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Tapestry
In Ollas, anything that stirs the emotions is forbidden by the governors—especially music. So when Tallie Tarmelin, a farm boy from a lower-tier guild, is offered a scholarship for his talent in design, he keeps his head down and follows the rules. He's terrified of breaking one of his society’s many laws and ruining his future. But feeling lost and alone in an unfamiliar city takes its toll, and Tallie accepts sympathy from a guildless social outcast even though he knows it could destroy his reputation.
Despite the rules against casual touching and fraternizing in public, Jonis Sinter offers Tallie comfort instead of denouncing him for an excessive emotional display, and they fast become friends. Secret friends, though, because Worran, the respectable son of a governor, has asked Tallie to be his partner.
When Worran’s mother learns of Tallie’s association with an outcast, she dispatches the militia. Worran sends Tallie a warning, and Tallie flees the city and civilization with Jonis. Surviving the wilds will take every ounce of perseverance they can muster, and the rediscovery of music might be their only solace— unless they recognize the love that's growing between them.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2013
2 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 5, 2013
My review
This book was provided by Harmony Ink Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This book was provided by Harmony Ink Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
March 21, 2013
Wow. Where do I even begin with a book like this? I'm not even sure what genre it would be categorized under. It has some elements of fantasy, but not like in major fantasy novels, as the magic is not real, just assumed. It's epic in scope, and features a utopian society. Parts of me feel like it takes place in our future where a section of our country is partitioned off by some method and then they seem to regress in some ways. So... historical at the same time? I even felt a bit of steampunk in there at times. Overall it's a wonderfully disorienting experience when you read something so refreshingly new.
Tallie and Jonis are wonderful characters that I loved throughout the novel. At many parts they tugged at my heart and I needed a few moments to compose myself before reading on. I wanted to rush through the story to get at the end, and yet at the same time I forced myself to slow down and enjoy it. I didn't want it to end. I want more from Tallie and Jonis, yet it feels like their adventure is over at the end of the book, especially given the last line. Another story in that world would be great, and yet I don't think it would be as enjoyable without Tallie and Jonis present.
What a wonderful experience this book was, and that's just what it is. An experience. Hallie Burton fully immerses readers in the world she created where loving someone of the same gender is so completely normal that it's not questioned in the slightest. No one objects to it. The things that are objected to, the things that are forbidden, are elements we take for granted, such as music and dancing. And affection. Can you imagine living in a world without those things? I can't.
Tallie and Jonis are wonderful characters that I loved throughout the novel. At many parts they tugged at my heart and I needed a few moments to compose myself before reading on. I wanted to rush through the story to get at the end, and yet at the same time I forced myself to slow down and enjoy it. I didn't want it to end. I want more from Tallie and Jonis, yet it feels like their adventure is over at the end of the book, especially given the last line. Another story in that world would be great, and yet I don't think it would be as enjoyable without Tallie and Jonis present.
What a wonderful experience this book was, and that's just what it is. An experience. Hallie Burton fully immerses readers in the world she created where loving someone of the same gender is so completely normal that it's not questioned in the slightest. No one objects to it. The things that are objected to, the things that are forbidden, are elements we take for granted, such as music and dancing. And affection. Can you imagine living in a world without those things? I can't.
October 8, 2014
Oh wow, that was quite the journey..!
I enjoyed Tallie and Jonis's tale a lot - it was powerful, engrossing, touching and very well written.
Ollas is a terrible place where any show of affection, happiness, song and dance are forbidden. (...can you imagine?)
Tallie had his life laid out before him, he had it easy, a promising future, work and education he loved, a possible partner who worshipped him and yet something had been missing.
He'd been friends with a boy of lower status but something like that wouldn't mean anything to Tallie, he befriended him in secret and put his safety before anything else.
When one day out of jealousy Tallie's "street dog" friend Jonis had been reported to the Governors for doing illegal work without a needed license, Tallie didn't think twice to ran away with Jonis - away from his live and his future. Neither knew the real reason behind their death sentence by the law until many months later.
They ran, became fugitives, hid away in the mountains, endured sickness and hardship. They fell in love in the worst of times and learned to survive on their own for months and months. During that time they discovered music and dance, and even though it frightened them they found the happiness it brought and decided they shall find a way to bring it back - teach everyone.
Of course happiness never lasts.....
I enjoyed Tallie and Jonis's tale a lot - it was powerful, engrossing, touching and very well written.
Ollas is a terrible place where any show of affection, happiness, song and dance are forbidden. (...can you imagine?)
Tallie had his life laid out before him, he had it easy, a promising future, work and education he loved, a possible partner who worshipped him and yet something had been missing.
He'd been friends with a boy of lower status but something like that wouldn't mean anything to Tallie, he befriended him in secret and put his safety before anything else.
When one day out of jealousy Tallie's "street dog" friend Jonis had been reported to the Governors for doing illegal work without a needed license, Tallie didn't think twice to ran away with Jonis - away from his live and his future. Neither knew the real reason behind their death sentence by the law until many months later.
They ran, became fugitives, hid away in the mountains, endured sickness and hardship. They fell in love in the worst of times and learned to survive on their own for months and months. During that time they discovered music and dance, and even though it frightened them they found the happiness it brought and decided they shall find a way to bring it back - teach everyone.
Of course happiness never lasts.....
September 16, 2014
I am a very picky reader. For me to consider a book to be well written it has to have a plot, a moving character connection, solid grammar and impeccable editing. For the most part, this book had all of these elements. The novel only had one instance where the author switched to 2nd person through the use of "you" by speaking to the reader. And there was one area where the transition of time was not smooth and one sentence that was very sloppy.
I read a lot of gay fiction and I would consider myself an expert on themes at this point. Common themes I have come across are love at first sight, characters jumping into bed together right away, lack of plot as the author uses the romance to build the story, liberal use of the words "cock" and "fuck", and excessive use of graphic smut. This book contained none of these themes, making me respect the author greatly.
The characters get to know each other before a relationship is started several months later. When the pairing takes place, there is no graphic description. I did not have to page down past pages of smut to get back to the story line. In other words, the book is an adventure story where the main characters just happen to be gay, but the relationship is not the foundation or core of the story.
I have only read one other book where the main character is gay and the relationship takes the back seat to the story and is not graphically depicted. The Rifter series by Ginn Hale does this and I have read it over eight times and I will certainly read this one several times as well. I read stories for the plot and characters, not for the graphic smut and it is sad that not many readers share my opinion. I can only hope that in time this book will get the attention it deserves. In the meantime, I intend to help this book get more recognition by asking the public library system to carry it. I’ll make a request every day until they tell me it’s being stocked. Fortunately, the novel is available in paperback.
I am giving the book a four rating because although for the most part the book was fantastic and written very well, I feel as if the author could have done a better job at building a foundation for the character’s future at the end of the book and in some places, the story seemed a bit hasty. Added to the very few cases previously mentioned regarding the grammar and editing, I do not feel as if the book was quite five star material. But I still very much enjoyed the story.
I would suggest this book to anyone. Even readers that don't read gay stories because other than kissing, there is nothing to get offended about. Not even a single curse word. Simply amazing!
However, if a weak story, no plot and lots of graphic smut is what a potential reader is looking for, then this is not the book for them.
I read a lot of gay fiction and I would consider myself an expert on themes at this point. Common themes I have come across are love at first sight, characters jumping into bed together right away, lack of plot as the author uses the romance to build the story, liberal use of the words "cock" and "fuck", and excessive use of graphic smut. This book contained none of these themes, making me respect the author greatly.
The characters get to know each other before a relationship is started several months later. When the pairing takes place, there is no graphic description. I did not have to page down past pages of smut to get back to the story line. In other words, the book is an adventure story where the main characters just happen to be gay, but the relationship is not the foundation or core of the story.
I have only read one other book where the main character is gay and the relationship takes the back seat to the story and is not graphically depicted. The Rifter series by Ginn Hale does this and I have read it over eight times and I will certainly read this one several times as well. I read stories for the plot and characters, not for the graphic smut and it is sad that not many readers share my opinion. I can only hope that in time this book will get the attention it deserves. In the meantime, I intend to help this book get more recognition by asking the public library system to carry it. I’ll make a request every day until they tell me it’s being stocked. Fortunately, the novel is available in paperback.
I am giving the book a four rating because although for the most part the book was fantastic and written very well, I feel as if the author could have done a better job at building a foundation for the character’s future at the end of the book and in some places, the story seemed a bit hasty. Added to the very few cases previously mentioned regarding the grammar and editing, I do not feel as if the book was quite five star material. But I still very much enjoyed the story.
I would suggest this book to anyone. Even readers that don't read gay stories because other than kissing, there is nothing to get offended about. Not even a single curse word. Simply amazing!
However, if a weak story, no plot and lots of graphic smut is what a potential reader is looking for, then this is not the book for them.
June 11, 2013
Imagine a world where to express emotion is strictly forbidden. No laughter. No friends embracing in the street. Not even a mother comforting her crying baby. This is the reality for the citizens of Ollas in Hallie Burton’s highly original debut novel. Following years of unrest, the governors have outlawed any pastime capable of evoking strong feelings, particularly music. If the population is kept subdued, they argue, it will prevent further conflict. Yes, it means sacrificing people’s creativity, their natural capacity for love, but they believe this to be a price worth paying for peace and stability.
Things are going well for Tallie. The inhabitants of Ollas rarely move beyond the social tier into which they are born, so for a farm boy to be offered a scholarship to a higher-guild profession and have the chance to develop his talent for design is a dream beyond his wildest imaginings. Still more incredible, Worran—handsome, charming, and the respectable son of a governor—has asked Tallie to be his partner. Yet, despite his fear of breaking any of the country’s many laws, Tallie has a secret. He is conducting an illicit friendship with a guildless boy called Jonis, a friendship which, if discovered, would jeopardize his whole future.
When Worran’s mother hears of Tallie’s association with a commoner, she immediately sends the militia to dispose of Jonis. Afraid Tallie too might be in danger, Worran risks his reputation to help him and Jonis flee the city. With no one but each other, living hand-to-mouth off the land and freed from the constraints of the law, Tallie and Jonas gradually uncover what the governors have tried to deny them—the joy of making music, and the pleasure that comes from both physical and emotional intimacy with a lover. But it isn’t enough for Tallie simply to be happy. He wants to spread the news of their discoveries throughout the land, even if it means bringing the governors’ wrath down on their heads.
Powerful and full of warmth, this is a story about a nation coming alive again after decades of oppression. I found Tallie and Jonis’s developing relationship as they overcome the inhibitions forced upon them by society and learn what it is to be truly close to another person, immensely touching. Most of all, I loved the spiritual element to the novel, the concept that we’re all one with the universe and, when we die, our souls become part of everything around us.
If you’re seeking a young adult fantasy written in a gentle style and with plenty of romance and adventure thrown in, you may well enjoy this book.
NOTE: This book was provided by harmony Ink Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews and Boys on the Brink
Things are going well for Tallie. The inhabitants of Ollas rarely move beyond the social tier into which they are born, so for a farm boy to be offered a scholarship to a higher-guild profession and have the chance to develop his talent for design is a dream beyond his wildest imaginings. Still more incredible, Worran—handsome, charming, and the respectable son of a governor—has asked Tallie to be his partner. Yet, despite his fear of breaking any of the country’s many laws, Tallie has a secret. He is conducting an illicit friendship with a guildless boy called Jonis, a friendship which, if discovered, would jeopardize his whole future.
When Worran’s mother hears of Tallie’s association with a commoner, she immediately sends the militia to dispose of Jonis. Afraid Tallie too might be in danger, Worran risks his reputation to help him and Jonis flee the city. With no one but each other, living hand-to-mouth off the land and freed from the constraints of the law, Tallie and Jonas gradually uncover what the governors have tried to deny them—the joy of making music, and the pleasure that comes from both physical and emotional intimacy with a lover. But it isn’t enough for Tallie simply to be happy. He wants to spread the news of their discoveries throughout the land, even if it means bringing the governors’ wrath down on their heads.
Powerful and full of warmth, this is a story about a nation coming alive again after decades of oppression. I found Tallie and Jonis’s developing relationship as they overcome the inhibitions forced upon them by society and learn what it is to be truly close to another person, immensely touching. Most of all, I loved the spiritual element to the novel, the concept that we’re all one with the universe and, when we die, our souls become part of everything around us.
If you’re seeking a young adult fantasy written in a gentle style and with plenty of romance and adventure thrown in, you may well enjoy this book.
NOTE: This book was provided by harmony Ink Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews and Boys on the Brink
March 14, 2013
4 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Tallie is quite happy with his life, he is about to become a Journeyman in the Design Guild, he has a Master who will guide him and he is about to accept the partnership of a wonderful man, but it all begins to fall down around his ears when his friendship with Jonis, a guildless Bonder, is discovered. Fleeing from the militia for breaking a secret Fundamental law, Tallie and Jonis begin a journey that will bring love and hope back to all the people of Ollas.
This story is of an incredible journey of two young men who discover that the restrictive society that they have grown up with has been stifling the spirit, and the joy that can be discovered in a simple life. Tallie is a young man who has gone along with the rules set down by those before him, but when his friend Jonis breaks a law that they don’t even know about and the militia comes for both of them, they flee to the wilds and begin to discover what the Governors have been suppressing for three hundred years. Sharing their discovery with others is risky, but both Tallie and Jonis agree that the joy they feel must be shared and it begins a change within Ollas that can only make a better life.
This is a very in-depth story of a very repressed society, where anything that could entice emotions is banned and you could get punished for the simplest of touches. I found this story to be fascinating, nobody but the governors knows what the Fundamental laws are, but the breaking of a Fundamental law is severely punished, so you could break a law and not even know about it. Jonis and Tallis’s journey is incredible as they set out to survive in the wilds while dodging the militia who won’t stop hunting them, falling in love along the way and discovering the true tapestry of life.
This story is well written and the storyline is really good, an entire society will be changed by the simple discovery by two young men. The descriptions are wonderful and at times feel spiritual, but not in a religious way, more pure and celebrating life type of way. The characters are wonderful and they pull together well, slowly realising that what has been hounded into them since they were young isn’t right. The characters face danger and love, and they buck against a system that is draining the life out of them. They all end up on a journey of discovery, with Jonis and Tallis leading the way and having, sometimes, dangerous brushes with nature.
I have to recommend this story to those who love shaking the foundations of society, finding love, discovering joy and bringing people together, and a happy ending.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Tallie is quite happy with his life, he is about to become a Journeyman in the Design Guild, he has a Master who will guide him and he is about to accept the partnership of a wonderful man, but it all begins to fall down around his ears when his friendship with Jonis, a guildless Bonder, is discovered. Fleeing from the militia for breaking a secret Fundamental law, Tallie and Jonis begin a journey that will bring love and hope back to all the people of Ollas.
This story is of an incredible journey of two young men who discover that the restrictive society that they have grown up with has been stifling the spirit, and the joy that can be discovered in a simple life. Tallie is a young man who has gone along with the rules set down by those before him, but when his friend Jonis breaks a law that they don’t even know about and the militia comes for both of them, they flee to the wilds and begin to discover what the Governors have been suppressing for three hundred years. Sharing their discovery with others is risky, but both Tallie and Jonis agree that the joy they feel must be shared and it begins a change within Ollas that can only make a better life.
This is a very in-depth story of a very repressed society, where anything that could entice emotions is banned and you could get punished for the simplest of touches. I found this story to be fascinating, nobody but the governors knows what the Fundamental laws are, but the breaking of a Fundamental law is severely punished, so you could break a law and not even know about it. Jonis and Tallis’s journey is incredible as they set out to survive in the wilds while dodging the militia who won’t stop hunting them, falling in love along the way and discovering the true tapestry of life.
This story is well written and the storyline is really good, an entire society will be changed by the simple discovery by two young men. The descriptions are wonderful and at times feel spiritual, but not in a religious way, more pure and celebrating life type of way. The characters are wonderful and they pull together well, slowly realising that what has been hounded into them since they were young isn’t right. The characters face danger and love, and they buck against a system that is draining the life out of them. They all end up on a journey of discovery, with Jonis and Tallis leading the way and having, sometimes, dangerous brushes with nature.
I have to recommend this story to those who love shaking the foundations of society, finding love, discovering joy and bringing people together, and a happy ending.
August 13, 2015
In Ollas, while nobody blinks an eye at two boys pairing up, music, dancing, and shows of affection are absolutely forbidden, because emotions are a danger to the stability of society.
Tallie is a rising star in the Designers' guild. He's even caught the eye of Worran, a respected governor's son. But then his outsider friend Jonis creates a musical instrument, breaking the Fundamental Laws, and the two go on the run, along with Tallie's friend Tommin's pregnant girlfriend.
They first take refuge with a camp of outsider Vagabonds, and then a friendly shepherd, before making a home in an isolated cave.
The two boys experience new ways of living: the freer Bonder lifestyle, lived under the constant threat of a raid by the authorities, is sharply contrasted with their old strictly-regulated life in the city.
Living alone is even harder: they must survive illness and injury, find food for the winter, and make every item they use. But they have music to get them through it, music that even seems to be able to cure the pervasive Gray Sickness. If music can do so much good, Tallie and Jonis wonder, can it really be as evil as the Governors say?
Featured on All Our Worlds!
I loved the worldbuilding and descriptions, especially the descriptions of daily life in their cave home. Tallie is an artist and Jonis is an inventor, so together they manage to make a good home out of plants, river clay, and what they brought with them when they ran away.
But some of the conversations were very awkward. A lot of things were spelled out in dialogue when they didn't really need to be, or the wording felt really clumsy. Some of that is clearly down to the fact that the characters are stumbling to explain concepts they have no words for, but some exchanges still felt odd.
I also found it a little strange that the Founders would ban music and touching, but not other forms of art or romantic place names like “Cascadia"
But asides from that, the storytelling was very good. Everybody that Tallie and Jonis met was important in some way to their journey, and the skills they learned helped them later on. Learning to leave behind the rules their society ingrained in them was difficult at times, making their rebellion all the more powerful.
While sometimes over-the-top, Tapestry is a beautiful story about the power of music to change the world
Tallie is a rising star in the Designers' guild. He's even caught the eye of Worran, a respected governor's son. But then his outsider friend Jonis creates a musical instrument, breaking the Fundamental Laws, and the two go on the run, along with Tallie's friend Tommin's pregnant girlfriend.
They first take refuge with a camp of outsider Vagabonds, and then a friendly shepherd, before making a home in an isolated cave.
The two boys experience new ways of living: the freer Bonder lifestyle, lived under the constant threat of a raid by the authorities, is sharply contrasted with their old strictly-regulated life in the city.
Living alone is even harder: they must survive illness and injury, find food for the winter, and make every item they use. But they have music to get them through it, music that even seems to be able to cure the pervasive Gray Sickness. If music can do so much good, Tallie and Jonis wonder, can it really be as evil as the Governors say?
Featured on All Our Worlds!
I loved the worldbuilding and descriptions, especially the descriptions of daily life in their cave home. Tallie is an artist and Jonis is an inventor, so together they manage to make a good home out of plants, river clay, and what they brought with them when they ran away.
But some of the conversations were very awkward. A lot of things were spelled out in dialogue when they didn't really need to be, or the wording felt really clumsy. Some of that is clearly down to the fact that the characters are stumbling to explain concepts they have no words for, but some exchanges still felt odd.
I also found it a little strange that the Founders would ban music and touching, but not other forms of art or romantic place names like “Cascadia"
But asides from that, the storytelling was very good. Everybody that Tallie and Jonis met was important in some way to their journey, and the skills they learned helped them later on. Learning to leave behind the rules their society ingrained in them was difficult at times, making their rebellion all the more powerful.
While sometimes over-the-top, Tapestry is a beautiful story about the power of music to change the world
April 23, 2013
good book and concept. a bit choppy at times but an entertaining read nonetheless.
September 19, 2013
This just didn't work at all, the concept is good and the writing is fluent, but the timeline both before and during the story ruins it, it's way too short for this to even begin to feel plausible
July 3, 2017
Fun read with a happy ending.
April 16, 2020
A few notes that I'll turn into a review later:
-3.5 stars.
-Prologue was unnecessary and the information should've been worked into the story.
-Difficult to get invested in - took a few chapters.
-The dialogue was a bit stilted to begin with, but that may have been on purpose.
-Characters were fun enough and the romance was sweet.
-It gets weirdly religious - in a sort of hippie, one-with-nature sort of way - not a criticism, just wasn't expecting it.
-The way music is described felt literally magical which sort of goes against the point of the book.
-Ending felt a bit rushed.
-3.5 stars.
-Prologue was unnecessary and the information should've been worked into the story.
-Difficult to get invested in - took a few chapters.
-The dialogue was a bit stilted to begin with, but that may have been on purpose.
-Characters were fun enough and the romance was sweet.
-It gets weirdly religious - in a sort of hippie, one-with-nature sort of way - not a criticism, just wasn't expecting it.
-The way music is described felt literally magical which sort of goes against the point of the book.
-Ending felt a bit rushed.
October 15, 2013
Let me get straight to the point, I was hesitant to pick up this book because of the low rating (<3.5). After reading the book, I definitely think that it deserve more than that! If you are more of a contemporary m/m reader, you might not like this book, BUT if you are an avid fantasy/sci fiction reader, you will be more likely to like or even love this book.
Want to read
October 15, 2013Jonis and Tallie. I think I'm going to enjoy reading their adventure. And so, I'm really looking forward to have a nice uninterrupted time to read this book from cover to cover on one go. This book deserves that kind of attention. I want that kind of experience. Sadly, that time may only happen during christmas holiday. Sigh.
April 3, 2013
Like a 2.5. This took a really strange twist and not in a good way.
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August 19, 2013Harmony Ink Tweetaway freebie 19.8.13
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