Scan barcode
A review by gillianw
Lars by Aleksandr Voinov
5.0
https://justloveromance.wordpress.com/2016/08/18/witches-of-london-lars-aleksandr-voinov/
Admittedly, I know next to nothing about paganism or Norse gods. I know the names Odin and Loki from movies and TV but not why people pray to them for help or guidance. So, this gorgeous book from Aleksandr Voinov was not only enlightening, it was beautifully written and thoroughly enjoyable.
Lars is perfection. He’s hardworking, honest and loyal to the Norse gods he looks to for guidance on almost every matter. Raised by an unorthodox family, his knowledge of pop culture is practically nil but he can run a farm and work with his hands and makes a healthy living running his own home renovation business.
Rhys is a man reformed. After spending years working around the clock and chasing the almighty pound in London’s money markets, he suddenly finds himself jobless, alone and suffering from a potentially life-threatening illness. But that illness has brought him a certain amount of clarity and living (and dying) on his own terms has become paramount.
Watching the two men fall in love is wonderful. There is an immediate connection between the two of them, but it doesn’t feel premature or forced. Rather, it seems almost destined. Rhys has all but given up hope for a recovery, but Lars, with his gentleness, his honesty and his deeply held beliefs has other ideas and they involve invoking help from the gods to aid in Rhys’ recovery.
I am not a particularly religious person, but I find there is a simple beauty in the way Lars worships and how he lets that ground him, both physically and spiritually. I was fascinated, even charmed by his rituals and I loved the small group of witches that take him in and make him one of their own. Although they all have different practices, they meld quite beautifully together and I couldn’t help but think that this is what organized religion should really be about – respecting that each group approaches things differently, but that they all have one common goal: to be heard and understood by the Spirit or spirits they pray to.
Just putting out a little reassurance here; this book is not about preaching some sort of pagan gospel. Rather, it feels more magical than anything. I was fascinated by the whole thing, from the reliance on astrology, the use of tarot cards, the focus on grounding your spirit and your energy and the use of hypnotism to reach the gods. I was so intrigued that the romance between Lars and Rhys seemed almost like a bonus!
I have to say, that I didn’t expect such a tender book from this author and it was a most pleasant surprise. I’m hoping we will get Julian’s story next but really, a book featuring any of the group members would be great (although I’m still holding out for a Julian/Tim story. I think they’d be combustible in the best way). 4.5 stars
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review
Admittedly, I know next to nothing about paganism or Norse gods. I know the names Odin and Loki from movies and TV but not why people pray to them for help or guidance. So, this gorgeous book from Aleksandr Voinov was not only enlightening, it was beautifully written and thoroughly enjoyable.
Lars is perfection. He’s hardworking, honest and loyal to the Norse gods he looks to for guidance on almost every matter. Raised by an unorthodox family, his knowledge of pop culture is practically nil but he can run a farm and work with his hands and makes a healthy living running his own home renovation business.
Rhys is a man reformed. After spending years working around the clock and chasing the almighty pound in London’s money markets, he suddenly finds himself jobless, alone and suffering from a potentially life-threatening illness. But that illness has brought him a certain amount of clarity and living (and dying) on his own terms has become paramount.
Watching the two men fall in love is wonderful. There is an immediate connection between the two of them, but it doesn’t feel premature or forced. Rather, it seems almost destined. Rhys has all but given up hope for a recovery, but Lars, with his gentleness, his honesty and his deeply held beliefs has other ideas and they involve invoking help from the gods to aid in Rhys’ recovery.
I am not a particularly religious person, but I find there is a simple beauty in the way Lars worships and how he lets that ground him, both physically and spiritually. I was fascinated, even charmed by his rituals and I loved the small group of witches that take him in and make him one of their own. Although they all have different practices, they meld quite beautifully together and I couldn’t help but think that this is what organized religion should really be about – respecting that each group approaches things differently, but that they all have one common goal: to be heard and understood by the Spirit or spirits they pray to.
Just putting out a little reassurance here; this book is not about preaching some sort of pagan gospel. Rather, it feels more magical than anything. I was fascinated by the whole thing, from the reliance on astrology, the use of tarot cards, the focus on grounding your spirit and your energy and the use of hypnotism to reach the gods. I was so intrigued that the romance between Lars and Rhys seemed almost like a bonus!
I have to say, that I didn’t expect such a tender book from this author and it was a most pleasant surprise. I’m hoping we will get Julian’s story next but really, a book featuring any of the group members would be great (although I’m still holding out for a Julian/Tim story. I think they’d be combustible in the best way). 4.5 stars
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review