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hellishlyawkward's review against another edition
4.0
Mixed feelings about this one, but overall it was an entertaining listen.
lindseysv's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
readingandconfused's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
bookcraft's review against another edition
5.0
Harper Fox is an auto-buy author for me, so you can assume that I typically like her work, but I think this book is even better than usual.
I'm really loving the trend toward realistically drawn autistic characters in fiction, and particularly in romance fiction. Harper Fox does a lovely job of showing Vivian's quirks without dehumanizing him or making him a caricature; his characterization rings very true to me. Kier Mallory feels very real, as well, with his survivor's guilt and his self-doubt, and I love that he accepts Vivian for who he is, even if there are some missteps along the way. Neither Vivian nor Mallory is perfect, but they both learn and grow and become greater together than they were apart.
The science is probably impossible it's even acknowledged as such within the story, while somehow still working but the science isn't really the point; this is old-school speculative fiction that asks "what if?" and spins off from there, turning into a suspenseful tale of betrayal, conspiracy, and murder...and of love found in the most unlikely of places.
I'm really loving the trend toward realistically drawn autistic characters in fiction, and particularly in romance fiction. Harper Fox does a lovely job of showing Vivian's quirks without dehumanizing him or making him a caricature; his characterization rings very true to me. Kier Mallory feels very real, as well, with his survivor's guilt and his self-doubt, and I love that he accepts Vivian for who he is, even if there are some missteps along the way. Neither Vivian nor Mallory is perfect, but they both learn and grow and become greater together than they were apart.
The science is probably impossible it's even acknowledged as such within the story, while somehow still working but the science isn't really the point; this is old-school speculative fiction that asks "what if?" and spins off from there, turning into a suspenseful tale of betrayal, conspiracy, and murder...and of love found in the most unlikely of places.
a___broad's review against another edition
I've spent nearly a month trying to get past 40-ish percent and I found it impossible. I just could not get over the ludicrousness of the plot.
scarletine6's review against another edition
5.0
This book gets a very rare 5 stars from me!
The story was beautifully written, and gave me a rollercoaster of emotions. I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Miles London who did a fantastic job.
Both Kier and Viv were flawed characters, but so well developed. Their developing relationship was just so beautiful to hear. I listened to this whole 12hr book in one day.
Highly recommended.
The story was beautifully written, and gave me a rollercoaster of emotions. I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Miles London who did a fantastic job.
Both Kier and Viv were flawed characters, but so well developed. Their developing relationship was just so beautiful to hear. I listened to this whole 12hr book in one day.
Highly recommended.
suze_1624's review
4.0
I enjoyed the early dynamics between Mal and Vivian - two men very much made by their past. Mal is mad, listless and maybe irresponsible - both with his PW crew and Viv's discovery. Vivian is such an interesting character with a clever mind but one that works in a very specific way - hence his aversion to casual touch, orderliness. I don't know if how he was portrayed was accurate but it certainly got to me. But these two characters did show how different people have different strengths at different times.
Interesting theme of corporate giants squashing great ideas to make more bucks, consequences be dammned. Though Frost was an odd character and did seem to have a turn-about towards the end.
I liked the weaving of fact with the cold fusion fiction though obviously there was a lot of artistic licence taken. And as in all good fiction, the hero(ine) rides into town in the nick of time! I loved the writing, Mal's mad poetry sessions and the emotions were full on!
Interesting theme of corporate giants squashing great ideas to make more bucks, consequences be dammned. Though Frost was an odd character and did seem to have a turn-about towards the end.
I liked the weaving of fact with the cold fusion fiction though obviously there was a lot of artistic licence taken. And as in all good fiction, the hero(ine) rides into town in the nick of time! I loved the writing, Mal's mad poetry sessions and the emotions were full on!
alisonalisonalison's review
3.0
2.5 stars. The writing is beautiful and I quite enjoyed the first half of this, but after that it kind of descended into something that was not for me. It's Harper Fox, so the writing is gorgeous and lyrical and evocative and emotional, and it's by far the best thing about this book. The plot started off okay, but it became pretty unbelievable in the second half, and the ending was incredibly melodramatic. There's a fair bit of implausible science that happens, and I struggled with suspension of disbelief. I quite liked Viv, but I never connected with Mallory and found him to be quite unsympathetic and a not-very-likeable narrator. I usually love Harper Fox's books, but this one didn't work so well for me.
kaje_harper's review
4.0
I really loved the first half of this book - we're introduced to two interesting characters. Mallory left home and his father's fishing boat, and went to sea to be part of the ecological activist movement. Mal is a poet, a dreamer, and wanted make a difference in the world. But a bold publicity move on his part ended up costing two friends their lives. Mallory heads home to his remote village, unsure of what he will do other than go to the family of one of those close friends and admit his guilt.
The village is home to Mal's parents - his drunk and abusive father and ineffectual mother. Mal doesn't expect to fit right back in, but he's not sure where else to go. After a clash with his father, he tries to take refuge in a coastal artist's colony he once loved, only to find it abandoned by everyone but one odd, brilliant, eccentric and aloof scientist.
Vivian Calder is the son of the old Laird, and either insane, delusional or a genius like none before him. He's beautiful and touch-phobic and a bit OCD and odd and intriguing. But when Mallory decides that yes, Viv is also genuinely brilliant, and has made a great discovery, his actions set disaster in motion.
The second half of the book is action-filled and dramatic. The two young men come together in ways that are surprising, beautifully described, and sometimes a bit fast. Details of the sub-plot felt like extra icing on an amazing cake - a bit distracting, and unnecessary, and the whole thing was oddly resolved.
But there are very few writers whose use of language is as vivid and intense as Harper Fox's. Along with the lyrical descriptive passages, Fox also delivers very interesting and sympathetic characters. I always care about her men, and hold my breath for them. Vivian in particular was wonderfully conceived, and remained mostly true to himself. I read this book in one long gulp, and will probably reread it someday.
The village is home to Mal's parents - his drunk and abusive father and ineffectual mother. Mal doesn't expect to fit right back in, but he's not sure where else to go. After a clash with his father, he tries to take refuge in a coastal artist's colony he once loved, only to find it abandoned by everyone but one odd, brilliant, eccentric and aloof scientist.
Vivian Calder is the son of the old Laird, and either insane, delusional or a genius like none before him. He's beautiful and touch-phobic and a bit OCD and odd and intriguing. But when Mallory decides that yes, Viv is also genuinely brilliant, and has made a great discovery, his actions set disaster in motion.
The second half of the book is action-filled and dramatic. The two young men come together in ways that are surprising, beautifully described, and sometimes a bit fast. Details of the sub-plot felt like extra icing on an amazing cake - a bit distracting, and unnecessary, and the whole thing was oddly resolved.
But there are very few writers whose use of language is as vivid and intense as Harper Fox's. Along with the lyrical descriptive passages, Fox also delivers very interesting and sympathetic characters. I always care about her men, and hold my breath for them. Vivian in particular was wonderfully conceived, and remained mostly true to himself. I read this book in one long gulp, and will probably reread it someday.
walford's review
5.0
Reread June 2020: This is either a perfect book or perfect for me in this moment. Even though I read this at breakneck speed Again (it's pulse-pounding from the get-go), I only now registered the gorgeousness of Harper's sentences and the evocation of natural beauty in which the story is set. I've gotta get my ass to Scotland. And I may have to reread All of Ms. Fox's books.
My first review: Ms. Fox is really on a roll these days. She's doing gay romantic suspense better than anyone. I've dated myself already by comparing her to Mary Stewart (that's a Sixties reference, for you babies BTW).
This one is very well-plotted and she's so good at grounding her stories in a place; it feels really real. I liked our protagonists and loved their romance. Only one supporting character did I find impossible to believe in, although she was charming (violet lace gloves, Harper, really?).
Get this one and save it for a rainy day.
My first review: Ms. Fox is really on a roll these days. She's doing gay romantic suspense better than anyone. I've dated myself already by comparing her to Mary Stewart (that's a Sixties reference, for you babies BTW).
This one is very well-plotted and she's so good at grounding her stories in a place; it feels really real. I liked our protagonists and loved their romance. Only one supporting character did I find impossible to believe in, although she was charming (violet lace gloves, Harper, really?).
Get this one and save it for a rainy day.