Re-creation
(Part of The Three Lands universe)
Dusk Peterson
What rating would you give it?
4.5 of 5 Stars
Give us a summary.
(Taken from GoodReads)
“He could not leave this room without his father’s permission. And he could not imagine going to his father and saying, ‘Please let me go gather moss so that my slave can have a proper New Year for once.'”
What can you give a slave who, by law, can own nothing? That is the question faced by Peter, the teenage heir to the throne of an empire. Despite his father’s desire that the imperial heir maintain a formal distance from servants, Peter finds himself drawn in friendship to the younger boy who serves as his slave.
But a shocking revelation on the eve of the New Year forces Peter to confront his own motives for keeping the slave close by. And that in turn will help him understand the deeper meaning of the gift-giving festival.
This coming-of-age novelette on gender and sexual identity is a holiday tale that can be read on its own or as a side story in The Three Lands, a fantasy series on friendship, romance, and betrayal in times of war and peace. The series is inspired by conflicts between nations during the Roman Empire and the Dark Ages.
What did you think of the book?
Huh.
This is yet another unexpectedly awesome read by Dusk Peterson. I think, moreso than the themes he likes to write about, it’s the way in which he tells stories, the characters, the… the real meat of the message being told that I like—that I LOVE.
I found this particular story very… endearing. Most probably because the characters were so young and yet so “wise beyond their years;” in particular Andrew, who most assuredly grew up far too soon during his harsh time as a slave. I found this a very thoughtful and critical piece, something that can easily be turned into a prequel or starter for a series.
If there are more books being made (or have already been made) I would very much want to read them.
NOW.
I am unabashedly curious as to where their complex relationship will take them, and furthermore to the reform and possible deconstruction of unjust and cruel societal hierarchies, magistrates, and laws that could occur once Peter (the other boy) becomes the new Chara.
Or might not.
One thing I would like to make very clear… is that this book is in no way considered M/M romance, but more M/M friendship. I don’t know if in the rest of the series (ya know, when they’re actually older) if they ever become more than “just friends,” but even if they do not… the relationship between the two is truly enthralling to watch unfold.
I think that in today’s more – ehem –”accepting” society, far too many people are far too quick to jump to the conclusion that just because the story revolves around two guys who are close, that they must be banging each other. This story could certainly disprove this belief, yet show that a friendship story is just as captivating and endearing as any M/M romance.
Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?
I get the impression that if there are other stories in this universe, those might be a bit graphic and violent… but this story was without anything too remarkably disturbing. At least in graphic detail, at any rate.
Is it available to read for free? Where can I purchase it?
It’s actually a free ebook, so you can download it from any of these sources here:
Gumroad | AR | Smashwords | Amazon Kindle
Does it count towards any reading challenges?
Yup! A whole bunch. xD
- 2015 GoodReads Reading Challenge
- 2015 LGBT Challenge (YA)
- You Read How Many Books?
- 52 Books in 52 Weeks
- Read A Million Pages
- Readathon Day (2015)
- 105 Reading Challenge (Categories: 4)
- 2015 New To You Reading Challenge (New Series To Me)
Would you recommend this book?
I’d think so. Even to those unfamilar with the rest of the series. I mean, I really enjoyed it, and I didn’t have the slightest idea it was part of a series. The story works well as a stand-alone, and I think the story behind these two young boys would definitely make the reader want to pick up the rest of the series to read what happens to them as they get older (and what already happened to them to lead them to the point where they meet in Re-creation).
Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)
| Publisher: Love in Dark Settings Press Publication Date: December 2013 Format: ebook Pages: est. 58 Genre / Themes: Romance, Gender Study, QUILTBAG / LGBTQUI, Coming of Age, Historical Fiction, Sex, Nudity, Friendship (Male Friendship), Gender & Sexual Identity & Study, Fantasy, Betrayal, War, Peace, Warring Nations, Holiday Short, Holiday Celebration, Master And Slave (non- sexual), Social Injustice, Social Hierarchy, POC (Person/People of Color) |
Age: Young Adult (I think…) Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Index From Author’s Website Challenge: 2015 Good Reads Reading Challenge (18), 52 Books in 52 Weeks, You Read How Many Books?, 2015 New To You Reading Challenge, Read A Million Pages, 105 Reading Challenge, Readathon Day 2015, 2015 LGBT Reading Challenge, |
Reckless Indulgence 