Review: Not your typical mm fare
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 12, 2013
"The Adorned" is a treasure of a novel, for this genre or any other. John Tristan vividly brings to life Etan's world, where the greed and gluttony for beauty among the favored few, is stirring political and societal unrest. Despite this rich and vital aspect to the main plot, it still remains at its purest point, about Etan.Some reviewers seemed bewildered by parts of the story, but I don't agree with them at all. I think the world, with its rich history, unfurled slowly but perfectly- organically, if you will. Also, it's true that the romance was subtle and didn't occur until well into the novel, but I think that's due to this being far more than the standard romance story, if you can even really label it as such. Sure, there was romance but it wasn't what the story is soley about."The Adorned" in its length and subject matter does have a hint of that sweeping, grandness of an epic but, for me, it was always about Etan and his experiences. Everything happening around him was larger than life but somehow your eyes always went back to him. I really liked him a lot although, in some ways, I feel like he still kept himself hidden away...my connection to him was muted (more like rather than love) but it certainly didn't stop my caring for these characters at all.Excellent book, beautiful writing and vibrant world. And of course, lovely Etan.