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Canes And Scales (2011)

by S.A. Garcia(Favorite Author)

3.54 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

1615817999 (ISBN13: 9781615817993)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Dreamspinner Press

review 1: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.I really, really wanted to like this book. I like fantasy so I was really excited about it. I didn't know about the steampunk aspect and that is not my favorite thing but I persevered.The flowery prose was a real problem for me. I can usually deal with things like that if I can get lost in the story but not in this one. Between the steampunk aspect throwing me out and the fact that both Alasdair and Linden annoyed me so I couldn't get lost in the story. I think for someone who likes the flowery language and the fantasy/steampunk thing, you'd be really happy with this. For me, it just didn't work.
review 2: I received a review copy of this book via Goodreads' Don't Buy My Love program in exchan... morege for an honest review.3.5/4 stars for this M/M steampunk fantasy. I'm a bit torn as to my rating because the book was eloquently written, but I struggled with (slow) pacing. As delivered, this is three novellas packed together--and I kinda wanted the story to move...faster.Alasdaire is a bastard half-human/half-elf. He is the eldest grandchild to the ailing ruler of the Elven nation in this world. Due to his tainted bloodline, Alasdaire has never been to the Elven lands. In fact, after attempting to murder his derelict father (A Serpent Nation noble) he has been condemned to wear a lethal collar restraint and serve as a sex slave on the estate of the Serpent King's cousin.Prince Linden, brother to King Edward, is world weary. He's been battling to protect the fringes of Edward's realm, though he believes Edward to be insane--and over-interested in hastening Linden's mortality. Linden seeks respite and comfort in his cousin Keith's country estate--and he finds both in Alasdaire.Elves are detested throughout the Serpent Kingdom--reduced to slavery and unable to perform their magic due to Edward's decrees--but Linden finds Alasdaire entrancing. They strike up a companionship that is respectful and intimate. Over a period of weeks they become more than master/slave, and Alasdaire is distraught when Linden is summond to settle a new conflict afraid for Linden's life. With good reason.There are some soft twists, that mainly involve magic, Alasdaire's illegal practice of magic, and Linden's survival as a result of magic--Also, Linden's ascendance to the throne. Can their fledgling love survive the court intrigues and prejudice surrounding Elves? Also, Alasdaire's family rejects his love of a Serpent-Man--Linden. At first. I liked the world. The steampunk elements were interesting and handled with humor--ie "Farting" steam carriages that were so detested. Alasdaire was rather sympathetic, having been orphaned and abandoned--then later attacked by his deranged dad. Linden is a compassionate prince/king devoted to improving his lands with technology and egalitarian goals which is admirable. While the language is fun and flirty and in keeping with the "steampunk" milieu, I simply struggled with how ga-ga in-love Linden and Alasdaire were. The whole "Our Love Conquers All" theme kinda felt over-the-top for me, considering the characters in question were a battle-hardened, warrior-general prince, and a tormented sex toy. Also, despite all the assassination attempts, there seemed so little actual conflict--considering the length of the book. The sex was understated, and mostly negligible...sadly. I did enjoy that a M/M romance was accepted as the King's union. Even for fantasy, their relationship was open and unchallenged--with a plan to establish a distant cousin as Linden's eventual heir. This was refreshing.Unfortunately, I felt the story bogged too often and left me turning pages wondering "Um, when are we going to get somewhere, here?" which explains the lower rating. less

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