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A review by ellelainey
Honeythorn by Marina Vivancos
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
5.0
I really loved this one. It's a little hard to place, because it's got a little bit of everything - A/O, historical, steampunk, alternative history, arranged marriage, May/Dec, inter-racial marriage, and a lot more. It has elements of shifter A/O dynamics - scent, biting, claiming, heats, knotting - but in humans. I'm still new to the whole A/O sub-genre so I'm still getting used to how it works, but it was really nicely handled here. Every part of the 'bonding' A/O part of the story was woven into the world building and the characterisation; none of it was superfluous or unnecessary.
Right from the start, I loved Milan, who was feisty and strong and opinionated. He was determined to be positive and happy and be a good Lord, even though the arranged marriage wasn't what he'd planned for his life and he'd had to leave his family far behind. It took me a while to warm to Raphael, as intended, but I could always see there was a bit more fear and nervousness about his anger than true fury, so it was easy to accept him, in the end.
And can I just say how truly grateful I am to the author for making the heats the way they are in this book. So often, heats in an A/O are hormone driven and the Omega is pounced on, or pounces on, the first person to come near them, regardless of consent or who they might be. All too often, the Omegas are taken advantage of by the Alphas. This story is SO different. Refreshing. Original. And I really appreciated it. This aspect of A/O is why I haven't read a lot of it, so reading this book was a breath of fresh air. Not once did Milan ever feel compelled, forced, or encouraged to rub up against anyone, not even his husband, for the sake of his heat, his nature, or because of duty. He had full control over his consent and I can't say enough how refreshing that is.
Another refreshing aspect to the story is that there is no cliched misunderstanding then reunion between the characters. The big misunderstanding between them is written so naturally that it's not just a plot to have them argue and then make up. But even when there's an opportunity for that kind of 'plot twist', the author instead allows these characters to remain as smart and as logical as they are, as loyal and as dedicated to each other to know better. They don't fall for it, and I did a not-so-quiet Hallelujah! when I read it.
Yet, at the same time, when there are issues in their relationship, they don't just snap back from it, either. They accept that mistakes were made, they can even forgive each other, but it's not forgotten. They still have doubts, create distance, have uncertainties, and retain those unpleasant connections between memories and present, such as with the gloves. It was so good to see these lingering doubts being acknowledged and the story having to revolve around them, rather than for the two MC's to just jump back into what was expected of them, what was normal and accepted. And even though that meant there were a total of 3 sex scenes in the entire book, it was RIGHT. It was what was necessary and appropriate, and it made the connection between the MC's so much stronger for it.
I cried. I was on an emotional rollercoaster. And I sincerely hope there might be another book in this world, because I would read it in a heartbeat. And, if not, I'll be re-reading this one anyway. It deals with some tough topics - domestic abuse, manipulation, broken trust, and a whole lot more - but it does it with beautiful writing, characterisation and worldbuilding that lets you get sucked into the world and lose track of time.
If there was a paperback, I'd buy it. For now, I'll have to settle for re-reading my e-book again and again.
~
Favourite Quote
"Sometimes, I think you are not real."
"I did not know I was alone until I met you."
Right from the start, I loved Milan, who was feisty and strong and opinionated. He was determined to be positive and happy and be a good Lord, even though the arranged marriage wasn't what he'd planned for his life and he'd had to leave his family far behind. It took me a while to warm to Raphael, as intended, but I could always see there was a bit more fear and nervousness about his anger than true fury, so it was easy to accept him, in the end.
And can I just say how truly grateful I am to the author for making the heats the way they are in this book. So often, heats in an A/O are hormone driven and the Omega is pounced on, or pounces on, the first person to come near them, regardless of consent or who they might be. All too often, the Omegas are taken advantage of by the Alphas. This story is SO different. Refreshing. Original. And I really appreciated it. This aspect of A/O is why I haven't read a lot of it, so reading this book was a breath of fresh air. Not once did Milan ever feel compelled, forced, or encouraged to rub up against anyone, not even his husband, for the sake of his heat, his nature, or because of duty. He had full control over his consent and I can't say enough how refreshing that is.
Another refreshing aspect to the story is that there is no cliched misunderstanding then reunion between the characters. The big misunderstanding between them is written so naturally that it's not just a plot to have them argue and then make up. But even when there's an opportunity for that kind of 'plot twist', the author instead allows these characters to remain as smart and as logical as they are, as loyal and as dedicated to each other to know better. They don't fall for it, and I did a not-so-quiet Hallelujah! when I read it.
Yet, at the same time, when there are issues in their relationship, they don't just snap back from it, either. They accept that mistakes were made, they can even forgive each other, but it's not forgotten. They still have doubts, create distance, have uncertainties, and retain those unpleasant connections between memories and present, such as with the gloves. It was so good to see these lingering doubts being acknowledged and the story having to revolve around them, rather than for the two MC's to just jump back into what was expected of them, what was normal and accepted. And even though that meant there were a total of 3 sex scenes in the entire book, it was RIGHT. It was what was necessary and appropriate, and it made the connection between the MC's so much stronger for it.
I cried. I was on an emotional rollercoaster. And I sincerely hope there might be another book in this world, because I would read it in a heartbeat. And, if not, I'll be re-reading this one anyway. It deals with some tough topics - domestic abuse, manipulation, broken trust, and a whole lot more - but it does it with beautiful writing, characterisation and worldbuilding that lets you get sucked into the world and lose track of time.
If there was a paperback, I'd buy it. For now, I'll have to settle for re-reading my e-book again and again.
~
Favourite Quote
"Sometimes, I think you are not real."
"I did not know I was alone until I met you."