Review: Well written and very intriguing, but I was a little uneasy while reading it
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 15, 2011
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.Rating: 8/10PROS:- The story is riveting. It combines elements of several storytelling legends in an unusual way.- I felt sorry for Hadi at the beginning of the story, but the dramatic change in his circumstances shows some character traits that I admired right from the start. He's determined and honorable and optimistic, even in the face of life-altering changes he didn't ask for.- The first mention of either man's sexuality occurs 35% of the way through the story, and the first mention of even a sliver of desire between them occurs at almost 40%. (This occurs after a brief little "skipping ahead by this much time" interval after which the feelings of desire seemed rather sudden to me, but...) one thing I must say: the two men certainly are emotionally entwined by the time their relationship turns physical.- Because the sex doesn't occur until well into the story, it's emotional and hot when it does happen. The scenes are intimate, very drawn out, and lovingly described.CONS:- As much as I found the story fascinating (and I did--as well as well-written), I couldn't help feeling uneasy at the way Judas is portrayed as SUCH a sympathetic character. He certainly suffers in various ways, but I guess the thing that bothered me the most was the way he's always talking about Christ so affectionately, not to mention praying to Him.- Technically the ending is Happily Ever After. I didn't see it as unequivocally happy, though. (To say more would give away part of the story.)- There are quite a few ellipses throughout the story in dialogue. Enough that I started to find them annoying: "I... doubt the priest was... pleased to... hear that"; "I never knew... what it was to want someone... so much"; "What... does that... mean?" Etc.Overall comments: I don't recommend this for those who have traditional beliefs regarding Christianity; the ways in which the story twists Biblical stories might make you uncomfortable. If you're open-minded in that regard, though, I do think the book has some interesting things to say about faith and organized religion. And the relationship is tender and contains some pretty hot sex.