The Roman "romance" (it sounds strange, isn't it) was quite popular in the '80s, even if it didn't reach the popularity of other subgenres like Western or Scottish Medieval romance. And maybe, it was more common in Europe than US, probably cause, more or less, Roman are the forefathers of most part of this country. Anyway, I have to say, I was quite fond of this genre, so when I started The Eagle's Wing, it didn't sound strange or unfamiliar to my ears.

Even if Keret was a former sex slave, the novel doesn't centre much around the sex; when Lucius and Keret, after a painful and long recovery of Keret's emotional status, will arrive to share a bed, the author didn't linger much, just enough to give us the feeling of what was happening. Indeed, it wasn't much important they add that level of intimacy to their relationship, cause the bond was already strong, they first became life companion and then lover.

It was also good to read how the author grasped the custom of the time: that Lucius bought Keret as a bed slave wasn't strange at all, but that he wanted a relationship with him was basically forbidden; moreover, sex between men wasn't forbidden, or even look upon, but only if penetrative sex happened with Lucius, the master, being the dominant lover, Keret didn't even dare to imagine he could be the one doing the deed.

The Eagle's Wing wasn't an easy, light or sexy reading, but it was for sure an original Gay romance, out of the thousand of titles you can find out there.

Publisher: Manifold Press (September 27, 2013)
Amazon Kindle: The Eagle's Wing

More Reviews by Author at my website: http://www.elisarolle.com/, My Reviews


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