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Touch
Will a spoiled prince abandon everything he holds dear, for a forbidden love?
A powerful but pampered lord, Chariz has only a passing interest in the new slave thrown at his feet, although he's both beautiful and helpless. But the rumours of Oriel’s powers flow quickly and shockingly around the court. Is he an empath, a Magician—or a clever trickster? Chariz selfishly enjoys Oriel’s company, but cynically dismisses the rumours as nonsense—until Oriel shows how deeply he both understands and empathises with Chariz’s personal, and closely-hidden pain.
Oriel's mysterious and compassionate allure draws Chariz closer as they bond, and the initial lust develops into love. But Oriel's touch is a prize that others both crave and fear, putting him in mortal danger from the political machinations of Chariz’s ambitious and imperious mother.
Chariz has only ever lived life on his own terms, indulging his own desires. But the time approaches when he must decide whether he’ll stand up for his principles, and pay the price of Oriel’s love. Especially when that price may demand a shocking sacrifice... from them both.
This version in 2022 has been re-edited but the story remains the same as in the previous version.
A shorter version called Bonded was also inckluded in an even earlier anthology I published with Eternal Press called Masquerade.
A powerful but pampered lord, Chariz has only a passing interest in the new slave thrown at his feet, although he's both beautiful and helpless. But the rumours of Oriel’s powers flow quickly and shockingly around the court. Is he an empath, a Magician—or a clever trickster? Chariz selfishly enjoys Oriel’s company, but cynically dismisses the rumours as nonsense—until Oriel shows how deeply he both understands and empathises with Chariz’s personal, and closely-hidden pain.
Oriel's mysterious and compassionate allure draws Chariz closer as they bond, and the initial lust develops into love. But Oriel's touch is a prize that others both crave and fear, putting him in mortal danger from the political machinations of Chariz’s ambitious and imperious mother.
Chariz has only ever lived life on his own terms, indulging his own desires. But the time approaches when he must decide whether he’ll stand up for his principles, and pay the price of Oriel’s love. Especially when that price may demand a shocking sacrifice... from them both.
This version in 2022 has been re-edited but the story remains the same as in the previous version.
A shorter version called Bonded was also inckluded in an even earlier anthology I published with Eternal Press called Masquerade.
79 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2010
1 person is currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Clare London
148 books435 followersClare took the pen name London from the city where she lives, loves, and writes. A lone, brave female in a frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home, she juggles her writing with her other day job as an accountant. She’s written in many genres and across many settings, with award-winning novels and short stories published both online and in print. She says she likes variety in her writing while friends say she’s just fickle, but as long as both theories spawn good fiction, she’s happy. Most of her work features male/male romance and drama with a healthy serving of physical passion, as she enjoys both reading and writing about strong, sympathetic and sexy characters.
Clare currently has several novels sulking at that tricky chapter 3 stage and plenty of other projects in mind . . . she just has to find out where she left them in that frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home.
All the details and free fiction are available at her website. Visit her today and say hello!
Clare also writes as Stella Shaw and launched a new series of rent boy romances in 2021.
Clare currently has several novels sulking at that tricky chapter 3 stage and plenty of other projects in mind . . . she just has to find out where she left them in that frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home.
All the details and free fiction are available at her website. Visit her today and say hello!
Clare also writes as Stella Shaw and launched a new series of rent boy romances in 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 23, 2011
As with many of her books, 'Touch' by Clare London, had me under its spell with the first line. The fantasy element gave the setting an extra layer, in which extraordinary, unbelievable things could happen.
No wonder Chariz was bored. There was nothing to challenge him; outwardly, he had everything, but inside he was hollow and empty. When Oriel came into his life, with his gift of empathy and selflessness, Chariz was shown another side of himself starving to be revealed. Oriel was everything he wasn't; however Oriel was far from perfect, he didn't know how to protect himself from the needs of others. As the two men bonded, both began to change.
Clare captured Oriel's gift so perfectly. The voices in your head constantly begging, the grabbing, claustrophobic feeling of people constantly taking what they need and giving nothing back. That's exactly how it feels. Fortunately, Chariz and Oriel discovered that as long as they had each other, nothing else mattered.
No wonder Chariz was bored. There was nothing to challenge him; outwardly, he had everything, but inside he was hollow and empty. When Oriel came into his life, with his gift of empathy and selflessness, Chariz was shown another side of himself starving to be revealed. Oriel was everything he wasn't; however Oriel was far from perfect, he didn't know how to protect himself from the needs of others. As the two men bonded, both began to change.
Clare captured Oriel's gift so perfectly. The voices in your head constantly begging, the grabbing, claustrophobic feeling of people constantly taking what they need and giving nothing back. That's exactly how it feels. Fortunately, Chariz and Oriel discovered that as long as they had each other, nothing else mattered.
May 20, 2010
3.5 actually and not just a 3 star.
I have to ask if this story is new. I really had a strong pull that I'd read this already or maybe one very similar to it.
Handsome, tough, uptight, intimidating Chariz's life all goes awry when impacted by the sudden intrusion of Oriel when thrust at his feet, literally. Then you have Oriel who's shy, a do gooder in most cases towards mankind, not a servant and no slave but to that of his own curse he is just that. A pair Fated to meet. Both enamored; charmed by the other.
Not the best I've read of Clare's books, but still not too shabby a story.
I have to ask if this story is new. I really had a strong pull that I'd read this already or maybe one very similar to it.
Handsome, tough, uptight, intimidating Chariz's life all goes awry when impacted by the sudden intrusion of Oriel when thrust at his feet, literally. Then you have Oriel who's shy, a do gooder in most cases towards mankind, not a servant and no slave but to that of his own curse he is just that. A pair Fated to meet. Both enamored; charmed by the other.
Not the best I've read of Clare's books, but still not too shabby a story.
March 8, 2011
really good fantasy story. a writing very poetic as always with Clare London.
the world created by the author is very interesting and the characters are strong.
the world created by the author is very interesting and the characters are strong.
October 20, 2022
Chariz is a powerful, pampered, spoilt, damaged and vicious lord so he has a lot going for him. Maybe that should be going against him. He belittles everyone he comes into contact with other than his mother. He wants everyone to be subservient and some he wants to be in his bed at night. None of these get his respect. The more they give in the less he respects them. If they do not do as he says then he is likely to hurt them or have them killed. We are not talking just those in his employ but anyone he comes into contact with. Yeah he is some piece of work.
When he hears about Oriel he decides he must have him even if he does not believe all he hears. Oriel is magic in a lucky charm sort of way. When he touches someone or they touch him, he knows what they most want or most need and like a wish these wants or needs are granted. He does nothing himself, it just happens. We’re talking healing a sick relative, infertile couples becoming pregnant, that sort of thing, nothing trivial. It’s all about saving something important. Chariz does not believe any of it even though most examples could be easily verified. He treats Oriel just like he would anyone, which is badly. Sadly for Oriel, what Chariz needs most is Oriel and humility.
Slowly but surely Chariz has to change and change he does from someone I could only despise to someone I can appreciate. This is a miracle to say the least. Oriel ends up a virtual prisoner in Chariz’s bedroom, servicing his every need to begin with to being cherished and protected. There are dark forces out there who want to crush what the pair have and there is not a lot they can do to avoid it.
This went from something I was one step from throwing out to something I could not put down. There is redemption and a happy ever after in progress ending. This does not sugar coat bad behaviour. Chariz is a bad boy with little else going for him other than his height and good looks. Everyone cowers in his presence and does what he asks out of fear. We get to know what has gone wrong in his life but we don’t have to forgive him for his past actions. What we can do is accept that he can remake his life for the better. And I did. Good work!
When he hears about Oriel he decides he must have him even if he does not believe all he hears. Oriel is magic in a lucky charm sort of way. When he touches someone or they touch him, he knows what they most want or most need and like a wish these wants or needs are granted. He does nothing himself, it just happens. We’re talking healing a sick relative, infertile couples becoming pregnant, that sort of thing, nothing trivial. It’s all about saving something important. Chariz does not believe any of it even though most examples could be easily verified. He treats Oriel just like he would anyone, which is badly. Sadly for Oriel, what Chariz needs most is Oriel and humility.
Slowly but surely Chariz has to change and change he does from someone I could only despise to someone I can appreciate. This is a miracle to say the least. Oriel ends up a virtual prisoner in Chariz’s bedroom, servicing his every need to begin with to being cherished and protected. There are dark forces out there who want to crush what the pair have and there is not a lot they can do to avoid it.
This went from something I was one step from throwing out to something I could not put down. There is redemption and a happy ever after in progress ending. This does not sugar coat bad behaviour. Chariz is a bad boy with little else going for him other than his height and good looks. Everyone cowers in his presence and does what he asks out of fear. We get to know what has gone wrong in his life but we don’t have to forgive him for his past actions. What we can do is accept that he can remake his life for the better. And I did. Good work!
November 1, 2022
The first thing I noticed was the cover of Touch by Clare London. I have a thing for Charles II and Chariz, I presume, looks like a handsome Cavalier. The story itself reads like a fairy story with lyrical impressions of people, the rooms and ultimately Oriel. My first impression of Chariz in the story is that he is selfish, entitled and rather cruel-he gains his sense of power by frightening others through his unearned influence. The only person more powerful is his mother who makes it clear that what she says, goes. There does not seem to be any maternal bond. Throughout this exchange, Oriel is treated by both like a passably interesting package.
Oriel is a tortured creature, and he appears to accept his lot in life as being filled with pain and no reward. I wanted to reach in and hug him. Oriel is a man of magical or empathic talents, and it is unexpected when Chariz makes him his only bedfellow. Previously, Chariz got bored easily and moved on. In this way we see that even he recognizes that there is something special about Oriel. It begins with Chariz feeling that the sexual act between them was ‘like ice breaking. Like pain thawing’. Magic abounds. The sex is both sensual at times and crude in that Chariz takes Oriel when and where he wants to. Clearly, he is infatuated by Oriel but still very selfish and only concerned with his own wants and desires.
It turns out that others have heard of Oriel’s magic and want to steal him away and it is only here that we hear Chariz speaking of Oriel as if he is a person who might have some value- “I don’t want him involved’. There is care and love being talked of and while Oriel is in danger, ‘we breathed as one’. This is where it becomes a romantic story, a true love story. It is not a fairytale ending but it is a beautiful one. I felt sad but grateful.
Oriel is a tortured creature, and he appears to accept his lot in life as being filled with pain and no reward. I wanted to reach in and hug him. Oriel is a man of magical or empathic talents, and it is unexpected when Chariz makes him his only bedfellow. Previously, Chariz got bored easily and moved on. In this way we see that even he recognizes that there is something special about Oriel. It begins with Chariz feeling that the sexual act between them was ‘like ice breaking. Like pain thawing’. Magic abounds. The sex is both sensual at times and crude in that Chariz takes Oriel when and where he wants to. Clearly, he is infatuated by Oriel but still very selfish and only concerned with his own wants and desires.
It turns out that others have heard of Oriel’s magic and want to steal him away and it is only here that we hear Chariz speaking of Oriel as if he is a person who might have some value- “I don’t want him involved’. There is care and love being talked of and while Oriel is in danger, ‘we breathed as one’. This is where it becomes a romantic story, a true love story. It is not a fairytale ending but it is a beautiful one. I felt sad but grateful.
November 3, 2022
TOUCH by Clare London
I loved this book. I loved the story. I loved the cover.
I did, however, find the ending... unexpected (in and of itself, not a bad thing) but I dislike stories with ambiguous endings.
This one left me sort of wondering if the ending was happy for the time being, or miserable ever after.
I was a bit thrown by the dramatic events toward the end, then bang💥... three months later, with nothing in between.
This ending was disappointing.
In spite of Chariz being an absolute a**hole right from the start, I found it difficult to dislike him. He was a great character, strongly written.
I loved Oriel through and through. Such a beaten down fellow, and yet he never lost his strength of character, nor his spirit.
The writing is first class and I loved the semi-poetic/archaic language.
This book took me by surprise, because it's not at all like the fluffy, humorous fare usually dished up by Clare. It was a wonderful surprise.
Good stuff!
So, to sum up, I'm hoping there might be a sequel. I'd like to see this tale continue on to better, happier times for these two. And I'd like to see some on-page come-uppance for the "bad guys" — Mother dearest included.
Still, I award a full 5 stars for this unique read, and 10 out of 10 for the glorious cover.
° Singular pov (Chariz). First person, past tense.
° Steam around 4 🔥
° I read a complementary copy of the book and this is my voluntary review.
I loved this book. I loved the story. I loved the cover.
I did, however, find the ending... unexpected (in and of itself, not a bad thing) but I dislike stories with ambiguous endings.
This one left me sort of wondering if the ending was happy for the time being, or miserable ever after.
I was a bit thrown by the dramatic events toward the end, then bang💥... three months later, with nothing in between.
This ending was disappointing.
In spite of Chariz being an absolute a**hole right from the start, I found it difficult to dislike him. He was a great character, strongly written.
I loved Oriel through and through. Such a beaten down fellow, and yet he never lost his strength of character, nor his spirit.
The writing is first class and I loved the semi-poetic/archaic language.
This book took me by surprise, because it's not at all like the fluffy, humorous fare usually dished up by Clare. It was a wonderful surprise.
Good stuff!
So, to sum up, I'm hoping there might be a sequel. I'd like to see this tale continue on to better, happier times for these two. And I'd like to see some on-page come-uppance for the "bad guys" — Mother dearest included.
Still, I award a full 5 stars for this unique read, and 10 out of 10 for the glorious cover.
° Singular pov (Chariz). First person, past tense.
° Steam around 4 🔥
° I read a complementary copy of the book and this is my voluntary review.
October 28, 2022
This is not my usual read but it’s Clare so I gave it a go and once I started reading I was drawn into the story and before I knew it I had finished it. It is a short story set in a land - somewhere, about a spoilt, privileged and very cruel prince, did I mention debauched, with no redeeming features. When a thin scruffy slave was thrown at his feet Chariz treated him like any other slave but then found he was inexplicably drawn to Oriel.
Oriel is no ordinary slave, people, especially the magicians are scared of him. They think he is an empath but some of the rumours following him suggest he is much more than that as miracles seem to be happening to people he touches.
What takes place changes everything Chariz knew as normal. This obnoxious prince becomes softer and kinder and only one person now shares his bed. Did I mention that there are quite a lot of hit scenes! He falls in love with Oriel and events test him to the limit, will he offer his life to save Oriel?
The book ends with a sort of HEA maybe a HFN and I think there is a message to be learned in the story. As usual Clare London’s writing is very good and I was lucky to be gifted with an ARC for an honest opinion.
The book releases on 1st November
Oriel is no ordinary slave, people, especially the magicians are scared of him. They think he is an empath but some of the rumours following him suggest he is much more than that as miracles seem to be happening to people he touches.
What takes place changes everything Chariz knew as normal. This obnoxious prince becomes softer and kinder and only one person now shares his bed. Did I mention that there are quite a lot of hit scenes! He falls in love with Oriel and events test him to the limit, will he offer his life to save Oriel?
The book ends with a sort of HEA maybe a HFN and I think there is a message to be learned in the story. As usual Clare London’s writing is very good and I was lucky to be gifted with an ARC for an honest opinion.
The book releases on 1st November
November 2, 2022
This is an intriguing story that pulls on several different narrative threads: Chariz, vicious, spoiled, and powerful, instills fear in pretty much everyone around him, until he meets Ortiz. Ortiz, unlike Chariz, is a sympathetic character from the start: he’s magic, in a passive-yet-consume-your-whole-life kind of way, and it’s as a thing rather than a person that Chariz initially treats him. You have to really, really like redemption narratives to buy into these two, especially at the start, but Chariz’s transformation for Oriel (because of him? On his behalf?) and subsequent revelations make him a more likable character— one willing to sacrifice for love and to care for someone other than himself. There are dark forces and external machinations in addition to their dynamic, and overall this is an easy read to be drawn into, and an interesting one to experience overall.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
October 22, 2022
4.5 stars - I love stories with unusual magical powers, and this one held my attention until the end. Chariz is Chancellor of a Council that his mother controls and a distasteful character to start. Spoiled and angry, we learn that he’s haunted by a tragedy that makes him keep everyone away until he meets Oriel, an empath with highly unusual powers that Chariz is shocked by and drawn to unexpectedly. Oriel also has his own tragic past, and he is living a fairly nomadic life while trying to find a way to live with his powers and retain his sanity. The author leads us through a well-developed story of their budding relationship and throws in a few twists and turns and plenty of passion before getting to the end. I do wish the story between Chariz and his mother was a bit more developed and the ending less rushed, but overall, it was a satisfying read.
November 1, 2022
Not what I expected but all the better for it
An unusual story from Clare London, not her normal at all, but I found myself drawn in.
Chariz is a prickly character who keeps everyone at a distance with his sarcasm and cruelty, until an unexpected arrival throws him completely off balance and will change his whole life.
Oriel is a mystery, a man who seems to make miracles happen wherever he goes. In meeting Chariz, he too finds something unexpected as Chariz's tumbling walls reveals a decent person underneath his outer selfishness and entitlement.
I found Oriel and his gift fascinating and felt complete empathy for him once the truth of how his gift worked was revealed. The change in Chariz and his complete redemption in my eyes at the end was so rewarding.
A HFN that I chose to believe would be a HEA eventually, this was a three and a half star read.
An unusual story from Clare London, not her normal at all, but I found myself drawn in.
Chariz is a prickly character who keeps everyone at a distance with his sarcasm and cruelty, until an unexpected arrival throws him completely off balance and will change his whole life.
Oriel is a mystery, a man who seems to make miracles happen wherever he goes. In meeting Chariz, he too finds something unexpected as Chariz's tumbling walls reveals a decent person underneath his outer selfishness and entitlement.
I found Oriel and his gift fascinating and felt complete empathy for him once the truth of how his gift worked was revealed. The change in Chariz and his complete redemption in my eyes at the end was so rewarding.
A HFN that I chose to believe would be a HEA eventually, this was a three and a half star read.
November 10, 2022
Touch was an excellent fantast story. Chariz life is upturned when Oriel is literally dumped at his feet. Chariz is a prince that is not happy, quite dissatisfied, he’s also powerful and kind of a jerk. He’s given an empath that can bring you desires to life or so the rumors say. Oriel ends up being a prisoner to Chariz. This ended up being an excellent read! Well written with pacing that kept me engaged.
October 18, 2022
I usually enjoy Clare London’s writing, but I have to say I did not enjoy this story. It was rather dark and dreary to me, and it did not feel life an HEA, barely a HFN, more like surviving for now. I didn’t care for the end, although it was easy to see what was coming. I still hoped it would somehow miraculously end differently. I did like the beautiful cover.
November 2, 2022
~3.5 STARS~
I wasn’t sure I was going to like Chariz, but he does change… a bit. I liked Oriel and watching him find his worth. The story was developed well and a little darker I think than what I’m used to reading from Clare London. A few twists are thrown in and though the ending was a bit quick, I found I enjoyed this story.
I wasn’t sure I was going to like Chariz, but he does change… a bit. I liked Oriel and watching him find his worth. The story was developed well and a little darker I think than what I’m used to reading from Clare London. A few twists are thrown in and though the ending was a bit quick, I found I enjoyed this story.
November 10, 2022
I really enjoyed this.
Amazing world building with great characters.
Chariz was not likeable at all and it was difficult for me to emphasize with him.
That is until he meets sweet Oriel.
When their worlds collide we see to the truth of each man.
Plenty of action, danger, drama and twists and turns that kept me thoroughly engaged.
Amazing world building with great characters.
Chariz was not likeable at all and it was difficult for me to emphasize with him.
That is until he meets sweet Oriel.
When their worlds collide we see to the truth of each man.
Plenty of action, danger, drama and twists and turns that kept me thoroughly engaged.
November 10, 2022
Clare London is a new author for me and this story was one I enjoyed immensely. I loved the rapport built between Chariz and Orion and the depth of feeling portrayed to me as the reader. The story pulled me in in a way that made it hard to put down. I journeyed the emotional trip with these two guys and highly recommend this story and this author.
November 1, 2022
This is such a wonderful gay fantasy book. The characters are wonderfully developed and the pace is spot on. It is a wonderful unique story, which I found hard to put down.
November 6, 2022
i liked this book
November 10, 2022
Interesting fantasy world and engaging characters. I enjoyed the story - and absolutely loved the cover image!
November 2, 2022
I have mixed feelings about this story, it's a romance which teaches us a lesson. It's quite a dark story, which ends with a cross between a HEA and a HFN. It depends how you perceive it. Well written though, in Ms London's inimitable style. Both the character development and the dialogue are first class. 3.5 stars
I received an ARC of this story, which in no way influenced my opinion.
Helpful
I received an ARC of this story, which in no way influenced my opinion.
Helpful
February 27, 2026
3.5⭐️
Chariz is a disillusioned, dissatisfied prince who spends his time cultivating the reputation of a dissolute tyrant who is easily bored by the people he uses for entertainment, but when he’s presented with an empath rumored to be able to bring one's desires to life and experiences a connection like no other, he is soon enthralled. As time passes, his connection with Oriel reconnects him to his humanity (whether he likes it or not) and puts him on a possible path to inner peace, but Oriel’s unique gift makes him both feared and coveted.
Oriel has spent almost all of his life in service—no matter what his own wishes or thoughts, once a person has connected with and touched him, Oriel is inundated with that person’s needs/desires and must envision what will sate them and bring it to pass before he can move on. The only way he can make peace with this life is to let his “gift” do what it will and divorce himself from his own personhood. However, when he connects with Chariz, while he can feel the man’s loneliness and desire for connection and satisfaction, Oriel cannot see what he needs or how to help him; moreover, the connection feels as if it goes both ways and connects Oriel with his own wants and mind for the first time in over a decade. Although Oriel belongs to Chariz by both connection and desire, those who fear and/or want to control Oriel will not leave him alone and the connection between the pair may be both their salvation and ruination.
"Touch" is an interesting rumination on grief, pain and sacrifice that will probably land better for some depending on what you want from the story. While not technically insta-love, the romantic feelings between the MCs develop at a relatively quick pace due to their empathic bonding and time skips. Also the parameters of Oriel’s gift and the fact that he is a slave means that consent is not really a thing and Chariz does not start as a sympathetic slaveholder type character, so that alone may be a no-go for some. “Touch” has its impactful, compelling moments; moves briskly; and establishes an intriguing bond between the two leads that's just in-depth enough to give dimension to the characters' feelings in the allotted page count.
Chariz is quickly established as an unrepentantly cruel man who values himself and his position very highly and expects complete obedience and fear from the less worthy populace. However, his reputation as a completely unfeeling, lazy reprobate has been cultivated by him to hide from his inner pain. I think this is in part to keep himself from caring about people and being hurt by them, but I still don't understand why this has to translate into him being quick to beat and frankly terrorize his staff. Given that he is a high noble, there's enough distance in his station to keep him apart from his staff so I don't know why it’s necessary but ppl often lash out at those weaker than themselves when in pain so it does track.
I found Oriel’s gift and the fact that he’s basically a walking genie with no way to stop ppl’s desires from flooding into him when touched and has decided instead of completely covering himself and hiding away that he’d rather travel and serve ppl in any way they choose, no matter how debased, fascinating and wished he was a more fully drawn character. There’s enough to give him dimension but he’s still a tool in the story with little personality development until the end.
The world has magic, but it's such a soft system that it's basically just there for the literal magical connection between the MCs and anyone Oriel connects to. Magic and empathic ability are spoken about as if they are both magic but also as if they are two separate things where empathy is not magical at all, which muddies the water is some ways but also works with the weirdly superstitious and unknowable way in which the inhabitants of the world deal with magic—no one seems to know what it is (even the "experts") or how to describe it which influences how the story unfolds. Overall, an entertaining if not wholly satisfying read.
Chariz is a disillusioned, dissatisfied prince who spends his time cultivating the reputation of a dissolute tyrant who is easily bored by the people he uses for entertainment, but when he’s presented with an empath rumored to be able to bring one's desires to life and experiences a connection like no other, he is soon enthralled. As time passes, his connection with Oriel reconnects him to his humanity (whether he likes it or not) and puts him on a possible path to inner peace, but Oriel’s unique gift makes him both feared and coveted.
Oriel has spent almost all of his life in service—no matter what his own wishes or thoughts, once a person has connected with and touched him, Oriel is inundated with that person’s needs/desires and must envision what will sate them and bring it to pass before he can move on. The only way he can make peace with this life is to let his “gift” do what it will and divorce himself from his own personhood. However, when he connects with Chariz, while he can feel the man’s loneliness and desire for connection and satisfaction, Oriel cannot see what he needs or how to help him; moreover, the connection feels as if it goes both ways and connects Oriel with his own wants and mind for the first time in over a decade. Although Oriel belongs to Chariz by both connection and desire, those who fear and/or want to control Oriel will not leave him alone and the connection between the pair may be both their salvation and ruination.
"Touch" is an interesting rumination on grief, pain and sacrifice that will probably land better for some depending on what you want from the story. While not technically insta-love, the romantic feelings between the MCs develop at a relatively quick pace due to their empathic bonding and time skips. Also the parameters of Oriel’s gift and the fact that he is a slave means that consent is not really a thing and Chariz does not start as a sympathetic slaveholder type character, so that alone may be a no-go for some. “Touch” has its impactful, compelling moments; moves briskly; and establishes an intriguing bond between the two leads that's just in-depth enough to give dimension to the characters' feelings in the allotted page count.
Chariz is quickly established as an unrepentantly cruel man who values himself and his position very highly and expects complete obedience and fear from the less worthy populace. However, his reputation as a completely unfeeling, lazy reprobate has been cultivated by him to hide from his inner pain. I think this is in part to keep himself from caring about people and being hurt by them, but I still don't understand why this has to translate into him being quick to beat and frankly terrorize his staff. Given that he is a high noble, there's enough distance in his station to keep him apart from his staff so I don't know why it’s necessary but ppl often lash out at those weaker than themselves when in pain so it does track.
I found Oriel’s gift and the fact that he’s basically a walking genie with no way to stop ppl’s desires from flooding into him when touched and has decided instead of completely covering himself and hiding away that he’d rather travel and serve ppl in any way they choose, no matter how debased, fascinating and wished he was a more fully drawn character. There’s enough to give him dimension but he’s still a tool in the story with little personality development until the end.
The world has magic, but it's such a soft system that it's basically just there for the literal magical connection between the MCs and anyone Oriel connects to. Magic and empathic ability are spoken about as if they are both magic but also as if they are two separate things where empathy is not magical at all, which muddies the water is some ways but also works with the weirdly superstitious and unknowable way in which the inhabitants of the world deal with magic—no one seems to know what it is (even the "experts") or how to describe it which influences how the story unfolds. Overall, an entertaining if not wholly satisfying read.
November 1, 2022
Chariz's mother was a superficial greedy woman. I liked that Chariz learned what was truly important and not wealth and superficiality, but integrity and love.
August 3, 2013
In this novel, Oriel is a slave who possesses an unusual gift: once he connects with other people, he is compelled to serve them (regardless of whether or not he wishes to do so) by giving them their deepest desires. That can range from turning fallow fields into productive fields, to making barren women pregnant, to serving the sexual needs of the person who feels desire for him. Basically, it's anything at all. (The author doesn't really explore any limits on his gift very well.) When he meets the son of the ruling Lady of the City, Chariz, he connects with him more intensely than he has ever connected with anyone else. Specifically, Oriel does not simply connect with Chariz; Chariz connects with him, too, and the mutually-reinforcing link between them allows them to identify and heal some of the emotional wounds that each one possesses. Ultimately, this power forces Chariz to make a choice: What is he prepared to sacrifice for the sake of love? Overall, this was an okay read.
January 8, 2023
Chariz is cruel and powerful - just how he wants to be seen. Oriel is passive and weak, just how he wants to be perceived. These two come together and find a connection they have never experienced nor were expecting.
This is a cleverly written short tale from Clare London and written in a different style than the other books I’ve read from her previously. I enjoyed it and found it creative and unique! The two MCs have strong chemistry - and while I found Chariz a bit hard to swallow, Oriel is a delight. He is a giving and caring soul. While this wasn’t my favorite work of London’s, It’s well written and enjoyable for something different and unpredictable and for that I do recommend it!
This is a cleverly written short tale from Clare London and written in a different style than the other books I’ve read from her previously. I enjoyed it and found it creative and unique! The two MCs have strong chemistry - and while I found Chariz a bit hard to swallow, Oriel is a delight. He is a giving and caring soul. While this wasn’t my favorite work of London’s, It’s well written and enjoyable for something different and unpredictable and for that I do recommend it!
December 31, 2012
I needed a short quick read and this provided in that sense. The premise was interesting and had a lot of potential but the world wasn't elaborated enough to really immerse me. Understandable with how short it is. I found that I did not connect with the characters and rather disliked the main one. I also found the ending rather unsatisfying... Not a bad read, but not a particularly strong one either. I guess I was expecting more based on the other really strong reviews
October 23, 2011
4.5 stars. Some interesting twists and turns in this one - not just a master/slave story. The ending wrapped up a little too quickly for the rest of the story; a little too pat, a little too easy, or maybe I just didn't want it to end!
This was one of the covers I voted for in Elisa Rolle's 2010 awards and marked for further investigation.
This was one of the covers I voted for in Elisa Rolle's 2010 awards and marked for further investigation.
July 24, 2010
I'm sure that others can enjoy this more than myself. It's my problem, and my problem only ... that I really can't connect with story that sets in something too "fantasy" with strange names and strange talking language *shrugs*
November 16, 2010
4.5 Stars
Honestly, this was a COMPLETELY different book than what I anticipated from the blurb. I thought it would be the same old 'slave captures Master's heart' but it was so much more than that!
Honestly, this was a COMPLETELY different book than what I anticipated from the blurb. I thought it would be the same old 'slave captures Master's heart' but it was so much more than that!
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