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The Valde: Water
LGBT Urban Fantasy/ParanormalOn Joel’s birthday, he watched his lover Charlie drown while saving Joel’s life. Since then, no other man has been able to match the erotic chemistry the two of them once shared.But a year later Joel is shocked to discover Charlie alive and well, looking as mysterious and attractive as ever. However, Charlie is different. He has new, arcane superpowers. He doesn’t seem to remember Joel at all.And he murders people with his bare hands.Suddenly Joel finds himself on the run from both his lover, and a frightening group of dangerous individuals who can wield the elements at will, and who are determined to kill him to keep their secret safe. But the smoldering looks Charlie gives Joel reminds him of their former, heated passion, and even with Charlie’s new homicidal tendencies, they discover their bodies remember what their minds may have forgotten…Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices, violence.
91 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2009
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118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 25, 2009
First off, this is not merman pron. You grubs! I have been hanging out for this book. The last behemoth I read by Astrid Amara was The Archers Heart. Water was loads shorter, but definitely no less entertaining.
This novel felt a little different than her others, as there was a bit of scene setting and world building about the Valde throughout the book and I am hoping this indicates more stories to follow. Fingers crossed! In saying that, I think a book that is at the beginning of a series is often written quite differently to one further down the track and Water was certainly in contrast to previous work by the author.
Joel’s sadness and pain at losing his lover was compelling. He was a sympathetic character and just so miserable at losing Charlie, but not to the point of throwing himself into oncoming traffic. Which might sound a little odd, I know, but I want a bit of backbone in my characters. Not someone who is going to fold at the first sign of trouble and spend most of the book sitting in his room listening to 30 Seconds To Mars. Joel is made of sterner stuff! heh. Our other hero is a little more difficult to describe without giving away spoilers. He has a harder edge than Joel and later in the book seemed a little cold at times, which was at odds with how the book started. He is rather hot, demanding and sexy though and I’m quite shallow, so this more than made up for it.
The story was a thriller/fantasy/horror and had me on the edge of my seat. It almost had a movie like narrative style and makes for a vivid reading experience. An enjoyable book and I am hoping there will be a more. Check out the links below to get the book.
This novel felt a little different than her others, as there was a bit of scene setting and world building about the Valde throughout the book and I am hoping this indicates more stories to follow. Fingers crossed! In saying that, I think a book that is at the beginning of a series is often written quite differently to one further down the track and Water was certainly in contrast to previous work by the author.
Joel’s sadness and pain at losing his lover was compelling. He was a sympathetic character and just so miserable at losing Charlie, but not to the point of throwing himself into oncoming traffic. Which might sound a little odd, I know, but I want a bit of backbone in my characters. Not someone who is going to fold at the first sign of trouble and spend most of the book sitting in his room listening to 30 Seconds To Mars. Joel is made of sterner stuff! heh. Our other hero is a little more difficult to describe without giving away spoilers. He has a harder edge than Joel and later in the book seemed a little cold at times, which was at odds with how the book started. He is rather hot, demanding and sexy though and I’m quite shallow, so this more than made up for it.
The story was a thriller/fantasy/horror and had me on the edge of my seat. It almost had a movie like narrative style and makes for a vivid reading experience. An enjoyable book and I am hoping there will be a more. Check out the links below to get the book.
September 12, 2013
Total awesomeness this one. It's so cool the way Astrid can make a romantic story about so much more and still have it be sooo romantic! The fantastic elements are well defined, some really cool ideas there. I hope there will be a sequel some day soon.
August 15, 2009
An interesting premise and start to a series, the author takes a huge chance in splitting one plot amongst several books. Whether this introduction will entice readers to continue with the series is questionable based on the inconsistent world building, slightly over the top characters, and under-defined plot, but the spark of interest is definitely there. Coming in at under 100 pages, this story easily reads much faster and probably would have worked as one whole book quite well. Unfortunately spreading the plot, as confusing as it is, over several books forces readers at the onset to invest in more, smaller stories dolled out sparingly before the entire story arc comes together. Whether this ends up successful for the author will probably depend on her correcting the mistakes she’s presented in this beginning book.
The plot is left hanging at the end with only an introduction to the various players and a brief overview given to acquaint the reader with the purpose of the series. The Valde are a species of elementals formed by the very elements themselves: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. However, what this exactly means is never explained. Supposedly these elements had an argument leading to an all out war, well before humans existed and with some trickery, Air and Earth emerged the victors. They’ve thrust the Fire and Water elements into the fragile bodies of humans. How this was accomplished when humans weren’t around for this great battle is just one of many details that were obviously overlooked. This theme and plot is not detailed and intricate, nor carefully crafted and thought out. It’s more of a casual idea that’s thrown in with some hot men and is different enough to catch readers’ attention in the mass of repeated themes.
Without a doubt, it is interesting. Even with the numerous questions left unexplained, unresolved, and even the obvious plot twists seen coming almost from the beginning. If, in future editions the author actually explains how these elements work and puts the effort into consistent and provocative world building, this series could be fascinating. This particular offering focuses way too much on the numerous sex scenes between the men, leaving the actual plot little developed with too many easy solutions. Additionally if Air elements are ubiquitous and can strangle the air from the humans so easily, why did they not just kill everyone who’s “awakened.” This above all questions left the plot weak, but again, you probably have to read the entire series to fully appreciate the world and plot. Not exactly the best way to entice an audience of readers, but the intriguing start may play in the books’ favor.
The characterization was slightly over the top with superhero-like characters in the form of all the main players. Joel is the sole human, mourning Charlie and struggling with the cold, clinical man in the body of his once-beloved lover. Although Joel’s inability to understand that Charlie was not intrinsically the same man he once loved was somewhat long in coming, it was understandable and the ending resolution gives an obvious justification. Joel was more of a sympathetic character at the start than at the ending, which creates some interesting questions for subsequent books. Hopefully there will be more focus on the characters and the world building and less sex. I know, less sex ~ I can’t believe I said that because the sex here was hot and plentiful. Except the repeated sex scenes got in the way of furthering the plot, characters, and the world building which left each suffering. Adding a good sex scene at the expense of your actual plot does not make for a good book to me.
To enjoy this book and likely more, you have to be willing to suspend a good deal of disbelief. Not only for the theory of Valde but also because the author leaves so many details unattended, you must be willing to glide over those pesky problems and focus on the characters and the story. Also know going in, you likely have to read each of the four books in the series (three more to come) to fully appreciate the plot. So this will definitely not appeal to everyone. However, as a purely light entertainment piece, the writing was interesting and clean with an easy flow that made this book lightening fast to read. The plot isn’t intricate, clever, or deep, but it’s amusing and interesting and likely will make for a fun, quick read. I’m on the fence if I’ll continue but I could be swayed over to the yes side. Be sure to pick this up and see for yourself.
The plot is left hanging at the end with only an introduction to the various players and a brief overview given to acquaint the reader with the purpose of the series. The Valde are a species of elementals formed by the very elements themselves: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. However, what this exactly means is never explained. Supposedly these elements had an argument leading to an all out war, well before humans existed and with some trickery, Air and Earth emerged the victors. They’ve thrust the Fire and Water elements into the fragile bodies of humans. How this was accomplished when humans weren’t around for this great battle is just one of many details that were obviously overlooked. This theme and plot is not detailed and intricate, nor carefully crafted and thought out. It’s more of a casual idea that’s thrown in with some hot men and is different enough to catch readers’ attention in the mass of repeated themes.
Without a doubt, it is interesting. Even with the numerous questions left unexplained, unresolved, and even the obvious plot twists seen coming almost from the beginning. If, in future editions the author actually explains how these elements work and puts the effort into consistent and provocative world building, this series could be fascinating. This particular offering focuses way too much on the numerous sex scenes between the men, leaving the actual plot little developed with too many easy solutions. Additionally if Air elements are ubiquitous and can strangle the air from the humans so easily, why did they not just kill everyone who’s “awakened.” This above all questions left the plot weak, but again, you probably have to read the entire series to fully appreciate the world and plot. Not exactly the best way to entice an audience of readers, but the intriguing start may play in the books’ favor.
The characterization was slightly over the top with superhero-like characters in the form of all the main players. Joel is the sole human, mourning Charlie and struggling with the cold, clinical man in the body of his once-beloved lover. Although Joel’s inability to understand that Charlie was not intrinsically the same man he once loved was somewhat long in coming, it was understandable and the ending resolution gives an obvious justification. Joel was more of a sympathetic character at the start than at the ending, which creates some interesting questions for subsequent books. Hopefully there will be more focus on the characters and the world building and less sex. I know, less sex ~ I can’t believe I said that because the sex here was hot and plentiful. Except the repeated sex scenes got in the way of furthering the plot, characters, and the world building which left each suffering. Adding a good sex scene at the expense of your actual plot does not make for a good book to me.
To enjoy this book and likely more, you have to be willing to suspend a good deal of disbelief. Not only for the theory of Valde but also because the author leaves so many details unattended, you must be willing to glide over those pesky problems and focus on the characters and the story. Also know going in, you likely have to read each of the four books in the series (three more to come) to fully appreciate the plot. So this will definitely not appeal to everyone. However, as a purely light entertainment piece, the writing was interesting and clean with an easy flow that made this book lightening fast to read. The plot isn’t intricate, clever, or deep, but it’s amusing and interesting and likely will make for a fun, quick read. I’m on the fence if I’ll continue but I could be swayed over to the yes side. Be sure to pick this up and see for yourself.
April 12, 2010
I have only read 2 stories of Astrid Amara before (well, three, including that one in Hell Cop 1) and what always amazes me of her fantasy story is how she writes about the world or describes an event. This one is no exception. It starts with Joel (on his 29th birthday), sailing with Charlie, and while getting a BJ *wink* a storm coming in. Joel is saved but Charlie is drown. A year later, on a celebration of his 30th birthday (or how Joel sees it, a reminder of Charlie's death), he encounters a man with spit image of Charlie. Except that he doesn't "feel" like Charlie.
The way that Astrid describes the storm is amazing. It's like I watched George Clooney's movie "The Perfect Storm". Then she carries the story of the Valde, immortal beings from 4 elements with Charlie being a captain of Water as part of the rebellion. I also love Joel as a character -- since this story (though using 3rd POV) is mainly from his POV.
It's really awesome story ... to think it's pretty short!! I hope this is only a beginning and that we will be treated with another story from the world of The Valde.
The way that Astrid describes the storm is amazing. It's like I watched George Clooney's movie "The Perfect Storm". Then she carries the story of the Valde, immortal beings from 4 elements with Charlie being a captain of Water as part of the rebellion. I also love Joel as a character -- since this story (though using 3rd POV) is mainly from his POV.
It's really awesome story ... to think it's pretty short!! I hope this is only a beginning and that we will be treated with another story from the world of The Valde.
September 18, 2013
Very unique concept and the pacing is fantastic. Don't start this book unless you have the time to read it straight through because you will not want to stop. I hope Ms Amara gives us another book about the Valde someday.
January 4, 2019
I have mixed feelings about this one since it feels like we're dealing with 2 couples. Totally unexpected plot twist in the middle of it.
Read
June 5, 2009Charlie and Joel were not exactly a perfect couple, truth be told they are at the opposite; they always fought, they didn't like the same things, they had different expectation in life, but for some strange alchemy, they were perfect together. Probably the stronger glue was sex, that was always terrific between them; when they couldn't agree on something, they always found a common path in the bedroom. Joel was a college professor, a bookish type, Charlie was an engineering and a jock, and they difference in body and life were respected in the bedroom, where Joel was happy to leave the lead to Charlie and to enjoy his dominant behavior. Also since he knew a different Charlie, a man who loved romantic comedy and that believed in love at first sight.
And so they were perfect, but on Joel's 29th birthday, only 10 months after they met, Charlie died at sea, drowned while he was trying to safe Joel, and Joel, after a year, is still mourning his lost lover. To the reader it seems almost impossible that a man is so devastated after the loss of who you can hardly define the love of your life, a man who was only 10 months in the life of Joel, and if not for the paranormal turn, probably I would have considered Joel a bit too weak and silently told him to get a grip on his life and move one. And instead while Joel is trying to drown in the alcohol his pain, he sees a man who is exactly like Charlie, worst he is Charlie, since he has all the physical sign that were only of his lover. But this man has something completely different than Charlie, a ruthlessness in his eyes that Charlie never had, and Joel sees him killing with bare hand a woman. Now Joel is on the run from the man that he believed to love, and who said to love him back.
This is only a novella, but despite being short, I didn't find it rushed. I read it like the opening book in a longer series, and so it should give to readers all the details to build the setting and be prepared for the rest. An hard task in less than 100 pages, and probably in more unskilled hand, the love story would have lost space to the setting. And instead the relationship between Charlie and Joel is complete, it has not only a present, but also enough details to build a past, to give the reader the feeling of intimacy between Charlie and Joel, of their past common memories. A love story, a so small thing in comparison to the safety of the world, is able to distract the reader from what it's happening outside and almost forces him to concentrate in those little details, on the likes or dislikes of the man who was Charlie, on the regret of Joel to abandon his ordinary life, made of college lessons and family trouble. But in the end these are the real thing, and the paranormal plot that is happening outside, it's so distant, that it becomes ordinary and simple.
It will be interesting to see if in the following book, the paranormal subplot will take center stage in the story, and if it will be again a story between Charlie and Joel, since I don't believe that it's ended between them.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002HE1JKC/?...
And so they were perfect, but on Joel's 29th birthday, only 10 months after they met, Charlie died at sea, drowned while he was trying to safe Joel, and Joel, after a year, is still mourning his lost lover. To the reader it seems almost impossible that a man is so devastated after the loss of who you can hardly define the love of your life, a man who was only 10 months in the life of Joel, and if not for the paranormal turn, probably I would have considered Joel a bit too weak and silently told him to get a grip on his life and move one. And instead while Joel is trying to drown in the alcohol his pain, he sees a man who is exactly like Charlie, worst he is Charlie, since he has all the physical sign that were only of his lover. But this man has something completely different than Charlie, a ruthlessness in his eyes that Charlie never had, and Joel sees him killing with bare hand a woman. Now Joel is on the run from the man that he believed to love, and who said to love him back.
This is only a novella, but despite being short, I didn't find it rushed. I read it like the opening book in a longer series, and so it should give to readers all the details to build the setting and be prepared for the rest. An hard task in less than 100 pages, and probably in more unskilled hand, the love story would have lost space to the setting. And instead the relationship between Charlie and Joel is complete, it has not only a present, but also enough details to build a past, to give the reader the feeling of intimacy between Charlie and Joel, of their past common memories. A love story, a so small thing in comparison to the safety of the world, is able to distract the reader from what it's happening outside and almost forces him to concentrate in those little details, on the likes or dislikes of the man who was Charlie, on the regret of Joel to abandon his ordinary life, made of college lessons and family trouble. But in the end these are the real thing, and the paranormal plot that is happening outside, it's so distant, that it becomes ordinary and simple.
It will be interesting to see if in the following book, the paranormal subplot will take center stage in the story, and if it will be again a story between Charlie and Joel, since I don't believe that it's ended between them.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002HE1JKC/?...
November 1, 2016
First half I would give 3.5 Stars.
The summary was interesting, Joel was likeable, I felt sorry for him and his loss. The Author's writing is good.
"Even if they asked his neighbors or his friends, none of them had ever been here, so they wouldn’t be any help. The only person he had ever brought here, in fact, had been Charlie.
The doorbell rang."
Second half I'd give 1-2 Stars
It felt rushed and not explained enough for me. I kept wondering if it wouldn't be better if the Author developed more the Valdes instead of working in sex scenes, they felt exagerated.
And plus.......
"Charlie’s worried expression disappeared with a blazingly pornographic smile."
What's a pornographic smile??
Something like this I wonder.....
Someone TELL ME!
The summary was interesting, Joel was likeable, I felt sorry for him and his loss. The Author's writing is good.
"Even if they asked his neighbors or his friends, none of them had ever been here, so they wouldn’t be any help. The only person he had ever brought here, in fact, had been Charlie.
The doorbell rang."
Second half I'd give 1-2 Stars
It felt rushed and not explained enough for me. I kept wondering if it wouldn't be better if the Author developed more the Valdes instead of working in sex scenes, they felt exagerated.
And plus.......
"Charlie’s worried expression disappeared with a blazingly pornographic smile."
What's a pornographic smile??
Something like this I wonder.....
Someone TELL ME!
June 4, 2014
Firstly I'm a huge fan of Astrid Amara's work, and this one does not disappoint. Beautiful, tragic, original story about a man who's lover drowns at sea as he watches. But when the survivor finds the man he thought dead again a year later, only to realize there's something strange and different about him, a beautiful original plot starts to unfold.
Love the supernatural elements and lovely romance between these two, as well as some incredibly well written sex scenes.
Only reason I give this a 4 instead of 5 is that it ends so abruptly! Just when you think the plot is really getting interesting it ends. Hoping for a sequel one day!
Love the supernatural elements and lovely romance between these two, as well as some incredibly well written sex scenes.
Only reason I give this a 4 instead of 5 is that it ends so abruptly! Just when you think the plot is really getting interesting it ends. Hoping for a sequel one day!
December 4, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
I really loved the first half of this story. I found the world created by the author fascinating. It was the last part of the book that really turned me off. I am a bit of romantic and the ending was not the HEA that I wanted. I really cannot say more because I don't want to spoil anything. On top of that I felt that the story was incomplete. It was like the author was planning a sequel that never happened. (At least I don't know of a sequel.) I am giving it 4 stars because the writing is good and like I said I enjoyed most of it. (Also thought it a bit pricey for such a short story.)
I really loved the first half of this story. I found the world created by the author fascinating. It was the last part of the book that really turned me off. I am a bit of romantic and the ending was not the HEA that I wanted. I really cannot say more because I don't want to spoil anything. On top of that I felt that the story was incomplete. It was like the author was planning a sequel that never happened. (At least I don't know of a sequel.) I am giving it 4 stars because the writing is good and like I said I enjoyed most of it. (Also thought it a bit pricey for such a short story.)
March 10, 2010
The 1st 20 or so pages grabbed me, and then my attention span just *poof* disappeared. I found myself wanting to skim which is never a good sign, but I forced myself to finish it. This is a love it or leave it book. I could do neither as and avid reader so I voted "like it" because the concept was original. I think I would have like it more if; the characters were more fleshed out,their personalities didn't do a 180 by the end of the book, and if the book was longer with more background of the relationship.
February 23, 2011
I like this book, but it's too short and predictable to get more than 3 stars. astrid should write books like "the archer's heart" which was EPIC, and not little Ebooks that are just OK.
she has proven that she can write long and beautiful books (the archer again) so why not write more like them?
October 31, 2011
I liked this book but I just wished that there was more with the interaction between Jag and Dev. I also wanted to learn more of Charlie and Joel. I felt like it ended kind of abruptly and found myself searching for a part 2 of the book. All in all its ok but could have been better if it was longer.
December 18, 2009
I loved this book. I thought it very original with a kind of dark sci-fi/ urban fantasy feel to it.
My full review here:
http://madamebutterfly90.blogspot.com...
My full review here:
http://madamebutterfly90.blogspot.com...
May 27, 2013
Love Charlie, love Joel, sad when Charlie died (at the start of the book) and I love the concept, the authors imagination and the writing style.
The only let down for me is that it ended too soon. I would love to know what happens next.
The only let down for me is that it ended too soon. I would love to know what happens next.
April 30, 2013
This was actually quite good. I give it a little extra stars for being unique. This is the second time I've read it. Is there to be no sequel? Sure felt like a beginning to a series to me.
February 10, 2014
Rating 4.5
June 20, 2015
Yuck.
Low-rent gay Twilight Zone mess. If this had been marketed as such, then fine. But it's marketed as romance. Was completely repulsed by the end.
Low-rent gay Twilight Zone mess. If this had been marketed as such, then fine. But it's marketed as romance. Was completely repulsed by the end.
December 11, 2010
Martial tale. Not bad, but unfullfilled.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews