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All that Glitters
Running from a nightmare…falling into the arms of a monster…
Kynan Pritchard has come to Paris to start a new life, one free from the gruesome nightmares—and the accusations of insanity—that have plagued him from childhood. He’s used to a hard-luck existence, but when a stranger comes to his aid, he thinks maybe that luck is changing. Aneirin is strong and brave, everything that Kynan wants to be. And Kynan falls for him. Hard.
But Kynan’s nightmares are about to become reality, and not even Aneirin can protect him from the monster who’s stalked him across the continent. The gwrach-y-rhibyn threatens everything—Kynan’s life, his sanity, even his love for Aneirin.
To defeat her, Kynan will have to risk becoming the very creature he hates.
Kynan Pritchard has come to Paris to start a new life, one free from the gruesome nightmares—and the accusations of insanity—that have plagued him from childhood. He’s used to a hard-luck existence, but when a stranger comes to his aid, he thinks maybe that luck is changing. Aneirin is strong and brave, everything that Kynan wants to be. And Kynan falls for him. Hard.
But Kynan’s nightmares are about to become reality, and not even Aneirin can protect him from the monster who’s stalked him across the continent. The gwrach-y-rhibyn threatens everything—Kynan’s life, his sanity, even his love for Aneirin.
To defeat her, Kynan will have to risk becoming the very creature he hates.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 20, 2010
This book gets 5 stars for cover art, and 2.5 stars for story.
I don't think I realized this before I read it, but this is a historical. I tend not to like historicals, and for some reason (not the fault of the author, but my own brain) I couldn't get past the idea that these men were perpetually in need of a bath and it was distracting.
It is also a vampire book, which I tend to love in mainstream fiction but has been a hit or miss subgenre in m/m for me (mostly miss.)
I understand what the author's purpose in this book was. Considering the length - around 60 pages, which in most genres would be considered a short story - this actually very well written and constructed. I think Kerry achieved her goal. She wrote the kind of story she set out to write; the tone was perfect. It just wasn't my kind of story. The characters didn't stand out for me and the story never really pulled me in.
Again, I don't think this was the fault of the writer, just that this story was not for me. I think a lot of people will really enjoy it.
**Note: Warning for those who prefer to avoid these things - this book is written in both first person as well as present tense.
I don't think I realized this before I read it, but this is a historical. I tend not to like historicals, and for some reason (not the fault of the author, but my own brain) I couldn't get past the idea that these men were perpetually in need of a bath and it was distracting.
It is also a vampire book, which I tend to love in mainstream fiction but has been a hit or miss subgenre in m/m for me (mostly miss.)
I understand what the author's purpose in this book was. Considering the length - around 60 pages, which in most genres would be considered a short story - this actually very well written and constructed. I think Kerry achieved her goal. She wrote the kind of story she set out to write; the tone was perfect. It just wasn't my kind of story. The characters didn't stand out for me and the story never really pulled me in.
Again, I don't think this was the fault of the writer, just that this story was not for me. I think a lot of people will really enjoy it.
**Note: Warning for those who prefer to avoid these things - this book is written in both first person as well as present tense.
July 5, 2009
Coming primarily from a horror background, I can tell you one thing: vampires are a hard sell to any market. The thinking behind that is that the subject has been done to death, pardon the expression, and unless there is some new take, publishers are pre-disposed not to like it before they’ve even read word one. I, on the other hand, have never really subscribed to that concept. I’ve seen authors take really interesting spins and breathe new life into an old, old literary staple, and so I tend to seek out vampire stories. So, when “All the Glitters” became available for review, I wasn’t hesitant in the least to read it and was actually looking forward to it.
Well, it turns out, it isn’t a vampire story at all. It is a gwrach-y-rhibyn story, the gwrach not really being a vampire, but rather a monstrous Welsh spirit more in the Banshee family. Not knowing much about this particular piece of folklore, I was even more intrigued and dove in.
We meet Kynan as he sits in a seedy Paris pub and is stabbed by those ruffians who have even less than he and who are more than willing to take what little he has left. Coming to his aid is an enigmatic stranger in the form of Aneirin, strong and apparently fearless as he tosses the roughs about as if they were rage dolls. Kynan is awed by him, and when he awakens later he find himself in Aneirin’s bed, his wounds having been dressed, he is not displeased at the thought of sharing the company of such an alluring man. The two become lovers, though they hardly know one another, and over the weeks a bond grows between them. But Kynan’s nightmares of a past horror haunt him, ultimately leading to confessions from Anerin and an encounter with the gwrach that threatens to destroy everything.
“All that Glitters” starts out on a promising note, with a distinctive, appealing rhythm, an easy, fluid style, and an atmospheric setting in the dark underbelly of the Parisian world. The author has a good eye for the details of the surroundings in which she has placed her protagonists and has created two distinctly different characters with a lot of appeal. Throw in an over-abundance of sex and you would think you have all the ingredients for as sure fire, darkly erotic romp.
For me, however, after the initial introduction of the character and the brief action scene, the Author’s choice of first-person point-of-view and the use of the present tense to tell the story began to unravel the intriguing set-up. Very quickly into the piece, we become embroiled in Kynan’s inner monologue and, unfortunately, the story and Kynan’s character suffer for it. Now, I actually am a fan of inner monologue in literature as it can often serve to draw the reader more fully into the story. In the case of this novella, so much of the story becomes Kynan pondering on how he feels and how Aneirin makes him feel and how he thinks Aneirin feels, the story becomes more tell than show, and a down-on-his-luck character quickly begins to overstay his welcome. The present tense doesn’t help this problem, keeping us embroiled in his inner turmoil to such a degree that instead of drawing us closer to empathy, we are pushed away as his initially appealing character becomes terribly effete.
A large portion of the story also relies on the non-communication of characters. Non-communication is a very tricky thing to pull off for any author. Do it right and it can build suspense and passion and an emotional connection, not only with the reader, but between the characters, as well. Let it go on just a little too long, and the readers will find themselves drawn out of the story. Initially, the author handles it well, but in time, the non-communication starts to wear thin and we wonder what it is – other than sex – that keeps these two people together. By the time I got to the revelations of what has brought both of these characters to their respective points in their lives, I found myself no longer able to sympathize with either of them.
I do think this author – and this piece – have great potential, and there are a number of turns of the word I found appealing and intriguing. Unfortunately, the basic premise of the piece is undercut by a structure and POV that actively works against the story. Kerry’s passion for these characters is clear, and I have no doubt that she has created a full world and background for each of them. I just wish I had seen more of it on the page.
Well, it turns out, it isn’t a vampire story at all. It is a gwrach-y-rhibyn story, the gwrach not really being a vampire, but rather a monstrous Welsh spirit more in the Banshee family. Not knowing much about this particular piece of folklore, I was even more intrigued and dove in.
We meet Kynan as he sits in a seedy Paris pub and is stabbed by those ruffians who have even less than he and who are more than willing to take what little he has left. Coming to his aid is an enigmatic stranger in the form of Aneirin, strong and apparently fearless as he tosses the roughs about as if they were rage dolls. Kynan is awed by him, and when he awakens later he find himself in Aneirin’s bed, his wounds having been dressed, he is not displeased at the thought of sharing the company of such an alluring man. The two become lovers, though they hardly know one another, and over the weeks a bond grows between them. But Kynan’s nightmares of a past horror haunt him, ultimately leading to confessions from Anerin and an encounter with the gwrach that threatens to destroy everything.
“All that Glitters” starts out on a promising note, with a distinctive, appealing rhythm, an easy, fluid style, and an atmospheric setting in the dark underbelly of the Parisian world. The author has a good eye for the details of the surroundings in which she has placed her protagonists and has created two distinctly different characters with a lot of appeal. Throw in an over-abundance of sex and you would think you have all the ingredients for as sure fire, darkly erotic romp.
For me, however, after the initial introduction of the character and the brief action scene, the Author’s choice of first-person point-of-view and the use of the present tense to tell the story began to unravel the intriguing set-up. Very quickly into the piece, we become embroiled in Kynan’s inner monologue and, unfortunately, the story and Kynan’s character suffer for it. Now, I actually am a fan of inner monologue in literature as it can often serve to draw the reader more fully into the story. In the case of this novella, so much of the story becomes Kynan pondering on how he feels and how Aneirin makes him feel and how he thinks Aneirin feels, the story becomes more tell than show, and a down-on-his-luck character quickly begins to overstay his welcome. The present tense doesn’t help this problem, keeping us embroiled in his inner turmoil to such a degree that instead of drawing us closer to empathy, we are pushed away as his initially appealing character becomes terribly effete.
A large portion of the story also relies on the non-communication of characters. Non-communication is a very tricky thing to pull off for any author. Do it right and it can build suspense and passion and an emotional connection, not only with the reader, but between the characters, as well. Let it go on just a little too long, and the readers will find themselves drawn out of the story. Initially, the author handles it well, but in time, the non-communication starts to wear thin and we wonder what it is – other than sex – that keeps these two people together. By the time I got to the revelations of what has brought both of these characters to their respective points in their lives, I found myself no longer able to sympathize with either of them.
I do think this author – and this piece – have great potential, and there are a number of turns of the word I found appealing and intriguing. Unfortunately, the basic premise of the piece is undercut by a structure and POV that actively works against the story. Kerry’s passion for these characters is clear, and I have no doubt that she has created a full world and background for each of them. I just wish I had seen more of it on the page.
July 26, 2009
I read a LOT of urban fantasy/romance, and vampires, like them or hate them, are pretty much a staple, along with werewolves, but strawberry's a common flavor too, doesn't mean I don't like eating a strawberry dipped in chocolate, like this book. I've followed Ms. Kerry's work for a while now, and every time I see something new from her, I eagerly grab it. Fact is, I have a hard time putting them down, to the point where I've missed many a bedtime telling myself "Just one more chapter". This was no exception. As always, the sex scenes made me long for more, no easy task given as I routinely read erotica. This had me dragging my girlfriend off for the night when I was done.
My only problem with Ms. Kerry's work? She needs to write faster. ;)
My only problem with Ms. Kerry's work? She needs to write faster. ;)
September 10, 2023
Paranormal Gay Erotica Romance with a small story intertwined. I would have wanted more story and less erotica.
July 28, 2011
I'm going to try my hardest to restrain myself from talking about the absolutely gorgeous cover on this. I could look at Mr Hunky foreground all day.
That being said this caught me off guard in a good way, and I wouldn't be completely against picking up a different book by this author, despite the fact that it had some nasty surprises waiting for me. Not the least of which were
1) This thing is short. And when I say short, do I mean SHORT. I got this for my kindle, but even doing some adjustment math, this thing can't be more than 50 pages long which is disappointing to say the least, because this was a story that I really had fun sinking into. Which leads me to . . .
2) This suffers from a lot of things that can plague short stories and novellas, namely poor character development and exploration of motives. Why is this guy so intent on saving a young man's life, especially one whom he's never met before? Especially one that's bleeding so profusely that later on, in light of some character revelations, brings forth a whole other host of uncomfortable questions.
And lastly 3) The tense. My god the tense. I hate passive tense. I wish I could smack every author who uses it with a copy of King's On Writing until they promised to see reason on the issue. It's a bad and lazy habit for writers to fall into in my opinion.
And yet despite all these handicaps this story was actually pretty intriguing. The first couple of lines caught my attention right off the bat and after that I found myself getting completely sucked in. I might not have had a huge connection to the characters due to how little page time is given to fleshing them out between sex scenes, but I did care enough to hang around and see where all this was going.
That being said this caught me off guard in a good way, and I wouldn't be completely against picking up a different book by this author, despite the fact that it had some nasty surprises waiting for me. Not the least of which were
1) This thing is short. And when I say short, do I mean SHORT. I got this for my kindle, but even doing some adjustment math, this thing can't be more than 50 pages long which is disappointing to say the least, because this was a story that I really had fun sinking into. Which leads me to . . .
2) This suffers from a lot of things that can plague short stories and novellas, namely poor character development and exploration of motives. Why is this guy so intent on saving a young man's life, especially one whom he's never met before? Especially one that's bleeding so profusely that later on, in light of some character revelations, brings forth a whole other host of uncomfortable questions.
And lastly 3) The tense. My god the tense. I hate passive tense. I wish I could smack every author who uses it with a copy of King's On Writing until they promised to see reason on the issue. It's a bad and lazy habit for writers to fall into in my opinion.
And yet despite all these handicaps this story was actually pretty intriguing. The first couple of lines caught my attention right off the bat and after that I found myself getting completely sucked in. I might not have had a huge connection to the characters due to how little page time is given to fleshing them out between sex scenes, but I did care enough to hang around and see where all this was going.
March 10, 2011
This lyrical tale weaves a different kind of vampire telling with a slow building romance. The horror is real and Kynan lives it nightly in his dreams. He finds welcoming respite in Aneirin's arms and together they comfort and soothe pains of the past. Though both have come from different lands, their experiences are similar - both have lived through a tragic horror that still scars and haunts.
Kynan says from the start that twice Aneirin saved him before Aneirin killed him. From a seedy pub to a seedy room, Kynan's world gradually narrows during his recovery and in the increasing reality of his nightmares. The monster of his childhood, the monster that slaughtered his family before his eyes has hunted him down, found him at last. Aneirin thwarts the gwrach's attack; his rage is palatable and he is able to overpower the gwrach. For a brief moment after, Kynan is frightened of the man he has come to love.
Doing what he has always done, Kynan runs. He runs from the gwrach, sure she will come again; he runs from Aneirin, unable to accept what he is; he runs from himself, for being a coward, for abandoning Aneirin no matter how he feels. Kynan's past and his present catch up to one another and his future decided on its outcome.
All that Glitters is a tale most worthy, a short story wonder and not your typical vampire story. The blossoming friendship into love between Kynan and Aneirin to the nightmarish horror visited upon them leaves the reader spellbound, turning page after page in anticipation for what happens next.
Kynan says from the start that twice Aneirin saved him before Aneirin killed him. From a seedy pub to a seedy room, Kynan's world gradually narrows during his recovery and in the increasing reality of his nightmares. The monster of his childhood, the monster that slaughtered his family before his eyes has hunted him down, found him at last. Aneirin thwarts the gwrach's attack; his rage is palatable and he is able to overpower the gwrach. For a brief moment after, Kynan is frightened of the man he has come to love.
Doing what he has always done, Kynan runs. He runs from the gwrach, sure she will come again; he runs from Aneirin, unable to accept what he is; he runs from himself, for being a coward, for abandoning Aneirin no matter how he feels. Kynan's past and his present catch up to one another and his future decided on its outcome.
All that Glitters is a tale most worthy, a short story wonder and not your typical vampire story. The blossoming friendship into love between Kynan and Aneirin to the nightmarish horror visited upon them leaves the reader spellbound, turning page after page in anticipation for what happens next.
April 16, 2012
It's more 2.5 stars, but there is no such option ;-)
I had some time drinking my afternoon coffee, so I've grabbed this one and read it, cover-to-cover. Wouldn't call it a novel though, more a short story. Never the less, I liked the story enough. I'm (almost) always eager to read a good fantasy book, but this one was more an idea or a skeleton of a novel, then an actual novel. Would love to read the "full" version of this book ;-)
I didn't like the peeping hole perspective of the narrator, nor the lack of details. And the story has been told to many times now, so this one never brought anything new...
Bottom line, if you do like light reading, and have an hour or so, grab this one, because it is enjoyable ;-)
I had some time drinking my afternoon coffee, so I've grabbed this one and read it, cover-to-cover. Wouldn't call it a novel though, more a short story. Never the less, I liked the story enough. I'm (almost) always eager to read a good fantasy book, but this one was more an idea or a skeleton of a novel, then an actual novel. Would love to read the "full" version of this book ;-)
I didn't like the peeping hole perspective of the narrator, nor the lack of details. And the story has been told to many times now, so this one never brought anything new...
Bottom line, if you do like light reading, and have an hour or so, grab this one, because it is enjoyable ;-)
April 18, 2011
I think this would've rated much higher if it wasn't so short. Its really a short story, not a novel, so it suffers from some typical short story issues; not as well developed story, not enough background, little character development, rushed plot, etc. In the end, it's a pleasant, short read but only as long as you know what you're in for.
The overall story is pretty interesting and solid and the two main characters are pretty well thought out and fun to read about. It makes me wish that it was a full length novel.
The overall story is pretty interesting and solid and the two main characters are pretty well thought out and fun to read about. It makes me wish that it was a full length novel.
April 9, 2013
An enjoyable read, marred by the fact that I read Kerry's "In the Shadow of the Sun" right before this one. They are essentially the same story with a different setting and POV.
If you haven't read In the Shadow of the Sun, then this won't seem as unoriginal. I do wish we'd gotten a bit more about the characters, but as a short erotic romance, it kind of works. I also caught a few typos/editing errors, but not enough to distract me from the story.
If you haven't read In the Shadow of the Sun, then this won't seem as unoriginal. I do wish we'd gotten a bit more about the characters, but as a short erotic romance, it kind of works. I also caught a few typos/editing errors, but not enough to distract me from the story.
September 12, 2010
I had to give this a four. The writing was well done for first person. I felt it was slightly rushed there at the end but it a short but still very vivid.
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