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Temptation and Denial
To be unwanted and unloved can cause such pain that our search for salvation can lead us to the most unlikely places - and into the arms of the strangest people.
What if such a quest found only an imaginary friend? Is the character of Sebastian in Temptation and Denial just an imaginary friend or something more - something supernatural?
In Tibetan Buddhism the Tulpa is a being envisioned by the imagination and which then becomes an entity capable of independent life, but what happens to such a being after he who imagined it dies?
Lord Byron once wrote that the mind can make substance and give breath to a form that can outlive all flesh. Was he right?
Temptation and Denial is a story of just such a journey. Set in the mountains and valleys of Georgian-era Wales, Temptation and Denial is a ghostly tale of an immortal love - a love that transcends physical death.
Following on from the cult success of his Grim Fairy Tales, Adam Nicke again explores the tortured Gothic world of Dark Romanticism.
What if such a quest found only an imaginary friend? Is the character of Sebastian in Temptation and Denial just an imaginary friend or something more - something supernatural?
In Tibetan Buddhism the Tulpa is a being envisioned by the imagination and which then becomes an entity capable of independent life, but what happens to such a being after he who imagined it dies?
Lord Byron once wrote that the mind can make substance and give breath to a form that can outlive all flesh. Was he right?
Temptation and Denial is a story of just such a journey. Set in the mountains and valleys of Georgian-era Wales, Temptation and Denial is a ghostly tale of an immortal love - a love that transcends physical death.
Following on from the cult success of his Grim Fairy Tales, Adam Nicke again explores the tortured Gothic world of Dark Romanticism.
214 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2018
18 people are currently reading
1167 people want to read
About the author
Adam Nicke
5 books71 followersAdam Nicke was born and raised in South Wales and has resided in the small border town of Chepstow since he was a teenager.
He graduated from the University of the West of England in 1995 with a BA (Hons) in Literary Studies, the same year the first edition of his Grim Fairy Tales was published.
Fate took a nasty turn in the following years until finally, in 2015, Adam Nicke collapsed with what was subsequently diagnosed as a tennis ball-sized brain tumour. Mary Shelley died of a brain tumour and new research has posited that Edgar Allan Poe may have died of one.
His Grim Fairy Tales is a collection of short stories, ten haunting tales of the ghostly, decadent, and supernatural. This is how the poet Paul Verlaine defined decadence after critics used the term disparagingly to describe the Symbolist school of writers:
His Temptation and Denial is set in the Georgian era and is a ghostly tale of immortal love, a love that transcends physical death; the character of Sebastian in this work is very much a Byronic Hero, inspired by Lord Macauley's description of such a protagonist:
His Mallard the Quack is an anarchic comedy set in an 18th-century quack doctors' practice in Wales and has topped Goodreads' list of anti-Trump books for over two years! Mallard the Quack plunges the reader into the world of fairground sideshows, resurrectionists, quack doctors, medieval superstitions … and haunted furniture!
His Immortal Seduction is a steamy, supernatural tale of love, lust, reincarnation, immortality, time slips back to the year 1891, and passionate encounters in the seemingly abandoned woodland apothecary shop of the immortal occultist Lucius d'Orléans. Suitable for broad-minded adults only.
Adam Nicke's Facebook author page and its two spinoff groups have over 650,000 followers. He is also a vegan.
He graduated from the University of the West of England in 1995 with a BA (Hons) in Literary Studies, the same year the first edition of his Grim Fairy Tales was published.
Fate took a nasty turn in the following years until finally, in 2015, Adam Nicke collapsed with what was subsequently diagnosed as a tennis ball-sized brain tumour. Mary Shelley died of a brain tumour and new research has posited that Edgar Allan Poe may have died of one.
His Grim Fairy Tales is a collection of short stories, ten haunting tales of the ghostly, decadent, and supernatural. This is how the poet Paul Verlaine defined decadence after critics used the term disparagingly to describe the Symbolist school of writers:
"I love this word decadence, all shimmering in purple and gold. It suggests the subtle thoughts of ultimate civilization, a high literary culture, a soul capable of intense pleasures. It throws off bursts of fire and the sparkle of precious stones. It is redolent of the rouge of courtesans, the games of the circus, the panting of the gladiators, the spring of wild beasts, the consuming in flames of races exhausted by their capacity for sensation, as the tramp of an invading army sounds". - Paul Verlaine
His Temptation and Denial is set in the Georgian era and is a ghostly tale of immortal love, a love that transcends physical death; the character of Sebastian in this work is very much a Byronic Hero, inspired by Lord Macauley's description of such a protagonist:
“… a man proud, moody, cynical, with defiance on his brow, and misery in his heart, a scorner of his kind, implacable in revenge, yet capable of deep and strong affection.”
His Mallard the Quack is an anarchic comedy set in an 18th-century quack doctors' practice in Wales and has topped Goodreads' list of anti-Trump books for over two years! Mallard the Quack plunges the reader into the world of fairground sideshows, resurrectionists, quack doctors, medieval superstitions … and haunted furniture!
His Immortal Seduction is a steamy, supernatural tale of love, lust, reincarnation, immortality, time slips back to the year 1891, and passionate encounters in the seemingly abandoned woodland apothecary shop of the immortal occultist Lucius d'Orléans. Suitable for broad-minded adults only.
Adam Nicke's Facebook author page and its two spinoff groups have over 650,000 followers. He is also a vegan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
June 27, 2021
Sometimes, it is so tough to slot a book in a particular category. It transcends not just genres but also styles. And at the end of it, you are left trying to sort out the myriad emotions generated by the story and make sense of it all. Temptation and Denial is one such book.
There are two sections in this book, each of them distinct and yet tied to one another.
I. Temptation:
Narrated in first person from the point of view of an unnamed protagonist, Temptation tells of this young man who is tormented by his passion for his schoolmate Lillian and tortured at home by his abusive father. Sebastian enters his life all of a sudden and becomes a friend-cum-advisor. Our protagonist decides to become a priest as that seems to be the only way out of all “temptations”. Sebastian soon puts him on the right track.
This section was quite different from anything I have read before. I loved how the author gave the entire story a strong undertone of philosophy, both religious and otherwise. He seems to have done his research on theological loopholes and it shows so well. I appreciated the firm stand taken against the patriarchy and misogyny of traditional Catholic belief systems. There's a long monologue on the absurdities and inherent contradictions of Christianity. A staunch believer might have taken offence at some of the content. But I’m a Christian who believes in a divine God but hates the restrictive practices mankind has embedded the church in. So I found all the ritual-bashing exhilarating. The twist towards the end and the climax of this section will leave you stunned.
II. Denial:
This comes to us in third person from the earlier-mentioned Lillian. I can’t reveal much as I don’t want to leak any spoilers. But suffice it to say that Lillian is dealing with the aftermath of the events in “Temptation”. She soon encounters the same Sebastian, but the role he has to play in her life is very different. Lillian finds the path of “denial” the only logical solution to escape her past and resolve the future. But does denial really work that way?
While Section I was intense and heavily philosophical, Section II is much more pragmatic and romantic in its essence. It was interesting to see two distinct writing styles used for the same book. Maybe the author subtly wanted to emphasize on the fact that temptation is divine and denial is human. 😉 The change in style also highlights the shift in voice, as we move from the confused protagonist of section I to the dejected Lillian and determined Sebastian in Section II.
Regardless of the shift in styles, I was hooked from start to end. I loved the shift in the perspective, the greater focus on Lillian and Sebastian and how the sudden tragedy in her life turned it upside down. Some events in this section seemed to be based on biblical narratives, such as Sebastian with the “whore” reminded me of Mary Magdalene. Overall, this section is much easier on the head than the intense first section. As philosophically heavy books aren’t my cup of tea, I enjoyed the second section more than the first one, though both had their own merits. The ending of the book is a fulfilling experience, as it shows that what lasts beyond life is love. Not your religion, not your wealth, not your status.. only love.
The key unifying element in both the sections is Sebastian, and it is a task to slot him in a category. I wasn’t aware of the Buddhist concept of Tulpa, so initially I was a bit confused about how to view Sebastian. The Goodreads blurb was very helpful in this respect because the book doesn’t talk of this idea anywhere. When you read the book, you can imagine Sebastian to be an imaginary friend, a demonic (or divine) manifestation, or some weird timeless creature. But it is as a Tulpa that his identity makes most sense. Figuring out Sebastian and his motives is the main challenge and the highlight of the book.
Though a short read, Temptation and Denial will still require you to dedicate time to it. It is not a light story but a stimulating and provocative one. If you opt for it, keep an open mind because as I said, it doesn’t fit into any pre-existing writing slots. It has romance, vendetta, Gothic, dark fantasy, mystery, and philosophy, so it's a wonderful cocktail of genres that will give you a book high!
For those interested, this book is available on Kindle Unlimited.
A 4.5 from me.
Pro tip: Don’t opt for the audiobook. This needs to be read.
Thank you, author Adam Nicke, for providing me with an e-copy of this book. This was both a pleasurable as well as a thought-provoking experience.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
There are two sections in this book, each of them distinct and yet tied to one another.
I. Temptation:
Narrated in first person from the point of view of an unnamed protagonist, Temptation tells of this young man who is tormented by his passion for his schoolmate Lillian and tortured at home by his abusive father. Sebastian enters his life all of a sudden and becomes a friend-cum-advisor. Our protagonist decides to become a priest as that seems to be the only way out of all “temptations”. Sebastian soon puts him on the right track.
This section was quite different from anything I have read before. I loved how the author gave the entire story a strong undertone of philosophy, both religious and otherwise. He seems to have done his research on theological loopholes and it shows so well. I appreciated the firm stand taken against the patriarchy and misogyny of traditional Catholic belief systems. There's a long monologue on the absurdities and inherent contradictions of Christianity. A staunch believer might have taken offence at some of the content. But I’m a Christian who believes in a divine God but hates the restrictive practices mankind has embedded the church in. So I found all the ritual-bashing exhilarating. The twist towards the end and the climax of this section will leave you stunned.
II. Denial:
This comes to us in third person from the earlier-mentioned Lillian. I can’t reveal much as I don’t want to leak any spoilers. But suffice it to say that Lillian is dealing with the aftermath of the events in “Temptation”. She soon encounters the same Sebastian, but the role he has to play in her life is very different. Lillian finds the path of “denial” the only logical solution to escape her past and resolve the future. But does denial really work that way?
While Section I was intense and heavily philosophical, Section II is much more pragmatic and romantic in its essence. It was interesting to see two distinct writing styles used for the same book. Maybe the author subtly wanted to emphasize on the fact that temptation is divine and denial is human. 😉 The change in style also highlights the shift in voice, as we move from the confused protagonist of section I to the dejected Lillian and determined Sebastian in Section II.
Regardless of the shift in styles, I was hooked from start to end. I loved the shift in the perspective, the greater focus on Lillian and Sebastian and how the sudden tragedy in her life turned it upside down. Some events in this section seemed to be based on biblical narratives, such as Sebastian with the “whore” reminded me of Mary Magdalene. Overall, this section is much easier on the head than the intense first section. As philosophically heavy books aren’t my cup of tea, I enjoyed the second section more than the first one, though both had their own merits. The ending of the book is a fulfilling experience, as it shows that what lasts beyond life is love. Not your religion, not your wealth, not your status.. only love.
The key unifying element in both the sections is Sebastian, and it is a task to slot him in a category. I wasn’t aware of the Buddhist concept of Tulpa, so initially I was a bit confused about how to view Sebastian. The Goodreads blurb was very helpful in this respect because the book doesn’t talk of this idea anywhere. When you read the book, you can imagine Sebastian to be an imaginary friend, a demonic (or divine) manifestation, or some weird timeless creature. But it is as a Tulpa that his identity makes most sense. Figuring out Sebastian and his motives is the main challenge and the highlight of the book.
Though a short read, Temptation and Denial will still require you to dedicate time to it. It is not a light story but a stimulating and provocative one. If you opt for it, keep an open mind because as I said, it doesn’t fit into any pre-existing writing slots. It has romance, vendetta, Gothic, dark fantasy, mystery, and philosophy, so it's a wonderful cocktail of genres that will give you a book high!
For those interested, this book is available on Kindle Unlimited.
A 4.5 from me.
Pro tip: Don’t opt for the audiobook. This needs to be read.
Thank you, author Adam Nicke, for providing me with an e-copy of this book. This was both a pleasurable as well as a thought-provoking experience.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
June 20, 2019
I throughly enjoyed this book. The emotional twists and turns of the characters was quite a ride.
By the end of the book I was so emotionally invested in the characters that I cried for them and where the story took them.
By the end of the book I was so emotionally invested in the characters that I cried for them and where the story took them.
May 22, 2019
I enjoyed this book very much! I have read the entire book more than once! There are so many great quotes. Here are only a couple of my favorites:
"... love knows neither life nor death. It is the one thing that survives us all.”
"I want to live in a world where anything is possible. I’m supposed to be free yet everywhere I am in chains."
Temptation and Denial
With gems like these throughout, guess you will have to read the book to find more quotes you are sure to love.
"... love knows neither life nor death. It is the one thing that survives us all.”
"I want to live in a world where anything is possible. I’m supposed to be free yet everywhere I am in chains."
Temptation and Denial
With gems like these throughout, guess you will have to read the book to find more quotes you are sure to love.
September 8, 2020
Too flowery!
I found the writing too pretentious for my tastes. I felt as though the author was trying to fill up his word quota and turned what could have been a decent short tale into a tedious novel.
I found the writing too pretentious for my tastes. I felt as though the author was trying to fill up his word quota and turned what could have been a decent short tale into a tedious novel.
May 19, 2019
I have just read this book, and OMG from start to finish. I couldn't put it down. And after reading the first book (grim tales), And enjoying every page, I was eager to read more by Adam Nickes. And again I love love love this book just as much. I know anyone who likes Gothic tales /story's will totally love this book just as much as I do.
November 19, 2021
:Temptation and Denial|44551539]I was thoroughly delighted by this book couldn't put it down the story was absorbing and so beautifully written a ghostly tale of lost love so cleverly and empathetically told .
I will definitely be reading more from this author .
I will definitely be reading more from this author .
January 21, 2022
This book struck a personal chord with me, deep within… I had a tremendously difficult time putting it down, every single page was relatable. This is one I shall read again and again.
Mr Nicke does indeed have a gift for capturing the heart and soul of every story he creates.
Mr Nicke does indeed have a gift for capturing the heart and soul of every story he creates.
February 15, 2022
Temptation and Denial is One of the best books I have read up to date. I have read it several times and each time brings new joy.
My favorite is Lillian and Sebastion that Author Adam Nicke has placed within the book.
This book is well written and comes to life in your hands, mind and soul.
My favorite is Lillian and Sebastion that Author Adam Nicke has placed within the book.
This book is well written and comes to life in your hands, mind and soul.
September 4, 2021
Love this book. It took me away from everyday life. It is dark and emtional. Give it a go!
January 25, 2022
A mystic gothic tale that brings you through magical times. A very sensual story told in epic words. Worth reading! (As all of this author‘s books)
December 3, 2023
When I first started reading the Temptation section of Temptation and Denial, I thought I had the story all figured out. But as I read on, I discovered it was truly much deeper than I first thought.
The relationships developed in the book were complex, full of forbidden desire, and great sadness and loss. I felt what each character was going through with the author, Adam Nicke’s deft touch for crating characters you can relate to.. Sebastian and Lillian were my favorite characters in the book.
I have always loved darkly romantic bad boys like Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. At first I thought Sebastian might be the devil himself, with his manipulations and desires. But as I found out with his immortality, loneliness is a constant companion. At times he revealed his longing for an ordinary life, with the troubled, haunting Lillian. But the push pull of Temptation and Denial kept them apart and always longing.
Both earlier and later in the story are incidents which lock the characters’ fates. One of Sebastian’s most selfish acts has quite the surprising turns. Let’s suffice it to say that is a very tearful, yet cathartic scene.
Hopefully I have written enough to entice you to read Temptation and Denial, without giving too much away. My recommendation is this is a book for those who like dark romantic supernatural reads, with complex storylines and beautiful, magical language. I was entranced through the whole book and hated to pause my reading of it. I truly felt for the cast of characters and even cried with them.
The relationships developed in the book were complex, full of forbidden desire, and great sadness and loss. I felt what each character was going through with the author, Adam Nicke’s deft touch for crating characters you can relate to.. Sebastian and Lillian were my favorite characters in the book.
I have always loved darkly romantic bad boys like Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. At first I thought Sebastian might be the devil himself, with his manipulations and desires. But as I found out with his immortality, loneliness is a constant companion. At times he revealed his longing for an ordinary life, with the troubled, haunting Lillian. But the push pull of Temptation and Denial kept them apart and always longing.
Both earlier and later in the story are incidents which lock the characters’ fates. One of Sebastian’s most selfish acts has quite the surprising turns. Let’s suffice it to say that is a very tearful, yet cathartic scene.
Hopefully I have written enough to entice you to read Temptation and Denial, without giving too much away. My recommendation is this is a book for those who like dark romantic supernatural reads, with complex storylines and beautiful, magical language. I was entranced through the whole book and hated to pause my reading of it. I truly felt for the cast of characters and even cried with them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2024
This has been on my TBR for a really long time and I’m not sure why. I think I saw that it was a gothic story or something and thought it would be right up my alley. Well…it is a gothic story, but that’s about all it is. The atmosphere is there and the setting is good, but the story really isn’t anything. I thought maybe we were getting vampires at the beginning but it was an imaginary friend come to life who fell in love with a woman for (I’m not sure what reason) and spent a whole lifetime sulking about it. I feel like it’s a decent idea, I just don’t think it was fleshed out enough. The story went by so quickly with so many time skips that it felt almost rushed. Overall, very atmospheric, but it’s really just atmosphere for the sake of atmosphere with no actual story to it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2024
Loved this book! It leads one in a journey of mysticism, deep soul touching romance, a journey of one’s imagination and emotions
November 24, 2021
When the prevalent emotion after you finish reading a book is a lump in the throat, there’s nothing to be done but go back and read the story again and savor it for its deep portrayal of love that transcends time. Like a cup filled to the brim, I could feel the ardor and intensity of the love flowing thru the pages.
Adam Nicke writes from the heart and it is so apparent as he gives the readers a look into the psychological thoughts that pervade a human mind. By questioning some of the beliefs and practices of the Christian religion, he gives wings to the confusion that hamper man’s thoughts and freedom.
The first part of the story Temptation was, to be honest slow-going for me. A young boy being abused by his father living in his own dream world took its time to hook me in. I couldn’t make sense of the character called Sebastian and if it wasn’t for the blurb of the book that explains the concept of Tulpa I would have categorized this story in a similar vein to all the fantasy stories that I devour. But have patience, dear readers, Temptation is just the appetizer as we delve into the 2nd part of the book that is Denial. The story takes flight as we get to see Lillian and her need for love and family to counter the loneliness that dogs her existence. However, it is Sebastian that stole a piece of my heart as the devastation he feels once the realization of his existence sets in is acute and awful.
If you find one book that is so hard to slot into a category it could be this one. There are so many genres mixed into this novel, that I didn’t want to even try. Mystery, Gothic, romance, revenge, philosophy, fantasy, there’s everything in this but by the end, the only thought is LOVE that transcends time!
4.5 stars for this extremely well-written and intriguing story.
Many thanks to the author Adam Nicke for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
This review is published in my blog Rain'n'Books, ##Goodreads, ##Amazon India, ##Book Bub, ##Medium.com, ##Facebook, ##Twitter.
Adam Nicke writes from the heart and it is so apparent as he gives the readers a look into the psychological thoughts that pervade a human mind. By questioning some of the beliefs and practices of the Christian religion, he gives wings to the confusion that hamper man’s thoughts and freedom.
The first part of the story Temptation was, to be honest slow-going for me. A young boy being abused by his father living in his own dream world took its time to hook me in. I couldn’t make sense of the character called Sebastian and if it wasn’t for the blurb of the book that explains the concept of Tulpa I would have categorized this story in a similar vein to all the fantasy stories that I devour. But have patience, dear readers, Temptation is just the appetizer as we delve into the 2nd part of the book that is Denial. The story takes flight as we get to see Lillian and her need for love and family to counter the loneliness that dogs her existence. However, it is Sebastian that stole a piece of my heart as the devastation he feels once the realization of his existence sets in is acute and awful.
If you find one book that is so hard to slot into a category it could be this one. There are so many genres mixed into this novel, that I didn’t want to even try. Mystery, Gothic, romance, revenge, philosophy, fantasy, there’s everything in this but by the end, the only thought is LOVE that transcends time!
4.5 stars for this extremely well-written and intriguing story.
Many thanks to the author Adam Nicke for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
This review is published in my blog Rain'n'Books, ##Goodreads, ##Amazon India, ##Book Bub, ##Medium.com, ##Facebook, ##Twitter.
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November 3, 2023Great book. Temptation and denial is a gothic love story with a twist as Sebastian isn’t all he seems but his love for Lillian is very real as hers for him .
I couldn’t put it down as I always wanted to know what happens next ..
Give it a try you won’t regret it.
I couldn’t put it down as I always wanted to know what happens next ..
Give it a try you won’t regret it.
February 25, 2021
Being mostly a reader of sword and sandals historical fiction, this book wasn't an obvious choice of read for me but I was very pleasantly surprised. I found it to be a delightfully gothic tale, beautifully and poetically written. The characters are all well defined and memorable, whilst the story draws the reader in with a genuine curiosity born not only of the plot but of the natural existential questions we ask ourselves. A brilliant book by a brilliant author. 5/5
November 28, 2022
this book has taken me awhile to come back to, as the beginning was far too confusing for me. upon returning to this book, i slowed my pace and fell under a spell. i became completely enamored with it.
i won’t spoil anything, as this is a book i hope everyone will feel inclined read. this book does ponder christianity, death, sorrow, and love. eternal love unbound by conventions such as time itself.
this book is nothing short of beautiful. flowery and depressing and lovely.
i won’t spoil anything, as this is a book i hope everyone will feel inclined read. this book does ponder christianity, death, sorrow, and love. eternal love unbound by conventions such as time itself.
this book is nothing short of beautiful. flowery and depressing and lovely.
March 7, 2021
This beautiful story had held me hostage for a few hrs. I couldn't put it down! I fell right into the all Gothic Romanticism of the book. I love a book that can capture not only my mind but heart. I look forward to reading more of Adam's books.
August 5, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book. I think there are several layers of understanding within the story. It made me think of life, death, dreams, it triggers imagination and poetry .. it is intense and everyone can take his own understanding of it. It is rich and insightful. I recommend it !
May 21, 2022
This is a beautiful tale and I was engrossed from the very beginning, I could easily visualise the characters and their surroundings and was transported to a wonderful gothic setting deep in the Welsh countryside.
I highly recommend this book and I will certainly be reading it again very soon.
I highly recommend this book and I will certainly be reading it again very soon.
September 2, 2020
Not really my cup of tea.
July 7, 2021
It is refreshing to read a true gothic that does not borrow from Jane Eyre like so many others do.
November 27, 2025
Another great story from Adam Nicke! This one is my favorite from him. I could feel the emotions of the characters and imagine being there myself. This is a great read.
February 2, 2025
The first part of the book, which is told in first person, reminded me of the style and sentimentality of Chateaubriand quite a lot. Some people might have a problem with the sentimentality of some aspects of this style, however the essence of the style is captured so well that it's difficult to fault, particularly as this style places the book in the 18th century, when Chateaubriand was writing himself. I'm not a great fan of Chateaubriand but can't fault how well that style has been captured here. The writing style, although clearly influenced by 18th century gothic literature is modern enough that it is easily understood, which is a bonus. There are some parts of the book where the style becomes modern for a longer period of time and the gothic style becomes far less pronounced.
There are quite a few references to Wales and Welsh literature throughout the book. I think I detected a few nods to One Moonlit Night by Caradog Prichard. For example, the fact that the first person character is never named and the occasional reference to 'it being a moonlit night'. Maybe just a coincidence but I enjoyed that. There are a few names taken from works like the Mabinogion too and I'm sure that must have been more deliberate. All that was a nice touch.
I was pleased to see some philosophy dotted throughout the book in small enough quantities not to be confusing. Phenomenology and religious issues are discussed, as well as some others. There is a passage in the first part of the book where I felt the religious monologue went on for a little too long. It took me out of the story a bit.
I didn't like the reference to Santa Claus and it took me out of the time period briefly. Even though the history of what became known as Santa is long, it felt a stretch to imagine the character mentioning him in passing, because Christmas didn't become what it is today until later. I would have liked to feel the 18th century a little more in general. There are occasional references to what life would have been like back then and some description of what things may have looked like but I would have liked more to root me in. However, maybe the description was sacrificed to make the book a quicker read. It isn't a huge page count and it is admittedly nice to be able to get through the whole story in only a few days of casual reading.
The main characters are well developed. I liked the character arc of Sebastien and found his character the most well developed of all. That character gave a sense of mystery throughout the novel too, which I appreciated. I thought Lillian believed in Sebastien a little too quickly when they first met. I thought she'd need more convincing. I thought the father could have done with some more description and was a little disappointed not to find out what happened to the mother of the first character (or maybe I missed it). I also found the mystery of a later character looking like Lillian interesting and was disappointed that it was never explained. In hindsight, perhaps it wasn't intended as a secret or mystery. Perhaps it was to set up what happened towards the end of the book. However, when I first read that this character looked like Lillian, I was expecting that the character had been a lost relative or connected to the family somehow.
I enjoyed the second and third sections of the book the most. Third person with a touch of omniscient point of view felt like a good way to tell that part of the story. Omniscient point of view also gave the style of the book a slightly older feel without making it difficult to read, which is good. It's easier to read the second and third sections in my opinion, because the first section starts off quite flowery with the Chateaubriand / gothic style laid on heavily. The first section drifts in and out of dream sequences in a way that can be a little confusing too, whereas the second and third parts are clearer.
The description in the book starts off really strong. There's a mention of the black posts of the house groaning like coal miners, which is a description I really enjoyed. There are some parts of the book that feel too sparse in description and I wanted a bit more of that original description I found near the start. Perhaps it's too heavy at the start in that respect and too light in others.
The kindle version I read contained some typos.
There are quite a few references to Wales and Welsh literature throughout the book. I think I detected a few nods to One Moonlit Night by Caradog Prichard. For example, the fact that the first person character is never named and the occasional reference to 'it being a moonlit night'. Maybe just a coincidence but I enjoyed that. There are a few names taken from works like the Mabinogion too and I'm sure that must have been more deliberate. All that was a nice touch.
I was pleased to see some philosophy dotted throughout the book in small enough quantities not to be confusing. Phenomenology and religious issues are discussed, as well as some others. There is a passage in the first part of the book where I felt the religious monologue went on for a little too long. It took me out of the story a bit.
I didn't like the reference to Santa Claus and it took me out of the time period briefly. Even though the history of what became known as Santa is long, it felt a stretch to imagine the character mentioning him in passing, because Christmas didn't become what it is today until later. I would have liked to feel the 18th century a little more in general. There are occasional references to what life would have been like back then and some description of what things may have looked like but I would have liked more to root me in. However, maybe the description was sacrificed to make the book a quicker read. It isn't a huge page count and it is admittedly nice to be able to get through the whole story in only a few days of casual reading.
The main characters are well developed. I liked the character arc of Sebastien and found his character the most well developed of all. That character gave a sense of mystery throughout the novel too, which I appreciated. I thought Lillian believed in Sebastien a little too quickly when they first met. I thought she'd need more convincing. I thought the father could have done with some more description and was a little disappointed not to find out what happened to the mother of the first character (or maybe I missed it). I also found the mystery of a later character looking like Lillian interesting and was disappointed that it was never explained. In hindsight, perhaps it wasn't intended as a secret or mystery. Perhaps it was to set up what happened towards the end of the book. However, when I first read that this character looked like Lillian, I was expecting that the character had been a lost relative or connected to the family somehow.
I enjoyed the second and third sections of the book the most. Third person with a touch of omniscient point of view felt like a good way to tell that part of the story. Omniscient point of view also gave the style of the book a slightly older feel without making it difficult to read, which is good. It's easier to read the second and third sections in my opinion, because the first section starts off quite flowery with the Chateaubriand / gothic style laid on heavily. The first section drifts in and out of dream sequences in a way that can be a little confusing too, whereas the second and third parts are clearer.
The description in the book starts off really strong. There's a mention of the black posts of the house groaning like coal miners, which is a description I really enjoyed. There are some parts of the book that feel too sparse in description and I wanted a bit more of that original description I found near the start. Perhaps it's too heavy at the start in that respect and too light in others.
The kindle version I read contained some typos.
July 18, 2023
A Poignant Story Eloquently written🌹
I have agonized about this review for some time now. I don't want to spoil the story by divulging to much. I would like to share the reasons I highly recommend others to read it. I actually read Temptation and Denial twice, the first time I couldn't put it down. I felt I better read it again to further understand the multitude of emotions I felt while reading it The first time. The second reading only heightened my feelings for the characters and their plight. The book has three sections that all were intricately interwoven. The book offers emotional conflict, physical conflict and mental conflict. I really can't pick which genre this book fits into. The character who isn't named in the first part of the story touched me deeply his loneliness, feeling unloved and unwanted physically and mentally abused by his pious brute Father is the character who touched my heart. He has an encounter with an entity Sebastian while he was walking in the garden a place of escape for him. The authors writing is exquisite the reader feels like they are walking in the garden with this young boy and then listening to the two of them while they are discussing life and death and religion etc. This part of the book might not be for everyone but who hasn't thought of life and death. What question that came to mind for me after reading this part is why do some people follow a religion that scare their parishioners with Heaven and Hell and all the contradictions that are in the bible and
with the history of the Church. The nameless young boy has a fondness for a young girl Lilian who he meet at school who he falls in love with from afar. The second part of the book follows Lillian's story. The third part is about Sebastian. This story is about unrequited love. The pain that one endures when they live through this and the should haves, could haves and the unbearable longing. The loss and the loneliness nothing or anything can fill, the void in your heart. A Beautiful ending to this story so drenched in pain. I believe the story was beautifully written. A thought provoking story on a myriad of levels . I have my individual thought who Sebastian truly is but the reader needs to form their own opinion like I did. I have already read Mr Nickes other books and I hope he writes again to share his gift of imaginative writing.
I have agonized about this review for some time now. I don't want to spoil the story by divulging to much. I would like to share the reasons I highly recommend others to read it. I actually read Temptation and Denial twice, the first time I couldn't put it down. I felt I better read it again to further understand the multitude of emotions I felt while reading it The first time. The second reading only heightened my feelings for the characters and their plight. The book has three sections that all were intricately interwoven. The book offers emotional conflict, physical conflict and mental conflict. I really can't pick which genre this book fits into. The character who isn't named in the first part of the story touched me deeply his loneliness, feeling unloved and unwanted physically and mentally abused by his pious brute Father is the character who touched my heart. He has an encounter with an entity Sebastian while he was walking in the garden a place of escape for him. The authors writing is exquisite the reader feels like they are walking in the garden with this young boy and then listening to the two of them while they are discussing life and death and religion etc. This part of the book might not be for everyone but who hasn't thought of life and death. What question that came to mind for me after reading this part is why do some people follow a religion that scare their parishioners with Heaven and Hell and all the contradictions that are in the bible and
with the history of the Church. The nameless young boy has a fondness for a young girl Lilian who he meet at school who he falls in love with from afar. The second part of the book follows Lillian's story. The third part is about Sebastian. This story is about unrequited love. The pain that one endures when they live through this and the should haves, could haves and the unbearable longing. The loss and the loneliness nothing or anything can fill, the void in your heart. A Beautiful ending to this story so drenched in pain. I believe the story was beautifully written. A thought provoking story on a myriad of levels . I have my individual thought who Sebastian truly is but the reader needs to form their own opinion like I did. I have already read Mr Nickes other books and I hope he writes again to share his gift of imaginative writing.
May 19, 2024
This isn't a dramatic, angsty soap opera in print or a typical feel-good romance.
What exactly is it, then? You'll have to figure that out for yourself!
Like a deep treasure chest, there's so much to unpack and inspect carefully.
Adam Nicke's Temptation and Denial refuses to be typecast into one particular category of novel.
That in itself is extraordinary.
With all of the characters' points of view, mixed emotions, differences in circumstances, inner and outer struggles, the reader develops a vast appreciation for each situation that they find the characters in.
Upon closer examination, I realized that the title of the novel is actually a clever way to introduce two books in one.
(There is a connection between the two, so rest assured that it will make perfect sense later.)
The first book deals with a young man and his hellish life at home.
At the same time, he's experiencing the vulnerable pangs of first love.
With impeccable timing, the incomparable Sebastian arrives and becomes a friend to the young man.
The pair have many deep (and not so deep) conversations.
When the young man considers theology as an escape from his current life, Sebastian re-routes his career plan with humor, fact, history and (some may say) blasphemy.
The amount of research on Catholicism, the Church's steadfast views that the author Adam Nicke committed himself to diving into for the readers' benefit, enlightenment is enormous.
Sebastian's facts and arguments are sound, elegant, strong and logical, leaving no leeway for debate.
By now, you're likely wondering when the young man's love will appear.
The wait is over.
The young lady also meets Sebastian, but he's in complete contrast to his earlier personality.
Sebastian is truly a mystery. Who, what is he? The possibilities vary with each reader's point of view.
Hint: read the book jacket carefully.
I won't spoil the novel, but I will say that we learn love lasts.
What exactly is it, then? You'll have to figure that out for yourself!
Like a deep treasure chest, there's so much to unpack and inspect carefully.
Adam Nicke's Temptation and Denial refuses to be typecast into one particular category of novel.
That in itself is extraordinary.
With all of the characters' points of view, mixed emotions, differences in circumstances, inner and outer struggles, the reader develops a vast appreciation for each situation that they find the characters in.
Upon closer examination, I realized that the title of the novel is actually a clever way to introduce two books in one.
(There is a connection between the two, so rest assured that it will make perfect sense later.)
The first book deals with a young man and his hellish life at home.
At the same time, he's experiencing the vulnerable pangs of first love.
With impeccable timing, the incomparable Sebastian arrives and becomes a friend to the young man.
The pair have many deep (and not so deep) conversations.
When the young man considers theology as an escape from his current life, Sebastian re-routes his career plan with humor, fact, history and (some may say) blasphemy.
The amount of research on Catholicism, the Church's steadfast views that the author Adam Nicke committed himself to diving into for the readers' benefit, enlightenment is enormous.
Sebastian's facts and arguments are sound, elegant, strong and logical, leaving no leeway for debate.
By now, you're likely wondering when the young man's love will appear.
The wait is over.
The young lady also meets Sebastian, but he's in complete contrast to his earlier personality.
Sebastian is truly a mystery. Who, what is he? The possibilities vary with each reader's point of view.
Hint: read the book jacket carefully.
I won't spoil the novel, but I will say that we learn love lasts.
July 10, 2025
3.75 🌟 I'm sad. It started as a 5 star read and devolved half way through it.
It started as a beautifully written gothic story of a young boy and his mysterious friend and then became an unhinged "love" story. I say love in parenthesis because they barely spoke to each other. I tried to rationalize it as Sebastian being his creator's feelings incarnate but still he never professed such love for Lilian as Sebastian did. It felt unrealistic and so, the whole Lilian and Sebastian part was weird. Truly unhinged.
I get that romance is part of Gothic Literature but it has to be well done and I'm afraid this was not. It would've been perfect if this love would've been professed to his creator instead of Lilian. They spent time and sufferings together. It would've made sense.
The initial part was deliciously good: it's well written, you don't know if Sebastian is an imaginary friend, a tulpa, or the devil. However, the second and third were like reading a different book.
It started as a beautifully written gothic story of a young boy and his mysterious friend and then became an unhinged "love" story. I say love in parenthesis because they barely spoke to each other. I tried to rationalize it as Sebastian being his creator's feelings incarnate but still he never professed such love for Lilian as Sebastian did. It felt unrealistic and so, the whole Lilian and Sebastian part was weird. Truly unhinged.
I get that romance is part of Gothic Literature but it has to be well done and I'm afraid this was not. It would've been perfect if this love would've been professed to his creator instead of Lilian. They spent time and sufferings together. It would've made sense.
The initial part was deliciously good: it's well written, you don't know if Sebastian is an imaginary friend, a tulpa, or the devil. However, the second and third were like reading a different book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2023
Gina Williams Baccigalopi
Temptation ( 1st part of Temptation and Denial )
The first part of Temptation and Denial was extremely intriguing to me. It showed the struggle between good and evil.
Adam shows the beauty of nature in gardens and rolling lawns, but he also shows the fearsome of darkness and unknown paths we all must take in our lives.
Adam writes Temptation with both foreshadowing and irony, leaving the reader to want more!
Temptation ( 1st part of Temptation and Denial )
The first part of Temptation and Denial was extremely intriguing to me. It showed the struggle between good and evil.
Adam shows the beauty of nature in gardens and rolling lawns, but he also shows the fearsome of darkness and unknown paths we all must take in our lives.
Adam writes Temptation with both foreshadowing and irony, leaving the reader to want more!
October 21, 2023
Adam Nicke captures an extraordinary love story between a mortal and a supernatural being. His unique use of language and detailed description of his characters and events over time, produces a clever story line that leads to an ending I didn't see coming. This is something I thoroughly enjoyed and rarely experience in most novels I read. If you haven't read this book, the reader needs to turn the pages themself to unfold a powerful tale of an imortal love.
February 1, 2024
This book is such a rich tapestry with so many different threads. You are taken on a vivid journey of love and loss. Love of a boy and his imagined friend, love of a man and woman. All cloaked in mysticism and intrigue. Adam has an evident and full grasp of the human condition and is an incredible wordsmith. I highly recommend this book for the discerning reader who enjoys a beautifully written, deep and thought-provoking novel.
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