Rainbow Reviews

BOOK BLURB:
The nobleman Tamasin owns a lush seaside villa and three handsome young catamites. Each one vies for the right to wear the red sash, which marks him out as the master’s favorite for the night. But when disaster strikes Tamasin will discover that only one of his lovers is truly loyal to him.

BOOK REVIEW:
In this short historical, Tamasin is a wealthy property owner and is spending time at his seaside estate in the company of three young bed-slaves. As one catamite is the custom, Tamasin’s three is beyond expected and thus he must leave them all behind when he ventures to rejoin his wife and children soon. He is loathe to do so as he cares for each man deeply and equally, if differently. When a devastating earthquake and tidal wave hit the harbor city, Tamasin’s bed-slaves show that only one of the three truly loves his master.

Vivid and lush prose set the backdrop to this story quickly, establishing Tamasin as a wealthy but indulgent master of the house with affection and care for those in his employ. His musings and desire for each of his bed slaves show his tender feelings, desiring the men without needing to assert his ownership of them. Each man brings out a different need within Tamasin, yet he wonders if any of them truly care for him or truly desire him. Although he could easily be an unsympathetic character as a wealthy merchant with numerous slaves, a wife, children and property; his care for his people and hints of insecurity show a charm and warmth to his personality.

Each of the three men has wildly different personalities and offer unique desires and needs for their owner. Urrit, the foreigner schooled in the art of sex and offering elaborate rituals and formal rules to passion. His skills and abilities far superior to the other slaves, yet he withholds his real emotions and desires behind the façade. Semoy is the newest and most hesitant. Originally bought as a laborer, yet Tamasin couldn’t deny his hunger for the young man. Semoy is cautious and uncertain, his mind still balking at men loving men in spite of his body reacting with vigor. Finally, Elagan is the oldest of the bed-slaves with his open adoration and desire for his owner without revealing his true feelings. His imagination and need for rough, dirty sex perhaps hiding deeper injuries and emotions.

When the earthquake hits and the dust is finally settling, Tamasin realizes that two of his bed-slaves have run off and to his surprise, one remains offering his love, devotion, and companionship to the older man. This is a particularly moving scene with the complexity of emotions from Tamasin as a benevolent owner, but an owner nonetheless and the eventual fate of the red sash which had played so prominently amongst the young men and their competition.

Although a short tale, the combination of well developed characters, an interesting setting, and an engaging story all worked to offer a unique and delightful tale of an owner and the complex relationships he has with his slaves. The rich lyrical nature of the writing added to the depth of the story and quickly drew me in from the beginning. As this is a new writer to me, I was thoroughly satisfied with this story as it’s the perfect length, pacing and a quick introduction to a wonderful new style and voice. For new and familiar readers, this is sure to entice and delight on every level.

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