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ezichinny's review
Ok, I have read the book and I won't rate it. I don't hate it but I don't like the subject matter. Now I will address those asking people what's wrong with those who are objecting to this issue or insisting they read the book before having a discussion.
1. You DO NOT have to read this book to discuss this matter. The issue isn't about the author's writing (which was just fine) but about the SUBJECT MATTER and CONTENT.
2. Just because YOU don't get why people are upset doesn't invalidate their objections to the subject.
3. It may be HISTORY to you, but that it's still a current PAINFUL reality for some people. If you don't believe that, I challenge you to bring your "interracial love" to Vuida, Texas and see "history" in 2015. Those who chose to rate this book a 5-star, Thanks for that as it tells me who you are!
4. Ironic that an m-m group that feels marginalized can tell another minority to basically get over it since there are other stories touching on equaling touching subjects like Isis and Kidnapped women, Nazi SS officers and concentration camp Jews etc. I'm not going to get into a discussion of slavey, racism and the continued effects because the fact that this incident occurred means you don't care.
5. Asking for sensitivity and respect isn't a Censorship attempt. But saying whatever you want when you want shows bad manners and a general disrespect of humankind. Words hurt even more than sticks and stones.
I hope this can be a teaching tool for those who don't understand. There are real hurt feelings here. For those who were told to leave if they were so unhappy, I'm sorry your concerns were so callously disregarded. I feel you.
scarletine6's review
1.0
No. I just couldn't do it. I got as far as the prompt.
The lack of understanding of the historical context of the subject matter, by even requesting this story be written beggars belief. The author is not only naive, but her story-line is deeply offensive. No matter how 'well written' five star reviewers purport this story to be,there can be no 'Romance' if one party is enslaved and cannot walk away. The sexual content is ALWAYS rape.
The fact that many people can't see why this story is a problem is horrifying. It really disturbs me that there are readers who purposely pick up books because of violence, slavery and hurt. I don't get why anyone would seek to rehash pain that a community still feels keenly, for the sake of 'entertainment'.
I actually kinda feel a little sorry for the author. I 'doubt' hurt was her intention, but when it comes to contentious subjects like this, she-and the M/M group moderators should have realized there would be a backlash.
I was so happy to have got a prompt myself this year and written for LOR. The volunteer editors and proofreaders are amazing and work so hard on each story. Which is why i feel so saddened that the whole event is being tarnished by some unbelievably poor 'blinkered' decision making (or putting your head in the sand) Is keeping one book-that has caused so much hurt- available really worth the reputation of the group as a whole?
All 'publishing houses' have editorial standards that authors must adhere to. The M/M romance group acts as publisher- and generally produces work that is of a very high standard. Authors can write what they want, but that doesn't mean that all stories 'need' to be published. I am in no way endorsing censorship, what I am looking for 'curation' of stories. Sensible professional guidelines- on the same lines of Riptide, Dreamspinner etc, are most obviously needed. I do hope that eventually, there are some positive outcomes to this whole sorry affair.
The lack of understanding of the historical context of the subject matter, by even requesting this story be written beggars belief. The author is not only naive, but her story-line is deeply offensive. No matter how 'well written' five star reviewers purport this story to be,there can be no 'Romance' if one party is enslaved and cannot walk away. The sexual content is ALWAYS rape.
The fact that many people can't see why this story is a problem is horrifying. It really disturbs me that there are readers who purposely pick up books because of violence, slavery and hurt. I don't get why anyone would seek to rehash pain that a community still feels keenly, for the sake of 'entertainment'.
I actually kinda feel a little sorry for the author. I 'doubt' hurt was her intention, but when it comes to contentious subjects like this, she-and the M/M group moderators should have realized there would be a backlash.
I was so happy to have got a prompt myself this year and written for LOR. The volunteer editors and proofreaders are amazing and work so hard on each story. Which is why i feel so saddened that the whole event is being tarnished by some unbelievably poor 'blinkered' decision making (or putting your head in the sand) Is keeping one book-that has caused so much hurt- available really worth the reputation of the group as a whole?
All 'publishing houses' have editorial standards that authors must adhere to. The M/M romance group acts as publisher- and generally produces work that is of a very high standard. Authors can write what they want, but that doesn't mean that all stories 'need' to be published. I am in no way endorsing censorship, what I am looking for 'curation' of stories. Sensible professional guidelines- on the same lines of Riptide, Dreamspinner etc, are most obviously needed. I do hope that eventually, there are some positive outcomes to this whole sorry affair.
taliesien's review
4.0
I'm going to hide most of the review with a spoiler tag because I give much away in my comments.
Things I liked:
The alternating POV of both MC's. For me to invest in a love story I need to hear from both characters, I need to get inside both their heads or it almost never works for me.
The realistic portrayal of the period without either gratuitous violence or window dressing.
That one MC didn't save the other. It was the strength of their love and seemingly unbreakable bond that kept them each alive at different points of peril throughout their lives.
That there were elements that surprised me - I did not see the blackout coming at all. I was not happy about it either, I couldn't believe you did that to Joseph. But kudos on being able to surprise a reader who doesn't get surprised very often.
The HFN that got them both out of the country before the war even though with Henry's health a HEA might not be long lived. I was glad there was no epilogue 10+ years later that showed Joseph on his own finding his way after Henry's death ...
Things that took me out of the story a little:
Sometimes when the POV switched it seemed like the other MC was still speaking, for example it would switch to Joseph but then he would think or say something that sounded like Henry to me. I had to page back just to verify which character was narrating and it pulled me out a few times. Nothing really significant.
The only other thing that niggled at me was Henry's father hiding his maternal inheritence from him. Not sure I grasped the motivation for that but the revelation coming at the end of the story makes it a moot point for me.
I'd like to commend the author and event staff involved in producing this story. This is only the second story I've read that has come out of the Love is an Open Road group event and I can honestly say I am pleasantly surprised at the caliber of it. I have to admit the event is something I would ordinarily avoid because my biggest pet peeve with the writing in this genre is the writing itself. If you guys can create stories that are better written and edited than many books I see coming out of so called professional publishing houses, I need to take a closer look at some of these stories. Thank you for that. :)
Things I liked:
The alternating POV of both MC's. For me to invest in a love story I need to hear from both characters, I need to get inside both their heads or it almost never works for me.
The realistic portrayal of the period without either gratuitous violence or window dressing.
That one MC didn't save the other. It was the strength of their love and seemingly unbreakable bond that kept them each alive at different points of peril throughout their lives.
That there were elements that surprised me - I did not see the blackout coming at all. I was not happy about it either, I couldn't believe you did that to Joseph. But kudos on being able to surprise a reader who doesn't get surprised very often.
The HFN that got them both out of the country before the war even though with Henry's health a HEA might not be long lived. I was glad there was no epilogue 10+ years later that showed Joseph on his own finding his way after Henry's death ...
Things that took me out of the story a little:
Sometimes when the POV switched it seemed like the other MC was still speaking, for example it would switch to Joseph but then he would think or say something that sounded like Henry to me. I had to page back just to verify which character was narrating and it pulled me out a few times. Nothing really significant.
The only other thing that niggled at me was Henry's father hiding his maternal inheritence from him. Not sure I grasped the motivation for that but the revelation coming at the end of the story makes it a moot point for me.
I'd like to commend the author and event staff involved in producing this story. This is only the second story I've read that has come out of the Love is an Open Road group event and I can honestly say I am pleasantly surprised at the caliber of it. I have to admit the event is something I would ordinarily avoid because my biggest pet peeve with the writing in this genre is the writing itself. If you guys can create stories that are better written and edited than many books I see coming out of so called professional publishing houses, I need to take a closer look at some of these stories. Thank you for that. :)
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