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Gardens Where No One Will See
2 hours and 17 minutes.
A returning hero, a prisoner of his past
Renad Amdarien’s daring escape from the brutal confines of a sorcerer’s dungeon has made him a legend throughout the land. Now trusted without question, Renad suffers the truth alone: his former master’s sorcery rules him still. Broken both in body and mind, he finds brief solace only in the Gardens, lush sanctuaries of sex and secrets staffed by willing, skilled companions.
Nemaran, a most unusual Garden servant, recognizes Renad’s pain and offers easy comfort. What begins as erotic exploration soon grows into more, with Nemaran’s gentle attentions inspiring Renad to cross the physical and emotional boundaries society had long ago set in place.
When forces beyond his control compel Renad to commit the ultimate betrayal, the new lovers must band together outside of the Gardens’ walls...for only Nemaran can help Renad become his own man once more.
20,000 words
A returning hero, a prisoner of his past
Renad Amdarien’s daring escape from the brutal confines of a sorcerer’s dungeon has made him a legend throughout the land. Now trusted without question, Renad suffers the truth alone: his former master’s sorcery rules him still. Broken both in body and mind, he finds brief solace only in the Gardens, lush sanctuaries of sex and secrets staffed by willing, skilled companions.
Nemaran, a most unusual Garden servant, recognizes Renad’s pain and offers easy comfort. What begins as erotic exploration soon grows into more, with Nemaran’s gentle attentions inspiring Renad to cross the physical and emotional boundaries society had long ago set in place.
When forces beyond his control compel Renad to commit the ultimate betrayal, the new lovers must band together outside of the Gardens’ walls...for only Nemaran can help Renad become his own man once more.
20,000 words
3 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 14, 2014
Fantasy is very difficult to do in novella or short story format, but I think T.C. Mills did a nice job with it. This book had a lovely etherial quality to it with some nice world-building concepts.
Renad is a war hero who feels burdened with unbelievable guilt over his exaulted status that he feels he isn't worthy of. Seeking some release, Renad visits The Gardens where the Goddesses' servants offer sex and a ear to confide in.
I found the whole concept of The Gardens to be a bit confusing. Is the Goddess like a holy pimp? It kind of seemed like it. I guess people are "called" to service in The Gardens. Kind of like a priest's calling (wink wink). Though the concept seemed a little dodgy, I thought that the description of The Gardens was pretty beautiful. It seemed like a lush, hedonistic pleasure.
I liked Nemaran but I didn't quite get his motivations. I'm not sure exactly why he loved Renad, other than he wanted to fix him. I didn't quite feel the chemistry, but perhaps that is because of the length of the book.
I think the positives of this story lie in the beautiful quality of the writing, but I thought that the plot, especially the issue with Renad's sexuality, were executed a bit clumsily to me.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Renad is a war hero who feels burdened with unbelievable guilt over his exaulted status that he feels he isn't worthy of. Seeking some release, Renad visits The Gardens where the Goddesses' servants offer sex and a ear to confide in.
I found the whole concept of The Gardens to be a bit confusing. Is the Goddess like a holy pimp? It kind of seemed like it. I guess people are "called" to service in The Gardens. Kind of like a priest's calling (wink wink). Though the concept seemed a little dodgy, I thought that the description of The Gardens was pretty beautiful. It seemed like a lush, hedonistic pleasure.
I liked Nemaran but I didn't quite get his motivations. I'm not sure exactly why he loved Renad, other than he wanted to fix him. I didn't quite feel the chemistry, but perhaps that is because of the length of the book.
I think the positives of this story lie in the beautiful quality of the writing, but I thought that the plot, especially the issue with Renad's sexuality, were executed a bit clumsily to me.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
December 15, 2013
3.75 stars
I’d forgotten the story blurb before reading this and was glad I did. Reading Gardens was like trying to figure out a chess game. The author carefully disseminates clues about Renad, the hero warrior and Nemaran, his paid ‘companion’, leaving it to the reader to try to parse out what is going on between them and in this fantasy universe.
That Renad is under some sort of hold is evident. His feelings of guilt and shame don’t fit with a military war hero being feted by his Queen and her court. He has returned from battle and imprisonment to great acclaim yet he dreams of a powerful sorcerer named Ishil who has put a spell on him, using him towards his own evil end. Add to Renad’s personal sacrifice, his emasculation -- since his imprisonment he’s not been able to physically respond to passion.
One night, Renard visits the Gardens of Selaband, a kind of lush outdoor bordello consecrated by the Goddess, and finds the lovely Nemaran swimming in the river that runs through them.
“… artificial hills, some crowned with flowering bushes and trees rose over herb beds… moonlight also glinted on bare skin in a dozen lovely shades, and the breeze carried soft, intimate sounds to Renad’s ears… the landscaping provided hundreds of private spaces…”
Nemaran is skilled at ferreting out and keeping his client’s secrets. But in Renad he senses more to his disquiet, and wants to help. Nemaran says to him…
“… in the Gardens where no one will find out. Honor can take care of itself. It’s joy that needs to be seen to.”
Gardens is engrossing for a quick read. It has a romantic element, certainly, but I see it more as a study of a man grappling with his own weaknesses as he must live up to a public persona he’s not at ease with. Renad’s strict adherence to his station as a nobleman (even though he wasn’t born to it) in his society is as much a cage as the spell Ishil holds over him. Renad’s metamorphosis as he learns that masculine pride has less to do with dignity or rules about giving pleasure, and more to do with trust and love, shows a real reversal in him. Giving himself over to Nemaran might prove to be the healing that he needs.
I did wonder why Nemaran was so drawn to Renad. He should be just another client. But Nemaran sees something special in Renad, sees his generosity of spirit. I really liked the reversal of roles here, the paid servant-companion showing a deep wisdom and ability to lead his superior towards help.
I recently read another interesting short piece by this author, A Novel Arrangement. There, I felt that I was still left with some questions about that world and it’s main characters. In Gardens again, I felt as if I was dropped into the middle of the story, but it works here. The author gives a nicely sketched world, and Renad’s personal journey, the main point, is well done.
For this review and much more:
April 20, 2014
Audiobook review:
This was a very short fantasy piece that combined elements of a sort of "holy rentboy" story with a recovery narrative. The worldbuilding was limited to social dynamics and current events within the timeline. I thought the story was well done and the narration was great. I do wish it had been longer--though for purely selfish reasons. The story was complete and well told at its novella length.
This was a very short fantasy piece that combined elements of a sort of "holy rentboy" story with a recovery narrative. The worldbuilding was limited to social dynamics and current events within the timeline. I thought the story was well done and the narration was great. I do wish it had been longer--though for purely selfish reasons. The story was complete and well told at its novella length.
December 26, 2013
An intriguing novella featuring a hero come back from war and a servant from the Gardens, a place where citizens go to get lost pleasures. I found the characters of Renad and Nemaran to be interesting because of their complex natures. Renad - despite hating Ishil - was compelled to help him. And Nemaran is very different from other servants of the Garden. He finds out where Renad is going and follows him to help.
I wish there had been more information about the Gardens. In fact, I wish there was more to the entire story. This would have been great as a full length novel, I think, because there is so much world building here. For example, beyond wanting to know more about the Gardens, I wish I had seen some flashbacks of Renad with Ishil. It was hard to figure out just what happened to him at first. Also, the final conflict seemed pretty short, and it wasn't as suspenseful as it could have been. I wanted higher stakes.
Overall an enjoyable story. Nice, quick read.
I wish there had been more information about the Gardens. In fact, I wish there was more to the entire story. This would have been great as a full length novel, I think, because there is so much world building here. For example, beyond wanting to know more about the Gardens, I wish I had seen some flashbacks of Renad with Ishil. It was hard to figure out just what happened to him at first. Also, the final conflict seemed pretty short, and it wasn't as suspenseful as it could have been. I wanted higher stakes.
Overall an enjoyable story. Nice, quick read.
March 15, 2018
It's not every day when I read a romance novel where the heroes just murder the villain.
Thanks Audible romance package. Why did I read this? Boredom.
Thanks Audible romance package. Why did I read this? Boredom.
January 17, 2014
It's...weird. The entire time, there never felt like there was a definite sense of consistency. There was one/a few fairly visceral moment(s) at the beginning, but then it seems to fragment. Facets are presented, but they don't quite seem to be part of the same metaphorical gem. In the end, it was probably just a " just okay" piece.
January 13, 2014
3.65 stars.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews