I loved the book. 5+ stars. Can't remember when I gave one of those last, if ever. And I don't usually prefer contemporary.
First, the author handled sI loved the book. 5+ stars. Can't remember when I gave one of those last, if ever. And I don't usually prefer contemporary.
First, the author handled some sensitive content really well. Its uncomfortable at times, but I would expect to be uncomfortable at a 15 year old resorting to prostitution. There is just the right amount of detail to demonstrate the pain Theo endured with out it venturing into squicky or vulgar. Man what a couple of well placed details can convey without it being graphic or off putting. And then there's Theo's strength. He goes through a lot, but he's determined to make it on his own and be his own man, which he does. Unlike some of the other escorts, he isn't looking for a sugar daddy, and I respect him for that. Even though he is an escort, he lives by his own terms. He does the best he can with what he's been given, and becomes pretty financially secure, though he never expects to find love, except the platonic love he has for the other rent boys. I enjoyed their relationship and how they supported each other. The prostitution aspect is another delicate balance the author handled beautifully. It isn't sugar coated ala Pretty Woman, but it isn't sheer despair either, especially when they can work at a higher level.
Theo's lifes story would have made a good story in itself, and the romance doesn't develop until pretty late in the book, which I found a refreshing change from insta-love. I liked that Theo had to reach a point in his life where he could focus on love before he accepted it. He needed some degree of security and control over his future first. Even then, it wasn't easy for him, and he still has a lot of doubts. It hurts to see him think he isn't worthy of love, but it is certainly understandable.
Wills is wonderful, such a nice shift from the growly bossy "alpha male" some readers enjoy but I really don't. He could kick your ass before you could blink, but he doesn't flaunt it and is sweet, courteous, and compassionate. Basically he was raised right, and he's proud of that. Quiet and unassuming even. Well, except in the case of one person who deserved it. The violent aspect of his work doesn't carry over to his relationship with Theo, which is a wonderfully equal relationship sexually and otherwise. He doesn't treat Theo as less because of his past, and Theo doesn't lose his strength and independence when he starts seeing Wills. The dynamic between the two of them felt natural, mutually beneficial, like they found each other just when they needed each other and worked together so well.
Add to that compelling supporting characters (I have to go and find and read everything about Mark Vincent, cause holy crap i was intrigued by him even by his brief appearances) a nice mix of action, some mystery, friendship, romance, internal and external conflict, some understandable miscommunication, and it just is a completely satisfying read. What the author does so well is balance everything, I think. Theo's self doubt and his strength. Horrible experiences and good times with friends. Loss of family but gaining independence. Outside conflict and self induced conflict. Wanting a partner and love but doubting and being scared. And a character in Wills who can be deadly but is also sweet and romantic. There's violence, pain, and loss, and then there's picking out furniture and blueberry pancakes. I really felt immersed in Theo's life.
I have probably gushed enough, but I really did love the book, and I can't wait to read the next one....more
Loved. I loved Jules-orphan, French, half-fey, in the previous book, Lord Carabas. He went from nothing to a title and lands in the new world by manipLoved. I loved Jules-orphan, French, half-fey, in the previous book, Lord Carabas. He went from nothing to a title and lands in the new world by manipulating the people and situations around him. He is such a witty, insightful, engaging and sometimes snarky narrator that he could list off what he ate for dinner and it would be entertaining. While he has no problem lying, sleeping around, killing people and deceiving them to get what he wants, he cares about his family and really loves his little son, Jean-Paul. As arrogant as he is, he'd die to protect his son.
In this book, Jules, his lover Curran and wife Keiko go to Scotland to try to reconcile with Keiko's family since she married Jules without permission. Her father is a very bad man, and has nasty plans for Jules and his son. The action and intrigue parts of the plot were well done. I honestly didn't know how Jules was going to get himself out of this one. Also, the way the relationships between the characters changes and grows is interesting and feels very real. Jules and Keiko realize they don't love each other the way they thought they did, but they work through certain issues that crop up and they decide they like each other and are more like business partners. Not a typical romance resolution, but it works for them and it works in the historical context, where both of them needs the other to appear respectable. There's some strain with the person Jules really loves, Curran, because by Jules's own admission "I'd never say no to anyone passable." I know some people don't like this kind of thing, but it is true to his character. All of the characters feel like real, flawed people. Keiko's scheming proves a match even for Jules. You don't want to mess with this lady. She's great.
I also really enjoyed the development of Jules's fey powers. He seems more supernatural in this book. It hints at a greater destiny for him when he fully realizes his powers. The descriptions of the Scottish countryside were beautiful. Like in the last one, Jules is bisexual, and there are some het and menage scenes. I skimmed them. I don't like it, but I won't let a personal preference ruin my rating of an awesome book. Great characters, great adventure and magic elements, great, witty dialogue, plenty of suspense, and the coolest MC ever.
Does anyone know if there are more books in this series? I hope so!...more
Way cool book. More action than romance, which I expect from this author now, but a weird, well developed and satisfying romance too. The MC are serioWay cool book. More action than romance, which I expect from this author now, but a weird, well developed and satisfying romance too. The MC are seriously messed up, not messed up as in badly portrayed, just with some serious issues. Robin, while a thief, has a sort of a moral code of his own, and it develops as the story progresses until he is *almost* an actual hero. He is really alone in the world and has serious abandonment issues that prevent him from having actual relationships. He doesn't mind supporting himself by picking pockets, but when he accidentally, um, acquires, some photographs of a young man being tortured, he can't stand by and do nothing.
Snowdrop is a faerie who's been captured and abused by a human. His treatment has left him with some issues and sexual quirks. Snow is really shown as a faerie. His actions and motives are not at all human, though he does like Robin right away. In his morality, sex is natural and just a fun way to pass time, and this is how the relationship begins, since Robin has a similar view and no real desire for a commitment. Their romance is very unusual, but feelings do start to develop, especially on Robin's side. But being a human, he has a hard time with understanding Snow's fickle nature. The way Snow messes with his head is fascinating, and his mixed feelings toward the faerie are very understandable. As for Snow, I think he tries to do nice things for Robin, the best way he knows how. Which often isn't very good. For example, the one gift he tries to give Robin is strange and he doesn't understand why Robin gets upset. He does try to protect Robin, but he doesn't seem to understand Robin's human need for attention, understanding, and some feeling of stability. It gets very sad at times, the way they try to connect and just can't.
As with Boots for the Gentleman, the world-building is great. I love that it focuses even more on the faeries, but there's still a lot left unanswered. It takes place in the same world as Boots for the Gentleman, but in a rural, northern area where the faeries are more of a threat. It does a nice job of exploring issues like class, race, and loyalty. One example is when Robin must kill hired guards to save Snow and himself, and he thinks of them as just men, trying to make a living and support their families. Another issue of loyalty comes up with Robin's hooker friend Lila, and with Snow himself.
As much as I liked Boots for the Gentleman, this one is kinda, I don't know, more compact? There are less subplots, and less characters. The descriptions are still great, and the steam technology is cool, though it tends more toward biological research. And psychological research. The sex is really hot, and if you're worried, the bdsm is not much, silk ties, etc. totally consensual and totally hot. And I usually hate bdsm, but I enjoyed the sex scenes between Robin and Snow. Plenty of fighting. Good supporting characters, and a really engaging plot, but mostly the quirky Mcs make it. These guys are seriously effed up, and they really need each other to get past it. I really liked the way this ended, though I still wonder if (view spoiler)[ these guys are going to make it. I'm not sure, based on Robin's goals and Snow's personality. (hide spoiler)]...more
This is an absolutely lovely story that I enjoyed immensely. It's one of the best things I've read in quite a while. Whim as a character is a real treThis is an absolutely lovely story that I enjoyed immensely. It's one of the best things I've read in quite a while. Whim as a character is a real treat as he ventures out on Litha to learn about the world. He meets Charlie, who he instantly wants to form a bond with, but he can't steal Charlie's life from him, and he wants Charlie to have the opportunity to experience life and become a man. So, for the next several years, Whim and Charlie meet only once a year, while they look forward to the time they can be together permanently. Charlie grows during that time, and to a lesser degree, Whim does too. The longing these characters feel for each other is so poignant and palpable that I ached for them while they had to be apart. No matter how hard they tried, or how patient they were, different factors kept preventing their happily ever after and my heart just broke for them. Its rare for an author to so completely capture this kind of yearning, and all I wanted was for things to work out for Whim and Charlie. Of course, life is never that simple, and it was devastating when something came between them.
Also, the supporting characters who inhabit Green's Hill are interesting. I'd like to learn more about them. The backstories and subplots were almost as engaging as the main story, and the descriptions were evocative, moody, and beautiful. But Charlie and Whim, and their beautiful love and patience really won my heart.
Almost perfect. Really. And as a bonus, look at the cover art! I'm so happy I chose this book. It will be in my thoughts for a long time....more
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