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Going Down
[Part of the Periter universe]
Derzo Einan wanted to help people, and for fifteen years he rescued others from fires, floods and natural disasters. But in the aftermath of a horrific event, he’s left unable to help anyone, not even himself, his gift of empathy now more of a curse and his career in tatters. Running from his demons, Einan finds refuge in a big city, discovering an underclass of helpless hopeless people even worse off than himself—and another soul as troubled and damaged as him. In saving one more person, will he find his own salvation?
Derzo Einan wanted to help people, and for fifteen years he rescued others from fires, floods and natural disasters. But in the aftermath of a horrific event, he’s left unable to help anyone, not even himself, his gift of empathy now more of a curse and his career in tatters. Running from his demons, Einan finds refuge in a big city, discovering an underclass of helpless hopeless people even worse off than himself—and another soul as troubled and damaged as him. In saving one more person, will he find his own salvation?
ebook
First published January 1, 2008
50 people want to read
About the author
Ann Somerville
52 books280 followersAnn Somerville grew up in one of Australia’s prettiest small cities. In 1989, she left Australia with a BA and a burning ambition to see more of the world and its people, and to discover this ‘culture’ thing people kept telling her about. In 2006, she returned home to Southeast Queensland with two more degrees (this time in science and IT), an English husband and a staggering case of homesickness, vowing never to leave Australia again.
Her long, plot-driven fiction featuring gay and bisexual characters has been published by Samhain Publishing and elsewhere.
Her long, plot-driven fiction featuring gay and bisexual characters has been published by Samhain Publishing and elsewhere.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 4, 2016
I enjoyed this for what it was, a tale of two traumatised men who need to learn to deal with tragedies in their past. It's not a romance although the two main characters end up together. As usual with the author's stories, the world building is great, and once again, the theme of empathy is explored, this time along with dealing with PTSD.
May 13, 2012
While I enjoyed the book, I approached it primarily as an m/m romance, and I found this aspect quite disappointing. The sense of a growing and developing relationsyhip is very well done, but it is the most chaste romance in my library: not a single kiss.
The world building is, as always, excellent. It probably helps that this is set in the samne universe as many of Somerville's other stories.
The world building is, as always, excellent. It probably helps that this is set in the samne universe as many of Somerville's other stories.
September 2, 2014
Working my way through all this author's work and have to say so far I am thoroughly impressed. "Going Down" is extremely well written and populated with characters so real I almost felt like I was living the story with them. Only complaint I can make is the continuous clogged sinuses I had while reading it due to multiple points of my crying due to the incredible emotion imbued into the writing. And truthfully, it is no complaint but praise anytime I discover an author this talented; just have to avoid reading her stuff in public; cuz last thing I need is to start crying on the bus or something. Truly a joy, happy tears and all to read her work... "The Twin effect" is is just as good; with an incredible twist.
"Means of Support is also more than worth the read.
"Means of Support is also more than worth the read.
January 1, 2013
Unusual and nice.
July 5, 2009
Originally reviewed for Uniquely Pleasurable.
et in the author’s world of Periter – a world like our own save for the fact that some of the people living there have a genetic predisposition toward paranormal abilities – this 30,000 word novella is an entertaining and excellently crafted story about the power of pain, healing, friendship, and faith, deftly told with a light and loving touch. While a familiarity with the author’s other works set in the Periter universe would most likely augment the story, such prior knowledge isn’t required as the piece stands beautifully on its own, never assuming the reader has taken the other journeys. If you’re familiar with the other works, this likely is a welcome addition to the group. If you’re not familiar with the Periter universe (as was the case with this reviewer), you will discover an amazingly detailed world populated with rich, full characters. You’ll be left wanting to read more, and isn’t that what good story telling is all about?
The focus of the story is Einan, an empath and a trained medic who was once part of a respected military Corps, first responders in all manner of disasters. Following an especially horrific Op, Einan finds himself overwhelmed by the emotions of others and physically drained, his empathic abilities becoming a devastating curse rather than a blessing. Diagnosed with empathic overload and unable to handle the cure of a year’s isolation from all mankind, Einan has left the Corps and landed himself a job working at a little diner in the town of Kundo, an economically depressed city that is drawn with remarkable detail. As Einan, unable to sleep for the pain and memories swarming inside him, traverses the city on one of his nightly walks, we as readers see the world he has found himself in, we can breathe in the oily scents and feel the desperation of not only the neighborhood, but of the man himself.
Deeply trouble by the events he has “witnessed” in the past, Einan is a man who wants – and is some respects, needs – to run away, but finds that he can’t. He longs for distance from the cacophony of emotions all about him, but he can’t live without one of the basic necessities of life: human contact. “I need people. I feel like I’m starving to death without them.” And there is the wonderfully dynamic crux of who Einan is as a literary character. He is a man who is lost, one who wants to find the way – and in some respects, knows the way deep down inside — but he is so clouded that he can’t even find the starting point. As a result, he resorts to all the things that can help deaden the turmoil inside: pills, alcohol and jetka weed.
One night, drunk on giazo, pills and high on jetka, Einan stumbles out into the night, finding himself amidst the indigents who have more emotion that he can handle, but whose plight draws him in, when he is approached by Thalem, a soulful man who is ministering to the poor. Rage burning in him, Einan essentially picks a fight with the man whose calm demeanor does nothing more than incite him. But it’s a fight he cannot win and when the junk in his system overtakes him, Einan is rescued by Thalem, who returns him to the safety of his temporary home and those who care for him. When he awakes the next day, Einan doesn’t know it, but he has found his starting point on the road to wholeness. It isn’t in the religion that Einan thought he saw being preached on the streets, but in Thalem, a man whose demons run as deep – if not deeper – than Einan’s own.
There is a lot remarkable about what Somerville has accomplished here. To create a character as deeply wounded as Einan and not have him turn into a depressing, pitiable character is a feat. Einan is likable, and rather than wanting to turn away from him we, ironically, empathize with him. We want him to turn down the right path, but never do we judge him for stumbling. Somerville has also peopled Einan’s “immediate family” with full-blown believable characters. Lano, an older telepath who serves as his boss at The Bird’s Nest Diner, is a subtle father figure (standing in for Einan’s absent father, a relationship that is lightly touched upon in the back story). Lano’s daughter, Biene, stands in as sister and mother. Sister Hikeri – for whom Thalem works at the local temple – and the cantankerous Doctor Pielan, are of the religious and medical ilk, the type of people of whom Einan has grown suspicious and even resentful. But both are well balanced sides of a coin: Pielan pushing Einan to do what is best; Hikeri content to let him find his own way, providing only a gentle hand on his shoulder. Their portrayal even managed to soften this reviewer’s cynical perception of both these professions. Also kudo-worthy is that, at least for this reviewer, having the story set in a universe so similar to our own, I found quiet allusions to the past of our own world, especially in the depiction of Einan, similar to returning veterans of wars past.
And then we have Thalem, the brooding, soft-hearted man whose earnest desire to help those less fortunate is a lifelong choice, a deep-seeded desire to atone not only for a sin he has committed, but also for sins of which he believes himself guilty. Here is where the story sails. The friendship that develops between these two damaged souls is refreshing, honest. As the relationship grows, Einan begins to look beyond himself, beyond his own pain, and manages to take the first step toward healing. The depth of their relationship is wonderful and as it progresses we see why Einan comes to admire Thalem and comes to develop stronger feelings that he restrains himself from expressing.
At times dark, the novella is ultimately uplifting. It is a story about hope, about having the courage to move on, about regaining a faith in – and unique – to oneself. It isn’t a traditional romance as the future relationship between Einan and Thalem is only touched upon and is left deliciously up in the air. But there is a deep romance here, a romance of friends and of the non-traditional families we always create. It is a deeply satisfying portrait that is painted with a gentle brush.
et in the author’s world of Periter – a world like our own save for the fact that some of the people living there have a genetic predisposition toward paranormal abilities – this 30,000 word novella is an entertaining and excellently crafted story about the power of pain, healing, friendship, and faith, deftly told with a light and loving touch. While a familiarity with the author’s other works set in the Periter universe would most likely augment the story, such prior knowledge isn’t required as the piece stands beautifully on its own, never assuming the reader has taken the other journeys. If you’re familiar with the other works, this likely is a welcome addition to the group. If you’re not familiar with the Periter universe (as was the case with this reviewer), you will discover an amazingly detailed world populated with rich, full characters. You’ll be left wanting to read more, and isn’t that what good story telling is all about?
The focus of the story is Einan, an empath and a trained medic who was once part of a respected military Corps, first responders in all manner of disasters. Following an especially horrific Op, Einan finds himself overwhelmed by the emotions of others and physically drained, his empathic abilities becoming a devastating curse rather than a blessing. Diagnosed with empathic overload and unable to handle the cure of a year’s isolation from all mankind, Einan has left the Corps and landed himself a job working at a little diner in the town of Kundo, an economically depressed city that is drawn with remarkable detail. As Einan, unable to sleep for the pain and memories swarming inside him, traverses the city on one of his nightly walks, we as readers see the world he has found himself in, we can breathe in the oily scents and feel the desperation of not only the neighborhood, but of the man himself.
Deeply trouble by the events he has “witnessed” in the past, Einan is a man who wants – and is some respects, needs – to run away, but finds that he can’t. He longs for distance from the cacophony of emotions all about him, but he can’t live without one of the basic necessities of life: human contact. “I need people. I feel like I’m starving to death without them.” And there is the wonderfully dynamic crux of who Einan is as a literary character. He is a man who is lost, one who wants to find the way – and in some respects, knows the way deep down inside — but he is so clouded that he can’t even find the starting point. As a result, he resorts to all the things that can help deaden the turmoil inside: pills, alcohol and jetka weed.
One night, drunk on giazo, pills and high on jetka, Einan stumbles out into the night, finding himself amidst the indigents who have more emotion that he can handle, but whose plight draws him in, when he is approached by Thalem, a soulful man who is ministering to the poor. Rage burning in him, Einan essentially picks a fight with the man whose calm demeanor does nothing more than incite him. But it’s a fight he cannot win and when the junk in his system overtakes him, Einan is rescued by Thalem, who returns him to the safety of his temporary home and those who care for him. When he awakes the next day, Einan doesn’t know it, but he has found his starting point on the road to wholeness. It isn’t in the religion that Einan thought he saw being preached on the streets, but in Thalem, a man whose demons run as deep – if not deeper – than Einan’s own.
There is a lot remarkable about what Somerville has accomplished here. To create a character as deeply wounded as Einan and not have him turn into a depressing, pitiable character is a feat. Einan is likable, and rather than wanting to turn away from him we, ironically, empathize with him. We want him to turn down the right path, but never do we judge him for stumbling. Somerville has also peopled Einan’s “immediate family” with full-blown believable characters. Lano, an older telepath who serves as his boss at The Bird’s Nest Diner, is a subtle father figure (standing in for Einan’s absent father, a relationship that is lightly touched upon in the back story). Lano’s daughter, Biene, stands in as sister and mother. Sister Hikeri – for whom Thalem works at the local temple – and the cantankerous Doctor Pielan, are of the religious and medical ilk, the type of people of whom Einan has grown suspicious and even resentful. But both are well balanced sides of a coin: Pielan pushing Einan to do what is best; Hikeri content to let him find his own way, providing only a gentle hand on his shoulder. Their portrayal even managed to soften this reviewer’s cynical perception of both these professions. Also kudo-worthy is that, at least for this reviewer, having the story set in a universe so similar to our own, I found quiet allusions to the past of our own world, especially in the depiction of Einan, similar to returning veterans of wars past.
And then we have Thalem, the brooding, soft-hearted man whose earnest desire to help those less fortunate is a lifelong choice, a deep-seeded desire to atone not only for a sin he has committed, but also for sins of which he believes himself guilty. Here is where the story sails. The friendship that develops between these two damaged souls is refreshing, honest. As the relationship grows, Einan begins to look beyond himself, beyond his own pain, and manages to take the first step toward healing. The depth of their relationship is wonderful and as it progresses we see why Einan comes to admire Thalem and comes to develop stronger feelings that he restrains himself from expressing.
At times dark, the novella is ultimately uplifting. It is a story about hope, about having the courage to move on, about regaining a faith in – and unique – to oneself. It isn’t a traditional romance as the future relationship between Einan and Thalem is only touched upon and is left deliciously up in the air. But there is a deep romance here, a romance of friends and of the non-traditional families we always create. It is a deeply satisfying portrait that is painted with a gentle brush.
October 16, 2018
Again a well-written story, with fluent telling, unique plot and a world created by author herself. The story itself was too slow to entertain me, so not five stars this time. The empath theme is very fascinating, and I hope I’ll find more like that when I begin next Somerville’s book.
March 26, 2010
Like many people I usually read a few reviews before deciding to tackle a book myself. This was the case with Going Down by Ann Somerville and several reviews warned of the dark, intense overtones and somewhat dense prose making for difficult reading. Perhaps these reviews were of a previous version because I found Going Down to be absorbing, engaging, and incredibly quick to read. The unique and complex world offered is not always easy to understand but the emotion and relationships between the various characters play on common and well crafted themes. As an urban fantasy fan, the world building is rich with detail and opportunity, creating a story that I sped through wanting more.
Set in an alternate world, Einan is the main character. He is an empath that has worked for an organization known as the Corps. There enhanced individuals such as empaths, telepaths, telekinetics, and so on work together to help people during times of natural disasters. Sort of like a cross between the modern day National Guard and Red Cross, but with mentally enhanced workers. After a particularly horrifying flood killing hundreds of people, Einan flees from the emotional overload and struggles to regain some semblance of a life. Along the way he befriends another broken and ravaged man in Thalem, a man trying to atone for his past sins.
The main force of the story is Einan’s building friendship with Thalem as Einan slowly gains strength and mental health once again. Both men have many intentional parallels in their past and present using the themes of grief, guilt, and redemption. While Einan struggles with his empathic abilities, Thalem is mired in his desolation and desperation. Both men are lovely, likable, and haunting due to their difficult pasts and uncertain futures. Einan is caught between needing human contact to remain sane and running from strong emotions that overwhelm him. Despite Thalem’s own chaotic emotions, the complicated man’s friendship and steadfast support helps heal Einan. At the same time, Einan must realize that he can’t heal Thalem in the same way and must wait, hoping, that Thalem can find his way out of his own hell.
The story may sound dark and intense and it is to an extent, but the writing keeps the story engaging and interesting without ever being oppressive or depressing. The incredible world building is part of this as the urban fantasy setting is extended with an entirely new vocabulary. This is both good and bad as it helps maintain and enrich the setting while there are also a few too many terms used. Several of these terms are used often and seemingly interchangeable which forces the reader to slow down and think about the terms. This may be frustrating for some. Some may be able to pick out the important terms and move on as the world building is much more than just a set of new words. The lack of context is offset by a rich level of detail and imagination, creating an utterly fascinating backdrop for complicated relationships and characters.
The writing is very good with interesting choices for phrases and never felt heavy or difficult to read. On the contrary, the writing and pace keeps the story moving swiftly with interesting situations and physical counterpoints to the emotional depths of the characters. There are several important relationships including Einan’s relationship to his boss and friend Lano, who serves as a surrogate father to Einan and Thalem to an extent. Also the Sisters of the temple help both men and offer a nice, alternate view of church helpers. There is also a glimpse into the mentality and difficulty of working with homeless and destitute individuals who are not without their own pride.
Overall I was pretty impressed with this short story and left with a theme of hope between the two men. The gritty world building is a great aspect and one that prompts me to read more as the intense issues were well handled with a deft touch that keeps the story engaging and interesting without being depressing and dark. I didn’t want to put the book down and hope there is some kind of follow up to Einan and Thalem, but if not that’s ok too. I’d recommend picking up Going Down and perhaps enjoying this delightful surprise for yourself.
Set in an alternate world, Einan is the main character. He is an empath that has worked for an organization known as the Corps. There enhanced individuals such as empaths, telepaths, telekinetics, and so on work together to help people during times of natural disasters. Sort of like a cross between the modern day National Guard and Red Cross, but with mentally enhanced workers. After a particularly horrifying flood killing hundreds of people, Einan flees from the emotional overload and struggles to regain some semblance of a life. Along the way he befriends another broken and ravaged man in Thalem, a man trying to atone for his past sins.
The main force of the story is Einan’s building friendship with Thalem as Einan slowly gains strength and mental health once again. Both men have many intentional parallels in their past and present using the themes of grief, guilt, and redemption. While Einan struggles with his empathic abilities, Thalem is mired in his desolation and desperation. Both men are lovely, likable, and haunting due to their difficult pasts and uncertain futures. Einan is caught between needing human contact to remain sane and running from strong emotions that overwhelm him. Despite Thalem’s own chaotic emotions, the complicated man’s friendship and steadfast support helps heal Einan. At the same time, Einan must realize that he can’t heal Thalem in the same way and must wait, hoping, that Thalem can find his way out of his own hell.
The story may sound dark and intense and it is to an extent, but the writing keeps the story engaging and interesting without ever being oppressive or depressing. The incredible world building is part of this as the urban fantasy setting is extended with an entirely new vocabulary. This is both good and bad as it helps maintain and enrich the setting while there are also a few too many terms used. Several of these terms are used often and seemingly interchangeable which forces the reader to slow down and think about the terms. This may be frustrating for some. Some may be able to pick out the important terms and move on as the world building is much more than just a set of new words. The lack of context is offset by a rich level of detail and imagination, creating an utterly fascinating backdrop for complicated relationships and characters.
The writing is very good with interesting choices for phrases and never felt heavy or difficult to read. On the contrary, the writing and pace keeps the story moving swiftly with interesting situations and physical counterpoints to the emotional depths of the characters. There are several important relationships including Einan’s relationship to his boss and friend Lano, who serves as a surrogate father to Einan and Thalem to an extent. Also the Sisters of the temple help both men and offer a nice, alternate view of church helpers. There is also a glimpse into the mentality and difficulty of working with homeless and destitute individuals who are not without their own pride.
Overall I was pretty impressed with this short story and left with a theme of hope between the two men. The gritty world building is a great aspect and one that prompts me to read more as the intense issues were well handled with a deft touch that keeps the story engaging and interesting without being depressing and dark. I didn’t want to put the book down and hope there is some kind of follow up to Einan and Thalem, but if not that’s ok too. I’d recommend picking up Going Down and perhaps enjoying this delightful surprise for yourself.
May 28, 2013
4.5/5
Einan is an empath thought to be suffering from empathic overload after a tragedy in his work as a medic. Thalem is a man forever trying to atone for something that happened when he was young. They form a rather tentative friendship, help others who have fallen on rough times, and slowly begin to help each other.
What I loved about this story is that Einan and Thalem didn't magically heal each other. Both are stubborn men and healing doesn't come easily to either of them, but there is hope and friends who are willing to help them both (even if they don't think they need or deserve it).
I will be reading more from is author. I am intrigued by the world she's built and want more stories about it. I love the writing style and the way she builds characters up without endless info dumps. It's all rather sparse, but effective.
If you're looking for a sexy m/m read with loads (or any) sex in it, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you want a story about two men who slowly build a hopeful relationship from the pain of their pasts - and don't mind the world-building - I don't think you'll be disappointed with this read.
I couldn't help but picture Einan as Martin Freeman's John Watson. A former medic suffering from PTSD-like symptoms? I couldn't help it!
Einan is an empath thought to be suffering from empathic overload after a tragedy in his work as a medic. Thalem is a man forever trying to atone for something that happened when he was young. They form a rather tentative friendship, help others who have fallen on rough times, and slowly begin to help each other.
What I loved about this story is that Einan and Thalem didn't magically heal each other. Both are stubborn men and healing doesn't come easily to either of them, but there is hope and friends who are willing to help them both (even if they don't think they need or deserve it).
I will be reading more from is author. I am intrigued by the world she's built and want more stories about it. I love the writing style and the way she builds characters up without endless info dumps. It's all rather sparse, but effective.
If you're looking for a sexy m/m read with loads (or any) sex in it, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you want a story about two men who slowly build a hopeful relationship from the pain of their pasts - and don't mind the world-building - I don't think you'll be disappointed with this read.
I couldn't help but picture Einan as Martin Freeman's John Watson. A former medic suffering from PTSD-like symptoms? I couldn't help it!
August 27, 2018
First things first, since I got this as a freebie on the Amazon m/m pages: This is a friendship fic NOT an m/m, so don't go into this one expecting romance of any sort. It's not there. What is there is a story of a young empath, Einan, suffering PTSD and how he begins to overcome that. He meets a young man, Thelam, volunteering with the missionaries (Note: there is little to no talk of religion in this book from what I recall, if that sort of thing turns you off) who help the homeless and downtrodden. Thelam has his own demons to fight. The two befriend each other and through that friendship start to work on their issues. It's a darker story than I usually read and there's some interesting world building going on.
August 6, 2016
I enjoyed this story. The world it took place in was well described and I could picture everything even though I had no idea in what way the religion took form or how the society worked. I liked the way the relationship between Thalem and Einan grew but felt that the end came a little fast. Maybe I should have read some story that took place in the Periter universe before this one to better understand the society, but it wasn’t really needed.
March 16, 2010
Blah. Blah and more Blah. Pass on this one.
May 10, 2011
It was very powerful and emotionally good story. But truthfully I was a little dissapointed. They deserve at least one kiss.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews