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Peony Lanterns: A Novella
Mitsu has been Shiro’s personal servant and best friend since they were both six years old, and he’s been in love with him for nearly that long. While Shiro takes lovers of both sexes, the gulf between their social classes is so vast that Mitsu has never spoken his feelings aloud.
When Shiro meets the beautiful Lady Keiko, he’s instantly infatuated. His affection soon turns to obsession, and Mitsu resigns himself to a life of unrequited love.
But as Mitsu looks deeper into Keiko and her motives, he realizes that Shiro is in grave danger. He will need all his courage-- and some help from a master of the occult-- to save the life of the man he loves.
When Shiro meets the beautiful Lady Keiko, he’s instantly infatuated. His affection soon turns to obsession, and Mitsu resigns himself to a life of unrequited love.
But as Mitsu looks deeper into Keiko and her motives, he realizes that Shiro is in grave danger. He will need all his courage-- and some help from a master of the occult-- to save the life of the man he loves.
109 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2019
2 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Correll
21 books50 followersPatricia Correll believes that all humans are natural storytellers. She’s been telling tales since she could string words together, but in the last thirty years or so has graduated from My Little Pony stories to the unholy trinity of fantasy, SF, and horror.
She lives with her husband and sons in Alabama.
She lives with her husband and sons in Alabama.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 8, 2019
Charming friends to lovers story set in feudal Japan with supernatural elements.
June 20, 2019
This week’s read was a quick and delightful one. Peony Lanterns by Patricia Correll is a novella that serves bite-sized intrigue. Despite its brevity, Ms. Correll displays a masterful skill at both character and world building. I curled up on my couch and almost immediately got lost in the words.
I know little to nothing about historical Japanese culture. However, Ms. Correll’s depiction feels authentic. Rather than spending long-winded passages detailing the environment or providing historical exposition so the reader can understand the context, this author managed to interweave these important bits of information into the threads of the story itself. The world almost felt like a character not simply a backdrop.
Then there are the characters themselves. This story is packed with heart, and while some of it is certainly wrapped up in the gorgeous prose, most of it comes in the form of MCs you can truly root for. When I finished the final scene, my heart was aflutter. (And let’s just say… I was definitely fanning myself too! 🔥)
I would definitely recommend this story to anyone who might be looking for a quick afternoon read that will surely suck them in and leave them satisfied and then some.
I know little to nothing about historical Japanese culture. However, Ms. Correll’s depiction feels authentic. Rather than spending long-winded passages detailing the environment or providing historical exposition so the reader can understand the context, this author managed to interweave these important bits of information into the threads of the story itself. The world almost felt like a character not simply a backdrop.
Then there are the characters themselves. This story is packed with heart, and while some of it is certainly wrapped up in the gorgeous prose, most of it comes in the form of MCs you can truly root for. When I finished the final scene, my heart was aflutter. (And let’s just say… I was definitely fanning myself too! 🔥)
I would definitely recommend this story to anyone who might be looking for a quick afternoon read that will surely suck them in and leave them satisfied and then some.
July 1, 2020
Simply put, you must read this now!
A sumptuous, moving tale set in historical Japan: when Mitsu, faithful servant to Lord Shiro (and utterly in love with him) is forced to deviate off their usual nighttime path and into a garden of a beautiful yet mysterious woman, neither men could fathom the dangers in store for them.
To say more would spoil the surprises within!
I was a huge fan of Patricia Correll’s Japan-set novella, The Corpse Eater and Peony Lanterns took everything and increased my admiration tenfold. While reading, it struck me how compassionate and layered her storytelling was. Here is a tale equal amounts tragedy and beauty.
I never wanted this to end. It’s got everything a reader could want: moving, realistic characters, vivid prose, excellent pacing.
If you like Japan, LGTBQIA stories, or just well-written stories in general? Peony Lanterns/ Patricia Correll is the real deal.
A sumptuous, moving tale set in historical Japan: when Mitsu, faithful servant to Lord Shiro (and utterly in love with him) is forced to deviate off their usual nighttime path and into a garden of a beautiful yet mysterious woman, neither men could fathom the dangers in store for them.
To say more would spoil the surprises within!
I was a huge fan of Patricia Correll’s Japan-set novella, The Corpse Eater and Peony Lanterns took everything and increased my admiration tenfold. While reading, it struck me how compassionate and layered her storytelling was. Here is a tale equal amounts tragedy and beauty.
I never wanted this to end. It’s got everything a reader could want: moving, realistic characters, vivid prose, excellent pacing.
If you like Japan, LGTBQIA stories, or just well-written stories in general? Peony Lanterns/ Patricia Correll is the real deal.
February 5, 2019
I was fortunate to read this novella in manuscript form, and am now delighted to see it's available to all interested readers. Author Patricia Correll is a highly-gifted, imaginative author whose style is comfortable, succinct, sensitive and compelling. "Peony Lanterns" is a fantasy. It is also a beautifully-told love story set in medieval Japan. The love of a servant for his master breaks through barriers of class and tradition. It is also a love story of a man for a man, of his willingness to give up his life to that purpose, as well as the story of a man's all-consuming obsession for a woman. It is filled with suspense, sweetness, some supernatural horror and intriguing complexity. Ms. Correll's characters are well-conceived and developed, and will almost certainly appeal to both the LGBTQ community as well as to more traditional readers. There are two additional published works by this talented storyteller already in my stack of anxious-to-read books on my dresser.
February 14, 2019
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
For the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-fZx on 2/15
From that Review: "Peony Lanterns by Patricia Correll is a short but exquisite Japanese historical romance. The story carries its historical accuracy and the authenticity of its era throughout the tale with the lightness of a Sakura petal, a tribute to it's author's ability to fold facts and cultural elements gently into her story. The focus here is on Mitsu, his feelings for his master, Shiro, and the current drama/mystery playing out between Lady Keiko, Shiro, and the brokenhearted Mitsu who carries a deep love for Shiro."
for all our reviews, check out http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
For the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-fZx on 2/15
From that Review: "Peony Lanterns by Patricia Correll is a short but exquisite Japanese historical romance. The story carries its historical accuracy and the authenticity of its era throughout the tale with the lightness of a Sakura petal, a tribute to it's author's ability to fold facts and cultural elements gently into her story. The focus here is on Mitsu, his feelings for his master, Shiro, and the current drama/mystery playing out between Lady Keiko, Shiro, and the brokenhearted Mitsu who carries a deep love for Shiro."
for all our reviews, check out http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
June 13, 2020
Historical fiction with romantic undercurrents is not what you would normally find me reading, but having a casual interest in many things Japanese I took a chance with this novella. And I'm so glad I did!
Peony Lanterns is, above all, achingly beautiful. It is so well written that it is a pleasure to simply devour page after page (I read it in a couple of days). It is gripping, moving and, at moments, shocking.
I would recommend this to virtually any reader, no matter what their usual genre is. It is really a very special little book that impressed me a lot. Am looking forward to exploring more of Patricia Correll's writing.
Peony Lanterns is, above all, achingly beautiful. It is so well written that it is a pleasure to simply devour page after page (I read it in a couple of days). It is gripping, moving and, at moments, shocking.
I would recommend this to virtually any reader, no matter what their usual genre is. It is really a very special little book that impressed me a lot. Am looking forward to exploring more of Patricia Correll's writing.
March 21, 2019
Almost There
Well told fantasy/horror story. Ms. Correll has found her literary voice, but the very last scene was unnecessary to that story. I don't object to gay sex, but I object to gratuitous sex, either gay or straight, which does not advance the tale.
Well told fantasy/horror story. Ms. Correll has found her literary voice, but the very last scene was unnecessary to that story. I don't object to gay sex, but I object to gratuitous sex, either gay or straight, which does not advance the tale.
April 5, 2019
I couldn’t stop reading! I was captivated by the setting and characters. The supernatural aspect was fascinating and hooked me in. I thoroughly enjoyed the romance and the love between the two main characters.
January 24, 2022
Worth every cent! I bought this on a whim because peonies are my favorite flower and I absolutely LOVED it. Particularly enjoyed the setting and the simple but authentic details throughout. The author really makes you feel like you're there in that world. Also loved the characters - Makie and Toshi were my favorite even though they're side characters.
All in all, if you're on the fence, definitely grab a copy!
All in all, if you're on the fence, definitely grab a copy!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews