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20th out of 74 books
—
84 voters
Pain (Darwin's Theory #1)
by
Adrienne Wilder (Goodreads Author)
My name is Darwin De Groi, and I’m in love with Peter Forbes. But Pete has this dream of becoming a metaphysical scientist and that means all his time—his attention—is taken up by college and studying. So in order to deal with the pain of watching Peter and never having him I spend most of my time in the Gray Zone, the no-man’s-land between the city of Atlanta and the Dens...more
ebook, 64 pages
Published
February 28th 2011
by Liquid Silver Books
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What I think about this short story?
I Looooooooooove it!
The protagonist (and the only narrator) conquer my heart after with his first words:
"I think I was stoned or drunk
Yep, that's him... Darwin.
There is so much to be already explain. Darwin mentioned he live in a world with paranormal creatures called Lesser-Breds (and it's certainly something that call my attention) but it's only quick references of topics still to be explained.
No, he is not a hero in a white horse... he is self destru...more
Wooeee-- someone come over here and fan me with a large palm frond. This short story is smokin' hot!
Sometimes I find it really hard to get absorbed in a short story because, well, it’s just too short. That was not the case here! In fact, I couldn’t believe how quickly I became engrossed in it and how much depth there was in terms of the story as well as the characters.
I was struggling to come up with the way to describe the completely unique setting in this book – call it real world meets fantasy world. I mean the names, references, language and partially the location all feel current, and ye...more
I was struggling to come up with the way to describe the completely unique setting in this book – call it real world meets fantasy world. I mean the names, references, language and partially the location all feel current, and ye...more
I had this series recommended to me so I finally sat down to give it a try. This first installment was a short story so now I think that maybe this is more of a serial-style story.
The world-building involves the knowledge that dragons and lesser beings exist and are classed separate from 'pure' humans. They live separate from each other almost like a class structure. But other than the fact that the main character, Darwin spends time with these lower classes, they are not as important in this fi...more
The world-building involves the knowledge that dragons and lesser beings exist and are classed separate from 'pure' humans. They live separate from each other almost like a class structure. But other than the fact that the main character, Darwin spends time with these lower classes, they are not as important in this fi...more
Very, very reminiscent of JCP's Channeling Morpheus for Scary Mary series. Darwin's voice is unique and unusual and the dichotomy of the purity of his love for Peter causing him to be so self-destructive was heartbreaking and fascinating.
I can't help but wish I'd gotten to know both characters better before seeing them get together. The longing both felt was clear, as was the joy and awe at finally being together. I couldn't help but feel a little removed from that, though, because I'd only been...more
I can't help but wish I'd gotten to know both characters better before seeing them get together. The longing both felt was clear, as was the joy and awe at finally being together. I couldn't help but feel a little removed from that, though, because I'd only been...more
I love reading bad boys. Darwin is a different type of bad boy though. He’s not the take charge kick everyone’s ass alpha male. In fact for the past six years he’s been hollow, missing someone he desperately wants in his life on a deeper level. So he’s been filling in the emptiness with drugs, meaningless sex, and dangerous nights in the Gray Zone and a dark broody bad attitude. He does have a one bright spot in his life, Peter. Peter is his roommate, best friend, and the man he loves. Darwin go...more
"Pain" is an intense, fast-paced read. I was wary at first on reading this book, because I am not familiar with the terminology of the "Dens," but Wilder made it an easy transition for those new to her world. Peter and Darwin are not only star-crossed perfect lovers, but are human, with human foibles and characteristics. The reader could definitely see these two walking down the street, or in Darwin's case, setting post office drop boxes on fire as he meanders down the way. The love making scene...more
Well this is mostly sex to me, but it is well written and Darwin is such a likeable badass! And it is to be continued...
It is the short story of two young students, early twenties.
There is Peter, the genius who has a scholarship to study metaphysics sciences. He is very serious and pure as in high morals and virgin. He loves Darwin and Darwin only, but he wants to wait before consuming their love.
And there is Darwin. Darwin is something else. His only interest in life is Peter. Since he can't h...more
It is the short story of two young students, early twenties.
There is Peter, the genius who has a scholarship to study metaphysics sciences. He is very serious and pure as in high morals and virgin. He loves Darwin and Darwin only, but he wants to wait before consuming their love.
And there is Darwin. Darwin is something else. His only interest in life is Peter. Since he can't h...more
I don't like reading short stories or novellas. They usually end up pissing me off since they leave me wanting more and I usually totally avoid (I always think the author is just being lazy not fully fleshing out the story and just pushing out product ;-) ...something about this novella's description hooked me and I was really glad I did read it and ended up really liking it.
I Loved Darwin and Holy crap the cliff hanger...talk about intense...I like how this is meant to be a serial and a series...more
I Loved Darwin and Holy crap the cliff hanger...talk about intense...I like how this is meant to be a serial and a series...more
Darwin's Theory: Pain is an excellent entry in the City of Dragons story. I really enjoyed Darwin's character, and Wilder does a great job in developing him through his monologues and actions, which are both comical and dark, which doesn't make him the typical carefree badboy that you see in so many stories. The love scenes are both passionate and raw, as much a contrast as Darwin is to his love Peter, and yet the contrasts just felt right. As a straight man, even I found the sex scenes between...more
Darwin is an open book...he is who he is and screw the rest of the world. He lives his life for one single thing...loving Peter. Peter his best friend, his love, his everything.
This short introduces us to Darwin and Peter and leaves when they begin to discover a different side to their relationship.
Darwin's voice is crisp and honest, and his sense of humor is fantastic...He's a jaded little ass you want to dislike, but he is so honest in how little he cares, and so devoted in his love for Peter...more
This short introduces us to Darwin and Peter and leaves when they begin to discover a different side to their relationship.
Darwin's voice is crisp and honest, and his sense of humor is fantastic...He's a jaded little ass you want to dislike, but he is so honest in how little he cares, and so devoted in his love for Peter...more
I enjoyed reading all of the novellas. It was better than any rollercoaster ride at Six Flags with all of the ups and downs. In the past, I have always shied away from M/M erotica, just too much sex and not enough story. Darwin's Theory is quiet unique in that it's well balanced with a captivating story line, mixing in some tenderness, and then well well sprinkled with erotica. With that being said, I really would like to wring Ms. Wilder's neck for the cliff hanger that ends the last novella. H...more
I held off from reading this for a long time because I don't like the cover. But it's accurate because it was created by the author. It's cool that she has talent in so many areas.
I shouldn't have waited. This series is so good and this is one of my favorite couples ever. It's also hilarious at times. It's got a bit of breaking the fourth wall and those are some of the best parts. Very angsty, though, which I love but many people don't.
But don't read this one until you have all five of the epi...more
I shouldn't have waited. This series is so good and this is one of my favorite couples ever. It's also hilarious at times. It's got a bit of breaking the fourth wall and those are some of the best parts. Very angsty, though, which I love but many people don't.
But don't read this one until you have all five of the epi...more
The first in a series this one is definitely just "act one". I did enjoy Darwin - who we get to know here. Peter was just not someone who you really get to know. The story is told from Darwin's viewpoint. I was confused from the beginning with what exactly the relationship was between Darwin and Peter. At first I thought it was a crush...unrequited. Then about 2/3 the way in it became apparent it was a mutual love/caring but without sex. The reason it didn't rate higher is because of the video i...more
Jan 30, 2013
Neyjour
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
book-type-serialized-ongoing,
genre-erotic-romance,
gender-pairing-gay-mm,
genre-modern-or-urban-fantasy,
profession-student-scholar,
sexcont-1st-time-virgin,
sexcont-exhibitionism,
sexcont-public-places,
species-human,
species-mixed-breed-human-hybrid,
species-dragon,
theme-interspecies,
genre-paranormal-supernatural,
pub-liquid-silver-books
This is not a short story or the first book in a (traditional) series. It's the first installment in a serialized novel. We get just a few chapters with this first release, and then a few more each consecutive month. (I'm fairly certain the release schedule is monthly, but please correct me if I'm wrong.)
Because of this, I'm only going to put my rating (and review) on this first installment (Pain), but it will reflect all the current installments (that I've read) and may change as the story prog...more
Because of this, I'm only going to put my rating (and review) on this first installment (Pain), but it will reflect all the current installments (that I've read) and may change as the story prog...more
I gotta give it to Adrienne Wilder...she is smart. I was given this book and Secrets (part #2) for free from Ms. Wilder and now she has me hooked. I had never heard of these books or this author, but free is free, so what did I have to lose? What I didn't realize is that these are short stories in a continuing series. How many books will there be? I wish I knew. I have now bought the third book and the 4th book is on my wish-list.
It is unusual the way this story unfolds. We are slowly learning...more
It is unusual the way this story unfolds. We are slowly learning...more
I wasn't paying enough attention but it turns out this is not a short story but more like the first couple chapter of some kind of series. I did purchase Secrets as well, which is probably going to be the next couple of chapters. I'll probably quit after that as I rather read complete stories. I'll reconsider this if it's compiled into one novel. The story so far is cute & fun even though it does have a kind of fan fiction like quality to them.
I hate these serialized stories which are like snacks - just enough to whet your appetite and then - they are over. But, Darwin is such a compelling narrator: morally bent, self-destructive bad boy with only one thing he really values - Peter. He was a lot of fun. Although the world-building is just sketched here and I can't really form an opinion about it, I'm looking forward to reading more about Darwin.
Anyone who acknowledges Jordan Castillo Price (one of my fave authors) as inspiring her to create without restraint is an author whose books I am going to want to read. And this first short story in what seems to be an ongoing series (book 3 just published) is fantastic. The book fits into the urban fantasy genre and the story is edgy and sexy. Darwin makes for a fabulous anti-hero. It's written in the first person which works very well here because Peter is deliberately kept somewhat of a myste...more
What I liked most about this novella was the interesting and original world Ms. Wilder created. It's not often that you see a new take on shifters. Still, I've read this as well as the sequel, Secrets, and I think the story would have worked better as one full-length novel instead of a series of shorts. I might still get the other sequels though.
This is a book for lovers of fantasy, romance and drama! It was easy to fall in love with the two main characters, Peter and Darwin, and to care about them and their burgeoning relationship. A nicely woven narrative about the underbelly of life in the City of Dragons, Atlanta. A super and gripping introduction to their adventure.
Very good short paranormal m/m romance about two college roommates, one serious and brilliant, the other smart but wild. They've been friends since they were 12, and in love with each other for almost that long, but Peter (serious and brilliant) wanted to wait to become lovers...
Jul 18, 2012
Emma
added it
Argh! How can I rate this?! It's half a story! You can't stop in the middle of a sex scene and tell me "to be continued..."!
There oughtta be a law against against this kind of thing!
Adrienne Wilder made me use five exclamation points.
There oughtta be a law against against this kind of thing!
Adrienne Wilder made me use five exclamation points.
Mm, this story is a bit strange and the plot, even if the main character Darwin is interesting and a bit nut job, I did want to fallow him, but something is just off in this plot. Definitely this open ending didn't speak positively on my opinion.
Lol, yeah. Talk about mother-of-all "fuck you"'s.
Hey, look. There's a second one!
But beyond that...
I really like Darwin's voice. He's sarcastic, wry, but also oddly insightful. It's cool.
And he's got delicious angst.
Hey, look. There's a second one!
But beyond that...
I really like Darwin's voice. He's sarcastic, wry, but also oddly insightful. It's cool.
And he's got delicious angst.
Too short to really know how I feel about this series yet one way or the other. More character development than world building, but enough to make me want to continue to find out more.
Love it !!! So sweet and so sad ... I really love the way that the writer makes everything fit together.
Resuming, it was PERFECT as always !
Resuming, it was PERFECT as always !
This short story was great. I'm hoping that the rest of the series will stand up. Darwin has had the serious hots for Peter since he was 14. Peter loves Darwin but is saving himself for the perfect first time. The story is written from Darwin's POV and that totally makes the story. Darwin will do anything for Peter though his insatiable dick often does the thinking which makes for complications. Bravo Ms Wilder.
This was a short story (which I didn't realize when I bought it) But, it was good. Expect HAVING TO buy the next book though. It was a to be continued deal.
Apr 01, 2011
Harper
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fans of urban fantasy
Recommended to Harper by:
Ashley♥Alexis
Liked this a lot, but, man, what a place to leave off! It's important to note that the "Darwin's Theory" books are more like one continuous story as opposed to a series in which each book can stand alone, so the overall storyline won't be complete until the final novella.
Fast pace, good writing. I'm intrigued by the world-building, and I really liked Darwin and Peter so far. Looking forward to reading more of their story!
Fast pace, good writing. I'm intrigued by the world-building, and I really liked Darwin and Peter so far. Looking forward to reading more of their story!
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My fascination for the big, scaly, and scary began somewhere around the age of three when I escaped my mother's arms and ran down the aisle during a showing of Pete's Dragon, screaming, “Don't hurt my friend!” In my defense, it was the scene where Elliott the dragon is captured by the villains, so could you blame me?
Anyhow, my passion for artwork started around that same time, and I took to drawin...more
More about Adrienne Wilder...
Anyhow, my passion for artwork started around that same time, and I took to drawin...more
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Aug 01, 2011 07:38am
You finished it yet?
Ohhhhh Adrien and Jake! You must finish that serie too!
I can't wait to read more of Darwin's Theory! The las...more
Aug 01, 2011 07:43am