends.
I have a few niggles which made me waver between 4 and 5 star rating. The transformation of Javen's parents, especially his mother (whose behavior was hideous on several occasions), to understanding, open-minded and benevolent was sudden, mostly unexplained and unbelievable. Also, Shardul should have been one of the most sympathetic characters, however his unrelenting hatred towards everything Kelon made me cringe as much as some of Javen's mother's antics. I understood his feelings of responsibility towards his people as well as his anger and I liked the fact that he wasn't perfect; however, his generalizations made him seem pretty much like the people he was fighting against and, honestly, I wanted to slap him several times. He was a force of nature though - one of those people you can't help but admire even when you want to slap them. XD
I also felt that a few steps in the evolution of Shardul's feelings towards Javen were missing, making the transition from friends to lovers rather sudden (on the other hand, their evolution from enemies to friends was masterfully done). And, finally, the ending was very abrupt. I was so immersed into the story and than pulled out of it so fast that I almost suffered from decompression sickness. Another page or two would not have harmed the story.
In the end, any real or imagined flaws were far outweighed by a wonderful character of Javen, world building, intelligent treatment of race and racism, compassionate description of lives of victims of cruel, unjust system and delicious humor and tension between two brave men from different backgrounds. I suggest you start this book when you have a lot of free time, because it will suck you in and, if you are anything like me, you will hate to stop reading it for such unimportant reasons like sleep or food. Highly recommended.
Original review:
It was always a mystery to me why Ann Somerville isn't more popular author, considering the quality of her writing and obvious amount of thought given to her stories. Is it the lack of fluff? The volume? Complexity? Like I said - a mystery.
Different Senses is a collection of stories revolving around Javen Ithen, former police officer, now private investigator, and interracial relationships on the continent of Medele (planet Uterden - one of many wolds colonized by humans).
Javen is a delightful, complex character, probably one of my favorite created by this author. One of my pet peeves are protagonists who are understanding, forgiving and dignified all the time. When Javen is hurt, he is really hurt, when he's angry, he is REALLY angry and he has no trouble expressing his feelings (Hello, cockface. XD). The way he reacted to his former lover and his new boyfriend made me giggle and laugh and wince at the same time. I loved him after 20 pages.
I also liked Javen's cases. Most of the time, the fiction private eyes are dealing with murder - that most hideous and most fascinating crime. However, it is hardly realistic, is it? So, Javen deals with theft, marital infidelities, insurance frauds, smuggling. His cases are skillfully integrated in the main storyline.
Born to the privileged family of Kelon colonists, Javen must deal with the loss of his job (which pretty much defined him), his new abilities and his new heritage. He must unlearn a lifetime of accumulated misconceptions and prejudices. This process is described through his interaction with his Nihani clients and colleagues as well as through his relationship with Shardul, Nihani lawyer and activist. It is clear that Javen isn't a true racist (even before he learns of his heritage), but he is ignorant and he is not the only one. So, Javen learns and it is not a straightforward process. He makes mistakes, often stumbles, behaves badly and offensively, but he learns and then teaches the others. Brilliant.
Javen's relationship with Shardul is rocky, at times volatile. There is a lot of mistrust and prejudices (on both sides) and personal issues to wade through and it takes several years for this relationship to work. Their initial banter was fabulous - Shardul is all uptight and righteous and Javen is, frankly, often a smartass. I liked that Javen didn't sit and cry over Shardul's (repeated) refusals, but tried to move on with his life. The other Javen's relationships also add to his complexity - with his brother and his family, his ex, with his parents, with his colleagues and friends.
I have a few niggles which made me waver between 4 and 5 star rating. The transformation of Javen's parents, especially his mother (whose behavior was hideous on several occasions), to understanding, open-minded and benevolent was sudden, mostly unexplained and unbelievable. Also, Shardul should have been one of the most sympathetic characters, however his unrelenting hatred towards everything Kelon made me cringe as much as some of Javen's mother's antics. I understood his feelings of responsibility towards his people as well as his anger and I liked the fact that he wasn't perfect; however, his generalizations made him seem pretty much like the people he was fighting against and, honestly, I wanted to slap him several times. He was a force of nature though - one of those people you can't help but admire even when you want to slap them. XD
I also felt that a few steps in the evolution of Shardul's feelings towards Javen were missing, making the transition from friends to lovers rather sudden (on the other hand, their evolution from enemies to friends was masterfully done). And, finally, the ending was very abrupt. I was so immersed into the story and than pulled out of it so fast that I almost suffered from decompression sickness. Another page or two would not have harmed the story.
In the end, any real or imagined flaws were far outweighed by a wonderful character of Javen, world building, intelligent treatment of race and racism, compassionate description of lives of victims of cruel, unjust system and delicious humor and tension between two brave men from different backgrounds. I suggest you start this book when you have a lot of free time, because it will suck you in and, if you are anything like me, you will hate to stop reading it for such unimportant reasons like sleep or food. Highly recommended.
March 8, 2017
5 STARS
a must read
Different Senses is yet another thought provoking book of Ann Somerville's. It's different approach and frankness to the main topic of the book makes it quite special too. Racism, and how racism and sexuality in some cases aren't that different.
Due to the way Ann tackles one of life's still active and touchy taboo's, that will sadly always be a current subject of great debate that causes pain and misery worldwide, she doesn't hold back either. Different Senses assaults your every sense to the core. It has in your face racism with pure hatred right throughout to baffled misunderstanding and even unconditional love. It's extremely confronting and meant to put you out of your comfort zone and it does that in spades. I don't know the inner working of the novel though, it almost seems like it was a compilation of novella's and short stories placed together to make a novel, but that's not of any great consequence.
I didn't find this problematic as the MC's and other prominent characters are along for the ride thought each story, and it makes for a fascinating read.
It's set in a galaxy where no one cares where or what people do with their pink bits, as sexuality is not an issue in this world, everything is fine unless you try and have a relationship with the dirty, downtrodden white people, with their white skin, braided red hair and blue or green eyes. Now a few people might be thinking that this sounds a bit of tacky or tasteless by using some reverse psychology or reverse race domination, but NO it does not, it's better than that. It is showing how racism becomes part of the psyche, passed down from parent to child in a world that agrees with this and never questions the ways it's ingrained, spiteful and malicious teachings of a so thought lessor race is allowed to continue, even though they are the invaders of this planet and it reminds me with great shame of how badly the native Australian Aboriginal were and still are treated in a lot of places today :(
I first found an old e-book of Ann Somerville's a few months back which was written in 2007.It was M/M high fantasy and part of a series that was so good and I ended up reading all 4 epic novels.
I've now read over 12 of her novels in a very short time span. Most of what I've read are fantasy/high fantasy/sci-fi and dystopian or a mixture of each with some UF thrown in there for good measure. The variety within each book is quite diverse too, ranging from hot and steamy to unconditional love, Some come with rape and violence thrown in but this is the least sexual of her novels I've read, most are quite raunchy. Nothing is taboo and her writing, structure, plots, MC's and other characters are all excellent, ranging from naughty and extremely raunchy bad boys to really bad psychopaths and sociopaths.
No matter what I have read of hers I am blown away each time. I think she is a greatly overlooked and under appreciated author within the M/M-LGBT genre too but Different Senses is yet another mind boggling book and the MC's are M/M in this book too. I highly recommend you checkout some of her other work but also the genre's too.
Different Senses is yet another thought provoking book of Ann Somerville's. It's different approach and frankness to the main topic of the book makes it quite special too. Racism, and how racism and sexuality in some cases aren't that different.
Due to the way Ann tackles one of life's still active and touchy taboo's, that will sadly always be a current subject of great debate that causes pain and misery worldwide, she doesn't hold back either. Different Senses assaults your every sense to the core. It has in your face racism with pure hatred right throughout to baffled misunderstanding and even unconditional love. It's extremely confronting and meant to put you out of your comfort zone and it does that in spades. I don't know the inner working of the novel though, it almost seems like it was a compilation of novella's and short stories placed together to make a novel, but that's not of any great consequence.
I didn't find this problematic as the MC's and other prominent characters are along for the ride thought each story, and it makes for a fascinating read.
It's set in a galaxy where no one cares where or what people do with their pink bits, as sexuality is not an issue in this world, everything is fine unless you try and have a relationship with the dirty, downtrodden white people, with their white skin, braided red hair and blue or green eyes. Now a few people might be thinking that this sounds a bit of tacky or tasteless by using some reverse psychology or reverse race domination, but NO it does not, it's better than that. It is showing how racism becomes part of the psyche, passed down from parent to child in a world that agrees with this and never questions the ways it's ingrained, spiteful and malicious teachings of a so thought lessor race is allowed to continue, even though they are the invaders of this planet and it reminds me with great shame of how badly the native Australian Aboriginal were and still are treated in a lot of places today :(
I first found an old e-book of Ann Somerville's a few months back which was written in 2007.It was M/M high fantasy and part of a series that was so good and I ended up reading all 4 epic novels.
I've now read over 12 of her novels in a very short time span. Most of what I've read are fantasy/high fantasy/sci-fi and dystopian or a mixture of each with some UF thrown in there for good measure. The variety within each book is quite diverse too, ranging from hot and steamy to unconditional love, Some come with rape and violence thrown in but this is the least sexual of her novels I've read, most are quite raunchy. Nothing is taboo and her writing, structure, plots, MC's and other characters are all excellent, ranging from naughty and extremely raunchy bad boys to really bad psychopaths and sociopaths.
No matter what I have read of hers I am blown away each time. I think she is a greatly overlooked and under appreciated author within the M/M-LGBT genre too but Different Senses is yet another mind boggling book and the MC's are M/M in this book too. I highly recommend you checkout some of her other work but also the genre's too.
May 7, 2018
5++ stars
Another best novel I've read this year. 😣 Another book to join my slim favorite shelf.
To found such overlooked gems like this book and Hidden Talents by Claire Cray, I patted myself on the back for that. 😎
While I hope such hidden gem like these books totally deserve more recognition and appreciation from more people, I also couldn't help but feel this excitement and satisfaction when I encountered rare and exquisite pieces like these two among the trash, and what's more, both are underrated and overlooked by most people. Like an antique collector, I suppose. 😂
I'm crossing my fingers for the next books to be as amazing as this, or even better.
Granted the warming up was slow for the first two stories (especially second story but actually have key characters for the last story later) due to worldbuilding and introduction to everything to build a solid base for the stage. And it's not unputdownable book that sucks you into its world since beginning (like Harry Potter for me, for example), but it was engaging enough to make me keep coming back to it, even though I'm not a fan of detective or mystery genre, and that's something. I think it's because the way Somerville told her stories that kept me sticking with it and then, yes, slowly but sure, I was so lost in this book after I hit the fourth story, so much so that I couldn't even tear my eyes away from my screen after that. Sleep, what's that? 😂😂
I love everything in this book, from the worldbuilding, characterization, character development, storytelling, plot, everything. The racism issue and political part dominate this book heavily which are engaging, impactful and resonate, to the point that they almost outweigh the romance in this book, where our two MCs were dancing around each other till the last story, due to the racism and political situation. And that's very understandable, the circumstances just didn't permit Shardul the hotshot to prioritize the forbidden love over his people's life. The man was raised with heavy pressure, responsibility, and the hope of his race on his shoulders. Too much is at stake if he reciprocates Javen's feeling, thus the dancing. His internal struggle really reminded me a lot with Sarasa's in Basara, both Sarasa and Shardul came to the point that the pressure was getting unbearable and suffocating over the time while at the same time found solace in the most unlikely partner, and ultimately that tore them apart because of that.
I really love Shardul and Javen's characterization and their character development, especially Javen's character development, started from an ignorant himself, not a racist though, to be the kind of individual who influenced people around him in the process, even his own racist parents. Needless to say I really love and approve the part when he spoke his piece to his parents no matter what the consequences of his action later, I fully support his decision and bravery and ethics. It was at this part that I recalled the powerful essay that I read a month ago : When the Racist is Someone You Know and Love.
I feel the need to share this essay to more people, such amazingly written and thought-provoking piece deserves to be read widely.
The only downside is we only have Javen's POV in this book, I guess if I am permitted to look deeper into Shardul's head, I will really enjoy their transition from friends to lovers, I think it will be as perfect as their transition from enemies to friends, not that I didn't notice some planted hints here and there to show when Shardul had been developing romantic feelings for Javen, like when Shardul radiated hatred toward Kirin (Javen's ex) from their first meeting. Oh at first I thought it's jealousy all right, but near the end I realized or should I say, assumed : that he was angry with Kirin, Kirin who easily betrayed Javen as soon as he learned Javen has empathic ability, and Javen is a very loyal, brave, and charming in Shardul's eyes yet Kirin who has the same colors as Javen's, ditched such astonishing guy for such reason: emphatic ability, FFS!, he thinks Kirin is a coward, yet he couldn't help but admit he's not that different from Kirin, he thinks he's also another coward, just for entirely different reason, and so he's also angry with himself, angry because he couldn't choose between his people and Javen, trapped in the wrong colors. This is just my own assumption, my own interpretation, but that's how I gathered it. 😁
And the internal struggle he had when he was breaking down after the bomb, lost all his brakes and composure, not everyone can or pretend to be strong all the time, not even Shardul, he also needs his break time from being the bulletproof Rambo, but how could he show this embarrassing state of him, his vulnerability to his people, he tried to get moral support from Javen, but again, wrong color, the bitter truth.
And then the blanked-out emotions episodes, the emotions that he carefully hid from Javen sometimes, because Javen is an empath. Honestly, I realize it's because there's no Shardul's POV that I enjoyed this analyzing game so much, but it would be perfect if I have his too, doesn't mean it'll ruin the fun of analyzing game because of that, Hidden Talents by Claire Cray proves that multiple POV doesn't reduce the fun of completing puzzle, author just have to remember the main point is to 'show' it to us, not just telling. Telling too much ruins the fun, there's no thrill in being told everything.
Oh there's another downside too, for some people maybe, but not particularly upsetting to me. The sex scenes are faded to black. 🙈 A great decision actually, with racism as the central plot, somehow steamy scenes will ruin the atmosphere, imo. I most definitely won't want to read how Tushar had it .
Honestly while Tushar's story is important as an affirmation for Javen's feeling toward Shardul, I didn't completely enjoy Tushar's part at all while grudgingly I admit it serves its own purposes in Shardul and Javen's relationships. Trust is the most important thing in the relationship, and Javen and Tushar's lightning speed romance just won't survive rocky trials without trust. On the contrary, Javen and Shardul trust each other, build the trust over the years, for more than 8 years, from enemies to friends, and then to lovers. Real love takes plenty of time to build.
So, although Shardul x Javen's steamy scene can be a bonus, but the total lack of it doesn't truly diminish the bright and enjoyment, I prefer romance than complete smut in book. If there's no smut in my romance book, it's okay, I have my imagination. 😂
At this time of day, the park belonged to young mothers and the occasional father, out walking their babies and toddlers. As many Nihan as Kelon, keeping to themselves, but sharing the same paths, doing the same thing, because under the physical differences, they were all the same. People, with the same dreams and hopes and worries, some with more, some with less. A picture of how the world should be, if we could get past race.
Another best novel I've read this year. 😣 Another book to join my slim favorite shelf.
To found such overlooked gems like this book and Hidden Talents by Claire Cray, I patted myself on the back for that. 😎
While I hope such hidden gem like these books totally deserve more recognition and appreciation from more people, I also couldn't help but feel this excitement and satisfaction when I encountered rare and exquisite pieces like these two among the trash, and what's more, both are underrated and overlooked by most people. Like an antique collector, I suppose. 😂
I'm crossing my fingers for the next books to be as amazing as this, or even better.
Granted the warming up was slow for the first two stories (especially second story but actually have key characters for the last story later) due to worldbuilding and introduction to everything to build a solid base for the stage. And it's not unputdownable book that sucks you into its world since beginning (like Harry Potter for me, for example), but it was engaging enough to make me keep coming back to it, even though I'm not a fan of detective or mystery genre, and that's something. I think it's because the way Somerville told her stories that kept me sticking with it and then, yes, slowly but sure, I was so lost in this book after I hit the fourth story, so much so that I couldn't even tear my eyes away from my screen after that. Sleep, what's that? 😂😂
Now it was like we stood on opposite sides of this bridge we were crossing now, able to see but unable to hear, or touch.
But what divided us wasn’t a river, but genetics, religion and history. And nothing could bridge that without both of us wanting it.
I love everything in this book, from the worldbuilding, characterization, character development, storytelling, plot, everything. The racism issue and political part dominate this book heavily which are engaging, impactful and resonate, to the point that they almost outweigh the romance in this book, where our two MCs were dancing around each other till the last story, due to the racism and political situation. And that's very understandable, the circumstances just didn't permit Shardul the hotshot to prioritize the forbidden love over his people's life. The man was raised with heavy pressure, responsibility, and the hope of his race on his shoulders. Too much is at stake if he reciprocates Javen's feeling, thus the dancing. His internal struggle really reminded me a lot with Sarasa's in Basara, both Sarasa and Shardul came to the point that the pressure was getting unbearable and suffocating over the time while at the same time found solace in the most unlikely partner, and ultimately that tore them apart because of that.
I really love Shardul and Javen's characterization and their character development, especially Javen's character development, started from an ignorant himself, not a racist though, to be the kind of individual who influenced people around him in the process, even his own racist parents. Needless to say I really love and approve the part when he spoke his piece to his parents no matter what the consequences of his action later, I fully support his decision and bravery and ethics. It was at this part that I recalled the powerful essay that I read a month ago : When the Racist is Someone You Know and Love.
I feel the need to share this essay to more people, such amazingly written and thought-provoking piece deserves to be read widely.
The racist waving his flag isn’t a surprise. I see him. You see him. We all know what that’s about. But racism and bigotry don’t always march down the street. Sometimes the racist or the bigot sits down at your dinner table and asks you to pass the bread. Those are the ones who surprise you. Racism grows and festers in intimate spaces and behind closed doors. In the words spoken by the people you know and love and who look just like you.
Letting a comment slide can feel like a deadbolt sliding over your soul. And speaking up doesn’t always feel like a victory, especially in the moment.
What we allow will continue. What continues will escalate.
May you always have the courage to speak out. And when you do, may it unlock the soul and warm the chilliest of rooms. -- Katherine Fugate
Speak the truth, even if the voice shakes.
The only downside is we only have Javen's POV in this book, I guess if I am permitted to look deeper into Shardul's head, I will really enjoy their transition from friends to lovers, I think it will be as perfect as their transition from enemies to friends, not that I didn't notice some planted hints here and there to show when Shardul had been developing romantic feelings for Javen, like when Shardul radiated hatred toward Kirin (Javen's ex) from their first meeting. Oh at first I thought it's jealousy all right, but near the end I realized or should I say, assumed : that he was angry with Kirin, Kirin who easily betrayed Javen as soon as he learned Javen has empathic ability, and Javen is a very loyal, brave, and charming in Shardul's eyes yet Kirin who has the same colors as Javen's, ditched such astonishing guy for such reason: emphatic ability, FFS!, he thinks Kirin is a coward, yet he couldn't help but admit he's not that different from Kirin, he thinks he's also another coward, just for entirely different reason, and so he's also angry with himself, angry because he couldn't choose between his people and Javen, trapped in the wrong colors. This is just my own assumption, my own interpretation, but that's how I gathered it. 😁
And the internal struggle he had when he was breaking down after the bomb, lost all his brakes and composure, not everyone can or pretend to be strong all the time, not even Shardul, he also needs his break time from being the bulletproof Rambo, but how could he show this embarrassing state of him, his vulnerability to his people, he tried to get moral support from Javen, but again, wrong color, the bitter truth.
And then the blanked-out emotions episodes, the emotions that he carefully hid from Javen sometimes, because Javen is an empath. Honestly, I realize it's because there's no Shardul's POV that I enjoyed this analyzing game so much, but it would be perfect if I have his too, doesn't mean it'll ruin the fun of analyzing game because of that, Hidden Talents by Claire Cray proves that multiple POV doesn't reduce the fun of completing puzzle, author just have to remember the main point is to 'show' it to us, not just telling. Telling too much ruins the fun, there's no thrill in being told everything.
Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair.
Oh there's another downside too, for some people maybe, but not particularly upsetting to me. The sex scenes are faded to black. 🙈 A great decision actually, with racism as the central plot, somehow steamy scenes will ruin the atmosphere, imo. I most definitely won't want to read how Tushar had it .
It takes a lot of maturity and self-reflection to see the red flags early on when it’s most crucial. Research shows it only takes 3 to 5 dates for a person to think they are in love with a prospective partner, when in reality that’s pure infatuation. We can “fall in love” with just about anybody when we’re letting our primitive monkey brains guide us in the moment (stupid dopamine), but true long-lasting love doesn’t happen with just anyone and requires a lot more thoughtful consideration and space. “When you look at someone through rose-colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags.”—Wanda the Owl, BoJack Horseman
Honestly while Tushar's story is important as an affirmation for Javen's feeling toward Shardul, I didn't completely enjoy Tushar's part at all while grudgingly I admit it serves its own purposes in Shardul and Javen's relationships. Trust is the most important thing in the relationship, and Javen and Tushar's lightning speed romance just won't survive rocky trials without trust. On the contrary, Javen and Shardul trust each other, build the trust over the years, for more than 8 years, from enemies to friends, and then to lovers. Real love takes plenty of time to build.
So, although Shardul x Javen's steamy scene can be a bonus, but the total lack of it doesn't truly diminish the bright and enjoyment, I prefer romance than complete smut in book. If there's no smut in my romance book, it's okay, I have my imagination. 😂
March 29, 2011
Great work, almost 500 pages and never bored me a sec. I like the way Javen and Shardul dance around each other, it's very real and cute. Best of best in this story is politic aspect which, to my surprise, even-though set in futuristic background it's mirror more of the real world we live in. Author really paid interest in the issue she wrote. Not something I expect from m/m romance but I'm very appreciate, made this more than typical.
December 15, 2009
A series of interconnected stories from Ann Somerville. Strong on plot and character with great tension between the two male leads and fascinating world building. As usual, Somerville works in social commentary that's a hallmark of good sci-fi. Incredibly entertaining, reminding me of the serials I used to watch on TV when I was a kid. Great fun with a bite to it as well.
January 21, 2014
I can't really say anything bad about this book, it's just too well written :) It's pretty long and I was a bit upset when I realised it's a bit of a collection of stories, each one a case investigated by the main character - an ex cop that had to retire because he accidentaly developed a strong power of empathy (and it wasn't legal for him to be a policeman and an empath). The society was very interesting and the detective plot always kept me reading, so I was happy to find out that most of them do tie together till the end.
It takes a lot of time for any romance to build (literally years), and that is not taking into account how long it takes for the romantic interest to make an appearance in the first place. So, read it more for the interesting story and don't consider the MM the main course, but rather just a nice spice. I would have liked a little more of main couple(and less weird communication issues) and that's the only reason I'm not giving the book 5 stars.
It takes a lot of time for any romance to build (literally years), and that is not taking into account how long it takes for the romantic interest to make an appearance in the first place. So, read it more for the interesting story and don't consider the MM the main course, but rather just a nice spice. I would have liked a little more of main couple(and less weird communication issues) and that's the only reason I'm not giving the book 5 stars.
July 10, 2020
Javen Ythen loves his job as a cop, doing his part to foster justice and community safety. He also gets some satisfaction from thumbing his nose at his powerful father and high-society mother, who feel police work isn’t an appropriate occupation for the son of the state governor. When Javen is seriously wounded in the line of duty, his world falls apart – not due to his physical injuries, but because the trauma triggers his genetic predisposition for empathy. It’s bad enough having everyone’s emotions clamoring in his mind, but for Javen, being matos has far more dire consequences. First, his new talent is an unwelcome sign that he is not pure Kelon, but of mixed race, since only the despised banis people, indigenous to the planet, carry the empathy gene. Second, privacy laws mean he’s no longer welcome in the police force. Worst of all, his long-time lover Kirin breaks off their relationship. It seems the man can’t bear the notion of being emotionally transparent – or perhaps Javen’s newly revealed racial background has some influence.
Depressed and bitter, Javen drifts into working as a private investigator. In his first case, he solves the mystery of a stolen jewel and clears the name of a young woman from the banis community. His new connections with the banis – or Nihan, as they call themselves - give him the opportunity to research his genealogy and find out more about his Nihani ancestors. He also begins to see, first hand, the many ways in which the original inhabitants of Uterden face discrimination and oppression from his own race. Over time, he adds Nihani interns and staff to his business, and as a result, becomes increasingly involved in their struggle for justice and equality. When a crooked court rules against Nihani interests and triggers violence and civil unrest, Javen finds himself in a life-and-death race to find the real terrorists, before the Kelon masters crush the Nihan and bury their aspirations for a better life.
Meanwhile, throughout the book, Javen struggles with his desire for the clever but hostile Nihani lawyer Shardul Hema Rishabh. As the only member of his people to have a Kelon law degree, Shardul seems to be involved in many of Javen’s cases. There’s an undeniable attraction between the two men, but Shardul could never love a Kelon, even one with some Nihani blood.
I downloaded Different Senses from Smashwords for free, during the Authors Give Back event, at the start of the Covid-19 epidemic. Though I’d never heard of the author, the book sounded appealing – science fiction is a long time favorite genre for me, and it had been too long since I’d read any MM romance. I’m so glad I followed my instincts. Different Senses is amazing, one of the best books I’ve read this year.
I loved everything about the novel. Ms. Somerville builds a believable world and a complex society, complete with customs, religions and language – a world ultimately not that different from our own. Every character is richly imagined and skillfully drawn. This is true not only of Javen and Shardul, but also more minor players such as the voluble Doctor Nihar and the blind Nihan elder Roshni. Everyone changes and grows over time. In particular, Javen’s father gradually transforms from something of a villain to an unexpected hero.
The oppression of the Nihan felt so familiar – especially given the events of the last month or so. The Nihan face the same sort of institutional racism endured by people of color in the United States. With few economic or educational opportunities, they’re viewed as backward and ignorant. Police and other representatives of state power are quick to suspect the Nihan of wrong doing and brutal in their reactions. At the same time, the Kelons admire banis artifacts, wear banis textiles, and create vast collections of works essentially stolen from the colonized culture.
In a neat little twist, by the way, Ms. Somerville has given the Kelon master race dark skins. The Nihan are red-haired, fair-skinned and green-eyed. That doesn’t stop them from being viewed as barely human.
The author doesn’t hit you over the head with this. There are no polemics in this book, although the underlying political themes provide one critical thread in the story. We learn about the Nihan situation through the eyes of Javen, as he gradually becomes closer to the people and their ways. The transition is subtle, sensitive, and extremely compelling.
The copyright page of Different Senses makes it clear that the different “chapters” in the book were originally published separately. Despite this, the book feels unified and has an integrated narrative arc, with an overarching conflict and resolution. I’ve referred to the book as a novel because that’s what it feels like: the story of Javen’s cultural enlightenment and his search for love.
Before concluding, I should mention the attitudes toward homosexuality on Uterden. The Kelons show themselves to be extremely prejudiced against the Nihan, but there’s no apparent negative feeling about same-sex relationships at all. Javen and Kirin are accepted as a normal family unit by everyone in the society. Javen and Shardul will have greater problems, due to their races, but not because they are both men. I loved this feeling of comfort.
This is a fantastic book. I will definitely be checking out some of Ann Somerville’s other work.
Depressed and bitter, Javen drifts into working as a private investigator. In his first case, he solves the mystery of a stolen jewel and clears the name of a young woman from the banis community. His new connections with the banis – or Nihan, as they call themselves - give him the opportunity to research his genealogy and find out more about his Nihani ancestors. He also begins to see, first hand, the many ways in which the original inhabitants of Uterden face discrimination and oppression from his own race. Over time, he adds Nihani interns and staff to his business, and as a result, becomes increasingly involved in their struggle for justice and equality. When a crooked court rules against Nihani interests and triggers violence and civil unrest, Javen finds himself in a life-and-death race to find the real terrorists, before the Kelon masters crush the Nihan and bury their aspirations for a better life.
Meanwhile, throughout the book, Javen struggles with his desire for the clever but hostile Nihani lawyer Shardul Hema Rishabh. As the only member of his people to have a Kelon law degree, Shardul seems to be involved in many of Javen’s cases. There’s an undeniable attraction between the two men, but Shardul could never love a Kelon, even one with some Nihani blood.
I downloaded Different Senses from Smashwords for free, during the Authors Give Back event, at the start of the Covid-19 epidemic. Though I’d never heard of the author, the book sounded appealing – science fiction is a long time favorite genre for me, and it had been too long since I’d read any MM romance. I’m so glad I followed my instincts. Different Senses is amazing, one of the best books I’ve read this year.
I loved everything about the novel. Ms. Somerville builds a believable world and a complex society, complete with customs, religions and language – a world ultimately not that different from our own. Every character is richly imagined and skillfully drawn. This is true not only of Javen and Shardul, but also more minor players such as the voluble Doctor Nihar and the blind Nihan elder Roshni. Everyone changes and grows over time. In particular, Javen’s father gradually transforms from something of a villain to an unexpected hero.
The oppression of the Nihan felt so familiar – especially given the events of the last month or so. The Nihan face the same sort of institutional racism endured by people of color in the United States. With few economic or educational opportunities, they’re viewed as backward and ignorant. Police and other representatives of state power are quick to suspect the Nihan of wrong doing and brutal in their reactions. At the same time, the Kelons admire banis artifacts, wear banis textiles, and create vast collections of works essentially stolen from the colonized culture.
In a neat little twist, by the way, Ms. Somerville has given the Kelon master race dark skins. The Nihan are red-haired, fair-skinned and green-eyed. That doesn’t stop them from being viewed as barely human.
The author doesn’t hit you over the head with this. There are no polemics in this book, although the underlying political themes provide one critical thread in the story. We learn about the Nihan situation through the eyes of Javen, as he gradually becomes closer to the people and their ways. The transition is subtle, sensitive, and extremely compelling.
The copyright page of Different Senses makes it clear that the different “chapters” in the book were originally published separately. Despite this, the book feels unified and has an integrated narrative arc, with an overarching conflict and resolution. I’ve referred to the book as a novel because that’s what it feels like: the story of Javen’s cultural enlightenment and his search for love.
Before concluding, I should mention the attitudes toward homosexuality on Uterden. The Kelons show themselves to be extremely prejudiced against the Nihan, but there’s no apparent negative feeling about same-sex relationships at all. Javen and Kirin are accepted as a normal family unit by everyone in the society. Javen and Shardul will have greater problems, due to their races, but not because they are both men. I loved this feeling of comfort.
This is a fantastic book. I will definitely be checking out some of Ann Somerville’s other work.
March 7, 2016
This book has all of my favourite things: mysteries, a white-knight main character, social commentary relevant to today's people, and a well-built science fiction world that sucked me right in.
Different Senses tells the story of Javen Ythen, the son of the regional governor, privileged, and a cop. He’s not spoiled and he’s not a jerk—he’s just a good guy doing his job and not really understanding or grasping the scope of the challenges faced by the indigenous population on his planet. The Nihan, or banis, were the original settlers of Uterden. The Kelons, Javen’s people, came later, in two waves of colonization, and completely conquered the Nihani. That leaves Uterden with a privileged race of people (the Kelons), and a not-so-privileged race (the Nihani), some of whom have the dreaded ability of empathy.
When Javen is shot in the line of duty, the trauma activates his dormant empathy gene—illustrating that he’s not pure Kelon. This revelation forces him to retire from the police force—empaths can’t be cops—and he loses his anti-empath lover, too.
Javen has to start his life all over again, and each of the novellas that make up this book gives us a piece of him doing that, from reconciling with his lover (as friends only) to realizing he might have a future as a private investigator, to becoming an advocate for the Nihani people and helping where he can to improve their lives. Through this work, he meets Shardul, a Nihani lawyer who has a huge chip on his shoulder, but who becomes an amazing ally…and maybe more.
This book is first and foremost Javen’s journey from his easy life to something more aware and active. Like the best science fiction, it is a commentary on something relevant to real life: the prejudice and discrimination against indigenous peoples (and others). Javen learns so much from the start of the book to the end, and each of his lessons can be directly applied to privileged folks in today’s world. I thought the author did a really good job of illustrating that sometimes good people do bad things—not because they’re awful people, but because they’re ignorant of what non-privileged people have to go through on a daily basis.
This is not an “indigenous good/everyone else bad” story—this is a realistic look at how discrimination and oppression affects the oppressed, through the eyes of someone with privilege. It’s an important read, if only to get privileged folks to start thinking about this and applying parallels to their own lives.
If you’re looking for hot sexytimes, you won’t find it in this book—the romance develops late and it’s secondary to Javen’s overall journey (also, the love scenes are fade-to-black). Likewise, if you’re looking for space battles, this isn’t for you. But if you like private investigator mysteries that make you think, as well as strong and slow character building that gives you a chance to really settle in with the world, definitely pick this one up. I can’t recommend it enough.
Different Senses tells the story of Javen Ythen, the son of the regional governor, privileged, and a cop. He’s not spoiled and he’s not a jerk—he’s just a good guy doing his job and not really understanding or grasping the scope of the challenges faced by the indigenous population on his planet. The Nihan, or banis, were the original settlers of Uterden. The Kelons, Javen’s people, came later, in two waves of colonization, and completely conquered the Nihani. That leaves Uterden with a privileged race of people (the Kelons), and a not-so-privileged race (the Nihani), some of whom have the dreaded ability of empathy.
When Javen is shot in the line of duty, the trauma activates his dormant empathy gene—illustrating that he’s not pure Kelon. This revelation forces him to retire from the police force—empaths can’t be cops—and he loses his anti-empath lover, too.
Javen has to start his life all over again, and each of the novellas that make up this book gives us a piece of him doing that, from reconciling with his lover (as friends only) to realizing he might have a future as a private investigator, to becoming an advocate for the Nihani people and helping where he can to improve their lives. Through this work, he meets Shardul, a Nihani lawyer who has a huge chip on his shoulder, but who becomes an amazing ally…and maybe more.
This book is first and foremost Javen’s journey from his easy life to something more aware and active. Like the best science fiction, it is a commentary on something relevant to real life: the prejudice and discrimination against indigenous peoples (and others). Javen learns so much from the start of the book to the end, and each of his lessons can be directly applied to privileged folks in today’s world. I thought the author did a really good job of illustrating that sometimes good people do bad things—not because they’re awful people, but because they’re ignorant of what non-privileged people have to go through on a daily basis.
This is not an “indigenous good/everyone else bad” story—this is a realistic look at how discrimination and oppression affects the oppressed, through the eyes of someone with privilege. It’s an important read, if only to get privileged folks to start thinking about this and applying parallels to their own lives.
If you’re looking for hot sexytimes, you won’t find it in this book—the romance develops late and it’s secondary to Javen’s overall journey (also, the love scenes are fade-to-black). Likewise, if you’re looking for space battles, this isn’t for you. But if you like private investigator mysteries that make you think, as well as strong and slow character building that gives you a chance to really settle in with the world, definitely pick this one up. I can’t recommend it enough.
November 21, 2014
A dazzling, brilliant and intriguing epic of honor, integrity, racism and love, familial, romantic and friend, that left me breathless and sorry to finish.
The story follows Javen Ythen who when injured as a police officer wakes up to find himself empathic. This means he has a taint of banis (a vulgar epitaph) blood in his ancestry. This taint immediately makes him less than his fellow Kelons and he loses his lover and his job all at once. What follows is EPIC!
The book is an amazing story of Javen finding his way through life as an empath, becoming a private investigator, investigating his ancestry and coming to terms with his place and culpability in the rampant racism and denigration of the indigenous race of udawathei, the race seeded on the planet centuries ago before the Kelons arrived.
While Javen is the main character he is surrounded by such richly crafted characters I hesitate to call them secondary. The settings and history of the planet and separate races is given in small doses as they pertain to the current investigation so that the reader learns as Javen does.
We find out from the beginning that Javen is homosexual but that really does not impact the story. This is not a scintillating romance. Yes there is attraction, arousal and passion but any actual sex takes place off page as the author concentrates on character building, intrigue and storyline.
I highly recommend this amazing story. Many of the problems Javen encounters can be seen in our own current political news and I can only hope I can summon the personal integrity and honor Javen shows to his fellow beings.
One note, without a glossary I did struggle with some terms and honorifics used. Most were effectively explained so I had to be in the mindset of a visitor to a different country and accept I would not completely grasp all of the local language. However, I want to stress that for me it in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the story.
The story follows Javen Ythen who when injured as a police officer wakes up to find himself empathic. This means he has a taint of banis (a vulgar epitaph) blood in his ancestry. This taint immediately makes him less than his fellow Kelons and he loses his lover and his job all at once. What follows is EPIC!
The book is an amazing story of Javen finding his way through life as an empath, becoming a private investigator, investigating his ancestry and coming to terms with his place and culpability in the rampant racism and denigration of the indigenous race of udawathei, the race seeded on the planet centuries ago before the Kelons arrived.
While Javen is the main character he is surrounded by such richly crafted characters I hesitate to call them secondary. The settings and history of the planet and separate races is given in small doses as they pertain to the current investigation so that the reader learns as Javen does.
We find out from the beginning that Javen is homosexual but that really does not impact the story. This is not a scintillating romance. Yes there is attraction, arousal and passion but any actual sex takes place off page as the author concentrates on character building, intrigue and storyline.
I highly recommend this amazing story. Many of the problems Javen encounters can be seen in our own current political news and I can only hope I can summon the personal integrity and honor Javen shows to his fellow beings.
One note, without a glossary I did struggle with some terms and honorifics used. Most were effectively explained so I had to be in the mindset of a visitor to a different country and accept I would not completely grasp all of the local language. However, I want to stress that for me it in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the story.
July 30, 2013
Main Characters: Javen Ythen & Shardul Hema Rishabh
Key Themes: UST, Interracial, Psychic Ability, Discrimination, Religion
Location: Planet Uterden
The Kelon are colonizers and the ruling race on Uterden. The Nihani are the disenfranchised indigenous people of the planet. Javen is a Kelon, and the son of the planet's Governor. Javen was a cop until he was injured, and subsequently fired for developing what was considered (by the Kelon) a degrading disability - because of it's association with the Nihani. Now, Javen runs his own PI agency. Through his PI work, he meets Shardul. Shardul is a beautiful, hot shot Nihani attorney, known across the planets as the foremost fighter for the civil rights of Uterden's racially oppressed natives.
This is not a love story. I honestly don't know how to describe this book. What I do know is that at some point I lost my fascination with the story.
Even though this was not technically a romance, the unresolved sexual tension between the MCs was a prominent story line. Unfortunately, it was also a major source of frustration for me. This is an epic 560+ page book, so I did not consider it unreasonable to question why the MCs were still dancing around each other….more than 400+ pages into the book! After waiting so long for them to consummate their relationship, I was even more dissatisfied when it finally happened - it was rushed, and lacked any detail, or enthusiasm.....
Key Themes: UST, Interracial, Psychic Ability, Discrimination, Religion
Location: Planet Uterden
The Kelon are colonizers and the ruling race on Uterden. The Nihani are the disenfranchised indigenous people of the planet. Javen is a Kelon, and the son of the planet's Governor. Javen was a cop until he was injured, and subsequently fired for developing what was considered (by the Kelon) a degrading disability - because of it's association with the Nihani. Now, Javen runs his own PI agency. Through his PI work, he meets Shardul. Shardul is a beautiful, hot shot Nihani attorney, known across the planets as the foremost fighter for the civil rights of Uterden's racially oppressed natives.
This is not a love story. I honestly don't know how to describe this book. What I do know is that at some point I lost my fascination with the story.
Even though this was not technically a romance, the unresolved sexual tension between the MCs was a prominent story line. Unfortunately, it was also a major source of frustration for me. This is an epic 560+ page book, so I did not consider it unreasonable to question why the MCs were still dancing around each other….more than 400+ pages into the book! After waiting so long for them to consummate their relationship, I was even more dissatisfied when it finally happened - it was rushed, and lacked any detail, or enthusiasm.....
August 17, 2013
SlashReaders: This was a good book. "Different Senses", is really a series of interconnected shorter works. All of the stories revolve around Javen, his family, his friends and his co-workers as he set himself up as a private investigator. The fallout from Javen's shooting and his developing empathy, is really only the beginning of things and most definitely not the end. Each new story revolves around one of Javen's cases; however, throughout the whole work there are interconnected plot lines and themes, that build up until the end.
If you are looking for a book with a little bit of plot and lots of hot and heavy sex scenes, then you aren't looking in the right place. The relationship in 'Different Senses', is one of those that builds up through the course of the book before either character gives in. It takes a dramatic life and death events to finally bring them to their 'senses'. But this book isn't just about the relationship, it's also about the tension between the two races and the inequalities between them.
All, it all I enjoyed the build up in this book, the way the different plot threads gathered together in the end. While I wanted to lock both main characters in a room more often than not, the growing affection between them--despite their stubbornness--was fun to see. This is a good book, with good characters and a lot of plot within plot.
If you are looking for a book with a little bit of plot and lots of hot and heavy sex scenes, then you aren't looking in the right place. The relationship in 'Different Senses', is one of those that builds up through the course of the book before either character gives in. It takes a dramatic life and death events to finally bring them to their 'senses'. But this book isn't just about the relationship, it's also about the tension between the two races and the inequalities between them.
All, it all I enjoyed the build up in this book, the way the different plot threads gathered together in the end. While I wanted to lock both main characters in a room more often than not, the growing affection between them--despite their stubbornness--was fun to see. This is a good book, with good characters and a lot of plot within plot.
April 5, 2010
Great scifi book filled to the brim with social commentary on race and class relations. Characters were well written & evolved since there is a span of 4 or 5 years.
December 1, 2017
3.75 Stars
First, this is a fairly long book but made up of a series of fairly short "cases" for Jaren who has become a detective after losing his job as a cop due to receiving the gift of "empathy" after a trauma.
The books got off to a really slow start for me but began gaining momentum about 25% in and got better and better as it went along.
First, this is a fairly long book but made up of a series of fairly short "cases" for Jaren who has become a detective after losing his job as a cop due to receiving the gift of "empathy" after a trauma.
The books got off to a really slow start for me but began gaining momentum about 25% in and got better and better as it went along.
May 21, 2022
Kindle-Sort-ReRead
Dnf'd on this attempt, not drawn into the world, there's the heavy feel of a point being made regarding indigenous people. My main issue is the main character comes across churlish and unpleasant. Instead of thinking big life changes I was thinking immature.
Dnf'd on this attempt, not drawn into the world, there's the heavy feel of a point being made regarding indigenous people. My main issue is the main character comes across churlish and unpleasant. Instead of thinking big life changes I was thinking immature.
January 6, 2014
4.5
Let me first say that this book isn't without faults.
For example, it took me a while to get used to the writing, because it seemed somehow short (not the book itself obviously, but the... phrasings and sentences and thoughts, for lack of a better description) and a little too simple and unsophisticated. The funny thing is that after a while I almost appreciated all that, because it emphasized the type of person the narrator and protagonist Javen Ythen was - it seemed fitting that his thoughts and his perspective were laid out in a simple manner, not because he's stupid but because he doesn't strike me as a person who would take the time and energy to formulate his thoughts or ideas more eloquently.
Another thing I had a problem with was how relatively easy the resolutions for his cases came to him, and how convenient the problem resolutions sometimes were.
And of course, there were some mistakes over the whole of the book, and some more editing wouldn't have hurt.
BUT, I still have to round up to 5 stars, because I just have to admire the work Ann Somerville has done here. This isn't a love story. It's a political book through and through, dealing with the problems and repercussions of an inherently racist society, of hate and suspicion and injustice all hidden behind a curtain of false equality arguments.
The interesting bit was that the racism really wasn't confined to the side of the oppressing Kelons, but that it was just as clear on the side of the indigenous, oppressed Nihani - the formers' beliefs born out of ignorance, denial, and self-righteousness, the latters' ideas stemming from years and generations of perceived injustice and humiliation. And I thought that this setup was very believable.
We have two very different groups of people here, not only in looks, but also in their beliefs, ideas that are almost impossible to reconcile. This is no fairy tale and to get better things have to get worse first and even in the end there's still so much left to do.
There were so many interesting aspects in this world setting, so many details, so many fantastic secondary characters that I just have to salute Ann Somerville for it. The character development was brilliant, not only regarding Javen, but also most of the other characters that played a role. Over the course of this book, we see how a lonely and devastated Javen finds a new place in the world for himself, gains friends, new colleagues, learns, and grows until he's almost but not entirely unrecognisable from the person he was at the beginning. All that is told in a series of chronologically ordered short stories that have him solve crimes as a PI (after his dismissal from the police force) and each case tells more about the society, the world, and the people that live in it, each story paints a richer picture of what is going on. The last story is the big climax to which everything leads.
If you expect a love story, you should probably go look for something else, because although love does play a role here, it's not a romance at all - in fact, aside from the last 30 to 40 pages, it's only something Javen struggles with, not something that gives him strength or pleasure. Because he falls in love with the wrong guy - and no, the male part isn't the problem at all (that's a relief by the way, to have that struggle on top of everything else would have been too much), it's the race that makes it so difficult. Not so much for Javen himself, but for Shardul, the man in question, a prominent Nehani activist that has no love whatsoever for anything Kelon. It will take them a long, long, very long while to get over that. So, yes, don't read it for this. Read it for the rest.
I suddenly find myself with lots of more books on my to-read list, because I really have to read more of Ann Somerville's stories. While her writing doesn't blow me away the way other authors do, her stories really take me on a trip I usually don't expect and that is a talent in itself. If all of this sounds good to you, I can only recommend to try this book, but be a little patient. It might be worth it!
Let me first say that this book isn't without faults.
For example, it took me a while to get used to the writing, because it seemed somehow short (not the book itself obviously, but the... phrasings and sentences and thoughts, for lack of a better description) and a little too simple and unsophisticated. The funny thing is that after a while I almost appreciated all that, because it emphasized the type of person the narrator and protagonist Javen Ythen was - it seemed fitting that his thoughts and his perspective were laid out in a simple manner, not because he's stupid but because he doesn't strike me as a person who would take the time and energy to formulate his thoughts or ideas more eloquently.
Another thing I had a problem with was how relatively easy the resolutions for his cases came to him, and how convenient the problem resolutions sometimes were.
And of course, there were some mistakes over the whole of the book, and some more editing wouldn't have hurt.
BUT, I still have to round up to 5 stars, because I just have to admire the work Ann Somerville has done here. This isn't a love story. It's a political book through and through, dealing with the problems and repercussions of an inherently racist society, of hate and suspicion and injustice all hidden behind a curtain of false equality arguments.
The interesting bit was that the racism really wasn't confined to the side of the oppressing Kelons, but that it was just as clear on the side of the indigenous, oppressed Nihani - the formers' beliefs born out of ignorance, denial, and self-righteousness, the latters' ideas stemming from years and generations of perceived injustice and humiliation. And I thought that this setup was very believable.
We have two very different groups of people here, not only in looks, but also in their beliefs, ideas that are almost impossible to reconcile. This is no fairy tale and to get better things have to get worse first and even in the end there's still so much left to do.
There were so many interesting aspects in this world setting, so many details, so many fantastic secondary characters that I just have to salute Ann Somerville for it. The character development was brilliant, not only regarding Javen, but also most of the other characters that played a role. Over the course of this book, we see how a lonely and devastated Javen finds a new place in the world for himself, gains friends, new colleagues, learns, and grows until he's almost but not entirely unrecognisable from the person he was at the beginning. All that is told in a series of chronologically ordered short stories that have him solve crimes as a PI (after his dismissal from the police force) and each case tells more about the society, the world, and the people that live in it, each story paints a richer picture of what is going on. The last story is the big climax to which everything leads.
If you expect a love story, you should probably go look for something else, because although love does play a role here, it's not a romance at all - in fact, aside from the last 30 to 40 pages, it's only something Javen struggles with, not something that gives him strength or pleasure. Because he falls in love with the wrong guy - and no, the male part isn't the problem at all (that's a relief by the way, to have that struggle on top of everything else would have been too much), it's the race that makes it so difficult. Not so much for Javen himself, but for Shardul, the man in question, a prominent Nehani activist that has no love whatsoever for anything Kelon. It will take them a long, long, very long while to get over that. So, yes, don't read it for this. Read it for the rest.
I suddenly find myself with lots of more books on my to-read list, because I really have to read more of Ann Somerville's stories. While her writing doesn't blow me away the way other authors do, her stories really take me on a trip I usually don't expect and that is a talent in itself. If all of this sounds good to you, I can only recommend to try this book, but be a little patient. It might be worth it!
April 4, 2011
Different senses is a sci/fi book in a sense that it happens in a fictious world, on a fictious planet and some people again have mental gifts, in this world it is specifically empathy, but this is all what is fantastical about this world. This book contains (as many of her books) rather extensive, but to me not heavy handed social commentary on the issues of race relations which could be applied to many of our societies.
Main character of the book is a cop Javen, who discovered that after shooting he was in, his empathy gene was triggered, so he has to leave his work, since empaths cannot be cops. Supposedly it is for civil liberties reasons, or so they say. You can only have empathy gene, if you had been related to indigenous people of this planet, and the relationship between two races always had been complicated to put it mildly. One of the major themes of the books is Javen learning about the injustices his people committed, trying to help, making mistakes along the way and all of it of course while trying to work his cases as private investigator.
He is just so very likeable, with a good heart, but of course not perfect, making plenty of mistakes, I was pretty much in love with this character by the time book ended.
Yes there is a love story here, but it definitely takes a back seat, especially in the earlier stories, although the story of him and Shardul becoming friends is rather important at the same time, not sure how much sense it makes, but cannot say more without spoilers.
And the writing, omg I loved the writing, it is just so simple enough, but at the same time goes right to the point, not too dry, not too flowery, as far as I am concerned just the way I love it :)
And actually this book made me uncomfortable too, but in a very good way, it reminded me again to not forget how good I have it in some areas of life, when I want to whine and feel sorry for myself in another areas of life :)
Main character of the book is a cop Javen, who discovered that after shooting he was in, his empathy gene was triggered, so he has to leave his work, since empaths cannot be cops. Supposedly it is for civil liberties reasons, or so they say. You can only have empathy gene, if you had been related to indigenous people of this planet, and the relationship between two races always had been complicated to put it mildly. One of the major themes of the books is Javen learning about the injustices his people committed, trying to help, making mistakes along the way and all of it of course while trying to work his cases as private investigator.
He is just so very likeable, with a good heart, but of course not perfect, making plenty of mistakes, I was pretty much in love with this character by the time book ended.
Yes there is a love story here, but it definitely takes a back seat, especially in the earlier stories, although the story of him and Shardul becoming friends is rather important at the same time, not sure how much sense it makes, but cannot say more without spoilers.
And the writing, omg I loved the writing, it is just so simple enough, but at the same time goes right to the point, not too dry, not too flowery, as far as I am concerned just the way I love it :)
And actually this book made me uncomfortable too, but in a very good way, it reminded me again to not forget how good I have it in some areas of life, when I want to whine and feel sorry for myself in another areas of life :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2012
This is a fantastic story. It is science-fiction only in that it is based on some other planet far in the future where people have colonized many different worlds and "evolved" and some people have empathic senses. Mainly it deals with racial differences and cultural/political divisions between the two groups on the planet - one is the indigenous people, who are downtrodden and poor, while the colonizers rule and are richer, although many do not understand the true history and how things have developed. The book covers several years, beginning when one of the governor's sons, Javen, is shot on duty, and once recovered, discovers a newly developed empathic ability that proves a indigenous ancestor somewhere in his past. Losing his policeman job due to the law and his lover due to fear, he eventually becomes a PI, for lack of better options. The book covers several cases, spread out over time, and show him slowly learning more about the cultural divide in his world. One of his early cases brings him into contact with a native lawyer, Shardul, whose intelligence and anger drive Javen into seeing their world from a different POV. The difficulties between these two make it look impossible for them to ever be together, especially with Shardul's dislike of the colonizers. Several times, Javen just allows himself to accept that he will be alone because Shardul cannot see past the past, and then the present becomes more dangerous as race riots break out and Javen's family is targeted. I found the story exciting and nail-biting at moments and despaired of a HEA, but was quite pleased with the final resolution. I also enjoyed that their world seemed to have no issues with same-sex or opposite-sex relationships, so all the tension came from other sources (not being with a man but being with that man, etc.).
June 26, 2016
Oh, how I loved it.
First of all, if you expect PWP or sex scenes every two pages, don't ever start this book. The romance is very slow and it's perfect that way. It would have ruined everything otherwise. It is really consistent with the characters, their world and I loved how Ann Somerville tried to preserve that. It made sense.
Different Senses is a collection of short stories but they are all connected in a way and they all help you understand and learn about the setting.
All Javen's cases have a purpose and they all help him grow and become a more open-minded and tolerant person. I love his evolution (even though he should have questioned his society a long time ago but let's not go there). I really love his character and how he is prepared to fight to right a (big big big) wrong. Not to forget his straightforwardness.
Though, there is one thing bothering me. I really didn't understand the sudden change in Javen's parents' behavior. To be honest, I thought it was a scheme because it didn't make sense at all.
In the end, it didn't really matter. This book is about so much more and the message in it needs to be spread as much as possible. The characters are all wonderful and the world is smartly built. The theme of racism, intolerance and ignorance is very well treated. I very highly recommend this book to everyone of you. It really deserves to be read and even though you can be put off by the number of pages, don't even think about it. When you'll start, you won't even get bored one instant and you'll read it in 24 hours day like I did.
Please buy it.
First of all, if you expect PWP or sex scenes every two pages, don't ever start this book. The romance is very slow and it's perfect that way. It would have ruined everything otherwise. It is really consistent with the characters, their world and I loved how Ann Somerville tried to preserve that. It made sense.
Different Senses is a collection of short stories but they are all connected in a way and they all help you understand and learn about the setting.
All Javen's cases have a purpose and they all help him grow and become a more open-minded and tolerant person. I love his evolution (even though he should have questioned his society a long time ago but let's not go there). I really love his character and how he is prepared to fight to right a (big big big) wrong. Not to forget his straightforwardness.
Though, there is one thing bothering me. I really didn't understand the sudden change in Javen's parents' behavior. To be honest, I thought it was a scheme because it didn't make sense at all.
In the end, it didn't really matter. This book is about so much more and the message in it needs to be spread as much as possible. The characters are all wonderful and the world is smartly built. The theme of racism, intolerance and ignorance is very well treated. I very highly recommend this book to everyone of you. It really deserves to be read and even though you can be put off by the number of pages, don't even think about it. When you'll start, you won't even get bored one instant and you'll read it in 24 hours day like I did.
Please buy it.
July 23, 2015
This is a soapbox book- fiction written to make a point about real world issues (oppression of indigenous peoples). While I agree with the author wholeheartedly on the issue, it limits the book pretty significantly, and the ethical relativism makes the fiction less compelling (the book makes a lot of effort to describe the behavior of oppressed people as a function of their psychology and experience, but just labels the behavior of the oppressors in terms of the ethics of the situation. As a result, some pretty bad behavior is passed off as justified, including a love interest who is generally rude and dismissive, because it is "understandable." A lot of human behavior is understandable when one understands how we work, that doesn't make it pleasant to be around). I stopped reading when the tstl and ridiculous situations built to showcase injustice went over my threshold.
August 22, 2011
When i bought this book i was looking for a psy-cop romance kind of thing. It took me forever to get around to reading it and when I did, oops. This book isn't what I expected it to be but it was very good. It's not a romance at all its more a sociological study with a gay main character and set in a fictitious world. It drug a little around page 300 or so it picked back up quickly.
August 6, 2017
Possibly one of my favorite books. There are so many elements I enjoy and they are all so very well handled. It's a mystery, a romance, and also a look at culture and prejudice that rings beautiful and very true. I've read this one more than once and I anticipate reading it more than once more.
April 8, 2015
‘Prologue’: Not enough intro into the world
‘ ‘Javen and the Ex’: Didn’t get the connection between ex at all. Javen and ex don’t seem like they’d be a good fit at ANY time.
‘Javen and the Lost Girl’: Javen’s attitude towards work is weird. If not wanting to really be an investigator and earning a living, then why bother? This particular was a repaid favor but it still applies after this case.
‘Javen and the Seeker’s Gift’: Shardul, brash rubbing wrong… Finally by the end of this case we see him softening a bit. Even starting on the way of friendly. Though the reveal of being a VERY distant relative to Javin could have been discarded. The byplay between he and Javin was mostly entertaining with the back and forth.
‘Javen and the Inside Out Bracelet’: Javen sinks deeper into the cause of the indigenous. Lovely dance at a govenor’s ball complete with pictures, the description of the two of them the indication of the slow heading of their complicated relationship.
‘Javen and the Pretty Boy’: this…did not like. Javen gets himself a lover.. not Shardul. The relationship between the two gets strained. I guess I expected more reaction out of Shardul than what we got and Javen giving in was a disappointment also. Though at the end of this case, he does admit Tashur would have been a substitute… no names given and perhaps Javen finally realizes how truly deep that has gone without his knowledge.
‘Javen and the Bomb’: Holy…. Talk about a big huge crack in Shardul. The reaction and aftermath of the bomb scare was unexpected. To finally see Shardul in passion and desire if only as a knee jerk reaction to his scare.. how he’s been able to hide and suppress that all this time with it simmering is way beyond.
‘Javen and the Night of Fire’: Complicated relationships.. its been months since Javen and Shardul have had any contact. Then they are working together to infiltrate terrorist group. Here’s where the author lost me. Javen is altered to go undercover but then he’s only used a few times. His ‘alter’ ego the real guy he’s impersonating has been helping lay groundwork while Javen is holed up waiting to be called. WHY is Javen even involved? The whole thing could have been this original guy to begin with...But moving on, the boys escape and rescue led to lots of questions looked into. The mole, didn’t get a lot of info on the why which bothered me. But once that is all said and done and they come together, finally, it was a relief. Though this truly isn’t a romance that just ended up being a side benefit. Wrapping up, we see the whole family reunited and Shardul officially introduced. After that, a hint to what could come up in the future but by the time we finally get to this place, I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed to not get… more…details, whatever of the two of them making it work.
I still think the beginning prologue and world set up was LACKING.. though the characters become very endearing very fast. While LONG I would say this was worth it! The beginning is the markdown star
‘ ‘Javen and the Ex’: Didn’t get the connection between ex at all. Javen and ex don’t seem like they’d be a good fit at ANY time.
‘Javen and the Lost Girl’: Javen’s attitude towards work is weird. If not wanting to really be an investigator and earning a living, then why bother? This particular was a repaid favor but it still applies after this case.
‘Javen and the Seeker’s Gift’: Shardul, brash rubbing wrong… Finally by the end of this case we see him softening a bit. Even starting on the way of friendly. Though the reveal of being a VERY distant relative to Javin could have been discarded. The byplay between he and Javin was mostly entertaining with the back and forth.
‘Javen and the Inside Out Bracelet’: Javen sinks deeper into the cause of the indigenous. Lovely dance at a govenor’s ball complete with pictures, the description of the two of them the indication of the slow heading of their complicated relationship.
‘Javen and the Pretty Boy’: this…did not like. Javen gets himself a lover.. not Shardul. The relationship between the two gets strained. I guess I expected more reaction out of Shardul than what we got and Javen giving in was a disappointment also. Though at the end of this case, he does admit Tashur would have been a substitute… no names given and perhaps Javen finally realizes how truly deep that has gone without his knowledge.
‘Javen and the Bomb’: Holy…. Talk about a big huge crack in Shardul. The reaction and aftermath of the bomb scare was unexpected. To finally see Shardul in passion and desire if only as a knee jerk reaction to his scare.. how he’s been able to hide and suppress that all this time with it simmering is way beyond.
‘Javen and the Night of Fire’: Complicated relationships.. its been months since Javen and Shardul have had any contact. Then they are working together to infiltrate terrorist group. Here’s where the author lost me. Javen is altered to go undercover but then he’s only used a few times. His ‘alter’ ego the real guy he’s impersonating has been helping lay groundwork while Javen is holed up waiting to be called. WHY is Javen even involved? The whole thing could have been this original guy to begin with...But moving on, the boys escape and rescue led to lots of questions looked into. The mole, didn’t get a lot of info on the why which bothered me. But once that is all said and done and they come together, finally, it was a relief. Though this truly isn’t a romance that just ended up being a side benefit. Wrapping up, we see the whole family reunited and Shardul officially introduced. After that, a hint to what could come up in the future but by the time we finally get to this place, I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed to not get… more…details, whatever of the two of them making it work.
I still think the beginning prologue and world set up was LACKING.. though the characters become very endearing very fast. While LONG I would say this was worth it! The beginning is the markdown star
January 23, 2021
Heh, I had this rated four stars for a while before I realized that I was grading on a seriously steep curve.
I'm not sure that I can write a review which would do this book (set of short stories and novel) justice. This is a look at a segregated society from the perspective of one of its most privileged members and it's done in a realistic way.
As for the minor complaint that made this four stars initially:
I'm not sure that I can write a review which would do this book (set of short stories and novel) justice. This is a look at a segregated society from the perspective of one of its most privileged members and it's done in a realistic way.
As for the minor complaint that made this four stars initially:
September 13, 2015
3.5 stars towards 4
The reason why this gets 3 stars in the end is because it had a really, really slow start. I kept waiting to get sucked into the story and it took the 3rd of 4th ‘chapter’ to get me really invested in Javen. Until then, I just found the story pleasant and was more interested in looking for the moment the main characters would get together.
I did feel most of the conflicts detailed in the book, as well as the characters and the response to the government were downplayed or slightly idealized.
But everything else was captivating. I really got attached to Javen, despite slight mismatches in his characterization. I loved the intensity with which he devoted himself to his cases and the persons he helped. I loved the banter between him and Rashdul. I loved the social, cultural, religious currents in the book and how nicely they were handled. I would love to read a sequel.
The reason why this gets 3 stars in the end is because it had a really, really slow start. I kept waiting to get sucked into the story and it took the 3rd of 4th ‘chapter’ to get me really invested in Javen. Until then, I just found the story pleasant and was more interested in looking for the moment the main characters would get together.
I did feel most of the conflicts detailed in the book, as well as the characters and the response to the government were downplayed or slightly idealized.
But everything else was captivating. I really got attached to Javen, despite slight mismatches in his characterization. I loved the intensity with which he devoted himself to his cases and the persons he helped. I loved the banter between him and Rashdul. I loved the social, cultural, religious currents in the book and how nicely they were handled. I would love to read a sequel.
October 6, 2011
First half of the book was brilliant and would earn it 5 stars BUT in the second half the racial comments of one of the MC did get on my nerves!
The book is well written, has an interesting plot and well developed characters. In the world the story is set live two races and one is treated with quite a lot of prejudice, especially because of their emphatic abilities. The story is divided in cases with which Javen, an ex-cop, deals after his incident, which left him with a surprising and unwanted gift of empathy. Javen slowly deals with a new situation, the loss of friends, job and his lovers. This part was well done and still in the 5 stars range. I loved Javen but sometimes I wished he'd grow some balls to deal with Shardul!
What made this book a less than 5 star read, are some things which come up in the second half. Javen's parents were suddenly much nicer and understanding without a prior or gradual softening in attitude. Also after 200+ pages the discrimination shown towards Javen and all things Kolon was just annoying. Especially if the Nihani are so set on their religion, hate this ingrained seems an overkill.
The book is well written, has an interesting plot and well developed characters. In the world the story is set live two races and one is treated with quite a lot of prejudice, especially because of their emphatic abilities. The story is divided in cases with which Javen, an ex-cop, deals after his incident, which left him with a surprising and unwanted gift of empathy. Javen slowly deals with a new situation, the loss of friends, job and his lovers. This part was well done and still in the 5 stars range. I loved Javen but sometimes I wished he'd grow some balls to deal with Shardul!
What made this book a less than 5 star read, are some things which come up in the second half. Javen's parents were suddenly much nicer and understanding without a prior or gradual softening in attitude. Also after 200+ pages the discrimination shown towards Javen and all things Kolon was just annoying. Especially if the Nihani are so set on their religion, hate this ingrained seems an overkill.
February 8, 2014
I'd read "Javen and the Pretty Boy" as a freebie, but it didn't appeal to me as much as when I read it again as part of this collection of short stories. Although each stands alone, you get a much better appreciation of the underlying themes and the arc of the characters' relationships when read sequentially.
Dispossessed aboriginals (in the true sense of the word) is a famliar topic to everyone brought up in Australia. As is the concept of new immigrants not seeing how they can be held responsible for insensitivities or outright acts of violence which took place long before they or their forebears arrived.
The subtleties and ramifications of this is depicted beautifully here and this is just the background.
Once again the theme of empathy is explored, the fear others have toward those who possess the trait and the way this can be used or abused.
Although this book is not one of Ann's most popular stories, to me, it has the best balance of emotion, plot, action and backstory.
Like all her books, it doesn't really classify as "romance" and is so much stronger because of that fact. It is a story about love not just sex or wine and roses.
Dispossessed aboriginals (in the true sense of the word) is a famliar topic to everyone brought up in Australia. As is the concept of new immigrants not seeing how they can be held responsible for insensitivities or outright acts of violence which took place long before they or their forebears arrived.
The subtleties and ramifications of this is depicted beautifully here and this is just the background.
Once again the theme of empathy is explored, the fear others have toward those who possess the trait and the way this can be used or abused.
Although this book is not one of Ann's most popular stories, to me, it has the best balance of emotion, plot, action and backstory.
Like all her books, it doesn't really classify as "romance" and is so much stronger because of that fact. It is a story about love not just sex or wine and roses.
February 20, 2012
Yet another amazing read from Somerville. I loooved how the story itself is seperated in two main parts. The first part is seperated in smaller stories each a case for Javen to solve (in the first ones he's alone, but gains friends along the way as he solves his cases), and how all these small ones get interwoven along the way and lead up to the second part which is the inevitable clash between two populations. I agree that I would have liked the romance to develop before those last 25-30 pages, but I think it's a natural flow considering Shardul's character. You get hints here and there from Shardul and I found it really funny and intertaining how akward Shardul is at times towards Javen. It's a unique story which I haven't seen the like of before. I can't say this is Somerville's best novel because she has written so many amazing novels but she is definitely one of my favorite writers of all time and this story is a perfect example of how brilliant an author she is.
December 20, 2015
DNF.....
The beginning of the story was interesting, but I dropped it as soon as the plot turned into one-sided "Banis are good, Kelon are bad".
In truth Banis people are just as much racists as Kelon people.
Shardul is hateful and rude towards Javen for no real reason, but author tends to justify his foul attitude because he is one of the oppressed nation (yeah riiigh). He treats Javen like dirt under his feet, and Javen apologizes and apologizes and apologizes on behalf of his ancestors (WHY??)
There were so many moments when I wanted to say "Guys, your ancestors were WEAK and thus failed to protect their freedom and rights! Blame them!". When two lions fight each other, one doesn't have to feel guilty about his victory. And obviously lion cubs should not feel guilty either. This is not how the world works, no.
I don't justify invaders, but one must learn how to move on instead of drowning in self-pity, because self-pity is useless and will not change reality.
The beginning of the story was interesting, but I dropped it as soon as the plot turned into one-sided "Banis are good, Kelon are bad".
In truth Banis people are just as much racists as Kelon people.
Shardul is hateful and rude towards Javen for no real reason, but author tends to justify his foul attitude because he is one of the oppressed nation (yeah riiigh). He treats Javen like dirt under his feet, and Javen apologizes and apologizes and apologizes on behalf of his ancestors (WHY??)
There were so many moments when I wanted to say "Guys, your ancestors were WEAK and thus failed to protect their freedom and rights! Blame them!". When two lions fight each other, one doesn't have to feel guilty about his victory. And obviously lion cubs should not feel guilty either. This is not how the world works, no.
I don't justify invaders, but one must learn how to move on instead of drowning in self-pity, because self-pity is useless and will not change reality.
September 28, 2011
I do love a good slow romantic build up, but FOUR YEARS?? Okay, I loved the whole story, or rather collection of stories, but I do wish that . Since this is a review... not a rehash of the synopsis, I'll just state that the whole book was great. Wonderful world building, great characters and Javen is so real as a person that you really know him by the end of the book. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy a complex ongoing tale that works it's way through this collection of stories. It is a fascinating look at prejudice and how it overshadows all aspects of a persons life.
January 31, 2014
I picked this one up because of the fact that it was a science fiction story that sounded interesting. I kept reading it because it was also a collection of stories about the main Character that were all tied together through detective cases. It was well written and I loved the way the world building was done. It took it's time growing the relationship between the main character and his love interest whilst keeping the reader focused on the political and racial issues of the people around him. If you like stories that are full of truly interesting characters and great depths then this is for you.
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