MOTEL. POOL. by Kim Fielding

4 Stars

Utterly depressing and inspiring, at the same time? It's a strange paradox. 

I found the beginning slow, it started where I didn't expect. It was actually an extended prologue lasting approximately 10% of the book and I felt confused because I kept thinking where's the story I thought. That and Hollywood machine stories that chew and spit out people as a LA local really don't appeal to me, at all. So, that was a depressing backstory.

The road trip aspect really appealed to me. I love the dissolution of barriers in the confined enclosure of an extended car ride. There's a opening up that occurs in hostage situations and the fact that participants often can't look at each other while seated encourages revelations that aren't always possible in a face to face conversation. 

The fact is, we all have our ghosts, ironically, including ghosts. 

While Jack is pondering his situation, Tag is running from his. Both characters have lived with dissatisfaction, but together they find something they never had, never thought they'd get. There's some twists and turns, and some tears. Not gonna lie. I cried. 

The end... well that was worth it. 

Overall, an emotionally fraught tale of finding acceptance. 

THE DEGAN INCIDENT by Rob Colton

3 Stars

Schmoopy gay porn.

Not often you see this particular melange of unvarnished sex and sugary sweet emotions. But, that's the tone of this soulmates' story. Devin is a small, orphaned human working the Space Port on Earth when he meets Bastian, a giant furry Degan. 

He sort of reminds me of this:


Or maybe a bipedal mashup with this:

Though, that could just be the name. Any which way, Degans are an ancient race of large ferocious furry bipeds with limited contact with humans. But for Devin and Bastian the pull is instantaneous, and there's a surprise that happens during their connection.

Suddenly, all the flowers and friskiness is tossed aside as the intrigue ensues. A thriller of galactic proportions begins and every thing from advance interrogation *cough* torture*cough* to spaceship battles occur. True love can't be denied. 

It's imperfect, but for a simple escapist read it works.

THORNS AND FANGS by Gillian St. Kevern

3.5 Stars

Magic and fangs, very dangerous. 

This was entertaining, but it starts off one way and takes a radical turn after 10%. The hot and heavy ménage erotica becomes a suspense with lethal consequences in the paranormal world that is New Camden, an urban, post-industrial, small-big city that seems to act as a beacon for the unusual. 

The jaunt through the dark side of night as Nate's frolic with a vampire colony has repercussions for everyone involved. This was more Nate's story of transformation than a romance, or rather the romance acted as a catalyst for Nate's change.

I liked it, but the pacing felt off, perhaps it was the sense of misdirection at the beginning. 

MANE AND TAIL by Sean Michael

3 Stars

I liked this, but it was essentially the same story as Pony Play written by the same author earlier, except there's a paranormal element added. The pony play and loving care of the groom for his colt is lovely, I personally feel that PONY PLAY was more successful emotionally. If you enjoy pony play, then this is a win for a loving expression and it's filled with the requisite SM loving and sweet talk or grunts. You just don't need to read both, because they're mirrors of each other.

CHAOS STATION by Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen

3.5 Stars

Making lemonade.

Post-war is never easy, but when you're struggling to figure out how to play the hand you're stuck with afterwards is a challenge. Felix and Zed: best friends, teammates, lovers--until they're torn apart. Suddenly, that drift is gone, and the truth of what's happened to both of them is standing starkly in front of them, waiting to be acknowledged.

This was pretty good for a science fiction romance. It's a hurt comfort and a bit of a thriller as the crew of the Chaos faces off against opponents while running their cargo. I liked the characters a lot. It is a romance, but the plot is a major component, so it's not all kisses and sighs. 3.5 rounded up because I like that it didn't whimp out at the end. I'm interested in seeing what's slated for the sequel.

PIRATE UTOPIA by Bruce Sterling

4 Stars

Historical farce or farcical history?

I'm a sucker for covers, especially ones that say "Pirate" or "Utopia" and have screaming propagandistic art. Put them altogether and I'm a goner. I can't help it. I'm weak. It actually took me a few moments to catch the flow of the story, the bumbling ridiculousness narration of it. And then, I was amused. 

This story is a clever and critical editorial of events. Yes, there is an assumption of knowledge of the period, but the addendums at the end explain this more thoroughly for those readers who might have been confused, so skip and read the explanation of the alternate timeline and situating Sterling's viewpoint on the Interwar period if one is baffled after the first ten pages. Additionally, there is an extensive interview, Q&A with Sterling regarding the book. 

The Interwar critique of the Italian state of Fiume and the slippery slide and friction between anarchism to communist idealism and its schism to fascism. It's funny and complicated and a knowledge of European geography, relevant political allegiances and the differences between the warring political ideologies of modernism make for a not so subtle farce. 



The artwork throughout is nicely done, and definitely adds flavor to the tale. 

Croatian pirate refusing change for British pound in Kingdom of Yugoslavia dinars. The racket of internal stamps trading in lieu of "money". The laundry list of languages spoken and who is willing to speak which ones and why. The demise of Italian industry greatness brought on by Armistice. 

He was a teenage boy from Turin, so race-cars and airplanes interested him much more than philosophical aspirations.

In case one isn't familiar, this is the rooftop racetrack for Fiat in Turin. So, after all the Nietzsche worship because he spent time studying in Turin and considering him a son of Turin, I found this more than a little amusing. 

Really. It's funny:

Tarzan was the American version of the Nietzschean Overman. He was a Superman anarchist, but since he lived in a jungle, he did not have to smash the State.

His immediate superior in piracy was the Ace of Hearts.

The subversion of the premise of piracy is freaking hysterical. As is all the political ideals that are subverted throughout the book. Sad, but funny. 

The grenade failed to detonate. It was a factory second.

It's a time capsule. It is bald-faced, so any readers who go into this expecting political correctness instead of the scathing representations in a myriad of manifestations is going to be offended. All the little mentions that typify the era are present from boys adventure stories (propaganda masquerading as entertainment), League of Nations, lingering occultism, and the idealist belief of a better future. The funny thing is, reading this I became even more aware how relevant Chaos Theory is to human societies. It constantly has to be cultivated and rebuilt because it is degrading into violence and separation. And, the shelf life for heroes is very short. 

So laugh. If you don't, it's just sad how much what seems to be a farce is actually reality. Don't worry, "It's All Been Done Before" (Barenaked Ladies) 

Fellow cynical idealists, this is a story for YOU.

ELEMENTAL LOVE by L.M. Somerton

3 Stars

A mage comes into his powers and all the responsibility and sacrifice that comes with it, along with a a grudge match that's been waiting. The sacrifice is given by a willing supplicant, the warlock's submissive. It was sugar kink, a bit awkward in places, but since they both were figuring it out as they went along it worked for the most part. I only wanted to hit Evrain over the head twice.