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Tuyo #4
Keraunani
Esau Karuma never expected to marry -- he's really not the type.
But when he hears about a girl who's got to get married immediately or else she'll be crushed under a whole mountain of trouble, Esau doesn’t hesitate to volunteer. He’ll whisk her out of the way of disaster, marry her real quick, get her settled someplace she’ll be comfortable, and that will be that. No reason in the world either of them should be too much of a nuisance to the other.
Given his whole life so far, he should have known that plan might be a little too optimistic …
But when he hears about a girl who's got to get married immediately or else she'll be crushed under a whole mountain of trouble, Esau doesn’t hesitate to volunteer. He’ll whisk her out of the way of disaster, marry her real quick, get her settled someplace she’ll be comfortable, and that will be that. No reason in the world either of them should be too much of a nuisance to the other.
Given his whole life so far, he should have known that plan might be a little too optimistic …
394 pages, Paperback
First published January 23, 2022
60 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Neumeier
56 books576 followersRachel Neumeier started writing fiction to relax when she was a graduate student and needed a hobby unrelated to her research. Prior to selling her first fantasy novel, she had published only a few articles in venues such as The American Journal of Botany. However, finding that her interests did not lie in research, Rachel left academia and began to let her hobbies take over her life instead.
She now raises and shows dogs, gardens, cooks, and occasionally finds time to read. She works part-time for a tutoring program, though she tutors far more students in Math and Chemistry than in English Composition.
She now raises and shows dogs, gardens, cooks, and occasionally finds time to read. She works part-time for a tutoring program, though she tutors far more students in Math and Chemistry than in English Composition.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 7, 2023
I wasn't expecting this to this good! After getting frustrated with Tarashana, I had lowered my expectations for the rest of this series, but this book came out swinging and kept up the pace and tension throughout.
I wasn't expecting the flashbacks to Esau's earlier military career, which was not only a great way to keep Lalani in this (since in the present day storyline, she's off having adventures in the winter country) but also showed how Esau first came to Lord Gaur's attention and how he got his first oddball assignment. Juxtaposed with his current day oddball assignment, it was fun to see how he grew over the years, but that he can still make rookie mistakes.
And Keraunani was a great addition. She was nothing like Esau was expecting. She's a fascinating character to put up against Esau, and I enjoyed seeing them begin to trust each other and work together. Yes, I was hoping they'd get an HEA or at least an HFN, despite these not being romances. 😂 Esau found his life so fundamentally changed due to this mission, in so many ways. I'm now really looking forward to when Gaur comes back. He's in for some surprises himself.
I think Neumeier does much better with these shorter ("shorter") stories. While this still could have been trimmed by about 10-15 pages, it was nowhere near as stuffed full of filler or repetition as the longer, main stories are. If she could stick to this length for all her books, this series would be so much better.
I wasn't expecting the flashbacks to Esau's earlier military career, which was not only a great way to keep Lalani in this (since in the present day storyline, she's off having adventures in the winter country) but also showed how Esau first came to Lord Gaur's attention and how he got his first oddball assignment. Juxtaposed with his current day oddball assignment, it was fun to see how he grew over the years, but that he can still make rookie mistakes.
And Keraunani was a great addition. She was nothing like Esau was expecting. She's a fascinating character to put up against Esau, and I enjoyed seeing them begin to trust each other and work together. Yes, I was hoping they'd get an HEA or at least an HFN, despite these not being romances. 😂 Esau found his life so fundamentally changed due to this mission, in so many ways. I'm now really looking forward to when Gaur comes back. He's in for some surprises himself.
I think Neumeier does much better with these shorter ("shorter") stories. While this still could have been trimmed by about 10-15 pages, it was nowhere near as stuffed full of filler or repetition as the longer, main stories are. If she could stick to this length for all her books, this series would be so much better.
June 8, 2022
Number 4 in the Tuyo series.
Esau is sent by Lord Aras to find Keraunani to get her out of a predicament she is in. The reasons are many and too complex to put into this review.
Esau is an affable sort of guy, although somewhat clueless when it comes to women. He has a gift for finding trouble, yet he also, for some inexplicable reason, expects his plans to be carried out with nary a wrinkle nor a hitch. Of course we know how well that'll go. He has a bit of an empathetic type of sorcery.
As to Keraunani, she's a pistol. She's feisty, self-contained, confident, gutsy and independent. Like Esau, she has a bit of a talent in the sorcery department. Hers is the ability to "nudge" or influence someone into an action. She also happens to be in the family way, intentionally and for a compassionate reason.
The story is told via Esau's third person POV. His perspective shifts from the present to eight years in the past. At first this technique bothered me since it seemed to break up the flow. But as I moved deeper into the story I started to really enjoy it. Each timeframe had something to recommend it, that's for sure.
I'm looking forward to the next book in this series, which is already on pre-order. But what sent me sailing over the moon is the preview included in this book: There's going to be another Ryo book!! I felt like doing a happy dance right then and there 😁
Esau is sent by Lord Aras to find Keraunani to get her out of a predicament she is in. The reasons are many and too complex to put into this review.
Esau is an affable sort of guy, although somewhat clueless when it comes to women. He has a gift for finding trouble, yet he also, for some inexplicable reason, expects his plans to be carried out with nary a wrinkle nor a hitch. Of course we know how well that'll go. He has a bit of an empathetic type of sorcery.
As to Keraunani, she's a pistol. She's feisty, self-contained, confident, gutsy and independent. Like Esau, she has a bit of a talent in the sorcery department. Hers is the ability to "nudge" or influence someone into an action. She also happens to be in the family way, intentionally and for a compassionate reason.
The story is told via Esau's third person POV. His perspective shifts from the present to eight years in the past. At first this technique bothered me since it seemed to break up the flow. But as I moved deeper into the story I started to really enjoy it. Each timeframe had something to recommend it, that's for sure.
I'm looking forward to the next book in this series, which is already on pre-order. But what sent me sailing over the moon is the preview included in this book: There's going to be another Ryo book!! I felt like doing a happy dance right then and there 😁
August 9, 2024
This is a side tale from the Tuyo world. A trooper we know from the previous books is given a mission (find Keraunani) and along the way, we are introduced to the talon wife who is also an important player in the previous books. Then yet another assignment for our trooper. The tales flash back and forth from chapter to chapter just like a tennis ball in a tennis match. About halfway through the story I found that watching the tennis ball was almost beyond annoying. Eventually, the story lines come together. I wished that would have happened earlier. So while annoyed, I'm thinking this is a two star read.
But now we have Keraunani who will most likely partner with our trooper, Esau, in future sagas. So I pocketed my annoyance and filed three stars for this read. Neumeier is building quite a cast for future books. To quote the author, all the books can be read as stand alone tales. I for one, am glad I am reading them in the chronological order of their publications.
But now we have Keraunani who will most likely partner with our trooper, Esau, in future sagas. So I pocketed my annoyance and filed three stars for this read. Neumeier is building quite a cast for future books. To quote the author, all the books can be read as stand alone tales. I for one, am glad I am reading them in the chronological order of their publications.
August 3, 2024
This book takes place concurrently with Tarashana.
While Aras and Ryo are striking off into the Winter Country, we're left at home with the developing assassination attempt aftermath. Esau, one of Aras's men, is sent off on a confidential mission which he thinks will be pretty simple. It turns out to be a complete shenanigan from start to finish.
In addition, it's told half in the current time and half in flashbacks. Esau's present-day mission is the covert extraction of a woman from a dangerous situation, which is complicated when she decides to be uncooperative with her rescue. It's pretty fun, I have to admit. In the flashbacks, we see Lalani's introduction to the talon as a 17yo talon wife (Yikes!!!!!! This is creepy and gross, but the Lau don't think so and it is not presented that way in the story.) and Esau's development from a regular soldier into a man known for pulling success out of odd situations and impossible missions.
There are zero Ugaro in this story, so as you can imagine there is a lot less extremely serious negotiation of customs and cultural mores. Esau is a much more fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants type of guy. It is enjoyable to see how the soldiers relate to each other, and Esau's role as Shenanigans McGee certainly doesn't leave any time for getting bored. Overall, this kept my attention the whole time and the resolution was surprisingly wholesome.
While Aras and Ryo are striking off into the Winter Country, we're left at home with the developing assassination attempt aftermath. Esau, one of Aras's men, is sent off on a confidential mission which he thinks will be pretty simple. It turns out to be a complete shenanigan from start to finish.
In addition, it's told half in the current time and half in flashbacks. Esau's present-day mission is the covert extraction of a woman from a dangerous situation, which is complicated when she decides to be uncooperative with her rescue. It's pretty fun, I have to admit. In the flashbacks, we see Lalani's introduction to the talon as a 17yo talon wife (Yikes!!!!!! This is creepy and gross, but the Lau don't think so and it is not presented that way in the story.) and Esau's development from a regular soldier into a man known for pulling success out of odd situations and impossible missions.
There are zero Ugaro in this story, so as you can imagine there is a lot less extremely serious negotiation of customs and cultural mores. Esau is a much more fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants type of guy. It is enjoyable to see how the soldiers relate to each other, and Esau's role as Shenanigans McGee certainly doesn't leave any time for getting bored. Overall, this kept my attention the whole time and the resolution was surprisingly wholesome.
September 5, 2023
I’m continuing to greatly enjoy the Tuyo series. This one is at once an exploration of a side character’s personality and history, a deeper dive into Lau culture, a resolution of a side plot from the previous book, and a very sweet love story.
The setup is basically a marriage-of-convenience story. In the previous book, someone tried and failed to assassinate Aras, and as Aras is the summer king’s scepter-holder (basically his highly-ranked and very important problem solver), the punishment is not only the execution of the would-be assassin, but of the assassin’s entire family, down to children, grandparents, and distant cousins. That’s bad enough, but then it turns out the assassin has a pregnant lover whose unborn baby will also be sentenced to death the moment its born. While Aras tries to find a way to avert the overly-harsh law, his man Esau volunteers to find the woman, Keraunani, and marry her quickly so he can claim the baby as his own and save at least one life.
Half the story is Esau’s journey to find Keraunani and get her to safety. The other half is a story of Esau’s past adventures being one of Aras’s own problem solvers. Eventually the two combine. While I enjoyed both tales, I found the time-jumping every other chapter kind of jarring. It felt like just when I was getting into the groove of the story, things would switch over and I would have to reorient myself.
Esau and Keraunani are great characters. Esau is a pragmatist who never expects to fall for Keraunani; he expects a pigeon but instead finds a falcon, because Keranauni is one tough lady. The whole story is through Esau’s perspective, but because of his sorcery powers he gets flashes of Keraunani’s emotions and by extension her thoughts. It was really rewarding to watch his regard for her develop, and finally come to see her as a partner. Lau culture is pretty rigid in how women are expected to act; I liked seeing how Keraunani worked with and subverted the system as she needed, and how Esau realized that there is a whole other world in women’s society that he never imagined was there.
I wish there had been some Ugaro characters, as the culture clash between Ugaro and Lau is my favorite part of the series. But it was still interesting to be entirely in Lau heads and see their world through their eyes. I would absolutely read Esau and Keraunani’s future adventures as a husband-and-wife team.
The setup is basically a marriage-of-convenience story. In the previous book, someone tried and failed to assassinate Aras, and as Aras is the summer king’s scepter-holder (basically his highly-ranked and very important problem solver), the punishment is not only the execution of the would-be assassin, but of the assassin’s entire family, down to children, grandparents, and distant cousins. That’s bad enough, but then it turns out the assassin has a pregnant lover whose unborn baby will also be sentenced to death the moment its born. While Aras tries to find a way to avert the overly-harsh law, his man Esau volunteers to find the woman, Keraunani, and marry her quickly so he can claim the baby as his own and save at least one life.
Half the story is Esau’s journey to find Keraunani and get her to safety. The other half is a story of Esau’s past adventures being one of Aras’s own problem solvers. Eventually the two combine. While I enjoyed both tales, I found the time-jumping every other chapter kind of jarring. It felt like just when I was getting into the groove of the story, things would switch over and I would have to reorient myself.
Esau and Keraunani are great characters. Esau is a pragmatist who never expects to fall for Keraunani; he expects a pigeon but instead finds a falcon, because Keranauni is one tough lady. The whole story is through Esau’s perspective, but because of his sorcery powers he gets flashes of Keraunani’s emotions and by extension her thoughts. It was really rewarding to watch his regard for her develop, and finally come to see her as a partner. Lau culture is pretty rigid in how women are expected to act; I liked seeing how Keraunani worked with and subverted the system as she needed, and how Esau realized that there is a whole other world in women’s society that he never imagined was there.
I wish there had been some Ugaro characters, as the culture clash between Ugaro and Lau is my favorite part of the series. But it was still interesting to be entirely in Lau heads and see their world through their eyes. I would absolutely read Esau and Keraunani’s future adventures as a husband-and-wife team.
January 27, 2022
A fun read. Esau is a great character; a complete pragmatist, with a sardonic ‘old soldier’ attitude to life who enjoys fighting and has no interest in promotion. Picked out by Aras for the occasional special mission, his attitude seems to be that as long as he’s well prepared with a good plan his bonus is in the bag.
There are two threads to the story, both told from Esau’s point of view. The first is Esau’s mission to rescue Karaunani, which naturally turns out to be anything but straightforward. I liked that Esau was completely oblivious of the idea that women would routinely depend on other women to help them out, even though he was sympathetic to the difficulties many women faced in their life. I wonder if his assumption that women were always dependent on men is due to his upbringing or is indicative of a general attitude - thinking of Geras / Aras / Suyet here. There were lots of references to sorcery and ‘nudge’, ‘get’ and so on which seemed to emphasise that even minor sorcery is much more problematic in the summer country than Aras breezily implied to Ryo. Looking forward to finding out what happens with Aras and the Lakasha-erra!
The other thread is about Lalani, and while I love her character and enjoyed the rescue story, the concept of talon wives (and summer wives etc) is still pretty yuck as far as I’m concerned. (And I’m wondering how Laraut and Kosas manage when they want privacy.) The bandit story was just great (violent) fun.
Small rant follows… The kindle version has a surprise bonus - a draft of the first chapter of the next Tuyo novel (after Tarashana). This is nice, but now I have QUESTIONS!! Such as - why is Ryo the only warrior in the group? Didn’t Garoyo say he was coming with them? And if not, surely Koro would want a couple of inVotaro along to get Aras out of the country asap? (Maybe they’re short of horses?) And didn’t Koro send out inVotaro to round up stray former inTasiyo? And why, after all that’s just happened, is Aras casually doing sorcery stuff? Huh! Now I have to wait till ‘later in 2022’ …
There are two threads to the story, both told from Esau’s point of view. The first is Esau’s mission to rescue Karaunani, which naturally turns out to be anything but straightforward. I liked that Esau was completely oblivious of the idea that women would routinely depend on other women to help them out, even though he was sympathetic to the difficulties many women faced in their life. I wonder if his assumption that women were always dependent on men is due to his upbringing or is indicative of a general attitude - thinking of Geras / Aras / Suyet here. There were lots of references to sorcery and ‘nudge’, ‘get’ and so on which seemed to emphasise that even minor sorcery is much more problematic in the summer country than Aras breezily implied to Ryo. Looking forward to finding out what happens with Aras and the Lakasha-erra!
The other thread is about Lalani, and while I love her character and enjoyed the rescue story, the concept of talon wives (and summer wives etc) is still pretty yuck as far as I’m concerned. (And I’m wondering how Laraut and Kosas manage when they want privacy.) The bandit story was just great (violent) fun.
Small rant follows… The kindle version has a surprise bonus - a draft of the first chapter of the next Tuyo novel (after Tarashana). This is nice, but now I have QUESTIONS!! Such as - why is Ryo the only warrior in the group? Didn’t Garoyo say he was coming with them? And if not, surely Koro would want a couple of inVotaro along to get Aras out of the country asap? (Maybe they’re short of horses?) And didn’t Koro send out inVotaro to round up stray former inTasiyo? And why, after all that’s just happened, is Aras casually doing sorcery stuff? Huh! Now I have to wait till ‘later in 2022’ …
January 25, 2022
Beautiful story! Esau is as unconventional and resourceful as they come. A perfect subordinate for a sceptre holder (the summer king’s troubleshooter extraordinaire) who has to take care of tough problems. His latest assignment is to get a girl out of incoming trouble and it seemed very simple except things worked out in a way Esau couldn’t possibly foresee. Keraunani is the girl Esau was there to save. Except she’s no mere girl
Beginning is a little slow but things picked up very quickly as soon as we meet the titular heroine.
There’s two stories here. Esau in the now and Esau of 8 years ago. Both are mad cap adventure stories. I cannot put the book down.
I love all the characters. From Esau and Keraunani to two girls who were supporting characters. The plot is lively. Characters were solid. I love how everything comes together to weave a solid pattern. I have a book hangover now. Can’t wait for the next book and the next.
Highly recommended.
Beginning is a little slow but things picked up very quickly as soon as we meet the titular heroine.
There’s two stories here. Esau in the now and Esau of 8 years ago. Both are mad cap adventure stories. I cannot put the book down.
I love all the characters. From Esau and Keraunani to two girls who were supporting characters. The plot is lively. Characters were solid. I love how everything comes together to weave a solid pattern. I have a book hangover now. Can’t wait for the next book and the next.
Highly recommended.
January 8, 2025
I loved this book! It gives an enjoyable perspective on the summer country and its culture, different from the perspective we get in other books in the series. The MC has a very different personality than any of the other POV characters, which comes across in the form of a very different narrative voice. The author did an amazing job with that! I could practically hear Esau speaking aloud as he told his story. I also really enjoyed the dual timelines. This book switches back and forth between current events and a related adventure Esau was part of several years earlier. The two stories have similar themes and several connections. While each one would make a perfectly good story on its own, they complement and intertwine with each other nicely. I haven't read many other books with dual timelines, and this made me hope there will be more of them later in the series. Regardless, I'm eager to read the rest. On to the next book now!
August 21, 2022
https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2022/0...
This is another sort of side quest book, focusing on gruff soldier Esau, who was sent off on a mission in book three. And here is the story of that mission—finding a pregnant woman and marrying her, which should be simple but immediately goes off the rails—interspersed with flashbacks to Lalani's early days with the troops and some other missions Esau did. This has a lot of cute and funny parts to balance out the violence and action, though I was kind of over the flashbacks at a certain point. I loved how this one wrapped up. A-.
This is another sort of side quest book, focusing on gruff soldier Esau, who was sent off on a mission in book three. And here is the story of that mission—finding a pregnant woman and marrying her, which should be simple but immediately goes off the rails—interspersed with flashbacks to Lalani's early days with the troops and some other missions Esau did. This has a lot of cute and funny parts to balance out the violence and action, though I was kind of over the flashbacks at a certain point. I loved how this one wrapped up. A-.
January 17, 2024
Just bad....
I am beginning to think there is little point to these backstory books in this series. It's always about a character that has just died in the series. They may have been interesting side characters but don't warrant a book. The pacing in this one goes to crap at the end when the chapters start to jump back and forth in the timeline. I hate this gimic. Especially when it's done badly and for no apparent reason than to drag the story out. Gonna be a while till I continue this series.
I am beginning to think there is little point to these backstory books in this series. It's always about a character that has just died in the series. They may have been interesting side characters but don't warrant a book. The pacing in this one goes to crap at the end when the chapters start to jump back and forth in the timeline. I hate this gimic. Especially when it's done badly and for no apparent reason than to drag the story out. Gonna be a while till I continue this series.
July 7, 2024
This combined the derring-do of the Saint with the mischief of Robin Goodfellow with the romantic confusion of Georgette Heyer. Esau appears to be such a stolid soldier, but as the novel progresses, he reveals more than a few hints of a Loki-like spirit, and when that comes in conflict with a high-spirited independent-minded headstrong young woman.... Mix Georgette Heyer's "The Masqueraders" with Zane Grey's "Shadow on the Trail" and set that in the world of Lois McMaster Bujold's Chalion series and you might get the flavour of this action-packed romp.
March 10, 2022
I enjoyed this, but found that having the two stories intertwined didn't work well for me. The older story didn't really move the current story along. I did enjoy the more recent story though, particularly the part where Esau's plans usually do backfire in some way, rather than being superhumanly perfect.
March 23, 2022
I like the whole Tuyo series, but this had problems.
The manner of narrative, short choppy thoughts became annoying. I skimmed through half of the book, because nothing was going on that I could not predict. The plot wandered. I slowed down near the end, as the story gelled.
Looking forward to more books.
The manner of narrative, short choppy thoughts became annoying. I skimmed through half of the book, because nothing was going on that I could not predict. The plot wandered. I slowed down near the end, as the story gelled.
Looking forward to more books.
March 8, 2023
This my first venture off the main Tuyo plot arc and I quite enjoyed it. Esau acts like the fantasy equivalent of a SEAL, going off on missions for Lord Gaur. He's quick-thinking, decisive, has a touch of magic, and can lie or fight as the situation calls for, which made for some very nice scenes in both the contemporary plot and the flashback plot. A good adventure.
January 27, 2022
Think this is my favorite of the series so far.
There are 2 intertwined stories that are 8 years apart, both told from Esau's viewpoint.
I love Keraunani. She's strong and resourceful and flexible and loyal.
There are 2 intertwined stories that are 8 years apart, both told from Esau's viewpoint.
I love Keraunani. She's strong and resourceful and flexible and loyal.
February 22, 2022
Neumeier is One of the Best
I don’t usually take the time to submit a review even when I thoroughly enjoy an author’s work, but this author warrants my highest praise. I have been thoroughly immersed in the Tuyo series and avidly await its continuation.
I don’t usually take the time to submit a review even when I thoroughly enjoy an author’s work, but this author warrants my highest praise. I have been thoroughly immersed in the Tuyo series and avidly await its continuation.
June 1, 2024
I like it.
I like that Esau got his own book and some stories to tell. I like the switches between past and present. I love that we get to see more of Lau country and culture. I love Keraunani and Pir and hope we get to see more of them in the future.
I like that Esau got his own book and some stories to tell. I like the switches between past and present. I love that we get to see more of Lau country and culture. I love Keraunani and Pir and hope we get to see more of them in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2022
Fun read, best enjoyed after reading Tuyo and Tarashana but mostly stands on its own.
December 10, 2022
3.5. The back and forth between two timelines was a little frustrating.
December 28, 2022
I recorded this book for Rachel and enjoyed the book and working with Rachel
January 7, 2024
I enjoyed this one—the pace is much better than Neumeier’s previous book in the series, and I got the characterization I’ve been wanting!
March 25, 2024
How had I never heard of this author or these books?? If you like fantasy, I highly recommend them.
December 30, 2022
This was splendid.
If het romances were like this, I would still be reading them.
It is very much a caper novel from Esau's sardonic point of view.
If het romances were like this, I would still be reading them.
It is very much a caper novel from Esau's sardonic point of view.
April 17, 2025
Fascinating book in a fascinating world, which absolutely solidified Neumeier's character writing for me. While personally the plot was not overly interesting and the characters honestly not that personally loveable, the change in narrative style and thought process exhibited here was a delight. Esau is remarked to be difficult to read by sorcerer's in previous books, and this novel goes to lengths to follow up- every thought is circuitous, and his style of thinking often winds around the important things. Still, even with this stylization, it was engaging and easy to read- I likely wouldn't have noticed this deliberate prose without having read Neumeier's other works first.
January 12, 2024
Both the flashback and the present-day narrative took a long time to get into their stride, given how short a book it is. Too, Esau isn't that interesting a character; it would have been more interesting to have the present-day half narrated from Keraunani's POV. Overall, it was pleasant to spend more time in this world, but all the important plot ends left hanging were just kicked down the road to wait for the next full-length novel. ARGH!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews