Great story

I really enjoyed the book. The story was quite interesting. The narrator was very good. I was impressed with how well he performed the various voices for each character. When he performed a female character, I found myself checking to see if there was more than one narrator. :)

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

beautiful and compelling tale

This story had me captured from the start. A compelling tale with well structured plot and characters with depth. The narrator was really impressive and I'll be looking for more of his works in the future.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Magical

I've never read/listened to a book with such a perfect balance of history, drama and romance (and a healthy dose of sex). It takes its characters and the LGBT love story seriously, with a realistic lack of homophobic attitudes from other characters in the setting. Beautifully written and also narrated.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

What a beautiful story.

This is a beautiful tale of love. Set in trying times amidst death and destruction it still manages to lift the spirits. I cried and I laughed but above all it made me feel for the characters. It’s narrated perfectly bringing a sense of the north east of England at the time.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Great, incredibly sexy, historical romance!

Wow, I loved this book! It creates the feeling of being in pre- to early-Christian Britain with lots of good historical details, but also doesn't skimp on the very hot sex scenes (a plus in my view). Some religious folk might find it a little offensive, what with all the tearing-off-of-cassocks for that delicious intercultural gay sex, and all--but as a queer atheist, I found it positively therapeutic.

It was especially interesting to imagine the beliefs and inner lives of people living right on the cusp of Christianity, with the old gods and traditions still alive. And at the same time, the clashes between Rome and Iona complicated things even further. That the author fleshed out these complex times so thoroughly in an erotic novel was such a treat.

I'd read/listen to a thousand more books like this, full of rich history, a tender but passionate love story, lots of hot sex, and just a pinch of magic.

A few bits of the narration grated on me. The various voices were mostly really good, but occasionally the male voices were hard to differentiate. Kudos to the narrator for going all-in on the sex scenes though. Sometimes you can tell that a narrator is embarrassed or uncomfortable reading about sex, but I didn’t get any of that with this one.

All in all, if you like a sexy historical romance, I’d highly recommend this one!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

A mixed bag

The quality of the writing exceeds the content and I found the ending a bit rushed and wishy washy given the gravitas and relatively slow pace of the rest of the book.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Beautiful narration of a beautiful story

I loved this book when I read it and the narrator did a wonderful job bringing Caius and Fenrir to life. I loved the voices he chose for them. I don't usually go for historical books but this is Harper Fox and all of her work is amazing so she is an automatic one click for me.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Heart warming and heartbreaking

Beautiful tale of love religion and faith. Where two different cultures collide and a powerful force brings two men together.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Superb

This is one of Harper's very best. The narration is superb - intelligent, humane and multifaceted. Anyone who loves the Northumberland coast, Lindisfarne, the Farnes and Hadrian's wall will enjoy the palpable reverence of Harper's words. The weaving of the very real story of Viking raids on the
cradle of early Christianity, and the battle between Ionian Celtic worship and Canterbury 's Roman tradition with a love story is a joy. Here Harper's deep research and vivid historical imagination is blended with first class narration.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

An absolute joy

I adore Harper Fox's lyrical, magical, fairy talish historicals that surpass the boundaries of mere enjoyable romances. This book brings you to the dark times of early Christian England and takes you on a devastatingly beautiful ride of death defying love, loyalty, wisdom, folklore and magic. Combined with heart-warming humour and everpresent kindness, delivered by one of the best narrators there is (Joe Jameson under the pseudonym of Hamish Long), this book is so much more than just a highly enjoyable listen. Bought Kindle book straight away.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful