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The Forever Books #1
The Path To Forever
Could you handle living forever, knowing you would watch your friends grow old and die? Could you handle loving someone, knowing you would live forever... without them?
These are questions newly minted Doctor Marco Sartori d’Argenzio must face when he and his partner Danilo Rosati celebrate Marco’s completed residency and Danilo’s most recent PhD with a vacation at Marco's father's home in the Italian Alps. There Marco learns about his family's legacy: his father is more than two thousand years old, and he can expect to live just as long.
Marco inherits his uncle’s title amidst adventure and danger, but it breaks his heart to realize that he’ll live only to see the man he's loved for a decade grow old and die. However, there is hope: Danilo is studying the unique DNA of Marco’s family in hopes of discovering the secret—because Danilo has no intention of leaving Marco alone for what could be forever.
These are questions newly minted Doctor Marco Sartori d’Argenzio must face when he and his partner Danilo Rosati celebrate Marco’s completed residency and Danilo’s most recent PhD with a vacation at Marco's father's home in the Italian Alps. There Marco learns about his family's legacy: his father is more than two thousand years old, and he can expect to live just as long.
Marco inherits his uncle’s title amidst adventure and danger, but it breaks his heart to realize that he’ll live only to see the man he's loved for a decade grow old and die. However, there is hope: Danilo is studying the unique DNA of Marco’s family in hopes of discovering the secret—because Danilo has no intention of leaving Marco alone for what could be forever.
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Published May 29, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 16, 2010
I was enticed by the blurb to read this book by a new-to-me author, but sadly, I ended up unable to really get into the story for a number of reasons.
For one, the writing style was quite unusual. Although it is told in Dani’s and Marco’s alternating first person POV, we don’t get much of the actual narrator’s thoughts or feelings since almost everything is handled through conversation. Emotions, plans, descriptions, history – everything is speech, except for the occasionally thrown – in austere report on locations or actions, and then it’s speech again.
It took me a while to realize why this bothered me so. Aside from the missing internal view – which is not necessarily a bad thing in itself – it was mostly the fact that those guys don’t talk to each other, they are holding stage-worthy dialogues. The overall effect to me was like attending a show or a play with my eyes closed, with someone describing the stage scenery to me. The writing style made it hard for me to take to the characters.
However, the mostly – dialogue writing style makes for a fast-paced reading. Others may love this book just for that.
For another thing, the story flowed along like a calm river despite all the obstacles the two heroes had to master. Marco’s mother gets kidnapped? There’s an almost impossible treaty to negotiate? There was an attempt on Marco’s and Dani’s life? For the most part, those problems are solved like, well that’s what lawyers/private investigators/investment bankers are for. When there’s no handy contractor available, the Duca’s money takes care of next to anything. Well, this is fantasy, after all, but after a while, it felt as if things just fell into Marco’s and Dani’s lap and they didn’t have to work for anything, including their relationship.
There is no on-page sex in this book, at least not between the main characters (although there is a description of Marco getting a hand-job from another gay man they become acquainted with in Aragoni). There are lots of hints at Marco and Dani having sex, but those scenes are not even fade to black, but waved aside with half sentences. It makes sense, in a way, since Marco and Dani have been together for ten years. On the other hand, the lack of physical nearness between the main characters added to my inability to connect with them. Although other characters in the book often refer to noticing Marco’s and Dani’s deep love, I couldn’t. Again, though, this is just me, and my opinion is but one. Others may very well be able to understand their relationship just from the words.
Read the entire review at http://www.reviewsbyjessewave.com/?p=...
For one, the writing style was quite unusual. Although it is told in Dani’s and Marco’s alternating first person POV, we don’t get much of the actual narrator’s thoughts or feelings since almost everything is handled through conversation. Emotions, plans, descriptions, history – everything is speech, except for the occasionally thrown – in austere report on locations or actions, and then it’s speech again.
It took me a while to realize why this bothered me so. Aside from the missing internal view – which is not necessarily a bad thing in itself – it was mostly the fact that those guys don’t talk to each other, they are holding stage-worthy dialogues. The overall effect to me was like attending a show or a play with my eyes closed, with someone describing the stage scenery to me. The writing style made it hard for me to take to the characters.
However, the mostly – dialogue writing style makes for a fast-paced reading. Others may love this book just for that.
For another thing, the story flowed along like a calm river despite all the obstacles the two heroes had to master. Marco’s mother gets kidnapped? There’s an almost impossible treaty to negotiate? There was an attempt on Marco’s and Dani’s life? For the most part, those problems are solved like, well that’s what lawyers/private investigators/investment bankers are for. When there’s no handy contractor available, the Duca’s money takes care of next to anything. Well, this is fantasy, after all, but after a while, it felt as if things just fell into Marco’s and Dani’s lap and they didn’t have to work for anything, including their relationship.
There is no on-page sex in this book, at least not between the main characters (although there is a description of Marco getting a hand-job from another gay man they become acquainted with in Aragoni). There are lots of hints at Marco and Dani having sex, but those scenes are not even fade to black, but waved aside with half sentences. It makes sense, in a way, since Marco and Dani have been together for ten years. On the other hand, the lack of physical nearness between the main characters added to my inability to connect with them. Although other characters in the book often refer to noticing Marco’s and Dani’s deep love, I couldn’t. Again, though, this is just me, and my opinion is but one. Others may very well be able to understand their relationship just from the words.
Read the entire review at http://www.reviewsbyjessewave.com/?p=...
February 10, 2011
This book is quite an interesting contradiction in itself. While the topic and theme made me expect an action or adventure story, the writing style and plot development seemed slow, easy going and the existing conflicts and obstacles were mastered without much effort. The alternating first person point of view added another facet, as did the detailed and vivid descriptions of the hero’s travels, activities (like the discovery of an ancient wine cellar), and their many friends.
Marco and Dani are an established couple, and handle the discovery of Marco’s legacy quite well. There isn’t any on-page sex or much intimacy between them, but their actions and unwavering support for each other speak volumes. The way Dani delves into the research to help solve the riddle of Marco’s family’s longevity is just as much a sign of this as Marco’s involvement of Dani as a partner when he inherits his uncle’s title.
Personally, I found it difficult to get close to the characters, but if you like stories set in exotic locations and based on dialogue, you will like this one. The concept of longevity as it is presented here, with all its details and consequences, is fascinating and I hope to find out more in the sequel.
NOTE: This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review at Queer Magazine Online.
Marco and Dani are an established couple, and handle the discovery of Marco’s legacy quite well. There isn’t any on-page sex or much intimacy between them, but their actions and unwavering support for each other speak volumes. The way Dani delves into the research to help solve the riddle of Marco’s family’s longevity is just as much a sign of this as Marco’s involvement of Dani as a partner when he inherits his uncle’s title.
Personally, I found it difficult to get close to the characters, but if you like stories set in exotic locations and based on dialogue, you will like this one. The concept of longevity as it is presented here, with all its details and consequences, is fascinating and I hope to find out more in the sequel.
NOTE: This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review at Queer Magazine Online.
November 13, 2010
Bought this morning, Finished this evening, and now anxiously awaiting the sequel.
this book typical of Etienne (story, not erotica) and includes characters from his other works available at CRVboy. Everyone is always so "nice" and 'understanding" (except the baddies of course) but neverthelesss a good and enjoyable read.
this book typical of Etienne (story, not erotica) and includes characters from his other works available at CRVboy. Everyone is always so "nice" and 'understanding" (except the baddies of course) but neverthelesss a good and enjoyable read.
October 11, 2019
Well written
A good story, but be prepared to follow several time lines and many characters! Very much worth your time, certainly you'll enjoy the read!
A good story, but be prepared to follow several time lines and many characters! Very much worth your time, certainly you'll enjoy the read!
March 15, 2011
This is the story of Marco d'Argenzio and Dani Rosati, who have been partners in life for ten years when we first meet them. Despite their Italian heritage, both men are more than a little reserved due to their backgrounds. Marco, as a result of a lifetime spent dealing with his mother’s problems; and Dani, as a reaction to his family's staunch Roman Catholic views.
When we meet them, Marco is about to become a medical doctor, and Dani is in the final stages of earning his second doctorate. The reader quickly comes to understand that these men love each other deeply, even though they seldom say so, and their passion for each other is, after ten years together, as strong as ever.
As they plan to spend part of the summer in Italy before beginning their life's work, they receive an invitation from Marco's father, il duca d'Aragoni, to spend the balance of the summer with him in Aragoni, an independent country located high in the Alps between Italy, France, and Switzerland.
When they meet Marco's father, they learn the family secret: the Duke is twenty-four hundred years old, and all of his male progeny, including Marco, can expect to live very long lives. Marco will have to learn to live with the fact that those around him, including the man he loves, will grow old and die, while he retains his present youthful appearance. Unless Dani, using his scientific knowledge, can unlock the secrets of the family's unique DNA.
Instead of taking us to familiar places, Etienne has created an entire country, Aragoni, which he describes in some detail, and he has peopled it with interesting characters. I can't wait to read the sequel.
When we meet them, Marco is about to become a medical doctor, and Dani is in the final stages of earning his second doctorate. The reader quickly comes to understand that these men love each other deeply, even though they seldom say so, and their passion for each other is, after ten years together, as strong as ever.
As they plan to spend part of the summer in Italy before beginning their life's work, they receive an invitation from Marco's father, il duca d'Aragoni, to spend the balance of the summer with him in Aragoni, an independent country located high in the Alps between Italy, France, and Switzerland.
When they meet Marco's father, they learn the family secret: the Duke is twenty-four hundred years old, and all of his male progeny, including Marco, can expect to live very long lives. Marco will have to learn to live with the fact that those around him, including the man he loves, will grow old and die, while he retains his present youthful appearance. Unless Dani, using his scientific knowledge, can unlock the secrets of the family's unique DNA.
Instead of taking us to familiar places, Etienne has created an entire country, Aragoni, which he describes in some detail, and he has peopled it with interesting characters. I can't wait to read the sequel.
June 2, 2015
Original Blog Post: Review: The Path To Forever (Revised edition, Forever Vol 1) by Etienne
I read The Path To Forever... some years ago. It was actually one of the very first I read, other than the other Etienne stories I had read then. Path is an offshoot to the Avondale Stories, though I think it is the other way around? Anyway, those of you who are familiar with Etienne's works should be familiar with the characters of Marco and Dani who pop up once in a while in those stories. This Revised Edition has a few changes, but not from the story itself. In short, it is still the same Path but refined in some ways. You will find that out at the very first pages how it was refined.
For those of you who have not read Path, Marco and Dani are an established couple who had just finished getting their degrees in Medicine and two PhDs. Just as they were planning on a vacation to Marco's home, the Duchy of Aragoni which his father rules, they are met with a death and a mystery. This spurs the story on how Marco discovers his family line is not as ordinary as it looks and goes further into the annals of history than previously thought.
This introduces the science fiction/mystery series trilogy which eventually leads to Dani's discovery that seals his fate and life as Marco's forever partner. In the process of finding the answers, they uncover more mysteries they only hope to answer. They also find a family that is just like the rest of us but are very different in more ways than could ever be imagined.
I read The Path To Forever... some years ago. It was actually one of the very first I read, other than the other Etienne stories I had read then. Path is an offshoot to the Avondale Stories, though I think it is the other way around? Anyway, those of you who are familiar with Etienne's works should be familiar with the characters of Marco and Dani who pop up once in a while in those stories. This Revised Edition has a few changes, but not from the story itself. In short, it is still the same Path but refined in some ways. You will find that out at the very first pages how it was refined.
For those of you who have not read Path, Marco and Dani are an established couple who had just finished getting their degrees in Medicine and two PhDs. Just as they were planning on a vacation to Marco's home, the Duchy of Aragoni which his father rules, they are met with a death and a mystery. This spurs the story on how Marco discovers his family line is not as ordinary as it looks and goes further into the annals of history than previously thought.
This introduces the science fiction/mystery series trilogy which eventually leads to Dani's discovery that seals his fate and life as Marco's forever partner. In the process of finding the answers, they uncover more mysteries they only hope to answer. They also find a family that is just like the rest of us but are very different in more ways than could ever be imagined.
December 12, 2011
not bad exactly, just not my thing- too much going on.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews