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Timshel
To love is to heal... The Cursed Ones. As the sheltered youngest son of a healer, Eiland of Summerton has heard of them all his life, the miserable creatures who share the great sickness brought down by the wrath of the gods. Yet unlike any of the illnesses Eiland's father treats in the village, this one is not passed by touch or cough or poison. It's given by the Cursed Ones. All it takes is three small I curse you. It never occurred to Eiland that a Cursed One could be young. Or handsome. Until he meets Charon, a wandering outcast who bears the Curse. One stolen kiss changes everything for Eiland and sends the two young men on a dangerous journey that neither can hope to survive—unless they set aside their differences and give in to forbidden love...
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 21, 2013
Lillian Turner- you have to write some more books STAT! This book was crazy amazing.
I have a thing for M/M fairy-tail-ish stories, and "Timshel" was a beautiful example of one. The story was so unique and special- I'm just going to gush here so excuse me. Eiland and Charon were lovely characters and I felt privileged to go on their journey with them. The concept of "cursed ones" who could damn others to suffer Agonies by simply uttering "I curse you" was fascinating. Overall, it was a wonderful fantasy story that kept me reading late until the night.
I even didn't miss the sex... that shows you how much I enjoyed this!
**Dorky etymology rambling ahead**
I just looked up the names in this book and they have some pretty cool meanings which relate to the story.
Charon in mythology is the ferryman of Hades and the name means "fierce, flashing eyes" or "eyes of a bluish-grey color" or it can be "a euphemism for death". Perfect name for the character!
Eiland means "island", which is pretty neat, metaphorically speaking, in the context of this story.
"Timshel" is a Hebrew word meaning "Thou mayest". It was used in the story of Cain and Able to describe man's Ability to Choose Between Good and Evil.
**Dorky interlude over**
I have a thing for M/M fairy-tail-ish stories, and "Timshel" was a beautiful example of one. The story was so unique and special- I'm just going to gush here so excuse me. Eiland and Charon were lovely characters and I felt privileged to go on their journey with them. The concept of "cursed ones" who could damn others to suffer Agonies by simply uttering "I curse you" was fascinating. Overall, it was a wonderful fantasy story that kept me reading late until the night.
I even didn't miss the sex... that shows you how much I enjoyed this!
**Dorky etymology rambling ahead**
I just looked up the names in this book and they have some pretty cool meanings which relate to the story.
Charon in mythology is the ferryman of Hades and the name means "fierce, flashing eyes" or "eyes of a bluish-grey color" or it can be "a euphemism for death". Perfect name for the character!
Eiland means "island", which is pretty neat, metaphorically speaking, in the context of this story.
"Timshel" is a Hebrew word meaning "Thou mayest". It was used in the story of Cain and Able to describe man's Ability to Choose Between Good and Evil.
**Dorky interlude over**
February 19, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. The plot, and the setting were well developed, and interesting. The cultures, and religion are fully formed, and play an integral role in the lives of the characters, but I never felt as if all the information was dumped on me at once, or in an unnatural manner. The characters were well formed, and compelling. It was nice watching them learn, and develop over the course of the story. The bond between Eiland and Charon took time to develop, and mature, and I appreciate that there was no instant love, or soul mate nonsense. The secondary characters added a lot to the story, and I liked seeing their impact on the main characters, and their journey. The bandits, and Charon's friends were personal favorites. Overall a really nicely done fantasy tale, and I liked the fairy tale inspired opening and ending.
This and other reviews from Elspeth and me can be found on our blog
This and other reviews from Elspeth and me can be found on our blog
July 19, 2016
I am quite amazed by the fact that this story was so good that not only did it pick me up from a horrid reading slump - I also re-read entire chapters of it. I never, ever do that; at most I re-read particularly well-written sentences, or paragraphs. I'm a quick reader, and I don't get stuck on book, neither for good or bad reasons.
[So I'd written this long-ass review in a flurry of inspiration, convinced that I was explaining in great detail what worked magically for me and what irked me, but upon reading it I realized that it was basically constituted of endless, confused rambling. Hey, don't judge me, it was 1 AM! Anyway, you get the short version, not as well-developed but way clearer.]
Despite being a medium length novel, this story still feels quite short thanks to smooth, beautiful writing; I particularly appreciated the inspired, spot-on similes that many authors can't seem to get right. The world building is light and discrete, sketching a vaguely medieval setting with strong undertones of mostly unexplained magic that feels very much like a fairy tale. This way, the attention can be focused entirely on the beautifully narrated journey that Charon and Eiland undertake, both physically and emotionally.
I loved all of the characters, from Eiland's parents, typically small-minded but well-meaning villagers, to the bandits, free thinkers and generous with love and food, despite being poor themselves, but I had a little bit of a problem with Eiland. I believe that his emotional conflict could have been handled better. Despite not being able to see that Charon is broken man, forced to do bad things to survive but deep inside good, he prides himself of being understanding, compassionate and humane. He can clearly see the cracks in Charon's cold and removed mask, but he can't seem to make the right conclusions – or any conclusion, for that matter. Well, in my book, that's either inconsistency or hypocrisy.
In the end, though, he redeemed himself in the most satisfying way possible. The moment he came to realize how much he actually cared for Charon was a tense scene that had me pretty much terrified - but also indescribably happy. The description of Eiland and Charon's final capitulation into their love for each other, sweet and chaste and at the same time incredibly sensual, is what cemented my belief in the author's talent and versatility.
I believe in this happy ending, I believe in Eiland and Charon's unspoken love, and I believe there is an amazing future stretching in front of them, all the way to the horizon. I will be eagerly waiting for more by Lillian Turner.
Wonderful story, despite its imperfections.
[So I'd written this long-ass review in a flurry of inspiration, convinced that I was explaining in great detail what worked magically for me and what irked me, but upon reading it I realized that it was basically constituted of endless, confused rambling. Hey, don't judge me, it was 1 AM! Anyway, you get the short version, not as well-developed but way clearer.]
Despite being a medium length novel, this story still feels quite short thanks to smooth, beautiful writing; I particularly appreciated the inspired, spot-on similes that many authors can't seem to get right. The world building is light and discrete, sketching a vaguely medieval setting with strong undertones of mostly unexplained magic that feels very much like a fairy tale. This way, the attention can be focused entirely on the beautifully narrated journey that Charon and Eiland undertake, both physically and emotionally.
I loved all of the characters, from Eiland's parents, typically small-minded but well-meaning villagers, to the bandits, free thinkers and generous with love and food, despite being poor themselves, but I had a little bit of a problem with Eiland. I believe that his emotional conflict could have been handled better. Despite not being able to see that Charon is broken man, forced to do bad things to survive but deep inside good, he prides himself of being understanding, compassionate and humane. He can clearly see the cracks in Charon's cold and removed mask, but he can't seem to make the right conclusions – or any conclusion, for that matter. Well, in my book, that's either inconsistency or hypocrisy.
In the end, though, he redeemed himself in the most satisfying way possible. The moment he came to realize how much he actually cared for Charon was a tense scene that had me pretty much terrified - but also indescribably happy. The description of Eiland and Charon's final capitulation into their love for each other, sweet and chaste and at the same time incredibly sensual, is what cemented my belief in the author's talent and versatility.
I believe in this happy ending, I believe in Eiland and Charon's unspoken love, and I believe there is an amazing future stretching in front of them, all the way to the horizon. I will be eagerly waiting for more by Lillian Turner.
Wonderful story, despite its imperfections.
June 21, 2012
I was rather impressed with this story. It is not a traditional one at all and for those looking for a romance, unfortunately, will not get one to their satisfaction even though there is a bit of it. What this story does have is the journey of two teenagers finding themselves in their travels together. Some might not like it but I loved it.
First and foremost readers need to know this story is about teenagers, boys at the age of 17. While there is no sex, they do kiss a few times and get a bit frisky. Eiland is the son of a healer while Charon is a homeless Cursed boy. These two could not be more different but what they find in each other is ultimately acceptance and affection. When they first meet, there's attraction but that attraction swiftly dies when Charon takes Eiland away from his home against his will. A good portion of the book Eiland is scared and angry with Charon while Charon is a mix of angry bitterness. Because Charon is Cursed, he can have and take anything he wants whether it's people, food, clothing or even hurt people if he wants. Everyone is afraid of the Cursed because they can curse others to be like them which would lead to a life of pain, anger and bitterness.
What I loved about this book was the way it was told. Eiland is the sole narrator and his awe and experience at everything him and Charon encountered was very interesting to me. He was such a sheltered boy that he's never had to worry about people hating or being disgusted by him like Charon does. I loved how his emotions were so tricky and fluctuated from being angry to sympathetic to upset to even aroused. The journey Charon takes Eiland on is rough because not only are they in the wilderness, walking weeks on end to a mysterious destination, but Eiland has to watch Charon go through his Agony which is brutal for Eiland who has such a soft heart he could never not help a person in need. The way Charon treats Eiland at times is cruel because of the way Eiland fears him.
It's really hard to describe this book without giving too many spoilers or being confusing. As I said, the story is not focused on the romance part even if it ends with that. The story is focused on Eiland overcoming everything he knows about the world and understanding it, finding himself in the process and helping Charon find who he is. The only thing wrong with the story is the lack of details in some instances. I was confused on what exactly a Cursed one was and what an Agony is even though it's shown. You don't exactly know why the Cursed were originally cursed or why the Gods 'gifted' them with it.
In the end, this was truly a remarkable story. I'm not exactly sure why it is called Timshel but this story intrigued me and made me want more. It's not a traditional story at all and is completely original as far as I can tell. I would truly love to see how Charon and Eiland are and how they're surviving in a sequel because I feel like their adventures are just starting now that they've finally accepted each other truly.
First and foremost readers need to know this story is about teenagers, boys at the age of 17. While there is no sex, they do kiss a few times and get a bit frisky. Eiland is the son of a healer while Charon is a homeless Cursed boy. These two could not be more different but what they find in each other is ultimately acceptance and affection. When they first meet, there's attraction but that attraction swiftly dies when Charon takes Eiland away from his home against his will. A good portion of the book Eiland is scared and angry with Charon while Charon is a mix of angry bitterness. Because Charon is Cursed, he can have and take anything he wants whether it's people, food, clothing or even hurt people if he wants. Everyone is afraid of the Cursed because they can curse others to be like them which would lead to a life of pain, anger and bitterness.
What I loved about this book was the way it was told. Eiland is the sole narrator and his awe and experience at everything him and Charon encountered was very interesting to me. He was such a sheltered boy that he's never had to worry about people hating or being disgusted by him like Charon does. I loved how his emotions were so tricky and fluctuated from being angry to sympathetic to upset to even aroused. The journey Charon takes Eiland on is rough because not only are they in the wilderness, walking weeks on end to a mysterious destination, but Eiland has to watch Charon go through his Agony which is brutal for Eiland who has such a soft heart he could never not help a person in need. The way Charon treats Eiland at times is cruel because of the way Eiland fears him.
It's really hard to describe this book without giving too many spoilers or being confusing. As I said, the story is not focused on the romance part even if it ends with that. The story is focused on Eiland overcoming everything he knows about the world and understanding it, finding himself in the process and helping Charon find who he is. The only thing wrong with the story is the lack of details in some instances. I was confused on what exactly a Cursed one was and what an Agony is even though it's shown. You don't exactly know why the Cursed were originally cursed or why the Gods 'gifted' them with it.
In the end, this was truly a remarkable story. I'm not exactly sure why it is called Timshel but this story intrigued me and made me want more. It's not a traditional story at all and is completely original as far as I can tell. I would truly love to see how Charon and Eiland are and how they're surviving in a sequel because I feel like their adventures are just starting now that they've finally accepted each other truly.
May 23, 2013
A world where people are cursed just by being told they've been cursed? That's quite grim.
Eiland and Charon cross paths quite accidentally and it's this meeting that starts the young men on a journey together. While I found the story very well written with solid world building this was just a bit too melancholy for me to let myself sink into the prose. There was the agony of the curse, the constant barrage of hate and fear from other villagers plus the added angst from
Really great characters and I liked the road trip aspect of it but it took a really long time for things to look brighter.
Eiland and Charon cross paths quite accidentally and it's this meeting that starts the young men on a journey together. While I found the story very well written with solid world building this was just a bit too melancholy for me to let myself sink into the prose. There was the agony of the curse, the constant barrage of hate and fear from other villagers plus the added angst from
Really great characters and I liked the road trip aspect of it but it took a really long time for things to look brighter.
August 12, 2015
4.5 stars
A gentle, wonderfully told story. Quite lovely. So much so that I've spent a half an hour trying to find out more about Lillian Turner without much success. It seems she might have SPN fanfic around somewhere?
More, Ms Turner, please?
A gentle, wonderfully told story. Quite lovely. So much so that I've spent a half an hour trying to find out more about Lillian Turner without much success. It seems she might have SPN fanfic around somewhere?
More, Ms Turner, please?
January 8, 2015
4.5 stars.
Beautiful writing.
Beautiful writing.
December 30, 2015
Fantastic! What a surprisingly good read. Finally a gay romance that doesn't turn into erotica. This is a story of two your men and their journey to find their place in the world. I would have given it 5 stars if there would have been more on "the gods" and the origins and meaning of the Curse. I highly recommend this book.
March 12, 2014
This was really sweet and adorable. It read kind of like a fairy tale at times, but it worked with the subject. It's nice because while it does feature a gay couple, it's not erotica. The development was nice and the exploration into human nature rang true, but wasn't preachy.
October 27, 2012
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!! Refreshingly original, charming language, and endearing characters. The title theme all throughout was perfectly accurate, to the story and in life in general. Timshel is a Hebrew word meaning, "thou mayest", that man has a choice. To quote the Mumford and Sons song of the same name, "And you have your choices/ And these are what make man great/ His ladder to the stars" - it's so very true. You may not choose your upbringing, your station in life, your abilities, or the kind of person you're attracted to, but you *do* have a choice in what you do with your circumstance. You can choose to use your gifts to enrich/help others, you can choose to change your environment, you can choose to live in love rather than in denial and shame. Eiland himself summed it up perfectly: "This was not an easy choice to make. But, Eiland had begun to realize, the important ones were never easy."
Eiland's tale of growth and love in the face of great adversity--illness, prejudice, danger--was inspiring and so delightfully told. I highly recommend this to everyone, and anxiously await new titles from this author.
Eiland's tale of growth and love in the face of great adversity--illness, prejudice, danger--was inspiring and so delightfully told. I highly recommend this to everyone, and anxiously await new titles from this author.
September 10, 2012
4 Hearts
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Eiland is a sheltered 17-year-old. He has never seen outside of his village and has only heard stories of the outside world. When he comes across another boy in the orchard, a stranger, he never realized that his life was going to change forever. Charon is a Cursed One. He is only sixteen. He has come in search of a healer who could help him. When he comes across Eiland, he is drawn to him, but he is Cursed and he can’t get his hopes up. But, Eiland knows much about healing, and Charon takes him on a journey that teaches them both the world.
This is a great YA story that takes two young adults on a journey that neither will forget. Eiland doesn’t realize that the boy he meets in the orchard is a Cursed One and treats him like he would anyone else. This bit of kindness will change his life forever. When Charon wants Eiland to come with him to show him how to make the salve that will help him, Eiland knows he doesn’t really have a choice. What a Cursed One wants a Cursed One gets. On the journey, Eiland realizes a lot about people, himself and the way of the world. He sees, also, first-hand what a Cursed One goes through, and he begins to understand why Charon is the way he is and does the things he does.
I enjoyed this story. it didn’t just take us to a new world, it showed us the world and the people in it from the unique eyes of a young man who had always saw his world only one way. This story is all from Eiland’s POV, so you get a large selection of emotions that he goes through on his journey, fear, anger, sympathy, hope, happiness, loneliness and understanding. Charon, your heart will break for, he lives with The Curse every day and his story is a very sad one, being cursed at a young age for a simple mistake.
I must admit to wanting to know more about The Curse. Although we are given a vague idea about it, you don’t get a real understanding about it. It leaves you with many questions about it. This story is really well written and flows well. Eiland and Charon are two very interesting characters and although they do exchange kisses that is about the extent of the romance, although Charon is very interested Eiland is unsure. I don’t know what Timshel means or why the book is called that, it is never mentioned once and I would love to know where the title came from.
I will recommend this to those who love fantasy, Young Adult, unsure feelings, being torn with what you want and two young men who have a difficult time of it.
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Eiland is a sheltered 17-year-old. He has never seen outside of his village and has only heard stories of the outside world. When he comes across another boy in the orchard, a stranger, he never realized that his life was going to change forever. Charon is a Cursed One. He is only sixteen. He has come in search of a healer who could help him. When he comes across Eiland, he is drawn to him, but he is Cursed and he can’t get his hopes up. But, Eiland knows much about healing, and Charon takes him on a journey that teaches them both the world.
This is a great YA story that takes two young adults on a journey that neither will forget. Eiland doesn’t realize that the boy he meets in the orchard is a Cursed One and treats him like he would anyone else. This bit of kindness will change his life forever. When Charon wants Eiland to come with him to show him how to make the salve that will help him, Eiland knows he doesn’t really have a choice. What a Cursed One wants a Cursed One gets. On the journey, Eiland realizes a lot about people, himself and the way of the world. He sees, also, first-hand what a Cursed One goes through, and he begins to understand why Charon is the way he is and does the things he does.
I enjoyed this story. it didn’t just take us to a new world, it showed us the world and the people in it from the unique eyes of a young man who had always saw his world only one way. This story is all from Eiland’s POV, so you get a large selection of emotions that he goes through on his journey, fear, anger, sympathy, hope, happiness, loneliness and understanding. Charon, your heart will break for, he lives with The Curse every day and his story is a very sad one, being cursed at a young age for a simple mistake.
I must admit to wanting to know more about The Curse. Although we are given a vague idea about it, you don’t get a real understanding about it. It leaves you with many questions about it. This story is really well written and flows well. Eiland and Charon are two very interesting characters and although they do exchange kisses that is about the extent of the romance, although Charon is very interested Eiland is unsure. I don’t know what Timshel means or why the book is called that, it is never mentioned once and I would love to know where the title came from.
I will recommend this to those who love fantasy, Young Adult, unsure feelings, being torn with what you want and two young men who have a difficult time of it.
February 15, 2015
**Grammar**
Charon is a cursed one, and Eiland is the son of an healer. They meet for the first time one day when Eiland is going to gather some erbs for him mother. The boy, maybe one year younger than Eiland that is 17, is trying to get some apples form a tree, near the field. Eiland is surprised by his huge blue eyes, like anything he saw before and also by how he moves as if he is hurt. He offers the boy his food,eats with him, and heals the wounds on his hand where he can see he misses some knuckles(later we will find out he got bitten by a wolf to save his friend). The boy asks him what he wants for the food, and Eiland wants to answer nothing, but something makes him change his mind and tell the guy to get him that apple high on the tree, and if he does he will kiss him. Charon, doesnt reply but goes to take the apple, and than comes near Eiland that kisses him. Eiland had kissed other boys before, but nothing more, no touching, no urge to do more, but when he kisses Charon he understands that this is the boy first kiss, and he is happy and he would gladly do more, but his mother calls for him. He is startled and doesnt know what to say to the boy, and goes back to his mother.Too late he will understand that Charon is following him, and when his mother sees him, takes Eiland away running. Eiland will find out that Charon is one of the cursed one, cursed by the gods to suffer, and with the power to curse others saying these simple words "I curse you". Eiland feels sick, bcs he had always feared the cursed one,but at the same time cant stop thinking about their kiss.
The next day Charon comes to his house and tells his parents he wants Eliland to come with him.
One hour after, Eiland is following Charon, and leaving behind all that was his family and his old life.
Eiland thinks that the guy will let him go, after he teaches him how to make that oil for his wounds, that decreases the pain after the Agony (the time when the curse is stronger and the cursed one feel terrible pain),but he is wrong.
During their journey, he starts to understand Charon.There is sexual tension, and we understand they' are falling in love. When Charon tells Eiland that he will curse his mother if he leaves him, Eiland stops talking to him. He knows that Charon has never cursed someone before, and he would never do it,but he cant risk his mother's life. Charon is sad, and understands that he did something wrong, also if he would never do it, he is giving Eliand no choise but to follow him. Eiland will talk again with Charon only when the other boy is suffering from the Agony, and he will decide to help him and not leave. Other things happen, like when they find some bandits, that in the end become their friends, and after that they arrive to Charon's friend house.
Eiland starts to understand that Charon doesnt wanna let him go, and maybe if on start Charon had given him a choise he would have decided to come with him, anyway. He tells this to Charon, when the boy kisses him (their 2nd kiss), asking Eiland to stay with him(almost begging), and that he took Eiland with him, bcs if his paretens had found out he liked boys, they would have be disgusted, and abandoned him. In his heart Eiland knows that Charon is right, that they are the same bcs days ago Charon had confessed that maybe when he was just a boy he had loved his best friend also of at that time he hadnt understood,and he knows also from the way they had kissed.
Eliland is angry, bcs Charon didnt give him a choise, and he wants to see his family again. Eiland wants to cry and leaves the room. Later when he will com back into the house, he will find Charon sitting at the table that tells him they will go back.
Charon is angry bcs was Eiland to kiss him for thr first time, and to let him belive he could have all this, could have him.
They are fighing when Charon's Agony comes back, and the ppl around them find out that Charon is a cursed one and wanna kill him. Eiland with a knife tries to defend themselves, and than they jump in the water. Eiland is hugging Charon while swimming he tries to take them both on the shore.
They are safe.
They continue the journey and arrive in a village near Summertone. There is a festival, and Charon asks Eiland to give him one good memory and pass this day there. They drink, they dance, and Eiland understands that for him in Summertone there is nothing. That he doesnt wanna stay there.
He takes Charon away from the crowd and tries to kiss him, but the boy turns his face and tells Eiland to not do it, if he doesnt mean it. Eiland tells him he means it and they kiss. Later that day they will have their first time, both saying they never did this before and is a beautiful moment, although it is not described.
The next day Eiland will go find his family, but in the end he will come back to Charon, still too afraid to hope that Eiland would stay with him, and he kisses him.
{"I chose you"}
And he would say that till Charon would belive him.
The books ends like it started, almost talking about a legend, about two boys that lived in a great house with their friends and lived happily ever after.
(the house is the one where Charon takes him after their first journey, and where are his friends)
I will read other books from this author, and this was good, but i cant give 5 stars bcs there is not a great plot and i would have liked more explanations.
Charon is a cursed one, and Eiland is the son of an healer. They meet for the first time one day when Eiland is going to gather some erbs for him mother. The boy, maybe one year younger than Eiland that is 17, is trying to get some apples form a tree, near the field. Eiland is surprised by his huge blue eyes, like anything he saw before and also by how he moves as if he is hurt. He offers the boy his food,eats with him, and heals the wounds on his hand where he can see he misses some knuckles(later we will find out he got bitten by a wolf to save his friend). The boy asks him what he wants for the food, and Eiland wants to answer nothing, but something makes him change his mind and tell the guy to get him that apple high on the tree, and if he does he will kiss him. Charon, doesnt reply but goes to take the apple, and than comes near Eiland that kisses him. Eiland had kissed other boys before, but nothing more, no touching, no urge to do more, but when he kisses Charon he understands that this is the boy first kiss, and he is happy and he would gladly do more, but his mother calls for him. He is startled and doesnt know what to say to the boy, and goes back to his mother.Too late he will understand that Charon is following him, and when his mother sees him, takes Eiland away running. Eiland will find out that Charon is one of the cursed one, cursed by the gods to suffer, and with the power to curse others saying these simple words "I curse you". Eiland feels sick, bcs he had always feared the cursed one,but at the same time cant stop thinking about their kiss.
The next day Charon comes to his house and tells his parents he wants Eliland to come with him.
One hour after, Eiland is following Charon, and leaving behind all that was his family and his old life.
Eiland thinks that the guy will let him go, after he teaches him how to make that oil for his wounds, that decreases the pain after the Agony (the time when the curse is stronger and the cursed one feel terrible pain),but he is wrong.
During their journey, he starts to understand Charon.There is sexual tension, and we understand they' are falling in love. When Charon tells Eiland that he will curse his mother if he leaves him, Eiland stops talking to him. He knows that Charon has never cursed someone before, and he would never do it,but he cant risk his mother's life. Charon is sad, and understands that he did something wrong, also if he would never do it, he is giving Eliand no choise but to follow him. Eiland will talk again with Charon only when the other boy is suffering from the Agony, and he will decide to help him and not leave. Other things happen, like when they find some bandits, that in the end become their friends, and after that they arrive to Charon's friend house.
Eiland starts to understand that Charon doesnt wanna let him go, and maybe if on start Charon had given him a choise he would have decided to come with him, anyway. He tells this to Charon, when the boy kisses him (their 2nd kiss), asking Eiland to stay with him(almost begging), and that he took Eiland with him, bcs if his paretens had found out he liked boys, they would have be disgusted, and abandoned him. In his heart Eiland knows that Charon is right, that they are the same bcs days ago Charon had confessed that maybe when he was just a boy he had loved his best friend also of at that time he hadnt understood,and he knows also from the way they had kissed.
Eliland is angry, bcs Charon didnt give him a choise, and he wants to see his family again. Eiland wants to cry and leaves the room. Later when he will com back into the house, he will find Charon sitting at the table that tells him they will go back.
Charon is angry bcs was Eiland to kiss him for thr first time, and to let him belive he could have all this, could have him.
They are fighing when Charon's Agony comes back, and the ppl around them find out that Charon is a cursed one and wanna kill him. Eiland with a knife tries to defend themselves, and than they jump in the water. Eiland is hugging Charon while swimming he tries to take them both on the shore.
They are safe.
They continue the journey and arrive in a village near Summertone. There is a festival, and Charon asks Eiland to give him one good memory and pass this day there. They drink, they dance, and Eiland understands that for him in Summertone there is nothing. That he doesnt wanna stay there.
He takes Charon away from the crowd and tries to kiss him, but the boy turns his face and tells Eiland to not do it, if he doesnt mean it. Eiland tells him he means it and they kiss. Later that day they will have their first time, both saying they never did this before and is a beautiful moment, although it is not described.
The next day Eiland will go find his family, but in the end he will come back to Charon, still too afraid to hope that Eiland would stay with him, and he kisses him.
{"I chose you"}
And he would say that till Charon would belive him.
The books ends like it started, almost talking about a legend, about two boys that lived in a great house with their friends and lived happily ever after.
(the house is the one where Charon takes him after their first journey, and where are his friends)
I will read other books from this author, and this was good, but i cant give 5 stars bcs there is not a great plot and i would have liked more explanations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2012
A M/M YA romance about a sheltered boy and a kid who is living with a curse.
In the beginning, we meet Eiland, the youngest son of a talented healer. He is remarkably naive and unobservant. He runs into a pretty boy named Charon, and it's only later that he realizes that something is different about him.
Charon is Cursed, and can pass it on to anyone by just saying so. This makes him a pariah, but a feared and respected one. It's an interesting blackmail dynamic.
Charon and Eiland go on the road together, and their relationship changes dramatically over the course of the journey. The power imbalance hovers between them and shifts over time. It's sort of the relationship exploration that I wish had happened in The Eagle. What happens when two boys are dependent on each other for survival, and they both have reasons not to trust each other? What if it's complicated by mutual attraction.
I don't know why the book is called Timshel. It doesn't appear in the book anywhere. In the beginning, Eiland seems even younger than 17, and sort of annoyingly childish and optimistic. I liked Charon a lot more as a character, but it was important that Eiland was the viewpoint character.
Read if: You are looking for a Y/A romance that explores issues of power exchange and trust. You want to watch a kid come into his calling.
Skip if: You don't want to read a (very mild) M/M romance. You prefer more worldly viewpoint characters.
In the beginning, we meet Eiland, the youngest son of a talented healer. He is remarkably naive and unobservant. He runs into a pretty boy named Charon, and it's only later that he realizes that something is different about him.
Charon is Cursed, and can pass it on to anyone by just saying so. This makes him a pariah, but a feared and respected one. It's an interesting blackmail dynamic.
Charon and Eiland go on the road together, and their relationship changes dramatically over the course of the journey. The power imbalance hovers between them and shifts over time. It's sort of the relationship exploration that I wish had happened in The Eagle. What happens when two boys are dependent on each other for survival, and they both have reasons not to trust each other? What if it's complicated by mutual attraction.
I don't know why the book is called Timshel. It doesn't appear in the book anywhere. In the beginning, Eiland seems even younger than 17, and sort of annoyingly childish and optimistic. I liked Charon a lot more as a character, but it was important that Eiland was the viewpoint character.
Read if: You are looking for a Y/A romance that explores issues of power exchange and trust. You want to watch a kid come into his calling.
Skip if: You don't want to read a (very mild) M/M romance. You prefer more worldly viewpoint characters.
May 27, 2019
Re-read May 2019
I love this story!
I can't really explain it, but for some reason it makes me feel better.
Re-read:
This is one of my comfort books.
It is surprising, lovely and sweet.
I absolutely LOVE both MCs and their road from enemies to lovers.
I read:
it is not my kind of a story, i read it out of pure curiosity and i have to admit it kept me entertained the whole time. I would love to read sth similar cause right now, i really miss both MCs, especially Charon. He's a great guy.
I love this story!
I can't really explain it, but for some reason it makes me feel better.
Re-read:
This is one of my comfort books.
It is surprising, lovely and sweet.
I absolutely LOVE both MCs and their road from enemies to lovers.
I read:
it is not my kind of a story, i read it out of pure curiosity and i have to admit it kept me entertained the whole time. I would love to read sth similar cause right now, i really miss both MCs, especially Charon. He's a great guy.
February 10, 2019
this book is such a delight to read. it is set in a well developed, beautiful, but often cruel world. At its heart, however, it is a story of (queer!) love, community, and kindness in the least expected places. I want to read more!
September 5, 2014
Loved it. Perfectly sweet and tender and innocent, just like I like it.
February 25, 2018
Can't believe I purchased this book back in the middle of 2016 and just got around to read it. Love every moment and the characters have great development. Hopefully there will be other full length novels by this author!
October 22, 2017
This was brilliant absolutely brilliant. Loved everuthing about it. would have loved more intimate moments but you gotta accept they got their happy ending. Poor Charon totally deserved it.
January 28, 2018
Loved it, thank you.
February 4, 2018
I hope strongly that there is a sequel. A wonderful story.
April 2, 2019
An odd but at times charming YA story of budding male-male love in a make believe world. a world where some are diseased by being cursed by someone with the disease.
February 1, 2021
A beautiful story. Great world building too.
April 19, 2016
This one was a very special tale. The writing was very smooth, the world building just enough to explain the setting, culture and religion, but not so much that it takes away from the real focus of the story, which is the journey Eiland and Charon share and the way they change each other.
While we could all judge Eiland for being too hard on Charon, I could understand him a little bit. He came from a good intentioned but clearly small minded family, and he was a sheltered boy who had a good heart but little understanding of life. He couldn’t fathom how cruel people can be, especially to those who are different, and that lack of understanding came because he had never experienced that cruelty firsthand.
But being with Charon changes him, little by little he starts questioning his views and ideas, until at the end of the story he finally gets it.
Charon was a complete different story, for me. I loved him from beginning to end. I wanted to hug him and fill his life with warmth and kittens.
The secondary characters were well developed and had a purpose in the story.
Overall, a very enjoyable read with a sweet and hopeful ending.
While we could all judge Eiland for being too hard on Charon, I could understand him a little bit. He came from a good intentioned but clearly small minded family, and he was a sheltered boy who had a good heart but little understanding of life. He couldn’t fathom how cruel people can be, especially to those who are different, and that lack of understanding came because he had never experienced that cruelty firsthand.
But being with Charon changes him, little by little he starts questioning his views and ideas, until at the end of the story he finally gets it.
Charon was a complete different story, for me. I loved him from beginning to end. I wanted to hug him and fill his life with warmth and kittens.
The secondary characters were well developed and had a purpose in the story.
Overall, a very enjoyable read with a sweet and hopeful ending.
June 1, 2015
Clean M/M high fantasy road trip story about a cursed boy finding love with am innocent healer's boy.
I liked the style of the world building in this story. I really got a feel of the medieval style feudalism with a touch of the fantasy with the crazy awful curse aspect. The two boys are very very different, but they find love at different speeds. The innocent takes time and the trip educates him about himself and how the world works while the poor Charon has been beaten harshly with by the world and knows great love immediately when he sees it.
Total road trip story, so you got to like that type of thing to get into the story.
Fun bittersweet little coming of age story.
265 pages
3 and half stars
I liked the style of the world building in this story. I really got a feel of the medieval style feudalism with a touch of the fantasy with the crazy awful curse aspect. The two boys are very very different, but they find love at different speeds. The innocent takes time and the trip educates him about himself and how the world works while the poor Charon has been beaten harshly with by the world and knows great love immediately when he sees it.
Total road trip story, so you got to like that type of thing to get into the story.
Fun bittersweet little coming of age story.
265 pages
3 and half stars
October 4, 2015
Oh well, this book needs more reviews...
...because it's amazing I tell you!
A whole adventures set in the woods mixed with romance and character grown. I love how, by the narrative, we were able to see the characters flaws so much, in some ways it is almost palpable the desesperation, confusion and need for love.(Rarely I can see or feel it like this one)
It ended beautifully, yet I wanted more even if it were just a short sequel, since I felt their 'relationship' truly started from there.
Still amazing read, I'm giving 4.6 Stars
And would gladly read more of this Author.
...because it's amazing I tell you!
A whole adventures set in the woods mixed with romance and character grown. I love how, by the narrative, we were able to see the characters flaws so much, in some ways it is almost palpable the desesperation, confusion and need for love.(Rarely I can see or feel it like this one)
It ended beautifully, yet I wanted more even if it were just a short sequel, since I felt their 'relationship' truly started from there.
Still amazing read, I'm giving 4.6 Stars
And would gladly read more of this Author.
June 22, 2012
Great Book. I have no earthly clue what the titles means as im pretty sure it wasnt anywhere in the book, but fantastic story nonetheless. Im looking forward to other titles from this author.
May 15, 2017
4.5 Stars
April 28, 2015
A gentle YA mm/fantasy story with an intruiging plot and interesting character development. Definitely recommended.
June 6, 2015
Simply beautiful. Read it.
November 7, 2015
Beautiful story of fear, adventure, misunderstanding, revenge and need. I hope to read more from this author.
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