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Winter Games
Sierra Snowpaw is just at the Lonnegan Ski Resort looking for a good time. You can trust him. If he doesn't talk a lot about his past, well, a lot of guys have done things they'd rather forget. A lot of guys have been through things they'd rather forget, too.
He's so nice that it isn’t that weird when he asks about some of the other guests. Not like a cop, though, or a Fed—well, okay. Maybe a little like that one guy from that movie. Maybe he's off-duty, settling a score on his own time.
Or maybe he's the guy on the run. Come to think of it, he looks around corners like someone's after him, too. But you know, some guys are chased by nothing more than the ghosts of their past...
He's so nice that it isn’t that weird when he asks about some of the other guests. Not like a cop, though, or a Fed—well, okay. Maybe a little like that one guy from that movie. Maybe he's off-duty, settling a score on his own time.
Or maybe he's the guy on the run. Come to think of it, he looks around corners like someone's after him, too. But you know, some guys are chased by nothing more than the ghosts of their past...
6 pages, Audiobook
First published May 24, 2012
6 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Kyell Gold
66 books642 followersHi there! I am a writer of gay furry fiction--but you probably know that if you've seen my book listing here. I live in California with my husband Kit, and when I'm not writing, we like to go out to eat and watch movies. We travel a lot, too, mostly around the West Coast, but occasionally to the midwest and east.
I blog at http://www.kyellgold.com/wpblog about upcoming travel plans, upcoming books and news, general writing principles, gay rights, and whatever else seems interesting. And I co-host a podcast, called "Unsheathed," where we talk about the craft of writing and the furry fandom, sometimes at the same time.
If you have a question about any of the books, check the FAQ on my website and then ask away! :)
I blog at http://www.kyellgold.com/wpblog about upcoming travel plans, upcoming books and news, general writing principles, gay rights, and whatever else seems interesting. And I co-host a podcast, called "Unsheathed," where we talk about the craft of writing and the furry fandom, sometimes at the same time.
If you have a question about any of the books, check the FAQ on my website and then ask away! :)
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 15, 2013
Review posted at The Armchair Reader.
4.5 stars
Sierra Snowpaw was sent to boarding school in the late 90's where he met a badboy coyote by the name of Carmel. Sierra is on the straight and narrow after getting into some trouble with his friend at his last school and he fears the retribution from his father, a career military officer. But something about Carmel attracts him.
In the present day, Sierra is at the Lonnegan Ski Resort, and he's looking for Carmel. A tip has led him there, something that Carmel might have left for him himself. It has been 15 years, and despite their shared past and all the secrets they have about their time together in school, they haven't seen each other. But Sierra has some things that need to be said, and it isn't that he's still in love with Carmel. He is, but their past is a constant obstacle in his way, a way to remind him that loving Carmel isn't worth the trouble it will bring him.
Though I loved Science Friction, this story is in a very different vein. It is beautifully crafted and some of the best writing I've seen from Kyell Gold. It also remains one of the few on my personal list of books that make appropriate and judicious use of the flashback, something I normally detest and have very high standards for. This story is told in two parts -- 1997 and the beginning of the two boys' friendship, and 2012 and the present day mystery. I purposely made the summary more vague than I usually do, not only because the blurb itself is vague but because it is the whole point of the flashbacks in the first place, to carefully disseminate information. The present day story line acts as a mystery, with clues dropped purposefully like breadcrumbs to slowly build the story of the secret Carmel and Sierra share. You will get some idea of them from the tags in this review, but very little in the scheme of things and nothing that isn't given away earlier in the story, or that you can at least guess about their relationship or partnership.
Though this is the first story of this author's I've read which is written in this way (not a mystery but written like one for the reader to discover the story bit by bit and through intrigue), I'd say that this is a good taste of this author's writing. It's shorter, if you don't want to commit to something longer (and more expensive) and shows what this author can accomplish. As of now (at least from what I can tell), this isn't yet available as a Kindle book, or an ebook anywhere I can find. It is available for $9.95 at FurPlanet (see the title link above), but it might become available soon -- many of Kyell Gold's other stories of this length are, like Science Friction. I received a reviewer edition in ebook, but I loved this one so much I might just buy the soft cover from FurPlanet, also for the beautiful artwork by Sabretoothed Ermine.
Very well done and Hightly Recommended!
4.5 stars
Sierra Snowpaw was sent to boarding school in the late 90's where he met a badboy coyote by the name of Carmel. Sierra is on the straight and narrow after getting into some trouble with his friend at his last school and he fears the retribution from his father, a career military officer. But something about Carmel attracts him.
In the present day, Sierra is at the Lonnegan Ski Resort, and he's looking for Carmel. A tip has led him there, something that Carmel might have left for him himself. It has been 15 years, and despite their shared past and all the secrets they have about their time together in school, they haven't seen each other. But Sierra has some things that need to be said, and it isn't that he's still in love with Carmel. He is, but their past is a constant obstacle in his way, a way to remind him that loving Carmel isn't worth the trouble it will bring him.
Though I loved Science Friction, this story is in a very different vein. It is beautifully crafted and some of the best writing I've seen from Kyell Gold. It also remains one of the few on my personal list of books that make appropriate and judicious use of the flashback, something I normally detest and have very high standards for. This story is told in two parts -- 1997 and the beginning of the two boys' friendship, and 2012 and the present day mystery. I purposely made the summary more vague than I usually do, not only because the blurb itself is vague but because it is the whole point of the flashbacks in the first place, to carefully disseminate information. The present day story line acts as a mystery, with clues dropped purposefully like breadcrumbs to slowly build the story of the secret Carmel and Sierra share. You will get some idea of them from the tags in this review, but very little in the scheme of things and nothing that isn't given away earlier in the story, or that you can at least guess about their relationship or partnership.
Though this is the first story of this author's I've read which is written in this way (not a mystery but written like one for the reader to discover the story bit by bit and through intrigue), I'd say that this is a good taste of this author's writing. It's shorter, if you don't want to commit to something longer (and more expensive) and shows what this author can accomplish. As of now (at least from what I can tell), this isn't yet available as a Kindle book, or an ebook anywhere I can find. It is available for $9.95 at FurPlanet (see the title link above), but it might become available soon -- many of Kyell Gold's other stories of this length are, like Science Friction. I received a reviewer edition in ebook, but I loved this one so much I might just buy the soft cover from FurPlanet, also for the beautiful artwork by Sabretoothed Ermine.
Very well done and Hightly Recommended!
November 21, 2016
I've read most of Gold's novellas and this is my favourite so far, with an evocative setting, memorable characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing. I loved the way it jumped back and forth in time.
January 30, 2014
I was a little lazy with picking up this book since it's one of Kyell Gold's Singles and not being part of a series, meaning no long term investment in the characters or repercussions of their actions. However, as if to counter that logic, he creates a time lapse of 15 years, showing how the actions of when the 2 main characters when they were kids would impact their life later on as he switches back and forth, only revealing as much as barely needed to maintain a suspense of trying to figure out exactly why they drifted apart.
Compared to the books of his series, I believe this may be a little weaker, and the ending certainly left me feeling just a bit unsatisfied. Mostly since it wouldn't leave a sort of cliffhanger for another book or such, but just wrapped everything up in a moderately satisfying ribbon. I still enjoyed it though, as the characters had some depth to them for being a 1-shot book, and I always enjoy his writing style as he makes everything easy to follow along with and nothing goes too fast paced to think "Oh what, what just happened?" so this is a nice read none the less. Still, I'd recommend someone wanting to get into Kyell Gold's books for the first time to start with the Argeae series, or if they don't want any smutty scenes, then go with Dangerous Spirits.
Compared to the books of his series, I believe this may be a little weaker, and the ending certainly left me feeling just a bit unsatisfied. Mostly since it wouldn't leave a sort of cliffhanger for another book or such, but just wrapped everything up in a moderately satisfying ribbon. I still enjoyed it though, as the characters had some depth to them for being a 1-shot book, and I always enjoy his writing style as he makes everything easy to follow along with and nothing goes too fast paced to think "Oh what, what just happened?" so this is a nice read none the less. Still, I'd recommend someone wanting to get into Kyell Gold's books for the first time to start with the Argeae series, or if they don't want any smutty scenes, then go with Dangerous Spirits.
March 6, 2019
A short and very enjoyable story about a snow leopard who can't let go of the past. Or rather, the past is coming to get him.
I started this book with low expectations, as it wasn't part of a series, and it's length made me doubtful as if this story was gonna be... You know, rich.
But oh was I proven wrong. Maybe not as in depth as the Dev and Lee series, but this has nothing to be jealous of. Hooking you from the get go with a mystery the main character faces, easily the best part of Winter Games is the relationship we see unravel between the main characters, little by little as the mystery begins to leak out. But it was those sweet, mischievous and even dangerous moments where the characters bond that were the real kicker for me and made it an easy recommendation.
Go read it!
I started this book with low expectations, as it wasn't part of a series, and it's length made me doubtful as if this story was gonna be... You know, rich.
But oh was I proven wrong. Maybe not as in depth as the Dev and Lee series, but this has nothing to be jealous of. Hooking you from the get go with a mystery the main character faces, easily the best part of Winter Games is the relationship we see unravel between the main characters, little by little as the mystery begins to leak out. But it was those sweet, mischievous and even dangerous moments where the characters bond that were the real kicker for me and made it an easy recommendation.
Go read it!
March 5, 2021
An alright read
The story was enjoyable, albeit somewhat predictable. The poor ending absolutely ruined it, however. It's worth picking up, just don't expect anything amazing.
The story was enjoyable, albeit somewhat predictable. The poor ending absolutely ruined it, however. It's worth picking up, just don't expect anything amazing.
September 26, 2024
Winter Games by Kyell Gold is the story of Sierra, a young snow leopard who, while staying at a ski resort, end up glimpsing what looks like Carmel, a former friend from his past and someone he has not been able to move from. However, the story does not just end there, as this is a dual timeline book. So, as we get to see Sierra's efforts to reunite with Carmel in the present, we also get constant flashbacks chapter pertaining to 15 years ago during their high school years. How they met, how they became closer to each other, and eventually, how things ended. To be honest, just from the premise, this book had a lot of potential, but while I usually like dual timeline stories, I feel that it is exactly that very same thing which lets the book down.
It's inevitable in stories like this to compare both timelines and that one of them will end up as stronger. In this case, while the present timeline has a way stronger beginning, it does not take long for the past one to supersede it as the superior one, not in small part because we have the lingering question of what caused these two to split up as opposed to the present one where it's main objective is achieved relatively on. This would not necessarily be a bad thing, but the timelines alternate every other chapter without exception, which hurts the book as a whole. There are several points in both timelines where a chapter feels like padding just to continue with that gimmick, when it would have been better to cut one of the two short to give more time for one of them to breathe by cutting or joining some chapters.
Regarding the characters, I'd say the book excels with the supporting cast in both the present and past timelines. As for our main couple, present day's Sierra starts as a nuanced character which soon devolves as part of his single-mindedness obsession with Carmel (and not in an interesting way), while the latter is mostly absent. Past Sierra, though, does have a character arc that extends almost exclusively in that timeline, which comes in stark contrast to Carmel, where you can see a clear distinction between his past and present selves, both fairly static in each timeline, but a change where you can understand where Carmel's attitude and actions in the past would influece the one's of the present.
Overall, I wished I liked this book, as it's full of elements that I like, but it unfortunately missed the mark. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate this book, it's fine. Just fine. Though I wonder how it would have fared if more care and focus was given to one of the timelines instead of trying to force them to be as "equally" present.
It's inevitable in stories like this to compare both timelines and that one of them will end up as stronger. In this case, while the present timeline has a way stronger beginning, it does not take long for the past one to supersede it as the superior one, not in small part because we have the lingering question of what caused these two to split up as opposed to the present one where it's main objective is achieved relatively on. This would not necessarily be a bad thing, but the timelines alternate every other chapter without exception, which hurts the book as a whole. There are several points in both timelines where a chapter feels like padding just to continue with that gimmick, when it would have been better to cut one of the two short to give more time for one of them to breathe by cutting or joining some chapters.
Regarding the characters, I'd say the book excels with the supporting cast in both the present and past timelines. As for our main couple, present day's Sierra starts as a nuanced character which soon devolves as part of his single-mindedness obsession with Carmel (and not in an interesting way), while the latter is mostly absent. Past Sierra, though, does have a character arc that extends almost exclusively in that timeline, which comes in stark contrast to Carmel, where you can see a clear distinction between his past and present selves, both fairly static in each timeline, but a change where you can understand where Carmel's attitude and actions in the past would influece the one's of the present.
Overall, I wished I liked this book, as it's full of elements that I like, but it unfortunately missed the mark. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate this book, it's fine. Just fine. Though I wonder how it would have fared if more care and focus was given to one of the timelines instead of trying to force them to be as "equally" present.
June 23, 2015
A short and sweet read.
Winter Games is a really nice read that details the story of two former lovers, in both the present and fifteen years earlier. The stories are told simultaneously, and this is generally handled well. There were a few instances of awkwardness where characters don't reveal certain information about the past because that part of the story hasn't been told in the split narrative, but generally this isn't an issue.
Overall a very good read.
Winter Games is a really nice read that details the story of two former lovers, in both the present and fifteen years earlier. The stories are told simultaneously, and this is generally handled well. There were a few instances of awkwardness where characters don't reveal certain information about the past because that part of the story hasn't been told in the split narrative, but generally this isn't an issue.
Overall a very good read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews