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wusswoo's review
5.0
I'm not going to bother with a synopsis as far cleverer people than me have already provided ample of them. I just want to say how much I loved the story, but I can't believe it ended on a cliffhanger. Now I have to wait months for the sequel...dammit!!
ladylizardxvii's review
4.0
Despite the incredibly poor treatment of the women characters, I did think the world was interesting and the elf magic system was really cool. The relationship was more compelling than I expected. Ayden had started to notice and call out the misogyny in the human society, and in the hope that that continues I'll probably plan to read the second book.
teresab78's review
5.0
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance****
4.5 Stars - Though one doesn’t usually start at the end of a book, I feel I must here. When I picked this book to read, I had forgotten that the reason it had languished on my TBR pile was that the reviews I had read warned me about the cliffhanger ending. I dislike cliffhangers, especially in my mm romance, but acknowledge that they are quite common in fantasy series, which at its heart, Counterpoint is. This ends with no HEA in sight but the story is so good and solid, I think it is worth the time to read and to invest in the next book of the series.
The world building was great, the pacing good and the characters likable. I enjoyed the writing style and didn’t find it to drag at all. It portrayed great action, fantasy and romance.
Prince Freyrik was admirable for his firm but just ruling if his kingdom. Ayden’s hatred of humans seemed wholly justified and yet he was still able to see the difference in Freyrik from the others. The love story was built slowly and the sexual tension lasted awhile but it was worth it.
I am eager to dive into book two, Crescendo, which thankfully is out!
4.5 Stars - Though one doesn’t usually start at the end of a book, I feel I must here. When I picked this book to read, I had forgotten that the reason it had languished on my TBR pile was that the reviews I had read warned me about the cliffhanger ending. I dislike cliffhangers, especially in my mm romance, but acknowledge that they are quite common in fantasy series, which at its heart, Counterpoint is. This ends with no HEA in sight but the story is so good and solid, I think it is worth the time to read and to invest in the next book of the series.
The world building was great, the pacing good and the characters likable. I enjoyed the writing style and didn’t find it to drag at all. It portrayed great action, fantasy and romance.
Prince Freyrik was admirable for his firm but just ruling if his kingdom. Ayden’s hatred of humans seemed wholly justified and yet he was still able to see the difference in Freyrik from the others. The love story was built slowly and the sexual tension lasted awhile but it was worth it.
I am eager to dive into book two, Crescendo, which thankfully is out!
missawn's review
3.0
GAH! This book ends badly ... I HATE that ...
This was a pretty inconsistent read for me. While I enjoy the fantasy elements and the dramatic plot ... I found the writing style was a little stilted and awkward at times. The story is imaginative and there are some very delightful elements incorporated into the world-building. Still, I had a hard time getting into it and found that the story didn't quite flow for me ...
The relationship between the two MCs had a slightly unusual beginning. I found Freyrik's lusting and Ayden's lack of interest slightly pervy. But the relationship dynamic changes eventually and I was surprised by the chemistry that develops between them towards the end of the book. There are some very lovely tender moments between Freyrik and Ayden ... and I was definitely emotionally invested in their story. However, they were two nearly perfect MCs which was slightly annoying and a bit boring. Freyrik is physically strong and magnanimously kind. Ayden is exceptionally beautiful and a powerful magician.
So in the end, a bit of a mixed bag for me. Ayden's early demisexual vibes impacted how I felt about the story. I also had a hard time getting under both MCs skins and they remained pretty two-dimensional caricature-like for me despite some clever and imaginative writing. There is not a lot of interesting or developed side characters ... we know a few names but not really much more. Perhaps there will be more about them in the next book ...
Beware: Book builds towards a massive unresolved cliffhanger. DO NOT read this book unless you are willing to purchase the second to find out what happens ...
This was a pretty inconsistent read for me. While I enjoy the fantasy elements and the dramatic plot ... I found the writing style was a little stilted and awkward at times. The story is imaginative and there are some very delightful elements incorporated into the world-building. Still, I had a hard time getting into it and found that the story didn't quite flow for me ...
The relationship between the two MCs had a slightly unusual beginning. I found Freyrik's lusting and Ayden's lack of interest slightly pervy. But the relationship dynamic changes eventually and I was surprised by the chemistry that develops between them towards the end of the book. There are some very lovely tender moments between Freyrik and Ayden ... and I was definitely emotionally invested in their story. However, they were two nearly perfect MCs which was slightly annoying and a bit boring. Freyrik is physically strong and magnanimously kind. Ayden is exceptionally beautiful and a powerful magician.
So in the end, a bit of a mixed bag for me. Ayden's early demisexual vibes impacted how I felt about the story. I also had a hard time getting under both MCs skins and they remained pretty two-dimensional caricature-like for me despite some clever and imaginative writing. There is not a lot of interesting or developed side characters ... we know a few names but not really much more. Perhaps there will be more about them in the next book ...
Beware: Book builds towards a massive unresolved cliffhanger. DO NOT read this book unless you are willing to purchase the second to find out what happens ...
rainbowbrarian's review
2.0
Heh... well. My main thought: BITCHES LOVE STOCKHOLM SYNDROME.
XD That was Katie's fault.
The book was interesting. And long O.O and then didn't END! ARGH! XD Now I'll have to read the sequel.
I'm not a big fan of the whole master and slave concept so that was a bit off putting, I was imagining something more like love despite adversity, not coming to love one's captor which I'm not a huge fan of. And seriously, enough with the 'twas 'twould and 'twere! XD
That said... I think I am going to read the sequel.
XD That was Katie's fault.
The book was interesting. And long O.O and then didn't END! ARGH! XD Now I'll have to read the sequel.
I'm not a big fan of the whole master and slave concept so that was a bit off putting, I was imagining something more like love despite adversity, not coming to love one's captor which I'm not a huge fan of. And seriously, enough with the 'twas 'twould and 'twere! XD
That said... I think I am going to read the sequel.
intheblackout's review
2.0
I'm always on the look out for more high fantasy gays, so I was excited to pick Counterpoint up. Unfortunately, I was let down big time.
In this world humankind is supposedly on the brink of extinction. The main plot of the book is a battle with the 'dark race', which read as animals who were somehow corrupted and now regularly attack humans. It was never adequately explained, which became a bit of a theme for Counterpoint.
Elves in this world are seen as the enemies by humans. They're blamed for the 'dark race' attacks. So when Ayden is captured, he becomes prince Freyrik's prisoner.
The romance betwen Freyrik and Ayden was not done well. Ayden was treated so poorly by all the humans around him, and Freyrik never does anything to stop it. Apparently, Ayden should be happy Freyrik treats him like an actual living being when they're in private... yikes.
I love a good enemies-to-lovers but this was not it. The 'enemy' portion was so boring and repetetive, and then boom they're in love *eye roll*. Give me an ounce of believable angst I beg!
The worst thing about this book was the misogyny. The humans all treat women like shit. I guess the author might have been drawing parallels with the real world, but the women hate here was caricature like. It makes for an unenjoyable read when one of the main characters, Freyrik, is a bigot.
The audiobook is the only reason I managed to get through this.
In this world humankind is supposedly on the brink of extinction. The main plot of the book is a battle with the 'dark race', which read as animals who were somehow corrupted and now regularly attack humans. It was never adequately explained, which became a bit of a theme for Counterpoint.
Elves in this world are seen as the enemies by humans. They're blamed for the 'dark race' attacks. So when Ayden is captured, he becomes prince Freyrik's prisoner.
The romance betwen Freyrik and Ayden was not done well. Ayden was treated so poorly by all the humans around him, and Freyrik never does anything to stop it. Apparently, Ayden should be happy Freyrik treats him like an actual living being when they're in private... yikes.
I love a good enemies-to-lovers but this was not it. The 'enemy' portion was so boring and repetetive, and then boom they're in love *eye roll*. Give me an ounce of believable angst I beg!
The worst thing about this book was the misogyny. The humans all treat women like shit. I guess the author might have been drawing parallels with the real world, but the women hate here was caricature like. It makes for an unenjoyable read when one of the main characters, Freyrik, is a bigot.
The audiobook is the only reason I managed to get through this.
sallysocker's review against another edition
So incredibly boring, I didn’t have the strength to finish it.
daniellesalwaysreading's review
2.0
Too long, the world building was sub par, the romance was forced, the sex was unrealistic.