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Jan 21, 2012

Indigene rated it:

Test of Faith by Aleksandr Voinov and Raev Gray is an extremely well-written and emotionally charged novella that leaves the reader breathless.

The story is set against the backdrop of one of the most infamous and bloodiest battles of the interval period between the Second and Third Crusades – the Battle of Hattin – which took place near the city of Tiberius on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. During the Battle the army of Saladin decimated some 20,000 Crusading foot soldiers and 1,0

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1 comment like (4 people liked it)

Sep 09, 2011

Mel rated it:

Note: I have to -just have to- write a more cohesive review for this, but right now I'm drawing a blank and I can't think of anything beautiful or smart.

Random thoughts:

I'm torn between a 4 and a 5 star rating.

The good: great writing, a story that gave us both the historical background about a battle of faiths as well as the battles between the characters and -more importantly- within the characters.
The depth of the characters (especially Abdul) is a More...

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Apr 28, 2011

Arzu rated it:

The story of Thierry, a Templar Knight, and Abdul, a to Islam converted French, touched me from the first word to the last. Thierry, captured by the Saracens and now owned by Abdul, fears for his life and Abdul is looking for someone to fulfill a desire. When you read this book, you feel how the relationship of the characters change from sworn enemies into two men who respect and honor each other and in other circumstances could have loved each other.
This is a real heartbreaking story w More...

2 comments like (2 people liked it)

Aug 05, 2011

Michael rated it:

I'm surprised there aren't more m/m books set in the crusades. It would seem to be fertile ground. "Test of Faith" was quite a refreshing change from the Regency/Victorian setting of most historical romances these days. It doesn't have a happily ever after ending, which is disappointing but true to the characters. There are a couple of reasons I didn't give it four stars:

The point of view flip-flops between the two protagonists - Abdul and Thierry. This is hard to pull off, a More...

7 comments like (2 people liked it)

Apr 18, 2010

Elisa added it

Test of Faith is only a short story but it’s clear that behind there is a lot of research work done; a work that the reader itself can redo thanks to the appendixes, a useful walkthrough among the early Middle Age custom and religious beliefs, both from the Christian than Muslim point of view. And here is the strength of this story, that the truth doesn’t lie in one or the other side, both of them have reason and ideals.

Thierry is a Templar warrior and monk, who is chosen, after the More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Jun 03, 2010

Amara rated it:

Wow. All I can say right now is wow. I am speechless. I have no idea how to review this book. I'm going to have to ... I don't even know.

I'm just stuck at WOW. My brain is just skipping, trying to find some words, but there's nothing.

Yeah, hopefully - review to follow, although I have no idea where I'm going to find the words.

9 comments like (4 people liked it)

May 24, 2010

Jenre rated it:

Set in Palestine during the crusades, Test of Faith follows two men who on the surface seem very different. Thierry is a French Templar knight who has been captured on the battlefield and sent to the tent of a man who has paid silver for him. That man is Abdul, a Muslim convert who has bought Thierry in order to rape and humiliate him. Things are not as they seem between the men though, as Abdul gains respect for the knight who refuses to cower in terror before him, and Thierry learns that ev More...

14 comments like (12 people liked it)

Aug 09, 2010

Sonya rated it:

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15 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jul 11, 2011

Mammarella rated it:

<spoiler>Breathtaking and heartbreaking... :~( </spoiler>

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 10, 2010

Karen rated it:

This story gripped me from the start, I felt immediately drawn into Thierry's pain of capture. But I can't expect less from Aleksandr Voinov's writing. From the moment I opened the box to view the rich warmth of colors on the cover to when I closed the book I was happy. Test of Faith is such a great title as it clearly defines what you are about to experience. I loved it. The only complaint is that it was too short. I hold back a star for leaving me underfed - I am waiting for that full meal tha More...

6 comments like (2 people liked it)

Aug 20, 2011

Lori K rated it:

Exceptional.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 06, 2011

Crys rated it:

"...a great secret that only his flesh knew..."
This quote, and the surrounding words, stood out as one of the most perfect descriptions of sex I've ever read.

I won't spend time talking about the high quality of Aleksandr Voiniv's writing. I will only say that his ability to write emotions and internal conflict grabs me in the gut in a way that makes me both awestruck and uncomfortable. I am very much an 'in the head' person. Most authors tell us how a character is feeli More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 15, 2011

Emanuela ~plastic duck~ rated it:

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4 comments like (3 people liked it)

Nov 06, 2011

Nile Princess rated it:

Ooh, I loved. I so wish it was longer and happier but that would have been a different story. For THIS story, this really worked...even the ending. I took it as it was - a snapshot into the grim reality of war. Loved the strength of the characters, their passion, honor, conviction in each of their faiths. Definitely one I will read again.

Kindle formatting sucks though. Took away from the joy of reading it.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 15, 2010

K rated it:

A compelling, moody read. I was literally holding my breath at the tense initial encounter between Thierry, the captured Templar Knight and his keeper, Abdul, one of his sworn enemy. The dynamics between these two complex characters is played out in a beautiful, heart-breaking story.

I also really enjoyed reading the essays on the Crusades and other topics related to the story (and the map, love maps!) at the end of the book.

3 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jun 06, 2010

Brita rated it:

First, I don't know why there aren't ten stars to rate this book! Absolutely fantastic, riveting, mind-blowing. A moving experience to read such genius. This is one book that will stay with me for a long time to come. Totally amazing in its depth, the subtle life lessons and the story of two men who come to care deeply for each other.

Test of Faith is a must have. You won't be sorry. WOW!!!!!

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jul 03, 2011

Boycop rated it:

A very intense, but also very short story of two men and enemies finding each other in the middle of an epic battle.
The beginning was so intense and captivating, that the relentless end came a bit too soon. It almost felt like an excerpt from a larger work.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 17, 2011

Mary rated it:

The blurb perfectly summarizes the tale as do the dozens of posted reviews. I only write this as a note to remind myself to re-read this story again. And again.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 07, 2011

Tamela rated it:

Okay, I like the writing and the characters were interesting but it was just not my cup of tea. I didn't care for the ending at all which lost it a star.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 23, 2011

Edina rated it:

Good book, but I did not connect to the characters and their story. 2 stars is for how much I liked the book, not for the quality of the work, which is good.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 29, 2010

Aleksandr added it

This is probably some of the best stuff I've ever written. There's always a few books that just cut the writer's soul a little deeper than others, and "Test of Faith" is one of those. While writing it with Raev, there was not a moment that I didn't think of the book and felt the characters... I was completely obsessed.

The ending made it impossible to sell to any m/m romance publisher out there (I tried, and several offered, if we change the ending), but this is one of those More...

18 comments like (2 people liked it)

Dec 31, 2011

Oleg rated it:

Warning: The writing-style is so captivating, that you'll soon realize you've read the whole story without blinking. Or hardly breathing.

That said, let's move on.

These two authors are in my top 3 of co-authors. For a good reason. I know the love both of them have for history, and that is why this story is such a pleasurable read. You can feel that love in the pages. It's also a promise, that here you have a historical, where the authors have spent proper amount of time d More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Feb 13, 2010

Dlee rated it:

What seems to be a simple love story among enemies quickly twists into a story of honor. The ending may not be to everyone's taste but it was definitely the one this story needed.

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Oct 10, 2011

Victoria rated it:

Test of Faith is a beautiful, captivating and emotional short story. I finished reading it, and all I could think was WOW!

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 10, 2011

Tiger rated it:

I only give this four stars because I think those who go in to this expecting a romance that follows romance conventions are in for a nasty shock.

I love the writing. Aleksandr and Raev have very compatible styles, and it read as seamlessly as the work of a single mind.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 12, 2010

Char rated it:

Outstanding, just... outstanding!

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 03, 2011

Stacey Jo rated it:

This was very dark with an intense theme. I liked the development of their relationship. Thierry was very courageous for the ultimate choice that he made. I liked how it ended. It fit the story. It's not how I would always like my stories to end, but I liked it because not your typical ending and because of that, was kinda refreshing. A well written, short read.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jun 23, 2011

Aleksandr added it

The ending made it impossible to sell to any m/m romance publisher out there (I tried, and several offered, if we change the ending), but this is one of those stories you simply can't mess with. Any other ending would have ruined it - for me, for Raev, and for most readers. So we published this ourselves.

2 comments like (3 people liked it)

Aug 25, 2011

Sandra rated it:

I really liked this one a lot. The ending was really what made it for me; it was unusual and yet very fitting.
It's definitely going on my 'favourites' list.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jan 17, 2012

Aiko rated it:

This managed to leave me heartbroken and satisfied at the same time. I don't understand how it's possible, but there it is.

1 comment like (2 people liked it)