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crtsjffrsn's review against another edition
3.0
Many people will tell you that you can't choose who you fall in love with. And sometimes that is a distressing reality. As Ayden finds when he leaves his elven brethren and enters service of Freyrik, a human prince. Not only must they contend with the long history of enmity between their two races, but Ayden's strong will is something he hopes will be enough to fight off any feelings of attraction that he senses are creeping up. But strong will can translate to passion and close proximity to someone who takes your breath away is bound to break down a wall eventually. The question is what to do once it comes crashing down. For Ayden and Freyrik, that's not an easy question to answer.
bradleyj's review
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jazi62's review against another edition
I cried I cheered and I cried. I loved this m/m romance
Okay so I picked this one up on a whim, in the middle of quite a number of other books and it blew me away. In fact I can't rate it, it is the first in an epic story the likes of which I haven't seen in a long time. The world is so developed the love so heartbreaking between the characters I was hooked. Throughout all my tears I was really and fully hooked it is the best m/m fantasy romance I have read so far. Can't wait for Book 2
Okay so I picked this one up on a whim, in the middle of quite a number of other books and it blew me away. In fact I can't rate it, it is the first in an epic story the likes of which I haven't seen in a long time. The world is so developed the love so heartbreaking between the characters I was hooked. Throughout all my tears I was really and fully hooked it is the best m/m fantasy romance I have read so far. Can't wait for Book 2
jjjreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Grief, Sexual content, Hate crime, Misogyny, Police brutality, Self harm, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Gore, Confinement, Death, Classism, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, Blood, Medical content, Slavery, Torture, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Death of parent, Drug use, Sexism, Trafficking, and Violence
Minor: Child death, Biphobia, Infidelity, and Infertility
mallorychristine's review
I added this to my tbr a decade ago and am no longer as comfortable with non-con as I was at the time.
bookwolfash_13's review against another edition
4.0
My rating system
5- Gush/Absolutely Loved
4- Low Love/High Like
3- Like
2- Meh
1- Dislike/Hate
If it is a .5 star I round up
4 Stars
I really enjoyed this one. Highly recommend this beautiful read.
5- Gush/Absolutely Loved
4- Low Love/High Like
3- Like
2- Meh
1- Dislike/Hate
If it is a .5 star I round up
4 Stars
I really enjoyed this one. Highly recommend this beautiful read.
ezichinny's review
4.0
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this audio. Ayden and Freyrik had a lot of tension, but Freyik eventually wore Ayden down.
Ayden and his sister are elves who were captured by humans (all the humans in the book were terrible!) and Ayden was so worried that his sister would be raped that he consented to be a sex partner for the prince.
Prince Freyrick was ruling the country in his brother's absence but he was a much kinder ruler.
Ayden was so distrustful of humans, but prince Frey eventually earned his trust. However, this relationship had a slave master and slave power dynamic even though Frey never treated Ayden badly unless they were in public. So It was a little hard to believe that the proud Ayden fought beside Frey during the surge.
I did like them together though.
I enjoyed this audio. Ayden and Freyrik had a lot of tension, but Freyik eventually wore Ayden down.
Ayden and his sister are elves who were captured by humans (all the humans in the book were terrible!) and Ayden was so worried that his sister would be raped that he consented to be a sex partner for the prince.
Prince Freyrick was ruling the country in his brother's absence but he was a much kinder ruler.
Ayden was so distrustful of humans, but prince Frey eventually earned his trust. However, this relationship had a slave master and slave power dynamic even though Frey never treated Ayden badly unless they were in public. So It was a little hard to believe that the proud Ayden fought beside Frey during the surge.
I did like them together though.
scarletine6's review
5.0
Don't judge an m/m book by it's cover! You would think from this cover that the two main characters were throbbing twinks. They are not, the prince is approx 29 and the elf is centuries old.
This is a gorgeous slow burning master/slave romance. Ayden, the elf, is caught while trying to rescue his sister, who has strayed over the border in to human territory. He fails and they are both captured and presented to the Prince Regent Freyrik. Freyrik takes Ayden as his 'prize', initially fueled by impure thoughts. But this grows into something more when they become comrades on the battlefield... and oh my they are just wonderful.
This is a great book, sweet, funny, and such a lovely couple. I loved how Freyrik's heart broke every time he had to be cruel to Ayden in public. Highly recommended M/M fantasy and i'm onto the next immediately.
This is a gorgeous slow burning master/slave romance. Ayden, the elf, is caught while trying to rescue his sister, who has strayed over the border in to human territory. He fails and they are both captured and presented to the Prince Regent Freyrik. Freyrik takes Ayden as his 'prize', initially fueled by impure thoughts. But this grows into something more when they become comrades on the battlefield... and oh my they are just wonderful.
This is a great book, sweet, funny, and such a lovely couple. I loved how Freyrik's heart broke every time he had to be cruel to Ayden in public. Highly recommended M/M fantasy and i'm onto the next immediately.
diana_raquel's review against another edition
3.5
"Yet men... you strive to shape the earth in your image, forgetting that the gods have already shaped it in theirs."
Well, that was something. Counterpoint is one of those books that remained on my TBR list for a long time. But finally, I decided to give it a try. And I got to say that I'm a little surprised. When I saw that this was an enemy to lovers and that the relationship between the two main characters would start as a slave/master relationship, I thought that this was going to be more problematic than it actually is. Actually, compared to other books that use the same trope, this isn't that problematic (well, you could say that romanticized slave/master relationships are always problematic but, believe me, from what I have read, this isn't very problematic- I know, I have issues). And that's why I was surprised. Every time I thought I know where the plot was going, something happened that change its course. And that was a pleasant surprise.
I liked this book. It's a good blend between the genres of fantasy and erotic. I liked the magic system and the fact that elves could hear human emotions. I also liked the characters of Ayden (he's my favorite) and Freyrik (although, he took a little time for me to like because I couldn't figure him out). Their relationship was developed in a very natural way, not too rushed and not too quick. The same goes for the pacing. At first, it was a little rushed but then it found the right speed. And, finally, I also liked the writing style.
But I couldn't pass the sexism. The society that the narrative presents is very sexist (surprised, surprised, sexism in fantasy). And, although, there's a female character that it's a woman who isn't afraid to speak up, at the same time, she's also very aware of her position in society. She doesn't stand up to sexism and misogyny, she uses her position to get what she wants. I just wish that Haimowitz took this opportunity to create strong female characters, something that you don't see in the fantasy genre every day.
But, although there's sexism, I still recommend the story. It has potential and it's very entertaining. I also recommend that you get the audiobook because the narrator is one of the best narrators that I ever listen to.
Well, that was something. Counterpoint is one of those books that remained on my TBR list for a long time. But finally, I decided to give it a try. And I got to say that I'm a little surprised. When I saw that this was an enemy to lovers and that the relationship between the two main characters would start as a slave/master relationship, I thought that this was going to be more problematic than it actually is. Actually, compared to other books that use the same trope, this isn't that problematic (well, you could say that romanticized slave/master relationships are always problematic but, believe me, from what I have read, this isn't very problematic- I know, I have issues). And that's why I was surprised. Every time I thought I know where the plot was going, something happened that change its course. And that was a pleasant surprise.
I liked this book. It's a good blend between the genres of fantasy and erotic. I liked the magic system and the fact that elves could hear human emotions. I also liked the characters of Ayden (he's my favorite) and Freyrik (although, he took a little time for me to like because I couldn't figure him out). Their relationship was developed in a very natural way, not too rushed and not too quick. The same goes for the pacing. At first, it was a little rushed but then it found the right speed. And, finally, I also liked the writing style.
But I couldn't pass the sexism. The society that the narrative presents is very sexist (surprised, surprised, sexism in fantasy). And, although, there's a female character that it's a woman who isn't afraid to speak up, at the same time, she's also very aware of her position in society. She doesn't stand up to sexism and misogyny, she uses her position to get what she wants. I just wish that Haimowitz took this opportunity to create strong female characters, something that you don't see in the fantasy genre every day.
But, although there's sexism, I still recommend the story. It has potential and it's very entertaining. I also recommend that you get the audiobook because the narrator is one of the best narrators that I ever listen to.