I Do!, an anthology

I Do!, an anthology
Stars: 3.5/5

Length: 366 pages
Blurb
Do you support the right of any human being to marry the person they love? The right to say 'I Do' to a life of commitment and sharing with the that one special person? We do.

We hope that marriage will soon be a dream that everyone can share. That's why the following authors of LGBT fiction have donated stories to this anthology, in aid of Lambda Legal Fund's fight for marriage equality:

Tracey Pennington, Alex Beecroft, Charlie Cochrane, Clare London, Storm Grant, Lisabet Sarai, Sharon Maria Bidwell, Jeanne Barrack, Marquesate, Z.A Maxfield, P.A Brown, Allison Wonderland, Erastes, Zoe Nichols and Cassidy Ryan, Emma Collingwood, Mallory Path, Jerry L. Wheeler, Moondancer Drake, Fiona Glass, Lee Rowan.

Overall
An enjoyable mix of stories with a medley from fairy tales to bitter endings, it's definitely worth picking up, if only to grab a few stories from favorite authors. Some stories are stronger than others, per the norm for anthologies, but overall a good bunch. (Note, I only reviewed the M/M books below.)

The Lindorm's Twin by Tracey Pennington
An OK story that weaves the tales of classic fairy tales with it's own spin. An extended tale that combines multiple tales, the ride was a little long, but fairly enjoyable, especially for those who enjoy Grimm-like stories.

Desire and Disguise by Alex Beecroft
This is an interesting story that left me pleasantly surprised, despite the slightly bittersweet ending. It has interesting characters, a fresh plot, and while it has a few after-school special moments, they fit into the story and don't detract from the overall telling.

The Roaming Heart by Charlie Cochrane
A short historical piece that gives a taste of the story and a happy ending without going on too long or too in depth. Short and sweet without much filling.

Outed by Clare London
A fun story about a young man who isn't out but isn't hiding his partner either and a memorable celebratory tea with his Auntie where she accidentally spills the beans without realizing it and everyone's reactions. Cute, funny, and short, this is a nice glimpse into a family.

Lust in Translation by Storm Grant
Explosively cute and funny, I giggled my way through this one as I watched these two men fumble there way from drugged to dopey.

Swansong by Sharon Maria Bidwell
A sweet, slightly sad tale of moving on after a loved one has died and being honest with yourself.

Finally Forever by Jeanne Barrack
Two Jewish lovers talk on the phone, planning their move and wedding. A sweet snapshot of their lives and love for one another.

Code of Honour by Marquesate
A fun, sexy story of two legion men in France and the struggles of one to accept who he is. While intense and hot, there was definitely a level of deepness to the story too.

Tango and Temptation by ZA Maxfield
Ohhh, sexy dancing, sharp barbs, and fake accents make this a playful and sweet story that makes you smile, even if you're rolling your eyes. Fun characters, simple plot, and quick tongues make this piece come together.

The Mistake by PA Brown
Funny and cute with a touch of sweetness. I found the sex to be a little porn star for me, but if you like big black cock--I mean cops!--then it will be right up your...alley.

The Snow Queen by Erastes
Wow. Beautiful and heart-breaking. Depressing. Painfully honest in its reality.

Semi-detached by Emma Collingwood
A nice little story, just a slice of life although it did very little to move me.

Rules of the Game by Mallory Path
A short, sexy little piece about two committed partners who switch things up for the evening.

Templeton's in Love by Jerry Wheeler
And interesting story, but the characters didn't really grab me, although I liked some of the messages and the overall atmosphere.

Salad Days by Fiona Glass
A tender story about a man who constantly mentions his ex and the current boyfriend who keeps his jealousy quiet--all while making a salad.

Wedding Announcement by Lee Rowan
A quick end to the anthology, this one is OK, another slice of life as a man calls his father to tell him about his civil ceremony.

Ink by Isabelle Rowan

Ink by Isabelle Rowan
Stars: 3/5

Length: 230 pages
Blurb
Roman centurion Dominic drew his last human breath during the time of Hadrian. In the centuries since, he’s seen much of the world change around him, but the vampire finds himself held captive in Melbourne, Australia, by his fascination with young, passionate, fun-loving, and alive tattoo artist Michael Chapman. Unable to resist the lure of Michael’s beauty, Dominic finds himself entering the parlor to get a tattoo he knows will fade.

The attraction he feels only grows, and despite Dominic’s extreme reluctance to get involved with a human, he and Michael form a bond—a connection that all too soon attracts the attention of a dark specter from Dominic’s bloody past. Soon, a dangerous game of cat and mouse threatens not only the budding romance, but also their humanity.

Overall
A classic tale of a young man's attraction to a vampire ending with a question of humanity and whether vampires are still of the same stock from which they were born. Ink is a slowly building story that uses a third person omniscient perspective that mainly sticks to the two main characters. The story was fairly good, the writing the same, but I had difficulty really getting into it. This teeters on an Insta-Love edge, but the way it was handled keeps it from being too terrible an example. A pleasant overall read, those who devour vampire novels may enjoy it especially.

Strengths
While there are elements that I really couldn't grab and character moments that made me raise a brow, I really loved some parts of the characters. Abby especially was a delight, the only one in this whole story with her head screwed on right! Dominic has his moments, but Abby pegged him rightly as a Louis character, and Michael, while mostly sensible and a good guy, sometimes seems to be playing the role the author set out for him. Galen (see "dark specter" above), was a surprise and I enjoyed his depth for being a late-appearing villain.

Along those same lines, the ending surprised me, but didn't necessarily disappoint. The epilogue made me raise a brow, but I also liked the sense of mystery it left in the wake of the resolution. Compared to the slow beginning, the ending seemed almost rushed, although there wasn't much to be done to extend it, either. Still, I was satisfied, if not a little sad, to see the way the story went. Also, I loved the role tattoos and markings played in the story.

I really love the cover. It's arty and dark with a strong fantastical feel that really caught my eye. Elements of it relate to the content of the novel without strictly sticking to it.

Weaknesses
While not too terribly cliche, nothing felt especially fresh about this vampire tale. Old vampire thinks of vampires as godly and that the blood lust is unavoidable; young vampire struggles to retain his humanity. There are definitely some interesting elements of the story and while not necessarily new ideas, Rowan approaches the idea with confidence and from a slightly unique angle.

Even understanding the need for it, the beginning of the story is very slow to open as it develops the characters and the situation. Some may find this too slow and lose interest before the action starts. I didn't mind, but it took a little to keep me going, and this definitely wasn't a page-turner until near the end.

Requested this book for review.

First Time, Forever by KC Burn

First Time, Forever by KC Burn
Stars: 3.5/5

Length: 24,000 words
Blurb
Derrick and Trevor used to have an incredibly passionate relationship, full of spontaneity and sizzle. Now that their son is off to college, they want to put their days of routine, vanilla sex behind them and bring back some of that spark.

Realizing that they’re empty-nesters, Trevor begins to notice their age difference. He suddenly feels old and unsure of himself, and isn’t confident Derrick still desires him. When Trevor decides to keep his health issues and gray hairs down there to himself, Derrick is hurt by his partner’s secretive behavior and thinks Trevor must be having an affair.

Nothing could be further from the truth, but Trevor doesn’t know how to communicate his fears to his partner. He desperately wants to reconnect with Derrick and rev up their sex life, but will it be enough to reclaim their marital bliss?

Overall
This tale of two empty-nesters trying to reclaim the passion they once had in the bedroom while each thinks the other is no longer interested relies solely on the characters to carry the story. Although there is little plot and all of it is relatively predictable due to the nature of the story, this is a nice exploration of two men who love one another but let life and fear get in the way. This is neither a bad story, nor a great one. It's enjoyable, but mellow.

Strengths
The driving strength in this story is the depth of emotion these struggling men evoke. Initially I didn't really feel their pain, but as the story continued and they attempted again and again to fix the relationship, I was sucked into their quandary and ached each time they thought the other wasn't interested. What is especially nice about this story is that it is written from both character's perspectives, so while we suffer while each suffers, we also get to see the opposite perspective and understand why what happened happened and how the other is feeling. The majority of the novella is bitterly sweet, but thankfully ends on a happier note.

This is definitely a character-centric story, and the two men are strong enough for this length of work. While they are both independent businessmen, they are also basic men with urges, insecurities, and assumptions. Although the situations are emotionally dramatic, for the reader there is also a tinge of humor as they keep screwing things up for one another. They are just people behaving like people, in a sweet, sometimes frustrating, way.

Weaknesses
Although there is nothing I would pin strongly against this novella, there were a few points that kept it from scoring higher.

The writing wasn't bad, but because the story is so dependent on voice, there were moments where the writing was a weakness, although overall I wouldn't say that's true.

By the nature of the style of story being told here, and the dual perspective, there are very little surprises plot-wise, although some of the events are surprising. Some people may find this boring and unimaginative, but I found it a nice "slice of life" type story. A romantic comedy of sorts.

Trevor's feeling old seemed a little forced, since he's not that much older and he's in great shape, but maybe being an empty-nester makes you do crazy things.

Requested this book for review.

Better by Jaime Samms

Better by Jaime Samms
Stars: 4/5

Length: 240 pages
Blurb
After filing charges that put his abusive ex-Dom behind bars, Jesse Turbul relocates halfway across the country, hoping to escape his past—but, of course, it's never that easy. When Jesse meets third-year law student Aadon at the library where he works, their mutual attraction is instant and obvious.

Despite the sparks, they just can't seem to make it work. Aadon is mired in guilt over his inability to help his older brother, damaged by events far too similar to Jesse’s past. Jesse is stuck in his own desperate wish to forget the painful shadow that continues to threaten him and any hope of a happy future.

The only way to move forward is for Jesse to acknowledge he’s broken and for Aadon to accept he can’t make him better.

Overall
This is an excellent exploration of the "broken" and the "fixers" and how they work together and how they clash. Admittedly, I love a broken character, and this story played that point well. In addition, the main characters have Dom/Sub relations, although the complexities of Jesse's past make any real "play" fall somewhere between difficult and impossible (at least within the scope of this book). Still, the idea is explored.

This novel is character driven, with a plot that focuses on the characters' emotional advancements. The most action happens in car trips and emotional blow-ups, but the story doesn't require more than this, as it keeps true to what the blurb offers. I would definitely recommend this novel to readers who like character/emotional studies, broken characters, and emotional suffering and who don't require a heavy plot.

Strengths
One of the things I appreciated most about this story was that nothing was easy for the characters. They didn't 'get' each other right off the bat. They had arguments, disagreements, and differing expectations. While outside sources didn't cause too much conflict, they did precipitate events by adding outside pressure. There was a realistic struggle that progressed the story and forced the main characters to deal with the issues and baggage each carried. There is never a magical outside source that fixes things, but instead the character is enabled to overcome what he needs to overcome.

Better is an emotionally compelling piece that digs into the heart. In some ways the topics the book broaches are difficult to read and highly sensitive matters, but they are well handled and didn't feel triggering. I was pulled along on the emotional journey with both characters and enjoyed it to the very end.

A good mix of characters with most, if not all, doing their best to 'help' their friends--whether that help is wanted or not! Although elements of this world and the people in it are seen with rose-tinted lenses, reality is still respected, in sequences of events and in characters. This definitely has a "feel good" ending that rounds out a rather heavy story with hope.

Weaknesses
While not necessarily a weakness, the narration is told in a third-person expanded voice, which means we jump from person to person. It was properly handled and mainly stuck to the main characters (if not completely, I can't recall now), but some readers may have difficulty adjusting to this type of storytelling, since it's not as common a perspective.

There isn't much plot outside of emotional development, which, again, isn't a weakness, but readers should expect this going into the story. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this character exploration of a topic that--honestly--gets used a lot in the books I read. Or maybe I just hunt those books out. Either way, I felt it was done well and made up for the lack of any action-based plot.

The only real weakness was toward the end where Jesse evolved a little too quickly in order to slip in a sexy sex scene. I can't grade too hard against it because everyone is different, but I felt rather startled at the advancement from "Don't touch me," to "I'm ready for this!" ...Though who wouldn't want Aadon to hold him down and make love to him? Really.

Requested this book for review.

Frat Boy and Toppy by Anne Tenino

Frat Boy and Toppy by Anne Tenino
Stars: 4/5

Length: ~170 pages (50,000 words)
Blurb
Brad is great at meeting other people’s expectations. But his own? Not so much. Take the gay thing. Okay, so yeah. It took a morning meeting with a frat brother’s hairy, naked ass for him to admit it, but he knows the truth about himself now. Let the gay life commence.

Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. He hasn’t quite determined how to come out to anyone, even Sebastian, the geeky-hot TA in his history class. Sebastian is everything Brad is not. Intellectual, suave, hairy. Out. And he doesn’t seem interested in Brad, even when Brad makes a fool of himself trying to catch his notice.

Score one for foolery: Sebastian does more than notice Brad; he takes him to bed. Brad’s been with plenty of girls, but with Sebastian, the sex is something else entirely—hot, mind-blowing, affirming, and a little domineering in a way that drives him wild. But when great sex turns into something more—dare he admit the “L” word?—Brad must face the crushing realization that Sebastian doesn’t feel the same. Unless, of course, he does. After all, even grad students can be idiots about matters of the heart.

Overall
I'm very hit or miss with comedic stories as my sense of humor doesn't align with others' humors in many ways. So while I probably missed a large chunk of what was meant to be comedy in this story, I also found there was plenty to laugh about too. In addition, while this is a fairly light story about a young man realizing and exploring his sexuality, it also mixes in some deeper elements without dwelling on them too much and losing the heart of the story. Sexy sexy-time, great characters, and generally amusing narrators all blend together for a fun story.

Strengths
These characters are fun, nice guys who think less of themselves without overwhelming the reader with angst. They both have some history, and while that is part of the driving force of the latter half of the story, it's not so heavy as to pull away from enjoying the lightness of the novel. In addition there is a varying cast of side characters, from Brad's goofy family to Sebastian's jerk roommate.

The simplicity of the story lends itself to focusing on the characters, which are really the strength of the story. However, the plot, while simple, isn't lacking, but instead captures an incident (and the surrounding incidents), blossoming outward to the end. Simple, yes, but satisfying.

Weaknesses
Some of the writing came across as a little stiff and awkward, mainly when Brad is narrating, and I'm not sure if the author was trying to differentiate their voices or not. In addition, Tenino was going for a very distinct style with a fragmented structure that worked for the characters and story, but some readers may find distracting.

I am affiliated with Riptide Publishing. Read as a proof.

The Saint of San Francisco by Jerry Sacher

The Saint of San Francisco by Jerry Sacher
Stars: 2/5

Length: 245 pages
Blurb
After finding himself still depressingly single on his thirty-second birthday, Jeremy Haniver accepts an invitation to move to San Francisco. Though he falls in love with the Castro and the city, it’s not enough to cure him of his loneliness or the depression that dogs him. He almost throws his life away, but fate intervenes when Jeremy meets Mark Caparelli.

Mark is a former Marine and a detective with the San Francisco PD. Unfortunately, he’s also seeing someone else—at first. Life finally seems to be going Jeremy’s way, until a homicide breaks up his first date with Mark. Jeremy desperately wants to get over his past and start a new life with Mark, but they have to catch the killer first... before he catches them

Overall
This novel is an attempt at a murder mystery using a unique narrative style and a frequently changing point of view. While I applaud the attempt at stepping outside the box, too many problems arise from some of the choices Sacher made, which left me skimming through the story to get to the ending. Instead of breaking this story down into positives and negatives, I'm going to look at the different parts that caught my eye and why they worked--and why they didn't.

The Breakdown
Title. While I think the saint in the title is supposed to refer to Jeremy, I think it more aptly applies to Mark. Not only does Mark save Jeremy's life, but he also puts up with Jeremy for some reason that I can't fathom outside of love. There are moments were Jeremy is a good match for Mark, but there are other (majority) times where I wanted to smack Jeremy. Hard. Mark, however, despite some poor choices, puts up with a lot of crap, tries to protect the one he loves, and does his job.

Points of view. While my biggest complaint in some books is that they randomly begin skipping around the perspective pool, this novel at least consistently jumped around. The lead narrator (in first person) is Jeremy, but possibly so you don't kill him, we get third person perspectives from Mark and various other key voices. I know this caused complaints among some readers, but I didn't mind. I feel the concept can work well, and while it may not have been executed perfectly in this case, it wasn't terrible. However, I know it rubbed many readers the wrong way.

Voice. We are told off the bat that Jeremy is apathetic in his relationships, doesn't think he's (really) capable of loving someone, and gets easily bored with boyfriends (and dumps them for no particular reason). He's a hard guy to love, and he's the leading male. Because of his apathy toward his boyfriend, his friends, and many things in general, it's hard to want to hang around his head, which is why jumping perspectives is probably a good thing. He's slightly whiny, very stubborn, and sometimes annoying. Also, despite his many failings, he still has friends and has trouble seeing any of his negatives. Because of all of this, he comes across as a Gary Stu (the male equivalent of a Mary Sue).

The mystery. In general the mystery was pretty interesting. I liked how everything unfolded and Jeremy continued to dig up facts and get his nose into business when he really shouldn't have.

On the other hand...there were some really big issues with reality in the mystery, the story, and a few characters. Mark takes Jeremy to a crime scene; I don't believe that a murder case would just be "dropped" no matter who was asking; and there are various other moments that made me question what research went into it. Along these same lines, the murderer, when he's finally revealed, behaves erratically, has previously behaved illogically, and yet has acted perfectly rationally other times. I didn't buy it.

Requested this book for review.

Every Man for Himself: Ten Short Stories About Being a Guy, an anthology

Every Man for Himself: Ten Short Stories About Being a Guy, an anthology
Stars: 4.5/5

Length: 176 pages
Blurb
What does “being a guy” actually mean? Some of the most talented writers are about to show you. In this diverse and original collection of short stories, ten well-known writers, including Mo Willems, Walter Dean Myers, Ron Koertge, René Saldaña, Jr., David Levithan, and David Lubar, share their stories about the trials and tribulations of being a guy. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and always honest, each story portrays the reality of being an everyday guy who gets a few life lessons and still manages to come out on top.

Overall
I really enjoyed these stories, which came from a variety of authors, most of whom I wasn't familiar with. However, while it's subtitled as "Ten Short Stories About Being a Guy," it could just as appropriately be called "Ten Short Stories About Being a Person." Because honestly, how big of a difference is there between guys and gals? Not much (beyond biologicals), since it all breaks down on an individual level. That aside, this was a good collection of stories and I think it'd be great for young "guys" to read, although I'd definitely recommend it to anyone. In answer to the blurb above's question: Being a guy is different for everyone.

Strengths
These stories had a good variation of topics that sometimes touched on heavy subjects but never lingered too long or too heavily and often the heavy subject wasn't the main focus of the story either, which was refreshing. Some of the topics include race issues, sexuality, changing friendships, family roles, and identity/cliques.

The writing was solid through out, and each author took a slightly different voice/approach, with one story presented in the form of a comic. And while each story was individual and different, there was never a jarring switch between stories, either. A good compilation.

Weaknesses
I think my biggest peeve with this book is the idea that men are so different from women that young men/boys need a guide to being a guy. As if they couldn't figure it out themselves. This annoyance is slightly placated by the fact that the stories aren't grossly "This is how you're a Man," and instead show a variety of how to be a man (or, you know, a decent human being). Feels like a sales ploy to me, much like all products "sold" to "men" or "women."

All Bets Are Off by Marguerite Labbe

All Bets Are Off by Marguerite Labbe
Stars: 4/5

Length: 280 pages
Blurb
It only takes one night with Ash Gallagher to make Eli Hollister think he’s finally met the right man at the right time. Good thing he doesn’t bet on it, because Ash turns out to be a student in Eli’s class at the local college. Eli can’t deny he’s attracted, but now it’s complicated. He’s already in enough trouble with the department head, a man who would like to see Eli denied his tenure and fired.

Ash is looking forward to taking his life in a new direction. After serving one active-duty stint in the Marine Corps and another in the Reserves, he’s ready to put his military life behind him. The last new experience he’d planned for this semester was to fall in lust with his English professor, but the more Eli resists, the more Ash is determined to have him. Then he discovers Eli’s playing for keeps, and Ash is only interested in a fling... or is he? Between these two, when it comes to life and love, all bets are off.

Overall
I went into this novel with no real expectations. The cover was attractive, but not enough to catch my eye, the blurb was OK, but I still hesitated. However, hearing a few positive scores, I decided to give this a chance (ah, the power of ratings!). I'm so very glad I did.

Like a new twist on old comfort food, this novel drew me along through the pages, never really dragging me, but keeping me there nonetheless. I wasn't clawing at the book to see what happened next, but my curiosity was definitely peaked and when I was reading, it was warm and comfortable.

This story has army boys, professors, a playfully light touch of kink, some mystery, and various plots that were sculpted from the story with ease. While this book may not have done anything to amaze me and earn a fifth star, it's definitely something I'd want to read again on a lazy day.

Strengths
Eli and Ash are a nice pair, touching on sweet, hot, and tender, but often mastering in silly, playful and mischievous. They definitely feel an attraction, a magnetic pull even, but because they recognize it and accept it, they are able to behave like friends—really good friends who stare at each other's asses. It was a fresh dynamic between them. The rest of the cast is diverse, weaving through the story in perfect rhythm.

One of the best surprises this book offered was its plot. The blurb makes it sound like another romance where the men have a fling and resist their growing emotional attachment. It is that, but it's also so much more. There is some light mystery work, crazy bosses, and struggling to resist temptation. The plot is made of several threads that all eventually tie together (or tie up), leaving the story feeling whole, cohesive, and just plain enjoyable. There's nothing like trusting the author to tell the story and then being given a story just like you were promised.

The strongest part of this novel is the way everything was handled. Characters were consistent and not just forgotten, plots were followed through and resolved, and the pace was steady, never too slow and never rushed. While this novel did nothing to amaze me, it left me very satisfied.

Weaknesses
Nothing really blew me away with the story. It was good, great even, but not awesome. Not really a huge weakness, but the reason it didn't get five stars. Maybe a lame reason, but a reason.

Nit-picky point: At one time Ash is jerking Eli off and somehow gripping Eli's shoulders with hands. So minor but for some reason it really stood out in my mind. Hands on shoulder, hand on cock, hands on shoulders (again), hands on cock (again). Wow, Ash is really special!

Requested this book for review.

Escape Velocity by Anah Crow and Dianne Fox

Escape Velocity by Anah Crow and Dianne Fox
Stars: 3/5

Length: 61,000 words
Blurb
Linguist Elios Campbell is thrilled to be granted flight time in a Colonial Guard fighter jet, until he catches sight of his pilot. Spending time with Sender Kinnison holds even more appeal than the flight itself.

Sender's desire for other men is forbidden by his faith and his family. He tries to resist his attraction to Elios, who is unlike anyone he's ever known. When he fails, the incredible sex quickly leads to something deeper, forcing Sender to question his long-held beliefs.

Then, duty calls Sender home to the repressed colony of Themis. Will he be forced to give up a future with Elios to honor the ghosts of his past?

Overall
I went into Escape Velocity with extremely high hopes, previously having enjoyed Crow and Fox's One Real Thing. However, my initial read left me disappointed and flummoxed on how the writing could feel so weak compared to ORT. By the end, I was enjoying the story more and was left overall satisfied (althought still disappointed). I wrote a review reflecting that, put it aside and read some other books, then came back to Escape Velocity.

While it didn't transform into an amazing novel between reads, many of my initial feelings did change slightly, and I'll try to present both in my review. I enjoyed the novel more on my second reading, which could partially be due to my general mood, but the weaknesses and strengths still stood by the end.

Strengths
On my first read, I had difficulty relating with either of the main characters, and the focus on sex and their jobs in the beginning left me lukewarm about Sender on the first part of the second read as well. However, Elios felt more approachable in the second read and was easier to empathize with as an injured party trying not to get his heart broken again. Most of my difficulties with Sender centered around his hang ups with religion, not with his interactions with his friends, Elios, or on the job. I liked Sender, but I couldn't relate to his religious plight. Overall I liked the characters and I liked the heart-wrenching path the tale took (I especially liked the heart-wrenching path the book took).

The sci-fi elements of this story--including all the world building--were well handled, providing just enough detail to flesh out what was going on without bogging down the story. The clashing cultures, the colonized world, the contrast between Themis and Luna, and the beautiful descriptions all add to a vivid image of where the characters are. Also, I appreciate the dichotomy of Themis being described as grungy, old, and weighed down with politics, culture and population while Luna is clean, sunny, and open. Themis is visualized as a bureaucratic hell and Luna is its heavenly counterpart.

Despite my desire to see more of the Pandora project developed (see below), I enjoyed the direction this story--the romantic part--took. The conflict, the pained emotions, and the strength of the characters all lent themselves to a whirlwind story with a satisfying ending.

Weaknesses
My initial thought was that the writing wasn't bad, but it fell flat for me. It felt stiff and a little awkward, which made it difficult to really sink into the characters. Because of that, the sex scenes didn't really melt me and until about 50% of the way, I wasn't really into what was happening. My second read let me analyze the language closer, and I found the majority of the story had fairly good writing, but some phrases and structures were awkward and stiff. This was balanced out by other phrases' brilliance and originality. I wouldn't mark this as a great read, but it's not something to suffer through either.

While I enjoy--in fact search out--books with religious themes, I was not convinced by Sender's continued following of his family's religious beliefs. Obviously he was raised with it, but the story never conveyed a sense that he really believed it, despite casual mentions that he thought what he was doing was wrong. So when he has to choose between the religious followings and his own happiness, I couldn't comprehend why he'd even hesitate. In my second read I came to terms with this a little more, as I could see that he made decisions not based on his beliefs but on his obligations, yet I still couldn't buy his beliefs/struggles.

(Spoiler Below)
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Despite the mysterious ship with the mysterious language and the importance of the military and pilots, the whole ordeal took second place to Sender's conflict. While I can respect the idea that this is all just one step in life for them (and the mission), the beginning of the book led me to believe that the mystery was going to be solved further than it was. I liked that it didn't distract from the romance, but it also took me off guard a little as well. I'm conflicted on how I feel about it. I almost feel (especially with the first edition's original title) that this was meant to be a series that never advanced.

Requested this book for review.