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Test of Faith
July, 1187: Saladin has defeated the Crusader army at The Horns of Hattin. While hundreds of his comrades have perished in the battle, Thierry de la Tour Rouge, a Frank and Templar Knight, has survived only to be taken prisoner by the Saracens. Stripped to his woolen leggings and linen shirt covering and tied like an animal to the pole of a tent, Thierry fears torture in the attempt to break him and his faith.
Abdul Basir is French by birth and a convert to Islam. As an advisor to Saladin, Abdul has been accepted by the Saracens and regarded with respect, but he will never be one of them. Thierry has been bought for him and while Abdul owns him, he cannot guarantee that Saladin will spare Thierry’s life.
In the spirit of acceptance and forgiveness, Thierry chastely kisses Abdul, hurtling them both into a clash of faiths and a contest of wills. One man motivated by the fulfillment of a long-lurking fantasy and the other by the need to survive and keep his faith intact. In the process, they come to show each other mercy, kindness, mutual respect and trust—enough to reveal their desire for one another.
As Saladin holds the fate of Thierry’s life in his hands, can Abdul ensure the safety of this honorable crusader who has become his brother? Or will he have to find the strength and courage to let Thierry go in peace?
Abdul Basir is French by birth and a convert to Islam. As an advisor to Saladin, Abdul has been accepted by the Saracens and regarded with respect, but he will never be one of them. Thierry has been bought for him and while Abdul owns him, he cannot guarantee that Saladin will spare Thierry’s life.
In the spirit of acceptance and forgiveness, Thierry chastely kisses Abdul, hurtling them both into a clash of faiths and a contest of wills. One man motivated by the fulfillment of a long-lurking fantasy and the other by the need to survive and keep his faith intact. In the process, they come to show each other mercy, kindness, mutual respect and trust—enough to reveal their desire for one another.
As Saladin holds the fate of Thierry’s life in his hands, can Abdul ensure the safety of this honorable crusader who has become his brother? Or will he have to find the strength and courage to let Thierry go in peace?
132 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2009
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449 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 3, 2014
Stories serve more than one purpose.
They can soothe or inflame; can sink you down into the deeps, or snap sails taut and jerk you up into the stratosphere.
This one... this one hurts. If I were wise, I wouldn't review it until I'd had time to calm down.
But I don't want to feel this way any longer than I have to. I'm in a fury.
Read this. It's beautiful.
Then go stroke a kitten.
You'll need to.
They can soothe or inflame; can sink you down into the deeps, or snap sails taut and jerk you up into the stratosphere.
This one... this one hurts. If I were wise, I wouldn't review it until I'd had time to calm down.
But I don't want to feel this way any longer than I have to. I'm in a fury.
Read this. It's beautiful.
Then go stroke a kitten.
You'll need to.
March 21, 2019
Nothing to say really.
I love Voinov and most of his works, and the same goes with this book. He was always able to write the most heart rendering stories that keep you engaged from beginning till the end, without it seeming like a lot of effort.
I love him for that, just as I love this book for its ability to tug at my heartstrings and seep under my skin and into my soul in under 150 pages.
Blog : Me, in all of my writing glory
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January 3, 2013
No words. Simply Beautiful!
January 11, 2011
Note: I have to -just have to- write a more cohesive review for this, but right now I'm drawing a blank and I can't think of anything beautiful or smart.
Random thoughts:
I'm torn between a 4 and a 5 star rating.
The good: great writing, a story that gave us both the historical background about a battle of faiths as well as the battles between the characters and -more importantly- within the characters.
The depth of the characters (especially Abdul) is amazing, considering the length of the story.
The not so good:
The story was too short. A little more length would have made it more well rounded and would have had me even more invested in the characters (mind you: knowing how it would end probably caused me to hold back on that). Then again: the shortness of the story and the little time the book spans added to the intensity and that nerve wrecking feeling of impending doom.
Also: I was confused with the POVs. I first thought we were switching from one character to the other, without a more 'general voice' but then those inner monologues didn't fit. So I started to read it like there was a general POV who showed us both characters' thoughts and feelings and flowed from one head to the other. It did fit that way but it wasn't clear enough in the beginning (or maybe it was just me).
All in all, a great story, which could have been even better. But kudos to the authors for writing a story that makes you really think and for not taking the easy way out.
Random thoughts:
I'm torn between a 4 and a 5 star rating.
The good: great writing, a story that gave us both the historical background about a battle of faiths as well as the battles between the characters and -more importantly- within the characters.
The depth of the characters (especially Abdul) is amazing, considering the length of the story.
The not so good:
The story was too short. A little more length would have made it more well rounded and would have had me even more invested in the characters (mind you: knowing how it would end probably caused me to hold back on that). Then again: the shortness of the story and the little time the book spans added to the intensity and that nerve wrecking feeling of impending doom.
Also: I was confused with the POVs. I first thought we were switching from one character to the other, without a more 'general voice' but then those inner monologues didn't fit. So I started to read it like there was a general POV who showed us both characters' thoughts and feelings and flowed from one head to the other. It did fit that way but it wasn't clear enough in the beginning (or maybe it was just me).
All in all, a great story, which could have been even better. But kudos to the authors for writing a story that makes you really think and for not taking the easy way out.
September 3, 2014
4,5 stars
I had no idea what I picked up. Honestly.
I just needed something ensuring good.
And I knew that Aleks is my undisputed guarantee for a good book.
TEST OF FAITH.
HOW COULD I NOT NOTICE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS TITLE?!
We're talking about the year 1187. In the book. And yet it feels so UP-TO-DATE, so ACTUAL!
It is so sad and tragic that in the 21th century we still divide our world into two essential parts and that these two parts still have not found the best peaceful way to honour each other, the way to live in mutual contentment side by side.
My heart has been broken more than once watching the news of the last months, days, hours.
And my heart is broken again, after this ending.
But I'm grateful for this ending. I thank Aleks with all my heart for it.
Because it is this ending that made this story such beautiful such overwhelming and such believable and such poignant...and, yes, in spite of it's tragic - such a hopeful one.
I swear, I abstain from all HEA in my books if I can have only one HEA in the world right now.
We are men, fighting God's war. Do you think it strange?
June 5, 2012
Damn. This story tore my heart out and stomped on it. And it blew my mind.
July 10, 2012
I understand.
January 18, 2012
This managed to leave me heartbroken and satisfied at the same time. I don't understand how it's possible, but there it is.
did-not-finish
November 2, 2022DNF @ 56%. No rating.
I should have known this wasn't going to be my thing based on the fact that none of the highly rated reviews talk about the romance at all. But I had additional issues with it.
There was constant head hopping with the POV changing from paragraph to paragraph, which often left me confused as to which character's POV we were in. This is standard for Voinov's early work and I'm glad he stopped doing it ages ago but it makes his old stuff difficult to read. I also didn't enjoy the lack of romantic chemistry between the characters and how their romance was set up. Abdul and Thierry have about 20 min worth of theological discussion before they're randomly kissing and talking about wanting to have sex. In addition, Thierry only wants to have sex because he's hoping it'll gain him favors with Abdul that he can use to barter for his freedom in the future, which he makes very clear to Abdul and that's not the foundation on which I want a romance built.
Overall, the historical details were fantastic and it was interesting in terms of being gay historical fiction, but I felt it didn't work as gay historical romance.
I should have known this wasn't going to be my thing based on the fact that none of the highly rated reviews talk about the romance at all. But I had additional issues with it.
There was constant head hopping with the POV changing from paragraph to paragraph, which often left me confused as to which character's POV we were in. This is standard for Voinov's early work and I'm glad he stopped doing it ages ago but it makes his old stuff difficult to read. I also didn't enjoy the lack of romantic chemistry between the characters and how their romance was set up. Abdul and Thierry have about 20 min worth of theological discussion before they're randomly kissing and talking about wanting to have sex. In addition, Thierry only wants to have sex because he's hoping it'll gain him favors with Abdul that he can use to barter for his freedom in the future, which he makes very clear to Abdul and that's not the foundation on which I want a romance built.
Overall, the historical details were fantastic and it was interesting in terms of being gay historical fiction, but I felt it didn't work as gay historical romance.
November 28, 2010
Test of Faith by Aleksandr Voinov and Raev Gray is an extremely well-written and emotionally charged novella that leaves the reader breathless.
The story is set against the backdrop of one of the most infamous and bloodiest battles of the interval period between the Second and Third Crusades – the Battle of Hattin – which took place near the city of Tiberius on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. During the Battle the army of Saladin decimated some 20,000 Crusading foot soldiers and 1,000 Templar Knights capturing Christian King Guy of Jerusalem and the Holy Cross.
By some miracle, Templar Knight Thierry de la Tour Rouge remains alive but has been captured and taken prisoner by the Saracens. Bone-weary from battle, starving and almost delirious from dehydration Thierry finds himself tied up like an animal in the tent of Abdul Basir, advisor to Saladin. Saladin has bought Thierry for Abdul, but the reason for this is a mystery. Thierry fears torture, enslavement and ultimate death, but he is still alive and this provides a glimmer of hope that he will be ransomed. Thierry’s motivation is his faith and his life; to do what he must to stay alive long enough to be freed without having to succumb to tortured conversion. Abdul’s motivation for keeping Thierry is vested in fantasy, one that he is almost too proud to admit to, or to fulfill.
A chaste kiss on Thierry’s part changes everything and plunges both men into a clash of faiths, cultures and wills. As their polemic unfolds they learn of one another and come to show each other mercy, kindness, respect and trust, eventually revealing their desire for one another. But Thierry’s fate is in Saladin’s hands and Abdul is not sure that he can secure the safety of this honourable man, nor is he certain that he has the courage and strength to let him go in peace.
This story brims with pathos and the writing deftly captures the emotional intensity of the life and death situation under which these two men enter each others lives, first as enemies who become brothers. And while the eventual moments of kindness and tenderness between the two do provide some respite from this intensity, given their circumstances, there is a tautness that is sustained throughout the story. There is also an inherent sensuality to the prose, both erotic and other, that engages all of the senses.
The overall plot is well established but does not dominate and the authors have paid meticulous attention to ensuring the historical, religious and cultural authenticity of this story. Everything from the historical events to the religious beliefs and customs (both Muslim and Catholic) is effortlessly and imperceptibly woven throughout the story.
The strengths of this story also lie in its characters and in this respect Test of Faith is very much character-driven. Written in the third person and alternating perspectives between Thierry and Abdul, the authors have crafted such multi-dimensional and sublime characters it is as if Voinov and Gray have respectively crawled into practically every crevice of Thierry and Abdul’s being to write their story.
Thierry and Abdul’s narratives are incredibly intimate revealing each character’s courage, pride, arrogance, honour, fears, hopes, compassion and desires as they negotiate not only their circumstances but also their fate. This is coupled with compelling and intelligent dialogue that at first is used as an instrument for their sparring, hatred and fear, and later for the tenderness and respect that Thierry and Abdul come to have for one other. The authors not only capture the fundamental essence of who these men are, but also their complexities. What stood out most is that while neither character compromises the core of who he is as a result of their tumultuous encounter, at the same time, both Thierry and Abdul are forever changed by it. In this respect, the title is most befitting the story not only in terms of the testing of Thierry and Abdul’s respective religious faith, but also their substance as men. In terms of sub-text, the characters also serve as conduits through which the authors more subtly infuse into the story and explore such timeless political themes as religious, ethnic and cultural chauvinism and hegemony.
Test of Faith is the first collaborative work by these authors and yet there is a symbiosis to this writing partnership that one doesn’t expect from a first-time collaboration. The writing is seamless and the story reads as if written by one person, so much so that despite my familiarity with Voinov’s previous works (this is Gray’s first published story) I was not able to pin-point which author wrote the character of Thierry and which the character of Abdul.
I do not consider Test of Faith as falling exclusively within the category of historical romance, rather more so within the realm of general historical fiction with strong erotic elements. Nonetheless, some readers may, and those readers that consider themselves romance genre “purists” may not be pleased with the fruition of this tale. However, I believe that the integrity of the writing simply demands that the ending, which I found to be utterly exquisite, is the only one possible for this story. Any other ending would have compromised not only the sense of realism with which this story is written but also the legitimacy and authenticity of the characters and by extension their circumstances.
Test of Faith is a powerful and passionate story, and Thierry and Abdul are at once both heroic and tragic characters that remain with the reader long after the story is finished.
This review was originally published online at Three Dollar Bill reviews and is also available at Indie Reviews.
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April 18, 2010Test of Faith is only a short story but it’s clear that behind there is a lot of research work done; a work that the reader itself can redo thanks to the appendixes, a useful walkthrough among the early Middle Age custom and religious beliefs, both from the Christian than Muslim point of view. And here is the strength of this story, that the truth doesn’t lie in one or the other side, both of them have reason and ideals.
Thierry is a Templar warrior and monk, who is chosen, after the defeat, as “toy” for Abdul, a Frenchman converted to the Muslim faith and now advisor to Saladin. It’s not a gift of life, Thierry will be executed with his brothers when they will reach Damascus, but meanwhile Abdul has someone with whom he can enjoy the forbidden pleasures of man to man sex. But Thierry is different from the others who preceded him, and Abdul starts to question his actions; not his beliefs, it’s clear that there are deep rooted reasons for Abdul to have converted to the Muslim religion, something linked to a refusal, maybe of his preferences for men (he admits he has never been with a woman). What Abdul questions is that, maybe, there are brothers also among the Christians, and that kill them like meat to the market will not give them the chance to understand their reasons.
But also Thierry learns a lesson, that is how great is his same courage, the strength of his faith that nothing has to do with his chastity, or the sin of sodomy; Thierry will find a “brother” in Abdul, same as he has found among the other Templers, only that the bond with Abdul will be also physical. Same as Abdul, Thierry will not question his faith and neither his mission; strange as it’s, probably Thierry is the one who will end stronger from this experience.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/10...
Thierry is a Templar warrior and monk, who is chosen, after the defeat, as “toy” for Abdul, a Frenchman converted to the Muslim faith and now advisor to Saladin. It’s not a gift of life, Thierry will be executed with his brothers when they will reach Damascus, but meanwhile Abdul has someone with whom he can enjoy the forbidden pleasures of man to man sex. But Thierry is different from the others who preceded him, and Abdul starts to question his actions; not his beliefs, it’s clear that there are deep rooted reasons for Abdul to have converted to the Muslim religion, something linked to a refusal, maybe of his preferences for men (he admits he has never been with a woman). What Abdul questions is that, maybe, there are brothers also among the Christians, and that kill them like meat to the market will not give them the chance to understand their reasons.
But also Thierry learns a lesson, that is how great is his same courage, the strength of his faith that nothing has to do with his chastity, or the sin of sodomy; Thierry will find a “brother” in Abdul, same as he has found among the other Templers, only that the bond with Abdul will be also physical. Same as Abdul, Thierry will not question his faith and neither his mission; strange as it’s, probably Thierry is the one who will end stronger from this experience.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/10...
May 15, 2011
It happens sometimes that I know the ending of a story is perfect, that there could have been no other resolution, but it hurts nonetheless. I like when a book makes me feel, when it upsets me, when the last page is the truth, even if it's so hard to swallow.
The two protagonists of the story fight on different sides, their faith is a chasm between them. Thierry is a Christian prisoner, spared on the battle field just to be bought by Abdul, a Frank by birth, but converted to Islam. Their wills, sustained by their religious beliefs, clash and crash, the physical fight turns to a psychological one. They are both convinced they are right, but their faiths don't prevent them from seeing deep into each other: Abdul can't help respecting Thierry's moral strength, his relentless will to survive; Thierry is conquered by Abdul's mercy and kindness. A kiss is what it takes to cross that chasm and Thierry and Abdul put their heart in each other's hands.
Their passion is pure, it's more generous than desperate, even if it's all that is left before the two have to separate. What Thierry and Abdul share is a gentle gift, sweet, tender, absolute, it's what could have been taken with force and is instead given willingly. It's a precious flower blooming in death, blood and sand. A flower that sadly lives for just one day.
As I said before, that ending was the only way to respect the characters' integrity. But my heart breaks still.
The two protagonists of the story fight on different sides, their faith is a chasm between them. Thierry is a Christian prisoner, spared on the battle field just to be bought by Abdul, a Frank by birth, but converted to Islam. Their wills, sustained by their religious beliefs, clash and crash, the physical fight turns to a psychological one. They are both convinced they are right, but their faiths don't prevent them from seeing deep into each other: Abdul can't help respecting Thierry's moral strength, his relentless will to survive; Thierry is conquered by Abdul's mercy and kindness. A kiss is what it takes to cross that chasm and Thierry and Abdul put their heart in each other's hands.
Their passion is pure, it's more generous than desperate, even if it's all that is left before the two have to separate. What Thierry and Abdul share is a gentle gift, sweet, tender, absolute, it's what could have been taken with force and is instead given willingly. It's a precious flower blooming in death, blood and sand. A flower that sadly lives for just one day.
As I said before, that ending was the only way to respect the characters' integrity. But my heart breaks still.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2012
Oooh... F****!! I loved, loved, loved!!
Where to begin? Knights + crusades + Aleksandr Voinov (Raev Gray, pleased to meet you!): I was eager to read "Test of Faith".
I expected the meeting of two human beings above the clash of beliefs, I hoped for multidimensional characters, love, twists in the story. I got all that and the beginning was very satisfying, and then... BAM!!!
THE story I hadn't seen coming appears and I'm turned upside down because it is such an intensely, painfully beautiful one!
Where to begin? Knights + crusades + Aleksandr Voinov (Raev Gray, pleased to meet you!): I was eager to read "Test of Faith".
I expected the meeting of two human beings above the clash of beliefs, I hoped for multidimensional characters, love, twists in the story. I got all that and the beginning was very satisfying, and then... BAM!!!
THE story I hadn't seen coming appears and I'm turned upside down because it is such an intensely, painfully beautiful one!
June 4, 2010
Wow. All I can say right now is wow. I am speechless. I have no idea how to review this book. I'm going to have to ... I don't even know.
I'm just stuck at WOW. My brain is just skipping, trying to find some words, but there's nothing.
Yeah, hopefully - review to follow, although I have no idea where I'm going to find the words.
I'm just stuck at WOW. My brain is just skipping, trying to find some words, but there's nothing.
Yeah, hopefully - review to follow, although I have no idea where I'm going to find the words.
November 20, 2014
***Just beautiful and heart breaking***
As expected from my fav author, the story was so intense and consuming, just amazing....
It was a historical story at the time of the crusades on Jerusalem...a time when both sides were fighting under the name of God......
I loved the charachters a lot, they were both honorable, faithful and loyal to their beliefs....I enjoyed reading about them a lot.
The only drawback for me..that there were some historical errors that indicated the stereotypical narrow prospective to the Arabic world and Muslim history....that really irritated and saddened me I wish I could find a western author that are objective enough to view facts as it is or at least search for the truth behind the generalizations..!!
As expected from my fav author, the story was so intense and consuming, just amazing....
It was a historical story at the time of the crusades on Jerusalem...a time when both sides were fighting under the name of God......
I loved the charachters a lot, they were both honorable, faithful and loyal to their beliefs....I enjoyed reading about them a lot.
The only drawback for me..that there were some historical errors that indicated the stereotypical narrow prospective to the Arabic world and Muslim history....that really irritated and saddened me I wish I could find a western author that are objective enough to view facts as it is or at least search for the truth behind the generalizations..!!
August 9, 2010
Powerful. Two men secure in their respective faiths, that make them enemies, become more to each other than lovers. Thierry's faith was vibrant and gave him a peace that others search for and rarely find. Abdul's anger and bitterness towards his former religion was tangible. The respect that grew between the two was genuine and heartfelt. The ending was exactly as it should have been. This short book moved me more than I thought possible.
"We are men, fighting God's war. Do you think it strange?" -Abdul Basir
A question for the ages if ever I heard one.
"We are men, fighting God's war. Do you think it strange?" -Abdul Basir
A question for the ages if ever I heard one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2012
I have a love/hate relationship with this story. I loved the debates and musings on faith, and the juggling of ideologies between the two characters. But being the optimistic that I am, I had hoped for a different ending. Alas, it was not to be, but I still recommend it.
January 22, 2013
A beautifully written short story, with a sad but fitting ending.
August 6, 2011
I'm surprised there aren't more m/m books set in the crusades. It would seem to be fertile ground. "Test of Faith" was quite a refreshing change from the Regency/Victorian setting of most historical romances these days. It doesn't have a happily ever after ending, which is disappointing but true to the characters. There are a couple of reasons I didn't give it four stars:
The point of view flip-flops between the two protagonists - Abdul and Thierry. This is hard to pull off, although I'd say it was the right decision for this story. Early in the book, the POV is changing every paragraph or two, and at times it took a few sentences to realize you were now looking at things from the other character. This improved a bit towards the end.
The Smashwords Kindle version I read had random font changes. It started out in a sans text, then there started to be a word or two in serif, then whole paragraphs for several pages. And then it changed back to sans. It sounds like a nit to pick, but it was quite jarring. It's amazing that publishers put crap like this out there. It wouldn't be that hard to fix this problem, and it probably shows that the publisher is putting no effort into eBooks at all.
The point of view flip-flops between the two protagonists - Abdul and Thierry. This is hard to pull off, although I'd say it was the right decision for this story. Early in the book, the POV is changing every paragraph or two, and at times it took a few sentences to realize you were now looking at things from the other character. This improved a bit towards the end.
The Smashwords Kindle version I read had random font changes. It started out in a sans text, then there started to be a word or two in serif, then whole paragraphs for several pages. And then it changed back to sans. It sounds like a nit to pick, but it was quite jarring. It's amazing that publishers put crap like this out there. It wouldn't be that hard to fix this problem, and it probably shows that the publisher is putting no effort into eBooks at all.
June 4, 2010
The story of Thierry, a Templar Knight, and Abdul, a to Islam converted French, touched me from the first word to the last. Thierry, captured by the Saracens and now owned by Abdul, fears for his life and Abdul is looking for someone to fulfill a desire. When you read this book, you feel how the relationship of the characters change from sworn enemies into two men who respect and honor each other and in other circumstances could have loved each other.
This is a real heartbreaking story with intense dialogues of strong characters who both try to keep and not doubt their faith.
I can only compliment Aleksander Voinov and Raev Gray with this piece of work. The honest courageous way of writing this story, without compromises, can only be rewarded. Maybe some readers will not like the ending; however Test of Faith deserves this cruel but realistic ending. Even if it made me sad.
This is a real heartbreaking story with intense dialogues of strong characters who both try to keep and not doubt their faith.
I can only compliment Aleksander Voinov and Raev Gray with this piece of work. The honest courageous way of writing this story, without compromises, can only be rewarded. Maybe some readers will not like the ending; however Test of Faith deserves this cruel but realistic ending. Even if it made me sad.
March 10, 2010
This story gripped me from the start, I felt immediately drawn into Thierry's pain of capture. But I can't expect less from Aleksandr Voinov's writing. From the moment I opened the box to view the rich warmth of colors on the cover to when I closed the book I was happy. Test of Faith is such a great title as it clearly defines what you are about to experience. I loved it. The only complaint is that it was too short. I hold back a star for leaving me underfed - I am waiting for that full meal that I know Mr. Voinov can offer....
July 3, 2011
A very intense, but also very short story of two men and enemies finding each other in the middle of an epic battle.
The beginning was so intense and captivating, that the relentless end came a bit too soon. It almost felt like an excerpt from a larger work.
The beginning was so intense and captivating, that the relentless end came a bit too soon. It almost felt like an excerpt from a larger work.
April 23, 2011
Incredible!
August 25, 2011
I really liked this one a lot. The ending was really what made it for me; it was unusual and yet very fitting.
It's definitely going on my 'favourites' list.
It's definitely going on my 'favourites' list.
September 19, 2013
Hmmm...I liked this one, but, I didn't love this one. Before I even read it, I knew it would be worth the read for three reasons: Voinov, history, and religion. Not taking anything away from Raev (hello to you & congrats on your first published!!!), but, I love Voinov. I could spend a couple of weeks digging around in his brain; his writing makes me think he would just be so interesting! Then, history and religion are two of my passions--give me ten minutes with a stranger and I'll have him in a discussion about religion inside of seven.
So. Combine history, religion, and Voinov in a novel and you have the making of a serious treat! Unfortunately...the treat didn't quite manifest. It was more like getting a Twizzler stick when you were expecting a Snickers bar.
Don't get me wrong, this was a good book once I got past figuring out who's view I was reading from paragraph to paragraph. And I did get past that--it was almost like having to hunt and find the rhythm of the writing in order to get to the meat of the story. Maybe that...disjointedness?...is a byproduct of having two authors, I don't know.
I loved the basic idea of the story. IMHO, it was just too big and complex to squish into a novella length story. I would have loved to see this as a full-length novel where there would have been more room for detail, background, and blending of characters. But, I understand that's not the point of novellas. Novellas are more meant to be a snack and not a meal. With that in mind, yes, I got my quick emotional fix. I even cried a few tears (and I'm not a crier by any means).
So. Keep going past the first few pages and find the rhythm of the story-telling. You'll be glad you did.
Ciao!
PS: I wanted to punch Saladin in his nose! Twice!
So. Combine history, religion, and Voinov in a novel and you have the making of a serious treat! Unfortunately...the treat didn't quite manifest. It was more like getting a Twizzler stick when you were expecting a Snickers bar.
Don't get me wrong, this was a good book once I got past figuring out who's view I was reading from paragraph to paragraph. And I did get past that--it was almost like having to hunt and find the rhythm of the writing in order to get to the meat of the story. Maybe that...disjointedness?...is a byproduct of having two authors, I don't know.
I loved the basic idea of the story. IMHO, it was just too big and complex to squish into a novella length story. I would have loved to see this as a full-length novel where there would have been more room for detail, background, and blending of characters. But, I understand that's not the point of novellas. Novellas are more meant to be a snack and not a meal. With that in mind, yes, I got my quick emotional fix. I even cried a few tears (and I'm not a crier by any means).
So. Keep going past the first few pages and find the rhythm of the story-telling. You'll be glad you did.
Ciao!
PS: I wanted to punch Saladin in his nose! Twice!
October 6, 2013
Ez a történet két okból tűnt ki a többi közül. Egyik ok, hogy a keresztes háborút kicsit a másik fél szempontjából is megvilágítja, ami szerintem közelebb van az igazsághoz, mint a szokásos „átkozott szaracénok” típusú hozzáállás. Az a mondat igazán eltalált engem, amikor az egyik szereplő elgondolkodik: Mi csak férfiak vagyunk, akik az Istenek háborúját vívják, de mit keresnek emberek, az Istenek háborújában?
A másik ok, hogy mennyire nem számítottam erre a befejezésre. Az egyik főhős inkább a hitét, integritását választja, mint a megalkuvást.
A történelmi háttér megteremtése olyan természetes, minden erőfeszítés nélküli. Pusztán a sátorlap felemelése, vagy ahogy lerángatják a lovagról a láncinget, és egyéb hiteles ruhadarabokat, az adhan, az imára hívás hangja és más apróságok teszik valósághűvé az egész környezetet. Ahogy a régi mesék hősi, fényes páncélú, ragyogó lovagja helyett kapunk egy izzadt, poros, szomjas, éhes fiút, akinek csupán a személyisége, és végtelen tiszta hite ragyog.
A szereplők nagyon érdekes karakterek. Bár egy narrátor meséli el a történeteket, rajta keresztül belelátunk a két főhős fejébe. Akik nagyon állhatatosak hitükben, és cseppet sem engednek ebből az összeütközéseik során, ugyanakkor ezen összeütközések eredményeként folyamatosan változik az álláspontjuk a másikkal és önmagukkal szemben is. De ami a legfontosabb egy pillanatra sem esnek ki a szerepükből és válnak hiteltelené.
A történet… nos azon el kell gondolkodnom még egy darabig.
A másik ok, hogy mennyire nem számítottam erre a befejezésre. Az egyik főhős inkább a hitét, integritását választja, mint a megalkuvást.
A történelmi háttér megteremtése olyan természetes, minden erőfeszítés nélküli. Pusztán a sátorlap felemelése, vagy ahogy lerángatják a lovagról a láncinget, és egyéb hiteles ruhadarabokat, az adhan, az imára hívás hangja és más apróságok teszik valósághűvé az egész környezetet. Ahogy a régi mesék hősi, fényes páncélú, ragyogó lovagja helyett kapunk egy izzadt, poros, szomjas, éhes fiút, akinek csupán a személyisége, és végtelen tiszta hite ragyog.
A szereplők nagyon érdekes karakterek. Bár egy narrátor meséli el a történeteket, rajta keresztül belelátunk a két főhős fejébe. Akik nagyon állhatatosak hitükben, és cseppet sem engednek ebből az összeütközéseik során, ugyanakkor ezen összeütközések eredményeként folyamatosan változik az álláspontjuk a másikkal és önmagukkal szemben is. De ami a legfontosabb egy pillanatra sem esnek ki a szerepükből és válnak hiteltelené.
A történet… nos azon el kell gondolkodnom még egy darabig.
April 21, 2012
This story was a victim of its two authors. Head hopping was rampant.
I don't mind head-hopping too much, generally. I expect it to a certain extent when there are two authors and I just hope the book doesn't read as a rough Role-Playing Game. But this one was bad with it, having the POV switch with almost every paragraph, with no line break or anything to indicate the POV was switching. When the only two characters in the book are both "he" this got to be a horrible chore to read. I had to keep re-reading lines, backing up to see who's head I was currently in. And in some instances, I am sure they accidentally switched character names, making it even more confusing. This made the book a rough, bumpy, and hard one to read. It's odd to be this tired from reading such a short story.
Worse, after all that work, I didn't even get any emotional satisfaction. I don't need a Happy-ever-after ending, but after working so hard just to follow the story, to have it end in that manner was, well... I felt it was rude. Odd reaction, but there it is.
The historical aspect of this book was interesting, the handling of the different faiths and men was well done, and if the story had been written smoother, I think I would have enjoyed the bittersweet ending. However, in the end, as it was written, this is not a good read.
I don't mind head-hopping too much, generally. I expect it to a certain extent when there are two authors and I just hope the book doesn't read as a rough Role-Playing Game. But this one was bad with it, having the POV switch with almost every paragraph, with no line break or anything to indicate the POV was switching. When the only two characters in the book are both "he" this got to be a horrible chore to read. I had to keep re-reading lines, backing up to see who's head I was currently in. And in some instances, I am sure they accidentally switched character names, making it even more confusing. This made the book a rough, bumpy, and hard one to read. It's odd to be this tired from reading such a short story.
Worse, after all that work, I didn't even get any emotional satisfaction. I don't need a Happy-ever-after ending, but after working so hard just to follow the story, to have it end in that manner was, well... I felt it was rude. Odd reaction, but there it is.
The historical aspect of this book was interesting, the handling of the different faiths and men was well done, and if the story had been written smoother, I think I would have enjoyed the bittersweet ending. However, in the end, as it was written, this is not a good read.
February 4, 2011
"...a great secret that only his flesh knew..."
This quote, and the surrounding words, stood out as one of the most perfect descriptions of sex I've ever read.
I won't spend time talking about the high quality of Aleksandr Voiniv's writing. I will only say that his ability to write emotions and internal conflict grabs me in the gut in a way that makes me both awestruck and uncomfortable. I am very much an 'in the head' person. Most authors tell us how a character is feeling. Aleksandr helps us listen in to what the character is thinking and makes feelings clear. It evokes similar feelings in the reader and puts us in the characters' place.
I liked the Hemingway-esque quality of this short story - a life changing event, a distillation of one's emotions and a crystallization of one's choices all in one fateful day.
I wanted to know more about Abdul, even though this was really Thierry's moment. I can't help feel that a few more pages would have clarified Abdul's actions and highlighted how the encounter changed him.
This quote, and the surrounding words, stood out as one of the most perfect descriptions of sex I've ever read.
I won't spend time talking about the high quality of Aleksandr Voiniv's writing. I will only say that his ability to write emotions and internal conflict grabs me in the gut in a way that makes me both awestruck and uncomfortable. I am very much an 'in the head' person. Most authors tell us how a character is feeling. Aleksandr helps us listen in to what the character is thinking and makes feelings clear. It evokes similar feelings in the reader and puts us in the characters' place.
I liked the Hemingway-esque quality of this short story - a life changing event, a distillation of one's emotions and a crystallization of one's choices all in one fateful day.
I wanted to know more about Abdul, even though this was really Thierry's moment. I can't help feel that a few more pages would have clarified Abdul's actions and highlighted how the encounter changed him.
February 11, 2010
A compelling, moody read. I was literally holding my breath at the tense initial encounter between Thierry, the captured Templar Knight and his keeper, Abdul, one of his sworn enemy. The dynamics between these two complex characters is played out in a beautiful, heart-breaking story.
I also really enjoyed reading the essays on the Crusades and other topics related to the story (and the map, love maps!) at the end of the book.
I also really enjoyed reading the essays on the Crusades and other topics related to the story (and the map, love maps!) at the end of the book.
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