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nalatryntryn's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Expected a book about forgiveness and guilt, got a meh romance instead. Objectively speaking three stars, but because I expected a much deeper and much more difficult story, I would like to give only two stars.
kristinafh's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book - it was difficult to rate - 4 or 5. I eventually erred on the side of a 4. But still it's a Kate Sherwood book and maybe I'll talk myself into a 5 later.
The plot line was just so out there in the way that I couldn't not read this book. A man of the cloth? A man who accidentally killed the brother of the man of the cloth?
I already have a thing for those religious types (see Tiffany R's books). I didn't think that the guy who killed his brother could possibly be redeemable but heck - it's Kate Sherwood and she writes characters like no one else can.
I loved all of the unexpected in this book (there was lots of that). I loved that two gay characters brought so much to the story with their sexuality only being a small part of it.
The plot line was just so out there in the way that I couldn't not read this book. A man of the cloth? A man who accidentally killed the brother of the man of the cloth?
I already have a thing for those religious types (see Tiffany R's books). I didn't think that the guy who killed his brother could possibly be redeemable but heck - it's Kate Sherwood and she writes characters like no one else can.
I loved all of the unexpected in this book (there was lots of that). I loved that two gay characters brought so much to the story with their sexuality only being a small part of it.
marlobo's review against another edition
4.0
3,5 stars
One very well written story, with clear-cut characters, consistency and attention to detail habitual in Kate Sherwood's work but that requires a good dose of suspension of disbelief about the possibility of a romance between a man and his brother's killer.
There are some ins and outs about the MCs that don't convince me:
* In the incident between Luke and Mark's mother, he ends up falling with an unexpected facility for a man which, although carries his faults like a cilicĭum, is intelligent and reflexive.
* The a little simplistic Mark's characterization. He's a man that appear having a lot of conflicts as much in the past as in the present: His gender identity and its interrelation with his religiosity,, the relationship with his mother. He seems too good to be real, his feelings and his interior struggle lack sufficient depth.
But that the aforesaid doesn't lead to false impression, that wasn't what more decreased my rating; with another author perhaps I not even would have referred to it but with regard to Sherwood I should make it because what more amazes me of her work is precisely the characterizations.
What more decreased my rating was that attitude that seems epidemic among a lot of authors, such is the somewhat uncharitable portrait of dead characters. Obviously I allude Mark's brother, whom Luke killed in a drunken brawl. This propensity to describe characters that die in a story emphasizing their dark tones is, consciously or not, a way to ease off the impact of a death and, most of all, a way to ease off a mean act committed by a protagonist.
That is, authors frequently fall into complacency attempting a justification of what's unjustifiable. It's the bitter reality that this culpabilization of the victim continues to be habitual specially in rape cases.. That's why I would like that authors be aware of what they can be validating without realizing and without desiring it.
But I should say, with reference to this book, that said attitude is pretty attenuated, and weighs in my general opinion the fact that Luke clearly takes responsibility for his actions.
To conclude, let it be said clearly that I did enjoy this book. After all I am giving it 3.5 stars., right? And although is apparently a standalone with enough closure, there're open spots that make me to think that there would be a sequel, and I would read it.
One very well written story, with clear-cut characters, consistency and attention to detail habitual in Kate Sherwood's work but that requires a good dose of suspension of disbelief about the possibility of a romance between a man and his brother's killer.
There are some ins and outs about the MCs that don't convince me:
* In the incident between Luke and Mark's mother,
Spoiler
the two first attempts of coercion Luke gets around them without difficulty, but on the third try —exploiting Luke's love for Mark—-* The a little simplistic Mark's characterization. He's a man that appear having a lot of conflicts as much in the past as in the present: His gender identity and its interrelation with his religiosity,
Spoiler
his insertion in an organization in which at one point the incidental politics collide with the principles that supposedly it defends, his father's deathBut that the aforesaid doesn't lead to false impression, that wasn't what more decreased my rating; with another author perhaps I not even would have referred to it but with regard to Sherwood I should make it because what more amazes me of her work is precisely the characterizations.
What more decreased my rating was that attitude that seems epidemic among a lot of authors, such is the somewhat uncharitable portrait of dead characters. Obviously I allude Mark's brother, whom Luke killed in a drunken brawl. This propensity to describe characters that die in a story emphasizing their dark tones is, consciously or not, a way to ease off the impact of a death and, most of all, a way to ease off a mean act committed by a protagonist.
That is, authors frequently fall into complacency attempting a justification of what's unjustifiable. It's the bitter reality that this culpabilization of the victim continues to be habitual specially in rape cases.. That's why I would like that authors be aware of what they can be validating without realizing and without desiring it.
But I should say, with reference to this book, that said attitude is pretty attenuated, and weighs in my general opinion the fact that Luke clearly takes responsibility for his actions.
"Sean. The last time I got drunk, a guy died.” No, that wasn’t quite enough. “I killed him.
.....
“I did my time? Some of it, yeah. But Sean, the guy’s still dead. It’s permanent. His family, his friends, all the shit he wanted to do with his life? He’s gone, forever."
To conclude, let it be said clearly that I did enjoy this book. After all I am giving it 3.5 stars., right? And although is apparently a standalone with enough closure, there're open spots that make me to think that there would be a sequel, and I would read it.
pinkbunny7's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
ezichinny's review
4.0
I will write my review tonight and settle on on a final rating but I loved this book. It had the right amount of angst and character growth that I require in my books. Much better than Dark Horse.
Lucas Cain is getting out of prison after 3 years for his role in accidental death. His friends are happy to have him back but Anglican priest Mark Webber is not. After all, Lucas Cain was responsible for his brother's death so it doesn't seem fair to Father Mark that Lucas is getting another chance in society. So Mark begins a personal crusade to make life as miserable Lucas.
One thing Mark and Lucas' old friends failed to recognize was that Lucas changed in the penitentiary. And Mark finds himself really see Lucas in a different light. Mark begins to question a lot of things about himself, his faith, the death of his brother and especially Lucas. What will Mark do about his growing feelings for Lucas, how will the society deal with the homosexual priest?
This story made me shed a few tears. I really liked it. The writing felt real and authentic. The pain both characters were experience was palpable. I enjoyed the gradual progression and the honesty they both tried to give other. It's always nice to have love and forgiveness grow out of pain and loss.
*Special Thanks to Saimhain Publishing via Netgalley
Lucas Cain is getting out of prison after 3 years for his role in accidental death. His friends are happy to have him back but Anglican priest Mark Webber is not. After all, Lucas Cain was responsible for his brother's death so it doesn't seem fair to Father Mark that Lucas is getting another chance in society. So Mark begins a personal crusade to make life as miserable Lucas.
One thing Mark and Lucas' old friends failed to recognize was that Lucas changed in the penitentiary. And Mark finds himself really see Lucas in a different light. Mark begins to question a lot of things about himself, his faith, the death of his brother and especially Lucas. What will Mark do about his growing feelings for Lucas, how will the society deal with the homosexual priest?
This story made me shed a few tears. I really liked it. The writing felt real and authentic. The pain both characters were experience was palpable. I enjoyed the gradual progression and the honesty they both tried to give other. It's always nice to have love and forgiveness grow out of pain and loss.
*Special Thanks to Saimhain Publishing via Netgalley
leelah's review
2.0
Short version: Promising in theory, disappointing in conclusion.
Long version: I love when authors take challenge; when they are writing those relationships that seem doomed from the start but characters still somehow make it by the end. It's what I like to call High-Stakes Romance.
[b:Mark of Cain|20522718|Mark of Cain|Kate Sherwood|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1389578498s/20522718.jpg|36730321] is one such story.
Bare bones: Mark,who is an anglican priest, goes from feeling complete hate to friendship to something more toward Lucas, guy who was sentenced to jail for killing Mark's brother in a fight. Lucas is released after serving three years for good behavior, and Mark and his family are disappointed in a system since they think his punishment wasn't hard enough.
Basically, this is incredibly risky romance scenario that demands a lot of work and delicate balancing in every aspect of mc's lives,in order for me to, as a reader, finish this book believing, if not in hea, than that they have a decent chance for functioning relationship. Unfortunately, I simply wasn't convinced.
This has nothing to do with author's skill: in fact, I find her writing really good. I just think she wanted to tackle too many issues in one book and it took a toll. I'll give you a list to explain:
1)Obviously, the biggest obstacle is crime Lucas committed. While I liked how author portrayed Mark's rage and feeling of helplessness for seeing his brother's killer free, Jimmy, Mark's little brother simply vanishes from his mind once he becomes chummy with Lucas. Person would think he would be always there when he lay his eyes on Lucas, but it doesn't happen. I had more of feeling he chose not to think about it, than to forgive and reconcile. This was the action that broke Mark's family and changed his life for good... While I believe that this issue can be resolved between two people, I also think it's 1)not by forgiving and ignoring, but rather with forgiving and talking about it often and 2)not going to happen in period of one afternoon.
And another thing I find weird is that their attraction is expected and natural but only because Mark is to Cain* what Cain is to him in that sense: only gay guy he comes in touch on regular basis and is datable. I think this was really glossed over:
Spoiler
Lucas was pretending he's straight before he went to prison where he realized he's gay and Mark always knew he gay, but he doesn't really date. Neither of them goes out and have opportunity to meet other guys.2)Second big issue is Mark's religious crisis. This is by far my favorite part in book. I always found Man of God heroes in romance intriguing, because their fate comes in conflict with their emotions and it's an incredibly powerful internal struggle. In Mark's case, he has it double: one minor when his feelings got the best of him and second when he struggles with his disappointment in church-his spiritual home and his clerical family. He was already controversial enough for Anglicans, since he declared himself as gay priest and is very vocal on trying to overcome disparity between church and gay community (I also find rather weird choice Mark's passionate fight was only focused on gay aspect of rainbow palette and not other). It's really hard for him that he finds his comfort in God's words and wants to help gay youth and teach them that God loves them no matter what, when Church is crushing his efforts all the time. It leaves reader with this little nugget: church is moving at a glacial pace to change its rigid laws and stance on same sex relationships. Church is not always in tune with what they are preaching, sometimes it's about politics and popularity. I loved how Sherwood brought attention and made me think afterwards.
3)They also deal with issue of Alex- there is this gay kid whose parents chased him out of the house. Lucas and Mark bond over his problems and want to help him. His father doesn't like it and goes on rampage to destroy both of them. He is constantly mentioned as someone who makes serious damage to Mark's professional life, but this issue is never resolved and we were left at the end hanging. I don't even understand the point of father in the story.
4)then there is issue with Mark's family- from the moment Mark started having feelings toward Lucas you are thinking only about one thing: what will happen when his mom finds out. I simply hated
Spoiler
author went with awful "I'll give you money to leave my son alone" plot. Why? Why making her do things that will alienate the only family she has left. Was it an author's attempt to make us dislike her and be less understanding of her position? I just find this to be really bad call.5)And there is issue with Sean who is friend of Lucas- Something happens to him and it tackles how it affects relationship with his best friend. I am not sure if this is left hanging as well or resolved in haste... I am conflicted. :\
Anyway.... All of these are huuuuuge issues and tackling each came at some expanse of others and what we got at the end is actually superficially resolved story, in my opinion. I would preferred she took one and explored it in depth, to get to the real meat of problem. (-_-)
*In a book called Mark of Cain (clear reference to bible) main characters are called Mark and Cain. :\ Am I the only one who thinks that's overkill?
shile87's review
3.0
Huh! This one was just OK.
The characters Ok.
The Sex Meh! But i blame that on HR!
I didn't believe the relationship between the MC, IMO the story was just fine without the relationship.
I liked Lucas and his love for animals, i wish he was well developed, by the end of the book, i still didn't really know him.
I liked it, but something was missing.
The characters Ok.
The Sex Meh! But i blame that on HR!
I didn't believe the relationship between the MC, IMO the story was just fine without the relationship.
I liked Lucas and his love for animals, i wish he was well developed, by the end of the book, i still didn't really know him.
I liked it, but something was missing.
suze_1624's review
4.0
I enjoyed this angsty tale of two men coming to terms with big changes in their lives.
Lucas has been in prison for 3 years for killing a man in a fight and is now out on parole. I liked that he didn't shirk that he had done the deed and the conflicts between his 'friends' and Lucas' need to lead a better life were very acute. However, through a shit ton of will power, Lucas does start to drag himself into a life worth living. I felt his war within when confronted with circumstances to try most peoples patience - and feeling him holding himself back from responding.
Mark seemed much more clear cut at start - brother of the victim, priest helping others. But his life slowly dissolves around him. I was a bit confused by his treatment by the church, them being shown much more as a corporation worried about bad pr than a humanist group. The religious aspects were more as related to Mark than preaching for or against.
The journey both men take together and separately are huge, and it certainly ends at a place with quite a bit still unresolved, especially surrounding Mark and his mother
Lucas has been in prison for 3 years for killing a man in a fight and is now out on parole. I liked that he didn't shirk that he had done the deed and the conflicts between his 'friends' and Lucas' need to lead a better life were very acute. However, through a shit ton of will power, Lucas does start to drag himself into a life worth living. I felt his war within when confronted with circumstances to try most peoples patience - and feeling him holding himself back from responding.
Mark seemed much more clear cut at start - brother of the victim, priest helping others. But his life slowly dissolves around him. I was a bit confused by his treatment by the church, them being shown much more as a corporation worried about bad pr than a humanist group. The religious aspects were more as related to Mark than preaching for or against.
The journey both men take together and separately are huge, and it certainly ends at a place with quite a bit still unresolved, especially surrounding Mark and his mother