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intheblackout's review
2.0
2.5 stars
I don't think I'd be able to forgive how much of a douche Mitch was for the majority of this novella. Owen deserves way better!
I don't think I'd be able to forgive how much of a douche Mitch was for the majority of this novella. Owen deserves way better!
mallorypen's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
As the next installation of Mallory Reads Harper Fox’s Entire Catalogue Of Free Books On Audible While Waiting For My Next Credit … I so wanted to like this one more. It had the premise of being one of the better Fox books (archeology! Mysticism! Broken men searching for greater meaning!) but the main character was simply too much of a bastard for me to believe in his story arc in so short a book.
When we meet Mitch, he’s being a dick to Owen for literally no good reason. He talks about how Owen is too plain, too ordinary to be attractive and starts a relationship with him anyway. The bar is incredibly low for Mitch’s character; not irredeemable, but clearly his arc had a lot of ground to cover. Lewis being such an asshole in every interaction also doesn’t help Mitch’s character gain any sympathy, since as a reader I don’t see evidence of this great love or overwhelming relationship to give a motivation for the shit way he treats Owen after Lewis betrays him.
Then, Owen is almost a complete doormat for Mitch, even after breaking off the physical part of their relationship. There is little evidence as to why a good person like Owen would want to continue working with Mitch, let alone keep on loving him, after being used so thoroughly - again, if there was plot-enough to show the motivations behind his actions, I could buy into it.
I enjoyed the archeology bits, and the mythology behind the cairns, church, and cave. The scenes from when Mitch hit the water to when they were rescued were lovely, if not set up totally by the characterizations and plot before them.
I think a lot of my issues with this story could be solved by another five thousand words of plot and character development, but alas.
When we meet Mitch, he’s being a dick to Owen for literally no good reason. He talks about how Owen is too plain, too ordinary to be attractive and starts a relationship with him anyway. The bar is incredibly low for Mitch’s character; not irredeemable, but clearly his arc had a lot of ground to cover. Lewis being such an asshole in every interaction also doesn’t help Mitch’s character gain any sympathy, since as a reader I don’t see evidence of this great love or overwhelming relationship to give a motivation for the shit way he treats Owen after Lewis betrays him.
Then, Owen is almost a complete doormat for Mitch, even after breaking off the physical part of their relationship. There is little evidence as to why a good person like Owen would want to continue working with Mitch, let alone keep on loving him, after being used so thoroughly - again, if there was plot-enough to show the motivations behind his actions, I could buy into it.
I enjoyed the archeology bits, and the mythology behind the cairns, church, and cave. The scenes from when Mitch hit the water to when they were rescued were lovely, if not set up totally by the characterizations and plot before them.
I think a lot of my issues with this story could be solved by another five thousand words of plot and character development, but alas.
scarletine6's review
3.0
Lovely writing, there were a couple of character's I'd want to slap, but the conclusion was lovely. A good short story.
suze_1624's review
4.0
I am a bit of a fan of Harper Fox's novels - for one they are set in the UK so the references and placements are familiar, and I always find them a good story.
This is no different, even though it is shorter than some of her other works, it doesn't feel rushed or incomplete.
It is a bit of a triangle of MC's - Lewis is a user and taker, both professionally and emotionally and comes over as a big arsehole. Mitch is still besotted with the idea of Lewis, letting the red mist of his anger cloud his judgement and making him miss what is in front of him. Owen is also besotted, but with Mitch but whilst he is letting Mitch use him, he does seem to do it with open eyes and he protects Mitch from himself as regards Lewis.
So, lots of emotional entanglements with big egos getting in the way. Add in a dash of paranormal, a bit of pictish history and a summer storm for added atmosphere and danger = great read!
This is no different, even though it is shorter than some of her other works, it doesn't feel rushed or incomplete.
It is a bit of a triangle of MC's - Lewis is a user and taker, both professionally and emotionally and comes over as a big arsehole. Mitch is still besotted with the idea of Lewis, letting the red mist of his anger cloud his judgement and making him miss what is in front of him. Owen is also besotted, but with Mitch but whilst he is letting Mitch use him, he does seem to do it with open eyes and he protects Mitch from himself as regards Lewis.
So, lots of emotional entanglements with big egos getting in the way. Add in a dash of paranormal, a bit of pictish history and a summer storm for added atmosphere and danger = great read!
shazov's review
4.0
Well Harper Fox has done it again for me. And even with a MC I really didn't like in the first half of a short book! But he redeems himself completely after that.
This author has a gift in being able to bring the characters alive and place you in the setting that she describes. You can feel what is happening around you...
My only issue is that is was so short lol. I want more!
This author has a gift in being able to bring the characters alive and place you in the setting that she describes. You can feel what is happening around you...
My only issue is that is was so short lol. I want more!
alisonalisonalison's review
3.0
This is a well done story. It's well-written and atmospheric and interesting, but it didn't grab me like Harper Fox's books often do. I liked this, but I didn't love it.
kaje_harper's review
5.0
Harper Fox has an amazing gift of creating worlds I fall into, places I can touch and taste, peopled by men who are flawed and complex and solid at the core and so very real. This story is no exception.
Historical researcher Mitch is in a state of confusion, still reeling from a casual betrayal on a professional level by Lewis Ward,the man he loved. In his battered heart, gorgeous mercurial Lewis is the man he still wants, despite his best attempts to put that behind him. Owen is there for Mitch, as he has been since Mitch's first moment of bitter rebound brought them together. He's a solid supportive presence but, next to the flaming brilliance of Lew Ward, a stolid and uninteresting one. When all three men end up on a remote island in search of the same ancient relics, they bring their individual strengths and weaknesses with them. In moments of darkness and rainstorm, amidst the search for artifacts, Mitch finds himself searching for another kind of truth.
This is a wonderful story of redemption that I read in one fell swoop without pause for breath, and will come back to again soon to savor more slowly. It is short, but feels complete (although I would happily read more of these men should the inclination ever strike the author.) Highly recommended.
Historical researcher Mitch is in a state of confusion, still reeling from a casual betrayal on a professional level by Lewis Ward,the man he loved. In his battered heart, gorgeous mercurial Lewis is the man he still wants, despite his best attempts to put that behind him. Owen is there for Mitch, as he has been since Mitch's first moment of bitter rebound brought them together. He's a solid supportive presence but, next to the flaming brilliance of Lew Ward, a stolid and uninteresting one. When all three men end up on a remote island in search of the same ancient relics, they bring their individual strengths and weaknesses with them. In moments of darkness and rainstorm, amidst the search for artifacts, Mitch finds himself searching for another kind of truth.
This is a wonderful story of redemption that I read in one fell swoop without pause for breath, and will come back to again soon to savor more slowly. It is short, but feels complete (although I would happily read more of these men should the inclination ever strike the author.) Highly recommended.
claudia_is_reading's review
5.0
I love these stories by Harper Fox: the ones with a bit of supernatural in them, but put in such a way that you're never really sure what really happened. And, in the end, it does not matter because the magic is still there being it supernatural or not :D
I love Owen and his quiet loyalty; I understand Mitch's painful disappointment. And I get that, sometimes, you're so set in hurting that you can't see that you don't love that person anymore, and all the remained pain is about betrayal and not about loss. I almost cheer Mitch out loud when he runs away from Lewis and his odious attempt to regain him as a... playmate? researcher with benefits?
And I love Harper Fox's writing, I love how vivid her stories are, how poignant; I love the setting: a mystical archaeological site; I love the dreamy quality of some passages, and the sense of urgency in others.
In short: I love this book :D
I love Owen and his quiet loyalty; I understand Mitch's painful disappointment. And I get that, sometimes, you're so set in hurting that you can't see that you don't love that person anymore, and all the remained pain is about betrayal and not about loss. I almost cheer Mitch out loud when he runs away from Lewis and his odious attempt to regain him as a... playmate? researcher with benefits?
And I love Harper Fox's writing, I love how vivid her stories are, how poignant; I love the setting: a mystical archaeological site; I love the dreamy quality of some passages, and the sense of urgency in others.
In short: I love this book :D