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rainjrop's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this! Good writing and interesting characters. It was exciting to have a fantasy novel that didn't star a Charming, Roguish Thief nor an Exasperated, Do-Gooder Tagalong. Even though much of the book is just Brute kind of hanging around the palace and getting to see and know everything, it wasn't boring. The book had a satisfying conclusion. Nice job.
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
Brute is about Brute, a guy who's really big and treated like an idiot by everyone. His parents died when he was young, and no one's ever even thought to teach him how to read. He does manual labour, he's underpaid for it, and overcharged for food and lodging. His life isn't going anywhere it seems, yet he works hard and doesn't complain. Then, one day, he gets injured while saving a prince and can no longer do the work he did before. The prince, being a decent guy, offers him a job to thank him.
Brute is supposed to look after a special prisoner. And yes, that's where the romance part comes in.
Now, while I agree that the prisoner is important, what with his dreams to future deaths and the bond he and Brute develop, the book is mostly about Brute as an individual. I mean, when we meet him, he has no prospects, very little skills and nothing to his name. He also doesn't think much of himself. With his new job, which pays a lot better, he can finally work to improve his life. And that's what he does. He works hard to become someone he can be proud of.
And he's such a good person. He's kind to everyone, accepts everything life throws at him and is unbelievably honest, helpful and genuine. He wins the reader over very quickly so that, when things start to go well for him, you're glad. It's amazing to see him want things for himself and become confident and decisive.
One might say he's a little too good to be true and, I hate to agree, but that's kind of not untrue. His perfection and niceness can be a bit... much.
I still love him and I'm really proud of him and, honestly, the four stars are mostly just because the book seemed to goes on a little longer than it needed to, but the 'too nice' thing needed to be said. This is still a great book and I definitely it. And Rattlesnake. Be sure to check out both.
Brute is supposed to look after a special prisoner. And yes, that's where the romance part comes in.
Now, while I agree that the prisoner is important, what with his dreams to future deaths and the bond he and Brute develop, the book is mostly about Brute as an individual. I mean, when we meet him, he has no prospects, very little skills and nothing to his name. He also doesn't think much of himself. With his new job, which pays a lot better, he can finally work to improve his life. And that's what he does. He works hard to become someone he can be proud of.
And he's such a good person. He's kind to everyone, accepts everything life throws at him and is unbelievably honest, helpful and genuine. He wins the reader over very quickly so that, when things start to go well for him, you're glad. It's amazing to see him want things for himself and become confident and decisive.
One might say he's a little too good to be true and, I hate to agree, but that's kind of not untrue. His perfection and niceness can be a bit... much.
I still love him and I'm really proud of him and, honestly, the four stars are mostly just because the book seemed to goes on a little longer than it needed to, but the 'too nice' thing needed to be said. This is still a great book and I definitely it. And Rattlesnake. Be sure to check out both.
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars!
Gentle (or not so gentle) giants is a top favorite trope, and this really embodies it to the max!
As per the blurb, Brute has had it rough and lonely, and the pain and longing he suffers for no reason other than being different is terribly heartbreaking. Despite the cruel treatment by everyone he knows, Brute remains a steadfast honorable guy who does the right thing every single time with never any ulterior motives and never with any bitterness or hate in his heart.
It’s fortuitous then that Brute saves one of the princes of the realm, suffering a great handicap in doing so. However, Brute is offered a place in the kingdom as a reward should he want to venture there and sadly, he has nothing to lose but to just try a new avenue of life as keeper of a condemned man.
One can easily imagine what happens. Brute’s pure and kind soul takes very good care of Gray, and of course, they fall in love. Just when you think it’s not possible for these two to have a happy ending, Brute figures out a way to escape, and the win and redemption of both was just so very lovely.
I’m happy I finally read this MM classic, and if you haven’t yet, don’t delay! You won’t regret it!
Gentle (or not so gentle) giants is a top favorite trope, and this really embodies it to the max!
As per the blurb, Brute has had it rough and lonely, and the pain and longing he suffers for no reason other than being different is terribly heartbreaking. Despite the cruel treatment by everyone he knows, Brute remains a steadfast honorable guy who does the right thing every single time with never any ulterior motives and never with any bitterness or hate in his heart.
It’s fortuitous then that Brute saves one of the princes of the realm, suffering a great handicap in doing so. However, Brute is offered a place in the kingdom as a reward should he want to venture there and sadly, he has nothing to lose but to just try a new avenue of life as keeper of a condemned man.
One can easily imagine what happens. Brute’s pure and kind soul takes very good care of Gray, and of course, they fall in love. Just when you think it’s not possible for these two to have a happy ending, Brute figures out a way to escape, and the win and redemption of both was just so very lovely.
I’m happy I finally read this MM classic, and if you haven’t yet, don’t delay! You won’t regret it!
smartinez9's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
I‘m always trash for a misunderstood/damaged hero or gentle giant who just needs to be loved. This was no exception. The adorableness that is Brute and the way his relationship with Grey unfolded was so sweet and satisfying. What really set the book apart for me from other vaguely fantastical books set in timeless kingdoms or M/M romance was the depth of the world-building and secondary characters, which many fail to achieve in books much longer. Warin, Alys, and Prince Aldfrid were three-dimensional and believable—even characters with little time on-page, like Quoen (who is everything), Lord Maudit, and Master Sighard felt fleshed-out and real. The goings-on of the castle were dynamic and well-constructed, creating a believable backdrop. Complaints: the sex scenes were very fade-to-black, which is good if you don’t want graphic detail, though I would have appreciated more build-up to their physical relationship, and the narrative itself wrapped up a little too quickly, with no substantive payoff.
I‘m always trash for a misunderstood/damaged hero or gentle giant who just needs to be loved. This was no exception. The adorableness that is Brute and the way his relationship with Grey unfolded was so sweet and satisfying. What really set the book apart for me from other vaguely fantastical books set in timeless kingdoms or M/M romance was the depth of the world-building and secondary characters, which many fail to achieve in books much longer. Warin, Alys, and Prince Aldfrid were three-dimensional and believable—even characters with little time on-page, like Quoen (who is everything), Lord Maudit, and Master Sighard felt fleshed-out and real. The goings-on of the castle were dynamic and well-constructed, creating a believable backdrop. Complaints: the sex scenes were very fade-to-black, which is good if you don’t want graphic detail, though I would have appreciated more build-up to their physical relationship, and the narrative itself wrapped up a little too quickly, with no substantive payoff.
joshhall13's review against another edition
4.0
Saccharine mm love story fantasy for those that can sometimes feel unlovable.
laiinny's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
rock_mom's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
raynebair's review against another edition
5.0
I keep saying I'm not a fan of Fantasy M/M, but this book has me rethinking that notion. You can't help but fall in love with the characters. You can't help but feel sympathy at Gray's plight or Brute's. I was hooked almost immediately on this book. And it just kept getting better and better.
K.C. Kelly did a magnificent job. He captured Gray's stutter and Brute's slow speech so well, he truly brought them to life for me. I clearly knew who was talking and when Gray's stutter would disappear, I took notice and it brought me further into the story.
I saw Kim's praise of K.C.'s narration on Facebook, and I'm really glad I went with this edition. It was a very good choice and this was an amazing book.
K.C. Kelly did a magnificent job. He captured Gray's stutter and Brute's slow speech so well, he truly brought them to life for me. I clearly knew who was talking and when Gray's stutter would disappear, I took notice and it brought me further into the story.
I saw Kim's praise of K.C.'s narration on Facebook, and I'm really glad I went with this edition. It was a very good choice and this was an amazing book.