Beautiful description of the Hold and its daily life. Already we see Jevikel has learnt to be wary, keep his own council and know that he sees the world differently from those about him, feel abit sorry for the lad, and a credit to the author as it has echo's I am sure for a lot of men who when growing up found themselves in a similar mind frame. The resonance for me was growing up in the countryside and with similar experiences ( orchards were the family business with strict father and 8 siblings) and finally making my own escape from a preset expectation of marriage!
Do not be put off by this book. The truth is that there are many authors who have completed successful series with similar subjects. Thinking Anne Rice with the "Vampire Diries " and how physical age doesn't relate to mental age_ she has a child of 9 who has lived over150 years and has sex ( in this book one of the heros is earth age 11 but own species is 22). Altered Carbon again shows how physicality can be changed to accommodate desires and finally Richard Morgan series " A Land fit for Heroes " with a gay hero is both more demeaning and cruel with slavery as part of the background and the M/M sex is far more graphic and detailed than this author does. An entertaining read that has swept me up and once I had realised and overcome my initial problem of people with different physical stages but similar mental ages, then the problem was resolved, both for the treatment of child slaves and the sexual content .
I wonder if Klandon is an imposter and Zoltan is actually the real prince. I am unhappy that Kandric did not stop the punishment for Emroc.
The aging of Elves and halfelves and the rest is interesting, while physically they are young say 12, mentally Kentric is about 22 ( thinking Anne Rice "Vanpire Diries") and the series "Altered Carbon " with the way bodies are treated. Finally Richard Morgan series " A Land fit for Heroes " saga with a gay hero has much more graphic M/M sex and slavery far more demeaning .
Stories such as this I have avoided as they seemed too outlandish for my tastes, but the GA site recommended it and after reading the synopsis and a few reviews I took a chance. I am so glad that I did! Excellent writing from the author had me gripped by the end of the first chapter and I devoured the book in a week. I see that the author has written in other styles and genres and based upon "Morningstar" will read more. I left a note in the comments that I would pay to read more of this world and I have even looked for that, but to no avail. So pleased that it was NOT set in the USA and that lovely Canada got a look in. Book two could even involve the dreaded Covid 19 and if it affects the pack..
A Kiwi in Australia
I came to this story as a recommendation from the website and it has lived up to the hype. It was the first novel of its kind for me involving "shifters" or the whole genre of that type. Before I had finished the book I had completed a google search for "Morningstar" in case you had published external to the GA site as I am willing to pay for such a fantastic read. Thank you dear Author for transporting me away from the pandemic and into a world of such strong love
What I really like is that the plot lines are not easily discernible. Often you can see the way that the story is going to unfold. I was totally surprised by this turn of events and that shows what a master story teller that the author is. Well done and ...more please !
I have loved your stories and I search them out. You are an excellent author and thank you for the joy and pleasure that you have given me and others during this awful pandemic. Sadly i have had a few deaths in my family this past year and your telling of pain and sorrow have help me to come to terms with my own. I thought to tell you that I am willing to pay for the pleasure of your work but I in Australia dont know where you are (UK I think) that is how much I rate you for your efforts in bringing to life characters and events in the world of Pern.
Hummm. Our hero is 13 years old, but is that human years? His body was forcibly changed without his consent to only gratify his new owner. Yes, I did read the warning that came with the chapter heading, but perhaps the plot would have been better if dialogue was first and then the chance for Kotic to decide if he wanted what was on offer rather than forced. That aside, I did like the idea of not having to douche!
I had finished reading "Red Star Rising" in hardback while we are in Lockdown (Sydney Australia) and went online for more and found GA and here I am. Your story was the perfect follow on and I would have been willing to pay for the privilege of reading your work. Brilliant, kind, thoughtful and true to the Anne McCaffrey world and style, ***** 5 stars, recommended