Review: I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 17, 2013
After reading the very first line of the blurb, I knew I had to read this book.If that right there isn't the hook that's grabbed you, I don't know what is. It promises a unicorn horn dildo, a barbarian, and a thief. What else could you possibly ask from a fantasy m/m story? Witches and Wizards? It has those too. Creative place names and adventures? Likewise. Witty one-liners and loveable characters? Done and done. You can also add adorable, deadly pets on the list. I'm not even going to complain about the female characters.It's true that the world-building has men in somewhat a disadvantage and that most women are hostile towards Madd in the beginning, but as the story progresses the reasons are revealed. Those reasons are real, based on characterisations and the story history, not flimsy deus ex machinas.Everyone is flawed and no one is simply the best in anything. Even Vorgell has his difficulties. They're average people by their own standards with individual fears and desires. They have limitations and rules they must follow. There's death and suffering too. And significantly fewer inappropriate erections than you'd expect from a book with a sex magic inflicted 'rooster'. That's another testament to a strong characterisation.Don't misunderstand me, there's sex. There's all kinds of sex, but in the end it's not the driving force of the story. It's a convenient set up. One that surprises you again and again with its implications. Or maybe that's just me. I can be slow at times.Be careful with this book. It pulls you under, makes you slightly uncomfortable--in the good way--and has you holding in your laughter. If you're lucky you're in a place where you don't have to hold it in and you can make as much noise as you want. And no, I don't think it's just me.I highly recommend you read Thick as Thieves.