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The Vanguard
When a prince finds his soul mate in an enemy soldier, he must fight everyone around him to keep his love. Prince Rathian is the Imperator—or Supreme Commander—of the Vanguard, the most elite unit in the Launioc army. His men fight not only for their country and Prince, but they fight for each other. Launioc’s King sends the army into war against Villious and their Queen. As his men die, Rathian’s heart breaks and he longs to find the one person to help him survive the war and the loss of his men. Stakel is a Queen’s Consort and is abandoned by his fellow Consorts during a battle with the Vanguard. Taken prisoner, he finds himself learning about the enemy he’d been taught to hate. Stakel has been forced to do things he hated and fight for a ruler he owes no loyalty. In Rathian, Stakel finds not only a ruler, but a lover to whom he can give all of himself.
284 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2008
17 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
T.A. Chase
160 books892 followersThere is beauty in every kind of love, so why not live a life without boundaries? Experiencing everything the world offers fascinates me and writing about the things that make each of us unique is how I share those insights. I live in the Midwest with a wonderful partner of thirteen years. When not writing, I’m watching movies, reading and living life to the fullest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 30, 2025
This works equally well as a fantasy and a m/m romance, in fact the fantasy side is surprisingly well written and intriguing. There is a lot of steamy sex - possibly a bit too much, but its saved by the intensity of the chemistry between Rathian and Stakel who are literally destined to be together. They sizzle in their love scenes and the connection they have is passionate and sensual. The story has all the right elements to make this sort of ' sword and sorcery' story work. There is intrigue,magic, evil queens, princes, priests and demons, gods and of course brave, hunky, warriors worthy of any high fantasy novel.....then throw in the twist of an all gay elite army ( The vanguard ) who fight against evil forces, and its a m/m romance fans dream come true ! I really enjoyed this and have to say well done TA Chase for pulling off what could have quite easily been a camp version of Conan, but actually turns out to be a solid, well plotted fantasy that holds the attention from start to finish.
May 8, 2011
I liked the story but way too much sex kept pulling me out of it
February 3, 2013
Rating: not quite three stars
This was quite good. I liked it.
Well, it was okay. I think generally, the only thing that was left with me after I finished the book, was that I was unimpressed. Not disappointed, but just it wasn't that great of a book.
Aaandd... that's all for my review.
Well okay, maybe not. That's all that's substantial review material. You see, I have this itty bitty problem.
Wasis.
According to the glossary in the back (I never bothered trying to find it while I was reading) it's a Launioc swear word which is equivalent to shit.
As much as I appreciate Ms Chase making a whole new swear word to fit in with a whole new world (and I do appreciate it), it kind of pissed me off...
Okay, I do appreciate it. But seriously, imagine this. Two characters you kindaa like are getting it on and then suddenly, they're about to come, and then.. and then.. "WASIS!"
It's kind of a wtf moment.
It ruins the rhythm. Wasis doesn't sound very swear word-y, and frankly is quite un-hot.
I know this is kind of stupid and irrelevant to mention in a review. But FUCK! Don't ruin my sex.
Oh, and I mentioned this before, but the characters aren't that loveable, but you like them.
(and here ends my babbling review)
This was quite good. I liked it.
Well, it was okay. I think generally, the only thing that was left with me after I finished the book, was that I was unimpressed. Not disappointed, but just it wasn't that great of a book.
Aaandd... that's all for my review.
Well okay, maybe not. That's all that's substantial review material. You see, I have this itty bitty problem.
Wasis.
According to the glossary in the back (I never bothered trying to find it while I was reading) it's a Launioc swear word which is equivalent to shit.
As much as I appreciate Ms Chase making a whole new swear word to fit in with a whole new world (and I do appreciate it), it kind of pissed me off...
Okay, I do appreciate it. But seriously, imagine this. Two characters you kindaa like are getting it on and then suddenly, they're about to come, and then.. and then.. "WASIS!"
It's kind of a wtf moment.
It ruins the rhythm. Wasis doesn't sound very swear word-y, and frankly is quite un-hot.
I know this is kind of stupid and irrelevant to mention in a review. But FUCK! Don't ruin my sex.
Oh, and I mentioned this before, but the characters aren't that loveable, but you like them.
(and here ends my babbling review)
March 28, 2014
The author did a great job creating a cool fantasy setting here, especially the culture of the vanguard. Lathian and Stekel make for a very hot couple, and the sex scenes were terrific. Lathian's seduction of Stekel, their friendshiop, and Stekel's adoption of the role of custos was all really well-done.
Mild Spoilers:
All in all, Chase does a great job with creating a cool fantasy world--I don't like to see it short-changed, even for the sake of hot sex scenes between two studly warriors.
Mild Spoilers:
All in all, Chase does a great job with creating a cool fantasy world--I don't like to see it short-changed, even for the sake of hot sex scenes between two studly warriors.
December 14, 2017
M/M PNR and it’s kinda different with an active intervention of their god. I liked the entire pre-destination side story going on. H/H were a good match and no cheating/om once they got together. There’s a bit of exhibitionism but kinda understandable in their world.
Read
April 17, 2009In a fantasy kingdom the second son of the king is also the Imperator of an army of two hundreds lovers. Rathian, the Imperator, is a young and handsome man, taught to be strong in battle but caring with his men. Only that for him it has to be only a special man, a Custos, that will be both his lover and his second in command. Rathian has yet to find this man.
When his army captures an enemy, Stakel, Rathian is stunned to find that he is badly attracted by this man. Stakel is a Consort, an elite of men sworn to serve and fight only their Queen. And the Queen uses them also as breeding animal. No matter to say that most of the Consorts are not keen to the Queen, and Stakel more than the other since he was kidnapped from his village when he was only a child and forced to become a Consort.
Stakel is a natural healer, he has the power to heal through the energy in his body. He is not a man who loves strategy and war. Probably if left to his village, he would be an healer. Now he finds out that his love for Rathian forces him to be also a warrior. Rathian instead is a natural leader, a man of strategy and has no problem to face the role fate has decided for him. He can be a good warrior, but also him needs the warm embrace of a lover.
Even if The Vanguard should be a book on war, I found it more a book on love. Rathian and Stakel as lovers steal the scene to Rathian and Stakel as Imperator and Second in Command. Plus there are also some funny moments (take in mind the God), even if they are balanced with lightly reference to tortures and similar (luckily not described in details). So in the end The Vanguard is a book about men in war which can appeal also to women who want to read about love.
The setting is a medieval one, and if not for the army of lovers and some paranormal events, this book could be a "pure" historical (apart the plenty use of water that unfortunately in medieval time is not so common... :-) )
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/24...
When his army captures an enemy, Stakel, Rathian is stunned to find that he is badly attracted by this man. Stakel is a Consort, an elite of men sworn to serve and fight only their Queen. And the Queen uses them also as breeding animal. No matter to say that most of the Consorts are not keen to the Queen, and Stakel more than the other since he was kidnapped from his village when he was only a child and forced to become a Consort.
Stakel is a natural healer, he has the power to heal through the energy in his body. He is not a man who loves strategy and war. Probably if left to his village, he would be an healer. Now he finds out that his love for Rathian forces him to be also a warrior. Rathian instead is a natural leader, a man of strategy and has no problem to face the role fate has decided for him. He can be a good warrior, but also him needs the warm embrace of a lover.
Even if The Vanguard should be a book on war, I found it more a book on love. Rathian and Stakel as lovers steal the scene to Rathian and Stakel as Imperator and Second in Command. Plus there are also some funny moments (take in mind the God), even if they are balanced with lightly reference to tortures and similar (luckily not described in details). So in the end The Vanguard is a book about men in war which can appeal also to women who want to read about love.
The setting is a medieval one, and if not for the army of lovers and some paranormal events, this book could be a "pure" historical (apart the plenty use of water that unfortunately in medieval time is not so common... :-) )
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/24...
September 7, 2014
4.5 stars
I put off reading this book for a long time although it was recommended to me. It resided upon my "to read" shelf for a few years. Why? Well, because I have really not done very well with other stories written by this author.
T.A. Chase has written many books in the mm genre and I have read a few of them - from geeks to cowboys - but none have really worked for me. I am pretty generous in my ratings on GR. I like to say that I am easily entertained - it's just that Ms. Chase's stuff doesn't seem to do it for me...until this one. I would have been sad to miss this one. I really liked the characters, I thought the world building was creative and entertaining. There are a lot of sex scenes (which may or may not be a good thing for readers) so be forewarned.
I love fantasy stories a lot so this is a genre I explore - I was so dubious about liking this book and my expectations were pretty low. It's really nice when a book surprises you in a good way.
I put off reading this book for a long time although it was recommended to me. It resided upon my "to read" shelf for a few years. Why? Well, because I have really not done very well with other stories written by this author.
T.A. Chase has written many books in the mm genre and I have read a few of them - from geeks to cowboys - but none have really worked for me. I am pretty generous in my ratings on GR. I like to say that I am easily entertained - it's just that Ms. Chase's stuff doesn't seem to do it for me...until this one. I would have been sad to miss this one. I really liked the characters, I thought the world building was creative and entertaining. There are a lot of sex scenes (which may or may not be a good thing for readers) so be forewarned.
I love fantasy stories a lot so this is a genre I explore - I was so dubious about liking this book and my expectations were pretty low. It's really nice when a book surprises you in a good way.
June 3, 2010
Not a bad book but it had the problem of the shit Chase made up not being a good ratio to why it mattered.
The characters could have been stuck in any other story and it wouldn't have mattered much, that's it's problem.
The characters could have been stuck in any other story and it wouldn't have mattered much, that's it's problem.
June 20, 2014
It’s funny because I’ve read a number of books by Ms. Chase over the years and yet this was nothing like I expected from her. Everything else I have read by Ms. Chase has been contemporary and while a simple story I’ve always enjoyed them. This manages to maintain the simplicity Ms. Chase normally personifies in her writing while taking an entirely different tact with a fantasy novel and two warring factions. I enjoyed this story the world created here even if things did wrap up a little too easily for my piece of mind.
Prince Rathian is the Imperator of the Vanguard, the most elite fighting force the Launioc army has to offer. By tradition the Imperator is always the second son of the reigning king and unlike the rest of the army the Vanguard only answers to the Imperator. Their loyalty is absolute even above that offered to king and country. Rathian has chosen to lead his army in the true tradition of the Vanguard through love and earned loyalty rather than fear. As such his men’s bonds are stronger than ever. They are the one fighting force where same sex couples are encouraged and each man is freely allowed to love and embrace the other men in their company. Their bonds are absolute and never broken. When his General brings Rathian their most recent prison from the front lines, one of the feared Consorts of the Villious Queen, he finds himself strangely drawn to the man and trusting very quickly of someone who by nature should be his enemy.
Stakel may have been trained as a Queen’s Consort, but he loathes them and everything he stands for. Taken from his home as a child and forced into subjugated service first in the army until his healing gifts were discovered, and then tortured and beaten into submission as a Consort, Stakel has very few fond memories of the country he calls home. His loyalty in no way lies with the country and monarch of his past. The demon priests have spent years torturing him to force his actions and while they might make him bend, they have never been able to break his spirit. His company loathes him and are more than happy to abandon him during a battle with the Vanguard to hopefully be killed. Instead Stakel finds himself standing before the one man who might be able to change his future.
First of all I really enjoyed the world building here. I found the society created a lot of fun and the structure of the Vanguard to be well executed. I enjoyed the fact that their loyalty was to the commander not to the king and that they would follow him and his orders anywhere. Rathian and Stakel as a couple were very sweet and well balanced. I usually really enjoy stories where the captor is falling for his enemy and this was no exception. I enjoyed that for once Stakel’s capitulation wasn’t brought about by neglect, abuse or any sort of negative reinforcement even to keep others unaware of Rathian’s falling for him. Instead Rathian embraced him as an honored guest to figure out exactly what was going on between them.
Of course the insane chemistry between Rathian and Stakel leads to many a steamy sex scenes. I particularly enjoyed that they were a balanced couple. Even though Rathian was initially the captor there was never a big alpha male dominant in this relationship. In fact overall I think Stakel has more of a dominant tendency than Rathian does. The first time they truly came together…well YUMMY! Almost illicit sex there. There was never any real question of Stakel’s real value to Rathian and his becoming the Custos.
The secondary characters here were fun if a little one dimensional. Martin and Antioc were sweet and caused me a giggle or two at their charming fun loving open hearted love affair. The plotlines though were all very basic and it didn’t really take much to figure out what was going on. Excelsie’s attitude certainly didn’t leave any question as to him motivations or wants. Even the larger plot against the Villious and their demon priests was very simply wrapped up. This was more a story about the love affair between two men rather than the greater war upon them.
If I had one real complaint about this story it’s that Stakel is never given a chance to go back to see if he can find his family and the land he grew up in. It’s mentioned so often in the beginning, how he misses it all and wishes to return, I would have liked their to be a part of the epilogue of Rathian taking him to find his family. Of course he’s going to stay with the man he loves for the future, but I would have liked some closure to that dangling plot thread.
Otherwise though I enjoyed this story as a quick read and one with a fun world building story. It lacked loads of depth and devastating introspection, but it really didn’t need all of that. I was happy with where all the characters ended up, good triumphed over evil and the ancient gods restored the order of all things. Our heroes are together and I get my HEA. :D
Prince Rathian is the Imperator of the Vanguard, the most elite fighting force the Launioc army has to offer. By tradition the Imperator is always the second son of the reigning king and unlike the rest of the army the Vanguard only answers to the Imperator. Their loyalty is absolute even above that offered to king and country. Rathian has chosen to lead his army in the true tradition of the Vanguard through love and earned loyalty rather than fear. As such his men’s bonds are stronger than ever. They are the one fighting force where same sex couples are encouraged and each man is freely allowed to love and embrace the other men in their company. Their bonds are absolute and never broken. When his General brings Rathian their most recent prison from the front lines, one of the feared Consorts of the Villious Queen, he finds himself strangely drawn to the man and trusting very quickly of someone who by nature should be his enemy.
Stakel may have been trained as a Queen’s Consort, but he loathes them and everything he stands for. Taken from his home as a child and forced into subjugated service first in the army until his healing gifts were discovered, and then tortured and beaten into submission as a Consort, Stakel has very few fond memories of the country he calls home. His loyalty in no way lies with the country and monarch of his past. The demon priests have spent years torturing him to force his actions and while they might make him bend, they have never been able to break his spirit. His company loathes him and are more than happy to abandon him during a battle with the Vanguard to hopefully be killed. Instead Stakel finds himself standing before the one man who might be able to change his future.
First of all I really enjoyed the world building here. I found the society created a lot of fun and the structure of the Vanguard to be well executed. I enjoyed the fact that their loyalty was to the commander not to the king and that they would follow him and his orders anywhere. Rathian and Stakel as a couple were very sweet and well balanced. I usually really enjoy stories where the captor is falling for his enemy and this was no exception. I enjoyed that for once Stakel’s capitulation wasn’t brought about by neglect, abuse or any sort of negative reinforcement even to keep others unaware of Rathian’s falling for him. Instead Rathian embraced him as an honored guest to figure out exactly what was going on between them.
Of course the insane chemistry between Rathian and Stakel leads to many a steamy sex scenes. I particularly enjoyed that they were a balanced couple. Even though Rathian was initially the captor there was never a big alpha male dominant in this relationship. In fact overall I think Stakel has more of a dominant tendency than Rathian does. The first time they truly came together…well YUMMY! Almost illicit sex there. There was never any real question of Stakel’s real value to Rathian and his becoming the Custos.
The secondary characters here were fun if a little one dimensional. Martin and Antioc were sweet and caused me a giggle or two at their charming fun loving open hearted love affair. The plotlines though were all very basic and it didn’t really take much to figure out what was going on. Excelsie’s attitude certainly didn’t leave any question as to him motivations or wants. Even the larger plot against the Villious and their demon priests was very simply wrapped up. This was more a story about the love affair between two men rather than the greater war upon them.
If I had one real complaint about this story it’s that Stakel is never given a chance to go back to see if he can find his family and the land he grew up in. It’s mentioned so often in the beginning, how he misses it all and wishes to return, I would have liked their to be a part of the epilogue of Rathian taking him to find his family. Of course he’s going to stay with the man he loves for the future, but I would have liked some closure to that dangling plot thread.
Otherwise though I enjoyed this story as a quick read and one with a fun world building story. It lacked loads of depth and devastating introspection, but it really didn’t need all of that. I was happy with where all the characters ended up, good triumphed over evil and the ancient gods restored the order of all things. Our heroes are together and I get my HEA. :D
April 1, 2011
Yummy! This novella was a joy to read (although there are a few typos and formatting problems that could use cleaning up - this may just be the Kindle formatting gremlins at work, though). Sexy, fun and poignant, as well.
A definite read - well-written and engaging.
A definite read - well-written and engaging.
October 30, 2012
What it's about: This is an erotic m/m romance that has chemistry, heat, steam and an abundance of bedroom scenes. Prince Rathian is the commander of the most elite unit in the Launioc army. His men fight for their country, Prince and each other. When a Queen's Consort is taken prisoner in battle Rathian finds himself attracted to the man who is supposed to be his enemy.
Why you should read it: T.A. Chase is an excellent erotic romance writer. Throw in that it's m/m, and you have hot heroes vying for attention and action. This is a quick read as it's a novella and deals mostly with the chemistry between the two men. If you are looking for some hot action, love and, of course, an HEA, then I recommend The Vanguard, a re-release by a talented author.
To see what T.A. says about The Vanguard stop by the HEA blog! http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
Why you should read it: T.A. Chase is an excellent erotic romance writer. Throw in that it's m/m, and you have hot heroes vying for attention and action. This is a quick read as it's a novella and deals mostly with the chemistry between the two men. If you are looking for some hot action, love and, of course, an HEA, then I recommend The Vanguard, a re-release by a talented author.
To see what T.A. says about The Vanguard stop by the HEA blog! http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
September 12, 2014
While I put it in the genre of fantasy, it could just as easily fit into earth medieval times or earlier is not for the excessive use of water. I admit it. The Vanguard is one of those stories I enjoy and I've read more than once. There's just something about the relationship between Prince Rathian and Stakel that I find appealing. But it's not only that. The world building details in this story are to-notch, as is the historical background. Okay. So I like a good love story too. These two men are dynamic and capable of standing strong alone but together they're a force to be reckoned with...a union that's been blessed by their god.
September 1, 2013
That was a little painful to read. I had a really hard time finishing this one unfortunately. I love this type of story where the enemy gets captured and they fall for the prince but this one added too many elements. I think that's probably where it went wrong for me.
I'd read something by T.A Chase again though.
I'd read something by T.A Chase again though.
August 13, 2017
2nd reading
I still liked it and would not mind another book like that
first review
I rather liked this one ... although it was love at first sight, it was quite well done
I still liked it and would not mind another book like that
first review
I rather liked this one ... although it was love at first sight, it was quite well done
June 27, 2021
A bit too idyllic in some places and a bit filled with the nakid stuff but otherwise this is an interesting take on fantasy with some mythology and a bit of magic.
What really made this book different... what characterized it is the ease. Found this I think in the list with the whole trope of prince and a "slave" who is probably just a foreign prince, let's not fool ourselves, which I am pretty sure I found out about with the amazing Captive Prince trilogy and these books too often seem to fall very easily into a... torture, basically. You have to witness a lot bad stuff happening to and between the MC's before they can even look nice at each other. It makes for an intriguing enemies-to-lovers trope (I mean true enemies - this trope, ironically, is often used in the opposite sense, where they're not really in opposition as much as they don't understand each other and very quickly fall in love so having one enslaved makes it "more real") and what this book have done is discarded that. Or combined it?
The MC was actually tortured in his homeland and where he comes to be "enslaved", he's actually treated good. No humiliation, no starvation, just no bad treatment from the people who captured him.
Is it faithful to reality or simulates how people would behave? Probably not. But it does make sense in this world and somehow, it removes the angst very nicely.
The ease of things continues and makes things mostly better in other areas as well, from friendships, getting used to a new culture and a new position to romance.
Basically, if you want gritty, don't choose this one. While some parts may be bad, his new life is 95% amazing and it is, in some ways, a soulmate kind of romance. A part of a bigger, fate and destiny trope that actually takes care of the plot. A being decided what should happen so it happens and that's it, the whole book, so if for some reason some twist or decision may not make complete sense, it doesn't have to, because there are "higher" powers at work so you don¨t really need logic too much =D.
Except the very end (and maybe those times where intimate scenes became too numerous not to be repetitive), maybe also that one "evil" guy who was there probably just so it won't seem too love and positivity filled, I was enjoying this book. Decent world-building, nice, super-low-angst romance, some powers that have to be curbed before they get too OP... and the Vanguard. I really liked the concept. I would actually appreciate more of this.
They're kind of a special order of warriors who are formed based on... love. Except it's actually cool, not just cheesy or sappy. I mean sure, it does take some elements of some fantasy porn or maybe some erotic (fan)fiction but you don't really mind if you're here for the man loving man so having a super capable group of man loyal and bedding and promising ethernal love to each other (having that one special person) while building intimacy with any comrade in arms, so to speak... yeah, I would not mind extending those first chapters into more parts of the book.
Recommend.
What really made this book different... what characterized it is the ease. Found this I think in the list with the whole trope of prince and a "slave" who is probably just a foreign prince, let's not fool ourselves, which I am pretty sure I found out about with the amazing Captive Prince trilogy and these books too often seem to fall very easily into a... torture, basically. You have to witness a lot bad stuff happening to and between the MC's before they can even look nice at each other. It makes for an intriguing enemies-to-lovers trope (I mean true enemies - this trope, ironically, is often used in the opposite sense, where they're not really in opposition as much as they don't understand each other and very quickly fall in love so having one enslaved makes it "more real") and what this book have done is discarded that. Or combined it?
The MC was actually tortured in his homeland and where he comes to be "enslaved", he's actually treated good. No humiliation, no starvation, just no bad treatment from the people who captured him.
Is it faithful to reality or simulates how people would behave? Probably not. But it does make sense in this world and somehow, it removes the angst very nicely.
The ease of things continues and makes things mostly better in other areas as well, from friendships, getting used to a new culture and a new position to romance.
Basically, if you want gritty, don't choose this one. While some parts may be bad, his new life is 95% amazing and it is, in some ways, a soulmate kind of romance. A part of a bigger, fate and destiny trope that actually takes care of the plot. A being decided what should happen so it happens and that's it, the whole book, so if for some reason some twist or decision may not make complete sense, it doesn't have to, because there are "higher" powers at work so you don¨t really need logic too much =D.
Except the very end (and maybe those times where intimate scenes became too numerous not to be repetitive), maybe also that one "evil" guy who was there probably just so it won't seem too love and positivity filled, I was enjoying this book. Decent world-building, nice, super-low-angst romance, some powers that have to be curbed before they get too OP... and the Vanguard. I really liked the concept. I would actually appreciate more of this.
They're kind of a special order of warriors who are formed based on... love. Except it's actually cool, not just cheesy or sappy. I mean sure, it does take some elements of some fantasy porn or maybe some erotic (fan)fiction but you don't really mind if you're here for the man loving man so having a super capable group of man loyal and bedding and promising ethernal love to each other (having that one special person) while building intimacy with any comrade in arms, so to speak... yeah, I would not mind extending those first chapters into more parts of the book.
Recommend.
October 24, 2015
!!! - Beware: SUPER LONG review with TOO MANY gifs and some spoilers!
So...
I love a good fantasy book.
The Vanguard is however one of those cases where the idea behind the book is more than amazing but the actual execution leaves you disappointed, angry and wanting more.
The beginning of the book was really good. There was a lot of things I did like but the promise of an interesting plot was not delivered.
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All in all, I was completely disappointed.
I really wanted to like this book. I really did. I just couldn't.
2 Stars
ugh
April 12, 2018DNF - PG 14
Why?
His cock twitched and started to harden. It wasn't often he found himself aroused by one of the prisoners in his claustrum.
This was just after a very undressing description of the prisoner that had blood trickling down the man's chest. (Though he was already mostly unclothed to begin with.) First of all, it unsettles me that the second time he sees this prisoner, he's already getting aroused - but it unsettles me even more that he's getting this way over his damn prisoner! And he's supposed to be something like a war general. And, oh, don't worry, though, he doesn't OFTEN get aroused by one of his prisoners. ... That means it has happened before. ...
Besides that, the naming of certain things seems super shallow. I mean, we've got a senior healer named Medicus. *blinks* I guess his parents named him right. Honestly, this is another book I've had on my TBR for ages, that I bought and it's taken me ages to read, that I should have just stayed away from.
Why?
His cock twitched and started to harden. It wasn't often he found himself aroused by one of the prisoners in his claustrum.
This was just after a very undressing description of the prisoner that had blood trickling down the man's chest. (Though he was already mostly unclothed to begin with.) First of all, it unsettles me that the second time he sees this prisoner, he's already getting aroused - but it unsettles me even more that he's getting this way over his damn prisoner! And he's supposed to be something like a war general. And, oh, don't worry, though, he doesn't OFTEN get aroused by one of his prisoners. ... That means it has happened before. ...
Besides that, the naming of certain things seems super shallow. I mean, we've got a senior healer named Medicus. *blinks* I guess his parents named him right. Honestly, this is another book I've had on my TBR for ages, that I bought and it's taken me ages to read, that I should have just stayed away from.
August 19, 2017
I have a cold and am not up to writing a good review, not even a short one. So lets just say I liked it very much, no unnecessary angst or drama, lots of love - in the hall, in the pool, in the bed, watching from the fireplace... Could have had more violence.
July 2, 2017
I liked the plot, the priests and the demons and queen angle. but really too much sex. and bring.
April 27, 2015
Weirdly wrong, self-correcting weirdness. It needed a beta read badly.
Minor Spoilers Ahead!
My first notice was when person acting as Interpreter was called an Interrupter. I tried to figure out if it was a mispell, meant to be there, etc, but regardless, it was weird.
Then we have instanta-attraction. Ok, not my favorite, but we can work through it if it's still good.
Then we have an established background on these men sexually speaking. Proceed to have them act out of the established norm or suddenly say, "I've had sex with men before even though my country is against that kind of thing." Wha?
Then we have changes of habits from their history with no reason. For example, our lead Stakel has slept on the hard floor/ground all his life and explicitly states, he found it difficult to sleep in the comforts provided. In fact, he even alludes to the fact he'll just sleep on the floor instead in his inner monologue. Yet, it's never mentioned again or actually done, and he's all yeah, lemme sleep on this fluffy bed, and it's awesome. Great sleep. What?
Then we have our Prince set up with a best friend, then half way through the book, the Prince mentions to his brother something about the bestie that basically sounds like they aren't really friends, just sort of comrades. What? Why are you misleading us so much?
I quit at half way. It was too unrealistic in the characters' actions but also incapable of consistency.
Minor Spoilers Ahead!
My first notice was when person acting as Interpreter was called an Interrupter. I tried to figure out if it was a mispell, meant to be there, etc, but regardless, it was weird.
Then we have instanta-attraction. Ok, not my favorite, but we can work through it if it's still good.
Then we have an established background on these men sexually speaking. Proceed to have them act out of the established norm or suddenly say, "I've had sex with men before even though my country is against that kind of thing." Wha?
Then we have changes of habits from their history with no reason. For example, our lead Stakel has slept on the hard floor/ground all his life and explicitly states, he found it difficult to sleep in the comforts provided. In fact, he even alludes to the fact he'll just sleep on the floor instead in his inner monologue. Yet, it's never mentioned again or actually done, and he's all yeah, lemme sleep on this fluffy bed, and it's awesome. Great sleep. What?
Then we have our Prince set up with a best friend, then half way through the book, the Prince mentions to his brother something about the bestie that basically sounds like they aren't really friends, just sort of comrades. What? Why are you misleading us so much?
I quit at half way. It was too unrealistic in the characters' actions but also incapable of consistency.
April 16, 2014
The book has a weak plot,but at the same time the sexy scenes are really good,for this i cant give more then 3 stars.Rathian and Stakel met during the war,Stakel is a prisoner of war(one of the queen's consorts)and Rathian the imperator of the vanguard and the prince of this country,they fall in love and together win the war.
The vanguard is an army of lovers and is for this that they're the best in the fights,because they fight for who they love,they are used on sharing their lover with others,and the strange thing is that Rathian and his amator(Stakel)are jealous only thinking about this thing,so they dont share.Rathian gives himself to Stakel like he never had done with his other lovers,the older man his Castus and their union can be divited only by a god.The end is nice because they live together and are in love.The only sad part is that almost all M/M books write that one of the char was tortured and/or raped etc... before he finally finds the love,i think that the author could write a good plot also avoiding those particular violences,at last the only good thing is that this author doesnt describe them,and all happenes before Rathian and StaKel met. (like always ignore the grammar and ty.) :P
The vanguard is an army of lovers and is for this that they're the best in the fights,because they fight for who they love,they are used on sharing their lover with others,and the strange thing is that Rathian and his amator(Stakel)are jealous only thinking about this thing,so they dont share.Rathian gives himself to Stakel like he never had done with his other lovers,the older man his Castus and their union can be divited only by a god.The end is nice because they live together and are in love.The only sad part is that almost all M/M books write that one of the char was tortured and/or raped etc... before he finally finds the love,i think that the author could write a good plot also avoiding those particular violences,at last the only good thing is that this author doesnt describe them,and all happenes before Rathian and StaKel met. (like always ignore the grammar and ty.) :P
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2014
As a Latin student for many years, I spent my time reading this book both thrilled with all of the Roman/Latin references as well as cringing a bit when words like 'amator' were used as names (much as I would cringe if a character called another 'Lover', so it's not a linguistics thing). But my main beef with the novel was the way the love/romance/sex started strangely quickly and just kept going at 120% for the whole novel.
I'm usually one to crave MORE explicit scenes in my slash fiction, but these guys were just at it 24-7 almost, and I felt there wasn't enough world-building/cultural explanation about the Vanguard to make me more comfortable with the lax approach to sex/relationships presented early on (the kisses/sexual exchanges between Stakel and Antioch+Martin, for example). I definitely appreciated the switching, though!
There were also some issues with the handling of time duration and passage; the last 5% of the book was just jumping ahead weeks and months at a time, which seemed like the author was mostly trying to get finished under a tight deadline.
Overall enjoyed the book, but I wish a bit more focus had been paid to building the relationship between the Imperator and his Custos more carefully, rather than on their very enthusiastically active sex life.
I'm usually one to crave MORE explicit scenes in my slash fiction, but these guys were just at it 24-7 almost, and I felt there wasn't enough world-building/cultural explanation about the Vanguard to make me more comfortable with the lax approach to sex/relationships presented early on (the kisses/sexual exchanges between Stakel and Antioch+Martin, for example). I definitely appreciated the switching, though!
There were also some issues with the handling of time duration and passage; the last 5% of the book was just jumping ahead weeks and months at a time, which seemed like the author was mostly trying to get finished under a tight deadline.
Overall enjoyed the book, but I wish a bit more focus had been paid to building the relationship between the Imperator and his Custos more carefully, rather than on their very enthusiastically active sex life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2012
You know, I had high expectations for this book. Maybe I shouldn't have and I would've enjoyed it more.
I didn't understand the draw between the two leads other than they were both described as riduclously good looking. There wasn't really an emotional connection although I was led to believe there was supposed to be.
That being said, the story improved and built up steam as it went along. Still, it seemed all the conflict was resolved very quickly. Now I understand this was an erotic novel, but I like some more plot with my porn. The sex scenes were steamy, but came so often they got redundant and I started skimming them. Of course, lots of people love that kind of thing, so that's total personal taste.
Overall, I was able to enjoy this book. A quick and easy, likeable read.
I didn't understand the draw between the two leads other than they were both described as riduclously good looking. There wasn't really an emotional connection although I was led to believe there was supposed to be.
That being said, the story improved and built up steam as it went along. Still, it seemed all the conflict was resolved very quickly. Now I understand this was an erotic novel, but I like some more plot with my porn. The sex scenes were steamy, but came so often they got redundant and I started skimming them. Of course, lots of people love that kind of thing, so that's total personal taste.
Overall, I was able to enjoy this book. A quick and easy, likeable read.
September 15, 2014
Hmmm. The story and its premise were good. It was told well also. However, I have kind of a *meh* feeling after finishing this one. I think it was the sex. There was lots of it, which is always a good thing in my book, but it was all very vanilla and boring and didn't flow with the story - like a sex scene was thrown in every few chapters just because. If there is a bunch of gratuitous sex, then the book needs to be ABOUT the sex as its general topic. Otherwise, the sex needs to have a point. Either to show the steaminess of the relationship, the growing closeness of the MCs, etc. It just didn't fit here.
November 18, 2013
It had potential, but wasn't very well executed. I had a feeling it was written fast and without much care. The sex scenes were abundant and rather repetitive, plot was rather predictable and characters not very well developed. Strangely I liked most of the characters anyway and I did finish the book, thought somewhere in the middle I started to skip the bedroom (or no bedroom) scenes.
I have to say, it could have been much better. There was an idea there, but still the book didn't attract all my attention.
I have to say, it could have been much better. There was an idea there, but still the book didn't attract all my attention.
July 27, 2011
Read as part of my QGB Q3 Challenge picked by Midia. Another interesting read by T.A. Chase. A delightful blend of myth, fantasy and history that made for a thoroughly engaging read. I enjoyed watching the story unfold and the details and secondary characters. The Imperator and his Custos were interesting to watch together and apart. The telling of this history was very entertaining. Thanks for a great read!
May 29, 2011
more like 4.5, it was a wonderfull story, i loved the love story but also the side plot... the bad guys all died really fast but that is not matter they were facing "gods" after all =), overall i really loved the story and how the plot was developed, i also loved the characters ofcource i loved Rathian and Stakel the most =D
Did Not Finish
August 10, 2024DNF at 26 %. The blurb was promosing, but the story development is too much of a rushljob and it was way too horny. Don't get me wrong, I like horny a lot, but everyone wanted to fuck everyone from like page three for no good reason at all. And I found the setup lacking in effort; everyone was just dropped into the Fantasy Big Brother Castle with no real excitement or build-up.
May 24, 2013
I'm kind of disappointed. What was that thing about there being a not natural illness inside the prince's blood?
I don't give a crap about the rest of it, man. That shit was obvious.
That thing sounded like it had intrigue in it.
I don't give a crap about the rest of it, man. That shit was obvious.
That thing sounded like it had intrigue in it.
March 11, 2014
Amazingly creative and solid. Well written. Interesting characters. Nice HEA. Some editing issues and grammar mistakes but nothing overwhelming or frequent. I did find it incredibly long for a mostly erotic book tho.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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