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Sorrows of Adoration
The barmaid Aenna overhears a plot to kill the heir to the throne and decides to leave her life behind to warn him. Aenna and the Prince fall in love, but this is not a fairy tale romance. Endless problems threaten to destroy the couple, including the love that grows between Aenna and her Champion, the Prince’s cousin.
- GenresFantasy
427 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2003
27 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Chapman
3 books30 followersNEW RELEASE: Finding Gaia http://findinggaia.com
I'm very, very odd.
Here are a few other labels that fit me: nerd, geek, crafter, knitter, cake decorator (award-winning, even!), terrible housekeeper, Canadian, Austinite, community volunteer, atheist, science-driven, happily married, and mom. My weird food experiments are at http://eat-the-evidence.com .
TV/Movie folks/things I like: Hugh Jackman, Anthony LaPaglia, Joss Whedon, Felicia Day, Peter Jackson, The Daily Show and Colbert Report, musicals, South Park, clever stand-up comedy, Masterpiece Classics and Mystery, superheroes, and did I mention Hugh Jackman? Oh yes...at least three times.
Books/Authors I dig: Guy Gavriel Kay, Tolkien, Pern (at least until AIVAS), Terry Pratchett, the Richard Sharpe series, anything with solid, believable characters in a loophole-free plot (unless, as in the Richard Sharpe books, they're literal loopholes for use in battle).
I'm very, very odd.
Here are a few other labels that fit me: nerd, geek, crafter, knitter, cake decorator (award-winning, even!), terrible housekeeper, Canadian, Austinite, community volunteer, atheist, science-driven, happily married, and mom. My weird food experiments are at http://eat-the-evidence.com .
TV/Movie folks/things I like: Hugh Jackman, Anthony LaPaglia, Joss Whedon, Felicia Day, Peter Jackson, The Daily Show and Colbert Report, musicals, South Park, clever stand-up comedy, Masterpiece Classics and Mystery, superheroes, and did I mention Hugh Jackman? Oh yes...at least three times.
Books/Authors I dig: Guy Gavriel Kay, Tolkien, Pern (at least until AIVAS), Terry Pratchett, the Richard Sharpe series, anything with solid, believable characters in a loophole-free plot (unless, as in the Richard Sharpe books, they're literal loopholes for use in battle).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 6, 2012
There are some books that seem to start off in entirely the wrong way, subjectively at least - books with story lines that just don’t appeal to you, or writing styles that seem to grate, or characters who are entirely unsympathetic when the plot really requires the reader to care about them.
Kimberly Chapman’s debut novel starts off in what, to me, was one of the worst ways possible - Chick Lit of the worst possible type, using literary cliches even Mills & Boon or Harlequin would hesitate to use.
In this case, its that old story - girl meets boy, girl and boy fall madly in love, boy turns out to be more than she expected, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back, girl loses boy, girl falls in love with boys best friend - you know how it goes.
But then you slowly realise, there is something… more to this book - there is a social awareness that is lacking in most fictional works, there is a deep love for the Fantasy genre, there is a feminist twist to the romantic cliches, with the main character, Aenna, being of sterner, more stoic stuff than the men around her.
Indeed, where in a traditional Romance novel the woman is entirely at the mercy of the men, relying on them for everything, Ms Chapman’s male characters are utterly helpless when Aenna is not around.
Then there is the way that Aenna is the only person who can bring about real change within the kingdom, at least in any meaningful way - Kurit and Jarik (the two male protagonists) are so blithely unaware of the lives of ordinary people and how their lives could be made better,
while Aenna knows all about the trials and tribulations of those in the lower orders, and has the influence to enact change.
By the time the reader is a quarter of the way through the book, it becomes obvious that, rather than being standard Chick Lit, this is something beyond that - with the reversal of roles and the attempt to begin bettering the lives of the citizens of the city, this is actually a pretty good read.
And then, after the chaste flirting and teasing between Aenna and Kurit, the book takes a bit of a turn.
Lets just say, in movie-making terms, that I thought Ms Chapman was going to do a fade-out, or possibly pan out through the window to a fountain in the garden, or possibly even show a shot of storm-driven surf on a distant rocky shore - but oh no, she had to go THERE!!
And again!
And again!
Repeatedly!
In great detail!!
Is it me, or is it hot in here?
Seriously, a couple of people in the canteen at work asked why I had gone a lovely shade of lobster - which of course only made it worse.
But yeah - I've read some seriously naff love scenes in books - the author managed to walk the fine line between loving and tender and romantic and OHMYFREAKIN'SWEETCTHULU!
So, to sum up - woah!!
I'm just glad I work on frozen foods - no long lasting embarrassing effects at -20C!!
Ahem!!
The story goes on, documenting the trials and tribulations of Aenna, the fall into madness and despair of Kurit, and the unrequited love of Jarik - plus the occasional scene the like of which would almost make Ron Jeremy blush.
Coming to a close, chivalry and sacrifice are two major themes which lead to a somewhat satisfying conclusion, with the only major drawback in the whole book for me coming with the reveal that Aenna is writing the story down for her son - I can’t think of any child that would want to know some of those details about their parents relationship.
So, to sum up - Ms Chapman has produced a respectable debut novel, especially once you get past the initial feeling that you’ve been suckered into reading something that normally you wouldn’t touch with a barge pole.
This book is long out of print, however there are occasional copies surface on Amazon or Ebay - they can be well worth looking at, as long as the sellers aren't trying to rip you off - one Amazon seller wanted 60USD for a copy!
Kimberly Chapman’s debut novel starts off in what, to me, was one of the worst ways possible - Chick Lit of the worst possible type, using literary cliches even Mills & Boon or Harlequin would hesitate to use.
In this case, its that old story - girl meets boy, girl and boy fall madly in love, boy turns out to be more than she expected, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back, girl loses boy, girl falls in love with boys best friend - you know how it goes.
But then you slowly realise, there is something… more to this book - there is a social awareness that is lacking in most fictional works, there is a deep love for the Fantasy genre, there is a feminist twist to the romantic cliches, with the main character, Aenna, being of sterner, more stoic stuff than the men around her.
Indeed, where in a traditional Romance novel the woman is entirely at the mercy of the men, relying on them for everything, Ms Chapman’s male characters are utterly helpless when Aenna is not around.
Then there is the way that Aenna is the only person who can bring about real change within the kingdom, at least in any meaningful way - Kurit and Jarik (the two male protagonists) are so blithely unaware of the lives of ordinary people and how their lives could be made better,
while Aenna knows all about the trials and tribulations of those in the lower orders, and has the influence to enact change.
By the time the reader is a quarter of the way through the book, it becomes obvious that, rather than being standard Chick Lit, this is something beyond that - with the reversal of roles and the attempt to begin bettering the lives of the citizens of the city, this is actually a pretty good read.
And then, after the chaste flirting and teasing between Aenna and Kurit, the book takes a bit of a turn.
Lets just say, in movie-making terms, that I thought Ms Chapman was going to do a fade-out, or possibly pan out through the window to a fountain in the garden, or possibly even show a shot of storm-driven surf on a distant rocky shore - but oh no, she had to go THERE!!
And again!
And again!
Repeatedly!
In great detail!!
Is it me, or is it hot in here?
Seriously, a couple of people in the canteen at work asked why I had gone a lovely shade of lobster - which of course only made it worse.
But yeah - I've read some seriously naff love scenes in books - the author managed to walk the fine line between loving and tender and romantic and OHMYFREAKIN'SWEETCTHULU!
So, to sum up - woah!!
I'm just glad I work on frozen foods - no long lasting embarrassing effects at -20C!!
Ahem!!
The story goes on, documenting the trials and tribulations of Aenna, the fall into madness and despair of Kurit, and the unrequited love of Jarik - plus the occasional scene the like of which would almost make Ron Jeremy blush.
Coming to a close, chivalry and sacrifice are two major themes which lead to a somewhat satisfying conclusion, with the only major drawback in the whole book for me coming with the reveal that Aenna is writing the story down for her son - I can’t think of any child that would want to know some of those details about their parents relationship.
So, to sum up - Ms Chapman has produced a respectable debut novel, especially once you get past the initial feeling that you’ve been suckered into reading something that normally you wouldn’t touch with a barge pole.
This book is long out of print, however there are occasional copies surface on Amazon or Ebay - they can be well worth looking at, as long as the sellers aren't trying to rip you off - one Amazon seller wanted 60USD for a copy!
November 22, 2012
This is not a book I would have picked up of my own volition, but since it was written by a friend and lent to me by another and I initially started reading it out of that "obligation" of friendship.
At 2:00 Wednesday morning, I finally decided I needed to get to bed. And then I spent all of Wednesday in a melancholy book funk because I was so smitten with the characters and the what will happen next. That night, I was up until the wee hours again to finish it.
Sorrows of Adoration starts out in, what I assume, is a typical romance novel manner. (I say "what I assume," because I don't read that stuff. The only romance novel I've ever read is the one I snuck from my sister's collection... the one about sexy aliens...). I didn't mind the overindulgence of lovicuddles and kisses and proclamations of love, partially because I am a closet romantic, but mostly because I knew, based on the title and the blurb, that this wasn't going to last.
Plus I know Kimberly Chapman. There is no way she was going to give me a squishy romance novel!
Soon enough, the Big Bad ThingTM happens, and the results of that event is where this book takes a dynamic twist that removes it from the ranks of silly romance, delving deep into the darkness of emotion and proving beyond doubt the phrase "you always hurt the ones you love." It even goes well beyond the feminist twist trope of a strong female who doesn't need a man to save her.
At 2:00 Wednesday morning, I finally decided I needed to get to bed. And then I spent all of Wednesday in a melancholy book funk because I was so smitten with the characters and the what will happen next. That night, I was up until the wee hours again to finish it.
Sorrows of Adoration starts out in, what I assume, is a typical romance novel manner. (I say "what I assume," because I don't read that stuff. The only romance novel I've ever read is the one I snuck from my sister's collection... the one about sexy aliens...). I didn't mind the overindulgence of lovicuddles and kisses and proclamations of love, partially because I am a closet romantic, but mostly because I knew, based on the title and the blurb, that this wasn't going to last.
Plus I know Kimberly Chapman. There is no way she was going to give me a squishy romance novel!
Soon enough, the Big Bad ThingTM happens, and the results of that event is where this book takes a dynamic twist that removes it from the ranks of silly romance, delving deep into the darkness of emotion and proving beyond doubt the phrase "you always hurt the ones you love." It even goes well beyond the feminist twist trope of a strong female who doesn't need a man to save her.
May 27, 2013
As with Chapman's more recently-written work, Finding Gaia, I found Sorrows of Adoration almost impossible to put down. The story is compelling, even if you're not much one for romance. The main character, Aenna, is incredible, somebody who you want to alternately hug, admire, or talk sense in to, but always want to be best friends with. It's wonderful to watch her grow in confidence and strength.
If you have a sensitive bone in your body, this book will likely make you cry. Fair warning. But it really is the best kind of crying, and only there because you fall in love with the characters so hard.
If you love good stories with plots, characters you can love, actions with consequences, strong women, and a healthy dose of romance, make sure you read this. It's free; you have no excuse to wait.
If you have a sensitive bone in your body, this book will likely make you cry. Fair warning. But it really is the best kind of crying, and only there because you fall in love with the characters so hard.
If you love good stories with plots, characters you can love, actions with consequences, strong women, and a healthy dose of romance, make sure you read this. It's free; you have no excuse to wait.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews