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Brothers of the Wild North Sea
His deadliest enemy will become his heart’s desire.
Caius doesn’t feel like much of a Christian. He loves his life of learning as a monk in the far-flung stronghold of Fara, but the hot warrior blood of his chieftain father flows in his veins. Heat soothed only in the arms of his sweet-natured friend and lover, Leof.
When Leof is killed during a Viking raid, Cai’s grieving heart thirsts for vengeance—and he has his chance with Fenrir, a wounded young Viking warrior left for dead. But instead of reaching for a weapon, Cai finds himself defying his abbot’s orders and using his healing skills to save Fen’s life.
At first, Fen repays Cai’s kindness by attacking every Christian within reach. But as time passes, Cai’s persistent goodness touches his heart. And Cai, who had thought he would never love again, feels the stirring of a profound new attraction.
Yet old loyalties call Fen back to his tribe and a relentless quest to find the ancient secret of Fara—a powerful talisman that could render the Vikings indestructible, and tear the two lovers’ bonds beyond healing.
Contains battles, bloodshed, explicit M/M sex, and the proper Latin term for what lies beneath those cassocks.
Caius doesn’t feel like much of a Christian. He loves his life of learning as a monk in the far-flung stronghold of Fara, but the hot warrior blood of his chieftain father flows in his veins. Heat soothed only in the arms of his sweet-natured friend and lover, Leof.
When Leof is killed during a Viking raid, Cai’s grieving heart thirsts for vengeance—and he has his chance with Fenrir, a wounded young Viking warrior left for dead. But instead of reaching for a weapon, Cai finds himself defying his abbot’s orders and using his healing skills to save Fen’s life.
At first, Fen repays Cai’s kindness by attacking every Christian within reach. But as time passes, Cai’s persistent goodness touches his heart. And Cai, who had thought he would never love again, feels the stirring of a profound new attraction.
Yet old loyalties call Fen back to his tribe and a relentless quest to find the ancient secret of Fara—a powerful talisman that could render the Vikings indestructible, and tear the two lovers’ bonds beyond healing.
Contains battles, bloodshed, explicit M/M sex, and the proper Latin term for what lies beneath those cassocks.
409 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2013
93 people are currently reading
3876 people want to read
About the author
Harper Fox
58 books1,177 followersHarper Fox is an M/M author with a mission. She’s produced six critically acclaimed novels in a year and is trying to dispel rumours that she has a clone/twin sister locked away in a study in her basement. In fact she simply continues working on what she loves best– creating worlds and stories for the huge cast of lovely gay men queuing up inside her head. She lives in rural Northumberland in northern England and does most of her writing at a pensioned-off kitchen table in her back garden, often with blanket and hot water bottle.
She lives with her SO Jane, who has somehow put up with her for a quarter of a century now, and three enigmatic cats, chief among whom is Lucy, who knows the secret of the universe but isn't letting on. When not writing, she either despairs or makes bread, specialities foccacia and her amazing seven-strand challah. If she has any other skills, she's yet to discover them.
She lives with her SO Jane, who has somehow put up with her for a quarter of a century now, and three enigmatic cats, chief among whom is Lucy, who knows the secret of the universe but isn't letting on. When not writing, she either despairs or makes bread, specialities foccacia and her amazing seven-strand challah. If she has any other skills, she's yet to discover them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 443 reviews
August 24, 2015
oh, fuck my eye—that was so goddamned good.
that's all i got.
well—besides that this book is lush, deftly plotted, marvelously novel in setting and context, and full of profoundly beautiful writing absolutely radiating compassion and love and kindness.
now that's all i got.
also: ipads are not as easy to cry into as paperbacks.
that's all i got.
well—besides that this book is lush, deftly plotted, marvelously novel in setting and context, and full of profoundly beautiful writing absolutely radiating compassion and love and kindness.
now that's all i got.
also: ipads are not as easy to cry into as paperbacks.
December 19, 2021
3.5 stars
This one was hard to rate. Overall, it's a lovely story and I enjoyed it. I liked the characters, the setting and the humor between Cai and Fen.
I just expected to be more emotionally involved in the story, and there were a few things that I believe were resolved too easily. Also, I think that the blurb is a bit misleading when it comes to Fen's character.
Loved the audiobook. The narrator was truly amazing.
This one was hard to rate. Overall, it's a lovely story and I enjoyed it. I liked the characters, the setting and the humor between Cai and Fen.
I just expected to be more emotionally involved in the story, and there were a few things that I believe were resolved too easily. Also, I think that the blurb is a bit misleading when it comes to Fen's character.
Loved the audiobook. The narrator was truly amazing.
June 16, 2013
3.5 stars.****Review completed June 16, 2013
Brothers of the Wild North Sea is set in the year 687 Christian Era, in Britannia, northeast coast. Our two main protagonists are Caius, the eldest son of a chieftain and Roman descendent, who had walked away from a rich inheritance of land and men to become a monk…
…and Fenrir a proud Viking warrior and who came to Fara for a raid. During said raid Fen had been severely wounded and he had been left behind by his other 'brothers'. Brother Caius is not only a monk but also the monastery's physician, and he feels obligated to tend to Fen's wounds and is nursing him back to health.
There is a lot to enjoy about this book and I did like it but unfortunately I didn't love it.
What will always draw me into a story written by Harper Fox is her undeniably beautiful writing style. I love her voice and Brothers of the Wild North Sea is no exception. This story reads like an ode to a long bygone time period. Besides, it's an homage to a beautiful land and its people, flora and fauna and the sea. She knows how to breathe life into her characters and the wonderful and fascinating setting. It's done beautifully. I'm definitely not a bloodthirsty reader, however, I expected more gory scenes in this story, and I must say it felt a bit tame. Then again it was a romance, a love story and not a war story. Also, what I really liked were the MCs and their dialogue. Plus, the well-placed humor was vey enjoyable too.
Initially I was surprised that a lot of those monks were so ready to "sin". In German I would have written it's not a 'Zeiterscheinung' because also today's clerics are not averse to the joys of the flesh. I can't translate 'Zeiterscheinung' but telling you it's not an emanation of the times should come pretty close to what I wanted to say.
What didn't work for me
The book is very long-winded and I could have done with a shorter story. Frankly, it wouldn't have impaired the plot at all.
I have to wonder if at that time people knew the terms f@@@ing and c@ck. I like the subject matter 'enemies to lovers', however, I'm not sure if a Viking warrior and would have fallen for a Christian monk in real life. I won't beat around the bush, I found the sex scenes disappointing. Interestingly enough, I enjoyed their intimate moments like an embrace, a look or snuggling and hugging much more. It was so much more appealing than the sexual act itself.
Is there something like an obligatory WTF moment? Well, I've had one. When I hit the 94 % mark the story lost another half star when Caius woke up and was Are you f@cking kidding me??? I mean the man was As if! I guess if you are willing to suspend belief then it will work out for you. Also, I had to wonder how Caius did *scratches head* Usually I would complain when a book ends at 94 %. In this case, however, I was glad for the somewhat abrupt ending before I hit the official 100 % mark since I was so miffed about this unbelievable miracle.
Don't get me wrong. Brothers of the Wild North Sea is by no means a bad book, and there were enough good reasons to round up to four stars after all. Hence, I'd like to encourage you to give it a try because what does not suit me might suit you. Enjoy!
Brothers of the Wild North Sea is set in the year 687 Christian Era, in Britannia, northeast coast. Our two main protagonists are Caius, the eldest son of a chieftain and Roman descendent, who had walked away from a rich inheritance of land and men to become a monk…
Here, the very soil was sacred. Cai was an uncertain convert to the new faith, but he could feel that much, sense the rightness of the ancient name the tidal island bore, a name like the yearning cry of a bird. It rose up in his heart--Fara Sancta. The island of the holy tide. Fara.
…and Fenrir a proud Viking warrior and who came to Fara for a raid. During said raid Fen had been severely wounded and he had been left behind by his other 'brothers'. Brother Caius is not only a monk but also the monastery's physician, and he feels obligated to tend to Fen's wounds and is nursing him back to health.
"And while we are discussing names--do me a kindness and stop trying to call me Fenrir. You cannot pronounce it, and the sound you make pains me."
"What shall I call you, then?"
"Fen will do."
"Very well. And since you sound like a sheep giving birth when you say mine, you'd better call me Cai."
"(…)And as for your hair, I gave it to the tanner to stuff saddlebags." That wasn't true, but the look on Fen's face was worth the price of the lie. "Don't worry, it'll grow back. You can look like a great louse-ridden thug again soon enough."
Fen's brows shot up to the place where his fringe had once been. "You're a fine one to talk about lice. I've heard about you dirty Christians, mortifying your flesh beneath your robes until it rots--using your vows of poverty to excuse yourselves for sleeping in flea-ridden filth.
"There, Oslaf. Aren't you glad he's started talking? Go and get your breakfast."
There is a lot to enjoy about this book and I did like it but unfortunately I didn't love it.
What will always draw me into a story written by Harper Fox is her undeniably beautiful writing style. I love her voice and Brothers of the Wild North Sea is no exception. This story reads like an ode to a long bygone time period. Besides, it's an homage to a beautiful land and its people, flora and fauna and the sea. She knows how to breathe life into her characters and the wonderful and fascinating setting. It's done beautifully. I'm definitely not a bloodthirsty reader, however, I expected more gory scenes in this story, and I must say it felt a bit tame. Then again it was a romance, a love story and not a war story. Also, what I really liked were the MCs and their dialogue. Plus, the well-placed humor was vey enjoyable too.
Initially I was surprised that a lot of those monks were so ready to "sin". In German I would have written it's not a 'Zeiterscheinung' because also today's clerics are not averse to the joys of the flesh. I can't translate 'Zeiterscheinung' but telling you it's not an emanation of the times should come pretty close to what I wanted to say.
What didn't work for me
The book is very long-winded and I could have done with a shorter story. Frankly, it wouldn't have impaired the plot at all.
I have to wonder if at that time people knew the terms f@@@ing and c@ck. I like the subject matter 'enemies to lovers', however, I'm not sure if a Viking warrior and would have fallen for a Christian monk in real life. I won't beat around the bush, I found the sex scenes disappointing. Interestingly enough, I enjoyed their intimate moments like an embrace, a look or snuggling and hugging much more. It was so much more appealing than the sexual act itself.
Is there something like an obligatory WTF moment? Well, I've had one. When I hit the 94 % mark the story lost another half star when Caius woke up and was Are you f@cking kidding me??? I mean the man was As if! I guess if you are willing to suspend belief then it will work out for you. Also, I had to wonder how Caius did *scratches head* Usually I would complain when a book ends at 94 %. In this case, however, I was glad for the somewhat abrupt ending before I hit the official 100 % mark since I was so miffed about this unbelievable miracle.
Don't get me wrong. Brothers of the Wild North Sea is by no means a bad book, and there were enough good reasons to round up to four stars after all. Hence, I'd like to encourage you to give it a try because what does not suit me might suit you. Enjoy!
He pressed tighter into Fen's embrace. This place had forever in it. Time couldn't end it, nor even the limits of life. Not distance--not even the wastes of the wild North Sea.
March 17, 2019
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Nope*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
The book centers around the monk of two years and healer, Caius ‘Cai’ (24) and a Viking raider, Fenrir ‘Fen’. After a raid, Fen gets hurt - by Cai - and instead of finishing him off, Cai instead heals him. Weeks go, Fen is healing, and the patient and the doctor gets closer. Can their love survive duty? Here's what I don't understand.... Fen is supposed to be this badass Viking warrior, yet he is defeated by Cai, a monk who, yes is trained to fight, but nothing compare to Fen. I mean, Cai just ran at him and struck him down, no fighting back. I just don't see this happening. And where's that wildness Cai keep referring to with Fen? This ‘barely tamed man’? All I saw was a complete tamed man. Fen was just there. There was nothing special about him.
On top of that, where was the enemies to loves trope that was supposed to be here? Where's the plot? So, to summarize, consider me rather shocked that this book has so many good reviews. It was way too long, with nothing happening, and the writing didn't work for me at all. It left me rather confused at times... This book is so far from Ragnar and Athelstan that it wasn't even funny. Ugh. Overall, it was a complete bust. I struggle to understand a lot of things, I didn't feel the characters connection/chemistry, nor did I like the story. A bust. Damn, I had needed a good read.
Other Characters:
→ Brother Benedict ‘Ben’, a monk of Fara.
→ Brother Oslaf, Ben's lover, a monk of Fara.
→ Abbot Theodosius ‘Theo’, a monk of Fara.
→ Brother Leof, a monk of Fara.
→ Brother Martin, a monk of Fara.
→ Abbot Aelfric ‘scarecrow’, a monk of Fara.
→ Aedar ‘Addy’, the hermit of Fara, an old man; was a missionary, a priest in far west Hibernia.
→ Danan, the herbalist, though some call her a witch.
→ Brother Eyulf, a errand-boy (?) of Fara.
→ Brother Gareth, a monk of Fara.
→ Brother Demetrios, a monk of Fara.
→ Brother Wilfrid ‘Wilf’, a monk of Fara.
→ Brother Cedric, a monk of Fara.
→ Gunnar, the heir to Sigurd’s Torleik clan. Fenrir calls him his ‘bróðir minn’.
→ Broccus ‘Broc’, Cai's father.
→ Godric, a village man. Barda, his wife.
→ Sigurd, Fen’s warlord. The leader of the Torleik clan,
The Viking’s eyes flickered shut. Cai reached to ease him over onto his back, but he reanimated. “I am called Fenrir,” he rasped, the effort bringing blood to his lips. “Fenrir, after Fenrisulfr, the great wolf of our legends. You must make me well again, monk, and then you have to set me free. I am a prince in my own land—second heir to Lord Sigurd’s Torleik realm, and Sigurd and my brothers and my comrades will be back for me. You must let me go.”
“Happily. I’d dump you back on the beach in a heartbeat, your majesty.”
“A prince in my own…” The Viking writhed, fresh sweat breaking on him. “Oh, gods. Kill me now, monk. I have soiled myself. I am disgraced.”
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Historical Romance (M/M).
Series: - Standalone.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - None.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Probably not.
Would I recommend this book/series? -Nope.
Will I read this again in the future? - Nope.
Rating - 1.5/2 stars.
Review before reading:
This book made me seriously think of Ragnar and Athelstan from the Vikings and I shipped those two so damned hard *sob*, so of course I'm gonna read this book. I hope it's good. I need a good book right now.
June 16, 2013
When I read a book by Harper Fox, I know I'll be swept out of my reality into a vivid world that engages my senses. This book opens to the tang of sea air, the sand and salt-grasses and open spaces of a barren northern peninsula. Here Cai has escaped the brutish life of his chieftain father's holding for a monastic Christian community... with a difference.
The abbot of this small group is a man of science and learning, and not in the least fixated on doctrine. The monks learn about the movement of the earth along with the life of Christ, and live and labor together to create a sanctuary where the best of faith and discovery can exist side by side. There is prayer and tradition, but the abbot is also a practical man, and work is not interrupted constantly for monastic hours. And relationships between the brothers, although frowned upon as a breach of chastity, are not anathema. Unfortunately, there are rumors that their impoverished monastery conceals a treasure, and those rumors are enough to bring the vikingr raiding.
Caius learned sword-fighting at his father's knee. He may be a man of God, but when the lives of his brethren are threatened, he will fight. They manage to drive off the first raid, and one of the raiders is left behind, critically wounded. Cai is tempted to kill the man, in retribution for the men the monastery has lost, including his friend and bedmate, but he is at heart a healer, and the heat of battle is over. So he brings the injured viking into his care. And instead of dying, the man, Fenrir, lives.
This story progresses very slowly, through Fen's recovery and a gradual sea change in Fen's view of the world, and Cai's view of Fen. There is loss and adventure, in an almost cyclic rhythm. There is a touch of religion, with a gloss of the mystical, almost the paranormal. The old herb witch, the saintly hermit, prophetic dreams and curious animals, come together to give the story just a hint of the otherworldly, over an otherwise deeply reality-grounded base. The scents and sounds and feel of the era pervade the story, and the men are wonderful characters with strengths that truly complement each other.
Cai's humility, honor, curiosity and compassion, are a match for Fen's bravery, energy, reckless enthusiasm and fondness for violence. When the Church back in Europe sends an intolerant new bishop with teachings of hell-fire for heresy, Cai must decide how best to honor his old mentor. And when the Vikings raid again, Fen must decide which side he is on.
I really liked the slow sweep of this story, which allowed the time for these men to change and grow, and become who they were meant to be. It is not the most intense of Harper Fox's books, or my absolute favorite (still Scrap Metal), but it stands well among them. There is a touch of the possible-paranormal in a plot thread that I can't decide whether I like or feel cheated by. Another reread will be required to decide (ah, the sacrifice ;) Readers who have loved the more atmospheric, slow-building stories by this author will find themselves delightfully immersed in this one.
The abbot of this small group is a man of science and learning, and not in the least fixated on doctrine. The monks learn about the movement of the earth along with the life of Christ, and live and labor together to create a sanctuary where the best of faith and discovery can exist side by side. There is prayer and tradition, but the abbot is also a practical man, and work is not interrupted constantly for monastic hours. And relationships between the brothers, although frowned upon as a breach of chastity, are not anathema. Unfortunately, there are rumors that their impoverished monastery conceals a treasure, and those rumors are enough to bring the vikingr raiding.
Caius learned sword-fighting at his father's knee. He may be a man of God, but when the lives of his brethren are threatened, he will fight. They manage to drive off the first raid, and one of the raiders is left behind, critically wounded. Cai is tempted to kill the man, in retribution for the men the monastery has lost, including his friend and bedmate, but he is at heart a healer, and the heat of battle is over. So he brings the injured viking into his care. And instead of dying, the man, Fenrir, lives.
This story progresses very slowly, through Fen's recovery and a gradual sea change in Fen's view of the world, and Cai's view of Fen. There is loss and adventure, in an almost cyclic rhythm. There is a touch of religion, with a gloss of the mystical, almost the paranormal. The old herb witch, the saintly hermit, prophetic dreams and curious animals, come together to give the story just a hint of the otherworldly, over an otherwise deeply reality-grounded base. The scents and sounds and feel of the era pervade the story, and the men are wonderful characters with strengths that truly complement each other.
Cai's humility, honor, curiosity and compassion, are a match for Fen's bravery, energy, reckless enthusiasm and fondness for violence. When the Church back in Europe sends an intolerant new bishop with teachings of hell-fire for heresy, Cai must decide how best to honor his old mentor. And when the Vikings raid again, Fen must decide which side he is on.
I really liked the slow sweep of this story, which allowed the time for these men to change and grow, and become who they were meant to be. It is not the most intense of Harper Fox's books, or my absolute favorite (still Scrap Metal), but it stands well among them. There is a touch of the possible-paranormal in a plot thread that I can't decide whether I like or feel cheated by. Another reread will be required to decide (ah, the sacrifice ;) Readers who have loved the more atmospheric, slow-building stories by this author will find themselves delightfully immersed in this one.
June 18, 2016
Written March 9, 2015
4 1/2 Stars - A beautiful, violent, incredible romantic story
I've been looking forward to read a Viking romance in the M/M genre for a long time. And here we were, a big BR with Sofia, Irina, Therese, Maya, Mel and Bev. ~ Thanks Ladies!
Wow, I love historicals! ~ I have read so many fantastic books this year so far, this was yet another.
Brothers of the Wild North Sea is most of all an incredible saga about a strong monk and his larger-than-life man. They first met in anger, felt emotions and loved intensely for more than thousand years ago. ~ That's just freaking beautiful to think about.
***********************************************
Year 687 Christian Era, Britannia, northeast coast
It's that almost unknown ancient time when the mighty Roman Empire had fallen and before the new right path with Christianity, had made the overall mighty conquest of the still wild British Isles. It is also the time when those, always so happy to fight, steal and murder —pagan, wild, blonde stately— Vikings, 'poured' in from those Scandinavian nordic still unknown places.
Brothers of the Wild North Sea is a tale about the newly christened brethren Monk Caius (Cai), our dark eyed hero, who also become the Fara Monastery's informal doctor in the two years since his conversion.
This young monk, 24 years and still a moderate "One and Only Mighty Father God" believer, is the local warlord Broccus's firstborn son. Broc the chieftain is a descended from the Roman army. Cai, himself, choosed to leave his fathers, in his opinion disgustful, way of living (..revelries, drinking, plenty of fornication with all kind of girls, women and slaves, added with a like for fights, death and war).
Cai is a happy, lively and an exuberant man. A young monk who loves the feel of other men, and thankfully isn't he denying or hiding it. So far has Cain been able to satisfy that "lust & need" in this quite "tolerant" and isolated located monastery lead by the very kind and freethinking Abbot Theodosius.
***********************************************
But as like everyone else in these times is Cai fearing cruel Vikings from the north sea.
Then everthing changes. There is grief and pain, new rules, new monks and most important, there is Fenrir (Fen). Fen, the Torleik Dane is swords-injured, he is beautiful and appealing, but still very dangerous. A true proud viking warrior.
***********************************************
A grand adventure that for sure enchanted me...
There were many long pages to read. There were unknown very old words, and for me at least, new historical facts and doctrines. There were dark and hopeful myths and old cult. I'm grateful to have learned a lot about the tough monastic life then in the late 600:s. Learn about the monks, those dangerous viking and that fanatical (next to horrible) hard God-faith some people had.
...But also that it might (cross my fingers..) have been possible to really love and have cozy M/M moments on a sandy beach if you were a monk even then year 687.
I've to admit I perhaps wished for more love, cute moments and less horrible bloody stuff sometimes, but as an old historicals 'buff', I really enjoyed all those finely told details of the monk-life then long ago.
What could be true? What were too unbelievable? — Never mind.... This was a good one!
***********************************************
To cut a longstory review short...
I liked the language, the text and this author's own expression. Only my second Harper Fox read and this was yet another very positive experience.
I LIKE - ...nods frantically intensely
4 1/2 Stars - A beautiful, violent, incredible romantic story
I've been looking forward to read a Viking romance in the M/M genre for a long time. And here we were, a big BR with Sofia, Irina, Therese, Maya, Mel and Bev. ~ Thanks Ladies!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
“Ah.” She clapped her hands. “Yes. Yes.
The vikingr are coming.”
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Wow, I love historicals! ~ I have read so many fantastic books this year so far, this was yet another.
Brothers of the Wild North Sea is most of all an incredible saga about a strong monk and his larger-than-life man. They first met in anger, felt emotions and loved intensely for more than thousand years ago. ~ That's just freaking beautiful to think about.
***********************************************
Year 687 Christian Era, Britannia, northeast coast
It's that almost unknown ancient time when the mighty Roman Empire had fallen and before the new right path with Christianity, had made the overall mighty conquest of the still wild British Isles. It is also the time when those, always so happy to fight, steal and murder —pagan, wild, blonde stately— Vikings, 'poured' in from those Scandinavian nordic still unknown places.
‘There was a sail on the horizon. A great square sail, pregnant with that breeze. In front of it—impossibly clear to him just for an instant—rode a dragon’s head.’
Brothers of the Wild North Sea is a tale about the newly christened brethren Monk Caius (Cai), our dark eyed hero, who also become the Fara Monastery's informal doctor in the two years since his conversion.
This young monk, 24 years and still a moderate "One and Only Mighty Father God" believer, is the local warlord Broccus's firstborn son. Broc the chieftain is a descended from the Roman army. Cai, himself, choosed to leave his fathers, in his opinion disgustful, way of living (..revelries, drinking, plenty of fornication with all kind of girls, women and slaves, added with a like for fights, death and war).
Cai is a happy, lively and an exuberant man. A young monk who loves the feel of other men, and thankfully isn't he denying or hiding it. So far has Cain been able to satisfy that "lust & need" in this quite "tolerant" and isolated located monastery lead by the very kind and freethinking Abbot Theodosius.
***********************************************
But as like everyone else in these times is Cai fearing cruel Vikings from the north sea.
‘He could hear bells. Disconnected thoughts flicked through his head. He would never know the voice of God, not if it depended on chastity. He’d better get the mattress ticking off, rinse it under the pump. Perhaps he should just leave Fara. A wolf from the sea.’
‘He crashed to a halt face-to-face with a young man whose surpassing beauty was visible even behind the nose guard of his iron helmet. The noble face registered—what—surprise? A strange recognition? Red-bronze hair streamed in the wind. Golden wolf’s eyes flickered wide.’
Then everthing changes. There is grief and pain, new rules, new monks and most important, there is Fenrir (Fen). Fen, the Torleik Dane is swords-injured, he is beautiful and appealing, but still very dangerous. A true proud viking warrior.
***********************************************
A grand adventure that for sure enchanted me...
There were many long pages to read. There were unknown very old words, and for me at least, new historical facts and doctrines. There were dark and hopeful myths and old cult. I'm grateful to have learned a lot about the tough monastic life then in the late 600:s. Learn about the monks, those dangerous viking and that fanatical (next to horrible) hard God-faith some people had.
...But also that it might (cross my fingers..) have been possible to really love and have cozy M/M moments on a sandy beach if you were a monk even then year 687.
‘Beyond all of those places, here they would be. He pressed tighter into Fen’s embrace. This place had forever in it. Time couldn’t end it, nor even the limits of life. Not distance—not even the wastes of the wild North Sea.’
I've to admit I perhaps wished for more love, cute moments and less horrible bloody stuff sometimes, but as an old historicals 'buff', I really enjoyed all those finely told details of the monk-life then long ago.
What could be true? What were too unbelievable? — Never mind.... This was a good one!
***********************************************
To cut a long
I liked the language, the text and this author's own expression. Only my second Harper Fox read and this was yet another very positive experience.
I LIKE - ...nods frantically intensely
July 25, 2014
I'm going to start by talking about what this book is not:
There are books that manipulate you to tears--the author's hand is heavy, even clumsy, as you're punched in the face over and over again like a boxer with a speedbag. This is not one of those books.
There are historical novels which are so mired in detail and accuracy, they forget to tell a story. This is not one of those books.
There are stories about faith which proselytize endlessly, leaving you feeling restless, annoyed, and vaguely guilty for being either. This is not one of those books.
This book?
This book moved me to tears, the emotion washing over me like a wave on shore. The author's hand was steady, elegant, and invisible.
This book told such a beautiful story, it could have been set anywhere, anytime. The historical details were used, not to make a point, but to enrich the story. The sights and the smells and sounds of Fara weren't included to show that the author Did Her Research, but to show the emotions and experiences of the characters. Setting? That's how it should be done.
Lastly, this is a book about love, and about faith, and instead of making me feel preached to, it made me want to believe in miracles.
You should read this book.
There are books that manipulate you to tears--the author's hand is heavy, even clumsy, as you're punched in the face over and over again like a boxer with a speedbag. This is not one of those books.
There are historical novels which are so mired in detail and accuracy, they forget to tell a story. This is not one of those books.
There are stories about faith which proselytize endlessly, leaving you feeling restless, annoyed, and vaguely guilty for being either. This is not one of those books.
This book?
This book moved me to tears, the emotion washing over me like a wave on shore. The author's hand was steady, elegant, and invisible.
This book told such a beautiful story, it could have been set anywhere, anytime. The historical details were used, not to make a point, but to enrich the story. The sights and the smells and sounds of Fara weren't included to show that the author Did Her Research, but to show the emotions and experiences of the characters. Setting? That's how it should be done.
Lastly, this is a book about love, and about faith, and instead of making me feel preached to, it made me want to believe in miracles.
You should read this book.
August 10, 2013
Good Lord, I love Harper Fox's writing.
This is a lovely tale in a really unusual setting: the far north of Britain way back in the time of raids by the Norsemen. Cai is a young man torn between his natural tendency to sex and fighting and fun, and a vague longing for the learning and better life at that time only available through the Church. Fenrir is a savage Viking warrior, left wounded and dependent on Cai. Enough said.
Nicely realised characters, well plotted, fascinating background. I'm not hugely into religious elements in general but this was extremely well done, a plea for what religion ought to be in people's lives and a condemnation of how it so often works out. Perhaps the mystical/religious theme went a tiny bit too far at the end, but it was completely in keeping with the spirit of the book. Generally: loved it. Highly recommended.
This is a lovely tale in a really unusual setting: the far north of Britain way back in the time of raids by the Norsemen. Cai is a young man torn between his natural tendency to sex and fighting and fun, and a vague longing for the learning and better life at that time only available through the Church. Fenrir is a savage Viking warrior, left wounded and dependent on Cai. Enough said.
Nicely realised characters, well plotted, fascinating background. I'm not hugely into religious elements in general but this was extremely well done, a plea for what religion ought to be in people's lives and a condemnation of how it so often works out. Perhaps the mystical/religious theme went a tiny bit too far at the end, but it was completely in keeping with the spirit of the book. Generally: loved it. Highly recommended.
December 30, 2018
Audio - 5 +++ stars Love it when the author chooses the perfect narrator
Story - 4.5 stars
Story - 4.5 stars
January 18, 2016
4.5 stars
Last winter, while I was laid up with a nasty cold, I decided to watch Vikings. I still pat myself on the back for that decision. Why? Let me explain:
Let's just say that my perverted mind gets a workout while watching that show. I'm entirely convinced that Ragnar and Athelstan have been indulging all of that sexual tension while the cameras aren't rolling.
So 'Brothers of the Wild North Sea' has been on my tbr for a while, but I kept putting it off. Now that I've finally read it, I'm wondering why I waited so long. This book has everything that I love about Vikings: the ruggedness of northern Europe, the wars and battles, the conflict of religious beliefs, and the well-rounded cast of characters. Plus, the Viking and the monk have lots of hot sex.
The book is set in seventh-century Britain, at a time where Christianity was not yet fully established in the UK, and native or Roman religious beliefs were still strong. I liked the slight history lesson of early Christianity in the book. It was interesting to see how early Christianity in Europe was consolidated by the conservative Catholic Church, and how early Christians interacted with non-Christians.
The relationship between Cai and Fen is at times heartbreaking. The two are brought together through war, and then don't really know what to do with each other, They should be enemies, but can't help but respect one another. I loved everything about their romance, from the fiery arguments, to the passionate sex, to the pining separations. Cai and Fen just fit together.
There's a fine line between lyrical and purple. Harper Fox handles that line like a pro. I was enthralled by her writing from the beginning. I could clearly picture what life was like at Fara, this lonely outpost at the edge of the world. The world-building was superb, and the characters she created came alive on my tablet screen. This is one of those books where you'll want to re-read a paragraph just because it's written so well.
Overall, this was an excellent read. Highly recommended!
Last winter, while I was laid up with a nasty cold, I decided to watch Vikings. I still pat myself on the back for that decision. Why? Let me explain:
Let's just say that my perverted mind gets a workout while watching that show. I'm entirely convinced that Ragnar and Athelstan have been indulging all of that sexual tension while the cameras aren't rolling.
So 'Brothers of the Wild North Sea' has been on my tbr for a while, but I kept putting it off. Now that I've finally read it, I'm wondering why I waited so long. This book has everything that I love about Vikings: the ruggedness of northern Europe, the wars and battles, the conflict of religious beliefs, and the well-rounded cast of characters. Plus, the Viking and the monk have lots of hot sex.
The book is set in seventh-century Britain, at a time where Christianity was not yet fully established in the UK, and native or Roman religious beliefs were still strong. I liked the slight history lesson of early Christianity in the book. It was interesting to see how early Christianity in Europe was consolidated by the conservative Catholic Church, and how early Christians interacted with non-Christians.
The relationship between Cai and Fen is at times heartbreaking. The two are brought together through war, and then don't really know what to do with each other, They should be enemies, but can't help but respect one another. I loved everything about their romance, from the fiery arguments, to the passionate sex, to the pining separations. Cai and Fen just fit together.
There's a fine line between lyrical and purple. Harper Fox handles that line like a pro. I was enthralled by her writing from the beginning. I could clearly picture what life was like at Fara, this lonely outpost at the edge of the world. The world-building was superb, and the characters she created came alive on my tablet screen. This is one of those books where you'll want to re-read a paragraph just because it's written so well.
Overall, this was an excellent read. Highly recommended!
August 25, 2015
Title, author, cover, book blurb, squeeing friends: everything pointed in the direction of me loving this book hard. But it wasn't to be. Not only didn't match Brothers of the Wild North Sea any of my personal preferences and expectations, it emphasized the aspects I dislike most in my reads: the same ol' same ol' hateful religious crap, cookie-cutter villains, MCs lacking chemistry and personality and a story line that misses the sense of urgency, tension and realism I'd absolutely expect based on the chosen historical setting.
The rather bland plot that unfolds in slooooooowmooooooootion didn't help either. I'm sort of personally offended by this considering the endless possibilities for an incredible reading experience the clash of cultures AND the enemies becoming lovers AND the viking/monk captive/captor tropes should have offered! Instead the local religious nut thrusts himself into the limelight, followed by a wannabe Indiana Jones 'Treasure of Tara' story line that made me quirk an eyebrow in bored wonder.
The rows and rows of 5 star ratings probably inflated my hopes as well. And I seem to recall that Fox' writing in Scrap Metal was so much more beautiful? Hm. Short story short: this one's a miss for me.
The rather bland plot that unfolds in slooooooowmooooooootion didn't help either. I'm sort of personally offended by this considering the endless possibilities for an incredible reading experience the clash of cultures AND the enemies becoming lovers AND the viking/monk captive/captor tropes should have offered! Instead the local religious nut thrusts himself into the limelight, followed by a wannabe Indiana Jones 'Treasure of Tara' story line that made me quirk an eyebrow in bored wonder.
The rows and rows of 5 star ratings probably inflated my hopes as well. And I seem to recall that Fox' writing in Scrap Metal was so much more beautiful? Hm. Short story short: this one's a miss for me.
December 22, 2021
As far as historical romance goes, this one was an unusual but epic tale of forbidden love, brotherhood and faith. An absolute beauty that touched me immensely.
Setting
Around 687 AD, somewhere far on the Northeast coast, Britain.
MCs
1. A newly christened monk and a physician, Cai joined the Christian monk community to get away from his chieftain father and is still struggling with some of the beliefs of his new faith.
2. Fen-The Viking raider
plot Summary
Vikings are barbaric raiders who believe that a treasure is hidden in the monastery of 'Fara'. So, they attack and kill many of Cai's brethren. One among them was Cai's lover. Cai is torn apart but he is a son of a warrior chieftain so he decided to be battle-ready for the next attack.
During the next raid, the Vikings left one of their wounded fighters to die on the shore and Cai decided to kill him for his vengeance. But, Cai being a physician couldn't do it and then Fen became their hostage.
Central conflict- Fen being a Viking and Cai a converted Christian monk is an excellent material for enemies to lover romance. However, Harper Fox went a step ahead and added the disparity in their belief, their way of life, and their goal to heighten the friction in this opposite attract romance.
The book also deals with conflict related to different approaches to Christianity as religion.
Important facets
•Those who have read anything by Harper fox will wholeheartedly agree with me that she has a flair for atmospheric details and well-written plots. Her writing is melodic and quickly sucks you into the background of the tale.
• The pace is slow, sometimes agonizingly slow and it has a ton of mystical elements. Witches who surprisingly appear out of nowhere, Saints with magical ability to heal and all.
•As our MC, Cai is a monk, the book deals w heavily with religion and the difference between old and new(Christianity) faith.
If you are not comfortable with talk of religion in your books or slow-building narration filled with a lot of atmospheric details, you may find this book disappointing. I thought of giving it 4.5 🌟 Nonetheless, after reading more than 350 historicals I have yet to find a book with a setting like this.
Highly recommended…
P.S- The last paragraph may be irrelevant if I read anything by Madeline Miller.
Setting
Around 687 AD, somewhere far on the Northeast coast, Britain.
MCs
1. A newly christened monk and a physician, Cai joined the Christian monk community to get away from his chieftain father and is still struggling with some of the beliefs of his new faith.
2. Fen-The Viking raider
plot Summary
Vikings are barbaric raiders who believe that a treasure is hidden in the monastery of 'Fara'. So, they attack and kill many of Cai's brethren. One among them was Cai's lover. Cai is torn apart but he is a son of a warrior chieftain so he decided to be battle-ready for the next attack.
During the next raid, the Vikings left one of their wounded fighters to die on the shore and Cai decided to kill him for his vengeance. But, Cai being a physician couldn't do it and then Fen became their hostage.
Central conflict- Fen being a Viking and Cai a converted Christian monk is an excellent material for enemies to lover romance. However, Harper Fox went a step ahead and added the disparity in their belief, their way of life, and their goal to heighten the friction in this opposite attract romance.
The book also deals with conflict related to different approaches to Christianity as religion.
Important facets
•Those who have read anything by Harper fox will wholeheartedly agree with me that she has a flair for atmospheric details and well-written plots. Her writing is melodic and quickly sucks you into the background of the tale.
• The pace is slow, sometimes agonizingly slow and it has a ton of mystical elements. Witches who surprisingly appear out of nowhere, Saints with magical ability to heal and all.
•As our MC, Cai is a monk, the book deals w heavily with religion and the difference between old and new(Christianity) faith.
If you are not comfortable with talk of religion in your books or slow-building narration filled with a lot of atmospheric details, you may find this book disappointing. I thought of giving it 4.5 🌟 Nonetheless, after reading more than 350 historicals I have yet to find a book with a setting like this.
Highly recommended…
P.S- The last paragraph may be irrelevant if I read anything by Madeline Miller.
June 10, 2013
Brothers of the Wild North Sea is a love story – I’ll get to it – but it’s first and foremost a piece of time and Earth in a changing world.
We’re in the 7th century, when some of the great civilisations of the Antiquity are not so far behind in time but still burnt to ashes and safeguarded in scholars’ memories.
In Europe, Christianism is taking root, evangelizing, converting and elaborating doctrines, associating with new kingdoms, building monasteries and a Church where there were only hermits.
We’re in Fara, a piece of land at the northeast of Britannia, a place first conquered by Rome, populated now with its descendants living alongside the Saxons.
It’s a place with dunes, fragrant thyme, seagulls and seals, and terrifying prows on the horizon announcing raids that are as much giving rhythm to the seasons as the changing nature is.
Caius was converted to Christianism and he became a monk to escape his warlord of a father and what he views as a bestial and barbaric inheritance. He’s hungry for light, knowledge and higher ideals.
His mind blossoms under his abbot’s teachings, learning to observe, question and think, becoming a physician, trying not so successfully to come to terms with his new religion and its demand for detachment and enjoying his failures in the matter.
His world topples over when the monastery is not only raided and suffering great losses, but also troubled by a new abbot who stakes his claim on the small community, preaching hellfire, fear and blind obedience.
When the Vikings leave a dying man in their wake, Caius first seeks revenge, then lets the physician in him take precedence. Fenrisulfr has been abandoned by his brothers to die alone on a britannian beach, then is saved by a man who is as much his jailor as his healer.
My main issue in this book is Fen’s character, who is – should be – the most intriguing…. I liked him but he isn’t as fleshed out as Caius. I failed to see him as a dangerous barbarian and people repeated so many times in the story that Fen was and remained untamed that frankly, I grew annoyed with it. If you’re a sucker for ambiguous character like me, you’ll be frustrated with Fen too.
Anyway, as time passes by, two men meet, find solace and companionship; languages are found a common ground, beliefs are explained, desires fullfiled. They forge an alliance to protect a small community at a crossroads, one man intent on protecting his brothers and the neighborly population against obscurantism and sea pirates, the other intent on supporting him.
Brothers of the Wild North Sea is the story of their love, their quest for a secret treasure and their struggle; it’s a story of individual awakening, of guidance through changes under a wolf’s protection.
The prose is poetic and it was a pleasure to bathe in the description and evocation of earthy sensuality – skins basking in the sun, salty lips and bodies rolling on the sand, fragrances and inviting moon, just as it was captivating to read the rich symbolism weaved in the story telling, in the names and imagery that embraces Vikings, Normans, Celts and Saxons, paganism and christianism, science and religion. It adds amazing layers to this story.
The lyricism and leisurely pace were counterbalanced to a lesser extent by a blunter language, anguish, action, suspense and even humour but still, I grew impatient sometimes because the violence that is an important part of this story is underdeveloped, because the emotions are a little tame and because I’m a greedy masochist!
This was my first read by Harper Fox and even if I wish she didn’t hold her punches, I get that it is her style. Brothers of the Wild North Sea is a compelling read and I recommend it for the captivating world it is picturing and its beautiful love story.
We’re in the 7th century, when some of the great civilisations of the Antiquity are not so far behind in time but still burnt to ashes and safeguarded in scholars’ memories.
In Europe, Christianism is taking root, evangelizing, converting and elaborating doctrines, associating with new kingdoms, building monasteries and a Church where there were only hermits.
We’re in Fara, a piece of land at the northeast of Britannia, a place first conquered by Rome, populated now with its descendants living alongside the Saxons.
It’s a place with dunes, fragrant thyme, seagulls and seals, and terrifying prows on the horizon announcing raids that are as much giving rhythm to the seasons as the changing nature is.
Caius was converted to Christianism and he became a monk to escape his warlord of a father and what he views as a bestial and barbaric inheritance. He’s hungry for light, knowledge and higher ideals.
His mind blossoms under his abbot’s teachings, learning to observe, question and think, becoming a physician, trying not so successfully to come to terms with his new religion and its demand for detachment and enjoying his failures in the matter.
His world topples over when the monastery is not only raided and suffering great losses, but also troubled by a new abbot who stakes his claim on the small community, preaching hellfire, fear and blind obedience.
When the Vikings leave a dying man in their wake, Caius first seeks revenge, then lets the physician in him take precedence. Fenrisulfr has been abandoned by his brothers to die alone on a britannian beach, then is saved by a man who is as much his jailor as his healer.
My main issue in this book is Fen’s character, who is – should be – the most intriguing…. I liked him but he isn’t as fleshed out as Caius. I failed to see him as a dangerous barbarian and people repeated so many times in the story that Fen was and remained untamed that frankly, I grew annoyed with it. If you’re a sucker for ambiguous character like me, you’ll be frustrated with Fen too.
Anyway, as time passes by, two men meet, find solace and companionship; languages are found a common ground, beliefs are explained, desires fullfiled. They forge an alliance to protect a small community at a crossroads, one man intent on protecting his brothers and the neighborly population against obscurantism and sea pirates, the other intent on supporting him.
Brothers of the Wild North Sea is the story of their love, their quest for a secret treasure and their struggle; it’s a story of individual awakening, of guidance through changes under a wolf’s protection.
The prose is poetic and it was a pleasure to bathe in the description and evocation of earthy sensuality – skins basking in the sun, salty lips and bodies rolling on the sand, fragrances and inviting moon, just as it was captivating to read the rich symbolism weaved in the story telling, in the names and imagery that embraces Vikings, Normans, Celts and Saxons, paganism and christianism, science and religion. It adds amazing layers to this story.
The lyricism and leisurely pace were counterbalanced to a lesser extent by a blunter language, anguish, action, suspense and even humour but still, I grew impatient sometimes because the violence that is an important part of this story is underdeveloped, because the emotions are a little tame and because I’m a greedy masochist!
This was my first read by Harper Fox and even if I wish she didn’t hold her punches, I get that it is her style. Brothers of the Wild North Sea is a compelling read and I recommend it for the captivating world it is picturing and its beautiful love story.
December 5, 2022
Reread review 2022: I wasn't planning to reread this, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to buddy read this with Moony and Rosa, who are reading it for the first time.
This continues to be as amazing as the first time. Maybe even more so considering how rare this is in the enemies to lovers genre. As in, they actually are legit enemies due to their circumstances, but they get along really well once they can see past that. Most "enemies" to lovers are a couple of immature incels who got offended over meaningless nonsense and can't let it go, and are just annoying to try to care about. On top of that, this is a setting and time period too little explored in any genre, much less M/M. I'm comfortable saying this is Fox's masterpiece. She's had others I enjoyed, be they flawed or no, but this one just works on every level.
Original review 2018:
I first read this in February 2014, and I've been meaning to reread it ever since. Thankfully, I never did or I might not have been tempted to get this on audiobook when it was released. And that would've been a shame since that would've meant missing out on Hamish Long's brilliant narration. He has a storybook quality to his voice, a Neil Gaiman-esque style of reading, that really fits perfectly with this story. I can't imagine anyone else doing this narration, and I really hope he gets tons more work because he deserves it.
(He does make one teeny, tiny error though. He pronounces Samhain "sam-hane" instead of "sow-in" with "sow" sounding like "cow", which would be the correct pronunciation.)
I loved this book the first time I read it, and I was happy to see it held up over time. Brother Caius and viking Fenrir are such an unlikely duo, but they work here. The story is woven into a rich tapestry of historical detail, fantasy elements, religious dogma versus spiritual knowledge, and includes a cast of characters who are fully realized and each get their own little arcs. This takes place during a time in the Christian church when the church started pulling away from science in favor of zeal, and it's on the cusp of this change that Caius and Fenrir meet and form an unlikely bond.
Cai is angry about the death of his lover, and Fen slowly realizes that he's been abandoned by his people. Cai has every reason to hate Fen, and Fen was raised to be prejudiced against Christians. Cai is struggling to be a good monk and a good man, despite often feeling like he's neither. He just wants to live in peace, but life is determined not to give it to him.
Seeing these two men slowly learn to trust each other, and watching Fen ingrate himself into monastery life was a treat to savor all over again. I'd forgotten a lot about the story over the years, but as I listened, things would come back and become familiar again. I completely forgot about the ending, and got to experience that as if for the first time. :D
This is just one of those stories that hits all the right spots and doesn't waver in the telling.
Original review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This continues to be as amazing as the first time. Maybe even more so considering how rare this is in the enemies to lovers genre. As in, they actually are legit enemies due to their circumstances, but they get along really well once they can see past that. Most "enemies" to lovers are a couple of immature incels who got offended over meaningless nonsense and can't let it go, and are just annoying to try to care about. On top of that, this is a setting and time period too little explored in any genre, much less M/M. I'm comfortable saying this is Fox's masterpiece. She's had others I enjoyed, be they flawed or no, but this one just works on every level.
Original review 2018:
I first read this in February 2014, and I've been meaning to reread it ever since. Thankfully, I never did or I might not have been tempted to get this on audiobook when it was released. And that would've been a shame since that would've meant missing out on Hamish Long's brilliant narration. He has a storybook quality to his voice, a Neil Gaiman-esque style of reading, that really fits perfectly with this story. I can't imagine anyone else doing this narration, and I really hope he gets tons more work because he deserves it.
(He does make one teeny, tiny error though. He pronounces Samhain "sam-hane" instead of "sow-in" with "sow" sounding like "cow", which would be the correct pronunciation.)
I loved this book the first time I read it, and I was happy to see it held up over time. Brother Caius and viking Fenrir are such an unlikely duo, but they work here. The story is woven into a rich tapestry of historical detail, fantasy elements, religious dogma versus spiritual knowledge, and includes a cast of characters who are fully realized and each get their own little arcs. This takes place during a time in the Christian church when the church started pulling away from science in favor of zeal, and it's on the cusp of this change that Caius and Fenrir meet and form an unlikely bond.
Cai is angry about the death of his lover, and Fen slowly realizes that he's been abandoned by his people. Cai has every reason to hate Fen, and Fen was raised to be prejudiced against Christians. Cai is struggling to be a good monk and a good man, despite often feeling like he's neither. He just wants to live in peace, but life is determined not to give it to him.
Seeing these two men slowly learn to trust each other, and watching Fen ingrate himself into monastery life was a treat to savor all over again. I'd forgotten a lot about the story over the years, but as I listened, things would come back and become familiar again. I completely forgot about the ending, and got to experience that as if for the first time. :D
This is just one of those stories that hits all the right spots and doesn't waver in the telling.
Original review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
January 13, 2021
Wow. Five years and many, many amazing books later, this is still one of the absolute best historicals out there. I didn’t plan on waiting this long for my reread, but that turned out to be a good thing — I forgot many little details and it almost felt like I was reading it for the first time. I cried over this book, again! For that, it deserves a place on my super special shelf, so I’m adding that one imaginary star to my previous 5-star rating.
* * *
It’s hard to describe how this book made me feel. Cai and Fen’s epic love story was absolutely beautiful, but it was a quiet, understated beauty. Reading Brothers of the Wild North Sea was a wonderful experience. It made me cry, smile, and ponder the universe… Seriously. It’s a gem hidden under heaps of mediocre — but more popular — books. If you’re a fan of GOOD historical romance, I can’t recommend this enough.
* * *
It’s hard to describe how this book made me feel. Cai and Fen’s epic love story was absolutely beautiful, but it was a quiet, understated beauty. Reading Brothers of the Wild North Sea was a wonderful experience. It made me cry, smile, and ponder the universe… Seriously. It’s a gem hidden under heaps of mediocre — but more popular — books. If you’re a fan of GOOD historical romance, I can’t recommend this enough.
January 25, 2021
I want to say after listening to Scrap Metal, Tyack & Frane, & this book, whoever is choosing the narrators for this author's books has done an amazing job as far as I can tell!
This story was GORGEOUS! I can't even add much more than so many reviewers have so eloquently written about it, except that Harper Fox is becoming one of my new favorite authors. I know very little about historical accuracies and I am not a fan of religion, but this handled the religious aspects beautifully and in my opinion how it should have been all along history. The mystical aspect was fine for me since I enjoy paranormal and I didn't feel it was heavy-handed and since I am an atheist, it's more for about fantasy for me.
The characters were great, but the villains were a bit over the top, but, meh, that didn't bother me either since it drove the plot. Fen and Cai were both warriors but Cai was taught compassion and therefore taught Fen compassion but it was hard-won. I felt their romance was exactly as it should be especially since Fen was not a soft person by nature at all, but loved him in the only way he knew how. I had read where other reviewers had said they didn't feel the spark from them and I think it just wouldn't be the same as we would expect and it would be more of devotion than all-out sparks. Just my opinion though.
I do think I am going to steer away from paying attention to ratings on her books because I can see where there are many people who may not care for her writing style and express that. So far, I haven't found anything that I haven't loved yet.
After only really "discovering" Harper Fox late last year, I feel a little deprived that I hadn't heard too much about her books after I started reading MM in 2017. I keep wondering why she doesn't have more of a presence to promote her books. Granted, I don't know if she even wants to but I would've like to have known that this is definitely an author I would have gravitated to.
All that being said, I am still planning on going through her catalog in a way that I can savor her books more than just devouring them all in one go. I have been unhappy with what I have been reading lately strictly because a lot of it has seemed too similar and it is either boring me or frustrating me. Her style of writing will take me out of the typical tropes of MM romance (or any romance) and help break up the monotony. I am not saying that the other books I am reading are necessarily bad, I am saying that they are just too similar for me since I can read more than 4 books a week at times. I do think I may need to start working my way back into other genres so that I don't experience complete burnout.
This story was GORGEOUS! I can't even add much more than so many reviewers have so eloquently written about it, except that Harper Fox is becoming one of my new favorite authors. I know very little about historical accuracies and I am not a fan of religion, but this handled the religious aspects beautifully and in my opinion how it should have been all along history. The mystical aspect was fine for me since I enjoy paranormal and I didn't feel it was heavy-handed and since I am an atheist, it's more for about fantasy for me.
The characters were great, but the villains were a bit over the top, but, meh, that didn't bother me either since it drove the plot. Fen and Cai were both warriors but Cai was taught compassion and therefore taught Fen compassion but it was hard-won. I felt their romance was exactly as it should be especially since Fen was not a soft person by nature at all, but loved him in the only way he knew how. I had read where other reviewers had said they didn't feel the spark from them and I think it just wouldn't be the same as we would expect and it would be more of devotion than all-out sparks. Just my opinion though.
I do think I am going to steer away from paying attention to ratings on her books because I can see where there are many people who may not care for her writing style and express that. So far, I haven't found anything that I haven't loved yet.
After only really "discovering" Harper Fox late last year, I feel a little deprived that I hadn't heard too much about her books after I started reading MM in 2017. I keep wondering why she doesn't have more of a presence to promote her books. Granted, I don't know if she even wants to but I would've like to have known that this is definitely an author I would have gravitated to.
All that being said, I am still planning on going through her catalog in a way that I can savor her books more than just devouring them all in one go. I have been unhappy with what I have been reading lately strictly because a lot of it has seemed too similar and it is either boring me or frustrating me. Her style of writing will take me out of the typical tropes of MM romance (or any romance) and help break up the monotony. I am not saying that the other books I am reading are necessarily bad, I am saying that they are just too similar for me since I can read more than 4 books a week at times. I do think I may need to start working my way back into other genres so that I don't experience complete burnout.
August 25, 2013
Fen, the magnificent warrior takes part in the annual marauding, but is more than surprised to find his match in a squalid monastery on the very fringes.
Cai, heir to a warlord and recently converted is more than ready to take arms when trouble visits their rocky shore. He is a charming mix of earthly and ethereal. His frank acceptance of his body's desires is amusing if blasphemous to some. A young man will face temptations, but God is forgiving.
Once again, I am enthralled by Fox's lyricism. The structure of the sentences create a cadence that lures me in, some may find it overdone, verbose or prosey--I find solace in it. Her words weave worlds that are so crisp and clear that they're palpable. I can smell the gorse and the yarrow. I certainly can feel the sand and sharp wind on my face. And I can step inside the world and see Fen and Cai and all the brothers of Fara. Beyond that, the discourse on theology and that fractious time of change as new peoples claim a land while wrapped in seventh century Britain is relevant in the world today.
Favorite quotes:
Cai, heir to a warlord and recently converted is more than ready to take arms when trouble visits their rocky shore. He is a charming mix of earthly and ethereal. His frank acceptance of his body's desires is amusing if blasphemous to some. A young man will face temptations, but God is forgiving.
Once again, I am enthralled by Fox's lyricism. The structure of the sentences create a cadence that lures me in, some may find it overdone, verbose or prosey--I find solace in it. Her words weave worlds that are so crisp and clear that they're palpable. I can smell the gorse and the yarrow. I certainly can feel the sand and sharp wind on my face. And I can step inside the world and see Fen and Cai and all the brothers of Fara. Beyond that, the discourse on theology and that fractious time of change as new peoples claim a land while wrapped in seventh century Britain is relevant in the world today.
Favorite quotes:
“I’ll hurt you.”
“I want that, this once. Carve your shape into me. So I won’t ever forget.”
It was for her sake, for the sake of every creature different, unknown, unable or unwilling to conform to the law of the church or any authority, that Cai would teach his villagers.
July 1, 2013
I'm usually a big fan of historical fiction, its one of my favourite genres, although I have to admit that I didn't really start to enjoy this book until I was about 70% in and I struggled to get to grips with it. Then all of a sudden the pace picked up, things started to happen and I couldn't put it down. I'm not ashamed to say that I cried throughout the last 10% or so, it was intense and heartbreaking in places and absolutely beautiful.
June 27, 2013
It's a tall enough order to write a convincing historical novel, but add an m/m romance on top and the task could be seen as a highly risky undertaking....
I'm delighted to say that Harper Fox has managed this incredibly well and made for a compelling and beautiful read.
The north east coast of England in 687 AD where Christianity was still in its infancy and struggling against the ever increasing viking raids terrorising the villagers and monks alike. It is where we start with Cai who is the son of a local chieftan and turns his back on the whoring and looting ways of his father and joins the monastery. The current Abbot, Theodosius is one of tolerance, learning and understanding and under him the priory flourishes. However, one night during a viking raid, Theodosieus is slain along with his lover Leof, but before he dies Theo entrusts Cai with a secret that will bring the raids to end. In his grief for Theo and his former lover Leof, Cai doesn't take the old Abbot's words for serious and arms the monks to defend themselves for the next viking raid. A prophecy tells Cai that he will meet a viking Wolf and will tame him.
This story has many threads running through it, but also a lot of meaning and messages are carried. The new Abbot from Canterbury is full of hell fire and damnation. Here we get a glimpse into the direction the early church is going, throwing everyone into ignorance, darkenss and unacceptance through its teachings. Cai struggles against this whilst trying to bridge the divide between religious ludicrousy and keeping the brothers together. Here Harper draws an excellent historical comparison of the conflicts in this period between having to remain practical, but a religion that was poisoning the minds of lesser folk by keeping them stupid.
In early Christianity there is always space for local folklore and the mystic. Harper only hints at the mystic. I found this neatly done as it was a time where the old druid ways were gradually fading into a long lost memory and the new Christian mysticism was gathering strength.
Cai and Fen should never really have been lovers, two people on opposing sides, however through all the internal struggle and doubt of torn loyalties, they remain faithful in their love for each other and manage to bring the viking raids to an end after discovering Theo's secret.
The historical aspect of this book is very well written and Harper has obvioulsy done a lot of research on this time and era to give the reader an authentic feeling. This is a must for historical novels. Combine this with her strong lyrical writing and once again the reader is swept off to another time and place. I did feel however that when writing about the fighting and the raids it could have been a little more gutsy and had a little more substance, but this is only a small criticism for a wonderfully written book. Her descrptions are vivid and as soon as I started reading my mind drifted off to the Holy Island of Lindasfarne (Fara) off the coast of Northumbria in the UK. A magical place steeped in history and rooted to its very core in ealry christianity.
Brothers of the Wild North Sea
"It seemed so strange to me that the waters divided us for so long, I had to come and look at them. Maybe there is an earthly bridge as well as the rainbow one into Valhalla. Maybe the moon creates it, and allows men’s souls to know one another before they meet in the flesh. Even… Even if they never do."
"Beyond all of those places, here they would be. He pressed tighter into Fen’s embrace. This place had forever in it. Time couldn’t end it, nor even the limits of life. Not distance—not even the wastes of the wild North Sea."
I'm delighted to say that Harper Fox has managed this incredibly well and made for a compelling and beautiful read.
The north east coast of England in 687 AD where Christianity was still in its infancy and struggling against the ever increasing viking raids terrorising the villagers and monks alike. It is where we start with Cai who is the son of a local chieftan and turns his back on the whoring and looting ways of his father and joins the monastery. The current Abbot, Theodosius is one of tolerance, learning and understanding and under him the priory flourishes. However, one night during a viking raid, Theodosieus is slain along with his lover Leof, but before he dies Theo entrusts Cai with a secret that will bring the raids to end. In his grief for Theo and his former lover Leof, Cai doesn't take the old Abbot's words for serious and arms the monks to defend themselves for the next viking raid. A prophecy tells Cai that he will meet a viking Wolf and will tame him.
This story has many threads running through it, but also a lot of meaning and messages are carried. The new Abbot from Canterbury is full of hell fire and damnation. Here we get a glimpse into the direction the early church is going, throwing everyone into ignorance, darkenss and unacceptance through its teachings. Cai struggles against this whilst trying to bridge the divide between religious ludicrousy and keeping the brothers together. Here Harper draws an excellent historical comparison of the conflicts in this period between having to remain practical, but a religion that was poisoning the minds of lesser folk by keeping them stupid.
In early Christianity there is always space for local folklore and the mystic. Harper only hints at the mystic. I found this neatly done as it was a time where the old druid ways were gradually fading into a long lost memory and the new Christian mysticism was gathering strength.
Cai and Fen should never really have been lovers, two people on opposing sides, however through all the internal struggle and doubt of torn loyalties, they remain faithful in their love for each other and manage to bring the viking raids to an end after discovering Theo's secret.
The historical aspect of this book is very well written and Harper has obvioulsy done a lot of research on this time and era to give the reader an authentic feeling. This is a must for historical novels. Combine this with her strong lyrical writing and once again the reader is swept off to another time and place. I did feel however that when writing about the fighting and the raids it could have been a little more gutsy and had a little more substance, but this is only a small criticism for a wonderfully written book. Her descrptions are vivid and as soon as I started reading my mind drifted off to the Holy Island of Lindasfarne (Fara) off the coast of Northumbria in the UK. A magical place steeped in history and rooted to its very core in ealry christianity.
Brothers of the Wild North Sea
"It seemed so strange to me that the waters divided us for so long, I had to come and look at them. Maybe there is an earthly bridge as well as the rainbow one into Valhalla. Maybe the moon creates it, and allows men’s souls to know one another before they meet in the flesh. Even… Even if they never do."
"Beyond all of those places, here they would be. He pressed tighter into Fen’s embrace. This place had forever in it. Time couldn’t end it, nor even the limits of life. Not distance—not even the wastes of the wild North Sea."
March 9, 2015
This came alone just at the right time for me. It was a slow enjoyable read. As usual I like Fox’s writing and style and any niggles I might have are usually small enough not to really matter.
I consider this as a more of a fairytale and I am not going to check out against reality and how things were at the time as I think they were much darker. I enjoyed this take on things and I loved the dialogue between Cai and Fen. Fox did not limit herself to their relationship only, she put work in the rest of the story and it shows as all the others become people even Aelfric. On the whole the story worked with its mix of action, old beliefs, new beliefs, romance, mystery and most of all the underpinning of love and the chains that love creates. Chains that bind and draw us in and keep us safe whilst at the same time they demand things from us as well.
BR - Maya, Irina, Therese, Ingela, Mel & Bev 4th March 2015 our BR thread here
March 31, 2019
Real Rating: 2.5* of five, rounded up because reasons
Too many anachronisms in two chapters. The first one damn near derailed me: the Abbott's spyglass. Such a thing *did*not*exist* until 1608, a thousand years after this tale is set; then the monastery had glazed windows in its infirmary. The Abbott's writing project? Codswallop! Maybe if we'd been in the Byzantine Empire I could've bought one of those (not the spyglass) but the ass end of creation (north of England)? NO.
I liked the evocative descriptions of the wild land. Mostly I just don't want to crap all over others' pleasure read. But if you're au fait with this time period's realities I'm gonna wave you off. It's not going to work out well between you and the book.
Too many anachronisms in two chapters. The first one damn near derailed me: the Abbott's spyglass. Such a thing *did*not*exist* until 1608, a thousand years after this tale is set; then the monastery had glazed windows in its infirmary. The Abbott's writing project? Codswallop! Maybe if we'd been in the Byzantine Empire I could've bought one of those (not the spyglass) but the ass end of creation (north of England)? NO.
I liked the evocative descriptions of the wild land. Mostly I just don't want to crap all over others' pleasure read. But if you're au fait with this time period's realities I'm gonna wave you off. It's not going to work out well between you and the book.
March 14, 2015
Harper Fox has such a flair for description. Her writing is simply gorgeous, and I loved this story of a viking raider and reluctant monk (well, a monk who doesn't exactly fit the mold) who go from enemies to lovers. That's one of my favourite tropes, and the slow build here was extremely satisfying. Cai and Fen were super sexy, and I was rooting for them so hard. The rough, rural setting on the sea was almost another character in the book, and Fox describes it so evocatively. I really recommend this story!
June 19, 2013
So, let me get this straight (as it were): a gay romance novel, set in the Dark Ages, on an isolated rocky peninsula at the northernmost part of the British isles, in an early Christian monastery. With Vikings.
Yeah, right. What crazy writer could possibly pull this off?
Apparently, the brilliant Harper Fox.
I pre-ordered this book - because I am a Harper Fox fan. I am a connoisseur of her broken men, of her exquisitely painted settings, of her deftly woven plots, in which action and emotion and character come together to create a vivid and memorable experience for the reader. She does not pander to us romantics: she honors us with her books.
And, in "Brothers of the wild North Sea," she gives us a startling, enormously daring triumph of historical romance, and manages to touch our intelligence as much as our hearts.
Caius, a young monk, eldest son of a local Saxon chieftan, has turned his back on the rough, mindless world of his father's clan. Not quite sure of where his faith lies, he has joined a small brotherhood of monks on the rocky outcrop of Fara, and has found something like contentment.
Then the Viking raiders come, and Caius finds his little world shattered violently by these brutal monsters from the East. Until one of them is left for dead on the monastery's beach, wounded by Caius's own sword.
"Brothers of the Wild North Sea" is an improbably moving and gorgeously written story of great power and beauty. As always, Fox gives us the best writing of anyone in her genre - I can't overemphasize how good a writer she is. There are passages in this book that moved me to tears just with their poetic elegance. Her careful research into this elusive moment between Roman civilization and the long shadow of the Dark Ages has animated a world about which I knew and cared nothing. The has wrought a plausible love story between two men in a setting that would seem to deny its possibility.
This book, for me, is on a par with Ken Follett's celebrated novel of medieval life, "Pillars of the Earth." Yes, it is targeted at those of us who love m/m romance - but it is so much more than just that.
Yeah, right. What crazy writer could possibly pull this off?
Apparently, the brilliant Harper Fox.
I pre-ordered this book - because I am a Harper Fox fan. I am a connoisseur of her broken men, of her exquisitely painted settings, of her deftly woven plots, in which action and emotion and character come together to create a vivid and memorable experience for the reader. She does not pander to us romantics: she honors us with her books.
And, in "Brothers of the wild North Sea," she gives us a startling, enormously daring triumph of historical romance, and manages to touch our intelligence as much as our hearts.
Caius, a young monk, eldest son of a local Saxon chieftan, has turned his back on the rough, mindless world of his father's clan. Not quite sure of where his faith lies, he has joined a small brotherhood of monks on the rocky outcrop of Fara, and has found something like contentment.
Then the Viking raiders come, and Caius finds his little world shattered violently by these brutal monsters from the East. Until one of them is left for dead on the monastery's beach, wounded by Caius's own sword.
"Brothers of the Wild North Sea" is an improbably moving and gorgeously written story of great power and beauty. As always, Fox gives us the best writing of anyone in her genre - I can't overemphasize how good a writer she is. There are passages in this book that moved me to tears just with their poetic elegance. Her careful research into this elusive moment between Roman civilization and the long shadow of the Dark Ages has animated a world about which I knew and cared nothing. The has wrought a plausible love story between two men in a setting that would seem to deny its possibility.
This book, for me, is on a par with Ken Follett's celebrated novel of medieval life, "Pillars of the Earth." Yes, it is targeted at those of us who love m/m romance - but it is so much more than just that.
August 10, 2016
Wow...those words...wonderful words put together just so. Beautiful, haunting imagery. Compelling characters, fantastic world building, and a solid, interesting story. I was in heaven.
Cai, so practical and pragmatic yet saddled with a caring nature and soft heart. At times, his grief is palpable,
Cai didn't feel as if he could bear another hole. He was a cobweb already.
Other times, his desire heats up the pages. Always, his concern for others shines through.
Fen, so imperious at first, with the arrogance of a little boy who was assured of his value as a prince. And so mortified by the intrusive questions asked by his physician. An interesting contrast to the image of a 6 foot viking warrior. Later, though, he became a man well suited to Cai, with loyalty and wisdom as the traits that stood out.
The remote monastery, with the surrounding land and sea, provided the perfect setting; the strong sense of place only enhanced the mood of this amazing story. A story that had everything; moments of friendship, love and passion and moments of violence, grief and pain. Moments of action and moments of awareness and gentle understanding. And that ending...I can't even...
I'm rambling now, unable to express how incredible this story is, so I'll stop here.
*hugs ereader*
Side note:
Benedict and Oslaf...
Cai, so practical and pragmatic yet saddled with a caring nature and soft heart. At times, his grief is palpable,
Cai didn't feel as if he could bear another hole. He was a cobweb already.
Other times, his desire heats up the pages. Always, his concern for others shines through.
Fen, so imperious at first, with the arrogance of a little boy who was assured of his value as a prince. And so mortified by the intrusive questions asked by his physician. An interesting contrast to the image of a 6 foot viking warrior. Later, though, he became a man well suited to Cai, with loyalty and wisdom as the traits that stood out.
The remote monastery, with the surrounding land and sea, provided the perfect setting; the strong sense of place only enhanced the mood of this amazing story. A story that had everything; moments of friendship, love and passion and moments of violence, grief and pain. Moments of action and moments of awareness and gentle understanding. And that ending...I can't even...
I'm rambling now, unable to express how incredible this story is, so I'll stop here.
*hugs ereader*
Side note:
Benedict and Oslaf...
June 21, 2016
A beautifully, beautifully written homage to friendship, love, loyalty, faith and the British countryside.
I found this a truly affecting and emotional.
One of my favourite reads this year.
2016 Update - still one of my favourites. I've read a few books since 2014, and this still stands tall. HF evokes places in a way you can taste and feel them, and relationships that feel so authentic, despite one never knowing an early Christian monk nor a viking.
A glorious book that leaves me desirous for more HF. Damn this make do and mend summer
I found this a truly affecting and emotional.
One of my favourite reads this year.
2016 Update - still one of my favourites. I've read a few books since 2014, and this still stands tall. HF evokes places in a way you can taste and feel them, and relationships that feel so authentic, despite one never knowing an early Christian monk nor a viking.
A glorious book that leaves me desirous for more HF. Damn this make do and mend summer
October 11, 2020
***edit October 2020. Hamish Long/Rusty Coles/Joe Jameson did an absolutely amazing job of narrating Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall earlier this year.
This was very well done, and as much as I can see the narrator credited with the narration is Hamish Long, he is also known to me as Rusty Coles, the narrator of Harper's A Midwinter Prince and remarkably enough, was also known as Joe Jameson back in 2014 when he narrated The Charioteer by Mary Renault, which is up next in my audio library. Hamish [Rusty/Joe]'s speech surprised me in this one though; he's really very good at accents, but it was the way he said common or garden English words that annoyed me sometimes....'other' was uvver, 'brother' was bruvver, 'the' was frequently vuh. This was quite surprising as I don't remember any of those problems with A Midwinter Prince or it's sequel The Lost Prince...anyhoo, none of it was sufficient to actually put me off listening and I'm glad I did as it brought back good memories of a great buddy read here on Goodreads in 2015 and reinforced once again what a sublime author Harper Fox is....oh, and I think I've now read/listened to far more than 2 Harper Fox stories as stated in the book review!! :-)
***Book Review*** Well, the first Harper Fox that I’ve actually finished. 4.5 stars from me. For the most part, a compelling, spellbinding and absolutely SUMPTUOUS tale of Monks, Vikingr, Magic, Mystery and forbidden love, although rather like an incredibly rich and decadent chocolate mousse (insert your own favourite dessert here), there is every possibility that you will go into sensory overload. The star of the show, as far as I was concerned anyway, was the stunning Northumbrian coastline where the author lives, and I’m assuming the imaginary Fara was based upon…Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and the Farne Islands, in all of their majestic beauty. Wild and windswept it may be up there but it’s a beautiful and extremely picturesque area, although you don’t have to take my word for it, have a look at these...
The remains of Lindisfarne Priory
and the area itself
The author’s prose was exquisite and almost poetic. The tang of the sea air, the rustle of the grasses upon the beach, the smell of the animals AND humans (let’s say no more). The two main characters Fenrir, and Cai in particular, were well rounded although I did feel that Fen got the raw end of the deal and became fairly emasculated towards the end of the story, more like a lackey than a Vikingr warrior, although the L word does do strange things to us, doesn’t it??. Really excellent secondary characters, some of them a little too enthusiastic in their zealousness, but in those dark and unenlightened times, what do you expect?? Fabulous stuff. Will this persuade me to try another HF story?? Hmm, not sure, I might just take the win with this one.
May 20, 2018
I've now read three books by Harper Fox in rapid succession and there's no doubt left in me - if there ever was one - that she's an extremely talented writer. Through her beautifully crafted phrases and characters, she conjures up worlds, characters and stories that are diverse but always compelling, ranging from a gritty tale of addiction in contemporary Newcastle ( Half Moon Chambers) to a story of lost memory and lost faith in postwar rural Sussex ( Seven Summer Nights) and all the way back to the windswept coasts of Northern England for Brothers of the Wild North Sea.
In this sweeping but tightly-knit historical novel, Nordic folklore gets mixed up with Christian beliefs and with wider questions about loyalty and faith. I loved how the concept of faith is declined in the book: not blind acceptance of religious precepts, but faith in knowledge, in the understanding of the world and its natural laws, faith in the freedom of the mind and in the possibility of going against the grain of accepted beliefs and social customs. All these sustain the narrative and the evolution of the two main characters.
At first Fen the wolf and Cai the confused youngster who's half Roman and half Briton, soldier and monk, and doesn't quite know how to reconcile his two halves are 'puppies', but their personal growth in the book is tangible and touching. Their unshakeable brotherhood - their irrevocable handfasting, Gleipnir - is the product of the initial clash of their upbringings and systems of beliefs.
All these ideas are framed by Fox in her wonderful prose and in a series of narrative events that left me holding my breath.
This is a spellbinding novel - highly recommended!
In this sweeping but tightly-knit historical novel, Nordic folklore gets mixed up with Christian beliefs and with wider questions about loyalty and faith. I loved how the concept of faith is declined in the book: not blind acceptance of religious precepts, but faith in knowledge, in the understanding of the world and its natural laws, faith in the freedom of the mind and in the possibility of going against the grain of accepted beliefs and social customs. All these sustain the narrative and the evolution of the two main characters.
At first Fen the wolf and Cai the confused youngster who's half Roman and half Briton, soldier and monk, and doesn't quite know how to reconcile his two halves are 'puppies', but their personal growth in the book is tangible and touching. Their unshakeable brotherhood - their irrevocable handfasting, Gleipnir - is the product of the initial clash of their upbringings and systems of beliefs.
All these ideas are framed by Fox in her wonderful prose and in a series of narrative events that left me holding my breath.
This is a spellbinding novel - highly recommended!
October 22, 2013
This is an unutterably beautiful love story set in an era that has always fascinated me. A time when folk lore and religion intermingled...when people had very little else to get them through what was mostly a harsh and bleak life.
Such a rich, intricately woven tale.... like one of those old tapestries depicting Medieval life, embued with the colours of the sea and stone and the wildlife of a harsh coastline.
Vivid,immersive, hearbreaking, heart-warming, lyrical, unique and oh god, so sexy.
If you are of the belief that this genre is tired and cliched, authors like Harper Fox and Sarah Black should persuade you otherwise.
Harper Fox, thank you. You remain one of my autobuy authors and I'm terribly sorry I waited so long to read this. :)
Highly, highly recommended.
Such a rich, intricately woven tale.... like one of those old tapestries depicting Medieval life, embued with the colours of the sea and stone and the wildlife of a harsh coastline.
Vivid,immersive, hearbreaking, heart-warming, lyrical, unique and oh god, so sexy.
If you are of the belief that this genre is tired and cliched, authors like Harper Fox and Sarah Black should persuade you otherwise.
Harper Fox, thank you. You remain one of my autobuy authors and I'm terribly sorry I waited so long to read this. :)
Highly, highly recommended.
June 6, 2020
This was lovely. Will be looking at Fox's backlist.
June 9, 2018
SOFA KING GOOD
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