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Servitude

by Rebecca Cohen (Goodreads Author)

3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 · rating details · 102 ratings · 27 reviews

Lornyc Reagalos, future High Lord of the city of Katraman, enjoys his life as a student, even if he has to keep his relationship with Methian Hadral, heir to the throne of Xenetra, a secret. Unfortunately, Lornyc isn't just any royal student-he's also the grandson of an infamous magic user named Romanus Reagalos, and his grandfather's wild youth is about to catch up with h...more

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Published June 4th 2012 by Dreamspinner Press

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Feb 06, 2013 Ayanna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, favorites, evocative-or-edifying, future-rereads, non-pulpy

Hoo boy, what a pretty, pretty piece.

Aimee, don't worry. The book does NOT disgrace its pretty, pretty cover.

This book explores several interesting dynamics. It's almost a huge-ass cluster-fuck menage of fantasy subgenres, if you really want to try to quantify it.
I was a bit thrown at first because while it's high fantasy, the world seems very much like our own. Just, you know...with magically stuff. (They got showers and universities and doctorate programs and shit. It's kind of mind-trippy, a...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 24, 2013 Vivian rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gaymance

I really liked this book. Hence, the fact I read it in one sitting. It started off really well, with quite an intriguing plot line and a very cute and loveable relationship between the two MCs. But then, a few things started to irk me.

A bit more into the book, the relationship (as it's already established from the very beginning) started to give way to the plot. I totally don't mind this, the plot really was quite interesting. But then I didn't expect the relationship to change as well. I don't...more

3 likes · like · see review

May 04, 2013 Seregil rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: slash-fantasy

Wow... this book is seriosly overated on goodreads. It's either that or my expectations were too high because of the pretty cover and interesting summary. To be fair, I think that if this were the second book in a trilogy it would have been great. Otherwise you can barely make sense of the beginning (as it's a bit of an info dump with very quick transitions) and the ending is probably the best part (as you finally find out enough to be intrigued and the protagonists are starting to feel fleshed...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Fehu rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: profession-royalty, slavery-imprisonment, mine-to-read, best-of-2012, established-couples, for-alaskas-to-read-shelf, friends-to-lovers, genre-m-m-steampunk, profesion-magic-user, roadtrip, snarky-characters

4.5 stars

This was somewhat of a gem, since I've wanted to give up on buying Dreamspinner books with drawn covers. Seriously I'm surprised this book doesn't have more reviews. Rebecca Cohen was a new author to me so I was a bit aprehensive before reading this one and actually nearly gave it a miss, since it didn't have all that much reviews to go with it.
Luckily I have a thing for good written novels featuring royalty and this one had a forced bond so it made me curious enought to give it a go.
Fi...more

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Feb 06, 2013 Jessica rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, relational

So, I have a hard time explaining how I felt about this book. As escapist fun, it was definitely that. The story was continually moving and didn't ever get boring or anything like that. The writing, however, was sort of under my reading level and because of that detracted a lot from the enjoyment. I felt that Lornyc never really had to overcome much, as even when things were supposed to be difficult for him, he sort of breezed through it all. I never got the sense he could fail, and usually I li...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 09, 2012 Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: high-fantasy

5 Hearts

First published at MM Good Book Reviews

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...

Lornyc is not happy to learn that he has to pay for his grandfather’s debts, especially as it makes him a valet for an awfully long time. But, that isn’t the end of his problems, he also has to learn to master his powers to their full extent (which he doubts) and his family learns of a plot to assassinate his father. With the help of family, friends, his grandfather’s old friend and his lover, Lornyc must get...more 5 Hearts

First published at MM Good Book Reviews

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...

Lornyc is not happy to learn that he has to pay for his grandfather’s debts, especially as it makes him a valet for an awfully long time. But, that isn’t the end of his problems, he also has to learn to master his powers to their full extent (which he doubts) and his family learns of a plot to assassinate his father. With the help of family, friends, his grandfather’s old friend and his lover, Lornyc must get to the bottom of who wants his father gone and take care of the problem.

Okay, so in the interest of giving a completely fair review I read the book twice *innocent look* (that’s my excuse and I am sticking to it!) I had to make sure that it really was as good as I thought it was. So I will introduce you to Lornyc, youngest son to High Lord Reagalos, but he is next in line for the title. Lornyc is in a secret relationship with Methian, but now due to his grandfather’s wicked ways he has to become Methian’s valet. Methian is sure that it won’t affect their relationship, but he hadn’t counted on the magic being used to enforce the contract. In the background someone is plotting the downfall of the Reagalos and it falls on Lornyc’s shoulders to protect his family and friends.

Watching as Lornyc and Methian try to make their relationship work as they fall into their roles was wonderful, because they both seem to have a very similar temperament and the spell is playing havoc. Seeing what Vella (Lornyc’s sister) does after the attack on her brother was interesting (a woman after my own heart). The characters are all well-rounded and although we don’t get to know them all well, we get to know them enough to like them. I found the story behind the Reagalos magic to be really interesting and I liked the way that the different magics were explained and the descriptions were wonderful.

Watching as the story unfolds was interesting and kept me fully into the book. There are some twists and you will never guess who the mastermind behind the plot is. Shocked the hell out of me. It is also interesting to see how Lornyc develops, as his power develops and how he can be cold-hearted when angry. Methian is a support to Lornyc and he is also obsessed with sex ;-). They do have a few on page scenes but mostly it is off page. This is a really well written high fantasy story with was a joy to read… and I loved the cover.

So, after careful reading I have come to the conclusion that this is a bloody fantastic book, loads of magic, loads of love, intrigue, danger, manipulation, deaths, revenge, restitution and oh so much more. I have to recommend that you give this story a go, because it is really enjoyable.(less)

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Mar 26, 2013 Charles rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, relational, reviewed

Stuff I Read – Servitude by Rebecca Cohen Review

So my wife got this book for a gift (from me) a while ago, and ever since I have been curious to check it out. I’m a bit more of a fan of romances than she is, and so this book appeals to me not only because it is a romance, but because it is a fantasy romance, which is even better. I often lament the fact that there don’t seem to be all that many really good fantasy romance series, that we have to make due more with either normal romances or thing...more Stuff I Read – Servitude by Rebecca Cohen Review

So my wife got this book for a gift (from me) a while ago, and ever since I have been curious to check it out. I’m a bit more of a fan of romances than she is, and so this book appeals to me not only because it is a romance, but because it is a fantasy romance, which is even better. I often lament the fact that there don’t seem to be all that many really good fantasy romance series, that we have to make due more with either normal romances or things like paranormal romances, which just aren’t as interesting to me. I enjoy more the allure of a second world setting, and Servitude definitely gives me that, creating a world that revolves around the rulers and politics of a number of city-states. It is an interesting and cute story, really, where the two main characters (both guys) have to at first hide their relationship because of disapproving parents before finally being able to be together and deal with some serious threats.

Of course, the fact that I went through this in a day might clue you into the fact that it’s not exactly dense prose. It moves fast, not really lingering on any one plot point for very long. It’s a bit light in that regard for a fantasy novel, lacking a clear sense of purpose in favor of showing some interesting situations and really getting more into the characters. And the character work is solid and thorough. While the main character, Lornyc, isn’t always the most likable of fellows, he is fun and active, falling into the roll of fiery lover. Methian, his lover, is a bit less dramatic but also less intelligent, more athletic. It’s a cute relationship that doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel but doesn’t have to. The relationship is fun and it’s easy to root for these characters making it despite their parents and circumstances.

The actual plot involves Lornyc having to satisfy some old contracts that his grandfather had made while learning to use his magical abilities and try to figure out what’s going on with a plot to kill his father and use him to control his city. And while that sounds like the stakes are high, most of the time it means having to deal with Methian’s family and trying to be a servant. It’s not a bad story, and it does show the relationship between Lornyc and Methian well, how it grows and culminates in them wanted to get married. I suppose there is something to be said for starting the book with the main characters already having been in a relationship for three years. And while that means that the book doesn’t have to spend much time on building the relationship, it does mean that we don’t get to see all that much evolution in their relationship.

But still, the story moves. And I suppose that’s part the problem, because the obstacles that crop up for Lornyc are all things that he only really has to fail at once before he gets it right. There isn’t a whole lot of failure here. These are things that are supposed to be incredibly rare and difficult and Lornyc is solving them after trying for a very short amount of time. It’s not bad, really, but it does leave something to be desired when it comes to conflict, because with all of these straw adversaries it means that you never really get the sense that he might lose. The conflict at the end, the “twist” of the story, also seems a little forced, like it really wasn’t necessary and didn’t get a good chance to happen organically. Everything at the end is very sudden and while there is a tense moment or two it all gets tied together very neatly.

That doesn’t stop this from being a good read, though, and I did find that I enjoyed myself throughout. There are lots of fun characters, and I got the same general feeling from this that I get from quite a few yaoi manga. It’s not bad at all, but it doesn’t exactly go deeper than what it says. It is a story, but I like things where I can look a bit more and see more layers. This is fun but it is light, and while I would probably read other books that take place in this setting, it’s not something that I’d be going out to get any time soon. It was good, and for that I can give it a 7/10.
(less)

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Jul 01, 2012 Don Bradshaw rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: family-drama, fantasy, gay-romance, magic, offworld-politics

Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

This was the beginning of a good fantasy series. I caution readers that it may be worth waiting for book two to come out before starting this one because there are numerous loose ends at the end of this book that leave you wanting answers.
The Reagalos family has always produced a High Lord to rule most of whom have had magical ability. The current High Lord Tancorix has no magical abilities and so is a sitting duck just waiting to b...more Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

This was the beginning of a good fantasy series. I caution readers that it may be worth waiting for book two to come out before starting this one because there are numerous loose ends at the end of this book that leave you wanting answers.
The Reagalos family has always produced a High Lord to rule most of whom have had magical ability. The current High Lord Tancorix has no magical abilities and so is a sitting duck just waiting to be picked off by his enemies. His father was a very powerful ruler who also got into trouble with several noble families. The penance for a couple of his antics fell to his grandson Lornyc by way of mage woven contracts that appeared on Tancorix's desk one day. Lornyc is shuffled off to the Hadral estate where he has to serve as his lover's man-servant for ten years. Lornyc and Methian have been together for over three years and are very much in love much to Lady Hadral's dismay. A plot to murder Tancorix is uncovered which leads Tancorix to call in the powerful mage, Kat, to help bring Lornyc's latent magical abilities to the surface quickly as Lornyc is to become the next High Lord. Lornyc's abilities exceed all expectations and he is soon more powerful than his esteemed grandfather. With Methian as his husband, young Lornyc must take his place and rule as High Lord. The world building in this alternate reality was excellent with Lornyc's reality having an interesting mix of present day and medieval elements. Methiam wears a wristwatch but people travel by horse drawn carriages. The characters were well developed and I couldn't help but love Kat, Methian and the sometimes hapless Lornyc. I especially enjoyed the trip that Lornyc and Methian took into the cavern to find the orbs. Ms Cohen threw in just enough plot twists to keep the story engrossing with its large cast of characters but not too many to make the story dry and confusing. The story line read very well but the HEA ending left me with an irritating amount of loose ends and questions which I hope that Ms Cohen will soon remedy. I recommend this excellent fantasy story to any lover of this unique genre but with the advice to have the sequel close at hand. (less)

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Dec 19, 2012 Bookwatcher ~Mary MooCow~ rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: glbt-gay, magic, fantasy, cover-is-pretty

Some thoughts about this book...

I like it, but didn't love it. The fantasy world is well done, but didn't convince me as a brand new world. The main characters are very interesting, but I didn't think it's the best couple I ever read... probably because the story started with both already ahead of me... ok, let me explain better: I like when a couple is already established in a story, but sometimes It's almost as if I'm a intrude in their world, not part of it. I like when I feel what the charac...more

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Jul 04, 2012 Yna Fempia Paez rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

Won and received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads.

Besides being overwhelmed and taken aback by the other unexpected... err.. theme of the story, aside from magic... I really should say that this book really excited me. I love the humour in it and the climax was over the edge, I thought my gut would be all over the place in anticipation. I love Kat Warrenger's character. Don't ask why, just read this book.

I'm no homophobe but given my culture and upbringing, I couldn't help but flinc...more

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Jul 25, 2012 L-D rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, royalty-regency, fantasy, magic-witches-mages, romance

This book had a lot of really great elements for me. The plot was very intricate and the characters were very well developed. Lornyc Reagalos, future High Lord of the city of Katraman, learns that his grandfather has signed a series of magically binding contracts that come into play when Lornyc comes of age. Lornyc is forced to fulfill the terms of the contract that his grandfather signed before he died.

The most intrusive contract is 10 years of servitude to Methian Hadral, heir to the throne of...more

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Jun 10, 2012 Pj rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: faves

This story was amazing. I liked how Lornyc was all like..ughh..i don't wanna take care of all these cities becase i don't even know how to.. && i didn't really like Methian's mother but then again, did not see her real realtionship being like it was which was a surprise..and wow..i was so not expecting for that one guy...not gonna say who...to be the evil guy.all in all,the story was good...i'd recommend to just about anyone..i'm actually going to try some of authors other books, past, p...more

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Aug 21, 2012 Shira Anthony rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: angst, beta, dreamspinner, fantasy

I had the pleasure of beta reading this book. It's a beautifully crafted novel - Ms. Cohen has a lovely writing style, clean and elegant.

The story is set in a fantasy universe, but the emotions and relationships are entirely human ones. Her two main characters are so clearly meant for each other, in spite of their very different personalities and talents. In spite of all of the obstacles that threaten to come between them, their love grows stronger and matures.

The political intrigue is well-don...more

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Jul 21, 2012 Anastasia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-fantasy

I was positively surprised by this book, since I nearly gave up on new releases with pretty covers and debut authors. This one had interesting characters(not always nice people since they didn't mind murdering to protect and avenge their own). and a complex plot, with a surprising villain.

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Mar 04, 2013 Madambutterfly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gay-fantasy, vamp, steampunk-stylee

Loved this book for far too many reasons to list here. Just saying that I can't wait to see more of this ilk and high standard from this writer.

Well done Rebecca on a thoroughly unique and wonderful story! Would love to read more of this wonderful world ;D

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Jun 13, 2012 Tamarrion Lash rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m-romance

Как-то неожиданно порадовало. Ооочень приличная фентези (хотя не вполне фентези, хоть там и ездят на лошадях и сражаются мечами, но уже знают, что такое ДНК, и менталитет у людей достаточно современный). Отдельно понравилась людоедская сестричка главного героя.

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Mar 21, 2013 Denni rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Interesting concept, but doesn't meet it's full potential due to immature writing style, plot holes, and lack of connection to main characters. Maybe a beach read if you're easily entertained, otherwise too silly for my taste.

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Jul 07, 2012 Hearts On Fire Reviews added it · review of another edition

Reviewed by: Don
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: M/M Fantasy
Rated: 4 Hearts

http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

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Jun 06, 2012 Karen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

nice story, snarky mc, steam-punkish. Didn't see the bad guy coming, would try more from this author.

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Aug 14, 2012 Sherry rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lornyc and Methian are already in a loving and long-term relationship, which made this a pleasant change. It was also nice to see the "little guy" as the strong one.

The story is about magic, greed, and the lust for power. The blurb and excerpt explain quite a bit but the steps and trials both Lornyc and Methian must face are interesting. Lornyc's siblings provide him with stability and the story with some humor. The squabbles between Lornyc and Methian are pithy and funny.

Question/comment: will...more

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Jun 04, 2012 Still Reading rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, m-m-fantasy

Read this in one sitting. Nicely done fantasy world building with a light touch though sometimes the modern references jerkily reminds the reader that it's a pseudo-steampunk world rather than a medieval one.

Characters are well fleshed out and likable with a plot that will keep you guessing til the end.

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Aug 18, 2012 Saya rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, magic, fantasy

4.5

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Jun 24, 2012 SueM rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, fantasy, magic, prisoner-slave, ipad-stanza, royalty

4.5 stars

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Jun 08, 2012 Kiki rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

3.5

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Dec 27, 2012 Nijin rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Best word for this book - Boring. I expect from the fantasy at list a little bit of sense of wonder, and this book handle magic in a casual and mundane way.
Somehow romance and the rest of the plot were separated. I was not able to feel anything for protagonists. Focus switches too much, and it’s really annoying in here.

1 like · like · see review

Sep 17, 2012 Nightcolors rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, ebook, glbt, fantasy

Read for m/m team bingo challenge round 5. My review is here.

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Mar 06, 2013 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-them

4.5 stars. My only regret with reading this book, is that I didn't read it sooner!! I wouldn't mind a sequel either :)

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May 22, 2013 momokaachan marked it as mm-to-read · review of another edition

May 22, 2013 vcious marked it as to-read · review of another edition

May 20, 2013 Persephone marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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About Rebecca Cohen

I'm a Brit abroad. Having swapped the Thames for the Rhine, I have left London behind and now live with my husband and baby son in Basel, Switzerland. I can often be found with a pen in one hand and a cup of darjeeling in the other.

My current WIPs are Idolatry (sequel to Servitude), an Earth based sci-fi novel, and the third story in the The Actor and the Earl series... that should keep me busy fo...more

More about Rebecca Cohen...

Books by Rebecca Cohen

The Actor and the Earl (The Actor and the Earl #1)

Duty to the Crown (The Actor and the Earl #2)

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