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Consort
When the handsome shepherd Tenthus falls asleep naked on the hillside, he's surprised and delighted to wake and find himself in the arms of a gorgeous male muse named Euterpius. Their passionate encounter is short-lived, because it angers Euterpius's father, Zeus. Then Zeus curses Tenthus to the life of a cicada, winged, immortal, and rising every seventeen years for a month to exist on sex and song.
The only way to break free of the curse is to find true love with a mortal man, no easy task despite the lovely, nubile youths trained to be Tenthus's consort. None are quite right until Tenthus meets the captivating, mysterious Phaedrus, and instantly falls for him. Phaedrus even craves the dark, deviant sex that Tenthus offers.
There's just one problem: Phaedrus has been trained by Tenthus's enemy, in hopes of ridding the world of Tenthus. Even though Phaedrus has started to fall in love, Tenthus has to die. If he doesn't, Phaedrus will, unless their love can defeat Death itself.
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, bondage/tethering, dubious consent, moresome (orgy), strong violence.
The only way to break free of the curse is to find true love with a mortal man, no easy task despite the lovely, nubile youths trained to be Tenthus's consort. None are quite right until Tenthus meets the captivating, mysterious Phaedrus, and instantly falls for him. Phaedrus even craves the dark, deviant sex that Tenthus offers.
There's just one problem: Phaedrus has been trained by Tenthus's enemy, in hopes of ridding the world of Tenthus. Even though Phaedrus has started to fall in love, Tenthus has to die. If he doesn't, Phaedrus will, unless their love can defeat Death itself.
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, bondage/tethering, dubious consent, moresome (orgy), strong violence.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Nica Berry
10 books5 followersNica Berry attended the 2005 Clarion Writer's Workshop for Science Fiction and Fantasy,
the 2007 Taos Toolbox workshop for SF/F novelists, and graduated with a Master's
degree in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University in January 2008.
When she's not writing, Nica likes to hang out at the zoo and take pictures of the animals.
the 2007 Taos Toolbox workshop for SF/F novelists, and graduated with a Master's
degree in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University in January 2008.
When she's not writing, Nica likes to hang out at the zoo and take pictures of the animals.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 2, 2011
Love is.... pain and sorrow but also hope and happiness... that's the message of this book, and that's why I'm giving it 5 stars
The plot
Reading the blurb I was scared to death... no kidding. I read also some reviews and everyone was telling the same thing... sex, sex and sex.
Ok, first a warn: It's a VERY erotic book. A demigod that rises with semen, and live from it? Up to the end of his cycle life?
Yep, I was scared, and thanks to a bunch of great friends I got the courage to read it.... and love it.
Tenthus was a handsome shephard after a night of sex with a muse, Euterpius, lost his mind. He could not get over that love... he was obsessed, he would not eat or live anymore... his life was sing and play his aulos, the magic flute. Zeus, the father of the god Euterpius got annoyed... a lot... and well, gods can be mean! His desire was to kill Tenthus but Euterpius intercede and ask for mercy. Well, zeus is not that merciful, because he agree to don't kill Tethus, but curse him.
Tenthus life after Euterpius was only music and sex, so what he became? A cicada... cursed to live for a month, and die for 17 years, staying in a larval form under the earth. Forever, eternally stuck in a cicada-men life, until the day he learn what a real love is.
The main couple
Phaedrus was trained to be the next lover of the cicada-men. His life is the temple, were he is trained. Sex, how to give pleasure... only that... no free will, just a very well trained whore.
The moment Tenthus rise again
Phaedrus is there... to serve him... to be his slave... to be his doom.
I adore the suspense, not only the eroticism
There is a plot for murder, there is Phaedrus desperation, there is a eternal being tired of such useless life... This book is not only about sex, it's about love
What a cicada and a book can have in common?
A LOT!!!!
The plot
Reading the blurb I was scared to death... no kidding. I read also some reviews and everyone was telling the same thing... sex, sex and sex.
Ok, first a warn: It's a VERY erotic book. A demigod that rises with semen, and live from it? Up to the end of his cycle life?
Yep, I was scared, and thanks to a bunch of great friends I got the courage to read it.... and love it.
Tenthus was a handsome shephard after a night of sex with a muse, Euterpius, lost his mind. He could not get over that love... he was obsessed, he would not eat or live anymore... his life was sing and play his aulos, the magic flute. Zeus, the father of the god Euterpius got annoyed... a lot... and well, gods can be mean! His desire was to kill Tenthus but Euterpius intercede and ask for mercy. Well, zeus is not that merciful, because he agree to don't kill Tethus, but curse him.
Tenthus life after Euterpius was only music and sex, so what he became? A cicada... cursed to live for a month, and die for 17 years, staying in a larval form under the earth. Forever, eternally stuck in a cicada-men life, until the day he learn what a real love is.
The main couple
Phaedrus was trained to be the next lover of the cicada-men. His life is the temple, were he is trained. Sex, how to give pleasure... only that... no free will, just a very well trained whore.
The moment Tenthus rise again
Phaedrus is there... to serve him... to be his slave... to be his doom.
I adore the suspense, not only the eroticism
There is a plot for murder, there is Phaedrus desperation, there is a eternal being tired of such useless life... This book is not only about sex, it's about love
Pure love that can or not heal a broken heart.
5 stars because love is everything, and nothing. Tenthus will learn, after countless deaths and births what is love?
And if so... what someone like him could give to the gods, to show how truly in love he is?
Read to discover... and well, keep a Kleenex box near you. The end is heartbreaking!
October 16, 2011
Well-researched as far as I can tell, immersive setting and a couple of noteworthy sex scenes, but the dealbreaker for me was characterization. I wanted to care about the leads, but I felt like I never got to know them. I was "told" why Phaedrus should appeal to me as a reader and make me root for him, but it wasn't organic. The supporting characters seemed to arbitrarily exist as the author needed them and otherwise fade into irrelevancy. The plot hinged on the main characters falling in love and the difference between love and lust, but lust called love was what it delivered.
As a purely erotic novel and not a romance, though, definitely worth a read!
As a purely erotic novel and not a romance, though, definitely worth a read!
February 14, 2010
Set in the mythical world of Ancient Greece when gods and immortals roamed their world, the story of Tenthus, Euterpius, and Phaedrus is an intricately woven dance highlighting the capriciousness of Gods and often their cruelty. Although the author takes numerous elements and ideas from mythology the final work of fiction is original and creative, yet so similar to its roots the tale could be a story from mythology itself.
Tenthus begins as an innocent, an unwitting pawn in the eternal game of boredom and privilege the Gods and Immortals play out. It’s no surprise a wandering muse Euterpius decides to take advantage of the mortal, even with the predictable outcome of Zeus’ anger and jealousy. Yet the gift and punishment for Tenthus are at once his salvation and his damnation. The once novel and interesting cycle of death and rebirth soon becomes painful and tedious as does the awkward and strained ministrations of his followers. Tenthus is caught in the never-ending cycle of his life, yearning for something he can’t name, a vague idea of happiness and love with someone capable of returning those emotions yet clinging to his captor and only friend. His need for feeding, which consists of drinking the seed of the young virginal men staked out like sacrifices for him, compels and disgusts him. He has no wish to hurt these men yet their inbred fear and confusion causes pain for everyone involved.
Phaedrus is perhaps the most compelling of this very fascinating cast of characters. He is a product of a violent and brainwashing upbringing at the hands of Diomedes, the high priest of Tenthus’ temple. From his humble beginnings, birthed in a filthy prison cell, Phaedrus has been created and molded through pain and anger for the sole purpose of killing Tenthus. He has been conditioned to like pain and need it, yet told he is an abomination for the response he has been molded to make. Only Tenthus can see beyond the young man’s self-loathing to the beautiful kindred soul within. Their connection is more than either Phaedrus or Tenthus had ever experienced and the acceptance, forgiveness, and love they give each other is able to heal old wounds.
Of course, as with anything in mythology, love is never as easy as that and their path to a happy ever after is bloody, painful, and violent. It is also lovely with a vivid appeal for these two broken men. As humans can be every bit as casually cruel and merciless as the Gods, this tale is not for anyone wanting an easy, light romance. Tenthus and Phaedrus’ love story is dark, violent, fiery, and intriguing. Only their love and forgiveness will be able to save both men and allow them a life together, even then it’s at a price.
Although Euterpius, the catalyst of this dark romance tale, is capable of love, it’s an altogether different kind of love than that of Tenthus and Phaedrus. The immortal feels emotion and certainly knows to an extent love, pity, sorrow, and lust. However, each emotion is tempered by longevity and the arrogant belief that his “gift” to Tenthus is best for him, even though his own actions caused Tenthus’ downfall. Euterpius tempers this by creating a religion and belief system that will support Tenthus’ every rising and personally attends his lover after the rebirth from the ground, yet Euterpius is unable to understand the confusion and pain that Tenthus feels with his long and painful cycle of life and death even as he wants his one time lover to be happy. Euterpius embodies the good and bad of the immortals with their fickle whims and bestowing fortune or harsh honesty, depending on their mood. While he has certainly gained and lost from Tenthus’ life and struggles, his newfound wisdom is likely to be short lived.
Aside from the stunningly beautiful cover art which embodies this fantasy tale so well, the author has given a well written, creative, and engrossing tale glimpsing into the characters that ancient Greeks were so devoted to. With intricate and complicated characters, a well-crafted plot and honest portrayals, this story shows the often cruel whims of mortals and immortals alike. Not for the faint of heart, any mythology lover will appreciate the setting and characters while those who enjoy a darker edge to their romance will enjoy this compelling story. Without a doubt this author found their way to my keeper shelf with this darkly wonderful myth.
Tenthus begins as an innocent, an unwitting pawn in the eternal game of boredom and privilege the Gods and Immortals play out. It’s no surprise a wandering muse Euterpius decides to take advantage of the mortal, even with the predictable outcome of Zeus’ anger and jealousy. Yet the gift and punishment for Tenthus are at once his salvation and his damnation. The once novel and interesting cycle of death and rebirth soon becomes painful and tedious as does the awkward and strained ministrations of his followers. Tenthus is caught in the never-ending cycle of his life, yearning for something he can’t name, a vague idea of happiness and love with someone capable of returning those emotions yet clinging to his captor and only friend. His need for feeding, which consists of drinking the seed of the young virginal men staked out like sacrifices for him, compels and disgusts him. He has no wish to hurt these men yet their inbred fear and confusion causes pain for everyone involved.
Phaedrus is perhaps the most compelling of this very fascinating cast of characters. He is a product of a violent and brainwashing upbringing at the hands of Diomedes, the high priest of Tenthus’ temple. From his humble beginnings, birthed in a filthy prison cell, Phaedrus has been created and molded through pain and anger for the sole purpose of killing Tenthus. He has been conditioned to like pain and need it, yet told he is an abomination for the response he has been molded to make. Only Tenthus can see beyond the young man’s self-loathing to the beautiful kindred soul within. Their connection is more than either Phaedrus or Tenthus had ever experienced and the acceptance, forgiveness, and love they give each other is able to heal old wounds.
Of course, as with anything in mythology, love is never as easy as that and their path to a happy ever after is bloody, painful, and violent. It is also lovely with a vivid appeal for these two broken men. As humans can be every bit as casually cruel and merciless as the Gods, this tale is not for anyone wanting an easy, light romance. Tenthus and Phaedrus’ love story is dark, violent, fiery, and intriguing. Only their love and forgiveness will be able to save both men and allow them a life together, even then it’s at a price.
Although Euterpius, the catalyst of this dark romance tale, is capable of love, it’s an altogether different kind of love than that of Tenthus and Phaedrus. The immortal feels emotion and certainly knows to an extent love, pity, sorrow, and lust. However, each emotion is tempered by longevity and the arrogant belief that his “gift” to Tenthus is best for him, even though his own actions caused Tenthus’ downfall. Euterpius tempers this by creating a religion and belief system that will support Tenthus’ every rising and personally attends his lover after the rebirth from the ground, yet Euterpius is unable to understand the confusion and pain that Tenthus feels with his long and painful cycle of life and death even as he wants his one time lover to be happy. Euterpius embodies the good and bad of the immortals with their fickle whims and bestowing fortune or harsh honesty, depending on their mood. While he has certainly gained and lost from Tenthus’ life and struggles, his newfound wisdom is likely to be short lived.
Aside from the stunningly beautiful cover art which embodies this fantasy tale so well, the author has given a well written, creative, and engrossing tale glimpsing into the characters that ancient Greeks were so devoted to. With intricate and complicated characters, a well-crafted plot and honest portrayals, this story shows the often cruel whims of mortals and immortals alike. Not for the faint of heart, any mythology lover will appreciate the setting and characters while those who enjoy a darker edge to their romance will enjoy this compelling story. Without a doubt this author found their way to my keeper shelf with this darkly wonderful myth.
November 5, 2010
I was disappointed by this book. There was too much angst for me. I normally enjoy a book built around mythology but much of the missle of the book could have been left out. The gods were cruel this time around.
Currently reading
July 1, 2011Err...I'm not a big fan of free love....lol, so much sex...and I can imagine this entire book just leaking semen...ewwwww
June 2, 2011
First, be warned of two things--
1) This is not for the faint of heart. There are two orgy scenes, but both play into the story/setting/characters.
2) The start of the story is written like the old myths of Zeus and his pantheon. It was hard to read at first, but I applaud the author for keeping the writing style in line with the theme.
Now that the disclaimers are out of the way, I enjoyed this book immensely. It had dark, sweet, love, hate, betrayal, trust, friendship, competition, bitterness, curiosity, lust, and music all wrapped up into one story.
While the "dark" parts might shock more sensitive readers, if you can handle a little wild sex and enjoy stories ancient myths then check this out. (Hey, it's a story about an immortal summoned by spunk, so there's going to be wild sex, and besides, Pan himself makes a cameo appearance.)
1) This is not for the faint of heart. There are two orgy scenes, but both play into the story/setting/characters.
2) The start of the story is written like the old myths of Zeus and his pantheon. It was hard to read at first, but I applaud the author for keeping the writing style in line with the theme.
Now that the disclaimers are out of the way, I enjoyed this book immensely. It had dark, sweet, love, hate, betrayal, trust, friendship, competition, bitterness, curiosity, lust, and music all wrapped up into one story.
While the "dark" parts might shock more sensitive readers, if you can handle a little wild sex and enjoy stories ancient myths then check this out. (Hey, it's a story about an immortal summoned by spunk, so there's going to be wild sex, and besides, Pan himself makes a cameo appearance.)
September 10, 2014
First impressions?... The word 'phallos' was overused, so much so that I thought this was a satirical retelling of Greek mythology. Having said that, as the story progressed I found myself drawn to the characters and their plight. It was so filled with angst that I couldn't help but feel their heartache as my own. I would have liked more detail on Phaedrus' upbringing and Diomedes' modus operandi. Overall I found the setting and plot an interesting one, there was a potential for an epic tale but it just fell a little short for me.
January 3, 2016
Consort is a beautifully written book, that pushed my comfort level. I saw snapshots of insight into the characters throughout the book, but would have loved to understand them a little better (but this is often the way of gods and demigods).
July 10, 2011
4.5 stars
September 21, 2011
way too much sex is this book's problem.
February 14, 2012
The world building is brilliant and vivid; the writing is really lovely to read; the idea for the story was wonderful.
But wow, I could not care at all about the characters or the "romance."
But wow, I could not care at all about the characters or the "romance."
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews