Title: Timshel
Author: Lillian Turner
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Length: Novel (265pgs)
Publisher: Etopia Press (20th April 2012)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: To love is to heal…
The Cursed Ones. As the sheltered youngest son of a healer, Eiland of Summerton has heard of them all his life, the miserable creatures who share the great sickness brought down by the wrath of the gods. Yet unlike any of the illnesses Eiland’s father treats in the village, this one is not passed by touch or cough or poison. It’s given by the Cursed Ones. All it takes is three small words: I curse you.
It never occurred to Eiland that a Cursed One could be young. Or handsome. Until he meets Charon, a wandering outcast who bears the Curse. One stolen kiss changes everything for Eiland and sends the two young men on a dangerous journey that neither can hope to survive–unless they set aside their differences and give in to forbidden love…
Purchase Link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-timshel-781443-143.html
Review: Eiland is a sheltered 17-year-old. He has never seen outside of his village and has only heard stories of the outside world. When he comes across another boy in the orchard, a stranger, he never realized that his life was going to change forever. Charon is a Cursed One. He is only sixteen. He has come in search of a healer who could help him. When he comes across Eiland, he is drawn to him, but he is Cursed and he can’t get his hopes up. But, Eiland knows much about healing, and Charon takes him on a journey that teaches them both the world.
This is a great YA story that takes two young adults on a journey that neither will forget. Eiland doesn’t realize that the boy he meets in the orchard is a Cursed One and treats him like he would anyone else. This bit of kindness will change his life forever. When Charon wants Eiland to come with him to show him how to make the salve that will help him, Eiland knows he doesn’t really have a choice. What a Cursed One wants a Cursed One gets. On the journey, Eiland realizes a lot about people, himself and the way of the world. He sees, also, first-hand what a Cursed One goes through, and he begins to understand why Charon is the way he is and does the things he does.
I enjoyed this story. it didn’t just take us to a new world, it showed us the world and the people in it from the unique eyes of a young man who had always saw his world only one way. This story is all from Eiland’s POV, so you get a large selection of emotions that he goes through on his journey, fear, anger, sympathy, hope, happiness, loneliness and understanding. Charon, your heart will break for, he lives with The Curse every day and his story is a very sad one, being cursed at a young age for a simple mistake.
I must admit to wanting to know more about The Curse. Although we are given a vague idea about it, you don’t get a real understanding about it. It leaves you with many questions about it. This story is really well written and flows well. Eiland and Charon are two very interesting characters and although they do exchange kisses that is about the extent of the romance, although Charon is very interested Eiland is unsure. I don’t know what Timshel means or why the book is called that, it is never mentioned once and I would love to know where the title came from.
I will recommend this to those who love fantasy, Young Adult, unsure feelings, being torn with what you want and two young men who have a difficult time of it.