Alflor has many strengths as a writer, but perhaps his best is character building. The characters in this book are nothing short of real. They all have their merits and flaws. I found myself cheering for them one moment and booing them the next. That's exactly how real human beings are. Way too many books go with the knight in shining armor as their protagonist, a fact that bores me. With Rivard you never know which way things will lean. And it's those characters who drive the plot. This results in realistic situations and realistic resolutions. Things never feel forced. Too many writers out there push the characters into weird actions just to drive the plot. The narrative is very strong as well. I found myself lost in it to the point where I stopped seeing the words and started seeing the story beneath them. To me, a narrative you barely notice is the mark of a talented writer.

There *is* sex in this book, but it is very tasteful and romantic. I'm actually not gay and I enjoyed it just for the sheer plot progression it provided.

I think we have an Ursa Majors contender. I certainly know where I will put my vote.

Edited for Space Constraints