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The Savage Land #2
Firelands
The winter of 1799 is falling fast on the small Ohio Territory settlement of Hugh's Lick. Food is scarce, and relations with the Delaware tribe are strained; but things are about to get much worse. In the midst of a storm, frontiersman Cole Seavey is attacked by a creature that is neither man nor beast but something burst forth from the bowels of hell and reeking of the grave. Badly injured, he is rescued by Pakim, a young Delaware brave, and is taken to safety at the home of John Chapman, whom listeners will remember from Jensen's best seller Frontiers . Cole's intense attraction to Pakim leaves him longing for something he fears to even consider. He half convinces himself that the monster he battled is the product of his fevered brain. But then the killings begin, killings of such ferocity they can only be the work of something neither human nor animal. The Delaware call it the Wendigo. As the town waits in terror for the next attack, Cole, Pakim, and Chapman find themselves face-to-face with the Wendigo; it is a face they know well.
299 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2004
3 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Michael Jensen
4 books160 followersSign up for my newsletter and get Man & Beast for free!
I am an author, editor, and lover of all things dark chocolate. My books of gay historical fiction include two series, The Drowning World, which is set in 5500 B.C., and The Savage Land, which takes place on the American frontier. Man & Monster, the second book in The Savage Land series, was a Lambda Award Finalist (under the title Firelands).
I also co-founded AfterElton.com, which covered pop culture for gay and bisexual men, and eventually became one of the largest and most influential LGBT websites on the internet. In 2006, AfterElton.com was sold to MTV/Viacom. As editor, I interviewed hundreds of writers, directors, and actors, breaking numerous stories and advancing the issue of LGBT visibility in Hollywood. I also created the Big Gay Fiction Giveaway, which helped tens of thousands of readers find great new voices in MM fiction.
My preferred genres are historical fiction (which I write) and science fiction (which I'm not scientific enough to write, so I just read). I assume this says something about how I view the present, as I apparently seem to eager to escape it!
I live in Seattle, WA with my husband, writer Brent Hartinger, the author of the amazing Russel Middlebrook series that started with Geography Club and has continued on through the The Futon Years. I love hearing from readers so don't be shy about getting in touch.
I am an author, editor, and lover of all things dark chocolate. My books of gay historical fiction include two series, The Drowning World, which is set in 5500 B.C., and The Savage Land, which takes place on the American frontier. Man & Monster, the second book in The Savage Land series, was a Lambda Award Finalist (under the title Firelands).
I also co-founded AfterElton.com, which covered pop culture for gay and bisexual men, and eventually became one of the largest and most influential LGBT websites on the internet. In 2006, AfterElton.com was sold to MTV/Viacom. As editor, I interviewed hundreds of writers, directors, and actors, breaking numerous stories and advancing the issue of LGBT visibility in Hollywood. I also created the Big Gay Fiction Giveaway, which helped tens of thousands of readers find great new voices in MM fiction.
My preferred genres are historical fiction (which I write) and science fiction (which I'm not scientific enough to write, so I just read). I assume this says something about how I view the present, as I apparently seem to eager to escape it!
I live in Seattle, WA with my husband, writer Brent Hartinger, the author of the amazing Russel Middlebrook series that started with Geography Club and has continued on through the The Futon Years. I love hearing from readers so don't be shy about getting in touch.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 9, 2017
Okay, so maybe Michael Jensen writes like James Fenimore Cooper on Ecstasy. Is that so wrong? After all, he’s a man on a mission. Gay people used to be invisible, at least if early American folktales are any indication. Then came Jensen’s Firelands, hellbent on reclaiming Western myths for the unrepresented.
It begins with explosive action, which never lets up. In 1797, as a brutal winter tightens its grip on the Ohio Territory, supplies grow scarce. With tensions running high between settlers and indigenous peoples, only a fool or a hero would be traveling this wilderness. “No one knows me well,” muses Cole Seavey, “and that’s the way I like it.” Virtually at once, this two-fisted frontiersman finds himself in danger. In the space of a few pages, he has a fight with a cougar, uncovers a murder, then barely evades the clutches of a “monster from the bowels of hell.”
That’s right. A monster. So Firelands is not just a Gay Western. It’s a Gay Horror Western. Groovy.
During a terror-fraught voyage of self-discovery, Cole braves fierce storms, falls for a fierce brave, and befriends Johnny Appleseed and his boyfriend. (No, really.) Clearly, this is not the West of Louis L’Amour. The scenes where a handsome Native American – who speaks English like a Rhodes Scholar – helps the hero get in touch with his true erotic nature are both amusingly naive and decidedly sexy. Three cheers for the noble savage! Venturing from frozen wasteland to underground ruins, the plot (composed almost entirely of climaxes of one sort or another) proves wildly implausible. But isn’t that how legends work? As satisfying as the tallest of tall tales, Firelands is replete with colorful characters whose everyday lives the author convincingly details, but it’s the folkloric aspect that gives Jensen’s work its primary distinctiveness. After all, how often does a Wendigo show up in popular fiction?
Ultimately, its monster may be more metaphor than menace. Still, the book packs a message about the more shameful aspects of this country’s history, particularly the dominant culture’s treatment of minorities. That message is clear: Those who commit monstrous acts risk becoming monsters.
It begins with explosive action, which never lets up. In 1797, as a brutal winter tightens its grip on the Ohio Territory, supplies grow scarce. With tensions running high between settlers and indigenous peoples, only a fool or a hero would be traveling this wilderness. “No one knows me well,” muses Cole Seavey, “and that’s the way I like it.” Virtually at once, this two-fisted frontiersman finds himself in danger. In the space of a few pages, he has a fight with a cougar, uncovers a murder, then barely evades the clutches of a “monster from the bowels of hell.”
That’s right. A monster. So Firelands is not just a Gay Western. It’s a Gay Horror Western. Groovy.
During a terror-fraught voyage of self-discovery, Cole braves fierce storms, falls for a fierce brave, and befriends Johnny Appleseed and his boyfriend. (No, really.) Clearly, this is not the West of Louis L’Amour. The scenes where a handsome Native American – who speaks English like a Rhodes Scholar – helps the hero get in touch with his true erotic nature are both amusingly naive and decidedly sexy. Three cheers for the noble savage! Venturing from frozen wasteland to underground ruins, the plot (composed almost entirely of climaxes of one sort or another) proves wildly implausible. But isn’t that how legends work? As satisfying as the tallest of tall tales, Firelands is replete with colorful characters whose everyday lives the author convincingly details, but it’s the folkloric aspect that gives Jensen’s work its primary distinctiveness. After all, how often does a Wendigo show up in popular fiction?
Ultimately, its monster may be more metaphor than menace. Still, the book packs a message about the more shameful aspects of this country’s history, particularly the dominant culture’s treatment of minorities. That message is clear: Those who commit monstrous acts risk becoming monsters.
April 1, 2020
4 Stars
Review:
I have strange feelings about this book because, if I think about it, I have some issues, but I wasn't actually bothered by them. The story, the writing, and the narration were all so good that I just really enjoyed this while I was listening.
First off, I don't know how to classify this book. I don't really know if this should be called fantasy or paranormal because the supernatural element was vague and somewhat open to interpretation as to whether it was really supernatural or not. But I think it was, a little bit, at least. That's the most I can say without spoilers, so make of that what you will. It did feel vaguely horror-ish though (this coming from someone who doesn't read horror) and had a lot of mystery and suspense and bloody violence.
Second, technically this is the second book in a series, but it works perfectly well as a standalone. I almost never skip in series, but I haven't read the first book, and I had no problem understanding anything in this one since they have different protagonists.
And now, onto my actual thoughts!
I loved the beautiful, eloquent writing. I don't know if people actually talked like this in the Old West, but it did have that feel I associate with old-timey writing, where sometimes words and phrases are a little longer than necessary but sound so nice.
The audio narration by Ray Chase was great. Maybe slightly dramatic, but in a way that really fit the writing and the story. He also just had a good voice. My only complaint about the audio was that different voices didn't sound that different, but I never got confused, so it was fine.
The story was great too. This was a story about romance, about sexuality, about wendigos, about starting over, and about discovering your true self. There was the whole plot about a strange monster attacking and killing people, and the characters having to figure out what was going on and how to kill the creature. There was also a side plot about the main character, Cole, discovering his sexuality and falling for Pakim, except they both had obligations keeping them apart. The sex scenes were mostly fade-to-black, except for one, I think. I realized when I finished that Cole and Pakim didn't actually know each other very long, and I wasn't sure I felt the deep feelings between them, but somehow it didn't bother me while listening. I could believe there was something between them, I could definitely feel attraction if nothing else, and, to be fair, I don't know if Cole ever used the word love.
I also liked the characters. I don't have much to say about them, but I did like them. Cole was an enjoyable narrator---a good person, but not perfect. Someone who didn't particularly like or trust others but always tried to do right by them. And there was the character growth of Cold-Hearted Cole realizing maybe he's not so cold-hearted after all.
The love interest in this book is Native American (Lenape), but I have no idea how good or accurate the representation was. What I can tell you is that there were multiple problematic/offensive words used to refer to the Native Americans, sometimes by the main characters, the context being the book is set in 1799.
So like I said, despite a few complaints, I just enjoyed this! The eloquent writing, great narration, and gripping story had me hooked and wanting to keep listening until I finished.
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes M/M romance, the Old West, books that may or may not be supernatural, and mysterious, suspenseful, horror-ish stories.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
I have strange feelings about this book because, if I think about it, I have some issues, but I wasn't actually bothered by them. The story, the writing, and the narration were all so good that I just really enjoyed this while I was listening.
First off, I don't know how to classify this book. I don't really know if this should be called fantasy or paranormal because the supernatural element was vague and somewhat open to interpretation as to whether it was really supernatural or not. But I think it was, a little bit, at least. That's the most I can say without spoilers, so make of that what you will. It did feel vaguely horror-ish though (this coming from someone who doesn't read horror) and had a lot of mystery and suspense and bloody violence.
Second, technically this is the second book in a series, but it works perfectly well as a standalone. I almost never skip in series, but I haven't read the first book, and I had no problem understanding anything in this one since they have different protagonists.
And now, onto my actual thoughts!
I loved the beautiful, eloquent writing. I don't know if people actually talked like this in the Old West, but it did have that feel I associate with old-timey writing, where sometimes words and phrases are a little longer than necessary but sound so nice.
The audio narration by Ray Chase was great. Maybe slightly dramatic, but in a way that really fit the writing and the story. He also just had a good voice. My only complaint about the audio was that different voices didn't sound that different, but I never got confused, so it was fine.
The story was great too. This was a story about romance, about sexuality, about wendigos, about starting over, and about discovering your true self. There was the whole plot about a strange monster attacking and killing people, and the characters having to figure out what was going on and how to kill the creature. There was also a side plot about the main character, Cole, discovering his sexuality and falling for Pakim, except they both had obligations keeping them apart. The sex scenes were mostly fade-to-black, except for one, I think. I realized when I finished that Cole and Pakim didn't actually know each other very long, and I wasn't sure I felt the deep feelings between them, but somehow it didn't bother me while listening. I could believe there was something between them, I could definitely feel attraction if nothing else, and, to be fair, I don't know if Cole ever used the word love.
I also liked the characters. I don't have much to say about them, but I did like them. Cole was an enjoyable narrator---a good person, but not perfect. Someone who didn't particularly like or trust others but always tried to do right by them. And there was the character growth of Cold-Hearted Cole realizing maybe he's not so cold-hearted after all.
The love interest in this book is Native American (Lenape), but I have no idea how good or accurate the representation was. What I can tell you is that there were multiple problematic/offensive words used to refer to the Native Americans, sometimes by the main characters, the context being the book is set in 1799.
So like I said, despite a few complaints, I just enjoyed this! The eloquent writing, great narration, and gripping story had me hooked and wanting to keep listening until I finished.
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes M/M romance, the Old West, books that may or may not be supernatural, and mysterious, suspenseful, horror-ish stories.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
April 28, 2015
Sequel to Frontiers. Great reads, recommended.
September 26, 2020
Listening to it from my Audible Escape subscription (although Escape ends Nov 1st). It's been released under the title Man & Monster.
April 1, 2015
From a narrative standpoint, Firelands is fairly strong. Unfortunately, Jensen makes use of one of my least favorite plot devices: conflict and challenge resulting from everyone being too afraid of their reputations to tell other people what they know about a potentially dangerous situation.
But characters are well drawn (though the settlers are somewhat one-dimensional); relationships are well-depicted; events move along at a decent pace. Cole spends too much time getting knocked unconscious, but that may be intended to underline how out of his element he is. The "twist" regarding the wendigo is a nice touch that I didn't see coming, though the full description of the creature would've served better later in the narrative, to prolong the sense of nameless dread.
Mechanically, it needs a lot of help. Jensen tells so much he should've shown, and tells so much he should've trusted readers to figure out for ourselves. Dialogue tags are often clunky, and the last sentence of a good half of the paragraphs could've been cut for a smoother, smarter read.
But characters are well drawn (though the settlers are somewhat one-dimensional); relationships are well-depicted; events move along at a decent pace. Cole spends too much time getting knocked unconscious, but that may be intended to underline how out of his element he is. The "twist" regarding the wendigo is a nice touch that I didn't see coming, though the full description of the creature would've served better later in the narrative, to prolong the sense of nameless dread.
Mechanically, it needs a lot of help. Jensen tells so much he should've shown, and tells so much he should've trusted readers to figure out for ourselves. Dialogue tags are often clunky, and the last sentence of a good half of the paragraphs could've been cut for a smoother, smarter read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2013
My reaction a few chapters in:
I am so glad I picked this book up. There is not a lot of "adult scenes", maybe about three scenes...or perhaps two snippets and one glimpse lol. However the book didn't need more than that. The mystery and writing definitely carried this book to a five star rating on its own. Not that I would have minded a little more, ahem, but without it certainly gave this book a more classic feel which undoubtedly is refreshing amongst all the smut that fills the m/m genre. And I certainly do not regret my choice, a couple of pages in I was hooked to the end. How I wish there was more AND that something, which will not be mentioned, hadn't happened though I saw the outcome coming miles away.
I am so glad I picked this book up. There is not a lot of "adult scenes", maybe about three scenes...or perhaps two snippets and one glimpse lol. However the book didn't need more than that. The mystery and writing definitely carried this book to a five star rating on its own. Not that I would have minded a little more, ahem, but without it certainly gave this book a more classic feel which undoubtedly is refreshing amongst all the smut that fills the m/m genre. And I certainly do not regret my choice, a couple of pages in I was hooked to the end. How I wish there was more AND that something, which will not be mentioned, hadn't happened though I saw the outcome coming miles away.
December 5, 2022
I’m not a fan of historical fiction. And when I do choose it, the time period is likely the late 1800s and later. But when a friend recommended author Michael Jensen, I decided to read his book Firelands. Imagine my consternation when the opening page declared the time setting as 1799. I groaned. I, at first, no doubt because of my own prejudices, slogged through the opening pages. It took twenty pages or so before I fell into the rhythm of the piece, became in tune with the vocabulary, and enjoyed the characters. Jensen’s book is a fantastic tale, one that involves surly settlers, a hero who has a negative self-image, Native American folklore, and gay love. Yes, Jensen has created not one, but two, gay couples. This is the tale of Cole Seavey, who has come to the wilderness of Ohio to reconnect with his brother, whom he admits to not liking very much but nevertheless has used his journey to find his brother as a reason to flee from his fiancée. Cole can’t quite pinpoint why he doesn’t like this woman, but he has an intense desire to get away from her. Before his arrival to the settlement where his brother is living, Cole encounters a very strange creature that figures heavily into the plot. He also encounters Pakim, a Delaware brave. The book is full of action scenes, gets deeply into the motivations of the characters, and portrays life in this harsh winter climate quite well. But what is most impressive is the handling of the gay relationships. One is treated as a normal, loving coupling—although we find the other settlers are none too happy about this couple. The other is a growing relationship with ups, downs, and doubts. Had this just been historical fiction with a happy gay couple, it would not have been as good a book as it is. But the growing gay relationship is treated with care, develops gradually, and shows how universal gay love can be, even if it happens on a prairie in Ohio in winter in 1799. My only criticism—and it is minor—is that the final, climactic fight with the enemy seems to go on forever. But then, I guess, fighting for life and love can sometimes take forever.
May 8, 2020
This was an exciting horror novel featuring a gay protagonist and a wendigo set in the American Frontier in 1799. In fact, it was so exciting I stayed up most of the night to finish it. It’s the second book of a series called “The Savage Land” though I didn’t realize it until I read up a little more on it afterwards. The main character of the first book is a supporting character in this book and the Firelands reads as a standalone novel very well. The prose is sumptuous without interfering with the movement of the plot. I don’t know if the gay experience is authentic for the time and place, as I doubt if there is any real record of it from that time period, but I found it believable. It also gives us some perspective of the Native Americans living near the white settlements, as well as that of a gay Native American. This book was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award for Sci Fi/Fantasy/Horror in 2005.
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Come visit my blog for the full review…
https://itstartedwiththehugos.blogspo...
October 4, 2019
3.25 stars
May 30, 2022
Four and a half stars: An unusual setting, a satisfying mystery with a supernatural twist, and a convincing relationship make this a great read. Satisfying on all levels.
September 26, 2024
I was hooked from the first few pages, the reason it’s a 3 for me is the ending. I would’ve loved it more if it didn’t have the scooby doo ending.
March 10, 2013
SlashReaders: I liked this one. It was a fascinating mixture of myth, and reality woven into one complete story. The characters were interesting and you really got a chance to see inside of Cole Seavey's head. However, the other characters in the story really came to life through Cole's eyes.
The ending was a surprise for me, I did not see it come. I had a lot of thoughts but this was not one of them. The author does a good job of keeping you going through the whole story and down the paths that he wants you to travel down.
You also get to see Cole slowly begin to figure things out in his own head despite the choices he makes. The ending was a mix of good and bad. It ended well, yet it ended too abruptly for me. I wanted another chapter of goodbyes I suppose. *chuckle* But then I hate ending things so that's probably just me.
But over all it was a good book, some of the wording especially at the beginning got a little odd. It felt like the author was trying to hard to make his characters sound like they were from the right time period and didn't quite succeed in making it work. However, those little things seemed to go away later on. Or maybe I simply stopped noticing them.
So yeah I enjoyed! If you're looking for something that's really scary well it's not really scary I was creeped but I get easily creeped. :)
The ending was a surprise for me, I did not see it come. I had a lot of thoughts but this was not one of them. The author does a good job of keeping you going through the whole story and down the paths that he wants you to travel down.
You also get to see Cole slowly begin to figure things out in his own head despite the choices he makes. The ending was a mix of good and bad. It ended well, yet it ended too abruptly for me. I wanted another chapter of goodbyes I suppose. *chuckle* But then I hate ending things so that's probably just me.
But over all it was a good book, some of the wording especially at the beginning got a little odd. It felt like the author was trying to hard to make his characters sound like they were from the right time period and didn't quite succeed in making it work. However, those little things seemed to go away later on. Or maybe I simply stopped noticing them.
So yeah I enjoyed! If you're looking for something that's really scary well it's not really scary I was creeped but I get easily creeped. :)
March 25, 2014
I listened to the audio version of this book. This was a really great adventure based in the frontier Ohio valley with a mm romance btwn a trapper and an Native American woven in. I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought this but found myself completely drawn in by the adventure, horror, mystery and romance of this book. I think that is primarily because the narrator does an excellent job. But the story is very engaging from the start. This is not a warm and fuzzy read but has some truly horrific violence in it. At the same time it manages to have very realistic and tender romance btwn Cole and Pakim as Cole tries to come to terms with his feelings for Pakim as well as stay alive. There a twist at the end that I didn't see coming.
September 12, 2016
Not my usual fare, but I still enjoyed it. The story kept me on the edge of my seat (and up past my bed time)! I am definitely looking forward to reading the first book, though I feel this one stands alone well enough.
July 20, 2010
This one kept me on the edge of my seat! It actually had me jumping in the middle of the night. Loved the characters.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews