Reviewed by Elizabetta

TITLE: Gardens Where No One Will See

AUTHOR: TC Mill

PUBLISHER: Carina Press

LENGTH: 57 pages

BLURB: A returning hero, a prisoner of his past

Renad Amdarien’s daring escape from the brutal confines of a sorcerer’s dungeon has made him a legend throughout the land. Now trusted without question, Renad suffers the truth alone: his former master’s sorcery rules him still. Broken both in body and mind, he finds brief solace only in the Gardens, lush sanctuaries of sex and secrets staffed by willing, skilled companions.

Nemaran, a most unusual Garden servant, recognizes Renad’s pain and offers easy comfort. What begins as erotic exploration soon grows into more, with Nemaran’s gentle attentions inspiring Renad to cross the physical and emotional boundaries society had long ago set in place.

When forces beyond his control compel Renad to commit the ultimate betrayal, the new lovers must band together outside of the Gardens’ walls…for only Nemaran can help Renad become his own man once more.

REVIEW:

I’d forgotten the story blurb before reading this and was glad I did. Reading Gardens was like trying to figure out a chess game. The author carefully disseminates clues about Renad, the hero warrior and Nemaran, his paid ‘companion’, leaving it to the reader to try to parse out what is going on between them and in this fantasy universe.

That Renad is under some sort of hold is evident. His feelings of guilt and shame don’t fit with a military war hero being feted by his Queen and her court. He has returned from battle and imprisonment to great acclaim yet he dreams of a powerful sorcerer named Ishil who has put a spell on him, using him towards his own evil end. Add to Renad’s personal sacrifice, his emasculation — since his imprisonment he’s not been able to physically respond to passion.

One night, Renard visits the Gardens of Selaband, a kind of lush outdoor bordello consecrated by the Goddess, and finds the lovely Nemaran swimming in the river that runs through them.

“… artificial hills, some crowned with flowering bushes and trees rose over herb beds… moonlight also glinted on bare skin in a dozen lovely shades, and the breeze carried soft, intimate sounds to Renad’s ears… the landscaping provided hundreds of private spaces…”

Nemaran is skilled at ferreting out and keeping his client’s secrets. But in Renad he senses more to his disquiet, and wants to help. Nemaran says to him…

“… in the Gardens where no one will find out. Honor can take care of itself. It’s joy that needs to be seen to.”

Gardens is engrossing for a quick read. It has a romantic element, certainly, but I see it more as a study of a man grappling with his own weaknesses as he must live up to a public persona he’s not at ease with. Renad’s strict adherence to his station as a nobleman (even though he wasn’t born to it) in his society is as much a cage as the spell Ishil holds over him. Renad’s metamorphosis as he learns that masculine pride has less to do with dignity or rules about giving pleasure, and more to do with trust and love, shows a real reversal in him. Giving himself over to Nemaran might prove to be the healing that he needs.

I did wonder why Nemaran was so drawn to Renad. He should be just another client. But Nemaran sees something special in Renad, sees his generosity of spirit. I really liked the reversal of roles here, the paid servant-companion showing a deep wisdom and ability to lead his superior towards help.

I recently read another interesting short piece by this author, A Novel Arrangement. There, I felt that I was still left with some questions about that world and it’s main characters. In Gardens again, I felt as if I was dropped into the middle of the story, but it works here. The author gives a nicely sketched world, and Renad’s personal journey, the main point, is well done.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS: Carina Press  ::  Amazon