The Phoenix by Ruth Sims
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TITLE: The Phoenix
AUTHOR: Ruth Sims
ISBN: 978-1-93213-3-400
PUBLISHER: Writers Collective
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Review by PermaFrost
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BOOK BLURB:
A rich display of the Victorian Era among high society as well as among the poor and the rural, The Phoenix displays a deeply-researched tapestry. The lives of two very different men collide and entwine in a background of sensuality, emotion, grief, and love.
BOOK REVIEW:
Rich in historical background, The Phoenix relates the tale of two very strong-willed and determined men. Both rise out of the ashes of obscurity and adversity solely by their own bootstraps and intentions. Each endangers himself by his sexual nature, for to act on it is a legal offense subject to hanging at worst, social opprobrium at least.
Kit St. Denys, born Jack Rourke, grew up in the London slums. The slightly older of twins, Jack early on became the protector for his frightened and fragile brother Michael. Children of a vacillating mother and an abusively violent sailor father, their childhood dream was always escape. Yet only Jack makes it out alive, and then only at the cost of terrifying nightmares and a life spent looking over his shoulder.
Nicholas Stuart is the final son born to a fanatically rigid Puritan country doctor. From birth his life is determined for him: to follow in his father’s footsteps. Yet Nicholas demurs, and insists on making his own way, on to University and then clinic practice in the slums. When fate tosses Nick and Kit together, flames are enkindled that burn like a holocaust. Yet the course of love nor lust refuses to run smoothly.
The Phoenix is a wonderfully complex novel, gifting the reader with the perception of living in its era. Plot twist upon plot twist abound, building suspense. The characters are richly developed and will linger on in memory for some time to come. The m/m sensuality is heated but not particularly graphic.
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