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A review by wilt
Fiorenzo by Sebastian Nothwell
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is going to be a really difficult book to talk about because while I really enjoyed some elements of the story, the writing, and characters, there were just as many parts I had a tough time getting through and would would be hard pressed to find a reader to recommend the full experience to.
My main issue thankfully isn't with the story itself but rather the structure. This is a long book. Which isn't a bad thing, but even as a reader who typically loves brick-like books with lengthy descriptions and tangents and heavy character focus, I really felt like Fiorenzo could have worked better if the word count was halved. It felt like there were three different books here - in that the first 20% was a tense, mysterious erotica that pulled me into a world erupting with vibrant culture and history and artful texture. I loved the beginning of this book, everything from the opening scene to the physical intimacy to the presentation of a city that made me wish I could walk around its streets and harbors and galleries and fountains and art and canals, and I could go on. Even with the fast paced romance unfolding I was intrigued to see where it would lead between these two interesting, complex, confident characters.
But the remaining 80% took such a dramatic pace shift that I struggled with to the very end. Moreso because it kept going back and forth between huge blocks of slow, overly detailed descriptions of mundane events (and never ending self-depreciation), and the actual riveting plot full of cool settings and gripping motivations and impactful consequences. Because like I said, I really liked the story here! But the mundane moments were simply too drawn out and even repetitive. That isn't even to say they needed to be cut out all together, they were just way, way too long and somewhat boring compared to the rest of the book that shined so well. They drowned out some truly interesting sections of story and writing, and made for an overall negative reading experience.
But one more thing I did really enjoy was Enzo's anatomy. I didn't even know before I started reading this book that there would be something of interest there. The author's note had me intrigued, but when I tell you I sat up in excitement and shook my e-reader when I picked up on where exactly it was leading it would be an understatement. Even though Enzo isn't trans or intersex (by the author's word), as a trans man reader I am ecstatic to see broader explorations of non typical anatomy in queer romance. Especially when it's presented as a point of pleasure for the one who has it, and doesn't take away from his masculinity. It's exciting to see, and very enjoyable to read, and I don't think him not being trans or intersex took away from the experience at all. Fictional experiences like these, I think, can actually help normalize the real-world variances present in queer circles, especially because it's not that far off from what some people do have, and it's just plain fun to read. Though, I did feel the actual reveal lacked any feeling of impact or narrative satisfaction, that is again another unfortunate victim of the book's structure.
All in all, this book has a lot of charm and a genuinely compelling story. But it's way too long, with not enough substance to justify it. I'm still glad I finished it, for the sections that did shine, and for the ending that did fill me with a satisfied yet unexpected spark of joy. For the characters, and the art filled world, and the wounds, and the rage, and healing. But I could not read it again, or really recommend it as it is, and that is a huge shame.
This author feels like he has a lot of potential to shine, and I want to know what other queer stories he's written. There are so many elements here that align exactly with what I enjoy. But it would be a challenge to get me to read more from him without the assurance that his other works have had much stronger editing intervention.
This is going to be a really difficult book to talk about because while I really enjoyed some elements of the story, the writing, and characters, there were just as many parts I had a tough time getting through and would would be hard pressed to find a reader to recommend the full experience to.
My main issue thankfully isn't with the story itself but rather the structure. This is a long book. Which isn't a bad thing, but even as a reader who typically loves brick-like books with lengthy descriptions and tangents and heavy character focus, I really felt like Fiorenzo could have worked better if the word count was halved. It felt like there were three different books here - in that the first 20% was a tense, mysterious erotica that pulled me into a world erupting with vibrant culture and history and artful texture. I loved the beginning of this book, everything from the opening scene to the physical intimacy to the presentation of a city that made me wish I could walk around its streets and harbors and galleries and fountains and art and canals, and I could go on. Even with the fast paced romance unfolding I was intrigued to see where it would lead between these two interesting, complex, confident characters.
But the remaining 80% took such a dramatic pace shift that I struggled with to the very end. Moreso because it kept going back and forth between huge blocks of slow, overly detailed descriptions of mundane events (and never ending self-depreciation), and the actual riveting plot full of cool settings and gripping motivations and impactful consequences. Because like I said, I really liked the story here! But the mundane moments were simply too drawn out and even repetitive. That isn't even to say they needed to be cut out all together, they were just way, way too long and somewhat boring compared to the rest of the book that shined so well. They drowned out some truly interesting sections of story and writing, and made for an overall negative reading experience.
But one more thing I did really enjoy was Enzo's anatomy. I didn't even know before I started reading this book that there would be something of interest there. The author's note had me intrigued, but when I tell you I sat up in excitement and shook my e-reader when I picked up on where exactly it was leading it would be an understatement. Even though Enzo isn't trans or intersex (by the author's word), as a trans man reader I am ecstatic to see broader explorations of non typical anatomy in queer romance. Especially when it's presented as a point of pleasure for the one who has it, and doesn't take away from his masculinity. It's exciting to see, and very enjoyable to read, and I don't think him not being trans or intersex took away from the experience at all. Fictional experiences like these, I think, can actually help normalize the real-world variances present in queer circles, especially because it's not that far off from what some people do have, and it's just plain fun to read. Though, I did feel the actual reveal lacked any feeling of impact or narrative satisfaction, that is again another unfortunate victim of the book's structure.
All in all, this book has a lot of charm and a genuinely compelling story. But it's way too long, with not enough substance to justify it. I'm still glad I finished it, for the sections that did shine, and for the ending that did fill me with a satisfied yet unexpected spark of joy. For the characters, and the art filled world, and the wounds, and the rage, and healing. But I could not read it again, or really recommend it as it is, and that is a huge shame.
This author feels like he has a lot of potential to shine, and I want to know what other queer stories he's written. There are so many elements here that align exactly with what I enjoy. But it would be a challenge to get me to read more from him without the assurance that his other works have had much stronger editing intervention.