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Through Rain and Missing Mantaurs
This gritty dark fantasy pushes boundaries. It explores society's perception of people, taboos, and personal relationships. For mature readers.
Pony is a bipedal half-centaur with no desire to waste tears on a history she cannot remember. She’s busy enough with her mail routes and package deliveries and floundering through an unrequited love for the beautiful and aloof elven courtesan, Mardyth.
Then, the mundane drudgery of her life shatters when Konstantine Bywater takes over as the new boss. He starts asking questions she can’t possibly answer, and stirs up a past better left dead and buried.
Running away is no longer an option. Not when Kon and his minions accuse Mardyth of an unspeakable crime. Pony will stop at nothing to uncover the truth—not only to prove her lover’s innocence, but to save herself as well.
Pony is a bipedal half-centaur with no desire to waste tears on a history she cannot remember. She’s busy enough with her mail routes and package deliveries and floundering through an unrequited love for the beautiful and aloof elven courtesan, Mardyth.
Then, the mundane drudgery of her life shatters when Konstantine Bywater takes over as the new boss. He starts asking questions she can’t possibly answer, and stirs up a past better left dead and buried.
Running away is no longer an option. Not when Kon and his minions accuse Mardyth of an unspeakable crime. Pony will stop at nothing to uncover the truth—not only to prove her lover’s innocence, but to save herself as well.
491 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2013
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416 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 30, 2013
A provocative fantasy story that is intensely interesting and of fascinating premise
As debut novels come this is certainly a complex creation, in which the in-depth ideas and bold singularity stands-out a mile. Acceptance of homosexuality and multiple marriages somewhat contradicts all reasoning when relationships between the races is forbidden, (an element within this novel that I found most surprising). The main character ‘Horsemeat’ is a half-breed Centaur, with her story and experiences being the main theme of this book. Within this tragic tale of survival which highlights the harshness of life, you are able to reflect upon the cruel realities that the author presents to you and in turn connect with the inner messages in your own personal way. Truth-drawing to the core ‘Through rain and missing mantaurs’ is a story which searches deep within, and in its own unique way aids the reader in uncovering those hidden scars and allows them to heal.
I found this novel a challenging read and one that took much contemplation and reflection between each chapter, so as to make sense of all that was unfolding upon the pages. Despite being a fast-paced, character-driven read I felt that the characters were not developed enough to make me connect with them as a reader on a more personal level. I felt somewhat detached as the characters (including the main protagonist) didn’t present those actions, thoughts and emotions of true realism and heartfelt truth. As the heroine of the story struggles to recover those precious memories lost through childhood trauma, I did however find myself sympathizing and empathizing with her.
A little ‘rough around the edges’ this suspenseful tale does sustain your interest with action and mystery, but it needs some re-writing to help polish and fine-tune those flaws that hinder the plot. As an avid reader of the fantasy genre I was expecting more from this book. I was spellbound by the author’s vivid imagination and the intriguing storyline (which sounded so exciting), and yet it was the over explicit nature and disturbing undertone that left me feeling uneasy.* The characters need developing and the intricately detailed (slightly unclear) plot altered by simplicity and clarity, to turn this into an improved read which reflects the author’s intent personified as to do her justice.
*such as sexual nature.
*I won a copy of “Through rain and missing mantaurs” By Jeanne Marcella through a Goodreads, first-read giveaway.*
2.5-3 rating
As debut novels come this is certainly a complex creation, in which the in-depth ideas and bold singularity stands-out a mile. Acceptance of homosexuality and multiple marriages somewhat contradicts all reasoning when relationships between the races is forbidden, (an element within this novel that I found most surprising). The main character ‘Horsemeat’ is a half-breed Centaur, with her story and experiences being the main theme of this book. Within this tragic tale of survival which highlights the harshness of life, you are able to reflect upon the cruel realities that the author presents to you and in turn connect with the inner messages in your own personal way. Truth-drawing to the core ‘Through rain and missing mantaurs’ is a story which searches deep within, and in its own unique way aids the reader in uncovering those hidden scars and allows them to heal.
I found this novel a challenging read and one that took much contemplation and reflection between each chapter, so as to make sense of all that was unfolding upon the pages. Despite being a fast-paced, character-driven read I felt that the characters were not developed enough to make me connect with them as a reader on a more personal level. I felt somewhat detached as the characters (including the main protagonist) didn’t present those actions, thoughts and emotions of true realism and heartfelt truth. As the heroine of the story struggles to recover those precious memories lost through childhood trauma, I did however find myself sympathizing and empathizing with her.
A little ‘rough around the edges’ this suspenseful tale does sustain your interest with action and mystery, but it needs some re-writing to help polish and fine-tune those flaws that hinder the plot. As an avid reader of the fantasy genre I was expecting more from this book. I was spellbound by the author’s vivid imagination and the intriguing storyline (which sounded so exciting), and yet it was the over explicit nature and disturbing undertone that left me feeling uneasy.* The characters need developing and the intricately detailed (slightly unclear) plot altered by simplicity and clarity, to turn this into an improved read which reflects the author’s intent personified as to do her justice.
*such as sexual nature.
*I won a copy of “Through rain and missing mantaurs” By Jeanne Marcella through a Goodreads, first-read giveaway.*
2.5-3 rating
July 12, 2013
This is not an easy book to read. First off, the world the author has created is an uncomfortable one. While homosexuality is common and accepted, as is multiple marriages, relationships between the races are not. Any children of these unions are treated as dirt, if they're lucky.
The second thing that makes this a difficult read are the characters. The main character, is a half bread centaur - she seem human but has a tail. She's shunned, mocked, abused, and treated worse than most animals. But she's survived. Good for her. This whole book deals with survival and how a tragedy 15 years previously affected the few who lived. Everyone in this story has scars.
I thought the story itself was interesting, and while I did not truly bond with the characters, wanting to know WHY kept me reading when I'd otherwise have stopped. Unfortunately, this is the first book in a trilogy. Which means I didn't get my questions answered.
My big problems dealt with the characters, who with only two exceptions, didn't seem to behave n any sort of understandable way. Lets take the main character - she's obviously smart, but she never questions anything. She know's you're lying but doesn't either call you on it, or figure out why your lying. She just accepts it. She finds out someone she knows killed the only man to care for her? She doesn't change the way she behaves with him. Or even thinks about him. It's like it never registered.
And the sex? It wasn't sexy, it was mechanical and didn't add to the plot at all.
There were times where someone would say something and I couldn't figure out how they'd come to that conclusion. I didn't understand the majority of the characters, which made it hard to really like or care about them. I cared about the macro situation - and I didn't get that resolved.
Add to it some truly atrocious treatment of women that made me want to castrate every male centaur in the world, and you get the idea why I can only give this 3 stars. It's a good debut novel, but it's not great.
The second thing that makes this a difficult read are the characters. The main character, is a half bread centaur - she seem human but has a tail. She's shunned, mocked, abused, and treated worse than most animals. But she's survived. Good for her. This whole book deals with survival and how a tragedy 15 years previously affected the few who lived. Everyone in this story has scars.
I thought the story itself was interesting, and while I did not truly bond with the characters, wanting to know WHY kept me reading when I'd otherwise have stopped. Unfortunately, this is the first book in a trilogy. Which means I didn't get my questions answered.
My big problems dealt with the characters, who with only two exceptions, didn't seem to behave n any sort of understandable way. Lets take the main character - she's obviously smart, but she never questions anything. She know's you're lying but doesn't either call you on it, or figure out why your lying. She just accepts it. She finds out someone she knows killed the only man to care for her? She doesn't change the way she behaves with him. Or even thinks about him. It's like it never registered.
And the sex? It wasn't sexy, it was mechanical and didn't add to the plot at all.
There were times where someone would say something and I couldn't figure out how they'd come to that conclusion. I didn't understand the majority of the characters, which made it hard to really like or care about them. I cared about the macro situation - and I didn't get that resolved.
Add to it some truly atrocious treatment of women that made me want to castrate every male centaur in the world, and you get the idea why I can only give this 3 stars. It's a good debut novel, but it's not great.
December 6, 2020
Thanks to the publisher for providing a digital review copy of Through Rain and Missing Manataurs in exchange for an honest review.
This book is well written and the world building is really solid and unique, it just wasn't the book for me. Fantasy-creature sex scenes aren't my jam but I recognize that there's definitely a target audience for that and this book is definitely still plot driven outside of that, but I was just made uncomfortable for a lot of the book. Sometimes its the point (a lot of triggering things happen/have happened to the protagonist) and sometimes its not, but it kept me personally from being able to connect to the narrative because I wasn't expecting it. I think my dislike of it comes down more to a marketing flaw than anything seriously wrong with the book though.
This book is well written and the world building is really solid and unique, it just wasn't the book for me. Fantasy-creature sex scenes aren't my jam but I recognize that there's definitely a target audience for that and this book is definitely still plot driven outside of that, but I was just made uncomfortable for a lot of the book. Sometimes its the point (a lot of triggering things happen/have happened to the protagonist) and sometimes its not, but it kept me personally from being able to connect to the narrative because I wasn't expecting it. I think my dislike of it comes down more to a marketing flaw than anything seriously wrong with the book though.
February 23, 2019
This story is definitely not for everyone but I found it interesting and even spellbinding. It held my interest from the first page all the way to the last. Though at times things were unclear and the world-building could use a little work but all in all, a well-written, convoluted story that was different than anything I can recall reading. I will most definitely pick up the sequel and see where things head next.
July 16, 2014
Not my cup of tea.
The prose was good. I didn't find it stilted or juvenile like much of the self published books on the market now. Good prose goes a long way for me. That said, the author's style couldn't make up for the content. The concepts were just too much for me. Mates of each sex, bestiality, gang rape...It was too much and jerked me out of the world. Granted, the world building is quite good and the ideas are unique (kissing and sharing your home bed adding up to marriage commitment/wedding). But it was too out there for me to enjoy. If you like dark and profoundly eccentric, you'll like this, I'm guessing.
The prose was good. I didn't find it stilted or juvenile like much of the self published books on the market now. Good prose goes a long way for me. That said, the author's style couldn't make up for the content. The concepts were just too much for me. Mates of each sex, bestiality, gang rape...It was too much and jerked me out of the world. Granted, the world building is quite good and the ideas are unique (kissing and sharing your home bed adding up to marriage commitment/wedding). But it was too out there for me to enjoy. If you like dark and profoundly eccentric, you'll like this, I'm guessing.
December 10, 2016
Every time I find a fantasy novel with a strong female lead, I do a little happy dance. Pony is tenacious, tough, and snarky, and isn't here to put up with your crap. I absolutely loved her. Add in a beautiful bisexual male elf as her love interest, a fresh, non-stereotypical take on a polyamorous relationship, and a compelling adventure, and you have a really enjoyable read.
I hope you like it as much as I did!
I hope you like it as much as I did!
June 20, 2013
Interesting concept and overall all an enjoyable read. I found the heroine sympathetic as she deals with recovering memories lost to severe childhood trauma. Good first book even if a little rough around the edges. Enough suspense and action to keep things moving.
Reason I read it was because two authors whose work I love recommended it - Lindsay Buroker and Kendra Highley. Thanks!
Reason I read it was because two authors whose work I love recommended it - Lindsay Buroker and Kendra Highley. Thanks!
May 31, 2017
This was a weird one. I kind of liked it and also not, but I was intrigued enough to finish it out. I think you just need to take a gamble on it and either love it or hate it.
January 16, 2021
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Through Rain and Missing Mantaurs is a darkly written NA (?) fantasy by Jeanne Marcella. Originally published in 2013, this reformat and re-release with new cover art is 457 pages and available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a difficult book to categorize and review. It's not erotica, though there's sexual content. It's not precisely NA (and definitely not YA) because of the raw, explicit, potentially triggering content. It is full of drama, abuse (including humiliation, sexual and physical abuse). It's fantasy and there is a significant bestiality/non human sexual plot element.
Much of the writing is meandering and unclear. The entire book reads like fanfic where the audience is already familiar with the main players, their motivations, the world, and its interactions. I was lost (and annoyed) for most of the read. There are courtesans (apparently highly paid ones) but no real thorough explanation of whom they service or why. There is a significant amount of wordage used on the wide ranging viciously cutthroat mail delivery but no clear explanation of why they're so competitive or what they're delivering or why there are so many competing groups (and why people trust them with their precious/valuable cargo when they're so badly compensated that apparently missing one day's work is enough to have the main protagonist picking through garbage to keep from starving to death).
Scattered, unclear, stream-of-consciousness, inconsistent, distressingly explicit (but not titillating) and often annoying. There were glimmers of interesting world building, but they were fleeting and elusive and not enough to keep me invested in the story or the characters. It will probably appeal to a different audience, but I'm not precisely sure to whom that would apply. There is a great deal of potentially triggering content (rape, physical and mental abuse, trauma, drug abuse, self harm, etc).
Two and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Through Rain and Missing Mantaurs is a darkly written NA (?) fantasy by Jeanne Marcella. Originally published in 2013, this reformat and re-release with new cover art is 457 pages and available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a difficult book to categorize and review. It's not erotica, though there's sexual content. It's not precisely NA (and definitely not YA) because of the raw, explicit, potentially triggering content. It is full of drama, abuse (including humiliation, sexual and physical abuse). It's fantasy and there is a significant bestiality/non human sexual plot element.
Much of the writing is meandering and unclear. The entire book reads like fanfic where the audience is already familiar with the main players, their motivations, the world, and its interactions. I was lost (and annoyed) for most of the read. There are courtesans (apparently highly paid ones) but no real thorough explanation of whom they service or why. There is a significant amount of wordage used on the wide ranging viciously cutthroat mail delivery but no clear explanation of why they're so competitive or what they're delivering or why there are so many competing groups (and why people trust them with their precious/valuable cargo when they're so badly compensated that apparently missing one day's work is enough to have the main protagonist picking through garbage to keep from starving to death).
Scattered, unclear, stream-of-consciousness, inconsistent, distressingly explicit (but not titillating) and often annoying. There were glimmers of interesting world building, but they were fleeting and elusive and not enough to keep me invested in the story or the characters. It will probably appeal to a different audience, but I'm not precisely sure to whom that would apply. There is a great deal of potentially triggering content (rape, physical and mental abuse, trauma, drug abuse, self harm, etc).
Two and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
January 11, 2021
Pony is a mail courier for Lightfoot Delivery in Nura City. She’s strong, brave and will fight to protect herself and the mail. She’s a sad type of creature as she seems naive at times and has low self-esteem, but she hides it well with her snark. She’s a half-breed, centaur/human and recognized as bipedal. From the age of five she was raised by two men, Callum and Upshaw. Callum now passed, was the guardian that really made an impression on her. He always seems to be inside her head with the advice that he gave her.
Pony wishes to have a family and someone to love her. She is in love with Mardyth, an elf whose a high class courtesan, who is married to Nicholas. But even though the three are caring and friendly, Mardyth at times doesn’t treat Pony very well.
On one of her mail pickups she comes across a band of Centaurs and has to fight her way out. She defeats a young palomino and escapes with his bow.
After the confrontation with the Centaurs she finds herself having run-ins with those she describes as: Green Hat, Brown Eyes, Green Scarf and then she meets Blue Eyes. All those she meets along the way and Mardyth himself, will bring: truth, betrayal, lies, secrets and gradually make her remember a time when she was five years old. This dangerous and adventurous journey will be an awakening for Pony. Who can she trust, love and will she loose her freedom?
This was a first time read for me from Jeanne Marcella and “Through Rain and Missing Mantaurs” was well written, with unique world and character building. By no means is this a quick read as there are many ideas to absorb and think about. It has an abundance of twists and turns for Pony with all the secrets that are revealed.
This is a novel with Gods, Goddesses, elemental powers, telepathy, spells and magic. I looked at this as a cross between: lore, mythology and fantasy. It takes on the differences of: humans, Centaurs, Mantaurs, Kentauroi, Elves and courtesans and the intolerance and social structure that exists between them.
For me, I think this was an outstanding undertaking for Jeanne Marcella. Personally, I didn’t think all the triggers that are listed for this novel were very noticeable. As intriguing as this was, I am curious to find out what Jeanne Marcella has in store for Pony next.
January 3, 2021
Some mixed reviews so far for this book and I understand most of them. This is by no means a perfect book; the characters and their (inter)actions are inconsistent, the main characters not all that likeable most of the time and the sexual tension between almost all characters feels weird and not because it's between races but since it seems that everyone wants to have sex with everyone else without it seeming necessary for plot developing or character development. Add that to a rough. and not smoothly running story where Iost track of the characters and their role in the plot and you have a book in your hands that feels like it should have been gone through at least 2 - 3 times to make it better.
Yet I can't write a 2 star review since I did finish this book because I wanted to see how it turned out, it was thought provoking at times and popped up in my head at random intervals during the day so there is definitely something there if you ask me. I would definitely read the follow up book cause this series has great potential in my opinion. The world building is awesome, the mythology with centaurs, mantaurs, elfs etc is intriguing and the social structure gets you thinking. It could have been a fantasy book to go on my favourites list and therefore I hope the second book will fulfill the promise I think is in this story.
*** An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. ***
Yet I can't write a 2 star review since I did finish this book because I wanted to see how it turned out, it was thought provoking at times and popped up in my head at random intervals during the day so there is definitely something there if you ask me. I would definitely read the follow up book cause this series has great potential in my opinion. The world building is awesome, the mythology with centaurs, mantaurs, elfs etc is intriguing and the social structure gets you thinking. It could have been a fantasy book to go on my favourites list and therefore I hope the second book will fulfill the promise I think is in this story.
*** An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. ***
December 3, 2020
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
DNF 60%
I was quite excited to pick up this book as it seemed right up my alley, and the newer cover certainly helped catch my eye. The prose and writing itself was enjoyable, no complaints there.
However, I had trouble relating to the characters and understanding their motivations—oftentimes baffled by their reactions. The protagonist, despite being written to be tough as nails and not unintelligent, seems passive and is not a driving force in the story.
By 50% through there wasn't a single character I could definitively say that I liked, and while unlikable characters have their place in books I do struggle to read stories where where the cast is made up of them.
The casual mention of sexual abuse and bestiality combined with the somewhat lengthy page count have convinced me to not finish the book at this time, though I may come back and amend my review if I do.
DNF 60%
I was quite excited to pick up this book as it seemed right up my alley, and the newer cover certainly helped catch my eye. The prose and writing itself was enjoyable, no complaints there.
However, I had trouble relating to the characters and understanding their motivations—oftentimes baffled by their reactions. The protagonist, despite being written to be tough as nails and not unintelligent, seems passive and is not a driving force in the story.
By 50% through there wasn't a single character I could definitively say that I liked, and while unlikable characters have their place in books I do struggle to read stories where where the cast is made up of them.
The casual mention of sexual abuse and bestiality combined with the somewhat lengthy page count have convinced me to not finish the book at this time, though I may come back and amend my review if I do.
December 9, 2020
This is a complicated book. The premise is super interesting: a world where mixed race marriages and taboo and the children of such pairings, like the protagonist, are treated as less than second-class citizens. On the other hand, polyamory and homosexuality are commonplace. The protagonist, a half-breed centaur, has survived this world so far, but not because of any kindness it’s shown her. I think where this book is strongest is in its exploration of trauma and survival, and where it lost me was in the development and portrayal of its characters: I couldn’t always figure out their motivations and their personalities were somewhat nebulous, making it hard at times to be really invested in them or their fates. It wasn’t always clear what was happening, or why, but overall it was intriguing enough that I was invested until the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 7, 2017
This was a darker and grittier story than I usually choose to read. I loved it anyway.
Horsemeat (aka Pony) is a very strong female lead who has survived an extremely difficult life and not only is not beaten by it, is a character who remains delightfully snarky. The worldbuilding is unique and unexpected. The story grabbed me and dragged me along; I could barely put it down when real life intruded.
The author has included a number of disturbing issues and has pulled few punches in handling them, so people who find domestic violence, rape, racism, and alternate lifestyles triggering or otherwise unacceptable should avoid this book.
Full disclosure: I obtained this book for free through a promotion. My review is unsolicited and my opinion remains my own.
Horsemeat (aka Pony) is a very strong female lead who has survived an extremely difficult life and not only is not beaten by it, is a character who remains delightfully snarky. The worldbuilding is unique and unexpected. The story grabbed me and dragged me along; I could barely put it down when real life intruded.
The author has included a number of disturbing issues and has pulled few punches in handling them, so people who find domestic violence, rape, racism, and alternate lifestyles triggering or otherwise unacceptable should avoid this book.
Full disclosure: I obtained this book for free through a promotion. My review is unsolicited and my opinion remains my own.
January 27, 2026
2.5 stars, but rounded up because I wanted to like it more, and there is a good story in here. It just needs a lot more editing. It was often hard to follow motivations and cause and effect. There was an incredible amount of stating the emotions in characters’ expressions, often with no immediate relevance to what was happening. Pacing in general needs work.
BUT. All that said, I finished the book, and I cared about the characters and their fates. I just think there needs to be more focus on things making sense to the reader, and bringing the reader into the various character relationships so they feel more fleshed out.
I would not recommend this book to someone as is. But I would love to see what it could be with extensive revision for clarity and dimensionality.
BUT. All that said, I finished the book, and I cared about the characters and their fates. I just think there needs to be more focus on things making sense to the reader, and bringing the reader into the various character relationships so they feel more fleshed out.
I would not recommend this book to someone as is. But I would love to see what it could be with extensive revision for clarity and dimensionality.
June 22, 2017
This was such a good story. It is odd and a little offbeat but very well written and a lot of fun. I loved the characters and I think Jeanne does a good job as pulling the story together. I can understand that it might not be for everyone, but really there was nothing in it that is off-putting. Check it out.
December 27, 2020
I really loved this book.
When you see centaur, you think ancient Greece, not in this book, there was plumbing and mail runs.
Pony, I loved her, cried for her, this book chewed me up and spat me out so many times, she is strong,but like us all just wants to be loved.
I shall be watching for the next book.
When you see centaur, you think ancient Greece, not in this book, there was plumbing and mail runs.
Pony, I loved her, cried for her, this book chewed me up and spat me out so many times, she is strong,but like us all just wants to be loved.
I shall be watching for the next book.
December 8, 2020
I had a good time reading this book, it was a great fantasy novel and a great start to a series. The characters were great and I really enjoyed going on this journey. I look forward to more from the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews