What do you think?
Rate this book
Tarsus #2
Fire and Ice
Ruler of a kingdom lost to time, love was the last thing the centaur king expected...
Uriel's journey to the isolated Silvermane kingdom to visit his brother and Tarsus, his brother's mate, turns deadly when he's ambushed by enemy minotaurs. Although Uriel is captured, he manages to escape with the help of a tanuso—a timid minotaur kept as a slave for the needs of cruel warrior minotaurs. He is soon rescued by his brother and Arhanyin, king of the Silvermane centaurs and Tarsus's father. Arhanyin reluctantly agrees to allow Uriel and the minotaur into the safety of his reclusive kingdom. But Uriel is a thrill seeker, an adventurous soul who revels in all things pleasurable. The lure of a king who has locked himself away from any love or pleasure is a temptation Uriel cannot resist. He's determined to warm the heart and the bed of this icy centaur king. But what begins as a simple challenge soon becomes something deeper and more perilous when Uriel finds himself wanting, needing, far more...
King Arhanyin knows love is only part of his past, lost long ago when his mate died. To have the joy of finding his long-lost son, Tarsus, seemed all he could wish for now. Then Uriel, a brazen, charismatic centaur from the southern lands, blows into his life like a sudden storm. Arhanyin has lived a life of duty and responsibility, aging him before his time. He cannot imagine why this young centaur, so handsome and vital, would find him the least bit attractive. But Uriel does something to him, makes him feel as if all things are possible again. He's in danger of opening his heart to the bold southern centaur even as everything around Arhanyin is changing rapidly. A minotaur is living inside the Silvermane kingdom, Tarsus is finding his way as a true prince to his people, and Arhanyin just might find happiness again—if duty does not destroy it first...
Uriel's journey to the isolated Silvermane kingdom to visit his brother and Tarsus, his brother's mate, turns deadly when he's ambushed by enemy minotaurs. Although Uriel is captured, he manages to escape with the help of a tanuso—a timid minotaur kept as a slave for the needs of cruel warrior minotaurs. He is soon rescued by his brother and Arhanyin, king of the Silvermane centaurs and Tarsus's father. Arhanyin reluctantly agrees to allow Uriel and the minotaur into the safety of his reclusive kingdom. But Uriel is a thrill seeker, an adventurous soul who revels in all things pleasurable. The lure of a king who has locked himself away from any love or pleasure is a temptation Uriel cannot resist. He's determined to warm the heart and the bed of this icy centaur king. But what begins as a simple challenge soon becomes something deeper and more perilous when Uriel finds himself wanting, needing, far more...
King Arhanyin knows love is only part of his past, lost long ago when his mate died. To have the joy of finding his long-lost son, Tarsus, seemed all he could wish for now. Then Uriel, a brazen, charismatic centaur from the southern lands, blows into his life like a sudden storm. Arhanyin has lived a life of duty and responsibility, aging him before his time. He cannot imagine why this young centaur, so handsome and vital, would find him the least bit attractive. But Uriel does something to him, makes him feel as if all things are possible again. He's in danger of opening his heart to the bold southern centaur even as everything around Arhanyin is changing rapidly. A minotaur is living inside the Silvermane kingdom, Tarsus is finding his way as a true prince to his people, and Arhanyin just might find happiness again—if duty does not destroy it first...
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 26, 2018
31 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Owens
31 books613 followersAlso known as J.C. McGuire.
J.C Owens lives in small town, rural Alberta and is a self confessed writing-a-holic. In the absence of help for this affliction…
I do indeed love to write and have now completed thirty published stories, along with over twenty books sitting idle in my computer, waiting… I love the genre of male/male stories and conflict in what a person thinks they want, versus what they truly need to become themselves. I think any writing that shows the beauty of men loving men is worthwhile.
I love to hear from my readers and always appreciate suggestions and comments for future books. Sharing a love of reading and good, hot sensuality between men is always a cause for celebration!
J.C Owens lives in small town, rural Alberta and is a self confessed writing-a-holic. In the absence of help for this affliction…
I do indeed love to write and have now completed thirty published stories, along with over twenty books sitting idle in my computer, waiting… I love the genre of male/male stories and conflict in what a person thinks they want, versus what they truly need to become themselves. I think any writing that shows the beauty of men loving men is worthwhile.
I love to hear from my readers and always appreciate suggestions and comments for future books. Sharing a love of reading and good, hot sensuality between men is always a cause for celebration!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 2, 2018
This is a second book in the Tarsus universe. I had to go back and remember that Tarsus was the slave centaur turned prince. It was book I enjoyed but didn't really expect a sequel to so this was a pleasant surprise.
Again, this was not as formulaic (although it had it's moments) as the most recent new books and this one also had relatively few actual sex scenes (this is normal for JC Owen) but the story telling was well done and world building was interesting as always.
This book told several stories, but didn't really delve too deeply into any of them so it was spread a bit thin and felt like it should have been two or three books instead of one. The story with Arhanyin (love that name) and Uriel was central and the most fleshed out...the side story with Tarsus and Varan which I was much, much more interested in, just sort of petered out and left me feeling like their story had no closure at all. The third story, the one that could have been its own book too was woefully inadequately delved into was of Radnac and his developing relationship in Silvermane.
Even as these stories were unfolding I found myself with a different problem...I had trouble visualizing a lot of the descriptions of how these centaurs interacted with each other and their surroundings.... For instance, they sat on stools. What would a horseman sitting on a stool look like? I just can't imagine it. Do they cross the two back legs and the other two legs just hang there? The King sat at a desk and signed paperwork. What did that look like? Did he sit on a stool too when he did that or on his rump on the floor? I can imagine a horse sitting on the ground but on a stool? They had beds, big huge beds with big soft mattresses. How do they sleep together? At one point, Varan is laying on a bed with his hands behind his head. Um, again, I can't picture this. What are his four legs doing if he is on his back with his hands behind his head? So, this is probably my fatal lack of imagination getting in the way but it was really distracting to me. (I actually googled pictures of centaurs sitting and lying down to try and figure out what they might be configured like and still had trouble with the stool and laying on their back, etc. Just don't get it.)
Anyhow, I still enjoyed this book and in honesty, I don't think you can go wrong with a JC Owen book. Well told and edited stories are always a win in my opinion.
Again, this was not as formulaic (although it had it's moments) as the most recent new books and this one also had relatively few actual sex scenes (this is normal for JC Owen) but the story telling was well done and world building was interesting as always.
This book told several stories, but didn't really delve too deeply into any of them so it was spread a bit thin and felt like it should have been two or three books instead of one. The story with Arhanyin (love that name) and Uriel was central and the most fleshed out...the side story with Tarsus and Varan which I was much, much more interested in, just sort of petered out and left me feeling like their story had no closure at all. The third story, the one that could have been its own book too was woefully inadequately delved into was of Radnac and his developing relationship in Silvermane.
Even as these stories were unfolding I found myself with a different problem...I had trouble visualizing a lot of the descriptions of how these centaurs interacted with each other and their surroundings.... For instance, they sat on stools. What would a horseman sitting on a stool look like? I just can't imagine it. Do they cross the two back legs and the other two legs just hang there? The King sat at a desk and signed paperwork. What did that look like? Did he sit on a stool too when he did that or on his rump on the floor? I can imagine a horse sitting on the ground but on a stool? They had beds, big huge beds with big soft mattresses. How do they sleep together? At one point, Varan is laying on a bed with his hands behind his head. Um, again, I can't picture this. What are his four legs doing if he is on his back with his hands behind his head? So, this is probably my fatal lack of imagination getting in the way but it was really distracting to me. (I actually googled pictures of centaurs sitting and lying down to try and figure out what they might be configured like and still had trouble with the stool and laying on their back, etc. Just don't get it.)
Anyhow, I still enjoyed this book and in honesty, I don't think you can go wrong with a JC Owen book. Well told and edited stories are always a win in my opinion.
May 9, 2018
Rating: 4.5 stars
I absolutely loved this sequel to Tarsus. What I really loved was not only did we get Uriel’s and Arhanyin’s story, but we also got to see more of Tarsus and Varan. We get to see insight on how they have been fairing in this new world of the Silvermains and the struggles they have to find their place.
The beginning of the story was particularly brutal and there was one particular scene that was especially hard to read. Fortunately, it didn’t last long. I think my biggest problem with this world that the author has written is actually picturing the characters has centaurs. Many of their actions were impossible for me to picture. How they laid on a bed or sat on a stool, just didn’t really compute for me. I found myself picturing them mainly as men, it made it easier for me.
The story itself was what made this book. I really hope that the author writes more in this world. I would really love a story featuring Radnac and Pazalin. If you are a fan of the first story, you will definitely like this one. I highly recommend it.
I absolutely loved this sequel to Tarsus. What I really loved was not only did we get Uriel’s and Arhanyin’s story, but we also got to see more of Tarsus and Varan. We get to see insight on how they have been fairing in this new world of the Silvermains and the struggles they have to find their place.
The beginning of the story was particularly brutal and there was one particular scene that was especially hard to read. Fortunately, it didn’t last long. I think my biggest problem with this world that the author has written is actually picturing the characters has centaurs. Many of their actions were impossible for me to picture. How they laid on a bed or sat on a stool, just didn’t really compute for me. I found myself picturing them mainly as men, it made it easier for me.
The story itself was what made this book. I really hope that the author writes more in this world. I would really love a story featuring Radnac and Pazalin. If you are a fan of the first story, you will definitely like this one. I highly recommend it.
May 6, 2018
I do not know where to start. J.C. Owens is an artist with words. I wish she can be recognized as an author more, because her work is enjoyable, especially her newer novels.
There is a lot of emotional scenes in here, but it is worth it. It focuses on how to accept and love ones self, to open your heart tolove once more, even if you suffered from abuse in the past. I feel like Ms. Owens also put in things such as discrimination to show us what goes on today and in the past and how we, as human beings, should be humane to fellow creatures instead of being hateful just because of a few differences. Or even how someone (from adolescent to young adulthood ) can go through any form of abuse still come out of it alive, not just with the help of loving and patient hands, but also the courage to keep going to to create a better path for themselves.
I most definitely loved this story and highly recommend it.
P.S. I am so hoping Ms. Owens plans on making a story for Radnac and Pazalin.
There is a lot of emotional scenes in here, but it is worth it. It focuses on how to accept and love ones self, to open your heart tolove once more, even if you suffered from abuse in the past. I feel like Ms. Owens also put in things such as discrimination to show us what goes on today and in the past and how we, as human beings, should be humane to fellow creatures instead of being hateful just because of a few differences. Or even how someone (from adolescent to young adulthood ) can go through any form of abuse still come out of it alive, not just with the help of loving and patient hands, but also the courage to keep going to to create a better path for themselves.
I most definitely loved this story and highly recommend it.
P.S. I am so hoping Ms. Owens plans on making a story for Radnac and Pazalin.
December 1, 2021
**grm**
This 2nd book was about Uriel(Varan's younger brother) and Arhanyin the King of the Silvermanes(and Tarus' father), or at least it should have been. I think that this couple wasn't really the main focus of the story, and there were many more parts about Tarsus and Varan. I also wanted to know more about the little minotaur and Uriel's best friend, that little guy suffered a lot and deserved true happiness, something that he will probably have with the centaur.
The triggers of this book, are rape and abuse of a secondary character.
I feel as if the story isn't completed and maybe a 3rd book could tie all the loose ends, and answer the many questions that still don't have an explanation. For these reasons 4 stars.
This 2nd book was about Uriel(Varan's younger brother) and Arhanyin the King of the Silvermanes(and Tarus' father), or at least it should have been. I think that this couple wasn't really the main focus of the story, and there were many more parts about Tarsus and Varan. I also wanted to know more about the little minotaur and Uriel's best friend, that little guy suffered a lot and deserved true happiness, something that he will probably have with the centaur.
The triggers of this book, are rape and abuse of a secondary character.
I feel as if the story isn't completed and maybe a 3rd book could tie all the loose ends, and answer the many questions that still don't have an explanation. For these reasons 4 stars.
February 8, 2022
Barely 3 stars! It already annoyed me in volume one that the centaur aspect seemed a mere tool to place the story in the fantasy genre, and the same applies to this book. Centaurs sitting at tables, on couches and chairs??? Sometimes I completely forgot that I was not reading about human beings and got startled when suddenly hooves or swishing tails were mentioned. The main story was kind of boring, even though I don't begrudge Uriel and Arhanyin their HEA. But I loved the little tanuso much more, and I would very much like to know how his story continues ... So if ever that story comes up, I will certainly be on board.
May 3, 2020
Blurb = (Scale 1-10)
4= It's not that it is inaccurate per se, but for 50% of the book it is not about them. They've barely started flirting at 55%. I think those looking for a romance centered story, especially if they did not read the first book, could be confused and disappointed. I personally loved it, but I was in the mood as much for an adventure as romance. There was a decent focus on the first couple too.
My Genre Scale = (Scale 1-10)
10
Odds if not your genre = (Scale 1-10)
3
What stood out =
Minotaur, the flirting, the top advisor
Warnings =
Rape of minor character and abuse, might push boundaries of Insta-love for some
Series Notes =
2nd and last as of May 2020
Rating Notes =
I continue to find the centaurs intriguing. I definitely stayed engaged. The ending felt a little rushed as did the relationship. The open flirting with the King was funny and the great declaration at the end Swoon worthy. It ended on a solid HFN/HEA for all.
(Obviously this cannot takie into account all the various personal pet peeves of readers, though I try to take into account the common ones often bemoaned by other reviewers).
Blurb rating purpose:
( I don't think a book should be docked stars for being as stated. If I don't like stories about "?whatever?", I shouldn't give it 2 stars, JUST based on my preferences. Unless... it wasn't clear in the blurb.)
Review Factors:
Since 2009, I have exclusively read m/m. My 1st was in 2007. I am a Kindle diehard, and I never do audio for m/m. . I read at least 100+ books a year - at an average length of 220± pages; but the total number of books is usually much, much, higher. My Goodreads lifetime rating (at the start of 2020) was a 3.72 average for 1390 books. Which considering, the more you read, the better you should be at picking out books you like, I feel is a accurate average.
4= It's not that it is inaccurate per se, but for 50% of the book it is not about them. They've barely started flirting at 55%. I think those looking for a romance centered story, especially if they did not read the first book, could be confused and disappointed. I personally loved it, but I was in the mood as much for an adventure as romance. There was a decent focus on the first couple too.
My Genre Scale = (Scale 1-10)
10
Odds if not your genre = (Scale 1-10)
3
What stood out =
Minotaur, the flirting, the top advisor
Warnings =
Rape of minor character and abuse, might push boundaries of Insta-love for some
Series Notes =
2nd and last as of May 2020
Rating Notes =
I continue to find the centaurs intriguing. I definitely stayed engaged. The ending felt a little rushed as did the relationship. The open flirting with the King was funny and the great declaration at the end Swoon worthy. It ended on a solid HFN/HEA for all.
(Obviously this cannot takie into account all the various personal pet peeves of readers, though I try to take into account the common ones often bemoaned by other reviewers).
Blurb rating purpose:
( I don't think a book should be docked stars for being as stated. If I don't like stories about "?whatever?", I shouldn't give it 2 stars, JUST based on my preferences. Unless... it wasn't clear in the blurb.)
Review Factors:
Since 2009, I have exclusively read m/m. My 1st was in 2007. I am a Kindle diehard, and I never do audio for m/m. . I read at least 100+ books a year - at an average length of 220± pages; but the total number of books is usually much, much, higher. My Goodreads lifetime rating (at the start of 2020) was a 3.72 average for 1390 books. Which considering, the more you read, the better you should be at picking out books you like, I feel is a accurate average.
February 15, 2020
This one was bad. I had to fight really, really hard to get to the end.
If you liked Tarsus and Varan, you may like this one, because more than the half of it is about them. Also as a side story you get some Silevermane king and Uriel action. (Not real action, it's just too dirty to put it in words. But they are hinted at.)
Throughout the book you can see allegedly tough and manly centaurs cry like little babies again and again. Have almost all of your characters cast as centaurs for no actual reason whatsoever. Wonder how the hell a centaur can actually sit on a stool or sleep in a bed (and why would they do it?). Also wonder why certain characters are in the blurb, when the actual story has little to do with them. Get slapped in the face with the importance of acceptance over and over and over and over and over again. And lastly think about running a word count on the word lover, that actually shouldn't be used for a long term relationship partner. Lover may not have been a dirty word a long long time ago, but since in the present day we use it for people who are having sex with other people's partners, you really should just not use it in this context at all. Especially not 73 times on one page.
If you liked Tarsus and Varan, you may like this one, because more than the half of it is about them. Also as a side story you get some Silevermane king and Uriel action. (Not real action, it's just too dirty to put it in words. But they are hinted at.)
Throughout the book you can see allegedly tough and manly centaurs cry like little babies again and again. Have almost all of your characters cast as centaurs for no actual reason whatsoever. Wonder how the hell a centaur can actually sit on a stool or sleep in a bed (and why would they do it?). Also wonder why certain characters are in the blurb, when the actual story has little to do with them. Get slapped in the face with the importance of acceptance over and over and over and over and over again. And lastly think about running a word count on the word lover, that actually shouldn't be used for a long term relationship partner. Lover may not have been a dirty word a long long time ago, but since in the present day we use it for people who are having sex with other people's partners, you really should just not use it in this context at all. Especially not 73 times on one page.
August 17, 2018
I finally finished this book yesterday when I was waiting for a meeting.
The book started as interesting, fast-paced, and full of action. Then it slowed down for the romance part, which when I got a bit bored. I thought the MCs were going to get together easily, but who knew that after a night of sex, they unexpectedly stepped back and far away.
On to the last part (which I read yesterday), it was full of emotions and feelings, and the last scene made me go awwww <3
There's also another interesting couple who might get their own story later
The book started as interesting, fast-paced, and full of action. Then it slowed down for the romance part, which when I got a bit bored. I thought the MCs were going to get together easily, but who knew that after a night of sex, they unexpectedly stepped back and far away.
On to the last part (which I read yesterday), it was full of emotions and feelings, and the last scene made me go awwww <3
There's also another interesting couple who might get their own story later
April 29, 2018
This was an amazing sequel to Tarsus! I loved seeing Tarsus and all his family find happiness, they all deserved it.
October 11, 2019
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Review to come. Maybe.
Review to come. Maybe.
June 27, 2022
Pretty centaurs make brain go brrrrr
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews