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The Breaking of M
Matimeo Calvisia, spy and rake, finds himself in 16th-century Venice and faced with an apparently insurmountable challenge: the widely-read but narrowly-lived Padre Vito Bonifatigo is calling his credentials into question. The prickings of Matimeo's pride lead him through a moral maze and dog him all the way across the Atlantic, but sooner or later something has to give...
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 15, 2020
That title! That cover! That deliciously vague blurb! How could I resist this book? I'm so, so glad that I didn't even try.
This story is about (and narrated by) Matthew, the eponymous "M". An amoral, unrepentant spy gallivanting around sixteenth century Venice. There, in the midst of being dishonest, he meets Vito Alessandro, an agnostic priest and the youngest son of a rich merchant. From their first meeting, their relationship is established as antagonistic and contrary and utterly delicious. Through a series of strange bargains, the two realize their attraction to one another and start a clandestine affair. At the start, neither of them are particularly likable, but they grow on you. This is not your typical romance, it's mostly unsentimental and almost hostile, but so fun to read about. And the two of them are each bloody insane. Matthew is a fairly typical rakish character; an opportunist who would do whatever (and whomever) he needed to survive, while Vito is a feisty little firebrand (and I love him for it). I really enjoyed the two of them. Like, REALLY REALLY enjoyed. I've been thinking about this, and they are probably in my personal top 5 favourite MM pairings (which is saying a lot with the amount of MM I read). I've been resisting the comparison, but in some ways I was strongly reminded of Stockholm Syndrome's Pip and Lindsay. They had the same push-pull dynamic that I adored in SS. And the sex! Oh god, the sex. I don't usually go on and on about sex scenes in books, but seriously, it was ridiculously, obscenely, unbelievably hot. I don't think a word has yet been invented to adequately describe it. "Hot" just seems tepid compared to the actual thing. But more than that though, seeing the two of them butt heads and fight and bicker was just as great.
The rest of the book sees M grappling with his desire to run (as is his nature) and fighting whatever spell Vito has cast on him. It's quite a long book and lots of things happen that I won't talk about because it'll give away the game (I've put a spoiler at the end about some things I think you should you know before reading). The last 20% or so came a little out of left field, and my one complaint is that this important bit felt a little rushed and random, but suffice it to say that I felt sick just now as I was finishing. I already wanted to reread it at around 25%. It's that good. An honest-to-god all time favourite. If I could give it infinity stars, I would.
Fair warning though, it requires a lot of concentration. It's written in a sort of archaic style, both in the syntax and vocabulary, and I often had to stop and think about a phrase before I really understood it. That said, once I got used it, I loved the writing. It was wordy, sure, but it was also funny and lovely and sometimes poignant. Snowdon is not stingy with her imagery; and though some might find it tiring, I thought the prose rich and evocative. At the start, I highlighted phrases I liked, thinking that I would pepper my review with them, but I ended up with so many that I nixed that idea because then this review would be like a hundred times longer.
I have a feeling that this book is going to be really polarizing, people will either love it or hate it (and the middle-of-the-roaders just weren't paying close enough attention). I guess I haven't been subtle about which group I belong to. Okay, yes, I am prone to hyperbole, this is a thing I know about myself, but this book is honestly the best thing I've read all year (and it's been a good year for reading). I would recommend it to anyone who likes steamy historical (well-written) fiction and wants a change from sappy postmodern romances. But I would not recommend it to those looking for a quick, easy read or to people who get easily frustrated.
This story is about (and narrated by) Matthew, the eponymous "M". An amoral, unrepentant spy gallivanting around sixteenth century Venice. There, in the midst of being dishonest, he meets Vito Alessandro, an agnostic priest and the youngest son of a rich merchant. From their first meeting, their relationship is established as antagonistic and contrary and utterly delicious. Through a series of strange bargains, the two realize their attraction to one another and start a clandestine affair. At the start, neither of them are particularly likable, but they grow on you. This is not your typical romance, it's mostly unsentimental and almost hostile, but so fun to read about. And the two of them are each bloody insane. Matthew is a fairly typical rakish character; an opportunist who would do whatever (and whomever) he needed to survive, while Vito is a feisty little firebrand (and I love him for it). I really enjoyed the two of them. Like, REALLY REALLY enjoyed. I've been thinking about this, and they are probably in my personal top 5 favourite MM pairings (which is saying a lot with the amount of MM I read). I've been resisting the comparison, but in some ways I was strongly reminded of Stockholm Syndrome's Pip and Lindsay. They had the same push-pull dynamic that I adored in SS. And the sex! Oh god, the sex. I don't usually go on and on about sex scenes in books, but seriously, it was ridiculously, obscenely, unbelievably hot. I don't think a word has yet been invented to adequately describe it. "Hot" just seems tepid compared to the actual thing. But more than that though, seeing the two of them butt heads and fight and bicker was just as great.
The rest of the book sees M grappling with his desire to run (as is his nature) and fighting whatever spell Vito has cast on him. It's quite a long book and lots of things happen that I won't talk about because it'll give away the game (I've put a spoiler at the end about some things I think you should you know before reading). The last 20% or so came a little out of left field, and my one complaint is that this important bit felt a little rushed and random, but suffice it to say that I felt sick just now as I was finishing. I already wanted to reread it at around 25%. It's that good. An honest-to-god all time favourite. If I could give it infinity stars, I would.
Fair warning though, it requires a lot of concentration. It's written in a sort of archaic style, both in the syntax and vocabulary, and I often had to stop and think about a phrase before I really understood it. That said, once I got used it, I loved the writing. It was wordy, sure, but it was also funny and lovely and sometimes poignant. Snowdon is not stingy with her imagery; and though some might find it tiring, I thought the prose rich and evocative. At the start, I highlighted phrases I liked, thinking that I would pepper my review with them, but I ended up with so many that I nixed that idea because then this review would be like a hundred times longer.
I have a feeling that this book is going to be really polarizing, people will either love it or hate it (and the middle-of-the-roaders just weren't paying close enough attention). I guess I haven't been subtle about which group I belong to. Okay, yes, I am prone to hyperbole, this is a thing I know about myself, but this book is honestly the best thing I've read all year (and it's been a good year for reading). I would recommend it to anyone who likes steamy historical (well-written) fiction and wants a change from sappy postmodern romances. But I would not recommend it to those looking for a quick, easy read or to people who get easily frustrated.
August 15, 2017
I don't read a lot of erotic historical romance, but since this one is queer and was recommended to me, I checked it out. I thought the protagonist, M/Matimeo/Mateo/Matthew was well-drawn; his voice was powerfully present from the very beginning, which helped to keep me reading during an opening that just kind of throws you into the mix of things. All the characters are what you might call a rogue's gallery--none of them are particularly likable in the traditional sense, but the banter between M and Vito, the initial love interest, was amusing.
The writing style--well, there was a lot that I liked about it, but I also like Shakespeare and pre-20th century novels, so this kind of very florid writing doesn't bother me. Unfortunately, it was overwrought to the point of nonsense sometimes; often the turns of phrase used meant the exact opposite of what the character was trying to say. The style, and the world-building, also felt slippery in terms of sticking to an actual time period.
The book ends up with a total of 2.5 stars out of 5 from me, mostly because while the erotic parts were fine, the romance part was harder. I loved M's slow-grow feels for Vito, but I never saw them as a healthy couple, because Vito is really nasty to M, and vice versa. And the introduction of a third partner, Randolph, in the last quarter of the book felt extra weird--not just because of his late arrival, but because the quasi-BDSM aspects of his sexual relationship with M and Vito were begun without discussion, consent, or even awareness on behalf of M/V that Randolph was grooming them to his dominance in a sexual way. Like, they thought he was keeping them captive, far from town, and could decide to kill them at any moment.
Though the author attempts to pivot this into a happy and consenting polyamorous triple, Snowdon doesn't give enough space for it in an otherwise verbose story. Likewise, the theme of the rogue M coming to terms with his past traumas with help from two men who love him is dropped--although given the ending, it seems like that is a generous reading of the title anyway.
The writing style--well, there was a lot that I liked about it, but I also like Shakespeare and pre-20th century novels, so this kind of very florid writing doesn't bother me. Unfortunately, it was overwrought to the point of nonsense sometimes; often the turns of phrase used meant the exact opposite of what the character was trying to say. The style, and the world-building, also felt slippery in terms of sticking to an actual time period.
The book ends up with a total of 2.5 stars out of 5 from me, mostly because while the erotic parts were fine, the romance part was harder. I loved M's slow-grow feels for Vito, but I never saw them as a healthy couple, because Vito is really nasty to M, and vice versa. And the introduction of a third partner, Randolph, in the last quarter of the book felt extra weird--not just because of his late arrival, but because the quasi-BDSM aspects of his sexual relationship with M and Vito were begun without discussion, consent, or even awareness on behalf of M/V that Randolph was grooming them to his dominance in a sexual way. Like, they thought he was keeping them captive, far from town, and could decide to kill them at any moment.
Though the author attempts to pivot this into a happy and consenting polyamorous triple, Snowdon doesn't give enough space for it in an otherwise verbose story. Likewise, the theme of the rogue M coming to terms with his past traumas with help from two men who love him is dropped--although given the ending, it seems like that is a generous reading of the title anyway.
September 28, 2013
The first third of the book: 4,5 stars
Venice, 16th century: Needing a cover for his mission, an English spy insinuates himself to a wealthy Venetian merchant family. But not only are the daughters of the house more than interested in the handsome family guest, the second son (nevermind being a priest) wishes to be seduced by him, demands it actually quite imperiously. The spy, alas, has no time for an interferring virgin priest.
The banter and bargaining that follows is quite priceless. Turns out the cloistered priest is not so innocent after all (interesting use of altar candles!) and our hardened ex-pirate is soon constantly out of his depth. That leads to a very nice build and hilarious dialogue.
“I don’t wish a jade-boy for a lover,” said I, whithin a hands-breadth of his mouth. “Are you secretly a harlot, Vito Alessandro?”
Must I prove my vitue to the man who is trying to corrupt it?” he muttered.
For some reason the love-making hit me hard: very sensual, original and with a definite edge to it (no fluff, they're rather the biting and punching sort). The one f\m scene showed some fine writing, too and was totally enjoyable. It also had some very sound and universal advice about sex: “No, sir, a woman is not meant to be dry. Nor sobbing.”
It’s pretty over the top and tacky, too sometimes, which is fun as well: “And her thighs quaked as the ground of Naples sometimes quakes. And her voice rose like the call to prayer in the lands of the Moslems.
But without Vito, the book would be nothing. Because the little priest is a piece of work allright (sharp, egoistic, needy, but also shy and sweet) - certainly one of the best no nonsense characters in m/m I’ve seen so far.
“If you have me, you must have me. If you will none, you will none. I will not be some picked up, dropped again favour that pleases you for a time and is sold on like a soiled dress.”
I think this doesn't sound enthusiastic enough, though. M does a better job raving about the book.
The 2nd third: 3 stars
But sadly M leaves his little priest behind in Venice and with him the plot. The spy adventure never really takes off. The book becomes too wordy and slow-moving, although we will eventually be taken on a voyage to the new world and have the chance to enjoy more of Vito and M.
The last third: tricky – 2 stars
Here the book goes crazy. Our two MCs find themselves suddenly held captive by a kinky blacksmith, who - with not much of an explanation - starts to “break” M. With that sort of title, I obviously expected kinky sex and some “breaking” way sooner but gave up after a while, because for 80% of the book nothing of that sort happens. Because the third MC is introduced so unexpectedly and late, I never connected and found the whole new plot line confusing and irritating.
That makes me think that the book would have worked much better as a serial (AND with some shortening AND some editing, but most books do...).
A last word on the peculiar language: It's made to sound very antiquated (no idea whether it was authentic, the author added some notes at the end) and it might take the joy out for some. A more limited use would have certainly been more poignant. Anyways, for me it was all worth it, because this is witty and clever writing. The dialogue just shines, but the descriptive parts weren't half bad either!
It's a pity that it's the authors only m/m book.
September 25, 2012
This is a fun read, at least for about half of the book until Matimeo actually leaves Venice, then I don't exactly know how to feel.
The first part of the book is delicious and fun, Matimeo's narrative is entertaining and his interactions with Vito is just giggle-worthy. The contrast and similarities between Matimeo's and Vito's characteristics are just very interesting, Matimeo is a very experienced lover, but Vito is all innocent and it's Matimeo's rather unwilling task to end that bit and it was hot.
There are quite a few sex scenes in this book (even a bonus heterosexual sex scene that even I, an avid MM reader, could not deny was well done) and they are all steamy. Matimeo's descriptions of Vito paint a very good picture of him and throughout the book these two are just my utter favorites. They are really not a lovey-dovey couple and Matimeo can't exactly reciprocate, what with his choice of lifestyle as a spy. Nevertheless, Vito makes it to Matimeo's side, but it isn't a tearful reunion, in fact when they aren't boning or trying to, it seems that Matimeo and Vito just don't get along too well, maybe like a couple whose been married to each other for too long XD. It's actually cute.
Then we are introduced to a Randolph Mallam, who, towards the end of the book, becomes sort of the third wheel, but instead of bringing ruin to Matimeo and Vito's relationship, it all becomes some sort of threesome, which was a very pleasant surprise. Randolph brings out the best in Matimeo and more of Vito's growing sexual perversions towards the end of the book just make it all the more interesting. (I never had a problem with watersports and thought the way it was written was quite artfully done).
One of my gripes about this book was Randolph's part in the book was actually boring and I felt there should have been sexual tension somewhere that I didn't exactly feel :|
My other complaint is that it ended a bit too soon. I feel like, though Randolph was introduced at about a third from the book, that the readers never really did get to know him, plus the whole plot seemed less like a plot, but more of a string of events that lead Matimeo to where he was at the end of the book-- possibly a reformed-ish man-- and it just felt quite short (and there was only one threesome scene, which I did hope to go on for quite longer, but no XD)
Maybe it's deliberate on the author's part, so in that case I'm definitely on the lookout for a sequel. The language used in the book is noteworthy, it's very lyrical and the archaic-ness to it is lovely, if just a tiny bit hard to understand. It's definitely not a very light read, but I remember having a lot of fun reading it at the beginning, so all in all worth it. Definitely worth checking out.
The first part of the book is delicious and fun, Matimeo's narrative is entertaining and his interactions with Vito is just giggle-worthy. The contrast and similarities between Matimeo's and Vito's characteristics are just very interesting, Matimeo is a very experienced lover, but Vito is all innocent and it's Matimeo's rather unwilling task to end that bit and it was hot.
There are quite a few sex scenes in this book (even a bonus heterosexual sex scene that even I, an avid MM reader, could not deny was well done) and they are all steamy. Matimeo's descriptions of Vito paint a very good picture of him and throughout the book these two are just my utter favorites. They are really not a lovey-dovey couple and Matimeo can't exactly reciprocate, what with his choice of lifestyle as a spy. Nevertheless, Vito makes it to Matimeo's side, but it isn't a tearful reunion, in fact when they aren't boning or trying to, it seems that Matimeo and Vito just don't get along too well, maybe like a couple whose been married to each other for too long XD. It's actually cute.
Then we are introduced to a Randolph Mallam, who, towards the end of the book, becomes sort of the third wheel, but instead of bringing ruin to Matimeo and Vito's relationship, it all becomes some sort of threesome, which was a very pleasant surprise. Randolph brings out the best in Matimeo and more of Vito's growing sexual perversions towards the end of the book just make it all the more interesting. (I never had a problem with watersports and thought the way it was written was quite artfully done).
One of my gripes about this book was Randolph's part in the book was actually boring and I felt there should have been sexual tension somewhere that I didn't exactly feel :|
My other complaint is that it ended a bit too soon. I feel like, though Randolph was introduced at about a third from the book, that the readers never really did get to know him, plus the whole plot seemed less like a plot, but more of a string of events that lead Matimeo to where he was at the end of the book-- possibly a reformed-ish man-- and it just felt quite short (and there was only one threesome scene, which I did hope to go on for quite longer, but no XD)
Maybe it's deliberate on the author's part, so in that case I'm definitely on the lookout for a sequel. The language used in the book is noteworthy, it's very lyrical and the archaic-ness to it is lovely, if just a tiny bit hard to understand. It's definitely not a very light read, but I remember having a lot of fun reading it at the beginning, so all in all worth it. Definitely worth checking out.
September 19, 2012
I still can't decide between 2 or 3 stars for this. On the one hand, I made it all the way through, but I'm not exactly sure it was worth the trip.
The beginning was promising; I liked Matimeo's voice, and the setting was intriguing. Then the action took a brief swerve into M/F sex (which I wasn't expecting) and I panicked a bit, thinking Vito would turn out to be a girl. He didn't, and I kept going, but a little more cautiously now -- was this M/M or not?
Somewhere after the first third or so of the story, the author goes overboard with the whole 16th century language thing – the grammar grows ever more convoluted, and I had to read very slowly if I had any hope of following the story. Don't misunderstand -- I love Shakespeare, and Marlowe, and Spenser … but I wouldn't necessarily want to read them for 300-some-odd pages, especially when I'm reading for entertainment. The overly elaborate prose is tiring to read, and I imagine it will turn some readers off.
One thing that threw me was the name Premarin, used early on in the story. Premarin is a hormone-replacement drug made from mare's urine, and, well, it struck me as an odd choice. Sort of like naming a character Cialis or Humira.
And then there's the ending, or lack thereof. Nothing is resolved, and the plot arc just hangs there, incomplete. The author throws in some D/s elements, piles on some kink and calls it a day. There's nothing emotionally satisfying about the ending, nothing is resolved; the story just … ends. If the point of the story was Matimeo's psychological breakthrough – and I suspect that it was – it could have been accomplished more neatly, without needing to send the characters halfway around the world.
I read the Kindle edition, and there were some formatting issues. Text was missing – just blank space – in at least three sections. There were some spelling and usage errors. Despite the length of the book, there is no table of contents and no way of navigating.
In conclusion, the promising beginning doesn't follow through, and as interesting as the characters are, they don't make up for the lack of any kind of plot resolution. I'll compromise, and give it 2.5 stars.
The beginning was promising; I liked Matimeo's voice, and the setting was intriguing. Then the action took a brief swerve into M/F sex (which I wasn't expecting) and I panicked a bit, thinking Vito would turn out to be a girl. He didn't, and I kept going, but a little more cautiously now -- was this M/M or not?
Somewhere after the first third or so of the story, the author goes overboard with the whole 16th century language thing – the grammar grows ever more convoluted, and I had to read very slowly if I had any hope of following the story. Don't misunderstand -- I love Shakespeare, and Marlowe, and Spenser … but I wouldn't necessarily want to read them for 300-some-odd pages, especially when I'm reading for entertainment. The overly elaborate prose is tiring to read, and I imagine it will turn some readers off.
One thing that threw me was the name Premarin, used early on in the story. Premarin is a hormone-replacement drug made from mare's urine, and, well, it struck me as an odd choice. Sort of like naming a character Cialis or Humira.
And then there's the ending, or lack thereof. Nothing is resolved, and the plot arc just hangs there, incomplete. The author throws in some D/s elements, piles on some kink and calls it a day. There's nothing emotionally satisfying about the ending, nothing is resolved; the story just … ends. If the point of the story was Matimeo's psychological breakthrough – and I suspect that it was – it could have been accomplished more neatly, without needing to send the characters halfway around the world.
I read the Kindle edition, and there were some formatting issues. Text was missing – just blank space – in at least three sections. There were some spelling and usage errors. Despite the length of the book, there is no table of contents and no way of navigating.
In conclusion, the promising beginning doesn't follow through, and as interesting as the characters are, they don't make up for the lack of any kind of plot resolution. I'll compromise, and give it 2.5 stars.
probably-not
October 7, 2012What Kate calls "Whacky crap in search of a plot".
October 24, 2015
This will be a short review because it's two am.
First - I liked this book. I stayed up until 2am reading it.
But I am so *bothered* by this book that I also had to come complain about it.
Bluntly - It lost an entire star because, by the end of the book, a significant part of me is waiting for Brat Priest to screw up so badly that our narrator is justified in walking away. It almost felt like one of those Harlequins - "Well, yes, they treat him like utter dirt and keep him practically traumatized psychologically, but he *loves* them, so they should stay together for always."
I had a moment that I was furious with myself for reading e-books, because I wanted to cause the book violence.
But...
I mean a book that causes that much passion (rage counts) still has a heck of a lot going for it. The dialogue is clever, the power dynamic well conveyed, and the language play is rather elegant. The Narrator has that key trait shared by survivors - he watches everyone and sees so much detail that is was a pleasure to read regardless.
So that's my review. I liked it. When I didn't want to kick it.
First - I liked this book. I stayed up until 2am reading it.
But I am so *bothered* by this book that I also had to come complain about it.
Bluntly - It lost an entire star because, by the end of the book, a significant part of me is waiting for Brat Priest to screw up so badly that our narrator is justified in walking away. It almost felt like one of those Harlequins - "Well, yes, they treat him like utter dirt and keep him practically traumatized psychologically, but he *loves* them, so they should stay together for always."
I had a moment that I was furious with myself for reading e-books, because I wanted to cause the book violence.
But...
I mean a book that causes that much passion (rage counts) still has a heck of a lot going for it. The dialogue is clever, the power dynamic well conveyed, and the language play is rather elegant. The Narrator has that key trait shared by survivors - he watches everyone and sees so much detail that is was a pleasure to read regardless.
So that's my review. I liked it. When I didn't want to kick it.
July 7, 2014
I quite liked this book up until the last 20% - then it made me want to pull my hair out. The first 80% was good, if long and overly verbose, but I liked the two characters until they began to seem like spoilt, bratty children to me. I began to dislike the way Vito was characterised, like a small child - constantly called 'little', always pinching, whining, complaining, scowling - he acted like the brat out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and it did not make me want to read on. Then that Randolph character randomly came into it and changed the whole story and that was when I knew I'd begin to severely dislike this book. I get that this bit is 'the breaking of M' but it really just didn't make sense to me and I hated it. I had really high hopes and was very disapointed!
perhaps
March 18, 2013Helpful reviews. Not.:D
October 11, 2016
Pros:
Classy writing
Ingenuitive characters
No fade-to-black scenes
Cons:
Too dragged out
At times, too verbose.
Classy writing
Ingenuitive characters
No fade-to-black scenes
Cons:
Too dragged out
At times, too verbose.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews