What do you think?
Rate this book
The Savage Land #2
Man & Monster
A monster stalks the ancient forests...
It’s 1799, and Cole Seavey is a trapper running from a guilty past, seeking refuge on the vast American frontier. Lost in a raging storm, he finds himself face to face with a terrifying, otherworldly creature that seems to have emerged from a nightmare.
Cole is saved from certain death by a handsome Delaware Indian named Pakim. Together they learn that the monster is the fearsome Wendigo from native legends: a creature with a heart of ice, drawn to the evil of men.
Soon the Wendigo is terrorizing the frontier — settler and Indian alike — and Cole and Pakim join together to defeat the mysterious monster. In the process, Cole finds himself falling for the strapping brave and the promise of a new life together.
Unfortunately, the legends say that the Wendigo can only be killed by another creature with a heart of ice. But how can Cole hope to defeat the monster if it means denying the love he's finally allowed himself to feel?
Man & Monster, which the Midwest Book Review calls "a spell-binding story that is half mystery and half horror," is the second book in the Savage Land, a series that celebrates the untold gay history of the American frontier. Man & Monster 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 & Monster was previously published under the title Firelands.
It’s 1799, and Cole Seavey is a trapper running from a guilty past, seeking refuge on the vast American frontier. Lost in a raging storm, he finds himself face to face with a terrifying, otherworldly creature that seems to have emerged from a nightmare.
Cole is saved from certain death by a handsome Delaware Indian named Pakim. Together they learn that the monster is the fearsome Wendigo from native legends: a creature with a heart of ice, drawn to the evil of men.
Soon the Wendigo is terrorizing the frontier — settler and Indian alike — and Cole and Pakim join together to defeat the mysterious monster. In the process, Cole finds himself falling for the strapping brave and the promise of a new life together.
Unfortunately, the legends say that the Wendigo can only be killed by another creature with a heart of ice. But how can Cole hope to defeat the monster if it means denying the love he's finally allowed himself to feel?
Man & Monster, which the Midwest Book Review calls "a spell-binding story that is half mystery and half horror," is the second book in the Savage Land, a series that celebrates the untold gay history of the American frontier. Man & Monster 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 & Monster was previously published under the title Firelands.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 4, 2017
5 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Michael Jensen
4 books162 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 30 reviews
March 19, 2017
Man & Monster (The Savage Land, #2) is a blast of an historical fiction, m/m romance, horror novel!
Cole ("Cold-Hearted") Seavey meets up with the characters from Man & Beast (The Savage Land, #1) , out on the Ohio Frontier, circa 1799. (Namely John Chapman, (Johnny Appleseed), and Pakim, (our handsome Delaware Brave). Pakim rescues Cole after he finds him badly injured as the result of an attack. An attack from what is the question; especially after this creature begins to attack Hugh's Lick-the small settlement that is closest to John Chapman's claim.
Soon the reader is fully engrossed in the story of this town, its inhabitants and whatever the thing is that's hunting them. The characters are so solidly drawn, they're vivid in my mind. I was happy to see John Chapman again, (I didn't know that he was going to be in this one!) and Cole turns out to be anything but cold-hearted. He soon develops feelings for Pakim and together with John Chapman and others, they struggle to defend themselves against what Pakim believes is a Wendigo.
The real meat of this story was the mystery of the Wendigo. I have always had a fondness for creatures of legends of myth, and Wendigos are near the top of my list. Native American cultures are fascinating and so are the stories they told to each other. The author's research into these and into the norms and taboos of the white frontier-folk of the time really shines through and rings true.
With many exciting action scenes and twisty turns of the plot, Man & Monster turned out to be a lot of fun, even though it's wayyyy out of my wheelhouse. To me, it's always the story that is paramount, and in that regard, Michael Jensen delivers.
Highly recommended to fans of historical fiction, m/m romance, and HORROR!
You can get your copy here: Man & Monster (The Savage Land: Book 2)
*I received a free e-copy from the author in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
**In addition, I consider this author to be an online friend. This did not affect the content of my review.**
Cole ("Cold-Hearted") Seavey meets up with the characters from Man & Beast (The Savage Land, #1) , out on the Ohio Frontier, circa 1799. (Namely John Chapman, (Johnny Appleseed), and Pakim, (our handsome Delaware Brave). Pakim rescues Cole after he finds him badly injured as the result of an attack. An attack from what is the question; especially after this creature begins to attack Hugh's Lick-the small settlement that is closest to John Chapman's claim.
Soon the reader is fully engrossed in the story of this town, its inhabitants and whatever the thing is that's hunting them. The characters are so solidly drawn, they're vivid in my mind. I was happy to see John Chapman again, (I didn't know that he was going to be in this one!) and Cole turns out to be anything but cold-hearted. He soon develops feelings for Pakim and together with John Chapman and others, they struggle to defend themselves against what Pakim believes is a Wendigo.
The real meat of this story was the mystery of the Wendigo. I have always had a fondness for creatures of legends of myth, and Wendigos are near the top of my list. Native American cultures are fascinating and so are the stories they told to each other. The author's research into these and into the norms and taboos of the white frontier-folk of the time really shines through and rings true.
With many exciting action scenes and twisty turns of the plot, Man & Monster turned out to be a lot of fun, even though it's wayyyy out of my wheelhouse. To me, it's always the story that is paramount, and in that regard, Michael Jensen delivers.
Highly recommended to fans of historical fiction, m/m romance, and HORROR!
You can get your copy here: Man & Monster (The Savage Land: Book 2)
*I received a free e-copy from the author in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
**In addition, I consider this author to be an online friend. This did not affect the content of my review.**
August 3, 2021
Back to the frontier with a new MC.
Like Man & Beast, Man & Monster is not your typical romance, although it resembles one more than the first book. There’s a romance, but it’s not the main focus, just part of the MC’s journey. Nonetheless, I loved what there was of it, the page time wasn’t a lot but the author made it count.
The frontier setting is once more one of the upsides of the book and while there are still a lot of , I found them less upsetting than in the first book. Or maybe I was just better prepared for them.
I liked Cole a lot, his character development was subtle but solid, and Pakim was a great character, I loved their dynamic, how they were around each other, how they laughed together and could communicate deeper feelings with a few words, without needing sappy declarations that would’ve been out of character.
The plot kept my interest even if I saw some developments coming from early on and I wondered why the characters didn’t. Although, to be fair, they were a little preoccupied with constantly saving their lives, so a little distraction on their part was understandable.
Another aspect I really liked was how this book connected with the first one through the characters of Man & Beast. It was good to see John, Palmer and Gwinnie again, it’s too bad the author hasn’t written anything more for this series, the ending of this book was the perfect set-up to see where their decision to would’ve brought all the characters. I would’ve loved to read more about them, but even so, this is a good place to leave them.
Like Man & Beast, Man & Monster is not your typical romance, although it resembles one more than the first book. There’s a romance, but it’s not the main focus, just part of the MC’s journey. Nonetheless, I loved what there was of it, the page time wasn’t a lot but the author made it count.
The frontier setting is once more one of the upsides of the book and while there are still a lot of , I found them less upsetting than in the first book. Or maybe I was just better prepared for them.
I liked Cole a lot, his character development was subtle but solid, and Pakim was a great character, I loved their dynamic, how they were around each other, how they laughed together and could communicate deeper feelings with a few words, without needing sappy declarations that would’ve been out of character.
The plot kept my interest even if I saw some developments coming from early on and I wondered why the characters didn’t. Although, to be fair, they were a little preoccupied with constantly saving their lives, so a little distraction on their part was understandable.
Another aspect I really liked was how this book connected with the first one through the characters of Man & Beast. It was good to see John, Palmer and Gwinnie again, it’s too bad the author hasn’t written anything more for this series, the ending of this book was the perfect set-up to see where their decision to would’ve brought all the characters. I would’ve loved to read more about them, but even so, this is a good place to leave them.
February 9, 2017
Man & Monster was previously published under the title Firelands and is the second book in the Savage Land series. It could be read as a stand alone, but as always, I recommend to start with the very beginning. You'll better understand the background story and historical settings.
Even if the first-person narrator Cole Seavey appears in the series the first time, most of the secondary characters are the old acquaintances from the first book - John Chapman, Palmer, Gwennie and of course Pakim.
If you read Man & Beast and enjoyed in the first place the second part of the book, you'll be excited to read this one.
While the first book in the series starts slowly and gains a breathtaking pace first during the second half, Man & Monster surprises the readers from the very beginning with stunning record-breaking actions and powerful scenes, one after another. Michael Jensen won't give you a pause to take a breath, and will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole story-line up to the end.
The year is 1799.
No woman has ever stirred Cole Seavey much but the sudden realization that he has to marry Rebecca forces him to flee from his hometown in Virginia and leave his fiancée back. With winter looming he ventures on the Western Ohio Frontier, where his older brother lives. Three months on the road later and close to his destination Cole becomes an eyewitness of a horrific scene, when a girl being savaged by a thing, a monster, a devil out of the bowels of hell. He is terrified, he has never seen something like this before, but is this monster real or is it just a fruit of his sick imagination caused by the long exhausted journey?
Trying to save the girl, he puts his own life at risk and nearly becomes a victim himself. Pakim, an attractive Delaware Indian (who plays an important role in this sequel), finds injured and powerless Cole in the wood and brings him to his friend, John Champan.
On the frontier Cole learns
*that his brother went missing some months ago,
*that he left a wife and a daughter behind,
*that his brother was also not very popular among the settlers and
*that he shouldn't better share his experiences from the meeting with a mysterious monster.
But he doesn't have to keep this information to himself too long. Very soon a Wendigo, this cold-blooded creature that he already met once, becomes a terrible shocking reality. It starts to terrorize the frontier and it becomes a matter of life or death. To get rid of it, to survive the frontiersmen have to kill the creature. But it is not an easy task.
"A Wendigo is fast and clever and deadly, especially at night when it hunts. It is a cold-blooded creature with a heart of ice and is more powerful than any man."
There are many secrets around the monster, and there are only two ways it can die...Though a Wendigo might be a smart and cold-blooded creature, always with one step ahead, but nothing can stop Cole to fight for people he loves with all his heart.
Buckle up and be ready for a roller-coaster ride!
I enjoyed a few intimate moments between Cole and Pakim, they are very tender and they are probably the only slow and quiet moments in the book that make a wonderful and welcome change for an action-packed story-line. I don't want to give too much away, only that you have a pleasure to read a delicious mix of a gay historical fiction, old Indian legends, a tender romance and a horror-thriller.
My initial worries about an unexpected genre's changing have not been confirmed. I don't know if it is a little spoiler, I hope not.
But be ready for many many surprises Michael Jensen prepared for you. I personally looking forward to reading more about this period of time and about the gay history of the American frontier by this author.
Maybe his next big surprise is already on his way?
Highly recommended!
**Copy provided kindly by the author in exchange for an honest review**
May 23, 2020
Man & Monster, the follow-up novel to Michael Jensen beautifully atmospheric Man & Beast was a tense and very enjoyable page-turner that kept me glued until the last word.
Mixing frontier life, Native American folklore, mystery and romance, the novel follows the adventures of Cole Seavey, an apparently cold and aloof trapper who arrives in the backwater town of Hugh's Lick to reunite with his brother Gerard.
The book opens
The plot builds on the opening mystery in a satisfying manner and, even though it wasn't hard to understand, or at least suspect, what's really going on in Hugh's Lick, the progression of the story was never dull.
Cole Seavey is a nice MC - perhaps not as intense as John Chapman in the first book in the series - he does have, however, an intriguing personality, especially when it comes to the contrast between his perceived self - Cold-Blooded Cole - and the reality of his feelings for his newfound friends.
The secondary characters are all beautifully portrayed. Pakim, the Delaware brave and Cole's love interest, is especially intriguing. I really loved his wry sense of humour, his tenderness and loyalty towards his people and friends. The other characters - John, Palmer, Gwennie - all come from the first novel in the series and it was a real pleasure to find them again, although in a slightly less prominent position.
The book has a great narrative pace and the adventure parts reminded me of reading novels by Jack London and James Fenimore Cooper in my childhood. Despite not really understanding their anthropological importance, I do remember being stuck to the pages wanting to know what would happen next. Jensen's novels made me feel the same way with the added bonus of further awareness.
Compared to Man & Beast this novel is perhaps less dark and anguishing - despite the monsters lurking in the forest - but it was an entirely satisfactory read that provides a great queer perspective on the mythology of the American frontier.
Really recommended as a standalone or, preferably, as part of the series.
Mixing frontier life, Native American folklore, mystery and romance, the novel follows the adventures of Cole Seavey, an apparently cold and aloof trapper who arrives in the backwater town of Hugh's Lick to reunite with his brother Gerard.
The book opens
The plot builds on the opening mystery in a satisfying manner and, even though it wasn't hard to understand, or at least suspect, what's really going on in Hugh's Lick, the progression of the story was never dull.
Cole Seavey is a nice MC - perhaps not as intense as John Chapman in the first book in the series - he does have, however, an intriguing personality, especially when it comes to the contrast between his perceived self - Cold-Blooded Cole - and the reality of his feelings for his newfound friends.
The secondary characters are all beautifully portrayed. Pakim, the Delaware brave and Cole's love interest, is especially intriguing. I really loved his wry sense of humour, his tenderness and loyalty towards his people and friends. The other characters - John, Palmer, Gwennie - all come from the first novel in the series and it was a real pleasure to find them again, although in a slightly less prominent position.
The book has a great narrative pace and the adventure parts reminded me of reading novels by Jack London and James Fenimore Cooper in my childhood. Despite not really understanding their anthropological importance, I do remember being stuck to the pages wanting to know what would happen next. Jensen's novels made me feel the same way with the added bonus of further awareness.
Compared to Man & Beast this novel is perhaps less dark and anguishing - despite the monsters lurking in the forest - but it was an entirely satisfactory read that provides a great queer perspective on the mythology of the American frontier.
Really recommended as a standalone or, preferably, as part of the series.
February 6, 2017
Ah, I can't lie, I liked this book much less than 'Man & Beast'. But the book itself isn't worse than the first one, and I'm sure most readers will love it just as much or even more. The plot was fascinating. A wonderful mixture of genres: adventure, and horror, and mystery, and a little bit of romance. Some twists were a total surprise, at least for me - or in some cases, I thought I knew the answer, and then was misled (in the best way) and in the end what happened came completely unexpected.
I loved historical details and the atmosphere of the book. Another big bonus was that in this book we meet John, Palmer and Gwennie again! And not just meet - they are important characters through the whole book. It was a joy to meet them, despite the difficult and painful things they had to survive. And it was also wonderful to see John from the point of view of another character.
Well, and here was my problem with the book. In the first book I connected with John almost immediately. I liked him very quickly, and as soon as I liked him, it was not all that important what the plot was, I would have followed John anywhere. With Cole, I'm afraid I didn't warm up to him... at all. His manner to withhold information, lie or keep silent every chance he got was quite annoying. It was one thing; the other thing, I kept wondering how old Cole was. If he were, like, sixteen, I think a lot of his features of character would be explainable and even cute: his insistence that he's not like others, his boasting of his skills (that were hardly proved in the book - really, Cole was slipping, falling, hitting his head and losing his weapon every step!), his unawareness of himself, the difference between his self-image and what he really is. But in an adult man all these things were not endearing.
Cole had his moments, of course, moments when I admired him and felt proud for him. But frankly speaking... at any time during the book I cared and worried for John and Palmer more than for Cole.
But it was a good book and I enjoyed it - and I'm looking forward to Michael Jansen's next series.
I loved historical details and the atmosphere of the book. Another big bonus was that in this book we meet John, Palmer and Gwennie again! And not just meet - they are important characters through the whole book. It was a joy to meet them, despite the difficult and painful things they had to survive. And it was also wonderful to see John from the point of view of another character.
Well, and here was my problem with the book. In the first book I connected with John almost immediately. I liked him very quickly, and as soon as I liked him, it was not all that important what the plot was, I would have followed John anywhere. With Cole, I'm afraid I didn't warm up to him... at all. His manner to withhold information, lie or keep silent every chance he got was quite annoying. It was one thing; the other thing, I kept wondering how old Cole was. If he were, like, sixteen, I think a lot of his features of character would be explainable and even cute: his insistence that he's not like others, his boasting of his skills (that were hardly proved in the book - really, Cole was slipping, falling, hitting his head and losing his weapon every step!), his unawareness of himself, the difference between his self-image and what he really is. But in an adult man all these things were not endearing.
Cole had his moments, of course, moments when I admired him and felt proud for him. But frankly speaking... at any time during the book I cared and worried for John and Palmer more than for Cole.
But it was a good book and I enjoyed it - and I'm looking forward to Michael Jansen's next series.
February 6, 2017
“I saw a black-clad creature in a peaked hat, its terrible mouth open in a silent scream.”
After reading the synopsis of this book, I was afraid that the tone of the story would be very different comparing to the first one. Fortunately the style didn’t change much and the only difference between the two books is that while the first one was more focused on the historical aspect by showing us how the conditions were in the American frontier, “Man & Monster” focuses more in the thriller elements.
The basic emotions that one has while reading this book is fear and horror, the story is full of action and throughout the book there is an on-going hunt where the roles of the hunter and the ones who are hunted change many times. There is this feel of uncertainty as various characters go missing and no one knows who will be next nor do the main characters know if what they are seeing is true or not.
Just like the first book there are plenty of hateful character that we would be okay if they went missing but, luckily all the favorite ones from “Man & Beast” return in this story to accompany the main protagonists.
I really enjoyed the romance between Cole and Pakim but I wish we had more of it, I feel that the couple didn’t spend enough time together and though I liked Pakim’s kindness and humor, it felt like his character wasn’t fully developed. I also would have liked for Cole to be more honest about his feeling and be more active in pursuing Pakim, the way everything worked conveniently for Cole’s relationship without him doing anything wasn’t satisfying for me.
I voluntarily reviewed the free copy that I received.
May 20, 2018
3.5 stars
It was great (I guess?) getting back to Hugh's Lick, which is still as much a stain on the frontier as it was in the first book. I hoped that we would get to see John, Palmer and Gwennie again, and we do. Even though they're not the MCs here, we still see plenty of them as they help Cold-Hearted Cole, new to the frontier and not having a good time of it. Wendigos trying to devour you can be such party-poopers, ya know. ;)
I really liked Pakim (I don't remember if he was in the first book or not) and the relationship that developed between him and Cole was often humorous and sweet, even while Cole was fighting his feelings. There was some good sexual tension there too, just don't expect any mind-blowing sex scenes.
I didn't feel as engaged in this book as I did with Man & Monster. Cole isn't as engaging a POV character as John was, for starters. Cole is purposely closed off for various reasons, and while we do get to see flashes of who he is underneath the cold-hearted persona, it's not quite enough for me to care about him as a character. Then there's the really bad horror movie aspect of the book that involves the monster/wendigo that's terrorizing Hugh's Lick. 1) The majority of these settlers deserve to be eaten, and 2) it was like reading the equivalent of "running up the stairs in the dark" for two hundred pages. The pacing felt off, if not downright slow, and the characters barely even paid any attention to the warnings or advice they got. I also figured out pretty quick who at least one of the wendigos was going to be. The editing also could've been better.
Thankfully, once the show - or the characters - finally get on the road and get to doing something not phenomenally stupid, the action was pretty well-written, if just as over the top as you'd get from any blockbuster movie.
It was good, and fun, but I think going through and trimming out about twenty pages would've helped a lot.
I do think when authors take liberties with historical figures, they really should make an author's note on their research and what they decided to change about that person for the sake of their story. So there's that.
In closing:
"Oh, the Lord is good to me.
And so I thank the Lord
For giving me the things I need:
The sun and the rain and the apple seed;
The Lord is good to me."
Bet y'all haven't thought of that one in a hot minute. I know I haven't. ;)
It was great (I guess?) getting back to Hugh's Lick, which is still as much a stain on the frontier as it was in the first book. I hoped that we would get to see John, Palmer and Gwennie again, and we do. Even though they're not the MCs here, we still see plenty of them as they help Cold-Hearted Cole, new to the frontier and not having a good time of it. Wendigos trying to devour you can be such party-poopers, ya know. ;)
I really liked Pakim (I don't remember if he was in the first book or not) and the relationship that developed between him and Cole was often humorous and sweet, even while Cole was fighting his feelings. There was some good sexual tension there too, just don't expect any mind-blowing sex scenes.
I didn't feel as engaged in this book as I did with Man & Monster. Cole isn't as engaging a POV character as John was, for starters. Cole is purposely closed off for various reasons, and while we do get to see flashes of who he is underneath the cold-hearted persona, it's not quite enough for me to care about him as a character. Then there's the really bad horror movie aspect of the book that involves the monster/wendigo that's terrorizing Hugh's Lick. 1) The majority of these settlers deserve to be eaten, and 2) it was like reading the equivalent of "running up the stairs in the dark" for two hundred pages. The pacing felt off, if not downright slow, and the characters barely even paid any attention to the warnings or advice they got. I also figured out pretty quick who at least one of the wendigos was going to be. The editing also could've been better.
Thankfully, once the show - or the characters - finally get on the road and get to doing something not phenomenally stupid, the action was pretty well-written, if just as over the top as you'd get from any blockbuster movie.
It was good, and fun, but I think going through and trimming out about twenty pages would've helped a lot.
I do think when authors take liberties with historical figures, they really should make an author's note on their research and what they decided to change about that person for the sake of their story. So there's that.
In closing:
"Oh, the Lord is good to me.
And so I thank the Lord
For giving me the things I need:
The sun and the rain and the apple seed;
The Lord is good to me."
Bet y'all haven't thought of that one in a hot minute. I know I haven't. ;)
February 10, 2017
Man and Monster
By Michael Jensen
BK Books, 2017
Cover design by Damonza
ISBN: 9781370947263
Four and a half stars
I don’t suppose a lot of people have read James Fenimore Cooper. He wrote “The Pioneers” in 1823, but Cooper set his tale in the middle of New York State in the 1790s. If you visit Cooperstown today, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, it’s hard to imagine how wild and isolated it was two hundred years ago. Michael Jensen sets his second “Savage Land” book in the 1790s hundreds of miles west on the Ohio frontier, a generation before Ulysses S. Grant was born on the Ohio River in 1822. The difference that generation made – that twenty-plus-year period from the establishment of a settlement in the wilderness to the existence of a thriving, civilized town – is tremendous, and Jensen puts that at the core of his narrative.
We have trouble wrapping our minds around the idea that Ohio was ever anything other than a placid place on the Eastern edge of the Midwest. We’ve lost sight of the fact that in the 1790s the various Native peoples of the East had still not been entirely pushed away to the West, to become associated forever with cowboys and the Plains. Jensen puts his story right in the middle of this unsettled, unhappy time, when settlers were fueled by desperation and dreams of prosperity, and Natives were beginning to realize that white man’s treaties meant nothing. Ohio is an Indian name, as Pakim, a Lenni-Lenape man comments. “White people take our land, but use our names for it. Your people have no shame.”
The fact that Michael Jensen uses this tense, oftimes terrifying time and place as a setting for a same-sex love story makes his book all the more startling. There are no historical records to my knowledge of such relationships in the annals of early US history. But we must believe that such relationships did exist, and can only ask ourselves “how?” Jensen provides us with an action-packed, page-turning, plausible answer to that question.
Cole Seavey, a Virginian running away from a betrothal he doesn’t want under the pretense of finding his brother Gerard, has settled into the life of a trapper. Imagining himself to be cold-hearted and independent, the isolated life of a frontiersman suits him – so he tells himself. But one day a series of bizarre events on the edge of a great lake turns Cole’s carefully controlled isolation upside down. A bloody child, a starving cougar, and a fearsome monster out of someone’s nightmare leave him wounded and unconscious. He wakes up being cared for by a Lenni-Lenape named Pakim. Cole is surprised by the gentleness of the Indian, and disturbed by his own reaction to the tender ministrations of this supposed savage.
Pakim introduces Cole to his friends, John and Palmer, and the intense Indian woman Gwennie, all of whom we know from Jensen’s previous book, “Man and Beast.” With these new-found friends, Cole begins his own journey into the realities of frontier life in early America. Cole gradually discovers that the man he believes himself to be is not truly who he is. Although the entire action of the book covers only a few weeks in real time, and probably only a hundred square miles or so, it is an action-filled saga worthy of Tolkein. The monster of the title seems to be one thing, but of course the point of Jensen’s story is to make it clear that monsters come in many forms, especially on the frontier, where rule of law is nothing more than a nice idea, and human foibles like greed and jealousy can lead to violence.
Jensen’s two “Savage Land” books are really something unique in the annals of gay fiction, especially since they can be classed as romances. They allow us to experience a part of our own national heritage that few of us have any sense of; and they force us to confront the dark side of American exceptionalism at its very beginnings. These are not warm, fuzzy stories, although the love in them is satisfying and powerful. Nor are they apocalyptic fantasies. In the great tradition of Cooper, but two centuries later, Michael Jensen takes us to a place that is long ago and far away, yet still right here where we live.
You should read both of these books. They’re remarkable and worthy of our admiration.
By Michael Jensen
BK Books, 2017
Cover design by Damonza
ISBN: 9781370947263
Four and a half stars
I don’t suppose a lot of people have read James Fenimore Cooper. He wrote “The Pioneers” in 1823, but Cooper set his tale in the middle of New York State in the 1790s. If you visit Cooperstown today, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, it’s hard to imagine how wild and isolated it was two hundred years ago. Michael Jensen sets his second “Savage Land” book in the 1790s hundreds of miles west on the Ohio frontier, a generation before Ulysses S. Grant was born on the Ohio River in 1822. The difference that generation made – that twenty-plus-year period from the establishment of a settlement in the wilderness to the existence of a thriving, civilized town – is tremendous, and Jensen puts that at the core of his narrative.
We have trouble wrapping our minds around the idea that Ohio was ever anything other than a placid place on the Eastern edge of the Midwest. We’ve lost sight of the fact that in the 1790s the various Native peoples of the East had still not been entirely pushed away to the West, to become associated forever with cowboys and the Plains. Jensen puts his story right in the middle of this unsettled, unhappy time, when settlers were fueled by desperation and dreams of prosperity, and Natives were beginning to realize that white man’s treaties meant nothing. Ohio is an Indian name, as Pakim, a Lenni-Lenape man comments. “White people take our land, but use our names for it. Your people have no shame.”
The fact that Michael Jensen uses this tense, oftimes terrifying time and place as a setting for a same-sex love story makes his book all the more startling. There are no historical records to my knowledge of such relationships in the annals of early US history. But we must believe that such relationships did exist, and can only ask ourselves “how?” Jensen provides us with an action-packed, page-turning, plausible answer to that question.
Cole Seavey, a Virginian running away from a betrothal he doesn’t want under the pretense of finding his brother Gerard, has settled into the life of a trapper. Imagining himself to be cold-hearted and independent, the isolated life of a frontiersman suits him – so he tells himself. But one day a series of bizarre events on the edge of a great lake turns Cole’s carefully controlled isolation upside down. A bloody child, a starving cougar, and a fearsome monster out of someone’s nightmare leave him wounded and unconscious. He wakes up being cared for by a Lenni-Lenape named Pakim. Cole is surprised by the gentleness of the Indian, and disturbed by his own reaction to the tender ministrations of this supposed savage.
Pakim introduces Cole to his friends, John and Palmer, and the intense Indian woman Gwennie, all of whom we know from Jensen’s previous book, “Man and Beast.” With these new-found friends, Cole begins his own journey into the realities of frontier life in early America. Cole gradually discovers that the man he believes himself to be is not truly who he is. Although the entire action of the book covers only a few weeks in real time, and probably only a hundred square miles or so, it is an action-filled saga worthy of Tolkein. The monster of the title seems to be one thing, but of course the point of Jensen’s story is to make it clear that monsters come in many forms, especially on the frontier, where rule of law is nothing more than a nice idea, and human foibles like greed and jealousy can lead to violence.
Jensen’s two “Savage Land” books are really something unique in the annals of gay fiction, especially since they can be classed as romances. They allow us to experience a part of our own national heritage that few of us have any sense of; and they force us to confront the dark side of American exceptionalism at its very beginnings. These are not warm, fuzzy stories, although the love in them is satisfying and powerful. Nor are they apocalyptic fantasies. In the great tradition of Cooper, but two centuries later, Michael Jensen takes us to a place that is long ago and far away, yet still right here where we live.
You should read both of these books. They’re remarkable and worthy of our admiration.
January 4, 2017
This is the first book I’ve read by Michael Jensen, but it won’t be the last. It’s well-written, and it drew me in and gripped my attention all the way through.
This is not a historical romance. Although there is an underlying love story, it’s secondary to the adventure and mystery. This is a historical thriller will plenty of heart-stopping, stomach-dropping moments as the characters battle for their survival.
The characters are fantastic. Cole describes himself as being cold-hearted, but even from the beginning it’s easy to see that it’s how he’s protected himself, not how he genuinely is. Though the romantic elements are between Cole and Pakim, the story doesn’t focus solely on the two of them. In fact, there’s plenty of time when they’re apart in which other characters become prominent. Cole doesn’t discover only one kind of love; he discovers many.
In terms of the romance between Cole and Pakim, it was plenty for me. I prefer a story which has more action than intimacy and where the main plot is more important than the relationship, so it worked perfectly for me. What little sex there is (there’s not much, and it’s not descriptive) is very well done and proves that it doesn’t need to be graphic in order to be gorgeously sensual.
I love the way the themes of cold and ice are woven throughout the story. It’s not merely the almost-winter setting but an integral part of the plot. The chill and ice is constantly juxtaposed with warmth and fire. Everything from the characters to the physical scenery carry these contrasts. It would be interesting to study and discuss them at length.
There are plenty of surprises all the way through, right up until the end. There are clues readers can look for in solving the mystery, but it didn’t end up feeling predictable. The expertly crafted distractions serve their purpose. And even with all the clues, there are still some revelations at the end.
As a non-Native person myself, I’m not sure how well the author captured the culture and peoples of that era. However, it came across to me as written with a respectful tone. There’s definitely a calling out of white people for the devastation on Native populations, but it doesn’t feel preachy. I was also pleased with the distinct lack of overt misogyny, despite the historical context. This, to me, is proof that degrading women is not required in order to achieve authenticity.
All in all, I have only positive things to say about the book. The writing is tight, the plot flows smoothly, and the characters feel like friends by the end. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series.
For skilled writing, excellent characters, and an absorbing story, this gets 5 stars.
This is not a historical romance. Although there is an underlying love story, it’s secondary to the adventure and mystery. This is a historical thriller will plenty of heart-stopping, stomach-dropping moments as the characters battle for their survival.
The characters are fantastic. Cole describes himself as being cold-hearted, but even from the beginning it’s easy to see that it’s how he’s protected himself, not how he genuinely is. Though the romantic elements are between Cole and Pakim, the story doesn’t focus solely on the two of them. In fact, there’s plenty of time when they’re apart in which other characters become prominent. Cole doesn’t discover only one kind of love; he discovers many.
In terms of the romance between Cole and Pakim, it was plenty for me. I prefer a story which has more action than intimacy and where the main plot is more important than the relationship, so it worked perfectly for me. What little sex there is (there’s not much, and it’s not descriptive) is very well done and proves that it doesn’t need to be graphic in order to be gorgeously sensual.
I love the way the themes of cold and ice are woven throughout the story. It’s not merely the almost-winter setting but an integral part of the plot. The chill and ice is constantly juxtaposed with warmth and fire. Everything from the characters to the physical scenery carry these contrasts. It would be interesting to study and discuss them at length.
There are plenty of surprises all the way through, right up until the end. There are clues readers can look for in solving the mystery, but it didn’t end up feeling predictable. The expertly crafted distractions serve their purpose. And even with all the clues, there are still some revelations at the end.
As a non-Native person myself, I’m not sure how well the author captured the culture and peoples of that era. However, it came across to me as written with a respectful tone. There’s definitely a calling out of white people for the devastation on Native populations, but it doesn’t feel preachy. I was also pleased with the distinct lack of overt misogyny, despite the historical context. This, to me, is proof that degrading women is not required in order to achieve authenticity.
All in all, I have only positive things to say about the book. The writing is tight, the plot flows smoothly, and the characters feel like friends by the end. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series.
For skilled writing, excellent characters, and an absorbing story, this gets 5 stars.
January 4, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Man & Monster is the second in the Savage Land series, but can easily be read as a standalone novel. It was a mixture of action, myth, and violence and all of it rolled up into an enjoyable, though uneven story. Cole is our narrator and through his eyes we see the rise of an apparent Wendigo, a demonic spirit, usually confined to the colder climates of the north. This creature tears through the barely habitable town of Hugh’s Lick, killing anyone and everyone. This reign of terror adds a palpable tension that really comes through and pulls the reader in and keeps them there. Cole, Pakim, and the other main characters are generally well defined and they add a layer of vulnerability to the story that works on multiple levels. The romance between Cole and Pakim is understated, and while it takes second place to the chase for the Wendigo, their relationship has believability about it.
As good as the building tension of the Wendigo is, the end of this grand mystery is a huge let down. The last quarter of the book takes on the hallmarks of an episode of Scooby Doo rather than providing a satisfying resolution. It comes off as altogether silly and none of it makes much sense. This said, I do give the author credit for attempting to provide some kind of a realistic explanation for the Wendigo. And while it didn’t really work, at least the attempt was made. The writing in Man & Monster was an odd mix of lyrical and awkward. This novel reads smoothly at times and at others it is jarring and uneven. There is a strong descriptive bent that does a good job of setting time and place, but the episodes of jagged writing tended to pull me out of the action and it always took time to get back into it.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Man & Monster is the second in the Savage Land series, but can easily be read as a standalone novel. It was a mixture of action, myth, and violence and all of it rolled up into an enjoyable, though uneven story. Cole is our narrator and through his eyes we see the rise of an apparent Wendigo, a demonic spirit, usually confined to the colder climates of the north. This creature tears through the barely habitable town of Hugh’s Lick, killing anyone and everyone. This reign of terror adds a palpable tension that really comes through and pulls the reader in and keeps them there. Cole, Pakim, and the other main characters are generally well defined and they add a layer of vulnerability to the story that works on multiple levels. The romance between Cole and Pakim is understated, and while it takes second place to the chase for the Wendigo, their relationship has believability about it.
As good as the building tension of the Wendigo is, the end of this grand mystery is a huge let down. The last quarter of the book takes on the hallmarks of an episode of Scooby Doo rather than providing a satisfying resolution. It comes off as altogether silly and none of it makes much sense. This said, I do give the author credit for attempting to provide some kind of a realistic explanation for the Wendigo. And while it didn’t really work, at least the attempt was made. The writing in Man & Monster was an odd mix of lyrical and awkward. This novel reads smoothly at times and at others it is jarring and uneven. There is a strong descriptive bent that does a good job of setting time and place, but the episodes of jagged writing tended to pull me out of the action and it always took time to get back into it.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
June 11, 2017
Although the author uses a mythological creature to create the story's 'villain' this is a straight historical story rather than paranormal.
Again set in the Western frontier in the 18th century, Cole is headed to find his brother when he stumbles over the mutilated body of a young woman, a hungry cougar and ultimately a monster. In his escape he gets lost, and us rescued by Pakim, an Indian brave who helps him and takes him to the local settlement where we meet up with John and the others from book one.
Discovering his brother is dead, and despite a growing attraction to Pakim, Cole offer to marry his brother's widow and and care for their child. But he has not left the monster behind and the town, and local Indian tribe, comes under attack.
With the help of the local Shaman Cole and the others set out to try and defeat the 'Wendigo' that is after them
This story is rich in historical detail and very well written, it just needed a little more balance in the outcome of the main story for a full 5 stars
Again set in the Western frontier in the 18th century, Cole is headed to find his brother when he stumbles over the mutilated body of a young woman, a hungry cougar and ultimately a monster. In his escape he gets lost, and us rescued by Pakim, an Indian brave who helps him and takes him to the local settlement where we meet up with John and the others from book one.
Discovering his brother is dead, and despite a growing attraction to Pakim, Cole offer to marry his brother's widow and and care for their child. But he has not left the monster behind and the town, and local Indian tribe, comes under attack.
With the help of the local Shaman Cole and the others set out to try and defeat the 'Wendigo' that is after them
This story is rich in historical detail and very well written, it just needed a little more balance in the outcome of the main story for a full 5 stars
September 21, 2017
This book like its predecessor was filled with action and adventure. At first you don't think it has anything to do with the previous book but then you are surprised when things change. I liked the incorporation of the Native American monsters and Supernatural elements. Unlike the first book it is a slow build into the relationships but I think that gives for a more satisfying character development. It is a great continuation of the series and I would like to see more if the author ever writes any. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes the storical fiction male male Romance with Supernatural elements.
September 29, 2018
It's years after I just read this series. And the slightly revised version in a way, makes more sense than the old one. A seldom-found genre in MM romance.
August 1, 2017
I enjoyed the book very much due the book kept your attention on the edge and there was not so much sexual as most book but what was there you have to use your imagination to figure what happen.
The characters were well written and brought to life in a way you felt you knew them and was wanted the best for them.
If I could give more stars I would
The characters were well written and brought to life in a way you felt you knew them and was wanted the best for them.
If I could give more stars I would
February 3, 2017
Man & Monster is the second installment in the Savage Land series; it will take you on a journey into the unsettled territory of western Ohio, in 1799, with pioneers and Indians trying to build a better world. But, it’s not so easy, what with the beliefs and prejudices in both cultures.
Cole “Cold-Blooded” Seavey is on a journey to find his brother and only living relative, Gerard, and is also avoiding a marriage he never wanted. He has a plan that will enable him to find a new place to settle and become a trapper. Cole finds himself facing a fierce storm, and finding an injured girl and an angry panther. When the panther attempts to attack him again, he faces a creature that is beyond terrifying. Cole is lost, without weapons, injured and exhausted, but continues to face the elements and an unknown the likes of which he could never imagine.
In all his exhaustion, delirium and wandering, Cole runs into an Indian, coming to grips with the fact that this intriguing man would put an end to his life. When he wakes, he finds himself in the home of John Chapman, and meets Palmer, Gwennie, and his rescuer, Pakim. Pakim is a Delaware Indian and has brought Cole to John’s home for aide in healing, since his own medicine wasn’t strong enough. When Cole meets all these different people, he is curious about how they’re related to one another. He feels as if there’s some type of connection between him and Pakim, but doesn’t want to believe it. Cole also keeps many secrets to himself, especially the terrifying truth about what he saw, for fear he won’t be believed. Every step along the way, secrets come out and make for a mystical, folkloric, romantic adventure.
Michael Jensen brings us a story of an American pioneer and some Native American folklore to make for an eerie, action packed, suspenseful and intriguing mystery. The 1700s and the undeveloped land are amazingly descriptive, and I was especially taken with Pakim himself. He was such a great character, elusive and mythical. This novel also poses the question, who is more dangerous, man or monster?
The first book in this fantastic series, Man & Beast, is a must read, introducing readers to John “Johnny Appleseed” Chapman. I am so looking forward to the next novel from Michael Jensen.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews
Cole “Cold-Blooded” Seavey is on a journey to find his brother and only living relative, Gerard, and is also avoiding a marriage he never wanted. He has a plan that will enable him to find a new place to settle and become a trapper. Cole finds himself facing a fierce storm, and finding an injured girl and an angry panther. When the panther attempts to attack him again, he faces a creature that is beyond terrifying. Cole is lost, without weapons, injured and exhausted, but continues to face the elements and an unknown the likes of which he could never imagine.
In all his exhaustion, delirium and wandering, Cole runs into an Indian, coming to grips with the fact that this intriguing man would put an end to his life. When he wakes, he finds himself in the home of John Chapman, and meets Palmer, Gwennie, and his rescuer, Pakim. Pakim is a Delaware Indian and has brought Cole to John’s home for aide in healing, since his own medicine wasn’t strong enough. When Cole meets all these different people, he is curious about how they’re related to one another. He feels as if there’s some type of connection between him and Pakim, but doesn’t want to believe it. Cole also keeps many secrets to himself, especially the terrifying truth about what he saw, for fear he won’t be believed. Every step along the way, secrets come out and make for a mystical, folkloric, romantic adventure.
Michael Jensen brings us a story of an American pioneer and some Native American folklore to make for an eerie, action packed, suspenseful and intriguing mystery. The 1700s and the undeveloped land are amazingly descriptive, and I was especially taken with Pakim himself. He was such a great character, elusive and mythical. This novel also poses the question, who is more dangerous, man or monster?
The first book in this fantastic series, Man & Beast, is a must read, introducing readers to John “Johnny Appleseed” Chapman. I am so looking forward to the next novel from Michael Jensen.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews
February 4, 2017
Man & Monster is book two in Michael Jensen's The Savage Land Series. Though this is book two you can read it as a standalone.
Man & Monster, like book one (Man & Beast) is a terrific mix of suspense, mystery, and a bit of horror too. Like I had said in my review for book one, frontier stories are pretty new to me. I never gravitated toward them and had a hard time finding the appeal of them. Little House on the Prairie is as close as I came to entertaining myself with that time period. But I took a chance with this series and I haven't been disappointed.
See, this isn't JUST a frontier story. It's a paranormal one as well. It takes place in 1799, Cole is the main character of this story and he's got a past that has shrouded him in guilt. He comes to the frontier to run and hide. In his search for refuge he comes face to face with a demon-like beast. A monster. With this he has now stumbled onto an even bigger problem. He's rescued by Pakim, an Indian. Together they join forces and we unravel the mystery behind this monster and it's origin.
What this author does is weaves history and paranormal in a way that keeps you captivated, all the while you're actually learning and appreciating the life of people in the frontier. I am pretty certain that had there not been the mystery, suspense, and wonderful characters I wouldn't have loved this book.
Michael Jensen truly is a wonderful writer that engages the reader and keeps them on the edge of their seat. Well done!
Man & Monster, like book one (Man & Beast) is a terrific mix of suspense, mystery, and a bit of horror too. Like I had said in my review for book one, frontier stories are pretty new to me. I never gravitated toward them and had a hard time finding the appeal of them. Little House on the Prairie is as close as I came to entertaining myself with that time period. But I took a chance with this series and I haven't been disappointed.
See, this isn't JUST a frontier story. It's a paranormal one as well. It takes place in 1799, Cole is the main character of this story and he's got a past that has shrouded him in guilt. He comes to the frontier to run and hide. In his search for refuge he comes face to face with a demon-like beast. A monster. With this he has now stumbled onto an even bigger problem. He's rescued by Pakim, an Indian. Together they join forces and we unravel the mystery behind this monster and it's origin.
What this author does is weaves history and paranormal in a way that keeps you captivated, all the while you're actually learning and appreciating the life of people in the frontier. I am pretty certain that had there not been the mystery, suspense, and wonderful characters I wouldn't have loved this book.
Michael Jensen truly is a wonderful writer that engages the reader and keeps them on the edge of their seat. Well done!
July 7, 2017
As it turns out I can deal with super-natural horror quite a bit better than with sociopathic, evil serial killers. I enjoyed this book. I mean, I knew from the first book that I would like the writing but I am a huge scaredy cat and I don't really enjoy the cathartic elements of horror. Because usually there is no catharsis for me, only images in my head that have no place to be there, which IMHO is quite the opposite. Still, yeah, no, I enjoyed this book - one of the main reasons being that it's not just about human beings presented at their psychopathic and sociopathic worst (although...).
Anyhow, it was good yarn and what I probably enjoyed most that there were some genuine belly-laughs to be had (Pakim was good for that. So much for the inscrutable red-skin. What a charmer.). The action scenes were quite vivid and when they got a little too vivid for me, I may have skipped a sentence or two.
All in all, I think I liked the main characters better than in book one and I wasn't quite as freaked out by some of the images planted in my head.
Does that sound like faint praise? It's not. It's a highly entertaining book, only if you can't stand quite a bit of gore, don't read it. Otherwise recommended for people who like their romance with a lot of action. And probably more action than romance. And a bit of horror. And that's one disclaimer too many.
Anyhow, I enjoyed it ;-).
Anyhow, it was good yarn and what I probably enjoyed most that there were some genuine belly-laughs to be had (Pakim was good for that. So much for the inscrutable red-skin. What a charmer.). The action scenes were quite vivid and when they got a little too vivid for me, I may have skipped a sentence or two.
All in all, I think I liked the main characters better than in book one and I wasn't quite as freaked out by some of the images planted in my head.
Does that sound like faint praise? It's not. It's a highly entertaining book, only if you can't stand quite a bit of gore, don't read it. Otherwise recommended for people who like their romance with a lot of action. And probably more action than romance. And a bit of horror. And that's one disclaimer too many.
Anyhow, I enjoyed it ;-).
June 18, 2018
★★★★☆ ~ 4 Stars
Cole has run away from a prospective bride to go west and trap. When he finds a little girl being attached by a cougar, he ends up being attacked as well and is almost dead when he is found by Pakim, a Delaware Indian. John and Palmer from book one figure prominently in this story as they have moved on from the town in book one and are trying to make a fresh start.
Unfortunately, it appears that a mythical creature, a Wendigo, is haunting and killing settlers and Indians alike. Good mystery and detail.
Cole has run away from a prospective bride to go west and trap. When he finds a little girl being attached by a cougar, he ends up being attacked as well and is almost dead when he is found by Pakim, a Delaware Indian. John and Palmer from book one figure prominently in this story as they have moved on from the town in book one and are trying to make a fresh start.
Unfortunately, it appears that a mythical creature, a Wendigo, is haunting and killing settlers and Indians alike. Good mystery and detail.
January 6, 2017
I enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed the first one, and while reading the first book I was very engaged and I really fell for the book's characters. But this book was even better on that plane since it involved new characters as well as old beloved ones. The plot was really intriguing and I couldn't put the book down.
November 17, 2022
Completely Enthralling
I could not put this book down. The characters are developed to the point you swear they are based on living people. The mystery of what is going on climaxes to something credible and gut wrenching at the same time. We need more books in this series!
I could not put this book down. The characters are developed to the point you swear they are based on living people. The mystery of what is going on climaxes to something credible and gut wrenching at the same time. We need more books in this series!
December 9, 2017
Amazing mystery.
Loved the time period, the characters and the twisting action. A great read! I highly recommend both books, together or alone!
Loved the time period, the characters and the twisting action. A great read! I highly recommend both books, together or alone!
October 22, 2018
DNF'd at 40%
I was told this is a slow-born one, but I did't expect it to be...this...slow......
I was told this is a slow-born one, but I did't expect it to be...this...slow......
June 23, 2023
Previously read under the predecessor Firelands
Read
February 7, 2017
This is my review of Man & Monster, by Michael Jensne, from my M/M Romance Books Blog, OJ He Say.Click the links below to see the whole review and more.
Man & Monster, by Michael Jensen at OJ He Say!
fter reading Man & Beast I knew I’d come across an author that would join my list of go to authors. Now after reading Man & Monster there is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Jensen is one of a few, a rare breed of author, with an incredible story telling ability.
His ability to so eloquently tell the story of what gay people went through in those strange, unique years at the beginning of the European colonization of America is just a beauty to experience via his prose. The characters are so well developed, so rich in their complete humanness whether evil or benign, that to be able to feel the experiences of the men and women of different ethnicities with all the underlying prejudices of the time and to be able to bring that to life as he does is something wonderful to experience.
I cannot wait for more of this series as I am now invested in this story.
CHARACTERS
Cole ‘Cold Blooded Cole’ Seavy:
My already thin face was even leaner and when not bound with a leather thong, my black hair hung down to my shoulders. My eyes tended toward a brown so dark as to be black in certain lights — or, I was told, in certain moods. My face was always tanned from being out-a-doors, yet showed a goodly number of freckles scattered over my nose and cheeks. I was rather darkly complected to have so many freckles, but it was a Seavey trait shared by all the men in my family. Handsome was a word I had heard frequently to describe myself, though, frankly, I couldn’t see it.
Pakim:
He slowly rose, facing me. He was perhaps ten years older than me, though I couldn’t be sure. An enormous bearskin hung from his shoulders, but his arms were bare. Several feathers adorned his black hair, which was pulled back into a ponytail. Despite my wandering mind, or perhaps because of it, I thought the Indian had the most appealing face I had ever seen on a man… The brave was taller than I and possessed broad shoulders that his hair would just touch when unbound. His skin was nut-brown — not red as implied by the slur “redskin” — and his face was clear and smooth, untouched by the pox. A small tattoo of a turtle lay upon his right cheek, but most striking were his black eyes that, despite their color, seemed warm and inviting.
STORY
Cole Seavey leaves his home in Virginia under the not totally untrue guise of going to find his no-good brother, Gerard. In truth, he’s running away from the fiancé whom he does not want to marry. Cole has never felt attracted to women in the sense that he sees other men attracted to them, so off to the new frontier of the Ohio River Valley. On his way through the high plains he encounters a fierce storm. It is during this storm that he stumbles upon a seriously injured girl and the creature that is hunting her, a Wendigo. Badly injured after his encounter with the fantastical creature, he literally stumbles into Pakim and collapses. It is Pakim that takes him to John and Palmer’s new home.
It is against this backdrop that we’re treated to a riveting story of blooming love between two men, one of which is just becoming aware of what his feelings really mean, and survival in a new frontier, painted against the backdrop of the prejudice, avarice, and malevolence of the era.
WRITING
This is some of the best writing I have come across, right up with some of the other authors that are my go to authors. The prose flows freely, smoothly, effortlessly, allowing the reader to simply immerse his/herself in the story. It truly becomes a completely immersive experience. I was actually there with Cole and Pakim, John and Palmer and Gwennie and the other so exquisitely developed characters. I really must warn you: this writing is highly addictive!
I don’t do spoilers and yet I must say I was treated to one of most unique and sensually erotic love scenes I’ve ever read. The whole scene at the pima’kan sweat lodge ceremony is one of the most masculinely sensual I’ve ever read. Yeah, I was sweating afterwards.
This the kind of writing that takes one beyond to the next level of reading experience.
Man & Monster, by Michael Jensen at OJ He Say!
fter reading Man & Beast I knew I’d come across an author that would join my list of go to authors. Now after reading Man & Monster there is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Jensen is one of a few, a rare breed of author, with an incredible story telling ability.
His ability to so eloquently tell the story of what gay people went through in those strange, unique years at the beginning of the European colonization of America is just a beauty to experience via his prose. The characters are so well developed, so rich in their complete humanness whether evil or benign, that to be able to feel the experiences of the men and women of different ethnicities with all the underlying prejudices of the time and to be able to bring that to life as he does is something wonderful to experience.
I cannot wait for more of this series as I am now invested in this story.
CHARACTERS
Cole ‘Cold Blooded Cole’ Seavy:
My already thin face was even leaner and when not bound with a leather thong, my black hair hung down to my shoulders. My eyes tended toward a brown so dark as to be black in certain lights — or, I was told, in certain moods. My face was always tanned from being out-a-doors, yet showed a goodly number of freckles scattered over my nose and cheeks. I was rather darkly complected to have so many freckles, but it was a Seavey trait shared by all the men in my family. Handsome was a word I had heard frequently to describe myself, though, frankly, I couldn’t see it.
Pakim:
He slowly rose, facing me. He was perhaps ten years older than me, though I couldn’t be sure. An enormous bearskin hung from his shoulders, but his arms were bare. Several feathers adorned his black hair, which was pulled back into a ponytail. Despite my wandering mind, or perhaps because of it, I thought the Indian had the most appealing face I had ever seen on a man… The brave was taller than I and possessed broad shoulders that his hair would just touch when unbound. His skin was nut-brown — not red as implied by the slur “redskin” — and his face was clear and smooth, untouched by the pox. A small tattoo of a turtle lay upon his right cheek, but most striking were his black eyes that, despite their color, seemed warm and inviting.
STORY
Cole Seavey leaves his home in Virginia under the not totally untrue guise of going to find his no-good brother, Gerard. In truth, he’s running away from the fiancé whom he does not want to marry. Cole has never felt attracted to women in the sense that he sees other men attracted to them, so off to the new frontier of the Ohio River Valley. On his way through the high plains he encounters a fierce storm. It is during this storm that he stumbles upon a seriously injured girl and the creature that is hunting her, a Wendigo. Badly injured after his encounter with the fantastical creature, he literally stumbles into Pakim and collapses. It is Pakim that takes him to John and Palmer’s new home.
It is against this backdrop that we’re treated to a riveting story of blooming love between two men, one of which is just becoming aware of what his feelings really mean, and survival in a new frontier, painted against the backdrop of the prejudice, avarice, and malevolence of the era.
WRITING
This is some of the best writing I have come across, right up with some of the other authors that are my go to authors. The prose flows freely, smoothly, effortlessly, allowing the reader to simply immerse his/herself in the story. It truly becomes a completely immersive experience. I was actually there with Cole and Pakim, John and Palmer and Gwennie and the other so exquisitely developed characters. I really must warn you: this writing is highly addictive!
I don’t do spoilers and yet I must say I was treated to one of most unique and sensually erotic love scenes I’ve ever read. The whole scene at the pima’kan sweat lodge ceremony is one of the most masculinely sensual I’ve ever read. Yeah, I was sweating afterwards.
This the kind of writing that takes one beyond to the next level of reading experience.
November 18, 2017
Terrific sequel to Man and Beast. Pitch-perfect re placing the reader in its historical time, place, and attitudes. Loved the blending of mythology and reality. Exciting and highly satisfying read.
February 2, 2017
Disclaimer: This book was provided for free by the author in exchange for an honest review via the M/M Romance Group's Don’t Buy My Love Program.
3.5 stars
The book's strongest point was probably its historical setting of the American frontier, which was interesting and well-enhanced with the bits of Native American myths and minutiae.
The suspense element worked well enough - while I suspected
I do think some of the character development could have happened more smoothly. While I understand that this isn't really a romance romance novel, I did feel that the relationship between Cole and Pakim could have been developed more realistically. While their instant physical attraction to each other was plausible, the fact that Cole comes to such a quick conclusion that he loves Pakim (considering they've only spend a number of days together) didn't really sell it for me. I did enjoy their nicknames for each other, and I think the book could have benefited from more of that sort of ribbing - and a more realistic time progression - to convince us of their chemistry.
Still, I enjoyed the character motivations and plot progression a lot more in this book than the first, and overall it was a fairly enjoyable read and a unique setting in the genre.
3.5 stars
The book's strongest point was probably its historical setting of the American frontier, which was interesting and well-enhanced with the bits of Native American myths and minutiae.
The suspense element worked well enough - while I suspected
I do think some of the character development could have happened more smoothly. While I understand that this isn't really a romance romance novel, I did feel that the relationship between Cole and Pakim could have been developed more realistically. While their instant physical attraction to each other was plausible, the fact that Cole comes to such a quick conclusion that he loves Pakim (considering they've only spend a number of days together) didn't really sell it for me. I did enjoy their nicknames for each other, and I think the book could have benefited from more of that sort of ribbing - and a more realistic time progression - to convince us of their chemistry.
Still, I enjoyed the character motivations and plot progression a lot more in this book than the first, and overall it was a fairly enjoyable read and a unique setting in the genre.
January 26, 2017
Cole Seavey knew it might not be the best idea to venture west on his own. But he needed to get away from his life back east and he figured he might see if he could catch up with his brother out on the frontier. But a run-in with a cougar as he tried to save a young child in the middle of the woods left him in the path of a much more dangerous and mysterious creature. And it also left him on the run without any of his supplies. He's saved by a Delaware Indian name Pakim and he quickly finds himself pulled into the politics and drama of the local community. But the creature he encountered in the woods isn't going away, and more people are going missing or reporting sightings of something strange in the forest. When it finally makes a move that could bring them all down, Cole and Pakim realize they might be parted--just when they've started to connect on a deeper level. Is this just Cole's luck? Or is there a chance they will both make it out alive?
This is a very well-written historical m/m romance, which is a genre I absolutely think we need more of in the world. We know that there were certainly LGBT people during these eras in history, but because they had to keep their lives hidden most of their stories are lost to us. I love the idea of thinking about what life may have been like and filling in those gaps with good stories just like this one.
This is the second book in a series, but there is no need to have read the first book to dive into this one--it can live as a stand-alone novel. I've not read the first book, and I had no problems understanding what was going on or following the story.
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.]
This is a very well-written historical m/m romance, which is a genre I absolutely think we need more of in the world. We know that there were certainly LGBT people during these eras in history, but because they had to keep their lives hidden most of their stories are lost to us. I love the idea of thinking about what life may have been like and filling in those gaps with good stories just like this one.
This is the second book in a series, but there is no need to have read the first book to dive into this one--it can live as a stand-alone novel. I've not read the first book, and I had no problems understanding what was going on or following the story.
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.]
May 17, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this second book. I had an idea about the monster but there were so many things that I did not expect at all. Cole's self-doubt and being torn between two lives was very real. It was really nice to see some returning characters as well. I was afraid that they weren't going to be in there. I can't really say much without this being spoiler free but it's truly a great book that I had trouble putting down.
February 5, 2017
Wendigo… whispers of the legendary myth bring chills to those who know. Jensen has done it again with this second book in his “Savage Land” series. “Man and Monster” is a masterful genre-blend of M/M romance, historical, and horror. There’s plenty of page-turning action in this thrilling sequel.
September 4, 2019
simply not my cup of tea
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews