What do you think?
Rate this book
The Savage Land #1
Man & Beast
What is the line that separates man from beast?
The year is 1797, and 24-year-old John Chapman is lost on the American frontier with winter falling fast. Near death, he stumbles upon a lone cabin, and the owner, a rugged but sexy frontiersman named Daniel McQuay, agrees to let John winter over.
John and Daniel quickly find themselves drawn to each other, the sex between them unlike anything John has ever known. But as the weeks turn into snowbound months, Daniel begins to change into someone brutish, and the line between man and beast disappears.
With the arrival of spring, John flees, eventually finding refuge in the company of a group of frontier outcasts, including a brash young settler named Palmer. But in the wilds of this savage land, love is not so easily tamed, and John soon finds himself calling upon the raging animal within him to save the man he loves.
Man & Beast, which The Advocate calls “equal parts romance novel and history lesson, heaped with sex and violence,” is the first book in the Savage Lands, a series that celebrates the untold gay history of the American frontier. Man & Beast is for fans of Harper Fox, Jerry Cole, K.J. Charles, and Mary Renault, as well as anyone who enjoys pulse-pounding suspense and romance.
(Man & Beast was previously published under the title Frontiers.)
The year is 1797, and 24-year-old John Chapman is lost on the American frontier with winter falling fast. Near death, he stumbles upon a lone cabin, and the owner, a rugged but sexy frontiersman named Daniel McQuay, agrees to let John winter over.
John and Daniel quickly find themselves drawn to each other, the sex between them unlike anything John has ever known. But as the weeks turn into snowbound months, Daniel begins to change into someone brutish, and the line between man and beast disappears.
With the arrival of spring, John flees, eventually finding refuge in the company of a group of frontier outcasts, including a brash young settler named Palmer. But in the wilds of this savage land, love is not so easily tamed, and John soon finds himself calling upon the raging animal within him to save the man he loves.
Man & Beast, which The Advocate calls “equal parts romance novel and history lesson, heaped with sex and violence,” is the first book in the Savage Lands, a series that celebrates the untold gay history of the American frontier. Man & Beast is for fans of Harper Fox, Jerry Cole, K.J. Charles, and Mary Renault, as well as anyone who enjoys pulse-pounding suspense and romance.
(Man & Beast was previously published under the title Frontiers.)
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2016
46 people are currently reading
437 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
February 9, 2017
Man & Beast is the updated, re-titled version of Frontiers that was published in 2000. This novel has been already for a while on my TBR, so when I got a possibility to read and review the first book of The Savage Land series , I grabbed the chance immediately.
I have grown up with the books by James Fenimore Cooper, Karl May and Thomas Mayne Reid, and every good written historical novel about the Wild West, brings back to me my childhood, and I’m always happy to come across a good written historical fiction about this period of time. Together with a gay mystery, gay historical fiction belongs to one my favorite reads. So yes, I’m a picky reader considering my preferable genres.
Michael Jensen is a new for me author, and I didn’t know what to expect from his novel, but now I can say, that this book met all my expectations.
Man & Beast is a gay historical thriller set in the 1797-1798. It tells the story of John Chapman, a 24-year-old young man, who has to flee his home town in Lower Canada, when his forbidden relationship with a British major has been discovered. To escape from death that threatens him for sodomy, he sets out for western Pennsylvania, to a frontier outpost, where the Holland Land Company offers free land and supplies to settlers. It is his only chance to survive.
Without enough supplies (and money), without a gun, and with a bad sense of direction, exhausted and at the end of his tether, three months later, he stumbles upon a lone cabin. It turns out that Daniel McQuay, an owner of the cabin is a frontiersman, a very experienced hunter and pioneer, who not only lets John to winter over with him, but also teaches him everything a frontiersman has to know to survive in the wilderness. And a bit more… Daniel is like John.
Very quickly they become closer, and even if Daniel is a rough, reticent, grumpy and a very moody person, sex between them at the beginning is the best one, John has ever had. But something in their relationship is missing, John wants more than sex, and he realizes how little he knows about his host.
The longer they stay together, the more difficult their relationship becomes. As the winter progresses Daniel lets off bursts of anger, uncontrollable temper tantrums more frequent, and his alcohol consumption becomes a serious problem. Gradually he begins to feel himself like being in a trap and he decides to leave Daniel as soon as spring comes. Knowing that Daniel is not very enthusiastic about his intention to leave, he tries to keep them secret, but when he finds accidently a shocking truth about the lone frontiersman, he can’t wait any longer to run away.
It is exactly a point in the book, an unexpected twist that turns the whole story suddenly into an engaging action thriller, and…where the first part ends.
The second part starts almost with the same situation, that the first part began with: John Chapman flees fearing for his life. Again.
I’m not going to tell you the whole book, but it will be much more than this. When John’s life seems at last to be settled, his past catches up with him, and demands all his survivor’s skills to not be completely swallowed by it. Again.
I very enjoyed this novel, it seems to waver for a little before it really gets going, but it is exactly what makes it so interesting: very REAL historical settings and atmosphere, but with a healthy dose of fairy tale, a slow beginning and an enchanting speed-up towards the end. A well-done balance between the first and the second part of the book: while the first part is mostly character-focused, the second part is plot-focused, full of actions and twists, that will rope you in and not let you go until you reach the final word.
I wouldn’t consider Man & Beast as a MM romance. I see it in the first place as a historical gay fiction, though romance is present here, but it is rather as a sub-plot that accompanies a main story-line. Some parts of the book are not for the faint-hearted. But as the title of the series betrays, it was a savage time of period, and everything else would be a lie.
I’m definitely going to read the second book, and can’t wait for it to be released.
Highly recommended to all fans of gay historical fiction.
P.S I have just learned that John Chapman aka Johnny Appleseed did really exist. Maybe this fact is well known for an average American reader, but it was a new one for me. It made this story even more interesting. The author gives us his idea of John Chapman's life, based on known historical facts, that is totally acceptable and realistic.
***Copy provided kindly by the author in exchange for an honest review***
May 30, 2021
I started this under the (mistaken) impression that it would be a historical with paranormal/fantasy aspects. In my defense, maybe I paid more attention to the cover of the second book than the blurb of this one, which I read only once and a year ago, right before buying the book.
While I probably wouldn’t have chosen to read it at this particular time, if I’d known what to expect, I’m glad I went into it “blind” and that it was a complete surprise, the discrepancies between my expectations and the actual story made for a refreshing novelty.
Expecting the usual romance structure, I spent the first part of the book I kept wondering how the author was planning to deal with that and so when the plot twist came and , I loved being surprised right along with the MC.
In the second part of the book I was then free to enjoy Hopefully the second book will be a chance to meet these characters again, but I won’t know until I read it because I’ve no intention of reading the blurb, LOL.
Perhaps the plot took a slightly wild turn at the end, with I was still able to close an eye on the implausibility of certain events. Especially because it did make sense and fit with the “theme” of the book.
I think this is the first time I read something set at the frontier and it was fascinating. While I have no way of knowing if it’s true, this portrait of people and life in such a hard place and under such difficult conditions felt realistic to me, even though it was sometimes disturbingly so.
Content warning:
While I probably wouldn’t have chosen to read it at this particular time, if I’d known what to expect, I’m glad I went into it “blind” and that it was a complete surprise, the discrepancies between my expectations and the actual story made for a refreshing novelty.
Expecting the usual romance structure, I spent the first part of the book I kept wondering how the author was planning to deal with that and so when the plot twist came and , I loved being surprised right along with the MC.
In the second part of the book I was then free to enjoy Hopefully the second book will be a chance to meet these characters again, but I won’t know until I read it because I’ve no intention of reading the blurb, LOL.
Perhaps the plot took a slightly wild turn at the end, with I was still able to close an eye on the implausibility of certain events. Especially because it did make sense and fit with the “theme” of the book.
I think this is the first time I read something set at the frontier and it was fascinating. While I have no way of knowing if it’s true, this portrait of people and life in such a hard place and under such difficult conditions felt realistic to me, even though it was sometimes disturbingly so.
Content warning:
December 18, 2016
John Chapman, (loosely based on Johnny Appleseed), led a pretty exciting life towards the end of the 1700's. Man & Beast makes it even more exciting by exploring the romantic side of John's nature. This was my first book containing m/m romance and I found it to be just fine.
Chapman isn't much of a frontiersman and when he turns up on Daniel's doorstep in Pennsylvania, alone with no supplies and winter close on his heels, Daniel takes him in. "In" being a one room, two story cabin with an outhouse and a small barn. Soon snowed in, Daniel and John get to know each other better, but that soon turns out not to be a good thing. Daniel has a very nasty side and likes to drink and John can't wait for the spring thaw to make his escape.
The second part of the novel is about exactly that-John Chapman's escape. He soon begins to make a life for himself in a small town, even though he still has to hide his true nature, (being a homosexual during this time in American history is about the worse thing a man can be.) But not long after his new life is established, his past catches up to him as he always suspected it would, and John is forced to finally make a stand. Instead of running as he always has before, John turns and faces the enemy. Will he survive? You'll have to read this to find out!
Not being a reader of romance at all, never mind a gay one, I was extremely nervous to read this book. Turns out, I needn't have worried. Most romances I've tried in the past just seemed silly and the characters rather vapid, but none of that occurred here. The story took precedence, the romance being secondary, and that worked well for me. To be honest, I was a little freaked out by the sex scenes in the first half of the book, but those scenes were distinctly different in the second half and I settled down with it.
For a book entirely out of my wheelhouse, I enjoyed Man & Beast. Not having had much experience with romances or gay fiction, my opinion may not mean much, but what's important to me is the STORY, and in that regard, this book delivers. I learned a lot about history, (this book was thoroughly researched), and a bit about gay relationships as well. I learned that in the end, we're all the same and we just want to be ourselves and to be loved. How can a book with that message be a bad thing?
Recommended to fans of historical fiction and romance!
You can find your copy here: Man & Beast (The Savage Land Book 1)
*I was given a review copy free of charge, in exchange for my honest feedback. This it it. Additionally, I've known the author online for a while now and consider him to be a friend. This did not affect the contents of my review.*
Chapman isn't much of a frontiersman and when he turns up on Daniel's doorstep in Pennsylvania, alone with no supplies and winter close on his heels, Daniel takes him in. "In" being a one room, two story cabin with an outhouse and a small barn. Soon snowed in, Daniel and John get to know each other better, but that soon turns out not to be a good thing. Daniel has a very nasty side and likes to drink and John can't wait for the spring thaw to make his escape.
The second part of the novel is about exactly that-John Chapman's escape. He soon begins to make a life for himself in a small town, even though he still has to hide his true nature, (being a homosexual during this time in American history is about the worse thing a man can be.) But not long after his new life is established, his past catches up to him as he always suspected it would, and John is forced to finally make a stand. Instead of running as he always has before, John turns and faces the enemy. Will he survive? You'll have to read this to find out!
Not being a reader of romance at all, never mind a gay one, I was extremely nervous to read this book. Turns out, I needn't have worried. Most romances I've tried in the past just seemed silly and the characters rather vapid, but none of that occurred here. The story took precedence, the romance being secondary, and that worked well for me. To be honest, I was a little freaked out by the sex scenes in the first half of the book, but those scenes were distinctly different in the second half and I settled down with it.
For a book entirely out of my wheelhouse, I enjoyed Man & Beast. Not having had much experience with romances or gay fiction, my opinion may not mean much, but what's important to me is the STORY, and in that regard, this book delivers. I learned a lot about history, (this book was thoroughly researched), and a bit about gay relationships as well. I learned that in the end, we're all the same and we just want to be ourselves and to be loved. How can a book with that message be a bad thing?
Recommended to fans of historical fiction and romance!
You can find your copy here: Man & Beast (The Savage Land Book 1)
*I was given a review copy free of charge, in exchange for my honest feedback. This it it. Additionally, I've known the author online for a while now and consider him to be a friend. This did not affect the contents of my review.*
February 10, 2017
This book was so much more than I expected! Well, I was ready for some manly, hairy, frontier m/m action :) But there was so much more. It was a thriller, it was adventure, it was romance, all full of authentic details set in a fascinating historical setting. But telling the truth, as soon as I started reading the book, I felt like it wouldn’t matter whatever direction the book took. The writing style was so clean, compact and expressive that I was pulled into the story immediately. And when I started getting to know John Chapman, I was ready to follow him wherever his journey was going to take him.
The book was actually so interesting I had to tear myself away from it not to read it in one sitting, because I wanted to prolong the experience. And it was interesting absolutely every step – cutting the moose, or planting apple seeds, or sex, or love, or the thrilling events John has to go through.
John is such an incredibly appealing character. I loved his gentleness and kindness, his ability to treat all the people with respect and warmness, his absence of hypocrisy and prejudice, his love of animals – as well as his ability to step up and be strong, brave and self-assured when necessary.
I read in another review about Johnny Appleseed, didn’t know anything about him before. But after reading the Wiki – wow, it really adds another beautiful layer to the book.
Sorry for not being able to say more without spoilers. It was a brilliant book and full of surprises and amazing turns.
The book was actually so interesting I had to tear myself away from it not to read it in one sitting, because I wanted to prolong the experience. And it was interesting absolutely every step – cutting the moose, or planting apple seeds, or sex, or love, or the thrilling events John has to go through.
John is such an incredibly appealing character. I loved his gentleness and kindness, his ability to treat all the people with respect and warmness, his absence of hypocrisy and prejudice, his love of animals – as well as his ability to step up and be strong, brave and self-assured when necessary.
I read in another review about Johnny Appleseed, didn’t know anything about him before. But after reading the Wiki – wow, it really adds another beautiful layer to the book.
Sorry for not being able to say more without spoilers. It was a brilliant book and full of surprises and amazing turns.
February 2, 2017
Man and Beast (The Savage Land, Book One)
By Michael Jensen
Self-published (BK Books)
Cover by Damonza.com
ISBN: 9781370913866
Five stars
Michael Jensen’s “Man and Beast” affirms my belief that the notion of the “good old days” is rubbish. Romanticizing the past has never appealed to me. As a cultural historian, the harsh realities of the past have always outweighed the beauties. As a curator, I love the art and material culture of the past – from the comfort and safety of my modern life. Give me flu shots and indoor plumbing!
I read the original version of this book years ago, and was hesitant about re-reading what I remembered as a tough, realistic vision of frontier life in the early years of the United States. I remembered harsh living conditions, some sporadic bone-chilling violence, and an immense feeling of alienation on the part of the main character, John Chapman.
What I’d forgotten was the startling beauty of Michael Jensen’s writing, and the great care he has taken with his background research. “Man and Beast” is a work of great literary merit that takes the reader into the real world, both beautiful and awful, of the early American frontier. Just as all the major Eastern cities – Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston – were becoming little Londons, full of culture and wealth, with exploding populations worthy of a new civilization, the West was still a howling wilderness. The frontier – which is only the western edge of Pennsylvania in the 1790s, mind you – was the opposite in every way. And I challenge anyone to romanticize the rough reality faced by settlers who went west with the promise of free land and the chance to forge their own destiny.
Into this world Jensen has placed John Chapman, a boy born poor at the time of the Revolution, who is driven west both by poverty and by the desire to find a place where he will be safe. As it happens, Chapman is gay – a term that didn’t exist two centuries ago. Sodomite or catamite would have been the terms – when anyone mentioned such a perversion at all. Chapman, in a horrific moment of clarity flees into the wilderness from a British fort on the Canadian border. With a Holland Land Company broadside folded in his pocket, Chapman has visions of the freedom to live his own life. What he finds, however, is nothing like he imagined.
I’ll make it clear right now, that without the gay central character, I wouldn’t have read this book, even though I know the author. Because that’s the truly radical thing he does – placing an outcast (a character plausible and vividly painted in the context of the time) whose own desperate need to get away from “civilization” and all its flaws. Chapman’s personal quest leads him into what he imagines will be Eden, only to find that American exceptionalism and Christian fervor have already begun the destruction of Paradise.
This is not a solitary tale; “Man and Beast” is populated with intense characters, good and bad. Both Chapman and the reader are forced to look unflinching at the variety of people who found themselves on the frontier, and at their reasons for being there. Through their eyes, we can come to understand how the United States came to be, after the war with England was won. It was not always a noble tale.
I’m so glad Michael edited this book and reissued it to accompany its upcoming sequel, “Man and Monster.” I will read that, because I need to know what happens.
By Michael Jensen
Self-published (BK Books)
Cover by Damonza.com
ISBN: 9781370913866
Five stars
Michael Jensen’s “Man and Beast” affirms my belief that the notion of the “good old days” is rubbish. Romanticizing the past has never appealed to me. As a cultural historian, the harsh realities of the past have always outweighed the beauties. As a curator, I love the art and material culture of the past – from the comfort and safety of my modern life. Give me flu shots and indoor plumbing!
I read the original version of this book years ago, and was hesitant about re-reading what I remembered as a tough, realistic vision of frontier life in the early years of the United States. I remembered harsh living conditions, some sporadic bone-chilling violence, and an immense feeling of alienation on the part of the main character, John Chapman.
What I’d forgotten was the startling beauty of Michael Jensen’s writing, and the great care he has taken with his background research. “Man and Beast” is a work of great literary merit that takes the reader into the real world, both beautiful and awful, of the early American frontier. Just as all the major Eastern cities – Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston – were becoming little Londons, full of culture and wealth, with exploding populations worthy of a new civilization, the West was still a howling wilderness. The frontier – which is only the western edge of Pennsylvania in the 1790s, mind you – was the opposite in every way. And I challenge anyone to romanticize the rough reality faced by settlers who went west with the promise of free land and the chance to forge their own destiny.
Into this world Jensen has placed John Chapman, a boy born poor at the time of the Revolution, who is driven west both by poverty and by the desire to find a place where he will be safe. As it happens, Chapman is gay – a term that didn’t exist two centuries ago. Sodomite or catamite would have been the terms – when anyone mentioned such a perversion at all. Chapman, in a horrific moment of clarity flees into the wilderness from a British fort on the Canadian border. With a Holland Land Company broadside folded in his pocket, Chapman has visions of the freedom to live his own life. What he finds, however, is nothing like he imagined.
I’ll make it clear right now, that without the gay central character, I wouldn’t have read this book, even though I know the author. Because that’s the truly radical thing he does – placing an outcast (a character plausible and vividly painted in the context of the time) whose own desperate need to get away from “civilization” and all its flaws. Chapman’s personal quest leads him into what he imagines will be Eden, only to find that American exceptionalism and Christian fervor have already begun the destruction of Paradise.
This is not a solitary tale; “Man and Beast” is populated with intense characters, good and bad. Both Chapman and the reader are forced to look unflinching at the variety of people who found themselves on the frontier, and at their reasons for being there. Through their eyes, we can come to understand how the United States came to be, after the war with England was won. It was not always a noble tale.
I’m so glad Michael edited this book and reissued it to accompany its upcoming sequel, “Man and Monster.” I will read that, because I need to know what happens.
June 27, 2017
The title the Savage Land is certainly apt. What I found savage in this was not the land actually as the land, nature, acted right as it should. It's man, white man in this particular case who I think is savage. Savage in his dealing with his own kind and even worse when he came to deal with the slightly different, be that skin difference or orientation, or culture. I think that idea that man is intrinsically so good, so pure, is a false idea. I think we should accept man for what he is, a survivor who is able to trample on what is around him to get up further and further. Oh don't get me wrong, we are capable of great good but we should not forget that we are capable of great bad as well and so we should take both sides into consideration when we deal with us.
This was a great read. Jensen was very able in taking me to the American frontier in 1797 without a lot of extra descriptions to get me in the mood. He set me in place in a deceptively casual and easy manner. With a word here and a word there I was reminded where and when I was. He builds up his characters and story in the same way. Good writing. After reading this I have no idea how Man & Monster will continue but I look forward to reading it.
Fits into slot 24 of my reading challenge - A book set in the wilderness
a copy of the book gently given by the author
This was a great read. Jensen was very able in taking me to the American frontier in 1797 without a lot of extra descriptions to get me in the mood. He set me in place in a deceptively casual and easy manner. With a word here and a word there I was reminded where and when I was. He builds up his characters and story in the same way. Good writing. After reading this I have no idea how Man & Monster will continue but I look forward to reading it.
Fits into slot 24 of my reading challenge - A book set in the wilderness
a copy of the book gently given by the author
May 18, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed Michael Jensen's Man and Beast, a novel that I've had in my TBR for far too long.
The way Jensen conjures up the extremely dangerous and volatile atmosphere of life on the frontier is fantastic - you can almost taste and feel the grime and mud and blood of surrounding the characters.
Based on the historical character of Johnny Appleseed, John Chapman finds himself cold, lost and hungry outside an isolated cabin in the inhospitable outpost of Warren. The cabin's sole inhabitant grudgingly shelters him for the winter but things are way more complicated than what they seem.
The novel's plot presents many twists and turns and goes from being a wildlife adventure, a bit in the style of Jack London, to a nightmarish stalking story, to a tender romance.
I've appreciated the progression of the narrative and how Jensen manages to be informative about specific aspects of frontier life, without ever becoming either boring or overly didactic.
The main characters - John, Daniel, Palmer and Gwennie - are all well constructed and fascinating and I loved following John's internal monologues and decision-making strategies.
My only complaint would be a rather abrupt ending but, having now started to read, the novel's following, I can say that my curiosity about the characters' fate is more than being repaid.
This novel presents some trigger warnings - a hefty dose of violence and gore, racism, sexual violence - so be aware of that before picking it up. If you do, however, I'm sure you'll be rewarded by its story and by the author's gorgeous writing style.
Highly recommended!
The way Jensen conjures up the extremely dangerous and volatile atmosphere of life on the frontier is fantastic - you can almost taste and feel the grime and mud and blood of surrounding the characters.
Based on the historical character of Johnny Appleseed, John Chapman finds himself cold, lost and hungry outside an isolated cabin in the inhospitable outpost of Warren. The cabin's sole inhabitant grudgingly shelters him for the winter but things are way more complicated than what they seem.
The novel's plot presents many twists and turns and goes from being a wildlife adventure, a bit in the style of Jack London, to a nightmarish stalking story, to a tender romance.
I've appreciated the progression of the narrative and how Jensen manages to be informative about specific aspects of frontier life, without ever becoming either boring or overly didactic.
The main characters - John, Daniel, Palmer and Gwennie - are all well constructed and fascinating and I loved following John's internal monologues and decision-making strategies.
My only complaint would be a rather abrupt ending but, having now started to read, the novel's following, I can say that my curiosity about the characters' fate is more than being repaid.
This novel presents some trigger warnings - a hefty dose of violence and gore, racism, sexual violence - so be aware of that before picking it up. If you do, however, I'm sure you'll be rewarded by its story and by the author's gorgeous writing style.
Highly recommended!
February 4, 2017
~ ~ ~
5 Edge-of-my-seat Stars
This is my half of a Co-Review with fellow Goodreader OJ. You can check out his thoughts on our GayGuy StraightGirl Blog here and see if we both agree.
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I was devoured by this book. Chewed up, spit out, and regurgitated. Beginning with a frantic run for survival, continuing with a head spinning, psychological thriller, settling into a completely quirky frontier Peyton Place, and culminating with an intense mountainside clash. All this while exploring heady subjects of self-worth, bigotry, and racism. Wow!
This hair-raising, action-packed read is far from the lazy, historical drama that I was expecting. I couldn’t put it down. It got into my psyche and won’t let go. What a terrific, unexpected treat. Definitely one of my best reads of the year.
CHARACTERS
John Chapman – A gentle soul in a harsh environment forced to find his core of steel to survive. John’s visible development through this book is striking.
Daniel McQuay – This gruff, brutal frontiersman had me on-edge with every encounter. He slowly devolves into a calculating terror that the reader will never forget.
Palmer – A young man ahead of his time. His ideas and beliefs feel so familiar, but are at the same time completely out of place. I connected with him immediately.
Gwennie – My favorite character. A half-breed woman who lives life on her own terms. Her intelligence, integrity, and fortitude were uplifting and authentic.
STORY
Two men alone in the frozen wilderness must survive the harsh environment inside and outside of a remote frontier cabin. To survive they will need to learn to trust each other, but when one of the men is always on a hair-trigger there is rarely a moment to let your guard down. Bit by bit small cracks in this tenuous relationship develop. Secrets, deceptions, and hints of atrocities all add up to a feeling of impending ruin.
A chance for escape leads to a new life. A fresh start. But nosey townspeople with plans of their own don’t allow much room for John to be John. They are a ridiculous mix of characters that come as unexpected levity and a reprieve from the anxiety-driven first half of this book. But don’t let your guard down.
Action-packed and heart-pounding right up until the end.
WRITING
The ability to cause simultaneous heart-pounding anxiety and delirium-driven laughter is talent. This frozen wilderness, two men in a cabin story could have easily been boring and slow. Instead these months on end of winter isolation have edge-of-your-seat intensity with near constant events taking place.
Michael Jensen manages to include big, deep topics like racism, homophobia, and rape well within the context of the story. It felt both historically accurate and necessary to the over-arching plot, not just stuck-in pandering to enrich the story. Excellent.
I highly recommend this psychological thriller.
**I would like to thank the author, Michael Jensen for providing me with an advance copy for review.
~ ~ ~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.com
5 Edge-of-my-seat Stars
This is my half of a Co-Review with fellow Goodreader OJ. You can check out his thoughts on our GayGuy StraightGirl Blog here and see if we both agree.
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I was devoured by this book. Chewed up, spit out, and regurgitated. Beginning with a frantic run for survival, continuing with a head spinning, psychological thriller, settling into a completely quirky frontier Peyton Place, and culminating with an intense mountainside clash. All this while exploring heady subjects of self-worth, bigotry, and racism. Wow!
This hair-raising, action-packed read is far from the lazy, historical drama that I was expecting. I couldn’t put it down. It got into my psyche and won’t let go. What a terrific, unexpected treat. Definitely one of my best reads of the year.
CHARACTERS
John Chapman – A gentle soul in a harsh environment forced to find his core of steel to survive. John’s visible development through this book is striking.
Daniel McQuay – This gruff, brutal frontiersman had me on-edge with every encounter. He slowly devolves into a calculating terror that the reader will never forget.
Palmer – A young man ahead of his time. His ideas and beliefs feel so familiar, but are at the same time completely out of place. I connected with him immediately.
Gwennie – My favorite character. A half-breed woman who lives life on her own terms. Her intelligence, integrity, and fortitude were uplifting and authentic.
STORY
Two men alone in the frozen wilderness must survive the harsh environment inside and outside of a remote frontier cabin. To survive they will need to learn to trust each other, but when one of the men is always on a hair-trigger there is rarely a moment to let your guard down. Bit by bit small cracks in this tenuous relationship develop. Secrets, deceptions, and hints of atrocities all add up to a feeling of impending ruin.
A chance for escape leads to a new life. A fresh start. But nosey townspeople with plans of their own don’t allow much room for John to be John. They are a ridiculous mix of characters that come as unexpected levity and a reprieve from the anxiety-driven first half of this book. But don’t let your guard down.
Action-packed and heart-pounding right up until the end.
WRITING
The ability to cause simultaneous heart-pounding anxiety and delirium-driven laughter is talent. This frozen wilderness, two men in a cabin story could have easily been boring and slow. Instead these months on end of winter isolation have edge-of-your-seat intensity with near constant events taking place.
Michael Jensen manages to include big, deep topics like racism, homophobia, and rape well within the context of the story. It felt both historically accurate and necessary to the over-arching plot, not just stuck-in pandering to enrich the story. Excellent.
I highly recommend this psychological thriller.
**I would like to thank the author, Michael Jensen for providing me with an advance copy for review.
~ ~ ~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.com
February 9, 2017
So, I really, really enjoyed this historical thriller that takes place in 1797 and ‘98. A lovely harmonious amalgam of Action, Adventure, Suspense, and Romance! This was a first time read for me from this author, and I thought he assembled all of the elements of the story, very well. I was totally entertained by the twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, and the climax kept me on the edge of my seat. Told in the first person through the eyes of John Chapman, the novel introduces us to a young man who runs for his life, who has to deal with his traumatic past, his fears and his own identity. For the time period, there was zero tolerance for "sodomites" and people had to keep their secrets hidden. “Sodomy was bad enough; sodomy with a British officer would get me a flogging till I passed out, then clapped in leg irons in the shit-hole that passed for their gaol”. For the time period when settlers were stealing land from Native Americans, there was zero compassion for the "Indians". Surrounded by brutal, dangerous and at the same time beautiful environment (deep into the American frontier), people and animals, John's looking for, fighting for any chances for happiness, permanency and tranquility in his life. How? Running; escaping death; focusing on keeping himself alive and in one piece; meeting people who is not necessarily offering help out of the kindness of their hearts and whispering, not shouting: “You aren’t a man, Chapman. You’re nothing but a feeble pervert, a coward who brings woe and ruin wherever you go. No wonder your father loathed you. No wonder you ran. Running was the one thing you were good at.”; meeting truly friends, saviors and a love.“What I deserved was what I’d felt with Palmer that night on top of the mountain. I deserved to love and be loved. I deserved to live. Now here, with a man I loved, I was fully John Chapman — the person I was always meant to be.”.
Wow, it's been so intense and immersive (not to mention sexy) reading, with great author's sense of pacing and detailing. This was very close to a full 5-star read for me. It's fair to say that I had a few issues with the book, actually a bit 'mores' for my taste : stories into the main one; similes and metaphors; John's unpreparedness to survive; unpowered epilogue. Nevertheless, the story was very engaging, filled with beautifully described scenery, and characters to both love and hate. All fit into this world in a way that made me appreciate more the value of freedom. Overall, it was an awesome read and I'm glad I didn't pass it up and I definitely would recommend it!
~4.5 stars~
Wow, it's been so intense and immersive (not to mention sexy) reading, with great author's sense of pacing and detailing. This was very close to a full 5-star read for me. It's fair to say that I had a few issues with the book, actually a bit 'mores' for my taste : stories into the main one; similes and metaphors; John's unpreparedness to survive; unpowered epilogue. Nevertheless, the story was very engaging, filled with beautifully described scenery, and characters to both love and hate. All fit into this world in a way that made me appreciate more the value of freedom. Overall, it was an awesome read and I'm glad I didn't pass it up and I definitely would recommend it!
~4.5 stars~
February 8, 2017
Read the original "Frontiers" years ago and loved revisiting this book now.
This book is packed with a lot of action and suspense. John is always trying to outrun some aspect of his past, while at the same time trying to find a mate. He wants a partner, but he’s scared to hope that such a thing is even possible given the major and the man from the blockhouse. Franklin is a bit of mystery too with a lot of subterfuge going on. "Man & Beast" was a thrill to read and I’m glad I had this re-read because I thoroughly enjoyed it. Jensen packs so much detail into his stories, about John and the struggles of the frontier along with the suspense of what John gets himself into that you can’t help but turn the pages.
Read the complete review at: http://www.jeffandwill.com/2016/11/20...
NOTE: I received a free ebook for an honest review for "Jeff & Will’s Big Gay Fiction Podcast."
This book is packed with a lot of action and suspense. John is always trying to outrun some aspect of his past, while at the same time trying to find a mate. He wants a partner, but he’s scared to hope that such a thing is even possible given the major and the man from the blockhouse. Franklin is a bit of mystery too with a lot of subterfuge going on. "Man & Beast" was a thrill to read and I’m glad I had this re-read because I thoroughly enjoyed it. Jensen packs so much detail into his stories, about John and the struggles of the frontier along with the suspense of what John gets himself into that you can’t help but turn the pages.
Read the complete review at: http://www.jeffandwill.com/2016/11/20...
NOTE: I received a free ebook for an honest review for "Jeff & Will’s Big Gay Fiction Podcast."
Read
February 7, 2017Ok, just to be clear - no stars from me doesn't mean I hated the book. It just means that it's a well done book that happened to not be my cuppa and I can't apply the rating system in good conscience.
It is actually one very solidly written book, only a bit too rich for my actually rather timid little heart. There is action aplenty, which I applaud but all I can say is that you need to be aware that there is not only action but there is also gore, bordering on horror. Now, horror seriously isn't my cuppa but I can appreciate that it's well done horror, so...
What makes me shudder is that apart from - erm, certain aspects, which nudge it in the direction of horror - this is probably an account about living on the "frontier" that is a lot closer to the truth than "Little House on the Prairie".
It is actually one very solidly written book, only a bit too rich for my actually rather timid little heart. There is action aplenty, which I applaud but all I can say is that you need to be aware that there is not only action but there is also gore, bordering on horror. Now, horror seriously isn't my cuppa but I can appreciate that it's well done horror, so...
What makes me shudder is that apart from - erm, certain aspects, which nudge it in the direction of horror - this is probably an account about living on the "frontier" that is a lot closer to the truth than "Little House on the Prairie".
November 12, 2016
When I first got this novel, I thought it was mostly just going to be gay sex. It is actually wonderful historical fiction that has great gay sex in it. It focuses on the story of John Chapman, a fictional account of the infamous Johnny Appleseed. Do a search about him and you'll be pleasantly surprised by how much of what we know about him was infused into the story. In some cases, this also presents great conflict within the story.
Was John Chapman gay? Honestly, I don't know (and yes, I did an actual Google search!) But really, that's not the point! Michael Jensen presents a beautiful (and often chilling) tale that lays out a perfectly acceptable idea about this historical figure.
I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to the rest of the series!
Was John Chapman gay? Honestly, I don't know (and yes, I did an actual Google search!) But really, that's not the point! Michael Jensen presents a beautiful (and often chilling) tale that lays out a perfectly acceptable idea about this historical figure.
I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to the rest of the series!
August 23, 2022
This was a very strange reading experience. The blurb heavily emphasized the two romantic relationships that John has, but I wouldn't consider this a romance at all. It's a great piece of historical gay fiction, but it's not historical gay romance because one of John's relationship's isn't a romance and the other is given so little development that it's not a main plotline. The structure of the story was also strange. The first half was a psychological thriller featuring John and David spending months in David's isolated cabin, while the second half has John living in a tiny frontier town, interacting with loads of side characters and having a romance with Palmer. Both plotlines had completely different tones and structures. The two plotlines did overlap in the last 10% but the rest of the time, their only connection was that John happened to be in both.
There were two things that I really enjoyed. First was the writing and the historical authenticity. Not only was the writing fantastic and fit the time period very well but I loved how much research the author did and how every detail immersed me in John's world. The author didn't shy away from depicting the harsh realities of life on the frontier during the 1790s, including things like graphic descriptions of hunting, violence between individuals and the horrific treatment of women, First Nations people and others.
Another strong aspect was the plotline in the first half of the story. John has zero knowledge about surviving in the wilderness but he's eager to learn, so having David allow John to spend the winter in his cabin was the perfect setup of a forced proximity, slow burn romance.
Unfortunately, the author made the decision to completely switch gears in the second half. John makes his way to a tiny frontier town, where he's given a claim. The first half of the story had such incredibly tension and the action stayed purely focused on John and David so I instantly got bored by the lengthy descriptions of John farming and dealing with half a dozen nosy, annoying townspeople. I'm not a big fan of small town stories anyway because I hate nosy, rude side characters who shove their way into the MCs lives but it was especially disappointing to have such a big tone shift from the first half. The story went from being an intense psychological thriller/dark romance to a slow, boring small town romance that included all the usual tropes of such stories.
There were a lot of other aspects that I disliked in the second half:
+ There was so much focus on side characters, their histories and relationships with each other that John became a passive background character. He spent all his time wandering around and listening to side characters talking to him about their problems.
+ John's character arc was very limited. While he showed growth during his time with David, his time in the frontier town had him be so passive most of the time that he just felt like a narrator instead of the MC. The blurb had promised that John's experiences with David would leave a big impact on him, which would be a big part of the plot, but that's not what happened. John barely thinks about what happened with David once he's with Palmer and David only shows up again in the last 10%. We're told that John has changed significantly, but we weren't shown enough of it to make it believable.
+ I adored Gwennie and Palmer but the majority of the townspeople were horrible people. While I appreciate the author wanting to depict as many aspects of frontier life as possible, it was disappointing that every non-minority white person (ie not gay, not half-black etc) was violently racist and held extremist (Christian) religious beliefs. All the 'good' characters were either not overly religious or had left religion behind and all of them are conveniently accepting of every race/gender/orientation etc. I dislike this childishly simplistic view of the world in any book, never mind one set in 1798.
+ While the historical accuracy was wonderful, having the author constantly focus on horrible situations became draining. Every decent character has a horrible backstory and goes through terrible things throughout the story. Rape, attempted rape, physical violence, torture, murder etc. Since I wasn't enjoying the second half anyway, the depressing tone got annoying.
+ John's romance with Palmer gets very little page time. Palmer doesn't even show up until 70%, then he conveniently disappears for a few weeks (during which time John can listen to more monologues from other side characters) before showing up again at 80%. That's when the romance starts and the entire thing is rushed. I got the feeling both characters are only together because it's convenient, which isn't the feeling I want to walk away with after reading a romance story.
+ The climax was a rushed OTT mess with way too much happening, unrealistic situations and too many characters being involved. The author wasted so much time in the second half that could have been much better used to setup and carry out the resolution to David's involvement in the story, rather than cramming it all into the last 10%.
Overall, I would highly recommend this if you're interested in this time period because the historical details made this a very educational read. But as far as romance goes, I'd look elsewhere.
There were two things that I really enjoyed. First was the writing and the historical authenticity. Not only was the writing fantastic and fit the time period very well but I loved how much research the author did and how every detail immersed me in John's world. The author didn't shy away from depicting the harsh realities of life on the frontier during the 1790s, including things like graphic descriptions of hunting, violence between individuals and the horrific treatment of women, First Nations people and others.
Another strong aspect was the plotline in the first half of the story. John has zero knowledge about surviving in the wilderness but he's eager to learn, so having David allow John to spend the winter in his cabin was the perfect setup of a forced proximity, slow burn romance.
Unfortunately, the author made the decision to completely switch gears in the second half. John makes his way to a tiny frontier town, where he's given a claim. The first half of the story had such incredibly tension and the action stayed purely focused on John and David so I instantly got bored by the lengthy descriptions of John farming and dealing with half a dozen nosy, annoying townspeople. I'm not a big fan of small town stories anyway because I hate nosy, rude side characters who shove their way into the MCs lives but it was especially disappointing to have such a big tone shift from the first half. The story went from being an intense psychological thriller/dark romance to a slow, boring small town romance that included all the usual tropes of such stories.
There were a lot of other aspects that I disliked in the second half:
+ There was so much focus on side characters, their histories and relationships with each other that John became a passive background character. He spent all his time wandering around and listening to side characters talking to him about their problems.
+ John's character arc was very limited. While he showed growth during his time with David, his time in the frontier town had him be so passive most of the time that he just felt like a narrator instead of the MC. The blurb had promised that John's experiences with David would leave a big impact on him, which would be a big part of the plot, but that's not what happened. John barely thinks about what happened with David once he's with Palmer and David only shows up again in the last 10%. We're told that John has changed significantly, but we weren't shown enough of it to make it believable.
+ I adored Gwennie and Palmer but the majority of the townspeople were horrible people. While I appreciate the author wanting to depict as many aspects of frontier life as possible, it was disappointing that every non-minority white person (ie not gay, not half-black etc) was violently racist and held extremist (Christian) religious beliefs. All the 'good' characters were either not overly religious or had left religion behind and all of them are conveniently accepting of every race/gender/orientation etc. I dislike this childishly simplistic view of the world in any book, never mind one set in 1798.
+ While the historical accuracy was wonderful, having the author constantly focus on horrible situations became draining. Every decent character has a horrible backstory and goes through terrible things throughout the story. Rape, attempted rape, physical violence, torture, murder etc. Since I wasn't enjoying the second half anyway, the depressing tone got annoying.
+ John's romance with Palmer gets very little page time. Palmer doesn't even show up until 70%, then he conveniently disappears for a few weeks (during which time John can listen to more monologues from other side characters) before showing up again at 80%. That's when the romance starts and the entire thing is rushed. I got the feeling both characters are only together because it's convenient, which isn't the feeling I want to walk away with after reading a romance story.
+ The climax was a rushed OTT mess with way too much happening, unrealistic situations and too many characters being involved. The author wasted so much time in the second half that could have been much better used to setup and carry out the resolution to David's involvement in the story, rather than cramming it all into the last 10%.
Overall, I would highly recommend this if you're interested in this time period because the historical details made this a very educational read. But as far as romance goes, I'd look elsewhere.
June 22, 2020
This is a case of "It's me, not the book"... I started and while I was truly invested in John and his problems it was clear since the very beginning that this wasn't the right time for reading this book. Timing is everything and I chose poorly. Usually, I can't barely stand descriptions of animal maltreatment, killing or quartering, but lately, it's a big issue for me. I know how meat is processed and I eat it, don't get me wrong, and I know this was the frontier, if you don't hunt you don't eat, but... I just can't. I know there are even more disturbing descriptions in this book than hunting and killing animals, there's descriptions about killing people, but... I don't know... there's something about killing a defenseless animal that get to me.
February 7, 2017
This is my review of Man & Beast, by Michael Jensen. This is a Gay Guy/Straight Girl Co-Review with my partner in crime Lisa Arbitrary. Click the links below to see the whole review and more.
Man & Beast at Gay Guy/Straight Girl Reviews
INITIAL THOUGHTS
Every once in a while a book comes along that takes me by the neck and throttles me so hard that I’m left in total awe. This is one of those books. I wasn’t expecting what I got. Sure, I knew it was a historical going in but man, oh man, this is such phenomenally good writing that it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I could not put this book down.
The setting of late 18th century western expansion, the ill-defined boundaries of a fledgling nation, the clash with the Native Peoples, the vivid characters and magnificent prose, the way the characters and places come to life and expand and develop throughout is what makes for a completely immersive experience. I truly cannot recommend this book highly enough.
CHARACTERS
John Chapman –
Handsome, innocent at first, John Chapman. When John’s illicit affair with a British Major in Fort Niagara, Canada, is discovered, John is forced to flee towards the newly opened frontier of western Pennsylvania to a newly starting settlement called Warren. Thus begins John’s quick learning of the hardships, and joys, of a life he’d never thought he’d have.
Daniel McQuay –
"In the dark, I could only make out his silhouette — short but broad-shouldered, and as solid-looking as the trees that ringed us… He was a shade on the short side, but his massive forearms, the clear contours of a solid chest, and the broad shoulders visible under his hunting shirt gave him the presence of someone taller. His long black hair, drawn into a ponytail much the same way I wore mine, gleamed in the morning light. I thought him quite striking…"
John comes upon brutal, vicious Daniel McQuay’s cabin and is taken in by him, saving his life. However, what John doesn’t know is the mind altering experiences that are about to happen.
Palmer –
"When he finally removed his hat, I was taken aback by the smiling, tan face with bright blue eyes that roamed over me. His blond hair, pulled back in a tight ponytail, further emphasized his angular features and almond-shaped eyes… He was taller than I, and thin, but well muscled. Golden curls covered his broad chest, darkening as they descended down his stomach…"
Young, handsome Palmer is the complete opposite of both the British Major and Dan McQuay. When John first meets him he is smitten by him and, as fate would have it, Palmer is also attracted to John. Palmer shows John the better, and sometimes more fun, side of this new frontier.
Gwennie –
"The round cheeks, small mouth, and dark eyes of an Indian woman…"
Enigmatic Gwennie. The native survivor of the attempts to mainstream the original inhabitants has learned to trust few people. Her presence is a strong, steadying force in John and Palmer’s lives, as well as a source for the required knowledge to survive.
STORY
The story is what drew me into this book when Lisa first presented it to me. Granted, I’m not the historical romance kind of guy, and yet this story called out to me, I mean strong gay, male characters set in 1790’s frontier North America trying to survive and a love turned bad, redeemed by meeting a new, handsome settler, right? I mean, what’s not to like? Ah, mon cher, what I got was a whole heck of a lot more.
This story is a story of the reality of gay men in late 18th Century America and the difficulties, prejudices, and sometimes death, that they faced in the harshest conditions imaginable whilst still being true, proud men. The psychological difficulties of the times, as gay people acquired self realization, with the backdrop of the bigotry and stigmatization that the Native Peoples faced makes for an enthralling literary work… OK, now throw in an incredibly well written psycho-thriller and what do you get? One mind blowingly amazing novel that you cannot put down.
WRITING
Holy Goddess, the writing! Yeah, it’s good. It’s deliciously good. The story just flows so freely and powerfully. There are no hiccups, no WTFs, not one, not once. Mr. Jensen quite obviously did his homework as the manner of speech, the colloquialisms, the slangs, the thought patterns are all as they were in late 18th Century North America.
The sex scenes, and there are some pretty darn hot, intense sex scenes are so vivid and realistic to the time and the people undertaking them that I venture to say they are also pretty darn unique. I mean, imagine sex between closeted men in the late 1790’s frontier? Being able to write this credibly? Amazingly well done.
Reading his work is as if I had been transported back in time and I were living the moment, really there, present in all the happenings. As I mentioned before, this was a completely immersive experience. I don’t give a lot of 5 star reviews, but this book more than earns it.
Man & Beast at Gay Guy/Straight Girl Reviews
INITIAL THOUGHTS
Every once in a while a book comes along that takes me by the neck and throttles me so hard that I’m left in total awe. This is one of those books. I wasn’t expecting what I got. Sure, I knew it was a historical going in but man, oh man, this is such phenomenally good writing that it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I could not put this book down.
The setting of late 18th century western expansion, the ill-defined boundaries of a fledgling nation, the clash with the Native Peoples, the vivid characters and magnificent prose, the way the characters and places come to life and expand and develop throughout is what makes for a completely immersive experience. I truly cannot recommend this book highly enough.
CHARACTERS
John Chapman –
Handsome, innocent at first, John Chapman. When John’s illicit affair with a British Major in Fort Niagara, Canada, is discovered, John is forced to flee towards the newly opened frontier of western Pennsylvania to a newly starting settlement called Warren. Thus begins John’s quick learning of the hardships, and joys, of a life he’d never thought he’d have.
Daniel McQuay –
"In the dark, I could only make out his silhouette — short but broad-shouldered, and as solid-looking as the trees that ringed us… He was a shade on the short side, but his massive forearms, the clear contours of a solid chest, and the broad shoulders visible under his hunting shirt gave him the presence of someone taller. His long black hair, drawn into a ponytail much the same way I wore mine, gleamed in the morning light. I thought him quite striking…"
John comes upon brutal, vicious Daniel McQuay’s cabin and is taken in by him, saving his life. However, what John doesn’t know is the mind altering experiences that are about to happen.
Palmer –
"When he finally removed his hat, I was taken aback by the smiling, tan face with bright blue eyes that roamed over me. His blond hair, pulled back in a tight ponytail, further emphasized his angular features and almond-shaped eyes… He was taller than I, and thin, but well muscled. Golden curls covered his broad chest, darkening as they descended down his stomach…"
Young, handsome Palmer is the complete opposite of both the British Major and Dan McQuay. When John first meets him he is smitten by him and, as fate would have it, Palmer is also attracted to John. Palmer shows John the better, and sometimes more fun, side of this new frontier.
Gwennie –
"The round cheeks, small mouth, and dark eyes of an Indian woman…"
Enigmatic Gwennie. The native survivor of the attempts to mainstream the original inhabitants has learned to trust few people. Her presence is a strong, steadying force in John and Palmer’s lives, as well as a source for the required knowledge to survive.
STORY
The story is what drew me into this book when Lisa first presented it to me. Granted, I’m not the historical romance kind of guy, and yet this story called out to me, I mean strong gay, male characters set in 1790’s frontier North America trying to survive and a love turned bad, redeemed by meeting a new, handsome settler, right? I mean, what’s not to like? Ah, mon cher, what I got was a whole heck of a lot more.
This story is a story of the reality of gay men in late 18th Century America and the difficulties, prejudices, and sometimes death, that they faced in the harshest conditions imaginable whilst still being true, proud men. The psychological difficulties of the times, as gay people acquired self realization, with the backdrop of the bigotry and stigmatization that the Native Peoples faced makes for an enthralling literary work… OK, now throw in an incredibly well written psycho-thriller and what do you get? One mind blowingly amazing novel that you cannot put down.
WRITING
Holy Goddess, the writing! Yeah, it’s good. It’s deliciously good. The story just flows so freely and powerfully. There are no hiccups, no WTFs, not one, not once. Mr. Jensen quite obviously did his homework as the manner of speech, the colloquialisms, the slangs, the thought patterns are all as they were in late 18th Century North America.
The sex scenes, and there are some pretty darn hot, intense sex scenes are so vivid and realistic to the time and the people undertaking them that I venture to say they are also pretty darn unique. I mean, imagine sex between closeted men in the late 1790’s frontier? Being able to write this credibly? Amazingly well done.
Reading his work is as if I had been transported back in time and I were living the moment, really there, present in all the happenings. As I mentioned before, this was a completely immersive experience. I don’t give a lot of 5 star reviews, but this book more than earns it.
September 12, 2024
CW: One scene of attempted rape; discussion of rape, assault and atrocities done to Native Americans; and lots and lots of racists dirtbags. This is the frontier, y'all, and the author doesn't shy away from how icky a lot of these people were.
This was unexpected, and in this case that's a good thing. You do need to check your disbelief at the door on this one, at least for the climax. It was a Monty Python case of horrors, that's for sure. The emphasis is on horror because right away you know things just aren't quite right, and by the end you've got a Most Dangerous Game situation that'll keep you flipping the pages.
What I really liked about this is that it wasn't your typical M/M novel. I would even go so far as to say this isn't a romance, though there is a love story of sorts and an HFN. But this didn't follow the standard formula that has, let's be honest, become somewhat stale. And after The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, it was nice getting an historical where the characters sound like they're in an historical. It still could've used a bit more detail than what we got, but again, still much better than Gentleman's.
John's struggle to learn to speak up and act on his own behalf and those he cares about was a nice journey to watch, even though it was painful at times. He starts off as a man who just runs from everything and has to figure out through many trials what's worth standing up for. He makes a lot of bad decisions and indecisions along the way but I was never frustrated with him. It was obvious why he acted the way he did, not least because he was trying to save his own hide if people found out he's a sodomite.
Gwennie, Thomas and Palmer are all great supporting characters, and even Samantha gets a point or two in her favor. The ending was a bit abrupt and the epilogue doesn't really wrap up the loose ends. Since the next book is centered around another main character, I'm not sure if we'll see these characters again or not. Hopefully we do because there is certainly more to see with these guys.
For this being self-published, it was surprisingly light on typos. There were a few more near the end than throughout the rest of the book, but it's still much cleaner than most self-published books out there. The story is in first-person, if that's something that concerns you, but John has an easy and approachable POV, so the writing flows rather well.
This was unexpected, and in this case that's a good thing. You do need to check your disbelief at the door on this one, at least for the climax. It was a Monty Python case of horrors, that's for sure. The emphasis is on horror because right away you know things just aren't quite right, and by the end you've got a Most Dangerous Game situation that'll keep you flipping the pages.
What I really liked about this is that it wasn't your typical M/M novel. I would even go so far as to say this isn't a romance, though there is a love story of sorts and an HFN. But this didn't follow the standard formula that has, let's be honest, become somewhat stale. And after The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, it was nice getting an historical where the characters sound like they're in an historical. It still could've used a bit more detail than what we got, but again, still much better than Gentleman's.
John's struggle to learn to speak up and act on his own behalf and those he cares about was a nice journey to watch, even though it was painful at times. He starts off as a man who just runs from everything and has to figure out through many trials what's worth standing up for. He makes a lot of bad decisions and indecisions along the way but I was never frustrated with him. It was obvious why he acted the way he did, not least because he was trying to save his own hide if people found out he's a sodomite.
Gwennie, Thomas and Palmer are all great supporting characters, and even Samantha gets a point or two in her favor. The ending was a bit abrupt and the epilogue doesn't really wrap up the loose ends. Since the next book is centered around another main character, I'm not sure if we'll see these characters again or not. Hopefully we do because there is certainly more to see with these guys.
For this being self-published, it was surprisingly light on typos. There were a few more near the end than throughout the rest of the book, but it's still much cleaner than most self-published books out there. The story is in first-person, if that's something that concerns you, but John has an easy and approachable POV, so the writing flows rather well.
to-read-yes-own
November 28, 2016Hey Ingela,
Technically, Man & Beast doesn't come out until Nov. 29th, but you've been so patient in waiting for it, I decided to send it out a little early to folks who signed up for my newsletter. .....
Best, Michael
Technically, Man & Beast doesn't come out until Nov. 29th, but you've been so patient in waiting for it, I decided to send it out a little early to folks who signed up for my newsletter. .....
Best, Michael
February 7, 2017
“How far did I have to run?”
Though “Man & Beast” definitely has M/M romance in it, I would say it is not its main focus. I could easily say this book’s genre is thriller, but the most suited one for this story would be historical fiction.
John, our main character has had a hard life, from a young age he is used to running away in order to survive and not much has changed as we see him in the beginning of the book running for his life from the latest threat. The whole book is dedicated to John’s journey as he, a gay man, tries to endure all the hardships of the 18th century and find a safe place for himself in the American frontier.
The first part of the book was exactly the kind of story I like: a main character, trapped with another person in a small place, trying to survive even though he lacks the necessary skills. Though I did find it interesting following John around as he tries to acquire as many skills as possible in order to survive on his own in the spring, I found the book a bit slow at times, probably due to the fact that I didn’t really like Daniel, the character John was trapped with.
That became even more obvious when John run away from him, the story was still about his survival and work in the frontier but the new set of characters made things more interesting. There were plenty of good secondary characters that were a nice company to our hero and enriched the story, but the most intriguing ones were those who were bad, somehow it was very funny every time I had to read about John’s frustration with having to deal with all the crazy people in the small town.
Still, my favorite character was Palmer, John had to deal with a lot of hardships in his life that left him with a very pessimistic view, so Palmer with his lighthearted and confident personality, accompanied with his humor was the perfect romantic interest.
There was plenty of violence and horror spread throughout the story, but the last part of the book gave me all the full out violent action that I craved as we see our character fighting for their lives and do anything to survive.
“You’re not a man at all. Hell, you aren’t even an animal. At least a beast kills for a reason. You kill because you’re nothing inside, and you know it.”
When I first saw the title of this book I thought it was a paranormal story and though i didn’t find any magic element in it, there were definitely plenty of beasts inside.
I voluntarily reviewed the free copy that I received.
May 7, 2017
Terrifying psychological historical thriller. Just when you think the coast is clear, mhwaaaa.
June 18, 2018
★★★★☆ ~ 4 Stars
A historical tale set in 1797 where settlers are roaming westward and doing their best to displace the Native Americans, John Chapman has set out to make his own claim. He has some bad luck along the way and is almost dead by the time he is rescued by Daniel, a gruff, untrusting individual. As the winter gets colder and more miserable, John figures some things about mysterious Daniel, and moves on to a new area.
Where he meets brash Palmer and Gwennie. But he's not rid of Daniel yet.
An interesting and gripping tale.
A historical tale set in 1797 where settlers are roaming westward and doing their best to displace the Native Americans, John Chapman has set out to make his own claim. He has some bad luck along the way and is almost dead by the time he is rescued by Daniel, a gruff, untrusting individual. As the winter gets colder and more miserable, John figures some things about mysterious Daniel, and moves on to a new area.
Where he meets brash Palmer and Gwennie. But he's not rid of Daniel yet.
An interesting and gripping tale.
February 4, 2017
Natty Bumpo Beware
I spent a good portion of my pre-10-year-old life in the library consuming James Fennimore Cooper's novels of the early American frontier, i.e., the northeastern U.S. Never did he capture the violence, hardships, weakness of character and sheer doggedness of the character of John Chapman, hero of this book and one of the great MM historical fiction characters I have encountered.
Make no mistake: This one has some serious violence, some incredible stupidity, unbelievable bigotry and cruelty, and much despair. But through it author Michael Jensen has developed John Chapman into a semi schizophrenic, desperate survivor who discovers, quite by accident, that his life is being shaped by the loves he has lost.
That part of his character is "John" and the other is "Chapman" is a serious author's trick that works to propel this one toward an exceptional conclusion. But the additional characters of a man who calls himself Daniel, a woman named Gwennie, and two young men named Palmer and Thomas are also brilliantly developed to a point that--with one exception--we are drawn in as a member of the family.
This one takes time to get through because it takes your breath up to your throat at times, and that's a good thing when it comes time for you to exhale. Wow.
I spent a good portion of my pre-10-year-old life in the library consuming James Fennimore Cooper's novels of the early American frontier, i.e., the northeastern U.S. Never did he capture the violence, hardships, weakness of character and sheer doggedness of the character of John Chapman, hero of this book and one of the great MM historical fiction characters I have encountered.
Make no mistake: This one has some serious violence, some incredible stupidity, unbelievable bigotry and cruelty, and much despair. But through it author Michael Jensen has developed John Chapman into a semi schizophrenic, desperate survivor who discovers, quite by accident, that his life is being shaped by the loves he has lost.
That part of his character is "John" and the other is "Chapman" is a serious author's trick that works to propel this one toward an exceptional conclusion. But the additional characters of a man who calls himself Daniel, a woman named Gwennie, and two young men named Palmer and Thomas are also brilliantly developed to a point that--with one exception--we are drawn in as a member of the family.
This one takes time to get through because it takes your breath up to your throat at times, and that's a good thing when it comes time for you to exhale. Wow.
May 17, 2017
Man and Beast surprised me every time. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, I always found myself pleasantly shocked. Man and Beast tells of the story of John Chapman as he tries to make a life for himself after losing his lover and having to run away, fearing persecution.
I really liked Michael Jensen's writing style. The vocabulary he used in this book made me feel like I was actually there. Some of the things that I really loved about this book include the depiction of racism and how it must have been back then, issues of being radically religious, trusting people too easily, and the little pointers about plants, trees, and bushcraft.
I also loved John Chapman's character development throughout the book. You really see him grow but it wasn't perfect either. He made a few mistakes along the way but that's what makes it believable. There were also some instances towards the end of the book that made me stop and just reflect on what was being said and how it totally applied to my life's situation.
Man and Beast is a great short read. I'm sure I will re-read it soon because I really enjoyed it.
During some sweet moments, it really made me think a out this song
https://youtu.be/94nproFywEk
I really liked Michael Jensen's writing style. The vocabulary he used in this book made me feel like I was actually there. Some of the things that I really loved about this book include the depiction of racism and how it must have been back then, issues of being radically religious, trusting people too easily, and the little pointers about plants, trees, and bushcraft.
I also loved John Chapman's character development throughout the book. You really see him grow but it wasn't perfect either. He made a few mistakes along the way but that's what makes it believable. There were also some instances towards the end of the book that made me stop and just reflect on what was being said and how it totally applied to my life's situation.
Man and Beast is a great short read. I'm sure I will re-read it soon because I really enjoyed it.
During some sweet moments, it really made me think a out this song
https://youtu.be/94nproFywEk
March 6, 2017
This is a first for me, a gay historical novel which left any preconceived perceptions I might have had, standing at the door. Sometimes, reading a historical novel can be like carrying your hefty mother through a swamp. It’s your duty. You know it’s the right thing to do, but all you really want to do is drop the bitch and make her walk.
Not in this case. Michael Jensen has meticulously researched his subject, yet has woven a story that wears it’s history as lightly as a cashmere cloak. The sense of place and time, is expertly captured, never getting in the way of the story, never bogging down the pace with so much detail in order to prove he had done his homework (the biggest reason I get turned off historical novels.) Instantly, I had the impression he knew what he was talking about, so therefore, I could move on and enjoy what was about to unfold.
And what a story, as greenhorn John Chapman is brutally shown life lessons by the rugged and somewhat odious Daniel (I kept thinking of a young Jack Nicholson.) Their relationship is fraught with mounting sexual tension as well as gruesome detail. There are some bloody scenes worthy of 1970’s horror movies. A North American winter takes no prisoners. It’s every man for himself. The novel’s dark heart becomes even blacker after John finally breaks away from Daniel’s grasp and sets up home for himself, supposedly far, far away. He meets Palmer, and they strike up a “romantic friendship.” The way they have to deal with their sexuality in the midsts of a deeply religious community, is again deftly handled. No stereotypes here. No thinly disguised Kim Davis boo-hiss characters. The language feels authentic with no 21st century idioms sneaking in, but still feels fresh and easy to read.
John Chapman’s character is deceptively mild, but he has a core of steel. Also, I didn’t pick up on any gay angst. Rather, his concern is the prejudices and misconceptions of others. He is intelligent and likeable, somewhat gullible at the start, but in desperate circumstances, sometimes trust is the only way to survive. The story goes to places that are totally unexpected, and that unpredictability keeps the reader alert and braced for some truly harrowing scenes at times.
In short, the book was thoroughly enjoyable, an intelligent, entertaining as well as informative read, and I couldn’t put it down. So much so, I began reading Man & Monster straight away. If you like your fiction hard and your horror gristly, it’s a worthy sequel.
Not in this case. Michael Jensen has meticulously researched his subject, yet has woven a story that wears it’s history as lightly as a cashmere cloak. The sense of place and time, is expertly captured, never getting in the way of the story, never bogging down the pace with so much detail in order to prove he had done his homework (the biggest reason I get turned off historical novels.) Instantly, I had the impression he knew what he was talking about, so therefore, I could move on and enjoy what was about to unfold.
And what a story, as greenhorn John Chapman is brutally shown life lessons by the rugged and somewhat odious Daniel (I kept thinking of a young Jack Nicholson.) Their relationship is fraught with mounting sexual tension as well as gruesome detail. There are some bloody scenes worthy of 1970’s horror movies. A North American winter takes no prisoners. It’s every man for himself. The novel’s dark heart becomes even blacker after John finally breaks away from Daniel’s grasp and sets up home for himself, supposedly far, far away. He meets Palmer, and they strike up a “romantic friendship.” The way they have to deal with their sexuality in the midsts of a deeply religious community, is again deftly handled. No stereotypes here. No thinly disguised Kim Davis boo-hiss characters. The language feels authentic with no 21st century idioms sneaking in, but still feels fresh and easy to read.
John Chapman’s character is deceptively mild, but he has a core of steel. Also, I didn’t pick up on any gay angst. Rather, his concern is the prejudices and misconceptions of others. He is intelligent and likeable, somewhat gullible at the start, but in desperate circumstances, sometimes trust is the only way to survive. The story goes to places that are totally unexpected, and that unpredictability keeps the reader alert and braced for some truly harrowing scenes at times.
In short, the book was thoroughly enjoyable, an intelligent, entertaining as well as informative read, and I couldn’t put it down. So much so, I began reading Man & Monster straight away. If you like your fiction hard and your horror gristly, it’s a worthy sequel.
April 17, 2017
John Chapman has a brief affair. Big deal! What's wrong with that? Well nothing really, unless it's the Canadian border, it's 1797 and the liaison is with another man a British Army Major garrisoned at the local fort. In 1797 a flogging, and or imprisonment are some of the punishments meted out for sodomy. Not only that, a relationship with a British soldier is considered a treasonous act carrying an additional and far more severe punishment. When they are found out, John finds himself in serious trouble, a death sentence is a real and horrifying possibility. He has a choice, run or face the consequences. Of course he runs. Armed with few hastily gathered supplies and a vague plan he sets off for a place called Warren, where he can obtain a land claim and the supplies to farm it. John's hasty departure and uncertainty about the exact location of Warren mean he is woefully ill equipped mentally and physically for his journey. Just how badly prepared he is becomes glaringly obvious when he is caught exhausted, without supplies or shelter by the first snows of winter.
You see John Chapman is a naive, yet very likeable man. Desperation drives him to stake a claim in the wilderness. To be somewhere where he can live a quiet, isolated life without pressure to marry and have children. Not something he wants to do. John sees it as a means to an end. The best, most sensible way of escaping his unhappy home, alcoholic father and further masculine temptations. Instead cold, hungry and close to death he stumbles upon a cabin inhabited the surly Irishman, Daniel McQuay. John and Daniel are polar opposites thrown together, living in a one room cabin in the depths of a frontier winter. And by pure coincidence this is Warren, the very place John has been seeking. Lucky John! What could possibly go wrong?
Daniel seems affable enough at first. He takes the clueless John under his wing and begins to teach him the skills he needs to survive as a frontiersman. Unfortunately, Daniel is a lying, unstable drunk, in whom darkness runs very deep. This man is evil made flesh and now he has John to play with... What happens next is full of manipulation, tension and malevolence. Over the winter and into the spring John's increasing unease with Daniel leads to a shocking discovery that has John running for his life once more.
John manages to make his way to the larger settlement of Franklin where he feels far away enough from Warren to stay and start building a life. That is until he discovers that beasts once again have human form and are alive and well in Franklin. Shocked by what he sees but with nowhere else to go John reluctantly decides to stay. Things begin to look up when he meets Palmer a cheerful and handsome young man and brother of the town preacher. Palmer although only a teenager (around 17yrs) is well aware of how monstrously people can behave and recognises a kindred spirit in John. Both men are tolerant and compassionate in a place where such virtues are rare. They become allies and then friends so it's no wonder they end up falling in love. However, a happily ever after is not to be. Storm clouds are gathering. There are scores to be settled, evil is coming for John...and friends are in the way.
I'll end here by saying Man and Beast is a tense read. Creepy and sinister with snippets of social history that make me glad I live in the twenty first century complete with supermarkets, street lights and central heating. It has its gory moments but not gratuitously so. My own imagination was active enough to fill in any blanks there. People and animals -including several horses were harmed in this book. If like me you always worry about the animals be warned. What Micheal Jensen evokes in his book is a real sense of place, atmospheric without being bucolic. I was frozen in the winter, hot in the summer. And right there trapped with the moose (if you read the book you'll understand.) As for the Indian boy and Gwennie...I have no words.
I don't want to say much more except fluffy romance this isn't but it really is worth your time. And interestingly John is based on a real person. Even if the events here are only a possibly, maybe? A book I highly recommend.
*5 Stars*
You see John Chapman is a naive, yet very likeable man. Desperation drives him to stake a claim in the wilderness. To be somewhere where he can live a quiet, isolated life without pressure to marry and have children. Not something he wants to do. John sees it as a means to an end. The best, most sensible way of escaping his unhappy home, alcoholic father and further masculine temptations. Instead cold, hungry and close to death he stumbles upon a cabin inhabited the surly Irishman, Daniel McQuay. John and Daniel are polar opposites thrown together, living in a one room cabin in the depths of a frontier winter. And by pure coincidence this is Warren, the very place John has been seeking. Lucky John! What could possibly go wrong?
Daniel seems affable enough at first. He takes the clueless John under his wing and begins to teach him the skills he needs to survive as a frontiersman. Unfortunately, Daniel is a lying, unstable drunk, in whom darkness runs very deep. This man is evil made flesh and now he has John to play with... What happens next is full of manipulation, tension and malevolence. Over the winter and into the spring John's increasing unease with Daniel leads to a shocking discovery that has John running for his life once more.
John manages to make his way to the larger settlement of Franklin where he feels far away enough from Warren to stay and start building a life. That is until he discovers that beasts once again have human form and are alive and well in Franklin. Shocked by what he sees but with nowhere else to go John reluctantly decides to stay. Things begin to look up when he meets Palmer a cheerful and handsome young man and brother of the town preacher. Palmer although only a teenager (around 17yrs) is well aware of how monstrously people can behave and recognises a kindred spirit in John. Both men are tolerant and compassionate in a place where such virtues are rare. They become allies and then friends so it's no wonder they end up falling in love. However, a happily ever after is not to be. Storm clouds are gathering. There are scores to be settled, evil is coming for John...and friends are in the way.
I'll end here by saying Man and Beast is a tense read. Creepy and sinister with snippets of social history that make me glad I live in the twenty first century complete with supermarkets, street lights and central heating. It has its gory moments but not gratuitously so. My own imagination was active enough to fill in any blanks there. People and animals -including several horses were harmed in this book. If like me you always worry about the animals be warned. What Micheal Jensen evokes in his book is a real sense of place, atmospheric without being bucolic. I was frozen in the winter, hot in the summer. And right there trapped with the moose (if you read the book you'll understand.) As for the Indian boy and Gwennie...I have no words.
I don't want to say much more except fluffy romance this isn't but it really is worth your time. And interestingly John is based on a real person. Even if the events here are only a possibly, maybe? A book I highly recommend.
*5 Stars*
February 3, 2017
John Chapman, at the age of twenty-four, has to go on the run. He’s been having an affair with Colin, a major in the British Army, and their secret has been found out. John has a chance to start a new life with a claim for land in Warren, so he begs the major to go with him, but in their haste to escape, Colin is killed. John becomes lost, exhausted and hungry, and then comes face-to-face with a man named Daniel McQuay. John has no choice but to stay with Daniel and regain his strength as well as avoiding the hardships of the weather. As time goes on, John finds himself and Daniel in strange situations. Daniel also tells John tales about Abe, Martin and Zach, the previous men who were supposed to help at the claims station. When the situation between John and Daniel gets too eerie, John flees from the frightening dilemma.
John has only wanted to have his own claim and a place that he can be by himself. As he has made his escape, he once again finds himself on his last leg when a strange Indian woman finds him and leads him to a cabin. John eventually realizes he has made it to his destination, Franklin, where he befriends some interesting people: Gwennie, the Apple Woman, smart and mystical; Thomas Martin, who has a sad story of his own; Samantha, with the story of a sad love affair; and Palmer, a young man who makes John crave what he’s been trying to avoid. Just when John feels this may be the place where he can have the life and companionship that he wants, an evil presence from his past comes to destroy him and his friends.
Man & Beast is a historical thriller that takes place in 1797 and ‘98. Author Michael Jensen has melded factual research with fiction to create an eerily shocking mystery. For the time period, there is much hardship, fear and bigotry, and people have to keep their secrets hidden. This was a first time read for me from this author, and I was totally entertained by the twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. This was an excellent read. I’ll give fair warning, though; there is violence in the story, and it does get gruesome.
There’s also a sneak peek at book two, Man & Monster, at the end, and I hate that I read it. I want more! So I will definitely be looking for the second book in the Savage Land series, coming in January 2017.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews
John has only wanted to have his own claim and a place that he can be by himself. As he has made his escape, he once again finds himself on his last leg when a strange Indian woman finds him and leads him to a cabin. John eventually realizes he has made it to his destination, Franklin, where he befriends some interesting people: Gwennie, the Apple Woman, smart and mystical; Thomas Martin, who has a sad story of his own; Samantha, with the story of a sad love affair; and Palmer, a young man who makes John crave what he’s been trying to avoid. Just when John feels this may be the place where he can have the life and companionship that he wants, an evil presence from his past comes to destroy him and his friends.
Man & Beast is a historical thriller that takes place in 1797 and ‘98. Author Michael Jensen has melded factual research with fiction to create an eerily shocking mystery. For the time period, there is much hardship, fear and bigotry, and people have to keep their secrets hidden. This was a first time read for me from this author, and I was totally entertained by the twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. This was an excellent read. I’ll give fair warning, though; there is violence in the story, and it does get gruesome.
There’s also a sneak peek at book two, Man & Monster, at the end, and I hate that I read it. I want more! So I will definitely be looking for the second book in the Savage Land series, coming in January 2017.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews
February 4, 2017
Видимо, поселенцы и индейцы - вообще не моя тема. Написано отлично, к авторскому языку претензий нет. Но никто из персонажей меня не тронул настолько, чтобы весь этот антураж стал терпимым.
February 5, 2017
I picked this up as a giveaway on InstaFreebie because I really enjoy historical MM romances. I didn't have high expectations -- the quality of the books is always a mixed bag in these things -- but this was pretty amazing. The historical and romance aspects of the book are not as prominent as I was expecting, but it was a great adventure book. I couldn't put it down, and read it through in one sitting, biting my nails as I waited for the calamities to befall the hero. Anyone who has ever watched horror movies knows that you don't believe the villain is dead until you see the body, but identifying WHO was the villain was not so easy in this book! The book was well written, engaging, and though I could have used more character development, I still enjoyed it thoroughly. Enough that I will be buying the next in the series, as a thank you to the author for giving the first one away for free!
May 21, 2017
Very well written historical story set in the 18th century about John Chapman, a 24 year old living alone who sets out West to the frontier to stake a claim.
Following the advert on a flyer he heads to Warren .. where just at the start of winter he meets Dylan, who lives alone in a cabin with just a cow and his still for company. While the two do sleep together there is no love and after John discovers that Dylan has been lying to him he heads out again.
This time landing in the small frontier town of Franklin, with the help of the Indian woman, Gwennie. He settles in a cabin outside of town and not long after meets 1u year old Palmer... with whom he starts a relationship. But soon what he discovered in Warren puts not only John but Palmer and Gwennie in danger.
I really enjoyed this book. The story and characters felt real as did the setting. It's violent in places but not gratuitously so. I shall look forward to reading the next story.
Following the advert on a flyer he heads to Warren .. where just at the start of winter he meets Dylan, who lives alone in a cabin with just a cow and his still for company. While the two do sleep together there is no love and after John discovers that Dylan has been lying to him he heads out again.
This time landing in the small frontier town of Franklin, with the help of the Indian woman, Gwennie. He settles in a cabin outside of town and not long after meets 1u year old Palmer... with whom he starts a relationship. But soon what he discovered in Warren puts not only John but Palmer and Gwennie in danger.
I really enjoyed this book. The story and characters felt real as did the setting. It's violent in places but not gratuitously so. I shall look forward to reading the next story.
September 18, 2017
I was enthralled by this book. I did not want to put it down. From the first pages the action groups you and pulls you along in a fast-paced great story. The plot was complicated and full of great twists and turns that made you want to keep reading. Then the male male Romance was very hot, and exciting in its own way. I cannot wait until I read the next book in the series and if the rest of the author's books are like this one I can't wait to read those either. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes high-octane adventure with male male Romance. Honestly if I could give this more than five stars I would.
February 5, 2017
~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads Review Team~
At times I really enjoyed this book and at other times it seemed to drag on. There were two parts of the book and each had a different feel. The first part was darker and more depressing and the second was a little lighter and more uplifting. I liked John Chapman a lot, he went through some crap that is for sure. I don’t normally read this genre but this book was good, just a little wordy at times and not enough dialogue for me.
Characters: well written
Sex: yes
Religious: it was mentioned a lot
Would I recommend to others: yes
More than one book in the series: first in series
Genre: M/M
Would I read more by this author: yes
~Wicked Reads Review Team~
At times I really enjoyed this book and at other times it seemed to drag on. There were two parts of the book and each had a different feel. The first part was darker and more depressing and the second was a little lighter and more uplifting. I liked John Chapman a lot, he went through some crap that is for sure. I don’t normally read this genre but this book was good, just a little wordy at times and not enough dialogue for me.
Characters: well written
Sex: yes
Religious: it was mentioned a lot
Would I recommend to others: yes
More than one book in the series: first in series
Genre: M/M
Would I read more by this author: yes
~Wicked Reads Review Team~
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews