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Steel City #4
Sire
Brent yearns to be just like his uncle Attila . Consummate horseman, great teacher, a worthy heir. Except his fathes has law school all planned out for him.
When Rob Kowalski comes out and changes schools, his working class family supports the former football player who’d rather be a geek. Then the sweet and serious Brent crosses Rob’s path. Friendship grows to their first love as Rob aids Brent in a time of stress and sorrow.
A watchful friend.
A couragous act.
A determined heart.
All those help Brent struggle through a time of darkness, leading him into the light of family love, supportive friends, and his own coming-out story.
DISCLAIMER: No brilliant, angsty teenagers end up taking their life on account of being gay in this story. Because nobody should feel that coming out is a fate worse than death.
When Rob Kowalski comes out and changes schools, his working class family supports the former football player who’d rather be a geek. Then the sweet and serious Brent crosses Rob’s path. Friendship grows to their first love as Rob aids Brent in a time of stress and sorrow.
A watchful friend.
A couragous act.
A determined heart.
All those help Brent struggle through a time of darkness, leading him into the light of family love, supportive friends, and his own coming-out story.
DISCLAIMER: No brilliant, angsty teenagers end up taking their life on account of being gay in this story. Because nobody should feel that coming out is a fate worse than death.
- GenresContemporaryM M Romance
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 23, 2015
33 people want to read
About the author
Kate Pavelle
60 books52 followersKate Pavelle learned to use a gas mask in first grade, fired her first VZ50 in her sixth grade civil defense class and her dog was a wolf hybrid stolen from the Czechoslovak border guard. Her eccentric father blew out the windows of their house with a stun grenade.
Her high-stakes childhood leaves Kate searching for the next exciting thing: martial arts, horses, toxic mushrooms.
Her quests resonates through her suspense, thrillers and romances. Kate once knew the hunger of being a political refugee and the terror of being pursued by government agents. She imbues her characters with her own struggle for survival, excellence, and world domination.
Only the dead bodies are imaginary.
Her high-stakes childhood leaves Kate searching for the next exciting thing: martial arts, horses, toxic mushrooms.
Her quests resonates through her suspense, thrillers and romances. Kate once knew the hunger of being a political refugee and the terror of being pursued by government agents. She imbues her characters with her own struggle for survival, excellence, and world domination.
Only the dead bodies are imaginary.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 14, 2017
I liked it a lot. Pretty easy to read. Partially takes place during Broken Gait. Or maybe all of this is the same time. It's been a while since I read Broken Gait.
More horses and the people who love them. Overall, worth the price of admission. ;)
More horses and the people who love them. Overall, worth the price of admission. ;)
March 27, 2017
A YA story with mild romance and angst related to family and coming out. I really liked Brent and how the author told his story, how she could convey the teenage feeling and way of thinking and made me empathize with him instead of rolling my eyes in exasperation.
I think the story was well-balanced and realistic; it didn't make me take side, it didn't dramatize matters, and it didn't show a perfect, by-the-book resolution.
Anyway, I also liked Robbie and his silent-but-strong-and-kind nature. Moreover, all the side characters here truly helped building the story and I never once felt that they're unneeded or cluttering the story.
I rarely read YA book, but I think this is one that I can gladly recommend.
I think the story was well-balanced and realistic; it didn't make me take side, it didn't dramatize matters, and it didn't show a perfect, by-the-book resolution.
Anyway, I also liked Robbie and his silent-but-strong-and-kind nature. Moreover, all the side characters here truly helped building the story and I never once felt that they're unneeded or cluttering the story.
I rarely read YA book, but I think this is one that I can gladly recommend.
February 29, 2016
“When people kill themselves, they think they’re ending the pain, but all they’re doing is passing it on to those they leave behind.” ~ Jeannette Walls
If Brent Kenson and Robbie Kowalski, of 'Sire' by Kate Pavelle, had not been assigned to work together as lab partners, they might have never gotten together. They have been admiring each other from “afar” but neither has the nerve to approach the other. They seem like an unusual pair. Robbie is athletic, huge, and clumsy, while Brent rides horses and is lean and graceful. Brent's family is wealthy, while Robbie comes from a middle class family. Being “forced” together gives them the opening they needed to get to know each other better.
Brent's Uncle Atilla and his partner, Kai, own a stable and Brent's favorite thing to do is to be there, where he's learning the horse business. He's an accomplished, competitive rider. He helps teach classes and frequently performs in shows. Brent wants this to be his career, but his father, Tibor, has other ideas. He and Brent's mom are both lawyers and Tibor expects Brent to follow in his footsteps. It's a bone of contention that's caused many arguments between them. As his relationship with Robbie grows, then blossoms into romance, Brent realizes that he is gay. With his father already on edge about his choice of careers and anxiety over a dark secret he overheard concerning his dad, Brent is terrified that learning he is gay will be the last straw; fearing it will shatter their tenuous relationship forever. Brent won't talk to anyone, not even Kai, who strongly senses something is up and especially not Robbie. Confused, Brent decides to break up with Robbie before it goes any further, makes it even harder for Robbie. Feeling like he has no choice, that nothing is ever going to change, Brent begins to prepare for the end.
Robbie is euphoric when he spends time with Brent. When he goes to Brent's house for their tutoring session, Robbie is overwhelmed by the size of his house and the apparent affluence of Brent's family. Brent's family is polite, but doesn't exactly greet him with open arms. Robbie's family, on the other hand, is very welcoming when they meet Brent. Robbie's family know that he's gay and it's fine with them. Robbie works with his father's carpentry business; he loves working with his hands and would like to make a career of carpentry some day. Brent wants to share his love of horses with Robbie who has never been around them. When Brent takes Robbie out to the stables and teaches him how to do what's required, he catches on to the routine quickly and is soon comfortable around the horses. When Brent breaks up with Robbie, for no good reason that he can see, Robbie is hurt; he hopes it's just a temporary setback, but when Brent completely withdraws, Robbie has to admit that he's wrong. Seeing Brent at school is absolute torture, but Robbie doesn't know what else to do besides leave him alone.
Our teenage years should be a time of life when everything is simple, but they are often over complicated by a teen's undeveloped self-confidence, overthinking everything, peer and parental pressure. Their decision-making skills are not well formed yet, so when things seem overwhelming, their conclusions are not always sound. Brent decides that killing himself is the only way to stop his pain, but he doesn't stop to consider what it would do to those he would leave behind. To further complicate things, Brent is mentally ill; he suffers from depression but those around him didn't recognize it until it was almost too late. People need to be made more aware of these debilitating diseases and recognize the signs so they can help those who suffer from mental illness, because the more they know, the more they might be able to help. Thanks, Kate, for raising awareness and tackling the often taboo subject of suicide.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
If Brent Kenson and Robbie Kowalski, of 'Sire' by Kate Pavelle, had not been assigned to work together as lab partners, they might have never gotten together. They have been admiring each other from “afar” but neither has the nerve to approach the other. They seem like an unusual pair. Robbie is athletic, huge, and clumsy, while Brent rides horses and is lean and graceful. Brent's family is wealthy, while Robbie comes from a middle class family. Being “forced” together gives them the opening they needed to get to know each other better.
Brent's Uncle Atilla and his partner, Kai, own a stable and Brent's favorite thing to do is to be there, where he's learning the horse business. He's an accomplished, competitive rider. He helps teach classes and frequently performs in shows. Brent wants this to be his career, but his father, Tibor, has other ideas. He and Brent's mom are both lawyers and Tibor expects Brent to follow in his footsteps. It's a bone of contention that's caused many arguments between them. As his relationship with Robbie grows, then blossoms into romance, Brent realizes that he is gay. With his father already on edge about his choice of careers and anxiety over a dark secret he overheard concerning his dad, Brent is terrified that learning he is gay will be the last straw; fearing it will shatter their tenuous relationship forever. Brent won't talk to anyone, not even Kai, who strongly senses something is up and especially not Robbie. Confused, Brent decides to break up with Robbie before it goes any further, makes it even harder for Robbie. Feeling like he has no choice, that nothing is ever going to change, Brent begins to prepare for the end.
Robbie is euphoric when he spends time with Brent. When he goes to Brent's house for their tutoring session, Robbie is overwhelmed by the size of his house and the apparent affluence of Brent's family. Brent's family is polite, but doesn't exactly greet him with open arms. Robbie's family, on the other hand, is very welcoming when they meet Brent. Robbie's family know that he's gay and it's fine with them. Robbie works with his father's carpentry business; he loves working with his hands and would like to make a career of carpentry some day. Brent wants to share his love of horses with Robbie who has never been around them. When Brent takes Robbie out to the stables and teaches him how to do what's required, he catches on to the routine quickly and is soon comfortable around the horses. When Brent breaks up with Robbie, for no good reason that he can see, Robbie is hurt; he hopes it's just a temporary setback, but when Brent completely withdraws, Robbie has to admit that he's wrong. Seeing Brent at school is absolute torture, but Robbie doesn't know what else to do besides leave him alone.
Our teenage years should be a time of life when everything is simple, but they are often over complicated by a teen's undeveloped self-confidence, overthinking everything, peer and parental pressure. Their decision-making skills are not well formed yet, so when things seem overwhelming, their conclusions are not always sound. Brent decides that killing himself is the only way to stop his pain, but he doesn't stop to consider what it would do to those he would leave behind. To further complicate things, Brent is mentally ill; he suffers from depression but those around him didn't recognize it until it was almost too late. People need to be made more aware of these debilitating diseases and recognize the signs so they can help those who suffer from mental illness, because the more they know, the more they might be able to help. Thanks, Kate, for raising awareness and tackling the often taboo subject of suicide.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
October 12, 2015
Sire (Steel City #4) by Kate Pavelle
4 Stars
M/M Romance, coming of age
Triggers: Suicidal ideas, bullying, depression, infertility
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
I will start this review by saying that this is the first book that I have read in this series, but do not feel that I was missing any important details.
You have two main characters - Rob and Brent. Both are struggling, but each with their own issues. You have Rob, who in order to get away from it all, has transferred to a new school. He is trying to reinvent himself away from the accident prone football player in to one of intelligence and grace with woodworking, with an ultimate goal of architecture.
Then you have Brent. He has lived a life of privilege, but something was missing. He was always working hard, because he knew that it was expected that he get the best grades. However, he also knows that deep within himself, there is a passion that not even his dad can extinguish. He wants to work with horses, not follow in his dad's footsteps.
Both are seeking something, but until they find each other, they just kind of flounder. I thought that this story held a lot of miscommunications, which gave the story, at some points, undue angst. The miscommunications almost costs all of the characters everything.
Pavelle did a good job at resolving a lot of the issues and miscommunications, but I felt she skimmed over the issues about suicide a little. While it was discovered, there was no talk about how the characters were helping each other fix the issue. Only that it was resolved. I think that the story would have been more powerful if you had seen the resolution in a more practical and realistic space.
This story was more about two boys finding their own way - starting their own paths. It also brought together family, friends and even animals to show that nothing is ever so hopeless.
4 Stars
M/M Romance, coming of age
Triggers: Suicidal ideas, bullying, depression, infertility
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
I will start this review by saying that this is the first book that I have read in this series, but do not feel that I was missing any important details.
You have two main characters - Rob and Brent. Both are struggling, but each with their own issues. You have Rob, who in order to get away from it all, has transferred to a new school. He is trying to reinvent himself away from the accident prone football player in to one of intelligence and grace with woodworking, with an ultimate goal of architecture.
Then you have Brent. He has lived a life of privilege, but something was missing. He was always working hard, because he knew that it was expected that he get the best grades. However, he also knows that deep within himself, there is a passion that not even his dad can extinguish. He wants to work with horses, not follow in his dad's footsteps.
Both are seeking something, but until they find each other, they just kind of flounder. I thought that this story held a lot of miscommunications, which gave the story, at some points, undue angst. The miscommunications almost costs all of the characters everything.
Pavelle did a good job at resolving a lot of the issues and miscommunications, but I felt she skimmed over the issues about suicide a little. While it was discovered, there was no talk about how the characters were helping each other fix the issue. Only that it was resolved. I think that the story would have been more powerful if you had seen the resolution in a more practical and realistic space.
This story was more about two boys finding their own way - starting their own paths. It also brought together family, friends and even animals to show that nothing is ever so hopeless.
October 24, 2015
Fabulous! The books in The Steel City series are auto-buys for me, with good reason. I love these characters and the setting. I didn't expect Brent and Rob's story, but I'm glad that we got to see more of Rita and Tibor and their family life. This was a sweet and wonderful, at times very moving, story of two teenagers. Very suitable for YA. Highly recommended.
December 24, 2018
Moving, emotionally, really great book
I can’t give enough stars. This book addressed some super hard issues for the young main characters. It was very well done. I cried and smiled. It was eye-opening: the fear and stress that the characters went through. I have new appreciation for people’s differences.
I can’t give enough stars. This book addressed some super hard issues for the young main characters. It was very well done. I cried and smiled. It was eye-opening: the fear and stress that the characters went through. I have new appreciation for people’s differences.
November 10, 2016
2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Sire by Kate Pavelle
1) Sire was an intriguing surprise for me. It explores the lives of angsty teenagers without resorting to any over the top drama and the usual slammed doors and bratty outbursts. Main characters Robbie and Brent come from very different backgrounds, yet share the same concerns: what will they do with the rest of their lives, how do they choose their career? Do they try to walk their father’s or family’s chosen path, or do they dare follow their dreams? I loved how Kate Pavelle explored what happens inside a young adult’s mind and how easily things can go very wrong without many signs for others to pick up from. A young man coming from what looks like a perfect life and family gets so caught up between dealing with his identity, from bloodline to sexuality, and external pressures on what to do after high school, that it opens the door to unspeakable tragedy. Yet on the outside, very little changes and only those paying very close attention to him can pick up on the signs. The characters caught me because they seem to have real concerns, not just a first crush or first love. They are worried about family and a future career and being accepted. Love and discovering who they are, these are just parts of a bigger puzzle they need to sort out as they carry on with their day to day lives. While the relationship between Robbie and Brent is center stage, it does not push everything else in the background, it’s visibly integrated in everything else they do. The pacing might seem slow, but it isn’t. Things happen all the time, even if they aren’t big events. It’s a bit like a dam: everything in the character’s daily life builds up until it gets to be too much and reaches a breaking point. All in all, a great read, tears included.
2) Good plot - seemingly sweet story had hidden depths. Although the suicidal ideas seemed to come suddenly out of the blue, the large build up of issues gave a very realistic reason for them occurring. Nice distinct main characters & well drawn. I particularly liked Rob's self confidence which enabled him to think of others. Obviously an area of knowledge for the author, but I didn't feel there had been an info dump. Also obvious were that there had been a previous book, but I didn't feel adrift because of it - just made me wamt to read it. Writing style very slightly choppy, but story well expressed and telling the story from both MCs' pov was successfully handled.
1) Sire was an intriguing surprise for me. It explores the lives of angsty teenagers without resorting to any over the top drama and the usual slammed doors and bratty outbursts. Main characters Robbie and Brent come from very different backgrounds, yet share the same concerns: what will they do with the rest of their lives, how do they choose their career? Do they try to walk their father’s or family’s chosen path, or do they dare follow their dreams? I loved how Kate Pavelle explored what happens inside a young adult’s mind and how easily things can go very wrong without many signs for others to pick up from. A young man coming from what looks like a perfect life and family gets so caught up between dealing with his identity, from bloodline to sexuality, and external pressures on what to do after high school, that it opens the door to unspeakable tragedy. Yet on the outside, very little changes and only those paying very close attention to him can pick up on the signs. The characters caught me because they seem to have real concerns, not just a first crush or first love. They are worried about family and a future career and being accepted. Love and discovering who they are, these are just parts of a bigger puzzle they need to sort out as they carry on with their day to day lives. While the relationship between Robbie and Brent is center stage, it does not push everything else in the background, it’s visibly integrated in everything else they do. The pacing might seem slow, but it isn’t. Things happen all the time, even if they aren’t big events. It’s a bit like a dam: everything in the character’s daily life builds up until it gets to be too much and reaches a breaking point. All in all, a great read, tears included.
2) Good plot - seemingly sweet story had hidden depths. Although the suicidal ideas seemed to come suddenly out of the blue, the large build up of issues gave a very realistic reason for them occurring. Nice distinct main characters & well drawn. I particularly liked Rob's self confidence which enabled him to think of others. Obviously an area of knowledge for the author, but I didn't feel there had been an info dump. Also obvious were that there had been a previous book, but I didn't feel adrift because of it - just made me wamt to read it. Writing style very slightly choppy, but story well expressed and telling the story from both MCs' pov was successfully handled.
June 2, 2016
"Sire" is a really good coming out/coming of age story. Brent's 17 and loves horses. He wants to take over his uncles riding stables instead of going into the family business and becoming a lawyer like his father wants. He loves riding, training and teaching and attributes this to why he's shown no interest in girls, he believes he just doesn't have time. Along comes transfer student Robbie and Brent realizes it's not the horses that keep him from being interested in girls it's the fact that he's gay. Robbie's a big guy who is out and proud. He's really smart but is always teased for his size and clumsiness. He transferred into Brent's school for a fresh start. He no longer wants to play football and be known as the lummox who cost his team the big game. The story follows Brent as he realizes his attraction to Robbie and tries to deal with being gay, being bullied and other family issues. I found the story touching and it brought tears to my eyes. The author was really able to bring out Brent's emotions and turmoil. I liked how Robbie tried to be there for Brent even when his own heart was hurting. I was really pleased at how Brent's father handled the situation at the end without regard to himself, all he cared about was his son. I really enjoyed this book and will be picking up the others in this series.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2016
This book had so much going for it. Having read the first two books about Attila, Kai and their family, I came into this book with high hopes and it, for the most part, didn't disappoint. So much was done right. The struggles Brent went through with figuring out he was gay, fighting to follow his dreams and bullying were really well done. Not to mention getting to see a different viewpoint of the other characters from the earlier books (which was beautifully done.) Robbie, while a little flat, was complimentary to Brent and though I wished he had been more developed and explored, it honestly wasn't a huge issue as it was obvious the book centered around Brent's struggles. What really disappointed me with this book was the handling of suicide. Everything leading up to the prevention of the attempt was artfully done. Then the book just ended that topic. The following two chapters it was almost like 'this happened, but it's fine now' and that's not how a suicidal emotional roller-coaster works. There were many ways the aftermath could have been handled, but Pavelle simply didn't deliver. While I would recommend and did enjoy the book, the ending definitely brought what would have been a 4-5 star book down a notch.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews