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4.33 AVERAGE
4.33 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
I'm SO GLAD I've read The Voyages of Trueblood Clay before 'properly' starting this series, because it gave me the opportunity to really appreciate all the parallels between these two books. Reading An Exaltation of Larks with Trueblood's story still fresh in my mind was something else… And boy, did it hurt.
This was a very emotional read for me. Suanne Laqueur's beautiful writing style (and I will say this as many times as I can: her writing is just phenomenal) made the story — or rather stories, because there was more than one, even if they were all woven together — seem more intimate somehow, and I found myself truly caring for these characters. Hurting with them, laughing with them… She’s quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite authors. You don't stumble across a talent like that every day. Nope, you cherish it like the gem it is, and don’t let go.
I'm not a big fan of any kind of love triangles in my books. I mean I can tolerate them, but I don't like them. And the ones featuring an established couple and a bisexual/bicurious character are a definite no-go, because they combine two of my least favorite tropes: GFY and cheating. And I won’t lie, it bothered me here, too, but there was so much else going on that it wasn’t a deal-breaker. I loved all three MCs, Jav, Alex and Val (and their families, and their dogs!
This was a very emotional read for me. Suanne Laqueur's beautiful writing style (and I will say this as many times as I can: her writing is just phenomenal) made the story — or rather stories, because there was more than one, even if they were all woven together — seem more intimate somehow, and I found myself truly caring for these characters. Hurting with them, laughing with them… She’s quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite authors. You don't stumble across a talent like that every day. Nope, you cherish it like the gem it is, and don’t let go.
I'm not a big fan of any kind of love triangles in my books. I mean I can tolerate them, but I don't like them. And the ones featuring an established couple and a bisexual/bicurious character are a definite no-go, because they combine two of my least favorite tropes: GFY and cheating. And I won’t lie, it bothered me here, too, but there was so much else going on that it wasn’t a deal-breaker. I loved all three MCs, Jav, Alex and Val (and their families, and their dogs!
Where are you? What did they do to you? What became of you?
Why am I alive and you are disappeared?
To say I LOVED this book is the understatement of the year. I FREAKING LOVED IT!
I am so 2 years late to the party but so happy I finally arrived.
I was afraid of reading this one because I thought it was a sad depressing book. Yes I love some pain but too much sadness is a no go for me. To my surprise i wasn't even sad. The book is so well written with so much love that I got lost in the story and the characters. Suanne got some voodoo that she is feeding me in form of book crack.
This story was the complete opposite of what I thought. I was taken through an emotional journey of love, loss, friendships that spans years. From the moment I was introduced to the characters I fell in love. IMO this is not a romance story, it is beautiful emotional love story with some romantic elements about 3 beautiful souls brought together by fate or maybe by 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon.
Alejo, my Lejo! Animal lover... The boy who lost too much at a young age. He was broken at the same time he was so strong too. The glue, the problem solver, the one who says everything will be alright even if he is hurting.
ALEJO BECAME ALEX and Guelisten became his home.
Certain things unnerved him all his life. Helicopters. The pitch dark. Enclosed spaces. Uniforms. Interrupted sleep in the middle of the night.
Jav, Javier, Walker, nephew and occasional Assassin. A kickass escort. Damn! This guy broke my heart into pieces. Abandoned by those who were supposed to love and protect him. He survived; my beautiful Jav survived and gave me the Voyage of Trueblood Cay which I will cherish forever. THANK GOD FOR GLORIA. I LOVE thePimp Mentor.
His business card read Javier Soto with a phone number. He was a straight male escort, with or without sex. No pay-to-gay, no couples. No violence, no drugs, no urine, shit or blood. Nothing ugly or degrading. He was a professional lover. A champion date who specialized in attention, both in and out of the bedroom.
Val , Valarie Lark, I love this woman to death. I have never fallen in love with a heroine like a did Val. It is rare to find this type of female characters these days. She is strong, independent, go getter, no nonsense and so much fun.
Sheba was curled up outside the master bedroom door. A mix of Black Lab and Rottweiler, she was a trained therapy dog and Alex’s second wife since 9/11. She and Val had a clear understanding about evening hours: Sheba knew when to show up because nightmares were manifesting, and she knew when to get lost because it was business time.
Other characters were also so well written into the story. Gloria, Trelawney, Roger, Ari, Deane and the rest. GAAAH! I freaking loved everyone.
I cried, I laughed out loud, I wanted to punch something and I fell in love AND the biggest surprise of all I read an MF story that has a tiny bit touch of gay and instead of ewww! that is some Vajayjay! i was like.. Ah! Oh! Yeah! Awww! Suanne! How the fuck did you make me do that.? The voodoo you use is working, keep it up.
A group of finches is called a charm.
He looked up and through the window, watching Stef cross Main Street to the station.
“Jav,” Trelawney said sharply. She reached across the bar and whacked the back of his head.
“Ow. What?”
She pointed toward the door. “Fetch.”
Jav bolted off the stool and out of Celeste’s.
“Hey,” he called, running across the street. “Stef.”
Overall, what I am trying to say is I LOVED IT! And enjoyed picking [b:The Voyages of Trueblood Cay|43594543|The Voyages of Trueblood Cay (Venery, #2.75)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1548306717s/43594543.jpg|64321192] Easter eggs.
You can say it my friends! you know you want to......Let me help you..
Suanne! You know you rock! Cheers.
Why am I alive and you are disappeared?
To say I LOVED this book is the understatement of the year. I FREAKING LOVED IT!
I am so 2 years late to the party but so happy I finally arrived.
I was afraid of reading this one because I thought it was a sad depressing book. Yes I love some pain but too much sadness is a no go for me. To my surprise i wasn't even sad. The book is so well written with so much love that I got lost in the story and the characters. Suanne got some voodoo that she is feeding me in form of book crack.
This story was the complete opposite of what I thought. I was taken through an emotional journey of love, loss, friendships that spans years. From the moment I was introduced to the characters I fell in love. IMO this is not a romance story, it is beautiful emotional love story with some romantic elements about 3 beautiful souls brought together by fate or maybe by 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon.
Alejo, my Lejo! Animal lover... The boy who lost too much at a young age. He was broken at the same time he was so strong too. The glue, the problem solver, the one who says everything will be alright even if he is hurting.
ALEJO BECAME ALEX and Guelisten became his home.
Certain things unnerved him all his life. Helicopters. The pitch dark. Enclosed spaces. Uniforms. Interrupted sleep in the middle of the night.
Jav, Javier, Walker, nephew and occasional Assassin. A kickass escort. Damn! This guy broke my heart into pieces. Abandoned by those who were supposed to love and protect him. He survived; my beautiful Jav survived and gave me the Voyage of Trueblood Cay which I will cherish forever. THANK GOD FOR GLORIA. I LOVE the
His business card read Javier Soto with a phone number. He was a straight male escort, with or without sex. No pay-to-gay, no couples. No violence, no drugs, no urine, shit or blood. Nothing ugly or degrading. He was a professional lover. A champion date who specialized in attention, both in and out of the bedroom.
Val , Valarie Lark, I love this woman to death. I have never fallen in love with a heroine like a did Val. It is rare to find this type of female characters these days. She is strong, independent, go getter, no nonsense and so much fun.
Sheba was curled up outside the master bedroom door. A mix of Black Lab and Rottweiler, she was a trained therapy dog and Alex’s second wife since 9/11. She and Val had a clear understanding about evening hours: Sheba knew when to show up because nightmares were manifesting, and she knew when to get lost because it was business time.
Other characters were also so well written into the story. Gloria, Trelawney, Roger, Ari, Deane and the rest. GAAAH! I freaking loved everyone.
I cried, I laughed out loud, I wanted to punch something and I fell in love AND the biggest surprise of all I read an MF story that has a tiny bit touch of gay and instead of ewww! that is some Vajayjay! i was like.. Ah! Oh! Yeah! Awww! Suanne! How the fuck did you make me do that.? The voodoo you use is working, keep it up.
A group of finches is called a charm.
He looked up and through the window, watching Stef cross Main Street to the station.
“Jav,” Trelawney said sharply. She reached across the bar and whacked the back of his head.
“Ow. What?”
She pointed toward the door. “Fetch.”
Jav bolted off the stool and out of Celeste’s.
“Hey,” he called, running across the street. “Stef.”
Overall, what I am trying to say is I LOVED IT! And enjoyed picking [b:The Voyages of Trueblood Cay|43594543|The Voyages of Trueblood Cay (Venery, #2.75)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1548306717s/43594543.jpg|64321192] Easter eggs.
You can say it my friends! you know you want to......Let me help you..
Suanne! You know you rock! Cheers.
This book defied my expectations. I thought I would be reading erotic romance but despite mentions of sex, it was not an erotic book. I am not sure I would call it a romance. In the book, there are themes of romance, family, self worth, historical events. I would say it is literature with themes of sex, family, and history.
Never before have I felt I knew characters from a novel so intimately. Suanne Laqueur wove this story of strangers to friends to soul sharers so eloquently; I felt consumed by their hopes, passions, consciences, motivations, loyalties, dreams, and struggles. The beauty of this epic story will remain with me for a long time. I am in awe. ❤
I don't know if this is a good post or not but it was difficult and I need to do some self-reflection.
Here it is... https://prettymessreading.wordpress.com/2016/12/14/an-exaltation-of-larks-by-suanne-laqueur/
I don't know if you would call this a review so I'm not really going to post it here but you can find it on my blog. The link is at the top.
Here it is... https://prettymessreading.wordpress.com/2016/12/14/an-exaltation-of-larks-by-suanne-laqueur/
I don't know if you would call this a review so I'm not really going to post it here but you can find it on my blog. The link is at the top.
I can't remember the last time I read a 500-plus page book so quickly. Adding this to my list of all time favorites, and starting the sequel now!
4 DAYS LATER . . .
My review skills suck, but these books impressed me so much I feel compelled to share my experience with other readers. Here goes:
I don't usually pass on recommendations to other readers, but I can't stop thinking about this series. [b:An Exaltation of Larks|29637128|An Exaltation of Larks (Venery, #1)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475940614s/29637128.jpg|49995616] and [b:A Charm of Finches|33299920|A Charm of Finches (Venery, #2)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1506265362s/33299920.jpg|54032397] are two of the best books I've read in quite some time.
I gave serious thought to taking a break from reading before I discovered this series. Reading had become a chore instead of a pleasure. My enthusiasm is back! [b:An Exaltation of Larks|29637128|An Exaltation of Larks (Venery, #1)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475940614s/29637128.jpg|49995616] is difficult to classify. I wouldn't call it M/M since one of the MCs is an escort and "ladybits" are involved. Historical events also play a significant role in the telling of this story. The writing and character development are fantastic, so much so that I often felt like I was living inside the story with the characters. There's passion, romance, and some of the hottest M/M love scenes I've ever read because they occurred after I understood who these men were and had witnessed the journey that brought them to that point. In fact 500 pages read like less than 200 ... I was that engrossed. I tried to give myself a break from the drama/trauma (there are various triggers), and and not immediately move on to A Charm of Finches, but I couldn't concentrate on finishing my challenge book because I had to know what happened next.
4 DAYS LATER . . .
My review skills suck, but these books impressed me so much I feel compelled to share my experience with other readers. Here goes:
I don't usually pass on recommendations to other readers, but I can't stop thinking about this series. [b:An Exaltation of Larks|29637128|An Exaltation of Larks (Venery, #1)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475940614s/29637128.jpg|49995616] and [b:A Charm of Finches|33299920|A Charm of Finches (Venery, #2)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1506265362s/33299920.jpg|54032397] are two of the best books I've read in quite some time.
I gave serious thought to taking a break from reading before I discovered this series. Reading had become a chore instead of a pleasure. My enthusiasm is back! [b:An Exaltation of Larks|29637128|An Exaltation of Larks (Venery, #1)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475940614s/29637128.jpg|49995616] is difficult to classify. I wouldn't call it M/M since one of the MCs is an escort and "ladybits" are involved. Historical events also play a significant role in the telling of this story. The writing and character development are fantastic, so much so that I often felt like I was living inside the story with the characters. There's passion, romance, and some of the hottest M/M love scenes I've ever read because they occurred after I understood who these men were and had witnessed the journey that brought them to that point. In fact 500 pages read like less than 200 ... I was that engrossed. I tried to give myself a break from the drama/trauma (there are various triggers), and and not immediately move on to A Charm of Finches, but I couldn't concentrate on finishing my challenge book because I had to know what happened next.
Not sure what I was expecting when i started this book, it sucked me right in. Such an easy read. Love laughter family heartbreak, sex, it had it all and then some. Stayed up late reading and been reading again since 5am. Absolutely loved it!!!!
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Sometimes as a reader, I am lucky enough to come across a book that is more than a story, more than mere words on a page. An Exaltation of Larks was one of those books where I wasn't just a reader of words, I became part of it. I lived it...was consumed within its pages.
In a character driven novel such as this, there is no hiding for an author. You either have talent or don't. There is no hiding behind a twisty plot, fast action or an over the top characters. You either nail it or fail. Suanne Laqueur "Nailed it" Her writing is magical, natural and effortless, exuding heart and soul without artifice. Her characters are people I want hang out with, befriend and hold in my heart.
If this has been lingering on your TBR, like it was for me, don't wait. Open it's pages and be transported.
In a character driven novel such as this, there is no hiding for an author. You either have talent or don't. There is no hiding behind a twisty plot, fast action or an over the top characters. You either nail it or fail. Suanne Laqueur "Nailed it" Her writing is magical, natural and effortless, exuding heart and soul without artifice. Her characters are people I want hang out with, befriend and hold in my heart.
If this has been lingering on your TBR, like it was for me, don't wait. Open it's pages and be transported.