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Desert Dropping An Ordinary World

   (11 reviews)

Rory's mom just died and soon after the funeral his life is turned upside down when he finds out that his mom has contacted the father that he never knew. Now, he's forced to live in the desert with a family he doesn't know, a father he doesn't want to know, and to top it all off, Rory's gay and no longer has anyone to confide in. Friends will be made and the meaning of family will be found as Rory discovers that everything isn't so bad in the desert.

Copyright © 2010 DomLuka; All Rights Reserved.

Story Recommendations (31 members)

  • Action Packed 12
  • Addictive/Pacing 23
  • Characters 31
  • Chills 2
  • Cliffhanger 9
  • Compelling 6
  • Feel-Good 4
  • Humor 3
  • Smoldering 8
  • Tearjerker 19
  • Unique 13
  • World Building 5

1 Story Award

  • Reader's Choice 2023 - First Love

    Reader's Choice 2023 - First Love

    Earned


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User Feedback

Hmm.

 

There's a lot to like about this story, but I found myself conflicted throughout. I became immediately attached to the narrator and Luke, and secondarily with Jase and Eddie. I grew extremely tired of Aaron in the beginning (and throughout). I also didn't care much for Seth. Maybe this is just because I desperately was hoping for Luke and Rory to be together (although I'm aware of the risks this potential relationship would have created.) So, I obviously must praise you for creating so much depth and likability with these characters. I kept waiting for Rory and Luke to develop into...something, and must declare myself disappointed when this didn't materialize. Maybe this was just unrealistic wishful thinking, but whatever.

 

I really enjoyed the insights into life provided here. I don't know if it was unintentional, but this story is incredibly existential and is oozing with issues of morality and the question of how to live a good life.

 

As stories on this site often do, I was reflecting on my own life throughout reading this. I was particularly affected during the discussion of life's changes ("...But things changed. They always changed. It was just a matter of whether or not I was there to be a part of it...") I want to especially praise you for this part as I felt it was extremely well done.

 

 

So, I am conflicted and disappointed, but I also recognize a quality story and also realize that perhaps the reason I feel a sense of disappointment is a tribute to the story's author for making me become so attached to the story. Well done.

  • Like 2

It's a while since I read this story, but I loved it. If anything it could have been cut down by a couple of chapters in length, but the content was brilliant. Dom keeps you on the edge of your seat a fair bit of the time waiting for things to happen ... you they will because they just HAVE to! But boy can he tease you about it! I really felt the butterflies of teen sexuality a lot of the time, as well as the petulance!

  • Like 2

I really enjoyed this story with all its ups and downs. I couldn't disagree more with someone saying this story was too long. I could read another 50 chapters concerning Rory and Luke. Why people say they like the story yet it was too long, I just don't understand it. Perhaps, they think they can write a better story and enjoy reading their own stories more. I don't know. But I do know I could read more myself if you ever choose to write more on these two. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

  • Like 3

This was the first Domluka story that I ever got into (probably same with everyone else). I've always loved the chemistry between Luke and Rory, and I think Luke is such a fantastic character overall. I mean he's just... so... hot.... *dies.*

That being said I honestly never liked Seth. He just seemed like a very bland character and would've been endearing but I thought was very shadowed by Aaron's shining antagonistic characteristics and Luke's sincerity/energy. I never bought into Rory and his relationship either.

Nonetheless, Desert Dropping is still a very treasured story and I'm still really grateful for this piece because without it I would have never discovered the rest of your wonderful tales!!

  • Like 2

I really enjoyed this story, I cried in places (several places) and laughed and wanted to yell at Rory and be like wtf! But it was a really fun read.

 

I disagree with fish wings about Seth. He is just quiet and a little shy and has a hard time with groups of people he's not dry or bland. It's hard to compare him to Aaron or Luke, they are both very out going and open and comfortable with other people. And that is tho whole point of having a character like Seth. He balances out some of the extra from the others. Just saying. Plus he was into Rory from the beginning even before he knew he was gay. Just Aaron being stupid...

 

The end was really sad and kinda heart breaking in a way. But I think it may have help Aaron see what was actually happening in his life. All the bad shit he pulled and the mean comments. But it would be cool to see a sequel for this. No pressure...

  • Like 2

Desert Dropping was my introduction to GA. I read it, loved it and proceeded to read the rest of DomLuka's offering before trying to recreate that magic with the other GA authors.

 

DD has stuck with me for years and while it's taken me years to review, I loved having a self imposed reason to revisit Luke, Rory, Eddie, Jase, Seth, Grandma Alice and even that little hooligan Aaron. The characters are immediately recognizable as archetypes but they are so incredibly sincere one cannot help but empathize with them almost instantly. On top of a beautiful cast, the story is one most can sympathize with and pulls readers in and delivering humor, angst and an overall awesome read.

 

DomLuka wherever you are thank you!

  • Like 2

I finished Desert Dropping last night. It has kept me reading and wanting more for the last several days. It was well written and the premise was interesting with how a gay teen would react to the loss of his mother and the discovery of a gay father.

Unfortunately I could never actually like Rory. He was so self-centered, surly, bitter, lacking in empathy, appreciation and full of needless angst that I took an immediate dislike to him and it never left, even at the end. At every turn he was lashing out at Eddie and Luke for no apparent reason other than they somehow disturbed his hatred for the world and showed undeserved kindness toward him. He “hated” Seth on sight. He “hated” his father on sight. He hated Arizona on sight. He was too wrapped up in himself to give anybody a chance, and refused to communicate with Eddie who could have shed some light on the situation. Then he complained bitterly because he was being kept in the dark. He pre-judged everybody and even after he learned the truth about his father not knowing, he still was cold, uncaring, dismissive and did nothing to try and get along.

In virtually every crisis or conflict concerning the “family” or “friends” the world was supposed to revolve around Rory and his rotten life. He basically “used” Eddie and his family to whore around, sneak around, and practically spat in their faces since he was obviously leaving at the end of the summer.

Spoiler

I got tired of Aaron lurking around every corner. As an antagonist he did little but stir up conflict between himself and practically everybody else.

I don't get why Cody had to go. It seemed gratuitous other than his death got Aaron to fess up and in the end just go away. I also don't get Mr. Keslin blaming Eddie.

“The Keslins had hit him, and then it was another vehicle that had supplied most of the damage to theirs.

“Eddie was hit by someone who ran a red light. There were two more cars behind him that couldn’t stop in time.”

“Mr. Keslin is obviously... I mean, he walked away. Mrs. Keslin was right behind him in the back seat with Cody and Alex. But, after they hit Eddie, they got hit on the side of the car that Aaron and his brothers were on.””

Mr. Keslin would know that.

I kept reading, hoping that Rory would show some humanity, but after all was said and done he never really appreciated nor thanked Eddie and his family for all they had done for him.

Luke was the true hero of the story, always being there, always caring, always going the extra mile. Luke was too easliy dismissed in the epilog.

 

Edited by Myr
  • Like 3
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