Rainbow Reviews

BOOK BLURB:
Graduating from college would be a highlight of any man's life, but Arthur Kraus is different. He's just reached satyr maturity, and he's going out of his mind as he's swamped with sexual urges. In a desperate moment, he invites his roommate to a Bacchanal and asks him to be his first. But after hearing the first-time stories at the Bacchanal, Arthur decides to wait for more than physical satiation ~ not knowing that someone has overheard his decision.

That someone, Gaelen, is special in his own way: he's the last remaining Fey, a creature of the light, innocent and pure, the protector of the remaining joy the Fey bring to the world. Though attracted to Arthur, Gaelen is afraid to trust. He knows he's being hunted for his power by a force that wants to overthrow Bacchus himself, and Gaelen will have to allow Arthur into his life if he wants to survive.

BOOK REVIEW:
"Child of Joy" is a fantastical romance presented in a contemporary setting. Arthur Kraus is a twenty-four year old satyr who will soon graduate college. He invites his roommate Tate to his family’s farm to observe and participate in a monthly satyr festival called the Bacchanal. It is at this event that Arthur is expected to lose his virginity, and Tate is the partner whom he’s chosen to do the honors. At the last minute, however, Arthur changes his mind. He wants his first time to be special, with a partner of whom he’s in love.

Unbeknownst to Arthur, the entire exchange he shares with Tate is being secretly observed by an invisible guest. This presence turns out to be Gaelen, the world’s last remaining fairy, or Fey. A few days later Arthur stumbles upon the Fey while in the woods. This time Gaelen is in human form. Assuming that the young man is lost and disoriented, Arthur takes Gaelen home with him, and soon a friendship develops.

As the young couple begins to discover one another and fall in love, they’re soon beset with a barrage of challenges. It is revealed that Gaelen has a long history with satyrs, in which he has been terribly abused and misused. Mysterious and malevolent forces work against the couple, threatening not only to destroy their relationship but also to forever change the way of life for all satyrs.

Gaelen struggles to remain strong and to fight his urge to simply retreat and go into hiding. Arthur tries to help Gaelen understand that their love for one another is strong enough to withstand any challenge, but he fears that Gaelen’s painful past may prevent his lover from ever truly finding the joy he knows they can provide one another.

The sweetness of this story is very endearing and inspirational. The author rather craftily weaves together the elements of fantasy and the believability of a young couple’s first romance. The romantic descriptions and the dialogue demonstrate the author’s skill as a gifted storyteller. The erotic scenes are tastefully presented yet powerfully passionate, and the conveyance of emotion is nothing less than remarkable.

Generally speaking, I am not a big fan of romantic fantasy; however, I’m very pleased to have been afforded the opportunity to read and review this book. Andrew Grey is perhaps my favorite type of author. He writes in very plainspoken language without pretension. His characters are solidly developed and genuinely likable, and he leaves the reader yearning for more. I find this particular type of story to be a welcome distraction from the real world, and I look forward to consuming more of Grey’s work.

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