Elements: slavery, magic
Rating:
- Characters - 4 - There is a good variety of characters, but most of the story focuses on a very small central cast, specifically the two main characters. They're interesting characters, but it felt like they all could be so much more.
- Setting - 5 - Brilliant world, very different from our own, with a lot of great detail, and many different lands.
- Plot - 5 - Incredibly unique and rich, and I was never sure where it would go next. Excellently written.
- Genre Elements - 5 - The magic is subtle to the world, but integral, and she does an excellent job reminding us that Miner is still classified as a slave, regardless of how Ennik feels about him.
- Voice - 5 - All very incredibly unique and diverse. Especially in the second book, where she deals with a whole new culture with a completely different language.
- Romance Elements - 5 - They are subtle, but they're there, and you truly feel for Ennik and Miner, and want them to succeed.
- Overall - 5 - A high recommendation here. Well worth reading.
Ennik is the second son of the leader of his land, but he has never felt part of the system. The only thing that has ever stuck in his memory is the day he was taken down to see the prisoners in stasis.
My thoughts -
This was the first m/m I actually bought myself, and it was entirely worth it. I can honestly say I've never read anything like it. It's truly unique in the best definition of the word. The idea of the magic, especially as used to keep people in stasis for generations, is quite different.
The world seems to be set in some far-distant dystopian future set in and around San Francisco, or a place in a fantasy world that is very similar to San Francisco. Fielding has done an excellent job of using details from her home city and her travels to give this world far more detail. The Praesidium is one of the most prosperous city states in the land because of its port, which connects them to a greater world than other city states are able to access. In the second book, they travel across the ocean, and visit this world's version of China. Each land is quite unique, and well-detailed, Feilding's sense of detail making them as real as our own world.
Ennik and Miner are fascinating characters. Ennik's journey from lesser son to his own person feels real. From his discovery and rescue of Miner, to learning magic, to their flight from home, each event gives his journey more realism. And Miner's backstory is fascinating and horrifying. Never once does he forget what he was before and what he is during the process of the entire story. I would have loved more details about the other characters, but truly, Ennik and Miner are the center of the story.
Over all, I loved this series. Every moment is fascinating, and it just keeps you reading and rooting for them over the entire series.
Warnings -
Slavery, abuse. Minor, but still there. The slavery is rather significant.
Overall Recommendation -
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys slow love stories and magic. It's a fascinating world, and you will easily fall for Ennik and Miner.
Link to the story - The Ennik series (at Goodreads)
Author Link - Kim Fielding (at Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -
- The Adorned by John Tristan (Goodreads) (read my review here)
- Under Contract by Helen Saito (Goodreads Page) (read my review here)
- Slavebreakers by Maculategiraffe (free online) (read my review here)
- Dolls and Seesaws by Menswear (AO3 - unfinished story)
- Undesirable by Velvet Mace (LJ)
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