“Hoffman writes intimate, philosophical, epic historical fiction with romance (M/M, primarily) with wit and assurance. In this third installment of this excellent series, the past and society intrude upon Will and Gaston's lives and threaten all they hold dear.
Resting in the isolated, primitive paradise of their holdings on a distant part of Jamaica while storms keep the Brethren of the Coast from roving as pirates (or privateers), news comes that Gaston's father, the Marquis de Tervent has arrived in Port Royal, seeking his son after an absence of over a decade. Will and Gaston reluctantly return to civilization because, despite everything (Gaston's scars and his father having declared him insane and unfit) Gaston still has hopes of reconciliation.
Will and Gaston are still negotiating the treacherous road through both of their volatile psyches, holding hard to their love for one another as one sure thing in an uncertain world and yet still trying to make their way in the world. Facing Gaston's father is something they need to do together. They must also deal with Will's "damn wife"--the young, angry, drunk, Vivian, as well as babies on the way and those hoped for in the future. And there are also plots against them by Will's father in England. The Earl also works against Will's sister, Sarah--and therefore is a distinct threat to Sarah's husband, Striker.
Will and Gaston and their friends must decide how to defend themselves and whether they will rove with Henry Morgan, who has grandiose plans of attacking large Spanish towns, particularly now that a great Navy warship has arrived to aide him.
As with the first two books, the characters of Will and Gaston and their relationship continue to fascinate. Will unconditional love truly prevail or will everything in the world that is stacked against love overcome it? There is also the threat of change as Gaston's view begins to encompass more things: his father, his position and possibly a future that includes not only children, but inheriting from his father, now that Will has managed to help Gaston reign in the wild horse of his madness. Will, ever the one who wants to fix everything and everyone, quixotically, with his quick mind and facile language and huge heart, cannot stand in Gaston's way, though he hopes to maintain their love through it all...
The ways of the Buccaneers are changing, the way of the matelot which was the basis of Will and Gaston's relationship (although not at all the sum of it). So changes everything in the world, as well as Gaston and Will's situation. Watching the free-wheeling ways of the raucous buccaneers of Port Royal and watching the minds and hearts of Will and Gaston and their band of engaging friends and relations is a kind of magic that is only available in the best of books.
This series continues to be one to cherish for its revelation of other worlds and other lives that readers can truly revel in.
”
aprillee wrote this review Sunday, July 5 2009.
(
reply |
permalink )
