Ox was twelve when his daddy taught him a very valuable lesson. He said that Ox wasn’t worth anything and people would never understand him. Then he left.
Ox was sixteen when he met the boy on the road, the boy who talked and talked and talked. Ox found out later the boy hadn’t spoken in almost two years before that day, and that the boy belonged to a family who had moved into the house at the end of the lane.
Ox was seventeen when he found out the boy’s secret, and it painted the world around him in colors of red and orange and violet, of Alpha and Beta and Omega.
Ox was twenty-three when murder came to town and tore a hole in his head and heart. The boy chased after the monster with revenge in his bloodred eyes, leaving Ox behind to pick up the pieces.
It’s been three years since that fateful day—and the boy is back. Except now he’s a man, and Ox can no longer ignore the song that howls between them.
Before I begin, I want to say: this book is in first person. I know that's a deal breaker for some people, and I don't want to gush about it only for you to be disappointed in the end.
But this book, you guys. THIS BOOK. Holy shit.
I was reading it on my breaks at work. I would hide in a back room and read it when I was supposed to be working. In the car on the way home, and even once I was home. I stopped reading fanfiction for this book. It made me laugh out loud. It had me sobbing. I'm considering buying a paperback copy to go with my ebook.
There's some violence and blood. There's fighting, and people die. It'll make you cry. Despite the tears, however, I wasn't brought down by the book. It has light to balance the dark. It's funny and sweet and will make your heart ache. Though I'll confess I am taking a break before starting book 2, which promises to be even angstier. I'm reading another book by the same author, and it's hilarious, and I may end up rec'ing that one once I'm done, too.
There's a 6 year age difference. Ox is sixteen when he meets Joe, who is ten. Nothing happens for a long time. Ox doesn't even see Joe as a sexual being for years. I know the idea might make some people uncomfortable, so I wanted to address it without spoiling things. Plus, and this is as spoiler-y as it gets, Joe & Ox are such equals by the end.
Not convinced? Here's a tumblr post. As an addendum, we also have a confirmed asexual character who will be the focus of book three! Not to mention strong, badass female characters.
The second & third book in the series covers characters you meet in book one. So if you love the characters, you'll see them in the next book, though they may not be the focus.
There's a happy ending at the end of book one, but it also hints at more to come.
I want to say more. I want to be more persuasive, but I can't find the words to describe how good this book is. I'll answer any questions, or babble at you some more in the comments if you like.
You should buy it: Dreamspinner // Amazon
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