Brethren: Raised By Wolves, Volume One
by W. A. Hoffman
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Book Reviews of Brethren: Raised By Wolves, Volume One
Book Review: Adventure, Adventure, Adventure and Much More!
Summary: 5 Stars
The first few pages had me wondering if I'd just wasted my money on this book; the language was dense, sometimes awkward, with word and phrase repetitions. I wished a bit of editing would have tightened it up a bit and got me immediately involved in wanting to invest my time in this 500+ page novel. But I soldiered on and was gradually caught up in the incredible adventure! The prose (reminiscent of classic 19thC adventure tales), began to just flow, perhaps as I became more accustomed to it, but more, I think, I was just caught up as the characters were introduced and the story was established.
It's a fabulous picaresque narrative, set in 1667, told in first person by Lord John Williams, Viscount of Marsdale who has been adventuring in the capitals of Europe as a duelist, assassin and all around rogue, bedding both women and men in an audacious manner that would give Casanova a run for his money. He's been away from England for a decade, ever since some major unpleasantness between him and his cousin--and total lack of regard from his father. But, weary of his dissolute lifestyle, he returns home, only to find he's still not ready to settle down (he's still just 26 years old). When his father proposes that he act as his agent in his investment in a Jamaican plantation, he agrees to go. Even though he takes his responsibilities seriously, once he arrives he is intrigued by the buccaneers who are based out of Port Royal. When it is suggested that he may find it interesting to go roving with a ship in search of Spanish prizes, it doesn't take him long to sign on.
Introduction to the life of a buccaneer through Will's eyes is just fascinating. If you love sea adventure, there's a ton of it here as Will's first trip encompasses raiding pigs, making the dried meat boucan (from which came the term "buccaneer"), careening, taking a galleon and being shipwrecked. He also acquires a matelot: a bunk-mate; Gaston, an aristocratic Frenchman who is said to be mad. But Will senses a kindred spirit in Gaston--or at least a well-read and agile mind in a man of a similar background, whom he can befriend-- although he eventually hopes it will become much more than that. Unfortunately, both of them are scarred by their pasts, Gaston even more than Will, so the course of true love runs far from smoothly.
Aside from Will and Gaston--two unforgettable and intricately drawn characters, there are many others, most amazingly sympathetic given the wild frontier-like quality of Port Royal and the Caribbean, such as the helpful agent, Theodore and the core of friends Will makes among the buccaneers: Striker and Pete and the Bard. The book is full of complex and interesting characters, both good and bad. The historical background seems solid enough, the details feel real. This is a substantial book, with a depth and richness that is not often encountered in most sub-genres. In many ways it is easily classifiable as a historical fiction, with m/m romance elements (although those who enjoy love and sex will not be disappointed).
It's a fascinating read that deserves its accolades. I don't feel I can adequately express how good this book is! It has become one of my favorite books of all time and all genres. I can't wait to read the subsequent books in this amazing series.
Book Review: A Gripping Exploration of Love and Belonging in the Caribbean
Summary: 5 Stars
When my friend lent me "Brethren: Raised by Wolves", she told me three things: 1) It's about pirates, 2) gay pirates, to be more specific, and 3) it was really well written in comparison to the quality of other gay romances that are available for a lesser price (free) on a wider forum (online). W.A. Hoffman's novel met all these expectations and surpassed them in style, much like her protagonist, Will. This is a book that I would gladly shell out the asking price for, and will probably end up doing so.
The story is solid (though it should be noted that Hoffman's seafarers are not pirates, but buccaneers - a difference that is explored and explained and backed with much research on part of the author). Hoffman writes a compelling tale of love and belonging centered around two European nobles (one disinherited, the other reluctantly embraced by his father), who have abandoned their fortunes and filial responsibilities (or have been abandoned by these things). Will does this so that he can do as he wants without the restraint of title and privilege. Gaston wanders aimlessly from port to port, lost in himself. Both men meet one another in Port Royal (Jamaica) and instantly recognize within each other kinship and understanding. These feelings of brotherhood transform into love over the course of 541 pages as the plot takes them from English Caribbean society to the high seas amongst fellow buccaneers. At the same time, both men must learn to deal with one another's demons, alone and together.
The only real problems with this novel are the author's tendency to overstate and a few editorial issues. Facts and information about characters will be relayed numerous times, which lead to readers such as myself (who are mindful of information given throughout the text) becoming bored when something is mentioned for the third or fourth time. Granted this novel is some-500 pages in length and richly written with lots of detail, making it difficult for less mindful readers to follow information, so I can forgive and understand this rehashing. The editorial problems are something that you'll find in smaller publishing houses and are a result of not enough people going over the galley proofs or the people going over the proofs missing something here and there. All of the problems involve format, and while they're not disturbing enough to take a reader out of a story, it is something the publishing house should take into consideration when reprinting this book.
There is a third problem, of course: that this book ends. Even after finishing it an hour ago, I feel the need to return to this world that Hoffman has created. I'm hoping the second book will be just as compelling and will leave me feeling the same way (much to my despair and delight). This, I think, is the sign of a wonderful story and (despite the few problems) makes this novel worth the five star rating I gave it.
Book Review: Wayward gay Lord finds his matelot
Summary: 5 Stars
Lord Marsdale, wayward twenty six year old first son of an English Lord has for ten years travelled Europe, charming and seducing both male and female, and paying his way by dispatching the unwanted to order. Having to leave yet another city following his latest killing, which also meant reluctantly leaving Alonso, his lover of the last two years, he returns home to England and his estranged father. But it is not long before he is off travelling again, this time sent by his father to oversee the establishment of a new sugar plantation in Jamaica. But he is still the adventurer, and not one to idly watch over a plantation. He soon finds a commonality with the buccaneers, and within no time at all he is sailing and pillaging with them, adopting their ways and customs. But before his first sailing he encounters the enigmatic buccaneer Gaston, with whom he finds himself partnered; and soon falling in love.
There are numerous other interesting characters including the most appealing Adonis like Pete, the Golden One; and his devoted partner, the equally handsome Striker. Marsdale, a dualist skilled with both sword and gun, who is happy enough to bed a man or women, but preferring a man for a relationship, is an interesting mix of mercenary and philanthropist; his biggest concern over his father's plantation is that the workers be treated properly.
As the story, narrated by Marsdale, unfolds we gradually learn glean more about both Gaston and Marsdale himself, and we learn that the two have much in common. As well as each being of noble birth and sharing an interest in art and literature, they both have suffered dreadfully in their youth. The love that grows between them, a complicated love for Gaston's usual sexual preference is for the opposite sex, is beautiful despite the problems and difficulties they have to overcome; and through their love and mutual support, they are able to face the dark shadows of their past.
An epic adventure set around 1666, packed full of interesting well researched snippets of information, yet Brethren is primarily a deeply touching love story involving two very appealing, but far from perfect individuals. Raised by Wolves Volume 1, Brethren, is a captivating and positive story, highly recommended.
Book Review: Unbelievable!
Summary: 5 Stars
"Brethren" is the first in a projected four book series and it is historical fiction at its finest. A rich epic set in the Caribbean in the late 1600's, this is the story of the roguish William Marsdale. Readers will be hooked from the page one. Will left home to escape an abusive relationship, and to see the world. He becomes an accomplished swordsman and duelist, as well as a seasoned traveller. When he finally returns home to England, he is sent by his father to Jamaica to manage a new sugar plantation. Of course, he promptly puts someone in charge of it and joins a buccaneer crew! Buccaneer's have some "questionable" traditions, such at Matelotage. It is a partnership between two men to support each other in battle, share fiscal responsibilities and to provide company. These relationships were often sexual, but not always. Will unintentionally finds himself with a matelot. The bitter-sweet love that eventually develops between he and Gaston is believable and has great potential (which is explored in Volume 2, Matelots: Raised By Wolves, Volume Two).
The cast of supporting characters are all fully developed and help propel the storyline as well as provide humor. Stryker and Pete are especially fun, and integral to the plot. Hoffman has done a lot of research into the time period and subject matter and it shows. The dialog and language are representative of the time, and extremely well written - I never felt lost with the old-fashioned terminology or phrasing. Her descriptions of the world and people are detailed without bogging a reader down. With a a lot of action, and an engrossing plot, this is a fantastic adventure story. I read this massive novel in only two days and can hardly wait for the rest of the quadrilogy. Volume 3, "Raised by Wolves: Treasure" is due in April/May 2008, and the final volume, "Raised by Wolves: Wolves: is due in Spring 2009.
I also highly recommend Ransom, an exciting adventure about 3 british naval officers captured by pirates.
Book Review: good
Summary: 3 Stars
The main problem with this book is that it is big and heavy: more than 500 hundred low quality paper pages are bound in a volume that requires a table to be read comfortably. Some typos here and there as well as several minor inconsistencies add to the amount of flaws.
The book is also quite wordy: the two main characters speak A LOT: some is good, much could have been cut with little or no damage.
All above aside, this book is fun. Ms Hoffman appears to have made her researches and the world of xvii century buccaneers comes to life in a believable way.
The many notions are woven with a lot of action and the general impression is unoppressive and pleasant.
A thorny issue is the author's confusion about ethics. Buccaneers killed and tortured peoples to rob them of their own goods and, even if some of their victims were military, there is no easy way around this.
Personally speaking I liked Will and Gaston a lot and I found the side characters well rounded and interesting, but I still felt outright unease at their being robbers and murderers, no better than outright parasites.
A big praise for Ms Hoffman is that she manages a fairly believable attempt at gay male romance not to mention that she is wise enough to mention sex (quite often) without attempting to become graphic about it, never indulging lengthy description, thus avoiding technical censure as well.
Like many lady-authors she seems convinced that perfect bisexuality exists and that perfectly straight males can practice perfectly fulfilling gay sex out of true love for their partners; I am quite perplexed about these curious notions but I found them approached with a no nonsense attitude.
This first episode of a planned trilogy can stand alone on its own as there are no really annoying loose threads.