Treasured
October 21, 2010
29 Comments
/ 1,449 views
Title: Treasured
Author: Cari Z.
Publisher: Pink Petal Books
Genre: M/M urban fantasy romance
Length: 22,000 words
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
A guest review by Jenre
Summary Review
A well written, sweet urban fantasy romance with a hero so delightful I wanted to take him home and love him forever.
THE BLURB
Daniel Hart is a graduate student at the University of Arcane Studies, who works in a museum and mostly enjoys his calm, routine life. Everything changes when he meets Rhys Daveth, a visiting businessman with mysterious connections who pursues him with a passion that Daniel has never experienced before. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but things take a turn for the worse when Daniel is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit, one that he suspects his new lover had a hand in. Once the truth comes out, Daniel will have to choose between the future he had planned and something deeper, more exciting and far more dangerous than he could have imagined.
THE REVIEW
I’ve read quite a few of Cari Z’s m/m short stories and always found them to be well written, with solid plotting and characters, so when I saw this book I knew I was going to be in for a good story. Actually this was more than good, mainly due to the character of Daniel who I found completely delightful.
Daniel is a grad student who also works at the university museum of arcane magic. He’s happy in his studies and doesn’t mind too much that he has only limited magical skills. Whilst at work he meets Rhys, a visiting businessman who sweeps him off his feet, and into Rhys’ bed. Taken in by Rhys good looks and charm, Daniel doesn’t realise that there is more to the handsome shifter, until it’s too late.
How much you like this story depends very much on your feelings towards the first person narrator, Daniel. I have to admit I’m a complete sucker for guys with low self-esteem and Daniel fits this type exactly. He’s studious and serious (another of my favourite characteristics) and although he has friends and gets on with his work colleagues, he spends most of his time studying for his thesis and working at the museum. It’s no wonder then that he is so overwhelmed by Rhys, who just bowls him over with his charm. I quickly connected with Daniel and then felt completely helpless as events unfolded in the book. I could see what was coming pages before it happened, and part of my enjoyment of the book was anticipating the moment when Daniel realised that all was not as he thought, and seeing his reaction. I also liked that Daniel wasn’t a weak man. He’s sensible and when things go wrong he doesn’t resort to tears, but manages to keep himself together despite the hurt he feels. He also grows as a character through the story, becoming more confident thanks to Rhys’ attention. Rhys is less well defined, but there was enough in terms of characterisation to lift him from just being hot and handsome. The heroes worked well as a couple and the sex scenes were blistering as well as romantic – just how I like it – and I was satisfied with the conclusion to the story.
Another aspect of the book which worked was in the UF setting. It’s not too far off a contemporary setting, and so the UF part is in the details rather than sweeping descriptions or complex world-building. This meant that the setting was familiar but with an added twist which I felt worked well, especially as the focus of the story is on Daniel and his relationship with Rhys rather than some epic story involving lots of characters.
The only niggle I had was due to Rhys’ occupation, which I can’t say much about here or I’ll give the whole plot away. Suffice to say, I felt a bit uncomfortable with it. I also felt that Daniel was perhaps too accepting of what Rhys is, especially given how good and honest Daniel is. It gave a slightly false note to Daniel’s character at the end of the book, which was a shame when otherwise his characterisation was realistic.
If you’re looking for a well written UF-lite story with a great hero; good writing; and a nice mix of drama, romance and humour (the scene where Daniel speaks to his mother after he is arrested was very amusing), then I’d recommend Treasured. I enjoyed it a great deal and found it hard to put down once I’d started.
Author Information
Wave
Madonna196
Bogusia
Larissa
Sirius
Jen
This sounds like a wonderful story. I don’t believe I have ever read anything by this author and this sounds like a great place to start.
I love urban fantasies and Treasured seems to have the right mix of mystery and romance to make it an excellent read. I’m looking forward to finding out what exactly is Rhys’s occupation. LOL
Great review Jen.
Hi Wave
Thanks
.
I think you’ll really like this book. Daniel was just so adorable, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with him as much as I did
.
This sounds very, very promising. I must check it out. Thank you for the review.
Hi Lady M
No problem
. Hope you like it too.
I don’t usually go for shorter stories, but this one sounds like something I’d like, so perhaps I’ll make a go of it!
Hi Wren
.
Well I hope you like it, since I seem to have convinced you to get it
“… a hero so delightful I wanted to take him home and love him forever.”
You had me right there. Definitely will check this one out. LOL I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by this author, so should be interesting.
Hi Tam
I was thinking of you as I read this, Tam. It’s short and funny in places which is just like the sort of book you like to read.
I love urban fantasy but I am a bit hesitant… not sure I will love this from your desciption jenre.
Hi Sunshine
This is not a dark UF so if that’s the sort of book you enjoy, then this may be too light and fluffy for you
.
I didn’t realise it was so short, I downloaded and it was a good read.
I wish the author had expanded the story and world building though, as it is now it feels a bit half finished or like a quickie when you want the full course? I think there is enough storyline for full lenght novel.
I would have liked to see what happens with Daniels abilities and how the relationship with Reese would develop, especially given his “job”. Reese shifter abilities are interesting too. Both of them are rare creatures and that could have been used in a more complex story.
I didn’t like the constant use of the word pet (guh!) and Daniel seems too powerless under his desire for Reese, I would have loved a bit more integrity (which could have been developed with in a full length novel)!
I did enjoy it but I think it could have been developed into a really smashing book!
Hi Sunshine
I’m glad you enjoyed it, even if you felt there could have been more detail to the setting.
I didn’t mind the use of ‘pet’ because it’s a fairly common term of endearment in the UK, especially in the North East, and as Rhys is British it fit well with his character that he would use it.
There were a few loose ends to do with some of the character’s abilities, enough for a sequel to extend the setting. Perhaps the author intends to write another book with these characters.
Oh, good to know about “pet”, thank you! English is not my first language and I always think about S/D when I read that it and see it as a show of dominance.
Yes, the author has lots of openings to work on a sequel. I think the plot is a very solid one for urban fantasy. I especially liked their abilities and that they were unusual, that suprised me in a positive way.
It sounds good Jen albeit a bit short. I do like UF though.
Hi Ingrid
The length of the piece worked well for what it was, especially as the story takes place over a few days.
Think I have read books that takes place on two days and have 500 pages
LOL! Yes, I suppose there are books like that
.
My lord, even a description of the two best days of my entire life wouldn’t take 500 pages. LOL
This sounds very interesting, and I don’t think I’ve ever tried anything by this author either. I hope the publisher makes it available on Kindle so I can pick it up. Is that a Turkish “evil eye” amulet front-and-center on the cover? I don’t think I’ve ever seen something like that in m/m cover art before.
Hi Val
Yes the stone is a Turkish piece and is quite important to the story so that’s why it’s on the cover.
Thanks for the great review Jenre……I haven’t read anything by this author and now I am intrigued. I shall add this to my wish list (which grows daily, and I have you all here at Jessewave to thank). Looking forward to reading this.
Hi Elaine
. Hope you enjoy it!
I’m always pleased when I can convince someone to part with their hard-earned cash for a book
You convinced me, with the same line that convinced Tam!
Yay! It seems an age since I’ve managed to persuade you to get a book, Chris
.
Hi Jen.
once again a great and enticing review. I’ve hardly gone wrong with your suggestions so far, so I think I’m going to give this one a try. Thanks a lot!
Hi Feliz
No problem. Hope you enjoy it too
.
Sold! Thank you for an excellent review Jen!
Thanks, Sirius
.