Barren

Carnaval des Ténèbres #1

by Yolanda Olson

I always wanted to find a place where I belonged.

A place where I wasn't looked at differently for being one in a million.

I left home when I was seventeen looking for this nirvana on Earth that I knew had to exist somewhere, and I finally found it in a small revival of traveling performers.

No one here looks at me any differently because of my illness. See, even though I look like the perfect picture of health, that couldn't be further from the truth.

I don't believe that my anomalies make me any less of a person than someone who has the ability to feel certain things.

My new family has welcomed me with open arms, and even made me a top billing because of what I can withstand—which to say is a lot.

Until him.

I never knew that I didn't care to feel anything until he joined us.

I want to feel him.

I need to feel him.

I’ve finally found the one thing I’m unable to withstand, and when I feel his eyes on me, I know that things will be alright eventually.

He wants to help me—I can see it in the way he looks at me. Whether he admits it or not, I know that he’s come here for me.

Genres: M M Romance, Horror, Dark, Romance, LGBT, Queer, Ebooks

171 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 25, 2020

About the author

Yolanda Olson is a USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author. Born and raised in Bridgeport, CT where she currently resides, she usually spends her time watching her favorite channel, Investigation Discovery.

Occasionally, she takes a break to write books and test the limits of her mind. Also an avid horror movie fan, she likes to incorporate dark elements into the majority of her books.

You can keep in touch with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Reviews

[Megan [At The Cottage] · Rating 2 out of 5]

Circus Freak Show
2 WTF Stars ⭐️


Ummmm 🤨 This was just offered for free during the stuff your kindle event and it was tagged as “mm romance” but it’s not. I don’t even know what to classify this as but Yager joined the freak show 7ish years ago and while he looks normal on the outside unlike some others, he cannot feel any pain or emotion. He has learned through others what certain feelings and/or emotions look like through their facial expressions but he’s never felt anything himself until Indigo joins. Well, technically Yager doesn’t know if it’s a feeling because he doesn’t have any experience but when around him, his back sweats and Indigo has this aura that all the other members feel in a negative way. They put Indigo through an initiation but while doing this things go a little sideways and it’s up to Yager to save the day. I think.

So this is the start of a 7 book series but only 5 are available through Amazon and there’s a huge cliffhanger in this one that is supposedly wrapped up in book 3. I expect crazy when reading Yolanda Olson but this book confuses me so much! Yager was an interesting character and I wanted to know more but I thought this was a romance and it just wasn’t. It’s not smut either because there’s only one kiss in this book. I have no idea where this is going but part of me wants to read book 3 just because I don’t get what is happening here and I want some kind of closure however another part of me wants to pretend I never picked this up and move on. We’ll see 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Crystal (Crystalreads2) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it!!! Great start to the series



I am going to love this series. It should be made into a movie and have Rob Zombie direct it.
We read the world of a traveling Carnival, but not a normal one, particular people or as ordinary people see then as freaks. Yager Gates is a man who can not feel, physical or emotional. We read Yager’s POV and how he deciphers people’s feelings. Yager considers his fellow carny family, and there is a threat to them by a newcomer.

When I saw there was going to be a Freak series, I was ( still am ) ecstatic. Yolanda has a great way of articulating her vivid emotion to paper and captivating the reader. All of Yolanda Olsen's books are black. I feel like this book is not as dark as her previous books. Make no mistake; it's still black; she still Tortures her characters.

. The freaking cliffhanger, I didn’t expect anything different from the author; I am sitting on the edge and have to know what happens next. I almost flung my iPad across the room. If you're looking for a light horror quick read, I highly recommend this book to start the series.

[CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ★



Yager Gates is the man who can’t feel and his carnival act capitalizes on this condition. For eight years, he’s been part of the Carnaval des Ténèbres and Yager views the other performers as his family. However, when a newcomer arrives, Yager starts to question certain sensations and who this mysterious man may actually be.

“Maybe one day someone will teach me how to feel special too.”

Narrated in Yager’s POV, he introduces all the performers and gives a sense of the carnival setting. For Yager, he is a bit disadvantaged when it comes to emotional empathy so when Indigo begins to test his knowledge, it tilts his axis. Uniting with his family, Yager is determined to get answers.

“The unspoken rule among our little family is that no one can harm the other – attraction or not.”

What I liked about this book is the setting and the characters. Each have their own burdens yet they protect each other. I also understood Yager’s dilemma. While this is the first book of the series, I was hoping for more development into Yager and Indigo, and I was left with more questions.

Barren is about misfits who find a community where they belong. I look forward to continuing with this series.



Carnaval des Ténèbres series:



*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey!*



For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[warhawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Horror
Type: Book 1 of 7 from Carnaval des Ténèbres series
POV: First Person - Male
Rating:




Carnaval des Ténèbres had been home for Yager Gates in the last eight years among others burdened by their afflictions. But the comfort with his adopted family was threatened by a mysterious newcomer. Indigo Holland’s presence rattled Yager to the core. For someone who was not supposed to feel anything, it started to become a problem that he needed to learn to navigate or risked losing everything he lived for.



When I saw this book is about circus and freak show, of course, I couldn’t resist it. It was such a fascinating subject and I liked the overall concept. However, I had issues with the storyline. As the first book in the series, I felt there wasn’t enough foundation to establish the series storyline with the character motivations and overall direction.

I never wanted to be special, but I don’t think that normal would suit me much either. I would be just another face in the crowd adored for what I look like and not for what I can withstand.

The ambiance and the characters were all very intriguing and I loved how close and protective they were with each other. I’m looking forward to reading their stories.

Barren is a tale of finding one’s place. It would appeal to readers looking for a short, light horror story in a carnival setting.




🎠 ❌ 🎠. . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . 🎠 ❌ 🎠




For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:

[Ally Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Carnaval where the Man Who Can't Feel will rip your heart out and make you feel everything that he can't.

Yager Gates. For a man who cannot feel, he certainly left me reeling. The pages bled with emotion that held me captive in the words written upon them, from everything to his friendship with Maia, the other "Freaks" and his own perception of his condition. For any author any new story and new character is a challenge, especially when they have complex conditions such as the ones Yager was afflicted with. However, in this instance, I believe Yolanda Olson surpassed herself and overcame a challenge that I'm not sure many authors could have done.

The world building for this story, the scene setting, and the character development was spot on and I could feel and see it all unfolding before me. I could not imagine a more perfect start to what looks to be a promising and incredible series.

Yolanda Olson has opened the doors to the Carnaval with a fantastic story, and I look forward to seeing the rest of the show.

[Vicky Lelove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting from Yolanda as she usually writes deliciously grotesque novels and this in many ways is quite sweet of basically a stolic man who is afraid to feel & really belong..

[z · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly I’m just left feeling super confused about what just happened?
This book started off with a really cool premise, and introduced us to a bunch of interesting characters — all part of a Carnaval with unique gifts and talents. It’s told in the POV of Yager, The Man Who Can’t Feel (both physically and emotionally) and it was really unique to read his perception of life, going through the motions without actually feeling anything. His best friend Maia sort of vocalizes what he is feeling for the reader (she often tells him what his reactions mean) because his body still reacts to things, he just doesn’t perceive the feelings as anything. See? Cool premise.
The story starts off with a new addition to the troupe, Indigo, who seems off to Yager. The members of the Carnaval always put new members through a series of tests, using their skills, but Indigo seems to completely throw everyone off their game — to the point where some of their lives are endangered as well.
And then all of a sudden it gets sort of randomly confusing? When it comes to Maia’s turn for the test, she goes missing. The rest of the book involves everyone else looking for Maia while trying to avoid Indigo so that they’re not put in danger again; Yager seems to think Indigo has something to do with Maia’s disappearance. He does a bunch of stuff to figure out where she went, eventually recruiting the ringmaster, Ezra, to help him, and then..... nothing happens?
When Indigo is confronted, he just basically says he has no idea where Maia went and he saw her leave the grounds... Ezra’s like “okay cool” and storms off. Then Indigo tells Yager he wants help with his act. And Yager, for some reason, despite distrusting this guy the entire time, agrees? And it still doesn’t become clear what they’re trying to do... the epilogue is just Indigo torturing Yager in various ways and forcing him to pretend he’s feeling the effects. He gets mad if Yager doesn’t react to the pain, so Yager forces himself to cry and scream and pretend he does. And then the book just ENDS at Indigo almost killing Yager because he wants to push him to limits and figures out Yager was pretending the whole time and someone (presumably Maia) yelling “Yager! No!”
Like I’m honestly so lost on what the point was! What was the plot? Why does it just end there? That’s not even a cliffhanger, it’s a wtf-just-happened (and not in the good way)
I know it’s a series, but each book is in the POV of a different member of the troupe, so I figured that each individual’s story is resolved with each book. Especially since the summaries of each (on goodreads anyway) don’t seem connected. And the summary for this one made it seem as if it was going to be a love story between Yager and Indigo (which.... it did not feel like. At all. Unless you for some reason count the way Yager can’t stop describing Indigo as good-looking and that he sort of feels his nerves act up when he’s near. Like? That isn’t love, it’s maaaaaybe attraction at best! Like the guy spends the entire book mentally and physically torturing Yager)
I’m confused and idk if that makes me want to read the rest of the series to find out what the heck is going on or just give up on it because it doesn’t seem worth it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book as an ARC for my honest review.
Once again I am not disappointed with Yolanda Olson’s writing.
BARREN starts with Yager and his life at the Carnaval. He looks like a regular man you would automatically believe he would be the ringmaster not part of the show. Good looking and strong at first glance then you see he is a man Who can not feel -physically and mentally. He Feels No Pain.

We meet many of the “showman” throughout this book. All of them have their own story and unique look.
Yager loves his family and we see him do many things to protect his family. In comes the new member of the family, Indigo. There’s something about him that Yager can’t seem to figure out. He needs to know and he needs to make sure that his family will remain safe.

I can not go into his story in the review since I do not like to write spoilers in my review. I can tell you that there is a cliffhanger.

This story is wonderfully written and I can not wait to read further about Yager and his family’s story.

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again this author has blown my mind with her writing. Barren is book one in the Carnaval des Tenebres series.

This is Yagers story. He’s a man that can’t feel. He finds a family in some travelling performers. I feel as if I went through the feelings for Yager. When a new performer joins everything is about to change. I absolutely loved this story. Yagers story is brilliant and I was curious about the other characters as well.

I’m really looking forward to reading more of this series.

Now I’ll just wait rather impatiently for Mutatus so I can read more of these characters.

[Ellie Midwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit, I have a thing about carnivals and so-called freak shows, so “Barren” was right up my alley! And when it’s written by your favorite horror author, you just can’t go wrong. Yager was such a fascinating central character, I honestly couldn’t get enough of him. Imagine not feeling anything at all - neither pain nor emotions - and finally meeting someone who could actually awaken something inside of you? The story was incredibly atmospheric. I could easily picture myself in a mad world of carnival tents and its inhabitants with all sorts of peculiarities that make them so unique and, in some cases, threatening. “Barren” is probably one of my favorites of Yolanda’s. I already can’t wait to dive into the rest of the stories!

[Brit · Rating 4 out of 5]

My head is spinning. The most unique book ive read in a while. I found a new series to binge read. For some reason books about carnivals always sucks me in.

[Tania ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

« But if you feel, then you won’t be special anymore. »

[Δανάη Ιμπραχήμ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bizarre & fcked up. Just the way I like it.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and Twisted!

WOW! Dark, twisted and titillating at it's best!

This story is very intense and suspenseful right from the start. I was on the edge of my seat, biting my nails with utter anticipation of what the hell was going to happen next! Definitely a wild ride into the lives of a carnival of misfits, outcasts and castoffs.

Yager may not be able to feel anything but as a reader you can feel the love he has for his family as it oozes out with every action he takes. Each of the other unique characters have whittled a place in my heart and I don't want to see any of them getting hurt. They are such a wonderful family of misfits that your heart aches for each and every one of them.

The story is enticing, captivating and highly entertaining. The words I was reading gave me the perfect visual of the carnival life and what each unique character may look like.

I can't wait to read the other books in this series. Highly recommend.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I cracked this open, I knew I was going to be taken for a trip but I didn’t expect Yolanda to throw the curve balls she did.

Yager joined the carnival as a side show act almost ten years ago - his special ability is that he doesn’t feel any pain or emotions. But when a new person joins his family of “freaks”, he learns that he may have the ability to feel something…the only issue is what’s it going to cost him.

Indigo is a mystery - joining the carnival at the drop of a hat and no one knowing him. I feel like this guy can look into your soul and automatically know how to destroy you in seconds flat - yet his truths are never really revealed.

Yolanda wrote this fantastic tale with a mix of wonder, darkness, a tad bit of gore, and a tease of steam - honestly, it made me feel like I had to stepped into an episode of American Horror Story. The suspense is through the roof and I couldn’t stop myself from loving Yager. The way he wanted to feel something, but just couldn’t. Yet as the story progressed, his character develops so much.

I really loved everything about this - it’s not too dark, nor too light. This is more of an atmospheric read to me and I devoured it. I am already making plans to dive into the next of this series soon.

[TheBookPlatypus · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The proverbial cliché of running away to join the circus routine, but what I found behind the tent curtains was so much more. Wonders, oddities … freaks. Tall, short, disfigured, half-born torsos of fully-grown human beings, and me—the only one without an outward deformity—and they welcomed me with open arms.”

Yager can’t feel. Physically and emotionally. He’s an oddity.
You can slam his face into a meat grinder and
He. Can’t. Feel. It.

“Congenital analgesia and alexithymia—I feel no pain, nor do I know what emotions are. I’m a shell of a human being carved into stone because I chose to look this way.”

He has found a home though with a family he likes enough.
Especially with a little fairy girl. He looks after her and they are the cutest of friends.

A newcomer comes to town. Seemingly sweet, Yager can almost feel things around this guy. Getting all hot and sweaty around him, he doesn’t understand all these responses.

Anyway, this is a Yolanda Olson book so don’t even try and assume anything that going to happen but once again I was yelling WHAT THE FUCK at the end. 😆

Cliffhanger. Not exactly a HEA. This series continues. Different authors for each book.
4/5 stars

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received ARC from Author for Honest Review.
I Give this Book a 3.5/5 Star Rating, Listing as 4.
**4 Stars: Because this Series caught my attention the moment I became aware of it and I Can’t Wait to read the Rest I’d the Books.

Cliffhanger(?): I Believe So? I Hope So! Must Have More! 😆
Relationship Type: M/M. It’s pretty Lite, so more like it’s implied(?)
Heat: 1/5, not necessarily a bad thing :)
Romance(?): Kinda? Maybe-ish? Lol 2-2.5ish/5
Drama: 3.5/5
Suspense: 3.5-4/5
Dark(?): Hmmm...kinda-ish? 2/5, Will list as Dark Lite.
No Spoilers.
The ending is essentially Cliffy so I’m hoping for more of Yager & Indigo.
The book is shorter than I was expecting & the pacing is fairly fast near the back of the book. I do wish this book was longer and was focused more on Yager & Indigo, but I understand that this is the opener for the series, but again I wish the 2 guys were focused on more.
But other than that I did enjoy this book and it’s an important one.
I can’t wait to read the other books in this series!

I’m hoping Drake gets a book!

[Bridgett Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about Yager. He was born not being able to feel. Pain, emotions nothing that you feel. Poor Yager just wants a place to belong. He finally finds that in the carnival. Yager and the other freaks have found a home and with that a family. This is one book in a sort of series. All the separate characters make appearances in this book, but to find out their stories you'll have to read the other books. I believe there are 7. Back to this story... The boy who couldn't feel, made me feel all the feelings. I couldn't even imagine how that would be. And moments in this one definitely gave me the feels. The relationships between these characters makes me wanna just grab them all and hug them. But of course this author has a way of twisting the story as soon as you think you've figured it out. Boom it's not what you're expecting. I definitely recommend this story as well as the others.

[Brittany Reece · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting to be as emotionally affected by these characters as I was.

Over the course of the pages, you get a glimpse into the lives of the misfits, the outcasts, the ones society has cast aside until they're willing to pay and gawk.

In Barren, the focus is on Yager, the Man Who Can't Feel.
Yager has found a home in the Carnaval among the ones who differences are more visible than his and is protective of his found family, even though he can't love them. When a newcomer arrives, Yager finds himself in unfamiliar territory, and decides he needs to do what he can to keep his family safe, but it becomes apparent all too soon that his decision wasn't the right one.

Barren has a suspense tinged storyline, one that makes you question whether or not emotions are a blessing or a curse, thick with visual imagery and a cast of characters you'll find yourself caring for. The question is, will your care turn to despair? That's a question only you can answer.

[Lis Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barren by Yolanda Olson, is the first installment of the Carnaval des Ténèbres collection by seven authors.

Barren stars Yager, the man who can't feel. Yager never felt like he belonged so he joined the carnival where he found a place and family. A new memeber comes along changes the game for the one who can't feel.

I was glued to my kindle as I needed to know what was going to happen next with the family. The suspense was killing me. Characters from the other stories are in Barren which just made it even better to read their connections. Can't what to read all the stories.

P.s. this cover made me have more feels after reading the story.

[Tyi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yager's story made me feel, which is crazy because of who the character is and what he ultimately represents. I had so much love Yager. There was so much. He wanted to understand social interaction. Yager displayed so much normalcy on the outside but inside... Inside he felt nothing.

It was absolutely sad. I was happy he had his best friend, Maia. She was there to steer him and be the voice of reason. Each character was shown in a certain light. It made me want to know more about Drake, Needles, Crispin, and a few others. I couldn't stand the new guy, Indigo. He was quite a mystery. In some ways, he still is. I can't wait for the next installment because I get to dive into Maia's pov.

[Kim BookJunkie ~ Editor & Proofreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yolanda Olson has done it again, giving us the ultra innovative, exciting CARNAVAL DES TENEBRES!!!

According to main character Yager, he has, “Congenital analgesia and alexithymia—I feel no pain, nor do I know what emotions are. I’m a shell of a human being carved into stone because I chose to look this way.” I’ve actually read a few books where the character couldn’t feel physically, emotionally or both, yet none were as descriptive or as believable as Yager!!!! What’s even better is that Jager is part of a “freak show” with a cast of characters I can’t wait to find more about. Each book in the series will focus on one of these fascinating characters from Siamese twins to the human fairy! Once again, Olson has paved the way for what is sure to be an awesome ride!!!

My only complaint about this story is that I was left with some unanswered questions... I’m still not sure what made Yager’s love interest a “freak”. I believe he has some physical anomaly, but it wasn’t clear. I am also not certain what exactly happened at the end of Yager’s story; hopefully I’ll find out in a future installment! Also, I loved watching Indigo and Yager’s relationship develop, but wish there had been more pages allotted to show us more than their one brief kiss. I wanted more, more, more!!!

As with every book I’ve read by Olson the past few years, this book needs to be proofread. There were extra words, missing words and wrong words (for example SLACKS instead of SLATS and DAMPER instead of DAMPEN ). There were also several punctuation mistakes like semicolons not being used correctly and the FANBOYS comma rule being omitted. ***She can hire a proofreader, though, but she can’t buy talent (which she already has in spades) which is why I love her books!!!!

[Linda Cotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yager, the man who can't feel.
This was a great introduction to the Freak Show, and I absolutely loved it!
Yager has never felt pain or emotions, and seeing how he views the other freaks, so detached and yet you know they are tight knit, its wonderful. This book will have you biting your nails to see what happens next, and pulls at your emotions throughout.

[Marie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yager Gates, a man that feels nothing, no pain, no emotion, and that's what makes him perfect for the Carnival life, and he gets a family he loves with it. A new member joins, and he starts feeling things he can't explain. He's never felt like this with anyone else but Indigo. He's a mystery, and he's very curious about the man that could be dangerous to everyone but him. What a fantastic start to this carnival series!!! I cant wait to see what happens next!!!!

[Antoinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start!!

This is the first book of 7 expected in the Carnaval des Ténèbres series and Yolanda does not disappoint.
This is the story of Yagers, who does not feel pain or emotions. After running away from home at seventeen he has found his family at the carnival. We get to meet the charters that will make up the other books.
This book is of course wonderfully written and was a quick read for me since I had to know what happens. Cant wait for the rest of the books :)

[Gizel Alvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want More

Not only do I look forward to more from the series but also need more from Yager and Indigo as it felt the ending was a cliff of sort I'd say an open ending as it can be common for author Yolanda olson as she brings us the characters we love back.

This is a MM with ineterconected characters from an upcoming series I am currently awaiting their release, definitely recommend for all as I would not label it dark maybe gray is a better label.

[Chubby Romance Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barren is the first book in the Carnaval Des Ténèbres series and in my opinion, it was the best way to start the series! Though the main character is Yager, it gives some back ground on other characters. The way Yolanda writes kept me intrigued enough to want to read on more as the end does end in a cliffhanger. I’m hoping that there will be more to Yagers story in the nearby future!

[LORRIE · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quirky, fun, interesting and exciting

[Janneke Wolbers · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always i really liked it.
I couldnt help but picture my brother in law though when Ezra was mentioned.
I cant wait to read about the others in this carnaval!
This was an awesome start!

[Sara Callaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yager and Indigo

Man, this was a tough one to read. These two are amazing characters but that doesn't take away from all the awesome secondary characters though. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series.

Read with KU