Title: The Eagle’s Wing
Series: N/A
Author: Cimorene Ross
Genre: Historical (Roman Era)
Length: Extended Novel
Publisher: Manifold Press (August 1st, 2013)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: Roman Gaul: Lucius Valerius Carus isn’t naturally impulsive; when he suddenly and unexpectedly buys a slave at a market, it’s because he feels sorry for a man who has obviously been maltreated in the past. However, he’s taken on far more than he bargained for with Keret – intelligent, educated, and a great deal stronger than he looks. Roman society wouldn’t think twice about Lucius using Keret for his sexual pleasure – indeed, it would be astonished if he didn’t – but it’s likely to be horrified if it ever learns that Lucius has started to respect his slave, and absolutely disgusted if it discovers that he’s gradually beginning to fall in love …
Product Link: http://www.manifoldpress.co.uk/2013/07/the-eagles-wing/
Review: Good God, what an ending; I’m still reeling from its abruptness. Yes, I know I’m tackling this from a backward point, but I can’t shake the cliffhanger feeling from me just yet. Right when things started to be a bit bright and I finally believed we would see some solid happiness and declarations, right there and then it ended. I found myself going forth and back between pages just in case I missed something, but no such luck.
So basic story: A Roman Gaul Officer buys a slave just to spite his long time enemy. He had no intention of buying one, and a pleasure slave at that, but it happened in a moment of sheer madness and he has to deal with it. What he doesn’t expect though is to fall helplessly in love with his slave, Keret, (who’s been more than traumatized by his former masters) and to find himself trying to shake Keret out of bad memories, creating new, happy ones for him.
Not ever pressing Keret for his affections Lucius takes the opportunity of his place in the army to unleash the true man hidden behind a delicate shell. Keret’s former training as a doctor comes quite useful and he quickly becomes more than just a beautiful slave to his soldiers, as they opened their ranks and treated Keret as their own.
Painstakingly slow, defeating obstacle after obstacle, and demon after demon, Lucius manages to succeed in his goal to make Keret happy. Alas, the fate could not have them falling easily into that hard gained happiness, and a serious wound has Keret fighting to keep his master alive just as he realized that he might have fallen in love with him.
Quite the controversial idea I might say, seeing as slaves were often treated as nothing back then. I find it highly unlikely a Roman Citizen to treat his slave like Lucius does. In my mind, Lucius was a bit over the top there. As for Keret, while he is quite the charming character I found him such a passive voice. To be completely honest, the entire read was rather passive. So many emotions failed to pass on to me, from Keret’s gruesome past to his and Lucius newfound love, everything was rather bland. I disliked the fact that while there were such shocking events right there in the text, they were smothered in a shying-from-cruel narration, whit took the much-needed edge from the entire book.
The obstacles this pair had to overcome lost their importance, the victory over them lost its shine, and the most intense scene in the entire story that should have been when Keret finally gives himself willingly to Lucius, was barely touched in the haste of telling the tale.
I feel so bereft right now, so empty. The end really was a punch in the gut. I simply couldn’t believe that I was reading this entire book for THAT. I still don’t. As much as I liked the idea and the story and the era and God those Panonians I feel at a loss.