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Remastering Jerna #1
Remastering Jerna
In a world not unlike our own, Jerna Setiq has a perfect life, a beloved wife and two adored children, with his past desires and needs firmly put behind him. But when he's falsely accused of child abuse and imprisoned, he's cast into hell, with no apparent means of redemption, or regaining all that he's lost.
In the most unlikely of places, in the most unpromising of circumstances, fate offers Jerna his second chance and a path to freedom. With the cruelly fascinating Tolomi, a dominant in need of education and a patient submissive, Jerna dares to satisfy the long denied passions of his dual nature - but will he risk losing what has become so dear to him, all over again?
"Remastering Jerna" is a complex, erotic story of redemption, love, and the contract of trust in a relationship of control and submission.
Words: 114,879 (approximate)
In the most unlikely of places, in the most unpromising of circumstances, fate offers Jerna his second chance and a path to freedom. With the cruelly fascinating Tolomi, a dominant in need of education and a patient submissive, Jerna dares to satisfy the long denied passions of his dual nature - but will he risk losing what has become so dear to him, all over again?
"Remastering Jerna" is a complex, erotic story of redemption, love, and the contract of trust in a relationship of control and submission.
Words: 114,879 (approximate)
344 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Ann Somerville
55 books276 followersAnn Somerville grew up in one of Australia’s prettiest small cities. In 1989, she left Australia with a BA and a burning ambition to see more of the world and its people, and to discover this ‘culture’ thing people kept telling her about. In 2006, she returned home to Southeast Queensland with two more degrees (this time in science and IT), an English husband and a staggering case of homesickness, vowing never to leave Australia again.
Her long, plot-driven fiction featuring gay and bisexual characters has been published by Samhain Publishing and elsewhere.
Her long, plot-driven fiction featuring gay and bisexual characters has been published by Samhain Publishing and elsewhere.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
May 31, 2011
This book is amazing. It made me feel so raw. The thought of an innocent man imprisoned and tortured and offended and stripped of his basic rights and all his dignity is something that makes me nauseous. The extreme shallowness of the accuser, the "righteous" attitude of the bigoted witness, the empty sympathy of a best friend who won't stand up for him made Jerna's fate almost impossible to bear.
To be able to survive his imprisonment, Jerna sets a concrete goal to achieve and he reaches to his goddess as a well of strength and support. Jerna abides to his moral principles, which are extremely high. While the people around them seem to follow the words of the law, but not his spirit, Jerna seems the only one who tries to do right by others at the cost of his freedom. I think however that Jerna in a sense feels that there's something he has to expiate. When he married his wife Tyrne, a wonderful woman, he decided to hide and to suppress his needs as a submissive. When he takes a job as a prostitute to pay his debt to the justice system, he begins a journey of self-humiliation tempered by the absolute love for his family. In his new job Jerna retains his cultivated manners, his dignity and his sense of self.
The meeting with Tolomy, a would-be Dominant, a man which has intimates needs he craves to satisfy but is void in his soul, takes Jerna to the breaking point. This was the most difficult part to read, because the author was able to express Jerna's desperation with simple but effective words, portraying the effect Jerna's crisis has in the brothel by balancing every reaction, from the pity of the doctor, Zielda, to the sympathy of the brothel's manager Evai through the cold, but guilty contempt of Kare. It's impossible not to feel for this man who is totally lost and miserable and broken.
From this point on, Jerna begins to re-build himself and, with him, Tolomy begins his own journey to give a shape to his desires. Not everything is solved, but the fear and worry we felt before moves from Jerna's physical condition to Jerna's heart. Both Jerna and Tolomy/Ria bare their souls to the other man, with all the risks of misunderstanding and rejection that might come from this.
The writing is almost formal, but very effective and with no purple prose. Sometimes it's almost clinical, harsh, it's like a very bright light that makes everything appear starker, with no shadows, as if the characters were on an operating table, with no anesthesia, screaming for the pain they're enduring. And we with them.
To be able to survive his imprisonment, Jerna sets a concrete goal to achieve and he reaches to his goddess as a well of strength and support. Jerna abides to his moral principles, which are extremely high. While the people around them seem to follow the words of the law, but not his spirit, Jerna seems the only one who tries to do right by others at the cost of his freedom. I think however that Jerna in a sense feels that there's something he has to expiate. When he married his wife Tyrne, a wonderful woman, he decided to hide and to suppress his needs as a submissive. When he takes a job as a prostitute to pay his debt to the justice system, he begins a journey of self-humiliation tempered by the absolute love for his family. In his new job Jerna retains his cultivated manners, his dignity and his sense of self.
The meeting with Tolomy, a would-be Dominant, a man which has intimates needs he craves to satisfy but is void in his soul, takes Jerna to the breaking point. This was the most difficult part to read, because the author was able to express Jerna's desperation with simple but effective words, portraying the effect Jerna's crisis has in the brothel by balancing every reaction, from the pity of the doctor, Zielda, to the sympathy of the brothel's manager Evai through the cold, but guilty contempt of Kare. It's impossible not to feel for this man who is totally lost and miserable and broken.
From this point on, Jerna begins to re-build himself and, with him, Tolomy begins his own journey to give a shape to his desires. Not everything is solved, but the fear and worry we felt before moves from Jerna's physical condition to Jerna's heart. Both Jerna and Tolomy/Ria bare their souls to the other man, with all the risks of misunderstanding and rejection that might come from this.
The writing is almost formal, but very effective and with no purple prose. Sometimes it's almost clinical, harsh, it's like a very bright light that makes everything appear starker, with no shadows, as if the characters were on an operating table, with no anesthesia, screaming for the pain they're enduring. And we with them.
December 15, 2014
From another review:
No one can read this book without becoming emotionally involved with the characters.
No. Sorry, but no. I ended up asking myself how anyone could be (emotionally) involved in the characters, but first things first...
I probably should state that I've owned this book for months, and pushed it away, because I had this inkling I wouldn't at all like it. BDSM books often are a problem for me, because I'm in the lifestyle myself and I have strict opinions about consent. But that wasn't mainly why I had my doubts. Instead they were caused by the fact that I read a few Ann Somerville books a few years back, well before I was a member of GR, and found them very unsatisfactory. In fact, I ended up really disliking the prose, messages and plots.
So "Remastering Jerna" kept being pushed back into the pile, even though it was recced to me a few times. I had several discussions about consent and BDSM lately, and in consequence Kate kept telling me to read this for the treatment of consent. I decided to get it over with, and as Kate also dislikes the authors typical prose, yet ended up pulling something from this book, you really have to "thank" her for making me read it ;)
Whoever looks at the rating and at the shelves can easily see I did not end up liking it. So, on to the why. Those who dislike spoilers shouldn't open this!
As a conclusion I'm quite shocked by the amount of positive reviews. I was rather unmoved by the whole story (and it's definitely not me, compare please to my review of Cottonwood), certainly neither crying or emoting along, and I considered Jerna mainly being obnoxious, not tragic.
No one can read this book without becoming emotionally involved with the characters.
No. Sorry, but no. I ended up asking myself how anyone could be (emotionally) involved in the characters, but first things first...
I probably should state that I've owned this book for months, and pushed it away, because I had this inkling I wouldn't at all like it. BDSM books often are a problem for me, because I'm in the lifestyle myself and I have strict opinions about consent. But that wasn't mainly why I had my doubts. Instead they were caused by the fact that I read a few Ann Somerville books a few years back, well before I was a member of GR, and found them very unsatisfactory. In fact, I ended up really disliking the prose, messages and plots.
So "Remastering Jerna" kept being pushed back into the pile, even though it was recced to me a few times. I had several discussions about consent and BDSM lately, and in consequence Kate kept telling me to read this for the treatment of consent. I decided to get it over with, and as Kate also dislikes the authors typical prose, yet ended up pulling something from this book, you really have to "thank" her for making me read it ;)
Whoever looks at the rating and at the shelves can easily see I did not end up liking it. So, on to the why. Those who dislike spoilers shouldn't open this!
As a conclusion I'm quite shocked by the amount of positive reviews. I was rather unmoved by the whole story (and it's definitely not me, compare please to my review of Cottonwood), certainly neither crying or emoting along, and I considered Jerna mainly being obnoxious, not tragic.
February 22, 2013
Grrr...I want to rate this book a 5, but I have issues with Jerna's character. The story is great; more complex than you'd expect with layers played through various characters who transect Jerna's life.
Part of me wants to wrap naive people in cotton batting and hide them from the world and other part wants to smack them upside the head and say, "Snap out of it!" And yes, the degree of patience lessens as the relative age of an individual increases. Maybe it's because I have chronic mistrust, but to blithely accept things at face value when one's own well-being is at stake is a big NO for me and this is where I disconnect from Jerna.
His character is suppose to teach compassion and forgiveness and while I agree with these principles I don't subscribe to martyrdom. There are so many wrongs committed in this book that don't approach what I consider appropriate levels of redemption for the transgression that Jerna comes off as a doormat and frankly a liability to his friends and family.
The only character that does make the journey of redemption is Ria. It is beautiful and well done. The sophistication of the resolution between not only Jerna and Ria is fine, but Jerna and Tyrme as well. After all this, lest you think otherwise I will be reading the sequels.
One of the biggest strengths of this book are the sociological issues address: prison reform, majority repression of minorities, intolerance, and populace ignorance in things being done on their behalf.
Part of me wants to wrap naive people in cotton batting and hide them from the world and other part wants to smack them upside the head and say, "Snap out of it!" And yes, the degree of patience lessens as the relative age of an individual increases. Maybe it's because I have chronic mistrust, but to blithely accept things at face value when one's own well-being is at stake is a big NO for me and this is where I disconnect from Jerna.
His character is suppose to teach compassion and forgiveness and while I agree with these principles I don't subscribe to martyrdom. There are so many wrongs committed in this book that don't approach what I consider appropriate levels of redemption for the transgression that Jerna comes off as a doormat and frankly a liability to his friends and family.
The only character that does make the journey of redemption is Ria. It is beautiful and well done. The sophistication of the resolution between not only Jerna and Ria is fine, but Jerna and Tyrme as well. After all this, lest you think otherwise I will be reading the sequels.
One of the biggest strengths of this book are the sociological issues address: prison reform, majority repression of minorities, intolerance, and populace ignorance in things being done on their behalf.
August 8, 2012
9 Aug 2012: Someone in the UK read Remastering Jerna and took away from it not a touching and chilling lesson in the nature of consent, but rather a great idea to improve company profits.
A roofing company in Wales is bussing in prisoners to work in their call centers, and paying them 6% of the mimimum wage (replacing full-wage employees in the process).
A roofing company in Wales is bussing in prisoners to work in their call centers, and paying them 6% of the mimimum wage (replacing full-wage employees in the process).
January 27, 2013
I began this book at 9pm last night and I clicked my last click at 4:48am and what was in between I will carry with me for the rest of my life. What an amazing tale of honor, perseverance, and sacrifice. What should come off as harsh and gritty and base here just doesn't in spite of the content. Jerna is capable of amazing love - and he felt absolutely real. In some stories the characters are larger than life - not so here. He faltered, he wept, he did not know if he could go on but he did go on. At first because of his own inner strength and then by others belief in him.
It is rare to read a book where even the side characters are so rich that they are integral to the story so as for the reader to not even *see* them as a future series character offering. It is like the best supporting cast ever - and the Oscar goes to them and Jerna and Jia and all the others for the amazing way they moved me. Absolutely one of mu 10 best books of all time - and if we are talking about MM this would be in the top 5 for sure. Frankly I am still a bit speechless!
It is rare to read a book where even the side characters are so rich that they are integral to the story so as for the reader to not even *see* them as a future series character offering. It is like the best supporting cast ever - and the Oscar goes to them and Jerna and Jia and all the others for the amazing way they moved me. Absolutely one of mu 10 best books of all time - and if we are talking about MM this would be in the top 5 for sure. Frankly I am still a bit speechless!
Read
August 13, 2016DNF. No rating.
May 2, 2020
I started reading this novel seven years ago. That's how long it took me to digest the first part. I can't stand any form of injustice, whether real or imaginary, whether it's suffered by a man, a woman, an in-between or a child, whether it's a Terrean or an alien, regardless of the victim's colour, age, political allegiance or religion, whether it happens in this world, in an alternate reality or in a parallel universe, I hate it! And it's even worse if the victim is vulnerable because they are very young or very old, sick or disabled. I hate with all my heart and my soul anyone who causes such injustice and I find it hard not to hate even the authors who invent situations of individual or social injustice.
But, I don't know why, I had left this novel in my Kindle reader, and after I finished reading another book lately and not knowing what to read next, I asked myself, "Do I finish reading it or do I throw it away?"
Even though many of my GoodReads friends encouraged me to finish it and told me it was worth it, that I'd have a happy ending, I didn't care. I'm not as much of a fan of happy endings as most of you. And for me, in literature, the end doesn't justify the means. So I hesitated for a long time; I didn't want to feel that uneasiness so intense that it made my stomach hurt again. But I summoned up all my courage and finished reading it.
Quoting a GR friend: "'Because submitting and surrendering control is easy. Taking control and responsibility is hard.' are plain wrong and also insulting to bottoms." I agree to this with all my heart.
Yes, it's a good enough novel. I'm sure that most of my French-speaking readers would like to be able to read it in their own language, and they would give it a good review and many stars.
In spite of all my suffering 😆, I give it 3½ stars.
But, I don't know why, I had left this novel in my Kindle reader, and after I finished reading another book lately and not knowing what to read next, I asked myself, "Do I finish reading it or do I throw it away?"
Even though many of my GoodReads friends encouraged me to finish it and told me it was worth it, that I'd have a happy ending, I didn't care. I'm not as much of a fan of happy endings as most of you. And for me, in literature, the end doesn't justify the means. So I hesitated for a long time; I didn't want to feel that uneasiness so intense that it made my stomach hurt again. But I summoned up all my courage and finished reading it.
Quoting a GR friend: "'Because submitting and surrendering control is easy. Taking control and responsibility is hard.' are plain wrong and also insulting to bottoms." I agree to this with all my heart.
Yes, it's a good enough novel. I'm sure that most of my French-speaking readers would like to be able to read it in their own language, and they would give it a good review and many stars.
In spite of all my suffering 😆, I give it 3½ stars.
August 14, 2011
I thought this book was outstanding. The author took the time, and paced the story so that the reader got a full understanding of Jerna's state of mind throughout his journey. Also, the story with Ria was very well done, turning him from a monster to a hero, all based on a complete lack of understanding about the art of submission.
Whether the author has experience in the lifestyle is unclear, but the way in which submission and domination were described and outlined for Ria rang true with me.
This book would go in my top 10 for M/M romance reads because its very rare that I read an entire 300+ page novel one sitting.
Whether the author has experience in the lifestyle is unclear, but the way in which submission and domination were described and outlined for Ria rang true with me.
This book would go in my top 10 for M/M romance reads because its very rare that I read an entire 300+ page novel one sitting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2015
In summary, Jerna had to go through a horrible prison experience in order to come clean to his wife about his need to have a gay D/s relationship outside of marriage. And then the wife says he can have his cake and eat it too - so Jerna gets "remastered" and replaces his old master Kimis with his new master Ria.
I actually skimmed through this sludge in order to see why this book got so many good ratings. For me, I did not enjoy it because I couldn't respect the main characters because they had horrible morals/values. The author tried to show that these folks redeemed themselves but it came across so flip floppy that I did not believe that they had truly changed.
The book was 75% telling which made it extremely soggy. Also, the sex was boring, the BDSM was nonconsensual and staged, and there was no sexual chemistry between the MC's.
I thought it was strange that the author did not write about Jerna and his wife Tyrme having sex - I expected at least reunion sex after he got out of prison. I guess the major focus was Jerna's homosexual experiences, or maybe Jerna was gay after all.
I actually skimmed through this sludge in order to see why this book got so many good ratings. For me, I did not enjoy it because I couldn't respect the main characters because they had horrible morals/values. The author tried to show that these folks redeemed themselves but it came across so flip floppy that I did not believe that they had truly changed.
The book was 75% telling which made it extremely soggy. Also, the sex was boring, the BDSM was nonconsensual and staged, and there was no sexual chemistry between the MC's.
I thought it was strange that the author did not write about Jerna and his wife Tyrme having sex - I expected at least reunion sex after he got out of prison. I guess the major focus was Jerna's homosexual experiences, or maybe Jerna was gay after all.
February 6, 2012
Originally reviewed at http://ramblingsofmind.blogspot.com/2...
Ann Somerville has done such a beautiful job sketching the entire world of Jerna and the surrounding characters. Jerna was a wonderfully fresh character – you get irritated and exasperated that he is hell-bent on being so moral about everything even when it is his life at stake. I am not very happy about this – one of the reasons why is because Hindu Mythology is filled with characters who sell their wife or sacrifice their son or give up their brothers just because it was supposed to be right. I am not sure how I feel about that. But you do develop a grudging admiration about the fearless way in which he goes.
It was very intense and during the first half of the book it seems that there is no justice in the world, there is no reprieve for our hero. But slowly that changes. The prison scenes are heart wrenching. They also serve as a very good reminder of why Jerna has to do what he does further in the book. Even though this story is supposed to be set in a parallel world, almost everything is same as our world and it found me nodding vigorously about some customs and the nature of the people. The second protagonist doesn’t make an appearance until halfway through the book and flips Jerna’s world upside down.
I find the world of BDSM, D/S culture and Master/Slave culture very intriguing so it was a wonderful way to observe more explanation about this when Jerna teaches the second protagonist, Tolomi, what he is doing wrong as a Master. It was an interesting concept that a slave was teaching a Dom or a Master about why the rituals are in place and how they are supposed to bring the participants closer.
Tolomi was a beautiful character even though he fumbles at first. I loved his desperation on seeing he is not getting his enjoyment in dominating (even though he knows he likes that), his willingness to learn and his humility when a slave wants to teach him the right way. I shed a tear when, again, Jerna bows down to his duty (and the other half of his heart – his wife) rather than his love for Tolomi. My heart broke for the pair (doesn’t it suck when you know what the characters are doing are right but you anyway don’t want them to do it? Go marry the guy you love even if your childhood friend needs you!). Tyrme was another amazing character. I think she would be considered an ideal wife – supportive of her husband but questions him when she thinks he is leaning towards duty more than his family. I won’t reveal the ending but I was so very glad that she was in Jerna’s life.
Ann Somerville has done such a beautiful job sketching the entire world of Jerna and the surrounding characters. Jerna was a wonderfully fresh character – you get irritated and exasperated that he is hell-bent on being so moral about everything even when it is his life at stake. I am not very happy about this – one of the reasons why is because Hindu Mythology is filled with characters who sell their wife or sacrifice their son or give up their brothers just because it was supposed to be right. I am not sure how I feel about that. But you do develop a grudging admiration about the fearless way in which he goes.
It was very intense and during the first half of the book it seems that there is no justice in the world, there is no reprieve for our hero. But slowly that changes. The prison scenes are heart wrenching. They also serve as a very good reminder of why Jerna has to do what he does further in the book. Even though this story is supposed to be set in a parallel world, almost everything is same as our world and it found me nodding vigorously about some customs and the nature of the people. The second protagonist doesn’t make an appearance until halfway through the book and flips Jerna’s world upside down.
I find the world of BDSM, D/S culture and Master/Slave culture very intriguing so it was a wonderful way to observe more explanation about this when Jerna teaches the second protagonist, Tolomi, what he is doing wrong as a Master. It was an interesting concept that a slave was teaching a Dom or a Master about why the rituals are in place and how they are supposed to bring the participants closer.
Tolomi was a beautiful character even though he fumbles at first. I loved his desperation on seeing he is not getting his enjoyment in dominating (even though he knows he likes that), his willingness to learn and his humility when a slave wants to teach him the right way. I shed a tear when, again, Jerna bows down to his duty (and the other half of his heart – his wife) rather than his love for Tolomi. My heart broke for the pair (doesn’t it suck when you know what the characters are doing are right but you anyway don’t want them to do it? Go marry the guy you love even if your childhood friend needs you!). Tyrme was another amazing character. I think she would be considered an ideal wife – supportive of her husband but questions him when she thinks he is leaning towards duty more than his family. I won’t reveal the ending but I was so very glad that she was in Jerna’s life.
February 20, 2017
Loved it!
December 18, 2011
Remastering Jerna is a really dark tale of suffering and redemption. In it, the author has created an alternate world not unlike our own, but with significant small differences. She spends many pages drawing this world and the main characters in rich detail, making everything three dimensional and very real in a very readable style that gradually draws you in.
The title character, Jerna, is teacher in a temple school with a wife and two daughters. While he loves his wife and children, Jerna harbors desires he has suppressed and kept secret for many years. He was once a submissive with an incredible capacity for pain, who served a master. But then an innocent favor for his old master results in Jerna being falsely accused and convicted of a crime.
In Jerna’s world, prisoners are a source of cheap labor, and criminals are sentenced not to a term of years, but to a value of recompense. Jerna’s sentence will take years to pay off, under some of the most cruel circumstances. He seriously considers suicide, but then his family would be saddled with his debt, and his honor won’t allow that. Even if he does manage to earn enough to end his sentence, it’s doubtful he could ever return to his family due to the scandal of his conviction.
Just when it all seems completely hopeless, Jerna gains a position that gives him some respite from the backbreaking work of the factories. But this new job reawakens Jerna’s old submissive desires, and soon he’s drawn into a relationship that may pull him further away from his family.
The author has a knack for putting her lead characters in situations where there’s no obvious way they can escape, and be happy, without making impossible sacrifices. She keeps you guessing, and reading – I can easily be drawn into reading her work into the wee hours of the morning, trying – and failing – to figure out where the story is going.
Aside from the author’s masterful world-building and character development, what I found really interesting in this novel was the frank discussion of the sado-masochistic scene and the proper training of dominants. Although it doesn’t necessarily give us any insights into why someone needs to be a dominant or submissive, it does give some very useful information for those curious about this world, in a very entertaining and readable style.
The title character, Jerna, is teacher in a temple school with a wife and two daughters. While he loves his wife and children, Jerna harbors desires he has suppressed and kept secret for many years. He was once a submissive with an incredible capacity for pain, who served a master. But then an innocent favor for his old master results in Jerna being falsely accused and convicted of a crime.
In Jerna’s world, prisoners are a source of cheap labor, and criminals are sentenced not to a term of years, but to a value of recompense. Jerna’s sentence will take years to pay off, under some of the most cruel circumstances. He seriously considers suicide, but then his family would be saddled with his debt, and his honor won’t allow that. Even if he does manage to earn enough to end his sentence, it’s doubtful he could ever return to his family due to the scandal of his conviction.
Just when it all seems completely hopeless, Jerna gains a position that gives him some respite from the backbreaking work of the factories. But this new job reawakens Jerna’s old submissive desires, and soon he’s drawn into a relationship that may pull him further away from his family.
The author has a knack for putting her lead characters in situations where there’s no obvious way they can escape, and be happy, without making impossible sacrifices. She keeps you guessing, and reading – I can easily be drawn into reading her work into the wee hours of the morning, trying – and failing – to figure out where the story is going.
Aside from the author’s masterful world-building and character development, what I found really interesting in this novel was the frank discussion of the sado-masochistic scene and the proper training of dominants. Although it doesn’t necessarily give us any insights into why someone needs to be a dominant or submissive, it does give some very useful information for those curious about this world, in a very entertaining and readable style.
September 18, 2011
A beautifully crafted heart-wrenching romance that is unique in many different ways. It's been an emotional roller-coaster and I loved every second of it. I don't cry easily while reading books but found myself in tears often. And the parts where i cried for Jerna at the injustice, i hated what he was subjected to. But the author meant it to be so. Everything expressed in this book felt really genuine and that's what makes it phenomenal! The world building could be a bit better and the ending was kinda predictable but it was fulfilling.
Just brilliant! It's been a long time since i read something this well-rounded.
I will agree with Nene in that the book starts out slow but once it gains momentum the page turning becomes unstoppable until you've reached the end...(i managed to devour/finish close to 300pgs in a single day..)
A fine book for BDSM lovers especially! :-) (even though the bdsm aspects of it start after half the book is through)
This is not a book to miss...!
Just brilliant! It's been a long time since i read something this well-rounded.
I will agree with Nene in that the book starts out slow but once it gains momentum the page turning becomes unstoppable until you've reached the end...(i managed to devour/finish close to 300pgs in a single day..)
A fine book for BDSM lovers especially! :-) (even though the bdsm aspects of it start after half the book is through)
This is not a book to miss...!
February 11, 2017
I loved the first two-thirds of the book, (despite it being tropey, tell-y, preachy and unconvincing), 'cause I like books with lots of pain and anguish and personal development, and Jerna here suffers big time. But then the MCs did a complete 180 personality-wise. Jerna, a doormat submissive, suddenly becoming a sassy power bottom? And Ria, a cruel and selfish Dom, going all lovey-dovey? Yeah, after that I quickly lost all interest in the story. Then the ending happened and it killed the book for me.
Still, I'm glad I gave it a chance, I had a great time reading it. It's a pleasant respite from all the fluffy M/M romances that is out there.
Still, I'm glad I gave it a chance, I had a great time reading it. It's a pleasant respite from all the fluffy M/M romances that is out there.
Want to read
June 29, 2013FREE on Smashwords with code DG52H until June 30!
Well, selecting the better cover of the 2 versions was not a tough job this time.:p
Edit: maybe I was wrong about that. That other cover sorts of grows on you a little and this one really is too barbie dollish. Hmm.
Well, selecting the better cover of the 2 versions was not a tough job this time.:p
Edit: maybe I was wrong about that. That other cover sorts of grows on you a little and this one really is too barbie dollish. Hmm.
March 28, 2017
This was harsh and very hard to read at times. I almost gave up at one stage because the abuse was so damn unfair.... however, like many dark books, a small speck of light appears and slowly this grows. I don't think this would be for everyone but it was certainly intense.
Read
November 21, 2017Dnf 54%
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September 1, 2009Someone could wonder if Remastering Jerna is a romance, and truth be told the publisher doesn't list it as one. When I started it, even I had my doubts, the story of Jerna seemed without hope, harsh and without pity, and love had a very little role. At least the passionate love, since, on the other hand, Jerna loves very much his family, a wife and two daughters, but I saw little passion in it. So for a good share of the book, I remained with my question: if and when I would have found the "romance" part of the book. The if was a legitimate doubt, because nor the author or the publisher promised it to me. Due to all this, you can imagine how glad I was when I finally found THE love I was searching, but, as you can understand, in the end this is not a romance, but more the life journey of Jerna, who starts as a teacher and ends as the taught.
Jerna was a submissive for a Master he respected, but I'm not sure he really loved. Even if the Master, Kimis, fulfilled Jerna's need to be dominated, it didn't satisfy his desire to have a family, to have child, and all the other ordinary things of life. Life with Kimis was mundane and good, but not complete. Jerna left Kimis to marry Tyrme, a good woman who, in all the novel, will always have a positive role; but to me Tyrme seems more a good friend, a loving companion, but not a lover. To Jerna's eyes, Tyrme is a whole with their daughters and family, when Jerna is torn apart from them, never once he says he misses Tyrme as individual, but instead he always mourns for his family. With this, I'm not saying that Jerna doesn't love Tyrme, I'm only saying that, as Kimis didn't fulfil every Jerna's need, so it doesn't Tyrme. In a way, Jerna passed from a Master to another, Tyrme is a very authoritative woman, quite the one who leads the family, but he hasn't still found the right one.
When Jerna is framed with a crime he didn't commit, he is forced to divorce from Tyrme and sent to prison. Jerna is a strong man, even if a submissive, and he faces the trial of prison and all the violence inside (also rape), with a strength that seems impossible. It's not a body strength, more a strong will and maybe also something that he learnt from his training as submissive. From the prison Jerna ends to be an endured servant in a brothel, and this means also being a whore: in his mind Jerna doesn't see it as a betray towards Tyrme, since it's only his body involved, not his mind, and above all not his heart.
All above changes when Jerna meets Ria; at first Ria is an untrained Master, who in his fight to find an outlet to his desire to dominate makes more damage than nothing. Ria is not a bad man, but he is not trained. The first bad experience between Ria and Jerna, I believe, is not all Ria's fault. It's true, he is untrained, but Jerna, from his side, has a bit of an aloof attitude, something he has always had from the first. Nor with Kimis or with Tyrme, whom in a way Jerna considers Master, Jerna has ever let this attitude down; he submits with his body, but deep inside, I think he still believes to be superior to them. Same attitude with Ria, even if maybe in this case he is more right than not. Anyway this leads to Jerna to agree to be Ria's teacher, to teach him how to be a good Master. Jerna starts it thinking to teach something to Ria, but I think that, in the end, also Jerna will learn a lesson, and maybe for the first time, he will find the right Master... one who he himself trained to the role. So yes, if someone was wondering why the "remastering Jerna" of the title, when apparently it was Jerna who was remastering Ria, this is the answer: both Ria than Jerna will learn that it's not enough to know how to do a BDSM scene, to have a real D/s relationship it's needed something more.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1933720662/?...
Jerna was a submissive for a Master he respected, but I'm not sure he really loved. Even if the Master, Kimis, fulfilled Jerna's need to be dominated, it didn't satisfy his desire to have a family, to have child, and all the other ordinary things of life. Life with Kimis was mundane and good, but not complete. Jerna left Kimis to marry Tyrme, a good woman who, in all the novel, will always have a positive role; but to me Tyrme seems more a good friend, a loving companion, but not a lover. To Jerna's eyes, Tyrme is a whole with their daughters and family, when Jerna is torn apart from them, never once he says he misses Tyrme as individual, but instead he always mourns for his family. With this, I'm not saying that Jerna doesn't love Tyrme, I'm only saying that, as Kimis didn't fulfil every Jerna's need, so it doesn't Tyrme. In a way, Jerna passed from a Master to another, Tyrme is a very authoritative woman, quite the one who leads the family, but he hasn't still found the right one.
When Jerna is framed with a crime he didn't commit, he is forced to divorce from Tyrme and sent to prison. Jerna is a strong man, even if a submissive, and he faces the trial of prison and all the violence inside (also rape), with a strength that seems impossible. It's not a body strength, more a strong will and maybe also something that he learnt from his training as submissive. From the prison Jerna ends to be an endured servant in a brothel, and this means also being a whore: in his mind Jerna doesn't see it as a betray towards Tyrme, since it's only his body involved, not his mind, and above all not his heart.
All above changes when Jerna meets Ria; at first Ria is an untrained Master, who in his fight to find an outlet to his desire to dominate makes more damage than nothing. Ria is not a bad man, but he is not trained. The first bad experience between Ria and Jerna, I believe, is not all Ria's fault. It's true, he is untrained, but Jerna, from his side, has a bit of an aloof attitude, something he has always had from the first. Nor with Kimis or with Tyrme, whom in a way Jerna considers Master, Jerna has ever let this attitude down; he submits with his body, but deep inside, I think he still believes to be superior to them. Same attitude with Ria, even if maybe in this case he is more right than not. Anyway this leads to Jerna to agree to be Ria's teacher, to teach him how to be a good Master. Jerna starts it thinking to teach something to Ria, but I think that, in the end, also Jerna will learn a lesson, and maybe for the first time, he will find the right Master... one who he himself trained to the role. So yes, if someone was wondering why the "remastering Jerna" of the title, when apparently it was Jerna who was remastering Ria, this is the answer: both Ria than Jerna will learn that it's not enough to know how to do a BDSM scene, to have a real D/s relationship it's needed something more.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1933720662/?...
December 20, 2014
If, like me, you’re frustrated by the lack emotional depth in many BDSM romances, I’d strongly recommend Remastering Jerna. Forget about any ick factors—if this book doesn’t help you see past those, I’m not sure anything will.
The book starts a little shakily as Somerville sets up the protagonist, Jerna Setiq, a devoted husband, teacher and father of two, whose contented life is decimated when he’s falsely convicted of child perversion. Once the stage is set for Jerna’s emotional journey, however, Somerville gets it just about perfect.
As a prisoner, Jerna endures a level of brutality that is magnified by the world in which Somerville places him. Although I was braced for some shocking scenes, Somerville’s narrative isn’t gratuitous.Jerna’s psychological turmoil, his sense of helplessness and hopelessness, and his attempts to make sense of his situation were at once terrible and beautiful to read. In despair, Jerna applies for a job at Winds of Paradise hotel, a high-end brothel ‘that catered to every legal sexual whim imaginable’ and one of the few residential positions open to prisoners. Despite the improved conditions, Jerna never manages to forget that he’s only one complaint away from being sent back to prison.
Somerville takes her time setting up the most intense sexual and emotional scenes in this book, and I’m telling you now: it’s worth the wait. Somerville cleverly sets up three contrasting situations -- humiliation at the hands of callous employers and guards, submission freely given, and ‘domination by numbers’ -- and their differences couldn’t be more obvious. This is no BDSM-lite story. Jerna’s pain -- and pleasure -- feels real, his emotional responses even more so. But Somerville is a skilful guide. She builds on each scene, adding a little more pain and a little more emotion, inviting the reader to trust her so that some of the most challenging scenes become not only tolerable but deeply romantic.
My main problem with Remastering Jerna is the ending, which is suspiciously convenient and somewhat rushed.
Nevertheless, Remastering Jerna’s plot and characters are carefully developed, and the book’s underpinning ideas of consent, submission, domination and, to some extent, love are explored from different perspectives, giving the story layers of meaning that I don’t feel I could fully appreciate from just the one read. This is definitely a keeper.
You can read my full review at Book Thingo.
The book starts a little shakily as Somerville sets up the protagonist, Jerna Setiq, a devoted husband, teacher and father of two, whose contented life is decimated when he’s falsely convicted of child perversion. Once the stage is set for Jerna’s emotional journey, however, Somerville gets it just about perfect.
As a prisoner, Jerna endures a level of brutality that is magnified by the world in which Somerville places him. Although I was braced for some shocking scenes, Somerville’s narrative isn’t gratuitous.Jerna’s psychological turmoil, his sense of helplessness and hopelessness, and his attempts to make sense of his situation were at once terrible and beautiful to read. In despair, Jerna applies for a job at Winds of Paradise hotel, a high-end brothel ‘that catered to every legal sexual whim imaginable’ and one of the few residential positions open to prisoners. Despite the improved conditions, Jerna never manages to forget that he’s only one complaint away from being sent back to prison.
Somerville takes her time setting up the most intense sexual and emotional scenes in this book, and I’m telling you now: it’s worth the wait. Somerville cleverly sets up three contrasting situations -- humiliation at the hands of callous employers and guards, submission freely given, and ‘domination by numbers’ -- and their differences couldn’t be more obvious. This is no BDSM-lite story. Jerna’s pain -- and pleasure -- feels real, his emotional responses even more so. But Somerville is a skilful guide. She builds on each scene, adding a little more pain and a little more emotion, inviting the reader to trust her so that some of the most challenging scenes become not only tolerable but deeply romantic.
My main problem with Remastering Jerna is the ending, which is suspiciously convenient and somewhat rushed.
Nevertheless, Remastering Jerna’s plot and characters are carefully developed, and the book’s underpinning ideas of consent, submission, domination and, to some extent, love are explored from different perspectives, giving the story layers of meaning that I don’t feel I could fully appreciate from just the one read. This is definitely a keeper.
You can read my full review at Book Thingo.
March 8, 2017
Now that is one amazing novel. It's not always a nice read and it's very dark and nasty in places but my god. What a book!
4.5 STARS
Ann Somerville is quickly becoming one of my fav Aussie M/M, LGBT authors. I think I've read about 11 of her books over the last 8 weeks and most of those were her older work. It began with 2 M/M High Fantasy series but Remastering Jerna, is a completely different kettle of fish. I'd classify this series as YA/NA & UF because it's set in a fictional world that resembles earth, but isn't but this is not even discussed.
Jerna is about 30, he teachs at his local temple/school where he began to worship/meditate 7 years ago. He then got happily married, has two kids, loves his wife, life is fine but then his old friend Kimis moves home and the now rather righteous Jerna's life implodes.
Kimis has been away for 7 years and has his apprentice student with him, a 16 y/o boy. (Now that's the age of consent in Australia shush ;) Kimis has become a big name engineer and tells Jerna that he felt homesick and bought the kid with him because he's helping him with his schooling as he'll soon be 17 (legal age there is 17-18? ) and wants to become an engineer too..
Jerna agrees to help teach him extra work in his spare time but soon notices that this is a lie, as Kimis and Jerna share a secret past.
Jerna calls Kimis out on it and says if you do not stop this until that kid is of age I'll report you, Kimis dumps the kid but the kids then accuses Jerna of molestation and places them perfectly to get caught.
SHIT STORM, Triggers for Jail, abuse, rape, BDSM, WAY out of line BDSM, slavery, BUT it is so well written. I'm not a huge BDSM reader at all but this all comes about in a very unique way.
This is so well written with great MC's, there is a lot of people manipulating the penal system in their world so they're forced to work. That is like the tips of the iceberg for what Jerna is about to be put through. The thing is that you just can't stop reading. I'm not doing this justice at all but it's an AWESOME READ
4.5 STARS
Ann Somerville is quickly becoming one of my fav Aussie M/M, LGBT authors. I think I've read about 11 of her books over the last 8 weeks and most of those were her older work. It began with 2 M/M High Fantasy series but Remastering Jerna, is a completely different kettle of fish. I'd classify this series as YA/NA & UF because it's set in a fictional world that resembles earth, but isn't but this is not even discussed.
Jerna is about 30, he teachs at his local temple/school where he began to worship/meditate 7 years ago. He then got happily married, has two kids, loves his wife, life is fine but then his old friend Kimis moves home and the now rather righteous Jerna's life implodes.
Kimis has been away for 7 years and has his apprentice student with him, a 16 y/o boy. (Now that's the age of consent in Australia shush ;) Kimis has become a big name engineer and tells Jerna that he felt homesick and bought the kid with him because he's helping him with his schooling as he'll soon be 17 (legal age there is 17-18? ) and wants to become an engineer too..
Jerna agrees to help teach him extra work in his spare time but soon notices that this is a lie, as Kimis and Jerna share a secret past.
Jerna calls Kimis out on it and says if you do not stop this until that kid is of age I'll report you, Kimis dumps the kid but the kids then accuses Jerna of molestation and places them perfectly to get caught.
SHIT STORM, Triggers for Jail, abuse, rape, BDSM, WAY out of line BDSM, slavery, BUT it is so well written. I'm not a huge BDSM reader at all but this all comes about in a very unique way.
This is so well written with great MC's, there is a lot of people manipulating the penal system in their world so they're forced to work. That is like the tips of the iceberg for what Jerna is about to be put through. The thing is that you just can't stop reading. I'm not doing this justice at all but it's an AWESOME READ
September 3, 2015
I'm not sure whether this qualifies as Romance since the "official" romantic arc only kicks in within the last quarter of the novel. However, I love how open relationships are welcome in the story. In the opening, we learn Jerna has a vanilla romantic relationship with his wife. He used to have a BDSM Master/slave relationship with a man, and he could have had both if the master wasn't possessive/monogamous. Later, when Jerna finds a new master who's willing to share, his wife is highly supportive. She gives a great speech about how Jerna's love for Ria is just as legitimate as his love for her. Bisexual polyamory FTW.
A lot of the story is meant to emphasize BDSM ethics, sometimes being a bit too clinical but always highly insightful. For example, Jerna may be a masochist but the pain he receives in prison is far from erotic--someone can be a "pain slut" and still be allowed to dislike unwanted pain. There are also very poignant discussions about consent and what it means to make a choice. Since Jerna is working at a brothel through a dystopian prison system (trigger warning: rape), many of his "choices" are really between bad and worse. His Master/slave relationship with Tolomi/Ria starts as a non-choice choice, and Jerna is firm in establishing he can never truly submit until he has a real choice, which is when he's free from prison.
I liked how this alternate world's religion doesn't view homosexuality or sex work as sinful. The brothel Jerna ends up in is very queer, and the workers are treated with the same dignities and rights as any other service profession. What confused me, however, is how there is no concept of gay marriage. The technicalities are never discussed, so I'm not sure if it's an oversight by the author or some weird clause in the law that would make U.S. Republicans squee with glee. In any case, Jerna's faith in the Goddess is what gets him through the toughest time in his life.
I must highly recommend.
A lot of the story is meant to emphasize BDSM ethics, sometimes being a bit too clinical but always highly insightful. For example, Jerna may be a masochist but the pain he receives in prison is far from erotic--someone can be a "pain slut" and still be allowed to dislike unwanted pain. There are also very poignant discussions about consent and what it means to make a choice. Since Jerna is working at a brothel through a dystopian prison system (trigger warning: rape), many of his "choices" are really between bad and worse. His Master/slave relationship with Tolomi/Ria starts as a non-choice choice, and Jerna is firm in establishing he can never truly submit until he has a real choice, which is when he's free from prison.
I liked how this alternate world's religion doesn't view homosexuality or sex work as sinful. The brothel Jerna ends up in is very queer, and the workers are treated with the same dignities and rights as any other service profession. What confused me, however, is how there is no concept of gay marriage. The technicalities are never discussed, so I'm not sure if it's an oversight by the author or some weird clause in the law that would make U.S. Republicans squee with glee. In any case, Jerna's faith in the Goddess is what gets him through the toughest time in his life.
I must highly recommend.
August 15, 2011
Wow. This book was so much more than what I was expecting.
Remastering Jerna starts out somewhat slow as it sets the story in place but once it gets rolling it rips your heart out and puts it back together numerous times.
Falsely accused of child perversion by his former masters current (underage and illegal) lover, Jerna, is sentenced to serve time in prison. He works a series of jobs within the cruel prison system - his status as a pedophile making him a mark for vicious treatment.
Running out of options for work and fearing death within the prison Jerna is allowed to apply for work at a hotel where he will be providing "special services" to guests at hotel. He is determined to behave, pay his debt and make it back to his wife/children.
He is making his way until he draws the attention of a guest who requests his services for the night. The guest turns his already uncertain circumstances into a tightrope with no net as Jerna struggles to please him, the hotel owners and another guest who wants his attentions while trying to be true to his wife AND avoid going back to prison. Whew! That just scratches the surface of what happens in the story.
A finely crafted story. Bravo.
Remastering Jerna starts out somewhat slow as it sets the story in place but once it gets rolling it rips your heart out and puts it back together numerous times.
Falsely accused of child perversion by his former masters current (underage and illegal) lover, Jerna, is sentenced to serve time in prison. He works a series of jobs within the cruel prison system - his status as a pedophile making him a mark for vicious treatment.
Running out of options for work and fearing death within the prison Jerna is allowed to apply for work at a hotel where he will be providing "special services" to guests at hotel. He is determined to behave, pay his debt and make it back to his wife/children.
He is making his way until he draws the attention of a guest who requests his services for the night. The guest turns his already uncertain circumstances into a tightrope with no net as Jerna struggles to please him, the hotel owners and another guest who wants his attentions while trying to be true to his wife AND avoid going back to prison. Whew! That just scratches the surface of what happens in the story.
A finely crafted story. Bravo.
August 26, 2014
8/26/14
Jerna's a stupid name. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
also, new cover is like white-washing. I guess I changed my mind on that. But then, I think it's cuz the old one led me to believe this would be Indian-flavored, and the new one is just another bland ignorable white guy cover *shrug*
2/23/13
Tolomi's name seems to be an interesting nod to "Ptolemy" ("warlike" or "son of war," interestingly enough).
But I'm kind of disappointed. I mean, it was going so well - it was very articulate, eloquent, and it demonstrated quite a nice vocabulary...and then that author-lady was "pouring" over books.
Hmm...it's certainly an interesting read. There are moments when it gets bland. I kept drifting away from it, which is why it took me so long to read.
There were parts that seemed...too easy or something.
I think this is easy to discount because it lets you down gently at the end. I mean, it's nice, but it doesn't have the extremeness of impact that some others have had.
Still, I think it's a rather worthwhile read.
And the new cover really is much better than the old one.
Eh. *shrug.
Jerna's a stupid name. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
also, new cover is like white-washing. I guess I changed my mind on that. But then, I think it's cuz the old one led me to believe this would be Indian-flavored, and the new one is just another bland ignorable white guy cover *shrug*
2/23/13
Tolomi's name seems to be an interesting nod to "Ptolemy" ("warlike" or "son of war," interestingly enough).
But I'm kind of disappointed. I mean, it was going so well - it was very articulate, eloquent, and it demonstrated quite a nice vocabulary...and then that author-lady was "pouring" over books.
Hmm...it's certainly an interesting read. There are moments when it gets bland. I kept drifting away from it, which is why it took me so long to read.
There were parts that seemed...too easy or something.
I think this is easy to discount because it lets you down gently at the end. I mean, it's nice, but it doesn't have the extremeness of impact that some others have had.
Still, I think it's a rather worthwhile read.
And the new cover really is much better than the old one.
Eh. *shrug.
March 25, 2011
So the story is set in another reality, maybe in the future, more like another reality though. This whole book is very detailed on the concept of BDSM. It is actually through this book that I viewed BDSM not as a bad thing, but a different choice. I always though BDSM people were kid of crazy, but this book helped me move on from my prejudice. BDSM is as much about trust and love as about the sexuality of foreplay.
Anyhow, while I do admit I skipped many a pages before introduction of Tolomy, I will eventually go back and reread it. I like the author's clever change of name in the character Tolomy, indicating the old and new Tolomy. This is an excellent technique to use when you want to reintroduce a redeem character.
I gave it a 4 instead of 5 because some of the BDSM scene kind of scared me a bit.....I guess I'm just not really into the whole BDSM universe.
Anyhow, while I do admit I skipped many a pages before introduction of Tolomy, I will eventually go back and reread it. I like the author's clever change of name in the character Tolomy, indicating the old and new Tolomy. This is an excellent technique to use when you want to reintroduce a redeem character.
I gave it a 4 instead of 5 because some of the BDSM scene kind of scared me a bit.....I guess I'm just not really into the whole BDSM universe.
October 15, 2010
This book was not the typical BDSM or M&M Romance book. Jerna is a man who finds himself and a difficutl situation. The first half of the books and maybe more is about him getting through all of this. At first I wondered if there would even be any sex in this book. It really didn't bother me because the story was so good. You do start having some hot sex scenes. but they are not that important in the book. You are more concerned about the development of all the characters. Ann does a wonderful job with this. When you finish you feel like you have really read about a real person. This is a must read for everyone.
April 17, 2017
Enjoyed reading about the trials and tribulations of Jerna, bit like the 'Book of Job'. I don't think we get a description of Jerna, in fact you get the impression he's quite old at first. Later we figure out he's about 28 at the start and a pretty hot guy! Love the new cover, better than the older one. Not sure of Jerna's motivations sometimes but still a damned good read.
"You're dangerous too, Jerna. I've never met a submissive who topped like you... Dominating you is like riding a whale's back. You think you have the power, but it's the whale who's going to drown you."
"You're dangerous too, Jerna. I've never met a submissive who topped like you... Dominating you is like riding a whale's back. You think you have the power, but it's the whale who's going to drown you."
October 13, 2010
Amazing story! It took me a while to get into it, to be honest, but man, once I did I just couldn't put it down. Jerna is an amazing character who made me open my eyes to a lot of things. Without giving away spoilers, I'll just say that there's a scene in the middle that had me completely sobbing my eyes out. I was that emotionally invested in this character!
March 15, 2014
I had no expectations when I went into this book and that was almost a bad thing. I knew there were some BDSM elements to this story and was prepared for those (which honestly weren’t all that severe actually – the non-con/dub-con bits were slightly stronger, but even they weren’t as graphic as some I’ve read), but I was not prepared for the way things kicked off here. I almost put the book down. In fact I did put it down and jump on to GR to read a few reviews because I just wasn’t sure I was in the right frame of mind to read this book when I started it. I severely dislike seeing a good character thrown into a bad situation through manipulation and no fault of their own. What happened to Jerna about made me throw the book aside hissing in fury. Then I read the reviews and my trepidation got stronger. I wasn’t sure I was up to reading something that heavy right then. Now though I’m glad I pushed through.
Jerna Setiq has a wonderful life and a loving family. He gave up one side of himself choosing to turn away from his dom and instead to make a family with the woman he loved. Now they have two beautiful daughters and he is happy in his life as a teacher working in the temple. He’s given his old urges over to his goddess and pushed them way down deep. It was worth it to have the life he’s had.
All of that comes crashing down though when a young man not yet at his majority takes it in his head he can get what he wants by accusing Jerna of abuse. It’s Jerna’s word against his and Jerna’s honor won’t let him reveal the reason for the boy’s anger as it would condemn a friend whose promised to reform. Instead he is condemned to prison on the charge of child abuse at the hands of a 16-year-old boy, his life only to be returned to him when he’s worked off his exorbitant fine. Forced to divorce his wife and forbidden contact with his children Jerna’s thrown into a life of cruelty and subjugation with little hope of finding a way back.
And then it happens and the book spins off in a wonderful direction and I was hooked and enthralled. Actually even though I didn’t enjoy reading the parts of the story where Jerna was in prison I’m glad they were there as they really rounded out my appreciation for just how corrupt the system was. The alternative universe created here by Ms. Somerville is actually really fascinating from a political/moral standpoint. The horrors of this anything goes prison system made me want to shudder, yet I was entranced by the idea of a culture that essentially says if you manage to pay off your debt and return to society you are free to regain the life you had previously, record completely expunged. Violence, of course, often begets more violence and as a long term solution to crime lashing don’t seem to be a great deterrent here.
Jerna had a hell of a time while he was stuck within the prison walls, but at the same time it was a lot more tamely described than I was expecting having glanced through a few reviews. Now here was the strange part for me, I usually don’t enjoy rent boy type stories much, yet I actually really loved this particular brothel/hotel. I don’t know what about it seemed so different, but it didn’t stroke my psyche in quite the same way. Maybe it’s because it is set in an alternative universe and that does tend to blunt the edges of that sort of lifestyle decision for me. Somehow I feel more of a sleeze factor when it’s used in a contemporary novel, which is of course my own personal bias. Still I was rooting or Jerna to find away to remain a part of that hotel in the end because it was so much a home to him. Normally I’m praying my MC gets out of the life as quickly as possible.
I ADORED the supporting cast of characters here at the hotel. Everyone he met there from Kare, her husband’s, Evai, Zeki, and the stable of whores to Zeila
Kare and her husband’s unique establishment was fascinating to read. I loved the way everyone there was a family and how all the different parts worked together. I enjoyed seeing how everyone eventually fell under Jerna’s spell, from Evai losing his dictatorial manner to Zeila’s almost adoption and protection of her patient. Jerna’s need to please and not go back to prison ended up endearing him to everyone there. Once he finally started to find his feet it was interesting to see how the confidence of the learned teacher ended up making Jerna’s life more difficult and complicated. His spiraling out of control was troubling and yet made perfect sense at the same time.
Which of course brings me to Tolomi. Again I expected to be torn in this book. I hate thinking that a loving wife is going to get hurt when our hero meets the man of his dreams. And then we meet Tolomi…and it’s all GRRRRRR and then grrrrrr and then OH GOD….and then Weeeeeelllllllll…and then Awwwww Man….and then *heart break* and then…--You get the picture. Roller coaster! I think I came to respect Tolomi so much because while Jerna’s reactions were extreme they really did wake him up to the reality of what his actions were doing. He was a bad dom and finding that out devastated Tolomi. He had to work to regain Jerna’s trust and how were they not going to fall in love with each other in that scenario.
That being said, unfortunately that was the one other place where the story fell short for me. Not in that I didn’t believe they loved each other, but I didn’t really feel the emotions of them falling. Jerna’s terror and devastation for me was much more clearly depicted than the romantic feelings were. I knew Jerna and Rea were in love with each other as they became more honest with each other and revealed more of their pasts, but I didn’t feel like I was drawn into that love as much as I would have liked.
Of course I was very, very happy with the ending of the book. I loved how it all came together and the end result Jerna found in his life to balance all the things he wanted, including his wife was great. For once I didn’t have to hate life knowing someone was getting utterly destroyed by the circumstances beyond their control…you know like the man you love falling in love with another man.
While I know there are sequels to this book I don’t know if I’ll read them. I liked where things ended here and from glancing at the descriptions of the next two books I’m not sure I’ll like where it’s going quite as much. Who knows though maybe I’ll come back to them. I do know I’ll definitely look for something else written by Ms. Somerville though. It may not have been what I was expecting when I started, but I enjoyed the journey and where the book came to end.
Jerna Setiq has a wonderful life and a loving family. He gave up one side of himself choosing to turn away from his dom and instead to make a family with the woman he loved. Now they have two beautiful daughters and he is happy in his life as a teacher working in the temple. He’s given his old urges over to his goddess and pushed them way down deep. It was worth it to have the life he’s had.
All of that comes crashing down though when a young man not yet at his majority takes it in his head he can get what he wants by accusing Jerna of abuse. It’s Jerna’s word against his and Jerna’s honor won’t let him reveal the reason for the boy’s anger as it would condemn a friend whose promised to reform. Instead he is condemned to prison on the charge of child abuse at the hands of a 16-year-old boy, his life only to be returned to him when he’s worked off his exorbitant fine. Forced to divorce his wife and forbidden contact with his children Jerna’s thrown into a life of cruelty and subjugation with little hope of finding a way back.
And then it happens and the book spins off in a wonderful direction and I was hooked and enthralled. Actually even though I didn’t enjoy reading the parts of the story where Jerna was in prison I’m glad they were there as they really rounded out my appreciation for just how corrupt the system was. The alternative universe created here by Ms. Somerville is actually really fascinating from a political/moral standpoint. The horrors of this anything goes prison system made me want to shudder, yet I was entranced by the idea of a culture that essentially says if you manage to pay off your debt and return to society you are free to regain the life you had previously, record completely expunged. Violence, of course, often begets more violence and as a long term solution to crime lashing don’t seem to be a great deterrent here.
Jerna had a hell of a time while he was stuck within the prison walls, but at the same time it was a lot more tamely described than I was expecting having glanced through a few reviews. Now here was the strange part for me, I usually don’t enjoy rent boy type stories much, yet I actually really loved this particular brothel/hotel. I don’t know what about it seemed so different, but it didn’t stroke my psyche in quite the same way. Maybe it’s because it is set in an alternative universe and that does tend to blunt the edges of that sort of lifestyle decision for me. Somehow I feel more of a sleeze factor when it’s used in a contemporary novel, which is of course my own personal bias. Still I was rooting or Jerna to find away to remain a part of that hotel in the end because it was so much a home to him. Normally I’m praying my MC gets out of the life as quickly as possible.
I ADORED the supporting cast of characters here at the hotel. Everyone he met there from Kare, her husband’s, Evai, Zeki, and the stable of whores to Zeila
Kare and her husband’s unique establishment was fascinating to read. I loved the way everyone there was a family and how all the different parts worked together. I enjoyed seeing how everyone eventually fell under Jerna’s spell, from Evai losing his dictatorial manner to Zeila’s almost adoption and protection of her patient. Jerna’s need to please and not go back to prison ended up endearing him to everyone there. Once he finally started to find his feet it was interesting to see how the confidence of the learned teacher ended up making Jerna’s life more difficult and complicated. His spiraling out of control was troubling and yet made perfect sense at the same time.
Which of course brings me to Tolomi. Again I expected to be torn in this book. I hate thinking that a loving wife is going to get hurt when our hero meets the man of his dreams. And then we meet Tolomi…and it’s all GRRRRRR and then grrrrrr and then OH GOD….and then Weeeeeelllllllll…and then Awwwww Man….and then *heart break* and then…--You get the picture. Roller coaster! I think I came to respect Tolomi so much because while Jerna’s reactions were extreme they really did wake him up to the reality of what his actions were doing. He was a bad dom and finding that out devastated Tolomi. He had to work to regain Jerna’s trust and how were they not going to fall in love with each other in that scenario.
That being said, unfortunately that was the one other place where the story fell short for me. Not in that I didn’t believe they loved each other, but I didn’t really feel the emotions of them falling. Jerna’s terror and devastation for me was much more clearly depicted than the romantic feelings were. I knew Jerna and Rea were in love with each other as they became more honest with each other and revealed more of their pasts, but I didn’t feel like I was drawn into that love as much as I would have liked.
Of course I was very, very happy with the ending of the book. I loved how it all came together and the end result Jerna found in his life to balance all the things he wanted, including his wife was great. For once I didn’t have to hate life knowing someone was getting utterly destroyed by the circumstances beyond their control…you know like the man you love falling in love with another man.
While I know there are sequels to this book I don’t know if I’ll read them. I liked where things ended here and from glancing at the descriptions of the next two books I’m not sure I’ll like where it’s going quite as much. Who knows though maybe I’ll come back to them. I do know I’ll definitely look for something else written by Ms. Somerville though. It may not have been what I was expecting when I started, but I enjoyed the journey and where the book came to end.
October 14, 2013
No good deed goes unpunished
Jerna is a teacher falsely accused of child perversion by his former master's pet. Jerna is a little too good natured IMO. He takes his incarceration essentially as a point of pride, telling his wife that he won't betray his former master's trust by revealing the truth. Jerna loses everything in the process. Everything. His in-laws force a divorce, the prison system in this alt-world society can dictate a prisoner's contact with their family so he's prevented contact with his wife & children, allowed only limited contact with his parents, subjected to random flogging for supposed infractions as well as loss of "comforts" & fitted with an explosive ankle monitor. In a nutshell, it's his very own perdition. Here's an excellent summary of his prison experience:
“You are not encouraged to make friends here. You are not here for your social life, your education, or your rehabilitation. You are here to repay your debt to society. I have no interest in your mental well-being, only your physical health. Work hard and you’ll be freed. Laziness will be promptly and severely punished. There is nothing else to remember here. The Goddess shows mercy, prisoners. Rest assured I do not.”
*groans* And the kicker? If a prisoner dies prior to their release, the family is burdened with repaying the debt! Of course Jerna's only eligible for the lowest paying jobs because of his charges. He's repeatedly raped by the guards, flogged for "imaginary offenses", brutalized, starved & even thrown down a flight of stairs. That doesn't even take into account the isolation-prisoners are discouraged from talking. Suicide starts becoming more & more of a viable option; I can't say I blame the guy. At this point, I really began to question whether or not I could make it through this thing.
Jerna gets relieved of yet another job for some perceived offense & just so happens to apply for a servant position which is a nice way of saying whore in a brothel. Well, it's more like an exclusive luxury hotel that caters to the desires of their wealthy & powerful guests offering the utmost discretion. Tomato, tomahto. Did I mention that the uniform is a kilt? Bonus!
Things begin to look a little brighter. Maybe? Possibly? Hopefully?
Mistress Kare asks him to be a part of her monthly show where he can unleash nearly 9 yrs of pent up masochistic tendencies during which Jerna garners the attention of an inexperienced dom, Tolomi, who asks to book him. Tolomi is just going through the motions of domination, not really getting "it" & subsequently going through submissives like tissues. He asks Jerna one night to explain why he's not getting the same satisfaction out of doing that he gets out of watching & Jerna makes a poor word choice that lands him in jeopardy of being sent back to hell. Shit! Just when I thought things were getting better…
Somehow he escapes being sent back but the alternative isn't all that much better. After a time, Tolomi asks to speak to him & Jerna is so terrified, stressed out & exhausted that he literally passes out, slips into depression & has to be cosseted by all of his newfound friends to pull him back from the brink of suicide. Still, Tolomi persists & asks Jerna to tutor him in the ways of D/s. Who better than a teacher? Their relationship is not without its pitfalls, naturally, but as a reader it was pretty satisfying.
"The heart doesn’t often listen to reason."
What I liked best about this story was the overall message of not shirking one's responsibilities on a whim along with the willingness to compromise & make adjustments out of love without ulterior motives. Jerna is a character to aspire to emulate. He's incomparably kind, honorable, morally above reproach, spiritual & generous. He's also prone to melancholic depression which, honestly, can grind a reader down. Tolomi/Ria is cut from the same cloth & surprised me with his self-sacrifice. Really, Kare is the only character that pissed me off on the regular but I think that's just my pet peeve of people not taking responsibility for their mistakes talking. The rest of the secondary characters lend to the story in enjoyable ways, often providing much needed comic relief. There's also some sociopolitical commentary on class differences, prejudice, organized religion & injustice within the judicial system all of which drives the plot.
If you enjoy an emotionally gritty tale that's incredibly well written, this is the book for you. If you're looking for a book with lots of sexy time, this probably isn't the book for you. Also, the BDSM isn't all that heavy despite what the title might connote.
January 22, 2014
Summary – 3.5 stars
Remastering Jerna by Ann Somerville is the bi-sexual, BDSM Book of Job. There is a lot of angst and some sections are quite depressing. Other sections feature serious fetish content and rape. It's a hell of a combination, but a recommended read for those who can stomach the harder sections. The author has written an amazing book which is only held back by the overly pious hero. At $4 for 297 pages, it's a bargain.
Fantasy World
This story takes place in a futuristic, dystopian society which believes in old school punishments such as a public floggings. It's a strange mix of ancient temples and modern technology.
Tingle Factor
Fortunately Jerna's spiritual beliefs do not prevent him from participating in a wide variety of sexual practices including BDSM and explicit male/male interaction. There is plenty of smut although it's a secondary part of the storyline.
Romance
Jerna loves a lot of people, but especially his wife, Tyrme, and his old master, Kimis. Along the way he also meets a new master, Tolomi, who at first inspires only fear and loathing. However, Jerna, is a very forgiving person and he tries to understand Tolomi, which leads to a different type of relationship. This is the happy world of polyamory in which there is no limit on the amount of love a person can experience.
Drama
Remastering Jerna is a soap opera of a book. The mood shifts from despair to lust, and then boomerangs to saintliness. It's not too overdone though, and fits into the plot.
Hero #1
Jerna is too good to be true. He protects a friend even at the cost of his own freedom and family. His devoutness, even when things are at their worst, becomes annoying, and prevents him from being more of a real person than a caricature.
Hero #2
Tolomi doesn't appear until quite far into the book, and he starts out as a villain. He's a mysterious figure who wears a mask, and about whom Jerna knows little. Even with so little information, Tolomi is an interesting character. His character arc has some unbelievable elements, but overall he's enjoyable to read.
Supporting Cast
Other characters include Jerna's long suffering, but amazingly accepting wife. She's a little too wholesome and agreeable to be enjoyable or believable. The teenage villain responsible for ruining Jerna's life is fabulous. Jerna's co-workers are meaningful yet fun parts of the story. There's a bit too much love for the saint who is Jerna, but overall the supporting characters are great.
Availability
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads
For access to all links in this review, please visit http://www.damesunrestrained.blogspot...
Remastering Jerna by Ann Somerville is the bi-sexual, BDSM Book of Job. There is a lot of angst and some sections are quite depressing. Other sections feature serious fetish content and rape. It's a hell of a combination, but a recommended read for those who can stomach the harder sections. The author has written an amazing book which is only held back by the overly pious hero. At $4 for 297 pages, it's a bargain.
Fantasy World
This story takes place in a futuristic, dystopian society which believes in old school punishments such as a public floggings. It's a strange mix of ancient temples and modern technology.
Tingle Factor
Fortunately Jerna's spiritual beliefs do not prevent him from participating in a wide variety of sexual practices including BDSM and explicit male/male interaction. There is plenty of smut although it's a secondary part of the storyline.
Romance
Jerna loves a lot of people, but especially his wife, Tyrme, and his old master, Kimis. Along the way he also meets a new master, Tolomi, who at first inspires only fear and loathing. However, Jerna, is a very forgiving person and he tries to understand Tolomi, which leads to a different type of relationship. This is the happy world of polyamory in which there is no limit on the amount of love a person can experience.
Drama
Remastering Jerna is a soap opera of a book. The mood shifts from despair to lust, and then boomerangs to saintliness. It's not too overdone though, and fits into the plot.
Hero #1
Jerna is too good to be true. He protects a friend even at the cost of his own freedom and family. His devoutness, even when things are at their worst, becomes annoying, and prevents him from being more of a real person than a caricature.
Hero #2
Tolomi doesn't appear until quite far into the book, and he starts out as a villain. He's a mysterious figure who wears a mask, and about whom Jerna knows little. Even with so little information, Tolomi is an interesting character. His character arc has some unbelievable elements, but overall he's enjoyable to read.
Supporting Cast
Other characters include Jerna's long suffering, but amazingly accepting wife. She's a little too wholesome and agreeable to be enjoyable or believable. The teenage villain responsible for ruining Jerna's life is fabulous. Jerna's co-workers are meaningful yet fun parts of the story. There's a bit too much love for the saint who is Jerna, but overall the supporting characters are great.
Availability
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads
For access to all links in this review, please visit http://www.damesunrestrained.blogspot...
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