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Cethe
Human-like, but not human, the nara ruled Tanyrin for centuries. The most feared among them were their naragi, sorcerers whose power was all but invincible. Not until the coming of Arami Lothlain, King of Tanyrin and Blessed of Loth, did the rein of the nara come to a bloody end. For four hundred years afterwards, the land was at peace.
Stefn Eldering was the youngest son of the Earl of Shia, the last in a long, proud line of demon hunters. He was also a sin-catcher, living proof of God's displeasure, the shame of his existence atonement for the sins of his ancestors. Michael Arranz was the son of a duke and one of the despised h'naran, half-bloods cursed with the blood of the nara running through their veins. Of all the h'nara, his family alone was immune from the persecution of the powerful Church of Loth, protected by an ancient covenant.
In ordinary times, the paths of Michael and Stefn would never have crossed. Alas, times were no longer ordinary. The latest of the Lothlain kings was a weakling, unable to curb the ambitions of an increasingly powerful, corrupt clergy. Famine stalked the land. Fear of the h'nara, fanned by the Church, spread tentacles everywhere. Tanyrin teetered on the edge of chaos.
A loyal and devoted friend to Tanyrin's crown prince, Michael could refuse Severyn Lothlain nothing, not even when Severyn asked the unspeakable of him. Determined to wrest the throne from his brother, Severyn intended nothing less than the resurrection of the ancient naragi. Michael, whose naran blood was the purest in Tanyrin, was the logical choice. But for Michael to become what mankind feared most, he needed a conduit through which to take the powerful, dangerous magic of the Dark Stream. He needed a man who carried the ancient blood of the cethera.
He needed Stefn Eldering.
Stefn Eldering was the youngest son of the Earl of Shia, the last in a long, proud line of demon hunters. He was also a sin-catcher, living proof of God's displeasure, the shame of his existence atonement for the sins of his ancestors. Michael Arranz was the son of a duke and one of the despised h'naran, half-bloods cursed with the blood of the nara running through their veins. Of all the h'nara, his family alone was immune from the persecution of the powerful Church of Loth, protected by an ancient covenant.
In ordinary times, the paths of Michael and Stefn would never have crossed. Alas, times were no longer ordinary. The latest of the Lothlain kings was a weakling, unable to curb the ambitions of an increasingly powerful, corrupt clergy. Famine stalked the land. Fear of the h'nara, fanned by the Church, spread tentacles everywhere. Tanyrin teetered on the edge of chaos.
A loyal and devoted friend to Tanyrin's crown prince, Michael could refuse Severyn Lothlain nothing, not even when Severyn asked the unspeakable of him. Determined to wrest the throne from his brother, Severyn intended nothing less than the resurrection of the ancient naragi. Michael, whose naran blood was the purest in Tanyrin, was the logical choice. But for Michael to become what mankind feared most, he needed a conduit through which to take the powerful, dangerous magic of the Dark Stream. He needed a man who carried the ancient blood of the cethera.
He needed Stefn Eldering.
562 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
31 people are currently reading
1921 people want to read
About the author
Becca Abbott
2 books94 followersAbout Me.
About the Author:
Becca has been writing since the mid-1990s when she started writing fanfiction for various television shows. Her talent has only grown and she has recently started writing original works of fiction. Cethe is her first published novel but expect great things from her as more of her works are published in the coming years.
About the Author:
Becca has been writing since the mid-1990s when she started writing fanfiction for various television shows. Her talent has only grown and she has recently started writing original works of fiction. Cethe is her first published novel but expect great things from her as more of her works are published in the coming years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
June 7, 2011
When I started reading this book I was hooked. The writing was fantastic, the world building breathtaking and the story outstanding. Watching Michael and Stefn’s relationship develop from that of captor and victim to friendship and later love was very satisfying. Their travels through the world of the humans and nara were intriguing, as were the political battles going on around them. I couldn’t get enough of it. And then they were separated by the spoiled, jealous prince Severyn. Everything just went downhill from there and something happened that made all of my excitement in the book… fizzle and die out. I read the rest in a sort of daze, no longer on the edge of my seat. It's frustrating, because I’m so disappointed in what otherwise would have undoubtedly been a 5 star read if I hadn't read past the first 3/4 of the book.
March 14, 2015
One of those books I wish I could give ten stars to. Admittedly, this is pretty much my ideal book: a complex, engrossing fantasy world, with two wonderful leads, vivid secondary characters, and plenty of sex. It’s unafraid of going to some pretty dark places, but I found nothing gratuitous at all, and the author’s overall attitude was affirming not cynical. I thought Abbot dealt fairly with the brutal complexities of her world: the abuses taking place in the land are grotesque; consequently, these characters must get their hands very, very dirty in their quest to restore justice. Some are more honest about the price than others--and more cognizant of the dangers of using others as tools. In the end, that honesty about the true costs is the only thing that can halt the slide to tyranny--that, and love.
Needless to say, I am dying for a sequel to this. I can’t stand the idea that this is the last we’ve seen of this world, and of Michael and Stefn in particular.
PS. A special word of praise for the cover art--it's gorgeous.
[For a more extended discussion of the non-con elements here see the review I posted on my blog, http://www.liliafordromance.com/#!How...]
Needless to say, I am dying for a sequel to this. I can’t stand the idea that this is the last we’ve seen of this world, and of Michael and Stefn in particular.
PS. A special word of praise for the cover art--it's gorgeous.
[For a more extended discussion of the non-con elements here see the review I posted on my blog, http://www.liliafordromance.com/#!How...]
October 31, 2022
Normally this would be the type of story I like, but the characters reactions were not convincing at all and simply made me appalled and disgusted by the story.
Stefn was raped by Michael in the beginning to make him his cethe, and fair enough, after almost no time passed Stefn acts towards him as if nothing happened and it didn't bother him at all.
And that was exactly what made me dislike the story to a degree I can't even begin to describe.
Stefn gets whipped by Michaels grandfather and after a bit of crying he's alright again, at the end he gets raped more times than he can count, but after an successful escape, thanks to Michael, this is all but forgotten and it doesn't take a day before he has sex with Michael again and is mentally totally fine.
This lack of response to being tortured and raped was what made it impossible for me to enjoy the overall story.They can go and fuck or get fucked by unicorns or crocodiles for all I care, but this was simply horrid!
Admittedly, the plot was good and interesting, but I simply can't get over the fact that rape and torture is being trivilized like that!
Stefn was raped by Michael in the beginning to make him his cethe, and fair enough, after almost no time passed Stefn acts towards him as if nothing happened and it didn't bother him at all.
And that was exactly what made me dislike the story to a degree I can't even begin to describe.
Stefn gets whipped by Michaels grandfather and after a bit of crying he's alright again, at the end he gets raped more times than he can count, but after an successful escape, thanks to Michael, this is all but forgotten and it doesn't take a day before he has sex with Michael again and is mentally totally fine.
This lack of response to being tortured and raped was what made it impossible for me to enjoy the overall story.They can go and fuck or get fucked by unicorns or crocodiles for all I care, but this was simply horrid!
Admittedly, the plot was good and interesting, but I simply can't get over the fact that rape and torture is being trivilized like that!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2023
'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Sigh, I suppose that's true. Don't worry, I'm not spoiling the book.... I'm talking about the author.
Becca Abbott's bio sounds exciting: a writer who's been honing her craft and beginning to get her stories published, ready and willing to see where it goes. But alas, only this book ever saw the light of day (by a tiny, now-defunct publisher), and that was 15 years ago. People put a few stories out and then disappear... happens all the time. But when it's someone this talented, it stings more.
I managed to get my hands on Cethe before it was no longer available, but my bookshelf takes its fermenting job seriously, so I only just read it this week. And I loved it.
I'm reading a lot more fantasy these days but it isn't my native tongue, so wading through extensive worldbuilding can feel a lot of work. But Abbott created a complex, vivid world with an abundant history that I never found difficult to follow. Each chapter began with a short passage from their "chronicles," which was essentially both their bible and constitution. Those engaging snippets set the tone for the societal relations, system of government, and power dynamics, while also providing the historical context that gave it dimension. Either through this choice or a league of other subtle ones, she drew me into the rich tapestry of Tanyrin and its denizens without ever overwhelming me with minutiae or exposition.
All of that is great, but characters are why I read, and it was they who had me hooked. The story alternates between three excellent POVs, all of whom I consider main characters, regardless of his role or lack thereof in the romance arc. Each time the perspective changed, I never felt sorry to shift — regardless of the tenterhook I was left on — because all three voices were distinct, entertaining, and relevant to what was happening.
I did have some notes on the last quarter or so, though. It wasn't as tight as the rest, from development to proofreading. The pacing could have been polished more — some things felt a little rushed, some a little long. And while there is no cliffhanger, it truly feels like it could have been the first of (at least) a duology. Here I'm a little conflicted, because I hate everything-tied-neatly-in-a-bow endings, and I'm in no way suggesting that it should have had that. But seeds were planted, and I really want the continuation that I feel sure Abbott had in her mind.
Which brings us back to the loved and lost authors who would be top shelf autobuys, except I don't know where or who they are. This keeps happening to me, and I imagine it always will. But at least I have loved.
4+ stars. (Xia, thanks as always for knocking this one off the greedy bookshelf into my hands. Sometimes it's nice to have a gentle nudge towards a book, but I love that we're able to be downright bossy with each other and leave nudging in the dust. 😂 )
Becca Abbott's bio sounds exciting: a writer who's been honing her craft and beginning to get her stories published, ready and willing to see where it goes. But alas, only this book ever saw the light of day (by a tiny, now-defunct publisher), and that was 15 years ago. People put a few stories out and then disappear... happens all the time. But when it's someone this talented, it stings more.
I managed to get my hands on Cethe before it was no longer available, but my bookshelf takes its fermenting job seriously, so I only just read it this week. And I loved it.
I'm reading a lot more fantasy these days but it isn't my native tongue, so wading through extensive worldbuilding can feel a lot of work. But Abbott created a complex, vivid world with an abundant history that I never found difficult to follow. Each chapter began with a short passage from their "chronicles," which was essentially both their bible and constitution. Those engaging snippets set the tone for the societal relations, system of government, and power dynamics, while also providing the historical context that gave it dimension. Either through this choice or a league of other subtle ones, she drew me into the rich tapestry of Tanyrin and its denizens without ever overwhelming me with minutiae or exposition.
All of that is great, but characters are why I read, and it was they who had me hooked. The story alternates between three excellent POVs, all of whom I consider main characters, regardless of his role or lack thereof in the romance arc. Each time the perspective changed, I never felt sorry to shift — regardless of the tenterhook I was left on — because all three voices were distinct, entertaining, and relevant to what was happening.
I did have some notes on the last quarter or so, though. It wasn't as tight as the rest, from development to proofreading. The pacing could have been polished more — some things felt a little rushed, some a little long. And while there is no cliffhanger, it truly feels like it could have been the first of (at least) a duology. Here I'm a little conflicted, because I hate everything-tied-neatly-in-a-bow endings, and I'm in no way suggesting that it should have had that. But seeds were planted, and I really want the continuation that I feel sure Abbott had in her mind.
Which brings us back to the loved and lost authors who would be top shelf autobuys, except I don't know where or who they are. This keeps happening to me, and I imagine it always will. But at least I have loved.
4+ stars. (Xia, thanks as always for knocking this one off the greedy bookshelf into my hands. Sometimes it's nice to have a gentle nudge towards a book, but I love that we're able to be downright bossy with each other and leave nudging in the dust. 😂 )
February 22, 2016
I would love to find out what happened to Remy in the end. I would love to know if Severyn liked his little wife. I would love to know if there is going to be a sequel, even a short one. There are a lot of things that are left unfinished.
The story, I thought, slowed down considerably around page 350 or so, but picked up again later, though I had a feeling it was a little rushed towards the end. It was somewhat frustrating to deal with such uneven flow.
However, I can't deny - I am in love with Cethe. 5 stars.
The story, I thought, slowed down considerably around page 350 or so, but picked up again later, though I had a feeling it was a little rushed towards the end. It was somewhat frustrating to deal with such uneven flow.
However, I can't deny - I am in love with Cethe. 5 stars.
May 28, 2012
*sob* I'm so sad I finished this book. I wish it could have gone on and on . . . Un-put-downable.
July 10, 2018
"Beautiful. Like a captured angel."
This review just about sums up my thoughts on this book. What started off really strong and pulled me in left me high and dry.
This review just about sums up my thoughts on this book. What started off really strong and pulled me in left me high and dry.
August 18, 2010
Almost 5 stars.... but I will be generous with it because it's exactly the type of book I love and look for all the time - long fantasy story with a significant gay romantic subplot. It also had the hate-each-other-in-the-begining thing. And cool magic that can be powered by gay smut XD What more can a fangirl ask for?
Bad points that make me hesitate about the 5 stars include:
- several loose ends (like the seme's father and his health problems that were never properly explained and that was hinted they could be solved by a practioner of the "light" magic - and they should be able to have access to one by the end of the story. Or like the poor Prince who was lusting after the wrong person and was about to marry the uke's sister - which we never got to know what type of woman/wife she'd be and if they'd get along). Should I assume there's a sequel in the making and the loose ends were on purpose?
- we never really understood what why some people "had the Blood" and could be a Cethe and what exactly did that mean? How come a Cethe could endlessly supply energy like that? I assumed they were some sort of medium between the river of magical power and the magic users, but what did that imply exactly and how come it was possible only through sex?
- the characters in the beginning were kind of just thrown at us. I never really remembered who was the one who got stabbed and if he appeared later on (I got the feeling he survived.... I think). Of course... I could look it up on purpose, but I shouldn't have to :D Anyway, my point is that some of the side characters (like the prince's friends) were very hard to remember and individualize.
Bad points that make me hesitate about the 5 stars include:
- several loose ends (like the seme's father and his health problems that were never properly explained and that was hinted they could be solved by a practioner of the "light" magic - and they should be able to have access to one by the end of the story. Or like the poor Prince who was lusting after the wrong person and was about to marry the uke's sister - which we never got to know what type of woman/wife she'd be and if they'd get along). Should I assume there's a sequel in the making and the loose ends were on purpose?
- we never really understood what why some people "had the Blood" and could be a Cethe and what exactly did that mean? How come a Cethe could endlessly supply energy like that? I assumed they were some sort of medium between the river of magical power and the magic users, but what did that imply exactly and how come it was possible only through sex?
- the characters in the beginning were kind of just thrown at us. I never really remembered who was the one who got stabbed and if he appeared later on (I got the feeling he survived.... I think). Of course... I could look it up on purpose, but I shouldn't have to :D Anyway, my point is that some of the side characters (like the prince's friends) were very hard to remember and individualize.
January 11, 2016
I absolutely adore this book! I adore all Becca's fiction! =)~
July 7, 2019
Cethe is such a complex and rich book that it's very difficult for me to write its review without ranting too much... ;) I simply loved Stefn and Mick's story!
If you're looking for a multifaceted fantasy book with a lot of background and world-building - this book is for you.
If you're looking for complex main characters, who are by no means perfect but have their schemes, hidden agendas and weaknesses and who are not afraid to act bravely, and to be apart and still loyal to each other - this book is for you.
And, finally, if you - like me - are looking for a somewhat "sweet" Master/slave story that is not obvious and insta-lovey - this book is for you.
And beneath all that we have a great many supporting characters, including the plotting prince Severyn. And we have a world full of mythology and religious background and land's history and customs and superstitions. Truly, kudos to the Author for creating such a compelling and intriguing story - with its mediaeval-ish atmosphere and quite a dollop of ancient magic.
Highly recommended for rich and complex fantasy fans!
If you're looking for a multifaceted fantasy book with a lot of background and world-building - this book is for you.
If you're looking for complex main characters, who are by no means perfect but have their schemes, hidden agendas and weaknesses and who are not afraid to act bravely, and to be apart and still loyal to each other - this book is for you.
And, finally, if you - like me - are looking for a somewhat "sweet" Master/slave story that is not obvious and insta-lovey - this book is for you.
And beneath all that we have a great many supporting characters, including the plotting prince Severyn. And we have a world full of mythology and religious background and land's history and customs and superstitions. Truly, kudos to the Author for creating such a compelling and intriguing story - with its mediaeval-ish atmosphere and quite a dollop of ancient magic.
Highly recommended for rich and complex fantasy fans!
January 14, 2014
1/13/14 reread
I can't believe I never mentioned it before, but the storyline is completely archetypal classic yaoi. You know, with the rape-love thing going on. Seme pm rapes uke. Seme fucks with ukes head by telling him he orgasmed, therefore he enjoyed it, invited it, secretly craves it, so it wasn't rape. Uke goes into crisis. Stockholm starts setting in. Uke, meanwhile, starts emitting uke-pheromones upon initiation as uke, and therefore gets kidnapped and almost (or actually) brutally raped. Meanwhile, seme 1 comes riding to the rescue like the proverbial knight in shining armor. Uke comes to conclusion, "My seme does not treat my as poorly as other brutal raping asshole, therefore he treats me well and I love him." And they live codependently ever after. The end.
Seriously. I cannot believe I didn't mention that before.
The Severyn breaks were annoying because honestly,
Alas, I couldn't even make myself pretend to care, even in this reread through, so I don't get to find out if I get bonus points or not.
BTW, GR should totally add a thing where we can record reread dates and get those to count towards our reading challenges, too. Just saying and all.
8/17/12
I rather did like it, but it got to a point where I didn't really care about any of the other characters except Michael and Stefn, and for that reason, it only gets a 3. That means either it focused too much on other characters or didn't write them in such a way to make them vital to Michael and Stefn's story and thus inherently unable for me to tune them out. (I think I ended up skimming most of the parts about Severyn and whatever and I could still keep up with what was going on with Michael and Stefn, so...)
I can't believe I never mentioned it before, but the storyline is completely archetypal classic yaoi. You know, with the rape-love thing going on. Seme pm rapes uke. Seme fucks with ukes head by telling him he orgasmed, therefore he enjoyed it, invited it, secretly craves it, so it wasn't rape. Uke goes into crisis. Stockholm starts setting in. Uke, meanwhile, starts emitting uke-pheromones upon initiation as uke, and therefore gets kidnapped and almost (or actually) brutally raped. Meanwhile, seme 1 comes riding to the rescue like the proverbial knight in shining armor. Uke comes to conclusion, "My seme does not treat my as poorly as other brutal raping asshole, therefore he treats me well and I love him." And they live codependently ever after. The end.
Seriously. I cannot believe I didn't mention that before.
The Severyn breaks were annoying because honestly,
Alas, I couldn't even make myself pretend to care, even in this reread through, so I don't get to find out if I get bonus points or not.
BTW, GR should totally add a thing where we can record reread dates and get those to count towards our reading challenges, too. Just saying and all.
8/17/12
I rather did like it, but it got to a point where I didn't really care about any of the other characters except Michael and Stefn, and for that reason, it only gets a 3. That means either it focused too much on other characters or didn't write them in such a way to make them vital to Michael and Stefn's story and thus inherently unable for me to tune them out. (I think I ended up skimming most of the parts about Severyn and whatever and I could still keep up with what was going on with Michael and Stefn, so...)
January 5, 2011
01/18/13: Revised rating after a couple of years of reading m/m: from 4 to 3.
This book kept me on edge until the very end. It's a hard journey, full of violence and magic. And love. Eventually.
The love story of this book begins in the most non-romantic way: a rape. Stefn, the human protagonist, has the Blood. It's not really explained what this means or why this happens, we later learn that through sex he can give to naragi, a supposedly extinct race of Dark mages, the energy they need to perform their spells. Michael belongs to a family of witches, but he's more powerful than everyone else and he needs to bond with Stefn to expand his powers. Stefn doesn't agree to the bond in the first place, of course, and he resists Michael a few times.
The bond between the naragi Michael and his cethe Stefn is apparently only sexual. Even if Stefn is repelled by Michael, he is nonetheless attracted to him and he says it openly in one of the most reveling statements of the book "Don't want you... Just need you".
It sounds pure Stockholm syndrome, because, on top of everything, Stefn is a sin-catcher, a creature of ill omen, and he is regarded as a cast-away because of a birth-defect. Michael rapes Stefn at first (let's say it's out of necessity), but he is not a heartless man and he shows Stefn more kindness than everyone else before. So, when Stefn realizes that he's fallen for Michael, we don't know if it is because sometimes you can't help falling in love with the first person that treats you like a human being, or the very person who holds you prisoner, or if everything depends on the magical bond.
There is another similar bond in the book, but we are shown that the two men involved do not feel as close as Stefn and Michael. Can I forgive Michael for the initial rape? I think I can, because the very last pages of the book show the extent he is capable of to save Stefn and it shows that in the end the two are equals in their relationship (Michael saves Stefn, but Stefn saves Michael too).
I'm not going to elaborate further on the rape. I was able to read the book to the end, even if it made me squirm. Be warned: poor Stefn has to endure A LOT of abuse, what happens with Michael at the beginning is nothing in comparison, but it's told in passing (but if you felt for Stefn like me, you can't help suffering).
The world building was wonderful. At the beginning there were a lot of names and terminology, so it was slow to read, but then it flew.
The secondary characters are interesting. If you read my status updates you'll understand that I had a hard time with Michael's best friend, Severyn, the prince who's scheming to become king. Severyn is dead jealous of Michael and he's not an adamant figure, I think he kept something from Michael (together with Michael's powerful grandfather).
There's a lot of politics because the story takes place in a world where the secular power and the religious power are colliding. It's a time of political and religious unrest and it was interesting.
The book doesn't explore everything and I guess we will hear again from the Kingdom of Tanyrin, because the confrontation between the Church and the King isn't resolved, there's the marriage between Severyn and Stefn's sister to be celebrated and so much left to be explained.
I'd recommended this book to those who like complex world building and a fantasy setting, but not to those who resent relationships beginning with rape and those who are repelled by violence and torture.
This book kept me on edge until the very end. It's a hard journey, full of violence and magic. And love. Eventually.
The love story of this book begins in the most non-romantic way: a rape. Stefn, the human protagonist, has the Blood. It's not really explained what this means or why this happens, we later learn that through sex he can give to naragi, a supposedly extinct race of Dark mages, the energy they need to perform their spells. Michael belongs to a family of witches, but he's more powerful than everyone else and he needs to bond with Stefn to expand his powers. Stefn doesn't agree to the bond in the first place, of course, and he resists Michael a few times.
The bond between the naragi Michael and his cethe Stefn is apparently only sexual. Even if Stefn is repelled by Michael, he is nonetheless attracted to him and he says it openly in one of the most reveling statements of the book "Don't want you... Just need you".
It sounds pure Stockholm syndrome, because, on top of everything, Stefn is a sin-catcher, a creature of ill omen, and he is regarded as a cast-away because of a birth-defect. Michael rapes Stefn at first (let's say it's out of necessity), but he is not a heartless man and he shows Stefn more kindness than everyone else before. So, when Stefn realizes that he's fallen for Michael, we don't know if it is because sometimes you can't help falling in love with the first person that treats you like a human being, or the very person who holds you prisoner, or if everything depends on the magical bond.
There is another similar bond in the book, but we are shown that the two men involved do not feel as close as Stefn and Michael. Can I forgive Michael for the initial rape? I think I can, because the very last pages of the book show the extent he is capable of to save Stefn and it shows that in the end the two are equals in their relationship (Michael saves Stefn, but Stefn saves Michael too).
I'm not going to elaborate further on the rape. I was able to read the book to the end, even if it made me squirm. Be warned: poor Stefn has to endure A LOT of abuse, what happens with Michael at the beginning is nothing in comparison, but it's told in passing (but if you felt for Stefn like me, you can't help suffering).
The world building was wonderful. At the beginning there were a lot of names and terminology, so it was slow to read, but then it flew.
The secondary characters are interesting. If you read my status updates you'll understand that I had a hard time with Michael's best friend, Severyn, the prince who's scheming to become king. Severyn is dead jealous of Michael and he's not an adamant figure, I think he kept something from Michael (together with Michael's powerful grandfather).
There's a lot of politics because the story takes place in a world where the secular power and the religious power are colliding. It's a time of political and religious unrest and it was interesting.
The book doesn't explore everything and I guess we will hear again from the Kingdom of Tanyrin, because the confrontation between the Church and the King isn't resolved, there's the marriage between Severyn and Stefn's sister to be celebrated and so much left to be explained.
I'd recommended this book to those who like complex world building and a fantasy setting, but not to those who resent relationships beginning with rape and those who are repelled by violence and torture.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2017
DNF at 35%
November 24, 2009
I have waited a long time to hold a book by Becca Abbott in my hot little hands. Her stories were always filled with pain and heartache, yet tempered with passion and sweetness.
SL Publishing has picked a real gem to be their first foray into print books. This is going to appeal to the yaoi fans, as well as to fans of m/m fiction who want a good dose of high fantasy with their relationships.
I happen to be a sucker for high fantasy, so this book pushed all of my happy buttons.
Stefn is a sin-eater. Sin-eaters are humans who are born with a deformity and everything that goes wrong is laid to blame at their feet. Despised by his family because of his deformity, Stefn spends his days wrapped up in ancient histories and books.
There's a revolution brewing. The church, which Stefn's family owes full allegiance has grown corrupt and power hungry. The king of the land is in a drug addled haze. The king's brother will do everything in his power to save the kingdom of Tanrin; even if it means bringing back forbidden Naran sorcery.
A coup is staged, and Stefn is the only male member of his family left alive.
He's left alive for one reason, to serve as the conduit of power for Michael Arranz, who's descended from the demon race of Naragi. Michael's blood is one of the purest left, and he needs a conduit if the plans to save the country are to be fruitful.
Enter in Stefn - abused, sheltered and believing fully that the demon race is bad, and that he must do everything in his power to thwart Michael's plans.
Yet, it's hard to rebel when you're very being is tied to what you hate most in the world - When it holds you in a web of pleasure and friendship, greater than anything that Stefn has ever known.
This book too me to a place that few books are able to bring me to. A place where you don't even notice that time is passing, yet you're spending hours devouring every word on the page. I was sad when I found that I only had a few chapters left. I wanted the book to keep going, to spend more time with these characters.
I knew I was going to like this book, based on the strength of Abbott's previous writing, but I wasn't expecting to like it quite this much. If this is the quality of work that SL Publishing is going to be releasing, then we're all in for a big treat.
SL Publishing has picked a real gem to be their first foray into print books. This is going to appeal to the yaoi fans, as well as to fans of m/m fiction who want a good dose of high fantasy with their relationships.
I happen to be a sucker for high fantasy, so this book pushed all of my happy buttons.
Stefn is a sin-eater. Sin-eaters are humans who are born with a deformity and everything that goes wrong is laid to blame at their feet. Despised by his family because of his deformity, Stefn spends his days wrapped up in ancient histories and books.
There's a revolution brewing. The church, which Stefn's family owes full allegiance has grown corrupt and power hungry. The king of the land is in a drug addled haze. The king's brother will do everything in his power to save the kingdom of Tanrin; even if it means bringing back forbidden Naran sorcery.
A coup is staged, and Stefn is the only male member of his family left alive.
He's left alive for one reason, to serve as the conduit of power for Michael Arranz, who's descended from the demon race of Naragi. Michael's blood is one of the purest left, and he needs a conduit if the plans to save the country are to be fruitful.
Enter in Stefn - abused, sheltered and believing fully that the demon race is bad, and that he must do everything in his power to thwart Michael's plans.
Yet, it's hard to rebel when you're very being is tied to what you hate most in the world - When it holds you in a web of pleasure and friendship, greater than anything that Stefn has ever known.
This book too me to a place that few books are able to bring me to. A place where you don't even notice that time is passing, yet you're spending hours devouring every word on the page. I was sad when I found that I only had a few chapters left. I wanted the book to keep going, to spend more time with these characters.
I knew I was going to like this book, based on the strength of Abbott's previous writing, but I wasn't expecting to like it quite this much. If this is the quality of work that SL Publishing is going to be releasing, then we're all in for a big treat.
February 3, 2011
Oh my. It would be easier to list the things I didn't like about this story than the things I did, but that wouldn't be very nice, would it?
I loved this. Loved. It. It's a fantasy, a well-done fantasy, with excellent world-building. The cities, forests, fields, castles - all the settings were wonderfully detailed without boring the reader. The background - a conflict between the forces of the Church and the mystical people called h'naran and their human allies - was well-thought out and complex without overwhelming. Clearly, Ms Abbott has a lot more of their history in her possession than she gives us, which makes the parts we do get that much more believable. The main characters are suitably conflicted and complicated, and when they do stupid things you quite understand why they do them.
I don't read much yaoi, but from what I do know the two main characters fall into those tropes - the strong older man (Michael) and the young, seemingly-weak man (Stefn). Their beginning is brutal and non-consensual. The development of their relationship is a roller-coaster of emotion, including unraveling defenses and sudden realizations along with the push and pull of people who don't quite believe what's happening between them.
Some of the elements I liked: conspiracies, unknown history that comes to light, good friends, a big baddie, several characters who could easily be bad but aren't quite and you understand their motivation; horses; castles; magic gone awry; bondage; hurt/comfort; sex used in magical ways; and one of the most heart-pounding awesomesauce rescue scenes I've read in a while. The kind where you can see it happening in slow-motion.
It took me four days to read this, because I wanted to savor it. I put it down frequently so I wouldn't rush through it.
One caution: There are some brutal scenes of torture, including rape. They're not overlong or overly described, but they aren't off-page either. This doesn't bother me, but if you're squeamish, well, you've been notified.
I loved this. Loved. It. It's a fantasy, a well-done fantasy, with excellent world-building. The cities, forests, fields, castles - all the settings were wonderfully detailed without boring the reader. The background - a conflict between the forces of the Church and the mystical people called h'naran and their human allies - was well-thought out and complex without overwhelming. Clearly, Ms Abbott has a lot more of their history in her possession than she gives us, which makes the parts we do get that much more believable. The main characters are suitably conflicted and complicated, and when they do stupid things you quite understand why they do them.
I don't read much yaoi, but from what I do know the two main characters fall into those tropes - the strong older man (Michael) and the young, seemingly-weak man (Stefn). Their beginning is brutal and non-consensual. The development of their relationship is a roller-coaster of emotion, including unraveling defenses and sudden realizations along with the push and pull of people who don't quite believe what's happening between them.
Some of the elements I liked: conspiracies, unknown history that comes to light, good friends, a big baddie, several characters who could easily be bad but aren't quite and you understand their motivation; horses; castles; magic gone awry; bondage; hurt/comfort; sex used in magical ways; and one of the most heart-pounding awesomesauce rescue scenes I've read in a while. The kind where you can see it happening in slow-motion.
It took me four days to read this, because I wanted to savor it. I put it down frequently so I wouldn't rush through it.
One caution: There are some brutal scenes of torture, including rape. They're not overlong or overly described, but they aren't off-page either. This doesn't bother me, but if you're squeamish, well, you've been notified.
December 17, 2016
What a disappointing book! It *could* have been a great story, there was heaps of potential passion between Stefn and his mage'master'Michael. However it just didn't materialise. The 'romantic' sex was so quick, it was as if the author was embarrassed to be writing it. She seemed to want to be writing a straight fantasy, with all of the worldbuilding in the book, that it weighed down the m/m romance.
The author became quite obsessed with the back stories of characters i cared nothing for and histories of different peoples, mages, religions, monarchy etc. None of it was well explained and it all became very confusing. In the end I didn't really care about any of the characters, apart from Stefn and Michael. And Stefn was such a poorly written character-
The author became quite obsessed with the back stories of characters i cared nothing for and histories of different peoples, mages, religions, monarchy etc. None of it was well explained and it all became very confusing. In the end I didn't really care about any of the characters, apart from Stefn and Michael. And Stefn was such a poorly written character-
August 28, 2016
There's something about Becca Abbott's writing style that very likeable and appealing. I had really enjoyed her online fanfiction, especially the 2 lengthy Ai No Kusabe fanfic stories which are each outstanding (if you don't mind lots of noncon), and I also enjoyed Cethe thoroughly. The book is well-written, the world is interesting, and yes the romance in this one is a little formulaic but it still grabbed me and since this is a longer book the progression from enemies/master-slave to true love was well developed.
There's a completed sequel on the the author's subscription site which is Severin's story and which was also a very good read. Hopefully that will get published in book form soon.
As another aside, Becca Abbot's several Gundam Wing fanfics are fabulous too - on par with PL Nunn's Smallville fanfic, in that they are very satisfying reads even if you weren't a fan of the originals.
There's a completed sequel on the the author's subscription site which is Severin's story and which was also a very good read. Hopefully that will get published in book form soon.
As another aside, Becca Abbot's several Gundam Wing fanfics are fabulous too - on par with PL Nunn's Smallville fanfic, in that they are very satisfying reads even if you weren't a fan of the originals.
September 15, 2013
Wow, I can't believe I can add it to so many of my shelves. This book did not leave a good impression. For once "it was OK" is as accurate as I can get.
The basic arc - war against the king and obnoxiously corrupt Church (subtlety, my people) - was barely entertaining, yet eerily appealing. However the rebel leader (no spoilers) didn't actually do much after the beginning of the novel. One could probably say he had already everything in place, the right alliances, the ... whatever, except for a naragi, which he gets in the beginning. There is still no reason for the takeover of Shia, except to get Eldering, although one can't completely discount the machiavellic war maneuvers that we can't understand as we're not given the context and the author doesn't condescend to either (bla, bla, bla...) As I was saying, the throne effectively fell into the rebel leader's hands and all he had to do was protect Eldering and Michael's virtue from time to time (this sounds weirdly funny).
The basic arc is, however, a secondary one. The book mainly concentrates on the romance angle and everyone knows that there is no aphrodisiac better than as much S&M as I can ever expect to encounter in a book claiming not to be that, particularly. Nope... I don't take nicely to someone overshadowing my blame-the-Church angle to present the gay/abuse version of Beauty and the Beast...
And third, the cover. One reason I carry 1000 books in 1.5 cube cm is not only that the printed version would be rather heavy, but I still find the prospect of my grandma stumbling on a cover like this rather frightening, thank whoever bothered to invent USB. However, even I can't find myself willing to add a book that only has one type of cover that only telegraphs YES,-HERE-GUYS-SCREW-EACH-OTHER-A-LOT-AND-THERE-IS-A-LITTLE-STORY-TOO-SO-THIS-BOOK-IS-NOT-LITERARY-PORN, which, as it is, says a lot about judging a book by its cover. I'm not one to spit in the face of honesty, but I'll try to invest brain cells in the pursuit of electronic dust jackets. Yep, Hypocrisy R Us
The basic arc - war against the king and obnoxiously corrupt Church (subtlety, my people) - was barely entertaining, yet eerily appealing. However the rebel leader (no spoilers) didn't actually do much after the beginning of the novel. One could probably say he had already everything in place, the right alliances, the ... whatever, except for a naragi, which he gets in the beginning. There is still no reason for the takeover of Shia, except to get Eldering, although one can't completely discount the machiavellic war maneuvers that we can't understand as we're not given the context and the author doesn't condescend to either (bla, bla, bla...) As I was saying, the throne effectively fell into the rebel leader's hands and all he had to do was protect Eldering and Michael's virtue from time to time (this sounds weirdly funny).
The basic arc is, however, a secondary one. The book mainly concentrates on the romance angle and everyone knows that there is no aphrodisiac better than as much S&M as I can ever expect to encounter in a book claiming not to be that, particularly. Nope... I don't take nicely to someone overshadowing my blame-the-Church angle to present the gay/abuse version of Beauty and the Beast...
And third, the cover. One reason I carry 1000 books in 1.5 cube cm is not only that the printed version would be rather heavy, but I still find the prospect of my grandma stumbling on a cover like this rather frightening, thank whoever bothered to invent USB. However, even I can't find myself willing to add a book that only has one type of cover that only telegraphs YES,-HERE-GUYS-SCREW-EACH-OTHER-A-LOT-AND-THERE-IS-A-LITTLE-STORY-TOO-SO-THIS-BOOK-IS-NOT-LITERARY-PORN, which, as it is, says a lot about judging a book by its cover. I'm not one to spit in the face of honesty, but I'll try to invest brain cells in the pursuit of electronic dust jackets. Yep, Hypocrisy R Us
October 25, 2019
It took me three days to get through this book. For me, a fast reader, it is unusual. But the book was that intense - I had to leave it from time to time to just come up for air.
Becca Abbott does an excellent job of developing her story. The two MCs, Michael and Stefn, are more or less thrown together out of necessity. The interplay with Prince Severyn as a very important supporting character - hmmm, almost a MC himself - is well done. Oh, heck, the whole book is well done. I have not been so well entertained since I read Kathrine Kurtz's Deryni series (the original one: Chronicles of the Deryni - 3 Vol. Set.
This book is not for the squeamish. There is rape, torture, and worse - politics, betrayals and despair - but there is also that wonderful arthurian "might for right" theme flowing through the book. The hearts of our heroes are tested again and again, and found - worthy.
I almost reluctantly hope there is a sequel to this book - I would dearly love to know "what happens next." I would just cross my fingers that it would be as well-written, and satisfying - as Cethe. I am looking forward to whatever Ms. Abbott writes in the future (her on-line serialized novel Reifu Rising is different place/time etc. but I found it equally enjoyable).
To sum up: damn good read.
Becca Abbott does an excellent job of developing her story. The two MCs, Michael and Stefn, are more or less thrown together out of necessity. The interplay with Prince Severyn as a very important supporting character - hmmm, almost a MC himself - is well done. Oh, heck, the whole book is well done. I have not been so well entertained since I read Kathrine Kurtz's Deryni series (the original one: Chronicles of the Deryni - 3 Vol. Set.
This book is not for the squeamish. There is rape, torture, and worse - politics, betrayals and despair - but there is also that wonderful arthurian "might for right" theme flowing through the book. The hearts of our heroes are tested again and again, and found - worthy.
I almost reluctantly hope there is a sequel to this book - I would dearly love to know "what happens next." I would just cross my fingers that it would be as well-written, and satisfying - as Cethe. I am looking forward to whatever Ms. Abbott writes in the future (her on-line serialized novel Reifu Rising is different place/time etc. but I found it equally enjoyable).
To sum up: damn good read.
January 22, 2015
This is my kind of fantasy— a well described world of wizards and magic, political plotting and intrigue, action and adventure, and a pair of feuding lovers who take their time getting in sync. Lots of lovely slow burn. This book has been on my TBR list forever. I don’t know why it took me so long to get to it, but I really enjoyed it.
It did take a little while for me to get into the story, to get the lay of the land— typical with in-depth fantasies, I think— but once it came together I got swept into Stefn and Michael’s grand adventure. Their story is finely woven into that of the young royal they serve, Prince Severyn. He is desperate to battle the religious fanaticism that threatens the throne as well as bring order back to his beleaguered land. And he’ll do it at any cost, using Michael’s magical abilities to strengthen the cause. The religious fanaticism and cultural backstory added to the richness of the world building.
Stefn and Michael’s connection is unusual. Stef becomes a political pawn— taken against his will and forced to act as an energy source for Michael’s wizardry. Via… you guessed it, lusty, sweaty sex. So, beware if rapey slavefic doesn’t appeal, there’s lots of that here. What I really liked was that it took them a while to work their way through suspicion and mistrust to find respect, friendship and love. There was nothing fluffy about it either, it’s a long bumpy road.
Despite the slow start and some lagging here and there, this a well-done, entertaining read. And, hey, sex used as fuel for magic… that’s pretty hot, too.
July 2, 2012
3.5 stars
I have mixed feelings about this story. I really liked the underlying plot, yet I found it slightly unbalanced in its execution. There are lots of brutal scenes throughout the novel (which I usually am fine with, provided it fits the storyline) that left me feeling uncomfortable, as the ramifications of these scenes seemed to be skimmed over.
Otherwise, the plot is good, even if many of the characters are rather unlikeable at times. Michael is almost an anti-hero, as many of his actions are despicable, with poor Stefn bearing the brunt of them. Yeah, I know it sounds like there is not much positive about the move, yet for some reason I still liked it...
I have mixed feelings about this story. I really liked the underlying plot, yet I found it slightly unbalanced in its execution. There are lots of brutal scenes throughout the novel (which I usually am fine with, provided it fits the storyline) that left me feeling uncomfortable, as the ramifications of these scenes seemed to be skimmed over.
Otherwise, the plot is good, even if many of the characters are rather unlikeable at times. Michael is almost an anti-hero, as many of his actions are despicable, with poor Stefn bearing the brunt of them. Yeah, I know it sounds like there is not much positive about the move, yet for some reason I still liked it...
June 19, 2015
3.5 stars.
4 stars for the story. This was a nice fantasy novel, with plenty of solid world-building. Engaging writing, well-described customs and history and a fascinating plot.
2 stars for the romance part. Unfortunately, the relationship between Michael and Stefn didn't live up to the rest of the book. What little sparks were there, were drowned out by the political events and the back-and-forth traveling the heroes incessantly did throughout the book. I just wanted them to slow down and explore their feelings and get to know each other...Instead, the falling in love was almost indistinguishable, and mostly was a result of the magical Bond, which sucks.
I also wanted a solution of some kind for Severyn. Michael never confronts him about the kiss, and the whole incident is glossed over..coupled with the ending, the book left me with a bittersweet taste.
Overall, a good read, if a bit lengthy. I'll definitely check out the author's other works.
4 stars for the story. This was a nice fantasy novel, with plenty of solid world-building. Engaging writing, well-described customs and history and a fascinating plot.
2 stars for the romance part. Unfortunately, the relationship between Michael and Stefn didn't live up to the rest of the book. What little sparks were there, were drowned out by the political events and the back-and-forth traveling the heroes incessantly did throughout the book. I just wanted them to slow down and explore their feelings and get to know each other...Instead, the falling in love was almost indistinguishable, and mostly was a result of the magical Bond, which sucks.
I also wanted a solution of some kind for Severyn. Michael never confronts him about the kiss, and the whole incident is glossed over..coupled with the ending, the book left me with a bittersweet taste.
Overall, a good read, if a bit lengthy. I'll definitely check out the author's other works.
October 9, 2015
4.5 Stars
I really liked this and it launched me back into re-reading a whole load of fantasy stuff I have.
I loved the in depth characters, the world building and the action.
Would really love to read more about this world
I really liked this and it launched me back into re-reading a whole load of fantasy stuff I have.
I loved the in depth characters, the world building and the action.
Would really love to read more about this world
August 6, 2016
Great high fantasy, but it wrapped up too quickly for me. Also, one MC takes soooo much abuse; I was cringing the entire final 25%. So it felt unfinished and rushed to end where it did.
July 30, 2025
Should have been a keeper—started very well with a strong plot, and personalities. The tension between the church, the crown and the competent made for a great set-up. I could sort of squint and go along with Stefn's enslavement (though not happy with Michael's actions at all), on the slightly iffy grounds that I was expecting a discussion about enslavement and for Stefn to offer Michael decent opposition.
But the plot rather fizzled out, or at least, beyond the first part of the book,
There was something to this, but the uneven pacing and unfinished characterisation let it down.
But the plot rather fizzled out, or at least, beyond the first part of the book,
There was something to this, but the uneven pacing and unfinished characterisation let it down.
January 31, 2011
First off, I can't stop repeating that the cover is gorgeous! Feimo did a great job by creating this amazing work of art!
I must say, that the book was almost as good as the cover. I was absolutely in love with the characters! The realm was also a very interesting place to investigate. So, yes, I loved this book and the news regarding a sequel was a very welcome piece of information.
It seems that I can praise this book forever! Though there were some things that I rather disliked.
So now we are coming to the criticism :)
I was absolutely devastated with the ending of this book! Well, the last scenes were great! And I really loved the feeling of sad happiness. But before that there were some places that I choked upon. For example, when Michael was carrying his cethe out of Locke's "lair", everything was crashing and burning behind him. At the same time, he like a hero from a second-rate thriller was immune to it - emerging - as it looks like - out of the ashes, fire and smoke. Bleh!
Also the ending was too clichéd! When I reached the last quarter of the book I thought "Oh, well, now Locke must abduct Stefn, torture him, and only then will Stenf realize that he is in love with Michael. And Michael, of course, will save him and tell his cethe that he loves him and never let him go". However, I really really hoped, that Becca Abbott would come with something much more interesting to finish her book.
The next thing I didn't like (or maybe it wasn't properly explained) was the explanation of how the lethet could be removed ("should the heart of the cethe turn away from his lord, he can easily remove the lethet and be free"). According to it, Stefn could have removed it in the beginning, when he hated Michael. Still in the beginning he couldn't do it. Why? Or was he already in love with the man?
If this book hadn't had these and some other loose ends, it would have been perfect..At least I believe so. Hope that a sequel will bring light into those matters.
I must say, that the book was almost as good as the cover. I was absolutely in love with the characters! The realm was also a very interesting place to investigate. So, yes, I loved this book and the news regarding a sequel was a very welcome piece of information.
It seems that I can praise this book forever! Though there were some things that I rather disliked.
So now we are coming to the criticism :)
I was absolutely devastated with the ending of this book! Well, the last scenes were great! And I really loved the feeling of sad happiness. But before that there were some places that I choked upon. For example, when Michael was carrying his cethe out of Locke's "lair", everything was crashing and burning behind him. At the same time, he like a hero from a second-rate thriller was immune to it - emerging - as it looks like - out of the ashes, fire and smoke. Bleh!
Also the ending was too clichéd! When I reached the last quarter of the book I thought "Oh, well, now Locke must abduct Stefn, torture him, and only then will Stenf realize that he is in love with Michael. And Michael, of course, will save him and tell his cethe that he loves him and never let him go". However, I really really hoped, that Becca Abbott would come with something much more interesting to finish her book.
The next thing I didn't like (or maybe it wasn't properly explained) was the explanation of how the lethet could be removed ("should the heart of the cethe turn away from his lord, he can easily remove the lethet and be free"). According to it, Stefn could have removed it in the beginning, when he hated Michael. Still in the beginning he couldn't do it. Why? Or was he already in love with the man?
If this book hadn't had these and some other loose ends, it would have been perfect..At least I believe so. Hope that a sequel will bring light into those matters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2016
I had abandoned this book some years ago at 16% because I just didn't get it. I'm so glad I returned to it. I started again from the beginning - and this time it was a fabulous read.
Stefn and Mick are stunning together - and the world created here wraps them in an embrace that is often full of thorns and brambles. To go from where they started on the journey to the end was something...I'm tellin' ya. Political intrigue, suspense, and a cast of characters that would fit any fantasy lovers dreams. The sex here appropriately moves the story along and the cethe and Naragi bond makes for a really rich fantasy read.
Stefn and Mick are stunning together - and the world created here wraps them in an embrace that is often full of thorns and brambles. To go from where they started on the journey to the end was something...I'm tellin' ya. Political intrigue, suspense, and a cast of characters that would fit any fantasy lovers dreams. The sex here appropriately moves the story along and the cethe and Naragi bond makes for a really rich fantasy read.
April 10, 2011
I have read better plots in this author's fanfiction than the one written in this book. It was very disappointing, but I do not regret buying the book to support one of my favorite fiction authors. Although the relationship between the main pairing is interesting, the boring political meetings and the switching POVs really ruin this book for me. Perhaps I was looking for a story more focused to the relationship, but in this one I felt it didn't give enough attention to the cethe and it didn't give a good enough look at the politics. I kept skipping the politics and looking for the blossoming relationship, but it didn't get as promising as I thought it would in the beginning.
December 9, 2010
The beautiful cover is a great match for the lovely innards of this book.
Character and relationship development was fairly even and quite believable; world building was done well without being over-bloated by too many details or purple prose; major conflicts had satisfying resolutions. By the end of this fairly long novel, I was wishing for more!
Definitely recommend this to a romance and/or fantasy fan.
Character and relationship development was fairly even and quite believable; world building was done well without being over-bloated by too many details or purple prose; major conflicts had satisfying resolutions. By the end of this fairly long novel, I was wishing for more!
Definitely recommend this to a romance and/or fantasy fan.
July 31, 2011
Thanks Cole for the nudge. :) After 8 months sitting around I finally and gladly got to it. Wonderful intricate world, political intrigue, questionable characters, intense actions scenes, twisty surprises, tough, violent and cruel to read at times and I ate it all up. I didn't find the ending all that satisfying after everything this author put me through and it left me with a ton of questions left unanswered.
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