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Remittance
August is pretty certain life can’t get any better. Happily married to a wonderful man and about to graduate and take the vows of a Guide, it’s all falling into place. He’s on the fast track to personal and political success.
Life doesn’t always go as planned and when the foundations of his life fall apart he’s left to pick up the pieces and carry on. Just as he thinks everything might be okay after all, he takes in an alien refugee. The stranger pulls his life apart down to the foundations and it's only with forgiveness, friendship and love that August finds true absolution.
Life doesn’t always go as planned and when the foundations of his life fall apart he’s left to pick up the pieces and carry on. Just as he thinks everything might be okay after all, he takes in an alien refugee. The stranger pulls his life apart down to the foundations and it's only with forgiveness, friendship and love that August finds true absolution.
768 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2017
2 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
S.A. Payne
16 books202 followersSo, ya wanted to know about me... well, nothing to know! I'm from a quiet Penn Dutch area with my husband, a herd of dogs, and WAY too many cats.
The husband and I work for ourselves, no money in it but better than 9 to 5 for some other idiots, and it leaves me time to write. Which, I'm told, is a very good thing.
The husband and I work for ourselves, no money in it but better than 9 to 5 for some other idiots, and it leaves me time to write. Which, I'm told, is a very good thing.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 20, 2014
Sweeping science fiction saga from S.A. Payne. This is the story of August who is a Guide (like a priest and a magistrate rolled into one) working for the Empire, a vast authority that rules most of the universe. He lost his beloved soldier husband in a war on a planet called Plethor. Distraught but unable to do anything except carry on, he is sent to be the Guide of a small farming world. A few years later he is given the care of an angry young Plethorian soldier (John) who is on parole. Their relationship is a mix of distrust and slow acceptance as they negotiate the minefield of being on opposites sides of a war and two completely different species.
This is a really epic tale with strong themes of right and wrong and what one person can do to change the world. The different worlds, the differences between the species and August's growth as a Guide are all written very well. There is a strong relationship between the two men, August and John but I wouldn't call it a typical m/m romance. It's quite heart wrenching in parts. The story ends beautifully I feel, with such high promise for August's future and a wonderful reward for all his sacrifice.
This is a looong story! Very satisfying for readers who like to be swept away to another world for several says of reading pleasure. As usual in S.A. Payne's works there are occasional typos (your instead of you, than instead of then etc) but not enough to worry me. Definitely recommended for Gay Scifi/fantasy fans.
Such a shame that this author seems to be going through some personal situation for the past six months that has reduced her writing to practically nothing. I hope that changes in 2012.
This is a really epic tale with strong themes of right and wrong and what one person can do to change the world. The different worlds, the differences between the species and August's growth as a Guide are all written very well. There is a strong relationship between the two men, August and John but I wouldn't call it a typical m/m romance. It's quite heart wrenching in parts. The story ends beautifully I feel, with such high promise for August's future and a wonderful reward for all his sacrifice.
This is a looong story! Very satisfying for readers who like to be swept away to another world for several says of reading pleasure. As usual in S.A. Payne's works there are occasional typos (your instead of you, than instead of then etc) but not enough to worry me. Definitely recommended for Gay Scifi/fantasy fans.
Such a shame that this author seems to be going through some personal situation for the past six months that has reduced her writing to practically nothing. I hope that changes in 2012.
December 17, 2011
I almost feel like this shouldn't go on my "m-m" bookshelf - not because it doesn't have significant slash (it does), but because this book is really about the main characters' journey through grief and how they regain compassion and humanity following terrible losses. The use of the word "remittance" as the title is very clever, since the themes of the book encompass almost all meanings of the word except literal payment: the act of forgiving, of releasing, of surrendering, of refraining from exacting. The book was heartwrenching, realistic, and I loved it.
November 4, 2011
What an emotional roller coaster ride. This book took me from the highest high to the lowest low... it twisted my insides in such heart-rending sadness, filled me with such bitter anger, and rolled me through so many emotions in 83 whopping chapters that, quite simply, still felt too short!
This book has a similar premise to Heroes & Ghosts and Blurring the Lines... so if you've enjoyed those books, you will enjoy this as well. August Hawthorn is Guide (a priest/judge/guidance counselor of sort) who lost the most important thing in his life in the war between the Empire and the natives of the planet Phelor (which the Empire is trying to take over). As he's struggling to rebuild his life, a Plethorian war prisoner is place in his care (through a series of events which I will not spoil for you). The prisoner, John, was abused horribly and bears the trauma of his torture on his body as well as his mind. He refuses to speak, refuses to eat, and carries a unutterable hatred for (and fear of) humans. To make the best of a complicated situation, these two unlikely housemates must find a way to coexist. And as their day-to-day living forces them to bump elbows and interact, they slowly but surely begin to see past the obvious physical differences in each other, and learn to reach out with compassion, empathy, kindness and forgiveness.
Watching these two individual grow is one of the things I love most about this book. And as satisfying as it is to see John come out of his shell and learn to trust and care for August... it was even more fascinating to see the slow, subtle ways August matures as a Guide. Before meeting John, August's faith in his Empire and King was unfailing...his world view solid and assured. John's presence challenges everything he believes to be righteous and true and forces him to confront things he's never before dared question. If you ask me, I'd say John saved August as much as August saved HIM. Two people with such strong reasons to hate one another... yet the innate kindness and empathy in each of them somehow allows them to forge a connection that set the foundation for friendship...and yes, eventually...even love.
Man, this book is so awesome. And yeah it may not be the grand sweeping romance that is Blurring the Lines or Heroes and Ghost... but in a way, it is so much deeper, so much stronger... and impressed me a hell of a lot more. I need a sequel...like now! Honestly, as content as I am with how it ended (though I did bawled my eyes out in the chapters leading up to it)... I would be on cloud nine should the author put out a sequel to this. I'm just not done with these characters yet. I want to know more about them. I want to find out what ultimately happened to them. So listen to me, and read this book, fall in love with it, and join me in pestering Payne for another installment soon.
This book has a similar premise to Heroes & Ghosts and Blurring the Lines... so if you've enjoyed those books, you will enjoy this as well. August Hawthorn is Guide (a priest/judge/guidance counselor of sort) who lost the most important thing in his life in the war between the Empire and the natives of the planet Phelor (which the Empire is trying to take over). As he's struggling to rebuild his life, a Plethorian war prisoner is place in his care (through a series of events which I will not spoil for you). The prisoner, John, was abused horribly and bears the trauma of his torture on his body as well as his mind. He refuses to speak, refuses to eat, and carries a unutterable hatred for (and fear of) humans. To make the best of a complicated situation, these two unlikely housemates must find a way to coexist. And as their day-to-day living forces them to bump elbows and interact, they slowly but surely begin to see past the obvious physical differences in each other, and learn to reach out with compassion, empathy, kindness and forgiveness.
Watching these two individual grow is one of the things I love most about this book. And as satisfying as it is to see John come out of his shell and learn to trust and care for August... it was even more fascinating to see the slow, subtle ways August matures as a Guide. Before meeting John, August's faith in his Empire and King was unfailing...his world view solid and assured. John's presence challenges everything he believes to be righteous and true and forces him to confront things he's never before dared question. If you ask me, I'd say John saved August as much as August saved HIM. Two people with such strong reasons to hate one another... yet the innate kindness and empathy in each of them somehow allows them to forge a connection that set the foundation for friendship...and yes, eventually...even love.
Man, this book is so awesome. And yeah it may not be the grand sweeping romance that is Blurring the Lines or Heroes and Ghost... but in a way, it is so much deeper, so much stronger... and impressed me a hell of a lot more. I need a sequel...like now! Honestly, as content as I am with how it ended (though I did bawled my eyes out in the chapters leading up to it)... I would be on cloud nine should the author put out a sequel to this. I'm just not done with these characters yet. I want to know more about them. I want to find out what ultimately happened to them. So listen to me, and read this book, fall in love with it, and join me in pestering Payne for another installment soon.
December 20, 2011
One of my favorite S.A. Payne books so far. It's S.A. Payne so I'm not even going to address the grammar thing. I do think this book has been the best of hers I have read (Heroes and Ghosts, Snowflakes and Embers, Springtime Duel/Summertime Storm) when it came to pacing; it neither dragged through the lead-up nor rushed through the pay-off. As always the story was imaginative and engrossing and the leads were appealing and captured my interest.
P.S.: OMG, long as it was, of all the S.A. Payne's not to have a short story or a sequel, amiright?
P.S.: OMG, long as it was, of all the S.A. Payne's not to have a short story or a sequel, amiright?
June 19, 2013
OMG - I'm sitting here weeping. Remittance ripped my heart out and left me sobbing.
I am never reading this again - but I am so glad that I read it to begin with.
I am never reading this again - but I am so glad that I read it to begin with.
May 1, 2013
I usually love this author, but i think this book is one of her weakest efforts, that why i gave it 3 stars.
The main character is a priest whose housband died in the war. Several years later he is assigned to a remote planet and is given a prisoner s from the planet that killed hos housbad. Nonetheless he manages to be compassionate and generous to this person.
While the premise is good I think the MC lacked a little fire and passion. But dont be discouraged if you read this book. Try Embers and Snowflakes which is my fave from this author.
The main character is a priest whose housband died in the war. Several years later he is assigned to a remote planet and is given a prisoner s from the planet that killed hos housbad. Nonetheless he manages to be compassionate and generous to this person.
While the premise is good I think the MC lacked a little fire and passion. But dont be discouraged if you read this book. Try Embers and Snowflakes which is my fave from this author.
February 28, 2017
I'm halfway through and already I know this is one story I won't forget very soon. Unless the ending is too sad...
** WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERS**
Well just finished reading and my four stars stays. I really liked the story. It was more about...... Argh can't find the words. But friendship, love and forgiving all mix in this book. The reason it don't get the full five stars is because I'm a sucker for romantic love and happy endings. This book start with those things and end with hope but not with another happy end. And for me that's the deal breaker.
** WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERS**
Well just finished reading and my four stars stays. I really liked the story. It was more about...... Argh can't find the words. But friendship, love and forgiving all mix in this book. The reason it don't get the full five stars is because I'm a sucker for romantic love and happy endings. This book start with those things and end with hope but not with another happy end. And for me that's the deal breaker.
March 7, 2015
"We love" . . . "I love."
So many feels. God, I want more. I would be so much happier with the ending if I knew there was another book so I can find out what happens next. That ending is just beautiful and bittersweet, like idealism mixed with realism but neither really screwing the other over.
This is one of Payne's more... tragic reads, and unlike, say Is Yet, it's got a sadder overall tone and ending. However, it doesn't try to make every chapter a tear festival or irritating.
Sigh. 4/5.
So many feels. God, I want more. I would be so much happier with the ending if I knew there was another book so I can find out what happens next. That ending is just beautiful and bittersweet, like idealism mixed with realism but neither really screwing the other over.
This is one of Payne's more... tragic reads, and unlike, say Is Yet, it's got a sadder overall tone and ending. However, it doesn't try to make every chapter a tear festival or irritating.
Sigh. 4/5.
February 3, 2014
S.A. Payne is such an amazing author but seriously as well written this book was I'm completly depressed. This was not really a HEA book. It was just sad now I have to find a light read that is HEA fluffy book to make me feel better. Even thou I just went on about how utterly depressing this book is I still recomend it to read just be prepared to feel blue at the end of the story.
April 5, 2012
For me it was more dramma then romance, but it toched me so much...Wery good written.
December 1, 2013
That was actually pretty amazing. I was a bit worried there for a while, but the ending just clinched it. Spectacular.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews