Review: Kudos to Marquesate for the really remakable book
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 9, 2013
This is perhaps the most mature writing in this genre I've read in a very long time, if ever, so let me get into some details. There are some parallels with I'll Be Your Drill, Soldier, but "Basic Training" is much more mature in its thematic development and much less humorous.While some reviewers seem to focus on the military aspects of this book, in my opinion, it is merely a backdrop for a story of long-developing maturation and deep-running love.This book actually has structure: a beginning, middle and end, each with certain distinct styles and purposes. When I started the book I was a little turned off by the "distance" of the writing. While the story is written from Col's POV, there was a certain coldness to it, and Chris is but a shadow of a character. Looking back into this part of the story, the author shows a great deal of restraint. There was no sex and little if any emotion. This section climaxes with a horribly graphic incident that really forces Col to start his emotional journey. It is interesting that the names of the two perpetrators of this event are never mentioned again, as if to say: They are not worth their own existence.The middle section opens with the full force of unbridled passion. There is, however little depth to either Col's or Chris' emotions. Intense need is sated by some very hot encounters tempered by long military absences. This section culminates with one of the best dialogs I've read where both unleash a flood of stored-up emotion.While emotions seem to plateau over a few years, the third and final portion of the book begins with a catastrophic change to Col's life. At this point, both MCs are forced to evaluate their feelings for each other and Col is forced to deal with some hidden issues. Again, the lust portion fades and is replaced with a maturing love. Issues of death, age difference, role reversals, pride, health all come together to make this a story of many layers and many well thought-out themes.Some reviewers find the last half of this story dull. I found just the opposite. It's in the last half, and perhaps the last third that the issues bubble to the surface. These are mainly explored through a very sweet relationship between Col and Chris' aunt.Both MCs evolve significantly. Col most of all. While he is the more mature character, he has the most to change. Though Chris develops in his career he is, ironically, often more of the rock in the relationship.My only criticism is that in the story line, issues are revealed and resolved in a linear fashion. You kind of know what issue is going to be resolved next because hints are revealed shortly before. Perhaps a little "stirring up" of those clues would have made the story a little less predictable.Without revealing too much, this is a very HEA story. The ending couple of chapters are very warm and, for me, the eternal sentimentalist, a wonderfully tearful read. Can't say enough good about this book.