Scatterwind.com

Review: If allowed to pass through the hands of a talented editor and tightened up a bit, this novel could have been amazing.

Instead, it’s “okay” (which is also, ironically, the most frequently used word in the book.) Entertaining, some clever ideas, but a lack-luster execution.

The lack of consistent tone is one of the book’s greatest weaknesses. It reads like a contemporary piece for the most part; even though it’s set in a 1900s inspired world, that “feel” is rarely achieved in the narrative or dialog. This wasn’t horribly grating since the story isn’t intended to be a period-piece, but it really would have added something strong to it. Later, the tone hints at a spiritual sense of dead religions and weary gods, then swings into a futuristic/high fantasy feel for the concluding show-down. The background setting starts out rich, but frequently becomes a vaguely defined stage for the great play of Kieran and Ashleigh’s love. The tale as a whole, with all it’s fascinating concepts and occasionally riveting plot, is ultimately about the love story at it’s center.

Among the characters, Ashleigh is probably the most developed and grows the most believably. Here’s where the book’s strengths come in: Ash starts out the stereotyped “bottom” character; needy and emotional and physically weak, turning to big tough Kieran to help out in the hopeless prison they’re trapped in. He’s not overly-wimpy, having been once apart of the rebellion, but he is sensitive and prone to tears when emotionally overwrought. Kieran is, unsurprisingly, drawn to protecting him. However, instead of continuing to cling uselessly to Kieran’s side, Ashleigh grows in emotional and physical strength and is unafraid to stand up to Kieran for what he believes in. When Kieran becomes badly injured, it’s Ash who shoulders the burden and keeps them moving and fighting to survive.

Kieran’s reverse development from a tough-as-nails assassin and drug-runner with a broken soul, to a man learning how to let others into his heart and find hope in the world again is not nearly as smooth or well-done. Kieran is a little overly sensitive and too quick to open up to Ashleigh from the begining. This is described as a “lack of control” because he’s agitated somehow, yet this lack only shows up at the perfect time to further their relationship and never at any other moment. There’s never a good connection between Kieran’s “I’d just as soon shoot you as look at you” side and his “I’m an abused, wounded child” side; it usually feels like two separate people.

The Romance: I enjoyed it. It was a little girly emotional at times, but not to the point that I felt like I was reading about two high school age lesbians, which can be a downfall in some Gay Romance novels. They also had a good amount of “men don’t talk about this feelings crap” too. As mentioned above, the power between them shifts over the course of the story; from Kieran being the emotional dominate, to Ashleigh, to finally an equal balance based on what they bring to the relationship. The overblown “WE ARE TRUE LOVE FOREVER” element was amusingly minimized by the tolerant “you two just got together, huh?” eye-rolling of older characters.

The plot itself, with ancient people of great power who grew into Gods that that ultimately fought against and consumed each other, until only four remained (one holding sway over the world, another trapped under his power, and the last two hidden within the cycle of human-rebirth) had so much potential in it that I found myself wishing it were a larger, deeper part of the story as a whole. I especially loved the idea of the evil god that was, at his center, a spoiled lonely child who just wanted to rest.

Overall it was an entertaining read, with a fast and fun pace. As an action/adventure, fantasy themed romance, it doesn’t miss it’s mark. My only disappointment is that it had the chance to be even greater.