Reviews
Romance Junkies - 4.5 Blue Ribbons THE GOLD WARRIOR by Clare London is an engrossing and richly detailed fantasy story. I enjoyed every minute of this novel. The plot is filled with interesting secondary characters, and surprising developments. I enjoyed all the court intrigue, and the insight into Maen’s society. The story is told from the point of view of the title character. Maen is an intriguing man. As the story begins, he is a model citizen who never questions the status quo. However, events force him to take a look at the world he lives in. The reader really gets to know his thoughts and feelings as we follow his often painful journey as he becomes the man he was always meant to be. Christina - Romance Junkies Reviewer Coffee Time Romance ~ 5 Cups More than just a romantic tale, The Gold Warrior is an incredibly layered, well-rounded story of an almost communistic society and the indomitable human spirit within its illusion of order and perfection. Clare London writes these characters with sensitivity, understanding and vision. Maen is the mature man with the child-like perspective of the world he inhabits, while the young Dax has inate knowledge well beyond his years. Their love is messy and pure, their journey fascinating. I cannot wait for the follow-up book to dive back into this story. Heather The Boys Next Door - 5 Stars I'll admit it, the idea of a female dominant society with a harem of men at their beck and call just makes me happy. I like it even more when the system is rotten and riddled with abuse. Doubly so when there are noble, self-sacrificing heroes who are going to move heaven and hell to save what's important to them.
Maen is comfortable in his place in this world. He finds comfort in taking orders and caring for his mistress. At least, until he meets Dax.
See,
every year the mistresses congregate and participate in an auction to
buy new members for their household. The young men they purchase are
ranked as Bronze warriors. Bronze boys are trained in pleasuring their
mistresses and in the art of war. As the warriors get older, they are
raised to the rank of Silver. Only the best of the best are able to rise
to the rank of Gold warrior. And, when Maen sees Dax, he thinks that Dax
has the potential to be a Gold.
Reviewed by Cynthia Rainbow Reviews ~ 5 Stars I've heard before that it's difficult to write something fresh and original because everything falls into 7 basic plots: 1. man vs. nature The Gold Warrior is certainly packed! It covers at least 2, 3, 4, and 6, maybe 7. I haven't read anything as dense in action and world building as The Gold Warrior in a while, and I appreciated the book for giving me that. Maen lives in a matriarchal society where all men are considered beneath women and given more menial jobs while important jobs and positions of decision making are held by women. Maen is considered one of the more privileged men because he is a Gold Warrior, the highest honor given to men. Soldiers defend Aza City and also give pleasure to Ladies of important households. Men are either picked to serve as soldiers or they're cast aside as Remainders. Maen takes his status and his duties very seriously and has never questioned the way things are. He practically worships his mistress and takes his daily Devotions (pills to make men stronger, among other things). The arrival of Dax throws his perception of his world off balance. Dax was the son of a Remainder before being selected to be a Bronzemen and doesn't see things through rose-colored glasses. Dax is not like the other Bronzemen and more outspoken. Maen likes that about Dax even though he doesn't like everything Dax has to tell him. The beginning nearly scared me off, but I'm glad it didn't because I enjoyed the The Gold Warrior and can't remember a time in the past few months where I've had this much fun with a book. Chapter 1 is a lengthy info dump, not just with narration but also with dialogue between Maen and his Mistress Luana in the form of reminiscing and reminders. But after that first chapter, I couldn't tear myself away from the book. Clare London fleshes out all her characters, not just the main ones. Maen is an intelligent man but being a soldier is all he knows and he lacks experience in anything else. Dax is younger, but in a lot of ways, he's wiser than Maen. The Gold Warrior is part of a series; The Twisted Brand is the follow up. The story is just as much about Maen's disillusionment as it is about romance. Maen is understandably resistant to anything that threatens his view of the perfect society of Aza City, even while he acknowledges that what Dax is telling him is true. Dax complicates a lot of things for him, including his emotions. Maen's never fallen in love before and he doesn't know what to do with the conflicted feelings. On the one hand, he would never commit a treasonous act such as developing a relationship with another person, but on the other, he can hardly control himself around Dax. The Gold Warrior juggles a lot of issues, but I think London handled it beautifully. She paints wonderful flawed characters and a vivid image of their world. Another aspect I loved about the book was that it wasn't just driven by personal conflicts alone. There was plenty of action of the teeth-gritting, seat-gripping variety. (Although there is enough of the bedroom variety too.) I could barely check myself for wanting to skip whole pages ahead just to see what happened next. If you have plenty of time set aside (because this story sucks you in and holds you fast), The Gold Warrior makes an excellent read! I'm hoping the second book comes soon. Review by Ryes
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