Scan barcode
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.
maya56's review
5.0
What an amazing book! Fantasy is not my favourite genre and yet I was immediately captured and held spellbound! The characters are so well developed, the plot interesting, and the pacing perfectly suited to the scene - from slow and unhurried to racing at breakneck speed! I didn't much care for the cliffie but it's not a big deal as I already have the sequel in my hot little hands!
robv's review
1.0
Couldn't get into this at all. I suppose the world building was fairly interesting, but the characters in it didn't make any sense. The elves being captured at all was a ridiculous scene. Then the prince (who already has several wives and children) falls in lust/"love" with the prisoner who just killed 15 of his men, and decides to win him over with his kindness. And eventually it actually works. I just couldn't wrap my head around it.
melanhoely's review
DNF @ 12%
I tried. But I really could not find it in me to care about these characters. I can't connect with them at all.
I tried. But I really could not find it in me to care about these characters. I can't connect with them at all.
myb1023's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
evil_jj's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I'll admit my general dislike of high fantasy brings my rating of this book down a bit, but to be honest, the fantasy aspects that annoyed me the most would probably have done so even if I loved the genre. An example is the "songs" of every living thing that Ayden is able to hear, and therefore sense the emotions of others, among other things. The near constant mentioning of these songs got old fast. It also seemed like an easy way out of demonstrating the characters' feelings in more meaningful ways.
I appreciate that the transition from enemies to lovers was very gradual, and therefore more believable. I do wish that the characters had better expressed their emotions, but that goes back to my annoyance with the songs as the method of telling the reader how they felt.
Even though I never felt bored while reading, I thought several times about how long it seemed. And yet, I think a lot of it must have been filler, as I can't remember enough events to have possibly filled so many pages. Of course, it had to end with a bloody cliffhanger, so I must read the sequel. My recommendation of this book will depend on whether the next one is good enough to have made this one worth it.
I'll admit my general dislike of high fantasy brings my rating of this book down a bit, but to be honest, the fantasy aspects that annoyed me the most would probably have done so even if I loved the genre. An example is the "songs" of every living thing that Ayden is able to hear, and therefore sense the emotions of others, among other things. The near constant mentioning of these songs got old fast. It also seemed like an easy way out of demonstrating the characters' feelings in more meaningful ways.
I appreciate that the transition from enemies to lovers was very gradual, and therefore more believable. I do wish that the characters had better expressed their emotions, but that goes back to my annoyance with the songs as the method of telling the reader how they felt.
Even though I never felt bored while reading, I thought several times about how long it seemed. And yet, I think a lot of it must have been filler, as I can't remember enough events to have possibly filled so many pages. Of course, it had to end with a bloody cliffhanger, so I must read the sequel. My recommendation of this book will depend on whether the next one is good enough to have made this one worth it.