Cane23

You've said the same about cats! 😁

Wow, reading this story was a real challenge for me. My knowledge of this period of American history (especially the Civil War) comes mostly from a few paragraphs in high school history books, a handful of movies, and the North and South TV series, featuring the amazing (and devastatingly handsome in a Confederate general's uniform!) Patrick Swayze. I'll honestly admit that this is the first story for which I relied extensively on AI to help me understand all the connections between historical fact and fiction. It helped me untangle the events, battles, and the mix of historical and fictional characters who shape both real American history and the alternative history of this remarkable novel. Two things stayed with me long after I finished the book. Reading it was more than just reading - it often felt like decoding it, and that process was every bit as adventurous as the plot itself. The first is the idea that financial interests, rather than ideology or patriotism, are what truly drive historical events. Greed - the most basic of human instincts...and the pursuit of wealth are the main motivators. It's impossible not to notice how many parallels there are with today's world. The second is the way the author makes ordinary people and a small community the true heroes of the novel. In the same way that Tolkien made the Hobbits - the smallest and most overlooked people in Middle-earth...the heroes of The Lord of the Rings, this author makes Billy, Thad, Silas, Jocko, Mary, and the other citizens of Rocky Harbor the real guardians of what matters. Not governments, not nations, not powerful institutions, but a local community that preserves the values of loyalty, trust, and decency. For me, that is what makes this story memorable. Beneath its intricate alternative history and political intrigue lies a deeply human story about the quiet courage of ordinary people.

At its core, for me, this story explores the question of belonging. Across its three chapters, the three main characters - including the android - are each searching for themselves and trying to understand their place within the different societies (and planets) they encounter. Who am I? Who is my family? Where do I belong? And ultimately, what is my final destination? It is a profound, deeply moving story that stays with you long after you've finished it.

The stories this year are a bit shorter than last year, which I'm really happy about. There's only one that's over 20k words and another that's over 10k. I always struggle to find the time to read so many long stories in such a short amount of time.

Sweet story indeed! For two thirds of it, I thought Finn was deaf-mute... and at one point I even suspected Finn might be a dog (a very popular twist this year). But then I remembered - a dog couldn't kiss Matt. Anyway, an interesting ending, wrapped in a sweet fantasy. Bravo, SA!

Short, charming and very enjoyable rom-com. Bravo SA!

Well, that was quite a brutal dismantling of self-denial. Instead of spending years in therapy, Rory simply walked into the wrong apartment. Poor Rory... and lucky Rory. Now go find your Liam Davies. p.s. But this literary style... the name will come to me eventually! 😉

Did the competition start?! First on page 3?! 😄

Is there some sort of agreement among GA authors, or is it just the latest trend - this Ranchingmania? By the time these stories are finished, I'll be remarkably well educated in agriculture! Nevertheless, it's great to see you back in the saddle, @kbois. It's a privilege to share this journey with you.

A charming story with a touch of melancholy. I think I recognize the writing style, but the eggplant salad recipe made me pretty sure who the SA is... Nevertheless, I'll leave the speculation for later.

Luchino Visconti, in his 1969 film The Damned, portrayed the Night of the Long Knives with such brutal realism that, while reading this novel, scenes from Visconti's film were constantly in front of my eyes. SA has done an extraordinary amount of research for this book, from the Memorial to the Nazi Book Burning on 10 May in Berlin to the works of Magnus Hirschfeld. Two love stories - one doomed, the other carrying a glimmer of hope - arise from the ashes of tragic and painful historical events. I don't believe in family curses, but every family has its legacy, whether good or bad. It is up to us to decide how we choose to live our lives. A beautiful story, SA. It wasn't what I expected from this year's SA competition, but there's always at least one surprise every year. I haven't read all the entries yet, but this is undoubtedly a very strong contender for the top spot.

Couldn't complain - the author did warn us beforehand. Disturbing, but very well written. Thank you, SA.

Toxic parents are always "bloodsuckers." In this story, that's meant literally!

Amazing story SA... Maybe, just maybe...I know who SA is! 😉

Roland and Fletcher delivered an Oscar-worthy performance for the audience. What an amazing guy, and father, Roland is! It seems everything is going according to plan. With a bit of luck and some urgency, they'll be able to organize Willy James and Runyan's escape to safety. What worries me right now is Rob's suspicious absence. The guys should stay on high alert because Rob might be sneaking around somewhere. Another great chapter, @Headstall!

So, @Wayne Gray, I wasn't wrong when I said farming!

Beautiful story SA! Reading this story reminded me of The Bodyguard with Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. The music in the film was fantastic, but the movie itself - not so much. Unlike the film, though, this story truly has a soul. The characters are wonderfully written, and the development of their relationship feels both realistic and deeply heartwarming.

Well, if that isn't a twist worthy of a Best SA competition, I don't know what is! Great work, SA... truly great!

The patience of death! 😜

Final chapter?! Yes, the tension has been building over the past few chapters, and it was clear that you were leading us toward the finale... Still, I feel like I’m going to miss these guys. I’m eagerly waiting to see what decision Taggert makes. Bill’s message to his grandson was clear - Taggert doesn’t owe the Yoder Ranch or his father Zene his loyalty especially if staying connected to that legacy puts him in danger. Yet, no matter how happy Taggert is living a simple, ordinary life at the Nasser Ranch with Ash, it’s hard to ignore the trust fund, the knowledge he has inherited, and the responsibilities that come with them. He may have found peace away from the weight of his family name, but walking away from everything he has inherited is not an easy choice. If I could choose the happy ending, I’d love to see Taggert buy the Flemming Ranch himself and move there with Ash... Ugh, Friday can’t come soon enough!

What is interesting is that both Martin and Nathan are therapists, and if someone came to them with the same or a similar dilemma about their own sexuality, they would be perfectly capable of helping that person find their way. Yet here, they are the ones receiving advice from gay couples, proving that no matter how skilled a therapist or physician you are, in many cases you are unable to help yourself when you are personally involved. The objectivity and lived experiences of those around them seem to be extremely valuable for both of them.

Reading this story reminded me of The Brave Little Tailor. Just like the tailor, Alex finds himself caught in one misunderstanding after another. He accidentally comes out as gay at work, and then every attempt to support the LGBTQ+ community somehow becomes more "proof" that he's gay and already has a boyfriend. Before he knows it, he's even been named 'Employee of the Month' for his commitment to diversity and inclusion! The misunderstandings just keep piling up, making for a hilarious comedy of errors. But just like in the fairy tale, all those misunderstandings end up leading somewhere unexpected. By the time the dust settles, Alex discovers that the biggest misunderstanding of all might have been the one about himself. This is a story full of humor, warmth, and heart. It made me laugh more than once, but it also has a beautiful message about identity, acceptance, and finding the courage to be yourself.

Richard's speech about the meaning of Pride transcends the novel itself. Its message reaches far beyond the pages of this book, and it could easily stand on its own as a manifesto. It's amazing how subtly, beneath the witty humour and delightful comedy of errors, you weave such a powerful and meaningful message into the story. I love how Alex comes out of the closet several times throughout the novel - first as gay, then as straight, and finally as gay again...only to discover who he truly is and where his heart belongs. Alex and Ryan's love story is incredibly powerful. It feels as though they had always been meant for each other; they simply hadn't found the words to name what they already were. Richard and Davis remain fascinating supporting characters, but they definitely leave me with the feeling that, in a spin-off story, they might become much more than just business partners. 😉

Once the authorities established that the crew had left the ship voluntarily, any search mission - hundreds of years later - seemed pointless from their perspective. Still, James and Mateo, with nothing left to keep them on Earth, decide to search for answers. Mateo seeks the legacy of his ancestors, while James hopes to find his crew and discover why he was left alone on the ship. What I like most is the message they receive from Earth. They are not treated as fugitives or felons; instead, their motives are understood. The message is clear - whatever happens on their journey, Earth will always be their home, a safe haven they can return to.