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Pindone Files #4-5
Unsettled Conditions
The horrific events in 'Cold Front' leave Dek and Ren damaged and estranged, but they can't walk away from the past or each other. Unknown forces take an unseemly interest in them, and they must turn to some unlikely allies for help.
ebook
First published January 1, 2006
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About the author
Ann Somerville
52 books279 followersAnn Somerville grew up in one of Australia’s prettiest small cities. In 1989, she left Australia with a BA and a burning ambition to see more of the world and its people, and to discover this ‘culture’ thing people kept telling her about. In 2006, she returned home to Southeast Queensland with two more degrees (this time in science and IT), an English husband and a staggering case of homesickness, vowing never to leave Australia again.
Her long, plot-driven fiction featuring gay and bisexual characters has been published by Samhain Publishing and elsewhere.
Her long, plot-driven fiction featuring gay and bisexual characters has been published by Samhain Publishing and elsewhere.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 29, 2012
I find Ren and Dek captivating. This was a great followup to the first book; no quick fixes here. I didn't like it as much as book one though, because that was a classic whodunnit (or rather, who-is-doing-it), and this is instead about a shadowy cabal of evil. The general and non-specific will always be less gripping than the personal.
Great world-building and characterization as always.
Great world-building and characterization as always.
November 30, 2013
Another author would have left things as they were at the end of the Cold Front, but, apparently not Ann Somerville. Bravo!
For those who loved Ren and Dek, this will not be an easy book to read, but it wasn't intended to be. It deals with the aftermath of Ren's kidnapping, which influences his entire life: his relationship with Dek, his profession, his talent, their friends... It was painful to read some of the events in this book, but also a pleasure: how, beneath the hurt, Ren remained a wonderful person and great cop he always was, how Dek didn't let Ren to be a jerk and protected (or tried to protect) himself, how their friends reacted to their situation, etc. We are also introduced to the new group of characters whose belief system gives a reader the new perspective on talents, their role and interaction with the society.
There is a thing in m/m fiction that was often a sore point for me: use of BDSM as therapy. BDSM is NOT a substitute for therapy. Like another of my favorite authors said: It can be therapeutic but it can't replace help provided by professionals, by friends and family. And that is one of the things Ms. Somerville (again) gets right. By introducing us to the Weadenisis, Ms. Somerville drives another point home: there is no perfect belief system or society and you can only make the best of them. Although, I have to say, my heart broke a little for Teji and Mori (even if Mori IS a huge ass XD).
This is a fascinating world Ann Somerville gave to us and I can only hope she will write more stories about it. There are several additional (and equally fascinating) stories set in this world available on her site. I especially recommend A Peace Within, set a little over a century before the events in the Cold Front.
Edited after second reading - Novembar, 2013
Some of the readers had a hard time reading this book, but I think it is brilliant when the authors don't ignore the reality of their characters. The reality is that Ren suffered a trauma that has certain consequences that are hard to read. Like Cold Front, the book passed the rereading test beautifully - only this time I knew the outcome and could enjoy the writing and the characters more. I would like to see men a few years down the road, but I'm happy where the author left them. This is a fascinating world Somerville created and I will have to reread all of it again. :)
For those who loved Ren and Dek, this will not be an easy book to read, but it wasn't intended to be. It deals with the aftermath of Ren's kidnapping, which influences his entire life: his relationship with Dek, his profession, his talent, their friends... It was painful to read some of the events in this book, but also a pleasure: how, beneath the hurt, Ren remained a wonderful person and great cop he always was, how Dek didn't let Ren to be a jerk and protected (or tried to protect) himself, how their friends reacted to their situation, etc. We are also introduced to the new group of characters whose belief system gives a reader the new perspective on talents, their role and interaction with the society.
There is a thing in m/m fiction that was often a sore point for me: use of BDSM as therapy. BDSM is NOT a substitute for therapy. Like another of my favorite authors said: It can be therapeutic but it can't replace help provided by professionals, by friends and family. And that is one of the things Ms. Somerville (again) gets right. By introducing us to the Weadenisis, Ms. Somerville drives another point home: there is no perfect belief system or society and you can only make the best of them. Although, I have to say, my heart broke a little for Teji and Mori (even if Mori IS a huge ass XD).
This is a fascinating world Ann Somerville gave to us and I can only hope she will write more stories about it. There are several additional (and equally fascinating) stories set in this world available on her site. I especially recommend A Peace Within, set a little over a century before the events in the Cold Front.
Edited after second reading - Novembar, 2013
Some of the readers had a hard time reading this book, but I think it is brilliant when the authors don't ignore the reality of their characters. The reality is that Ren suffered a trauma that has certain consequences that are hard to read. Like Cold Front, the book passed the rereading test beautifully - only this time I knew the outcome and could enjoy the writing and the characters more. I would like to see men a few years down the road, but I'm happy where the author left them. This is a fascinating world Somerville created and I will have to reread all of it again. :)
March 8, 2017
so bloody awesome
April 21, 2014
Rating: 2.5
I kind of wished I never read this sequel to Cold Front. What I didn't like:
1) No more Ren narration - while Cold Front was narrated by both Dek and Ren, Unsettled Condition is narrated by Dek and a new character. A new character that I cared nothing for, since he had the maturity of a ten year old and is in a relationship with another person whom I cared for even LESS. A good 1/3 to 1/2 of the book was taken up by said character's narration. I'll be honest: about a third of the way through the book, I just started skimming/skipping the portion told by this character unless it involves Ren or Dek. I felt like this switch in narration took the spotlight away from Ren and Dek.
2) The plot. In order to not ruin or spoil anything, let us just say that the plot in this story did not feel as intense as the serial murders in Cold Front. It just lacked that pressing sense of urgency that had me on the edge of my chair in the first book.
3) Ren. I really liked the guy in Cold Front. But then he became a lippy asshole in this book, and that is even in consideration of what happened to him in the first book. I felt like every problem between him and Dek was all pretty much Ren's fault. That feeling doesn't change until the end.
So what was good? Well, once I skipped the narration involving the new character, I was still able to enjoy the interaction between Dek and Ren. And I was also able to enjoy the cast of secondary characters that I grew close to in Cold Front. I was even happy with how the story concludes. So overall, it wasn't ALL horrible.
I kind of wished I never read this sequel to Cold Front. What I didn't like:
1) No more Ren narration - while Cold Front was narrated by both Dek and Ren, Unsettled Condition is narrated by Dek and a new character. A new character that I cared nothing for, since he had the maturity of a ten year old and is in a relationship with another person whom I cared for even LESS. A good 1/3 to 1/2 of the book was taken up by said character's narration. I'll be honest: about a third of the way through the book, I just started skimming/skipping the portion told by this character unless it involves Ren or Dek. I felt like this switch in narration took the spotlight away from Ren and Dek.
2) The plot. In order to not ruin or spoil anything, let us just say that the plot in this story did not feel as intense as the serial murders in Cold Front. It just lacked that pressing sense of urgency that had me on the edge of my chair in the first book.
3) Ren. I really liked the guy in Cold Front. But then he became a lippy asshole in this book, and that is even in consideration of what happened to him in the first book. I felt like every problem between him and Dek was all pretty much Ren's fault. That feeling doesn't change until the end.
So what was good? Well, once I skipped the narration involving the new character, I was still able to enjoy the interaction between Dek and Ren. And I was also able to enjoy the cast of secondary characters that I grew close to in Cold Front. I was even happy with how the story concludes. So overall, it wasn't ALL horrible.
Read
August 6, 2015It was going pretty great.
And then Dek happened.
Dear god, Dek.
This is what I wrote as I read:
Dek annoys me greatly? He professes to be available to Ren when he wants support, professes to understand, but really, his actions and reactions just show how little he DOES understand? Like, he wants to be available to Ren, but only the way he wants to be available, not the way Ren wants. And this whole taking-the-thing-with-his-sister-in-law personally thing... Like, it just infuriates me because it smacks of "I know you went through an ordeal and now have PTSD, but get over it," like shit, son, you think Ren wants to be triggered? Fuckity fuck, calm you pretentious ass down, you goddamn nipple wank.
I get that these two have Feelings for each other, and are also end-game, but I just feel like Teji is also so much better for Ren, everything else notwithstanding. It's one of those things where, as a normal, Dek really can't understand a lot of Ren's experiences. Like, I hate to be the one to naysay what is pretty clearly endgame, but it just feels like one of those things, like how I feel like I could never be together romantically with a white boy. Like, my white guy friends who I've generally been able to converse with and seem rather open-minded, we'll get to a point where there's clearly a disconnect in understanding, and it's due to differing experiences ascribable partly to race and gender.
I dunno, I mean, the whole thing with Teji is also unideal, but just...Dek is suuuuch a pompous, condescending bastard, and yes, it's not entirely his fault he's so unaware, but just. Goddamn it, it's annoying af for me.
I came to this realization/conclustion at...hm, like 45%-ish in? So the rest of it was rather awkward for me bc I was totally rooting for Teji.
I am at 78%, and I despise Dek. I don't care if his position of privilege means he never experiences that kind of prejudice, he is a condescending, elitist bastard full of his own superiority. Oh my god, he is such a white boy. I cannot even. "Let's get the hell out of here. He's making me ill"???? Oh my god, this fucknut. This absolute bleeding goat-sucker. This inexorable, execrable white man of a person. Oh my god, I cannot even-- How dare you make me read this with my own two eyes.
Here is some context for that line:
The only one actually making anyone ill, is Dek @ me.
I don't resent that he's written, I resent the fuck out of the fact that no one criticizes his shitty behavior, tacitly condones it, and that he's goddamn endgame. I mean, even with I still root for Teji over Dek.
THANK BABY JESUS, THANK GOD FOR NOLI. HELL YES, YOU FUCKING CALL THIS FUCKBOI ON HIS SHIT.
Amazing how shitty behavior can make his name seem like an expletive to me now. Dek. Just sounds like something spitting with disgust, as it should be. Dek.
79% percent, and I'm reflexively/defensively wrinkling my nose whenever I see Dek on the page. Dear lord, the last 21% is NOT going to be fun...
3-stars overall, -5 stars for Dek. Way to bring down the average, Dek. Seriously. Because of Dek, I just couldn't on the whole last section. I was gagging, and NOT in a good way.
The whole thing with Mori. It's not believable.
*
...yeah, I can't rate this. I basically couldn't read the entire end of this because Dek-the-blech was there, everywhere, all up in my face, and I really wanted him as far away from me as possible. Like, I'm so viscerally disgusted with Dek that I can't even begin to make myself think "sure, he may be shitty, but he's good for Ren." Because the parts that make me screw my face up in disgust outweigh good? There's like a hint of something and I start relaxing but then some stupid fuckboi shit comes out of his mouth and I'm just sitting here like "oh my fucking god, get over yourself, you bleeding walnut. You are NOT god's gift upon this earth, and your opinion is just that - not fact - and it is not the end-all, be-all of this world. Dek-the-blech can go shove a whole coconut tree up his self-important ass.
And then Dek happened.
Dear god, Dek.
This is what I wrote as I read:
Dek annoys me greatly? He professes to be available to Ren when he wants support, professes to understand, but really, his actions and reactions just show how little he DOES understand? Like, he wants to be available to Ren, but only the way he wants to be available, not the way Ren wants. And this whole taking-the-thing-with-his-sister-in-law personally thing... Like, it just infuriates me because it smacks of "I know you went through an ordeal and now have PTSD, but get over it," like shit, son, you think Ren wants to be triggered? Fuckity fuck, calm you pretentious ass down, you goddamn nipple wank.
I get that these two have Feelings for each other, and are also end-game, but I just feel like Teji is also so much better for Ren, everything else notwithstanding. It's one of those things where, as a normal, Dek really can't understand a lot of Ren's experiences. Like, I hate to be the one to naysay what is pretty clearly endgame, but it just feels like one of those things, like how I feel like I could never be together romantically with a white boy. Like, my white guy friends who I've generally been able to converse with and seem rather open-minded, we'll get to a point where there's clearly a disconnect in understanding, and it's due to differing experiences ascribable partly to race and gender.
I dunno, I mean, the whole thing with Teji is also unideal, but just...Dek is suuuuch a pompous, condescending bastard, and yes, it's not entirely his fault he's so unaware, but just. Goddamn it, it's annoying af for me.
I came to this realization/conclustion at...hm, like 45%-ish in? So the rest of it was rather awkward for me bc I was totally rooting for Teji.
I am at 78%, and I despise Dek. I don't care if his position of privilege means he never experiences that kind of prejudice, he is a condescending, elitist bastard full of his own superiority. Oh my god, he is such a white boy. I cannot even. "Let's get the hell out of here. He's making me ill"???? Oh my god, this fucknut. This absolute bleeding goat-sucker. This inexorable, execrable white man of a person. Oh my god, I cannot even-- How dare you make me read this with my own two eyes.
Here is some context for that line:
The only one actually making anyone ill, is Dek @ me.
I don't resent that he's written, I resent the fuck out of the fact that no one criticizes his shitty behavior, tacitly condones it, and that he's goddamn endgame. I mean, even with I still root for Teji over Dek.
THANK BABY JESUS, THANK GOD FOR NOLI. HELL YES, YOU FUCKING CALL THIS FUCKBOI ON HIS SHIT.
Amazing how shitty behavior can make his name seem like an expletive to me now. Dek. Just sounds like something spitting with disgust, as it should be. Dek.
79% percent, and I'm reflexively/defensively wrinkling my nose whenever I see Dek on the page. Dear lord, the last 21% is NOT going to be fun...
3-stars overall, -5 stars for Dek. Way to bring down the average, Dek. Seriously. Because of Dek, I just couldn't on the whole last section. I was gagging, and NOT in a good way.
The whole thing with Mori. It's not believable.
*
...yeah, I can't rate this. I basically couldn't read the entire end of this because Dek-the-blech was there, everywhere, all up in my face, and I really wanted him as far away from me as possible. Like, I'm so viscerally disgusted with Dek that I can't even begin to make myself think "sure, he may be shitty, but he's good for Ren." Because the parts that make me screw my face up in disgust outweigh good? There's like a hint of something and I start relaxing but then some stupid fuckboi shit comes out of his mouth and I'm just sitting here like "oh my fucking god, get over yourself, you bleeding walnut. You are NOT god's gift upon this earth, and your opinion is just that - not fact - and it is not the end-all, be-all of this world. Dek-the-blech can go shove a whole coconut tree up his self-important ass.
March 20, 2011
Found it's too focused on new couple while story about Dek and Ren still aren't finish (for me it's still aren't finish even after UC ended but it's just me crazy for an extremely happy end;) ). The world weren't strong created as in Kei series and I was a bit confusing. Wish Ren too took part in narrated his stories, about how he felt. Anyway I hope there will be more about them.
June 17, 2016
Serious wtf moment when I started this, but it worked, great plot interesting twists & love the dynamic between ren & Del
February 18, 2012
OMG! I loved this! But on the other hand I hated how Ren and Dek were estranged. I loved them as a couple in "Cold Frot", so the way their relationship had deteriorated had my skin crawling. Anyway, no matter how much it rubbed me the wrong way, I could see how likely it was when two strong and determined personalities clash like Ren and Dek obviously did.
The love/hate I have for this story makes me give this story 4.5 stars. I would have given it 5 stars, but because I really really didn't like their relationship makes me retract half a star. Just can't help it. All of this is my personal opinion and it should definitely not discourage others from reading this, because it's a wonderful but depressing story, but a great way of ending this story.
Applause for another impeccable story by Ann Somerville, one of my favorite authors!
The love/hate I have for this story makes me give this story 4.5 stars. I would have given it 5 stars, but because I really really didn't like their relationship makes me retract half a star. Just can't help it. All of this is my personal opinion and it should definitely not discourage others from reading this, because it's a wonderful but depressing story, but a great way of ending this story.
Applause for another impeccable story by Ann Somerville, one of my favorite authors!
August 15, 2013
I still love Ren and Dek but it was hard to see them so far apart following Ren's return and harder still to really understand the reason for it until almost the end of the book.
I didn't enjoy this story as much, I think because I'm not a fan of "shadow" organizations. I like my villains front and center :)
And the torture was another rough patch to deal with. Even though not TOO many details we written outright.
A happy ending... I just hope its an ever after ending also.
I didn't enjoy this story as much, I think because I'm not a fan of "shadow" organizations. I like my villains front and center :)
And the torture was another rough patch to deal with. Even though not TOO many details we written outright.
A happy ending... I just hope its an ever after ending also.
November 4, 2021
Usually, sequels follow a set format, but not in the case of the Pindone Files. The 1st person POV of Cold Front is replaced with 3rd person here. And the two POVs aren't even the same two characters. We continue to get Dek's POV, just in 3rd person, but the other character is entirely new. Ren's POV isn't shown here, but it works because Ren is the center of both storylines.
Even the structure of this book is different. There are only five chapters in Unsettled Conditions, but they are extremely long. There's probably some obscure literary reason for this format, but since I'm not very literary, it escapes me. Perhaps it's meant to be... unsettling? Or maybe it's because the two books were published five years apart. Then there are those covers. Ren goes from being gorgeous (and worthy of a "wowza cover" mention) to cartoonish. All because of a horrible haircut?
And I STILL haven't gotten to the story...
A hallmark of Ann Somerville's writing (at least in the Pindone Files) is introducing only bits and pieces of plot points, relationships, and such. For example, Ren sabotaged Dek's chances of working for Elite. Why? How? You keep reading, hoping for answers. Usually, you get them.
Somerville fills the stage with interesting characters. Dek, Ren, and Hadin all return. We even get a chapter of Dek interacting with his sons, his brother, and sister-in-law. She also introduces two new characters, Teji and Mori, and their relationship as "oath-brothers" from a different country.
The plot here isn't a straightforward (and extremely gruesome) murder case, but rather trying to find the remaining bad seeds in Elite. At least I think that's what it's about. Apparently, I missed some key moments in the investigation, so I'll likely be re-reading this book soon.
What I found particularly interesting was the contrast between how paranormals are treated in Pindone vs. Weadenal, and their different religions. (Of course, Pindone has several religions within its borders, but the Weadenisi religion is a completely different animal.) For the Weadenisi paranormals (who hide from the government), Ren is revered for his dual capabilities (empath and, to a lesser degree telekenisis). When this topic was first introduced, I thought it would lead to a significant change for Ren. But Ren thought of himself as a regular human (albeit the only person alive with two talents). The way Somerville treated the diversity was impressive. She never lauded one religion over the other, nor did the characters' differences enter into the investigation. We could all benefit from such tolerance.
What I didn't like: Somerville's writing remains excellent, but the editing? Not so much. Or it could be that the structure of some sentences were so convoluted I never did figure them out. Nor did I care for the ending. Our main characters ended up having their issues resolved, but I wish there'd been more for Dek. The new characters, Teji and Mori, sort of ended up in their same place, but I do believe there was some growth on Mori's part, just not as much as Teji would have wished for.
Even the structure of this book is different. There are only five chapters in Unsettled Conditions, but they are extremely long. There's probably some obscure literary reason for this format, but since I'm not very literary, it escapes me. Perhaps it's meant to be... unsettling? Or maybe it's because the two books were published five years apart. Then there are those covers. Ren goes from being gorgeous (and worthy of a "wowza cover" mention) to cartoonish. All because of a horrible haircut?
And I STILL haven't gotten to the story...
A hallmark of Ann Somerville's writing (at least in the Pindone Files) is introducing only bits and pieces of plot points, relationships, and such. For example, Ren sabotaged Dek's chances of working for Elite. Why? How? You keep reading, hoping for answers. Usually, you get them.
Somerville fills the stage with interesting characters. Dek, Ren, and Hadin all return. We even get a chapter of Dek interacting with his sons, his brother, and sister-in-law. She also introduces two new characters, Teji and Mori, and their relationship as "oath-brothers" from a different country.
The plot here isn't a straightforward (and extremely gruesome) murder case, but rather trying to find the remaining bad seeds in Elite. At least I think that's what it's about. Apparently, I missed some key moments in the investigation, so I'll likely be re-reading this book soon.
What I found particularly interesting was the contrast between how paranormals are treated in Pindone vs. Weadenal, and their different religions. (Of course, Pindone has several religions within its borders, but the Weadenisi religion is a completely different animal.) For the Weadenisi paranormals (who hide from the government), Ren is revered for his dual capabilities (empath and, to a lesser degree telekenisis). When this topic was first introduced, I thought it would lead to a significant change for Ren. But Ren thought of himself as a regular human (albeit the only person alive with two talents). The way Somerville treated the diversity was impressive. She never lauded one religion over the other, nor did the characters' differences enter into the investigation. We could all benefit from such tolerance.
What I didn't like: Somerville's writing remains excellent, but the editing? Not so much. Or it could be that the structure of some sentences were so convoluted I never did figure them out. Nor did I care for the ending. Our main characters ended up having their issues resolved, but I wish there'd been more for Dek. The new characters, Teji and Mori, sort of ended up in their same place, but I do believe there was some growth on Mori's part, just not as much as Teji would have wished for.
August 2, 2022
GAH!! That first story made me mad and sad. I hate when a couple is in an ok place at the end of book 1 but then are horribly broken up at the start of book 2. I almost dnf'd at that point, but I'm really glad I didn't. These characters are rich and complex; I loved seeing both Ren and Dek heal from the trauma of the last book. The ending took a lot of growth to achieve but I was oh so happy how it worked out. I wasn't sure if they would get there but I'm very glad they did.
Teji - I wasn't sure of him at first but really got to like him and really felt for him and his situation. I didn't like Mori, and in the end that didn't change at all. There is still sadistic disciples of Jiffir out to ruin people and others who are determined to thwart them.
Teji - I wasn't sure of him at first but really got to like him and really felt for him and his situation. I didn't like Mori, and in the end that didn't change at all. There is still sadistic disciples of Jiffir out to ruin people and others who are determined to thwart them.
August 13, 2017
Perfect conclusion to the series. Loved it.
June 11, 2016
What a wonderful series. There is so much to appreciate.
I loved the side characters. The world building was mostly done in the previous book. The plot in this one was interesting and linked two love stories together beautifully.
The last Scene was probably the best I've ever read from a Dom's POV. The motivation, care and the way it panned out may not suit the expectations and preconceptions of the average mm reader, but I thought it was fabulous.
This is one of the best sequels, I have come across. Another couple are brought in and the two interacting relationships are balanced beautifully.
The story is gruesome in part and no punches are pulled. But this is never gratuitous and is needed to build the tension.
Definitely recommended, possibly even more so than the better known Darshinian series.
I loved the side characters. The world building was mostly done in the previous book. The plot in this one was interesting and linked two love stories together beautifully.
The last Scene was probably the best I've ever read from a Dom's POV. The motivation, care and the way it panned out may not suit the expectations and preconceptions of the average mm reader, but I thought it was fabulous.
This is one of the best sequels, I have come across. Another couple are brought in and the two interacting relationships are balanced beautifully.
The story is gruesome in part and no punches are pulled. But this is never gratuitous and is needed to build the tension.
Definitely recommended, possibly even more so than the better known Darshinian series.
July 23, 2015
Ann Somerville has a couple of consistent weaknesses in plot and character development, but her world building is top notch and her stories are solid- she misses very little. This is a very complex plot running over several books, but it all pulls together beautifully and doesn't leave gaps or holes. Dek and Ren are interesting and sexy and definitely worth reading about, but the story stands separate from the romance as well, which is something few m/m authors accomplish.
October 1, 2021
Hm. The parts w dek and ren were good, the rest, not so much. Not until the last few chapters anyway. To messy. But still, 3,5-3,75
Want to read
May 2, 2013$3.99 on Nook
May 14, 2015
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews