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Darshian Tales #4
Home Ground
Wepizi is ready for the challenge of a new post, but it will test him more than he ever imagined, and Prince Juimei will learn the true role of a leader in a great crisis. In 'Bearing Fruit', it’s time for Kei, Arman and their friends to explore the fruits of peace and to build on the hard work of the last two decades. But if they thought life had settled down – they were much mistaken.
503 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2006
7 people are currently reading
192 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 24, 2011
I really enjoyed this installment of the Darshian Tales. Fantasy though it is, just like the rest of the series it doesn't lack for believable details and realistic, large-scale world-building. I'm pretty sure at this point that I know more about the history, geography, and politics of this world than I do about my own.
As I've come to expect from the Darshian books, the characters are multi-dimensional, realistic, and sympathetic. Sometimes they're kind, sometimes they're cruel, but you can always understand why they are the way they are.
I really loved that this book detailed a different kind of romance than what I'm used to reading. This is not fiery passion and burning love, but a slow evolution of understanding and mutual respect, with the weight of past sorrow, adversity, and personal growth behind it.
I've always been interested in seeing how people react to tragedy and adversity, and I love “trial by fire,” so to speak: watching someone forged into a stronger person by difficult circumstances. So this book was a delight in that respect. Perhaps a bit cruel that I want my characters to have to work so hard for it, but a well-earned and fully-deserved happy ending is a very satisfying thing.
As I've come to expect from the Darshian books, the characters are multi-dimensional, realistic, and sympathetic. Sometimes they're kind, sometimes they're cruel, but you can always understand why they are the way they are.
I really loved that this book detailed a different kind of romance than what I'm used to reading. This is not fiery passion and burning love, but a slow evolution of understanding and mutual respect, with the weight of past sorrow, adversity, and personal growth behind it.
I've always been interested in seeing how people react to tragedy and adversity, and I love “trial by fire,” so to speak: watching someone forged into a stronger person by difficult circumstances. So this book was a delight in that respect. Perhaps a bit cruel that I want my characters to have to work so hard for it, but a well-earned and fully-deserved happy ending is a very satisfying thing.
November 11, 2011
Home Ground Ann Somerville
I totally enjoyed this 4th volume of Darshian Tales. I love how Ann's characters take their time falling in love and how each love is different - so often in series works, we see the same relationship played out over and over again with only the names changing. Not with Ann's works. Home Ground was a little ... I guess more quiet than the other books, but that, I believe, is because Wepizi is a calmer, more even-tempered character than any of the others that Ann has written about. Now, Prince Juimei is anything but even-tempered, but by the end of the book, he's well on his way to a peaceful life, albeit a very interesting one!
And the other story, Bearing Fruit, well, I loved it. I cried. And it was so wonderful to see so much of my favorite Kei and his mate Arman and see them so happy.
I must add that Ann's world-building skills are impressive! The world of Periter and it's lands, Darshian, Andon, Kuprij are distinct and well-defined, their cultures full and well-rounded.
A wonderful read!!
I totally enjoyed this 4th volume of Darshian Tales. I love how Ann's characters take their time falling in love and how each love is different - so often in series works, we see the same relationship played out over and over again with only the names changing. Not with Ann's works. Home Ground was a little ... I guess more quiet than the other books, but that, I believe, is because Wepizi is a calmer, more even-tempered character than any of the others that Ann has written about. Now, Prince Juimei is anything but even-tempered, but by the end of the book, he's well on his way to a peaceful life, albeit a very interesting one!
And the other story, Bearing Fruit, well, I loved it. I cried. And it was so wonderful to see so much of my favorite Kei and his mate Arman and see them so happy.
I must add that Ann's world-building skills are impressive! The world of Periter and it's lands, Darshian, Andon, Kuprij are distinct and well-defined, their cultures full and well-rounded.
A wonderful read!!
April 6, 2013
Bearing Fruit was a very nice way to show how all the changes Kei and Arman brought and wonderful results. I was very glad to know that finally Arman was able to go back to his home country as someone worthy and not the traitor. Also for I loved the fact that they were able to receive the gift of children, albeit from horrible circumstances. Still it seems like that has come full circle too with Karik as well. One thing I would have liked to know was Soza getting his punishment somewhere. I really need to see Romi punch him or something!
Home ground was something unexpected.When I first started to read it, I couldn't understand what Juimei has to do with the story. However after reading the story, I find myself wanting more. I am very glad that Wepizi found a wonderful person and finally a home!
Home ground was something unexpected.When I first started to read it, I couldn't understand what Juimei has to do with the story. However after reading the story, I find myself wanting more. I am very glad that Wepizi found a wonderful person and finally a home!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2015
5 STARS
Series of 4 epic books 4.5 STARS
I ended up being taken away to another world with this series. It's high fantasy and I just adored these books. If you want to literally get lost in another world and vanish from this one for a while then read these books.
Series of 4 epic books 4.5 STARS
I ended up being taken away to another world with this series. It's high fantasy and I just adored these books. If you want to literally get lost in another world and vanish from this one for a while then read these books.
January 10, 2018
Bearing Fruit (25% of the book)
Gleaming 5 stars because of Arman and Kei, of course. I still don't like Karik and Romi but especially Karik here, a father of two kids but still acts like a big kid, hhh... Surrounded by so many people who love and adore and pamper him, but he still whines like he's the most unfortunate man in Periter. Smh. Anyway, this book is about second chance at happiness. I'm glad Arman and Kei finally have the second chance to have sons, they truly deserve it.
Home Ground (75% of the book)
Dimming 4 stars, mainly because of forced romance and some stupid and hasty actions of Wepizi and Neime after 50% of the book (the betrayal upon betrayal, the narrow-mindedness), it just left a sour taste in my mouth after all of that, I don't really care anymore if the couple will get together or not. I adore Juimei and his leadership throughout the post-earthquake rehabilitation is the only plus point and interesting part in this spin-off, not even the Blessed, nope, I don't like Jozin petulant big kid and Nuveize nosy old hag. No matter how hard the author tried to convince me, I still think there's no chemistry between Juimei and Wepizi, not even when Giwade the empath said about how their love 'glows' like Arman and Kei's. To me, Juimei and Wepizi's is more like lonely dogs lick each other wounds.
But at least, theirs is tolerable than Karik and Romi's equally-bland romance, merely because of Juimei and his character development. He truly shone and overshadowed all characters in this spin-off. Liking a character made a difference.
The best part of this series is of course the book one (Arman and Kei's love story) and the short closure Bearing Fruit. I advise people to skip book 3 (Karik and Romi's love story) and Home Ground if they want to try this series.
Gleaming 5 stars because of Arman and Kei, of course. I still don't like Karik and Romi but especially Karik here, a father of two kids but still acts like a big kid, hhh... Surrounded by so many people who love and adore and pamper him, but he still whines like he's the most unfortunate man in Periter. Smh. Anyway, this book is about second chance at happiness. I'm glad Arman and Kei finally have the second chance to have sons, they truly deserve it.
Home Ground (75% of the book)
Dimming 4 stars, mainly because of forced romance and some stupid and hasty actions of Wepizi and Neime after 50% of the book (the betrayal upon betrayal, the narrow-mindedness), it just left a sour taste in my mouth after all of that, I don't really care anymore if the couple will get together or not. I adore Juimei and his leadership throughout the post-earthquake rehabilitation is the only plus point and interesting part in this spin-off, not even the Blessed, nope, I don't like Jozin petulant big kid and Nuveize nosy old hag. No matter how hard the author tried to convince me, I still think there's no chemistry between Juimei and Wepizi, not even when Giwade the empath said about how their love 'glows' like Arman and Kei's. To me, Juimei and Wepizi's is more like lonely dogs lick each other wounds.
But at least, theirs is tolerable than Karik and Romi's equally-bland romance, merely because of Juimei and his character development. He truly shone and overshadowed all characters in this spin-off. Liking a character made a difference.
The best part of this series is of course the book one (Arman and Kei's love story) and the short closure Bearing Fruit. I advise people to skip book 3 (Karik and Romi's love story) and Home Ground if they want to try this series.
February 26, 2020
I really liked this installment of the series. I can't believe this is the last book! I love this series sooo much. It's unfortunate there's no more. It doesn't look like the author has any other books in the same genre either. Which is such a shame because she did wonderfully with this series.
The first thirty percent of the book is a continuation of Arman and Kei's story. The last seventy percent of the book is about Wepizi and Prince Juimei. Their romance is different, but it was really nice to read and I'm surprised how much I enjoyed it. I really liked how there was a character that was disabled as well, and how Juimei grew and learned to love himself. Honestly that's what makes this story so wonderful, the growth of Juimei and overcoming hardship and learning his own worth. There aren't many m/m fantasy books out there that have a main character with a significant disability, so I'm grateful for this one.
There are some things that were left unfinished in this series though!! That leaves me a bit frustrated (spoilers ahead).
- Soza!?!? What the heck happened with that. ugh. He was mentioned in this book, but we never know what happened to that.
- Also, what happened to Mayl in this book
- I would like to have Jembis and Karik to meet up after what happened in book number two. He was briefly mentioned in this book, so I thought it would have happened, but no it didn't.
- There's some mystery around gifts and the Gifted that I would have liked to know more of. In particular maybe some exploration on why Kei has two gifts - i know it's very rare, but since it was early on in the series, I thought maybe there would be some plot in the future about that.
The first thirty percent of the book is a continuation of Arman and Kei's story. The last seventy percent of the book is about Wepizi and Prince Juimei. Their romance is different, but it was really nice to read and I'm surprised how much I enjoyed it. I really liked how there was a character that was disabled as well, and how Juimei grew and learned to love himself. Honestly that's what makes this story so wonderful, the growth of Juimei and overcoming hardship and learning his own worth. There aren't many m/m fantasy books out there that have a main character with a significant disability, so I'm grateful for this one.
There are some things that were left unfinished in this series though!! That leaves me a bit frustrated (spoilers ahead).
- Soza!?!? What the heck happened with that. ugh. He was mentioned in this book, but we never know what happened to that.
- Also, what happened to Mayl in this book
- I would like to have Jembis and Karik to meet up after what happened in book number two. He was briefly mentioned in this book, so I thought it would have happened, but no it didn't.
- There's some mystery around gifts and the Gifted that I would have liked to know more of. In particular maybe some exploration on why Kei has two gifts - i know it's very rare, but since it was early on in the series, I thought maybe there would be some plot in the future about that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2017
That can't be it, right? There's still that criminal, and more stories about them, and... NOOOOOOO THAT CAN'T BE IT!!!
Anyways, that was good. Just like the others.
Very mature too, like this people don't know how to be angry and impolite.
Also, the whole story(from book one to four) was governed by emotions. I don't mean that they're not using their brains or something, but like they follow they're hearts. It portrayed human emotions as irrational and cannot be explained by logic, which I may argue about, but still agree to a degree.
I think I'm not explaining it very well...
OH WELL, I love it! xD
Anyways, that was good. Just like the others.
Very mature too, like this people don't know how to be angry and impolite.
Also, the whole story(from book one to four) was governed by emotions. I don't mean that they're not using their brains or something, but like they follow they're hearts. It portrayed human emotions as irrational and cannot be explained by logic, which I may argue about, but still agree to a degree.
I think I'm not explaining it very well...
OH WELL, I love it! xD
August 4, 2018
Bearing Fruit
(29%)
★★★★✩
Pretty good, yeah. My only complaint is that it provided a closure to stuff that I didn't much care about and left other very, very important stuff unresolved.
Home Ground (71%)
★★★★✩
This one's different. I had a hard time feeling engaged. Some characters are great, others are rather childish and hard to connect with, but there's some impresive character growth there. In the end I did enjoy it.
★★★★✩
Pretty good, yeah. My only complaint is that it provided a closure to stuff that I didn't much care about and left other very, very important stuff unresolved.
Home Ground (71%)
★★★★✩
This one's different. I had a hard time feeling engaged. Some characters are great, others are rather childish and hard to connect with, but there's some impresive character growth there. In the end I did enjoy it.
May 25, 2020
Amazing
Read this whole series of books, literally couldn't put them down. Went from one to the next. Absolutely amazing series.
Read this whole series of books, literally couldn't put them down. Went from one to the next. Absolutely amazing series.
July 21, 2016
I especially enjoyed "Home Ground" even though it didn't centre around the main characters from the other books. The world building was fantastic. Perhaps it may have fared better published separately as a spin-off. But the Darshian Tales are more than just a mm romance between two characters. They're better viewed as mainstream fantasy that just happen to deal with characters in male pairings. The side characters inhabit and enrich all the books so much, that I enjoyed jumping into a couple of other heads.
March 12, 2011
One thing I love most about this series is the couple from first book wasn't discarded. I read series cause I love main characters from vol.1 and want to know more about them, in the same time I want to read something new too which done so well in this.
For "Home Ground" it's like I'm reading new stories but it's as good as others chapters. I think I'm a bit fall in love with Jui now.
Great praise for author.
For "Home Ground" it's like I'm reading new stories but it's as good as others chapters. I think I'm a bit fall in love with Jui now.
Great praise for author.
September 22, 2013
I really liked this series. The journey taken by Kei and Arman was influenced by the strength of their characters, not by some super awesome powers that make them ~*~a special snowflake~*~. Kei was unusual in having two Gifts, but they hurt him more than they ever helped his cause.
The fact that the hurt/comfort went both ways really made it seem like their relationship was on an even keel, considering Kei and Arman's various states of freedom throughout the four books.
The fact that the hurt/comfort went both ways really made it seem like their relationship was on an even keel, considering Kei and Arman's various states of freedom throughout the four books.
January 19, 2012
i really enjoy the growth that Somerville shows in her characters. Though i feel like the relationships her stories portray echo each other (yet manage to be unique in ways that kept me steadily reading 4 books), the characters all show great capacities to grow, change, and accept/share love, even in unconventional places.
October 15, 2014
Only read this to see how it would all end. Was pleasantly surprised that this one was better than the previous two... but still not as put-together as the first one. Was also nice to finally get a break from all the self-recrimination of the first 3 books...
March 12, 2012
Just re-read this one for probably the 3rd or 4th time. There's nothing I don't like about this series except for the fact that it ends here.
May 12, 2012
3.5 stars.
1st read: Dec 17 - 20, 2010.
2nd: May 6 - 11, 2012.
1st read: Dec 17 - 20, 2010.
2nd: May 6 - 11, 2012.
May 25, 2011
Not as good as the other Darshian Tales. Very low on the heat index.
June 19, 2012
Another in a long list of wonderful stories by Anne Somerville.
September 10, 2016
This is one of the best series I've read. Again a long story but the progression builds to a totally satisfying ending.
April 2, 2017
Best one
Love this volume over all the others. Thirsty for more. Beautiful how love trumps the most horrible traumas..a must read
Love this volume over all the others. Thirsty for more. Beautiful how love trumps the most horrible traumas..a must read
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews