Book Title: The Exile: Carved In Memory
Author: Adrianna Dane
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Publisher’s URL: http://amberquill.com/
ISBN: 978-1-60272-207-1
Genre: Gay / Fantasy / BDSM / Voyeurism / Exhibitionism / Series
Nymph Rating: 4 nymphs
Literary Nymph Reviewer: Woodland Nymph
Carved in Memory is the second in The Exile series revolving around the Brotherhood and Mannos, the Isle of Men.
In this story we meet Alonzo a receiver who was once chosen by one of the Ancient island lords and has since been exiled from Mannos. Ancients do not forgive and Alonzo was sure Lord Phineas meant to exact his full measure of revenge from him. Phineas had loved him and it was his undying love for the Ancient Master that had contributed to his exile, but when all was said and done it was Master Phineas who owned Alonzo, body and soul. Alonzo was exiled to the mainland a century ago and has been stuck in Diamond City as an acquisitor ever since. As an acquisitor, Alonzo is always looking out for objects from Mannos to either be returned to the island or placed in collector’s museums. The items could not end up on the streets or the public market.
Angel-Boy is a young man of twenty-five and thanks to Alonzo runs a second hand store down by the docks in Crowtown. When Alonzo realized Angel-Boy’s talent of being able to read the history of an object that’s been in his hands, he set him up with the store, which Angel-Boy then rented from him. Their arrangement has worked well for both of them so far, that is until Angel-Boy comes across a masthead. When the item is brought to him Angel-Boy can feel Alonzo’s energy all over it and calls him. When Alonzo sees the masthead, memories come flooding back of another time, a time when he was tied to that very mast for the pleasure of the Ancients and the pleasure of the Masters.
As payment for the masthead, Angel-Boy wants to spend one night with Alonzo. He’s been aware of Angel-Boy’s infatuation with him but has always tried to keep it nothing but business between them; he didn’t want anyone to love him. Alonzo cared for Angel-Boy and that was why he helped get him off the streets and into his own business. He liked Angel-Boy but if he gave in, it would change things and he didn’t want to lead Angel-Boy on as he would never be able to love him. Alonzo finds he’s unable to resist the temptation Angel-Boy presents and kisses him, figuring at least one of them will get their heart’s desire for the night.
Alonzo is surprised at how quickly his body responds to Angel-Boy and admits to himself he could have loved him if he wasn’t already broken. He enjoyed their night together more than he should have, more than he expected, this wasn’t supposed to happen. The morning after, Angel-Boy admits his love for Alonzo who tells him there can never be anything more between them. Determined, Angel-Boy informs Alonzo this is how he will expect payments from him from now on. Alonzo eventually reconsiders and wonders if he’s possibly found a way to survive the mainland after all.
The Exile: Carved In Memory is a short but very enjoyable installment in this series. Adrianna Dane has created a multi-layered and very fascinating character in Alonzo and only seems to have begun to scratch the surface of his story. Angel-Boy is a brash confident young man who knows what he wants and is more than willing to go after it. If you’re looking for a happily ever after ending then this book is not for you, but I highly recommend it to fans of m/m fantasy who don’t need the happily ever after. I for one will be anticipating the next installment in this series and hope for the continuation of Alonzo’s story.
Author: Adrianna Dane
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Publisher’s URL: http://amberquill.com/
ISBN: 978-1-60272-207-1
Genre: Gay / Fantasy / BDSM / Voyeurism / Exhibitionism / Series
Nymph Rating: 4 nymphs
Literary Nymph Reviewer: Woodland Nymph
Carved in Memory is the second in The Exile series revolving around the Brotherhood and Mannos, the Isle of Men.
In this story we meet Alonzo a receiver who was once chosen by one of the Ancient island lords and has since been exiled from Mannos. Ancients do not forgive and Alonzo was sure Lord Phineas meant to exact his full measure of revenge from him. Phineas had loved him and it was his undying love for the Ancient Master that had contributed to his exile, but when all was said and done it was Master Phineas who owned Alonzo, body and soul. Alonzo was exiled to the mainland a century ago and has been stuck in Diamond City as an acquisitor ever since. As an acquisitor, Alonzo is always looking out for objects from Mannos to either be returned to the island or placed in collector’s museums. The items could not end up on the streets or the public market.
Angel-Boy is a young man of twenty-five and thanks to Alonzo runs a second hand store down by the docks in Crowtown. When Alonzo realized Angel-Boy’s talent of being able to read the history of an object that’s been in his hands, he set him up with the store, which Angel-Boy then rented from him. Their arrangement has worked well for both of them so far, that is until Angel-Boy comes across a masthead. When the item is brought to him Angel-Boy can feel Alonzo’s energy all over it and calls him. When Alonzo sees the masthead, memories come flooding back of another time, a time when he was tied to that very mast for the pleasure of the Ancients and the pleasure of the Masters.
As payment for the masthead, Angel-Boy wants to spend one night with Alonzo. He’s been aware of Angel-Boy’s infatuation with him but has always tried to keep it nothing but business between them; he didn’t want anyone to love him. Alonzo cared for Angel-Boy and that was why he helped get him off the streets and into his own business. He liked Angel-Boy but if he gave in, it would change things and he didn’t want to lead Angel-Boy on as he would never be able to love him. Alonzo finds he’s unable to resist the temptation Angel-Boy presents and kisses him, figuring at least one of them will get their heart’s desire for the night.
Alonzo is surprised at how quickly his body responds to Angel-Boy and admits to himself he could have loved him if he wasn’t already broken. He enjoyed their night together more than he should have, more than he expected, this wasn’t supposed to happen. The morning after, Angel-Boy admits his love for Alonzo who tells him there can never be anything more between them. Determined, Angel-Boy informs Alonzo this is how he will expect payments from him from now on. Alonzo eventually reconsiders and wonders if he’s possibly found a way to survive the mainland after all.
The Exile: Carved In Memory is a short but very enjoyable installment in this series. Adrianna Dane has created a multi-layered and very fascinating character in Alonzo and only seems to have begun to scratch the surface of his story. Angel-Boy is a brash confident young man who knows what he wants and is more than willing to go after it. If you’re looking for a happily ever after ending then this book is not for you, but I highly recommend it to fans of m/m fantasy who don’t need the happily ever after. I for one will be anticipating the next installment in this series and hope for the continuation of Alonzo’s story.
0 comments:
Post a Comment