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lindzmace's review
4.0
wonderful and infuriating. hugh, you have problems, man. anyways, i liked this book. some of it i loved. i think hugh needs to go to therapy but since the book took place in the 12th century i can see how that would have been difficult.
hartd's review
5.0
This book is not really a traditional romance novel and would probably best be classified as historical fiction with gay characters, although there is a romance. It reminds me of [b:The Last of the Wine|67696|The Last of the Wine|Mary Renault|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403194003s/67696.jpg|413858] in that it's very deep in the main character's perspective (although not in first person), and the reader is left to draw a lot of conclusions. The writing style is beautiful, too. Because it isn't structured like other romance novels I've read, I wasn't ever sure about where the plot was going, so I was excited to keep reading. But it's a slow-paced book.
Hugh is a mason, something between a workman and an architect, and he's totally dedicated to his craft. All he really wants to do is build churches, but unscrupulous men throw his life off course several times. He is a very good person, someone who always does the right thing, but he's also very stubborn and doesn't always see the big picture in life. He has to learn to accept love, which happens through a series of harrowing experiences, each one leaving him more vulnerable than the last. He's a lonely man, and the narrative is pretty lonely, too. He holds himself apart from other people, which makes it very satisfying when he finally gets together with his love interest.
The author really brings the setting of 12th century England to life, both in everyday details and in the way that everyone is at the mercy of a few powerful men, even those like Hugh who have achieved a small amount of power, but especially queer people, women, and minorities (there are some Jewish characters). The Church is central to everyone's existence, and the story shows how easy it was for some to abuse that fact in order to take advantage of others.
This is the second book I've read from Manifold Press, and they've both been amazing. I look forward to continuing to explore their releases.
Hugh is a mason, something between a workman and an architect, and he's totally dedicated to his craft. All he really wants to do is build churches, but unscrupulous men throw his life off course several times. He is a very good person, someone who always does the right thing, but he's also very stubborn and doesn't always see the big picture in life. He has to learn to accept love, which happens through a series of harrowing experiences, each one leaving him more vulnerable than the last. He's a lonely man, and the narrative is pretty lonely, too. He holds himself apart from other people, which makes it very satisfying when he finally gets together with his love interest.
Spoiler
But I didn't feel like they were in love until nearly the last page.The author really brings the setting of 12th century England to life, both in everyday details and in the way that everyone is at the mercy of a few powerful men, even those like Hugh who have achieved a small amount of power, but especially queer people, women, and minorities (there are some Jewish characters). The Church is central to everyone's existence, and the story shows how easy it was for some to abuse that fact in order to take advantage of others.
This is the second book I've read from Manifold Press, and they've both been amazing. I look forward to continuing to explore their releases.
mrella's review
4.0
This book is not an M/M Romance. It's a historical novel with a gay protagonist, Hugh, a master mason. The book follows him for about 8-9 years and is very slow until the last 5% where a little spark of romance and angst finally happens.
There is virtually no sex and no fantasy element present (I've noticed some readers have it on their "fantasy/paranormal" shelves).
If you are a history geek, the book is definitely for you. If you are looking for a romance or feisty knights/elves/bards, I suggest you look somewhere else.
As it is, I loved the setting, I loved the slow pace, the politics, the casual mentioning of great names and places. I was constantly on internet, looking things up or refreshing my memory. It was perfect.
The only fault I found was author's tendency to skip through weeks and months. I wish it was a little tighter, time-wise, or filled with more action to compensate.
4 stars.
There is virtually no sex and no fantasy element present (I've noticed some readers have it on their "fantasy/paranormal" shelves).
If you are a history geek, the book is definitely for you. If you are looking for a romance or feisty knights/elves/bards, I suggest you look somewhere else.
As it is, I loved the setting, I loved the slow pace, the politics, the casual mentioning of great names and places. I was constantly on internet, looking things up or refreshing my memory. It was perfect.
The only fault I found was author's tendency to skip through weeks and months. I wish it was a little tighter, time-wise, or filled with more action to compensate.
4 stars.
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