Acquire The Knife Of Narcissus Formulated By Carolyne Chand Rendered As Publication

and Trio are free born sons of the Roman empire, They come from merchant families with expectations of marrying them into a high station, Lucius' family is involved in import/export while Trio's is involved in wine, The story opens with Lucius set to marry a widow, Upon his marriage, he sets up his own household, but has no idea how to please his wife as he wasted the coming of age trip to the brothel that his father arranged.
The story is as much an exploration of Lucius' sexuality as it is about any one couple.
However, there are several pairings involved, Lucius' wife, his personal assistant, his father's steward, and finally Trio,

Lucius and Trio are not always likeable men on their own, Trio's parents and Lucius' assistant, Arpalychus are very likeable though, Lucius and Velleia make a good couple though as they understand one another's need for other lovers.
As Lucius pursues Trio, he also discovers the slave his wife loved and sets out to arrange their purchase.
His friendship with Trio's family is crucial to this purchase and the voyage to retrieve them is a turning point for Lucius and Trio.
They learn a lot about themselves and Velleia on the trip, as the slave they were sent for is female.
Lucius' wife had been reported to be barren, but one wonders, Lucius must learn the juggling act of wife, slave, and lover if he is to keep Trio.
The book was provided in exchange for a review from Don't Buy My Love, I would give this book three, 'The Knife of Narcissus' tells the story of Lucius a young up and coming Roman who enters a marriage of convenience to help boost his family's standing.
Lucius is a romantic at heart and pines for his best friend Trio from another merchant family.
Both men need to consider their familial obligations and ambitions and whether their reputations can survive discovery of the level and intensity of their love for one and other which transcends brotherly affection.
Lucius decides that in order to woo Trio he must learn to become a skilled and caring lover and luckily there are plenty of available slaves to help him learn prowess.


The title of the book refers to the legend of Narcissus which Lucius adapts and hones his writing skills using his slave Arpalycus as muse.


Aware that gossips are beginning to question his lifestyle and sexual preferences, Lucius decides to make the best of a difficult situation for himself and his wife, whilst retaining and molding his dream of being with Trio.


The story is sensuous and beautifully written bringing to life customs and ideals of ancient Rome with fabulous details of houses, furniture and food that feels truly immersive in the privileged lifestyle in which Lucius lives.
He seems like a thoughtful and farly liberal character and yet I found it difficult to engage with Lucius.
I wondered why this may be whilst reading the book and I think it is possibly because he is so well drawn as a pampered and privileged youth, and further, I particularly liked his slave Apalycus of whom Lucius is fond of

but ultimately rather callous.
No doubt realistic, but not endearing,

Carolyn Chand has written a fascinating story that evokes ancient Rome in an accessible and interesting manner, there are moments of social comedy as Lucius grows and develops throughout the book that gently explores the mores of ancient life and the hopes and dreams of a young privileged man as he begins to build a life for himself and his family meeting challenges and obstacles in a determined and generally gracious manner.
Recommended for history buffs and lovers of male/male romance,

I received this book in exchange for an honest review as part of Goodreads M/M Romance Group Don't Buy Me Love event.
The knot of friendship tying Lucius and Trio together has been an unbreakable bondbut it might not withstand all that Rome can throw against them.


Lucius Sentius assumesalong with most ordinary people in the city of Romethat the debauched days of Nero are behind them.
Rome has settled down under a sober new ruler, and oldfashioned values rule with him, Lucius may be only the son of a merchant, but his newly arranged marriage to an older widow will bring powerful connections if he keeps himself on a respectable path.


That seems impossible when he discovers that his heart lies somewhere not at all respectable: his lifelong friend Trio, the reserved and serious son of one of the most reserved and pious families in the city.


As Lucius is pushed along the course of duty to family, to his promised spouse, and to Rome itself, he begins to see under the surface of his city, into a net of intrigues and manipulation, of seduction and corruption, that can carry him upward in status and bring him what he most wants.
. . or destroy both him and the people he loves, The Knife of Narcissus was originally published as apart serial but I read the complete Omnibus edition.
I loved the quality of detail the author used to put the reader right there in Ancient Rome experiencing Lucius amp Trio's journey along with a very interesting cast of secondary characters that at times add so much more than secondary plotlines.
I will admit that there seemed to be a lot of moments of repetition in regard to Lucius' inner monologue, but this is my first serial so perhaps that is more common with the writing style of serials as a nod to the "previously on.
. . " beginnings of the serials out of Old Hollywood, Definitely a great addition to my Ancient Rome library,
.stars

The Knife of Narcissus is a story of how two friends deal with their love for each other when society has frowned upon their wanted relationship.
We follow Lucius as he discovers how to deal with/show his love for his childhood friend Trio while trying not to condemn the two of them to the public eye.
Lucius and Trio enter adulthood at the beginning of the story grow the family businesses, marry and have children, gain connections/acquaintances in higher society which complicates the process of growing as a couple.


I thought the book was very wellwritten, especially as it nicely depicts the Roman society and culture love it!.
Even though the two main characters are not together for most of the book, you can see the heartwrenching emotions that they feel.
I sometimes found myself almost crying with the characters, feeling sorry for them, and cheering them on.


I did not give itfor a few reasons,
There are some unanswered questions:
What about Bassus baby
Does Trio have to get married
What happens to the newlydeveloped business with Caesar and Domitian

I thought that Lucius could have held back on some of his carnal desires.
He gave into his sexual needs A LOT, I understand that he recently entered 'this new world' of sex, but he wants it all the time.
I really liked that Trio was shy and inexperienced with sex when he and Trio finally expressed their love for each other at the end of the novel.


Ms. Chand tells of a prequel/sequel to The Knife of Narcissus and I am really looking forward to reading it! Against everyones better judgement, Carolyne Chand spends a lot of time writing about swords and sandals.
Sometimes she writes about Revolutionary War vampires, cross dressing girl pirates, and elves in spaceships too.
Learn about them at sitelink Against everyone's better judgement, Carolyne Chand spends a lot of time writing about swords and sandals.
Sometimes she writes about Revolutionary War vampires, cross dressing girl pirates, and elves in spaceships too.
Learn about them at sitelink sitelink,