Customer Reviews

Tigers and Devils

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My first review vanished mysteriously, and I don't want anyone to miss this great book, so I'm leaving another. The main characters are well-written, imperfect heroes that sometimes make you want to smack them, but you fall in love with them so you hang on for the ride. The secondary characters are all well realized as well, making them fun to read. Even some of the less pleasant people in the book are believable. The romantic couple clearly enjoy each other, but the sex is alluded to, making this a book that almost anyone would be comfortable with. I know I'll be rereading it and I highly recommend it. It's funny, angsty and romantic.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in gay romance, because it is a romance, not full-on erotica. The sex is discreet, mostly referring obliquely to what happened off-screen, so I think that for most people, it wouldn't be uncomfortable to read. All of the characters are extremely well developed and written, even the most minor are interesting. The two main characters, Simon and Declan, are both not expecting what they get when they find each other, and have to learn to adjust to expectations and very differing lifestyles. The book is also very funny, although it tackles some difficult issues, like a public sports figure choosing to acknowledge publicly that he's gay, and what happens to an "out" partner who dates a closeted man. The story is poignant and realistic as they struggle with some people with negative reactions to their relationship. Both men have friends who attempt to support them, even when they're being jerks, snarking at them when they deserve it, but giving them a swift kick when they need it. I enjoyed this book without reservation, it's a novel that I will be reading again, probably every year.

Simon, a stubborn, self deprecating, pessimist finds himself guilted into going to a party with his best friends Roger and Fran. Little does he know that this party will be the catalyst that throws his life into a whirlwind of drama. Simon finds himself willingly back in the closet only to be thrown out of it with a force that throws his life into chaos and uncertainty. Tigers and Devils will captivate and keep you on your seat with drama. With well developed characters that you come to love and hate then love again this book will definitely satisfy the romantic in you. Definitely a must read!

What a good book! Tigers and Devils is a terrific story and beautifully written.
The structure is very tight; this book has been carefully planned and executed with cheerful style and refresjomg verve. I'm dazzled by Kennedy's skill at describing a real relationship with living people at the heart of it.
Its funny, wry, kind of wise and sublimely heartening like all the best romances.

The story is told through a lot of very well constructed dialogue; I read some aloud to a friend (try it, its fun) and he said it sounded like things he overhears on the subway. Its that natural and free.
No stereotypes here, these guys are men, flawed, young but men who learn a lot as their friendship grows. Its one of the most realistic depictions of a gay love affair I've read (at least according to my experience of such things).
Highly recommended and yes, it would make a wonderful movie, too.

This novel belongs in the hot-athletes-could-be-gay-too genre, which I fall for nearly everytime. Falling for the Tigers and Devils fantasy was incredibly easy, as each of the main characters, Simon and Declan, is winning in his own way. Simon is entrely believable as an "arty wanker," and if Declan seems a little too good to be true, well, it is fiction after all. Kennedy puts the two into situations that seem plausible, given their situation, and that makes it easier to suspend disbelief at Simon's incredible good fortune to have hooked a football god. A good read, all-in-all.

I have a wonderful time finishing this in one day. Glad that I started early as it is over 360 pages but each page is a delight to read. Narrated by Simon in his engaging way, this gay romance is pure charm. The plot is seamless, absorbing and enchanting as one geek finds love with a famous and closeted sports star despite all the odds stake against this odd couple.
Simon Murray is the geek and one interesting character. He is into film, does not do sports even if he is a football fanatic, does not possess the usual stereotype gay men physique, self deprecating, more vocal than he ought to be, yet beneath it all sensitive and insecure about his sexuality even if he is "out". By contrast Declan Tyler, a closeted AFL star football player is a lover's dream, with a great temperament to boot. Both men could not be more different but their romance is credible and the writer has done a marvelous job developing their relationship filled with crests and troughs. As for the supporting cast of close friends and parents they are all three dimensional characters adding depth to this well crafted and engrossing story. One thing I really appreciate is the way the sex is handled. Sex is kept to a minimum but when it happens it is really sexy without spelling out all the details.
Tigers and Devils is what a well written and quality M/M or gay romance should be and I look forward to more from this writer. Bravo Sean Kennedy!

What a great book! A story that ticks all the boxes - realistic heroes, believable second stringers, a story line that seems real, and lots of romance without getting too explicit. My only complaint is that my team didn't get a mention at all! While I love the American stories that dominate this field it was really nice to have an Australian story for me to really relate to. I live in a city 75 Kms from Melbourne (and regarded by many as an outer suburb of the our capital city) so I knew the places mentioned and could picture the story unfolding in familiar haunts.
The other thing I loved about Tigers and Devils was the laugh-out-loud moments. It's nice to have a bit of humour with your romance! Sean Kennedy is a great addition to the pantheon of m/m romance writers and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next. Read Tigers and Devils. You'll have a great time reading it and you'll be left with a warm glow that will last for ages.

I absolutely adored this book. Not only is it a fantastic M/M romance, but it's also set in my hometown of Melbourne (Australia).

`Tigers and Devils' doesn't have any smut - absolutely no explicit sex scenes - but it is thoroughly romantic. Simon and Declan are a very sweet pairing, especially because they are total opposites. Simon is an `arty wanker' who organizes Melbourne's local independent film festival. Declan is AFL's star football player and deep in the closet. This is such a great case of `opposites attract' - Simon and Declan could not be more different, but they work because they revel in each other's differences.

It becomes pretty clear early on in the story that the possible `climax' in Declan and Simon's relationship will come if Declan brings Simon to AFL's coveted awards ceremony, the `Brownlow'. The Brownlow is AFL's version of `The Oscar's' - the actual ceremony is very boring (basically counting scores) but the red carpet is scrutinized by the Australian media and is a very big deal in the AFL community. It's all about who the players bring and what their WAG's (`wives and girlfriends') wear (or don't wear).

I love the fact that `Tigers and Devils' surprised me with regards to plot - Sean Kennedy took the story further than I predicted. After the `happy ending' Kennedy examines Declan and Simon's adjustment period and fall-out from Declan's `coming out'. The second-half of the story was brilliant and made for a far more in-depth romance. And I think 'Tigers and Devils' is also a very honest story of what it's like to be homosexual in Australia. Kennedy explores family dynamics when a relative comes out of the closet - Simon's parents are only just (after 6 years) starting to feel comfortable discussing his love life with him. I also think Sean Kennedy's 'what if' scenario of a gay AFL player hits very, very close to home.
All of these 'real' issues that are discussed make 'Tigers and Devils' into a very compelling read, and elevate it above 'just another romance'.

I loved the romance, but I also loved the fact that the `Tigers and Devils' is set in Melbourne. Sean Kennedy is quite clearly a Melbourne boy - he knows the city and his love is there in the details. His protagonist, Simon Murray, lives in the `hip' (but not `yuppie') suburb of Brunswick and there is great affection in Kennedy's describing Melbourne's `four-seasons-in-one-day' weather. I read this while on the train, passing by all the landmarks Kennedy mentions throughout - my cityloop train terminates at the famous Flinders Street station and passes by the MCG. I don't read enough books set in my hometown, so I got a lot of enjoyment out of `Tigers and Devils' purely for the fact that I had `insider' knowledge and absolutely got all of Kennedy's local jokes and found his descriptions and musings to be spot-on.

I love, love, loved `Tigers and Devils'. I will definitely be reading more of Sean Kennedy's stuff, and probably re-reading `Tigers and Devils' just because I love it so much.
Sean Kennedy also wrote a free online short story called 'Chicken Soup for the Soul, and all that Crap' - which is set in the 'Tigers and Devils' timeline and is very funny and sweet.

Unlike many an e-published book I've read in the last 3 years, Sean Kennedy's writing is witty and professional, his characters and plot engaging. I also enjoyed the book's emphasis on romance and relationship development rather than on sex. It's probably the best novel ever published by Dreamspinner Press.

When a story is written in first person point of view, the main character should really be likeable because you will read the story with them as the "voice" of the book. More so, if it is a romance kind of book.

This is one of the books with 1st POV that works. I totally enjoy the story, of how two men finally found each other's happy ending. The world of Australian football is another point that makes it different. The story is really good - exploring problems about same-sex relationship, especially when you're dating famous sports-man, it has great supporting casts, and well, I fall deeply for the main characters, Simon, and his partner, Declan.

The only problem for me is the length of the book. Some of the problems become slightly repetitive and it could be cut down - although in general scheme of it all, it also gives us, readers, a look on how the relationship develops. All in all, the book is very appealing. Especially because it is romance, not erotica, so the sex part is handled very subtly and nicely -- it feels like watching a wonderful romance movie ... definitely one worth revisiting for time when I need a feel-good romance.