Zine Rec: Ember Days by O Yardley

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Novel: Ember Days
Author: O Yardley
Zine Only
Slash
In print from Gryphon Press

Interesting read! I liked how this story unfolded, first with Bodie's mistake, then his utter shock and humiliation when he discovers that he's so very wrong. I found the middle of the story a bit slow, but overall, it was good. She has great characterisations I think. I had no problems whatsoever with Bodie, Doyle or Cowley in this.

This is an great insight into how Cowley might take the news of the lads attempting to have a sexual relationship. He was devious and quite unkind a good bit of the time with his various endeavours to show Bodie and Doyle that they were making a huge mistake. I'm so glad the author showed that Cowley's machinations actually pushed them together even more.

I loved Doyle's family. I admit, I laughed aloud at the "big reveal" when Doyle's dad first met Bodie. How surprised was Cowley when Doyle dropped the news about his family and Bodie? Here he's thinking that Doyle didn't have the balls to tell his mum and dad and huge family about being Bodie's lover, and the entire thing backfired. Not only that, but Doyle proves that he's a good agent when they cut short their leave to break a big case they weren't even working on. Cowley had to be grudging grateful for the lads' professionalism.

It wasn't very kind of him either, when he walked into the rest room in the final scene and opened his mouth. Even the other agents didn't find his statement called for.

One note, the OC Ben was well done, I thought. I felt sorry for the rather timid lad, and Cowley's cold use of him.

A thoroughly enjoyable novel from a very good writer.

Comments

[constant-muse.livejournal.com]

Oh great, this is one of the few zines I've read.

This was a bit dark and angsty for my taste (I do like my comfort reading), but perhaps I judged it more harshly because I expect almost unsullied sweetness and light from O. Yardley, with the odd spot of bother just serving to create tension and emphasise the love and romance (but not mush by any means). But instead there was gritty realism and vivid description, and plot and characters, all really well written.

I agree, Ben was well done. The best part of the plot for me was idea of Doyle having this double, and the relationship between Ben and Bodie in all its glory and pain and final reconciliation.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Cool, I'm glad you've read it.

I admit, by comparison to many other stories, this wasn't nearly as dark and angsty as they can get. She has a fairly light touch although there is a bit more meat in this story than some others I've read. I'm probably the only person on the planet who can say they liked this zine more than Injured Innocents. *g*

Thanks for commenting. It's nice to know I'm not out here reading all alone.

[squeeful.livejournal.com]

Dammit, now I want a copy of this. Wonderful as they are, that's the trouble I have with reviews; they always seem to dangle fabulous reading material in front of me that I am unable to acquire.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Ohh, I didn't mean to tease you! I just wanted to share the goodness and see if anybody else had read it. Come over and you can read mine. *g*

[siskiou.livejournal.com]

Add me to the line of people who now want to read this! *g*
Maybe some day it will become available.
The premise sounds really intriguing and generally like O Yardley's stories.
I just recently re-read Injured Innocents. :)

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I like most of O Yardley's stories as well. I hope you do get a chance. If not, there are plenty of other good stories out there.

Ember Days

[whitehills.livejournal.com]

Ember Days is still in print and available from Gryphon Press. Email for information to: sara.peartree@btinternet.com

[ladyhawke2.livejournal.com]

Is Injured Innocents available online?

[siskiou.livejournal.com]

Not that I know of, unfortunately.
I have a copy of that one.

[ladyhawke2.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I've just joined proslib, it's time I got some of the CDs :)

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

I bought this a few years ago, read it and can't remember anything about it at all, not even once I'd read some of the things you'd mentioned! So, I think it's time to read it again and that's great because I'm just winding up Exile (which I've loved) and I *need* another long story which isn't online (I hate reading off the screen), so many thanks for the reminder.

And Happy Birthday!

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Oh, we need to be a good review of Exile, other than I'd be so biased since I loved every word. Even with Ember Days I had parts that I wasn't as crazy about, but with Exile I never faltered. *happy sigh*

But do reread Ember Days and post. We'll just talk about it again. I'm with you reading off screen, which is why I just broke down and bought an ebook. I like it, so far, since it's only two weeks old.

There is nothing as satisfying as a novel where the writer nails the lads down, and I don't mean to the mattress! LOL! O Yardley did it very well here for me, and PRZed is amazing. I'd definitely reread Ember Days, and I'm sure I will one of these days.

But right now, I have at least ten "new" zines and Proslib CD on my CyBook to read.

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

I think someone has done a review of Exile but I can't remember who and I didn't look at it because it was before I'd read it. (I still haven't quite finished it because I know once I do, I'll really miss them all, even Liam!)

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I did that rec. *g* It wasn't indepth because I wanted to give folks a chance to read. It was not very long after the con and I figured not many people had their copies yet.

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

My memory's terrible because I could have sworn the name of the person who did it began with an 'M'. Right, thanks for letting me know!

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Maybe somebody else did one as well. I don't remember, because I'm right there with you in the memory place!

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

I've been out of town for a week. Guess which zine I chose to take with me on my trip? Yep, Ember Days! I finished it on the flight back home today.

This is O Yardley at her most angsty, but she is still a far cry easier to take than someone like Kate McLean or Angelfish. I must confess to enjoying the first half of the story much more than the second half. I really like how she weaves in so many details of their day-to-day workings of all the cases they are on. It really gives me a sense of being right there with the lads.

I don't like the Doyle of the first half but I have to say I admire certain characteristics of his. His cleverness in thinking up ways to steal Bodie's birds and his persistence trying to get what he wants are two. My favorite scene is his tantrum when he makes Cowley change his mind about splitting up the team. But this D is a mean, unkind, manipulative, selfish bastard. The way he keeps making snide comments to B about B's perceived weakness (in his eyes) is inexcusable, and I don't blame B for taking so long to even think of trusting him again. The contrast with the D of the second half is so great they hardly seem like the same person.

D's huge and boisterous family is way over the top. I like the idea that D's taking B to see them is proof that B can trust him because it gives B something he can use against D if he hurts B again.

However, the emotions don't quite ring true to me. D is just too mean to B all through the first part, B is passive for too long, and the change of heart, especially on D's part, just seems a bit too sudden and unexplained.

Overall I enjoyed this zine but it's not one that I will re-read often.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I do think there are parts that made me stop and wonder about Doyle in, as well. I found the middle of the zine drawn out, but overall I did enjoy it. Yeah, I wanted to thump both of them a few times myself! Thanks, C, for dropping in! It is a more angsty story for her, but I admit I liked this one better than Injured Innocents, even though that's many people's favourite.

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

I like this better than Injured Innocents, too. If nothing else it was hard to put the first part down for wanting to see what outrageous thing D was going to do to B next!