What do you think?
Rate this book
Scent of Lilies
Gabriel wants to be an artist. His father wants grandsons. His teacher wants refuge. And the ghost of a young woman who drowned for love of one of his ancestors wants revenge. When events spiral out of control Gabriel heads to Constantinople, but his past is not far behind.
Damian isn’t sure what he wants. He doesn't want his father’s business, whatever his stepbrother thinks. He doesn't want his betrothed even though she may still want him. But he does want beauty, and he may find that in the yet to be consecrated church of Saint Thekla, a personal project of the Emperors. But is it in the painting he will find beauty, or the painter?
Damian isn’t sure what he wants. He doesn't want his father’s business, whatever his stepbrother thinks. He doesn't want his betrothed even though she may still want him. But he does want beauty, and he may find that in the yet to be consecrated church of Saint Thekla, a personal project of the Emperors. But is it in the painting he will find beauty, or the painter?
448 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2019
About the author
Sarah Ash
26 books188 followersSarah Ash was born and brought up in Bath. At university she trained as a musician, but returned to her childhood love of writing as the author of highly-praised novels, including the Tears of Artamon Trilogy. Sarah also writes about her love of anime and manga for Anime UK News. Check out her Guest Blog to read posts by other SFF authors about their fiction!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 7, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
Scent of Lilies is a story of four young men living in eleventh century Byzantium. They include Gabriel and Amyntas, a student and tutor living in the kastel of a Bulgarian lord, and Damian and Alastor, two artists in Blachernae working on the frescoes and mosaic panels of the newly built Church of Saint Thekla. A curse haunts both couples and death follows them in the form of a young man whose eyes are the green of a stagnant pool and whose kiss promises a cold and lingering death.
Amyntas and Gabriel meet when Gabriel’s father sends for a tutor from Constantinople, one who can teach his second, wayward son how to survive the Byzantine court, and to keep Gabriel from following his ridiculous dreams of joining a monastery. Amyntas, fresh from the most civilized empire in the world, finds many things to dislike about his new home in Bulgaria, but Gabriel is the one shining light. The young man possesses an artistic gift, a clever mind, and a lovely face, and Amyntas knows he should be strong enough to keep their love strictly platonic, but he can’t. Embracing one another by the haunted pool, Amyntas and Gabriel find love in stolen moments.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
Scent of Lilies is a story of four young men living in eleventh century Byzantium. They include Gabriel and Amyntas, a student and tutor living in the kastel of a Bulgarian lord, and Damian and Alastor, two artists in Blachernae working on the frescoes and mosaic panels of the newly built Church of Saint Thekla. A curse haunts both couples and death follows them in the form of a young man whose eyes are the green of a stagnant pool and whose kiss promises a cold and lingering death.
Amyntas and Gabriel meet when Gabriel’s father sends for a tutor from Constantinople, one who can teach his second, wayward son how to survive the Byzantine court, and to keep Gabriel from following his ridiculous dreams of joining a monastery. Amyntas, fresh from the most civilized empire in the world, finds many things to dislike about his new home in Bulgaria, but Gabriel is the one shining light. The young man possesses an artistic gift, a clever mind, and a lovely face, and Amyntas knows he should be strong enough to keep their love strictly platonic, but he can’t. Embracing one another by the haunted pool, Amyntas and Gabriel find love in stolen moments.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
April 23, 2019
tw: suicide, murder, violence, homophobia, misogyny, slurs against sex workers, and a sort of succubus character with all their usual consent issues
i almost couldn't get past and the mess that followed. i'm glad . but like, it was weirdly good? and also weird? bittersweet maybe? and i'm happy for alastor & damian .
i almost couldn't get past and the mess that followed. i'm glad . but like, it was weirdly good? and also weird? bittersweet maybe? and i'm happy for alastor & damian .
April 15, 2019
Byzantine art, mystery, and love
A lovely tale with magic at its heart. Gabriel escapes his home after his dangerous marriage. Damian travels the world and ends up in Constantinople and ends up painting with and loving Gabriel . Good story, pacing,editing. I would have liked a bit more focus on the development of their relationship, but overall a good read.
A lovely tale with magic at its heart. Gabriel escapes his home after his dangerous marriage. Damian travels the world and ends up in Constantinople and ends up painting with and loving Gabriel . Good story, pacing,editing. I would have liked a bit more focus on the development of their relationship, but overall a good read.
May 19, 2019
Not what I expected, which perhaps is my fault. But the mismatch led to my not enjoying it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews