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Guardians of Destiny #4
The Temple
Synod gathers, tell them lies:
Efforts garnered in your pride
Lost beneath the granite face.
Painted Lord, stand by her side;
Repentance is the Temple's grace.
The Guardian of the Fountain of Mendhi is dying, and her successor must step up to the task. Disciplinarian Pelai is ready to accept the burden of managing the powerful magics, but the timing is inconvenient. She has one last Disciplining to perform: assigning the punishment of the three Puhon brothers--men whose lives are entwined with a prophecy of a cataclysmic demonic invasion.
Six months of travel have given Puhon Krais time to reflect on, regret, and repent his many mistakes. But the worst lies just ahead: defying the leadership of Mendhi means suffering harsh punishments at the hands of the Disciplinarians once he comes home. Commanded by his Goddess, the proud Painted Warrior must find the strength to submit to his destiny...or find himself, and his whole world, on the wrong side of history.
For in the end, one brother is destined to save humanity, one will betray humanity, and one will walk away from his humanity.
Efforts garnered in your pride
Lost beneath the granite face.
Painted Lord, stand by her side;
Repentance is the Temple's grace.
The Guardian of the Fountain of Mendhi is dying, and her successor must step up to the task. Disciplinarian Pelai is ready to accept the burden of managing the powerful magics, but the timing is inconvenient. She has one last Disciplining to perform: assigning the punishment of the three Puhon brothers--men whose lives are entwined with a prophecy of a cataclysmic demonic invasion.
Six months of travel have given Puhon Krais time to reflect on, regret, and repent his many mistakes. But the worst lies just ahead: defying the leadership of Mendhi means suffering harsh punishments at the hands of the Disciplinarians once he comes home. Commanded by his Goddess, the proud Painted Warrior must find the strength to submit to his destiny...or find himself, and his whole world, on the wrong side of history.
For in the end, one brother is destined to save humanity, one will betray humanity, and one will walk away from his humanity.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2018
23 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Jean Johnson
51 books820 followersBerkley/Jove Authors Bio
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)romance author, science fiction author
Jean Johnson currently lives in the Pacific Northwest, has played in the SCA for 25 years, sings a lot, and argues with her cat about territorial rights to her office chair. She loves hearing from her readers, and has a distinct sense of humor. Right now she's living in a home with zone heating & decent plumbing, but hopes to some day put turrets and ramparts on it so that it looks like a castle.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)romance author, science fiction author
Jean Johnson currently lives in the Pacific Northwest, has played in the SCA for 25 years, sings a lot, and argues with her cat about territorial rights to her office chair. She loves hearing from her readers, and has a distinct sense of humor. Right now she's living in a home with zone heating & decent plumbing, but hopes to some day put turrets and ramparts on it so that it looks like a castle.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 29, 2018
I'm torn with this book. I really like the world it's set in, how everyone is dealing with the aftermath
of Convocation of the Gods. Mendhi is a different place, one I'm not sure I like with their ways of Disciplining. There seems like it could be taken too far as it's up to the person and if that person is a bad person the punishments will be horrible. And we did see that. I also felt like we were preached on with Krais's punishment of learning the sexual side of BDSM.
The one thing that I did like was what was ferreted out and how the bad guys were punished. It was harsh, but considering what they were going to do it was warranted.
of Convocation of the Gods. Mendhi is a different place, one I'm not sure I like with their ways of Disciplining. There seems like it could be taken too far as it's up to the person and if that person is a bad person the punishments will be horrible. And we did see that. I also felt like we were preached on with Krais's punishment of learning the sexual side of BDSM.
The one thing that I did like was what was ferreted out and how the bad guys were punished. It was harsh, but considering what they were going to do it was warranted.
December 16, 2018
Originally published at Reading Reality
I’ve frequently said that the wait between Jean Johnson’s books is a torment. That’s both especially true in the case of The Temple (it’s been four YEARS!) and especially appropriate in light of the story itself.
Waiting for fulfillment is just one of the sweet torments practiced by the Disciplinarians of the Temple of Menda in this fourth book in the Guardians of Destiny series. Although in the story it’s usually a different kind of delayed gratification used in that torment.
This story takes place in the aftermath of the events of the previous books in the series, The Tower, The Grove, and especially The Guild. At the same time, it also follows the pattern set by those stories, and the prophetic verses that begin each book in the series.
Two of those events have particular bearing on this story. In this world, nations exist to worship a particular deity, or perhaps two. Those deities are not myths, they are real and can manifest in the world. And occasionally do.
The societies reflect their god, and the gods reflect their society. One of the recent events that is still reverberating is the just finished Convocation of Gods and Man, where new nations and new gods are ratified, and gods that have really, really misbehaved get dissolved by their peers.
At the Convocation, the god Mekha was dissolved. His former country is picking up the pieces under the guidance of the Guardians Alonnen and Rexei. Their story is told in The Guild.
But the priests who served Mekha and were powerful because of that service are not willing to go gentle into that good night. Instead, they are desperately searching for any means, no matter how underhanded or terrible, to become powerful again. And they’re not in the least picky about what they’ll have to do, manifest, or summon in order to retake their lost power. Up to and including raising demons from the Netherhells.
The Guardians in all of the lands of this world are studying the prophecies in order to thwart them, and it is far from an easy job. Changing circumstances in one area can make things better in another – or it can actually make things worse later on.
It’s a big butterfly, and the wing flaps can have some seriously nasty consequences if everyone on the side of the light isn’t very, very careful.
The priests power-search has led them to the Great Library of Mendhi, and that’s where that part of the overarching story intersects with both the romance at the heart of this book in the series and the careful balancing of prophecies to make sure that what must happen does happen.
The country that hosts the Convocation gathers a lot of political power, and that ties into the rest of the events. The Elder Disciplinarian of Mendhi sent his three sons on to the Convocation in an attempt to disrupt it and move the location to Mendhi. All the gods were against this attempt, and all the prophecies were clear that this attempt would fail, but the Elder Disciplinarian and his political party refused to be swayed.
The Puhon Brothers have returned home, having failed as expected. Equally, their father expects them to be officially punished for their failure. Which kicks off another round of prophecy, as well as a surprising romance between two people who used to think of each other as enemies, only to discover that they are perfect for each other, after all.
Or after all the prophecies have had their way.
The Grove by Jean JohnsonEscape Rating B+: In spite of the high grade, this is still a mixed feelings kind of review.
First, I have to admit that I loved this story, and found myself sinking right back into this world, even after the unfortunate long absence. It took awhile for all of the threads from the previous books to gather back into my conscious, but the process was helped by a fair amount of backstory that was worked reasonably well into the story at hand.
This entry in the series is a particularly interesting mixture of sex and politics. There are aspects of the Disciplinarian Order and its administration that will remind readers a bit of Kushiel’s Dart. And like that series, it is made very clear in The Temple that discipline is not all about pain, and that people exist at every point on the pleasure/pain/dominance/submission grid. While there is more “academic” discussion of sex and desire than is usual in most romances, and it goes into quite a bit of interesting territory, there is more discussion than there is actual sex. Or even sexual play and exploration.
I found the discussions to be fascinating and very tastefully done, but there are some readers who may be made uncomfortable. As the discussion within the story is about each person finding what works for them, it seems appropriate to say that it won’t work for some people but it will work for others and that reading it with an open mind may be enlightening.
Your mileage may vary.
The politics of this particular country are very interesting. The Goddess Menda is the goddess of writing, so books and libraries are under her purview. (So is bureaucracy!) That one of the members of the ruling body is the Elder Librarian certainly warmed this librarian’s heart – especially when she invoked powerful spells to protect the secrets of the Great Library.
As much as I enjoyed the story, and as absorbing as I found it, this missed being an A grade because the editing was so terrible that it often threw me out of the story. I read a lot of ARCs, and in an ARC I expect editing errors – that’s part of what the ARC process is for. But this was a finished book, and it contained so many typos and word errors that occasionally even the meaning was obscure and I had to reread in order to put the pieces together.
But once I did piece it together, it was a lot of fun. I just wish that it hadn’t been quite so long since the previous book in the series, and I sincerely hope that it won’t be nearly this long until the next one.
I’ve frequently said that the wait between Jean Johnson’s books is a torment. That’s both especially true in the case of The Temple (it’s been four YEARS!) and especially appropriate in light of the story itself.
Waiting for fulfillment is just one of the sweet torments practiced by the Disciplinarians of the Temple of Menda in this fourth book in the Guardians of Destiny series. Although in the story it’s usually a different kind of delayed gratification used in that torment.
This story takes place in the aftermath of the events of the previous books in the series, The Tower, The Grove, and especially The Guild. At the same time, it also follows the pattern set by those stories, and the prophetic verses that begin each book in the series.
Two of those events have particular bearing on this story. In this world, nations exist to worship a particular deity, or perhaps two. Those deities are not myths, they are real and can manifest in the world. And occasionally do.
The societies reflect their god, and the gods reflect their society. One of the recent events that is still reverberating is the just finished Convocation of Gods and Man, where new nations and new gods are ratified, and gods that have really, really misbehaved get dissolved by their peers.
At the Convocation, the god Mekha was dissolved. His former country is picking up the pieces under the guidance of the Guardians Alonnen and Rexei. Their story is told in The Guild.
But the priests who served Mekha and were powerful because of that service are not willing to go gentle into that good night. Instead, they are desperately searching for any means, no matter how underhanded or terrible, to become powerful again. And they’re not in the least picky about what they’ll have to do, manifest, or summon in order to retake their lost power. Up to and including raising demons from the Netherhells.
The Guardians in all of the lands of this world are studying the prophecies in order to thwart them, and it is far from an easy job. Changing circumstances in one area can make things better in another – or it can actually make things worse later on.
It’s a big butterfly, and the wing flaps can have some seriously nasty consequences if everyone on the side of the light isn’t very, very careful.
The priests power-search has led them to the Great Library of Mendhi, and that’s where that part of the overarching story intersects with both the romance at the heart of this book in the series and the careful balancing of prophecies to make sure that what must happen does happen.
The country that hosts the Convocation gathers a lot of political power, and that ties into the rest of the events. The Elder Disciplinarian of Mendhi sent his three sons on to the Convocation in an attempt to disrupt it and move the location to Mendhi. All the gods were against this attempt, and all the prophecies were clear that this attempt would fail, but the Elder Disciplinarian and his political party refused to be swayed.
The Puhon Brothers have returned home, having failed as expected. Equally, their father expects them to be officially punished for their failure. Which kicks off another round of prophecy, as well as a surprising romance between two people who used to think of each other as enemies, only to discover that they are perfect for each other, after all.
Or after all the prophecies have had their way.
The Grove by Jean JohnsonEscape Rating B+: In spite of the high grade, this is still a mixed feelings kind of review.
First, I have to admit that I loved this story, and found myself sinking right back into this world, even after the unfortunate long absence. It took awhile for all of the threads from the previous books to gather back into my conscious, but the process was helped by a fair amount of backstory that was worked reasonably well into the story at hand.
This entry in the series is a particularly interesting mixture of sex and politics. There are aspects of the Disciplinarian Order and its administration that will remind readers a bit of Kushiel’s Dart. And like that series, it is made very clear in The Temple that discipline is not all about pain, and that people exist at every point on the pleasure/pain/dominance/submission grid. While there is more “academic” discussion of sex and desire than is usual in most romances, and it goes into quite a bit of interesting territory, there is more discussion than there is actual sex. Or even sexual play and exploration.
I found the discussions to be fascinating and very tastefully done, but there are some readers who may be made uncomfortable. As the discussion within the story is about each person finding what works for them, it seems appropriate to say that it won’t work for some people but it will work for others and that reading it with an open mind may be enlightening.
Your mileage may vary.
The politics of this particular country are very interesting. The Goddess Menda is the goddess of writing, so books and libraries are under her purview. (So is bureaucracy!) That one of the members of the ruling body is the Elder Librarian certainly warmed this librarian’s heart – especially when she invoked powerful spells to protect the secrets of the Great Library.
As much as I enjoyed the story, and as absorbing as I found it, this missed being an A grade because the editing was so terrible that it often threw me out of the story. I read a lot of ARCs, and in an ARC I expect editing errors – that’s part of what the ARC process is for. But this was a finished book, and it contained so many typos and word errors that occasionally even the meaning was obscure and I had to reread in order to put the pieces together.
But once I did piece it together, it was a lot of fun. I just wish that it hadn’t been quite so long since the previous book in the series, and I sincerely hope that it won’t be nearly this long until the next one.
April 24, 2021
Mendhi: a land of the Painted Warrior and a strict caste of the Disciplinarians (yes -sadomasochism: objectively discussed and applied : ); and of the greatest library of all the lands;
The Traveling Brotherhood - base group is from Mekha (the dead god, finally destroyed, and the women-hating, wizard draining priests on wandering, looking for a place to make their own and to call on a demon)
Naranna Pelai aka Pelai'thia: Head Disciplinarian; trainee to Guardian of the Fountain - taking over this position; entrusted to discipline Krais at his father's pushing; she finds that he is repentant, and already disciplined by their goddess Mendhi; ;but to protect him from his father, she takes on his disciplining... though it quickly evolves into her teaching him the ins and outs of enjoying the pain/pleasure... hmmm; she works with him to manipulate the Brotherhood that into getting mis-leading information from the library, to keep the demons away; she comes to love this changed man, who once only parroted his father;
Krais Puhon: eldest son of a political Disciplinarian who is going a bit off his rocker; dad sent the boys to disrupt the convocation, as a way to weaken other countries, and to push Mendhi into power; the boys fail, and dad decides they need to be severely punished; the goddess came to him after their failure, gave him a prophecy, shaped him into truth-understanding; he and his brothers were tasked with sailing other wizards home from the convocation, and return to Menhi 6 months later; he is changed, he sees the folly of his past, and is striving to be his own man; accidently given some sort of sex drug on ship, and dealing with a change in his understanding of sex, pain and pleasure; Pelai steps in to instruct; and they fall in love;
The Traveling Brotherhood - base group is from Mekha (the dead god, finally destroyed, and the women-hating, wizard draining priests on wandering, looking for a place to make their own and to call on a demon)
Naranna Pelai aka Pelai'thia: Head Disciplinarian; trainee to Guardian of the Fountain - taking over this position; entrusted to discipline Krais at his father's pushing; she finds that he is repentant, and already disciplined by their goddess Mendhi; ;but to protect him from his father, she takes on his disciplining... though it quickly evolves into her teaching him the ins and outs of enjoying the pain/pleasure... hmmm; she works with him to manipulate the Brotherhood that into getting mis-leading information from the library, to keep the demons away; she comes to love this changed man, who once only parroted his father;
Krais Puhon: eldest son of a political Disciplinarian who is going a bit off his rocker; dad sent the boys to disrupt the convocation, as a way to weaken other countries, and to push Mendhi into power; the boys fail, and dad decides they need to be severely punished; the goddess came to him after their failure, gave him a prophecy, shaped him into truth-understanding; he and his brothers were tasked with sailing other wizards home from the convocation, and return to Menhi 6 months later; he is changed, he sees the folly of his past, and is striving to be his own man; accidently given some sort of sex drug on ship, and dealing with a change in his understanding of sex, pain and pleasure; Pelai steps in to instruct; and they fall in love;
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2018
Been awhile
It’s been a while since the last novel in the series and I forgot what was going on. Made it tough to get traction in this book.
The sex overwhelms the story in this novel. The plot is thin and needs more development. The ending feels a bit rushed, even though it hits all of the various elements.
I will probably still read the next one when it comes along, but this is not a good sample of the complexity of the author’s writing.
It’s been a while since the last novel in the series and I forgot what was going on. Made it tough to get traction in this book.
The sex overwhelms the story in this novel. The plot is thin and needs more development. The ending feels a bit rushed, even though it hits all of the various elements.
I will probably still read the next one when it comes along, but this is not a good sample of the complexity of the author’s writing.
July 5, 2018
3.5
Surrounded by prophecy, Krais seeks to atone and serve his Goddess by submitting fully to his punishment. He and his brothers are destined to either save, betray or walk away from humanity. It's heavily BDSM. Pelai teaches Krais to explore and accept sensation play. Krais' father wants his sons punished brutally for something beyond their control which leads each to their part in the prophecy. It was an okay read but I struggled to stay with the story.
Several editing issues.
Surrounded by prophecy, Krais seeks to atone and serve his Goddess by submitting fully to his punishment. He and his brothers are destined to either save, betray or walk away from humanity. It's heavily BDSM. Pelai teaches Krais to explore and accept sensation play. Krais' father wants his sons punished brutally for something beyond their control which leads each to their part in the prophecy. It was an okay read but I struggled to stay with the story.
Several editing issues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2019
I love this author. The thing I applet just about her is that she works to write realistic and healthy relationships. There's no romanticizing abusive behaviors for this author. She's all about the consent. And this book is no exception. Both the characters are great. I love Krais and how she showd his change for the better. The plot was also interesting and kept me reading. I do wish she would have spent a little longer on the climax, but otherwise, it was great.
March 5, 2018
These just get better and better! Loved this one!
December 11, 2018
Not my favorite
Like the series, but this one? Was it a sci-fi story or soft porn? Seemed to be 80 percent sex, 20 percent story line.
Like the series, but this one? Was it a sci-fi story or soft porn? Seemed to be 80 percent sex, 20 percent story line.
May 15, 2019
This is another brilliant book and continuation of the Guardians of Destiny series by Jean Johnson. I would definitely recommend reading this book.
Want to read
February 22, 2021MC Overdrive
June 9, 2018
DNF - gave up when I discovered the book has a BDSM warning in the forward. Wish it had been in the book description. I would have saved my money. So disappointed that this promising fantasy series with interesting world building is devolving into an exploration of kinks.
Read
August 13, 2018can't wait for the next book
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews