Outstanding Gay Fiction: February 2012

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

By Chance Met by Eresse

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

Genre: {M/M} Fantasy, Series

Rating: 5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Fief Lord of Ilmaren, Reijir Arthanna comes to the rescue of Naeth Orosse, the same youth who had aided Reijir in an earlier tavern brawl. Discovering the badly beaten Naeth is an orphan, as well as realizing their mutual attraction, Reijir becomes Naeth’s guardian. During the years spent living in the same household, the attraction between Reijir and Naeth blossoms into true love.

By Chance Met is the third book in the outstanding Chronicles of Ylandre. The particularly intricate plot blends emotional chaos, brawls plus exceptionally sensual lovemaking scenes into a distinctively engaging world. The setting is the fantasy planet of Aisen, populated by a race of hermaphrodites. The theme’s focus is the social structure along with the reasoning for maintaining the original mating arrangement. Naere is the origin of the hermaphroditic race.

Through colonizing, Naere bred with the native Gelra. True Bloods are the ruling class whose ancestors kept their breeding with the Gelra to a minimum and retained much of the physical strength, endurance and most of the psychic gifts of the Naere. Half Blood’s ancestors bred indiscriminately with the Gelra, which resulted in the diminishment or disappearance of many of the characteristics of the Naere in present day generations. The storyline highlights how Reijir, a cousin to Ylandre’s Monarch Rohyr Essendri, and Naeth, a Half Blood, liberated themselves from the oppressing division of social rank to obtain a true bonding of their souls.

Eresse has created an absolutely amazing, thoroughly enjoyable romance. The incredible dual-gendered characters in By Chance Met are enormously heartwarming. I look forward to the next installment of this superb series.

Hallowed Bond by Eresse

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Genre: {M/M} Hermaphrodites, Futuristic
Rating: Golden Blush Award
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Dylen Teris returns home, after an evening of performing his duties, to find a stranger huddled on the front steps. Riodan Leyhar had been robbed of his belongings and was lost in the city. After learning the circumstances of Riodan’s dilemma, Hirlen, Dylen’s father offers shelter to Riodan.

Hallowed Bond is book two in the Chronicles of Ylandre. The setting takes place in the city of Rikara located in the dual-gendered realm of Ylandre, which is on the planet of Aisen. The exceptionally well written plot features love, political espionage, as well as social traditions that mirror historical Regency settings. The characters are especially realistic. Following in the footsteps of his father, Dylen is a companion who provides sexual services and/or social companionship for a considerable fee. Dylen is well educated, highly cultured and generally approved of by the high ranking society. The famous fraternity of companions is well known for their supreme discretion. Born an illegitimate child, Dylen knew the name of his sire; nevertheless chose to keep it a secret. When Dylen fell in love with Riodan, Dylen’s birth status is the bone of contention that separates the lovers.

Riodan loves Dylen. However, Riodan surrenders to his ambassador father’s aspirations of a higher social position after Dylen forces him to recognize the futile idealism of a future relationship. Years later, Riodan suffers through a loveless engagement of marriage arranged by his parents until he and Dylen have a chance meeting at the court of Rohyr Essendri, Ylandre’s powerful monarch. Dylen is now a member of the royal intelligence team and Riodan is a diplomat. Rohyr Essendri’s interference reunites Dylen and Riodan, giving them an opportunity to repair their broken hearts.

Eresse has created a spectacular episode to the extraordinarily distinct Chronicles of Ylandre. Like the first book Sacred Fate, Hallowed Bond is a captivating blend of political intrigues, social prejudice, emotional turmoil, magical powers as well as breathtaking love scenes. I recommend this excellent series to everyone who enjoys unparalleled all male romance stories.

Sacred Fate by Eresse

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Genre: {M/M} Fantasy
Rating: Golden Blush Award
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx

Rohyr Essendri is a high-born True Bloods; ruler and a skilled warrior who defends the realm of Ylandre, however he always displays integrity and respect for others, even the family members he is not fond of.

Lassen Idana is lower-ranked Half Bloods, taken from his small town and converted into Rohyr’s paramour. With his calming personality and dignity, he earns the respect of most people.

The citizens of Tal Ereq seldom received visits by high-ranking dignitaries, yet their appeal for help brought a delegation including Rohyr, the sovereign ruler of the land. Rohyr is drawn to Lassen and a connection is formed between them with only one look. Desire soon develops into a lifetime of love so strong nothing can break the bond, not even Rohyr’s forced political marriage to another.

Sacred Fate is a captivating and distinctive story of a dual-gendered world. The setting is an all-embracing environment of a magical medieval era with fiefs, swords and war steeds, only this is a world of men who can re-produce. The well written plot is enthralling. Each character inspires interest in their connection and personality. While there are few love scenes, they are incredibly sensuous. Eresse creates the social atmosphere with illustrations of prejudice which facilitate rejoinders like “Lassen had little regard for folk who were so full of themselves, they could belittle others on the basis of their perceived inequality”; a realistic sentiment and mirror image of today’s culture. Sacred Fate is an outstanding fantasy that I thoroughly enjoyed.