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Nor Iron Bars A Cage (2013)

by Kaje Harper(Favorite Author)

4.19 of 5 Votes: 4

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

M/M Romance Group @ goodreads

review 1: I found so much to love about this book. The narrator, Lyon, is a mess at the beginning--but he's doing what he needs to heal from a dark past. And, heck, even at his most frightened, I never doubted his courage. And neither does Tobin, who is puzzled but patient, understanding but determined. Their story kept me absorbed and I enjoyed the world they inhabit. In fact, the only criticism I can muster is a mild disagreement with some of their vocabulary; a few of their words didn't seem to fit their world. But that's just a nitpick. This book is going straight to my Favorites shelf!
review 2: I really wanted to like this book, and for some of it, I did. The set-up was great, the writing was good, the characterization was consistent, but for the most part I think ... moreI was rather bored and slightly creeped out (not in a good way). I know everyone else liked Lyon, but I just didn’t. Yes he has every reason to be disturbed and untrusting, and to the author’s credit he’s characterized very well and consistently written. But, that doesn’t mean I enjoyed him as a character, or enjoyed reading about him. He’s very fragile and only grows at all because he is forced to, not because he wants to. EVERYTHING is an internal (and external) struggle for him, even if I understood it I still found it annoying after a while. I wasn’t a big fan of Tobin’s character either, but mostly because I could not understand his devotion to Lyon; I was as confused by it as Lyon was! First of all it was instantaneous. I HATE THAT!! That is a lazy move! The author tried to cover this up by saying they knew each other when they were younger... But Lyon is a completely different person and they haven’t spoken in years! Tobin just seemed blindly devoted and I could not understand why for the life of me. In fact, I was quite irked by his devotion. Tobin being the perfect, patient, understanding partner for Lyon was just convenient and unrealistic. I see no benefit for Tobin from this arrangement, and I honestly thought he had more chemistry with the King! When he spoke to the King it was good natured, full of jokes and camaraderie and strength, they seemed like equals and that would have been a sexy pairing; Tobin dealing with Lyon was like him dealing with a slow, damaged child. Your partner should not be the equivalent of your mother! It makes the sex very creepy (and very patronizing). Maybe it’s because I am a man, but this whole relationship felt like pandering to fan-girls (which I can’t stand)! Poor weak little Lyon-boy, but don’t worry, here comes big, strong, hairy Tobin to save the day! It just made me cringe. They’re relationship was unrealistic to me and it mostly annoyed me, to the point where I almost stopped reading. I saw no chemistry, just creeping mothering.Then there was the plot-line... which I found dreadfully dull! Also, I found it a bit contrived to say the least. The reasoning behind the need to summon this ghost was flimsy at best and seemed like nothing but a poor attempt by the author to create an urgent need for Lyon to do the one thing that would make him more uncomfortable than anything else! I really don’t like it when the plot seems like a contrived device that is secondary to the characters, like the characters were written first and the story molded to fit around, tied up with a nice little bow. Perfect life lessons don’t just fall into our laps! I must say, this did lead to my favorite character, a very cool, very well written ghost. I can see how a lot of people might like this book. I suppose a weak, damaged man and his big strong protector might appeal to some readers, but not to me. A version of this type of theme or character dynamic is executed much better in “The Aisling” series (in my opinion). I prefer a “marriage of equals,” so to speak. Instant love and devotion always bothers me, but it does so more when one character feels like the other character’s mom! less

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