What do you think?
Rate this book
ABOUT TEARS:
Pious half-Gypsun Phillip d’Auvery is tortured. His soul is pledged to his god, but Phillip’s life has a darker aspect that drives him to the scourging lash of the Padrenne of Saint Sommes Cathedral year after year. For Phillip’s curse is a bliss that can only be found when pain smites him until tears are shed. His blissful curse alienates him until Phillip discovers a man who understands pain and power, the stern Oruthane d’Iver. As Phillip’s love for his dominant lover grows, the two are exposed, and danger begins to follow them. But there is no greater danger than the dark secret smoldering in Phillip’s heart, which will threaten everything dear to him.
Potential Triggers: intense BDSM with whips.
ABOUT THE SERIES - Three Days of Oblenite (3 novels)
This darkly romantic, gothic paranormal fantasy series is rife with superstition, piety, and the devious nature of the mystic. The three novels take place in a dark version of Victorian-era Paris, and feature three characters cursed with the gifts of a dead saint. Swept up in the torturous undercurrents of their desperate curses, their lives collide in desire, lust, power, obsession, addiction, fervor, desperation, and death. “Breath” features a young woman cursed to celibacy and unable to find love because her kiss kills, all except one night a year. “Tears” tells the story of a young man cursed to feel bliss when he is whipped, and the religious conflict he feels as he finds himself in a relationship with the man who brings him release. While in “Blood”, a brilliant surgeon cursed with blood that heals descends into a desperate underworld, addicted to working miracles. And in the seedy Gypsun Quarter at the edge of the Saints Commons, there is no blessing that can save those cursed to depravity, darkness, and permission. They can only save themselves.
Pious half-Gypsun Phillip d’Auvery is tortured. His soul is pledged to his god, but Phillip’s life has a darker aspect that drives him to the scourging lash of the Padrenne of Saint Sommes Cathedral year after year. For Phillip’s curse is a bliss that can only be found when pain smites him until tears are shed. His blissful curse alienates him until Phillip discovers a man who understands pain and power, the stern Oruthane d’Iver. As Phillip’s love for his dominant lover grows, the two are exposed, and danger begins to follow them. But there is no greater danger than the dark secret smoldering in Phillip’s heart, which will threaten everything dear to him.
Potential Triggers: intense BDSM with whips.
ABOUT THE SERIES - Three Days of Oblenite (3 novels)
This darkly romantic, gothic paranormal fantasy series is rife with superstition, piety, and the devious nature of the mystic. The three novels take place in a dark version of Victorian-era Paris, and feature three characters cursed with the gifts of a dead saint. Swept up in the torturous undercurrents of their desperate curses, their lives collide in desire, lust, power, obsession, addiction, fervor, desperation, and death. “Breath” features a young woman cursed to celibacy and unable to find love because her kiss kills, all except one night a year. “Tears” tells the story of a young man cursed to feel bliss when he is whipped, and the religious conflict he feels as he finds himself in a relationship with the man who brings him release. While in “Blood”, a brilliant surgeon cursed with blood that heals descends into a desperate underworld, addicted to working miracles. And in the seedy Gypsun Quarter at the edge of the Saints Commons, there is no blessing that can save those cursed to depravity, darkness, and permission. They can only save themselves.
246 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2015
1 person is currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Jean Lowe Carlson
19 books319 followers"Richly set and beautifully told, Carlson paints a story filled with love, lust, and tragedy. She captures the tortured emotions of temptation and desire perfectly and leaves you wanting more." - Chris Patchell, author of In the Dark
“Like George RR Martin and Joe Abercrombie, Carlson writes in the fantasy genre for grown-ups, with flair and elegance. A complex world with characters that develop well, The Kingsmen Chronicles reveals as it builds!” - Daniel F., Amazon Review
Jean Lowe Carlson blends deep wisdom, fast-paced adventure, and timeless discovery into exquisite fantasy. Her raw worlds are reminiscent of George RR Martin, Robert Jordan, Joe Abercrombie, Clive Barker, and Robin Hobb.
Jean holds a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine (ND), and has a keen awareness of psychology and human behavior, using it to paint vivid characters set amidst nations in turmoil or societies with riveting secrets. Exciting, challenging, and passionate, her novels take the reader upon dire adventures while exploring deep human truths and self-knowledge.
In 2016, she was the recipient of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist medal for her dark fantasy Tears. She was also longlisted for the 2016 Online Writing Tips Short Fiction Prize for her dark fairytale The Man in White.
“Like George RR Martin and Joe Abercrombie, Carlson writes in the fantasy genre for grown-ups, with flair and elegance. A complex world with characters that develop well, The Kingsmen Chronicles reveals as it builds!” - Daniel F., Amazon Review
Jean Lowe Carlson blends deep wisdom, fast-paced adventure, and timeless discovery into exquisite fantasy. Her raw worlds are reminiscent of George RR Martin, Robert Jordan, Joe Abercrombie, Clive Barker, and Robin Hobb.
Jean holds a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine (ND), and has a keen awareness of psychology and human behavior, using it to paint vivid characters set amidst nations in turmoil or societies with riveting secrets. Exciting, challenging, and passionate, her novels take the reader upon dire adventures while exploring deep human truths and self-knowledge.
In 2016, she was the recipient of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist medal for her dark fantasy Tears. She was also longlisted for the 2016 Online Writing Tips Short Fiction Prize for her dark fairytale The Man in White.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 28, 2015
Second novel of the Three Days of Oblenite series features romance in a strong M/M relationship in a dark Victorian quasi-Paris world. Addresses issues of class and race conflict, same-sex relationship prejudice, pleasure and pain, and spiritual devotion. A great read!
August 1, 2015
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very strange book for me. There are parts of it that I really liked, and other parts that left me pretty bored.
The good: I liked the two main characters, I loved their interactions with their little extended family. I liked the evolution of the main character's relationship with his father, and yes, I liked the "kinky" aspects of this story. The main character is a masochist of some sort, his lover is a sadist, and they're just what the other needs.
But I thought the beginning of the book dragged a bit, and there were some editing issues. For some reason, the author constantly reminds us that Oruthane's fingers are "beringed." Never mind that that isn't a proper word; why is it important that his fingers are "beringed"? Why was Philip referred to by his full name so often? And the characters use some random French words. I suppose that got added for flavor, but wouldn't the rest of the language also be "French" then? Why is then some of it left "untranslated"?
The world-building also felt a bit weak to me. Maybe more of it is explained in the first book, but having read only this one I never got a proper sense of what this world was like. Most was all just vaguely mentioned, never really going into detail.
I liked the idea of the "kinky" portions of the story, but those tended to be glossed over. I never felt there was a good payoff, as it were. I wanted intense painplay scenes, but what I got were some euphemisms and Philip praising his god.
That was another thing. I don't mind religious characters, but the conclusion -- Philip's atheist lover "finding faith" -- rankled a bit. But that's a personal hang-up of mine.
Overall, I enjoyed it enough to get through the book, but I don't think I'll be rereading it in the future.
This was a very strange book for me. There are parts of it that I really liked, and other parts that left me pretty bored.
The good: I liked the two main characters, I loved their interactions with their little extended family. I liked the evolution of the main character's relationship with his father, and yes, I liked the "kinky" aspects of this story. The main character is a masochist of some sort, his lover is a sadist, and they're just what the other needs.
But I thought the beginning of the book dragged a bit, and there were some editing issues. For some reason, the author constantly reminds us that Oruthane's fingers are "beringed." Never mind that that isn't a proper word; why is it important that his fingers are "beringed"? Why was Philip referred to by his full name so often? And the characters use some random French words. I suppose that got added for flavor, but wouldn't the rest of the language also be "French" then? Why is then some of it left "untranslated"?
The world-building also felt a bit weak to me. Maybe more of it is explained in the first book, but having read only this one I never got a proper sense of what this world was like. Most was all just vaguely mentioned, never really going into detail.
I liked the idea of the "kinky" portions of the story, but those tended to be glossed over. I never felt there was a good payoff, as it were. I wanted intense painplay scenes, but what I got were some euphemisms and Philip praising his god.
That was another thing. I don't mind religious characters, but the conclusion -- Philip's atheist lover "finding faith" -- rankled a bit. But that's a personal hang-up of mine.
Overall, I enjoyed it enough to get through the book, but I don't think I'll be rereading it in the future.
December 30, 2023
*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an unbiased review ***
I really loved this book. It made sense without being predictable and was exciting without being unrealistic. It spins a web of emotions and wishes, between past and present, the people you meet and the reader himself. I, at least was sucked in and I could feel with Phillip and the other people and understand their suffering as much as their joy.
I had a bit of a problem understanding everything at the beginning because several things were not clear and the language is much more lyrical than the normal book in this genre. That doesn't mean I didn't like the language, it is exactly the opposite, because it fit the characters and the time really well. I just needed to go over the beginning one more time to really understand everything.
The most important person in the book is Phillip d'Auvery, a half-gypson whose mother passed away and who lives with his father. He is a member of the carpentry guild, an occupation he very much enjoys and is very talented at. He follows the Faith of the Immaculate and once a year, on Pentriant, he fasts and prays for the forgiving of his sins. And as a penance he also takes the sting of the lash onto his skin.
But for Phillip the lash isn't just penance. It's the moment he is filled with the Immaculate, where he experiences its bliss. This joy he shares with others when his tears fall and it brings him and the others around him peace and calm.
The few hours after his penance are the only hours in his life he can separate himself from the pain of living and experience bliss in his peace, but also in helping others. The rest of the year he yearns for this feeling, but the Faith condemmes the act on every other time of the year except for Pentriant. So Phillip has to go unfulfilled and with pain in his heart for 364 days a year.
He finds solace with baronne Oruthane who knows all about pain and domination. He takes Phillip under his protecting wings like so many others before. He made helping others to a goal in his life and although his help is usually of a different nature, he can't help to be drawn to Phillip who is everything he ever wanted.
Under his lash Phillip really feels free fo the first time in his life and he thrives under his care and affection. But Oruthane is a lost soul, too, that needs saving as much as his charges. It's Phillip's task to take this on.
Life together isn't easy. Baronne Oruthane has many enemies, especially the people that did his charges wrong and this brings Phillip in danger, too. They have to trust in each other and fight for their future, so that they can both be free at the end.
I really loved this book. It made sense without being predictable and was exciting without being unrealistic. It spins a web of emotions and wishes, between past and present, the people you meet and the reader himself. I, at least was sucked in and I could feel with Phillip and the other people and understand their suffering as much as their joy.
I had a bit of a problem understanding everything at the beginning because several things were not clear and the language is much more lyrical than the normal book in this genre. That doesn't mean I didn't like the language, it is exactly the opposite, because it fit the characters and the time really well. I just needed to go over the beginning one more time to really understand everything.
The most important person in the book is Phillip d'Auvery, a half-gypson whose mother passed away and who lives with his father. He is a member of the carpentry guild, an occupation he very much enjoys and is very talented at. He follows the Faith of the Immaculate and once a year, on Pentriant, he fasts and prays for the forgiving of his sins. And as a penance he also takes the sting of the lash onto his skin.
But for Phillip the lash isn't just penance. It's the moment he is filled with the Immaculate, where he experiences its bliss. This joy he shares with others when his tears fall and it brings him and the others around him peace and calm.
The few hours after his penance are the only hours in his life he can separate himself from the pain of living and experience bliss in his peace, but also in helping others. The rest of the year he yearns for this feeling, but the Faith condemmes the act on every other time of the year except for Pentriant. So Phillip has to go unfulfilled and with pain in his heart for 364 days a year.
He finds solace with baronne Oruthane who knows all about pain and domination. He takes Phillip under his protecting wings like so many others before. He made helping others to a goal in his life and although his help is usually of a different nature, he can't help to be drawn to Phillip who is everything he ever wanted.
Under his lash Phillip really feels free fo the first time in his life and he thrives under his care and affection. But Oruthane is a lost soul, too, that needs saving as much as his charges. It's Phillip's task to take this on.
Life together isn't easy. Baronne Oruthane has many enemies, especially the people that did his charges wrong and this brings Phillip in danger, too. They have to trust in each other and fight for their future, so that they can both be free at the end.
August 3, 2015
I was given free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via MM Romance Group's Don't Buy My Love program.
It's not often that I come accros a book tagged as MM romance,and end up with not only great romance,but a great work of fiction. And Tears is exactly that. And honestly, I am at loss here trying to find words adequate enough to tell you how much and why I loved this novel.
First of all,I would not describe this book as a fantasy with BDSM elements,like you would conclude from taggs or shelfs for this book. As you can read in author's review,this is a novel set in Victorian quasi-Paris world and I would describe it as a paranormal alternate history novel with one fantastical element - here the God is not called God but Immaculate.
Central theme here is a spiritual path of Phillip,on which he questions his very being,but never his faith,and on which he finds love. There is so much pain on that road,which most importantly I was able to feel,but was it more because I was all too familiar with it,or because of author's writing skills, her way with words and her ability to convey those emotions to me as a reader, I don't know. All I know that I was deeply touched by this book.
But this book is a romance as much as it is about faith... Watching relationship between Phillip and Oruthane develope was simply beautiful. Oruthane by loving Phillip managed to help him accept and love himself,and in a way restore faith in himself too,and Phillip by giving Oruthane the same managed to heal a soul tortured by past.
Important part of the story is a relationship between Phillip and his father,too. One has lost a mother,and the other one his beloved wife,and both trapped in their own misery they made a mistakes blind to what they are doing to each other. But those mistakes only managed to make Phillip seem more real to me. And yes,there was so much hurt between them,but in the end, so much hope and love too...
There are secondary characters that will leave you more or less intrigued (whose stories you can read in previous and next book of this series,which I fully intend to),but I'm affraid to reveal more,because I don't want to spoil this book for you.
In the end,I only wish this book was longer,so what can I say...Highly recommended.
It's not often that I come accros a book tagged as MM romance,and end up with not only great romance,but a great work of fiction. And Tears is exactly that. And honestly, I am at loss here trying to find words adequate enough to tell you how much and why I loved this novel.
First of all,I would not describe this book as a fantasy with BDSM elements,like you would conclude from taggs or shelfs for this book. As you can read in author's review,this is a novel set in Victorian quasi-Paris world and I would describe it as a paranormal alternate history novel with one fantastical element - here the God is not called God but Immaculate.
Central theme here is a spiritual path of Phillip,on which he questions his very being,but never his faith,and on which he finds love. There is so much pain on that road,which most importantly I was able to feel,but was it more because I was all too familiar with it,or because of author's writing skills, her way with words and her ability to convey those emotions to me as a reader, I don't know. All I know that I was deeply touched by this book.
But this book is a romance as much as it is about faith... Watching relationship between Phillip and Oruthane develope was simply beautiful. Oruthane by loving Phillip managed to help him accept and love himself,and in a way restore faith in himself too,and Phillip by giving Oruthane the same managed to heal a soul tortured by past.
Important part of the story is a relationship between Phillip and his father,too. One has lost a mother,and the other one his beloved wife,and both trapped in their own misery they made a mistakes blind to what they are doing to each other. But those mistakes only managed to make Phillip seem more real to me. And yes,there was so much hurt between them,but in the end, so much hope and love too...
There are secondary characters that will leave you more or less intrigued (whose stories you can read in previous and next book of this series,which I fully intend to),but I'm affraid to reveal more,because I don't want to spoil this book for you.
In the end,I only wish this book was longer,so what can I say...Highly recommended.
July 27, 2015
>I received this book from the author in exchange for an unbiased review<
“Tears” is the second in a trilogy called the Three Days of Oblenite by Jean Lowe Carlson. This is my favorite so far! A must read if you like sexy paranormal/fantasy romance. Jean Lowe Carlson creates a rich fantasy world to place this trilogy and creates really fascinating and complex heroes for the stories. Romance in books is always heightened by the difficulties faced and surmounted by the lovers – this is somewhat intensified as a MM romance and that makes Phillip and Oruthane’s love story wonderful. This book brings in some BDSM elements, which are specific but written well, and Carlson uses these elements to increase the spiritual, magical and fantastical elements of her story.
Phillip d’Auvery is the hero – a mixed race child and gifted with a strange power that manifests (or allowed to manifest) on the second day of Oblenite. The power is a type of ecstasy created by Phillip’s tears perceptible to other people (like a sound wave?). Phillip is unrealized in the closet. He is sent to Baronne Oruthane by a Gypsum fate reader. They fall in love. Oruthane is a powerful person in both the gypsum community. He rescues various abused people and his home is a sanctuary. When Phillip and he meet, he is harboring 3 young girls who were abused by their powerful royal father. Phillip finds himself in a position to help them but exposes him to political and social blowback. Lots of difficult challenges face the lovers – there is a kind of a crazy violent scene at the end – I had some problems with that specific scene because I really fell in love the couple. Jean Lowe Carlson does push the envelope but she always write so beautifully and convincingly. But its romance so all ends well – so read it!
“Tears” is the second in a trilogy called the Three Days of Oblenite by Jean Lowe Carlson. This is my favorite so far! A must read if you like sexy paranormal/fantasy romance. Jean Lowe Carlson creates a rich fantasy world to place this trilogy and creates really fascinating and complex heroes for the stories. Romance in books is always heightened by the difficulties faced and surmounted by the lovers – this is somewhat intensified as a MM romance and that makes Phillip and Oruthane’s love story wonderful. This book brings in some BDSM elements, which are specific but written well, and Carlson uses these elements to increase the spiritual, magical and fantastical elements of her story.
Phillip d’Auvery is the hero – a mixed race child and gifted with a strange power that manifests (or allowed to manifest) on the second day of Oblenite. The power is a type of ecstasy created by Phillip’s tears perceptible to other people (like a sound wave?). Phillip is unrealized in the closet. He is sent to Baronne Oruthane by a Gypsum fate reader. They fall in love. Oruthane is a powerful person in both the gypsum community. He rescues various abused people and his home is a sanctuary. When Phillip and he meet, he is harboring 3 young girls who were abused by their powerful royal father. Phillip finds himself in a position to help them but exposes him to political and social blowback. Lots of difficult challenges face the lovers – there is a kind of a crazy violent scene at the end – I had some problems with that specific scene because I really fell in love the couple. Jean Lowe Carlson does push the envelope but she always write so beautifully and convincingly. But its romance so all ends well – so read it!
July 26, 2015
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm not sure what to say about this read. It is a splendid story but may not be for the weak of heart. It has bdsm aspects and just acts that go way beyond that and into dub-con torture but is told in such a way that makes you think and question the characters faith and ones own belief. There is one m/f scene just to warn readers who don't like that kind of thing in their m/m stories but it's written in such a way that it shouldn't be an issue at all. Personally just reading and feeling everything via Phillip was riveting and this is saying a lot since dark stories with bdsm usually make me a bit wary. This was a really hard story to put down once you get into it.
Phillips practice of Pentriant was intriguing if not a bit grotesque in the way he found bliss and peace through the whipping. It was inspiring how deep Phillips devotion to his religion was but at the same time it was saddening to learn that his romantic relationships suffered because of it. Phillips meeting with the fatereader was fascinating. The anticipation from wanting to know more about Emlohaine and the gypsun was despairing. The information just wasn't coming fast enough and there was close to nothing of Emlohaine for a long while. The meeting of Oruthane was another gratifying and warying experience in the story. What he represented and all the good and bad he brought with him just layered on more intrigue. The intereaction between the two and reading of Phillip's kindness just went a long way in making me fall in love with this story. I really liked seeing the aftercare and seeing each character redeeming themselves in someway and allowing growth.
I'm not sure what to say about this read. It is a splendid story but may not be for the weak of heart. It has bdsm aspects and just acts that go way beyond that and into dub-con torture but is told in such a way that makes you think and question the characters faith and ones own belief. There is one m/f scene just to warn readers who don't like that kind of thing in their m/m stories but it's written in such a way that it shouldn't be an issue at all. Personally just reading and feeling everything via Phillip was riveting and this is saying a lot since dark stories with bdsm usually make me a bit wary. This was a really hard story to put down once you get into it.
Phillips practice of Pentriant was intriguing if not a bit grotesque in the way he found bliss and peace through the whipping. It was inspiring how deep Phillips devotion to his religion was but at the same time it was saddening to learn that his romantic relationships suffered because of it. Phillips meeting with the fatereader was fascinating. The anticipation from wanting to know more about Emlohaine and the gypsun was despairing. The information just wasn't coming fast enough and there was close to nothing of Emlohaine for a long while. The meeting of Oruthane was another gratifying and warying experience in the story. What he represented and all the good and bad he brought with him just layered on more intrigue. The intereaction between the two and reading of Phillip's kindness just went a long way in making me fall in love with this story. I really liked seeing the aftercare and seeing each character redeeming themselves in someway and allowing growth.
July 30, 2015
*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an unbiased review ***
It couldn’t have been an easy feat to combine children’s tea parties and bloody backs under the same roof, but Ms Carlson managed to do it, both literally and figuratively. Her MC is driven by a spiritual fervor that makes these transitions seamless and also produces a unique view of sadomasochism far removed from the typical “Strip, boy!” mentality.
Unfortunately this sometimes rambling story also comes with a secondary character who is a female sub and episodes concerning her are not only told of, but shown. Despite the fact that the sex scenes in this book aren’t at all graphic, if you’re as averse to female bottoms in your M/M literature as I am, you may want to fast forward through a considerable number of pages. (-1.25 stars)
That said, the M/m elements of the MCs are beautifully realized on many levels, romantically, socially and in their more brutal S&m aspects. All told, if you can hang in through the female cooties and brief narrations of child abuse, you will be rewarded with an extremely well constructed denouement that is a hum dinger and a half, complete with blood, sweat and tears. Maybe the best I’ve read. A sold 3.75 stars.
It couldn’t have been an easy feat to combine children’s tea parties and bloody backs under the same roof, but Ms Carlson managed to do it, both literally and figuratively. Her MC is driven by a spiritual fervor that makes these transitions seamless and also produces a unique view of sadomasochism far removed from the typical “Strip, boy!” mentality.
Unfortunately this sometimes rambling story also comes with a secondary character who is a female sub and episodes concerning her are not only told of, but shown. Despite the fact that the sex scenes in this book aren’t at all graphic, if you’re as averse to female bottoms in your M/M literature as I am, you may want to fast forward through a considerable number of pages. (-1.25 stars)
That said, the M/m elements of the MCs are beautifully realized on many levels, romantically, socially and in their more brutal S&m aspects. All told, if you can hang in through the female cooties and brief narrations of child abuse, you will be rewarded with an extremely well constructed denouement that is a hum dinger and a half, complete with blood, sweat and tears. Maybe the best I’ve read. A sold 3.75 stars.
August 8, 2015
I received this book as part of the Don't Buy Me Love thread, in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly, truly enjoyed this book.I usually don't do well with alternative, parallel worlds, because they require that one suspends disbelief...and if the world is not built well enough, reality keeps intruding and ruining the experience. Fortunately, Carlson has taken pains to create a solid, coherent background for the story.
Also kudos for really digging into the psychological aspect of kink, and doing a very honest, realistic portrayal of masochism and submission, through the emotions of Phillip. She ignores the easy tropes and trashed-out, facile 'go to' verbiage, and gives a refreshing, true account of the s side of D/s. I wasn't so hot with her portrait of Oruthane (I am still waiting for a sadist who is not hurt or damaged) but the relationship between both characters rang true.
The side stories with the secondary characters give a much-needed contrast to the darker, emotional scenes. Definitely a quality read, and a first peek into a (new to me) author I'm very glad to have found.
I thoroughly, truly enjoyed this book.I usually don't do well with alternative, parallel worlds, because they require that one suspends disbelief...and if the world is not built well enough, reality keeps intruding and ruining the experience. Fortunately, Carlson has taken pains to create a solid, coherent background for the story.
Also kudos for really digging into the psychological aspect of kink, and doing a very honest, realistic portrayal of masochism and submission, through the emotions of Phillip. She ignores the easy tropes and trashed-out, facile 'go to' verbiage, and gives a refreshing, true account of the s side of D/s. I wasn't so hot with her portrait of Oruthane (I am still waiting for a sadist who is not hurt or damaged) but the relationship between both characters rang true.
The side stories with the secondary characters give a much-needed contrast to the darker, emotional scenes. Definitely a quality read, and a first peek into a (new to me) author I'm very glad to have found.
July 27, 2015
What a wonderful book! I was a little uncertain because I had never read a male-male romance before and I didn't know what to expect, but this book was excellent. I got into the story and didn't want to leave. I loved the fact that Aeshe, Gryffine, and Jessup made a reappearance. It was such a sweet love story, even with the lashings that Philip required to feel and share bliss (pain and tears for bliss was his curse/gift). There were times of foreboding that made me very nervous as to what would happen to the characters, but that heightened the experience, and the ending was satisfactory for my tastes. I especially liked how the author included the main character's turbulent relationship with his father and his coming to terms with his heritage, which is an issue to which many can relate. There was also a little foreshadowing of what is to come in book 3, "Blood." I'm very excited to read the next one in this series!
I received this book for free via Smashwords in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received this book for free via Smashwords in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 30, 2015
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
In this second book of the Three Days of Oblenite trilogy we are introduced to Phillip d'Auvery. Phillip is half-Gypsun and rejects it every step of the way. He embraces the Immaculate to make up for his lineage and this causes a lot of pain for his father. Phillip is such a devoted worshipper of the Immaculate that every year on Penance he takes lashes, just like his mother would do. As time goes on Phillip and his father grow more and more apart. When they finally have a falling out, Phillip stumbles upon Barronne Oruthane d'Ivery. As Phillip spends time with the Barrone he begins to understand that he actually enjoys pain. When he feels pain and sheds a tear, others will feel a great bliss. I enjoyed that we got to get little glimpses of our first couple, Jessup and Gryffine. I was very happy that Phillip and Oruthane found each other because they are clearly a perfect match! I thought this was a good book overall, and a good continuation of the series.
In this second book of the Three Days of Oblenite trilogy we are introduced to Phillip d'Auvery. Phillip is half-Gypsun and rejects it every step of the way. He embraces the Immaculate to make up for his lineage and this causes a lot of pain for his father. Phillip is such a devoted worshipper of the Immaculate that every year on Penance he takes lashes, just like his mother would do. As time goes on Phillip and his father grow more and more apart. When they finally have a falling out, Phillip stumbles upon Barronne Oruthane d'Ivery. As Phillip spends time with the Barrone he begins to understand that he actually enjoys pain. When he feels pain and sheds a tear, others will feel a great bliss. I enjoyed that we got to get little glimpses of our first couple, Jessup and Gryffine. I was very happy that Phillip and Oruthane found each other because they are clearly a perfect match! I thought this was a good book overall, and a good continuation of the series.
November 12, 2015
“Tears” is the second novel in Jean Lowe Carlson’s series “Three Days of Oblenite”. “Tears” examines organized religion, accepted social norms, and our personal capacity and willingness to change the world around us. A touching and moving story, “Tears” is reminiscent of the short story “Atonement” by Tennessee Williams. The main character, Phillip, has been given an extraordinary gift, a gift of pain that can fill the world around him with bliss. But at what cost? Phillip finds himself faced with a dire choice between his own needs versus the needs of others. The story ponders the overall question: how much pain am I willing to endure to fill the world around me with bliss? Ms. Carlson's writing is raw and erotic, rich with language, and lush with insight into the human heart! My heart ached for Phillip the deeper I was taken into the story and this beautiful world Ms. Carlson has created!
July 19, 2015
I received this book as part of a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway, and I am so glad that I did. I would give this book higher than a five if I could. It addresses issues including same sex relationship prejudice, a pain/ pleasure relationship, devotion to one's gods, sexual and physical abuse, and racial issues. Through all this you can feel the strong love between the two male characters. The author does such a fabulous job developing the characters and the storyline. It can only be described as an emotional journey that Jean Lowe Carlson takes you on as you read.
December 8, 2015
I love this book Phillip is bullied and abused. Forced to got Saint Sommes every yr. With his darkness inside he feels alone suffering in silence. When he meets Oruthane d'Iver he find someone who understands him. The connection between them brings safety and admiration to Phillip.
Jean Lowe Carlson has done it again. Bringing paranormal and adding real life controversies and showing us how cruel the world can be. Looking forward to the next book.
I received this book in exchange for a honest review. LOP
Jean Lowe Carlson has done it again. Bringing paranormal and adding real life controversies and showing us how cruel the world can be. Looking forward to the next book.
I received this book in exchange for a honest review. LOP
July 21, 2015
“Tears” really pulled me in and had me invested in the characters. It was very interesting to see how the characters grew and developed. Phillip’s relationships with the other characters really pushed him to explore who he was and what he wanted. You were also able to see how strong he became and made those around him. I really enjoyed this book and it kept me guessing all the way to the end.
August 2, 2015
I received this book through Goodreads Firstreads. The book was alright. I would recommend to those who read similar books to this as this book was not my taste!
June 4, 2017
Suffering and Redemption
A tale that tears at your heart. A young man conflicted as to what he feels, why he needs pain, why he adores the bliss that comes with the pain. A fatereader sends him to a stranger and his healing and redemption begins. Another dark tale from a great author.
A tale that tears at your heart. A young man conflicted as to what he feels, why he needs pain, why he adores the bliss that comes with the pain. A fatereader sends him to a stranger and his healing and redemption begins. Another dark tale from a great author.
January 22, 2019
This book sucked.
January 3, 2018
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I strongly recommend it to anyone who is interested in paranormal romance and fantasy. It is a great world that has been created and I really enjoy the characters.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews