Ashavan Doyon

An interesting, if somewhat one-sided, look at the effects of online relationships and the lack of knowing whether anything we see online is "real", this story takes one character and his dependence on his online friends and examines what can go wrong. In that sense it is a very timely story and one which should give a lot of people pause to think about what role online versus real-life relationships take in their lives.

Caleb is an ex-rent boy who managed to pull himself out of the despair and poverty of a life he never wanted. But when his parents kicked him out when they found out he was gay, he had no choice. What worries me about him is that he isn't very mature at all, but looking at what he went through and how he still struggles to keep a roof over his head, maybe I am being too hard on him. having withdrawn from "real life", he has several online friendships, but when one of them turns out to be a fake, Caleb's whole world collapses and he withdraws completely.

Luckily, there is Nic, who is also an online friend in the same group. He knows what it's like to be betrayed by an online scam artist(his best friend went through the same sort of situation and got pregnant), and he really likes Caleb. He is extremely understanding,not to mention determined, and turns out to be Caleb's knight in shining armor. I liked that he was still respectful of Caleb, letting him make the decision to give a real relationship a go.

If you like stories that read like a fairy tale but are very much set in today's world, if you enjoy reading about men in desperate situations who come close to giving up before they find someone to hep them fix their lives, and if you're looking for an angsty read with lots of sweet moments toward the end, then you will probably like this novella.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.
… (altro)

In Ashaven Doyon’s short story, “The King’s Mate,” 20-year-old Justin indicates he might be open to an affair with Russell, who is “in his thirties.” The problem for Russell isn’t so much the difference in their ages as it is Justin’s father, who has been Russell’s friend for as long as Justin has been alive.

Given that background, this story easily could’ve ended in a checkmate on its first page. I’m happy to report, though, it doesn’t.

Doyon gives us three-dimensional characters who clearly see the situation through the eyes of the other characters and can therefore be honest with one another.

I was most impressed that the older men in this story provided sensitive and compassionate guidance for the younger man instead of the usual self-serving demands and dictation.

I very much liked where this intelligent and tasteful story takes its characters—as well as its readers.

(As originally reviewed on Rainbow Book Reviews. Please visit http://www.rainbowbookreviews.com for other reviews that may be of interest.)… (altro)