| Title | : | Mere Mortals |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 256 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2011 |
Trust acclaimed author Erastes to tell a moving story in the field of gay historical romance.
Mere Mortals Reviews
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I can't seem to stop picking up books that I later have to rate based on principle, because they leave me feeling so ambivalent. I give this one four stars, as my vote of confidence in Erastes. This is the first book of hers I've read and even though it had its problems, I'm going to seek out more of her novels. Here's why.
I believe Erastes is just what I've been looking for in the historical romance genre, gay and heterosexual alike. She's very deft in her writing (although I couldn't help but notice that there were some typos and minor mistakes, but I blame that on the editor), her prose style is perfect for the historical setting.
The pacing in this book is one of its strongest suits, and one of its weakest, at the same time. The best thing for me is that the romantic plot is never rushed or put there for titilation. But make no mistake, when it happens, it IS hot. Erastes just hands it to use in small doses like medicine that we need to relieve the sexual tension. And when it happens, it fits its place perfectly. But pacing is also one of the biggest problems of this book. I think that it could easily be 80 pages shorter, because all the descriptions of how the boys settle in, attend tutoring sessions, try on new clothes, eat luscious meals, explore the mansion - they're lovely, but not in the amount they're served in Mere Mortals. It feels gratuitous. It almost seems as if Erastes either had so much fun dreaming up the beautiful setting and the wonderful clothes in this Little Princess fantasy, or was stalling until she gave us the gothic twist and the climax. For about 80 pages total, nothing happened to deserve the proud name of Plot.
The plot. As little of it as there was, it was pretty much flawless. Erastes left less room for the gothic intrigue than she did for describing the fruits of Philip Smallwood's wealth, but the intrigue she gave us was chilling and convincing. The biggest problem is that it came in such little doses that it felt a bit as if it was an afterthought in this coming-of-age story of Crispin and his friendship with Jude and Myles. Sure, it cast a completely different light on the innocent atmosphere preceding it, but for the longest part, there was almost no indication of this being a gothic story.
The characters. This will be my personal opinion on creative choices taken by Erastes, but be assured that once she chose her course of characters' nature, she stuck to it and executed it wonderfully.
I have a problem with characters like Crispin. Too often in coming-of-age novels, the main character we are stuck with is the least interesting of all present in the story. Crispin is the archetypical blank canvas of a teenage male lead. While Jude is an incorrigible, flamboyant romantic and Myles is the cynical and down-to-earth brains of every operation, Crispin has no distinguishing traits other than his proneness to migraines, curiosity and naivete that blind him to the risks of his actions, and his lost love, Archeson. The most interesting part is the latter. The rest is, frankly, annoying. Crispin is your average young adult novel hero, the one that generates drama because he's just not bright enough to stay out of trouble. He's the type of hero who lets the writer keep us, readers, in the dark, because Crispin is slow at connecting the dots and his observations are uncolored by rational analysis. He's just the vehicle, he's transparent, he's the reader's vessel - carrying us through the dark tunnel of the story, ousiders to what is really going on. I'd much rather read this story from Myles' perspective, because he's the most intelligent of the three and after all, considering he's the one solving all mysteries, he should be rewarded with a POV. I'd even rather read Jude's POV, because he's just more interesting.
All in all, even though the painfully slow pacing made it hard to stay interested in what was going to happen after so many, many words of non-plot, the beautiful style of Erastes and my conviction that she knew what was she was doing, kept me glued to the screen until the very finale. And now I'm going to get myself more of her books. -
This book is a perfect example of why I will never, EVER attempt a historical. First, I hate research, so I'd get all the details wrong. Second, my prose is serviceable enough for getting one from point A to B, but certainly not as lush and gorgeous as what we find here.
In short, Erastes does everything right in this book, and then some. I devoured the whole thing in one long Sunday afternoon, which is saying something, since I haven't read any fiction for pure enjoyment in... well, I can't remember when.
Five stars feels like the bare minimum I should give this book, but it will have to suffice. -
4.5 stars
Mere Mortals is an excellent Gothic story filled with drama, intensity, romance, and a vivid setting that stands out in almost every scene. The mystery is somewhat surprising in that the clues are slowly laid out along the way and the reader is left to interpret them. You can either see through the disguise as Myles does, remain innocently clueless like Crispin, or indulge in the fantasy like Jude. The characters all represent vitally important but different personalities that together form a complex yet fascinating story. Historical drama is not always a favorite genre among readers but you won’t want to miss this one.
The plot starts with first person narrator Crispin as he arrives on the cold, isolated shore of Horsey Mere, his new home. He is soon greeted by two other orphans, Jude and Myles, and the three soon realize they have many similarities. As Crispin tries to adjust to his fortunate new surroundings, he and the other boys can’t help but wonder what their generous guardian has in store for them. As the eerie elements start to add up and take over even Crispin’s blissful inattention, the answers may be the hardest truth to survive.
Right away the cold and desolate setting is introduced and enhanced by the majestic and cold house the boys are living in. The bad weather and vast, maze like rooms create a sense of isolation and chill. The relationships they build with each other are sharp, warm contrasts which stand out. The mentions of warm and cold are frequent which cast an eerie and very realistic Gothic pall over the entire story, one that is absolutely fabulous. This sets the tone immediately and never lets up. You never forget that these boys are totally alone, away from everyone and everything they thought they knew and are surrounded by servants who aren’t their friends.
While the graphic and vivid location of the story is a masterful touch, so are the various characters. The three boys offer different personalities but they show many similarities. They also are shown to be very different people than their initial actions and comments. As the narrator, Crispin doesn’t change so much as come to (finally) realize who each person is and their strengths and weaknesses. He, and often the reader, remains clueless as to the real motives and actions going on below the surface. Yet Crispin’s observations are impeccable and very apt, he often just fails to assign the right explanation and understanding.
The three boys offer three very different interpretations and I found myself happily indulging in each as the story goes on. There are plenty of clues to understand the story and the pace is never too slow or fast and so the astute reader can easily ascertain the manipulations and reasons far before the story explains but Crispin’s innocent bewilderment is a real pleasure to experience as well. He makes a perfect foil for the dark and sinister tones to the story without ever going too far into melodrama. Instead the story is near pitch perfect as it balances the various elements from romance to intrigue to drama to mystery.
I really liked that none of the characters are truly evil or maligned. There are reasons for all the actions and genuine emotion that prompts everyone to act as they do. There are no predictable villains even as the characters behave very true to form. The servants aren’t friends with the boys and the master of the house yet they are efficient and always present. Phillip as the guardian is the most unpredictable but his reasons create a fully understandable and fleshed out character, one that I pitied more than anything by the end.
There are a few negatives to the story such as the numerous editing mistakes and many missed words, which had me re-reading several sections but not everyone minds these problems. There are a few continuity issues I noticed where people and things would be in places they shouldn’t be or we didn’t see them move. However these are pretty minor in a story that is very engaging and compelling from start to finish. In fact I could easily have read this story again from the beginning as soon as I finished. I highly recommend Mere Mortals. -
Erastes is truly gifted in bringing a historical setting to life. The novel overflowed with detailed description, but never felt bogged down by it. And the language was completely on the mark for the time period. Plus, the characters warmed me and the mystery intrigued me. It was not an in-your-face mystery with a dead body on the first page; it was built slowly with subtle clues and misdirection. Philip Smallwood has taken in three orphan teens as his wards, all in disgrace for being “inverted.” The three boys were not raised to privilege, so as they learn about what society expects, so does the reader. The author gave the story and the romance some unexpected twists, keeping readers guessing through most of the tale. There is some sex. It is, thankfully, not fade-to-black, but it is also not explicit. (Readers should note that there is also a scene of non-con that is directly tied into the mystery). The story has a refreshing unpredictability that is often missing in gay romance. The story is told by Crispin, the youngest of the three. As he adjusts to his new life as a young gentleman, he begins to feel that something is wrong and wonders just why Smallwood took them in.
This novel easily deserved five stars, but for one major issue. The ending was disappointing. It was unnecessarily rushed into 2-3 pages, and ruined all the carefully built dramatic tension. Not only was I left with unanswered questions, but it also completely shortchanged the romance. I felt a little cheated – this needed an epilogue. Overall though, I enjoyed it so much that I read it through in one day, and I would recommend it to fans of the genre. -
2,5 Stars
The book follows the story of three boys -Crispin, Myles and Jude who have been taken as ward by a mysterious rich man.
The three get the life most people can only dream of.
Too good to be true, right?
As it turns out later there's something common between the adolescents and they were not just chosen randomly.
The very way the story is told gives off the feeling something is going to happen. And I mean something very, very bad.
It was suspenseful at first, all right.
However I felt like at some point I am just waiting for THAT something to happen...
And WOAH, it actually happens- literally in the last chapters.
Now here comes my problem.
I know, the action was building for that moment of discoveries and revelations/ realizations the whole time. But to me it all felt a bit too over- dramatic and over the top.
In short- there is a lot of mystery, a pinch of romance /although not much focus on it, but there are some hot scenes among the whole waiting-for-the-storm-to-come /.
And I love the way Erastes works with the very language. It was the plot development that didn't really work for me. -
Excellent Gothic novel reminiscent of "Jane Eyre" or "Rebecca". The romance is a bit of a slow burn, and the sex scenes are somewhat abstract, but they aren't really why I read the novel. I was looking for a well-written Victorian novel with an air of mystery, and on that level it delivers beautifully.
The prose is beautiful and the setting is wonderfully atmospheric, with a slowly-building sense of menace and a suspenseful climax. The ending might not be terribly surprising to anyone who's read a few Gothics, but I found the entire novel to be a delicious experience. I was engrossed from the moment Crispin arrived at the Reach, and not once did I find my interest flagging. -
The air of the cold Norfolk Broads seeps into your bones from the very first page of "Mere Mortals". As the novel develops, the atmosphere is tangible, I could feel it and live it along with the protagonist, Crispin, who, as an orphan, is transported from his school to his life as a ward of Philip Smallwood who lives in a dark mansion on an island in the Broads.
There was something of du Maurier's Rebecca simmering under the skin of this brilliant story and the quality of writing is just as good. My congratulations to Erastes for her obvious attention to small details: the historical aspects of Victorian school life, the bigotry of that time, the aristocracy and the arts young people were expected to be skilled at, were spot on.
There are many questions to ask such as: why are three boys all wards of the hitherto unknown Smallwood? Just who is he? Will there be any romance between any of the characters? And, do I like Smallwood or not? Just like the many-corridored mansion, Erastes is a master at leading her reader into dark corners and dead ends. As you're reading, don't take anything for granted because you'll be in for a surprise.
Thoroughly recommended. And even if you don't like m/m fiction, that is no reason for you not to enjoy "Mere Mortals". -
Erastes is one of those authors who seems to be a reader favorite across the board. In the world of M/M romance, her stories are considered an industry standard and even those in the GLBTQ community who have issues with the genre, find little to no fault with her stories or theor execution. I''m not one to believe the hype or jump on the bandwagon for the few times I do, I end up very disappointed.
Well, Erastes has nothing to fear. This is a author who knows how to craft an engrossing tale that feels less like M/M romance and more like literate erotic fiction. Being a huge fan of the gothic novel, Mere Mortals reads like something that could have been written by Ann Radcliffe or Horace Walpole--if they'd been inclined to write about gay male characters. I love Erastes' elegant language and the way she creates a mysterious and forboding atmosphere. Her characters live and breathe and even the darkest motives are presented in a sympathetic light.
My only quibble is the ending, which was wholly unsatisfactory. For all that,
Mere Mortals is a wonderfully engaging read for those seeking more from their gay romance. -
Wow, just wow...
You want more eloquent review? Ah, all right...
This is the first Erastes' book I've read, mainly because I'm not a fan of historical fiction. It's often overwrought and inaccessible, preachy and, quite honestly, boring. This is the reason I like my historical fiction to be spiced up by something else - usually mystery. Although there is a bit of suspense in the story, there is much more to recommend it.
From the moment I opened the book - I was sucked into it. I really liked Crispin's voice. It was simple and it was a joy to experience everything through his eyes, to be thrown from one impression to the next as Crispin is introduced to his new life, new friends, tutors, his benefactor. He is a bit fanciful, which is understandable for someone so young, but also not prone to drama. He describes the events that lead him to Phillip's home quite calmly and without remorse (except for being caught). In fact, all three boys seemed to accept who they are and, while they don't want to cause Phillip any embarrassment and are very aware of the possible consequences, there is no agonizing over being gay. As we get to know Jude and Myles through Crispin's eyes as well, we also get to experience how his feelings for the new friends waver and change. It was a clever decision on author's part - Crispin is curious, like any young person should be, but he is not overly analytical and thus the reader gets the revelations in the story at the same time he does. However, this also underlined the differences between Crispin, Jude and Myles. Jude was charming and playful, funny and personable, but also manipulative, jealous, impressionable and lonely. He was the one who broke my heart at the end. Myles was more of an enigma, especially in the beginning of the story. Later we get to understand that he too has hidden depths and hurts and passion. He is quite daring and perceptive and, in a way, the real detective of this story.
The book is by no means perfect. For one thing, the ending felt rushed. The mystery fan in me wanted more clues throughout the book to indicate the final resolution. I wanted answers to the questions Crispin asked himself, like: How much the servants new? What happened to our two heroes between the ending of the story and "all these years later"? I wanted some characters (like Doctor Baynes), especially their pasts, more thoroughly described. However, these complaints are completely overshadowed by excellent writing, detailed setting and fantastic characters that had me pinned to my monitor until there were no pages left.
What of Phillip, you ask? We won't talk about him. You will have to read the book, which is ... highly, highly recommended. -
Reviewed By BlackTulip for
Booked Up
Erastes has nothing to prove to anyone anymore, we know for a fact that she is a magician with words. She delivers here a captivating story that will keep you on tenterhooks from start to finish!
With a wealth of details she paints a fascinating landscape of Norfolk, which in itself is a very important part of this book. Very quickly, a unique and palpable atmosphere full of shadows and mystery hovers like a veil of mist.
From the start she has found a clever way to set up the scenery of her tale by making us discover it through the eyes of one of the main characters, Crispin, as he begins his journey.
Patiently and delicately she weaves an intricate story where everything and every body has its place and its importance but where nothing and nobody is what it seems. Everybody here has a secret!
Crispin Thorne is a young and penniless orphan who has been sent from his boarding school to a remote place in Norfolk. Horsey Mere is owned by the very intriguing Philip Smallwood who is Crispin's mysterious benefactor. When Crispin arrives on the island, Philip Smallwood is conspicuously absent but there are two other young men like him! Jude Middleton and Myles Graham. Very quickly we realize that something is not right, but what exactly and why? it is yours to discover!
It is a crafty mystery with clues and misdirections scattered here and there and a final startling twist!
I would have given 5 stars but a few points stayed unfortunately unexplained at the end and left me a little frustrated. I give 4 stars. -
This ebook kept me awake all night. It was very engrossing that everytime I told myself that it would be the last page before I sleep ,but kept on reading till it was the last page.
The story was told in the point of view of Crispin. Being involved in a scandalous affair , would have left an orphan boy in the streets or in other dire predicament. But his mysterious benefactor took him in as his ward together with two other orphan boys who suffered a similar scandal like his own.
The twist and turn of the events was both entertaining and satisfying. I would have never expect the ending would be such. Every character has that unique and mysterious feeling to it that you want to know more about them and their secrets. The real mystery though is their mysterious benefactor who all three orphans knew nothing about. As to why the man would take them as his ward is the biggest mystery. The romance itself was also intriguing. At first I thought that a triangle relationship was inevitable or that they would all be competing for the love of their benefactor but it turn out otherwise. As who would end up with who had made me guessing till the plot unveils itself.
I thoroughly enjoyed this ebook and would happily reread this again another time. This was a satisfying read. -
The pull of this story is the mystery, which presents itself rather quickly in the form of confusion. You will almost immediately find yourself wondering just what the hell is going on, much like the hero Crispin. When you do finally realize what's going on, it's astounding, but it doesn't really make up for the other serious flaws in this story.
Firstly, the story has tides; I mean, very intense ebbs and flows that come as a surprise. You will suffer through long, descriptive scenes that don't seem to move the story, and then suddenly find yourself skipped through days with just a few sentences. In that way, much of the action is surprisingly...cursory. It's like, "Oh...suddenly we're here now?" This is especially true with the ending.
If you like well thought out, definitive endings, this one isn't for you. This story ends like a car going off the edge of cliff. Within a few sentences you go from the beginning of the wrap up to...bam! We grew old and fat and lived happily ever after. No explanation, no details, no epilogue. It was almost startling. for a moment, I wondered if I had gotten a faulty e-book file, but no. It really ends that way. Very disappointing and sudden. -
This was incredibly slow for 95% of the book, which I was kind of expecting and forgiving of because of the style. But it reached that point near the end where I realized there were only a few chapters left and there was so much stuff that had to happen and things to be wrapped up that would never be able to fit. And it didn't.
A really slapdash, lazy ending. "And we never spoke of it again~" is just about the least satisfying (or healthy when it involves ) way to end a story like this.
It could have been really fun if it was paced better and the ending wasn't so rushed. -
2011 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
-
Well written, but I didn’t love the story itself
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 6/10
PROS:
- I like this author’s writing style. It’s intelligent and contemporary to its historical setting without seeming stuffy or stilted.
- The setting is richly described and does a great job of creating a solid idea of both an historical time period and a location with which I’m unfamiliar.
- It took a few chapters, but I became intrigued by the mystery of the story and found myself just as baffled by Crispin’s situation as he was. I was eager to learn the circumstances surrounding his change in fortune.
CONS:
- There are quite a few character names to keep straight, and many of them are introduced in a span of only 2 or 3 pages. It’s not really that large a number of people involved in the story; it’s that each of the characters has more than one name, and some of the other characters use the first name and some use the last. I found the first part of the story confusing for this reason.
- I was a little disappointed in the ending. Not the way it ends, per se, but in how it’s written. The climax is exciting, but then there’s almost no resolution afterwards.
- The story contains a lot of obvious editing errors that could have been caught by a simple read-through. Examples: “Bittern’s Reach will be once more be hosting parties”; “I stepped stepped gingerly into the craft.”
Overall comments: I enjoyed the mystery here, but I suppose I wanted the romance to have more oomph to it. I was actually fine with there being no romance at all, but about halfway through, when it became evident a romantic element was developing, it felt to me like the author was setting me up for that sort of storyline…and then not much came out of it. I also feel like I should warn other readers that (possible SPOILER here…) the narrator is drugged and sexually assaulted at one point, although there’s very little description of it. -
Originally posted at
Rarely Dusty Books
Genre & Keywords:
M/M Romance, Historical, England, 1847, Guardian/Ward, Secrets, Mystery/Suspense
~~~~~
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Heat level: 1.5 out of 3
~~~~~
After reading the backblurb of Mere Mortals I had no clue of what to expect from this historical romance. Especially not in the romance department. Well, it actually stays unsure until far into the story who will ‘hook up’ with who. And I can tell you that it’s not the couple I was expecting at first. Now, after finishing the book, I can see why the blurb has been kept this vague. Great part of the allure of this excellent story lays in the uncertainty of the romantic and dramatic developments. Its build-up is slow but suspenseful and in my opinion brilliantly done.
Mere Mortals is actually the first book by Erastes I’ve read and I’m glad that she asked me – a long, long time ago – to review it, because I tend to steer away from historical romances most of the time. It’s probably why it took me so long to finally pick this book up. But now more than ever I have to admit that my subconscious reluctance to read this particular genre is really unfounded. With authors as Ava March and Erastes and their skillfully applied pens it’s impossible to not like the genre.
What I probably loved most about Mere Mortals is how it’s a character driven plot with layered and three-dimensional characters. The story is told from Crispin’s point of view throughout the book, but yet we get a good deal of character development on the part of the other protagonists as well. Crispin and his two fellow wards, Myles and Jude, are all three very differentiated young men with each their own way of talking and acting.
Although it’s a character driven story there’s still plenty of plot development too. But especially in the beginning not much is happening. When the suspense is building and building we get a few more action scenes, which are highly dramatic. By that time I was turning the pages as fast as I could and I refused to put the book down no matter what. Unfortunately I can’t tell much about the plot developments, or it will take away the thrill of your own reading experience.
Another aspect I truly enjoyed in Mere Mortals is how vivid and detailed the surroundings are described. The three boys are transplanted from their schools to their benefactor’s, Philip Smallwood’s, house on an island on the beautiful but remote, Horsey Mere in Norfolk. It’s midwinter, snowy and cold, which only underlines the isolation they are in and the grisly desolation of their situation. The descriptions of the mansion and the area are beautiful and lifelike, and they made me feel as if I was there. I could see myself wandering from room to room in that big house, together with Crispin. And I loved the historical references and idiom. The vivid portrayal of the setting made this novel in the end even more breathtaking for me.
There’s actually not much that I didn’t like about this story. It has great characters, has plenty of suspense and drama (but not too much), it’s well written with a vivid setting and the plot surprised me (in a good way) more than once. One thing I haven’t spoken about yet is the romantic arc. I don’t want to spoil anything about the possible relationship(s) in this story, so it’s not easy to discuss this aspect. But I can say that it was satisfying to see which characters found their HEA together. Their relationship isn’t very much on the foreground, only towards the end a bit more. And if you expect a lot of hot and elaborate sex scenes you will be disappointed. It’s not that there isn’t any on-page sex at all however. For me the balance between the romantic, dramatic and suspense elements in Mere Mortals worked really well. It is a memorable, compelling novel that definitely goes on my Favorite Reads shelf. -
I think it’s fair to say that if you’re looking for a book that races along, complete with twist after twist and many directions sprouting off at once, you won’t get it with Mere Mortals. What you do get is a beautifully written, gently paced tale that allows you to absorb everything at a rate the mind can accept without being too overloaded with information.
Crispin arrives Bittern’s Reach via boat. The house stands on an island, seems as remote as it can be, secluded and offering privacy to its occupants. I caught my first glimpse along with Crispin: …and gradually a house emerged from the screen of bare willows. A lovely description that, along with the others surrounding it, placed me in that boat looking ahead at a place Crispin would now call home.
He soon realises he isn’t the only young man to become Philip’s ward. There are three of them, each with distinctly different personalities but one thing in common—they are all gay. There is a reason they were selected, one I won’t reveal, and it is as frightening as it is strange. Of course, they have no idea, and embrace their new life as only those previously without one to crow about can. They are given new clothes, take lessons, are fed well and treated kindly, and for all of them, it seems a new life has begun. Incredibly, they have been chosen by a man who seems to only want what’s best for them.
*possible plot spoilers ahead*
Crispin is attracted to Jude, who has a magnetic personality, and it isn’t difficult to see why they form a bond. But fate is cruel, and Jude makes it clear that although they had once shared intimacy, it wouldn’t be repeated. Left feeling alone again—the kind of alone only an orphan knows—Crispin turns to Myles for friendship. Myles is a lovely young man who saw Jude for exactly who he is and waited patiently for the flush of attraction for Jude to leave Crispin. Their friendship grows, and the inevitable sexual relationship soon follows, and I found myself glad they had got together.
Myles has long suspected something isn’t right at Bittern’s Reach, and it isn’t until much later we discover things—things that were orchestrated by Philip to suit his own ends. Without giving anything away, the scene later in the book where Crispin has to take medicine and Jude visits, a purely despicable act occurs that had my skin crawling and my dander up—especially when a sneaky twist arrives with the revelation of what actually went on.
I must mention the cover. It’s beautiful, absolutely beautiful, and depicts a scene from the book perfectly. Having looked at the cover before reading, admiring it very much, I found the scene that it shows came to mind so vividly that I smelled the air and saw the portrait as though I was there myself.
Mere Mortals takes a sinister turn, one that pleased me greatly, and all the clues Erastes left behind this point start popping up in the mind and making perfect sense. At one point, with the scene this line is from—…and his hair dripped the murderous Mere onto the parquet.—I shuddered, and as I had been reading that part in bed, I woke later during the night from a nasty nightmare involving the man this line is about. A powerfully worded paragraph—simply done yet startling in its clarity and ability to frighten.
If you enjoy a book that isn’t rushed, where everything unfolds at a languid pace, this book is a delicious stroll through the life of Crispin, Jude and Myles in a time where, if you one was privileged enough, valets attended those in the household and servants moved through life in the background. Intrigue, deception, love, mixed messages, and a mystery that chills and much as thrills, Mere Mortals is one tale I’m glad to have read. -
Gerry B's Books Reviews -
http://www.gerrycan.wordpress.com
When it comes to man-on-man, historical romance and adventure, the name Erastes invariably comes to the fore, and her latest creation, Mere Mortals [Lethe Press, March 23, 2011] is perhaps her best effort yet. It is in my mind, anyhow, and I’ve read and reviewed many of her novels and short stories in the past.
The first thing one notices about this novel is the subtlety with which the story unfolds, and the leisurely, measured pace that is so in keeping with a nineteenth-century theme. For example, the story opens with a coach ride through the countryside setting, and with this clever device the reader is invited aboard to see it for him/herself, i.e:
“There was nothing here to write about, or so it seemed. After so many years spent at school in the well manicured quadrangle and playing fields of Barton Hall, this new landscape seemed empty, untidy and bleak. A light mist covered the land as far as the horizon, little more than a thin vapour, but it was enough to drain all colour from the scene passing by the carriage window. I gave a wry smile. Colour that mainly consists of bleached dead reeds, brown ditches and brown muddy pools
“Since leaving Yarmouth the coach had travelled slowly north, following the coast road, such as it was. The coachman had warned us passengers that the roads were bad at this time of the year and he wasn’t wrong; more than once the three of us – for that’s all there was, travelling in the filthy weather – had to alight, braving the vicious biting wind to assist the coach out of one of the larger ruts we encountered. Even inside the coach with the curtains drawn, the wind sliced its way through any small gaps in the woodwork.”
Ergo, in one deft stroke the author sets the tone, the pace, the theme, as well as introducing the narrator and some of the characters. This is writing at a very high level of the craft—almost a textbook example—and it is why Erastes has earned the respect she enjoys.
Mere Mortals is very much a Gothic story with the requisite manor located on a bleak mere, secret passageways, sphinx like servants, and a handsome but mysterious master. All of them playing their parts delightfully, as do the three boys. There is tension, too; plenty of it. Tension that is velvet-wrapped in mystery. It permeates the atmosphere but never becomes blatant or oppressive until it surfaces near the end; when the secret of Bittern’s Reach is revealed.
If you are a fan of M/M romance, historical fiction or Gothic tales, all superbly written, then Mere Mortals is bound to please on all counts. -
One of my favorite genres is Gothic historical fiction. I enjoy visiting the past, learning how life was different then, however, it also makes me grateful to return to my life in the 21st century. The romance, drama, intrigue, and all things paranormal incorporated into Gothic literature fascinate me. In her latest novel, ‘Mere Mortals’, Erastes adds male love into the mix, creating a story which I found irresistible. Usually, I’m not overly fond of a story in which I have to solve a mystery, but ‘Mere Mortals’ was an exception. I was willing, even anxious, to slowly scour the text for clues as they were revealed.
The characters in the story were so well crafted that I felt as if I knew everyone personally and could anticipate their reactions, with the exception of Phillip Smallwood, of course, whose actions were purposefully enigmatic. I questioned his motives from the start, realizing that he was, at the least, a seriously conflicted man who was haunted by many ghosts of the past.
Crispin Thorne, the main character and narrator, is quite likable. He is surprisingly resigned, always trying to accept things as they come. He's understandably cautious and guarded, yet tries to think the best of people rather than jumping to conclusions. However, as retiring as Crispin seems to be, when action is clearly needed, Crispin puts his whole heart into the effort; he takes charge and follows through splendidly.
At first, I mistook Myles for a hostile, bitter, mistrusting young man. As his character grew, I saw that he was, in fact, the one of the three boys who was most in touch with his feelings and most open to the truth; therefore having the clearest understanding of their situation.
Jude lives in a dream world. Even though he appears sophisticated, witty and charming on the outside, inside he's an insecure, desperate young man. He has melancholy around him which permeates his whole being and is constantly slipping behind masks which enables him to remain in denial.
'Mere Mortals' is a powerfully moving saga which carries its characters down many different paths, leaving clues for the reader to snatch up in its wake. The story begins at a slow, deliberate pace and builds in speed until it bursts at the seams with the revelation of the truth. It's a great story, written in true gothic style which keeps you guessing until the end.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on
Queer Magazine Online -
Suddenly, orphan Crispin’s life shows incredible promise but he may not be prepared for the price. Crispin has just found that not only does he have a new guardian, but he’s going to live with him out in the middle of nowhere. When Crispin gets to the enormous house, he discovers two other orphans in similar situations. The three young men have many things in common, not the least of which is their desire for other men and no idea why this generous benefactor wants to help them. As the clues start to pile up though Crispin, Jude, and Myles realize their rich new life comes with a hefty cost.
Mere Mortals is an absorbing and interesting historical drama. The story includes a good deal of mystery as Crispin and the other two boys try to figure out their mysterious guardian. Why Phillip chose the three boys is unknown but they’re so happy to have a real future that they don’t want to question their good fortune too closely. The clues are slowly and carefully doled out so you never get overwhelmed but never lost either. The pace is very good as the story leads you along the cold and chilly house on a swampy lake as the young men try to understand what’s expected of them and what they mean to each other.
The writing is incredibly good and sweeps you away with both the setting and the story. The language is fitting to the historical time but never stuffy and overbearing, as some historicals can verge into. Instead the writing is crisp, fresh, and keeps you glued to the story from the start. The characters are all three dimensional with no easy villains and no hapless innocents. Crispin is the most clueless of the group but not maliciously or in a dumb way, but more so inadvertently. His relationships to the other two boys help define and change their personalities. Each young man grows over the course of the story, changing from their first impressions into something more complex and interesting.
Mere Mortals is an engaging story that you won’t want to put down. The creepy, eerie feeling to the whole story permeates as you read but it’s a delicious one that lets you sink into the story and experience it alongside the characters. The entertainment factor is very high while reading it’s one I doubt you can put down easily, I certainly couldn’t. If you’re looking for a wonderful, kind of creepy, yet intriguing story to delve into definitely get this. You won’t be disappointed.
originally posted at
http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201... -
Author Erastes’ historical romance novel, "Mere Mortals," is a beautifully written, haunting story about three young men who are taken in by a mysterious benefactor to live in the lap of luxury at his English countryside estate, Bittern’s Reach.
Orphan Crispin Thorne is expelled from school when he and his friend and lover, Arch, are discovered in a compromising position. A year later, he is shipped off to a remote island where he makes the acquaintance of fellow orphans Jude and Myles, two boys his age who also just arrived under similar circumstances. Combined, the three young men know very little about their new guardian, Philip Smallwood, or the reason why he chose to adopt them.
From the outset, the author brilliantly depicts an eerie, ominous tone. En route to his new home, Crispin’s mere mention of Bittern’s Reach and its owner’s name raises the eyebrows of his fellow passengers--in particular, a man who introduces himself as Dr. Baynes.
As Crispin grows accustomed to his lavish surroundings, which include his own personal servant, Albert, he grows fond of Philip, and the aura of mystery surrounding his surrogate father begins to fade. He also becomes fast friends with his housemates, and soon develops a crush on Jude.
Erastes provides just enough detail of these boys and their mannerisms, but not so much that they become caricatures. Jude is sprightly, effeminate and helplessly flirtatious. Myles comes across as brawny and mischievous, meanwhile Crispin is the most sensitive and arguably naïve. The striking physical description of Philip, coupled with his speech, brings to mind an Oscar Wilde-like, quintessential gentlemanly figure from 19th century Victorian England.
Mostly by accident, Crispin discovers Philip’s motives for recruiting him and his two comrades, and accepting the reality of their predicament affects each of them differently. From then on, it is a veritable race to the finish, as they aggressively seek answers to their questions about Philip’s past, his home and what he expects in return for his generosity.
"Mere Mortals" is a compelling story and much more than just a gay romance novel. While there is plenty of physical interaction among the male characters--expected in some cases, surprising in others--the end result is an impressive combination of mystery and intrigue that is disturbing yet ultimately moving. -
Mere Mortals was a very interesting gothic tale. Right from the beginning we are immersed in this mysterious, dark, almost foreboding atmosphere. Told from Crispin's point of view, I was intrigued with the mystery and loved how the setting (Norfolk countryside) really played a key role in the story.
Crispin is an orphan and has been raised in a boarding school. When he was caught with another boy, he thought for sure he'd be booted out with nothing to his name. But such was not the case. Crispin became the ward of the mysterious Phillip Smallwood and after completing his final year at school, Crispin went to live with his benefactor, a man whom he'd never met.
When he arrives in Bittern's Reach, Crispin meets two other young men whom Phillip became benefactors to: Jude Middleton and Myles Graham. And it's not too long before Crispin realizes both these men prefer the company of other men as well. And then they meet their mysterious benefactor. Phillip quickly sets their schedules up-they are to continue schooling, but they will also receive training in other areas, to be young gentleman. He even decides on their clothing. Despite this regimented schedule, the men do have a certain freedom on Phillip's estate. Unfortunately for them, living in Norfolk, to go anywhere else, they need to travel by boat. Keeps them isolated.
As the story progresses, the setting and atmosphere really work well together to engender a feeling of quiet menace below the surface of their lives. There's something off a bit with the way everything is going down and Crispin isn't quite sure what. And the what is a bit of a surprise. I was so engrossed in Crispin's tale and since it's from his point of view we only have the same clues he does to work with. I thought it all came together in a satisfying way. I really enjoyed Crispin's character and thought the other characters were well done too. But the real star of this novel was the setting. Erastes did such a good job of placing us in that Norfolk countryside. That really set the mood for the story, and not in an obvious way.
If you're in the mood for a gothic historical m/m, I recommend Mere Mortals. 4 out of 5.
This review was originally posted by Ames on
Book Binge. -
Erastes was highly recommended to me and among her books this was the one with the blurb I liked most, so I picked it up even though I usually don't care much for M/M period pieces.
I'm glad I did because I really like Erastes' writing style, so I count it as a win even though this story turned out to be somewhat of a disappointment despite the very promising beginning.
Erastes' four main characters are different enough to provide quite an interesting mix, but unfortunately their potential is never fully achieved.
Jude, the one with the most complex personality, is terribly underused: since we see events from Crispin's point of view, he's practically absent for a good while, and when he does reappear it's impossible to truly relate to him, because we never got to see how he came to reach that point.
Philip's true nature should also have been handled much more carefully in order to leave a more lasting impression than "crazy predator".
Crispin himself--the way he just switches from Jude to Myles makes him seem terribly shallow, certainly not interesting enough to explain Philip's deluded obsession.
Myles is the only well-rounded character, but despite his brilliancy I failed to really be captivated by him.
My main problem with this book, however, is how rushed the last part feels. It's disjointed, confused and hammers plot at you, which is a jarring difference from the rest of the story, with its deliciously slow, detailed and clear build up. It's such a pity, because if handled differently this could have been a truly fantastic book.
Overall, however, the flaws of this book didn't stop me from enjoying Erastes' writing, so I'm probably going to read more from this author.
One last thing: besides being terribly beautiful, the cover of this book actually is related to the plot. Kudos for beautiful AND relevant covers! I wish more M/M books followed this trend, instead of just showing random naked guy. -
I debated a four star review, but really, my grievance with the book is a minor one compared to the rest of the book overall. My one issue is with the ending. It's very abrupt when it ends, and leaves the readers with a lot of questions, which was frustrating for me.
However, the rest of the book was delightful. The story is told from Crispin's point of view, and I found the descriptions and language to be wonderful for the time period. The story was rich in details and I felt that I was living in the world Crispin and the others inhabited. As far as the major point of mystery, it doesn't become clear until very late in the novel. It is hinted at, but it is more of a vague teasing than anything else.
I completely fell for the characters. I loved Crispin and hurt with him when he was rebuffed by Jude. And while I disliked Myles at first, he grew on me. I wish I knew more of what happened between the end of their time on the Mere and where they are in the last few lines of the books. It's a very large gap that would be interesting reading. -
I love male/male historical romances and anything with a hint of gothic about it. Although I'm not usually a fan of first person novels, in this case it worked well because we as the readers discover things at the same time as the protagonist, Crispin Thorne. It has a hint of the ghost story about it, although nothing explicitly supernatural happens in the narrative, you get the impression you wouldn't be surprised if it did. It was a wonderful sweeping story, but I have one quibble and that is with the ending.
After a build-up of tension for much of the book, we have the denoument and then the last paragraph skims over what happens next to our characters. It all seemed a bit rushed and I was a little disappointed. So four stars instead of five from me. -
Wow...I oftentimes commented on the sheer intelligence of Erastes. I love her use of language, character development, and building of plot. I highly recommend this book. From personal experience, I know that her own process of writing includes infinite grammatical adjustments, not all of which end up as cleanly as I would prefer. I think it simply takes away from the level she has achieved--there are more typos than befit her. I hope that future novels will include combing through the edits more carefully. Still, they don't take away from the quality of this book. I loved it.
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This book was more of a mystery, than a romance story. Even with that I managed to like it all the same. I gave it 4 stars for a few niggling reasons that I will not mention, but I will say that overall the story is very good and enjoyable. I am not usually a huge fan of historical romances, but this for me was not about the romance, instead it was about the mystery of what happened. When I started reading this book, I believed it would be a romance, and that the characters would have been paired differently. But the way it all worked out, I was glad it was not what I had been expecting :)
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To be honest, it was the cover that first snagged my attention. The art work is simply superb. But as captivating as the art is, the story is that much better. The characters are rich and genuine. Erastes Dickensesque prose is masterful. I loved this book.
