serru's review against another edition
4.0
I see this book first and foremost as a coming-of-age and love story, and then a science fiction. The science fiction aspect takes a backseat to the romantic plot and that's perfectly fine, since it really is the least interesting out of everything in the book.
David is a great protagonist, very well characterized and likeable, and you can really see how he grows and matures as the story goes on. Callan pales in comparison, and I felt his character was never as developed as David's was. I liked the way their relationship developed, it was very sweet and believable.
The only disappointing thing is that the questions revolving the dragons and basically all the science fiction elements were never answered despite that they seemed like such an important plot point throughout the novel. I understand there's supposed to be a sequel so maybe these things will get resolved then. The romantic relationship, however, does get fully resolved by the end and it was such an engrossing and excellent read that I'm very satisfied overall.
David is a great protagonist, very well characterized and likeable, and you can really see how he grows and matures as the story goes on. Callan pales in comparison, and I felt his character was never as developed as David's was. I liked the way their relationship developed, it was very sweet and believable.
The only disappointing thing is that the questions revolving the dragons and basically all the science fiction elements were never answered despite that they seemed like such an important plot point throughout the novel. I understand there's supposed to be a sequel so maybe these things will get resolved then. The romantic relationship, however, does get fully resolved by the end and it was such an engrossing and excellent read that I'm very satisfied overall.
maya56's review
4.0
Good story with interesting characters. I did have a bit of a problem with the time line. Grandmam is over 100 years old and remembers the time Before. David, her grandson, the oldest child of 5, is 16 at the start of this book. For me, the numbers don't add up. Didn't stop me from enjoying the rest of the book, though.
unluckyprimes's review against another edition
1.0
I just. I don't know. Expected better things from this book. I guess the whole being shunned for being gay thing just really started grating on me, given that it was nearly the entire focus of the book. It just overshadowed all the interesting bits about government conspiracies and dragons and the end of the world. Could we not, for once, just have gay characters and it not be such a big deal? And they can go on adventures and fall in love like straight characters? I'm just tired of the cliche, I guess, because it's only in just about ever queer content book ever.
That and I've read fanfiction that is better written and more compelling than this. Sigh.
That and I've read fanfiction that is better written and more compelling than this. Sigh.
sarahconnor89757's review against another edition
1.0
I've been looking forward to reading this book because the post-apocalyptic-society-regresses-to-prehistoric-stonepunk-thing sounds bad ass but instead of being good we just follow around a hick kid with horrible grammar that may or may not be retarded.
Straight up tongue and cheek down syndromey.
Straight up tongue and cheek down syndromey.
ladydewinter's review against another edition
5.0
I want more books like that. This was the kind of book you can fall in love with, where you try and spend every free minute you have reading it, hating the end of your break because it'll tear you away from it. It's a rare thing, and just like with any other love affair, you never know when it might happen.
This kind of book is the reason I am reading so much crap, because you never know, among all the stories with wooden characters and horrible sex scenes you might finally find a gem like this: a book with a great setting, a thoroughly engaging plot and the sweetest, most touching romance you can think of.
(And it has a Sophie-approved ending; something I wish I had a way of knowing beforehand sometimes.)
The book is set in Virginia in the 22nd century, or thereabouts, during another Ice Age that started somewhere in the 21st century. People live in small towns or farms, and a lot of what we think of as our culture has been lost. The story is told by David, a 16-year-old farmer's son who's also very adept at hunting and gathering. We're introduced to his world through his eyes, and it's intriguing, to say the least.
What also becomes apparent, apart from how "backwards" society has become, is that David's never been that much interested in girls. And when he meets the town's new healer, Callan, it's clear why, since he falls in love with him at first sight. But since there are always smallminded people around who have nothing better to do than judging people because of who they love, their romance isn't an easy one. And there's a possible government conspiracy.
What I loved about this book was how well-rounded it was. On the back cover it says "Science Fiction/Romance", and while the relationship between David and Callan is the dominant part of the story, it's far from the only thing.
I also liked that things that at least have the potential to annoy me in a modern day setting worked very well in here: because David's never heard of such a thing as "homosexuality", it's never even occurred to him that he might be gay. And the discrimination they face seems very plausible, as sad as that is.
And well, the romance. The romance. Wonderfully paced, delightfully developed, in a way that tugs at your heartstrings in just the right way. Absolutely beautiful, and I think this book has earned its place as a comfort read for me.
If you're looking for a good romance (m/m or not, although obviously this is m/m) I can't recommend this one highly enough. I waited a long time until I finally bought it (although why exactly I don't remember; knowing myself I had Very Good Reasons), and I kinda wish I hadn't.
I want more books like that.
This kind of book is the reason I am reading so much crap, because you never know, among all the stories with wooden characters and horrible sex scenes you might finally find a gem like this: a book with a great setting, a thoroughly engaging plot and the sweetest, most touching romance you can think of.
(And it has a Sophie-approved ending; something I wish I had a way of knowing beforehand sometimes.)
The book is set in Virginia in the 22nd century, or thereabouts, during another Ice Age that started somewhere in the 21st century. People live in small towns or farms, and a lot of what we think of as our culture has been lost. The story is told by David, a 16-year-old farmer's son who's also very adept at hunting and gathering. We're introduced to his world through his eyes, and it's intriguing, to say the least.
What also becomes apparent, apart from how "backwards" society has become, is that David's never been that much interested in girls. And when he meets the town's new healer, Callan, it's clear why, since he falls in love with him at first sight. But since there are always smallminded people around who have nothing better to do than judging people because of who they love, their romance isn't an easy one. And there's a possible government conspiracy.
What I loved about this book was how well-rounded it was. On the back cover it says "Science Fiction/Romance", and while the relationship between David and Callan is the dominant part of the story, it's far from the only thing.
I also liked that things that at least have the potential to annoy me in a modern day setting worked very well in here: because David's never heard of such a thing as "homosexuality", it's never even occurred to him that he might be gay. And the discrimination they face seems very plausible, as sad as that is.
And well, the romance. The romance. Wonderfully paced, delightfully developed, in a way that tugs at your heartstrings in just the right way. Absolutely beautiful, and I think this book has earned its place as a comfort read for me.
If you're looking for a good romance (m/m or not, although obviously this is m/m) I can't recommend this one highly enough. I waited a long time until I finally bought it (although why exactly I don't remember; knowing myself I had Very Good Reasons), and I kinda wish I hadn't.
I want more books like that.
evamaria's review
4.0
Well-written dystopian coming-of-age tale of a young man living about a hundred years after the ice destroyed the "Before" world of modern convenience, forcing people to live a frontier life again. Also a nicely told love story in a society where "sodomy" is once more a crime.
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