Review: Very creative M/M romance!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 16, 2010
I love Carol Lynne's Cattle Valley series, but they are very simple, utopian romances.  Not a lot of plot, or originality, but I enjoy them anyway.  This novella shocked me.  Lynne has a creative spirit that was just waiting to be unleashed!I have read fiction wherein Hell has been described as a city and Lucifer the "mayor".  However, that was horror (Edward Lee'sCity Infernaltrilogy for those wondering).  Lynne has taken the concept and reshaped it into an M/M romance with fresh takes on the fallen Angel, his relationship with God and other archangels, and his reason for being in Hell.  Many have tried to make Lucifer sympathetic before, but I never felt it was successful until now.  I like this irreverent, sexy Lu.  One who understand why he was cast out, and accepts responsibility for it.  Even more that it's not the reason everyone would expect.There was also an interesting storyline that brings Lu together with his love interest, Dom (short for Dominic, and no, it is not lost on Lu that his new lover is a "dom"!!). The story has a lot of humor, great dialog and detailed world building.  And somehow Lu is even more compelling for being the bottom despite having all the power.  Lynne hasn't given up on explicit sex, thankfully, but it was more electric than usual, probably because the novella was so different from her usual style.I really hope Lynne revisits this world she has created.  I would love a sequel, and would also buy this again in print.  Highly recommended!UPDATE: a sequel is now available!Ice Water in Hell (The City)