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How to (Not) Train a Firecat
The firecats of Dua are giant beasts with red-gold fur and lashing tails. They are also loving and loyal companions to the few they choose to serve. Every member of the royal House of Durii has a personal guard and a firecat to serve as a reminder of the greatness of their rule. After all, only the truly extraordinary would walk alongside a firecat. Only the truly extraordinary could. Not River, obviously. River took the job of cleaning up after the noble beasts when he came to Dua years ago. He’s not any kind of soldier or guard, and he’s too mouthy to belong around royalty. All he wants to do is avoid some of the more resentful guard trainees, care for the very spoiled cats, and try not to get his heart broken by one maddeningly gentle apprentice wizard. Apprentice Gavin is powerful, brilliant, and probably noble. He’s destined for greatness—and more than likely a guard and a firecat to protect him. He’s not meant for one insignificant little beastminder like River. But firecats are not the only creatures who are fierce, loyal, and beautiful to behold. River is about to learn that the firecats and the guards who walk with them have more in common than he thought. And he will have to accept that he might be extraordinary as Gavin thinks he is.
89 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 26, 2016
48 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
About the author
R. Cooper
80 books985 followersI'm R. Cooper, a somewhat absentminded, often distracted, writer of queer romance. I'm probably most known for the Being(s) in Love series and The Suitable 'Verse stories. Also the occasional story about witches or firefighters in love.
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You can visit my website for updates or sign up for my newsletter . My newsletter is free! And comes out once a month or once every two months or so.
Otherwise... have some social media links if you want updates and whatever the hell else I am talking about.
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BlueSky
**With Meta's current policies, I do not use FB or Insta or Threads for anything but the bare minimum.**
Instagram and Threads
You can also support me on Patreon if you like
If you just want book release updates, I have a BookBub profile.
Also, I now have a Storygraph where I will try to track my reading in an organized fashion.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
September 13, 2019
Considering this is only a 60 pages short story, I was amazed and very pleasantly surprised by how it was able to provoke so many tender feelings in my heart. ❤️ I think this is undoubtedly one of my very favorite R. Cooper books. 👏🥰 Usually she’s such a hit or miss for me but my god, I am head over heels in love with this story. 💜
River works as a beastminder for the firecats of Dua. He’s small, mouthy and definitely very defiant, all the necessary qualities to be regularly picked up and bullied by the royal guards-in-training at the castle. He may be physically small but in the end, it was the trainees who got hurt and cried. Gavin is a powerful wizard in training at the same castle River works at and they have been dallying for quite a while. River loves him with all his heart but Gav is a noble and destined to greatness beyond his imagination one day. Their dalliance definitely has an expiration date and River doesn’t want to be left broken-hearted and ruined when it actually happens. If Gavin wants to be with River forever, he needs to convince his obstinate lover before it’s too late that he also loves him and wants to be with him for the rest of his life. 💜
The writing of this story is purely magical and lyrical. 😍 My god, it’s difficult to evoke so many emotions out of a reader with a novel but to be able to do it with a short story of mere 60 pages? 😱 That is called “art”. ❤️👏 I smiled, I cried and I laughed while reading this extraordinary love story between River and Gav. I was simply mesmerized. 😌 I can’t even decide who I loved more, Gav or River .. the character portrayal of these two was simply fascinating and captivating. 🥰 And my, I loved those majestic powerful firecats fiercely! I definitely want one myself. 😁 I couldn’t ask for a better ending for these two. It was enchanting and super romantic. A true fairytale ending! 💜 Loved, loved, loved it! 😍 Can’t wait for another magical story from Miss Cooper! 😘
5 You are the most beautiful and extraordinary magic itself for me stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
River works as a beastminder for the firecats of Dua. He’s small, mouthy and definitely very defiant, all the necessary qualities to be regularly picked up and bullied by the royal guards-in-training at the castle. He may be physically small but in the end, it was the trainees who got hurt and cried. Gavin is a powerful wizard in training at the same castle River works at and they have been dallying for quite a while. River loves him with all his heart but Gav is a noble and destined to greatness beyond his imagination one day. Their dalliance definitely has an expiration date and River doesn’t want to be left broken-hearted and ruined when it actually happens. If Gavin wants to be with River forever, he needs to convince his obstinate lover before it’s too late that he also loves him and wants to be with him for the rest of his life. 💜
The writing of this story is purely magical and lyrical. 😍 My god, it’s difficult to evoke so many emotions out of a reader with a novel but to be able to do it with a short story of mere 60 pages? 😱 That is called “art”. ❤️👏 I smiled, I cried and I laughed while reading this extraordinary love story between River and Gav. I was simply mesmerized. 😌 I can’t even decide who I loved more, Gav or River .. the character portrayal of these two was simply fascinating and captivating. 🥰 And my, I loved those majestic powerful firecats fiercely! I definitely want one myself. 😁 I couldn’t ask for a better ending for these two. It was enchanting and super romantic. A true fairytale ending! 💜 Loved, loved, loved it! 😍 Can’t wait for another magical story from Miss Cooper! 😘
5 You are the most beautiful and extraordinary magic itself for me stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 28, 2023
I had no idea what was going on in the first half of the book. The writing style is pretty strange. It's really good, , mind you, but oh so difficult. Maybe I'm too used to easy books. So, I loved the story, but it took me some time ....
You are in River's head, but you don't understand a single thing of him. Just like he doesn't understand what's going on around him.
Gav was powerful, and River sighed for it. He often sighed when looking at Gav. Fortunately, Gav rarely noticed. 🥺
Quite exhausting to read even if there are only so few pages. The romance between River and Gav saved the day. Thankfully.
Stupid duad wizard. Foolish soft mouth. Ridiculous eyebrows. Incredible hands. 😳
“Don’t let me leave this bed for hours,” he ordered, and burned with delight when Gav’s arms caged him in and pulled him down. 😋
And then, approaching the end, I understood what I had read.
You are in River's head, but you don't understand a single thing of him. Just like he doesn't understand what's going on around him.
Gav was powerful, and River sighed for it. He often sighed when looking at Gav. Fortunately, Gav rarely noticed. 🥺
Quite exhausting to read even if there are only so few pages. The romance between River and Gav saved the day. Thankfully.
Stupid duad wizard. Foolish soft mouth. Ridiculous eyebrows. Incredible hands. 😳
“Don’t let me leave this bed for hours,” he ordered, and burned with delight when Gav’s arms caged him in and pulled him down. 😋
And then, approaching the end, I understood what I had read.
July 13, 2024
3,5 stars.
Lovely, at the beginning quite puzzling, novella.
I felt thrown in the middle of a fantasy world and in the middle of a already ongoing relationship development... that was a rather interesting angle to write a story.
I prefer to also watch the MCs getting to know each other, though, not just develop their already existing relationship (even if that relationship wasn't fully balanced at the start of the book).
But. The skilled writing made me enjoy this novella even if the premise shouldn't work for me.
I loved the firecats' roles, how they choose their guard and not the other way around.
Lovely, at the beginning quite puzzling, novella.
I felt thrown in the middle of a fantasy world and in the middle of a already ongoing relationship development... that was a rather interesting angle to write a story.
I prefer to also watch the MCs getting to know each other, though, not just develop their already existing relationship (even if that relationship wasn't fully balanced at the start of the book).
But. The skilled writing made me enjoy this novella even if the premise shouldn't work for me.
I loved the firecats' roles, how they choose their guard and not the other way around.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2018
This story could have gone wrong so easily. For a fantasy book it's too short to have much of world building. Having a plot where a underdog working at the lowest level in the stables is in love with a probably noble wizard, it's clear quite early which kind of HEA we'll get. So in the hands of an unskilled writer, of an author who cares more about story effects than characters the best outcome would have been a nice distraction before the next hopefully more fulfilling book - but it's R. Cooper and she always listens to her characters and knows enough of the world she creates to guide her readers safely through it. She even managed that I shed some tears so it was worth for me to get to know River and watch his struggles with love.
December 27, 2018
Enjoyable
3.75 ⭐️
Good enjoyable afternoons read. I liked River with his prickly nature. Gav was a good match for him and River brought Gav out of his shell. The different customs created confusion between the characters as Gavin was more reserved in his flirting where River understood more obvious things. I’m not sure how River didn’t know who Gavin was when everyone else did, but it was good to see them get past it, I understood River’s reservations. I loved the fire cats and how they chose the person, and were not tamed, they were well done.
I’d love to see more from these two and this world.
3.75 ⭐️
Good enjoyable afternoons read. I liked River with his prickly nature. Gav was a good match for him and River brought Gav out of his shell. The different customs created confusion between the characters as Gavin was more reserved in his flirting where River understood more obvious things. I’m not sure how River didn’t know who Gavin was when everyone else did, but it was good to see them get past it, I understood River’s reservations. I loved the fire cats and how they chose the person, and were not tamed, they were well done.
I’d love to see more from these two and this world.
December 30, 2018
An intriguing idea I wished had more inspired execution.
June 29, 2024
This was good. Interesting characters and set-up.
It needed about 40 more pages, divided as follows:
-2 pages of world-building especially re: magic
-3 end pages of romantic convo and kissing
-35 pages of firecats being cats.
It needed about 40 more pages, divided as follows:
-2 pages of world-building especially re: magic
-3 end pages of romantic convo and kissing
-35 pages of firecats being cats.
January 13, 2019
Honestly, this just did not work for me. Even though this was under 100 pages I still struggled to finish it. I am also pretty sure I had no idea what was going on most of the time. Everything was pretty much just a big understanding because no one used words to explain things and the whole point of the story just depended on all those misunderstanding being spoken out loud and everyone having that “Ah Ha” moment....
May 28, 2025
I was blown away by how much I actually enjoyed this. Though short, you get a feel of a bigger world, and yet aren't left floundering in confusion by the mention of different kingdoms and races. The protagonist is fierce and prickly and yet sweetly longing underneath it all for the apprentice wizard he thinks is far above his station. It's just FUN.
September 28, 2024
3,5*
Honestly, I just want this story to be a full-length fantasy novel 🥺 I understand many readers were confused for at least half the novella because it feels like you're suddenly dropped in the middle of an already established fantasy setting.
I really liked the characters and their dynamics, there is miscommunication but the reasons for that are understandable so it wasn't annoying. But to be perfectly honest - I was there for the big adorable murder kitties and I got them 🥰🥰
Honestly, I just want this story to be a full-length fantasy novel 🥺 I understand many readers were confused for at least half the novella because it feels like you're suddenly dropped in the middle of an already established fantasy setting.
I really liked the characters and their dynamics, there is miscommunication but the reasons for that are understandable so it wasn't annoying. But to be perfectly honest - I was there for the big adorable murder kitties and I got them 🥰🥰
January 20, 2019
For me, the first half of this was quite messy. There wasn't build up, we were straight in this world. And also straight into Gav and River's friends-with-benefits yet totally in love with each other's relationship. And then the world itself; Firecat's, soldiers and guards, royalty and beast minders.
This is a novella so I guess the first half was trying to do the character and world building as much as possible but I felt like I was running after the story, trying to keep up and put it all together.
I do think it would have worked better as a longer book because it just felt too chaotic.
I did settle in by the second half or more so, I loved Gav and was enjoying it more.
Gav was gentle and caring and didn't hide it, River loves Gav and would do everything he can to protect him but he is terrified of losing Gav and doesn't feel worthy of him.G
Class is definitely an issue for the couple here. For River.
And as frustrating as River's running and weird outbursts at times, I did want him to get the guy. I was rooting for them.
“You were ready to fight a firecat for me. You don’t need to say it.” He took River’s hand and held it to his chest. River stared at his hand in a numb sort of terror, soothed only when Gav began to pet his fingers and stroke his wrist. Maybe he was shaking. He couldn’t seem to look away. “You climb towers to see me,” Gav went on gently. River was shaking. “I am new to all this but I know what that means.”
The ending was super cute. The "choosing" was adorable. As tough as River wants to come across, he really wants to belong.
This is a novella so I guess the first half was trying to do the character and world building as much as possible but I felt like I was running after the story, trying to keep up and put it all together.
I do think it would have worked better as a longer book because it just felt too chaotic.
I did settle in by the second half or more so, I loved Gav and was enjoying it more.
Gav was gentle and caring and didn't hide it, River loves Gav and would do everything he can to protect him but he is terrified of losing Gav and doesn't feel worthy of him.G
Class is definitely an issue for the couple here. For River.
And as frustrating as River's running and weird outbursts at times, I did want him to get the guy. I was rooting for them.
“You were ready to fight a firecat for me. You don’t need to say it.” He took River’s hand and held it to his chest. River stared at his hand in a numb sort of terror, soothed only when Gav began to pet his fingers and stroke his wrist. Maybe he was shaking. He couldn’t seem to look away. “You climb towers to see me,” Gav went on gently. River was shaking. “I am new to all this but I know what that means.”
The ending was super cute. The "choosing" was adorable. As tough as River wants to come across, he really wants to belong.
February 15, 2020
Oh wow! I really loved this book 🥰I’ve previously read R. Cooper’s Beings in Love series but for some reason never read more of her work. I feel very remiss at the moment because I have read a few now and they have all been so amazing!
The main character, River, absolutely made this book for me. The angst and self doubt of him just made me yearn for a happily ever after and Cooper did not disappoint. While the story is quite short, I never the less fell in love with the world and characters of How to (Not) Train a Firecat.
One of my best reads in 2019!
The main character, River, absolutely made this book for me. The angst and self doubt of him just made me yearn for a happily ever after and Cooper did not disappoint. While the story is quite short, I never the less fell in love with the world and characters of How to (Not) Train a Firecat.
One of my best reads in 2019!
December 19, 2019
I do prefer R. Cooper's contemporary tales the most, but this was still quite enjoyable. I really loved River, though I did find Gav a little flat in comparison. A really good amount of world building, especially considering how short this is.
I did notice a few editing issues - a sentence missing a word, an entire line of dialogue missing.
I did notice a few editing issues - a sentence missing a word, an entire line of dialogue missing.
January 17, 2019
totally adorable short story - even if you're not a cat person (which I am not).
i really really like this author.
always makes me smile.
i really really like this author.
always makes me smile.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2021
Fantastic! Just wish it was a full length novel! I’d love a longer more fleshed out version and a part two. It would be great to follow the further adventures of these characters!
Read
July 17, 2024This is an older story so Cooper probably isn't going back to it, but I would love a follow up where the couple are on an adventure with Cari the adorable firecat!
February 11, 2019
3.5 Stars
The relationship between River and Gav was a little muddy at first and if the story were just a little longer with a bit more time reading about the two together or maybe a view into Gav's thoughts would have added another star for me. I loved both characters and the setting was fascinating. A full novel of this story would be a treat.
The relationship between River and Gav was a little muddy at first and if the story were just a little longer with a bit more time reading about the two together or maybe a view into Gav's thoughts would have added another star for me. I loved both characters and the setting was fascinating. A full novel of this story would be a treat.
December 18, 2020
Very short and confusing story in which the characters could not communicate either with each other or the audience. The firecats are interesting, but more background than anything else. I felt like this story could have used another reading and writing run through to add more details to the story. Reminds me of my early days on FictionPress.com.
January 2, 2019
Short story nicely fleshed out so I felt nothing was rushed or missing. Rewarding romance - really enjoyed it!
April 16, 2019
3.75 stars
August 11, 2019
This one was adorable! I am glad I read it; the ending dragged a tiny bit, but the rest of the story makes up for it.
February 20, 2025
The firecats of Dua are giant beasts with red-gold fur and lashing tails. They are also loving and loyal companions to the few they choose to serve. Every member of the royal House of Durii has a personal guard and a firecat to serve as a reminder of the greatness of their rule. After all, only the truly extraordinary would walk alongside a firecat. Only the truly extraordinary could. Not River, obviously. River took the job of cleaning up after the noble beasts when he came to Dua years ago. He’s not any kind of soldier or guard, and he’s too mouthy to belong around royalty. All he wants to do is avoid some of the more resentful guard trainees, care for the very spoiled cats, and try not to get his heart broken by one maddeningly gentle apprentice wizard.
Apprentice Gavin is powerful, brilliant, and probably noble. He’s destined for greatness—and more than likely a guard and a firecat to protect him. He’s not meant for one insignificant little beastminder like River. But firecats are not the only creatures who are fierce, loyal, and beautiful to behold. River is about to learn that the firecats and the guards who walk with them have more in common than he thought. And he will have to accept that he might be extraordinary as Gavin thinks he is.
Review:
Dear R. Cooper,
Somehow this short story/ short novella ( not sure, I always get confused about proper determination based on the length of the story) became over the years one of my comfort reads and multiple rereads and then I realized that I have not reviewed it yet and decided that it was a mistake.
I have to say that the blurb is unnecessary long and too spoilerish, especially for a shorter work, but there is nothing I can do about it.
So basically there is a set up and almost all the story in the blurb minus several important details. The whole story is written in the third person limited POV and River is the narrator. I did ponder whether he could be considered an unreliable narrator and still am not sure about it. He does not misrepresents or conceal any information from the reader, but he certainly is not aware of couple of things that everyone around him seems to be aware of.
I still found it River's head to be a very fun place to be in , even if sometimes frustrating, because while River is a very strong character, he seems at times to downplay his worth ( he does not do it to get any cookies mind you, he is very sincere). The love story between River and Gavin was a very lovely one and I loved that we start observing it while their relationship already started developing before this story began. I always feel that trying to squeeze a full blown romance in the shorter work really leads to the good results.
I just was able to see Gavin really well from River watching him, which does not always happen, but he talks about Gavin with such I don't know, I guess tenderness and admiration and love, and not believing that permanent relationship between them is possible? It was lovely.
River's selfless love for the fire cats was also very well drawn and I very much appreciated that at the end the boy got what he truly deserved in all the best ways possible.
Grade: B
Apprentice Gavin is powerful, brilliant, and probably noble. He’s destined for greatness—and more than likely a guard and a firecat to protect him. He’s not meant for one insignificant little beastminder like River. But firecats are not the only creatures who are fierce, loyal, and beautiful to behold. River is about to learn that the firecats and the guards who walk with them have more in common than he thought. And he will have to accept that he might be extraordinary as Gavin thinks he is.
Review:
Dear R. Cooper,
Somehow this short story/ short novella ( not sure, I always get confused about proper determination based on the length of the story) became over the years one of my comfort reads and multiple rereads and then I realized that I have not reviewed it yet and decided that it was a mistake.
I have to say that the blurb is unnecessary long and too spoilerish, especially for a shorter work, but there is nothing I can do about it.
So basically there is a set up and almost all the story in the blurb minus several important details. The whole story is written in the third person limited POV and River is the narrator. I did ponder whether he could be considered an unreliable narrator and still am not sure about it. He does not misrepresents or conceal any information from the reader, but he certainly is not aware of couple of things that everyone around him seems to be aware of.
I still found it River's head to be a very fun place to be in , even if sometimes frustrating, because while River is a very strong character, he seems at times to downplay his worth ( he does not do it to get any cookies mind you, he is very sincere). The love story between River and Gavin was a very lovely one and I loved that we start observing it while their relationship already started developing before this story began. I always feel that trying to squeeze a full blown romance in the shorter work really leads to the good results.
I just was able to see Gavin really well from River watching him, which does not always happen, but he talks about Gavin with such I don't know, I guess tenderness and admiration and love, and not believing that permanent relationship between them is possible? It was lovely.
River's selfless love for the fire cats was also very well drawn and I very much appreciated that at the end the boy got what he truly deserved in all the best ways possible.
Grade: B
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2019
This was so, so SO sweetly funny... Spoiler aleet...
The humor comes and goes, resting entirely upon River's perspectives, perceptions, reactions, and innate sense of self-preservation that is, for being only twenty-two years old, remarkably mature and developed. River has had it rough, and being partial to boys, then men had quite an influence on his maturity (fifteen and pretty, he'd been susceptible until wising up), so Gavin got the full force of River's scowling defensiveness and sharp tongue when they met then began interacting into a relationship.
River's naivte is unadulterated, refreshing and uncensored, which delights Faddal, who was sent.to manage the training center for guards, wizards/sorcers and firecats, the deadly, beautiful creatures who are each loyal and dedicated to their one chosen guard and.the guard's chosen (or assigned) noble, dignitary or monarch. For the first two-thirds of this short book, River fluctuates between misery, worry, annoyance/irritation and outright fear over separating from Gavin, whom he knows is related to royalty somehow, and does not yet have a.guard. He worries Gavin won't be protected adequately, or that Gav will suffer or come to harm unless he gets.the best.out of the best trainees, and pushes for.him have a guard who is chosen by a firecat so he'll have that added defense. The irony lies in the fact Faddal, who has been the ear of the.queen herself, has been hoping River would have a desire to become a guard seeing how he has been beating up the occasional trainee challenger without any formal training, and without their additional advantages such as wealth, title, and size. It takes a firecat kitten choosing to play, repeatedly, with River (turns out this is one way firecats choose their human) before it clicks into place on River's mind.
A little Cinderfella vibe without the pressure of the prince being the heir apparent, River charmed and reduced me to helpless snickers throughout this delightful short story. Marvelous storytelling!
The humor comes and goes, resting entirely upon River's perspectives, perceptions, reactions, and innate sense of self-preservation that is, for being only twenty-two years old, remarkably mature and developed. River has had it rough, and being partial to boys, then men had quite an influence on his maturity (fifteen and pretty, he'd been susceptible until wising up), so Gavin got the full force of River's scowling defensiveness and sharp tongue when they met then began interacting into a relationship.
River's naivte is unadulterated, refreshing and uncensored, which delights Faddal, who was sent.to manage the training center for guards, wizards/sorcers and firecats, the deadly, beautiful creatures who are each loyal and dedicated to their one chosen guard and.the guard's chosen (or assigned) noble, dignitary or monarch. For the first two-thirds of this short book, River fluctuates between misery, worry, annoyance/irritation and outright fear over separating from Gavin, whom he knows is related to royalty somehow, and does not yet have a.guard. He worries Gavin won't be protected adequately, or that Gav will suffer or come to harm unless he gets.the best.out of the best trainees, and pushes for.him have a guard who is chosen by a firecat so he'll have that added defense. The irony lies in the fact Faddal, who has been the ear of the.queen herself, has been hoping River would have a desire to become a guard seeing how he has been beating up the occasional trainee challenger without any formal training, and without their additional advantages such as wealth, title, and size. It takes a firecat kitten choosing to play, repeatedly, with River (turns out this is one way firecats choose their human) before it clicks into place on River's mind.
A little Cinderfella vibe without the pressure of the prince being the heir apparent, River charmed and reduced me to helpless snickers throughout this delightful short story. Marvelous storytelling!
January 4, 2019
Pride and misunderstanding, love and fear. 3.6 Amazon; 3.1 Goodreads.
This M/M fantasy novella is emotional and well-written, set in an interesting world. River's job reminded me a bit of Mercedes Lackey's Dragon Jousters, though the firecats' role is not the same as that of Lackey's dragons. Also, this isn't a good-guy[s]-vs.-bad-guy[s] or nation-vs.-nation sort of plot, simply a character-driven romance.
Differing cultural assumptions contribute to River's persistent certainty that he can't have what he longs for, namely Gavin, at least not for more than a brief while. Some insights are obliquely given, while others are obvious to everyone but River, who can't see past his current low station.
Naturally, with a firecat on the cover, I had to give it a try, and I don't regret it, even though I'm not fond of the utterly unromantic f-word. I will read more by this author, though I wish there were some full-length titles, rather than just short or shorter. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) Extrapolating from this story, I *might* find that a longer R. Cooper work simply dragged out/repeated the same few thoughts on the protagonist's part, but I'd like a chance to find out.
The editing is good, but not perfect. I caught a few typos in its 60-ish pages: "at" for "a", "on are" for "are on", and I think "scrapped- together" should be "scraped-together". There's also one inconsistency: do new guard trainees often attack River because they expect him to be an easy target (and those who know better deliberately don't warn them), or because they've heard that he's *not*? River thinks/says both, within a few pages.
This M/M fantasy novella is emotional and well-written, set in an interesting world. River's job reminded me a bit of Mercedes Lackey's Dragon Jousters, though the firecats' role is not the same as that of Lackey's dragons. Also, this isn't a good-guy[s]-vs.-bad-guy[s] or nation-vs.-nation sort of plot, simply a character-driven romance.
Differing cultural assumptions contribute to River's persistent certainty that he can't have what he longs for, namely Gavin, at least not for more than a brief while. Some insights are obliquely given, while others are obvious to everyone but River, who can't see past his current low station.
Naturally, with a firecat on the cover, I had to give it a try, and I don't regret it, even though I'm not fond of the utterly unromantic f-word. I will read more by this author, though I wish there were some full-length titles, rather than just short or shorter. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) Extrapolating from this story, I *might* find that a longer R. Cooper work simply dragged out/repeated the same few thoughts on the protagonist's part, but I'd like a chance to find out.
The editing is good, but not perfect. I caught a few typos in its 60-ish pages: "at" for "a", "on are" for "are on", and I think "scrapped- together" should be "scraped-together". There's also one inconsistency: do new guard trainees often attack River because they expect him to be an easy target (and those who know better deliberately don't warn them), or because they've heard that he's *not*? River thinks/says both, within a few pages.
February 23, 2019
3.8 stars.
This was a short fantasy romance.
The characters are actually quite distinguishable and unique. Another reviewer said it right when they called River “prickly”.
I read this one in one sitting and it was definitely a fun and enjoyable way to pass my evening.
I will admit that I was expecting something where the main character would bond with a big cat throughout the book (which is a trope I LOVE) but it didn’t really work out that way.
I guess I took off 1.2 stars because it was so short and slightly un eventful + I was slightly let down because of my expectations of a different plot. Also for some reason I had a hard time with this author’s writing. I had a difficult time reading through it smoothly and I don’t really know why..
Overall, enjoyable. If you like fantasy mm stories that don’t require a lot of time to get into, then this may be right for you.
This was a short fantasy romance.
The characters are actually quite distinguishable and unique. Another reviewer said it right when they called River “prickly”.
I read this one in one sitting and it was definitely a fun and enjoyable way to pass my evening.
I will admit that I was expecting something where the main character would bond with a big cat throughout the book (which is a trope I LOVE) but it didn’t really work out that way.
I guess I took off 1.2 stars because it was so short and slightly un eventful + I was slightly let down because of my expectations of a different plot. Also for some reason I had a hard time with this author’s writing. I had a difficult time reading through it smoothly and I don’t really know why..
Overall, enjoyable. If you like fantasy mm stories that don’t require a lot of time to get into, then this may be right for you.
February 20, 2021
This had a cool premise, intriguing world building, and cute characters and it was a very quick read with some nice moments. However, it needed an editor both for grammar and to help the author articulate what was going on better. We see everything through River's eyes, who is an outsider in Dua and is quite antagonistic, so we get fed information through the lens of someone who is often confused yet knows enough not to be explained things and is too contrary to request clarification when he doesn't. This results in some parts being... almost indecipherable. I thought this was a short set in a wider universe (where more background was given) and therefore I was confused because I got into the books in the wrong order or something but it's... not? It's a shame because I really wanted to read more about these two. Gavin is very cute indeed.
December 31, 2020
Romance and respect
River is a man away from the nation he grew up in and has had a hard learning curve as to the customs of his new nation. Though his family moved so.that he could be openly gay and accepted, this nation has its own customs for romance that have left River used and guarded in his heart. His recent long term paramore, Gav, is a noble, and therefore will eventually leave him too. As it turns out that time may be coming sooner than River has expected leaving him to find solace in keeping the fire cats he watches over. As even that begins to change it becomes clear that River may actually have a new life that could be open to him, if only he can open his heart.
River is a man away from the nation he grew up in and has had a hard learning curve as to the customs of his new nation. Though his family moved so.that he could be openly gay and accepted, this nation has its own customs for romance that have left River used and guarded in his heart. His recent long term paramore, Gav, is a noble, and therefore will eventually leave him too. As it turns out that time may be coming sooner than River has expected leaving him to find solace in keeping the fire cats he watches over. As even that begins to change it becomes clear that River may actually have a new life that could be open to him, if only he can open his heart.
July 21, 2023
This is an excellently written novella (74 pages) that would do well as an opener for a novella series in the vein of Lois McMaster Bujold's Penric and Desdemona series.
The world building is deep enough to promise more, and well crafted, with no notable holes. The characters are bright, interesting and relatable - even the side characters. The writing and pacing are brisk, believable and engaging. The plot is light and personal to the main characters, but builds a hopeful future for the main romance.
Published in 2018, read in 2023, I'm sadly aware that there will probably never be a follow-on story, but I can still hope.
Minus 1 star only for the lack of continuing stories. Is that fair?
The world building is deep enough to promise more, and well crafted, with no notable holes. The characters are bright, interesting and relatable - even the side characters. The writing and pacing are brisk, believable and engaging. The plot is light and personal to the main characters, but builds a hopeful future for the main romance.
Published in 2018, read in 2023, I'm sadly aware that there will probably never be a follow-on story, but I can still hope.
Minus 1 star only for the lack of continuing stories. Is that fair?
May 29, 2019
I really enjoyed this one. This is one of those books that was so good that I wished it was longer. Or had a sequel.
The world and its people are very interesting. I wanted to learn more about the cultures of the characters and see a more in-depth view of what life was like bonded to a firecat. The book ends well for the story it was telling, but as a reader, I was left wanting to see what would happen afterward.
Overall, it lingered with me for a while, which I think is a mark of a good story, and between the writing and the worldbuilding, it prompted me to buy more of the author's books.
The world and its people are very interesting. I wanted to learn more about the cultures of the characters and see a more in-depth view of what life was like bonded to a firecat. The book ends well for the story it was telling, but as a reader, I was left wanting to see what would happen afterward.
Overall, it lingered with me for a while, which I think is a mark of a good story, and between the writing and the worldbuilding, it prompted me to buy more of the author's books.
January 16, 2019
A tiny taste of a fantasy world
This is a gentle little bit of a fantasy world of castles and wizards, and amazing cats and of two people who inhabit that world - Gavin and River.
A noble wizard and the guy who cleans up after the cats - two different backgrounds, two different races of people, but over time both have grown to love the other, but for River, living in the stables with the firecats he tends to, a real relationship with a lord wizard is only a dream, but sometimes dreams come true.
This is a gentle little bit of a fantasy world of castles and wizards, and amazing cats and of two people who inhabit that world - Gavin and River.
A noble wizard and the guy who cleans up after the cats - two different backgrounds, two different races of people, but over time both have grown to love the other, but for River, living in the stables with the firecats he tends to, a real relationship with a lord wizard is only a dream, but sometimes dreams come true.
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