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Aisling #3
Beloved Son
Second Edition
When a man’s identity is built on lies, can he find the true self buried beneath? For Wil and Dallin, newfound love might not be enough. To heal themselves and their world, they must learn to see things as they truly are and break free of what they have been tricked into believing.
Wil and Dallin stand at the center of an approaching convergence they’re not sure they’re strong enough to face. The power of the land and the Mother waits for Wil in the bowels of Lind, but it comes at a price: he must defeat the soul-eater and save the Father, Her Beloved, and manage to keep his soul in the process. He can’t do it alone. But where can he turn for aid when friends are not necessarily friends, trusted mentors are not necessarily to be trusted, and good intentions are sometimes the most dangerous kind?
Dallin and Wil must accept their roles as the Guardian and the Aisling and stand together against a ruthless god in a cataclysmic battle of dreams and wills, the fates of both of their souls and those of all mortals hanging in the balance. Trust, if they can finally embrace it, holds both the promise of salvation and the risk of damnation.
First Edition published by Torquere/Prizm Press, 2011.
When a man’s identity is built on lies, can he find the true self buried beneath? For Wil and Dallin, newfound love might not be enough. To heal themselves and their world, they must learn to see things as they truly are and break free of what they have been tricked into believing.
Wil and Dallin stand at the center of an approaching convergence they’re not sure they’re strong enough to face. The power of the land and the Mother waits for Wil in the bowels of Lind, but it comes at a price: he must defeat the soul-eater and save the Father, Her Beloved, and manage to keep his soul in the process. He can’t do it alone. But where can he turn for aid when friends are not necessarily friends, trusted mentors are not necessarily to be trusted, and good intentions are sometimes the most dangerous kind?
Dallin and Wil must accept their roles as the Guardian and the Aisling and stand together against a ruthless god in a cataclysmic battle of dreams and wills, the fates of both of their souls and those of all mortals hanging in the balance. Trust, if they can finally embrace it, holds both the promise of salvation and the risk of damnation.
First Edition published by Torquere/Prizm Press, 2011.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2011
8 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
December 16, 2011
I've been counting the days until Aisling 3: Beloved Son released, and let me tell you, the wait was worth it. Dallin and Wil make up one of my all time favorite couples, and for 'fade to black' where sex was concerned, Ms. Cummings sure made the love between these two sizzled without having to give a play by play of the action.
Wil has grown stronger, more secure in himself, thanks, in part, to Dallin's unwavering support. I loved seeing him come into his own. His stubborness and that fact that he stands up for himself endeared him all the more.
And Dallin? If I ever need rescuing, I'd like to find a true to life Dallin Brayden. He's not perfect, doesn't have all the answers, but what a quick mind and steadfast heart!
This sweeping epic left me breathlessly turning pages and, as with the other two installments, I lost sleep to read. A wonderful set of secondary characters and nuanced villains rounds out the cast, each one fully realized as a complete entity.
While the end wrapped the trilogy up neatly, I believe I caught a glimpse of a partially opened door, and I hope to see more of these two in the future. Bravo, Carole Cummings, for giving me three books for my favorite's shelf. And books I can share with my grandaughter, at that!
Wil has grown stronger, more secure in himself, thanks, in part, to Dallin's unwavering support. I loved seeing him come into his own. His stubborness and that fact that he stands up for himself endeared him all the more.
And Dallin? If I ever need rescuing, I'd like to find a true to life Dallin Brayden. He's not perfect, doesn't have all the answers, but what a quick mind and steadfast heart!
This sweeping epic left me breathlessly turning pages and, as with the other two installments, I lost sleep to read. A wonderful set of secondary characters and nuanced villains rounds out the cast, each one fully realized as a complete entity.
While the end wrapped the trilogy up neatly, I believe I caught a glimpse of a partially opened door, and I hope to see more of these two in the future. Bravo, Carole Cummings, for giving me three books for my favorite's shelf. And books I can share with my grandaughter, at that!
August 12, 2016
I loved Wil and Dallin and I loved their story. And even though I usually prefer sexy times on page, I thought the way they were handled here worked well. Their love certainly showed through.
Side notes
In this series, different variations of 'useable therefore useful' and ' those most easily used and uses them ' type phrases were used a lot and drew my attention more than they should have.
Reading long stretches of italicized paragraphs is not easy.
Side notes
In this series, different variations of 'useable therefore useful' and ' those most easily used and uses them ' type phrases were used a lot and drew my attention more than they should have.
Reading long stretches of italicized paragraphs is not easy.
Want to read
December 15, 2011When is it going to be Dec. 15?????? Have to add how giddy I am to read this and SO happy to see so many others get on the Aisling train.
December 15, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
I’ve been a fan of Carole Cummings for a long time and the Aisling Trilogy was the first series of hers that I read. Like all of her works, Beloved Son is complex, poignant, and at times, elegant. The Aisling series must be read in order and for those of you who haven’t yet explored Aisling and Guardian, you will have to do so in order to fully understand and grasp Beloved Son.
Dallin and Wil have come to their moment of destiny and neither of them feel up to the challenge. They’ve accepted that the Mother and the Father have placed their faith in Wil to set the cosmos right, but knowing a thing and making it so are hardly the same. Wil remains leery of the Mother, who he feels abandoned him to be drugged and held captive for decades. And Dallin is struggling to hold himself, Wil, and everything else together. We finally see Wil’s evolution as a child of godly parentage and his acknowledgment of the world around him. Beloved Son shows, perhaps more clearly than Guardian, all that Dallin has sacrificed to protect and love Wil. Together they are a force to be reckoned with, but even if they manage to free the Father, there is no certainty the waking world will let them live. There is a pulse to Beloved Son, one that drives forward the story and gives it a sense of urgency. We want these characters to survive but more importantly we want them to receive some sort of happily ever after and that’s never a promise we are never guaranteed.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
I’ve been a fan of Carole Cummings for a long time and the Aisling Trilogy was the first series of hers that I read. Like all of her works, Beloved Son is complex, poignant, and at times, elegant. The Aisling series must be read in order and for those of you who haven’t yet explored Aisling and Guardian, you will have to do so in order to fully understand and grasp Beloved Son.
Dallin and Wil have come to their moment of destiny and neither of them feel up to the challenge. They’ve accepted that the Mother and the Father have placed their faith in Wil to set the cosmos right, but knowing a thing and making it so are hardly the same. Wil remains leery of the Mother, who he feels abandoned him to be drugged and held captive for decades. And Dallin is struggling to hold himself, Wil, and everything else together. We finally see Wil’s evolution as a child of godly parentage and his acknowledgment of the world around him. Beloved Son shows, perhaps more clearly than Guardian, all that Dallin has sacrificed to protect and love Wil. Together they are a force to be reckoned with, but even if they manage to free the Father, there is no certainty the waking world will let them live. There is a pulse to Beloved Son, one that drives forward the story and gives it a sense of urgency. We want these characters to survive but more importantly we want them to receive some sort of happily ever after and that’s never a promise we are never guaranteed.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
December 4, 2012
3.5 Stars
Full review to come. Just a few points for now.
What bored me: The MC's introspection and the same old internal struggles. It was never ending and tiring.
What I loved: The dream world and the confrontations that Wil and Dallin faced. It really took off around 45%. I loved the ending!
January 30, 2013
Keeping this short and sweet: chock full of action and excitement, but straying just a little too far into "religiousness" for me.
I am just as - if not more - in love with Dallin & Wil as I was before. Thank heavens there's some real sex in #3.5! (Such a dirty mind. *shakes head disappointedly*)
I am just as - if not more - in love with Dallin & Wil as I was before. Thank heavens there's some real sex in #3.5! (Such a dirty mind. *shakes head disappointedly*)
February 23, 2012
After finishing this novel, read Everything, free story from Aisling universe, about Wil and Dallin after the trilogy. It's sweet and sexy and everything we wanted for these two.
Review:
4.5 stars
Beloved Son is the third book in the Aisling trilogy and, if you didn't read the first two books, this is a bad place to start. So, stop reading this review and check out Guardian and Dream. The books are classified as "young adult" by the publisher, but, personally, I never saw the trilogy that way. The lack of explicit sex is, in my opinion, the only thing that qualifies it as such. Although I have faith in young people everywhere, I believe that some themes of Aisling require somewhat longer mileage.
The story of Beloved Son continues where previous novel left off. Wil and Dallin are in Lind, where they hope to embrace their destinies and prepare for the final conflict. The forces both outside and inside of Lind, characters old and new, friends and enemies converge to help or hinder their efforts: Commonwealth, Brethren, Weardas of Lind, the Old Ones, Corliss Stierne, Woodrow, Calders, Shaw, Captain Wisena, General Wheeler, Aeledfýres, Mother, Father, etc. More importantly, men's insecurities and past experiences conspire to become an obstacle to the preferred outcome of their adventure – their mutual survival.
Aisling is primarily character driven epic and Beloved Son was a fitting ending to it. Wil and Dallin came a long way from the interrogation room in Putnam and this novel is a culmination of the changes they went through. The novel takes place over just a few days and most of the conflicts – though not all of them – are internal or take place in the dream world. Some readers, who perhaps expected the conflict on the scale of the Battle of Five Armies, may be disappointed, but I loved it and I thought it was perfect for these two characters. The story of this particular part of trilogy revolves about acceptance and trust. Both Wil and Dallin need to accept their roles as Guardian and Aisling, they need to accept their faith or faith and expectations of others, they need to trust in themselves, in their bond, they need to accept the help of others. It is not easy to grow, but Wil and Dallin must. Otherwise, not only they will be lost to each other, but the entire world will fall into darkness.
It was amazing to watch Wil transform from barely functioning individual, lost and abused, to combative "badger", to the man who takes his destiny into his own hands and damn the consequences. Wil needs to accept who he is, who he needs to be, even if he loses Dallin. The most touching scene in the entire book concerning Wil was Wil's meeting with the Mother, the goddess he consciously and unconsciously denied all his life. It's confusing and painful – because what else the meeting between a god and a mortal – no matter how extraordinary the mortal is – can be. Not least because Wil believes that "the heart of the Divine can be fickle and hard, and he knows gods are not infallible". Wil's struggles and confusion broke my heart, but I rather liked the concept of gods bound by our own faith, bound by all the faiths. It's trying – and not just for Wil – but, in the end, in the very end it was deeply satisfying.
Dallin, as I’m sure I said somewhere before, is the man you would want to have in your corner when things go south. He is strong and true, but his journey wasn't any simpler than Wil's – for he had to traverse from his well ordered world – first in the military and than in Constabulary – to the world where faith plays the central role. It is blind faith Dallin can't accept, something that endeared his character to me immensely. For probably the first time, Dallin doubts: his ability to be true Guardian to his Aisling, true lover to Wil, true to his people, true to both Father and Mother – when it seems he will have to betray one to stay true to the other. There is a soft core, reserved mostly for Wil, beneath all Dallin's steel. If there is one excerpt that speaks of who Dallin is, it's this one:
In the end, I adored this trilogy. The writing was beautiful, both evocative and introspective. It irrevocably bound me to the characters and it didn't let me go until the final page. I liked watching the changes in our protagonists, but I adored the fact that, in spite of these changes, they stayed true to their personalities and one another. They choose one another over and over again. The trials were not the only thing between them. Love, gentleness and humor were there too (Dallin: "Can’t help yourself, I know. It’s my carefully cultivated air of danger. A bloody magnet, me."). The ending left me with a satisfied smile on my face. Wil and Dallin are now one of my favorite literary couples.
So, you may ask, why 4.5 stars then, if I loved it so much? First, let me be clear that this rating was for this book alone – I have no qualms about giving five stars to the complete trilogy. Perhaps, that is part of the problem: this is more one huge book than three separate books and I strongly advise, especially new readers, to read them in order and close to each other, because they require you to have multiple clues and story lines in mind. The book is a bit too long: more of the page time could have been devoted to Wil and Dallin as a couple in tranquil moments. I accepted that Wil and Dallin were extraordinary, even in their roles of Aisling and Guardian, but I wanted more or better explanation of how they just knew some things about their respective roles. Finally, the author left a big door open for the sequel, although this particular story is done. Perhaps, that should have been made clearer as it can unnecessary confuse the readers.
In the end, Aisling, and Beloved Son as part of it, was excellent epic which could easily find its place in the mainstream publishing. However, we are lucky to have it in our little niche as much as we are lucky to have Carole Cummings among M/M authors. Until Carole offers us something new, enjoy reading this magnificent epic of hers. Highly, highly recommended.
Written for Reviews by Jessewave.
Review:
4.5 stars
Beloved Son is the third book in the Aisling trilogy and, if you didn't read the first two books, this is a bad place to start. So, stop reading this review and check out Guardian and Dream. The books are classified as "young adult" by the publisher, but, personally, I never saw the trilogy that way. The lack of explicit sex is, in my opinion, the only thing that qualifies it as such. Although I have faith in young people everywhere, I believe that some themes of Aisling require somewhat longer mileage.
The story of Beloved Son continues where previous novel left off. Wil and Dallin are in Lind, where they hope to embrace their destinies and prepare for the final conflict. The forces both outside and inside of Lind, characters old and new, friends and enemies converge to help or hinder their efforts: Commonwealth, Brethren, Weardas of Lind, the Old Ones, Corliss Stierne, Woodrow, Calders, Shaw, Captain Wisena, General Wheeler, Aeledfýres, Mother, Father, etc. More importantly, men's insecurities and past experiences conspire to become an obstacle to the preferred outcome of their adventure – their mutual survival.
Aisling is primarily character driven epic and Beloved Son was a fitting ending to it. Wil and Dallin came a long way from the interrogation room in Putnam and this novel is a culmination of the changes they went through. The novel takes place over just a few days and most of the conflicts – though not all of them – are internal or take place in the dream world. Some readers, who perhaps expected the conflict on the scale of the Battle of Five Armies, may be disappointed, but I loved it and I thought it was perfect for these two characters. The story of this particular part of trilogy revolves about acceptance and trust. Both Wil and Dallin need to accept their roles as Guardian and Aisling, they need to accept their faith or faith and expectations of others, they need to trust in themselves, in their bond, they need to accept the help of others. It is not easy to grow, but Wil and Dallin must. Otherwise, not only they will be lost to each other, but the entire world will fall into darkness.
It was amazing to watch Wil transform from barely functioning individual, lost and abused, to combative "badger", to the man who takes his destiny into his own hands and damn the consequences. Wil needs to accept who he is, who he needs to be, even if he loses Dallin. The most touching scene in the entire book concerning Wil was Wil's meeting with the Mother, the goddess he consciously and unconsciously denied all his life. It's confusing and painful – because what else the meeting between a god and a mortal – no matter how extraordinary the mortal is – can be. Not least because Wil believes that "the heart of the Divine can be fickle and hard, and he knows gods are not infallible". Wil's struggles and confusion broke my heart, but I rather liked the concept of gods bound by our own faith, bound by all the faiths. It's trying – and not just for Wil – but, in the end, in the very end it was deeply satisfying.
Dallin, as I’m sure I said somewhere before, is the man you would want to have in your corner when things go south. He is strong and true, but his journey wasn't any simpler than Wil's – for he had to traverse from his well ordered world – first in the military and than in Constabulary – to the world where faith plays the central role. It is blind faith Dallin can't accept, something that endeared his character to me immensely. For probably the first time, Dallin doubts: his ability to be true Guardian to his Aisling, true lover to Wil, true to his people, true to both Father and Mother – when it seems he will have to betray one to stay true to the other. There is a soft core, reserved mostly for Wil, beneath all Dallin's steel. If there is one excerpt that speaks of who Dallin is, it's this one:
"See, I believe in you—whoever or whatever you are, I believe in you, because I've touched your heart. I touch your soul every night when we sleep and you let me in. And so I keep thinking you believe in me, and when I have the fact that you don't, maybe can't, slam me in the face, it… well, it rather winds me, I think."
In the end, I adored this trilogy. The writing was beautiful, both evocative and introspective. It irrevocably bound me to the characters and it didn't let me go until the final page. I liked watching the changes in our protagonists, but I adored the fact that, in spite of these changes, they stayed true to their personalities and one another. They choose one another over and over again. The trials were not the only thing between them. Love, gentleness and humor were there too (Dallin: "Can’t help yourself, I know. It’s my carefully cultivated air of danger. A bloody magnet, me."). The ending left me with a satisfied smile on my face. Wil and Dallin are now one of my favorite literary couples.
So, you may ask, why 4.5 stars then, if I loved it so much? First, let me be clear that this rating was for this book alone – I have no qualms about giving five stars to the complete trilogy. Perhaps, that is part of the problem: this is more one huge book than three separate books and I strongly advise, especially new readers, to read them in order and close to each other, because they require you to have multiple clues and story lines in mind. The book is a bit too long: more of the page time could have been devoted to Wil and Dallin as a couple in tranquil moments. I accepted that Wil and Dallin were extraordinary, even in their roles of Aisling and Guardian, but I wanted more or better explanation of how they just knew some things about their respective roles. Finally, the author left a big door open for the sequel, although this particular story is done. Perhaps, that should have been made clearer as it can unnecessary confuse the readers.
In the end, Aisling, and Beloved Son as part of it, was excellent epic which could easily find its place in the mainstream publishing. However, we are lucky to have it in our little niche as much as we are lucky to have Carole Cummings among M/M authors. Until Carole offers us something new, enjoy reading this magnificent epic of hers. Highly, highly recommended.
Written for Reviews by Jessewave.
November 22, 2012
My review comments to the earlier books in this series apply equally well to this one. If you don't like intensely character-focused stories, don't bother with Cummings. That's really what she's all about. And even more so than in the previous installments, since large parts of this book take place in the dream plane.
I do have some quibbles with Cummings' writing, built up over the course of reading both this series and her Wolf's-Own books in quick succession. She has some favorite prose tricks, like stringing multiple words together -- wantitwantitwantit and similar -- and she uses some expressions like "Huh" and descriptions like "narrowed" eyes over and over and over. These sorts of habits aren't uncommon amongst authors -- for example, Jim Butcher is infamous for his constant descriptions of "arched" eyebrows and "rolled" shoulders -- but it can still be an annoying weakness. Fortunately, such minor faults are much overshadowed by the way she brings the interior lives of her characters to life. Sure, the angst quotient may be artificially enhanced for the sake of the drama -- but there's absolutely no doubt that you'll feel the struggles of those characters. There's nothing ho-hum or dispassionate about these guys, that's for sure.
I do have some quibbles with Cummings' writing, built up over the course of reading both this series and her Wolf's-Own books in quick succession. She has some favorite prose tricks, like stringing multiple words together -- wantitwantitwantit and similar -- and she uses some expressions like "Huh" and descriptions like "narrowed" eyes over and over and over. These sorts of habits aren't uncommon amongst authors -- for example, Jim Butcher is infamous for his constant descriptions of "arched" eyebrows and "rolled" shoulders -- but it can still be an annoying weakness. Fortunately, such minor faults are much overshadowed by the way she brings the interior lives of her characters to life. Sure, the angst quotient may be artificially enhanced for the sake of the drama -- but there's absolutely no doubt that you'll feel the struggles of those characters. There's nothing ho-hum or dispassionate about these guys, that's for sure.
December 27, 2011
This book is much more internal than the previous two. Although there is plenty of physical danger, it takes second place to the magical dangers and conflicts, which occur in the landscapes of Wil's mind. The relationship between Dallin and Wil is strained by the things each must do, and how they believe the other will view their actions. And Wil needs to find his true name and true self. But these guys are still Dallin and Wil, whatever titles and names they end up with, so the fact that they belong together is incontrovertible.
There is a hint at the end that the work is not done. I hope that means there will be another book. I've become very invested in these men and I would love to see how they are together after this, when the doubts are more laid to rest and they are secure in their relationship. Should be awesome.
There is a hint at the end that the work is not done. I hope that means there will be another book. I've become very invested in these men and I would love to see how they are together after this, when the doubts are more laid to rest and they are secure in their relationship. Should be awesome.
March 12, 2012
This is the amazing and wonderful climax to the Aisling trilogy: I am still sitting in awe of the sweeping epic and the incredible use of language. The love between Wil and Dallin is their strength and perhaps the route to triumph for their enemies, but Carole Cummings brings all together in the grand culmination of three volumes of fear, flight, growth of trust, and at last, battle.
If I ever write something half this good, I will have done well.
If I ever write something half this good, I will have done well.
February 24, 2012
Desperately hoping for book four! The story isn't over yet.
March 6, 2012
I guess a simple 'I really liked it' isn't going to do it this time, huh? Too bad, because it is so much easier to explain why I don't like books.
This book felt like a decent culmination of the first two books. Much more of it takes place internally, in the dreamworld (and in the MCs heads), but seeing that Wil is a dream himself, that was kind of a given. Also, Gods don't manifest themselves on the physical plane, so if they are taking an active part, we'll have to move inward. I happen to like introspective books. I happen to like characters that are flailing. Wil and Dallin flail most deliciously.
Dallin has run into the one thing he isn't able to take in stride: the blind faith and adoration of his countrymen, for whom he is pretty much the messiah. With his past experiences, he can't stand for people to look at others that way, especially not himself. He feels woefully unprepared for the task ahead, he keeps being told he is woefully unprepared by the Elders who have their own issues with blind faith, but slightly different, and he is convinced it is going to cost him his life, Wil's life or both, never mind the fate of the rest of the world. He struggles with how to prepare Wil, who has been unconscious for days and is barely back among the living when everything starts to come to a head. He is torn between everyone's expectations, his love for Wil and his need to protect him, his need to guide him, his need to guide Lind, his sense of duty, and the sacrifice of life, love and/or happiness.
Wil, on the other hand, has barely been conscious for a total of two days after he and Dallin first had sex. One day in Chester, one day in Lind. He struggles with the concept of feeling love, and being loved for who he is, not what he is. He wants to believe it's happening, but can't quite believe it all the same. With his background love, shame, abuse and hurt are tightly interwoven and he can't bring himself to dig into that mess to face the shame, to sort it out. It is understandable, if frustrating, to see how doubt keeps creeping back in. When Dallin doesn't share everything with him, what does that mean about how he views Wil? It takes time and effort for Wil to move beyond his knee-jerk reaction.
Beyond the MCs inner struggles, the book is about the difference between belief an knowledge. At what point does a long-held belief becomes something that we think we know for a fact? When that belief is challenged, are our minds closed or open to the possibility that our belief is wrong? What is the value of blind faith? All these questions get asked, if not necessarily answered.
Four stars instead of five for a few reasons: this was the only book in the series that felt YA in the sense that the underlying message was hammered on a bit too much and the final battle was a bit too much standard fantasy fare. All in all a great series, but one that really needs to be read back to back. Even in the week between the reread of book 1 and 2 till 3 came out, much momentum had been lost.
ETA: Don't miss the epilogue on Carole's website: http://www.carolecummings.com/Everyth...
This book felt like a decent culmination of the first two books. Much more of it takes place internally, in the dreamworld (and in the MCs heads), but seeing that Wil is a dream himself, that was kind of a given. Also, Gods don't manifest themselves on the physical plane, so if they are taking an active part, we'll have to move inward. I happen to like introspective books. I happen to like characters that are flailing. Wil and Dallin flail most deliciously.
Dallin has run into the one thing he isn't able to take in stride: the blind faith and adoration of his countrymen, for whom he is pretty much the messiah. With his past experiences, he can't stand for people to look at others that way, especially not himself. He feels woefully unprepared for the task ahead, he keeps being told he is woefully unprepared by the Elders who have their own issues with blind faith, but slightly different, and he is convinced it is going to cost him his life, Wil's life or both, never mind the fate of the rest of the world. He struggles with how to prepare Wil, who has been unconscious for days and is barely back among the living when everything starts to come to a head. He is torn between everyone's expectations, his love for Wil and his need to protect him, his need to guide him, his need to guide Lind, his sense of duty, and the sacrifice of life, love and/or happiness.
Wil, on the other hand, has barely been conscious for a total of two days after he and Dallin first had sex. One day in Chester, one day in Lind. He struggles with the concept of feeling love, and being loved for who he is, not what he is. He wants to believe it's happening, but can't quite believe it all the same. With his background love, shame, abuse and hurt are tightly interwoven and he can't bring himself to dig into that mess to face the shame, to sort it out. It is understandable, if frustrating, to see how doubt keeps creeping back in. When Dallin doesn't share everything with him, what does that mean about how he views Wil? It takes time and effort for Wil to move beyond his knee-jerk reaction.
Beyond the MCs inner struggles, the book is about the difference between belief an knowledge. At what point does a long-held belief becomes something that we think we know for a fact? When that belief is challenged, are our minds closed or open to the possibility that our belief is wrong? What is the value of blind faith? All these questions get asked, if not necessarily answered.
Four stars instead of five for a few reasons: this was the only book in the series that felt YA in the sense that the underlying message was hammered on a bit too much and the final battle was a bit too much standard fantasy fare. All in all a great series, but one that really needs to be read back to back. Even in the week between the reread of book 1 and 2 till 3 came out, much momentum had been lost.
ETA: Don't miss the epilogue on Carole's website: http://www.carolecummings.com/Everyth...
March 15, 2012
Carole Cummings has presented a sweeping dénouement to her stunning trilogy. Aisling Part Three, Beloved Son, completes all the story arcs that have been building to give as a monumental tale of men, gods, love, and oh yeah, saving the world, too.
Apologies for spoilers for books 1 and 2, but it’s nearly unavoidable. Aisling must be read in order to make proper sense, but it’s well worth it. Start with Guardian, then read Dream, and then Beloved Son will cap this epic.
The one thing Wil Calder fears most is being subsumed and kept in a cage, forced to do the will of others stronger than he. Yet with his Guardian, Dallin Braden, he comes to know that his is the strength, his are the decisions, and that all he is will become enough to save the Father, the Mother, and the people he may one day call his own. He’s being herded to this fate by those who would take his strength for their own, and he’s fought against it, but comes to see that he cannot even mount the fight without doing exactly what he’s worked all his life to avoid.
Dallin, who has sworn to prevent Wil from falling victim to what he fears most, is deeply torn. The tightrope he walks is to give the Mother and the Father the help they need in defeating their worst foe, which Wil can do, against giving Wil the freedom he needs to survive. Dallin’s honesty and his perception of need, mixed with his very real and great love for Wil, threatens to tear him apart.
This is a very character driven story; plenty happens but much of it is in a realm inaccessible to people. Wil and Dallin shift back and forth between states once they have reached the people and the power of Lind and a sacred place that Wil has feared for his entire life. The lies and half truths fed him by his keeper and betrayer Siofra still work at the back of Wil’s mind; his growth is phenomenal, and greatly due to freedom and Dallin’s belief. Success isn’t a given—they must fight for everything, over and over. Beset by men who think they know best, each step is a battle of its own, with betrayal lurking around every corner.
There are battles on the physical plane, which are important but not truly the focus of the story; what Wil must do is in the realm of the gods, the Mother, the Father, and the usurper Aeledfyres. Little is what Wil believes it to be, even his true name, which he finds at last in a rush of love.
The language is beautiful: what Carole Cummings does with words is artistry, I stayed up late every night to finish this, pulled by the power and the beauty, as well as the excitement. She makes us bleed with Dallin and fear with Wil, and believe that the fate of all lies within their hands.
Everything comes together in a crashing climax: all of Wil’s fears and potentials, all of Dallin’s skills and beliefs. I cried at the end, and then again at the epilogue, for the simple relief. All three volumes of Aisling live in paperback on my Keep Forever shelf. And I’m sniffling a little now.
Apologies for spoilers for books 1 and 2, but it’s nearly unavoidable. Aisling must be read in order to make proper sense, but it’s well worth it. Start with Guardian, then read Dream, and then Beloved Son will cap this epic.
The one thing Wil Calder fears most is being subsumed and kept in a cage, forced to do the will of others stronger than he. Yet with his Guardian, Dallin Braden, he comes to know that his is the strength, his are the decisions, and that all he is will become enough to save the Father, the Mother, and the people he may one day call his own. He’s being herded to this fate by those who would take his strength for their own, and he’s fought against it, but comes to see that he cannot even mount the fight without doing exactly what he’s worked all his life to avoid.
Dallin, who has sworn to prevent Wil from falling victim to what he fears most, is deeply torn. The tightrope he walks is to give the Mother and the Father the help they need in defeating their worst foe, which Wil can do, against giving Wil the freedom he needs to survive. Dallin’s honesty and his perception of need, mixed with his very real and great love for Wil, threatens to tear him apart.
This is a very character driven story; plenty happens but much of it is in a realm inaccessible to people. Wil and Dallin shift back and forth between states once they have reached the people and the power of Lind and a sacred place that Wil has feared for his entire life. The lies and half truths fed him by his keeper and betrayer Siofra still work at the back of Wil’s mind; his growth is phenomenal, and greatly due to freedom and Dallin’s belief. Success isn’t a given—they must fight for everything, over and over. Beset by men who think they know best, each step is a battle of its own, with betrayal lurking around every corner.
There are battles on the physical plane, which are important but not truly the focus of the story; what Wil must do is in the realm of the gods, the Mother, the Father, and the usurper Aeledfyres. Little is what Wil believes it to be, even his true name, which he finds at last in a rush of love.
The language is beautiful: what Carole Cummings does with words is artistry, I stayed up late every night to finish this, pulled by the power and the beauty, as well as the excitement. She makes us bleed with Dallin and fear with Wil, and believe that the fate of all lies within their hands.
Everything comes together in a crashing climax: all of Wil’s fears and potentials, all of Dallin’s skills and beliefs. I cried at the end, and then again at the epilogue, for the simple relief. All three volumes of Aisling live in paperback on my Keep Forever shelf. And I’m sniffling a little now.
January 17, 2018
The first half of this book tested my patience and had me frustrated. Dallin almost made my head hurt more than once. I thought my problem was coming from there but he was still the same, solid, always analytical, looking at each and every piece of the puzzle from every angle, so that couldn't be it. What I realized I missed was Wil, the "vicious little shit who never bloody quit". He almost seemed resigned and like he was tagging along and although I understood the reasons behind the somber mood due to tough choices that would need to be made against impossible seeming odds, I still missed his fire and their banter to sort of balance things out.
What saved this book for me were the dream like sequences leading up to the confrontation with Aeledfyres and the confrontation itself. I thought those were phenomenal, pure nail-biters and so worth the slow beginning. Plenty of loose ends were tied. There were the "A-ha!" moments of enlightenment where events from the first two books clicked and made much more sense. Also toward the end when I got a glimpse of what I was missing between Wil and Dallin's dynamics I had previously enjoyed so much.
No cliffhangers, but the author has left plenty of doors open for Will and Dallin and more of their story. I'll definitely follow them on their journey if she chooses to continue.
What saved this book for me were the dream like sequences leading up to the confrontation with Aeledfyres and the confrontation itself. I thought those were phenomenal, pure nail-biters and so worth the slow beginning. Plenty of loose ends were tied. There were the "A-ha!" moments of enlightenment where events from the first two books clicked and made much more sense. Also toward the end when I got a glimpse of what I was missing between Wil and Dallin's dynamics I had previously enjoyed so much.
No cliffhangers, but the author has left plenty of doors open for Will and Dallin and more of their story. I'll definitely follow them on their journey if she chooses to continue.
January 6, 2014
This is probably one of my favorite series ever. From book 1 to book 3 I was hooked and captivated the whole way through. Dallin and Will are such wonderful, complex characters who develop so much throughout the course of the books. Their relationship develops completely naturally, and I love how much they depend on each other to draw out their own inner strength. Their constant snark back and forth is endearing, and you can feel how much they care about each other underneath it, without any of the reminders of how one would readily sacrifice himself for the other.
STRONG characters, that is one thing that can definitely be said about this series, and not just the two protagonists. minor characters such as Corliss and Andette go through arcs as well, and come out stronger for it in the end. I especially liked that the female characters were admirable in both personality and fighting skills! often women in m/m fiction are written as shrewd and deceptive, a competition not to be trusted. but that is not the case here, I am happy to say! Corliss especially I was awed by, her being both a mother, and fiercely respected warrior.
I can't say enough good things about this book. :)
STRONG characters, that is one thing that can definitely be said about this series, and not just the two protagonists. minor characters such as Corliss and Andette go through arcs as well, and come out stronger for it in the end. I especially liked that the female characters were admirable in both personality and fighting skills! often women in m/m fiction are written as shrewd and deceptive, a competition not to be trusted. but that is not the case here, I am happy to say! Corliss especially I was awed by, her being both a mother, and fiercely respected warrior.
I can't say enough good things about this book. :)
May 8, 2013
I love the Aisling books, and I rate them as 5 stars as one complete story, but compared to the first and second books, this one made things too easy for Wil and Dallin. You know those books where suddenly everyone loves and admires the main character(s) and everything just starts falling into place for them? This is one of those. I prefer my books with protagonists who have to struggle right through to the bitter end, where it seems like the whole world's sole purpose is to screw them over. This series was heading along that road until this last part, when suddenly Wil and Dallin have a hoard of allies all eager to please. It was a little disappointing and made the ending fall somewhat flat. Still love the story, but I would have loved it so much more if things had been harder right up to the bitter end.
February 6, 2018
I just have to gush over Carole Cummings for a moment, because this, like all of her books, is a masterpiece.
Carole Cummings is, quite simply, a master of prose, in my humble opinion.
I really, really love the way that Ms. Cummings writes; it is so immersive, and so well crafted - from the extensive world-building, to the multilayered characters, to the fully formed religions and cultures of her worlds, and even extending her creative prowess to the creative names of both places and people. Reading her books is an experience that grabs hold of you and pushes you so firmly into her worlds that you feel like you can actually see what is happening in the story with your mind's eye.
The Aisling trilogy has come to an end, and all while reading this book I couldn't help feeling totally bummed out knowing this was the last part of Wil and Dallin's story. This book made me laugh, made me cry, and towards the end, it made me blush happily for two characters I have come to truly love. There are definitely some similarities between these two main characters and the main characters of the Wolf's Own series, but only in the ways that make them so enjoyable. The powerplay between Wil and Dallin is reminiscent of Fen and Mal, as well as the physical descriptions, but that is where the similarities end. Where Mal is cocky, Dallin is humble, where Fen throws himself into self-destructive danger, Wil grabs at life with sharp teeth and refuses to let go. All of these men are absolutely incredibly detailed, their motivations and personalities fully explored, their weaknesses and strengths shown in equal measure.
This book brings a well-rounded and well deserved end to an incredible trilogy of books that was thrilling from the first page to the last. Another strength of Ms. Cummings is her ability to both begin her books with energy and excitement, and to end them without tying up every loose end (as is realistic), but also leaves the reader satisfied. I, of course, was left wanting more, but only because I have become so attached to these characters that I could read about Wil and Dallin riding horses and throwing apples at each other for another 200 pages and still enjoy it.
Carole Cummings is, quite simply, a master of prose, in my humble opinion.
I really, really love the way that Ms. Cummings writes; it is so immersive, and so well crafted - from the extensive world-building, to the multilayered characters, to the fully formed religions and cultures of her worlds, and even extending her creative prowess to the creative names of both places and people. Reading her books is an experience that grabs hold of you and pushes you so firmly into her worlds that you feel like you can actually see what is happening in the story with your mind's eye.
The Aisling trilogy has come to an end, and all while reading this book I couldn't help feeling totally bummed out knowing this was the last part of Wil and Dallin's story. This book made me laugh, made me cry, and towards the end, it made me blush happily for two characters I have come to truly love. There are definitely some similarities between these two main characters and the main characters of the Wolf's Own series, but only in the ways that make them so enjoyable. The powerplay between Wil and Dallin is reminiscent of Fen and Mal, as well as the physical descriptions, but that is where the similarities end. Where Mal is cocky, Dallin is humble, where Fen throws himself into self-destructive danger, Wil grabs at life with sharp teeth and refuses to let go. All of these men are absolutely incredibly detailed, their motivations and personalities fully explored, their weaknesses and strengths shown in equal measure.
This book brings a well-rounded and well deserved end to an incredible trilogy of books that was thrilling from the first page to the last. Another strength of Ms. Cummings is her ability to both begin her books with energy and excitement, and to end them without tying up every loose end (as is realistic), but also leaves the reader satisfied. I, of course, was left wanting more, but only because I have become so attached to these characters that I could read about Wil and Dallin riding horses and throwing apples at each other for another 200 pages and still enjoy it.
May 23, 2019
A good ending to the trilogy, but a bit disappointing after how much I loved the second book. It felt more plot-heavy than the previous two installments, and less focused on Wil and Dallin as Wil and Dallin vs. as Aisling and Guardian. I mean, the Aisling/Guardian stuff is all very much tied up into who they are as characters and their relationship, so it's hard to say it WASN'T focused on them, but idk, I just found their development in the first two books of not trusting or understanding one another to working together to developing trust to falling in love much more interesting than the focus on the Aisling/Guardian stuff. I do not think I could accurately summarize everything to do with the main plot of this series and the Mother and the Father and all of that. BUT I did still love Dallin and Wil a lot. I loved how completely in love with each other they were, and how they're willing to sacrifice themselves for the other but don't understand that the reverse is also true. I loved them just like… being together and everyone knowing about it and having concerns because of their roles, but them just being like, "Sorry, I don't care, I love him." I liked their conflict/tension after the big climax, with Wil feeling like he had to offer Dallin the choice to not be his Guardian and not wanting him to stay out of duty, and Dallin being offended that Wil would think there was a choice to be made because all he wanted was to be with him. I just really adored how their relationship developed and deepened over the course of the trilogy. Also, as a side note, I enjoyed Hunter a lot, and Andette as well. And Corliss! There were some really great secondary characters in this even though the trilogy is very, very intensely focused on Dallin and Wil over anything or anyone else. So yeah, this was very enjoyable, even if I wasn't dying over every single paragraph like I was with the second book.
December 18, 2017
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
For the full review, visit https://wp.me/p220KL-ct5 on 12/19
From that review: " With the final story, Beloved Son by Carole Cummings, the Aisling Trilogy is complete and it's one of my top series of 2017. A truly masterful epic of fantasy storytelling, in this conclusion, Cummings expands her mythology of the gods, brings in even more political intrigue, and continues the almost unimaginable religious zealotry that both furthers and threatens every step that Dallin and Wil take towards bringing an end to the soul eater."
For all our reviews, author interviews and such, visit us at http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
For the full review, visit https://wp.me/p220KL-ct5 on 12/19
From that review: " With the final story, Beloved Son by Carole Cummings, the Aisling Trilogy is complete and it's one of my top series of 2017. A truly masterful epic of fantasy storytelling, in this conclusion, Cummings expands her mythology of the gods, brings in even more political intrigue, and continues the almost unimaginable religious zealotry that both furthers and threatens every step that Dallin and Wil take towards bringing an end to the soul eater."
For all our reviews, author interviews and such, visit us at http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
February 20, 2018
Wow - quite the epic series (3 novels and a short). I would highly suggest planning on reading all 3 novels back-to-back as the story doesn't end until the 3rd. It really seems like one very long novel with 3 parts and I'm glad I did not start reading it until all 3 were out and finished as I would have felt very unsatisfied with either "ending" at book 1 or 2. However, reading all 3 made it quite the epic tale and journey. Lots of twists and questions that keep turning and get answered with more questions throughout the story. Extremely entertaining!
(ps - the short is free and available at the author's website)
(ps - the short is free and available at the author's website)
August 1, 2021
Definitely an exciting and tense end to the series. There were times I was confused as to what was going on because the action or someone's intension were based in myth and some of it hadn't been revealed to the reader yet. There were so many times that the action was so intense I had to cheat and look ahead to see if Dallin and/or Wil would make it through before I could go back and read at a normal pace. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.
April 24, 2021
Amazing Books
I am always in awe when I come across an author that can build complex worlds and characters with such depth. I always have to wonder where the ideas come from? These three books were just amazing and I cannot recommend them enough.
I am always in awe when I come across an author that can build complex worlds and characters with such depth. I always have to wonder where the ideas come from? These three books were just amazing and I cannot recommend them enough.
January 13, 2018
Originally reviewed by Love Bytes Reviews.
Beloved Son brings us the conclusion of the Aisling Trilogy by Carole Cummings. Ms. Cummings brought to life an interesting fantasy/alternate world type story that I’ve been reading along with as this current re-release of the trilogy is occurring. The first book hooked me, and I eagerly consumed both it and the second book, and then waited for this current one. I reviewed both of those on Love Bytes as well.
In the third book, we lead up to the dramatic and necessary conclusion to the tale. Wil and Dallin are now in Dallin’s homeland, and all is not as we suspected it was. There are other powers at work that are striving to keep our heroes from their path forward to rescue the two Gods of the land, The Father and The Mother.
Wil’s powers are growing, and Dallin now has powers of his own. Both men’s powers will be necessary to combat the evil third God who has The Father imprisoned. Not everyone agrees that The Father needs to be released, and not everyone agrees that Wil and Dallin are the ones to do it. Nor does everyone approve of their relationship.
This one was an interesting read. It started out slowly for me, and to keep it honest…I kept putting it down and reading other books in between. I forced myself to read it today, and as it moved along, by the time the second half of the book came around, I became more drawn into the story, and read straight through to the end. This one though had some sections that kind of dragged for me, and a lot…and I mean a lot…of the story is internalized dream type sequences, shown in italics, which became a little annoying to read. I liked the conclusion of the story. Things look like they are going well for the two men and the Gods. But is there more to come? It seemed like the ending left it open for additional adventures of the two heroes.
My favorite book in the series was book one with the second and third being almost as good. I’d recommend this one, but maybe recommend you read the entire three books straight through. And oh…one more thing. Go to the end of the book first and read the pronunciations. Ended up…I mispronounced almost everything the entire way through the books.
Beloved Son brings us the conclusion of the Aisling Trilogy by Carole Cummings. Ms. Cummings brought to life an interesting fantasy/alternate world type story that I’ve been reading along with as this current re-release of the trilogy is occurring. The first book hooked me, and I eagerly consumed both it and the second book, and then waited for this current one. I reviewed both of those on Love Bytes as well.
In the third book, we lead up to the dramatic and necessary conclusion to the tale. Wil and Dallin are now in Dallin’s homeland, and all is not as we suspected it was. There are other powers at work that are striving to keep our heroes from their path forward to rescue the two Gods of the land, The Father and The Mother.
Wil’s powers are growing, and Dallin now has powers of his own. Both men’s powers will be necessary to combat the evil third God who has The Father imprisoned. Not everyone agrees that The Father needs to be released, and not everyone agrees that Wil and Dallin are the ones to do it. Nor does everyone approve of their relationship.
This one was an interesting read. It started out slowly for me, and to keep it honest…I kept putting it down and reading other books in between. I forced myself to read it today, and as it moved along, by the time the second half of the book came around, I became more drawn into the story, and read straight through to the end. This one though had some sections that kind of dragged for me, and a lot…and I mean a lot…of the story is internalized dream type sequences, shown in italics, which became a little annoying to read. I liked the conclusion of the story. Things look like they are going well for the two men and the Gods. But is there more to come? It seemed like the ending left it open for additional adventures of the two heroes.
My favorite book in the series was book one with the second and third being almost as good. I’d recommend this one, but maybe recommend you read the entire three books straight through. And oh…one more thing. Go to the end of the book first and read the pronunciations. Ended up…I mispronounced almost everything the entire way through the books.
December 20, 2017
At the end of the previous book there was a drawing together of themes such that there was an expectation that the final book would provide the necessary excitement and resolution that such a series would expect. Sadly, the outcome was disappointing. It is true that plot lines reach their natural conclusion but they did so not with action and adventure but rather through internalisation and theology. This is a very internalised book with much occurring in dream state. Everything is quite subdued, even the showdown with the baddy was anticlimactic. As for the deities, the female is one minute doting and loving and the next cool and distant, the male lacks any real presence and the evil one offers little other than taunts and mirages. The writing remains approachable and it is a pleasant enough read.
The relationship between the central characters is tested a little with doubts being introduced. Nevertheless this does not dominate and the strong underlying bond remains evident throughout. As with previous books passion is hinted at but not explicit.
Pacing
There is a steady flow of action and plot development throughout, but there is no real sense of tension. As such the reader is drawn along by the narrative, as well as by a desire to resolve the themes.
Under the banner of happy endings, there are obviously a number of ways in which a series like this could end: passionately, sweetly, or even left open for a later series. Here it sort of fizzles out; they apparently both still have work to do, although what that might be is unclear, and off they jolly well go. It is sad when something starts out so very well doesn’t live up to expectations. Perhaps the author was trying for something different than the standard formula, which is fine if it was clear what the reader was supposed to come away from the experience feeling. Unfortunately this reader is somewhat at a loss.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
The relationship between the central characters is tested a little with doubts being introduced. Nevertheless this does not dominate and the strong underlying bond remains evident throughout. As with previous books passion is hinted at but not explicit.
Pacing
There is a steady flow of action and plot development throughout, but there is no real sense of tension. As such the reader is drawn along by the narrative, as well as by a desire to resolve the themes.
Under the banner of happy endings, there are obviously a number of ways in which a series like this could end: passionately, sweetly, or even left open for a later series. Here it sort of fizzles out; they apparently both still have work to do, although what that might be is unclear, and off they jolly well go. It is sad when something starts out so very well doesn’t live up to expectations. Perhaps the author was trying for something different than the standard formula, which is fine if it was clear what the reader was supposed to come away from the experience feeling. Unfortunately this reader is somewhat at a loss.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
May 29, 2012
I would have given this one 3.5 stars, but since I can't and it was better than most I give 3 stars to.... There were a less-than-average number of proofing errors for the genre, though the formatting for Kindle was sub-par. I'm not going to say more about that, other than to say that it did not at all affect my reading pleasure.
The author has a distinct voice and can wield a pen. If you enjoy the voice, there'll be little to stop you enjoying this. I found the Brit dialect distracting because it placed the story so firmly for me in relatively modern England. I found it so confusing, in fact, that I'm still not sure what level of technology her world is supposed to be at, and I really hate not being sure about that. It probably didn't help that I'm not up on my Gaelic. Indeed, I was so confused about which cultures she's borrowing from, I'm not even sure which languages she was borrowing from. Was it only Irish? Was there some Norse thrown in? I mean, I really enjoyed reading the story, but the world-building was confusing to me (and I am mainly a fantasy reader, not a romance reader).
Anyway, the romance in this third book of the series was waaaay too much for me. And too much, 'I love him, but he can't possibly love me because I'm so horrible!' I hate that. It felt like the book was a third too long, and mainly because of that unnecessary self-doubt. I understand why Wil is so down on himself, but the final blow-up between him and Dallin was one too many for me, and by the climax, Wil felt stupid instead of damaged. To me. I just wanted the story to be over.
A fantastic plot overall, though--my dissatisfaction is purely with pacing--and a trilogy worth reading, though I felt this book could have been half as long and half the price. Also, I prefer more sex in my m/m romance. If I'm going to read romance instead of straight fantasy (preferably with a gay protagonist), I want the difference to be sex, not 200 pages of pining and kissing that fades out before the characters become men. For most readers of the genre, though, I'm guessing this complaint would be completely nonsensical. And for those readers, I'd say RUN! Do not walk! And buy this book. For people like me, I'd say read the first sample and see if you enjoy it--if you do, you'll enjoy the trilogy.
The author has a distinct voice and can wield a pen. If you enjoy the voice, there'll be little to stop you enjoying this. I found the Brit dialect distracting because it placed the story so firmly for me in relatively modern England. I found it so confusing, in fact, that I'm still not sure what level of technology her world is supposed to be at, and I really hate not being sure about that. It probably didn't help that I'm not up on my Gaelic. Indeed, I was so confused about which cultures she's borrowing from, I'm not even sure which languages she was borrowing from. Was it only Irish? Was there some Norse thrown in? I mean, I really enjoyed reading the story, but the world-building was confusing to me (and I am mainly a fantasy reader, not a romance reader).
Anyway, the romance in this third book of the series was waaaay too much for me. And too much, 'I love him, but he can't possibly love me because I'm so horrible!' I hate that. It felt like the book was a third too long, and mainly because of that unnecessary self-doubt. I understand why Wil is so down on himself, but the final blow-up between him and Dallin was one too many for me, and by the climax, Wil felt stupid instead of damaged. To me. I just wanted the story to be over.
A fantastic plot overall, though--my dissatisfaction is purely with pacing--and a trilogy worth reading, though I felt this book could have been half as long and half the price. Also, I prefer more sex in my m/m romance. If I'm going to read romance instead of straight fantasy (preferably with a gay protagonist), I want the difference to be sex, not 200 pages of pining and kissing that fades out before the characters become men. For most readers of the genre, though, I'm guessing this complaint would be completely nonsensical. And for those readers, I'd say RUN! Do not walk! And buy this book. For people like me, I'd say read the first sample and see if you enjoy it--if you do, you'll enjoy the trilogy.
September 23, 2016
Wow. I haven’t read a lot of M/M fantasy, but I doubt there are many that could rival this story’s epic scale. The author’s ambition with this world building is as huge and well thought out as Middle Earth in LOTR. There’s a whole background story about the creation of the world by the gods, the first tongue that is no longer spoken, the tale that has been twisted through generations among different regions, the power struggle between higher beings, and then the choices vs. destiny that the Chosen and the Guardian have to make that could save the entire world or set it aflame. My mind was totally blown after finishing the series.
What bolsters C. Cummings as one of my top MM authors now is how she can carefully create well-rounded and mature characters whose actions and choices are believable. In Aisling, the attraction between the MCs progresses as naturally as it should be, they wear their hearts on their sleeves and do not shy away from expressing their emotions. Even as the relationship grows stronger, there’s still tension because their feelings for each other are not meant to happen as they go against their duties that so many people dutifully keep reminding them. It makes their statements such as “He is my heart” a simple confirmation to those who doubt them rather than a soppy plea for sympathy. I also like the fact that her universe (in this series as well as her other stories I’ve read so far) has neither pro- nor anti-gay sentiment from peripheral characters. When someone asks Dallin about Wil, it’s not “Eww, why don’t you love a woman instead of a man?”, but rather “Pardon me, but don’t you think loving him could interfere with your duty to the world, to him and to yourself?” I think it’s clever that no homophobia has been used as a point of conflict as there are many more important issues at stake that it doesn’t matter if Dallin will be the last to carry his family’s last name.
In terms of the writing, I wish certain parts were more condensed and less roundabout. Sometimes I found a single topic of discussion took up so many pages I almost skimmed but successfully restrained myself. This doesn’t stop me from giving the whole series 5 star though because everything else is just brilliant. I’d be more than happy to be castaway on an island if I could bring this series with me.
What bolsters C. Cummings as one of my top MM authors now is how she can carefully create well-rounded and mature characters whose actions and choices are believable. In Aisling, the attraction between the MCs progresses as naturally as it should be, they wear their hearts on their sleeves and do not shy away from expressing their emotions. Even as the relationship grows stronger, there’s still tension because their feelings for each other are not meant to happen as they go against their duties that so many people dutifully keep reminding them. It makes their statements such as “He is my heart” a simple confirmation to those who doubt them rather than a soppy plea for sympathy. I also like the fact that her universe (in this series as well as her other stories I’ve read so far) has neither pro- nor anti-gay sentiment from peripheral characters. When someone asks Dallin about Wil, it’s not “Eww, why don’t you love a woman instead of a man?”, but rather “Pardon me, but don’t you think loving him could interfere with your duty to the world, to him and to yourself?” I think it’s clever that no homophobia has been used as a point of conflict as there are many more important issues at stake that it doesn’t matter if Dallin will be the last to carry his family’s last name.
In terms of the writing, I wish certain parts were more condensed and less roundabout. Sometimes I found a single topic of discussion took up so many pages I almost skimmed but successfully restrained myself. This doesn’t stop me from giving the whole series 5 star though because everything else is just brilliant. I’d be more than happy to be castaway on an island if I could bring this series with me.
December 19, 2011
Yes, yes and yes. Character fantasy done right. It's not often a writer will allow their heroes to be fallible and to grow as people and to let readers watch it all happen. I watched these characters grow up, I watched them make mistakes and I watched them find a way. I watched them grow together while they did all that. Wil started out as a kind of man-child whose first instinct was always to lash out. I watched him grow into a man who can now believe he has worth as a person. Dallin started out as an arrogant, though very honorable, leader. I watched him grow into someone who can stand back and let someone else, even encourage some else to grow into what he should be and he didn't have so much pride that he couldn't learn to follow too.
The point to character fantasy is the characters. And the journey of these characters was the point in this series.
My only nag is with the prices.
The point to character fantasy is the characters. And the journey of these characters was the point in this series.
My only nag is with the prices.
April 28, 2012
I just reread the series and am still reeling from the impact: The first time around I kind of rushed through the story, 'cause I HAD to know how things where going to play out. This time, I just got to savor the journey. And what a journey it was! Heartrendering, beautiful, true, full-of-wonder, fantasy of the soul as much as epic fantasy.
The ending was in no way incomplete for me: each of them has come in its own, they are together in the best way possible, the last barriers of mistrust are down and they'll face together whatever will come afterwards.
(alas - for this one I wish English was my first language and I'd be able to better express my delight with the series...)
The ending was in no way incomplete for me: each of them has come in its own, they are together in the best way possible, the last barriers of mistrust are down and they'll face together whatever will come afterwards.
(alas - for this one I wish English was my first language and I'd be able to better express my delight with the series...)
September 3, 2012
Another series that I devoured in just a day or two. It was so totally engrossing that I was ninja reading at work! I regret nothing.
These are 'talking' books...a lot of it is inner monologue and outer exposition. There's intricate mythology and mysticism all over the place but when the action does come it is furious and intense. I loved our two heroes, the slow, intimate build of their relationship, and the way they interact with each other. The storytelling is lovely and flowing, even with all of the spiritual imagery and analytic conversations. Ms Cummings keeps it all interesting and you keep on reading. S'good stuff.
These are 'talking' books...a lot of it is inner monologue and outer exposition. There's intricate mythology and mysticism all over the place but when the action does come it is furious and intense. I loved our two heroes, the slow, intimate build of their relationship, and the way they interact with each other. The storytelling is lovely and flowing, even with all of the spiritual imagery and analytic conversations. Ms Cummings keeps it all interesting and you keep on reading. S'good stuff.
October 21, 2012
I enjoyed this 3rd book of the trilogy very much. I enjoyed seeing the continuation of the relationship between Wil and Dallin, although much of it was done through the fight to save the Father. Both Wil and Dallin grow into their titles of Aisling and Guardian and learn to trust in each other to protect each other. I would have liked a bit more of a personal connection between Wil and Dallin. This book was mostly devoted to the war they were fighting.
Overall, I would recommend this series. I do not think any of the books in the trilogy would be good as a stand alone book. I think a sequel would be a good idea to find out what happens to Wil and Dallin in the future.
Overall, I would recommend this series. I do not think any of the books in the trilogy would be good as a stand alone book. I think a sequel would be a good idea to find out what happens to Wil and Dallin in the future.
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