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Black Snow EAB 9781634777193 Books

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Prince Brier Snow has lived in the shadow of King Snow’s exalted memory. However, his fate changes when he nears his majority and Lirend’s steward queen attempts to dethrone him by exploiting an obscure requirement in the late king’s will a yearlong sabbatical.

Brier travels to the desolate land of Aire to train under the Ceve guild, scorned refugees of war, including their guarded leader, Roland. Brier’s skillful master unlocks hidden potential, and what begins as a dutiful bond turns into ill-fated affection. When Brier returns to the capital, he’s carrying proof of his indiscretions with Roland—and his condition grows more apparent with each passing day. An affair with the huntsman is a scandal Brier’s enemies can use against him, but the birth of an heir is a burden even Brier is not sure he can bear.

Roland Archer, a man with a murky past, is skeptical of the contract to train the prince but willing to do anything for the guild’s freedom. Despite his best intentions, he is smitten by Lirend’s future king. Roland has resigned himself to solitude, but fate has other plans—for him, for Brier, and for Lirend’s oppressed subjects. Can Roland help Brier face a power-hungry queen and a country torn asunder? Either they will bring equality to a land that desperately needs it, or they’ll be thwarted by cunning enemies and an illusory curse.

Black Snow EAB 9781634777193 Books

4.25 Stars

The reading of Snow White to a young Prince Brier by his nursemaid, Marietta, sets the tone for Black Snow. It’s a gay alt-historical/fantasy reimagining of that book. That Brier is so smitten with the huntsman of the tale, and not the prince – and the reasons why – forms the backdrop to a rather grand story in its own right of Prince Brier finding his own huntsman, and the obstacles lying in the way of true love.

When Briar is nineteen his “evil” stepmother, the dowager queen, finds and twists a clause in his late father’s will that will send Brier on a sabbatical. He is to go to Aire, a town in the Black Forest that locals ‘know’ to be full of thieves and men of infamy. However, the queen cloaks it in her own style - that it will make Brier a man come his majority in a years time, that he will be under a master who will tutor him in strength and other necessary requirements to be a king. Brier is introduced to Roland at the castle, he’s a bigger, older man, a Thenian – a people who find themselves enslaved to Lirend the country that Brier will become the ruler of, which shouldn’t auger well for him. Queen Evelyn lets it be known that Brier can opt out of the sabbatical but he will forfeit the crown to her if he chooses that option, something she is clearly counting on.

“And why should someone who is to teach me live there? Where there is naught but traitors, outlaws, thieves, and murderers!”
“That is of no consequence to you!” The queen’s smile vanished. “This is my order.”

Brier and Roland are thrown together, along with the Ceve Guild members who answer to Roland, for the duration of his time in Aire. Brier learns a lot about the Thenians and their culture, gets close to the men of the Guild. He is smitten with Roland and sad when he discovers he was married and his wife and family were killed during war. In Aire, Brier has to chop wood, sell at the local markets and go hunting before the winter to make sure they have enough provisions. It is during the hunt that Brier and Roland grow closer, where Brier lets his feelings be known to Roland. There is a slow burn and there is tension between the two. Roland will not give in easily to Brier. He pushes him away but also does things like combing his hands through his hair and declaring his protection of him. Roland thinks Brier is too young, an Aurelian – their enemy – and yet you know he’s falling.

“I feel like a coward.” Brier scrubbed the fresh tears from his eyes. Roland wrapped his arms around Brier’s entire back to assure him.
“It’s okay to be a coward with me….” Roland held Brier tighter to ease his shaking. He could hear Brier inhale softly as he was pulled close. “I’ll watch over you.”

There is another section to the book, where time is spent back in the capital of Lirend, Avenough, and some political machinations and dealings with the wealthy Aurelians. There is also a third party who is keen on Brier as well, if Brier can forget his huntsman This book is long and I cannot write a review to cover everything that occurs.

Overall:

This is a really lovely book, with some beautiful words, thoughts, and sentiments. Apart from a few niggles I had, the love story between Brier and Roland is so lovely it held my attention from beginning to end. The world building is good and pretty plentiful, as is the use of the Thenian language scattered throughout, there is no spoon-feeding the reader, once a few words are used and interpreted you have to remember them. I like languages, even made up ones, so I liked the use of Thenian to highlight the differences in culture, to show support, and to pledge love.

If you enjoy alt-historical or fantasy books that are heavily romance and character driven and still have good world building, some action, and you also like or are interested in well written mpreg, then Black Snow is a very good read and I highly recommend it. 4.25 Stars!

I review in depth at On Top Down Under Book Reviews

Product details Paperback 350 pages Publisher Dreamspinner Press (November 7, 2016) Language English ISBN-10 1634777190

Tags : Black Snow [EAB] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Prince Brier Snow has lived in the shadow of King Snow’s exalted memory. However, his fate changes when he nears his majority and Lirend’s steward queen attempts to dethrone him by exploiting an obscure requirement in the late king’s will: a yearlong sabbatical. Brier travels to the desolate land of Aire to train under the Ceve guild,EAB,Black Snow,Dreamspinner Press,1634777190,FICTION Romance Gay,Fiction Romance Fantasy,Fiction : Fantasy - Epic,FictionFantasy - Epic,FictionRomance - LGBT - Gay
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Black Snow EAB 9781634777193 Books Reviews

Started reading the book and already I love it. The characters are very well described. The story is very well written. If you are a fan of mpreg this is the book for you. It is very good. I can't put it down. I will definitely be reading this over & over.
Considering the fact that i am normally not a mpreg fan, this story has earned a special place in my heart. EAB took a classic tale that we all enjoyed growing up and put his own twist on it. The story is simply addicting. Just when you would think you knew what was going to happen, another twist would appear leaving you emotionally pulled in and seeking answers. The characters are easy to relate to, which is something i mostly look for. Not only is it easy to read, but it is beautifully written. This is definately worth the time, such an amazing read!
I am surprised at the rave reviews this book has received. There are some interesting parts to it, and interesting characters, but the holes in the plot and the intrusion of modern notions interfere with the quality. It just doesn't make sense that a powerful queen-mother, who has kept the main character under locks for his whole life, suddenly has no power when he comes of age. She literally disappears when it would seem she would be a major player. Also, why introduce the notion of magic at all if its only function is to allow the future king to get pregnant? There really is no system or magic described or developed here. It also doesn't make sense that THE KING would build and live in a house an hour from his castle; someone doesn't understand the role of castles in protecting monarchs. Finally, words like "preterm labor" and "a patio with a fire pit" kind of broke that medieval feel. I enjoyed the relationship between the main characters, but the book goes awry when they return from the North.
I had written a really long review, but decided to just condense it down.

I liked the first half of this book even though it seemed to drag. If the book would have stopped there, I probably could have given it a 3.5-4 star rating...

Then the second half started and I came to hate Brier. He was selfish and wishy-washy and just wasn’t a likable character. Sorry, but no Brier, I have no sympathy for you at all. You are wallowing in the grief of your own making. Suck it up buttercup. To me, Brier became the villain of the story because he’s the one I was the most angry with.

I liked Roland a lot more, and I ached for all the crap Brier puts him through because Brier is unable to see through his own hurt feelings. Roland again and again shows with his actions his devotion to Brier, and Brier never once comes through and shows with actions that he even cares about Roland. In fact, Brier is more prone to throw himself into the arms of another (Quintin) than he is to work through his hurt and forgive Roland (for something that should have been a non-issue, or an issue they worked through together).

The author seemed to be trying so hard to justify Brier’s actions and poor choices, to put all the blame on Roland and it was just forced. Especially because I thought MOST of the fault for them being apart is Brier’s. His absolute stubbornness and inability to let go of the past is what causes almost ALL the pain EVERYONE feels. It became a lot of me thinking ‘Jesus, just get on with it.’ The angst-fest just became tedious. And I usually LOVE angst.

Then suddenly, because of more tropey goodness, Brier forgives Roland and they live happily ever after the end yay! (And no mention of Brier coming to an understanding that he really did Roland and Quintin an injustice in the end).

THEN, after all that, there’s a lengthy epilogue that just goes on and on and is really the first couple chapters of a new book instead of a true epilogue. Left me thinking ‘GAH JUST END ALREADY.’

Sadly, with how much promise the first 1/3 had, and the shining moments dispersed throughout, the books length and amount of dragged out plot points and drama just brought my rating down. I ended up having to skim the last 1/3 because I just wanted it to be over. Reading with a constant low simmering annoyance/ anger at one of the main characters is not my idea of a good time.
4.25 Stars

The reading of Snow White to a young Prince Brier by his nursemaid, Marietta, sets the tone for Black Snow. It’s a gay alt-historical/fantasy reimagining of that book. That Brier is so smitten with the huntsman of the tale, and not the prince – and the reasons why – forms the backdrop to a rather grand story in its own right of Prince Brier finding his own huntsman, and the obstacles lying in the way of true love.

When Briar is nineteen his “evil” stepmother, the dowager queen, finds and twists a clause in his late father’s will that will send Brier on a sabbatical. He is to go to Aire, a town in the Black Forest that locals ‘know’ to be full of thieves and men of infamy. However, the queen cloaks it in her own style - that it will make Brier a man come his majority in a years time, that he will be under a master who will tutor him in strength and other necessary requirements to be a king. Brier is introduced to Roland at the castle, he’s a bigger, older man, a Thenian – a people who find themselves enslaved to Lirend the country that Brier will become the ruler of, which shouldn’t auger well for him. Queen Evelyn lets it be known that Brier can opt out of the sabbatical but he will forfeit the crown to her if he chooses that option, something she is clearly counting on.

“And why should someone who is to teach me live there? Where there is naught but traitors, outlaws, thieves, and murderers!”
“That is of no consequence to you!” The queen’s smile vanished. “This is my order.”

Brier and Roland are thrown together, along with the Ceve Guild members who answer to Roland, for the duration of his time in Aire. Brier learns a lot about the Thenians and their culture, gets close to the men of the Guild. He is smitten with Roland and sad when he discovers he was married and his wife and family were killed during war. In Aire, Brier has to chop wood, sell at the local markets and go hunting before the winter to make sure they have enough provisions. It is during the hunt that Brier and Roland grow closer, where Brier lets his feelings be known to Roland. There is a slow burn and there is tension between the two. Roland will not give in easily to Brier. He pushes him away but also does things like combing his hands through his hair and declaring his protection of him. Roland thinks Brier is too young, an Aurelian – their enemy – and yet you know he’s falling.

“I feel like a coward.” Brier scrubbed the fresh tears from his eyes. Roland wrapped his arms around Brier’s entire back to assure him.
“It’s okay to be a coward with me….” Roland held Brier tighter to ease his shaking. He could hear Brier inhale softly as he was pulled close. “I’ll watch over you.”

There is another section to the book, where time is spent back in the capital of Lirend, Avenough, and some political machinations and dealings with the wealthy Aurelians. There is also a third party who is keen on Brier as well, if Brier can forget his huntsman This book is long and I cannot write a review to cover everything that occurs.

Overall

This is a really lovely book, with some beautiful words, thoughts, and sentiments. Apart from a few niggles I had, the love story between Brier and Roland is so lovely it held my attention from beginning to end. The world building is good and pretty plentiful, as is the use of the Thenian language scattered throughout, there is no spoon-feeding the reader, once a few words are used and interpreted you have to remember them. I like languages, even made up ones, so I liked the use of Thenian to highlight the differences in culture, to show support, and to pledge love.

If you enjoy alt-historical or fantasy books that are heavily romance and character driven and still have good world building, some action, and you also like or are interested in well written mpreg, then Black Snow is a very good read and I highly recommend it. 4.25 Stars!

I review in depth at On Top Down Under Book Reviews