Review: A complex future world!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 14, 2014
I've had this book sitting on my Kindle for quite a while but for some reason, never got around to reading it. I think I was a little reluctant to start the book due to it being slightly outside my preferred reading choice. However, I'm glad I finally gave it a go because it really was quite interesting.I was absolutely astounded at the level of detail in both the world and the characters as created by this author– and there were a LOT of characters. The early stages of the book were spent developing the world and introducing the reader to the cast.This book is set in the future, in a world where global warming has resulted in the formation of seven 'houses' spread across the globe. It is also a world where homosexuality is the norm and to be attracted to the opposite sex makes you an Outkast, or one of the 'opposites'.This story starts with the Aiyan and Aiya, twins of House Gaeland, waiting the arrival of their respective partners. Aiya has been matched with Maeve from House Orion and Aiyan with Kaden from House Devi. These are arranged marriages. Both the new arrivals are accompanied by their families and what follows is an interesting story as relationships develop.But this is way it also got complicated– each child has two sets of parents (a pair of fathers and a pair of mothers) plus there are brothers, priests, guards, household staff. It definitely took me a while to get my head around who was who and I will admit to still getting some names confused at the end.Aiyan and Kaden bond to each other immediately– lust and love from first sight. Aiya and Maeve form a deep friendship but it Sawyer, Kaden's brother who truly captures Aiya's heart. Maeve finds her own love interest but Aiya and Sawyer's male/female love match is not accepted by all and they must sneak around. Maeve's brother, Tanis, also finds himself drawn to the priest, and although priests being matched and married is not unheard of, his path to love isn't easy.So the story follows the complex relationships developing– with lots of sex between couples– m/m, f/f and m/f– plus drama caused by rebels threatening House Gaeland. It ends with a 'to be continued' but not a traditional cliff-hanger as such.I did find the story quite complex, and there was a little head-hopping which meant I had to focus to keep track of the details. But is you like stories about a fantasy future, with detailed world building and complex scenarios to get lost in, then this is definitely the book for you.3.5 stars