The Devil's Garden [Kindle Edition]

Jane Kindred (Author)

Book Description

In The Devil's Garden, appearances can be deceiving...

Ume Sky enjoys her place of honor as temple courtesan for the reigning Meer of In'La—until an assignation with a client ends in violence. Her elite status stripped away, Ume is forced to return to a life on the streets as Cillian Rede, the boy she used to be.

Cillian finds temporary harbor with dockhand Cree Sylva, where fear keeps him from revealing his former identity. As the two become lovers, Cillian learns that Cree is not without secrets...

When Cillian has the opportunity to regain his position through a liaison with the Meer himself, he is torn between his feelings for Cree and his need to live as Ume. But there's even more at stake when Ume finds herself entangled in a plot to rid the Delta of divine rule...

25,000 words

Product Details

• File Size: 248 KB
• Print Length: 82 pages
• Publisher: Carina Press (June 27, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004XVTR0G
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #743,137 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written July 24, 2011

By The Book Keeper

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

How the author takes you into both the Ume and Cillian roles is particularly well done. I think the way Ume actually becomes different people, not just acts at being them, makes the story real for me. And there are surprises galore. Nothing is quite as it seems. This has everything - intrigue, betrayal, beauty, sordidness, excitement, eroticism, mysticism.

A beautiful and lyrically written tale with considerable depth. I don't think there will be a sequel, but I wish there was. Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous and intriguing July 12, 2011

By Sara Megibow

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I absolutely loved this story - the beautiful writing, the sparkle of a story that's really unique and interesting. Couldn't put it down!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Magic of Gods and Devils August 5, 2011

By LK Gardner-Griffie

Format:Kindle Edition

A book's cover is its calling card and this cover is gorgeous. A lot of times I'll read a book and go back and look at the cover and realize how the cover didn't quite capture the story, or how there are bits of the cover which don't quite fit with the tale inside. But in this case, I couldn't imagine a more perfect showcase for The Devil's Garden. Right away there is the flavor of another land, with the promise of luxurious settings, and beautiful women. And you won't be disappointed. But, as the description for the novella reads, In the Devil's Garden, appearances can be deceiving...

"Cillian Rede put little store in the magic of gods, but devils he believed in. At seventeen summers, he'd seen more than his share. Turn left or right and you would stumble over one in the city of in'La; among the marsh grass and the fragrant trees, intrigue and corruption were as likely to grow."

From the start Jane Kindred paints a picture; sure strokes which let us know we will encounter the magic of gods, and yet devils as well. In fact, returning to this beginning after having read the book, I truly appreciate how well Kindred set up the entire story in those few opening sentences.

We meet Cillian Rede at the start of the story as a seventeen-year-old boy, but he is quickly revealed as the sacred courtesan Maiden Ume Sky. Ume Sky is sure of herself, having earned her status of one of the most elite courtesans in the Garden, while Cillian is uncomfortable with himself as a male. Ume enjoys the power she has over men, knowing exactly what look will elicit the reaction she desires. She has practiced her art for five years and takes pride in her accomplishments. But her position is about to be jeopardized by her most influential patron, and she will be thrust into the middle of political intrigue and corruption.

Jane Kindred weaves a rich tapestry in The Devil's Garden, lush and full of fine detail. The story is full-bodied, with all the right elements of love, hate, gods, devils, corruption, and even innocence, yet packed into novella length. An excellent read and one I highly recommend.

More About the Author

Jane Kindred is the author of THE HOUSE OF ARKHANGEL'SK trilogy and THE DEVIL'S GARDEN. Born in Billings, Montana, she spent her formative years ruining her eyes reading romance novels in the Tucson sun and watching Star Trek marathons in the dark. She now writes to the sound of San Francisco foghorns while two cats slowly but surely edge her off the side of the bed.

You can find Jane on her Twitter account and Facebook page--both of which are aptly named "janekindred"--and her website, www.janekindred.com.